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India's health ministry urges states to strengthen surveillance of HMPV cases

Xinhua) 09:33, January 08, 2025

NEW DELHI, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Following the detection of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in India, the federal health ministry Tuesday asked states to review Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) surveillance.

The federal health secretary Monday reviewed the situation of respiratory illnesses in the country and the status of public health measures for their management.

According to the health ministry, the data from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) does not indicate any unusual rise in ILI/SARI cases anywhere in the country, which is also corroborated by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) sentinel surveillance data.

HMPV is one of the many respiratory viruses that can cause infections in people of all ages, particularly during the winter and early spring months. The virus infection is usually a mild and self-limiting condition and most cases recover on their own.

The states have been advised to enhance awareness among the population regarding the prevention of transmission of the virus which includes washing hands often with soap and water, covering mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing, avoiding touching eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands and avoiding close contact with people exhibiting symptoms of the disease.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Pvt. Marcelino Serna is Texas top WW I vet in line for Medal of Honor after century of discrimination. Courtesy/USCIS El Paso Field Office

Pvt. Marcelino Serna's heroics and lethal effectiveness on the battlefield, where he killed more than two dozen enemy soldiers in a single fight, made him was one of the most decorated U.S. soldiers in World War I. But he never received the Medal of Honor.

Civil rights groups and friends of the late veteran  who died in 1992, two months shy of his 96th birthday  say he deserved the nations highest award for gallantry in combat but didn't get it because he was Hispanic.

They had hoped President Joe Biden would correct that by posthumously bestowing the medal on Serna, a native of Mexico who joined the Army after being detained for living illegally in the United States.

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That arrest launched an extraordinary journey that took him to the killing fields of France and back to El Paso for a quiet life as a naturalized U.S. citizen.

But Biden hasn't budged, to the frustration of Serna's advocates.

They had reason to think the president would act. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Army Secretary Christine Wormuth both signed off last year on posthumously awarding a Medal of Honor to Serna, and the Pentagon sent Serna's records to the White House for Biden's review, according to Lawrence Romo of San Antonio, a former Air Force officer who served as President Barack Obama's director of the U.S. Selective Service Commission, and others familiar with the process.

Those actions came after a years-long campaign by the League of United Latino American Citizens (LULAC), the American GI Forum and other civil rights organizations, as well as federal lawmakers, including U.S. Reps. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, and Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio.

Last week, Biden awarded seven Medals of Honor  including one to the late four-star Army Gen. Richard Cavazos, a South Texas native and the namesake of Fort Cavazos  in a ceremony at the White House. But he took no action on two other award packages, one of them for Serna.

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In an email, a staffer for Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., said she was informed that the White House sent Serna's Medal of Honor posthumous award package back to Austin, with no action taken by the president.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

Though denied the Medal of Honor, Serna did receive a Distinguished Service Cross, the second-highest award for wartime heroism. He also was awarded two Croix de Guerre medals from France, the Croce al Merito di Guerra from Italy and several other honors.

Rep. Castro noted that Serna was the first Hispanic soldier to receive the Distinguished Service Cross. But being denied the Medal of Honor was an injustice, he said.

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"This was a time when the actions of Hispanic soldiers were mostly ignored, and in some ways he's kind of a victim of his era," Castro told the Express-News. "He was an immigrant himself, and as this debate rages about immigrants in society, this is a perfect example of an immigrant who fought for his country and fought to protect freedom around the world."

Romo, who serves as LULAC's national vice president for veterans, spearheaded the effort to secure a Medal of Honor for Serna. He said he spent last weekend reaching out to 19 U.S. senators, including John Cornyn, R-Texas, and enlisted Castro's chief of staff, Ben Thomas, to send an inquiry to Biden's staff.

Romo said he also reached out to Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, a friend, for help.

"This guy was a Mexican immigrant. He came across the border. He fought for our country, and he was heroic," Romo said. "And it goes to show you that immigrants contribute to this country like he did. He was a humble man, and he just wanted better for himself and then his future family."

He said the World War I Valor Medals Review Act, passed several years ago, created an opening for Serna. The measure required the Pentagon to review valor medals awarded to minority veterans during World War I to determine if any should receive the Medal of Honor.

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A model soldier

Serna's parents worked in a mining settlement southwest of Chihuahua in northern Mexico in the early 1900s, but fled as the business floundered and the country descended into revolution.

Evading both the Mexican army and rebels, Serna crossed the Rio Grande at El Paso in 1916 in hopes of landing a job. A history titled "El Paso's Sergeant York  Pvt. Marcelino Serna" by Bernard J. Sargent states that Serna, who didn't speak English, worked on a maintenance crew on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and later toiled in a beet field until he was picked up by military police looking for draft dodgers.

When the MPs realized Serna was from Mexico, they offered to send him back. He said no.

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Instead, he volunteered to join the Army and was soon shipped off to Camp Funston, Kan., for three weeks of basic training, according to Sargent. He boarded the RMS Adriatic in Hoboken, N.J., for Europe on June 3, 1916.

Serna's 89th Division entered France on Aug. 4. Three days later, they were occupying the front in the Lucey sector  and being hit with shells filled with poisonous gas. One war record lists Serna among 103 soldiers from his division to be gassed.

They conducted raids, patrolled the enemy wire, took prisoners and gathered information for upcoming offensives. He fought that summer in the Saint-Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives, and was credited with killing a total of 66 enemy soldiers in the Lucey sector.

During the Meuse-Argonne offensive, he followed a German sniper to a trench. Armed with an Enfield rifle, a handgun and grenades, Serna laid down suppressing fire and threw the grenades into the trench. In all, 24 Germans surrendered thinking they were facing a much larger Allied force.

Serna killed 26 German soldiers in that fight.

The drama wasn't over. U.S. reinforcements arriving at the scene wanted to execute the German prisoners but Serna wouldn't allow it.

Sargent, who lives near Houston, said German troops set up kill zones to lure and cut down Allied troops, with fire coming from every direction. In one case, a number of Americans were killed in such a fight and a group of soldiers hearing the tale wanted revenge.

"So when Serna brought the Germans back in, they immediately wanted to kill them because they had killed Americans with blood lust," Sargent told the Express-News. "And he said, 'No, no, that's not, that's not the rules of war.'"

Serna was hit in the legs by sniper fire on Nov. 7, 1918, and was recovering in a hospital in France when the war ended four days later.

He quickly faded into obscurity after returning to El Paso.

After the war, the U.S. military spent weeks searching for Serna so they could present three medals to him and hold a parade at Fort Bliss in El Paso in his honor. They finally found him quietly residing in El Paso's "Little Chihuahua" quarter.

He put down roots in the border town as a blue-collar worker on the installation, a Boy Scout troop leader and founder of a Veterans of Foreign Wars post.

Serna married in 1922 and became an American citizen in 1924. He worked as a city truck driver, a civil service employee at Fort Bliss and as a plumber at the post hospital, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, before retiring in 1961. He and his wife, the former Simona Jimenez, had six children, only two of whom lived to adulthood.

Patriotic as ever, Serna lined up to re-enlist when World War II began but was turned down. He was too old.
The administration in Ba Dinh District, Hanoi has fined Nguyen Ninh, a facility that produces banh com, sweet cakes made of green sticky rice and green beans, after an inspection team uncovered the facilitys food safety violations, including the presence of insects and animal feces in the production area.

Nguyen Ninh, located at 11 Hang Than Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, was subject to the fine for committing four violations.

In particular, the facility failed to make banh com on the one-way principle, which means the sequence of activities within the kitchen did not follow a specific direction.

The production area and food, material, additive, and equipment storage facilities were infested with insects and animals.

The facilitys storage facilities had insufficient shelves, nameplates, and boards of regulations and procedures.

Its workers who directly processed food did not wear protective gear as required.

On January 2, the inspection team checked the production process at Nguyen Ninh, as part of its efforts to ensure food safety during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, or Tet, which begins late this month.

A corner of the production area at the Nguyen Ninh facility, which produces banh com, in Hanoi. Photo: Thu Trang

At the time of the inspection, the owner of Nguyen Ninh and five workers were present.

The kitchen in the owners house was being used as the area for producing banh com, a local delicacy. The floor of the kitchen was peeling and moldy, with drains opened and clogged with waste.

Inspectors also found that clothing items were being air-dried within the production area.

Moreover, tools and equipment used for cake making were dirty, indicating a lack of regular cleaning.

A restroom was even located in the processing area and insects and animal feces were found in the production area.

As the facility was narrow, bags of dried green sticky rice were placed on the entrance to the kitchen near a mossy wall.

The facility also failed to present health certificates and food safety training certificates for the owner and the five workers.

The owner was unable to show proof of origin for its materials, food additives, and packaging.

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The third and most complex component of the Long Thanh International Airport project in southern Dong Nai Province, which includes the passenger terminal and runways, is unlikely to be completed by December 31 this year as planned, according to Vetnam's Ministry of Transport.

In December last year, the prime minister tasked the Ministry of Transport and the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), the investor of the third component of the mammoth airport project, with reviewing and building a new plan to complete the component prior to the end of this year.

A leader of the Ministry of Transport said that representatives of the ministry, ACV, and contractors had inspected the construction site of the airport project.

They found that three out of the 16 packages of the third component were completed while seven others were underway.

They are selecting contractors for three packages and finalizing designs for three others, aiming to launch all six within this quarter.

Of the seven ongoing packages, three -- focused on connecting traffic infrastructure, a flight area, and perimeter fences -- are expected to be completed by December 31, according to the Ministry of Transport.

The remaining four packages are scheduled for completion next year. Notably, a package to construct and equip the aircraft parking area and another to develop the fuel supply system are projected to be finished by April 30.

Contractors are striving to complete a package to build internal roads and technical infrastructure facilities before June 2026.

Meanwhile, a package to construct the passenger terminal worth VND35 trillion (US$1.4 billion) will be executed until November 2026.

ACV said it had worked with the contractor of the package -- the Vietur consortium led by Turkeys IC Ictas and nine Vietnamese firms -- and concluded that its completion time could not be shortened.

ACV explained that key systems such as luggage handling and screening equipment, passenger boarding bridges, and aircraft marshalling systems are being manufactured overseas.

These items are expected to arrive in Vietnam between this year and November next year.

The contractor stated it could accelerate the package timeline by three months, aiming for completion by August 31, 2026. However, this would increase costs by approximately VND1.7 trillion ($67 million).

According to the Ministry of Transport, it is unlikely that the packages under the third component will be completed by December 31 this year, as many are being executed at the same site.

Additionally, the development of other large-scale projects in Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai has created a shortage of building materials, further complicating progress.

Aviation-related tasks demand highly skilled labor, limiting package awards to large, capable contractors. However, these contractors are juggling multiple projects simultaneously, making it difficult to dedicate sufficient manpower and equipment to the Long Thanh International Airport project.

Adding to the challenge is the massive workload involved in the project.

In light of these issues, the Ministry of Transport has urged Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha to provide guidance on resolving the bottlenecks.

The first phase of the Long Thanh International Airport project is estimated to cost VND110 trillion ($4.3 billion).

The entire project, spanning 5,000 hectares, is projected to require an investment of VND336.63 trillion ($13.3 billion).

Once completed, the airport will be Vietnam's largest, capable of handling 100 million passengers and five million metric tons of cargo annually.

Launched in early 2021, the first phase encompasses four components: headquarters for management agencies, an air traffic control tower, the passenger terminal and runways, and 17 ground service facilities.

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A strong cold front is forecast to sweep the north of Vietnam on Thursday before spreading to the central region.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, northern Vietnam may experience chilly weather from Thursday onward, with temperatures expected to drop as low as 5C in mountainous areas.

A strong cold wave is forecast to sweep the north on Thursday, before spreading to parts of central Vietnam.

Temperatures in Hanoi are expected to range from 10 to 13C, while the northern highlands could see mercury as low as 6-9C, with some mountainous areas dropping below 5C.

In central provinces like Quang Binh and Thua Thien-Hue, temperatures may drop to 15-18C.

By Friday, the cold air may intensify further, accompanied by strong northeasterly winds in the Gulf of Tonkin, originating from the middle part of the East Vietnam Sea, hitting along the coast from Quang Tri to Khanh Hoa Provinces. This will create rough seas with waves estimated up to six meters high.

Rain and thunderstorms are predicted in the central provinces from Ha Tinh to Binh Dinh, with localized downpours that may cause flash floods, landslides, and flooding in low-lying and hilly areas.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is urging local authorities to implement precautionary measures, such as protecting livestock, securing crops, and ensuring the safety of residents.

For coastal provinces, an alert is set for fishermen and vessel operators about hazardous sea conditions and how to maintain communication and respond to emergencies effectively.

Residents are encouraged to avoid coal stoves in enclosed spaces to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

Farmers should strengthen animal shelters and stockpile adequate food supplies for livestock.

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Nguyen Van Vu, a 30-year-old from Nam Dinh Province in northern Vietnam, has been arrested for selling counterfeit Japanese-branded eye drops to over 10,000 customers nationwide, profiting illegally by more than VND3 billion (US$118,000).

Provincial police confirmed on Tuesday that Vu has been charged with fraudulent appropriation of property.

According to police, Vu purchased inexpensive Chinese eye drops, along with packaging, labels, and trademarks designed to imitate Japanese brands.

He then advertised the counterfeit products on social media, using deceptive claims to lure customers.

Once orders were placed, Vu packaged the fake products and sent them through cash-on-delivery services.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Vu's operation reached customers across Vietnam, generating illegal earnings exceeding $118,000.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the case.

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Throngs of young people are visiting Nam Son Pagoda in Hoa Vang District under Da Nang City, located in central Vietnam, due to its architectural elegance for their Tet-themed photo albums.

The 2025 Lunar New Year holiday, or Tet, draws near, so a large crowd, especially the youth, starts to dash to renowned and charming sites hoping to capture cherished moments with friends and family.

The Lunar New Year holiday is the biggest festival of the year for Vietnamese. Workers are set to enjoy a nine-day break for the 2025 Tet celebration, spanning from January 25 to February 2.

Boasting ancient architecture and a dream-like atmosphere, Nam Son Pagoda is a hotspot for visitors during this period leading up to the holiday.

Many tourists from near and far crowd Nam Son Pagoda in Hoa Chau Commune, Hoa Vang District, Da Nang City, central Vietnam. Photo: Thanh Nguyen

Featuring red tiled roofs, and enchanting towers with exquisite carvings, the pagoda creates a stunning picture backdrop.

Young people wearing colorful costumes, especially ao dai (traditional Vietnamese gown), are flocking to the pagoda for photoshoots.

Xuan Vi, a 24-year-old resident of Hai Chau District, said that it was the best time for Tet-themed photoshoots due to the sunny and slightly chilly weather.

Wearing ao dai and taking photos at such a gorgeous pagoda makes me feel the festive vibe. I will post my photos on social media to share my excitement and anticipation before Tet, Vi said.

Brimming with young people every afternoon, the pagoda becomes colorful thanks to red, yellow, green, and white outfits.

Nam Son Pagoda in Hoa Chau Commune, Hoa Vang District, Da Nang City, central Vietnam, attracts crowds of young people for photoshoots due to its ancient architecture. Photo: Thanh Nguyen

Young women also bring various photo props such as non la (iconic Vietnamese conical hat), paper fans, and red envelopes to make their Tet albums stand out with personality.

Le Do Nha Phuong, a 22-year-old resident of Ngu Hanh Son District, shared that she was visiting the pagoda for photoshoots because of its architectural allure and peace.

Many Tet-themed photos taken at the pagoda have gone viral on social media over the past few days, prompting me and my friends to follow the trend, he added.

Visitors also make incense offerings to pray for health and happiness in the new year.

Nam Son Pagoda in Hoa Chau Commune, Hoa Vang District, Da Nang City, central Vietnam is famous for architectural elegance and dreamy space. Photo: Thanh Nguyen

Many young people use various photo props to make their photos at Nam Son Pagoda in Hoa Chau Commune, Hoa Vang District, Da Nang City, central Vietnam more beautiful. Photo: Thanh Nguyen

Nam Son Pagoda in Hoa Chau Commune, Hoa Vang District, Da Nang City, central Vietnam is famous for architectural elegance and dreamy space. Photo: Thanh Nguyen

Crowds of young people are beguiled by the unique architecture of Nam Son Pagoda in Hoa Chau Commune, Hoa Vang District, Da Nang City, central Vietnam. Photo: Thanh Nguyen

Nam Son Pagoda in Hoa Chau Commune, Hoa Vang District, Da Nang City, central Vietnam emerges as a charming destination for Tet photoshoots. Photo: Thanh Nguyen / Tuoi Tre

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Two part travel series Miriam Margolyes in New Zealand screens on ABC.

In the opening episode she travels the North Island, from Wellington to the far north of the North Island, where New Zealands founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi, was signed between the Maori tribes and British colonisers.

As a dual British-Australian citizen, celebrated actress Miriam Margolyes has spent the past 40 years coming and going from her home in Sydney. But shes ashamed to say she knows very little about the nation that is Australias closest friend and ally.

Now, Miriams been offered her first film role in New Zealand  playing a Kiwi Nun! Shes played a few nuns in her time, but a New Zealander?

Determined to overcome her ignorance and prepare for her new role, Miriam embarks on a road trip across New Zealands North and South islands to find out what it means to be a Kiwi today. And to understand how different it is from being an Aussie.

As she explores this far-flung country of just over 5 million people, Miriam uncovers a fierce, passionate and diverse nation thats unlike any other. Along the way, Miriam confronts some of her own deep-seated prejudices: developing a new appreciation for rugby, a sport she absolutely loathes, as a well as a surprising affiliation with hobbits.

Spending time in communities across the country, Miriam digs into what makes New Zealand so unique  including the ways in which it is tackling the challenges it faces in the world today.

As Miriam discovers, New Zealand is a country full of unexpected lessons for us all, herself included. The result is an unforgettable adventure with one of the most keen-eyed observers of people on the planet.

7:30pm Sunday on ABC.
Retired ABC political correspondent and former ABC television host Ken Randall has died, aged 88.

Randall, whose career spanned six decades across newspapers, magazines, radio and television, passed away on Monday night, ABC reported.

He was the longest-serving president of the National Press Club, a position he held for 22 years, before becoming patron in 2016.

A founding staff member of the Australian newspaper in 1964, the Tasmanian-born reporter initially worked for the ABC in Hobart, before moving between Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney.

In 1971, Randall was among a group of journalists who accompanied then-opposition leader Gough Whitlam on his historic visit to China, and he later presented ABCs weekly parliamentary broadcast Order in the House.

In a statement the NPC said its former president left a magnificent legacy and expressed its condolences to his family, including former wife Helen, to whom he remained close, as well as son Tom, daughter Lindsey and stepson Christopher.

Current NPC president, and chief political correspondent for 7:30, Laura Tingle, paid tribute to her former colleague and highlighted his immense contribution to steering the Club through some tough times.

Ken was literally the first person I ever worked with when I came to Canberra and he was a kind, generous and wise colleague to me and other young reporters, she recalled.

Randall also moderated Australias first televised election debate between then-prime minister Bob Hawke and opposition leader Andrew Peacock ahead of the 1984 federal election.

During his career, he also served as a press secretary in the Whitlam government and as a media and foreign policy adviser for opposition leader Bill Hayden, then later as a consultant to the Australian Defence Force chief and Defence secretary.

In 1997, he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to Journalism and Public Affairs and two years later was recognised as a Member of the Order (AM).

Ken Randall helped make sure the National Press Club survives and thrives to this day. Hell be missed. RIP. pic.twitter.com/CCDq3oFtcj  David Crowe (@CroweDM) January 7, 2025

Source: ABC
Naydeen Gonzalez-De Jesus, former president of San Antonio College, will assume her new role in Massachusetts in mid-January.

A former San Antonio College president who came under scrutiny amid the 2023 outbreak of the Israel-Hamas War has taken a job with a community college in the Northeast.

Naydeen Gonzalez-De Jesus, president of SAC from January 2023 to March 2024, will assume the role of vice president of the Lawrence campus and community relations at Northern Essex Community College, which serves about 4,500 students in Massachusetts. Shes set to begin work in the new position there in mid-January, the college announced Jan. 2.

NECC President Lane Glenn said the college had terrific candidates for the job and concluded her 20-plus years of experience in higher education administration combined with her mastery of international public diplomacy has been wonderfully on display across this entire process.

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Naydeen Gonzalez-De Jesus accepted a new position at Northern Essex Community College in Massachusetts. Courtesy

In a release from the college, Gonzalez-De Jesus said she looked forward to building stronger connections within the Lawrence community and beyond, and to collaborating with local and international partners that will serve as catalysts to launch innovative solutions that not only elevate educational outcomes but also foster workforce development and economic growth throughout the Merrimack Valley and beyond.

NECC is New Englands first federally recognized Hispanic-serving institution. Half of its students are Hispanic, with many from the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Mexico and countries in Central and South America. Lawrence has a large immigrant population that is more than 80% Hispanic, according to the college.

Amid heated emotions at U.S. colleges and universities over the war in the Middle East, Gonzalez-De Jesus was reassigned last year to a central office administrative role as presidential project executive in the Alamo Colleges District following a faculty-organized teach-in on campus about Palestine.

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In that role as project executive, she was tasked with supporting initiatives to address the needs of target populations within our colleges and communities, including expanding services for incarcerated individuals, enhancing resources for bilingual and Spanish-speaking families, and identifying partnership opportunities in support of district-wide initiatives, the district said in March.

San Antonio College is celebrating its centennial this year. It was founded in September 1925. Courtesy San Antonio College

Alamo Colleges didnt link the new assignment with campus unrest that began in October 2023, saying it was aimed at optimizing resources and skills within the organization. Gonzalez-De Jesus was just the second female president at the century-old institution, one of the oldest community colleges in Texas, established as University Junior College in September 1925 under the University of Texas.

Students had accused Gonzalez-De Jesus of trying to shut down the forum on the near-downtown campus, which serves about 19,000 students. The event was postponed, then held several days later. SACs Student Government Association supported a vote of no confidence in her, and an anonymous member of the colleges senior executive team sent Alamo Colleges Chancellor Mike Flores a confidential letter outlining concerns.

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Gonzalez-De Jesus also had supporters, including the Jewish Federation of San Antonio and district employees who said she was being targeted for seeking needed reforms.
Ngoc Bich

KUALA LUMPUR  ASEAN should evolve into a middle-class society, becoming a substantial consumer market rather than merely serving as production sites in the traditional model of export-led industrialization, Liew Chin Tong, Deputy Minister of Invesment, Trade and Industry (MITI), has said.

Deputy Minister Liew Chin Tong made the statement while opening the ASEAN Economic Opinion Leaders Conference themed Outlook for 2025 in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.

Over the past 70 years, Asia has witnessed significant economic growth but there is a limit to export-oriented industrialisation as this growth has largely relied on exporting to the United States and, to a lesser extent, Europe.

The regions heavy reliance on the model encourages multinationals to suppress wages, positioning us as a low-cost production destination, Liew Chin Tong said.

Asian economies cannot forever think of the United States as the export destination of the first and last resort. We will have to create more consumer markets, especially in ASEAN, he stressed.

He added that it has become common to offer tax cuts or holidays to attract these multinational companies, but ASEAN member states should not enter into a race by offering wages, tax cuts and tax holidays.

As nations begin to adopt the Global Minimum Tax (GMT), there is an urgent need for ASEAN member states to collaborate on an agreement to prevent any circumvention of the GMT, the deputy minister said.

ASEAN must unite and communicate to multinationals that collecting these taxes is essential for the greater good of our people. This effort is crucial for ASEAN's emergence as a middle-class society, which will create a substantial market for all, including multinationals, he stressed.

The bloc should be prioritise the protection of the climate and environment, Liew Chin Tong said while highlighting the need for sustainable development.

Stressing the necessity for fostering stronger regional solidarity, the deputy minister said this is the time for ASEAN member states to view one another not as competitors, but as complementary partners in building a resilient regional supply chain.

He gave the example that the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone holds the potential to create an exciting future and serve as a role model. Additionally, promoting more ASEAN-wide joint investment projects and sub-regional cooperation will strengthen the ASEAN supply chain significantly.

Related to challenges that ASEAN is facing, Satvinder Singh, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), said despite the rise of protectionism, ASEAN leaders have consistently advocated for open and free markets. While many countries retreated into protectionist stances during the COVID-19 pandemic, ASEAN seized the opportunity to negotiate the world's largest free trade agreement, RCEP, which is now fully operational. This has sparked interest from other nations seeking to join.

In addition to RCEP, we are actively upgrading our free trade agreements with major trading partners, notably China and India. We hope that this year will bring positive developments, allowing us to enhance our commitments with both countries by year-end, benefiting all involved, Singh said.

We are trying to connect the ASEAN single window to some of our large trade partners, and also upgrading the system to make it even more efficient, Singh added.

Another problem is demographic aging like Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, and even Viet Nam, are facing, the official said.

We must consider these factors as we plan and reorganise our strategies, Singh said, adding that incorporating these elements into our ASEAN Economic Community Plan for the next 20 years is essential for sustainable development.

Both energy and food supplies will be significant concerns that we need to address comprehensively. Our dependence on fossil fuels remains high, presenting unique challenges compared to other regions.

Singh gave an example of Japan which has been actively reducing its energy demand in response to demographic changes. In ASEAN, however, is facing different issues that require careful consideration and strategic planning moving forward.

Highlighting the significance of middle income class to the sustainability of long term growth Dr. Sugumari S.Shanmugam, senior director of ASEAN Economic Integration Division of MITI, said that middle income class tends to support investment in human capital, infrastructure services, the development of social protection systems and the provision of reliable and fair public services.

She said that enhancing trade and investment is a key strategy for alleviating poverty and fostering a larger middle-income society. Opening up to trade significantly boosts a country's GDP and allows for more efficient resource utilisation.

Additionally, trade directly contributes to poverty reduction by creating new employment opportunities. As ASEAN Chair this year, we remain committed to advancing this strategy moving forward.

We are in the process of upgrading our intra-ASEAN trade agreements and exploring further enhancements with our dialogue partners. This effort takes into account new and emerging issues affecting our trade agreements.

ASEAN are not only focusing on traditional markets but are also looking to expand its reach. We propose a joint declaration on ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) collaboration during the 46th ASEAN Summit in May this year, Dr. Sugumari said. This initiative aims to pave the way for closer ties with the GCC, recognising its significant economic potential and role as a global investor, she added.

As ASEAN Chair, Malaysia aims to focus on narrowing development gaps, addressing income inequality, and eradicating poverty.

We are confident that ASEAN, home to over 680 million peopleincluding around 230 million youthsholds great potential for elevating more individuals into the middle-income bracket with the right policies and strategies in place, Dr. Sugumari stressed.  VNS
Trinh Hung Cuong is a book collector. After many years travelling across the country buying rare books, he has just released his first edition, Lan Theo Dau Chu (Tracing the Evolution of Printing Press in Viet Nam), which narrates the history of printing houses from 1862 to 1920.

Viet Nam News reporter Nguyen Binh chatted with Cuong about his book.

How did you come up with the idea about the book? And what motivated you to write it?

I have collected books for many years and during that time I have seen so many book titles which have excited my curiosity. The book titles include Nha In Quan Hat (Quan Hat Printing House), Ban In Nha Hang Rey et Curiol (Rey et Curiol Printer's), Nha In Me Kong (Mekong Printing House), Nha In F-H.Schneider (F-H.Schneider Printing House), along with many others.

Printing houses and publishers are tools for producing knowledge and they played an important role for the printing press and publishing in Viet Nam.

I did my research and was surprised that there was no actual book about the Vietnamese printing industry during the colonial period. There are just few articles in both French and Vietnamese and so I decided to write my own book with a view to bring interest to book collectors like myself.

How was the process of writing your first book? How did you solve the difficulties?

Honestly, I'm not a social science researcher, nor do I have writing talents. I have documents and compiled them with my own references and because such documentation is very important, my book is very heavily reliant on the history of the industry.

Over many years I have collected a lot of documents related to the printing industry and I nurtured the book many years ago.

The most difficult thing was getting the documentation to fill in the missing pieces.

I have had to read a lot from year books, gazettes and directories, along with studying advertisements in newspapers in French, with a view to collecting information and piecing them together.

I spend a lot of time cross referencing and checking information about the relationship among characters, printing houses and book houses. Their inheritances, the commercial operations and how they merged, were complex.

Additionally, each printing house has its own chronological table. Not to mention a huge number of pictures and maps that I had to check for each caption and ensure the resolution was high enough.

Plus, I also researched on the internet using sources like the French Gallica digital library and referenced important other resources from other book collectors.

The book introduces printing in the north and the south and printing by the Catholic missions; please tell us more about that?

Printing by the Catholic missions was established very early, in the first days of the French appearing in Viet Nam. During their time the Catholic printers left behind a number of valuable publications such as Dictionary J.S.Theurel and Dictionary J.F.M Genibrel.

These are rare documents which explain the development of the romanized writing system for Vietnamese, and are a suggestion for the compilation of other dictionaries later contributing to further perfecting the national language.

Through publications by the Catholic printers we can review historical periods of the national language development including syllables, words and grammar.

Furthermore, the Catholic printers published books on physics, literature, mathematics and geography. In my opinion, the Catholic printing contributed to the beginning of Viet Nam press. The first Catholic paper, Nam Ky ia Phan (Cochinchina diocese), came into existence in 1908.

So your book is the first complete research about the printing industry in Viet Nam?

According to my understanding, there is a book about Lich Su Nganh In Viet Nam (History of Printing in Viet Nam). The first volume was published in 1987 and was a review of printing workers from 1930 related to the national revolution, while the second volume published in 1992 introduces the role of the printing industry in war time, from 1945 to 1975.

The book doesn't mention the formation and development of Latin letter printing, including by the French and the national language at the beginning of the colonial period.

My book offers readers the chance to learn about the entire process of printing Latin letters, development of the printing houses, the important publications, key people in the printing industry and methodical cataloguing of printing houses from 1862 to 1920 period.

Could you tell us more about your old book collection in Viet Nam?

I have had a passion for old books since I was a secondary student. I was at that time living in the northern province of Bac Ninh so I would travel by bus to Ha Noi and go and buy books at bookstores in Trang Tien Street and old bookstores in Ly Thuong Kiet Street.

Collecting old texts and books is very popular in Viet Nam and there are a lot of book exchanges and trading. Some of the book collectors even join the Vietnamese old book auctions abroad.

The interest has also helped to revive bookbinding and book restoration work. Some old bookbinding stores in HCM City and Nha Trang are even expanding in order to serve book collectors.

There are also exhibitions displaying old books and papers which are of great interest. VNS
HA NOI  Marking the 100th anniversary of the Viet Nam University of Fine Arts, formerly the Indochina School of Fine Arts, an exhibition and a series of discussions opened in Ha Noi, celebrating the evolution of modern art in Indochina.

This event not only honoured the rich legacy of modern art in the country but also enriched understanding of the school's profound influence on modern art in Indochina during the 1925-1945 period.

The exhibition featured a collection of prints from masterpieces by celebrated artists such as Le Pho, Mai Trung Thu, Vu Cao am, Nguyen Phan Chanh, and Luong Xuan Nhi, all graduates of the school.

These works, curated from over 1,000 pieces by 70 artists appraised by Aguttes auction house in France, offered a glimpse into a golden era of Indochina painting and a blend of Western influences with traditional Vietnamese arts before 1945.

Accompanying the visual feast were several seminar sessions and video screenings, diving deep into the heart of Indochina and Viet Nam's artistic narrative.

The discussions ranged from the personal to the academic, exploring the profound bond between Jacques Lebas and Victor Tardieu, the foundational figures of the school, to the decorative art mission led by Evariste Jonchere from 1938 to 1944.

The focus on multicultural art education underscored the universal language of art transcending cultural boundaries.

Leading these discussions was Charlotte Aguttes-Reynier, a preeminent expert in Asian modern art.

She has significantly contributed to promoting Indochinese artists on the international market and authored the book L'Art Moderne en Indochine (Modern Art in Indochina).

Released in 2024, the book provides a comprehensive look at the role of the Indochina School of Fine Arts in the creative arts.

In an exciting announcement, Aguttes-Reynier revealed plans for a special award and scholarship for fine arts students nationwide.

Designed to ignite the creative spirits of the young and carry forward the legacy of art masters, the award is expected to launch in 2025, with prizes to be awarded in 2026 for outstanding works which will be displayed at Aguttes and auctioned in Paris.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nams diplomacy in 2025 will focus on maintaining peace and stability while ensuring national protection for a new era of growth breakthroughs, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son.

Diplomatic activities will play a key role in this process, especially as the year 2025 will see major national anniversaries and the end of the country's five-year socio-economic development plan, he said at a recent review of Viet Nams diplomacy in Ha Noi.

Amid complex global developments, comprehensive, active, innovative and effective foreign policies have been carried out under the direct and consistent leadership of the Politburo, the Party Secretariat and the government, according to the deputy prime minister.

These policies have made significant contributions to peace and stability, supporting socio-economic development and protecting national independence and territorial integrity while also enhancing Viet Nams position in the world.

In addition to improving the capacity of the diplomatic workforce, key missions for national diplomacy include ensuring accurate insights and forecasts on emerging global trends and issues, and implementing comprehensive diplomatic activities at all levels of the Party, the State and among the people.

Implementing the Party Central Committee (PCC)'s Resolution 18 on perfecting the structure of the government apparatus, the foreign ministry must ensure unified diplomatic work after taking over the tasks of the commissions for external relations under the PCC and the National Assembly (NA).

Le Hoai Trung, head of the current PCCs Commission for External Relations, said: National diplomacy will take on very challenging but also very honourable missions. I trust that the sector will continue to see progress and fulfil the tasks assigned in this new phase.

Son also noted that in terms of economic diplomacy and foreign economic relations, the decisive direction of the Prime Minister led to remarkable progress in trade, investment, digital transformation, green transformation, semiconductors and artificial intelligence, helping to maintain Viet Nams position among high-growth countries and its foreign trade and investment attraction amid global uncertainties.

Trade and investment

In 2024, Viet Nam successfully negotiated and ratified several free trade agreements (FTAs) as well as bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanisms. Currently, the country is a member of 20 FTAs, 16 of which are already in effect.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) are working together to maximise the potential of these agreements, while also seeking new opportunities to establish FTAs with countries in North Africa, South Asia and South America.

Meanwhile, the MoFA and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) approved a cooperation programme on economic diplomacy to promote science, technology and innovation development through 2026.

At the same time, with multiple diplomatic activities related to technology last year, Viet Nam has established access to advanced technology and cooperation with global tech giants.

Viet Nam has become the destination for major tech companies such as Google, Samsung and NVIDIA, which plan to establish research and development centres within the country's borders, helping it integrate further into the global value chain.

Bilateral relations

Viet Nam has continued to maintain positive progress with its diplomatic partners.

2024 was the first year of the Viet Nam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), with bilateral relations seeing tangible results in key areas.

Their mutual trust and respect have been strengthened through high-level exchanges and cooperation in multilateral forums.

In terms of trade and economic relations, data from the US showed that trade turnover between the two countries reached US$123.2 billion as of October 2024, equivalent to 19.5 per cent growth. It is estimated that this figure reached up to $150 billion by the end of the year.

Technology and innovation cooperation between Viet Nam and the US has also seen progress, notably in artificial intelligence and the semiconductor industry.

Proposing a future direction for bilateral ties, Vietnamese ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Dung suggested strengthening relations with the new administration of President-elect Donald Trump through high-level delegation exchanges, enhancing policy research and reviewing issues of mutual interests for both countries.

Noting that 2025 would mark the 30th anniversary of the normalisation of relations between Viet Nam and the US, Dung said that this would be an occasion to strengthen ties and maintain the growth momentum of the CSP.

Meanwhile, Viet Nam and Russia are continuing their traditional friendship, with Russian President Vladimir Putin visiting the Southeast Asian country in June 2024.

Vietnamese PM Pham Minh Chinh also travelled to Kazan, Russia for the expanded BRICS Summit in October and held talks with the Russian president on bilateral cooperation.

Vietnamese ambassador to Russia ang Minh Khoi said that Viet Nam also needed to prepare for competition in the Asia-Pacific region, maintain relations with its partners and balance political and economic cooperation.

Relations between Viet Nam and its neighbour Laos continue to be strengthened with active cooperation in various aspects, notably national defence, investment, education and multilateral forums.

Nguyen Minh Tam, ambassador of Viet Nam to Laos, noted that Vietnamese ministries and localities needed to closely coordinate with their Lao partners to carry out the agreements between the two Parties and governments, while sharing experiences in maintaining peace and stability in the region.

Parliamentary cooperation

Viet Nams multilateral foreign affairs were also carried out with active participation from the Vietnamese National Assembly in global and regional inter-parliamentary forums.

Cooperation activities at the parliamentary level in 2024 were implemented in a comprehensive, consistent and harmonious manner, ensuring coordination with Vietnamese diplomatic missions.

In 2025, the NAs external relations tasks will focus on strengthening Viet Nams ties with other countries at the parliamentary level, while also promoting economic diplomacy to fulfil socio-economic development goals and targets.

Le Anh Tuan, deputy head of the NAs external relations committee, also noted that the legislative body would focus on addressing institutional barriers in trade, economic and investment cooperation with other countries, as well as integrating Viet Nams international commitments in national policies.

The NA would continue to boost multilateral diplomacy by actively proposing initiatives and hosting important inter-parliamentary meetings, as well as engaging in parliamentary cooperation forums such as the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP), Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) and Mekong sub-regional cooperation mechanisms.

Other focuses include monitoring the implementation of international treaties and agreements within the framework of bilateral and multilateral cooperation, and cooperation mechanisms between the Vietnamese NA and other parliaments.  VNS
HA NOI  The ASEAN Community Women's Circle of Ha Noi (AWCH) held a 2025 New Year gathering in the capital city on Wednesday, with Ngo Phuong Ly, spouse of Party General Secretary To Lam, attending.

Marking its 10th anniversary this year, AWCH has grown into a network promoting ASEAN cultural exchange and friendship, particularly solidarity among ASEAN women.

Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang highlighted the circle's achievements, such as showcasing ASEANs diverse cultures and fostering international ties, expressing her belief that AWCH will continue not only to promote the role and contributions of women in society and spread positive community values but also to strengthen ASEAN solidarity and contribute to the prosperity of the ASEAN community. At the same time, it will support Viet Nams efforts in entering a new era.

Speaking at the event, Ly expressed her appreciation for the groups warmth and camaraderie, likening it to a "big ASEAN family.

She congratulated Laos on its successful ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024 and wished Malaysia success in 2025. She also reiterated her support for AWCHs mission to strengthen regional solidarity and cooperation.

Akiko Morioka, spouse of the Malaysian Ambassador, emphasised the importance of building relationships to uphold ASEANs values of peace, stability, and mutual respect.

The event featured a special classical music performance and artwork display by female artist Le Thieu Ngan, whose works have received widespread acclaim.  VNS
San Antonio school districts could cancel or delay classes on Thursday due to a winter weather storm that could bring freezing rain or sleet to the region. Allie Goulding/Texas Tribune

San Antonio students could see their holiday breaks extended due to anticipated wintry weather.

A strong arctic cold front and low-pressure system moving through the Lone Star State is expected to bring below-freezing temperatures to South Texas this week. The winter storm could pour rain, ice or sleet over the region beginning Wednesday evening.

Bracing for potential disruptions to transportation, local school districts are warning families of potential school closures or delays. So far, no district has announced any changes to operations.

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In a Facebook post, Northside ISD said it would make every effort to notify parents as soon as possible about whether their children will be staying home on Thursday.

As you know, in Texas, weather forecasts constantly change, the post reads. We assess road conditions in the early hours while also communicating in tandem with TXDOT and other school districts to determine whether it is safe to have school.

If classes are in session, district spokesperson Barry Perez said schools would likely transition to indoor recess options that still allow students to stretch.

Usually, once temperatures start lowering to the mid-thirties, campuses move to an indoor recess alternative, he said.

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This time last year, San Antonio ISD closed all its 98 schools after some heaters failed and staffers were unable to override the manual programming to prepare for the citys coldest temperatures since February 2021. The shutdown left students shivering in classrooms and gathering in warmer areas of buildings.

Superintendent Jaime Aquino issued an apology taking full responsibility for making the wrong call to reopen schools despite the cold weather. He said factors contributing to the breakdown included human error in operating boilers that heat buildings, aging equipment and deferred maintenance partly blamed on a lack of state funding.

Aquino updated families Monday on the steps the district has taken to better prepare for the inclement weather in a message published on the district's website.

The operations team has been working since the summer to ensure we are ready for cold weather, he wrote. All boilers have been serviced, and staff have been working over the break to ensure we are positioned well for upcoming winter weather.

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SAISD is currently planning to remain open. If conditions change, Aquino said the district will do its best to decide whether to close schools so families can make informed travel and childcare decisions. If a decision must be made Thursday morning, he said it will be announced no later than 5:15 a.m.

Aquino said the district participated in a conference call with the National Weather Service, the San Antonio Office of Emergency Management, other local agencies and area superintendents. He said the most concerning time period is between late Wednesday night and early Thursday morning when cold temperatures are anticipated to mingle with precipitation.

Still, Aquino said there is currently a very low probability of hazardous driving or major disruptions on Thursday morning.

Principals have mitigation plans to ensure the comfort of students and staff, including moving students to warmer areas and using portable heating units, he added. The district also has prepared swing sites if needed in an emergency, and we are able to deploy our buses for transportation.

The superintendent urged parents to dress their children in layers to ensure they are comfortable. Judson ISD echoed the sentiment in an email to families, asking students to be prepared and dress warmly.

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Judson ISD said Superintendent Milton Fields has consulted with area superintendents to make a well-informed decision to ensure the safety of students and staff. The district will continue to monitor weather conditions and provide an update after re-evaluating forecasts Wednesday afternoon.

North East ISD said online there is a slight chance freezing precipitation could create dangerous conditions on its bus routes Thursday morning. If there is inclement weather, a team of transportation personnel and the superintendent will drive district roadways starting at 3:30 a.m. on Thursday.

Just because an overpass may be closed does not mean there is not a safe, alternative route that our bus drivers or other motorists can use, the post reads.

The district said multiple factors are considered when deciding whether to close schools.

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We are also in touch with other school districts, NEISD said. Many of our teachers and staff live in other districts, so if that district is closed, our employees may face childcare challenges and wont be able to come to work.

The district said it aims to inform parents whether schools will close by Wednesday evening. If forecasts change, a decision must be made by 5 a.m. Thursday to ensure transportation services are provided on time.

Harlandale, East Central and Comal ISDs also posted about the weather risks and reminded parents to check back on the districts communication platforms, website and social media for critical news.
HA NOI  State President Luong Cuong hosted a reception for Togos Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Togolese Abroad Robert Dussey, who began his three-day official visit to Viet Nam on Wednesday.

The State leader said the visit is meaningful in strengthening the Viet Nam-Togo friendship and multifaceted cooperation, particularly given the upcoming celebration of the 50th anniversary of the two countries diplomatic relations (February 8, 1975  2025).

Viet Nam is committed to deepening ties with African countries, including Togo, Cuong stated. Acknowledging the positive developments in bilateral relations over the past five decades, he pointed out that the cooperation remains modest and falls short of the potential that both nations possess.

To address this, the President recommended several measures to deepen bilateral ties, including enhancing high-level exchanges and delegation visits to reinforce political trust and create a solid foundation for joint work. It is also necessary to strengthen collaboration and mutual support at multilateral forums and organisations, such as the United Nations, Non-Aligned Movement, International Organisation of La Francophone, and African Union, he added.

Cuong said Viet Nam and Togo need to prioritise economic collaboration, particularly in trade, investment, agriculture, mining, and telecommunications. He encouraged Togo to share information about investment opportunities and offer favourable policies for Vietnamese businesses. Viet Nam, he added, is ready to collaborate with Togo in agricultural projects involving technology transfer, knowledge sharing, and sending experts.

Dussey conveyed New Year greetings and an invitation from Togolese President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe to President Cuong to visit Togo. The Vietnamese leader reciprocated the invitation by asking his guest to convey his regards and an invitation to the Togolese counterpart to visit Viet Nam at an appropriate time.

The Togolese minister told his host that Viet Nam and Togo share a vision in fostering national development and social stability as well as improving citizens' lives. Togo admires and supports Viet Nam, considering the country one of its top priority partners in Asia, he affirmed, adding Togo wishes to learn from Viet Nams development experience and to enhance bilateral cooperation across various sectors.

Noting that his current trip is to advance ties in economy, trade, agriculture, and seaport development, he pledged to actively coordinate with Vietnamese ministries and agencies to promote joint work in the future. VNS
HA NOI  Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son held talks with Prof. Robert Dussey, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Togolese Abroad of Togo on Wednesday.

Welcoming Minister Robert Dussey and the Togolese delegation on their official visit, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries (February 8, 1975-2025), Son affirmed that Viet Nam always attaches importance to its friendship and cooperation with African nations, including Togo. He added that political trust serves as a crucial foundation for further promoting bilateral collaboration in various fields in the coming time.

Expressing his desire for increasingly effective and substantive cooperation, especially in the areas of trade, investment, agriculture, seaports, and mining, Son proposed both sides exchange their lists of goods with competitive advantages to boost bilateral trade, particularly rice, garments and textiles, leather and footwear, electric vehicles, and agricultural machinery.

He also suggested Togo provide information on investment cooperation opportunities so that Vietnamese enterprises can research and carry out market development activities.

With nearly 40 years of successful renewal experience, Viet Nam is ready to cooperate with Togo in sharing development experience, building reform policies, promoting international integration, industrialisation, agricultural development, and education and training, culture, and sports, Son stated, adding that the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs is willing to explore the possibility of establishing training and student exchange programmes, and a young diplomat programme between the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and its counterpart in Togo.

Regarding cooperation in multilateral forums, he proposed Togo support Viet Nam's candidacies for important multilateral mechanisms such as the Judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, the United Nations Security Council, and the President of the UN General Assembly. He also called for Togos backing for Vietnam in enhancing cooperation and contributing to the common agendas of the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Regarding regional issues, the host urged Togo to support ASEANs and Viet Nam's stance on the East Sea, as well as the peaceful settlement of disputes based on international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, to ensure peace, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea.

For his part, the foreign minister of Togo emphasised that bilateral cooperation has yet to fully reflect the potential and strengths of each country, especially in economy, trade, and investment. He highlighted the significant room for development, particularly in seaports, tourism, and aviation.

Agreeing with Sons proposals, Robert Dussey thanked Viet Nam for its support in implementing a technical assistance project to improve rice cultivation in Togo. He expressed his hope to expand and promote trilateral cooperation in agriculture, with financial support from development partners like the World Bank, and Viet Nam's assistance in sharing experience, transferring technology, providing experts, seeds and machinery, and training agricultural personnel.

Both sides agreed to prioritise agriculture as a key area of cooperation and to promote the implementation of bilateral and trilateral cooperation projects, contributing to ensuring sustainable food security for Togo.

They also agreed to advance negotiations and signing of agreements to complete the legal framework for bilateral collaboration, such as the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement and Visa Exemption Agreement for holders of diplomatic and official passports.

After the talks, the two foreign ministries signed a memorandum of understanding on their political consultation, and agreed to monitor, review, and promote cooperation activities to bring bilateral relations into a new phase of 50 years with more achievements. VNS
HA NOI  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called on Japan to promote financial support and new-generation official development assistance (ODA) for Viet Nam to implement strategic infrastructure projects with transformative potential like the North - South high-speed railway, nuclear power, and urban rail systems in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City.

During a reception for visiting Japanese Minister of Finance Kato Katsunobu in Ha Noi on January 8, the Government leader highlighted financial cooperation as a key pillar of bilateral relations. He commended Japan's effective financial support for large-scale infrastructure projects with significant ripple effect in Viet Nam, such as Ha Nois Nhat Tan Bridge and Terminal T2 at Noi Bai International Airport, and HCM Citys Metro Line 1, which began commercial operations in December 2024.

The PM said recent efforts to restructure the Nghi Son refinery and petrochemical project in Thanh Hoa province have yielded initial results. He urged Kato to advocate the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC)s greater involvement in restructuring this project in the spirit of harmonised interests and shared risks so that the project is truly a symbol of mutually beneficial cooperation.

With Viet Nam aiming for GDP growth of at least 8% in 2025, the leader underscored the countrys pressing need for substantial capital to accelerate and efficiently execute development projects. He called for continued international cooperation, particularly from Japan.

PM Chinh suggested further bilateral cooperation in areas such as technology transfer, institutional perfection, human resources training, governance capacity improvement, investment and trade promotion, locality-to-locality collaboration, science - technology, innovation, digital transformation, and the exploration of underground, marine, and space resources.

It is also necessary for the sides to jointly strengthen educational partnerships and for Japan to continue creating favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community to live, study and work there, he said.

He also called for Japans assistance for Viet Nam in the projects on infrastructure development, disaster risk mitigation, climate change response, and those under the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC).

The host added that Viet Nam will prepare a list of specific projects for Japan to consider collaboration in while strongly facilitating the working group specialised in cooperation with Japan, thus helping develop the two countries' Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World in a substantive and effective manner.

For his part, Kato expressed admiration for Viet Nams high economic growth and affirmed his willingness to beef up mutually beneficial cooperation in the areas of shared interest, especially the ones identified by his host.

He said Japan is reviewing policies to better support foreign nationals, and that Vietnamese people account for about one-quarter of the foreign expatriates population and have made significant contributions to the country.

The minister also proposed the two nations exert stronger efforts to jointly resolve obstacles, expedite existing projects, and initiate new ones.

On this occasion, PM Chinh extended his regards and an invitation to his Japanese counterpart Ishiba Shigeru to visit Viet Nam in the near future.  VNS
Nam ong & Thien Lam

HA NOI  Vu uc Binh, a doctor with 20 years of experience in haematology at the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, said that personalised treatment regimens and a positive mindset are two key factors enabling patients with malignant blood disorders to combat their disease.

He highlighted the crucial role of doctors in strengthening patients' mental resilience, helping them confidently endure and cooperate with treatments, thereby increasing recovery rates.

"I always tell my patients not to panic or worry excessively, when diagnosed with cancer. Cancer is not the end of the road. Its simply a shift in the body to a new state that adapts to cancer treatment," he told Nhan Dan newspaper.

Over the past two decades, Binh has become a notable figure on the institute's social media pages, sharing knowledge about haematological diseases and instilling trust in the hospital's treatment protocols.

Beyond his managerial duties at the hospital, he and his colleagues dedicate time to writing care guidelines for patients with conditions such as lymphoma, multiple myeloma, thalassemia and other blood disorders.

He also participates in teaching and training, supporting haematology and oncology departments in hospitals with updates on diagnostics and treatment approaches for these conditions.

Binh recalled that after six years studying general medicine at the Military Medical Academy, he specialised in haematology and began his career at Viet Nam-Soviet Friendship Hospital. Shortly thereafter, in 2004, he joined the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, where he has remained ever since.

Through the highs and lows of his career in haematology, he and his colleagues have achieved remarkable advancements in treatment techniques for patients with blood diseases.

In the 2000s, haematological disorders were largely underdiagnosed and lacked effective treatment protocols. For patients with severe prognoses, life expectancy was extremely short. Many leukaemia patients, for example, survived only weeks or months.

However, with advancements in mutation diagnostics and the introduction of targeted gene therapy drugs, many patients have been nearly fully cured and returned to normal lives.

A range of targeted drugs has been developed to treat cancers and haematological conditions, significantly prolonging the lives of patients with cancers such as breast, liver, non-small cell lung and blood cancers. In many cases, the disease becomes undetectable during routine check-ups.

The shift from chemotherapy to biotherapy has been transformative, leading to numerous cases of complete remission.

Binh explained that previously, chemotherapy was the primary option for patients with malignant blood disorders, but it came with severe side effects, poor responses in some patients and high early mortality rates.

With groundbreaking scientific and technological advancements, targeted drugs now precisely attack cancer cells, reduce chemotherapy's side effects and achieve higher treatment efficacy.

For certain blood disorders, doctors have successfully sequenced genes and identified mutations associated with these diseases. This enables better prognoses and the selection of appropriate treatment regimens, significantly improving patients survival times.

For instance, patients with multiple myeloma can now extend their life expectancy from three years to up to ten years.

To date, the institute has performed over 650 stem cell transplants, truly saving patients' lives. Thanks to these achievements, patients no longer need to go abroad for treatment, he said.

Particularly memorable cases

He enthusiastically recounted a particularly memorable case from three years ago involving a young man in his 30s. The patient suddenly became paralysed in both legs due to a spinal tumour and had undergone surgery at a surgical hospital.

However, his condition did not improve, and he was later diagnosed with leukaemia, leaving him feeling that his future was bleak. After undergoing specialised blood tests at the institute, he was correctly diagnosed with multiple myeloma and immediately began treatment.

The young mans life took a remarkable turn as he fully regained the use of his legs.

If the disease hadnt been accurately diagnosed, the patient would have remained paralysed for life or even died from complications, Binh said.

However, not all cases have successful outcomes.

Binh recalled the devastated faces of a poor family when their child, born in 2007, was screened for thalassemia and found to have acute leukaemia in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang a year ago.

At that time, the 12-year-old child showed no clinical symptoms, but test results confirmed acute leukaemia.

The family, struggling with poverty, could do nothing but cry silently together. The medical team immediately informed the provincial Health Department and the family, transporting the child to Ha Noi for specialised diagnostics and chemotherapy treatment.

We tried everything we could, but the child didnt survive, he said sorrowfully.

During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in HCM City, Binh volunteered to work on the frontlines, spending 45 days providing care to patients at the COVID-19 Intensive Care Hospital in Thu uc District.

"During that period, many COVID-19 patients experienced severe blood clotting disorders, so as haematologists, we focused all our efforts on consulting and managing these critical cases," he recalled.

Dedicated to the Department of General Haematological Diseases, Binh has directly treated patients with various blood disorders, particularly those with multiple myeloma, lymphoma, myelodysplastic syndromes and myeloproliferative disorders.

Many of his patients regard him as a father or uncle figure due to his compassionate care and dedication to their treatment.

Currently, Binh and his colleagues are working closely with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to introduce CAR-T therapy to Viet Nam. This cutting-edge treatment, being researched and applied globally, is considered the last-resort method for treating malignant blood disorders in patients who have failed previous therapies.

Given the high costs and technical complexities of CAR-T therapy, Binh expressed hope that within three years, the institute will be able to master and implement this life-saving technique.

Two to three years is a very tight timeline, but we are determined to bring this therapy to our patients as soon as possible. This method involves collecting T cells from the patients blood, modifying and culturing them to recognise and attack cancer cells effectively.

My deepest hope is that the Ministry of Health and Vietnam Social Insurance will create policies to make these new, expensive cancer treatments accessible to patients so they can extend their lives," he said.  VNS
HA NOI  In recent months, shortages of essential medicines and medical equipment have ravaged many healthcare facilities across Viet Nam.

Reports from provinces such as Cao Bang, Ha Nam, and ong Thap reveal that shortages of certain medicines and testing chemicals covered by health insurance remain unresolved.

Patients have had to purchase medications out of pocket or turn to private hospitals for testing services, which are not reimbursed by insurance. This has caused financial and logistical burdens for many, especially those relying on the public healthcare system.

Constituents have raised these concerns with National Assembly deputies ahead of the recent 8th session of the 15th National Assembly, calling for more decisive action to tackle the issue.

The Government has introduced several measures to address this problem. The new Public Procurement Law, which came into effect earlier last year, and accompanying regulations from the Ministry of Health (MoH), aim to streamline the procurement process for medicines and medical equipment. Additionally, five circulars have been issued to guide healthcare facilities on bidding procedures.

However, the implementation has been inconsistent. Some hospitals have struggled to launch procurement packages due to unfamiliarity with the updated rules or challenges in determining the actual prices of specialised products, such as chemicals and advanced medical devices.

As a result, localised shortages persist, leaving patients waiting for essential treatments.

Some hospitals in Ha Noi have specifically highlighted difficulties in planning and validating prices during procurement processes, citing uncertainties in evaluating the real market value of products.

The MoH has pointed to both global and domestic factors as contributing to the shortages.

Globally, supply chain disruptions caused by conflicts in Europe and the Middle East have affected the availability of medicines and raw materials.

Domestically, a lack of proactive planning by some healthcare facilities has compounded the problem. Many hospitals are hesitant to initiate procurement processes, despite having clear legal guidelines.

Local authorities have also been criticised for failing to provide adequate oversight and support to ensure a steady supply of medicines and medical devices. This lack of coordination has created gaps in the system, affecting patient care.

The MoH has taken several steps to address these challenges. It has issued detailed guidelines and operational documents to support healthcare facilities in navigating procurement procedures.

Additionally, the ministry has intensified its oversight to ensure the availability of supplies, especially during emergencies like natural disasters or disease outbreaks.

Procurement is currently conducted through three main channels: centralised national bidding, local bidding and self-organised procurement by individual healthcare facilities.

For rarer or patented medicines, the MoH negotiates prices directly. However, many hospitals remain concerned about the complexity of price evaluation, particularly for specialised equipment.

To assist hospitals, the ministry is preparing a practical procurement guidebook, set for release in early 2025. This guide aims to clarify procurement regulations and provide step-by-step instructions to hospitals, enabling them to navigate the process more effectively.

Recent amendments to the Health Insurance Law allow for the transfer of medicines and medical supplies between facilities under insurance coverage. This new mechanism aims to prevent shortages at individual facilities and ensure patients receive timely care.

Additionally, Circular 22/2024, which takes effect on January 1, 2025, provides clearer guidelines for reimbursing health insurance-covered medicines and equipment. This measure is expected to ease financial pressures on patients and hospitals, improving access to essential treatments.

Despite these efforts, Minister of Health ao Hong Lan stressed that resolving the shortages required not only strong legal frameworks but also proactive and flexible implementation at the hospital level.

She highlighted the example of HCM City's University Medical Centre, which has established a specialised procurement team to manage its large-scale needs efficiently.

To address the root causes of the shortages, Minister Lan emphasised the need to bolster the domestic production of medicines and medical equipment.

She called for policies to attract international pharmaceutical investors and encourage local production, reducing Viet Nams reliance on global supply chains.

The MoH had also deployed working groups to visit hospitals and identify specific challenges. These teams would work closely with hospital directors to try to find practical solutions, ensuring patients are not forced to buy essential supplies externally.  VNS
HA NOI  In 2024, Viet Nam set a record in the number of organ donations with 41 families agreeing to donate their loved one's organ tissue after brain death.

The numbers were revealed at a workshop on January 7, held by the National Organ Transplant Coordination Centre, to review the tissue and organ donation network from brain-dead people in 2024 and to set the path for 2025.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan said 2024 was a significant year, one which saw the number of organ transplants rise sharply, along with exceptional medical expertise in Vietnamese medicine.

To date, after more than 30 years of performing organ transplants, with the first kidney transplant in 1992, Vietnam has performed 9,516 cases nationwide, with the participation of 27 hospitals and centres.

Deputy Minister Thuan said that over the past three years, Viet Nam yearly has successfully performed about 1,000 organ transplants, the highest in Southeast Asia. However, organ donation and transplantation still do not meet all the needs of sick people.

To date, after more than 30 years of performing organ transplants, with the first kidney transplant in 1992, Viet Nam has performed 9,516 cases nationwide with the participation of 27 hospitals and centres.

Associate Professor ong Van He, Director of the National Organ Transplant Coordination Centre, said that in three years (2021, 2022, 2023), the whole country had 36 organ donations from brain-dead donors. In 2024 alone, there were 41 brain-dead people whose families agreed to donate tissues and organs.

"In 2024, the number of organ transplants from brain-dead donors increased sharply compared to 2023. At the same time, the number of people registering to donate organ tissue after death/brain death increased three times. This is considered a record for organ donation in Viet Nam," said Associate Professor He.

The director said that in 2025, the National Organ Transplant Coordination Centre will coordinate with relevant agencies and units to develop a draft law amending and supplementing some articles of the Law on taking human tissue and organ transplantation and body donation and retrieval. In particular, it will propose allowing donations from children and people whose heart ceases.

If this proposal is approved, it will likely increase the source of donated organs, increasing the chance of survival for many other patients, especially children, added Associate Professor He.

Experts said that the Vietnam Social Security will also consider paying 100 per cent of the cost of a kidney transplant, including all steps from consultation and advocacy to transplant and post-transplant treatment.

According to statistics from the social insurance agency, organ transplant costs are significantly lower than medical treatment for a kidney failure patient. For example, the cost of a kidney transplant and post-treatment is only half the daily treatment cost when the patient is on dialysis. The life of a kidney transplant recipient is longer and their quality of life is better.  VNS
HA NOI  Deputy Minister of Health o Xuan Tuyen on Wednesday addressed growing public concerns regarding the virus-caused pneumonia situation in China that many worry to be the next COVID-19.

At the Government press briefing, Tuyen noted that the surveillance system and information from media and social networks had recorded cases of pneumonia caused by the Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) virus in China.

According to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Preventions acute respiratory disease monitoring, the primary pathogen identified was the HMPV virus.

This respiratory virus was first identified in 2001.

On January 4, 2025, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially stated that the spread of respiratory infections in the country is a common seasonal occurrence peaking in winter and not an unusual health event. The HMPV virus spreads through respiratory droplets and exhibits symptoms similar to the common cold (fever, cough, nasal congestion). It can lead to complications like pneumonia and bronchitis, with higher risks for children under five, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.

Chinese health authorities confirmed that the nations healthcare system is not overwhelmed, with current hospital usage rates lower than the same period last year, and no emergency declarations have been made.

The World Health Organization (WHO) assessed that seasonal outbreaks of respiratory diseases are typical in temperate regions during winter. It recommended basic measures to curb the spread and minimise risks, particularly for vulnerable groups, and advised against imposing trade or travel restrictions linked to current acute respiratory disease trends.

In response to the situation, Viet Nam's Ministry of Health has been actively monitoring developments through its daily surveillance system, in close cooperation with the WHO and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tuyen noted.

The health official stressed that Viet Nam is also entering the winter-spring season, conducive to respiratory viruses. The Ministry of Health has issued guidance to the public and provincial health departments on proactive measures for disease prevention during this period.

The Ministry advises citizens to regularly follow official updates to avoid undue panic, but at the same time, take precautions per its guidelines: consume well-cooked food, maintain good hygiene, exercise regularly, use masks in public and crowded spaces, stay warm in cold weather, and ensure children receive full and timely vaccinations.

Those with symptoms should promptly seek medical attention to prevent complications, improper drug use, and antibiotic resistance.  VNS
Hulic is actively investing in and develops properties located close to stations in central Tokyo, including offices, commercial buildings, hotels, senior living facilities.

This joint venture is tapping into Vietnams potential as a gateway for growth as, for the second consecutive year, Vietnam ranks second in the 2025 Asia Manufacturing Index compiled by Dezan Shira & Associates.

Recognising the needs of manufacturers for optimisation of time and cost to start or expand operations, Indochina Kajima has been rolling out ready-built factories and warehouses for lease since 2022 under its industrial brand Core5 Vietnam, providing world-class, LEED certified, strategically located space for lease in manufacturing and logistic hubs across northern Vietnam, including Quang Ninh, Hung Yen, Haiphong and Vinh Phuc.

Core5 Quang Ninh, currently fully leased, is located within Bac Tien Phong Industrial Zone, 14km from Lach Huyen Port and 20km from Cat Bi International Airport, delivers over 69,000 square metres of floor area for lease, with single-storey, single-storey with mezzanine, and 2-storey blocks.



Core5 Quang Ninh, with curving curtain walls encompassing offices, for efficient passive cooling and strong visual appeal. Photo: ICK

Core5 Hung Yen, located in Minh Duc Industrial Park, 40km from Hanoi and 55km from Noi Bai International Airport, offers over 63,000sq.m of world-class ready-built industrial space for lease.

After nine months of operations, Core5 Hung Yens occupancy is close to reaching the nationwide average occupancy rate of 77 per cent, with a strong tenant prospects pipeline.

All projects are LEED-certified and all feature Core5 signature curved curtain walls offices, international standard utilities and firefighting protection systems, dry loading bays, and a parking area with 24/7 security. Core5 assets focus on the wellbeing of tenants and workers, with heat reducing landscaping and health and wellness common areas.

Core5 Vietnam offers a one-stop solution, supporting tenants in supply chain study, pre-and-post licensing services, customisation of the leased area, and in accounting and business development to ensure seamless operations and accelerated growth for tenants and partners.

With the joint-venture, Hulic and Indochina Kajima will collaborate to further capture opportunities for Core5 Quang Ninh and Core5 Hung Yen in the global supply chain.
At the 2024 year-end review and 2025 plan conference held last week, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs (MoLISA) reiterated its commitment to developing the labour market and regulating the market.

Le Van Thanh, Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs, said that the labour market in 2024 showed was strong, evidenced by the increase in new businesses and jobs, as the unemployment rate decreased.

In 2024, there were 162,500 new businesses, and employment reached 51.4 million workers, an increase of 212,000, according to the General Statistics Office. Urban unemployment fell 2.38 per cent. The proportion of the workforce with training reached 68.7 per cent, with 28.1 per cent having a degree or certification.

In terms of wages, the public sector saw a 30 per cent increase, while those in the private sector rose by over 6 per cent.

The key task for the labour sector in 2025 is to develop circulars and decrees guiding the implementation of the Employment Law once it is passed at the ninth National Assembly session, said Thanh. The growth target for 2025 is high, so production must be accelerated, which will drive an increased demand for labour. The labour sector needs to regulate the market and prevent labour shortages.

According to Le Quang Trung, former deputy director of the Employment Department at the MoLISA, 2025 will offer socioeconomic advantages for labour market growth, with various industries generating many job opportunities and attracting workers.

Industries related to infrastructure, export manufacturing, AI, digital transformation, robotics, cybersecurity, accounting, and services such as machinery maintenance are expected to face a strong demand for labour, Trung said.

According to a May 2024 report by the Semiconductor Industry Association of the US, Vietnam will experience strong growth in chip assembly, testing, and packaging, with its global market share increasing from 1 per cent in 2022 to 8 per cent by 2032. This means demand for labour will also rise, particularly in the semiconductor and IT sectors.

Meanwhile, sectors such as logistics, transportation, and trade services are also expected to perform well, creating many job opportunities.

A 2024-2025 recruitment market report published by Top CV in December showed that while the labour market last year experienced various fluctuations, many sectors are expected to continue facing labour shortages.

Some 62.5 per cent of surveyed representatives explained that boosting business activities and market growth was essential. To achieve this, nearly half of respondents selected sales as a priority recruitment target, particularly for staff with 2-3 years of experience.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan Huong, former director of the Institute of Labour Science and Social Affairs, said that the labour market will see growth due to economic development, an increase in foreign investment, and a corresponding rise in demand for labour.

Huong also highlighted several challenges. There will be many job opportunities for workers, but they will require high levels of technical expertise. To meet the needs of businesses, workers must have skills, technical qualifications, and experience, she said.

According to the Vietnam Salary Guide 2025 by ManpowerGroup, the semiconductor industry is emerging as a bright star. The country is becoming a market of potential for global semiconductor manufacturers, thanks to competitive labour costs, incentives from the government, and increasing foreign funding.

In 2025, recruitment in the semiconductor industry will focus on three areas: increasing demand for skilled engineers, enhancing emphasis on research and development roles to drive innovation, and investing in the development of local talent. The industry is also predicted to be generous in terms of bonuses in 2025, reaching up to one-third of annual salary.

ManpowerGroup Vietnam forecasts that the trend of green jobs as part of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria will increase significantly. More companies are prioritising technology upgrades, digitalisation, AI, and automation, as well as sustainable practices.

This focus is driving high recruitment demand in areas such as digital, ESG, risk management, and compliance, said Simon Matthews, regional manager for ManpowerGroup Southeast Asia. Only 9 per cent of businesses in the Asia-Pacific region have the right talent to achieve ESG goals. We believe that this trend will increase even more in the coming year.

ManpowerGroups data also showed that the demand for green talent is currently high in industries such as manufacturing, technology, energy, transportation and logistics, and agriculture. Many workers also have a positive outlook on the labour market in the upcoming year.

The 2025 Salary Survey by recruitment agency Robert Walters showed that 73 per cent of Vietnamese workers are optimistic about their career prospects in the coming year.

Faced with increasingly fierce competition and changes in workers priorities, 82 per cent of surveyed companies stated that they will adjust salaries up in the coming year. The expected increase is projected to range from 15 per cent to 25 per cent across most industries.

Furthermore, 76 per cent of surveyed companies declared that they will enhance their bonus schemes, while 67 per cent are focusing on investing in comprehensive training and development programmes to attract and retain talent.

According to the General Statistics Office, the labour market gradually returned to normalcy in 2024. The labour force aged 15 and above reached 52.5 million people, an increase of 210,600. The labour force participation rate stood at 68.5 per cent, remaining high and reflecting the positive economic recovery. The number of workers in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries decreased to 13.7 million people (accounting for 26.6 per cent), a decrease of 126,000 compared to the same period. The urban unemployment rate in the first nine months of 2024 recorded a significant decrease, standing at only 2.38 per cent, a decrease of 0.17 per cent compared to the same period last year. The proportion of trained labour reached 68.7 per cent, with 28.1 per cent holding degrees or certificates.

Dao Ngoc Dung, minister of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs The income and employment opportunities of workers in 2024 significantly improved compared to the previous year. Labour relations in enterprises remain stable, and the overseas employment activities reached the highest level since the pandemic, with over 150,000 exported workers. Vietnam was invited to join as a founding member of the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty, becoming a member in November. The countrys social policies have been internationally recognised as a bright spot. At the G7 conference organised in October 2024, Vietnam was the only Asian country invited to report on the care for vulnerable populations. At the G20 summit in Brazil, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh was also invited as a leader to share Vietnams successful experience in poverty reduction, positioning the country as a global success story. Vietnam has also fulfilled the Millennium Development Goals 10 years ahead of schedule. Thanks to the recovery and development of the economy, the labour market has been effectively managed, meeting the changing needs of society, especially in connecting labour supply and demand and creating employment opportunities. One highlight was the launch of the national online job exchange platform, facilitating quick and efficient connections between workers and businesses. Income and job opportunities for workers also significantly improved compared to previous years. In 2024, the average income of wage-earning workers reached about $355 per month, an increase of $80 compared to 2020.

Labour market can evolve through just transition A green transition will present an invaluable opportunity to strategically plan for a positive influence on the labour market and enhance social security measures, a recent workshop has heard.

Influence of AI technology can reshape labour market The employment market is anticipated to experience disruptions as AI technology becomes increasingly adopted by businesses for intelligent, sustainable management and operations.

Raising labour productivity crucial for higher incomes The government is making efforts to ensure sustainable employment and incomes. Pham Hoai Nam, head of the Population and Labour Statistics Department at the General Statistics Office, delved into the labour markets current and future landscape with VIRs Manh Bon.
Users can download Bolt on the App Store and Google Play, but are as yet unable to register for the service.

These moves indicate Bolt's upcoming expansion into the Vietnamese market is imminent, making Vietnam the third Southeast Asian country where the startup operates after Thailand and Malaysia.

Bolt, launched in 2013 and headquartered in Tallinn, Estonia, has grown rapidly and now operates in over 600 cities across 50 countries. After more than 10 years of development, Bolt is one of the fastest-growing tech companies in Europe and Africa.

In Southeast Asia, Bolt began operation in Thailand in 2020 with main operations in Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai. Bolt plans to invest $11.5 million this year to fund its expansion plans.

Bolt entered the Malaysian market last year, with a presence in the fast-growing Klang Valley and Kuala Lumpur regions.

According toReuters, Bolt reported over $2.1 billion in annual revenue in 2024 while growing its global presence in preparation to go public. It is the No.1 operator of its kind in more than 20 countries, having widened its offering to ride-hailing, scooter and e-bike rental, food and grocery delivery, and car sharing.

Competition is fierce in Vietnam's ride-hailing market as several players have already withdrawn from the race, like Gojek, Baemin, and Uber.

According to market research firm Statista, Vietnam is expected to see significant growth in revenue in the ride-hailing market, with a projected revenue of $1.88 billion in 2025. This is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.95 per cent between now and 2029, resulting in a projected market volume of $2.46 billion by 2029.

Ride-hailing companies gear up for the green transition Ride-hailing companies are taking on the green transition in order to increase competitive capacity.

GSM enters ride-hailing market with Xanh SM Bike Platform GSM has announced the launch of its Xanh (Green) SM Bike Platform specifically for VinFast electric motorcycles. The new platform will feature a competitive revenue-sharing policy, with drivers receiving the vast majority of each ride's revenue.
Attendees visit the Meta booth at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco on March 22, 2023. Jeff Chiu/AP

Meta is eliminating fact-checkers in a move founder Mark Zuckerberg said will make free speech a priority on its social media platforms  including Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp  and align the multinational tech giant with a political tilt to the right with the recent election of Donald Trump.

Zuckerberg said in a video post released Tuesday the complex systems initially developed to moderate content on these platforms make mistakes and have accounted for the unintentional censorship of millions of people.

Weve reached a point where its just too many mistakes, Zuckerberg said.

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The fact checking systems, which Zuckerberg said have become too politically biased, will be replaced in the U.S. by community notes similar to X, a content filtering system in which users can add notes to posts for context, according to the X Help Center.

Zuckerberg directly aligned the move to the November election of Donald Trump, which the Meta CEO called a cultural tipping point towards once again prioritizing speech.

Decrying what he referred to as Europe's "ever increasing number of laws institutionalizing censorship" and other countries' restrictions around the world, Zuckerberg said that "the only way to push back on this global trend is with the support of the U.S. government."

Zuckerberg's references to President-elect Trump incited opposing reactions on his Facebook page, with some seeing the changes as a win for free speech, and others vowing to delete their Meta accounts.

In the five-minute video, the billionaire businessman also announced that Metas content moderating teams will move from California to Texas, where, he said, there is less concern about bias of our teams.

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Some on X raised concerns over what kind of effect Meta's revised politically-driven policies may have on "non-partisan fact-checking organisations" that rely on funding from Zuckerberg's multinational technology giant.

The obvious story to follow up on after this announcement by Zuckerberg is what happens now to many non-partisan fact-checking organisations around the world that do very good work in their respective regions and primarily rely on funding from Meta to survive. https://t.co/vMrX3EcjXw  Shayan Sardarizadeh (@Shayan86) January 7, 2025

X Inc. owner Elon Musk reposted comments praising Zuckerberg's announcement, with some likening the Meta CEO to Musk's own rally against similar restrictions on his social media platform.

Woah. 



Zuck going full anti-censorship, following Elon and X's lead 



Based Zuck arc and vibe shift complete  pic.twitter.com/bsC7LrYL0n  Beff  e/acc (@BasedBeffJezos) January 7, 2025

Metas changes and the Trump election

Zuckerberg, in the video, repeatedly referred to the changes in Meta's filtering system as a return to more political content and mentioned the recent election as a catalyst for those changes.

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It feels like were in a new era, he said.

Were bringing back civic content, he said. For a while, the community asked to see less politics because it was making people stressed.

Removing fact checkers will allow for more political discourse on Meta platforms, said Zuckerberg, who singled out topics such as gender and immigration.

Were going to simplify our content policies and get rid of a bunch of restrictions on topics like immigration and gender that are just out of touch with mainstream discourse.

What began as a movement to be more inclusive, Zuckerberg continued, has increasingly become a tool to censor opinions and people with different ideas.

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Meta, Zuckerberg continued, will work with President Trump to push back on governments around the world that are going after American companies and pushing to censor more.

In November, Zuckerberg was reported to have dined with the President-elect in Mar-a-Lago, Trump's primary residence when not in the White House.

How Meta will change its policies

Zuckerberg said Meta will change how it enforces its policies to reduce the mistakes that resulted in censorship.

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Previously, Meta used filters to scan for any policy violations. The changes will put an emphasis on filtering for illegal and high severity violations relating to content involving drugs, or the exploitation of children. For lower severity violations the platforms will rely on users reporting an issue before taking action. Zuckerberg didn't clarify what would qualify as "lower severity violations."

Catching 'less bad stuff'

Zuckerberg acknowledged that changes will be a trade off. The new filtering systems will catch less bad stuff, but we will also reduce the number of innocent peoples posts and accounts that we accidentally take down.

According to Zuckerberg, Meta will phase these changes into Facebook, Instagram and Threads while working to keep the communities friendly and positive.

Move to Texas

Metas Trust and Safety and Content Moderation Teams will move from its current base in blue-state California to red-state Texas.

As we work to promote free expression, I think that will help build trust to do this work in places where there is less bias of our teams, Zuckerberg said.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh early last week urged authorities nationwide to make greater efforts to reach double-digit economic growth in 2025, following a rate of more than 7 per cent in 2024.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment has been assigned to coordinate with agencies to formulate a growth scenario for 2025, and to propose specific tasks for hitting the growth target. Other ministries and agencies are required to design concrete goals in line with the GDP growth scenario for the year.

The prime minister ordered the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) to work with other ministries and localities to find ways to expand trade and make use of advantages from free trade agreements. The request followed a strong performance in 2024, when total trade turnover was estimated to have hit a record of at least $783.4 billion, up from $681 billion in 2023.

This consisted of $403.7 billion worth of exports, up 13.8 per cent, and $379.6 billion for imports, up 16.3 per cent. The total trade surplus stood at $24.1 billion.

The industry and trade sector has set a new ambitious export target of $451 billion in 2025, up 12 per cent against 2024.

Vietnams export-import turnover from Asia and Africa in 2024 continued to play a strategic role, standing at an estimated 519.7 billion, up 13.7 per cent against the previous year, and accounting for 66.3 per cent of the countrys total export-import turnover.

Total export value came in at $197.4 billion, up 8.4 per cent, and total import value sat at $322.3 billion, up 17.2 per cent. The total trade surplus was $124.9 billion, up 34.6 per cent.

Major pressures

According to the MoIT, though Vietnams trade with the world has been on the rise thanks to an increase in foreign direct investment and the development of domestic enterprises, it may be challenging for the country to reach a 12 per cent growth rate in exports in 2025. Vietnam will continue to face great difficulties in the international market as it is an open economy with trade turnover often doubling GDP.

In 2024, GDP is estimated to reach $470 billion, which is far lower than total trade of $783 billion. This would mean any shock in the international market can have a negative impact on Vietnams exports.

Moreover, the countrys exports are largely dependent on a number of large markets, mainly with Northeast Asia, the United States, ASEAN, and the EU, which are now responsible for nearly 80 per cent of Vietnams total export turnover.

Vietnams key export items to the EU and the United States have been and will continue facing pressures about trade defence investigations, trade default, and technical barriers on environmental protection, sustainable development, and the green transition, the MoIT said.

The ministrys latest update showed that 28 investigations of the type were initiated in 2024, on Vietnams exports to 12 markets, among which 13 cases were initiated by the US. Thus far, about 270 investigations have been initiated by 25 countries and territories on Vietnams exports, including 148 anti-dumping, 54 self-defence, 38 anti-circumvention, and 30 anti-subsidy cases.

The year 2024 had the second-highest number of trade defence investigation cases ever, after 2020 when there were 39 initiations, which shows that the protectionism is escalating throughout the world. This trend will continue expanding, according to the MoITs Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam.

For instance, the United States in 2024 launched its cross-border subsidy investigation on solar panels and capsules imported from Vietnam for the first time. Other markets also investigated and applied anti-dumping, anti-subsidy, safeguarding and anti-circumvention measures on the same product.

Nguyen Minh Vu, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, said, Though the global economy is recovering, there are many potential risks, and supply chain disruptions. This necessitated urgent market opening, and diversification of export markets. Moreover, there must be policies on greener industrial production. New environmental and trade standards in the international market are creating significant challenges for Vietnams export activities.

At present, industrial production enterprises are continuing to face many difficulties in access to bank loans, despite some reduction in lending rates. Additionally, costs for importing raw materials have increased, along with the high USD exchange rate, which has reduced the price competitiveness of export products. Also, domestic production depends heavily on imported materials from outside.

At present, the countrys supporting industry remains weak, leading to a high level of imports in service of export-oriented production.

The General Department of Vietnam Customs reported that in the first 11 months of 2024, the goods import value is estimated to have touched $345.62 billion, up 16.4 per cent on-year. In which, $126.05 billion was from Vietnamese enterprises, up 18.5 per cent, and $219.57 billion came from foreign invested enterprises (FIEs), up 15.2 per cent.

Weak links

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang admitted that although Vietnams export turnover hit a record sum of $403 billion in 2024, it is not yet sustainable.

Over 70 per cent of Vietnams export turnover largely comes from FIEs, but these businesses exports mainly rely on global supply chains and fail to create spillover effects, boosting domestic enterprises to participate in global value chains, Thang noted. The trade surplus in Vietnams trade balance [$23 billion in 2024] has been created by FIEs, while domestic enterprises trade balance always suffers from a deficit with an uptrend.

According to a World Bank study released in November, underlying Vietnams current export model is an economic structure with export activity concentrated within FIEs and limited participation of domestic firms.

The study pointed out that FIEs, while representing only 3 per cent of the total 900,000 enterprises operating in Vietnam, employ a significant number of people - 17.8 million workers, or 35 per cent of the countrys official workforce.

These firms are crucial to the export sector, particularly in specific subsectors. For example, majority-owned foreign affiliates accounted for over three-quarters of Vietnams exports in machinery and equipment, and around half of the exports in the computer, electronics, and telecom and IT services sectors, the World Bank said.

Meanwhile, domestic firms are largely involved in traditional sectors such as construction, repairs, and hospitality, and are generally inward-looking, focusing on servicing the domestic market, the bank added. As such, FIEs largely operate in isolation rather than as a catalyst for economy-wide growth, with limited spillovers from FIEs to the domestic private sector in the form of increased demand for inputs, access to new technology, managerial skills, demonstration effects and agglomeration benefits.

According to experts, weak links between FIEs and Vietnamese companies limit technological and productivity spillovers, hampering the efforts of domestic firms. Compared to other economies, Vietnam has a smaller proportion of firms with global value chain links, suggesting that the opportunity for productivity spillovers is less than that of its peers.

According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Developments Activity of Multinational Enterprises database, foreign manufacturing firms in Vietnam source a lower percentage of their inputs from within the country (53 per cent) compared to comparator countries.

Similarly, the World Banks 2023 Multinational Enterprises Pulse Survey indicated that multinationals in Vietnam source the smallest share of inputs locally among East Asia and Pacific region countries. Notably, Vietnams domestic manufacturing businesses also exhibit a lower reliance on local inputs than many of their counterparts in other countries, pointing to supply-side constraints in domestic production capabilities.

While weak links are not specific to Vietnam, challenges such as skill shortages, a lack of information about domestic suppliers, and weak management capacity have been identified as barriers preventing Vietnamese firms from more effectively participating in value chains, the World Bank said.

Export businesses upbeat about 2025 Many firms have secured export orders for 2025, adding vibrancy to production as the year comes to a close. However, challenges ahead remain a concern.
This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in Vietnam's efforts to advance its logistics industry and strengthen trade relations with regional countries.

Vietnam SuperPort and China Railway 16th Bureau Group Vietnam Co., Ltd.

The signing ceremony took place on January 7, and was attended by Jaya Ratnam, Singapores Ambassador to Vietnam, and Robert Yap, executive chairman of YCH Group. The event signified a major milestone in creating opportunities for growth in Vietnam's transportation, logistics, and trade sectors, while also promoting international cooperation and contributing to sustainable economic development.

The MoU between Vietnam SuperPort and the Transport Development and Strategy Institute outlines the implementation of a national railway network development strategy to optimise the efficient transportation of goods to and from Vietnam SuperPort.

This partnership will focus on studying the strategy of developing new railway lines and terminals connecting the port, with the aim of boosting logistics capacity and positioning Vietnam SuperPort as a key transshipment hub along the Lao Cai  Hanoi  Haiphong  Quang Ninh railway line. The initiative is expected to facilitate cost-effective movement of goods both within Vietnam and across borders.

In addition to the partnership with the Transport Development and Strategy Institute, Vietnam SuperPort also signed an MoU with China Railway 16th Bureau Group Vietnam Co., Ltd., which focuses on the construction of a rail cargo terminal at Vietnam SuperPort and the development of a railway line connecting Vietnam's national railway network.

The partnership aims to support cross-border logistics and the SuperPorts multimodal approach, accelerating connectivity between Vietnam, China, and the ASEAN region. Vietnam SuperPort will offer integrated logistics solutions, including cargo handling, warehouse management, and multimodal transportation, which will enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of rail services.

Vietnam SuperPort and the Transport Development and Strategy Institute

Yap Kwong Weng, CEO of Vietnam SuperPort, emphasised the significance of these partnerships in realising the vision of a multi-modal logistics port. The project, spanning 83 hectares, will integrate road, air, sea, and rail transport.

Developing the logistics industry in connection with transportation infrastructure will enhance national logistics capability and strengthen Vietnam's integration into the global supply chain, Weng said.

Nguyen Thi Phuong Hien, deputy director of the Transport Development and Strategy Institute, expressed enthusiasm for the cooperation with Vietnam SuperPort in implementing the national transportation infrastructure development strategy.

Vietnam SuperPort is a major logistics infrastructure developer with a strategic vision, driving supply chain connectivity in the region while aligning with the goal of sustainable development. It is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040. This goal is fully in line with the Ministry of Transport's roadmap for the development of a green, sustainable transportation system. The strategic importance of this partnership is promoting effective infrastructure development, supporting the growth objectives of the logistics industry, and enhancing trade relations between Vietnam and regional countries, Hien stated.

By leveraging the expertise of these key players, the project aims to position Vietnam as a crucial hub in regional and global supply chains, ultimately contributing to the country's economic growth and international competitiveness.

Vietnam SuperPort is located in Vinh Phuc province. It is a strategic joint venture between T&T Group and YCH Group, Singapores leading supply chain solutions provider with nearly 70 years of industry leadership.

It aims to enhance Vietnam's integration into global supply chains, reduce logistics costs, and boost the countrys competitive edge in international trade. Aiming to be Southeast Asias first net-zero multimodal logistics port, Vietnam SuperPort is committed to sustainability, with plans to integrate clean energy and advanced technologies.

Vietnam SuperPort drives cross-border e-commerce Vietnam SuperPort, a joint venture developed by Singapore's YCH Group and Vietnam's T&T Group, is leading comprehensive logistics initiatives to boost cross-border e-commerce.

Vietnam SuperPort partners Vietnam Post in digital logistics to accelerate SME growth Vietnam SuperPort and Vietnam Post Corporation signed an MoU on December 17 to create customised platforms that help small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) export goods to Asia.
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A boat travels by the Governors Landing area of Lake Amistad as the sun rises Saturday morning, March 2, 2024, in the Amistad National Recreation Area near Del Rio. On March 4, 2024, the lake reached its lowest recorded level since the lake was filled in 1969, dropping below 1,052 feet above sea level. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News A farm irrigation system is pictured in cotton fields near the High Plains town of Ralls, about 30 miles east of Lubbock, on Wednesday, June 22, 2022. Trace Thomas for The Texas Tribune The East Water Purification Plant is photographed Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer

Gov. Greg Abbott is said to be exploring a plan to buy water from Houston and send it to West Texas  a potentially contentious idea that comes as he has teased totally transformative measures in the upcoming legislative session aimed at keeping the state from going dry.

Mayor John Whitmire told the Houston Chronicle that the governor called him to discuss the state purchasing excess water from the city  an idea Whitmire said he is open to if it means Houston can get much-needed infrastructure funding.

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He called me and said, Would you consider selling your excess water to the state that we then sell to West Texas? Whitmire said in an interview. We get monies for our infrastructure. They get their water. It would be a win-win.

Conversations between the city and state began sometime in the fall, said Greg Eyerly, director of Houston Water. Houston produces 183 billion gallons annually and supplies it to millions of Southeast Texas residents, as well as infrastructure critical to the state like the ship channel and refineries.

Communities and businesses that operate in the Permian Basin have been clamoring for access to more water as their aquifers run low after decades of largely unrestricted drilling. And data centers for AI and cryptocurrency that are cropping up around the state need vast supplies of water to cool their servers.

But the idea of moving water across the state has long faced pushback from some state lawmakers, including advocates in East Texas who worry about draining the region's lakes and reservoirs. And according to a recent State Water Plan, the 15-county region that includes Houston could face a water shortage for municipal needs by 2030.

The governors office did not respond to multiple requests for comment about the conversation. Whitmire did not elaborate on it, and he did not respond to a request for more information about his discussions with the governor.

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In September, Abbott told a gathering of local officials in South Texas  a region facing significant water needs  that substantial conversations were already underway with lawmakers about bills that would be totally transformative for the states water supply.

Were working on plans to ensure that we will be water plenty way past 2050, Abbott said, without offering details. This is going to be a generational-type approach to comprehensive water development across the state.

A report filed last month by a state Senate committee said the chamber must act to address water supply shortages soon in order to avert serious consequences.

READ MORE: Houston lost 36 billion gallons of water from leaky pipes since 2023

Whitmire said the city could build new reservoirs to hold water it sells to the state, and in exchange, the city could receive funding to help shore up its crumbling infrastructure. Houston needs about $15 billion in estimated water fixes alone, Eyerly said  some of which the city is obligated under an agreement with the federal government to complete. Houston has lost 36 billion gallons of water due to leaky pipes in the past two years  enough to supply the 900,000-person city of Fort Worth with water for a year.

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Local leaders have long cited a need for repairs to the Houston water system, namely pipes and the rebuilding of an entirely new East Water Purification Plant, which supplies 65% to 70% of city residents with water.

Houstons shaky water infrastructure

Local officials could try to use the water infrastructure demands as a bargaining chip with Abbott.

Josh Sanders, Whitmires head of intergovernmental affairs, said the administration is still determining what the city needs for its water infrastructure. Projects like pipe replacement, new pump stations that treat water for the ship channel and for chemical plants on the southeast side, and emergency water for the Texas Medical Center could all be on the table.

The potential deal doesnt come without worries from area water advocacy groups like West Street Recovery, which works on disaster relief. Ben Hirsch, the groups co-director of organization, research and development, said the public needs to be engaged in any potential decision.

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There's a lot of plans and round tables and committees to deal with these water issues, and it's good to have expertise and stuff, Hirsch said. But are people in Houston gonna have a chance to have their voice be heard on whether they want to be selling water to West Texas?

The state could also try to seize the water if the city doesnt cooperate  though it hasnt had luck with that approach previously. In 2019, lawmakers passed a bill forcing Houston to sell its rights to water in a proposed Allens Creek Reservoir for $23 million.

Then-Mayor Sylvester Turner blasted the move as a gift for the oil and gas industry at the citys expense. The Brazos River Authority, a state agency that owned most of the rights to the reservoir to which the law would have forced the city to sell its share, said at the time that petrochemical plants downriver were foregoing expansions because of a lack of water.

A court blocked the law later that year, but the city eventually sold the water rights anyway. The Brazos River Authority is moving forward with building the Allens Creek Reservoir, but construction wont begin for another decade.

Turner told the Chronicle he never had conversations with Abbott about selling water to West Texas during his time as Houston mayor.

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Charles Perry, a Republican from Lubbock who has long pushed for more state investment in water infrastructure, said he plans to introduce a bill in the coming weeks that would dedicate state dollars to new supply projects like marine desalination. Rather than leaving water funding to local jurisdictions, Perry said, lawmakers need to move to a statewide infrastructure conversation, just like we do roads and bridges.

But its still unclear whether Houston has the water to spare. While the city may have plenty of water, Perry questioned whether the region has enough to supply other parts of the state. Parts of Harris County and surrounding counties already face water shortages, he said.

Perry, however, said Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick have both asked whether work could be done to collect flood water from the San Jacinto River and other waterways that could be sent to other parts of the state.

The conversation early on was, Can we help the flooding in Houston by diverting this water and creating a new supply? And I've said absolutely, and always have said that, Perry said.

If Houston were to show that it does have plenty of excess water, Perry said, the state should consider it.

The existing water supply systems that have been identified, it doesn't say, Houston, he said. If Houston wants to send water, and they have water, and the science dictates that they can give it up  but I would be surprised. Houston proper is in pretty good shape. But outside of Houston, theres areas where those aquifers are going dry.
Motorists driving along Vance Jackson near Loop 410 zoom past icicles hanging from a plants in this photo taken Feb. 16, 2021. San Antonio experienced one of the coldest temperatures on record that day amidst massive power outages across the city and Bexar County. Kin Man Hui/Staff photographer

On Wednesday morning, San Antonio dropped down to 35 degrees, recording the citys lowest temperature since mid-February. However, San Antonio has yet to see temperatures at or below the freezing mark of 32 degrees so far this winter.

However, were still a couple weeks away from San Antonios coldest part of the year, which stretches from late December through early February, a time in which most of the citys freezes occur, according to National Weather Service records. Based on data from the past 30 years, San Antonio averages 14 days a year when temperatures fall to or drop below 32 degrees.

As we prepare for freezing weather to arrive in the city in the coming weeks and months, you may be wondering just how the weather could threaten the pipes in and around your home and exactly how low temperatures have to get to damage or burst pipes. Heres a guide to help you prepare this winter.

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Indoor plumbing

Generally, light freezes, or when temperatures drop to between 28 and 32 degrees, dont do damage to indoor plumbing. This is because indoor pipes are separated from the outside air by walls or home insulation, keeping temperatures slightly above freezing.

However, as temperatures decrease from there, the risk of damaged or frozen pipes becomes a larger threat. When temperatures drop to 25 degrees or colder for an extended period, damage to pipes becomes increasingly possible, especially when the plumbing is not properly insulated. With good insulation, temps in the mid-20s are still not generally a major threat.

When temperatures drop below 20 degrees, the threat to pipes increases dramatically. This is when the majority of frozen and busted pipes occur. The problem can be worsened if the power is out, like it was during the historic statewide February 2021 freeze. Without proper heating in your home, your plumbing doesnt stand much of a chance.

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Outdoor pipes

Plumber Alex Ortega of Beyer Boys works on ruptured pipes at a home in the Stone Oak area of San Antonio in this photo taken on Feb. 19, 2021, when subfreezing temperatures across Texas caused many pipes to burst. Billy Calzada/Staff Photographer

Outdoor plumbing is much more susceptible to freezing because it is exposed to the subfreezing air. Outdoor faucets, water sprinklers, swimming pool supply lines, as well as pipes that run along exterior walls are the most at risk.

Without adding proper insulation, even a light freeze can cause outdoor plumbing to seize up. Of course, when temperatures drop into the low 20s or teens, larger issues will become possible as well.

What can you do?

When pipes freeze and burst, the damage can be very expensive to fix. According to data from insurer State Farm, the average property damage claim for a frozen pipe in Texas cost $15,500 in 2020. Thankfully, plenty of preventative measures can be taken to mitigate your risk.

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According to Texas A&M Agrilife, outdoor water systems could be drained and covered or allowed to drip slowly to protect against any damage.

Angel Salazar insulates the pipes at an apartment complex that he maintains in preparation for the dropping temperature in this photo taken on Dec. 19, 2022, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Foam faucet covers can be purchased for as little as $5 each online or at a local plumbing supply retailer. Thats a small price to pay to avoid potentially thousands of dollars in damage costs.

Inside your home, exposed pipes in your attic, garage or crawl spaces should be protected with insulation sleeves or heat tape. Heat lamps can also help to raise the temperature in lesser-insulated spaces in your home.

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Be sure to open the doors to cabinets and bathroom sinks to let warm air from your home reach the outside of the pipes.
Russian Defence Ministry reports on repelling AFU attempt to invade Russian territory in Kursk region (7 January 2025)

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 actions, units of the Sever Group of Forces inflicted losses on formations of one heavy mechanised brigade, three mechanised brigades, two air assault brigades, one marine brigade, and two territorial defence brigades of the AFU near Kazachaya Loknya, Kubatkin, Lebedevka, Nikolsky, Sudzha, and Cherkasskoye Porechnoye.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation and artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the enemy near Zazulevka, Zamostye, Kamyshovka, Mirny, Russkoye Porechnoye, Sverdlikovo as well as Basovka in Sumy region.

Over the past 24 hours, the AFU losses amounted to more than 325 troops, ten tanks, one infantry fighting vehicle, one armoured personnel carrier, 11 armoured fighting vehicles, eight motor vehicles, three artillery guns, and three mortars.

Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the AFU losses amounted to more than 49,830 troops, 293 tanks, 217 infantry fighting vehicles, 159 armoured personnel carriers, 1,511 armoured fighting vehicles, 1,426 motor vehicles, 344 artillery guns, 44 MLRS launchers, including 13 of HIMARS and six of MLRS made by the USA, 16 anti-aircraft missile launchers, eight transport-loading vehicles, 89 EW stations, 13 counter-battery warfare radars, four air defence radars, 29 units of engineering and other materiel, including 15 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.

Tags:

*** Russian Defence Ministry reports on the progress of the special military operation (7 January 2025) The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation. In Kharkov direction, units of the Sever Group of Forces inflicted losses on formations of one mechanised brigade, one air assault brigade of the AFU, and one territorial defence brigade near Oreshanka, Granov, Veterinarnoye (Kharkov region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 65 troops, two motor vehicles, two 152-mm D-20 guns, and two 122-mm D-30 howitzers. Units of the Zapad Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front line. Losses were inflicted on manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades and one assault brigade of the AFU near Zeleny Gay, Petropavlovka (Kharkov region), and Novoyegorovka (Lugansk Peoples Republic). Two counter-attacks launched by AFU assault detachments were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 580 troops, two infantry fighting vehicles, 12 motor vehicles, one Italian-made Iveco armoured fighting vehicle, one Italian-made 105-mm Melara Mod 56 howitzer, one German-made 155-mm Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled artillery system, one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, three 122-mm D-30 howitzers, one U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, two U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzers, two U.S.-made 155-mm M198 howitzers, and one U.S.-made 105-mm M119 guns. One Israeli-made RADA RPS-42 counter-battery radar, four Khortitsa, one Bukovel-AD, and one Anklav electronic warfare stations as well as one ammunition depot were destroyed. Units of the Yug Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions. Losses were inflicted on formations of one mechanised brigade, one motorised infantry brigade, and two airmobile brigades of the AFU near Seversk, Predtechino, Dachnoye, and Belogorovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic). Two counter-attacks launched by the enemys assault detachments were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 245 troops, one tank, one infantry fighting vehicle, two pick trucks, two 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, one 122-mm D-30 howitzer, and two U.S.-made 105-mm M119 guns. Three ammunition depots were destroyed. Units of the Tsentr Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. Losses were inflicted on manpower and hardware of four mechanised brigades of the AFU, three territorial defence brigades, two national guard brigades, and one brigade of the National Police of Ukraine near Druzhba, Panteleymonovka, Mirolyubovka, Shcherbinovka, Dzerzhinsk, Vozdvizhenka, Shevchenko, Aleksandropol, Dyleyevka, and Volkovo (Donetsk Peoples Republic). Twelve AFU counter-attacks launched by AFU formations were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 510 troops, four tanks, including two German-made Leopard tanks, three infantry fighting vehicles, two U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carriers, five other armoured fighting vehicles, ten motor vehicles, three 152-mm D-20 guns, one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, two 122-mm D-30 howitzers, and one U.S.-made 105-mm M119 gun. One electronic warfare station was eliminated. Units of the Vostok Group of Forces continued advancing to the depth of the enemys defences. Losses were inflicted on formations of three mechanised brigades of the AFU, two territorial defence brigades, and one national guard brigade near Neskuchnoye, Velikaya Novoselka, Razliv, Volnoye Pole, and Vremevka (Donetsk Peoples Republic). Two counter-attacks launched by the enemys assault detachments were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 155 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, five motor vehicles, one 152-mm Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and one 122-mm D-30 howitzer. One ammunition depot was wiped out. Units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of one infantry brigade of the AFU near Pyatikhatki (Zaporozhye region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 80 troops, six motor vehicles, and one 122-mm D-30 howitzer. One Bukovel-AD electronic warfare station and one ammunition depot were destroyed. Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces struck infrastructure of military airfields, ammunition depots, as well as engaged manpower and hardware of the armed AFU formations and foreign mercenaries in 164 areas. Air defence units shot down six U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles and 50 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles. In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 652 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 39,618 unmanned aerial vehicles, 590 anti-aircraft missile systems, 20,280 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,507 MLRS combat vehicles, 20,270 field artillery guns and mortars, and 29,955 units of support military vehicles have been neutralised. Tags: Special Military Operation

WtR
North Wales MS pushing to make pet abduction a criminal offence

This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Jan 8th, 2025

A North Wales Member of the Senedd will today lead a debate in the Senedd calling for the introduction of a new bill that would make abducting a pet a specific criminal offence in Wales.

Carolyn Thomas, Welsh Labour Member of the Senedd for the North Wales region, has been granted a debate on her legislative proposal, which seeks to bring Wales in line with legislation which already exists in England and Northern Ireland, with a similar bill also being proposed in Scotland.

Ms Thomas, who chairs the Senedds Cross Party Group on Animal Welfare, is hoping the proposal is supported by colleagues in the Senedd.

When a pet is abducted, the knock-on effects are severe, both for the animal and for the owner, she explained.

Significant emotional distress is often coupled with a substantial financial cost in relation to searching for the stolen animal.

Pets combat loneliness and provide loyal companionship, which is incredibly beneficial for mental health.

The trauma caused when a pet is stolen can be irreversible.

The proposal follows the submission of a Senedd petition which called for pet abduction to be made a specific criminal offence in Wales, which was signed by more than 1,200 people and was considered by the Senedds Petitions Committee.

Speaking about bringing Wales into line with England and Northern Ireland, Thomas said: Pet abduction as a criminal offence has already been passed into law in England and Northern Ireland, so it is incumbent on us politicians in Wales to catch up and bring about a similar change to the law here.

Currently, the theft of a pet is covered under the 1968 Theft Act, but this means they are treated in the same way as an object, such as a stolen wallet. Pets have emotions and feelings, they suffer trauma.

Making pet abduction a specific criminal offence means it can be prosecuted more appropriately, through up to five years imprisonment.

It will also mean police forces will record pet theft separately, providing them with intelligence about animals and breeds which are most at risk, and the areas where they are being targeted.

RSPCA Cymru have previously raised concerns that the lack of a similar criminalisation provision to England and Northern Ireland could lead to more pets being targeted for abduction in Wales.

Billie-Jade Thomas, Senior Public Affairs Manager as RSPCA Cymru said: The theft of a pet is devastating for both owners and their animals, and the RSPCA has long called for tougher laws to act as a real deterrent to those who carry out this crime.

For many, pets are members of the family and it just isnt appropriate that stealing a much-loved cat or dog is currently treated the same in law as stealing a mobile phone or other non-sentient possessions.

RSPCA Cymru are therefore fully supportive of the legislative proposal put forward by Carolyn Thomas MS and would welcome any opportunity to work with the Welsh Government and Members of the Senedd towards deterring and preventing the thefts of pets in Wales via legislation.

As well as RSPCA Cymru, the proposal is also being backed by Cats Protection.

Madison Rogers, Associate Director of Advocacy, Campaigns & External Affairs at Cats Protection said: For many of us, pets are part of our family and for them to be stolen without a trace is a horrendous experience.

Some people may never find out what happened to their much-loved pet, which can bring unbearable distress.

We hope pet theft will become a specific crime in Wales to deter criminals and give owners confidence that their pets are protected.

The proposal will be debated in the Senedd today, Wednesday 8 January.
Parts of Wrexham to benefit from UK government broadband boost

Parts of Wrexham are set to benefit from a 289 million broadband expansion under the UK Governments Project Gigabit.

The initiative aims to deliver lightning-fast internet to some of the most isolated communities across Wales.

Around 37,000 homes and businesses across Wales will gain access to gigabit-capable broadband, providing faster, more reliable internet speeds.

This will bring significant benefits to rural communities, enabling better access to services like virtual healthcare consultations and remote education, while also supporting businesses to expand and thrive online.

The new contract, worth 79 million, has been signed between the UK Government and telecoms provider Openreach to connect rural areas, including towns and villages in North and South West Wales.

Areas set to benefit include the Dee Valley, Isle of Anglesey, and Shropshire Hills as 4 new contracts  worth over 289 million  have been signed by the UK government and Openreach.

According to the UK government, the move will deliver the fastest, most reliable broadband networks on the market to hundreds of towns and villages in rural Britain and plug the digital divide outside urban areas.

Telecoms Minister, Sir Chris Bryant, said: For families and businesses across rural Wales, fighting for bandwidth with neighbours will soon be a thing of the past, thanks to this UK Government programme bringing lightning-fast internet to rural areas.

Better broadband will not only enhance the quality of life for tens of thousands of homes and businesses across rural Wales, such as in Flintshire and Conwy, but it will also help us put an end to disparities between urban and rural areas, making Britain a fairer place for all.

This announcement forms part of four contracts worth 289 million, which will provide gigabit broadband to 131,000 additional premises across England and Wales.

In Wales alone, communities such as Betws-y-Coed, Llangollen, and Anglesey will join those in Wrexham in gaining access to some of the fastest broadband speeds available.

For households, gigabit-capable broadband delivers faster speeds and fewer dropouts, providing a gateway to remote working and online education.

Unlike traditional copper-based networks, gigabit connections wont slow down at peak times, meaning no more battling for bandwidth with neighbours.

Gigabit networks can easily handle over a hundred devices all at once with no buffering, meaning the whole family can seamlessly surf, stream and download at the same time.

Openreach CEO Clive Selley, added: Our new Full Fibre broadband network now reaches more than half of all properties in the UK, and were confident we can reach as many as 30 million premises by the end of the decade, assuming the right regulatory and investment conditions exist.

This is a British infrastructure success story which experts say will boost productivity by 73 billion and bring a raft of social and environmental benefits for the country.

We believe that everyone deserves access to fast and reliable broadband, and were proud that this partnership will help extend our ultrafast, ultra-reliable network to areas that would otherwise be left behind by the private sector.

Across the UK, over 1 million hard-to-reach premises already have access to upgrades thanks to UK government investment.

Over 85 per cent of the country can now access gigabit connections, putting the UK in a strong position to meet the governments target of full gigabit coverage by 2030.
Anthony Franze is a native Texan and very passionate about covering any weather that is thrown at him. He can be reached at anthony.franze@express-news.net.

Anthony earned a degree in Meteorology from Valparaiso University in 2017. He has worked as a broadcast meteorologist for six years, one at NBC Montana and the next five at NewsWest 9 in Midland before joining the Express-News in July 2023.

In his free time, Anthony enjoys watching sports, checking out local restaurants and breweries, and getting outside whenever the heat allows for it. If you have any story ideas, questions about the weather or restaurant suggestions, drop him a line.
hitclup thanh pho Tra Vinh

Tro choi : Tan huong bua tiec cua the gioi tro choi

La mot tro choi rat uoc mong oi, tro choi mang en cho nguoi choi trai nghiem choi game cuc ky thu vi. No khong chi co noi dung tro choi thu vi ma con co loi choi phong phu, a dang va o hoa tinh te, khien moi nguoi co cam giac nhu ang o trong mot the gioi tro choi ay phieu luu va thu thach. Bai viet nay se gioi thieu chi tiet cac tinh nang va cach choi khac nhau cua tro choi , ong thoi cung cap thong tin toan dien va chinh xac cho nhung nguoi choi muon biet them ve tro choi nay.

hitclupDookie Demastered Green Day destroza sus 15 temas en 15 formatos diferentes

Cuando un album alcanza un hito tan importante como su 30 aniversario, recibe las remasterizaciones habituales en los formatos habituales. Pero Dookie no es un album normal. Por eso, Green Day y Brain colaboraron para crear Dookie Demastered: el album que hizo estallar el formato del punk rock, volvio a estallar en 15 formatos de edicion limitada oscuros, obsoletos y, por lo demas, inconvenientes, que ahora estan disponibles para su compra.En lugar de suavizar sus bordes y ajustar sus rangos dinamicos, esta version de Dookie ha sido meticulosamente destrozada para que se ajuste a formatos con una fidelidad extremadamente baja, desde cilindros de cera hasta contestadores automaticos y cepillos de dientes. La experiencia de escucha es incomparable, sacrificando no solo la calidad del sonido, sino tambien la comodidad y, en ocasiones, versos enteros. Es Dookie como nunca se penso que se escuchara.Los 15 formatos se pueden reproducir en dookiedemastered. Participa en el sorteo para tener la oportunidad de comprar uno. El sorteo finaliza el viernes 11 de octubre a las 8 a. m., hora del Pacifico/11 a. m., hora del Este.Dookie Demastered llega poco despues de la gira masiva Saviors de Green Day, con entradas agotadas, que recorrio estadios de todo el mundo este verano. La banda toco Dookie y American Idiot completas, juntohitclup con cortes de su ultimo album Saviors, y la gira recibio elogios generalizados de la critica.Formatos de Demastered:* Burnout  Player Piano Roll* Having A Blast  Floppy Disk* Chump  Teddy Ruxpin* Longview  Doorbell* Welcome To Paradise  Game Boy Cartridge* Pulling Teeth  Toothbrush* Basket Case  Big Mouth Billy Bass* She  HitClip* Sassafras Roots  8-track* When I Come Around  Wax Cylinder* Coming Clean  X-Ray Record* Emenius Sleepus  Answering Machine* In The End  MiniDisc* F.O.D.  Fisher Price Record* All By Myself  Music BoxLa influencia de Dookie sigue siendo absolutamente ineludible. Ha vendido la asombrosa cantidad de 20 millones de copias en todo el mundo y se destaca como el primer album punk en ser certificado diaman
How can I find a doctor who can help me?

As a physician, I get this question from friends and family all the time. And for most of my professional life, I was able to refer them to a medical colleague; a simple phone call was all it took to get someone an appointment within a reasonable amount of time.

Members only

But no longer.

The average wait for new patients to see a physician is 26 days, and thats for mostly healthy people. In a medical emergency, the situation can become even more frightening: Twenty-two percent of acutely ill patients 65 or older who sought medical attention had to wait six days or more for an appointment, according to a 2021 survey by the Commonwealth Fund.

This is a crisis. And its a crisis thats getting worse, rapidly.

The backbone of our health care system, private practice, is on the brink of collapse, warns Clarel Antoine, M.D., professor of obstetrics and gynecology at New York Citys NYU Grossman School of Medicine. As a result, the nearly 70 million Americans on Medicare, many with chronic conditions, can expect longer waiting times for medical care.

Due to an astonishing combination of professional missteps, failed policies and an aging population, America is facing an unprecedented shortage of physicians  one that is putting each of us at increased risk. Heres what older Americans need to know about protecting themselves and their loved ones  and how you can ensure you get the care you need.

A health care crisis

Alli Phillips, 49, of Denver, developed swollen joints in her hands in April 2023, but when she called her physicians office, she was told the first available appointment wasnt until June. When the appointment finally came around, the doctor told Phillips that she suspected rheumatoid arthritis and referred her to a specialist. But the specialist had no appointments available until November.

In the meantime, Phillips knees began to swell, and she struggled to walk down steps and turn doorknobs. When her appointment finally came, her visit with the rheumatologist lasted only about 15 minutes. She left with a prescription for prednisone, which made only mild improvements to her symptoms. After two more 15-minute visits to the rheumatologist, Phillips finally hired a concierge doctor for $3,500 per year  a fee not covered by insurance. The concierge doctor took time to discuss multiple treatment options and long-term care, and prescribed methotrexate, a chemotherapy and immunosuppressant drug, to get her condition under control.

Phillips was lucky, her new doctor told her: The delay in treatment could have caused further joint damage, and she was fortunate to be able to afford the out-of-pocket expense. But, as Phillips says today, How do people without resources to get around the system find the care they need?

Even being an established, well-connected doctor doesnt always help. One colleague of mine, working at a major medical center in the South, recently decided to move with his family to the Northeast. But as the process was underway, his wife was diagnosed with cancer. Even though shed already received a diagnosis, and even though they were using the same insurance company, the insurer refused to cover her oncology treatment until she got a referral from a new primary care physician.

Despite being a prominent doctor himself, my colleague could not find a single physician willing to take his wife on as a new patient. The family was forced to go back to their previous state so his wife could receive care. Fortunately, she is doing well, but my colleague asks, How do people do this without the connections we have?

Too often, the answer is, they dont. Although there were some 835,000 practicing doctors in America in 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, we are currently experiencing a shortage because demand exceeds supply.

My 82-year-old father almost died because it took us months to find him a doctor, says Michelle*, 54, of New York City. One night in August 2023, Michelles father, Marvin, a retired engineer, called her. He was slurring his speech and had developed a facial droop  both classic signs of a stroke. She immediately sent him to a hospital.

The doctors told him that he needed an MRI, but there was one problem  his pacemaker needed to be switched to an MRI-safe mode, Michelle says. I called every hospital and doctor I could  neurologists, cardiologists, even primary care doctors  but no one was available to get that done and the MRI completed.

Over the next several months, Marvin experienced two more episodes. When he finally went back to the ER that November, hed developed sepsis  from an infection in his heart  and tests revealed hed suffered two more strokes. Finally, he had open-heart surgery, Michelle says. But it left us so angry and frustrated that he had to nearly die to get the care he needed.

To understand why doctors are in such short supply, it helps to think of the medical field as a bathtub. To keep the tub full, the faucet needs to be adding water at least as fast as the drain empties it. But thats not whats happening. The current shortage of physicians, combined with a number of other factors, has placed such an intense strain on doctors that many in the medical field are choosing to switch professions or simply retire early. And despite efforts by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) to graduate more doctors, those efforts to fill the tub simply cant keep up with the drain.

Why dont we have enough doctors?

In 1980, a U.S. government report concluded that American teaching hospitals were graduating too many medical students. It predicted a surplus of 70,000 physicians by 1990, an alarming statistic. In response, medical schools established what became a 25-year moratorium on increasing class size, enforced by the AAMC and the American Medical Association (AMA).

Yet there was a significant flaw to that initial report: It failed to account for the nations rising population, which is now 110 million more than it was 45 years ago. By 2005, as the population grew and the potential for a severe physician shortage emerged, the AAMC and AMA reversed their recommendation, and in the past 20 years, more and more young people have trained to be doctors.

Yet despite the more than 97,900 students in medical school, 38,000 in osteopathic school, and 162,000 doctors currently in residencies and fellowships, the AAMC predicts a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036. By then, it projects that the U.S. population will have risen 8.4 percent since 2021. The population of those over 65 will increase by 34 percent, while the number of people 75 and older will increase by 55 percent.

Medical education is a long journey, and even though medical school enrollment has risen, we need more residency positions [where med school graduates get hands-on training], which requires increased government support, says David Skorton, M.D., president of the AAMC.


Atlas Project Update

Perth, Jan 8, 2025 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Image Resources NL ( ASX:IMA ) ( I5R:FRA ) advises construction progress remains on track for commencement of commissioning and first heavy mineral concentrate ("HMC") production in Q1 2025 at the Company's 100%-owned Atlas mineral sands project ("Atlas") located 170km north of Perth in the Dandaragan Shire.



HIGHLIGHTS



- Atlas construction on track for project commissioning in Q1 2025



- Drawdown initiated on US$20M HMC Prepayment Facility



- Atlas now fully funded to first revenue anticipated in Q2 2025



Following the bush fire that passed through the Atlas project area during the final week of November 2024, construction crews returned to the site to resume all site development activities.



Despite the lost time for emergency evacuation of the site, construction progressed rapidly during December (Photo 1) and served to renew confidence in achieving the original goal of early-stage commissioning and first HMC production before the end of March 2025.



The Company also initiated drawdown of funds from the US$20 million HMC Prepayment Facility arranged with its long-standing HMC offtake partner Shantou Natfort Zirconium and Titanium Co., Ltd, ("Natfort") (announced 24 October 2024). Prepayment Facility funds will be used to cover working capital requirements, including corporate costs and pre-revenue Atlas operating costs.



In late December, US$5 million of drawdown funds were received. The balance is anticipated to be received in Q1 2025 as construction winds down.



Managing Director and CEO Patrick Mutz commented:



"Despite the loss of nearly a week of construction time due to site evacuation during the November bush fire, we remain optimistic of achieving our goal of first HMC production at Atlas before the end of Q1 2025.



"In addition, even though construction at Atlas was delayed by more than 12-months due to permitting delays, we have maintained our commitment for capital costs for Atlas to be largely self-funded from cash reserves from Boonanarring. However, to maintain a sufficient cash buffer going forward, we have actioned the drawdown of working capital funds from the US$20 million HMC Prepayment Facility arranged through our offtake partner Natfort.



Accessing the working capital facility provides the funding necessary to achieve first revenue at Atlas, which is anticipated to be in early Q2 2025."



Risk Minimisation



Subsequent to the execution of the US$20 million HMC Prepayment Facility arrangement with HMC offtaker Natfort in October 2024, Image and Natfort agreed to allow Natfort to share the provision of the funding under this facility so as to minimise the risk to Image of a single funding provider.



As such, 50% of the US$20 million funding obligation under the Prepayment Facility (as well as the associated 50% of HMC offtake from the Atlas project) was shifted to Billion Sunny Investment Limited ("Sunny Investment") which is an independent third-party financing entity incorporated in Cayman Islands.



The shared participation in the Prepayment Facility funding was approved on the basis that it was on the same terms and conditions as the Natfort Prepayment Facility.



Repayment of the Prepayment Facility principal amounts will be made by the delivery of approximately 25% of each bulk shipment of HMC at no cost, while 75% of each shipment will be sold at market prices. The term of the Prepayment Facility is 12-months from drawdown.



HMC will be sold/delivered to the HMC buyers in alternating shipments for processing (separation) by their nominated mineral separation plant operators in China.



The US$10 million funding under the shared Prepayment Facility arrangement with Sunny Investment was received by Image on 7 January 2025.



The outstanding balance of US$5 million under the Natfort Prepayment Facility is anticipated to be received in Q1 2025.





About Image Resources NL





Image Resources NL (ASX:IMA) is a mineral sands focused mining company operating an open-cut mine and ore processing facility at its 100%-owned, high-grade, zircon-rich Boonanarring Project, located 80km north of Perth in the infrastructure rich North Perth Basin.

Boonanarring is arguably one of the highest grade, zircon-rich mineral sands projects in Australia. Construction and project commissioning were completed on-time and on-budget in 2018. Production commenced in December 2018 and HMC production ramped-up to exceed name-plate capacity in only the second month of operation.

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Dean Butler, Managing Director for Retail Direct at Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group said: With early January typically seeing a sharp rise in divorce enquiries, for some the notorious post-festive period will be particularly stressful. Amidst the emotion its easy to forget about pensions and the long-term impact on financial futures. However, theyre a valuable asset so its important to include them when working out how to move forward financially.



The rules differ slightly across the UK, however if youre married or in a civil partnership and you divorce or dissolve the partnership you might be entitled to some or even all of your partners pension. If you separate without formally divorcing or dissolving the partnership, you wont be entitled to your partners pension but you could be entitled to their pension when they die.



Recent Budget added an extra consideration, as from 6 April 2027 unspent pension pots will be subject to inheritance tax (IHT). When married or in a civil partnership, your partners assets will usually pass to you IHT-free when the die  otherwise, theyll usually be subject to IHT of 40% on estate value over the nil rate band, currently 325,000. The full list of exemptions for the post-2027 rules are not yet clear, but it seems reasonable to assume pensions inherited by former partners will be subject to IHT. Its worth being aware of this when considering your long-term financial future at the time of divorce.



Divorce and pensions facts



 The court will take all pensions into account All of your and your partners pensions will be considered, including workplace and personal pensions. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland this will normally include pensions built up both inside and outside the marriage. In Scotland, only the value of pensions gained during the marriage will be taken into account  so anything built up before the marriage began or after the date of separation doesnt generally count.



 There are three ways of dealing with the issue Across the UK, there are three ways to resolve the question of pensions during divorce. These are known as Pensions offsetting, Pensions sharing and Pension attachment or earmarking orders. Each have their pros and cons.



 Pensions offsetting This is when the value of pensions is offset against other assets. For example, one person might get a bigger share of the home and keep their pension, or keep other savings instead. This offers a clean break and doesnt need a court order, but could lead to one person having little to live on in retirement. The decision is also based on the value of the pension today, so it will involve one person giving up their entitlement to future investment growth.



 Pensions sharing This is when all or a percentage of one persons pensions is transferred to the other. Like pension offsetting, a big advantage is the clean break  once person As pension is transferred across, its in person Bs full control. On the downside, it can be quite complicated to set up and needs an order from the court.



 Pension attachment orders This is when one person agrees to pay a portion of their pension income to the other when, and only when, it starts being paid  also known as pension earmarking in Scotland. This might make things a bit simpler at the time of divorce itself, but it also requires a court order and the first person retains quite a lot of control of when and how the pension is used, and payments will stop when they die.


The city was recently taken by surprise as Myntra's M-Now delivery riders, dressed in the latest fashion trends, zoomed through the city's streets. This unique on-ground activation, launched to celebrate the launch of M-Now, caught the attention of fashion enthusiasts leaving social media abuzz.

This unexpected and eye-catching sight had Bangaloreans sharing videos and photos across social media platforms, expressing their admiration for the innovative approach. Filled with excitement over the concept, with numerous users expressing admiration for the campaign's innovative approach. One user posted: Why does my Myntra delivery guy have better rizz than me ? I need to know M-Now - Srishti Pandey

The campaign, aimed at highlighting the speed and style of M-Now, featured delivery riders sporting the latest fashion trends.

Myntras M-Now servicecurrently covering Bengaluruis setting a new benchmark in fashion shopping by offering deliveries starting 30 minutes across a wide collection of 10k styles, across fashion, beauty, accessories and home. The one-of-its-kind expedited delivery feature is slated to be scaled to over 1 lakh styles in the next 3-4 months.

Myntra plans to expand M-Now to other major cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, and more in the near future. This initiative by Myntra bridges the gap between shopping and the instant gratification of getting the delivery.
Today, Cadbury has unveiled its latest campaign in its celebrated Cadbury Dairy Milk Generosity brand platform, Theres a Glass and a Half in Everyone.

Created in partnership with its global agency of record, VCCP, the campaign furthers Cadburys mission to inspire acts of generosity while highlighting how gifting chocolate can serve as a powerful gesture of kindness and connection.

Memory marks the seventh year of Cadburys generosity brand platform, a globally recognised campaign known for its heartfelt and emotional storytelling. The campaign continues to resonate with audiences by highlighting meaningful, relatable moments that celebrate the power of generosity whilst also challenging industry conventions by focusing on small, emotional moments rather than action-packed narratives.

The multi-award-winning campaign, which includes previous films such as Mums Birthday, Fence, Bus has garnered widespread recognition, including winning D&AD pencils, British Arrows and effectiveness awards from the IPA, Marketing Week and The Marketing Society.

At the heart of the campaign is a 60 second film that tells a moving story of a daughter and her father written by Simon Connor, directed by acclaimed director Steve Rogers (who also directed previous Cadbury films Garage and Speakerphone) and produced by Biscuit Filmworks.

https://vimeo.com/1041136020/95efd491de

The film opens with a daughter visiting her father at his home, a bar of Cadbury Wholenut chocolate in hand. Her father, living with dementia, smiles at the sight of the chocolate, recognising it as a gift his daughter has bought him since she was a child. In this moment, he doesnt recognise her as his daughter. Instead, he begins to tell her how this ritual gifting always makes his wife laugh - because, as he proudly reveals, hes always hated nuts.

The daughter cant help but laugh, touched by the idea that her father has kept this secret for so long. As he looks at her earnestly, he asks her not to tell his 'daughter' - meaning her - about the secret, because "it makes her so happy" the daughter responds softly. "It does." She recognises the quiet generosity of her fathers long-held secret, something hes kept hidden from her all these years, despite not always remembering who she is.

Cadbury is committed to telling inclusive stories rooted in human truths that are representative of the nation. To ensure the storys accurate portrayal of people living with dementia, Cadbury consulted with specialists throughout the development of the film.

Cadbury has extended its partnership with Alzheimers Research UK, the UKs leading dementia research charity, into 2025. The two organisations first joined together in 2024 to celebrate the role of Cadbury in the nations shared memories and to support the charitys mission for a cure for dementia.

Elise Burditt, Senior Marketing Director at Cadbury, said: At Cadbury, we believe that generosity has the power to bring people closer together. Memory illustrates how even a small gesture, like gifting a bar of chocolate, can hold deep meaning and connect us in unexpected ways. Were incredibly proud to continue to work with Alzheimers Research UK to support their vitally important work.

Nikhil Nicholas, Global Equity Lead, Cadbury, said, Its been an amazing journey, and we are very excited to launch our latest instalment of the generosity platform. This campaign is a continuation of our commitment to shining a spotlight on the really small everyday acts of generosity that are packed with emotion, bringing us closer to each other.

Chris Birch & Jonathan Parker, Executive Creative Directors at VCCP, added: Were incredibly proud to continue our partnership with Cadbury on Theres a Glass and a Half in Everyone. Memory is a beautifully told tale that centres around, surprisingly, a long standing deceit. Yet it couldnt be more generous. We hope people love it. The writing is straight from the heart."

Hilary Evans-Newton, Chief Executive at Alzheimer's Research UK, added: We welcome this new ad from our partner, Cadbury, that tells a heartwarming story, featuring a father with dementia. With almost one million people living with dementia in the UK alone, it is great to see an iconic national brand representing people with dementia in such a sensitive and respectful way. We want to thank Cadbury for continuing to stand with Alzheimers Research UK for a cure.

Memory was brought to life with the help of VCCPs global content production studio Girl&Bear with media led by Publicis Media and PR led by Ogilvy. The film will run across the UK throughout 2025, appearing on TV, VOD, YouTube, and in cinemas.

Also Read: Cadbury 5 Star & Netflixs Squid Game 2 join forces for a twist-filled contest
The 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj is set to make history as the most technologically advanced edition of this revered spiritual gathering. Celebrated for its profound spiritual significance, this monumental event will seamlessly integrate sacred traditions with cutting-edge digital innovations. Against the spiritual backdrop of Uttar Pradeshs Prayagraj, Maha Kumbh 2025 aims to offer an unparalleled experience to millions of devotees from around the globe.

In December 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 167 key development projects worth Rs 5,500 crore in Prayagraj, including SahAIyak Chatbot, an Artificial Intelligence-based platform to streamline communication for devotees attending the Mela.

The Uttar Pradesh government has positioned this grand event as a Digital Mahakumbh, setting a global benchmark in combining ancient traditions with state-of-the-art technology. From advanced AI-powered surveillance systems and seamless digital land allotments to immersive virtual reality showcases and dynamic drone displays, every aspect of the festival has been meticulously planned to ensure safety, convenience, and an enriching spiritual journey for over 45 crore visitors.

The Maha Kumbh 2025 is not merely an event, its a transformational initiative. With robust infrastructure, integrated digital services, and innovative technological interventions, this edition symbolizes a harmonious confluence of tradition and technology, setting the stage for a globally admired spiritual festival that reflects Indias commitment to preserving heritage while embracing progress.

A Technological Leap: Innovations Driving the Maha Kumbh 2025

The government has made significant investments in the Kumbh Mela App, which offers numerous features. It is regularly updated and ensures greater transparency. This app assists attendees in navigating the Kumbh Mela efficiently. Additionally, the entire tendering and partner selection process has been digitized, and the government has structured the CSR process digitally, including the implementation of an AI-based lost and found centre. There is a strong digital push by the government to promote tourism and attract visitors from across the globe. Vritti is the exclusive advertising partner for LED screens. We have deployed 25 LED vans across 25 sectors of the Kumbh. Our strategy ensures these vans move with the crowd to maximize visibility and brand impact, said Rajesh Radhakrishnan, Co-Founder & CMO, Vritti Mindwave Media.

Global Digital Appeal

People from 183 countries are actively seeking information about the Maha Kumbh through various websites and portals, according to the Uttar Pradesh government. The official website of Maha Kumbh (https://kumbh.gov.in/), launched on October 6, 2024, has emerged as the primary source for reliable information, witnessing significant traffic from millions of users worldwide.

As of January 4, 2025, data from the website reveals that over 33 lakh visitors from 183 countries accessed the portal to gather details about Maha Kumbh. This includes visitors from Europe, America, and Africa, showcasing the event's global appeal.

Advanced Navigation with Google Maps

For the first time, Google Maps will offer dedicated navigation services specifically tailored for Mahakumbh Nagar. This groundbreaking partnership between Google and the Mahakumbh Mela Authority will enable pilgrims to easily locate ghats, temples, and key event sites, significantly enhancing crowd management.

AI-Powered Surveillance and Security

To manage the colossal influx of visitors, the Mela will deploy 328 AI-enabled cameras equipped with facial recognition technology, ensuring round-the-clock surveillance. These cameras will play a vital role in reuniting lost persons with their families through a centralized Digital Lost and Found Centre, integrating social media platforms for faster communication.

Immersive Virtual Reality Experiences

360-degree virtual reality (VR) stalls will be set up at prime locations, offering immersive views of key rituals such as the Peshwai procession, Ganga Aarti, and sacred bathing ceremonies. This initiative aims to deepen the connection between spirituality and technology.

Spectacular Drone Shows

A fleet of 2,000 drones will narrate legendary tales such as Prayag Mahatmyam and Samudra Manthan, creating mesmerizing visual spectacles over the Sangam Nose. These shows will illuminate the night sky, blending ancient storytelling with modern technology.

Robust Cybersecurity Measures

The Uttar Pradesh government has established a Maha Kumbh Cyber Police Station and deployed 56 cybersecurity experts for continuous monitoring. A dedicated helpline number (1920) and 40 Variable Messaging Displays (VMDs) have been introduced to prevent cyber threats, fake links, and misinformation.

Digital Land Allotment and Infrastructure Management

Land allotments for over 10,000 institutions have been digitized, utilizing GIS-based maps and drone surveys. This transparent system minimizes physical appointments and ensures efficient resource allocation.

Online Accommodation Booking

Devotees can now book accommodations at Maha Kumbh Gram through the IRCTC website and the official Maha Kumbh mobile application. This initiative simplifies the lodging process and enhances visitor convenience.

Key Digital Innovations at Maha Kumbh 2025:

Digital ticketing: QR code-based unreserved ticket booking via the UTS mobile app.

QR code-based unreserved ticket booking via the UTS mobile app. AI-enabled cameras: 328 cameras with facial recognition for 24/7 monitoring.

328 cameras with facial recognition for 24/7 monitoring. Digital Lost and Found Centre: Centralized system integrated with social media.

Centralized system integrated with social media. Digital exhibition: Showcasing artifacts like the Amrit Kalash.

Showcasing artifacts like the Amrit Kalash. Virtual reality stalls: Immersive pilgrim engagement.

Immersive pilgrim engagement. Drone shows: Spectacular storytelling visuals.

Spectacular storytelling visuals. AI chatbot: Providing instant assistance.

Providing instant assistance. Cybersecurity measures: 56 cyber experts, a cyber police station, helpline, and verified websites.

56 cyber experts, a cyber police station, helpline, and verified websites. Digital land allotments: GIS-based transparent allocation.

A Vision for the Future

The Digital Mahakumbh 2025 is more than just an event; it represents a paradigm shift in how India celebrates its spiritual heritage. With state-of-the-art technology, immersive digital experiences, and robust safety measures, the Uttar Pradesh government is setting a global benchmark for managing large-scale cultural and religious gatherings. As spirituality meets innovation, Maha Kumbh 2025 stands as a shining example of Indias ability to honour timeless traditions while embracing the future.

Also Read: Battling the Digital Black Market: The war against content piracy in 2025
Be it their on-screen chemistry, their playful reels that light up social media, or their entrepreneurial ventures,Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh have captured the hearts of millions.

The Bollywood power couple is known not just for their enduring love story but also for their ability to innovate and inspire in everything they do. Taking their passion for food and creativity to the next level, Riteish and Genelias brainchild,

Imagine Foods has now joined hands with Starbucks for an exciting brand collaboration.

As TATA Starbucks marks a milestone with the launch of its 100th store in Mumbai, the Deshmukhs are bringing a bold, vegetarian twist to the citys beloved street flavors. With this partnership, the couple continues to charm audiences, proving once again that their magic isnt confined to the silver screen.

Genelia & Riteish launched Imagine Foods to make vegetarian cuisine trendy, innovative and accessible. With their knack for connecting with audiences, the couple has infused their brand with creativity, making it a go-to for plant-based, high-protein options. Known for their relatable, fun-loving chemistry, the Deshmukhs have built a connection with audiences that extends beyond films. Their Instagram reels and entrepreneurial ventures reflect their playful energy and innovative spirit. Now, with this partnership, theyve turned their love for Mumbais street culture into a flavorful celebration.

Weve always believed that plantbased food can be bold, fun, and indulgent, and this collaboration with Starbucks is a reflection of that belief. These dishes are a tribute to Mumbais street culture, but with a modern twist that will excite your taste buds,  shared Genelia & Riteish Deshmukh, Founders of Imagine Foods. With this collaboration, Genelia & Riteish Deshmukh are not just honoring Mumbais vibrant

street culture but also transforming it into a global experience.

The exclusive menu is now available at select Starbucks outlets across Mumbai. Cheating on meat never felt so good!
South Korean anti-graft investigators were holding on Tuesday for a new court-ordered arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose failed martial law bid threw the country into turmoil.

The former star prosecutor has refused questioning three times over a bungled martial law decree last month which plunged South Korea into its worst political crisis in decades.

As anti-graft officials seek a new warrant from the same court that issued the first order, Yoon remains holed up in his residence surrounded by hundreds of guards preventing his detention.

"The Joint Investigation Headquarters today refiled a warrant with the Seoul Western District Court to extend the arrest warrant for defendant Yoon," the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) said in a statement late Monday.

"Details regarding the validity period cannot be disclosed", the CIO added after the initial seven-day warrant expired.

If investigators are able to detain Yoon, he would become the first sitting president in South Korean history to be arrested.

There was no comment by investigators or the Seoul court on the new warrant being approved by Tuesday afternoon.

However, CIO deputy director Lee Jae-seung told reporters earlier on Tuesday that the likelihood the court would not grant an extension was "very low".

Yoon is being investigated on charges of insurrection and, if formally arrested and convicted, faces prison or, at worst, the death penalty.

His lawyers repeatedly said the initial warrant was "unlawful", pledging to take further legal action against it.

Yoon's lawyers have argued the CIO lacks the authority to investigate, because insurrection is not included in the list of offences it can probe.

But the likelihood for the reissued warrant to be accepted was "quite high", said Yun Bok-nam, president of Lawyers for a Democratic Society, who is not involved in the investigation.

But it may take longer than expected for the warrant to be issued again.

"In the previous instance, it took quite a long time -- almost a day and a half," Yun told AFP.

The CIO is a relatively new force -- nearly four years old -- with fewer than 100 staff who are yet to prosecute a single case.

"Naturally, they have no prior experience with arrests, let alone something as significant as arresting the president," Yun said.

"The cooperation of the police is essential", he added, through the Joint Investigation Headquarters umbrella under which both forces are currently working together.

The country's opposition Democratic Party said Monday it would submit a legal complaint against acting president Choi Sang-mok for "dereliction of duty", after it asked him to intervene in the case and he did not.

South Korea's Constitutional Court has slated January 14 for the start of Yoon's impeachment trial, which would proceed in his absence if he does not attend.

Local media reported the suspended leader is likely to appear on the trial's opening day, but Yoon's lawyer told AFP his appearance on that date was still "undecided".

The court has up to 180 days to determine whether to dismiss Yoon as president or restore his powers.

Former presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Park Geun-hye never appeared for their impeachment trials in 2004 and 2016-2017 respectively.

Investigators struggled to arrest Yoon because of a sizeable force of guards massed at his home to protect him.

His presidential security service refused to budge during a tense six-hour standoff at his residence on Friday, forcing investigators into a U-turn.

Many of his supporters have also camped outside his residence despite freezing weather.

However, with no warrant active on Tuesday, the scene was calmer on the streets outside, with protests appearing to lull before any further attempt to arrest Yoon.
Indo National Limited, the manufacturer of iconic consumer electrical brand Nippo, kickstarts the new year by building on its continued success and accelerating its diversification strategy with an organisational restructure. Pavan Kumar, who led the brand as the Chief Operating Officer has now been elevated to the position of Chief Executive Officer, responsible for overall strategy, operations and business transformation of Indo National Limited.

Since joining Indo National Limited, Pavan has played a pivotal role in driving the companys growth and operational excellence. His elevation to CEO, just one year after he joined the company as COO, reflects the company's confidence in his ability to lead its expansion efforts and steer it towards greater success in both domestic and international markets.

In line with the brands diversification strategy, the company has also appointed industry veteran Binu Sekhar as Chief Sales Officer (CSO) to lead sales and drive profitable growth across general trade, modern trade, institution, and CSD channels in India and global markets. An accomplished business leader with nearly two decades of experience in sales and distribution across FMCG, FMCD, and telecom industries, Sekhar previously served as CSO at Intergrow Brands Pvt Ltd and Vice President Sales at CavinKare, overseeing operations in India and international markets (Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh). During his 11-year tenure at Vodafone, he held key leadership roles, driving sales, market share, and operational excellence across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.

Commenting on the latest development and his elevated role, Pavan Kumar BVS, Chief Executive Officer, Indo National Limited said,  The company has been a household name with 50+ years of legacy. Our vision is to sustain this legacy by shaping the brand for the future and expanding into clean tech, homecare, modern energy storage, sustainability solutions, and the aerospace industries. I am thrilled to lead the brand into building, guiding and implementing the overall strategy, operations and vision of the company. My primary focus will be on delivering shareholder value, driving business transformation, building consumer-centric brands, enhancing organizational capabilities, and ensuring a profitable and sustainable P&L. As we embark on new adventures, I am delighted to welcome Binu Sekhar to Indo National Limited. With his extensive-experience in consumer durables sales and forward-thinking leadership, I am confident that we will scale to new heights and achieve our vision of building a future-ready, diversified brand while upholding our proud legacy.

Commenting on his vision, Sekhar, CSO, Indo National Limited said, I am thrilled to take on this exciting opportunity to drive transformative growth at Indo National Limited (INL). My short-term focus for the organization is to empower the sales team with a process-oriented approach that delivers exceptional channel satisfaction and accelerates market share growth nationwide. In the long term, my goal is to lead a 100% digitally transformed sales organization that achieves the ambitious milestone of a 1000 crore turnover. I look forward to collaborating with a dynamic team and contributing to INLs legacy of excellence while shaping a future-ready business.

Known for its innovation and a legacy spanning over half a century, the companys diversification into consumer and home care products addresses everyday household needs while offering meaningful, innovative solutions for the modern-day ecosystem. This restructuring announcement comes at a pivotal time, as the brand has recently unveiled a refreshed, futuristic, youthful, and vibrant identity, underscoring its commitment to market relevance and innovation. Additionally, the company has strategically deployed funds into new-age enterprises across diverse sectors. As part of this strategy, the company recently appointed industry veteran Amit Kumar Sharda as the new Head of Human Resources as well as Suresh V as Head of Supply Chain to further cement the companys drive for growth and transformation.

Also Read: iD Fresh Food's Pavan Kumar BVS joins Indo National Ltd as COO
After the resounding success of its debut in Ahmedabad, Zee Business, in collaboration with Choice Broking, hosted the second edition of the Bharose Ki Choice campaign in Delhi. This on-ground initiative is a testament to their shared mission of empowering individuals to confidently manage their financial futures. With a focus on investor education, trust-building, and seamless access to financial tools, the event brought together thought leaders and audiences eager to unlock the secrets of financial independence.

The Delhi edition featured a thought-provoking panel discussion on How to Achieve Financial Freedom. Moderated by Saurabh Manchanda, the session included distinguished speakers such as Anil Singhvi, Managing Editor of Zee Business; Kamal Poddar, Managing Director of Choice International Limited; and Vikas Khemani, Founder, Carnelian Asset Management and Advisors Pvt. Ltd.,. The conversation explored key topics like trading strategies, investment insights, risk management, the evolving preferences of Gen Z investors etc. Attendees left equipped with actionable advice and a deeper understanding of how to make sound financial choices.

This on-ground campaign has been designed to simplify investment processes and make them accessible to all. It also looks forward encourage citizens to invest in a wide range of financial products, including stocks, mutual funds, IPOs, insurance, and secured instruments. Choice Broking, a trusted name in financial services and listed on both NSE and BSE, ensures that individuals have the necessary tools to make informed financial decisions.

Anil Singhvi, Managing Editor of Zee Business, reflected on the campaigns impact, highlighting, Empowering individuals with financial knowledge has always been a cornerstone of our vision at Zee Business. The Bharose Ki Choice campaign is not just a series of events but a movement to instil confidence and trust among investors. It is our endeavor to provide clarity, guidance, and inspiration for every individuals financial journey.

Kamal Poddar, Managing Director of Choice International Limited, emphasized the role of technology in financial empowerment, stating: The role of technology in empowering investors cannot be overstated. With the Choice FinX app, we are revolutionizing how people approach their financial goals, making investing more accessible, transparent, and efficient for all. Collaborating with Zee Business for this campaign allows us to reach more individuals and help them achieve financial independence.

Karan Abhishek Singh, CEO of Zee Media Corporation Limited (ZMCL), highlighted the synergy between media and technology: Zee Media has always been at the forefront of delivering impactful content that drives change. The Bharose Ki Choice campaign exemplifies our commitment to informing and empowering citizens through partnerships that combine journalistic excellence with technological innovation. Together, we aim to enable individuals to take charge of their financial destinies.

The Delhi edition of the Bharose Ki Choice campaign proved to be a remarkable success, offering attendees practical strategies for effective investment management and demonstrating how technology, like the Choice FinX app, simplifies the financial journey while enabling informed decision-making. Building on the momentum of its successful editions in Ahmedabad and Delhi, the campaign is emerging as a trailblazer in investor education. By leveraging Zee Businesss expertise in financial journalism and Choice Brokings cutting-edge solutions, Bharose Ki Choice is inspiring confidence, enhancing financial literacy, and empowering individuals to achieve lasting financial independence.
Nose gear of a TUI fly Belgium Boeing 737-700 suddenly collapses while parked at the gate at Brussels Airport.



The aircraft had landed in Brussels at noon, coming from Malaga and no passengers were on board at the time of the incident.



TUI said in a statement, "We will carry pic.twitter.com/BDasU7e0T6  Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) January 8, 2025 Zwischenfall am Flughafen Brussel,  XSL

 aero.de | 08.01.2025 18:33

BRUSSEL - Eine Boeing 737-700 rollt ans Gate, die Passagiere steigen aus. Kurz darauf gibt das Bugfahrwerk nach.Flughafen Brussel, 8. Januar 2025: Tui 1012 aus Malaga ist gelandet, die Boeing 737-700 dockt an Gate A59 an, die Passagiere steigen aus. Minuten spater gibt das Bugfahrwerk nach, die OO-JAR sackt mit dem Cockpitbereich zu Boden - und liegt auf der Nase. Nach ersten Berichten gab es bei dem Vorfall keine Verletzten. Zur Ursache wird ermittelt.
CM Fadnavis Declares War on Drugs: 'Youth Being Targeted to Weaken India From Within' 2

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday sounded a clarion call against drug abuse, warning that the youth of India are being systematically targeted through narcotics to destabilise the nation from within. Speaking at the launch of the Nasha Mukta Navi Mumbai campaign, an initiative by the Navi Mumbai police to eradicate drugs from the city, Fadnavis described narcotics as an invisible enemy that requires a united societal effort to combat.

India is emerging as a global powerhouse and the fifth largest economy under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership. But as we rise, our youth are being targeted through drugs to weaken the country, Fadnavis said, emphasising that this battle transcends Navi Mumbai and is a fight for Maharashtra and the nation.

Comparing Indias stance to countries like Canada that have legalised certain drugs, Fadnavis expressed confidence in Indias ability to win this war. Bharat is in a position to succeed where others have failed. Through robust coordination across states and districts, we will make Maharashtra and India drug-free, he declared.

Fadnavis stressed the importance of collective societal action, stating, This isnt a conventional war. Fighting an invisible enemy like drugs demands the combined strength of society. Saying no to drugs is not only self-preservation but also true patriotism.

The chief minister also highlighted the critical need for educating youth about the dangers of drug abuse, urging them to resist peer pressure. Doing drugs is not cool. Addiction destroys lives, families, and the nations future. Mental resilience is the key to rejecting this menace, he said.

Bollywood actor John Abraham, who attended the event as a campaign ambassador, was lauded by Fadnavis for his personal stand against drugs. John Abrahams involvement amplifies the campaigns reach. Celebrities wield influence, and their words resonate deeply with the public, the CM said.

Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Milind Bharambe provided insights into the citys drug problem and outlined the steps being taken to address it under the campaign.

Fadnavis concluded with a rallying cry: This fight against drugs is a battle for the soul of our nation. Your determination to abstain from drugs is the first victory for yourself, your family, and your country.
Questioning Justice: Unresolved Murder of Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh Exposes Political Nexus in Maharashtra 2

The lack of resolution in the murder case of Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh raises serious questions about the intent and effectiveness of the Maharashtra government. Despite the passage of significant time, the investigation remains inconclusive, and justice for the heinous crime continues to be delayed.

Santosh Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog in Kaij tehsil, Beed district, was brutally kidnapped and murdered in broad daylight on December 9. He reportedly opposed extortion attempts linked to local political strongmen. The post-mortem revealed 56 injuries on his body, and the police recovered chilling evidence, including a video of the accused mercilessly beating the victim. The weapons used in the assault, such as a gas cylinder pipe with iron wires, a wooden baton, and an iron knuckle punch, bore bloodstains, underscoring the brutality of the crime.

Valmik Karad, a powerful local figure and former Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) corporator, has been accused of orchestrating the crime. Karad, who has close political ties as an aide to NCP minister Dhananjay Munde, is alleged to have led a crime syndicate in the region. He was also implicated in an extortion case involving a windmill company just days before Deshmukhs murder. Deshmukhs family alleges that his opposition to these extortion activities cost him his life.

The case took a murky political turn when Balaji Tandale, a close associate of Minister Munde, was spotted meeting the accused Karad at a police station in Beed, despite strict security measures. Tandale claimed the meeting was part of CID questioning, but Deshmukhs family has accused him of facilitating undue political interference. This incident sparked widespread outrage, with opposition leaders accusing the government of shielding the accused and undermining the investigation.

The Chief Minister announced a judicial probe and the transfer of the Beed Superintendent of Police while promising stringent action under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). Despite these measures, opposition parties, including Congress and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction, criticised the government for allowing Karad to surrender instead of arresting him. They have demanded a transparent judicial inquiry, pointing to the apparent failures of the police and investigating agencies.

While the Maharashtra CID has frozen Karads bank accounts and initiated property seizures, the broader implications of political interference and delayed justice remain unaddressed. Deshmukhs brutal murder and the subsequent handling of the case highlight a glaring lack of accountability. The governments silence on the alleged nexus between local politicians and criminal elements has further fuelled suspicions of collusion.

The integrity of the governments actions is under question as the case continues to drag on without resolution. The people of Maharashtra are left wondering whether justice will prevail or if the powerful will continue to manipulate the system to their advantage.
Pamela Anderson almost got killed, she shared, when a man mistook her for someone else on a plane.

The Baywatch star, 57, revealed on the Happy Sad Confused podcast an irate man tried to attack her because he thought Anderson was a member of the Chicks.

This one time, I was on a flight and this guy came up to me and said, Do you know what this countrys done for you? she said.

Anderson said the man continued to give her looks throughout the flight and tried to attack her. He had to be restrained by a flight attendant.

And I was like, Oh, my God. What have I done? And then I looked back at him and hed (growl at me). This stewardess had to handcuff him to the chair because he was trying to attack me.

Yeah. And, it ended up ... he thought I was a Dixie Chick. Remember that whole Dixie Chicks thing? I almost got killed on a plane!

When you look back and hes like (scowling) at you. That was minor (though)! I was scared to fly after that!

The Chicks made headlines in 2003 when Natalie Maines was critical then-President George W. Bush after the United States invasion of Iraq.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on The Opening Kickoff on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.
Former President Jimmy Carter, who died Dec. 29 at 100, was born, raised and died in Georgia, but he had a special place in his heart for Alabama.

In a 2009 interview with The Birmingham News, Carter talked about his childhood visits to Birmingham, arriving by train.

Carter, born in 1924, came to Birmingham every summer for at least a week during the 1930s as a pre-teen, he said. On one of those trips, Carter remembered hearing and reading about Will Rogers dying in a plane crash.

My parents would put us on the train, me and my sister, and put a tag on our neck, saying where we going and where we were from, Carter said.

I used to come to Birmingham when I was 10, 11, 12, 13, Carter said. My fathers oldest sister lived there.

His fathers sister was married to Will Fleming, a publisher of Sunday School material for the Southern Baptist Convention.

Before it was moved to Nashville, it was printed in Birmingham, Carter said.

Fleming owned a home in the Hollywood section of Homewood, he recalled.

The Flemings would pick him up at the Birmingham Terminal when the train arrived.

He recalled he was on one of his trips to Birmingham on Aug. 15, 1935, when Will Rogers and aviator Wiley Post died in a plane crash in the Alaska Territory.

But those Depression-era train trips werent his last memories of Birmingham. He returned numerous times.

In 1993, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship held a major meeting at the BJCC in Birmingham. Carter, who had recently distanced himself from the Southern Baptist Convention and endorsed the CBF, was the keynote speaker.

Carter returned again for a New Baptist Covenant event he helped organize at the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham in 2009.

In the fall of 2010, Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, cut the ribbon on a Habitat for Humanity home in Wylam, and put some sweat equity into a Habitat house in Fairfield, nailing the address number to the porch and putting on the front door knob.

Carter, dressed in blue jeans and a button-up blue shirt, used a power drill to place house numbers on a column in front of the two-story house on the tree-lined street. Homeowner Ted Harville worked alongside the Carters.

Its a nice house, Carter said. I told them if they move out, let me know, I might move in here.
Brian and Erin Mooney, the husband-and-wife culinary team behind Tre Luna Bar & Kitchen restaurant and Tre Luna Catering, have opened a mini-market they call Tre Luna & Grocery on Birminghams Southside.

The grocery is at 2507 Fifth Ave. South, next to their catering headquarters.

The Mooneys said in a media release that their market is inspired by Erins grandfathers butcher shop and grocery store in the small Alabama town of Maplesville and by Brians memories of visiting delis and markets in New York City.

The markets grab-and-go menu features many of the Mooneys restaurant and catering favorites, including their pasta sauces, salad dressings, chicken salad, pimento cheese, tomato basil soup, tuna salad, spinach-and-artichoke dip, eggplant parmesan, lasagna bolognese, meatballs, braised beef short ribs and white chocolate bread pudding.

Select market items are also available in a Tre Luna & Grocery cooler at Tre Luna Bar & Kitchen, located in The Village at Brocks Gap retail center in Hoover.

Brian Mooney grew up in South Florida, and after he and Erin met in Fort Lauderdale, the couple moved to Erins hometown of Birmingham, where Brian worked for James Beard Award-winning chef Frank Stitt at Bottega before the Mooneys launched their catering business in 2014.

They opened their restaurant and bar, which AL.com featured on its 2024 list of 9 hidden Alabama restaurant gems, five years later.

The name Tre Luna (Italian for three moons) has multiple meanings for the Mooneys -- a play on their last name, a tribute to their three children, as well as a nod to their restaurants Italian-inspired menu.

Tre Luna & Grocery is at 2507 Fifth Ave. South in Birmingham, Ala. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. For more information, go here.
We Southerners love a thick, juicy steak, and the good folks at Southern Living have taken note, assembling a list of The Most Legendary Steakhouses In The South.

Southern Living senior travel and culture editor Tara Massouleh McCay compiled the list, which includes such iconic Southern steak restaurants as Berns Steak House in Tampa, Ye Olde Steak House in Knoxville and Cattlemens Steakhouse in Oklahoma City.

Three Alabama steak restaurants  each of which has been around long enough to serve multiple generations of customers  are also featured among the 30 steakhouses that made the final cut.

Here are the three Alabama steak places on the list, along with Southern Livings comments about each of them:

The All Steak Restaurant is a Cullman institution whose history goes back to 1934. (Photo courtesy of All Steak Restaurant; used with permission)

All Steak Restaurant in Cullman

Alabamians know this Cullman institution as the Home of the Orange Roll (we guarantee you down an entire basket of the buttery, pull-apart bread before your steak arrives to the table), but theres another reason All Steak has been around since 1934, and its their unrivaled steaks. All Certified Angus Beef, you cant go wrong whether you order a T-bone or gorgeously marbled ribeye.

All Steak Restaurant is at 323 Third Ave. SE in Cullman. The phone is 256-734-4322. For more information, go here.

George's Steak Pit in Sheffield was founded in the mid-1950s by George and Vangie Vafinis. New owners Scott and Leigh Anna Trimble carry on the George's tradition.(Bob Carlton/bcarlton@al.com)

Georges Steak Pit in Sheffield

There may be fewer than 10,000 people who call Sheffield home, but people come from all over to snag a table at their legendary fine dining restaurant Georges Steak Pit. The secret to their enduring success (the restaurant was founded by George and Vangie Vafinis in the mid-1950s), is the famous open pit where everything from freshly cut steaks to fish and chicken is cooked over hickory logs.

Georges Steak Pit is at 1206 South Jackson Highway in Sheffield. The phone is 256-381-1531. For more information, go here.

Nick's Original Filet House -- fondly known as "Nick's in the Sticks" -- was founded by Nick Delgado, who moved his backroads steakhouse to its current location on U.S. 43 on the western outskirts of Tuscaloosa in the mid-1950s.(Ben Flanagan/bflanagan@al.com)

Nicks Original Filet House in Tuscaloosa

You may mistake this steakhouse for a side-of-the-road shack, but once you try a bite of their signature bacon-wrapped filet, we promise youll never make the error again. Housed in a tiny cinderblock building in the middle of nowhere (hence the nickname Nicks in the Sticks), Nicks Original Filet House is an unassuming anomaly. There are only a dozen tables inside, so be prepared for a wait. Order one or two of house cocktail The Nicodemus (we dont recommend more than three) and prepare for a simple but delicious steakhouse meal: iceberg lettuce with the best blue cheese dressing youll find anywhere, hot buttered rolls, a baked potato, and a juicy bacon-wrapped filet.

(In a video that went viral in July 2024, an employee at Nicks Original Filet House was accused of using a racial slur. The worker later apologized in a prepared statement.)

Nicks Original Filet House is 4018 Culver Road in Tuscaloosa. The phone is 205-758-9316.

To see the full list of The Most Legendary Steakhouses In The South and to read what McCay had to say about them, go here.
The Jefferson County Coroners Office issued a public warning after three suspected hypothermia deaths.

Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates on Wednesday said the medical examiners office has begun investigations into the deaths, all of which happened over the past 24 hours.

Hypothermia is a condition where the bodys core temperature drops below 95F (35C). It occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, typically due to prolonged exposure to cold temperatures.

Yates said all of the victims are adults and were in settings that could lead to hypothermia. He said he did not want to release additional information since the cause of death has not yet been determined.

It will take six to eight weeks to complete the additional laboratory studies, he said.

A significant winter storm is increasingly likely for parts of Alabama starting late Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

Forecasters issued winter storm watches for north and part of central Alabama that will go into effect at midnight on Friday.

The city of Birmingham and Jimmie Hale Mission, a local homeless shelter, has opened its nightly warming station Monday, Jan. 6 through Thursday, Jan. 9, from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Pathways, located at 409 Richard Arrington, Jr. Blvd. Monday, Jan. 6 through Thursday, Jan. 9 from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m.

A free shuttle service will be available from 6 to 7 p.m. for those needing transportation to the warming stations. The pickup location will be at the main entrance of Linn Park at the intersection of Park Place and 20th Street North. Return transportation will be provided each morning.

Jimmie Hale Mission is also accepting donations of twin-sized washable blankets, fresh fruit, paper plates, napkins, plastic flatware, soft breakfast bars or snacks.
Chinese doctors inject new vitality into medical services development in Tanzania's Zanzibar

Xinhua) 10:13, January 08, 2025

ZANZIBAR, Tanzania, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- The 34th Chinese medical aid team to Tanzania's Zanzibar has recently provided specialized training to more than 30 local doctors at Kivunge District Hospital in the Unguja North region.

Invited by Zanzibar's Ministry of Health, the team, consisting of experts from Huai'an No. 1 People's Hospital in east China's Jiangsu Province, offered lectures and hands-on teaching on Sunday, breathing new life into the local healthcare system.

As a key element of the China-Africa hospital cooperation mechanism, the training covered a range of topics, including laparoscopic surgery, imaging diagnosis of small intestinal obstruction, transperineal prostate puncture, and gallstone disease.

Chinese imaging expert Zhang Jiandong elaborated on the diagnosis of small intestinal obstruction, enhancing local doctors' ability to diagnose acute abdominal conditions.

Urology doctor Niu Xiaobing introduced the new technique of transperineal prostate puncture, aimed at improving the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer in local hospitals. He highlighted the benefits of laparoscopic surgery, which minimizes trauma and promotes faster recovery, contributing significantly to improving the overall medical capabilities of local doctors.

Tamim Hamad Said, head of the Kivunge District Hospital, expressed gratitude for the Chinese medical team's contribution, noting that their presence not only provided better healthcare services for local patients but also fostered the development of skilled medical professionals in the region.

Since 1964 when Jiangsu dispatched its first medical team to Zanzibar, 847 medical workers in 34 batches have provided medical services to some 8.3 million locals so far, according to the Jiangsu Commission of Health.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Several dozen Ukrainian soldiers have deserted while training in France, a French army official told AFP on Monday.

"There have been a certain number of desertions, but they remain very marginal given the volume of people who have undergone training," a French army official told AFP.

"They were in French barracks, they had the right to go out."

According to the French army official, the Ukrainian soldiers who were trained in France were subject to a disciplinary regime "imposed by the Ukrainian command".

"We don't criminalise desertion in France", the official said.

"If someone deserted, a French prosecutor had no authority to arrest that individual. And the right granted to the Ukrainian authorities on French soil is just a disciplinary right."

The French army trained on French territory 2,300 soldiers from a brigade named "Anne of Kyiv" after a Kyiv-born princess who married French King Henri I in the 11th century.

Most of the soldiers were conscripts with no combat experience. They were accompanied by 300 Ukrainian supervisors.

The other 2,200 soldiers in the brigade were trained in Ukraine.

Earlier Monday, Ukraine's land forces commander admitted there were "problems" with the army unit after reports that many of its soldiers had deserted.

The unit was one of several formed last year as Ukraine sought to boost preparations for possible new Russian offensives.

"Yes, there are problems, we are aware of them," Land Forces Commander Mykhailo Drapaty said of the Anne of Kyiv unit, the informal name for the 155th Mechanised Brigade, in ?omments to media including AFP.

Prominent Ukrainian journalist Yuriy Butusov wrote in December that 1,700 soldiers had fled the brigade without going into combat, and that 50 had escaped while training in France.

Asked about Butusov's report, Drapaty said: "I will not refute it."

He said "a number of the facts that were presented did take place", while "perhaps not on the scale and scope that was presented".

"I don't really see what could be described as an abuse of power," said the French army official.

"In any case, nothing has come to light about the Ukrainians being stationed in France or what happened during these training sessions."

He insisted that the training had been in line with the Ukrainians' wishes, in terms of "equipment" and "training time".
An Alabama legislator has pre-filed a bill that would increase the criminal penalty for an individual convicted of making a terrorist threat against schools.

Rep. Matt Woods, R-Jasper, is the sponsor of the bill which also includes a provision to ban students from all public school property for one year if they are charged with making a terrorist threat.

Under current Alabama law, making a terrorist threat in the first degree is a Class C felony while making a terrorist threat in the second degree is a Class A misdemeanor.

Under HB85, the crime of making a terrorist threat in the first degree would be elevated to a Class B felony. And the bill would make a terrorist threat in the second degree a Class D felony.

According to the bill, a terrorist threat is defined as threatening to commit a crime of violence against a person or to damage any property by use of multiple deadly weapons including firearms or bombs.

As it relates to public schools, the legislation would require principals to sign a complaint if a students actions justifies criminal charges.

A student charged with making a terrorist threat would then face the one year ban and suspension from regular school classes.

For a student to obtain readmission the bill outlines three options that could happen. The options include the following:

All criminal charges or offenses arising from the conduct have been disposed of by appropriate authorities. The student has completed a psychiatric or psychological evaluation and counseling prescribed by the court, at the expense of the parent or guardian of the student the student has satisfied all other requirements imposed by the local board of education as a condition for readmission.

If a student is convicted of making a terrorist threat they will be expelled and their parent or guardian will be required to pay recompense for any costs incurred by the students threat.

This restitution will have to be paid to the local board of education, law enforcement and emergency medical service providers.

The 2025 legislative session is set to convene on Feb. 4.
Alabama is set to execute its first inmate of 2025 in February, following a record-setting year of executions.

Gov. Kay Iveys office on Tuesday announced that Demetrius Frazier will be executed sometime in a 30-hour-timeframe starting at midnight on Thursday, Feb. 6 and ending at 6 a.m. on Feb, 7. Frazier is set to die by suffocation with nitrogen gas.

Frazier, 52, was sent to Alabama Death Row in 1996 for the slaying of Pauline Brown in Jefferson County.

A jury recommended by a vote of 10-2 that Frazier be sentenced to death.

Court records show that on Nov. 27, 1991, Frazier broke into Browns apartment through a window. She was asleep at the time, but awoke when he entered and demanded money. She gave him cash from her purse and, court records show, Frazier forced Brown to have sex with him at gunpoint.

He then shot her in the head.

According to court records, Frazier left the apartment to make sure no one had heard the shot, then went back to look for more money. He had a snack in the dead womans kitchen before leaving the apartment.

But Frazier hasnt spent the last 30 years at William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, where most of the states death row is housed. He was serving prison time in Michigan until 2011, when he was transferred back to Alabama.

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to review Fraziers case in 2019.

Currently, Fraziers lawyers from the Federal Defenders for the Middle District of Alabama are suing the state in federal court, arguing the states protocol for nitrogen executions is designed to inflict superadded terror or pain.

Nitrogen executions, while legal in other states, have only been carried out in Alabama. There were three last year in the state: Kenneth Smith, Alan Miller, and Carey Grayson. Those executions drew international outrage at the new method.

And last year, Alabama led the country in executions with six.

Its the first time Alabama has executed more people than any other state.

The Death Penalty Information Center, a national nonprofit who provides data and analysis on capital punishment, released its year-end report and showed that while nine states carried out executions in 2024, just four states made up three-fourths of the total 25 executions.
The Birmingham Police Departments end-of-the year crime suppression push led to the arrests of 66 people on felony charges and the seizure of 20 guns.

Operation Close Out, which has been an ongoing initiative in the city for at least 11 years, began Nov. 26 and ended Tuesday, Dec. 31.

Police officials on Tuesday announced the results of that operation, which consisted of roughly 50 officers working together often in smaller teams  to saturate problem areas.

Those officers were additional resources who were not subject to answering 911 calls for service during their shift. They were strictly proactive.

For the first time, the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office partnered with BPD for Operation Close Out.

Sgt. LaQuitta Wade said the police department deployed the Special Operations Bureau throughout the holiday period.

Birmingham police officials meet every day to look at crime and crime trends for the previous 24 hours, and Operation Close Out targeted those areas.

The 66 felony arrests included a total of 80 charges.

Additionally, officers made 21 misdemeanor arrests on a total of 235 charges.

Of the 29 guns seized, two were stolen and one was modified with a machine conversion device.

Officers collectively performed 149 business checks, field interviews and citizen contacts, Wade said.

They also made 167 traffic stops, issuing 94 citations, impounding 25 vehicles and recovering seven stolen vehicles.

The operation also yielded the seizure of illegal drugs, including cocaine, heroin, fentanyl and marijuana.

More than $1,000 cash was confiscated.
Decatur Councilman Hunter Pepper returned Monday for a City Council meeting after a three-month absence and immediately stirred up controversy when voicing his support of police in high-speed pursuits.

The controversy then led to a conflict after the meeting between some attendees and Pepper in the City Hall parking lot on a frigid night.

Pepper has been absent for all but one meeting for about the last three months. An emergency medical technician, he has been serving in disaster relief since Hurricane Helene went through Florida, Georgia and North Carolina in late September.

He said Tuesday that he is working on a temporary assignment for the federal government that he expects to last until May.

I cant say specifically what I am doing. I am working in the medical field for the government, Pepper said.

Council President Jacob Ladner said state law requires a council member to attend at least one meeting every 90 days.

The previous City Council passed a resolution in February 2020 that a council members pay is cut $200 a meeting if he or she misses three or more scheduled meetings in a month. The only exceptions for absences are a member must be in the hospital or recovering from a hospital stay.

Ladner admitted to being unhappy with Peppers attendance and with the controversies he creates when he does show up.

It is frustrating when were there every Monday and were kinda taking the lumps, Ladner said. He kind of comes occasionally and stirs things up, and then who knows when he will be back. I dont have any control over him, so all we can do is care about what we can control and continue to move things forward.

Ladner said that a council meeting is meant to be a professional meeting where they do city business.

Whether its council members or anybody else disrupting that and making it what its not supposed to be, it is frustrating, he said.

Councilman Carlton McMasters said council members have obligations that they must meet and, if they dont meet the attendance requirements, a change has to be made.

I wish things were different but, unfortunately, nothing surprises me, McMasters said.

The controversy began when Sixth Avenue Northwest resident Stephen Hampton returned to the council meeting to get an update on his complaint about how the Police Department handled the theft of his car by three teenagers that led to a chase and wreck on Nov. 28.

I came in about two weeks ago, and I need to see what yall are going to do about the high-speed chases, Hampton told the council.

If people would stop running from the police, we wouldnt have that problem  thats my suggestion, Pepper responded.

Hampton accused Pepper of running your mouth when you wasnt over there.

Several people began yelling at Pepper from the audience while Ladner tried to regain control of the meeting with his gavel.

Police chases have been a source of controversy in the Decatur area since the Sept. 4, 2023, death of teenager Jaiden DeJarnett after police attempted a traffic stop on Beltline Road because his headlights were out. Decatur police said the 16-year-old from Madison County died in a wreck at the end of a 35-mile police pursuit that went through Decatur and Lawrence County during the early morning hours.

Decatur, Hartselle, Priceville and Athens police and Morgan and Lawrence county sheriffs deputies have all been involved in chases in which speeds were over 100 mph in the last six months.

The U.S. Department of Justice commissioned a study on police pursuits, the results of which were released in September 2023.

Chuck Wexler, executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum, which compiled the study, writes in his report that police chases are high-risk events that put the lives of officers, suspects, and the public at risk. Furthermore, the costs of property damage and litigation can be substantial.

Wexler also points out that when pursuits go wrong and innocent, uninvolved people are injured or killed, public trust in the police is undermined.

However, Wexler writes that some view police pursuits as a necessary tool for stopping and apprehending dangerous criminals who threaten our communities.

The report concludes that pursuits should take place only when two very specific standards are met: (1) A violent crime has been committed and (2) the suspect poses an imminent threat to commit another violent crime.

Pepper said Tuesday he felt he had to speak out about his stance on police chases because I am afraid we have council members who will want to enact an ordinance or policy that does not allow police chases, which would make this a lawless community.

Pepper said I will fight tooth and nail against any attempt to end police pursuits.

I will reach out to the state and federal delegations to make sure there are laws that prevent individuals like ourselves from creating laws that prevent the police from doing their job. Police chases are part of the job, he said.

Pepper said it is the individuals who attempt to elude the police, not the police themselves, who are creating the danger.

That means theyre probably already a danger to the public, and I would assume the police would not chase without good reason, Pepper said.

After the meeting, DeJarnetts grandfather, Larry DeJarnett Sr., met Pepper at the steps to the council dais for a heated conversation.

Pepper said DeJarnett Sr. was obviously upset but the conversation was respectful. He said he told the grandfather that, if police have a legitimate reason to make a traffic stop, then the driver becomes automatically guilty by running.

I cant blame him for being upset and I sympathize with him. He lost his grandson, Pepper said. He tried to defend his grandson as not being a criminal, but I told him I strongly disagree with him. The very minute you run from the police you are guilty  theres no if, ands or buts about it.

The conversation between Pepper and DeJarnett Sr. ended when City Clerk Stephanie Simon declared the council chambers closed and told everyone to leave. The exit was orderly, but about a half dozen people angrily confronted Pepper in the parking lot as he tried to drive off.

One man was cursing him while a woman stood in front of his car trying to stop him from leaving.

I continued to slowly press on the gas and the young lady chose to move out of the way when I picked up my phone to call (police) dispatch, Pepper said.

 bayne.hughes@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2432

___

(c)2025 The Decatur Daily (Decatur, Ala.)

Visit The Decatur Daily (Decatur, Ala.) at www.decaturdaily.com

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A sailor from Alabama killed in the Pearl Harbor attack on Dec. 7, 1941, will be buried with full military honors Wednesday, the U.S. Navy announced.

Chief Carpenters Mate Ted Furr, 39, was aboard the USS Oklahoma during the Pearl Harbor attack that killed him and 428 other crew members. The surprise attack killed 2,403 Americans and wounded more than 1,000, leading to U.S. entry into World War II.

Scientists identified Furrs remains through DNA testing, about 80 years after the attack.

Furr, who was born in Selma and grew up in Chickasaw in Mobile County, Alabama, will be buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu (Punchbowl).

We have a promise that were not going to leave anybody behind, and this is part of the fulfillment of that mission, Navy spokesperson Gene Hughes told AL.com Tuesday.

Furrs niece, Nancy Matzdorff, was surprised and thrilled when the military informed her of Furrs identification. She remembers him visiting her family in the summer of 1941 when she was 3 years old, and months before the attack, when Furr bought her an ice cream cone.

Furr was very well thought of by his family, Matzdorff said.

I cant believe that the Navy has located all the letters and documents they have, she added. There is even a love letter from an old girlfriend in San Francisco! I have read every page. And the details of the DNA findings are amazing. I am thrilled to have him finally identified and to be able to attend a proper funeral service at the Punchbowl. He can finally rest in peace. My family is going with me. And my grandson, age 13, will learn a lot about that part of WWII.

The USS Oklahoma before the attack on Pearl Harbor.U.S. Navy photo

A 2015 military initiative, Project Oklahoma, focused on identifying the remains of hundreds of USS Oklahoma sailors decades after the Pearl Harbor attack. Since then, scientists have identified 356 of the 388 sailors previously unaccounted for, according to the Navy. Families choose the reburial location, with the Navy covering expenses.

Like all forces in the Department of Defense (DoD), it is especially important to the Navy to honor our Sailors and Marines who paid the ultimate sacrifice in giving their lives for our country, Navy Capt. Jeff Draude, director of the Navy Casualty Office, noted.

Draude said that 32 USS Oklahoma sailors still remain unaccounted for.

Being able to recover and identify the remains of these Sailors aids in the closure to these families, he added.
Justin Williams, a state trooper who had served on Gov. Kay Iveys security detail since 2019, has died following a courageous battle against cancer, the governor announced.

Williams, 42, had been a state trooper for 19 years.

Justin was a professional in every sense of the word, Ivey said. He was effective, worked well with his colleagues, my staff and me. Truly, he was a real gentlemen.

This Earth will be a little less bright  and funny  without Justin, but I am confident he is at peace with God in Heaven. My prayers are with his family, especially his daughter. God bless, Justin! He was a faithful public servant until the end.

In addition to his 19 years as a state trooper, Williams earned a bachelors degree and two masters degrees from Faulkner University, the governors office said.
Former President Jimmy Carter, who died Dec. 29, 2024, at age 100, has been a landmark figure in Southern Baptist politics since his 1976 presidential campaign.

The nation will continue to honor him this week, as his body will lie in state in the rotunda at the U.S. Capitol, and with a state funeral at the Washington National Cathedral.

As Carter finished his only term as president in 1980, his fellow Southern Baptists were shifting politically to the right, even though many voted for him in 1976 and were excited by having a born-again Christian in the White House.

Starting in 1979, a series of votes at the annual Southern Baptist Convention led the nations largest Protestant denomination to the right politically, as biblical inerrantists took control of denominational agencies including the six seminaries. A series of conservative SBC presidents were elected on a platform of getting rid of liberal drift in the denomination.

Carter, who had been a life-long loyal Southern Baptist, was viewed as part of that leftward political drift.

Carter eventually declared that he was no longer a Southern Baptist and threw his support behind a competing movement of moderates leaving the denomination, called the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.

In 1993, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship held a major meeting at the BJCC in Birmingham. Carter was the keynote speaker.

Carter called for ordaining more women, keeping church and state separate and encouraging individual religious freedom.

When we enforce conformity on others, it saps away their freedom, Carter said to an audience of more than 6,000 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center.

Largely because he professed his faith publicly as a born-again Christian, Carter won admiring support from evangelicals that helped him oust President Gerald Ford in 1976.

But during his presidency, Carter angered conservative Southern Baptists. By the 1980 election, conservative Southern Baptists were avidly supporting Ronald Reagan and helped him defeat Carter.

In 1979 conservative Southern Baptists elected the Rev. Adrian Rogers, the first in a series of denominational presidents who vowed to curb alleged liberalism in seminaries and mission boards.

Rogers then visited Carter at the Oval Office. I was proud to meet with the president of my convention, Carter recalled. He said, Mr. President, I hope youve given up your secular humanism and become a Christian again. I thought I was still a Christian.

Carter said that nearly every issue - womens rights, abortion, SALT II negotiations (the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty II was a 1979 agreement between the United States and the Soviet Union to limit nuclear weapons) and the organization of the Department of Education - was viewed as a religious litmus test by Southern Baptist Convention leaders in his term.

He said leaders of the nations largest Protestant denomination were treating Bill Clinton, also a Southern Baptist, the same way. When I see whats happening to Clinton, I see the same thing that happened to me, he said.

Carter warned the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship not to be overconfident about breaking away from, at the time, the 15-million-member Southern Baptist Convention.

It would be a mistake for us to come here in a self-congratulatory mood, he said. We cant come here filled with self-satisfaction because we have broken away. Weve got to keep searching our souls and saying, What can we do? 

He urged cooperation, reaching out to other denominations and avoiding competitiveness and duplication of programs.

Carter, a deacon and Sunday school teacher at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Ga., spoke of his lifelong commitment to the Baptist principles of local church autonomy and church and state separation. He said those were being dissipated by the Southern Baptist denominational trend toward demanding conformity and melding church and state interests.

My religious heritage means a lot to me, Carter said. The last few years Rosalynn and I have been in a quandary about what to do. In the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, my wife and I have found a home. Mrs. Carter sat on the platform next to her husband.

Carter said he was almost totally ignorant of Southern Baptist infighting until he became alarmed a few years earlier by what he said was an increasing tone of militarism in the Sunday school literature he taught from.

Noting that many Baptist churches still oppose women clergy, Carter said CBF should do more to encourage women ministers. Theres a tremendous reservoir of untapped talent and inspiration, he said.

Top leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention opposed ordaining women on the grounds the Apostle Paul preached against women leading churches.

Before Carter came to the podium in Birmingham, the Rev. Dan Vestal, pastor of Tallowood Baptist Church in Houston, appealed for funds to pay the $200,000 cost of the convention. Frankly, we need $25 from each registrant, he said.

Before Vestal led a prayer, Carter pulled out his wallet and thumbed out a bill, which he handed to the platform usher as a pianist played offertory music.

The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship formed in 1991 as a way for churches to fund Southern Baptist agencies and send missionaries without contributing money through the conservative-controlled denomination budget.

By 2008, Carter had a new concept. He organized the New Baptist Covenant in Atlanta, a meeting of politically like-minded moderate Baptists including Black Baptist denominations that tried to counteract the conservative influence of the SBC. Carter delivered the keynote there too. Former President Bill Clinton and former Vice President Al Gore also spoke.

In 2009, Carter returned to Birmingham to speak at a meeting of the New Baptist Covenant at 16th Street Baptist Church.

There is no way for us to ignore Jesus emphasis on the poor, the brokenhearted, Carter told the Southeast regional meeting of the New Baptist Covenant, which he helped found in 2008 with an interracial, inter-denominational gathering that drew 15,000 in Atlanta.

I have found this evolution of the New Baptist Covenant to be the highlight of my religious life, Carter said.

He spoke at a worship service that was followed by workshops on poverty and racism.

Its not an accident that God led us to Birmingham and this institute, Carter said during a breakfast at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

He recalled a time when racial prejudice was rampant in Baptist churches, and theologians defended separate worship.

The Baptist church was a stalwart defender of segregation, he said. It was ingrained in our conscience.

Carter said he hoped the meeting would help churches work better together. I would like to see a complete breakdown in separation of people, he said.

He encouraged Baptists of different races to share worship. I hope in the future the barriers will be broken down, Carter said.

In an interview with The Birmingham News in 2009, Carter talked about his hope for ultimate unity.

Theres a strong inclination among Baptists to come back together, Carter said. Many people who are Southern Baptists want to reach out to others.

At Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Ga., where Carter taught Sunday school, 10 percent of the budget went to mission work - 5 percent to Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, and 5 percent to the Southern Baptist Conventions mission work, Carter said. Our church is still a member of the Southern Baptist Convention, Carter said at the time.

Carter declared his disagreement with and disappointment with the Southern Baptist Convention as it grew more conservative, and was especially aggrieved when the Southern Baptist Convention added language to its statement of beliefs that specifically interpreted the Bible as opposing women as senior pastors.

Ive always felt women should play an equal role in the church, Carter said. It was incompatible with what my wife and I believe. Rosalynn and I have expressed our displeasure.

Carter believed the Southern Baptist Convention had also come to place too much emphasis on the power of the pastor.

Ive always thought that pastors should be servants of the church, Carter said.

But Carter said he welcomed Southern Baptists at the New Baptist Covenant gatherings, though few came. My inclination is to reach out with friendship and love, he said. Im a Southerner, a Baptist and an evangelical. I dont feel Im affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention.

But he kept that personal separation without any animosity, he said.

Carters beloved Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is still alive and well, although much smaller than than the SBC and more often overlooked.

In 2019, the CBF held its national meeting at the BJCC in Birmingham again  a week after the Southern Baptist Convention met there.

See also: Jimmy Carter enjoyed his childhood visits to Birmingham
Mexicos President Claudia Sheinbaum suggested a name change for portions of America following President-elect Donald Trumps intention to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

During a press conference Wednesday, Sheinbaum referenced a 17th century map of Mexicos former size.

The map demonstrated many territories reached into the current United States and was called Mexican America.

Sheinbaum joked that the area should return to its historic name.

 President Sheinbaum FIRES BACK at Trump, declaring that former territories will revert to their original name: Mexican America.



We will call it Mexican America.

Sounds pretty doesnt it? pic.twitter.com/rGr9scKoaw  Samuel  (@resisres) January 8, 2025

We will call it Mexican America, Sheinbaum said. Sounds pretty doesnt it?

But Sheinbaum also noted that the Gulf of Mexicos name is officially recognized by the United Nations.

On Tuesday, Trump said he wanted to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico because of how much America did there and it was ours.

If Trump were to rename the gulf he would not be able to do so unilaterally, according to the Associated Press. Both Mexico and America are members of the International Hydrographic Association, an intergovernmental organization that handles hydrography.

But if the Gulf of Mexico was renamed other countries would not have to recognize the revision.

Republicans have already begun announcing their approval for a potential Gulf of America.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-GA, intends to fast track legislation to officially change the Gulf of Mexicos name.

But despite the remarks between Trump and Sheinbaum, she told reporters that she expects the relationship between Mexico and the U.S. to be good as he prepares to take office on Jan. 20.
A Montgomery man has been convicted of a gun charge in connection with a shooting that injured a 4-year-old child whose family was caught in the crossfire.

A federal jury on Tuesday found 27-year-old Grenden James Jordan guilty of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, announced Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, on March 16, 2024, a Montgomery police officer heard gun shots being fired on Atlanta Highway near the Eastern Boulevard overpass and responded to the scene.

Once on the scene, the officer saw three men walking away from a blue Dodge Challenger that was stopped in one of the lanes of traffic.

One of the men, later identified as Jordan, was seen by the officer throwing a weapon toward the side of the road. The toss was captured on the officers dash cam video.

The three men fled the scene.

Grenden James Jordan has been convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm following a 2024 shooting that injured a child who was caught in the crossfire.(Federal Court Documents)

Witnesses said the three men were occupants of the Dodge Challenger and had exchanged gunfire with a red sedan, which left the scene when law enforcement arrived.

Numerous bullet holes were found on the Dodge Challenger.

There was a third vehicle on the scene that had been caught in the crossfire and had gunshot damage as well. That vehicle was occupied by innocent bystanders including a mother, father, and 4-year-old child.

The child sustained injuries from broken glass caused by the gunshots and was treated.

Officers recovered an AR-style pistol from the area where the firearm had been thrown by Jordan, along with a high-capacity drum magazine with ammunition.

During the trial, the jury saw a photo taken prior to March 16, 2024, showing Jordan posing with an AR-style pistol matching the one found on the scene of the shooting.

In reaching their verdict, the jury determined that Jordan was in possession of the firearm recovered at the scene of the shooting. Jordan has previous felony convictions and is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

The illegal use of guns by individuals that have no regard for the safety of our communities, our children, or anyone but themselves will not be tolerated, Davidson said.

My office is committed to aggressively prosecuting all violations of federal firearms laws to deter criminals like Grenden Jordan from engaging in these public shootings and placing innocent bystanders in harms way.

Jordan faces a maximum of 15 years in federal prison with no early parole. A hearing date has not yet been set.

The Montgomery Police Department and the FBI investigated this case, which was prosecuted aby Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brandon W. Bates and Michelle R. Turner.
Its looking a little more certain that the northern half of the state will see snow or some kind of wintry precipitation possibly beginning overnight Thursday into Friday. And before that, were looking at really chilly temperatures tonight, likely down into the teens in the Tennessee Valley, so mind your pipes, plants, pets and kids. You can click here for more weather updates.

Thanks for reading,

Ike

Whose Gulf?

President-elect Donald Trump seems heavily focused on remaking the map of the Americas as his inauguration approaches.

(Incidentally, the Azalea Trail Maids from Mobile have been invited to participate at the Trump inauguration.)

Trump has revealed plans to reacquire the Panama Canal, to acquire Greenland, and to make Canada the 51st state.

But his latest plan actually affects Alabamas map -- or at least one of its borders.

AL.coms Heather Gann reports that Trump said he plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. He told reporters at a press conference that an announcement on the topic was coming -- and he seemed serious.

Well be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the gulf of America, which has a beautiful ring, he said. That covers a lot of territory, The Gulf of America. What a beautiful name.

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, whose state of Georgia does not have a Gulf of Mexico shoreline, has promised to introduce legislation to give the Gulf its rightful name.

If this turns out to be real and serious, then there will surely be plenty of debate, academic and otherwise, in coming weeks. But I speak for my Gulf Coast people when I say nobody whos ever called it the ocean should pass judgement either way.

More session warm-up

Lets touch on two more pre-filed measures ahead of the Alabama legislative session -- one that targets those who make a threat against a school and one intended to make your marriage safer.

AL.coms Patrick Darrington reports that a bill from State Rep. Chip Woods, a Jasper Republican, would increase penalties for making terrorist threats. It also has a provision that would ban students from public-school property for an entire year if theyre charged with making a terrorist threat.

Another, from State Sen. Rodger Smitherman, a Birmingham Democrat, would require couples to take a conflict-resolution class before they get married, reports AL.coms Heather Gann.

Right now, all Alabamians of age need to get married, legally, is a completed marriage document, a recording fee and a willing co-participant. Smithermans bill would require the conflict-resolution class and proof of age but not a marriage license or ceremony.

Smitherman cited concern over domestic abuse as a reason for the measure. If it were to pass, it would apply to those who get married after Oct. 1.

The legislative session kicks off Feb. 4.

Laken Riley Act

Now in her new role as a deputy Senate majority whip, Alabamas Katie Britt is bringing back legislation named after murder victim Laken Riley, reports AL.coms Howard Koplowitz.

Riley was killed on the University of Georgia campus last year by a Venezuelan man who entered the U.S. illegally, was detained and released, then later had other reported run-ins with the law but remained free.

The Laken Riley Act would require a federal agency to arrest and hold undocumented theft suspects until they can be deported. It passed the U.S. House of Representatives but was shut down by Senate Democrats.

The Senate version of the bill has a Democrat co-sponsor, John Fetterman, and faces more favorable conditions this time around with the GOP majority.

As a deputy majority whip, Britt has the responsibility of helping round up Republican votes on key legislation.

By the Numbers

25

Thats how many years a man was sentenced to prison for traveling from Arab to Boaz to meet who he thought was a 14-year-old girl for sex.

More Alabama News

Born on This Date

In 1977, actress Amber Benson of Birmingham.

The podcast
Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians surged across the occupied West Bank on Monday after gunmen killed three Israelis and injured eight others in a fresh wave of violence.

Long-standing tensions in the West Bank have intensified since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks and the subsequent Israeli assault on Gaza, plunging the region into heightened unrest. Settler attacks on Palestinian communities have escalated, fueled by Israel's offensive in Gaza and the backing of its right-wing government. Simultaneously, Palestinians have also carried out attacks on settlers.

Earlier on Monday, gunmen targeted Israeli vehicles on Route 55 near Al-Funduq, a Palestinian village in the northern West Bank. The road, which passes through the Kedumim settlement, became the site of a deadly shooting that claimed the lives of two women and a man. The women were residents of Kedumim, while the man, a police investigator from northern Israel, succumbed to gunshot wounds. Eight others, including a bus driver, were injured, according to Israel's Magen David Adom emergency service.

The attack spurred retaliatory settler violence. In Hajja, settlers reportedly set a vehicle on fire, while in Far'ata and Amatin villages, they threw stones at homes and destroyed crops, according to the Palestinian news agency WAFA. In Amatin, Israeli forces allegedly fired on residents attempting to confront the settlers. However, the Israeli military stated it did not know about the incident.

Two additional incidents of settler violence were reported on Monday evening. Southeast of Ramallah, Israeli settlers set fire to an agricultural room in the town of Turmus Ayya, according to security sources cited by WAFA. In another attack near Bethlehem, settlers reportedly targeted Palestinian vehicles by throwing stones, WAFA reported.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed retaliation following the deadly gunman attack earlier in the day.

In a statement on X, he pledged to "find the abhorrent murderers and settle accounts with them and with all those who aided them. No one will get away."

Netanyahu is expected to hold a cabinet meeting on Tuesday to address developments in the West Bank.

While no group has claimed responsibility for the shooting, the Palestinian militant group Hamas has praised the attack, which Israel has described as a "terrorist attack."
A Birmingham man is jailed in a Hoover armed carjacking after allegedly firing a shot at a witness and then leading police on a chase through multiple cities.

Corey Lamont Glover, 26, is charged with two counts of first-degree robbery, attempted murder, discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle and attempting to elude.

The investigation began about 4:30 p.m. Sunday when Hoover police were dispatched to Lorna Place Apartments on Treeline Court on a report of an armed robber.

A man there told officers he was held at gunpoint while the suspect  now identified as Glover  tried to steal his wallet.

Lt. Daniel Lowe said several witnesses saw what was going on and chased Glover to the nearby Place at Galleria apartments.

It was at the second location, Lowe said, that Glover carjacked a woman and began to flee in the stolen vehicle.

As Glover was leaving, police said, fired a round at one of the witnesses who had tried to follow him. The bullet struck the vehicle, but the witness was not injured.

Officers quickly saturated the area and spotted Glover.

A chase ensued on I-65 northbound, ending on Oxmoor Road when the suspect crashed. He tried to run away from the wrecked vehicle but was taken into custody.

Glover will be held without bond in the Jefferson County Jail.
A report of a deadly shooting and possible hostage situation inside a Sumiton home turned out to be a swatting call.

Shortly after 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sumiton police received a disturbing 911 call from a young boy who claimed he was hiding in a closet inside his home in the 100 block of Glen Brook Road.

The boy, according to police radio traffic, said he believed his mother was dead and his sister wounded in the shooting. He said he was hiding in a closet.

Multiple law enforcement agencies responded, including the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office and its SWAT team, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys State Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshals Service and other first responders  both officers and paramedics  from Jefferson and Walker counties.

Between 60 to 100 officers responded to the scene, and a large perimeter was set up.

More than 60 law enforcement officers responded to a reported shooting in Sumiton that turned out to be a swatting call.(Carol Robinson)

After more than an hour, officers breached the house and found that it was empty.

After further investigation, it was determined this was a swatting call or a prank call, said sheriffs spokesman Henry Irby.

While all of the agencies involved are really thankful there were no injuries, this is a serious matter, Irby said.

Sumiton Police Chief TJ Burnett said the investigation is ongoing as they try to track down the source of the 911 call.

Those who are responsible will be brought to justice, Irby said. We also have to look at all the resources distributed.

Irby said they have not yet identified the caller, but Sumiton police are working to do so.
Three shooters who allegedly killed a Birmingham man during a robbery waited for him for nearly two hours before gunning him down and stealing his backpack, according to text messages between five men charged in the crime.

Those charged in the Sept. 22 slaying of 32-year-old Jamarcus McIntyre are: Damien McDaniel, a 22-year-old Fairfield man accused of killing 11 people and wounding 29 others between July and September; Larry Rollins, 32; NyQuan Lollar, 22; Demarco Beck Jr., 29; and Zachary Holmes, 31.

Jefferson County prosecutors contend in court documents that McDaniel and Lollar were among three shooters who opened fire on McIntyre in the horrific ambush that was captured on home surveillance video.

Investigators have not yet been able to identify the third shooter.

Prosecutors say McDaniel, Lollar and the third man sat in a parked vehicle in front of the house in the 700 block of 81st Place South that Sunday night, waiting to kill Mcintyre, who they had targeted.

Holmes, according to court records, was inside the house with McIntyre feeding information to the other suspects, including Rollins and Beck who were not at the actual scene.

The shooters remained in the car until McIntrye exited the house and was immediately killed.

Multiple, and simultaneous, conversations were taking place in the hours leading up to McIntyres slaying.

Jamarcus McIntyre was killed in a Sept. 22, 2024, shooting in Birmingham that also wounded two others.(Contributed)

Holmes texted Beck the exact address and described McIntyre. White tee black shirt black book bag black hat only mf with a hat on.

Rollins then relayed the address to McDaniel, accompanied by two photos of McIntyre.

McDaniel, at one point, told Rollins that a neighbor kept going outside and looking.

Where bout? Send a pic Rollins texted McDaniel, who sent Rollins and Beck a photo of the house across the street from where the killing took place.

Shortly before 9 p.m., McDaniel, in a text to Beck and Rollins said, Im finna run in det hoe.

He was told the doors were locked and replied, I got sum to open em. He also texted, Ill set the bitch on fire bet they kum out den.

He then texted Beck and Rollins, Im jst talk shit doe Im swatting.

Rollins hearted McDaniels text and Beck laughed at the text.

Records also show multiple phone and Facetime calls  both incoming and outgoing - logged on Rollins phone leading up to the 9:18 p.m. shooting.

All five suspects, as well as sixth man who is a co-defendant of McDaniels in two other murders, appeared in court Tuesday to be arraigned on their charges.

All six defendants in the multiple cases  linked by being co-defendants of McDaniel in one or more murders  were brought into Circuit Judge Shanta Craig Owens courtroom one by one and wore bulletproof vests.

More than a half dozen deputies for the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office Emergency Response Team provided extra security in the courtroom, and the judge required all courtroom observers  whether family of the victims or defendants  to show a drivers license before entering.

Dozens of family members attended Tuesdays proceedings, and many had to wait out in the hall because of capacity limits in the courtroom.

Damien McDaniel III enters a Jefferson County courtroom on Dec. 12, 2024.Carol Robinson

McDaniel is charged in the two mass shootings at Trendsetters lounge and Hush lounge.

Four people were killed and 17 injured in the Hush massacre, and four killed and 10 wounded in the Hush shooting.

In addition to the two mass shootings and McIntyres deaths, McDaniel is also charged in the Sept. 19 killing of Diontrante Tinae Brown, a 35-year-old mother who police say was an innocent bystander shot to death inside 604 Bar and Lounge on Ninth Street North, and the Aug. 13 killing of 61-year-old Charlie Moore, also an untended target.

Woods is charged in the Trendsetters killings and Moores slaying.

Another man, 41-year-old Charles Derius Nance, is charged with capital murder in Moores slaying, accused of providing McDaniel with the intended victim or victims names and address. Authorities have not disclosed the identity of the intended victim.

NyQuan Cordae Lollar and Damien McDaniel in a Youtube documentary.Screengrab

All of the cases are being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorneys Joe Roberts, Julie McMakin and Elise Driskell. Deputy District Attorney Shawn Allen was also in court Tuesday to read the indictments against all of the suspects during their arraignments.

McDaniels arraignment was postponed because it was determined that his attorneys had a conflict representing him because of a different case with another client.

Owens said she would appoint McDaniel new attorneys.

Holmes, Woods, Beck and Lollar pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Rollins also pleaded not guilty and sought bond, which the judge denied.

One of Rollins attorneys, John Lentine, said he would appeal that ruling.

Lentine also questioned the heavy security in the courtroom, contending it was prejudicial against his client, and later said hed never seen anything like it.

All of the suspects remain held without bond.

Trial dates have not been set.
Republicans are quickly coalescing around President-elect Donald Trumps idea to change the name the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

On Tuesday, Trump announced his intention to change the body of waters name saying it had a, beautiful ring to it. Trump claimed the potential alteration was because America did most of the work in the gulf and it was ours.

We do most of the work there its ourswere going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, Trump stated.

The announcement quickly received approval from congressional Republican members.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green, R-GA, posted online that she would be introducing legislation ASAP to officially enshrine the name change.

According to the Associated Press, while Trump could potentially change the Gulf of Mexicos name the decision would not be unilateral. And if the name was revised other countries would not have to go along with it.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-AL, professed his approval of the announcement on X.

Alabamians know just how important the Gulf and Gulf Coast are for our great country.



The Gulf of AMERICA sounds pretty good to me.  https://t.co/9LSlViY5cy  Coach Tommy Tuberville (@SenTuberville) January 7, 2025

U.S. Rep. Barry Moore, R-AL, also posted on X saying, Proud to represent Alabamas First District on the beautiful GULF OF AMERICA.

U.S. Rep. Austin Scott, R-GA, told Fox News that the name for the Gulf of Mexico did not matter to him as much as the enforcement of laws in the area.

House Republicans are already referring to the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America" pic.twitter.com/Mld8LaBnul  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 8, 2025

While the move was praised by some Republicans the Daily Show decided to have some fun at the prospect of the gulf being renamed.

Host Desi Lydic joked that the Gulf of Mexico being renamed was one of the common sense policies Americans were waiting for but the change could have a nice ring to it.

I guess Gulf of America does have a ring to it, Lydic said. As in, there was another horrific oil spill in the Gulf of America.
This is an opinion column.

Recently, I got stoned. Only, I got my buzz from off the shelf at my local grocery store  THC in a can.

Ive never cared much for weed, but I was born with the fabled cats fatal curiosity and I couldnt let this go. Something labeled THC. On a shelf. At the store. In Alabama.

This couldnt be real, right?

Instead of the acrid stench of a college dorm, the fizzy beverage gave off a hint of grapefruit and a tickle of carbon dioxide. If I hadnt known better, I would have thought I was drinking a LaCroix.

But after my second can, I had my answer: Yep, this was weed.

Music sounded different. Brushing my teeth took way too long. That feeling that someone in the bushes was watching me followed, only this time what I was doing was 

Legal?

Ill let the chemists explain the difference between the delta-8, delta-9 and THC-A. When my colleagues looked at this issue last year , they produced a nifty side-by-side comparison showing them to be nearly the same thing.

Spot the difference between delta-8 and delta-9Bill Schulz for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Nor do I get the legal distinctions between marijuana and hemp. But I can now tell you from experience, the effect is close enough. Those billboards along the roadway already dispensed with the pretense.

Bamas Best Bud isnt an advertisement for Anheuser-Busch.

Manufacturers maybe took the long way around to get here, processing and concentrating ingredients from hemp, but in the end: This is weed. You can buy it at the grocery store and from a growing number of gas stations throughout the state. Use enough and it will make you high like weed. The delta-9 stuff contains the exact same main psychoactive ingredient as weed. My colleagues even reported you can test positive for weed after using it .

And somehow thats  legal? In Alabama?

Im not arguing it shouldnt be. Rather, Im puzzled why the old-fashioned stuff, the plant growing out of the earth, still isnt.

Because, if you shift the context a little and switch up the people involved, messing around with nearly the same kind of stuff results in very different outcomes.

You could get thrown in jail.

Or end up dead.

Consider the case of Randall Adjessom, a 16-year-old from Mobile who died in late 2023 after a fatal encounter with police.

Adjessom was asleep in bed when someone burst through the door of his familys home, where he lived with his mom, grandmother and three sisters. The teenager found a pistol and turned a corner into the hall to confront the intruders.

The intruders were a Mobile Police SWAT team on a no-knock raid.

According to a lawsuit filed in federal court last month, Adjessom put his hands up, but one of the officers shot him anyway  four times in the chest and torso. (Theres bodycam footage of this, but Alabama has decided taxpayer-funded videos meant to hold police accountable are not public records, so the public cant see them, to hold police accountable.)

The police were looking for Adjessoms older brother. What for? They suspected him of dealing marijuana. Out of the home, rather than out of the grocery store or gas station.

Adjessom lay bleeding for several minutes as police searched the house. He died at the hospital.

As it turned out, Adjessoms older brother didnt even live there, according to the complaint.

A no-knock warrant in a castle doctrine state is deadly stupid by itself. (At least, Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson suspended the practice after the teens death.) But its long past time we confronted another question.

Why are we still doing this?

If youre a suburban middle-aged, middle-class white man, you can get your buzz from the Piggly Wiggly and nobody at the checkout will look at you funny for buying drugs at a grocery store.

But if youre a 16-year-old Black kid, you can be shot and killed without warning, in your own home, because the cops thought your brother might be selling practically the same drug there.

How does this make any sense?

About half of U.S. states have legalized recreational cannabis, and the so-called deleterious effects on society seem to be a lot of nothing. The most significant problem has been non-fatal overdoses among children because someone thought it would be a good idea to make pot look like candy.

Almost four years ago, the Alabama Legislature ostensibly legalized medical cannabis, but it handed control over to a group of hapless yokels called the Alabama Cannabis Commission. Since then, wannabe state-sanctioned drug dealers have been fighting a bureaucratic range war over who gets to sell gummies to people who need them to treat doctor-diagnosed diseases.

But every time the commission has tried to grant these limited licenses, somebody gets left out, and then that somebody sues and the state winds up in court. One time they even drew license winners out of a bowl. That didnt work either. Nearly a whole presidential administration has come and gone and Alabama doesnt seem any closer to using cannabis as medicine.

Alabama is so bad at this, it cant even legalize drugs when it wants to.

Meanwhile, I can buy funny fizzy water at the Pig.

Meanwhile, kids are getting shot in their homes.

Ill ask again, how does this make sense?

Its high time for Alabama to admit that this is stupid. This is deadly as it is dumb. Its time for us to stop. Its time to relax the law. Its time for lawmakers to chill out.

And if they cant, then make a stop at the Pig.
This is another installment in Birmingham Times/AL.com/CBS42 joint series Beyond the Violence. Sign up for the newsletter here.

Amid a violent year in Birmingham, local children may need additional resources and safe outlets.

The city saw 151 homicides in 2024, including the deaths of 10 children. Many children also have been injured in shootings . Violence can leave friends, family and community members with lasting trauma and fear.

When young people have to navigate life with the reality that their family member, friend is potentially going to die from violence that trauma and grief is really profound and sometimes not tended to, so making sure that there is a trauma informed, culturally responsive approach on top of structural changes is important, Stephanie Hawkins, vice president of the Transformative Research Unit for Equity at RTI International , a nonprofit research organization, said.

Kamarion Morris joined his schools Creative Minds club when he was in high school to open up with his peers about tough topics.

I have personal experience with gun violence. Theres not a day where were not talking about it, Morris said. I joined the Creative Minds club when my friends told me it was a place where I could express myself freely and with positivity.

There are multiple local resources children, teens and families can turn to after something scary happens.

How to help a child after a traumatic event

Traumatic events can take various shapes and forms, but loved ones should be on alert after something dangerous or violent happens to or around a child.

Robert Smith, executive director of the Amelia Center , a comprehensive grief counseling center at Childrens of Alabama, said when a traumatic event occurs in a childs life, parents and loved ones should make sure that the child has:

a stable routine including balanced meals,

regular school attendance, and

ample time with friends to process their emotions.

One of the things I would stress after a trauma is that what children and teens probably need the most is a sense of stability and safety and structure. Their world, their reality, everything has been upheaved and challenged, Smith said.

Sometimes we move a little too fast and try to insist on them getting help when what theyre focused on is getting some calmness, normalcy and predictability.

How to know if a child needs professional help

Cynthia Jones, director of the Childrens of Alabama Psychiatric Intake Response Center , said community violence can cause stress responses in children such as appetite and sleep changes, lack of motivation and hopelessness.

Jones said that after a traumatic event, parents and adults should reassure children that they are safe. An expert professional can help navigate emotions and feelings, too.

Kids reaction to traumatic events is not very predictable for them. Theres no timetable, and their healing occurs over periods of months, and years and decades. So its just being patient with them. Let them know that theres opportunity for them to recover from this traumatic event and that there is help out there, Jones said.

While it is normal for children to express sadness, grief and even anger after a traumatic event, if a childs behavior becomes abnormal to their character, reckless or dangerous, experts advise seeking out additional mental health support.

If months after a traumatic event occurs and a child shows signs of depression, anxiety, or persistent and worsening feelings of isolation, fear, irritability, stress or begins to self harm, misuse alcohol and substances, seek professional help.

Knowing what your child has experienced and what their level of coping skills are helps. Give them some faith and some time to balance and then we intervene when we recognize that thats not happening the way it should, Smith said.

Alabama youth support and mental health resources

Across Alabama, community members have launched initiatives for area children and teens to curb violence and support youth mental health. Experts say giving children and young adults safe spaces to open up can be vital to overcoming grief and fear after a traumatic event.

Community based programs such as the Surge Project , Kings Kids Outreach , Renew Birmingham , the ZeroZero Foundation and The Bridge Educational Philanthropy provide Birmingham area youth with mental health resources, transportation, food, academic support, career opportunities and community support.

AL.coms Education Lab created a toolkit to assess more options in Alabama if a child needs long-term mental health support.

United Way created a resource guide with additional mental health resources and services .

The Amelia Center specializes in providing services for children and teens who experienced a significant death and offers free mental health resources and counseling for those who are grieving after a tragic event. Counselors for adults, teens, and children can be reached at (205) 638-7481.

Childrens of Alabama Psychiatric Intake Response Center has a resource line available at (205) 638-7472 providing callers with a database of community-based resources, mental health agencies and services tailored to a childs needs. Certified counselors also are available to answer questions about mental health concerns.

Oasis Counseling for Women and Children, provides counseling treatment for depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, personality disorders, behavioral issues and relationship issues on a sliding fee scale for families in need of mental health resources.

Additional resources for families, including talking about death , how to cope with loss , child trauma and bereavement , can be found on the Childrens of Alabama website .

Our hope is that we can make some impact on some kids out there, Smith said.

Crisis information for immediate help

The National Suicide Hotline, 988, is available 24/7 in both English and Spanish.

The United Way Crisis Center hotline can be reached at (205) 323-7777 and their Youth Talk Line is available for children ages 6-18 at (205) 328-5465.

Crisis Services of North Alabama provides 24/7 crisis counseling at (256) 716-1000.
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin talks to reporters on Dec. 17, 2024, about the city's legislative agenda for 2025. (Photo by Greg Garrison/AL.com)ggarrison@al.com

Election day is still more than seven months away, yet the race for Birmingham Mayor is already heating up as incumbent Randall Woodfin launches an offense against his earliest critic and challenger.

Activity is ramping up, even though Woodfin has not formally announced his run for a third term - at least not in the traditional sense.

The Woodfin for Mayor campaign today sent messages to potential supporters urging them to support his campaign financially to help fend off an early challenger.

...the race for Birminghams future just got real, Woodin says in the letter personally addressed to supporters.

We officially have our first opponent, and that means one thing: the fight to keep pushing our city forward starts right now.

While he has remained publicly quiet, the Woodfin campaign ended 2024 with $480,752, according to Alabama Secretary of State reports.

Woodfin, who is in his second term as mayor, previously said he believed in term limits, but reversed course several months ago in a podcast with Iva Williams, on Urbanham.com where he said he would seek a third term.

Without naming her, Woodfin in his latest solicitation alludes to the early announced challenge from state Rep. Juandalynn Givan for the mayors seat.

Heres the deal: The opposition is already beginning to run misinformation campaigns on social media and around the community attempting to attack and muddy waters around my administrations accomplishments over the past few years, Woodfin said. But we dont roll like that.

Givan has centered her campaign around the citys bloody 2024, Woodfins lack of response, and how she would reverse the deadly trend. Birmingham ended 2024 with 151 homicides, the highest number of killings in the city in nearly a century.

Woodfin in his message said his campaign does not engage in mud slinging or negative communication.

Thats just not what we do. Our record of accomplishments outshine any of the dirty tricks some folks want to throw at us. Our opponents are counting on us to slip up, to lose focus, or to get complacent.

He then asks for financial support with a suggestion of $20.25 for the new year of 2025.

Lets get to work, Woodfin ends the message.

In another mass message, the Woodfin campaign on Monday sent text messages to supporters with a photo of him and his infant child seeking support for his third term.

Back in September, around the time of the podcast, Woodfin sent an email alluding to having begun his reelection campaign. I cant begin to tell you how inspired I am by what weve accomplished together since announcing our re-election campaign, he wrote.

In just five days, we raised an astonishing $333,000 from hundreds of grassroots supporters  breaking our previous record by over $60,000!To put that into perspective, thats more than double what any of our opponents raised in the entire last election cycle."

Several attempts by AL.com to get direct comments from Woodfin or his representatives regarding the campaign have so far gone unanswered.

However, in the September email, Woodfin drew attention to several successes, including the Birmingham Promise program, revitalizing neighborhoods, and taking bold action to pardon cannabis possession charges" to give people a second chance.
This is another installment in the series Beyond the Violence. Sign up for the newsletter here.

Amid the deadliest year of Birminghams history, firearms remained the leading cause of death for Alabama children and teens, according to a recent Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions study based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Birmingham ended 2024 with 151 homicides, breaking the citys all-time homicide record. Of people killed in 2024 in Birmingham, 10 were children, with the youngest being 5-year-old Landyn Brooks.

The prevalence of youth violence does not make it normal, said TeAndria Ellis, founder and executive director of the Surge Project, a Birmingham nonprofit dedicated to youth and community development.

Most recently, 17-year-old Gerald Andre Lomax Jr., a Jackson-Olin athlete said to always have a smile on his face, died after he was shot in front of Woodlawn High School in November.

The other nine childrens names are: Aston Starkey, 13; Markell Sanders, 15; Prentice Lovell Little, 15; Cornelia Rose Lathan, 15; Jaylin Lee Jenkins, 16; Alexis Elizabeth Wise, 16; Jaquavius James Weston, 18; and Jonathan ODell Thomas Jr., 18.

Many children also have been injured in shootings.

In the United States in 2022, there were 2,526 gun deaths among 1 to 17-year-olds, averaging nearly seven per day.

Gun death rates in this age range have increased by 106% since 2013 and have been the leading cause of death among children since 2020, according to the report.

Black children and teens are disproportionately impacted by gun violence. In 2022, Black children ages 1 to 17 had a gun death rate 18 times higher than that of white children in the same age group. And among deaths of Black teens between the ages of 15 to 17, more than half, 55%, were killed by guns.

Communities that experience high rates of gun violence are just absolutely ravaged by this issue, and it has long, long-standing effects, said Cassandra Crifasi, co-director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions and one of the authors of the report.

Experts say there are ways to curb the violence.

Preventing gun violence deaths: Experts weigh in

Authors of the Johns Hopkins report recommend implementing firearm licensing that includes background checks and required safety training, removing firearms from those at risk of harming themselves or others, repealing stand-your-ground laws and more stringent permitting for open and concealed carrying of firearms.

In 2023, Alabama made it legal to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. While Alabama is not known for its strict gun laws, many GOP lawmakers and law enforcement personnel have recently begun to back stricter laws amid a local rise in gun violence.

Experts say gun violence drains communities of resources and can perpetuate a cycle of fear and uncertainty throughout the community.

Crifasi said stricter gun laws and expansion of public health responses like community violence intervention programs are proven methods of curbing gun violence and improving communities.

Birmingham community members and local officials have launched several initiatives to curb violence, including the Hospital Linked Violence Intervention Program at the University of Birmingham Hospital, Jefferson Countys RESTORE program to help at-risk youth get back on track and the Common Ground program which teaches elementary to high school students about conflict resolution.

I believe when you give people the resources that they need to pull them out of survival mode, where they can thrive, you will start to see reductions in gun violence in the city of Birmingham, Ellis told AL.com. The power to transform communities lies within the community.

Stephanie Hawkins, vice president of the Transformative Research Unit for Equity at RTI International, a nonprofit research organization, said at-risk youth are vulnerable to falling through the cracks and are hard to reach unless there are explicit, intentional strategies to find them and provide tailored support.

Hawkins said community investment in schools, transportation, clean water, violence intervention programs, job opportunities and representation of diverse voices in community violence prevention research and policies are all vital to making positive changes.

When young people have to navigate life with the reality that their family member, friend is potentially going to die from violencethat trauma and grief is really profound and sometimes not tended to, so making sure that there is a trauma informed, culturally responsive approach on top of structural changes is important, Hawkins said.
A north Alabama man who traveled from Arab to Boaz to meet who he thought was a 14-year-old girl for sex was sentenced Tuesday to 25 years in state prison, prosecutors said.

John Thomas Taylor, III, 34, of Arab, pleaded guilty to traveling to meet a child for a sexual act on July 15.

In July 2023, Taylor responded to a dating and messaging profile where someone posed as a vulnerable 14-year-old girl from a broken home who was interested in a relationship for an older man, according to Marshall County District Attorney Jennifer Bray.

Taylor began sexually explicit and vulgar conversations with the child over several days before agreeing to meet each other for sexual acts.

Boaz police and the Marshall County Sheriffs Office became involved and orchestrated a sting operation to take down Taylor if he traveled to meet the child for sexual acts.

On July 19, 2023, Taylor traveled from Arab to Boaz to meet the child for sexual purposes.

Thankfully, law enforcement was at the location to take the Defendant into custody preventing him from having the opportunity to rape a child as he planned, Bray said.

The district attorney recommended Marshall County Circuit Court Judge F. Timothy Reilly sentence Taylor to 45 years in prison while Taylors attorney requested the minimum sentence.

Reilly ultimately handed down a 25-year sentence to Taylor.

Today Im thankful to the legislature for realizing the importance of creating laws that give law enforcement the tools to take these pedophiles off our streets before they have an opportunity to harm an actual child, Bray said in a statement.

When we see cases where teenage girls form relationships with much older, adult men, we often see that they begin communicating with these men when an event in their lives has made them especially vulnerable, such as a break-up, parents divorcing, or trouble at school, which is the type of 14-year-old girl that was created for this operation.

Ive been prosecuting sex crimes for several years and they often come with their own set of challenges  the willingness of a victim to testify before a jury about the most terrible thing theyve had to endure, he said she said factual scenarios, and a lack of physical evidence. However, cases like Mr. Taylors allow us to get significant jail time for pedophiles without any of the hurdles often found in sexual assault cases before they prey on an actual child victim, Bray continued.

It is clear from the many pages of messages and Mr. Taylors confession, that he had every intention that day to have sexual intercourse with a vulnerable 14-year-old girl. Mr. Taylor will be exactly where he deserves to be over the next 25 years, and Im grateful a child did not have to suffer to ensure our community of such.
An 18-year-old man is being held without bond in the Baldwin County jail in connection with the fatal shooting of another man in Bay Minette on New Years Day.

Armani JyAquarious Hooks, 18, was charged with murder in the Jan. 1 slaying of JaTavious Damailo French, Bay Minette Police Chief Al Tolbert announced Tuesday.

Hooks bond hearing has yet to be scheduled.

The 18-year-old suspects arrest comes after Kendrick Johnson, 18, was arrested in Frenchs killing.

Police said that French was allegedly shot by Johnson after the two got into a physical altercation on Jan. 1 in the 1200 Block of Pecan Street.

French died after suffering a single gunshot wound.

Hooks is an associate of Johnson, according tot police.

BMPD also said that prior to the Jan. 1 shooting the three were allegedly involved in a physical altercation at a party on Dec. 31.

The incident is still being investigated and more arrests are expected to come according to the department.

Frenchs slaying remains an ongoing investigation, Tolbert said, and further information remained unavailable.

Anyone with additional information helpful to the case was asked to call Bay Minette police at 251-580-2559 or email tips@ci.bay-minette.al.us.
The United States announced sanctions against the head of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's cabinet on Tuesday for his alleged involvement in corruption.

Antal Rogan, a minister who oversees the country's intelligence services and government communication, has "orchestrated schemes designed to control several strategic sectors of the Hungarian economy and to divert proceeds from those sectors to himself and to reward loyalists from his political party," said a US Treasury statement.

"This systemic corruption Antal Rogan represents is affecting Hungary's decision-making on issues that impact the security of the United States of America and our allies," US ambassador to Hungary David Pressman told a press briefing.

He noted that "private and public efforts to engage the Hungarian government on this issue have been unsuccessful."

Rogan's activity is "emblematic of the broader climate of impunity in Hungary where key elements of the state have been captured by oligarchs and undemocratic actors" US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement

US-Hungary relations have become frosty in recent years, with Washington frequently criticising Budapest over democratic backsliding.

But Orban hopes his "dear friend" US President-elect Donald Trump's return to office will normalise relations between the NATO allies.

"This is the personal revenge of the ambassador sent by the failed US administration to Hungary, who leaves unsuccessfully and in disgrace, against Antal Rogan," Hungary's foreign minister Peter Szijjarto said on Facebook.

"How good that in a few days' time the United States will be led by people who see our country as a friend and not an enemy," he added.

Since Orban's return to power in 2010, Hungary has fallen from 50th to 76th place in Transparency International's corruption perception index, ranking last among EU members in 2023.

During the same period, the nationalist leader's inner circle has grown wealthy from public tenders. Orban's confidant Lorinc Meszaros and his son-in-law Istvan Tiborcz now control large swathes of the economy.

The European Union has frozen around 19 billion euros ($20 billion) in EU funds earmarked for Hungary over alleged corruption in public procurement, among other issues.

Budapest has lost access to around one billion euros of the suspended funds.

The central European country claims Brussels is withholding the funds to pressure it over its self-described "illiberal" transformation and denies corruption accusations.

The US sanctions against Rogan fall under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. The action freezes the assets under US jurisdiction of those blacklisted and forbids Americans and US companies from doing business with the targets.
This is a guest opinion

Imagine owning a piece of land thats been in your family for generations, but no one really knows who is in charge or how to get a clear understanding of who owns the land or who is allowed to use it. Some might call it family land, Grannys place or even kinfolk property. This type of land, known as heirs property, can cause serious trouble for families who dont take steps to clear up ownership.

Heirs property is real property (land and a house) that gets passed down from someone who died without a will, a will that is not properly processed in court or a will that simply leaves the property to all my children. Instead of one person owning the property, all of the family members (heirs) share it together. This is known legally as tenancy in common or undivided interest property. It means each family member owns a stake in the whole property, but no one owns any specific piece. In some places, this is called a clouded or tangled title.

The first challenge is that banks will not loan or approve a mortgage on the property without a clear title. This forces all property expenses like roof repairs, renovations and upkeep costs to come out of pocket. As a result, many heirs properties fall into disrepair and rapidly lose value. Since the property lacks a clear title, the familys intergenerational wealth is effectively trapped in legal limbo.

When ownership is unclear, decisions about the property also become difficult. For example, one person wants to build a house on the land, but if any other co-heir disagrees, then the house cannot be built. Maybe someone else needs money and wants to sell the property, but not everyone agrees, so the sale cannot go forward. This type of shared ownership leaves families stuck and unable to use, sell or develop the land. As time goes on, the number of co-heirs generally increases making consensus even more difficult.

This is where the real problems arise. Sometimes, one family member can force the entire property to be sold, even if the others dont want that. This is called a partition sale and historically, the land gets sold for far less than its worth. Predatory heir hunters often target distant family members, buy their shares and force the sale of the property right out from under the family. Then the property is lost forever.

Another common source of loss occurs when the family forgets to pay the taxes and the property goes up for a tax sale. In the end, this land meant for the family can be sold and descendants may lose the intergenerational wealth that was meant for them.

Unresolved heirs property can also prevent access to helpful government programs. Whether its farming assistance, disaster relief or home improvement grants, families need a clear title or specific proof of ownership to qualify for these benefits. FEMA updated its proof of occupancy policies in 2022 to decrease displacement following a disaster. Without proper documentation, families struggle to improve the land, sell crops or recover from damage after natural disasters.

Families bear the brunt of the issues that arise from unresolved heirs property. Disputes and disagreements can sever relationships, creating long-lasting bitterness that makes moving forward difficult. What should be a source of pride and family legacy becomes a legal mess that causes stress and division.

How can families protect their land and avoid these problems? In theory, its simple. Take steps to resolve heirs property before its too late. Map the family tree and work together to find an appropriate solution. This may be clearing the title, which means legally deciding who owns what part of the property and in what form. Or it might be developing a tenant-in-common agreement legally outlining a set of rights and responsibilities that each family member will follow. This oftentimes involves a historical title search by a lawyer which then informs the creation of a family estate plan. These methods can help protect the land from being lost and make it easier to sustain.

In practice, this process isnt easy, but the Alabama Heirs Property Alliance (AHPA) is here to help. This is a group of professionals from land-grant institutions that is providing information and support to families dealing with heirs property through programming at county Extension offices throughout Alabama. The AHPA was founded as a collaboration between Alabama A&M, Auburn and Tuskegee Universities and is supported by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System with funding from the United States Department of Agriculture. They help families understand their legal rights, build their family tree, navigate the paperwork and connect with lawyers specializing in heirs property across Alabama. AHPAs mission is to help families protect their land and avoid the risks that come with unresolved heirs property.

If your family has land thats been passed down without a will, dont wait until its too late. Take action to resolve ownership and secure your familys legacy for future generations. With the right help, you can turn what some call stuck land into a protected family resource.

Ryan Thomson is Assistant Professor in Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology at Auburn University. Adam Rabinowitz is Alabama Cooperative Extension System Agricultural Economist and Associate Professor in Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology at Auburn University
This is a guest opinion

Years from now, historians will look back and recognize that Alabama turned a corner when it implemented the CHOOSE Act and threw open the door of opportunity to a generation of children who were trapped in failing and underperforming schools.



The CHOOSE Act, which stands for the Creating Hope. and Opportunity for Our Students' Education Act, was passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey last year, and it allows qualifying students to receive $7,000 annually for an Education Savings Account that may be used for tuition to private, parochial or Christian schools or $2,000 in expenses related to home schooling.



During the first two years, only families whose income is under 300% of the poverty rate  which equates to $93,600 for a family of four  may apply, but in the third year, applications will open to any family that wishes to participate.



Former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, who was born in Birmingham, highlighted the lack of quality school options available to many low income families today when she said:



We have a choice. If you are of means, you will move to a district where the schools are good and the houses are expensive, or if you are really wealthy you send your kids to private schools. So who is stuck in failing neighborhood schools? Poor kids, a lot of them minority kids.



Despite the fact that the CHOOSE Act offers immediate relief to low-income families and students trapped in poorly performing schools, Amy Marlowe, the director of the state teachers union, has falsely claimed that the program will mainly benefit children from wealthy families, and she wants to roll back its availability based upon bogus beliefs that it somehow harms education.



Rather than continuing to sentence children from low-income families to the indignity of a sub-par education, Marlowe and her union should focus instead on fixing the persistent and endemic problems that cause families to want to leave certain public schools in the first place.



According to surveys, only 44% of parents in Alabama feel satisfied with the education their children are receiving while 76% indicate they support school choice with Education Savings Plans.



Children should not be held captive in a failing school simply because they reside in a specific zip code.



Children who require a specialized learning environment should not be denied it because their zoned school is unable to fill the need.



And we must no longer ignore the fact that our public schools are too often graduating seniors who are unable to read at a proper grade level.



Several states across the country already have robust school choice programs that have been in place for years, and numerous studies have proven that public schools do not experience a mass exodus.



Alabamas Education Trust Fund Budget, which funds K-12 public schools, community colleges, and four-year public universities, totals $9.3 billion, and the Legislature has allocated $100 million roughly one-tenth of one percent  to school choice, but that is enough to begin rescuing students who currently have too little hope, too little opportunity, and too few chances to succeed later in life.



In the first year, CHOOSE Act funding will serve about 15,000 students, and it is my hope that parents seeking a better education for their children will claim all of the available funds so the Legislature will be forced to allocate a larger dollar amount the following year.



When CHOOSE Act applications were opened last week, several thousand families from across the state applied on the first day alone, and a steady stream has followed ever since.



The number one priority of elected officials who make decisions about public education must be determining how we can we best teach every child in every class every single day, but a one-size-fits-all approach fails to recognize that each child has unique needs and some respond better to different teaching methods or different learning environments.



That is why many of us believe that school choice offers the best outcome for students while also ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used both efficiently and effectively.



At the same time, school choice allows parents, who know their children better than anyone, to decide which educational path will prepare students to become independent and productive adults.



We must continue supporting our public schools, but we also need the children being taught there to thrive, even if charting a different pathway to success is the only option.



Public schools are making headway, and legislators and other elected officials will continue to implement policies to help all schools and students, but matching children to the best learning environment through school choice is a critical win for all and a major victory for civil rights.

State Rep. Susan DuBose represents Alabama House of Representatives District 45, which includes portions of Jefferson, Shelby, and St. Clair counties.
Sen. Katie Britt on Tuesday reintroduced the Laken Riley Act, which would require a federal agency to arrest and hold undocumented theft suspects until they can be deported.

The legislation is named after the University of Georgia nursing student who was killed in 2024 by Jose Antonio Ibarra, an undocumented Venezuelan national, while Riley was jogging on campus in an incident that impacted the national debate on immigration.

Ibarra was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

The Laken Riley Act would require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest undocumented immigrants charged with theft, burglary, larceny or shoplifting offenses and mandate those suspects be detained until they are deported so they cannot reoffend.

Prior to Rileys murder, Ibarra had been cited on shoplifting charges by local authorities in Georgia but had not been arrested or detained by ICE.

Last year, Laken Riley was stolen from this earthfrom her family and friends and from achieving her dreamsby a brutal, heartless killer. Make no mistakehe never should have been in the United States, much less allowed to freely roam American streets after being charged with multiple crimes, Britt said in a statement. Lakens murder was the direct consequence of willful open border policies.

The Senate version of the bill has the support of every Republican and is also cosponsored by Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., said President Bidens immigration policy was to blame for Rileys death.

No family should have to go through what the Riley family has endured over the last year, Tuberville said in a statement.

Because of Joe Bidens open borders, Lakens life was brutally ended by a criminal illegal alien. Joe Biden owes her family an apology for failing to do his basic job and secure the border. The American people delivered a message on November 5: they demand a President who will defend the Constitution and protect Americans from all enemies, both foreign and domestic. Now that Republicans control Congress and the White House, we must start delivering on our promises to ensure this never happens again. Legislation like the Laken Riley Act will help President Trump restore law and order and secure the border.

Britt sponsored the legislation last year, which was dead on arrival in the Democratic-led Senate.

But with the new Republican Senate majority coupled by the GOP-led House, the Laken Riley Acts prospects for passage have improved, although the legislations fate remains uncertain.

Britt will play a major role in attempting to secure votes to pass the bill after the was named a deputy whip under Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo.

I am honored Senator Barrasso chose me to join his team as one of the deputy whips, Britt said in a statement. Our new Senate Republican majority has a tremendous opportunity to get things done and enact President Trumps agenda. As deputy whip, I am excited to help unite our conference and make a difference in the lives of hardworking Americans.










English News China releases prototypes of world's fastest high-speed train

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 8 Janvier 2025



According to an official with China Railway, the company plans to conduct a range of line tests and assessments for the prototypes to further examine performance indicators, so as to expedite its entry into commercial operation.

By Li Xinping, People's Daily Prototypes of the CR450 bullet train, the world's fastest high-speed train with a test speed of up to 450 kilometers per hour (km/h) and an operational speed of 400 km/h, were debuted in Beijing on Dec. 29, 2024.



The CR450 is significantly faster than the CR400 Fuxing high-speed trains currently in service, which operate at speeds of 350 km/h. Here are the secrets behind the higher speed.



Stronger Power



High-speed rail runs fast because it converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. The CR450, utilizing permanent magnet traction motors, has increased energy conversion efficiency by over 3 percent compared to the CR400, which uses asynchronous traction motors. The stronger power output enables the train to run faster.



Lower Resistance



As high-speed trains accelerate, aerodynamic resistance escalates exponentially with the velocity. When the speed rises to 400 km/h, the resistance will increase by 30 percent. This means that most of the energy generated by traction motors is expended in combating air resistance. With an innovative design, the CR450 has managed to slash operational resistance by 22 percent.



Lighter Weight



A lighter weight is crucial for high-speed trains. The CR450 has cut its weight by over 10 percent compared to the CR400, thanks to the adoption of new materials such as carbon fiber composites and magnesium alloys, as well as the topology optimization technique.



Better Performance



Apart from high speed, it is more important for bullet trains to have efficient braking. The CR450 now takes only 6,500 meters to achieve a complete stop from 400 km/h, the same braking distance as the CR400.



This outstanding performance has allowed the CR450 to reach a higher speed without increasing energy consumption. When running at 400 km/h, the eight-carriage CR450 consumes only 22 to 23 kilowatt-hours of electricity per kilometer, making it a cost-effective and eco-friendly choice for commercial operations.



The CR450 high-speed train also boasts many eye-catching designs.



More Intelligent



The CR450 is equipped with intelligent monitoring and diagnostic systems, which allow the train to collect data such as axle temperature and pressure from over 4,000 monitoring stations in real time. This advanced technology has enabled the train to recognize, assess and determine its actions by itself.



Besides, the CR450 has innovatively adopted time-sensitive network transmission signals, leading to a ten-fold increase in the efficiency of real-time data transmission. This has facilitated the communication among different systems on the train and enhanced the control precision.



Quieter Operation



The passengers' level of comfort is greatly influenced by noise levels, which typically rise by two to three decibels for every 50 km/h increase in speed. The CR450 has managed to reduce its in-cabin noise by two decibels, making the overall noise level comparable to that of the high-speed trains currently in service, which operate at 350 km/h.



More Comfortable



The height of the CR450 has been trimmed from 4.05 meters to 3.85 meters to make the train more slender. Even with the reduction in the overall height, the height of the interior cabin remains unchanged. Thanks to this compact design, the CR450 offers 4 percent more room for passengers and has expanded the storage capacity for large luggage by 100 percent.



More functions



The CR450 is designed with adaptive lighting that can adjust brightness according to the outdoor environment, touchless restrooms with "airborne buttons," and additional options like family compartments and multi-functional spaces.



"We are committed to providing passengers with diverse, convenient, and personalized services to enhance their travel experience," said Ren Guangqiang, an executive with the Locomotive & Car Department of China Railway.



The CR450's development represents China's venture into new and unexplored aspects of the high-speed train industry.



China Railway launched research on basic theories and key technologies for high-speed trains operating at 400 km/h in 2018, followed by the beginning of development efforts in 2021.



In 2022, the company released overall technical specifications and extensively carried out simulation calculations and ground-based tests, including technical parameter tests on the Zhengzhou-Wanzhou and Jinan-Zhengzhou high-speed railways, and new technology component replacement tests on the Mile-Mengzi and Fuzhou-Xiamen high-speed railways. The production of prototype trains officially commenced in 2024.



According to Li Yongheng, an executive with the Department of Science, Technology and Information Technology of China Railway, the CR450's successful completion was made possible with the data collected from the extensive track tests of over 200,000 kilometers, as well as over 1,000 simulation calculations and ground-based tests.



"For the first time in the world, the CR450 uses actual track tests to determine boundary conditions and confirm top-level indicators, thereby creating technical specifications based on actual requirements," said Zhang Bo, head of the Locomotive & Car Research Institute of China Academy of Railway Sciences Corporation Limited.



Sources say that the R&D team of the CR450 has performed more than 100 experiments to explore how different parameters of the train are affected by the rising train speeds. They have gathered data features in different speed contexts and operating environments such as bridges, tunnels, and curves, laying a robust groundwork for the development of the CR450 high-speed train.



With the debut of the CR450 high-speed train prototypes, China has set a global precedent by establishing a standard system for the commercial operation of high-speed trains traveling at 400 km/h.



"The CR450 has demonstrated China's overall capabilities in technological innovation and high-end equipment manufacturing," said Li.



According to an official with China Railway, the company plans to conduct a range of line tests and assessments for the prototypes to further examine performance indicators, so as to expedite its entry into commercial operation.



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)
Transsexual activists managed to interject their propaganda into the second season of Netflixs Squid Game. A new, major, sympathetic character, Hyun Ju (aka Player 120), is trans-ing. Were supposed to learn sympathy for the idea that a man who wants to be a woman can do so. After all, they tell us, with the regularity of a clock chime, Gender is a social construct. That is meant to confuse and disorient people  like the way the police throw in a flash bang grenade into a gang hide-out they are about to raid. Stunned people, who assumed that gender and sex were synonyms, sometimes think, Oh, then sex is assigned at birth, and then they are led away as captives to a twisted ideology. This works particularly effectively on the young, who like to think theyve discovered something new their benighted forebears didnt know. Dont be stunned. Realize the trick theyre trying to play on us. Theyre trying to get us to accept transsexuality.

Sex is being male or female. Gender is being masculine or feminine. Gender is about dresses or suits and ties, make-up or not, long or short hair. Sex is about chromosomes and private parts. So, gender is to sex like using a fork or chopsticks is to eating. Its how the culture teaches us to eat or be male or female. Eating is biology. How we eat, with utensils and, if so, what kind, is a product of culture, a social construct. In America, we were taught from toddlerhood to use forks. In Korea, they are taught from just as young an age to use chopsticks. One can fluidly go back and forth between the different social constructs. Transgender advocates say this works with gender too. We can go back and forth between genders, as we like.

Notice what the transgender zealots are doing, like street-side shell game con artists. Theyre hiding the ball. They start by saying that gender is a social construct, its about wearing lipstick or long hair or a dress and so we can choose to be masculine or feminine or not. Most of us shrug our shoulders and think, To each his own. But then they switch to sex, to male and female, having hormones and surgeries to make a male look female, or vice versa, to calling a male a she. They started with gender, transvestitism, but then they segue, seamlessly, to having men run in the womens 100-meter dash, and claiming, as they are now dominating the women, that its just a coincidence that these new record-setting women were men just last year.

What are they doing? Theyre not really talking about gender. Theyre talking about sex. They are, in effect, saying that sex is a social construct; that male or female is assigned at birth; that we can go back and forth between sexes like we can go back and forth between eating with forks or chopsticks. Theyre championing transsexuality. They know that sounds absurd so they try to hide it under gender talk.

But if were talking about a social construct, why are we turning to medicine? No one seeking to trans from fork-eating to chop-stick-eating goes to the physician asking for hormones or surgery. Doctor, make me a chop-stick eater! If gender is a social construct and all the transgenderists only want the freedom to trans, then why does Hyun Ja need to risk his life at the Squid Game in order to get the money to complete his transition? Trans-ing to different social constructs doesnt require a pharmacy or a scalpel. If you really want to transition to another gender, go to a traditional finishing school, or go to a dude ranch, and learn how to be a lady or a macho man. But thats not what its really about. Its about transsexuality, really.

Despite the superficially sophisticated rhetoric of gender being distinct from sex, gender is used to hide sex, as if biological sex doesnt exist at all. Now, theyre suggesting, sex is a social construct. They dont say that so overtly because its so brazenly absurd. After all, sexual identity is woven into every cell of our body. One can drug and mutilate a body to make it appear like the opposite sex but one cannot, really, trans from one to another. So, like any good propagandists, they sneak in their essential principle unexamined, unquestioned, just asserted as if it were an obvious reality, like the way Marxists assume that history is purely materialistic and defined by class struggle, rather than overtly defend it; or like Muslims assume that Mohammed was a prophet, and not a libidinous, demented Arabian merchant ignorant of basic Biblical facts. Transgender propagandists assume  rather than prove  that sexual identity is like uniforms athletes put on. It can be changed.

Thus, dependent on an absurdity, it must not be exposed. Hence, transgenderism depends on oppression. Facebook suspended me for a month for having the temerity to post, in response to a question as to what 1 Peter 3:7 means by calling women the weaker sex, simply, Women are weaker than men. Elon Musks reformation of X has now allowed more freedom online, and Mr. Trumps regaining the presidency may mean a restoration of sanity, but lets not forget what were up against. They are no longer merely putting masculine and feminine into a gender blender. Theyre at war with the biological reality of the binary sexes. Theyll push it at every occasion they can get, even hijacking the sequel of a popular series. Were up against people who have embraced the absurdity of transsexuality.

John B. Carpenter (@CovenantReform2), Ph.D., is pastor of Covenant Reformed Baptist Church and the author of Seven Pillars of a Biblical Church (Wipf & Stock, 2022) and the Covenant Caswell substack. This article continues the argument of The Transgender Bait and Switch (Theopolis, 3-22-22).

Image: Free image.
Thanks to Donald Trumps revolutionary campaign strategy of near-exclusive focus on internet media, Elon Musks acquisition of Twitter and self-immolation, the dominant ninety-year run of the self-styled mainstream media ended with the 2024 presidential election, alongside its legacy of being the cheerleaders and propaganda arm of the American Left and an increasingly radicalized Democrat Party.

The mainstream media can trace its beginning to Franklin Roosevelt. It was given birth with the passage of the Communications Act of 1934 and the creation of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), thus placing control of the electronic media under the thumb of the federal government. The FCCs primary function was to restrain competition. Consequently, three well-financed and Roosevelt-allied networks ended up with a virtual national monopoly on the dissemination of news broadcast over the radio, and eventually television, airwaves for the next 50 years and maintained a near monopoly for another 30+ years.

Not to be outdone, the Democrat-leaning members of the print media, in order to ingratiate themselves with Roosevelt, assumed even greater notoriety and dominance by cooperating with a fascist-sympathizing Roosevelt Administration and the Democrat Party in abetting their heavy-handed treatment of any opposition media. Thus, the favored print media, together with the administration, succeeded in their quest for dominance by driving numerous publications into bankruptcy or obscurity.

It was then that the issue of fairness in reporting the news began to be bandied about in reaction to the near monopolistic status of what we now refer to as the mainstream media. Consequently, the management of the leading newspapers, magazines, and broadcast networks found it necessary to initiate the mantra that their profession was the epitome of credibility and integrity. All the while they were unabashedly promoting Franklin Roosevelt and his big-government agenda, marking the beginning of nine decades of a bedfellow relationship between the media and the Democrat Party.

The dominant players in the media willingly became de facto accomplices with not only the Roosevelt administration but the despots in Europe, whom FDR refused to criticize or condemn. Taking their lead from FDR, the New York Herald Tribune, the Christian Science Monitor and Time Magazine among many other mainstream media outlets published puff pieces defending and praising Mussolini, Hitler, and Stalin while they were overtly and brutally consolidating power. The Washington Post, the New York Times, other major newspapers, the wire services as well as the three major broadcast networks all buried or essentially ignored the reports of the Holocaust before and, most egregiously, during the war.

In the 1950s and 60s, the mainstream medias love affair with Fidel Castro knew no bounds as virtually the entirety of the media complex promoted, protected, and gushed over the communist dictator as he was brutally ascending and consolidating his power. Newsweek in April of 1959: Castro is honest, and an honest government is something unique in Cuba Castro is not himself even remotely a communist.

In the 1970s and 80s many mainstream media outlets slobbered over the ascension to power of the PLO/Hamas despite their determination to exterminate Israel. In the 1980s Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua received similar treatment as did Hugo Chavez in Venezuela in the 1990s.

Since the 1980s, the mainstream media has often criticized the Communist Chinese, but virtually all the criticism is constructive criticism (i.e., we want you to succeed -- this is what you are doing wrong). Confirming their first loyalty is to authoritarian ideology, over the decades many mainstream media outlets have accepted untold millions in payments from China for publishing articles and airing broadcasts not only favorable to Beijing but at their behest in order to overtly influence U.S. politics.

Beginning in the 1950s, many television reporters and anchors assumed celebrity status as they were in the homes of Americans on a daily basis. As such, their credibility was rarely if ever questioned.

While there were some news anchors and reporters that tried to be impartial, the majority were not. Walter Cronkite was portrayed and feted as The Most Trusted Man in America. Yet, along with his cadre of reporters, he convinced the populace that what was in reality a significant victory by the American Army in Vietnam, the Tet Offensive, was in fact an overwhelming defeat and embarrassment, thus denigrating the valor of the soldiers and turning public opinion against the military. Across the spectrum, his reporting, abetted by what stories the network chose not to cover, skewed significantly toward the Democrats and sympathy with authoritarianism.

The authoritarian leanings of the mainstream media over the decades have not been limited to international affairs. At home they have unabashedly promoted the erosion of the nuclear family, secularism, the denigration of federalism, socialist economic policies, and a permanent one-party ruling class oligarchy with themselves at the table.

The preponderance of the current generation of so-called mainstream journalists are more ill-educated and steeped in Marxist ideology than their predecessors. Over the past twenty-five years these useful idiots have had the use of the mainstream media platform to unabashedly promote Marxist cultural and economic policies in furtherance of transforming America.

It is this iteration of the mainstream media that accelerated the self-immolation of a nine-decades-old institution. Unlike their predecessors, they no longer hid behind a fig-leaf of objectivity.

Beginning in 2008 they abandoned any pretext of objectivity by their obsequious fawning over Barack Obama, their mindless determination to destroy Donald Trump, and their unabashed support for an obviously incapable and senescent Joe Biden. They robotically assumed the role of the Democrat Partys Praetorian Guard as they almost universally regurgitated and promoted the talking points, fabrications, innuendos and fake news given to them by their fellow-travelers.

In a recent Gallup poll taken prior to the 2024 election just thirty percent of the citizenry have a great deal or fair amount of trust and confidence in the media. Further, 70% believe the media is pushing an agenda and not fairly reporting the news.

Americans, as polling reveals, have become progressively suspicious of the mainstream media. The citizenry is increasingly assuming that virtually all news as presented by them is either a fabrication or an exaggeration to promote a left-wing agenda. The medias grotesque exculpation of Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and the Democrats during the Biden presidency and their role as propagandists during the 2024 campaign has permanently cemented this mindset among the majority of the electorate.

Since November 5, 2024, the viewership of MSNBCs prime time shows has dropped 53% and CNNs prime time -- 47%. The ratings of the network evening news broadcasts continue to plummet as viewership has dropped by 50% or 20 million viewers since 1990. Meanwhile, the circulation of daily newspapers continues its freefall as they have lost nearly 70% or 41 million readers since 1990. (By comparison, the population of the United States has increased by nearly 90 million since 1990).

The mainstream media cannot recover from this self-imposed catastrophic downfall and its ninety-year legacy of being the de facto propaganda arm of the American Left and an increasingly radicalized Democrat Party. Its reign atop the media pyramid is over.

Image: Magic Studio
Throughout human history mankind has either produced or imagined heroic men (and sometimes women) who fought not for themselves, but for their people. St. George killed the dragon, Joan of Arc held back the English, Davy Crockett opened the frontier. Sometimes these heroes were real, sometimes fictitious. Sometimes they were local, sometimes they took on epic proportions. America now needs such a hero -- we demonstrated that in this last election.

America has learned a difficult lesson -- weve lived through four years of leaderless abandonment. Like a lost dog, America has stumbled into fights, gone hungry from time to time, and felt ashamed of our national existence. Weve watched the American Dream fade. How did we end up here? Whats more important -- how do we find our way home?

We do this with leadership. Just as a dog needs a master to train and guide and care for it, a nation needs a leader -- not just a person in a position of power (though that is important), but a special person, a one-in-a-million person with a rare combination of attributes. How do we know this person when he (or she) turns up?

We can look back at history and at literature to start a list. Since were talking about nations, lets focus on the larger-than-life men who met the challenges of their predicaments and won the day -- the epic heroes. It makes little difference whether the hero is historic or fictional -- their characteristics are the same. What did these characters have in common?

Epic heroes are always superhumanly strong and brave; I think of Beowulf who, despite the failure of twelve years of the Spear Dane's efforts to stop Grendel's attacks on Hrothgars kingdom, killed him bare-handed. Then he killed Grendels mother -- a formidable monster in her own right, and this feat required him to be under water for a whole day; his followers were giving him up for dead. Grendels mother, like many monsters, was a swamp creature, but our hero did her in. Wow. Then, as an old man, he goes after the fire dragon, accompanied by only one stalwart knight. An epic hero is willing and able to fight superhuman monsters with supernatural powers and to do it alone, and die, if need be.

Besides being strong and brave, an epic hero must be a skilled negotiator, aware of protocols, capable of wearing a tux. He is able to talk with kings and handle himself, and his men, in royal courts. In short, he must be part of, or at least comfortable with, the aristocracy. He must be intelligent, educated, well-bred, and have a position of power. (Beowulf was the nephew of Hygelac, the king of the Geats, an historical figure, who died in battle in 521 A.D. So, was Beowulf real? The timing is right. Hes real enough to inspire us.)

The epic hero must also be a leader of men. Not a controller of men, but an inspiring person, a leader who goes to battle with the men he leads. George Washington at Valley Forge, freezing along with his troops. King Arthur and the knights of his Round Table. King David and his loyal followers. Jesus Christ and His disciples.

And an epic hero must be the lead character in a story that is epic in its magnitude. Beowulf saved Hrothgar and his kingdom. George Washington made America possible. Arthur fought back the Saxon invaders for over 50 years. David was the best king Israel ever had. Christ saved us all, if we want to be saved.

Not to make a direct comparison, but America is in a similar situation -- do we want to be saved? This election sure makes it look like we do, but are we willing to follow Donald Trump into the swamp to clean up the mess the Left has made of our once great nation?

Trump, like Beowulf, has a cohort of loyal adherents who may or may not agree with him, but who are willing and able to fight the swamp-dwellers alongside him. These men and women are cabinet nominees, staff persons, podcasters, writers, reporters, pastors -- people who have been raised up, placed into history for such a time as this.

So, several questions need answers:

Will we hold steady during the messy battles to come? Weve been euphoric since the election, but anyone who does any thinking has to realize that: Cornered rats bite. We cant expect the slithery minions that inhabit the swamp will go down gently. They will fight politically, financially, and physically (Theyve already tried to kill him twice.). They have no moral or legal qualms to stop them. The average American cant directly do anything to protect Trump and his cohort, but we can pray. Obviously, God is watching over these folks -- lets pray that He continues. The mess we face is multifaceted, complex in the extreme, and of a magnitude that no human epic hero ever faced. The fate of the whole world depends on America recovering its standing in the world. Like long, convoluted strings of dominoes, if any one of our problems blows up, the whole intricate design can topple. We need to be praying that Trump can avoid knocking over the wrong domino; its not going to be easy. Now would be an advantageous time for our enemies -- both foreign and domestic -- to come after us. Witness New Orleans and Las Vegas. God kept the Germans back from the beaches of Dunkirk until most of the trapped soldiers had been rescued; there is no other explanation for that hiatus. We must pray that He will hold our enemies back until we can reawaken our military might. While Trump has a definite mandate, it isnt 100%. Theres still a good 40% of our fellow Americans who are, evidently, in favor of confiscatory taxes (their fair share), surgical mutilation of our children, open borders, abortion even up until birth, trans men in womens spaces, and the sexualization of our kids. Those ideas arent dead and gone. They still need fighting. Truth needs to be spoken over and over again. The fear factor will play a big part in these next few months. We will be told to be afraid of birds, drones, orbs, extraterrestrials, prison, Christians, climate changes, petroleum, fog, and CO2. In short, everything under ground, on the ground, in the air, and above the air. Were to be frightened little beasties. If we get scared enough, well be malleable and panicky, easily led off a cliff.

Think back on the hero idea. We are not home from the battle. Frodo has yet to throw the Ring into Mt. Doom. Aragorn is not now sitting on his throne; that is yet to come. But if Tolkien taught us anything its that even the smallest, most insignificant person can rise to the occasion and win the day. America will need the help of every Gandalf, every Beowulf she can attract, and those heroes are being gathered. Millions and millions of us are praying and speaking out. After all, America is a nation of heroes. Let us, in Davidic terms, gird up our loins and be ready to keep marching until we get this done.

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: AT via Magic Studio
It started with a tweet by conservative Hollywood actor James Woods, posting a video of a fire in a Pacific Palisades canyon threatening his neighbor's house, and saying, "Leaving":

Given the wind seen, I had a bad feeling about it.

Within an hour or two, a flood of tweet videos followed, showing a full blown inferno, with stories about cars jammed in gridlock, and people abandoning their cars to flee on foot. Writer Naomi Wolf, who might have been one of them, or who may have been in a similar incident earlier (I couldn't tell from her tweet), said they fled because they literally couldn't breathe.

The orange smoke that nearly killed meget far away from it everyone if you can https://t.co/yzidqrtzd1  Dr. Naomi Wolf. 8 NYT Bestsellers. DPhil, Poetry. (@naomirwolf) January 8, 2025

Landmarks went up, palm trees caught fire, cars burned, homes burned, streets and streets of homes burned, the Getty Villa containing a massive collection of art and artefacts from antiquity was on and off reported on fire with videos showing flames licking up its hillside, firefighting planes were coming in from Oregon and Canada, with some scooping water from the ocean to drop as fire hydrants ran dry, zero fire fighters anywhere as multi-million dollar mansions went up in flames, the fire jumped highways and other breaks, reports emerged of people trapped in their homes, windspeeds reached 99 miles per hour, and the inferno videos started looking like Lahaina.

BREAKING: The wildfires in Pacific Palisades, CA are moving so quickly that these two men barely escaped from their home as the fire heads their way.



This is not looking good at all, 0% containment and all aircraft is currently grounded.



Pray for CA 

pic.twitter.com/rOhIHSDRkP  Liberacrat (@Liberacrat) January 8, 2025

 OMG OMG



Thats a million dollar house - more - OMG



This is Malibu - one of the wealthiest affluent places on the entire planet, now its being burnt to ashes.



Have you ever seen anything like this ever before? pic.twitter.com/XxgzzZ524E  Concerned Citizen (@BGatesIsaPyscho) January 8, 2025

2 men & a dog trapped in a home surrounded by the #Palisadesfire. Unknown if rescue was made pic.twitter.com/x9uiosv11h  BreakinNewz (@BreakinNewz01) January 8, 2025

Im in shock. This is Temescal Canyon, from Sunset right down to PCH. So many memories driving up here. Everything is on fire. There was a parked car on fire. #PalisadesFire pic.twitter.com/y8FvjFL0te  Brianna Sacks (@bri_sacks) January 8, 2025

Just scooped up this lady trying to cross the gauntlet of fire! #palisadesfire #breakingnews pic.twitter.com/P1L5eP91j7  FirePhotoGirl (@FirePhotoGirl) January 8, 2025

Devastation all around. Ive lost count of the number of buildings weve seen on fire. This is Radcliffe Ave in Pacific Palisades, CA. #PalisadesFire #PacificPalisades #California pic.twitter.com/RKeuOQyMWG  Matthew Seedorff (@MattSeedorff) January 8, 2025

Our neighbors friend sent this video evacuating our area pic.twitter.com/n8zLWgi3gR  James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 8, 2025

Why the hell are they still not activating the National Guard?????????



pic.twitter.com/ezOAoyR6uZ  End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) January 8, 2025

Woods said he lost his home with this poignant tweet about smoke detectors going off.

All the smoke detectors are going off in our house and transmitting to our iPhones.



I couldnt believe our lovely little home in the hills held on this long. It feels like losing a loved one.  James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 8, 2025

What else could it have been?

I took this last night from our beautiful little home in the Palisades. Now all the fire alarms are going off at once remotely.



It tests your soul, losing everything at once, I must say. pic.twitter.com/nH0mLpxz5C  James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 8, 2025

Others lost homes and businesses and landmarks and their places to go, too. Many of these were places I knew and went, too:

Here is my dad's burger place, The Beachside Cafe, down the street from our home in Pacific Palisades



Words cannot describe what I feel. How many times as a kid did I break a sandy tourists $100 for chili cheese fries and a hamburger?



This is our entire neighborhood just pic.twitter.com/MhnyGbGpmf  Jennifer Begakis (@jenbegakis) January 8, 2025

Then it was a matter of how far it was going to go. I called my college-student niece in Brentwood, which was named as its next target, (Kamala Harris's home is also there), who said she was safe, and so far not too worried, as they were located at the base of the other Getty Museum at the Sepulveda Pass which had to be an area firefighters would fight hard to protect. In the middle of the phone call, her roomate said they just got orders to evacuate, which probably means they should have left earlier, given the reports of late evacuation orders.

She said she and her roomates would drive two hours down to San Diego to stay at my sister's place in Penasquitos in the northern part of the county. I am awaiting word of how that went, particularly with photo reports of the 405, her escape route out, serving as firebreak with a wall of flames on one side. I doubt she could or would have been able to drive past that. Still waiting. Still going outside in the wee hours to check the dry windy air and look for floating embers in San Diego, which is also in the potential zone.

Meanwhile, another fire has exploded in Pasadena, site of many important art museums and beautiful old historic homes. And Altadena. And Sylmar. And now Woodley:

BREAKING: We now have a new fire burning in LA County. This is the Woodley Fire. Burning near the 101/405 intersection. There are now 4 major fires burning in Los Angeles this morning https://t.co/lmtUgp6XhB pic.twitter.com/BIBJBnbgxK  Drew Tuma (@DrewTumaABC7) January 8, 2025

Lake Avenue in Altadena near New York drive, just now



This is unreal. #EatonFire pic.twitter.com/8XXgPlLpBv  Peachy Keenan (@KeenanPeachy) January 8, 2025

The reports keep coming of new ones, with a couple days to go of this weather forecast.

And morning still hasn't arrived yet, so don't know how bad it all was.

I've seen a post from someone in LA that the fire fighters have "given up" on anything north of I-10 and west of the 405.



I lived for 3 years not far from where those two freeways cross. I know those neighborhoods very well. There are a lot of working class neighborhoods  Shipwreckedcrew (@shipwreckedcrew) January 8, 2025

For those asking why they arent dropping water - its too windy for flights and fixed wing fighters dont fly at night. There is quite literally almost nothing to be done here but save people. I dont think people understand the magnitude of what is happening right now.  Kira (@RealKiraDavis) January 8, 2025

The Getty Villa, though, made it, at least so far. I knew they had intense fire defenses and subterranean fireproof vaults to protect the art:

The Getty Villa Museum grounds have caught fire. The museum is reportedly sealed and double-walled to protect the priceless art. pic.twitter.com/4yujXDy7zB  Paul A. Szypula  (@Bubblebathgirl) January 8, 2025

But signs of incompetence from the city abound:

A check of Los Angeles budget shows Democrat LA Mayor Karen Bass cut about $20 million from LAs budget for fire services in this current fiscal year and she had demanded even higher cuts. This as massive wildfires devastate Los Angeles with at least 80K evacuating, and local pic.twitter.com/HmumAp4byL  Elizabeth MacDonald (@LizMacDonaldFOX) January 8, 2025

These fires are easily avoidable, but nonsense regulations in California prevent action being taken, so year after year homes burn down and more people die https://t.co/GeqZ8vDkEn  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 8, 2025

According to Fox 11's Rick Caruso, Los Angeles fire hydrants are out of water because the county refused to refill the reservoirs. pic.twitter.com/2wgQJzdwXg  Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) January 8, 2025

From my inbox, from ppl who are part of the aviation and firefighting communities in LA:



"Apparently L.A. City didnt want to pay for the larger, water-load Fire Hawks that L.A Co Fire operates at the outset of the Palisades fire and didnt call for the heavy water droppers pic.twitter.com/kyt9DtMHwS  Jennifer Van Laar (@jenvanlaar) January 8, 2025

The situation in Pacific Palisades is devastating, heartbreaking, and is also the most California thing to happen in California.



The homes burning down are $5M+ homes in neighborhoods surrounded by 1000s of other $5M+ homes.



Owning a $5M house in CA means you pay about pic.twitter.com/g8U1HAcG3W  Chris Bakke (@ChrisJBakke) January 8, 2025

Wait until they realize they fired the best Los Angeles firefighters simply for not getting a COVID shot. https://t.co/Dh1x58kGkz  Amy Reichert (@amyforsandiego) January 8, 2025

Wondering why @GavinNewsom has not mobilized the Cal National Guard. I led 1300+ troops in the San Diego fire in 2007. The Guard has enormous capabilities that LA could use right now.  Kurt Schlichter (@KurtSchlichter) January 8, 2025

No fire insurance-No water pressure pic.twitter.com/TOlAlus3vx  Karli Bonne  (@KarluskaP) January 8, 2025

I took this video YESTERDAY.



A homeless person in North Hollywood lighting a fire in plain view. Unfortunately this is not an uncommon occurrence.



Makes you wonder about the current fires pic.twitter.com/bHehMfRxhh  Aldo  (@AldoButtazzoni) January 8, 2025

It's really disgusting what the left did to that great state, and how that absolute tool, aka @GavinNewsom, is held in such high regard by the Democrat Party for literally destroying paradise https://t.co/Q74HGLXZUf  Charles Gasparino (@CGasparino) January 8, 2025

This fire is not from climate change, you ignorant asshole. Its because liberal idiots like you elect liberal idiots like Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass. One doesnt understand the first thing about fire management and the other cant fill the water reservoirs. #INSTABLOCK https://t.co/u49lWSmKri  James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 8, 2025

All of LA is a crime scene.



The crime is criminal negligence and professional malpractice by @GavinNewsom and @KarenBassLA



What they did (or didnt do) while focusing on foreign trips & high speed rail etc is UNFORGIVABLE.



Time to remove them both by all legal means. https://t.co/F443sIucJZ  Houman David Hemmati, MD, PhD (@houmanhemmati) January 8, 2025

The national media hasnt even mentioned that Karen Bass is in Africa while our city is literally burning to the ground. @DrPatSoonShiong is trying to protect her.



He hired an east coast Republican to write for the OpEd page and he thinks this is enough to fix the @latimes.  Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) January 8, 2025

Priorities stated in her bio below.



Refilling the water reservoirs would have been a welcome priority, too, but I guess she had too much on her plate promoting diversity. pic.twitter.com/7GXgBR3RO2  James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 8, 2025

Some things just didn't make sense:

On the east side of the Pacific Palisades fire, where you'll find the mother lode of LA's affluent (Brentwood, Bel Air) there is NO FIREFIGHTING going on, says TV news. Fire just free to go wherever. Hello? @GavinNewsom? @KarenBassLA?  Mickey Kaus (@kausmickey) January 8, 2025

And there's the same kind of talk in Pacific Palisades as there was in Lahaina:

For those of you who feel inclined to blame Los Angeles voters for what is happening to them (us) right now, please note that Pacific Palisades is one of the areas that voted -- by a large margin -- for Rick Caruso instead of current Mayor Karen Bass. This is part of the reason. https://t.co/gbeXlHCtfC  Joel Pollak (@joelpollak) January 8, 2025

NEW: Woman says her parents fire insurance got cancelled shortly before the fires ripped through Southern California.



The woman said she is forced to defend the house herself.



They got canceled from their fire insurance They're 90 years old, they've lived in this house for pic.twitter.com/3mIsmhtnIE  Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 8, 2025

Which means a lot of problems to sort out in a blue city that should have treated itself like a red one, preparing, preparing, preparing for this kind of inferno, getting at least some plans into place in preparation of what could possibly and probably would happen, given the reality of the Southern California climate.

The reports of winds had been going on for a week and the area has not had significant rain since March. A few days ago, I heard a weather report on television, and recall, the weatherman said San Diego kicked off its driest rainy season in years. It was undoubtedly the same in L.A. Now it's as if the inevitable is happening, and the blue-city leftists have been caught flatfooted and incompetent on every front. Old voting habits die hard, but it's not hard to think there will be a reckoning after this level of incompetence.

Image: Screen shot from Twitter video
Alex Fitzpatrick writing for Axios reported today that in the wake of the November elections, Republicans are set to control the legislative process in nearly twice the number of states as Democrats in 2025. Per Fitzpatrick, Democrats have control in 15 state lawmaking bodies, while Republicans have command in 24the other 11 states are either split control states, or the unique case of Nebraska with its unicameral structure. The difference between the Republican and Democrat control? Republicans control 60% more of the states than the Democrats. Yet, things are as purple, socialist, and communist as ever.

Now, of those 24 Republican legislatures, by my count, 22 states also have Republican governors (Kentucky and Kansas being the outliers). That means 22 states, or almost half of the nation, should be able to swiftly secure life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and property for their citizensat least in theory anyway!

As we conservatives are painfully aware, Republicans having a majority isnt the windfall that Fitzpatrick insinuates it is, because hes failing to accurately analyze the situation. Those red states just means the voters voted for Republicans over Democrats, but that doesnt ever really get us our conservative limited government principles (the threat that Fitzpatrick implies) were voting for now does it?

Because, we arent actually a democracy, as the establishment media falsely and routinely assertsinstead, lawmaking happens through elected representation, and Republican politicians are the most lowbrow caitiffs in American politics. All too familiar is the reality that Republican politicians prove to be some pretty good gatekeepers when it comes to honoring the foundational principles of American society and government.

Does anyone expect any of these 22 states to outlaw the slaughter of babies in the womb?

Does anyone actually think these legislatures will follow Oklahomas lead and pass a law to prohibit red flag firearm seizures?

Does anyone believe that these states will grow a pair and forbid federal agents from targeting and harassing their people?

Will any of these states slash taxes and spending?

Of course, those were all rhetorical questions.

Im a firm believer in the idea that we have to get our own house (Republican Party) in working order before we can take on fixing someone elses house (Democrat party). Its like the old saying, dont bring a knife to a gun fight. Well, definitely dont bring a dull knife to a gun fightand thats what the Republican party and its politicians are, a dull knife, and there is no shortage of examples: Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney, Jeff Flake, Martha McSally, Kevin McCarthy, Mitch McConnell, Mike Pence, Mike Johnson, etc.

Our instrument or protection against progressive leftist tyranny is totally uselesswere the Democrat party lite for heavens sake!

Image: Free image, Pixabay license.
Wokeness is clearly causing much of the militarys recruiting problems, despite Pentagon true woke believers protestations to the contrary. But suppose, just suppose the military wasnt feeding troops? Might that also discourage the best and brightest from choosing the military? Might it also discourage people, regardless of how good and bright they are, who prefer to avoid starvation from choosing the military?

A venerable aphorism is an army marches on its stomach. An equally valuable observation is that amateurs talk tactics, but professionals talk logistics. A military that cant get its troops where it they need to be on time, and that cant provide them with the food, water, munitions and other gear they need to fight is going to lose.

A year ago, I went ballistic about reports coming out of the former Ft Hood (now Ft Cavasos) in Texas that soldiers weren't being fed. Now, the distances on that massive base are enormous, particularly for soldiers on maneuvers in the back hills or in the remote camps dotting the installation. ...But Ive gotten my independent confirmation from impeccable, on the scene sources, and I am snorting fire. This is  and has been  happening at Fort Cavazos, the former Fort Hood in Texas, and is unconscionable. Fort Cavazos Soldiers Have Been Without Proper Access to Food for Months One of the Armys largest bases has been barely able to keep its food services up and running for months, according to soldiers stationed there and dining facility schedules reviewed by Military.com. The situation at Fort Cavazos, Texas  previously known as Fort Hood  has left some junior enlisted with few options for meals, as top officials on base struggle to juggle logistics while most of its cooks are on deployments, missions or serving field training and other events. The base had only two of its 10 major dining options open every day for much of the summer, with three others open only during limited times. The closures forced many soldiers to drive long distances across base, sometimes an hour round trip for their meals.

This is a serious problem in that most junior enlisted soldiers are utterly dependent on those chow halls for food. Many, if not most, arent allowed cars. Fort Cavazos, the third largest military base in the world, covers 214,968 acres, which is 335.89 square miles. More than 200,000 personnel live there.

For months, one [dining facility] was open and was a more than 30-minute drive for my soldiers, said one noncommissioned officer, who spoke to Military.com on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the press. All the soldiers were going to that one. Its unmanageable during the workday.

Fort Cavazos isnt the only place the Army is marching on empty stomachs:

Graphic: X Screenshot

Dining facilities -- critical for sustaining the health and readiness of troops -- are reportedly offering fewer options, with some meals falling short of basic nutritional standards. Earlier this month, the issue was exemplified by a meal in which soldiers were served a single piece of toast and a handful of lima beans for dinner, according to one soldier stationed there who shared imagery of the meal. Even getting access to those limited rations can be hard, given confusing dining hall schedules and seemingly random closures that make it difficult for many to access hot meals. Military.com's interviews with eight soldiers and review of photos from Fort Carson facilities found recurring problems. Food runs out quickly, and portions often fall short of the macronutrient requirements needed to sustain soldiers' demanding physical regimens, likely running afoul of service regulations on feeding requirements for troops. Some soldiers reported and shared photos of food that was undercooked or stored at dangerous temperatures.

It has not always been thus. During my Air Force service chow halls were open for hours convenient to Airmen, and food was hot, filling and tasty. There were multiple choices for each meal, and there was always plenty of food.

Its hard to know whether this is mere incompetence, malice or a result of the militarys preoccupation with DEI, CRT and every malign consequence that flows from those anti-American, anti-merit obsessions. What is clear is that enlistment in the military entails the promise that the military is going to meet troops daily needs. Officers used to be taught their troops needs came before their own and the best officers ensured their troops had good food and ate before they did.

With everything else damaging our military readiness, if we cant even feed our best and brightest, kids who upon taking the oath sign a blank check for any amount up to and including their lives, its no wonder recruiting is suffering.

Pete Hegseth cant be confirmed soon enough.

On a different subject, 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. These essays alone are worth the cost of the subscription.

Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor.
Ryanair is taking legal action against disruptive passengers, seeking $15,400 in damages from an individual accused of causing a disturbance on a flight last year.

The Ireland-based budget carrier, which is Europe's largest airline, announced on Wednesday that it has initiated legal proceedings against the passenger, citing an incident on a flight from Dublin to Lanzarote, Spain, in April 2022.

"This passenger's inexcusable behavior forced this flight to divert to Porto where it was delayed overnight, causing 160 passengers to face unnecessary disruption," the airline said in a statement.

Ryanair stated it has filed a case in the Irish Circuit Court to recover costs associated with the delay, including overnight accommodations, passenger expenses, and landing fees.

Disruptive behavior on Ryanair flights has been a recurring issue in recent years. In November, the UK's Independent reported that a Ryanair flight to Tenerife, Spain, had to alert authorities before landing after multiple passengers caused disturbances, including one individual urinating in the aisle.

A passenger who disrupted a Ryanair flight to Athens in 2020 was convicted last month by a Greek court. The individual received a five-month suspended jail sentence and was fined $412.

"This demonstrates just one of the many consequences that passengers who disrupt flights will face as part of Ryanair's zero tolerance policy," a spokesperson for the airline said in a statement.

CNN, which cited a spokesperson for Ryanair, said that this was the first time the company has taken civil action against a passenger in Ireland.

"We plan to pursue civil action against disruptive passengers as a move towards eliminating disruptive passenger behavior," the spokesperson added.
With Pacific Palisades burned to a cinder, several other communities also on fire or in grave danger, and Los Angeles's woke mayor away with better things to do on a trip to Ghana, California's Gov. Gavin Newsom got out in front of the cameras to assure citizens all's well.

All hands are on deck to fight the #PalisadesFire in Southern California. California is deeply grateful for the brave firefighters & first responders battling the blaze.



We will continue to mobilize resources and support local communities as they respond to this severe weather. pic.twitter.com/JZrYy85e4z  Governor Newsom (@CAgovernor) January 8, 2025

Ive proclaimed a state of emergency to support the communities impacted by the #PalisadesFire.



Southern California residents: stay vigilant, take all necessary precautions, and follow local emergency guidance. pic.twitter.com/ONlIqbpLtW  Governor Newsom (@CAgovernor) January 8, 2025

California is mobilizing an unprecedented number of local and state resources to fight the fires in Los Angeles.



We're prioritizing every effort to protect the lives and communities in this critical state.



Follow emergency guidance and get alerts  https://t.co/gIKZPSxfln pic.twitter.com/JiSEQSnGtE  Governor Newsom (@CAgovernor) January 8, 2025

He even proudly secured money from FEMA -- which ought to solve everything:

California has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from @FEMA for the #PalisadesFire  which is critical to supporting local fire department response costs.



Fire officials and first responders are working relentlessly to protect residents and property in affected areas. pic.twitter.com/GqMkFiIAO5  Governor Newsom (@CAgovernor) January 8, 2025 #California also secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from @FEMA to help combat the #HurstFire. For details on the #HurstFire and #EatonFire click  https://t.co/TJcDceUBB9 https://t.co/IIpS0QHa3k  California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (@Cal_OES) January 8, 2025 And he posted this yesterday as the fire was engulfing the first city, just so you know: Six years ago, I was sworn in as Governor of California, and from day one, I have been dedicated to delivering results for all Californians.



Let me be clear  I will keep fighting to safeguard our states values and interests in the years ahead. pic.twitter.com/mz11zSZxl0  Governor Newsom (@CAgovernor) January 7, 2025 The result, though, was this: Pacific Palisades has been WIPED OFF the map. pic.twitter.com/Yuoa4VYSuW  Stew Peters (@realstewpeters) January 8, 2025 And residents don't seem to be fooled by Newman's too-little, too-late camera posturing. They pointed to a litany of his many incompetent decisions, such as his failure to build the water reservoirs for fire-fighting that the voters actually voted for, his failure to educate the public about fire safety, his dam removal to satisfy special interests, which removed water from availability to fight fires, and his failure to allow insurance companies to operate without losses, forcing them to pull out and leave residents with no means of insuring their homes:

Why wasn't there any water?

Palisades is totally gone.

Library, schools even the grocery store. Everything seems to be destroyed.

Fire fighters had to look for peoples pools to try to find water to use. pic.twitter.com/L37GilkYdY  Big Fish (@BigFish3000) January 8, 2025

Here's why there wasn't:

In 2014, voters handed California $2.7 billion under Prop 1 to secure the states water future with new storage projects.



10 years later, not a single reservoir is complete.



The centerpiece, Sites Reservoir, promised to add 1.5 million acre-feet of storage.



But thanks to pic.twitter.com/LGpBnE9ull  Snowflake_News (@Snowflake_News) January 8, 2025

Could this wildfire have been contained sooner? pic.twitter.com/76gjL18ZWr  Marie Isabella (@MarieIsabellaB) January 8, 2025

California has had numerous seasons of excess rainfall in recent years. But the water has been allowed to flow out to sea instead of filling reservoirs due to environmentalist objections.



Those chickens are coming home to roost. California voters, hold your leaders accountable.  Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) January 8, 2025

It was so wet a year ago. Tulare Lake reappeared & the Oroville Dam was released.

Every conceivable sort of catchment basin could have been constructed with the funds so far wasted on a rail line no one will ever ride.

Water is life, folks.@elonmusk@mmshowalter1@Bookwormroom  Anony Mee (@oh_yeahMee) January 8, 2025

WE VOTED FOR MORE RESERVOIRS in a ballot initiative years ago and they're not being built



Let's be sure to point THAT out. https://t.co/tkcxlpMpBK  Jennifer Van Laar (@jenvanlaar) January 8, 2025

Thats a valid excuse until you learn they didnt work prior to the fires, are regularly monitored/maintained and were actually intentionally off for water preservation instead of being prioritized for emergencies.   ENDURING  WINTER (@EnduringWinter) January 8, 2025

CA Governor Gavin Newsom brags about "the largest dam removal in U.S. history" because Native tribes said to save fish pic.twitter.com/0s9v1alpl4  End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) January 8, 2025

I've been warning for years that California does not do enough to educate the public about fire safety. We don't yet know the confirmed cause of the Palisades fire, but there were fireworks in the area & I have reprimanded teens more than once for smoking/glass bottles on trails. https://t.co/xH4Nte3bak  Joel Pollak (@joelpollak) January 8, 2025

A couple of years ago, insurance companies put in the necessary requests to the state of California to raise their rates. They were denied. So most of them pulled out of CA. It has been extremely difficult, if not impossible, to get house ins here since then.

Many of these now https://t.co/1Ghd5In1OA  Justine Bateman (@JustineBateman) January 8, 2025

All of those were man-made decisions, policy decisions, and all of them squarely Newsom's decisions. They failed.

His political ally, Karen Bass, mayor of Los Angeles, was every bit as bad, too:

Weve declared a state of emergency to amplify our response to this devastating fire and clear a path for a rapid recovery.



To the hundreds of brave firefighters and first responders who have been responding all day to this blaze  we thank you.



To the thousands of families  Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) January 8, 2025

I pay 14.4% state income tax, 10.5% sales tax, tens of thousands a year in property tax, heavy utility tax & thousands in permit fees for minor changes to my house.



And they dont have enough fire personnel?!



Meanwhile @santamonicacity has an army of DEI staff making ~$200k! https://t.co/LsRZbi4ORV  Houman David Hemmati, MD, PhD (@houmanhemmati) January 8, 2025

Los Angeles set aside 1.3 billion dollars for the homelessness industrial complex in 2024.



The Los Angeles Fire Department GOT 25% LESS FUNDING the than the homeless scam industry. pic.twitter.com/BqZ1QGzNZF  Cernovich (@Cernovich) January 8, 2025

The rumblings in LA are that Karen Bass was briefed by LAFD on Monday that there was extreme fire risk on Tuesday and that almost certainly wed experience unprecedented fires



She decided to stay in Ghana https://t.co/gcVyLzj9Ri  Shaun Maguire (@shaunmmaguire) January 8, 2025

The governor wont clear the underbrush, and the mayor wont fill the fire hydrants. But at least the appointment of the fire chief was politically correct.  California, sadly, might have to literally burn down before folks out there will begin to make better choices about https://t.co/Jw1eqqAEvG  Jeff Gremillion (@JeffGremillion) January 8, 2025

This is literally infrastructure failure and Democrats are solely to blame for this as theyre the super majority in California.



Fire hydrants either have low or no pressure and some are completely dry with no water coming out for Fire Fighters to be able to fight the fire with. pic.twitter.com/Nc93gSpj2G  Liberacrat (@Liberacrat) January 8, 2025

People aren't being fooled by this, because now the destruction is just too big to ignore:

Latest on LA Wildfires as of 8am Wednesday



PALISADES FIRE

- 5,000 acres, growing

- 1,000 structures destroyed

- HIGH number of injuries to residents who didn't evac



EATON FIRE

- 2,000+ acres, growing

- 2 fatalities

- Number of significant injuries

-Over 100 structures destroyed  Drew Tuma (@DrewTumaABC7) January 8, 2025

This is their disaster, they own it, Newsom above all others, making one bad decision after another that cost Southern California dearly. He spent billions on high speed rail and free health care for illegal aliens, but couldn't be bothered to hire enough firefighters, let alone secure water for them.

I have no idea what California's voters are going to do, but if they can't hold this kind of incompetence accountable, then there is no such thing.

Image: Screen shot from X video
Lets call it the Crowder Amendment.

Steven Crowder, the conservative talk show host, is the son of an American father and a French-Canadian mother, from Quebec. Born in the U.S., Crowders mother returned to the Montreal area with Steve and attempted to enroll him in an English language publicly funded school. He was rejected because, you see, Steve does not have the right blood lines. Neither his father nor his mother attended an English language school in Canada and he was therefore denied an eligibility certificate. You can read more about what Crowder went through here.

Quebec funds both English and French language public schools. The right to attend English language publicly funded schools is handed down from parent to child. This is discrimination based upon descent which is a definition of racial discrimination according to both international law and domestic Canadian law.

Immigrants from France, Haiti, and any other French-speaking country can move to any of the nine provinces outside Quebec, become citizens and have the constitutional right to send their children to French public schools in that province. This is by virtue of Section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms which is part of the Canadian constitution.

However, due to an exception in the constitution granted Quebec  and only Quebec  immigrants from the United States, England, Jamaica, or any other English-speaking country, who move to the province of Quebec and become Canadian citizens, do not have the right to attend English publicly funded schools. This exception is found in section 59 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

Since June 2022, the discrimination against Americans has gotten worse; the eligibility certificate required to attend English schools has been extended to apply to all English language services in Quebec (with the noted exception of healthcare services).

That means that any American who immigrates to Quebec and hasnt married a Canadian who has been educated in English in Canada cannot get any provincial government services in English. His next door neighbor who also speaks English but has an eligibility certificate can legally access these services. All based upon descent. Bloodlines. In other words, discrimination based on race. You can read more about this here and here.

There are, literally, thousands of American citizens in Quebec who have been and are currently affected by this system of segregation of rights.

How do Americans reading this feel about Quebec segregating the rights of their fellow citizens who live in Quebec? Do you feel that it is fair that Americans are being racially discriminated against?

President-elect Trump can solve this problem with one five-minute phone call to Quebec Premier Francois Legault. Mr. Trump can tell Mr. Legault in no uncertain terms that if he doesnt immediately amend Canadas constitution and allow all English-speaking immigrants the right to attend English language schools in Quebec that he will impose a tariff on all electricity sales to the United States. And for good measure, all maple syrup imports as well. Full stop.

Mr. Trump can remind Mr. Legault that his government does not even have to pass a law in order for this constitutional amendment to come into effect. Indeed, the question doesnt even have to be debated in the provincial legislative parliament, Quebecs National Assembly. All that needs to be done is a formal authorization by the Quebec cabinet (section 59.2).

In addition to all his other accomplishments, Mr. Trump can lay claim to having amended the constitution of Canada (section 59.3). By one simple phone call.

Tony Kondaks is the author of Why Canada must end.

Image: Free image, Pixabay license.
Not too long ago, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, a radical Labour leftist, stood by a number of fellow Labour Party members spewing out statements that President Trump was a "racist" and a "fascist" and "KKK member" who must be "stopped at all costs." That was before the election.

That wasn't the half of it, though. Starmer's Labour Party put its money where Starmer's mouth was, dispatching 100 Labour Party political operatives like flying monkeys to help Kamala Harris defeat Trump. Trump initiated an FEC lawsuit as a result. I wrote about that here.

Elon Musk tweeted what I was thinking, too:

Oh like that time Starmer called @realDonaldTrump a racist and said the British government should do everything to stop him?



Or when Starmer sent British Labour Party members to campaign in the US against President Trump this year?https://t.co/5R28WgZIj0 https://t.co/S3cjV27Woi  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 6, 2025

Musk was responding to criticism of his statements against British officials who covered up a monstrous rape-and-grooming scandal against thousands of British girls at the hands of Pakistani migrants, which authorities, including apparently Starmer, covered up in the name of not looking 'racist.' Thousands were harmed as a result of this unconscionable refusal to protect British women and children, and the public is getting roused.

According to Fox News, that includes Starmer himself:

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday hit back against attacks over his handling of the child grooming gang scandal that has repeatedly rocked the nation, and has seen more scrutiny in the last week fueled by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. "Those that are spreading lies and misinformation as far and wide as possible, theyre not interested in victims, theyre interested in themselves," Starmer said in response to questions from reporters about Musks comments, although he did not mention Musk directly.

There were even unverified reports on X that Starmer was threatening to break diplomatic relations with the U.S. if Trump didn't rein Musk in.

Musk drew counterattacks from a lot of them as a meddler in British politics, yet refused to back down.

Elon Musk calling LibDem leader Ed Davey a 'snivelling cretin' definitely wins the internet.@elonmusk is on . pic.twitter.com/Jqqrj4LjOD  Turning Point UK  (@TPointUK) January 7, 2025

But the outrage is pretty ridiculous. As I noted last October, payback was very likely given what Starmer's party started:

What's bad here is that President Trump will probably get reelected, and the memory of that skulduggery is bound to put a damper on relations between the two old allies, if not prompt payback. That would certainly benefit our mutual enemies, but it won't benefit us. Yet payback is necessary for these shenanigans or they will continue and get worse. I'd certainly be happy to see President Trump direct a Ukraine-sized campaign donation to Nigel Farage's party to fulfill the left's new ground rules, even-steven, however it can be legally done. If the ruling-party Brits want to play by those rules, then we will have to play by them, too.

What's more, Britain's leftists have done a lot of this, it didn't just start with the 100 flying monkey operatives:

Leftist Brits were also behind the infamous Steele dossier filled with false tales of President Trump's "collusion" with the Russians, dogging his presidency for years by design. They're also the jackwads who placed Nina 'Mary Poppins' Jankowicz of the now-scuppered Disinformation Governance Board onto the advisory board of their Foreign Office-linked Open Information Partnership, forcing her to declare as a registered foreign agent as the group seeks to influence U.S. public affairs and shut down conservatives. And further back, these same meddlers directed a letter-writing campaign in 2004 to Clark County, Ohio, to urge random voters in places like Springfield to vote for John Kerry over George Bush. That didn't go well for them, and Bush won handily. 'Dear Limey a**holes,' read the headline from The Guardian of these American responses, which gives you the flavor. Now they're trying to influence another U.S. presidential election with more than a hundred actual ground-game workers from the U.K. Labour Party, as well as political operatives out to destroy an American company which doesn't even sound legal.

Now Starmer, who stood by many of his fellow Labourites as they yelled 'racist' and 'KKK' at Trump during the presidential campaign, is reaping the rewards of his own meddling. President Trump has calmly brushed off the hysterical statements from the left, calling on him to curb Musk.

Politico reported:

Donald Trump on Tuesday brushed aside concerns about his ally Elon Musks repeated attacks on European governments. Speaking at a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, the president-elect said Musk was doing a very good job  and claimed ignorance about his major donors specific attacks on leaders across the pond.

Which is comical. Of course he knows.

But payback is the order of the day.

Musk is one of the most admired and popular men in the world. His voice is huge, and his reach through X is humongous. He's holding up the leftist British ruling class to scorn and shame at the worst possible moment for Starmer, whose popularity is already at an all-time low, and there's a lot of talk of throwing him out of power and holding new elections. It's as if Musk is shaking a rotten old tree trunk to knock it down.

That's karma coming back to bite. It couldn't happen to a worthier leftist, given that Starmer started this. Payback is here and now it's time for Starmer to thrash.

Image: X screen shot
*Public health officials (i.e. experts) are warning Americans of four different virulent illnesses spreading across the nation. The officials have urged people to take precautions against a) the flu, b) respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), c) norovirus, and d) COVID, though it is unclear if the last illness is still named COVID-19 or if it has been updated to COVID-25. A quad-demic?! Thats better than any old pandemic! This could be the mother of all demics! Coincidentally, just in time for Trump! Amazing!

*Columbia Professor Joseph Massad may well be the most clinically insane professor in America, a distinction that is well-nigh impossible to achieve given the state of higher education in the United States. During a March 25 appearance on the podcast InFocus with Ejaz Haider, Massad stated, What is special here about Zionism is not only the invention of ancient Israel and the invention of Jews as descendants of the ancient Hebrews, its almost like a Hitlerian project to speak of Jews genetically in this fashion. The day after the Oct. 7 massacre, he published an op-ed that praised the terrorist attack that saw many hundreds of Jews kidnapped, tortured, and slaughtered. He called it awesome and expressed joy at the thought of the terror and suffering felt by Jewish civilians, including women and children. Massad is a satanic monster who is ignorant of history. He is also one of the apparently inexhaustible number of dangerous clowns that have managed to make Hitler seem blase, ubiquitous, and, incredibly, non-threateningdue to their labeling of everyone with whom they disagree as Hitler, and every act of which they disapprove Hitlerian.

*Speaking of the insane, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.), who apparently had no problem with President Biden granting an unconditional blanket pardon to his felonious son Hunter, nor his commuting of the sentences of monstrous cop-killers and child-rapists/killers, took to X to blast Donald Trump for considering pardoning those who were prompted by the feds to enter the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Schumer stated, It is utterly shameful that the president-elect is considering pardons for January 6 rioters. Schumer is not a cop. And his kids werent raped and killed, so he doesnt care. The J6ers, however, did intrude on his domain, strolling down the halls of the Capitol, and even relocating a dais. He is a sick man.

*A George Mason University professor recently said that marriage is part-and-parcel of white, hetero, patriarchal supremacy. Even black marriage? Gay marriage? Or are those marriages okay for some reason? If the nutty professor believed in God, he would certainly also brand Him a white, hetero, patriarchal supremacist. Who the hell would pay for their offspring to attend an elite college or university?

*Reports indicate that various leftist and LGBTQ groups are rushing to purchase guns before Donald Trump is inaugurated. What?! Wait, guns are bad, right? Oh, I see, not when they have them, just when others do! Seems almost like a pattern.

Image: Free image, Pixabay license.
In the annals of history, names carry the weight of legacy, identity, and power. As we stand on the precipice of a new era under the leadership of President-Elect Donald Trump, its time we reconsider the nomenclature of our waters  specifically the expanse we currently refer to as the Gulf of Mexico. I propose we rename it the Gulf of America, not merely as a nod to historical correction, but as a bold statement of American identity and sovereignty in the 21st century.

The argument for this renaming is multifaceted, rooted in historical, geopolitical, strategic, and cultural considerations, all viewed through a conservative lens that champions national pride, sovereignty, and the reassertion of American exceptionalism.

It begins with history. The Gulf of Mexico was named during the era of Spanish exploration, a time when the New World was being carved up by European powers with little regard for the future geopolitical landscape. Today, the United States borders this gulf more than any other nation, with its economic heartbeat, from oil to shipping, pulsating through these waters. Why should a name that harkens back to colonial times persist when the United States, a nation that has fundamentally shaped the modern world, does not claim its own maritime domain?

From a geopolitical standpoint, renaming the Gulf serves as a declaration of American primacy in the region. This is not an act of imperialism, but a recognition of reality: the U.S. is the predominant power in North America. The Gulfs waters are critical for American security, commerce, and energy, with over 40% of U.S. offshore petroleum coming from here. By renaming, we assert our stewardship and commitment to ensuring the security and prosperity of this vital artery, which is, in essence, more American than Mexican in its modern context.

The strategic value of the Gulf cannot be overstated. Its a front line in the defense of American interests, from countering drug-trafficking to securing our energy resources. Naming it the Gulf of America is a strategic move, akin to how nations throughout history have named territories to underscore their control and influence. It sends a clear message to the world: the United States is not only a protector, but also a primary stakeholder in the Gulfs future.

Culturally, this renaming is an opportunity to foster a deeper sense of national identity. Americans should see themselves not just as inheritors of European history, but as creators of a new, vibrant culture that defines the modern world. The Gulf of America would symbolize Americas role as a beacon of innovation, freedom, and economic might. Its a chance to educate future generations about American history, not through the lens of European colonialism, but through the lens of American achievement and self-determination.

Here lies a unique viewpoint: the renaming could serve as a unifying symbol in a nation often divided. By calling it the Gulf of America, we create a geographical identity that transcends state boundaries, reminding all Americans of our shared national interest in this water body. It could become a rallying point for national cohesion, much like the American flag, where every American, regardless of political persuasion, can take pride in our maritime heritage and collective stewardship.

Critics might argue that this move smacks of cultural insensitivity or historical revisionism. To them, I say this: renaming does not erase history, but rather re-contextualizes it for todays realities. We are not denying the Spanish heritage; we are acknowledging that history has moved forward. Mexico remains our valued partner, and cultural exchanges can continue to thrive without being anchored to a name from centuries past.

Moreover, this proposal can be seen as a catalyst for dialogue about how we name and claim spaces in a world where borders are both physical and cultural. It prompts a discussion on how nations can respect one anothers histories while asserting their own identities.

Economically, this change could stimulate a rebranding of industries around the Gulf, from tourism to energy. Imagine Gulf of America Shrimp or Gulf of America Oil  brands that resonate with national pride. This could lead to a boost in local economies by creating a new identity thats marketable on a global stage, showcasing American ingenuity and resourcefulness.

From an international law perspective, although the U.S. can change its domestic usage, we must approach this with diplomatic finesse. Engaging with Mexico and other stakeholders in a dialogue about the shared history and future of the Gulf can ensure that this move strengthens, rather than strains, international relations. Its an opportunity for a new agreement that respects both nations interests in the region.

In conclusion, renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America is not just about a name; its about reasserting American identity, sovereignty, and strategic interests in a way that aligns with conservative values of national pride and historical rectification. This isnt about erasing history, but about writing a new chapter where America proudly claims its place on the global map. This proposal, if executed with the respect and diplomacy it deserves, can serve as a beacon of American unity, innovation, and leadership in the modern world. Lets make this change  not out of arrogance, but from a place of confidence in our nations role and contributions to the world stage.

Lets call it the Gulf of America. In many ways, it already is.

Image: eutrophication&hypoxia via Flickr, CC BY 2.0.
It seems that Samsung wants to give its robotics division a boost. Recently, the South Korean giant became the major shareholder of Rainbow Robotics. Now, during CES 2025, Samsung has confirmed that its home robot Ballie will finally hit stores sometime in H1 2025.

Samsung originally showed Ballie at CES 2020, but it has yet to make it to the commercial market. It is a little rolling robot that acts as a personal home assistant, autonomously driving around the home to complete various tasks, according to the brand. Basically, it is designed to assist you with certain types of tasks around your home.

Ballie made an appearance at last years CES as well. Back then, Samsung announced an upgrade in the form of a projector. The robots new component allows it to stream content onto surfaces and enables a new type of control based on foot presses. Basically, Ballie is now able to project virtual buttons on the floor for you to give it instructions by pressing them with your feet.

Samsung confirms youll be able to buy the Ballie robot sometime in H1 2025

The long wait for the robot to be available on the commercial market is just a few months away. Samsung has confirmed that Ballie will hit stores during H1 2025. That is, if all goes well, you could buy the little home assistant in July of this year at the latest.

Samsung also showed off some of Ballies skills at CES 2025. The firm demonstrated how you can ask it questions and manage your smart home devices using voice commands. Lets hope the company doesnt limit support solely to SmartThings products. The new projector also allows you to view a movie on a flat surface. Ballie projected the Uncharted movie during the demonstration.

Theres now an integrated mapping and obstacle-detection system

Being a robot that moves autonomously around your house, Samsung has integrated a mapping and obstacle-detection system. The robots array of cameras and sensors enable both this function and the use of virtual buttons.

Its noteworthy that home assistant robots have yet to capture the attention of the general public. Typically, such products are available at prohibitively expensive prices. Apparently, many feel that they cost too much for what they actually offer in terms of functionality. Only time will tell if Ballie manages to break through this and win over many families.

Samsung will hold another press conference on Monday at 2 p.m. PT. The company could reveal details about Ballies availability and pricing there.
Today, artificial intelligence is present in practically every corner of the tech industry. Its evident benefits quickly pushed it to become the basis of present and future developments for several firms. For this reason, a Microsoft executive is urging the US government to take action to prevent China from taking the lead in AI, as Huawei did with 5G.

Huawei remained the leader in the 5G industry even after trade restrictions

Brad Smith, Microsofts Vice Chairman and President, shared his thoughts regarding the situation of China and the United States in the AI industry. In recent years, government support for Chinese companies has managed to turn them into world leaders in some sectors. For example, Huawei remains the leading 5G company, even with all the trade restrictions.

The US governments trade restrictions on Huawei prompted the Chinese government to support its star company more than ever. The financing paid off and maintainedor grewHuaweis position in the market. but as Huawei invested in innovation and Chinas government-subsidized sales of its products, especially across the developing world adoption of these Chinese products outpaced the competition and became the backbone of numerous countries telecommunications networks.  says Brad Smith.

The executive at Microsoft tells the US government in the blog post that the same thing could happen in the AI sector.

Microsofts Vice Chairman urges the US to prevent a Huawei case in the AI field

Recently, Washington announced a new set of restrictions that seek to curb the ability of Chinese companies to access AI chips. The government claims that Chinas access to this hardware represents a potential danger to national security. Beijing could implement this technology in military or espionage applications. The new measures came after it was discovered that Huawei was using AI accelerators manufactured in TSMC factories with US technology. The ongoing China-linked hacking campaign on the countrys telecommunications infrastructure may also have something to do with it.

However, the situation is reminiscent of when the United States began imposing trade restrictions on Huawei. So, Smith fears that China could respond in kind. That is, the government could start supporting its local AI industry even more to the point of, eventually, getting ahead of the United States.

China taking the lead in the AI segment could have serious consequences not only for US national security but even for its local industry, claims Smith. He gives the example of Lucent Technologies, which was once under the wing of AT&T but ended up being sold to Nokia. He warns that even Microsoft could go through something like this in a context of absolute Chinese dominance of AI.

Government support is key, says Smith

For Smith, the answer lies in government support for local AI companies. He thinks the United States should respond to the threat in the same way that China did. In other words, helping and promoting the local AI industry to speed up progress and development.

Smith recalls when US and European companies like Nokia, Ericsson, Alcatel, and Lucent were developing competitive products in the telecom market. However, the parity was broken when Huawei began receiving serious state support. That boost reinforced its position as the leading supplier of 5G equipment in the world.

Today, Huawei still has trouble getting the newest tools and equipment for making both chipsets and AI hardware because of trade restrictions. The US could take advantage of this to get ahead and create a big gap. However, that would require quick action by the government.
A new controversy is surrounding the CEO of OpenAI. Ann Altman, sister of Sam Altman, has filed a lawsuit alleging that she suffered sexual abuse over several years. However, her family says that Anns claims are utterly untrue.

Sam Altmans sister files sexual abuse lawsuit against him; Altman family denies allegations

According to Ann Altman, her brother allegedly abused her for much of her childhood and adolescence. She and her defense allege that Sam was doing so for more than a decadefrom 1997 to 2006. Everything would have started when Ann was three and Sam Altman was twelve, and it would have gone on until Sam became an adultAnn was still a child.

The alleged abuse caused the plaintiff severe emotional distress, which prevented her from living a normal life. Ann and her lawyer filed the lawsuit in a federal court in Missouri requesting damages in excess of $75,000 (around 60,000), plus legal fees.

That said, the Altman family has spoken out against Anns allegations. In response to the lawsuit, Sam released a joint statement backed by his mother, Connie, and his younger brothers, Max and Jack, revealing that Ann has been facing mental health challenges for years and that her allegations are utterly untrue.

Ann Altman has been facing mental health challenges, claims the family

Our family loves Annie and is very concerned about her wellbeingCaring for a family member who faces mental health challenges is incredibly difficult. reads the statement. Annie has made deeply hurtful and entirely untrue claims about our family, and especially Sam. This situation causes immense pain to our entire family.

This is not the first time Ann Altman has hinted at something like this. She has posted about it on social media, but the family has chosen not to respond publicly. However, Ann has now taken it to court, leaving them with no choice but to address this. The statement also says that Ann has already tried to get money by making false accusations about other family members in the past. While her family has tried to help her, she refuses conventional treatment, they claim.
Sonys DualSense Edge controller and a few other accessories are getting new colors with the companys announcement of the Midnight Black collection. In the midst of all its CES 2025 announcements, Sony took to its official PlayStation blog to announce the Midnight Black colors for the DualSense Edge controller, the Pulse Explore earbuds, the Pulse Elite headset, and the PlayStation Portal. All of these accessories are only currently available in White with the exception of the Limited Edition 30th Anniversary models, most of which are impossible to get at this point.

But PlayStation fans have been waiting for some if not all of these accessories to be available in Midnight Black. While the white color is very nice, owners of the original PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 4 Pro seem to be partial to the black color scheme. At least, thats true for some of us. Sony already offers accessories in Midnight Black including the regular DualSense and the PS5 console covers. So it only makes sense for it to launch these accessories in Midnight Black as well.

The Midnight Black DualSense Edge and all other accessories launch in February

If youre looking to get your hands on these, the wait wont be long. Sony has said that the new Midnight Black collection will officially launch in February. That being said, pre-orders for all of them begin on January 16. That means youll be able to secure your items as early as next Thursday. Pre-orders will be up at PlayStation Direct but Sony confirms authorized retailers will also have stock of these accessories.

However, it clarifies that availability will vary by region and that not all regions will have stock outside of PlayStation Direct. In terms of pricing, prices are all the same as the white versions. That means youre looking at $199.99 for the DualSense Edge, PlayStation Portal, and Pulse Explore earbuds and $149.99 for the Pulse Elite headset.

Also worth noting if you werent already aware, is that the Pulse Elite headset and Pulse Explore earbuds are both wireless. The exact launch date for all of these products is February 20.

Will Sony release these accessories in any other fun colors?

Its entirely possible. Sony released dozens of different colors and designs for the PlayStation Vita back in the day. So other colors of even the PlayStation Portal dont seem too outlandish. The company already offers several colors of the regular DualSense controller, too. So more colors of the DualSense Edge seem plausible. The only accessories its never really released other colors for are its PlayStation audio products. Though, in this day and age anything seems fair game.

That being said, Sony has not said anything about this. It would be nice to have the options, but for now, Midnight Black seems to be the only new option here if you dont like the standard white.
The smart TV platform segment already has plenty of competition. The market is split between Roku, Android TV/Google TV, Fire TV, and even Apples tvOS. We also cant forget Samsungs Tizen, which recently received the big One UI update that transforms the user experience. TiVo OS-powered TVs will also arrive in the United States this year, as confirmed at CES 2025.

TiVo OS was born in 2022 as a platform for smart TVs that wants to facilitate the user experience and content discovery for people. It seeks to make a name for itself in a market where many have already established themselves through a modern and intuitive UI design. TiVo, the parent company of the software, claims that it supports a wide range of streaming services, including YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and more. It also supports personalized suggestions, which is a must-have for any smart TV OS today.

The US will receive for the first time a TiVo OS-powered smart TV

Although TiVo OS arrived in 2022, the first TVs powered by it only arrived last year. The company began its commercial journey in Europe and is now preparing to venture into the US market. TiVo has partnered with Sharp to bring a TiVo OS-powered smart TV to the US. The TVs tech specs wont impress you as they are pretty standard. However, it promises to offer a high-quality viewing experience.

You can create universal watchlists

The Sharp smart TV with TiVo OS is built around a 55-inch 4K QLED display. Youll also find up to three HDMI ports, HDR, and Dolby Atmos for immersive audio with the right peripherals or accessories. In Europe, TiVo has teamed up with more brands, but its still unclear if the company plans to release more TVs in the US. Its possible that TiVo will start with one model to test the waters and see if its worth investing resources in the US market. The company did not offer more specific details on this matter during the event.

TiVo OS has some interesting features that might catch the eye of some. It lets you create universal watchlists with content from all your streaming apps. You can also control features and search using voice commands. Plus, the TiVo+ app offers free content in a similar way to Google TV with Freeplay. We will have to wait and see if this is enough for TiVo OS to take off in the US.
Jeff's Bagel Run is giving out free bagels for its opening in West University Place. Jeff's Bagel Run

Houstonians have a new bagel purveyor, and they can try it for free this week.

Orlando-based Jeff's Bagel Run opened Wednesday on the outskirts of West University Place, 3849 Bellaire Blvd, Suite A. It's the first Texas location for the chain, which has 11 other outposts in Florida, North Carolina and Georgia.

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On Wednesday and Thursday, the shop is offering a free bagel and side of cream cheese to customers. The first 100 customers will also receive an exclusive Jeff's Bagel Run car magnet and complimentary bagel cards for their next visit. The official grand opening is Friday, in which the first 100 customers will receive a limited-edition West U tote bag and complimentary bagel cards while supplies last.

Houston is such a culinary powerhouse like no other and were so honored to be joining the citys renowned food scene, said Jillian Hess, co-owner of the Houston location. "Were really proud of the product and mission behind the business  we cant wait for Houstonians to experience it for

themselves.

Jeff's Bagel Run is now open in West University Place. Jeff's Bagel Run

Jeff and Danielle Perera started Jeff's Bagel Run in 2017. The shop offers 15 New York-style bagels that are made from scratch in-store with popular options including "everything," asiago and cinnamon raisin. Spreads include chive and onion, roasted jalapeno and brown sugar cinnamon. The "bagel of the day" involves more unique flavors. Jeff's also has a full coffee bar, serving lattes, cold brews and tea.

Brian and Jillian Hess are the franchisees behind the Houston location. The couple grew up in Florida; Brian attended Rice University for his masters. In 2012, he became a franchisee of the uBreakiFix brand, introducing it to Houston; Jillian joined him later. They eventually sold all their shops when a large company bought the business.

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One of the original owners of uBreakiFix introduced the Hesses to Jeff's Bagel Run. They were both familiar with New York bagels, and liked Jeff's. They reached out to become franchisees.

"I went to Orlando, and it really kind of blew my mind how good it was," Brian said. "I've had fresh bagels in New York, but really, this was the best I've ever had. So, I was like, I want to be part of that."

The Hesses already have plans to open five more locations in the Houston area; the next one will open in Clear Lake, and it will have a drive-thru.

Jeff's Bagel Run West U is open 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily.
Lately, regulators have not been Googles only adversaries in court. The company has also faced a lawsuit in the labor field. Now, Google is about to go through another lawsuit from US contract workers who claim that the Mountain View giant is actually their employer, so it must negotiate with their contractors union in the event of any potential change to working conditions.

Contract workers say Google should negotiate with their contractors union

Google not only has direct employees working on its products and services. There are some, such as AI-based developments, that require even more staff for tasks such as output evaluation and more. For similar cases, Google uses contractors who rent them external personnel. That said, a group of these workers considers that Google qualifies as a joint employer along with the contractor.

The National Labor Relations Board issued a complaint against Google to challenge its labor relationship with 50 San Francisco-based content creation workers. These workers were provided by contractor Accenture Flex, an IT firm. However, Kayla Blado, board spokesperson, says that these workers voted to join the Alphabet Workers Union in 2023. She also revealed that they are investigating potential changes in working conditions without negotiating with their union first.

If the ruling is unfavorable to Google, the firm would have to sit down and negotiate as it would with its own employees. The firm would also face potential sanctions if violations of federal labor law were found.

Google already faced a similar case

Google faced a similar situation with a decision unfavorable to the company. At the beginning of 2024, a judge ruled that the company had to negotiate directly with a group of workers at YouTube Music. These workers had been employed by a different staffing firm. That said, the ruling is not yet final, as Google will have the opportunity to appeal in late January.

It is possible that the arrival of Donald Trump to the presidency of the US will be positive for the firm. The new administration would modify the NLRB to give more guarantees to companies. Additionally, there is precedent for repealing an NLRB rule that made it easier for employees to hold companies accountable for their contracts even if they came from outside firms.
Houston Methodist Hospital is seen, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

The Texas Medical Board suspended a Houston urologists medical license after he showed signs of impairment before a surgery and later tested positive for drugs.

Dr. Nathan Robert Starke is temporarily barred from practicing medicine following the incidents, which occurred last year while he was a physician with Houston Methodist Urology Associates, according to Texas Medical Board records.

In its Dec. 20 order that temporarily suspended Starkes license, the medical board said his continued practice of medicine poses a continuing threat to the public welfare. He will remain suspended until he appears at a hearing before the medical board, which has not yet been scheduled.

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Medical board records show Starke signed a voluntary cease practice agreement with Houston Methodist on Sept. 6. A Houston Methodist spokesperson confirmed that Starke is no longer employed by the hospital, but said the hospital could not offer additional comment.

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Attempts to reach Starke for comment Wednesday were not immediately successful.

Starke, 39, earned his medical license in 2017. Houston Methodist had required him to submit to regular drug and alcohol screenings since at least 2023 due to previous suspensions related to issues with impairment, according to medical board records.

Starke showed signs of impairment while meeting with a patient on Aug. 19, according to the temporary suspension order. Starke performed a biopsy on the patients prostate later that day.

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Houston Methodist suspended Starke on Sept. 6 after the doctor missed all but the last three minutes of a surgery for which he was the attending physician, according to the suspension order.

Starke later tested positive for cocaine on or about Oct. 6, and for kratom, an herb used for its stimulant and depressive effects, about one week later, according to the suspension order.

Starkes criminal history includes a pair of convictions for driving while intoxicated, both misdemeanors, for incidents that occurred in 2007 and 2017, according to Harris County court records. The first of those convictions occurred before he earned his medical license.

He was also convicted of assault, a misdemeanor, for a domestic violence incident that occurred in 2023, according to court records.
British stars Ralph Fiennes, Daniel Craig, Cynthia Erivo, and Jonathan Bailey have landed nominations in major acting categories for the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

The live nominations for the 31st annual awards, a bellwether for the Oscars, were due to be announced on Wednesday morning at a Netflix-streamed event hosted by actors Joey King and Cooper Koch.

However, the nominations were cancelled and instead unveiled in a press release and on the awards website due to the wildfires and adverse wind conditions in Los Angeles, a spokesperson said.

Fiennes led those nominated for best male actor in a leading role following his portrayal as a conflicted priest overseeing a papal election in Conclave.

Ralph Fiennes arrives at the 82nd Golden Globes on Sunday (Chris Pizzello/AP)

He will compete against James Bond star Craig in Luca Guadagninos romance Queer  where he plays an American living in 1950s Mexico who falls in love with a young student.

The category includes Colman Domingo for Sing Sing, about a man imprisoned for a crime he did not commit who finds purpose by acting in a theatre group; Timothee Chalamet for his Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown; and Adrien Brody  who won the Golden Globe for his portrayal of a Hungarian architect attempting to build a life in the US after the Second World War in The Brutalist.

Meanwhile, Erivo received a nomination for best actress in a leading role following her performance as Elphaba in the film adaptation of the hit Broadway and West End musical, Wicked.

Among those named in the same category was US actress Demi Moore, whose role in The Substance confronts the harsh reality of aging in Hollywood won her first Golden Globe award on Sunday.

Demi Moore poses with her Golden Globe award on Sunday (Chris Pizzello/AP)

Similarly, Emilia Perez star Karla Sofia Gascon, The Last Showgirls Pamela Anderson and Mikey Madison for Anora  a film about a young sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch  received nominations.

Bridgerton star Bailey also scored a supporting role nomination for his role as Prince Fiyero in the Wizard Of Oz prequel Wicked; alongside Edward Norton for A Complete Unknown; Jeremy Strong for The Apprentice which follows the career of Donald Trump; Yura Borisov for Anora and Kieran Culkin for A Real Pain  about mismatched cousins who tour Poland in honour of their grandmother.

Wicked also scored a nod in the female supporting category for pop heavyweight Ariana Grande, who will face off against Zoe Saldana for her role in Emilia Perez  about a Mexican drug lord who changes gender  alongside The Last Showgirls Jamie Lee Curtis, Danielle Deadwyler for The Piano Lesson and Monica Barbaro in A Complete Unknown.

Irish stars also landed major nods in the television categories, with Colin Farrell up for best male actor in a limited series opposite Andrew Scott for Ripley, while Scottish star Richard Gadd scored a nomination for his dark Netflix drama Baby Reindeer, which scooped best limited TV series at the Golden Globes on Sunday.

Baby Reindeer also won a best limited series actress nod for Yorkshire-born Jessica Gunning, days after she picked up best TV supporting actress for her role in the show as Martha Scott.

31st Screen Actors Guild Awards Nominations Announcement Update pic.twitter.com/v7dvzIQtc0  SAG Awards (@SAGawards) January 8, 2025

British stars also appeared in the category for best male actor in a drama series, with Gary Oldman recognised for Slow Horses and Eddie Redmayne for The Day Of The Jackal, while Irish star Nicola Coughlan received a best actress nod for Bridgerton.

US actress and humanitarian Jane Fonda will be presented with the SAG life achievement award to add to her many accolades during the ceremony next month.

During her six-decade career, Fonda has won two Oscars: for Klute and Coming Home; alongside two Bafta Awards, an Emmy and seven Golden Globes.

The winners of the 13 awards in film and television will be revealed at the awards ceremony on February 23 at the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall, following voting by actors union Sag-Aftras 130,000 members.

The SAG Awards will stream live globally on Netflix, with Nobody Wants This star Kristin Bell serving as host after previously compering the show in 2018.
Nigel Farage has suggested Reform UK will fund an inquiry into child sexual abuse if the Government fails to do so.

The Reform UK leader said his party will raise the money and appoint independent arbiters to conduct the national inquiry.

As MPs debated the Childrens Wellbeing and Schools Bill, the Clacton MP told the Commons there is overwhelming support across the political spectrum for an inquiry.

He said: The Prime Minister is doing his best to tell us theres been an inquiry, the Jay inquiry. Well, there has, and its 459 pages long. Grooming gangs are not mentioned once, Rotherham is literally mentioned once in passing.

The scope of that inquiry was like a shotgun, it was to cover a whole range of areas in which children were being abused. What we need, and what were calling for, is a rifle shot inquiry.

One that looks specifically at to what extent were gangs of Pakistani men raping young white girls. Because, ultimately, it seems to me, theres a deep racist element behind what happened.

Now I might be right, I might be wrong, but doesnt the country deserve a full, open national inquiry?

He added: If the Government wont do this  and I do believe there is now overwhelming support on all sides of the political spectrum for this, and Parliament should not be in denial about this  if it doesnt, then we will raise the money at Reform UK and appoint independent arbiters, because we need the truth to be out there.

Mr Farage also voiced his support for Conservative leader Kemi Badenochs amendment which would halt the progress of the Bill, but added: I do note that as women and equalities minister from 2022 to 2024, she didnt meet a single victim of these rapes, and never raised the issue once.

Insincere though it may be, I will vote for it. We will vote for it.

But I beg those on the other side of the House to think, dont you believe that your constituents need to know the truth about this great evil that has happened in our culture?

Following Mr Farages contribution, Labour MP Nadia Whittome said: The Conservative leadership and Reform MPs marching to the beat of Elon Musks drum are plainly weaponising the pain and the trauma of victims for their own political ends.

Reform UK MP for Great Yarmouth, Rupert Lowe (Tejas Sandhu/PA)

The Nottingham East MP added: When you say that child sexual and exploitation is the result of alien cultures, or a multiculturalism project that has failed, you mask the reality, which is that child sexual abuse and exploitation is happening in every area of this country, perpetrated by members of every social class, every race and every religion.

Reform UK MPs could be heard saying no before she continued by saying: That is a fact, and when you deny that you are failing victims and survivors.

Just as perpetrators are diverse, so are their victims.

Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe raised around 30 questions during the debate, including: Will the Government commit to urgently deporting all guilty foreign nationals involved, including family members who were aware of the crimes and therefore complicit?

Wives, sisters, mothers, cousins  if they knew and said nothing, these individuals are just as guilty as the rapists themselves.

Will the Government commit to stripping citizenship from dual nationals implicated and deport them as well? Race or religion must protect nobody.

Will the Government commit to pausing all Pakistani visas and foreign aid into the country until the Pakistani government agrees to accept any of its deported citizens that have perpetrated these crimes on British soil and also imprisons these rapists and their accomplices in Pakistan however they see fit?

Will the Government undertake a full investigation into officials who had knowledge of these crimes yet failed to act, establish a specified task force to root out this wicked evil? Dont just fire these vile individuals, prosecute them.

The Great Yarmouth MP added: The mass rape of young white working-class girls by gangs of Pakistani rapists is a rotting stain on our nation. This is not about Elon Musk, this is not a bandwagon of the far right.

Sarah Champion, Labour MP for Rotherham, said she was appalled by the language used by Mr Lowe. Speaking directly after him, she said: Ive got to say, I feel disgusted by what (he) has just said.

Can you imagine, if youre a victim or survivor, listening to that? Im sure his intent is to get to the truth and to get justice, but the language  please think about who hears our words.

She said the previous inquiry by Professor Alexis Jay had taken seven years, cost 186 million, had more than two million pages of evidence, and spoke to 725 witnesses and more than 6,000 victims and survivors.

So I say with the deepest respect to all of those calling for a national inquiry: rather than that, put all of your energy in getting these recommendations adopted, because with the best will in the world  another inquiry will mean another 10 years of waiting.

And what I want to see, and I truly believe we want to see, is child protection right now.
Harriet Dart moved to within one win of qualifying for the Australian Open, but Heather Watsons hopes ended after a bright start.

Dart came through 6-7 (6) 6-1 6-2 after dropping a see-saw first set to Australian teenager Taylah Preston in Melbourne.

Dart lost her opening service game to trail 3-0, but broke back to level and took advantage of two double faults to break again for a 5-4 lead  starting a run of four straight breaks up to a tie-break.

One win away from the @AustralianOpen Main Draw  Harriet Dart defeats Taylah Preston 6-7, 6-1, 6-2 to reach the final round of qualifying in Melbourne #BackTheBrits  | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/1aGcyuEAXe  LTA (@the_LTA) January 8, 2025

The breaks continued throughout the tie-break, the British number four  ranked third in qualifying  saving four set points before going down 9-7.

By contrast, Dart lost just four points on her serve as she raced through the second set 6-1, breaking the Australian once more at the start of the deciding set.

She added a second break later in the set as she served out to book her place in the final round of qualifying, where she will face Japans Nao Hibino on Thursday.

Despite taking the first set, Watson went down 6-3 3-6 1-6 to American Varvara Lepchenko.

Watson broke the American at the first time of asking to open a 3-0 lead in the first set, only for Lepchenko to level things up after a break of her own.

Heather Watson is beaten 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 by Varvara Lepchenko in a 2nd Round @AustralianOpen qualifying battle #BackTheBrits  | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/DPjFvac6Ig  LTA (@the_LTA) January 8, 2025

The British number six broke again and served out to take the set, but was unable to make any further inroads on her opponents serve as she slipped to defeat in just under two hours.

Billy Harris, the sole remaining British man in qualifying, needed little more than an hour to book his place in the final round.

He beat Spains Carlos Taberner 6-1 6-2 to book a meeting with Kamil Majchrzak of Poland.

However, Fran Jones hopes are over after missing three match points in the second set and eventually losing 4-6 7-6 (13) 6-3 to Switzerlands Jil Teichmann.
Hollywood actors including Chris Pratt have praised the brave firefighters and first responders who are tackling wind-driven wildfires in California.

Film premieres were cancelled as 30,000 people were put under evacuation orders in a Los Angeles neighbourhood, home to a string of A-list celebrities, on Tuesday.

Further evacuation orders were issued about 25 miles north east of Pacific Palisades in Altadena after another fire spread, with a number of stars warning about the blazes online.

Guardians Of The Galaxy star Pratt, 45, encouraged people to come together and support one another amid the destruction.

He posted on Instagram: Please send prayers and strength tonight to everyone in Los Angeles affected by these devastating fires.

Los Angeles is in a state of emergency and over 30,000 have been ordered to evacuate.

Thank you to the brave firefighters and first responders who are working tirelessly to protect lives, homes, and wildlife as they battle fast-moving wildfire fueled by fierce winds.

You are true heroes, and we are endlessly grateful for your sacrifice and courage.

Actor Josh Gad, who voices Olaf in the Frozen films, also praised the emergency services and posted a video showing a blaze ripping through a hillside.

He said: My deepest gratitude and appreciation goes out to our brave fire and rescue and police forces who are doing everything in their power to keep the residents of Los Angeles safe right now.

Star Wars actor Mark Hamill said he was evacuated from Malibu amid the wildfires and told residents to stay safe.

On his social media, he said: Personal Fire Update: 7pm  Evacuated Malibu so last-minute there small fires on both sides of the road as we approached PCH (Pacific Coast Highway).

From there he went to his daughter Chelseas house in Hollywood with his wife Marilou and their dog Trixie.

He said: 8:15pm  Marilou, Trixie & I arrive at Chelseas house in Hollywood. Most horrific fire since 93. Stay safe.

Elsewhere, Zoe Saldana, who won an award at the Golden Globes ceremony in Beverly Hills on Sunday, posted to her Instagram stories saying: Our thoughts and sympathies are with all those affected by the devastating fires in Southern California, particularly those who have lost their homes.

Adding to the voices was model Hailey Bieber, who was praying everyone is safe, and singer and actress Mandy Moore, who said: Evacuated and safe with kids, dogs and cats. Praying and grateful for the first responders.

Maria Shriver, the ex-wife of former governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger, reminded the public to stay informed in a post thanking the Los Angeles Fire Department and all the public officials that are tirelessly working to protect this city.

US actor James Woods shared security camera footage on X of flames engulfing a nearby home and at the bottom of his balcony.

We were blessed to have LA fire and police depts doing their jobs so well. We are safe and outCan not speak more highly of the LA fire and LAPD, the Golden Globe and two-time Emmy-winning actor wrote.

Actor Steve Guttenberg, who lives in the Pacific Palisades, urged people who abandoned their cars to leave their keys behind so they could be moved to make way for fire engines.

This is not a parking lot, he told TV station KTLA. I have friends up there and they cant evacuate Im walking up there as far as I can moving cars.

It comes less than a month after residents in Malibu were evacuated from a wind-driven blaze dubbed the Franklin Fire, which saw more than 4,000 acres burn and stars including Dick Van Dyke, Cher and Jane Seymour forced to leave their homes.
Coronation Street character Julie Carp is to return to the show a decade after her last appearance.

Played by Katy Cavanagh, Julie will return to the cobbles to surprise half-sister Eileen Grimshaw (Sue Cleaver) on February 21 as Cleaver leaves the ITV soap after 25 years.

Speaking about her return, Cavanagh, 51, said: It is exciting to dust off Julies quirky wardrobe again and an absolute joy to step back on to the cobbles. Julie is so much fun, Ive missed her.

Katy Cavanagh as Julie Carp (ITV/PA)

Her character first arrived in Weatherfield in 2008 after a holiday romance with Kirk Sutherland (Andy Whyment).

The relationship did not work out, and when Julie set her sights on Eileens son Jason (Ryan Thomas), her mother Paula (Sharon Duce) was forced to tell her she was Eileens half-sister and Jasons aunt.

After a brief fling with Eileens then-boyfriend Jessie Chadwick, Julie fell in love with newsagent Brian Packham (Peter Gunn) and they left the street together in 2015, but they split and Brian eventually returned to Weatherfield without her.

It comes after one of the shows stars, Charlotte Jordan, announced she is leaving the show to start a new chapter and explore other opportunities.

Charlotte Jordan has won awards for her work on Coronation Street (Danny Lawson/PA)

The 29-year-old plays Daisy Midgeley in the programme and won best dramatic performance at the British Soap Awards in 2023.

Colson Smith (who plays Craig Tinker) and Luca Toolan (Mason Radcliffe) also announced their departures earlier in the month along with Cleaver, with reports that Sue Devaneys character Debbie Webster is to be axed.

Jordan said: My time at Coronation Street is something I will always cherish.

Its been a privilege to be part of a wonderful institution with even more wonderful colleagues who have taught me so much.

After a brilliant four years for Daisy on the street, its time for me to start a new chapter and explore other opportunities.

Her storylines have included being involved in a multi-level marketing scheme and being stalked by Justin Rutherford (Andrew Still), which ended in her and Ryan Connor (Ryan Prescott) becoming victims of an acid attack.

A source for the show told the PA news agency: The producers fully understand Charlottes desire to explore other projects  she is a talented, ambitious actress.

She advised the show of her decision to leave last April when she started her latest contract, giving a years notice and plenty of time for the producer and writing team to devise a dramatic exit storyline which has already started to play out on screen.

She will be on screen until early summer.

Former Emmerdale producer Kate Brooks took over creative responsibilities for Coronation Street in April last year, and said she would endeavour to take great care of the show and make sure it endures.

The on-air changes come after Helen Worth, who played Gail Rodwell, left the soap on Christmas Day after 50 years, as her character decided to move to France after marrying Jesse Chadwick (John Thomson)  amid reports that budgets for Emmerdale and Coronation Street have been cut.
Newcastle boosted their hopes of ending a 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy when they took a firm grip on their Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal.

The Magpies emerged from their first-leg trip to the Emirates Stadium  where they had won only once in 19 previous visits  with a precious 2-0 lead to take into next months return at St James Park and their dream of ending a drought, which stretches back to the 1955 FA Cup final, very much alive.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at the near-misses the Tyneside club, whose last piece of significant silverware of any description came in the 1969 European Fairs Cup, have suffered during the intervening years.

Liverpool 3 Newcastle 0  1974 FA Cup final

Future Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan scored twice in Liverpools 3-0 FA Cup final victory over the Magpies in 1974 (PA)

Nineteen years after their sixth and last FA Cup triumph, the Magpies, who had Malcolm Macdonald spearheading their armoury, headed back to Wembley with high hopes. Ultimately, they were undone by a man who would later play a significant role on Tyneside as Kevin Keegan scored twice, either side of Steve Heighways strike, to send the trophy to Merseyside.

Manchester City 2 Newcastle 1  1976 League Cup final

Peter Barnes and Dennis Tueart scored as Manchester City beat Newcastle 2-1 in the 1976 League Cup final (PA Archive)

The Magpies bid for a first League Cup success ended in disappointment despite Alan Gowling cancelling out Peter Barnes early opener. A minute into the second half, Dennis Tueart dashed their hopes with a spectacular overhead kick after Tommy Booth had headed Willie Donachies cross back across goal.

Premiership 1995-96

Sir Alex Fergusons Manchester United overhauled Newcastle to claim the 1995-96 Premiership title (John Giles/PA)

Keegans Newcastle were in pole position to claim a first league title since 1927 and a fifth in total when they went 12 points clear of Manchester United at the top of the Premier League table in January 1996. However, they won only seven of their last 15 games as United took 40 points from a possible 45  three of them from an Eric Cantona-inspired 1-0 win at St James on March 4  to claim the title by four.

Arsenal 2 Newcastle 0  1998 FA Cup final

Marc Overmars and Nicolas Anelka ruined Newcastles FA Cup dream in 1998 (Owen Humphreys/PA)

A cup run which had stuttered into life with a third-round win at Everton, thanks to Ian Rush and a hard-fought victory over non-league Stevenage in the fourth  a tie which went to a replay as Alan Shearer returned to the starting line-up after a lengthy injury lay-off  eventually resulted in another trip to Wembley for Kenny Dalglishs men. However, goals from Marc Overmars and Nicolas Anelka either side of half-time saw Arsenal complete the Double with the league title already secured.

Manchester United 2 Newcastle 0  1999 FA Cup final

Manchester United beat Newcastle in the FA Cup final on their way to an unprecedented Treble in 1999 (Owen Humphreys/PA)

Having led Chelsea to FA Cup glory in 1997, Ruud Gullit took the Magpies back to headquarters two years later, intent on a repeat. This time, it was their misfortune to come across a Manchester United side which would ultimately claim an unprecedented Treble after a dramatic Champions League final victory over Bayern Munich in Barcelona four days later, with Teddy Sheringham and Paul Scholes doing the damage.

Manchester United 2 Newcastle 0  2023 Carabao Cup final

Manchester United were the victors once again when the sides met at Wembley in the 2023 Carabao Cup final (David Davies/PA)

Newcastles first trip to Wembley in 24 years was delivered by Eddie Howe as his Saudi-backed resurgence promised to pay dividends much sooner than expected. However, once again they could not reproduce the form which had got them there on the day as Casemiro and Marcus Rashford both struck within six first-half minutes to extend the wait.
The baby was born less than half an hour before rescuers arrived. Photograph: Salvamento Maritimo/Reuters

A baby boy has been born on a small, crowded boat carrying 60 people on the deadly Atlantic migration route from Africa to the Canary Islands.

The boat was spotted off the coast of Lanzarote on the feast of the Epiphany, the day when Spanish children receive presents from the Three Wise Men.

When a crew from the Spanish Salvamento Maritimo rescue service reached the boat, it found 60 people onboard, among them 14 women and four children  including the baby boy who was born on 6 January.

Domingo Trujillo, the captain of the Talia search and rescue vessel, said that although his crew knew a woman on the boat was pregnant, they had no idea that she had already given birth.

The surprise was [finding] a totally naked baby who was born 10, 15 or 20 minutes earlier, he told the state broadcaster TVE. Trujillo said the mother was lying on the floor of the crowded boat while the baby was in the hands of someone else near her.

I covered him up, took him here [to my chest] and patted him so that he would stop crying, the captain added.

Medics onboard recommended the mother and baby be transferred to a hospital by helicopter.

It being Three Kings Day, this was the best gift we could have received, Alvaro Serrano Perez, the commander of the helicopter, told Reuters.

Related: Number of migrants arriving in Canary Islands by sea set new record in 2024

In a post on X, Salvamento Maritimo said: Christmas ended in the Canaries with the rescue of a baby boy born on a sea crossing  Although all the rescues and efforts deserve recognition, heres one thats calls out irresistibly.

The seven Spanish islands off north-western Africas Atlantic coast are struggling to absorb a record number of people arriving by sea.

Last year, 46,843 people reached the Canaries on the increasingly perilous Atlantic route, up from 39,910 in 2023.

According to a recent report from the Caminando Fronteras migration NGO, at least 10,457 people died or disappeared while trying to reach Spain by sea from 1 January to 5 December 2024.

Caminando Fronteras said the death toll was a 50% increase on 2023 and the highest since its tallies began in 2007. It attributed the rise to the use of ramshackle boats, dangerous waters and a lack of resources for rescuers.

Reuters contributed to this report
Barbara Lee speaks in Oakland, California, on 25 February 2023. Photograph: Melina Mara/Washington Post via Getty Images

Barbara Lee, Californias former Democratic representative in Congress, has officially announced her mayoral campaign for Oakland, with pledges to tackle homelessness, improve public safety and boost better-paying jobs and small businesses.

As the only Black woman to be voted into the House of Representatives from Californias regions north of Los Angeles, Lee, 78, served as a representative to Congress for San Franciscos Bay Area from 1998 up until last week.

The progressive Lee, who is originally from Texas, is deeply popular in Oakland and had been urged to run for mayor by her supporters.

In a video announcement on Wednesday launching her campaign, Lee said: They said we are a city divided. But lets show them that we are one Oakland. Thats in our DNA.

Related: Guns are the leading cause of youth deaths in Oakland. These young people believe change is possible

She added: Yes, we see the tents beneath our overpasses, the storefronts sealed behind metal gates, the mothers grieving sons and daughters lost too soon, the families packing up, priced out of hope, the structural challenges that impact everything from our budget to whether we can walk our streets safely at night. But Oakland doesnt run from challenges. We rise to meet them together.

Lee pledged to resolve the citys homelessness crisis, improve public safety, and help improve the local economy for workers and small business. She also pointed to her track record of being a former state official, including her time in the California state assembly in 1990 and the state senate in 1996.

Further in her campaign video, Lee said: I fought for Oakland values. Now its time to bring that business and legislative experience home for an Oakland renaissance. This is our moment. This is our movement. This is our Oakland.

Lees announcement comes just two days after she filed the paperwork to run for Oakland mayor before the citys special election on 15 April, which follows the citys recall of Sheng Thao due to voters frustration about Oaklands housing crisis, rising living costs and increased crime rates.

In a separate written message on her campaign website, Lee repeated her pledges, saying: Working together, we will provide shelter/services/programs to our unhoused residents, invest in public safety and violence prevention programs, and provide more housing, education, and economic development in historically underrepresented communities.
Aziz Ziriat (left) and Sam Harris have been missing for nearly a week. Photograph: Family Handout/PA

A body found in the search for two missing British walkers in the Dolomites is believed to be that of Sam Harris, Italys alpine rescue service said.

The 35-year-olds body was found buried in deep snow at the foot of a cliff at about 2,600 metres above sea level in the area of the Conca pass in the Adamello nature park.

Harriss body was recovered by helicopter and transferred to Spiazzo in Trento. The dynamics of the accident are still being examined by the police but it is possible that the mountaineer fell from a height, the rescue service said in a statement.

The discovery came after two rucksacks and other equipment were found in a refuge on Wednesday. The location of Harriss body was traced through his mobile phone.

Harriss family who are in Italy helping with the search are believed to have been informed.

The land and air search for his friend Aziz Ziriat, 36, was stalled on Wednesday afternoon due to wind, fog and the risk of avalanches.

As soon as a window of good weather permits, the search for the second climber will resume, the rescue service said.

Ziriat and Harrishave been missing since New Years Day, when they last sent messages home. The pair, both from London, did not check in to their flight home on 6 January. Their relatives have travelled to Italy.

On Tuesday, Crystal Palaces official charity, Palace for Life, where Ziriat worked, appealed for anyone who knew the area where they went missing and could help to call 999 with the reference: CAD 0197/07 Jan25.

The search on Tuesday was hampered by bad weather.

The mens last known location was near a mountain hut called Casina Dosson, close to the town of Tione Di Trento, near Riva Del Garda, on Lake Garda.

Joe Stone, a university friend of Ziriat, told the PA news agency the pair were experienced hikers who liked to go off the grid, but alarm bells were raised when they failed to check in for their return flight.

He said: They are experienced hikers and they go a couple of times a year. It wasnt surprising that they had no signal as they like going off the grid. Alarm bells were raised though when they didnt turn up for their flight.

Ziriats girlfriend and friends of the hikers are in Italy helping to coordinate the search with local authorities.

Stone praised the public response and said they had seen a nice side of humanity since asking for help. He added: The response from the local authorities has been fantastic and people from all walks of life have been trying to help, both in Italy and in the UK.
Pierre Poilievre has hit back at Donald Trumps threats to acquire Canada by economic force - Cole Burston/Bloomberg

Canada will never be the 51st state of the United States, its opposition leader has declared after Donald Trump threatened to annex the country.

Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative Party leader, hailed his nation as great and independent as he attacked Justin Trudeaus government for failing to demonstrate that Canada was a strong US ally.

The 45-year-old also promised that he will fight for Canada if he becomes prime minister following the resignation of Mr Trudeau earlier this week.

Should his party win, Mr Poilievre will have to contend with a Trump-led government across Canadas southern border.

Mr Trump, speaking in Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday, was asked if he was considering using military force to acquire Canada.

No, economic force, he responded. Because Canada and the United States, that would really be something.

Artificially drawn line

Mr Trump, who has long complained about Canadas trade surplus with the US, had earlier told reporters that the border was an artificially drawn line.

The president-elect has threatened to impose a 25 per cent tariff on imports from Canada, which sends 75 per cent of all goods and services exports to the United States.

Mr Trudeau, who announced his resignation as prime minister on Monday, also rejected handing control of the country over to Washington.

He said in a post on X: There isnt a snowballs chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States.

Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each others biggest trading and security partner.

Writing on X, Mr Poilievre said that Canada is the best friend to the US, pointing to the fact that his country helped the US retaliate against Al-Qaedas 9/11 attacks.

He also said that Canada supplies the US with billions of dollars of high-quality and totally reliable energy well below market prices and buys hundreds of billions of dollars of American goods.

Weak pathetic government

He added: Our weak and pathetic NDP-Liberal government has failed to make these obvious points.

When I am prime minister, we will rebuild our military and take back control of the border to secure both Canada and the US. We will take back control of our Arctic to keep Russia and China out.

We will axe taxes, slash red tape and rapidly green-light massive resource projects to bring home pay cheques and production to our country. In other words, we will put Canada First.

Earlier on Tuesday, Melanie Joly, the Canadian minister of foreign affairs, said Mr Trumps comments show a complete lack of understanding of what makes Canada a strong country.

She said: We will never back down in the face of threats.

Mr Trudeau announced on Monday that he would step down in the coming months, bowing to pressure from lawmakers alarmed by his Liberal Partys unpopularity.

Canada must hold a federal election by Oct 20 and Mr Poilievres Conservative Party has a substantial lead in the polls over the rival Liberal Party, according to data published by Pallas on Tuesday.

Mr Poilievre has indicated that he is open to working with Mr Trump, saying that he could increase Canadas exports to the US and strike a great deal with the next US president.

Negotiates very aggressively

He told Jordan Peterson in an interview published last week: If you look at the history of President Trump, he negotiates very aggressively and he likes to win, but in the end, he doesnt appear to have a problem if his counterparty also wins.

Mr Poilievre has been likened to a polite version of Mr Trump, riding a wave of anti-elite Right-wing feeling to become the favourite to win the October election.

He rose to the leadership of the Conservative Party after backing the Freedom Convoy in January 2022, an uprising that began as a protest by truckers against pandemic lockdowns but soon spread to a wider pro-freedom message.

A video of him nonchalantly eating an apple while batting-off questions from a reporter went viral in 2023 as an example of how to defeat a Left-wing journalist.

Elon Musk responded to the video at the time, writing that he had never heard of him before, but this interview is [fire emoji].
Visitors pack the hallway and entrance to Harris County Southwest Courthouse Annex 19 as landlords, tenants and attorneys prepare to appear before Justice of the Peace James Lombardino. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer

On the coldest day Houston had experienced in nearly year, a whopping 759 eviction cases were scheduled to be heard Tuesday by one judge, causing hours of delays and frustration for residents forced to wait outside the courthouse.

There were so many cases that, even if each were resolved in a minute  roughly the amount of time it takes to record a default judgment if one or both parties doesn't show up  it would take nearly 13 hours, without meal or bathroom breaks, to hear them all.

After standing outside in the sub-freezing weather for one hour and then inside the lobby for two and a half hours, Kornelia Allen wondered why anyone would schedule hundreds of cases in a courtroom with a capacity of 92 people.

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For Allen, who has had back surgery, standing for so long with nowhere to sit was far from ideal. Especially if there was a good chance there wouldn't be enough time to hear her case that day.

"It makes no sense," she said.

A court clerk reads names from a lengthy docket of people to appear before Justice of the Peace James Lombardino in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer

The nearly 800 eviction cases scheduled Tuesday in Gulfton was the largest number on record for eviction hearings set for one day in Harris County. By comparison, in 2023, two dockets that raised eyebrows in the same court  Precinct 5, Place 1 on Chimney Rock Road  had fewer than 500 hearings each.

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The megadocket was partially attributable to an outgoing judge's decision to reset many of the cases from his lame-duck period to the first eviction docket of the next judge, James Lombardino.

It was also due to a quirk in Texas law. In Harris County, the area each justice of the peace serves has not been updated in over 50 years, a period in which the population boomed in the suburbs. As a result, some courts hear 15 times the number of civil cases that other courts do.

The county commissioner's court has declined to adjust the jurisdictions for more than half a century because county constables, who have scaled their operations to expand with growing populations, share precinct boundaries with justices of the peace, which have not.

County constables wield considerable political power and have little incentive to support a redistricting that would shrink their borders, and the commissioner's court has allowed the problem to fester. That means Harris County residents' experiences vary wildly in the justice system, depending on where they live.

A court clerk reads names from a lengthy docket for Justice of the Peace Court Precinct 5, Place 1 in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer

Waiting in the cold

While some landlords and tenants attend quiet, nearly empty courtrooms and have ample time to argue their cases, in Precinct 5  which stretches west of Gulfton out to Waller and Katy and down toward Sugar Land  plaintiffs, defendants and lawyers queued in a line snaking around the courthouse and back through the parking lot.

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As the sun rose Tuesday morning, their breath formed white clouds of vapor. They wore hoodies and puffy coats and sandals and work boots. Others waited in their vehicles to stay warm until the doors opened. Cars circled, looking for spaces to park.

When the doors opened at 8 a.m., they could not all fit indoors. Even the people who had arrived the earliest and braved the 31-degree weather were not guaranteed a spot in the courtroom, the only place with seating.

A line forms outside Harris county Southwest Courthouse Annex 19 as visitors brave the cold temperature to appear before Justice of the Peace James Lombardino. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer

First, staff only allowed lawyers into the courtroom. Tenants and landlords murmured to one another and clutched folders filled with documents they had hoped to present.

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"This is crazy," one woman said.

"It already looks like we'll be here awhile," another woman said into her cell.

At 9 a.m., staff began allowing in landlords and their representatives.

"Plaintiffs only. Plaintiffs only," said the assistant chief clerk. More than 80 filed in.

Tenants voiced their disbelief. "It's inhuman to have us waiting outside in the cold," said Chynna Hunter.

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A line forms outside Harris county Southwest Courthouse Annex 19 as visitors brave the cold temperature to appear before Justice of the Peace James Lombardino. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer

Delays in eviction cases

Lombardino took the bench and explained that his predecessor, Israel B. Garcia, Jr., had reset many of his November and December cases to that day, creating the historic docket.

"We want to make sure the folks today who want a hearing can having a hearing," Lombardino said. "I apologize for what's going on."

In an email sent during a break that afternoon, he said did not like resetting cases without cause and that he was working to resolve as many cases as he could. In three months, he said, he might have more thoughts on how to address the court's caseload.

One of the landlords piped up. "What if your case has been reset three times without being heard?" she said, frustration evident in her voice. She had been trying to have her day in court since October.

Outside the courtroom, tenants were also upset about having taken off work to attend a hearing, only to be reset.

"We have children," said Diedra Jordan. "We have jobs. And honestly, we're here for evictions  we need to be at work."

A line forms outside Harris county Southwest Courthouse Annex 19 as visitors brave the cold to appear before Justice of the Peace James Lombardino, who handled nearly 800 eviction cases in one day. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer

Harris County commissioner's court could tackle the problem by temporarily hiring additional judges, the way it did in 2021 to handle a backlog in district courts. Or by adding more justice of the peace courts to the precincts where the caseloads are the largest.

Dana Karni, litigation director for the nonprofit Lone Star Legal Aid, said increasing the number of courthouses "would certainly relieve some of the busiest courts."

Until the commissioner's court takes action, huge disparities continue to exist throughout the region, taxing the ability of Harris County residents and landlords in certain neighborhoods to receive justice.

On Tuesday, the assistant chief clerk, who was stationed at the door of the courtroom, called each party's name. Then the names were echoed by a staff member in the lobby, and then, more distantly, by another staff member to the people waiting outdoors.

The process repeated with each case  a high-stakes game of telephone that was not always heard in the lobby over the hubbub of tenants commiserating, playing the cartoon "Bluey" to distract their newborns or recording TikToks.

If tenants or landlords are not present when their cases are called, the court automatically rules against them. And so to avoid that outcome, they were at the court's beck and call  forced to wait hours outdoors or without seating, and forced to take more time off work if their case was ultimately rescheduled.

At 11 a.m., a woman with a cane who had been there three hours decided to leave, explaining that she couldn't stand for any longer, even it meant risking the loss of her eviction case.

"It's archaic and barbaric," she said before heading out.

A line forms outside Harris county Southwest Courthouse Annex 19 as visitors wait hours to appear before Justice of the Peace James Lombardino. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer
US President Donald Trump delivers remarks in Emancipation Hall

Donald Trump has reiterated ambitions to take back the Panama Canal, which was built by the US and returned to Panama decades ago.

Speaking at his inauguration, the president complained that American ships were being severely overcharged and not treated fairly by the Panama Canal Authority.

Mr Trump also told the audience in the Capitols rotunda, which included Chinas vice-president Han Zheng, that China is operating the Panama Canal and we didnt give it to China, we gave it to Panama and were taking it back.

The president has deemed the shipping artery as critical to securing the flow of US trade, reducing exorbitant shipping fees and countering perceived Chinese influence in the area.

Yet the image in 2018 of a worker chiselling the Trump name off a tower in Panama City may also hold a more personal explanation for renewed interest in the waterway.

Who controls the Panama Canal?

The canal, which was built in Central America by the US more than a century ago, connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and is regarded as one of the worlds most important routes for maritime trade.

It allows around 14,000 ships a year to cut out the 7,000 nautical mile trip around Cape Horn in South America.

The US operated the 51-mile waterway through Panama until, in the wake of anti-American riots, Jimmy Carter, then-president, signed a 1977 treaty to relinquish control of the canal by the end of the century.

Panama took full control of the canal in 1999, which it operates through the Panama Canal Authority (PCA).

Why does Trump want the Panama Canal?

In December, Mr Trump threatened to seize control of the canal, declaring the waterway as vital to Americas security and economic interests but it was being run in a very unfair and injudicious way.

He doubled down on those threats earlier this month, saying that he could not assure the world that he would not use military or economic force to acquire the canal.

The comments sparked uproar in Panama, with Javier Martinez-Acha, the countrys foreign minister, responding: The sovereignty of our canal is not negotiable and is part of our history of struggle.

Panamas President Jose Raul Mulino, in response to Mr Trumps inauguration speech, said on X that the Panama Canal is and will continue to be Panamanian.

The US is the Panama Canals biggest customer, responsible for around three-quarters of the traffic who move through the passage each year.

Mr Trump has voiced his disdain over what he called rip off transit fees US ships are charged for using the passage.

Our navy and commerce have been treated in a very unfair and injudicious way, Mr Trump vented in December. The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama by the US.

Fees to use the Panama Canal have escalated in recent years - The Image Bank RF/Danny Lehman

This complete rip-off of our country will immediately stop.

Variable rates set by the PCA have soared in recent years amid prolonged droughts brought on by El Nino and climate change, forcing authorities to reduce the capacity to conserve water.

The number of ships crossing the canal each day fell from 36 to 22 in 2023, creating a backlog of ships queuing for weeks and driving up the prices through increasing competition.

Dr Christopher Sabatini, senior fellow for Latin America at Chatham House, said shipping fees were likely at the forefront of Mr Trumps mind.

In his soul, he is a person who battles for improving the USs competitiveness overseas, he told The Telegraph, adding: He is hoping to put the other side on the backfoot and extract concessions in the US interest.

What is the Chinese threat?

Mr Trump has also claimed that the canal could fall into the wrong hands and last month falsely accused Panama of allowing Chinese soldiers to operate the shipping route.

Look, the Panama Canal is vital to our country. Its being operated by China. China! And we gave the Panama Canal to Panama, we didnt give it to China, he said. Theyve abused that gift.

Panama has repeatedly denied Mr Trumps allegations that China has been given a role in running the canal or is given preferential rates to use it.

There are no Chinese soldiers in the canal, for the love of God, Jose Raul Mulino, Panamas president, said on Thursday. The world is free to visit the canal.

A Hong Kong-based firm, CK Hutchison Holdings, does manage two ports at the canals entrances, which some analysts have suggested raises competitive and security concerns for the US.

Ryan C Berg, director of the Americas programme at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, suggested this set up could be used by China to gather intelligence on maritime operations.

China exercises, or could exercise, a certain element of control even absent some military conflagration, Mr. Berg told the New York Times. I think there is reason to be worried.

Mao Ning, a spokeswoman for the Chinese foreign ministry, said in December that China will as always respect Panamas sovereignty over the Panama Canal.

Panama cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 2017, becoming one of the first nations to recognise the island as part of China.

Is Trump evoking a patriotic response?

The president has also sought to harness sentiment over the lost territory to further stoke patriotism, taking an apparent leaf out of Ronald Reagans playbook.

The former president, who originally popularised Mr Trumps guiding slogan Make America Great Again in 1980, previously stated that the American people were the canals rightful owners because we bought it; we paid for it; we built it.

Jimmy Carter and Omar Torrijos at the signing of the Panama Canal Treaty which has been in Donald Trumps cross hairs - HUM Images

Mr Trump criticised the recently deceased Jimmy Carter earlier this month for handing over control of the canal when he was president, calling it a disgrace.

Jimmy Carter gave it to them for $1 and they were supposed to treat us well. I thought it was a terrible thing to do, Trump said on Tuesday at a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, in Florida.

Mr Trump went on to call the US border with Canada an artificially drawn line, promised to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America and reiterated interest in buying Greenland.

He likes to think of himself as a dealmaker, someone who is expanding the security perimeter of the US. He wants to play the role of a disruptor, breaking the norms and reasserting greatness, Dr Sabatini said.

What is Trumps personal history with Panama?

In 2011, Mr Trump opened up the Trump Ocean Club International Hotel and Tower, a 70-story, sail-shaped skyscraper that loomed over Panama City.

It was the Republicans first international hotel venture and was one of the tallest buildings in South America  yet it soon would become a nightmare.

The former Trump Tower Skyscraper in Panama City - diego_cervo/iStockphoto

In 2015, Trumps management team was accused of taking excessive bonuses and mismanagement. In 2017, a Reuters investigation alleged that the skyscraper had been exploited by organized crime groups for money laundering.

The same year, businessman Orestes Fintiklis purchased hundreds of units inside the building, becoming controlling owner and putting in motion the severing of Trumps name from the tower.

The Trump Organisation contested the acquisition, but a Panamanian court ruled in Mr Fintikliss favour.

As with all things Trump, it is personal. There is latent resentment toward Panama for siding with the owners over this dispute, Dr Sabatini said. The picture of them prying his name off the hotel has to sting for Trump.

The lines between foreign policy, business and ego are very porous.
Keir Starmer has been praised for his role in pushing forward prosecutions for such offences when he was director of public prosecutions. Photograph: House of Commons

The Elon Musk-instigated argument over whether the UK needs another national inquiry into rape and sexual abuse gangs reached the Commons on Wednesday, with the Conservatives pushing an amendment that would set up such a process, while at the same time torpedoing a wider government bill on schools and child welfare.

Below are four claims being made about this much-contested subject, and what we actually know to be the case.

Has there been a cover-up?

The claim: The idea that the scale of grooming gangs was not just neglected as an issue but actively covered up has been a common charge not just by the likes of Reform UK, but also the Conservatives on occasions. At prime ministers questions on Wednesday, Kemi Badenoch said Keir Starmers refusal to order another national inquiry could mean people will start to worry about a cover-up.

The reality: This is to a great extent a value judgment. The 2022 report by Prof Alexis Jay into the subject was scathing about the lack of protection for victims, and the way they were very often not believed. Jays earlier report, from 2014, into abuse and rapes in Rotherham, found a similar pattern, and said that some officials had been wary about discussing any ethnic patterns to the crimes for fear of being seen as racist.

Whether this counts as gross negligence or a cover-up could be argued both ways. That said, the more specific idea that Starmer was resisting a second inquiry because he feared it could harm him or his government seems unlikely. As well as the fact that much of the relevant time period took place under Conservative rule, Starmer has been praised for his role in pushing forward prosecutions for such offences when he was director of public prosecutions.

Have governments failed to act more generally?

The claim: This allegation has come from both sides of the political spectrum. The Conservatives argue that Starmer and his government have only taken action after Musks fusillade of tweets; in response, Labour say the Conservatives did little to improve matters during their 14 years in power.

The reality: Once again, it depends how you frame things. There has been action in the sense of a series of reviews and inquiries, and a large number of prosecutions of perpetrators. Of 20 recommendations in the Jay report, Starmers government has pledged to implement several, including criminal sanctions for professionals who fail to report claims of child sexual abuse, overhauling how evidence on abuse is gathered, and to make grooming an aggravated factor in the sentencing of abuse cases.

The Conservatives have said they would have also implemented some of Jays recommendations in their criminal justice bill, which was lost when the general election was called. However, some campaigners said this bill watered down the sanctions for not reporting abuse, requiring only that there had to be hard evidence for it, rather than just suspicions.

Has Tommy Robinson advanced the cause of victims?

The claims: This has largely come from Musk and the coterie of hard- and far-right X users he has recently discovered. According to their narrative, Robinson, the adopted name of Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is a journalist and campaigner who has brought the abuse scandal to prominence, and has in response been unjustly jailed by the state and is a political prisoner.

The reality: This is a much easier one to adjudicate, as pretty much everything Musk has said or spread about Robinson is complete nonsense. A longtime far-right agitator, he made his name leading the English Defence League, and anti-Islam street group that organised violent street protests in Luton, Robinsons home town. He has criminal convictions for assault, mortgage fraud and trying to illegally enter the US. He is now in jail for contempt of court for repeating false allegations against a Syrian refugee.

Will a new definition of Islamophobia stifle debate about the subject?

The claim: Badenoch told the Commons on Wednesday that a definition the government plans to adopt will cite talking about sex groomers [as] an example of Islamophobia.

The reality: The all-party parliamentary group on Islamophobia, which drew up the definition, has said this isnt true. It says the only way discussion of grooming gangs would be covered would be if it was used as a collective smear and trope being used against all British Muslims. This was intended, the group said, to try to stop repeats of documented cases of attacks on Muslims by attackers citing grooming gangs as a reason.
People watch a performer during the Edinburgh festival fringe on the Royal Mile, Edinburgh. Photograph: Arch White/Alamy

Hotels, short-term lets and campsites in Edinburgh will start charging a visitor levy on all overnight stays in May, in a phased introduction to the scheme.

The levy, the first mandatory city-wide scheme in the UK, will be payable on all stays from July next year that are booked from 1 May onwards.

The charge, described as a tourist tax, is expected to raise up to 50m a year to tackle the heavy impact of mass tourism on the city, by investing in new social housing, public parks, tourism facilities and arts and cultural events.

City officials recommended the long lead-in time to ensure visitors know at an early stage that they will pay the 5% plus VAT surcharge on all stays from 24 July 2026, and hotels and booking portals advertise the charge properly in advance.

Councillors are expected to finally vote through the scheme on Friday, more than six years after the city formally began work on it.

Jane Meagher, the council leader, said: This is the moment we have been working towards, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sustain and enhance Edinburghs position as one of the most beautiful, enjoyable destinations in the world.

The funding could provide Edinburgh with the biggest single injection of new funding this side of the millennium.

Smaller-scale and voluntary visitor levies, which do not involve all types of accommodation provider, are in force in several English cities, including Manchester and Liverpool.

Manchesters scheme, which involves a 1 a night surcharge on rooms in 74 hotels and serviced apartments in its city centre business investment district, and part of Salford, raised 2.8m in its first year.

Edinburghs scheme is the first to cover every kind of accommodation, from campsites and hostels through to Airbnb properties, aparthotels and hotels, using Scotland-wide legislation that came into force last year. At least 4,000 providers will be affected.

Related: Millions of tourists in UK could be asked to pay local visitor levy

The Welsh government is following the Scottish parliaments lead by tabling new powers for councils to levy a visitor charge, expected to be a fixed fee of 75p per night for campsites and hostels, and 1.25 for all other accommodation.

A survey by the Guardian in November found that nearly half of Scotlands 32 councils are either investigating a visitor levy or are considering it, including Highland council, which has wrestled with a surge in overtourism at hotspots on Skye, as well as Orkney and Shetland councils.

The travellers guide Fodors blacklisted the North Coast 500 driving circuit, which takes motorists on a 516-mile circular route up the west coast and through the Highlands, due to its untenable popularity.

Campaigners in the Lake District have also called for a visitor levy, to help meet the costs of catering for 18 million visitors a year.

Related: Edinburgh heritage campaigners rail against Netflix One Day plaque plan

The Edinburgh scheme has been revised slightly after a consultation with businesses, residents, tourists and cultural organisations, which found continuing resistance from many businesses and visitors, particularly to the proposed rate of 5%. Some argued it should be lower or a fixed rate.

The levy will only be applied to the first five days of any stay, rather than seven days as originally planned, after lobbying from the citys festivals, which argued that it penalised the thousands of people who have seasonal jobs in the events.

The council will be issuing guidance to all the businesses affected by the levy telling them the fee can be collected in cash or by card, after a visitor in Manchester alleged she had been kicked out of a hotel because she would only pay its visitor levy in cash.
Donald Trump Jrs plane lands in Nuuk, Greenland - EMIL STACH/Ritzau Scanpix Foto

France and Germany have warned Donald Trump that the EU will not tolerate the US invading Greenland.

The president-elect floated the idea of the US taking over the autonomous Danish territory in a lengthy press conference at Mar-a-Lago in which he refused to rule out military action to achieve his goal.

Jean-Noel Barrot, the French foreign minister, told the radio station France Inter: There is no question of the EU letting other nations in the world, whoever they may be... attack its sovereign borders.

Greenland, he added, was European territory.

Steffen Hebestreit, a German government spokesman, backed his warning and told Mr Trump that as always, the firm principle applies... that borders must not be moved by force.

Mr Trumps remarks, in which he said the US wanted Greenland for national security purposes, coincided with a visit by his son, Donald Trump Jr, to the worlds largest island.

The president-elect also called for the Panama Canal to be returned to America  a suggestion that was rejected out of hand by the countrys foreign minister.

Javier Martinez-Acha said on Wednesday: The sovereignty of our canal is non-negotiable and is part of our history of struggle and an irreversible conquest. The only hands controlling the canal are Panamanian and that is the way it is going to continue.

Credit: @OJoelsen/@DonaldJTrumpJr/X

Greenland has been in Mr Trumps sights for years, having floated the idea of the US taking it over in his first term.

He regards Greenland as strategically crucial in heading off Chinese activity in the Arctic.

The island is also rich in natural resources including copper, lithium, nickel and cobalt, which are seen as vital for an array of industries from electric cars to turbines.

His remarks have caused tensions across the globe.

If youre asking me whether I think the United States will invade Greenland, my answer is no, Mr Barrot continued.

But have we entered into a period of time when it is survival of the fittest? Then my answer is yes.

X / @justinbwells

He said Europe should not allow itself to be intimidated or overcome by anxiety.

We have to wake up, strengthen ourselves in a world won over by the law of the strongest, the French foreign minister added.

Mr Trumps proposals to take over Greenland  and the Panama Canal  received a mixed reception on Capitol Hill, with some Republicans stunned by his remarks.

I dont think its for sale, said Michael McCaul, the Texas congressman and former chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

He also dismissed the idea of the US invading Greenland. I think hes kind of freely speaking. Hed love to have Greenland. He seems to really like Greenland a lot, he said.

Greenland is roughly the size of Texas and Alaska combined - IDA MARIE ODGAARD/Ritzau Scanpix Foto

John Cornyn, a Texas Republican senator, was also sceptical. He said: The United States has not always been 50 states. Weve acquired Alaska and the Hawaiian islands and even Texas in 1845, so I havent heard any real discussions outside of what President Trump said.

There was support for Mr Trumps Greenland plans from Addison McDowell, the freshman Republican congressman.

I support the president  we need to put America first, he said. And however we have to do that, we have to do that, but we gotta put America first again.

John Bolton, who served as national security adviser in the first Trump administration, said the US had a long-standing interest in Greenland.

Trump didnt discover Greenland, he said. The US has been worried about it for a long time.

As the incoming administration eyes Greenland, the Danish government has announced a massive boost in defence spending to protect the island.

Troels Lund Poulsen, the Danish defence minister, said the double-digit increase was purely coincidental.

There was scepticism from one Republican senator, who said: I wonder where their army and navy are going to come from.

Meanwhile, Greenland could gain independence from Denmark, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, the Danish foreign minister, said.

We fully recognise that Greenland has its own ambitions. If they materialise, Greenland will become independent, though hardly with an ambition to become a federal state in the United States, he said.

The island, which has a population of 57,000 people, has been part of Denmark for 600 years, although it already has control of its domestic affairs.
Jake Waddington was described as having this deep sense of honour and decency - Robert Clark/Twitter

A former British Army soldier who joined the Ukrainian fight against Russia has been killed by a drone in the southern region of Zaporizhzhia.

Jake Waddington, 34, had seen action with the Ukrainian army in some of its most brutal battles, including in the Donbas city of Bakhmut, and had served in the International Legion for more than a year.

The former Durham University student died on Monday when a Russian drone dropped a grenade on his position during a reconnaissance mission.

He was said to have been yards away from a Russian trench, where he and a comrade were gathering intelligence.

The second soldier survived the blast but is in a critical condition.

Before volunteering in Ukraine, Mr Waddington, from Cambridge, had served in the British Army as a member of Second Battalion, the Royal Anglian Regiment.

While serving, he undertook intensive Pashto language training in preparation for deployment in Afghanistan.

But before his deployment, he suffered an epileptic seizure, preventing him from being sent to the Asian country.

Martyn Cook, a former colleague and commander, said Mr Waddingtons withdrawal from their units deployment to Afghanistan was a real loss.

He added: Jake was a great soldier, a really intelligent, thoughtful and considered soldier. I was lucky I had a company full of really talented soldiers, but Jake always stood out in terms of that kind of intelligence, candour and support he could give.

Recalling assisting Mr Waddington with his university application, Mr Cook said his former colleague had promised him a bottle of whisky upon graduation.

He said, If I graduate, Ill send you a bottle of whisky. And bizarrely, about two years ago, out of nowhere, this bottle of whisky arrived, Mr Cook said.

It was the mark of the type of person he was, he didnt forget.

Mr Waddington was said to have taught himself Russian before he joined the Army and was also fluent in French, having spent his early years living there.

Mr Waddington was said to have been yards away from a Russian trench when he was killed - Robert Clark/Twitter

Robert Clark, a Telegraph columnist who served in the Royal Anglians with Mr Waddington, said of his friend: He spoke Russian, understood Ukrainian, was well-travelled. He understood more than most people about geopolitics and international relations.

He was there for the right reasons and had this deep sense of honour and decency, values that we dont really see much these days.

After voluntarily leaving the military following the seizure, Mr Waddington went on to study at Durham.

He attempted to enlist again as an officer cadet at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, and was on course to become a member of the Household Cavalry, but suffered another seizure in 2022 that led to him being medically discharged.

A few months later, he travelled to Poland, where he volunteered rescuing animals from Ukraine.

He later travelled into the war zone and signed up with the International Legion, joining its Thorne Assault Group of fighters.

Jake Waddington, centre, died on Monday when a Russian drone dropped a grenade on his position during a reconnaissance mission

The unit took part in Ukraines summer counter-offensive of 2023, as well as the defence of Bakhmut, the Donetsk region city that was the scene of one of the bloodiest battles since the start of Russias full-scale invasion.

Mr Waddington most recently travelled back to the United Kingdom in November last year to renew his passport.

Despite pleas from his family, he returned to Ukraine almost immediately to rejoin and signed up for another six months of service with his unit, which would have lasted until April.

He told his family he was reluctant to leave his comrades after becoming the units stand-in leader following the death of its commander.

Mr Clark said: That shows the fact Jake had this sense of decency, care and compassion, these inherently good values.

A seizure in 2022 led to Mr Waddington being medically discharged from the British military - Robert Clark/Twitter

News of Mr Waddingtons death in Zaporizhzhia came as 13 people were killed in a Russian aerial attack on the industrial city.

Ivan Fedorov, the Zaporizhzhia regional governor, said in a statement on social media: Thirteen people were killed in an enemy attack on Zaporizhzhia.

A further 18 people were wounded, according to reports.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Ukraine and are in contact with the local authorities
Osama Qashoo, the creator of Gaza Cola, at Palestine House in London. Photograph: Christian Sinibaldi/The Guardian

Gazas healthcare is on the brink of total collapse, according to the UN, because of the targeting of hospitals by Israel. While it is still impossible to say how much time and money it will take to rebuild, one Palestinian activist has plans to piece one small part of it back with the help of a soft drink.

Osama Qashoo, the creator of Gaza Cola, hopes to use profits from his Coca-Cola alternative, recently launched in London, to rebuild al Karama hospital, which used to stand in northern Gaza. Its been reduced to rubble for no just reason, like all of these hospitals in Gaza, according to the 43-year-old film-maker, human rights advocate and, now, fizzy-drink maker.

Qashoo has chosen that hospital because, relatively speaking, its small, its quite manageable, it doesnt cost a lot of money. He could not put a figure on how much that would mean, or when it might happen, but, he said, we are allowed to have an imagination  we have to dream, otherwise we cant live.

He is already looking into the best medical equipment and the design, right down to the lighting, but for the time being they have built a field hospital in another location in Gaza using the parachutes left behind from aid airdrops for makeshift shelter.

Qashoo first had the idea for Gaza Cola in November 2023. The red can features the Palestinian flag, Gaza Cola written in Arabic calligraphy, and a pattern riffing on the Palestinian keffiyeh, the scarf often worn as a symbol of resistance.

Ironically not himself a fan of fizzy drinks, Qashoo identifies Gaza Cola as a vehicle for a message. It is, he said, a statement to all these corporate companies who are investing in armed trade. To ask them the question of dignity. Do you see what your moneys doing? Because it is doing damage. It is destroying homes and our environment  they need to wake up and they need to understand that their money, their greed, is causing our genocide.

Related: The Guardian view on Gazas suffering: a deepening disaster should not be treated as inevitable | Editorial

Qashoo is an advocate of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. In 2001, he co-founded the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) and was involved in the Gaza Freedom Flotilla in 2010. Originally from Nablus in the West Bank, he has been living in the UK since he was forced to flee Palestine more than 18 years ago  he was shot, imprisoned and tortured by occupation forces. Last year he opened Palestine House, a political and cultural hub in central London for Palestinians  where they can be Palestinian unapologetically  and their supporters.

Coca-Cola, which BDS calls to boycott, reportedly operates facilities in occupied East Jerusalem. Qashoo views the company as representative of all the big corporations who actually dont care about the human being. It is not the first time Coca-Cola, along with other major western food and drinks companies, have been the target of calls for boycott  McDonalds, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo were among the brands criticised for continuing to operate in Russia after it launched its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Boycotts of Coke and Pepsi in countries across the Middle East have already proved to be good news for local soft-drink brands, and Qashoo hopes people will get into the habit of drinking Gaza Cola instead of the big brands. If you want to drink cola and you like it, what about this one? Its an alternative.

It had sold more than 500,000 by the end of last year  online, a 24-pack costs 30 and a six pack costs 12  and is being bought wholesale and shipped all over the UK, as well as farther afield, including to Spain, Australia, South Africa and Kuwait. But Qashoos friends and family in Gaza and the West Bank, whom he says would love to try it, are, he says, unlikely to get the chance.

Coca-Cola did not respond to a request to comment.
To insist this is a local only matter is a despicable insult to all those girls, says reader Chris Hart - Christopher Furlong/Getty

Jess Phillipss decision to reject Oldham councils call for a Government-led inquiry has sparked international outrage.

Elon Musk took to his social media platform X to criticise the safeguarding minister, calling for her to be imprisoned for the disgraceful decision.

Kemi Badenoch echoed Mr Musk, saying: The time is long overdue for a full national inquiry into the rape gangs scandal. Trials have taken place all over the country in recent years, but no one in authority has joined the dots  2025 must be the year that the victims start to get justice.

In response, Telegraph readers have weighed in on Labours resolve to forego a full national inquiry.

They are urging the Government to reconsider its decision to forego a national inquiry into the grooming gangs that have plagued British towns. For many, Ms Phillips assertion that additional grooming gang inquiries should be handled on a local level is incomprehensible.

Utterly ridiculous

Paul Pennyfeather questioned: How is the rape and exploitation of thousands of girls a local council matter? Utterly ridiculous and disgusting.

In agreement, an anonymous reader said: Nothing is a local matter when it reaches the CPS acting on behalf of the Crown. Its reasonable to want to know what rationale the director of public prosecutions used when advising that certain cases should not proceed.

Chris Hart is sick to his stomach over Labours decision. He said: To insist this is a local only matter, and not widespread, is a despicable insult to all those girls. This is a new level of disgrace for Labour and Sir Keir Starmer.

While Debbie Skinner argued: A national inquiry needs to be done, if only to see how far the rot sets. There have been systematic failures and our children are the ones who have been failed. Leaving it to individual councils to do doesnt allow for enough scrutiny.

Echoing this sentiment, Naveed Zafar said: I feel a sense of deep shame and fury that there has not been a proper, independent inquiry into what happened in those towns.

If people at the top are to blame for not prosecuting [grooming gangs] at the earliest point, then they should be named and shamed, and appropriate action should be taken against them.

Other readers could not help but question Labours priorities as they compared the partys failure to act to the Partygate witch hunt.

A Dean said: We had a national investigation into whether Boris Johnson ate a bit of cake. Why is this Government refusing a national investigation into the cover-up of the mass rape of British children?

While an anonymous reader added: An inquiry into whether Boris had a beer, but none into the organised rape of thousands of vulnerable girls. Labours priorities in a nutshell.

Sir Keir Starmers attempt to get his premiership back on track was railroaded on Monday as he was forced to defend his actions as director of public prosecutions during the grooming gang scandal.

His defence quickly spiralled as he labelled those calling for a national inquiry as far-Right, leaving many Telegraph readers outraged.

Jason Irwin was shocked by Sir Keirs remarks and said anyone who describes parents who are concerned for their childs safety as being far-Right is not fit to be Prime Minister.

Similarly, Ian Perry said: For Starmer to accuse normal people, rightly concerned about the abuse of vulnerable girls, as far-Right is deeply insulting, dishonourable and utterly repulsive.

Addressing Sir Keir directly, MC argued: Those calling for an inquiry are not far-Right, they are speaking for the electorate, which is what you are supposed to be doing as Prime Minister. Instead, you are trying to cover your own back end. Ive had enough of you, Starmer.

Caroline Brennan added: How dare you, Starmer. How dare you attempt to shut down those who want proper scrutiny of you and your ilk by labelling them as far-Right.

In the wake of the scandal resurgence, Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, has announced longer prison sentences for child groomers.

Labours legislation has come too late for many Telegraph readers who feel that the party is soft on crime following the early release prison scheme.

Martin Hanson said: Given that offenders are released after serving a fraction of their sentences, what will change? Cooper needs to mandate the serving of the whole sentence.

While harsher sentences are a welcome move by many others, readers like Margaret Chapman have argued that without a full-scale inquiry many perpetrators from these grooming gangs will never be prosecuted.

Tougher sentences required

She said: Tougher sentences are required. But the point is that the perpetrators have never been prosecuted. They have been protected by those very people who should have protected vulnerable girls in the name of politics.

There needs to be a public inquiry into the operation of grooming gangs and the failure of public bodies to bring them to justice.

Julie McCaughey wrote: Yvette Cooper is correct when she says these crimes have not been taken seriously for far too long and on that basis alone, there should be an inquiry into the people that allowed this to happen, no matter what position they currently hold.

Guy Farrish added: Its not about the sentences for the gang rapists, or at least not just the sentences. Its the fact nobody brings most of the rapists to justice in the first place. Some of them are still running councils, are in social services, advising police forces. Sort that bit out.

For others, Ms Coopers words now fall on deaf ears.

Neil Scott said: Im afraid I dont believe a single word that comes from the mouth of Yvette Cooper when it comes to the harsher sentencing of organised and active paedophiles.

While an anonymous reader added: Too little, too late! They should have done more when it was needed, not now that you can no longer ignore it.
The paper identifies several disturbing data points for trend lines over the last 50 years. Photograph: Julien McRoberts/Getty Images/Tetra images RF

Children are suffering and dying from diseases that emerging scientific research has linked to chemical exposures, findings that require urgent revamping of laws around the world, according to a new paper published on Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).

Authored by more than 20 leading public health researchers, including one from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and another from the United Nations, the paper lays out a large body of evidence linking multiple childhood diseases to synthetic chemicals and recommends a series of aggressive actions to try to better protect children.

The paper is a call to arms to forge an actual commitment to the health of our children, said Linda Birnbaum, a former director of the US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and a co-author of the paper.

In conjunction with the release of the paper, some of the study authors are helping launch an Institute for Preventive Health to support the recommendations outlined in the paper and to help fund implementation of reforms. A key player in launching the institute is Anne Robertson, vice-president of Robertson Stephens Wealth Management and a member of the family that built RJ Reynolds Tobacco.

The paper points to data showing global inventories of roughly 350,000 synthetic chemicals, chemical mixtures and plastics, most of which are derived from fossil fuels. Production has expanded 50-fold since 1950, and is currently increasing by about 3% a year  projected to triple by 2050, the paper states.

Meanwhile, noncommunicable diseases, including many that research shows can be caused by synthetic chemicals, are rising in children and have become the principal cause of death and illness for children, the authors write.

Despite the connections, which the authors say continue to be discovered with distressing frequency, there are very few restrictions on such chemicals and no post-market surveillance for longer-term adverse health effects.

The evidence is so overwhelming and the effects of manufactured chemicals are so disruptive for children, that inaction is no longer an option, said Daniele Mandrioli, a co-author of the paper and director of the Cesare Maltoni Cancer Research Center at the Ramazzini Institute in Italy. Our article highlights the necessity for a paradigm shift in chemical testing and regulations to safeguard childrens health.

Such a shift would require changes in laws, restructuring of the chemical industry and redirection of financial investments similar to what has been undertaken with efforts to transition to clean energy, the paper states.

The paper identifies several disturbing data points for trend lines over the last 50 years. They include incidence of childhood cancers up 35%, male reproductive birth defects have doubled in frequency and neurodevelopmental disorders are affecting one child in six. Autism spectrum disorder is diagnosed in one in 36 children, pediatric asthma has tripled in prevalence and pediatric obesity prevalence has nearly quadrupled, driving a sharp increase in Type 2 diabetes among children and adolescents.

Childrens health has been slipping away as a priority focus, said Tracey Woodruff, a co-author of the paper and director of the University of California San Franciscos (UCSF) program on reproductive health and the environment. Weve slowly just been neglecting this. The clinical and public health community and the government has failed them.

The authors cite research documenting how even brief, low-level exposures to toxic chemicals during early vulnerable periods in a childs development can cause disease and disability. Prenatal exposures are particularly hazardous, the paper states.

Diseases caused by toxic chemical exposures in childhood can lead to massive economic losses, including health care expenditures and productivity losses resulting from reduced cognitive function, physical disabilities, and premature death, the paper notes. The chemical industry largely externalizes these costs and imposes them on governments and taxpayers.

The paper takes issue with the US Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) of 1977 and amendments, arguing that even though the law was enacted to protect public health from unreasonable risks posed by chemicals, it does not provide the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the authorities needed to actually meet that commitment.

Instead, the manner in which the law is implemented assumes that all manufactured chemicals are harmless and beneficial and burdens government regulators with identifying and assessing the chemicals.

Hazards that have been recognized have typically been ignored or downplayed, and the responsible chemicals allowed to remain in use with no or limited restrictions, the paper states. In the nearly 50 years since TSCAs passage, only a handful of chemicals have been banned or restricted in US markets.

Chemical oversight is more rigorous in the European Union, the paper says, but still fails to provide adequate protections, relying heavily on testing data provided by the chemical industry and providing multiple exemptions, the paper argues.

The authors of the paper prescribe a new global precautionary approach that would only allow chemical products on the market if their manufacturers could establish through independent testing that the chemicals are not toxic at anticipated exposure levels.

The core of our recommendation is that chemicals should be tested before they come to market, they should not be presumed innocent only to be found to be harmful years and decades later, said Phil Landrigan, a co-author who directs the program for global public health and the common good at Boston College. Each and every chemical should be tested before they come to market.

Additionally, companies would be required to conduct post-marketing surveillance to look for long-term adverse effects of their products.

That could include bio-monitoring of the most prevalent chemical exposures to the general population, Mandrioli said. Disease registries would play another fundamental role, he said, but those approaches should be integrated with toxicological studies that can anticipate and rapidly predict effects that might have very long latencies in humans, such as cancer. Clusters of populations with increased cancer incidences, particularly when they are children, should trigger immediate preventive actions, he said.

Key to it all would be a legally binding global chemicals treaty that would fall under the auspices of the United Nations and would require a permanent, independent science policy body to provide expert guidance, the paper suggests.

The paper recommends chemical companies and consumer product companies be required to disclose information about the potential risks of the chemicals in use and report on inventory and usage of chemicals of high concern.

Pollution by synthetic chemicals and plastics is a major planetary challenge that is worsening rapidly, the paper states. Continued, unchecked increases in production of fossil-carbonbased chemicals endangers the worlds children and threatens humanitys capacity for reproduction. Inaction on chemicals is no longer an option.

Landrigan said he knew the effort faces an uphill climb and could be particularly challenging given the incoming Trump administration, which is widely expected to favor deregulation policies.

This is a tough subject. Its an elephant, he said. But it is what needs to be done.

This story is co-published with the New Lede, a journalism project of the Environmental Working Group
The UNs special envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, meets the countrys de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Damascus in December. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images

A credible process leading to a new transitional government involving all strands of Syrian society is the best way for the countrys caretaker administration to secure a smooth lifting of sanctions, the UN special envoy Geir Pedersen has told the UN security council.

Giving his assessment of how the government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, the head of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, was meeting its commitment to inclusiveness, Pedersen said it had tremendous opportunities but also risked making missteps.

Decisions taken now will determine the future for a long time to come. There are great opportunities and real dangers, he told a special security council briefing in New York on Wednesday. The US has lifted some sanctions for six months and the EU may do the same later this month.

Treading carefully so as not to damage links with a government of contradictions and factions, Pedersen said many Syrians had received signals of inclusiveness but that there were concerns about a lack of transparency.

Some militias had not yet folded into the new defence ministry, while others  notably the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian National Army  were actively involved in military clashes, he said.

Pedersen also expressed deep concern over the actions of the Israel Defense Forces, saying their continued attacks inside Syria could put a peaceful transition at risk. He said Turkey had also warned it may step up its military activity in Syria.

Related: The UN wants to influence a pluralist Syria  but will the country listen?

Discussing the national dialogue conference vital to the formation of a transitional government from March, Pedersen said there were still concerns over the lack of transparency on timing, framework, goals, procedures [and] criteria for attendance and balance of representation.

It is crucially important that the process is not rushed and that it is well prepared and thought through, he said. In this regard, I welcome the fact that the caretaker authorities have now verified publicly that the conference has been delayed until an expanded preparatory committee can be formed that includes what was called comprehensive representation of Syria from all segments and governance.

He expressed no criticism of Sharaa for setting out a four-year timetable for national elections  more than two years longer than set out in UN resolution 2254  accepting that a resolution passed in 2015 could no longer be implemented literally because it was predicated on a reconciliation between the opposition and the previous regime of Bashir al-Assad. There is a need for a new approach and a new mode of thinking, he said.

He stressed that the UN wished to be a partner in that process, something Sharaa may resist. In particular he said there would eventually need to be free and fair elections in line with international standards. He said he did not think it was necessary for a new government to be formed on the basis of quotas linked to sects and regions.

Pedersen also regretted significant decisions or positions being taken that many Syrians believe should be left to a more inclusive transitional phase, such as articulating positions on the character of the state before a constitutional law, as well as issuing long-term policy decisions with regards to the security sector, or in fields such as education.

He said there were some signs of instability in areas under the control of the caretaker authorities, including coastal areas Homs and Hama. There have been videos circulating of what appear to be abuses or extrajudicial killings of officials from the former regime, he said. Though we note reports of the caretaker authorities arresting some perpetrators, there are also reports that plans for public sector restructuring, mainly many without livelihoods, which may push them into need and further jeopardize stability.

In a sign of concerns inside Syria about the composition of the HTS-led government, activists and rights groups have demanded the interim justice minister, Shadi al-Waisi, be investigated or sacked over old footage that has resurfaced linking him to the summary killings of two women accused of prostitution.

In one video, armed men ask a veiled woman to kneel down in the middle of the street before shooting her dead. A man who appears to be Waisi speaks to her briefly and then records the killing on his phone.
Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, intervened amid a growing row over Labour blocking an inquiry into grooming gangs - House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA

Labours definition of Islamophobia bars discussion of grooming gangs, Kemi Badenoch has told MPs.

The Tory leader used Prime Ministers Questions to ask Sir Keir Starmer to cancel his partys adoption of the definition used by the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on British Muslims.

She also asked whether the Prime Minister intended to introduce a law to ensure the Government had to abide by the Islamophobia definition and he declined to rule it out.

It comes as the Conservatives accused the Government of cowardice on Wednesday night for voting down efforts to force a new national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal.

The party also called for Pakistanis to be denied visas to come to Britain until the country agrees to take back groomers. The grooming gangs were predominantly run by British Pakistanis.

Speaking at PMQs, Mrs Badenoch said that the APPGs definition said talking about sex groomers was an example of Islamophobia and claimed that this is why people were too scared to tell the truth.

The definition warns against using symbols and images associated with Islamophobia to characterise Muslims as being sex groomers.

An accompanying report compiled by the APPG says the concept of Asian grooming gangs was a modern-day iteration of age-old stereotypes and tropes about Islam, and that discussion around grooming gangs could heighten vulnerability of Muslims to hate crimes.

The APPG has insisted that its definition does not stop people talking about sex groomers, and that there was nothing Islamophobic about addressing any crime.

However, the Conservative leader said: We know that people were scared to tell the truth because they thought theyd be called racist. If we want to stop this from ever happening again we cannot be afraid.

The Labour Party has adopted the APPG definition of Islamophobia. That same APPG report said talking about sex groomers was an example of Islamophobia.

This is exactly why people are scared to tell the truth and the lack of clarity means that innocent British Muslims are smeared by association.

That is not fair and only a national inquiry can solve this. So will the Prime Minister look again at the Labour Partys adoption of the definition of Islamophobia, its chilling effect and rule out introducing it in government?

Sir Keir did not reply directly, saying he would call out any aspect that has prevented anybody coming forward or any case going forward when it comes to violence against women and girls, child abuse or child sexual exploitation.

Elon Musk, whose social media posts about the grooming gangs and criticism of Sir Keir has reignited public anger over the scandal, praised Mrs Badenoch for her comments, calling them brave and true words.

Speaking at PMQs, Mrs Badenoch also challenged Sir Keir over his refusal to bow to demands for a new national inquiry. She said that although there had been a series of local inquiries, no one has joined the dots, no one has the total picture. She accused the Prime Minister of not wanting questions asked of Labour politicians who may be complicit.

Sir Keir has faced accusations that an inquiry would uncover evidence of wrongdoing when he was director of public prosecutions.

On Wednesday night, after Labour MPs voted down a Tory effort to force a national inquiry, Chris Philp MP, shadow home secretary, accused the government of cowardice.

He said: It is disgusting that Keir Starmer has used his supermajority in Parliament to block a national inquiry into the rape gangs scandal.

Labour MPs have put their Party ahead of getting to the truth and turned a blind eye to justice for the victims. Labour MPs will have to explain to the British people why they are against learning the truth behind the torture and rape of countless vulnerable girls.

We will not let them forget this act of cowardice.

The APPG definition of Islamophobia describes it as rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.

Labour adopted this definition and its examples under Jeremy Corbyn in March 2019.

One of the examples is: Using the symbols and images associated with classic Islamophobia (e.g. Muhammed being a paedophile, claims of Muslims spreading Islam by the sword or subjugating minority groups under their rule) to characterise Muslims as being sex groomers, inherently violent or incapable of living harmoniously in plural societies.

An accompanying document by the APPG refers on a number of occasions to grooming gangs, always putting the phrase in inverted commas.

The recourse to the notion of free speech and a supposed right to criticise Islam results in nothing more than another subtle form of anti-Muslim racism, whereby the criticism humiliates, marginalises and stigmatises Muslims, it says.

One real life example of this concerns the issue of grooming gangs.

It said that politicians from all parties had indulged in racist attempts to other Muslims, associating them with the crime our society sees as most abhorrent of all.

This had occurred especially in relation to grooming gangs, the document said.

It went on: We found that age-old stereotypes and tropes about Islam, such as sexual profligacy and paedophilia or Islam and violence, and their modern-day iteration in the Asian grooming gangs or Bin Laden labels re-emerge in discourses and dispositions which heighten vulnerability of Muslims to hate crimes.

Collective smear and trope

In response to Mrs Badenochs claims, the APPG on British Muslims said: If the Leader of the Opposition thoroughly read the report, she would understand the report speaks about the collective smear and trope being used against all British Muslims, a point which she accepted in her own words, and does not speak about legitimate concerns about criminal activity committed by specific individuals.

There is nothing racist or Islamophobic about addressing any crime or protecting victims, regardless of the ethnicity or faith of the perpetrator.

The group added: The APPGs definition of Islamophobia is not there to stop free speech or curtail such freedoms, but politicians must act responsibly and understand that whipping up far-Right narratives to support their political interests can lead to dangerous ramifications that do have consequences.

The group also pointed to the case of Mushin Ahmed, an 81-year-old Muslim man who was murdered on his way to the mosque in Rotherham in 2015 by a man who accused him of being a groomer.

David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, once claimed that condemning Asian grooming gangs panders to the far-Right.

He made the comments after Sir Sajid Javid, then the home secretary, welcomed the sentencing of 20 Asian paedophiles, mainly of Pakistani heritage, in 2018.

Sir Sajid, who was born to a British Pakistani family, said at the time: These sick Asian paedophiles are finally facing justice.

He faced a backlash for his remarks, with Mr Lammy telling The Guardian: Sajid Javid has brought a great office of state into disrepute. By singling out Asians he not only panders to the far-Right but increases the risk of violence and abuse against minorities across the country.

Jumping on a far-Right bandwagon

Earlier this week Sir Keir accused those calling for a new inquiry into grooming gangs of jumping on a far-Right bandwagon.

The Prime Minister appeared to hit back at Mr Musk, who has been leading attacks on Labour over the grooming gang scandal on X, formerly Twitter, by saying: Those that are spreading lies and misinformation as far and as wide as possible are not interested in victims  they are interested in themselves.

When politicians  and I mean politicians  who sat in government for many years are casual about honesty, decency, truth and the rule of law, calling for inquiries because they want to jump on a bandwagon of the far-Right, then that affects politics because a robust debate can only be based on the true facts.

This is actually an important point about our politics, not about what anybody may or may not say on Twitter.

The Muslim Council of Britain on Wednesday called on Mrs Badenoch to retract her claim.

Zara Mohammed, secretary-general of the MCB, said: Let me be absolutely clear  British Muslims unequivocally support the thorough investigation and prosecution of all child abusers, regardless of background. The MCB will support yet another investigation if proponents can explain why previous inquiries costing millions have not given them the answers they are looking for.

Those who seek to weaponise this issue against Muslims have already received answers they didnt want from previous inquiries. Yet they persist in pursuing a divisive agenda rather than focusing on protecting children through evidence-based approaches.

What we will not accept is the cynical exploitation of child protection issues to demonise British Muslims. Mrs Badenochs comments represent a new low in the Conservative Partys persistent refusal to tackle anti-Muslim prejudice within its ranks.

The Opposition leader should retract her misleading claims and focus instead on supporting evidence-based approaches to protecting all children in our society.
Caroline Wilburn is a breaking news reporter for the Houston Chronicle.

A graduate of Texas A&M University, Caroline worked as an election stringer for the Associated Press and as a breaking news fellow at the Texas Tribune. At the Tribune, she got a crash course in interpreting data, distilling complicated policy and following statewide trends on a tight deadline. Shes also a skilled video editor and podcast producer.

She won a first-place award for audio news production at the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association.
John Swinney - Jane Barlow/PA

John Swinney and his SNP government are considering boycotting X in the wake of a series of controversial interventions by owner Elon Musk in British politics.

The First Minister said he was continuing to use the social media platform, formerly known as Twitter, for the time being as he wanted to use all channels to communicate with the public.

But he said that both he and the Scottish Government could stop posting on the website, which Mr Musk bought for $44 billion in 2022, if he no longer thought it appropriate.

Mr Swinney said he would further consider public objections that have been raised about his use of X when I see how it has been used by Elon Musk.

Mr Musk has used the social media platform to make a series of outspoken criticisms of the UK Labour Government, including a refusal to order a public inquiry into historic sexual abuse by grooming gangs in Oldham.

The worlds richest man, who has been appointed by Donald Trump, the US president-elect, to improve government efficiency, has also feuded with Humza Yousaf, Mr Swinneys predecessor as first minister.

On Monday, Mr Swinney delivered a keynote speech in which he criticised Elon Musk and other populists, arguing that they presented glib solutions to the problems facing ordinary people.

But the speech was livestreamed by the Scottish Government on X, the same platform that Mr Musk uses to propagate the views to which Mr Swinney was objecting.

The First Minister said at the time that he had to get my message across but appeared to have shifted his stance when asked again on Wednesday whether he planned to continue using the site.

Mr Swinney said it was an important issue, adding: Ill keep considering this, because its certainly not my last word on the subject.

I want to make sure I use all channels to communicate with the public, but Ive got to be satisfied those channels are appropriate for me and for my government.

While Im still using X just now, I will consider further the issues that are raised by members of the public about the appropriateness of that as a communications channel.

He also expressed concern that Meta has announced that Facebook and Instagram will move away from using third-party fact checkers to flag misleading content, instead adopting community notes similar to X, which relies on other users to add caveats and context to contentious posts.

Mark Zuckerberg, the boss of Meta, said the current system has become biased and is making too many mistakes, saying he wants to return to his platforms core values of free speech.
Bridget Phillipsons new Bill will force academies to teach the national curriculum - Kirsty O'Connor / Treasury

The Governments plan for all state schools to follow the same pay and curriculum is an act of educational vandalism that will water down standards, the shadow education secretary has warned.

Laura Trott accused Labour of tearing up everything that has driven up school standards through its Childrens Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which MPs will debate in its second reading in Parliament on Wednesday.

The Bill will end academies freedom to set their own pay and conditions for staff and will instead make all schools follow the same national pay scales.

The proposed legislation will also force academies to teach the national curriculum  something they are not currently required to do.

It has prompted fears that academies will no longer be able to attract the best teachers by offering above-average salaries, in a move that could impact school standards.

Ms Trott said: This is educational vandalism, plain and simple  and the Conservatives will oppose it every step of the way.

Around 20,000 teachers currently work at 533 academy schools that are known to exceed national pay scales, according to analysis by the Tories.

Neil OBrien, the shadow education minister, said changes in the Governments Childrens Wellbeing and Schools Bill would lead to pay cuts for good teachers.

He also criticised the decision to scrap the current requirement which says that schools judged as inadequate by Ofsted must be converted into an academy with a strong partner school sponsor.

[This] ends the vital requirement to turn failing schools over to new management, and will enable local authorities to share out pupils from good schools to prop up poor ones, he said.

We can already see from Wales, where Labour have already implemented this agenda, that the results have been catastrophic, with Welsh school results slumping even as schools in England have climbed the international league tables.

Leora Cruddas, the chief executive of the Confederation of School Trusts (CST), warned that the Bill potentially risks making it harder for schools to improve by tieing the hands of teachers and school leaders.

The Childrens Wellbeing Bill, which was formally unveiled in the Kings Speech in July, will make up one of Labours first significant pieces of proposed legislation.

It will include plans to roll out free breakfast clubs in every primary school in England, introduce a register of children not in school and clamp down on home-schooling requests.

Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary , said on Wednesday that it was a landmark Bill that marked a crucial step forward in our mission to protect all children.

It comes as the Government faces scrutiny over its education plans, with the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) warning that rising costs will likely outstrip school funding next year.

The think tank said schools in England will face very tight budgets if the independent pay review body agrees to the Governments recommended pay rise for teachers for 2025/26.

In its annual report on education spending, the IFS estimated that the proposed 2.8 per cent pay offer from September would contribute to a 3.6 per cent rise in overall school costs.

The latest pay offer also follows a 5.5 per cent uplift for teachers awarded last September, which the think tank said would have its full financial effect from the start of the next school year.

Schools might struggle

The IFS warned that rising costs would outstrip school funding and mean schools might struggle to cover their costs without making savings.

If these projections are accurate, then core school budgets will feel very tight in 2025/26, it added.

Researchers also highlighted the soaring cost of special educational needs (Send) provision, which has absorbed around half of the increase in school funding between 2019 and 2024.

Teaching unions warned it would mean yet another round of cutbacks unless the Government rolls out additional support.

They urged ministers to increase funding for schools at the upcoming spending review, following a 2.3 billion hike to the schools budget for 2025/26 announced by Rachel Reeves in October.

Julie McCulloch, director of policy at the Association of School and College Leaders, said: This report reveals the reality that is facing many schools and colleges  yet another round of cutbacks.

It will inevitably mean further reductions to pastoral support, curriculum options and classroom resources. It is also likely that in many cases class sizes will increase We cannot go on like this. It is death by a thousand cuts. The Government must recognise the importance of improved investment in education.

The IFS said it came as the Government faces difficult choices amid mounting pressure on university finances.

The Education Secretarys recent announcement that tuition fees will rise from September 2025 was not sufficient to put the sector on a secure financial footing, the think tank said.

Ms Phillipson unveiled the first tuition fee hike in eight years last November, announcing that the annual price of a degree will increase from the current 9,250 to 9,535 from 2025/26.

The Government has not ruled out raising them again in future years, meaning tuition fees could rise to as much as 10,500 by the end of the Parliament.

The IFS called on ministers to spell out their plans for the sector, saying in its report that if the Government knows what it plans to do on the fee cap, it should say so  and provide some certainty to universities and prospective students alike.

It also noted that Ms Phillipson promised to make the student loan repayment system fairer and more progressive while in opposition, but that Labours election manifesto did not mention student loan reforms, and no proposals have been forthcoming from the party in its first five months in office.
Jess Phillips has faced criticism from Elon Musk - Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP

My, how the Labour Party misses Dennis Healey, the originator of that wise old saying, When youre in a hole, stop digging.

Stephen Kinnock is too young to have worked alongside his partys most famed bruiser of the 1970s and early 1980s. But he could always ask his dad what he thinks Healey would have thought of Kinnock Jrs interview on BBC Newsnight last night when he was quizzed about the ongoing and totally unnecessary controversy over the Governments refusal to hold an inquiry into the rape gang scandal.

The Line To Take has been sent out from Downing Street via the whips office, and woe betide any MP, let alone any minister, who deviates from it. This all started out as outrage that safeguarding minister Jess Phillips has refused to hold a national inquiry to find out what the hell happened across England when council officials, council leaders, social workers and police officers failed  perhaps deliberately, and thats what an inquiry needs to discover  to prevent the appalling abuse of young, mostly white women by gangs of mostly Asian, Pakistani-heritage men.

Then, thanks to a frequently-used and effective media strategy, the Government managed to make it all about themselves, not the young victims who had been so badly let down by public officials. Within 24 hours the story was about Elon Musk, the owner of X and about how he was saying mean things about ministers. Then it was about Phillips herself, and much effort was invested in generating exactly the kind of sympathy and support for her that was so evidently lacking when young working-class girls were being gang-raped and tortured.

Then, as decided by the prime minister itself, it was all about the far-Right, that helpful bogeyman so frequently summoned whenever awkward questions about public policy on race relations or immigration are raised.

Which is why Victoria Derbyshire, host of Newsnight, was keen to interrogate Kinnock, the health and social care minister, about the controversy.

Were even those girls who had been victims of the rape gangs guilty of jumping on the far-Right bandwagon, she wanted to know.

But she didnt find out because Kinnock refused to give a straight yes or no answer, other than a weary and defensive I dont think that thats what the prime minister was saying.

What Kinnock did say during the interview was very significant, and it falls into a pattern that says much about this Governments cynical attempts to control the news narrative.

Derbyshire told Kinnock: Weve spoken to a victim today who says she was sexually exploited as a teenager in Telford. She wants a national inquiry because she believes it will hold people accountable in the way previous inquiries havent. Is she jumping on the far-Right bandwagon?

To which Kinnock answered: I think the Jay Review was very clear that it will put institutions in place  child protection authority  

Youre ignoring my question again, interrupted a clearly frustrated Derbyshire.

 those institutions will, I believe, deliver on what that young person, that victim of abuse, is calling for.

There. Right there is the fundamental problem with the Governments defence of its own position. The victim in question was specifically demanding that past wrongs be righted, that those who failed in the past should be identified and held to account today. The Jay report does not address that issue. Kinnock knows that, so he chose to change what that victims demands were, from a plea to hold those culpable for turning a blind eye  or worse  to account, into a request that future processes are put in place to prevent this happening again in the future.

This is gaslighting in its purest form.

And we saw another form of that gaslighting from Phillips private office this week. It has emerged that following a meeting the minister held with the father of one of the victims in November, during which he asked for a national inquiry to be held, the subsequent record of the meeting had replaced this demand with warm words about a national strategy, which is not what the father was asking for at all. Gaslighting again.

Diversion, deflection, gaslighting  what extraordinary lengths for any Government to go to when the demands being made of it are so reasonable.

To be clear, Phillips and Kinnock are not bad people  I have no doubt they are trying to carry out their duties well and conscientiously, whatever some of the more extreme criticisms they  and particularly Phillips  have endured. They are relatively junior members of a Government that seems to have no central guiding philosophy when it comes to sensitive issues like this. Thus the whole administration is unnecessarily cast in the role of defender and protector of officials in Telford and Rochdale and numerous other towns who do not merit protection of any sort.

Why has this Government allowed itself to be placed in such an invidious position? Why must it resort to a media strategy to deflect criticism when some strong and unapologetic political leadership could have lanced the boil at the very start?

It is unfair to suggest that Labour ministers are deliberately trying to protect public servants who facilitated or ignored mass rape. But if they continue to ignore demands that those people are held to account, if they prioritise gaslighting above addressing the real issue, more and more people are going to reach that ugly conclusion.

That will be the fault of this Government, not the far-Right.
Debra and Tom Willoughby on their farm in Normanton-on-Soar, Leicestershire, where they have opened new permissive footpaths. Photograph: Andrew Fox/The Guardian

When Debra and Tom Willoughby first arrived at their tenant farm in Nottinghamshire, they tried to reroute a bridleway that runs through their farmyard. Now the organic farmers are relieved they were refused permission because of the benefits they have found from the connections they make with people who walk through their farm. They have since opened new permissive footpaths on their land.

Farmers are often cast as vociferous opponents of wider access to the countryside. But a growing band of access-friendly farmers has joined forces with the Right to Roam campaign and will discuss how to open up more land for public enjoyment at this weeks Oxford real farming conference.

Its really nice when we get people through the yard  the positives far outweigh the negatives, said Debra Willoughby, who farms 157 hectares (387 acres) with organic beef cattle, cereals and new agroforestry apple orchards at Normanton-on-Soar near Loughborough. Farms are very isolated places. It used to be tens of people working on this farm and now its just me and my husband.

One positive for the Willoughbys and other farmers is finding new customers  particularly as a growing number of farmers are seeking to circumvent the vicissitudes of global commodity markets by selling produce directly to people.

If weve got people coming through, enjoying the landscape here, they are your customers, said Willoughby. We need that connection with people otherwise whats going to stop them going to the supermarket? We have to put ourselves out there.

The Willoughbys are planting more than 12,000 apple trees for eating and juicing, converting their former dairy farm to agroforestry. While they are paying local people to plant the trees this winter, they are also organising village tree-planting days so volunteers can get involved.

In England, only 8% of the countryside is designated as open access for walking, picnicking and other outdoor activities. A recent poll found 71% of people were in favour of allowing access around the edge of fields if there were no safe alternative routes.

Related: Campaigners call for right to roam on edges of private farmland in England

According to the Right to Roam campaign, farmers are finding that more people on their land helps alert them to potential thefts, fires and fly-tipping.

Farmers need to reconnect with their communities as much as we need to reconnect with nature. And the land is where we meet, said Amy-Jane Beer of the Right to Roam campaign. Farmers are isolated and in that isolation its very easy to regard someone coming on your land as a stranger. Its that Irish proverb  a stranger being the friend you havent met yet. By having more people on your land particularly if theyre local, the strangers become a known quantity  they become your neighbours, friends and potentially your customers.

Members of the Right to Roams access-friendly farmers working group are appearing this week at the Oxford real farming conference  launched in 2010 as an alternative to the Oxford farming conference  to discuss the benefits of opening up more land to people.

The Right to Roam campaign is seeking a default right of responsible access to land and water, as enjoyed in Scotland, Scandinavia and other European countries, with exceptions for privacy, public safety, protecting crops, young livestock and sensitive wildlife.

But the National Farmers Union and the Country Land and Business Association have claimed that Labours abandonment of its right to roam policy for England and Wales in the months before the 2024 general election was a major win for their lobbying against the policy.

A growing number of landowners favour a careful increase in public access.

Jo Clark, a small farmer in south Devon, said: I grew up on a farm and as a kid I was told by lots of neighbours: Get off my land! My philosophy has been: Get on my land, but Id rather people come here and have a really grounded experience.

Clark hosts educational visits and camps  with particular focus on screen-free camps for teenagers  through the On the Hill social enterprise and a vegetable box scheme alongside other farming. He is applying for the governments new sustainable farming incentive (SFI) but is dismayed it does not include any support for new footpath creation or better incentives for educational visits.

Id love to make recommendations to Defra on what could be added to the SFI to encourage farmers to bring people out from the towns and cities and on to the land, said Clark. Its such a shame that financial incentives to encourage public access arent there.

Guy Thallon, the head of natural environment for the 3,600-hectare Castle Howard estate in North Yorkshire, is participating in the Oxford real farming conference debate and said the estate had opened up new permissive footpaths to better connect existing public rights of way.

The estate is changing the way it manages land, with a mix of traditional farming operations and tenant farmers alongside new forestry creation and a rewilding block.

Obviously access is in the front of our minds when were thinking about how do we progress, said Thallon. We dont support a universal right to roam but we recognise that access to the natural environment is important to society and we are supportive of more public access to land.

There are some public funds already available for enhancing public access  the woodland creation offer in England provides one-off payments of up to 3,700 a hectare to landowners who create publicly accessible woodlands close to major towns and cities. But according to Thallon, offering landowners incentives to create new public access via its environmental stewardship schemes would be a logical step. It would definitely be good to see [government] support for more access, he said.

Beer said adding public access creation to existing environmental farm payments would be an easy win for the government. Its relatively inexpensive and hugely beneficial for public health, as a way of keeping people fitter and healthier with improved mental wellbeing as well  keeping people out of hospitals. Yes theres a cost to creating new access infrastructure for the public but theres so much to gain  and economic gain as well.
In the past few months, Jon Oeis parents, who live in the highlands of the Pacific Palisades, have received multiple wildfire evacuation orders, the most recent in the early hours of New Years Eve, he said.

So on Tuesday, when a wildfire began not far from the familys home, they did not immediately evacuate.

By 10.30 am however, they could see smoke coming over the top of the hill, the 35-year-old said. The fire, ignited as a ferocious windstorm whipped the region, was rapidly growing.

Oei was staying with his parents, and he knew the one main road going out of their neighborhood would be snarled with traffic following the first evacuation order. Soon, videos showed long traffic jams as residents tried to evacuate, empty cars lining some roads as people gave up the wait and continued on foot.

I think a lot of people ignore the first call, he said. You get stuck. There you see people abandoning their cars.

Meanwhile, the wind was also pushing the fire in the opposite direction from his parents home, Oei said. So they waited.

It was not until after 5pm, he said, that they finally decided to flee. The family could see the fire coming over the Malibu side of the hills, which meant that the single road out of the community risked being cut off by fire.

The decision most people made: how long can I stay before I cant really drive the one road out any more? Oei said. By the time my family did it, it was close to the end.

Many other neighbors had left by that point, he said, but he recalled six or seven other cars leaving at the same time.

By the time they drove down towards the ocean, there was not much traffic on Palisades drive. But it was dark, and the power was out across the area. There were no lights, and everything was on fire, Oei said. During parts of the drive, the land on both sides of the road was ablaze.

The family made it safely to Oeis apartment in Santa Monica,, he said.

Many residents of the Pacific Palisades, an affluent community in the north of Los Angeles, told similar stories. The natural beauty the seaside enclave is known for  tucked between pristine Pacific beaches and the green hills of the Santa Monica mountain range  is also what makes it susceptible to rapidly spreading wildfires. And what makes it tricky to evacuate.

Nearby Malibu witnessed similar scenes in December, when the so-called Franklin fire forced thousands to evacuate there.

Pacific Palisades resident Kelsey Trainor told the Associated Press the only road in and out of her neighborhood was completely blocked. Ash fell all around them while fires burned on both sides of the road.

We looked across and the fire had jumped from one side of the road to the other side of the road, Trainor said. People were getting out of the cars with their dogs and babies and bags, they were crying and screaming. The road was just blocked, like full-on blocked for an hour.

Related: Wildfire in Pacific Palisades, California  in pictures

Longtime Palisades resident Will Adams told the news service embers flew into his wifes car as she tried to evacuate. She vacated her car and left it running, Adams said. She and many other residents walked down toward the ocean until it was safe.

He watched as the sky turned brown and then black as homes started burning. He could hear loud popping and bangs like small explosions, which he said he believes were the transformers exploding.



It is crazy, its everywhere, in all the nooks and crannies of the Palisades. One homes safe, the other ones up in flames, Adams said.

Oei said that while some people might find his familys experience deeply shocking, he has found repeated exposure to wildfires makes people who live in the area accustomed to responding. His parents have lived in their home for more than three decades.

We were largely prepared to evacuate, he said. If he hadnt been staying with them, his parents, who are in their late 60s and early 70s, probably would have waited a lot longer to leave.

Id be very surprised if people in the area didnt have go bags already set up, he said. This has happened. Were used to it.

The Associated Press contributed reporting
The Duchess of Sussex has announced the death of her beagle Guy, whom she adopted in 2015

The Duchess of Sussex has said she is devastated after the death of her rescue dog

The Duchess, 43, announced the death of beagle Guy, which she adopted in 2015, in an Instagram post on Tuesday night.

She said: I have cried too many tears to count  the type of tears that make you get in the shower with the absurd hope that the running water on your face will somehow make you not feel them, or pretend theyre not there. But they are. And thats OK too.

Thank you for so many years of unconditional love, my sweet Guy. You filled my life in ways youll never know.

The Duchess thanked her beagle for so many years of unconditional love

The Duchess posted a montage of various videos and photos of Guy, including several that also feature Prince Harry and their children Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three.

She wrote in the caption: In 2015, I adopted a beagle from a dog rescue in Canada. He had been at a kill shelter in Kentucky and given a few days to live. I swooped him up.and fell in love.

The Duchess posted a montage of various videos and photos of Guy, including several that feature Prince Harry - @meghan/Instagram

He was so small and frail

They referred to him as the little guy because he was so small and frail, so I named him Guy. And he was the best guy any girl could have asked for.

If you followed me on Instagram back in the day, you saw a lot of him  and on The Tig too. He was with me at Suits, when I got engaged, (and then married), when I became a mom.he was with me for everything: the quiet, the chaos, the calm, the comfort.

He endured a terrible accident shortly before I moved to the UK which had him undergoing surgeries for several months and unable to leave the clinic

Doctors said he would never walk again, but Dr Noel Fitzpatrick said he could do it. H and I would drive late at night, after hours, to see Guy as he recovered in Surrey for months on end.

I will always be grateful to Noel and his team, the team at Queen West Animal Hospital in TO, our vets now, and my friends and community: Thank you for loving him so.

The Duchess wrote that Guy endured a terrible accident shortly before she moved to the UK - @meghan/Instagram

Guy features in the closing scene of the trailer for her new lifestyle and cookery show, With Love, Meghan. As the Duchess chops vegetables at the kitchen counter, she looks over to him and says with an affectionate smile: Guys snoring. Peaceful day.

She said: Because many of you will now see Guy in this new series, I hope youll come to understand why I am so devastated by his loss. I think you may fall a little bit in love too.

The lengthy post, including many previously unseen family images and videos, may be an early indication of how the Duchess plans to communicate with her 1.4 million followers.

It suggests that she will use the newly activated account to share personal as well as professional updates and is unafraid to publish private images of her family.

The latest post includes two brief clips that appear to contain the voices of her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, singing in the background, and another that appears to be Archie expressing concern that Guy will fall over as they travel in the car.

Meghan responds: Hes not going to fall, dont you worry. Mama has him. Thank you for being such a good boy.

It also includes a clip of Meghan stirring a vat of jam on the stove, possibly ahead of the delivery of 50 jars of the preserve to her friends, as she says: Were jamming, Guy.
The Metropolitan police say BBC Broadcasting House in London outside of which the Palestine Solidarity Campaign wants to protest is too close to the Central Synagogue. Photograph: Tayfun Salc/Zuma Press Wire/Shutterstock

The Metropolitan police have been accused of in effect banning major pro-Palestine marches outside the BBCs Broadcasting House headquarters in London.

Organisers of regular demonstrations over the events in Gaza said they had been told that a Saturday protest risked serious disturbance of Shabbat services at a nearby synagogue.

Ben Jamal, the director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), said Saturday was the traditional day of the pro-Palestine demonstrations as it allowed people from across the country to attend.

On Sunday, the transport situation is terrible and so Saturday is the day we demonstrate, he said. The police are effectively stopping us from staging pro-Palestine protests outside the BBC.

The row highlights the difficulties facing the Met, whose commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, was accused last month by the chief rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, of failing to ensure British Jews feel safe after the force permitted pro-Palestinian protests to take place near synagogues.

The Central Synagogue on Great Portland Street is a few hundred yards from Broadcasting House on Portland Place.

A Met spokesperson said officers had taken into account the cumulative effect of the regular London marches on the capitals Jewish community.

They said: The role of the police is to ensure that groups can protest lawfully, while also balancing the rights of those in the wider community to go about their lives without serious disruption.

We have carefully considered the likely impact of the PSCs plans. As part of those considerations we have reflected on the views of local community and business representatives, including those of the congregation at a synagogue located a very short distance from the proposed form up point in Portland Place.

As we have shared with the PSC, it is our view that a protest forming up so close to that synagogue on a Saturday  the Jewish holy day  when congregants will be attending Shabbat services, risks causing serious disruption.

In reaching this view we have taken into account the cumulative impact of this prolonged period of protest, often taking place on Saturdays and on numerous occasions in the vicinity of synagogues.

We know this has been a cause of increased concern for many Jewish Londoners who have altered their plans, avoided parts of central London and reduced attendance at religious services.

The Met said they would consider the use of Public Order Act conditions as appropriate if an attempt was made by organisers to continue with the plans.

The PSC had already announced its intention to assemble outside the corporations London headquarters on 18 January for a march to Whitehall in protest against what organisers had described as the pro-Israel bias of the BBCs coverage.

They believed that they had been given the green light for the protest before Christmas and accused the Met of going back on a previous deal.

The BBC is a major institution  it is a publicly funded state broadcaster and is rightly accountable to the public, the PSC said. It is unacceptable for the police to misuse public order powers to shield the BBC from democratic scrutiny. This route, beginning at the BBC, has only been used twice in the last 15 months of demonstrations and not since February 2024.

The PSC said the planned march route would not have passed the synagogue. They added that the Met police had acknowledged, there has not been a single incident of any threat to a synagogue attached to any of the marches.
Fast-moving wildfires tore through several neighborhoods of Los Angeles, killing at least five people, incinerating more than 1,500 buildings and leaving firefighters across the region spread thin.

Winds were easing and firefighters from across the state were relieving exhausted crews, but the danger was far from over late Wednesday. As officials provided an update on the fires, a new blaze broke out in the Hollywood Hills, and evacuation orders were also extended to Santa Monica.

More than 1,000 structures, mostly homes, have been destroyed, and over 130,000 people are under evacuation orders in the metropolitan area, from the Pacific coast inland to Pasadena, a number that continues to shift as new fires  six were burning as of Wednesday evening  erupt.

We are absolutely not out of danger yet, LA city fire chief Kristin M Crowley said.

Devastating and terrifying nights

The disaster began on Tuesday afternoon, when a powerful windstorm fanned the flames of a fire in the scenic Pacific Palisades neighborhood, quickly forcing thousands to flee.

The emergency intensified overnight as firefighters struggled to contain the flames in the extreme winds, during what one official described as among the most devastating and terrifying nights in city history.

By Wednesday morning, authorities had dispatched crews from across California to help tackle at least four blazes besieging the region, and Oregon reported it would send firefighters.

Related: Visual explainer: why are the LA wildfires so bad?

Officials say the flames have injured many, and UCLA said its hospitals had treated over 20 patients.

The LA county fire chief, Anthony Marrone, said on Wednesday morning there were not enough firefighters in LA county to address four separate fires of this magnitude. The county was prepared for one or two brushfires, but not four, especially given these sustained winds and low humidities, he said. Later that evening, that had grown to six.

One of the fires, the Palisades fire, has been deemed the most destructive in the modern history of Los Angeles, and preliminary estimates of damages and economic losses from the disasters exceeded $50bn.

The fires are also straining the regions water resources. Firefighters have struggled with reduced water pressure and fire hydrants that have run dry in some areas due to the increased demand, the citys water and power department reported. Officials have urged residents to conserve water.

It blew me back

In some parts of Los Angeles, the flames moved so quickly residents were forced to abandon their cars and flee on foot, later leading to jammed roads that first responders had to clear with bulldozers. In the Pacific Palisades, Sheriece Wallace said she was unaware there was a fire burning around her until her sister called as a helicopter made a water drop overhead.

I was like: Its raining, Wallace said. Shes like: No, its not raining. Your neighborhood is on fire. You need to get out.

She added: As soon as I opened my door, it was like right there. The first thing I did was looked at the trees to see where the wind was blowing. Because it hit me. It blew me back. She was able to leave.

The Palisades fire was wholly uncontained as of Wednesday afternoon and prompted evacuation orders for roughly 37,000 residents, extending into some densely populated neighborhoods north of the citys famous pier.

Other inland wildfires in Los Angeles were also spreading fast, including the major Eaton fire in Altadena, near Pasadena. That blaze exploded in size and has grown to 10,600 acres and was expected to become the largest California wildfire to burn during the month of January in the past 41 years.

As many as 500 structures have been impacted or destroyed, at least five Altadena school campuses have suffered substantial fire damage and roughly 100,000 people have been ordered to evacuate in the Eaton fire.

Two smaller fires were also reported, including the Hurst fire, in Sylmar, in the San Fernando Valley, north-west of Los Angeles, and one that began on Wednesday named the Woodley fire, near the Van Nuys neighborhood. By Wednesday afternoon, a brush fire, called the Lidia fire, had begun burning into the Angeles national forest.

All fires were 0% contained, according to officials from Californias department of forestry and fire protection. A fire to the east of the city, named the Tyler fire, began overnight but was largely contained.

A state of emergency

The fires have consumed a total of about 42 sq miles (108 sq km)  nearly the size of the entire city of San Francisco.

The governor of California, Gavin Newsom, has declared a state of emergency. Before daybreak, he released a statement saying the state had deployed more than 1,400 firefighting personnel to combat these unprecedented fires in LA.

Newsom cancelled plans to attend Jimmy Carters funeral because of the disaster. Donald Trump used the fires as an opportunity to criticize Joe Biden and Newsom in a rambling post on Truth Social in which he said the governor was to blame for the disaster because of his policies related to the endangered smelt fish.

Meanwhile, residents in the sprawling suburbs and rural enclaves braced for another day of brutal winds. Gusts across the southern California region peaked at 100mph, with swaths of the area seeing between 50-80mph winds over the last two days.

Trees thrashed and debris was strewn across yards in Chatsworth, California, a neighborhood at the foot of the Santa Susana mountains, throughout a sleepless night on Tuesday. Residents anxiously kept watch on the glowing horizons and billowing smoke pluming over the mountains above wondering if new ignitions would start in the night.

Wind-whipped fires are difficult to stop and can move incredibly fast, especially through these parched landscapes.

It was very surreal, said Patty Robinson, a resident, after trees thumped against her roof and the gusts howled. To hear this wind and know the effect it is having and the damage that it can bring makes my hackles rise, she added. My little lizard brain is freaking out.

Displaced residents have sought shelter at local evacuation centers. The city has opened several facilities to take in those escaping the flames, and are providing hot meals and food for dogs and cats. In Pasadena several hundred people, many of whom were elderly and from assisted living facilities, were at an evacuation center on Wednesday afternoon. They sat wheelchair-to-wheelchair.

Donald Fisher, 78, said he was first to be wheeled onto the bus at the Camellia Gardens Care Center to be taken to the shelter around 8am.

I can stand up but I cant walk, Fisher said. I think that the city of Pasadena did a marvelous job.

The National Weather Service (NWS) had previously issued its highest alert for extreme fire conditions for much of Los Angeles county until Thursday. Low humidity and dry vegetation due to a lack of rain meant the conditions were about as bad as it gets in terms of fire weather, the NWS said.

The service had warned the most extreme conditions were expected on Wednesday.

Human-caused climate breakdown is supercharging extreme weather across the world, driving more frequent and more deadly disasters from heatwaves to floods to wildfires.

The region has been experiencing warmer than average temperatures in January, in part due to recent blasts of dry air, including the notorious Santa Ana winds. Southern California has not recorded more than 0.1in (2.5mm) of rain since early May.

Jeff Monford, a power utility spokesperson, said it was not always possible to give advanced notice to customers of power shutoffs, telling the Los Angeles Times: This is a phenomenon of the increasing effects of climate change on weather. We have more weather extremes that can change more quickly than we might be accustomed to.

As of Wednesday afternoon, more than 153,000 homes and businesses were suffering power outages, according to PowerOutage.us.

Evacuees described harrowing escapes, including one woman who recounted to ABC7 how she abandoned her vehicle and fled with her cat in her arms. She said: Im getting hit with palm leaves on fire  Its terrifying. It feels like a horror movie. Im screaming and crying walking down the street.

The blazes also reached the grounds of the Getty Villa, an art museum by the Malibu coast. Some vegetation on the property burned, but museum officials said no structures had been affected.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed reporting
Ambulances waiting outside the Basingstoke and North Hampshire hospital. A number of NHS trusts in England have declared critical incidents. Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA

A number of NHS trusts have declared critical incidents due to exceptionally high demands in emergency departments, with a patient at one hospital forced to wait 50 hours to be admitted to a ward.



Hospitals in Birmingham, Cornwall, Hampshire, Liverpool, Northamptonshire and Plymouth have declared critical incidents.



East Sussex hospitals trust announced it is temporarily limiting visiting to one visitor per patient per day to reduce the impact of flu.



It said in a statement: This includes those accompanying people waiting in our emergency department.



Exemptions apply to end-of-life care, our special care baby unit and when visiting children under 16. Additional visitors will be permitted on compassionate grounds on a case-by-case basis for all of our other services.



East Midlands ambulance service NHS Trust also declared the first critical incident in its history due to a combination of significant patient demand, pressure within local hospitals and flooding.



The health secretary, Wes Streeting, has said he feels ashamed at the experiences of some NHS patients, admitting that some are being taken to hospital to die because the right care is not available.



He said he felt emotional hearing about long waits and patients being passed from ambulance to ambulance, and also acknowledged that flu is a big problem and was causing extraordinary pressure in hospitals.



Speaking on LBC Radio, Streeting said: It breaks my heart because  Ive seen this when Ive been shadowing the ambulance service on ride-outs  we are taking people in ambulances to emergency departments to die because then there isnt the right care available at the right time in the right place, including end-of-life care.



The overall weekly hospital admission rate for influenza increased to 14.09 per 100,000 population in the week ending 29 December 2024, compared with 10.69 per 100,000 the previous week, and 8.72 per 100,000 the week before that.



Dr Adrian Boyle, president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, told the PA news agency: This flu season is not an outlier, but the problem is our emergency care system is so overwhelmed and fragile that a normal flu season  which is what weve got at the moment  is creating severe operational difficulties.



He added: It is a significant flu outbreak, but the problem is theres just no capacity to deal with it. So it is really a straw that is breaking the camels back.

The Royal Liverpool University hospital remains in a critical incident state following an announcement by NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool group on Monday evening.



The longest time one patient waited to be admitted to a ward at the hospital was 50 hours, it is understood.



Four NHS trusts declared critical incidents  Hampshire hospitals NHS foundation trust, University hospitals Plymouth NHS trust, University hospitals Birmingham NHS foundation trust and NHS Northamptonshire integrated care board.
Coco, which was shut down last June, was used by Dominique Pelicot to recruit men to rape his wife

The founder of the website Dominique Pelicot used to recruit men to rape his wife, Gisele, has been detained as part of an investigation into money laundering, pimping, child pornography and murder.

Isaac Steidl, an IT expert, is the founder and former administrator of Coco, where Pelicot, 72, invited members of his chatroom to sexually abuse his drugged and unconscious wife without her knowledge in the couples Provence home over a 10-year period.

The site received almost 800,000 visitors per month before being shut down in June last year.

Last month, Pelicot was sentenced to 20 years in prison for aggravated rape and 50 other men were all found guilty of rape or sexual abuse and sentenced to up to 15 years in jail.

Mrs Pelicot, 72, became a feminist icon after waiving her right to anonymity to ensure the trial remained public.

Dominique Pelicot was sentenced to 20 years in prison last month for aggravated rape

Mr Steidl, 40, vanished after the scandal erupted and was thought to be living in hiding abroad, either in Italy or eastern Europe.

According to Le Parisien, police arrested him on Tuesday after he returned to the country where he was born and whose nationality he renounced in 2023.

He is being questioned as part of a judicial investigation opened by the National Jurisdiction for Combating Organised Crime in Paris.

The Paris public prosecutor this summer described Coco as a facilitator in the commission of offences and said it had been cited in more than 23,000 legal cases throughout France since 2021.

These include the unlawful administration of an online platform in an organised gang, conspiracy to commit a criminal offence, complicity in offences and crimes relating to aggravated procuring, the distribution and sharing of child pornography and money laundering.

Gisele Pelicot was sexually abused by members of her husband Dominiques chatroom - Christophe SIMON/AFP

Coco was notably used to lure Philippe Coopman, a 22-year-old homosexual man, to a supermarket car park in Grande-Synthe, northern France, on 15 April 2023, where he was beaten to death. The site has been linked to other homophobic attacks.

Police are seeking to determine whether Mr Steidl can be held responsible for the actions of the sites users.

Mr Steidl turned himself in after receiving a judicial summons and can be held in police custody for up to 96 hours without charge.

The former computer scientist originally opened an unfiltered dating site in the early 2000s while studying engineering in Toulon that put people in touch with each other through a system of chat rooms.

Hijacked for criminal purposes

However, it was later hijacked for criminal purposes, owing to a lack of checks and moderation and went on to become one of Frances most disreputable websites, wrote Le Parisien.

As lawsuits piled up, Mr Steidl wound up his first company and domiciled its successor with a website hosting firm in Bulgaria. The sites servers moved to Germany, and Cocos address to Guernsey.

Mr Steidl, who owns several properties in Lorgues and Bras in southern France, renounced his French nationality last year and became an Italian citizen, moving to Bulgaria.

He has never spoken publicly about his activities or the websites links to organised crime. His lawyer has declined media requests for comment.
Connor Gaydos, the 28-year-old CEO of Enron and a key figure behind the gag conspiracy movement Birds Arent Real, seen here in this courtesy photo at the product reveal of the Enron Egg Monday. Courtesy Enron

Supposedly a micro-nuclear reactor capable of powering a home for up to 10 years, the Enron Egg would be a significant leap forward for both energy technology and humanity's understanding of nuclear physics  if, of course, such a thing were actually feasible.

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"With our current understanding of physics, this will never be possible," said Derek Haas, an associate professor and nuclear and radiation engineering researcher at the University of Texas at Austin. "We can make a nuclear reactor go critical at about the size of the egg that I saw on the pictures. But we can't capture that energy and turn it into useful electric heat, and shield the radiation that comes off of the reactor."

The outlandish claims Enron has made in the weeks since its brand revival have left many to speculate that the move is part of some large-scale joke similar to Birds Aren't Real  a gag conspiracy movement that Connor Gaydos, Enron's 28-year-old CEO, published a book on alongside co-author and movement founder Peter McIndoe.

In an exclusive interview with the Houston Chronicle, Gaydos asked that people look past the limitations  be they in the form of regulations or physics  and embrace the impossible. He also addressed questions regarding his background and involvement with Birds Aren't Real, a possible entry into the crypto market and more.

The egg and the man behind it

Connor Gaydos is the 28-year-old CEO of Enron and a key figure behind the gag conspiracy movement Birds Arent Real Photo courtesy of Connor Gaydos

Gaydos spoke to the Chronicle via zoom Tuesday morning. He sat in front of a U.S. flag, which he said was flown by the USS Vestal  a World War II-era U.S. Navy repair ship damaged during the Attack on Pearl Harbor. Gaydos said the scorched and torn flag reminds him of the value of perseverance.

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"This flag is a reminder to me every single day of the importance of getting up after you've been knocked down, of resiliency, of teamwork," he said. "The lesson it carries I think is very clear. If we just allow our ship to sink because it's scary, what is that going to do for our children's world? What is that going to do for our grandchildren's world?"

Gaydos insisted that, despite the unbelievable claims associated with the Enron Egg, which he debuted in a video on Enron's website Monday, the company aims to start accepting pre-orders around late January to early February.

According to Gaydos, criticism from skeptics on social media is nothing more than the narrow-minded babble of individuals too set in their ways to believe real change is possible.

This is too good to be true has been said millions of times throughout history by a lot of people who didn't think what they were looking at was possible, Gaydos said. Now we're here at our micro nuclear reactor. And I think that it's just another opportunity to look and go: You know, at the end of the day there's only a few people that push this world forward.

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Haas said that while small modular reactors do exist, they generally range from the size of a shipping container to a full-sized house. The Enron Egg, he said, is simply too small to generate power at a scale that is both economically viable and safe to operate.

That's without even taking into consideration the various regulatory road blocks a consumer would need to overcome before they could legally operate a nuclear reactor.

"You have to have a Nuclear Regulatory Commission license to own and operate a nuclear reactor," Haas said. "It's a federal license. It typically takes somewhere between two and nine years to get a license to own a reactor. It typically requires several hundred pages of documentation to be allowed to build it, and then another thousand pages of safety documents to be allowed to turn it on."

Enron and the blockchain

Several since-deleted blurbs  both on the company's website and on social media  have alluded to Enron potentially expanding into the world of cryptocurrency. Gaydos said he hasn't ruled it out, but the company currently does not have any plans in the works to debut an Enron-themed coin.

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I think in a lot of ways, everything feels like a crypto scam now, but thankfully, we are a completely real company, Gaydos said. If we foray into cryptocurrency in the future, I'm not going to say no to it. I think it's very foolish to say no to an entire new industry. The industry in cryptocurrency and the blockchain is real. Bitcoin is real. It doesn't care what you think about it.

Reviving Enron a 'no-brainer'

Gaydos' company went public with its revival of the "Enron E" trademark around the same time as the 23rd anniversary of the company's demise. It's a move that left many people bewildered by Gaydos' decision to revive the brand associated with the 2001 scandal that left thousands of victims in financial ruin.

But Gaydos, who would have been around 7 years old at the time of Enron's collapse, said that he always looked up to the company.

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The logo is beautiful, it's just built to draw you in and ask more, ask why. And so, to me, it's a no-brainer. I think it's just up to other people to start to change the way they think about Enron, Gaydos said.

While the majority of second-graders are typically focused on mastering the art of producing a legible sentence, Gaydos said he was interested in Enron, an energy commodities and services company.

It's difficult for many Houston residents and former Enron employees to see the benefit in reviving a name so closely associated with the damage it caused to employees and retirees  particularly those who were duped into investing in the company's Enron-stock-heavy 401k.

Birds are real

Gaydos said his involvement with Birds Aren't Real taught him that there can be very real value behind a very silly joke.

I was able to really hone and fine-tune my sensibilities in terms of how a story on the internet or how marketing can then fuel an actual business on the backend, Gaydos said.

Gaydos told the Chronicle he met McIndoe a few years ago, and joined his team after recognizing the potential behind the movement. Although he initially intended to help out on a part-time basis as a side project, it quickly became his full-time job.
The two lynx were spotted in woodland near Kinguisse - Peter Jolly/Northpix

A pair of lynx spotted in the Scottish Highlands have been captured after a suspected illegal release.

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland said staff, working with Police Scotland, had humanely trapped the animals overnight, with the conservation charity callding their apparent release highly irresponsible.

On Wednesday evening, the Cairngorms National Park Authority said the lynx were at large within its grounds  with Police Scotland advising any members of the public who spotted the creatures not to approach them.

Now they have been captured, the animals  which the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland has called the Killiehuntly Two  are being cared for in quarantine facilities at the Highland Wildlife Park in the Cairngorms.

They will then be transferred to Edinburgh Zoo, where their health and welfare will be assessed.

Staff at the Highland Wildlife Park inspect one of the captured lynx before its transfer to Edinburgh Zoo - Peter Jolly/Northpix

It was originally believed the wild cats had escaped from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland Highland Wildlife Park near Kincraig, which is home to a number of lynx and sits two miles away from where they were seen.

However, rangers and the police confirmed that this was not the case, and the Cairngorms National Park Authority said it was treating the sighting of the lynx as a suspected illegal release. Inquiries to establish where the wild cats came from are ongoing.

When the animals were still at large, Sir Edward Mountain, the Conservative MSP for the Highlands, said: Whoever has released these animals is both reckless and irresponsible.

They have not only broken the law, they have effectively put the animals lives at risk.

Inquiries to establish where the two wild cats came from are ongoing - Royal Zoological Society of Scotland/SWNS

Sarah Jane Laing, the chief executive of Scottish Land and Estates, said: Really shocking news. This apparent illegal release is utterly irresponsible.

The Cairngorms National Park Authority advised the public not to approach the animals if they were spotted while the search was ongoing but described the wild cats as shy and of low risk to humans.

There have been calls for lynx to be returned to the Scottish countryside in a rewilding trial  a move opposed by farming groups. The case for reintroducing lynx was discussed in the Scottish Parliament for the first time in 2023, with supporters having argued that the move could help control booming numbers of roe deer.
The Pope meets an elephant puppet

The Pope held an audience with a troupe of African circus performers in the Vatican on Wednesday.

The 88-year-old watched from a chair as acrobats, robot-operated puppet elephants, jugglers and dancers on roller skates took to the stage at his weekly general audience in the Paul VI Hall.

CircAfrica, consisting of 60 performers from 32 African nations, have been performing in Rome after touring Austria and Germany.

Pope Francis was entertained by a circus group performance, including an animatronic elephant - Angelo Carconi/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The head of the Catholic Church sounded congested throughout the audience and skipped about half of his prepared text for the event, but appeared entertained by the exotic performance.

For his first catechism lesson of 2025, the Pope denounced the scourge of child labour and other abuses suffered by children.

Children occupy a privileged place in Gods heart, and whoever harms them will be accountable to him, he said, adding: We must firmly prevent and condemn any abuse that minors may suffer.
A rapidly spreading wildfire in southern California reached the grounds of the Getty Villa museum north of Santa Monica on Tuesday, but officials said no structures had burned and the collection was safe.

The Palisades fire, fueled by a major windstorm and prompting mass evacuations in Los Angeles county, burned some trees and vegetation on site at the Getty Villa, but museum leaders said the galleries and archives were protected.

The Villa is located along the Pacific Coast Highway and is roughly 10 miles away from the affiliated Getty Center, the site of the main museum of the world-famous art institution.

The Getty Villa had made extensive efforts to clear brush from the surrounding area as part of its fire mitigation efforts throughout the year, Katherine E Fleming, president and CEO of the J Paul Getty Trust, said in a statement early on Tuesday evening. While the blazes reached some of the vegetation on the property, the staff and the collection remain safe, she said.

Related: Fast-moving wildfire destroys homes as strong winds hit southern California

Fire prevention measures at the Villa include water storage on-site, with irrigation immediately deployed throughout the grounds on Tuesday morning, Fleming said, adding: Museum galleries and library archives were sealed off from smoke by state-of-the-art air-handling systems. The double-walled construction of the galleries also provides significant protection for the collections.

Footage spread on social media showing some greenery ablaze near a Getty Villa sign, but the video appeared to be of the driveway entrance and a nearby building that is separate from the Villa.

After the Palisades fire broke out around 10.30am, it had burned nearly 3,000 acres by evening. An unusual and ferocious windstorm was spreading the fire, burning homes and forcing thousands to flee the Pacific Palisades, an affluent community along the ocean.

The Villa is a free museum that houses Greek and Roman antiquities in a re-created Roman country home. It quickly closed to non-emergency staff on Tuesday morning and will remain closed to the public through at least next Monday.

The Getty Center, which houses a museum and research institutes, has also previously been threatened by nearby fires, but has extensive prevention plans in place to shield its vast collection.
Police have confirmed that three people have died as a result of a plane crash off Rottnest Island, Western Australia. Photograph: ABC News

Three people have died after a seaplane crashed near Western Australias popular tourist destination Rottnest Island with seven people on board.

The privately owned Cessna 208 Caravan 675 seaplane is believed to have struck a small limestone outcrop called Phillip Rock while taking off from Rottnest Island, off the coast of Perth, at about 4pm local time on Tuesday.

It plunged into the water near Thomson Bay with seven on board, including the pilot. The operator, Swan River Seaplanes, has ceased all operations following the crash, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority said on Wednesday afternoon.

Four survivors were pulled from the water on Tuesday. A 63-year-old Swiss man, a 63-year-old WA man and a 65-year-old WA woman were airlifted to Fiona Stanley hospital with varying levels of injury, WA police said on Wednesday. A 58-year-old Danish woman was also airlifted to Royal Perth hospital for medical treatment.

The WA police commissioner, Col Blanch, said on Wednesday the injuries ranged from minor injuries to a very serious hand injury.

Rescue efforts led by police and emergency services crews, and involving civilian vessels, took place on Tuesday evening.

Related: Meta to get rid of factcheckers and recommend more political content

The bodies of the three deceased were recovered from the wreckage by water police divers on Tuesday night, the premier, Roger Cook, confirmed on Wednesday morning local time.

The victims include the pilot, who was a 34-year-old man who lived in Perth, a 65-year-old woman believed to be a Swiss tourist and a 60-year-old-man believed to be a tourist from Denmark.

Blanch said it had been a difficult and dangerous operation for the police divers, who had descended about 8 metres deep to recover the bodies.

The seven passengers on board included three couples.

Rottnest Island is about 20km off the coast from the WA capital, Perth. The island is a popular holiday spot, attracting thousands of visitors, and is home to the world-famous native quokkas.

My thoughts go out to the families and friends of the victims. This is no doubt very difficult for everyone involved, Cook said.

The tragedy unfolded in front of many tourists, including families with children who are on the island enjoying the summer holidays, and may have been distressing for those who witnessed the event, he said.

For something so tragic to happen in front of so many people, at a place that provides so much joy, especially at this time of year, is deeply upsetting.

The seaplane crashed near Thomson Bay, where Rottnests ferry port is located.

Cook said early reports that the seaplane had hit Phillip Rock at the entrance of Thomson Bay are not yet confirmed and will form part of the investigation.

What caused the crash remains unknown, he said. WA police are assisting the Australian Transport Safety Bureau in their investigation.

Large parts of the aircraft are still submerged, Blanch said. A 200-metre exclusion zone is in place as the wreckage is removed from the water.

Police received several 000 calls from the public at 4pm on Tuesday in relation to the seaplane crash, Blanch said.

A multi-agency response was executed, including water police, the Rottnest Island Nursing Post, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, the Royal Flying Doctor Service and St John Ambulance.

Importantly, members of the public were already present, immediately jumped into action [to] save lives, Blanch said.

I do want to personally, on behalf of WA police and emergency services, thank those who were present for helping fellow [Western Australians] and others in need.

Related: Australias housing market buckling under widening gap between income and home values, report finds

The Cessna plane had been recently acquired by operator Swan River Seaplanes, which runs scenic flights around Perth and Rottnest Island.

The operator has an air operators certificate issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

CASA are working with them to gather information, CASA said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon.

Our deepest condolences go out to all involved in this tragic accident and we stand ready to assist the Australian Transport Safety Bureau in its investigation, CASA said.

Flight records show it has undergone a number of flights around the region since it was brought to Perth.

Greg Quin, who witnessed the plane go down, told ABC radio in Perth the plane crashed moments after taking off from the bay, reaching only about 3 metres above the water before suddenly descending.

We were watching the seaplane take off and just as it was beginning to get off the water, it just tipped over and it crashed, he said.

A lot of people in the water on their boats rushed to the scene and I think got there really, really quickly which was just amazing.

But it very quickly got caught up in the wind and the current and began drifting [it] away.

On Wednesday morning Anthony Albanese said the crash was terrible news.

My heart goes out to all those involved, the prime minister said.
Pedro Sanchez is the latest European leader to speak out against Elon Musks attempts to influence the continents political direction. Photograph: Violeta Santos Moura/Reuters

Pedro Sanchez has hit out at Elon Musk and his allies for openly attacking our institutions, inciting hatred and openly calling for people to support the heirs of nazism, saying the politics of division, disinformation and hatred risk ushering in a new age of authoritarianism.

Speaking in Madrid on Wednesday as Spain prepares to mark the 50th anniversary in November of the death of General Franco and the countrys subsequent return to democracy, the Spanish prime minister said hard-won, basic freedoms could not, and should not, be taken for granted.

When youve spent your life under its protective veil, its easy to forget the enormous strengths of democracy and to let yourself be seduced by those who promise people order, security and wealth in exchange for robbing us of the most precious thing a person can have, which is the power to choose our own destiny, he said.

The socialist leader said it was clear that autocratic regimes and values of the last century were on the rise again across the world  not least in the shape of Musk and his ilk.

The fascism that we thought wed left behind is now the third biggest political force in Europe, said Sanchez. And, as President Macron [of France] said only a few days ago, the international reactionary movement  or the international far-right movement that weve been warning about for years in Spain  which is being led in this case by the richest man on the planet, is openly attacking our institutions, inciting hatred and openly calling for people to support the heirs of nazism in Germany in the forthcoming elections that will be held in Europes most important economy.

If history teaches us anything, he said, it is that freedom is never won on a permanent basis and that democracy could be snuffed out again in parts of the world.

Sanchez said the best way to defend and strengthen Spains democracy was to build a more prosperous, cohesive, free and tolerant society and to fight lies and fake news. Lies and disinformation are the main weapons of the enemies of democracy, he said.

Sanchez is the latest European leader to speak out against Musks attempts to influence the continents political direction.

Emmanuel Macron said on Monday: Ten years ago, who would have imagined that the owner of one of the worlds largest social networks would be supporting a new international reactionary movement and intervening directly in elections, including in Germany.

The British prime minister, Keir Starmer, has also condemned Musks attacks on the government, suggesting his lies and misinformation on grooming gangs were amplifying the poison of the far right.

Sanchez, announcing a year-long programme of events to mark the beginning of Spains return to democracy, said the idea was to celebrate the countrys transformation over the past five decades, to honour all those who made it possible and to teach young people about the importance of democracy.

Related: EU Commission urged to act over Elon Musks interference in elections

Fifty years ago, Spain began to work towards freedom, emerging from the ashes of the last dictatorship in western Europe, he said. Our mothers and fathers, our grandmothers and grandfathers  and we ourselves  helped forge one of the most complete and prosperous democracies on the planet, the democracy we are today. Lets celebrate it and lets use it to build another 50 years of progress and freedom.

The recently announced initiative, however, has failed to secure universal political support. Wednesdays launch was boycotted by the conservative Peoples party (PP) and the far-right Vox party, both of which have accused Sanchez of playing politics with the past to distract from the corruption allegations his administration faces.

The PPs leader, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, pointedly skipped the event in favour of a visit to the eastern region of Valencia, which is still recovering from the disastrous floods late last year in which 232 people died. The PP, which rules the region, has been heavily criticised for its handling of the disaster, and for the fact that the regional president enjoyed a three-hour lunch with a journalist on the day the floods devastated many towns and villages.

Sanchez is with Franco, Feijoo is with the people of Valencia, PP sources said.

Vox has accused the government of squandering public money on the anniversary and using the past to partisan ends. We wont take part in this absurd necrophilia that divides Spaniards, the party said.

King Felipe, whose father, Juan Carlos, helped steer Spain back to democracy despite being groomed as Francos successor, was also absent from the launch as he was receiving the credentials of six new ambassadors.
Sir Keir Starmer with Tulip Siddiq after his election victory last year

Members of the political party led by Tulip Siddiqs ousted dictator aunt campaigned for Sir Keir Starmer, The Telegraph can reveal.

Activists representing the UK wing of the Bangladeshi Awami League also attended a fundraising dinner for the Prime Minister while he was in the shadow cabinet.

Ms Siddiq is the niece of Sheikh Hasina, 77, the longest-serving prime minister of Bangladesh and the leader of the Awami League.

Hasina is now in India, having been ousted last year after 15 years in power. During her tenure, opponents were attacked, arrested and secretly imprisoned as the regime carried out extrajudicial killings.

The Awami League continues to have a UK branch, whose members have also campaigned for Ms Siddiq in the past.

It can now be revealed that in 2019, prominent activists including Abdul Ahad Chowdhury, its organising secretary, campaigned for Sir Keir in his Holborn and St Pancras constituency, which neighbours Ms Siddiqs Hampstead seat.

Activists linked to the Awami League posed for pictures as they put Labour leaflets bearing Sir Keirs name through doors and carried placards supporting the party.

They also canvassed for Ms Siddiq on the same day. Others campaigning included activists who have publicly supported the Awami League or described themselves as working for the party.

Sir Keir met with Ms SIddiqs aunt, Sheikh Hasina, twice while in opposition - AFP

The Prime Minister has met Mr Chowdhury on several occasions, including at what the Awami League member described as a dinner fundraising for Mr Keir Starmer MP at a curry restaurant in 2016.

In July last year, on the day of the general election, he also posted a picture of himself shaking hands with Sir Keir, with the caption: Future prime Minister Hon Keir Starmer. It is unclear when the picture was taken.

During the 2019 general election campaign, Sir Keir also posed alongside Abdul Shahid Sheikh, who describes himself as working in PR for the Awami League, while canvassing in Ilford for Labour candidate Sam Tarry. The same activist has also met Angela Rayner, now Deputy Prime Minister.

Members of the Awami League have joined the campaign trail on several occasions for Ms Siddiq.

As well as Mr Chowdhury, Shah Shamim Ahmed, who describes himself as office secretary, and Syed Shazidur Rahman Faruk, the general secretary, were pictured campaigning for the MP for Hampstead and Kilburn  now Hampstead and Highgate  in 2019.

While members of the party have expressed public support for Ms Siddiq in more recent years, it is unclear if they have campaigned for her since then.

Fresh questions over Labours ties to the Awami League come as investigators in Bangladesh demanded Ms Siddiqs bank details in a move that will ratchet up the pressure on the embattled Treasury minister.

Ms Siddiq is facing scrutiny over properties linked to the Awami League and money from infrastructure projects - Nicola Tree/Getty Images

Bangladeshs anti-money laundering agency has asked the countrys main banks to supply information on her accounts and transactions.

The countrys anti-corruption commission has begun an investigation into whether Ms Siddiq helped embezzle up to 3.9 billion from infrastructure projects.

The Treasury minister, whose brief includes combating corruption, has denied the allegations.

Ms Siddiq has also referred herself to the Prime Ministers ethics advisers over allegations surrounding her use of properties linked to her aunts supporters in London.

Sir Keir is also facing scrutiny over his own meetings with Hasina, including on a trip to Bangladesh.

The seven-day trip in 2016, valued at 1,200 to Dhaka and Sylhet, was organised by Labour Friends of Bangladesh, a group closely associated with Ms Siddiq, and Sir Keir was pictured in Bangladeshi media alongside Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, the countrys foreign minister at the time.

Sir Keir also met Hasina in 2022 while at least three other cabinet ministers met members of the regime while in opposition.

Labour was contacted for comment.
Blanca Ojanguren Garcia, 22, died after being attacked by an elephant in Phang Nga, Thailand - Solarpix

A Thai man has been charged with negligence causing death after an elephant gored a Spanish tourist at a sanctuary in southern Thailand last week.

Theerayut Inthaphudkij, 38, faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of 200,000 baht (4,600) if convicted after a panic-stricken elephant attacked and killed Blanca Ojanguren Garcia, 22, at the Koh Yao Elephant Care Centre in Phang Nga province.

A staff member told the media that Garcia was bathing the elephant when she passed in front of the animal and it stuck a tusk in her, causing injuries from which she later died.

Police charged the mahout, an employee of the sanctuary, with negligence and failing to prevent the fatal incident.

Theerayut Inthaphudkij was an employee of the Koh Yao elephant sanctuary - Solarpix

Jaran Bangprasert, the local police chief, told Agence France-Presse: We charged him with negligence causing death and he will be taken to court today,.

Wild elephants have killed 227 people, including tourists, in the past 12 years, according to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

An elephant killed a 49-year-old woman at a national park in Loei province in northern Thailand last month.

While encounters between villagers and wild elephants are common, attacks at sanctuaries remain rare.

Garcia was bathing the elephant when it stuck a tusk in her - Solarpix

Garcia was from Valladolid in north-west Spain and had been studying law and international relations at the University of Navarra, where she was a member of the security and defence club.

She was living in Taiwan on the Erasmus academic exchange programme and had visited Thailand as a tourist. She was at the elephant sanctuary with her boyfriend, an infantry cadet from Oviedo, who was present at the time of the attack.

Bathing elephants is a popular activity amongst visitors in Thailand, where about 2,800 elephants are held for tourism purposes across the country, according to World Animal Protection.

However, animal rights groups have argued that bathing elephants can cause them distress and, therefore, some sanctuaries in the country do not allow it.
Bridget Phillipson said the government was looking right across the recommendations set out in Prof Alexis Jays independent review. Photograph: Jonathan Brady/PA

The Conservatives push for a new national grooming inquiry that would block the child safety bill is absolutely sickening, Bridget Phillipson has said.

The education secretary said the opposition partys plan to amend the governments children wellbeing and schools bill on Wednesday, which she called the single biggest piece of children safeguarding legislation in a generation, would kill it stone dead.

The amendment Kemi Badenochs party will bring forward will call for ministers to establish a national statutory inquiry into historical child sexual exploitation, focused on grooming gangs.

It follows Elon Musks calls for a new inquiry into child grooming gangs, even though an independent investigation led by Prof Alexis Jay concluded its work in 2022.

Related: Former chair of child abuse inquiry says another one would only delay action

None of its recommendations have been enacted, but Keir Starmer has vowed to do so instead of launching a new inquiry. His decision has been backed by Jay, who led the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse. The expert said the time has passed for another lengthy examination of grooming gangs.

Phillipson told Times Radio: They come along today as we set out legislation to protect the very children they claim to care about and they intend to block it and kill it stone dead. It is absolutely sickening.

She added: We are looking right across the recommendations that Alexis Jay set out and there are crucial recommendations from the review that she carried out.

Thats why today we are setting out legislation that addresses many of the wider challenges that we see right across our system. Its why the home secretary announced in the House of Commons the action that we are taking.

So we are wasting no time in legislating to keep children safe. The question for the Conservatives today is why they are intent on blocking this landmark piece of child protection legislation that would keep the very children safe that they claim they are concerned about.

While the amendment for a new inquiry is not likely to gain enough support, given Labour has a huge majority in the Commons, if it did it would slow the progress of the bill, which includes measures aimed at improving safeguarding for children.

The bill, if passed, will mean parents no longer have an automatic right to take their children out of school for home education if the young person is subject to a child protection investigation or suspected of being at risk of significant harm.

Phillipsons comments came as the childrens commissioner for England joined the debate about grooming gangs and child sexual abuse, urging the government to go much further, faster. Dame Rachel de Souza said she would support any further investigation considered necessary to uncover the scale and scope of failings, where any new evidence emerges.

She acknowledged steps already being taken by ministers to better protect children. She said: I welcome the commitments already made by the government and the landmark legislation being taken through parliament in the form of the childrens wellbeing and schools bill  but this is the moment to go much further, faster.

De Souza has written to Phillipson and the home secretary, Yvette Cooper, setting out her priorities on child protection. Our collective ambition must be to listen to what child victims have told us, through their testimonies to the Jay inquiry, as well as through my own research, and get on with the hard task of acting in response. We must also take action now. Change for hundreds of thousands of children cant come soon enough.

Keir Starmer has also warned Conservative MPs not to back the amendment, saying it prioritises the desire for retweets over any real interest in the safeguarding of children.

Starmer told the Mirror: No MP should be voting down childrens safeguarding measures. Its shocking they are even thinking about this as a tactic.

Its the elevation of the desire for retweets over any real interest in the safeguarding of children.

Responding to Labours refusal to launch an inquiry, Musk, the billionaire owner of X, on Wednesday called the prime minister Starmtrooper, accusing him of trying to cover up terrible things.

The shadow education secretary, Laura Trott, said a national inquiry into grooming gangs should be considered without calling each other names.
Global experts have backed Australian concerns over Mark Zuckerbergs decision to have Meta abandon factchecking on its platforms in the US, such as Facebook and Instagram. Photograph: Drew Angerer/AFP/Getty Images

Australian politicians and experts have expressed concern over Metas decision to abandon factchecking on its platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, saying the move would turbocharge the spread of lies and hate speech around the world.

Metas billionaire founder, Mark Zuckerberg, announced overnight Australia-time that the companys factchecking programs would be scrapped. In a video message, Zuckerberg vowed to prioritise free speech after the return of Donald Trump to the White House and said that, starting in the US, he would get rid of factcheckers and replace them with community notes similar to X.

Meta has been accused of caving to political pressure from the incoming Trump administration in the US.

More political content will be pushed on to the platforms while certain restrictions will be removed for subjects including immigration and gender, under changes announced by the tech billionaire.

Related: Why did Mark Zuckerberg end Facebook and Instagrams factchecking program?

The Australian Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young said Metas decision to abandon factchecking would create a free-for-all on misinformation, disinformation, abuse and trolling.

The Greens communications spokesperson told ABC radio the changes were dangerous.

This is a very dangerous move at a time when members of the community, parents, young people, women in particular, are increasingly concerned of the unsafe environment on these big platforms.

Political communication expert Dr Emma Briant said ordinary citizens should be very concerned.

With at least 13 billionaires in his new administration, including big tech oligarchs like [Elon] Musk, Trump has sent a powerful message across Americas wealthy right-wing elite  now is your time, not theirs, the Monash University associate professor said.

Clearly Mark Zuckerberg heard him loud and clear.

Australia is in the crosshairs of Zuckerberg and Musk after it passed world-first legislation to ban under-16s from accessing their platforms.

The federal government is also introducing a new scheme to force digital platforms, including Meta, to pay publishers for Australian news.

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, signalled the federal government would stand firm against any potential blowback from Trump to its social media crackdown.

The social media ban is an Australian policy in the interests of young Australians, Australian families, he told ABC News Breakfast on Wednesday.

And we say to Australian parents: weve got your back. Weve listened, weve engaged with you on this. This is a sensible reform that has passed the parliament and is now Australian law.

The communications minister, Michelle Rowland, said access to trusted information has never been more important.

Thats why the Albanese government is supporting high quality, fact-checked information for the public through ongoing support to ABC, SBS, and AAP, she said.

Metas factchecking program typically involves journalists at internationally accredited agencies investigating and reviewing claims on social media through rigorous questioning, consideration of evidence and verification using multiple sources.

Posts deemed false or altered have a factcheck article appended to them and may receive reduced distribution across Facebook, Instagram and Threads.

Australian Associated Press said on Wednesday its factchecking agency AAP FactChecks contract with Meta was not impacted by the US decision and its work would continue in 2025.

Independent factcheckers are a vital safeguard against the spread of harmful misinformation and disinformation that threatens to undermine free democratic debate in Australia and aims to manipulate public opinion, AAPs chief executive, Lisa Davies, said.

Lizzie OShea, the Digital Rights Watch chair, said Metas response highlighted a contradiction. The social media giant has previously claimed that users do not engage in news and current affairs content on its platform to justify not renewing deals with Australian media outlets as part of the news media bargaining code.

The government needs to look at regulatory responses that allow for investment in high quality news content, and that we can no longer assume, if we ever did, that large social media platforms will be good faith partners in that project, OShea said.

I think this has very serious negative implications, because it means that polarising and extremist content, things like mis- and disinformation content on hot button political issues  will become more prevalent on the platform.

OShea suggested a big tech tax on companies like Meta and X could help fund high quality journalism and misinformation education to counter the rise of any disinformation and extremist content.

In the UK, Imran Ahmed, the founder and chief executive of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, said Metas decision would cause real-world harm.

By abandoning its factchecking program in favour of a discredited community notes system, Meta is turbocharging the spread of unchallenged online lies, worsening the spread of hate, and creating more risks to our communities, democracy, public health, and the safety of our kids.

Ahmed said Meta had effectively abdicated its responsibility to try to prevent the spread of misinformation, hate speech and violent online content.

Meta is now saying its up to you to spot the lies on its platforms, and that its not their problem if you cant tell the difference, even if those lies, hate, or scams end up hurting you.

The Director of the International Fact-Checking Network, Angie Drobnic Holan, based in Washington DC, rejected as a canard the allegation that factcheckers had been biased in their work.

That attack line comes from those who feel they should be able to exaggerate and lie without rebuttal or contradiction.

Factchecking journalism has never censored or removed posts: its added information and context to controversial claims and its debunked hoax content and conspiracy theories. The factcheckers used by Meta follow a code of principles requiring nonpartisanship and transparency.

Holan said Metas decision had come in the wake of extreme political pressure from the incoming Trump administration and its supporters.

This decision will hurt social media users who are looking for accurate, reliable information to make decisions about their everyday lives and interactions with friends and family.

Metas overhaul comes just days out from the inauguration of the US president-elect, Donald Trump, with whom Zuckerberg has vowed to work to fight foreign governments attempting to censor online content.

Related: Meta to get rid of factcheckers and recommend more political content

Zuckerberg has recently sought to repair a tumultuous relationship with Trump  who once threatened Zuckerberg that he would spend the rest of his life in prison if he interfered with the 2024 election. Zuckerberg visited Trump after his election win in November and oversaw a US$1m Meta donation to Trumps inauguration fund.

Musk, the owner of X, is already part of Trumps inner circle.

The recent elections also feel like a cultural tipping point towards, once again, prioritising speech, Zuckerberg said in a video posted to social media.

So, were going to get back to our roots and focus on reducing mistakes, simplifying our policies and restoring free expression on our platforms.

Additional reporting Australian Associated Press
Ahmad al-Sharaa, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, right, meeting the UN special envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, in Damascus in December 2024. Photograph: AP

The UN special envoy for Syria will urge the security council to back a transition to a pluralist democratic Syria, but faces resistance within the country. The interim government fears the lifting of sanctions will be tied to excessive demands imposed by the west, with suspicion of the UN deeply embedded after what are seen as its failures during 14 years of civil war.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, the countrys de facto leader, has told Gulf and western states that his group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), long ago transformed itself from a Salafi jihadi group in Idlib province to a technocratic force willing to accommodate all Syrians.

Western leaders and the UN, however, are reluctant to go further than temporary waivers on some sanctions without clearer guarantees about the nature of the transitional government due to take power in March.

The German foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, last week insisted during a visit to Damascus that Berlin could not fund a Syria under Islamist structures, saying womens rights were the yardstick by which HTS will be judged.

Syria may face no choice but to accept Europes blend of carrots and sticks  a similar warning will be issued when European leaders meet with the US in Rome on Thursday to discuss sanctions waivers  but it may be more resistant to take lectures from the UN.

Rahaf Aldoughli, a Syrian specialist at Lancaster University, said the UNs unpopularity is such that some civil society groups are reluctant to enlist its help. Such were the atrocities, and so prolonged was the conflict, you feel you cannot approach the UN for help because it failed you, she said.

Syria in Transition, one of the magazines that documented the role of the UN in Syria, accused the organisation of having reinforced the false narrative that Bashar al-Assad had emerged as the wars victor, thereby positioning gradual normalisation as the logical next step, while others have noted the widespread belief that UN aid delivery was an arm of the Assad government.

One survey by Insecurity Insight revealed how allegations of complicity by UN officials with the Assad regime after the 2023 earthquake swiftly went viral, attracting hundreds of thousands of viewings.

The UN has always defended its aid programme inside Syria by arguing it had no choice but to deal with the regime to ensure aid was delivered.

But the UNs unpopularity is something Sharaa has been willing to reference, telling Saudi state broadcaster Al Arabiya it had been ineffectual. There has been a lot of suffering and there have been many attempts to fix the Syrian situation, but the UN and the international community failed to release a single prisoner in 14 years and failed to return a single refugee, he said. They failed to convince the regime of the slightest political solution that would serve the interests of the regime. So today the Syrian people have saved themselves.

He also urged the UN not to burden Syrians with demands to follow outdated resolutions. In a meeting with Geir Pedersen, the UN special envoy, in Damascus on 15 December it mapped out a very different transition process to the one advocated by the body, suggesting no elections for as long as four years  two-and-a-half years longer than the timetable in UN resolution 2254.

On one level, Sharaas critique of the resolution as outdated is uncontroversial  its premise was to settle a now nonexistent dispute between the Assad government and Syrian opposition  but there are fears his approach may mask a deeper objection to the values of pluralism, secularism and inclusion it upholds. Resolution 2254 backs a Syrian-led political process to establish a credible non-sectarian government within six months, and elections within 18.

Sharaas longer timetable has a logic, even if it gives him a chance to consolidate power. He argues elections are premature without establishing appropriate infrastructure, including accurate population statistics and legal communication with Syrian communities abroad.

Aldoughli says she is less concerned by his timetable but on edge about what form of government he is proposing after March. There is complete ambiguity and nothing is clear. It is very worrying, she said.

HTS sources had briefed plans for a two-day, 1,200-strong national dialogue conference, including political figures, tribal sheikhs, artists, academics and representatives of young people and women due to be held on 4 and 5 January.

The foreign minister, Asaad al-Shibani, confirmed on Tuesday that the conference had been postponed, explaining diversity was seen as a source of strength and more time was needed to prepare. The assurance may be key to unlocking the required western sanctions relief.

Michal Shammas, a Paris-based Syrian lawyer, said the impression had been given it had been redetermined that the conference would confirm Sharaa as leader.

Hadi al Bahra, the head of the UN-recognised Syrian coalition for revolutionary and opposition forces, said he received no invitation and Dima Moussa, the organisations vice-president, also expressed concerns.

The Syrian people will not accept that any party monopolises power again, after the suffering they endured under the rule of the Assad family for more than 50 years, whether it was about a specific party, a specific family, a specific person or a specific ideology, she said.

As more political exiles return from the UK, France, Germany and the US, other transitional roadmaps, often conceived in exile, are emerging. Sharaa has been meeting many of these groups, but it is a complex task to manage this explosion of plans  and the tensions are clear. Aref al-Shaal, a well-known Assad adversary and lawyer, says Sharaa, operating in a constitutional vacuum, is dangerously exceeding his authority.

The challenge for the UN and Pedersen is to support and channel the demands of Syrian civil society, but he can hardly call for a Syrian-owned process and then dictate its terms.

Shammas argued the key to state building will depend on fostering a Syrian national identity. As long as we treat each other as majority, minorities, sects, religions and not as citizens, we remain vulnerable to external interference, he said.
Howard Hughes and Montgomery County's Precinct 3 office broke ground on a $16.5 million project to revitalize the Grogan's Mill Village Center in The Woodlands July 15. Howard Hughes Holdings The revitalization of the Grogan's Mill Village Center will include a community center complete with a 5,000-square-foot meeting room and ballroom for voting, senior services and family events. Howard Hughes Holdings A new library and community center is set to open in The Woodlands' Grogan's Mill Village Center in the summer of 2025. Howard Hughes Holdings The new library at the Grogan's Mill Village Center in The Woodlands will include separate areas for children and young adults. Howard Hughes Holdings

Montgomery County commissioners have rescinded the name of the county's new library and community center in the Grogans Mill Village Center and will go back to the drawing board for other options.

In November, commissioners approved former Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noacks action to name the new facilities the Heroes of Montgomery County Library and the Heroes of Montgomery County Community Center.

However, during Tuesdays court meeting, newly seated Precinct 3 Commission Ritch Wheeler said he will form a focus group to explore other name options for the facilities.

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I have gotten feedback from residents that said they wanted to put a little more time and thought into the naming, Wheeler said.

Wheeler said until the new name is selected, the facilities will remain the South Montgomery County Library and Community Center.

Under a Sept. 26 land swap deal, Howard Hughes will design, build, and fund a new library and community center at the shopping center with private funds. In exchange, it will give the property to Montgomery County and, once complete, take over the library and community center at 2250 Buckthorn Place.

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During a presentation to commissioners in October, Justine Markowski, with Houston design firm PGAL, said the floor plan features two unique spaces, the library and the community center. However, she said there will be some overlap in areas of the facility.

Although it has two distinct uses, it will be used as a shared space, Markowski said of the multi-generational center. Its designed to have a space for everyone from infants to seniors.

Markowski said the center will have a shared entrance with high ceilings and large windows for natural light.

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A still from dashcam footage of Walerij Mirosznikow's drunk driving spree

A drunk driver was filmed swerving across several lanes of the M25 before driving into oncoming traffic on a busy A-road.

Dashcam video footage captured Walerij Mirosznikows 10-minute drunken spree  which only came to an end when he crashed into a roundabout and was arrested by police.

However, the Russian national, who lives in Chatham, Kent, was spared jail by a judge who told him it was a miracle no one was hurt.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the 53-year-old had only held a provisional licence as he drove dangerously on three busy routes in Kent in July 2023.

Prosecutor Alban Brahimi told the court that Mirosznikow was first seen swerving from lane to lane in his Toyota Yaris on the M25.

He later drove on the A25 near Sevenoaks before suddenly stopping, mounting a central grass verge and performing a five-point turn that left his car facing the wrong direction.

Mirosznikows manoeuvre forced oncoming cars to come to a standstill and then divide as he headed towards and through the two lanes of traffic in front of him.

One motorist was seen opening their door and shouting at him to stop.

He later crashed into a roundabout in Westerham and was arrested.

A group of oncoming cars was forced to divide into two rows as Mirosznikow drove towards them - CPS/SWNS

The court heard Mirosznikow was alone in the car, despite not having a full drivers licence, had his full beam headlights on and appeared shocked and drunk when police found him.

He gave a breath-alcohol reading of 136 micrograms (mcg). The legal drink-drive limit is 35mcg.

Mirosznikow later admitted dangerous driving, drink-driving and driving without a licence.

He was fined 40 by Sevenoaks magistrates court for driving without a licence but his more serious charges were sent to the crown court for sentencing.

Defence barrister Eleanor Gwilym told Recorder Nicola Williams at the sentencing that her clients behaviour that day was an anomaly in his life.

She said: He now feels stupid and remorseful and has explained to me that he had a rather difficult time in his life at the time this was committed and a fairly recent breakdown of his marriage.

It can properly be seen as a one-off and he is capable of being rehabilitated. He has not drunk at all since this incident, not even socially.

She also said Mirosznikow had been in the UK for 12 years, had one previous conviction for theft and was currently on benefits.

The 53-year-old was filmed lurching across lanes of traffic and mounting a grass verge - CPS/SWNS

Recorder Williams remarked that his 17-month alcohol abstinence demonstrated that he was taking his offending seriously.

She added: However, as impressive as that is  and the strength it takes to not drink alcohol for such a long period of time  your driving was absolutely atrocious.

You made a deliberate decision to ignore the rules of the road. It was a prolonged piece of dangerous driving over at least 10 minutes.

Everything was impaired by drink. You were nearly four times the legal amount.

It was only by some miracle that you didnt damage anyone elses vehicle, cause anyone injury or, in the way you were driving while being so much over the limit, killed somebody.

Recorder Williams sentenced Mirosznikow to a 12-month prison term suspended for 18 months, along with 200 hours of unpaid work and up to 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

She also gave Mirosznikow the statutory minimum one-year driving ban applicable to offences of dangerous driving and drink-driving, although he was ordered to take an extended test to obtain a licence.

He was also ordered to pay 150 court costs and a 187 victim surcharge.
Oasis star Noel Gallagher has joined supergroup Mantra Of The Cosmos, led by the son of Beatles drummer Sir Ringo Starr, on their new psychedelic track.

The song, titled Domino Bones (Gets Dangerous), features Gallagher alongside Happy Mondays singer Shaun Ryder on vocals, former Oasis guitarist Andy Bell, Sir Ringos son Zak Starkey on drums and Happy Mondays Mark Bez Berry on percussion.

It comes after Gallagher announced the Britpop band he formed with his brother Liam was reuniting for a 2025 world tour.

Noel Gallagher has joined Mantra Of The Cosmos for their track Domino Bones (PA)

Mantra Of The Cosmos is like Dylan, Dali and Ginsberg on a rocket ship to the moon to have it with the Clangers, Gallagher said.

Starkey first met Gallagher in a London rehearsal room in early 1995 when he was in a band called Face before he began drumming for Oasis in 2004  playing on albums Dont Believe The Truth and Dig Your Own Soul.

Speaking about Domino Bones, Starkey said: Its not every day that the greatest songwriter of my generation  not to mention Shaun, the greatest beat poet of our times  sends a tune to me and I was in a daze for a bit cos its not something you want to f*** up.

It came together great  everyone digs it.

Noel loves Shaun. He texted me to say Do you know what youve got? The British Bob Dylan  and hes not f****** about because now Ive witnessed what Shaun does.

Noel calls him the king of lyrics.

Shaun Ryder provided the vocals for the track and was described by the other members as the British Bob Dylan (Ian West/PA)

Starkey first met Ryder in 2015, during the filming of the revival of TFI Friday on Channel 4.

Shaun was on the show, and we literally said hello for five minutes and then a photograph  and that was it. Then I just cold-called him about this group, which I didnt want to be about guitars  I wanted to be about his words. He immediately said yes.

I asked if his mate (Bez) was going to be in it and he said He doesnt know yet  but he is.

Domino Bones (Gets Dangerous)  the name of Bezs first band  is the supergroups latest single after Gorilla Guerilla and X (Wot You Sayin?) in 2023  the same year the band made its debut at Glastonbury Festival.

Starkey, who has only visited Liverpool once before, will take to the stage with the band to play two sets on January 19 at the Cavern Club  made famous by the Beatles.

Cant believe Ive never even been there, he said.

Theres a great deal of family heritage at the Cavern, aside from the Beatles, my parents courted there who knows I may have even been conceived there.

Oasis band members Noel (left) and Liam Gallagher (right) in 2008 (Zak Hussein)

Gallaghers appearance on the new Mantra Of The Cosmos single comes following the reunion with his brother.

Around 15 years after their explosive split, prompted by a backstage brawl at the Rock en Seine festival in Paris, the brothers confirmed Oasis would be back for a long-awaited world tour in 2025.

The Mancunian rockers seem to have put their differences aside so fans can relive the groups 1990s glory days by hearing the band perform hits including Wonderwall, Dont Look Back In Anger and Stop Crying Your Heart Out live.
Police hunt killer after 14-year-old stabbed to death on London bus

Police are on the hunt for a killer after a 14-year-old boy was stabbed to death on a London bus in what police have described as a horrendous crime.

The teenager was treated at the scene in Woolwich but died soon after medics arrived, Metropolitan Police said.

No arrests have been made.

The youngster was on a route 472 bus on Woolwich Church Road near the junction with the A205 South Circular Road, close to the Woolwich Ferry.

Police were called at 2.28pm on Tuesday.

Cordons and road closures remained in place on Tuesday night while emergency services carried out inquiries.

Deputy Commander Louise Sargent described the attack as a horrendous crime, and said it was a worrying time for local residents.

She told reporters at the scene: Im very sad to say that this afternoon a 14-year-old boy has died.

The initial alert was raised by a local officer out on patrol.

Paramedics treated a 14-year-old boy at the scene who had received stab wounds, but really sadly, he died shortly after medics arrived.

Our thoughts at this time are with the victims family and friends.

(PA Graphics)

This is a horrendous crime, and I cant imagine what they must be going through right now.

We are working at pace to identify and arrest those involved.

I know this will be a worrying time for everyone here in Woolwich, and all the more so given the very young age of the victim.

A woman working at a nearby church told the PA news agency she saw an air ambulance and other emergency service vehicles arrive at the scene, but did not see any of the passengers from the bus.

The incident comes the day after an 18-year-old man was stabbed near a school in the same area of London.

Police were called to the scene at around 4.20pm on Prince Imperial Road, Woolwich, in Greenwich.

The man has been taken to hospital where he remains in a potentially life-threatening condition.

Police tape at the scene of the incident (Ben Bauer/PA)

Police do not currently believe the two attacks are linked.

The Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan said: My thoughts are with the family, friends and wider community in Greenwich following the appalling fatal stabbing of a 14-year-old boy.

This heart-breaking violence has absolutely no place in our city.

I am in close contact with police leaders  an investigation is underway and local residents will see increased patrols in the local area.

Some 10 teenagers were killed in London last year, nine of whom were the victims of stabbing while one died in a shooting, according to data compiled by the PA news agency.

This was down sharply from 21 teenage deaths in the capital in 2023.

The youngest victim in 2024 was aged 14.
The Metropolitan Police have told the organisers of an upcoming pro-Palestine march to stay away from a synagogue.

Protesters targeting the BBC were planning to gather outside Broadcasting House in Portland Place on Saturday January 18, before marching through central London.

But Scotland Yard has told the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) to alter its plans to avoid serious disruption to the congregation of a nearby synagogue  and threatened to impose Public Order Act conditions to stop the rally.

The Met said it had reflected on the views of local community and business representatives, including those of the congregation at a synagogue before coming to the decision.

Counter-protesters in central London (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Holding the march on a Saturday  the Jewish holy day  when congregants will be attending Shabbat services, was also a factor, police said.

Responding to the demand, the PSC said it utterly condemned the use of repressive powers.

The route for the march was confirmed with the police nearly two months ago and as agreed with them, was publicly announced on November 30, the group said.

With just over a week to go, the Metropolitan Police has now reneged on our agreement and stated its intention to prevent our protest from going ahead as planned.

In fact, the closest synagogue to the BBC is not even on the route of the march.

Moreover, as the Met Police have acknowledged, there has not been a single incident of any threat to a synagogue attached to any of the marches.

The PSC did not make clear if it intended to agree to the Mets request, but said it remains in dialogue with Scotland Yard.

A Met Police spokesperson said: We have carefully considered the likely impact of the PSCs plans.

As part of those considerations we have reflected on the views of local community and business representatives, including those of the congregation at a synagogue located a very short distance from the proposed form up point in Portland Place.

As we have shared with the PSC, it is our view that a protest forming up so close to that synagogue on a Saturday risks causing serious disruption.

In reaching this view we have taken into account the cumulative impact of this prolonged period of protest, often taking place on Saturdays and on numerous occasions in the vicinity of synagogues.

We know this has been a cause of increased concern for many Jewish Londoners who have altered their plans, avoided parts of central London and reduced attendance at religious services.

We are hopeful that the PSC will now alter their plans in light of our position, but should they wish to continue to use Portland Place as a form up point we will consider the use of Public Order Act conditions as appropriate.

Last month, a campaign group chief accused the government of dragging its feet on tackling antisemitism.

The Campaign Against Antisemitism said 32,000 people attended a march from the Royal Courts of Justice to Parliament Square on a Sunday afternoon.

The protest was a stand against unprecedented levels of antisemitism and growing extremism in British society, the group said.
The Government will look at potential reforms to political party funding, Sir Keir Starmer said, as the leader of the Liberal Democrats raised the spectre of Elon Musks possible donation to Reform UK.

Sir Ed Davey asked the Prime Minister to change the rules around party funding amid the US businessmans continued interest in British politics and support for Nigel Farages party.

Speaking during Prime Ministers Questions, Sir Ed said: While the honourable member for Clacton may miss out on his big allowance from Elon Musk, the spectre of the richest man in the world trying to buy a British political party should give us all pause for thought.

And, after years of the Conservatives taking millions of pounds of Russian money, will the Prime Minister now work with us to bring in long overdue reforms of party funding, so that people power in this country lies with the voters and not wealthy overseas oligarchs?

Mr Musk has been increasingly vocal about British politics in recent months. In posts on the social media network X, which he owns, he has been critical of the Labour Government, and Sir Keir.

The tech billionaire met Mr Farage and Reform UKs treasurer, Nick Candy, at Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida in December.

However, Mr Musk seemingly withdrew his support for the Clacton MPs leadership on Sunday over Mr Farages rejection of calls to support jailed far-right activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.

American billionaire Elon Musk has been increasingly vocal about British politics in recent months (Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA)

Mr Musk posted: The Reform Party need a new leader. Farage doesnt have what it takes.

Earlier in the day Mr Farage had told Laura Kuenssbergs Sunday morning show on BBC One that Mr Musks support made the party look cool.

Replying to the Lib Dem leader on Wednesday, Sir Keir joked about Mr Musks volte-face.

He said: I think we all had a smile on Sunday when the honourable member said how cool it was to have the support of Musk, only for Musk to say he should be removed just a few hours later  thats the rough and tough of politics.

And, of course, were looking at the question of funding more generally.
Prostate cancer imaging developed by university researchers has shown extremely encouraging results in its first clinical trials.

A team at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, leading the clinical trial said recent testing at the Western General Hospital has shown promising results in screening for the disease.

The new approach, which uses existing ultrasound technology, demonstrated an initial 94% sensitivity rate in tumour detection, and the test is delivered in under 20 minutes.

An MRI image showing only one tumour found (Heriot-Watt/PA)

The cost of using ultrasounds tech costs around 10% of MRI scanning, which means doctors can now better guide prostate biopsies and focal therapy  which destroys cancer cells, the research team said.

One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, with around 52,000 diagnoses in the UK each year (144 a day).

Researchers say the current means of testing, called a prostate specific antigen (PSA), is unreliable and means men are sent for expensive MRI scans which can come with long waiting lists.

Up to 28% of clinically significant tumours are missed, according to the research team, and one in two individuals with positive MRI findings receive a negative biopsy result.

Less Grey Imaging Ltd, a spin-out from Heriot-Watt University, says the technology offers clinicians up to a 20-fold increase in resolution compared with MRIs  which they say provide a grey and difficult-to-read image.

The new imaging test begins by injecting a commonly used contrast agent into a vein that contains millions of tiny and harmless microbubbles that travel through the patients bloodstream to the prostate.

The team uses a technique known as super resolution ultrasound imaging (SRUI) to track these microbubbles as they flow inside the prostate.

Due to the altered blood flow in cancerous tissue, the image highlights previously unseen tumours, enabling earlier diagnosis.

Dr George Papageorgiou, chief executive of Less Grey Imaging, said: Our initial clinical findings in prostate imaging align well with histopathology, highlighting its potential to reliably detect clinically significant prostate cancer.

Currently, prostate cancer diagnosis varies widely across the country, with many patients being diagnosed too late for curative treatment.

By integrating ultrasound more prominently into the diagnostic pathway, we can ensure equal opportunities for early diagnosis across all regions of the UK.

Less Grey Imagings mission is to revolutionise prostate imaging by delivering clarity and precision. Urologists will have an imaging tool that enables accurate diagnoses and quicker decision-making.

He added: Our software deploys existing ultrasound equipment to enhance image quality down to microscopic detail.

By minimising reliance on radiologist assessment, we intend to streamline workflows, reduce NHS costs, and improve patient efficiency.

The potential of the technology has been recognised by Innovate UK, which awarded the company a 370,000 grant.

The UK has a higher cancer mortality rate compared with several other developed countries, with the Darzi report, which reviewed the NHS and was published in September 2024, revealing that waiting times targets for the first treatment for cancer have not been met since December 2015.

Professor Vassilis Sboros (Heriot-Watt/PA)

Professor Vassilis Sboros, from Heriot-Watt University and co-founder of Less Grey Imaging, explained how the technique can help support an NHS that is fit for the future.

He said: This is exactly what the new Government needs to tackle the challenges facing the NHS.

Back in 2019, we proved the concept worked in our lab but now we have shown it works during our initial patient trials.

Its just like looking inside the body with a microscope, allowing clinicians to see 20 times more detail than before.

Even concealed tumours are possible to identify.

With one man dying from prostate cancer every 45 minutes in the UK, we hope earlier detection will radically improve treatment outcomes, saving lives while reducing the number of people sent for unnecessary and often risky tests.

Professor Alan McNeill, a consultant urological surgeon at the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, and founder trustee of charity Prostate Scotland, said: The initial trial results are extremely encouraging, providing really useful information for the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.

This is the most common cancer in men but, if it is caught early while the cancer remains within the prostate, it can be cured in the majority of cases.

He added: Nearly every week, my colleagues and I meet men in their 50s or early 60s suffering from advanced prostate cancer that leaves them with fewer treatment options.

We continue to raise awareness and encourage earlier diagnosis for all men.

Gary Tait was treated for prostate cancer five years ago, and is now chairman of Edinburgh & Lothian Prostate Cancer Support Group.

He said: From the perspective of men who are unaware of a developing tumour in their prostate, this improved method of diagnosis could lead to earlier treatment which improves the likelihood of a good outcome.

We fully support the development of this new technology which raises the possibility of enabling more men to be both diagnosed and treated earlier than they can be at present.
QI presenter Sandi Toksvig has said realising her dream of restoring a woodland helped her to regain her strength after a bout of bronchial pneumonia meant she could hardly walk.

It comes as the 66-year-olds project will be documented in Sandis Great British Woodland Restoration, which will air on Channel 4 on Thursday.

The show will see the Danish-born star buy a patch of neglected woodland and set about restoring, managing and conserving it for future generations, helped by a team of experts.

Sandi Toksvig with her wife Debbie on the show (Channel 4/PA)

Speaking about how making the show helped her to recover from the lasting impact of her illness, Toksvig said: There is no question that the woods acted as a nurse to my improvement.

When I first returned to the UK, I could hardly walk and needed two sticks to get about.

I went out into the woods every day. First just for five minutes but gradually for longer and longer until one day I found I couldnt remember where my sticks were and I was using a chainsaw.

The comedian was admitted to hospital with the illness in Australia, while touring the country in 2022, after feeling like she was unable to breathe while performing in Sydney, which saw her cancel the New Zealand dates of her tour that year.

Bronchial pneumonia is a type of pneumonia featuring acute inflammation of the bronchi, the two large tubes that carry air from the windpipe to the lungs, and is often accompanied by inflamed patches in the nearby lobules.

Toksvig said she had always wanted to look after woodland after being inspired by her father, who was head of the forestry authority in Denmark.

Speaking about the challenges she faced with the restoration, Toksvig added: The first time I went into the woods I found I was so overawed that I was whispering.

It seemed so vast and unknown that I felt certain I was not up to it. I did not know one single tree from another.

Toksvig was inspired to take on the challenge by her fathers work in Denmark (Channel 4/PA)

Today I cannot go past any patch of trees without immediately analysing what work needs doing and when.

She said the area and associated work had cost more than 30,000, remarking that she had to go back to work to pay for it all.

Speaking about what she had taken from the project, Toksvig added: (I have learned) that I have spent too much of my life just living in my head and not my body.

We meet every Sunday with a local gang from the village (called The Branch Managers) to work in the woods, and the physical exhaustion from that is so good for us all.

I am learning to sweat the small stuff less and think about creating a space not for us but for the next generation and the one after that.

The presenter said she still visits the woodland pretty much every Sunday and two or three times a week just for pleasure, and revealed she has plans to invite local schools and add a platform for disabled and elderly access.

The three-part Sandis Great British Woodland Restoration will show the star battling fly-tippers, dirt-bike-riders, falling trees, and mounting invoices, when it airs on Channel 4 on Thursday at 8pm.

The show will also be available on My4.

It comes after the former Great British Bake Off host officiated the wedding of Abba star Bjorn Ulvaeus, in a full priest-like outfit, in September last year.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will meet with the French president Emmanuel Macron on Thursday, Downing Street has said.

Illegal migration and support for Ukraine are likely to be among the topics up for discussion when they pair meet at Chequers  the Prime Ministers country residence.

The Prime Ministers official spokesman told reporters on Wednesday: Tomorrow the Prime Minister will meet French President Emmanuel Macron.

The meeting will focus on areas of cooperation and shared global challenges including support for Ukraine, tech and AI, growth and tackling illegal migration.

The meeting comes ahead of President-elect Donald Trumps inauguration, and there have been concerns about what his return to the White House could mean for US support for Ukraine.

It is also set against the backdrop of the number of migrants arriving in the UK after crossing the Channel in small boats being up by a quarter in 2024 on the previous year.

Some 36,816 people made the journey in 2024, a jump of 25% from the 29,437 who arrived in 2023, according to figures from the Home Office.

Sir Keir travelled to Paris in November to attend a French service on Armistice Day at the invitation of Mr Macron.

The Prime Minister met with the President ahead of the commemorations and the pair discussed a number of similar topics to those expected to be on the table on Thursday, including Ukraine and the response to small boat crossings in the Channel.

He was the first British prime minister to attend the events since Winston Churchill in 1944.
Sir Keir Starmer has said sex abuse allegations against Mohamed Al Fayed never crossed his desk during his tenure as director of public prosecutions.

The Prime Minister, who served as head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) from 2008 to 2013, was questioned in the Commons as to why he declined to instigate a prosecution for rape and sexual abuse against the former owner of luxury department store Harrods.

More than 100 alleged victims have contacted police to say they were sexually abused by Mr Al Fayed, the youngest of whom is thought to have been 13 at the time.

A number of allegations were made against him while he was still alive.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaking during Prime Ministers Questions in the House of Commons, London (House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA)

Investigators twice sent files for a charging decision to the CPS, once in 2008 relating to three alleged victims and again in 2015 linked to one other.

During Prime Ministers Questions  which was dominated by the clash between Sir Keir and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch over a national inquiry on grooming gangs  Tory MP Sir Roger Gale raised the case of Mr Al Fayed.

The member for Herne Bay and Sandwich said: The Prime Minister from that despatch box has made much of his service as the public prosecutor.

So could he tell the House in that capacity, why during his time he declined to instigate a prosecution for rape and sexual abuse against Mohamed Fayed?

Sir Keir replied: That case never crossed my desk.

Mohamed Al Fayed attending the Spectre after-party held at the British Museum in London (Anthony Devlin/PA)

The Prime Minister also faced attacks over his Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq, who he said has acted appropriately in referring herself for investigation following controversies over properties linked to her family.

Ms Siddiq, the niece of former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, has faced calls for an investigation following reports that she lived in properties in London linked to allies of her aunt.

Tory MP Gregory Stafford (Farnham and Bordon) referred to other Cabinet controversies relating to Rachel Reeves CV and former transport secretary Louise Haigh, who resigned in November over a fraud conviction dating back to before her time in Parliament.

He said: First of all we had a Chancellor who embellished her CV, then we had a transport secretary with a fraud conviction, and now weve got an anti-corruption minister who is being investigated for corruption.

Now, I know the Prime Minister likes living in free accommodation, but does he really think its appropriate that his minister is being given free housing by the political allies of some very dubious foreign regimes?

Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq has referred herself to the Prime Ministers ethics tsar following controversies over properties linked to her family and her aunts political movement in Bangladesh (Victoria Jones/PA)

Sir Keir replied: We brought in our new Ministerial Code to allow ministers to establish the facts and Im not going to give a running commentary on that.

Elsewhere in the session Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey urged the Government to accelerate its planned reform of social care, as not doing so might lead to wider NHS reforms failing.

Sir Ed said family carers are making huge sacrifices to fill the gap in the NHS, as he asked the Prime Minister to ensure 2025 is the year we finally rise to the challenge of fixing care.

Sir Keir highlighted immediate action the Government has taken to improve care, referring to 3.7 billion of additional funding in the autumn budget for social care, and 86 million to allow 7,800 more disabled and elderly people to live more independent lives.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey (Ben Birchall/PA)

As temperatures continue to drop across the country, the SNPs Westminster leader asked Sir Keir whether he understands the publics unhappiness over cuts to the winter fuel allowance.

Stephen Flynn said the winter fuel allowance has been unacceptably taken away from so many vulnerable pensioners.

The Prime Minister said tough decisions were needed in the Budget, but that Scotland had received the largest settlement since devolution began.

He added: What its done is given the money so the SNP have the money, they have the power, and no more excuses for the non-delivery that we see in Scotland.

If (Mr Flynn) wants me to reverse that he should say so.
Rodrigo Bentancur left the field on a stretcher after suffering a concerning injury during Tottenhams Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool.

The Uruguay midfielder stooped low to head a corner after seven minutes but was left on the ground as play stopped, with immediate concern from his team-mates.

Bentancur received medical attention for nine minutes before he was replaced by Brennan Johnson at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

We can confirm Rodrigo is conscious, talking and will go to hospital for further checks.  Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 8, 2025

Tottenham released an update on Bentancurs condition at half-time, which read: We can confirm Rodrigo is conscious, talking and will go to hospital for further checks.
China's Gao and Wei advance to second round of Australian Open qualifying

Xinhua) 10:21, January 08, 2025

Gao Xinyu of China hits a return during the women's singles first round qualifying match against Anouk Koevermans of the Netherlands at the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 7, 2025. (Photo by Chu Chen/Xinhua)

MELBOURNE, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- China's Gao Xinyu and Wei Sijia are one step closer to reaching the main draw at the Australian Open after winning their opening qualifying matches on Tuesday.

Gao continued her form from the United Cup, where she helped team China reach the quarterfinals, with a dominant 6-0, 6-0 win against Anouk Koevermans of the Netherlands in 63 minutes at Melbourne Park.

The Chinese 27-year-old, who rose in the rankings from 175 to a career-high 146 following the United Cup, equaled Koevermans' 10 winners for the match but hit only seven unforced errors compared to her opponent's 32.

She will be joined in the second round by Wei, who beat Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 in two hours and 11 minutes.

Wei, the 25th seed in the qualifying tournament, broke Sasnovich's serve seven times from nine opportunities in the match.

In other matches, China's Zhu Lin was defeated 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 by France's Selena Janicijevic, while China's Shi Han went down against Jil Teichmann 5-7, 6-2, 6-2.

The 19-year-old Shi was trailing 2-5 in the opening set before winning five consecutive games to win it but could not maintain the level against the more experienced Teichmann.

Gao will play Croatia's Petra Martic in the second round of the qualifying tournament on Wednesday, with Wei to face Tamara Korpatsch of Germany.

Players must win three matches at the qualifying tournament to reach the main draw at the Australian Open, which begins at Melbourne Park on Sunday.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Elon Musk and other tech moguls have taken to X to defend the H-1B visa program that has long allowed the tech industry to bring in high-skilled foreign professionals. Sean Simmers/AP

High-skilled immigration

Regarding MAGA has a point. But scrapping H-1B isnt the answer. | Editorial, (Jan. 7): I believe tech titans are trying to pull a fast one on the American public, boo-hooing over the tremendous shortage of skilled workers that can only be cured by opening the H-1B visa floodgates to immigrants.

In the '80s I was an apartment manager in Bellevue, Washington, right next to Microsoft. As many as six East Indian Microsoft engineers and programmers would try to rent a one-bedroom apartment together. I had to explain it was against state law.

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In discussions with the applicants, I found out that Bill Gates was paying an Indian electrical engineer with a masters degree $1,500 a month. I also discovered an American with the same qualifications expected to start at around $4,000 a month. You do the math. Oh, and I came to find out that the same Indian engineer with the impressive credentials was making $700 a month back home at the same job.

I hope Congress sees through this self-serving plan to ensure that the rich get richer at our college graduates expense. I think Bill Gates will be able to absorb the hit.

Michael M. Peyou, Pasadena

Selective laws

Regarding Lawmakers brace for Trumps promised Jan. 6 pardons. Some are urging restraint, (Jan. 5): So, mass deportations and mass pardons. Which laws does Donald Trump decide to enforce? Oh, yes, only those that help him.

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Bob Gayle, Houston

Refugee system

Regarding The U.S. should stop accepting refugees until we get domestic issues under control | Opinion, (Jan. 7): I read Mr. Tim Graneys letter on immigration. Some will say that immigrants are worsening Americas drug problem, our homelessness problem and our failing public schools. But the logic simply doesnt work. Are legal immigrants the ones living on the streets? Are they the ones abusing drugs? Are they not paying taxes to support our public schools? If the attack were on uncontrolled, illegal immigration, that would be different.

But the attack is on legal immigration, with homelessness, drug abuse and failing schools as the cudgel. In that, the reasoning is deeply flawed.

Mike Collier, Kingwood

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Regarding Im a refugee who voted for Trump. Heres what hes missing about the U.S. refugee program. | Opinion, (Jan. 3): Thanks for publishing Jalil Dawoods opinion piece. Its refreshing to hear the successful immigration stories of those who came to our country legally. Our country offers legal pathways to citizenship that many, like Jalil, have taken advantage of to embrace the American dream.

Its the last four years of illegal migration that has been a cause for concern throughout our country, but especially challenging for Texas.

Barbara Goodson, Kingwood

Worst state for work commutes

Regarding Drivers in Houston have some of the worst commutes nationally. Heres why. (Jan. 2): The Houston Chronicle recently ran an article informing us that [d]rivers in Houston spend more time in traffic than almost anywhere else in the country. The average commuter spent nearly 70 hours in traffic in 2022  thats almost two full work weeks.

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The article also reported that the brownnosers in the Austin statehouse deliberately created this situation. Texas mandates that 97% of state highway funds must be spent on the highway system, all but banning spending tax dollars on any rational transportation system that efficiently gets people to where they need to go. Instead, every year, billions of dollars (essentially pickpocketed out of the wallets of Texans at gas pumps) are dedicated to burying small businesses, homes, parks and schools in concrete to build out more congestion.

Gov. Greg Abbot bragged that this mess is critical for Texas to remain the best state for business in the nation. He didnt mention that it also makes Texas the worst state for people trying to get to work  but then, he doesnt really represent people who work for a living.

I imagine the oil barons who own the state of Texas, as they fly over Houston in their private helicopters, gazing out the window at all those thousands of cars on the parking lot known as Loop 610, gleefully calculating the profits from all the extra gasoline those drivers burn going nowhere. Need we mention the 4,283 people who died on Texas roads in 2023, nearly 12 per day? And how much did your health insurance jump to pay for the 18,752 people seriously injured? How much did your car insurance increase? All these heists are oh-so-profitable  for the varmints who collect the loot.

Robert Dees, Houston
The head of a Republican group in the UK said optimism and expectations are really high ahead of Donald Trumps inauguration later this month.

Investment banker and political commentator Greg Swenson is chairman of the Republicans Overseas UK group, a support network for Republican Americans living in the United Kingdom.

He said he believed Mr Trumps election would be net positive for US-UK relations but added that Mr Trump and his cabinet wont be scared to criticise.

Looking ahead to the inauguration on January 20, Mr Swenson told the PA news agency: Theres just a massive amount of optimism. Perhaps a bit too much.

Expectations are really high because this time weve seen the movie.

In 2016 we didnt feel this way because it was such a shock result. But now weve had four years of Trump that was filled with peace and prosperity, barring a few bumps, and were getting rid of the insanity of this Biden administration.

There will be challenges. For example, us on the right will have to pay for what Biden did in raising national debt. Thats going to be a big challenge.

But a criticism I dont agree with is that all of Trumps appointees are yes men. I dont think thats true and as long as everyones on the same page a little bit of friction is healthy.

Mr Swensons comments come amid an ongoing spat between UK ministers and billionaire X owner Elon Musk, who has been appointed by the president-elect to lead his Department of Government Efficiency advisory board.

On this, the Republican admitted there could be bumps in UK-US relations but that overall it would be net positive.

He explained: Almost the entire West is moving to the right. But because of the election cycle and the disappointment of the Tories, the UK is the opposite with Labour.

But I do think the relationship will be positive. You have a president who likes the UK but wont be scared to criticise. Youre going to get grenades in the room.

Greg Swenson, chairman of Republicans Overseas UK, predicted UK-US relations would be net positive (PA)

On Mr Musks particular criticism of Home Office minister Jess Phillips, including a post on X describing her as a rape genocide apologist, Mr Swenson said: Elon is piling on a bit with the sex terrorism but nobody knew about it in the US. They were shocked that it could happen in a Western country.

I dont necessarily agree with his comments but I dont think it will damage the relationship between the UK and US. If the comments elevated the threat against her then thats not good. But where do you stop criticising opponents?

When you look at what the Labour government has said in the past about Trump, calling him a fascist and a racist, thats really inflammatory.

So I dont think the comments are anything unusual for elevated rhetoric. But would I have made them? No.

Mr Trump will be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on January 20.

The ceremony will take place in Washington, DC, marking the peaceful transition of power from Joe Biden to Mr Trump  who is returning to the White House for a non-consecutive second term.
A 12-year-old girl alleged to have fatally stabbed her father in North Las Vegas is set to be evaluated for competence in a Clark County court, according to local reports.

The child, who has not been named, faces one count of murder and one count of murder with use of a deadly weapon, according to her attorneys, in connection with the stabbing of 56-year-old James Waldie.

The Las Vegas Review Journal reported that the incident occurred on Dec. 27 after the girl ran away from home, then got into an argument with her father after being returned home.

Las Vegas CBS affiliate KLAS reported that the investigation found that police had responded to previous runaway attempts and a domestic disturbance earlier in December.

The girl's lawyer, Jon Chagoya, raised questions about the girl's competency in court Friday. She will have a hearing on Jan. 16 in Clark County Family Court.

"In Nevada children charged with serious offenses must be able to understand the nature of the allegations and aid defense counsel," Chagoya said in a statement to USA TODAY Tuesday night. "Based on our conversations and investigation we have concerns that our client meets those requirements at this time, which are based on more than just the fact she is a 12-year-old girl facing the full weight of the criminal justice system."

Victim described as 'fighter'

Waldie is described as a beloved family member who had stage four cancer on a GoFundMe page organized by his daughter, Jaycee Lenarz.

"He was a fighter who surely never gave up, a father who cared and loved his children, a son who regularly checked on his mom, and brother who would talk an ear off," the GoFundMe page reads.

The page says that the family did not believe the accused was capable of the act before the incident and says that the family suffered two losses that day.

"Not only on this day was one life tragically taken, but two lives will never be the same," the page reads.

USA TODAY has reached out to Lenarz through the GoFundMe page for further comment but did not receive an immediate response.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Competency hearing for North Las Vegas child in father's stabbing death
Two weeks after he drugged and kidnapped Denise Huskins from her Vallejo, California home in 2015, "American Nightmare" kidnapper Matthew Muller allegedly committed another crime in neighboring Contra Costa County.

This is just one of many alleged crimes dating back to the 1990s that would have gone unsolved if it weren't for two persistent victims: a small-coastal-town police chief and a rural Northern California county district attorney.

Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn gained worldwide notoriety when their bizarre 2015 kidnapping was featured in what Netflix said was its highest-rated documentary of 2024, "American Nightmare."

In an exclusive interview with CBS News California, Huskins and Quinn detailed the timeline of Muller's cold-case crimes, which they helped solve. The survivors detailed how it took a decade, a documentary, a small-town police chief, and a rural district attorney to get anyone to listen.

The FBI issued a press release after Muller's 2015 arrest asking for information on additional crimes. Huskins and Quinn said they knew there were more victims but said the agents assigned to the case were not interested in working with them.

The FBI had been investigating the couple for faking Denise's kidnapping and faced public backlash after Muller struck again and was ultimately arrested by another agency.

Aaron Quinn and Denise Huskins sitting down with CBS News California Investigates.

Ten years later, Muller has now confessed to at least two other crimes in the month after Huskins' kidnapping, while law enforcement was publicly shaming her and Quinn instead of searching for Muller.

While investigating one of those subsequent crimes, Dublin Police Detective Misty Carausu and Alameda County sheriff's deputies tracked Muller to his mother's South Lake Tahoe cabin. There, Carausu found crucial evidence: a strand of Huskins' hair attached to a pair of blacked-out swim goggles used to blindfold her.

Detective Carausu's persistence in tracking down who that hair belonged to would eventually vindicate Huskins and Quinn, proving to the world that they had been telling the truth all along.

But it would be years before Huskins and Quinn would meet their "hero" in person. The three have become close since.

Then, after the Netflix documentary was released in 2024, City of Seaside Police Chief Nick Borges reached out to Huskins on Instagram, offering support to Huskins and Quinn, hoping to restore their faith in law enforcement. He invited them to speak to a law enforcement group about their experience.

That's where they met El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson, who incidentally had jurisdiction in their case, which had since been turned over to the FBI, because Denise was held hostage and raped in South Lake Tahoe, which is in El Dorado County.

Together the five of them  Huskins, Quinn, Carausu, Borges, and Pierson  have pieced together a decades-long puzzle, solving cold case crimes linked to Muller dating back to 1993 when he allegedly committed his first kidnapping and rape at the age of 16.

First, Borgess began written correspondence with Muller, in which Muller confessed to several additional crimes. Then Pierson, who had jurisdiction, flew to Arizona to interview Muller in person along with an unnamed FBI interviewer. There, Muller allegedly confessed to additional crimes dating back to his teens in California and college years in Boston while he attended Harvard.

Charges have not been filed in the 1993 incident. However, district attorneys in both Santa Clara and Contra Costa counties have now filed charges based on recent confessions from Muller, which were later confirmed through DNA testing.

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In addition to Denise's Vallejo kidnapping and the subsequent Dublin, California home invasion that led to his 2015 arrest, prosecutors say Muller has confessed to multiple crimes across Northern California.

The Santa Clara district attorney announced charges on December 30 related to two cold case home invasions and assaults in 2009. Muller was initially a suspect in those crimes, which was widely reported in 2015 when he was arrested.

However, it was not until Borgess and Pierson got the confession in 2024 that the Santa Clara DA finally connected Muller to the case by testing decades-old DNA evidence.

On Monday, the Contra Costa District Attorney's Office announced they filed charges against Muller for a previously unreported San Ramon-area kidnapping for ransom in 2015. That home invasion allegedly happened two weeks after Muller released Huskins, but the district attorney's office said it was so traumatic the family never reported it  fearing he, or other attackers, would come back.

"The amount of coverage that our case had . But just two weeks later, he's willing to do a very similar thing," Quinn said. "[It] shows you how brazen and emboldened he was."

"I believe that this is just the tip of the iceberg," Huskins added.

Muller has not commented on the new charges.

Over the coming weeks, CBS News California will investigate the systemic problems highlighted by this decades-long "American Nightmare."

Follow our continuing coverage:

"American Nightmare": Lessons learned In an ongoing accountability and solutions-journalism series, CBS News California Investigates is working with Denise, Aaron, and experts from various fields to go beyond the sensational story and examine what we can learn from their 'American Nightmare.'

[This story was updated to include additional details.]

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GoFundMe Lily Morss, 1, had to have her eye removed from cancer in her retina.

A toddler was diagnosed with retinal cancer and had to have her eye removed after the only symptom the little girl experienced was swelling around her eye.

Arkansas father Josh Morss said he noticed some swelling around his 1-year-old daughter Lilys eye, so the concerned parents took the toddler to the hospital. They did a CT scan on her; they said there was something in her eye, he told local station KAIT-8.

It was a tumor, he said  specifically, retinoblastoma, a cancer in her right eye that the Cleveland Clinic explains happens when cells multiply uncontrollably. Although its overall a rare cancer, its the most common childhood eye cancer, with about 25% of cases affecting both eyes.

In Lilys case, the cancer in her right eye had spread to her left  and she needed to undergo immediate surgery to remove her right eye on Dec. 20.

I cried, [Lily's mother Casie] cried. Our little girls going through something unimaginable, he said. The family has been staying at St. Jude's Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. more than an hour from their Arkansas home. Theyve set up a GoFundMe as theyve been out of work, staying with Lily while she undergoes treatment, which includes six rounds of chemotherapy.

As of Jan. 7, they have raised more than $14K of the $16K goal.

Shes showing us the courage that we need, Josh said, as Casie added, That we need to have.

Matt Patterson via AP St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.

Related: Devoted Dad Creates App That Can Detect Eye Cancer in Children After His Son Was Diagnosed at 3 Months Old

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The first symptom of retinoblastoma usually appears in photographs, the Cleveland Clinic says, when the pupil shows up white in flash photography. Other symptoms include eyes that dont follow movement, misaligned or bulging eyes  or swelling and inflammation, as Lily had.

Although retinoblastoma often happens before children can talk, they can signal pain, the Cleveland Clinic says, and show they're struggling through having trouble sleeping or being fussy.

Although prognosis is better before the cancer has spread, the family was optimistic about Lily's chances, writing on the GoFundMe, "We are one step closer to making our little girl's life better ... one step closer but a very long road [lies] ahead of us."



Read the original article on People
Angel Luis Marrero Negron, owner of the property, including Luichys Seaside Hotel, described the "nightmare" of seeing his establishment go up in flames.

Federal authorities executed a search warrant Tuesday in St. Louis in connection with an investigation in Puerto Rico of a tourist accused of setting businesses on fire last week.

A hotel building's owner described the events as a "nightmare then step by step youre hit with the reality amid the screams."

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in St. Louis is helping authorities in the U.S. territory conduct an arson investigation, but no arrests have been made, spokesperson Lisa Storey told NBC News.

The ATF unit investigating the case is in the Robert A. Young Federal Building in St. Louis.

Authorities in Puerto Rico said they are close to charging a suspect in the incident, in which security cameras caught a tourist suspected of setting the fire, Puerto Ricos largest newspaper, El Nuevo Dia, reported Tuesday. Charges could come as soon as this week or next week, Lt. Miguel Rivera Sepulveda of the Mayaguez Police Departments explosives division told the newspaper.

Videos and pictures of the incident have gone viral on social media, and it has sparked outrage among Puerto Ricans on the island and in the mainland United States.

The incident took place early Thursday in the small coastal town of Cabo Rojo in the southwest part of the island. The woman, whom NBC News is not naming because she has not been charged or named in the ATF investigation, left Puerto Rico and was back in the mainland, authorities in the island said.

I wish they could have arrested her yesterday, Cabo Rojo Mayor Jorge Morales Wiscovitch said. She needs to be returned immediately and face the countrys justice system. It wasnt just businesses that were burned. There were rooms on the second floor where people were sleeping. People could have been burned and killed.

'Where are you  your hotel's on fire'

The owner of the building says it sustained $500,000 in damages. It impacted his hotel, Luichys Seaside Hotel, and a few businesses he rents to: Marinera Restaurant, Artesanias Juavia and Bar Marea Restaurant.

The property owner, Angel Luis Marrero Negron, described how he found out about the fire and the devastation that ensued in a phone interview with NBC News on Wednesday morning.

You leave your establishment happy to have celebrated Dec. 31 happy, with a full hotel...you go to your house in San Juan feeling calm, he said, adding that hours later, the phone was ringing repeatedly and when answered he was asked where are you  your hotels on fire.

The charred remains of Angel Luis Marrero Negron's property in the coastal town of Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico.

Neighbors of the hotel texted him photos and videos of his property in flames as he raced back from San Juan.

Its been a roller coaster of emotions  not understanding why that woman did what she did to us; we are good people and we dont harm anyone, Marrero Negron said.

At first I thought, this cant be," the property owner said. "It felt like a nightmare, but little by little I've been hit with the reality.

He said he's trying to raise money through a GoFundMe page.

The Cabo Rojo mayor said the suspect is a tourist who had been at one of the businesses, the restaurant, and was harassing people. Police escorted her twice to the nearby Airbnb property where she was staying, Morales said. Later that night, after the businesses closed and everyone had gone home, reports of a fire began to emerge.

Morales said security video from one of the businesses allowed investigators to identify the suspect as the tourist who had been harassing people earlier in the night. She later left in a white car that picked her up, Morales said.

The restaurant, Bar Marea, said Thursday on Facebook that the tourist arrived at the business late at night and seemed to be intoxicated and began to insult other patrons and even assaulted a woman and one of the servers. Bar Marea did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

After the businesses closed, the woman returned with gasoline, spread it around the area and lit it on fire, the post said.

About 50 people who were staying there were evacuated, the restaurants post said.

The suspects employer, HLK Agency, based in St. Louis, said in a statement on Instagram that it immediately suspended the employee pending further information.

We were shocked to learn about the events in Puerto Rico. We have not yet been contacted by law enforcement in either Puerto Rico or Missouri but we are ready to cooperate in their investigation if asked, the statement said.

A Cabo Rojo police representative told NBC News that we are taking the necessary measures. There is an exhaustive investigation underway. I cannot give more information because I would be contaminating the investigation.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, addresses the media during a joint press conference with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot, right, after their meeting at the Quai d'Orsay in Paris, France, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Ludovic Marin/Pool Photo via AP)

PARIS (AP)  Outgoing U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is advising the world not to waste a lot of time on what President-elect Donald Trump has been saying about Greenland.

Trump made clear again this week that hed like the semiautonomous territory of Denmark to come under U.S. control and said he would not rule out the use of military force to make that happen.

We need Greenland for national security purposes, Trump said.

But Blinken said Wednesday that the incoming president's ambitions are unlikely to amount to anything more than talk.

The idea expressed about Greenland is obviously not a good one, the senior U.S. diplomat said during a stop in Paris for meetings.

Maybe more important, it's obviously one that's not going to happen. So we probably shouldn't waste a lot of time talking about it," he said.

Frances foreign minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, also played down any possibility of U.S. forces being deployed against Denmark, a U.S. ally in the NATO military alliance.

But Barrot warned nevertheless that Europe must brace for turbulence ahead  as other powers throw their weight around.

Do we think the United States will invade Greenland? The answer is, No, the French minister said. But do we think that were entering into a period that sees the return of the law of the strongest, the answer is, Yes.

Europe must become stronger militarily and more economically and commercially competitive in response, Barrot said.

We have to go a lot further to affirm who we are, what we want, he said.

The Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, has said she does not believe the United States will use military or economic power to secure control over Greenland and has appealed for U.S. behavior that is respectful of the Greenlandic people.

In Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Wednesday that the principle of inviolability of borders applies to every country no matter how powerful, in a reaction to Trump's remarks that did not mention the president-elect by name. Borders must not be moved by force, Scholz said.
A body believed to be one of the two British hikers who went missing in the Dolomites at the start of the year has been found, Italys alpine rescue service has said.

Aziz Ziriat, 36, and Sam Harris, 35, have not been seen or heard from since 1 January, as they prepared to go on a hike in the Trentino mountain region of northern Italy. They later missed their return flight to London on 6 January, sparking an urgent search and rescue operation.

Italys alpine rescue services said a body was found unfortunately lifeless, buried under the snow following the resumption of a helicopter search on Wednesday morning. The search had been hampered by bad weather on Tuesday.

The body was discovered in a high-altitude area where a phone signal was last recorded from one of the men. The indentity of the body has not yet been officially comfirmed.

The ground teams of the Soccorso Alpino [Alpine Rescue] airlifted in the morning... to an altitude of approximately 2,600 metres to conduct ground searches and snow probing in the area identified as a priority thanks to a track recorded on the phone of one of the two mountaineers, a statement from the rescue service read.

They have found one of the bodies, sadly deceased, buried under the snow. The dynamics of the accident are under evaluation. The search for the second mountaineer continues on the ground, with the deployment of Soccorso Alpinos avalanche-trained canine units.

The families of the two men, who have traveled to Italy, have already been informed of the discovery of the body and are being supported by a team of psychologists.

The last known location of the two hikers was near a mountain hut called Casina Dosson, close to the town of Tione Di Trento, near Riva Del Garda, on Lake Garda in northern Italy. The pair had sent a video message to their families from the hut ahead of plans to hike a 3,000 metre peak. They said in the video that they planned to leave their packs at this hut ahead of a hike.

Italian rescue workers search an area in the Dolomites (Corpo Nazionale Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico)

The rescue team issued an update earlier on Wednesday morning saying the men's backpacks and equipment were found during a search of the hut they are believed to have sheltered at.

Joseph Sheppard, a close friend of both Mr Ziriat and Mr Harris, and who was supposed to join them on their hike but was unable to in the end due to an injury, told The Independent on Tuesday that he was scared for their lives.

He said he had expected that they wouldnt be in regular contact while on the hike as there wouldnt be much signal and their phone batteries would die, but his worries intensified when he found out they didnt make their flight back to London.

Mr Ziriats girlfriend and friends of the hikers, including Mr Sheppard, have flown to Italy to help coordinate the search with local authorities.

They managed to log into Mr Ziriats email, finding a route the two experienced hikers had discussed as their possible route, but there was little information beyond that concerning their whereabouts.

Helicopters had been used to search the Casina Dosson mountain hut and a second refuge in the area.

Joe Stone, a university friend of Mr Ziriat, told the PA news agency: They are experienced hikers and they go a couple of times a year. It wasnt surprising that they had no signal as they like going off the grid. Alarm bells were raised though when they didnt turn up for their flight.

Mr Stone praised the public response and said they had seen a nice side of humanity since asking for help. He added: The response from the local authorities has been fantastic and people from all walks of life have been trying to help, both in Italy and in the UK.
A fast-moving brush fire that erupted Tuesday in Los Angeles threatened homes and sent thousands of residents fleeing, prompting city and state officials to declare a state of emergency.

Meanwhile, a second rapidly spreading blaze broke out several hours later, spurring more evacuations, as dangerous winds continued to sweep Southern California late into the evening.

PHOTO: Fire personnel respond to homes destroyed while a helicopter drops water as the Palisades Fire grows in Pacific Palisades, Calif. on Jan. 7, 2025. (David Swanson/AFP via Getty Images)

The Pacific Palisades fire, which had grown to nearly 3,000 acres by 6:30 p.m. local time, was first reported before 11 a.m. and quickly prompted thousands of evacuations across the region and into Malibu.

From the mountains to the coast, huge swaths of smoke and flames rose from the area as fire crews battled the wind-driven blaze. By Tuesday evening, the brush fire had jumped the Pacific Coast Highway, nearly reaching Will Rogers Beach State Park.

PHOTO: Flames overtake the intersection of Temescal Canyon and Pacific Coast Highway Fire at the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades California on Jan. 7, 2025. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)

"This is a highly dangerous windstorm that's creating extreme fire risk  and we're not out of the woods," California Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. "We're already seeing the destructive impacts with this fire in Pacific Palisades that grew rapidly in a matter of minutes."

Later Tuesday evening, a second brush fire in Altadena -- to the northeast of Pacific Palisades -- ignited. Fueled by the whipping winds, the Eaton fire rapidly grew from 10 acres to 400 acres in less than two hours. Several areas are under mandatory evacuation orders.

President Joe Biden, who is in Los Angeles, received two briefings regarding the rapidly spreading fires.

The president "encourages residents in the affected areas to remain vigilant and heed the warnings of local officialsespecially if ordered to evacuate," the White House said in statement.

Overall, evacuation orders were in place for approximately 30,000 residents and more than 10,000 homes were threatened by the Palisades fire, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Later Tuesday evening, the city of Santa Monica also issued a mandatory evacuation for a strip of the city north of San Vicente Boulevard, saying there was an "immediate threat to life."

No injuries had been reported as of late Tuesday.

PHOTO: A helicopter drops water around homes threatened by the wind-driven Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades, Calif., Jan. 7, 2025. (David Swanson/AFP via Getty Images)

Scenes of destruction

KABC reported that both a high school, Pacific Palisades Charter High School, and a playhouse nearby, the Theatre Palisades, had caught fire.

Flames also crept dangerously close to the Getty Villa, a hilltop museum in Malibu with a renowned collection of art from Ancient Greece and Rome. However, administrators assured the public that the museum's collection was safe.

"Fortunately, Getty had made extensive efforts to clear brush from the surrounding area as part of its fire mitigation efforts throughout the year," Katherine E. Fleming, president and CEO of the J. Paul Getty Trust said in a statement. "Some trees and vegetation on site have burned, but staff and the collection remain safe."

The museum said its galleries and library archives were sealed off from smoke by its state-of-the-art air-handling system and the doubled-walled construction of its galleries.

PHOTO: Smoke engulfs the Getty Villa during a wildfire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of west Los Angeles, Calif., Jan. 7, 2025. (Mike Blake/Reuters)

Winds expected to worsen

Wind conditions were expected to worsen into the evening and through the night, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone.

"We are not out of danger," Marrone told reporters during an afternoon briefing. "The National Weather Service has predicted that the winds are going to pick up and get worse."

PHOTO: Heavy smoke from a brush fire in the Pacific Palisades rises over the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica, Calif., Jan. 7, 2025. (Eugene Garcia/AP)

The strongest winds were expected between 10 p.m. Tuesday into 5 a.m. Wednesday, he said. Residents in the area were told to have an evacuation plan in order.

The dangerous winds are forecast to continue through 6 p.m. Wednesday, spanning Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, San Diego, San Bernardino and Riverside counties, with some wind gusts reaching up to 100 mph, according to the governor's office.

PHOTO: A resident attempts to protect his property from the flames closing in on homes threatened by the wind-driven Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades, Calif., Jan. 7, 2025. (David Swanson/AFP via Getty Images)

Earlier, fire officials issued a mandatory evacuation order for thousands of residents in the area from Merrimac Road west to Topanga Canyon Boulevard and south to Pacific Coast Highway. Those not under evacuation orders are being asked to shelter in place.

PHOTO: An aircraft flies to drop fire retardant over the area of a wildfire burning near Pacific Palisades on the west side of Los Angeles during a weather driven windstorm, in Los Angeles, Jan. 7, 2025. (Daniel Cole/Reuters)

As the fire began spreading Tuesday afternoon, traffic gridlock initially clogged major streets in the Pacific Palisades area, including Palisades Drive and Sunset Boulevard. The LAFD said about 30 vehicles left abandoned on Sunset and Palisades would have to be moved by the county to provide clear access.

Sections of the 10 Freeway and Pacific Coast Highway were closed to all non-essential traffic on Tuesday afternoon.

PHOTO: A wildfire burns near Pacific Palisades on the west side of Los Angeles (Daniel Cole/Reuters)

More than 17,000 customers were without power across Los Angeles County, according to PowerOutage.US.

PHOTO: Flames close in on homes threatened by the wind-driven Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades, Calif., Jan. 7, 2025. (David Swanson/AFP via Getty Images)

MORE: 'Life threatening' windstorm to increase fire danger in Southern California: NWS

A separate brush fire threatened the West Hollywood area Tuesday morning, with crews working to contain the blaze on Sunset Boulevard between San Vicente and Crescent Heights.

PHOTO: Will Adams uses a garden hose to keep flames from damaging his home as the Palisades Fire advances in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Jan. 7, 2025. (Ethan Swope/AP)

The cause of both fires was under investigation, according to Cal Fire.

A "life-threatening" and "destructive" windstorm is also expected from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday morning across much of Ventura and Los Angeles counties, according to the National Weather Service. Areas that are not typically windy will also be impacted, the agency said.

Much of Southern California remains under red flag alerts for fire danger from Tuesday through Thursday as strong Santa Ana winds, low humidity and critically dry fuels jeopardize the region.

PHOTO: Fire off Sunset Blvd. near The Comedy Store in the West Hollywood Hills, Calif., Jan. 7, 2025. (@josh_Inglewood/X)

MORE: Wildfires in recent years have reversed some of the progress made in eliminating air pollution, new study suggests

PHOTO: A wildfire burns in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of west Los Angeles, Calif., Jan. 7, 2025. (Daniel Cole/Reuters)

In addition, drought conditions have returned to much of Southern California, according to an update from the U.S. Drought Monitor that was released last week.

Moderate drought now is currently in place from Los Angeles to San Diego, leaving very dry vegetation that can potentially fuel a spark and create a wildfire.

Los Angeles fires: 2nd blaze spurs evacuations originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
A Boston-area Catholic priest who pushed for the ouster of the powerful Bernard Cardinal Law in a church abuse scandal now faces his own allegations of sexual misconduct, a new lawsuit claims.

Father Walter Cuenin is accused of forcing a 20-year-old male Brandeis University student to have oral sex with him in a Manhattan hotel room a decade ago on a trip to the Big Apple, the Manhattan legal filing said.

The priest rose to prominence more than two decades ago when he helped lead a group of nearly 60 Catholic pastors calling for Laws resignation after a bombshell investigation exposed systemic coverup of widespread sexual abuse within the church.

Father Walter Cuenin once spoke out against the Catholic church sex abuse scandal, but is now accused of his own abuse by the lawyer who first uncovered the unholy mess over two decades ago. Boston Globe via Getty Images

Father Cuenin apparently forgot to look in the mirror when he called upon disgraced Cardinal Bernard Law to resign amid the clergy sexual abuse crisis in Boston, said Mitchell Garabedian, the lawyer for the male victim, who asked that his clients name be withheld.

Cuenin told The Post that, while he recalled the trip to New York and the victims name, he denied that any sexual contact occurred in the hotel room.

I did not engage in any sexual misconduct with him, Cuenin said from his Virginia nursing home, where he is now confined to a wheelchair. I dont know anything about it.

They can see it however they want to see it, Cuenin said in response to the seeming disparity between the new accusations and his past advocacy.

Mitchell Garabedian led the first legal fight to help expose the widespread sexual abuse and cover-up inside the Boston Catholic Archdiocese, as portrayed in the hit film, Spotlight. AP

The new lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Manhattan Supreme Court, claims that Cuenin invited the 20-year-old victim to join him on a train jaunt from the Boston school to New York City in December 2014 to attend a New York Philharmonic concert.

Before returning to the university the next day, the student and the clergyman shared a single-bed room at the Millennium Hilton hotel, where Cuenin drank alcohol and told the 20-year-old about using Viagra to watch pornography, the suit claims.

That night, Cuenin sexually abused, sexually assaulted, and made sexual contact with the victim, including forcing his own erect penis into Plaintiffs mouth, without Plaintiffs consent, according to the legal complaint.

Cuenin worked for almost a decade at Brandeis University outside of Boston and was known as an outspoken heterodox preacher. Boston Globe via Getty Images

Cuenin confirmed most of the details of the trip to The Post  but denied drinking booze and claims of sexual talk or contact.

Since then, the suit claims, the former student suffers from severe and permanent emotional distress, and physical manifestations of emotional distress, and that he is unable to fully describe all of the details of that violence and the extent of the harm he suffered as a result.

Garabedian also waged a noted campaign against church abuse in Boston, sending shockwaves still reverberating within the religious community today.

His work, alongside The Boston Globe, was chronicled in the hit film Spotlight, where Garabedian was famously portrayed by actor Stanley Tucci.

The victim was a 20-year-old undergraduate student at Brandeis University when the abuse allegedly occurred in December, 2014. Boston Globe via Getty Images

Law was forced to resign in 2002, after allegations he moved abuser priests around as part of a pedophile scandal coverup. Rather than being further punished, Law was given a cushy position in Rome and eventually died in 2017.

My client has come forward not only to empower himself and other sexual abuse survivors but also to make the world safer for children, said Garabedian.

In addition to his own crusade, Cuenin was known for his outspoken support for gay marriage and women priests while serving as a pastor at the Boston Archdiocese, according to the National Catholic Reporter.

He served as a popular Catholic chaplain at Brandeis for just under a decade, and suddenly departed his post there a month after the alleged sexual abuse for medical reasons, according to the schools community newspaper.

Cuenin was ordained in 1970 and assigned at six other Boston-area churches, including over a decade at Our Lady Help of Christians in posh Newton, MA, according to his assignment history, before being forced out from the Archdiocese in 2005 in retaliation for his speaking out against Law, he told The Globe in 2014.

Shortly after, he joined the Jewish-sponsored Brandies University.

The church got rid of me but the Jews took me in, he told The Globe.

Brandies and the Boston Archdiocese declined to comment.
Abby Church is a City Hall reporter for the Houston Chronicle. She can be reached at abby.church@houstonchronicle.com.

Before coming to the Chronicle, Abby covered Tarrant County government at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. As an Air Force brat, she spent her childhood everywhere, but she claims Virginia as home. She graduated from James Madison University with a bachelor's degree in journalism and creative writing.
By Joe Cash and Gopal Sharma

BEIJING/KATHMANDU (Reuters) -A magnitude 6.8 earthquake rocked the northern foothills of the Himalayas near one of Tibet's holiest cities on Tuesday, Chinese authorities said, killing at least 95 people and shaking buildings in neighbouring Nepal, Bhutan and India.

The quake hit at 9:05 a.m. (0105 GMT), with its epicentre located in Tingri, a rural county known as the northern gateway to the Everest region, at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles), according to the China Earthquake Networks Centre. The U.S. Geological Service put the quake's magnitude at 7.1.

At least 95 people were known to have been killed and 130 injured on the Tibetan side, China's state-run television reported six hours later. There were no reports of deaths elsewhere.

Southwestern parts of China, Nepal and northern India are frequently hit by earthquakes caused by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.

Tuesday's epicentre was around 80 km (50 miles) north of Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain and a popular destination for climbers and trekkers.

Winter is not a popular season for climbers and hikers in Nepal, with a German climber the lone mountaineer with a permit to climb Mount Everest. He had already left the base camp after failing to reach the summit, Lilathar Awasthi, a Department of Tourism official, said.

Nepals National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said the tremors were felt in seven hill districts bordering Tibet.

"So far we have not received any information of any loss of life and property," NDRRMA spokesman Dizan Bhattarai told Reuters. "We have mobilised police, security forces and local authorities to collect information," he said.

Many villages in the Nepalese border area, which are sparsely populated, are remote and can only be reached by foot.

The impact of the quake was felt across the Shigatse region of Tibet, home to 800,000 people. The region is administered by Shigatse city, the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, one of the most important figures in Tibetan Buddhism.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said all-out search and rescue efforts should be carried out to minimise casualties, properly resettle the affected people, and ensure a safe and warm winter.

More than 1,500 local firefighters and rescue workers have been dispatched to the affected areas, China's Xinhua news agency reported.

Some 22,000 items including cotton tents, cotton coats, quilts and folding beds have also been sent to the quake-hit region, it said.

TREMORS, AFTERSHOCKS

Villages in Tingri, where the average elevation is around 4,000-5,000 metres (13,000-16,000 feet), reported strong shaking during the quake, which was followed by dozens of aftershocks with magnitudes of up to 4.4.

Crumbled shop fronts could be seen in a video on social media showing the aftermath in the town of Lhatse, with debris spilling out onto the road.

Reuters was able to confirm the location based on nearby buildings, windows, road layout, and signage that match satellite and street view imagery.

There are three townships and 27 villages within 20 km (12 miles) of the epicentre, with a total population of around 6,900, and more than 1,000 houses have been damaged, Xinhua reported.

Local government officials were liaising with nearby towns to gauge the impact of the quake and check for casualties, and China closed the Everest region to tourists after the quake, it added.

The Tingri tremor was caused by a rupture in what is known as the Lhasa block in an area under north-south compression and west-east stress, CCTV reported, citing Chinese experts.

Since 1950, there have been 21 earthquakes of magnitude 6 or above in the Lhasa block, the largest of which was the 6.9-magnitude quake in Mainling in 2017, according to CCTV.

Mainling is located in the lower reaches of Tibet's Yarlung Zangbo river where China is planning to build the world's largest hydropower dam.

A magnitude 7.8 tremor struck near Nepal's capital Kathmandu in 2015, killing about 9,000 people and injuring thousands in the country's worst ever earthquake. Among the dead were at least 18 people killed at the Mount Everest base camp when it was hit by an avalanche.

On Tuesday, tremors were felt in Kathmandu, some 400 km (250 miles) from the epicentre, and residents in the city ran out of their houses.

"The bed was shaking and I thought my child was moving the bed ... I didn't pay that much attention but the shaking of (a) window made me understand that it's an earthquake," said Kathmandu resident Meera Adhikarii. "I'm still shaking out of fear and am in shock."

One person was injured in Kathmandu when he jumped off the top of a house after feeling the strong tremors, Nepal Police spokesman Bishwa Adhikari said. The man was being treated in hospital.

The quake also jolted Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, and the northern Indian state of Bihar which borders Nepal.

So far, no reports of any damage or loss to property have been received, officials in India and Bhutan said.

(Reporting by Joe Cash and Ryan Woo in Beijing, Gopal Sharma in Kathmandu, Tora Agarwala in Guwahati, India and Jatindra Dash in Bhubaneswar, India; Writing by Lincoln Feast; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan, Neil Fullick and Kate Mayberry)
 The Elephant Sanctuary

Both Asian and African elephant species are either endangered or critically endangered, with fewer than half a million of them left in the wild  a staggering and sobering statistic. Thankfully, a handful of them have found their way to The Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tennessee.

Nestled in the tranquil hills of this small Middle Tennessee town, this retreat is where elephants can find healing and refuge. Spanning more than 3,060 acres, The Elephant Sanctuary has become a beacon of hope for elephants rescued from circuses, zoos, and even private ownership. The Sanctuarys mission is rooted in respecting elephants complex physical and psychological needs, and its work goes far beyond simply providing a haven for these majestic creatures. Its a place of education, offering the world a chance to connect with elephants in meaningful ways.

Meet Artie  one of the residents of The Elephant Sanctuary in Hoenwald, Tennessee. The Elephant Sanctuary  Original / License

The Birth of The Elephant Sanctuary

The Elephant Sanctuarys story officially began in 1995 with a single elephant named Tarra. An Asian elephant who spent much of her life performing in a circus before she was given a chance to retire, she became the first elephant to call the sanctuary home.

Founders Carol Buckley and Scott Blais were inspired to create a space where elephants  specifically female Asian elephants  could live out their lives in peace and with dignity. Our founders had done a lot of traveling circuses, explains Laura Roddy, The Elephant Sanctuarys education manager. At one point, Tarra was rollerskating. But they found she needed something different  that lifestyle wasnt right for her. At the time, she was being temporarily held at the Nashville Zoo, so they started looking for land in Georgia and Alabama. It happens that they found 110 acres that met all of their needs here in Lewis County, Tennessee.

Tarras story was a turning point and the beginning of a legacy.

Since that time, The Elephant Sanctuary has grown exponentially. Over the years, it has provided refuge for more than 34 elephants from various backgrounds, including circuses, zoos, and other challenging circumstances. We can now accommodate both Asian and African elephants, shares Laura, and in 2023, we started taking bulls as well  male elephants. As we speak, we have 13 elephants with ample space, and we welcome more.

CAPTION: The Sanctuarys growth speaks to the increasing awareness of elephants needs and the importance of providing them with a life where they can roam freely, form bonds with other elephants, and enjoy a better standard of care. The Elephant Sanctuary

Caring for Elephants Physical, Social, and Emotional Needs

Elephants are intelligent, social animals with needs that go far beyond medical care and being fed. Theyre also unique, each with their own personalities and histories.

We recognize the elephants are wild animals with complex physical, social, and emotional needs, and there is no free-contact management here at The Elephant Sanctuary, Laura tells us. Everything is in protected contact through fence lines, and we do not practice dominant training. If they decide to walk away at any point during a training session, they can. And they dont have any fear of food deprivation or punishment  they know thats their space, and were not going to come into it.

If that sounds fairly straightforward, it isnt. In fact, there are even significant differences in the care required for African versus Asian elephants. African elephants are typically larger, stronger, and more physically robust, which has necessitated the installation of stronger fencing systems and other infrastructure improvements at the Sanctuary.

The care staff and vet teams conduct daily, weekly, and monthly checkups of the elephant residents, including dental and weight monitoring, bi-weekly pedicures, and radiographic imaging to monitor chronic conditions like arthritis. They also provide treatments like laser therapy and pain management.

Over the years, our fence lines have changed, says Laura. We had fencing made for female Asian elephants, and then it got bigger and stronger as we got African elephants. As weve gotten bulls, its even gotten bigger and stronger. The Elephant Sanctuary

One of the most unique features of The Elephant Sanctuary is its protected contact management approach. Unlike some elephant care facilities that use direct or free-contact management (where elephants and caregivers interact face-to-face), the Sanctuary uses barriers  fences, gates, and walls  to separate the elephants from their caregivers. This isnt just for safety but also to give the elephants autonomy. The elephants choose how they interact with humans, significantly reducing stress and allowing them to maintain their social structures without the intrusion of human dominance.

Caregivers use positive reinforcement methods, including food rewards and behavior-modification tools like targets, to encourage cooperation in essential tasks, such as health assessments. The sanctuary never uses punishment, and this philosophy extends to every aspect of elephant care.

Each elephant gets a pedicure and foot check at least twice a week on each foot. The Elephant Sanctuary

A Place of Education

Beyond its physical and emotional care for elephants, The Elephant Sanctuary is committed to educating the public about elephant welfare, conservation issues, and the importance of preserving elephants in the wild. The Elephant Sanctuary is the largest elephant habitat for both African and Asian elephants in North America, explains Laura, and we are the only elephant care facility accredited by both the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) and The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

The Elephant Sanctuary also works with several international organizations to promote conservation efforts and raise awareness about the plight of elephants worldwide. They actively work to protect elephants in the Sanctuary and their natural habitats and educate the public about ongoing threats like poaching, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflict.

The Elephant Sanctuarys distance learning programs reach out to schools and other educational institutions around the world. The programs are designed to align with academic standards and are available free of charge to educators. Whether in Iowa or India, students can engage with the Sanctuarys staff to learn about elephants and their care.

You can visit The Elephant Sanctuary Discovery Center to learn about all of the Sanctuarys residents, such as Osh, Nosey, Sissy, and Flora. The Elephant Sanctuary

The Sanctuarys education center in Hohenwald is open to the public and houses a beautiful interpretive museum that provides visitors with information about elephants care, their natural behaviors, and the conservation challenges they face in the wild. The museum also features the stories of individual elephants who have found refuge at the Sanctuary, allowing visitors to connect with the animals on a deeper level.

I Spy: The Sanctuarys EleCams

One of the most innovative aspects of the Sanctuarys educational outreach is EleCams  cameras installed throughout the Sanctuary grounds that provide a live, real-time view of the elephants as they roam freely on the property. These cameras offer an intimate glimpse into the elephants lives and help the Sanctuarys staff monitor their health and behavior without disturbing them. The EleCams also allow an international audience to connect with the creatures.

The Sanctuarys educational outreach extends far beyond Tennessee, with distance learning programs that can be tailored to a classrooms needs. The Elephant Sanctuary

Meet the Elephants

The Elephant Sanctuary is currently home to 13 elephants, each with a unique story of survival and resilience. My favorite part of my job is telling their stories because every single elephant has their own unique story, says Laura. A great example is Nosey. She was a circus elephant being pulled in a horse trailer from place to place, giving carnival rides and doing little shows here and there. She was a poster child for getting elephants out of circuses. In November 2017, we got a phone call from animal control in Lawrence County, Alabama, asking, Are you familiar with this elephant named Nosey? We just confiscated her on the side of the road. Can you guys come pick her up? Within 24 hours, Nosey was at the Sanctuary. We had a legal battle for custody, and she officially belongs to Sanctuary as of 2020. Her story is incredible because she had people advocating for her and really supporting her getting out of the circus and into the Sanctuary.

Flora, another Sanctuary resident, spent years in private ownership, performing in circuses and even appearing in Pee Wee Hermans 1988 film Big Top Pee-Wee. After her owners recognized that she needed a better life, they sought a more permanent home, and she arrived at the Sanctuary in 2004. Flora, now 42 years old, has flourished. Shes living a life where she can make her own choices and form bonds with her peers.

The care provided at the Sanctuary is tailored to each elephants individual needs. Some, like Ronnie, have seasonal allergies and require specialized skincare treatments. Others, like Osh and Sukari, have distinctive food preferences. Every elephant has food they really like, says Laura. Osh, our newest elephant, likes beet pulp and blueberry bagels. Sukari, one of our African elephants, hates ginger so much  she doesnt like ginger anywhere near her food. The care team also creates customized solutions like sleep hammocks for some of the elephants.

The Sanctuarys extensive grounds allow the elephants to roam freely. They enjoy a variety of habitats, from wooded areas to lakes and mud pits, where they can engage in natural behaviors like foraging, wallowing, swimming  and even knocking over trees. They are also gradually given the opportunity to interact with other elephants, forming strong social bonds that can be critical to their emotional well-being.

Sissy is The Sanctuarys smallest elephant, weighing in at just under 8,000 pounds. Curious about the largest elephant? The Sanctuarys newest resident, Osh, weighs in at 15,500 pounds! The Elephant Sanctuary

A Bright Future

The Elephant Sanctuary continues to grow in terms of physical space and its impact on elephant welfare worldwide. By providing these elephants with a safe space and a chance to experience the natural behaviors that are so important to their well-being, this organization and its space have proven to be more than just a refuge  its a model for how elephants should be treated with dignity and respect.

The museum and education center in Hohenwald is open to the public from Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Elephant Sanctuary

The Sanctuarys educational outreach, advocacy for elephant conservation, and innovative care practices ensure that elephants, both in captivity and the wild, have a fighting chance at a better future.

Find out more about The Elephant Sanctuary and the incredible work they do there, and learn more about elephants, meet the current Sanctuary residents, and check out the EleCams at elephants.com.

The post From Circus to Sanctuary: A Refuge in Middle Tennessee is Saving Elephants Lives appeared first on A-Z Animals.
TikTok user Hannah White revealed how Delta Air Lines held her connecting flight so she could say a final goodbye to her dying mother in a now-viral clip

"Delta's kindness gave me 24 extra hours with her. I was able to say 'I love you' one last time," White wrote in the heartwarming video

"My mom and I were very close, so I know she would be so grateful to the crew members for helping me make it to her before her passing," White tells PEOPLE

A woman will forever be thankful to Delta Air Lines after the team helped her say goodbye to her dying mother one final time.

In a now-viral TikTok posted on Dec. 9, 2024, Hannah White explained how her mom, Kathleen Nelson, had been in the hospital for undiagnosed pneumonia, adding that she'd "had surgery and was doing well."

Courtesy of Hannah White

White then got a call from her brother to say their mom's body had gone into septic shock "and family needed to visit her immediately" as "doctors did not know what was wrong or how long she had."

White then headed out on "the first flight the following day from Dallas, with a connection in Minneapolis." However, due to "mechanical issues" they ended up sitting in the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport for over an hour, meaning she probably wouldn't make her connecting flight.

She said that if she didn't make the second plane, "I wouldn't see my mom until the following day and we weren't sure she'd be alive," per the TikTok clip.

Courtesy of Hannah White TikToker Hannah White as a little girl and her mother Kathleen Nelson

Related: Man Enlists 40 Passengers on His Flight to Pull Off Epic Proposal at Houston Airport: 'I Was a Nervous Wreck'

After speaking to a flight attendant, White was told that she was going to miss the connecting flight and had already been booked on a flight the following day.

"As she explained this, I immediately started welling up with tears. She apologized and cried with me. I bawled in my seat, knowing there was a possibility I wouldn't be able to see my mom one last time," White wrote over the TikTok clip, before explaining that the attendant shared the story with the pilot, who arranged for the connecting flight to wait for her.

The team even put White in first class, so she "could get off the plane faster." The pilot also made an announcement to let people know she needed to get off the plane first to say goodbye to her mom.

"The man next to me realized they were speaking about me, so he pulled up a map of the airport and helped me find my connecting gate. He told me to run as fast as I could as soon as we land," White wrote.

She ended up making it to the connecting flight after they waited for her for 30 minutes, revealing how kind staff were, as well as saying the pilot shook her hand and said he'd pray for her.

Related: Plane Passenger Praises Gate Agents Threat to Potential Line Cutters: 'Best Thing I've Heard'

Courtesy of Hannah White TikToker Hannah White thanked Delta for helping her to spend a final day with her mom Kathleen Nelson

"My mom passed away the next day. Delta's kindness gave me 24 extra hours with her. I was able to say 'I love you' one last time and provide the comfort for her in her final moments, that she provided for me my whole life," White wrote, thanking the airline and saying "you gave me the gift of time."

Since she posted it last month, White's clip has had 1.9 million likes and been watched 10.2 million times as of Tuesday, Jan. 7.

"I was definitely in shock that so many people were extending such kindness to me that day," White tells PEOPLE. "However, I was so focused on making it to see my mother, that I didnt stop to process all that had happened until I finally made it to my mothers side. I shared the story with my family, and it truly was a miracle what happened to me!"

As for the viral response to her video, White never expected the post to get so many views.

"I have been totally overwhelmed by the unexpected response to my TikTok video," she shares. " I was hoping some people would see it so I could reach out to the crew members, but I never expected over 10 million people to see it. There has been so much kindness and support since posting it. I am overwhelmed with gratitude."

And White knows her mother would be appreciative of all the help she received on her way to see her for the last time.

"My mom and I were very close, so I know she would be so grateful to the crew members for helping me make it to her before her passing," she says. "I also like to think my mom was holding on for all of her children to be there with her, in some way."

The flight attendant who helped White that day was Eva Ortiz, per CNN Travel, with the pilot, Captain Keith Napolitano, telling the outlet of the incredible outcome, The stars dont always align where I have the immediate ability to affect the outcome, but this was one of those cases where I felt it was possible.

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.



Courtesy of Hannah White TikToker Hannah White's late mother Kathleen Nelson remembered

White thanked the staff for the "overwhelming" and "totally unexpected response" in one of her follow-up videos on TikTok, revealing that she'd been in touch with Delta's CEO, who assured her the team responsible for helping her that day would be getting the recognition they deserve.

A Delta Air Lines spokesperson said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE, On behalf of the Delta family, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Hannah and her family."

"It brings us some comfort knowing that our people were able to assist Hannah in reaching her destination in time to be with her mother. Our team understands how important these moments are, and we thank Hannah for trusting us with her travel, they added.



Read the original article on People
Donald Trump blamed Gavin Newsom for apocalyptic wildfires raging in southern California on Wednesday, but the governor's office hit back at the president-elect and accused him of "playing politics."

At least two people were killed and tens of thousands fled their homes as fires engulfed parts of Los Angeles County. The flames, fueled by the strong Santa Ana winds, also destroyed more than 1,000 homes and businesses.

Governor Gavin Newscum refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snow melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way, Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social, using his oft-repeated moniker "Newscum" for the governor.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom in Beverly Hills in 2023.

The president-elect also alleged Newsom cared more about protecting the Delta smelt, a small endangered fish species that lives in the SacramentoSan Joaquin River Delta, than Californians with his water policies.

"Now the ultimate price is being paid," Trump wrote. "I will demand that this incompetent governor allow beautiful, clean, fresh water to FLOW INTO CALIFORNIA! He is the blame for this."

In 2019, the Trump Administration presented a new plan to pump more water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to supply local farms. Some officials and environmentalists objected that the new rules would increase the chances that salmon, smelt and steelhead would go extinct, according to Cal Matters.

Federal and state officials in California last month announced new rules for operating two water delivery systems, the outlet reported at the time. The rules apply to two projects carrying water from Northern California to southern parts of the state.

Newsom's office quickly knocked Trump's accusations on Wednesday. Izzy Gardon, Newsom's communications director, told USA TODAY in a statement "There is no such document as the water restoration declaration  that is pure fiction."

"The Governor is focused on protecting people, not playing politics, and making sure firefighters have all the resources they need, she said.

Newsoms office announced he was canceling a trip to Washington for former President Jimmy Carters funeral to respond to the fire.

But Trump wasn't the only conservative leader who criticized Newsom this week. Billionaire Elon Musk targeted Californias state laws in a post on X: These fires are easily avoidable, but nonsense regulations in California prevent action being taken, so year after year homes burn down and more people die.

The White House said President Biden will receive a briefing from CalFire officials on the wildfire at a Santa Monica Fire Station.

Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is a White House Correspondent for USA TODAY. You can follow her on X @SwapnaVenugopal

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: California wildfires: Donald Trump, Gavin Newsom clash over disaster
Kevin Winter/Getty Mette-Marie Kongsved and Elijah Wood

Elijah Wood may have tied the knot to Mette-Marie Kongsved!

During an episode of the Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum podcast published on Jan. 6, the Lord of the Rings actor, 43, said he is "beyond grateful" for his "wife" Mette-Marie Kongsved.

"I'm beyond grateful for my family and my kids, and my wife. Like, they are such an extension of me," Wood told Michael Rosenbaum during his appearance.

"They are the most important people in my life," he continued to the podcast host, who also referred to Wood's longtime love as his "wife."

TMZ reported that witnesses said the couple got married in Sweden on New Year's Eve in what was described as an intimate ceremony with about 80 friends and family members.

Presley Ann/Patrick McMullan via Getty Elijah Wood and Mette-Marie Kongsved

PEOPLE has reached out to Wood's representative for comment.

Wood and Kongsved have largely kept their relationship out of the spotlight. The notoriously private couple appeared to go public with their romance in January 2018 when they were spotted holding hands in Pasadena, California. Engagement rumors sparked the following year in July 2019 after Kongsved was photographed with a diamond ring on her lefthand finger.

Over the years, the pair have welcomed two children together, a son and a daughter. The Yellowjackets star had his second baby with Kongsved in 2022, he quietly revealed in his My Monday Morning profile for WSJ. Magazine in March 2023.

"We've got a 3-year-old son and a 14-month-old daughter, and she wakes us up pretty early. I like getting up early, I like starting the day," he shared to the outlet at the time.

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.

In the interview, Wood, whose Instagram account is private, also touched on his private nature.

"I wanted to be able to share photos that I didn't necessarily want to share with the world," he explained. "An account that's public-facing would really change what I share."

He added, "It's not like I'm sharing anything that I wouldn't want to go out, but I'm a relatively private person."

Read the original article on People
FILE - Sequin-covered ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in "The Wizard of Oz" appear at the offices of Profiles in History in Calabasas, Calif. on Nov. 9, 2001. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  A hearing where a Minnesota man was expected to plead guilty to hiding a stolen pair of ruby slippers that Judy Garland wore in The Wizard of Oz was postponed indefinitely Wednesday after his attorney told the court that the man is hospitalized.

U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz granted the continuance at the request of the attorney for Jerry Hal Saliterman, 77, of Crystal, who was planning to change his plea to guilty at a hearing that was scheduled for this coming Friday.

Defense lawyer John Brink said Saliterman was hospitalized Jan. 3 for inability to walk and sepsis, an infection that can be life-threatening. He wrote that Saliterman remained hospitalized Wednesday and that doctors do not know when he will be available. Federal prosecutors did not object.

Saliterman attended his arraignment Monday via video from what looked like a hospital room. He was in a wheelchair and on supplemental oxygen last March at his first court appearance. He was charged then with theft of a major artwork and witness tampering for his role in the ruby slippers case.

The slippers were stolen in 2005 from the Judy Garland Museum in her hometown of Grand Rapids. Their whereabouts remained a mystery for nearly 13 years until the FBI recovered them in 2018. They fetched a record for movie memorabilia of $32.5 million last month, according to Heritage Auctions.

The man who stole them, Terry Jon Martin, now 77, of Grand Rapids, pleaded guilty in 2023. He was sentenced last January to time served because of his poor health.
The proposed route passes through Moscow to Beijing on trains that were suspended in 2019 (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

With tourists seeking more sustainable travel options for 2025, there are eyes on the tracks for the most remarkable rail adventures this year  but is the worlds longest train journey a ride you can actually take?

The route has been theorised as a 21-day trip from Lagos on Portugals Algarve coast to Singapore at a cost of around 1,000.

Mark Smith, known as The Man in Seat 61, has unravelled the myth of the 13-country rail journey as complete fiction on a route littered with logistical impossibilities and political obstacles.

Speaking on The Independent Travel Podcast, Mr Smith said: You dont buy the ticket from a little bloke in a booth in Lagos, selling tickets to Singapore for a direct train leaving every Tuesday. Thats what you dont do.

If it were possible, and it isnt, you, it would be about 20 different separate tickets for 20 different separate trains bought on 15 different websites, all for regular scheduled trains.

Along the proposed route, rail transfers would include Paris to Moscow and Moscow to Beijing.

The international rail guru explained that due to the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia and travel in the aftermath of the pandemic, trains are not running from western or Central Europe to Moscow.

As a result, the suspension of frequent departures between Moscow and Beijing means the proposed route is not viable at the moment.

The theory of the worlds longest rail ride originated when the Laos-China railway opened for business, linking Kunming and Vientiane  a missing link in the rails between Europe and Singapore  in 2021.

However, deciding the longest distance connecting Portugal with Singapore  Villa Real de San Antonio to Lisbon is technically longer than Lagos to Lisbon  and whether road transfers between termini invalidate the trip as rail travel means that defining the worlds longest train route is not as simple as you think, said Mr Smith.

He advised prospective fans of the complicated multi-continent rail route: If, as I fervently hope, the war ends and we can, and peace returns and we can do this journey again, dont bother chasing this elusive concept of the longest train journey.

Leave Portugal in peace, start from your local station in the UK, travel to Moscow, to Beijing and onto the Far East, that journey is going to be amazing enough.

For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast
Maridav // Shutterstock

With Miami's location at the southern tip of the U.S. and its huge Cuban population, it's no surprise that its food scene is as diverse as it is delicious. Narrowing down what to eat is tricky, with Cuban, Mexican, Caribbean, American, and many more flavors across the city's menus. Lara Serlin, writing for GetYourGuide, picks out the 10 must-eat foods to seek out when visiting the city, from stone claw crab and Cuban sandwiches to Florida's famous key lime pie. Explore neighborhoods like Little Havana, or take a food tour to suss out the best spotsand work through this mouthwatering list.

1. Try a Tasty Taco

Ocean Drive might be famous for its cocktails and live bands, but it also has plenty of food. This neighborhood takes its tacos seriously. Almost 60% of Miami's residents are of Hispanic origin, so the tacos in Miami are usually as authentic as they are over the border.

How to eat the best tacos in Miami

Pair your taco with a mojito and salsaof the dancing kindat Mango's, or check out the other top taquerias in town. You'll find great taco trucks on Miami Beach and in Downtown Miami too.

2. Savor Some Stone Crab

Stone crabs are a Miami favorite. They're infused with flavor, so they don't need more than a simple butter and lime topping. Some locals even eat them on a bed of ice with dips. Every crab is locally sourced to tempt your tastebuds with delectable just-caught freshness.

How to eat the best stone crabs in Miami

South Beach is the perfect spot to find the best crab in the cityand nowhere is more obviously a top choice than Joe's Stone Crab.

3. Taste a Classic Churrasco

When someone asks, "What food is Miami known for?" churrasco is often the answer. The famous churrasco steak is served with spicy chimichurri sauce. If you need more bite, you can even sprinkle it with a tangy vinaigrette.

How to eat the best Churrasco steak in Miami

Take a food tour around Wynwood to be introduced to the cool district's best eats, including the mouthwatering churrasco. Or check out the city's top steakhouses, where it's bound to be on the menu.

4. Grab a Slice of Key Lime Pie

No need to head to the Florida Keys to enjoy a slice of the state's official pie. Key limes are renowned for their strong aroma and tart flavor, making the perfect accompaniment to the pie's whipped cream or baked meringue topping.

Where to find the best Key Lime Pie in Miami

There are plenty of fabulous Key lime pie spots, but the best include Fireman Derek's Bakery, opened by former firefighter Derek Kaplan and now a local institution.

5. Enjoy Miami's Hole-Some Donut Scene

Miami's multicultural heritage has even reinvented the humble donut. You'll find classic donuts, twists, and glazed concoctions alongside Italian-style donuts and Spanish churrosif Willy Wonka made donuts, you'd find his factory in Miami.

How to eat the best donuts in Miami

Sample Miami's much-loved Italian-style donuts at Buon Pane Bakery or take a food tour of South Beach's sweetest spots.

6. Cut Through the Heat With Ice Cream

Ice cream is a must-eat on a steamy Miami day. Gourmet ice cream dens and Cuban parlors are crammed with creative flavors and thrilling garnishes. Don't expect a mere waffle cone. You're more likely to be handed a gold-flaked cloud of candyfloss with an ice cream center.

How to eat the best ice cream in Miami

Miami has creameries throughout Little Havana and the Design District, but you'll find amazing flavors in South Beach, too.

7. Find Out Why Cuban Sandwiches Are All the Rage

No Little Havana dish is as celebrated as the famous Cubana, and a Little Havana food tour is a great way to try the best of the best. This gourmet sandwich is served on sweet Cuban bread with heaps of roast pork and ham. Smother it all in Swiss cheese, yellow mustard, and sour pickles, and you have the best sandwich you'll ever taste.

How to eat the best Cubanas in Miami

Little Havana is unsurprisingly the city's most popular food destination for authentic Cuban sandwiches. Start with a classic Cubana.

Miami's Caribbean influence is one of the city's tastiest assets. Tostones are fried green plantains eaten across the Caribbean and Latin America. Beloved as a side dish across the city, you can top your tostones with salsa, mayo, aioli, and much more!

8. Go Caribbean with Tostones

Where to eat the most authentic tostones in Miami

Head for Mofongo Restaurant Calle 8 in Little Havana for the most authentic tostones in the city, or Quillami, which uses tostones as a taco base.

9. Enjoy an Iconic Miami Burger

A traditional Miami burger isn't smothered in heavy sauce or gourmet toppings, but don't assume that makes it boring. The city is all about its meat. If you have the tastiest patty in the city, why disguise it with sauces? Restaurants rely on their proprietary beef blends to produce a spectacular dish. Plus, you can order your burger rare, which isn't possible in many countries.

How to eat the best burger in Miami

When it comes to burgers, you're pretty spoiled for choice in MIA. From classic all-American fare at Hard Rock at Biscayne Marketplace to legendary late-night joints like Big Pink in Miami Beach, and specials at the United States Burger Service in Little River Business District, it's all good.

10. Have a Slice of Cuban Pizza

Cuban pizza is one of the foods you can only find in Miami, and it's comfort food at its very best. It's created with chewier dough, sweeter sauce, and a thicker base. Add toppings like pineapples and fresh lobster, and be thrilled by a bite of Miami's best comfort food.

How to eat the best Cuban Pizza in Miami

Bayside Marketplace is the perfect spot for Cuban Pizza, like at Kuba Cabana, but you'll find it in Little Havana and at Cuban spots across the city.

FAQs

What are the must-try traditional dishes in Miami?

Miami's most iconic dish is, arguably, churrascoa grilled steak smothered in chimichurri sauce. The city also has its own interpretation of the Portuguese pork dish, chicharron. Ensure you taste an authentic Cuban sandwich while in the area. This is one of the many contributions Cuban immigrants have brought to Florida.

What are the best food tours in Miami?

You can taste the most authentic Cuban cuisine outside of Cuba on a Little Havana food tour. The community has laid down its roots in this vibrant neighborhood, offering avenues of bustling restaurants. South Beach offers a wholly different food experience. You'll taste all of Miami's favorite dishes, including Florida's beloved stone crab.

What are the top local food markets in Miami to visit?

South Beach's Lincoln Road Farmer's Market sells artisanal bread, homemade treats, and flowers. If you're looking for variety, The Coconut Grove Farmer's Market offers it in spades. You'll find vegan ice cream treats, raw bars, and a hundred other hipster favorites. That said, Legion Park Market rules them all. It covers the full length of Legion Park all the way from Biscayne Boulevard to the bay.

What is the best time of year to visit Miami for food lovers?

The Annual SoFlo Festival falls in Aprilthe perfect month to visit. The high-season crowds return home in March, and the weather is inviting. Miami's Seafood Festival falls in early November if you're more interested in seafood than steaks. There is still plenty to do in Miami in summer.

How much should I budget for food in Miami?

Tourists spend an average of $41 on meals each day, but you can certainly experience the city on a budget. Coral Gables always has affordable meals on offer, as do Wynwood, Coconut Grove, and Little Havana.

This story was produced by GetYourGuide and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who has been indicted for plotting a coup to overturn the countrys 2022 election, has been invited to the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on Jan. 20, he announced on X Wednesday.

Bolsonaro said he was seeking to obtain his passport, which was confiscated in February 2024.

FILE PHOTO: Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro attends a protest against Brazils Supreme Court on Independence Day in Paulista Avenue, Sao Paulo, Brazil, September 7, 2024. REUTERS/Carla Carniel/File Photo

Bolsonaro has been barred from running for political office in Brazil until 2030 and faces criminal charges. He has denied any wrongdoing. The right-wing populists brand of politics has long drawn comparisons to Trump.

The former Brazilian president said he was very honored to receive the invitation from Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance and thanked his son Eduardo Bolsonaro, a politician and police officer, for his work in maintaining a relationship with the Trump family.

He said his lawyer has already made a request to get his passport back so he could attend this honorable and important historical event.

On Jan. 8, 2023, Bolsonaro's supporters stormed the presidential palace, Supreme Court and Congress, demanding that he be restored to power. The incident reminded observers of the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

The House Select Committee report into the Jan. 6 attack found that Trump criminally engaged in a multi-part conspiracy to overturn the lawful results of the 2020 presidential election and failed to act to stop his supporters from attacking the Capitol.

The case was dismissed in November at the request of special counsel Jack Smith after Trump was re-elected for president.

Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is a White House Correspondent for USA TODAY. You can follow her on X @SwapnaVenugopal

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bolsonaro says he's been invited by Trump to his inauguration
WASHINGTON  Former President Jimmy Carter arrived at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday to lie in state after a memorial service attended by his family, Vice President Kamala Harris, members of Congress and other officials.

Congressional leaders eulogized Carter, the 39th president, praising his work in office, faith and volunteerism.

"Jimmy Carter was that all too rare example of a gifted man who also walks with humility, modesty and grace," said Harris, who recalled that she was in middle school when Carter was elected president.

"He lived his faith, he served the people, and he left the world better than he found it," she said.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., highlighted Carter's spirit of volunteerism, building homes on behalf of the nonprofit group Habitat for Humanity, including a 1994 project in Thune's home state, South Dakota.

"He was here to get down in the weeds and the dirt, and he did that, literally, on numerous Habitat builds," Thune said.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., praised the "enduring legacy that he leaves, not only upon this nation, but upon the world."

Carter's casket arrived at the Capitol in a horse-drawn caisson at around 4:30 p.m. ET, with cannons fired upon its arrival and family members gathered at the top of the Capitol steps. Honorary pallbearers carried him into the rotunda, where his casket was laid on the Lincoln catafalque, a platform built to support President Abraham Lincoln's casket and now used for such ceremonies. It will be open to public viewing from about 7 p.m. to midnight. The statues of Lincoln and other presidents  including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Harry Truman and Gerald Ford, whom Carter defeated in 1976  line the rotunda.

A horse-drawn caisson carries the flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter to the Capitol.

After the eulogies, the U.S. Naval Academy Glee Club sang "America," and congressional leaders laid wreaths on the casket.Several members of the Supreme Court, including Chief Justice John Roberts, Brett Kavanaugh and Elena Kagan, paid their respects, as well as Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser also attended.

Carter's body will lie in state through Thursday morning, when there will be a service at Washington National Cathedral.

Tuesday's events began in the morning with the transporting of Carter's remains from his presidential library in Atlanta to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland near Washington. From there, Carter and his family traveled by motorcade to the U.S. Navy Memorial on Pennsylvania Avenue, between the White House and the Capitol.

At the Navy Memorial, which Carter authorized in 1980 after it was approved by Congress, his remains were transferred from a hearse to a horse-drawn caisson for the funeral procession to the Capitol. The procession is designed to mirror Carter's inaugural parade on Jan. 20, 1977, when, instead of riding in the presidential limousine, he and his family walked from the Capitol to the White House, the military release said.

The White House Historical Association noted, "This was the first time a president walked the pavement of Pennsylvania Avenue after the inauguration ceremony," demonstrating Carter's desire to make the presidency accessible to all people.

The public is invited to honor and celebrate Carter's life along the funeral procession route on Pennsylvania and Constitution avenues to the Capitol, his family said.

The last president to lie in state at the Capitol was George H.W. Bush in 2018.

Carter, the longest-living former president, died at age 100 on Dec. 29. He had been living in hospice care since February 2023 at his home in Plains, Georgia.

President Joe Biden, who is expected to give a eulogy Thursday morning at the cathedral service, has declared the day a national day of mourning. After the service, Carter's body will be flown back to Plains and to Maranatha Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday school for decades, followed by a private burial.
Actress Go Hyun Jung has been released from the hospital following major surgery after a health scare landed her in the emergency room just before Christmas.

According to Xports News, the 52-year-old had been in hospital for three weeks, supported by the rest of her family, including her younger brother, who wouldn't leave her side.

The actress was first rushed to the hospital on the day she was supposed to participate in the production conference for the Genie TV original drama "Namib" on December 16.

Go thanked fans for their support in an emotional social media post soon after she was hospitalized.

"Merry Christmas to everyone. In a photo from inside her hospital room, she wrote: "Thanks for all your concern but feeling much better."

Go continued to post updates with her followers after her surgery.

Another photo she posted on January 6 included the caption, "I was extremely sick, but I have now survived major surgery and am feeling much better. I am going to be cautious but also take care of myself."

Go's family was a major support system while she was hospitalized.

She thanked her, saying, "I'm so happy to be discharged. Brother, I'm sorry that I had to make important decisions alone as a guardian whenever I was sick. Thank you and I love you."

Despite this, Go will spend some time recovering before returning to the set to film further episodes of "Namib."

A source from her camp confirmed the show was wrapped without her needing further filming.

Renowned actress Go Hyun Jung is known for her various films and television appearances and recently became the talk of the town as her health problems gained massive attention and concern.
FILE - In this photo reviewed by U.S. military officials, flags fly at half-staff at Camp Justice, Aug. 29, 2021, in Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

WASHINGTON (AP)  After 23 years, the fate of the last remaining Guantanamo detainees swept up worldwide after al-Qaidas shattering Sept. 11, 2001, attacks is reaching a pivotal moment this month.

Court battles and dealmaking are deciding the future of many of those last men at the U.S. naval base in Cuba, including those charged in some of the gravest attacks of the 21st century.

President Joe Biden's administration is pushing to resolve as many of the cases as possible, on its terms, before Donald Trump takes office Jan. 20.

Trump in his first term acted to keep Guantanamo open. His pick for defense secretary also has opposed closing it.

But in the most high-profile case, the current administration is waging a last-minute fight this week to block a plea deal for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, and two co-defendants that would spare them the risk of the death penalty. The Defense Department oversaw negotiation of the plea agreement but later repudiated it.

At its peak, Guantanamo held almost 800 Muslim men, who had been captured by the U.S. or its partners in the Middle East, Central Asia and elsewhere, and flown shackled and blindfolded or hooded to the special military-run prison at Guantanamo Bay as the George W. Bush administration conducted what it called its war on terror.

Many of the foreign detainees had been tortured in CIA custody. That has complicated legal resolution of their cases and clouded the reputation of the U.S. for many. Human Rights Watch says the vast majority of all Guantanamo detainees were held without charge or trial.

Efforts to winnow down the number of detainees have now brought the population to its lowest point, 15.

Heres a look at the Guantanamo cases:

How the detainees ended up in military custody outside the US

The Bush administration's January 2002 decision to hold foreigners taken into custody overseas indefinitely at Guantanamo came in response to an attack that tore through the U.S. and global order. Nineteen al-Qaida hijackers commandeered airliners and flew them nose-first into the World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon and a Pennsylvania field.

As the U.S. invaded Afghanistan and Iraq and launched military operations elsewhere in response, it looked offshore, to a swath of Cuba leased by the U.S. Navy for a century, to imprison and judge the hundreds it swept up, invoking World War II-era law on military commissions. Many prisoners were never shown to have any ties with extremist groups.

The decision strained U.S. law. Bush's vice president, Dick Cheney, called the detainees at Guantanamo the worst of the worst " and defended creating the military commission. The other choices were to try the men in the United States, where they would have all the rights afforded them by the U.S. Constitution, or kill them, Cheney later explained.

A 2008 Supreme Court ruling dictated that U.S. handling of the Guantanamo detainees did in fact have to abide by the U.S. Constitution.

Why the detentions matter

The U.S. military response succeeded in greatly reducing the ability of al-Qaida and later the Islamic State group to stage mass attacks abroad.

But the military and security successes were shadowed by the human and financial tolls of those wars, by the torture of the detainees in their first years in U.S. custody, and their long imprisonment without charge.

Legal experts often call the early torture that detainees underwent the original sin of the Guantanamo prosecutions, clouding prospects of any trials.

Rights groups have calculated Guantanamos annual costs at upward of $540 million. That breaks down to $36 million per detainee at the current population of 15.

Negotiations with the Taliban

The Biden administration also is trying to bring home three Americans believed held in Afghanistan since 2022 and is in negotiations with the Taliban  who returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, two decades after being ousted by a U.S.-led coalition in retaliation for sheltering the al-Qaida leader, Osama bin Laden.

The three Americans are Ryan Corbett, who was abducted while on a business trip; George Glezmann, an airline mechanic seized by the Talibans intelligence services; and Mahmood Shah Habibi, an Afghan American businessman who worked as a contractor for a Kabul-based telecommunications company.

On the other end of the possible deal, according to two people who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss secret talks, is an Afghan national held for years at Guantanamo Bay and a central figure in the Senate Intelligence Committees report about the CIAs use of torture techniques on suspected terrorists.

It was not immediately clear whether an exchange could be completed during the waning days of the administration, and one of the two people said the Taliban is believed to seek the release of additional people in U.S. custody as part of any deal.

What Biden has done to transfer Guantanamo detainees

Biden has cut the population of Guantanamo down from 40 since taking office. Much of that has been in an extraordinary push in his last weeks in office. That includes 11 men from Yemen held more than two decades without charge, whose transfers were announced this week after Oman agreed to take them.

The U.S. has struggled to find other countries that both are willing to take Guantanamo detainees and offer enough certainty that the men will not be abused by their host country or vulnerable to recruiting by extremists.

In federal court this week a physically disabled Iraqi prisoner is battling what his lawyers say are imminent U.S. plans to ship him to an Iraqi government prison. In a 2022 plea deal, Nashwan al-Tamir pleaded guilty to war crimes charges related to al-Qaida in Afghanistan. He says the U.S. would violate that deal by sending him to Iraq, where he says he would face abuse and poor medical care.

Six of the 15 remaining detainees were never charged, and rights groups are pushing Biden to release all of them before he leaves office.

The fate of the defendants charged in the gravest attacks

Seven of the remaining detainees have been charged, including Mohammed and four others in the 9/11 attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people. One was charged in a 2002 bombing in Bali that killed more than 200 people, and another in the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole off Yemen.

With the prosecution in the Sept. 11 attack dragging on for decades and no conclusion in sight, military prosecutors this summer notified families of the victims that the senior Pentagon official overseeing Guantanamo had approved a plea deal after more than two years of negotiations.

The deal was the best path to finality and justice, military prosecutors told families then.

Mohammed and co-defendants Walid bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawsawi agreed to plead guilty to 2,976 murder charges in exchange for life sentences. Other conditions included that the men would answer family members' lingering questions about the attack. A clause in Mohammed's plea deal bars prosecutors from seeking the death penalty again if the plea deal is scrapped, as long as Mohammed was abiding by its terms.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has fought unsuccessfully since Aug. 2 to throw out the plea agreement negotiated and approved by his department. He argues that a decision on death penalties in an attack as grave as Sept. 11 should only be made by the defense secretary.

The Biden administration asked a federal appeals court on Tuesday to block the plea deal. Absent a stay from that court or some other intervention, Mohammed is due to enter his guilty plea Friday. Family members of Sept. 11 victims are already at Guantanamo to watch.

His co-defendants would follow with plea deals later.

Uncertainty over Trump and other Republicans

It's not clear how Trump would handle Guantanamo in his second term. Filings in the Sept. 11 plea deal made clear that defense lawyers had an eye to wrapping up the plea deal before the inauguration and even Trump-proofing it.

Trump in his first term signed an executive order to keep Guantanamo open, reversing an executive order by President Barack Obama to close it that Obama himself had never managed to fulfill.

Trump's pick for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, has called in the past for keeping Guantanamo open. He's argued that the length of the military commission proceedings make the U.S. look unserious and send extremists the message they can lawyer up and be just fine.

Outraged by the Sept. 11 plea deals, Republican lawmakers have vowed to introduce legislation in the now Republican-controlled Congress that would mandate death-penalty trials at Guantanamo for Mohammed and the other two men. The bill also would require the three be held in solitary confinement with no possibility of transfer to another country.

___

Ellen Knickmeyer has reported on Guantanamo and the post-9/11 detainees since January 2002, when she covered the first transfer flights of so-called American Taliban John Walker Lindh and other prisoners from the tarmac of a U.S.-held airport in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

___

Eric Tucker contributed.
By Laila Bassam, Tom Perry

BEIRUT (Reuters) -Lebanon's parliament will try to elect a president on Thursday, with officials seeing better chances of success in a political landscape shaken by Israel's war with Hezbollah and the toppling of the group's ally Bashar al-Assad in neighbouring Syria.

The post, reserved for a Maronite Christian in the country's sectarian power-sharing system, has been vacant since Michel Aoun's term ended in October, 2022. None of the political groups in the 128-seat parliament have enough seats to impose their choice, and they have so far been unable to agree on a consensus candidate.

The vote marks the first test of Lebanon's power balance since the Iran-backed Shi'ite group Hezbollah - which propelled its then Christian ally Aoun to the presidency in 2016 - emerged badly pummelled from the war with Israel.

It takes place against a backdrop of historic change in the wider Middle East, where the Assad-led Syrian state exercised sway over Lebanon for decades, both directly and through allies such as Hezbollah.

Reflecting the shifts, Hezbollah and its ally the Shi'ite Amal Movement led by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri have dropped their insistence on Suleiman Frangieh, their declared candidate for the last two years, and are ready to go with a less divisive figure, three senior sources familiar with their thinking said.

Candidates in focus include army commander General Joseph Aoun - said by Lebanese politicians to enjoy U.S. approval - Jihad Azour, a senior International Monetary Fund official who formerly served as finance minister, and Major-General Elias al-Baysari - head of General Security, a state security agency.

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said he felt happy because "God willing, tomorrow we will have a new president", according to a statement from his office.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot also expressed hope in comments to France Inter radio, saying the election was "a prerequisite for the continuation of this dynamic of peace" and also for Lebanon's economic and social recovery.

However, two of the sources and an analyst cautioned that it was not yet certain any candidate would be elected. To win, a candidate must secure 86 votes in a first round, or 65 in a second round.

Reflecting Western and regional interest in the vote, French and Saudi envoys met Lebanese politicians in Beirut on Wednesday. Four Lebanese political sources who met the Saudi envoy, Prince Yazid bin Farhan, last week said he spelt out preferred qualifications which signal Saudi support for Aoun.

Saudi Arabia was once a big player in Lebanon, vying with Tehran for influence in Beirut, before seeing its role eclipsed by Iran and Hezbollah.

HEZBOLLAH STILL SEEN WITH SWAY

Aoun, head of Lebanon's U.S.-backed army, would still need 86 votes because his election requires a constitutional amendment, as he is a still-serving state employee, Berri has said.

A State Department spokesperson said it was "up to Lebanon to choose its next president, not the United States or any external actor".

"We have been consistent in our efforts to press Lebanon to elect a new president, which we see as important to strengthening Lebanons political institutions," the spokesperson said.

Hezbollah official Wafiq Safa said last week there was "no veto" on Aoun. But the sources said Hezbollah, designated a terrorist group by the United States, will not support Aoun.

Aoun has a key role in shoring up the ceasefire brokered by Washington and Paris in November. The terms require the Lebanese military to deploy into south Lebanon as Israeli troops and Hezbollah withdraw forces.

Still reeling from a financial collapse in 2019, Lebanon desperately needs foreign aid to rebuild.

Much of the damage is in Shi'ite majority areas.

Hezbollah, its supply line to Iran severed by Assad's ousting, has urged Arab and international support for Lebanon.

Lebanon's Maronite Bishops called on lawmakers to elect a president, urging a "national awakening".

Nabil Boumonsef, deputy editor-in-chief of Annahar newspaper, was not certain anyone would be elected, even after the major shift in the balance of power in Lebanon, where Hezbollah's weapons have long been a source of division.

Underlining the influence Hezbollah and Amal still wield, he said the only way a president could be elected would be if they agreed on Aoun or Azour. But if they tried to install their preferred candidate, this would "sever the oxygen from Lebanon".

Saudi Minister Faisal bin Farhan said last October that Riyadh had never fully disengaged from Lebanon and that outside countries should not tell Lebanese what to do.

(Additional reporting by John Irish in Paris, Simon Lewis in Washington and Pesha Magid in Riyadh; Writing by Tom Perry, Editing by William Maclean)
Nathan Williams

Now hes gonna need a good lawyer.

A Florida defense lawyer was busted for allegedly smuggling legal documents soaked in the wild synthetic marijuana known as K2 into jail so inmates could get stoned, officials said.

Nathan Williams, 37, gave the jailbirds docs doused in the mind-bending street drug  also known as spice and paper dope  at Duval County Jail in Jacksonville in exchange for money and bribes, according to local cops.

Williams was arrested on Sunday. He posted bond and is due back in court later this month. Jacksonville Sheriff's Office

The attorney is accused of working with the inmates and their family members to bring the substance, which has caused a rash of dangerous overdoses, behind bars so it could be abused by the inmates, Undersheriff Shawn Coarsey said at a press conference Tuesday.

Williams arrest was part of a larger investigation  dubbed Operation Stamp Collection  launched in February 2024 after 23 inmates overdosed the prior year, Coarsey said.

An investigation was launched in February 2024 after 23 inmate overdoses in the jail. Bob Self/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK

Williams brought the bogus legal papers into Duval County Jail that were soaked in the liquid form of synthetic marijuana. Jacksonville Sheriff's Office

The office has arrested 21 people including Williams, who is a 16-year member of the National Guard, Coarsey said. The suspects were not working together.

Since the probe, inmate overdoses in the area have dropped 61% in 2024, the undersheriff said.

Coarsey said the investigation is ongoing and he expects more arrests to be made.

Jacksonville Undersheriff Shawn Coarsey said that Williams was one of 21 people arrested for smuggling in drugs  though they didnt work together. Jacksonville Sheriff's Office

Williams was cuffed Sunday night and was charged with eight felonies, including giving drugs to inmates, bringing drugs into jail and unlawful use of communication devices. He faces up to five years in prison if convicted.

Williams posted bond and was released Tuesday. Hes due back in court on Jan. 28, according to a report by Law & Crime.

David Salisbury, a lawyer for Williams, declined to comment.
Ireland has joined South Africas genocide case against Israel, the International Court of Justice announced Tuesday morning.

In a brief press statement, the ICJ said that Ireland had on Monday joined Nicaragua, Colombia, Mexico, Libya, Bolivia, Turkey, the Maldives, Chile, Spain, and the State of Palestine in asking to intervene in the case.

South Africa first filed its case against Israel in December 2023, accusing the country of committing genocide during its ongoing offensive in the Gaza Strip. Israel has vehemently denied that it is engaged in genocide and continues to fight South Africa in court.

Irelands declaration of intervention puts forward no further allegations against Israel, instead focusing on the legal framework for its involvement in South Africas case. Noting that the legal definition of genocide requires an intent to destroy, in whole or in part a target population, the document submitted by Ireland argues that intent might be inferred in any case where a reasonable person would have foreseen that genocide is the natural and probable consequence of the acts of the perpetrator.

Ireland respectfully submits that the perpetrator does not need to have, as his or her purpose, the commission of the crime of genocide when committing any one or more of the material elements of the crime, the declaration continues. The crime may also be committed where a perpetrator  regardless of his or her purpose  knows (or should know) that the natural and probable consequence of these acts is either to destroy or contribute to the destruction of the protected group  and proceeds regardless.

The Irish government previously announced its plan to intervene in the case in March 2024. Its intervention marks the latest development in its increasingly outspoken criticism of Israels war conduct.

Ireland had consistently criticized Israeli policies in the occupied West Bank and Gaza before the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, which killed roughly 1,200 people and saw 250 taken hostage.

Palestinians check the destruction following an Israeli strike that hit a home in Gaza City on January 4, 2025. - Rami Zohud/Middle East Images/AFP/Getty Images

Since Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza in response, Irish politicians across the political spectrum and the public have expressed concern over what has been largely viewed as a heavy-handed response. As of Tuesday, Israeli attacks have killed at least 45,885 people in Gaza since October 7, 2023, according to Gazas health ministry.

Relations between Ireland and Israel reached a nadir in December after Israel shuttered its embassy in Dublin. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused Ireland of antisemitic rhetoric in an official statement, claiming that Ireland has crossed every red line in its relations with Israel.

At the time, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris described Israels decision as deeply regrettable.

Much of Irelands sympathy for the plight of Palestinians emerges from the countrys centuries-old subjugation by its British neighbors. In Northern Ireland, which is still under British rule, nationalist communities regularly fly the Palestinian flag  and some loyalists fly the Israeli flag in response.

Israels current president, Isaac Herzog, has Irish roots. His father, also a famous Israeli politician, was born in Belfast. Herzogs grandfather, Isaac HaLevi Herzog, was Chief Rabbi of the Irish Free State  the precursor to the current Republic of Ireland  and later served as Chief Rabbi of Israel.

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Italian journalist Cecilia Sala has arrived back in the countrys capital after being freed from an Iranian prison where she had spent weeks in detention.

Sala is a reporter for the Italian daily Il Foglio, which said the journalist landed in Rome on Wednesday afternoon.

Our journalist landed in Ciampino (airport), after being released this morning from Evin prison in Tehran after 21 days of detention, the newspaper posted on X, accompanied by a photo of the journalist on the runway.

Il Foglio also reported that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister and Deputy Minister Antonio Tajani, as well as Salas parents, welcomed her at the Roman airport.

Sala at the Giffoni Film Festival in July 2022. - Giovanni Lemba/Pacific Press/Shutterstock

This screengrab taken from a video shows the journalist after landing in the Italian capital on Wednesday. - Government TV/Reuters

Il Foglio had previously said the journalist was held in Tehrans Evin prison after being detained in mid-December while covering a country she knows and loves.

Earlier on Wednesday, Melonis office said: The plane that is bringing journalist Cecilia Sala home took off a few minutes ago from Tehran.

Thanks to intense work on diplomatic and intelligence channels, our compatriot has been released by the Iranian authorities and is returning to Italy, the statement added.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella informed the journalists parents of the news during a phone call on Wednesday morning, according to the statement.

The Italian outlet Chora Media, where Sala also works, said that she had left Rome on December 12 with a valid journalistic visa and the protections of a journalist on assignment.

She conducted several interviews and produced three episodes of the Stories podcast for Chora News, the media outlet said in late December, adding that it was making Salas detention public weeks later because her parents and Italian authorities had initially asked it to remain silent, hoping for a swift release.

Iranian state news agency IRNA, citing the Iranian Ministry of Culture, said last month that Sala was arrested after violating the laws of the Islamic republic of Iran, but Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said several days after her detention that we still dont know the charges.

Irans regime is one of the most repressive in the world on press freedom, particularly cracking down on media rights after a wave of protests rocked the country in 2022.

Only four countries  North Korea, Afghanistan, Syria and Eritrea  have worse records on press freedom, according to an annual tally compiled by non-profit organization Reporters Without Borders.

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I've been to all five Utah national parks. Emily Hart

Although I loved traveling to all five of Utah's national parks, I'd recommend some over others.

Canyonlands National Park is stunning, but it's less accessible to the average traveler.

There's lots to do in Capitol Reef, which is my favorite of Utah's national parks.

As the home of five US national parks, more than 40 state parks, and 15 world-class ski resorts, Utah is an oasis for outdoor enthusiasts.

I've traveled to all 50 US states and all 63 major national parks, but I continually return to Utah for its beautiful parks. Although I think all five parks  known as "The Mighty 5"  are stunning and worthy of a trip, I'm often asked which I would recommend if visiting all of them isn't an option.

So, I decided to rank them based on overall scenic beauty, uniqueness, crowds, accessibility for the average tourist, and photo opportunities. Here's how, in my opinion, the parks stack up.

Canyonlands National Park is less accessible to the average tourist.

Canyonlands is the largest national park in Utah. Emily Hart

Canyonlands, located outside Moab, Utah, is the state's largest national park. However, it's spread out over four districts with no bridges or roads connecting each one inside the park.

Some districts even require high-clearance, low-range four-wheel-drive vehicles to access them. In other words, this park is less accessible to the average visitor.

For an experienced adventurer, this park would likely be a favorite. However, for the average visitor or family on vacation, there might be less to enjoy because of the park's remoteness and rugged terrain.

A trip to Bryce Canyon National Park takes a bit more planning.

Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its hoodoos. Barbara babala/Shutterstock

In my opinion, Bryce Canyon National Park in Southern Utah is the state's most unique park. It's known for its otherworldly landscape of tall, thin rock formations called hoodoos, which were sculpted by wind and water erosion.

Although I love the park and have visited it multiple times, it ranks lower on the list due to sometimes-limited accessibility.

Bryce Canyon has an average elevation of 8,000 feet above sea level. Because of this, the weather can vary greatly. Winter weather can often lead to road and trail closures, and in the summer months, the park can see fierce thunderstorms and lightning.

I think everyone should visit Bryce Canyon at least once in their lifetime  doing so just takes a little more preparation and planning than some other parks.

Arches National Park is incredible, but sometimes requires timed-entry reservations.

Arches National Park is gorgeous, but can become very crowded. Emily Hart

Out of all the Utah national parks, I've visited Arches the most. It holds a special place in my heart, but has become very crowded in the last several years.

As the second-smallest park in Utah, the increased crowds are more noticeable, leading to timed-entry reservations being necessary to enter the park from April 1 to July 6 and August 28 to October 31.

Despite that, the landscape is truly iconic, and there are plenty of trails accessible to hikers of all levels.

Zion National Park is stunning.

Zion National Park is truly magnificent. Googie87/Shutterstock

Zion National Park was one of the most-visited national parks in 2023, and it's easy to see why.

From the legendary Angels Landing hike (which requires a permit) to the unique Narrows hike through the Virgin River surrounded by steep canyon walls, there's only one word to describe Zion  magnificent.

The only downside is that the park's popularity leads to heavy crowds in the summer months.

Capitol Reef is my favorite national park in Utah.

Capitol Reef National Park has lots of unique elements to it. Emily Hart

If you're looking for a park to visit in Utah, my No. 1 recommendation is always Capitol Reef. As the second least-visited park in Utah (behind Canyonlands), this park is somewhat more remote and, in my opinion, unique.

Spend a day hiking, taking a scenic drive, and even picking fruit at the historic Fruita orchards.

The park is also known for its striking geological features, including the Waterpocket Fold  a nearly 100-mile-long "wrinkle" in the Earth's crust that has created deep canyons, ridges, and cliffs that are stunning to explore.

I also recommend staying after sunset for incredible stargazing  the park was designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2015.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Attorneys for President-elect Donald Trump and his allies have unleashed a legal blitz this week to prevent the release of special counsel Jack Smith's final report on his classified documents and election interference investigations, successfully convincing the federal judge who dismissed Trump's documents case to issue an emergency injunction temporarily blocking the report's release.

While Smith has released many of his findings already -- through four indictments and a lengthy filing outlining the evidence against Trump -- recent disclosures made by attorneys for Trump and his co-defendants suggest that the special counsel's final report could contain previously undisclosed details that are potentially damaging to the president elect.

According to a court filing from Trump's defense lawyers Monday, a draft version of the report asserts that Trump "engaged in an unprecedented criminal effort," violated multiple federal laws, and served as the "head" of multiple criminal conspiracies.

MORE: Judge in Trump's classified docs case temporarily blocks release of special counsel's final report

Trump's lawyers, Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, who reviewed a draft version of the report over the weekend, argued in a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland Monday that the report's release would be a "partisan weapon" and "lawless political stunt, designed to politically harm" President-elect Trump and his allies.

According to Trump's lawyers, a draft of the report included multiple "baseless attacks" on members of Trump's incoming presidential administration that could "interfere with upcoming confirmation hearings."

The letter did not provide any additional information about which, if any, of Trump's nominees or appointees were mentioned in the report.

Trump pleaded not guilty in 2023 to charges of unlawfully retaining classified materials after leaving the White House, and, in a separate case, pleaded not guilty to charges of undertaking a "criminal scheme" to overturn the results of the 2020 election. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the classified documents case this past July after deeming Smith's appointment unconstitutional, leading Smith to appeal that decision.

PHOTO: In this June 9, 2017, file photo, President Donald Trump is shown at the White House in Washington, D.C. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images, FILE)

Smith, who is now winding down both his cases against the president-elect due to a longstanding Department of Justice policy prohibiting the prosecution of a sitting president, has not provided any details about the contents of his report. Smith's team has accused Trump's attorneys of violating a confidentiality agreement by making portions of their findings public in their filings.

Special counsels are mandated by internal Justice Department regulations to prepare confidential reports at the conclusion of their investigations to summarize their findings, and the attorney general can determine whether to release the report publicly. Smith's report includes two volumes, covering his investigation into Trump's alleged retention of classified documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Trump's lawyers argued that the report's release would disrupt the ongoing presidential transition process and "exacerbate stigma and public opprobrium surrounding the Chief Executive," suggesting that the report -- which is being prepared by a prosecutor independent from the president -- contradicts the Biden administration's vow to "facilitate an orderly and collegial transition process."

"It'll be a fake report, just like it was a fake investigation," Trump said at a news conference Tuesday at his Mar-a-Lago estate.

Trump's lawyers also suggested that the report included a "pathetically transparent tirade" about social media platform X's effort to "protect civil liberties."

ABC News previously reported that X -- then known as Twitter -- was held in contempt and fined $350,000 for failing to comply with a search warrant for records and data from former President Trump's social media account. X's owner, Elon Musk, is now one of Trump's most vocal supporters and advisers, and spent more than a quarter of a billion dollars to help elect Trump.

MORE: Special counsel Jack Smith withdraws from appeal of classified docs case against Trump's co-defendants

Blanche and Bove -- both of whom Trump has picked for top Justice Department posts in the incoming administration -- have argued that the report's release would only offer a single-sided view of the case and give "rise to a media storm of false and unfair criticism" that Trump would need to address during the transition period.

While Trump is no longer being prosecuted by Smith, his two former co-defendants in the classified documents case have argued they would be unable to have a fair trial if the findings are released publicly. Lawyers for Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira have claimed that the report would reveal sensitive grand jury material -- such as communications obtained via a subpoena -- and support the finding that "everyone Smith charged is guilty of the crimes charged."

Describing Smith as a "rogue actor with a personal and political vendetta," lawyers for Trump's co-defendants argued in a filing that the report would irreparably bias the public by amplifying the government's "narrative" without providing Trump and his co-defendants the ability to respond.

"Smith's planned Final Report -- now that he is unshackled from due process requirements that restrained him as a government actor -- would engender the very prejudice, passion, and excitement and be an exercise of the tyrannical power that our court system is designed to insulate against," the filing said.

In a brief filing Tuesday, a lawyer on Smith's staff confirmed that the special counsel's office is "working to finalize" its report, and said that Garland will have the final say over what material will be made public.

'Unprecedented criminal effort': What Trump's lawyers say is in Jack Smith's draft report originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
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Jean Smart will be a heavy hitter at this year's Golden Globes, where the Hacks star is nominated for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series  Musical or Comedy. (BTW, shes already won an Emmy for her role as standup comedy diva Deborah Vance.) But over the past few years, things haven't exactly been easy for the actress, who underwent heart surgery and lost her husband of three decades, Richard Gilliland.

After her husband's sudden death to a heart condition in 2021, Jean said it "just made more sense for me to get smarter about my health decisions."

"I'm the one running the show now, completely on my own, and if something happens to me, what happens to my kids?" she told People.

Heres what the 73-year-old has said about her health, plus how shes doing now.

She previously had heart surgery.

In 2023, Jean revealed in an Instagram post that she had recently had heart surgery. During that same year, she also had an appendectomy, per People.

February is American Heart Month  a time when the nation spotlights heart health, so it feels important to share with all of you that Im recovering from a recent, successful heart procedure, she wrote. I am fortunate to have excellent professional care and support from family and friends while I continue to recuperate.

The surgery put Hacks season three on pause for 10 weeks, although Jean wanted to come back in two. After the break, the crew came back for five daysthen the 2023 writers' strike started, so they were put on pause again.

I just was overwhelmed with guilt for a lot of reasons, Jean told Variety. Thinking about putting everybody out of workI just couldnt stand that. I wanted to come back as soon as I could. It turned into three months, and then we came back for five days, and then the strike started.

But after the strike wrapped up, the crew immediately got back on track to finish the show, creator Paul W. Downs told Variety.

She has type 1 diabetes.

Jean was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was a kid, which influenced her to get into acting.

"My mother insisted that I stay in Seattle for college. I had been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when I was 13, and she still hadn't gotten over that by the time I was getting ready to graduate high school," Jean told The New Yorker in 2021. "She was afraid, I think, for me to go out of state to school."

So Jean enrolled in a theater program at the University of Washington.

She fell while filming Mare of Easttown.

Jean's gotten her fair share of injuries while on the job, too. In May, she shared on The Drew Barrymore Show that she broke a rib and got a concussion while filming HBO's Mare of Easttown.

I did a scene where Im drunk with the priest, and were playing cards like we do every Sunday, and I fall out of my chair, she said. So I thought it might be kind of fun for that to be a thing for that characterthat shes always falling down or almost falling down occasionally.

But Jean said she though it would be funny if she almost fell over a railing while watching her daughter on a date in the showand it didn't end well. Like, take five I went over the railing, down the flight of stairs, broke one of my ribs in half and got a concussion, she said.

The death of her husband Richard Gilliland made her take her health more seriously.

In 2021, Jeans husband of nearly 34 years, Richard Gilliland, died suddenly from a heart condition. The couple share two sons, Connor and Forrest, and they made her want to consider her health.

"My youngest has just turned 15. He's still in school, and it's frightening to think of your kids having to possibly deal with things without you, she told People.

Since Richard's death, her older son, Connor, has been living with her. He's been helping me a lot since we lost his dad, and so it's been very nice to have him around, she said. I don't know how single working mothers do it. I really truly don't.

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At least five people are dead and many more are injured as a series of devastating fires grow uncontained across Southern California amid dry and windy conditions, leaving officials scrambling to contain the historic destruction.

Thousands of firefighters are battling at least five sprawling wildfires spread around the Los Angeles area, as well as several smaller blazes. Thousands of structures have been damaged or destroyed and more than 100,000 people evacuated as uncontrolled infernos spread.

The scale of the damage and disruption wrought in Los Angeles is unprecedented, with state and federal authorities mobilizing to fight the fires and support those forced to flee. President Joe Biden on Wednesday approved a federal major disaster declaration for Los Angeles County.





Latest Developments





Jan 9, 10:25 AM

Biden to give remarks on California fires

President Joe Biden will give remarks on the response to the California fires following President Jimmy Carter's memorial service.

This morning, I was briefed on the latest impacts of the Los Angeles wildfires.



And later today, following President Carters service, I will convene my team for another briefing, and deliver remarks to the nation regarding our response.  President Biden (@POTUS) January 9, 2025





Biden approved a major disaster declaration and ordered federal assistance to supplement response efforts in areas affected by wildfires.





Jan 9, 10:00 AM

Over 420,000 customers still without power in Southern California

At least 420,000 customers are without power in California, as of 6:40 a.m. PT.



Los Angeles was the most impacted county with 210,981 customers without power, followed by San Bernardino where at least 87,282 are without power.





Jan 9, 10:00 AM

Los Angeles, San Diego now in severe drought

Los Angeles and San Diego are now in a severe drought, according to the National Drought Monitor. Dry weather is expected to continue for Southern California through next week.



The rain deficit in Los Angeles since Oct. 1 is over 4.5 inches and nearly 3.5 inches in San Diego.

PHOTO: Los Angeles is now in a severe drought, the third of five steps on the monitor. (ABC News)

The second driest period on record was May 5 to Dec. 31, 2024.

PHOTO: Southern California has seen almost no rain since Oct. 1, 2024. (ABC News)

-ABC News' Max Golembo





Jan 9, 7:14 AM

New Santa Ana winds threaten to spread wildfires

Another round of Santa Ana winds is forecast to sweep into Los Angeles on Thursday night into Friday morning, putting most of the region under a critical fire risk, as emergency responders battle to contain five quickly spreading wildfires.

PHOTO: An ABC News graphic shows the fire forecast in Southern California on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (ABC News)

The wind in the region relaxed overnight as the low pressure, which was helping enhance the wind, is moving away into Texas.



MORE: California wildfire forecast: Los Angeles under critical fire risk with gusty winds, extreme dry conditions



But high pressure is building from the north and that will help to tighten the pressure gradient over Southern California, producing more gusty winds.



Red flag and high wind warnings have been issued through Friday afternoon for wind gusts 40 to 60 mph, with 70 mph possible in the mountains.



Relative humidity could drop to as low as 5% for Southern California.



Because of the dry and windy conditions anticipated, a critical fire risk has been issued for much of the area for the next 24 hours.



-ABC News' Max Golembo





Jan 9, 6:01 AM

Pasadena warns against using tap water in evacuated areas

Authorities in Pasadena warned residents not to use tap water in evacuated areas for drinking or cooking "until further notice."

PHOTO: This photo shows a destroyed building in Pasadena, California, on Jan. 8, 2025. (Zaydee Sanchez/Reuters)

Northern parts of the city have been evacuated due to the nearby Eaton Fire, which as of early Thursday had grown to 10,600 acres with no containment.



"This adds Pasadena to the list of water warnings that already includes anyone in Pacific Palisades and parts of Malibu," city authorities said in a post to X.



-ABC News' Jeffrey Cook





Jan 9, 5:16 AM

Wildfires create 'unhealthy air quality,' California says

The wildfires ravaging Southern California are "causing unhealthy air quality conditions," according to a warning issued by the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services.



Wildfires in Southern California are causing unhealthy air quality conditions. If you are impacted, stay indoors and wear a mask if you must go outside. Close all windows, doors and vents. Visit https://t.co/HZcGh6zKFD to see local air quality#PalisadesFire #HurstFire #EatonFire pic.twitter.com/GKY007Tv3u  California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (@Cal_OES) January 9, 2025



"If you are impacted, stay indoors and wear a mask if you must go outside," the office said in a post to X. "Close all windows, doors and vents."

The government-run AirNow website showed a concentration of unhealthy air over the Los Angeles area as of early Thursday morning, where five major wildfires are currently burning.

MORE: Here's how to stay safe from wildfire smoke amid reduced air quality





Jan 9, 3:53 AM

7,500 firefighters now deployed to battle fires, Newsom says

More than 7,500 firefighters had been deployed to battle the series of wildfires in California as of Wednesday night, Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a post to X.

PHOTO: Firefighters operate as smoke and flames rise from the Sunset Fire in the hills overlooking the Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on Jan. 8, 2025. (David Swanson/Reuters)

Firefighting personnel are "working with local and federal partners to respond to California's ongoing historic wildfires," he said.



"Southern California residents -- please remain vigilant tonight," Newsom added. "Listen to local officials and be ready to evacuate if you're near impacted areas."





Jan 9, 2:56 AM

373,000 without power in California

At least 373,472 customers were without power across California on Wednesday night as emergency services battled major wildfires in the Los Angeles area.

PHOTO: Water is dropped by helicopter on the burning Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills section of Los Angeles, on Jan. 8, 2025. (Ethan Swope/AP)

Los Angeles County is the worst affected, with 207,857 customers disconnected as of 11:15 p.m. PT, according to poweroutage.us.



Another 65,186 customers were without power in Ventura County, 45,664 in Riverside County and 32,826 in San Bernardino County.



Orange County had 7,358 customers without power as of Wednesday night, while 10,805 were disconnected in San Diego County.



-ABC News' Juwon Funes





Jan 9, 9:00 AM

Tracking active Southern California wildfires

Five major wildfires are currently burning in the Los Angeles area, according to Cal Fire.



The Palisades Fire began in the Pacific Palisades area of the city on Tuesday. It has so far burned 17,234 acres and is at 0% containment. More than 1,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed.



The Eaton Fire, north of Pasedna, began on Tuesday. It expanded to 10,600 acres and is at 0% containment. Five people have died in the fire and up to 500 structures have been damaged or destroyed.



The Hurst Fire in Sylmar, northwest of San Fernando, began on Tuesday and has burned 855 acres. It is at 10% containment.



The Lidia Fire erupted on Wednesday on the northwest edge of the Angeles National Forest. It has grown to 348 acres and is at 40% containment.



The Sunset Fire broke out above West Hollywood on Wednesday. It is at 43 acres and 0% containment.





Jan 8, 11:56 PM

Sunset Fire in Hollywood Hills grows to 50 acres

The newest wildfire to break out in Los Angeles -- the Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills -- has grown to some 50 acres, but officials said firefighters are making progress getting a handle on the flames.



LAFD spokeswoman Margaret Stewart told KABC that firefighters are in a "much better place" than earlier in the evening because firefighters have been able to do multiple water drops from the air over the flames.



An update from the LA County Sheriff's Department shortly before 8:30 p.m. local time said the most intense fire activity was occurring on the southwestern side of the fire.



"On the eastern side, there are active flames within the interior of the fire, but the perimeter is holding well thanks to a fire road and ground crews in place," the department said.



The blaze in famed Runyon Canyon sparked a mandatory evacuation that affected some iconic Hollywood locations, including the Dolby Theatre, where the Oscars are held, and the Hollywood Bowl.

Click here to read the rest of the blog.
Getty Images

The Inspiration For Dollywood

Dollywood was never about all the roller coastersat least, not just about the roller coasters. Years before her namesake park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, became a reality, Dolly told journalist Barbara Walters that she dreamed of building a Smoky Mountain fairy land, something that could capture and celebrate the spirit of her Appalachian home.

That 1982 TV interview caught the attention of brothers Pete and Jack Herschend, who had successfully transformed a Branson, Missouri, cave attraction into a theme park called Silver Dollar City before adding a sister location in Tennessee.

Although the brothers could see the potential in a partnership with Dolly, they were a bit in awe, says Herschend CEO Andrew Wexler. Dolly was, at the time, a shooting star, this amazing entertainer and hugely, wildly popular. As it turned out, the general manager of the Tennessee Silver Dollar City had come over from the original park in Branson and knew Dollys bus driver, who was from Southwest Missouri. So the manager reached out to the driver to see if they could set up a meeting.

Related: Dolly Parton Chats With Rick Bragg About Building A "Smoky Mountain Fairy Land," The Real Jolene, And The Ever-Present Song In Her Heart

Building a "Smoky Mountain Fairy Land"

Dolly and the Herschends not only met but also found some common ground philosophically. Wexler says the brothers had always believed that taking care of their employees, their guests, and their community was just as important as making money. Dolly has the same philosophy, he notes. She really wants to make sure that the people around her are taken care of and her fans are taken care of. Thats why when they first met, she and the Herschends knew it was a match made in heaven and that it was going to be a perfect partnership.

Getty Images

Dollywood Opened In 1986

A reimagined Silver Dollar City opened as Dollywood in 1986, and attendance more than doubled in its first year. Dollywood is now the biggest employer in both Pigeon Forge and Sevier County, not to mention a major contributor to Tennessees state coffers. It brings more than 2 million people to the area every year and, in the process, helps provide some 23,000 jobs in the Sevier County region. A 2021 Tennessee Department of Transportation study listed Dollywoods annual economic impact on the state at $1.8 billion. Meanwhile, The Dollywood Foundation supports the Imagination Library and other programs that aid people in need and promote education and creativity.

Dolly Partons reputation as a world-renowned entertainer, businesswoman, and philanthropist puts Pigeon Forge in the spotlight alongside Dollywood, says Leon Downey, the executive director of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism. Beyond the revenue her properties generate, Pigeon Forge gets immeasurable media coverage and exposure, bringing folks from all around the world to the Great Smoky Mountains.

Dollywood's Incredible Growth

Since 1986, Dollywood has steadily increased its attractions and lengthened its operating season. It now welcomes guests nearly 300 days per year, from mid-March through early January, with hopes to stay open year-round in the future. The park has grown to encompass 165 acres and over 50 rides and attractions as well as Dollywoods Splash Country Water Park (which is open from mid-May to September), DreamMore Resort and Spa, HeartSong Lodge & Resort, and (as of 2024) The Dolly Parton Experience. This latest addition takes visitors on an interactive journey through her life and career.

Courtesy of Wes Ramey/The Dollywood Company

40th Anniversary Celebrations

A calendar full of festivals, updated for the 40th season, includes the Sweet Summer Nights Dance Party and Drone Show during the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration. There will also be a full-stage production, Play On, to honor the history of all the performances that this place has put on over the years. Each operating day in 2025 will begin with a new opening ceremony. And, of course, visitors can expect some major holiday magic during Dollywoods annual Smoky Mountain Christmas, which Amusement Today listed among its Golden Ticket Awards Legendsthe best of the bestin 2024, one of six Golden Ticket Awards that were garnered by Dollywood that go-round. Also last year, Tripadvisor named Dollywood the number one theme park in the U.S. and included it in their top 10 in the world.

Related: The 10 Most Beautiful Places In The Great Smoky Mountains

Sure, the roller coasters certainly have something to do with that, delivering an all-important adrenaline rush, but theyre not the source of Dollywoods staying power. To achieve decades of sustainability, Wexler says you have to make an emotional bond with families. Theres a science around knowing what people will connect to, he explains, but theres also the idea that everybody wants to feel taken care of, safe, like they belong. And Dollys spirit is that of connection, of creating environments where people just feel loved. If you talk to her, shes just the sweetest, nicest person with a great sense of humor.

And so we just collaborate with her on building these environments that people will love. On behalf of Pigeon Forge, Downey says, Theres no greater tourism ambassador than Dolly.

Read the original article on Southern Living
SSG Record Label Corey Pritchett Jr.

Police have issued an arrest warrant for a Houston man they allege fled the country after he kidnapped two women in November.

Corey Pritchett Jr., 26, is accused of kidnapping the women after they went bowling with him in Houston on Nov. 23, according to a criminal complaint obtained by PEOPLE.

He invited the women to ride ATVs, after which he took them to the bowling center, per the complaint.

After two of his friends joined them, the women allege Pritchett and the two friends began to "act suspicious by constantly looking around." Pritchett allegedly told the women there was a rival group at the bowling alley, according to the complaint.

Later, he offered to drop the women at one of their residences, but as he drove them, he allegedly began threatening them with a gun, per the complaint.



Houston Police Dept. Corey Pritchett Jr.

He called an unnamed woman, whose name was saved as "Future Wife" on his phone, and allegedly asked her if he "should just go ahead and do it," per the complaint. He allegedly indicated that nobody would be able to hear the two women scream and that "no one could ever find them," the complaint claims.

The woman on the phone allegedly responded "yes," the alleged victims told police. (No such woman was named in the complaint; two November posts on Pritchett's Twitter account, where he has more than 264,000 followers, show his communication with a person who is named "Future Wife" on his phone).

During the drive, Pritchett allegedly told the women: "I'm gonna f--- yall and kill yall."

He allegedly took away the women's phones and, at one point, shot his gun several times out his window, per the complaint.

He eventually freed the alleged victims before leaving them by the side of the road and driving away.

Investigators were unable to contact him and learned from his social media that he had gone to Dubai, per the complaint. The FBI said, however, that he had bought a one-way flight ticket to Qatar in December. It's unclear how he might have gotten from Qatar to Dubai, which is in the neighboring United Arab Emirates.

SSG Record Label Corey Pritchett Jr. in Miami (Official Music Video)

Pritchett has 3.9 million followers on his YouTube account @CoreySSG31, where he documents his life as a musician.

In his recent posts, he shared about enjoying life in Dubai and trying to buy a house there.

Two Instagram pages linked to his YouTube account were not available on Tuesday.

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.

Pritchett is currently facing two counts of aggravated kidnapping, per Harris County court records.

He did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's requests for comments. On his Twitter and TikTok accounts, he shared several videos calling the accusations fabrications, claiming he'd been "set up."

He posted photos claiming he was on his way back to the U.S., but it wasnt clear as of publication time if he has entered the country.

"Guess I gotta meet with the FBI to see what the fuss about," he wrote in one post.

Houston police were not able to confirm his current location or status when contacted.



Read the original article on People
An illegal migrant from Mexico has been charged with murdering his girlfriend in Utah  just a week after he was deported from the US for a second time, authorities said.

Nestor Rocha-Aguayo, 24, is accused of killing 31-year-old Talia Benward and dumping her body in a remote area in Tooele, just outside Salt Lake City, last week after surveillance footage showed them arguing in a car.

The accused killer, who has a string of drug and domestic violence raps, had already been deported back to Mexico twice  most recently on Christmas Eve, following a drug-related arrest.

Nestor Rocha-Aguayo, a 24-year-old illegal migrant from Mexico, is suspected of murdering his girlfriend in Utah last week. Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake

But he managed to illegally cross back over the US border just days before the slaying, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official told The Post.

He reentered the US a third time without admission by an immigration official, an ICE spokesperson said.

The tattooed suspect first entered the US illegally in September 2016 when he crossed the border near Calexico, California, immigration officials said.

He came onto ICEs radar after he was arrested and convicted on local charges in Salt Lake City in January last year.

Rocha-Aguayo was then released into federal custody and an immigration judge ordered him to be removed on April 30.

However, he managed to re-enter the US before being picked up again on local charges in Salt Lake City on Nov. 25, the feds said. He was turned over to ICE on Dec. 17 and then again booted from the country just days later.

Nestor Rocha-Aguayo is accused of killing 31-year-old Talia Benward and dumping her body in a remote area in Tooele, just outside Salt Lake City, last week. Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake

It wasnt immediately clear exactly when Rocha-Aguayo came back to the US for the third time.

But local authorities said he had recently contacted his girlfriend to say he was back in the state and asked her to pick him up.

Surveillance video captured Benward pulling into a gas station in West Jordan on New Years Day in a car shed borrowed before Rocha-Aguayo jumped into the passenger seat, according to court documents obtained by FOX 13 Salt Lake City.

The CCTV clip appeared to show the pair pointing at each other  as if they were arguing before they drove towards Tooele, the court papers state.

Benwards phone stopped tracking her location several hours later off an interstate, while Rocha-Aguayo continued on to Salt Lake City, authorities said.

Benwards body was discovered on Saturday in a remote area near where her cell last pinged. Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake

The victims body was discovered on Saturday in a remote area near where her cell last pinged. A burn pit with partially burned remains of a car floor mat, as well as blood-stained rocks were found nearby, court papers charge.

Rocha-Aguayo was later taken into custody on a slew of charges  including aggravated murder, abuse or desecration of a dead human being and aggravated robbery.

He is being held at the Salt Lake County Metro Jail. ICEs Enforcement and Removal Operations have already placed yet another detainer on him, the feds said.
By Dan Peleschuk

KYIV (Reuters) - Membership in NATO is the only credible long-term security guarantee Ukraine can receive against future Russian aggression, Finland's top diplomat said on Wednesday.

Donald Trump's return to the White House on Jan. 20 has sparked hope of a diplomatic resolution to end Moscow's invasion but also fears in Kyiv that a quick peace could come at a high price.

Ukrainian officials including President Volodymyr Zelenskiy have called for strong security guarantees from partners that would prevent Russia from rearming for a new attack.

"I think in the long term the only credible security guarantee is Article 5 of the Washington Treaty - so NATO membership essentially," Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen told Reuters in Kyiv, referring to the alliance's collective defence clause.

"And we are supporting Ukraine's NATO membership further down the line and hopefully not in (the) too-distant future."

Ukraine's leaders have aggressively pushed for an invitation to join the 32-member alliance but have met resistance from key members as the war lurches toward its three-year mark and Ukrainian troops struggle to beat back Russian advances.

Trump, who has criticized U.S. aid to Ukraine, said on Tuesday he sympathizes with Russia's position that Ukraine should not be part of NATO. His aides and allies see Ukrainian membership as an unnecessary provocation toward Moscow.

He also blamed outgoing Democratic President Joe Biden for allegedly changing the U.S. position on NATO membership for Ukraine.

Valtonen, who was in Kyiv days after Finland assumed the chairmanship of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, said a Trump administration would not necessarily spell the end for Ukraine's NATO ambitions.

"Three years ago nobody thought that Finland would be joining NATO, or Sweden for that matter," she said. "So here we are, you never know."

Finland, which shares a 830-mile (1,336 km) border with Russia, joined the alliance in 2023 after the Kremlin's full-scale invasion of its smaller neighbour. Sweden joined earlier this year.

'SAME PAGE'

Trump, who has long been critical of NATO, also called on Tuesday for European members to boost spending on alliance defense from 2% of their gross domestic product to 5%.

Valtonen, who described Finland as "very much carrying its own weight so far", said such rhetoric could help spur European efforts to strengthen collective defence.

"We are very much on the same page with Trump on that, because I think we should do more, we can do more," she said.

"Certainly Europe has improved massively over the course of the past years, and will continue doing so."

(Reporting by Dan Peleschuk; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
French President Emmanuel Macron delivers his speech to French ambassadors posted around the world, Monday, Jan. 6, 2025 at the Elysee Palace in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard, Pool) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

DAKAR, Senegal (AP)  Senegalese and Chadian leaders said that the ousting of French troops from their territories was their sovereign decision, rejecting remarks from French President Emmanuel Macron that suggested otherwise.

Senegal, Chad and Ivory Coast last month announced the departure of French troops just as Paris was devising a new strategy that would sharply reduce its permanent troop presence in Africa.

Macron said Monday at an annual meeting of foreign ambassadors that France had proposed to the African heads of state to reorganize our presence. He added, "As we are very polite, we have given them the priority of the announcement.

Senegals Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko wrote on X late Monday, I would like to say that, in the case of Senegal, this assertion is totally erroneous.

No discussion or negotiation has taken place to date and the decision taken by Senegal stems from its sole will, as a free, independent and sovereign country, Sonko added. France has neither the capacity nor the legitimacy to ensure Africas security and sovereignty."

French troops have already left Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, which are ruled by military juntas.

In 2023, Macron promised a new security partnership with reduced numbers of French troops on the continent in a process he said would be based on needs expressed by African partners.

Earlier on Monday, Chadian Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah expressed deep concern following Macrons remarks.

Macrons words reflect a contemptuous attitude towards Africa and Africans, he said in a statement published on social media. French leaders need to learn to respect the African people and to recognize the value of their sacrifices.

He added that the 60 years of French presence in Chad has often been limited to its own strategic interests, without any real lasting impact on the development of the Chadian people.

Since the independence of French colonies in Africa, Paris has maintained a policy of economic, political and military sway which at the time had been dubbed Francafrique, including having thousands of permanent troops in the region.

France currently has 600 troops in Ivory Coast, 350 in Senegal and 350 in Gabon, as well as around 1,500 in Djibouti. It has had 1,000 troops in Chad.

Frances Defense Ministry said the role of French troops in Africa is to train local soldiers and reinforce their capacities to fight extremism, mainly in peacekeeping, intelligence and logistics. But critics say keeping boots on the ground also has allowed Paris to retain influence and protect political regimes favorable to France.

___

Associated Press writer Sylvie Corbet in Paris contributed to this report.
By Sarah Young and Jonathan Stempel

LONDON/NEW YORK (Reuters) -The sister of billionaire OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexually abusing her regularly between 1997 and 2006, prompting him and other family members to deny her claims.

In a complaint filed on Monday in St. Louis federal court, Ann Altman said the abuse occurred at the family home in suburban Clayton, Missouri, beginning when she was three and her brother was 12.

Now 30, Ann Altman said the abuse included "numerous acts" of rape, sexual assault, molestation, sodomy and battery until she was 11 or 12 years old.

She is seeking at least $75,000 of damages, plus punitive damages, for alleged injuries including post-traumatic stress disorder, severe emotional distress, mental anguish and depression.

"All of these claims are utterly untrue," Sam Altman, 39, said in a post on Tuesday with his mother and two brothers on X.

They also called it "incredibly difficult" to care for Ann Altman, known as Annie, who they said refuses conventional treatment for mental health challenges.

"Our family loves Annie and is very concerned about her well-being," they said. "Annie receives monthly financial support, which we expect to continue for the rest of her life. Despite this, Annie continues to demand more money from us."

Lawyers for Ann Altman did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Wednesday about the statement and the lawsuit.

Sam Altman co-founded OpenAI alongside Elon Musk and others, and became one of the technology world's biggest names after the 2022 launch of the artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT.

Backed by Microsoft, OpenAI was valued at $157 billion in October after raising $6.6 billion from investors.

Sam Altman is worth about $1.1 billion, according to Forbes magazine.

(Reporting by Sarah Young and Jonathan Stempel; Editing by Jon Boyle and Daniel Wallis)
BOSTON - A passenger on a JetBlue flight opened an emergency exit door and deployed the slide while the plane was taxiing at Logan Airport in Boston Tuesday night, the FAA said.



Witnesses said the man was arguing with his girlfriend before he opened the door at about 7:30 p.m. on Flight 161. The Airbus A320 was headed to San Juan, Puerto Rico.



There were no injuries reported, according to Massport.

A passenger is accused of opening the emergency exit door and deployed the slide on a JetBlue flight taxiing at Logan Airport. / Credit: CBS Boston

Restrained by passengers

A spokesperson for JetBlue said the passenger opened an overwing exit "for unknown reasons" and remained on board the plane.

Massachusetts State Police said troopers responded to reports of a disturbance on the aircraft after it had entered the active taxiway. One person was detained.

"Shortly before takeoff, a passenger who wanted to deplane opened an aircraft door suddenly and without warning," state police said in a statement. "Other passengers restrained the individual until troopers arrived on scene to detain them for further questioning."



The passenger, who has not been identified yet, is expected to face charges and will be arraigned in East Boston District Court Wednesday.

Passenger says man was arguing with girlfriend

Passenger Fred Wynn talked to WBZ-TV from the plane. He said the man was sitting right behind him with his girlfriend.



"Boyfriend and girlfriend were arguing behind in me," Wynn said. "Boyfriend got mad, got up walked down the center aisle, grabbed the emergency door, ripped it off, completely off. FBI agent tackled him, handcuffed him. Shortly after, state police came on board and took him off."



Passengers on other flights say they were delayed because of the incident.



"They just said there was a disabled plane on the runway, which was a little concerning, never heard that before," said Tim Wahl, who was arriving in Boston from Phoenix.



Wahl says his flight was circling around Boston delayed. When it finally landed, he saw the commotion.

"We flew over the plane that was stopped. There was a bunch of police outside, apparently somebody deployed the emergency slide. Wild," Wahl said.

State police said preliminary information indicates it was an isolated incident and there was no threat to public safety. The FAA is investigating.

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Rigetti Computing (RGTI), IonQ (IONQ), and other quantum computing stocks fell roughly 40% Wednesday after Nvidia (NVDA) CEO Jensen Huang told Wall Street analysts that very useful quantum computers are likely 20 years away.

Rigetti Computing stock was down 45% at market close while IonQ dropped 39%. Fellow stocks in the sector, D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) and Quantum Computing (QUBT), plummeted 36% and 43%, respectively.

Responding to a question from Evercore ISI analyst Mark Lipacis during a conversation with analysts at the tech industrys annual CES trade show in Las Vegas, Huang said, Quantum computing can't solve every problem.

If you kind of said 15 years for very useful quantum computers, that'd probably be on the early side. If you said 30 is probably on the late side. But if you picked 20, I think a whole bunch of us would believe it, he said.

Quantum computing stocks enjoyed a massive rally in late November and throughout December as growing interest and technological advancements fueled bets that the technology would take off sooner rather than later.

In November, Amazon launched a quantum computing advisory program, saying in its announcement that the initiative will help AWS customers get ready for quantum computing. IonQ said on Nov. 18 that it had successfully run Nvidias quantum computing developer kit on its hardware. Quantum Computing Inc. said it had taken stock of advanced chips its using to advance its quantum software.

The US government gave a nod to the budding industry when a group of bipartisan US senators on Dec. 3 introduced a bill that would reauthorize the 2018 National Quantum Initiative Act and pledged an additional $2.7 billion for quantum computing research to develop practical applications. Then, on Dec. 9, Google introduced a new quantum computing chip called Willow, and the company said it had found a way to increase the power of the chip while cutting down some of the problems associated with the technology (typically, the more powerful the quantum computer, the more prone it is to errors).

Even with their massive drops Wednesday, Quantum Computing is up nearly 1,400% from six months ago, while Rigetti has risen more than 850%, D-Wave has soared 360%, and IonQ has jumped 265% over that time frame.

A cryostat refrigerator for cooling quantum computing chips is displayed at Google's Quantum AI lab in Santa Barbara, California, U.S., in this undated handout photo obtained by Reuters on December 6, 2024. Google/Handout via REUTERS (Reuters / Reuters)

Though Huang sees the tech taking longer to reach practical applicability, Nvidia is still betting on it. Huang said Nvidia is working with just about every quantum computing company. Nvidia in 2022 began extending its CUDA software development kit (currently used by developers to make artificial intelligence applications) for quantum software developers.

But Huang said the company will continue focusing on accelerated computing that complements quantum computing rather than diving headfirst into the space.

In the case of quantum computing, it turns out that you need a classical computer to do error correction with the quantum computer. And that classical computer better be the fastest computer that humanity can build, and that happens to be us, Huang told analysts Tuesday.

Laura Bratton is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Bluesky @laurabratton.bsky.social. Email her at laura.bratton@yahooinc.com.

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While President-elect Donald Trump has asked the Supreme Court to block a looming U.S. ban on TikTok, many of his Republican allies have urged the opposite.

While President-elect Donald Trump has asked the Supreme Court to block a looming U.S. ban on TikTok in a major case being argued on Friday that pits free speech rights against national security concerns over the Chinese-owned short-video app, many of his Republican allies have urged the opposite.

These diverging views raise the stakes for the court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, as it prepares to decide the fate of a popular social media platform used by about half of Americans in a case testing the U.S. Constitutions First Amendment protections against government abridgment of speech.

This is the most significant free speech case in at least a generation, said Timothy Edgar, a former U.S. national security and intelligence official who has worked in both Republican and Democratic presidential administrations.

While President-elect Donald Trump has asked the Supreme Court to block a looming U.S. ban on TikTok, many of his Republican allies have urged the opposite. Getty Images

If we consider that there are 170 million active monthly users of TikTok in the United States, the volume of free speech at risk is the largest of any Supreme Court case in American history, added Edgar, who now teaches cybersecurity at Brown University and joined a brief backing TikTok in the case.

Driven by concerns that China could access data or spy on Americans with the app, Congress overwhelmingly passed the measure last year with bipartisan support, and Democratic President Joe Biden signed it into law. It requires TikToks China-based parent company ByteDance to sell the platform or face a U.S. ban on Jan. 19.

The dispute goes before the top U.S. judicial body at a time of growing trade tensions between the worlds two biggest economies and just 10 days before Trump is due to begin his second term as president.

The Justice Department, defending the law, has said TikTok poses a threat to U.S. national security because of its access to immense amounts of data on American users, from locations to private messages, and its ability to secretly manipulate content that they view on the app.

The dispute goes before the top U.S. judicial body at a time of growing trade tensions between the worlds two biggest economies and just 10 days before Trump is due to begin his second term as president. Getty Images

TikTok and ByteDance rebut the national security claims, instead portraying the law as running afoul of the First Amendment. If the law is allowed to stand then Congress will have free rein to ban any American from speaking simply by identifying some risk that the speech is influenced by a foreign entity, they told the Supreme Court in a filing.

Trump has said he has a warm spot for TikTok and has vowed to save a platform on which his campaign generated billions of views.

President Trump opposes banning TikTok in the United States at this juncture and seeks the ability to resolve the issues at hand through political means once he takes office, Trumps lawyer John Sauer wrote in a filing, asking the justices to put the law on hold.

Trump has said he has a warm spot for TikTok and has vowed to save a platform on which his campaign generated billions of views. NurPhoto via Getty Images

Sauer is Trumps pick to serve as U.S. solicitor general, the governments chief lawyer at the Supreme Court.

STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL WEIGH IN

By contrast, many Republican lawmakers and officials are pressing the court  whose conservative majority includes three justices appointed by Trump during his first term as president  to back the Biden administration in its defense of the measure.

Republican attorneys general from 22 states filed a brief with the court disagreeing with TikToks arguments and asking the justices to uphold the statute.

Allowing TikTok to operate in the United States without severing its ties to the Chinese Communist Party exposes Americans to the risk of the Chinese Communist Party accessing and exploiting their data, these state officials, led by Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, wrote in their filing.

Montana tried to ban TikTok at the state level but was blocked by a federal court.

Former Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell has compared TikToks litigation to a hardened criminal seeking a stay of execution. The Republican chairman and the top Democratic member of a U.S. House of Representatives panel focused on China issues urged the justices to uphold the measure to protect the American people from foreign threats.

Republican attorneys general from 22 states filed a brief with the court disagreeing with TikToks arguments and asking the justices to uphold the statute. SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Bidens administration on Jan. 3 asked the justices to reject Trumps request to put the ban on hold.

Trumps support for TikTok is a reversal from 2020, when during his first term as president he tried to block the app and force its sale to American companies. Trump has since said a TikTok ban would benefit Meta-owned platforms Facebook and Instagram, which he has criticized for suspending him after the attack on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters on Jan. 6, 2021.

TikTok, ByteDance, and some users who post content on the app appealed a Dec. 6 ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upholding the law.

If the Supreme Court upholds the statute, Edgar said, the stakes for internet freedom both in the United States and around the world are high.

Bidens administration on Jan. 3 asked the justices to reject Trumps request to put the ban on hold. Getty Images

The U.S. government, Edgar added, will be on solid ground if it chooses to regulate or ban any digital platform with substantial involvement from foreign investors. Another widely used platform, Telegram, may be next, Edgar added.

In a Dec. 13 letter, U.S. lawmakers told Apple and Alphabets Google, which operate the two main mobile app stores, that they must be ready to remove TikTok from those stores on Jan. 19.

While U.S. users probably will still be able to use TikTok after the deadline because it is already downloaded on their phones, according to experts, over time the app will become unusable without software and security updates.
FILE - Former President Donald Trump waits for the start of proceedings in Manhattan criminal court, April 23, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, Pool, File)

WASHINGTON (AP)  President-elect Donald Trump is asking the Supreme Court to call off Friday's sentencing in his hush money case in New York.

Trump's lawyers turned to the nation's highest court on Wednesday after New York courts refused to postpone the sentencing by Judge Juan M. Merchan, who presided over Trump's trial and conviction last May on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Trump has denied wrongdoing.

Prosecutors were expected to file a response by Thursday morning.

Trump's team sought an immediate stay of the scheduled sentencing, saying it would wrongly restrict him as he prepares to take office. While Merchan has indicated he will not impose jail time, fines or probation, Trump's lawyers argued a felony conviction would still have intolerable side effects.

The sentencing should be delayed as he appeals the conviction to prevent grave injustice and harm to the institution of the Presidency and the operations of the federal government," they argued.

The emergency motion is from lawyers John Sauer, Trumps pick for solicitor general, who represents the government before the high court, and Todd Blanche, in line to be the second-ranking official at the Justice Department.

They also pointed to the Supreme Court ruling giving Trump and other presidents broad immunity from prosecutions over their actions in office, saying it supports their argument that his New York conviction should be overturned.

Their filing said the New York trial court lacks authority to impose sentence and judgment on President Trump  or conduct any further criminal proceedings against him until the resolution of his underlying appeal raising substantial claims of Presidential immunity, including by review in this Court if necessary.

The Republican president-elect's spokesman, Steven Cheung, said in a statement that the case was politically motivated and should be dismissed.

Trump's lawyers also asked New York's highest court for an emergency stay to halt all proceedings Wednesday afternoon, urging quick action to avoid the threat of disrupting the presidential transition.

In a filing that largely echoed their Supreme Court arguments, the attorneys charged that Merchan and the states mid-level appellate court both erroneously failed to stop the sentencing, arguing that the constitution requires an automatic pause as they appeal the judges ruling upholding the verdict.

The Manhattan district attorneys office, meanwhile, said it will respond in court papers. The emergency motion was submitted to Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who hears appeals from New York.

Trump's convictions arose from what prosecutors said was an attempt to cover up a $130,000 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels just before the 2016 presidential election.

Daniels claims she had a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006. He denies it.

The Supreme Court's immunity opinion came in a separate election interference case against him, but Trumps lawyers say it means some of the evidence used against him in his hush money trial should have been shielded by presidential immunity. That includes testimony from some White House aides and social media posts made while he was in office.

Merchan has disagreed, finding they would qualify as personal business. The Supreme Court's immunity decision was largely about official acts of presidents while in office.

___ Associated Press writer Michael R. Sisak in New York contributed to this report.
Johannesburg, South Africa (PANA) - Human rights watchdog, Amnesty International, has appealed to President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to halt any plans to execute people under in the must immediately, publicly and unambiguously halt any plans to execute more than 170 people under death sentence
The next administration's tariff plans could quickly become a focus of lawsuits that are sure to mean more uncertainty for businesses trying to weigh the effects of a second round of Trump trade policies in the coming months.

The legal questions are expected to mount quickly if the president-elect and his team try to move quickly and dramatically on tariffs in the early days of his administration. New signals sent this week suggest that is their intention.

During a news conference Tuesday, Trump reiterated his desire for tariffs  including "substantial" duties on Canada and Mexico, among other countries.

The legal challenges Trump may face if he follows through could be most acute if he tries to use a 1977 law called the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)  perhaps the most muscular and rapid route to new tariffs  to declare an economic emergency and act quickly.

It's a route that is under active consideration among Trump's aides, according to a Wednesday report from CNN.

President-elect Donald Trump arrives to speak to members of the media during a press conference at the Mar-a-Lago Club on Jan. 7. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) (Scott Olson via Getty Images)

IEEPA is a path to new tariffs that Trump aides have been openly discussing for the last year and was a tool Trump also weighed during his first term.

But it's also the path that could be most vulnerable to legal challenges if it's used for new tariffs, according to experts, as relevant portions of the law haven't been legally tested in decades.

If Trump were to go the IEEPA route, "he would almost certainly be sued by somebody," William Reinsch, a longtime trade policymaker now at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said in an interview with Yahoo Finance last year.

Business groups from the US Chamber of Commerce and the Business Roundtable could be at the center of any legal pushback, but other sector-specific groups could get involved depending on the details of any such moves by the new administration.

Any lawsuit would likely have to wait until after the tariffs are formally proposed, and opinions differ about how likely any such challenge is to succeed. Any legal fight would likely be an uphill one but would clearly be yet another factor for importers to weigh.

One key early question is likely to be whether a sympathetic judge would be willing to freeze implementation of any tariffs while the case is in the works.

A potential for dramatic duties  and quick implementation

At the center of the likely legal questions to come are long-dormant presidential powers that could allow for both higher duties than those seen in Trump 1.0  and a quicker implementation.

Henrietta Treyz, Veda Partners director of economic policy research, discussed the IEEPA option in a Yahoo Finance appearance on Monday and laid out one dramatic scenario: steep new tariffs from Trump using the authority that could also be deployed in as little as 12 hours.

"So the Street should be ready for that," she said.

During the campaign, Trump regularly promised historically high duties, including 20% universal tariffs on the world and 60% or higher tariffs on China.

He has reiterated his tariff threats often in recent weeks, even suggesting this week that Denmark could be a tariff target because it currently oversees Greenland. Trump wants to acquire Greenland, but it is currently overseen by the European nation as an autonomous territory.

Donald Trump Jr. traveled to Greenland this week to tout the incoming Trump administration's interest in aquiring the territory.. (EMIL STACH/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images) (EMIL STACH via Getty Images)

A second potential quick strike option that has also been discussed in Trump's circles is Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930.

Two lawyers at Covington & Burling LLP highlighted this "long-forgotten" presidential power in 2016, noting that it grants the president "substantial albeit qualified powers" to impose tariffs on countries the White House feels have discriminated against the US.

Three slower  but more legally tested  options

There are other options that Trump could also use. These more familiar presidential authorities are ones that both Trump and President Biden have invoked in recent years.

These options could be safer from legal challenges but with one clear downside for Trump  and his eagerness for quick moves  in that they could take months to play out and have more limits on how high duties can go.

One option is national security tariff authority under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. There's also Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which gives the president the power to levy tariffs for a wider array of reasons.

Trump's choice for Secretary of Commerce, Cantor Fitzgerald Chairman and CEO Howard Lutnick, is set to be at the center of the incoming Trump administration's trade policy. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) (Andrew Harnik via Getty Images)

The specifics of those two options differ, but both require more formal investigations by the Department of Commerce before the duties can go into place.

Even that slower option could be faster than many expect.

"Something that is different in Trump 2.0, versus Trump 1.0, is that some of those investigations have already occurred," Raymond James Washington policy analyst and managing director Edward Mills added in a recent episode of the Capitol Gains podcast, citing certain goods from China that have been in Washington's focus for years.

Trump's previous China tariffs were enacted under Section 301 authority, with an investigation beginning in August 2017 and concluding over a year into his presidency in March 2018.

Biden leaned primarily on Section 301 authority while making his own tariff moves but cited Section 232 authority as well. Biden kept most of Trump's tariffs in place, and even added a few more, over the last four years.

The slowest option  but one that could be most immune to lawsuits  would be for Trump to formally consult Congress.

That is one route he appears less likely to embrace in the short term, though it could be part of negotiations around paying for tax cuts in the years ahead.

"I don't need Congress, but they'll approve it," Trump said of his tariff authorities during the 2024 campaign.

Ben Werschkul is Washington correspondent for Yahoo Finance.

Every Friday, Yahoo Finance's Rachelle Akuffo, Rick Newman, and Ben Werschkul bring you a unique look at how US policy and government affects your bottom line on Capitol Gains. Watch or listen to Capitol Gains on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you find your favorite podcasts.

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Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito spoke to President-elect Donald Trump by phone Tuesday to recommend one of his former law clerks for a job in the new administration, ABC News has learned.

"William Levi, one of my former law clerks, asked me to take a call from President-elect Trump regarding his qualifications to serve in a government position," Justice Alito confirmed to ABC News Wednesday. "I agreed to discuss this matter with President-elect Trump, and he called me yesterday afternoon."

The call occurred just hours before Trump's lawyers on Wednesday morning filed an emergency request with the justices asking them to block a New York judge from moving forward with sentencing Trump on Friday in his criminal hush money case.

MORE: Trump asks Supreme Court to block his criminal hush money sentencing

Alito said that he and Trump did not discuss that matter.

"We did not discuss the emergency application he filed today, and indeed, I was not even aware at the time of our conversation that such an application would be filed," Alito said. "We also did not discuss any other matter that is pending or might in the future come before the Supreme Court or any past Supreme Court decisions involving the President-elect."

It is not unusual for a sitting justice to offer a job recommendation for a former clerk, but it is rare, court analysts said, for a justice to have such a conversation directly with a sitting president or president-elect, especially one with an active stake in business pending before the court.

Late last month, Trump waded into a momentous case over the future of the video-sharing app TikTok, asking the justices to delay an impending ban on the extraordinary grounds that he "alone possesses the consummate dealmaking expertise, the electoral mandate, and the political will to negotiate a resolution to save the platform while addressing the national security concerns expressed by the Government."

PHOTO: Associate Justice Samuel Alito Jr. during the formal group photograph at the Supreme Court in Washington, DC, Oct. 7, 2022. (Eric Lee/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

On Wednesday, Trump asked the justices to immediately halt all criminal proceedings against him in New York, including Friday's sentencing, warning that failing to do so during a presidential transition would "damage" the presidency and disrupt "national security and America's vital interests."

The Supreme Court has asked for a response from prosecutors in New York by Thursday at 10 a.m. ET. It's expected to weigh in on Trump's request by Friday morning.

Levi is being considered for various legal jobs in the incoming administration, including general counsel of the Department of Defense, sources said. Levi, who clerked for Justice Alito from 2011-2012, served in the first Trump administration as chief of staff to then-Attorney General Bill Barr.

"The justices of the Supreme Court are, among other things, employers to their law clerks," said ABC News contributor Kate Shaw, who clerked for former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens. "So providing a reference for a former employee is not atypical, whatever job a former clerk may be applying for -- an academic job, private sector job, or even a government job."

But Shaw said such a call between a justice and a president-elect is highly unusual, especially when the president-elect is engaged in multiple legal actions with the potential to go before the Supreme Court.

A spokesperson for Trump's transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment from ABC News.

MORE: Roberts rejects Democrats' call to discuss Alito's refusal to recuse over flags flap

Alito has previously faced calls to recuse himself from cases related to the Jan. 6 Capitol attack and the 2020 election. Last year he rejected Democrats' calls for his recusal from those cases after flags flown at his personal residences sparked controversy. Chief Justice John Roberts subsequently declined an invitation by Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee for a meeting to discuss the court's ethical practices in light of the flags controversy involving Alito.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), in a May 23 letter requesting Alito's recusal over the displays, wrote that Alito "actively engaged in political activity, failed to avoid the appearance of impropriety, and failed to act in a manner that promotes public confidence in the impartiality of the judiciary."

"He also created reasonable doubt about his impartiality and his ability to fairly discharge his duties in cases related to the 2020 presidential election and January 6th attack on the Capitol," the two wrote.

Trump is due to be sentenced Friday after he was found guilty in May on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in order to boost his electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election.

The president-elect has asked the Supreme Court to consider whether he is entitled to a stay of the proceedings during his appeal; whether presidential immunity prevents the use of evidence related to official acts; and whether a president-elect is entitled to the same immunity as a sitting president.

MORE: Timeline: Manhattan DA's Stormy Daniels hush money case against Donald Trump

Trump faces up to four years in prison, but New York Judge Juan Merchan has signaled that he plans to sentence Trump to an unconditional discharge -- effectively a blemish on Trump's record, without prison, fines or probation -- in order to respect Trump's transition efforts and the principle of presidential immunity.

Defense lawyers argued that sentencing still "raises the specter of other possible restrictions on liberty."

Trump speaks with Justice Alito amid push to halt criminal sentencing originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Donald Trump Jr. landed in Greenland on Tuesday, just weeks after his father, US President-elect Donald Trump, ruffled feathers by reiterating his desire to obtain control over the autonomous Danish territory.

Greenland coming in hot well, actually, really really cold!!!! the president-elects eldest son posted on X on Tuesday, accompanied by a video seeming to capture a view of Greenland shot from a helicopter.

He later published to X two photos of himself in Greenland with the caption, Greenland is beautiful!!! In one of the images, Trump Jr. stands alongside Sergio Gor, who ran a Trump-aligned super PAC this election cycle, and right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.

Donald Trump Jr. poses for a photo with Sergio Gor (left) and Charlie Kirk (right) in Greenland on January 7 in this photo posted to his X account. - from Donald Trump Jr/X

In a Truth Social post Monday, the president-elect had said his son would be traveling to the island along with various representatives to visit some of the most magnificent areas and sights and again expressed his interest in taking over the vast Arctic territory.

I am hearing that the people of Greenland are MAGA, he said in the post, referring to his slogan of Make America Great Again.

Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our nation. We will protect it, and cherish it, from a very vicious outside world. Make Greenland Great Again! he posted.

At a press conference Tuesday, the president-elect did not rule out using military or economic coercion to wrest control of Greenland or the Panama Canal, which he has also talked of acquiring.

I cant assure you  youre talking about Panama and Greenland  no, I cant assure you on either of those two, but I can say this: we need them for economic security, said Trump, later adding that he would consider imposing tariffs on Denmark at a very high level if it resisted his pitch to acquire the territory.

CNN has reached out to Greenlandic and Danish authorities for comment on Trumps press conference comments.

Speaking to CNNs Erin Burnett on Tuesday, a Greenlandic member of Denmarks parliament dismissed Trumps comments.

Greenland is not MAGA. Greenland is not going to be MAGA, Aaja Chemnitz said, adding that she did not take the threat of military force seriously.

Chemnitz said that footage showing Trump Jr. being greeted in Greenland by crowds wearing MAGA hats was not representative of the wider community.

The lawmaker said that while people in Greenland might have an interest in Trump, that did not mean they want to be American citizens.

I think the majority in Greenland, they find it quite scary, actually, and quite uncomfortable that theres so much focus on Greenland and that the US is, actually, in a disrespectful way, showing that they would like to be buying Greenland or controlling Greenland. That is not what the population in Greenland wants, Chemnitz said.

Greenland belongs to the people

Before Trumps press conference, Greenlands Prime Minister Mute Egede  who has recently stepped up a push for independence from Denmark  posted on Facebook on Tuesday, Let me repeat  Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland. Our future and fight for independence is our business.

Every day is spent on working to become independent  we can cooperate, he said, adding that while Denmark and the US are entitled to their opinions  we should not  (let) external pressures distract us from our path.

On Monday, Denmarks foreign ministry told CNN it had noted the trip but would not be commenting further as it was not an official American visit.

The ministrys comment came after Reuters reported the islands permanent secretary for foreign affairs Mininnguaq Kleist as saying the trip was a private visit. It also quoted a source as saying the trip was a one-day visit to shoot video footage for a podcast.

CNN has reached out to the Trump transition team for comment.

The US president-elect last month made headlines when he resurfaced his desire to obtain the territory, calling it an absolute necessity for purposes of national security and freedom throughout the world.

He previously floated the idea of purchasing Greenland from Denmark in his first term as president, but the idea was shot down by the islands government, which said at the time that it was not for sale.

When Trump resurfaced the issue in December, Egede responded that the island was not for sale and will never be for sale  comments that were echoed by the office of Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who has previously called the idea absurd.

A member of Greenlands parliament told CNN on Tuesday that US President-elect Donald Trump and his eldest son are extremely welcome in the autonomous Danish territory.

Greenlands economy needs to be diversified  So Donald Trump Junior, and even his father and other (members of the incoming) administration from the US are extremely welcome here in Greenland as visitors  and also maybe more officially in the future, Kuno Fencker  a spokesperson for the Siumut Party, Greenlands second largest  told CNNs Becky Anderson on Tuesday.

Of course, we know about Donald Trumps rhetoric, Fencker continued. We are, of course, aware of the geopolitical situation in the world, and we can see that with the Pituffik Space Base  which is a US air base in the North Greenland  should be quite important for the American security and also Canadian and Greenland  So we understand that we need to protect this island and also our allies and North America, he said.

We are working on creating a sovereign country, which is Greenland, Fencker added, saying that it should be Greenlanders decision on what kind of state we would like to be and also who we should cooperate with.

Donald Trump Jr. poses for a photo in Greenland on January 7 in this photo posted to his X account. - from Donald Trump Jr/X

Trump is not the first American leader to have expressed an interest in controlling Greenland, which is home to Thule Air Base, the US militarys northernmost base, located about 750 miles above the Arctic Circle and built in 1951.

Though President Harry Truman dodged questions about his pursuit of control in the region, the United States allegedly tried to buy Greenland in 1946, and in 1867, Secretary of State William Seward showed interest in purchasing the island.

According to Reuters, Greenlands prime minister stepped up a push for independence from Denmark in his recent new years speech, saying it should break free from the shackles of colonialism.

Egede did not, however, mention the United States.

Additional reporting by Steve Contorno, Katherine Sullivan, Pamela Brown, Jim Acosta and Caroline Kelly

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U.S. Military Police guard Taliban and al Qaeda detainees in orange jumpsuits at Naval Base Guantanamo Bay in 2002.

PESHAWAR, Pakistan  The Biden administration has been in talks with the Taliban to exchange Americans detained in Afghanistan for Afghans in U.S. custody, a senior Taliban leader with direct knowledge of the negotiations told NBC News on Wednesday.

The Taliban leader, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the issue publicly, said the two sides had been negotiating for the past two years but had so far failed to reach a deal.

He said the Taliban had demanded three Afghan nationals including Muhammad Rahim, the only Afghan prisoner left at Guantanamo Bay, a detention site in Cuba for the mostly Muslim men taken into custody around the world in the U.S. war on terror.

U.S. officials say Rahim, who has been held there without charge since 2008, was a senior aide in Al Qaeda, the terrorist group led by Osama bin Laden that carried out the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Others say he held a much lesser role as a courier and translator and is not a national security threat.

His mother has been protesting and made several demands for his release, the Taliban leader said.

The Taliban leader, who said he has personally participated in some of the meetings with U.S. officials, confirmed that the Taliban had captured three American nationals in the past two years.

We believe that the U.S. administration will make it happen as they are very interested in getting back their three nationals currently held in Afghanistan, he said.

He did not name the three Americans, whom he said were accused of spying and preaching Christianity in Afghanistan. But the Taliban have previously confirmed they are holding Ryan Corbett and George Glezmann, both of whom the State Department has classified as wrongfully detained.

Corbett, a longtime resident of Afghanistan before the U.S. withdrawal, was arrested while on a business trip to the country in August 2022, while Glezmann was arrested during a trip to Afghanistan in December of that year. Both men are said to have experienced declining health during their detention.

The Taliban have not confirmed whether they are holding a third person, Mahmood Habibi, a naturalized American who worked for an American consulting group and was arrested in his native Afghanistan in August 2022 after the U.S. drone strike that killed Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri.

In addition to Rahim, the Taliban leader said, Afghan officials also demanded the release of two other Afghan nationals imprisoned in the United States who have nothing to do with terrorism or politics.

The charges leveled against them are different and we will hopefully get them back to the Afghanistan, he said.

A spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said that the safety and security of Americans overseas is one of the Biden-Harris Administrations top priorities, and we are working around the clock to ensure George, Ryan, and Mahmoods safe return."

The spokesperson said that "President Biden and his team continue to work, often in partnership with key allies, to negotiate for the release of Americans held hostage or unjustly detained abroad so that they can be reunited with their families, and the Administration will do so throughout the remainder of the term.

Members and supporters of the Taliban in Kabul, Afghanistan in 2022.

According to a 2014 Senate report, the Central Intelligence Agency subjected Rahim, who was captured in Pakistan, to enhanced interrogation techniques that included sleep deprivation sessions lasting up to almost six days. They did not produce any intelligence.

Rahim is currently ineligible to leave Guantanamo, having been deemed a continuing national security threat by a federal review panel multiple times, most recently in November 2023.

The U.S.-Taliban negotiations were first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

In the past four years, Biden has brought back more than 75 American citizens and residents detained around the world, including three from China in a prisoner swap this fall and four from Russia in a multinational prisoner swap last summer. In 2022, Biden approved the release of an Afghan drug lord in U.S. custody in exchange for Navy veteran Mark Frerichs, who was held captive in Afghanistan for 2 years.

But agreeing to release an Afghan prisoner at Guantanamo could be politically trickier for Biden, who has come under withering criticism from lawmakers over the chaotic withdrawal of U.S.-led forces from Afghanistan in August 2021.

The White House has said Biden is determined to close Guantanamo Bay before the end of his term.

On Monday, the Pentagon said it had transferred 11 Yemeni men to Oman this week who had been held without charge at Guantanamo for more than two decades. Their release brings the total number of remaining detainees at Guantanamo to 15, the fewest since 2002.

Mushtaq Yusufzai reported from Peshawar, Pakistan, and Jennifer Jett reported from Hong Kong.
This 2016 photo shows the exterior of Camp 6 at the detention center at the Guantanamo Bay US Naval base, in Cuba. (Ben Fox/AP/File)

The US offered to trade a Guantanamo Bay prisoner in exchange for the release of three Americans held in Afghanistan, a source familiar told CNN.

The US has been in discussions with the Taliban for months about a deal to free Ryan Corbett, George Glezmann and Mahmoud Habibi, all of whom were detained in Afghanistan in 2022. The Taliban has not acknowledged detaining Habibi.

The US presented an offer to trade Muhammad Rahim al Afghani, alleged to have been a close associate of Osama bin Laden, for the three Americans. The Taliban countered by asking for Rahim and two other people.

Roger Carstens, the top US hostage envoy, was in Doha, Qatar, in recent days and presented a new and significant offer to the Taliban, according to another source. They did not provide details about the new offer.

The Biden administration has had success securing the release of Americans wrongfully detained abroad, most recently from China and Russia. However, the efforts to bring the Americans home from Afghanistan are likely to face political headwinds amplified by the deadly US withdrawal in August 2021 that saw the Taliban come to power.

A spokesperson for the US National Security Council would not confirm the details of the offers, which were first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

However, they said the administration is working around the clock to ensure George, Ryan, and Mahmoods safe return.

They also touted the successes by the Biden administration in securing the release of Americans held abroad.

President Biden and his team continue to work, often in partnership with key allies, to negotiate for the release of Americans held hostage or unjustly detained abroad so that they can be reunited with their families, and the administration will do so throughout the remainder of the term, the spokesperson said.

The Biden administration does not acknowledge the Taliban as the official government of Afghanistan but has engaged with the group in Doha to discuss issues like human rights and the detained Americans.

We are deeply concerned about the well-being of Americans unjustly detained in Afghanistan  Mahmood, Ryan, and George Glezmann  and raise their detentions in every engagement we have with the Taliban, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in August. Bringing them home will continue to be a top priority for the United States as we work to obtain their release.

Both Glezmann and Corbett have been declared wrongfully detained by the US State Department. In August 2024, the FBI issued a request for information about Habibi.

The families have long been pressing the US government to do more to secure the release of their loved ones. Corbett and Glezmanns wives have expressed deep concerns about their husbands health.

Dennis Fitzpatrick, the Glezmann family attorney, told CNN Wednesday that George has been depressed and frantic in calls to his wife, Aleksandra.

In a letter to Biden in July, Aleksandra Glezmann wrote that her husbands health is failing, that he had a benign tumor on one side of his face, was losing vision in one eye and had developed sores and ulcers on his body.

I have recently been allowed short, monitored phone calls with George. He expresses despair that I have never heard from him previously. In addition to his words, I can hear the resignation in his voice, she wrote.

Fitzpatrick on Wednesday said he hoped a deal could be made in the final days of the Biden administration, but said that key officials like the president and national security adviser need to make some decisions.

Last March, Corbetts wife, Anna, told CNN she was concerned for her husbands wellbeing.

His health is declining. His mental health is declining. And he is still alive but we dont know how long and we need to bring him back home immediately, she said at the time.

CNNs Arlette Saenz contributed to this story.

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A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire as it burns a structure in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles. (Ethan Swope/AP)

Vice President Kamala Harris' neighborhood of Brentwood in Los Angeles was ordered to evacuate Tuesday night as wildfires continue to blaze in the area, her spokesperson said.

"Last night, the Vice President's neighborhood in Los Angeles was put under an evacuation order. No one was in her home at the time," Ernie Apreza said in a statement. "She and the Second Gentleman are praying for the safety of their fellow Californians, the heroic first responderss, and Secret Service personnel."

RELATED STORY | 2 dead as extreme wind gusts fuel Los Angeles-area wildfires

The wildfires, which have scorched more than 1,000 structures and claimed the lives of at least two people in southern California, have been fueled by an extreme wind storm that has brought gusts around 100 mph to the region.

The largest of the fires is the Palisades Fire, which has consumed over 2,900 acres, according to Cal Fire. Extremely high winds forced firefighting aircraft to remain grounded late Tuesday and into Wednesday, only hampering containment efforts.

In northern Los Angeles County, officials were battling the Eaton Fire, which had consumed 2,200 acres as of Wednesday morning. And overnight, a wildfire in Sylmar known as the Hurst Fire flared up and quickly consumed 500 acres within a matter of hours.

RELATED STORY | Yes, wildfires are actually becoming more intense and more common, study says

Vice President Harris said she and President Biden are committed to ensuring that nobody in the area has to respond to this disaster alone and have mobilized federal resources to help fight the blazes.

"As a proud daughter of California, I know the damage that wildfires have on our neighbors and communities," Harris said in a statement. "I also know that the impact is often felt long after the fires is contained. As we respond and as Californians recover, I will ensure that our administration is in constant contact with state and local officials."
Walmart (WMT) CEO Doug McMillon sat down with President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday, sources told Yahoo Finance.

The one-on-one meeting at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate comes less than two weeks before he takes office for the second time. McMillon is one of many executives meeting with Trump ahead of Inauguration Day. Others include Amazon (AMZN) founder Jeff Bezos, Meta (META) co-founder Mark Zuckerberg, Pfizer (PFE) CEO Albert Bourla, and TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew.

Doug enjoyed reconnecting with President Trump on a range of topics," a Walmart spokesperson told Yahoo Finance, adding that it was a "great conversation."

McMillon's tenure atop Walmart began in 2014, and he previously worked with Trump's first administration. He served on an advisory council before it was disbanded in August 2017, then on a special task force in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020.

"We stand ready to help move our country forward, Walmart's spokesperson added.

Walmart CEO Doug McMillon shakes hands with US President Donald Trump after he announced the declaration of a national emergency in reaction to the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic on March 13, 2020, in Washington, D.C. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)

Walmart is America's biggest retailer with 1.6 million US workers, often setting the tone for the industry. The company did not share the topics discussed, but McMillon has previously said that one of his top concerns is the impact of potential tariffs.

Read more: What are tariffs, and how do they affect you?

The president-elect has floated a range of new tariffs, such as 10% tariff on all imports and 60% on Chinese imports to cut the trade deficit.

Potential tariffs could hit the chain's profit due to elevated costs. The retailer might have to pass along that cost to healthy but price-sensitive consumers heading into 2025.

McMillon said his team successfully dealt with tariffs under Trump's first administration in 2017.

"We're positioned to manage it, but what I worry about is customers experiencing higher prices, and we're going do everything we can to try and keep them low," he told Yahoo Finance's Executive Editor Brian Sozzi.

He then shared that he plans to encourage leaders he meets to "be strategic and really thoughtful with them [tariffs] and help them understand how the math works."

When labor strikes hit the East and Gulf Coast ports last October, Strategic Resource Group's Burt Flickinger told Yahoo Finance that 80% of the nonfood goods sold at Walmart come from the Asia Pacific and international regions.

Read more: Best credit cards for shopping at Walmart (2025)

Walmart's stock has been on a tear over the past year. It's up more than 70%, outpacing the S&P 500's (^GSPC) 24% gain, leading the retailer to be named Yahoo Finance's 2024 Company of the Year.



Brooke DiPalma is a senior reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter at @BrookeDiPalma or email her at bdipalma@yahoofinance.com.

Click here for all of the latest retail stock news and events to better inform your investing strategy
Darylnn Washington

A woman who was found dead in an abandoned Michigan house has been identified nearly 20 years after her death  and she was likely the victim of a serial killer, officials announced on Jan. 6.

Darylnn Washington was identified as the Jane Doe discovered on the east side of Detroit in June 2006, through a partnership between the Detroit Police Department and Othram Inc., a Texas-based forensic genetic genealogy firm specializing in advanced DNA testing, the company shared in a press release.

Per the release, authorities said the woman was believed to be between 20-30 years old and was 5 feet tall, but no other distinguishing features could be identified. Officials said she had died only days prior to the discovery of her remains, and her manner of death was ruled as a homicide.

The woman remained a Jane Doe for nearly 20 years, despite authorities' attempts to verify her identity by entering her information into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) and publicly sharing a forensic composite of what she may have looked like, according to the release.

In April 2022, the Detroit Police Department teamed up with Othram to conduct advanced DNA testing, leading to the woman's identification as Washington, per the release. Officials said she was born on June 15, 1959 and that her family has been notified.

Washington was most likely the victim of Shelly Brooks, a Detroit-area serial killer who allegedly confessed to the murder, Othram said.

Michigan Department of Corrections Shelly Brooks

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Brooks was charged in 2006 with killing seven women he had paid for sex, the Associated Press reports.

The following year, Brooks, now 55, was sentenced to life in state prison after being convicted of two murders, according to court records; he's serving his time at Kinross Correctional Facility in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

A county prosecutor told the AP the other murders were not tried in court due to Brooks life sentence.



Read the original article on People
Elon Musk, the billionaire tech mogul, has recently shared a flurry of posts on X (formerly Twitter) accusing senior UK politicians of covering up a scandal involving gangs of men grooming and raping girls in England.

In a series of posts, Musk accused UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer of failing to prosecute grooming gangs during his tenure as Director of Public Prosecutions, adding that the politician was "complicit in the rape of Britain" for not addressing these crimes effectively.

Musk also criticized other Labour politicians, including Minister Jess Phillips and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, for failing to pursue grooming gang cases and instead enabling child abuse in Britain.

Explaining UK's Grooming Scandal

The UK grooming gang scandal refers to a series of high-profile cases involving the organized sexual exploitation and abuse of children, primarily young girls, by groups of men in England's north and Midlands beginning in 1997. The grooming gangs were exposed in a series of investigative articles published by The Times of London in 2011.

Three years later, a landmark inquiry by Prof. Alexis Jay made a "conservative" estimate that over 1,400 girls, some as young as 11, were sexually exploited in the town of Rotherham between 1997 and 2013.

Local authorities reportedly deemed the children to be having consensual sex with the perpetrators. The inquiry also noted that local officials were wary of identifying the ethnic origins of the perpetrators--- the majority of whom were of Pakistani heritage---in fear of being seen as racist.

The grooming followed a similar pattern: Rotherham girls would be courted by young men in public places. They will later be introduced to alcohol and drugs before engaging in a sexual relationship with one man. The victims would later be coerced to have sex with the friends of the perpetrator to prove their love.

Similar operations were uncovered in Oxford, Oldham, and Rochdale.

How Was Starmer Involved in the Scandal?

Starmer was the head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) between 2008 and 2013 and was responsible for bringing charges against the perpetrators. In 2009, however, CPS lawyers decided not to prosecute the perpetrators, arguing that the victims would not come across as reliable. That said, there is no evidence that Starmer was made aware of the details of the case, per The Guardian.

In 2011, then-chief prosecutor Nazir Afzal overturned the 2009 decision and convicted nine men for sexually exploiting 47 girls. In 2013, Starmer revised CPS procedures to ensure no victim in future grooming cases would be dismissed.

While police officers and social services were found to have failed victims in subsequent inquiries, authorities have not found any evidence of a cover-up.

Are Musk's Claims True?

While the billionaire did share real court transcript excerpts in his posts, he distorted timelines and made a false claim that Starmer knew the victims made "informed choices," according to The Washington Post.

A political expert who spoke to the publication also noted that Musk is advancing right-wing political agenda in his posts.

Musk is currently lined up to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the incoming Donald Trump administration.
by Steve Suwannarat

On the anniversary of the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime, the former prime minister, who has transferred power to his son Hun Manet, calls for new law against those who undermine the countrys stability. Meanwhile, a former MP from a disbanded opposition party was killed in a mysterious ambush in the Thai capital, a few hours after crossing the border by bus.

Phnom Penh (AsiaNews)  Yesterday, 7 January, former Prime Minister Hun Sen, once a Khmer Rouge commander, called for a new law to fight "terrorists" who undermine the countrys stability and the power of his son, Hun Manet, who succeeded him at the helm of the government in 2023.

The day marks the end of the Khmer Rouge regime that ruled the country between 1975 and 1979 through torture, mass executions, forced labour and starvation that killed two million Cambodians.

Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party chose to mark the anniversary as a second birth" of the Khmer nation, a "day of victory" against the brutal regime led by Pol Pot; it also offered the former prime minister an opportunity to call on the government to draft and implement a new law against any person or group who plans or conspires to create an extremist movement, cause chaos and insecurity in society, provoke conflicts with other states and attempt to overthrow the legitimate government as terrorists who must be brought to justice.

The use of legislation and a compliant judiciary has allowed Hun Sen to rule since Pol Pots fall and keep it almost continuously for a decade with Vietnamese help and later through brutal repression.

Despite international condemnation, the older Hun has silenced the opposition, forcing many of its members into exile. One of them was Lim Kimya, 74, a former lawmaker with the Cambodia National Rescue Party, who was killed on Tuesday with three gunshots in the Thai capital Bangkok a few hours after crossing the border by bus with his wife and an uncle.

An arrest warrant was issued for the suspected murderer, who rode a motorcycle.

Usually, the Cambodian government tries to get ahead of its critics by noting how "extremist opposition elements are often quick to blame Cambodian authorities when such incidents occur.

For its part, Human Rights Watch Asia has called for rapid and thorough investigation and prosecution of those responsible, noting how the Cambodian government has frequently intimidated, controlled and persecuted former members of the main opposition party dissolved on charges of treason in 2018, including those living in neighbouring Thailand.

While never hiding his views, or even his active political militancy, Lim Kimya, who was a dual French-Cambodian national, was never a leading opponent to Hun Sen or his son. Doubts therefore remain about the reasons for his assassination, which Thai authorities are called to dispel.
Today's news: the Hibakusha ask Ishiba to attend the summit on banning nuclear weapons; US and Saudi Arabia pressure Lebanon to elect an army commander as president; Delhi goes to the polls on 5 February for the local legislative assembly; Kyrgyzstan hands over schools Ankara linked to Fetullah Gulen to a Turkish state body.

CHINA-THAILAND-MYANMAR

A Chinese actor who went missing last week near the Thai-Myanmar border has been found in Myanmar and may have been a victim of human trafficking, according to Bangkok authorities. Wang Xing, 22, had been reported missing in Tak province in northern Thailand, an area known for large-scale criminal enterprises and human trafficking by organised gangs. He had been told there was a casting in Thailand, but instead found himself scamming other Chinese people via the web.

CHINA

Not only the Chinese authorities, but also many independent medical sources are urging people to avoid alarmism over the images circulating on social networks about Chinese hospitals being invaded by people wearing masks because of the human influenza-like metapneumovirus (HMPV). Beijing has acknowledged an increase in cases of this infection affecting the respiratory tract, especially among children, attributing it to a seasonal spike. According to public health experts, however, HMPV is not like Covid-19: it is a virus that has been around for decades, although it should be kept in mind that in some very young children and people with weakened immune systems, it can cause more serious illnesses.

JAPAN

Nihon Hidankyo, the Japanese atomic bomb survivors' group that won the Nobel Peace Prize, today met with Japanese prizewinner Shigeru Ishiba and asked the Tokyo government to participate as an observer at the summit of countries signing the UN treaty to ban nuclear weapons, scheduled to take place in New York in March. However, the group's co-chairman, Terumi Tanaka, said that the approximately 30-minute interview with the prime minister, held to congratulate the group on the award, produced no results on the issue. Japanese government spokesman, Yoshimasa Hayashi, said the government would examine how to take a realistic and practical approach in response to the request.

LEBANON

According to sources quoted by Middle East Eye, US envoy Amos Hochstein has told Lebanese officials that Saudi Arabia is ready to pledge hundreds of millions of dollars to rebuild the war-torn country if Lebanese army commander Joseph Aoun is elected president in the sensitive vote set for tomorrow in Beirut. Hochstein has been intensively lobbying in favour of Aoun with Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri. Aoun can already count on the support of Lebanon's Sunni Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

INDIA

The Indian capital Delhi will go to the polls in a single round on 5 February to renew its Legislative Assembly, the Election Commission announced yesterday, specifying that counting of votes in all 70 constituencies in the national capital will take place on 8 February. The Aam Aadmi Party led by Arvind Kejriwal is seeking a third consecutive term in the capital. There are 15,524,858 registered voters in Delhi, a net increase of 1.09 per cent compared to the previous election in 2020.

RUSSIA

As of 1 September 2026, all higher education institutions in Russia will adopt the new model of studies prepared by the Ministry of Scientific Research, following the rejection of the Bologna Agreements and Erasmus student exchanges, in which more than 15,000 Russian students had participated since 2014, while Russian degrees will now be incompatible.

KYRGYZSTAN-TURKEY

Kyrgyzstan has handed over to the Maarif Fund, an organisation of Turkey's Ministry of Education, the Turkish Salat network of schools, 16 high schools, five schools and the Ala-Too University in Biskek, which is believed to be an elite group of institutes in the country, but which Ankara believes to be connected to the late Turkish opponent Fetullah Gulen, to the extent of kidnapping in Biskek and sentencing the director Orkhan Inandi to 21 years in prison for terrorism in Turkey.
The latest case concerns Umm al-Hiran, razed to the ground to build Dror, a new Jewish Orthodox town. Some of the land was offered at ridiculously low prices to members of Garin Torani's Zionist religious group. Peace Now warns that with the Netanyahu-Smotrich-Ben Gvir government, authorisations for new homes in the settlements are breaking new records every week.

Jerusalem (AsiaNews)  The Israeli government is selling off part of the land that historically belonged to Negev Bedouins at ridiculously low prices, after razing their villages, turning the land over to West Bank settlers.

According to Israeli newspaper Haaretz, the main beneficiaries include members of Garin Torani, a Zionist religious group from the Eli settlement, north of Ramallah, to which the authorities have sold much coveted plots at prices comparable to those of a used car.

Plots of a few hundred square metres worth more than US$ 80,000 at market value can be bought for US$ 3,500 to US$ 19,000 without a tender.

Meanwhile, displaced Bedouins forcibly moved to a local Bedouin town have been denied the status of "local residents, so have little chance of buying, except in rare cases of small plots, far smaller than the original properties, at market value.

Before the creation of Israel in 1948, the Negev was home to about 92,000 Bedouins. After the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, only 11,000 remained within Israel's borders. Many ended up living in unrecognised and unplanned villages, without basic services such as running water, sewage and electricity.

Very few have access to air-raid shelters (the only victim of the Iranian attack in early April last year was a Bedouin girl), while most refuse to be resettled and so face great difficulties in Israeli society. Today they number 300,000, half of whom live in cities and half in villages not recognised by Israel.

Israel recently resumed the construction of new buildings in Dror, a newly created Orthodox Jewish town, which stands on the land of the southern Bedouin village of Umm al-Hiran, which was never recognised and demolished in November.

A month later  on 29 December  two tenders by the Israel Land Authority were closed, concerning the construction of the future village, near Meitar and Hura.

Several firms have been awarded contracts to build 620 residential units, for a total price of 40 million shekels (just under US$ 11 million), with development costs at 108 million shekels (US$ 29.5 million).

This was followed by the tender for 36 single-family homes, with a plot for a single-family home priced at 303,000 shekels (around us$ 82,000), plus construction costs and the entrepreneur's profit, based on reasonable prices.

However, it appears that in 2023 and 2024 Israel Land Authority made three assignments without a tender, to buy plots for private construction in that same future community, at completely different prices.

Priority was given to "local" buyers, defined as follows: members of the Rabbinical Academy of Eli in the West Bank, who founded a Garin Torani (Torah Nucleus), or residents of the Tamar Regional Council.

Thus, without a contract, Eli academy members received 115 of the 345 lots of up to 740 square metres at a ridiculously (or symbolic) price, ranging from 13,000 to 70,000 shekels, driving out the Bedouins who had been settled in the area since the 1950s even though they had won in court in 2015 the right to live in the area and be moved only in exchange for an agreed replacement plot of land.

Meanwhile, the Higher Planning Council (HPC) met today for the sixth consecutive week to give the green light to the construction of new housing units in Jewish settlements in the West Bank: 448 in today's session alone.

Under the current government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (and his two, far-right allies, Smotrich and Ben Gvir), settlement activity has reached unprecedented levels. In 2023, the HPC approved 12,349 new housing units, an all-time high, followed by 9,884 units in 2024.

According to Peace Now, the move to weekly planning meetings represents both a "normalization of the process and intensification of settlement construction.

If today's numbers are approved, the total for the six weeks will be 2,377 housing units. At this rate, 2025 will set new records, with projections exceeding 1,500 units per month.

The Higher Planning Councils weekly meetings indicate an attempt to normalize settlement planning, aiming to maximize housing unit approvals while minimizing public and international criticism, based on an annexationist agenda that will likely lead to a political and security crisis.
At today's audience in Paul VI Hall, Bergoglio began 2025 with the first of two catechesis dedicated to the youngest. He condemned the scourge of child labour, exploitation and abuse: May every boy and girl grow up receiving and giving love. After Epiphany the invitation to reflect light with one's life.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Two catecheses dedicated to children and to the scourge of childhood humiliated, exploited, wounded to death. The year 2025 begins with the little ones in mind, starting with this morning's general audience held in the Vatican's Paul VI Hall.

Today we know how to look towards Mars or towards virtual worlds, but we struggle to look into the eyes of a child who has been left on the margins and who is exploited and abused. Motivated by these assumptions, the pontiff led us to reflect on why the century that generates artificial intelligence and designs multi-planetary existences actually ignores the rights of children.

Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such as these belongs the kingdom of God (Mk 10:14), are the famous words of rebuke Jesus addressed to his disciples at the time of his public life. Today's catechesis, read at the opening of the audience after the reading of the reference passage (Lk 18:15-17), began with a question: What message does Sacred Scripture give us about children?. Many were the little ones present in the Aula Nervi. Pope Francis pointed out that after the word Jahweh, the most recurring word in the Bible is bet, which means son (almost 5,000 occurrences).

Children are a gift from God. Unfortunately, this gift is not always treated with respect. The Bible itself takes us to the streets of history where songs of joy resound, but also the screams of the victims are raised, he said.

Citing, as an example of painful episodes, the slaughter of children in Bethlehem ordered by Herod - a sombre drama that is repeated in other forms in History, Pope Francis said - and the flight of Mary, Joseph and Jesus, who become refugees in a foreign country, as happens also today to so many people, to so many children.

At other times Jesus mentioned children to share teachings. The same children who nowadays are often forced to work and are therefore victims of the scourge of child labour, which does not allow them to nourish their talents.

In every part of the earth, there are children exploited by an economy that does not respect life; an economy that, in so doing, burns our greatest reservoir of hope and love, are the harsh words of Pope Francis, who this morning appeared chilled, his voice a little fatigued. We cannot remain indifferent.

Bergoglio finally addressed these words to every Christian, to those who recognise themselves as children of God, and who therefore perform the service of bringing the good news of the Gospel to others in the world.

We cannot accept that little sisters and brothers, instead of being loved and protected, are robbed of their childhood, of their dreams, victims of exploitation and marginality, he added.

Let us ask the Lord to open our minds and hearts to care and tenderness, and that every child in the world may grow in age, wisdom and grace, receiving and giving love, was the prayer that concluded the catechesis.

At the end of the audience, bringing greetings to the faithful and the Italian-speaking pilgrims, Pope Francis invited every believer to reflect in his own existence the grace received in the Christmas and Epiphany celebrations just concluded.

The Church invites every baptised person, after having adored the glory of God in the Word made flesh, to reflect the light with his or her own life.

Finally he also had a prayer for peace shared with those present. Let us not forget the tormented Ukraine, let us not forget Nazareth, Israel. Let us not forget all the countries at war. Let us ask for peace. And let us not forget that war always, always, is a defeat'.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

The demobilisation of Moscow's army from all its positions in the country is now an obvious fact. According to many sources, part of the personnel and equipment could be transferred from Syria to Africa, first of all to Libya, to the territory under the control of General Khalifa Haftar. It is more unlikely that the troops returning to Russia will significantly affect the conflict in Uctaina.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - After more than three weeks since people began wondering how Russia could retain its military bases in the new Islamic Syria, the situation is becoming significantly clearer: even those who thought permanence was possible are now witnessing a real evacuation of Russian troops from all positions.

The military columns that lined up, leaving Latakia and Tartus, passed in full view, and in some videos Syrian men in military uniforms were seen throwing stones at the Russian trucks from the sides of the road.

In another video, the exodus of Russian soldiers from the Tiyas airbase, also known as T-4 or Tifor between Homs and Palmyra, was seen.

The footage also shows military technology abandoned in the flight of the armies of the former Bashir Assad regime. Nearly 500 military personnel, according to reports by Russian journalist Anastasia Kasevarova, moved to the Tartus base and then to the Hmeimim air base, from where many were flown back to Russia.

Satellite images also show the manoeuvres of the Russian retreat from Syria. The ships ready to transport the troops remained 8-15 kilometres from the shore, and one of them, the patrol ship Admiral Grigorovich, was filmed refuelling from the tunker Vjazma, which was previously stationed in Tartus, where the Russians evidently no longer have a port for their boats.

From the port of Tartus, in fact, the Monolit-B mobile radio surveillance port complex, which had been in operation for many years, was dismantled, while the landing ships Ivan Gren and Aleksandr Otrakovsky headed in that direction, evidently with the task of loading all the equipment still remaining in Syria.

In recent days, Turkey's foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, declared that Ankara does not approve of the presence of any foreign military base in the country, and the Turks allowed Russian aircraft to fly to the Hmeimim base, despite having closed the airspace to Russia since 2022, allowing them to transport people, but not war materials. This is in contrast to statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin that we do not know whether our soldiers will remain in Syria.

According to many sources, part of the Russian personnel and equipment could be transferred from Syria to Africa, first of all to Libya, where the contingent of Russian forces is mainly concentrated in the eastern part of the country, on the territory under the control of Moscow ally General Khalifa Haftar.

The Libyan sites most accessible to the Russians are the Al-Jufrah airbase, the port and airport of Benghazi and the port of Tobruk, and there have already been Russian flights in these directions.

Russia has several other bases in Africa, where it has greatly strengthened its military activities in recent years: in addition to Libya, the most hospitable countries are Mali, Central Africa and Sudan, although the transfer of large contingents of war tech would cost Moscow very dearly, according to experts' calculations.

Already today between Libya and Mali there are at least 1,200 Russian volunteers of the African Corpus, heir of the Wagner Company of the late Evgenij Prigozin, and other satellite images show a peak of activity in the maritime base in Sudan, where the Russians have an agreement to occupy the Red Sea control zone from 2019.

Since the previous year, the Russians have been stationed in the republic of Central Africa, but commentators rule out an excessive dispersal of Russian forces in all these different locations.

Putin's priority, after all, is not the defence of the various African leaders, but the preservation of his own forces even in distant territories.

On the various Telegram channels historically linked to the Wagner fighters, there is considerable scepticism about Moscow's ability to maintain control over its positions in Africa, as it no longer has the necessary port of call of Syria.

According to various observers, the contingents being evacuated from the Syrian bases will not particularly affect the conflict in Ukraine, as they amount to between 5 and 7 thousand soldiers, most of whom are dedicated to logistical operations, in addition to translators, advisors, and officers, while the actual fighters are the equivalent of a single battalion, certainly not capable of producing a disruptive effect on the war.
8 January 2025 18:46 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

The more mutual accusations there are between Pashinyan and the former Garabagh clan, which played a significant role in the occupation of Azerbaijan's Garabagh, and their kingmaker, Levon Ter-Petrosyan, the more new crimes are revealed regarding the atrocities committed in Garabagh during the 1990s.

As is known, the invasion of Garabagh and seven adjacent rayons, along with war crimes such as looting civilians and mass killings like Khojaly, Baganis Ayrim, generally have been put down to only the Garabagh clan which contradicts the nature of the matter. The Garabagh clan and its leaders, Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan, were nothing more than provincial figures who spent most of their lives in rural areas. The claim that these two unseasoned guys orchestrated a scheme that would affect the foreign policies of all neighboring countries and plunge the region into such chaos that it would take years to resolve is implausible. It is well known that the first Armenian president Levon Ter-Petrosyan parachuted the said inexperienced provincial figures into important positions, which eventually paved the way to overthrow Petrosyan himself. On the other hand, some sources purport that even Levon Ter-Petrosyan was a pawn in this process. Armenian lobby groups and underground organizations such as ASALA and Dashnaktsutyun, operated outside the USSR, organized the process, while simultaneously arming Garabagh residents of Armenian origin starting in the 1960s and 1970s.

However, all of the aforementioned have remained just claims until last week. Several days ago, footage revealing the nasty character of Levon Ter-Petrosyan, who had been hidden under the shadow of the clan until then, was circulated on the internet. In the footage which many believe that Pashinyans government deliberately circulated, giving a speech before an unknown audience (probably members of Armenian organizations operating outside the country), Levon briefs on the process and sheds light on several issues. To tell the truth, his speech style, tone, and wordings put even the most prominent fascist war criminals in second place.

Levon speaks highly of ethnic cleansing, referring to it as 'purging the country,' in other words, purging Armenia of ethnic minorities, more specifically Azerbaijanis. He calls ethnic minorities a threat against Armenian statehood. On a side note, he emphasizes Azerbaijanis when he speaks about ethnic minorities and unfortunately, people commenting on his speech repeat it as well. However, it should be underlined that Armenian fascism is not limited only to Azerbaijanis and other Turkic people. Armenia expelled thousands of Muslim Kurds together with Azerbaijanis. Even Russia could not stay in Armenia in the 1990s and every four citizens out of five with Russian origin were obliged to leave the country. Thus, once a poly-ethnic country turned into a mono-ethnic one. Literally, Armenian fascism, like all fascist ideologies, does not tolerate any other ethnicity except its own.

He also extolled bringing 500,000 then-Azerbaijani citizens of Armenian origin to Armenia. He said that he held his breath about the contribution of Armenians coming from Baku to increase the number of population in the country. It is worth noting that his gaffes or acknowledgment gives an insight into the Sumgayit pogrom which caused fear among Armenians living in Soviet Azerbaijan and led them fleeing from Azerbaijan. It provides a good response to the following questions: 'Why should Azerbaijan have done such a thing? What were Azerbaijan's benefits from it? On the other hand, Levon Ter-Petrosyan explained how valuable the Sumgayit pogrom was and how Armenia benefitted it. It also gives us a clue as to why Armenian officials released Eduard Grigorian, a participant in the pogrom, in Yerevan.

In addition, thanks to Levon Ter-Petrosyan, whole the world found out the reason why the Garabagh conflict had not been resolved over 30 years. In the footage, he declares that Armenia succeeded in taking the Status of Garabagh out of the Agenda. As for the resolution of the conflict, he says that Armenia is not in a hurry. The negotiation process can be extended as much as possible, as the Azerbaijani proverb goes during this time either donkey will die or shah (the owner of donkey).

The end of the footage is also very interesting. For over 30 years, the Armenian side has been blowing smoke about the invasion of Aghdam, which was the initiative of the Garabagh clan. Even Robert Kocheryan noted in his book that they invaded Agdam without the concession of Yerevan. Even during the invasion, Levon phoned him and demanded to withdraw from Aghdam, and Robert deceived him saying that something happened in Aghdam and they didn`t know what it was. However, the footage ends with Levons declaration of the Aghdam invasion which the audience hailed and welcomed with applauds.

This revelation not only exposes the true orchestrators behind the conflict but also highlights the deep-rooted issues within the Armenian political landscape. It underscores the need for a thorough investigation and accountability for the crimes committed, ensuring that justice is served for the victims and their families. The international community must take note of these developments and support efforts to bring about lasting peace and reconciliation in the region.
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8 January 2025 17:14 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

In a bid to enhance living standards and inject vibrancy into the capital city, Azerbaijan is set to launch a series of ambitious urban transportation projects. President Ilham Aliyev, in a recent interview with local media, elaborated on the country's ongoing efforts to address urban transport challenges and mitigate traffic congestion through substantial infrastructure developments.

Reflecting on past issues, President Aliyev highlighted the significant strides made in constructing new roads, tunnels, and junctions, all of which have substantially eased the daily commute for both residents and visitors. These efforts have not only reduced traffic density but have also contributed to a smoother and more efficient transportation system.

However, recognizing the rapid pace of Azerbaijan's development and the concurrent rise in citizens' financial well-being, President Aliyev underscored the necessity for continuous investment in urban transportation. He articulated a forward-looking vision, emphasizing the government's commitment to sustaining and enhancing urban mobility through innovative projects.

In a notable revelation, the Azerbaijani President announced the construction of ten new metro stations in Baku as part of the upcoming initiatives. While the specific locations of these new stations remain undisclosed, the President confirmed that the sites have been selected and that investments will commence this year. This expansion aims to further alleviate traffic congestion and provide residents with more convenient and accessible public transportation options.

The strategic development of Baku's metro network is expected to play a pivotal role in supporting the city's growth and urbanization. By expanding the metro system, the government aims to foster greater connectivity, reduce travel times, and enhance the overall quality of urban life.

As Azerbaijan continues to advance its infrastructure, these transportation projects symbolize the country's broader aspirations for modernization and prosperity.

Speaking to Azernews on the issue, the expert on transport Rauf Aghamirzayev pointed out that currently, without official information, it is difficult to specify the exact locations of the proposed metro stations. However, he mentioned that during a previous presentation on metro trains, a map of the targeted stations was presented to the president.

From these diagrams, we can infer potential plans. According to the map, there are planned stations along the 8 November for the Green Line and an extension of the Purple Line to the city center. Additionally, the project seems to include the separation of lines at the 28 May station and the construction of the Darnagul depot, he opined.

Rauf Aghamirzayev added that these projects are crucial for urban transportation and it is anticipated that the construction of the mentioned 10 stations will be completed within five years.

They emphasized that this expansion will help disperse the current passenger load within the metro, facilitate the formation of new lines and routes, and reduce the intervals on the existing three lines.

Currently, the Baku Metro consists of three lines: Red, Green, and Purple, serviced by only two depots. This issue will be addressed with the new developments. Presently, the Red Line operates with a two-minute interval, the Green Line with a four-minute interval, and the Purple Line with a seven-minute interval. The construction of new stations will reduce these intervals. Additionally, the new stations will impact above-ground transportation, particularly affecting the operations of buses, another form of public transport.

These initiatives are essential for the citys transportation infrastructure, and I believe that this will be just the beginning of further developments in the future, he concluded.
8 January 2025 13:45 (UTC+04:00)

Elnur Enveroglu Read more

To have authority in the political arena, to maintain it, and to fight successfully until the end based on it, is the greatest skill. Unfortunately, today such politicians are as rare as hen's teeth.

President Ilham Aliyev highlighted a wide range of extremely important issues in an interview with local television channels on January 7. With his comprehensive answers to journalists' questions, he once again gave advice to the Armenian side, as well as to the political circles that selflessly support it in every aspect.

It should be recalled that since 2020, Azerbaijan's efforts to ensure its territorial integrity and restore its sovereignty have caused a number of countries to be further irritated. In particular, the biased positions of Canada and a number of European countries, including France, regarding the processes in Garabagh in 2022 and 2023 have not been slipped from memory. At that time, some diplomats who defended Armenia were unaware of what would happen today. However, time waits for no one, and everything deserves its reward according to the dictates of time. Here, it is enough to simply draw conclusions and be foresight. Azerbaijani policy has once again demonstrated its strength due to its foresight and proved that Armenia did no more than wasting time.

While there were ample opportunities for signing a peace treaty in 2024, the Yerevan administration, which tried to change the situation with various manoeuvres, returned to its old traditions in 2025; Armenia's violation of the ceasefire from the Lachin direction once again made it clear that its peace dove hides evil inside it.

However, Armenia deliberately refused the peace opportunities and evaded the known conditions.

In a wide-ranging interview, President Ilham Aliyev expressed hope that all of Azerbaijan's conditions for a peace treaty would be accepted. In response to such behaviour by Armenia, he said, "If Armenia does not need a peace treaty, we do not need one either. We can live and conduct our own policy without signing it."

Advising the Armenian side to carefully weigh everything, including geopolitical changes in the world, the Azerbaijani President added the following in his response: I would still advise the Armenian side to weigh everything up, including geopolitical changes in the world. Their close friends are being shamefully removed from the political scene. Yesterday, news came that Mr. Trudeau, a close friend of Armenia and Pashinyan, also had to resign. This country, which was very anti-Azerbaijani during and after the Second Garabagh War, is not far from France. As for France, what is happening on the political scene there now? Everyone can see that.

We hope that Canada will not blame Azerbaijan for what is happening in a country like France. After all, Macron always blames Baku for the mud thrown at him in his country, and for the slaps he receives. In Canada, Trudeau's resignation was, with certainty, a result of failed governance within the country. Polls circulating on social networks show that Trudeau led the country's economy to a cataclysm during his tenure, and a strong sense of anger has formed within. Of course, this is Canada's internal affairs, and Azerbaijan, unlike others, prefers to mind only its own domestic and foreign policies.

France is likely to be next, and similar news is bound to make headlines soon. Because the country's President Emmanuel Macron is so unaware of his political incompetence that he can't even properly identify the culprit. Perhaps the real culprit of his failure is Armenia, because of which Azerbaijan has become his nightmare.

What can be done... we don't need enemies anyway. If they don't want to be friends, at least they shouldn't be enemies. Azerbaijan achieved the resolution of the 30-year conflict in 44 days. Now, those who don't accept this reality should see the blame not on us, but on themselves.
8 January 2025 20:15 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

The Zangazur Corridor issue still remains a top story on the headlines of the region's countries. The Iranian Foreign Ministrys spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, found himself at the center of a media whirlwind after his statement on the Zangazur corridor was quickly circulated by Azerbaijani media outlets. But it wasnt long before Armenia, caught in the crossfire, went into a panic. The response was swift: Baghaei denied discussing Zangazur, claiming, according to Irans ISNA Agency, that the topic never crossed his lips.

Citing the statement by the Iran MFA spokesperson, the ISNA news agency reports that the statement refers to the issue of fuel for Iranian trucks on the border with Turkiye. Now let's analyze how this "distortion" as some would proclaim happened.

Well, this all began with a report from Irans official news agencies about 1,000 Iranian trucks stranded at the border with Turkiye, caught in a complex web of fuel and tax disputes. Iran had stopped selling fuel to Turkish trucks, triggering a retaliatory tax on Iranian trucks entering Turkiye. Baghaei addressed the issue, mentioning a forthcoming delegation to resolve the fuel disputebut it was his comment that would reverberate: This is not a political issue, but a technical one.

Despite Baghaei's clarification, the Iranian media played a different game. It was Irans own Etimada widely read but non-official platformthat first spread the story about Zangazur. Some Azerbaijani outlets, eager for details, used certain Iranian sources, unknowingly falling victim to the manipulation. Even after Baghaeis refutation, the story remained unchanged on Iranian platforms, adding to the intrigue.

At its heart, the Zangazur corridor is more than just a linkits a crucial project shaping the future of Eurasia. Its a bridge of peace, connecting Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and Iran in a dance of cooperation. Yet, Iran has long resisted the idea. Why?

There are powerful reasons: first, the opening of Zangazur would ease Azerbaijans dependence on Iran by removing Nakhchivan from the blockade. Secondly, it would allow Russia to expand its influence in the Middle East, a region where Iran currently holds sway.

As the geopolitical map shifts, a new dynamic is emerging. Turkiye, a rising power in the Middle East, has weakened Irans position, especially against the backdrop of the Syrian conflict. Iran now finds itself needing to engage with Turkiye or risk losing even more of its already waning regional power.

The other concern for Iran is the potential loss of transit revenues, which was previously mentioned in one of our articles. Let's recite:

"The volume of transit goods passing through Iran has increased by 30% compared to the previous year. From March 2023 to January 2024, 14.2 million tons of cargo transited Iran, generating approximately $1 billion in revenue during these ten months. Given Iran's ongoing economic distress exacerbated by sanctions since the change of regime in 1979, this income is vital. The increasing number and scope of sanctions have severely impacted Iran's economic prospects, making transit revenue a critical lifeline. Even by checking the reports on US Department's official website, we can easily say how much the nation is deprived in terms of profitable gains. For Iran, which is experiencing such economic and political distress, earning income as a transit country is the last resort.

Additionally, Turkiye's foreign trade strategy has increasingly prioritized Central Asia. In general, the realization of the principles of the "United Turkic World" has seriously increased the development trends towards Asia in Turkiye's foreign economic policy. By the end of 2023, trade turnover between Turkiye and Kazakhstan reached a record $6.4 billion, with Uzbekistan also showing significant growth with a whopping 3 billion dollars and with a prospect of reaching 5 billion dollars in the upcoming years. Turkiye is one of the five main trading partners of the Central Asian countries, and Turkiye has become the number one exporter for Turkmenistan in recent years, surpassing China. Therefore, if there is no Zangezur Corridor, Turkiye's increased trade turnover in Central Asia will mean an opportunity for Iran to obtain excellent transit revenues, and an additional obstacle and more costs for Turkiye itself. We all know that, as Moscow is preoccupied with the conflict in Ukraine and redirecting its focus away from the South Caucasus, Tehran is eager to assert its influence in the region."

Azerbaijan, for its part, is demanding more than just access to the corridorits calling for the free movement of goods, people, and vehicles between Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan, with no customs inspections or duties. Moreover, security guarantees must be ensured to safeguard this strategic passage. But this is not about undermining Armenias sovereignty. On the contrary, the Zangazur corridor benefits everyone. Armenia would gain access to Azerbaijans railways, boosting connectivity with Iran and Russia while opening new economic opportunities for international trade.

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev offered a pointed reflection on the issue during an interview with local television channels:

We, as Azerbaijan, are not a source of danger for them [Armenia]. We want peace and cooperation in the South Caucasus. They should not be in the way. They should not act as a geographical barrier between Turkiye and Azerbaijan. The Zangazur corridor must and will be opened. The sooner they understand this, the better it is. Why should we have to go to Nakhchivan, an integral part of Azerbaijan, through different ways? We should have a direct connection, and this connection does not question Armenia's sovereignty. Simply put, they should fulfill the provisions of the 19 November Statement. Everything is explicitly stated there. We have been showing patience for more than four years. For more than four years, we have wanted this to be resolved through negotiations. How long will we have to wait and why should we wait?

The Zangazur corridor isnt just a matter of connecting Nakhchivan to the rest of Azerbaijan. Its a gateway linking China and Central Asia to Europe via the Azerbaijan-Turkiye transport network.

Despite its longstanding support for Armenia, Iran stands to benefit from the corridors opening, yet its opposition persists. This is not solely due to economic interests, as the corridor offers Iran additional dividends. Instead, the true motivation appears to be Irans fear of Turkic unity and the growing national consciousness of Turkic people within Iran.

Given Irans current economic turmoil and looming energy crisis, combined with the potential for further sanctions under a new U.S. administration, Tehran may soon find itself compelled to shift its stance on the Zangazur corridor. So how long will the region wait to resolve this high-stakes geopolitical issue?
8 January 2025 09:00 (UTC+04:00)

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8 January 2025 17:58 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

Azerbaijan marks the 105th anniversary of the birth of Leyla Badirbayli, one of the prominent representatives of Azerbaijani theater and cinematography, Azernews reports.

Leyla Badirbayli brought life and energy to many female characters from both local playwrights and classic literature with her heartfelt, graceful, and natural style of acting.

The legendary actress was born on January 8, 1920, in Baku. Her mother, Bika khanum, was the daughter of Musa khan from Shamakhi, and her father, Aghalar bey, was one of the village landowners in that region.

She spent her early years in Baku, particularly in the Old City (Icherisheher). Her mother, Bika khanum, greatly influenced her artistic journey. During this time, Bika khanum participated in a women's club run by Ali Bayramov and often took her daughter Leyla along.

Leyla Badirbayli first found her passion for dance, which she loved. Because of her unique looks and dancing talent, she was invited to join the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic. While there, she appeared in the films "Ayna" and "The Lights of Baku." In 1941, at just 21 years old, she was invited to the Azerbaijan State Academic National Drama Theater.

For 33 years, Leyla Badirbayli created diverse female characters on the stage of this temple of art. Leyla Badirbayli's contributions to the development of Azerbaijani theater are always remembered. She wrote golden pages in the history of our culture with her characters Sarah ("Faded Flowers"), Solmaz ("Bride of Fire"), Shalala ("Lie"), Desdemona ("Othello"), Liza ("Living Corpse"), Nermin ("Eye Doctor"), and others.

During the filming of "The Cloth Peddler" in 1945, Rza Tahmasib was looking for a beautiful girl to play the role of Gulchohra. It was after Uzeyir Hajibayov's recommendation that Leyla Badirbayli was approved for this role.

Of course, Leyla Badirbayli's selfless service to the development of Azerbaijani cinema is not limited to Gulchohra. The talented actress created unforgettable and memorable characters in nearly 50 films, including "Sabuhi," "Fatali Khan," "Deli Kur," "Sevil," "His Big Heart," and "The Dervish Blows Up Paris."

The actress, who was titled "Beauty of Azerbaijan," passed away on November 23, 1999, and was buried in the Alley of Honor.

The activity of the distinguished actress has always been highly valued by the Azerbaijani state. On December 29, 2019, President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree to organize a series of events related to the 100th anniversary of Leyla Badirbayli's birth.
8 January 2025 07:27 (UTC+04:00)

I believe it would be appropriate for Armenias Prime Minister to meet with representatives of the Western Azerbaijan Community. To my knowledge, they are even ready to travel to Yerevan, According to Azernews, President Ilham Aliyev said this during an interview with local TV channels on January 7.

The head of state noted that these people were unjustly expelled from those lands and have every right to return.

Armenia portrays itself as a country pursuing the path of European democracy. Let them demonstrate this visibly, the head of state noted, stressing, This issue will not be excluded from the agenda until Azerbaijanis can settle in Western Azerbaijan, including in West Zangezur, under secure conditions.
8 January 2025 13:14 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

The Western Azerbaijan Community (WAC) has expressed its gratitude to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for his commitment to ensuring the peaceful, safe, and dignified return of Western Azerbaijanis to their homes, Azernews reports.

In a statement issued on January 7, 2025, the WAC emphasized its support for Ilham Aliyevs vision for regional peace and security, highlighting the discriminatory ideologies prevalent in Armenias political circles as a major obstacle.

"The ideology of racial discrimination and radical nationalism prevailing in the political circles of Armenia is the greatest threat to human rights and peace. The video recording of the speech of the first President of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan in 1993, presenting the 'complete cleansing of Armenia and Karabakh from foreign nations' as a historical achievement, which has been circulated recently, the racist statement of the second President Robert Kocharyan from the rostrum of an international organization that 'Azerbaijanis and Armenians are ethnically incompatible,' and the inspiration of the third President Serzh Sargsyan and his party from the racist ideology of the fascist Garegin Nzhdeh 'Tsekhakronism' reflect the essence of this state," the statement read.

The WAC also expressed concern over Armenia's militarization policies and supported Azerbaijan's stance:

"We fully share the concern expressed by President Ilham Aliyev regarding the policy of mass armament pursued by Armenia and support the call to end its armament. Armenia, which has an aggressive past and is dominated by racist, revanchist ideologies, cannot act responsibly with military force, and its armament is unacceptable. Armenia's policy of complete denial of the historical injustices committed against us, Western Azerbaijanis, has no prospects."

The WAC concluded its statement with demands directed at the Armenian government, calling for an apology and practical steps for reconciliation:

"We demand that the Armenian government apologize for the deportation of Western Azerbaijanis, start a dialogue with the Western Azerbaijani Community, create conditions for their return, end the policy of destruction and distortion of the cultural heritage belonging to the Azerbaijani people, stop armament, and open lines of communication in accordance with its obligations."
8 January 2025 16:37 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

The Initiative Group for the Return to Western Azerbaijan of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan has issued a statement highlighting Armenias decades-long policy of ethnic cleansing and systemic racism against Azerbaijanis, Azernews reports.

The conflict initiated by Armenia in 1987 subjected the Azerbaijani people to unprecedented suffering, the statement reads. More than a million Azerbaijanis were displaced from their homeland, and this was not a side effect of the conflict but a deliberate outcome of ethnic cleansing systematically carried out by Armenia.

The statement emphasized that racism has been institutionalized as state policy in Armenia, resulting in mass atrocities and cultural destruction.

This state has carried out total and systematic ethnic cleansing on its territory and in the Azerbaijani lands it occupied for thirty years. Armenia has destroyed Azerbaijani cultural heritage, looted natural resources, and deliberately contaminated Azerbaijani territories with landmines. Only an ideology based on racial hatred, radical nationalism, and violent extremism could lead to such large-scale and ruthless crimes, the group noted.

The Initiative Group cited a 1993 speech by former Armenian President Levon Ter-Petrosyan as damning evidence of Armenias state responsibility for these crimes. In the speech, Ter-Petrosyan described the ethnic cleansing of Azerbaijanis as a "historical achievement," stating:

Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh have solved the problem that the Armenian people could not solve for 600 years. Armenia and Artsakh have been completely cleansed of foreigners... If there were 180,000 foreigners in Armenia today, we would not have a state today. This problem has been solved.

The group stressed that this policy of racism and ethnic cleansing persisted under subsequent Armenian leaders. Former Presidents Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan openly propagated racist and revanchist ideologies, with Sargsyan boasting about his role in the Khojaly massacre and adopting the fascist ideology of Garegin Nzhdeh. Meanwhile, current Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan continues these policies by obstructing the return of Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia.

The statement also warned of the dangers posed by Armenias ongoing militarization:

In the context of Armenias racist and revanchist policy, its current large-scale armament poses a serious threat to peace and security. President Ilham Aliyev has clearly expressed the scale of this threat, and we fully support his vision for establishing peace and stability in the region.

The Initiative Group called on the international community to take action:

We urge parliaments and the global community to condemn Armenias state-level racism, human rights violations, and rapid militarization. As a member of the United Nations and a party to numerous human rights conventions, Armenia must be held accountable. We demand that the Armenian government cease armament, abandon racist policies, ensure the safe and dignified return of Western Azerbaijanis to their homeland, and engage in dialogue with the Western Azerbaijani Community.

The group expressed gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for his support in championing the rights of Western Azerbaijanis and for his dedication to regional peace and stability.
8 January 2025 12:35 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

The credit obligations of citizens who lost their lives in the Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) Embraer 190 passenger plane crash during the Baku-Grozny flight have been fully written off.

This measure was taken at the expense of the relevant organizations' own funds.

Azernews reports that the announcement was made in a joint statement by the Azerbaijan Banks Association (ABA) and the Azerbaijan Microfinance Association (AMFA).

"The tragic loss of crew members and passengers in the accident has deeply shocked and saddened the banking community, along with our entire nation. Following the recommendation of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan and at the initiative of ABA and AMFA, the credit debts of the victims have been written off," the statement read.

On behalf of the credit institutions, ABA and AMFA expressed their condolences to the families of the victims and wished a swift recovery to the injured. The associations emphasized their commitment to standing by the Azerbaijani people and leadership during such challenging times.

On December 25, an Embraer 190 passenger plane belonging to Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), en route from Baku to Grozny, crashed about 3 kilometres from Aktau airport. There were 67 people on board (62 passengers and 5 crew members). Two crew members survived the crash.

The crash led to widespread shock, and in response, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree declaring December 26 a day of mourning in the country. He also issued state awards to honor the heroism of the crew. The deceased crew membersIgor Ivanovich Kshnyakin, Alexander Georgievich Kalyaninov, and Hokuma Jalil gizi Aliyevawere posthumously awarded the title of National Hero of Azerbaijan, while the injured crew membersZulfiqar Sardar oglu Asadov and Aydan Vagif gizi Rahimlireceived the Order of "Rashadat" of the 1st degree.

On December 26, the bodies of four victims and 14 injured passengers were repatriated to Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani authorities established a State Commission, led by Prime Minister Ali Asadov, to investigate the causes of the crash.
8 January 2025 13:23 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

On November 7, 2024, the ships CMS Phlvan, CMS Igid, and CMS-3, operating under the Azerbaijani flag and managed by the Azerbaijan branch of Caspian Marine Services B.V., were forced into Eritrean territorial waters due to worsening weather conditions during their voyage from the Suez Canal to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, Azernews reports, citing a statement from the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

The Ministry noted that despite prior contact with Eritrean port authorities, the entry into Eritrean 12-mile territorial waters was unauthorized and the ships were detained by the relevant Eritrean authority. Among the crew members of the detained ships, 18 are Azerbaijani citizens.

"After receiving initial information about the incident on November 7, 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately took control of the situation and responded accordingly.

To address the issue, legal justification was provided to Eritrean authorities, stating that the entry into Eritrean territorial waters did not violate international legal norms. This was communicated through our embassies in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Russian Federation. Relevant meetings were also held at the Eritrean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Eritrean embassies in Turkiye and Moscow.

Efforts are ongoing to resolve the issue, secure the release of the ships and crew, and provide necessary consular and legal assistance," the Ministry stated.
8 January 2025 15:15 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

In a significant step towards bolstering educational ties, the rector of Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction (AzMIU), Professor Gulchohra Mammadova, met with the rector of the Eastern Mediterranean University (DAU) of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Professor Hasan Klc.

Azernews reports that the meeting focused on the development of educational relations between Azerbaijan and Northern Cyprus. Key topics of discussion included expanding collaboration in scientific research, student and faculty exchanges, organizing summer schools, and conducting joint seminars and conferences.

During the meeting, the rectors exchanged information about the priorities and development strategies of their respective universities. The discussions culminated in the signing of a cooperation memorandum covering the aforementioned areas.

It is worth noting that the collaboration between AzMIU and DAU has been successfully ongoing for several years. From 2011 to 2014, 70 students and faculty members from AzMIU participated in DAU's summer school programs. In 2023, a DAU student studied at AzMIU, further strengthening the ties between the institutions.

The February meeting of the Eurasian Universities Union (EURAS) in Istanbul and the subsequent May meeting hosted by AzMIU provided extensive opportunities for discussing cooperation between the two universities. Plans for future joint activities and further development of educational connections are underway within the framework of this collaboration.

This partnership underscores a commitment to enhancing educational standards and research capabilities, reflecting a shared vision for fostering academic excellence and innovation. The ongoing and future collaborative efforts are poised to benefit both universities, contributing to the broader goal of advancing higher education in the region.
8 January 2025 15:39 (UTC+04:00)

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Secretary of Supreme National Security Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ali Akbar Ahmadian, on January 8, Azernews reports.

The head of state emphasized that Ali Akbar Ahmadians visit to Azerbaijan provided an excellent opportunity to discuss prospects for the development of bilateral relations.

Expressing gratitude for the reception, Ali Akbar Ahmadian noted his satisfaction in visiting friendly and brotherly Azerbaijan. He conveyed greetings from Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian to the President of Azerbaijan.

President Ilham Aliyev thanked Ahmadian for the greetings and asked him to communicate his own greetings to Irans Supreme Leader and President.

Ahmadian underlined the unmatched cultural, historical, religious and civilizational ties between Azerbaijan and Iran in the region, noting that it is impossible to find two countries with such a long-standing history of relations. He congratulated Azerbaijan on its success in liberating its territories, restoring territorial integrity, and sovereignty, expressing delight over these achievements.

The meeting also addressed political, economic, transportation, energy, and other areas of cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

President Ilham Aliyev highlighted the strong bonds between the Azerbaijani and Iranian peoples, emphasizing the importance of cultivating friendly and brotherly relations between the two countries.

The head of state noted that Azerbaijan places particular importance on enhancing ties with Iran across all fields and recalled with satisfaction the visits of high-level Azerbaijani delegations to Iran following its recent presidential elections.

President Ilham Aliyev expressed his gratitude for the congratulations regarding the full restoration of Azerbaijans territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as the liberation of the countrys lands from occupation. The head of state highlighted that during the occupation, Armenia caused extensive damage to Azerbaijan's territories, desecrated cultural and religious monuments, including mosques, and used places of worship to house pigs and cows.

President Ilham Aliyev reaffirmed Azerbaijan's support for resolving regional issues by regional states, noting that Azerbaijan initiated the 3+3 format, which emphasizes regional cooperation. The President reiterated that the involvement of external forces from outside the region is unacceptable.

The meeting also focused on the importance of developing the North-South transport corridor, as well as the trilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan, Russia, and Iran in this regard. It was noted that Azerbaijan handles a significant volume of cargo within this corridor. Additionally, discussions were held on the Araz corridor project, particularly the construction of bridges and road-transport infrastructure along the Araz River, towards the Aghband checkpoint. Both sides recognized the projects importance for developing regional transport connectivity. The discussion also covered the construction of hydroelectric power plants along the Araz River between Azerbaijan and Iran. The issue of connecting electricity lines between Azerbaijan, Russia, and Iran was touched upon, with an emphasis on the significant potential for cooperation in this sector.

They noted that relations between the two countries would continue to steadily develop based on the principles of friendship, brotherhood, and good neighborliness. It was also announced that the next meeting of the intergovernmental commission between Azerbaijan and Iran would be held in the near future. Both sides expressed hope that this meeting would provide a favorable opportunity to discuss specific projects highlighted by the heads of state.
8 January 2025 18:09 (UTC+04:00)

This afternoon, the Ambassador of Cuba to Azerbaijan Carlos Valdes de la Conception signed the book of condolences for the death of former President James Carter, at the headquarters of the United States Embassy in Baku.

Azernews reports, citing the Embassy's press release, in the message, he wrote that former President Carter made efforts to build a more constructive relationship between Cuba and the United States.

Highlighting that he visited our country twice, worked in favor of humanitarian causes, and spoke in favor of the liberation of the Five Heroes.

US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mr. Mark Libby personally thanked Cuba's presence in the signing of condolences.
8 January 2025 21:41 (UTC+04:00)

On January 8, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of the Republic of Turkiye, made a phone call to Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Azernews reports that, during the phone conversation, the Presidents exchanged views on bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Turkiye, as well as regional and global issues.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized that cooperation between the two countries will continue to develop across all areas, based on the principle of One nation, two states. The President of Turkiye stated that his country fully supports the achievement of lasting peace in the South Caucasus region and will continue to stand by Azerbaijan at all times.

President Ilham Aliyev, in turn, noted that Azerbaijan-Turkiye brotherhood, friendship, and strategic partnership relations have developed under the principle of One nation, two states, underscoring that the two countries have always stood by each other.

The Presidents exchanged views on the prospects for cooperation between the two brotherly countries in 2025. The heads of state also noted the importance of continuing contacts.
8 January 2025 10:00 (UTC+04:00)

"French President Emmanuel Macron's statements about election fraud in Georgia are based on false information and do not reflect the truth," Azernews reports, citing Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili as she said in response to Macron's allegations of Russian interference in Georgia's parliamentary elections.

Bochorishvili expressed her disappointment over the misconceptions arising from misinformation. She emphasized that Georgia conducted electronic elections, making it impossible for anyone to manipulate the ballot boxes to the extent that would affect the election results.

"Macron should be aware of this. If he isn't, we should ask the French ambassador how accurately she has been informing her government about the processes in Georgia. It appears that the ambassador has not been providing accurate information, leading Macron to form incorrect perceptions based on false data," Bochorishvili stated.
8 January 2025 20:41 (UTC+04:00)

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday it welcomed a United States National Security Council (NSC) delegation in Kiev to discuss the country's efforts to repel Russia's military operation, Azernews reports.

The two parties discussed their countries' cooperation in 2025, mainly how the US can help Ukraine in its defense endeavor and what kind of weapons and equipment it can provide.

The visit came ahead of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group's (UDCG) meeting at Ramstein Air Base in Germany on January 9.
8 January 2025 19:21 (UTC+04:00)

The Russian Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday that Moscow will deal with United States President-elect Donald Trump's threats of potential coercion for the Panama Canal and Greenland once he is officially head of state again, as well as the claims Canada would do good to become his country's 51st state, Azernews reports.

Speaking to Sputnik Radio, Zakharova interpreted most of Trump's comments as hitting back at those who criticized him.

Canada, Panama, and France on behalf of the European Union all slammed Trump's remarks.
8 January 2025 18:23 (UTC+04:00)

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Leather exports from Turkiye to Kazakhstan have increased, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry of Trade of Turkiye.

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Joe Biden has given 11 Al Qaaeda terrorists "Get OUt of Jail Free" cards as he released them from the prison at GITMO and flew them to Yemen. The terrorists released included two former bodyguards of Osama Bin Ladin

https://nypost.com/2025/01/06/us-news/biden-admin-releases-11-yemeni-detainees-from-guantanamo-bay/

This follows a sweetheart deal by a Biden political appointee with the three 9/11 masterminds to remove the death penalty from their cases. While the Biden regime tried to reverse that at the 11th hour after a huge political firestorm from outraged Americans, so far the courts are saying it went too far and they are free of the death penalty.

This also follows Biden commuting the sentences of most of the murderers on the federal death row who all committed vicious and brutal crimes, and a huge list of outright pardons to hundreds of nasty criminals.

Biden is clearly soft on crime and the Biden Democrats are the criminals best friends. No wonder Democrats push for allowing felons to vote. Criminals are a natural constituency for Democrats.
The first legislation to crack down on illegal migration, the Laken Riley Act, has passed the US House by vote of 264 to 159, w;ith 48 Democrats crossing over to vote with all 216 Republicans. 159 Democrats voted against it. It will now go to the Senate where Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) is a co-sponsor.

The bill requires that all illegal aliens charged, arrested, or convicted of a wide range of crimes including any form of theft be reported to ICE for detention and deportation. College nursing student Laken Riley was kidnapped and murdered by an illegal alien in Georgia, who had previously been convicted of theft in New York, but was still given a free plane ride to Georgia where he committed the murder.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14259585/democrats-vote-against-laken-riley-act-illegal-migrants.html

Among North Carolina's Democrat congresscritters, it was 3 to 1 against the bill. All NC Republicans voted for it.
The comeback of a beloved homegrown soft drink

Xinhua) 10:24, January 08, 2025

Photo taken on June 21, 2019 shows the Arctic Ocean soft drink production line in Daxing District of Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

BEIJING, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- On a hot summer day, a chilled Beibingyang orange soda, with its tangy juice and fizzy bubbles, is a refreshing treat and a nostalgic reminder of simpler times for many in Beijing.

The brand Beibingyang, also known as Arctic Ocean, has been a beloved fixture in the city since 1936. For many, just hearing the name evokes vivid memories of carefree summer days in the 1980s.

At its peak, the soft drink, made with real mandarin juice, was so popular that production lines operated around the clock, yet still struggled to meet demand. It even made an appearance at the inaugural China Central Television (CCTV) Spring Festival Gala, cementing its status as a household name.

However, after forming a joint venture with a foreign enterprise in the 1990s, Beibingyang's sales plummeted to less than 1 percent of its peak due to fierce market competition, and the brand gradually faded from the public view.

Things began to take a positive turn in 2007, when Beijing Yiqing Holding Co., Ltd. regained ownership of the Beibingyang brand through negotiations. However, as part of the agreement, the company couldn't produce carbonated beverages under the Beibingyang name for the next four years.

In the winter of 2011, Beibingyang made a surprise comeback. Without any advertising, the soft drink quickly gained popularity through word of mouth. Within just two months, it became profitable, and within two years, its sales exceeded 100 million yuan (about 13.91 million U.S. dollars). By 2023, Beibingyang had achieved an average annual revenue growth of over 40 percent, with profits rising by 20 percent annually.

Today, Beibingyang is thriving as a symbol of homegrown success, with its remarkable return rooted in an unwavering commitment to quality.

When Beijing Yiqing reclaimed the brand, the challenge was not only to revive production but also to stay true to the original formula while adapting it to contemporary tastes. The team meticulously selected premium ingredients and perfected the recipe.

Unlike typical sodas that rely on artificial flavorings, Beibingyang uses real mandarin juice extracted from the premium "Dahongpao" tangerine variety. This commitment to natural ingredients results in a unique taste and texture, with visible pulp and natural oils enhancing its iconic flavor, according to Cui Cuicui, an employee of Beijing Yiqing.

Beibingyang's resurgence offers valuable lessons for other legacy brands, demonstrating that success lies in striking a delicate balance between preserving tradition and embracing innovation.

For instance, the brand revamped its iconic logo and packaging to appeal to young consumers while preserving classic elements like the white bear and blue sky. Glass bottles, once considered impractical, were reintroduced to evoke nostalgia and align with eco-friendly values. These efforts have helped Beibingyang stand out in a competitive market, seamlessly blending old-world charm with modern sensibilities.

In recent years, a growing sense of national pride among Chinese consumers has helped traditional brands tap into new markets. Local brands like Beibingyang have also effectively converted online traffic into tangible offline sales.

According to the Ministry of Commerce, there are currently 1,455 "China Time-Honored Brands." In the first half of 2024, local commerce departments organized 170 events for these brands, generating 3.69 billion yuan in direct sales and driving a total of 11.82 billion yuan in online and offline sales across e-commerce platforms.

After a strong comeback, Beibingyang continues to move forward. Recognizing that modern consumers value variety, the brand has expanded its product line to include options like low-sugar sodas, NFC juices, and even tea and coffee beverages, all featuring its iconic white bear logo.

Having expanded across China, Beibingyang is now set to go global and share its authentic flavors with the world through its commitment to quality and innovation.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)


Prime Minister Narendra Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and lay foundations for projects worth over Rs 2 lakh crore here on Wednesday evening. The Prime Minister, who will be arriving on his first visit to Andhra Pradesh after the TDP-led NDA formed the government in the state, will conduct a roadshow and address a public meeting, where he will virtually launch several major projects aimed at driving sustainable growth and infrastructure development, with a particular focus on North Andhra Pradesh.



Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan will accompany the Prime Minister during the roadshow and for the public meeting.



After arrival at INS Dega at 4.15 p.m., the Prime Minister will conduct the roadshow from Siripuram Cross Roads to AU Engineering College, the venue of the public meeting.



Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu, Union Minister of State Bhupati Raju Srinivasa Varma, few state ministers, BJP MP and state party president Purandeswari will share the dais with the Prime Minister.



This will be Narendra Modis second visit to Andhra Pradesh after assuming office as the Prime Minister for the third term.



In June last year, he had attended the swearing-in of Chandrababu Naidu and his ministers in Vijayawada.



The Prime Minister was scheduled to visit Visakhapatnam on November 29 but the programme was postponed due to a cyclone alert.



The state government has made elaborate arrangements for the Prime Ministers visit.



The TDP and its allies Jana Sena and BJP are mobilising people from various parts of North Andhra for the roadshow and public meeting.



Authorities expect 80,000 people to take part in the roadshow, while nearly 2 lakh people are likely to attend the public meeting.



The roadshow will commence at 4:45 p.m. from the Venkatadri Vantillu restaurant area in Siripuram.



The public meeting will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. He will leave the venue at 6:50 p.m. and return to the air station around 7:15 p.m. to leave for Bhubaneswar.



PM Modi will lay the foundation stone for the South Coast Railway Zone (SCoR) headquarters in Visakhapatnam. This will meet the long-pending demand of the state under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.



He will also lay the foundation stone for the NTPC Green Energy Limiteds (NGEL) Green Hydrogen Hub at Pudimadaka in Atchutapuram mandal of Anakapalle district.



To be developed under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, this mega project involves an investment of Rs 1.85 lakh crore and 20 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity to produce 1,500 tonnes per day of green hydrogen.



The project will also produce 7,500 tonnes of green hydrogen derivatives, including green methanol, green urea, and sustainable aviation fuel, primarily targeting export markets.



The Prime Minister will also launch a series of road and railway projects in Andhra Pradesh, collectively valued at Rs 19,500 crore.



He will also lay the foundation stone for a bulk drug park at Nakkapalli in Anakapalle district.



With an investment of Rs 1,438.89 crore, the park is strategically located near the Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC) and the Visakhapatnam- Kakinada Petrochemical and Investment Region, promising thousands of jobs and enhanced industrial activity in the region.



The foundation stone will also be for the Krishnapatnam Industrial Area (KRIS City) in Tirupati district under the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor.



The project is expected to attract investments of Rs 10,500 crore and create nearly one lakh direct and indirect jobs.




The Karaoke studios are located in the balcony area of the multi-storey bar.

One of Belfasts busiest bars has launched two karaoke studios after transforming a section of its upper floors.

Laverys announced the opening of the two studios on Monday, and say they have received unprecedented interest in people looking to book them.

The two studios, which hold 15 and 20 people respectively, have been built in an upstairs section of the multi-storey south Belfast bar that previously held pool tables.

Singers take part in Karaoke at Lavery's

Filly Campbell, the head of marketing at Laverys, said that both himself and other staff members had been inspired to launch the studios after visiting a popular karaoke venue in Germanys capital city.

The idea has been in the pipeline for a while now, he told the Belfast Telegraph. Sarah Blackburn, the general manager, and myself had both been separately over in Berlin and visited Monster Ronsons Ichiban Karaoke Bar with friends  that experience really planted the seed.

Since then, weve both been in lots of karaoke spaces, from The Gainsborough Bar, Derry, to bars across England and Scotland.

Weve wanted to do karaoke booths for some time, but the biggest challenge was finding the right space within the bar to make it work.

Once we seriously started exploring the project, Bernard Lavery, the director, suggested The Balcony as the perfect spot. It had been used for pool tables before, but we realised it had huge potential as a multi-purpose space.

So, we took the leap and transformed it into two large rooms to test the waters with karaoke.

Singing at bars is nothing new, although it is not always planned or welcomed by other patrons. Karaoke gives a space to sing among a more receptive, or at least more expectant audience. Mr Campbell feels it is having a resurgence, but admits some people come to the pastime with nerves.

When you mention it to people, you usually get one of two reactions: Thats my worst nightmare or When are we doing it?

Interestingly, those who say its their worst nightmare tend to change their tune once theyve been dragged along by their more enthusiastic mates.

Its funny to watch even the most steadfast naysayers loosen up and really get into it after a couple of songs  it can really surprise you! The appeal is in how social it is. When youre in a room with friends, all the usual inhibitions disappear  whether you can sing or not doesnt matter. Its about the shared experience and the laughs.

In recent years, weve seen a definite rise in interest  people are looking for more interactive, experience-led nights out, and karaoke fits that perfectly. Its not just about the music; its about letting go with friends and even having a wee dance."

One of the Karaoke studios in Laverys

Mr Campbell said Laverys had received incredible and unprecedented interest in the karaoke studios since announcing them this week.

Weve been blown away by how quickly bookings have taken off. Its clear that theres a huge appetite for it, and were excited to finally be opening the doors.

One of the great things about Laverys is that weve always been a something-for-everyone kind of bar, and the karaoke rooms are no different.

Singers taking part at Lavery's karaoke

Were not targeting any specific demographic  the karaoke software we are using has over 100,000 songs that covers every genre from metal to K-Pop so there really is something for everyone. Ive been in other cities where someone suggests karaoke, and you can just pop in on a whim  thats exactly what wed love to see happen here.

We dont want it to feel like something you have to plan weeks in advance; we want people to be able to make spontaneous decisions to book a room.

Success for us is seeing people enjoy what weve created. We put a lot of thought into how the rooms would work, and we went all out with top-of-the-line AV equipment to ensure the best possible experience.

While karaoke will be the primary use, weve designed the rooms to be versatile spaces. Long term, wed love to see them being used for podcasting (before opening hours), gaming parties, private screenings, and other creative events.

Ultimately, we want the karaoke rooms to become a core part of what makes Laverys unique  a place where everyone can feel at ease to come and have a good time, no matter what type of night they are after.

The Karaoke studios are located in the balcony area of the multi-storey bar.

News Catch Up - Wednesday 8 January
Plans to remove Mina Bounar from Northern Ireland were confirmed on Wednesday.

A woman who was accused of sexually assaulting another female resident at their hotel in Belfast is to be deported, a court heard today.
Proposal for 1,835-pupil Bangor Academy and Sixth Form College to transform is rejected by Education Minister

Education Minister Paul Givan has been accused of a flawed decision after rejecting a bid by Northern Irelands biggest school to transform to integrated status.

Mr Givan turned down Bangor Academys application  drawing criticism from the school and politicians  despite overwhelming support from parents.

Another North Down school, Rathmore Primary, which has almost 600 pupils, was also unsuccessful in its bid for integrated status.

Explaining his decision, Mr Givan said the proposals were carefully considered, but approval could only be granted where a school was likely to have reasonable numbers of children from both main traditions in Northern Ireland.

Bangor Academy and Sixth Form College.

Bangor Academy principal Matthew Pitts said there was extreme disappointment at the news.

"We are proud of the inclusive, diverse nature of our school and we will continue to deliver an outstanding education in the future regardless of this decision, he said.

Our Board of Governors took the decision to consult with our school community as it believes that the core principles and values of integration are vital for all students and for the future of Northern Ireland.

We are disappointed that the Minister has gone against the significant number of parents who voted in favour of integration but I would like to thank them for their engagement, challenge and sense of optimism that this process delivered.

But Mr Givan said there was little evidence that the numbers would change in the foreseeable future to justify granting integrated status.

Over recent years, the percentage of Catholic children attending both Bangor Academy and Sixth Form College and Rathmore Primary school has been around 3%, he said.

When a school transforms to integrated, the precise religious balance within the school will vary depending on local circumstances.

"When considering the demographics of the local area, the extremely limited and historic enrolments from the Catholic community and the availability of both Catholic maintained and other integrated options, I believe there is insufficient evidence that reasonable numbers could be achieved in the future.

I would anticipate that changing the status of the two schools to integrated would only have a marginal impact on the number of Catholic children attending the schools. Even on the most optimistic analysis, it would appear highly unlikely that reasonable numbers could be achieved.

Education Minister Paul Givan

Mr Givan said both development proposals contained insufficient evidence of how these issues could be overcome.

I understand that this news will be disappointing for the two schools, the pupils and parents who supported the proposals for integrated education, he added.

Bangor Academy and Rathmore had separately balloted parents of school pupils, with almost 80% supporting Bangor Academys proposal and over 82% backing Rathmores.

Paul Caskey, chief executive of the Integrated Education Fund, said the decision was hard to comprehend.

In reaching this flawed decision, the Minister has clearly rejected, not only the desire of the school community but also the advice of his own officials, the Education Authority and the Controlled Schools Support Council, he said.

It is hard to comprehend how such decisions reflect the Department of Educations statutory duty to support, encourage and facilitate integrated education."

Bangor Academy and Sixth Form College has been denied transformation to integrated status

News Catch Up - Wednesday 8 January

Alliance MLA Nick Mathison, chair of the Assemblys education committee, said he was baffled by the decisions.

Parents have spoken clearly and unambiguously on this, so it is baffling to see the decisions reached by the Minister.

He added: I will be seeking answers from him in the Assembly as a matter of urgency, as those who overwhelmingly voted to transform to integrated status will no doubt be asking serious questions about the ministers judgment.

Local Alliance MLA Connie Egan said Mr Givan is effectively blocking integrated education across North Down.

These are not only exceptionally disappointing decisions by the Education Minster but deeply concerning ones, she said.

This move will cause hurt right across North Down, with 79.4% of parents at Bangor Academy and 82.3% of parents at Rathmore now feeling as if their views have now been ignored. This will hurt people right across North Down.

SDLP MLA Cara Hunter, who sits on the education committee, said Mr Givans decision flies in the face of the wishes of the overwhelming majority of the parents at Bangor Academy and in the case of Rathmore Primary, the recommendation of his own officials.

Ultimately, no Education Minister should be able to veto the views of schools and parents of the children and young people who attend without proper justification, she added.

Parents at Bangor Academy originally voted in favour of integrated status in June 2023.

At the time Mr Pitts said he was delighted at such an overwhelmingly positive result.

The current school enrolment shows that just 2.9% of those attending are from a Catholic background, with 59.1% Protestant and 38% identifying as other religions or none.

Dr Matthew ONeill, Chairperson of Integrated AlumNI, said that 82% or 79% is a vote share our politicians can only dream of when they stand for election  so why is Paul Givan blocking the democratic wishes of parents in both of these schools to become integrated?

"The Integrated Education Act (2022) says clearly that the Department of Education must meet the demand for Integrated Education. At both of these schools, parents voted overwhelmingly to turn their schools integrated. What clearer picture of demand could there be?

He said that the concerns of integrated education advocates over him taking the role have been realised. After the 150 million cuts for new integrated school buildings next year, what new low will the Minister take us to next?

"This decision must be reversed and the democratic will of parents must be respected.

"Almost three years after the passage of the Integrated Education Act (which placed a duty on the Department of Education to meet the demand and support for Integrated Education), and after last years cut by the NI Executive of 150m in promised funding for much-needed new buildings for 10 integrated schools, this is yet more indications that the Executive is not taking its responsibilities for peacebuilding seriously.
REVEALED | National emergency as all protected habitats damaged by invisible killer

Stormont minister warned over the worst ammonia pollution in UK

Ammonia gas is released to the atmosphere from cattle manures and slurries

Garrett Hargan Wed 8 Jan 2025 at 07:00

A private presentation delivered to a Stormont minister shows that every single protected habitat in Northern Ireland is being damaged as a result of ammonia and nitrogen pollution.
DNA test to confirm identity amid speculation over further arrests

A man from the Czech Republic has been arrested by Spanish police investigating the discovery of a body thought to be that of missing Belfast man John George.

It comes as the family of Mr George await the results of formal identification through DNA tests.

This afternoon, police in Northern Ireland said they are supporting the family and working closely with international law enforcement agencies

Mr George vanished on December 14.

After a search operation and appeals by his family, decomposing remains were found under trees on a private property in a rural area of Rojales on Spains Costa Blanca.

The 32-year-old arrested, who has not been formally named, was reportedly being investigated by the Spanish Civil Guard, the police force which had been leading the hunt.

A force spokesperson said: Yesterday morning the Civil Guard discovered the body of a man in Rojales.

The Territorial Judicial Police team of Pilar de la Horadada has been put in charge of the ongoing investigation.

All the necessary work is being done at the moment to determine the cause of death and confirm the mans identity.

John George was reported missing in December

Pending the full forensic results everything is pointing to it being a missing person whose family reported his disappearance on 21 December 2024.

Following the discovery of the body, a 32-year-old man was arrested yesterday on suspicion of homicide.

Further information will be provided as soon as more details become available.

While formal identification is still to take place, it is understood that clothing and tattoos indicate the body is that of Mr George

However, DNA testing will now take place to formally identify the 37-year-old father-of-twos remains.

In a statement, the PSNI said its thoughts were with the George family and its family liaison officers were continuing to provide support to them.

Detective Inspector Jennifer Rea said: My thoughts are, first and foremost, with Mr Georges family at this distressing time.

Our dedicated Family Liaison Officers continue to provide support to the family, and we continue to work closely with international law enforcement agencies.

I am keen to reiterate our appeal for anyone with information that could assist the Spanish Investigation Team with their enquiries to please contact us on 101, she added.

Photos and footage, including CCTV, mobile phone or dash cam footage, can be shared with the Police Service through the Major Incident Public Portal at https://mipp.police.uk Information will be shared with Spanish Police.

"Information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers, with total anonymity, on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Spanish police have up to 72 hours from the time of arrest to hold the suspect before handing him over to an investigating judge for further questioning, although in exceptional cases they can apply for an extension.

That court appearance would take place behind-closed-doors at a court in Torrevieja, a 25-minute drive south of Rojales.

The judge would have to decide whether to remand the detainee in custody or release him on bail.

Kevin Winters from KRW Law, which is working with the family, told the BBC today he understood that "one arrest is not necessarily conclusive".

In an earlier statement, they said the family hope their extremely tortuous search process is over.

They said: We can confirm the father of Mr George contacted us today shortly after 5pm to confirm Spanish police told him they had recovered his sons remains.

Mr Billy George was told that his sons body was now in a morgue awaiting formal identification.

The family are both distressed but also relieved at this latest news.

It brings to an end an extremely tortuous search process for the body.

Billy George

The family want to thank all who have helped and supported them over the last number of days.

They now respectfully ask for some privacy to allow them both time and space to engage on the next harrowing stages on what is now a formalised murder investigation.

Sinn Fein MP Paul Maskey expressed condolences to Mr Georges family.

This is tragic news for Johns loved ones who have been courageously searching for him after he went missing on December 14, he said today.

I have been in contact with Billy George, Johns father, throughout this period and as recently as last night where he informed me that a body had been found.

I now hope Johns body can be returned home to Ireland as quickly as possible to allow his heart-broken family and friends to have a dignified funeral.

The disappearance of Mr George has dominated news headlines for more than a fortnight.

Before travelling he had told people someone he knew was opening a business in Spain and he was going for the grand opening.

But he vanished after last speaking to his father on December 14.

Despite being booked on a flight home on December 18, he never boarded the plane.

His family launched an online appeal for information, saying it was very out of character for him not to phone home. Soon, they began to fear the worst.

His parents, Billy and Sharon, and sisters, Courtney and Caitlin, flew to Spain where they scoured the Alicante region in search of John. The K9 Search and Rescue NI (K9SRNI), a volunteer search and rescue team that uses specialist sniffer dogs, also travelled to Spain to help but returned at the weekend.

The team surveyed an area the size of Tollymore Forest Park in over three days employing drones and search dogs to bolster the effort.

K9 Search and Rescue NI searching for John George in Spain

The PSNI said previously it had been liaising closely with the missing mans family and other law enforcement agencies.

Shortly before news of the body being discovered emerged, Mr Georges brother insisted he would not be leaving Spain until he finds him  and would even give his own life for his siblings return.

Darren George joined the hunt on December 23 and has been in Alicante ever since.

Finding my brother will drive me until I take my last breath, Darren told this newspaper yesterday, before the body find.

I would give my own life up to find John. I would give my life up for my mum and dad to lay their son at rest.

He added: Every day is a living nightmare. Youre out searching all day and come home with no body found. [Its like] everywhere you look its the same field, the same hill.

Spanish police believe the father-of-two was shot dead not long after losing contact with his family.

Interpol had become involved with the investigation, which Johns brother Darren hoped would escalate the case and find answers they were desperately hoping for.

John and his brother Darren

It had previously been reported that the main suspect had told friends they were also planning to fly to Thailand.

With Interpol getting involved its been escalated in the sense that there will be answers, Darren said.

There are rumours that the main suspect is in Thailand. I dont believe that. I do believe he is in Spain.

He added that false information appearing online had been misdirecting the familys search efforts.

On Monday, the Belfast Telegraph revealed a conversation in which a suspect linked to Mr Georges disappearance told the family that he had been taken in the direction of the Torrevieja area. The suspect claimed he left the apartment unharmed on December 14 with another person, but didnt make it to Benidorm.

Darren had vowed not to leave Spain until the family located the body, despite the Spanish police urging them to put their efforts on hold.

He said: Once we get Johns body we are out of Spain and well never return to Spain.

John George

News Catch Up - Wednesday 8 January
A Belfast man who attacked two paramedics after they rushed him to hospital has been jailed for five months.

Andrew William Stewart struck one crew member in the face and kicked out at his female colleague before spitting all over their ambulance.

The 53-year-old, of Woodstock Road, pleaded guilty to two assaults on ambulance workers and a further charge of criminal damage to the vehicle.

Belfast Magistrates Court heard the victims discovered him lying unresponsive at College Square in the city centre on September 19 last year.

He was taken for medical treatment but became violent as they arrived at the Royal Victoria Hospital.

As one of the paramedics leaned over to check on Stewart he lashed out, striking him in the eye with his hand.

Prosecutors said the victim was left in pain and with a mark on his face.

Stewart also kicked out at another paramedic when they stopped at the hospitals ambulance dock.

Although no contact was made, she feared that she was going to be subjected to a physical assault.

He also spat several times in the back of the ambulance, which had to be deep cleaned as a result, a Crown lawyer added.

Defence counsel Damien Halleron said Stewart has no memory of the incident.

He told the court his client was knocked down in a road accident and then discharged from hospital before being found unconscious in the street.

He is incredibly remorseful and ashamed of what he has done, the barrister submitted.

Mr Halleron set out how Stewart has recently secured a home following a long-term addiction to alcohol and drugs.

But District Judge Anne Marshall insisted the defendant will only have himself to blame if he loses that accommodation.

Imposing five months custody, she told Stewart: People are waiting hours for ambulances without people spitting all over them (and taking them out of circulation).

It could have been a lot worse, I could have given you up to two years for the criminal damage and I was sorely tempted.

Andrew William Stewart attacked two paramedics. File photo.

News Catch Up - Wednesday 8 January
The three-year-old is halfway through treatment for acute lymphoblastic lymphoma, following her diagnosis in September 2023

Pacemaker Press 17-12-2024: Sunday World NI blood transfusion service Christmas feature about giving blood. Roisin Gorman pictured at the Blood Transfusion service, in Belfast. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press

Little Aria Stevensons smiles are thanks to the kindness of strangers whose blood donations have helped her through chemotherapy.

The three-year-old is halfway through treatment for acute lymphoblastic lymphoma, following her shock diagnosis in September 2023.

Since starting intensive chemo last year Aria has received five blood transfusions and six platelet transfusions, which mum Gillian says has helped keep her alive.

With husband Gavin shes now become a blood donor, encouraged members of their families to sign up and taken part in a Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service appeal for more people to come forward.

Northern Ireland needs 1,800 donors a week, around one every eight minutes.

Aria has benefited from donations from 11 people and will probably need more, with her treatment set to continue until January 2026.

She wouldnt have survived without the transfusions, and the chemo, says Gillian.

She couldnt even sit up on that morning of her first transfusion.

After it she was sitting up eating an apple. You can see the difference from her being really pale and tired to bouncing about.

Aria Stevenson

The family noticed last summer that the Derry toddler was losing her appetite and becoming lethargic.

During their regular evening walks, shed complain that her knees were sore and ask to be carried.

When her lips turned blue their out-of-hours GP service advised Arias parents to take her to A&E, where doctors suspected a viral infection.

A few days later when the little girl couldnt get off the sofa, Gillian took her to their GP, who checked her over and noticed tiny pinprick red dots on her knees.

They were sent straight to Alnagelvin Hospitals paediatric department where blood tests showed Aria had the rare form of leukemia.

It was the day of the strike and we were warned the results might take a bit longer, and after three hours a doctor came and put us in a wee room, and asked me to get my husband to come over, says Gillian.

Gavin came over and they told us it was acute lymphoblastic lymphoma. The first things I asked were is it terminal and can you treat it?

They told us the treatment is really good for this type of cancer, but its very long.

The next day Aria was in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children and a few days later her treatment started.

I think they told us 95pc of her blood cells were leukaemia, says Gillian.

While the chemo kills off the cancer cells, it also suppresses Arias immune system and her ability to fight infection, which is why the platelet transfusions are so essential.

Last Christmas she was messing around in the house with her sister and she fell and banged her head, which came up in a lump. The hospital told us to come up and her platelets level was five, so she had to have a platelet transfusion on New Years Day.

Aria is now on daily maintenance chemo at home and monthly clinic treatments.

Gillian says she and Gavin  both teachers  only started to process their daughters diagnosis and treatment this summer, and if there is the slightest change in Arias health they have to drive straight to Belfast, which also impacts her big sister Isla (8).

Any time Aria had a temperature we had to go straight to Belfast, so we could all be waking up in the middle of the night and into the car, she says.

Pacemaker Press 17-12-2024: Sunday World NI blood transfusion service Christmas feature about giving blood. Roisin Gorman pictured at the Blood Transfusion service, in Belfast. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press

And its made them determined to speak out about the importance of blood donation.

I had given blood when I was younger and then family came along, says Gillian.

I said to Gavin we need to be giving blood and paying back. This is something we need to do, and a lot of our family members are fit and healthy, why cant they do it?

I dont think people know how easy it is and how often its on.

Its a really quick thing to do. Its a really good thing to do and its really necessary.

We feel so passionate about it and people need to know how much its needed, says Gillian.

The NIBTS is on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@givebloodNI), LinkedIn, and Nextdoor. For more information go to www.nibts.org or contact its donation line on 08085 534 653.
A 32-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder is due in a Spanish court tomorrow.

The heartbroken father of west Belfast man John George, whose body is believed to have been found in Spain on Tuesday nearly 25 days after he went missing, has said he couldnt face identifying his oldest sons remains.

A 32-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder is due in a Spanish court on Thursday.

On Tuesday, the body of the 37-year-old father-of-two was found in Rojales, around 40 minutes south of Alicante, under trees on a farm, nearly three weeks after John George was reported missing.

His father, Billy George, was asked to identify his sons body yesterday afternoon, but admitted he couldnt face seeing his remains.

I couldnt face going in, I just couldnt. I want to remember my son the way he was. He had been outside too long for me to bear seeing. We provided a photograph of him and his tattoos, and that was used, he told the Belfast Telegraph.

Its been a very difficult day.

John Georges remains are currently being held in a morgue in Alicante. An autopsy will now follow to determine the exact cause of death.

While DNA identification hasnt been completed, Spanish police said everything is pointing to it being Mr George.

Mr Georges father was not on the search when Johns remains were discovered and instead was informed by police shortly before 5pm on Tuesday.

He said he was disappointed that he had not had any contact with the Spanish police since he was informed by phone his sons body had been found.

We are just devastated, we havent heard a single thing. I feel like we have done more for the investigation that they have, he added.

We are mentally exhausted and drained. I just want justice for my son now  and we will get justice.

John George

In the last contact with his family on December 14, John George said he was planning on travelling to Benidorm.

He was due to fly home on December 18, but never boarded the plane.

A 32-year-old man from the Czech Republic has since been arrested.

He is expected to appear in a closed court session as soon as today in Torrevieja, a 25-minute drive south of Rojales. 

In Spain, only trials take place in public.

There has been speculation that more arrests could follow.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Kevin Winters from KRW Law, who is aiding the George family, said the family are emotionally drained following the discovery.

I spoke with Billy George last night and he was relieved his sons remains have been found, but he obviously is incredibly distressed at having to identify his remains, which is taking place now, he said.

Equally, there is a traumatic ordeal of having to go through the autopsy of John Georges remains, which can take up to two weeks, so most of the family will likely remain in Spain until this is over, so they can bring their loved one back.

Mr Winters said the familys energy has now been redeployed into engaging with the Spanish investigation into Mr Georges death.

The family have a lot of questions. One, if this man is the suspect or one of a series of suspects. Up until recently the police have been tight-lipped on what they have told the family, which is understandable from a logistical policing perspective, but at some point we expect them to get some basic information about his custody status, he said.

However, from speaking with the George family, they understand this arrest is significant.

There is an unusual amount of conflicting emotions, because a huge amount of energy was dedicated to looking for John Georges body, but now this is refocused and realigned to investment in a full-scale murder investigation.

The whole spectrum of emotions is in play; there are times the family are incredibly emotional. From a human level, anyone could understand they can barely sleep or eat  their existence has been suspended, they are living in a horrible reality.

They are emotionally drained, especially because this is another jurisdiction and the fact that foul play is suspected.

The family have anxieties over the state of the investigation, the suspect in custody and if there are going to be any more arrests  then they will finally decide to return home, but this could go on for weeks.

In a statement, the PSNI said its thoughts were with the George family, and its family liaison officers were continuing to provide support to them.

Det Insp Jennifer Rea said: My thoughts are, first and foremost, with Mr Georges family at this distressing time. Our dedicated Family Liaison Officers continue to provide support to the family, and we continue to work closely with international law enforcement agencies.

I am keen to reiterate our appeal for anyone with information that could assist the Spanish Investigation Team with their enquiries to please contact us on 101, she added.

Photos and footage, including CCTV, mobile phone or dash cam footage, can be shared with the Police Service through the Major Incident Public Portal at https://mipp.police.uk

Information will be shared with Spanish Police.

John George

News Catch Up: Thursday 9th January


Two Indian Americans elected to Virginia state legislatures Two Indian Americans were elected in special elections to Virginia's legislatures, ensuring the Democratic Party keeps its slender majority despite the national Trump wave in last year's election. Kannan Srinivasan was elected to the State Senate and J.J. Singh to the State House of Delegates on Wednesday.



In what seems like a round of musical chairs, Singh takes the seat held in the House by Srinivasan, who in turn succeeds Suhas Subramanyam, who resigned the State Senate seat and was elected to Congress in November.



The races featured another Indian American, Republican Ram Venkatachalam, who lost to Singh.



Srinivasan will join another Indian American, the Hyderabad-born Ghazala Hashmi, in the State Senate.



He grew up in Tamil Nadu and was a chartered accountant in India before emigrating to the US, where he built a 30-year career in business and finance.



Srinivasan was elected to the Virginia House in 2023.



J.J. Singh, who was born in Virginia, will probably be the first legislator in the US to wear a turban, although other Sikhs have been elected.



Singh worked in the White House Office of Management and Budget under former President Barack Obama.



He had earlier served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Bolivia and as a senior US Senate advisor.



The elections were crucial to the Democrats, who had only a one-seat majority in both chambers in a state where the governor is a Republican.



Vice President Kamala Harris defeated President-elect Donald Trump in the state, but there are concerns among the Democrats that his national victory could seep into the races.



The election was a shocking disappointment for Kamala Harris, who stepped in to carry the Democratic Party torch after President Joe Biden dropped out as questions arose over his mental and physical capabilities.



The Democrats put more resources into the race than the Republicans to ensure their candidate's victory.




Sir Robert Chote, chair of Northern Ireland Fiscal Council, gave evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee at Westminster (UK Parliament/PA)

The Stormont Executive faces a financial cliff-edge when stabilisation funding provided by the UK Government runs out, MPs have been told.

Sir Robert Chote, chairman of the Northern Ireland Fiscal Council, said that money which was provided by the Treasury when the powersharing Executive was restored last year was helpful but would not lead to financial sustainability for the region.

A 3.3 billion financial package accompanied the restoration of devolution in February 2024 following a two-year suspension.

This included a commitment that the region receives 124% of any equivalent increase in funding for England for the policy areas run out of Stormont, including health, policing and education.

The Treasury provided a financial package when the Stormont powersharing institutions were returned last year (Liam McBurney/PA)

The deal also included a 1.125 billion stabilisation fund over two years and a pledge that a Stormont overspend of 559 million would be written off when the Executive balanced its budget, including generating 113 million in additional revenue.

Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald published a Budget Sustainability Plan in October that set out details on how the 113 million could be delivered by the end of 25/26 financial year.

Stormont ministers have also since agreed a draft budget, but have continued to warn of huge financial challenges facing their departments.

Sir Robert appeared before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee hearing on the funding and delivery of public services in the region.

He told MPs that the stabilisation funding provided by the Treasury had been inescapable given the financial situation Northern Ireland faced at the time.

He added: One challenge at the moment is that short-term stabilisation money runs out, thus confronting the Executive with a potential cliff-edge in 2006/2027 when that money goes away but the 24% top-up to the Barnett consequentials wont have been large enough to fill that gap.

I think there is a particular challenge around that point.

That cliff-edge could in theory move forward to 2025/26 if the Executive doesnt manage to balance the budget this year and also to meet its commitment to deliver some 113 million of additional revenue as well.

It (stabilisation funding) has clearly helped in the short term but departments are still over-committed, they are saying they are over-spending relative to available funding.

Sir Robert said the deficit facing Stormont departments in the current financial year was now more manageable following extra funding provided in Chancellor Rachel Reeves budget.

He said: The short-term stabilisation was certainly helpful but not on its own putting you on a sustainable pattern for five years ahead.

Sir Robert was later asked about the potential benefit of the Executive being able to set multi-year budgets going forward.

He said: In the Northern Ireland context this is the 10th or 11th consecutive single year budget, which is obviously a different situation from the (rest of the) UK because for Northern Ireland to run a multi-year budget you need to have the institutions to be stable and in place and you need to have a multi-year budget at the UK level to give you a multi-year block grant settlement.

We havent had that for a decade or more.

It is clearly desirable.

Dorinnia Carville, comptroller and auditor general (C&AG) for Northern Ireland told MPs that a multi-year budget had to be linked to outcomes (Liam McBurney/PA)

Northern Irelands comptroller and auditor general Dorinnia Carville told the committee that a multi-year budget had to be linked to outcomes from the Executives programme for government.

She said: It will allow for longer term planning, especially for large infrastructure projects, things that naturally cant be delivered within a one-year window.

The element of certainty and stability that would come with that shouldnt be overlooked for departments as well.

We have talked about this firefighting mode they have been in.
James Jimmy Dollars Meehan enjoyed special treatment as a snitch in prison

A killer who went AWOL from jail just months after being extradited for a similar offence keeps being let out because hes a prison wardens pet, its been claimed.

James Meehan went AWOL three weeks ago  just months after he was extradited from the Republic and sentenced to another ten months behind bars.

He had gone on the run to Kells, Co Meath, where he has personal connections.

This week he was spotted there driving around in a black Seat and helping another person carry some shopping into their house.

The last time it took 17 months and a lengthy, and extremely costly, legal battle to have him brought back to Northern Ireland after Meehan fought the extradition order.

Now jailhouse sources say Meehan, who murdered Jim McFadden in Derry in 2007, has been getting special treatment because he was a well-known snitch.

James McFadden

Sources also revealed Meehan is a handy tradesman and saved the Prison Service thousands by building them a new unit.

Thats the prison service for you mate, they always look after their jailhouse touts no matter what they get up to, said a former lag who served with Meehan.

Thats why so many of all the same faces get chance after chance after chance  its reward for years of passing on information to prison security and governors.

Burren staff and the governor are always overruled by higher management when it comes to these individuals, unfortunately.

Burren staff dont get a look-in but all the flak falls on them when things go wrong with those types of prisoners who constantly get returned to Burren only to f**k up again. Its madness because when they raise concerns theyre told we make the decisions, you just do what your here to do and thats rehabilitate prisoners, and they do, to be fair.

You get the odd balloon screw who causes problems but the majority of screws in Burren actually try to help get deserving prisoners their life licence and release.

Its so easy to notice now when you see the same faces going up and down from Maghaberry to Burren failing drug tests and up to all sorts of sh*t that somethings rotten in Denmark.

Burren staff have told me themselves they raise reservations and concerns about these people on a regular basis and they get overruled, only for the sh*t to hit the fan and the flak falls on them.

Its a joke. Meehan was a prison service pet in Maghaberry and Magilligan because he was really good and building stuff, he was really handy.

He was making and building things for them which saved them loads of money as they didnt have to pay him.

He practically built an entire new living accommodation in Foyleview for prisoners getting home leave, saving the prison service thousands.

He built everything  sheds, living spaces  and was flat-out working for the prison. He was basically an off-the-books prison tradesman who saved the Prison Service literally tens of thousands and Im not joking you.

So of course they were always going to look after him.

And a source says Meehan had a nickname.

They said: He was known as Jimmy Dollars by other cons who liked to make fun of him because he looked like one of those old gangsters from those old American gangster films where all the bad guys have twisted, ugly messed-up faces.

An international police hunt is currently under way for 55-year-old Meehan who failed to return to Magilligan prison three weeks ago to complete his life sentence for the murder of Jim McFadden in Derry in 2007.

Jim McFaddens family

Mr McFaddens daughters Danielle Bradley and Ashling Graham have said they believe the decision to grant him temporary release again had allowed him to abscond for a third time.

The family said they had objected to him getting day release before and this time, given that he had gone on the run before.

This paper revealed in October 2022 how Meehan had gone on the run to Kells, where he has family.

When he absconded two years ago Meehan had been part of a pre-release scheme and had been staying in Burren House prison wing in Belfast but had been allowed to go to an address in Limavady at the weekend.

However, on October 9, 2022, after his curfew was activated, the Limavady address was visited by authorities and Meehan was not there.

He was returned to Magilligan Prison last February.

Meehan was sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of popular Gentle Jim McFadden in May 2007.
New rules for homeschooling children could have helped bolster the safety of murdered 10-year-old Sara Sharif, an MP has suggested.

Munira Wilson described schools as a key safeguarding partner where teachers can look out for signs of abuse.

Parents who want to homeschool their children face having to get permission from their local council, if their child is at risk of harm, according to plans in the Childrens Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

The move would help the Government put young peoples safety first, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told the Commons on Wednesday.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson speaking during a debate on the Childrens Wellbeing and Schools Bill (House of Commons/UK Parliament)

Ms Phillipson also said town halls will also have to set up a register of homeschooled children, whether they are at risk of harm or not, because if children arent in school, we need to know where they are.

Sara, whose battered body was discovered at her family home in Woking, Surrey, in August last year, was removed from school by her family, despite teachers having noticed marks on her face and referred her to social services.

Homeschooling her allowed the abuse at the hands of her father Urfan Sharif, 43, and stepmother Beinash Batool, 30, to carry on beyond the gaze of the authorities, sentencing judge Mr Justice Cavanagh said last month.

At the Bills second reading, Ms Wilson told the Commons: All the evidence points towards the fact that education and schools  and thats why its in the Bill  have to be a key safeguarding partner, so where a child is at risk and has been identified as being at risk, ensuring that that child is in school, as this Bill seeks to do, will help to safeguard them.

But we saw too tragically in the recent case of Sara Sharif the fact that she was taken out of school and then being abused at home and tragically died, but the point is this is just an additional measure to make sure that she is safe.

At the despatch box, Ms Phillipson had earlier said: I respect the rights of parents to make choices about their childs education, but childrens safety must always come first, and under this Government, their safety will always come first.

Beyond parents wider duty to register children not in school, councils will have to give their consent for homeschooling if the child is registered at a special school, or if they are on a child protection plan or subject to child protection inquiry.

But Rebecca Smith warned that plans for a register run counter to the principle that parents  not the state  hold primary responsibility for the education of their children except, I admit, in the minority of cases where there is harm or neglect.

The Conservative MP for South West Devon added: Lets not forget that many parents opt to homeschool because the state system has failed their children.

Ms Smith said: There has to be a middle ground that we could find here. I suggested, didnt I, that were using a hammer to crack a nut?

I dont think a lot of these parents are against having to say something about what theyre doing, but to suggest that they have to give absolute chapter and verse to their local authority  who in many cases are going to have failed them already, where that relationship may well have broken down  feels like its too much of a strike.

Conservative former minister Graham Stuart warned of a conflation of a failure of social services, which needs to be fixed, with home education, which is entirely separate.

The Bill also features a duty on authorities to share information with each other about children, if it could help promote their welfare.

Chris Coghlan, the Liberal Democrat MP for Dorking and Horley in Surrey, raised the cases of two teenagers who died by suicide  Jennifer Chalkley and Oskar Nash.

Coroners who looked into both cases found failures with Surrey County Councils special educational needs department.

Intervening, the Liberal Democrat MP for Woking Will Forster said: Will (Mr Coghlan) agree with me that the provisions contained in this Bill, which would not just encourage but force local authorities to share that data, could have saved Sara from Woking, and could save vulnerable children going forward?

Mr Coghlan replied: I, of course, agree with you that public data sharing between public authorities is vital to ensure that it does not happen again.

But it is not enough, and it will not prevent alone the catastrophic and systematic negligence by Surrey County Council.

The MP accused the authority of ignoring existing legislation.

Surrey County Council has been approached for comment.
Lance Corporal Joe Spencer was killed when his gun went off without warning during a training exercise (family handout/PA)

A soldier died when his rifle went off without warning during a training exercise in the Scottish Highlands, an inquiry into his death has found.

Lance Corporal Joe Spencer, 24, was killed on November 1, 2016 when his gun went off unexpectedly during a sniper training course in Tain.

The youngest of three brothers and originally from Hampshire, L/Cpl Spencer joined the British Army in 2011, and became a member of 3rd Battalion The Rifles.

He was deployed abroad on a number of occasions, including on operations in Afghanistan where he was seriously wounded in a grenade attack.

He died while taking part in new sniper operators course, which began on October 3 2016 and was being delivered in three phases at ranges at Barry Buddon near Dundee, Tain in the Highlands and in Otterburn, Northumberland.

He was standing waiting for his turn to take part in an exercise, with the butt of his rifle resting on his foot and his chin resting on the barrel, when it went off.

In his determination following a fatal accident inquiry, sheriff Gary Aitken said: [/LCpl Spencer] was holding his rifle vertically. The butt of the rifle was resting on the toe cap of his boot.

He was occasionally resting his chin on the suppressor fitted to the end of the rifle muzzle. He was moving the rifle up and down on his boot, very gently.

From that position it was impossible for him to manually operate the trigger of the rifle.

Without warning the rifle discharged, inflicting an immediately fatal head wound to L/Cpl Spencer.

A local doctor was called and L/Cpl Spencer was pronounced dead at 6.45pm.

Lance Corporal Joe Spencer joined the Army in 2011 (family handout/PA)

The sheriff ruled the incident was partly due to L/Cpl Spencers utterly inexplicable failure to properly unload his rifle following a live fire exercise earlier in the day.

He added his death could have been avoided if he had not been holding his rifle vertically in close proximity to his body during the undemanded discharge.

Sheriff Aitken also pointed to failures in the way the training course had been delivered, saying that if the correct words of command to carry out the unload drill had been given, the incident could have been avoided.

He also said a safety officer who had been standing behind L/Cpl Spencer during the earlier exercise had left the firing range while the unloading drill should have taken place.

This meant, he said, the safety officer was unable to confirm whether L/Cpl Spencer had unloaded his rifle properly following the exercise.

Sheriff Aitken said three separate investigations into the rifle had found no fault with the weapon that would have caused it to fire without the trigger being pulled.

He said the accident was most likely caused by the trigger getting snagged on equipment on the ground while L/Cpl Spencer moved the rifle up and down on his foot, coinciding with a moment in time when his head was above the muzzle.

The sheriff concluded the soldiers death had been the result of the actions and decisions of a number of individuals, including L/Cpl Spencer himself.

He continued: From the evidence available to me, I do not consider that any of these individuals acted with malice or recklessness or had any idea of the catastrophic event their actions would lead to.

In isolation each of the decisions is relatively innocuous, with the exception of L/Cpl Spencers utterly inexplicable failure to complete the unloading drill for the rifle.

He also expressed his condolences to L/Cpl Spencers family, friends and comrades.

He was clearly a much-loved son, brother and partner and a very highly regarded soldier, both by his peers and his senior officers, he said.

It is clear from the evidence that I have heard that he was a young man of extraordinary determination and strength of character, committed to the service of others.

Procurator fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on fatalities investigations for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, said: We note the sheriffs determination.

The procurator fiscal ensured that the full facts and circumstances of L/Cpl Joe Spencers death were led in evidence.

My thoughts are with the family, friends and fellow soldiers of L/Cpl Spencer at this time.
The coldest nights of the year are expected this week (Andrew Milligan/PA)

A fresh weather warning is set to come into force as it is revealed that 300 properties have flooded across England since New Years Eve.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow covering southern counties of England from 9am until midnight on Wednesday, which could prove disruptive.

Between two and five centimetres of snow could accumulate fairly widely and as much as 10cm over higher ground, with the warning stretching as far as south London.

Weather warnings issued on Tuesday for snow and ice covering the Midlands, parts of North Wales, the North West of England, west and northern parts of Scotland as well as Northern Ireland remain in place until midday on Wednesday.

Some roads and railways are likely to be affected, and there could be icy patches on untreated roads, the forecaster said.

The coldest nights of the year are expected this week, with temperatures potentially reaching minus 14C on Wednesday night and minus 16C on Thursday night, both in the North East of England and Scotland, the Met Office said.

Since New Years Eve, the Environment Agency estimates that more than 41,000 properties have been protected across England, but at least 300 properties have flooded.

Flood water in Loughborough, Leicestershire as estimates show hundreds of properties have been flooded since New Years Eve (Joe Giddens/PA)

Snowmelt has brought further disruption to parts of England, particularly in the Midlands, following the heavy rainfall over the New Year that saw significant river and surface water flooding across the North West of England and Yorkshire, the Environment Agency said.

Floods minister Emma Hardy said: My sympathies go out to the people, businesses and communities impacted by the recent flooding across the country.

I want to express my heartfelt thanks for the vital work that the Environment Agency and emergency services are doing to keep people safe. People must continue to follow their advice and sign up for flood warnings.

More flood warnings are in place with people urged to remain vigilant over the coming days (Joe Giddens/PA)

On Tuesday, more than 100 flood warnings were in force across England with people urged to remain vigilant over the coming days.

A danger-to-life warning was issued on Tuesday morning but was later removed for the River Soar near Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire, where people living in caravan parks were urged by the Environment Agency to act, with a large-scale evacuation needed to save lives.

Dozens of people have been rescued by firefighters across Leicestershire since Monday, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said.

Homeowners on Belton Road in Loughborough were stranded on the first floor of their semi-detached houses on Tuesday after rising water from the nearby Grand Union canal flooded the street.

One flood warning and six flood alerts were in place in Wales.

Hundreds of schools were closed across the UK, with road and rail links blocked.

Manchester, Bristol and Liverpool John Lennon airports were forced to suspend flights because of the conditions.
Meta has announced that Facebook and Instagram will move away from using third-party fact checkers (PA)

John Swinney has said he is concerned by the moderation changes at Facebook and Instagram, while signalling that he may reconsider the Scottish Governments use of X, formerly Twitter, in future.

Meta has announced that Facebook and Instagram will move away from using third-party fact checkers to flag misleading content in favour of user-based notes similar to X.

Boss Mark Zuckerberg has said the system which has built up in his company in recent years has become biased and is making too many mistakes, saying he wants to return to his platforms core values of free speech.

But fact-checking organisations say the move will mean misinformation will spread more easily online.

Asked about the changes during a visit to a battery storage site in South Lanarkshire on Wednesday, Mr Swinney said quality factual information should underpin all of our discourse in life and certainly within public policy.

He added: Im concerned about these developments, because anything that undermines the reliability of information thats available to the public causes uncertainty and potentially damage to the quality of our debate.

He also said populism is a disaster for our society which he will seek to confront.

X owner Elon Musk has made a number of comments on UK politics in recent days, leading to the Prime Minister defending his safeguarding minister Jess Phillips.

The worlds richest man has also clashed with Mr Swinneys predecessor Humza Yousaf online.

Discussing the Scottish Governments use of X, the First Minister said: Ill keep considering this, because its certainly not my last word on the subject.

I want to make sure I use all channels to communicate with the public, but Ive got to be satisfied those channels are appropriate for me and for my government.

While Im still using X just now, I will consider further the issues that are raised by members of the public about the appropriateness of that as a communications channel.
A man carries a young child as a group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover (PA)

New sanctions will target the finances of people smuggling networks as part of efforts to stop migrants crossing the English Channel.

The planned measures are intended to disrupt the flow of money and make it harder for ringleaders to profit from the deadly trade.

It will be the worlds first standalone sanctions regime dedicated to targeting irregular migration and organised immigration crime.

(PA Graphics)

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: We must dismantle the crime gangs facilitating breaches of our borders.

He said that crippling illicit finance rings allowing smugglers to traffic vulnerable people across Europe would help secure UK borders.

The Government will bring forward legislation for the new scheme, which is expected to come into force within the year.

The plans have not yet been finalised but the regime is likely to operate on similar lines to other sanctions, meaning asset freezes and travel bans for individuals or firms where there are reasonable grounds to suspect involvement in people smuggling.

The sanctions regime would prevent them using UK financial institutions to invest or move money around.

If the new scheme is in line with the UKs other regimes, such as those aimed at tackling terrorism, cyber attacks or Russians linked to the war in Ukraine, breaches of sanctions could be a criminal offence, punishable by up to seven years in prison.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy will set out further details of the scheme in a major speech on Thursday.

He said: This will help to prevent, combat, deter and disrupt irregular migration and the smuggling of migrants into the UK.

As well as the UKs sanctions regime, the Foreign Office expects to collaborate closely with international allies to combat people smugglers.

The Labour government has put international co-operation at the heart of its plans to address the migrant crisis after scrapping the Tory plan to send asylum seekers on a one-way trip to Rwanda.

Sir Keir will discuss the issue with Frances Emmanuel Macron on Thursday after the number of migrants arriving in the UK after crossing the Channel in small boats was 25% higher in 2024 than 2023.

(PA Graphics)

Some 36,816 people made the journey in 2024, up from 29,437 the year before.

The total is down 20% on the record 45,774 arrivals in 2022, however.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: Since coming into power, we have taken swift and robust action to smash the gangs, working with international partners to track down and disrupt dangerous criminal networks.

With these new sanctions, we will target those profiting off putting lives at risk and disrupt the gangs finances, making it harder for them to operate.

Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel accused Labour of having no credibility in dealing with people-smuggling.

In Parliament they voted against tougher punishments and life sentences for people smugglers, abolished the Rwanda deterrent and campaigned in favour of the rights of dangerous criminals and foreign national offenders, over the safety of the British people, she said.

The last Conservative government legislated to tackle illegal migration and worked with international partners to bring criminals to face justice, disrupt their activities and secure arrests, prosecutions and convictions.
The chairman of Republicans Overseas UK said there is a massive amount of optimism ahead of Donald Trumps inauguration (Jane Barlow/PA)

The head of a Republican group in the UK said optimism and expectations are really high ahead of Donald Trumps inauguration later this month.

Investment banker and political commentator Greg Swenson is chairman of the Republicans Overseas UK group, a support network for Republican Americans living in the United Kingdom.

He said he believed Mr Trumps election would be net positive for US-UK relations but added that Mr Trump and his cabinet wont be scared to criticise.

Looking ahead to the inauguration on January 20, Mr Swenson told the PA news agency: Theres just a massive amount of optimism. Perhaps a bit too much.

Expectations are really high because this time weve seen the movie.

In 2016 we didnt feel this way because it was such a shock result. But now weve had four years of Trump that was filled with peace and prosperity, barring a few bumps, and were getting rid of the insanity of this Biden administration.

There will be challenges. For example, us on the right will have to pay for what Biden did in raising national debt. Thats going to be a big challenge.

But a criticism I dont agree with is that all of Trumps appointees are yes men. I dont think thats true and as long as everyones on the same page a little bit of friction is healthy.

Mr Swensons comments come amid an ongoing spat between UK ministers and billionaire X owner Elon Musk, who has been appointed by the president-elect to lead his Department of Government Efficiency advisory board.

On this, the Republican admitted there could be bumps in UK-US relations but that overall it would be net positive.

He explained: Almost the entire West is moving to the right. But because of the election cycle and the disappointment of the Tories, the UK is the opposite with Labour.

But I do think the relationship will be positive. You have a president who likes the UK but wont be scared to criticise. Youre going to get grenades in the room.

Greg Swenson, chairman of Republicans Overseas UK, predicted UK-US relations would be net positive (PA)

On Mr Musks particular criticism of Home Office minister Jess Phillips, including a post on X describing her as a rape genocide apologist, Mr Swenson said: Elon is piling on a bit with the sex terrorism but nobody knew about it in the US. They were shocked that it could happen in a Western country.

I dont necessarily agree with his comments but I dont think it will damage the relationship between the UK and US. If the comments elevated the threat against her then thats not good. But where do you stop criticising opponents?

When you look at what the Labour government has said in the past about Trump, calling him a fascist and a racist, thats really inflammatory.

So I dont think the comments are anything unusual for elevated rhetoric. But would I have made them? No.

Mr Trump will be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on January 20.

The ceremony will take place in Washington, DC, marking the peaceful transition of power from Joe Biden to Mr Trump  who is returning to the White House for a non-consecutive second term.
Israeli air strikes have killed at least five people in the Gaza Strip, including two infants and a woman, Palestinian medics said.

One strike hit a home in the central city of Deir al-Balah, killing two men and a woman, according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, which received the casualties.

The hospital said it also received a four-month-old boy who was killed in a strike on his family house in the nearby built-up Bureij refugee camp.

An Associated Press journalist saw the four bodies in the hospital mortuary.

The war began on October 7 2023 (AP)

In Gaza City, an air strike hit a home in the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood, killing a three-week-old baby, according to the Health Ministrys emergency service.

Israels military says it only targets militants, who they say are hiding among civilians.

The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on October 7 2023, killing some 1,200 people and abducting around 250.

Some 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead.

Israels air and ground offensive has killed more than 45,800 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry.

It does not say how many were fighters, but says women and children make up over half the fatalities.

The military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence.
Rescuers work at the site of a Russian air strike in Zaporizhzhia (Oleg Movchaniuk/AP)

A daytime Russian missile attack on the southern Ukraine city of Zaporizhzhia has killed at least 13 civilians and injured about 30 others, officials said.

Footage posted on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys Telegram channel showed civilians lying in a city street littered with debris. They were being treated by emergency services taken away on stretchers.

Russian has frequently launched aerial attacks on civilian areas during the almost three-year war. Thousands of civilians have been killed in Europes biggest conflict since the Second World War.

Mr Zelensky and regional governor Ivan Fedorov said Wednesdays attack killed at least 13 civilians. Minutes before the attack, Mr Fedorov had warned of a threat of high-speed missiles and devastating glide bombs being fired at the Zaporizhzhia region.

Paramedics carry an injured man into an ambulance (Zaporizhzhia regional military administration via AP)

Russian troops started launching the glide bombs at Zaporizhzhia in the middle of the afternoon, and at least two bombs struck residential buildings in the city, Mr Fedorov said.

He announced that Thursday would be a day of mourning in the region.

There is nothing more brutal than aerial bombing of a city, knowing that ordinary civilians will suffer, Mr Zelensky wrote on Telegram.

He said earlier on Wednesday that countries wanting to end the war should offer Ukraine assurances about its future defence. Kyiv officials fear that any ceasefire or peace deal will just give the Kremlin time to rearm and invade again unless it is deterred by military force.

To be honest, I believe that we have a right to demand serious security guarantees from  the countries that aim for the peace in the world, Mr Zelensky said.

He was responding at a news conference in Kyiv to comments the previous day by Donald Trump that he understood Russias opposition to neighbouring Ukraine joining Nato.

The United States, Germany, Hungary and Slovakia have stood in the way of Ukraine immediately joining the 32-nation alliance, Mr Zelensky noted. The alliance has said only that the country is on an irreversible path to membership.

Governor of the Saratov region Roman Busargin, second right, speaks to firefighters at the industrial site damaged by Ukrainian drone attacks (Governor of the Saratov region Roman Busargin telegram channel/AP)

The attack came after the Ukrainian military said it struck a fuel storage depot deep inside Russia, causing a huge blaze at the facility that supplies an important Russian air base.

Russian officials acknowledged a major drone attack in Saratov region, and said that authorities had set up an emergency command centre to fight the fire.

Ukraines General Staff said the assault hit the storage facility near Engels, about 370 miles east of the Ukrainian border.

The depot supplied a nearby airfield used by aircraft that launch missiles across the border into Ukraine, a statement on Facebook said.

Ukraine has been developing its arsenal of domestically produced long-range missiles and drones capable of reaching deep behind the front line as it faces restrictions on the range that its military can fire its Western-supplied missiles into Russia.

The attacks have disrupted Russian logistics during the ongoing war, which began on February 24 2022, and embarrassed the Kremlin.

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Mr Zelensky said last year that his country has developed a weapon that could hit a target 400 miles away. Some Ukrainian drone attacks have hit targets more than 600 miles away.

The governor of the Saratov region, Roman Busargin, said that an unspecified industrial plant in Engels sustained damage from the falling drone debris that sparked a fire, but nobody was hurt.

Engels, which has a population of more than 220,000, is located on the left bank of the Volga River, and is home to multiple industrial plants. Saratov, a major industrial city of about 900,000, faces Engels across the river.

The statement from Ukraines General Staff said: The damage to the oil base creates serious logistical problems for the strategic aviation of the Russian occupiers and significantly reduces their ability to strike peaceful Ukrainian cities and civilian objects. To be continued.

Russian authorities restricted flights early on Wednesday at the airports of Saratov, Ulyanovsk, Kazan and Nizhnekamsk, in an apparent response to the Ukrainian attack.

The main base of Russias nuclear-capable strategic bombers is located just outside Engels.

It has come under Ukrainian drone attacks since the early stages of the war, forcing the Russian military to relocate most of the bombers to other areas.
R-Evolution, a 45-foot mesh sculpture by Marco Cochrane, will be installed at Union Square. Courtesy RHAA Landscape Architecture + Planning

The big twinkling Christmas tree is gone from San Franciscos Union Square and the ice rink will be shut down by the end of January. But a new beacon is coming to the neighborhood in the form of a 45-foot tall mesh wire sculpture of a naked woman that will be lit at night with open palms to welcome shoppers in a way that no mannequin ever could.

The artwork by Marco Cochrane made its debut at Burning Man in 2013 and the installation in Union Square on Jan. 29 and a party with a DJ and full bar on Feb. 6 will presumably draw Burners, but merchants in the area hope it will also spark a sustained revival of the struggling shopping district.

Union Square was decimated by the pandemic and hurt by scenes of viral theft at high-end stores in recent years. The shooting of 49ers player Ricky Pearsall in late August only added to its woes. The huge Macys store anchoring Union Square is set to close once a buyer is found, another blow to the area.

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Still, theres optimism about the arrival of the sculpture, which will be up at least through May.

R-Evolution, a 45-foot mesh sculpture by Marco Cochrane, will be installed at Union Square. Courtesy RHAA Landscape Architecture + Planning/Getty Images Artist Marco Cochrane and his crew member Stockhausen, right, take a look at Cochranes sculpture Truth is Beauty while being lowered down after finishing putting the final pieces on at the new San Leandro Tech Campus on Oct. 3, 2016. The sculpture was originally shown in its final form at Burning Man in 2013. Laura Morton/Special to The Chronicle

This work of art will be a huge draw for the region, said Marisa Rodriguez, CEO of the Union Square Alliance, which is organizing the installation of R-Evolution. The Alliance represents merchants and property owners for a 27-block radius.

Rodriguez expects the number of visitors to the artwork to rival the 7 million who come for Bloom, the flower show that starts March 22 and runs throughout the district until September.



The people who come to see the sculpture will need a cup of coffee and theyll need dinner and a place to stay. They may want to go shopping or catch a show. This will be a huge boost and economic driver, she said.

The sculpture Truth is Beauty by artist Marco Cochrane is seen at the new San Leandro Tech Campus, where it was permanently installed on Oct. 3, 2016. It is the second in a series of three sculptures known collectively as the Bliss Project. Laura Morton/Special to The Chronicle

It will be the first time a work of public art of this scale has been exhibited in Union Square.

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The hope is that visitors and residents will flock to the square to see the sculpture and that a series of scheduled concerts and yoga classes will also be a boost.

Public art creates an opportunity for dialogue, and it draws community, said Rodriguez. Every world-class city deserves a thriving city center and that is what Union Square represents for the region. It is a perfect place to have an experience of this magnitude  a magnificent sculpture that is lit up and breathing and representing feminine strength, empowerment and balance.

The idea of placing the sculpture in Union Square was conceived by Building 180, a women-run art organization.

Shannon Riley, founder and CEO of Building 180, contacted the Union Square Alliance and pitched the idea, which was ultimately sponsored by the Sijbrandij Foundation. The budget is slightly more than $300,000 to cover installation and the grand opening event on Feb. 6 from 4-8 p.m., and maintenance of the sculptures mechanical apparatus, which is meant to mimic breathing for one hour a day.

San Francisco is going through a tough time, but I believe it will overcome that and be the city that it has been, said Riley. Thats what a strong standing woman represents.

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There are actually three strong standing women built by Cochrane at his studio on Treasure Island, with his muse and collaborator Deja Solis. One sister sculpture titled Bliss Dance is on display in Las Vegas, and another titled Truth is Beauty is at the San Leandro tech center, visible from the BART train.

Reached at his new base in Petaluma, Cochrane did not have much to say about the sculpture or the meaning behind it.

I speak in body language, not in language language, he said. I hope people come to experience whatever they feel when they see it, which is usually something very nice. People get it without having to know anything about it.

Solis said she posed for the sculpture when she was in her 20s. Im 45 now, she said. Its wonderful to be captured in a way that can bring peace and joy to people and effect a type of togetherness with humanity.

The installation will begin Jan. 29 when R-Evolution is trucked down from Petaluma. The merchants eagerly await it.

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Its a beautiful sculpture and it can bring more people to Union Square, which we absolutely need. It is fantastic,'' said Scott Schryver, manager of CK Contemporary art gallery on Powell Street.

Cesar Cornejo, manager of the Golden Goose shoe boutique on Geary, said lighting up the sculpture at night will definitely bring more tourists, which is something we all need.

John Konstin, second-generation proprietor of Johns Grill, which has been two blocks off the square since 1908, said the artwork is a great idea.



A 45-foot-tall woman will attract a lot of people to come and see her, he added.
Stephen Nolan has issued an update to social media followers concerned about his wellbeing while hes in California as wildfires grip parts of the state.

The BBC presenter has assured people he is safe in Santa Cruz, spending time at a beautiful beach in Carmel.

Northern Irish people visiting or living in Los Angeles have also been posting updates online about their safety as fires spread.

Brendan McDowell, who runs the cosmetics brand BPerfect, was last night preparing in case he needed to evacuate his LA residence, after an evacuation order was sent for the neighbouring Palisades area.

Mr McDowell and his partner Tony have been in LA since last month, having travelled there ahead of the birth of their daughter Enya, who was born through surrogacy.

The Co Down man took to social media in Tuesday night to share updates as the fires progressed, in one video posted to Instagram smoke could be seen in the distance, but Mr McDowell said that the fires appeared to be progressing away from his residence.

Mr McDowell later revealed that an evacuation notice had been issued for the nearby Palisades area, prompting the family to prepare for a potential evacuation

He shared a video on Instagram of his baby daughter in a car seat, saying that the family have bags ready to go just in case.

Derry-born actress Roma Downey has said she is praying for her neighbours in the city who have been impacted.

An Instagram post read: We are experiencing very intense gusty winds and its going to be a long night here.

"Once again our front line rescue workers and fire fighters are extraordinary. Praying for all those impacted.

Thousands have had to evacuate from suburbs of Los Angeles as wildfires have spread into the city after starting in a nature reserve.

Governor of California Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency, and the LA Fire Department has appealed to off-duty firefighters to help battle the blazes.

The Pacific Palisades neighbourhood, which has many famous residents, has been hit hard, with traffic jams forming as people leave their homes.

Former BBC NI journalist Emma Vardy, who lives in LA, has described being faced by apocalyptic scenes while driving towards the fires.

Vardy, now the BBCs LA correspondent, said that she could see two of the fires from her apartment in the North Hollywood district.

"A scary sight to awake to, wind howling, she said in a post on X.

Meanwhile, Mr Nolan paid tribute to the area by saying that southern California has such a special place in my heart & Im thinking about all those who are affected by the fires.

He shared a picture of himself on X sleeping on a bench as he confirmed he was safe and said it was really lovely that many people had been in touch to check in on him.

He added: The people staying at my house back home in NI while Im away say the weather is awful - so stay safe!
Irish State Papers draw back the curtain on what was going on behind the scenes

UUP leader David Trimble wanted a border poll on the same day an Assembly election - everyone else thought it was a bad idea (Paul Faith/PA).

Unionists fiercely resist calls for a border poll on a United Ireland, but that was not always the case.

David Trimble campaigned for a poll in 2002 but was dismissed by British prime minister Tony Blair.

Formerly secret Irish government records show the SDLP and Dublin were heavily against the idea.

Other newly released Dublin files reveal former taoiseach John Bruton was suspicious not only of Sinn Fein and the SDLP, but even his own Department of Foreign Affairs.

State Papers reveal Mr Bruton  who was taoiseach from 1994-97  was wary of the views of both parties on what nationalists truly wanted.

Other files reveal that a young John F Kennedy was happy enough with the partition of Ireland and that Roger Casement was a source of controversy long after his death.

Ralph Reigel from the Irish Independent has been examining the papers  he joins Ciaran Dunbar.

What Dublins secret files reveal about Northern Ireland

UUP leader David Trimble wanted a border poll on the same day an Assembly election - everyone else thought it was a bad idea (Paul Faith/PA).

News Catch Up - Wednesday 8 January
Travel review: Sun, street art and sand... my magical Mexican trip married cultural city breaks with glorious unspoilt beaches

From culture in the capital to the white sands of Cancun, Mexico has treasure for everyone

By the water at El Cuyo town in Yucatan. Photo: Getty

Hilary Fennell Wed 8 Jan 2025 at 11:00







After a 12-hour bus ride from Guatemala, I arrived tired and jaded in San Cristobal de las Casas for a month-long backpacking adventure through Mexico.
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.
A San Francisco Police Department wanted bulletin and copies of letters sent to the San Francisco Chronicle by a man who called himself Zodiac are displayed. After decades of covering the saga, Chronicle reporter Kevin Fagan is retiring. Eric Risberg/Associated Press

My first brush with the Zodiac Killer saga came in May 1996, in the form of a thick beige envelope plopped on my desk by the newsroom mail staff. Having just covered the Unabombers reign of mail-bomb terror for nearly a year, including traveling to Montana for his arrest the month before, I was wary of big packages from people I didnt know.

But this one seemed harmless. So I opened it. Inside was a thick, handwritten book attempting to prove that Unabomber Ted Kaczynski was also the Zodiac.

That was about as believable as saying my granny was the Zodiac. One mailed bombs, the other stabbed and shot people. The personality profiles were radically divergent. But I made a couple of calls to cops and FBI agents to get some cautious quotes about them looking into the concept, and batted out a short story basically knocking down the theory.

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Thats when the floodgate of tips started pouring in.

They came by the hundreds, saying Z, as sleuths call him, was their father, their brother, Charlie Manson, the weird guy down the road, a group of cops, some dude in Scotland, and more. Nobody had covered the Zodiac beat since the Chronicles Duffy Jennings in the 1970s. Hmm, my editor at the time said. Thats a lot of tips youve got. I guess youre on the Zodiac beat now.

The torrent has never stopped.

Its been 28 years, and as I retire this week from the newspaper, Ill leave behind two brimming boxes and thousands of electronic files Ive collected from people who have either named suspects they believe are the Zodiac or say theyve cracked the spooky ciphers the killer sent to the Chronicle and others in letters bragging about his awful handiwork. The Zodiac was only a sliver of my job  I actually specialized in homelessness, along with crime and, well, most of the things a reporter whos been doing this gig for more than 40 years gets around to. But the Zodiac? It brought the most mail, emails and phone calls.

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Some tipsters not only identify a suspect but swear the person confessed to them. Others say their guy resembles the sketch police put out back in the day (which looks like most strait-laced men from the 1960s). Others say they found weapons, diaries or other evidence that proves their case. Some tipsters are former law enforcement officers, others bang out books on their research, others cobble up their ideas in letters or emails between work shifts. It is literally endless.

And this is a case that is more than a half-century old  the only law enforcement-confirmed attacks he pulled off came in 1968 and 1969, leaving five dead and two men wounded. Except for his last victim, a taxi driver in San Francisco, the Zodiac shot or stabbed couples in lovers lane settings in Napa and Solano counties, then mailed his infuriating letters to newspapers proclaiming that he was collecting slaves for his afterlife, and taunting the cops to find him. Fear billowed through the Bay Area until the early 1970s, when confirmed letters finally ceased and other monstrosities came along to grab the publics attention.

The Zodiac  and police are certain its a he, given the profile characteristics and the overwhelming scarcity of female serial killers  is Americas Jack the Ripper, and I am convinced the avalanche of theories and interest in the case wont end until official investigators nail down a suspect with absolute certainty. Amateur investigators cant have the definitive last word. It has to be the official ones, meaning the FBI or police departments in San Francisco, Solano and Napa counties, where he left his victims. The Zodiacs reign of terror is a true-life legal issue, not some TV movie or novel. Law enforcement and the courts are the deciders on these things. Its over when they say its over.

The problem is that investigators only ever named one man, Arthur Leigh Allen of Vallejo, as a suspect before DNA and other technologies entered the detectives toolkit. Allen died of heart disease in 1992, and while there were scads of witness accounts and evidence linking Allen to the case, police couldnt lace it all together before his death. So no arrest.

DNA and fingerprints used to solve cold cases now are too scant for the Z killings, despite breathless assertions in some quarters of the media over the years, and this leaves the investigation details open to interpretation even though dozens of films, articles and books have fingered Allen. Those include a recent Netflix series that featured my fine colleagues Robert Graysmith and Rita Williams.

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Some people got irritated that I didnt write about their theories, but the newspaper is a filter, not a spillway. I couldnt name suspects who were likely innocent  even if they were dead  and I depended to a large degree on what my sources in law enforcement said.

And so far, despite all the tips, the only rock-solid, law enforcement-verified scoop that has emerged in this mystery in the past three decades came in 2021. Thats when I broke the story about how a code-breaking team from the United States, Australia and Belgium cracked the Zodiacs vexing 340 cipher. The FBI confirmed the solution to me, we published, and within minutes the story was picked up around the world. Thats how explosive the interest remains.

And the answer to the cipher? Just more taunts and craziness: I hope you are having lots of fun in trying to catch me, the Zodiac wrote. I am not afraid of the gas chamber because it will send me to paradice (sic) all the sooner because now I have enough slaves to work for me. The word crazy is considered improper in polite journalism. But this stuff from Z is crazy. And did that cipher solution satisfy the sleuth world? Not really. I still get scads of emails and packages from people who scoff at it and offer their own version.

Our library shows I have written 57 stories about the Zodiac since that first clip in May 1996, along with doing spots in TV and film documentaries. It is indeed a fascinating case, with more twists, theories, guesses, personalities, tragedies and scary, unanswered questions than most. And I should know.

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I have written about more murders than I can count in what has been a long career  the Night Stalker, the kidnap and killing of Polly Klaas, the massacres at Columbine High and in Las Vegas, the 9/11 terror attacks, the unsolved Doodler killings of 1974-75  and Ive witnessed seven executions. When I was a very young police reporter, it was thrilling in the way that true crime thrills moviegoers and readers; you feel awful for the victims, of course, but there is an exhilarating challenge in chasing clues and tying up mysteries. But as I got older, the thrill wore off.

For many years now, its just been achingly sad. There are actual people involved in these tragedies  real deceased people leaving behind grieving friends and family, real relatives and friends associated with the killers, and the killers themselves who were innocent babies at one time and somewhere along the way got warped. Murder is anything but infotainment, but thats how a lot of people regard it unless and until theyre forced to grapple with the genuine horror.

People ask me all the time who I think is the Zodiac Killer. Well, Im not the guy to ask. The cops are. The Chronicle long ago turned over all the letters and other solid evidence from the verified 1968-69 killings to the San Francisco Police Department, so all I have in that regard is those thousands of tips in files.

Someday, perhaps DNA technology will advance enough to nail down an identity, or something solid will pop up that finally convinces officials that the mystery is solved. But know this: I wont be at the Chronicle to report it.

I am happily retiring Jan. 8 from the paper, and as I leave, I leave behind my files. The overwhelming majority of the amateur sleuths who have reached out to me were polite, sincere and intelligent. But I have also been stalked, threatened and badgered for not anointing some tips as the absolute truth  and Im done.

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DALTON  Fire Chief Christian Tobin was fired Tuesday in the wake of an independent investigation that concluded he had engaged in "inappropriate workplace behavior."

The vote by the Dalton Fire District's three-member Board of Water Commissioners took place following the receipt of a 3-inch-thick report by Comprehensive Investigations Consulting titled, "Sexual harassment and inappropriate workplace behavior in the Dalton Fire District."

"I feel there's sufficient evidence to support the harassment charges brought to our attention against Christian Tobin," commission Chair James Driscoll said. "Also the fact that Mr. Tobin did not make himself available for the requested interviews in person or on Zoom by [the consultant] leads me to the decision that we need to terminate Mr. Tobin as of Jan. 7, 2025."

But Tobin says he never received a request for an interview. And he claims he is the victim of retaliation for shedding light on what he alleged was financial mismanagement within the department.

Elizabeth Quigley, Tobin's attorney, said her client is a whistleblower and he would sue following the conclusion of a "serious ongoing investigation."

Tobin has been on paid administrative leave since August, when the commissioners suspended him amid allegations of staff mistreatment and sexual harassment. The commission also received a joint letter signed by a number of firefighters in the department alleging staff mistreatment, according to district lawyer Elisabeth Goodman.

Deputy Fire Chief Chris Cachat will serve as interim fire chief going forward.

Commissioner Michael Kubicki said he read the report and, "I agree with their conclusion that Chief Tobin engaged in inappropriate workplace behavior and created an intimidating work environment."

Commissioner Camillus Cachat Jr., who described himself as a lifetime honorary firefighter, said when the commissioners interviewed Tobin for the job, they told him he would need to respond to all fire calls and to medical calls when the ambulance is out of town during the day.

"He didn't do it," said Cachat, who is the brother of the interim chief. "Because of that, I agree with the water commissioners."

Driscoll said the report, which cost the taxpayers up to $5,000, would be posted on the fire district's website "as soon as redactions take place."

One of the approximately 40 people in attendance asked whether Tobin's allegations had been investigated.

According to a packet he handed out in August, Tobin called for an investigation and forensic audit of the fire district based partly on the districts $183,084 debt at the end of fiscal year 2024, wage and hour violations, and other practices, including what he alleged were kickbacks on Fire Department purchases. He also filed open meeting law complaints to the state Attorney Generals Office and contacted that office's fair labor division for guidance.

Driscoll said after the meeting that the commission did not investigate Tobin's claims.

"We didn't do anything on our own because I think it could be biased from our point of view," he said.

Quigley, Tobin's attorney, told The Eagle that her client would pursue legal action against the town in state and federal court. "This is what happens to people who are going to rock the boat.

"There's been illegal activities undertaken for years in this town," she said. "These are the things that he complained about initially, when he first got into this position."

Quigley's law partner, Jonathan Zepka, said Tobin was never contacted by the consultant "and no interview was performed by him. Our office was contacted through defunct email."

He said a meeting was supposed to be scheduled for late January.

"We also have never seen this report," Zepka said. "And we do not know of its contents."

Goodman, the fire district's lawyer, read a motion enumerating the report's findings, namely that Tobin:

"was found to have engaged in inappropriate workplace behavior";

took time off without authorization;

did not make himself available for interview "within a reasonable time";

and failed to obtain Massachusetts EMT certification and failed to pass the Fire Prevention Officer Level 2 certification.

Previously, Tobin narrowly avoided termination in a job he held as deputy fire chief in Florida. He was allowed to retire through a legal settlement in June 2022, according to public records from the Greater Naples Fire Rescue District, where he worked for 24 years. An investigation found he had violated that departments policies related to insubordination, conduct unbecoming, and misconduct.

Tobin is the second Dalton fire chief within recent years to come under scrutiny. James Peltier was terminated in May 2023 after a unanimous vote and a separate vote of no confidence by firefighters.

"It feels very much like something that happened to me a couple years ago minus the sexual harassment," Peltier told The Eagle following Tuesday's vote. "But whenever there's something going on, they don't discuss it with the person, they just get rid of the person."

Driscoll said the commission will begin a search for a new chief either using a consulting firm or on its own.

"I think it's just hard to bring in people from outside Dalton or from outside the area, from bigger areas into here," Driscoll said regarding the firing of the previous chiefs. "I think that their mindset is to make this a bigger Fire Department. It just gets out of control as far as spending, as far as personnel, frustration levels."

Driscoll said the commission would look into promoting from within.

"I'm sad it came to this again," he said. "And hopefully the third time's the charm."
PITTSFIELD  The Pittsfield Health Department is now providing free Naloxone kits to residents.

Naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, is a medication that reverses opioid overdose and restores breathing within two to three minutes of being sprayed in the nose.

The program comes after the department qualified to participate in the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Community Naloxone Program, so all costs are covered by the state.

Residents can pick up a free kit, which comes with pamphlets detailing additional resources, at 100 North St., Mezzanine Level any time from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Andy Cambi, director of the city's Public Health Department, said the program is a way to increase Narcan distribution to better address overdoses in the community.

A lot of our community is struggling, Cambi said. So in those conversations, we provide them with medicine that can help them and save a life, and then also provide them resources.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, there were 28 opioid overdose deaths in Pittsfield in 2023.

Cambi said the program has already been successful in starting conversations with residents about naloxone and its use, which he hopes will reduce the stigma around carrying the medication.

Pittsfield Social Worker Maria Arias said speaking with residents about naloxone also provides an opportunity to connect people who are struggling with opioid addiction to the proper services.

Some people that are using will say, I want to change, but where do I go? Arias said. So that's an opportunity for us to bring out resources and connect them with a provider so they can start treatment.

Arias said it is important to note that naloxone can be used to treat all opioid overdoses, including those involving commonly prescribed pain medications such as morphine.

People may remain anonymous when picking up the Naloxone kit if they wish and only provide their initials.

Arias said she is happy to show people how to use the medication and answer any questions they may have.

For more information about the program, visit the Health Department page on the city website or call 413-499-9411.
PITTSFIELD  The school restructuring survey results are in and it seems students and parents favor keeping the current grade-level structure, while staff members are more open to changes.

On Monday, the Pittsfield Public Schools Middle School Restructuring Committee discussed the preliminary results of surveys sent out to elementary and middle school students, staff, parents, and community members. The surveys are part of the committees efforts to develop recommendations for the Pittsfield School Committee to address concerns about the middle school structure.

Those filling out the surveys were asked a series of questions about possible grade-span restructuring and what parents and students value most in their educational experience. Specially, the survey asked for opinions on placing students in buildings based on grades and not on geographic location. Currently, both Reid and Herberg middle schools teach grades six through eight with the student population divided geographically.

Superintendent Curtis said that while surveys are important to provide information and context, the Restructuring Committee will ultimately make a final recommendation to the School Committee about what to do going forward.

He also acknowledged that the surveys show significant resistance to change.

If the committee recommends change and the School Committee ultimately adopts that change, change is hard for people, Curtis said. Its not typically a comfortable place.

The Restructuring Committee  which includes educators, parents and community members  is working amid serious concerns about the city's two middle schools, while the city explores broader redistricting plans beyond the neighborhood school model. According to the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education school accountability report, both Herberg and Reid middle schools require assistance or intervention due to low participation rates and standardized testing performance.

Despite these challenges, survey results suggest that parents and students may be hesitant about change.

Out of 1,014 students surveyed in grades four through nine, 43.9 percent are either somewhat or very concerned about the idea of changing the grade levels included in middle school, and 55.9 percent said they would prefer no change.

Social connections also seem to be a priority, with 54.8 percent of students saying that keeping the same friends and social groups is most important to them if the grade span of middle school changes.

Similarly, of the 540 surveyed parents and guardians, 57.2 percent said they would prefer no change in the grade-level organization among schools.

However, of the 337 surveyed staff members for pre-K through grade 12, 45 percent said they support restructuring, while 37.7 percent said they are unsure and would like more information.

Several committee members said they need more data from staff members in grades six through eight, as only 98 staff members from these grades responded to the survey.

There have only been 15 responses to the community member survey, which committee members said is not enough to analyze the data or draw any meaningful conclusions.

The Restructuring Committee plans to keep the surveys open as it continues to work on its recommendations for the School Committee.

Curtis said the Restructuring Committee is working to reach a consensus on recommendations by Feb. 10, which they will then present to the Pittsfield School Committee along with their supporting research on Feb. 12.

The Restructuring Committee will have meetings on Jan. 27 and Feb. 3 to prepare and discuss recommendations.

Curtis also discussed the possibility of conducting a feasibility study to explore options for rebuilding Conte Community School and Crosby Elementary School, though he said it is uncertain if it will be approved.

There has to be discussions at the school building needs commission, the school committee and then finally approval by the city council by roughly Oct. 31 to fund the feasibility study," Curtis said.

If approved, the feasibility study would assess the existing Crosby Elementary School building and site, which is the focus of the Massachusetts School Building Authority project.

The Pittsfield school district would need to develop a comprehensive plan outlining space requirements, program offerings, curriculum goals, and enrollment projections.

The study is estimated to cost about $1.5 million, 80 percent of which is reimbursable by the MSBA if all requirements are followed, Curtis said.
BrainSightAI raises $5 M in Pre-series A funding round to expand presence in India

January 08, 2025 | Wednesday | News

Increasing its reach in Tier 1 cities and extend to Tier 2 cities

image credit- shutterstock

BrainSight AI, a Bengaluru-based deep-tech neuroscience startup, has raised Pre-series A funding with $5 million led by IAN Alpha Fund, with participation from IvyCap Ventures, Silver Needle, apart from existing investors. The funding is a significant milestone in BrainSightAIs mission to revolutionise the diagnosis and treatment of complex brain disorders through its innovative neuroinformatics platform, VoxelBox.

Currently, BrainSightAI collaborates with over 40 leading hospitals across India, particularly in neurosurgery and radiology departments, focusing on brain tumour cases. The company is now expanding its solutions to neurological and psychiatric disorders, paving the way for a more holistic approach to brain care.

The funds from this round will be strategically utilised to expand BrainSightAIs presence in India, increasing its reach in Tier 1 cities and extend to Tier 2 cities. The company also plans to pursue FDA certification, opening access to the US and allied markets. Additionally, the company is gearing up to explore opportunities in Africa and Southeast Asia, based on distributor interest. The funds will also support R&D for a caregiver-focused app, aimed at empowering families of patients with brain disorders.

BrainSightAI is at the forefront of understanding how the physiology of the brain correlates to its functions by mapping macro-scale neural connections in the brain, to enable precise diagnosis and prognosis of neuro-oncological and neuropsychiatric disorders. Traditionally available only at leading global research institutions like Harvard and Stanford, the platform makes this cutting-edge technology accessible to hospitals and patients worldwide.


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Fire crews battle the Eaton Fire next to a fully engulfed residence Wednesday in Altadena, near Los Angeles. Nic Coury/Associated Press

Deadly winter wildfires, fueled by dry winds and a parched earth, devastated swaths of the Los Angeles landscape, killing at least five, torching at least 1,000 structures and forcing celebrities with Malibu mansions as well as working-class families in dense suburbs to flee approaching flames.

The entire region faced a historic natural disaster, said Kevin McGowan, director of the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency management. Resources were running low, with fire hydrants starting to run dry and firefighters stretched thin battling out-of-control blazes across the region.

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Officials had braced for perfect wildfire weather Tuesday, with fierce Santa Ana winds expected and little to no precipitation falling on the Southern California soil so far this rainy season.

Despite their fears, they never expected the level of devastation and chaos that kicked off in the morning and continued through the night and into Wednesday. Four separate, major fires continued to rage out of control, with more than 28,000 acres scorched and firefighters stretched thin from the Pacific Palisades Fire at the coast, the Eaton Fire 50 miles inland near Pasadena, the Hurst Fire northwest in the San Fernando Valley community of Sylmar, and the Sunset Fire burning 60 acres after flaring up in the Hollywood Hills at about 6 p.m.

Another fire, the Woodley Fire in Sepulveda Basin, burned 30 acres before containment. The Lydia Fire broke out near Acton around 2 p.m., burning 348 before containment was made Wednesday night.

The L.A. County Fire Department was prepared for one or two major brush fires, but not four, especially given the sustained winds and low humidities, Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said at a Wednesday briefing. Marrone said the county had called for outside aid and hired more firefighters in preparation, but it still wasnt enough. Were doing the best we can. But, no, we dont have enough fire personnel in L.A. County between all of the departments to handle this.

Fire crews on at least two occasions rescued residents sheltering in swimming pools as fast-moving flames overtook their neighborhoods, the Southern California News Group reported Wednesday. The fire spread so quickly that those evacuating were clogged on roadways, many forced to abandon their cars and run.

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Emergency responders, including firefighters, were prioritizing life over everything else, said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna.

Ari Sallus and his mother were caught in stalled traffic as they tried to evacuate the Pacific Palisades neighborhood Tuesday shortly after the wildfire started. Traffic lines of people evacuating in cars came to a standstill  behind us and in front of us, he said.

The whole mountain was on fire, Sallus said. People just left their cars and walked away, Sallus said, adding a drive that would normally take minutes took an hour. We asked a firefighter, Should we leave our cars or should we try to drive out? He just said do what you think is best.

He drove through a median to get around abandoned cars and eventually made it to safety. A day later, he still didnt know whether his house was still standing.

Battling the flames was made harder by an hours-long pause in water drops from aircraft, which were grounded because of the ongoing wind conditions, which were expected to continue through Thursday.

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At least two people died in the Eaton Fire, the second largest of the three major blazes at nearly 11,000 acres burned as of late Wednesday morning and growing at an alarming rate after starting just after 6 p.m. Tuesday. Mandatory evacuations were in place across a well populated 20-mile slice along the San Gabriel mountains, from La Crescenta to Monrovia, with a section dipping south toward the suburb of Glendale.

Wind gusts of 100 mph were recorded in the San Gabriels.

The Pacific Palisades fire was the first to start at 10:30 a.m., burning more than 17,000 acres, charring homes and vegetation from the elite hills and beaches of Malibu and south toward Santa Monica.

Actors Mark Hamill and James Woods posted videos and messages on social media as they evacuated, the fires burning through multimillion dollar homes as they fled. Hamill said he left his Malibu home at 7 p.m. Tuesday, driving past flames on both sides of the road.

Woods posted a dramatic video showing flames licking his back deck and homes burning and smoke filling the air, adding later he had completed a renovation of his house last month.

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He fled with some clothes, glasses and medications, he told CNN.

There was so much chaos. It was like an inferno, every house was on fire around us, he said, adding he later received an alert from one of his smoke detectors. One day youre swimming in the pool, and the next day its all gone.

The Hills stars Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt revealed on Snapchat that their house was destroyed. Im watching our house burn down on the security cameras, Pratt said.

The fire was jumping from home to home, the wind carrying embers and igniting roofs, landscaping and vegetation.

It was apocalyptic, Nathan Hochman, L.A. County District Attorney, told ABC 7 Eyewitness News, adding residents with decades in the community had lost their homes. I would imagine the devastation is in the billions of dollars.

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The Hurst Fire in Sylmar started at about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, scorching 855 acres as of Wednesday night, with no containment reported.

On Wednesday morning, the water available to fight the wildfires was stretched thin, with reports that hydrants in Pacific Palisades were running dry.

While water service to homes and businesses was not affected, the system was not designed to fight wildfires, said Mark Pestrella, director of Los Angeles County Public Works, in a Wednesday news briefing.

A firefight with multiple fire hydrants drawing water from the system for several hours is unsustainable, Pestrella said.

He urged residents to turn off their water and their gas before evacuating to keep more water available for firefighters.

I need our customers to really conserve water, not just in the Palisades area, but the whole system, because the fire department needs the water to fight the fire.

Residents started to return to some of the burned areas to discover homes still standing as neighbors nearby sobbed in front of ash and rubble, their grief and shock captured by television news stations.

President-elect Donald Trump, however, expressed anger and disgust, describing California Gov. Gavin Newsom as Newscum in a social media post Wednesday morning, criticizing him over state water policies and threatening to withhold federal fire aid if he doesnt heed calls to change them.
The immense amount of smoke generated by the fires was also creating some interesting colors in the skies. The low sun angle for this time of year combined with the high volume of smoke particulates in the air created an orange hue to the sky. The large smoke particles work to scatter and absorb shorter wavelengths of light, allowing longer wavelengths to pass through and create the discoloration.
Coronation Street star Charlotte Jordan has announced she is leaving the show to start a new chapter and explore other opportunities.

The 29-year-old plays Daisy Midgeley in the long-running programme and won best dramatic performance at the British Soap Awards in 2023.

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It comes after Colson Smith (who plays Craig Tinker), Sue Cleaver (Eileen Grimshaw) and Luca Toolan (Mason Radcliffe) announced their departures earlier in the month, and amid reports that Sue Devaneys character Debbie Webster is to be axed.

Charlotte Jordan has won awards for her work on Coronation Street (Danny Lawson/PA)

Jordan said: My time at Coronation Street is something I will always cherish.

Its been a privilege to be part of a wonderful institution with even more wonderful colleagues who have taught me so much.

After a brilliant four years for Daisy on The Street, its time for me to start a new chapter and explore other opportunities.

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During her time on the soap her storylines have included being involved in a multi-level marketing scheme and stalked by the character Justin Rutherford (Andrew Still), which ended in her and Ryan Connor (Ryan Prescott) becoming victims of an acid attack, with Ryan coming off worst.

A source told the PA news agency: The producers fully understand Charlottes desire to explore other projects  she is a talented, ambitious actress.

She advised the show of her decision to leave last April when she started her latest contract, giving a years notice and plenty of time for the producer and writing team to devise a dramatic exit storyline which has already started to play out on screen.

She will be on screen until early summer.

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Former Emmerdale producer Kate Brooks took over creative responsibilities for Coronation Street in April 2024, and said she would endeavour to take great care of the show and make sure it endures.

The on-air changes come amid reports that budgets for Emmerdale and Coronation Street have been cut.
The Dry has been renewed for a third and final series.

The first two series were streamed over 1.2 million times since its launch on RTE Player.

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The BAFTA-nominated comedy, commissioned by RTE in partnership with ITV, will be produced by Element Pictures, in association with Fis Eireann/Screen Ireland and ITV Studios.

Playwright and screenwriter Nancy Harris and director Paddy Breathnach both return for the new series, which is due to stream on RTE in 2026.

Roisin Gallagher is also set to return as recovering alcoholic Shiv Sheridan alongside regular cast members from the series.

Season three will unearth a huge family secret that throws everyone off kilter, according to RTE.

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Will this shocking revelation upend already fragile relations for good, or could this be the missing piece that will finally fix the Sheridans broken puzzle?

Amongst all the emotional upheaval, the Sheridans are ordered to face the fact that change is inevitable, but as the family desperately try to forge new lives amidst the betrayals of the past, destructive patterns start to emerge.

Dermot Horan, director of acquisitions and co-productions for RTE said that Nancy Harris has created, in the Sheridans, that most recognisable and dysfunctional of Irish families, to which we can all relate through their ups and downs.

RTE is once again delighted to be working with Element Pictures, ITVX and Screen Ireland on this highly popular award-winning series who are bringing this very local Irish story to UK and global audiences, he said.

Writer, Nancy Harris, said that she is truly thrilled that the show is returning.

Season three digs into the roots of the Sheridans dysfunctional dynamic, unearthing long held secrets and taking our characters in new and unexpected directions. Its going to be a wild ride and we cant wait to share it with our audience, she said.
The European Union needs to be firm with the US, Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said.

It comes after president-elect Donald Trump suggested the US could annex the Panama Canal and Greenland, which he claimed were at risk from the influence of Russia and China.

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The comments have been met with widespread condemnation, including Frances foreign minister who suggested Mr Trump was attempting to interference with the sovereignty of an EU member state, Denmark, of which Greenland is an autonomous territory.

Mr Trumps election victory has brought heightened concern around what his proposals for corporation tax and tariffs could mean for Ireland.

Asked if he was concerned about the rhetoric from the incoming Trump administration, Mr Martin said he was more focused on seeing the substance of policy initiatives and any departures in the US approach.

The Tanaiste said: Weve been here before, in some respects. Not just in terms of President Trump, previous American presidents have had protectionist approaches  even President Biden.

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He added: Europe had to navigate that and Ireland as a member of the European Union will navigate these new challenges with the European Union.

We have to be skilful, we have to hold our nerve, and we have to be firm but clear in terms of the new challenges that will undoubtedly arise.

Donald Trump is set to be inaugurated as US President for the second time (Aaron Chown/PA)

Mr Martin said Ireland would use all international fora to promote common sense and realism in the progression of policies.

However, he struck a tone of caution over commenting on matters without concrete proposals being put forward: Theres a lot being said at the moment, my own view is we have to wait and see.

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He added: We do know from experience that there are checks and balances in all political systems, likewise in the United States so well see how things materialise.

Mr Martins Fianna Fail is currently engaged in government formation talks following the general election in November. The talks could see him selected as the next taoiseach.

He said he wanted these negotiations to conclude with a stable government as quickly as possible, noting that there were challenges coming our way.

He added: The geopolitical situation is very, very challenging particularly in terms of multi conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine, Sudan, different parts of Africa.

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And then in the midst of that, trying to chart a sustainable economic pathway not just for Ireland but for Europe.

Ireland How vulnerable is Ireland to Trump's tariffs? Read More

Mr Martin, who had a day-long meeting on these matters with the Department of Foreign Affairs this week, added that Ireland will hold the EU presidency in 2026 and has also been invited to participate in G20 meetings.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, he said: Were advocates of the single market, of free trade markets.

Thats in the context of an increasingly protectionist world, so we have a very challenging agenda ahead of us.
Here, we have a look at the issues likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come.

Government formation in 'landing zone'

Taoiseach Simon Harris has said government formation talks are in the "landing zone".

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Mr Harris said it may be "tight" to have a coalition in place before the Dail resumes on January 22nd. However, he believes it can be done.

"We're in the landing zone of being able to deliver a new government," he said.

People can work hard, work later, work longer  were doing that, and work through the weekend.

The Fine Gael leader said forming a government within eight weeks of the election is not an extraordinary length of time when the Christmas break is taken into consideration.

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Certain key areas of the programme of government are understood to have been largely agreed between the two parties, although talks on disability, justice and climate continue.

Rotating taoiseach to return

After Fianna Fail won 10 more seats than Fine Gael in the general election, there were questions over whether the rotating taoiseach arrangement would continue.

After a busy nine months in the office, Mr Harris will be targeting another spell as taoiseach, and it appears he has got his way in negotiations as he confirmed the agreement would return.

Asked if Fine Gael would enter into Government without a return to the rotating Taoiseach arrangement, Mr Harris said: There will be a rotating Taoiseach in the next government and I think thats been very clear probably since the day or two after the election.

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Mr Harris said the arrangement had worked well in the previous government.

Speaking on Tuesday, he added: I believe many hundreds of thousands of people in this country have voted for Fine Gael and Fianna Fail to provide stable government for the next five years, and for myself and Micheal Martin to lead that government.

Harris has eyes on foreign affairs?

If Mr Harris hopes to succeed Micheal Martin as taoiseach, he will have to keep a high-profile, and he may well be targeting the role of Minister for Foreign Affairs.

He will undoubtedly take a senior ministerial role along with the position of tanaiste, and he may well be considering how Mr Martin has benefitted from the role.

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After Fianna Fail secured 48 seats in the general election, his position as leader of the party is very secure.

However, there was a wobble a couple of years ago, with consistent murmurings of discontent among backbench TDs. Some speculated that Mr Martin could suffer from being abroad so much, with rumours of secret meetings when he was away.

However, having such a prominent role on the world stage has served him well, and it may well be tempting to Mr Harris.

He has been linked with the departments of enterprise and justice (which he served in temporarily while Helen McEntee was on maternity leave), but his recent comments in an opinion piece in The Irish Times suggest he has his eyes on foreign affairs.

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Michael Lowry's role

Speaking this week, Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O'Callaghan confirmed the party would not enter into government after talks with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.

This means it is all but certain the government will make a deal with the Regional Independent TDs Group.

The Regional Independent Group is made up of Michael Lowry, Sean Canney, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, Noel Grealish, Marian Harkin, Barry Heneghan, Gillian Toole and Verona Murphy.

Independent TD Michael Lowry is likely to play a key role in government formation. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Images

Michael Lowry is understood to be one of the leaders in the group, and was a key voice in the ultimately successful nomination of Ms Murphy as Ceann Comhairle.

Mr Lowry's past has been the subject of some criticism amid the negotiations.

The Moriarty Tribunal was set up in 1997 to examine payments made to former taoiseach Charles Haughey and Mr Lowry.

It found Mr Lowry's behaviour was "profoundly corrupt".

Asked if he had any hesitation about including Mr Lowry in a future government, Mr Harris said he fully accepted the findings of the tribunal.

However, he added: I also know the practicality of how the Dail works, and that when people get elected to Dail Eireann, they can choose to support or not support governments  thats the way our parliamentary democracy works, and the deputy has been elected.

But my issue here isnt about individuals, its about recognising that there are a number of Independent TDs who have come together in a grouping called the Regional Independents.

"They have indicated that they wish to try and support a government, and were happy to engage with them on that basis.

Healy-Raes pushing for ministerial role?

Kerry Independents Danny Healy-Rae and Michael Healy-Rae have indicated they could support the government in votes, further strengthening their majority.

The pair have met Micheal Martin on a number of occasions and indicated they would be willing to back the government in return for assurances about certain supports for their constituencies.

Speaking recently, Michael Healy-Rae said: The government has made it very clear they want us and they need us. We were asked if we were willing to support them for five years and the answer was yes provided that Kerry was looked after.

However, the brothers are reportedly pushing for a ministerial role which could complicate negotiations.

A super-junior ministerial position would have to be on offer for the two Healy-Rae brothers to strike a deal with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael to enter a coalition government, sources close to the two Kerry TDs told The Irish Times on Tuesday.

Abroad

Elon Musk continues to make waves in UK politics.

The UK Home Office minister suggested her life had been turned upside down and the risk to her safety had risen after Mr Musk used his X social media platform to accuse her of being a rape genocide apologist.

Mr Musk knows absolutely nothing about the subject of grooming gangs, Jess Phillips has said, after the billionaire attacked her on social media.

After his role in Donald Trump's successful campaign, Elon Musk is trying to influence UK politics. Photo: Getty Images

Political circles in the UK had speculated Mr Musk was preparing to give Nigel Farage's Reform UK party $100 million (96 million) in funding.

However, Mr Musk's relations with Mr Farage have soured as he suggested he should be removed as Reform leader. This is because Mr Farage refused to back Mr Musk's demands for the release of far-right agitator Tommy Robinson.

Ireland Simon Harris' comments on Trump suggest he may be... Read More

Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is currently serving an 18-month prison sentence for contempt of court.

In the US, president-elect Donald Trump made some alarming comments at a press conference this week.

He said he would not rule out the use of military force to seize control of the Panama Canal and Greenland, as he declared US control of both to be vital to American national security.

Mr Trump also warned "all hell will break loose" if the Gaza hostages aren't released by his inauguration.
Outgoing US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has advised the world not to waste a lot of time on what President-elect Donald Trump has been saying about Greenland.

The Republican made clear again this week that he would like the semi-autonomous territory of Denmark to come under US control and said he would not rule out the use of military force to make that happen.

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We need Greenland for national security purposes, Mr Trump said.

But Mr Blinken said on Wednesday that the incoming presidents ambitions are unlikely to amount to anything more than talk.



Anthony Blinken held talks with Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris (Thibault Camus/AP)

The idea expressed about Greenland is obviously not a good one, the senior US diplomat said during a stop in Paris for meetings.

Maybe more important, its obviously one thats not going to happen. So we probably shouldnt waste a lot of time talking about it, he said.

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Frances foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot also played down any possibility of US forces being deployed against Denmark, a US ally in the Nato military alliance.

But Mr Barrot warned nevertheless that Europe must brace for turbulence ahead  as other powers throw their weight around.

Do we think the United States will invade Greenland? The answer is, No, the French minister said. But do we think that were entering into a period that sees the return of the law of the strongest, the answer is, Yes.

Europe must become stronger militarily and more economically and commercially competitive in response, Mr Barrot said.

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We have to go a lot further to affirm who we are, what we want, he said.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has said she does not believe the United States will use military or economic power to secure control over Greenland and has appealed for US behaviour that is respectful of the Greenlandic people.

In Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Wednesday that the principle of inviolability of borders applies to every country no matter how powerful, in a reaction to Mr Trumps remarks that did not mention him by name.

Borders must not be moved by force, Mr Scholz said.
US president-elect Donald Trump says he wants to make Greenland a part of the United States and does not rule out using military or economic power to get Denmark to hand over the mineral-rich and strategically important island.

"Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our Nation," Trump said in a Truth Social post on Monday.

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"This is a deal that must happen," Trump said on Tuesday as his son, Donald Trump Jr, paid a private visit to Greenland.

Trump first expressed interest in buying the mostly ice-covered island of just 57,000 people from Denmark in 2019 but was rebuffed.

Why does Trump want Greenland?

Greenland, part of Nato through the membership of Denmark, has strategic significance for the US military and for its ballistic missile early-warning system since the shortest route from Europe to North America runs via the Arctic island.

The US military maintains a permanent presence at the Pituffik air base in Greenland's northwest.

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The United States has expressed interest in expanding its military presence, including placing radars there to monitor the waters between the island, Iceland and Britain, which are a gateway for Russian navy vessels and nuclear submarines.

Greenland is geographically part of the North American continent, and it is vital for the United States to prevent any other major powers establishing a foothold on the island, according to Ulrik Pram Gad, a senior researcher and expert on Greenland at the Danish Institute for International Studies.

The island, whose capital Nuuk is closer to New York than the Danish capital Copenhagen, boasts mineral, oil and natural gas wealth, but development has been slow.

A 2023 survey showed that 25 of 34 minerals deemed "critical raw materials" by the European Commission were found in Greenland. They include significant quantities of materials used in batteries, such as graphite and lithium, and also so-called rare earth elements used in electric vehicles and wind turbines.

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Greenland has banned extraction of oil and natural gas for environmental reasons, and development of its mining sector has been snarled in red tape and opposition from indigenous people.

This has kept Greenland's economy reliant on fishing, which accounts for over 95 per cent of exports, and annual subsidies from Denmark, which cover roughly half of the public budget.

In total, Denmark spends just under 1 billion each year on Greenland.

Who owns Greenland and could Trump buy it?

Greenland has been part of Denmark for more than 600 years but now controls most of its own domestic affairs as a semi-sovereign territory under the Danish realm.

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It became a formal territory of Denmark in 1953 and is subject to the Danish constitution, meaning any change to its legal status would require a constitutional amendment.

Greenland and Denmark rejected Trump's previous offer to buy the island. Photo: AFP via Getty

In 2009, the island was granted broad self-governing autonomy, including the right to declare independence from Denmark through a referendum.

Greenland prime minister Mute Egede, who has stepped up a push for independence, has repeatedly said the island is not for sale and that it is up to its people to decide their future.

Egede was holding talks in Copenhagen on Wednesday with King Frederik that are likely to be dominated by Trump's latest remarks.

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In 2019 both Greenland and Denmark rejected Trump's offer to buy the island.

When Greenland was still a colony, the US under then-president Harry Truman sought to buy the island as a strategic asset during the Cold War for $100 million in gold, but Copenhagen declined to sell.

What if Greenland becomes independent?

If Greenland becomes independent, it could choose to become associated with the United States.

While the majority of Greenlanders want independence, few see full independence as viable given their economic dependence on Denmark, which is part of the affluent European Union.

One option could be to form a so-called "free association" pact with the United States, similar to the status of Pacific island nations Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau.

"Greenland is talking about becoming independent from Denmark, but no Greenlanders want to just switch to a new colonial master," said Ulrik Pram Gad, a senior researcher and expert on Greenland.

He finds it unlikely Greenland will vote for independence without ensuring the welfare of its population.

What does Greenland want?

A majority of Greenland's inhabitants support independence, but are divided over the timing and potential impact on living standards.

Greenlandic politicians have since 2019 repeatedly said they are interested in strengthening cooperation and trade with the United States.

However, Aaja Chemnitz, a Greenlandic member of the Danish parliament, said the idea of a U.S. takeover should be firmly rejected. "I don't want to be a pawn in Trump's hot dreams of expanding his empire to include our country," she wrote.

What does Denmark say?

World Donald Trump makes fresh call for US to buy Greenl... Read More

The renewed interest comes amid heightened tensions between Greenland and Denmark, following revelations of historical misconduct by the former colonial ruler.

Trump's 2019 offer to buy the island was firmly rejected by Denmark, a close NATO ally of the United States, and labelled as "absurd" by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

When asked about Trump's renewed interest on Tuesday, Frederiksen said: "We need very close cooperation with the Americans."

She added: "On the other hand, I would like to encourage everyone to respect that the Greenlanders are a people, it is their country, and only Greenland can determine and define Greenland's future."
Israeli air strikes have killed at least five people in the Gaza Strip, including two infants and a woman, Palestinian medics said.

One strike hit a home in the central city of Deir al-Balah, killing two men and a woman, according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, which received the casualties.

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The hospital said it also received a four-month-old boy who was killed in a strike on his family house in the nearby built-up Bureij refugee camp.

An Associated Press journalist saw the four bodies in the hospital mortuary.



The war began on October 7 2023 (AP)

In Gaza City, an air strike hit a home in the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood, killing a three-week-old baby, according to the Health Ministrys emergency service.

Israels military says it only targets militants, who they say are hiding among civilians.

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The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on October 7 2023, killing some 1,200 people and abducting around 250.

Some 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead.

Israels air and ground offensive has killed more than 45,800 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry.

It does not say how many were fighters, but says women and children make up over half the fatalities.

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The military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence.
A firefighter sprays water on a burning home while battling the Eaton Fire on Wednesday in Altadena (Los Angeles County). Inadequate water has been an issue for firefighters trying to squelch the huge blazes in Southern California. Justin Sullivan/TNS

Firefighters in the Los Angeles area faced a severely overtaxed water system as they attacked four separate blazes to the north and west of the city. Los Angeles authorities said fire hydrants began to run dry early Wednesday morning as the Palisades Fire raged, and compounding the problem, water-drop aircraft were also grounded by high winds for more than 24 hours after the first blaze started Tuesday morning.

Municipal systems are not designed to fight wildfires, Mark Pestrella, director of Los Angeles County Public Works, said at a press briefing Wednesday. A firefight with multiple fire hydrants drawing water from the system for several hours is unsustainable. Pestrella urged residents to conserve water, or turn it off before evacuating, to help make more water available for fire suppression.

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The three water tanks placed throughout the Pacific Palisades section of Los Angeles that supply pressure to hydrants in the hills there were all totally depleted, according to Los Angeles Department of Water and Power CEO Janisse Quinones, who also spoke at the press conference.

She said that at 3 a.m. Wednesday, all of the fire hydrants went dry in the Palisades because of the depleted tanks. Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley said during the briefing she did not have a specific number of hydrants that went dry but that it came in phases.

Quinones said those tanks, which hold 1 million gallons apiece, could not be refilled because of the huge amounts of water being moved through the main system artery, or trunk line, to other areas to assist with fire suppression efforts.

There is water in the trunk line, Quinones said, but it just cannot get up the hill, because we cannot fill the tanks fast enough, and we cannot lower the amount of water that we provide to the fire department while firefighters battle multiple blazes.

Los Angeles Fire Department public information officer Erik Scott wrote on the social platform X that the extreme demand caused a slower refill rate for these tanks which created a challenge for our firefighting effort.

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To relieve some of the strain, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has 20 tankers moving up to the Palisades firefight that can carry about 4,000 gallons each, Quinones said.

A boil water notice is also in effect for the Pacific Palisades area and will extend for about 48 hours, according to Quinones. We have a lot of ash in the system, and so please, if youre going to be drinking water, you need to boil the water, she said. The notice was in effect for homes in the 90272 area code in the Pacific Palisades, and advised residents to only use boiled tap water or bottled water for drinking and cooking purposes. It was unclear if residents in Pacific Palisades could safely bathe or use water for non-drinking purposes as of Thursday evening.



Customers of the Kinneloa Irrigation District, which serves 588 customers living in homes near the Angeles National Forest, were advised to avoid drinking or boiling water because it could have fire related contamination caused by the Eaton Fire. The district said in an alert Wednesday that residents should limit their use of hot water, limit shower time, wash clothing in cold water and more.

The water issues in Los Angeles caught the attention of President-elect Donald Trump. He criticized Gov. Gavin Newsom in a social media post Wednesday morning. Trump has previously criticized California politicians for not pumping more water from the north of the state to the south and allowing more water flow to make the land damp.

The apparent water system for firefighting in the Los Angeles area differs significantly from the one San Francisco, which also has very different topography.

According to Capt. Jonathan Baxter of the San Francisco Fire Department, the city does not rely on air support since it is more of a dense urban area than some of the mountainous sections of Los Angeles County where fires are burning. San Francisco has a multi-layered water system for firefighting designed to operate during natural disasters like earthquakes, Baxter said.

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The first layer is the municipal water supply pushed out through normal fire hydrants located on every block throughout the city. The second layer is a high-pressure system called the Auxiliary Water Supply System that is only used for firefighting and is gravity-fed from a reservoir and two tanks located at high elevation in the city. That system has dedicated hydrants, and saltwater can also be pumped into the system from the bay, assisted by fireboats if need be. This multi-layered approach was solidified following the 1906 earthquake, to deliver high-pressure water for firefighting from non-drinking water sources, according to an email from Betsy Lauppe Rhodes of San Francisco Water Power Sewer, part of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.

The areas of Southern California affected by the blazes apparently did not have the same kind of dedicated high-pressure system. The Los Angeles Department of Public Works referred a question about about a dedicated firefighting system to the fire department, which could not be immediately reached for comment.

More than 170 underground cisterns situated throughout San Francisco also hold about 11 million gallons of water, should other systems fail, and the city will soon have a total of seven hose tender fire engines that act as mobile fire hydrants with large-diameter hoses. Rhodes said the PUC took over the emergency firefighting water System in 2010 and has installed 30 new cisterns throughout the city.

San Francisco does not have firefighting helicopters because its terrain does not require them, Baxter said. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said on X that LAFD helicopters had resumed water drops Wednesday morning.

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An Italian journalist detained in Iran for three weeks has returned home after her fate became intertwined with that of an Iranian engineer arrested in Italy and wanted by the United States.

A plane carrying Cecilia Sala, 29, landed at Romes Ciampino airport, where Premier Giorgia Meloni was on hand to welcome her alongside family members.

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Ms Salas companion Daniele Raineri posted a photo of a smiling Ms Sala greeting Ms Meloni in the airport.

In announcing that Ms Sala was flying home, Ms Melonis office said the premier had personally informed Ms Salas parents and credited the release to the governments intensive work on diplomatic and intelligence channels.



Elisabetta Vernoni, pressed for her daughters release (Mauro Scrobogna/LaPresse via AP)

Iranian media acknowledged the journalists release, citing only the foreign reports.

The reporter for the Il Foglio daily was detained in Tehran on December 19, three days after she arrived on a journalist visa. She was accused of violating the laws of the Islamic Republic, the official IRNA news agency said.

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Italian commentators had speculated that Iran detained and held Ms Sala as a bargaining chip to ensure the release in Italy of Mohammad Abedini, who was arrested by Italian authorities at Milans Malpensa airport three days before, on December 16, on a US warrant.

The US Justice Department has accused Mr Abedini and another Iranian of supplying the drone technology to Iran that was used in a January 2024 attack on a US outpost in Jordan that killed three American troops.

Mr Abedini remains in detention in Italy but has asked a Milan court to grant him house arrest pending an extradition hearing.

Ms Salas release was met with cheers in Italy, where her plight had dominated headlines, with lawmakers from across the political spectrum praising the outcome and the opposition Democratic leader Elly Schlein thanking the government specifically.

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It came after Ms Meloni made a surprise trip to Florida last weekend to meet Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate.

Ms Meloni in a statement on X thanked all those who helped make Cecilias return possible, allowing her to re-embrace her family and colleagues.

Members of Ms Melonis cabinet took personal interest in the case given the geopolitical implications. Foreign minister Antonio Tanaji hailed the diplomatic teamwork involved to secure Ms Salas release.

But the release also posed a delicate political question for Italy given Mr Abedinis status. The United States has complained in the past when Italy has lost track of suspects in the Italian judicial system awaiting hearings for extradition to the US.

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A hearing on his bid to be given house arrest is scheduled for January 15.

Advocacy group Reporters Without Borders, which had flagged Ms Salas detention as an attack on press freedom, cheered her release.





The release of Italian reporter Cecilia Sala, who had been detained since 19/12 in #Iran, is a huge relief. Now the 25 journalists still held in Iranian prisons must also be released.#JournalismIsNotACrime! pic.twitter.com/RSjhi1m3ff  RSF (@RSF_inter) January 8, 2025

Now the 25 journalists still held in Iranian prisons must also be released, the group said in a social media post.

Since the 1979 US Embassy crisis, which saw dozens of hostages released after 444 days in captivity, Iran has used prisoners with Western ties as bargaining chips in negotiations.

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In September 2023, five Americans detained for years in Iran were freed in exchange for five Iranians in US custody and for 6 billion dollars in frozen Iranian assets to be released by South Korea.

Western journalists have been held in the past. Roxana Saberi, an American journalist, was detained by Iran in 2009 for around 100 days before being released.

Also detained by Iran was Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian, who was held for more than 540 days before being released in 2016 in a prisoner swap between Iran and the US.

Both cases involved Iran making false espionage accusations in closed-door hearings.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has paid tribute to her father Jean-Marie, the founder of the National Front party, who has died aged 96.

Ms Le Pen called her father a warrior in politics, despite their notoriously harsh political disputes.

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She posted on social media platform X: A venerable age had taken the warrior away but given us back our father, suggesting she was able to reconcile with him.

Jean-Marie, who has three daughters including Marine, the youngest, was a polarising figure, convicted multiple times of antisemitism, discrimination and inciting racial violence.

Many people he loved are waiting for him up there. Many who love him mourn him here below, Ms Le Pen wrote. Fair winds and following seas, Papa!





Un age venerable avait pris le guerrier mais nous avait rendu notre pere. La mort est venue nous le reprendre.



Beaucoup de gens quil aime lattendent la-haut. Beaucoup de gens qui laiment le pleurent ici-bas.



Bon vent, bonne mer Papa !  Marine Le Pen (@MLP_officiel) January 8, 2025

His death was announced on Tuesday when Ms Le Pen was on her way back from the French territory of Mayotte, in the Indian Ocean, which was hit by a devastating cyclone in December.

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Thousands of demonstrators gathered on the Republic Plaza in Paris on Tuesday evening to celebrate the death of the far-right politician. The crowd could be seen dancing and chanting: Happy New Year, Jean-Marie is dead.

Similar gatherings took place in other French cities, including Lyon and Marseille.

French anti-racist group SOS Racisme said Le Pen spent his life promoting the far right through racism, xenophobia, antisemitism and Holocaust denial.

The group also paid tribute in a statement to generations of activists who have given their time, youth and energy to fight the National Front and its ideas.

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In an interview in 1987, Jean-Marie referred to the Nazi gas chambers as a detail in World War Two history.

He repeated the remark in 2015, saying he did not at all regret it, triggering the ire of his daughter, as the party leader, had sought to distance herself from her fathers extremist image.

That year, he was kicked out of the party, later renamed the National Rally, as part of the younger Le Pens efforts to transform it into one of Frances most powerful political forces.

Jean-Maries funeral will take place on Saturday in his birth town of La Trinite-sur-Mer, in the western Brittany region.
Lawyers for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol have denounced efforts to detain him over his short-lived imposition of martial law last month.

The outcry came as the countrys acting leader expressed concern Wednesday over a possible clash between law enforcement agents and presidential security personnel.

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As anti-corruption officials and police prepared another attempt to detain Mr Yoon following last weeks failed effort, the presidential security service fortified his compound with barbed wire and rows of tightly placed vehicles blocking the path to his residence.

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials and police say they will make a more forceful effort to detain Mr Yoon, warning that they could arrest members of the presidential security staff if they obstruct efforts to seize the embattled president.

The office, which is leading a joint investigation with police and military, has been seeking Mr Yoons detention since he repeatedly ignored summons for questioning about whether his brief power grab on December 3 constituted rebellion.



Demonstrators have called for the President to be detained (AP)

In a news conference, Mr Yoons lawyers challenged the legitimacy of a new detention warrant issued Tuesday by the Seoul Western District Court, arguing that the anti-corruption agency lacks legal authority to investigate rebellion charges or order police to detain suspects.

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Yoon Kap-keun, one of the lawyers, urged the anti-corruption agency to either indict the President or seek a formal arrest warrant  a process that would require a court hearing.

However, he said the President would only comply with an arrest warrant issued by the Seoul Central District Court, accusing the agency of deliberately choosing the Western District Court because of its allegedly favourable judge.

He did not give a clear answer when asked whether the President would appear at the Central District Court for a hearing on an arrest warrant, saying security issues must be settled first.

People are suffering in the severe cold and government officials must be experiencing significant internal conflict, the lawyer said, referring to daily protests by both Mr Yoons critics and supporters near his residence. Please consider this as us taking a step back based on goodwill.

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The liberal opposition Democratic Party, which drove the legislative effort leading to the Presidents impeachment on December 14, accused his lawyers of attempting to stall the process and urged the anti-corruption agency to swiftly execute the detainment warrant against him.



Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol had their heads shaved as they attend a rally to oppose his impeachment near the presidential residence in Seoul (AP)

About 150 anti-corruption agency investigators and police officers attempted to detain Mr Yoon at his residence on Friday but retreated after a tense stand-off with the presidential security service that lasted more than five hours. The investigators have not yet made another attempt to detain him.

Police said they are considering all available options to bring Yoon into custody and havent publicly ruled out the possibility of deploying SWAT teams, although its unclear whether investigators would risk triggering a confrontation with presidential security forces, who are also armed.

In a government meeting on Wednesday, the countrys acting president, Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok, urged authorities to ensure there are no injuries to citizens or physical clashes between government agencies in any attempt to detain Mr Yoon.

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In a parliamentary hearing on Tuesday, Oh Dong-woon, the anti-corruption agencys chief prosecutor, criticised Mr Choi for instructing police to follow the presidential security services request to beef up security at Mr Yoons residence ahead of Fridays detention attempt.



Unrest over the declaration of martial law last month continues (AP)

The police did not carry out Mr Chois instruction, and Mr Oh said the agency was reviewing whether Mr Chois actions constituted an obstruction of official duties.

Hours after Mr Yoon declared martial law and dispatched troops to surround the National Assembly on December 3, legislators who managed to get past the blockade voted to lift the measure.

Mr Yoons presidential powers were suspended after the opposition-dominated assembly voted to impeach him on December 14, accusing him of rebellion.

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The Constitutional Court has started deliberations on whether to formally remove Mr Yoon from office or reinstate him.
A state of emergency has been declared after a wildfire whipped up by extreme winds swept through a Los Angeles hillside dotted with celebrity homes.

The fire forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of people, some of whom abandoned their cars and fled on foot to safety with roads blocked.

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California governor Gavin Newsom, who was in Southern California to attend the naming of a national monument by US president Joe Biden, made a detour to the canyon to see first hand the impact of these swirling winds and the embers.

The Palisades Fire burns a property in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of Los Angeles (Etienne Laurent/AP)

He said he found not a few  many structures already destroyed.

Officials did not give an exact number of structures damaged or destroyed in the Pacific Palisades wildfire, but they said about 30,000 residents are under evacuation orders and more than 13,000 structures were under threat.

The blaze began shortly after the start of a Santa Ana windstorm that the National Weather service warned could be life threatening and the strongest to hit Southern California in more than a decade.

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The exact cause of the fire was unknown and no injuries had been reported, officials said.

Further evacuation orders were issued about 25 miles north east in Altadena after another fire spread to more than 200 acres by Tuesday evening, the Angeles National Forest posted on the social platform X.

The Eaton fire in Altadena started near a nature preserve. The flames spread so rapidly that staff at a senior care centre had to push dozens of residents in wheelchairs and hospital beds down the street to a parking lot where they waited in their bedclothes for ambulances and other vehicles to take them to safety.

The winds were expected to increase overnight and continue for days, producing isolated gusts that could top 100mph in mountains and foothills  including in areas that have not seen substantial rain in months.

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By no stretch of the imagination are we out of the woods, Mr Newsom warned residents, saying the worst of the winds are expected between 10pm on Tuesday and 5am on Wednesday local time. He declared a state of emergency on Tuesday.

Ive proclaimed a state of emergency to support the communities impacted by the #PalisadesFire.



Southern California residents: stay vigilant, take all necessary precautions, and follow local emergency guidance. pic.twitter.com/ONlIqbpLtW  Governor Newsom (@CAgovernor) January 8, 2025

On Tuesday evening, 28,300 households were without power due to the strong winds, according to the mayors office.

About 15,000 utility customers in Southern California had their power shut off to reduce the risk of equipment sparking blaze. A half a million customers total were at risk of losing power pre-emptively.

The fire swiftly consumed nearly two square miles of land in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood in western Los Angeles, sending up a dramatic plume of smoke visible across the city. People in Venice Beach, six miles away, reported seeing the flames. It was one of several blazes across the area.

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Sections of Interstate 10 and the scenic Pacific Coast Highway were closed to all non-essential traffic to aid in evacuation efforts. But other roads were blocked. Some residents jumped out of their vehicles to get out of danger and waited to be picked up.

Actor James Woods posted footage of flames burning through bushes and past palm trees on a hill near his home. The towering orange flames billowed among the landscaped yards between the homes.

Standing in my driveway, getting ready to evacuate, he said in the short video on X.

Actor Steve Guttenberg, who lives in the Pacific Palisades, urged people who abandoned their cars to leave their keys behind so they could be moved to make way for fire trucks.

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This is not a parking lot, he told KTLA. I have friends up there and they cant evacuate Im walking up there as far as I can moving cars.

A surfer takes off on a wave in Santa Monica during sunset under a blackened sky from the Palisades fire in the Pacific Palisades (Richard Vogel/AP)

The erratic weather caused Mr Biden to cancel plans to travel to inland Riverside County, where he was to announce the establishment of two new national monuments in the state.

He remained in Los Angeles, where smoke was visible from his hotel, and was briefed on the wildfires. The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved a grant to help reimburse California for the firefighting cost.

Mr Biden said in a statement that he and his team are communicating with state and local officials and he has offered any federal assistance that is needed to help suppress the terrible Pacific Palisades fire.

Some trees and vegetation on the grounds of the Getty Villa were burned by late on Tuesday, but staff and the museum collection remain safe, Getty President Katherine Fleming said in a statement.

World Warning of life-threatening winds and high fire... Read More

The museum, located on the eastern end of the Pacific Palisades, is a separate campus of the world-famous Getty Museum that focuses on the art and culture of ancient Greece and Rome.

Film studios cancelled two movie premieres due to the fire and windy weather and the Los Angeles Unified School District said it temporarily relocated students from three campuses in the Pacific Palisades area.

Recent dry winds, including the notorious Santa Anas, have contributed to warmer-than-average temperatures in Southern California, where there has been very little rain so far this season. Southern California has not seen more than 0.1 inches (0.25 centimetres) of rain since early May.
Donald Trump has asked the US Supreme Court to call off Fridays sentencing in his hush money case in New York.

The US President-elects lawyers turned to Americas highest court after New York courts refused to postpone the sentencing by Juan M Merchan, the judge who presided over Trumps trial and conviction last May on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.

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His lawyers asked for an immediate stay of Fridays sentencing to prevent grave injustice and harm to the institution of the Presidency and the operations of the federal government.

The Supreme Court has asked for a response from New York prosecutors by Thursday.

Judge Merchan has indicated he will not impose jail time, fines or probation.

Trumps legal team has pointed to the Supreme Courts ruling giving him broad immunity from criminal prosecution.

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While that opinion came in a different case, Trumps lawyers say it means some of the evidence used against him in his hush money trial should have been shielded by presidential immunity.

Judge Merchan has disagreed with this view.
US president-elect Donald Trump held a press conference on Tuesday and spoke about a range of issues including Nato, Israeli hostages in Gaza, his wish for the US to buy Greenland and take control of the Panama Canal.

He also discussed Elon Musk and speculation about Canada becoming a US state.

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Here are some of his key quotes, ahead of his January 20th inauguration.

Canada

Asked about his idea that Canada should be a US state, Mr Trump said: "You get rid of that artificially drawn line, and you take a look at what that looks like, and it would also be much better for national security. Don't forget, we basically protect Canada. But here's the problem with Canada. So many friends up there, I love the Canadian people. They're great, but we're spending hundreds of billions a year to protect it. We're spending hundreds of billions a year to take care of Canada. We lose in trade deficits."

Israeli hostages in Gaza

"All hell will break out. If they're not back by the time I get into office, all hell will break out in the Middle East, and it will not be good for Hamas, and it will not be good, frankly, for anyone. All hell will break out."

Mexico

"We have a massive deficit with Mexico, and we help Mexico a lot. They're essentially run by the cartels, and can't let that happen, because Mexico is really in trouble, a lot of trouble, very dangerous place. We're going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. What a beautiful name. And it's appropriate. It's appropriate. And Mexico has to stop allowing millions of people to pour into our country."

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Panama Canal, Greenland

Since he won the November 5th election, Mr Trump has talked about the US buying the Danish territory of Greenland, and the US retaking control of the Panama Canal. He declined on Tuesday to rule out military or economic action as part of those desires.

Mr Trump added: "I can say this, we need them for economic security."

Mr Trump did not commit to negotiating a treaty with Panama, but said: "Look, the Panama Canal is vital to our country."

He added: "It's being operated by China, China, and we gave the Panama Canal to Panama. We didn't give it to China, and they've abused it. They've abused that gift. It should have never been made."

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Elon Musk

Mr Musk, the Tesla chief executive and Mr Trump's choice to co-chair a commission aimed at cutting government spending, has criticised British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer in recent days over his performance when Starmer was the UK's director of public prosecutions.

World What's in a name? Trump set to wipe government lan... Read More

Mr Musk has said Mr Starmer failed to prosecute gangs of men who raped young girls. Mr Starmer said on Tuesday that Mr Musk knew "absolutely nothing" about the scandals he has been commenting on.

Mr Musk has also expressed support for the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

Asked for his reaction to Mr Musk's "provocative statements" about foreign affairs in Europe and elsewhere, Mr Trump said: "I can say Elon's doing a good job. Very smart guy. I don't know the people you're talking about. He was, I know he said some negative things about a couple of people that are running for office, but it's not so unusual."

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Trump on Nato

Mr Trump said he believes European members of Nato should spend 5 per cent of their GDP on the alliance's defense. "I think Nato should have 5 per cent, yeah. Well, you can't do it at two I mean, at 2 per cent every country, if you're going to have a country and a regular military, you're at 4 per cent I think they should be, you know, they're in dangerous territory. They can all afford it, but they should be at 5 per cent not 2 per cent."
A class action lawsuit has been launched against Holdens parent company, General Motors Australia and New Zealand, for an alleged faulty transmission found in Commodore and Colorado models.

Maurice Blackburn, the law firm behind the suit, claims hundreds of thousands of Holdens are affected, and owners could be eligible for compensation.

Holdens owner, General Motors, is facing a class action over alleged defects. Credit: AP

The action alleges that three automatic transmissions are faulty  the GM 6L45, 6L50 and 6L80 units  found across the Commodore VE, Commodore VF and Colorado ute, as well vehicles sharing major components such as the Calais, Ute, Caprice, Colorado 7 and Trailblazer.

All affected models were sold from January 1, 2011, but anyone who has acquired one of the affected vehicles before December 24, 2024 can register for the class action.
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Review Eating outThornbury There are plenty of new rooftop bars in Melbourne, but theres still nothing like Gigi The suburban view is not spectacular, exactly  but theres something special about golden hours spent on this summer-only sundeck. Dani Valent January 8, 2025 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

As featured in the February 2025 hit list. See all stories .

1 / 8 Gigi Rooftop overlooks suburban Thornbury and beyond. Justin McManus 2 / 8 Crumbed eggplant parmigiana bites. Justin McManus 3 / 8 Scallops baked with chilli butter. Justin McManus 4 / 8 Spicy picante pinsa. Justin McManus 5 / 8 The signature Gigi Spritz is made with red grapefruit aperitif, rose vermouth and bubbles. Justin McManus 6 / 8 The bar sits above Umberto Espresso Bar. Justin McManus 7 / 8 Gin-and-tonic white chocolate Magnum ice-cream. Justin McManus 8 / 8 Pavlova sgroppino with sorbet, passionfruit and prosecco. Justin McManus Previous Slide Next Slide Italian$$$$ Its golden hour. Your eyes are turned towards the horizon. The promise of night floods the sky with possibility. A chilled spritz rests in your curled fingers, while the first sip of pink grapefruit and prosecco dances on your tongue. The only thing that could be better is someone whispering seductive words in your ear. And then it happens: The burgers have arrived. Were at Gigi Rooftop, the summer-only sundeck that has just opened for its fourth season above Umberto Espresso Bar. There are plenty of new rooftops in Melbourne, but theres still nothing like this one.

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The signature Gigi Spritz is made with red grapefruit aperitif, rose vermouth and bubbles. Justin McManus Im not saying its spectacular, exactly  the view to Thornburys north is suburbia  but theres something special about climbing above uber-urban High Street and hitting a faceful of sky. To get to this proletarian paradise, you wend your way through Umberto, a classic Italian casalinga, the bedrock of a 15-year-old Thornbury restaurant group that also includes cheeky Joanies Baretto and bijou pasta and wine bar Pastificio Sandro. The group is Italian at heart, springing from owner Marco Finanzios desire to honour his father Umbertos Calabrian food heritage. Gigi is a bit different: its the next-gen Aussie upstart, adding a bit of Naarm nous to the Euro-leaning portfolio. High Street is jam-packed with bars, cafes and restaurants  but this is its best section

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The menu is snacky and only tangentially Italian. Those American cheeseburgers are easy drinking fuel and there are fries, because sometimes you just give the people what they want. A bar needs croquettes but these ones would please nonno. Theyre tight little packages of eggplant parmigiana, gluten-free crumbed and fried. Spicy picante pinsa, pictured during golden hour. Justin McManus Pinsa are a light, crisp spin on pizza. The bonus for serving them as bar food is that theyre less floppy than pizza and easier to eat one-handed. Scallops are slurpable too, baked with chilli butter and served in the half shell. The food isnt amazing but it more than does the job.

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Youre probably here for the drinks anyway. That spritz is frisky and citrussy, made with red grapefruit aperitif, rose vermouth and bubbles. A sgroppino is everyones favourite on a boiling day in old Veneto, made here with a scoop of sorbet, a whisper of passionfruit and prosecco. Gin-and-tonic Magnum ice-cream. Justin McManus Do you like to nibble your cocktails? Youd be in the market for a gin-and-tonic white chocolate Magnum ice-cream, made in partnership with gelato artisans Cono. Gigi knows Melbourne summer can mean many things: there are blankets, heaters and a bit of shelter for sudden squalls. Its an easy drop-in space before a meal downstairs or after youve eaten elsewhere. Its busiest at golden hour but when youre snacking and spritzing, all the hours seem gold-plated and becoming more precious every minute youre here.
A two-metre bronze whaler stuck inside a new shark barrier at Cottesloe Beach has been freed after a 27-hour operation, but the probe into the animal allegedly being shot with a speargun continues.

An aerial survey confirmed the shark had vacated the protected swimming enclosure around 11am on Thursday after contractor Eco Shark Barrier created four small openings in the barrier.

The beach was reopened between the area south of the Cottesloe Groyne and North Cottesloe Surf Club this afternoon after divers reconnected the barrier walls and lifeguards deemed it safe.

The beach was shut shortly after 7.40am on Wednesday after swimmers spotted the shark circling 60 metres offshore, prompting Surf Life Saving WA to order beachgoers out of the water.
A pilot who died alongside two overseas tourists when the seaplane he was flying crashed off Rottnest Island near Perth on Tuesday has been identified as James Wong.

In a statement, Swan River Seaplanes director Kristy Bailey said the 34-year-old was a dedicated pilot.

We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of James, a talented and dedicated pilot who was an integral and deeply cherished member of our team, she said.

Our hearts and thoughts are with his family, friends, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.
SFPD officer Tyler Copes police patch on his shoulder in SOMA in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Reported crime in San Francisco fell to a two-decade low in 2024, according to police data, dropping further than it did nationwide.

Both reported violent crimes and property crimes in the city last year were at their lowest level since 2001, according to a press release issued by Mayor London Breeds office and verified by a Chronicle analysis of data from SFPD and the California Department of Justice.

Breeds office and SFPD pointed to a slew of efforts including new technology, better coordination between law enforcement agencies and prosecutors and strategic interventions as reasons for the drop.

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In the press release, police chief Bill Scott thanked officers as well as Breed for her support in getting the department game-changing new technology.

These historically low crime rates are proof that the hard work of our officers is paying off, Scott said in the press release. Our department is short staffed, and many officers were working overtime to meet San Franciscos public safety needs. Even with these challenges, our officers delivered.

Between 2023 and 2024, reported violent crimes fell by 14%, reversing an increasing trend over the last three years, according to police data. Reported property crimes, though almost certainly underreported, fell even further, with a 31% decline, accelerating a downward trend that began last year. Nationwide, declines in crime were much more modest, with violent crime down an estimated 2.4% and property crime down just 0.1%, according to national crime sampling website the Real Time Crime Index.

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Despite the declines, 64% of Americans believed last year that crime was worse than the year before, according to a recent Gallup poll. And in San Francisco, public safety was a top concern for voters in the November mayoral election, many of whom did not care about reported crime statistics amid common scenes of disorder in the city, including public drug use and erratic behavior by people suffering from mental health crises on the street.

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Still, the outgoing mayor touted the 2024 crime declines as proof that giving police tools and support can lead to incredible results.

Im grateful for the hard work by our law enforcement partners and everyone in the community working tirelessly to make our neighborhoods safer, she said in a statement.

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San Franciscos notable decrease in property crime was driven largely by a large drop-off in car break-ins, one of the most common crimes in San Francisco. From 2023 to 2024, car break-ins fell by 54%, according to police data, bringing the overall larceny theft total down by 37%.

Earlier this year, SFPD spokesperson Evan Sernoffsky pointed to a slew of new strategies to combat car break-ins that the department began rolling out in late 2023, including bait cars, targeted stings, an overtime unit focused on smash-and-grab hotspots, and, this year, new technology like drones, as reasons for the sharp drop-off in the crime. He also said that key arrests of prolific offenders had a profound impact on the numbers.

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Its a combination of deterrence and aggressive enforcement, he said.

Thaddeus Johnson, a former police officer and assistant professor of criminal justice at Georgia State University, said at the time that the numbers indicate that strategic police work like the efforts Sernoffsky mentioned can work. But he added that outside influences social and economic changes, better public awareness around car break-ins and even changes in reporting could also factor into the declines.

Murders, meanwhile, fell to their lowest point in more than 60 years: there were 35 homicides in San Francisco last year, the fewest since 1961, which saw 37 killings, according to police data.

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Though the reasons behind changes in San Franciscos homicide rate are difficult for experts to pin down, some are likely similar to those behind nationwide crime declines. Last fall, Ernesto Lopez, a senior research specialist at the Council on Criminal Justice, said that long-term socioeconomic factors helped explain a nationwide down-tick in homicides across the country, including in other California cities like Oakland and Los Angeles.

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More locally, city officials and advocates have pointed to violence prevention efforts, both by the city and community-based, as factors in the citys historic drop last year. In an interview last fall, Rudy Corpuz Jr., a former gang member who founded a violence prevention organization 30 years ago, said that police, local officers, community members and nonprofits were working together on the issue more seamlessly than ever.

San Franciscos crime declines were generally widespread across neighborhoods, some saw crime levels stay largely the same as last year or tick up slightly, according to a Chronicle analysis.

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Nearly every neighborhood in the city saw a decline in reported property crime, except for Noe Valley, which saw an 8% increase, though its overall property crime rate per capita was still lower than the city average. North Beach, which by the citys definition includes Pier 39 and Fishermans Wharf, saw the largest decrease in property crime, with a 60% decline.

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Most neighborhoods also saw decreases in reported violent crime, except for the Mission, which saw a 7% increase. The Inner Sunset and West of Twin Peaks neighborhoods, which both had lower violent crime rates than the city average last year, saw violent crime stay largely flat from last year to this year. Portola and Visitacion Valley saw the largest declines in violent crime, each with drop-offs of more than 50%.
Three people have died after a seaplane crashed off Rottnest Island on Tuesday afternoon.

WA Premier Roger Cook confirmed the three victims bodies were recovered from the plane wreckage by police divers on Tuesday night, including the pilot James Wong, 34, a female Swiss tourist, 65, and a Danish male tourist, 60.

My thoughts go out to the family and friends, Cook said.

Initial reports included claims the plane came into contact with Phillip Rock. Those early reports are not confirmed after viewing some of the footage available, however this will all form part of the investigation.
Previously under the FRCGW, which was originally established in 2017, only foreign property owners and Australian resident property owners with homes valued at $750,000 or more had to have the certificate. The new rules, which went into effect on 1 January 2025, now state that all property contracts dated the first of this year and beyond must have a clearance certificate, regardless of purchase price.
The craft beer market, once frothy with frenzied IPA releases and countless collectible sour ales, is in a bit of a funk.

In 2024, for the first time since the craft beer boom began, more breweries closed than opened across the country. Over the past handful of years, Bay Area brewers have been closing or consolidating at a startling pace.

But could one source of the industrys woes  a cultural shift toward drinking less alcohol amid health concerns  actually be a surging new market in disguise?

Nonalcoholic beer was the brewing industrys biggest growth sector in 2024, capturing both nondrinkers and people looking to drink less. Sales for NA beers have more than tripled in the past five years, and were up 30% annually in 2024, according to the national Brewers Association.

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Thats left some industry hopefuls in the Bay Area and beyond thinking that NA could be the next IPA  a breakthrough beer style with mass appeal that leads to another surge in craft beer. At San Franciscos Local Brewing Co., for example, which was among the first local brewers to put NA beer on the market, NA beer has come to represent about 20% of sales overall, providing a significant boost to the brewerys bottom line.

Now San Franciscos Fort Point Beer Co., which arguably assumed the mantle of the citys hometown brewery after Anchor Brewings 2023 closure, is entering the fray. Now, coinciding with the increasingly popular Dry January movement, Fort Point has launched NA versions of both the light, zingy KSA Kolsch and the hoppy, floral Villager IPA.

For the 10-year-old Fort Point, its been a process that took more than three years to achieve. At the Presidio brewery overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, Mike Schnebeck, Fort Points director of brewing innovation, went through 20 pilot batches to land on the prototypes that became the NA KSA and Villager products.

When youre creating NA versions of your flagships, its a challenge because theres a direct point of comparison, Schnebeck said recently from the brewing floor. Our goal was to get the NA beer as close to the real thing as possible.

Left: Fort Point Beer Co. koozies are seen on a desk in their office in the Presidio in San Francisco. Top right: New cans of nonalcoholic beer from Fort Point Beer Co. seen in the Presidio in San Francisco. Bottom right: A view of the Golden Gate Bridge from Fort Point Beer Co. brewery in the Presidio. Photos by Gabrielle Lurie, The Chronicle From top: Fort Point Beer Co. koozies are seen on a desk in their office in the Presidio in San Francisco. New cans of nonalcoholic beer from Fort Point Beer Co. seen in the Presidio in San Francisco. A view of the Golden Gate Bridge from Fort Point Beer Co. brewery in the Presidio. Photos by Gabrielle Lurie, The Chronicle

Today, there are three prevalent ways of making nonalcoholic beer (which is defined as containing less than 0.5% alcohol-by-volume according to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau). The first two methods are forms of dealcoholization: The alcohol is removed from the full potency beer either using a membrane filtration process, or a vacuum distillation technique that places the beer in a vacuum, creating negative pressure to lower its boiling point so the alcohol evaporates away.

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Both of these methods are effective in preserving aroma and flavor compounds, but theyre far from perfect. They often see brewers apply dry hopping techniques, like adding hops or oils after the beer is brewed, to achieve flavors common in normal beer.

But its a third, much newer fermentation process that Fort Point employed after testing out the others.

The biggest breakthrough is in the yeast strain were using, which doesnt convert sugar into alcohol, said Fort Point co-owner Dina Dobkin. One way I like to describe it is that this yeast is like a really picky eater, she went on.

That innovation came from Berkeley Yeast, a bioengineering company in Oakland founded by a trio with doctorates from Berkeley. They tout their NA yeast strains as engineered to make nonalcoholic beer  historically derided for its flavor  that tastes like beer.

Left: The Fort Point Beer Co. facility in the Presidio in San Francisco Right: A fermentation tank inside the Fort Point Beer Co. brewing facility. Photos by Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle Above: The Fort Point Beer Co. facility in the Presidio in San Francisco Below: A fermentation tank inside the Fort Point Beer Co. brewing facility. Photos by Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

While the so-called mechanical separation methods have been the industry standard, said Berkeley Yeasts vice president of product strategy Anthony Bledsoe, that technique can damage flavor. The challenge there is that you start with a full strength beer and remove the alcohol. But the alcohol itself is a carrier responsible for the flavor and aroma.

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During development, Schnebeck and director of brewing operations Cameron Collier tweaked grain content and added malts to enhance the body and flavor of the beer before finally arriving at the finished product. To those familiar with the flagships, the KSA NA version is lighter in both body and color, but still features a citrusy, wheaty finish. The Villager NA has piney aromas, flavors of lemon and hints of melon; both have a dry finish common across Fort Points beers.

There are two more key differences between Fort Points alcoholic and NA beers. Because the NA versions contain very little alcohol, which is highly caloric, the NA beers have fewer calories. The NA Villager, for example, contains just 80 calories, about half the alcoholic version.

And without alcohol to preserve the beer, NA beer has to undergo a pasteurization process once its been packaged to become shelf-safe and free from bacteria. But an industrial-sized pasteurizer is an incredibly expensive machine not found at the Presidio brewery. So Fort Points new NA beers are brewed in San Leandro at the 21st Amendment Brewery. Its also why you wont see Fort Points or many other NA beers on draft anytime soon. Not only are kegs less scalable to pasteurize, but once a keg gets tapped, the lines are exposed to bacteria in the air, and the alcohol which would typically act as a natural sterilizer is absent.

Left: Nonalcoholic beer sits on a pallet at Fort Point Beer Co. in the Presidio in San Francisco. Right: Dina Dobkin, chief brand officer and co-owner of Fort Point Beer Co., holds non alcoholic beer for a tasting at their facility in the Presidio in San Francisco. Photos by Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle Above: Nonalcoholic beer sits on a pallet at Fort Point Beer Co. in the Presidio in San Francisco. Below: Dina Dobkin, chief brand officer and co-owner of Fort Point Beer Co., holds non alcoholic beer for a tasting at their facility in the Presidio in San Francisco. Photos by Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

As for the appearance of the cans, Dobkin, who is responsible for Fort Points design, intentionally kept them similar. We want NA drinkers to feel the same way as when theyre drinking our regular beer, she said. But the NA can tops are gold instead of silver, to avoid confusion, and the boxes themselves have a different color palette and are clearly labeled.

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Regan Long, founder and brewmaster at Local Brewing Co., released her Buzzkiller series in 2023, featuring a Hazy IPA with a touch of guava and a tropical blonde ale with passion fruit. Long has been brewing Buzzkiller with the vacuum distillation dealcoholization method. But she says that the advancement in yeast brought on by Berkeley Yeast  which launched in 2024 shortly after Local began brewing Buzzkiller  is huge and that shell look to transition to this fermentation model in the future.

With dealcoholization, youre heating the beer up a second time. Now that this product is out there, it would change our production model, lower costs and help us expand.

Dina Dobkin of Fort Point Beer Co. walks through their facility in the Presidio in San Francisco. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Several other breweries in the Bay Area are already making beer with Berkeley Yeasts new nonalcoholic strains, said Bledsoe, but they preferred not to be named. They wish to keep their weapon a secret for the time being, he wrote.

But Fort Point is the first brewery to tackle the process with existing flagship beers, and it opens up the realm of possibilities for whats to come in an NA market thats still being fine-tuned.

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NA products are excelling and what well see in the future is more people entering space, Bledsoe said. Youre going to see a lot more people pushing the boundaries of NA beer.
Saviynt, a leading provider of cloud-native identity and governance platform solutions, today highlighted its commitment to advancing digital transformation for customers in India by offering dedicated tenants on AWS and Azure. Saviynt is empowering businesses to navigate a rapidly evolving threat landscape with tailored identity security solutions designed to meet their unique security and compliance needs.

As organizations accelerate their digital transformation, the need for stringent cybersecurity and regulatory compliance has become paramount. Saviynts dedicated tenants address these critical challenges by providing Indian enterprises, and global organizations operating in the region, with the tools to secure their critical assets. This solution ensures full compliance with local data protection regulations while offering unmatched scalability, flexibility, and performance.

India is a strategic market for Saviynt, and we are proud to play a pivotal role in helping our customers strengthen their cybersecurity infrastructure, said Dan Mountstephen, senior vice president, APJ at Saviynt. Our dedicated tenants on AWS and Azure allow organizations to address their unique security challenges while streamlining operations and ensuring adherence to compliance mandates.

Saviynts Identity Cloud enables businesses to achieve transformative benefits, including operational efficiency, enhanced compliance, and faster onboarding processes. According to a Forrester Consulting study, organizations deploying Saviynts Identity Cloud have realized a 240% return on investment (ROI) and $34.4 million in benefits over three years.

Key Benefits of Saviynts Dedicated Tenants:

Enhanced Security and Compliance: Isolated environments on AWS and Azure ensure data residency and compliance with local and global regulations, reducing risks associated with security breaches and non-compliance.

Improved Performance: Dedicated infrastructure delivers faster access to applications and ensures seamless scalability for growing workloads.

Operational Efficiency: Automation capabilities streamline processes such as application access and user provisioning, significantly reducing manual workloads and operational costs.

Accelerated Onboarding: With Saviynts platform, businesses achieve a 90% reduction in onboarding time for employees and contractors, driving productivity and cost savings.



"Saviynt is committed to empowering Indian enterprises to thrive in an increasingly digital-first world," said Sapna Nair, general manager, India at Saviynt. "As India leads the charge in digital innovation and with the implementation of acts like the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, we are focused on empowering organizations to safeguard their most critical assetsidentity data. By leveraging our dedicated tenants, organizations can focus on growth and innovation, knowing their identity security is in expert hands."

With its cutting-edge identity security solutions, Saviynt continues to play a critical role in strengthening Indias cybersecurity infrastructure and fostering economic growth. Its commitment to enhancing resilience and efficiency reaffirms its role as a trusted partner for enterprises navigating todays complex threat environment.

To learn more about Saviynts Identity Cloud, please visit the website.

About Saviynt

Saviynt empowers enterprises to secure their digital transformation, safeguard critical assets, and meet regulatory compliance. With a vision to provide a secure and compliant future for all enterprises, Saviynt is recognized as an industry leader in identity security whose cutting-edge solutions protect the worlds leading brands, Fortune 500 companies and government organizations. For more information, please visit www.saviynt.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250107257784/en/
Oakland-based nonprofit health insurer Blue Shield of California has named Lois Quam as its first female CEO in its 86-year history. She will help see through a broad restructuring of the company. Kate Munsch/Special to The Chronicle

Oakland-based health insurer Blue Shield of California has named Lois Quam as its CEO, the first new leader in 12 years and the companys first woman chief executive in its 86-year history.

The move, announced Wednesday, is part of a broader corporate restructuring at Blue Shield, one of Californias largest health insurers, with about 5 million members. It is also one of Oaklands largest employers, with roughly 1,300 workers at its corporate headquarters downtown.

Quam joined the company as president in 2024 and takes over the top job at a time when Americans perception of the health insurance industry is suffering.

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The December killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and its aftermath  with some members of the public heralding the alleged shooter, Luigi Mangione, as a Robin Hood figure  surfaced long-standing collective anger and resentment at health insurance companies over the perception that they place profits over care.

New Blue Shield of California CEO Lois Quam joined the nonprofit health insurer last year as president and previously led global health nonprofit Pathfinder. Matthew Evearitt/Blue Shield of California

Quam previously led the global health nonprofit Pathfinder and the Obama administrations global health initiatives in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. She said her top priorities at Blue Shield are lowering health care costs for members and making care more accessible, especially for people who live in rural areas of the state.

Blue Shield has 12 offices throughout the state, from Redding to San Diego. About 85% of its members live in California, and its coverage area includes every ZIP code in the state. It has no affiliation in California with Anthem Blue Cross.

I saw the brokenness of American health care and decided it was time for me to return and make a contribution in my own country, Quam said. I chose Blue Shield because of its nonprofit status and ability to focus on its members and not Wall Street. We work for our members; our focus is not investors.

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She said the new corporate structure, which includes the creation of a new parent company of Blue Shield, called Ascendiun, and two separate health care services firms under the same parent company, will help members.

The two separate companies that now fall under the Ascendiun umbrella are Altais, an existing clinical services firm that was part of Blue Shield and is now a separate entity, and Stellarus, a new health care solutions company. Outgoing Blue Shield CEO Paul Markovich will lead the parent company and serve as interim president of Stellarus.

Stellarus will work to lower prescription drug costs as part of a new prescription drugs model at Blue Shield that eliminates pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs. PBMs act as middlemen between drugmakers and health care providers and insurers to decide which drugs are covered and how much they cost patients.

This new pharmacy model, implemented last year, enabled Blue Shield to cut the cost of the blockbuster drug Humira, a popular medicine for inflammatory conditions including rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, from about $2,000 per month to $500  resulting in zero out-of-pocket costs for most Blue Shield commercial members.
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The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will try to lethally remove one or two wolves from a pack attacking calves in southeast Washington.

Fish and Wildlife Director Kelly Susewind authorized the removal Jan. 6. The department also will issue a rancher a permit to shoot a wolf if on private property in Columbia County.

The department hopes to deter surviving pack members from attacking cattle. The Columbia pack has killed at least two calves and injured two others and also probably injured another six calves in the past five months.

The departments practice is to consider lethal removal after four attacks in 10 months. The pack crossed the threshold in late October.

Ranchers have tried to prevent the attacks, but the predations are likely to continue anyway, according to Fish and Wildlife.
China deploys satellites for Xizang 6.8-magnitude quake rescue efforts

Xinhua) 10:42, January 08, 2025

BEIJING, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- China deployed several remote-sensing satellites to capture images of the quake-hit areas in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck the region's Dingri County on Tuesday morning.

Eight satellites, including the Gaofen series satellites and a land ecosystem carbon monitoring satellite, were mobilized to observe the quake-hit areas, according to the China Center for Resources Satellite Data and Application.

By Tuesday afternoon, the satellites had taken images eight times. The center said it will arrange more satellites with higher resolution to take images to provide more accurate information on the post-earthquake situation.

The Land Satellite Remote Sensing Application Center under the Ministry of Natural Resources also mobilized at least three satellites to capture images of the quake-hit areas.

A total of 126 people have been confirmed dead and 188 others injured as of 7 p.m. Tuesday.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass can expect to draw criticism for being in Ghana during the outbreak of wildfires in Los Angeles County. Myung J. Chun/Associated Press

In times of crisis, people turn to their local leaders  for answers, for management, for morale and, it should go without saying, for leadership.

But what happens when the local leader is nowhere to be found?

Thats exactly the situation that came to pass this week in Los Angeles County, as devastating wildfires ripped through the region, killing at least two people, forcing thousands of evacuations, destroying homes and inundating social media with horrific videos of vicious orange flames consuming everything in their path.

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As the flames crackled and spread, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass was in Ghana for that countrys presidential inauguration.

Its unclear when exactly Bass departed for Ghana  her office has not responded to my questions about the timeline of her trip. But it likely would have been sometime after Jan. 3, when President Joe Biden announced the four-member delegation he was sending to Ghana for the Jan. 7 inauguration.

By then, forecasts of dangerous fire conditions were already emerging.

On Jan. 4, the Los Angeles Times reported that a potentially damaging offshore wind event was anticipated to sweep across Southern California the following week, which could quickly fan flames in the parched region that hadnt received meaningful rainfall in eight months.

On Monday  the day before the Ghanaian presidential inauguration  the National Weather Services Los Angeles office issued warnings for a LIFE-THREATENING & DESTRUCTIVE WINDSTORM!!! and extreme fire conditions beginning on Tuesday, prompting Gov. Gavin Newsom to pre-position critical firefighting resources in the area.

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If Bass wasnt already in Ghana at that point, its difficult to understand why she still would have chosen to go. And if she was already there, its difficult to understand why she didnt immediately head back to Los Angeles.

I want to assure the community and the city our mayor has been actively engaged 100% of the time the entire last 24 hours throughout this unfortunate event and crisis, Celine Cordero, Bass deputy chief of staff, said at a news conference Wednesday morning.

Bass was set to return to Los Angeles around noon Wednesday, and just before 1 p.m., posted a video on X showing her talking with Newsom, U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla and firefighters near the scene of a fire. But that appearance may be too little, too late to appease infuriated residents who have lost everything and feel abandoned by their local government.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department admitted that it was not prepared for so many enormous blazes to break out at once, and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power acknowledged that fire hydrants in Pacific Palisades ran out of water.

This is an absolute mismanagement by the city, Rick Caruso, the billionaire businessman who unsuccessfully ran against Bass for Los Angeles mayor, said Tuesday night on KTTV. Weve got a mayor thats out of the country, and weve got a city thats burning, and theres no resources to put out fires.

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The situation is so dire that even Newsom  whos not exactly known for focusing on his home state  on Wednesday canceled his planned weekend trip to Washington, D.C., to attend former President Jimmy Carters funeral. Instead, his office said, the governor would be staying in California with all hands on deck to respond to the fires. (On Tuesday, Newsom declared a state of emergency while visiting Pacific Palisades. On Wednesday, he held a news conference in Santa Monica with President Joe Biden  Bass was noticeably absent.)

Staying in California was the right decision for Newsom.

There of course will be times when local elected officials will need to travel outside of their city or state, but  extenuating circumstances aside  they should be laser-focused on addressing the local issues they were elected to solve. They should be spending the vast majority of their time in the areas they were elected to represent, and they should be among the first people on the scene when something goes wrong.

The lesson stemming from Bass faux pas is an important reminder for the Bay Area, which is set to usher in a new generation of leaders.

Wednesday, nonprofit founder and Levi Strauss heir Daniel Lurie was sworn into office as the mayor of San Francisco. Also Wednesday, former Rep. Barbara Lee announced that shes running for Oakland mayor, joining a crowded race of contenders in a special election to replace Sheng Thao, recalled by voters in November.

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San Francisco and Oakland face entrenched problems  none of which will be solved by political posturing, glad-handing and photo ops. Residents made clear in the November election that they want leaders to double down on addressing local problems: public safety, high-quality education, clean streets.

Effectively handling those issues will require local leaders to be on the ground and in the trenches with the communities they represent, day in and day out, in times of celebration and times of crisis.

About Opinion Guest opinions in Open Forum and Insight are produced by writers with expertise, personal experience or original insights on a subject of interest to our readers. Their views do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Chronicle editorial board, which is committed to providing a diversity of ideas to our readership. Read more about our transparency and ethics policies

The duty of local leaders is to put out local fires  both literally and figuratively. And its difficult to do that when youre far away from the scene of the fire.
Oakland City Attorney Barbara Parker and San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera, right, announce separate lawsuits against fossil fuel producers in 2017. Local governments will be at the forefront of battles with the Trump administration. Liz Hafalia/The Chronicle 2017

During my over 13-year tenure as Oakland city attorney, my office filed more than 150 lawsuits against businesses and other powerful entities to protect vulnerable residents from predatory conduct like wage theft, unsafe housing and discrimination. This legal strategy, known as affirmative litigation, sends a clear message to powerful interests: If you break the law in Oakland, you will be held accountable.

Many local governments face tough budget times, and officials will be looking for programs to cut. Affirmative litigation should not be one of them.

The cases we bring as civil prosecutors are not only morally righteous, but they are fiscally sound. Consider Oakland. A new report analyzing the return on investment of the Oakland City Attorneys Affirmative Litigation, Innovation and Enforcement Division, prepared by the management consulting firm Kearney and the nonpartisan nonprofit Public Rights Project, shows that the cases we filed from 2015 to 2023 generated a 468% return, winning awards totaling $56.2 million.

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The awards have reimbursed community members for the harm they suffered and have been reinvested in housing, public health and other vital programs. Recoveries in Oakland have also paid to continue enforcement, making our Affirmative Litigation Division self-sustaining and providing a deterrent for future misconduct.

But our impact is broader than financial returns. Over the eight years analyzed in the report, affirmative litigation in Oakland helped or compensated more than 3,000 residents. These efforts have also improved public health, environmental safety and protections for an estimated 150,000 residents in 27 neighborhoods.

For example, when tenants at the Empyrean Towers were suffering from dangerous living conditions, illegal evictions and other violations, the City Attorneys Office sued the landlord. In 2018, we secured $2.7 million for tenants and $485,000 for the city of Oakland. The case also ensured the property was sold to an affordable housing developer and required that it be preserved as affordable housing for at least 55 years.

We have also pursued companies that cause environmental damage, forcing them to clean up hazardous sites and reduce harmful emissions or leave Oakland altogether if they refuse to comply with the law.

By proactively addressing harm, affirmative litigation allows us to advance racial and economic justice. The work generates results for communities most affected by systemic harm, including Black and Latinx residents, seniors, those with disabilities and low-income individuals.

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Oaklands experience isnt unique. Bay Area cities and counties such as San Francisco and Santa Clara County, as well as New York, Chicago and Baltimore, have pioneered this work in concert for over two decades. Cases of local and national importance are being litigated by county and municipal governments, such as dozens of pending lawsuits against opioid makers and Big Oil.

In 2021, district attorneys in Los Angeles and San Francisco filed suit against Handy Technologies Inc. for misclassifying workers as independent contractors to withhold employee benefits, violating their rights and state employment laws. Their affirmative suit resulted in almost $5 million in restitution to over 25,000 workers and more than $1.2 million in civil penalties. It also led to substantial changes to Handys business that empowered and improved the working conditions of its workers.

In 2019, Cook County in Illinois prevailed in a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, defeating the Trump administrations attempt to make it harder for immigrants to receive green cards if they rely on public benefits like food stamps or housing vouchers. The lawsuit prevented the anti-immigrant policy from going into effect in Cook County and resulted in a nationwide injunction.

Civil rights, environmental and labor protections undoubtedly will be deprioritized and attacked under the second Trump administration, as they were during his first administration. And, like last time, local governments will need to step up to fill the enforcement gaps and challenge federal action. Affirmative litigation is one of the most powerful tools local officials have at their disposal.

But only if there is a significant investment in it. Last month, state Sen. Scott Wiener proposed a bill that would give city attorneys and city councils in California an additional $10 million to help them prepare for the Trump administration and defend against it. The additional funding would be welcome support for city attorneys.

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About Opinion Guest opinions in Open Forum and Insight are produced by writers with expertise, personal experience or original insights on a subject of interest to our readers. Their views do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Chronicle editorial board, which is committed to providing a diversity of ideas to our readership. Read more about our transparency and ethics policies

Protecting workers, tenants and consumers from powerful interests takes more than reactive enforcement  it demands affirmative legal action. As elected officials weigh competing budget priorities, the work of our office and other local government law offices across the country provides a playbook for how affirmative litigation can protect their residents and workers rights.
Former Rep. Barbara Lee officially launched her campaign Wednesday to become Oaklands mayor in a special April election. Maansi Srivastava/Special to the Chronicle

Barbara Lee, a progressive icon who represented the East Bay in the House for more than two decades, officially launched her campaign Wednesday to become Oaklands mayor in a special April election.

Lee will be running to serve the remaining term of Sheng Thao, who voters recalled in November. On Monday, the City Council voted Council Member Kevin Jenkins to serve as interim mayor until the April election.

Oakland is a mess, Lee said in a video announcing her candidacy. I hear this all the time. Lets show them we are one Oakland. Thats in our DNA. She acknowledged the problems with people living on the street, residents moving out and businesses installing metal gates for fear of crime. Together we can house our neighbors, ensure everyone feels safe in their homes  support our small businesses and rebuild our trust. Together we can make Oakland a beacon for innovators and dreamers, she said.

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Lees message of one Oakland coming together at a time of turmoil is remarkably similar to the message of unity that Thao used during her mayoral campaign and tenure.

Lee is eyeing the top political spot of a city embroiled in crises. A massive $130 million budget deficit has resulted in the closure of fire stations, the layoffs of city staff and a tightening of the police budget amid public safety concerns.

Shes running on hope and renaissance, which is a powerful message, said Justin Berton, a media strategist and the former communications director for ex-Mayor Libby Schaaf. Oaklanders are excited about a renaissance, and theyre going to want to concrete answers to how shes going to reopen fire stations, hire more police and get trash picked up off our streets.

Lees most formidable challenger, former City Council Member Loren Taylor, 47, who lost to Thao by 677 votes in 2022, said he looked forward to a healthy debate with her and pointed out the age difference between himself and the 78-year-old Lee.

While I greatly respect Congresswoman Lee and her 27 years of public service in Washington, I believe Oakland needs a fresh approach to leadership and governance. If we are going to finally solve the complex challenges that plague our city, we need a new generation of leadership, Taylor said, noting that despite serving one term on the council, Im not a career politician. Ill bring an outside perspective, along with energy and a sense of urgency, to tackle Oaklands challenges in new ways.

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But Lee, who noted she has the support of the citys unions, said her experience is whats needed at a crucial moment for Oakland, which is facing a massive budget deficit.

She described her background as a small-business owner, state lawmaker and member of Congress. Now its time to bring that business and legislative experience home for an Oakland Renaissance, she said. Lets do this.

One advantage that Lee wont have from her long federal career is a fundraising edge. While Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, a Lee friend, was able to use $1.5 million from her federal account toward her mayoral run, Lee wont be able to tap that kind of reserve: There is only $144.39 cash on hand left in her House campaign fund and and $22,928.26 left in her Senate campaign account along with $172,538.37 owed in debts by the campaign, according to federal campaign finance disclosures. Lee told the Chronicle in 2020 that For me to raise money, being a Black woman progressive, is 10 times harder than it is for anybody else. And thats, again, part of this whole political system in this country and how people are viewed.

In addition to her age, Lees opponents will likely bring up challenges that her mentor, former Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums, faced when he tried the same transition. Like Lee, Dellums was a beloved East Bay House member who led the international charge to dismantle apartheid in South Africa long before it was popular. He was also a Marine veteran who advocated for peace during the Vietnam War as a member of the House Armed Services Committee. Lee served as his chief of staff in Washington and before succeeding him in 1998.

But many Oaklanders remember Dellums for the lackluster job he did as Oakland mayor.

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As for Lee, not only were top labor leaders privately encouraging a mayoral bid, last month, a group of Oakland political, community and faith leaders wrote an open letter to her urging her to run.

Our city needs someone who can restore integrity to the office of the Mayor, unite us in a time of division, the letter read, and help us address critical issues around the budget, public safety, housing, and inequity in our Town. We need someone who can bring the new ideas, policies, resources and opportunities that the people of Oakland deserve. That person is Barbara Lee.

Many of the people who signed the letter opposed the recalls of Thao and Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price in November, but the letter-signers also included Carl Chan, an Oakland Chinatown community leader who helped lead the Price recall.

Lee is beloved by the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, largely for her vote days after the Sept. 11 attacks not to give President George W. Bush a blank check to wage war in the Middle East. After being the only member of Congress to oppose the law, she held her ground despite almost universal attacks and even death threats.

But Lee will likely face something she rarely faced in her House races, which she routinely won with 80% of the vote: pointed opposition and criticism.

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Shes walking into a minefield, Andreas Cluver, a supporter and secretary-treasurer of the Alameda County Building and Construction Trades Council, said in November. I say Oakland needs her, because I think shes the one person in that leadership role who can be a big part of the solution. But shes gonna get hits. Youre gonna get hits and youre gonna get people criticizing (you), The gloves will be off.

Another big challenge for Lee will be the electorate, which in a special election during an off year, Ross said is more likely to skew older, whiter, more affluent homeowner  that kind of universe. So, shes going to have to lay out a plan thats maybe a bit more moderate than someone from her progressive background would normally run on.
Over the past 15 months, local artists have been engaged to create a welcoming environment downtown Chattanooga by participating in the banner refresh program through River City Company. The organization has now opened application until Jan. 15 through a Request for Qualifications for the final district to receive a refresh. The City Center district is the largest downtown and is a host to many iconic venues and public places. River City Company is seeking local artists to help create a unique set of banners to celebrate the arts, culture and people of the district.Officials said, "Since 2009, River City Company has operated the downtown banner program with the goal of welcoming downtown residents and visitors along with serving as an effective tool to accentuate city streetscapes.In 2023, River City Company announced a new program for community artists to assist with the redesign of the downtown banners across their districts. Over 60 artists have applied for the call for the Southside, Riverfront, Northshore and MLK Districts."By working with local artists, we are able to showcase the characteristics of each district. While the banners have an overall consistent appearance throughout downtown to create the cohesive feel, each banner really celebrates the best that the area has to offer, said Emily Mack, president and CEO of River City Company.The Request for Qualifications will be open for artists to submit until Jan. 15, with the top artists selected on Jan. 24. Final submissions will be reviewed after Feb. 7, with one artist selected for the project, receiving a $1,500 stipend for their artwork.Through the banner design program, the unique character and creative spirit of Chattanooga is truly celebrated. It has been exciting to see the inspiration for the banner art in each district. Thank you to River City Company for their continued stewardship of this fantastic creative placemaking initiative that contributes to Chattanoogas strong artistic and cultural vitality," said Elizabeth Carringer, manager of Public Art with the City of Chattanooga.To support the program, River City Company partners with local businesses and organizations to cover the cost of replacement of the banners. We are beyond grateful to the local businesses and organizations who have stepped up and shown support for the new banners through sponsorship. It is because of generous donors that we are able to pay the artist and have beautiful new banners for our downtown districts, said Ms. Mack. Past program supporters have included Visit Chattanooga, Riverfront Business & Resident Partnership, Tennessee Arts Commission, Center MedSpa, Medicare Misty, Frothy Monkey, The Crash Pad, Ernest Chinese, green|spaces and Wooden City.Additional information about the banner program, request for qualifications and how the community can donate to the program can be found at here
The 2024 Sunny Cares 4 Kids Health radiothon, hosted by Sunny 92.3 FM and Childrens Miracle Network Hospitals, raised over $50,000 for Childrens Hospital at Erlanger.On Dec. 12, radio listeners who tuned in to 92.3 FM live from the Childrens Kennedy Outpatient Center heard stories of healing and hope from patients and their families who have received services offered at Childrens Hospital at Erlanger.According to Andrea Lyons, director of development, Childrens Miracle Network Hospitals and Corporate Partners at Erlanger, We are so grateful to live in such a giving community.Thanks to all those who supported our radiothon to help us purchase or replace needed equipment to enhance the lives of children throughout the region. Special thanks to all our sponsors including our title sponsor, Hiller Plumbing, Heating and Electrical, and to our amazing media partner, Sunny 92.3, for making this a great success.Since 1986, Childrens Hospital at Erlanger has been a member of Childrens Miracle Network Hospitals, which raises money for more than 170 childrens hospitals nationwide. Local sponsors of the radiothon include Hiller Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electrical; Food City; 5090 South  The Furniture Store; Big Bad Breakfast; Pepsi; and Chicken Salad Chick.For updates about fundraising efforts and opportunities for Childrens Hospital at Erlanger, visit erlangerfoundation.org.
CHI Memorial marked a significant milestone in the construction of its new state-of-the-art CHI Memorial Hospital Georgia in Ringgold with a topping out ceremony Tuesday. This traditional event, signifying the placement of the final beam atop the structure, celebrates the culmination of months of hard work and dedication by the construction team and marks an important step toward the hospital's completion, officials said.

Community leaders joined CHI Memorial employees in writing their names on the final beam before it was raised to the highest point of the 135,000 square-foot facility.

The symbolic ceremony also included a small evergreen tree and an American flag representing reverence for life and our freedoms.

Angie Stiggins, CHI Memorial Hospital Georgia administrator, said, "The topping out of our new hospital is a powerful symbol of hope and progress for North Georgia. This new hospital represents a significant investment in the health and well-being of this community, and we can't wait to open our doors and welcome our patients."

Click here for video by Ben Cagle of the ceremony.

The new CHI Memorial Hospital Georgia is scheduled to open in December. It will have 64 inpatient beds including an intensive care unit (ICU), as well as a full-service emergency department with 24 beds, five operating rooms, two endoscopy suites, comprehensive imaging services, non-invasive cardiac imaging, and a laboratory.

The new building will connect to the current CHI Memorial Parkway building creating a single campus geared toward establishing a central location for inpatient and outpatient services.

Hospital Georgia construction site live camera - https://share.earthcam.net/ tJ90CoLmq7TzrY396Yd88H2_ DvjtHMdCbK28wck2wHk!

Hospital Georgia construction site live camera - https://share.earthcam.net/ tJ90CoLmq7TzrY396Yd88H2_ DvjtHMdCbK28wck2wHk!




A home in Dallas Bay was damaged by fire Tuesday evening.



Dallas Bay Fire crews were dispatched at 7:40 p.m. to a reported residential structure fire at 1829 Coffeetree Lane in District Two.





Crews arrived on scene quickly advising a working residential fire, immediately requesting additional companies to respond due to the size of the home and fire conditions.





Crews made an aggressive interior attack both in the basement and on the first floor, locating fire in a utility closet housing HVAC equipment.Due to the location of the fire, the stairs quickly burned allowing fire travel to the first floor.





Crews were able to contain most of the fire damage to the basement of the home in the utility closet area and the stairwell. The first and second floor sustained significant smoke damage. Damages to the home are estimated at $50,000.





Companies from all three Dallas Bay Stations were on scene, along with the Mowbray Volunteer Fire Department assisting with salvage and overhaul.





Chattanooga Fire Department and Soddy Daisy Fire Department stood by for any major incidents occurring in Dallas Bays district during this incident.
A promised winter storm arrived in Chattanooga shortly after 7 a.m., bringing beautiful snowy scenes and slick conditions. The snow continued at a steady pace until tapering off about 2 p.m., piling up several inches of snow throughout the area.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp went on the airwaves to say Dont go out and drive unless you have a medical emergency. The governor said he has declared a state of emergency for all of North Georgia, including Interstate 75 north.

Governor Kemp said, in a stern voice, Ill have a press conference this morning at the Capitol to advise Georgians of the latest. He made his comment on WSB Radio in Atlanta.

Governor Kemp said, Its very dangerous from south Atlanta to the GeorgiaTennessee state line. He said, "Im afraid that later in the day things could get much worse when the snow turns to ice and could cause massive power outages.

"We have prepared for the worse case situation with highway crews treating roadways as fast as possible, but its still very dangerous.

The Atlanta airport is reporting nearly 1,000 flight delays at Hartsville International Airport.

Governor Kemp said, We need to keep Georgia roadways open for first responders."

While most should try to stay home, linemen are out and prepared to respond if and when they are needed.

Spokesman Matthew Kent said Georgia Power crews are equipped with snow chains, and the right tires to help workers get to the troubled spots.

He also said the public can help.

If any of our customers, or anyone driving sees a Georgia Power crew on the side of the road, just please move over, he said. Give them a little space to do their work so everyone is safe.

He added that if anyone sees a line come down, assume it is live and dangerous, and stay far away. Georgia Power also urges anyone that sees a line come down, to call Georgia Power, or 911.

Dalton officials said, "We urge residents to please avoid any unnecessary driving this morning in Dalton. The Public Works Department has been all morning re-treating roads with salt brine and our plow trucks and salt spreaders are getting to work as well but there are still areas where snow is accumulating on the roads, and slushy areas are freezing into ice. Please be patient with us as we work to get the roads in working order. If at all possible, please stay home and enjoy the snow. We've already had reports of multiple cars sliding off of roads.

"The Public Works Department will be hard at work all day today, but please help us make the job easier by delaying any unnecessary trips."



The National Weather Service earlier said "heavy snow is possible" in a Winter Storm set to begin Friday morning.



The NWS said 3-7 inches are possible in the region that includes Southwest Virginia and East Tennessee.

Emergency Management officials said Thursday afternoon, "Currently, the National Weather Service in Morristown, TN, has declared a Winter Storm Warning for Hamilton County. A significant winter storm may impact our area Friday morning thru Saturday morning with several inches of accumulating snowfall. We encourage our community to take the time NOW to prepare ahead of expected snow and winter weather impacts across the county.

"We expect roads, bridges and overpasses will likely become slick and hazardous. Stay off the roads during and after the winter storm. We may have the potential of fallen trees and powerlines. So, if the electricity goes out, make sure you have an emergency kit/s ready. Flashlights, batteries, weather radios, food, water, pet supplies, medications, etc. Make sure to check on the elderly and those who live alone. If you are using additional heating sources (i.e. kerosene heaters, propane heaters, fireplaces) make sure the room is ventilated, and you have a working carbon monoxide alarm. Generators need to be placed outside the home if being used to power your house. This extreme cold weather can kill! Dress in layers, cover your skin and limit time outside. Stay weather aware and stay tuned to your local media outlets."

The Weather Service said, "Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions on Friday could affect the morning and evening commutes."

Officials at the Chattanooga Department of Public Works said they "are ready to implement the citys comprehensive snow and ice road treatment plan to ensure the safety and mobility of all residents in the event of inclement weather.

"The Public Works team is focused on treating the primary routes and access roads for hospitals, emergency responders, and emergency facilities from Jan. 8th until roads are deemed safe. To ensure the accessibility of necessary services, these areas will receive treatment first. Secondary routes that feed into the primary routes will be treated next. Teams will continue to monitor road conditions throughout the event and will retreat roads as necessary, particularly if refreezing occurs due to low temperatures.

"During this event, all leaf pick up routes will be temporarily suspended. Crews will redeploy trucks to focus on snow and ice treatment, prioritizing road safety. To help maximize road treatment efforts, residents are encouraged to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary during inclement weather. Additionally, please move parked cars off streets to allow for full and efficient treatment of roadways."

For reports, concerns, or questions related to road conditions, please contact 311. For more information about weather conditions visit https://www.noaa.gov/

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) can assure motorists it is stocked and ready to clear roadways of ice and snow. Salt supplies have been replenished in all the regions 24 counties in preparation for the winter season, and crews have readied snowplows and brine trucks.

Our salt bins are stocked, our equipment is prepared, and our employees are ready to mobilize in the event of inclement weather, says Assistant Chief Engineer and Regional Director Daniel Oliver. Clearing our roadways as safely and efficiently as possible is vital to keeping motorists safe and traffic moving in Tennessee.

TDOTs regional budget for 2024/2025 winter weather coverage is $5.1 million and includes salt, salt brine, overtime for employees, and equipment maintenance.

TDOT Region 2 has 75,276 tons of salt and 196,350 gallons of salt brine ready for use to cover 7,731 lane miles of interstates and state routes. Salt brine is a salt/water mixture used for pre-treating roads before a winter storm or to melt snow on roadways when temperatures are hovering around the freezing mark. Salt is applied to roads once snow accumulates.

When snow hits Tennessee, TDOT ice and snow removal teams focus first on clearing interstates and heavily traveled state routes specifically targeting areas vulnerable to freezing, such as hills, curves, ramps, bridges, and interchanges. During prolonged weather events, crews may have to clear roadways repeatedly.

Crews will prioritize the following routes that are crucial for connectivity in the Tennessee Valley and Upper Cumberland areas:

 I-75, I-24, and I-40

 US 64, US 27, US 41, US 41A, US 127, and US 70

 SR 153, APD 40, SR 55, and SR 111

The Chattanooga area is expected to see its worst snowfall event in more than 10 years. TDOT strongly encourages drivers to prepare to stay off the roads on Friday, for their own safety and the safety of workers, giving crews the room they need to do their jobs.

For winter weather tips, travel information, and a regional breakdown of TDOT winter weather supplies and equipment, visit the TDOT website https://www.tn.gov/tdot/ inclement-weather/ice-snow. html . Members of the media are welcome to use the winter weather Broll found here with a courtesy to TDOT.

The Dalton Public Works Department has a plan in place to prepare City streets on Thursday afternoon. Department leaders met Wednesday morning with the team of drivers who operate the City's salt brine trucks to review plans and preparations.



The latest weather forecasts are calling for winter weather to arrive in Dalton on Friday, potentially around 7 a.m. The Public Works Department is planning to start the salt brine trucks on their routes around lunchtime on Thursday, to pre-treat the roads. The operation focuses efforts on the city's main arterial roads first before preparing secondary roads and residential streets. However, plans are in place to prepare all of the city's roads before the storm hits. The Public Works Department will have crews on standby ahead of the storm on Friday morning to ensure there is ample staff available to respond to whatever weather situations arise. Earlier this week, the Public Works Department operated all of the salt brine trucks and equipment to ensure everything is in working order and also filled all of the salt brine tanks with approximately 8,000 gallons of the solution.

The City of Dalton uses the salt brine treatment instead of spreading gravel and rock salt. The brine solution can keep ice from forming on treated roadways. If ice does form, or in snow events where snow or ice do accumulate on the road, the brine keeps it from bonding with the pavement and sticking. That way, plow trucks can easily clear any accumulated snow or ice.

Even though the Public Works Department will be working throughout the storm to keep Dalton's roadways as clear and safe as possible, city leaders urge residents to restrict non-essential travel in the event of snow or ice. If at all possible, please stay off of the roads and stay home instead.
You probably remember pivotal points in your life that changed things forever. The following essay describes one of mine.

I hated driving on highways. Any highway.

To pass Drivers Ed when I was sixteen, I had to drive I-94, the highway that connected Battle Creek to Kalamazoo. I was terrified. Semi-trucks roared past me, sometimes penning me in on all sides. I clutched the steering wheel so hard my hands throbbed and I was hyperventilating by the time the instructor told me to get off at the next exit.The other student driver took over for the return trip. I swore I would not drive on a major highway again. And I didntfor twenty years.

I lived in rural Michigan where I could traverse country roads to get to the nearby village. I could buy groceries and other essentials there. If I wanted to see a movie or do some serious shopping, backroads led me to the mall on the outskirts of Battle Creek. I had no desire to go anywhere else until I married Rich and moved to Cincinnati with him.

Cincinnati was HUGE, but eventually I braved the heavy traffic to go to the grocery store and library. I avoided the highway, even on my monthly trips home to visit friends and family. Rich couldnt take time off from his new job to go with me, but he advised me to travel the interstate; it would cut driving time by three hours. I ignored his advice of course. Even though it took longer, traveling country roads made the trip relatively stress free.

Then came winter. I left for Michigan one January morning as the sun began to peek through the clouds. Id barely driven a mile when a few fluffy snowflakes wafted through the air onto my windshield.

Two hours later I could barely see five yards ahead. Soon the two-lane roads I traveled were covered in drifting snow, and I was forced to creep along at under 30 miles per hour.

Ten hours later I arrived at my destination, exhausted and shaken. Thats when I decided I needed to step outside my comfort zone and learn to travel on highways.

Rich had occasionally driven me to Michigan, but watching him drive the interstate was easy. Doing it myself was a different matter. I felt as frightened as Id been at sixteen.

My hubby instructed me on exit numbers and connecting interchanges before I left. I prayed and clenched the steering wheel the first two hours. Then I began to relax and breath normally. I arrived at my destination without incident, feeling confident enough to return via the interstate. Maybe too confident.

All went well until I missed the Cincinnati exit and traveled across the bridge into Covington. That was my greatest feargetting lost and not knowing where to turn around. Heart palpitating, I endured tense moments before figuring out how to get back to the northbound lane.

Later Rich teased I knew you had a bad sense of direction, but youre the only person I know who drives from Michigan to Cincinnati by way of Kentucky. Safely at home, I could laugh too.

That was a long time ago. When we moved to New Jersey, I decided to finish my education. This required driving an even busier interstate highway three times a week, but I was prepared to face the challenge.

However, an equally frightening test confronted me; attending college classes with kids half my age. How could I compete with those young minds?

I quickly discovered age was not a factor; it was commitment that mattered. I performed better than the majority of 20-year-olds.

When I began doing what frightened me, my life changed for the better. And each time I stepped outside my comfort zone to face a new challenge, my confidence strengthened.



* * *

Boomer friends, we may slow down or decide to stop doing some things, but we can still stretch the boundaries of our comfort zones. Whether its talking to people, volunteering, taking a class, or getting on a plane to see grandchildren (until recently I hadnt flown in ten years and didnt look forward to it,) it provides a sense of accomplishment to overcome our discomfort and just do it.

* * *Diana Walters retired from paid employment at age 76. Now 77, she is again working half-time, volunteering, writing and spending time with her husband. She believes we all need a purpose to get up every day and not having one is the downfall of many a senior. One of Dianas purposes is working on this weekly column. She enjoys hearing from readers and can be reached at dianalwalters@comcast.net.
The Tennessee Court of Appeals has dismissed an appeal by the Chattanooga Fire and Police Pension Fund in regard to benefits a court ordered for former Chattanooga Police Lt. Craig Joel.

Chancellor Jeff Atherton had ruled that the fund must pay Lt. Joel pension benefits for his claim of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The fund's board had denied the claim, saying that traumatic events cited by Lt. Joel were "within the realm of duties that police officers face and are expected to handle."

The board also said his application for benefits contained "multiple exaggerated, misleading and false statements."

The appeals court said Lt. Joel had asked for attorney's fees and pre-judgment interest and there was no ruling on those. It said, therefore, there was no final order in the case, and the appeals court could not accept the case.

The appeals court gave the fund 30 days to obtain a final judgment or show cause why the appeal should not be dismissed.

The appeals court said the fund did not obtain a final judgment, but argued that Lt. Joel had abandoned those claims. Lt. Joel said he had not abandoned the claims.

Costs of the appeal were taxed to the pension board.

From June 1991 to November 1993, Mr. Joel served as a volunteer firefighter with the Highway 58 Volunteer Fire Department. Around February 1994 he joined the Chattanooga Police Department as a communications clerk before working his way up to lieutenant.

He was placed on administrative leave after it was found that he was intoxicated while in possession of his firearm and a patrol vehicle. Then, on April 19, 2018, he filed for pension benefits citing "cumulative post traumatic psychological disorder."

He listed 12 traumatic events, including responding July 16, 2015, to the Naval Reserve Center, where five military personnel were killed in an active shooter terrorist attack.

Lt. Joel underwent medical evaluations from two different specialists, including one hired by the city and the other by the pension board. Each said he was not able to continue on as an officer.

The board contended that his disability "could have probably been successfully corrected by competent medical treatment had he cooperated with his healthcare providers."

Lt. Joel said he had initially relied on self-medication, alcohol and peer counseling before seeking some help for depression, anxiety and nightmares.

Chancellor Atherton said he found the board's denial was arbitrary or capricious.

He said, "The record lacks any supporting evidence that would justify or lead a reasonable person to conclude that such an interpretation of the language of the policy is appropriate, or alternatively that the Reserve Center shoot was 'expected.' "

He said pension benefits should be paid retroactively from the date of the denial and going forward.

Attorney William Hannah represents Lt. Joel.

The pension fund is represented by Christopher Crevasse, James Williams, Robert Parsley and Jessica Wolinsky.
Shimadzu Corporation, a pioneer in scientific instrumentation and technology, is proud to announce the celebration of its 150th anniversary. Founded in Kyoto on March 31, 1875, Shimadzu has been at the forefront of innovation and excellence in science and technology for over a century and a half. To commemorate this significant milestone, Shimadzu Corporation has launched a special website, inviting everyone to join in the celebration.

150th anniversary logo and key visual. Proposals for the logo were solicited from employees. Both are inspired by balloons. Shimadzu A woodcut titled Illustration of Balloon Test by the artist Kubota Beisen which records a manned balloon flight in 1877 Shimadzu

The legacy of Shimadzu began with Genzo Shimadzu Sr., a craftsman of Buddhist altars, who was inspired by the vision of establishing Japan as a leader in scientific advancement. He initiated the manufacturing of educational physics and chemistry instruments, laying the foundation for what would become a global enterprise. His son, Genzo Shimadzu Jr., furthered the family business, embracing new challenges and innovations that shaped the company into its current form.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, Shimadzu has unveiled a unique 150th anniversary logo, designed by employees from both Japan and overseas. The logo features a balloon, symbolizing the successful launch of Japans first private manned balloon by Genzo Shimadzu Sr. on December 6, 1877. This motif represents the enduring spirit of Shimadzu  an unwavering commitment to continuous effort and the pursuit of new challenges.

The accompanying key visual, inspired by the balloon design, showcases colorful circles that symbolize the unique dreams of individuals and the connections between diverse people. This visual encapsulates Shimadzus dedication to carrying forward the DNA of its founding and fostering innovation for the future.

Shimadzus corporate philosophy, Contributing to society through science and technology, has remained steadfast since its inception. In the words of President and CEO Yasunori Yamamoto: As we celebrate 150 years of operation, we look forward to continuing our search for answers. We must pool our strength with even more scientists and researchers than before and accelerate innovation that transcends national borders.

As the world faces unprecedented challenges, including a rapidly growing population and environmental concerns, Shimadzu is committed to leveraging its 150 years of trust and expertise to develop solutions that benefit society and the planet. The company believes that by empowering its employees to pursue their dreams, it can create a brighter future for all.

The Shimadzu European Headquarters, with subsidiaries and distributors all over Europe is proud to be part of this history and future.
A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that Oregons ban on secret recordings was a valid protection of the right to privacy. Project Veritas said it will appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court. Anna Moneymaker/TNS

An ultraconservative group that sends its investigators undercover to expose what it considers left-wing bias in society says it will ask the Supreme Court to allow secret recording of conversations after a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that Oregons ban on those recordings was a valid protection of the right to privacy.

Our opponents want to criminalize undercover journalism and censor Americans, Project Veritas said in response to the decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. They want it to be impossible to expose corruption at the highest levels.

A panel of the court had ruled 2-1 in 2023 that the law was an unconstitutional violation of freedom of expression. But a majority of the 29-judge court then voted to set that ruling aside and referred the case to a larger panel, which reinstated the law in a 9-2 ruling Tuesday.

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Recordings are uniquely reliable and powerful methods of preserving and disseminating information, but they are also uniquely reliable and powerful methods of invading privacy, Judge Morgan Christen wrote for the courts majority.

California has a somewhat narrower law that prohibits only nonconsensual recordings of private, confidential conversations, a law that was not affected by the earlier ruling in the Oregon case.

Project Veritas has attracted attention, and occasionally law enforcement intervention, for its undercover actions. Its founder, James OKeefe, and three other members pleaded guilty to misdemeanors in 2010 for phone tampering in the office of Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., while posing as repair workers.

The groups challenge to the Oregon law was supported by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which said in a court filing that it has a long history of conducting undercover investigations to expose cruelty to animals.

On the other hand, said Oregons attorney general, Dan Rayfield, Oregonians deserve to know when their conversations are being recorded. Im pleased the court recognized that Oregons ban on secret recordings is an important safeguard for individuals and their right to privacy.

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Oregons ban on secretly recording private conversations does not apply to recordings by police in view of those who are being recorded, or to recordings made during a life-endangering felony crime. The law also allows recordings during public meetings, organized protests, school classes and private meetings in which participants should reasonably expect that they will be recorded.

The law is content-neutral  it applies to conversations regardless of the speakers viewpoint  and it serves the states legitimate interest in ensuring that its residents know when their conversations are recorded, Christen said in Tuesdays ruling.

Peoples ability to engage in the uninhibited exchange of ideas could be hampered in a world where one knows that any conversation can be secretly recorded at any time, and subsequently disseminated, wrote Christen, an appointee of President Barack Obama.

She was joined by seven other appointees of Democratic presidents and by Judge Mark Bennett, an appointee of President Donald Trump, who said in a separate opinion that pressing a record button in secret was not necessarily an act of constitutionally protected free speech.

In dissent, Judge Kenneth Lee, a Trump appointee, said that both journalists and everyday citizens routinely record the powerful and the privileged behaving badly.

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Todays decision imperils the right to capture such abuses of power and other newsworthy events, said Lee, joined by another Trump appointee, Judge Daniel Collins. Lee said the law also goes too far by barring the taping of conversations that occur loudly in public unless the speaker is notified in advance  a concern similarly voiced by David Loy, legal director of the First Amendment Coalition, a journalism advocacy organization based in San Rafael.
Screenshot: Voice of the Martyrs USA via YouTube

Christians were significantly affected by widespread displacement in 2024 and faced targeting or killings by warring parties and Islamic terror groups, according to a report from a religious freedom watchdog organization.

The United States-based International Christian Concern (ICC) released its "2025 Global Persecution Index" on Thursday, emphasizing the most egregious violators of religious freedom in 2024.

In Sudan, more than 8 million people have been displaced since the outbreak of war in 2023, with both warring sides attacking religious sites, killing religious leaders, and disrupting religious practices across the country.

The report cites United Nations statistics, revealing that approximately 3.3 million people living in the Sahel countries of Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger were displaced at the beginning of 2024 due to the rise of Islamic terror groups replacing failed governments. The Sahel region includes Chad, Eritrea, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sudan.

In northern Nigeria, Christian communities frequently face attacks from Islamic extremists like the Islamic State West Africa Province and radicalized Fulani militants, resulting in the deaths of thousands in recent years.

The report documented that the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported 358,000 people in the violence-ridden Democratic Republic of the Congo were displaced in January 2024 alone. The ICC attributes some of the unrest in the DRC to the Allied Democratic Forces, a militant group with jihadist ideology.

While it noted that the DRC's Christian-majority population means that some attacks may not be motivated by religion, the report pointed out that the ADF is known to target churches and church leaders.

The DRC and the Sahel region were classified in the red zone by the religious freedom advocacy group, indicating areas where Christians are regularly tortured or killed for their faith. Other regions placed in the red zone include Nigeria, Somalia, Eritrea, Afghanistan, North Korea, and Pakistan.

The report identified four countries as part of the orange zone, indicating that their governments severely oppress the rights of Christians. These include China, India, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. Additionally, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Russia, and Vietnam were categorized in the yellow zone, where Christians endure attacks, arrest, and oppression.

While the report painted a bleak picture of global religious freedom, it also pointed to popular discontent with repression as a positive development in 2024.

This included the Spring 2024 elections in India, where the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) found itself with a significantly reduced electoral mandate, leading it to form a coalition with several other parties to assemble a government in Parliament. The ICC identified the BJP as one of the groups/entities causing the most harm in India, stressing that it reduces Christians and religious minorities to second-class status.

In Myanmar, the military junta led by extremist Buddhists known as the Tatmadaw continues to rule after overthrowing the democratically elected government in 2021. The ICC noted that the junta's violence has united various ethnoreligious minorities, who achieved significant military victories against the junta in 2024.

In Iran, the ICC highlighted the election of relatively moderate politicians, such as Masoud Pezeshikian in 2024, as a sign of a popular uprising suggesting that the [theocratic] regime's control is not absolute.
Fresh Life Church Pastor Levi Lusko addressed the audience at the Passion Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 6, 2025. | Screenshot: Passion Conference video/ Christian Post

Pastor Levi Lusko reminded thousands of young adults gathered in Atlanta for Passion 2025 that worldly success pales compared to the eternal treasure of surrendering one's life to Christ.

Part one of Passion 2025 took place from January 2-4, followed by part two from January 6-8. This year's theme is For His Renown, featuring speakers such as founder Louie Giglio, Sadie Robertson Huff, Jackie Hill Perry, and Jonathan Pokluda.

Fresh Life Church Pastor Levi Lusko delivered the opening message of the conference on Monday evening following a worship session led by Kristian Stanfill.

Starting from Matthew 13:44, He discussed how the life of Alexander the Great, who epitomized worldly ambition, intersects with biblical prophecy. Three hundred years before he was born, the book of Daniel predicted his coming, Lusko stated, referencing Daniel 2, 8, and 11, which some scholars believe symbolize Alexander's conquests.

However, despite his success, Alexander's life ended in despair, as his kingdom was divided and his heirs were murdered following his untimely death. This is a cautionary tale for all of us, Lusko emphasized. You can conquer the world, but if your identity is rooted in anything other than God, it will leave you empty.

He noted that Alexander's tears are evidence of this emptiness, sharing, He wept because he realized that there were infinite worlds, and he could only rule one. He also wept in remorse after killing a close friend in a fit of rage. Despite having everything, Alexander was deeply dissatisfied.

Lusko then shared his experience with a midlife crisis in his late 30s, recalling sleepless nights, panic attacks, and a loss of motivation. I didn't want to call it a midlife crisis because it felt so cliche. But the truth is, I was grappling with the same questions Alexander faced: What's next? What's my purpose? What do I do with the life I have left?

He encouraged the audience to embrace such struggles as opportunities for growth, saying, Be kind to yourself. You've never been here before. The wilderness seasons in our lives are often God's way of preparing us for something greater.

Lusko attributed his insight to the parable in Matthew 13:44, where Jesus likens the Kingdom of Heaven to a hidden treasure worth sacrificing everything to obtain. This passage became my anchor, he explained. It reminded me that life is not about accumulating achievements or possessions, but about continually surrendering everything to Christ to uncover the treasures of His Kingdom.

He warned the attendees against finding their identity in anything that can be taken away, stating, Whether it's your job, your success, your relationships, or even your ministry  if your sense of self is tied to something temporary, it's vulnerable.

Lusko suggested that the solution lies in rooting one's identity in Christ. When you anchor yourself in what can never be taken away  the love of God, the hope of the Gospel  you are unshakable. He emphasized that it is not enough to go all-in for Jesus once. Every day, we must deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow Him. Every day, we must return to the field, dig deeper, and discover more treasure.

His story was always going to end in loss because it was built on human ambition. But God's Kingdom is different. It's a Kingdom that will never be destroyed, a treasure that will never fade, he urged.

The Passion Conference, launched in 1995 and aimed at 18-25-year-olds, is held annually at the start of the year.
Photo Credit: Unsplash/ Mitchell Leach

Nearly all U.S. Protestant pastors (99%) encourage their congregants to read the Bible independently, using at least one of seven different methods, according to a report from the Baptist Press.

Conducted by Lifeway Research from August 8 to September 3, 2024, the phone survey sampled 1,003 Protestant pastors selected from a stratified random list of all Protestant churches in the country.

The study found that the most common methods pastors use to promote individual Bible reading include providing free Bibles to those in need (93%) and reminding their congregants during sermons (92%). In addition, three in four pastors (73%) indicate that they incorporate Bible readings during worship services beyond the passages covered in sermons.

The research highlights that 59% of pastors provide printed Bible reading plans while 56% use social media to send reminders. Nearly half (49%) utilize email to encourage their congregants to engage with Scripture throughout the week, and around 37% offer a digital or online Bible reading plan.

The study points out that pastors today are more inclined than in 2016 to utilize certain methods to encourage Bible reading among their churchgoers.

Notably, there has been a 7 percentage point increase in offering free Bibles (from 86% to 93%) and a 6 percentage point increase in sermon reminders (from 86% to 92%). However, the provision of printed Bible reading plans has decreased by 5 percentage points, down to 59% from 64%, while other methods of encouragement have remained statistically stable since eight years ago.

The size of the church often influences the likelihood of pastors employing specific encouragement techniques.

Pastors from larger Protestant congregations, those with 250 or more attendees, are less inclined to have Bible readings during worship services aside from the sermon passages (58%). Interestingly, they are more likely to send email reminders (66%) and offer a digital or online Bible reading plan (65%).

Larger churches, particularly those with 250 or more attendees (69%) and those with 100 to 249 attendees (67%), are more likely to provide printed Bible reading plans compared to smaller congregations with 50 to 99 attendees (56%) and those with fewer than 50 attendees (53%). Those in the smallest churches are also less likely to utilize social media reminders (44%) and email reminders (40%).

Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research, noted, In an increasingly secular culture, pastors are not assuming people have a Bible. He added that more churches are ready to give free Bibles to individuals who need them to encourage further reading about the message the church conveys.
Home News Christian leaders pray for 'spiritual renewal' in US after New Orleans terror attack

Christian leaders prayed for the spiritual condition of the United States Sunday following the terrorist attack on New Year's Day in New Orleans, Louisiana, asking for God to turn the nation's hearts toward Him and to help the country stand against evil.

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins and Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry hosted a one-hour broadcast titled "Pray for the Nation" to ask for God's protection. The event featured various Christian leaders, including Pastor Carter Conlon, Michele Bachmann, David Goza, Troy Miller and Pastor Art Reyes.

"The only way to protect America from the threats we face, if we want to remain free, is by turning to God and seeking His protection for our nation," Perkins, a leading conservative Christian activist, said. "That requires us to pray and to turn to God."

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Fourteen people lost their lives and dozens more were injured after Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove a pickup truck into a crowd of people on Bourbon Street early New Year's morning. Jabbar died later in a shootout with police.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation said that the attacker had expressed support for the Islamic State in online videos and had an IS flag on the truck he used during the rampage.

During the Sunday event, Perkins prayed for the victims of the terrorist attack and their families, acknowledging how it has likely made many in the country feel vulnerable.

Perkins, who once served as a Louisiana state representative, also offered a prayer for first responders and law enforcement, as well as politicians, asking for God's help in showing them how to lead in such difficult times.

"So, tonight, we appeal to Heaven," Perkins said. "And we pray, Father, that you would hear our prayers as we gather together in unity."

Pastor Jack Hibbs, the founding pastor of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills in California, shared Perkins' concerns about an increase in tragic events, which they believe is a result of the "spiritual condition" of the United States.



Perkins and Hibbs offered a prayer for the "spiritual renewal" of the country.



While the pastor believes that God "opened a small door" for the U.S. by allowing President-elect Donald Trump to win over Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, Hibbs stressed that the Church must lead.



"Lord, we are desperate because we must see you move in our country," Hibbs prayed. "And we know if you move in our country, it presupposes something. It means that you're going to move in our churches first."



"But that presupposes something: It means that you're going to cause your men in the pulpit, and your servants, to catch fire by the Holy Spirit," he continued. "That we would be possessed by the spirit of God to be prophets in these last daysprophets of the word of God."



The pastor prayed for God to "raise up" Christians and spiritual leaders to "speak into our political realm," calling for the church to serve as the "conscience of the state."



"Have mercy on America because we cry out in Jesus' name," Hibbs said. "Amen."

Hibbs agreed with Perkins when he said that Christians should not rely solely on politicians, even if they agree with them, but listen and respond to the Holy Spirit.



"Harmony, unity, love, justice, wisdom, peace, truth," the pastor listed. "None of this is possible unless the church seeks the face of God."



"Politicians do not have the skillset, nor are they called to bring unity," he added.



Hibbs called for 2025 to be a year of prayer and intercession, adding that the Church is the nation's only hope, not Trump or any other politician. He reasoned that God allowed certain people to enter office to allow Christians to "freely petition" the Lord.

"The hour of this year is upon the church," he said.
Home News Laken Riley Act: House passes first bill of new Congress to detain migrants for theft crimes

The U.S. House of Representatives passed its first bill of the new Congress Tuesday, which would require federal immigration authorities to detain illegal migrants charged with theft-related crimes.

Named after the 22-year-old Georgia nursing student murdered by an illegal immigrant last February, The Laken Riley Act passed the lower chamber in a 264 to 159 vote, with 48 Democrats crossing the aisle to vote with Republicans in support of the bill.

The next step is to send the legislation to the Republican-led Senate, which will take up the measure on Friday.

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If passed, the bill would require the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to detain illegal immigrants charged with burglary, theft, larceny or shoplifting.

In addition, the bill would authorize state attorneys general or state officers to sue the secretary of Homeland Security for injunctive relief for harm caused to citizens by illegal migrants.

Democratic Sen. Jon Fetterman of Pennsylvania has indicated that he will support the legislation. This is not the first time that the senator has crossed party lines, as he previously distinguished himself from some of the Democratic Party's more far-left voices with his outspoken support for Israel.

"Laken Riley's story is a tragic reminder of what's at stake when our systems fail to protect people. No family should have to endure the pain of losing a loved one to preventable violence," Fetterman told CNN in a statement.

"Immigration is what makes our country great," he added. "I support giving authorities the tools to prevent tragedies like this one while we work on comprehensive solutions to our broken system."

The House's passage of the Laken Riley Act follows promises from Republican lawmakers and leadership to tighten border security and crackdown on illegal immigration.

Republican lawmakers have accused the Biden-Harris administration of allowing criminal immigrants into the country, blaiming the administration's policies for Riley's death.

Republican Rep. Mike Collins of Georgia, who reintroduced the Laken Riley Act for the 119th Congress, believes that the legislation is necessary to protect communities from illegal aliens who have a history of criminal behavior.

"The Laken Riley Act gives our law enforcement the tools they need to protect their communities and ensure that no more innocent lives are lost to a broken immigration and criminal justice system," Collins said in a statement before the bill's passage in the House.

Jose Antonio Ibarra, the illegal immigrant sentenced to life in prison for murdering Riley in February 2024, entered the U.S. illegally in 2022. Prior to murdering the nursing student, Ibarra and his brother, Diego, were charged with shoplifting from Walmart in October 2022.

In August 2023, Ibarra was charged with causing injury to a child and a driving violation. However, he was released before ICE could request that police detain him for immigration authorities.

As special prosecutor Sheila Ross stated during a bench trial in November, Ibarra went "hunting" for women on Feb. 22, when he encountered Riley during a morning jog.

"When Laken Riley refused to be his rape victim, he bashed her skull in with a rock repeatedly," Ross said during opening statements at trial. "That is what this case is all about."

At the conclusion of the trial, Athens-Clarke County Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard sentenced Ibarra to the maximum possible punishments for multiple charges, including kidnapping, aggravated assault with intent to rape, obstruction of a 911 call, tampering with evidence and a peeping tom charge.

The judge ordered that the defendant serve each sentence consecutively, condemning Ibarra to two life sentences and 27 years in prison.
Home News Louie Giglio challenges sin-fueled culture at Passion 2025: The church exists for God, not for us

"We've been immersed in a sin-fueled, secular worldview that tells us life is all about us," Pastor Louie Giglio declared to thousands of university students at Passion 2025 in Atlanta this week. "But the truth is, it's not about us. It's all about God."

Speaking at State Farm Arena, Giglio, the 66-year-old leader of Passion City Church in Atlanta, urged students to reject the pervasive cultural narrative that elevates self above all else.

The popular Christian author warned that this mindset has infiltrated not just society but also faith practices, often making God a supporting character in people's lives.

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"God is on call for us versus we are on call for God. The Church exists for God, not for us. And the question we should ask is not, 'Did I like it?' but, 'God, did You like it?'"

"Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God," he said. "It's not about what you do  it's about why you do it."

"When we talk about God's glory, we're talking about the fact that God has the weight, that He's not flimsy, He's not tin foil, He's not temporary, He's not a lightweight. He's the heavyweight. He's the weight of weights. He's heavy, His substance, His being. He has intrinsic weight and worth."

Throughout his message, Giglio, who founded Passion in 1997, emphasized the centrality of God's glory in all things. "We can preach, but unless there's revelation, it's just a message," he said. "If there's revelation, then there's transformation."

Giglio shared the story of how the Passion Movement began, rooted in a moment of personal revelation while reading Isaiah 26:8: "Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your truth, we wait eagerly for you; for your name and renown are the desire of our souls."

"That verse exploded off the page," he recalled. "It was as if the all-consuming calling on our lives collided with this life-transforming revelation. Everything exists for the glory of God, and Passion exists to proclaim that."

Giglio recounted the OneDay 2000 gathering in Memphis, where 40,000 students prayed for an awakening in their generation.

"It was one of the most holy moments I've ever been a part of," he said. "We thought that was it, just a spark for awakening. But here we are, 27 years later, and the fire hasn't gone out."

At the heart of Giglio's message was a challenge for students to shift their focus from self to God. He described how culture's self-centeredness has crept into worship and faith practices, leading many to view God as existing for their benefit rather than the other way around.

"If we're not careful, God is on call for us versus we are on call for God," he warned. "That God is orbiting in our universe, versus we are orbiting in God's universe. Church, if we're not careful, this same view of 'it's all about me' seeps in the church."

"The best news in the world is, it's not about me," he added. "If something shifted for you tonight if you're ready to make that 180, stand where you are. Let's declare together that our lives are all about Him."

As students across the arena stood in response, Giglio prayed over them.

"May your life be a testament to the weight and worth of God," he stated. "May everything you do point to His glory."

Giglio closed by reflecting on the overarching purpose of the Passion Movement.

"Passion exists for the glory of God," he said. "And when we get to Heaven, we won't regret making our lives about His name and renown. That will be our eternal song."

"The Cross exists for the glory of God," Giglio added. "Every miracle, every moment, every breath  it all exists for Him."

"You are small," Giglio continued, "but you are fiercely loved by God. He loves you so much that He wants to be everything  the center of everything in you. If He is, you will have what He's always wanted you to have: the very best, not the rest."

Part one of Passion 2025, geared toward 18-25-year-olds, was held Jan. 2-4, with part two held Jan. 6-8. This year's conference theme is "For His Renown" and featured Sadie Robertson Huff, Jackie Hill Perry, Jonathan Pokluda and others, with music from Brooke Ligertwood, Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, KB and Passion Music.
Home News Officer killed outside Church of the Highlands during fast

Lieutenant Mark Alan Meadows, a beloved police officer in Irondale, Alabama, died tragically on Monday after he was struck by a motorist while directing traffic during Church of the Highlands fasting event called 21 Days of Prayer. He was 60.

Meadows death came on the second day of the megachurchs annual fast, which started on Jan. 5 and ends on Jan. 25.

Authorities cited by The Associated Press said Meadows was directing traffic at an intersection when he was hit by a passing vehicle. He died from his injuries at a nearby hospital. It was unclear Wednesday whether the 32-year-old driver of a pick-up truck that hit Meadows had been charged.

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In a statement Monday, the Irondale Police Department said the incident happened shortly before 7 a.m. local time and Meadows death had left them with deep sadness and heavy hearts.

Lt. Mark Meadows was a treasured member of our Irondale family for over 30 years, Mayor James D. Stewart Jr. said in a statement. He was a man of few words but always led by example and embodied the heart of a true public servant. Lt. Meadows will be dearly missed by his brothers and sisters at the Irondale Police Department, as well as by all of our city employees and citizens. We are comforted in knowing that he is with his heavenly father, and we will continue to cover his family in prayer as they grieve this great loss.

Church of the Highlands Senior Pastor Chris Hodges said in a statement cited by WTVY that Meadows had been with the Grants Mill location of the church since it opened nearly 18 years ago.

"He is family to us. All our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, daughter, son, family members, fellow officers and the many who loved him. Even in the most difficult and trying times, we know our God will provide comfort, strength and reassurance based on the promise of heaven. We as a church will do all we can to care for his family, Hodges said.

Through their 21 Days of Prayer event, Church of the Highlands members fast and pray for 21 days each January and August to intentionally seek God in prayer and believe for Him to move in powerful ways.

On Tuesday, the Irondale community gathered to remember Meadow. The police department said his patrol car would remain in memorial on the lawn of the Irondale City Hall until his funeral service is held on Thursday at the Church of the Highlands.

A statement from Meadows family said Meadows is survived by his mother, Mary Meadows; wife, Susan Meadows, children Garrett Meadows, Mary Kate Boykin, Aiden Meadows and granddaughter, Lucy Kate Boykin.

Our greatest moment of sorrow has been met with his greatest moment of joy. We are clinging to the hope and peace that is offered only through Jesus Christ in this heavy time, the Meadows family noted while quoting Philippians 3:20-21.

But our citizenship is in Heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Bob Egelko has been a reporter since June 1970. He spent 30 years with the Associated Press, covering news, politics and occasionally sports in Los Angeles, San Diego and Sacramento, and legal affairs in San Francisco from 1984 onward. He worked for the San Francisco Examiner for five months in 2000, then joined The Chronicle in November 2000.

His beat includes state and federal courts in California, the Supreme Court and the State Bar. He has a law degree from McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento and is a member of the bar. Coverage has included the passage of Proposition 13 in 1978, the appointment of Rose Bird to the state Supreme Court and her removal by the voters, the death penalty in California and the battles over gay rights and same-sex marriage.
Home News Fundraisers bring in over $250K for families of Christian school shooting victims

Several fundraisers that emerged to help the families of victims of a recent school shooting in Wisconsin that took the lives of a student and teacher and injured several others have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in the three weeks following the tragedy.

A fundraiser set up on the crowdfunding website GoFundMe to raise money for the families of the victims of those impacted by the deadly Dec. 16 school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison has raised more than $27,000 out of a $250,000 goal as of Tuesday afternoon.

"This money will go towards both families to support funeral costs, loss of wages, support the children impacted for future education along with any miscellaneous expenses that arise," according to organizer Andy Eastman.

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He posted an update Thursday indicating that some of the funds will pay for the children of victim Erin West, the teacher killed in the shooting, to go to Disney World. West had planned to take her three daughters to the theme park this spring.

The day after the shooting, the United Way of Dane County, which includes Madison, announced that it was establishing the Abundant Life Christian School Emergency and Recovery Fund to "support those impacted by the tragic events."

Around 1,440 donors have given a combined total of $240,740 for the fundraiser, Madison365 reported Tuesday.

The United Way of Dane County published an announcement Saturday detailing how 66 Culver's restaurants in Wisconsin intended to donate a portion of Monday's profits to benefit the families of those impacted by the shooting.

The United Way stressed that while the percentage donated at each location will vary, each participating restaurant will display the share of its proceeds that will go to the fundraiser so that customers and potential donors are aware.

United Way of Dane County President and CEO Renee Moe elaborated on the United Way fundraiser in a statement published in conjunction with the announcement.

"Our hearts go out to every student, family and educator who has been affected by this act of violence," Moe said. "While our collective reality is forever changed, United Way of Dane County stands ready to help our community recover. Please give with your hearts to support our neighbors through this difficult time. Every dollar counts."

Abundant Life Christian School Principal Doug Butler reacted to United Way's fundraising efforts by stating, "We are overwhelmed by the community's support and grateful for United Way's assistance." He added, "We will be announcing a transparent process for funds distribution once we understand clearly what is needed and how best to support our families and school."

In a Dec. 23 letter submitted to United Way of Dane County, Butler expressed gratitude for the "outpouring of support, kindness, and love" the school had received following the shooting.

He also provided details on how donated money would be spent: "Our top priorities for these monies are to support our school family from the ongoing needs of the injured to the long-term mental health needs of the student body, staff, and families."

"Our order of priority is to come alongside any financial needs of the families who lost loved ones first, then to support the medical expenses of those injured, then with remaining funds to provide for the mental health needs of the Challenger Family that come from the traumatic incident on December 16," he explained.

Abundant Life Christian School, Founded in 1978, provides education "in a Christ-focused context" and has around 390 students from kindergarten through the 12th grade.
Home News Pioneering Christian monument aims to chronicle world's answered prayers with 'Eternal Wall'

A groundbreaking Christian monument  the largest of its kind in the world  is one step closer to breaking ground in the United Kingdom.

The Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer, set to stand in Coleshill, Birmingham, promises to be far more than just an architectural marvel. With initial wind tunnel testing scheduled for February, the monument is planned to ultimately become what designers envision as an ongoing testimony to Gods faithfulness, with Christians from all over the world invited to contribute their powerful, personal stories of answered prayers.

Once completed, organizers say the Eternal Wall will stand as a towering testament to the transformative power of Gods intervention. Positioned just 90 miles north of London, the monument will be visible from nearly 6 miles away, offering an awe-inspiring presence.

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The structure will consist of 1 million white bricks, each brick digitally linked to an individuals unique story of answered prayer and documenting personal stories of redemption  everything from moments of divine intervention to the extraordinary, life-changing miracles that have impacted the lives of countless believers.

Designed in the shape of an infinity loop, or Mobius strip, the monument's endless surface is designed to symbolize the eternal nature of Gods love and faithfulness. Visitors to the monument will be able to interact with the structure: each of the 1 million bricks will be connected to a digital database, enabling visitors to hold up their phones and discover the story behind each brick.

The power of just one persons story can impact countless lives for the better, shares Eternal Wall founder and creator Richard Gamble, Think about what a million can do. We are all important to Jesus, and all have a story to tell  the piece of us that moves others and points them to Him.

The monument is designed to honor not only the stories of ordinary people but also the prayers of notable historical figures, including Winston Churchill, the late Queen Elizabeth II, evangelist George Muller, and the soldiers of Dunkirk. Their testimonies, organizers say, will be featured alongside the powerful stories of everyday Christians as a reminder that no story is too small or insignificant, and that all believers are equally cherished by God.

You might not be famous, feel influential or have a story you deem exciting, but that doesnt make you any less valuable to God than another, Gamble states. Your story in Christ matters and is meant to be shared with others. Join us and make history; if it impacts just one soul (from halfway across the world) for eternity, its worth it.

The Eternal Wall team is now making an urgent appeal to American Christians to contribute their own testimonies. With a goal of collecting 200,000 stories of answered prayer from the United States, the team is hoping to involve Christians from every background and denomination in this historical effort.

To date, 42,000 stories have already been shared, but Gamble says there is still a long way to go in meeting the ambitious target. Gamble believes that by inviting American Christians to participate, the impact of this project will be felt far beyond the U.K., spreading a global message of hope and faith.

The project has already captured a number of testimonies representing a wide variety of experiences, including miraculous healings and recoveries from illness and injury; divine intervention in rescuing people from abusive situations, hostile environments, and unhealthy lifestyles; comfort and peace during times of grief, loneliness and loss; providential assistance in the face of natural disasters, economic hardship and war; and life-changing encounters with the real Jesus, leading to spiritual transformation and salvation.

Not only is the landmark going to be larger than Rios famous Christ the Redeemer monument, but Gamble says it will serve as a testimony to Christ's finished work.

"Whats also different  and more important  is that the Eternal Wall will tell onlookers about Jesus, about His character and who He is, continues Gamble. Gods Word reminds us that we triumph by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. This monument will be an ongoing testimony.

As the project approaches its goal of 1 million bricks, Gamble is calling on American Christians to play a crucial role in meeting the target of 200,000 U.S. prayer stories.

Click here to submit an answered prayer or donate to the Eternal Wall project.
Home News Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to replace Facebook fact checkers with user-driven 'community notes'

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced Tuesday that Facebook and Instagram will be doing away with their fact-checking algorithms in favor of user-driven "community notes" like those used on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Claiming "recent elections" indicated "a cultural tipping point towards, once again, prioritizing speech," Zuckerberg laid out other steps the tech giant will take to loosen clampdowns on speech, such as lifting restrictions on controversial cultural topics and allowing users to have more political content in their feeds.

Shortly after Donald Trump's first election in 2016, Meta began its third-party fact checks in a supposed effort to combat "misinformation," with the aid of more than 100 organizations in over 60 languages.

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???? BREAKING: Mark Zuckerberg announces sweeping changes to Facebook and Instagram to move toward Free Speech including:



-Ending Third-Party Fact Checking and Replacing it with Community Notes like ????

-Removing Reduction of Political Content

-Lifting Topic Restrictions pic.twitter.com/9Y2DVQSrpk  Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) January 7, 2025

"We're going to get back to our roots and focus on reducing mistakes, simplifying our policies and restoring free expression on our platforms," Zuckerberg said in a video. "More specifically, here's what we're going to do. First, we're going to get rid of fact-checkers and replace them with community notes similar to X, starting in the U.S."

"Fact-checkers have been too politically biased and have destroyed more trust than theyve created," Zuckerberg further noted. "What started as a movement to be more inclusive has increasingly been used to shut down opinions and shut out people with different ideas, and it's gone too far."

Zuckerberg conceded that the new policy will permit more harmful content to exist on Meta's platforms, which he characterized as a "trade off." Meta will instead focus enforcement on illegal and high-severity violations, according to its website.

"We're also going to tune our content filters to require much higher confidence before taking down content," he said. "The reality is that this is a trade off. It means we're going to catch less bad stuff, but we'll also reduce the number of innocent people's posts and accounts that we accidentally take down."

Zuckerberg blamed "governments and legacy media" for driving the push "to censor more and more," and singled out the Biden administration for exhibiting such tactics, which he claimed has "emboldened other governments to go even further."

In a letter to the House Judiciary Committee last August, Zuckerberg admitted that the Biden administration pressured his company to effectively "censor" Facebook content related to COVID-19 and Hunter Biden's laptop.

Zuckerberg alleged at the time that senior officials in the Biden administration badgered the social media giant "to censor certain posts about COVID-19, including humor and satire, and expressed a lot of frustration with our teams when we didn't agree."

Zuckerberg's Tuesday announcement comes after he dined with President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago last month in Palm Beach, Florida. Trump had been banned from Facebook and Twitter while he was still president in 2021, but Meta is one of several tech companies that appear to be angling to get into Trump's good graces.

Both Meta and Amazon donated $1 million to Trump's inauguration fund last month, according to The Associated Press.

During a 90-minute press conference at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday, President-elect Donald Trump touched briefly on the topic of Meta's new content moderation policy, saying it was "probably" thanks to him.
Home News Pro-life activist arrested outside abortion clinic claims First Amendment violation

A pro-life activist was detained by police outside of an abortion clinic in Ohio, with critics claiming that the incident was a violation of his First Amendment rights.

Zack Knotts was detained and charged with disorderly conduct by the Cuyahoga Falls police after using a megaphone outside of the Northeast Ohio Womens Center in Cuyahoga Falls.

According to the pro-life organization Live Action, his citation stated that he did knowingly generate noise by means of a megaphone causing [inconvenience] and alarm to passersby at the Womens Clinic.

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In comments emailed to Live Action, Knotts claimed that he was unlawfully detained and charged because he was peacefully preaching the Gospel outside an abortion clinic on a public sidewalk.

The charge was based on the claim that my preaching annoyed passerbys [sic], which is an entirely subjective basis for restricting free speech, Knotts continued.

This action was taken despite my clear constitutional right to free speech and religious expression, and we firmly believe it violates my First and Fourth Amendment rights.

The local ordinance Knotts was reportedly arrested for violating was ordinance 509.03 (a) (6), which defines an aspect of "disorderly conduct" as Generating or, being the owner or person in possession or control of a vehicle or premises by reason of employment, agency, or otherwise, permitting to be generated unreasonable noise or loud sound which is likely to cause inconvenience or annoyance to persons of ordinary sensibilities by means of a radio, phonograph, television, tape player, loudspeaker or any other sound amplifying device or by any horn, drum, piano or other musical or percussion instrument.

Knotts believes the ordinance has no objective standard and allows for enforcement based purely on personal annoyance, which the Supreme Court has consistently ruled as unconstitutional.

At his first court appearance last week, Knotts pleaded not guilty. His next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday, reports The Daily Signal.

The Christian Post reached out to the Cuyahoga Falls Police Department on Tuesday to get their perspective on this story. A response is still pending.
Home News Texas Episcopal priest charged with stealing over $300K from church

An Episcopal church priest has been charged with allegedly stealing more than $300,000 from a Texas church, with a court appearance for the accused clergyman still pending.

The Rev. Edward Monk, rector of St. Johns Episcopal Church in Corsicana, Texas, was indicted last month on the charges of stealing over $300,000, fraudulently using an elderly persons identity, and credit card abuse of an elderly individual.

Monk was arrested on Dec. 21, 2024, and later released after he posted bail, the Episcopal News Service reports. The total amount that he allegedly stole hasn't been publicly released.

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Investigators continue to review thousands of pages of financial records from dozens of accounts spanning more than a decade, said Corsicana Police Chief Robert Johnson, according to ENS.

We appreciate the ongoing cooperation of the local parishioners and the diocese and the assistance provided by the District Attorney and Attorney Generals Office.

In addition to serving as rector at St. Johns Episcopal since 2003, Monk had also chaired the Nashotah House Theological Seminarys board of directors until last August.

Last July, police began investigating Monk after members of St. Johns Episcopal reported suspicious financial activity. The Navarro County District Attorney and Texas Office of the Attorney General have also participated in the criminal investigation.

For its part, the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas also launched an investigation into the allegations of financial misconduct, with Monk being placed on administrative leave last August.

The Rev. Tim Cherry, the diocesan investigator, charged Monk last November with six Title IV counts of mismanagement of the local church's funds and fraud, reported The Corsicana Daily Sun.

Specific allegations included failing to safeguard the property and funds of the Church and Community, any criminal act that reflects adversely on the Member of the Clergys honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a minister of the church, and conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.

For his part, Monk gave a short written response to a diocesan hearing panel last November in which he stated, I deny all allegations brought against me in these proceedings.

Monk also claimed that the repeated denial of my access to information, including my personal files and the church records, and decision of the Reference Panel to proceed even though my counsel could not attend, has in the past and continues to now prevent me from not only defending myself, but specifically prohibited me from participating in these proceedings in a meaningful way.
Home News Texas AG demands Zuckerberg-funded nonprofit turn over documents for investigation

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is launching an investigation into a nonprofit that received donations from Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg amid allegations it misled donors and unlawfully used the funds for partisan purposes.

Paxton issued a Civil Investigative Demand to the Chicago, Illinois-based Center for Tech and Civic Life on Thursday, demanding that the group send a host of documents as part of the investigation.

According to the CID, the Office of the Attorney Generals Consumer Protection Division believes the group is in possession, custody, or control of documentary material relevant to the subject matter of an investigation of possible violations of [state law] related to false, misleading, and/or deceptive practices in solicitations of donations.

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Documents that the nonprofit has been asked to produce include donation solicitations sent to Texas residents, copies of IRS 990 forms since 2012, and identifying social media accounts and their subscribers, among other things.

The CID warns that anyone refusing to comply with the demand on various documents may be guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000.00 or by confinement in the county jail for not more than one year, or both.

Charities cannot mislead their donors and misrepresent the purpose of their fundraising, Paxton said in a statement Thursday.

Further, in Texas, as in other states, it is the duty of state and county officials, accountable to the people of Texas, to ensure that elections are fair, safe, and free. That duty cannot be usurped by outside entities who are not chosen by and cannot be accountable to the people of Texas.

The Center for Tech and Civic Life identifies itself as a team of civic technologists, trainers, researchers, election administration and data experts working to foster a more informed and engaged democracy, and helping to modernize U.S. elections.

We connect election officials with tools and trainings so they can best serve their communities. We provide information the public needs to develop lifelong civic habits, they added.

Today, CTCL is a nationally-recognized nonprofit that partners with everyone  from rural election offices to the largest tech companies in the world.

CTCL gained national attention during the 2020 election cycle, when they reportedly spent hundreds of millions of dollars to help election administrators cope with the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown restrictions.

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, helped to fund the nonprofits work during the pandemic, leading some to express concerns over possible partisan bias.

In April, CTCL announced that it would be leading a collaborative project known as the U.S. Alliance for Election Excellence, spending approximately $80 million over the next five years to help provide resources for election officials.

The United States election infrastructure is crumbling, Tiana Epps-Johnson, who leads CTCL, told The Washington Post at the time. She further claimed that election officials who serve millions of voters lack the basic technology they need to reliably do their work.

Epps-Johnson previously served as the election administration director for the progressive grassroots organization New Organizing Institute and was part of the first cohort of Obama Foundation Fellows and Harvard Ash Center Technology and Democracy Fellows.
Home News Todd Bentley claims souls of suicide victims are most tormented in Hell after near-death experience

Weeks after surviving what he claimed was a near-death experience in which he was comatose for 10 hours, Fresh Fire USA leader Todd Bentley claimed he traveled in the spirit to the gate of Hell during the ordeal and saw people who had died prematurely, including suicide victims, and their souls were the most tormented in Hell.

In his comments made on New Years Eve at Rick Joyners embattled Morningstar Fellowship Church, Bentley delivered what he said was a message of hope from God for people who he argues are marked for premature death by the devil through afflictions like suicidal ideation and terminal illness.

He claimed God told him the reason why he had the near-death experience was so he could receive the message that 2025 would be the year of the resurrection.

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I could hear groaning, prisoners groaning. I could hear the shrieks and the screams of people that were in the worst, deepest, darkest [place]. And there was a prison on the other side of [the gate of Hell], Bentley said.

I wasn't permitted to go through the gate, but I looked up at the gate and the Lord said, There's something in your right hand. And he gave me the Scripture Psalms 102: 19 and 20 that the Lord looks down from the sanctuary in Heaven to hear the groaning of the prisoner to release those appointed for death.

He goes, That's why I brought you here because you have the key, and you have the authority to confront and cancel death. And we're getting ready for 2025 to be the year of the resurrection, Bentley claimed.

He said during the experience, the Lord showed him a blood red crayon in his right hand and he knew it was the blood of Jesus. He was then shown a book of death with names listed in it, and he was told to use the crayon to strike off names from the book.

He [God] said take that blood red crayon and X off the names of the people appointed for death because the spirit of death wants to take them prematurely. And I looked in and people whose names were on there, and it wasn't so much names I remember but why people were appointed for death, like suicide, Bentley continued.

That people were so mentally ill they thought the only way out of their torment was to commit suicide. And so they were appointed for death. And there were already many others that had already taken their life [by] suicide and thought they could be free of all the pain and mental illness, and they were the most tormented in Hell, he claimed.

The most recently published statistics on suicide from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show suicide was the 11th leading cause of death in 2022 when 49,476 Americans died by self-inflicted means. There were also 1.6 million suicide attempts that year.

Bentley further claimed he saw others who had died from drug overdoses and terminal illnesses like cancer.

I started to cross names off the list, and I realized there were many with sicknesses and diseases  incurable conditions, things you could never be healed of medically, and [the] Lord said you have authority over those, Bentley said.

The devil thinks they're appointed for death, but you have the authority to cancel that, and this is why you're here. And I remember right after this experience there was more to it, but the most important part was the Lord was in His resurrected glory.

Last month, Bentley, who a team of leaders declared in 2020 was not qualified for leadership due to multiple credible allegations of ungodly and immoral behavior, including predatory sexual activity, said in a health update shared on Facebook Live that he has been resting since suffering seizure-like symptoms which rendered him unconscious for 10 hours on Nov. 23, 2024.

He said the last thing he remembered before the medical emergency was getting ready to watch wrestling on pay-per-view.

Bentleys appearance at Morningstar Ministries comes as the leaders there, including founder Rick Joyner, face three lawsuits blaming the ministry for the sexual abuse former volunteer and ex-police officer Erickson Douglas Lee allegedly committed against multiple young boys who participated in one of its youth programs.

In one 40-page lawsuit filed last August, one of Lees victims, John Doe No. 1, and his parents accused Joyner, along with several top officials of the organization and multiple other staff members, of gross negligence for allegedly covering-up multiple incidences of sexual abuse in the ministry.

John Doe No. 2 made similar allegations in a lawsuit filed on Sept. 3, while John Doe No. 3 filed a similar lawsuit against the defendants on Sept. 5 regarding the abuse that took place from August 2021 through January 2023.
Home News Trump faces key decisions on Iranian nuclear program when he returns to office French President Macron warns Iranian program near point of no return

Recent advances in Irans nuclear program will present U.S. President-elect Donald Trump with a difficult decision when he returns to office on Jan. 20  whether to proceed diplomatically to convince Iran to abandon the pursuit of nuclear weapons or whether to support a military strike on its nuclear facilities.

While several analysts expect Trump to attempt a return to the maximum pressure strategy of his first term, including sanctions to bring Iran in line, it is unclear whether he has enough time to allow sanctions to work.

Despite the crippling sanctions the U.S. imposed on Iran in Trumps first term, the Iranian regime continued to pursue nuclear enrichment and development. Even U.S. officials like Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently warned that Iran could quickly produce enough fissile material for a nuclear weapon in as little as one or two weeks.

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In July, Blinken told attendees at the Aspen Security Forum that Iran instead of being at least a year away from having the breakout capacity of producing fissile material for a nuclear weapon, is now probably one or two weeks away from doing that.

While Blinken attempted to pin the blame on Trumps decision to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal, even while it was active, Iran still showed signs of hiding materials from nuclear inspectors with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

In October, Foreign Policy magazine warned that Iran was likely just one or two weeks away from producing enough fissile material for four nuclear weapons, and it would likely require only an additional eight weeks to produce six more.

The magazine argued that Iran already has a well-developed traditional ballistic missile production capability and, therefore, could produce all the nonnuclear components quite quickly.

In December, a report released from the Office of the United States Director of National Intelligence (DNI) warned: Iran now has enough fissile material to make more than a dozen nuclear weapons."

On Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron echoed those concerns.

"We can clearly see that the challenge we face in the region and beyond is Iran, Macron told a group of French ambassadors. The acceleration of its nuclear program brings us very close to the breaking point. Its ballistic program threatens European soil and therefore our interests.

While Macron indicated his willingness to push for so-called snap-back sanctions, recent reports suggest that Trump is considering a direct military strike on Irans nuclear sites.

While reports indicate that Trump would prefer to reinstate his maximum pressure policy, Trump himself appeared to affirm the goal of striking Irans sites during the final days of the campaign. He has also reportedly discussed such a strike with his transition team.

The Axios news outlet recently reported that Trump might approve U.S. military assistance to an Israeli strike if the president feels that the time for diplomacy has passed.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that he and President-elect Trump see eye-to-eye on the Iranian nuclear threat.

The Israeli Air Force has already trained for such a strike and with the removal of air defense systems in both Syria and Iran, its pilots would have an open corridor for attacking Iran for at least the next few months.

The Iranian regime, itself, has stated that this year will be an "important year" for its nuclear program.

Regardless, Trump will likely feel pressured to make the decision sooner rather than later.

This article was originally published at All Israel News
(Photo: Getty/iStock)

Back in the late 1980s when The Sun newspaper was famous for its outrageous headlines such as the notorious 'Freddie Starr ate my hamster,' the students at Wycliffe Hall, the evangelical Anglican theological college in Oxford, held a competition to see who could produce the best spoof Sun headline. The winning entry in the competition was the headline 'Sex change bishop in mercy dash to palace'. The reason this headline won was because it referred to topics frequently covered by The Sun (sex and the monarchy), it contained the promise of an exciting story ('mercy dash to palace'), and the reference to a 'sex change bishop' contained the necessary degree of outrageousness because the idea of a Church of England bishop having undergone a sex change was at that time completely ludicrous.

The way things have changed in both British society and the Church of England is indicated by the fact that the headline 'Sex change bishop in mercy dash to palace' is no longer at all implausible, apart from the fact that it would read 'Transgender (or 'trans') bishop in mercy dash to palace', the term 'transgender' (and its abbreviation 'trans') having replaced the term 'sex change'.

The Church of England now has a transgender archdeacon in the person of Rachel Mann, the Archdeacon of Bolton and Salford, who is a male-to-female transsexual, and given that bishops are frequently chosen from the ranks of the archdeacons, the fact that there is a transgender archdeacon suggests that there could also be a transgender bishop in due course.

Furthermore, the fact that there are now people who identify as transgender in many spheres of British public life means that the idea that the Church of England could appoint a transgender bishop who could perform a mercy dash to Buckingham Palace no longer seems particularly odd.

In the case of society in general, the prevailing view is that it should be up to each individual to decide which sex they want to identify with and, furthermore, the question of identity is seen as having been decided by the Gender Recognition Act which makes someone who obtains a gender recognition certificate a legal member of their chosen sex. In the case of the Church of England, the prevailing view has become that the Christian virtue of compassion means that each individual should be accepted as they are, and that this means affirming their identity as a member of their chosen sex.

Nevertheless, from a traditional Christian point of view there are still two basic reasons why it is problematic to accept someone as a member of their chosen sex if they are biologically a member of the opposite sex.

The first reason is that the two books of Scripture and nature which are the basis for our understanding of the activity of God both tell us that biology determines the difference between men and women.

In the case of Scripture, the Book of Genesis tells us:

' So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them, and God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth' (Genesis 1:26-28).

Here the state of being male and female is directly linked to the ability to reproduce, 'to be fruitful and multiply'. It is because God has given male and female human beings the necessary biological characteristics to reproduce that from Genesis 4:1 onwards human beings have children. Furthermore, from Genesis 4:1 the reproductive pattern determined by these characteristics remains unchanged throughout Scripture. It is men who beget, but it is women who conceive, carry babies in their womb, and then give birth.

What Genesis tells us is confirmed by the empirical observation of the human creatures that God has made. As the American writer Chrisopher Tollefsen observes:

"... our identity as animal organisms is the foundation of our existence as selves. But fundamental to our existence as this animal is our sex. We are male or female organisms in virtue of having a root capacity for reproductive function, even when that capacity is immature or damaged. In human beings, as is the case with many other organisms, that function is one to be performed jointly with another human being; unlike the digestive function, no individual human being suffices for its performance.

"Accordingly, reproductive function in human beings is distributed across the two sexes, which are identified by their having the root capacity for one or the other of the two general structural and behavioural patterns involved in human reproduction. In male humans, this capacity is constituted by the structures necessary for the production of male gametes and the performance of the male sex act, insemination. In females, the capacity is constituted by the structures necessary for the production of oocytes and the performance of the female sex act, the reception of semen in a manner disposed to conception."

There are various other physical and psychological differences between men and women, but they are all characteristics of human beings who are fundamentally differentiated by the fact that their bodies are ordered towards the performance of different roles in sexual reproduction and in the nurture of children once they have been born.

These differences that mean some human beings are male and others female have their origin at the moment of conception, and are ineradicable. Even though a person may take hormones and undergo surgery to block the development of, or to change, some of their sexual characteristics they nevertheless remain a person who is either male or female for the reasons just described.

The second reason why gender transition (trying to be a female if biologically male and vice versa) is problematic is because it involves violating the biblical teaching that we should live as the members of the sex that God has given to us. This teaching can be found in Deuteronomy 22:5 which prohibited cross-dressing on the grounds that to dress after the manner of the opposite sex was to infringe the normal order of creation which divides humanity into male and female.

It can also be found in 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 where Paul tells the Corinthians that men should follow the dress and hair codes which proclaim them to be male, and women those which proclaim them to be female because, to quote the Anglican biblical scholar Tom Wright, "God's creation needs humans to be fully, gloriously and truly human, which means fully and truly male and female."

This does not mean that Christians should uncritically embrace the gender stereotypes of any given society. What it does mean is that they should live in a way that proclaims to that society the truth of their creation by God as male or female.

As the Anglican ethicist Oliver O'Donovan has written in Begotten or Made?, the basic principle is that:

"The sex into which we have been born ... is given to us to be welcomed as the gift of God. The task of psychological maturityfor it is a moral task, and not merely an event which may or may not transpireinvolves accepting this gift and learning to love it, even though we may have to acknowledge that it does not come to us without problems. Our task is to discern the possibilities for personal relationship which are given to us with this biological sex, and to seek to develop them in accordance with our individual vocations. Those for whom this task has been comparatively unproblematic (though I suppose that no human being alive has been without some sexual problems) are in no position to pronounce any judgement on those for whom accepting their sex has been so difficult that they have fled from it into denial. Nevertheless, we cannot and must not conceive of physical sexuality as a mere raw material with which we can construct a form of psychosexual self-expression which is determined only by the free impulse of our spirits. Responsibility in sexual development implies a responsibility to natureto the ordered good of the bodily form which we have been given."

The fact that human beings are called by God to live out the sex given to them by God means that from a Christian perspective deciding to identify as a member of the opposite sex is not just an attempt to achieve something that is impossible to achieve - becoming a member of the opposite sex - but it is also something that is morally wrong. It is a sin.

As CS Lewis writes in his book The Great Divorce, there is an inescapable binary choice facing all human beings. 'There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, in the end, 'Thy will be done.''

Lewis' point is that God has given human beings freedom to shape their own destinies. We can choose to say to God 'thy will be done' and be happy with God forever in the world to come, or we can choose to turn our back on God. If we do this God will respect our decision, but the inevitable consequence will be that in the world to come we will be cut off from God and all good forever.

The fundamental problem with gender transition is that it involves a rejection, in both theory and practice, of the sexual identity which we have been given by God and thus a failure to say to God 'thy will be done.' It means a sinful refusal to either accept or live in accordance with the male or female sexual identity that God has bestowed upon us.

It might be argued that those who desire to engage in gender transition are not morally culpable because they genuinely feel that they are a member of the opposite sex. This may be true but the argument ignores the fact that they have a distorted view of their situation which they then make the basis of sinful actions. This is not in fact something which makes them unique. This is because, as a result of the Fall, human beings in general have lost the ability to always see things as they truly are (see Romans 1:21). Acts of sin (of whatever kind) occur when a distorted view of reality resulting from the Fall leads to wrong desires, which in turn give birth to wrong actions. Gender transition is just one form of this pattern.

All this being the case, how should Christians respond to those who have undergone gender transition or who are wanting to do so?

The answer is simple in principle, however difficult to put into practice. Christians need to practise a love which goes beyond simple affirmation.

As people of love, who value the God-given dignity of people who claim to be transgender as those whom God has created and for whom Christ died, we should be proactive in ensuring that they are not subject to harassment or violence.

As people of love, who recognize and value as a work of God the sex into which trans-identifying people were born, we should encourage them not to go down the path of gender transition. If they have gone down this path, love means helping them to accept and live out their original, God-given, sexual identity, while acknowledging the acute challenges doing this will raise, particularly for those who have undergone gender-assignment surgery or formed families in their assumed identity.

Martin Davie is a lay Anglican theologian and Associate Tutor in Doctrine at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford.
Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive officer of Meta, speaks during an appearance at SIGGRAPH 2024, the premier conference on computer graphics and interactive techniques, on July 29 in the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. David Zalubowski/Associated Press

One thing is certain after Mark Zuckerberg ended Facebooks fact-checking program Tuesday: The MAGA-ization of Zuckerberg is complete. It also means he lost his long-promised cage match to MAGA evangelist Elon Musk without stepping into the ring.

Ending fact-checking is Donald Trumps fever dream, especially on the platform where so many of his acolytes (i.e., your older relatives) blindly traffic his conspiracy theories, baseless claims and witless memes. The Republican Party has taken up the mantle, as evidenced by a recent Washington Post report that conservatives are targeting the fact-checking company NewsGuard. Killing even the weak fact-checking that remained on Facebook is another sign that Silicon Valley titans are more interested in their bottom line than in the rule of law, democracy or any of those hazy ideals that dont enable them to rake in another billion.

Its a long, quick fall for those of us old enough to remember when Facebook and Zuckerberg were leaders in the Valley, not followers. When it presumed to care about things like immigration reform and solving global problems. Now, after kicking in $1 million to Trumps inauguration festivities and appointing Trump bestie/UFC CEO Dana White to Facebooks board of directors, were about 10 minutes away from Zuck pulling on a red MAGA cap, Trump-dancing to YMCA and offering to do Barrons homework.

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Even Trump acknowledged that he now owns Zuckerberg at a news conference Tuesday. When asked whether Zuckerberg is responding to the threats youve made to him in the past, Trump replied, Probably. Yeah.

Under the new plan, Zuckerberg said that Meta, the parent company of Facebook, will end the current third party fact checking system in the United States and instead begin moving to a Community Notes program. That means the fact-checking, such as it is, will be done by members of the community. Or, as the saying goes, the foxes will be guarding the hen house.

Zuckerberg said his role model for this has been Musk, whose stewardship of X has turned it into the cesspool of bile and vitriol that it is today. Nevertheless, Zuckerberg said, Weve seen this approach work on X  where they empower their community to decide when posts are potentially misleading and need more context. Smart media consumers know that when you are craving more context, X is the place to go. Just like when youre craving a few moments of quiet solitude, you head to a Metallica concert.

This community-policing approach allows both X and Meta to get off the hook for truly patrolling their own sites, which unlike traditional media sites, are not liable for the content users post on them. Thats why tech titans bristle when Democrats and others say they want to regulate them like they do traditional media. If that happened, it would kill their business model.

But this move is rooted in politics. Back in 2011, Zuckerberg ditched his hoodie and put on a tie to yuk it up with Barack Obama during a forum at Facebook headquarters that was a glorified campaign event for Obamas reelection. Six years later, Zuckerberg hired David Plouffe, the architect of Obamas winning 2008 campaign, to direct the advocacy work at his charitable Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.

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But that wasnt his biggest shift. A decade ago, Zuckerberg formed and funded fwd.us to advocate for immigration reform, including for a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Before an audience of several hundred people  including dozens of DREAMERS  at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, Zuckerberg said, This is something that we believe is really important for the future of our country  and for us to do whats right. Now hes funding and elevating the lies of someone who, as the signs at last summers Republican National Convention read, wants Mass deportation now!

In 2017, Zuckerbergs annual self-improvement plan wasnt to kiss Trumps ring, it was to visit all 50 states to give himself a different perspective on the world. His first stops included talking to truckers in Iowa and learning about the opioid crisis in Ohio. Now his self-improvement plan involves various forms of sucking up to Trump. Meta is facing an antitrust lawsuit from the Federal Trade Commission accusing it of holding an illegal monopoly over social media. The case is likely to go to trial this spring, and it never hurts to have friends in the White House. Even if that means shifting your core values.

In 2015, Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla, wrote a letter to their newborn daughter promising to give 99% of our Facebook shares  currently about $45 billion  during our lives to advance this mission of philanthropy, whose early focus, he promised, will be personalized learning, curing disease, connecting people and building strong communities.

Now Zuckerberg is funding and succumbing to Trump, who is promising to defund the Department of Education, has nominated a vaccine skeptic to lead the Department of Health and Human Services and demonizes the LGBTQ community, particularly trans folks. In a blog post Tuesday written by Joel Kaplan, Metas chief global affairs officer and former White House deputy chief of staff for George W. Bush, he said, Were getting rid of a number of restrictions on topics like immigration, gender identity and gender that are the subject of frequent political discourse and debate. The companys new policy on Hateful Conduct allows allegations of mental illness or abnormality when based on gender or sexual orientation, given political and religious discourse about transgenderism and homosexuality.

Translation: Your friends on Facebook can now accuse LGBTQ folks of being mentally ill without repercussions.

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Fact-check, if we may be so bold to use the term: The American Psychological Association recognized last year the recognition of gender diversity as a part of normal human diversity. But acknowledging that would go against the MAGA narrative. The advertising analysts at ADImpact found that pro-Trump forces spent $215 million in the campaign on anti-trans ads.

In an accompanying video Monday to announce the changes, Zuckerberg described the sites current rules in these areas as just out of touch with mainstream discourse. But facts dont go in or out of touch. Theyre incontrovertible nuggets of information, not subject to the whims of the dominant political powers.

But that doesnt matter to Zuckerberg anymore because MAGA, as Trump spokeswoman Kellyanne Conway so presciently told us almost exactly five years ago, believes in alternative facts.

Alternative facts is, in fact, a good way to describe Facebooks new program.
(Photo: Getty/iStock)

Christians in India are fearful that persecution will continue to increase this year, a religious freedom organisation has said.

Release International said in its new 'Persecution Trends' report that Christians in India started 2025 with feelings of "fear and anxiety" about the current state of religious freedom in their country.

Partners of Release speculate that the increase in persecution has been driven by Hindu extremist retaliation at losses suffered by the ruling BJP party in last year's general election, although anti-conversion laws in numerous states are also making life difficult.

"Nationwide it is estimated that 3,000 Christian leaders and pastors are held in various jails under these charges," Release International partners said.

The last 12 months have been hard for India's Christian minority, with reports of physical and emotional abuse, harassment against pastors, false imprisonment, and the destruction of church buildings.

They are fearful that this year will bring more violence, particularly against Christian women and girls, and that the authorities will make it increasingly difficult for Christians to meet freely.

"Already restrictions are increasing, with some Christians barred from doing business, travelling on public transport or even drawing water from village wells," said a Release partner.

Christians in neighbouring Pakistan are faring even worse, with local partners saying that persecution against Christians is "increasing day by day". This is being blamed in part on the radicalisation of young people which reportedly includes teaching them how to file complaints against Christians. The conflict in the Middle East has also had a knock-on effect as Christians are perceived as being pro-Israel.

"Young Muslims are being taught and trained as extremists. This ideology is increasing hatred, discrimination and persecution against Christians in Pakistan," said a Release partner.

Other countries mentioned in the report include Nigeria where Christians in some parts of the country live in constant fear of attacks.

Release International partners said: "Nigeria has been recognised as one of the most dangerous places to be a Christian, with over 8,000 Christians reportedly killed in 2023 alone because of their faith. And over four million refugees, mostly Christian farmers, have been displaced due to violence ... Christians in Nigeria are to expect more violence, death, kidnappings and displacement in 2025."

In war-torn Ukraine, Christians in occupied territories have become "underground believers" after their buildings were seized, Release said, while in Eritrea some 400 believers are believed to be in prison for their faith, around half of whom were arrested within the last two years alone. In China, Christians report the biggest crackdown on religious freedom since the Cultural Revolution.

Paul Robinson, Release International's CEO, said, "The picture is clear and consistent in many of the countries highlighted in our report. The persecution of Christians continues, and is increasing. Christians in the UK need to be aware, and need to express their love and care for their fellow Christians."
(Photo: Getty/iStock)

A Muslim couple and their adult son who received Christ in November were burned to death on December 26 in eastern Uganda, sources said.

In the Budini Nyanza area of Kaliro town, Kaliro District, 64-year-old Kaiga Muhammad, his wife Sawuya Kaiga and their son Swagga Amuza Kaiga, 26, had put their faith in Christ on November 22 when members of an undisclosed church visited their home with the gospel.

The pastor of the church, undisclosed for security reasons, said that after the three family members received Christ's salvation, they requested prayer for Swagga Amuza Kaiga, who was suffering from malaria.

"We prayed for the son, and immediately he was restored to good health," the pastor told Morning Star News. "The three members of the family who gave their lives to Christ decided to keep their faith secret for fear of Muslims of the area, since Muhammad himself was a committee member in one of the mosques in Budini Nyanza zone."

On December 15, area Muslims noticed Muhammad leaving the church's worship service in a nearby village and informed the area chairperson, Wangule Abudu. The chairperson on December 16 went to Muhammad's home to question him, and Muhammad openly told him that he and other family members had given their lives to Christ, the pastor said.

The chairperson gave Muhammad one week to renounce Christianity, saying that if he refused, he would mobilize the Muslim community against the family, said a relative who was away when the parents and son accepted Christ.

"Abudu said that our family had blasphemed the name of Allah and embarrassed the Muslim community," the family member, whose name is withheld for security reasons, told Morning Star News.

Area Muslims on December 26 set ablaze the family's house with gas and burned the three members of the family beyond recognition, said a neighbor who had arrived with others too late to save them and the structure.

Kaliro police arrived after the lives had been lost and, after investigating, arrested Wangule Abudu, 62, and Ismail Njagi, 20. The two Muslims were being kept at Kaliro central police station on charges of murder and arson, sources said.

The bodies of the deceased were taken to Bumanya Heath Centre for postmortem.

The attack was the latest of many instances of persecution of Christians in Uganda that Morning Star News has documented.

Uganda's constitution and other laws provide for religious freedom, including the right to propagate one's faith and convert from one faith to another. Muslims make up no more than 12 percent of Uganda's population, with high concentrations in eastern areas of the country.

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Organizations look at digital transformation as an opportunity to radically improve operations and increase the value of a product or service to the customer by embedding technology into the decision-making fabric and building automation into its functions. This involves the integration of digital technologies into its planning and operations like adopting cloud computing to sustain and scale infrastructure seamlessly, using AI to improve user experience through natural language communication, enhancing data analytics for data-driven decision making and building closed-loop automated systems using IoT. For the employees, this freed-up human capital helps to invest more time in activities that require human expertise, judgment and creativity, and obtain better work-life harmony.

Leading any major change initiative is a daunting task, particularly the ones in which the result is unclear, the turnaround timelines are vague, and the value erosion rate with time is high. In almost all these transformations, one must prove the justification for change and navigate resistance to it, and go above and beyond to develop the business case. When talking about leading a digital change, the level of all the above is many degrees higher. So the question that plagues any professional entrusted with or motivated to drive a huge change initiative is how to inspire innovation and foster a culture of excellence.

Acknowledging the challenges of digital transformation

Lack of precedence or an absence of suitable benchmarks for results could be limiting factors for a digitalization exercise. Though there are some common goals every organization might want to achieve, there is a unique benefit or advantage each organization will seek to differentiate them from competitors. The unavailability of such a precedent could pose difficulties in allocating resources to the initiative, predicting the outcome of the initiative and stating a timeline upfront for realization of the objectives.
On building customer value: We have both customers and consumers and we put both in the center of our activities. In Asia Pacific, we have fragmented markets and we create value there with our digital tech activities. In Vietnam, for instance, bar or store owners can use a B2B app to order our products at any time. In the past, these kinds of ordering processes were very manual like text messages or even on paper, and then mistakes can happen because its not standardized. Now it is because of the app. And there you can also benefit from online promotions and loyalty programs, which can add customer value. Theres also our product recommender, an AI empowered feature in the app, where you can get recommendations on how, when, and what to order in a more efficient manner, and we can view shelves in real time. Then we can measure the direct positive impact on your business. This is highly appreciated by our customers.

On self reliance: Im very engaged outside of Heineken in various organizations to get an outside view, and collaborate and exchange thoughts with other leaders in the digital and tech community. I can see across companies, even across industries, that theyre overwhelmed and struggle with the speed and dynamics of what I call exponential technologies like AI, robotics, IoT, and the metaverse creating disruption. They move quickly and this can be very overwhelming for companies or for leaders in companies. This is a common theme. So my recommendation is dont panic about news and stories from a number of channels influencing changes of direction. First of all, stay calm and then demystify these exponential technologies by gaining your own understanding and opinion about them. I wouldnt recommend to only listen to others or to so called experts or consulting companies. Its important to take time on your own, as a company, to understand what these exponential technologies mean in general, and what can they mean for your business. And then, based on your business strategy and the impact these technologies can make, prioritize your big bets and focus on those. Then you need to think about capabilities, which can be tools or people skills, so you need to think about what partners you want to work on it.
Microsoft sees itself on track to invest around $80 billion in the construction of new data centers in the 2025 fiscal year, ending June 30. According to a blog post by Microsoft President and General Counsel Brad Smith, the data centers will primarily be used to train AI models and operate AI and other cloud applications. Microsoft plans to make more than half of the planned investments in new facilities in the US  reflecting our commitment to this country and our confidence in the American economy, Smith wrote.

In view of the upcoming second presidency of Donald Trump, the Microsoft executives announcement struck a much more nationalistic tone. Smith spoke explicitly about American AI, which should be exported to allies and friends. With the new president in the White House, Smith sees a golden opportunity for American technology and economic competitiveness.

In his post, Smith described artificial intelligence as the electricity of our age, going on to write that the next four years can build a foundation for Americas economic success for the next quarter century. In this context, Smith referred to the fundamental ideas Trump laid down for AI policy during his first presidency.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie signs the oath of office at City Hall in San Francisco Wednesday Jan. 8, 2025. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie is sworn in as Mayor in San Francisco on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle Eduard Navarro (yellow sunglasses), who ran for District 3 Supervisor, waves pom poms during Mayor Daniel Luries inauguration ceremony at Civic Center Plaza in San Francisco on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Lurie defeated former Mayor London Breed in November. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle The public wait in line to enter City Hall following Mayor Daniel Luries inauguration ceremony at Civic Center Plaza in San Francisco on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Lurie defeated former Mayor London Breed in November. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie rides a cable car with his wife Becca Prowda on their way to Ghirardelli Square before his inauguration in San Francisco on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie volunteers at St. Anthony's before his inauguration in San Francisco on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie is surrounded by faith leaders who pray for him at synagogue Emanu-el during an interfaith service to honor him ahead of his inauguration in San Francisco on Tuesday, Jan. 7. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle (L-r) Rabbi Brian Lurie gives a prayer over his son Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie synagogue Emanu-el during an interfaith service to honor him ahead of his inauguration in San Francisco on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie speaks at synagogue Emanu-el during an interfaith service to honor him ahead of his inauguration in San Francisco on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle People participate in an interfaith service at synagogue Emanu-el to honor Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie ahead of his inauguration in San Francisco on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle Becca Prowda (center) and Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie (right) participate at synagogue Emanu-el during an interfaith service to honor him ahead of his inauguration in San Francisco on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie (right) embraces his wife Becca Prowda at synagogue Emanu-el during an interfaith service to honor him ahead of his inauguration in San Francisco on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

After being sworn in as San Franciscos new mayor Wednesday, Daniel Lurie vowed to restore a sense of order and safety to a city beset by incessant public drug dealing, people in crisis on the streets and a declining downtown, even as he warned it will take him time to enact long-lasting change.

Lurie took the oath of office under sunny skies on a blue stage erected in the middle of Civic Center Plaza, with City Halls iconic dome looming large behind him. Minutes later, he told the large crowd seated before him how he will focus the early efforts of his administration around a push to accelerate City Halls response to the fentanyl crisis and fulfill promises he made in his campaign last year.

He said he would run a results-oriented administration that would tackle homelessness, help small businesses and streamline city services.

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Lurie announced that he would ask the Board of Supervisors to approve legislation to speed up the citys efforts to reduce fentanyl overdoses and eliminate the chaotic drug scenes on many of its sidewalks. He also declared that in the spring, the city will open a 24-hour drop-off center where police officers can take people struggling with addiction or mental illness. And he proclaimed the creation of a dedicated police unit focused on Union Square and the Moscone Center areas.

Versions of all those proposals were promoted by Lurie in his successful campaign to unseat his predecessor, London Breed, in the November election. Now Lurie, a 47-year-old nonprofit founder and Levi Strauss heir, is looking to show residents eager for change that he can deliver on the pledges that propelled him into the most powerful political job in the city. He is the first San Francisco mayor in more than a century to have never worked in government prior to his election.

Lurie takes office at a time of immense difficulty for the citys finances, facing a projected $876 million two-year deficit he will have to close at the same time he tries to execute the rest of his agenda. He acknowledged that reality in his inaugural speech, saying some painful decisions lie ahead and we need to stop spending more than we can afford.

Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie talks with Mayor London Breed before his inauguration in San Francisco on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle





But he made clear that the budget difficulties wont hold him back when he responds to what he considers the citys most urgent problems.



Lurie said that rampant public drug markets and constantly seeing people in crisis had robbed residents of their sense of decency and security. He drew an implicit contrast between that sentiment and police data showing that reported crimes in the city fell about 30% last year.



Safety isnt just a statistic. Its a feeling you hold when youre walking down the street, Lurie said. That insecurity is harming families and businesses in the Tenderloin, South of Market, the Mission and beyond. I refuse to believe that this is who we are.

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Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie greets students as he walks through the Tenderloin before his inauguration in San Francisco on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Hoping to set realistic expectations, Lurie cautioned that lasting change doesnt happen overnight but said that by being consistent and unafraid to make tough decisions, he could help the city reach new heights.



Breed was on hand to watch Lurie assume the job she held for the past six years and failed to retain for another four. Lurie thanked her for your advice, your counsel and for your tremendous service to the city. He also gave shoutouts to former mayors Art Agnos, Frank Jordan and Willie Brown.



Lurie said the legislation he will propose to the citys 11 supervisors, five of whom are new, was designed to treat fentanyl as the emergency that it is.



He didnt delve into the specifics in his speech, but a memo provided by his administration said he would introduce an ordinance at the Jan. 14 supervisors meeting and urge the board to approve it within the next month. The ordinance is expected to speed up city contracting for services related to addiction, mental illness and homeless shelters.



Lurie had said he would declare a fentanyl state of emergency on his first day in office, and while he wont technically accomplish that, the legislation is intended to advance a similar idea.



The fentanyl crisis isnt a 9-5 operation  it doesnt take breaks  and neither will we, Lurie said in his speech.

Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie addresses the crowd during his inauguration at Civic Center in San Francisco on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

Later Wednesday following Luries speech, supervisors unanmiously chose a new board president: Rafael Mandelman, who has represented the Castro and Noe Valley since 2018. Mandelman was the only supervisor to put his name in the mix for the position.



He will lead a board that shifted more to the center in the November election, a move that could be beneficial to Lurie, who is considered a moderate. Lurie struck a cordial tone toward other elected leaders in his speech, saying he wanted to abandon the notion of demonizing each other on every single issue and hoped to redefine how politics works in our city. Sitting on the dais in the board chambers later, Lurie emphasized that point, praising the unanimous selection of Mandelman as board president as a sign that supervisors could put aside their differences.



This board is going to do great things with you and your team and were looking forward to working with you, Mandelman told Lurie in response.



In his speech, Lurie said the emergency legislation he is submitting to supervisors will help the city jump-start a public-private partnership to stand up temporary emergency shelter beds for homeless people. As a mayoral candidate, Lurie vowed to create 1,500 emergency shelter beds in his first six months in office, partly by tapping private donors  a lofty objective that will be very tough for him to fulfill. Lurie was a prolific fundraiser at Tipping Point Community, the charity he founded 20 years ago.



In addition to the planned shelter expansion, Lurie is also looking to add more places for police officers to take people in crisis who dont need to go immediately to an emergency room or jail. Thats where the 24-hour drop-off center will come into play, although its not clear where the facility might be located. San Francisco already has a similar program, a Howard Street sobering center called SoMa Rise where homeless drug users can sleep, shower, eat and get referred to treatment.



Luries transition team said the new drop-off center would have 16 beds, aiming to serve 22-25 people per day. SoMa Rise took years to open, but the Lurie administration plans to press for the new center to open in a matter of months.

Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie and San Francisco Police Chief William Scott, walk through the Tenderloin before Daniel Lurie's inauguration in San Francisco on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Luries team also said he would direct Police Chief Bill Scott to develop a plan to increase nighttime enforcement at a joint law enforcement command center that Breed set up in response to drug dealing in the Tenderloin and Mid-Market areas. Lurie will make that center permanent and expand its operations to the troubled Sixth Street corridor.



Lurie will soon have to figure out how to balance the need to fund his policy agenda while closing the citys huge deficit. He said in his speech that he would not cut staffing for police officers, 911 operators, emergency medical technicians, firefighters or nurses.



He said he wanted to take a close look at San Franciscos network of street teams, pointing out that the city has at least nine operated by different departments  a model he said no one in the government thinks is effective. Lurie also said he wanted to focus the citys nonprofit spending on the most effective service providers, a possible sign of cuts for some organizations.



Overall, Lurie promised to bring a new era of accountability to a City Hall he hopes to make function far better than it has in recent years. He spoke of examples of bureaucratic disarray he wants to eradicate  like a new restaurant going through 40 different inspections and receiving 50 different answers.



Lurie has already attempted to make City Hall operate better by reorganizing the mayors office. He created four new senior staff positions that will each coordinate with a specific set of departments. Some of his top aides have significant experience in the private sector at organizations such as the San Francisco Giants, Twitter and McKinsey & Co.



But Lurie has yet to replace any of the department heads he will inherit from Breed. That could change in the future, though, given that he frequently decried City Hall insiders as a candidate. While riding a cable car down Hyde Street before the inauguration, he told reporters to expect a lot of change but didnt elaborate.



One leader whose future will be closely watched is Scott, the police chief. Hes been on the job for eight years, and other mayoral candidates campaigned on promises to replace him. Lurie hasnt said whether he will do that, but he made public safety a top focus of his outsider mayoral bid.



Scott joined Lurie on a walk through the Tenderloin before the inauguration Wednesday morning and told the Chronicle that he hoped to remain for the foreseeable future.



My pledge to him, just like the previous mayor and the people of San Francisco (is) Im gonna work as hard as I can while Im here, Scott said. Theres no guarantee. There never has been, and I dont expect any guarantees  I never have.



On the cable car about an hour later, Lurie told reporters that he and Scott continue to have conversations.

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CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

Reference code: SVN2025-40

Open to External Candidates

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive environment. Internal and external candidates are eligible to apply to this vacancy. For the purpose of the vacancy, internal candidates are considered as first-tier candidates.

Consultant services, rendered by a child protection national expert, to develop training materials and deliver at most 19 one-day training sessions (continuous training) on prevention and combat of the trafficking in human beings (children) for child protection specialists, working in public social protection sector.

Starting from 24th February 2022 full scale invasion of Russian Federation in Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova is facing the consistent and multidimensional impact of refugees flows from Ukraine through the country, and most significant - the challenges in management of support activities for over 100.000 refugees from Ukraine, temporary staying in the Republic of Moldova, almost half of them being children. According to different estimations, among these children displaced from Ukraine, there are around 900 to 1100 unaccompanied or separated children.

Concomitantly, in 2022 the Government of the Republic of Moldova has started the administrative and operational reform of the social protection sector (RESTART Reform), containing among others, activities aimed to increase the efficiency of human resources management (including the mechanisms and content of initial and continuous training of the social assistance system staff). Also, among others, there are in the process of implementation three complex National Policies:

During 2024, with the support of UNICEF Moldova over 140 community level specialists in child protection were hired and initially trained in the area on international standards and national legal framework of the child protection system.

As a result of IOM Moldova coordination meeting with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection in November 2024 there was agreed to look for the possibility of the provision of one-day continuous training of child protection specialists on the practical application of the national legal and regulatory framework on child protection, as well as of the one-day initial training on the prevention and combat of the trafficking in human beings and the protection and assistance of the victims, especially children.

IOM Moldova responded to these needs, by identifying the necessary resources for a 2 days countrywide training of child protection specialist on the both abovementioned thematic.

This TOR is for the identification and hiring of a national expert on child protection to provide a one-day continuous training for child protection specialists on the prevention and combat of the trafficking in human beings and assistance of the victims, especially children.

This activity is to be realized within the two IOM humanitarian projects related to the management of refugees flows from Ukraine in the Republic of Moldova, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic.

It is required and expected to develop curricula and provide at most 19 sessions of one-day initial training for child protection specialists on the international standards for prevention and combat of trafficking in human beings, as well as national legal and regulatory framework for identification, assessment, referral and assistance of children victims of trafficking and assistance of unaccompanied and separated displaced children for approx. 280 professionals, working in the public social assistance sector in January  March 2025.

IOM Moldova PXD Unit. Project PX.0353: Strengthening capacities for protection of Ukrainian refugees, third country nationals and host communities in Moldova.

The performance of work will be evaluated based on the following indicators:

At least 7 years of practical experience in working in the anti-trafficking sector in the Republic of Moldova;

Fluency in Romanian and Russian;

Proven experience in delivery of trainings to the professionals in the area of prevention and combat of the trafficking in human beings and assistance of the victims, especially children;

Excellent communication and coordination skills;

Experience of work in local child protection authorities would be a strong asset.

Experience of work in central child protection authorities would be a strong asset.

Experience of work in NGO/international organizations would be an asset.

Yes, including overnight stay in Balti, Cahul and Comrat.

Transportation and accommodation costs to be covered by the consultants per day fee.

2 Coffee breaks and lunch during each raining day will be provided by IOM Moldova.

10.1. Values

10.2. Core Competencies

Other

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this special vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

A prerequisite for taking up the position is legal residency in the country of the duty station and work permit, as applicable.

How to apply:

Interested applicants are invited to send a half-page write-up on the concept and content of training, CV and Cover Letter in English to: hrchisinau@iom.int; nfrinea@iom.int

Please, indicate the position you are applying for and reference code in the subject line of your message.

Closing date for applications is 14 January 2025

In order for an application to be considered valid, IOM only accepts the applications duly completed.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Posting period:

From 08.01.2025 to 14.01.2025

Alte articole de la acest autor:
UNICEF Moldova is hiring a Partnerships Officer, NO- (FT), to support senior management in deepening collaboration with key stakeholders and helping to provide an interface for environmental scanning, knowledge exchange, resource mobilization, and policy influence within the scope of assignment.

The incumbent will gather, analyse and report information in a manner that draws out fact-based insights to inform approaches to partner relationships and support substantive discussion with partners. S/he will capture relevant information and progress, and ensure internal information sharing. Accurate and timely information to partners will strengthen the credibility of the organization which in turn will result in trust and increase resources to the organization. The key result is to ensure greater visibility for UNICEF and influence in support of its mission.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

Minimum requirements:

Desirables:

HOW TO APPLY: To read more detailed information and apply for this position, please visit UNICEF webpage

https://jobs.unicef.org/en-us/job/578366/partnerships-officer-nob-ft-chisinau-moldova-for-moldova-nationalsresidents-only-131203

Application deadline: 15 January 2025

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history.

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In the heart of Stefan Voda district, a transformative initiative has reshaped how communities prepare for and respond to disasters. The USAID/BHA-supported project, implemented in Stefan Voda, Palanca, Talmaza, and Rascaieti, aimed to reduce disaster-related losses and build resilience. Over 12 months, the project mobilized local stakeholders, addressed vulnerabilities, and created actionable strategies tailored to local needs. Its implementation offered valuable lessons that will inform future resilience-building efforts.

One of the key achievements was the projects ability to adapt to geographic and seasonal challenges. By tailoring activities to local conditions and leveraging existing infrastructure, early warning systems were installed effectively, ensuring reliability and accessibility for all community members. This adaptive approach minimized delays and maximized resource efficiency, demonstrating the importance of flexibility in project execution.

Central to the projects approach was fostering community ownership and participation. Public awareness campaigns reached over 40,000 people, thanks to partnerships with local leaders, schools, and media outlets. These efforts not only raised awareness but also encouraged residents to take proactive roles in disaster preparedness. The establishment of Community Management Committees (CMCs)inclusive groups comprising local authorities, community members, and refugeesfurther strengthened engagement and trust.

Effective disaster management relies on strong institutional collaboration. By clearly delineating roles and establishing communication protocols, the project streamlined coordination among stakeholders, including local authorities, emergency responders, and NGOs. Ongoing training for local authorities, responders, and volunteers bolstered technical expertise, ensuring sustainability and long-term impact.

Ensuring equal benefits for all community members was a cornerstone of the project. By engaging diverse community leaders, the initiative addressed the needs of marginalized groups and fostered inclusivity. This collaborative approach not only strengthened trust but also ensured that disaster preparedness efforts supported the entire population.

The projects success lies in its ability to address logistical, social, and governance challenges while fostering sustainability. Lessons learnedsuch as the importance of flexibility, community involvement, and clear institutional roleshave laid the groundwork for ongoing efforts in Stefan Voda and beyond.

As communities continue to face the realities of climate change and natural disasters, the Stefan Voda experience serves as a blueprint for building resilience, ensuring that every individual has the tools and knowledge to navigate the challenges ahead.

***

The "Building Resilient Communities in Stefan Voda Rayon" project was made possible by the generous support of the American people through the USAID - US Agency for International Development in partnership with Helvetas.

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By Farnaces/Adobe

Cross-party MPs have criticised the governments decision not to exempt charities from employers national insurance contribution (NICs) rises and urged it to give them their money back.

In October, chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that employers NICs would increase to 15% from April while the threshold above which the tax applies would be reduced from 9,100 to 5,000.

Following the budget, umbrella body NCVO estimated that employers NICs increases would create an annual additional bill of 1.4bn for charities but Reeves ruled out an exemption in her response to the sectors concerns.

Yesterday, in a debate secured by Conservative politician Joe Robertson , MPs discussed the impact of changes to employers NICs on the charity sector, with one warning that charities could well disappear.

MPs warned about the knock-on effect on public services and particularly the NHS of charities potentially withdrawing from public contracts.

Charities could disappear

Daisy Cooper, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, said the NICs rises are unnecessary when alternative tax-raising avenues are available.

She said: Its self-defeating, because in many cases it will put more pressure on the NHS, and its fundamentally unfair. It will hit charities that are supporting some of the most vulnerable in our society.

Those charities are the glue that holds our societies together and, unfortunately, were going to see their services slashed.

Citing the work of childrens hospice charities Shooting Star and Demelza, Conservative MP Roger Gale said it is absolutely ludicrous that money given for charitable purposes should effectively be siphoned off to the Treasury.

Meanwhile, Democratic Unionist Party MP Jim Shannon said the tax rises could be the straw that breaks the camels back, and that charities could well disappear.

No one will pick up where charities withdraw

Robertson said that charities deliver nearly 17bn-worth of public services a year and warned about the potential impact of voluntary organisations being forced to exit contracts due to the NICs rises.

In the worst case, no one will pick up where charities withdraw, or the government and the public sector will have to, and Im fairly sure it will cost them more than 1.4bn to do so, he said.

I prefer to put my trust in charities with experience in what they do, rather than the government having to put emergency measures in place because charities are forced to withdraw.

Robertson said the government knows the pressure created by the NICs rises, adding that it exempted the NHS because it knew the impact it would have on healthcare, but ignored or failed to understand the contribution that charities make to health and social care.

He said the government should exempt all charities from NICs rises but alternatively could target the exemption at health and social care provider charities, without which the NHS couldnt function.

Alongside other MPs, he also criticised the government for not carrying out an impact assessment on the impact of the tax increase on the charity sector.

Robertson said: That must be the most basic ask: there can be no good reason not to have an impact assessment. [] The government must go back and rethink their whole approach to taxation on charities, to help to deliver  not hinder  their stated aims.

Minister: Money has to come from somewhere

In response, civil society minister Stephanie Peacock said that to grow the economy and country, tough decisions have to be taken, and I appreciate that thats difficult.

The bottom line is that weve been very clear that we want economic stability, and the money does have to come from somewhere  its tax, borrowing or cuts. Thats a very clear choice.

She added that the government will continue to support the sector in a number of other ways and that she is committed to continuing that engagement with charities and voluntary groups.

My department is also focused on developing other sources of funding support for the sector.

That includes establishing a stronger, more ambitious partnership with the impact economy, such as by unlocking the multimillion-pound potential of the dormant assets scheme.

This includes making charitable giving as easy and compelling as possible, building on the estimated 13.9bn that the UK public donated to charity last year.

My officials are also working to deliver the voluntary community and social enterprise (VCSE) contract readiness programme to help to improve the capability of VCSE organisations when bidding for public contracts.

sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,
The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) has concluded that the former chief executive of the Kings Foundation had put the charity at substantial risk and that its governance had failed to meet standard requirements.



OSCRs investigation into the foundation , formerly known as the Princes Foundation, found that the charitys former chief executive made non-charitable expenditure, used uninsured artwork on behalf of the charity and received unauthorised payments.



Investigators criticised transactions between the charity and investment firm Havisham Assets Limited, the purchase of a home furnishing item for a former trustee and the actions of a former chief executive between 2013 and 2015.



It concluded that it was unclear how those transactions were in the interests of the charity and that monies had been repaid to the charity.



During the course of OSCRs inquiry, allegations also arose that suggested that Michael Fawcett, then chief executive of Princes Foundation, offered to help Saudi billionaire Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz to get a knighthood and UK citizenship in exchange for donation.



Subsequently, the Metropolitan Police carried out an investigation as Fawcett temporarily stepped down from his position. The investigation concluded in August 2023 and no further action was taken.

Uninsured artwork

The charity borrowed high-value paintings from a donor in 2016. But despite knowing that the insurance for the artwork lapsed in 2017, the former CEO and a former member of the executive team failed to inform the board until a review of the artwork was carried out in 2019.

The former CEO told the inquiry that due to the difficult and chaotic nature of the correspondence with the art donor, he was not sufficiently clear about the situation.

He admitted that it was in part due to a failure of adequate communication and organisation between him and his former colleague.

The investigation concluded: The charity was exposed to significant risk due to the paintings not being insured. It was wholly unacceptable for the charity to have been placed in this position.

While OSCR notes the position of the former CEO regarding the confusion and misunderstandings in relation to the insurance status of the artwork, it is unclear when the former CEO realised that the insurance had lapsed and steps had not been taken to rectify the situation.

Unauthorised payments

The investigation found that the former CEOs personal events company was in receipt of payments from the charity via a third-party company, which was a violation of a prior agreement with the board.

It found that not all of the sums paid to the third-party company were then paid to the former CEOs events company.

It further revealed that internal communications of a reference made to a grant being received from another charity were intended to contribute to the former CEOs salary.

While the grant paperwork did not suggest the sum was to be paid in addition to the former CEOs basic salary, it did not expressly prevent it, the report stated.

It stated that when the ongoing payments were identified, the third-party company returned all the sums received and the former CEO agreed to repay the previous years sums.

Full repayment was made in December 2020, according to the report.

It concluded: OSCR accepts that it is possible that the payments represented work genuinely carried out by the CEOs events company. However, it is inappropriate for such payments to be made without formal agreements being in place.

Governance not always up to standard

It concluded: The inquiry found the historical governance of the charity had not always been up to the standard required. This finding is in relation to the historical approach to decision-making and record-keeping.

However, the inquiry did not find evidence of misconduct by any of the former or current trustees who were in office at the time."

In terms of the former CEOs failure to inform trustees about the uninsured artwork, the report stated: It was unacceptable for the former CEO not to brief the charity trustees on these issues as soon as they arose.

By not doing so the former charity trustees ability to react to the risk was hindered.

A spokesperson for the Kings Foundation told Civil Society: The findings of this report into historic activity at the organisation have been noted by the Kings Foundation.

As the report acknowledges, the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) is satisfied with the improvements made by the Kings Foundation in recent years, including the introduction of new and robust governance practices.

Following the conclusion of OSCRs investigation, we look forward to furthering the impact of our charitable work and achievements as we enter the new year.

sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,
The American workplace is undergoing dramatic change from opposite directions: As futuristic innovations such as artificial intelligence permeate operations, our oldest human employees are occupying a greater share of jobs. This dynamic could provide a wonderful combination of new technology and wise counsel. It will also keep workers compensation insurance adjusters on their toes, as they will need to remain sensitive to a host of issues that accompany elder workers.

The workforce has grayed considerably. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 3.2% of workers were over age 65 in 2003. That figure rose to 5.2% in 2013 and 6.7% in 2023. The BLS projects that workers over 65 will make up 8.6% of the workforce by 2033.

A larger share of older adults will be working, too. The BLS predicts labor force participation for people between ages 65 and 74 will increase from 26.9% in 2023 to 30.4 % in 2033. More people older than 75 will also be working, growing their participation rate from 8.3% to 10.1% of their ranks.

The challenge for companies and adjusters is that older workers face a higher prevalence of comorbiditiescoexisting health conditions that can complicate their overall health management.

As individuals age, they are more likely to experience multiple chronic conditions simultaneously, such as hypertension, diabetes and arthritis. These comorbidities can lead to increased medical needs and a higher risk of workplace injuries or illnesses, affecting their ability to perform tasks efficiently and safely. Consequently, this demographic may experience elevated workers comp claims, as managing these health issues can exacerbate the impact of workplace accidents or injuries. Addressing these challenges requires targeted strategies from employers, including enhanced health management programs and ergonomic adjustments, to support older workers and mitigate the risks associated with their complex health profiles.

An article from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that survey respondents between 55 and 64 years olf reported the highest rate of work-related health issues (41.3%), nearly twice that reported by those ages 18 to 24 (21.7%).

Injuries in older workers tend to be more severe and require longer recovery times compared to younger workers. In 2023, Travelers Insurance reported that total costs for employees ages 60 and older were nearly 15% higher than for employees between the ages 35 and 49 and 140% more than those between 18 and 24 years old.

An article on the retirement site Rethinking65 quotes Rich Ives, Travelers vice president of business insurance claims, stating, If you have a comorbidity, the cost of your claim is twice as much.  If you have two or more comorbidities, the cost of your claim is fivefold. Thats regardless of age. However, as the study points out, older workers are more likely to have such preexisting conditions; therefore, their medical bills are likely to be higher.

Adjuster Considerations

Handling claims of injured older workers requires adjusters to navigate several considerations to ensure fair and effective outcomes. Key factors adjusters should keep in mind include:

Age-Related Health Issues: Because older workers are more likely to have preexisting health conditions or age-related impairments (arthritis, reduced bone density) that can complicate injury claims, adjusters should carefully assess their medical history. Prior medical records should be obtained and examined as early as possible to determine how any preexisting conditions may impact recovery and return-to-work timelines. That means requesting any post-hire medical questionnaires from the employer, obtaining a signed medical release from the employee, and completing a medical canvass and/or Insurance Services Office (ISO) claim search at the outset of a claim.

Because older workers are more likely to have preexisting health conditions or age-related impairments (arthritis, reduced bone density) that can complicate injury claims, adjusters should carefully assess their medical history. Prior medical records should be obtained and examined as early as possible to determine how any preexisting conditions may impact recovery and return-to-work timelines. That means requesting any post-hire medical questionnaires from the employer, obtaining a signed medical release from the employee, and completing a medical canvass and/or Insurance Services Office (ISO) claim search at the outset of a claim. Delayed Recovery: Adjusters should acknowledge that recovery times for older workers may be longer due to reduced healing capacity and slower rehabilitation. Adjusters should set realistic expectations for recovery periods and work closely with treating providers to understand the extent of the injury and anticipated recovery trajectory. Likewise, adjusters should consider setting aside their reserves appropriately on a claim involving an older worker, especially once a preexisting condition or comorbidity is discovered.

Adjusters should acknowledge that recovery times for older workers may be longer due to reduced healing capacity and slower rehabilitation. Adjusters should set realistic expectations for recovery periods and work closely with treating providers to understand the extent of the injury and anticipated recovery trajectory. Likewise, adjusters should consider setting aside their reserves appropriately on a claim involving an older worker, especially once a preexisting condition or comorbidity is discovered. Functional Limitations and Accommodations: Aging can lead to decreased physical abilities, such as reduced strength, flexibility and endurance. Adjusters should consider how these functional limitations affect the injured workers ability to perform their job duties and whether accommodations or modifications are necessary. Adjusters will need to work closely with the insured to explore potential job modifications or alternative tasks that align with the injured workers capabilities post-injury and ensure that modified duty is available and offered whenever possible.

Aging can lead to decreased physical abilities, such as reduced strength, flexibility and endurance. Adjusters should consider how these functional limitations affect the injured workers ability to perform their job duties and whether accommodations or modifications are necessary. Adjusters will need to work closely with the insured to explore potential job modifications or alternative tasks that align with the injured workers capabilities post-injury and ensure that modified duty is available and offered whenever possible. Psychosocial Factors: Older workers may face unique psychosocial challenges related to a work injury, such as concerns about retirement, financial stability or loss of job skills. Adjusters will need to approach these cases with empathy and consider how these factors may impact the injured workers recovery, compliance with medical treatment and willingness to return to work.

Older workers may face unique psychosocial challenges related to a work injury, such as concerns about retirement, financial stability or loss of job skills. Adjusters will need to approach these cases with empathy and consider how these factors may impact the injured workers recovery, compliance with medical treatment and willingness to return to work. Communication and Documentation: Clear and frequent communication with all involvedincluding the injured worker, medical providers, employers and legal representativesis essential. Adjusters should document all interactions and decisions thoroughly to ensure transparency and compliance with state and federal laws.

Clear and frequent communication with all involvedincluding the injured worker, medical providers, employers and legal representativesis essential. Adjusters should document all interactions and decisions thoroughly to ensure transparency and compliance with state and federal laws. Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Familiarity with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and workers compensation regulations is critical. Adjusters must ensure decisions regarding benefits, medical treatment and return-to-work accommodations adhere to legal standards and promote equitable treatment for older workers. Inevitably, adjusters must also consider Medicare implications when handling claims involving older workers. Due to Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) rules, adjusters will need to coordinate benefits appropriately to avoid improper payments and potential Medicare recovery actions. This will include reporting claims to Medicare when they involve a Medicare beneficiary; coordinating payments to prevent double payment issues; and notifying Medicare of settlements, judgments, awards or other payments to ensure that Medicares interests are protected. Of course, obtaining Medicare Set-Aside Arrangements (MSA) will be required in some cases, which will contribute to additional claims costs and possibly impact overall settlement amount. By proactively addressing these factors, adjusters can ensure compliance, facilitate timely claims processing, and protect the interests of both injured workers and Medicare.

When adjusters integrate the above considerations into their approach, they can effectively manage claims involving injured older workers, promote equitable outcomes and potentially minimize claims costs while supporting the aging workers journey towards recovery and return to work.

Cumbermack has provided litigation counsel and representation in workers comp matters for more than 20 years on behalf of employers, insurance companies, self-insureds and third-party administrators in Florida and Georgia. She is a partner and chief of diversity at Swift Currie McGhee & Hiers in Atlanta.
The Justice Department is thrusting the largest rental property managers into the spotlight as it expands a price-fixing lawsuit alleging widespread collusion in the housing rental market.

In an amended lawsuit against RealPage Inc., a top software provider to the multifamily rental industry, the Justice Department on Tuesday accused seven major landlords including Cushman & Wakefield Plc and Greystar Real Estate Partners LLC of illegally colluding to drive up rent prices. In a separate filing, the Justice Department said it was settling with one of the landlords Cortland Management LLC.

Landlords understand that RealPages products use their data to recommend prices not just for their own units, but also for competitors, the Justice Department said. Landlords agree to provide this information for use by their competitors because they understand they will be able to leverage the sensitive information of their rivals in turn.

Last year, the DOJ sued Thoma Bravo LLCs RealPage Inc. for allegedly violating antitrust law by helping property owners and managers collude on millions of units across the country.

The DOJ was until recently conducting a parallel criminal probe of the companies. RealPage said last month the agency informed it that part of the investigation had closed.

The Biden Administration has made antitrust enforcement and competition policy a central piece of its economic agenda, particularly in key industries that impact peoples daily lives like housing.

Managing the lawsuit will fall to the incoming Trump Administration and Gail Slater, President-elect Donald Trumps pick to run the DOJs antitrust division.

In the original complaint filed in August by the DOJ and a group of state attorneys general in North Carolina federal court, antitrust enforcers said RealPages software, which helps landlords set rental unit pricing, has effectively raised prices on renters illegally.

The lawsuit represents the Justice Departments first big algorithmic collusion case as alleged schemes become more sophisticated through the use of technology.

In addition to Cushman & Wakefield and GreyStar, the new defendants include Camden Property Trust, Livcor LLC, Pinnacle Property Management Services LLC and Willow Bridge Property Company LLC.

Representatives for the firms didnt immediately respond to requests for comment.

The private data that landlords share with RealPage include a units effective rent, rent discounts, rent terms, lease status and unit characteristics such as layout and amenities, according to the complaint. The landlords also share the number of potential future renters who have visited a property or submitted a rental application.

Housing affordability was a key issue in the presidential election. President Joe Biden specifically criticized collusion in the rental market in his most recent State of the Union address. The average US rent has skyrocketed by 33% since the beginning of the pandemic, according to a Zillow index.

The case is US v. RealPage Inc. et al, 24-cv-00710, US District Court, Middle District of North Carolina.

Top photo: The U.S. Department of Justice building in Washington, DC, on Saturday, June 8, 2024. Photographer: Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.
Millions of people in California face at least two more days of dry, hot winds that have fanned fires across Los Angeles County and sent residents fleeing for their lives.

Hurricane-force wind gusts of as much as 86 miles (138 kilometers) per hour have torn through the region, pushing flames through high-priced neighborhoods and hampering efforts of more than 1,400 firefighters who have flocked to blunt the blaze.

We have a couple of days of this to go, said Peter Mullinax, a forecaster at the U.S. Weather Prediction Center. There just isnt much of an end in sight for today for those areas out west.

Mandatory evacuation orders have been expanded to parts of northern Santa Monica, with alerts covering a large swath of the coastal city warning that residents may need to leave. Widespread and damaging gusts are expected to worsen, hampering efforts to contain the flames.

About 30,000 people were ordered to leave their homes on Tuesday after a brush fire erupted in the Pacific Palisades community, damaging homes and causing panic and traffic gridlock, with some abandoning their cars on narrow hillside roads. Since then, other blazes have spread in the region.

Extreme fire conditions will continue for more than 3.1 million people across Southern California, including Pasadena and Thousand Oaks, through Wednesday, the US Storm Prediction Center said. A larger area of slightly less dangerous critical conditions includes more than 5.6 million.

On Thursday there is a slight chance the extreme situation will ease, but critical conditions will persist. Critical conditions are still a huge deal, Mullinax said. Upper level winds will start to relax on Friday, but without rain, vegetation in the area is still primed to burn.

The NWS issued red flag warnings that extend from central Californias coast to the US-Mexico border. Beverly Hills, Hollywood Hills, Malibu and the densely-populated San Fernando Valley are facing a particularly dangerous situation  the most severe fire alert level. Wind speeds could reach 100 miles per hour in some areas.



The blazes come less than a month after a wildfire threatened Malibu, just west of Pacific Palisades. Malibu officials on Wednesday warned that residents should prepare to evacuate if conditions worsen.

Fires Destruction

The Palisades Fire erupted as Southern California braced for what forecasters called a life-threatening and destructive Santa Ana wind storm that could last for days. The region has received almost no rain for months, leaving grass and brush primed to burn.

Local television broadcast scenes of flames engulfing parts of the Palisades Charter High School, and multiple explosions were heard on camera near the campus. Across the street, parts of Palisades Elementary Charter School were also reported to have gone up in flames, according to KTLA.

A CBS News reporter tweeted images of Malibus iconic sand castle homes being destroyed by flames.

All schools in the Santa Monica and Malibu public school district, and Pasadena unified school district will be closed on Wednesday.

San Diego Gas & Electric Co. started safety power cuts to customers on Tuesday evening, citing elevated risks.

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Edison Internationals Southern California utility  the largest in the region  shut off electricity to about 53,000 homes and businesses in an effort to prevent wildfires. The company said it may need to cut power to an additional 439,000 customers if Santa Ana winds become exceptionally strong.

Across Southern California, more than 305,000 customers were without power as of 4:40 a.m. local time, according to website PowerOutage.us.

In a statement issued Tuesday evening, President Joe Biden said he was being frequently briefed on the wildfires and urged residents to stay vigilant and listen to local officials. The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency has also authorized the use of funds to assist in combating the blazes.

Top photo: Firefighters battle flames during the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on Jan. 7. Photographer: Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg.

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. filed two new lawsuits over its investment in Greek fintech Viva Wallet in a messy dispute with its join venture partner Werealize.com Ltd.

In a Greek lawsuit the bank is claiming 916 million ($943 million) over allegations that Vivas chief executive officer, Haris Karonis, and three other executives deprived JPMorgan of the value of its 2022 investment, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The second case in the UK filed this week against Werealize.com claims it breached shareholder agreements with JPMorgan, the person said. Karonis Werealize.com owns around 51% of Viva Wallet and JPMorgan the rest, but the agreement gave the lender a right to buyout Karonis.

In response to several legal actions already taken against JPM throughout 2024, JPM yesterday served proceedings against certain Vivas board of directors, Karonis told Bloomberg. These proceedings are simply the latest step in JPMs concerted effort to depreciate Vivas value, to preclude it from expanding in the US and elsewhere, and intimidate its directors restricting their freedom of action.

The two sides took to a London court in 2024 as disagreements over the valuation surfaced. A judge then paved the way in June for a fresh valuation after there was a 2 billion difference in the valuation of Viva Wallet.

We are disappointed that since the firms investment in 2022, WRL has repeatedly and persistently sought to undermine JPMorgans rights by breaching the agreement that formed the basis of the firms investment, a JPMorgan spokesperson said in a statement. We now look to the courts to enforce the contract terms agreed upon between us.

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.
Caltrains Fourth and King railyard and station in San Francisco is approximately 20 acres that could be developed into a site with a cluster of towers, including one standing 850 feet tall. Felix Uribe/Special to the Chronicle Salesforce Tower in San Francisco is illuminated with the scrolling message Vote for Tomorrow on Nov. 4, the eve of Election Day. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle

The 20-acre Caltrain railyards at the junction of Mission Bay and the South of Market could become San Franciscos second-densest transit-oriented development hub, with a new train station and a cluster of high-rises anchored by an 850-foot tower, according to preliminary plans being developed by the property owner and no fewer than eight public agencies.

More than a decade after the late Mayor Ed Lee floated the idea, property owner Prologis is preparing to submit an application this spring for one of San Franciscos most complicated development projects, part of a $8.25 billion downtown rail extension now called the Portal.

The Portal project would extend Caltrains service from its current terminal at Fourth and King streets to the Transbay transit center, which would allow it to accommodate future high-speed rail service.

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In addition, the San Francisco County Transportation Authority has a concept for a related project that would also extend the systems underground rail tunnel to the south, along Seventh and Pennsylvania streets  to Caltrains 22nd Street Station, which would eliminate the existing surface tracks and the at-grade rail crossings at 16th Street and Mission Bay Drive. This project is in the very early stages of concept development.

The site  bordered by Fourth, King, Seventh and Townsend streets  is currently Caltrains northern terminus, as well as an active maintenance yard. Prologis, a global real estate investment trust that specializes in industrial property, owns the underlying land, and Caltrain holds a perpetual easement to operate rail on the site.

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While the project is being driven by an ambitious vision for a faster and more efficient train system, the plan also creates opportunities for development that could include thousands of housing units  as well as office towers, if that market sector bounces back.

The question we have sought to answer is, Can we achieve all the transportation goals and projects that are planned while leaving space and capacity and technical feasibility for high-density development? said Leigh Lutenski, a deputy director at the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development. The conclusion we have reached is, Yes we can do that.

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Phase one would probably include the new station and 850-foot tower, as well as potentially two other high-rises on the eastern end of the property. There could be some lower-slung buildings on the west side. To accommodate this a temporary station would have to be built and tracks relocated during construction.

We have recognized that this is really one of our last super high density transit-connected sites for development, Lutenski said.

The project application comes at an awkward time: just to the north of the railyards, in Central SoMa, a half-dozen major projects calling for millions of square feet of office space and thousands of housing units are stalled out. With the citys office vacancy rate just above 30%, and investors unwilling to fund new housing in the city, it might feel incongruous to be talking about another new neighborhood of high-rise housing and office space.

Yet, developers and city planners are optimists  and considering the project will probably take 20 years to build out, city officials have no choice but to dream big, said Anne Taupier, who heads up development for the Mayors Office of Economic and Workforce Development.

We are still bullish on the future of San Francisco, and the railyard has everything you could possibly want it to have for density and transit-oriented development, Taupier said. We cant pass that opportunity up.

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At a community meeting in December, project urban designer Kristen Hall laid out a potential vision for a project that would include a lush narrow linear park along Townsend Street extending from Fourth to Sixth streets. Ground floor retail would flank the park. Fifth Street, which currently dead-ends at the tracks, would extend to the south, knitting together Mission Bay and South of Market.

Imagine kids running around and playing on these little logs, she said. You could imagine people coming and going out of the stores and with their coffee  a flexible kind of urban plaza setting.

Trains at the Caltrain yard at Fourth and King streets in San Francisco. Plans to extend Caltrain to the Transbay Terminal could turn the 20-acre site into a multiuse plaza. Felix Uribe/Special to the Chronicle

The estimated 850-foot tower would be the citys second tallest building according to planners, meaning it would stand slightly taller than the Transamerica Pyramid, which is listed at 853 feet tall. San Franciscos tallest is Salesforce Tower, at 1,070 feet.

We think that the height at this site should be in proportion to its significance in San Franciscos transit network, Hall said. The second most important transit hub should have the second tallest tower.

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She added: We imagine the tallest tower at the station at 850 feet and then a cluster of buildings stepping down in transition to the historic Showplace Square district to the west of the site.

For the past few years the project team has been focused on the technical work of figuring out how a development could fit into Caltrains plans to underground its tracks and extend its service downtown. That work will culminate on what Prologis, Caltrain  and the other public agencies involved  are calling a preliminary business case, which is nearing completion.

Its a complicated puzzle, but the preliminary business case establishes what Caltrains needs are, the development needs are and how those could coexist on the site, said Genevieve Cadwalader, a vice president with Prologis. If you thread the needle there is something that can work for all parties involved.

Theres a plan for redevelopment at Caltrains Fourth and King railyard and station in San Francisco, a decade after former Mayor Ed Lee floated the idea. Felix Uribe/Special to the Chronicle

Now the project enters a more public-facing phase, Lutenski said. City planners will give an update on the project at the Planning Commission meeting Thursday.

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Caltrain has seen impressive growth since the launch of electric service in September. October saw a post-quarantine record of over 753,000 riders, a 54% increase over October 2023, and weekend ridership has exceeded pre-COVID levels. San Francisco Fourth Street Station is the networks busiest.

We know there is an important relationship between rail and density  the more density you have in a place, the more it would support Caltrains ridership, said Navi Dhaliwal, Caltrains government and community affairs manager. We want to always explore all opportunities that can drive ridership and support a world-class station experience along our corridor.
Greg Porter is a senior newsroom meteorologist at the San Francisco Chronicle. Porter comes to Chronicle after seven years working as a meteorologist for the Capital Weather Gang at the Washington Post. Porter has also worked as a meteorological technical subject matter expert in for both government and commercial organizations around the world.

Porter received his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Atmospheric Science from UMass Lowell and the University of Maryland. A native of Boston, Porter has also spent time living in Washington, D.C. and Edinburgh, Scotland.

Outside of work, Porter loves to spend time with his wife and very energetic 2 year old son. He also enjoys spending as much time outside as possible and he fancies himself a very average golfer.
Travelers wait for an Uber ride-share vehicle at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles on Feb. 8, 2023.

Delta Air Lines will link its lucrative SkyMiles loyalty program to Uber this spring, the companies announced Tuesday, as the airline ends its eight-year partnership with smaller ride-hailing rival Lyft .

Once customer accounts are linked, Delta SkyMiles members can earn one mile per dollar spent on UberX airport rides, two miles for every dollar spent on "premium rides" such as Uber Comfort and Uber Black, and three miles per dollar on Uber Reserve trips, Uber said Tuesday. For Uber Eats food-delivery service, members will earn one mile for every dollar on orders over $40 from restaurants and grocery stores.

"With a record number of travelers taking to the skies, we're focused on helping to make your airport travel journey as efficient, affordable, and effortless as possible," Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said in a news release.

Delta and other airlines have expanded their partnerships for earning and using frequent flyer miles, part of loyalty programs that have generated billions of dollars for carriers. Other Delta partners include Starbucks , Hertz and Ticketmaster .

Customers who have linked their Lyft accounts to Delta can earn miles through April 7, a Delta spokesperson said.

"Customers with linked accounts will receive direct communication from Delta and Lyft in the coming days about the transition," the spokesperson said. "We are appreciative of the partnership we've had with Lyft benefiting loyal customers who have collectively earned billions of miles."
The North Carolina Supreme Court issued an order Tuesday that blocks state officials from certifying the Democratic candidate as the winner of a razor-thin race for the state's high court.

In a 5-1 vote, all of the Republicans on the state Supreme court ruled to prevent the North Carolina State Board of Elections from certifying the results of the race, where Democratic Justice Allison Riggs holds a 734-lead over Republican Jefferson Griffin. Riggs recused herself from Tuesday's order.

The decision by the court that Griffin is seeking to join allows the justices to now hear his challenge that seeks to throw out 60,000 votes in the race.

The order vowed to address the issue "expeditiously" and outlined a schedule that sets a deadline for all briefs in the case to be filed by Jan. 24. The case would be on track to be decided after that date.

Riggs, who was appointed to the state Supreme Court in 2023, emerged from Election Day with a narrow advantage over Griffin, triggering a series of recounts. A full machine recount and a partial hand recount of the race showed Riggs leading Griffin by 734 votes, out of more than 5.5 million ballots cast.

Griffin subsequently filed hundreds of legal challenges across all of North Carolina's 100 counties, claiming that nearly 60,000 people voted illegally. Lawyers for Griffin and the North Carolina Republican Party alleged many of those voters didn't have a driver's license number or Social Security number on file in their voter registration records. The allegations were also related to overseas voters who haven't lived in North Carolina and who failed to provide photo identification with their ballots.

But the state elections board, where Democrats have a 3-2 majority, rejected all three categories of protests by Griffin last month. That prompted Griffin to ask the state Supreme Court to take up his challenges.

The case was initially heard in federal court because the North Carolina Democratic Party had preemptively filed a federal suit in December that sought to ensure all ballots in the race were counted.

But on Monday, the federal judge hearing the case  an appointee of President-elect Donald Trump  sent it back to the state level, siding with a request from Griffin. North Carolina's board of elections has filed an appeal of that decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, but that court has not scheduled initial briefs until February.

In its short Tuesday order, the state Supreme Court's five Republican justices wrote that because the federal court remanded the case back to the state level, it would grant Griffin's request for the election's certification to be blocked so it could evaluate the claims regarding the 60,000 votes.

The lone Democrat on the high court who voted on the matter issued a dissent, writing that "the standard for a temporary stay has not been met here," adding that "there is no likelihood of success on the merits and the public interest requires that the Court not interfere with the ordinary course of democratic processes as set by statute and the state constitution."

North Carolina Democrats blasted Griffin and the Republicans on the state Supreme Court the latest development.

Former Gov. Roy Cooper wrote on X that "Republicans want to toss thousands of legal votes in the trash because they don't like the outcome."

"This shouldn't be about party politics-this should be about making sure every vote counts & that our elections still mean something," Cooper wrote.
Express deliveries reshape lives, convenience in rural areas

10:46, January 08, 2025 By Luo Wangshu ( China Daily

(Shi Yu/China Daily)

Born and raised in Ganjiang, a rural village in Northwest China's Gansu province, Xie Ruiling first encountered online shopping around 2010, when she and her husband were employed as migrant workers in Tianjin, a bustling northern city.

"In Tianjin, everyone around me was buying everything online, so I decided to give it a try. I ordered some skin care products," Xie recalled. "After I completed the payment, the products arrived at my doorstep in about four days."

The experience was eye-opening. "The platform had so many options, and the prices were great. With little time to shop in stores while working, online shopping felt like a lifesaver."

What began as a one-time experiment quickly became a habit. Xie spent her free time browsing online stores and placing orders, continuing this routine when she returned to Ganjiang in 2017, pregnant with her second child.

However, life in the village wasn't as convenient. While cities like Tianjin already had 48-hour delivery services, Ganjiang still dealt with delays or "unable to deliver "notices. "Many stores showed messages like 'Area not supported for shipping' or 'Additional shipping charges apply'," Xie said. "Sometimes, the shipping fee was higher than the price of the product itself."

In Tianjin, Xie was used to receiving her orders in about three days. But in Ganjiang, the wait could stretch to five or six days, and sometimes, she had to drive to town to pick up her packages. "It was frustrating," she added.

But in 2024, everything began to change. "Now, I get free shipping all the time, and if the items are close by, they arrive in two days. If they're farther away, it's at most three or four days. It's so convenient now," Xie said.

Zhao Xiaohong, a fellow villager, noticed the transformation as well. "Express delivery and e-commerce have become essential parts of our lives," Zhao said.

"Whether it's the elderly or children, everyone is either picking up a parcel or heading out to collect one. Packages arrive so often that we sometimes have to queue at the delivery station."

In Ganjiang, the allure of city life has faded. "There are job opportunities right here, and whatever we want to buy online is delivered to our doorstep. We don't envy city living anymore," Zhao added.

What once seemed like a distant luxury has now become part of daily life in Ganjiang. As e-commerce and express delivery networks expand into remote parts of China, they are reshaping how people shop and live. For Xie, Zhao, and others in Ganjiang, receiving everything from daily necessities to special purchases has made rural life feel more connected to the world, bridging both physical and cultural distances.

Reducing the gap

The expanding parcel delivery network in China has reduced the gap between urban and rural areas, providing rural residents with access to urban commodities and facilitating the flow of agricultural products to cities.

Xie and Zhao's experience mirrors a larger trend across China, driven by the rapid growth of the country's parcel delivery sector. On Nov 17, 2024, China's parcel delivery industry reached a milestone, handling a record 150 billion parcels within a year. This marks the country's economic resilience and the efficiency of its logistics and e-commerce systems.

This surge in parcel deliveries highlights logistics' role in China's economy. In 2024, the average Chinese consumer is expected to receive over 100 parcels annually, with the country's delivery network processing more than 5,400 parcels every second.

"On one hand, China's express delivery industry ensures the well-being of the residents, while on the other, it stimulates production. This virtuous cycle contributes to economic growth and strengthens China's leadership in the global supply chain," said Zhao Guojun, director of the Postal Development Research Center at Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications.

The rapid growth of China's express delivery sector is closely tied to the explosive expansion of its e-commerce market, which continues to drive demand for faster and more efficient delivery services. As the world's largest e-commerce market, China generates massive business for the logistics industry, with online shopping becoming a cornerstone of daily life for many.

According to a report released in 2022 by iResearch, a digital economy consultancy, over 80 percent of domestic express delivery packages in China are e-commerce products. The volume of e-commerce packages is projected to exceed 157.6 billion by 2027, accounting for approximately 81 percent of the total express delivery market, according to a report by ZTO Express last year.

However, the high cost of shipping to remote areas has long been a challenge, especially in western China. This bottleneck has prevented many rural consumers from enjoying fast, affordable deliveries. But by 2024, strides have been made to address this issue.

Shipping to remote areas

Since 2022, e-commerce platforms and logistics companies have pioneered a new "e-commerce transfer and centralized shipping" model to tackle the cost and logistical challenges of reaching remote areas.

Parcels destined for distant locations are first sent to transfer warehouses, like those in Xi'an of Shaanxi province, where they are sorted and then sent collectively to their final destinations by logistics providers. This collective shipping approach has significantly lowered delivery costs for e-commerce sellers, especially those hesitant to ship to western regions due to expensive logistics fees.

For example, a consumer in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region will see their items shipped first to the Xi'an warehouse, where they are sorted and relabeled before being sent collectively to Xinjiang, reducing individual shipping costs. The final "last mile" is then handled by local networks, ensuring parcels reach remote villages.

An online store owner in East China's Anhui province who sells herbal tea across China experienced the difference firsthand. Previously, delivering a package from Anhui to western regions could cost up to 18 yuan ($2.46) per kg. Under the new system, shipping to Xi'an now costs just 2 yuan per kilogram, with an additional 3 yuan for the final delivery to Xinjiang.

In September 2024, Pinduoduo, one of China's top e-commerce platforms, launched its "Billion-yuan subsidy" initiative. This initiative covers the cost of logistics transfer fees for shipments from the transfer hubs to remote regions like Xizang autonomous region, Gansu, and Ningxia Hui autonomous region, allowing merchants to ship to these areas at costs similar to shipping to eastern China.

For instance, the herbal tea seller in Anhui now only pays 2 yuan per kg from Anhui to Xinjiang.

Consumers in remote regions are noticing the difference.

Xie Ruiling now enjoys free shipping on nearly all her purchases, and delivery times have improved further. "I receive my purchases in two to four days in most cases," she said.

The changes are also beneficial for consumers like Geng Bing in Xizang. He used to pay around 30 yuan to ship a car-top luggage box. Under the new system, his shipping costs were waived.

"By leveraging 'transfer hubs', the initiative has created a ripple effect that benefits three key areas. First, it reduces the additional logistics costs that consumers in remote areas would otherwise incur. Second, it expands the sales reach of e-commerce merchants to western and remote regions. Third, it brings an increase in e-commerce parcels, which further reduces the operational costs of express delivery services," said Xu Yong, vice president of the express logistics branch of the China Transportation Association.

"E-commerce platforms serve as a hub for merchants, product information, financial flow, and logistics, making them highly influential," he said, adding that the initiative has promoted win-win development for consumers, e-commerce platforms, and logistics services in western and remote regions.

E-commerce boosted in west

China has been investing in infrastructure to strengthen delivery networks in China's western regions, addressing longstanding barriers to e-commerce growth. Distribution centers are expanding, and transportation routes are being optimized to improve operational efficiency.

According to the State Post Bureau of China, since 2024, the regional development of the postal and express delivery industry has become more balanced, with the proportion of express deliveries in the central and western regions continuing to rise. The growth rate of business volume in these areas exceeds the national average.

Thanks to these improvements, products from remote western areas like melons from Changji, Xinjiang, yak meat from Nyingchi in Xizang, and red goji berries from Haixi, Qinghai province, are now delivered to consumers across China, opening up new markets for regional specialties.

This new commerce is stimulating local economies and making it easier for remote-area consumers to access a wider range of products.

Through the new shipping model, e-commerce platforms are reducing logistics costs, improving operational efficiency, and unlocking potential in underserved western and rural markets.

This is bridging the gap between eastern and western China, bringing the benefits of e-commerce and faster delivery to a larger population.

As express delivery continues to evolve, it has become an integral part of daily life in China. With an average of 100 parcels delivered per person annually, the country is experiencing an unprecedented reliance on parcel delivery services. It's no longer just about receiving a package; it's about how people live and shop, connecting rural areas to urban centers and making the world feel smaller.

Beyond the numbers, the personal connections formed between delivery drivers and customers are what truly humanize this booming industry.

On the last day of 2024, He Kaixin, a resident of Zhangzhou in East China's Fujian province, sent an online red envelope containing 50 yuan as a token to the courier who had been serving her for the past year.

She sent the red envelope with a message: "Thank you for delivering my packages to my doorstep all year. The elevator is often broken, and I know it must be tough carrying parcels up. Please take this to just enjoy a cup of milk tea on me."

The deliveryman politely declined, replying, "This is my job, it's what I do."

Though simple, his response reflected the pride workers take in their roles, no matter the challenges.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman visits "Making Money With Charles Payne" at Fox Business Network Studios in New York on Dec. 4, 2024.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's sister, Ann Altman, filed a lawsuit on Monday, alleging that her brother sexually abused her regularly between the years of 1997 and 2006.

The lawsuit, which was filed in U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Missouri, alleges that the abuse took place at the family's home in Clayton, Missouri, and began when Ann, who goes by Annie, was 3 and Sam was 12. The filing claims that the abusive activities took place "several times per week," beginning with oral sex and later involving penetration.

The lawsuit claims that "as a direct and proximate result of the foregoing acts of sexual assault," the plaintiff has experienced "severe emotional distress, mental anguish, and depression, which is expected to continue into the future."

The younger Altman has publicly made similar sexual assault allegations against her brother in the past on platforms like X, but this is the first time she's taken him to court. She's being represented by Ryan Mahoney, whose Illinois-based firm specializes in matters including sexual assault and harassment.

The lawsuit requests a jury trial and damages in excess of $75,000.

In a joint statement on X with his mother, Connie, and his brothers Jack and Max, Sam Altman denied the allegations.

"Annie has made deeply hurtful and entirely untrue claims about our family, and especially Sam," the statement said. "We've chosen not to respond publicly, out of respect for her privacy and our own. However, she has now taken legal action against Sam, and we feel we have no choice but to address this."

Their response says that "all of these claims are utterly untrue," adding that "this situation causes immense pain to our entire family." They said that Ann Altman faces "mental health challenges" and "refuses conventional treatment and lashes out at family members who are genuinely trying to help."

Sam Altman has gained international prominence since OpenAI's debut of the artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT in November 2022. Backed by Microsoft , the company was most recently valued at $157 billion, with funding coming from Thrive Capital, chipmaker Nvidia, SoftBank and others.

Altman was briefly ousted from the CEO role by OpenAI's board in November 2023, but was quickly reinstated due to pressure from investors and employees.

This isn't the only lawsuit the tech exec faces.

In March, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk sued OpenAI and co-founders Altman and Greg Brockman, alleging breach of contract and fiduciary duty. Musk, who now runs a competing AI startup, xAI, was a co-founder of OpenAI when it began as a nonprofit in 2015. Musk left the board in 2018 and has publicly criticized OpenAI for allegedly abandoning its original mission.

Musk is suing to keep OpenAI from turning into a for-profit company. In June, Musk withdrew the original complaint filed in a San Francisco state court and later refiled in federal court.

Last month, OpenAI clapped back against Musk, claiming in a blog post that in 2017 Musk "not only wanted, but actually created, a for-profit" to serve as the company's proposed new structure.

WATCH: OpenAI unveils for-profit plans
Pedestrians walk past Cushman & Wakefield Inc. signage in front of an office building for lease in the Brickell neighborhood of Miami, Florida, U.S., on Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. Photographer: Scott McIntyre/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Cushman & Wakefield was among six large landlords sued by the U.S. Department of Justice over alleged anticompetitive practices in housing rental markets on Tuesday, expanding the DOJ's first case alleging algorithmic collusion.

The DOJ and a coalition of states sued in North Carolina in August, accusing property management software company RealPage of letting landlords collude by sharing their pricing information with the company's software, which then recommends rent prices.

RealPage has denied the allegations, and is seeking to have the lawsuit dismissed.

The amended lawsuit also accuses Cushman, Greystar Real Estate Partners, Blackstone's LivCor, Camden Property Trust , Cushman's Pinnacle Property Management Services and Willow Bridge Property Co. of using RealPage to unlawfully share non-public information about rental pricing.

The landlords also shared pricing strategies with competitors via calls and user groups hosted by RealPage, the DOJ said.

A spokesperson for Cushman said that Pinnacle is solely a property manager and does not own properties or set pricing.

Greystar denied engaging in anti-competitive practices and said it would defend against the claims.

Cortland Management has agreed to settle the claims, the DOJ said.

"We believe we were only able to achieve this result because Cortland has invested years and significant internal resources into developing a proprietary revenue management software tool that does not rely on data from external, non-public sources," Cortland said in a statement.

The other companies did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Illinois and Massachusetts joined the lawsuit on Tuesday. The alleged coordination likely harmed renters in local housing markets in those states and California, Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, and Washington, according to the lawsuit.
Stocks @ Night is a daily newsletter delivered after hours, giving you a first look at tomorrow and last look at today. Sign up for free to receive it directly in your inbox. Here's what CNBC TV's producers were watching as the major averages tumbled on Tuesday, and what's on the radar for the next session. Pump up the volume CNBC data guru Gina Francolla saw a big jump in buying and selling. She is reporting that almost 21 billion shares traded hands in the U.S. on Tuesday. The 10-day average is 14.8 billion, and November's average was 14.6 billion. Robinhood is up almost 9% in a week. Interactive Brokers is up 8% in a week, and it's 1% from the Nov. 25 high. Virtu is up 1.4% in a week. Schwab is down 2.3% in a week. IBKR 5D mountain Interactive Brokers over the past week Palantir Technologies CNBC's Seema Mody will report on the growing defense stock on Wednesday. Amid a drop for Palantir , the stock is now 17% from the Christmas Eve high. It is up nearly 340% in a year. The small caps The Russell 2000 is 9% from the Nov. 25 high. It is up 15% in a year. During Donald Trump's first term as president, the Russell 2000 was up 60%. Since the election, the Russell 2000 is down 0.5%. Jill Carey Hall, Bank of America's head of U.S. small and midcap strategy, will run through the asset class on " Squawk Box " Wednesday morning. .RUT 3M mountain The Russell 2000 index over the past three months Albertsons The Boise, Idaho-based grocery giant with stores in 16 states reports Wednesday morning. Albertsons is up 8% in three months. Costco December sales Numbers come out Wednesday after the bell. The stock is down 8.6% since mid-December. Costco is up 40% in a year. COST 1Y mountain Costco Wholesale shares over the past year Real Estate It is the worst sector of the year so far, down 1.8%. Federal Realty Investment Trust is the biggest laggard, down 6.3% in January. Kimco is down 6.2% in January. Equity Residential down 6% so far this year. One reason, as Jim Cramer explained on "Mad Money" Monday night, is rising bond yields. The 10-year Treasury yield hit 4.699% on Tuesday, the highest since April 26. The two-year Treasury yield is at 4.289%. Apple downgrade There was a rare downgrade to sell for Apple on Tuesday. MoffettNathanson made the call. Craig Moffett was on " The Exchange " with Kelly Evans on Tuesday to discuss the downgrade . It is the first time the firm has had a sell on the stock. The analyst thinks the stock has run too far, and the risks aren't reflected in the price. Moffett also said artificial intelligence isn't driving an upgrade cycle as hoped, noting that there is weakening demand in China along with antitrust concerns. Over the past three months, according to TipRanks, 19 rate the name buy, while seven say to hold it. Now, three rate it a sell. Price targets range from between $184 a share and $325 a share, per TipRanks. The average is $244.77. Shares ended Tuesday at $242.21. Apple is down 3% so far in 2025. The stock up 9% in three months, flat over the past month and up about 34% in the last year. AAPL YTD mountain Apple shares in 2025 U.S. Steel Since the election, shares of the steel producer are down about 15%. That's largely due to the negativity and President Joe Biden's ultimate move to block a proposed sale of the company to Nippon Steel. U.S. Steel was up 1% on Tuesday after CEO David Burritt had an intense interview on " Squawk on the Street ." Burritt went after Biden, saying the president "tainted the process." The CEO said, "We're trying to right the wrongs of this president." US Steel is down 31% in the last year. Shares of Cleveland-Cliffs were up 1.5% on Tuesday. The stock is 56% from the April high. U.S. Steel is suing Cleveland-Cliffs for its "illegal and coordinated actions" designed to block the Nippon Steel deal.
U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks from the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, U.S., November 26, 2024.

The U.S. state of Alaska has sued the Biden administration for what it calls violations of a Congressional directive to allow oil and gas development in a portion of the federal Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Monday's lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Alaska challenges the federal government's December 2024 decision to offer oil and gas drilling leases in an area known as the coastal plain with restrictions.

The lawsuit said curbs on surface use and occupancy make it "impossible or impracticable to develop" 400,000 acres (162,000 hectares) of land the U.S. Interior Department plans to auction this month to oil and gas drillers.

The limits would severely limit future oil exploration and drilling in the refuge, it added.

"Interior's continued and irrational opposition under the Biden administration to responsible energy development in the Arctic continues America on a path of energy dependence instead of utilizing the vast resources we have available," Republican Governor Mike Dunleavy said in a statement.
An Amazon employee works to fulfill same-day orders during Cyber Monday, one of the company's busiest days, at an Amazon fulfillment center in Orlando, Florida, on Dec. 2, 2024.

Amazon warehouse workers at a site in North Carolina will vote next month on whether to join a union, setting the stage for the company's latest labor battle.

Workers at the Garner, North Carolina, facility will cast their ballots from Feb. 10 to Feb. 15, according to a Tuesday post on X by Carolina Amazonians United for Solidarity & Empowerment, the group seeking to organize staffers. An NLRB spokesperson confirmed an in-person election will be held on those dates at the site, which employs about 4,300 workers.

Amazon spokesperson Eileen Hards told CNBC in a statement: "We've always said that we want our employees to have their voices heard, and we hope and expect this process allows for that. We believe our employees favor opportunities to have their unique voice heard by working directly with our team."

Known as CAUSE, the grassroots group led by current and former employees has been working to organize Amazon employees at the warehouse, which is located in a suburb about 10 miles south of Raleigh, for the past three years.

If the election is successful, the warehouse, known as RDU1, would be only the second Amazon site in the U.S. to unionize. Workers at Amazon's largest warehouse in New York City voted to join the Amazon Labor Union in 2022, but the group struggled to negotiate a contract with Amazon, and last June, the ALU voted to affiliate with the Teamsters.

A handful of union elections were held at Amazon warehouses in the U.S. in recent years but employees have either rejected unionization or the results continue to be disputed in lengthy court battles. Last November, a federal labor judge ordered a third rerun election at an Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama, after ruling the company improperly interfered in the vote.
Issues with supply chains, engine maintenance and delivery delays at Boeing are set to continue well into 2025.

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The aviation industry is bracing for another year of difficulties, as delivery delays at Boeing and supply chain problems are set to continue into 2025, say aviation consultants. Sunday marked one year since a door panel blew off a Boeing 737 Max 9 operated by Alaska Airlines, an event that reignited a firestorm of questions about Boeing's quality and safety standards. Since then, the company has instituted a series of changes, including mandatory workforce training and increased inspections, according to a company statement published Friday. Boeing also said it improved its "Speak Up" system to encourage employees to report workplace concerns. But that's not enough, Mike Boyd, president and co-founder of aviation consulting firm Boyd Group International, told "Squawk Box Asia" Monday. "The entire board of directors should have been fired," he said. "The new CEO and new people in there say they're doing something, but this is such a deep problem." Without aircraft deliveries from Boeing, airlines such as Southwest and Ryanair are spending money they "had not wanted to spend to overhaul airplanes they were going to retire," Boyd said. "Fasten your seat belt. It's going to be a very bumpy year ahead," he said.

"Boeing is going to be losing a lot of territory to our friends at Airbus. There's just no question about it," he said, adding that the company may become more of a "secondary player" to Airbus in the future. Pete Buttigieg, the U.S. transportation secretary, said Monday that Boeing has "much more" work to do, according to Reuters. "The culture change at Boeing is something that is a real work in progress," he said. "The only way to fully assess it will be to see they can consistently improve results." John Grant, chief analyst at the aviation intelligence company OAG, said tangible improvements at Boeing are unlikely to come before the end of 2025, at the earliest. "With the regulators crawling all over the company and new processes being established, it's perhaps too early to say that things are improving," he said. "The good news is that things haven't gotten any worse from an operational perspective." However, "the financials and labor relations are another issue," he said. Boeing hasn't turned an annual profit since 2018. The company's suffered another production setback after its machinists initiated a seven-week strike that ended in November with workers securing a 38% incremental wage increase. A Boeing spokesperson told CNBC the company is focused on stabilizing the business and implementing its "Safety and Quality Plan." The spokesperson highlighted a dozen actions Boeing took in 2024, from leadership changes to its board and the acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems to the expansion of its South Carolina site for increased production of its 787 aircraft.

Beyond Boeing

Problems in the aviation industry go well beyond Boeing, said Brendan Sobie, an independent analyst at Sobie Aviation. From spare part shortages to engine maintenance, he said, "it's about the entire ecosystem of companies that are around the industry."

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"It's been a very difficult period, and there's no real sign of this going away anytime soon," he said. "These are problems that will take years  not a single year  to resolve." Sobie said airlines are particularly frustrated by reliability and maintenance problems at engine-makers Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce. As to the issues at Pratt & Whitney, he offered a glimmer of positivity for the industry: "It probably is past its worst period."

What this means for travelers
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The atmosphere at the Disney Bundle Celebrating National Streaming Day at The Row in Los Angeles on May 19, 2022. Presley Ann | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images

Disney said Wednesday it has an estimated 157 million global monthly active users watching ad-supported content across its streaming platforms  Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+. That number includes 112 million users domestically and is an average per month over the last six months. While traditional TV outlets have a standard way of measuring ratings and viewership, there is still no industry standard methodology for measuring global streaming advertising audience size. The company said that its Disney Advertising unit has "set out to define a globally consistent approach and methodology to estimate ad-supported audience numbers." It's providing the update and further insight into its ad-supported streaming business during the annual CES tech conference in Las Vegas, a go-to event for the advertising and media industry. "Disney sits at the intersection of world class sports and entertainment content, with the most high-value audiences in ad-supported global streaming at scale," said Rita Ferro, Disney's president of global advertising, in a news release. "We wanted to be the first to offer our industry greater transparency into the methodology used to estimate our engaged global ad-supported monthly active users."

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In explaining the methodology, the company said the metric is derived from active accounts across Disney's three streaming services that have viewed ad-supported shows and movies continuously for more than 10 seconds. "Each active account is then multiplied by the number of estimated users per account ... to estimate the total number of users," it said. The estimated active users are added across the apps without de-duplication, meaning users who subscribe to more than one of the platforms could be counted more than once.

Growth in ad-supported tiers
France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, pictured on January 3, 2025, has said the EU will not tolerate attacks on its territory after Donald Trump called for the U.S. to take control of Greenland.

The European Union will not tolerate attacks within its borders, France's foreign minister said on Wednesday in the wake of President-elect Donald Trump's reiterations that bringing Greenland under U.S. control is a "necessity."

In an interview with radio station France Inter, Jean-Noel Barrot said the bloc's 27 member states would never accept any attempts to assault EU territory.

Greenland is an autonomous Danish territory, making it an Overseas Country and Territory, or OCT, associated with the EU.

"There is no question that the European Union would let another nation of the world, whoever it may  and I would even say, starting with Russia  to attack its sovereign borders," Barrot said, according to a CNBC translation. "We are a strong continent, we need to further strengthen ourselves."

CNBC has reached out to the European Union for comment.

Barrot added that he did not believe Washington would launch a physical attack on Greenland.

"If you're asking me whether I think the United States will invade Greenland, the answer is no," he explained. "But have we entered into an era that sees survival of the fittest? The answer is yes."

Also on Wednesday, a German government spokesperson also said that Berlin has taken note of Trump's comments about Greenland.

"As always, the honourable principle of the United Nations Charter and the Helsinki Accords applies, namely that borders must not be moved by force Germany says borders must not be moved by force after Trump statement," they said at a regular news conference, according to Reuters.

While France and Germany have made it plain they stand against the notion of Denmark conceding Greenland to the U.S., one country in the region appears to be backing the president-elect. In Russia, Trump's position on Greenland has garnered positive media coverage, with pro-Kremlin commentators saying it validated Moscow's so-called special military operation in Ukraine.

The comments out of France and Germany come ahead of a meeting between Greenland's prime minister, Mute Egede, and the Danish king in Copenhagen, scheduled to take place at 2 p.m. Danish time. No talks agenda was supplied, but the meeting is being held in the same week that King Frederik updated his royal coat of arms to incorporate details representing Greenland.

The changes were made after renewed calls from the incoming U.S. president that America should bring Greenland, an arctic island with a population of more than 56,000, under U.S. control.

Last month, Trump said on his Truth Social platform that "ownership" of Greenland was crucial for U.S. national and economic security. He first floated the idea of purchasing Greenland from Denmark in 2019, during his first term as president  a notion that was firmly rebuffed by the territory's leadership.

Danish and Greenlandic leaders have again rejected the notion that the island could join the U.S. under a second Trump administration, with Egede reiterating last month, "We are not for sale."

That hasn't stopped Trump's pursuit of the territory. The president-elect has issued threats that economic force could be used to materialize his repeated takeover calls, while his son Donald Trump Jr. landed Tuesday on the island to carry out an unofficial visit.
Takeshi Ebisawa, a leader of the Japanese organized crime syndicate yakuza, in an undated photo. Ebisawa pleaded guilty on Jan. 8, 2025, in New York federal court to charges of trafficking nuclear materials and conspiracy to traffic narcotics and heavy weapons.

A leader of the Japanese organized crime syndicate yakuza pleaded guilty in New York federal court Wednesday to charges of trafficking nuclear materials and conspiring to traffic nuclear materials, including uranium and weapons-grade plutonium, out of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, according to prosecutors.

Takeshi Ebisawa also admitted to conspiring to purchase U.S.-made surface-to-air missiles and other heavy weaponry, intended for armed ethnic groups in Myanmar, and to accept large amounts of heroin and methamphetamine as partial payment for the weapons, according to the Manhattan U.S. Attorney's Office.

Ebisawa, 60, faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum possible sentence of life in prison.
The interior of Lloyd's of London, the centuries-old insurance market, is pictured in central London on April 27, 2016.

Lloyd's of London CEO John Neal will leave in 2025 to join insurance broker Aon , the commercial insurance market said on Wednesday.

Neal will become global CEO of Aon's reinsurance business and global chairman of climate solutions, Lloyd's said in a statement.

Neal has headed Lloyd's for more than six years, and was previously group CEO of insurer QBE .

His departure follows that of chairman Bruce Carnegie-Brown, who announced his resignation last year. Carnegie-Brown will be replaced by Charles Roxburgh in May 2025.

"During 2025, John will continue to support both the planned succession of a new chair of the Council of Lloyd's and the executive leadership transition," Carnegie-Brown said in a statement.

Neal has navigated Lloyd's through losses from a global pandemic, wars, and natural catastrophes such as hurricanes and wildfires. The market, made up of more than 50 commercial insurance companies, reported a 26% jump in first-half profit.

However, Lloyd's has also faced criticism for lack of diversity and daytime drinking, while critics say the pace of technological change has been slow. Business traditionally takes place face-to-face in the market's City of London tower.

Sheila Cameron, CEO of the Lloyd's Market Association, said the trade body would "look forward to working with both the outgoing and incoming chairman on the selection process for the next CEO of Lloyd's, who is so critical to shaping Lloyd's international reputation."

Cameron said the LMA would also continue to pursue its agenda for underwriting expertise, digitalization and cultural reform in the market.

Patrick Tiernan, currently chief of markets at Lloyd's, could be a possible successor to Neal, two insurance industry sources said.

A Lloyd's of London spokesperson declined to comment on succession planning following Neal's departure.

In a separate statement, Aon said Neal would report to Andy Marcell, chief executive of risk capital, and serve as a member of the firm's risk capital leadership team.

Marcell said Neal would be "instrumental in supporting the team to address the challenges organizations face across the megatrends of trade, technology, weather and workforce."
An injection pen of Zepbound, Eli Lillys weight loss drug, is displayed in New York City on Dec. 11, 2023.

Medicare drug plans can now cover Eli Lilly 's blockbuster obesity drug Zepbound for obstructive sleep apnea, CNBC confirmed on Wednesday.

That opens the door for broader access to Zepbound, which is not currently covered by Medicare and many other insurance plans for weight loss. Demand for the injection has soared over the last year despite its roughly $1,000 per month price tag before insurance.

In a statement to CNBC, a spokesperson for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said "current Medicare Part D and Medicaid coverage rules apply" to Zepbound following its landmark approval in December for the most common sleep-related breathing disorder.

Medicare Part D plans can only cover obesity drugs if they are used for an additional medically accepted purpose approved by the Food and Drug Administration, the CMS spokesperson said, referring to the agency's guidance. The spokesperson added that Part D plans may consider using prior authorization  a process where a provider must first get approval from an insurer  for those drugs to ensure they are being used for that specific purpose.

The FDA on Dec. 20 cleared Zepbound for patients with obesity and moderate-to-severe forms of obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, which refers to breathing interrupted during sleep due to narrowed or blocked airways. That made Zepbound the first drug treatment cleared for the estimated 20 million people with those forms of the disease, according to Eli Lilly.

In a statement on Thursday, Eli Lilly called Medicare's coverage of Zepbound for the condition "good news."

Medicare Part D plans are similarly allowed to cover Novo Nordisk 's weight loss drug Wegovy for its other approved use: lowering cardiovascular risks. The diabetes counterparts of Wegovy and Zepbound  Ozempic and Mounjaro, respectively  are covered by Medicare and most insurance plans.

Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are studying their weight loss medicines as treatments for fatty liver disease, chronic kidney disease, sleep apnea and more. To be covered, those drugs would need to return late-stage trial results and then be submitted for FDA approval for those uses.

Meanwhile, state Medicaid coverage for Zepbound and other obesity medications depends on what condition they are prescribed for and whether their manufacturer has signed a certain Medicaid drug rebate agreement, according to the spokesperson.

Under that agreement with the secretary of Health and Human Services, manufacturers agree to provide rebates to states in exchange for Medicaid coverage of their drugs. States share the rebates with the federal government.

A state Medicaid program must cover Zepbound if it is prescribed for OSA and Eli Lilly has signed the Medicaid drug rebate agreement, the spokesperson said.

But if Zepbound is prescribed for weight loss, state Medicaid programs are not required to cover it.

The Biden administration in November proposed a rule that would allow Medicare and Medicaid to cover weight loss drugs for patients with obesity. The rule would give millions of people access to weekly injectables, but it would cost taxpayers as much as $35 billion over the next decade.

It is unclear if President-elect Donald Trump's administration will pursue the rule.
LAS VEGAS  Scout Motors has received more than 50,000 refundable reservation deposits for its first electric pickups and SUVs, according to Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume.

Volkswagen revived Scout, which was an American brand from 1961 to 1980, and revealed production-intent vehicles of its Terra pickup truck and Traveler SUV in October. The vehicles will be offered as all-electric models or extended-range electric vehicles, or EREVs.

Scout has received fewer reservations than other automakers pulled in for all-electric vehicles in the early 2020s, when many were first being introduced. The reservations do not guarantee sales but can be a barometer of interest.

"The market response has been very, very positive," Blume said Tuesday night during a private media event at the CES tech conference in Las Vegas. "The response was 'This is heritage.' ... It is kind of a love story."

In Scout's case, customers have to submit a $100 refundable deposit to be among the first to place an order for a vehicle when it opens. The vehicles are scheduled to arrive in 2027.

The Scout brand is part of VW's plan to grow its market share in the U.S. across its brands, which include Audi, Porsche and its namesake brand, among others. The German automaker's U.S. share currently sits at about 4%, Blume said.

"Our ambition is much bigger to improve our market share, and we think we have some potential with all the new cars entering into the market," Blume said, without disclosing a potential market share target.
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Smoke billows as fire burns while powerful winds fueling devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area force people to evacuate, at the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, U.S. January 8, 2025. David Swanson | Reuters

Fear and uncertainty surrounding the wildfires in California appear to be weighing on shares of Edison International , whose Southern California Edison is the power utility for the areas directly surrounding the city of Los Angeles. The stock fell 10.2% on Wednesday and was down more than 13% at session lows.

Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Utility stock Edison International fell sharply Wednesday.

The drop comes as multiple large fires are burning around Los Angeles, with strong winds making them difficult to contain. Tens of thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate, and at least two people have died, according to the Associated Press. More than 3 million Edison customers were dealing with outages Wednesday, according to the utility's website. Public utilities have been grappling with issues around wildfire prevention and readiness for years. Previous wildfires in California have been linked to issues with power equipment, but so far there is no public information tying Edison to the fires. "At this time, there is no indication that SCE equipment is believed to have started the fire, as SCE has not filed an electric service incident report (ESIR). ... There are multiple media reports indicating SCE equipment has been at least impacted by the fires and we would expect some incremental expenses related to the fire, regardless of ignition source," Bank of America analyst Ross Fowler said in a note to clients Wednesday.

Smoke engulfs buildings off Sunset Boulevard during a wildfire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of west Los Angeles, California, January 7, 2025. Mike Blake | Reuters
Former US President Donald Trump speaks to the press on arrival at his trial for allegedly covering up hush money payments linked to extramarital affairs, at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City, on May 16, 2024.

President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday asked the Supreme Court to block criminal proceedings in his hush money case in New York, with a sentencing hearing scheduled for Friday.

The court has asked New York prosecutors to respond to Trump's request by Thursday morning, giving the justices time to act before the sentencing proceeding.

"This Court should enter an immediate stay of further proceedings in the New York trial court to prevent grave injustice and harm to the institution of the Presidency and the operations of the federal government," Trump's lawyers wrote in the new filing.

They argue that the case should not go forward because Trump was protected by presidential immunity, as recognized by the Supreme Court earlier this year.

"The Supreme Court's historic decision on Immunity, the Constitution, and established legal precedent mandate that this meritless hoax be immediately dismissed," Trump spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement.

A spokesperson for the Manhattan district attorney said their office would respond in court papers.

On Tuesday, a New York appeals court judge declined to block the sentencing.

Trump was convicted in May of falsifying records related to hush money that his then-attorney Michael Cohen paid adult film star Stormy Daniels in the closing days of the 2016 presidential election. Daniels testified she had a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006, a claim he has denied.

Trump's lawyers argue that some evidence at trial focused on official actions he took while in the White House. They also take the unprecedented step of saying that a president-elect should have the same protection from criminal prosecution that a sitting president has.

Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over the trial, initially postponed Trump's scheduled sentencing in July in the wake of the Supreme Court's ruling setting a new standard for presidential immunity that month.

But Merchan later concluded Trump does not have immunity until he is sworn in as president. He then directed Trump's sentencing on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to take place Friday morning.

The Supreme Court's contentious presidential immunity ruling came in the separate case in which Trump was charged with seeking to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. With Trump about to become president again, that case has now been dropped.

The court ruled that certain official acts taken by presidents are off-limits for criminal prosecution. Actions taken by a president in their personal capacities would not be protected.

Trump's Supreme Court request was filed by lawyer D. John Sauer, whom the president-election intends to appoint as solicitor general, his administration's top courtroom advocate. Another Trump lawyer listed on the filing, Todd Blanche, is Trump's pick to be deputy attorney general.
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U.S. President-elect Donald Trump makes remarks at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. Jan. 7, 2025. Carlos Barria | Reuters

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's ongoing pursuit of Greenland may have raised the hackles of Denmark, which retains sovereignty over the Arctic island, but his territorial ambitions seem to be gaining traction in an unlikely quarter: Russia. High-profile political pundits close to Russian President Vladimir Putin have already voiced their support for Trump's re-stated ambition to buy Greenland and expand U.S. territory to include the resource-rich island  commenting that such a move would validate every other country's expansionist territorial ambitions, and most importantly, Russia's. Trump said on his social media platform Truth Social in December that he saw "ownership" of Greenland as essential for the U.S.' economic and national security, restating a bid for the island that he made in his first term as president. On Tuesday, Trump doubled-down on those comments and said he would not rule out using force to take Greenland, as well as the Panama Canal. Trump has also mooted the idea of turning Canada into the 51st state and to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

Donald Trump confirmed on January 6, 2024 that his eldest son Don Jr plans to visit Greenland, two weeks after the U.S. president-elect suggested that Washington annex the autonomous Danish territory. Ida Marie Odgaard | Afp | Getty Images

Trump's comments were condemned in Europe, with France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stating Wednesday the European Union would not tolerate attacks on its sovereign borders.

'Might is right'

The president-elect's position has found favor in Moscow, however, with largely positive coverage by Russian state media and political figures. Russian TV presenter and Kremlin ally Vladimir Solovyov, hosting a debate on Trump's pronouncements on his primetime show, said Trump's position essentially gave Moscow the right to demand the restoration of its own former Soviet empire, including the Baltic nations of Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia. Other pro-Kremlin pundits on the panel said Trump's ambitions validated Russia's decision to launch its own "special military operation" against Ukraine. Kremlin propagandist Solovyov, an ardent supporter of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, commented that "what Trump is doing benefits us greatly," adding that the president-elect was "totally destroying any illusions that anyone might have still had about the summit of democracies, about respecting opinions of NATO allies." "It's like he's saying, "Who are all of you? You're all nobodies. I will talk to Putin and Xi Jinping. As for you, who are you? Deliver Greenland. He is a great guy, an awesome guy," he added. CNBC has contacted the Kremlin for comment on Trump's position and is awaiting a reply. It's highly likely that Russia's leadership is looking with interest at Trump's proposals  however feasible or not they might be  with interest, analysts say. After all, they note, Russia has already shown with its 2022 invasion of Ukraine that it's willing to violate international law and territorial sovereignty in order to achieve its own geopolitical ambitions.

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"Russian propagandists and Russian state media are very happy to bathe in the news of Trump's extraterritorial threats and desires for unilateral aggression, because those are, of course, things that they themselves have trumpeted when Vladimir Putin has pursued them," Max Hess, fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute and author of "Economic War: Ukraine and the Global Conflict Between Russia and the West," told CNBC Wednesday. Close followers of Russian politics say Trump's position could spur on Russia's leadership as it validates potential further attempts to expand Russia's sphere of influence and power. "The West has argued that Putin's invasion of Ukraine and territorial land grab is illegal, and defies international law. The same message has been sent to Israel over expanding settlements. And the message to China has been not to view Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a green light for a similar invasion of Taiwan  they should assume serious international consequences," Timothy Ash, emerging markets strategist at BlueBay Asset Management, said in emailed comments Wednesday. "Trump's pantomime performance though yesterday sent a clear message that great powers do have 'spheres of influence', or they do according to Trump  which aligns with Putin's view of the world," Ash added, warning that Trump had greatly undermined NATO with his comments.

'Make Greenland Great Again'

The Kremlin has not made any official comment on Trump's comments regarding Greenland, which is located between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, but is likely to be watching developments closely given its own interests in the Arctic, a region where it has expanded its own political, economic and military influence in recent decades. Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark but has links to the U.S., with American military installations constructed on the island following World War II. During the war, Denmark was occupied by Nazi Germany, prompting Copenhagen and the U.S. to sign an agreement in 1941 to give the U.S. control of Greenland's defense.

A view of Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base) in Greenland, October 4, 2023. The base changed its name earlier in 2023. Ritzau Scanpix | Via Reuters

Denmark has been vociferous in its opposition to Trump's ambition to acquire the island, with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen describing the idea as "absurd" when Trump first mooted it in 2019. That sentiment was reiterated by Greenland following Trump's comments in December, with Prime Minister Mute Egede saying: "We are not for sale and we will not be for sale" and that "Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland." Trump's pronouncements appeared to have rattled Denmark, however, and it has sought to stamp its authority on, and ownership of, the island in recent weeks. Hours after Trump's comments in December, Copenhagen announced it would increase defense spending on Greenland to give it a "stronger presence in the Arctic." It was then announced Monday that Denmark's King Frederik X had updated his historic coat of arms to give Greenland and the Faroe Islands greater symbolic prominence and to assert them as a central part of the Danish realm. Apparently undeterred by Greenland and Denmark's cold shoulder, Trump announced Monday that his son Donald Trump Jr. was making an impromptu visit to the island.

Donald Trump Jr. visits Nuuk, Greenland, on Jan. 7, 2025. Emil Stach | Via Reuters
State-owned Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) on Wednesday (January 8) said it has successfully commissioned the first two units of the 6x170 MW Punatsangchhu-II hydroelectric project (PHEP-II) in Bhutan.

Located in Bhutans Wangdue district, PHEP-II is a greenfield hydroelectric project executed under a bilateral agreement between the Government of India and the Royal Government of Bhutan.

Significantly, the Francis turbine installed in the project is designed to operate at a rated head of 241 meters  the highest for any Francis hydro turbine in Bhutan. On commissioning of all six units, the expected annual power generation will be 4,357 gigawatt-hours.

Also Read: BHEL Q2 Results: Net profit contrary to expectations of a loss sends shares soaring

Unit 1 and 2 of the 6x170 MW PHEP-II were synchronised on December 16 and 17, 2024, respectively. A ceremony marking Bhutan's National Day was held at the project site on December 17, 2024, which was graced by Lyonpo Gem Tshering, Bhutans Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Chairman of PHPA-II.

BHELs scope in PHEP-II comprises design, manufacture, supply, installation and commissioning of electro-mechanical works for 6x170 MW vertical Francis turbines & matching synchronous generators, control and monitoring (SCADA) systems, generator transformers, shunt reactor, busduct, pothead yard along with associated auxiliaries.

The equipment has been supplied by BHEL's units at Bhopal, Jhansi, Rudrapur, Bengaluru, and its transmission business group, while erection and commissioning on site was carried out by the companys power sector, eastern region division, Kolkata.

Also Read: BHEL shares may see further fall as valuations still 'frothy', says CLSA

BHEL has executed major projects like 4x84 MW Chukha, 4x15 MW Kurichhu, 6x170 MW Tala and 4x180 MW Mangdechhu in Bhutan to date. With the commissioning of these two units at PHEP-II, BHELs contribution to the total installed capacity in Bhutan now stands at nearly 89%. BHEL is currently executing an order for 6x200 MW Punatsangchhu-I HEP, in addition to PHEP-II in Bhutan.

Apart from the above, BHEL is executing the 4x225 MW Arun-3 HEP and 2x20 MW Rahughat HEP in Nepal. Notably, BHEL has successfully executed over 3.8 GW of hydro projects abroad with more than 2.8 GW of hydro projects under execution.

Shares of Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd ended at 222.05, down by 2.80, or 1.25%, on the BSE.
Shafikul Alam, Press Secretary to Bangladesh's Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, said on Wednesday, January 8, that Dhaka is awaiting New Delhis response on former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's extradition; however, this should not strain India-Bangladesh relations, which are built on trust and shared goals.Bangladesh has formally sought former Prime Minister Hasinas extradition, who has been in India since August 5, 2024. We have sent a formal note to India on the extradition of Sheikh Hasina and await their response. This matter should not affect the broader India-Bangladesh partnership, which is built on trust and shared goals, Alam said in an exclusive conversation with CNN-News18.Alam said that Hasina is wanted for corruption charges of $16 billion, extrajudicial killings, and enforced disappearances during her tenure.During Hasinas time, an independent panel submitted a report revealing $16 billion siphoned from the country. We have revoked her passport and shared the evidence with India. He declined to comment on reports suggesting Hasinas visa in India has been extended, citing a lack of official communication.Addressing concerns about Dhakas closeness with Islamabad, Alam clarified, Md Yunus wants the revival of SAARC and aims to foster harmonious relations with all member countries, including Pakistan. However, there are no plans to allow Pakistans military any influence in Bangladesh. He dismissed speculations as baseless, stating that recent port activity involving Pakistani ships was purely trade-related, with complete transparency on imports.Alam criticised Hasina for monopolising the legacy of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, stating, While Mujibs contributions are undeniable, others also played significant roles in our history. Hasina has turned Mujib into a political tool, with murals dominating public spaces, sidelining other historical figures.Yunus has not yet visited India, focusing instead on multilateral forums like the UNGA in the US and the D8 Summit in Egypt. Alam assured that Bangladesh remains committed to its relationship with India, highlighting shared cultural ties and mutual interests, such as the South Asia Grid for regional power sharing.Trade with India remains robust, and we see India as a rising economic power with whom we want strong relations, Alam said, adding that suspending a judges' training program in India might be linked to austerity measures.On concerns about minority rights and the arrest of Hindu religious leader Chinmoy Prabhu, Alam assured a free and fair trial. Alam dismissed Indian media reports as exaggerated. He emphasised the governments swift action during instances of violence, citing figures on arrests and efforts to restore order."We have issued figures on the number of people arrested in that violence. We restored order...During Durga Puja, no incidents were reported, and we declared a two-day holiday for Hindu communities, he said.
An Italian journalist detained in Iran for three weeks, whose fate became intertwined with that of an Iranian engineer wanted by the United States, was freed Wednesday and is heading home, Italian officials said.A plane carrying Cecilia Sala, 29, left Tehran after "intensive work on diplomatic and intelligence channels," Premier Giorgia Meloni's office said, adding that the Italian premier had personally informed Sala's parents of the news.Iranian media acknowledged the journalist's release, citing only the foreign reports. Iranian officials offered no immediate comment.Sala, a reporter for the Il Foglio daily, was detained in Tehran on Dec. 19, three days after she arrived on a journalist visa. She was accused of violating the laws of the Islamic Republic, the official IRNA news agency said.Italian commentators had speculated that Iran detained and held Sala as a bargaining chip to ensure the release of Mohammad Abedini, who was arrested at Milan's Malpensa airport three days before on Dec. 16, on a U.S. warrant.The U.S. Justice Department accused Abedini and another Iranian of supplying the drone technology to Iran that was used in a January 2024 attack on a U.S. outpost in Jordan that killed three American troops. He remains in detention in Italy.Sala's release was met with cheers in Italy, where her plight had dominated headlines, as lawmakers hailed the successful negotiations to bring her home.It came after Meloni made a surprise trip to Florida last weekend to meet with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate.Meloni tweeted Sala's return in a statement on X in which she thanked "all those who helped make Cecilia's return possible, allowing her to reembrace her family and colleagues."Sala's fate became intertwined with that of Abedini as each country's foreign ministries summoned the other's ambassador to demand the prisoners' release and decent detention conditions. The diplomatic tangle was particularly complicated for Italy, which is a historic ally of Washington but maintains traditionally good relations with Tehran.Members of Meloni's cabinet took personal interest in the case given the geopolitical implications. Foreign Minister Antonio Tanaji and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto hailed the diplomatic teamwork involved to secure Sala's release, which amounted to a significant victory for Meloni.Since the 1979 U.S. Embassy crisis, which saw dozens of hostages released after 444 days in captivity, Iran has used prisoners with Western ties as bargaining chips in negotiations with the world.In September 2023, five Americans detained for years in Iran were freed in exchange for five Iranians in U.S. custody and for $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets to be released by South Korea.Western journalists have been held in the past as well. Roxana Saberi, an American journalist, was detained by Iran in 2009 for around 100 days before being released.Also detained by Iran was Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian, who was held for more than 540 days before being released in 2016 in a prisoner swap between Iran and the U.S.Both cases involved Iran making false espionage accusations in closed-door hearings.
Lebanon's parliament will try to elect a president on Thursday, with officials seeing better chances of success in a political landscape shaken by Israel's war with Hezbollah and the toppling of the group's ally Bashar al-Assad in neighbouring Syria.The post, reserved for a Maronite Christian in the country's sectarian power-sharing system, has been vacant since Michel Aoun's term ended in October, 2022. None of the political groups in the 128-seat parliament have enough seats to impose their choice, and they have so far been unable to agree on a consensus candidate.The vote marks the first test of Lebanon's power balance since the Iran-backed Shi'ite group Hezbollah - which propelled its then Christian ally Aoun to the presidency in 2016 - emerged badly pummelled from the war with Israel.It takes place against a backdrop of historic change in the wider Middle East, where the Assad-led Syrian state exercised sway over Lebanon for decades, both directly and through allies such as Hezbollah.Reflecting the shifts, Hezbollah and its ally the Shi'ite Amal Movement led by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri have dropped their insistence on Suleiman Frangieh, their declared candidate for the last two years, and are ready to go with a less divisive figure, three senior sources familiar with their thinking said.Candidates in focus include army commander General Joseph Aoun - said by Lebanese politicians to enjoy U.S. approval - Jihad Azour, a senior International Monetary Fund official who formerly served as finance minister, and Major-General Elias al-Baysari - head of General Security, a state security agency.Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said he felt happy because "God willing, tomorrow we will have a new president", according to a statement from his office.French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot also expressed hope in comments to France Inter radio, saying the election was "a prerequisite for the continuation of this dynamic of peace" and also for Lebanon's economic and social recovery.However, two of the sources and an analyst cautioned that it was not yet certain any candidate would be elected. To win, a candidate must secure 86 votes in a first round, or 65 in a second round.Reflecting Western and regional interest in the vote, French and Saudi envoys met Lebanese politicians in Beirut on Wednesday. Four Lebanese political sources who met the Saudi envoy, Prince Yazid bin Farhan, last week said he spelt out preferred qualifications which signal Saudi support for Aoun.Saudi Arabia was once a big player in Lebanon, vying with Tehran for influence in Beirut, before seeing its role eclipsed by Iran and Hezbollah.Aoun, head of Lebanon's U.S.-backed army, would still need 86 votes because his election requires a constitutional amendment, as he is a still-serving state employee, Berri has said.A State Department spokesperson said it was "up to Lebanon to choose its next president, not the United States or any external actor"."We have been consistent in our efforts to press Lebanon to elect a new president, which we see as important to strengthening Lebanons political institutions," the spokesperson said.Hezbollah official Wafiq Safa said last week there was "no veto" on Aoun. But the sources said Hezbollah, designated a terrorist group by the United States, will not support Aoun.Aoun has a key role in shoring up the ceasefire brokered by Washington and Paris in November. The terms require the Lebanese military to deploy into south Lebanon as Israeli troops and Hezbollah withdraw forces.Still reeling from a financial collapse in 2019, Lebanon desperately needs foreign aid to rebuild.Much of the damage is in Shi'ite majority areas.Hezbollah, its supply line to Iran severed by Assad's ousting, has urged Arab and international support for Lebanon.Nabil Boumonsef, deputy editor-in-chief of Annahar newspaper, was not certain anyone would be elected, even after the major shift in the balance of power in Lebanon, where Hezbollah's weapons have long been a source of division.Underlining the influence Hezbollah and Amal still wield, he said the only way a president could be elected would be if they agreed on Aoun or Azour. But if they tried to install their preferred candidate, this would "sever the oxygen from Lebanon".Saudi Minister Faisal bin Farhan said last October that Riyadh had never fully disengaged from Lebanon and that outside countries should not tell Lebanese what to do.
Mauritius has issued an arrest order for its former finance minister, Renganaden Padayachy, in relation to a probe into alleged embezzlement, a police notice in local newspapers said on Tuesday, days after the arrest of the former central bank governor.Harvesh Seegolam, the central bank chief, was released on bail over the weekend after he was detained and charged with conspiracy to commit fraud.The arrest order against Padayachy and the charging of Seegoolam were the first major moves by the government of Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, who has accused the previous administration of falsifying GDP, budget deficit and public debt figures for years.Padayachy didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Seegolam's lawyer declined to comment when Seegolam was released from detention on Saturday after being charged with conspiracy to commit fraud.In a report to parliament, Ramgoolam, also the finance minister, had also accused the central bank of printing money to fund the state-owned Mauritius Investment Corporation, set up in 2020 to help companies deal with impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.Padayachy's arrest notice said it was in connection with investigations into "an alleged embezzlement involving the disbursement of 45 million rupees to the detriment of the Mauritius Investment Corporation (MIC), in favour of the company Menlo Park Ltd."
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Despite what every Saturday Night Live fan has believed for the last quarter of a century, Golden Globe winner Adrien Brody says that its all irie between him and 30 Rockefeller Plaza.

Over the weekend, the 51-year-old actor won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama for his performance as a visionary architect and a Jewish immigrant to America in the epic drama The Brutalist. Sadly for cinephiles, The Brutalist is only playing in roughly three theaters in the Western Hemisphere, so very few movie fans have actually seen Brodys award-winning performance, which puts it in stark contrast to his also brutal 2001 hosting appearance on Saturday Night Live when he introduced musical guest Sean Paul with a bizarre, stereotypical and offensive impression of a Jamaican person that has since been described as just this side of Black face.

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Immediately following that infamous Saturday night, Brodys ill-conceived impersonation and his creative struggles with the SNL staff became the stuff of TV comedy legend, and numerous outlets reported that Brodys purportedly improvised and definitely insensitive performance earned him a lifetime ban from the show. However, in a recent Vulture interview, the actor attempted to set the record straight by explaining that no one from Lorne Michaels office ever officially notified him of a hosting embargo  I guess the three little birds on his doorstep didnt deliver the message.

While SNL fans have long believed that Brody appearing onstage in a dreadlocked wig and energetically spouting what he apparently believes to be Jamaican Patois was an improvised, unapproved and ban-worthy decision made by Brody alone, the actor insisted that the character actually did have Michaels stamp of approval  he just felt the rhythm and the rhyme a little too hard for SNLs taste. I think Lorne wasnt happy with me embellishing a bit, but they allowed me to, Brody claimed. I thought that was a safe space to do that, weirdly.

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Brody did confirm what has been known to SNL fans for decades about the creative friction that plagued the week leading up to his hosting gig, admitting of the tumultuous brainstorming process between him and the SNL writers, They were all literally agape from me pitching. Then-head writer Tina Fey has since openly discussed how Brodys ideas bombed in the writers room, which caused the host to become surly and withdrawn from the creative process.

Despite the poor showing, however, Brody still believes that the supposed ban on him hosting SNL isnt set in stone. But I also have never been invited back on, the actor admitted. So I dont know what to tell you.

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So according to Brody, he didnt actually break SNLs strict no improv rule when he introduced Sean Paul with a borderline minstrel show, and the only reason he hasnt been back to host SNL is simply that he was bad at it.

Dont let them fool ya.
As Tim Allens new sitcom Shifting Gears launches this week, his Home Improvement son, Zachery Ty Bryan, was arrested on domestic violence charges  again. He was jailed for similar charges in July 2023, on top of his multiple arrests for driving under the influence. No very special episode jokes here  theres nothing funny about sitcom stars who are accused of serious crimes, as these seven examples prove.

1 Dustin Diamond The late Diamond was in the Im moving to Wisconsin portion of his post-Saved By The Bell years when he was arrested for possession of a switchblade. Not only did Diamond allegedly own the blade, but he also was accused of stabbing a dude in a bar. Screech was eventually convicted of carrying a concealed weapon and disorderly conduct, earning him three months in the pokey.

2 Lori Loughlin Aunt Becky made The New York Times when she was busted for her role in the largest college admissions scam ever. Loughlin pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, earning her two months behind bars. Proving she had a sense of humor (?), Loughlin later played herself on Curb Your Enthusiasm as a privileged celebrity who would lie and cheat to get the best country-club tee times. Advertisement Advertisement

3 Dana Plato Like nearly every child performer on Diffrent Strokes (see below), Plato fell afoul of the law once the show ended. After losing her childhood earnings to a con-artist accountant, Plato suffered a series of failed relationships before robbing a Las Vegas video store with a pellet gun in 1991. When she made off with the cash, the clerk called 911 and reported, I've just been robbed by the girl who played Kimberly on Diff'rent Strokes. Advertisement Advertisement She got five years probation after Vegas legend Wayne Newton paid her bail, then served 30 days in jail after violating the terms of probation.

4 Todd Bridges Bridges, who played Platos adopted brother on Diffrent Strokes, appears to have his act together these days. That wasnt the case in his 20s when Bridges struggled with an addiction to crack cocaine. He was arrested for felony assault and cocaine possession and that wasnt even the worst of it. In 1989, he was accused of shooting a drug dealer eight times after a cocaine binge. He spent nine months in jail fighting the charges before he was acquitted. Advertisement Advertisement

5 Bill Cosby @tweakertokog Art imitated life on The Cosby Show when everyone fell prey to Cliff Huxtables secret sauce, a potion that turbocharged the characters libidos. Cosby was later accused of slipping something into the drinks of several women among the 35 who accused him of sexual assault. He was sentenced to three to ten years in state prison in 2018, a decision that was later overturned on a technicality after hed served nearly three years. Advertisement Advertisement

6 Danny Masterson Despite letters of support from Ashton Kutcher and other cast members of That 70s Show, Masterson was convicted on two charges of forcible rape in 2023. He was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison, a conviction that he filed to appeal just last month. Advertisement Advertisement
Footage from a Ring camera showed the back of Marika Erdelys house yesterday. Photo: Marika Erdely

As a fire blew across parts of Los Angeles yesterday, the actor James Woods looked back at what he had fled: a column of flames reaching over the lip of his deck. He could watch this from miles away, through the screen of his iPhone, which showed footage from his security system. Just before midnight, he got the bad news, again through an app on his phone: Every smoke alarm in his house was going off simultaneously. His neighbor, the reality TV star Spencer Pratt, was also spending the night watching our house burn down on the security cameras, he said on Snapchat. Marta Mae Freedman, an entrepreneur who lived along the ocean, asked on Instagram, Have AirTags ever made you cry? Hers were both at home, but they dropped offline at 6:14 p.m. and 7:31 p.m. Back in New York City, the publisher Zibby Owens watched flames reach over an infinity pool and plumes of smoke and embers blast toward the Google Nest cam overlooking the back of her house in the Palisades. It went offline shortly after, and her husband, Kyle Owens, told CBS News today, We basically lost contact with our house.

Americans are now able to watch in real time, and up close, as natural disasters engulf their homes with the help of home-security technology. Its a particular kind of torture to witness the exact moment when your home is no more. The idea of monitoring a fire this way is still so strange that at first, it didnt occur to Marika Erdely, who for 14 years has lived in a 1960s house on the hills just east of the Getty Villa.

Tell me about where you live.

This is such a neighborhood. This is the kind of neighborhood you dont leave unless you die or divorce. One of my best friends lives across the street, and shes lived there almost 40 years. Almost every house has a view of the ocean. If it doesnt, its like, you walk next door, and that house has a view of the ocean. Its a bunch of old people that havent moved, and a bunch of nice new families coming in with little kids. I moved there when I was in my 50s, but its a neighborhood built in the early 60s, and its just like this incredible mid-century architecture.

When did you know you had to evacuate?

I was getting ready to go to a meeting in Universal City, giving myself that hour you need to drive anywhere in L.A. Its 10:50 a.m. I get up from my home-office desk, which is facing the Santa Monica Mountains, and I go talk to my cousin whos visiting from Budapest, and hes sitting eating breakfast. I have an incredible view of the ocean, and the sky is bright orange, a really weird orange. Im like, Whats going on? So we get up and we step outside and we look to the left and theres just this giant smoke plume. Thats all the Pacific Palisades there. And while Im standing there, my daughter calls saying that the preschool where her daughter, my granddaughter, has to evacuate. So I immediately got in my car, went and picked her up. The chaos was just starting at the preschool. And after that, I got home really quickly, and my phone was blowing up with notifications to evacuate.

I have a big car. Its an SUV. But I have a sick cousin staying with me, a 2-year-old, and a big black Labrador. So Im like, Okay, what do we take? I have a curio cabinet of memories, and I just emptied all of that into a laundry basket and got some clothes. I took all the ashes  my dad, my mom, my dogs, my best friend Ed. And I went through some of my expensive suits and grabbed those and the shoes because I work, and I grabbed my laptop and my Wyland watercolor. Thats about all that could fit in the car. I sprayed the whole area down. Then we left.

Was the drive terrifying?

The chaos had started, but the disaster of what happened at Sunset and the Pacific Coast Highway I think happened an hour after. Still, it was packed with people going north to get home. Even as I was driving southbound, there were first responders in my lane trying to get north. It was crazy: sirens, people driving chaotically. But we ended up at my daughters house in Santa Monica, thank God.

When did you think to check your cameras?

I forgot they were on. I think I was just in shock by the whole thing. I did check at one point around 2 p.m., but they didnt show anything. And we forgot about it. We were watching TV news instead. But around 5:45 p.m., my daughter said, Lets check the Ring cameras. They showed my ficus tree was on fire and my hot-tub cover was on fire and the patio furniture  I had moved it all to the grass  was on fire. So you can see the cushions blowing around. The embers were flying right at my sliding doors on the back of my house. My neighbor one house over  his house was under construction, and it looked like his was burning. So I was able to let him know. He was hysterical. The cameras died by like 5:55. They went offline. But during that ten minutes, we saw a lot.

This is my moms house catching fire just before we lost contact with the Ring cameras. She lives in Sunset Mesa, the neighborhood surrounding the Getty Villa. My daughter was evacuated from the Palisades this morning from Chabad. pic.twitter.com/2lMKJx4qxa  Alex Pearlman  (@lexikon1) January 8, 2025

How did you feel watching this?

This is usually on television. Its not your stuff. Its not your home. But to actually see flames in my yard was very scary and very surreal. Like, Wow. My house is gonna be gone. Im in my 60s and I had been trying to get to a place of having more time and working less, and now Ill have to deal with all of this. Im a contractor. I do retrofits to make buildings more energy efficient. But the thought of having to rebuild my own house  the effort and all of that  is overwhelming. And where am I gonna live? Thirty thousand people have evacuated, so what kind of rental opportunities are gonna be in this area?

Have you been able to get any more news about your house since you saw the video?

Well, Channel 4 news was in my neighborhood and went right in front of my house. My house was in the background, and it was still standing. My 7-year-old grandson was screaming at the TV. He recognized it.

Thats incredible. I had assumed your cameras went off because they caught on fire, along with the house. Does this mean the power just went out?

Im a sustainability consultant. I have solar and I have two Tesla power walls. So even two weeks ago, when the Franklin fire happened and the neighborhood lost power, I still had Christmas lights on and everything. My house was still operating.

I should have power now, but my Tesla power walls are not operating. They might have melted, or maybe theres something in the Ring system that maybe they dont want you to see your house burn down, so it turns off? I dont know.

Wow, you seem very prepared for disasters like this.

Yes. When I got a new roof eight years ago, I bought the most expensive, fire-retardant roof. I had all these fruit trees and my boyfriend said recently, You know, its really dry. Lets clean it up. He sawed everything down and on Monday we finished trimming. So none of the brush was on the side of my house. That might have saved us.

Did you buy your camera to watch for stuff like this?

It was more for protection. I had gone through a divorce, and I was living alone. So my neighbor helped me set up these ring cameras. I had one, two, three cameras, plus the doorbell.

Do any of your neighbors have cameras pointed to your house?

All of them have gone offline. For a while, one neighbor could still see her house  the back of her house was burning, where she has planters. But then her camera died too, so she didnt get anything else.

Do you think youll be able to go back soon?

No, because theres still houses in my neighborhood that are on fire, just down the street. I can see it on Channel 4 and I know the house. So who knows.

Do you regret having the cameras and having to see this over and over again?

No, because at least I knew something versus nothing, you know.

I think I hear your granddaughter in the background.

Yep. She wants a bagel.

The interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Cut Bank City Council held a meeting on Dec. 30, 2024. In attendance were Mayor Kim Winchell, councilpersons Maynard Nygaard, John Reynolds, Doug Vermulm, and Kacie Fey. Chief of Police Mike Schultz, City Attorney Whitney Bugni, Clerk/Treasurer Donni Schultz, and City Superintendent Jim Suta were also in attendance.

Three discussions during the meeting covered the awarding of the contract for Cut Bank City Court renovation project, the boiler repair, and the tower move. Councilperson Nygaard voiced concern about the limited number of bids received for the renovation project. The public was noticed and four contractors did view the building.

One bid was given by A&R Construction LLC. In researching the company they were found to have done a lot of other projects and had references from people the city trusted. An extension was discussed, but there was a question as to time and concern about granting an extension.

A citizen questioned the amount of the HB 355 money and the matching funds. Mayor Winchell stated the HB 355 money would be $227,255.00, and the city would match from general funds cash reserve. ARPA monies will not be used for matching as it is allocated. Mayor Winchell called for a vote and the motion passed 4-0.

Councilperson Fey motioned for the approval of accepting the bid and authorizing the award of contract for the boiler repair on city owned property at 113 East Main to Sportsman Plumbing. The motion passed.

The tower move was the final discussion of the meeting. The tower will be moved from its current location at 113 East Main to BM land and will need a cement base and footers. A locate will need to be done to determine the tower will not be placed over underlying water lines.

The siren on the tower also needs to be fixed. The council felt the bid they had received was too high as the company bidding is out of Bozeman and expenses would include travel time and mileage. They believe a company located closer to Cut Bank would reduce amount of the bid.

City Superintendent Suta stated someone could be hired to move the tower and then have someone else bid out to do the rest of the work. The council asked if the city could ask for an extension for just the move of the tower.

Mayor Winchell called for a vote on accepting the bid. The motion failed 0-4. City Attorney Bugni will seek an extension.
Prayer:

Mat 6:5 When you pray, dont be like the hypocrites. They love to stand in the synagogues and on the street corners and pray loudly. They want people to see them. The truth is, thats all the reward they will get.

Mat 6:6 But when you pray, you should go into your room and close the door. Then pray to your Father. He is there in that private place. He can see what is done in private, and he will reward you.

Mat 6:7 And when you pray, dont be like the people who dont know God. They say the same things again and again. They think that if they say it enough, their god will hear them.

Mat 6:8 Dont be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Mat 6:9 So this is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, we pray that your name will always be kept holy.

Mat 6:10 We pray that your kingdom will come-- that what you want will be done here on earth, the same as in heaven.

Mat 6:11 Give us the food we need for today.

Mat 6:12 Forgive our sins, just as we have forgiven those who did wrong to us.

Mat 6:13 Dont let us be tempted, but save us from the Evil One.

Mat 6:14 Yes, if you forgive others for the wrongs they do to you, then your Father in heaven will also forgive your wrongs.

Mat 6:15 But if you dont forgive others, then your Father in heaven will not forgive the wrongs you do.

a) again we see when you pray again this indicates that prayer to the true Christian is not an option, it is a necessity!

Praying is communication from our side to God and His Word is His communication to us.

No relationship will ever work with only a one-way communication stream!

b) 6:5 for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners and pray loudly.

The common posture for Jewish prayer was standing with arms and face lifted to heaven with the eyes open.

The issue is not the position of the body but the attitude of the heart.

c) so that they may be seen by men

They also loved to be seen praying in public - to shine before men, but with the wrong intention.

Believers are admonished to let their lights shine before men but the purpose is that God, not themselves, be glorified (Matt 5:16 and John. 12:43

Joh 12:43 They loved praise from people more than praise from God.

d) go into your inner room

our praying should not be done for show, or to impress other people, this is what is meant with this portion of scripture

when we are praying, we are addressing the most high God - our focus should not be on what people thinks about my prayer.

It is not about fancy words or what sounds holy!

e) vain repetitions of words / phrases

Mat 6:7 And when you pray, dont be like the people who dont know God. They say the same things again and again. They think that if they say it enough, their god will hear them.

When we know God, we will know that when we pray in line with His will, we can ask anything in His Name(again in line with His will) and it shall come to pass. (Joh 14:13, 14; 15:16; 16:23, 24)

So when we know God, and pray His Word, the repetition of words and or phrases - if there are any - will not be vain or meaningless

f) when we pray, we should also keep in mind that nothing surprises God, you will never catch Him off-guard with you prayer request

Mat 6:8 ...... Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

He is omniscient - He knows all things, past, present and future!

In faith and hope,

Pastor Alissa Brown
Do you like solving puzzles or playing games that challenge the brain? I do, and I have at least since my pre-teen years when I remember playing Trivial Pursuit all the time with my stepdad Mike.

As I began to get older, I started playing other mental games in print or on my phone or computer- as studies show that playing games or solving puzzles like crosswords on a regular basis aids in keeping the brain sharp  thereby possibly preventing the onset of dementia or Alzheimers.

Puzzles provide so many benefits. For the brain there is enhanced concentration, better problem-solving skills, fine motor skills are strengthened, a production of dopamine (which is that good feeling we get- the happy hormone) is increased, connections between brain cells are reinforced, mental speed is improved, and as stated above cognitive (brain activity) aging slows down.

Puzzles also provide stress relief by improving ones mood and increasing ones self-confidence, and they also help to lower blood pressure and heart rate. Socially, puzzles help us learn to collaborate with others, it gets us away from screen time where we are zoned out in front of the television or more commonly our phones, and so puzzles also help us develop personal connections. Lastly, solving puzzles gives one a sense of accomplishment.

The history of puzzles goes back thousands of years with the ancient Greeks and Egyptians building labyrinths and mazes as early as 2300 BC. In Greek mythology, King Minos commissioned architect Daedalus to design a maze with the Minotaur  half man/half bull creature- imprisoned in the center. Whomever could solve the maze and defeat the monster would win the hand of Minos daughter. Ill let you read the story to find out how this puzzle ended.

Around 250 BC, ancient Greek mathematician Archimedes crated the first puzzle-like brain teaser. It was called the Ostomachion and was a square cut into 14 pieces of different shapes. It was not until 1767, however, when the first jigsaw puzzle was created by British cartographer (map-maker) and engraver John Spilsbury, who created them for educational purposes, and since then puzzles have been used in most educational settings to introduce and strengthen valuable learning skills.

Some of the brain games I do on a daily basis are logic problems, and on the New York Times games app I try to solve their daily wordle, spelling bee, strands, connections, tiles, and letter boxed puzzles. Most days I find some success but there are times when I get stumped.

Other puzzles that some people like to do include Sudoku which is a numbers game, crosswords, solving riddles, and working on manipulations such as the Rubiks Cube.

Over this Christmas break, my husband and I have been sitting at our kitchen counter putting together jigsaw puzzles. We have completed three so far- with only one not having all of the pieces (darn it).

The first one was a picture of famous women poets throughout the ages; sadly, I was only familiar with two of the six women pictured, but through working on the puzzle, it gave me an opportunity to dive off into another world of learning by researching these four other women.

The second puzzle, with the missing pieces (from a brand new tin I must also say) was 1,000 very tiny pieces of old gas and oil company signs. This weekend we will start on another one that has 1,500 pieces.

The last one we finished was mentally taxing because the majority of the puzzle was shades of greens and blues, and so we had to look really hard to find where the pieces fit. It has been a very enjoyable time as Chris and I have sat there focused on working together and joking with one another about who has found the most pieces  Chris calls me a puzzle hog because when hes not at home Im piecing more of it together without him. I cant help that I am a competitive person and that I also like that Aha moment when two, or three, or four pieces come together.

I know that some people when they have completed a jigsaw puzzle like to glue it together and have it framed. I personally like busting it back up and putting it back in the box so I may revisit it another day  maybe with my kids or my grandkids and seeing it through a new set of eyes.

An unknown author once stated, Its always the small pieces that make the big picture. What is the big picture problem that you are dealing with at this moment? Maybe its something trivial like an actual jigsaw puzzle or a word game, or maybe its something bigger like how to piece someone into your life and their edges and yours dont seem to fit.

Whatever it is, a solution is there. You might just have to look a little closer, or you might have to step back from it to get a new perspective  to see the colors that blend.

Oh, and if you are into a little bit of trivia, I have two new words for you that might help you win at a game. A person who solves jigsaw puzzles is called a dissectologist, and a designer of crossword puzzles is called a cruciverbalist.

Now, I must be off to beat Chris at putting together the border of our latest puzzle of Renaissance couples. Stay sharp, stay focused, stay learning, stay together piece by piece, and have a blessed week!
MBABANE  Today, the country is set to receive the final E3.26 billion of SACU receipts.

This amount represents the last tranche of the E13.06 billion in Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU) receipts for the financial year ending 2024/2025. SACU comprises Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Eswatini. All customs, excise and additional duties (trade taxes) collected in the SACU Common Customs Area are paid into a common revenue pool and subsequently shared among member States. The distribution of the member States share from the pool is disbursed according to the revenue-sharing formula stipulated in the SACU agreement. The current revenue-sharing formula consists of three components: The customs component, the excise component and the development component. The allocation of the customs share is based on each countrys proportion of intra-SACU imports. Compared to the 2023/2024 figures, SACU revenue for 2024/25 has increased by 11.15 per cent.



Received



In the 2023/2024 financial year, the countrys SACU receipts totalled E11.75 billion, which was 102 per cent higher than the E5.8 billion received in the 2022/2023 financial year.

The SACU receipts arrived at a fortuitous moment, as schools are about to reopen, and government must fund 601 primary schools through the free primary education (FPE) initiative, while also covering the education costs for some orphaned and vulnerable children (OVCs). The funding for the FPE programme encompasses the education of all public primary schools, while the OVC grant covers school fees for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. For each pupil enrolled in a public school, government allocates a minimum of E672, with E194 million earmarked for the OVC fund to provide E1 950 for each child attending school.

There are over 850 public schools in the country, with 601 of them serving as primary learning centres. In the previous year, Minister for Finance Neal Rijkenberg stated that of the E13.06 billion, approximately E1.8 billion represented surplus revenue collections from the 2022/2023 financial year, while E11.26 billion was derived from the projected common revenue pool for 2024/2025, which had increased by 6.6 per cent compared to the 2023/2024 level. He explained that one of the contributing factors to the increase was that Eswatinis imports from SACU had risen by 25.24 per cent during the year under review. When the revenue increase was announced, Rijkenberg mentioned that part of the receipts would be allocated to the Revenue Stabilisation Fund, which was established to mitigate the countrys overreliance on SACU receipts. Recently, Rijkenberg remarked that the Stabilisation Fund was stable, with over E2 billion invested in it. He indicated that the Stabilisation Fund would assist the country in meeting a number of its obligations and explained that without it, 2025 would likely have been a challenging year.



A larger share of the SACU receipts has, in the past three quarters, been utilised to help government prioritise its responsibilities, which include rendering services across its various portfolios. It is a documented fact that government has recently invested a substantial portion of its resources into revitalising the public health sector. It is worth noting that government has fallen behind in payments to several service providers, including utility entities such as the Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC), Eswatini Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (EPTC), and Eswatini Water Services Corporation (EWSC).



Owing



Several ministries have been flagged in the Financial Audit Report on the Consolidated Government Accounts of the Kingdom of Eswatini for the financial year ending March 31, 2023, compiled by the Auditor General, Timothy Matsebula, for owing these State-owned enterprises (SOEs). Additional suppliers owed by government include those providing consumables and services through micro-projects under the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development. It is noteworthy that the country is heavily reliant on SACU receipts to fund its budget. Therefore, when government sets its budget for the year, it projects revenue collections, which include the SACU receipts. Another source of revenue government relies on to fund the national budget is tax collection and other income streams, such as fines. Due to the countrys significant dependence on SACU receipts, a source within the Ministry of Finance explained that the demands were present across all sectors in which government provides services, including payments for social grants (elderly, disability, FPE and OVCs). The source noted that the challenge lay in the fact that government had not yet begun accumulating revenue from other avenues, which created pressure and resulted in limited resources to cater to various social responsibilities.




The advance of the dangerous e-scooter  now causing increasing misery on our streets  is a symbol of the decline of our country and its once-impressive levels of road safety.

The easiest way of telling if you are in a well-ordered nation is to use its roads.

Badly-run countries have roads that are chaotic, unsupervised death traps, and cities that offer no safe places for pedestrians. Britain is fast ceasing to be a well-run nation, judged by these criteria.

Among the main reasons for this decline are electric scooters and their faster, heavier big brothers, electric bicycles.

Some people will say ordinary bicycles are a menace in such places, and so they are. But this is a separate issue. Pushbikes simply do not have the lethal weight and speed of modern electric machines.

Almost everyone who does not use e-machines agrees that these devices are nasty.

They infest parks and pavements. They are dumped in ugly heaps  dangerous to the disabled and those with poor eyesight. They go extremely fast, often well above the supposed official limit.

They are ridden in blatantly illegal ways  in university towns it is common to see two drunk students weaving homewards on scooters plainly designed for one.

The advance of the dangerous e-scooter - now causing increasing misery on our streets - is a symbol of the decline of our country and its once-impressive levels of road safety

As my colleague Richard Marsden reported in Monday's Daily Mail, e-scooter collisions have trebled in three years, leading to deaths and serious injuries at worrying levels.

Twenty-nine people died and nearly 5,000 were injured  1,402 seriously  between 2020 and 2023, including Linda Davis, a 71-year-old grandmother, who was killed in 2022 when a 14-year-old, glued to his phone, mowed her down while riding an e-scooter.

That's to say nothing of the risks posed by the flammable lithium batteries powering them  which are thought to have sparked more than 36 e-scooter fires in 2023 alone.

This week, the BBC's Panorama voiced growing doubts about the parallel increase in electric bicycles.

Both might have been invented for the convenience of bag-snatchers and phone thieves, who can silently swoop on victims from behind and be hundreds of yards away in less than a minute.

I have been hit by an e-bike, luckily at no great speed. Its rider, typically, did not stop, apologise or seem to be aware she had done anything wrong.

And I have (so far) been narrowly missed by many more of them.

How often do such things happen? A lot more than we think. The Department for Transport does not compile central records for electric bicycle casualties. That is left to local police forces.

None of this would have mattered had it not been for the invention of astoundingly potent electric motors and smaller, lighter batteries to drive them.

Thanks to these dangerous changes, a new kind of fast, largely unregulated motor vehicle has come into being just as more and more people under 30 can't be bothered, or can't afford, to learn to drive. It has also arrived as town halls increasingly struggle to provide reliable public transport.

Could it be officials high in the Department for Transport see e-bikes and e-scooters as a way out of these problems, and have managed to persuade ministers of this? I could not possibly comment.

But what is happening now suggests something of the kind is going through Whitehall and Westminster minds.

Linda Davis, a 71-year-old grandmother, was killed in 2022 when a 14-year-old, glued to his phone, mowed her down while riding an e-scooter

At one point in 2022, the last government was all set to legalise e-scooters, but a series of leadership changes meant this never happened

There is certainly a strong drive from somewhere to promote what the Government calls 'micromobility': one-person motor vehicles exempt from all the usual rules about licence plates, protective gear, insurance and driving tests.

At one point in 2022, the last government was all set to legalise e-scooters, but a series of leadership changes meant this never happened.

In November, the then transport secretary Louise Haigh said electric motor scooters could be a 'really effective part of an integrated transport strategy'. Has her successor Heidi Alexander adopted the same policy? I'd be amazed if she doesn't.

The whole thing began with the Tories in July 2020, when they announced a series of so-called e-scooter trials in many English cities.

The trials made such scooters legal if hired in certain locations  though the use of similar, privately-owned machines on normal roads is still against the law.

The police, reasonably, have struggled to enforce this daft arrangement. How can it be legal to ride a hired scooter, and illegal to ride one you've bought? The whole arrangement undermines the law by making it ridiculous.

Meanwhile, the 'experiments' drag on and on, with no sign of a conclusion.

I have been unable to find out how these experiments could possibly fail, and they seem mainly aimed at doing market research on who uses the machines. The responses of those increasingly forced to share pavements and roads with these vehicles are barely examined.

Back in May 2021, Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner  grinning like a gargoyle  was photographed whizzing through a Bristol park on an e-scooter, clad in a black fake-fur coat and leopard-print trousers.

The promoters of these vehicles must have been ecstatic to get such high-level endorsement, better even than the sight of actors riding e-scooters through Amsterdam in the BBC drama Us back in October 2020.

Certainly the Department for Transport's minister in the Upper House, Lord Hendy, shows no signs of being a critical opponent.

On December 19, he batted his way through a series of often hostile questions in the House of Lords, without giving much away about what the Government actually plans to do.

Would anyone be surprised if the numbers of electric two-wheeled vehicles quietly grow to such a level that a Bill to legalise them fully, with few real restrictions in their use, is passed?

Then we will have officially abandoned the key to road safety  the 90-year-old rule that motor vehicles can only be driven or ridden by people who have passed tests, and must carry licence plates to identify them.

Without this simple set of rules, anarchy will follow in which the weak, the old and the poor, who can't armour themselves inside cars, will be the biggest losers.

Obviously, the businesses who make, sell and rent these things have a strong interest in promoting them. But what is the Government's interest?

The claim that they are green and nice is pathetically thin. How much of the power used to charge their (sometimes dangerous) batteries comes from Dutch coal-fired power stations or British gas-powered ones as from windpower?

How polluting are the factories that make them? Are we sure the lithium for their batteries is ethically sourced? And when they wear out, how easy will it be to recycle them?

Claims that they get people out of their cars are also thin.

They probably get some people out of taxis and Ubers, but they mainly attract riders who would otherwise have walked or taken the bus.

So their main contribution to our society's general health is to get people to walk less, just as experts are proclaiming walking as a key to good health and long life.

This is why they catch on. Like all really successful sinful products  from cigarettes to booze  they appeal to our bad, weak, self-indulgent side.

In this case, they appeal to the natural laziness of us all. The price will be growing danger on our streets.

We will be stuck with them if the Government gives way  as it looks like doing. Now is our last chance to stop this.
Growing up in a deeply religious household in Pakistan, my sisters and I were used to the daily inequalities that marked domestic life under conservative Islam.

Our brother, the only boy among four siblings, wore better clothes, received more generous portions at dinner and was afforded freedoms we could only dream of.

Not for him the endless instructions  and punishments  meted out by our strict father to us sisters. From the moment we could speak, we knew we must act with decorum, dress modestly and never raise our voices. Transgressions met with severe consequences.

It was made clear to us that we were not equal to our brother, or indeed to any man. The role of a good Muslim woman was in the home, raising children and serving her husband. We were chattels.

None of us questioned this, because we knew what happened to women who did. At best, they were disowned by their community, at worst they disappeared, tortured and murdered by men from their own family to protect its 'honour'.

I knew of many such cases and it shames me to reflect that so profoundly had I internalised this culturally engrained misogyny that I did not remotely ponder whether it was anything but justified.

As for Western women  we were told they were the Devil's work: immoral and promiscuous.

If my father had had his way, his daughters would not even have been educated, lest they start to think for themselves and become corrupted.

Growing up in a deeply religious household in Pakistan, my sisters and I were used to the daily inequalities that marked domestic life under conservative Islam, writes Khadija Khan

Fortunately, my mother insisted her daughters attend school and were taught a more gentle version of Islam.

This pushed me to broaden my horizons, and I left Pakistan aged 29 to live in Germany and then Britain ten years later.

I quickly learned all my deeply held ideas about Western women were far from true. We may have been separated by our religious and cultural beliefs, but in all other aspects we were the same.

In time, I also came to recognise that the patriarchal religion in which I had been raised was wholly incompatible with women's rights.

In Islam, even thinking this is heresy, writing it still more so  and I have no doubt that were I still living in Pakistan I would be lynched. To many of my family, I am now a pariah.

Yet these attitudes have long since escaped my native country. This medieval outlook now exists across the UK in conservative Muslim  and particularly Pakistani  households whose value systems are oceans apart from the democratic, largely secular ethos in the country at large.

This is the same vile and misogynistic mindset, we now know, that enabled the shocking sexual abuse by child rape gangs  made up primarily of Pakistani men  who considered young, white working class girls in the UK so worthless that they repeatedly drugged, groomed and trafficked them to be abused.

The same attitudes underpin the cruelties within sections of the conservative Pakistani community itself, where many vulnerable young girls and women suffer under 'traditional values'.

For too long, police and social workers have turned a blind eye, preferring to allow communities soaked in misogyny to run themselves rather than offend religious and cultural 'sensitivities'.

Indeed, it took the actions of a few courageous individuals, among them this newspaper's peerless Sue Reid and police whistleblower Maggie Oliver, to bring the grooming scandal to national attention over a decade ago.

There was, quite rightly, an outcry. Yet with ever more heinous details of the extent of the abuse now unfolding, too many in the liberal elite remain keen to deny reality  and stand up for all women without fear or favour.

Starmer's government completely lacks the moral courage to confront the issue of misogyny and sexual exploitation in certain sections of British Muslim communities, says Khadija

How else to interpret the refusal of safeguarding minister Jess Phillips to agree to an independent inquiry into Pakistani child sexual exploitation in Oldham which sparked calls for a national inquiry into grooming gangs.

This was a surprise to some observers who recall that in 2018, as an opposition MP, she spoke in favour of Telford MP Lucy Allan's call for an independent investigation in her town.

Seven years on and now she is in office, it seems political expediency has changed Phillips's view.

Make no mistake, I have no truck with Elon Musk's vile, sexist and inflammatory recent comments about Phillips on X, where he denounced her as a 'witch' and a 'rape genocide apologist'. But I was sickened by Keir Starmer's comments on Monday, in which he appeared to reserve his greatest anger not for the paedophile rape gangs but for anyone who dared to criticise his record.

Starmer even had the shameless temerity to suggest those who have highlighted this crime against humanity were somehow jumping on a 'far-Right bandwagon'.

Defending his time as Director of Public Prosecutions during the unfolding scandal, the Prime Minister insisted he had 'changed the whole prosecution approach' to grooming victims and 'challenged the myths and stereotypes that were stopping those victims being heard'.

The truth is that for all Starmer's self-serving protestations, his government completely lacks the moral courage to confront the issue of misogyny and sexual exploitation in certain sections of British Muslim communities.

It is all the more shaming when you consider that such moral courage has been displayed in abundance by other brave individuals who have spoken out despite the risks to their own reputation and livelihoods.

Among them are Nazir Afzal, an Asian lawyer and former chief executive of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, who campaigned to bring the Rochdale grooming gang to justice, and who went on to write a passionate article in The Mail on Sunday in 2017 in which he urged the authorities to 'challenge a misogynistic culture that's getting out of control and ... talk about the predators in our community'.

This brave and sensible intervention led to the Society of Asian Lawyers disinviting Afzal from giving an address at its annual gala. Why? Because, as a member of the committee explained in an email, in the wake of such sentiments, concerns had been expressed about whether his keynote speech may 'cause offence'.

Nor can we forget the fate of former Labour shadow equalities minister and Rotherham MP Sarah Champion. She was forced to resign in 2017 after criticism over another newspaper article in which she wrote about grooming gangs and stated that 'Britain has a problem with British Pakistani men raping and exploiting white girls'.

Then-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn declared that his party would not 'demonise any particular group'. Champion was forced to apologise for her 'extremely poor choice of words' and stepped down  exposing how courageous people calling out deep-rooted misogyny are often slandered, branded as 'Islamophobes' and accused of fuelling tensions.

Notably, one of Champion's few supporters, Manchester Labour councillor Amina Lone, was prevented from running for office after saying she believed Champion was made a scapegoat.

Lone took to X last week to express her belief that there would never be an independent public inquiry on grooming gangs under this government. 'Too many vested interests & no leaders with integrity,' she wrote.

She is right. It is a tragedy that for too long those in authority have resisted a full and frank debate on the sexual exploitation of women and girls, and any racial element to these crimes.

Such resistance denies real justice. It is high time we, as a society, confronted male violence without fear of offending anyone  for the sake and safety of all our girls and young women.

Khadija Khan is Politics and Culture Editor at A Further Inquiry magazine.
No mention of the King in the BBC celebration of the 60th anniversary of Tomorrow's World.

He was a regular on the technology show, taking part in experiments and annually presenting the Prince of Wales Award for Industrial Innovation and Production.

Before mobile phones became commonplace a bewildered Charles was shown a prototype.

He asked how small they could one day become and, rather like they were addressing an imbecile, the inventors said they could never be smaller than the distance between the ear and the mouth.

How wrong they were!

No mention of the King in the BBC celebration of the 60th anniversary of Tomorrow's World

He was a regular on the technology show, taking part in experiments and annually presenting the Prince of Wales Award for Industrial Innovation and Production

Will Prince Andrew be sweating after the anti-monarchist group Republic reported him to police for alleged 'false representation' in calling himself HRH Andrew Inverness in Companies House filings?

Unlikely. While clumsy, the usage is correct.

The rules on surnames for royals are fluid. As Andrew is Earl of Inverness, as well as Duke of York and Baron Killyleagh, he has a lot of choice.

Will Prince Andrew be sweating after the anti-monarchist group Republic reported him to police for alleged 'false representation' in calling himself HRH Andrew Inverness in Companies House filings?

He could even use the family name Mountbatten-Windsor if he chose.

Titles are probably of little concern to Andrew anyway.

A source says that although he can no longer use HRH, having a business card reading 'The Duke of York, GCVO, KG' topped by a coronet does the prestige trick for him.

Why has Hugh Grant banned Swedish spouse Anna Eberstein from watching his 1995 Hollywood rom-com Nine Months?

'My wife wants to watch it, but I've forbidden her,' he says, adding that while everyone else in the film was brilliant 'it was just me that let it down'.

Surely Anna, 41, is aware the promotion of the movie was embarrassingly overshadowed by Hugh's encounter with LA sex worker Divine Brown?

Why has Hugh Grant banned Swedish spouse Anna Eberstein from watching his 1995 Hollywood rom-com Nine Months?

Age fails to wither Amanda Holden. The 53-year-old stunner goes to heroic lengths to ensure that her Britain's Got Talent wardrobe remains alluring.

'There's now a whole body of people that come and knock on my door and stare at my chest before we go on air,' she tells Woman magazine.

'I do enjoy a bit of side-boob every now and again. There's a t*t committee.'

The 53-year-old stunner goes to heroic lengths to ensure that her Britain's Got Talent wardrobe remains alluring

Far-right French politician Jean-Marie Le Pen's death coincides with his daughter Marine's success in the 40-year-old Journal Du Dimanche top 50 most popular personalities poll.

Far-right French politician Jean-Marie Le Pen's death coincides with his daughter Marine's success in the 40-year-old Journal Du Dimanche top 50 most popular personalities poll

The National Rally leader, 56, was named the most liked woman in France, beating such stars as Sophie Marceau and Brigitte Bardot.

Could her 96-year-old estranged dad have popped his clogs after reading the newspaper survey results?

Comic actress Kathy Burke rivals the national floods with her sycophantic gush over podcast guest Claudia Winkleman, 52.

Comic actress Kathy Burke rivals the national floods with her sycophantic gush over podcast guest Claudia Winkleman, 52

'We all love you,' she mewls. 'And we want you to be presenting everything.

Do the news, do Blue Peter, I want you to do the weather, I want you to do Bake Off, I want you to do everything.' More sandbags!
Across Europe, shadowy criminal gangs are making millions from smuggling people into Britain.

They exploit the most vulnerable, putting them on dangerous small boats to cross the Channel illegally. They make the British people less safe. And they undermine our economic and global security.

My Labour Government is determined to smash these gangs and stop this vile trade. Ive done it before.

When I was this countrys chief prosecutor, I smashed some of the worlds most dangerous gangs  including terrorists  and put them behind bars.

I know how these gangs work. They dont care about borders. They dont care about the people they traffic. And they dont care about our country and our people.

They only care about one thing: Money. They make huge profits out of ruining peoples lives.

My pledge to Mail readers is this: Were going to hit them where it hurts. Today, we are announcing a new sanctions regime, the first of its kind anywhere in the world.

Were going to treat people smugglers like terrorists, cyber criminals and corrupt kleptocrats. Well freeze their assets, ban their travel and work with allies to put them behind bars.

The Prime Minister writes: 'My Labour Government is determined to smash these gangs and stop this vile trade. Ive done it before'

Keir Starmer reveals that new laws will allow human traffickers to be treated like terrorists, cyber criminals and corrupt kleptocrats

Describing the measures as a world first, Sir Keir says: My pledge to Mail readers is this  were going to hit them where it hurts.'

The Tories like to talk about deterrents. Let me say this: Targeting the huge profits these gangs make will put them out of business. If there is no money, there is no incentive.

This new regime is a world first to tackle illegal migration and organised immigration crime. It will starve the kingpins of illicit finance fuelling their operations. And it will intercept black-market funds siphoned off to smuggling gang lords to smash their lucrative business model.

Its another tool in our arsenal to take down the gangs. Weve already established a Border Security Command. Weve redeployed resources from the ridiculous Rwanda scheme that wasted billions of hard-earned taxpayer money and deported only four volunteers into ramping up the number of returns.

That cavalier attitude to wasting taxpayer cash boils my blood. Working people deserve better.

Thats why weve turned the page on Tory gimmicks. Weve replaced empty rhetoric with action. And weve gotten results.

Were bringing in new border security laws this year to give law enforcement the tools they need to dismantle the gangs.

Were giving law enforcement bodies like the National Crime Agency new specialist kit, such as maritime drones, and using automatic number plate recognition cameras to track vehicles carrying smuggling equipment.

Weve struck a world-first security agreement with Iraq to target people-smuggling gangs and return those working here illegally. This Government is on track to deliver the highest number of returns for five years. That includes the four biggest return flights ever.

The first migrants of 2025, picked up at sea attempting to cross the English Channel from France on January 4

Border Force vessel "BF Ranger" (C) returns to the Dover Marina bringing the first migrants of 2025, picked up at sea attempting to cross the English Channel from France on January 4

People smugglers advertise their services on Tik Tok

And our work with agencies cross-border is bearing fruit. We are arresting serious and dangerous criminals.

In November, cross-border work led to the arrest of one of the UKs most wanted people smugglers in Amsterdam, who supplied many of the boats being used to reach our shores, putting Britains border security at risk.

I know how central cross-border working is to smashing these vile gangs.

Ive seen it up close as the countrys chief prosecutor, working with law enforcement, and international partners to foil terrorist plots and make huge drug busts.

Thats real action, not the gimmicks and empty rhetoric peddled by the Tories.

So let me be clear: Were stopping people coming to this country illegally, and were deporting people with no right to be here.

My message to those criminals who still think they can breach our borders is this: There is nowhere to hide. Were coming after you.

As director of public prosecutions, I locked up dangerous criminals to keep our country safe. As Prime Minister, Im getting on with the job of delivering the change people voted for last year.

Cutting immigration. Boosting living standards. Making our streets safer. Producing clean British energy. Saving the NHS. Making sure every child has the opportunities they deserve. Thats my mission. Day and night.

This is our Plan for Change. This Government is smashing the gangs and securing our borders.
The couple have two children together and reside in New York

Sunny Hostin wed Dr Emmanuel 'Manny' Hostin in 1998 after meeting at church

The View's Sunny Hostin is married to surgeon Dr Emmanuel 'Manny' Hostin, who has been accused of medical fraud in a damning lawsuit.

Manny is among nearly 200 defendants named in one of the largest RICO cases ever filed in New York.

He and many of the others are accused or getting kickbacks by performing surgery and fraudulently billing a company that insures taxi companies and Uber and Lyft drivers.

'Hostin knowingly provided fraudulent medical and other healthcare services including arthroscopic surgeries,' the lawsuit, filed on December 17, claims.

His attorney Daniel Thwaites told DailyMail.com his client 'denies each and every allegation' and called the lawsuit a 'blanket, scattershot, meritless lawsuit by a near-bankrupt insurance carrier.'

Television host Sunny, who makes regular appearances on the ABC panel show alongside Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Ana Navorro, and Sara Haines, wed her husband in 1998.

Sunny Hostin's husband has been accused of medical fraud in a damning lawsuit

The View star is married to surgeon Dr. Emmanuel 'Manny' Hostin

How did Emmanuel Hostin and Sunny meet?

Sunny and Manny met at church in Maryland, with Sunny recalling their first meeting in her memoir.

She penned: 'He was gorgeous, decked out in a beautifully tailored suit.'

The broadcaster also admitted to following him to a nearby bagel shop after the service where she plucked up the courage to start a conversation.

Together, Sunny and Manny share two children - son Gabriel Hostin, born August 15, 2002, and daughter Paloma Hostin, born May 2006.

Sunny has spoken openly about her fertility journey, admitting that she felt 'ashamed' for struggling to conceive.

In an interview with Windy City Live, she said: 'I struggled for years with infertility and I was ashamed of it and embarrassed about it for so long.

'I thought, I need to talk about this so that women know they're not alone and that it's nothing to be ashamed of.'

What does Emmanuel Hostin do for work?

Manny has almost three decades of experience as an orthopedic surgeon and graduated from the John Hopkins School of Medicine in 1996.

He currently practices as a doctor in New York and has been affiliated with Mount Sinai and Lenox Hill hospitals.

In January 2021, Sunny revealed during an episode of The View that both of her parents-in-law had died of Covid.

The couple tied the knot in 1998 (pictured in New York City in September 2024)

They share son Gabriel and daughter Paloma (both pictured)

At the time, she said: 'After speaking with [my husband], he felt that from a public health standpoint it was very important for me to share that we are deeply saddened that Manny lost both of his parents over the holidays.

'He lost his father on December 28 and he lost his mother on New Year's Day, both to Covid.'

Manny's father, Dr. A. Emmanuel, had just turned 83 on Christmas Day. His mother, Dr. Maria Jesus, had turned 78 on Christmas Eve.

Both chose to avoid spending time with their families over Thanksgiving in order to safeguard their health.

'They were both physicians and they were both very careful,' she went on.

Sunny has spoken openly about her fertility journey, admitting that she felt 'ashamed' for struggling to conceive

The TV star revealed that Manny lost both his parents to Covid in 2021

'They didn't celebrate Thanksgiving with us because we all decided it wasn't safe.

'And after a lot of contact tracing, we still don't know how they contracted this virus and this disease.'

In 2022, The Sun revealed that Sunny and her husband had paid off $996,014 in federal taxes.

The hefty bill came after they were slapped with a tax lien for $641,724 in November 2014 and a further $261,821 in December 2014.

According to the publication, they paid off the lien in November 2021.
Dear Jane,

My wife and I have been together for a decade and we've been so happy that looking back on those ten years, they feel more like two.

We have three children. After our third was born last year we decided to look for a bigger house in the suburbs.

For seven months we hunted for the perfect property and we were both at our wits' ends. Finally in September, we found what seemed to be the perfect home.

It was huge, near a great school and it had a beautiful yard. We were so ecstatic that we told the real estate agent right then and there: we'll take it. Only then did the agent reveal the catch: the last owner had died in the master bedroom.

I didn't think anything of it. The owner was old and had died of natural causes, and the agent only told us because in California you legally have to disclose any deaths in the last three years.

But my wife felt differently. Immediately she started saying she could feel a negative energy coming from upstairs.

I tried to calm her down and reassure her by reminding her she hadn't felt the negative energy before the agent mentioned the death and that she was probably just tired.

Dear Jane: My wife has a 'paranormal' bedroom problem and it's ruined our sex life.

Eventually, she came around and we bought the house and moved in. Then the problems started.

The very first night we slept there, we cracked open a bottle of Champagne to celebrate, and after the kids went to bed we went upstairs to our new room. We got into bed and I tried to kiss my wife, but all of a sudden she just shook her head, wide-eyed.

Taken aback, I asked her what was wrong. In response, she whispered: it's haunted.

My wife had never believed in ghosts, so I tried to laugh it off. But she was having none of it and has since flat-out refused to have sex in the bedroom.

She doesn't mind sleeping there, but sex is absolutely off the cards. Apparently the spirit only feels ominous when we begin romantic relations.

From,

(Lack of) Spirit

International best-selling author Jane Green offers sage advice on readers' most burning issues in her agony aunt column

Dear (Lack of) Spirit,

As hard as this may be to hear, your wife might not be quite as happy in your marriage as you are.

Her refusal to have sex is probably not due to to her sensing a paranormal presence. Though, ghosts are certainly a far more inventive excuse to avoid sex than, say, a headache.

There may be something else going on in your bedroom.

The key to bringing intimacy back into your marriage is not going to involve hiring an exorcist. It will be through open communication.

Consider that her lack of sex drive may be hormonal, or perhaps due to exhaustion from having young children. It may even be that she is carrying resentments that she has not been able to voice to you.

Regardless of what the root of this issue is, you won't find it out unless you demand an honest conversation.

Confront her (nicely) over her somewhat ridiculous excuse that the bedroom is haunted (not haunted enough to move beds, mind you).

If it is indeed the case that your wife is feeling overwhelmed, I would suggest that she's convinced that she's shouldering too much of the burden in the family. That may leave a person boiling with resentment. And nothing makes a woman feel less in the mood than secretly resenting her husband.

Support her as much as possible with childcare, housework and with her job anxieties. Even your concern will help alleviate her stress and, hopefully, put her in a better headspace and re-invigorate your sex life.

Intimacy is vital to maintaining a healthy marriage and I am shocked at how many couples I know have not had sex for many years. Often those unions end in separation.

I highly recommend seeing a couples's therapist who can help you and your wife talk about what's really going on in your relationship.
Cotton branded as 'ethically produced' and sold to popular high street stores could be linked to farms employing child slave labourers in India, according to a new report.

The investigation by Transparentem, conducted between June 2022 and March 2023, found the 'worst forms of child labour' - meaning it's 'likely to harm the health, safety or morals of children' - and 'all forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery' on cotton farms in the state of Madhya Pradesh.

The violations occurred on farms linked to two major suppliers, Remei India and Pratibha Syntex, one of the Asian nation's largest apparel manufacturers, which provide materials for brands including H&M, Amazon and Columbia.

Pratibha Syntex, founded in 1997, brands itself as a 'sustainable' manufacturer online, implementing 'organic farming practices' and taking 'pride in fostering an inclusive and empowering work environment'.

The report also alleged that investigators found instances of wages being below the state minimum, abusive working conditions, and abuse of vulnerability. This is often defined to mean when people's vulnerabilities are taken advantage of them to force them to undertake labour or a service.

Exposure to pesticides on farms is additionally harmful to children and, according to the investigation, is linked to chronic health issues in children, such as cancer.

Both Pratibha Syntex and Remei India have due diligence systems in place, enabling some visibility to prevent instances of harm; Transparentem is calling for the businesses to take an additionally refined approach.

Child labour is a complex issue in India; impoverished communities in rural areas face a lack of opportunities, increasing the pressure for children to work and therefore minimising chances of education, leading to a cycle of low incomes and exploitation, Transparentem explained.

Cotton farms that supply multiple high street stores, including H&M (pictured in a stock image), have instances of child labour, despite being branded as 'organic', according to a new investigation

Transparentem - which campaigns to end abuse across global supply chains - noted that though they linked investigated farms to the business' supply chains, it does not indicate that cotton from these farms was used in specific products from the suppliers or buyers.

Pratibha Syntex told Transparentem that it recognises problems may exist and that it's committed to transparency and continuous improvement of its systems.

Remei India, Remei AG, and their buyers told Transparentem that it will carry out a complete study of registered cotton farms in Madhya Pradesh to better understand the experiences of workers and farm owners.

MailOnline has contacted Pratibha Syntex and Remei Aktiengesellschaft for comment.

Transparentem also reported that some buyers responded and sought to establish more ethical ways to source materials, while others did not respond at all.

The watchdog has urged all buyers and suppliers to set out a monitoring system and define clear plans to create ethical working conditions for farmers in Madhya Pradesh.

Transparentem conducted an investigation between June 2022 and March 2023 and found the 'worst forms of child labour' on cotton farms in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh (pictured: Stock image of a cotton farm in India)

It is understood that the H&M group phased out sourcing from Pratibha Syntex around a year ago due to changing business demands.

The H&M Group also owns high-street brands including Cos, Weekday, Cheap Monday, Monki, &OtherStories and Arket.

It is unclear if Amazon and Columbia have reportedly continued business with the suppliers according to the investigation.

An H&M Group spokesman said: 'Child and forced labour are unacceptable. Any indication of it in our supply chain is treated very seriously and we have for many years been working systematically to address the risks.

'The findings shared by Transparentem in their investigation are deeply concerning and something that all brands working with global supply chains must tackle jointly.

'Together with other brands and the Fair Labor Association, we are participating in a multi-stakeholder collaborative project to improve working and living conditions of cotton farmers and workers in two districts in Madhya Pradesh, India.'

MailOnline has gone to the H&M Group, Amazon and Columbia for comment.

It comes after Shein revealed it discovered two cases of child labour in its supply chain in August last year.

Scrutiny over the company was growing as it neared a 50billion market debut on the London Stock Exchange.

It made a 1.5billion profit in 2022, but its ultra-cheap prices, including 5 dresses, have raised eyebrows.

After previous criticism for mistreating workers, Shein insisted checks on factories have increased and that it takes action against dodgy suppliers.

In a sustainability report released in August last year, it said there were two instances of child labour in 2022.

Both cases were 'resolved swiftly', with the firm saying it took action to terminate the children's contracts, pay outstanding wages, and organise medical check-ups.

The manufacturers could resume work after strengthening ID checks for new staff following the incidents between January and September that year.

However, the company insisted that tougher rules now mean any instance of child or forced labour were grounds for contracts to be immediately terminated.

Shein, founded in China and now headquartered in Singapore, has been criticised for using suppliers who exploit low-paid workers in China to sell its clothes at knockdown prices, and by shipping directly from Asia to online shoppers, it avoids custom taxes.

The British Fashion Council has expressed concerns over the plans amid worries Shein uses unethical practices to undercut other retailers.

The company plans to increase the amount of clothes manufactured in Turkey  a move it hopes will reduce criticism.

Backlash in the US, including from industry group the National Retail Federation, was one of the reasons Shein ditched its original plans to float in New York.

It also faced opposition from Florida senator Marco Rubio, partly due to claims that it has used cotton from forced labour in China's Xinjiang region. Shein insisted it has a 'zero tolerance policy for forced labour'.

A report in May from advocacy group Public Eye revealed some workers endure 75-hour weeks.

In the UK, Shein has hired top PR firms and joined the British Retail Consortium in a bid to win over the business community.

Founded in 2012, Shein enjoyed an explosion in popularity thanks to budget-conscious younger shoppers in 150 countries, using what it describes as a unique business model and efficient supply chain to keep prices low.
MBABANE  With the surge in armed robberies, house breaking and theft, a Rolex watch worth E150 000 has been stolen at Woodlands in Mbabane.

The Rolex watch, valued at E150 000, was stolen along with a Tempo wrist watch valued at E1 000 and a Hisense sound bar worth E3 000. Rolex is a luxury brand of wristwatches with varying amounts. The items, according to a source, were stolen after the thieving suspect(s) gained access into the premises through a window. In total, the suspect(s) got away with items valued at E154 000 with the replica Rolex wrist watch the most valuable. The items belong to a 37-year-old woman of Mbabane. In another theft incident, a former Cabinet minister on Monday, discovered that property valued at E26 500 was stolen from his home.



Also, a man at Zakhele was robbed of his property valued at E44 100 by three unknown men weilding a short spear at Matsapha Industrial Site, while in an incident of house breaking and theft, a man at Masundvwini discovered that his house had been broken into through the door and property valued at E42 169 was stolen. These incidents of violence are an addition to armed robberies which have surged in areas closer to the borders with Mozambique. On Saturday, a 54-year-old woman of Nyakatfo reported that on or at around 4pm, she was robbed of money at gunpoint. Nyakatfo is in close proximity to two ports of entry which are Matsamo, located 40 kilometres north from the area and Mananga, located 45 kilometres north-east.

The four armed robbers in the stick-up got away with a sum of E70.

Also, on the same day, another female aged 34 was suspected to have been robbed by the same bandits within the same area. It was gathered that the woman was robbed around 1:30pm and the suspects fled with her Samsung A10F and cash. It was gathered that the cumulative figure for her loss is E2 200. These armed robberies are at the backdrop of two people who lost E56 000 cash and electronics valued at E26 600. The armed robberies occurred at various instances and in two different regions. In the Lubombo Region, last Monday, a male from Mlindazwe was at around 9pm, robbed at gunpoint by four men who were unknown to him. The man was robbed E50 000 cash and electronics valued at E16 100. This tallies his loss to E66 100. Meanwhile, in the Hhohho Region, a woman at Thembelihle was attacked and held hostage by two men who were unknown to her.

The robbers, according to sources, were both armed with handguns and they robbed her E6 000, two cellphones, an iPhone valued at E4 000 and a Nokia worth E500. She was also robbed of her Lenovo laptop valued at E6 000. The robbers further withdrew from her bank account E3 000. Cumulatively, she was robbed items valued at E10 500. On the other hand, a tenant at Mbikwakhe found her house burgled and her E40 000 was stolen. Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, said there were no armed robberies that were shocking and depicting that they could be committed by foreigners.



The robberies we have recorded for now are few and in usual instances where foreigners commit armed robberies, they use assault rifles, she said. However, Vilakati said the police were encouraging vigilance among the citizenry as there were locals who could take advantage of the situation and commit armed robberies with the comfort that they will not be suspected. She said as per the statement issued by the National Commissioner (NATCOM), Vusi Manoma Masango, they were aware that there could be people taking advantage of the situation.
Fashion-conscious shoppers reluctant to spend hundreds of dollars on high-end brands have discovered a $25 item from Kmart that closely resembles a $575 designer version.

The budget retailer is now selling a pair of white Buckle Slingback Ballet Flats, with customers noticing the resemblance to Ganni's buckle ballerina shoes.

Both pointed-toe flats have similar features, including metal eyelet detailing, buckle-strap fastenings and low stacked heels.

Upon a closer look, Kmart's shoes have a single row of metal eyelet detailing on each strap, while the Danish fashion brand's off-white version has two rows.

Shoppers suggested the cheaper shoes offer an affordable alternative to the designer label, especially for those who can't afford to spend hundreds of dollars.

'Buckle up! Kmart has dropped a $25 version of a Ganni icon,' Aussie fashion blogger behind Kmart Insider said on Instagram.

Bargain hunters have confirmed the cheaper flats are 'so comfy' while others shared that they were 'running' to Kmart to grab a pair.

'I tried these on, they were really comfy,' one said.

Fashion-conscious shoppers reluctant to spend hundreds of dollars on high-end brands have discovered $25 Buckle Slingback Ballet Flats from Kmart that closely resembles a Ganni's $575 buckle ballerina shoes

'Love the crisp white on the Kmart side,' another raved.

'So cute,' one added.

'OMG I'm running,' another shared.

Last year, Kmart shoppers spotted a $22 'dupe' of a $650 luxury tote bag.

The blogger behind Kmart Insider found what she believed to be an affordable alternative of Tory Burch's Ever-Ready handbag.

'A designer looking tote without the splurge?! It's a hard YES,' the blogger said.

The purse-friendly printed style features a detachable coin bag, carry handles, a snap button closure, a main compartment and a zippered pocket.

The brown mono handbag is made from synthetic plastic.

Kmart Australia shoppers found a $22 'dupe' (left) of a $650 luxury tote by Tory Burch (right)

The blogger also pointed out the $22 item is a great option for those who can't afford a Louis Vuitton handbag, which can cost upwards of $3,000.

Many were impressed by her comparisons of Kmart and Tory Burch's handbags - with one saying: 'I literally spotted the Kmart bag today... Might have to go back for it.'

Another said: 'Ohh wow... this is so cool.'
Fans of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were delighted to hear the voices of the royal couple's two children in an emotional tribute video to Markle's late Beagle.

The canine, named Guy, recently passed away ahead of his appearance in Markle's new Netflix series.

After Markle, 43, shared a tribute video to Guy on social media, royal fans were sent into a frenzy after hearing some audio of young children, believed to be Lilibet and Archie, singing in the background.

'I just love seeing the little family moments in this video and the singing at the end,' gushed one fan.

'Ooooh thats adorable,' wrote another, while others expressed their excitement through emojis.

'Awww, this is too cute! Love dogs (much, much more than cats) and I feel for anyone mourning their furry friend,' another wrote.

The Duchess of Sussex has shared a montage of the 'sweet' pooch - who was set to appear on her Netflix show - on social media in a post on Tuesday.

Admitting she has cried 'too many tears to count,' the mother-of-two thanked her pet for years of 'unconditional love'.

Fans of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were delighted to hear the voices of the royal couple's two children in an emotional tribute video to Markle's late Beagle

Photos show Guy huddling up with Meghan in bed, enjoying cuddles with Harry and keeping the Duchess company as she tucks into making jam.

'In Memory of Guy,' she penned in the clip - urging followers to 'adopt not shop' - which includes a montage of photos and videos with the pooch set to melancholy music.

'In 2015, I adopted a beagle from a dog rescue in Canada. He had been at a kill shelter in Kentucky and given a few days to live. I swooped him up.and fell in love.

'They referred to him as "the little guy" because he was so small and frail, so I named him "Guy". And he was the best guy any girl could have asked for.'

The sweet tribute offers a rare glimpse into the Sussexes' home life, featuring sweet moments with the family pet.

'We're jamming, Guy,' Meghan can be heard telling the pooch in one video as she is seen boiling raspberries on the stove while the curious Beagle joins her at her side.

In other shots, little Archie can be heard speaking to Guy.

In one sweet clip, the five-year-old can be heard saying 'he might fall' as the dog joins him and his mother in the backseat, as Harry is behind the wheel.

One clip showed Prince Harry and Archie walking Guy on the leed around a horse stables

Markle revealed that her dog Guy passed away in a heartbreaking tribute on Instagram

The montage offered a sweet insight into the Sussexes' home life with the sweet Beagle over the years

In another clip Meghan and Lilibet are seen having a picnic with the pooches

The Sussex's beagle, Guy (pictured), who Meghan adopted while she was living in Toronto in 2015, appears in the trailer for her Netflix series With Love, Meghan

Admitting she has cried 'too many tears to count,' the mother-of-two thanked her pet for years of 'unconditional love'

'He's not gonna fall, don't you worry, Mama has him,' Meghan replies. 'Thank you for being such a good boy!'

Harry can also be heard cheering 'come on Guy!' in a clip while he strolls down the beach. 'Good job!'

The closing of the video features a sweet singalong from Meghan and her children - seemingly led by little Archie - which goes: 'We love you Guy! And we'll be true, when you're not near us, we're blue!'

It is the third upload on her Instagram page after she last week launched her new Netflix series on her brand new Instagram account, called With Love, Meghan.

A sleepy but smiley Guy featured in the trailer for the highly anticipated show, dropping next week.

'If you followed me on Instagram back in the day, you saw a lot of him - and on The Tig too. He was with me at Suits, when I got engaged, (and then married), when I became a mom.he was with me for everything: the quiet, the chaos, the calm, the comfort,' she recounted.

'He endured a terrible accident shortly before I moved to the UK which had him undergoing surgeries for several months and unable to leave the clinic. Doctors said he would never walk again, but Dr Noel Fitzpatrick said he could do it. H and I would drive late at night, after hours, to see Guy as he recovered in Surrey for months on end.'

Meghan expressed her gratitude to Dr Noel as well as 'the team at Queen West Animal Hospital in TO, our vets now, and my friends and community'.

'Thank you for loving him so,' she said. 'Because many of you will now see Guy in this new series, I hope youll come to understand why I am so devastated by his loss. I think you may fall a little bit in love too.

'I have cried too many tears to count - the type of tears that make you get in the shower with the absurd hope that the running water on your face will somehow make you not feel them, or pretend theyre not there. But they are. And thats okay too.

'Thank you for so many years of unconditional love, my sweet Guy. You filled my life in ways youll never know. As ever, Meghan.'
Meghan Markle has revealed the most intimate glimpse yet of Archie and Lilibet in an emotional tribute video to the duchess's late Beagle.

The Duchess of Sussex, 43, shared a tribute video to Guy, who recently passed away, on social media on Tuesday.

Archie's American accent was heard in the video montage, which contained rare glimpses into the Sussexes' family life in Montecito, as well as a tender moment of the royal children singing to the beloved pooch.

At one point viewers hear the five year old say 'he might fall' in a strong Californian accent, during a car journey with Guy.

Meghan replies: 'He's not going to fall, don't worry, mamma has got him but thank you for being such a good boy.'

The closing clip features a deeply intimate family moment as Meghan appears to teach her children about grief as the trio sing a song - seemingly led by little Archie - which goes: 'We love you Guy! And we'll be true, when you're not near us, we're blue!'

Meanwhile in another adorable moment Prince Harry is spotted with a young Archie as they walk Guy around some stables, before they stop to pet the donkeys.

Meghan also included footage of an adorable picnic she enjoyed with Lilibet and the two pooches.

Meghan Markle revealed the most intimate glimpse yet of Archie and Lilibet in an emotional tribute video to the duchess's late Beagle on Tuesday

Lilibet can be seen running away from the camera, showcasing her beautiful long red locks.

Royal fans were sent into a frenzy and took to X, formerly known Twitter, after hearing the audio of the young children.

One person wrote: 'Omg Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet are so cute with their adorable accents.'

Another said: 'Princess Lilibet and Meghan singing about the late guy...'

Someone else gushed: 'You can hear Both Archie and Lilibet in the videos'

A fourth added: 'Princess Lilibet voice is so beautiful singing with mom. I only wish I could see her face. She has ginger hair colour as her dad and long hair as mom'.

The last time fans got a glimpse of Meghan and Harry's rarely seen children was when they released a Christmas card from the Archewell Foundation featuring a photograph Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three, for the first time in years.

Meanwhile in another adorable moment Prince Harry is spotted with a young Archie as they walk Guy around a stables, before they stop to pet the horses

Meghan and Harry released a Christmas card from the Archewell Foundation featuring a photograph of the couple's rarely seen children Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three, for the first time in years

An adorable video showed Prince Harry and his son Archie walking Guy

At one point you hear the five year old say 'he might fall' in a strong Californian accent, during a car journey with Guy

In August, Meghan gushed about her daughter, three, in a speech about 'Afro women and power' talk on the final day of her tour in Colombia with Prince Harry.

She said that Lilibet 'has found her voice and we are so proud of that' in the speech the Duchess also used to pay tribute to her mother.

Meghan said: 'For me I find inspiration in so many of the strong women around me. My mother being one of them. Life is full of surprises and can be quite complex.

'So much of how I approach things is about less of the fight and how do we wash things over with love and kindness and generosity.

'You see something wrong and you go and fix it. As women we are multi-taskers and fixers. We all know how much representation matters.'

The Duchess also said that as her mother, she is encouraging Lilibet to not 'sit in silence'.

'At three she has found her voice and we are so proud of that, because that is how we create the conditions in which there is a ripple effect of young girls and young women knowing that if someone else is encouraging them to use their voice and be heard, that's what they are going to do,' she added.

Meghan Markle said that Lilibet (pictured in 2022) 'has found her voice and we are so proud of that' in the speech the Duchess also used to pay tribute to her mother.

The duchess shared the montage of the 'sweet' pooch - who was set to appear on her Netflix show - on social media

The duchess shared the montage of the 'sweet' pooch - who was set to appear on her Netflix show - on social media.

Admitting she has cried 'too many tears to count,' the mother-of-two thanked her pet for years of 'unconditional love'.

Photos show Guy huddling up with Meghan in bed, enjoying cuddles with Harry and keeping the Duchess company as she tucks into making jam.

'In Memory of Guy,' she penned in the clip - urging followers to 'adopt not shop' - which includes a montage of photos and videos with the pooch set to melancholy music.

'In 2015, I adopted a beagle from a dog rescue in Canada. He had been at a kill shelter in Kentucky and given a few days to live. I swooped him up.and fell in love.

'They referred to him as "the little guy" because he was so small and frail, so I named him "Guy". And he was the best guy any girl could have asked for.'

The sweet tribute offers a rare glimpse into the Sussexes' home life, featuring sweet moments with the family pet.

'We're jamming, Guy,' Meghan can be heard telling the pooch in one video as she is seen boiling raspberries on the stove while the curious Beagle joins her at her side.

Another clip showed Harry with the pooch at the vet and Guy appeared to have a bandage on his side

Admitting she has cried 'too many tears to count,' the mother-of-two thanked her pet for years of 'unconditional love'

Harry can also be heard cheering 'come on Guy!' in a clip while he strolls down the beach. 'Good job!'

It is the third upload on her Instagram page after she last week launched her new Netflix series on her brand new Instagram account, called With Love, Meghan.

A sleepy but smiley Guy featured in the trailer for the highly anticipated show, dropping next week.

'If you followed me on Instagram back in the day, you saw a lot of him - and on The Tig too. He was with me at Suits, when I got engaged, (and then married), when I became a mom.he was with me for everything: the quiet, the chaos, the calm, the comfort,' she recounted.

'He endured a terrible accident shortly before I moved to the UK which had him undergoing surgeries for several months and unable to leave the clinic. Doctors said he would never walk again, but Dr Noel Fitzpatrick said he could do it. H and I would drive late at night, after hours, to see Guy as he recovered in Surrey for months on end.'

Meghan expressed her gratitude to Dr Noel as well as 'the team at Queen West Animal Hospital in TO, our vets now, and my friends and community'.

'Thank you for loving him so,' she said. 'Because many of you will now see Guy in this new series, I hope youll come to understand why I am so devastated by his loss. I think you may fall a little bit in love too.

'I have cried too many tears to count - the type of tears that make you get in the shower with the absurd hope that the running water on your face will somehow make you not feel them, or pretend theyre not there. But they are. And thats okay too.

'Thank you for so many years of unconditional love, my sweet Guy. You filled my life in ways youll never know. As ever, Meghan.'
Meghan Markle said Guy was treated at Dr Noel Fitzpatrick's veterinary in Surrey

Meghan Markle has shared a deeply emotional tribute to her rescue dog Guy, who has passed away after she adopted him in 2015.

Guy, a Beagle who was rescued from a kill shelter in Kentucky, remained by Meghan's side throughout her whirlwind love story with Prince Harry and accompanied the Duchess to the UK in 2017.

However, it wasn't an easy trip. The beagle, who was described as her 'absolute world', endured a 'terrible accident' shortly before they moved across the pond.

This meant that Guy underwent surgeries for several months, unable to leave the clinic and the Duchess of Sussex got the heartbreaking news from doctors that he would never walk again.

But then she encountered Dr Noel Fitzpatrick, the star of Channel 4's Supervet, who thought otherwise.

Meghan, who was described as 'distraught' and 'very upset' about Guy's condition, entrusted the vet with her precious pet and a bond was formed.

Guy was treated by Noel and his co-workers at Fitzpatrick Referrals, located in Eashing.

The Sussexes would drive by the clinic late at night, after hours, to see her dog as he recovered in the practice, located in Surrey.

The montage offered a sweet insight into the Sussexes' home life with the sweet Beagle, Guy, over the years

The former working royal added that she will 'always be grateful' to the Supervet and his team, along with those at Queen West Animal Hospital in Toronto who also looked after Guy.

Noel, renowned for his bionic surgery techniques, has previously described Harry and Meghan as 'wonderful people' and was later invited to the couple's wedding in May 2018.

'It was an amazing honour to be there and quite surreal because I was sitting just behind Elton John. After the service, there was a big get-together,' he told Event Magazine in 2020.

'Prince Charles gave a few words and Elton played a bit on piano and it was all very nice. There were canapes.'

But Noel revealed he didn't stay until the end, adding: 'It was a magnificent occasion and also incredibly humbling. I was thinking: 'What is a farmer's son doing here? What am I doing here?' It was a real case of imposter syndrome. I felt truly honoured, but anyway, I decided to leave.

'I thought, I don't actually know anybody. I'm really lucky to have seen this magical thing and I am very happy for Harry and Meghan, because they are wonderful people, but my shoes are killing me.'

Meghan adopted Guy in 2015 from a dog rescue centre in Canada. He was previously at a kill shelter in Kentucky and was only given a few days to live.

Admitting she has cried 'too many tears to count,' the mother-of-two thanked Guy for years of 'unconditional love'.

'Supervet' Dr. Noel Fitzpatrick is pictured arriving at St George's Chapel for the wedding of Meghan and Harry in 2018

Meghan Markle shared a picture of her husband Harry cuddling her late dog, Guy

In one scene of the trailer for With Love, Meghan, the pooch is seen peacefully on the floor laying in bed

Admitting she has cried 'too many tears to count,' the mother-of-two thanked her pet for years of 'unconditional love'

In another clip Meghan and Lilibet are seen having a picnic with the pooches

'I swooped him up.and fell in love,' she said.

'They referred to him as 'the little guy' because he was so small and frail, so I named him 'Guy'. And he was the best guy any girl could have asked for.'

Photos show Guy huddling up with Meghan in bed, enjoying cuddles with Harry and keeping the Duchess company as she tucks into making jam.

'In Memory of Guy,' she penned in the clip - urging followers to 'adopt not shop' - which includes a montage of photos and videos with the pooch set to melancholy music.

The sweet tribute offers a rare glimpse into the Sussexes' home life, featuring sweet moments with the family pet.

'We're jamming, Guy,' Meghan can be heard telling the pooch in one video as she is seen boiling raspberries on the stove while the curious Beagle joins her at her side.

In other shots, little Archie can be heard speaking to Guy. In one sweet clip, the five-year-old can be heard saying 'he might fall' as the dog joins him and his mother in the backseat, as Harry is behind the wheel.

'He's not gonna fall, don't you worry, Mama has him,' Meghan replies. 'Thank you for being such a good boy!'

Harry can also be heard cheering 'come on Guy!' in a clip while he strolls down the beach. 'Good job!'

The closing of the video features a sweet singalong from Meghan and her children - seemingly led by little Archie - which goes: 'We love you Guy! And we'll be true, when you're not near us, we're blue!'

One clip showed Prince Harry and Archie walking Guy on the leed around a horse stables

Meghan Markle has revealed that her dog Guy has passed away in a heartbreaking tribute on Instagram

It is the third upload on her Instagram page after she last week launched her new Netflix series on her brand new Instagram account, called With Love, Meghan.

A sleepy but smiley Guy featured in the trailer for the highly anticipated show, dropping next week.

Meghan wrote: 'If you followed me on instagram back in the day, you saw a lot of him - and on The Tig too. He was with me at Suits, when I got engaged, (and then married), when I became a mom.he was with me for everything: the quiet, the chaos, the calm, the comfort.

'Because many of you will now see Guy in this new series, I hope you'll come to understand why I am so devastated by his loss. I think you may fall a little bit in love too.

'I have cried too many tears to count - the type of tears that make you get in the shower with the absurd hope that the running water on your face will somehow make you not feel them, or pretend they're not there. But they are. And that's okay too.

'Thank you for so many years of unconditional love, my sweet Guy. You filled my life in ways you'll never know.'
King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark have marked Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine's 14th birthdays by releasing new portraits of the twins.

The royals, who are the King and Queen's youngest children, were born at 10:30am at Copenhagen University Hospital on 8 January 2011.

This morning, the Danish Royal Family's official Instagram page posted three unseen images of the teenage Prince and Princess.

The photographs were taken at a black-tie reception at Amalienborg Palace on New Year's Eve following King Frederik's first New Year's speech.

The first image shows Vincent, who wore a black tuxedo, and Josephine, dressed in a sparkly black dress, posing in front of a marble staircase.

The next portrait shows Josephine smiling for the camera as she stood beside a circular table littered with candles and books.

The teen was pictured wearing two gold necklaces - one featuring a heart pendant and the other a cross - and a 590 blue bracelet by Hermes.

Princess Josephine opted for minimal makeup and styled her long dirty blonde hair in loose waves for the occasion.

This morning, the Danish Royal Family 's official Instagram page posted three unseen images of the teenage Prince and Princess

The third image in the carousel showed Prince Vincent posing next to an antique desk.

The 14-year-old was pictured in a black tuxedo, white shirt and matching black bow-tie.

The post's caption read: 'Their Royal Highnesses Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine have a birthday and are turning 14 today.

'The birthday pictures were taken on New Year's Eve - shortly after the birthday boy's father had made his first New Year's speech.'

The post has amassed over 86,000 'likes' in eight hours - and royal fans were full of praise for the royal teens.

One replied: 'They grow up so fast. Happy birthday to you both.'

Another added: 'Wishing a very Happy Birthday to Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.

'They are growing up so fast and they're so beautiful. Those pictures are stunning.'

The photographs were taken at a black tie reception at Amalienborg Palace on New Year's Eve following King Frederik's first New Year's speech

L-R: Princess Isabella, Crown Prince Christian, King Frederik of Denmark, Queen Mary of Denmark, Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent wave after the proclamation of King Frederik X and HM Queen Mary of Denmark at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen in January 2024

The third image in the carousel showed Prince Vincent posing next to an antique desk while dressed in a black tuxedo

'I remember the day Their Royal Highnesses were born time just simply flies,' a third said. 'Love from the US.'

The twins - who are fourth and fifth in line to the throne - are currently attending the Tranegard School in Hellerup, Denmark, where their elder siblings Prince Christian, 19, and Princess Isabella, 17, were also enrolled.

Earlier this week, King Frederik and Queen Mary hosted a New Year's for reception for officers from the armed forces at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen.

Mother-of-four Mary looked typically chic as she attended the event, donning a full-length grey gown.

The long sleeved frock featured a detailed floral-style pattern in a slightly darker shade of grey on the skirt, while the top of the dress was, in contrast, plain.

Handmade by luxury Danish designer Julie Fagerholt, Mary has worn the frock on a number of occasions, including the 2023 reception for the Diplomatic Corps.

Denmark's King Frederik and Queen Mary arrive at the royal couple's New Year's reception for officers from the armed forces at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen on Tuesday

Queen Mary, who grew up in Australia, looked chic in a grey dress handmade by luxury Danish designer Julie Fagerholt

Her husband King Frederik, 56, looked equally dapper, wearing military dress uniform for the annual celebration.

He wore white gloves with his navy blue ensemble, and carried a cane.

Among the guests were officers from the Armed Forces and the Danish Emergency Management Agency.

Representatives from various major national organisations also attended, as well as King Frederik's brother Prince Joachim.

The string of New Year engagements marks their first time King Frederik has hosted the events as monarch.

Last year, his mother Queen Margrethe, 84, announced her shock abdication in her New Year's Eve address to the nation, marking the end of her era as Europe's longest-serving monarch.

She hosted that year's gala before her son succeeded her as the country's monarch on January 14, 2024.
Gary Usher has revealed that his Heswall-based bistro Burnt Truffle closed its doors today, admitting he had 'never been able to make it work'.

The chef, who owns a collection of restaurants in and around Manchester, took to X to announce the 'sad' news, explaining that the location is 'closed for good' after its ten-year lease expired.

The crowdfunded restaurant opened its doors in Heswall in July 2015 after securing 100,000 in a month from 891 donations, and went on to receive glowing reviews from food critics, including Jay Rayner, and gained two Rosettes.

Usher, sometimes dubbed 'Britain's most controversial chef' thanks to his outspoken opinions, candidly explained that though the government made business 'difficult', he ultimately was 'never able to make it work'.

Despite mourning the loss, he explained that the decision was the best for business and that he has paid all suppliers and staff through a loan, which he will pay back via revenue from his five other restaurants, including the Sticky Walnut in Hoole, Chester,

'Some news,' he said on X, continuing, '@BuRntTruffle is now closed. Thank you to all the team & all the guests over the last 10 years.

'Our lease has come to an end & we have decided to part ways. All our bills are paid & all vouchers will be redeemed. From all of us at Burnt Truffle, Thank you & good night.'

Chef Gary Usher (pictured) revealed that his Burnt Truffle bistro has closed its doors today after 10 years

Usher explained further in a video posted to the platform, saying: 'I need to share some news with you, and unfortunately, it's not great news. I'm sitting here in Burnt Truffle, and we are now closed. We're closed for good.'

The chef continued: 'So Burnt Truffle, I had a ten-year lease, and that lease has come to an end. I could have renewed that lease, but the honest truth is that I've never been able to make it work here.

'I've been quite vocal about how difficult the government have made it over the last few years, but ultimately, I've never been able to make it work here.

'The best business decision for us is to close, so we're closing Burnt Truffle from today.

'I know there's going to be lots of questions over the next few days and I'll answer all of them.'

Usher explained that vouchers purchased for Burnt Truffle are redeemable or they can be used in his other restaurants.

Burnt Truffle (pictured) in Heswall received glowing reviews from various food critics and two Rosettes

Usher took to X to announce the closure of Burnt Truffle, concluding: 'From all of us at Burnt Truffle, thank you and good night'

He added: 'We've paid all our bills, so the VAT is paid, all our suppliers are paid, our rent is paid, we have unfortunately had to have made people redundant with the closure of this business, and obviously they've been paid. Everybody has been paid.

'I have a... loan, which I took out in the pandemic, which I still must pay, and I will, through the wider business.

'Other than that, it feels like it's been tied up as well as closing a restaurant can be. It is a sad day, it really is.

'When I think back to when we opened here, they had the likes of Jay Rayner and Lisa Markwell coming and we got two rosettes quite quickly too, we were the first crowdfunded restaurant in the UK with non-investment crowdfunding so that started our journey with crowdfunding.

'So, what does it mean for the business moving forward? Well, we carry on, we just keep on going, we keep trying and we keep on innovating to get through these tough times.'

Usher concluded: 'Thank you to everyone that came, thank you to all the team, thank you to all the guests... we've loved being in Burnt Truffle, but that's the end.'

In 2023, Gary caused a storm after hitting back at 'ridiculous' complaints about a burger costing nearly 20 at his restaurant.

Gary also made headlines in 2018 after a customer complained about the Sticky Walnut's lack of 'customer skills' after staff were asked to go shop for lemonade for a red wine spritzer.

Usher, known as 'Britain's most controversial' chef, owns five other restaurants, including The Sticky Walnut in Chester

Gary shot down the customer saying; 'We often nip out for people's requests. It's part of great hospitality. We just don't do it if you're a rude c***'.

Gary starred in a Channel 4 documentary in 2019 called The Rebel Chef: My Restaurant Revolution.

The documentary followed the opening of one of his crowdfunded bistros Pinion in the Merseyside Town of Prescot.

In 2020, Usher took aim at a negative review and slammed a customer who said her meal at his restaurant was a 'rip-off' in a damning online review.

Emma said the 122 bill for her meal - one course with drinks for two people - was 'eye-wateringly expensive', and the price tag was 'really not worth it'.

Usher claimed she had misunderstood the pricing, and that they could have ordered a three-course set menu for just 39 each, claiming that Emma and her dining companion were 'rude' and wouldn't allow the manager to explain this at the time.

The outspoken chef also went viral in 2021 after hitting back at a customer who wrote a scathing two-star Tripadvisor review.

In the review titled 'excellent food let down by Ryanair style service', the diner had blasted the manager for 'not giving a toss' about customer service, which Usher vehemently denied.

The unsatisfied diner, known only as Rob V, wrote: 'The good news is that the food here is very, very tasty and deserves a high rating.

'The bad news is that the restaurant management doesn't give a toss about customer experience.

'I ate here on July 9 had a complaint that was dealt with badly enough by the manager that I wrote to the owner.

'A restaurant that aspires to offer fine dining experience but has lost the ability to empathise with customers and ignores them when they complain? That really is a shame.'

Usher was quick to respond with his own blistering write-up. He replied: 'For goodness sake Robert. I'm supposed to be in TwitAdvisor retirement so let's not waste any time. After all, you've waited 11 years since joining Twitadvisor to write your first review.

'Rob you reserved a table on a Friday evening and agreed to a 1 hour 45 minute time slot. A standard practice, particularly on busy periods, that guests and restaurants worldwide agree to.

'After your dessert course the Manager, who you said "doesn't give a toss", gently reminded you that we would need the table back shortly. You ignored the Manager and proceeded to order another round of drinks.

'Perhaps if your party had arrived on time for your reservation this could have been avoided.'
Lady Rawlings, 85, is set to auction off a number of her treasured possessions

The contents of the London home of the so-called 'Baroness Thrift' are up for sale.

Baroness Patricia Rawlings, who has famously shared tips on how to run a stately home on a budget, is downsizing from her 8 million flat in Eaton Square, Belgravia.

The life peer is unable to take most of her collection of high-end furniture, art, antiques and carpets with her to new, smaller apartment and so is selling a number of her possession at auction - expected to reach 400,000.

Now aged 85, Baroness Rawlings, a former government whip, said parting with her lifelong treasures was 'bittersweet' for her.

Experts say the items have been amassed from around the world and are testament to her 'refined cosmopolitan taste' and 'profound appreciation for art and history.'

One of the sale highlights of the sale is a 1966 collection of 24 lithographs by world famous artist Marc Chagall.

The pieces, which were printed in Paris, are expected to bring 16,000 in the sale.

Another major piece is a trio of oil paintings by renowned Vietnamese artist Vu Cao Dam.

The contents of the London home of so-called 'Baroness Thrift' are being sold for 400,000 (interior of the house pictured). A pair of Chinese reserve glass paintings (one pictured second from the bottom) valued at 600 and a Doris Clare Zinkeisen valued at 1,000. A Dutch cabinet, pictured, is valued at 3,000

Left chandelier (pictured) valued at 8,000. Right chandelier valued at 5,000

The three works show a mother and her child in French-Vietnamese society. They are valued at 50,000 each.

Baroness Rawlings is selling a collection of Chinese art, including a pale nineteenth century jade vase, which has an estimate of 15,000.

A 12in high sculpture entitled 'Figure Between Walls', by renowned artist Kenneth Armitage, is expected to fetch up to 8,000.

There is a second Armitage sculpture, 8.5in high, called 'Playful Figure', valued at 15,000.

A 13in high sculpture by Lynn Chadwick, entitled 'Maquette for the Trigons', is another highlight of the sale and is valued at 15,000.

The final major piece is also a pair of nineteenth century glass chandeliers, valued at 8,000.

A second pair of George III bronze mounted chandeliers by Parker and Perry are valued at 5,000.

A large silk Kesi panel from the Qing Dynasty is valued at 1,800.

The life peer is unable to take most of her collection of high-end furniture, art, antiques and carpets with her to new, smaller apartment. A pair of Chinese famile verte vases valued 5,000

Experts say the items have been amassed from around the world and are testament to her 'refined cosmopolitan taste' and 'profound appreciation for art and history'. Mid-20th century carved serpentine side table valued at 1,800

Experts say the items have been amassed from around the world and are testament to her 'refined cosmopolitan taste' and 'profound appreciation for art and history'. A second glass light chandelier valued at 8,000 (pictured)

The auction is part of Dreweatts Auctions' Town and Country sale in Newbury, Berkshire. A large Chinese Kesi silk from the Qing Dynasty valued at 1,800

One of the sale highlights of the sale is a 1966 collection of 24 lithographs by world famous artist Marc Chagall. A large Chinese sculpture valued at 1,500 (pictured on mantle).

Baroness Rawlings is selling a collection of Chinese art, including a pale nineteenth century jade vase, which has an estimate of 15,000 (pictured)

Baroness Patricia Rawlings, who has famously shared tips on how to run a stately home on a budget, is downsizing from her 8m flat in Eaton Square, Belgravia

Baroness Rawlings was seen as one of London's high society's most beautiful women and was known for her wit and charm.

She was elected as a Member of the European Parliament in 1989 and was made a life peer in 1994.

The Conservative politician was notably opposition whip in the House of Lords from 1997-1998 and then government whip from 2010-2012.

The auction is part of Dreweatts Auctions' Town and Country sale in Newbury, Berkshire.

Baroness Rawlings said: 'The collection represents my lifelong love and joy of collecting works of interest and quality.

'I am sad to part with so many friends but hope anyone who buys them will cherish and enjoy the pieces as I have done.'

Joe Robinson, head of the house sales and private collections department at Dreweatts, said: 'Lady Rawlings has curated a collection that is diverse and varied, but also incredibly synergistic.

'Hailing from different continents and eras, the constituent pieces bear testament to the manner in which artistic styles and techniques have evolved across the globe through cross-cultural exchange.

Joe Robinson, head of the house sales and private collections department at Dreweatts, said: 'Lady Rawlings has curated a collection that is diverse and varied, but also incredibly synergistic. A venetian oval 20th century mirror 1,200 and a Dutch cabinet valued at 1,500

Baroness Rawlings said: 'The collection represents my lifelong love and joy of collecting works of interest and quality'

A pair of glass chandeliers are being sold for 8,000

It comes nearly a decade after the thrifty baroness was faced with a ruthless legal battle against her former lover in 2017. Lodewijk Frederik Henrik Winter in the Forest (pictured) valued at 10,000

Baroness Rawlings was seen as one of London's high society's most beautiful women and was known for her wit and charm. A 20th century brass chandelier valued at 1,200

Baroness Rawlings was elected as a Member of the European Parliament in 1989 and was made a life peer in 1994

Lady Rawlings, who is understood to be resisting the claim, was criticised for being out of touch in 2013 when she called for the Government to promote the use of electric blankets on beds as a way of reducing family fuel bills

The auction takes place 22 on January

Lady Rawlings said: 'I am sad to part with so many friends but hope anyone who buys them will cherish and enjoy the pieces as I have done'. A large Chinese sculpture valued at 1,500 (pictured on mantle). A Kenetian grey side table valued at 10,000

'We at Dreweatts are delighted to be delivering the works in the collection to their next destination.'

The auction takes place 22 on January.

In 2017 she became embroiled in a legal dispute with her former partner, the millionaire financier Paul Zuckerman, over the future of their 7m country estate in Norfolk.

Lady Rawlings was left fighting to keep hold of her country estate after her former lover launched a legal bid to force the sale of the 7 million property they once shared.

She once lived with millionaire financier Paul Zuckerman, in their North Norfolk mansion Burnham Westgate Hall  not far from the Royal estate at Sandringham  until they separated in 2009.

The former Government whip continued to live in the 13-bedroom, Grade II listed Georgian mansion, dividing her time between there and her other home in Westminster, London.

Dr Zuckerman lodged a claim in the High Court, demanding that the house is sold so he can receive a share of the equity in the property he and Lady Rawlings jointly own after buying it in 1991.

Lady Rawlings, who is understood to be resisting the claim, was criticised for being out of touch in 2013 when she called for the Government to promote the use of electric blankets on beds as a way of reducing family fuel bills.

She revealed more tips for thrifty living in 2014, telling Tatler magazine that discarded crusts from melba toast could be used as boiled egg soldiers.
A woman has shared the heartwarming story of Delta Airlines giving her an extra 24-hours with her mother before she passed away.

In a now-viral TikTok, Hannah White explained she was rushing to get home to North Dakota to see mom Kathleen Nelson, who had gone into septic shock post surgery after suffering undiagnosed pneumonia.

Hannah's brother called her, telling her the 'family needed to visit her immediately,' as 'doctors did not know what was wrong or how long she had.'

Hannah immediately booked the first flight out of Dallas which was leaving the next morning. The flight had a connection in Minneapolis, which wasn't an issue until her flight was delayed by an hour due to mechanical issues.

'I knew that if I didn't make my flight I wouldn't see my mom until the following day and we weren't sure she'd be alive,' she explained in the video.

Hannah explained her situation to the flight attendant, desperately asking if there was something they could do to make sure she makes the connecting flight.

'She came back to my seat and told me I was unfortunately going to miss my flight and they had already booked me for the flight the following day,' she recalled.

'As she explained this, I immediately started welling up with tears,' Hannah recounted. 'I bawled in my seat knowing I wouldn't be able to see my mom one last time.'

In a now-viral TikTok , Hannah White explained she was rushing to get home to North Dakota to see her mom Kathleen Nelson, who had gone into septic shock post surgery after suffering undiagnosed pneumonia

However, an hour later the flight attendant came back and said the pilot had called the pilot on her second flight, who had agreed to hold the plane so she could make it.

'They then bumped me up to first class, so I could get off the plane faster,' she shared.

'When I got to my first class seat, the pilot made an announcement to the whole plane to let me off first so I could say goodbye to my mom.'

She added that the man next to her even pulled out a map to show her the fastest way to get through the airport to make the flight, after realizing they were talking about her.

'They let me off and I ran through the airport to make my flight, knowing they were waiting 30 minuets for me,' she recounted.

'The whole time I was picturing my mom and how she would run across the country for me,' Hannah added.

When she got to her connecting flight, the plane was waiting for her - and Hannah said she was able to relax, knowing she would be able to see her mom one last time.

'As I got off, all the flight attendants gave me encouraging words and wished me luck,' she shared, adding the pilot also came out to say he was praying for her.

Hannah immediately booked the first flight out of Dallas which was leaving the next morning. The flight had a connection in Minneapolis, which wasn't an issue until her flight was delayed by an hour due to mechanical issues

Hannah says the airline, who held her connecting flight so she could make it, gave her an extra 24-hours with her mother, before she passed away (stock image)

'My mom passed the next day,' she heartbreakingly shared.

'Delta's kindness gave me an extra 24 hours with her,' she continued. 'I was able to say "I love you" one last time, and provide the comfort for her in her final moments, that she provided for me my whole life.'

As per CNN Travel, the flight attendant who helped Hannah was Eva Ortiz, and the pilot, Captain Keith Napolitano.

The pilot told the outlet that the 'stars don't always align where I have the immediate ability to affect the outcome, but this was one of those cases where I felt it was possible.'

Hannah added she was, 'was overwhelmed with joy because I had accepted that I wasn't going to see my mom until the following day.'

'I don't think any of them really know the gratitude that I have for them for giving me some extra time with my mom or just being nice to me on one of the worst days of my life,' she added.
Princess Leonor of Spain beamed as she commenced a sailing adventure today, boarding Juan Sebastian Elcano in Cadiz.

The daughter of King Felipe and Queen Letizia appeared in high spirits as she walked along the port in the southwestern Spanish city before stepping onto the vessel.

The 19-year-old royal is undertaking a training cruise, sailing through two oceans, and visiting 10 ports and eight countries in America, according to La Vanguardia.

She is following in the footsteps of her father, Felipe, and her grandfather, King Juan Carlos, who also carried out a similar trip.

Leonor - who began three years of military training in 2023 - looked just the part in a black uniform.

She styled her brunette tresses in a sleek low bun, allowing her sailing hat to sit comfortably, and added a pair of white gloves.

The royal wore little makeup for the occasion, revealing her naturally glowing complexion.

Once on board the ship, Leonor was photographed giving a salute to other members onboard.

Princess Leonor of Spain put on a smart display as she boarded Juan Sebastian Elcano in Cadiz today

Two days before her adventure, Leonor attended the annual Pascua Militar military event at the Royal Palace in Madrid with her parents.

Letizia put on a dazzling display in a beautiful burgundy frock and stylish black fur coat - while Felipe and Leonor sported full military regalia alongside.

The mother-of-two appeared in good spirits as she walked alongside her teenage daughter, beaming with pride as prepared to mark the annual military event, which is a National Holiday in Spain.

The Queen of Spain sported a full length red and burgundy gown and a pair of kitten heels in the same shade.

Shielding from the cold blast, Letizia snuggled up in a stylish black fur coat, pulling the fashionable number up to her chin.

The Spanish royal wore a full glam makeup look with a flawless base, bronze accentuated cheeks and a full rouged lip.

The 19-year-old donned a monochrome navy uniform as she boarded the ship in the southwestern Spanish city

Once on board the vessel, the Spanish princess joined others on board the ship and did a salute

Pictured: Princess Leonor of Spain, 19, going on board Juan Sebastian Elcano in Cadiz on 8 January

The Spanish princess styled her brunette tresses in a sleek low bun, allowing her hat to sit comfortably

Letizia looked as though she had just stepped straight off the red carpet - with her glossy brunette tresses blow-dried to perfection.

Accessorising the ensemble, the former journalist donned a set of classic pearls around her neck - doubling up with a matching set of drop earrings.

Elsewhere Felipe, 56, looked smart in full military regalia, sporting a khaki suit, red waistband - representing the highest military rank - and pink and white striped sash.

The king has served in the military for almost three decades until he acceded to the throne in 2014.

Throughout his long military career King Felipe was promoted multiple times, achieving the status of lieutenant colonel in the Army, frigate captain in the Navy, and lieutenant colonel in the Air Force in 2009.

On becoming King on June 19, 2014 when his father abdicated, King Felipe was made Commander-In-Chief of the entire military.

Joining her parents, 19-year-old Princess Leonor - who began three years of military training in 2023 - looked just the part in a navy blue uniform.

The young royal sported soft but glamorous makeup with a shimmer eyeshadow, flawless based and lightly bronze dusted cheeks.

Pictured: Princess Leonor of Spain going on board Juan Sebastian Elcano in Cadiz, Spain, on 8 January

The royal opted for a low-key makeup look for the occasion, revealing her naturally radiant complexion

Leonor started at the Naval Military Academy of Marin in the summer of 2023 and has since been promoted to the rank of Cadet Ensign and awarded the Grand Cross of Military Merit by her father.

On Monday morning, the family arrived for the Pascua Militar, which takes place on 6 January every year at the Royal Palace in Madrid.

The event began with the New Years Military Parade outside the Royal Palace and after the National Anthem and a 21 gun salute, King Felipe reviewed the Royal Guard.

During the ceremony, the King of Spain welcomes a number of official guests including the Prime Minister, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of defence the Chiefs of Staff of all branches, the Grand Masters of the Royal and Military Orders of San Fernando and San Hermenegildo, the Civil Guard chiefs and Spanish Veterans Brotherhood.

After troops have been reviewed by the king in the courtyard of the Royal Palace, officials will head to he Throne Room of the Royal Palace where a number of military personnel will be rewarded for their service.

While centered around a main event in Madrid, the military event iscelebrated across Spain in its different military headquarters.

The outing is the Spanish royal's first public appearance since the start of the New Year, with the two having embraced a busy schedule in the run up to Christmas.

The king and queen were seen attending an inauguration ceremony for a new hospital just before Christmas, both leaning into festive tones for the event.

Leonor, who is currently undergoing military training, was all smiles as she walked along the port in Cadiz

The mother-of-two appeared to lean into Christmas tones as she sported a scarlet suit with a satin cream shirt.

She accessorised with sophisticated suede shoes and a matching taupe handbag.

Letizia wore her chestnut tresses down in a styled blowout, and opted for glam make-up with a bold lipstick and bronze eyeshadow.

The royal couple showed their support for Cuenca University Hospital, which will have new technology, more beds and operating theatres as well as a wider range of services.

Photos showed the smiling pair posing for photos as they chatted with other attendees.
Zendaya fans are obsessed with her new engagement ring from longtime boyfriend Tom Holland - and it looks like she can't believe it as well.

At The Golden Globes on Sunday night, the Challengers actress debuted the stunning new bling, which was designed by jeweler Jessica McCormack.

The ring is a five-carat 'East-West Cushion Diamond Button Back,' according to multiple outlets, complete with a thin gold band.

Although the price is not listed on the website, The Clear Cut founder and CEO Olivia Landau told DailyMail.com exclusively that she believes the piece to be worth anywhere from '$80,000 and $200,000.'

News of the engagement emerged on Monday, after much speculation about her rings on the red carpet.

According to TMZ, Holland proposed to the 28-year-old between Christmas and New Year's at her family's home.

And, as fans are giddy over the news, it looks like Zendaya can't keep herself from being excited about it all, too.

While the Dune actress was on stage during at a screening of her film, Challengers, in Los Angeles on Monday, she was caught smiling and staring down at her ring finger.

Zendaya fans are obsessed with her new engagement ring from longtime boyfriend Tom Holland - and it looks like she can't believe it as well

The ring is a five-carat 'East-West Cushion Diamond Button Back,' according to multiple outlets, complete with a thin gold band

While the Dune actress was on stage during at a screening of her film, Challengers, in Los Angeles on Monday, she was caught smiling and staring down at her ring finger

The adorable video was captured and posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, which shows Zendaya wearing a black leather blazer dress and black Christian Louboutin heels as she was sitting alongside her fellow costars.

In a sweet moment, Zendaya was seen looking at her ring with a small smile on her face, as she fiddled with the gorgeous piece.

Fans on X seemed to love the sweet moment, as they raved about her happiness in the comments section of the video.

'Love looks so good on her, I'm not even okay right now,' one person wrote.

Another agreed, 'I love that you can see her ring from MILES away!! Yay, Zendaya! Good job, Tom.'

'She's feeling overwhelmed by some beautiful emotions right now,' someone else typed.

A user pointed out, 'She's not just wearing the ring, she's wearing happiness.'

'You can literally see her falling in love all over again,' someone seconded.

The pair announced their engagement on Monday, after there was much speculation about her rings on the red carpet

Fans on X seemed to love the sweet moment, as they raved about her happiness in the comments section of the video

It's a ring that Zendaya seems to have liked for a while, as eagle-eyed social media users found that the star h ad liked a picture of the huge diamond on Instagram in 2022

One person joked, 'Why do I feel like the ring has its own backstory and Netflix series potential.'

Diamond expert Landau also approves of the ring, which she spoke about in a video posted to her TikTok account.

'I love this style for her,' the jeweler said.

'I think it's classic, cool, with a little bit of a twist,' Landau added.

It is a ring that Zendaya seems to have liked for a while, as eagle-eyed social media users found that the star had liked a picture of the huge diamond on Instagram in 2022.

Naturally, fans were stunned by the lengths Tom appeared to take in order to find Zendaya's dream ring.

Zendaya and Tom met on the set of Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2017, but predominantly keep their relationship out of the public eye.
NHLANGANO  Brace yourself for heavy rains, severe thunderstorms, hail and strong winds.

The National Meteorological Service of Eswatini has issued a weather warning for heavy rain showers and severe thunderstorms expected to sweep across the country today, from noon to 8pm. The department advised the public to take precautions as the thunderstorms are likely to be accompanied by strong winds, hail and severe lightning. The rainfall distribution is expected to be widespread across most areas of Eswatini. Earlier today, the Eswatini Meteorological Service issued a warning of heavy rainfall across the country from Monday to today.

The department cautioned residents about the risks of flooding, landslides and hazardous road conditions.

heavy rainfall, thunderstorms could lead to several potential impacts:

Flooding: Low-lying areas and bridges are particularly vulnerable to flooding. Residents in these areas are advised to take necessary precautions.

Slippery Roads: The heavy rainfall can make roads slippery, increasing the risk of accidents. Motorists are urged to drive with caution and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles.

Damage to property and infrastructure: Strong winds and hail can cause damage to property and infrastructure. Residents are advised to secure loose objects and park vehicles in safe locations.

Threat to human life: Severe thunderstorms can pose a threat to human life due to the risk of lightning strikes and strong winds. It is crucial to avoid outdoor activities during thunderstorms.

The National Meteorological Service cautioned people to refrain from travelling on bridges or roads in low-lying areas and avoid crossing flooded bridges or swollen streams/rivers.

The public was warned to avoid using electronic devices connected to an electrical outlet during thunderstorms. The National Meteorological Service urged everyone to take necessary precautions to stay safe during this period of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.



Additional Tips:

Secure loose objects around your property.

Park vehicles in a safe location.

Avoid outdoor activities during thunderstorms.

Stay indoors and away from windows during severe weather.


A doctor has sparked a heated debate after revealing she refuses to touch supermarket receipts - and insists her children steer clear of them too.

Dr Poonam Desai, a US-based physician who lives in New York City, explained that most thermal paper receipts contain harmful chemicals like BPA (Bisphenol-A) and BPS (Bisphenol-S).

The receipts you get from supermarkets, pharmacies, petrol stations, restaurants, and clothing stores are typically printed on thermal paper, which is often coated with either BPA or BPS.

Those chemicals can disrupt hormones, increase the risk of cancer, and even cause developmental issues in children.

'I am a doctor, and I do not touch receipts - and I do not let my children play with or touch receipts either,' Dr Desai warned in a video that's now gone viral.

The revelation has left many people stunned, with one shocked viewer commenting: 'Wow. I've never thought of that.'

Studies have found that BPA levels on individual receipts can be up to 1,000 times higher than what's found in a can of food.

Most people think BPA exposure comes from plastic water bottles or food containers, but receipts are a huge source of exposure.

Dr Poonam Desai, a US-based physician who lives in New York City, explained that most thermal paper receipts contain harmful chemicals

What's even more alarming is how quickly the chemical can be absorbed through the skin - especially if you've just used hand cream or sanitiser.

A study by the University of Missouri found that BPA absorption drastically increases when someone uses skin-care products like hand sanitiser, soap, or sunscreen before handling a receipt.

Dr Desai stressed that even small exposures over time can be harmful, and because receipts are so common, the risk can easily add up.

She said she always opts for digital receipts - via email or text - and recommends others do the same.

For those who can't avoid handling receipts, it is advised to wash your hands immediately afterward and avoiding using hand sanitiser first.

Many people online were horrified by the revelation, with some admitting they'd never thought about the hidden danger of everyday receipts.

'I touch receipts all the time. This is terrifying,' one woman wrote.

Another added: 'I'm a cashier and I had no idea about this. Shouldn't this be more widely known?'

The receipts you get from supermarkets, pharmacies, petrol stations, restaurants, and clothing stores are typically printed on thermal paper, which is often coated with either BPA or BPS

While most thermal receipts still contain BPA or BPS, some stores have begun switching to BPA-free options or digital receipts to limit exposure.

Many people appreciated the health warning, but others were skeptical.

'We can't touch or do or each anything now,' one commenter said.

Another wrote: 'Great. Another thing to add to the list of things we're supposed to be scared of.'
Queensland is home to some of Australia's best 'hidden gem' beaches

Australia is renowned for its iconic beaches, from sunny Bondi to star-studded Byron, but if you're looking for a slice of paradise away from the crowds, you should add three hidden gem beaches to your travel bucket list for 2025.

From secret snorkel trails to rainforest-fringed sands and cliff-guarded coves, travellers are itching to discover Australias best-kept coastal secrets.

With Down Under's famous beaches growing more crowded every year, these lesser-known Queensland treasures offer the perfect chance to escape the hustle and immerse yourself in nature.

Adventurers should prepare to pack your snorkel, grab your hiking boots, and hit the road.

Geoffrey Bay on Magnetic Island

Geoffrey Bay on Magnetic Island offers an underwater adventure like no other.

Just a 20-minute ferry ride from Townsville, this secluded bay is home to a snorkel trail, where coral reefs teeming with tropical fish and giant clams await eager explorers.

Swimmers can follow the marked trail to see colourful marine life, including 30-year-old giant clams, or venture further to spot a shipwreck and a WWII propeller resting on the ocean floor.

From secret snorkel trails to rainforest-fringed sands and cliff-guarded coves, travellers are itching to discover Australias best-kept coastal secrets

Swimmers can follow the marked trail at Geoffrey Bay to see colourful marine life, including 30-year-old giant clams

And if you prefer to stay on dry land, rock wallabies are frequently seen darting across the boulders fringing the bay - a magical sight for animal lovers.

The spot is a 15-minute walk or a five-minute bus ride from the ferry terminal.

While a car isnt essential, its handy to explore other island beaches like Horseshoe Bay.

South Gorge Beach, Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island)

Tucked away on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) is South Gorge Beach, a breathtaking sandy pocket hugged by towering cliffs on either side.

This remote beach is perfect for those looking to escape the mainland hustle and immerse themselves in natural beauty.

The beach is located by Point Lookout, where youll find one of Queenslands most spectacular trails - the North Gorge Walk.

Travellers will find that its headland track hugs the rocky coastline, offering breathtaking views and regular sightings of sea turtles, dolphins, and manta rays.

Tucked away on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) is South Gorge Beach, a breathtaking sandy pocket hugged by towering cliffs on either side

Aussie adventure seekers are flocking to the stunning Northbrook Gorge hidden in the middle of the rainforest which has stunning emerald green waters and sits just outside Brisbane

The longer journey starts from Wivenhoe Lookout and takes three to four hours return. Hikers will need to get wet with some spots requiring you to wade through waist-deep water

If you visit between June and November, you can keep an eye out for whales breaching just offshore, as this spot is a prime whale-watching location.

The North Gorge Walk is also a must.

Along the way, youll be treated to stunning views of crashing waves and rocky outcrops, with a chance to spot marine wildlife in the clear waters below.

To get to the coveted spot, you'll have to catch a ferry from Cleveland to Dunwich, then drive to Point Lookout Surf Lifesaving Club.

You'll find South Gorge Beach down the hill to the left of the club.

Etty Bay, Cairns and Great Barrier Reef

A beachside paradise that feels like stepping into another world, Etty Bay, just south of Cairns, offers powder-soft sands, bathtub-warm waters, and the ancient Wet Tropics rainforest as your backdrop.

It is also one of the best places in Australia to spot a cassowary - a dinosaur-like bird only found in Queensland.

A beachside paradise that feels like stepping into another world, Etty Bay, just south of Cairns, offers powder-soft sands, bathtub-warm waters, and the ancient Wet Tropics rainforest as your backdrop

Nearby, youll find the Mamu Tropical Skywalk, swimming holes along the Waterfall Circuit, and the enchanting Spanish ruins of Paronella Park

Etty Bay is a 10-minute drive from Innisfail, or 35 minutes north of Mission Beach

These endangered southern cassowaries often wander the beach, foraging in the scrub right beside sunbathers.

Nearby, youll find the Mamu Tropical Skywalk, swimming holes along the Waterfall Circuit, and the enchanting Spanish ruins of Paronella Park.

Etty Bay is a 10-minute drive from Innisfail, or 35 minutes north of Mission Beach.

Its the perfect spot to base yourself for a beach, rainforest, and reef adventure in tropical north Queensland.
A 'game-changing' anti-smoking pill set to be rolled out on the NHS could be the best way to help quit vaping, research has suggested.

Britons are taking up vaping in unprecedented numbers, with roughly one in ten adults now estimated to be hooked on the habit.

Yet, while vapes are generally considered safer than cigarettes and a useful tool for quitting smoking, surveys have found around 8 per cent of adult vapers have never even smoked before.

Academics from the US and UK now believe two common tools recommended by health chiefs to quit smoking could prove vital in thwarting the habit.

Their landmark review of nine trials, involving more than 5,000 participants, found the tablet vareniclinen  known as Champix  and text message-based interventions were the most effective.

Experts, who labelled the findings 'important', however cautioned further research was still vital before this advice is rolled out more widely.

The daily pill varenicline was first marketed in the UK by Pfizer in 2006.

However, it was withdrawn in 2021 after being found to contain elevated levels of the potentially cancer-causing compound N-nitroso-varenicline.

Britons are taking up vaping in unprecedented numbers, with roughly one in ten adults now estimated to be hooked on the habit

The daily pill was first marketed in the UK by Pfizer in 2006 under the brand name Champix

But the drug, which triples the odds of quitting smoking, will again soon be offered on the NHS but manufactured by different pharmaceutical company Teva UK.

'This is an area of research that is in its infancy, but is growing rapidly and organically from people who vape asking about help to quit vaping,' study senior author and assistant professor of health policy at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, said.

'We also know that people who use vaping as a way to transition away from smoking are often keen to know how they can safely transition away from vaping without relapsing to smoking, which is really important.'

Dr Ailsa Butler, study lead author and expert in public health policy at the University of Oxford, added: 'With the results of our Cochrane review, healthcare professionals now have initial evidence for specific approaches they can recommend, particularly for younger people wanting to quit vaping.

'However, we urgently need more research to explore these and other approaches.'

E-cigs allow people to inhale nicotine in a vapour  which is produced by heating a liquid, which typically contains propylene glycol, glycerine, flavourings, and other chemicals.

Unlike traditional cigarettes, they do not contain tobacco, nor do they produce tar or carbon  two of the most dangerous elements.

Nicotine's effect on the brain is well known  within 20 seconds of inhalation, it triggers the release of chemical messengers such as dopamine, associated with reward and pleasure.

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Campaigners have long blamed predatory manufacturers for the ever-growing crisis, claiming they are intentionally luring kids in with colourful packaging, compared to highlighter pens, and child-friendly flavours such as bubblegum and cotton candy

But it also increases heart rate and blood pressure and makes blood vessels constrict. This is because nicotine triggers the release of the hormone adrenaline.

Despite NHS chiefs insisting it is safer than smoking, vaping is not risk-free. E-cigarettes contain harmful toxins and their long-term effects remains a mystery.

Experts are concerned the high nicotine content might increase blood pressure and cause other heart problems.

Doctors have expressed fears there could be a wave of lung disease, dental issues and even cancer in the coming decades in people who took up the habit at a young age.

In the study, varenicline was found to be 'potentially effective for adults trying to quit vaping', researchers said.

However, due to the limited number of studies assessing its impact on vaping specifically, further research is vital.

Scientists also found that programmes designed to deliver support via text messages appeared to be particularly effective for young people aged 13 to 24.

'The interventions tested are similar to those that we know work for helping people quit smoking,' Professor Hartmann-Boyce said.

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'We don't know, however, that they necessarily help people quit vaping, and that's why it's important that we have these trials.'

Last April, one shock study warned that e-cigarettes may raise the risk of heart failure.

Another suggested vaping triggers cell changes which may go on to cause cancer.

Last year, MailOnline also discovered the number of adverse side effects linked to vaping reported to UK regulators has now eclipsed 1,000, with five of them fatal.

The extensive list includes everything from headaches to strokes. Members of the public and medics can submit them.

In July, in world-first guidance setting out possible interventions to help people stop using tobacco products, the World Health Organization labelled the evidence around e-cigarettes as 'complex'.

Vapes cannot be recommended as way to stop smoking as too little is known about the harms and benefits, the UN agency said.
The scenes are eerily familiar  crowded hospitals in China overrun by masked patients seeking medical help as infection tears through the population.

But this time it's not Covid-19 doing the damage. Instead, doctors are struggling to cope with high rates of sickness caused by a different organism known as human metapneumovirus or HMPV.

The virus causes cold and flu-like symptoms but can be dangerous to certain groups, particularly children and the elderly.

And, worryingly, other countries are also reporting a spike in cases  which have doubled in the UK in just a month.

So how concerned should you be  and could this be the start of the next pandemic? Here's everything you need to know...

What is HMPV?

HMPV belongs to the same family of infectious bugs as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which is already a common source of the lung infection bronchiolitis during winter  hospitalising around 30,000 children and 18,000 adults in the UK every year.

Respiratory viruses spike in winter because we spend more time indoors and in closer proximity to each other, allowing bugs to spread more easily.

HMPV was first officially identified by a team of Dutch scientists in 2001 but some evidence suggests it's been circulating for hundreds of years.

Doctors are struggling to cope with high rates of sickness caused by a different organism known as human metapneumovirus or HMPV. A hospital waiting room in Hangzhou, China is pictured

Experts have cautioned that HMPV, which produces flu-like symptoms, can lurk in the body for days and so it can be easily passed on to others

You may not have heard of it because it is just one of many viruses (at least 200 at the last count) known to cause cold and flu symptoms in the UK every year.

In fact, it's estimated almost every child in the country has had at least one HMPV infection by the time they reach their fifth birthday which, in most cases, would have presented as just a bit of a sniffle.

Why are we only hearing about it now?

HMPV has hit the headlines because of a surge in cases in China, especially in children  with social media swamped with images of hospitals being overrun.

While it hasn't released official data, China says there has been a spike in HMPV cases in the north of the country, while India, Malaysia and Kazakhstan have also announced a surge.

How dangerous is it?

For most healthy adults it's unlikely to cause serious problems. But in very young infants as well as the elderly or anyone with a chronic illness including leukaemia or rheumatoid arthritis, HMPV can lead to worrying complications.

These include pneumonia and bronchiolitis (especially in babies), where the virus causes dangerous inflammation in the small airways. Bronchiolitis kills around 20 to 30 babies a year in the UK. And, especially in the elderly, acute respiratory infections heighten the risks of heart attacks and strokes.

A 2018 study by University College London suggested viral infections could account for almost one in 30 cardiac-related fatalities in those over 75.

How would I know if I've got it?

You wouldn't  unless you were very ill and were tested for it. But in the vast majority of cases, the main symptoms are very similar to a common cold: coughing, blocked or runny nose, sore throat and slight fever.

As with other viruses, these are caused by the body's immune system trying to fight it off. Some people may also experience nausea and vomiting, but in most cases this is very short-lived  symptoms often disappear within two to five days.

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You probably wouldn't be tested for the infection unless it caused complications that meant you ended up in hospital, where doctors might need to clarify what was causing your symptoms.

If so, they might do a rapid antigen test  like the DIY Covid tests used during the pandemic  where a nasal swab is examined for the presence of the hMPV virus.

Or they may use a more sensitive and high-tech PCR test (again, similar to those deployed for Covid) which looks for traces of genetic material from the virus in nasal swabs.

Are China cases the start of a pandemic?

Experts have noted that while HMPV is usually detected in the winter period, the rates of serious infection may be higher in China than might normally be expected.

But according to leading British experts, it's unlikely this outbreak is the start of a pandemic.

HMPV replicates slowly and mutates into new strains at a much slower rate than flu or Covid. Even if this HMPV outbreak is due to a new strain of the virus  for which there's no evidence yet  expert consensus is it's likely to be sufficiently similar to other circulating strains and our body's defences will already have a degree of immunity to it.

A child wearing a face shield is held by an adult as they wait to be seen by medical staff at a hospital in Hangzhou, China

In much the same way as other cold, flu or Covid viruses  HMPV is largely airborne and moves from one person to another through inhaling contaminated droplets

'While HMPV does mutate over time, with new strains emerging, it is not a virus that we consider to have pandemic potential,' says Dr Andrew Catchpole, chief scientific officer at HVIVO, an independent research body based in the UK that helps develop vaccines against infectious diseases.

Compare this virus with Covid-19  this was a completely new pathogen. The human immune system was ill-equipped to deal with it until vaccines arrived.

Pandemics usually occur in one of two ways. Either a completely new pathogen gets into the human population, or a new variant of an existing virus, formed by a combination of a human and animal version, forms a powerful new organism. Could this have happened? Dr Catchpole adds: 'There is no such animal reservoir of related viruses for HMPV.'

Is it going to overrun the NHS?

According to the UK Health Security Agency, HMPV is currently at what it describes as a 'medium' level of activity.

For example, in the week ending December 23, 2024, 4.53 per cent of hospital patients in England who had a PCR for the virus tested positive, up from 2.5 per cent at the beginning of the month and five times the amount testing positive in the summer.

That said, the numbers are not radically different from the same time last year. To put it in context, the number of people testing positive for flu during the same week was more than 14 per cent, and for RSV 7.35 per cent.

Paul Hunter, a professor in medicine and expert in infectious diseases at the University of East Anglia, said it may be improved testing methods are detecting more cases  rather than infections actually rising dramatically.

How does it spread?

In much the same way as other cold, flu or Covid viruses  it's largely airborne and moves from one person to another through inhaling contaminated droplets.

These travel deep into the lungs, where the virus hijacks healthy cells to use them as a reproduction 'factory', to spread further.

However, just as with cold and flu bugs, HMPV can also be picked up from touching contaminated surfaces or direct contact with an infected person, especially if they touch you in areas where the virus can easily invade the body  such as around the mouth, nose or eyes. Symptoms show within three to six days.

The above are clips from videos claiming to show overwhelmed hospitals in China

How can I avoid catching it?

The most effective defence is the same basic hygiene measures for any winter virus: washing hands with soap and warm water (to get rid of any viral particles lurking on your skin) and regularly cleaning surfaces around the home.

Some experts advise steering clear of high-contact surfaces, such as handrails and doorknobs in busy places  and wearing face masks in crowded environments.

How do I treat it?

Most cases don't need treatment other than the usual over-the-counter remedies for cold and flu symptoms, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen.

Is there a vaccine?

No, but there are several in development targeted at babies.
More than a dozen hospitals have declared critical incidents as the flu outbreak worsens.

Health leaders last night warned the NHS is facing exceptionally high demand  with the number of cases already around double last years peak.

Around 5,000 beds a day are taken up by patients infected with the virus and officials expect the crisis to deepen this week as children return to school after the Christmas holiday.

Patients have been forced to wait up to 50 hours in A&E before finally being admitted to wards.

And queues of ambulances up to 18 deep have formed outside hospitals as they wait hours to drop off arrivals, leaving them unable to respond to other 999 calls.

Vowing to make improvements, Health Secretary Wes Streeting admitted he was distressed and ashamed to see the situation sick Britons find themselves in.

Meanwhile, some medical staff have been ordered to start wearing masks again in an attempt to stem the spread of infections, and hospitals are imposing tighter restrictions on visitors.

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Patients at Liverpool Royal Hospital, pictured, have been told to visit their GPs or to call 111 amid high numbers of people going to is A&E department, unless in an emergency

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Royal Cornwall Hospital, pictured, has said its services were under 'significant pressure' after a critical incident was declared

Ambulances wait outside the Emergency Department at the Royal Cornwall Hospital on January 4

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, national medical director at NHS England, urged eligible patients to get their flu jab.

He said those who are vulnerable or have respiratory conditions should keep warm and stock up on medication before temperatures dip to dangerous levels in coming days.

Hospitals in Northamptonshire, Cornwall, Liverpool, Hampshire, Birmingham and Plymouth are among those battling critical incidents  which can be declared when health and care services are so busy that special measures are needed to restore normal operations.

East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust also declared the first critical incident in its history due to a combination of significant patient demand, pressure within local hospitals and flooding.

Non-urgent patients have been warned they face long waits in A&E and have been urged to consider other options, such as contacting their GP, visiting a pharmacy or calling NHS 111.

Sir Stephen said: Frontline NHS staff are under significant pressure and the demand is showing no signs of letting up, with latest data showing flu cases skyrocketed to around 5,000 a day in hospitals at the end of last year and multiple trusts across the country declaring incidents to help them manage additional strain on services.

There was an average of one visit every eight seconds to the NHS flu advice page in the past week and, on top of flu, hospitals are also seeing continual pressure from Covid, RSV [respiratory syncytial virus] and norovirus cases, as the quad-demic continues to increase pressure across services.

We expect to see a further rise of flu cases as children return to school, along with nasty bugs like norovirus, which continues to be highly infectious for up to 48 hours after symptoms stop.

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It comes as fears grow over a virus  called human metapneumovirus (hMPV)  that is said to be surging in China.

Data suggests cases of the infection  which has flu-like symptoms  have doubled in the last month.

Speaking on LBC Radio, Mr Streeting said some ambulances are simply taking patients to A&E to die as there is not the right care available at the right time in the right place.

He acknowledged hospitals might refuse to accept new arrivals as their wards are full but he warned this is creating intolerable patient risk. The minister pledged to do everything I can to make sure that year on year, we see consistent improvement, but admitted it will take time.

He added: I feel genuinely distressed and ashamed, actually, of some of the things that patients are experiencing and I know the staff of the NHS and social care services feel the same.

They go to work, they slog their guts out, and its very distressing for them seeing people in this condition.

Saffron Cordery, interim chief executive at NHS Providers, said: Wards and A&Es have been under relentless pressure, with a knock-on effect on ambulance hand-overs, but NHS staff and trust leaders keep doing everything they can to see patients as quickly as possible.

Dr Adrian Boyle, president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said: It is a significant flu outbreak, but the problem is theres just no capacity to deal with it.

So it is really a straw that is breaking the camels back.

The Royal Liverpool University Hospital has been in a critical incident state since Monday evening.

Norovirus can appear similar the symptoms of Covid, with both viruses causing chills, fever and headaches

The longest time a patient waited to be admitted to a ward at the hospital was 50 hours, it is understood.

The Welsh Ambulance Services also declared a critical incident. James Evans, the Welsh Conservative health spokesman, said 18 ambulances had been queueing outside Grange Hospital near Newport, South Wales.

York and Scarborough hospitals are urging patients to attend overcrowded emergency departments alone.

Dr Ed Smith, of York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: While we understand its appropriate for a friend or family member to accompany with a child or as a carer, for example, if patients can attend alone, this will help free up much needed space for other patients.

Meanwhile, in Scotland, hospitals are struggling with the pressures of extreme weather and an extraordinary surge in flu, with some departments nearing 400 per cent capacity and patients receiving unsafe care.

Large parts of the country are braced for more snow and ice that could send more patients to A&E with falls and winter illnesses.

The latest figures for the week ending December 29  the final full week of 2024  showed just 58.4 per cent of A&E patients were treated within the target four hours  the joint fifth worst performance on record for weekly figures stretching back to 2015.

November 2024 was the worst November on record for A&E waits, with just 65.8 per cent treated within the target time.

Ambulances are seen parked outside a London hospital on December 27, 2024 in London, England

Ambulances outside the Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital on January 7

NHS Grampian declared a critical incident in November that saw some ambulance patients diverted to hospitals outside the health board area, and shortly before Christmas the Scottish Ambulance Service put crews on its highest level of emergency due to significant pressure.

Dr Fiona Hunter, vice chair of RCEM Scotland, said bed-blocking has gridlocked the flow of patients.

She said: The system was already under extreme pressure, and this huge flu surge and cold spell are likely to be the straw that breaks the camels back.

Dr Hunter said some departments were nearing 400 per cent capacity  four times as many patients as there are cubicle spaces for.

She added: Our patients are receiving unacceptable, undignified and unsafe care in corridors and in the back of ambulances. The main issue is that we cant move our patients into wards or high dependency units.

We are predictably gridlocked, in the depth of a winter crisis, and our patients and staff are the ones suffering.

However, Scotland's Health Secretary Neil Gray said thanks to the robust preparation and dedication and hard work of staff across the health service and social care, our services continue to hold up well.

Scotland's Health Secretary Neil Gray speaks in Holyrood on January 7

There were 1,537 emergency admissions in Scottish hospitals for flu in the last week of 2024  significantly higher than the 436 in the same week the previous winter.

Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said Mr Gray was kidding himself if he thinks anything in his winter NHS plan has been successful, while the Royal College of Nursing in Scotland said health and social care services entered 2025 under pressure and under-staffed.

Last winter, all adults aged 50-65 were included in the free jab programme but the eligible age was increased to 65 this winter.

Around 1.2million Scots have received flu jabs so far this season compared with 1.6million for the same time last winter.
Experts have revealed the key differences between the winter viruses spreading across the UK - to help decipher if your bug is flu, a cold or the new potential threat to the NHS, human metapneumovirus (hMPV).

As flu continues to reach crisis point, triggering 'critical incidents' at at least a dozen hospitals across the country, experts have raised the alarm about rising levels of hMPV.

The virus is said to be responsible for images of swamped hospital waiting rooms in China, in scenes that are eerily similar to the early days of Covid.

Experts have called on the Chinese authorities to disclose further information about the strain of the bug so UK health chiefs can assess the level of threat to Brits.

However, scientists are almost certain that symptoms of hMPV will be very mild for most, resembling a cold.

Flu, on the other hand, tends to be more severe  with a relatively specific trajectory of illness.

But, certain vulnerable groups  the elderly, immunocompromised and young children, for instance  may not have an easy time with hMPV. And the resulting complications differ from that of flu.

So what are the tell-tale signs of both infections? And how can you tell them apart?

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Scenes of hospitals overrun with people in face masks have made their rounds on social media. Pictured, A baby wearing a face mask waits with family members at the pediatric department of a hospital in Hangzhou, eastern China on January 6

hMPV

In the vast majority of cases, hMPV's main symptoms are very similar to a common cold: coughing, blocked or runny nose, sore throat and slight fever.

As with other viruses, these are caused by the body's immune system trying to fight it off.

However, some may also experience nausea and vomiting. Symptoms typically clear after around five days.

More severe symptoms such as bronchitis, bronchiolitis and pneumonia, which usually affect those with compromised immune systems, can occur, with sufferers experiencing a shortness of breath, severe cough or wheezing.

Professor John Tregoning, an expert in vaccine immunology at Imperial College London, said when hMPV infects children it looks similar to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common winter bug that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms.

'It is part of the cocktail of winter viruses that we are exposed to and, like other viruses, it will transmit in coughs, sneezes and in droplets,' he said.

Similar to the advice related to Covid and RSV, those infected must 'rest, stay hydrated and try not to spread it to others', he added.

Often patients aren't tested for hMPV unless in hospital, where doctors might need to clarify what is causing your symptoms.

This is done via rapid antigen tests  where a nasal swab is examined  or a PCR test, which looks for traces of genetic material from the virus in nasal swabs.

Experts have cautioned that hMPV, which produces flu-like symptoms, can lurk in the body for days and so it can be easily passed on to others

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The surge in hPMV in the UK is mostly affecting young children  who are among the most vulnerable to serious complications, official data suggests.

Virus monitoring data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that one in 10 children tested for respiratory infections in hospital were positive for hMPV as of December 23.

This is more than double the proportion of very young children that tested positive for hMPV in late November.

However, experts have repeatedly warned that case numbers are what is expected for this time of year.

Dr Conall Watson, a consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA, said: 'Our surveillance systems in GP surgeries and hospitals indicate that levels are in line with what we would expect to see.

'Most people have had hMPV by the time they are five years old and catch it again throughout their lives.

'Babies, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable to more severe episodes.

'As with all respiratory viruses, you can help reduce infections being passed on through regular handwashing and catching coughs and sneezes in tissues and throwing them away.'

He added: 'If you have symptoms such as a high temperature, cough and feeling tired and achy, try to limit your contact with others, especially those who are vulnerable.

'There are many viruses in circulation at the moment, including flu  if you have symptoms of a respiratory illness and you need to go out, our advice continues to be that you should consider wearing a face mask.'

Pictured, an adult and child waiting to be seen by medical staff at the pediatric department of a hospital in Hangzhou, eastern China on January 6

Graphic shows the common symptoms (green tick), occasional and possible symptoms (orange circle) and the symptoms that never occur (red cross) with the common cold, flu and Covid

Flu

Triggered by influenza viruses, the illness usually causes people to have a cough  which is the most common crossover seasonal virus symptom.

But signs of the flu are typically much more intense than colds and can even cause stomach issues.

It can prove fatal in some cases if complications, such as pneumonia, arise among the most vulnerable.

Professor Ron Eccles, who ran the Common Cold Centre at Cardiff University before retiring from the university in 2017, told MailOnline: 'Flu typically causes chills, a fever, headaches, muscle aches and pains.

'The flu feels worse because the symptoms affect the whole body and are not restricted to the upper airways.'

He added: 'Gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting and diarrhoea are also more prevalent in influenza cases.'

Britain is currently battling its own tidal wave of flu. Surveillance programmes that monitor England's outbreak suggest flu hospital admissions are quadruple that of a month ago.

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Latest NHS data, which covers the week up to December 29, shows 4,500 beds were taken up by flu patients every day, also up 3.5 times on the same week last year.

Of these, 211 were in critical care  up 69 per cent on the previous week.

More than 4,100 Brits also spent Christmas Day in hospital with the flu. By December 29, this had risen to over 5,000.

The virus is one of the 'quademic' of winter viruses heaping pressure on NHS services alongside noroviruses, RSV and Covid.

Typically symptoms appear around one to four days after exposure to the virus, and they last up to a week. But side effects including fatigue may linger for weeks.

Just like treating a cold, rest and fluids are often recommended to help people suffering the flu. Over-the-counter medications also help.

Dr Winn said: 'Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help with headaches, muscle aches, and fever. Guaifenesin can loosen mucus to clear your airways.

'An antihistamine such as chlorpheniramine can stop a runny nose. And if you are coughing, look for products with dextromethorphan.

'With either the flu or a cold, consider visiting a doctor if your symptoms persist for over a week or if you have a high temperature, difficulty breathing, or other signs of infection.'

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Cold

Rhinoviruses are the most common cause of a cold, but a minor infection of the nose and throat can be caused by one of more than 200 different viruses.

If symptoms are mostly restricted to the upper airways, it is likely to be a cold.

'Cold symptoms are more of a head cold with runny nose, sneezing, sore throat and blocked nose', Professor Eccles said.

Cold weather alone does not cause a cold. But the body is more susceptible to infection when the immune system is weaker.

London-based GP Dr Ann Nainan told MailOnline: 'Colds usually develop gradually and can cause cough, congestion and fatigue. They creep up on you with stuff like a runny nose or a sore throat.'

The illness tends to be 'a nuisance', as opposed to the flu, which 'can knock you off your feet and keep you in bed', she added.

This overlap in symptoms, however, can make clinical diagnoses challenging.

There is no cure for the common cold, but there are a few ways of soothing the symptoms.

Getting plenty of rest, drinking lots of fluids, breathing in steam to ease your blocked nose and drinking hot lemon and honey to soothe a sore throat are all simple ways to treat a cold. Symptoms usually subside within days.
The virus fueling pandemic fears in China is surging in parts of the US Midwest, official data shows.

Infections caused by the human metapneumovirus (HPMV) are three times higher in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa than the US national average. More than one in 20 people in those states who has a cough is estimated to have the virus.

CDC data shows 5.4 percent of tests conducted in the region during the last week of December came back positive for HMPV, compared to 1.9 in the rest of America.

HMPV, which some doctors describe as 'the most important virus you've never heard of', has been partly blamed for a viral outbreak in China that is reportedly overwhelming hospitals in the country's northern provinces.

But Beijing and the World Health Organization have downplayed footage of overcrowded waiting rooms and wards posted on Chinese social media, saying the country's outbreak is 'not unusual' for winter and actually 'smaller in scale' compared to last year.

The situation led to some drawing similarities with the Covid outbreak in 2019, which was initially played down by China, but experts say they are totally different.

HMPV is much milder than the initial Covid strain was and because it has been around for decades, there is already population immunity against it.

Still, it can be deadly for children and immunocompromised patients like Diane Davison, 60, a lawyer from Maryland, who was left 'unable to speak' due to 'violent' coughing fits.

MIDWEST SURGE: Region 7, which covers Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa, is seeing sky-high rates of HMPV compared to the rest of the country

This map shows how the CDC breaks down different regions of the US for its weekly breakdown of respiratory infections

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The World Health Organization said in a statement Tuesday that it has been in contact with Chinese health authorities, who have not noticed any unusual outbreak patterns.

The WHO said: 'The observed increases in acute respiratory infections and associated pathogen detections in many countries in the Northern hemisphere in recent weeks is expected at this time of year and is not unusual.'

HMPV first emerged in 2001 and typically causes symptoms of a common cold like cough, fever, and runny nose.

But more severe symptoms such as bronchitis, bronchiolitis and pneumonia can occur, with sufferers experiencing a shortness of breath, severe cough or wheezing.

According to the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS), a CDC database, the area with the second-highest HMPV rate in the US was Region 5.

This area includes Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.

An estimated 2.2 percent of the region's 2,270 HMPV tests came back positive during the week of December 28, meaning around one in 50 people with a respiratory illness has the virus.

Regions 8 and 9 tied for the third-highest HMPV rates with a two percent test positivity out of 1,168 and 354 tests, respectively.

These areas include Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and Montana.

Regions 1 and 2 had the lowest test positivity rates at 0.9 percent. These areas include northeastern states like Maine, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Jersey.

Region 1 conducted 2,270 tests while Region 2 conducted 1,855.

Overall, data shows positive tests results for HMPV are twice as high in the US now compared to this time last year, but cases remain low and the CDC says there is nothing out of the ordinary.

In the last week of December, there were just 300 positive American cases nationwide.

Tens of thousands of Americans catch HMPV each year but few become sick enough to need treatment and get tested.

The surge of HMPV has drawn comparisons to the early days of the Covid pandemic. Pictured here is a group of voters casting early ballots during the 2020 election

Experts have cautioned that HMPV, which produces flu-like symptoms, can lurk in the body for days and so it can be easily passed on to others

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A US CDC spokesperson told Nexstar that the agency is monitoring the situation in China and that 'these reports are not currently a cause for concern in the US.'

Children, the elderly and immunocompromised patients are at the highest risk of severe complications.

Researchers estimate one in 10 respiratory illnesses in US children are caused by HMPV. About 20,000 children under five in the US are hospitalized with HMPV every year.

Because the virus is usually mild, its exact death rate is unknown. But experts estimate anywhere from 10 to 30 percent of patients hospitalized with HMPV die in the US.

There are no vaccines or specific treatments for the disease.
The World Health Organization has finally commented on the viral outbreak in China that has fueled pandemic fears, saying the situation was 'not unusual.'

The global health agency said rates of respiratory infections in China were within the normal range expected for winter, with no unusual outbreaks reported.

HMPV, which some doctors describe as 'the most important virus you've never heard of', has been partly blamed for a viral outbreak in China that is reportedly overwhelming hospitals in the country's northern provinces.

However, the WHO said in a statement on Tuesday evening that it was in contact with Chinese health officials and had not received any reports of unusual outbreak patterns there.

The Chinese authorities have also informed the UN health agency that the health system is not overwhelmed and no emergency responses have been triggered.

The surge in infections has drawn comparisons to the early days of the Covid pandemic, when the WHO and Chinese authorities both played down the severity of the virus before it ravaged the world.

HMPV, which was first identified in 2001 and has symptoms similar to the common cold, has also been detected in the US, with rates double that of this time last year.

Official CDC shows it has surged particularly in midwestern states Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa, with rates triple those of the rest of the country.

Chinese health authorities and the World Health Organization has said the country's rise in HMPV infections is 'not unusual.' This has led to comparisons of authorities downplaying Covid in the early days of the pandemic

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The situation is similar to winter 2022/23 when China was hit with a wave of mycoplasma pneumonia cases, a condition dubbed 'white lung', which is also normally mild.

That outbreak was blamed on children having low natural immunity due to the effects of China's harsh lockdowns and school closure measures aimed at containing Covid.

The WHO said Chinese data up to December 29, the latest data available, showed detections of HMPV, seasonal influenza, rhinovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) have all increased in recent weeks, particularly in northern parts of China.

Influenza is currently the most commonly reported cause of disease, it said.

Nearly one in three tests for the disease have come back positive, and one in seven people hospitalized with a severe respiratory illness testing positive for it, according to the Chinese CCD.

The agency said: 'The observed increases in acute respiratory infections and associated pathogen detections in many countries in the Northern hemisphere in recent weeks is expected at this time of year and is not unusual.'

'Chinese authorities report that the health care system is not overwhelmed and there have been no emergency declarations or responses triggered.

'WHO continues to monitor respiratory illnesses at global, regional and country levels through collaborative surveillance systems, and provides updates as needed.'

Videos claiming to show overwhelmed hospital units in China started to appear online around New Year's Eve.

They claim to show hospitals in Hunan  a province in the center of the country  as well as other areas.

Aboluowang News, a US-based news provider covering China, published quotes from a farmer in Hunan province, known as Mr Peng, who said he was caught up in the surge to hospitals.

'A lot of people have caught colds, and most of them have [illness],' he said in quotes translated to English.

'About seven or eight people died this week in this area. Some were in their 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 40s.'

MIDWEST SURGE: Region 7, which covers Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa, is seeing sky-high rates of HMPV compared to the rest of the country

This map shows how the CDC breaks down different regions of the US for its weekly breakdown of respiratory infections

Experts have cautioned that HMPV, which produces flu-like symptoms, can lurk in the body for days and so it can be easily passed on to others

The most common symptoms of HMPV are fever, cough, and runny nose.

But more severe symptoms such as bronchitis, bronchiolitis and pneumonia can occur, with sufferers experiencing a shortness of breath, severe cough or wheezing.

Children, the elderly and immunocompromised patients are at the highest risk of severe complications.

Researchers estimate one in 10 respiratory illnesses in US children are caused by HMPV. About 20,000 children under five in the US are hospitalized with HMPV every year.

Because the virus is usually mild, its exact death rate is unknown. But experts estimate anywhere from 10 to 30 percent of patients hospitalized with HMPV die in the US.

There are no vaccines or specific treatments for the disease.
The most shocking examples of medical blunders and US healthcare institutions putting profits over patient care have been revealed.

The Lown Institute, an independent healthcare think tank, ranked the most egregious examples of profiteering and dysfunction within the healthcare industry as part of an annual report.

Known as the Shkreli Awards, they are named after the infamous 'pharma bro' Martin Shkreli, who obtained the manufacturing rights of the antiparasitic drug Daraprim and marked up its price by over 5,000 percent.

Its 2024 list includes a Texas medical center that allegedly dissected and sold body parts of deceased people without notifying their family members.

A New Mexico former non-profit cancer center also made the list for allegations of denying patients care or demanding upfront payments.

One of the most shocking entries centered on a patient on Montana who was put through 10 years of brutal chemotherapy despite not having cancer.

Lown Institute president Vikas Saini said: 'It's a surprise to no one that healthcare dominates headlines for all the wrong reasons.

'The Shkreli Awards serve as a stark reminder of what happens when profiteering outweighs the public good.

Steward Health Care System CEO Ralph de la Torre made $250 million and flashed his mega-rich lifestyle all while his hospital chain collapsed

'By shining a light on these unethical practices we're challenging industry leaders and policymakers to do better.'

The 10 worst offenders were chosen by a panel made up of health policy experts, clinicians, journalists and advocates.

In number one spot was Steward Health Care System CEO Ralph de la Torre, who made $250 million and flashed his mega-rich lifestyle all while his hospital chain collapsed.

The former cardiac surgeon, who lives in an 11,108sq ft Dallas mansion, now faces a possible conviction and jail time.

Next on their list was health insurance conglomerate UnitedHealth Group.

The experts reveal that 'what started out as a small Minnesota health insurer is now the fourth largest business in the nation, controlling nearly 90,000 physicians and acquiring influence across the breadth and depth of the healthcare industry'.

According to one investigation, UnitedHealth 'exploits its vast physician network to maximize profits, often at the expense of patients and clinicians'.

As a result, the company - which denies any wrong doing - faces a federal lawsuit for this behavior as well as an ongoing antitrust investigation.

In at third place on the list of worst offenders was the drug company Amgen.

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The judging panel explained that the firm's cancer drug, Lumakras, was granted accelerated FDA approval in 2021 at a daily dose of 960mg.

However, a subsequent trial indicated that while the 960mg dose extends life by a month more on average, a lower 240mg dose offers similar efficacy with reduced toxicity and side effects such as diarrhea and vomiting.

However, the Lown Institute says that despite these findings, 'Amgen continues to market it at the higher dosage and is moving forward with the process of final FDA approval at that level'.

It concludes: 'There's no sign that Amgen, which stands to lose $180,000 a year per patient at the lower dosage, has any interest in changing its course.'

A spokesperson for the company noted that the FDA has accepted 960mg as the recommended dosage.

The fourth case highlighted by the Lown Institute involves Dr. Thomas C. Weiner, an oncologist at St. Peter's Hospital in Helena, Montana.

He is accused of administering chemotherapy to his patient, Anthony Olson, for nine years for blood cancer that he never had.

As a result of the treatment, Mr Olson was hit by a range of severe side effects, including the loss of his teeth.

It was only in 2020, when Mr Olson sought a second opinion from specialists at the Mayo Clinic, that he discovered he did not have cancer.

In other cases, the reporting shows evidence that Dr Weiner provided 'disturbingly high doses of barbiturates to facilitate death in seriously ill patients, when those patients may not have actually been close to death'.

The report alleges that he also 'altered end of life plans without consulting patients, prescribed high doses of opioids to patients that did not need them, and often failed to document his work'.

Dr Weiner, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing, was fired from his role in 2020 and and the US Attorney's Office filed a civil complaint against him on behalf of the US Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Defense, the Department of Veteran's Affairs and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces, New Mexico, was outed by the experts as it currently faces allegations of refusing cancer treatment to patients or demanding upfront payments, even from those with insurance.

Previously a nonprofit, the panelists highlight that hospital is now operated as a for-profit facility by Lifepoint Health and owned by private equity firm Apollo Global Management.

Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces, New Mexico, was outed by the experts as it currently faces allegations of refusing cancer treatment to patients

They note that the hospital's financial assistance policy once included cancer treatment, but it was altered in 2023 to exclude it.

The hospital denies turning away patients, but 'multiple reports, patient testimony, and internal documents suggest otherwise'.

In at sixth place was an alleged Medicare catheter con.

Seven medical supply companies made suspicious claims involving around 450,000 beneficiaries.

One of the suppliers named 'Pretty in Pink Boutique,' had no medical business at its address and the phone number went through to an auto body repair shop.

Linda Hennis, a retired nurse who had 2,000 urinary catheters billed in her name that she did not need or receive, said of the scam: 'I hate the notion of anybody ripping off Medicare. So many of us rely on it. It's just plain ethically wrong.'

Another unsettling story highlighted by the Lown Institute team involved a family who were billed $100,000 for their child's emergency flight.

Sara England's infant son Amari experienced severe respiratory distress two months after open-heart surgery.

Doctors at Natividad Medical Center in Salinas, California, determined he required immediate specialized care and an air ambulance transfer to a medical center in San Francisco was arranged.

The boy eventually recovered and returned home, but that's when Ms England discovered that Cigna, her insurer, had refused to cover the 86-mile flight, leaving the family stuck with a bill for $97,599.

Commenting on the case, Patricia Kelmar, who is the senior director of Public Interest Research Group, said: 'A heart-breaking and budget-busting example of a hospital taking advantage of a distraught mom who is following medical advice.'

Another troubling case which left the panelists outraged involves Zynex Medical, a company specializing in nerve stimulation devices used for pain management.

The Colorado-based firm faces scrutiny over its billing practices.

The panelists warn of baby tongue-tie cutting, which involves using a laser to burn off excess skin under the tongue or the webbing that connects the lips and cheeks.

According to one report, the company sent out batteries and electrode pads to patients to keep the devices running, 'often in quantities that exceed what is necessary and at costs that are inflated'.

It is reported that almost 70 percent of Zynex's $184 million in revenue in 2023 came from batteries and electrode pads and a former Zynex employee said they felt that while they were working there, they had a 'leading role in making people's lives worse.'

At ninth place, the panelists dedicated the spot to the practice of baby tongue-tie cutting, which involves using a laser to burn off excess skin under the tongue or the webbing that connects the lips and cheeks.

It is supposed to be used on babies with a genuine defect that prevents them from feeding properly but medical professionals have become increasingly liberal with prescribing it, despite around 60 percent of infants getting better without surgery.

The rate of surgeries performed ballooned by 800 percent between 1997 and 2012 from around 1,280 procedures to more than 12,000, with doctors and breastfeeding consultants are raking in millions of dollars annually.

In some cases, the procedure causes severe lasting pain in infants as well as difficulty eating, resulting in malnourishment that can require them to be hooked up to feeding tubes.

The Lown Institute says another uncomfortable aspect of the procedure is that 'most parents pay for the procedure out of pocket as it is rarely covered by insurance, and one doctor claimed he did as many as 100 per week at a cost of $900 each'.

Victor Carl Honey, 58, a dedicated Army veteran, saw his body parts sold without his consent after he died after a scandal involving the University of North Texas Health Science Center

Last on its list of stories of profiteering and dysfunction in healthcare is a Texas medical school, which allegedly neglected to notify next of kin before selling the body parts of deceased patients.

An NBC News investigation revealed that the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth dissected and distributed unclaimed bodies without properly seeking consent from the deceased or their families.

The center's business then supplied body parts to medical students as well as major for-profit ventures like Medtronic and Johnson & Johnson.

Victor Carl Honey, 58, a dedicated Army veteran, who struggled with mental illness, died in September 2022 of heart failure.

Honey was among the 2,350 people whose remains were sent to the body donation program at the University of North Texas Health Science Center.

However, a month after his death, the Dallas County Medical Examiner's Officer deemed Honey's body 'unclaimed' after they said phones for relatives were disconnected even though his ex-wife and two adult children were living in the state.

Honey's body was kept in a freezer before it was cut up and shipped piecemeal across the country.

His torso was sold to a medical education company for $900; his right leg shipped to a Swedish medical device manufacturer for $341; the bones from his skull were sent to the U.S. Army for $210 for military training purposes.

Following the NBC investigation, the university suspended its body donation program, and terminated the officials responsible.

It also initiated both internal and external reviews to address the ethical breaches. Gary Schwitzer, a healthcare journalist for 50 years, said of the case: 'An incredibly macabre story of disrespect - a final indignity for the bodies of the poor.'
If there is one dress the You magazine team collectively loves, its the Damson Madder Dakota dress. From the fashion team to the features crew, at least one member of every department has the dress  and its been the subject of many compliments and Vinted searches in our office.

Damson Madder's cult favourite Dakota dress

With a flattering, waist-nipping silhouette and elegant puff sleeves, the eye-catching dress has been a huge hit for the brand. The three bows down the front are what makes the Dakota special  its like a wafty, bohemian version of the sleek Saloni dress with its bejewelled bows. We can imagine Cathy pacing round the moors in it in Wuthering Heights  even if weve mainly seen it in the streets of Kensington.

Romantic bows define the Dakota dress's appeal

Needless to say, the Dakota has sold out many times over, and has been released in a series of different colours and prints. Damson Madder is currently selling a red tartan version and a pink embroidered version online, both reduced in the sale (although still costing 84, so not exactly cheap).

If a bargain is what youre after, then perhaps head to the Sainsburys website, which is selling a very similar looking midi dress for just 13.50. From the brand Simply Be, the dress features a checked print, voluminous sleeves and bows down the front (although only two rather than three). It also has a ruched waist, similar to the ruched bodice of the Dakota dress, although a little more forgiving.

Simply Be's Dakota-inspired dress

Obviously being a mega bargain, the dress has sold out in a few sizes, although if youre in love with it there is still a full range from 10 to 32 available on the Simply Be website. However, they are selling it for 33.60 rather than 13.50 from Sainsburys.

Simple black accessories look great with this dress

As for how to style the dress, at this time of year knee high boots and an aviator jacket offers a cosy option, while it looks great with a sleek loafer and blazer as the weather warms up (can you imagine that right now? Us neither).

If you still have your heart set on the original Damson Madder dress, then have a look through secondhand platforms too - we've spotted it brand new with tags for 70 on Vinted, which is 50 off the original price.
MSNBC's Joy Reid is going viral today after a fit over Mark Zuckerberg's U-turn on Meta's fact-checking programs.

The ReidOut star took to TikTok to air her distaste on Tuesday, a day after bizarrely claiming the Trump administration's transition to power 'was a violent [one]'.

The latter was delivered on the air, as the progressive continues to publicly pan the looming administration.

'Why would conservatives think that fact-checking is biased against them?' Reid, 56, began in the clip, posted hours after Zuckerberg, 40, admitted Meta censored conservative opinions on an industrial scale during the current administration.

'I mean, what are you sharing?' If you keep getting fact-checked for false information,' the commentator asked aloud.

Smiling, she pointed to her head and told followers to 'Think about it,' before claiming most - if not all - censored opinions on platforms like Facebook were misinformation.

The rest of the rant had a condescending tone, highly critical of conservatives.

Zuckerberg - who sat down with Donald Trump in November - notably refused to endorse the president-elect during the election. After Joe Biden's win, Meta planned campaigns promoting his agenda, such as encouraging users to take the coronavirus vaccine.

Scroll down for video:

MSNBC's Joy Reid had a fit Tuesday over Mark Zuckerberg 's U-turn on Meta 's fact-checking programs

Zuckerberg on Tuesday said the decision served as Meta 'going to get back to [its] roots, and focus on reducing mistakes, simplifying our policies and restoring free expression on our platforms'

'What were conservatives on Meta sharing that was getting flagged so much?' Reid, filming from home in a hoodie, in turn asked.

'Were they spreading false information?' she asked sarcastically, letting out a laugh.

'And why were they so eager?

'Why are Republicans in general so eager to end the idea of fact-checking?' she continued. 'What are they trying to share?'

The outspoken Kamala Harris supporter concluded by posing a question to her mostly liberal audience, asking 'What is the motivation for not wanting it fact-checked?

'Just something to think about,' Reid said coyly, again with a grin and while pointing to her cranium.

Commenters on X were quick to point out holes in the anchor's argument, as Zuckerberg only hours before copped to instances of censorship.

One person wrote: 'Joy Reid is losing her mind at FB and IG committing to free speech.

'Why would conservatives think that fact-checking is biased against them?' Reid, 56, began in the clip, posted hours after Zuckerberg Meta censored conservative opinions

Reid recently fled Elon Musk's X, after the South African was tapped by the president-elect to head the Department of Government Efficiency

The night before, the liberal host claimed the Trump administration's transition to power 'was a violent [one]', bizarrely pointing to the events of January 6, 2021

'Democrats need to censor, lie, and cheat, in order to win,' they went on, claiming 'These changes are a huge blow to them.'

Another offered a similar, curt assessment. 'Democrats HATE free speech.'

Reid notably left the platform back in November, part of wave of Harris supporters who have taken issue with Elon Musk's recent support for Trump.

The ReidOut star took to TikTok to announce that decision as well, speaking to her roughly half a million followers.

Explaining why, she offered a lengthy explanation - dramatically declaring 'it was just not worth it.'

'Hey guys, today I did something I've been meaning to do for a while,' Reid says in the clip, which was posted days after the end of the election. She panned to two stills that indicated her X account had already been deactivated.

'And the reason for doing it, and kissing goodbye my 1.9million followers over there,' she explained, 'I hadn't been posting for a long time.'

She added: 'I just didn't want to contribute content once it was purchased by its present owner [Musk].'

She then said how 'every so often,' she still used the platform to peruse 'news that was trending. But I just realized it's not really worth it.'

Reid, 56, reportedly was recently floated a pay cut. She currently rakes in $3 million a year. She has yet to announce any intent to leave any of Meta's platforms

Sure enough, she fled to the site started by Twitter's original founder, Jack Dorsey, dubbed BlueSky.

For the next several weeks, commentators like Reid, Rachel Maddow and Joe Scarborough continued to discuss the result - often with rants laced with ire toward Trump, and now Musk as well.

Meanwhile, MSNBC's ratings took an immediate nosedive - plummeting from 6million daily viewers the day of the election to 596,000 two days later.

That's now up slightly to 791,000 viewers daily, around half of Fox News' 1.46 million.

After the post-election drop, the network noted how its fiewershp fell by a similar 42 percent in the wake of the 2016 election, where Trump beat out Hillary Clinton.

It went on to have four of its most-watched years in network history, before waning for the subsequent four.

Meanwhile, the new boss of the media firm that oversees MSNBC, SpinCo CEO Mark Lazarus, has reportedly repeatedly aired his desire more Republican voices on the network - and to move more opinion content out of primetime.

He has also set out on some cuts to some presenters' pay.

Trump and Zuckerberg are seen here meeting inside the Oval Office in September of 2019. A year later, Meta planned campaigns promoting his successor Joe Biden's agenda, such as encouraging users to take the coronavirus vaccine

Trump would later accuse the now-40-year-old of plotting against him during the 2020 election

SpinCo CEO Mark Lazarus expressed his desire for the new direction multiple times over the past month, as insiders told The Ankler he's seeking to shed the station's perception of liberal bias.

Fellow primetime personalities Reid and Stephanie Ruhle have been presented with pay cuts, along with Morning Joe co-host Jonathan Lemire, the outlet reported last month.

Meanwhile, the abrupt about-face from Facebook founder Zuckerberg Tuesday harks back a similar shift in strategy seen from Meta in 2020, first reported by The Financial Times.

At the time, in a pivot from the platform's then-hands-off approach to combating misinformation, Facebook took part in a series of campaigns promoting then top-line items on the then-president elect's agenda.

This included encouraging users to take the then-anticipated coronavirus vaccines while being told share content promoting the Paris Climate Agreement.

The so-called 'charm offensive,' came after Trump withdrew the United States from the pact, after saying the country was given a 'bad deal,'

Biden rejoined as one of his first acts as president, pledging commitments to address climate change.

Moderna and Pfizer went on to roll out vaccines months later, with the federal government overseeing the process.

Meta has since made several moves in recent days that are likely to please Trump's team, such as appointing former Republican official Joel Kaplan to head up public affairs at the company

On Monday, Zuckerberg added Dana White - a well-known friend of Trump's - to Meta's board of directors in another olive branch to Trump

Zuckerberg on Tuesday said the decision served as Meta - previously Facebook - 'going to get back to [its] roots, and focus on reducing mistakes, simplifying our policies and restoring free expression on our platforms.

'We're going to get rid of fact-checkers and replac[ing] them with community notes similar to X,' he concluded. On Monday, Zuckerberg added Dana White - a well-known friend of Trump's - to Meta's board of directors.

Reid has yet to announce any intent to leave Facebook or Meta-owned Instagram.
Former NBC anchor Brian Williams has slammed the mainstream media for their propping up of Joe Biden in the buildup to the election.

Williams, long the host of NBC Nightly News before a scandal surrounding reporting from the Iraq War upended his career, aired the remarks to The Washington Post.

The Jeff Bezos-owned paper spoke to 10 journalists for a piece titled 'How should the news industry cover Trump,' and Williams, now 65, had some stern words for his fellow broadcasters.

Offering the insight after more than three years out of the limelight, he claimed it was 'crushing' to watch journalists try to cover a 'visibly struggling' Biden.

He also criticized diction used by his contemporaries to describe the fading Democrat, calling it 'lazy, numbing and normalizing in a time of urgency and exigency.'

The very public undressing comes a decade after an erroneous report that saw him downgraded to more opinionated MSNBC, a move many at the time equated to a major leaguer being sent back down to the minors.

He went on to serve at the progressive news network for five years before calling it quits in 2021, after a more than 40 year career in broadcasting.

At the time, the New Jersey native framed the decision as 'the end of a chapter and the beginning of another.' His old seat at Nightly News has since been occupied by Lester Holt, formerly the anchor of the show's weekend edition.

Brian Williams, long the host of NBC Nightly News before a scandal surrounding his reporting from the Iraq War upended his 11-year stint, aired the remarks to The Washington Post.

after more than three years out of the limelight, he claimed it was 'crushing' to watch journalists try to cover a 'visibly struggling' Joe Biden, seen here at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this past August

Williams, on Tuesday, opened by comparing today's broadcasts with those of the 70s, saying, 'Everything about our country has changed, except the language used to describe it.

'Listen to the end-of-the-day reports from correspondents, and youll hear a virtual F8 key of cliched old phrases from another time in American life and politics,' he went on, before appearing to poke fun at those still in the industry.

'My personal favorite is stopgap measure, a phrase you will only hear on the air and never in the course of your life.

'A part of me dies when I hear that a Cabinet choice is raising eyebrows,' he went on as he offered more soundbites.

'[O]r, worse, raising ire) because the [intended] nominee is a firebrand'.

'Sending shock waves through Washington' was another overused phrase singled out - with Williams, in turn, commentating: 'Good God, anything but shock waves through Washington.'

'The problem, of course, is that this language is lazy, numbing and normalizing in a time of urgency and exigency,' he went on, at this point offering his piece's de facto mission statement.

'Its actually insulting, and a gross disservice to those watching and listening - because it doesnt match what they just saw or heard for themselves.'

Williams, once a figure synonymous with American news, has made few public appearances as of late, after retiring in 2021. He is seen her on Late Night With Seth Myers in November

Not mentioning any names, the man who for years worked with the likes of Rachel Maddow, Joe Scarborough, and Mika Brzezinski went on to offer one last parting shot at those who refused to face the truth

'It was crushing to watch so many working journalists attempt to generate the words to accurately describe a visibly struggling and diminished president, seemingly unable to complete a sentence or a thought in his disastrous and final debate.'

Not mentioning any names, the man who for years worked with the likes of Rachel Maddow, Joe Scarborough, and Mika Brzezinski went on to offer one last parting shot at those who refused to face the truth.

'Say it with me: It is perhaps the ultimate irony that the electoral collapse of the Democratic Party in 2024 was triggered in large part by the man who ran to save the country and democracy - the same man who then tried to stay too long at the fair.

'There, I said it,' he added as sort of signoff. 'Now someone please say it into a microphone. You can do it.'

A little over three years ago, the figure once synonymous with American airwaves told colleagues how, 'following much reflection,' he was leaving the company that made him famous.

'This is the end of a chapter and the beginning of another,' Williams wrote at the time, after joining NBC News in 1993.

'There are many things I want to do, and I'll pop up again somewhere,' he said, before fading into relative obscurity.

A few years before, in 2015, a scandal saw him thrust from the seat he assumed from the legendary Tom Brokaw in 2004, after he was caught lying about a wartime story.

'It was crushing to watch so many working journalists attempt to generate the words to accurately describe a visibly struggling and diminished president, seemingly unable to complete a sentence or a thought in his disastrous and final debate,' Williams wrote at a point

A few years before, in 2015, a scandal saw him thrust from the seat he assumed from the legendary Tom Brokaw in 2004, after he was caught lying about a wartime story

Williams (center) previously used his platform to claim that a helicopter he was traveling in while reporting on the war 'was forced down after being hit by an RPG.' The account was found to be a lie

He claimed on his newscast that a helicopter he was traveling in while reporting on the war 'was forced down after being hit by an RPG.'

Military publication Stars and Stripes caught him in the lie, after being tipped off by someone there that day.

The government-run paper proceeded to reach out to Williams, who, in turn, admitted that he was not on the helicopter forced down by enemy groundfire.

'I would not have chosen to make this mistake,' he said in explanation, after delivering an on-air apology. 'I dont know what screwed up in my mind that caused me to conflate one aircraft with another.'
The Government has - not for the first time in the last six months - confirmed that it will ban sales of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030.

The deadline, which aims to phase out 100 per cent fossil fuel cars and increase uptake of electric vehicles, officially reverses the previous governments decision to delay the ban by five years to 2035.

The 2030 date was clarified yet again in recent days when new Secretary for Transport, Heidi Alexander, announced a consultation into the phase out deadline - as well as promises to give more clarity to manufacturers and increased confidence to drivers.

Both industry and motorists have been left in uncertain limbo since Labour came into power, especially when also considering the effectiveness and future of the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandates an annually-increasing sales targets for car makers.

Could the deadline change again following the consultation? And how have manufacturers responded to the news?

We take a look at the current state of play for the outlawing of new petrol and diesel cars.

The Government has confirmed that the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars will go ahead. The new Secretary for Transport Heidi Alexander announced the move this week

The 2030 ban on ICE cars  what has been announced and what are the changes?

Alexander  who replaced Louise Haigh as transport minister at the end of last year  has confirmed that no new petrol or diesel cars will be sold after 2030' and by 2035 'all new cars and vans will need to be 100 per cent zero emission.

Labour has said this will restore clarity for manufacturers, provide renewed confidence for charging infrastructure investors and give confidence to consumers considering making the switch'.

The announcement is part of the consultation the Department for Transport (DfT) has launched into the phasing out of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030.

While this mainly involves the government collaborating with the automotive industry and charging point providers to make the transition easier, members of the public are also asked to share their views.

Labour's said it'll restore clarity for manufacturers, provide renewed confidence for charging infrastructure investors and give confidence to consumers considering making the switch'

How will the 2030 ban affect drivers?

The key takeaway for drivers is that after 2030 you wont be able to buy a new petrol or diesel car.

Whether or not you will be able to buy a new hybrid or alternative fuel vehicle remains to be seen and will be discussed with car makers and industry players as part of the consultation.

You can still drive petrol and diesel cars and hybrids after 2030 you just won't be able to buy new petrol or diesel cars. Whether you'll be able to by new hybrid cars will be consulted on

What cars can I drive after 2030?

Youll still be able to drive petrol and diesel cars and hybrids, and youll also be able to buy used examples.

The only difference is that you wont be able to buy any new petrol and diesel cars and manufacturers wont be selling them.

However, its worth bearing in mind that there are likely to be disincentives put in place to persuade people to stop drive petrol and diesel cars, which could come in the form of taxes or even parking restrictions and increased fees for fuel cars.

You can also continue to drive internal combustion classic cars without restriction too.

The 2030 ban deadline has moved before  will it stick this time?

Originally introduced by Boris Johnson in November 2020, the ban on new petrol and diesel cars was scheduled for 2030. However, the Tory party had also previously mooted it for 2040 and 2035, before settling on the end of the decade.

However, in October 2023, then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak postponed the 2030 ban to 2035, citing financial reasons including the high upfront cost of EVs and charging infrastructure restraints.

He also said that the uptake is already on a good level.

Sunak explained: 'I think that, at least for now, it should be you, the consumer, that makes that choice, not government forcing you to do it.'

During the build up to the 2024 general election, a major promise as part of Labour's manifesto was to reinstate the 2030 deadline, as well as dually increasing chargepoint provision to help achieve this.

The key motoring pledge was set out to give certainty to manufacturers and to help reduce emissions.

However, after Labour won the election the new Government didn't officially confirm 2030 would be reinstated as pledged - and didn't mention it in the King's Speech.

In August 2024, This is Money first revealed that Labour was indeed going to reinstate 2030, after industry insiders told us that they'd received written confirmation from the Department for Transport and the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV).

This was then reiterated in Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Autumn Budget.

This week's official announcement from the Department of Transport brings public clarity to both manufacturers and drivers.

While there are no guarantees that the deadline will not shift again, or that another general election won't change plans, it can be assumed that 2030 will stick, at least under a Labour government.

Electric future: The ZEV mandate will force car makers to sell an increasing volume of EVs between now and 2035

How is the car industry affected and what is being done to support it?

One of the biggest issues for the car industry is that the 2030 deadline keeps shifting.

As an industry, automotive plans decades and cycles in advance, which makes it incredibly difficult to shift production at the drop of a hat. As a result manufactures have been calling for 'clarity' for years.

Matt Galvin, UK managing director of Swedish EV brand Polestar, told This is Money last year: 'What vehicle manufacturers need is certainty to support product lifecycle planning.'

When 2030 was originally pushed back to 2035, Lisa Brankin, Ford UK chair, told us: 'Our business needs three things from the UK government: ambition, commitment and consistency. A relaxation of 2030 would undermine all three.'

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Brankin added: 'The one thing that we really need is government-backed incentives to urgently boost the uptake of electric vehicles.'

Lisa Brankin of Ford UK said the car firm had invested millions into its development and manufacturing facilities to meet the 2030 timeframe

In light of the recent news then it is unsurprising that manufacturers including Stellantis and Ford have 'welcomed' the firming up of the 2030 deadline as well as the consultation.

But they are still warning that more 'incentives' are needed to ensure private EV uptake.

Paul Philpott, president and CEO of Kia UK told Auto Express: 'If the level of demand from retail customers is not where it needs to be to hit future ZEV mandate targets, then we need to put incentives in place to build the momentum.'

An example, which is bound to polarise opinion, is another 'scrappage scheme' with Philpott saying: 'We all remember the scrappage scheme of 2009, 2010 and the relatively modest government incentives - this saved the car industry for two years.'

When does the DfT's consultation end?

The consultation will end on at 11.59pm 18 February, and the DfT will then work with stakeholders on implementing suggestions.

How can you have your say?

You can contribute your thoughts to the consultation by filling out a response form found on the government's website and sending it back to the email address provided.

Or you can write to the following address:

ZEV regulations team

Department for Transport

3rd Floor Great Minster House

33 Horseferry Road

London

SW1P 4DR
Honda has unveiled the prototype versions of the two electric cars that could be on sale as early as next year.

The 0 Saloon and 0 SUV have been debuted in Las Vegas, with the two models debut 12 months after their 0 Series concepts were revealed at the Consumer Electronics Show.

Due to go on sale from 2026, the Japanese brand promises that the 0 models will bring next generation technology including its 'ASIMO OS' autonomous driving features, as well as interior space and sporty styling.

Both cars follow Hondas Thin, Light and Wise design philosophy, but while the 0 Saloon is the flagship model, the 0 SUV is aimed at larger families needing extra interior room.

The prototype unveiling comes after it was recently revealed that Honda and Nissan have signed a memorandum of understanding amid a potential merger that would see the two car giants work together to capture the electric vehicle market.

Honda has revealed the prototype versions of its new EVs: The Honda 0 Series will commence with the 0 Saloon and 0 SUV which will arrive in North America in 2026

Shared design across the 0 Saloon and 0 SUV

Both the 0 Saloon and 0 SUV will have the new 'Thin, Light, and Wise' Honda philosophy and 'man maximum, machine minimum' cabin design.

The aim is to increase efficiency of both cars interior to give driver and passengers as much space as possible without having a model with an enormous footprint.

To accomplish this, Honda will use dedicated 'thin' (or low height) EV architecture to improve aerodynamics and passenger comfort.

This will also make the EVs as light as possible to enhance range and performance.

Hondas announced that it will develop its architecture for both models and future models  combining multiple ECUs responsible for controlling the vehicle systems into a single, core ECU  with Renesas Electronics Corporation and will its in-house developed AI software.

Honda's ASIMO OS will cover automated driving, advanced driver assistance systems and in-vehicle infotainment

Honda 0 interiors will use sustainable materials and use AI for the infotainment systems

Both models, and all future 0 models, will be equipped with Hondas ASIMO OS technology.

ASIMO was originally developed as a humanoid robot capable of autonomous walking in 2000 and became a much-loved icon of the robot world through the 2010s.

Today, Honda says it is used for the Wise part of Hondas design and allows Honda to combine robotic technologies with advanced intelligent tech to offer a unique in-car software platform, 'ASIMO OS'.

ASIMO OS will cover automated driving, advanced driver assistance systems and in-vehicle infotainment.

It will also mean all cars can constantly be updated via over the air (OTA) updates.

Battery size and range is still unknown, but 0 Series models are said to 'offer stress-free charging performance and worry-free battery performance'.

Aware that fast charging times are of the upmost importance to EV owners, 0 Series models will be able to fast charge 15 per cent to 80 per cent in about 10 to 15 minutes.

Honda has also promised to 'limit the degradation battery capacity (range) to less than 10 per cent after 10 years of use'.

The flagship 0 Saloon will have a rakish, wedge-shape with a swept-back design and a two-door sporty look and be tailored towards the 'ultimate joy of driving'

The Saloon will focus on the Wise part of the Thin, Light and Wise theory and come with Level 3 automated driving technology

Honda 0 Saloon

When the concept was shown at CES 2024, Honda displayed a rakish, wedge-shaped saloon with a swept-back design and a two-door sporty look, tailored towards the 'ultimate joy of driving'.

And the exact same styling design has been maintained for the prototype version that will come to market in 2026.

This means that drivers will get low height, and much more interior space than the cars exterior would lead you to believe.

As said the Saloon will focus on the Wise part of the Thin, Light and Wise theory, with particular emphasis on Level 3 automated driving technology.

The 0 Saloon will be put this automated tech into practical use for the first time.

It'll use ultra-personal optimisation thatll customize each users mobility experience.

The mid-sized SUV will go into production in the first half of 2026

The EV is meant to offer passengers a massive amount of space and flexibility

Honda 0 SUV

The mid-sized SUV is based on the Space-Hub concept Honda showed the world at CES.

While the Saloon is all about being wise the SUV is all about Hondas space philosophy.

Honda promises that the Thin, Light, and Wise approach will give the SUV a spacious cabin that maximises every inch and an outstandingly clear and unrestricted field of view with greater flexibility.

While Honda hasn't revealed range or pricing, the SUV, like the Saloon is supposed to offer customers great range and space and advanced EV tech for an 'affordable' price

The Space-Hub concept is a boxier compact MPV with a lounge-like interior to maximise space

Autonomous driving (AD) technology

Honda says it will strive to offer affordable automated driving vehicles to more customers around the world through the Honda 0 Series'.

All 0 Series models will be equipped with Level 3 automated driving.

This system will use Hondas eye-off technology (developed in 2021) which initially will help during traffic congestion on highways but will expand in use via OTAs.

The vehicle will be in charge of driving so humans can perform a second task such as watching a movie or joining a meeting.

Honda has redesigned its logo for the first time since 1981, with the new 'H' symbolising two outstretched hands. It will use this on its future EV models

New Honda logo design and sustainability

Honda has redesigned its logo for the first time since 1981, with the new 'H' symbolising two outstretched hands, which the 0 Series will feature.

The 0 Series will also include sustainable materials inside and out and have nods to the natural environment in its design.

When are the 0 Series models coming?

Both the 0 Saloon and 0 SUV will begin production in North America in the first half of 2026 and then will roll out across global markets - including Japan and Europe - likely later the same year.
I was accosted in the street and forced to transfer 200 to my assailants bank account via my online banking app.

I reported the matter to the police and then my bank.

My bank says it cannot help and that its a police matter but the police say my bank should be sorting it out. Who should be helping me?

J. Wells, London.

Traumatic: A reader is being sent back and fourth between the police and her bank after she was accosted in the street and forced to transfer funds from her banking app (file picture)

Dean Dunham replies: New rules that came into effect on October 7 last year require banks to reimburse victims of APP fraud up to 85,000 within five working days, unless an exception applies.

Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud involves someone being tricked into sending money to a fraudster posing as a genuine payee.

The new rules do not apply if you are deemed to have been grossly negligent (for example, if you failed to take notice of a relevant scam warning from your bank or the police); if the bank believes you are acting fraudulently; and, lastly, if your claim is in fact in relation to a civil dispute rather than a fraud.

In addition, you must make the APP scam claim no more than 13 months after the date of the payment. On the face of it, you meet this criteria and do not fall within any of the exceptions.

However, I think your bank has denied your claim as it has paid too close attention to the meaning of APP fraud.

Usually it is defined as when someone is tricked into sending money to a fraudster, but of course this is not the case here  you were forced, not tricked.

However, in my view, this does not matter. Even if you are forcibly compelled to send money to a fraudster, it is still considered an APP fraud.

The defining factor of APP fraud is that the victim authorises the transaction, even if under duress or due to coercion or deceit.

On the basis that you swiftly reported the matter to the police and the bank, this is a claim that should have been honoured by your bank.

Your next step is to ask your bank for a deadlock letter setting out its final position on denying your claim.

Armed with this, you should file a claim with the Financial Ombudsman Service (financial-ombudsman.org.uk).

Can Dean Dunham help you? Do you have a legal question for Dean Dunham? Email d.dunham@dailymail.co.uk, with brief details of your question or problem. No legal responsibility can be accepted by the Daily Mail and This is Money for answers given. > Read all of our consumer rights expert Dean Dunham's previous columns
Frequent flyers were not slow to criticise British Airways announcement last week that it was dramatically changing its loyalty programme from April 1.

Put simply, points will no longer be given to passengers for distance flown but rather for the amount they spend. In turn, this means that it will be far harder to achieve the coveted status of BA gold flier.

This gives privileges such as airport lounge access, priority seat booking and boarding, plus extra baggage allowance. Similarly, it will also be far harder to achieve the silver or bronze statuses.

Outraged travellers turned to X, formerly Twitter, to criticise the move, which they said would no longer reward loyalty, and would drive them into the arms of rival carriers.

BA is effectively washing its hands of the leisure market and going all-in to attract the dwindling band of full-fare business travellers, says Rob Burgess on travel website Head For Points.

Here, we explain exactly how the loyalty scheme works, what the new rules mean for you and how you can still save money on your family flights.

Shake-up: From April 1 British Airways will no longer award points for distance flown but rather for the amount they spend - meaning it will be far harder to achieve the status of BA gold flier

What exactly is BAs loyalty system?

Membership of the British Airways Executive Club, which is being rebranded as The British Airways Club from April 1, gives passengers privileges that correspond to four different tiers: blue, bronze, silver and gold.

Anyone can join for free and it makes sense to do so because even the entry-level blue tier gives you free internet on board. If you progress to bronze, you can choose your seat from a week before you travel, with preferential check-in and priority boarding.

Silver members get sought-after lounge access, extra baggage allowance and the ability to choose their seats when they book. And gold members receive extra benefits such as the use of Heathrow Terminal 5s Concorde Room lounge.

How do you get through tiers?

You earn tier points when you fly with BA or one of its Oneworld airline partners. Oneworld is one of three major global airline alliances where you can earn privileges and rewards across its network of members, which include Cathay Pacific and Qatar Airways.

Tier points are different from Avios, which is a rewards currency to spend on flights, hotel rooms, supermarket shopping and car hire. Tier points cannot be spent but determine your status when flying with BA and its Oneworld airline partners.

Levels: The loyalty programme gives passengers privileges that correspond to four different tiers: blue, bronze, silver and gold

How do you earn tier points?

Under the old system you could earn tier points depending on the distance of your flight, as well as your fare class. With the new scheme, its how much you spend, rather than the distance flown which will accrue tier points.

One tier point is the equivalent to 1 on the price of your ticket (excluding taxes such as Air Passenger Duty).

If you spend extra money on seat selection for a flight and booking additional baggage that also qualifies for points. Non-airline taxes and fees, such as airport charges and taxes, do not earn tier points.

Under the old scheme bronze could be achieved with 300 tier points (soon to be 3,500) silver with 600 (7,500) and gold was more achievable at 1,500 tier points  but will soon require 20,000 tier points.

For example, a flexible economy return fare to New York this week is from 366 plus taxes and would give you 70 tier points for the 3,461-mile flight.

Under the new scheme you would earn 366  the same as the ticket price minus the taxes. Tier points are only valid for one year so you have to start collecting each year.

Who wins under the new system?

The clear winners are business travellers whose companies dont balk at the cost of business-class fares.

Rhys Jones, aviation editor of Head For Points, says that most families and leisure travellers will find it difficult to achieve above bronze status without spending thousands on a British Airways Holidays package.

More and more high-end leisure travellers are looking at the numbers and seeing there is no real reason to fly with BA any more, he adds.

Luxury: Gold members receive extra benefits such as the use of Heathrow Terminal 5s Concorde Room lounge

How else can I earn points?

British Airways Holidays packages will also offer tier points that are evenly split among the people on your booking (toddlers and younger cannot earn tier points!).

There are 26,000 listed on the website from 200 per person.

For every pound spent, you will receive a tier point plus Avios points.

For example, if you make a flight and hotel booking for two people to Barcelona for 1,000, you and the other passenger will receive 500 tier points each plus Avios points. Whoever makes the booking also receives 1,000 bonus Avios points.

Any more tips for cheaper flights?

If you use your Avios points to reduce the cost of a flight, you will still be awarded the full-flight fare of tier points.

For instance, a return economy flight in August from Gatwick to Catania in Sicily would normally cost 401 pp, but if you use 65,000 Avios each, it would cost 145.07.

You would still be eligible for 395 tier points (it excludes taxes) and if you book before February 15, you receive 100 bonus tier points.

What if I book before April 1?

BA is at pains to point out that customers who have already booked will not lose out when their tier points are converted from the old to new system.

It has also announced that it is offering bonus tier points

for bookings made before February 14 for travel from April 1, based on cabin class. However, as these only range from 50 for euro traveller to 330 for first, they are a token offering.

Can I drop from gold to blue?

Not straight away. Someone with gold status who earned no tier points from April 1 would go down to silver in the first year and bronze in the second before reaching blue in the third.
MPs accused a Shein executive of being disrespectful and ridiculous after she refused to say whether its cheap clothes are linked to slave labour.

The fast fashion giants top UK lawyer was yesterday unable to confirm whether there is cotton from China, or specifically the Xinjiang region, in the items it sells.

The hearing in Parliament came after Sheins planned 50billion London stock market listing was delayed as campaigners complain about allegations of abuse in its supply chain.

Human rights groups have accused China of slave labour in Xingang, where they say Uyghurs  a mostly-Muslim ethnic group  are forced to produce cotton. Beijing has denied the allegations.

Sheins UK general counsel yesterday declined to comment on whether the company believes there is slavery happening in the region, prompting an angry outburst from MPs on the Business Select Committee.

Slavery fears: Fast fashion giant Sheins top UK lawyer was yesterday unable to confirm whether there is cotton from China, or specifically the Xinjiang region, in the items it sells

I dont think youre respecting the committee at all, Charlie Maynard MP said.

We have asked you very simple questions and youre not giving straight answers.

In heated exchanges, Yinan Zhu, a senior lawyer for the fast-fashion retailer, said: I am only able to comment on questions related to our business.

Asked multiple times about its supply chain, Zhu admitted that the online retailer uses manufacturers in China, Brazil and Turkey.
Ocado and Marks & Spencer have been crowned the big winners of the Christmas grocery battle.

Date from research group Kantar showed Ocado sales rose 9.6 per cent to 672million for the three months to December 29.

Marks & Spencer saw food and drink sales rise by 8.7 per cent over the same period  in just the latest sign of its revival.

They were the biggest increases in the sector, surpassing gains by rivals Tesco and Sainsburys and discounters Aldi and Lidl.

By contrast, Asda sales tumbled 5.8 per cent. Once Britains second-biggest supermarket, Asda has been in the doldrums since brothers Mohsin and Zuber Issa joined private equity giant TDR Capital to buy it in a 6.8billion debt-fuelled deal in 2021.

The report will come as a boost for M&S bosses Stuart Machin, the chief executive, and Archie Norman, the chairman, ahead of the High Street groups Christmas trading update tomorrow.

In demand: Data from research group Kantar showed Ocado sales rose 9.6% to 672m for the three months to December 29

Not only does it suggest the M&S recovery story continues, but that its tie-up with Ocado is paying dividends. Ocado Retail is a 50/50 joint venture between M&S and the Ocado technology group.

Under Machins leadership, M&S has invested in larger food halls and launched new products.

Ocado has also benefited from introducing a greater range of M&S and boutique products under chief executive Hannah Gibson.

The two largest supermarkets, Tesco and Sainsburys, held on to their top spots. Tesco sales increased 5 per cent, and holds 28.5 per cent of the grocery market.

Sainsburys hit its highest share since December 2019 with 16 per cent as sales grew 3.5 per cent.
Close Brotherss boss has resigned on health grounds with the company engulfed in the scandal gripping the motor finance industry.

Adrian Sainsbury, who joined the 147-year-old bank in 2013 and became chief executive in 2020, stood down on Monday after taking medical leave in September.

Embattled Close Brothers did not give further details about the reason for his leave but said he is recuperating well and expected to make a full recovery.

Sainsbury, 56, has been replaced by Mike Morgan, who joined as finance director in 2010 and has been in temporary charge since September. Morgan, 59, takes over at a pivotal time for the motor finance industry.

Health problems: Adrian Sainsbury, who became Close Brothers chief exec in 2020, stood down on Monday after taking medical leave in September

The sector faces a crisis over an upcoming Supreme Court decision whether to uphold a judgement on mis-selling of loans made in the Court of Appeal in October.

Judges then decided it was unlawful for car dealers to gain commission from lenders without receiving the customers consent to the payment.

It means that customers should have been clearly told how much commission dealers would earn, and agree to it.

Companies like Close Brothers have been setting aside hundreds of millions of pounds amid estimates that lenders could face a 30billion compensation bill.
The chief executive of Hornby has said turnaround efforts are 'on track' after the model train maker's sales outperformed High Street peers over the crucial Christmas trading period.

Olly Raeburn told shareholders on Wednesday that Hornby had defied 'a tough economic climate' with solid growth in revenue, margins and gross profits during the 'critical' third quarter of its financial year.

Margate-based Hornby has been slashing costs and selling loss-making operations as part of efforts to return to profitability.

It has built up a significant debt pile as sales have struggled, costs have grown and trade has been disrupted by shipping attacks in the Red Sea.

But Hornby, which is backed by Frasers Group and counts Mike Ashley as a consultant, said group sales for the three months to 31 December were 7 per cent ahead of the same period last year on a continuing operations basis.

This compares to a 1.5 per cent year-on-year fall in total UK non-food sales over the period, according to the British Retail Consortium.

Almost half of Hornby's Black Friday sales came from first time customers

Hornby said Black Friday and Christmas contributed to 23 per cent revenue growth and 38 per cent gross profit growth versus last year for the month of December.

Almost 50 per cent cent of all Black Friday transactions came from first time customers, up from 42 per cent in 2023.

Group sales for the financial year to date are 8 per cent ahead of last year, and gross profits are ahead by 10 per cent, Hornby added.

Margins for the quarter were 48 per cent, up from 44 per cent in 2024, 'reflecting both the increase in direct-to-consumer activities and the additional full-price sales'.

Hornby's net debt fell from 18.8million in September to 18.2million at the end of the year, while the group said it had made a 23 per cent reduction in inventories since the end of March to 16.6million.

Hornby shares were up 7 per cent at the open to 27.29p, already bringing gains to more than 20 per cent since the start of the year.

The shares have been volatile. They have added 80 per cent over the last 12 months but are still 25 per cent below a March 2024 peak of 38.5p.

Hornby shares remain roughly 60 per cent below a Covid-era peak of 69.5p in January 2021.

Raeburn said: 'In a tough economic climate, we are pleased to be able to report growth in revenue, margins and gross profits through this critical quarter.

'Concurrently we are continuing to drive down the inventory levels that had built up in recent years and are delivering our change plans in a steady and sustainable way.

'Our turnaround is very much on track as we further reduce central costs, focus on our core brands and improve operational processes across the business.'
China ranks first globally in number of intelligent ports

People's Daily Online) 10:54, January 08, 2025

Photo shows an automated container terminal of Qinzhou Port in Qinzhou, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Zhang Ailin)

China has built 52 automated container terminals and dry bulk terminals so far, with the numbers of automated terminals both built and under construction ranking first in the world, according to data from the country's Ministry of Transport.

Around 9 a.m. on Jan. 1, a vessel docked at a fully automated container terminal of Qingdao Port in east China's Shandong Province. After that, multiple bridge cranes loaded containers onto automated guided vehicles. Nearby, high-speed rail-mounted gantry cranes precisely stacked incoming containers in an orderly manner.

Such seamless loading and unloading operations are inseparable from automation. "The fully automated container terminal project, divided into three phases, began in 2015, with the third phase becoming operational by the end of 2023," said a manager of Qingdao Port.

Compared to the past, the terminal's operational efficiency increased by 6 percent, and its container throughput surged by 15 percent, the manager added. As the last container was loaded onto the vessel, the operational efficiency of a single bridge crane at the terminal reached 60.9 container units per hour on average, breaking the world record for the handling efficiency of automated container terminals for the 12th time.

At the ore terminal of Yantai Port in Yantai, Shandong, full process automation has been realized. Compared to traditional methods, both the overall unloading efficiency and the comprehensive loading efficiency of bulk cargo have improved by over 20 percent.

These two ports in Shandong serve as vivid examples of China's endeavors to expedite the development of intelligent ports. Focusing on automated terminals, China has accelerated the construction of intelligent ports in recent years, expanding and extending the scope for applying intelligent technologies, said an official with the Ministry of Transport.

Photo shows cranes loading containers onto a container vessel at an automated terminal of Qingdao Port in east China's Shandong Province. (Photo/Han Jiajun)

China's ports now lead the world in the level and application of automation technologies. In addition, the country has formulated technical standards for automated container terminals and automated coal and ore terminals, driving the development of intelligent ports. Some automated container terminal construction technologies have been implemented in ports of other countries.

China will improve the top-level design and the standard system for intelligent ports, develop an evaluation system for intelligent ports, promote the intelligent transformation of traditional terminals, and continue to make port services more intelligent at an accelerated pace to enhance infrastructure and development resilience of ports, said the official with the Ministry of Transport.

So far, China has mastered the key technologies in the design, construction, equipment manufacturing, system integration, and operational management of automated terminals.

From January to November 2024, China's ports handled 16.04 billion tonnes of cargo, up about 3.4 percent year on year, and processed 300 million twenty-foot equivalent units of containers, a 7.3 percent year-on-year increase.

"In recent years, ports across China have vigorously promoted the intelligent transformation of terminals, further improving operational efficiency and service capabilities," the official with the Ministry of Transport said.

The official added that China has so far built world-class port clusters in the Bohai Rim, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Janus Henderson has joined rivals in urging investors of its London-listed investment trusts to reject a takeover attempt from US hedge fund Saba Capital.

The group, which has $382.3billon in assets under management, told shareholders of its European Smaller Companies and Henderson Opportunities trusts to vote against resolution brought by Saba in polls scheduled for 5 and 4 February respectively.

It follows an intervention from 225billion asset manager Baillie Gifford, which urged US Growth Trust, Keystone Positive Change and Edinburgh Worldwide investors to reject Saba's resolutions.

Saba is hoping to seize control of seven London-listed trusts it has built substantial stakes in, with efforts to overhaul each fund's board set to be followed with resolutions to appoint itself as investment manager.

The US firm has highlighted high discounts to net asset value and performance issues affecting each trust, and accusing respective boards and managements of failing to take sufficient action in response.

The boards and management of the trusts affected have accused Saba of self-interest and 'cherry-picking' data to support its claims, as well as pointing out that performance has improved and discounts have narrowed significantly.

Saba is preparing for a shareholder showdown with boards of seven London-listed investment trusts next month

Boards have also highlighted the relatively high fees charged by Saba's publicly available funds.

James Williams, chairman of Janus Henderson's European Smaller Companies Trust, on Wednesday highlighted his fund's 'long-term outperformance' and warned shareholders Saba is attempting to remove a 'highly qualified, independent board that acts in all shareholders' interests'.

European Smaller Companies shares have returned 18.9, 74.4 and 257.7 per cent over one, five and 10 years, respectively, according to the Association of Investment Companies.

It has outperformed an average return among peers in the AIC's European Smaller Companies sector of 12.4, 37.6 and 172.2 per cent over the same time periods, respectively.

The trust sits on a 2.1 per cent discount to net asset value, having narrowed significantly from around 13.5 per cent at the start of 2024.

Williams added: 'It's clear that Saba's motives are self-serving. It would like to install directors who would not be independent of the company's largest shareholder and has indicated that it may appoint itself as investment manager.

'This could endanger shareholder protections, radically alter the company's investment risk profile and deny investors the opportunity to benefit from the proven European small cap investment strategy.

'The Board is therefore recommending that shareholders vote against resolutions proposed.'

He also echoed warnings from the board of Keystone that 'Saba is counting on a high proportion of shareholders not voting', adding that 'investor participation is key and will determine the company's future'.

Also echoing Keystone, chair of Henderson Opportunities Trust Wendy Colquhoun told shareholders that Saba's resolutions could cost them if implemented.

Henderson Opportunities has offered investors the chance for a full cash exit at NAV or the option to rollover into an open-ended fund - Janus Henderson UK Equity Income & Growth  as the trust prepares to wind up.

Colquhoun warned: 'If Saba succeeds, this offer is at risk of being cancelled with no comparable substitute.

'Saba is attempting to take control of the company with no assurances as to what will happen to shareholders' investments.

'Saba wants to remove a strong and highly qualified independent board that acts in the interests of all shareholders and replace it with its own non-independent board that may put Saba's interests first.

'The board's message to shareholders is clear: please exercise your vote and don't let Saba take unnecessary risks with your money.'
London-listed Gemfields has been blindsided by the imposition of a double-digit tax on the export of gemstones from Zambia.

The Faberge owner, whose global brand ambassador is actress Mila Kunis, told shareholders on Wednesday that Zambia has reimposed a 15 per cent export duty that had been suspended since 2020, with 'no notice or prior consultation'.

It warned the tax directly impacts the Zambian emeralds mined by Kagem Mining, 75 per cent of which is owned by Gemfields with the remaining 25 per cent owned by the southern African country's Industrial Development Corporation.

The export duty will be owed on top of an existing 6 per cent mineral royalty tax, meaning Kagem faces an effective tax on revenue of 21 per cent, according to Gemfields  in addition to corporation tax of 30 per cent.

By contrast, Brazil and Colombia  the world's other major emerald mine sources  impose an aggregate tax on revenues of 2 and 2.5 per cent, respectively.

Brazil charges corporation taxes of 34 per cent, while Colombia has a rate of 33 per cent.

Actress Mila Kunis is Gemfields' global brand ambassador

Gemfields says Kagem paid an effective 31 per cent of its revenues to the Zambian government in the form of mineral royalty, corporation tax and dividends in 2023.

It marks another blow to Gemfields after the miner warned investors on Christmas Eve that its operations had become the target of violent protests in Mozambique.

Growing instability in Mozambique is likely to put further pressure on the company to find ways to save money, which could include the sale of the iconic Faberge brand.

Gemfields said: 'The company will engage with the Zambian Government to seek the re-introduction of the suspension of this export duty or to remove it from the legislation given the impact on sector sustainability and investment attractiveness.

'The company will keep the market informed of further developments.'

Gemfields shares were down by roughly 3.5 per cent to 6.75p by mid afternoon on Wednesday, having losses around half their value over the last 12 months.
Private shareholders have been urged to vote on the future of seven investment trusts amid an attempted coup by a US hedge fund.

Boaz Weinstein, founder of Saba Capital, is pushing for a huge shake-up that would mean that directors at the trusts are replaced by him and his allies.

The Association of Investment Companies (AIC), which represents the investment trust sector, said that Saba was proposing major changes to the targeted firms and that it was vital that shareholders made their voices heard.

Investors need to understand the details of what is being proposed by Saba, including changes to the trusts boards, strategy, manager or fees, said AIC boss Richard Stone.

They need to consider whether the investment trust would still meet their needs, as well as any potential tax implications.

The AIC has written to the UKs major retail investment platforms, urging them to inform investors of the upcoming meetings at the trusts so they can vote on Sabas proposals.

Shake-up: Boaz Weinstein (pictured), founder of Saba Capital, is pushing for a huge shake-up that would mean that directors at the trusts replaced by him and his allies

It comes as two of the investment trusts targeted by Saba encouraged shareholders to oppose the US firms plans.

James Williams, chairman of The European Smaller Companies Trust, said that Saba was attempting to take control of it by removing a highly qualified, independent board that acts in all shareholders interests.

He added that Sabas motives were self-serving and could endanger shareholder protections.

Meanwhile, Wendy Colquhoun, chairman of the Henderson Opportunities Trust, said Sabas plans would bring significant uncertainty and risk and implored investors to vote against the proposals.

The boards message to shareholders is clear: please exercise your vote and dont let Saba take unnecessary risks with your money, Colquhoun said. It follows similar remarks on Tuesday from CQS Natural Resources Growth and Income, another trust in Weinsteins crosshairs.

Chairman Christopher Casey said Sabas plans were without merit and the US firms claims of the trusts underperformance were misleading.

Saba hit back, accusing Casey of making inaccurate, unsubstantiated claims about its track record, adding that the chairman was putting shareholder value at risk.

The firm also turned its guns on the European Smaller Companies and Henderson Opportunities trusts, saying that their boards had failed shareholders and made some poor investment decisions.

Overall, Saba is calling for a shake-up of seven London-listed investment trusts, which collectively have a market value of around 4billion.

On Tuesday, Evelyn Partners became the first shareholder to declare its opposition to Weinsteins plans.

The group will vote against the proposals at Baillie Gifford US Growth, where it is the fourth- largest investor with a 5 per cent stake, and at Herald Investment Trust, where it holds 1 per cent.

It was joined yesterday by Rossie House Investment Management, which is a shareholder in five of the seven trusts targeted by Saba.

Rossie House partner Scott Baikie said that the hedge funds proposals were opportunistic and would be damaging for the trusts.
They published a magazine, had meetings with MPs and were even given TV airtime.

But, as their name suggests, the Paedophile Information Exchange (PIE) had rather vile aims.

As revealed in a BBC Radio 4 documentary series beginning today, the leader of PIE, which was active for a decade from 1974, wanted to reduce the age of consent to just four years old.

The show's presenter Alex Renton, who was abused by a paedophile teacher while a pupil at prestigious prep school Ashdown House in the 1970s, made his programme after being sent a secret list revealing the names of 316 PIE members.

The Metropolitan Police had the list for 20 years from the late 1970s, the BBC's podcast team was told.

Former PIE chairman Tom O'Carroll and the group's treasurer, Charles Napier, were both named on the list.

O'Carroll was jailed in 2006 for distributing child pornography images, and Napier was sentenced to 13 years behind bars in 2014 for abusing 23 boys between 1967 and 1983.

Another paedophile whose name also featured on the list was founding PIE member Peter Righton, who advised the Home Office in his status as a child care expert.

They published a magazine, had meetings with MPs and were even given TV airtime. But, as their name suggests, the Paedophile Information Exchange (PIE) had rather vile aims

Former PIE chairman Tom O'Carroll was jailed in 2006 for distributing child pornography images. Right: O'Carroll's mugshot in 2006

Righton, who died in 2007, was later exposed as a notorious paedophile.

According to the BBC, some of the former PIE members who are still alive may be in contact with or even have care of children through paid work or volunteering.

In 2014, the Daily Mail revealed the depth of the links between the respected National Council for Civil Liberties and PIE, which was given 'affiliate' status by the body.

From 1978 until 1982, future Labour grandee Harriet Harman was the legal officer for the NCCL, the predecessor to campaign group Liberty.

Ms Harman, who served in senior Cabinet roles and as Labour's deputy leader under Gordon Brown, said she 'very much regrets' that PIE, which she described as 'vile' ever had links with the NCCL.

A spokesman added that any suggestion she was in any way supportive of PIE or its aims was untrue and misleading.

Her Labour colleague Patricia Hewitt was the general secretary of the NCCL between 1974 and 1983 and Ms Harman's late husband Jack Dromey was on its executive committee for more than a decade.

Mr Renton's BBC programme, In Dark Corners, also hears from fellow abuse victim Francis Wheen, the former deputy editor of Private Eye Magazine.

Mr Wheen was sexually assaulted by Napier when the abuser taught at his prep school.

He says Napier 'plunged his hand down my gym shorts' and then branded him a 'baby' when he recoiled and said: 'No thank you, what are you doing?'

After beginning his career as a journalist, Mr Wheen interviewed O'Carroll, who admitted that his group was campaigning to lower the age of consent to just four.

In Dark Corners reveals a 1983 Newsnight interview with PIE activist Steven Smith.

He said: 'Our political objectives include developing a society where children are given a much higher status than today, and this includes recognising their right to certain sexual freedoms.'

The activist added: 'I don't accept this concept of maturity at all. Adults for instance aren't necessarily mature. It's a long process.'

Mr Renton says in the programme: 'The group's leaders were very upfront.

'They had meetings with Members of Parliament, interviews with columnists at The Guardian, always pushing their message that psychology and their own experience showed that adults and children could actually benefit from sexual relationships.'

He tells how PIE members had regular meetings at a pub in Islington and published a magazine, Magpie, featuring suggestive images of children.

The group's activities attracted hostile opposition, including from furious parents.

Charles Napier was sentenced to 13 years behind bars in 2014 for abusing 23 boys between 1967 and 1983. Above: Pictured outside court in 2014

Founding PIE member Peter Righton, who advised the Home Office in his status as a child care expert. Righton, who died in 2007, was himself an abuser

PIE's activities attracted hostile opposition, including from furious parents. Above: PIE activists are pelted with flour by outraged mothers as they arrive for a meeting at Conway Hall in London, 1977

Mr Renton says he believed the notion that a PIE membership list existed was an 'urban legend', until he got an email last April containing the ream of names.

The list, which Mr Renton says appeared to have notes made by police on it - suggesting it was once in officers' hands - included O'Carroll's and Napier's.

In an interview posted on Youtube, O'Carroll argued that a sexual relationship between an adult and child is as natural as a mother's relationship with her baby.

He was given a two-year jail term for child pornography offences in 2006.

The paedophile joined the Labour Party in 2015 but was expelled a year later for being a 'safeguarding risk'.

He has also campaigned to legalise sex with children on his Wordpress blog.

Mr Wheen met Napier at the age of 11, when he was a pupil at Copthorne Prep School, where the paedophile was a teacher.

'Most of the masters there were quite old and quite odd in most cases,' he says.

'Some of them odd in a good way, the sort who makes an inspiring teacher, and it was all very educational.

'On the other hand, Napier, he seemed much more on our level because he was in his 20s. And he talked to us almost as equals and we really liked him for that.'

Presenter Alex Renton was abused by a paedophile teacher while a pupil at prestigious prep school Ashdown House in the 1970s. His interviewee Francis Wheen (right), the former deputy editor of Private Eye, was also abused

Mr Wheen says Napier started to encourage some boys to join him at the gym, which he had started to use as his 'preserve'.

After exercise sessions in the gym, Napier and the pupils moved to a side room.

Having taken a deep breath, Mr Wheen continues: 'Then one day after a few weeks of this grooming, as I supposed you would now call it, though it didn't occur to me at the time, he suddenly plunged his hand down my gym shorts while we were all standing around in this little room off the gym.

'And I grabbed his wrist and removed his hand from my gym shorts, and said, 'no thank you, what are you doing?'

'And he then started sneering at me, and said, "oh, you're so immature, you're such a baby.

"Don't be such a baby. You're obviously not grown up enough for these sorts of things."

Mr Wheen adds: 'I rather dropped out of his group after that, after I had rebuffed him. I was no longer invited to his little room off the gym and given beer and cigarettes.'

The journalist waived his right to anonymity in 2014, when Napier was jailed after admitting 30 indecent assault charges and offence of indecency towards a child.

All of the teacher's victims were under the age of 16.

After receiving the email containing the membership list, Mr Renton says he met with a separate source who gave him a trove of documents, including a hard copy of the list.

The names of both Righton and his long-term partner, fellow abuser Richard Alston, were also on the list.

In the trove of documents were letters written to Alston by children. One sickening note sent by a groomed child whose age is not revealed reads: 'You are a very, very nice man aren't you, and your help is much appreciated.

'As I have said, thanks for all your help, you know you're the best sugar daddy anyone could ask for. I can't think of more to say so I will end, see you soon lots of love.'

Mr Renton says: 'PIE is an information exchange. Did the police ever investigate what information those PIE members were exchanging?

'In the right hands, you would think the list would be a tool to save huge numbers of children from sexual abuse.

'Did anyone try? And if not, why not?'

The Metropolitan Police's Detective Superintendent Nicola Franklin said the force was 'committed to tackling' paedophilia.

She added: 'If anyone has information that should be shared with police we would urge them to do so.

'Despite the passage of time, we will still investigate provided sufficient evidence exists to do so and the perpetrator is still alive.'

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A pensioner was visited by armed police at his house after 'jokingly' asking a Barclays bank agent whether he needed to walk into a branch with 'a bomb strapped to my shirt to get some attention'.

Eric Trim, 75, from Royston, Hertfordshire, was mystified after discovering that his 14,000 bank account was closed due to inactivity just weeks before Christmas.

The pensioner was forced to take out a loan to buy Christmas presents for his children and grandchildren before spending more than four hours on the phone to various different Barclays agents to resolve the issue.

After feeling as though he was getting 'nowhere' with each representative, he snapped in frustration and in a 'tongue-in-cheek way' said he will 'walk into your bank in Cambridge' and 'tell them I've got a bomb strapped to my shirt to get your attention.'

Just two weeks later, two armed police officers arrived at his house to arrest him and suspended his firearms licence due to him being listed as a 'threat'.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, the 75-year-old slammed Barclays bank for showing 'no care' towards him and questioned whether Britain has become a 'police state' after the officers arrived at his door.

A spokesperson for Barclays has said in response that 'the safety of our customers and staff is our utmost priority' and Mr Trim's money will be returned to him 'once the customer has provided some required information.'

Meanwhile, Cambridgeshire Constabulary confirmed that firearms officers did visit Mr Trim's house in Bassingbourn and an investigation has since been launched.

Eric Trim, pictured, was visited by armed police after jokingly asking whether he needed to walk into a Barclays bank 'with a bomb under my shirt to get some attention'

The pensioner's 14,000 bank account was suddenly closed due to inactivity just weeks before Christmas

Ring doorbell footage shows the moment two armed officers arrive at Mr Trim's house in Royston, Hertfordshire

Explaining the beginning of his ordeal, Mr Trim said he first discovered that his 14,000 bank account was closed when he tried to pay some bills.

'I'm a pensioner, so I use my pension to pay for everything but as it was coming up to Christmas I had a current account with Barclays that has my last pot of money in it, 14,000. I need it and rely upon it.

'So, after I couldn't use it I first called Barclays on December 12 to find out why they had closed my account without giving any notice,' the pensioner said.

'Christmas was a few days away, I had to get my children and grandchildren presents.'

However, Mr Trim claims that the popular high street bank were just simply 'not interested'.

'The first person I spoke to said they would get a manager to call me back in 48 hours, but I received nothing,' he explained.

'I phoned them up again on December 16 and had exactly the same conversation, with both calls lasting well over an hour. They just weren't bothered. They kept saying "I'm so sorry about this" but there was no action. They weren't offering a solution.

'I just wanted some attention, so that was when I said: "I'll tell you what I'll do, I'll walk into your bank in Cambridge. I don't know how I'm gonna get there yet, but I'll, if I have to walk there and I'll walk in and I'll tell them I've got a bomb strapped to my shirt to get your attention?"

'As soon as I said that, the agent just hung up on me straight away. At the time, I was just so frustrated, it was a tongue-in-cheek comment saying is this what an old age pensioner has to do to get your attention?

'Cut forward to January 2, I had a knock at the door so I went to see who it is. Standing there was two armed policemen ready to arrest me, all because I joked that I was going to bomb the bank.

Speaking to MailOnline, the 75-year-old slammed Barclays bank for showing 'no care' towards him

Mr Trim also questioned whether Britain has become a 'police state' after the officers arrived at his door

Cambridgeshire Constabulary confirmed that firearms officers did visit Mr Trim's house in Bassingbourn

'I was just shocked. I couldn't believe it. Why would the police pick on an old age pensioner who hasn't done anything wrong and is just asking for his money?

'They also suspended my firearms licence, which I use sometimes to shoot pigeons when I can afford to, because I was apparently a threat. They made my son drive 30 miles to come and collect my weapons as he has a firearms licence, as well as my son in law.

'I do question where this country is going and whether it is a police state in the making. Three police officers just arriving at my door like that.'

Asked what the officers said after he explained the situation, he added: 'One of the officers just looked at me and said "I don't believe this", shaking his head.

'When he took my licence away as well, he actually said he was sorry he had to do this.'

The following day, Mr Trim made another call to Barclays in a call that again lasted over an hour. He was told to fill out a form and bring it to one of the branches, but seeing as he lived 24 miles away he wanted to resolve the issue over the phone.

A week on from Mr Trim's terrifying experience, he claims: 'After speaking to people in my area, there are others in the same boat with Barclays who have had their accounts suspended due to inactivity.

'I want Barclays to be accountable and made responsible for the people who are keeping them in business. Four of their representatives did not care about me.

Mr Trim said: 'Why would the police pick on an old age pensioner who hasn't done anything wrong and is just asking for his money?'

Currently, the 75-year-old said he has still been unable to access his Barclays bank account

'I also want them to acknowledge that they went too far in reporting this to the police so I can get my shotgun licence back.

'I mean, you only have to look at their Trustpilot rating. It's not even two stars. When I checked, 84% of people gave them one out of five stars for customer service.'

A Barclays spokesperson said: 'We do not tolerate threats to the safety of our customers and staff.

'After the customer in question made an aggressive and specific bomb threat towards a named branch, we notified the police in line with established procedure so they could evaluate the situation and, if appropriate, act on it.

'We are sorry to hear of the issues our customer faced following their account closure, however this action was taken after years of inactivity and follows standard protocols to protect customers from fraud.

'We only closed the account after sending multiple letters of notice both digitally and to the accounts registered address with no response.

'As our customer service team explained on several calls, once this customer has provided some required information we will be able to quickly return the funds to his nominated account.'

A force spokeswoman for Cambridgeshire Constabulary told MailOnline: 'We have received a report of malicious communications which allegedly took place at 11.30am on 27 December.

'An investigation has been launched. Due to the nature of the communications, and as a precaution, firearms officers visited a house in Bassingbourn and enquiries continue.'
Australians have been told not to panic over an outbreak of the respiratory infection metapneumovirus (HMPV), which is reported to be overwhelming hospitals in China - but experts are closely monitoring the situation.

Beijing has downplayed footage of overcrowded waiting rooms and wards posted on social media, saying respiratory infections are 'less severe' and 'smaller in scale' compared to last year.

The rapid spread of the new virus from China to Europe is disturbingly similar to the path of Covid-19 in the northern winter of 2019/20, and that too was initially played down by Chinese authorities.

Data from the UK also shows a surge in HMPV cases in recent weeks.

According to virus monitoring data from the UK Health Security Agency, as of December 23, ten per cent of children tested for respiratory infections in hospitals were found to be positive for HMPV.

Epidemiologist Professor Catherine Bennett said the virus was already in Australia.

But she insisted the HMPV outbreak currently poses no immediate threat, as it is summertime, when outdoor lifestyles and ventilated homes limit the spread of respiratory infections.

'It's important for people to know that it's here,' Professor Bennett said. 'It's responsible for the respiratory illness that we had in our winter.

Aussies have been alarmed by reports from China about outbreaks of human metapneumovirus (HMPV). A clinic waiting room in China is pictured

The above are clips from videos claiming to show overwhelmed hospitals in China

'Winter is always where our hospitalisations for respiratory disease are at their highest, and that's what China is going through now.'

Unlike COVID, HMPV is not a new virus to humans, with the first case of a human infection reported in 2001 in the Netherlands.

In Australia, HMPV has become the third most common virus detected in both adults and children with respiratory infections.

'They're comparing it to COVID, but COVID was essentially a new human virus. No one had any great immunity against COVID, and so we were all vulnerable,' Professor Bennett explained..

'In contrast HMPV is a virus that's been known about for all of this century. In fact, it's something that's reasonably common.'

HMPV typically causes symptoms similar to the common cold, including a cough, runny nose or nasal congestion, a sore throat and fever that clear after around five days.

But more severe symptoms such as bronchitis, bronchiolitis and pneumonia can occur, with sufferers experiencing a shortness of breath, severe cough or wheezing.

There is no vaccine yet or specific antiviral treatment for HMPV and treatment primarily involves managing symptoms.

HMPV spreads through tiny droplets that are expelled by the infected when they breath, but to a far greater extent when they cough and sneeze.

Infection can occur when people close by breathe in these droplets or by touching surfaces contaminated with them, like door handles, and then going on to touch their face or mouth.

People with HMPV can also spread the virus while suffering no symptoms themselves, as they are contagious before they begin to feel ill.

Experts have cautioned that HMPV, which produces flu-like symptoms, can lurk in the body for days and so it can be easily passed on to others

Professor Bennett warned warned it is crucial to remain actively involved in monitoring the spread of the illness in China, as viruses continually evolve over time.

'The reason other countries are monitoring the situation is to check for any unusual increase in cases - more than what is typically seen.'

'They want to ensure that the virus hasn't changed or that our vulnerability hasn't increased.'

Dr Sanjaya Senanayake, infectious disease specialist and associate professor of medicine and psychology at the Australian National University, said it was 'vital for China to share its data on this outbreak in a timely manner', including 'data about who is getting infected.'

He added: 'Also, we will need genomic data confirming that HMPV is the culprit, and that there aren't any significant mutations of concern.'

Virus expert Dr Andrew Catchpole said that it is unclear how high the number of cases are in China.

'HMPV is usually detected in the winter periods but it does seem that the rates of serious infection may be higher in China than what we would expect in a normal year,' he explained.

'We need more information on the specific strain that is circulating to start to understand if this is the usual circulating strains or if the virus causing high infection rates in China has some differences.'

Promisingly, Dr Catchpole noted that while HMPV 'does mutate and change over time with new strains emerging', it is 'not a virus considered to have pandemic potential'.

Professor Jill Carr, a virologist in the College of Medicine and Public Health at Flinders University, also cautioned the current outbreak in China was not likely to cause a global crisis.

Leading epidemiologist Professor Catherine Bennett has reassured the public that the HPMPV outbreak poses no significant threat in Australia at the moment, as it is summer here - a season less conducive to respiratory infections.

She said: 'This is very different to the COVID-19 pandemic, where the virus was completely new in humans and arose from a spill-over from animals and spread to pandemic levels because there was no prior exposures or protective immunity in the community.'

'The scientific community also has some understanding of the genetic diversity and epidemiology of HMPV, the kind of impact the virus has on the lungs and established laboratory testing methods - again, very different to the COVID-19 pandemic, where a new lung disease was seen, there was little information on how the virus may vary and spread and we had no initial diagnostic tests.'

Dr Jacqueline Stephens, an associate professor in public health at Flinders University agreed.

'Were just more cautious of outbreaks now,' Dr Stephens said.

'Everyone is hypervigilant, and you hear this term human metapneumovirus and it sounds kind of scary.'
Australian billionaire's heir Peter Holmes a Court has revealed his toddler son has been 'found' in Africa after he earlier launched a mysterious manhunt for the child.

But in a surprise twist, the boy's mother, Mr Holmes a Court's wife Alissa Everett, insists her son, Jaden, was never actually missing in the first place.

Mr Holmes a Court, 56, is Russell Crowe's ex-business partner who invested with him in South Sydney NRL club in 2006, and the older brother of Teals MP backer, Simon Holmes a Court, 53.

He now lives in Nairobi in Kenya with wife Alissa and their four-and-a-half-year-old son, where they run a network of hotels and event spaces called Afrika House.

But Mr Holmes a Court this week launched a huge search campaign for Jaden, putting his picture on posters around Nairobi and online, begging for help to find him.

The posters said the child was last seen in Shela Village in Lamu County, along with contact numbers - including Mr Holmes a Court's personal number - to get in touch.

On Tuesday, Mr Holmes a Court confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that his son had now been 'found' but would not go into detail about the boys 'disappearance'.

However, hours later, his American wife, a photographer and humanitarian, told Daily Mail Australia her son had never been missing.

Australian business tycoon Peter Holmes a Court and his photographer wife Alissa Everett (both pictured)

Peter Holmes a Court circulated missing posters of his four-and-a-half-year-old son Jaden appealing to the public for more information on his sons whereabouts

'Thankfully, he is not missing and never was,' Ms Everett said. 'He is safely with me.'

Locals have suggested Ms Everett was on holiday with her son in the Lamu area, amid rumours of problems in their marriage, at the time the alert was sounded.

The couple were previously hit by tragedy when just days before their scheduled wedding in Botswana in 2014, the couple were involved in a fatal collision, along with dozens of friends and relatives

The group were aboard a tourist tram at Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls when a freight train ignored a stop sign and rammed them from behind, leaving one dead and 20 injured.

Will Poovey, an American father of two, was flown to South Africa for treatment but did not survive the freak accident.

Born into extreme wealth, Peter is the first son of Robert and Janet Holmes a Court, he attended the illustrious Geelong Grammar School and Oxford University.

His late father, was born in South Africa before coming to Australia and becoming the countrys first billionaire through investments in resources and media.

Robert's death left his wife Janet one third of the family fortune with the four children sharing the rest. The amount Peter reportedly received was $35 million.

The couple seen holding a sign remembering their friend Will Poovey, who was killed in a train accident shortly before the wedding

Peter Holmes a Court and Alissa Everett have lived in Kenya a number of years

In 2000 Holmes a Court settled out of court with his family to gain his inheritance from the family company, Heytesbury.

He famously sold his 37.5 per cent share in the premier team to billionaire businessman James Packer for an undisclosed amount.

The couple have lived in Kenya for a number of years after increasingl spending more time in Africa a decade ago.

As well as Afrika House, Ms Everett runs the charity Exposing Hope to bring attention to the harsh conditions faced by war victims and refugees.
A young Queensland mother has slammed the lack of mental health support services after her partner took his own life on Christmas Day amid stress over finding a home for his young family.

Sam Platt, 33, from the Sunshine Coast, is survived by his partner Meghan Cross and three children Alaina, Kayden and Riley.

Ms Cross said Sam, who was a cabinet maker by trade, was a 'wonderful dad' who enjoyed spending time outdoors with his children, including riding his dirt bike.

Family friend Marina Boubaris has launched a GoFundMe for the couple's children.

'There were no warning signs. He was happy he loved his family and his motorbikes. We are all in shock, it just goes to show what people can be struggling with on the inside,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

Ms Cross said they had been struggling during the housing crisis and were unable to afford a home in the area they grew up in, so had recently moved into a caravan on her parent's property.

'It put a huge toll on us both, especially him feeling like he had to provide for us. It was just too much for the both of us,' she told Newscorp.

Sam knew he was stressed about the situation and that he had tried to get mental health support from the government but there 'wasn't any available'.

Meghan Cross said her partner Sam Platt was a 'wonderful dad' but their family had been struggling the housing crises that has seen property prices skyrocket as supply remains low

Mr Platt is pictured with his family

'He was struggling with his mental health but was very silent about it. I believe it is a big problem among men from his generation, they need to know they don't have to be too strong,' she told NewsCorp.

Ms Boubaris thanked the community for their support.

'It will not only help the family with the immediate financial burden but will also provide them with a sense of comfort knowing they're not alone in this.

She said the loss of Sam's primary income would add further strain to a 'devastated' Ms Cross as she raises their young kids.

'Any contribution, no matter how big or small, will go directly to helping Meghan and her children,' she said.

Both Ms Cross and Ms Boubaris urged other men to reach out and talk to those close to them and to keep looking for mental health support services despite setbacks.

A church service for Mr Platt will be held on Friday.

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The family of a murdered teenage girl who was Britain's first white honour killing victim have condemned a grooming gangs 'cover-up' and backed calls for a new national inquiry into the scandal.

Young mother Laura Wilson, 17, was repeatedly stabbed and left to die in a canal by an abuser - after council workers failed to act on reports she was being exploited by older Asian men.

An inquiry held after her murder by Ashtiaq Ashgar, who could soon be eligible for parole, criticised officials at Rotherham Council after hearing how she was preyed upon by gangs in the town from the age of just 11.

Laura was killed just days after she revealed to families of some of her abusers how she had been in sexual relationships with them - including having a daughter by an older man who was described as a 'mentor' to her murderer.

British-born Ashgar came from a traditional Muslim family who were planning an arranged marriage for their son with someone from Pakistan and he made Laura keep their relationship a secret.

Now her elder sister Sarah Wilson, 33, has backed calls for a new national inquiry into sex abuse gangs, following on from concerns raised by X owner Elon Musk.

She spoke out after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faced criticism for suggesting those raising the alarm were 'amplifying' the 'far right'.

Sarah, another victim of grooming abuse herself, posted on X, formerly Twitter that anyone involved in cover-ups should be punished and stripped of pensions - while also declaring: 'Our justice system stinks.'

Laura Wilson, 17, was stabbed more than 40 times and left to die in a canal in Rotherham in October 2010 - becoming Britain's first recognised white honour killing victim

Ashtiar Ashgar was convicted in 2012 of Laura Wilson's murder and sentenced to life in prison, ordered to serve at least 17 and a half years behind bars

Murdered Laura Wilson's older sister Sarah has been posting on X, formerly Twitter, backing calls for a new national inquiry into grooming gangs after being a victim herself

Laura was stabbed more than 40 times by Asghar before he hurled her into the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation Canal in October 2010 and used his blade to hold her under the water.

He was infuriated and on a 'mission to kill' after the young mother told his Muslim family of their relationship which began when she was 15 and he 16, Sheffield Crown Court heard.

Ashgar had exchanged a series of texts with married friend and mentor Ishaq Hussain, 22, who had also had an affair with Laura, and who the trial judge described as a man who regarded white girls as 'sexual targets, not human beings'.

In one message, sent a day before he killed Miss Wilson, Asghar wrote: 'I'm gonna send that kuffar (non-Muslim) bitch straight to Hell.'

In another he wrote, 'I need to do a mission', while also talking of buying a pistol and 'making some beans on toast' - a reference to spilling blood used in Four Lions, a satirical film about suicide bombers.

Asghar is serving life in prison after he pleaded guilty to murder and was jailed for life, while Mr Hussain was acquitted of murder by joint enterprise after a retrial.

It later emerged that Rotherham County Council's social services were well aware Laura was at risk and had received information about certain adults suspected of targeting her from the age of 11.

The local authority's Safeguarding Children Board published in June 2012 a serious case review but key passages mentioning how officials knew she was at particular risk from 'Asian men' had been blocked out with black lines.

Laura Wilson (pictured) was stabbed more than 40 times by Ashtiaq Asghar before he forced her into the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation Canal in October 2010

Laura's sister Sarah Wilson, a survivor of sex abuse in Rotherham, has spoken out in favour of an 'independent investigation' into grooming gangs

The council went to court in an attempt to tried to suppress the hidden information after an uncensored copy of the report was leaked to the Times newspaper, before abandoning legal action.

The uncensored report confirmed that Laura, identified as Child S, had dealings with 15 agencies and identified 'numerous missed opportunities' to protect her - while also stating that she eventually became 'almost invisible' to care professionals.

Details hidden included the knowledge that at the age of 13 Laura and a friend had been given alcohol by men at a takeaway who then asked what she would give them in return.

She had also been referred to a child sexual exploitation project just three months after her 11th birthday.

Another censored passage reveals that Laura had been 'mentioned' during a 2009 police inquiry that eventually led to the conviction of five Pakistani men for sex offences against three underage girls.

While the published report mentioned the fact that a friend, who Laura knew when she was 10, was 'thought to have become involved in sexual exploitation', it concealed the succeeding passage which read, 'with particular reference to Asian men'.

In 2007, when Laura was 13, she and her family appeared on The Jeremy Kyle Show, in an episode about 'out-of-control children'.

Workers at a child sexual exploitation project later sent a report to social services, but no action was taken to remove her from what became a spiral of sexual abuse.

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Laura Wilson's murderer Ashtiaq Asghar, jailed for life in December 2012, had begun a relationship with her when she was 15 and he was 16

By the time she was 16, she had embarked on an affair with Mr Hussain, who was then 20 and already married, and have birth to a daughter - though he refused to accept the child was his.

Four months later, and just days before she was murdered on October 12 2010, she 'shamed' Asghar and Mr Hussain by informing their families of her relationship with both men.

She told Asghar's mother she loved her son and 'wanted to have babies' by him - but Mrs Asghar was said to be furious and attempted to hit Miss Wilson with a shoe, branding her 'a dirty white b****' who should 'keep your legs closed', the murder trial was told.

Ashtiaq then lured her by text message to the banks of the canal before attacking her on October 12.

Her mother Maggie later told a Crime & Investigation Network documentary how, when Laura did not return home that evening, she 'just knew' something terrible had happened.

Meanwhile, Ashgar was trying to cover his tracks by texting Laura's friend asking if she had 'seen' her.

Two days later, Laura's body was found in the canal, with more than 40 stab wounds - most of them to the head, with some being defence wounds.

On May 2011 at Ashgar's trial, the court heard how after stabbing Laura, he threw her into the canal but she kept fighting for her life.

Sarah Wilson (right) has shared on X, formerly Twitter, this photo of herself alongside her youngster sister Laura

A pathologist's report found that the stab wounds to the head were actually done to keep her under the water.

The following month Ashtiaq changed his plea to guilty in the hope of a reduced sentence. In December that year the then-18-year-old was sentenced to life, with a minimum of 17 and a half years in jail.

Looking back later, Laura's mother remembered: 'He showed no remorse, just upset at the amount of time he got in jail.'

The latest phase of the grooming gangs scandal erupted when it emerged that the government had rejected a request from Oldham Council for a national inquiry into historical child sexual exploitation - saying the local authority should lead it instead.

Tesla tycoon Mr Musk pushed the issue up the agenda by wading in on his X social media site, suggesting the PM was 'complicit' in failure to tackle the abuse while director of public prosecutions between 2008 and 2013.

Mr Musk has also insisted Sir Keir should be in 'prison', and asked followers whether the US should 'liberate' Britain from 'tyrannical government'.

Questioned at a press conference yesterday, the PM described child sexual exploitation as 'utterly sickening' - but defended his record as DPP, saying he tackled the issue 'head on'.

The PM acknowledged that many victims felt 'let down by perverse ideas about community relations or by the idea that institutions must be protected above all else and they have not been listened to and they have not been heard'.

Laura Wilson's mother Margaret (left) told a dlocumentary in 2013 how she 'just knew' something was wrong when her daughter did not return home on October 12 2010

However, he said there had been enough inquiries into a scandal that took place for decades across dozens of towns and cities.

Sir Keir added: 'This doesn't need more consultation. It doesn't need more research. It just needs action.'

He also suggested that politicians demanding an overarching probe into the rape of thousands of white girls by gangs of predominantly Pakistani-origin men were 'amplifying what the far right are saying'.

Former police detective Maggie Oliver, who helped blow the whistle on grooming gangs in Rochdale after previous failures to prosecute, said she was 'incandescent with rage' at the PM's comments.

She told GB News: 'I am no far right activist. I am a woman who gave 16 years of my life to the police and protecting children was number one priority in my life.

'All the victims that I know and that we support have had their lives destroyed - to write them off as far right extremists is insulting in the extreme.'

And Laura Wilson's sister Sarah has added her voice to the backlash, posting on X that there was a need for new inquiries 'all around England'.

She called for 'stronger sentences for the perpetrators and if not a UK-born citizen to be deported back to where they were born'.

This is the spot where the body of Laura Wilson, 17, was found after she was murdered and dumped in the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation Canal in Rotherham in October 2010

She said: 'People in power who chose to ignore it and be part of it to be prosecuted and stripped of their pensions.'

Sarah, 33, also posted how she feared her sister's killer 'could be out next year depending on the Parole Board', adding: 'Imagine killing an innocent girl so brutally and only getting 17 and half years.

'Being able to go live back in the town where he committed the murder and where we live. Our justice system stinks.

'My little sister was murdered because she brought shame on her boyfriend's family when we confronted them.

'My sister was murdered because she was a non Muslim white girl.'

In a separate post, Sarah reiterated her hopes for a new inquiry, saying: 'I remember the feeling when I knew the Alexis Jay report was finalised and published - a feeling of relief , anger and hurt.

'But the biggest relief was that we was finally been believed about what we had been telling them was going on in Rotherham.

'Why cant we give this hope to every city and town? Victims and survivors deserve to be heard, to be believed and to have the weight of the world lifted off their shoulders.

Just days before she was murdered on October 12 2010, Laura Wilson (pictured) told the family of Ashtiaq Asghar about her relationship with him

'I was 11 when my grooming first started, I was around 16 years old when I was too old for them - Im 34 this year and I still live with that mental torture every single day.

'Our government and people in authority owe it to all the boys and girls around England that dont have a voice.'

After the safeguarding report following Laura's murder was published in June 2012, Rotherham Local Safeguarding Children Board chair Alan Hazell said: 'We refute in the strongest possible terms any suggestion that information was redacted from the published report for any reason other than to protect the interests of Laura's daughter, immediate family and other third parties.

'This is a wide ranging study which shows a very complex situation surrounding Child S and her child which made it difficult for agencies to engage with her.

'There is no suggestion that anyone could have saved Child S from what ultimately happened to her but clearly her care could have been improved.

'There were chances for those agencies to be more proactive in how they dealt with the case and all agencies involved accept that and apologise that the standards of service were not as high as they should have been.'

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced to Parliament on Monday that the law will be changed to make it mandatory for social workers, teachers, police and others working with children to report suspected sexual abuse.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is tabling a Commons amendment designed to force a vote on an inquiry, which could come as early as tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Prof Alexis Jay, who chaired a previous independent inquiry into Child Sex Abuse, said today that 'people should just get on with' implementing its recommendations rather than holding another one.
A grooming gang fantasist is 'happy and making a new life for herself' after being quietly let out of prison under Labour's early release scheme.

The revelation that Eleanor Williams, 24, has been released less than two years into an eight-and-a-half-year jail term has shocked locals in her hometown of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria.

Innocent men had their lives torn apart by her false claims of grooming by gangs of Asian men - lies she backed up with harrowing photos showing devastating injuries all over her face and body which later turned out to be self-inflicted.

While it was previously known that Williams had been set free, MailOnline can now reveal this happened in October under Sir Keir Starmer's programme to clear space in jails.

Her family believe news of her release has been fed to the media to coincide with the release of a major Channel 4 documentary into her crimes called Accused: The Fake Grooming Scandal, which premiered last night.

Williams - who is subject to strict licence conditions - was unavailable for comment. Her mother and devoted supporter, Allison Johnston, declined to speak - saying only that she was focused on keeping her daughter safe.

A source close to the case has revealed that the fantasist was released under the Government's scheme after technically serving 40 per cent of her sentence because she spent many months on remand before her trial in 2022 and 2023.

Eleanor Williams was released less than two year into an eight-and-a-half-year jail term

Innocent men in the town of Barrow had their lives torn apart by Williams' allegations

Williams is now said to be 'happy and doing well' - focusing on forging a career and putting her notoriety behind her.

Her allegations in 2020 sent the Cumbrian town into uproar, with Asian businesses attacked and far-right thug Tommy Robinson staging a visit.

But when it emerged Williams had made up the claims, local anger turned onto her.

The source told MailOnline: 'Ellie was actually released in October but until now no one has said anything about it and she's been able to live quietly away from Barrow.

'What has to be remembered is that she served a long time on remand before her trial ever got under way and that counts towards how her sentence is calculated for her release date.

'She was first arrested in 2020 in May. She did eight months on remand and was released on home tag for a year. She then attempted suicide and was remanded again waiting for the trial.

'But that was delayed for a year and in all that time she was in prison. So people saying that she hasn't even served two years on an eight year sentence have it wrong.

'Her release date was actually February this year but the Government is releasing prisoners early because of the demand on prison spaces and she has served 40% of her sentence.

'She was a model prisoner and she was no threat to society at all. She was working during her time in jail as a receptionist for an electrical equipment company and proved to the authorities that she was suitable to be released.'

The fantasist backed up her lies with harrowing photos showing devastating injuries all over her face and body

The injuries - which caused an outcry in her hometown of Barrow - turned out to be self-inflicted

A photo showing self-inflicted wounds on Williams' legs

Footage shows how Williams acted as if she had been drugged when police officers visited her at home in July 2019

The source described how Williams' life had been rocked by news Channel 4 was filming a documentary about her.

'She has been happy and doing well and hoping to make a new life for herself but all of a sudden she's back in the news and another documentary is about to begin.

'It's no coincidence that the media were fed the news about her release just before the documentary was due to come out. It's been done as publicity.

'Things have gone quiet for a while and now it has all blown up again. She was safe when she was in prison but now she's in the community and there is a concern for her at this point.'

The source said Williams' family continue to believe that she told 'lies' but was actually groomed.

They point towards the jailing of three brothers from Barrow for a 14 year campaign of sexual assaults against children between 1996 and 2010 as evidence that not everything she said was fabricated.

One of the men, Shaha Joman Miah, 38, known as Saj, was referred to in Williams' allegations.

Williams was found guilty on eight counts of perverting the course of justice and jailed for eight and half years in 2023.

Williams with her mother Allison, who did not want to comment

Williams pleaded guilty to a ninth count prior to her ten-week trial, admitting that she fabricated evidence while at HMP Styal in Cheshire

The Ministry of Justice confirmed that Williams, who previously lived on Walney Island, Barrown, had been released

Preston Crown Court previously heard that three men had tried to take their own lives after being falsely accused of raping her and one spent 73 days in jail.

Barrow residents have expressed their shock at her release, with one posting: 'This is absolutely disgusting! She's barely served any of her eight year sentence! How is this justice for what she did to those poor men?'

Sentenced in early 2023, Preston Crown Court heard Williams was originally scheduled to be released from custody in February at the halfway point of her sentence.

It came after she served an extensive period of time on remand having been charged with eight counts of perverting the course of justice.

She pleaded guilty to a ninth count prior to her ten-week trial, admitting that she fabricated evidence while at HMP Styal in Cheshire.

The Ministry of Justice confirmed that Williams, who previously lived on Walney Island, Barrown, had been released.

An HM Prison and Probation Service spokesperson said: 'Any individual released on licence are subject to probation supervision, strict licence conditions and face a return to prison if they break them.'

Offenders released on licence are subject to strict conditions including restrictions on their movements and contact with others.

Mohammed Ramzan (second right), who was accused of trafficking by Williams

Mohammed Ramzan speaking with Channel 4 documentary looking into Eleanor Williams' allegations

His wife Nicola Holt spoke of how the ordeal impacted their entire family after her husband was falsely accused

Licence conditions can include restrictions on where offenders can travel, who they can contact, wearing a tag, to abide by a curfew, restrictions on phone and internet use, and living at a particular address.

She can also be recalled for exhibiting behaviour suggesting she poses an increased risk to the public.

At her sentencing hearing the court made her the subject of a five-year serious crime prevention order 'to protect the public' which was due to take effect from February 17.

Williams's lies were undone by more than 50 hours of footage, including street CCTV, tapes of video interviews and police bodycam video.

Footage shows how Williams acted as if she had been drugged when police officers visited her at home in July 2019 after she made the first of her claims.

The source added: 'Ellie went to college and is a bright girl, she has a lot to offer once she's able to put the past behind her.

'She's currently living outside Barrow and doesn't know whether she'll be able to return. It's an isolated town where everyone is involved in everyone else's business which would make life impossible for her at the moment.'
The sister of a British man missing in the Italian mountains since New Year's Day has said she is 'desperate' for news.

Miriam Ziriat's brother Aziz, 36, and his friend Samuel Harris, 35, were hiking in the Dolomites mountains in northeastern Italy on January 1, but they haven't been seen or heard from since 2.20pm that day.

Their family and friends got concerned when the two hikers missed their flights back to Britain on January 6 and alerted Italian authorities, who launched an urgent search.

In a video, which was yesterday shared with MailOnline, the 36-year-old detailed what feats they will be taking on in the coming days - with plans to climb the 3,000-metre mountains.

His sister has now opened up about her worries.

Miriam, also 36, told MailOnline: 'I'm just really, really concerned about them and just desperate to hear something about their whereabouts, just to hear that they're okay. It's just obviously very, very worrying.

'It's not unusual for us not to hear from him on these kind of trips. He has done these mountaineering trips and tracks before, but he is usually in a larger group - there are only two of them on this trip.

'But it's really concerning that it's been many days and they now missed their flight. We sort of understood that they might lose their phone or that their phone might run out of battery, but for them not to make their flight is a big concern.'

Aziz Ziriat (pictured), 36, and Sam Harris, 35, were hiking in the Dolomites mountains in northeastern Italy on January 1, but they haven't been seen or heard from since

Their family and friends got concerned when the two hikers (Harris is pictured above) missed their flights back to Britain on January 6 and alerted Italian authorities, who launched an urgent search

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Ziriat, who works for Crystal Palace's Palace for Life foundation, and Harris' last known location is believed to be near a hut called Casina Dosson which is near the town Tione Di Trento, near Riva del Garda, on Lake Garda.

Friends of the two missing Britons and Ziriat's girlfriend Rebecca travelled to Italy last night to help with the search.

Alpine Rescue, Guardia di Finanza Rescue, Carabinieri and the local fire brigade are involved in trying to locate Ziriat and Harris, but recent snowfall was making it difficult for teams to reach the area.

'The weather condition has been very poor today. So as far as I know, they haven't been able to sell out to arrange for a helicopter to search the area, but they have sent drones and some people on foot,' Miriam Ziriat said after speaking to an Italian officer.

'They're hoping when the fog clears, there's a lot of snow and it's very foggy, so if the fog clears, they're hoping to send a search by air as well.'

Family and friends have managed to log into Ziriat's email, where they found a route the two friends planned to hike on January first. 'But there's no data from that point onwards,' his sister told MailOnline.

She added: 'Everyone is trying to rally up as much support as possible, trying to raise awareness as much as we can, and trying to kind of draw on all resources to try and locate them.

'It's really worrying to not have heard anything at this point, and we're trying to remain hopeful that we'll hear some news about a safe location.'

It comes after MailOnline revealed the two missing British men snapped footage revealing their plans to scale 3,000-metre Italian mountains on New Year's Day before they vanished.

The club also shared descriptions of the Ziriat and Harris, including a picture of the clothes Harris is believed to have been wearing

An image of the mountain hut where the men where staying that was included in Aziz's video

In a video, which has been shared with MailOnline, Aziz says the pair are going to leave their usual large packs at home.

The 36-year-old explained he and Samuel had been 'lugging' them up and down the valleys for the past two days of the trip.

Speaking into the camera as he stands outside the mountain hut in his flip-flops, Aziz says: 'Happy New Year! Woken up to some delightful sunshine, blue skies.

'There has not been a cloud in the sky since we got here, which is slightly unnerving but also quite jokes.'

'I want to attack this today, get up into the some of the 3,000 bits which are up yonder.'

'Looking forward to a day scampering, we are not taking our packs today, for the last two days lugging up this God-forsaken valley, another day frolicking before schlepping over to the next valley,' he adds in an extended version of clip.

He also pans to the 'World War One bunker' they had stayed in before going missing.

Crystal Palace FC also shared the appeal to locate their employee Ziriat and Harris, both from London, and shared a map with routes the two hikers could have taken.

'We are appealing for anyone familiar with the area, who can provide assistance or information, to get in touch,' the club said in a statement today.

Aziz snapped a video before he and Samuel set off - and it's been shared with MailOnline

Their last known location is believed to be near a hut called Casina Dosson which is near the town Tione Di Trento, near Rival Del Garda, on Lake Garda.



They were possibly following the route shown in the image below. pic.twitter.com/uQRueTrZtY  Palace for Life (@PalaceForLife) January 7, 2025

The club further posted descriptions of the Ziriat and Harris, including a picture of the clothes Harris is believed to have been wearing.

He can be seen standing on snow-covered rocky terrain in a grey top, dark trousers, a coat and glasses.

Ziriat, who is described as being 6'3, was a student at the University of Brighton, while Harris, who is 5'11, went to Oxford Brookes.

Both attended Teddington School in Teddington in southwest London.

Crystal Palace has asked fans to share pictures and information of the two missing Britons on social media.

Mustafa Suleyman, the chief executive of Microsoft's AI division, also posted an appeal to find Ziriat and Harris on LinkedIn: 'I urgently need your help! Two of my friends have gone missing whilst hiking in the Dolomites.

'We know they were near Casina Dosson Tione Di Trento, near Riva del Garda, on Lake Garda.'

Local authorities reportedly said that it was unusual for hikers to go missing in the Dolomites in January.

If anyone has any information or knows the area and can help, please dial 999 and reference CAD 0197/07 Jan25.
A police force that has championed a back-to-basics policy of investigating every reported incident has achieved the best crime-solving rate in England and Wales.

Norfolk Constabulary has an 11.99 per cent charging rate for offences  nearly three times that of the country's largest force, the Metropolitan Police, which came last with 4.28 per cent.

Fines, cautions, community resolutions and other out-of-court measures raised the proportion of solved offences to 21 per cent, or more than one-in-five.

Norfolk was also the top force for tackling shoplifting  which many police forces have been accused of ignoring  with nearly half of thefts solved and a third resulting in a charge. The Met brought charges in just 5.3 per cent of shop thefts.

Members of the public have increasingly found forces unwilling to look into complaints unless they are able to produce hard evidence, such as CCTV footage. Many have turned detective themselves to solve crimes.

Norfolk's chief constable, Paul Sanford, attributed the rural county's success to never considering any crime too inconsequential to look into.

'There is a clear focus throughout the organisation that all crime is a priority, regardless of the severity or value of loss,' he told the Daily Telegraph.

Making sure new recruits are 'fit for the future' by sharpening their investigative skills with stints in support units and investing in technology such as facial recognition and data analysis to link suspects to crimes and improve response times had also helped, he added.

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Norfolk Constabulary has an 11.99 per cent charging rate for offences  nearly three times that of the country's largest force, the Metropolitan Police, which came last with 4.28 per cent

'All this data allows us to target the most prolific offenders, while maintaining vigorous oversight of those suspects we are yet to detain,' Mr Sandford said.

Policing experts said forces' ability to solve crimes had suffered as they focused on 'woke' issues like non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs) while reducing the range of offences they were prepared to investigate.

Tory MP Sir John Hayes, a former Home Office minister, said: 'One of the big challenges we face is if you raise the bar of what's investigated then the bar never stops going up.

'Once you've raised it to exclude minor thefts like lawn mowers and bicycles then you ignore burglaries, then minor robberies.

'It also sends out a message to those who break the law that they are [not] likely to be investigated and convicted.'

He also criticised forces' 'pandering to political correctness' by investigating NCHIs, saying: 'They waste money on all kinds of woke causes.'

More than 133,000 NCHIs have been investigated by the 43 police forces of England and Wales since they were introduced in 2014, taking up an estimated 666,000 hours of police time.

Former Met detective chief inspector Dave McKelvey, who now runs a private security firm whose staff are hired to patrol residential and business beats vacated by police officers, said his company's viability was based on doing the basics that had once been expected of constabularies.

Norfolk's chief constable, Paul Sanford, attributed the rural county's success to never considering any crime too inconsequential to look into

Members of the public have increasingly found forces unwilling to look into complaints unless they are able to produce hard evidence, such as CCTV footage (file image)

It uses the Broken Windows policing strategy championed by New York in the 1990s which places emphasis on tackling low-level crimes, such as vandalism and loitering, to avoid an environment that encourages more serious offences.

'What we see too often these days is police forces just responding or reacting to crime, rather than proactively trying to reduce it with patrols,' Mr McKelvey said.

'On some nights there will be no police presence in the areas we patrol. Our bobbies are doing what police forces should be doing, carrying out regular, high-visibility patrols [and] responding to all sorts of crimes.'

Norfolk had a 14 per cent crime-solving rate when Mr Sanford became its most senior police officer in 2021.

In the year to March 2024, the number of crimes in the county fell 11 per cent to 59,471 reported incidents.

Mr Sanford agreed that prevention was 'better than cure', saying: 'We apply this principle in many ways, including using civil orders to control the criminal behaviours or repeat offenders, including banning shoplifters from our town centres to prevent future offences.'

But he warned backlogs in courts were damaging the deterrent effect of swift justice, while a 1.3 billion budget shortfall in police funding over the next two years was also affecting the ability to snare offenders.

City of London had the second highest rate of offences resulting in a charge at 10.65 per cent, followed by Cheshire on 10.48 per cent, Cumbria's 10.44 per cent and Merseyside with 10.35 per cent.

Norfolk was also the top force for tackling shoplifting  which many police forces have been accused of ignoring  with nearly half of thefts solved and a third resulting in a charge (file image)

The West Midlands was second worst with 4.96 per cent. Above them were Sussex on 5.58 per cent, Gloucestershire with 5.65 per cent and Surrey on 6.05 per cent, according to figures obtained by the Telegraph's analysis of Home Office data.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: 'The figures are unacceptably bad, especially in the poor-performing forces such as the Met and West Midlands.

'The police agreed over a year ago to always follow-up lines of inquiry but they are failing to do so, despite record funding and police numbers.

'They should always run an image through the police national database, follow-up geo-locating information and follow-up stolen goods on online market sites. The best forces are doing this already but the others have a lot to learn. This is not acceptable.'

Labour have said they will put 13,000 officers and PCSOs on Britain's streets to crack down on common offences such as burglary, theft and anti-social behaviour.
The details of how twisted nurse Erin Strotman broke the legs of babies in her care have been released in a shocking police report.

The nurse from Midlothian, Virginia, was caught on video breaking the thigh bone of one five-month-old boy in the neonatal intensive care unit of Henrico Doctors' Hospital in Richmond.

The child was also found to have a fractured right tibia and several broken ribs, the report noted.

Strotman, 26, took the boy  identified only as Y.H.  by the legs and then applied pressure to them, wrote Detective Megan Lynch.

'Ms. Stotman was observed to be placing her weight down on the legs of Y.H.' added Lynch.

'Ms. Strotman was observed then taking both legs and pushing them backwards to where Y.H.'s feet were at his head.

'Y.H. looked to be crying and in distress,' the detective wrote, noting that the boy's left leg moved normally but the right did not..

Strotman has been charged with malicious wounding and felony child abuse after being accused of harming seven newborn babies in her care at the hospital.

Shocking court documents revealed nurse Erin Elizabeth Strotman, 26, was caught on camera placing her weight on the legs of a premature baby - which resulted in a broken left femur

Social services told parents Dominique and Tori Hackey that they determined an NICU employee at the hospital caused their son Noah's fracture

Noah was one of seven babies who suffered inexplicable injuries at Henrico Doctors' Hospital in Richmond, Virginia from 2023 to 2024

She has only been charged in relation to one child so far, but remains in jail after bail was refused by a judge.

The video was made on November 10 after Strotman had returned to work after she and three colleagues had been suspended on full pay for almost a year after four boys received unexplained leg fractures.

They were allowed to return after investigations failed to find who was responsible for the injuries.

Details of how Strotman allegedly injured the boy comes after sources close to the hospital told DailyMail.com that she was 'racist' and initially targeted only black children.

One source told DailyMail.com: 'The majority of the babies were black babies, when she came back when they noticed the pattern, she tried to throw them off by targeting a white baby and a girl baby.

The source said Strotman was a weak student during her time in nursing school.

'She wasn't the strongest in the class, she was literally one of the slowest. People are saying she's a white supremacist but that's a bit of a stretch.

'I definitely felt like she was racist, she was deeply southern rooted,' they explained.

The documents showed that after Strotman placed her weight on his legs, the baby was 'crying and in distress' as she 'moved the left leg back and forth' - the footage allegedly showed the left leg moved normally, but the right did not

Coworkers and former classmates of Strotman told DailyMail.com they suspected she was 'racist' and they were 'not surprised that it was her'

The incidents took place in the NICU unit at Henrico Doctors' Hospital. They later installed 'angel cameras' which court documents alleged caught Strotman carrying out the heinous act

'I was surprised at what she did, but I'm not surprised that it was her. If anyone was to do something crazy, she would have been at the top of the list.'

The hospital announced on Christmas Eve that it would not be 'admitting any additional babies into our NICU at this time' after three babies were found with the fractures in late November and December.

While the nurses were suspended the hospital installed 'angel cameras' which allowed constant monitoring of the premature babies. Staff claimed that is how Strotman was caught.

Officials confirmed that the injuries discovered this year were 'similar to an incident involving four babies in the summer of 2023', with Henrico County Police reviewing 'dozens of videos' from inside the unit.

Detectives are re-examining the 2023 and 2024 cases as part of the broader investigation.

Staff at the hospital are horrified that Strotman was allowed back to work, one nurse told DailyMail.com: 'Virginia is a right to work state, so you don't have to have a reason to fire someone.

'If you even suspected these people were in the midst of harming babies you can terminate them,' the nurse, who spoke on condition of anonymity, added.

'But why would you let them come back and harm even more babies? They shouldn't have allowed her to come back.

The nurse said some fractures are common in childbirth.

'Shoulders and clavicles, when they're coming out of the birth canal, break all the time, but legs never happen,' they explained.

Strotman is seen with her family after her 2019 graduation from nursing school. They refused to comment on her arrest, with one telling DailyMail.com 'I don't want to talk about that'

Noah has fully recovered. His father Dominique was present for Strotman's arraignment on Friday along with three of the other families who had babies that were allegedly abused at the NICU

'It would have to be a whole lot of coincidences for that fracture to be the same way it was in all those babies.

'It would be like trying to snap a pencil. You have to put some force behind it. It's highly unlikely unless you accidentally drop one of them to snap their lower leg, below the knee, and that's what was being broken.'

Despite the injuries, the babies are reportedly all doing well and recovering after being moved to different hospitals.

Those who trained and worked with Strotman told DailyMail.com they were shocked that she had been placed on the specialist unit in the first place.

One described her as being 'weird' and always 'in the background' during their training at ECPI University in Richmond.

Strotman's arrest came after Dominique and Tori Hackey spoke out after Virginia Child Services informed them that their newborn baby Noah had been abused by an employee at the NICU when he suffered a fractured leg following his premature birth.

Dominique was present at Strotman's arraignment on Friday, along with three of the other families who had babies that were allegedly abused at the NICU.
A married prison officer jailed for having sex with an inmate in his cell was planning to continue their relationship after his release - because he made her feel 'like a gangster'.

Linda De Sousa Abreu, who was filmed on a mobile phone romping with convicted burglar Linton Weirich at HMP Wandsworth in South London, saw the convict as her 'protector' and rewarded him with 'sexual services'.

De Sousa Abreu - who lived with her partner and their seven-year-old daughter - admitted misconduct in a public office and was jailed on Monday for 15 months.

Fresh details of the case began to emerge yesterday morning after the sentencing remarks of judge Martin Edmunds KC were released in full.

Venezuelan-born De Sousa Abreu was seen by Dr Iain Kooyman, a consultant forensic psychiatrist who prepared a report for sentencing - and it disclosed new details of her mindset.

Dr Kooyman revealed that the 31-year-old told him that she 'loved' Weirich, who himself had a heavily pregnant girlfriend at the time.

The psychiatrist, who found she suffered from severe borderline personality disorder and ADHD, said she told him she had never felt as safe as when she was with Weirich.

And she planned for their liaison to continue on the outside after his release.

De Sousa Abreu (pictured), who was jailed for having sex with convicted burglar Linton Weirich planned to continue their relationship after his release - because he made her feel 'like a gangster'

Linda De Sousa Abreu (pictured in a mug shot), who was diagnosed by a psychiatrist as having severe borderline personality disorder and ADHD, also told him she had never felt as safe as when she was with Weirich

The X-rated clip shows De Sousa Abreu dressed in full uniform and performing a sex act on Weirich, who has a pregnant girlfriend, at the Category A jail

Weirich is serving a four-and-a-half year sentence for swiping 65,000 worth of valuables from a safe in a flat in Kensington.

Referring to the psychiatric report - as well as a letter written to him personally by the defendant - Judge Edmunds KC told De Sousa Abreu: 'Dr Kooyman assessed you as intelligent and insightful.

'You can have had no doubt at all that any form of sexual relationship was completely forbidden and must have understood the harm that can flow from such a relationship.

'To Dr Kooyman you acknowledged that you knew your actions were unprofessional but said you did not understand that you could face prosecution.

'To ensure there was the opportunity to offend it would have been essential for you to be alone with the prisoners.

'This was the second sexual encounter with the prisoner on that day. To that extent, the offence was premeditated.

'Why did you breach that clear line? There could be no doubt about the challenging working environment and I acknowledge that the Prison Inspectorate reported on a lack of support for inexperienced staff, but you now resile from any suggestion that you offended because of pressure.

'What you said to the author, and repeated as recently as in your letter to me, was that you came to view the prisoner as your protector, a person who made you feel safe, and in that context you provided sexual services.

Weirich, the inmate in the video, was jailed for four and a half years at Kingston Crown Court last June for burglary after he stole 65,000 worth of valuables from a safe in a flat in Kensington

Venezuelan-born De Sousa Abreu was seen by Dr Iain Kooyman, a consultant forensic psychiatrist, who revealed the 31-year-old told him that she 'loved' Weirich, who himself had a heavily pregnant girlfriend at the time

De Sousa Abreu came under fire in September last year after she was spotted mocking her ankle bracelet at a London party (pictured)

'But that is conceding to the very manipulation that your public office required you to resist.

'A clearer assessment comes in my view, from Dr Kooyman who observed that, although you felt unsupported, you enjoyed the sense of power that came with your position, the prisoners doing as you asked, saying you became grandiose and delusional, your mood high and that you loved working there.

'You told him that you developed a close attachment to the prisoner to the extent of wanting the relationship to continue after he was released, you say that you loved him, that you never felt so safe in your life and you 'felt like a gangster'.

'You said that you did not believe that consequences existed for you and did not think that you would be caught. Looking back, you now say that he groomed you.'

It was the second time she had had sex with him and followed a secret tryst earlier that same day when she had performed oral sex on him.

The X-rated clip - filmed by another prisoner - was leaked online and widely shared on social media.

Mr Edmunds KC said Dr Kooyman had diagnosed De Sousa Abreu with a severe borderline personality disorder which, combined with ADHD, made her 'highly impulsive' and reckless and made her act 'without considering the consequences' but he concluded that she was responsible for her actions.

He added that since the explicit recording had gone viral, female prison officers at HMP Wandsworth had been subject to abuse and harassment by inmates who now see them as 'fair game'.

Mr Edmunds KC told Isleworth Crown Court: 'The consequence of the recording going viral, a result that you did not intend but which was certainly a consequence of your offence, has been that prison officers have faced heckling and harassment.

'They have been confronted with sexualised images falsely suggesting that your conduct is typical.

'Children of your fellow female prison officers have been teased as to what their mothers may do at work.

'It is inevitable that the damage for which you were responsible at Wandsworth has spread, to some degree, through the prison estate.

'It will impact on the reputation of the prison service and, with that, the prospects of recruiting and retaining staff.

'It causes anxiety among those close to vulnerable prisoners who worry more about the environment in which prisoners are held.

'That recording is still out there and will doubtless circulate indefinitely.'

De Sousa Abreu was filmed performing a sex act on Weirich before engaging in full intercourse with him on June 25, 2024.

De Sousa Abreu was a prison officer at HMP Wandsworth (pictured) when the explicit footage was recorded and later circulated on social media

Dressed in full prison uniform, she first discarded her radio - which crackled throughout the four-and-a-half minute clip with inaudible messages from colleagues - before being recorded by a cannabis-smoking friend of Weirich.

When she realised that the clip had gone public, De Sousa Abreu tried to flee to Spain and travelled with her father to Heathrow Airport.

She called a HMP Wandsworth night officer and said: 'I am not coming back to work, I am never returning to Wandsworth. I am at the airport. I have a family emergency.'

She said her husband would return her things, but was stopped by police at a departure gate at Heathrow's Terminal Five before she could board a flight to Madrid.
Republican lawmakers are urging Donald Trump to quickly fold Greenland into the United States especially now that China has its eyes on the island.

In recent days, Trump has amplified calls for the U.S. to either purchase or stage a takeover of the 'strategically located' nation from Denmark.

Greenland is one of the shortest oceanic crossroads between North America and Europe holds incredible military and economic value to both the U.S. and China.

On Tuesday, the president-elect's eldest son Donald Trump Jr. visited the island along with MAGA allies flying in on Trump Force One.

As Jr. landed, Trump made clear intent of the visit was to gain momentum for his push to have the island Americanized.

'This is a deal that must happen,' Trump wrote on Truth Social with a video of Don Jr. landing on the island. 'MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!'

And Republican lawmakers not only agree, but they're telling Trump to hurry up so China can't get its hands on the country first.

'I think its a great move by the Trump team to try and make friends as much as possible because if we don't the Chinese will,' Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., told DailyMail.com of Jr.'s visit.

The country is also important because it has a large supply of rare earth minerals - like uranium - not found in the U.S., Burchett added.

Donald Trump Jr. visits Nuuk, Greenland, on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Republican lawmakers are largely in lockstep with Trump's Greenland plans

Donald Trump Jr., right, poses for a photo as he arrives in Nuuk, Greenland, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump arrives to speak to members of the media during a press conference at the Mar-a-Lago Club on January 07, 2025 in Palm Beach, Florida. At the event he said Greenland was needed by the U.S. for 'national security purposes'

Speaking at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday, Trump told reporters that the U.S. needs Greenland for 'national security purposes.'

The president-elect also refused to rule out using military or economic force to get Greenland to comply with his demands.

In a remarkable moment, a reporter asked Trump on Tuesday if could assure he would not use 'military or economic coercion' to take control of the Panama Canal and Greenland.

'Im not going to commit to that,' Trump said, when asked if he would rule out the use of the military. 'It might be that youll have to do something. The Panama Canal is vital to our country.' He added, 'We need Greenland for national security purposes.'

He has been ramping up threats to take over Greenland, the Panama Canal and also Canada as he prepares for his second term.

Greenland hosts the U.S. Thule Air Base which is critical to Arctic security. The base has a wide array of capabilities like missile defense, satellite tracking and more.

It is also a key location in China's 'Polar Silk Road,' a plan to expand their economic influence with countries in the area. Chinese stakeholders currently own large claims to Greenland's large rare earth deposit 'Kvanefjeld,' which has vast stores of uranium.

'The idea of Greenland, there are a lot of mineral resources there,' House Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green told DailyMail.com. 'I mean, working out something with the Danes, I don't know, I mean, I haven't been following any of that conversation very well.'

President Xi Jinping reviews the troops during his inspection of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) garrison stationed in the Macao Special Administrative Region, south China, Dec. 20, 2024. The country has aspirations in the Arctic like the 'Polar Silk Road'

Residents wearing MAGA hats stand in front of the Hotel Hans Egede during Donald Trump Jr.'s (not pictured) visit to Nuuk, Greenland

Both Reps. Mark Green and Tim Burchett voiced support for Trump's Greenland plans, noting how the country has vast deposits of rare metals

'But I mean I'm not opposed to it,' he admitted.

'I support the president, we need to put America first,' Freshman Rep. Addison McDowell, 30, told DailyMail.com when asked if he supports Trump's Greenland plans.

'And however, we have to do that, we have to do that, but we gotta put America first again,' he continued.

Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, said he also supports Trump's plans and noted how the president-elect 'is a great negotiator' and that 'Don Jr. is up there.'

'What's the best for Greenland? How do they want to do it? Denmark's involved with it. Let's just see what happens,' he added.

During Don Jr.'s visit he put his father on speakerphone with residents in a restaurant to convince them why they should join the U.S.

'You're so strategically located,' Trump told those dining out for lunch in a call where his son put him on speakerphone.

The Republican claimed Greenland would be a massive asset to the U.S. because it would allow Washington to provide more security for island and region at large.

Don Jr. visited the capital of Greenland, Nuuk, which is home to 20,000 residents

During Don Jr.'s visit he put his father on speakerphone with residents to convince them why they should join the U.S.

Still, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reiterated that Greenland is not for sale on Tuesday.

She said that Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede 'has been very, very clear' that they don't intend to become part of the U.S.

'There is a lot of support among the people of Greenland that Greenland is not for sale and will not be in the future either,' Frederiksen insisted.

But she is not the only leader that has had to rebuke Trump's offer to expand the American empire.

'There isn't a snowball's chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States,' Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau posted on X Tuesday.

Trump has repeatedly joked, at least it seemed like a joke until recently, that Canada should become the U.S.'s 51st state, a claim he made to the PM's face during a Mar-a-Lago dinner after the election.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during a news conference at Rideau Cottage in Ottawa, Canada on January 6, 2025. Trudeau announced his resignation, saying he will leave office as soon as the ruling Liberal party chooses a new leader

The president-elect has also referred to Trudeau as 'Governor.' But now, days after announcing he will step down from power, the Canadian leader is saying enough is enough.

'Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each other's biggest trading and security partner,' the PM's statement continued,

But the loss of trade with the U.S. could throw Canada's economy into a tailspin, which is why Trudeau rushed down to Mar-a-Lago when Trump made comments in November about slapping big tariffs on the country.

'I said, Listen, what would happen if we didn't subsidize you? Because we give them a lot of money, we help them,' Trump said of Canada at Tuesday's event.

'As an example, we're buying icebreakers, and Canada wants to join us in the buying of icebreakers. I said, you know, we don't really want to have a partner in the buying of icebreakers. We don't need a partner.'

'We have a right not to help them with their financial difficulties,' Trump continued.

'Why are we supporting a country $200 billion plus a year our military is at their disposal, all of these other things. They should be a state,' he said.
Kemi Badenoch will push for a Commons vote today on whether to hold a public inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal - as campaigners warned the abuse of young girls is still continuing.

The Tory leader will step up pressure for an inquiry by tabling an amendment which would force the government to act.

Downing Street last night indicated it would block the move by ordering its MPs to vote against.

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the decision showed total moral cowardice from Keir Starmer and his Labour Party. The victims of these heinous child rape gangs deserve honesty, and they deserve the truth.

Campaigners against child sex abuse also urged the Prime Minister to reconsider.

Victims campaigner Dame Jasvinder Sanghera said she fully supported a public inquiry - and warned that rape and abuse of young girls by gangs of men was still continuing.

Lets be clear, this is still happening, she told Times Radio. This isnt something that used to happen. This is still happening today. Im sure the perpetrators of this kind of abuse will look for different ways of manipulating the system so we have to look at this as a whole and have a broader conversation.

The scandal involved the rape and sexual abuse of thousands of white girls by gangs of predominantly Pakistani-origin men.

Downing Street last night indicated it would block the move by ordering its MPs to vote against the bill

The Tory leader will step up pressure for an inquiry by tabling an amendment which would force the government to act

Dame Jasvinder said the governments approach to multiculturalism still appeared to be to minimise the risk of offending communities as opposed to actually dealing with the very problem.

Downing Street warned that the planned Tory amendment would wreck the Childrens Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which MPs are due to debate today - and said the government would oppose it.

The PMs official spokesman also said further inquiries were unnecessary, saying Sir Keir was completely focused on tackling sexual abuse.

But Mr Philp said previous inquiries had failed to get to the bottom of the issue.

Labours decision risks perpetuating the cover-up of the rape gangs, he said.

There will be many Labour MPs in constituencies where these awful crimes took place and where victims still seek justice. They now need to think long and hard about which side of history they want to be on.

The head of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse yesterday said the time has passed for another lengthy examination of grooming gangs and that the row is distracting from the issues.

Professor Alexis Jay said weve had enough of inquiries, consultations and discussions as she called for action.

Dame Jasvinder said the governments approach to multiculturalism still appeared to be to minimise the risk of offending communities as opposed to actually dealing with the very problem

But she acknowledged that the governments decision to finally respond to her report this week was triggered by the media focus on demands for a fresh inquiry.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced on Monday that she is implementing three of the reports 20 recommendations, including placing a mandatory duty on those working with children to report suspected abuse.

Professor Jay said the row may well have given it some kind of impetus to move forward.

The shadow justice secretary yesterday suggested that a future Conservative government could try to curb migration from countries with alien cultures, including Pakistan.

He told the BBC that arrivals from some countries had medieval attitudes towards women.

Asked if he was saying immigration policy should be changed to stop people with such attitudes from coming to the UK, he said: I think that we have to be very careful about who is coming into this country, the scale and pace of that immigration so that we can have a much more successful integration policy than we have today.

Mr Jenrick said Pakistani men were over-represented in those who are involved in the grooming gangs and said he would not tiptoe around the issue because some people might take offence.

Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper urged Mrs Badenoch to sack Mr Jenrick for his divisive comments.

Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper urged Mrs Badenoch to sack Mr Jenrick for his divisive comments

Mr Jenrick said Pakistani men were over-represented in those who are involved in the grooming gangs and said he would not tiptoe around the issue because some people might take offence

But a Tory spokesman backed him, saying Mrs Badenoch believed he had done an excellent job explaining the pressing need for a national inquiry into the rape gangs scandal.

Reform leader Nigel Farage said his party would be prepared to set up an unofficial inquiry into grooming gangs if the Government did not act within a few weeks.

I will have no difficulty in raising the money to do this, whatsoever. Well appoint independent ex-judges and experts, he told LBC.
A mother-of-two has sounded the alarm about a seemingly innocent childrens' toy after she heard a man moaning and making sexual innuendo on her kids' Kmart walkie-talkies.

The mum, from Christchurch in New Zealand, bought the popular toy as a Christmas present for her sons.

While making dinner one night she heard strange noises coming from the radios in her sons' bedroom on the other side of the house.

When she entered the room she heard a man moaning and making creepy comments that became worse the longer she listened.

'Things like "Do you like sausages? I'm gonna come over, you're gonna cook my sausage and I'm gonna make you eat it. Mmmm, I'm coming for you. I'm coming over to you now". It went on for a good few minutes,' she told the NZ Herald.

The distressed mum tried to turn the walkie-talkies off, however the toy's power button was permanently stuck to the 'on' function.

'I was just running around the house trying to find a screwdriver so I could get the batteries out, and of course the children were hearing it,' she said.

The concerned mum rushed to lock her doors, as the walkie-talkies packaging says they can only pick up voices within a range of 300 metres.

A NZ mum has overheard moaning and sexual innuendos on her sons' Kmart walkie-talkies

The mum bought the toy from Kmart (pictured) and quickly got in touch with customer service

She reported the incident to police, who reassured her that a strong radio frequency could communicate with the toy from much further away.

Police added her children would not be able to reply to the stranger if he was transmitting from far away and suggested she change the frequency.

However, the mum noted the walkie-talkies are set to one radio channel and cannot be changed.

She alerted Kmart to the incident and was directed to a second level of complaints services where she spoke to a man who was 'shocked and appalled'.

An official complaint against the toy was filed.

She shared her experience online and cautioned parents to be aware that a stranger can speak directly to their children through the radio toy.

'As a toy that is marketed at children, it should have some sort of warning on it. Especially when it very much does incur a possibility of something like that happening,' she wrote.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Kmart's parent company Wesfarmers for comment.
Former President Jimmy Carter's casket arrived in Washington on Tuesday as U.S. officials pay their final respects before he is laid to rest in Georgia.

The 39th president passed away at his home in Plains on December 29 at the age of 100.

Carter's flag-draped casket arrived at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Tuesday afternoon where it was transferred to a hearse by a military cordon during an arrival ceremony.

His casket was then transferred to a horse-drawn caisson during a procession at the U.S. Navy Memorial as members of the Carter family accompanied Carter's body on its final journey to the U.S. Capitol.

People stood along the snow-lined streets to watch the emotional procession as the casket made its way through Washington. Some mourners held signs expressing their love for the late president.

Carter's body will lie in state at the Capitol Rotunda until a state funeral at the National Cathedral on Thursday, January 9.

The flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter arriving at the U.S. Capitol on January 7 where he will lie in state until the state funeral on Thursday

Members of Congress, Cabinet secretaries, Supreme Court justices and other U.S. officials were all in attendance to pay their respects to Carter and greet members of his family at the U.S. Capitol.

Vice President Kamala Harris and the Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff presented a wreath on behalf of the Executive Branch during the state ceremony where the vice president also delivered remarks.

Harris said Carter's works will echo for generations to come and said he lived every day of his long life in service to the people.

She recalled being in middle school when Carter was elected president and how her own mother admired him for his strength of character, honest, integrity and work ethic.

Harris noted Carter's work as president to protect the environment and appoint black Americans and women to the federal bench. She said his legacy of global leadership is 'well-established' despite the crisis he faced.

The U.S. Army's caisson detachment carrying the casket of Carter as people watch from the snow-lined streets of Washington, DC on January 7

The flag-draped casket making its way toward Capitol Hill on Constitution Avenue

The casket of former President Carter being carried up the steps of the U.S. Capitol

The casket of former President Carter lies in state at a ceremony in the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 7

An view from above of the casket of former President Carter as it is carried into the Capitol Rotunda on January 7

Former President Jimmy Carter's daughter Amy Carter at the U.S. Capitol as her father lies in state in the Rotunda

Members of the Carter family including the former president's son James 'Chip' Carter and his wife Becky during the memorial service at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 7

'Jimmy Carter was a forward looking president with a vision for the future,' Harris said. She mentioned the creation of the Energy Department, Education Department and FEMA during his time in office.

'Jimmy Carter was that all too rare example of a gifted man who also walks with humility, modesty and grace,' she said.

The vice president also praised his work post-presidency as a 'new model for what it means to be a former president' and said he leaves 'an extraordinary post-presidential legacy' with the creation of the Carter Center, his work in public health and his ongoing advocacy in the more than forty years he lived after he left office.

She praised the former president for retaining a 'fundamental decency' throughout his life, loving his country and leaving the world better than he found it.

'Jimmy Carter's work and those works speak for him louder than any tribute we can offer. May his life be a lesson for the ages and a beacon for the future,' Harris said.

Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff pay their respects for former President Jimmy Carter in the Capitol Rotunda

Vice President Harris praised Carter during a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol as an 'all too rare example of a gifted man who also walks with humility, modesty and grace' and recalled how her mother admired him when he was elected

House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries as well as Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also presented wreaths during the ceremony.

Johnson (R-La.) called Carter an 'extraordinary man, a man who modeled the virtues of service and citizenship as well as any other American.'

'President Carter's life, his selfless service, his fight against cancer, and his lasting contributions to his fellow man are all truly remarkable,' Johnson said.

'Whether he was in the White House or in his post presidential years as was discussed, President Carter was willing to roll up his own sleeves to serve and get the job done,' he added.

Johnson said Carter leaves an enduring legacy not just in the U.S. but the world.

Thune (R-S.D.) praised Carter for his long post-presidency where he focusing on making the lives of Americans better including his work for Habitat for Humanity.

'Jimmy Carter did his very best to live according to the calling of his lord and savior,' he said.

Members of the public will be able to pay their respects at the Capitol Rotunda before Carter's casket is transferred to the National Cathedral on Thursday.

House Speaker Mike Johnson speaking during ceremony for former President Jimmy Carter at the Capitol Rotunda on January 7. He along with others praised Carter for his work post-presidency

Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer presenting a wreath during the ceremony for former President Carter

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Elena Kagan, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Browser at the ceremony for former President Carter at the U.S. Capitol

The state funeral will take place on January 9 where President Biden will deliver the eulogy along with others.

President-elect Donald Trump said he would be in attendance as is custom for former presidents to attend the state funerals of other U.S. presidents.

Before the final trip to Washington, Carter had been lying in repose at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta where visitors could stop by to give their final farewells.

More than 23,000 mourners paid their respects to the former president in Georgia, according to the Carter Center.

The casket of former President Jimmy Carter arriving at Joint Base Andrews on January 7

The casket of former President Carter was transferred to a horse-drawn caisson at the U.S. Navy Memorial before it made its way to the U.S. Capitol

People watch as the casket of former President Jimmy Carter moves through Washington to the U.S. Capitol on January 7

After the state funeral on Thursday, Carter's body will be flown back to Georgia for a final private service.

Carter will be buried next to former First Lady Rosalynn Carter at the family's peanut farm in Plains.

President and Rosalynn Carter were married for 77 years until the former first lady passed away in November 2023.
A liberal journalist who has written a biography of Elon Musk claims the DOGE co-chair is 'going mad' in a way that will have 'enormous consequences' for the United States.

Musk has been busier and more influential than ever, moonlighting between Tesla, X, SpaceX, the Trump transition team, and his efforts to support political candidates in the UK and Germany.

Seth Abrahamson, who has authored multiple anti-Trump books and is writing a running biography of Musk, believes it's driving him to madness.

'I legitimately believe Elon Musk may be going mad. I'm a Musk biographer who has been tracking his online behavior for the last two yearsand given that he's admitted to all of mental illness, heavy drug use, and crippling stress, it is now reasonable to fear he is deeply unwell,' he wrote on the Musk-owned X Tuesday.

Abramson then repeated the frequently derisive claim that Musk, not Trump, is going to be running the show in Washington to heighten the stakes of his alleged insanity.

'His private struggles would not be of general concern except they have dramatic public consequences. His holdings across many civilization-essential industries and the fact that he's the incoming POTUS mean that his madness and increasing incitement of violence endanger us all,' Abramson claimed.

He then argued that once Trump is inaugurated, he and his administration will no longer be 'in a position to take urgent action to protect America from Elon Musk' and begged the Biden administration to act.

That would involve blocking DOGE out of existence, launching federal and national security investigations and ending government contracts with his companies.

A liberal journalist who has written a biography of Elon Musk claims the DOGE co-chair is 'going mad' in a way that will have 'enormous consequences' for the United States

Seth Abrahamson, who has authored multiple anti-Trump books and is writing a running biography of Musk , believes it's driving him to madness

'If no action is takenand I suspect no action will be takenwhat this man in his burgeoning madness does to America as POTUS in the coming years will be on the heads of not just him and those who support or enable him but those who ignored urgent, informed warnings like this one.'

Abramson gave no tangible evidence for Musk's madness and is refusing all interview requests.

Melania Trump, on the other hand, is reportedly unbothered by the increasing amount of time Musk has spent at her Mar-A-Lago home in West Palm Beach since November's election.

It is understood she views Trump's relationship with the tech billionaire as a 'net positive' and one insider expects the incoming First Lady might find her own ways to partner up with the Tesla owner.

Speaking to People one source in Palm Beach went as far to claim that Melania will be happy to have a 'babysitter' for her husband adding that she makes the best of things she can't control.

The source said: 'Melania has her own life and isn't bothered by political dealings her husband has with others. But so far, she has no issues with Musk.'

Another source added that the 54-year-old tends to stay out of her husband's political dealings.

This is despite their Mar-a-Lago estate becoming a base for prominent Republican politicians during and after the campaign - with Trump hosting multiple rallies there.

Musk has been busier than ever and more influential than ever, moonlighting between Tesla, X, SpaceX , the Trump transition team and his efforts to support political candidates in the UK and Germany

A source said: 'For the most part, she is not involved with subjects her husband is discussing with Musk or anyone else hanging around him. Right now, Trump has a lot of people wanting things from him. She is all too aware of that.'

It has also been claimed that Melania will likely be looking for her own ways to collaborate with Musk on issues with their own relationship being described as 'smooth up to this point'.

During her previous tenure as First Lady, Melania fronted the Be Best campaign which advocated for action to be taken to protect young Americans from cyberbullying.

Since October 2022, Musk has owned X, formerly Twitter, which is one of the world's leading social media sites meaning Musk could provide expertise on how to monitor behavior online.

Since Trump's landslide victory on November 5, Musk has become an almost omnipresent figure at Mar-a-Lago and the Space X owner even spent Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve at the estate.

In December, it was rumored that Musk was eyeing up a $100m penthouse just a short seven minute drive from Trump's home.

This is a rumor Musk has since denied.

Musk is expected to play a key role in Trump's incoming administration.

He is going to head the brand new Department of Government Efficiency, or 'Doge' for short, alongside former Republican Presidential Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

Although it has 'department' in its name it is not an official US government department.

Instead Doge will advise Trump's White House on how to cut costs to make the government smaller.
With the return of Labours Childrens Wellbeing and Schools Bill to Parliament today, I keep coming back to one simple question.

What problem is Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, trying to solve? What is it about English pupils being the best in the West for reading, maths and science that makes her want to tear up the status quo thats served pupils so well in recent years?

The answer must be that Labour dont care about ensuring pupils have a quality education and equality of opportunity in our state schools, they only care about serving their trade union paymasters. They want to keep union barons happy at the expense of pupils receiving a good education.

Bridget is our very own Miley Cyrus, swinging in on her wrecking ball, and undermining the consensus built over two decades  between successive governments of all parties  that has driven improvements in our schools.

It will be a return to mediocracy: taking away school freedoms over pay, curriculum and staffing, and no solution for failing schools. It is nothing less than vandalism of our world-leading education system.

It was Blairs government that made way for academies. When Blair talks about academies in his memoirs he says, an academy belongs not to some remote bureaucracy, not to the rulers of government, local or national, but to itself, for itself. The school is in charge of its own destiny.

And this Blairite principle  a school in charge of its own destiny  was built on and expanded by subsequent Conservative Governments. And what has been the result of this largely cross-party consensus? A robust curriculum, robust exams, more freedoms for schools to know what is best for their students and a thriving education system in which English children have soared up the PISA education rankings.

Laura Trott writes: 'With the return of Labours Childrens Wellbeing and Schools Bill to Parliament today, I keep coming back to one simple question'

Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson speak with children at Perry Hall Primary school in Orpington, during the first day of the new school year, on September 2, 2024 in London

What problem is Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary (pictured), trying to solve? What is it about English pupils being the best in the West for reading, maths and science that makes her want to tear up the status quo thats served pupils so well in recent years?

Dont take my word for it, look at what is happening at schools in Labour-run Wales and SNP-run Scotland. While pupils in England climbed the league tables, their pupils fell ever more behind. Both administrations turned their back on education reform, and pupils have paid a heavy price over the past 15 years.

I guarantee that just as we went up the international rankings, this Governments reversal on standards will see us come tumbling down those same tables.

And who will suffer the most? The poorest pupils in society, who will miss out on the opportunity for the best possible education. It is a victory for the anti-rigour, anti-choice, and anti-accountability brigade.

The primary aim of the Bill is to make the education system more consistent. It will result in schools being more consistently bad.

This is a classic Labour argument, one size must fit all, lobbing the tops off the tallest poppies. God forbid that schools might be able to innovate and learn from each other, teachers might have freedoms in the classroom to try new things, backed up by a regulator that rigorously inspects and identifies failure. That is an excellent education system. A system which aims only for consistency is not.

Progress has to be driven by teachers and pupils, not officials in Whitehall. Labours Schools Bill is education vandalism, plain and simple  and the Conservatives will oppose it every step of the way.
A fire is raging in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Southern California which is known for high-end shops and A-list celebrities like Reese Witherspoon and Ben Affleck.

DailyMail.com spoke to a resident of the flaming area who lives not far from the downtown shopping district.

Mina and her daughter were lucky to drive out with the clothes on their backs and their two small dogs.

The mom described the scene as 'chaotic' and 'frightening' with people running, sirens blasting and planes full of ocean water buzzing overhead.

'People are parking their cars on the side of the road, getting out and running for their lives!' Mina told DailyMail.com. 'People are literally running down the sidewalks pulling kids by their hands and carrying Louis Vuitton luggage.

'One guy was running with two Gucci suitcases and a house plant. It is like something out of a disaster movie.'

A BMW and a Tesla are seen in bumper-to-bumper traffic as the fire rages in the background

A Porsche is seen driving away from the fiery scene in Los Angeles on Tuesday

And there is no fast way to safer ground.

'It is taking three hours to get out of the Palisades at this point. It's bumper to bumper Porsches and BMWs. People are running for their lives!'

As far as being afraid for her life, she is in the clear.

'I am not scared because I got out. But I am very concerned. I may not come back to my house. It may be burned up. I may lose my home that I love,' she added.

Still, some of her neighbors want to stay and are hosing down the roofs of their homes 'in hopes to save it.'

'I am stunned that people want to stay, they could die! It's insane. I don't think people know how serious it is,' said Mina.

Police are rushing into the area to help people get out. 'Everywhere you look siren are blasting!'

There are not a lot of places to go. It is challenging to get even down to the Pacific Ocean.

And all the hotels are 'filling up in the area.'

As far as cars, people are asking to leave their keys out.

'Everyone is asking people to put the key in their car so safety people can drive it away in case the fire comes down. That is so the car will not explode with a full gas tank. It could be a fire bomb.'

Firefighters run as a brush fire burns in Pacific Palisades, California

A firefighter protects a structure from the advancing in California

A fire is raging in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Southern California which is known for high end shops and A list celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Ben Affleck

She described the scene as 'chaotic' and 'frightening' with people running, sirens blasting

All the stores and schools are closed as well.

The fire started just before 11 am.

'I was supposed to leave my house at 11 am and when I went outside it smelled like fire, but not that bad yet,' she said.

'It started in the Palisades Highlands, it's north of where I live.

'I could see flames and smoke on the ring of fire, I have never seen flames that close to me before.

'It was spreading like crazy, so fast, and the flames were high like 40 feet. I could see the flames lift up and fly in the air and fall down on brushes. I left soon after because I could see the fire coming down the hill toward my house. I did not wait for an evacuation which came at 1:30 pm.'

The evacuation alerts were on Citizen app and LAFD.org. 'I was watching my phone,' said Mina, 'but was gone before they told people to leave.'

She took all her paperwork, her purse, her dogs, dog food and a bottle of water.

'My daughter wanted to take more but I said no, we can always buy more stuff later,' she said, 'we needed to put our lives first.'

A wildfire breaks out near Pacific Palisades on the west side of Los Angeles during a weather driven windstorm in Southern California

A Los Angeles County firefighter battles the Palisades wildfire as a car burns

She got in her SUV and headed down Sunset Boulevard down to PCH.

'The traffic was bad and the fire planes flew low down overhead. It was noisy and windy. The were taking water out of the ocean and dumping on the ring of fire.'

She said there were two to four doing back and forth runs.

'I am so happy I left right away and I pray that others get out OK. This is terrifying,' said Mina.

At least 1,262 acres (510 hectares) of the Pacific Palisades area between Santa Monica and Malibu had burned, officials said on Tuesday afternoon, after they had already warned of extreme fire danger from dry, powerful winds. The size of the fire grew sixfold in a matter of hours.

Witnesses reported a number homes on fire with flames nearly scorching their cars when people fled the hills of Topanga Canyon, as the fire spread from there down to the Pacific Ocean.

Flames engulfed homes and bulldozers cleared abandoned vehicles from roads so emergency vehicles could pass, television images showed.

Before the fire started, the National Weather Service had issued its highest alert for extreme fire conditions for much of Los Angeles County from Tuesday through Thursday, predicting wind gusts of 50 to 80 mph (80 to 130 kph) with isolated winds of 80 to 100 mph (130 to 160 kph) in the mountains and foothills.

That combined with low humidity and dry vegetation due to a lack of rain.
Across the nation, panicked progressives are arming up ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration as they fear escalating political rhetoric and targeted legislation coming their way.

The National Rifle Association's (NRA) woke rival, the Socialist Rifle Association (SRA) has seen a surge in new members in Philadelphia in the final weeks of 2024, leading the Delaware Valley chapter to add more gun safety classes due to the sudden demand.

The Pennsylvania city has also seen an influx of queer-focused Facebook groups and forums become hubs for discussions on gun training and ownership just weeks before the president-elect takes office again.

Along with the SRA, the Pink Pistols - a longstanding LGBTQ gun advocacy group founded in 2000 with the slogan 'Armed Gays Don't Get Bashed' - has also noted an uptick in inquiries with more than two dozen chapters across the United States.

'There's definitely a feeling among LGBTQ individuals: "If I can't protect myself, who will?", Madeline Shearman, a trans woman who runs a gun safety group in Pennsylvania, told the Philadelphia Inquirer. 'I feel that way myself.'

A therapist, identified only as Doug, who decided to join the SRA after the election, has echoed the same concerns.

Doug, a former Boy Scout, purchased their first gun, an AR-15, in early December, over fears he might be targeted for identifying as gender nonspecific.

Specifically, Doug worries that authorities might flag him for being nonbinary, and that they might not be able to purchase a firearm in the future because of it.

Across the nation, panicked progressives are arming up ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration as they fear escalating political rhetoric and targeted legislation coming their way

Some LGBTQ Americans are turning to self-defense as their ultimate safeguard as the Socialist Rifle Association (SRA) saw a surge in memberships in the final weeks of 2024

'This country is not, I wouldn't say, on very solid footing. As a Boy Scout, I'd rather be prepared,' Doug told the outlet.

As the Republican Party has pushed for increasingly restrictive policies on gender-affirming care and divisive policies, some LGBTQ Americans are turning to self-defense as their ultimate safeguard.

'It's all about survival,' said Matthew Thompson, a 36-year-old gay man from Oakland, New Jersey explained.

'We're not looking to arm up and storm the Capitol. We just don't want to be put in concentration camps.'

Thompson's words echo a sentiment growing louder within the LGBTQ community, especially in states where conservative lawmakers have advanced bans on gender-affirming care and portrayed transgender individuals as societal threats.

The Pink Pistols - a longstanding LGBTQ gun advocacy group founded in 2000 with the slogan 'Armed Gays Don't Get Bashed' - has also noted an up-tick in inquiries with more than two dozen chapters across the United States

Doug, a former Boy Scout, purchased their first gun, an AR-15, in early December, over fears he might be targeted for identifying as gender nonspecific

For many, the idea of armed self-defense is no longer theoretical but something that feels essential.

A 24-year-old trans woman from Philadelphia, named only as 'A', made the decision to purchase her first firearm after months of unease.

'Three months before the election, that's when the alarm bells started to ring

As Texas upheld a ban on gender-affirming care for minors and Florida restricted access to hormone therapies, she felt an urgent need to prepare for her own safety.

By November 2, she had purchased a Ruger Security-380 pistol, driven by the belief that 'minorities that are armed are more difficult to legally oppress.'

At an outdoor shooting range in Pennsylvania's French Creek State Park, 'A' practiced her aim.

A 24-year-old trans woman from Philadelphia, named only as 'A', made the decision to purchase her first firearm after months of unease. (Pictured: Rainbow unicorns and the LGBTQ flag adorned her water bottle)

For many, the idea of armed self-defense is no longer theoretical but something that feels essential

Rainbow hearts and a 'Protect Trans Kids' sticker adorned her water bottle as spent bullet casings piled at her feet, with each shot she took reaffirming her sense of agency.

She admitted how she never envisioned herself at a gun range, yet, as anti-LGBTQ rhetoric reached fever pitch across the nation in 2024, she decided she couldn't wait for protection to come from anyone else.

'In the event of hate crimes or terrorist attacks, I know I'm personally armed and can protect my property and people close to me,' she said.

'I'm not trying to live in fear, but if no one else is going to protect me, then I will.'

After buying her first gun in November at Delia's Gun Shop in Northeast Philadelphia, 'A' said she is now applying for a concealed carry permit in Pennsylvania, though she doesn't plan to carry her weapon daily.

Her story is part of a larger movement, as another nontraditional gun group has also reported a surge in interest in recent times.

The Liberal Gun Club, a national organization that promotes firearm training for progressive Americans, has received thousands of new training requests, with LGBTQ individuals comprising nearly a quarter of those inquiries.

The Liberal Gun Club, a national organization that promotes firearm training for progressive Americans, has received thousands of new training requests, with LGBTQ individuals comprising nearly a quarter of those inquiries

Shearman runs a growing '2A social group' for LGBTQ individuals, emphasizing responsible gun ownership and self-defense.

Experts note that Americas gun culture is undergoing a seismic shift. Historically associated with hunting and recreation, firearms are now increasingly seen as tools of self-defense, especially by marginalized groups.

David Yamane, a professor of sociology at Wake Forest University, and author of the book 'Gun Curious', calls the shift among LGBTQ gun owners part of 'Gun Culture 2.0' - where self-defense replaces traditional hunting and recreation as the primary motivator for firearm purchases.

He's pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic, racial justice protests, and the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando as pivotal moments that reshaped the nation's relationship with guns.

'It was a period of tremendous social unrest and uncertainty,' Yamane said. 'A large number of people in the United States, under those conditions, look to firearms to reestablish some sense of safety and security.'

He added that racial and gender minorities led the charge in new gun ownership during this time.

Historically associated with hunting and recreation, firearms are now increasingly seen as tools of self-defense, especially by marginalized groups. (Pictured: shooters with Pink Pistols)

For many in the LGBTQ community, the Pulse shooting remains a haunting reminder of their vulnerability.

Survivors like Brandon Wolf have since become outspoken advocates for preparedness, while others like Thompson have taken matters into their own hands.

After Pulse, Thompson began practicing firearm drills at home, setting timers to simulate emergency situations and honing his ability to respond quickly.

Despite the rush to arm, critics warn of the dangers associated with increased firearm access.

Studies consistently show that higher rates of gun ownership correlate with higher rates of gun-related suicides, homicides, and accidents.

For many in the LGBTQ community, the Pulse shooting remains a haunting reminder of their vulnerability. (Pictured, Brandon Wolf, a survivor of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting)

Groups like the SRA emphasize responsible gun ownership, mental health awareness, and safe storage to mitigate these risks.

At a recent SRA training session in West Philadelphia, attendees learned the basics of Pennsylvania's gun laws, safe handling practices, and the realities of firearm ownership.

Organizers stressed the duality of guns as tools of defense and potential sources of harm.

'Guns are weapons, and they're really good at what they do, which is killing things,' one instructor said. '85 percent of suicides attempted with firearms lead to death. So you have to be mindful if this is something you want to bring into your life.'
Publicist Max Markson knows better than most that showbiz is all about timing.

So we noted with interest his bold declaration last Thursday that walking cautionary tale Andrew O'Keefe not only could - but would - resurrect his shattered career and get himself 'back in the limelight'.

And lo and behold, the prescient agent's words came true the next day when O'Keefe indeed found himself back in the limelight - though perhaps not in the way Markson had expected, with Inside Mail's colleague Stephen Gibbs revealing the one-time game show host had been arrested, yet again, for drug driving.

Ever-positive Markson still believes he can rehabilitate the disgraced former Weekend Sunrise presenter, who has a string of convictions for domestic violence and drug-related offences, and spends more time in court than Judge Judy - in between rub downs at backstreet massage parlours.

It seems a stretch to us, but the eternal optimist is undeterred.

'I still sincerely believe Andrew will bounce back. He will make a come back and he has a great future ahead of him,' Markson tells us.

And while he doesn't have AOK on the books (yet!) the original super agent said he was more than happy to weave his personal brand of magic on the one-time star's shattered reputation.

'Of course I'm happy to work with him ... I think there's a lot of potential there and, if he wanted me to help him, I would.'

Deal or no deal? Andrew O'Keefe investigates the services on offer at Miss Massage in Bondi (left), and at the Logie Awards with Sam Armytage before his career went off the rails (right)

Publicity supremo Max Markson (pictured) boldly declared former Deal or No Deal host Andrew O'Keefe's career is not over yet

Sign him up, AOK.

After all, when it comes to reputation rescues, the irrepressible spruiker is without doubt one of the best in the business.

Just take a look at his amazing results when convicted drug mule, former call girl and serial revisionist Cassie Sainsbury decided to flog a book about the real story behind her ill-fated 5.8kg cocaine-smuggling run in the Colombian capital of Bogota...

Which, perhaps unsurprisingly, was different from all the other real stories she'd sold to Nine's 60 Minutes and Seven's Spotlight programs since being banged up in the notorious El Buen Pastor women's prison in April 2017.

Markson helped tee up sympathetic interviews with news shows across all the free-to-air networks, as well as spots on breakfast staples Sunrise and Today, along with The Project.

Even the ABC and Sky News got in on the act.

Not one of them quizzed Sainsbury about her ever-evolving narrative, changing cast of characters and self-serving claims of victimhood - though there were plenty of plugs for her books and oversized graphics showcasing its cover.

Andrew O'Keefe famously melted down live on air on Weekend Sunrise in 2017

Proceeds of crime and truth be damned - there are ratings to win!

Besides, if you can't trust a convicted drug mule to tell you the truth on the seventh attempt, who can you trust in this crazy, mixed-up world? If Sainsbury says she's the real victim, then she's the real victim.

Now, Markson doesn't make up the stories, he just sells them - and he's proven he's quite the salesman.

If anyone can turn O'Keefe's tragic trajectory around, it's him.

Read the full edition of Inside Mail tomorrow, only for Mail+ subscribers
It may look like a simple shadow cast by a cloud, but in fact this dark shape in the water at a popular Sydney beach sparked alarm, with swimmers ordered to make for shore immediately.

Swimmers and surfers at Manly Beach, in Sydney's northern beaches, were told to flee the water after lifeguards spotted what was actually a giant school of tiny fish.

Drone photos and video captured by photographer Lee Bollom of Batuti Photos showed the size of the cluster of fish.

A nearby surf lifesaving boat looked tiny by comparison.

While the fish themselves posed no danger to swimmers, the risk was that it would attract sharks who feast upon these large schools.

Surf Life Saving NSW general manager Brent Manieri told Daily Mail Australia surf life saving boats are sometimes able to drive smaller bait balls away from beaches, but this one was 'far too large'.

'When there is the presence of bait balls, that will often attract predators - larger fish, birds and dolphins, and that can also attract sharks to the area,' Mr Manieri said.

'People swimming through such a bait ball could lead to an interaction with a shark. Obviously it's a higher risk and the precaution is to remove swimmers from the area.'

The massive bait ball was spotted at Manly Beach on Sydney's northern beaches on Sunday

Bait balls occur when small fish gather in a spherical formulation either voluntarily or to protect themselves from predators (pictured is a bait ball at Manly Beach in Sydney on Sunday)

Mr Bollom, who captured the bait ball on his drone, was also using the camera to scan the coastline for sharks, but did not spot any.

The natural phenomenon occurs when small fish gather into a group to protect themselves from predators.

It comes after another drone photographer captured the moment a shark came dangerously close to unsuspecting swimmers at a beach in Perth.

The very close call was filmed with a drone at Whitfords Beach in northern Perth, Western Australia, a spot known for tiger shark sightings.

The shark swam close to a father and his two children in the waves, before it was spooked by a paddle boarder and headed into deeper water.
A family who lost more than $100,000 to scammers have been dealt another blow; having to pay interest on the money stolen from their loan account.

The elderly Gold Coast couple not only had $150,000 robbed from them by online thieves, but their bank made a profit on it due to the interest they were forced to pay.

Their distraught son Charlie* told news.com.au it was 'basically racketeering'.

He got a call from his parents, who were very worried about an online interaction, and immediately went to their house to see if he could help.

The truck driver's father had been tricked into downloading dangerous software to his computer and thought the crooks might have access to his bank account.

They unplugged their computer once they realised they had potentially made a terrible error, and Charlie's mother called the bank to get their accounts frozen.

The bank employee told her there had been no transactions on her main savings account.

However the staff member did not check their loan account, which was used by the criminals to steal the $150,000.

A family who lost more than $100,000 to scammers in minutes were dealt another blow after they had to pay interest on the money stolen from their account (stock image)

'I don't know if she's stupid, or she's inexperienced, or she's not trained properly,' he said.

At that moment, the bank had told the couple their money was untouched and the family felt relieved.

The following day, though, Charlie thought he should double check everything to make sure his parent's money was safe.

Charlie managed to find a branch open on a Saturday where he was delivered the news.

He said his parents were supposed to file a report with the bank's financial crime division - but they had not been told to do that.

Charlie said the bank 'hadn't done anything' to stop the gangsters from robbing his parents the day before.

In just eight minutes, the criminals had used the elderly couple's credit facility to make several transfers.

Charlies said the bank manager gave him 'the run-around saying "this thing happens all the time"'.

Charlie said the staff member did not check their loan account, which was used by the criminals to steal the $150,000 (stock image)

Making a desperate situation even worse, his parents were charged interest of 6.9 per cent on the $150,000 stolen from their loan account.

The bank refused to pay any compensation, saying it was all Charlie's dad's own fault.

It also maintained that because it had been contacted outside of normal business hours it could not freeze the accounts.

The initial call from Charlie's mum had been made just after 4pm.

The couple was also blamed for having a $10million spending limit on their account, which Charlie said was not the case, but they were not able to disprove it.

A solicitor sent legal letters on the family's behalf, but the bank did not reply to any correspondence, so the couple took their case to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA).

They finally got somewhere and made a settlement with the bank, which has to remain confidential as the couple signed a non-disparagement clause.

Charlie said the bank settled because his parents' lawyer went through previous AFCA cases and found one where the clients who were robbed had got a full refund.

*Name changed
A young Coles worker has revealed the surprisingly high hourly rate he receives for stocking shelves at the supermarket.

The student, who was interviewed by job app Getahead, said he is paid $40-an-hour while restocking the supermarket at Toowong in southwest Brisbane.

He said that working the 'night fill' shift three times a week between 8pm-11pm means he is paid about $8 more than those who restock shelves during the day.

'The pay is pretty good for the lack of skill you need,' he said in a TikTok video.

'It's also just mindless, you go in, you listen to music (and) put some coke on the shelves.'

Coles' Retail Enterprise Agreement pays casual staff 50 per cent extra for work between 6-11pm on weekdays while full and part-time staff only get 25 per cent extra for the same hours.

Those rates are increased by a further 25 per cent for all hours on Sundays, meaning casuals receive 75 per cent loading while full and part-time get 50 per cent.

The wage is about $16-an-hour more than the minimum wage.

A young student has revealed he's paid $40-an-hour for restocking shelves at night for a Coles in Toowong, southwest of Brisbane's CBD (pictured)

'He makes the same as me standing for 10 hours straight with no sitting down and constant customer interaction,' one TikTok user wrote.

A second social media user said there was 'no way' he was earning that much.

'(I) used to work for Woolies night fill and I was on 22 base and increase slightly after 8pm,' they wrote.

But another user responded saying that 'had an interview for Coles and base rate was $32 (and) $8 for nights seems about right'.

'Woolworths and Coles night fill make bank,' an Instagram user wrote.

Even if the student works just 20 hours-per-week, his $20,000 income would still be more than the average Aussie student, according to research by Finder.

The research, published in November, found the average student has an income of just over $16,000, putting them well below the poverty line of $612.47.

It also means students are only able to contribute about $300 a month to their savings, a fraction of full-time employees of about the same age.

The generous wage is due to his salary being loaded by as much as 50 per cent for working past 8pm, according to the supermarket's enterprise agreement (stock image)

Financial stresses compounded with a full-time university workload has also led to a severe decline in overall happiness of students compared to full-time employees.

'While we can only speculate on the various factors that might make full-time employees happier than students, research consistently shows a link between overall happiness and financial security,' Finder analyst Sophie Wallis said.

'Finder's data shows that students' most stressful expenses are rent or mortgage payments, groceries, petrol and their mobile phone bill.

'Students who are renting are also more likely to say they struggle to pay rent than those working full-time.'

Their struggles do not end after leaving university however, with recent indexations increasing the total amount of student debts to a whopping $185.6 billion.

'Since 2012, the average outstanding debt has risen by 86 per cent, while the consumer price index (CPI)a measure of the cost of goods and serviceshas grown by 19 per cent over the same period,' Ms Wallis said.

'Additionally, the percentage of people with more than $40,000 in debt has doubled, from 11 per cent in 2012 to 29 per cent in 2023.'
SAS troops who queried the shooting of unarmed Afghans were scolded by bosses and told to 'shut up', according to court papers.

Evidence of apparent attempts to silence whistleblowers emerged last night as part of a release of High Court documents.

The Independent Inquiry into Afghanistan is looking into claims that UK troops 'murdered' up to 80 Taliban suspects from 2010 to 2013.

The papers, and transcripts from closed hearings, have revealed a bid to dampen any suggestion of wrongdoing at the time.

Meanwhile, Special Forces troops who have cooperated with military police, and with the inquiry, have admitted fearing for their safety.

They are concerned they could face reprisals from former colleagues for revealing that war crimes were committed.

The inquiry into the suspicious killings is expected to report either later this year or early next year.

In one hearing, the chair, Lord Justice Haddon-Cave, asked if United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF) officers had been ordered to 'keep their mouths shut'.

SAS troops who queried the shooting of unarmed Afghans were scolded by bosses and told to 'shut up', according to court papers (file image)

The Independent Inquiry into Afghanistan is looking into claims that UK troops 'murdered' up to 80 Taliban suspects from 2010 to 2013 (file image)

One witness replied: 'That is exactly how I read that sir. Basically there appears to be a culture of 'shut up, don't question'.

Another witness told the court: 'I thought, and I think, that on at least some operations [a squadron] was carrying out murders.'

More than 100 British troops were either killed or wounded by Improved Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted in Helmand Province.

Another factor behind the apparent 'shoot to kill' policy was the absence of any effective court or prison system.

This meant Taliban suspects seized by UK forces would be freed from custody within days.

The inquiry into the suspicious killings is expected to report either later this year or early next year (file image)

The court has heard this led to UK Special Forces units adopting a policy of killing all the 'fighting age males' they encountered, regardless of whether they were armed.

SAS soldiers allegedly placed weapons beside the bodies of the Afghans they killed, so it appeared they had posed a threat.

Papers released last night indicated these weapons, carried by SAS troops for this purpose, were known as 'Mr Wolf' - a character in the film Pulp Fiction who solves problems.

Witness N1799 said they feared for their personal wellbeing after making an allegation against Special Forces, adding: 'I still do now.'

N1799 also admitted he was concerned he would be perceived by former colleagues as a 'traitor'.
Bounding on to the stage and jumping in the air with arms outstretched, Elon Musk looked like a man whod just won the lottery.

Donald Trump had asked him to join him on stage for the first time at an election rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last October  the town where, just a few months earlier, the ex-president had narrowly survived an assassins bullet.

He is a truly incredible guy  and I dont say that that often, Trump declared of the tycoon whod sunk no less than 211million into his second presidential campaign.

As you can see Im not just Maga [Make America Great Again], Im dark Maga, Musk told the cheering crowd as he pointed to his Trump cap  not the usual red, but black.

It was clearly a joke but, since then, his critics might say that never a truer word was spoken in jest as Musk has behaved even more pugnaciously and wildly than Trump himself.

The mercurial Musk has picked fights with politicians around the globe  from Republicans in Washington over government spending to European administrations, notably Keir Starmer over the grooming gang scandal in northern England and also Germany over immigration and crime.

Less than two weeks before Trump is sworn in, Musk has effectively hijacked his presidency, soaking up the worlds attention with his endless outbursts on X, his social media platform on which he has 211million followers.

But has the ebullient tech tycoon, who tweets through the night while running a raft of global businesses, already over-played his hand  risking killing his bromance with the president-elect before the second term has even started? That intriguing possibility has now been raised by Trump biographer and New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman.

Less than two weeks before Donald Trump is sworn in, Elon Musk has effectively hijacked his presidency

Bounding on to the stage and jumping in the air with arms outstretched, Elon Musk looked like a man whod just won the lottery

Dubbed the Trump Whisperer for her deep connections in the court of The Donald, Haberman claims to have been told that Trump is already tiring of the company of the worlds richest man.

Only two years ago, Musk said he wished Trump would hang up his hat and sail into the sunset. But Haberman says she is not surprised that Musk has ensconced himself in the heart of Trumps inner circle, as he has an enormous amount of money that he put to use helping Trump and Trump equates wealth with intelligence.

However, speaking to the podcast series On With Kara Swisher, Haberman added: How long it lasts, I think, is the open question. A long-time Trump friend said something to me recently about how Trump is a one-ring circus. Im not sure that Musk has figured that out yet. And Trump does complain a bit to people about how Musk is around a lot.

Musk is around a lot primarily because, since the election in November, he has rented a cottage which usually costs at least 1,600 a night  on the grounds of Trumps main home, his private Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida. Consequently, he is only a couple of hundred feet from the mansion in which Trump is forming his next administration.

Musk has been able to drop in to meetings and dinners with the president-elect, such as one he recently held with Amazon tycoon Jeff Bezos, and join his telephone calls.

Haberman said that by moving into the Mar-a-Lago compound, Musk had parked himself in Trumps face.

She added that taunts by Democrats about President Musk and Trumps First Lady being named Elonia are increasingly riling the 78-year-old. It definitely bothers him. The President Musk line was always going to be a way to get him, she said.

Trumps not a wind-up toy, but there certainly are very specific things that can zotz [infuriate] him.

Dubbed the Trump Whisperer for her deep connections in the court of The Donald, Maggie Haberman claims to have been told that Trump is already tiring of the company of the worlds richest man

The Mar-a-Lago estate of President-elect Donald Trump. Haberman said that by moving into the compound, Musk had parked himself in Trumps face

Trump insiders have said much the same to news website Mediaite, claiming the president-elect was tiring of Musks omnipresence and the attention he was drawing

She also observed that Musk seems to have been more willing to irritate Trump than a lot of others have been  and less concerned about what it might mean.

Trump insiders have said much the same to news website Mediaite, claiming the president-elect was tiring of Musks omnipresence and the attention he was drawing.

100 per cent, Trump is annoyed, said a source who worked on the 2024 election campaign. Theres a Chinese saying: Two tigers cannot live on one mountaintop.

Another insider was quoted as saying: Someone that is around that much and having influence would be a bother... I mean, the guy came in, gave a boatload of money and wants to take over.

Its worth noting that Musk has made a fair few enemies in the Trump camp with his reportedly aggressive behaviour towards them, so there may be a strong element of wishful thinking that hes on his way out.

For the moment, theres no public sign of a rift. Trump has asked Musk to co-lead (with fellow conservative entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy) a new Department of Government Efficiency, or Doge, although sceptics point out that only Congress can create new federal agencies and that this department is unlikely to get off the ground.

That might give Trump the perfect excuse to avoid his First Buddy  as the tycoon calls himself  although Musk could always ask for something else.

After all, while opponents complain hes never been elected to public office (and so shouldnt be given a big post now), nor had Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner when the ambitious young property developer was put in charge of leading US efforts to bring peace to the Middle East during his first term.

Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner had not been elected to office when the ambitious young property developer was put in charge of leading US efforts to bring peace to the Middle East during his first term

Pundits predict that Musk will want to stay as physically close to Trump as possible  which, from January 20, means an office on the White House campus. And if not that, at least have one of the treasured access all areas security passes that Trump used to give out to favoured cronies during his first term and which would allow Musk to wander around the White House at will.

Haberman doesnt believe Musk will get the office or the pass  he has too many enemies and Trump insiders dont want him, of all people, running around this way, she says.

But at the same time, she acknowledges Trump is traditionally slow to dispense with people who have been useful to him and rarely exiles anyone entirely.

Indeed, some argue that Trump cannot afford to antagonise Musk. Thats not only because of his vast wealth  and willingness to plough it into politics  or his ownership of the social media platform that remains the most powerful communication channel in the US.

America has become increasingly reliant  some say too reliant  on Musk businesses. The 53-year-old, estimated to be worth 340billion, controls the Starlink satellite network which plays a crucial defence role and on which Ukraines military depends for internet coverage.

Nasa needs Musks SpaceX rockets to get US equipment and astronauts into space. Having accepted his shilling and let him into the gang, Trump may find Musk  who knows how to bear a grudge just as much as he does  difficult to shrug off. There will certainly be many in Whitehall and other European governments who sincerely hope that Trump does rein him in  and soon.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Starlink satellites launches from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

Insiders claim that if and when Musk does officially become part of the next Trump administration, he will have to abide by the usual constraints on presidential officials

Some Washington experts say this is bound to happen. While it may be fine to drop in on the president-elect at Mar-a-Lago, once hes Leader of the Free World, this becomes a lot harder.

Insiders claim that if and when Musk does officially become part of the next Trump administration, he will have to abide by the usual constraints on presidential officials.

However, Musk is not great at restraint while Trump is not great at following the rules. And neither man, alike in more ways than just their huge egotism, likes sharing the stage.

As Americans head into one of the most unpredictable presidencies in living memory, they can at least reassure themselves of one certainty. Born in South Africa to non-US parents, Musk is barred under the Constitution from running for the presidency himself.
A tongue-in-cheek suggestion to solve the national 'cabana crisis', that has even been on the mind of Anthony Albanese, has been taken seriously by some people who think it might just work.

Popular Instagram influencer Miss Double Bay, who has almost 64,000 followers, has shared a 'solution to the cabana epidemic that is plaguing the beaches' by dividing the sand into areas where they're allowed and those where they're banned.

Miss Double Bay proposed that councils need to set up 'Cabana Corners'.

'While I am all for sun safety I think we can all agree here they (cabanas) are unsightly,' she said.

'Especially if you are a family of two why do you need an eight-seater (popular make) CoolCabana?'

'People come to the beach to take in the sights and sounds of mother nature not some weird patterned tent that looks like your grandmother's couch.'

The solution 'everybody will get around' is to have a 'designated area of the beach where the CoolCabanas can live'.

'This section would be in the back of the beach so no one could see,' the influencer said.

Popular Instagram account missdoublebay has proposed a tongue-in-cheek solution to the 'cabana crisis' on Australian beaches

The 'Cabana Corners would have 'parking meters where if you want to stay for longer you have to put more money in'.

To enforce this a new type of inspector would have to employed.

'If we are seeing a cabana that is not in the Cabana Corner, immediate fine, immediate fine and you are asked to leave the beach,' she said.

She then - a little overenthusiastically - outlined other cabana offences that could attract an 'immediate fine'.

'I feel like council would really get on board with this because as we all know council likes to issue fines,' she said.

The video finished with Miss Double Bay asking for help to draft her proposal to send to beachside councils.

The issue of Australian beaches being covered in cabana sun shades has divided many Aussies

The Missdoublebay Instagram account and other social media was created by Sydney marketing and social media manager Claudia Bursill

But many were unimpressed by her bold solution.

'Negative I'll put it up wherever my fam sees fit for sun safety,' one person replied.

'Go back to Double Bay love, really,' was another disgruntled reply.

A third added: 'Okay so your solution is colonisation and the policing of public spaces.'

'F the council they dont need more revenue raising,' another said.

A fourth said: ' Sounds like an eastern suburbs elite solution that simply involves taxing western Sydney.'

However others praised her idea.

One said: 'I love the idea but I wish they had better prints, they are so fugly. I think you almost have the right idea.

'The cabanas stay at the back of the beach, no tents at the front of the beach near the water.'

The issue of beaches becoming covered in cabanas has escalated all the way to the office of the Prime Minister.

On Nine's Today show Mr Albanese was asked about people putting up cabanas early in the morning to claim a spot of the beach and reserve it throughout the day even when they are not there.

'That's not on. to think that you can reserve a little spot as just yours,' Mr Albanese replied.

'One of the great things about Australia, unlike some parts of the world (where) you go and you've got to pay to go to the beach. Here, everyone owns the beach,' Mr Albanese said.

'It's a place where every Australian is equal. And that's a breach of that principle, really, to think that you can reserve a little spot as just yours.'

Sunrise hosts Jayne Azzopardi and Alex Cullen blasted the behaviour as 'un-Australian,' cheekily calling on the Prime Minister to legislate against the practice.

'Well, maybe,' he responded.
Mark Zuckerberg's announcement that he will end 'fact-checking' on Meta completes his turn from a man who banned Trump from his platform to a full supporter of the president-elect.

Zuckerberg admitted Meta and Facebook censored conservative opinions on an industrial scale but has now vowed to make both sites beacons of free speech.

In the five-minute video message shared to his Facebook profile, the 40-year-old said: 'We're going to get back to our roots and focus on reducing mistakes, simplifying our policies and restoring free expression on our platforms.

'More specifically, we're going to get rid of fact-checkers and replace them with community notes similar to X, starting in the US.'

Like X, the shift will allow users on the sites to call out posts that are potentially misleading and need more context.

The missive appears to be part of a full court press to change Meta, social media and the internet itself for the second Trump era.

Zuckerberg threatened governments in Europe, South America and China that Meta would 'work with President Trump to push back against foreign governments going after American companies to censor more.'

He claimed that foreign governments have been demanding Facebook be censored or even taken down and they will work with Trump to stop them.

Mark Zuckerberg 's announcement that he will end 'fact-checking' on Meta completes his turn from a man who banned Trump from his platform to a full supporter of the president-elect

Zuckerberg threatened governments in Europe, South America and China that Meta would 'work with President Trump to push back against foreign governments going after American companies to censor more'

These aren't the only moves that Zuckerberg has in the cards to make his company more Trump-friendly.

Meta said it will relocate its trust and safety teams from liberal California to more conservative Texas, mirroring Elon Musk's recent relocations.

'That will help us build trust to do this work in places where there is less concern about the bias of our teams,' Zuckerberg said.

The shift came as the 40-year-old tycoon has been making efforts to reconcile with Trump since his election in November, including donating one million dollars to his inauguration fund.

Zuckerberg recently donated $1 million to Trump's inaugural fund, in a complete reversal on past relations between the two.

The policy change, and the donation come after Zuckerberg sat down with the President-elect for dinner in Mar-a-Lago in November.

On Monday, Zuckerberg added Dana White to Meta's board of directors in another olive branch to Trump.

Commentators on all sides agreed that this was a seismic shift for the future of social media.

The night before Thanksgiving, President-elect Donald Trump (left) hosted Facebook creator and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg (right) for dinner at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida

Meta said it will relocate its trust and safety teams from liberal California to more conservative Texas, mirroring Elon Musk's recent relocations

Conservative influencer Benny Johnson called it 'enormous' and 'truly a shocking cultural realignment.'

Left-wing CNN media critic Brian Stelter announced that it would 'reshape the entire internet' and saying Zuckerberg was giving it a 'MAGA makeover.'

Since sharing the policy shift on Tuesday morning, social media users have been reacting to the news with split opinions.

One person posted: 'Zuckerberg has fully switched teams. It's a very big deal. He oversees 60%+ of US social media. What triggered this?'

Right-wing provocateur Ben Shapiro added: 'This is a sea change in the direction at Facebook.

'Zuckerberg spelled out his vision of free speech at Georgetown in 2019, to the consternation and shock of the Left; Facebook then proceeded to cave, engaging in mass censorship. The tide has turned. Good for Zuckerberg.'

Trump has been a harsh critic of Meta and Zuckerberg for years, accusing the company of bias against him and threatening to retaliate against the tech billionaire once back in office.

Speaking to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, when asked if he believed the move was a response to his threats against Zuckerberg, Trump responded: 'Probably, yeah.'

Speaking to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, when asked if he believed the move was a response to his threats against Zuckerberg, Trump responded: 'Probably, yeah'

The Republican was kicked off Facebook following the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol by his supporters, though the company restored his account in early 2023.

Meta's surprise announcement echoed long-standing complaints made by Trump's Republican Party and X owner Musk about fact-checking, which many conservatives see as censorship.

They argue that fact-checking programs target right-wing voices, which has led to proposed laws in states like Florida and Texas to limit content moderation.

'This is cool,' Musk posted on his X platform after the announcement.

Zuckerberg, like several other tech leaders, has met with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida ahead of his January 20 inauguration.

Meta has made several moves in recent days that are likely to please Trump's team, such as appointing former Republican official Joel Kaplan to head up public affairs at the company.

He takes over from Nick Clegg, a former British deputy prime minister.

Kaplan, in a statement Tuesday, insisted the company's approach to content moderation had 'gone too far.'

Commentators on all sides agreed that this was a seismic shift for the future of social media

Meta will also 'simplify' its own policies to 'get rid of a bunch of restrictions on topics like immigration and gender that are just out of touch with mainstream discourse'.

The changes will affect Facebook and Instagram, two of the largest social media sites in the world that boast billions of users, as well as Threads.

Trump has long been critical of Meta for alleged instances of politically biased censorship against Republicans and conservatives.

Trump once supported a repeal of Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act, which provides legal immunity to social media companies over what its users post.

If it were repealed, this would open the door for anyone to sue social media companies like Meta for controversial content on their sites. Lawsuits could also target attempts to moderate such content.

Following the January 6 insurrection four years ago, Trump was suspended from Facebook for two years.

He was reinstated on the platform in 2023 months after Trump announced his third run for the White House, which was ultimately successful.

By July 2024, Meta fully removed all suspension penalties from Trump's accounts on Facebook and Instagram, citing the public's need to hear from nominees for president.

Meta has made several moves in recent days that are likely to please Trump's team, such as appointing former Republican official Joel Kaplan to head up public affairs at the company

On Monday, Zuckerberg added Dana White to Meta's board of directors in another olive branch to Trump

Trump's latest gripe with Meta came in July, after Facebook admitted they mistakenly censored an image of him with blood running down his ear after he was shot at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

'Facebook has just admitted that it wrongly censored the Trump attempted assassination photo, and got caught,' Trump posted on social media at the time.

'Same thing for Google,' he claimed. 'They made it virtually impossible to find pictures or anything about this heinous act. Both are facing big backlash over censorship claims.'

In August of last year Zuckerberg admitted that the Biden administration had demanded Facebook censor what they called 'Covid misinformation'.

He said in a letter to the House Judiciary Committee chair Jim Jordan that they'll fight back against any attempts at censorship in the future and also admitted the company had 'demoted' stories about Hunter Biden's laptop.

He wrote that the White House 'repeatedly pressured our teams for months to censor certain Covid-19 content, including humor and satire, and expressed a lot of frustration with our teams when we didn't agree'.

He said that this pressure 'was wrong' and says he regrets 'that we were not more outspoken about it'.

'We made some choices that, with the benefit of hindsight and new information, we wouldn't make today,' he added.
Washington, Jan 8 (UNI) US Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to Singapore, Bahrain, and Germany just days before the incoming US President Donald Trump takes office on January 20, the White House has said.

The trip is scheduled from January 15 to 17. On the first day, Harris will meet with leaders of Singapore and visit the Changi military base. On January 16, the vice president will meet the Bahraini leadership in Manama.

On the trip's last day, she will travel to the US military base in the German municipality of Spangdahlem.

"Throughout her trip, the Vice President will discuss the accomplishments of the Biden-Harris Administration over the past four years in each region, the U.S. partnership with the respective nations, the contributions of U.S. military forces to regional and global security, and the enduring national security interests of the United States," the White House said in a Tuesday statement.

A presidential election took place in the United States on November 5, 2024. Republican candidate Donald Trump, who served as the US president from 2017-2021, was declared the winner by all leading race callers and networks. Democratic candidate Kamala Harris conceded defeat.

The Electoral College voted in accordance with the will of the voters on December 17, while the new Congress approved the results of the vote on January 6. The presidential inauguration will take place on January 20.

UNI SPUTNIK ARN
A husband and wife fishing team have caught a record-breaking catfish that weighed a staggering 150lbs.

It took Shaun and Chloe Ing 90 minutes to reel in the eight-foot long fish from Chigborough Fisheries, in Essex, and two friends to lift it from the water.

Upon weighing the enormous marine animal, it was found to have been seven pounds heavier than the existing British record, a 143lb catfish caught in Essex in 2024.

Wels catfish, the type most commonly found in Europe, are generally 3.9ft-5.2ft in length.

The couple said they had just ordered a Chinese takeaway that had arrived as the fish bit the bait, which ended up being ruined in the scuffle.

Shaun said the monster fish was 'unstoppable' after it took his bait.

'We got the bite on the fish around 7.50pm just as the delivery driver for our Chinese arrived. The reel on the rod almost set on fire, it was going so fast. It was absolute panic stations.

'It was pitch black and from there it was an hour-and-a-half of absolute hell. I put the rod between my legs for support and by the time I was finished my legs were just black from bruises.

It took Shaun (pictured, left) and his wife 90 minutes to reel in the eight-foot long fish from Chigborough Fisheries, in Essex, and two friends to lift it from the water

The couple said they had just ordered a Chinese takeaway that had arrived as the fish bit the bait, which ended up being ruined in the scuffle

'At one point I gave the line to Chloe and she was almost taken off her feet by the sheer force of it.

'It was like a Jaws moment when we saw the fish for the first time. The catfish was easily eight feet long, wider than me and when we put it on the scales it was bang on 150 pounds.

'It was so big it broke everything that it touched. It even broke the hook on the weighing tripod. It was just an absolute joke of a beast.

'By the time we recovered and settled down to eat the Chinese, it was absolutely ruined. But we still ate it.

'At the end of the day we would love to have the record, especially for a fish of that size. I don't think this will be beaten for some time.'

The couple are now waiting for the British Record Fish Committee to verify their claim on the record.

While they caught a massive fish, it pales in comparison to the world record for a caught catfish, which goes to the 9.4ft-long beast weighing 280lbs caught by Italian angler Alessandro Biancardi in the River Po, in the Lombardy region of northern Italy.

And in 2009, a British schoolgirl was able to catch a 9ft-long catfish that weighed 191lbs.

Jessica Wanstall, from Kent, hooked the fish while fishing with her father in Spain's Ebro rover.

She said in 2009, at the time of her catch: 'I didn't realise just how big it was until I saw the photos afterwards. I look tiny next to it.

'My dad thought it was going to be a small one and I told him it didn't feel small when I picked up the rod.

'It was really hard work pulling it in and my arms turned to jelly. My dad helped lift it onto the bank and I stood back and just laughed when I saw it. It was massive.'
The UKs competition regulator is facing calls to investigate Googles online search business as a priority, as a new digital markets regime launches.

Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) bosses are now facing calls not to lose their nerve and act quickly to probe concerns the US tech giant damages competition.

Google has faced criticism it uses its dominance to favour certain publishers when people search for news stories and that business are at the mercy of its algorithm changes.

The CMA has just been given new powers to ensure competition in the online world, while protecting consumers and business from unfair or harmful practices by tech giants.

Under the new regime the CMA is able to designate tech firms as having Strategic Market Status (SMS) in a particular digital activity. Once it has done this it can impose conduct requirements or introduce pro-competition interventions.

The CMA announced yesterday that it was planning to launch investigations into three areas of digital activity across the first half of the year. It is understood that each investigation will look into one firm over a specific activity.

But the CMA has yet to issue the names of the companies it will probe.

The News Media Association, which represents news organisations in the UK, called on the competition regulator to look at Google search as a priority.

The UKs competition regulator is facing calls to investigate Googles online search business as a priority, as a new digital markets regime launches (stock image)

Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) bosses are now facing calls not to lose their nerve and act quickly to probe concerns the US tech giant damages competition (stock image)

Owen Meredith, chief executive of the organisation said: Today is a welcome landmark in the ongoing work to create a fairer playing field between the tech platforms and other businesses in the digital ecosystem such as news publishers.

The CMA must now build upon this momentum by prioritising for designation the companies and services that will make the biggest difference fastest, namely Google Search, Googles ad tech services, Metas Facebook and both Google and Apples mobile ecosystems.

By doing so, the CMA will be acting decisively to deliver the full benefits of the new regime, unlocking the power of the UKs digital economy as it does so.

A news industry insider told the Mail: We have taken years to get to this point and it is critical that the CMA dont now lose their nerve and fail to designate Google Search as a top priority.

For too long, publishers and many other digital businesses have been beholden to the whims of algorithm changes implemented with no notice which can cause catastrophic drops in traffic overnight. We need action now.

Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA, said: We are committed to ensuring that this regime delivers for the UK - driving benefits for UK consumers and businesses while stimulating investment, innovation and growth across the UK tech sector.

The regime has been carefully designed to ensure that the UK keeps pace with future developments and maximises its international attractiveness to innovators and investors in these dynamic markets.
A police officer who was seriously injured when her horse bolted during a Black Lives Matter protest in London is suing the Met Police.

PC Nicky Vernon, 47, has filed a negligence claim to the High Court for more than 200,000.

The mother claims the force was aware her 14-year-old horse Rocky had a history of unsafe behaviour and her 'exposed her to a foreseeable risk of injury'.

Footage of the protest in June 2020 showed the sickening moment PC Vernon was thrown backwards off the horse when she collided with a traffic light in Whitehall after thugs threw missiles at officers.

She was left in hospital for eight days with a collapsed lung, broken collarbone and shattered ribs.

PC Vernon is still receiving treatment more than four years later for post traumatic stress and anxiety, reported The Sun.

MailOnline has contacted the Met for comment.

PC Nicky Vernon, 47, has filed a negligence claim against the Met Police to the High Court for more than 200,000 was seriously injured when her horse bolted during a Black Lives Matter protest

PC Vernon is seen on the ground after she was thrown backwards off the horse when she collided with a traffic light in Whitehall in June 2020

She was left in hospital for eight days with a collapsed lung, broken collarbone and shattered ribs

PC Vernon gave an emotional update from her hospital bed at the time of incident, saying: 'I'm just about hanging in there with the outpouring love and support from my family, friends and even strangers.

'It's humbling to receive such support and a constant reminder of the strength of that blue line.'

She added: 'For some reason it's referred to as "thin" but it seems it's made from something stronger than you can imagine. Just unbreakable.'

She urged fellow officers: 'Hold it for me until I get back.'

PC Vernon was flung violently into traffic lights outside Downing Street after a protester hurled a bike and other missiles at her horse, causing the animal to bolt riderless back down Whitehall.

Despite the majority of the protests remaining peaceful throughout the day, violence erupted on Whitehall after tens of thousands of protesters had gathered in the capital to oppose racism and demand justice for George Floyd.

The sickening moment was caught on camera and PC Vernon is still receiving treatment four years later for post traumatic stress and anxiety

In the melee a missile was fired near a police horse, causing it to bolt and charge down Whitehall.

It caused PC Vernon to be slammed into a traffic light and was knocked unconscious before the horse continued galloping down the road where it hit a woman protester and a lamppost.

The Metropolitan Police Federation revealed at the time that PC Vernon was likely to be off duty for four months because of her injuries, with its chairman Ken Marsh calling her and her colleagues 'heroes'.
Britain is bracing for icy days and nights as temperatures are set to plunge to a piercing -16C in some parts.

Four yellow weather warnings for snow and ice are in place across the country - with one that could see blizzards sweep through.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow covering southern counties of England from 9am today until midnight, which 'could prove disruptive'.

According to weather experts, there is a chance that power cuts will occur and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected.

Some rural communities could become cut off, most likely in upland areas, while there is also a small chance of travel delays on roads, alongside delayed or cancelled rail and air travel.

A weather map shows the cold front edging across the southern-most point of England and including South London.

The Met Office said: 'Whilst not all areas may be affected, outbreaks of snow may push in from the southwest during Wednesday, potentially giving some significant accumulations in places.

'Two to five cm of snow could accumulate fairly widely, and as much as 10 cm over higher ground, especially over east or northeast-facing slopes.

The Met Office has issued four yellow weather warnings, including one for snow covering southern counties of England from 9am until midnight on Wednesday

The UK could see temperatures plunging to -14C on Wednesday and -16C on Thursday night

'Rain or sleet is more likely near coasts. Note that there is still a possibility that the weather system, and associated rain or snow, may remain further south across the English Channel.

'As precipitation clears eastwards and skies clear during Wednesday night, ice is likely to form on untreated surfaces.'

Weather warnings issued on Tuesday for snow and ice covering the Midlands, parts of North Wales, the North West of England, west and northern parts of Scotland as well as Northern Ireland remain in place until midday on Wednesday.

The coldest nights of the year are also expected this week, with temperatures potentially reaching -14C on Wednesday night and -16C on Thursday night, both in the North East of England and Scotland, the Met Office said.

As a result of the cold snap, the UK Health Security Agency has imposed an amber cold health alert for England until this Sunday amid 'significant impacts across health and social care services'.

Monday proved to be Britain's coldest night of winter so far with -13.3C (8.1F) at Loch Glascarnoch in the Highlands - but this will likely be beaten in the next few days.

Scores of flood warnings remain in place across England as fresh snow flurries hit London and Manchester on Tuesday.

Hundreds of schools have been closed across the UK, with more than 170 shut in Bradford, as well as more than a dozen in Lancashire.

Since New Year's Eve, the Environment Agency estimates that at least 300 properties across England have flooded.

The big freeze: Britain is bracing itself for the coldest night of the year, as temperatures are set to plunge to a piercing -16C on Wednesday night. Pictured: Snow and ice cover a car parked at the summit of Holme Moss in the Peak District

The Met Office has issued four weather warnings for snow and ice across the UK. Pictured: Snow is abundant at Glenshee Ski Centre

A tractor clears a path in Northumberland on Tuesday as weather warnings for snow remain

Met Office chief forecaster Jason Kelly said: 'With cold weather persisting across the UK this week we have a number of severe weather warnings for wintry hazards.

'Snow showers will continue to fall over Scotland, Northern Ireland and into Northern Wales and northern England too. Where surface water and snow freeze overnight there is a risk of ice as temperatures widely dip below freezing.

'There will however be good spells of sunshine for those away from northern coasts, though it'll still feel cold in the northerly breeze.'

Experts also warned of an ongoing flood risk due to the combination of heavy rain and snow melt.

Stefan Laeger, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said: 'The recent heavy rain combined with melting snow means it is probable significant river flooding will continue in Leicestershire today, with minor river flooding probable in some other parts of the country, continuing through to Thursday for some larger rivers.

'Environment Agency teams continue to be out on the ground, operating flood defences, taking action to reduce the impact of flooding, issuing flood warnings and supporting those communities affected.

'We urge people to remain vigilant over the next few days and advise anyone travelling to be especially careful and urge people to stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive through flood water as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car.'

It added that fronts moving in from the South West on Friday and Saturday could also bring more snow, with the possibility of further warnings.

Heavy snowfall on the high street at Saddleworth in Oldham, Greater Manchester

A drone view shows snow covering the rooftops of houses in Greater Manchester on Tuesday

Aberdeen Airport paused flights amid 'freezing conditions' as ploughs cleared the snow

Met Office deputy chief forecaster Chris Almond said: 'Thursday will see another cold night, with potentially the lowest temperatures of the Winter so far, -15C or so is possible in locations with lying snow in Scotland or northern England.

'In the early hours of Friday, a front arriving from the west will encounter the cold air in place over the UK.

'This could bring further sleet or snowfall for some regions in the south and west, as well as a risk of ice for a time as it moves north-eastwards into central parts, but the extent of this is still uncertain.'

He added that by Sunday, milder air will have moved in across much of the UK, 'meaning rain is more likely than snow as we get to the end of the weekend'.

Mr Almond continued: 'Northern Ireland and Western Scotland are most likely to see some showery outbreaks of rain and breezy conditions through Sunday, with conditions further south and east drier and more settled.'

Snowmelt has brought further disruption to parts of England, particularly in the Midlands, following the heavy rainfall over the New Year that saw significant river and surface water flooding across the North West of England and Yorkshire, the Environment Agency said.

Floods minister Emma Hardy said: 'My sympathies go out to the people, businesses and communities impacted by the recent flooding across the country.

'I want to express my heartfelt thanks for the vital work that the Environment Agency and emergency services are doing to keep people safe. People must continue to follow their advice and sign up for flood warnings.'

Severe flooding at Proctors Pleasure Park near Barrow upon Soar in Leicestershire

Qasim Abdullah talks to a journalist through the window of his flooded home in Loughborough

Homes stand in flood water today after the Grand Union Canal burst its banks in Loughborough

On Tuesday, more than 100 flood warnings were in force across England with people urged to remain vigilant over the coming days.

A danger-to-life warning was issued on Tuesday morning but was later removed for the River Soar near Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire, where people living in caravan parks were urged by the Environment Agency to act, with a large-scale evacuation needed to save lives.

Dozens of people have been rescued by firefighters across Leicestershire since Monday, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said.

Homeowners on Belton Road in Loughborough were stranded on the first floor of their semi-detached houses on Tuesday after rising water from the nearby Grand Union canal flooded the street.

One flood warning and six flood alerts were in place in Wales.

Hundreds of schools were closed across the UK, with road and rail links blocked.

Manchester, Bristol and Liverpool John Lennon airports were forced to suspend flights because of the conditions.
Many MAGA loyalists are not buying the changes at Meta after the social media giant said it will end its fact-checking program.

Mark Zuckerberg announced the reversal in a five-minute video message shared on his Facebook profile on Tuesday, less than two weeks before Donald Trump returns to the White House.

Instead of the fact-checkers, Meta will rely on users to correct inaccurate and false posts, similar to the community notes on X.

But critics are slamming it as a desperate effort to curry favor with President-elect Trump.

Conservatives have long accused the social network of censoring conservative content online. And over the summer, Zuckerberg even admitted that the Biden White House pressured his company to 'censor' COVID content.

But following the announcement, some members of the MAGA movement questioned the timing of the change.

Close Trump ally and former Congressman Matt Gaetz, who had to pull his name from nomination for Attorney General due to sexual misconduct allegations, questioned Meta's effort in a post online.

'Are we all-in on the Zuck transition or, like many modern transitions, is it phony? Im not all-in,' he wrote on X.

Some MAGA loyalists blasted the move was 'phony' in response and signaled they are not all in.

Mark Zuckerberg announcing Meta changes as the social media giant ends fact-checking and replaces program with user notes

Other Trump supporters responded that the effort looked like Zuckerberg was trying to stay out of prison while a few said they will wait and see what the change will mean.

The fact-checking program had been implemented by Meta in an effort to reduce the spread of misinformation across its social media apps.

But in his video on Tuesday, Zuckerberg said the recent elections 'feel like a cultural tipping-point toward once again prioritizing speech.'

'So we're going to get back to our roots and focus on reducing mistakes, simplifying our policies, and restoring free expression on our platforms,' he said.

While some Trump's supporters called the change 'phony,' the 78-year-old president-elect on Tuesday praised the move, saying Meta has 'come a long way.'

When a reporter asked Trump if he thinks Zuckerberg was directly responding to threats Trump had made against him in the past, the president-elect responded 'probably.'

Former Congressman Matt Gaetz questioned whether the Meta shifts before Trump returns to office are 'phony.' Many MAGA loyalists responded that the shift is 'phony' and they are not 'all in.' Other Trump supporters said they would wait to see what the changes mean

Before the election, Zuckerberg had long been a target of Trump's ire online.

The president-elect has called him 'Zuckerschmuck' and written 'Zuckerbucks' in posts. He even threatened to imprison the Meta CEO for life.

But the Trump has been less hostile as a series of tech billionaires have traveled to meet with him in Florida since the election and donated millions to his inauguration ahead of his return to the White House.

Zuckerberg was among those who travelled to Mar-a-Lago to meet with Trump last year after the election.

And while Meta did not donate to Biden's inauguration or Trump's first inauguration in 2017, it made a $1 million donation for Trump's second inauguration.

Trump and Zuckerberg are seen here meeting inside the Oval Office in September of 2019

Last week, Meta named Joel Kaplan, an executive with deep GOP connections, as its president of global affairs. Zuckerberg and Kaplan pictured above in 2019 when he was VP of Global Policy

In his video on Tuesday, Zuckerberg claimed the legacy media wrote nonstop that misinformation was a threat to democracy after Trump was first elected in 2016.

'We tried in good faith to address those concerns without becoming the arbiters of truth,' Zuckerberg said.

'But the fact-checkers have just been too politically biased and have destroyed more trust than they created, especially in the U.S.' he continued.

Zuckerberg conceded the change would result in more 'bad stuff' being on Meta's social media platforms but argued it would be a 'trade-off.'

The move comes after Zuckerberg also added close Trump ally Dana White to Meta's board of directors on Monday and named Joel Kaplan, an executive with GOP connections, as its president of global affairs last week.

In an interview on Fox News on Tuesday morning, Kaplan claimed the changes at Meta were the result of societal shifts over the past four years.

He also said the company would be working closely with Trump moving forward to protect the First Amendment and U.S. companies.

Just four years ago, Trump was kicked off of Facebook and other social media accounts after the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. That summer, Trump sued claiming he was the victim of censorship.

Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts were reinstated in 2023.
QUESTION: Why was Porter Rockwell dubbed The Destroying Angel of Mormondom?

Orrin Porter Rockwell was a close friend and bodyguard to Joseph Smith, the founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Rockwells nickname, the Destroying Angel, stemmed from his role as an enforcer and defender of the Mormon faith.

Rockwell was born in Massachusetts in 1813. In 1830 he became one of the first to be baptised into the Mormon Church in Fayette, New York. Rockwell moved with Smith to Ohio, then to Jackson County, Missouri, where he helped to establish an outpost of the Church.

Rockwell was known for his prowess with firearms and his willingness to confront threats to the church, often serving as a lawman, scout and frontier tracker. He was tall and powerful, with a raging temper and a lightning-quick pistol draw.

He was protected by God, as prophesied by Smith: I prophesy, in the name of the Lord, you  Orrin Porter Rockwell  so long as ye shall remain loyal and true to thy faith, need fear no enemy. Cut not thy hair, and no bullet or blade can harm thee.

In 1838, Lilburn W. Boggs, the governor of Missouri, wrote an official state order declaring that The Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated or driven from the state if necessary for the public peace.

This resulted in the Mormon-Missouri War that killed 22 people. Rockwell allegedly shot and severely wounded Boggs on May 6, 1842, but he was acquitted in court due to lack of evidence.

After Smiths death in 1844, Rockwell followed Brigham Young and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Salt Lake Valley, Utah where he became deputy marshal of Great Salt Lake City.

The US journalist Fitz Hugh Ludlow described meeting Rockwell: His personal appearance in itself was very striking'

The US journalist Fitz Hugh Ludlow described meeting Rockwell: His personal appearance in itself was very striking. His figure was of the middle height and very strongly made; broad across the shoulders, and set squarely on the legs.

'His arm was of large girth, his chest round as a barrel, and his hand looked as powerful as a grizzly bears... A man with his massive lower jaw, firm mouth, and good-humoured but steady and searching eyes of steel-blue, if his fanaticism takes the Mormon form, must infallibly become like Porter Rockwell.

Organisation and circumstances combine to make any such man a destroying angel.

Smiths prophecy came true and Rockwell died peacefully, aged 64, on June 9, 1878.

Brendan Smith, Preston, Lancs

QUESTION: It took 24 years for Gladiator II to be released after Gladiator. What are the longest time gaps between original films and their first sequel?

This record is held by Bambi. The original Bambi film was released in cinemas in 1942 while Bambi II came out in 2006, 64 years later.

However, Bambi II went straight to video in the US. So the record there for the longest break between films is Mary Poppins and Mary Poppins Returns, a gap of 54 years.

It took 24 years for Gladiator II to be released after Gladiator. Other films with long time gaps include Mary Poppins and Mary Poppins Returns and Beetlejuice and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

The original Bambi film was released in cinemas in 1942 while Bambi II came out in 2006, 64 years later

The other releases that defeat Gladiator are: Beetlejuice and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (36 years); Top Gun and Top Gun: Maverick (36 years); Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049 (35 years); Coming To America and Coming 2 America (33 years); Twister and Twisters (28 years); Tron and Tron: Legacy (28 years), and The Hustler and The Colour Of Money (25 years).

R. W. Greaves, Maidstone, Kent

QUESTION: Is there a difference between a casserole and a stew?

Tomorrow's questions: Q: Are there any two-hit wonders? Who were they? Rory Cowan, Manchester Q: What is the origin of the clerical collar? Faye Summer, Woodhall Spa, Lincs Q: Where does the saying throwing good money after bad originate? Laura Davis, Brentwood, Essex Advertisement

Although these two words have come to be used synonymously, originally casserole and stew had slightly different meanings.

Casserole is a French word meaning a deep dish used for cooking food in an oven.

The entry of casserole into the English language is from the 18th century. However, its use for the style of food is later, from the late 19th century.

We have seen a more modern transfer of the name of a cooking pot to its contents with the word balti to mean a type of Indian food, although the real meaning is the dish in which the meal is cooked.

Stew is a far older word, appearing in Middle English from c. 1300. Like casserole, it took its origin from a French word, estuver.

In 1756 the first reference to a stew as a type of meal emerges, meaning meat cooked slowly within liquid, with vegetables.

And in 1806 the word appears with a new meaning: a state of agitation or worry, and is still sometimes used that way today.

So strictly, a casserole should be cooked entirely in the oven, while a stew could be cooked in an oven or on a hob.

Bob Cubitt, Northampton
Their lawyer claims she came armed with a rifle

A lawyer for one of the men charged with the shooting murder of Chloe Jade Mason days before Christmas has alleged she came to the accused's home armed with a rifle.

Codye Ian Thomson, 29, of Marsden and Kaine Raymond Thomson-Gleeson, 32, of Caboolture, had their murder charges mentioned for the first time in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The pair were arrested without incident in Logan, south of Brisbane on Monday and remanded in custody.

Warrants were issued for the brothers' arrest after Ms Mason, 23, was allegedly chased down and shot on Railway Pde in Caboolture on December 22, dying at the scene.

Ken Mackenzie, solicitor for Thomson-Gleeson, spoke outside court and claimed his client had acted in response to an armed threat from Ms Mason.

'What is not in dispute in this case is that Chloe Mason came to the front of Kaine's house armed with a rifle,' Mr Mackenzie said.

A lawyer for one of the men charged with the shooting murder of Chloe Jade Mason has alleged she was armed with a 'rifle' when she turned up at his clients home

Codye Thomson, 29, and Kaine Thomson-Gleeson, 32, have been charged with murder

'Kaine explained to police he did not kill Chloe. What he did, he did to defend his home and his family against a murderous attempt.'

Mr Mackenzie disputed the police's statement about his client's arrest and claimed Thomson-Gleeson was metres from a police station and about to hand himself in when he was detained.

Neither Thomson, whose job was listed in court documents as a meat worker, nor Thomson-Gleeson, a plasterer, were required to appear in court.

Thomson's solicitor Brendan Beavon asked for the case to be heard next on January 13 at Caboolture Magistrates Court so that a full brief of evidence could be ordered.

Police prosecutor Jordan Theed said the time frame 'might be a bit tight' but he did not oppose the application.

Magistrate Lewis Shillito granted Thomson's application.

Mr Mackenzie asked for the same application to be granted for Thomson-Gleeson when his client's charge was mentioned.

'Your Honour has no power to consider an application for bail,' Mr Mackenzie said.

Mr Shillito also ordered Thomson-Gleeson's case to be heard on January 13 at Caboolture Magistrates Court for a committal mention.

Police had been searching northern NSW for the pair since the incident on December 22.

Daily Mail Australia can reveal that in 2016 Ms Mason was involved in a stabbing that almost claimed her life

Ms Mason's devastated sisters shared their tributes on social media and launched a fundraiser to pay for her funeral hours after her death on December 22

Authorities allege Ms Mason knew the two men and had attended a Caboolture address where an altercation occurred and she suffered a fatal gunshot wound.

Daily Mail Australia previously revealed that Ms Mason was involved in a stabbing that almost claimed her life years before she was shot.

'I'm in the [hospital] ward now,' she shared on social media in 2016.

'Still have 24/7 nurses hanging around me, checking up [and] making sure everything is correct and that nothing is out of place.

'I have two drains in my heart to drain all the blood that's leaking from the valve that's been sliced when the knife penetrated my heart 3 cm deep.

'I am fighting through this with the love and support from my family and friends.'

The shocking revelation comes after it was revealed her former on-again, off-again boyfriend Kane Alexanderson, 18, was himself stabbed to death in 2020 during a knife fight.

Hours after her death, Ms Mason's devastated sister launched a fundraiser to share a heartbreaking message.

'Chloe was only 23 years old,' Hannah McKone posted on GoFundMe.

'Being so close to Christmas her family has no savings or financial means to give her a funeral.

'We are graciously asking for help and support in this. All funds donated will be directly utilised for Chloe's funeral service.'

Another sister, Danni Mason, remembered Chloe as a 'daughter, a sister, an aunt and a friend ... who was loved by many'.

'This loss has devastated our family and we struggle to come to terms with this so close to the holidays,' she wrote.

'As sisters we grieve for the things she won't experience, all the things we aren't able to share and the memories we won't make. She was an incredible woman.'
Three bodies have been recovered from the wreckage of a seaplane which crashed into the ocean, watched by dozens of horrified beachgoers.

A pilot and six passengers were on board when the privately-owned Cessna 208 plunged into the water near Thompson Bay on Rottnest Island, 19km off the coast of Perth in Western Australia, on Tuesday afternoon.

WA Premier Roger Cook confirmed on Wednesday that the bodies of three victims had been recovered from the wreckage overnight by police divers.

Those victims include the 34-year-old male pilot, 34, a 65-year-old female Swiss tourist, 65, and a 60-year-old Danish male tourist.

Four others were rescued from the water and three were taken to hospital with 'varying levels of serious injuries'.

'Recovery of deceased people is really challenging and confronting in itself and the task of recovering bodies from a submerged fuselage at night is challenging,' Mr Cook told a press conference on Wednesday.

'In eight metres of water, it would have been a difficult and confronting task.

'So I'd join everybody else in acknowledging the efforts of those people, particularly the divers that were involved.

Three bodies have been recovered from the wreckage of a seaplane (pictured) that crashed into the ocean in front of dozens of shocked beachgoers

Four people were rescued from the water with three airlifted to hospital (pictured)

WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch (pictured) said there were still parts of the wreckage submerged eight metres below the ocean's surface

'My thoughts go out to the families and friends of the victims. This is no doubt very difficult for everyone involved and on behalf of every Western Australian I want you to know that you're in our thoughts and in our prayers.'

Mr Cook said several civilian boats joined the rescue, pulling survivors from the water and bringing them back to shore.

'I want to reinforce my thanks to everyone who was present and probably holidaying and enjoying the time of their lives as many West Australians do on Rottnest Island, and immediately jumped in to support emergency services in saving lives,' he said.

WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said there were still parts of the wreckage submerged eight metres below the ocean's surface and that authorities would be working to get all of the debris out of the water.

He said there was a 200metre exclusion zone in place while police and Australian Transport Safety Bureau officers conducted investigations and recovered the remaining parts of the aircraft.

Police are working with the passengers who survived the crash to understand why the plane nosedived just moments after take-off.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) confirmed on Wednesday it was investigating the crash.

Pictured is the mangled wreckage of the privately-owned Cessna 208 on Tuesday

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was terrible news.

'The pictures would have been seen by all Australians as they've woken up this morning and and our hearts go out to all those involved,' Mr Albanese said.

Harrowing footage emerged of the seaplane crashing into the ocean shortly after take-off.

The video, filmed by horrified onlookers, showed the Cessna 208 struggling to take-off before taking a sharp dip to the left.

The wingtip hit the water before the plane dived nose-first into the ocean at Phillip Rock at the entrance of Thompson Bay.
He served as deputy prime minister of the UK and spent nearly seven years in a plum job at Facebook owner Meta.

But now it seems Sir Nick Clegg is ready for his next challenge.

The former Liberal Democrat leader was spotted playing padel yesterday in London on his 58th birthday with his son.

Last week Sir Nick said he was leaving his role as president of global affairs at Meta, which is based in California.

His resignation comes shortly before Donald Trump returns to the White House.

The president-elect has criticised the social media giant and other platforms for stifling free speech.

Sir Nick will be replaced in the upper echelons of Mark Zuckerberg's empire by his deputy, Joel Kaplan.

Kaplan was White House Deputy Chief of Staff under George W. Bush and has reportedly been voicing internal opposition to Meta's restrictions on political speech in recent years.

The former Liberal Democrat leader was spotted playing padel yesterday in London on his 58th birthday with his son

David Cameron welcomes Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg to Downing Street for their first day of coalition government on May 12, 2010

The former Lib Dem Deputy Prime Minister will be replaced in the upper echelons of Mark Zuckerberg's empire by his deputy, Joel Kaplan

Mark Zuckerberg (L) and Joel Kaplan pictured in 2019

The news came three weeks before Trump is set to be inaugurated for a second time, with Meta rival Elon Musk, owner of X, formerly Twitter, to take up his post at the Department of Government Efficiency.

Meta, parent company of Facebook, is not alone in shifting policy or personnel in advance of America's political upheaval.

Jeff Bezos' Washington Post notably failed to endorse either Trump or Kamala Harris in advance of the election with the Amazon owner having to defend the move as a way not to seem biased.

Zuckerberg himself was seen dining at Trump's Mar-a-Lago home two months ago to congratulate the President-elect despite Trump previously threatening to jail the billionaire.

Clegg posted on X last week saying: 'As a new year begins, I have come to the view that this is the right time for me to move on from my role as President, Global Affairs at Meta. It truly has been an adventure of a lifetime!

'I am proud of the work I have been able to do leading and supporting teams across the company to ensure innovation can go hand in hand with increased transparency and accountability, and with new forms of governance.'

Sir Nick joined in 2018 after leading the Liberal Democrats from 2007 to 2015 and being in David Cameron's coalition government from 2010 to 2015.

Last year, it was reported that Sir Nick scooped 5.5million by selling shares in Meta.
An ex-priest allegedly caught trying to procure a 14-year-old boy for sex online in a police sting a week before Christmas left court wearing an Akubra-style hat and face mask.

Guy Norman Hartcher, a 78-year-old retired Vincentian priest, was arrested outside a South Asian minimart in Pendle Hill in western Sydney in late December after allegedly sending indecent material to a police officer posing as a teen.

He's also been accused of trying to procure sex from the fictitious 14-year-old.

Ex-priest Guy Norman Hartcher tried to hide his face behind a hat and face mask outside court

Hartcher (pictured) was arrested outside a South Asian minimart in Pendle Hill in western Sydney in late December

The alleged crimes took place between December 16 and December 23 when he was arrested, according to court documents.

Hartcher left Burwood Local Court on Wednesday wearing a white face mask and dark hat after his first appearance.

His solicitor Greg Walsh did not oppose an adjournment sought by prosecutors and the matter will return to court on March 5.

The alleged crimes took place between December 16 and December 23 when he was arrested, according to court documents

Hartcher did not answer questions as he pushed his way through waiting journalists outside the court.

He has not yet entered pleas to either of the two charges.

Mr Walsh previously represented wife killer Chris Dawson during his high-profile murder trial.
Prez of Republic of Congo meets Chinese FM to strengthen bilateral ties

Brazzaville, Jan 8 (UNI) President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday, with both sides pledging to advance bilateral ties and China-Africa cooperation.

Sassou conveyed his New Year greetings and best wishes to Chinese President Xi Jinping through Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

Recalling that Xi chose Africa for his first overseas trip as Chinese president in 2013, during which he made a historic visit to the Republic of the Congo, Sassou said the visit remains vivid in his memory.
Experts have warned Australians will be exposed to more abuse and trolling as Facebook and Instagram abandon specialist fact-checking services.

Meta announced on Wednesday it would scrap its third-party fact-checking program, starting in the United States, over concerns it hampers free speech.

In a five-minute video message posted to Facebook, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said: 'We're going to get back to our roots and focus on reducing mistakes, simplifying our policies and restoring free expression on our platforms.

'More specifically, we're going to get rid of fact-checkers and replace them with community notes similar to X, starting in the US.'

Digital marketing agency founder Sabri Suby, who also appeared as an investor on the Channel 10 show Shark Tank, said removing the muzzle would change the algorithm.

'All of us are going to see different content,' he said.

'This is a move to have the internet more aligned with what it was designed to be, which is to allow for free speech.

'And yes, there is certainly an ugly underbelly that will no doubt open up a whole lot of negativity, but that is also the world we live in. You can't put guardrails on the internet.'

Australians will be exposed to more abuse, trolling and the ugly underbelly of the internet as Facebook and Instagram abandon specialist fact-checking services, experts say. Stock image

The change, made a fortnight out from US President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House, came as no surprise to news and political communication expert Emma Briant.

'With at least 13 billionaires in his new administration, including Big Tech oligarchs like Musk, Trump has sent a powerful message across America's wealthy right-wing elite - now is your time, not theirs,' the Monash University associate professor said.

'Clearly (Meta boss) Mark Zuckerberg heard him loud and clear. Ordinary citizens should be very concerned.'

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meanwhile warned social media giants they 'have a social responsibility' to the Australian public.

The fact-checking program typically involves journalists at internationally accredited agencies investigating and reviewing claims on social media through rigorous questioning, consideration of evidence and verification using multiple sources.

Posts deemed to be 'false' or 'altered' have a fact-check article appended to them and may receive reduced distribution across Meta's platforms Facebook, Instagram and Threads.

Meta announced on Wednesday it would scrap its third-party fact-checking program , starting in the United States, over concerns it hampers free speech. Stock image

A recent federal inquiry highlighted more Australians were concerned about misinformation and disinformation than the global average.

Nearly half of all young Australian adults, and 20 per cent across all age groups, use social media as their main source of news, according to a 2024 report by the federal media authority.

'Mr Zuckerberg's decision is all about maximising the profits of Meta his profits at the expense of community safety and human decency,' Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young told ABC radio on Wednesday.

'It's got nothing to do with freedom of speech and all got to do with maximum profits creating outrage, anger, abuse (and) supercharging that with secret algorithms that generate maximum profit through their advertising business model.

'It's dangerous, it's going to be damaging for democracy, and it will have ramifications back here in Australia.'

Australian Associated Press said its fact-checking agency AAP FactCheck's contract with Meta was not affected by the US decision and its work would continue in 2025.

'Independent fact-checkers are a vital safeguard against the spread of harmful misinformation and disinformation that threatens to undermine free democratic debate in Australia and aims to manipulate public opinion,' chief executive Lisa Davies said.

Meta said it decided to end the program because expert fact-checkers had their own biases and too much content ended up being checked.

'A program intended to inform too often became a tool to censor,' it said.

'We think (community notes) could be a better way of achieving our original intention of providing people with information about what they're seeing, and one that's less prone to bias.'

The boss of X welcomed Meta's decision, saying the move 'couldn't be more validating' for its own decision to let users police content themselves.

Chief executive Linda Yaccarino's statements came despite studies criticising X Corp's crowd-sourced fact-checking program, Community Notes, which researchers said allowed misinformation to spread without verification.

'Meta realised that it's the most effective, fastest fact-checking without bias,' she said.

Mr Zuckerberg threatened governments in Europe, South America and China that Meta would 'work with President Trump to push back against foreign governments going after American companies to censor more'.

He claimed that foreign governments have been demanding Facebook be censored or even taken down and they will work with Trump to stop them.

Meta said it will relocate its trust and safety teams from liberal California to more conservative Texas, mirroring Elon Musk's recent relocations.

'That will help us build trust to do this work in places where there is less concern about the bias of our teams,' Zuckerberg said.

The shift came as the 40-year-old tycoon has been making efforts to reconcile with Trump since his election in November, including donating one million dollars to his inauguration fund.
A Texas police officer was caught on camera shooting a man 15 times during a pursuit, after he confronted him about jaywalking across the street.

But San Antonio police say Jeffrey Schopp, 33, died from a self-inflicted gunshot to the head, KENS 5 reports.

The incident began on December 3 when Police Officer James Lopez caught Schopp crossing the street at Loop 410 and Jones Maltsberger Road without using the crosswalk - which is a Class C misdemeanor in Texas, punishable by up to a $200 fine.

In body camera footage released by the San Antonio Police Department, Lopez could be seen parking his police vehicle and confronting Schopp, who was carrying a backpack.

The officer tells Schopp to walk toward him, at which point Schopp becomes defensive.

'I'm not doing all that, man,' he said as he sat on the railing. 'Am I under arrest?'

'You're detained right now,' Lopez replied. 'Walk over here.'

When Schopp then asked why he was being detained, Lopez replied it is 'for crossing the street without a crosswalk.'

Body camera footage shows the moment San Antonio Police Officer James Lopez confronted Jeffrey Schopp, 33, for jaywalking

San Antonio police now say Schopp died from a self-inflicted gunshot to the head

Schopp then apologized to the officer, claiming he had to get to the hospital for an arm injury.

But Lopez seemed to get even more irritated, raising his voice, as he said, 'I ain't looking for an apology. Come over here right now before I put you in handcuffs.'

Still, Schopp continued to apologize - apparently making Lopez even angrier.

'I ain't listening to that s***,' the officer shot back. 'Come here. Come over here now.'

At that point, Schopp dropped his backpack and ran across the street, into a parking garage as Lopez gave chase.

At least two other officers then heard Lopez report the chase on the radio, and joined in on the bizarre pursuit, as Schopp could be seen hopping a fence.

He eventually ended up in a drainage ditch, where the officers were able to close in on him.

'Get the f*** on the ground,' Lopez yelled at Schopp as he approached.

'I'm going to f*** you up,' the officer warns. 'You're going to get Tased bro. I'm going to f***ing Tase you.'

Lopez and other officers gave chase after Schopp fled the scene and ran into a drainage ditch

Schopp ran underneath a bridge, where he apparently pulled out a gun

But Schopp ran underneath a bridge, where he apparently pulled out a gun.

That is when Lopez fired 12 times, yelling, 'He has a f***ing gun!'

After firing a dozen times, Lopez had to reload his gun, while Schopp appeared on the other side of the bridge in the drainage ditch.

Another officer could then be heard yelling, 'Drop the gun,' but it does not appear as if they fired their gun.

Lopez, on the other hand, fired an additional three times - which is when Schopp could be seen falling to the ground.

The San Antonio Police Department claimed in the aftermath that Lopez feared for the safety of the other cops nearby when he fired his service weapon.

San Antonio police noted that a .22-caliber handgun was recovered from the scene

It initially said Schopp was killed after he was struck in the chest.

But following an investigation into the police-involved shooting, the police department maintains that Schopp died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

A .22-caliber handgun was recovered from the scene, officers noted.

Still, Lopez, who has been a member of the San Antonio police force for four years, has been placed on paid administrative leave as the Bexar County District Attorney's Office conducts its own investigation, according to Texas Public Radio.

An autopsy report likely will not be available for at least six weeks, per the district attorney's standard timeline to complete reports.

The deadly encounter marked the 20th San Antonio police department shooting in 2024.
Former ABC television presenter Ken Randall has died aged 88.

The respected political journalist, who spent six decades reporting for newspapers, magazines, radio and TV, passed away peacefully on Monday night.

Mr Randall was also the longest serving president of the National Press Club- a role he had for 22 years until he became a patron in 2016.

He remained a supporter of the organisation until his death.

The National Press Club issued a statement to express their condolences to his former wife Helen and his son Tom, daughter Lindsey and stepson Christopher.

It added that Mr Randall had left an 'indelible imprint on Australian journalism'.

Current president of the Press Club and ABC Chief Political Correspondent Laura Tingle led the outpouring of tributes to her former colleague.

'Ken was literally the first person I ever worked with when I came to Canberra and he was a kind, generous and wise colleague to me and other young reporters,' Ms Tingle told the ABC.

Respected political journalist and former ABC television presenter Ken Randall (pictured centre) has died aged 88

Nine Newspapers chief political correspondent David Crowe, took to X to express his condolences.

'Ken Randall helped make sure the National Press Club survives and thrives to this day. He'll be missed. RIP,' he wrote.

Mr Randall began his career working at the ABC in Hobart before he spent stints in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Canberra.

He was also one of the inaugural staff members of The Australian newspaper, which was founded in July 1964.

Mr Randall was the publication's first defence and diplomatic reporter before becoming an associate editor and chief political correspondent for the broadsheet.

Mr Randall (fourth from left) was among a group of Australian journalists, who accompanied former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, on his historic visit to China in 1971

Mr Randall began his career working at the ABC in Hobart and was one of the founding staff members of The Australian newspaper in 1964 (pictured stock image)

Some of Mr Randall's most notable achievements included being among a group of Australian journalists, who accompanied former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, on his historic visit to China in 1971.

Mr Whitlam was the federal opposition leader at the time and Mr Randall went on to serve as a press secretary in the Whitlam government.

He was also a foreign policy advisor to former opposition leader Bill Hayden.

Mr Randall also moderated the first televised debate between former Prime Minister Bob Hawke and the then opposition leader Andrew Peacock in the lead up to the 1984 federal election.

Ken Randall (pictured centre with Peter Costello and Wayne Swan) left an 'indelible imprint on Australian journalism'

He also worked as a consultant to the Australian Defence Force chief and Defence secretary.

Mr Randall was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his services to Journalism and Public Affairs in 1997.

He was recognised as a Member of the Order (AM) in 1999.
Have YOU returned to the office? Email frankie.elliott@mailonline.co.uk

Advertising executives at a FTSE giant are the latest set of workers to be told to come back into the office as working from home policies continue to fade across the UK.

Staff at London-listed ad giant WPP, which owns agencies including Ogilvy and Wunderman Thompson, will now be expected to come into the office at least four days a week.

Employees working at WPP headquarters in the capital had previously only been required to go into the office three days a week, but will now be expected to come in more often and also work in the office at least two Fridays each month.

In an email written to everyone in the company, chief executive Mark Read said he believed 'we do our best work when we are together in person'.

He also wrote: 'It's easier to learn from each other, it's a better way to mentor colleagues starting out in the industry, and it helps us win pitches as a truly integrated team.'

WPP becomes the latest employer to move away from the pandemic-era of working, as companies across the UK continue to crack down on working from home.

On Tuesday, Scotland Yard vowed to get tough on those who won't return to their desk after mass industrial action started this week because workers were told they couldn't remain working at home all the time.

Elsewhere, America's biggest bank JP Morgan was reported to be preparing to order staff back into the office five days a week, while major rival Goldman Sachs changed its policy in 2023 by demanding staff come in for the full working week.

In an email written to everyone in the company, WPP chief executive Mark Read said he believed 'we do our best work when we are together in person'

Employees working at WPP headquarters in the capital (pictured) had previously only been required to go into the office three days a week

And global brands such as Amazon, Google, Meta and Apple have also clamped down on home working in recent years.

WPP bosses said data from across its agencies had shown that higher levels of office attendance resulted in 'stronger employee engagement, improved client survey scores and better financial performance'.

But the company, which employs 114,000 worldwide, said it would not be returning to pre-pandemic ways of working and individual agencies within the group had been permitted to set their own policies for flexible working.

The company also said it take individual circumstances into account, with a formal approval process for exceptions to the new rules.

Mr Read said: 'For all our technological sophistication, we remain a people business. Across everything we do, our success still relies on the fundamentals of human connection, creativity and relationships.

'More of our clients are moving in this direction [working in the office] and expecting it of the teams who work with them.'

WPP currently has two London sites at the Sea Containers building and Rose Court, but is currently preparing to open new London offices on the site of the former Financial Times building by Southwark Bridge.

Their rivals Publicis announced last year that they believed they were on track to overtake WPP as the worlds largest advertising agency, while its competitors Omnicom and Interpublic are currently gearing up to merge in a $30bn (24bn) deal.

WPP becomes the latest employer to move away from the pandemic-era of working, as companies across the UK continue to crack down on working from home (file image)

A study conducted in early 2024 concluded Brits are spending an average of less than two days a week in the office

Six-figure salaries are on offer for people working from home across the UK post-pandemic

Data released in June 2024, published in the journal Nature, also showed the Covid-era practice of remote working did not make workers more efficient.

Speaking about this agreement in the email, Mr Read said: 'While industry mergers and jostling for status may distract our competitors, focus will be paramount for us in 2025.'

A growing backlash against working from home was highlighted in a poll in December - with complaints such as colleagues 'shirking' instead and pets invading Zoom calls.

The survey has found that 55 per cent of workers suffer from 'video call fatigue', 32 per cent have eavesdropped on a stranger's meeting and a worrying 11 per cent admit WFH has increased their weekly alcohol consumption.

Global learning platform Kahoot! commissioned the OnePoll report which revealed the experiences of 2,000 UK professionals who are engaged in hybrid working.

The Kahoot survey also indicated a WFH productivity drop - as 46 per cent of hybrid workers now believe they are more productive in the office than remote and only 23 per cent think they are more productive at home.

It came after data released in June, published in the journal Nature, also showed the Covid-era practice of remote working did not make workers more efficient.

MailOnline had also previously revealed how firms were offering would-be employees six-figure salaries - all while working from home.

The highest-paid WFH jobs on offer are 150,000 per year, while billing supervisors are being recruited at 100,000 annually, according to job search website Jooble.

Other options include working as a commercial property solicitor for up to 60,000, a tutor paid 51,000 per year and a human resources assistant on 40,000 - while an IT systems administrator can count on receiving up to 55,000 per year.
Human traffickers caught trying to smuggle Indian migrants into Britain hidden in the back of a squalid van compartment have been jailed.

Photographs from inside the truck show four men crouching among huge piles of dirty tyres and behind a white screen.

They were discovered without access to clean air and sat on a filthy mattress, surrounded by banana peels, sweet wrappers and bottles of Coke, in what officials described as 'squalid and dangerous conditions'.

Shafaz Khan and Choudhry Rashied, who operated under the alias 'Manzar Mian Attique', were snared by Border Force when they were stopped at Newhaven Ferry Port.

The British nationals claimed to have travelled to the UK from Belgium, while CCTV traced them to a local cafe - where they met to mastermind the trafficking operation.

The pair, who appeared at Isleworth Crown Court yesterday, were sentenced to a combined total of 10 years and 6 months in prison.

Both Khan, 55, of Feltham, and Rashied, 58, from Southall, were handed five years and three months for conspiring to facilitate illegal entry into the UK.

Shocking photographs from inside the truck show the four men crouching among huge piles of dirty tyres and behind a white screen

They were discovered without access to clean air and sat on a filthy mattress

They were surrounded by banana peels, sweet wrappers and bottles of Coke in what officials described as 'squalid and dangerous conditions'

Both Khan, 55, of Feltham (left) and Rashied, 58, from Southall (right) face five years and three months for conspiring to facilitate illegal entry into the UK

Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, said: 'This case displays the lengths people smugglers will go to to disguise their criminal activity.

'These smugglers exploited a group of individuals by putting them into an unsafe and unlawful situation for their own financial gain.

'Our skilled investigators are working tirelessly to protect our borders as part of our Plan for Change and that starts with dismantling the people smuggling networks who put lives at risk and undermine our border security.

'Alongside the major step up in enforcement action and integral co-operation with key partners we are also investing 150 million of funding into our new Border Security Command to disrupt the criminal smuggling gangs profiting from risking lives.'

A Home Office investigation found that the pair had hired the van exclusively so they could smuggle migrants into the UK.

They used burner phones in an attempt to hide their crimes from the authorities.

Chris Foster, Immigration Enforcement Regional Lead continued: 'Both Khan and Rashied sold these vulnerable individuals a dream and promised them a safe journey and prosperous life in the UK, which was far from the truth.

The pair were sentenced to a combined total of 10 years and 6 months in prison, as they appeared in Isleworth Crown Court yesterday

A Home Office investigation found that the pair had hired the van exclusively so they could smuggle migrants into the UK

They used burner phones in an attempt to hide their crimes from the authorities

They had erected a white screen at the back of the lorry to hide the migrants from view

'The people smuggling gangs are playing with people's lives and undermining our border security, we will not just watch on.

'We are stepping up our enforcement efforts to break the business model of the criminal networks that operate in the UK and Europe.

'The sentencing sends a clear message to the criminals, if you get involved in people smuggling, you're likely to spend a lengthy time behind bars.

'I would like to pay tribute to the hard work of my team, and their tireless efforts to take down the criminal gangs who profit from this evil trade.'
This is the shocking moment an enraged elephant swang a worshipper around with its trunk during its rampage through an Indian temple.

Footage shows the elephant grabbing the man by the leg and tossing him around at a religious festival at BP Angadi Mosque in Malappuram, Kerala, on January 6.

This prompted frantic worshippers to stampede, running away from the animal and scrambling to safety.

Nearby elephant riders can be seen comforting the distressed animal, which had a gold headpiece adorning its head, and removing some of the ornaments in an attempt to alleviate its aggression.

The man thrown around by the mammal reportedly sustained serious injuries, while 23 other worshippers were injured in the stampede, according to police.

Thrissur Pooram, one of the region's most prominent religious festivals, is a spectacular temple celebration held in the cultural capital of the state.

The festival is renowned for its stunning elephant processions, where decorated elephants march in rhythm with the beat of the drums.

In Kerala, well known as God's Own Country, elephants form an integral part of the cultural ethos and are deeply connected to the state's religious and social functions.

Footage shows the elephant, who had a gold headpiece adorning its head, grabbing the man by the leg and tossing him around at a religious festival at BP Angadi Mosque in Malappuram, Kerala, on January 6

The elephant was seen swinging the man around by his leg after grabbing him with its trunk. This prompted frantic worshippers to stampede, running away from the animal and scrambling to safety

Nearby elephant riders can be seen comforting the distressed animal and removing some of the ornaments it is wearing in an attempt to alleviate its aggression

Their presence in Hindu temple festivities is considered auspicious.

The sub-continent has at least 30,000 wild elephants - more than any other country and approximately 60 per cent of the world's entire Asian elephant population.

This comes after a Spanish tourist died when an elephant forcefully knocked her over with its trunk at a popular animal sanctuary in Thailand.

Blanca Ojanguren Garcia, 22, from Valladolid, was bathing an elephant on January 3 at the Koh Yao sanctuary on the Thai island of Yao Yai when the animal suddenly caused her the fatal blow.

Garcia, a Law and International Relations student, was rushed to a nearby hospital where she later died.

According to Spanish national paper El Pais the incident was confirmed by local police and the elephant care centre, which currently remains closed.

Reports had previously claimed the university student had been gored by the elephant, but trusted Spanish news agency EFE verified that this was not the case.

The incident was confirmed by local police and the sanctuary, which is currently closed as a result of the tragic accident.

The festival is renowned for its stunning elephant processions, where decorated elephants march in rhythm with the beat of the drums

Blanca Ojanguren Garcia, 22, from Valladolid, died in Thailand after an elephant forcefully knocked her over with its trunk at a popular animal sanctuary

Spanish newspaper El Mundo reported that there were around 18 people present at the time of the incident, including Garcia's boyfriend. No one else was reportedly injured.

The Spaniard was a student at the University of Navarra but was living in Taiwan while she completed a six-month study abroad at Tamkang University.

She would have completed her undergraduate degree this year.

Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the consulate in Bangkok was in contact with Garcia's family.

Her body has since been transferred to a hospital on the island of Phuket, where repatriation procedures are being prepared.

Valladolid Mayor Jesus Julio Carnero took to X to offer his 'deepest condolences' to Garcia's family.
Keir Starmer is set to block a national inquiry into child grooming gangs as the Tories force a vote on the move today.

The PM has ordered his MPs to oppose an amendment tabled by Kemi Badenoch that would trigger a new official probe.

With Labour holding a massive majority in the House, it means the bid is almost certain to fail.

Sir Keir - who has been fending off an extraordinary social media attack on the issue from US billionaire Elon Musk - accused the Conservatives of 'shocking' tactics by tagging the measure on to the wider Children's Wellbeing & Schools Bill.

'I would implore any right-thinking Tory MP to vote for the Bill because this would kill the Bill, this would kill the legislation,' he told the Mirror.

The issue is likely to come up when the leaders clash at the first PMQs session since the Christmas break at noon, before the expected vote this evening.

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the decision showed 'total moral cowardice'.

Keir Starmer is set to block a national inquiry into child grooming gangs as the Tories force a vote on the move today

The PM has ordered his MPs to oppose an amendment tabled by Kemi Badenoch that would trigger a new official probe

'The victims of these heinous child rape gangs deserve honesty, and they deserve the truth,' he said.

Mr Philp said previous inquiries had failed to get to the bottom of the issue.

'Labour's decision risks perpetuating the cover-up of the rape gangs,' he said.

'There will be many Labour MPs in constituencies where these awful crimes took place and where victims still seek justice. They now need to think long and hard about which side of history they want to be on.'

The scandal involved the rape and sexual abuse of thousands of white girls by gangs of predominantly Pakistani-origin men.

Campaigners against child sex abuse also urged the Prime Minister to reconsider.

Victims campaigner Dame Jasvinder Sanghera said she 'fully supported' a public inquiry - and warned that rape and abuse of young girls by gangs of men was still continuing.

'Let's be clear, this is still happening,' she told Times Radio. 'This isn't something that used to happen. This is still happening today. I'm sure the perpetrators of this kind of abuse will look for different ways of manipulating the system so we have to look at this as a whole and have a broader conversation.'

Dame Jasvinder said the government's approach to multiculturalism still appeared to be to 'minimise the risk of offending communities as opposed to actually dealing with the very problem'.

But on a round of broadcast interviews this morning, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson branded the Tory approach 'sickening'.

She told Times Radio: 'We are looking right across the recommendations that Alexis Jay set out and there are crucial recommendations from the review that she carried out.

'That's why today we are setting out legislation that addresses many of the wider challenges that we see right across our system. It's why the Home Secretary announced in the House of Commons the action that we are taking.

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'So we are wasting no time in legislating to keep children safe. The question for the Conservatives today is why they are intent on blocking this landmark piece of child protection legislation that would keep the very children safe that they claim they are concerned about.'

She added: 'They come along today as we set out legislation to protect the very children they claim to care about and they intend to block it and kill it stone dead.

'It is absolutely sickening.'

The PM's official spokesman said further inquiries were unnecessary, saying Sir Keir was 'completely focused on' tackling sexual abuse.

The head of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse yesterday said 'the time has passed' for another lengthy examination of grooming gangs and that the row is 'distracting from the issues'.

Professor Alexis Jay said 'we've had enough of inquiries, consultations and discussions' as she called for action.

But she acknowledged that the government's decision to finally respond to her report this week was triggered by the media focus on demands for a fresh inquiry.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced on Monday that she is implementing three of the report's 20 recommendations, including placing a mandatory duty on those working with children to report suspected abuse.

The issue is likely to come up when the leaders clash at the first PMQs session since the Christmas break at noon, before the expected vote this evening. Pictured, the House sitting in December

Professor Jay said the row 'may well have given it some kind of impetus to move forward'.

The shadow justice secretary yesterday suggested that a future Conservative government could try to curb migration from countries with 'alien cultures', including Pakistan.

He told the BBC that arrivals from some countries had 'medieval' attitudes towards women.

Asked if he was saying immigration policy should be changed to stop people with such attitudes from coming to the UK, he said: 'I think that we have to be very careful about who is coming into this country, the scale and pace of that immigration so that we can have a much more successful integration policy than we have today.'
The pilot who was killed after the seaplane he was flying with six passengers on board crashed into the ocean at a popular tourist spot has been identified.

The Swan River Seaplanes-run Cessna 208 plunged into the water near Thompson Bay on Rottnest Island, around 30km off the coast of Perth, shortly after take-off on Tuesday afternoon.

Pilot James Wong, 34, and two international tourists - a woman, 65 from Switzerland and a man from Denmark died in the crash witnessed by dozens of shocked beachgoers.

The victims were recovered from the submerged wreckage by police divers on Tuesday night.

Three of the four other passengers who survived suffered serious injuries and were airlifted to hospital, where they remain in a stable condition. The other escaped uninjured.

Originally from Frenchs Forest on Sydney's northern beaches, Mr Wong was an experienced pilot, according to his LinkedIn bio.

His aviation career began as a line pilot for Air Fraser Island in Hervey Bay in June 2019.

He moved on to work for several scenic flight operators in north Queensland including Air Whitsunday Seaplanes and Hamilton Island Air.

James Wong, 34, (pictured) died when the privately-owned Cessna 208 plunged into the water near Thompson Bay on Rottnest Island on Tuesday afternoon

In March 2023, he moved to the other side of the country to join Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures in WA's Kimberley region before later heading to Perth to work for Swan River Seaplanes.

The company has since hailed Mr Wong as a much valued employee.

'We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of James, a talented and dedicated pilot who was an integral and deeply cherished member of our team,' Swan River Seaplanes director Kristy Bailey said in a statement.

'Our hearts and thoughts are with his family, friends, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.

'We are equally devastated by those injured and the loss of the two passengers on board, and extend our deepest condolences to their families and all who are grieving this unimaginable tragedy.'

Mr Wong also loved the outdoors with photos of Instagram page show him rock climbing and visiting beaches and coastal locations with friends.

A photo shows him flying a seaplane at an unknown location.

A former co-worker described Mr Wong's death as 'devastating news for the seaplane community'.

'Rest easy James. Was a pleasure to have known and flown with you,' she wrote.

The two international tourists killed were holidaying with their partners.

Earlier today, the wreckage of the Swan River Seaplane-run plane was pulled from the water (pictured)

It comes as more wreckage from the plane was recovered from the water on Wednesday to be forensically examined.

Investigators recovered two parts of the plane including the pontoon, which was found several kilometres away from the crash site, WA Today reported.

The four passengers who survived include a 63-year-old Swiss man, a 58-year-old Danish woman and a couple from Western Australia in their 60s.

Shocked tourists at Rottnest Island on Tuesday described the moment the plane crashed and the chaotic scenes that followed.

The wingtip of the aircraft hit the water before the plane dived nose-first into the ocean at Phillip Rock at the entrance of Thompson Bay.

A confronting video showed the Cessna 208 struggling to take-off moments before the crash.

Other onlookers reported seeing the plane moving from side to side moments before the left wing hit the water.

'It took ages to get off the water but then right towards the end it just really didn't look (good),' Anna Connolly told Seven News.

'We had a feeling, everyone thought something was wrong, it didn't look very good at all.'

Police are working with the passengers, who survived the crash, to understand why the plane nosedived just moments after take-off.

Originally from Sydney's northern beaches, James Wong (pictured) was an experienced pilot

Shocked tourists described the devastating scenes following the crash (pictured) after the plane dived nose-first into the ocean

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has launched a separate investigation into the crash.

'Investigators will also seek to interview those on board, and any other witnesses and involved parties, and collect relevant recorded information including available flight tracking data, as well as pilot and aircraft maintenance records, and weather information.'

Authorities are still working to recover all the debris from the water.

WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said there were still parts of the wreckage submerged eight metres below the ocean's surface.

A 200-metre exclusion zone has been established around the crash site and will remain in place until the submerged wreckage can be recovered.
A Top Gun pilot has set a new record in Ukraine's history using a F-16 fighter pilot, after he shot down six Putin cruise missiles in a single combat mission.

The air assault happened as Russia unleashed almost 200 drones into the sky, as well as Kinzhals, ballistics, sea and land-based cruise missiles on December 13.

The unnamed pilot was under orders to knock down the cruise missiles and admitted the chances of hitting a missile, travelling over 400mph, were slim.

'First, you need to find it in the sky, level off in altitude, and, from a distance of no more than 500 meters [1,640ft], fire ahead,' he said.

'Shooting down cruise missiles with cannon is very risky due to the high speed of the target and the risk of detonation.

'But I acted as the instructors in the USA taught me, and I managed to hit.

'As it turned out, two missiles that were flying next to each other were destroyed at the same time.'

Colonel Yuriy Ihnat, chief spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force Command, said that on returning to the ground the pilot was greeted with 'applause and ovations' from his fellow comrades.

A Top Gun pilot has set a new record in Ukraine's history using a F-16 fighter pilot, after he shot down six Putin cruise missiles in a single combat mission

The unnamed pilot was under orders to knock down the cruise missiles and was flying an F-16 fighter pilot

Recounting the events, Ihnat said: 'Let me remind you what happened in the skies over Ukraine on the morning of December 13, 2024.

'A massive air attack by the occupiers, almost 200 enemy drones in the sky, Kinzhals [Dagger hypersonic missiles], ballistics, and 94 air, sea and land-based cruise missiles.'

The pilot was flying a US-made F-16 'Fighter Falcon' which were delivered to Ukraine for the first time in August last year, marking a crucial milestone in the war.

He unloaded his four four air-to-air missiles onboard his warplane, shooting down four cruise missiles with direct hits.

Then he used his aircraft cannon to protect Ukraine from more incoming missiles during one of the most intense Putin attacks of the war.

Pictured: Colonel Yuriy Ihnat, chief spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force Command

Ihnat added: 'Based on the results of objective control, we have 100 per cent confirmation of the fact that for the first time in history, an American F-16fighter has shot down six cruise missiles in an anti-aircraft battle, two of them using an aircraft cannon.

'And it is done by a Ukrainian.'

Ukraine lacked modern modifications on their warplanes but 'young Ukrainian pilots prove every day that they are the best, whether in the cockpit of a Soviet or American fighter'.

He said: 'Just imagine what a formidable deterrent force in the center of Europe the war-hardened Ukrainian pilots will be when, say, the F-35s enter service with the [Ukrainian] Air Force.'

The achievement follows those of a Ukrainian Top Gun pilot who successfully destroyed one of Putin's bridges in Kursk with US-made missiles.

Major Vadym Voroshylov, 30, led the mission, during which Ukraine dropped GBU-62 JDAM-ER glide bombs on the bridge in Kursk.
Benefit claimants have been tipped to flee England for Scotland to swerve the two-child cap - adding at least 700million to SNP government spending pledges.

A new report says SNP finance minister Shona Robison's decision to scrap the cap introduced by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves could lead to an exodus from south to north of the border.

Holyrood's independent budget watchdog, the Scottish Fiscal Commission, has suggested the SNP's move would be worth around 3,600 per child each year for eligible households if introduced in 2026-2027.

The UK's Conservative government under then-Prime Minister Theresa May introduced the nationwide two-child limit in 2017.

That restricted Universal Credit and child tax credit to the first two children in a family, with limited exceptions.

And shortly after coming to power last July, Sir Keir's new Labour government voted to maintain the cap - despite a rebellion by seven backbench MPs who then had the party whip withdrawn.

Now the SFC has suggested the 'incentives are large' for low-income families with three or more children move from England to Scotland and claim the extra benefits.

With some large families qualifying for multiple payments, the more generous Scottish system could potentially affect 'migration with the UK', it said.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves (left) and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (right), pictured in Downing Street last November, has committed to keeping the two-child cap on benefits

Scotland's SNP finance minister Shona Robinson is seen here presenting her budget in the Scottish Parliament alongside First Minister John Swinney

The SFC said: 'For example, where a family might otherwise have moved to England, or could make a move to Scotland, the mitigation payment would change the incentives.'

And the Scottish Conservatives have said the policy raised 'the risk of benefits tourism, which would cost Scottish taxpayers even more'.

In October, it emerged 1,550 Scots families receive the SNP's Scottish Child Payment of 1,400 per child per year for five children, with six getting it for 10 children.

Ms Robison said last month she would 'mitigate' the cap by paying eligible families the relevant benefits for every child from 2026.

She announced funding of an extra 3million in her 2025-26 budget for preparatory work, saying this could raise 5,000 children out of poverty and vowing: 'Be in no doubt, the cap will be scrapped.'

The SFC was unable to cost the policy last year, as ministers did not inform them in time.

Now the expert body has described how off-setting the cap would cost 155million and go to 43,000 children in 2026-2027, rising to 198million and 50,000 children in 2029-2030 and adding up to a total of 708million over four years.

The 2029-2030 estimate includes a further 10million for people changing their behaviour, such as having more children, higher benefit take-up and relocating within the UK.

The commission assumed 'an additional 1,000 families' would get mitigation cash because of a 'behavioural response', as well as getting Scottish Child Payment for three children.

The SFC has said that getting rid of the cap will mean an extra 43,000 children next year receiving benefits, increasing to 50,000 by the end of this decade.

The mitigation policy means Scotland's benefits bill is forecast to rise from 6.9billion next year to 7.6billion in 2026-2027 and to almost 9billion in 2029-2030, or 14.9 per cent of the Scottish Government's day-to-day spending.

The cost is 1.6billion above the welfare funding given to Holyrood by the UK Treasury each year, money that has to come from elsewhere in the Scottish budget.

The SFC said the ballooning bill reflected SNP plans 'to support those on low incomes and pensioners and tackle child poverty', but meant 'a corresponding reduction in the amount available to fund other public services'.

The Conservatives' social security spokeswoman Liz Smith said: 'Social security must provide a safety net for those in need, but the system also needs to be fair to taxpayers who need to pay for it.

'Under the SNP, the benefits bill is rising rapidly to unsustainable levels.

'It will reach 9billion soon and that is simply not affordable considering the pressing need to invest in public services.

'We believe the two-child cap is fair to Scottish workers, who already pay higher taxes than in the rest of the UK.

'As the Scottish Fiscal Commission have suggested, there is potential for some people to seek to move here to take advantage of the SNP's policies, raising the risk of benefits tourism, which would cost Scottish taxpayers even more.'

In a Holyrood debate on the 2025-2026 budget this week, Scotland's First Minister John Swinney said 644million paid out in benefits next year would be 'only available here in Scotland'.

He told MSPs: 'One of the proposals that we have brought forward with determination is to take steps to remove the two-child limit, which has been a pernicious attack on some of the most vulnerable in our society. It is a budget of delivery and hope.'

Asked about the SFC's warning about benefits tourism, the First Minister's official spokesman said: 'Of course we always want to increase the population of Scotland.

'But the substantive reasons for taking the steps we are on the two-child cap is to lift children out of poverty.

'Government is about priorities, and you have to decide where you invest your money.

'The First Minister came into office and said one of his priorities was ending child poverty, and we'll do what we need to do.'

Liz Smith, the Conservatives' social security spokeswoman in Scotland, has accused the SNP of allowing the country's benefits bill to rise 'rapidly to unsustainable levels'

MSPs voted by 72 to 50 for an SNP motion calling on the UK Government to scrap the two-child benefit cap.

The SNP's Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has suggested axeing the cap could bring 150,000 children out of poverty.

Ms Somerville also said she was looking for a meeting with UK ministers over implementing her government's arrangements.

She added: 'We will continue to ensure our investment in social security is sustainable, in line with our obligation to achieve value for money under the Social Security (Scotland) Act.'

She has also indicated school meals would be expanded, with an additional investment of 3million to give access to breakfast clubs for thousands of children.
Governor Gavin Newsom will now allow non-college degree holders to apply and enter about 30,000 jobs in the state government of California.

Joining states like Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Minnesota, which have also implemented such policies, this decision hinges on a part of Newsom's "Master Plan for Career Education." In his plan, he's looking to provide Californians with the opportunity to gain new skills and succeed in their professions without needing a college diploma.

California Allows Non-College Graduates to Work in State Jobs

According to FOX News, Newsom's framework is introducing new tools such as "Career Passports," which will electronically record the skills and competencies of individuals applying for jobs. Besides allowing those without college degree holders to access new opportunities, the new policy will also help veterans acquire college credit for their experience in the military.

Newsom reasoned that this is an important feature to build an inclusive economy where people could get good-paying, long-term jobs without having to go into debt to get a four-year college degree.

Read Also: California Bill Proposes to Prioritize Descendants of Slaves in Public University Admission

Elon Musk, among others, praised Newsom's decisions, citing an over-emphasis on college education. Musk argues that individuals are graduating with significant debts and very little practical application skills while society needs practitioners in trades such as plumbing and carpentry.

The policy has gained bipartisan support as Pennsylvania's Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro rolled out a similar program and lifted degree requirements for over 90% of state jobs in 2023. Maryland, under the Republican Governor Larry Hogan, was the first to make this move in 2022. These moves mark an increasing bipartisan consensus to increase opportunities for careers.

The plan of Newsom also speaks to troubling statistics, like the low graduation rates in California's for-profit colleges and public universities. Yahoo stated that the plan is going to shift its focus on skill-based hiring, thus enabling more individuals to contribute to the state's economy without facing the barriers posed by traditional education systems.
A 14-year-old boy stabbed to death in Woolwich yesterday made a fateful final Instagram post minutes before he was 'murdered' on bus - in an area where vicious gang warfare has gripped the streets.

The teenager, who today has been named as Kelyan Bokassa, was stabbed in front of horrified passengers on a route 472 bus in Woolwich at around 2.30pm on Tuesday.

A manhunt is currently ongoing for the knifeman who carried out the 'horrendous' and 'barbaric' attack. No arrests have yet been made.

Around an hour before he was killed, the schoolboy posted a chilling message on Instagram, asking if any of his followers had a 'mindy'. This is believed to be in reference to the word 'mindi', which is Somalian for 'knife'.

The teenager was also an established drill rapper, going by the street name 'Grippa', with his latest track 'Bangers & Mash' having been released on Christmas Day.

The music video shows Kelyan pretending to wave a knife in the air as he raps: 'I'm the shortest shooter on my block but I still roll with the longest ting'.

There are also numerous references to the police as 'pigs', gangs, guns and prison throughout, including one line where he talks about 'swords' and 'getting popped'.

Kelyan's death comes amid a spate of brutal 'tit-for-tat violence with all the hallmarks of a turf war' which has rocked Woolwich, which has claimed the life of another teen - schoolboy, Daejaun Campbell.

The 15-year-old was fatally stabbed in the leg with a 'zombie knife' on September 22, crying out 'I'm 15, don't let me die' as he bled to death in Eglinton Road, Woolwich - less than a mile-and-a-half away from Tuesday's stabbing.

Kelyan Bokassa was knifed to death in Woolwich yesterday posted a haunting message on Instagram before his death, asking if any of his followers had a 'mindy'. This is believed to be in reference to the word 'mindi', which is Somalian for 'knife'

The teenager was stabbed in front of horrified passengers on a route 472 bus in Woolwich at around 2.30pm on Tuesday

The teenager (pictured) believed to be an aspiring gangster rapper named online as 'Grippa'

It comes less than four months after the death of another teenager - Daejaun Campbell, 15 (pictured) - who was also fatally stabbed in Woolwich in September last year

On Tuesday, Mark Rodney, from anti-knife crime charity Project Lifeline, claimed Kelyan had laid flowers in memory of Daejaun just two weeks ago.

Three teenagers, Jacob Losiewicz, 18, Marko Balaz, 18, and a 17-year-old youth have since been charged with Daejaun's murder.

During Losiewicz's hearing on September 30, prosecutor William Emlyn Jones KC said Daejaun's death came amid 'tit-for-tat violence with all the hallmarks of a turf war'.

Police also previously said his murder was a 'stark and sobering reminder of the danger of zombie-style knives'.

London is already in the middle of an outbreak of violence, with gang warfare having spiralled 'out of control' in recent months, fuelled by rivalries often stoked by drill rap.

In Sydenham, a few miles south of Woolwich, expectant father Curtis Green, 30, was gunned down in Wells Park Road on November 11, with locals saying the shooting was the latest in a series of violent incidents in the leafy London suburb.

Although unconfirmed, its feared schoolboy Kelyan may be the latest victim in the capital's bloody drill rap war.

Yesterday, a close friend of the teenager broke down in tears when he arrived at the cordon, after being told by his mother that his pal had been stabbed to death.

Locals last night told of their shock and sadness at the youngster's killing. One woman said: 'It's barbaric. It was a bloodbath. It is a horrific situation.'

An image from the scene after a 14-year-old was stabbed to death on a bus in Woolwich

Kelyan Bokassa is pictured on social media before his death. He appears to be smoking

The youngster was an aspiring musician, who filmed videos under the street name 'Grippa'

Tributes have poured in for the young musician, Kelyan, named online as 'Grippa' with devastated friends on social media saying he was 'taken too soon'

The music video shows 'Grippa' pretending to wave a knife and gun in the air numerous times

Another local, a mother, said: 'We heard the young lad was repeatedly stabbed. It is utterly horrific.'

Mechanic Dave Murray, 62, from Plumstead said: 'It's tragic. Whatever those boys were fighting about it's never worth it.'

Mother Shula added: 'I can't believe that a boy was stabbed to death on the bus. Is it too dangerous to go on the bus now?'

One resident who lives inside the cordoned off area said: 'This is heartbreaking.' I can't believe this has happened. We have only just started the New Year.

'A 14-year-old boy stabbed in broad daylight on a bus. What is the world coming to?'

A woman working at a nearby church said she saw an air ambulance and other emergency service vehicles arrive at the scene, but did not see any of the passengers from the bus.

The Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan said: 'My thoughts are with the family, friends and wider community in Greenwich following the appalling fatal stabbing of a 14-year-old boy.

'This heart-breaking violence has absolutely no place in our city.

'I am in close contact with police leaders - an investigation is underway and local residents will see increased patrols in the local area.'

A police officer walks past a bus stop on Woolwich Church Road in Woolwich after a 14-year-old boy was stabbed to death on a bus

Two police officers stand in front of a police cordon on Woolwich Church Road where the teenager was stabbed to death on Tuesday

A police officers walk along the road where a 14-year-old boy was stabbed to death on a London Bus on Tuesday

Police guard a cordon after a teenager was fatally stabbed on a London bus on Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Footage posted to social media showed first responders performing first aid at the scene

The Met Police attended, along with London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance.

Chief superintendent Louise Sargent said: 'I know this will be a worrying time for everyone here in Woolwich, and even more so given the very young age of the victim.

'The community can expect to see an enhanced police presence around the scene and the surrounding area I would urge anyone who witnessed this horrific incident or has any information that might help to call police on 101.'

Forensic officers could be seen taking pictures of the road close to where the youngster was stabbed.

The incident came just 24 hours after an 18-year-old boy was left fighting for his life after being knifed just over a mile away from the murder scene.

The teenager, who attended Shooters Hill College in Woolwich, is in a critical in hospital after the stabbing in Prince Imperial Road at around 4.20pm on Monday.

Police confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that the the two stabbings were not linked, reported MyLondon.

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: 'We were called at 2.29pm today (7 January) to reports of a stabbing at the junction of Woolwich Church Street and Church Hill, SE18.

'We sent resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, a paramedic in a fast response car, an incident response officer and a paramedic from our tactical response unit. We also dispatched London's Air Ambulance.

'Sadly, despite the best efforts of our crews, a teenager was pronounced dead at the scene.'

Several London bus routes were diverted as a result of the incident, including the 161, 177, 180 and 472.

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Forensic officers were seen on board the double decker bus shining torches and gathering evidence on Tuesday

A forensic officer is seen holding a weapons tube used to collect evidence while on board the bus - January 7, 2025

Police cordons remain in place after a murder probe was launched - no one has yet been arrested

Local councillor Rachel Taggart-Ryan posted on social media and said: 'I'm deeply saddened to hear of the murder of a 14 year old boy in Woolwich today. Detectives from the Serious and Complex team are investigating.'

Margaret Mizen, the mother of Jimmy Mizen who was killed aged 16 in London in 2008 when a glass dish was smashed into his face, said her heart went out to the family of the 14 year old.

Writing on X, she said: 'Today, it is incredibly sad, may this young man rest in eternal peace. His friends and family are in my prayers as they somehow come to terms with this cruel act. They will all be feeling completely heartbroken.'

Labour MP for Greenwich and Woolwich, Matthew Pennycook, urged anyone with any information to contact police.

'Deeply saddened that another young life has been lost in our community today following a stabbing in Woolwich,' he wrote on X. 'My thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased.'

Anthony Okereke, the leader of Royal Borough Greenwich, said the council was working closely with Scotland Yard in response to 'this horrific incident'.

'I am deeply saddened to learn about the tragic murder of a young person in our borough,' the Labour councillor said.

'My thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with their family as they face this unimaginable loss.'

An air ambulance arrived at the scene but unfortunately the boy was declared dead by paramedics at the scene

Police at the scene in Woolwich tonight, south east London, where a 14-year-old boy has been stabbed to death on a route 472 bus

Mark Rodney, chief executive officer of Project Lifeline, a community interest charity, said the death of a 14-year-old boy was 'devastating'.

He said: 'It's another devastating blow to the community. Young people are being let down.'

Knife crime is on the rise in London, with 15,016 offences recorded in 2023/24, up from 12,786 the year before, a 17.4% rise.

It is the highest number of offences since 2019/2020, after which there was a significant drop during the Covid pandemic, followed by a steady annual increase.

According to the Crime in England and Wales 2024 report, around 30% of knife-enabled crime was recorded by the Metropolitan Police Service.

Some 10 teenagers were killed in London last year, nine of whom were the victims of stabbing while one died in a shooting.

This was down sharply from 21 teenage deaths in the capital in 2023. The youngest victim in 2024 was aged 14.

If anyone witnessed the incident or has any information which may help, they are urged to call police on 101 with ref 3795/07JAN25 or call Crimestoppers anonymously.

MailOnline has contacted the Met Police for comment.
The husband of a grandmother who was jailed over social media posts made during last summer's Southport riots has slammed Britain's 'two-tier' justice system after she was denied parole.

Julie Sweeney, 53, spent Christmas behind bars despite some rioters being released under Labour's new 'early release scheme'.

Sweeney was jailed last June after posting on social media that mosques should be blown up in response to the killing of three young girls in Southport.

Under the original conditions of her sentencing, the 53-year-old was eligible for parole three months into her prison term. However, she was deemed unsuitable for early release as her post included a threat to kill.

Branded a 'keyboard warrior' by the judge at her sentencing before Chester Crown Court, Sweeney will be next eligible for early release in February.

The move to deny her pre-Christmas parole was one which sparked fury online, with some calling the decision an example of a 'two-tier' justice system.

The grandmother's husband, David Sweeney, has said 'the mind boggles' when it comes to how his wife was denied parole.

Attributing her actions to an 'emotional breakdown' and denying his wife was a racist, Mr Sweeney told The Telegraph: 'It's ridiculous. Alright, she posted what she posted but she had a mental breakdown. Those three girls who were killed, we have three granddaughters and it really got to her'.

Julie Sweeney, 53, is serving a 15 month sentence for social media posts made during last summer's Southport riots

Julie Sweeney (left), pictured with husband David Sweeney who has blasted the decision to deny her parole

The post which saw Sweeney arrested was made to a Kidsgrove community group on Facebook in which she reacted to an image of people cleaning up after the riots. It read: 'It's absolutely ridiculous. Don't protect the mosques. Blow the mosques up with the adults in it'.

A member of the Facebook group, which contained over 5,000 members, then alerted local authorities to Sweeney's post.

When arrested, Sweeney, who is also her husband's full-time carer, told officers: 'I'm not being rude, but there are a lot of people saying it.

Conceding that the post was unacceptable, Sweeney claimed she had not meant to make people afraid and had made the remarks in a fit of anger.

Judge Steven Everett, the recorder of Chester, told Sweeney at her sentencing that 'even people like you need to go to prison'.

The decision to prevent the downgrading of Sweeney's sentencing to home detention has also been criticised, with other rioters convicted of harassment having already been freed.

Philip Hoban, a self-proclaimed 'paedophile hunter', was sentenced to eight months behind bars, but only served three of those.

The 48-year-old had abused Pro-Palestinian protesters in Leeds last summer by imitating the manner in which Muslim people pray and rubbing his lips towards a person of colour.

Jordan Plain, was another arrested at the same Leeds demonstration. The 30-year-old was also released just three months into an eight month sentence for racially aggravated intentional harassment.

Other rioters have been freed under Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's early release scheme

It is understood that both Hoban and Plain were released as part of Labour's new 'early release scheme', a policy which has drawn the ire of the likes of Elon Musk, who has labelled Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as 'two-tier Keir' online.

Discussing Sweeney's case, Toby Young, the director of the Free Speech Union, told the Telegraph: 'It's ridiculous that Julie has been placed in the same category as prisoners who've been convicted of serious offences, including homicide.

'It shouldnt include someone whos been found guilty of saying something unsavoury on social media.

'Do the authorities now consider speech criminals to be as dangerous as the most serious offenders?'
Academy schools face having to cut the pay of their top teachers under Labour plans branded 'educational vandalism by critics.

The government is making sweeping changes to reforms brought in by the Tories, including massive curbs on the independence of state schools.

The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which will be debated by MPs today, will end academy freedoms over teachers' pay, recruitment and the curriculum.

It will also restrict the ability of good schools to expand - and even give Whitehall powers to regulate school uniforms - which ministers say will cut costs.

The Tories warned the Bill was a 'highly ideological, un-evidenced onslaught on school freedoms' that would drive down school standards.

Writing in today's Mail, shadow education secretary Laura Trott warns that the proposals - designed to make the education system more consistent - will make more schools 'consistently bad'.

And she accuses Labour of wanting to keep their union barons happy 'at the expense of pupils receiving a good education'.

However Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told LBC: 'I think the only vandals here are the people that today intend to vote down the single biggest piece of child protection legislation. They are the vandals.'

Writing in today's Mail, shadow education secretary Laura Trott warns that the proposals - designed to make the education system more consistent - will make more schools 'consistently bad'

However Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told LBC: 'I think the only vandals here are the people that today intend to vote down the single biggest piece of child protection legislation. They are the vandals.'

Ms Trott writes that Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson 'is our very own Miley Cyrus, swinging in on her wrecking ball (pictured), and undermining the consensus built over two decades - between successive governments of all parties - that has driven improvements in our schools'.

She added that she disagreed with the chief executive of the Confederation of School Trusts that proposed legislation would make it harder for schools to improve.

Academies - which are independent of local authorities - currently have the freedom to set their own pay and conditions for staff, and some academies exceed the national pay scales for teachers. Around 80 per cent of secondary schools and 40 per cent of primary schools are academies or free schools.

But under the new legislation, all teachers will be part of the same core pay and conditions framework whether they work in a local authority-run school or an academy.

Tens of thousands of teachers who work in academies which exceed the national pay scales could have their benefits and remuneration put at risk by the new law when it comes into effect, the Tories said.

The Bill will also require all state schools - including academies - to teach the national curriculum, and also end academies' ability to hire teachers - such as from overseas - who do not have Qualified Teacher Status.

It will also allow councils to open new schools which are not academies, and it will end the forced academisation of schools run by local authorities which are identified as a concern by Ofsted.

Ms Trott writes that Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson 'is our very own Miley Cyrus, swinging in on her wrecking ball, and undermining the consensus built over two decades - between successive governments of all parties - that has driven improvements in our schools'.

'It will be a return to mediocracy: taking away school freedoms over pay, curriculum and staffing, and no solution for failing schools. It is nothing less than vandalism of our world-leading education system.'

Tory MP Neil O'Brien, the shadow education minister, branded the Bill 'a disaster'.

He said: 'I have worked in politics for 25 years and it is one of the most dumb and tragic things I can remember. It's an act of pure vandalism, abolishing academies in all but name.'

Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson speak with children at Perry Hall Primary school in Orpington, during the first day of the new school year, on September 2, 2024 in London

The Conservatives will table a reasoned amendment to the Bill today, when MPs will debate it at second reading, rejecting the legislation.

Leora Cruddas, chief executive of the Confederation of School Trusts (CST), warned that 'some of the proposals in this bill could reduce school trusts' abilities to respond to local circumstances and keep on making the improvements needed so that children can get the best chance in life'.

'The Bill potentially risks making it harder for schools to improve by tying the hands of teachers and school leaders,' she said.

'Instead we need to ensure that the Bill creates a system that enables teachers and leaders in all types of schools to do what is best for children.'

The measures on academies are contained among plans to require all councils to hold a register of children who are not in school. The Bill also contains measures to give every child a unique number and remove the automatic right for parents to educate children at home.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said last night: 'Keeping children safe will always be my first duty as education secretary, but we can only truly do that if we know where our children are. The sad reality is that at the moment there are thousands of children hidden from sight.

'This government will make no apologies for doing whatever is necessary to keep children out of harm's way, and I will not stand by while some young people fall through the cracks, left without a good education and vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.

'This landmark Bill is a crucial step forward in our mission to protect all children, while also supporting parents by putting more money in their pockets as we deliver our Plan for Change and give all children the best start in life.'

A Labour spokesman said: 'It is appalling that the Conservatives are attempting to block this government's plans to keep the most at-risk children in our country safe from harm.

'On Wednesday, Conservative MPs have a choice to back our measures to protect children from grooming, exploitation and abuse, instead of playing politics with the safety of vulnerable children.'
Kim Jong-un has revealed two more members of his family to the world  and one of them could be the next leader of North Korea.

His niece and nephew were seen walking hand-in-hand with their mum, Kim Yo-jong  the tyrant's sister  at Pyongyang's New Year's Eve bash.

Until now, the leader's daughter, Kim Ju-ae, was the only member of her generation in the public eye, fuelling speculation that she would be the next leader.

But patriarchal North Korea has never had a female leader, and now experts are wondering if the nephew  the only known male of his generation  could be the true heir.

Michael Madden, founder of North Korea Leadership Watch, said the role could only be filled by someone from the bloodline of Kim Il-sung, the nation's founder.

He said: 'With this event we know, without a shadow of a doubt, that Kim Yo-jong has a son.

'This means she has produced a legitimate male heir to the Mount Paektu revolutionary leadership of Kim Il-sung.

'We don't if Kim Jong-un actually has a son and there is no credible available intelligence to establish that he does.

Pictured: Kim Yo-jong, sister of Kim Jong-un, walking with his niece and nephew at Pyongyang's New Year's Eve bash

Pictured: Jong-un with his daughter Kim Ju-ae, at North Korea's New Year's Eve celebrations

'But Kim Yo-jong has a son who, given his family lineage, is certainly a credible candidate for hereditary succession in North Korea.

'It belies perceptions that Kim Ju-ae is hereditary successor.'

North Korea's ruling family has always been shrouded in secrecy, and analysts are often reliant on regime propaganda to confirm the existence of its members.

New Year's Eve therefore offers a rare glimpse behind the curtain.

Mr Madden said the annual extravaganza had become 'a family event at which North Korean elites bring their wives or their children'.

And he was in no doubt that it was a deliberate choice to debut the niece and nephew.

He said: 'With a regime and state media environment like North Korea, we only see what they let us see.'

Kim Jong-un has been rumoured to have two other children, including a son, but they've never been brought into the public eye.

In the case of the boy, one spymaster in neighbouring South Korea claimed that this was because he was too 'pale and thin' for North Korean tastes.

Mr Madden said the annual extravaganza had become 'a family event at which North Korean elites bring their wives or their children' - Kim Yo-jong, sister of Kim Jong-un, walking with his niece and nephew

One media outlet in South Korea, NK News, even suggested that the two children at the New Year's Eve celebration could be Kim Jong-un's other kids, but admitted this was 'less likely'.

The duo weren't glimpsed again on TV, and Kim Yo-jong was later spotted in the royal box, apparently without them.

In any case, the leader was accompanied only by his daughter for the occasion.

And Mr Madden maintains that she is still the likeliest successor to her father.

He said: 'I still think Kim Ju-ae is the front runner and there is most certainly space for a female leader of North Korea.

'But with Kim Yo-jong's children we have at least two more individuals who will become top elites and are future senior officials in the North Korean regime.

'So the regime is signalling that these are future North Korean elites.'

Mr Madden  a fellow of the Stimson Center in Washington DC  said Pyongyang was also sending a message to the next US president, Donald Trump.

He said: 'In 2018, Kim Jong-un told former South Korean president, Moon Jae-in, that he was a husband and father, and would not do anything to bring nuclear destruction to the Korean peninsula.

'So, by bringing her own children to a public event, Kim Yo-jong may be subtly reiterating that point to external observers  including the Trump administration in the US and the next leadership in South Korea.'

He added: 'In a general context, bringing out her children is part of normalising the North Korean regime.

'In this way, it becomes less opaque, less mysterious, and relatively transparent, and it reduces the median perception in the world that North Korean political culture is quixotic and weird.

'Kim Yo-jong is one of the leading drivers and advisers in this long-term process of making North Korea a more traditional authoritarian regime.'

South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) is now trying to verify the relationship between Kim Yo-jong and the children.

'We are conducting a detailed analysis while keeping the possibility open,' it said in a statement.

The NIS has previously suggested Kim Yo-jong may have children, whose presumed ages are a good match for those of the kids caught on camera.
Donald Trump shocked the world yesterday when he hinted at the incendiary idea of invading Greenland for 'national security purposes'.

But the US President-elect has long expressed interest in taking control of the island, which is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark - a longtime US ally and a founding member of NATO - and already voiced his takeover plan during his first time in office.

And Greenland's strategic location, its vast deposits of rare earth elements as well as its influence on the global weather may be just some of the reasons why.

Greenland's unique location straddling the Arctic circle between the US, Russia and Europe makes the island a geopolitical prize that the US and others like Russia and China have eyed for more than 150 years.

The vast landmass is considered a key corridor for naval operations between the Arctic and the North Atlantic, with Greenland hosting a large US military base that has been vital ever since the Cold War.

By acquiring Greenland, Trump would ensure continued access to Pituffik Space Base - despite there being no current threat to stop access.

'We need Greenland for national security purposes,' Trump said on the weekend after declaring he would not rule out the use of military force or economic pressure in the form of brutal tariffs on Denmark to seize control of the island.

Both Russia and China have tried to reaffirm their presence in the Arctic by putting forward plans to build infrastructure in the region for shipping and resource mining over the last decade.

Donald Trump shocked the world yesterday when he hinted at the incendiary idea of invading Greenland for 'national security purposes'

By acquiring Greenland, Trump would ensure continued access to Pituffik Space Base (pictured)

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Valuable minerals, oil and gas

Global warming is causing the ice in the region to retreat, opening up shipping lanes and access to incredible riches, making the region a new geopolitical and economic asset, with the US, Russia, China and others wanting in.

Greenland boasts valuable rare earth minerals needed for telecommunications, as well as uranium, billions of untapped barrels of oil and a vast supply of natural gas that used to be inaccessible but is becoming less so as the ice is retreating.

Many of the same minerals are currently being supplied mostly by China, so other countries such as the United States are interested, Ohio University security and environment professor Geoff Dabelko said.

Three years ago, the Denmark government suspended oil development offshore from the territory of 57,000 people.

The world's largest island is now 'central to the geopolitical, geoeconomic competition in many ways,' partly because of climate change, Dabelko said.

Off Greenland's shores, the US Geological Survey estimates there could be 17.5 billion undiscovered barrels of oil and 148 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, though the remote location and harsh weather have limited exploration.

Around the Arctic Circle, there's potential for 90 billion barrels of oil.

File image of Greenland Anorthosite Mining workers drilling at an exploration site of an anorthosite deposit close to the Qeqertarsuatsiaat fjord, Greenland

Global warming is causing the ice in the region to retreat, opening up shipping lanes and access to incredible riches, making the region a new geopolitical and economic asset, with the US, Russia, China and others wanting in

Regulating global weather

Aside from oil, gas or mineral, there is a 'ridiculous' amount of ice in Greenland that plays a key role in regulating global weather, according to climate scientist Eric Rignot of the University of California, Irvine.

If that ice melts, it would reshape coastlines across the globe and potentially shift weather patterns in such a dramatic manner that the threat was the basis of a Hollywood disaster movie.

Greenland holds enough ice that if it all melts, the world's seas would rise by 24 feet (7.4 meters). Nearly a foot of that is so-called zombie ice, already doomed to melt no matter what happens, a 2022 study found.

Since 1992, Greenland has lost about 182 billion tons (169 billion metric tons) of ice each year, with losses hitting 489 billion tons a year (444 billion metric tons) in 2019.

'Think of Greenland as an open refrigerator door or thermostat for a warming world, and it's in a region that is warming four times faster than the rest of the globe,' said New York University climate scientist David Holland.

Greenland will be 'a key focus point' through the 21st century because of the effect its melting ice sheet will have on sea levels, said Mark Serreze, director of the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder, Colorado.

Serreze added: 'It will likely become a bigger contributor in the future.' That impact is 'perhaps unstoppable,' Holland said.

Since 1992, Greenland has lost about 182 billion tons (169 billion metric tons) of ice each year, with losses hitting 489 billion tons a year (444 billion metric tons) in 2019 (file image)

What do Greenland and Denmark think about Trump's acquisition plans?

Greenland is part of the Danish realm along with the Faeroe Islands, another semi-autonomous territory, and has its own government and parliament.

Greenland's 57,000 residents got extensive home rule in 1979 but Denmark still handles foreign and defense policies, with an annual subsidy of $670 million.

Its indigenous people are not wealthy, and vehicles, restaurants, stores and basic services are few.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen addressed Trump's intent to buy Greenland last night, saying that she did not believe that the US will use military or economic power to secure control over the island.

She also called the US Denmark's 'most important and closest ally' and repeated that she welcomed the US taking a greater interest in the Arctic region, but that it would 'have to be done in a way that is respectful of the Greenlandic people'.

'At the same time, it must be done in a way that allows Denmark and the United States to still cooperate in, among other things, NATO,' Frederiksen said.

Earlier, Trump posted a video of his private plane landing in Nuuk, the Arctic territory's capital, in a landscape of snow-capped peaks and fjords.

'Don Jr. and my Reps landing in Greenland,' Trump wrote. 'The reception has been great. They, and the Free World, need safety, security, strength, and PEACE! This is a deal that must happen. MAGA. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!'

Trump ramped us his threats to take over Greenland as his son Don Jr. landed in the territory

Greenland loves America and Trump!!! Incredible people with an equally awesome reception. They just want to be able to utilize some of the incredible resources that they have and allow themselves, their country, and their kids to flourish. pic.twitter.com/7TPz0DACKX  Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) January 7, 2025

Donald Trump Jr. visits Nuuk, Greenland, on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Republican lawmakers are largely in lockstep with Trump's Greenland plans

In a statement, Greenland's government said Donald Trump Jr.'s visit was taking place 'as a private individual' and not as an official visit, and Greenlandic representatives would not meet with him.

Don Jr. also posted a picture with locals wearing MAGA hats on X with the caption: 'Greenland loves America and Trump!!! Incredible people with an equally awesome reception.

'They just want to be able to utilize some of the incredible resources that they have and allow themselves, their country, and their kids to flourish.'

This it not the first time an American president suggested buying the island.

There were two failed attempts by U.S. to purchase it: President Harry Truman tried to buy it for $100 million in 1946 and the State Department inquired about it in 1867.
A Los Angeles millionaire CEO sparked outrage for a 'tone deaf' post asking for help from 'private firefighters' to protect his Pacific Palisades mansion while emergency services scrambled to help residents as the area burned to the ground.

Keith Wasserman, co-founder of real estate investment firm Gelt Venture Partners, posted on X pleading for help as a massive wildfire tore through the hillside.

'Does anyone have access to private firefighters to protect our home in Pacific Palisades? Need to act fast here. All neighbors houses burning. Will pay any amount. Thank you,' he wrote, before receiving backlash from what he called 'trolls'.

'Incredible nerve,' wrote commenter Sam Vance. 'His family is evacuated and he's trying to hire private firefighters to risk their lives to save a home he most certainly has insured. Incredibly tone deaf.'

Another user, going by Jacquie, weighed in: 'If you find yourself tweeting for private firefighters to protect your property, you should probably question what you have become as a human being.'

User Renny added: 'So you're suggesting that potentially lifesaving resources (even if 'private') should be diverted to save your house because you're rich while tens of thousands of people try to evacuate?'

Mr Wasserman clapped back that he had left 'hours ago', noting that he was only 'trying to protect homes'.

The enormous blaze has already forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of people, some of whom abandoned their cars and fled on foot to safety with roads blocked.

California governor Gavin Newsom said 'many structures' have already been 'destroyed' in Pacific Palisades. Officials have not given an exact number, but said about 30,000 residents are under evacuation orders and 13,000 structures under threat.

Keith Wasserman said he was only 'trying to protect homes' amid mounting backlash

Mr Wasserman posted on X after fleeing his own home during a devastating wildfire

Firefighters fight the flames from the Palisades Fire burning a house during a powerful windstorm on January 8

The couple's luxurious home, which was only finished shortly before wildfires ravaged the Pacific Palisades where they live

Manish Kapoor wrote: 'A tone-deaf, public display of 'rich privilege', in a time of community crisis, is a curious choice, but ok.'

Another user wrote: 'This reminds me of the Morning Show - where the rich guy gets crap for hiring people to defend his own house while everyone else's burns down.'

James Line shared Wasserman's post with a screenshot from Titanic, a passenger asking 'Will the lifeboats be seated according to class?'

The post was liked more than 16,000 times.

'This guy is evacuated, he wants someone to save his property instead of poor people lives,' wrote another user.

The original post has been seen more than 900,000 times at the time of writing and has received nearly 500 replies.

Wasserman went on to joke: 'Mama I'm going viral!'

He later added: 'So here are all the trolls! Hello trolls!'

Some did go on to express sympathy for Wasserman as the raging wildfire burns through more than 2,900 acres of Los Angeles land at an extraordinary rate.

'You guys are alive. That is what you have to focus on right now,' wrote Roxanne Hoge.

'It's so sad you pay exorbitant taxes and this is what you have to do to save your family. I hope someone helps!' added user Balthazar.

Keith and his wife Skyla are pictured with their two children while breaking ground on the home that's now threatened by the huge LA wildfires

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People watch the smoke and flames from the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood on January 7

At least 30,000 residents are now under mandatory evacuation orders

Some users said they doubted whether private firefighters even existed in the US.

Private firefighting companies played a key role in battling fires in California vineyards in 2021.

But authorities were eventually forced to step in and detained the private firefighters, accusing them of lighting dangerous backfires and failing to leave an evacuated area.

Firefighter Ryan Bellanca and his crew denied the allegations, but admitted his team failed to advise Cal Fire, the state's fire agency, that it was in the evacuated area, as required by law.

The ferocious wildfire in a Los Angeles suburb, home to many Hollywood celebrities, has devoured buildings and sparked panicked evacuations since Tuesday, as hurricane-force winds tore through the region.

Tankers full of water had been dousing the inferno from the skies all afternoon, but all aircraft were later grounded amid deteriorating wind conditions and visibility.

Frightened residents abandoned their cars on one of the only roads in and out of the upscale Pacific Palisades area, fleeing on foot from the almost 3,000-acre blaze engulfing an area packed with multimillion-dollar homes in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Firefighters used bulldozers to push dozens of vehicles - including expensive models such as BMWs, Teslas and Mercedes - to one side, leaving many crumpled and with their alarms blaring. Some celebrities posted comments and pictures on social media platforms.

Elderly patients are quickly evacuated into emergency vehicles as embers and flames approach during the Eaton fire in Pasadena, California on January 7

Firefighters work to extinguish flames as the Eaton Fire burns in Pasadena, California, U.S. January 7

Flames from the Palisades Fire burns a home during a powerful windstorm on January 8

Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley said despite the chaotic evacuation, there were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries.

Residents at the Pasadena Park Healthcare & Wellness Center were being evacuated today as the Eaton Fire grew nearby, KNBC reported.

Velma Wright, 102, was evacuated from a care facility as embers and flames approached in Pasadena, an AFP photographer saw.

Actor James Woods posted a video on X showing flames engulfing trees and bushes near his home as he got ready to evacuate and shortly afterward said all the fire alarms were going off.

'I couldn't believe our lovely little home in the hills held on this long. It feels like losing a loved one,' Woods said.

The exact cause of the fire is so far unknown, officials said.
Prison officers can still have OnlyFans accounts despite a woman guard being jailed for making a sex tape with a convicted burglar in his cell at HMP Wandsworth.

Swinger Linda De Sousa Abreu was able to gain the trusted position despite starring in live videos on the website, which described her as a 'happily married sexy Latina'.

And the 31-year-old's raunchy alter-ego was only revealed when a video of her having sex with one of her inmates went viral on social media.

It is now understood that just because someone applying for a job within the Prison Service has an OnlyFans account they will not necessarily be rejected from a potential job.

The subscriber-site is known for its blue content - but also hosts the work of content creators including fitness experts and musicians.

The content of the account would be reviewed, and if the nature of the material were to be explicit they would be rejected from the job.

Recruiters did not spot De Sousa Abreu's account because she set it up under a pseudonym, the prison service have since revealed, and they did not find any content of concern under her name.

Swinger Linda De Sousa Abreu was able to gain the trusted position despite starring in live videos on the website, which described her as a 'happily married sexy Latina'

The X-rated clip shows De Sousa Abreu dressed in full uniform and performing a sex act on Weirich, who has a pregnant girlfriend, at the Category A jail

De Sousa Abreu was a prison officer at HMP Wandsworth (pictured) when the explicit footage was recorded and later circulated on social media

But since her case they have now strengthened their checks - making them more robust and battling to find suspect information even when it has been published under a pseudonym.

A Prison Service Spokesperson said: 'Content was published under an alias and as such was not identified via our usual vetting checks.

'We have since strengthened our procedures to help us identify and refuse applicants who fall below our high-standards.'

De Sousa Abreu - who lived with her partner and their seven-year-old daughter - admitted misconduct in a public office and was jailed on Monday for 15 months.

Fresh details of the case began to emerge yesterday morning after the sentencing remarks of judge Martin Edmunds KC were released in full.

Venezuelan-born De Sousa Abreu was seen by Dr Iain Kooyman, a consultant forensic psychiatrist who prepared a report for sentencing - and it disclosed new details of her mindset.

Dr Kooyman revealed that she told him that she 'loved' Weirich, who himself had a heavily pregnant girlfriend at the time.

The psychiatrist, who found she suffered from severe borderline personality disorder and ADHD, said she told him she had never felt as safe as when she was with Weirich.

Recruiters did not spot De Sousa Abreu's account (pictured in mug shot) because she set it up under a pseudonym, the prison service have since revealed, and they did not find any content of concern under her name

De Sousa Abreu (pictured), who was jailed for having sex with convicted burglar Linton Weirich planned to continue their relationship after his release - because he made her feel 'like a gangster'

And she planned for their liaison to continue on the outside after his release.

Weirich is serving a four-and-a-half year sentence for swiping 65,000 worth of valuables from a safe in a flat in Kensington.

It was the second time she had had sex with him and followed a secret tryst earlier that same day when she had performed oral sex on him.

The X-rated clip - filmed by another prisoner - was leaked online and widely shared on social media.

Mr Edmunds KC said Dr Kooyman had diagnosed De Sousa Abreu with a severe borderline personality disorder which, combined with ADHD, made her 'highly impulsive' and reckless and made her act 'without considering the consequences' but he concluded that she was responsible for her actions.

He added that since the explicit recording had gone viral, female prison officers at HMP Wandsworth had been subject to abuse and harassment by inmates who now see them as 'fair game'.

Mr Edmunds KC told Isleworth Crown Court: 'The consequence of the recording going viral, a result that you did not intend but which was certainly a consequence of your offence, has been that prison officers have faced heckling and harassment.

'They have been confronted with sexualised images falsely suggesting that your conduct is typical.

Weirich, the inmate in the video, was jailed for four and a half years at Kingston Crown Court last June for burglary after he stole 65,000 worth of valuables from a safe in a flat in Kensington

De Sousa Abreu came under fire in September last year after she was spotted mocking her ankle bracelet at a London party (pictured)

'Children of your fellow female prison officers have been teased as to what their mothers may do at work.

'It is inevitable that the damage for which you were responsible at Wandsworth has spread, to some degree, through the prison estate.

'It will impact on the reputation of the prison service and, with that, the prospects of recruiting and retaining staff.

'It causes anxiety among those close to vulnerable prisoners who worry more about the environment in which prisoners are held.

'That recording is still out there and will doubtless circulate indefinitely.'

De Sousa Abreu was filmed performing a sex act on Weirich before engaging in full intercourse with him on June 25, 2024.

Dressed in full prison uniform, she first discarded her radio - which crackled throughout the four-and-a-half minute clip with inaudible messages from colleagues - before being recorded by a cannabis-smoking friend of Weirich.

When she realised that the clip had gone public, De Sousa Abreu tried to flee to Spain and travelled with her father to Heathrow Airport.

She called a HMP Wandsworth night officer and said: 'I am not coming back to work, I am never returning to Wandsworth. I am at the airport. I have a family emergency.'

She said her husband would return her things, but was stopped by police at a departure gate at Heathrow's Terminal Five before she could board a flight to Madrid.
Elon Musk's father backed his son's criticism of Nigel Farage saying that 'hes not strong enough to be the leader' that Britain 'need at the moment.'

The X owner and world's richest man sensationally turned on Mr Farage earlier this week calling for his removal as the Reform UK leader because he does not 'have what it takes'.

His father Errol Musk has now given similar condemnation describing Mr Farage as 'not a rare person' and said that the country is 'heading in the wrong direction'.

On Sunday, Elon Musk lashed out on his social media platform at his supposed ally, after spending the past week wading into British politics over sex abuse gangs.

Mr Farage referred to Musk as his 'American friend' just earlier that morning and refused to criticise him over remarks he made about Sir Keir Starmer and senior ministers which have been branded inflammatory.

Asked by Susanna Reid on Good Morning Britain whether he has spoken to his son about his remarks about Mr Farage, Errol said: 'Initially I was the first one to say that I think that Farage is somebody that I don't think he is a rare person.

'He is not strong enough to be the leader that you need at the moment.

'You need a really strong leader. Somebody who is prepared to be ultimately crucified, not to lose the odd cigarette or something like that because of the pressure on him.

Elon Musk's father backed his son's criticism of Nigel Farage saying that 'hes not strong enough to be the leader that you need at the moment'

Errol Musk described Mr Farage as 'not a rare person' and said that the country is 'heading in the wrong direction'.

In the last few months, Musk (left) has emerged as one of Donald Trump's (right) closest allies

'You need someone who is really prepared to put themselves on the line.

'You are heading in the wrong direction in your country and so initially I just said he is not a strong enough person but Elon followed that up by he has just got to go.

'And then I was asking him, look it is England after all, we are trying to be fair people.'

The tech billionaire called for Mr Farage to be replaced as Reform UK's leader, triggered by Mr Farage's rejection of pressure from Mr Musk to join forces with Robinson. Musk has also called for Sir Keir Starmer to be jailed accusing the PM of being 'complicit in the rape of Britain' over the grooming gangs scandal.

His row with Mr Farage came despite a recent warm meeting at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida and rumours that the Twitter owner wanted to donate as much as $100million (79million) to Reform.

Robinson, who was jailed for 18 months in October for contempt of court, was a member of the far-right BNP and any supporter of that group will never be welcome in his party, Mr Farage said on Monday.

Mr Farage told MailOnline: 'I am sorry that Elon disagrees and I doubt that he knows the full story about Robinson, my principles are clear and I don't change them for anyone. Extremism is not welcome in Reform'.

Reform Party Leader Mr Farage told MailOnline that he believes Elon Musk doesn't know the full story about Tommy Robinson, adding that no former BNP member is welcome in Reform UK

Elon Musk and Nigel Farage, pictured at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, have had a row triggered by Musk's support for Tommy Robinson

Mr Farage has again distanced his party from Robinson, who is serving an 18-month prison sentence for contempt of court which began in October. Mr Farage said that Robinson should not be held in solitary confinement - but stopped short of calling for his release

He went on: 'I am the leader of Reform UK and we are growing fast and trying to win the next general election. This man would not be an asset to our party and we do believe in the rule of law. No former BNP members are welcome in our party'.

Although the Reform leader also admitted that he believes that 'much' of what Robinson says about Islam 'is right'.

It came as Musk took more transatlantic potshots at Mr Farage, sharing a video of the Brexiteer last year saying that there must be a crackdown on Muslim extremism in Britain but you cannot 'politically alienate the whole of Islam' in Britain.

Musk has said that Robinson is a political prisoner who should be released from jail. Mr Farage does not agree.

'Tommy Robinson campaigns against Islam. Much of what he says is right and, despite repeatedly breaking the law, he should not be held in solitary confinement', Mr Farage said.

After Mr Farage said Robinson was not welcome in the party, Musk called for him to be removed in a surprise attack in which the world's richest man declared: 'Farage doesn't have what it takes.'

Susanna Reid, 54, was hosting the breakfast show alongside Ed Balls when the pair welcomed Elon Musk's father Errol, who called in live from Cape Town, South Africa via a video link.

But the interview soon got out of hand as Errol soon started comparing Robinson to Nelson Mandela and shared his thoughts on a referendum in Canada.

Susanna Reid, 54, was brutally scolded during an awkward moment on Good Morning Britain on Wednesday

Ms Reid first asked the father of the billionaire Tesla owner for his thoughts on his son, 53.

The doting father quickly snapped back, calling her question 'stupid' before the host tried to defend herself.

Ms Reid said: 'I'm very interested, Errol, firstly in your analysis of your own son, Elon, is he a genius or completely bonkers?'

Errol replied: 'Of course he's a genius, that's ridiculous, what a stupid question!'.

Ms Reid responded: 'Well, people have asked if he is in fact a madman and certainly there's a degree of madness in being a genius!'.

She was forced to step in as the conversation drifted away from Elon and said: 'Right, Errol, thank you very much indeed but I feel that we're drifting slightly from the core issues for our audience'.

The presenter was clearly frustrated with Errol Musk's bizarre rant and cut him off before shuffling some papers and addressing viewers.

She said: 'I think we slightly drifted away from how democracy works and the legal system in this country as well.'

Ms Reid was also forced to step in as the conversation drifted away from Elon and on to Canadian election and Nelson Mandela

While Mr Balls added: 'I love the idea of somebody being relatively innocent.'

However Ms Reid didn't agree and instead just sighed and rolled her eyes before moving on.

However the billionaire's dad couldn't help but quip: 'I don't see anybody weeping about any of the things Tommy Robinson has done.

'The government need to release Tommy Robinson [from prison]... it's insane what's happening in this country.'

Mr Balls went on to asked Errol if Elon wanted to become Britain's Prime Minister after his furious online rants against the British government earlier this month.

Errol laughed and shot back: 'I think he needs to take a few steps down you know. I think he's alright where he is.

'The situation in England now is interesting to all English-speaking people around the world. There's no question about it.

'We were talking about Farage [but] he's out. I'm done with Farage.'

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage during a pre-recorded interview for the BBC1 current affairs programme, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, where he praised Musk as a 'hero'

This isn't the first time Errol has made wild claims as yesterday he revealed that his billionaire tycoon son has previously expressed an interest in buying Premier League team Liverpool, to which he has family connections.

'Has he expressed a desire to buy Liverpool Football Club?' a reporter asked Errol Musk on Times Radio in London.

'I can't comment on that. They'll raise the price,' the father of the richest man in the world said, while laughing.

When asked again, Musk conceded that his son has shown interest in purchasing Liverpool, still remaining coy on the matter, and refusing to declare any concrete negotiations.

'Oh, yes. But that doesn't mean he's buying it,' he replied. 'He would like to yes, obviously. Anybody would want to  so would I!

When asked why Musk is specifically interested in Liverpool, his father revealed that his family have generational ties to the Merseyside city.

'His grandmother was born in Liverpool, and we had relatives in Liverpool, and we were fortunate to know quite a lot of the Beatles because they grew up with some of my family. So, we are attached to Liverpool, you know,' he told Times Radio.

Elon Musk has previously described his grandmother, who was born in 1923 and died in 2011 aged 87, as 'an important part' of his childhood, which included time spent on Merseyside as young child on holiday.

Cora Amelia (Robinson) Musk (left) with Musk's grandfather, Walter Henry James Musk (right)

Elon Musk (second from left) at a family wedding in Canada attended by his British-born 'Nana' Cora (bottom row, far right) in 2001. She was born in Liverpool in 1923 and died in South Africa in 2011 aged 87

'My Nana was one of the poor working-class girls with no one to protect her who might have been abducted in present day Britain', he said on X.

'She was very strict, but also kind and I could always count on her. She grew up very poor in England during the Great Depression only to be bombed in WW2', he said.

'To earn money for food, she cleaned houses, leaving me with a lasting respect for those who do so'.

The South African-born Tesla tycoon once proudly declared he was 'from a British/English not an Afrilkaner background'.

When Margaret Thatcher died in 2013, the entrepreneur paid tribute on Twitter - which he now owns and has rebranded as X - saying the late Prime Minister was 'tough but sensible and fair like my English Nana'.

His grandmother, Cora Amelia Robinson, was one of five siblings born in the family's modest terraced house in Mossley Hill, Liverpool in August 1923.

She grew up in pre-war poverty as part of a 'proud, hard-working family' before leaving the UK to settle in South Africa where she married Walter Musk in 1944.

The couple went on to have a son Errol who had three children of his own - Elon, brother Kimbal and sister Tosca. As well as the north west, Musk also has relatives elsewhere in England.
A Japanese professor has predicted the year Japan will become extinct if the country doesn't grapple with its rapidly ageing population.

The year is 2720 and away from science-fiction fantasies of flying cars, robots and intergalactic travel to far away stars one Tokyo academic has made a damning projection.

Hiroshi Yoshida, a professor at Tohoku Universitys Research Centre for Aged Economy and Society, claims that after centuries of population decline Japan will be left with just one child under the age of 14 by 2720.

Mr Yoshida has run demographic simulations since 2012 and his latest finding is that, on his current projection, his home will likely cease to exist 695 years from now, according to The Times.

Shocking data, released by Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, prompted Mr Yoshida to bring his estimate forward by 100 years after it revealed a steep drop of 2.3 per cent in the number of children.

The number of births in Japan has steadily declined since the 1970s until in 2005 the number of deaths overtook births.

In 2022 there were almost one million more deaths than births in Japan and the percentage of people over 65 currently stand at 29.9 per cent of the population - that is an increase of 24.1 per cent since 1960.

Mr Yoshida told Japanese media the country's long term recession means that young people cannot get married or have children due to low income.

A group of elderly Japanese women. A Japanese professor has predicted the year Japan will become extinct if the country doesn't grapple with its rapidly ageing population

A young Japanese family. Hiroshi Yoshida, a professor at Tohoku Universitys Research Centre for Aged Economy and Society, claims that after centuries of population decline Japan will be left with just one child under the age of 14 by 2720

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He said: 'Unless the decline in the number of births stops, the hand of the "clock" will go back.

'Japan may become the first country to become extinct due to a low birthrate. We should create an environment where women and the elderly can work, and aim for a society where everyone is actively involved.'

Japanese politicians have been attempting to find solutions to the country's demographic crisis with some policymakers warning it only has until 2030 to reverse the trend.

Rather than extinction, the more immediate threat to Japan is problems that arise from having more elderly people to take care but less younger people in the workforce.

To tackle this Newsweek reported that Japan is planning to relax its tough immigration policies to allow more foreign workers to enter the country.

The government hopes to triple the number of workers from abroad by 2040.

It is also planning to hand out more cash incentives with 5.3 trillion yen (or 27 billion) earmarked to help couples start families.

Officials hope that if couples see more cash in their wallets they might be more willing to have children.

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A young couple in Tokyo. Last year, Tokyo's metro government even launched its own dating app to try and boost the birthrate. The move was described by a Tokyo official as a 'gentle push' to help young singles in the capital find their future wives and husbands

The lack of a work-life balance in Japan is another area the government are keen to address.

In Tokyo, state government employees will adopt a four-day work week and in another policy parents of young children will be allowed to clock off two hours earlier in exchange for a pay cut.

In other incentives the government are encouraging couples to get married and advocating for greater gender equality.

Last year, Tokyo's metro government even launched its own dating app to try and boost the birthrate.

Users are required to submit proof they are single as well as a evidence of their income and a signed letter that they want to marry.

The move was described by a Tokyo official as a 'gentle push' to help young singles in the capital find their future wives and husbands.
France has warned Donald Trump against threatening the European Union's 'sovereign borders' after the president-elect refused to rule out military action to take control of Greenland.

Trump has ramped up calls for the US to either purchase or stage a takeover of the 'strategically located' nation, which is an autonomous territory of EU member Denmark.

'There is no question of the EU letting other nations in the world, whoever they may be, attack its sovereign borders,' French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told the France Inter radio station.

He added that while he did not believe the US 'would invade' Greenland 'we have entered an era that is seeing the return of the law of the strongest'.

'We are a strong continent, we need to strengthen ourselves further,' he went on, warning that Europe needs to 'wake up' to the reality of an increasingly insecure world and 'reinforce ourselves, militarily, in competition'.

Barrot added that he believed that the United States is 'inherently not imperialistic' and said he 'did not believe' that it is changing.

Trump has questioned whether Denmark has any legal right or 'interest' to Greenland, stating yesterday: 'People really don't even know if Denmark has any legal right to it, but if they do, they should give it up, because we need it for national security.'

Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark and has been part of it for 600 years. The Danish government has control of Greenland's foreign and economic policy, but the territory left the EU in 1985 following a referendum.

The US has a military base there given its strategic position as the shortest oceanic crossroads between North America and Europe.

The island also has a large supply of valuable rare earth minerals - like uranium - not found in the US.

US President-elect Donald Trump arrives to speak to members of the media during a press conference at the Mar-a-Lago Club on January 07, 2025 in Palm Beach, Florida

Trump ramped us his threats to take over Greenland as his son Don Jr. landed in the territory

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that while he did not believe the US 'would invade' Greenland 'we have entered an era that is seeing the return of the law of the strongest'

Trump declined on Monday to rule out military or economic action as part of his avowed desire to have the US seize control of Greenland, as well as the Panama Canal. He has also argued for a takeover of Canada.

During a rambling press conference at Mar-a-Lago, a reporter asked Trump if could assure he would not use 'military or economic coercion' to take control of the Panama Canal and Greenland.

'I'm not going to commit to that,' Trump said, when asked if he would rule out the use of the military.

'It might be that you'll have to do something. The Panama Canal is vital to our country.' He added, 'We need Greenland for national security purposes.'

He made the comments as his son Donald Trump Jr. made a trip there to shoot social media content.

Trump Jr. took his father's Trump Force One jet to the country. The president-elect called into his son's phone to speak to locals when Jr. was in a cafe.

He said that if Denmark tried to hold onto Greenland, they would face heavy economic tariffs.

He also contested, without any evidence, that the people of Greenland would vote to become a part of the United States.

Denmark, during Trump's first term, rejected the then-president's offer to buy the island, a position the country has made clear it will maintain.

Donald Trump Jr. visits Nuuk, Greenland, on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Republican lawmakers are largely in lockstep with Trump's Greenland plans

Residents wearing MAGA hats stand in front of the Hotel Hans Egede during Donald Trump Jr.'s (not pictured) visit to Nuuk, Greenland

Greenland, with a population of 57,000, controls most of its own domestic affairs as a semi-sovereign territory under the Danish realm.

Its relations with Denmark have lately been strained over allegations of historic mistreatment of Greenlanders under colonial rule.

Egede has stated that the island is not for sale, while in his New Year speech he stepped up a push for independence from Denmark. Denmark also says the territory is not for sale, and that its fate can be decided only by Greenlanders.

In 2019, Trump cancelled a planned visit to Denmark after Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen rebuffed his suggestion of the US purchasing Greenland.

Trump has also taken aim at Canada in recent days, arguing that he believed the US' northern neighbour should become the country's 51st state.

Trump said that while he would not invade was Canada, combining it with the US would result in an 'economic force' that would 'really be something'.

He also mocked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau by calling him 'governor' and shared a map showing the two countries without borders emblazoned with an American flag.

He repeated his argument that the country is economically dependent on the United States. The US is Canada's biggest trading partner.
Government announces land reclamation within the inner harbour

Government has confirmed, further to the Chief Minister's New Year Message last night, that Heads of Terms, a precursor to a final agreement, has been signed with TNG Global Foundation to create a new land reclamation area within the northern half of the inner harbour.

This new area of land for development is as conceptually illustrated in the attached design.

This agreement will see an area of land of approximately 47,000 square metres (almost half the Eastside reclamation) created along the front of the westside reclamation.

This reclamation, in keeping with the original designs for Europort in the 1980's, has been designed to preserve the area of the swimming pavilion and the existing childrens' park will also be retained and expanded.

This land will be created at no cost to the Government, with the cost being met by TNG Global Foundation, in exchange for part of the reclamation.

The Government keeps the larger proportion of the reclamation to meet its objective of building the next programme of affordable housing estates on it.

It is expected that the project will start within the next few months subject to it having cleared the planning process by then.

Commenting on the agreement the Chief Minister, the Hon Fabian Picardo, said: I am delighted to announce this agreement with TNG Global Foundation. It follows months of work as the Government grapples with how to meet the ever-increasing demand for housing, whilst seeking to constrain costs. The land reclamation initiative is an integral part of a long-standing process that has significantly benefited our community by providing housing for countless residents over many decades. While we recognise that this may have impacted views for some, as it has for others in the past, this iterative approach to reclamation remains critical in addressing the ever-growing housing needs of our community. We have no choice but to do this to continue to properly house our people. Gibraltar needs to continue to expand to house its own people and none of us should be selfish in this respect, as the people of, for example, Varyl Begg were not selfish when the reclamation was developed in front of them.
Giving a work colleague an 'air kiss' is not sexual harassment, an employment judge has ruled.

The social gesture - where someone pretends to kiss another person without touching them with their lips - cannot be regarded as 'unwanted conduct of a sexual nature', Judge Tom Perry concluded.

The ruling came in the case of hospitality worker Jing Jing Chen, who sued her former whisky bar employers after her manager Paul de Newtown hugged her and 'gave' her an air kiss.

Despite her assertion that this constituted harassment, a panel ruled that the action cannot be regarded as sexual and Miss Chen had instead 'misinterpreted' the gesture from her boss.

The 'air kiss' became famous thanks to Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders in TV comedy Absolutely Fabulous.

The tribunal, held in Croydon, south London, heard Miss Chen started working at Cut Your Wolf Loose in September 2021.

The specialist bar in Brighton, East Sussex, describes itself as 'an institution for the modern day whisky drinker' and it was heard Miss Chen had 'extensive knowledge' of the spirit.

The bar worker was managed by Mr de Newtown and it was said that the pair maintained a positive relationship during most of her employment - but issues arose at the end.

Miss Chen - who was known to her colleagues as Vivian - was seen as creating 'problems' by senior staff at the company, the tribunal heard.

The 'air kiss' became famous thanks to Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders in TV comedy Absolutely Fabulous (pictured in 1996)

By the Spring of 2022, after Miss Chen handed in her resignation and then retracted it, the tribunal said that Mr de Newtown wanted her 'employment to end' as he felt he could not rely on her to follow important instructions.

The panel heard evidence that during a shift in September, Miss Chen was working with the owner of the business and told him she was hungry.

The owner alleged that he told her to wait for five minutes as he needed to make a call, but in this time he witnessed Miss Chen - who said she was 'starving' - leave the bar whilst customers were in there.

The panel said he was 'annoyed' by her actions and later called her to a meeting where she was given a formal warning and other accusations.

The warning was also given for a number of other accusations, which included failing to stop alcohol being served to minors.

Later that month, she was dismissed.

On the day she was sacked, Miss Chen attended a tasting at the bar and proceeded to 'in effect test Mr de Newtown's knowledge of whisky by asking him several times for a recommendation for a drink, each of which she rejected'.

'I find she did this with a view to humiliating him,' EJ Perry said.

The Cut Your Wolf Loose bar in Brighton describes itself as 'an institution for the modern day whisky drinker' and it was heard Miss Chen had 'extensive knowledge' of the spirit.

'All of this was in front of customers. Mr de Newtown left early to avoid further incident, but it appears a meeting was set for the following day.'

In this meeting, she accused Mr de Newtown of trying to kiss her - which he denied.

She took the business to an employment tribunal, alleging race harassment, unfair dismissal and sexual harassment.

During the proceedings, it was heard that Mr de Newtown walked Miss Chen home on several occasions, as she lived on the way to his house.

He told the panel that he had previously given Miss Chen an 'air kiss' but Miss Chen alleged that he had also 'kissed her intimately on her neck on one occasion in September 2021 and again in October 2021'.

The panel said that 'difficulty' arose when assessing these allegations as there was 'directly contradictory oral evidence' between the pair.

EJ Perry said: 'On balance, I consider the most likely factual scenario here to be that Mr de Newtown gave [Miss Chen] an 'air kiss' after hugging her and that she misinterpreted this as a sexual advance.

'My reason for thinking this is the most likely scenario based on the very limited facts before me is for two reasons.'

The judge said that Mr de Newton was a 'more reliable' witness compared to Miss Chen whose evidence had 'been inconsistent in a number of ways'

'I do not consider that an air kiss is unwanted conduct of a sexual nature,' EJ Perry ruled.

'Alternatively, if it is sexual, it is not at a level, even taking into account the [Miss Chen's] perception, where it was reasonable for it to have the prescribed effect on [her].

'[Miss Chen] has not really set out evidence as to the prescribed effect on her.

'She appeared to have an openly friendly relationship with Mr de Newtown going forwards.

'[Miss Chen's] claims for sexual harassment fail and are dismissed.'

All claims made by Miss Chen were dismissed.
Police investigating the sexual assault of a teenage girl on the Tube have released CCTV footage of a man wanted in connection with the incident.

The girl was allegedly assaulted by a man on board a Metropolitan Line train from Finchley Road to Baker Street at around 8:15am on Thursday.

When the victim later boarded another train from Baker Street to King's Cross, she was again assaulted by the same man.

British Transport Police has released CCTV images of a man wanted in connection with the alleged crime.

The two pictures show a man dressed in black coat with grey trousers.

Officers believe the man may have information which could help with their investigation.

BTP has appealed to anyone who recognises the man to contact them as soon as possible.

Members of the public wishing to remain anonymous can also contact Crimestoppers with any information.

Police investigating the sexual assault of a woman while riding the Tube have released this CCTV footage of a man wanted in connection with the incident

The pictures show a man dressed in black coat with grey trousers who officers believe may have information which could help with their investigation

The girl was allegedly assaulted by a man on board a Metropolitan Line train from Finchley Road to Baker Street at around 8:15am on Thursday. Pictured: Baker Street Tube station

BTP said in a full statement: 'Do you recognise this man?

'Detectives investigating a sexual assault on board a Metropolitan line train have today released these images in connection.

'At around 8:15am on Thursday 5 December, a teenage girl was sexually assaulted by a man on board train from Finchley Road to Baker Street.

'The victim then boarded another train from Baker Street to King's Cross where the same man sexually assaulted her again.

'Officers believe the man in the images may have information which could help with their investigation.

'Anyone who recognises him is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 469 of 5 December.

'Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.'
People from across the world intentionally travel to the highest pub in Britain to get snowed in so they can have time off work.

Thirty-two guests, including six staff members, were said to be in 'high spirits' after spending their fourth day trapped inside the Tan Hill Inn following heavy snow on Saturday night.

Customers passed the time at the isolated spot, roughly 65 miles north of Manchester in the Yorkshire Dales, by playing games, watching movies, singing and dancing.

Yet, for a pub that sits 528 metres (1,732 ft) above sea level and is renowned for severe snow storms, you might have expected people to steer clear of the area.

But this is not the first time people have become stranded inside the cozy pub, nor does it appear to be the last.

The world famous inn, which also operates seven guest rooms, made headlines in 2021 when more than 60 people got stuck in the pub after watching an Oasis tribute band. The revellers were cut off by 3ft of snow and spent three nights in the pub.

And, according to the Tan Hill Inn, guests 'regularly' flock to the Yorkshire public house with the sole intention of getting snowed in so they can sneak time off work.

A spokesperson for the pub told MailOnline that they 'always' get people who - if bad snow is forecast - travel to the pub with blankets and provisions to see them through any lock-in.

They said: 'We do regularly get people who try to get locked in so they don't have to go to work.'

A look at the snow which trapped guests at the Tan Hill Inn, in North Yorkshire

Comments beneath Tan Hill Inn's social media page and Tripadvisor reviews show guests 'wishing' that they had gotten snowed in at the property

Those locked in at the Tan Hill Inn have played cards and board games to keep entertained

Paul (pictured with Tan Hill Inn manager Nicole), from Katherine in the Northern Territory, said he had never seen real snow before his holiday - with temperatures at home at around 30C

Or, alternatively, if there is already bad snow that has hit the area, people still try to make their way to the pub to get locked in, although they are often unable to due to such severe conditions.

Providing an update on the most recent group of guests who were snowed in at the pub, the spokesperson said: 'This time around, none of the people in the pub knew that the snow was going to be so bad, so it was accidental.

'Many had booked their trips early last year, but we do regularly get people who try to get locked in so they don't have to go to work.'

Following the advice of the area's road department, the Tan Hill Inn has now closed their pub as Tan Hill Road remains impassable with high winds and snow drifts in place.

Everybody inside the pub, except for three, has now been rescued by snow ploughs, who were previously struggling to clear the drifts.

It was said that the snow plough took four hours to break through to get to the pub and it did not want to make another round trip after six-foot snow drifts were spotted across the main road in front of the pub at one point.

Temperatures fell to -11.1C in some parts and the Met Office and UK Health Security Agency issued amber 'danger to life' alerts ahead of the blizzards

Many people picked problems with people ignoring warnings to go up there so they can 'skive off work'

Australian tourists Paul Wright (right) and his family family enjoy drinks by candle light during their enforced stay at the Tan Hill Inn in North Yorkshire

Paul and Naomi Wright (pictured) were expecting to be watching Harry Potter on London's West End by now as part of their three-week holiday visiting family in the UK

Snow covers the guest domes at the Tan Hill Inn. Some guests hope to get locked in

A look at the heavy snow which also captured guests back in 2021

Manager David Rowell, 43, previously said: 'Staff are a little tired, but other than that it's all right. The staff that are currently here, this is day seven for them working here. This [Monday] will be their third day stuck.

'I've managed to avoid snow-ins in the past, but it's caught up with us eventually, so it's my turn this time.

'We have three real fires, and obviously we run off a generator so the heating is on "constant" at the moment.'

The pub's electric power comes from a generator and there is enough food for about a month - and around two week's worth of beer.

Australian tourists Paul and Naomi Wright were expecting to be watching Harry Potter on London's West End by now as part of their three-week holiday visiting family in the UK.

Paul, from Katherine in the Northern Territory, said he had never seen real snow before his holiday - with temperatures at home more usually around 30C.

Some 60 people were involved in the lock-in at the remote Tan Hill Inn in the Yorkshire Dales in 2021

Guests pictured being treated to films on a projector screen, a quiz night and a buffet meal at the Tan Hill Inn in 2021

Many guests slept on makeshift beds and mattresses on the floor at the Tan Hill Inn in the Yorkshire Dales four years ago

A look at the Oasis tribute band that performed at the Tan Hall Inn prior to a previous lock in

Some 61 people were trapped in the Tan Hill Inn as a result of heavy snowfall following Storm Arwen

Snow in the doorway of the Tan Hill Inn four years ago after guests became trapped on Friday

The 52-year-old, who is travelling with his wife, his 22-year-old son, sister-in-law, four-year-old nephew, and two friends, said: 'I think it's hilarious, I love it.

'I've seen generated snow in snow fields in Australia, but nothing like this in regards to white-outs.

'Driving through Scotland and York, the amount of snow we've seen covering everything is unbelievable, we can't believe how white everything is.

'There's a lovely group of people here, the people that run this place are so warm and welcoming and friendly.

'The poor staff that are here were all meant to go out the other day, they've had to stay because they're snowed in, and these guys are working from like five-thirty and six in the morning through to 11 at night.

'I'm sitting at the window at the moment watching one of them shovel snow off the steps so people can walk outside.'
Britain's intensifying winter flu crisis is crippling hospitals with patients facing 50-hour waits as more trusts could declare critical incidents over the coming days.

At least 11 hospitals including in Birmingham, Liverpool, Hampshire and Cornwall have already raised the alarm amid severe strain on their services as the flu outbreak worsens and health leaders warn the NHS is facing 'exceptionally high demand'.

Patients have been urged to attend A&E alone while some hospitals have restricted visitors amid calls for people to wear surgical masks to limit the spread of viruses amid the 'quad-demic' of flu, norovirus, respiratory illness and Covid affecting Brits.

The number of cases is already around double last year's peak with around 5,000 beds a day taken up by patients infected with the virus - and officials expect the crisis to deepen this week as children return to school after the Christmas holiday.

Patients have endured long waits in A&E before finally being admitted to wards, while queues of ambulances up to 18 deep have formed outside hospitals as they wait hours to drop off arrivals, leaving them unable to respond to other 999 calls.

Critical incidents have been declared due to 'exceptionally high demands' in A&E units, with around 5,000 hospital beds in England occupied with patients with flu.

People have shared stories of long waits, with one woman tweeting a photo of beds at Royal Blackburn Hospital, saying: 'Patients left out in cold corridors to be gawped at like exhibits in a zoo. No patient dignity and poor patient care. Shameful at best.'

Another wrote: 'Currently in West Mid. Horrible place to be. My sister went into A&E last week and is now staying on a ward awaiting surgery. Took seven hours to get a bed whilst she was in severe agony. The noise on the ward, even at night, people playing music etc. Pure lack of consideration.'

And a third tweeted: 'I spent 12 hours at Barnet UTC yesterday to not get any results, kept being pushed to the back of the queue.... can't get in to my doctor's to get a prescription so I'll just let my pneumonia get worse and worse until I need to take up a bed in a hospital shall I?

Joanna Ormesher tweeted this photograph of the main corridor at Royal Blackburn Hospital in Lancashire yesterday, saying: 'Patients left out in cold corridors to be gawped at like exhibits in a zoo. No patient dignity and poor patient care. Shameful at best'

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A row of ambulances parked at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham yesterday afternoon

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Ambulances outside the Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital yesterday afternoon

A father called Derek told how that his ill daughter had to endure a 'horrible 30-hour wait in a chair' in A&E at Warrington Hospital in Cheshire. She arrived at 9pm last Friday and finally got a bed at about 3am on Sunday.

The 83-year-old told BBC Radio Merseyside: 'My daughter arrived at nine o'clock on Friday night and didn't get a bed until about three or four in the morning on Sunday. I haven't been able to sleep for worrying.'

Full list of hospitals that have declared 'critical incidents' Eleven hospitals are known to have declared a critical incident so far: Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital , Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

, Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Winchester Hospital , Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

, Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Royal Cornwall Hospital , NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

, NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Derriford Hospital , University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust Royal Liverpool Hospital , Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Northampton General Hospital , NHS Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board

, NHS Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board Kettering General Hospital , NHS Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board

, NHS Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board Good Hope Hospital , University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust Heartlands Hospital , University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust Solihull Hospital , University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham , University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust Advertisement

'The whole system needs scrapping and restarting. It's not working; it hasn't worked for years. It's a terrible situation but you can't blame the staff; they're run off their feet.'

Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said it was facing 'extremely high demand'.

In Essex, a woman said her 94-year-old mother had to wait 14 hours to be seen by doctors at Colchester Hospital as staff struggled to cope over the New Year.

Jane Clarke's mother Anne, who lives in care home in Clacton, was admitted to hospital on January 2 after carers suspected a chest infection.

Jane, 71, told the Colchester Gazette: 'We sat at Colchester Hospital for 14 hours. I've met people here who spent nights here. I appreciate that the hospital and its staff are under immense pressure, but I felt so helpless.'

She slept in a chair next to her mother's bed for several nights because she was too fearful of leaving her alone, and said it was an 'appalling' first few days at the hospital  before things improved when Anne was moved to a private room.

Catherine Morgan, chief nurse at the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Trust said she was 'sorry to hear about the concerns raised', adding that teams were 'working hard to make sure our patients are safe and to maintain all our services'.

In Northern Ireland, one man said his 78-year-old father had been waiting in A&E at Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry for nearly 48 hours.

Terence Harkin told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme that his father William, who has cancer, had been waiting on a chair and then on a bed in a corridor at the unit.

'My father is not well, he is in a lot of pain,' he said. 'I've been told that it could be a lung infection but he is waiting to be admitted to a ward for treatment.

'He isn't eating properly, he had severe chest pains, coughing and stomach pains and they can't admit him.'

The Western Trust has apologised for the long delays, saying it is dealing with extreme pressures and a 'full escalation of beds on all wards and departments'.

Meanwhile York and Scarborough hospitals have asked for public support by asking patients to seek medical attention alone where possible.

Dr Ed Smith, deputy medical director at York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: 'Our emergency departments are busy all year round but are exceptionally busy at the moment with a high volume of poorly patients attending.

'This means that the departments can often be overcrowded, with limited places to sit while waiting to be seen.

'While we understand it's appropriate for a friend or family member to accompany with a child or as a carer for example, if patients can attend alone, this will help free up much-needed space for other patients.'

North Bristol NHS Trust, which runs Southmead Hospital, urged both the public and staff to wear surgical face masks in its 'emergency zone'.

It said: 'This is to reduce the risk of infection and to enhance the safety of all concerned.'

Meanwhile, East Sussex Hospitals Trust announced yesterday that it is temporarily limiting visiting to one visitor per patient per day to reduce the impact of flu.

'Exemptions apply to end-of-life care, our special care baby unit and when visiting children under 16,' a statement said.

'Additional visitors will be permitted on compassionate grounds on a case-by-case basis for all of our other services.'

Hospitals in Northamptonshire, Cornwall, Liverpool, Hampshire, Birmingham and Plymouth have all declared critical incidents in recent days.

East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust also declared the first critical incident in its history due to a combination of 'significant patient demand, pressure within local hospitals and flooding'.

And ITV News reported this morning that more hospitals in England are expected to declare critical incidents.

Critical incidents can be declared when health and care services are so busy that special measures are needed to restore normal operations and keep patients safe.

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Last week, NHS data revealed the number of people in hospital with flu in England was more than four times the level it was a month ago, with officials warning cases are 'rising at a very concerning rate'.

It is expected that data released later this week will show another rise in the number of people admitted to hospital due to flu.

Today, Saffron Cordery, interim chief executive of NHS Providers, said working conditions for staff are 'incredibly difficult' owing to inadequate NHS buildings with not enough room for patients.

She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the NHS is under pressure and flu is currently 246 per cent higher than last year.

'What we're also seeing is this challenge of flow of patients through the system and increasing demand, which has led to these critical incidents being declared across a number of trusts, and uniquely, actually across ambulance services as well,' she said. 'We haven't seen that before, which really speaks to that level of demand.'

Ms Cordery said staff across the NHS 'are putting in absolutely valiant effort in order to keep patients safe'.

She added: 'I think what we need to do is recognise that these are really long-standing challenges that the NHS is facing in terms of workforce, shortage of workforce, the critical need to reform and properly invest in social care, and also to think more about prevention...'

Hospital estates across the NHS 'are no longer fit for purpose', she said, adding: 'That makes working conditions incredibly difficult, and it actually limits the available space often to treat people safely.'

However, she urged patients who are suffering a life-threatening emergency to still call 999.

The common symptoms (green tick), occasional and possible symptoms (orange circle) and the symptoms that never occur (red cross) with the common cold, flu and Covid

'We don't want that situation where people are choosing not to call 999 when they really need it,' she said.

Annie Farrell, a GP in south Liverpool and chairwoman of the Liverpool local medical committee representing GPs, said there is 'increasing virus overload in patients, increasing frailty in our patients, the numbers of patients that aren't able to self-care for these kinds of conditions is going up'.

She added: 'For quite a while now, we know as a GP that if we feel somebody needs to go to hospital, we're having to sit down with them and say we're sentencing you to potentially over 24 hours in a plastic chair in a waiting room.

'There will be care available - I know for a fact that our A&E department are doing their absolute best to manage everybody who is waiting for a bed in hospital in whatever circumstances they find themselves, so some of them are in backs of ambulances, and some of them are in the waiting area, but that's what we're faced with.'

NHS England's national medical director, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, said: 'Frontline NHS staff are under significant pressure and the demand is showing no signs of letting up, with latest data showing flu cases skyrocketed to around 5,000 a day in hospitals at the end of last year and multiple trusts across the country declaring incidents to help them to manage additional strain on services.'

Yesterday, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he feels 'ashamed' at the experiences of some patients in the NHS, admitting that some patients are being taken to hospital 'to die' because the right care is not available when they need it.

Mr Streeting said that he felt 'emotional' hearing about long waits and patients being passed from ambulance to ambulance. He added that flu is a 'big problem' and was causing 'extraordinary pressure' in hospitals.

Vowing to make improvements, Health Secretary Wes Streeting told LBC radio yesterday that he was 'distressed and ashamed' to see the situation sick Britons find themselves in

At least one patient at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital was forced to wait for more than two days in A&E amid ongoing pressure.

Speaking on LBC Radio, Mr Streeting said: 'It breaks my heart because... I've seen this when I've been shadowing the ambulance service on ride outs - we are taking people in ambulances to emergency departments to die because then there isn't the right care available at the right time in the right place, including end-of-life care.'

He said that sometimes hospitals are not accepting patients from ambulances 'because emergency departments are saying: 'Well, hang on a minute, we can't take these people in right now.''

But he said that was creating 'intolerable patient risk' for the people that ambulances cannot reach when they are struck outside hospitals.

Mr Streeting went on: 'When I hear you describe an 88-year-old woman going from ambulance to ambulance to ambulance to ambulance, I felt the same emotional reaction I went felt when I was going around one of my local hospitals just before Christmas - when I went in, they said: 'You are here on a fairly good day, it's not too bad today.'

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'And as I was walking through the emergency department, I was looking at the corridor care that's become a normal feature now in our hospitals, I went through a section of the emergency department where there were lots of frail elderly people, including people with dementia, who were very confused, very distressed, crying out, not so much in pain as much as confusion.

'And as I walked around these conditions, I was looking around thinking: 'This is a good day?''

The minister pledged to do 'everything I can' to 'make sure that year-on-year, we see consistent improvement', but he said that it will 'take time'.

He said that the Government would publish an urgent and emergency reform plan 'shortly'.

'In the meantime, I feel genuinely distressed and ashamed, actually, of some of the things that patients are experiencing and I know that the staff of the NHS and social care services feel the same, they go to work, they slog their guts out, and it's very distressing for them seeing people in this condition as well,' he said.

On flu, Mr Streeting added: 'We've got this extraordinary pressure on flu where we've got between three and four times as many hospital beds taken up with flu cases this year than we did this time last year.

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'Even so, annual winter pressures should not lead to an annual winter crisis.'

Non-urgent patients have been warned they will face long waits in A&E and have been urged to 'consider other options', such as contacting their GP, visiting a pharmacy or calling NHS 111.

The nation's top emergency doctor said that the emergency care system is 'overwhelmed' and this flu season is the 'straw that is breaking the camel's back'.

Dr Adrian Boyle, president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said: 'This flu season is not an outlier, but the problem is our emergency care system is so overwhelmed and fragile that a normal flu season - which is what we've got at the moment - is creating severe operational difficulties.

'And it would be a mistake to think that this is solely a result of winter viruses. We have been chronically overloaded and overwhelmed for a number of years.

'It is a significant flu outbreak, but the problem is there's just no capacity to deal with it. So it is really a straw that is breaking the camel's back.'

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust declared critical incidents yesterday morning, followed by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and NHS Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board yesterday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the Royal Liverpool University Hospital remains in a critical incident state following an announcement by NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group on Monday evening.

The longest time one patient waited to be admitted to a ward at the hospital was 50 hours, it is understood.

Elsewhere, a critical incident declared by NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly on Friday continues.

A number of trusts posted on X to warn that their emergency departments were very busy, including Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust and Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust.

At 10pm yesterday, South West Ambulance Service posted on X saying: 'We know there are patients waiting for an ambulance, and we will get to them as soon as we can.'

They asked people to call again only if they no longer need help or if the patient's condition has worsened while they are waiting for an ambulance to arrive.

Dr Tim Cooksley, former president of the Society for Acute Medicine, described the situation at 'appalling'.

'The NHS and social care services remain under immense pressure with many colleagues reporting this is the worst it has ever been in their hospitals,' he said.

'Each part of the system continues to experience demand beyond its capacity which exacerbates the problem. This is most vividly illustrated in urgent and emergency care.

'The media is full of pictures of patients in corridors, long queues of ambulances outside of emergency departments and stories of horrific patient experiences: this is seen and experienced by frontline staff every day. It is an appalling situation.'

Dr Cooksley warned that 'pressures are at unsustainable levels and the results are scant justice for healthcare staff who strive to deliver a reasonable quality of care for the patients we serve'.

Separately, virus experts have called on Beijing to disclose vital information about a worrying outbreak said to be overwhelming hospitals in China.

British authorities 'need more information on the specific strain circulating', known as human metapneumovirus (hMPV), to assess the threat to the public, warned Dr Andrew Catchpole.

It comes after cases of the respiratory infection  which has flu-like symptoms  were revealed to have doubled over the past month.

Currently, as many as one in 20 cases of respiratory infections could be due to the virus, according to the latest UK surveillance data.

Beijing has brushed aside footage of overcrowded waiting rooms and wards posted on social media saying respiratory infections are 'less severe' and 'smaller in scale' compared with last year. This has led to fears of similarities with the Covid outbreak in 2019, which was initially played down by China.

However, British experts have remarked that the scenes in Chinese hospitals appear little different to that of UK healthcare at this time of year.

Dr Catchpole, who is chief scientific officer at infectious disease testing firm hVIVO, said: 'HMPV is usually detected in the winter periods but it does seem that the rates of serious infection may be higher in China than what we would expect in a normal year.

'We need more information on the specific strain that is circulating to start to understand if this is the usual circulating strains or if the virus causing high infection rates in China has some differences.'

He added: 'It is unclear just how high the numbers are or if issues are arising purely due to coinciding with high flu and Covid levels.'
A corporate worker has sparked outrage for her controversial stance on flexible working arrangements.

Sydney worker Shez blasted working from home as a 'failed social experiment' in the divisive video shared on TikTok on Monday.

More than one third of Aussies still WFH post-Covid, despite 82 per cent of bosses admitting they'd prefer staff to be back in the office full-time.

Shez went as far as slamming WFH as unproductive.

'You can't tell me you're more productive working from home,' she began.

'Be honest with yourself - are you really working or are you being more productive folding your laundry?'

Shez branded WFH as a 'killer for corporate culture' and 'productive' water cooler office chats.

'Absolutely nothing like going up to someone's desk and asking them a question that can be answered in two seconds,' she said.

Shez, a Sydney corporate worker, slammed working from home as a 'failed social experiment' and 'unproductive'

'Your productivity definitely takes a hit when no one's looking.'

However, the young worker believed the 'worst part' of the post-Covid wave of flexible working conditions was employees' 'entitlement'.

'It used to be a privilege and on rare occasions,' she said.

She also warned WFH staff are also at risk of missing a promotion as they miss the chance to 'showcase your personality'.

'It doesn't come through via a little Teams camera,' she claimed.

Shez's views sparked a fierce debate online with many viewers divided over whether she underestimated people's ability to work independently.

'You're the youngest looking boomer I've seen,' one commented.

Another added: 'I think people who say these things are bad at their job. I create connections, get promoted and pay rises by working from home because I'm good at my job.'

A third wrote: 'Exactly - people claim they're 'more productive' but be for real. There is no way. Just admit you like it better.'

More than one third of Australians work from home as part of flexible arrangements post-Covid

Shez's claim about WFH productivity also sparked heated debate.

'The office is more distracting and full of interruptions, unless your goal is to network, working from home is more productive,' one wrote

Another added: 'Finally! Someone that is saying being productive while WFH does not mean folding laundry or putting on dinner.'

A host of Aussie workplaces have brought in return-of-office mandates in recent months, including Amazon, Dell, Tabcorp, and Flight Centre.

Analysis of data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Committee for Economic Development of Australia in December revealed WFH conditions have stayed consistent over the last two years.

But the latest data from the Director Sentiment Index Survey by the Australian Institute of Company Directors showed 82 per cent of Aussie bosses want staff back in office full-time.

'People confuse it with control, it isn't about that, it is a superficial assumption. It is about the productivity level, collaborations and humans need humans,' recruitment expert Roxanne Calder told news.com.au.

'If you're isolated and working from home, there's always the chance you'll start looking for something else.'

Shez (pictured) listed several cons of working from home, dividing commenters over whether the practice should continue

About 36 per cent of Australian workers reported regularly working from home, only slightly down from 37 per cent in 2023.

In 2016, WFH was only available to five per cent of workers.

A large portion of those choosing to take advantage of flexible working conditions were managers and professionals at 60 per cent, unchanged from 2023.

Meanwhile, only 21 per cent of other occupations WFH.

Flexibility was the main reason people chose to WFH at 25 per cent, while nearly 24 per cent said they had a home-based job, while 20 per cent used WFH to catch up on tasks outside of office hours.

CEDA highlighted some statistics which showed people who were 'previously less likely to have a job continue to benefit from the shift to hybrid work', including eight per cent of women who WFH for childcare and family reasons.

'New Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey data released last week shows workforce participation in jobs where people could work from home jumped by nine per cent for women with young children and 4.4 per cent for people with a disability or health condition from 2019 to 2023,' it said.

However, the results may not be enough to change the minds of the many bosses who wish to see workers permanently in offices.

'A KPMG survey of more than 1,300 CEOs across 11 countries found 83 per cent now expect a full return to the office within the next three years, a notable increase from 64 per cent in 2023. In Australia, the result was similar, at 82 per cent,' CEDA said.

The committee urged bosses to consider the benefits of flexible working arrangements, including access to a larger hiring pool.

Aussies who work from home two days a week had high job satisfaction and lower quite rates by one-third

A recent study by Stanford University Economics Professor Nicholas Bloom found several other positives to WFH arrangements, including improved employee retention.

The randomised study, published in Nature earlier this year, surveyed more than 1,600 workers at a Chinese tech company.

Those who worked from home two days a week had high job satisfaction and lower quite rates by one-third.

The biggest positive difference was noticed among non-managers, female employees and those with long commutes.

Furthermore, the research found no difference in performance grades or promotion rates for hybrid workers over a two-year period.

About two-thirds of Australian company directors agreed flexible working conditions improved staff retention, attraction and health, ACID found.

'Their views on the impact of working from home on productivity and innovation have improved slightly over the last year but remain negative  only 39 per cent believe that work from home is good for productivity, while only 28 per cent believe work from home is good for innovation,' CEDA said.
Piers Morgan is leaving Rupert Murdoch's News UK media empire to concentrate on YouTube.

The former newspaper editor says he will now be focusing on expanding his 'Uncensored' YouTube channel in the US.

The new arrangements involve a four-year revenue-sharing agreement with Mr Murdochs UK subsidiary, according to a Sky News report - which Mr Morgan then shared on X, formerly Twitter.

Mr Morgan, 59, is believed to be taking control of the Uncensored media brand, which has 3.6million YouTube subscribers, through his production firm Wake Up Productions.

News UK will reportedly receive a portion of advertising revenue generated by Piers Morgan Uncensored until 2029.

Mr Morgan, who previously edited of the now-defunct Murdoch-owned newspaper the News Of The World, returned to News UK in 2021 on a three-year contract that involved columns for the Sun and the New York Post and shows on Talk TV.

Mr Murdoch said in a statement at the time: 'Piers is the broadcaster every channel wants but is too afraid to hire.'

That came after he left his presenting role on ITV's Good Morning Britain in March 2021, following controversy over comments he made about the Duchess of Sussex.

Piers Morgan is leaving Rupert Murdoch 's News UK media empire to concentrate on YouTube

The newly-announced arrangements involve a four-year revenue-sharing agreement with the UK subsidiary of News UK owned by Rupert Murdoch (pictured)

Media watchdog Ofcom received more than 57,000 complaints about his remarks which followed Oprah Winfrey's TV interview with Meghan and Prince Harry.

Mr Morgan had dismissed Meghan's account of suffering suicidal thoughts and experiencing racism at the hands of the royal family as he insisted he 'didn't believe a word' - and he then walked off set after a debate with colleague Alex Beresford.

Mr Morgan, who refused to apologise, later announced his resignation and tweeted his thanks to the GMB team, praising them for their 'hard work and dedication' that led to them beating their main breakfast TV rival.

He wrote: 'I had one goal when I joined GMB - beat BBC Breakfast in the ratings. On my last day, we did it.'

Under the new deal reported today, he is expected to write occasional columns for Murdoch-owned publications.

And he is said to be going ahead with a book deal with publisher Harper Collins, which is also a Rupert Murdoch business.

Mr Morgan said in a statement today: 'I have had a great time working back at News and am delighted that we will continue to be partners.

'Owning the brand allows my team and I the freedom to focus exclusively on building Uncensored into a standalone business, editorially and commercially, and in time, widening it from just me and my content.

Piers Morgan today confirmed the development with posts on X, formerly Twitter

News UK, owned by Rupert Murdoch (right), will reportedly receive a portion of advertising revenue generated by Piers Morgan's (left) Uncensored channel on YouTube until 2029

'It's clear from the recent US election that YouTube is an increasingly powerful and influential media platform, and Uncensored is one of the fastest-growing shows on it in the world.'

Scott Taunton, president of News UK subsidiary News Broadcasting, said the deal 'gives Piers flexibility to grow his own business'.

He added: 'The changing media landscape means we have to be innovative about how we partner with superstar journalists and connect them to global audiences via our established brands.'

Mr Morgan's former roles have also included being editor of the Mirror, presenter of CNN talk show Piers Morgan Live and ITV's Piers Morgan's Life Stories and judge on Britain's Got Talent and America's Got Talent.

And he won the US Celebrity Apprentice in 2007, which was helmed by US President-elect Donald Trump - whom Mr Morgan has interviewed several times since.

In 1994, he had become the youngest national newspaper editor in half a century when he rose through the ranks to the top job at the News Of The World aged 29 - before being appointed editor of the Mirror the following year.

But Mr Morgan was sacked 'with immediate effect' in May 2004 after the newspaper published false images which alleged to show Iraqi prisoners being abused by British soldiers.

The photographs were proven to be fakes within days, and the Mirror claimed it had fallen victim to a 'calculated and malicious hoax'.
Were YOU on the flight?

Ryanair has issued a warning to badly behaved passengers as the low-cost airline sues a holidaymaker over 'disruptive' behaviour.

The company is claiming 12,000 (15,000 euro) in damages against the passenger, who they say forced a flight between Dublin and Lanzarote last year to divert to Porto.

It was delayed overnight in the Portuguese city and caused 160 passengers to 'face unnecessary disruption as well as losing a full day of their holiday'.

They slammed the passenger's behaviour as 'inexcusable' and 'completely unacceptable'.

It said the 15,000 euro figure comes from the cost of overnight accommodation, passenger expenses, and landing costs.

Ryanair said it has a strict zero-tolerance policy towards passenger misconduct, adding it 'will continue to take decisive action to combat unruly passenger behaviour on aircraft'.

A spokesman said Ryanair hopes the civil proceedings in the Irish circuit court will deter further disruptive behaviour on flights.

The company is claiming 15,000 euro in damages against the passenger, who they say forced a flight between Dublin and Lanzarote last year to divert to Porto

It said the 15,000 euro figure comes from the cost of overnight accommodation, passenger expenses, and landing costs

Announcing what the airline described as a 'major clampdown', they continued: 'It is unacceptable that passengers  many of whom are heading away with family or friends to enjoy a relaxing Summer holiday  are suffering unnecessary disruption and reduced holiday time as a result of one unruly passenger's behaviour.

'Yet this was regrettably the case for passengers on this flight from Dublin to Lanzarote last April, which was forced to divert to Porto as a result of an individual passenger's disruptive behaviour, causing 15,000 in overnight accommodation, passenger expenses, and landing costs.

'We have now filed civil proceedings to recover these costs from this passenger.

'This demonstrates just one of the many consequences that passengers who disrupt flights will face as part of Ryanair's zero tolerance policy, and we hope this action will deter further disruptive behaviour on flights so that passengers and crew can travel in a comfortable and respectful environment.'

It comes just months after Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has said he would be 'happy' to introduce a two-drink limit on his company's flights, as long as the same rules are applied to airport bars.

O'Leary admitted that the budget airline saw a 'spike' of violent disorder among its passengers over the last summer, adding that flights to party hotspot Ibiza were often the rowdiest.

He told Sky News that would be 'happy to [introduce the limit] tomorrow.'

He said: 'If the price of putting a drink limit on the airport, where the problem is being created, is putting a drink limit on board the aircraft, we've no problem with that.

'The real issue is how do we stop these people getting drunk at airports particularly as, like this summer, we've had a huge spike in air traffic control delays.

'They're getting on board with too much alcohol in their system. If we identify them as being drunk on board, we don't serve them alcohol. But that doesn't solve the problem.'
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A woman is fighting for life in hospital after she was shot in the back while sitting in a car outside a suburban home.

Emergency services were called to Trees Road in Tallebudgera on the Gold Coast about 12pm on Wednesday following reports of shots being fired.

A woman, 33, who had been sitting in the passenger seat of a blue Volkswagen Jetta outside a home was treated for life-threatening injuries before she was rushed to Gold Coast University Hospital in a critical condition.

Dozens of police and forensic officers were seen examining the crime scene and interviewing residents as detectives launched a major investigation.

Footage from the scene showed at least five police vehicles parked outside the home.

No arrests or charges have been laid and the firearm used is yet to be located by police.

It's understood the woman was among a group of people helping someone move out of the home at the time.

'My understanding is the car's been parked in the same location for a couple of hours,' Detective Inspector Mark Mooney told reporters.

A woman is fighting for life after she was shot while sitting in a car outside a home. Pictured are police at the scene

'We've engaged the homicide squad because the victim's injuries are critical and we don't know at this point in time whether she will survive or not.'

Prior to the shooting, dozens of people had attended the home to pick up furniture advertised on Facebook Marketplace.

Those people are assisting police with their inquiries.

It's understood another person was inside the Volkswagen Jetta at the time of the incident.

Police suspect the shots were fired from inside the vehicle.

At this point in time we dont know who the shooter is. There were multiple people at the address collecting property,' Inspector Mooney said.

'Our forensic examination of the vehicle is still to be conducted, but it would appear that the victim has been sitting in the passenger seat of the vehicle and has been shot through the seat.'

No arrests or charges have been laid and the firearm used is yet to be located by police (pictured at the crime scene on Wednesday)

Police have not ruled out the possibility the shooting may have been an accident.

'We'd like to speak to anyone that was present to give us any information that we don't yet have,' Inspector Mooney said.

'It's going to be a complex investigation.'

He stressed that there was no was no cause for community alarm.

A Queensland Police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday night that there were no further updates.

Neighbours were shocked to return home to find their street cordoned off by police.

Forensic officers were seen scouring the crime scene on Wednesday afternoon

'The police that turned up basically wrapped around ... the residents as we turned up so we didn't see much,' one resident told Nine News.

The incident also sent shockwaves through the community.

'A police van came screaming past us. Scared the beejesus [sic] out of all of us,' a local posted online.

Another added: 'It doesn't sound good at all.'

Anyone with information, CTTV or dash cam footage is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers.
The Prime Minister of Australia has waded into a debate over the use of portable gazebos to selfishly hog prime spots on the country's famous beaches.

As Australia basks in the summer sun, it isn't just the 40 degrees temperatures that are getting Australians' hot under the collar after a bizarre row broke out over how beachgoers reserve space on the shoreline.

Now even the Aussie PM, Anthony Albanese, has given his opinion on the debate claiming the practice was 'not on' and against the country's egalitarian spirit.

In recent years portable gazebo-like beach cabanas, which usually take up more space than umbrellas and offer much needed shade in a country with the highest skin cancer rates in the world, have become increasingly popular.

However, a furious debate has broken out online over the use of cabanas on the beach to horde prime spots by the nation's famous sun-kissed shores.

In scenes reminiscent of towels being left on pool loungers for hour at a time, Aussies have documented images of gazebos lying empty on the beach while others are forced to fight over what little spots are left.

On social media fierce debates have been raging with some lambasting the act as 'un-Australian' while others have applauded their ingenuity.

Albanese has even asked about the row on Australian morning television.

As Australia bask in the summer sun, it isn't just the 40 degrees temperatures that are getting Australians' hot under the collar after a bizarre row broke out over how beachgoers reserve spots on the shoreline

In recent years portable gazebo-like beach cabanas, which usually take up more space than umbrellas and offer much needed shade in a country with the highest skin cancer rates in the world, have become increasingly popular in Australia

However, a furious debate has broken out online over the use of cabanas on the beach to horde prime spots by the nation's famous sun-kissed shores

During an appearance on Today, he said: 'One of the great things about Australia, unlike some parts of the world, (where) you go and you've got to pay to go to the beach, here, everyone owns the beach.

'It's a place where every Australian is equal. And that's a breach of that principle, really, to think that you can reserve a little spot as just yours.'

Meanwhile, a separate gazebo-related debate was sparked by a mother-of-two from Melbourne who questioned if it was 'normal' for beach goers to set up in front of other families.

She wrote: 'When did it become a thing to set up a beach tent in front of other beach goers? I go to the beach a few times a year and this is the first time Id seen this'.

She added tents were 'four deep' at the popular beach.

'We got there at 9am and at about 11, someone came along and set up between us and the water. I was gobsmacked and then noticed it was the case right down the beach,' the mother added.

But people were quick to 'pull her into line' and slam her for wanting 'unrestricted water views'.

'If you were the only two people on the beach I would understand this question - but as you said the beach was packed. Expecting them to leave the space in front of you is just rude,' one woman said.

'Beach space is at a premium at a city beach in summer. You cant reserve the space or view in front of you, only the space that your stuff takes up,' said another.

A crowded beach in Sydney. Aussies have documented images of gazebos lying empty on the beach for hours while others are forced to fight over what little spots are left

Now even the Aussie PM, Anthony Albanese (pictured), has given his opinion on the debate claiming the practice was 'not on' and against the country's egalitarian spirit

Others revealed they now park as close to the water as possible to avoid having someone edge between them and the water.

Some people admitted they avoid the beach in peak times because they don't like the cabanas but know there's nothing they can do about them.

'I grew up on the peninsula, lived here 38 years. Its beautiful but I do not bother going to the beach in the two weeks of Christmas & new years. Its towel to towel down there,' one woman said.

'We live in Noosa and beaches are covered during the 2 weeks after Christmas. We just head to the beaches without the crowds! (I know that's tough in some areas),' another said.

Albanese is facing reelection in polls that must be held by May, and which analysts say could come as early as March.
A group of masked teenagers allegedly raided an Apple store and stole 50,000 worth of mobile phones, a court has heard.

Horrified shoppers fled with their children the group of 10 helped themselves to the phones at the store at Brent Cross Shopping Centre, northwest London.

It took them just 24 seconds to race in and leave with the goods.

Police were called, and officers arrested six youths following the raid on Sunday.

Mycah Omo-Idahosa, 18, along with two 15-year-old boys, all from Lambeth, a 14-year-old boy from Croydon and a 16-year-old boy from Cambridge, were all charged with robbery.

They all appeared at Willesden Magistrates Court speaking only to confirm their names and dates of birth.

Omo-Idahosa and one of the 15-year-olds indicated pleas of not guilty, while the other 15-year-old and the 16-year-old both gave no indication of plea.

Prosecutor Lisa Wren told the court: On 5 January at the Apple Store in Brent Cross shopping centre, approximately 10 suspects have approached the store and tried to enter.'

Horrified shoppers fled with their children the group of 10 helped themselves to the phones at the store at Brent Cross Shopping Centre, northwest London

The group appeared at Willesden Magistrates Court speaking only to confirm their names and dates of birth

She added: They all entered the store, they stole approximately 50 mobile phones - I note theres no value at present but it is estimated each phone is worth about 1,000, so a high value estimation of 50,000.'

District Judge Lorraine McDonagh ordered the teenagers to appear at Harrow Crown Court on 4 February.

A 14-year-old boy will attend Croydon Youth Court on 7 February.

Oma-Idahosa and one of the 15-year-olds were remanded in custody while the remaining defendants were granted bail subject to stringent conditions including curfews between 7pm and 7am.

A Met Police spokesperson earlier said: Six teenage boys have been arrested following a theft from a shop in Barnet after police arrived quickly at the scene.

Police were called at around 14:35hrs on Sunday, 5 January to reports that a group had entered a shop in Brent Cross Shopping Centre before stealing a large number of mobile phones.

Officers attended and quickly made arrests a short time after the incident was reported to police. The teenagers, all aged between 14-18, were all arrested on suspicion of robbery and taken to custody, where they remain for questioning.

Enquiries continue.
GHA Opens Internal Audit Department

The Minister for Health and Care, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez recently visited the GHAs newly created Internal Audit Department, which aims to enhance operational efficiency across the GHA and, in turn, drive cost savings where possible.

'The new office will be led by Mr Terence Chichon, an accountant and auditor with extensive experience in financial oversight. Mr Chichon was recruited following a full recruitment process.'

'The role of the new department will be to conduct comprehensive reviews of the GHAs financial operations and processes, without losing focus on the expanding needs of patients and the community.'

Mr Terence Chichon said: I am honoured to take on the role of Head of the Internal Audit Department of the GHA, an institution critical to our community's well-being. With over two decades of experience in conducting thorough and impactful audits, I am committed to identifying opportunities to achieve operational improvements and deliver sustainable cost saving initiatives. My goal is to work collaboratively with the team and other GHA staff to ensure that resources are optimised to deliver the highest quality of care to patients."

GHA Director General, Kevin McGee, said: We are delighted to welcome Terence to the GHA team as his professional skills will serve us well to strengthen our organisations financial position. We look forward to his contribution at the helm of the new Internal Audit Department and building up a good working relationship that will be of benefit to the GHA and ultimately to the services we provide for our patients.

The Minister for Health and Care, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez, added: Since I was elected, I have been keen to establish greater efficiency within the GHA, without affecting patient services. I am optimistic that the internal audit office will assist in this endeavour. This is a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and driving cost savings, where possible, across the organisation. The GHA is a huge organisation, with a very large budget. With our new audit office, the GHA will now be better placed to ensure that there is minimal waste across the organisation and that the taxpayer receives the maximum value for money."

I was delighted to have visited the new office recently and look forward to working closely with the GHA and Mr Chichon in the coming weeks and months.
Scottish independence is still an 'urgent priority' and at 'the heart' of the SNP's politics despite a myriad of other pressing problems facing the county, the First Minister said today.

John Swinney came under fire for saying he remains 'committed' to breaking up the UK and suggested the Yes campaign nearly won the 2014 referendum, despite losing by 10 percentage points.

Critics laid into the SNP leader for comments in a BBC interview with come as he struggles to even get a Budget through the Scottish Parliament.

Scotland is also engulfed in a major healthcare crisis with the NHS recently being deemed 'on life-support.

Speaking to Good Morning Scotland this morning Mr Swinney was asked if independence would be 'page one, line one' on the party's manifesto for the 2026 Holyrood election.

He replied: 'I think everybody knows John Swinney well enough to know that he's committed to Scottish independence and wants to deliver it as an urgent priority for the people of Scotland...

'And that's what I intend to make sure is at the heart of SNP campaigning and at the heart of the SNP manifesto.'

But Scotland in Union chairman Alastair Cameron said: , chair of Scotland in Union, said: 'The public want a government focused on real priorities, not the SNP's obsession with breaking up the UK.'

John Swinney came under fire for saying he remains 'committed' to breaking up the UK and suggested the Yes campaign nearly won the 2014 referendum, despite losing by 10 percentage points.

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He added: 'The issue of independence was famously page one, line one of the SNP's most recent election manifesto.

'That vision was roundly rejected by the people of Scotland, and it will be again if the nationalists make it a similar priority in 2026.

'People will be very concerned to hear the First Minister describe separation as an 'urgent priority' while the NHS is on its knees, education is in free-fall and council services have been cut to the bone.'

Mr Swinney has insisted he is not taking it for granted that his government's Budget will be passed by Holyrood  although the First Minister said Labour's announcement that it would not vote against it meant he is 'more confident' the tax and spending plans for next year will be approved.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar confirmed on Tuesday his party would abstain when the budget comes before Holyrood for key votes next month  though he added Labour MSPs would vote for it if the Scottish Government ends the two-child cap on some benefits in April this year.

The Scottish Budget proposes to effectively scrap the benefit cap  which means parents can only claim some benefits for their first two children, with no payments made for any subsequent additions to their family  by mitigating the policy north of the border.

But Mr Swinney insisted such a change 'practically cannot be done' by this April.

The SNP leader told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme the government would seek to make the change 'as fast as we can', with the First Minister adding: 'If we can do it earlier than April 2026 we will do so.'

But he said ministers had to make the financial provision for the policy  which experts have said will cost 155 million in 2026-27 before rising to 198 million by 2029-30  as well as put the necessary systems in place for the change.

SNP finance secretary Shona Robison

It came as it was revealed Scotland's benefits bill could soar by 700million under SNP plans to scrap the two-child cap - with fears 'benefits tourists' will relocate to get bigger handouts.

The eye-watering cost was confirmed by Holyrood's independent budget watchdog, the Scottish Fiscal Commission (SFC), in its first official costing for the policy.

The SFC said the change would be worth around 3,600 per child each year for eligible households if introduced in 2026-27 in line with SNP budgetary plans.

With some large families qualifying for multiple payments, the more generous Scottish system could potentially affect 'migration with the UK', it said.

'For example, where a family might otherwise have moved to England, or could make a move to Scotland, the mitigation payment would change the incentives.'

The Scottish Conservatives said the policy raised 'the risk of benefits tourism, which would cost Scottish taxpayers even more'.

In October, it emerged 1,550 Scots families receive the SNP's Scottish Child Payment of 1,400 per child per year for five children, with six getting it for 10 children.
A body has been found in the hunt for two British hikers who went missing in the Italian Dolomite mountains, rescuers have confirmed.

Aziz Ziriat, 36, and his friend Samuel Harris, 35, both from London, were hiking in the Dolomites in northern Italy but they have not been heard from since 2.20pm on New Year's Day.

In a video to friends before they vanished, they had detailed plans to scale a 3,000-metre mountain on January 1.

But their family and friends became concerned when the two explorers missed their flights back to Britain on January 6 and alerted Italian authorities, who launched an urgent search, which has been hampered by heavy snow and strong winds.

The last known location of Mr Ziriat, who works for Crystal Palace's Palace for Life foundation, and Mr Harris was close to a hut called Casina Dosson, which is near the town of Tione Di Trento, near Riva del Garda, on Lake Garda.

Italy's alpine rescue service resumed a helicopter search on Wednesday morning amid improved weather conditions and tragically confirmed a body was found at around 2,600m.

A spokesperson for Italy's CNSAS (The National Alpine Cliff and Cave Rescue Corps) said ground teams found a body in the area of Passo di Conca 'sadly deceased, buried under the snow'.

The rescue teams had been searching the area after tracking a 'phone of one of the two mountaineers'. They confirmed a search for the second mountaineer would continue and that the families of both men had been informed.

Aziz Ziriat (left), 36, and his friend Samuel Harris, 35, both from London, were hiking in the Dolomites in northern Italy but they have not been heard from since 2.20pm on New Year's Day

Aziz Ziriat (pictured), 36, works for Crystal Palace's Palace for Life foundation

Their family and friends got concerned when the two hikers (Mr Harris is pictured above) missed their flights back to Britain on January 6 and alerted Italian authorities, who launched an urgent search

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An investigation is under way into the circumstances of the incident, the spokesperson said.

Earlier on Wednesday, rescuers said the men's backpacks and equipment were found during a search of a bivouac hut they are believed to have taken refuge in.

It comes after a video taken on the day they were last heard from revealed they had planned to leave their packs for a day before they moved to the next valley.

The discovery of a body comes just hours after Mr Ziriat's girlfriend, Bex Dimmock, said their disappearance 'just doesn't make sense'.

Breaking down in tears on Good Morning Britain, Ms Dimmock said this morning: 'There's just so many different possibilities and scenarios, that's the hardest thing. It doesn't make sense and we don't know what decisions they have made.'

She added: 'They are really experienced, they have been to some really harsh conditions.

'This trip, they had a plan to go hut to hut and if the weather permitted they would sleep outside.

'They did have a nice route planned where they would end up in Lake Garda and have some time in that town before coming back.'

Friends of the hikers revealed this morning that helicopters were focusing on a 'very specific area' this morning, including two huts.

In a separate interview with the BBC, Ms Dimmock said: 'They wanted to do a New Year's hike. They wanted to go from hut to hut throughout the Dolomites.

'They were planning on going off-grid, so that's not unexpected at all.

Rescuers confirmed a search for the second mountaineer would continue and that the families of both men had been informed

An investigation is under way into the circumstances of the incident, rescuers said

Rescuers have released pictures of their search for the two missing hikers in the Dolomites

Aziz snapped a video before he and Samuel set off - which was shared with MailOnline

An image of the mountain hut where the men where staying that was included in Aziz's video

'I think they wanted to have some nights where they were out in nature and in fresh air and sleeping in the wild. They have all the gear and they've done hikes before.

'But they also wanted to get into the huts and have fires and drink red wine because it was New Year's, which they did do, because he did message me at one point and he was carrying a log up the mountain to one of the huts.'

She added: 'I know they made it to the hut, and they were drinking red wine, but he said it was freezing.'

She said she last spoke to Mr Ziriat at about 10:00 GMT on New Year's Day.

'He sent some photos of the mountains and a couple of himself,' she said. 'He said his phone was about to die but he would write back to me properly soon.'

She said a few hours later, her messages were not being received by Mr Ziriat's phone.

'His phone had obviously died at that point, or he was out of range,' she said.

Desperate friends of the missing pair have also revealed the moment their GPS tracker went dead.

Joseph Sheppard, a friend of Mr Ziriat, who is helping to co-ordinate the rescue, told The Times: '[Ziriat and Harris] were at a specific rifugio [shelter] and they looked like they were going to [try] and make it to the next refugio, which was on the other side of a mountain. So they had to go up one and down again.

'Their tracking [system] followed them from the rifugio up the mountain, it looks like they pretty much got to the peak of it and then the tracking stops.'

Bex Dimmock (middle) was visibly emotional as she spoke about the search for her boyfriend Aziz Ziriat on Wednesday morning

Descriptions have been shared of the Aziz and Samuel, including a picture of the clothes Sam is believed to have been wearing

It comes after MailOnline revealed the two missing British men snapped footage revealing their plans to scale 3,000-metre Italian mountains on New Year's Day before they vanished.

In the video, Mr Ziriat says the pair are going to leave their usual large packs at home.

The 36-year-old explained he and Mr Harris had been 'lugging' them up and down the valleys for the past two days of the trip.

Speaking into the camera as he stands outside the mountain hut in his flip-flops, Mr Ziriat says: 'Happy New Year! Woken up to some delightful sunshine, blue skies.

'There has not been a cloud in the sky since we got here, which is slightly unnerving but also quite jokes.'

'I want to attack this today, get up into the some of the 3,000 bits which are up yonder.'

'Looking forward to a day scampering, we are not taking our packs today, for the last two days lugging up this God-forsaken valley, another day frolicking before schlepping over to the next valley,' he adds in an extended version of clip.

He also pans to the 'World War One bunker' they had stayed in before going missing.

Before a body was located, friend Joe Stone said: 'They are experienced hikers and they go a couple of times a year. It wasn't surprising that they had no signal as they like going off the grid. Alarm bells were raised though when they didn't turn up for their flight on January 6.

'Helicopters are now searching two specific locations - two refuge huts. We think that's going to be the best chance of success.

'We're all waiting anxiously and the next few hours are crucial.'

Mr Ziriat, who is described as being 6ft 3in, was a student at the University of Brighton, while Mr Harris, who is 5ft 11in, went to Oxford Brookes.

Both attended Teddington School in Teddington in south-west London.
Haunting video footage has emerged of two men and their dog trapped as hellish wildfires encircled their property in Los Angeles.

The chilling clip recorded from within the house showed how flames dozens of feet high surrounded the property, clearly visible through floor-to-ceiling windows, in a scene reminiscent of a Hollywood disaster movie.

The man, whose identity was not immediately known, can be heard telling his dog: 'You're going to be okay, alright?', while instructing a second resident to stay away from the windows amid fears they could shatter.

Meanwhile, valiant firefighters battling to extinguish the horrific wildfires that have engulfed Los Angeles and large swathes of Southern California are discovering their fire hydrants are running low or empty.

The raging inferno has sent dozens of celebrities fleeing for their lives including James Wood, who shared video of a home two blocks from his property in the Pacific Palisades that was completely engulfed in flames.

The fire completely ravaged the nearby home where reality TV star Spencer Pratt, 41, and his wife Heidi Montag, 38, live with their family. Formula One heiress Petra Ecclestone and her husband Sam Palmer have evacuated with their children, as did This Is Us actress Mandy Moore.

Star Wars actor Mark Hamill and Eugene Levy, dubbed the honorary mayor of Pacific Palisades, have also headed to safer areas. But actor Steve Guttenberg helped assist firefighters by moving cars in order to make room for the incoming fire trucks.

Real estate developer Rick Caruso, whose Palisades Village properties in Westside LA were demolished by the inferno, blamed the shocking issue on 'mismanagement' and 'systemic problems' in the city after it emerged the hydrants were not filled by reservoir water.

This revelation comes after LA Mayor Karen Bass - who is currently out of the country - cut the LA Fire Department's budget by some $23 million in 2024.

'This is a window into a systemic problem of the city  not only of mismanagement, but our infrastructure is old,' he said, as the LA Times reported that firefighters were radioing their stations with reports that the hydrants were dry.

He went onto rail against Bass and the Department of Water and Power (DWP) in a stern interview delivered to FOX News.

The chilling clip recorded from within the house showed how flames dozens of feet high surrounded the property, clearly visible through floor-to-ceiling windows

The man, whose identity was not immediately known, can be heard telling his dog: 'You're going to be okay, alright?'

Flames are clearly visible through floor-to-ceiling windows as the inferno rages through the neighborhood

The scene was somewhat reminiscent of a Hollywood disaster film

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Fire engulfs a home as the Eaton Fire moves through Altadena, California on Wednesday

Flames from the Palisades Fire burn homes along Pacific Coast Highway

Caruso - himself a former commissioner of the city's Board of Water and Power - declared: 'Everybody knew these winds were coming... you got to have water and my understanding is that the reservoir was not filled on time, or in a timely manner.

'This is basic stuff... it's all about leadership and management that we're seeing a failure of and all of these residents are paying the ultimate price for that... Why don't you call the mayor, who's out of the country, and ask her? (why the fire hydrants are dry)', he concluded.

More than 1,500 California firefighters are tasked with quelling the wind-whipped wildfires that tore across the greater Los Angeles area, destroying homes and clogging roadways as tens of thousands fled.

At least 30,000 residents are now under mandatory evacuation orders with more still warned they should be prepared to leave.

The flames from a fire that broke out Tuesday evening near a nature preserve in the inland foothills northeast of LA spread so rapidly that staff at a senior living center had to push dozens of residents in wheelchairs and hospital beds down the street to a parking lot.

The residents waited there in their bedclothes as embers fell around them until ambulances, buses and even construction vans arrived to take them to safety.

Another blaze that started hours earlier ripped through the city's Pacific Palisades neighborhood, a hillside area along the coast dotted with celebrity residences.

Dozens of celebrities have been forced to flee their ritzy mega-mansions in coastal Los Angeles as a result.

Reality TV star Spencer Pratt, 41, and his wife Heidi Montag, 38, have lost their home in the ritzy neighborhood due to the raging wildfire.

Meanwhile, Oscar-nominated actor James Woods, who shared footage of a home two blocks from his property that was completely engulfed in flames, fled the Palisades with his family as the a fast-moving wildfire tore through.

He is unclear on the condition of his own property after the evacuation.

Woods also declared that he and many of his neighbors no longer have insurance after a 'major company' supposedly canceled many of the policies four months ago.

Flames from the Palisades Fire burn a home

Smoke and flames rise from burning structures as the Eaton Fire burns in Pasadena, California, U.S

Oscar-nominated actor James Woods took to X with multiple posts detailing the damage as a fast-moving wildfire in the Los Angeles hillsides was exacerbated by a fierce windstorm in Southern California

Woods shared footage of home engulfed by flames that he passed while evacuating the area

Pratt, 41, was captured in photos as he watched the rapidly advancing fire move toward his home, which is in an area featuring many celebrity estates that are also at risk of burning

Police Academy star Steve Guttenberg, 66, sprung into action as the blaze ripped through the Palisades community, opting to assist firefighters by moving cars in order to make room for the incoming fire trucks

Star Wars actor Mark Hamill revealed he was bundled out of his Malibu home in a 'last-minute' evacuation on Tuesday night.

He said 'small fires' burned on 'both sides of the road' as he approached the Pacific Coast Highway and called the blaze the 'most horrific fire' since 1993.

Police Academy star Steve Guttenberg, 66, sprung into action as the blaze ripped through the Palisades community, opting to assist firefighters by moving cars in order to make room for the incoming fire trucks.

Eugene Levy, dubbed the honorary mayor of Pacific Palisades, said he was caught in the gridlock of fleeing residents the area.

But even those who have made it to safety are now praying for a miracle, including Formula One heiress Petra Ecclestone and her husband Sam Palmer who evacuated with their family.

In the frantic haste to get to safety, roadways became impassable when scores of people abandoned their vehicles and fled on foot, some toting suitcases.

The traffic jam on Palisades Drive prevented emergency vehicles from getting through and a bulldozer was brought in to push the abandoned cars to the side and create a path.

Video along the Pacific Coast Highway showed widespread destruction of homes and businesses along the famed roadway.

Pacific Palisades resident Kelsey Trainor said the only road in and out of her neighborhood was blocked. Ash fell all around them while fires burned on both sides of the road.

'We looked across and the fire had jumped from one side of the road to the other side of the road,' Trainor said. 'People were getting out of the cars with their dogs and babies and bags, they were crying and screaming.'

A third wildfire started around 10:30pm and quickly prompted evacuations in Sylmar, a San Fernando Valley community that is the northernmost neighborhood in Los Angeles. The causes of all three fires were under investigation.

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Firefighters battling a mammoth blaze in California 's ritzy Pacific Palisades have warned they're running out of water and supplies, as emergency evacuation warnings spread as far as Malibu and Calabasas

Hellish photos from the inferno's epicenter show once-decadent million-dollar homes completely obliterated by the wildfire. A spiral staircase and opulent art gallery wall were seen burned to cinders

All aircraft has now been grounded as conditions deteriorate

Spencer Pratt shared footage on TikTok of the inferno ripping through his neighborhood

Spencer Pratt is seen watching wildfire as it approaches his family home in Palisades fire as he evacuates after gathering valuables from the residence

Ben Affleck, 52, returned home to his Pacific Palisades house last night to see the wildfire nearby was within sight

Flames were being pushed by Santa Ana winds topping 60 mph (97 kph) in some places. The winds were expected to increase overnight, producing isolated gusts that could top 100 mph (160 kph) in mountains and foothills - including in areas that haven't seen substantial rain in months.

The situation prompted the Los Angeles Fire Department to take the rare step of putting out a plea for off-duty firefighters to help. It was too windy for firefighting aircraft to fly, further hampering the fight.

Gov. Gavin Newsom posted on X early Wednesday that California had deployed more than 1,400 firefighting personnel to combat the blazes.

'Emergency officials, firefighters, and first responders are all hands on deck through the night to do everything possible to protect lives,' Newsom said.

The erratic weather caused President Joe Biden to cancel plans to travel to inland Riverside County, where he was to announce the establishment of two new national monuments in the state.

He remained in Los Angeles, where smoke was visible from his hotel, and was briefed on the wildfires. The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved a grant to help reimburse California for the firefighting cost.

Officials didn't give an estimate of structures damaged or destroyed in the Pacific Palisades wildfire, but they said about 30,000 residents were under evacuation orders and more than 13,000 structures were under threat.

Gov. Gavin Newsom visited the scene and said many homes had burned.

Tankers full of water have been dousing the inferno from the skies all afternoon, but all aircraft have now been grounded amid deteriorating wind conditions and visibility

A firefighter tries to cover his face from the thick smoke as he battles the inferno

By evening the flames had spread into neighboring Malibu and several people there were being treated for burn injuries and a firefighter had a serious head injury and was taken to a hospital, according to Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Erik Scott.

By early Wednesday, the Eaton fire, which started around 6:30pm the day before, had quickly burned 1.6 square miles (4 square kilometers), according to fire officials.

The Hurst fire jumped to 500 acres (202 hectares) and the Palisades fire, which started around around 10:30am Tuesday and sent up a dramatic plume of smoke visible across Los Angeles, had destroyed 4.5 square miles (11.6 square kilometers) according to Angeles National Forest.

Actress Mandy Moore and her three children have evacuated their Pasadena home as the catastrophic fire continued to spread westward. The This Is Us star, 40, says the family and their pets are safe.

The fires were at 0% containment as of early Wednesday.

'By no stretch of the imagination are we out of the woods,' Newsom warned residents, saying the worst of the winds were expected between 10pm Tuesday and 5am Wednesday.

He declared a state of emergency.

As of Tuesday evening, nearly 167,000 people were without power in Los Angeles county, according to the tracking website PowerOutage.us, due to the strong winds.

Recent dry winds, including the notorious Santa Anas, have contributed to warmer-than-average temperatures in Southern California, where there's been very little rain so far this season.

Southern California hasn't seen more than 0.1 inches (0.25 centimeters) of rain since early May.
A huge band of heroic mountain rescue volunteers saved a walker who was suffering from hypothermia after getting stuck in three-foot-deep snow.

A stunning 60 volunteers from the Glossop, Kinder and Edale mountain rescue teams mobilised to help the stranded adventurer in an epic mission lasting more than eight hours.

They battled through a driving blizzard and thick snow in the Peak District after receiving the distress call at 3.21pm.

Thirty members of the Glossop Mountain Rescue Team responded to the incident, before being joined by 12 from Kinder and 18 from Edale.

But due to the 'arduous nature of conditions' the volunteers were initially unable to locate the trekker.

They were instead forced to set out on a number of search patters across the plateau as they battled for visibility.

The team eventually found the walker on the 612m high peak Hearn Stones, where they assessed them and covered them with blankets in a bid to help their already 'significant hypothermia'.

But even then - as they rushed to get them to hospital for their potentially life-threatening injuries - they faced further challenges as the Coastguard's helicopter was unable to get near because of the weather.

A stunning 60 volunteers from the Glossop, Kinder and Edale mountain rescue teams mobilised to help the stranded adventurer in an epic mission lasting more than eight hours

Thirty members of the Glossop Mountain Rescue Team responded to the incident, before being joined by 12 from Kinder and 18 from Edale

The team eventually found the walker on the 612m high peak Hearn Stones,where they assessed them and covered them with blankets in a bid to help their already 'significant hypothermia'

It was only when the other two mountain rescue teams responded to their appeal for help that they were able to stretcher the casualty down to an access road.

They were manouvered off the hill to Snake Summit, on the Pennine Way, using a sled, before being passed to a waiting ambulance.

The team were finally able to stand down at midnight, with the Glossop rescuers admitting they 'couldn't have done it without the support of our neighbouring teams'.

A spokesperson for Glossop Mountain Rescue Team added: 'The team were called out 15:21 to a casualty who had gotten into difficulty in deep snow.

'Unfortunately we were unable to define his exact location so the team went out with a number of search patterns across the plateau.

'Visibility and mobility across the moor were hampered by snow that was drifting up to 3ft in depth.

'The casualty was located in the Hern stones area, assessed and provided with warming blankets due to significant hypothermia. With the potential for life threatening injuries we requested support from the Coastguard S92 helicopter.

'Unfortunately after several attempts they were forced to turn by the weather on Bleaklow.

The walker was manouvered off the hill to Snake Summit, on the Pennine Way, using a sled, before being passed to a waiting ambulance

Snow around Black Rock Cottage in front of Buachaille Etive Mor in Glencoe, Scotland, today

The Met Office has a series of yellow weather warnings in place today for snow and ice

'Considering the arduous nature of conditions, Kinder and Edale mountain rescue teams were called on to support with the stretcher carry back to the roadhead.

'The casualty was transported off the hill to snake summit using our new sled - fabricated by Wray Engineering - where he was passed onto the awaiting ambulance for further assessment and treatment. We wish the casualty a speedy recovery.'

It comes as the UK is braced for temperatures to plummet further - to as low as minus 15C.

Parts of England are still subject to ice and snow warnings this morning, and the Met Office said further alerts are likely to be issued as the week goes on.

A new yellow warning for snow and ice has been issued for northern Scotland and Northern Ireland from noon on Wednesday until midnight on Thursday as sleet and snow showers are set to continue for the rest of Wednesday and much of Thursday.

The mercury is set to drop sharply, with lows of minus 15C possible in Scotland and northern England overnight on Thursday and sub-zero temperatures expected across the country.

A temperature of minus 14C would equal the lowest seen in this month last year, recorded in Dalwhinnie in the Scottish Highlands on January 17 2024.

But a temperature of minus 16C would be the lowest recorded in January in the UK for 15 years, since minus 22.3C was logged in Altnaharra in the Highlands on January 8 2010, according to Met Office data.

Snow around Black Rock Cottage in front of Buachaille Etive Mor in Glencoe, Scotland, today

A frosted car in the Oxfordshire countryside in Dunsden this morning after a bitterly cold night

Huge waves smash against the sea front at Whitley Bay in North Tyneside this morning

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended its cold weather health alert for all of England until Sunday.

Amber alerts issued on Thursday have been extended and will now run until January 12, meaning a rise in deaths is likely, the agency said.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: 'We are extending the duration of our Cold-Health Alert, since the Met Office are forecasting that the low temperatures we are seeing will continue further into this week, with snow and icy conditions likely to persist.

'This weather can have a serious impact on the health of some people, including those aged 65 and over and those with pre-existing health conditions, and it is therefore vital that we continue to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable.

'These people could be more at risk of heart attacks, stroke and chest infections as a result of cold temperatures.'

The Met Office yellow weather warning for snow covering southern counties of England remains in place until midnight on Wednesday.

Fresh flurries of snow could hit this area on Wednesday afternoon, with the possibility of up to 4in (10cm) over higher ground.

Gulls stand on the frozen boating lake at Sefton Park in Liverpool this morning

Walkers brave the frosty conditions on Wimbledon Common in South West London today

Wintry conditions in Aberdeen today as weather warnings for snow and ice are in force

Meanwhile, weather warnings issued on Tuesday for snow and ice covering the Midlands, parts of North Wales, the North West of England, west and northern parts of Scotland as well as Northern Ireland remain in place until midday on Wednesday.

The country has been hit by widespread flooding in recent days and a danger to life flood warning was issued for Barrow upon Soar in Leicestershire as firefighters had to rescue dozens of people stranded in rising water.

Scores of flood warnings and alerts remain in place for England but more than 200 have been removed in the last 24 hours and the weather is set to be drier over the next few days.

One flood warning is in place for the River Wye at Monmouth and four flood alerts are in place for the rest of Wales on Wednesday, Natural Resources Wales said.
Elon Musk cheered on Tory leader Kemi Badenoch today as she demanded Sir Keir Starmer be a 'leader not a lawyer' and allow a national inquiry into grooming gangs.

During angry clashes at PMQs this afternoon, Mrs Badenoch piled pressure on the Prime Minister to establish a fresh probe into child sexual exploitation.

But the Labour premier again rejected those calls and said he had met victims this morning who told him a new inquiry would only mean 'delay' on Government action.

Sir Keir acknowledged there were 'mixed views' among survivors - but accused Mrs Badenoch of 'shocking' behaviour in tabling an amendment that would force a new official inquiry.

The PM argued that 'slinging of mud' did not help anyone. But Mrs Badenoch shot back that 'no one has joined the dots' or had a 'full picture' of what had happened - and might still be happening.

'It's not about you, it's about the victims. Be a leader, not a lawyer,' she said.

'We know that people were scared to tell the truth because they thought they'd be called racist. If we want to stop this from ever happening again we cannot be afraid.'

Mr Musk, the world's richest man who has launched a barrage of attacks on Sir Keir over his record on tackling grooming gangs, praised Mrs Badenoch's comments on social media.

Posting on X, the social media site he owns that was formerly known as Twitter, he wrote: 'Well said by @KemiBadenoch.'

During clashes at PMQs, the premier insisted that victims had told him a new probe would only mean 'delay'

He acknowledged there were 'mixed views' among survivors - but accused Kemi Badenoch of 'shocking' behaviour in tabling an amendment that would trigger a new official inquiry

The Tories have stepped up their attack with an ad saying: 'Do you think there should be an inquiry into rape gangs? Keir Starmer doesn't.'

Elon Musk, who is engaged in a bitter feud with the PM, cheered on Mrs Badenoch following her attack on Sir Keir at PMQs

With Labour holding a massive majority in the House, the amendment is almost certain to fail this evening.

But the Tories have stepped up their attack with an ad saying: 'Do you think there should be an inquiry into rape gangs? Keir Starmer doesn't.'

Downing Street also hinted that an independent inquiry is not off the table entirely, saying the PM was 'open-minded' and would listen to victims.

Sir Keir - who has been fending off an extraordinary social media barrage on the issue from Mr Musk - has railed at Conservatives for trying to tag the measure on to the wider Children's Wellbeing & Schools Bill.

Speaking in the Commons after being teed up by Labour MP Neil Coyle, Sir Keir said: 'Violence against women and girls, abuse, child sexual exploitation are sickening. Many victims have been let down for a very long time by warped ideas about community relations and the protection of institutions.

'(Mr Coyle) raises the question of inquiries. There have been a number of inquiries, both national and local, including one covering Oldham, and reasonable people can agree or disagree on whether a further inquiry is necessary.'

Sir Keir said: 'This morning, I met some of the victims and survivors of this scandal, and they were clear with me that they want action now, not the delay of a further inquiry.

'The Jay inquiry, the last national inquiry was seven years which would take us with a further inquiry to 2031, I think action is what's required.

'But whatever your view, whatever anyone's view on whether a further inquiry is needed, what I find shocking is that anyone in this House would vote down the Children's Wellbeing Bill this afternoon, vital protections for the most vulnerable in our society and I urge the Leader of the Opposition to withdraw her wrecking amendment.'

But Mrs Badenoch said: 'The new year has started with a focus on the decades-long rape gang scandal. Across the country, thousands of girls were tortured and sexually abused at the hands of men who treated them as things to be used and disposed of, destroying many lives for ever.

'The Prime Minister has mentioned previous inquiries. He is right, there has been an inquiry into child sexual abuse, but it wasn't about the rape gang scandal. In its 468 pages, it mentioned Rotherham just once.

'Is the Prime Minister confident that we know the full extent of rape gang activity?'

Sir Keir said: 'She is right to say it's one of the worst scandals, it's terrible. That's why I acted on it.

'Her recently acquired view that it's a scandal, having spent a lot of time on social media over Christmas, not once in eight years did she stand here and say what she's just said.'

He added: 'They didn't act on the recommendations, they want a national inquiry, we've had a national inquiry, the Jay inquiry, the Jay report, 20 recommendations, not a single one implemented.'

The PM said the Tories cannot 'kill' the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill while also wanting to protect children, arguing that the legislation seeks to address issues highlighted in the case of Sara Sharif.

Appealing to Tory MPs, he said: 'I urge them to think twice about following this short-sighted, misguided, bandwagon-jumping approach of the non-leadership of the Leader of the Opposition.'

The scandal involved the rape and sexual abuse of thousands of white girls by gangs of predominantly Pakistani-origin men.

Campaigners against child sex abuse also urged the Prime Minister to reconsider.

Victims campaigner Dame Jasvinder Sanghera said she 'fully supported' a public inquiry - and warned that rape and abuse of young girls by gangs of men was still continuing.

'Let's be clear, this is still happening,' she told Times Radio. 'This isn't something that used to happen. This is still happening today. I'm sure the perpetrators of this kind of abuse will look for different ways of manipulating the system so we have to look at this as a whole and have a broader conversation.'

Dame Jasvinder said the Government's approach to multiculturalism still appeared to be to 'minimise the risk of offending communities as opposed to actually dealing with the very problem'.

But on a round of broadcast interviews this morning, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson branded the Tory approach 'sickening'.

She told Times Radio: 'We are looking right across the recommendations that Alexis Jay set out and there are crucial recommendations from the review that she carried out.

'That's why today we are setting out legislation that addresses many of the wider challenges that we see right across our system. It's why the Home Secretary announced in the House of Commons the action that we are taking.

'So we are wasting no time in legislating to keep children safe. The question for the Conservatives today is why they are intent on blocking this landmark piece of child protection legislation that would keep the very children safe that they claim they are concerned about.'

She added: 'They come along today as we set out legislation to protect the very children they claim to care about and they intend to block it and kill it stone dead.

'It is absolutely sickening.'

The PM's official spokesman said further inquiries were unnecessary, saying Sir Keir was 'completely focused on' tackling sexual abuse.

The head of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse yesterday said 'the time has passed' for another lengthy examination of grooming gangs and that the row is 'distracting from the issues'.

Professor Alexis Jay said 'we've had enough of inquiries, consultations and discussions' as she called for action.

But she acknowledged that the government's decision to finally respond to her report this week was triggered by the media focus on demands for a fresh inquiry.

The issue was raised at the first PMQs since the Commons returned from its Christmas break

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced on Monday that she is implementing three of the report's 20 recommendations, including placing a mandatory duty on those working with children to report suspected abuse.

Professor Jay said the row 'may well have given it some kind of impetus to move forward'.

The shadow justice secretary yesterday suggested that a future Conservative government could try to curb migration from countries with 'alien cultures', including Pakistan.

Robert Jenrick told the BBC that arrivals from some countries had 'medieval' attitudes towards women.

Asked if he was saying immigration policy should be changed to stop people with such attitudes from coming to the UK, he said: 'I think that we have to be very careful about who is coming into this country, the scale and pace of that immigration so that we can have a much more successful integration policy than we have today.'
Jay Slater's grieving mother has had her son's favourite clothes made into cushions after he tragically plunged to his death in Tenerife last summer.

The apprentice bricklayer, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, was last seen on the Spanish island on June 17 after partying at the NRG music festival.

After a month-long search, the 19-year-old's body was found near the mountainous village of Masca and a post-mortem examination revealed he had died from 'traumatic head injuries, consistent with a fall from height'.

His mother Debbie Duncan, who travelled to Spain with other family members to help look for her son, has now had cushions made out of Jay's clothing in a touching tribute to the teenager.

His Nike, Hugo Boss and Under Armour track tops and t-shirts have been converted into cushions by Homemade With Love Oswaldtwistle, a company which specialises in crafting handmade items.

In a post on their Facebook page, the company said it was 'honoured' to have been asked to create the 'personalised memory patches'.

Pictures of their work also revealed that the company had crafted any remaining parts of Jays clothing into heart-shaped bows, along with a message that said: 'In Loving Memory Of Jay Slater. Forever 19!'

The post read: 'Forever 19. All of my work touches my heart, but I must admit this one really touched me. I was honoured to be asked by Jay's Mum to make these cushions, using his favourite clothes.

Jay Slater pictured with his mother Debbie Duncan - the 19-year-old apprentice bricklayer went missing after he attended the NRG Festival rave at Papagayo, in Playa de las Americas

Jay's Nike, Hugo Boss and Under Armour track tops and t-shirts have been converted into cushions by Homemade With Love Oswaldtwistle, a company which specialises in crafting handmade items

Pictures of their work also revealed that the company had crafted any remaining parts of Jays clothing into heart-shaped bows

'I hope they bring comfort to each person receiving them. Each one had a personalised memory patch added. Thank you so much Debbie for entrusting me to make these for you. Sending so much love.'

Hundreds gathered in Accrington in August to bid known raver Jay a final farewell at his funeral, as his coffin was laid to rest amid an encore of drum-and-bass music.

During their eulogies, friends recalled Jay's 'buzzing and smiling' demeanor and told their late schoolmate to 'keep partying hard up there'.

Debbie, 55, and Jay's father Warren Slater, 58, led the procession of mourners through the drizzle on August 10 to the service at the packed Accrington Crematorium Chapel, while many more watched on an outdoor screen.

On November 21, A GoFundMe page titled Get Jay Slater Home was closed after it had received 72,821 worth of donations.

In a final post on the page, Jay's family said they had been able to give a 'truly deserved send-off' at his funeral.

They also explained how the donations were spent, which included hiring a search team from the Dutch non-profit organisation Signi Zoekhonden and paying for their stay in Tenerife while they searched for the teenager's body.

The post read: 'We would like to thank all you beautiful people who supported us throughout this heartbreaking time. Jay really did touch the hearts of the nation and it truly showed us how much love you all shared with us.

Jay Slater's mother has thanked well-wishers for their kind donations as a GoFundMe page set up following his disappearance has been closed, raising 72,821 in total

Homemade With Love Oswaldtwistle also posted a photo with a message that said: 'In Loving Memory Of Jay Slater. Forever 19!'

Jay's older brother Zak (left) wipes away a tear as he holds his mother's arm at the funeral

'With your support we were able to stay in Tenerife until we got our beautiful boy back to the UK. We were able to fund the Signi search team from the Netherlands who supported us throughout the days when Jay was found. Jay truly deserved the send off we were able to give him and we thank you all for that.

We have been overwhelmed with messages of support from all over the globe and will be eternally grateful to all of you. Our journey of trauma and grief will continue for ever and we will never recover.

'We lost our beautiful boy in extremely tragic circumstances whilst the world watched. We do not and will never understand how Jay's story reached every corner of the globe.

'Our journey is far from over but the burdens eased with your support. We would also like to thank the person who looked after Jay's fundraiser page whom we have been in constant contact with, especially whilst in Tenerife, the support and advice you gave will not be forgotten'

Debbie previously revealed that Jay was due to sit his driving test once he was back home in the UK and that he had a good job and so much to live for, before his life was tragically cut short.

She told The Sun: 'Jay was 19 with the world at his feet. He was coming back to a good job and was about to take his driving test. He was just a lovely boy with a massive personality and everybody just loved Jay being in his company - family, friends and work.'

Jay went missing after he attended the NRG Festival rave at Papagayo, in Playa de las Americas, on June 17.

The teenager got separated from his friends and went back to an AirBnB holiday cottage in the remote village of Masca with two British men he met.

Pictured: Jay Slater's parents Warren Slater and Debbie Duncan seen leaving the Guardia Civil in Playa de las Americas

He was last seen trying to walk the 10-hour journey home from a night out after missing a bus back.

Jay is believed to have lost his footing and fallen while desperately trying to climb through the ravine to try and return to his hotel.

An autopsy later found he suffered broken bones but died of traumatic head injuries, consistent with a fall from height, and his death would have been instantaneous.

But Debbie later received a devastating call from Jay's pal Lucy Mae Law telling her he was missing the next day on June 17.

Footage of the inhospitable terrain in Tenerife which Jay clambered over shows a series of ridges and rocky outcrops with sheer drops of up to 300ft either side.

The volcanic landscape is considered to be almost inaccessible by people on foot apart from by experienced mountaineers with ropes and climbing equipment.

Some of the gaps between the cliffs are only a few feet wide and hidden in shadows, possibly explaining how the 19-year-old's body was missed by earlier aerial searches.

Debbie had paid for his room at the Paloma Beach apartments in Los Cristianos, where he and friend Bradley Hargreaves planned to stay for four days.

A message from Jay's mother attached with a blue peg to one of the bouquets at his funeral

The order of service for Jay's funeral featured a picture of the teenager smiling with the words 'Forever 19'

Jay has been laid to rest in a bright blue coffin, with his name embossed on the side

The spot where Jay Slater was found when he plunged to his death in Tenerife

The Masca forest area where Spanish Civil Guard located Jay's body in a ravine - he is believed to lost his footing and fallen while desperately trying to climb through the ravine to try and return to his hotel

The Guardia Civil released video footage of the search efforts undertaken to find Jay

She said he called her and said they were 'chilling' at their rooms and he'd burnt his shoulder, so she said to apply Aloe Vera she'd given him for the trip.

Speaking about the night out, he told her he wasn't going 'mad' and only planned to have a 'few drinks', his mother said.

Debbie slammed the cruel trolls who posted comments and conspiracy theories on social media when she was searching for her son.

The grieving mother also revealed she was sent thousands of messages, pictures and videos including mock-ups of Jay being tortured - blasting them as 'sick'.

She was sent two sick videos of people, meant to be Jay, being beaten up and one clip was labelled: 'We have your son'.

His funeral was even targeted by online scammers who wrongly claimed people could pay to watch it streaming live.

She reported some messages to the police and vowed to campaign for tougher laws on trolling which 'terrorised' her family.

The Slater family received a torrent of abuse online when they were searching for Jay as well as in the weeks after his tragic death.

Trolls accused them of stealing money from a GoFundMe page they didn't even set up. Jay's friend Lucy-Mae Law started the fundraiser on behalf of the family.

Debbie said even though trolls attacked her about the fundraiser, she had no clue what it was and barely used any of the money, save for some accommodation costs, a search dog team and Jay's repatriation.
Furious Los Angelinos have blasted their mayor for traveling to Ghana while the city burns, despite having ample warning about 'critical' weather conditions in the days before.

Mayor Karen Bass flew out to attend the West African country's presidential inauguration on Tuesday, after meteorologists warned that a 'recipe for fire' was on track to strike LA.

To make matters worse, a litany of failures by LA city officials appear to be fueling the out-of-control blaze, which has forced tens of thousands of people to flee some of the city's ritziest enclaves as homes and businesses burn to the ground.

Residents have criticized officials for failing to cut off electricity to power lines, as shocking footage shows how energized cables have fueled fires.

Local people have also blasted Los Angeles County for allegedly refusing to refill the reservoirs, meaning fire hydrants are running dry in some areas and leaving firefighters hobbled in their attempts to extinguish the flames.

Shocking footage from the Pacific Palisades shows sparks firing in all directions as power lines come down amid the smoke-filled wind.

A Fox 11 correspondent at the scene sounded shaken as she reports on the surrounding carnage while wearing safety goggles and breathing gear.

'Literally seconds ago we heard a very loud boom and there was a tree coming down, and it hit those power lines - you can see them sparking,' she said, while the reporter in the studio can be heard saying: 'Woah'.

Mayor Karen Bass (pictured right in Ghana this week) flew out to attend the West African country's presidential inauguration on Tuesday, after meteorologists warned that a 'recipe for fire' was on track to strike Los Angeles. Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated

Mayor Karen Bass flew out to attend the West African country's presidential inauguration on Tuesday, after meteorologists warned that a 'recipe for fire' was on track to strike LA. (Pictured: Bass in Ghana this week)

The fires spread so rapidly that staff at a senior living center had to push dozens of residents in wheelchairs and hospital beds down the street to a parking lot in apocalyptic scenes

Furious Los Angeles residents have blasted the mayor for traveling to Ghana while the city burns, despite having ample warning about 'critical' weather conditions in the days before

'We're trying to get away from them,' the on-scene reporter added. 'This is a very very dangerous situation the firefighters are dealing with.'

A California woman shared the footage on X while asking why there were still energized power lines in an area where everyone is under an evacuation order. 'This is compounding the problem,' she wrote.

Those lines have been seen sparking as the fires overload them, with said sparks helping start more fires and accelerate blazes already burning.

Meanwhile, a Pacific Palisades resident of more than two decades years blasted local politicians for 'failing' the community after witnessing more than 100 homes burn.

'I just left the hellscape formerly know as Pacific Palisades where Ive lived for 26 years,' the Californian wrote on X.

'Im mad at what I saw. Our politicians have failed us. Unprepared, unimaginative, understaffed, now overwhelmed. Heads must roll for this disaster.'

The resident shared shocking footage of apocalyptic scenes from the area, with the sky glowing orange and flames razing everything in sight.

Audio of communications between firefighters confirms that first responders ran out of water in some areas.

'We have no water, it is... we're doing the best we can up there. We are making sure that people are out of the way,' one firefighter can be heard saying.

LA residents have slammed Mayor Bass for traveling to Ghana while their city burns. (Pictured: Bass in Ghana on Tuesday while wildfires tore through the California city)

Mayor Karen Bass took a trip to Ghana while LA burned. (Pictured: Bass in Ghana on Tuesday)

I just left the hellscape formerly know as Pacific Palisades where Ive lived for 26 years. Im mad at what I saw. Our politicians have failed us. Unprepared, unimaginative, understaffed, now overwhelmed. Heads must roll for this disaster. I personally saw 100+ homes fully pic.twitter.com/8txvSJEZXd  Wes Nichols (@wesnichols) January 8, 2025

Residents have criticized officials for failing to cut off electricity to power lines, as shocking footage shows how energized cables have been fueling the flames

Businessman and mayoral candidate Rick Caruso also blasted local officials for failing to refill the water supplies despite knowing that strong winds which could whip up wildfires were on the way.

'Their hands have been tied. They can't fight a fire without water and the resources that are needed. Everybody knew these winds were coming,' Caruso told Fox 11.

'The other question has to be, were all the things in place to try to mitigate the damage here?

'The real issue to me here is two-fold. We've had decades to remove the brush in these hills that spreads so quickly, and the second is, we've got to have water.

'My understanding is the reservoir was not refilled in time, in a timely manner to keep the hydrants going... this is basic stuff, this isn't high science here.

'It's all about leadership and management that we're seeing a failure of, and all of these residents are paying the ultimate price for that.'

Meteorologists gave plenty of warning that a 'recipe for fire' was on track to strike LA as far back as last week.

Rich Thompson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, warned that the region was extremely dry for the time of year because 'we haven't had any significant rain for months'.

'The fuels are at near-critical levels in terms of moisture content,' Thompson told the LA Times at the weekend. 'That's a recipe for fire.'

Shocking footage from the Pacific Palisades this week shows sparks firing in all directions as power lines come down amid the smoke-filled wind amid out-of-control California wildfires

They spread so rapidly that staff at a senior living center had to push dozens of residents in wheelchairs and hospital beds down the street to a parking lot in apocalyptic scenes

This is our/neighbors backyard in Los Angeles right now. Power lines sparking against trees. Neighbor and I have been trying to call 911 and Fire Department for 45 min with no answer (as instructed by Power Company).



Yes, a lot is going on, but the city is failing us. pic.twitter.com/qI9pzveZz2  Kyle Zink (@kylezink) January 8, 2025

Media outlet INKL News said Wednesday morning that Bass was on her way back after the swearing-in of Ghana's president John Dramani Mahama the day before.

Bass has been posting updates on her X account thanking LAPD firefighters for tackling the ongoing blaze, while sharing information about emergency shelters.

The California wildfires broke out Tuesday evening near a nature preserve in the inland foothills northeast of LA.

They spread so rapidly that staff at a senior living center had to push dozens of residents in wheelchairs and hospital beds down the street to a parking lot in apocalyptic scenes.

The residents  one as old as 102  waited there in their bedclothes as the night sky glowed red from flames and embers fell around them until ambulances, buses and even construction vans arrived to take them to safety.

Another blaze that started hours earlier ripped through the city's Pacific Palisades neighborhood, a hillside area along the coast dotted with celebrity residences.

In the frantic haste to get to safety, roadways became impassable when scores of people abandoned their vehicles and fled on foot, some toting suitcases.

The traffic jam on Palisades Drive prevented emergency vehicles from getting through and a bulldozer was brought in to push the abandoned cars to the side and create a path.

Pictured: Fire engulfs a home as the Eaton Fire moves through Altadena, CA on Wednesday

Pictured: Firefighters battle the Eaton fire as it burns in the Sierra Madre, LA on Wednesday

The fires spread so rapidly that staff at a senior living center had to push dozens of residents in wheelchairs and hospital beds down the street to a parking lot in apocalyptic scenes

Video along the Pacific Coast Highway showed widespread destruction of homes and businesses along the famed roadway.

Pacific Palisades resident Kelsey Trainor said the only road in and out of her neighborhood was blocked. Ash fell all around them while fires burned on both sides of the road.

'We looked across and the fire had jumped from one side of the road to the other side of the road,' Trainor said. 'People were getting out of the cars with their dogs and babies and bags, they were crying and screaming.'

A third wildfire started around 10:30pm and quickly prompted evacuations in Sylmar, a San Fernando Valley community that is the northernmost neighborhood in Los Angeles. The causes of all three fires were under investigation.

Flames were being pushed by Santa Ana winds topping 60 mph (97 kph) in some places Tuesday, increasing to 70 miles an hour (112 kph) by early Wednesday, according to reports received by the National Weather Service in Los Angeles.

They could top 100 mph (160 kph) in mountains and foothills  including in areas that haven't seen substantial rain in months.

The situation prompted the Los Angeles Fire Department to take the rare step of putting out a plea for off-duty firefighters to help.

It was too windy for firefighting aircraft to fly, further hampering the fight. A high wind warning was in effect for the region through 6 p.m., the weather service said.

The out-of-control blaze has forced tens of thousands of people to flee the California city as homes and businesses burn to the ground

Pictured: The Palisades Fire burns near the beach during a windstorm in LA on Tuesday

'This will likely be the most destructive windstorm seen 2011 windstorm that did extensive damage to Pasadena and nearby foothills of the San Gabriel Valley,' the weather service said in a red flag warning early Wednesday.

Gov. Gavin Newsom posted on X early Wednesday that California had deployed more than 1,400 firefighting personnel to combat the blazes.

'Emergency officials, firefighters, and first responders are all hands on deck through the night to do everything possible to protect lives,' Newsom said.

The erratic weather caused President Joe Biden to cancel plans to travel to inland Riverside County, where he was to announce the establishment of two new national monuments in the state.

He remained in Los Angeles, where smoke was visible from his hotel, and was briefed on the wildfires. The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved a grant to help reimburse California for the firefighting cost.
A group of MPs today urged X owner Elon Musk to attend Parliament to explain how 'viral misinformation' can spread across social media.

The House of Commons' Science, Innovation and Technology Committee invited the world's richest man to appear before them to give evidence to their ongoing probe.

In the wake of last summer's riots, sparked by the Southport stabbing attacks, the committee launched an inquiry into 'false and harmful content' online.

Labour MP Chi Onwurah, the committee's chair, has now asked Mr Musk to 'give us his thoughts directly' on how social media algorithms can amplify misinformation.

But she insisted she was not 'picking a fight' with Mr Musk, despite the controversial businessman's ongoing feud with senior Labour ministers - including Sir Keir Starmer.

The tech mogul has recently launched a barrage of attacks on the Prime Minister over his record on tackling grooming gangs and fuelled calls for a new public inquiry into the issue.

Ms Onwurah urged Mr Musk to 'engage with the democratic process' rather than 'speak to UK politicians through his X account'.

Amid the furious ongoing political row over grooming gangs, she said 'headlines over the last couple of days illustrate how potent misinformation on social media can be'.

A group of MPs have urged X owner Elon Musk to attend Parliament to explain how 'viral misinformation' can spread across social media

Labour MP Chi Onwurah, the chair of the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, has asked Mr Musk to 'give us his thoughts directly' on social media algorithms

In the wake of last summer's riots, sparked by the Southport stabbing attacks, the committee launched an inquiry into 'false and harmful content' online

'Social media is a place where one post, even if false, can be amplified to reach millions of people,' Ms Onwurah added.

'Last summer, false and harmful content spread across social media caused violence on our streets.

'We shouldn't accept viral misinformation  or the real-world harm it causes  as an inevitable part of social media, and we must make sure that false online content doesn't fuel violent attacks in the UK again.

'Following the riots, the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee has launched an inquiry to examine how algorithms used by social media platforms can spread false and harmful content.

'A crucial part of this is hearing from leading social media platforms, including X, and we have invited Mr Musk to appear before the committee.

'This isn't about picking a fight with Mr Musk. We want to understand the technology he has shaped and his views on X's approach to misinformation and free speech.

'Rather than speak to UK politicians through his X account, I hope that he will take up our invitation and take the opportunity to engage with the democratic process and give us his thoughts directly.

'If Mr Musk declines to come, the Committee hopes that a senior representative of X can attend in his stead to give us clarity on the company's use of algorithms.'

The issue of grooming gangs has returned to the spotlight after Labour came under pressure to establish a public inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Oldham.

The Home Office has rejected Oldham Council's request in favour of a locally-led investigation, with the Government's decision criticised by the Tories and Reform UK.

Mr Musk has hit out a senior Labour figures in a series of social media posts and branded safeguarding minister Jess Phillips, who denied the council's request, a 'rape genocide apologist'.

He has also taken aim at Sir Keir's record as head of the Crown Prosecution Service, as he continued his bitter feud with the PM.

Mr Musk and Sir Keir previously clashed over the widespread rioting in the UK last summer.

The billionaire businessman sparked a furious backlash by claiming that 'civil war is inevitable' amid the violent chaos in British cities and towns.

He also branded the PM 'Two Tier Keir' as he fuelled claims that UK police treat some groups more harshly than others.

But Mr Musk was left red-faced after being forced to retract false claims about Sir Keir setting up detainment camps in the Falkland Islands for rioters.
JK Rowling's charitable trust donated more than 3million to good causes both domestically and around the globe last year.

The Harry Potter author handed out the massive donations to 10 organisations through her Volant Charitable Trust.

Originally established with an emphasis on women and children's issues, the charity now also provides funding to a number of international causes.

Official documents show that 262,500 was given to the UK Welcomes Refugees charity. This donation comes off the back of what was a record-breaking year for refugee numbers in the UK, with over 60,000 granted asylum in 2023.

One of the largest donation's made by Volant was to community charity Foundation Scotland, who received 900,000.

Over half-a-million pounds was given to Doctors Without Borders (Medecins sans frontieres), who endured a challenging year with their work in war-torn places such Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan.

A cause with particular resonance to Rowling was single parent charity Gingerbread, who received a 300,000 sum from the author's trust.

The 59-year-old has spoken extensively in the past about her own experience as a single mother, previously describing it as the thing she is most proud of in her life.

JK Rowling 's charitable trust donated more than 3 million to good causes both domestically and around the globe last year

Official documents show that 262,500 was given to the UK Welcomes Refugees charity

Other notable contributions made by Volant included 400,000 to Age International UK, 325,000 to the British Red Cross, 150,000 to Plan International UK and `80,000 to Water Aid.

In total, papers show that Rowling's charitable trust holds funds of 72,957,821 in the bank, which increased from 66,176,448 the previous year.

Another organisation the author showed great financial support for in 2024 was Beira's Place, a 'women only' support service for victims of sexual violence in Scotland.

The Harry Potter creator provided the charity with a 1.9 million interest-free loan to purchase and renovate a new building to operate from.

Beira's place was established in protest against Edinburgh's controversial rape crisis centre being run by Mridul Wadhwa, who is transgender.

Rowling, who is listed as one of the charity's directors, has been outspoken about transgender ideology since making her views public in 2019 when she tweeted in support of Maya Forstater, a think-tank worker sacked for saying transgender people cannot change their biological sex.

The Harry Potter author has also continued to voice her support for women's only spaces despite receiving significant pushback online from activists.

She has defended her stance in the past by arguing that the spaces protect against 'male violence' and that she feels a sense of 'moral obligation' to take on what she described as 'fundamentalist activists'.

JK Rowling has previously been outspoken on the topic of women only spaces

The 2024 Sunday Times Rich List estimated Rowling's fortune at 945 million, placing her as the 175th-richest person in the UK.

Through the establishment of the Volant Charitable Trust though and other philanthropic ventures, the author is now thought to have donated in excess of 100 million since the publication of her first Harry Potter book.

Outside of her charitable endeavours, Rowling's association with the wizarding world she created is set to continue given her involvement in the upcoming HBO television adaptation of the Harry Potter movies.

Signing on to the project as an executive producer, Rowling reportedly holds the final say over casting and carries creative influence for the series which is set to be released in 2026.
A former Leicestershire Police officer appeared in court this morning accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with a woman he met through the course of his duties.

Ex-PC Daniel Jackson, 38, is alleged to have pursued personal contact with the woman between May and June 2022 after meeting her while leading a police investigation.

Jackson was charged with misconduct in public office following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

The watchdog said the woman was in a vulnerable situation at the time of the alleged relationship.

Jackson appeared before a district judge at Leicester Magistrates Court this morning when the case was committed to the crown court for a hearing next month.

During the five-minute hearing, District Judge Nick Watson was told Jackson allegedly conducted himself in a manner which amounted to abuse of the publics trust.

The IOPC investigation into Jackson began in June 2022 following a mandatory conduct referral from Leicestershire Police.

He resigned from the force in September that year.

Former Leicestershire Police constable Daniel Jackson is seen arriving at Leicester magistrates' court, where a district judge committed the case to the crown court

Jackson has been accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with a woman he met through the course of his duties

The police watchdog subsequently referred a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service, which decided to charge ex-PC Jackson with the offence.

District Judge Watson released Jackson, of Derby, on unconditional bail ahead of his next court appearance on February 24.

After being told he was free to go, Jackson, wearing a blue suit and tie, replied: Thank you judge.
Womens Mentorship Programme

The Ministry of Equality has announced a new cycle of the Womens Mentorship Programme for 2025. Having run since 2018 with over 200 hundred participants, the Programme enters its sixth cycle.

The aim is to support womens professional progress through one-to-one mentorship and group learning sessions. Mentees skills will be developed so they can aspire to positions of leadership and management, areas where women are often under-represented. More equitable representation of women across organisations is a social justice issue whilst also making sound business sense, allowing organisations to tap into a wider talent pool, an important factor in boosting the economy.

The Womens Mentorship Programme is open to women of 18 years of age or over who are resident in Gibraltar and who feel they would benefit from a mentor.

The Ministry would like to encourage women to email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to register interest. The deadline for completed applications is Friday 24th January 2025.

Potential mentors are encouraged to register their interest by sending an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mentors will be volunteers with significant experience and expertise, who can offer advice and learning opportunities to mentees. Mentors must attend a mentor orientation meeting prior to their first mentoring session.

Minister for Equality, the Hon Christian Santos GMD MP, said: The Womens Mentorship Programme is for women at any stage of their professional journey and caters for women in both the public and private sector. The Programme will offer support in developing personal and professional skills and in making new connections. I would very much like to encourage women looking for a new challenge as a mentee to register.
Nigel Farage was the butt of jokes in the Commons today as Sir Keir Starmer admitted he 'smiled' when the Reform leader was knifed by former ally Elon Musk.

Mr Farage grinned and MPs laughed as the PM commiserated with him over the volte face by the X owner at the weekend.

The Reform boss had described Mr Musk, a senior Trump adviser, as a 'hero' in a Sunday morning interview.

But just hours later the erratic tech bro was calling for him to be replaced, saying he did not have 'what it takes'.

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey raised Mr Musk at Prime Minister' Questions today, saying Mr Farage may now miss out on his 'big allowance' - a reference to a reported plan for a $100million donation.

He then asked what steps the PM was taking to limit the influence on politics from 'foreign oligarchs'.

Sir Keir raised laughter when he replied: 'I think we all had a smile on Sunday when the honorable member (Farage)said how cool it was to have the support of Musk, only for Musk to say he should be removed just a few hours later.

'That's the rough and tumble of politics.'

Mr Farage grinned and MPs laughed as the PM commiserated with him over the volte face by the X owner at the weekend.

Sir Keir raised laughter when he said: 'I think we all had a smile on Sunday when the honorable member (Farage)said how cool it was to have the support of Musk, only for Musk to say he should be removed just a few hours later. That's the rough and tumble of politics.'

The X owner and world's richest man lashed out on Sunday at a man who has branded him a 'hero' and is a fellow close ally and supporter of Donald Trump.

The two met less than three weeks ago at the incoming US president's Mar-a-Lago estate amid rumours that Musk was poised to plough as much as $100million (79million) into Reform.

But after a week in which he has used his social media platform to attack major UK political figures on the left over sex abuse gangs, he astonished right-wing politics by gunning for Mr Farage.

'The Reform Party needs a new leader. Farage doesn't have what it takes,' Mr Musk wrote.

He did not clarify why he had changed his mind, but the volte face came just a day after Mr Farage distanced Reform from Musk's support for Tommy Robinson, the jailed co-founder of the far-right English Defence League.

His father, Errol Musk, today doubled down, describing Mr Farage as 'not a rare person' and said that the country is 'heading in the wrong direction'.

But Mr Farage has refused to countenance support for Robinson, branding him a 'thuggish criminal'.

Mr Farage told MailOnline: 'I am sorry that Elon disagrees and I doubt that he knows the full story about Robinson, my principles are clear and I don't change them for anyone. Extremism is not welcome in Reform'.
Joe Biden still thinks he was a better pick to lead Democrats through the 2024 election than Vice President Kamala Harris.

The president told USA Today that he would have won reelection in a rematch against Donald Trump.

Biden, 82, acknowledged his age was an issue, and even admitted he's not so sure how the four years would go after he won this hypothetical second term.

'So far, so good,' he said. 'But who knows what I'm going to be when I'm 86 years old?'

In late July, Biden reluctantly ended his reelection bid and endorsed his No. 2 to take Democrats over the finish line in November. But Harris, who never won a primary election, failed to garner support and lost in historic fashion to Trump  including all seven swing states.

Biden said in his exit interview about his single term as president that if he stayed in the race, he likely would have beat Trump again.

'It's presumptuous to say that, but I think yes,' Biden claimed, citing polling he reviewed.

Asked whether he had the vigor to serve another four years in office, though, he was less confident.

'I don't know,' he replied. 'Who the hell knows?'

President Joe Biden claims he would have won reelection against Donald Trump in the 2024 race  but admitted there might be concerns over his ability to serve his complete four years in a second term

A spokesperson for Trump's transition clarified that Trump essentially already defeated Biden after he was forced to end his reelection campaign after their debate this summer.

'President Trump beat Joe Biden after delivering the greatest debate performance in history, and he beat Kamala Harris in a landslide on Election Day,' Trump-Vance Transition Spokesperson Anna Kelly told DailyMail.com.

'The American people are united behind President Trump's agenda to Make America Great Again, and he will carry out his historic mandate to undo all the damage Biden brought upon our country starting day one.'

Biden is the oldest president ever elected, taking office in January 2021 at the age of 78 and ending his term at 82.

A now 78-year-old Trump, however, will beat that record. He will be sworn in later this month a few months older than Biden when he first took the oath of office.

Democratic Rep. Susan Wild (D-Pa.) told CNN that the latest comments are not advancing the party.

'That line would not have helped Democrats,' the outgoing Pennsylvania lawmaker claimed. 'The age issue, the competence issue, that debate performance, those were all huge mitigating factors against Joe Biden.'

Despite Trump and Biden's advanced ages, there were many more concerns over the current president's mental acuity and fitness for the hardest job in the world.

That was on full display during the duo's first and only debate in June, where Biden stumbled, mumbled and, at times, completely froze or lost his train of thought. Trump walked away the clear and triumphant winner.

Democratic leaders were immediately worried that Trump would destroy Biden in the election in November based on their head-to-head performances on the debate stage. This included former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who urged him to withdraw from the race.

Vice President Kamala Harris took over Biden's reelection campaign in late July

Donald Trump beat Kamala Harris by a huge margin in November  even clinching victory in all seven of the swing states. Biden thinks he would have won a rematch

It's highly unprecedented for a presumed presidential nominee, who won the primary election, to step out so late in the campaign. And there was outcry from Democratic voters who didn't want to see Harris elevated to the nomination and from those who demanded an expedited primary race was necessary to replace Biden.

But no such contest took place, and Harris was officially nominated at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois in August.

Biden said he never intended to run for president after the death of his son Beau from brain cancer in 2015, as the president was then finishing off his second term as Barack Obama's VP.

'I had no intention of running after Beau died  for real, not a joke,' Biden told USA Today.

But he said 'when Trump was running again for reelection' in 2020 'I really thought I had the best chance of beating him.'

'But I also wasn't looking to be president when I was 85 years old, 86 years old,' he admitted. 'And so I did talk about passing the baton' to the next generation.
Two teenage sisters have been arrested in Pakistan for killing their father by setting him on fire in revenge for rape.

The father was attacked in the Punjabi city of Gujranwala on January 1, but died of his severe injuries on January 7.

'The girls said that they decided amongst themselves to find a "permanent solution",' Rizwan Tariq, a senior police official in the city, said.

The pair, who are step-sisters, said their father had been raping the eldest girl for a year, and had twice attempted to rape the younger girl.

The girls reportedly told police: 'We both planned to kill our father for sexually assaulting us.'

They admitted to taking 'petrol from his [bike] and sprinkled it on him before setting him on fire' as he slept. They are said to have used ropes to tie their father up.

Their father suffered severe burns and was taken to hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds nearly a week after the attack.

One of the girls' siblings called the man's sister, who alerted emergency services and later accused the man's two wives in helping the teenagers to intoxicate their father and set him on fire.

The father was attacked in the Punjabi city of Gujranwala (pictured) on January 1 and taken to hospital where he died on January 7

The man reportedly had ten children from three wives, the first of whom died. The man, his remaining two wives and the children lived together in a rented house, according to local media.

The man has not been named in order to protect the identities of the girls. Reports of their ages vary with some saying they are both teens and others saying they are 15 and 12 and from different mothers.

Their mothers - who are both married to the man - knew about the abuse but did not know of the revenge plan.

One of the wives has also been arrested while the second is being questioned.

'We expect to present them before the court in a few days, as soon as we finish the investigation,' Tariq added.

The case is just the latest in the series of horrific sex crimes in Pakistan, which sparked outrage among locals.

In August 2024, a tourist said that she has been gang-raped for five days after being abducted in Pakistan before being dumped in the street with her hands and legs tied.

The 28-year-old woman was found lying in the streets in Islamabad, with a picture appearing to show her with her hands tied behind her back and her ankles strapped together.

The case is just the latest in the series of horrific sex crimes in Pakistan, which sparked outrage among locals. In August 2024, a tourist said that she has been gang-raped for five days after being abducted in Pakistan before being dumped in the street with her hands and legs tied (pictured)

She said that the men who allegedly gang-raped her threw her out of a vehicle in the city, where she was found by passersby who called the police, local media reports.

The woman, who claimed to be a tourist from Belgium, was taken to hospital. She reportedly told police that she had been in Pakistan for six months.

Police have since arrested one man and searched his apartment, Pakistani outlets report.

After investigators reached out to the Belgian Embassy to confirm the woman's claims that she is a tourist, officials reportedly told them they had no record of the woman being in Pakistan.

Pakistan's security agency, the FIA, echoed this statement and said they had no trace of the woman entering their country.

Officials at the Belgian Embassy sent police to the Dutch Embassy, as the woman's home town is said to be near the border between Belgium and the Netherlands.

But local police who are investigating the woman's claims reportedly said that they believe she is not a foreigner.

The arrested man also told police that the woman was mentally unwell and did not carry any ID with her, according to reports.

This comes two years after an American vlogger claimed to have been gang-raped in a hotel in Pakistan by her guide and an accomplice (one of which is pictured in handcuffs above) who took videos of her to use as blackmail

This comes two years after an American vlogger claimed to have been gang-raped in a hotel in Pakistan by her guide and an accomplice who took videos of her to use as blackmail.

Pakistan's police arrested two people after the 21-year-old woman reported the assault in July 2022, which she said happened when she was visiting a tourist resort in the eastern Punjab province.

The detainees included the woman's host, who took her to a hotel in Dera Ghazi Khan, a district in the Punjab province, where she said she was sexually assaulted, according to a police investigation.

The woman arrived in Pakistan three weeks before, according to police.

The woman earlier stayed at the home of one of the alleged attackers for five days, with local reports suggesting he was her 'guide'.

The Free Press Journal reported at the time that it had seen the First Information Report (FIR) - a written document by police when a case is first reported.

In it, the Free Press Journal said the woman told police she was gang-raped by two men who filmed the assault and used it to blackmail her.

'We stayed in a hotel at Fort Monroe where both suspects gang-raped me and also made a video of the act to blackmail me,' she alleged in the FIR.

She then said one of the suspects threatened her after she went to the police.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could have the power cut from their 24million mansion in Montecito because of the devastating wildfires sweeping California .

Firefighters are battling the blazes that have torn across the Los Angeles area amid high winds, destroying homes and causing tens of thousands of people to flee.

Officials in and around the US city are preparing for the situation to worsen today after California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency.

Now, local electricity provider Southern California Edison is considering a so-called Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) in parts of Santa Barbara county.

The firm, one of the main power providers in the area, said it was considering the shutdown due to a 'Red Flag' warning and an increased risk of wildfires.

Residents are now being contacted in areas including Montecito, where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have lived in a 'high fire risk' property for five years.

This has raised the prospect of Harry and Meghan losing power at the home where they live with their children Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three.

The couple could even have to leave the house, given a power cut could also impact communication networks and make it difficult to call for emergency help if needed.

Prince Harry and Meghan at the ESPY Awards at Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on July 11, 2024

Prince Harry and Meghan live in this 12million mansion in Montecito, California (file photo)

Southern California Edison is considering a so-called Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) in the areas of Santa Barbara County highlighted in orange, including Montecito (circled in red)

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SCE expects the PSPS could affect 4,172 customers in Santa Barbara County and that they have notified all residents or businesses who are under consideration.

Its online property checker tool says of the Sussexes' address: 'This location is in a High Fire Risk Area. Power may be shut off during a PSPS to prevent wildfires.'

It adds: 'Increased fire risk conditions are expected in this area from 1/7/2025  6pm PST to 1/8/2025  9am PST. Be prepared for a PSPS during this time, although we may avoid shut-offs.'

The closest fire to Montecito which is currently burning is a blaze in the Malibu area around 60 miles along the coast.

The Duke and Duchess bought their sprawling nine-bedroom home for $14.65million (11.9million) in 2020 but it is thought to have since doubled in value to $29million (23.5million).

MailOnline has contacted Harry and Meghan's press team for comment.

More than 200,000 people were without power in Los Angeles County today because of the strong winds, according to the tracking website PowerOutage.us.

One of California's biggest ever wildfires, the 'Thomas Fire', reached Montecito in 2017 amid 65mph winds, but the area survived with only minor damage.

Firefighters worked together to stop spot fires that cropped up from falling embers, with only seven homes in the area burning down - despite the blaze having burnt through 282,000 acres of land, including parts of nearby Ventura and Santa Paula.

The Palisades Fire burns a residence in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles yesterday

People flee from the advancing Palisades Fire by car and on foot in Los Angeles yesterday

Fire crews battle the blaze as it burns structures in the Pacific Palisades area yesterday

Yesterday, one fire that broke out near a nature reserve in the inland foothills north-east of LA spread so rapidly that staff at a care home had to push dozens of elderly residents in wheelchairs and hospital beds down the street to a car park.

The residents waited in their bedclothes as embers fell around them until ambulances, buses and even construction vans arrived to take them to safety.

Another blaze that started hours earlier ripped through the city's Pacific Palisades area, a hillside area along the coast dotted with celebrity residences and made famous by the Beach Boys in their 1960s hit Surfin' USA.

Roads became impassable after scores of people abandoned their vehicles and fled on foot, some bearing suitcases.

The traffic jam on Palisades Drive prevented emergency vehicles from getting through and a bulldozer was brought in to push the abandoned cars to the side and create a path.

The Palisades Fire burns a property in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of Los Angeles

Fire crews battle the blaze as it burns structures in the Pacific Palisades area yesterday

The Palisades Fire burns a property in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of Los Angeles

Officials did not give an estimate of structures damaged or destroyed in the Pacific Palisades wildfire, but they said about 30,000 residents were under evacuation orders and more than 13,000 structures were under threat.

A third wildfire started last night and quickly prompted evacuations in Sylmar, a San Fernando Valley community that is the northernmost area in Los Angeles. The causes of all three fires are under investigation.

Flames were being spread by Santa Ana winds topping 60mph in some places.

The winds were expected to increase overnight, producing isolated gusts that could top 100mph in mountains and foothills - including in areas that have not seen substantial rain in months.

The situation prompted the Los Angeles Fire Department to take the rare step of putting out a plea for off-duty firefighters to help. It was too windy for firefighting aircraft to fly, further hampering the fight against the fire.
A perverted Michigan home inspector who was caught on camera pleasuring himself with a Tickle Me Elmo doll has been busted for violating his probation.

Kevin Wayne VanLuven, now 62, of Clarkston, Oakland County, was found guilty of aggravated indecent exposure and sentenced to 19 days behind bars in October of 2022 following the unspeakable act he committed in a young boy's bedroom.

But he was convicted yet again in January of 2024 for violating his probation, court records show.

In March of 2021, Jaida Dodson, now 26, hired VanLuven to inspect her Oxford Township home ahead of a property sale.

While Dodson and the rest of her family were away from the residence - leaving the inspector to preform his job alone - her phone alerted her of movement in the nursery.

Thinking nothing of it, she opened her phone to check on the progress of the inspection through a nanny cam installed inside the home.

What she saw instead was horrifying.

Dodson told police that she saw VanLuven begin touching himself before picking up her two-year-old son's Tickle Me Elmo doll and using it to pleasure himself.

Kevin Wayne VanLuven, 62, of Clarkston, Michigan, violated his probation stemming from an incident in 2021 where he was caught pleasuring himself with a Tickle Me Elmo doll while inspecting a home

In March of 2021, a young mother watching her nanny cam caught VanLuven positioning himself within the doorway of her two-year-old son's closet and using his Tickle Me Elmo toy to pleasure himself

'I just went blank,' Dodson told WDIV in 2021. 'My husband was staring at me from across the room and was like what's wrong and asked me repeatedly and I couldn't even articulate what I was seeing.'

VanLuven was captured on video positioning himself within the doorway of Dodson's two-year-old son's closet, facing away from the camera and committing the disturbing act.

He was then captured zipping up his pants and placing the Elmo doll on the other side of the room - all while it was heard emitting a prerecorded laugh.

After placing the red Sesame Street toy back in its original spot, VanLuven stood up while breathing hard and appeared to briefly make eye contact with the camera before continuing the inspection.

'What if he had an STD and our son played with that? What if we didn't know? We have a toddler and a newborn baby too,' Dodson told WDIV in 2021.

'There's nothing worse than when somebody comes to your home and you trust them to do a job and they go do something like that in your child's bedroom.'

Disgusted and shocked by what she was seeing, Dodson immediately called 911 and kept the footage handy for authorities.

'Nobody in the right mind does things like that,' Dodson added.

Once VanLuven was done with the vile act, he was captured walking away from the closet while appearing to zip up his pants

VanLuven is then captured returning the doll to its original spot in the bedroom which he initially explained to investigators that it was only moved because it was in the way of an electrical outlet

VanLuven initially denied the allegation, telling police he had moved the doll to inspect an electrical outlet.

When officers explained that there was a hidden camera showing him taking the doll toward the closet and committing the vile act, VanLuven apologized and admitted to what he had done.

He was taken into custody on charges of aggravated indecent exposure and malicious destruction of property under $200 in 2021 with a $2,500 surety bond on the charges.

Aggravated indecent exposure carries a maximum two year jail sentence as well as a $2,000 fine. Malicious destruction of property carries up to 93 days in prison and a $500 fine.

A judge also ordered that the inspector undergo a mental health evaluation.

Certain conditions were also set for VanLuven. He was ordered to have no contact with the victims and banned from being alone in any residential property he does not own himself.

Despite making headline at the time, VanLuven only had a one-day trial in October of 2022, Working RE reported.

Oakland County Judge Phyllis McMillen ordered VanLuven to serve 19 days behind bars with 19 days of jail credit, along with an 18-month probation period once released.

At one point in the disturbing video footage, VanLuven is seen briefly looking into the camera after putting the child's doll back

A judge ordered VanLuven to serve 19 days behind bars with 19 days of jail credit along with an 18-month probation period once released

He was also ordered to continue the mental health treatment he'd been receiving until a therapist clinically discharged him.

A jury found that since there was no proof in the form of DNA discovered on the Elmo doll that he could not be charged with destruction of property.

During his sentencing, VanLuven apologized to the homeowners, who have since sold their property.

'To the family, it's difficult to express how sincerely sorry I am for the trauma and violation... and disgust they have felt,' he said in a statement. 'Not a day passes that I don't feel remorse and regret for my criminal activity on that day.'

Of his arrest, Sheriff Michael Bouchard said: 'Just when I think I have seen it all, someone steps up and surprises me with a new level of disturbing actions.

'Sadly, in today's world we cannot take it on faith that the people we let into our homes can be trusted.

'We cannot always presume that employers have done their job and have confidence their employees are trustworthy and are there to do the job for which they've been hired.

'This is a disgusting reminder to be cautious about who you let into your home. The actions of these homeowners will likely prevent this defendant from going into anyone else's home.'

It remains unclear how VanLuven violated his probation.
A Florida woman's remains were found at the bottom of a pond more than a decade after she vanished from her home.

Yekaterina 'Katya' Belaya, 47, was last seen in her Melbourne home on the evening of September 28, 2014.

The immigrant mom of three told her daughters that she was going to buy milk and would return in 30 minutes.

However, she never made it to the store and was never seen or heard from again.

More than 10 years later, after a search-and-rescue group got involved, her body was found inside a van submerged in pond less than two miles from her home.

Sunshine State Sonar, a group that specializes in searching water to help solve cold cases, shared the tragic discovery in a Facebook post.

'After searching 32 bodies of water and locating 2 submerged vehicles, we located Katya's white Honda Odyssey minivan with human remains submerged 24 feet deep, upside down, in a retention pond off Viera Blvd in Melbourne,' the group wrote.

Sunshine State Sonar took on the case on August 28, 2024, leading to the December 20, 2024 discovery.

Yekaterina 'Katya' Belaya, 47, was last seen in her Melbourne home on the evening of September 28, 2014, before her body was found by a volunteer rescue group more than a decade later

The mother-of-three had said she was going out to buy milk but was never seen or heard from again

Belaya's remains were found in her 2003 Honda Odyssey in a retention pond less than two miles from her home in Melbourne, Florida

Belaya's van was found around 1.6 miles from her home, and the cause of death is still under investigation with the help of the Brevard County Sheriff's Office.

'We extend our deepest sympathies to her friends and family,' the search group added.

One of Belaya's daughters, Sonya Belaya, wrote a statement on behalf of her and her sisters, Masha and Sasha, to express their gratitude and grief.

'On December 20th, a volunteer group called Sunshine State Sonar located our mother, Yekaterina 'Katya' Belaya, less than two miles from her home. Her car and remains were found submerged at the bottom of a retention pond,' she said.

'We would like to thank [the] Sunshine State Sonar team for their incredible work and for taking on our mother's case without us even asking.

'We have many new questions that deserve an answer. This is not closure, but the beginning of a renewed and arduous journey to find out what happened to our mother.

'We will be carefully following the investigation and wish to raise awareness around this case in hopes of finally getting the answers we didn't receive when she went missing ten years ago.'

Mike Sullivan, the owner of Sunshine State Sonar, said the group took the case on being sent 'some of the heartbreaking messages' posted online by Belaya's daughters, WESH reported.

The search group took on the case on August 28, 2024, leading to the December 20, 2024 discovery. The cause of her death remains under investigation

'We have many new questions that deserve an answer, said Belaya's daughter, Sonya. 'This is not closure, but the beginning of a renewed and arduous journey to find out what happened to our mother'

'This is an unbelievable shock and tragedy for us... We continue to seek the truth. That's what our mother deserves,' Sonya Belaya's statement said

Sullivan said the group uses three types of sonar technology, and found Belaya based on the last place her cell phone pinged.

'I spoke to the daughters...they reached out to me on the phone...and they expressed their gratitude...and I think they were still in shock,' Sullivan told the outlet.

In their statement, Sonya and her sister called it 'an unbelievable shock and tragedy for us... We continue to seek the truth.

'That's what our mother deserves,' the statement concluded.

Belaya worked at a local community college as an Environmental Science and Geology professor, and an active member at her church.
NBC Washington reporter Derrick Ward has died at the age of 62 from medical complications.

Ward, of Washington DC, died on Tuesday from 'complications from a recent cardiac arrest,' the outlet revealed on social media.

'Derrick has been an inspiration and cherished member of our family and his hometown community, as a longtime reporter at News4 Washington, and previously WTOP Radio,' Lydia Sermons, a family friend, said in a statement.

'As a distinguished journalist, Derricks storytelling, prolific writing, warmth, and humor touched countless lives. Our children and our entire family will miss him dearly.'

Ward began his journalism career doing radio work and worked at three stations - WPFW, WAMU, and WTOP, according to the outlet.

The University of Maryland graduate covered the September 11 attack on the Pentagon, as well as the Iran-Contra hearings.

He made his television debut on WKBW-TV in Buffalo, New York, before he returned to his native DC to work for NBC Washington, also known as News4 Washington, in 2006.

Ward grew up in the Marshall Heights and the H Street Corridor of DC. He lived through the 1968 riots and documented his experience on the news network as part of its 40th Anniversary coverage, according to the outlet.

NBC Washington reporter Derrick Ward has died at the age of 62 from 'complications from a recent cardiac arrest'

Ward began his journalism career doing radio work and worked at three stations - WPFW, WAMU, and WTOP. He made his television debut on WKBW-TV in Buffalo, New York, before he returned to DC to work for NBC Washington, also known as News4 Washington, in 2006

Some of the last news stories Ward told involved a burning building in DC, a mother honoring her late son who she lost to addiction, and the US Senate.

When he wasn't telling stories to the residents of DC, Ward liked to play the guitar. He even played a gig with Big Boy Little Band in September 2013.

His last news coverage was posted on December 27.

Ward leaves behind three children, Derrick Jr., Ian, and Marisa.

Many of his former colleagues paid tribute to the dedicated journalist on social media.

Fellow NBC Washington reporter Mark Segraves took to X to write: 'Heartbroken at the loss of a great friend and colleague. @DerrickWard4 was a brilliant writer and journalist who loved reporting on his hometown.

'Derrick was also a fabulous musician. R-I-P brother, well take it from here.'

Investigative reporter for the outlet, Tracee Wilkins, also paid tribute to her colleague, writing: 'My heart is broken by the loss of my friend. Derrick greeted everyone with a welcoming smile and a warm laugh. He was a dedicated dad, a wonderful colleague, a stellar journalist, and a gifted guitar player. Prayers to his children and loving family.'

In his free time, Ward liked to play guitar and even played a set with Big Boy Little Band in September 2013 (pictured)

Many of his colleagues took to social media to honor their fellow reporter and his storytelling

Paul Wagner, who also worked with Ward at WTOP in the late 1990s as well as NBC, recalled how he always greeted him with a: 'Hey, Wags!' and how it 'always made me smile.'

'In the last 4 years @nbcwashington I had a front-row seat to his talented and beautiful storytelling.'

NBC reporter, Aimee Cho, wrote: 'Just heartbroken over the loss of our beloved friend & colleague Derrick Ward. He was always so nice to me and everyone he met.

'I loved shadowing him when I was an intern, and learned so much about writing, history, and life from him. We love you, Derrick.'
An elderly Ohio woman was mauled to death and partially eaten by her neighbor's ravenous pigs near her home on Christmas Day.

Rebecca Westergaard Rigney, 75, was found dead with injuries to her leg on the front steps of her home on Mink Street in Pataskala.

The senior lady's niece raised the alarm of her disappearance after Rigney failed to show up at her home in Norton, Ohio for celebrations.

Responding officials reached Rigney's property at around 3pm and found a large pig roaming inside.

Officers further discovered at least two pigs at the neighbor's residence and told the owner the animals will be quarantined until further notice, WBNS reported.

According to the Columbus Dispatch, the victim lived alone in her house.

Police Chief Bruce Brooks later said that more information about her death will be provided once her full autopsy results are completed in about four to six weeks.

He also called the case a 'horrible, horrible situation' and confirmed that the situation remains under investigation as there are no clear laws on attacks by farm animals.

Rebecca Westergaard Rigney, 75, was found dead with injuries to her leg on the front steps of her home on Mink Street in Pataskala

'If it was a pit bull or a Rottweiler, or name any of the other 15 dogs that are deemed semi aggressive, then we would know the answer right away.

'But being farm animals, it's just not something we've ever dealt with here,' he told the Dispatch.

Brooks also clarified that he was unsure what will happen to the pigs and his department has been in contact with the Licking County Prosecutors' Office.

As of now, the Licking County Coroner's Office said Rigney died from bleeding out due to extensive superficial injuries by livestock animals and ruled her death as accidental.

The coroner said the elderly woman had prior health conditions with her heart and she was on blood thinners.

Officials are yet to name the owner of the wild animals and clarify if they will be charged criminally.

David Mullings, a neighbor, said the incident is confusing and wild.

'It's pretty crazy and wild. There are not wild pigs roaming. I've never seen pigs besides from the market down the street. It's very confusing.

As of now, the Licking County Coroner's Office said Rigney died from bleeding out due to extensive superficial injuries by livestock animals and ruled her death as accidental

Brooks also clarified that he was unsure what will happen to the pigs and his department has been in contact with the Licking County Prosecutors' Office

'It would be nice to get clarification on what actually happened. Whats going on in our neighborhood?,' he told WBNS.

This comes days after a three-year-old girl was killed in a vicious dog attack while visiting her father's Ohio apartment.

The panicked father called Cincinnati police on December 27 after he discovered blood all over his living room.

His toddler daughter, Kingsley Wright, was already dead on the ground.

'My baby is dead,' he told the dispatcher. 'This has got to be a f***ing nightmare.'

The Hamilton County Coroner's Office ruled that little Kingsley was mauled by the family's three dogs, The Enquirer reported.

Kingsley's mother Gina Smith had taken her from their Wilmington home to her father's apartment in Roselawn on December 23 to celebrate the holidays.

Smith told WLWT television that Kingsley was spending time with the family for the holidays, but she had no idea that the dogs in the home were dangerous.

She noted Kingsley was staying at the home 'for the first time ever.'
This is the moment Ukrainian troops driving a US-supplied armoured vehicle mowed down multiple Russian soldiers.

In the footage, taken from a nearby drone, a Stryker infantry carrier can be seen driving across the snowy landscape of the Kursk battlefield before it makes a sharp turn and starts speeding towards a soldier.

The video then abruptly cuts just before the 16-ton vehicle hits the soldier.

Other clips show the infantry carrier, which has a top speed of 60mph, chasing and knocking down other soldiers on the battlefield.

According to the Ukrainian troops the Stryker's mounted machine gun had no more ammunition during the clash with Putin's forces.

Although one crew member reportedly used a rifle to fire at the soldiers.

It has not been specified where the incident occurred in Kursk and why the Russians encountered the vehicle in the open.

In words reported by the Daily Telegraph, war correspondent David Axe claimed that the troops could have been separated from Russian forces during the Ukrainian counteroffensive into Kursk on Sunday.

In the footage, taken from a nearby drone, a Stryker infantry carrier can be seen driving across the snowy landscape of the Kursk battlefield before it makes a sharp turn and starts speeding towards a soldier

Other clips show the infantry carrier, which has a top speed of 60mph, chasing and knocking down other soldiers on the battlefield

A Stryker armored fighting vehicle similar to the one used by Ukraine in Kursk. Footage shows Ukrainian troops mowing down Russian soldiers while driving the US-supplied vehicle

Mr Axe said: 'That kind of confused fighting has characterised the battle for Kursk.'

Yesterday, Ukraine said it was conducting new offensive operations' and it had carried out a 'high-precision strike' on a Russian marine brigade's command centre near the village of Belaya.

Russia's defence ministry claimed that Ukraine's advance had been thwarted.

Earlier this week, Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky claimed that 15,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in attempts to repel Ukraine's advances in Kursk since August.

'During the Kursk operation, the enemy has already lost 38,000 of their soldiers in this direction alone, with nearly 15,000 of these losses being irreversible,' Zelensky said in his nightly video address, though the figures could not be independently verified.

Ukraine launched a mass incursion into the Kursk region last summer and has seized chunks of territory, though Russia's military claims to have recaptured much of that.

After a period of relative deadlock, Kyiv's forces mounted a renewed offensive in the region on Sunday with the head of the Ukrainian President's office Andriy Yermak declaring: 'Russia is getting what it deserves' in Kursk.

Russia's defence ministry acknowledged that Ukrainian troops had conducted an assault around the town of Berdin with several tanks - supposedly including British Challengers - a mine-clearing truck and 12 armoured combat vehicles.

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A destroyed Russian tank sits on a roadside near the town of Sudzha, Russia, in the Kursk region

A soldier walks in a ruined central market close to the frontline in Ukraine

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky

But yesterday, Moscow and Russian war blogging channels reported that the Ukrainian assault on Berdin had been foiled and the Ukrainian units there destroyed, though cited no evidence.

Ukraine's fresh assault comes with both sides seeking to strengthen their negotiating hand ahead of US President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House on January 20 - just over one month shy of the three-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion.

Trump's arrival in the Oval Office is widely expected to precipitate a push for a ceasefire, with the soon-to-be president and key members of his staff having alluded to a plan to strong-arm both sides into a peace deal.

Zelensky said last year the Kursk operation had boosted Kyiv's 'exchange fund' - its negotiating position on swapping prisoners of war - and diverted tens of thousands of Russian troops away from the eastern front.

US officials have also confirmed the occupation of Kursk as vital ahead of possible ceasefire negotiations to ensure Ukraine has 'the strongest possible hand to play'.
An internet art sensation has won a battle with locals to build a seaside home covered in his art after the council agreed to his plans.

Officials recommended that Sam Cox, 28, known as Mr Doodle, should be allowed to build his doodle-covered house - despite criticism it would not fit in with the local area.

Mr Doodle submitted an application to construct the unique detached property in Dungeness, Kent - dubbed 'Britain's only desert'.

Residents criticised the plans as a 'vanity project' with no artistic inspiration, while Lydd Town Council said the metal facade would 'not be in keeping with the historical value of Dungeness'.

It was also claimed the design would 'impact the environmental value of the area' - and that increased visitors to view the house could have a negative impact on traffic.

But yesterday the Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) planning committee recommended Mr Cox's plans should be approved.

It said the home is visually compatible with the area, and that the doodle design would appear 'fairly subtle' from a distance with a similar appearance to 'rusted metal.'

Issues of environment and wildlife were also discussed, but it was concluded that the property 'would not result in any harm to the significance of the conservation area' and that there is a 'minimal risk' of wildlife becoming trapped in the doodles.

Sam Cox, 28, known as Mr Doodle, has been granted permission to build his own doodle-covered home

His new home is set to go ahead after council officials agreed the home would not be disruptive to the local area

Other issues such as loss of privacy, flooding, traffic, and parking were also not considered to be a cause for concern in this case.

The meeting concluded that: 'The principle of development in this location is considered acceptable, alongside the visual impact upon the character and appearance of the street scene and the impact upon the Conservation Area.

'The impacts upon neighbouring residential uses are considered to be acceptable, with amenities of future occupants also considered safeguarded.

'Considerations relating to parking, sustainable modes of transport and ecological constraints at the site have all been made and found to be acceptable, subject to appropriate mitigation being secured via condition.

'Overall, it is considered that the proposal would result in a sustainable form of development, in line with adopted policy and it is therefore recommended that planning permission is granted. '

The official decision on the plans has been deferred to allow neighbours to comment on the design and for clear illustrations of the proposed art to be presented.

If approved, the single-storey three-bedroom home would replace a bungalow already on the site and would be built on the same footprint.

British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, with his wife Alena, at a 12-room mansion he decorated with his artwork

The huge mansion was decorated both inside and out with the doodle-like drawings

Two historic railway carriages are incorporated into the building which will be carefully dismantled and restored by an off-site specialist joiner to their former state.

They will then be put back in their original position where they will be waterproofed, insulated and 'clad with a doodle-embossed metal outer skin'.

Documents previously submitted to FHDC by architect Hollaway Studio said: 'The contemporary proposal is in keeping with the quirky and independent character of Dungeness while the freeing of the railway carriages, and chosen material palette, maintain a respect and empathy for the established historical vernacular.'

Mr Doodle began to garner recognition in the art world in 2015 and has since seen a meteoric rise in interest in his work.

He was said to stand at the forefront of a 'new art wave' taking the online art community by storm with a mass social media following of millions of people.

He previously decorated a 12-room mansion in Tenterden, Kent, entirely in black and white doodles - both inside and out.
An agitated man on a JetBlue flight forced open an emergency exit and 'tried to jump out' during a heated argument with his girlfriend about her cellphone.

JetBlue Flight 161 leaving from Boston Logan International Airport was stopped on the tarmac after a man pulled open a plane door and triggered an emergency slide, according to the Massachusetts Port Authority.

The plane, heading to San Juan, Puerto Rico, had just started taxiing and was still on the ground when the incident occurred at around 7:30 pm on Tuesday.

'I guess the boyfriend wanted to see the girlfriend's phone, and she wouldn't let him see,' passenger Fred Wynn, who was sitting behind the couple, told NBC10.

Wynn explained that the man then leaped out of his seat and ran down the aisle to an emergency door before frantically opening it.

'We have a passenger that opened an emergency exit door and tried to jump out the airplane,' the plane's pilot told Air Traffic Control.

'Then he went to the door and as soon as the door was open, the air marshal tackled him. Once they got him to the ground, I think everybody felt safe,' he said to WCVB.

Plane law enforcement officials were able to tackle the man and stop him from jumping out of the plane, JetBlue told WCVB. No one was injured during the disturbance.

A man was arrested after he opened an emergency exit on a JetBlue flight during an argument on Tuesday night

Emergency vehicles and buses surrounded the plane after it was stopped on the tarmac

The man was handcuffed and taken off the flight. He was detained by Massachusetts State Police and is due to appear at East Boston District Court on Wednesday.

His identity will not be released until he is charged, police said.

Other plane passengers were reportedly panicked as the dramatic situation unfolded.

'They were freaking out,' Wynn told WCVB.

Video footage from the aircraft showed officials surrounding the man as he was escorted off the flight in handcuffs.

Outside of the plane, police cars and and buses surrounded the scene.

JetBlue told DailyMail.com that the flight was swapped over to another aircraft and all the passengers have safely arrived to San Juan. The airline could not confirm what the argument was about.

NBC10 reported that passengers were stuck on the tarmac for about three hours before being transferred by bus to the second plane.

Tuesday night's emergency landing came after two dead bodies were found in the landing gear of another JetBlue aircraft.

On Monday, the bodies were found after the flight from New York's JFK airport had landed in Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport in Florida.

Their bodies were reportedly badly decomposed when they were discovered.

Broward Sheriff's Office Spokesperson Carey Codd told DailyMail.com that both victims were pronounced deceased at the scene.

Codd added that autopsies are set to be performed and that the investigation is ongoing.

The plane was reportedly stopped for three hours before the other passengers were able to move to another and fly to Puerto Rico

JetBlue told DailyMail.com: 'On Monday evening, January 6, at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, two individuals were found in the landing gear compartment of one of our aircraft during the routine post-flight maintenance inspection.

'Tragically, both individuals were deceased. At this time, the identities of the individuals and the circumstances surrounding how they accessed the aircraft remain under investigation.

'This is a heartbreaking situation, and we are committed to working closely with authorities to support their efforts to understand how this occurred.'
This shocking footage shows a drunk driver swerving across lanes on the M25 before driving in the direction of oncoming traffic on a busy A-road.

Dashcam videos show Walerij Mirosznikow swerving from lane to lane on the motorway before driving the wrong way in Kent.

The 53-year-old Russian's 10-minute drunken joyride only came to an end when he crashed into a roundabout and was arrested by police.

But Mirosznikow, who lives in Chatham in Kent, was spared a jail sentence by a judge who told him it was a 'miracle' no one was hurt.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the provisional licence holder drove dangerously on three busy routes in Kent one afternoon in July 2023.

Prosecutor Alban Brahimi told the court that Mirosznikow was first seen swerving from lane to lane in his Toyota Yaris on the M25 motorway.

He later drove on the A25 near Sevenoaks only to suddenly stop, mount a central grass verge and perform a five-point turn which left his car facing the wrong direction.

Mirosznikow's manoeuvre forced bemused oncoming drivers to come to a standstill and then divide as he headed towards and through the two lanes of traffic in front of him.

Dashcam videos show Walerij Mirosznikow swerving from lane to lane on the motorway before driving the wrong way in Kent

The 53-year-old Russian's 10-minute drunken joyride only came to an end when he crashed into a roundabout and was arrested by police

But Mirosznikow, who lives in Chatham in Kent, was spared a jail sentence by a judge who told him it was a 'miracle' no one was hurt

One shocked motorist even opened their door and yelled at him to stop.

However, oblivious to the danger he was causing, Mirosznikow continued on his way before eventually he managed to pull onto the correct side of the road.

His drunken journey finally came to an end when he crashed into Beggars Lane roundabout in Westerham and was arrested.

Upon his arrest, the court heard Mirosznikow was alone in the car, despite not having a full driver's licence, had his full beam headlights on, and appeared 'shocked and drunk'.

He gave a breath-alcohol reading of 136 micrograms (mcg) where the legal drink-drive limit is 35mcg.

But despite his driving being described as 'atrocious', the twice-married Russian was not only spared prison but also handed the minimum driving ban required by law for his offending.

Mr Brahimi said that as well as him not once using his indicators, Mirosznikow also straddled lanes and braked without reason causing other vehicles to do the same 'rather harshly' and to veer out of his way to avoid being hit.

Although he did not appear to be speeding, dashcam footage from a vehicle tailing his Yaris showed the car travelling erratically between 54 and 66mph.

Mirosznikow gave a breath-alcohol reading of 136 micrograms (mcg) where the legal drink-drive limit is 35mcg

Describing Mirosznikow's offending, Mr Brahimi told the court it was not the result of 'a lapse in judgement'.

'It's prolonged, continuous driving,' he said.

'There were ten minutes where he was caught on dashcam and then a further four minutes before he reached the roundabout.

'There was also the highly dangerous manoeuvre of driving the wrong way, having taken a turn when there was no turn available.

'Fortunately, no injury was caused to others but damage was done to his vehicle.'

Mirosznikow gave two no comment interviews following his arrest - even after being shown the footage - but later admitted dangerous driving, drink-driving and driving without a licence.

He was fined 40 by Sevenoaks Magistrates Court for driving without a licence but his more serious charges were sent to the crown court for sentencing.

At his sentence, Mirosznikow's defence barrister, Eleanor Gwilym, told Recorder Nicola Williams that her client's behaviour that day was 'an anomaly in his life'.

Mirosznikow gave two no comment interviews following his arrest - even after being shown the footage - but later admitted dangerous driving, drink-driving and driving without a licence

She said: 'He now feels stupid and remorseful and has explained to me that he had a rather difficult time in his life at the time this was committed and a fairly recent breakdown of his marriage.

'It can properly be seen as a one-off and he is capable of being rehabilitated.

'He has not drunk at all since this incident, not even socially.'

She also told the court that Mirosznikow has been in the UK for 12 years, has one previous conviction for theft and is currently on benefits.

Recorder Williams remarked that his 'impressive' 17-month alcohol abstinence demonstrated that he was 'taking his offending seriously'.

'I think it is always a real shame when someone reaches the age of 52, which you were then, and 53 now, and finds themself in the dock,' she told Mirosznikow, who was assisted in court by an interpreter.

'You are now a drink-driver and a thief. But there is always something positive that can be said for anyone and that includes you.

'You pleaded guilty at the first opportunity so you didn't waste the court's time and additional money on an unnecessary trial.

Recorder Williams imposed a 12-month jail term suspended for 18 months, with 200 hours of unpaid work and up to 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days

'I have also read the pre-sentence report about the breakdown of your second marriage and the immensely personal reasons for it, that you are suffering from depression, and that at least now have attempted to deal with it with medication.

'You have also not had a drink, I'm told, since this incident. That is particularly impressive.

'However, as impressive as that is and the strength it takes to not drink alcohol for such a long period of time, your driving was absolutely atrocious.

'You made a deliberate decision to ignore the rules of the road. It was a prolonged piece of dangerous driving over at least ten minutes.

'Everything was impaired by drink. You were nearly four times the legal amount.

'It was only by some miracle that you didn't damage anyone else's vehicle, cause anyone injury or, in the way you were driving while being so much over the limit, killed somebody.'

Recorder Williams imposed a 12-month jail term suspended for 18 months, with 200 hours of unpaid work and up to 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

She also gave Mirosznikow the statutory minimum one-year driving ban applicable to offences of dangerous driving and drink-driving, although he was ordered to take an extended test to obtain a licence.

He must also pay 150 court costs and 187 victim surcharge.
ABC star James Longman said it felt like a 'bomb going off' when his father and grandfather committed suicide while revealing his family's struggle with mental health.

Longman, 37, of London, lost his father John, who suffered from schizophrenia, when he was just nine years old. His father, an artist, had set his apartment on fire and jumped out the window, according to the The I Paper.

He learned of his father's passing while at boarding school in England, where he was left with five other boys and no explanation as to why his father was gone or what caused the fire.

This wasn't the first suicide the Longman family had suffered through, as the ABC News journalist also lost his grandfather, Jimmy, to suicide.

'When someone dies by suicide, it's like a bomb going off. It kills the person and it injuries everybody else,' he told his GMA colleagues on Tuesday ahead of his book release.

Longman began investigating his father's illness, as well as his family history, to understand his parent and to 'find him' outside of his death.

'When someone ends their life, it's the only thing someone kind of remembers and that defines them,' he said. 'So much was kept from, so much secrecy. So it's a journey of finding him and who he was away from illness.'

The chief international correspondent tracked down people from his father's life, including one of his caretakers who only lived 20 minutes away from him. He also delved into 120 pages of his father's medical records to find answers.

ABC star James Longman said it felt like a 'bomb going off' when his father and grandfather committed suicide while revealing his family's struggle with mental health.

Longman lost his father John, who suffered from schizophrenia, when he was just nine. His father, an artist, had set his apartment on fire and jumped out the window. He learned of his father's passing while at boarding school in England and never understood why his father died until he started investigating for his book

This wasn't first suicide the Longman family had suffered through, as the ABC News journalist also lost his grandfather, Jimmy, to suicide. His Uncle Tony also suffered from schizophrenia and his mother, Ann, has depression (pictured: his maternal grandfather)

Longman's father had been institutionalized before he was born and throughout his research, he found that John had undergone electroconvulsive therapy, also known as ECT, and was on antipsychotics, which he took irregularly.

After his parents separated when Longman was only three, his father would continue to be in and out of mental hospitals and being cared for by professionals.

'His carer told me: "I took your dad to your school once because he said he wanted to be near you." Thinking about it now makes me cry, because I knew that I was loved, but I didnt [know if my father wanted me],' he told The I Paper.

'But to know that that day, he asked her to drive him near my school, I feel so warm thinking about it. He wanted to be near me. That was the single most amazing thing that I found out.'

Another discovery he made through his research was that his father - who had attempted suicide before his birth - had been cared for.

'Because [of] my fathers life, I had always imagined that he wasnt cared for. And actually, what I discovered is he had a lot of care,' he told the British outlet. 'He had a day centre he could go to, a day hospital, art therapy classes. If he needed to see psychiatrists, it would happen within a week.

'And none of that is available now.'

Longman's father and grandfather weren't the only ones in his family who suffered from mental illness as his Uncle Tony also suffered from schizophrenia and his mother, Ann, has depression.

Longman (right) also suffers from depression and credits his husband, Alex Brannan (left), of being his 'savior.' He said: 'Community is so powerful'

The British-born journalist also admitted to GMA that he has suffered from a 'deep sadness' in the past.

Ann often describes the family's mental health struggles as 'The Longman Curse,' he told The I Paper.

This pushed Longman to look into genetics and how it interacts with developing mental illness.

He spoke with geneticists, neuroscientists, and mental health experts to get a deeper understanding to look into how trauma can be passed down genetically through generations.

'You cant change your genetic make-up but you can turn up or turn down predispositions. You can inherit trauma, but you can also inherit healing,' he told The I Paper.

He also believes his mother distancing herself from his father may have saved him from suffering from schizophrenia himself, which often appears in people before the age of 20.

'Theres every chance she saved me from schizophrenia, I think,' he told the British outlet.

Longman, who is married to Alex Brannan, also spoke about how community is important in life and having a support system.

Longman also spoke with scientists and mental health experts to find out how genetics influences someone's mental health for his book The Inherited Mind, which released on Tuesday

'Community is so powerful,' he said. 'When people have these illnesses in these families they often get cut off.

'Alex to me has really just been my savior. He's just the most beautiful human being and if you find people in your life that can get your through that's what you need.'

Longman himself has suffered from suicidal thoughts in the past and credits his husband for keeping him on this earth when they resurfaced in 2022.

He described his own depression as feeling like a 'deep sense of doom, of pointlessness. I'm emotionless.'

'Its not that I get upset, its that I cannot find joy,' he said. He also thinks his depression is linked to his anxiety, overthinking, and exhaustion.

Ultimately, Longman is aware of the stigma that surrounds mental health and hoping his half-memoir-half-research book will help others struggling.

'The point of the book is to give people hope,' Longman said. 'There's so much shame associated with these issues, and the idea is to punch through that shame and tell people there is a path forward.'
Members of the European Union vowed it won't allow other countries to attack sovereign borders as President-elect Donald Trump sets his sights on Greenland.

The French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot responded to the 78-year-old's refusal to rule out military force to obtain Greenland in a radio interview on Wednesday.

'It is out of the question that the European Union would let other countries... attack its sovereign borders, whoever they are,' Barrot said.

Barrot said he does not believe the U.S. would actually invade the massive island which has been part of Denmark for more than 600 years.

'If you're asking me whether I think the United States will invade Greenland, my answer is no,' Barrot said.

'But have we entered into a period of time when it is survival of the fittest? Then my answer is yes,' he added.

France's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noel Barrot, fired back that the EU would not let other countries attack sovereign borders after President-elect Trump would not rule out military force to take Greenland

Greenland is an autonomous Danish territory. The remarks come as its prime minister is scheduled to meet with the Danish King on Wednesday.

Earlier this week, the Danish king changed the royal coat of arms to more prominently feature Greenland.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded to Trump's interest in acquiring Greenland on Tuesday by echoing Greenlandic Prime Minister Mute Egede's remarks that 'Greenland is not for sale and will not be in the future either.'

Germany also slammed the president-elect's comments on Greenland and Canada. A spokesperson said during a regular press conference that 'borders must not be moved by force.'

At its press briefing on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the European Commission said it 'will not go into the specifics' of Trump's remarks amid intense questioning over how it would respond to a U.S. attack on Greenland.

'It is clear that the sovereignty of states has to be respected,' spokesperson Anitta Hipper said.

On Tuesday, Trump was asked during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago whether he would rule out 'military or economic coercion' to take Greenland or the Panama Canal.

'Im not going to commit to that,' Trump told the room of reporters.

'It might be that you'll have to do something. The Panama Canal is vital to our country,' he said.

Trump added 'we need Greenland for national security purposes.'

He has been ramping up threats of annexation in recent weeks as he prepares for his second term which starts in less than two weeks.

The Panama Canal has been solely controlled by the eponymous country for more than 25 years after the U.S. paved the way for it to be returned it to Panama in a treaty signed in 1979 and ended the joint partnership controlling it in 1999.

Greenland has been essentially under Denmark's control since the 14th Century. The vast majority of the roughly 57,000 people who live on the island have danish citizenship.

Greenland's prime minister rejected Trump's offers to buy the island first in 2019 and then again late last year.

Donald Trump Jr. visits Nuuk, Greenland, on January 7, 2025 as its leaders reject his father's push to take control over the massive island

Donald Trump Jr. landed in Greenland on Tuesday for a trip that e insisted was only personal in nature, but the president-elect claimed it included his 'reps' in a post and wrote it was 'a deal that must happen'

Despite the pushback by European leaders, Trump's son Don Jr. made a surprise visit to Greenland on Tuesday, the same day as his father's controversial remarks.

While Don Jr.'s trip to the island was said to be 'personal' and not political, the president-elect wrote in a post that his son was joined by his 'reps' and insisted there was a deal 'that must happen.'

Greenland's government said in a statement that the 47-year-old's visit was that of a 'private individual' and representatives would not meet with him.
Furious Los Angelinos have blasted local politicians for a shocking litany of failures which have exacerbated the deadly wildfires currently razing the city.

Complaints range from the mayor being AWOL in Africa to fire hydrants running out of water and electricity to power cables being left on to fuel the flames, which have so far killed two people.

Businessman and mayoral candidate Rick Caruso blasted local officials for failing to refill the water supplies despite knowing that strong winds which could whip up wildfires were on the way.

'Their hands have been tied. They can't fight a fire without water and the resources that are needed. Everybody knew these winds were coming,' Caruso told Fox 11.

'The other question has to be, were all the things in place to try to mitigate the damage here?

'The real issue to me here is two-fold. We've had decades to remove the brush in these hills that spreads so quickly, and the second is, we've got to have water.

'My understanding is the reservoir was not refilled in time, in a timely manner to keep the hydrants going... this is basic stuff, this isn't high science here.

'It's all about leadership and management that we're seeing a failure of, and all of these residents are paying the ultimate price for that.'

Businessman and former GOP mayoral candidate Rick Caruso slammed LA officials for failing to refill the city's water supplies, leading to shortages at hydrants

Pacific Palisades is pictured Wednesday morning as devastating wildfires continue to rage

Lawyer and Pacific Palisades native Rachel Darvish (pictured) whose home has likely been engulfed by the flames, questioned why officials like Mayor Karen Bass did not plan ahead despite knowing 'critical' weather conditions were on the way

Mayor Karen Bass (pictured right in Ghana this week) flew out to attend the West African country's presidential inauguration on Tuesday, after meteorologists warned that a 'recipe for fire' was on track to strike Los Angeles. Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated

Audio of communications between firefighters confirms that first responders ran out of water in some areas.

'We have no water, it is... we're doing the best we can up there. We are making sure that people are out of the way,' one firefighter can be heard saying.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said more than 1,400 firefighters are tackling the blazes

Lawyer and Pacific Palisades native Rachel Darvish, 49, whose home has likely been engulfed by the flames, questioned why officials like Mayor Karen Bass did not plan ahead despite knowing 'critical' weather conditions were on the way.

'I don't know if our house is still there, what I can tell you is I have a photo of the neighbor's house which is gone,' Darvish told Fox News.

'We have questions. I know where I am right now, but I don't know where my mayor was when this was happening. I do know now where she was.'

'Nobody told us where to go or what to do. I didn't even have an evacuation order. I love the fire department, I love our fire personnel (but) we need more, where were they?'

'You ask about emotional toll - I can't even answer that question yet... I don't know,' Darvish added.

Speaking about Bass, she continued: 'For someone to be in charge of my town - where were you? Where were you when the decisions should have been made about how to get in and out of places.'

Pictured: A brush fire burns near homes in Pacific Palisades in California on Tuesday

The out-of-control blaze has forced tens of thousands of people to flee the California city as homes and businesses burn to the ground

Darvish said getting out of the Palisades was 'unbelievable' as traffic stacked up as far as the eye could see on a one-lane highway out of the city.

'There should have been some forethought,' she said. 'People were getting out of their cars to run away from the fires.

'We see warzones on TV, we see fires on TV, this is the first time this little community which sort of keeps to itself and is happy, has had to face something like this.'

'I'm very happy to say that I'm okay,' she added. 'But after what we've been through, I don't know why I have to be in a hotel room, I don't know why this had to happen to this extent.'

Meteorologists gave plenty of warning that a 'recipe for fire' was on track to strike LA as far back as last week.

Rich Thompson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, warned that the region was extremely dry for the time of year because 'we haven't had any significant rain for months'.

'The fuels are at near-critical levels in terms of moisture content,' Thompson told the LA Times at the weekend. 'That's a recipe for fire.'

Writing on Truth Social, incoming President Donald Trump blasted California Governor Gavin Newsom for allegedly encumbering the water supply.

'Governor Gavin Newscum refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snow melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way,' Trump wrote.

'He wanted to protect an essentially worthless fish called a smelt, by giving it less water (it didnt work!), but didnt care about the people of California.

'Now the ultimate price is being paid. I will demand that this incompetent governor allow beautiful, clean, fresh water to FLOW INTO CALIFORNIA! He is the blame for this. On top of it all, no water for fire hydrants, not firefighting planes. A true disaster!'

Writing on Truth Social, incoming President Donald Trump blasted California Governor Gavin Newsom for allegedly encumbering the water supply

Pictured: Fire engulfs a home as the Eaton Fire moves through Altadena, CA on Wednesday

Pictured: Firefighters battle the Eaton fire as it burns in the Sierra Madre, LA on Wednesday

Meanwhile, Mayor Bass was in Ghana for the country's presidential inauguration on Tuesday, despite having ample warning about 'critical' weather conditions in the days before.

Media outlet INKL News said Wednesday morning that Bass was on her way back after the swearing-in of Ghana's president John Dramani Mahama the day before.

Bass has been posting updates on her X account thanking LAPD firefighters for tackling the ongoing blaze, while sharing information about emergency shelters.

Residents have also criticized officials for failing to cut off electricity to power lines, as shocking footage shows how energized cables have fueled fires.

Shocking footage from the Pacific Palisades shows sparks firing in all directions as power lines come down amid the smoke-filled wind.

A Fox 11 correspondent at the scene sounded shaken as she reports on the surrounding carnage while wearing safety goggles and breathing gear.

'Literally seconds ago we heard a very loud boom and there was a tree coming down, and it hit those power lines - you can see them sparking,' she said, while the reporter in the studio can be heard saying: 'Woah'.

'We're trying to get away from them,' the on-scene reporter added. 'This is a very very dangerous situation the firefighters are dealing with.'

A California woman shared the footage on X while asking why there were still energized power lines in an area where everyone is under an evacuation order. 'This is compounding the problem,' she wrote.

Those lines have been seen sparking as the fires overload them, with said sparks helping start more fires and accelerate blazes already burning.

The fires spread so rapidly that staff at a senior living center had to push dozens of residents in wheelchairs and hospital beds down the street to a parking lot in apocalyptic scenes

Meanwhile, a Pacific Palisades resident of more than two decades years blasted local politicians for 'failing' the community after witnessing more than 100 homes burn.

'I just left the hellscape formerly know as Pacific Palisades where Ive lived for 26 years,' the Californian wrote on X.

'Im mad at what I saw. Our politicians have failed us. Unprepared, unimaginative, understaffed, now overwhelmed. Heads must roll for this disaster.'

He shared shocking footage of apocalyptic scenes from the area, with the sky glowing orange and flames razing everything in sight.

The California wildfires broke out Tuesday evening near a nature preserve in the inland foothills northeast of LA.

They spread so rapidly that staff at a senior living center had to push dozens of residents in wheelchairs and hospital beds down the street to a parking lot in apocalyptic scenes.

The residents  one as old as 102  waited there in their bedclothes as the night sky glowed red from flames and embers fell around them until ambulances, buses and even construction vans arrived to take them to safety.

Residents have criticized officials for failing to cut off electricity to power lines, as shocking footage shows how energized cables have been fueling the flames

Audio of communications between firefighters confirms that first responders ran out of water

Another blaze that started hours earlier ripped through the city's Pacific Palisades neighborhood, a hillside area along the coast dotted with celebrity residences.

In the frantic haste to get to safety, roadways became impassable when scores of people abandoned their vehicles and fled on foot, some toting suitcases.

The traffic jam on Palisades Drive prevented emergency vehicles from getting through and a bulldozer was brought in to push the abandoned cars to the side and create a path.

Video along the Pacific Coast Highway showed widespread destruction of homes and businesses along the famed roadway.

Pacific Palisades resident Kelsey Trainor said the only road in and out of her neighborhood was blocked. Ash fell all around them while fires burned on both sides of the road.

'We looked across and the fire had jumped from one side of the road to the other side of the road,' Trainor said. 'People were getting out of the cars with their dogs and babies and bags, they were crying and screaming.'

A third wildfire started around 10:30pm and quickly prompted evacuations in Sylmar, a San Fernando Valley community that is the northernmost neighborhood in Los Angeles. The causes of all three fires were under investigation.

Flames were being pushed by Santa Ana winds topping 60 mph (97 kph) in some places Tuesday, increasing to 70 miles an hour (112 kph) by early Wednesday, according to reports received by the National Weather Service in Los Angeles.

They could top 100 mph (160 kph) in mountains and foothills  including in areas that haven't seen substantial rain in months.

Shocking footage from the Pacific Palisades this week shows sparks firing in all directions as power lines come down amid the smoke-filled wind amid out-of-control California wildfires

The situation prompted the Los Angeles Fire Department to take the rare step of putting out a plea for off-duty firefighters to help.

It was too windy for firefighting aircraft to fly, further hampering the fight. A high wind warning was in effect for the region through 6 p.m., the weather service said.

'This will likely be the most destructive windstorm seen 2011 windstorm that did extensive damage to Pasadena and nearby foothills of the San Gabriel Valley,' the weather service said in a red flag warning early Wednesday.

Gov. Gavin Newsom posted on X early Wednesday that California had deployed more than 1,400 firefighting personnel to combat the blazes.

'Emergency officials, firefighters, and first responders are all hands on deck through the night to do everything possible to protect lives,' Newsom said.

The erratic weather caused President Joe Biden to cancel plans to travel to inland Riverside County, where he was to announce the establishment of two new national monuments in the state.

He remained in Los Angeles, where smoke was visible from his hotel, and was briefed on the wildfires. The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved a grant to help reimburse California for the firefighting cost.
Theresa May's senior Brexit negotiator Sir Oliver Robbins is to return to politics as the top civil servant at the Foreign Office.

Sir Oliver worked alongside Baroness May and her ministers, and became a hate figure for the eurosceptic Tory right, who claimed he wasn't tough enough with Brussels.

They were furious that he was later handed a knighthood in her resignation honours after helping oversee a disastrous period of talks with the EU and drafting her disastrous Brexit deal.

He followed Mrs May out of the Government in 2019 after Boris Johnson replaced her, working for Goldman Sachs and other private sector firms.

But, as first reported by the Guardian, he is now to be drafted into the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) as the preferred choice of Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

It comes after he was pipped to the job of Cabinet Secretary - head of the whole Civil Service, by Sir Christopher Wormald.

The decision, confirmed this afternoon, is likely to infuriate Brexiteers and also may ruffle feathers at the FCDO. Despite being a civil servant for many years he has never worked at the department before.

Sir Olly worked alongside Baroness May and her ministers, and became a hate figure for the eurosceptic Tory right, who claimed he wasn't tough enough with Brussels.

But the Guardian reported he is now to be drafted into the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) as the preferred choice of Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

It comes after he was pipped to the job of Cabinet Secretary - head of the whole Civil Service, by Sir Christopher Wormald.

The former PM's agreement, negotiated by Sir Oliver with the EU, was rejected three times by the House of Commons before her downfall as PM.

Mr Lammy said: 'I have set out from day one that I want to rewire the FCDO to act as the international delivery arm of this governments missions, as well as devising our broader international strategy.

'Olly Robbins is exactly the person to help me deliver this and I am delighted to welcome him into the FCDO.

'His extensive experience of economic and security issues, gained across a range of Whitehall departments, will stand us in good stead as we reorient the FCDO to focus on growth and migration, while continuing to double down on national security  the foundation of our Plan for Change.

'I would like to thank Sir Philip Barton for his many years of dedicated public service, in particular his leadership as PUS and his support through the recent political transition.'

And Sir Oliver added: 'After five years out of the Civil Service I return believing more strongly than ever in the value of those capabilities and the public service principles that underpin them, while convinced that maintaining the UKs lead depends critically on understanding and co-opting the pace of change evident in the UK and around the world.'

Sir Oliver is currently working at Hakluyt, a Mayfair-based strategic advisory firm, having previously worked for Goldman Sachs after leaving the civil service in 2019.

He will replace Sir Phillip, who is stepping down after five tumultuous years.

In 2021 he was criticised for staying on holiday for 11 days while Afghanistan fell to the Taliban.

The 185,000-a-year mandarin enjoyed a holiday at his sister's Dordogne chateau and left deputies to deal with the fall of Kabul, the biggest foreign policy crisis since Suez in 1956.

Sir Chris was appointed Cabinet Secretary, becoming the UK's top civil servant and the Prime Minister's most senior policy adviser.

The current permanent secretary of the Department for Health and Social Care succeeds Simon Case, who stepped down at the end of the year on health grounds after four years in the role.

Sir Keir Starmer said in December that Sir Chris will bring a 'wealth of experience to this role at a critical moment in the work of change this new Government has begun', adding 'nothing less than the complete re-wiring of the British state' is required.
This is the incredible moment rescuers found a newborn baby on a packed migrant boat in the Atlantic after the mother gave birth during the treacherous crossing to the Canary Islands.

An astonishing picture shows a migrant cradling a newborn as others on the dinghy back away to make space for the baby.

The image was taken on January 6 while coastguard boat Talia towed a rubber boat carrying about 64 migrants off the island off the Canary Island of Lanzarote, in Spain.

The coastguard shared the incredible moment on social media, writing: 'Christmas ends in the Canary Islands with the rescue of a baby born in the middle of a sea crossing.

'On Three Kings' Day, the Guardamar Talia rescued a mother who had given birth to her baby on board the inflatable boat in which she was traveling with a large group of people.'

The woman and her baby were transferred to a hospital in Arrecife and are reportedly in 'good health'.

'The baby stood out in the middle of everyone, naked, having been born just 10 minutes before,' the captain of the coastguard boat, Domingo Trujillo, told Canarias7.

On board the dinghy were more than a dozen woman and four children, reportedly all of sub-Saharan origin, who braced the treacherous journey over the Atlantic in a bid to reach the Canary Islands.

An astonishing picture taken from a coastguard boat Talia shows a migrant cradling a newborn as others on the dinghy back away to make space for the baby

The woman and her baby were transferred to a hospital in Arrecife and the coastguard confirmed that they were in 'good health'

Spanish coast guards wearing white suits work on a rescue operation as they tow a rubber boat carrying migrants, including a newborn baby, off the island off the Canary Island of Lanzarote, in Spain, in this handout picture obtained on January 8, 2025

The rescue boat was informed at around 4am that there was a pregnant woman in advanced stages of labour who 'could give birth at any moment' on a dinghy in the Atlantic, Trujillo said.

He added that the boat was 97 miles from the port in Arrecife, and that it took the coastguard five hours to get to the dinghy.

When they finally reached the boat, Trujillo could see the naked baby, which he said could have only been born about 10 minutes before the coastguard's arrival.

The captain said: 'The baby was crying, which told us that he was alive and there were no problems, and we asked the woman for permission to clean and wash him.

'We put the baby with her, after the umbilical cord had already been cut by one of her fellow travellers.

'All we did was hold the child, give him to the mother and keep them warm for the trip [in the helicopter].'

On board the dinghy were more than a dozen woman and four children, reportedly all of sub-Saharan origin, who braced the treacherous journey over the Atlantic in a bid to reach the Canary Islands

Surprisingly this is not the first time Trujillo rescued a newborn baby, but he said that 'this time I didn't have to cut the cord, not like last time'.

He experienced a similar situation in 2020, when the Salvamar Mizar - a unit in which he was the skipper - rescued the occupants of a boat off Fuerteventura in which a woman had also just given birth, forcing Trujillo to cut the umbilical cord.

'Although it is still beautiful and an unforgettable experience, cutting it requires a little courage, not just for the sake of cutting it, but for the fear of not doing it right,' he said.

'We take this opportunity to express our admiration for Domingo and the rest of the crew who every day give their best to assist thousands of people trying to reach the Canary Islands,' the coastguard said in a statement on social media.

This comes as a record-number of 10,457 migrants died while trying to reach Spain by sea last year, according to Caminando Fronteras.

But the dangerous journey has not put off migrants hoping to reach Spanish land, with more than 2000 arriving between Christmas Day and New Year's Eve alone.
An Italian priest is being investigated for manslaughter over the death of a newborn who was found in a cradle meant for abandoned babies at a church in southern Italy.

The infant, believed to be around a month old, was found in a 'thermal cradle' at the church of San Giovanni Battista, in Bari, Italy, on January 2.

Parish priest, Father Antonio Ruccia, has been named as a suspect by Italian police despite being absent from the church at the time.

According to Italian daily, Corriere della Sera, placing a baby in the church's thermal cradle activates the heating and an alert is immediately sent to the priest's phone.

But Father Ruccia, who was away in Rome, told local media he did not receive any notifications on his phone and therefore no one intervened to retrieve the child.

It is not clear whether the baby died before arriving at the church, whether the thermal cradle's alarm system malfunctioned, or if it had not been repaired after a recent electrical blackout.

An investigation has been launched into the priest and a local technician who carried out recent maintenance work on the heated crib.

Pictured: Father Antonio Ruccia standing by the thermal crib in Bari where a newborn was found dead on January 2

It is not clear whether the baby died before arriving at the church, whether the thermal cradle's alarm system malfunctioned, or if it had not been repaired after a recent electrical blackout

The child's body was found by local funeral home director, Roberto Savarese, who was preparing for a funeral that day.

He decided to show a colleague the 'life-saving system', according to Italian media, located on the outside of the church to afford privacy.

Baby boxes are usually located in churches, hospitals, and social centers, and are often built into the outside wall of the building.

The concept of the baby boxes dates back to medieval times when they were called founding wheels  providing a safe and anonymous way for parents to give up their newborn babies.

The child' body was found by local funeral home director, Roberto Savarese, who was preparing for a funeral at the church that day

A poster outside the entrance to San Giovanni Battista urges those in difficulty to leave their child in the care of the parish.

It is accompanied by a picture of a newborn with the caption: 'No baby is a mistake.'

An autopsy is being conducted today and Italian police are checking CCTV footage in a bid to identify the parent or person who abandoned the child.
This video is no longer available

This video is no longer available

This is the moment Spencer Pratt's devastated sister broke down in tears after she revealed that she did not know whether her home had survived the wildfires that viciously tore through her brother's Pacific Palisades house.

Speaking to Sky News today, reality star Stephanie Pratt, 38 - who is currently in London - told of the horror she endured as fires engulfed the affluent Los Angeles neighbourhood where she resides.

'And I just look out and I can't reach anyone to see if my house is okay', a tearful Stephanie says.

'I just Googled it and it said that its...its destroyed an entire block [on my street].

'So I don't know if my house is there', she adds as she bursts into tears.

Stephanie's account comes after it was revealed that her TV personality brother Spencer, 41, and his wife Heidi Montag lost their home after it was completely destroyed by flames on Tuesday.

Spencer was captured in photos as he watched the rapidly advancing fire move toward his home, which is in an area featuring many celebrity estates that are also at risk of burning.

Luckily, the couple and their two sons were able to safely evacuate earlier in the day before the flames got too close.

Spencer Pratt's sister Stephanie today broke down in the middle of an interview with Sky as she revealed that she did not know if her Pacific Palisades home was safe from the ongoing wildfires

It comes as her brother Spencer Pratt, 41, lost his home in the fire. Image shows Spencer as he watched the rapidly advancing fire move toward his home, which is in an area featuring many celebrity estates that are also at risk of burning

Spencer Pratt pictured with his wife Heidi Montag and their two young sons last month

However, they are said to be distraught by the staggering loss.

Spencer documented firefighters' attempts to contain the blaze with a video posted to his Instagram stories showing an airplane dropping water on a nearby mountain.

Footage shot near the couple's home shows Spencer looking somberly at the approaching flames as he stands on a hillside with a group of people, including one person who appeared to be his father.

The Hills star, who wore a black graphic T-shirt, olive-colored shorts and black trainers, brushed his eyes at one point, possibly from irritating smoke or flying debris.

The roar of the winds that have fueled the fires overwhelmed the clip's audio at times.

One man could be heard urging the others to evacuate immediately, but others sounded unconcerned and laughed amid the advancing flames.

Spencer, who stood on a wooden boardwalk amid bushes and succulents, was pictured documenting the blaze with his phone.

The full extent of the destruction isn't yet clear, but other homes in Spencer and Heidi's neighborhood were likely affected by the wildfire.

Speaking to Sky News today, reality star Stephanie Pratt , 38 told of the horror she endured as fires engulfed the affluent Los Angeles neighbourhood where she resides

Footage shot near the couple's home shows Spencer looking somberly at the approaching flames as he stands on a hillside with a group of people, including one person who appeared to be his father

Spencer and his wife are said to be distraught by the staggering loss

Spencer Pratt is seen watching wildfire as it approaches his family home in the Palisades

He filmed an airplane dropping water on a nearby mountain to try to slow the fire's movement

A firefighter tries to cover his face from the thick smoke as he battles the inferno

Hellish photos from the inferno's epicenter show once-decadent million-dollar homes completely obliterated by the wildfire. A spiral staircase and opulent art gallery wall were seen burned to cinders

At least 30,000 residents are now under mandatory evacuation orders

Firefighters battling a mammoth blaze in California 's ritzy Pacific Palisades have warned they're running out of water and supplies, as emergency evacuation warnings spread as far as Malibu and Calabasas

Hours before her interview with Sky, Stephanie posted a desperate caption on Instagram alongside a picture showing the streets of Pacific Palisades in flames with a slogan across it saying: '#PRAYFORPACIFICPALISADES'.

'I dont know if its a good thing Im in London or I need to get back to LA. I cant think straight. What do I do? Honestly looking for advice. Im frozen in shock. How horrible for my sweet little nephews to watch their house disappear like this. They must be so scared and confused. I guess the silver lining for me is if my house goes its only my stuff- not years of family memories like everyone else in the palisades', she captioned the image.

The tony west-side neighborhood of Pacific Palisades is home to a bevy of stars, including Ben Affleck, Tom Hanks, Miles Teller, Reese Witherspoon, Adam Sandler and Jhene Aiko, among others.

Actor James Woods shared footage of the blaze to Instagram on Tuesday as he announced that he was evacuating.

The wildfire has already engulfed more than 5,400 acres of land in the area which is sparsely populated with massive celebrity estates surrounded by vegetation-covered hills, which has left plenty of fuel for the fire, unlike denser neighborhoods further inland.

So far, the inferno has left at least two people dead.

The Palisades fire has forced 30,000 residents under evacuation orders, with warnings also spreading to the areas of Malibu and Calabasas.

The Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday that the Getty Villa, a museum designed in the image of an ancient Roman villa, was threatened by the wildfire.

Some of the vegetation on the museum estate had been burned, but the buildings on the campus were reportedly still safe, and the artwork and sculptures had been sealed to prevent smoke damage.

Katherine E. Fleming, the president and chief executive of the J. Paul Getty Trust, boasted in a statement that the Getty Villa had made 'extensive efforts to clear brush from the surrounding area as part of its fire mitigation efforts throughout the year.'

'Some trees and vegetation on site have burned, but staff and the collection remain safe,' she said.
A North Carolina father was charged in the death of his two-year-old son after he allegedly left the toddler in a room with a space heater blasting for about 15 hours.

On the morning of December 2, 2023, deputies with the Moore County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call and found River Carter dead inside a home in West End, a small town between Fayetteville and Charlotte.

The boy's room was estimated at over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, according to authorities on the scene.

Following a review of the findings from the state's medical examiner, the sheriff's office announced it had arrested River's father, Aaron Lynwood Carter, on Tuesday more than a year after the boy's death.

'Investigators determined that River had been isolated in a room for more than twelve hours and had been exposed to elevated temperatures from a space heater prior to his death being reported,' a statement from the sheriff's office said.

The official cause of death for River was listed as 'hypernatremic dehydration due to environmental heat exposure,' the medical examiner found.

Two documents prepared by the medical examiner explained that Carter, 27, put River to bed at around 3pm because he had the sniffles and a possible 'low grade fever.'

Carter checked on his son at 5pm, then turned off the central air in the house and put on 'space heaters in each room to save power.'

Aaron Lynwood Carter, 27, was charged Tuesday in connection with the death of his son last year

Carter and River's mother, Katy Anne Gilliam, told police he thought he heard River 'moving around' at 6am the next morning, over 12 hours later, but didn't check on him, the report said.

About hours after that, someone in the house called 911.

'When law enforcement entered, the fan and the space heater were not on, but the room temperature was noted to be extremely hot (estimated over 100 degrees),' the medical examiner's final report stated.

Carter couldn't tell police what setting he had the space heater on during the night, according to the report. Investigators observed that a fan placed near the heater was 'warped,' presumably because of its proximity to the heat.

The medical examiner concluded that River likely 'died as a result of dehydration related to high temperature in the room where he was sleeping.'

'Overall, it is exceedingly concerning that River was left alone for 15 hours while sick, and in an enclosed hot environment,' the report continued.

'On the one hand, there is no evidence that he was placed in this injurious environment with the active intent to harm him.'

Carter, 27, has been charged with one count of felony involuntary manslaughter and one count of felony child abuse inflicting serious bodily injury in connection with his son's death.

River's mother was not charged. She arrived home from work at 11:30pm the night before the boy was found dead, according to police.

River Lynwood Carter died at two years old in December 2023. Police say he was left in a room with a space heater on for 12 hours

Carter is being held at the Moore County Detention Center under $500,000 bond. Carter is set to appear in court on Thursday.

River's obituary said the boy, born on July 16, 2021, leaves behind his sister and parents.

'River loved life and all people. He enjoyed making people smile and giving hugs,' the obituary read.

'River loved anything outside and active, animals, trucks, cars, his family, music and dancing. He had so much character for a 2-year-old. Truly the most genuine and kind soul.'

The delay in charging Carter came as a result of police waiting for the autopsy results from the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, which investigates all deaths in the state.

Major Eric Galloway with the Moore County Sheriff's Office told DailyMail.com that deputies met with the medical examiner and received the autopsy on Tuesday. Carter was arrested and charged the same day.

'As soon as we got confirmation of the cause of death, we arrested him,' Galloway said.

When asked if Carter could have been arrested earlier based on the evidence at the scene, Galloway said deputies erred on the side of caution.

Pictured: An aerial view of the family home where River died

Galloway declined to comment on why the medical examiner took over a year to complete the autopsy.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services issued a report in August 2024 titled, 'Strategic Plan for Improving the Medical Examiner System.'

The report explained that there is a nationwide shortage of forensic pathologists, professionals who investigated deaths that are sudden, unexpected or suspected to be homicide.

The state medical examiner's office added a team of temporary staff last year that makes up roughly 45 percent of the office's entire workforce.

The report recommended that the state establish two new autopsy centers, hire more forensic pathology and toxicology permanent staff, and invest in additional technology.
Agricultural innovators contributing to China's comprehensive rural revitalization

11:18, January 08, 2025 By Gu Chun, Liu Junguo ( People's Daily

In the tranquil winter of Huangyangjian village, Zhanmao neighborhood, Putuo district, Zhoushan, east China's Zhejiang province, the aroma of roasted rice wafts through the air at the "rabbit market."

Everything at the market exudes the unique charm, such as traditional mud stoves, clay teapots and bamboo chairs commonly found in the countryside.

The "rabbit market" was launched by local resident Xia Ziyu in 2022 upon her return home from working out-of-town. The market specializes in discovering, enhancing, and selling local farm produce.

An agricultural innovator sells bonsai via livestream in a greenhouse in Jindong district, Jinhua, east China's Zhejiang province, Dec. 9 2024. (People's Daily Online/Yang Meiqing)

"Guanyin rice is a specialty of Zhoushan. We have adopted rice roasting technique from Yunnan province to make tea with it," Xia said, while skillfully stirring the rice, attracting many tourists.

Currently, Xia's team consists of 21 people, mainly engaged in the commercialization of agricultural products and brand development, and supporting 200 pioneers in rural specialty products in livestream commerce. In 2023, Xia was honored as a national young pioneer for rural revitalization.

In Zhejiang province, tens of thousands of agricultural innovators have gone into villages and become a significant driving force for comprehensive rural revitalization.

Agricultural innovators, or farming entrepreneurs, are individuals below the age of 45 who take charge as leaders or stakeholders of farmer cooperatives, agricultural enterprises, family farms, or other agricultural production and operation entities.

The village of Taipingshan in Shangyu district, Shaoxing, Zhejiang province boasts a long history. In 2022, Shangyu native Chen Liefeng, who was running a business in Shanghai, visited the village for the first time and discovered its beautiful scenery, but noticed the absence of agritainment and rural guesthouses.

After researching ancient books, he found that the village has a long history of producing Polygonatum, also known as Solomon's seal. Chen then signed a cooperation agreement with Taipingshan village and became a farming entrepreneur there. The village contributed its unused forest resources as equity, accounting for 60 percent.

Unlike artificially cultivated Polygonatum, the Polygonatum in Taipingshan is grown using a "natural growth" method, where villagers scatter the seeds in the high mountain forests without using pesticides or fertilizers, allowing them to grow naturally in the wild.

Agricultural innovators sell farm produce at a fair in Jinhua, east China's Zhejiang province, Dec. 24, 2023. (People's Daily Online/Shi Bufa)

Currently, there are more than 450,000 plants thriving after Polygonatum seeds were sown on over 1,000 mu (66.67 hectares) of mountain forests in the village.

"We are not pursuing temporary 'internet fame.' We sow the seeds on hundreds of mu of land each year. When they become high-quality Polygonatum, we will achieve sustainable harvesting, which will be the long-term wealth of the village," Chen said confidently.

With the development of the Polygonatum industry, the number of visitors and tourists has been increasing, and the village now boasts rural guesthouses, tea houses, and dining establishments.

Zhejiang province has launched a project to nurture 100,000 agricultural innovators, providing support in terms of funding, land, technology, and more.

In 2024, Zhejiang has initiated the construction of 100 modern farming entrepreneur parks and 500 bases for the common development of farming entrepreneurs, offering a one-stop service including project incubation and skills enhancement, and promoting an entrepreneurship mechanism involving experts, farming entrepreneur teams and farmers.

"With the government's support, we have successfully established a bamboo weaving workshop. In collaboration with schools, we are actively promoting intangible cultural heritage on campuses. Additionally, we have set up display counters at airports and five-star hotels, leading to a surge in orders," said Ye Shangjie, a bamboo weaving inheritor born in the 1990s, in an intangible cultural heritage exhibition hall in Xijiang ancient village in Yinzhou district, Ningbo.

Rural revitalization hinges on talent. Zhejiang province has set a target to cultivate 100,000 agricultural innovators by 2025, who will help 1 million farmers increase their income. The province has already nurtured 300 outstanding rural talents, 4,600 leaders in rural industrial revitalization, 81,000 agricultural innovators, and 275,000 "new farmers." This robust and dynamic rural talent pool is vital in driving comprehensive rural revitalization.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
Downing Street appeared to leave the door open to a national inquiry into grooming gangs today despite Keir Starmer ordering his MPs to block the move in the Commons.

During angry clashes at PMQs, the premier revealed he met victims this morning who told him a new probe would only mean 'delay'.

He acknowledged there were 'mixed views' among survivors - but accused Kemi Badenoch of 'shocking' behaviour in tabling an amendment this evening that would force a new official inquiry.

Mrs Badenoch shot back that 'no one has joined the dots' or had a 'full picture' of what had happened - and might still be happening.

'It's not about you, it's about the victims. Be a leader, not a lawyer,' she said.

With Labour holding a massive majority in the House, the amendment looks certain to fail this evening.

But after the exchanges in the House, Downing Street hinted that an independent inquiry is not off the table entirely.

The PM's spokesman said he remained 'open-minded' and would listen to victims, even though he currently thought it would 'not be the best way to deliver them justice'.

'Our position is that victims groups have told us that they do not want to see a national inquiry, that we therefore share that view that that would not be the best way to deliver them justice,' the spokesman said, before adding: 'We're not taking some sort of binary approach on this.'

The Tories have stepped up their attack with an ad saying: 'Do you think there should be an inquiry into rape gangs? Keir Starmer doesn't.'

Sir Keir - who has been fending off an extraordinary social media barrage on the issue from US billionaire Elon Musk - has railed at Conservatives for trying to tag the measure on to the wider Children's Wellbeing & Schools Bill.

During clashes at PMQs, the premier insisted that victims had told him a new probe would only mean 'delay'

He acknowledged there were 'mixed views' among survivors - but accused Kemi Badenoch of 'shocking' behaviour in tabling an amendment that would trigger a new official inquiry

The Tories have stepped up their attack with an ad saying: 'Do you think there should be an inquiry into rape gangs? Keir Starmer doesn't.'

Speaking in the Commons after being teed up by Labour MP Neil Coyle, Sir Keir said: 'Violence against women and girls, abuse, child sexual exploitation are sickening. Many victims have been let down for a very long time by warped ideas about community relations and the protection of institutions.

'(Mr Coyle) raises the question of inquiries. There have been a number of inquiries, both national and local, including one covering Oldham, and reasonable people can agree or disagree on whether a further inquiry is necessary.'

Sir Keir said: 'This morning, I met some of the victims and survivors of this scandal, and they were clear with me that they want action now, not the delay of a further inquiry.

'The Jay inquiry, the last national inquiry was seven years which would take us with a further inquiry to 2031, I think action is what's required.

'But whatever your view, whatever anyone's view on whether a further inquiry is needed, what I find shocking is that anyone in this House would vote down the Children's Wellbeing Bill this afternoon, vital protections for the most vulnerable in our society and I urge the Leader of the Opposition to withdraw her wrecking amendment.'

But Mrs Badenoch said: 'The new year has started with a focus on the decades-long rape gang scandal. Across the country, thousands of girls were tortured and sexually abused at the hands of men who treated them as things to be used and disposed of, destroying many lives for ever.

'The Prime Minister has mentioned previous inquiries. He is right, there has been an inquiry into child sexual abuse, but it wasn't about the rape gang scandal. In its 468 pages, it mentioned Rotherham just once.

'Is the Prime Minister confident that we know the full extent of rape gang activity?'

Sir Keir said: 'She is right to say it's one of the worst scandals, it's terrible. That's why I acted on it.

'Her recently acquired view that it's a scandal, having spent a lot of time on social media over Christmas, not once in eight years did she stand here and say what she's just said.'

He added: 'They didn't act on the recommendations, they want a national inquiry, we've had a national inquiry, the Jay inquiry, the Jay report, 20 recommendations, not a single one implemented.'

The PM said the Tories cannot 'kill' the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill while also wanting to protect children, arguing that the legislation seeks to address issues highlighted in the case of Sara Sharif.

Appealing to Tory MPs, he said: 'I urge them to think twice about following this short-sighted, misguided, bandwagon-jumping approach of the non-leadership of the Leader of the Opposition.'

The scandal involved the rape and sexual abuse of thousands of white girls by gangs of predominantly Pakistani-origin men.

Campaigners against child sex abuse also urged the Prime Minister to reconsider.

Victims campaigner Dame Jasvinder Sanghera said she 'fully supported' a public inquiry - and warned that rape and abuse of young girls by gangs of men was still continuing.

'Let's be clear, this is still happening,' she told Times Radio. 'This isn't something that used to happen. This is still happening today. I'm sure the perpetrators of this kind of abuse will look for different ways of manipulating the system so we have to look at this as a whole and have a broader conversation.'

Dame Jasvinder said the Government's approach to multiculturalism still appeared to be to 'minimise the risk of offending communities as opposed to actually dealing with the very problem'.

But on a round of broadcast interviews this morning, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson branded the Tory approach 'sickening'.

She told Times Radio: 'We are looking right across the recommendations that Alexis Jay set out and there are crucial recommendations from the review that she carried out.

'That's why today we are setting out legislation that addresses many of the wider challenges that we see right across our system. It's why the Home Secretary announced in the House of Commons the action that we are taking.

'So we are wasting no time in legislating to keep children safe. The question for the Conservatives today is why they are intent on blocking this landmark piece of child protection legislation that would keep the very children safe that they claim they are concerned about.'

She added: 'They come along today as we set out legislation to protect the very children they claim to care about and they intend to block it and kill it stone dead.

'It is absolutely sickening.'

The PM's official spokesman said further inquiries were unnecessary, saying Sir Keir was 'completely focused on' tackling sexual abuse.

The head of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse yesterday said 'the time has passed' for another lengthy examination of grooming gangs and that the row is 'distracting from the issues'.

Professor Alexis Jay said 'we've had enough of inquiries, consultations and discussions' as she called for action.

But she acknowledged that the government's decision to finally respond to her report this week was triggered by the media focus on demands for a fresh inquiry.

The issue was raised at the first PMQs since the Commons returned from its Christmas break

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced on Monday that she is implementing three of the report's 20 recommendations, including placing a mandatory duty on those working with children to report suspected abuse.

Professor Jay said the row 'may well have given it some kind of impetus to move forward'.

The shadow justice secretary yesterday suggested that a future Conservative government could try to curb migration from countries with 'alien cultures', including Pakistan.

Robert Jenrick told the BBC that arrivals from some countries had 'medieval' attitudes towards women.

Asked if he was saying immigration policy should be changed to stop people with such attitudes from coming to the UK, he said: 'I think that we have to be very careful about who is coming into this country, the scale and pace of that immigration so that we can have a much more successful integration policy than we have today.'
A 53-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the deaths of his wife, stepchildren and brother-in-law after they were poisoned by a New Year's Day meal.

Francisco Pereira was taken into custody Wednesday morning in the northeastern city of Parnaiba, Brazil, just one week after he allegedly contaminated the rice in the family's lunch.

Cops also revealed the suspected chilling motivation for his crime, stating that Pereira was driven by anger at his wife and her two children, whom he called 'primates.'

'He revealed, as did his stepdaughters, that the relationship between them was troubled, to say the least. He did not speak to any of his wife's children and had a specific feeling of hatred towards Francisca Maria, the children's mother,' Piaui Civil Police chief Abimael Silva said at a press conference following the arrest.

'This feeling of hatred was so great that even with her on her deathbed, he couldn't hide it in his statement,' Silva added. 'He said that when he looked at her he felt disgust and anger. These are his words in his statement,'

Eight family members and a neighbor fell ill after consuming the rice, beans and fish meal and were rushed to area hospitals.

Pereira's brother-in-law, Manoel da Silva, 18, died inside an ambulance. His one-year-old stepson, Igno da Silva, died Thursday. During the early hours of Monday, his three-year-old stepdaughter, Maria Lauane da Silva, died.

His wife, Francisca da Silva, 32, died in the early hours of Tuesday.

Francisco Pereira was arrested by authorities in the northeaster Brazilian city of Parnaiba in connection to the poisoning deaths of four people, including his wife and his two stepchildren

Police said that Francisco Pereira was allegedly motivated to poison the New Year's Eve lunch that killed his wife, Francisca da Silva (left) and his two stepchildren one-year-old son Igno (held by Francisca) and three-year-old daughter Maria Lauane (right) because he hated them

Four other people, including Pereira's wife's four-year-old daughter, Maria Gabrielle da Silva, survived. She remains hospitalized and in critical condition.

In his statement Pereira told investigators that he hated Francisca's children.

'He called them 'primates', unhygienic people, people he didn't want to be around, but he put up with them,' Silva said.

Silva added the arrest was made as possible due to the varying accounts that Pereira provided, which were different from what was provided by the rest of the people who live at the home.

"We are not saying that he is guilty, that he committed the crime. It is likely that he is, but we should not anticipate the judgment," Silva said.

Pereira was led into a local police station in handcuffs and told reporters that the court would be who determines who was responsible for the New Year's Day tragedy.

'God will show who is guilty,' he said.

Pereira was placed in pretrial detention for 30 days.

Manoel da Silva, 18, died the afternoon of New Year's Day moments after he consumed leftover rice that had been contaminated with terbufos, a substance that is found in pesticides and agriculture chemicals

Three-year-old Maria Lauane da Silva died during the early hours of Monday at a hospital in Teresina, Brazil. The child is the fourth person from the same family to die from eating poisoned rice during a New Year's Day lunch. Her mother, one-year-old brother and 18-year-old uncle also died

Igno da Silva, 1, died on January 2, a day after he and eight other family members consumed poisoned rice for a New Year's Day lunch at his home in Parnaiba, a city in the northeastern Brazilian state of Piaui. His mother, three-year-old sister and 18-year-old uncle also died. His four-year-old sister remains hospitalized

Authorities said the family gathered for dinner on December 31 and had rice, beans and meat, and that everyone was fine.

They met the afternoon of January 1 and reheated the rice and beans and served with it fish that had been donated by a couple, who does charitable work in the area.

Francisca's mother, Maria dos Afilitos, told Fantastico news magazine that it was likely that a person entered the home and added the poison to the rice while everyone was asleep.

Authorities initially thought the family was poisoned by the fish before investigators analyzed leftover portions and blood from the victims and discovered traces of terbufos, a substance found in pesticides and agriculture chemicals.

Its sale for residential use is banned under Brazilian law.

Authorities in the northeastern Brazilian state of Piaui analyze the leftover rice that the family had as part of their lunch on New Year's Day and found that it had traces of terbufos, a substance that is found in pesticides and agriculture chemicals

A police officer receives a bag containing left overs from the meal that killed four family members and hospitalized five in Parnaiba, Brazil

Dr. Antonio Nunes, who oversees the Piaui Institute of Legal Medicine, told G1 that there were 'visible granules' of terbufos in the rice.

The tragedy comes months after da Silva's two oldest children died after eating poisoned cashews.

A neighbor, who is under arrest, gifted a package of nuts to Joao da Silva, 7, and Ulisses da Silva, 8, on August 23, 2004.

Joao died five days later and Ulisses spent nearly three months hospitalized and died November 11.

The Piaui Civil Police said that the two incidents are not related.

The New Year's Day family tragedy comes as Brazilian authorities were also tied up with the investigation surrounding a poisoned Christmas cake and the deaths of three family members in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul on December 23.
One-in-six staff at a council that controversially introduced a four-day working week for full pay have second jobs on their day off, it has emerged.

South Cambridgeshire District Council began trialling the scheme in 2023 under which workers would work 80 per cent of their contracted hours, with no loss of pay.

Critics claimed it meant poor value for money for taxpayers and the then Tory government tried to shut it down.

Now figures released in an independent report have shown that 16 per cent of staff do 'other paid work' on their extra day off  despite the council's website stating the time off is to allow workers to 'recover and re-energise' for the 'more intense' four-day week.

The council claims most of those with second jobs are waste workers who traditionally took on other work when morning refuse collections were over.

But opponents warned the full scale of moonlighting had not been uncovered and want staff members' second jobs to be monitored formally.

The Lib Deb-run council is now due to debate the prospect of formally monitoring second jobs on Tuesday after an independent councillor tabled a motion calling for proper checks to be in place.

It also demands an unequivocal prohibition... preventing staff from offering or selling their professional services back to the council using time made available by the trial.

Bridget Smith, the leader of South Cambridgeshire district council which has continued the scheme which started in 2023

Independent councillor Dan Lentell has put forward a motion, due to be discussed on Tuesday, January 14, calling for proper checks to be carried out

South Cambridgeshire District Council began trialling the scheme in 2023 under which workers would work 80 per cent of their contracted hours, with no loss of pay

Proposer Dan Lentell told the Mail the report was insufficient, saying: These incomplete figures are not telling us the whole story and should be treated with extreme caution.

He added: Why are we subsidising council workers to do a four-day week? That doesnt happen anywhere else in the economy. The people of South Cambridgeshire are not getting value for money.

The councils Tory group leader, Heather Williams, added: I was told that the contract was still for 37 hours, so if someone is required to work on that non-working day they can be requested to do so.

But if someone is working [elsewhere] on that day, how do they honour that contract with the council? We were promised the council wouldnt have less capacity if there was an emergency.

A well-place council source insisted staff in a wide range of departments were secretly moonlighting, saying: Yes, its going on.

But are they bothering to report it? No  because they know if they do, someone might tell them they cant do it.

Elliot Keck, head of campaigns at the TaxPayers Alliance, added: Local taxpayers will be rightly worried that council staff balancing multiple jobs will not be able to deliver the high-quality services expected.

The independent health and wellbeing survey which states 16 per cent of staff were working elsewhere on paid days off  compared to one per cent in 2023 - was slipped out in June last year.

The trial of a four-day week in South Cambridgeshire has attracted criticism from the councils Tory group leader Heather Williams

Lee Rowley, the minister for local government, wrote a letter to Bridget Smith, the leader of South Cambridgeshire district council, calling on it to 'end your experiment immediately'

It also reveals 56 per cent of staff said they had made efforts to cram their workload into a shorter week with less procrastination.

Seven in ten also said they had improved efficiency and 42 per cent admitted they had reduced social interaction with colleagues  suggesting many had not been fully committed to their jobs previously.

South Cambridgeshire began a three-month pilot into the four-day week in January 2023 for 450 desk-based staff and claimed early checks indicated services were not affected, while employees were happier.

In May that year, it decided to continue the trial for another 12 months and extended it to cover binmen and cleaners.

The then Tory government wrote to the leader of the council Bridget Smith, demanding the experiment be terminated but it has continued regardless.

The trial came under further fire when it emerged a 2023 report by Cambridge University academics at the Bennett Institute for Public Policy  which hailed the initial three-month trial as a great success  had been edited by the council prior to publication.

Exchanges included one council official worrying there was too much detail which might allow critics to rip the 4DW (four-day week) apart and asking if they could propose changes.

A researcher replied: Sure well work towards a version that works for you!

Kevin Hollinrake MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, said: We warned of the obvious consequences of this policy.

Far from the extra day off every week to recover and re-energise, the simple fact is that a four-day week means less work from council employees and poor value for money for ratepayers.

The council should apologise to the residents of South Cambridgeshire whose money they are playing with.

A council spokesman said: We knew that a number of waste colleagues had second jobs prior to the trial, for example an evening cleaning job.
Labour is offering to pay Mauritius about 90million a year as part of its controversial deal to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, it has emerged.

The Government is currently scrambling to save its agreement to surrender control of the Indian Ocean archipelago, which hosts a strategically vital UK-US military base.

Serious doubt has been cast over the deal's future following criticism of its terms by the new Mauritian prime minister and opposition from allies of Donald Trump.

According to the Financial Times and Bloomberg, the Government is now offering to frontload a tranche of payments to Mauritius in order to finalise the draft agreement.

Ministers have so far kept silent on how much it will cost the UK to lease the military base on Diego Garcia, the largest of the Chagos Islands, under the terms of the deal.

But it is reported Britain is offering about 90million a year for the initial 99-year lease, which would be a total of 8.9billion.

It is also claimed - as a sweetener to finalise the deal before Mr Trump officially becomes US President again on 20 January - that the Government is proposing to pay an initial sum covering several years' worth of payments.

Downing Street did not deny the Chagos Islands deal could cost 90million a year - but No10 said it would not get into a 'running commentary on those discussions'.

Sir Keir Starmer is currently scrambling to save his agreement to surrender control of the Indian Ocean archipelago, which hosts a strategically vital UK-US military base

Labour made the shock announcement in October that it was going to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, which has been a British overseas territory for more than 200 years

Ministers have so far kept silent on how much it will cost the UK to lease the military base on Diego Garcia, the largest of the Chagos Islands, under the terms of the deal

The Prime Minister's official spokesman told reporters: 'We've got a deal on the table, we're confident it's in both sides' interests.

'The Mauritian prime minister has said repeatedly that he remains keen to conclude a deal. It secures the long-term protection of the base at Diego Garcia, which is crucial in regional and international security.'

Sir Keir Starmer's spokesman previously dismissed reports that the Chagos Islands deal could cost Britain 800million a year as 'completely out of the ballpark'.

Labour made the shock announcement in October that it was going to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, which has been a British overseas territory for more than 200 years.

As part of the arrangement, the Diego Garcia base will remain operational for at least 99 years.

But the former leader of Mauritius who agreed it, Pravind Jugnauth, was ousted in a recent election and the deal has yet to be officially signed.

Opponents of the handover - who have expressed concern that Mauritius is an ally of China - are hopeful that Mr Trump will force Labour to scrap the deal when he returns to the White House.

Labour has insisted it had to strike a deal to protect the Diego Garcia base after the International Court of Justice ruled the UK's administration of the islands was 'unlawful'.

Chagossians were forced to leave the central Indian Ocean territory by 1973 to make way for the military base.

The expulsions are regarded as one of the most shameful parts of Britains modern colonial history and Chagossians have spent decades fighting to return to the islands.

Tory shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel said: 'Labour's disgraceful Chagos giveaway continues at an enormous cost to British taxpayers.'

She accused Sir Keir and Foreign Secretary David Lammy of 'eroding our national security, surrendering UK sovereignty and undermining Britain's standing in the world'.

In a joint statement last month, the UK Government and Mauritius said they were hoping to finalise a deal 'as quickly as possible'.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden visited Naomi Biden and their first great-grandchild at Cedars Sinai Hospital on Wednesday as wildfires roared just miles away.

The baby boy's name is William Brannon Neal, IV, Dr. Biden announced on her Instagram page.

Naomi was scheduled to give birth via cesarean section, the president had previously revealed in an interview with USA Today. She and her husband Peter Neal now live in California after Peter got a job in Los Angeles.

Naomi's father Hunter Biden and his second wife Melissa Cohen and their young son Beau were spotted arriving at the hospital as the presidential motorcade rolled in.

The president spent just over 40 minutes at the site before heading to a fire briefing at Santa Monica Fire Department Station 5.

There he told a crowd of first responders and reporters that he had just become a great-grandfather.

'There's only one piece of good news,' Biden said, standing alongside California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Sen. Alex Padilla.

'My son lives out here and his wife and they got notifcation yesterday their home was probably burned to the ground. Today it appears it may be still standing but not sure,' Biden began. 'But the good news is, I'm a great-grandfather, as of today.'

'My eldest granddaughter had a 10 pound four ounce baby girl - baby boy,' he said, making a quick correction on the infant's gender.

First lady Jill Biden (left) and President Joe Biden (right) welcomed their first great-grandchild Wednesday: William Brannon Neal, IV (center) - the son of Naomi Biden and her husband Peter Neal

Naomi Biden (right), with husband Peter Neal (left), at a state dinner for Kenya in May. She kept her pregnancy under wraps until Election Day. DailyMail.com reported that she was expecting the same month of the Kenya state dinner

The president and first lady were in California on what the White House said was an official visit.

Biden was scheduled to announce the protection of hundreds of thousands of acres of California lands from oil and gas drilling.

But high winds and raging fires forced him to cancel those plans and spend Tuesday in his Los Angeles hotel. There were no public events on the Wednesday schedule except for a departure for LA.

He spoke with Newsom by phone Wednesday morning ahead of the hospital visit.

Cedars Sinai Hospital is not currently in an evacuation area.

Newsom expressed happiness that Biden was in the area to witness the devastation first-hand.

'This means the world to us,' he told reporters at the Santa Monica fire station. 'For the president to be in the region it's impossible for me to express the level of gratitude.'

On a call with reporters after Biden departed, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said 'we know of no impact that is impeding rescue efforts by the president being there.'

'It was important for the president, while he was there, to make it clear to the people of Southern California how diligently our government and our administration is going to support their firefighting efforts but also their recovery efforts when the fire has finally been subdued,' Kirby added.

President Joe Biden (left) attended a fire briefing alongside California Gov. Gavin Newsom (center) and Sen. Alex Padilla (right) on the Los Angeles wildfires - and announced that he had become a great-grandfather

President Joe Biden (left) and first lady Jill Biden (right) arrive at Los Angeles International Airport Monday night for what was supposed to be an official visit. The president's schedule was mostly scrapped due to the horrendous wildfires

President Joe Biden (left) arrives for a wildfire briefing alongside California Gov. Gavin Newsom (right) at a fire station in Santa Monica Wednesday after he met his great grandchild at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles

President Joe Biden salutes as he boards Air Force One after his trip to California. His schedule got completely torn up due to the high winds and subsequent wildfires in the Los Angeles area. He met his new great grandchild before departing for Washington, D.C.

The Bidens knew Naomi's delivery date in advance.

Biden told USA Today, in an interview conducted earlier this week, that Naomi was scheduled to have a c-section on Wednesday. And that he was going to California to see her.

'I'm about to be a great-grandfather, Jesus God,' he said.

'I'm going out to California. She's due to have a cesarean on the 8th of January,' he added.

Naomi Biden, 30, is the eldest daughter of Hunter Biden and his ex-wife Kathleen Buhle.

William is Hunter's first grandchild and the Bidens' first great-grandchild.

Jill Biden addressed the Biden family news at a women's health conference she was hosting at the White House last month.

'We've talked about this all this morning - research that uses genetics to find a cause of extreme morning sickness, and I heard this a couple weeks ago, and I was particularly interested because my own granddaughter was going through the same thing,' she said.

Then she burst into a big smile and announced: 'Because we're going to be great grandparents!'

The room burst into applause.

The Bidens spent Christmas together at the White House. Ashley Biden, the Bidens' daughter, posted a family photo to her instagram story.

In it, Naomi stands at the back with husband Peter, her stomach hidden by other family members.

Ashely Biden posted a family photo to her instagram story over Christmas showing all the Biden family celebrating the holiday at the White House

Naomi Biden announced her pregnancy on Election Night

Naomi Biden announced her pregnancy on the night of the 2024 presidential election with a post to her Instagram account.

'(we) voted,' she wrote on her Instagram story, displaying a prominent baby bump with an 'I voted' sticker on it.

DailyMail.com exclusively revealed in May that Naomi and her husband Peter Neal were expecting their first child.

Speculation has been rampant for months that she was expecting. It was the talk of a state dinner in May.

Naomi, who is known for wearing fitted clothes to her slim figure, donned loose fitting gowns during multiple occasions when she was seen in public.

As she and Neal entered a state dinner at the White House for Kenya in May, Neal appeared to be gesturing at his wife's stomach as they posed for photos.

As she leaned into him, what appeared to be a baby bump was seen in her long, roomy pleated metallic cape and dress set from Diana Ayad.

At one point, Neal appeared to be pointing to her bump.

Naomi Biden (right) also wore a flowy frock to a White House state dinner with Japan in April

A month before, Naomi sported a different flowy frock to a White House state dinner with Japan.

Naomi worked as an attorney in Washington, D.C.

She and Peter briefly lived at the White House before moving to Georgetown and then relocating to the west coast.

They married in an opulent ceremony on the South Lawn on November 19, 2022.

She was the first presidential grandchild to be married at the White House.
President Joe Biden confirmed that he's yet to make a decision about issuing preemptive pardons to Trump enemies including former Rep. Liz Cheney and Dr. Anthony Fauci.

The 82-year-old president sat down with USA Today's Susan Page who asked him where he stood on the issue.

Politico reported last month that White House aides were discussing the pardons though had yet to take their pitch to the president.

Among those mentioned in the story were Cheney - a top anti-Trump Republican - Fauci and Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff, who has since said he doesn't want to be pardoned.

'Well, no, I have not,' Biden answered when Page asked if he'd made a decision. 'Well, a little bit of it depends on who he puts in what positions,' the president also offered.

Trump has named former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to head the Justice Department after former Rep. Matt Gaetz pulled out of the confirmation process ahead of the release of a House Ethics Committee investigation on the Florida lawmaker.

The president-elect has chosen Kash Patel to lead the FBI.

Patel has said he would go after Trump critics.

President Joe Biden (right) told USA Today in a new interview that he's yet to make a decision on issuing preemptive pardons to Trump enemies including former Rep. Liz Cheney (left). He awarded Cheney the Presidential Citizens Medal during a ceremony on January 2

Fauci is waving to the driver stationed across the street who is part of the security detail

Fauci is seen with what appears to be his slimmed-down security team

Biden said he implored Trump during their White House sit-down after the election not to go after his political enemies.

'I was very straightforward with Trump when he got elected. I invited him immediately to the White House,' Biden said. 'I spent two hours with him.'

Biden then claimed that Trump 'was very complimentary about some of the economic things I had done' and told the Democrat he had a 'good record' - the opposite of what the Republican told supporters on the campaign trail.

'I tried to make it clear that there was no need, and it was counterintuitive for his interest to go back and try to settle scores,' the president said.

Page asked Biden is Trump said what he would do.

'Well, he didn't,' the president answered. 'But he didn't say, "No, I'm going to ..." You know. He did't reinforce it. He just basically listened.'

Biden then detailed a scenario where he might go ahead with a preemptive pardon, but did so off-the-record, with that part of the interview transcript redacted.

He also said more traditional pardons were still being considered.

Dr. Anthony Fauci pictured outside his DC home talking to a member of his security team and before waving goodbye as he heads into his home.

Politico reported last month that Biden's aides were discussing preemptive pardons for a number of people in President-elect Donald Trump's crosshairs, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, who led both the Trump and Biden COVID-19 response

'But there are other parties that we're following through on to determine that, rectifying some of the, correcting powder-cocaine difference, things like that,' Biden said.

The president has just 12 days left to make decisions on pardons.

He's been in Los Angeles since Monday with his official schedule scrapped due to the horrendous wildfires tearing through parts of the area.

Biden will return to Washington, D.C. later Wednesday to attend President Jimmy Carter's funeral on Thursday.

The president will then depart for Rome for his last official visit with Pope Francis.

Fauci is no longer getting a taxpayer-funded security detail and SUVs after the U.S. Marshals Service quietly dropped his nearly two-year $15 million deal.

Despite retiring from his $480,000-a-year government job in December 2022, the nation's top COVID doctor received a security detail for almost two years.

During a publicity tour to promote his new book this summer, 83-year-old Fauci said he was scared 'deep down, that there's a possibility that somebody's gonna kill me.'

Dr. Fauci, who has an estimated $11 million net worth, was constantly surrounded by U.S. Marshals at the time whether he was at home or going to TV studios to film interviews.

A private security guard leaves the Fauci residence after an outing

Fauci's former detail on the street outside his home. Republican Senator Rand Paul said only cabinet members would receive the same level of protection

That cost taxpayers $15 million in total, a memorandum of understanding between the U.S. Marshals and the Department of Health and Human Services obtained by DailyMail.com first revealed.

That taxpayer-funded security arrangement quietly ended on September 30, 2024, the documents show, days before the election.

Trump teased on the campaign trail that he would be trimming down the 'bloated' federal government that spends billions on unnecessary wast, and Fauci's detail was bound to be high on that list.

He created a new agency, DOGE, headed by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy who have been tasked to do just that.

Exclusive photos taken of Fauci at his residence over the weekend confirms that his taxpayer-funded detail appears to have been disbanded.
A New Year's Eve concert in Miami sparked outrage among residents who claimed that the taxpayer-funded festivities were strictly catered to a Spanish-speaking audience.

Bayfront Park, an 32-acre public space in downtown Miami, has hosted the event for more than three decades.

A press release ahead of the event referred to it as 'the largest Hispanic New Year's celebration in the United States.'

'We're all taxpayers and it's not a solely one group New Year's Eve event,' Dr. Jeffrey Dorfman, a Miami resident, told NBC Miami. 'It's not a private event.'

The party included a long list of performances by platinum-selling recording artists and Latin Grammy-winning icons.

Some of the artists that hit the stage included Willy Chirino, Arturo Sandoval, Chino y Nacho, Luis Enrique, Gente de Zona, Maribel Guardia and Aymee Nuviola, CBS News reported.

Mexican artist Fedro, along with his mariachi band, welcomed the new year on stage once the confetti drop and firework display concluded shortly after midnight.

Other celebrated performers, such as Larry Dogg Bang from Overtown, also put on a show for the massive crowd.

Bayfront Park, an 32-acre public space in downtown Miami, has hosted the event for more than three decades

A press release ahead of the event referred to the event as 'the largest Hispanic New Year's celebration in the United States'

Joe Carollo, the Miami Commissioner and chairman of the Bayfront Park Management Trust who was tasked with leading the event planning, said that over the last seven years there had never once been an issue over the artist lineup

'I am excited to be in my city; it's a dream come true y'all,' Dogg said during the event.

'Because you know what? This is Miami, all cultures, all of us are one; no matter what we do, we are one.'

Some residents were left outraged over the lineup for a holiday as widely celebrated as the New Year.

Members of the Biscayne Neighborhoods Association - a social welfare organization dedicated to addressing quality of life issues that impact Miami residents - were some of those critics.

'I think in the City of Miami, inclusion should play a role in anything that we do that involved taxpayer dollars,' Rick Madan, the president of the association, told NBC.

The controversy seeped into social media, where others questioned the city officials over the lineup.

'Is there some reason the entire NYE event at Bayfront Park was Spanish only?' one person asked on X with a mention of the mayor and city's accounts.

'Is that what Miami is now?' the user continued. 'We take a city-wide event and turn it into an exercise in exclusion.'

Another resident agreed, adding: 'More diversity in your next lineup. Please.'

The party included a long list of performances by platinum-selling recording artists and Latin Grammy-winning icons

Some of the artists that hit the stage included Willy Chirino, Arturo Sandoval, Chino y Nacho, Luis Enrique, Gente de Zona, Maribel Guardia and Aymee Nuviola

Some residents were left outraged over the lineup for a holiday as widely celebrated as the New Year

Joe Carollo, the Miami Commissioner and chairman of the Bayfront Park Management Trust who was tasked with leading the event planning, said that over the last seven years there had never once been an issue over the artist lineup.

He also noted that the lineup did not only feature Spanish-speaking artists

'We had Roxy that sung in English, Larry Doug and his band, the two disc jockeys - the bulk of what they had was in English,' Carollo told NBC.

Carollo believed that the criticism surrounding the celebration came from a misguided and and that and critics wanted to 'destroy the Bayfront Park Management Trust'.

'Everything that the city does it wrong,' he added. 'All they do is complain, complain, complain, and everything is bad. You're doing to do a story over this?'

Pat Santangelo, a board member for the Trust, said that he hadn't heard any complaints from Miami residents regarding to the event but acknowledged that it's a city of millions.

'It's very hard to please all of the people all of the time, but in this case, we are considered the capital of South America to some people,' Santangelo told NBC.

Miami is considered a majority-minority city due to its significant Hispanic population.

One resident took to X to ask Bayfront Park: 'More diversity in your next lineup. Please'

The president of the Biscayne Neighborhoods Association said that 'in the City of Miami, inclusion should play a role in anything that we do that involved taxpayer dollars'

According to the Bayfront Park Management Trust, the New Year's Eve celebration is the largest Hispanic Event in the United States and the second most important in the country - only being surpassed by the ball drop in Times Square

As of 2023, Hispanic or Latinos made up the largest percentage of the Miami population at 69.1 percent, according to 2023 US Census figures.

According to the Bayfront Park Management Trust, the New Year's Eve celebration is the largest Hispanic Event in the United States and the second most important in the country - only being surpassed by the ball drop in Times Square.

'This event reflects the artistic quality and level of excellence our city deserves, a city admired worldwide,' Carollo said in a statement ahead of the event.

The Biscayne Neighborhoods association is now urging the Trust to consider using resident input for next year's planning.
Keir Starmer will treat French president Emmanuel Macron to dinner tomorrow as they try to work out how to deal with the return of Donald Trump and his sidekick Elon Musk.

The two leaders will hold talks at the Prime Minister's Chequers country estate, with an official to-do list set to include support for Ukraine, illegal migration and AI.

But the long-planned bilateral comes as western leaders try to work out how to deal with a second term for Trump as US president.

Last night he said the US wanted to take over Greenland - technically part of the European Union - and refused to rule out using military force.

Trump has also threatened to bring in import tariffs, mainly aimed at China but also taking in other trade partners.

The leaders are also embroiled in separate rows with Mr Musk, the X owner and a senior Trump adviser.

In the past week he has taken aim at Labour and Sir Keir personally over British Asian sex abuse gangs.

And Mr Macron this week accused Musk of election interference after he used his platform and his 210 million followers to voice support for the German far right party Alternative Fur Deutschland (AfD).

Keir Starmer will treat French president Emmanuel Macron to dinner tomorrow as they try to work out how to deal with the return of Donald Trump and his sidekick Elon Musk.

The two leaders will hold talks at the Prime Minister's Chequers country estate, with a to-do list set to include support for Ukraine, illegal migration and AI.

Mr Macron this week accused Musk of election interference after he used his platform and his 210 million followers to voice support for the German far right party Alternative Fur Deutschland (AfD).

The French president has become the latest leader to criticise the X boss, accusing him of intervening directly in the democratic processes of sovereign nations.

'Ten years ago, who could have imagined it if we had been told that the owner of one of the largest social networks in the world would support a new international reactionary movement and intervene directly in elections, including in Germany,' Macron told ambassadors at an annual foreign policy speech today.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who Musk labelled a 'fool' after his coalition government collapsed in November, said at the weekend he is staying 'cool' against critical personal comments made by the US tech tycoon.

He added however that he finds it worrying that Musk, who backed the AfD in an opinion piece in a major German paper last year, makes the effort to get involved in a general election by endorsing the far-right.

Meanwhile Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre, said Monday he found it 'worrying' that Musk, 'a man with enormous access to social media' would be so 'directly involved in the internal affairs of other countries.'

France has warned Donald Trump against threatening the European Union's 'sovereign borders' after the president-elect refused to rule out military action to take control of Greenland.

Your browser does not support iframes.

By acquiring Greenland, Trump would ensure continued access to Pituffik Space Base (pictured)

Trump has ramped up calls for the US to either purchase or stage a takeover of the 'strategically located' nation, which is an autonomous territory of EU member Denmark.

'There is no question of the EU letting other nations in the world, whoever they may be, attack its sovereign borders,' French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told the France Inter radio station.

He added that while he did not believe the US 'would invade' Greenland 'we have entered an era that is seeing the return of the law of the strongest'.

'We are a strong continent, we need to strengthen ourselves further,' he went on, warning that Europe needs to 'wake up' to the reality of an increasingly insecure world and 'reinforce ourselves, militarily, in competition'.

Barrot added that he believed that the United States is 'inherently not imperialistic' and said he 'did not believe' that it is changing.

Trump has questioned whether Denmark has any legal right or 'interest' to Greenland, stating yesterday: 'People really don't even know if Denmark has any legal right to it, but if they do, they should give it up, because we need it for national security.'

Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark and has been part of it for 600 years. The Danish government has control of Greenland's foreign and economic policy, but the territory left the EU in 1985 following a referendum.

The US has a military base there given its strategic position as the shortest oceanic crossroads between North America and Europe.

The island also has a large supply of valuable rare earth minerals - like uranium - not found in the US.

The Prime Ministers official spokesman told reporters on Wednesday: Tomorrow the Prime Minister will meet French President Emmanuel Macron.

The meeting will focus on areas of cooperation and shared global challenges including support for Ukraine, tech and AI, growth and tackling illegal migration.

The meeting comes ahead of President-elect Donald Trumps inauguration, and there have been concerns about what his return to the White House could mean for US support for Ukraine.

It is also set against the backdrop of the number of migrants arriving in the UK after crossing the Channel in small boats being up by a quarter in 2024 on the previous year.

Some 36,816 people made the journey in 2024, a jump of 25% from the 29,437 who arrived in 2023, according to figures from the Home Office.

Sir Keir travelled to Paris in November to attend a French service on Armistice Day at the invitation of Mr Macron.

The Prime Minister met with the President ahead of the commemorations and the pair discussed a number of similar topics to those expected to be on the table on Thursday, including Ukraine and the response to small boat crossings in the Channel.

He was the first British prime minister to attend the events since Winston Churchill in 1944.
A panicked Missouri driver jumped out of her moving car in a desperate attempt to escape after she lost control of the vehicle.

Shocking footage captured the moment Amircia Smalls, 19, hopped out of her driver's seat when her car began gliding out of control on a patch of black ice at an exit near I-29 and Vivion Road in Kansas City.

The car then went off the curved roadway and into the grass. Luckily, no one was seriously injured during the dramatic incident on Saturday.

'I was really thinking like, if a collision is going to happen, I do not want to be in the car,' Smalls told Fox 8.

'I kind of started to panic, but I didnt want to panic.'

Smalls decided to abandon her car after it failed to slow down while she pressed on her brakes. She saw a busy intersection and a red light ahead.

After checking her mirrors and determining that no one was behind her on the exit, she sprang out of the car.

She said to Fox 8: 'I clicked the unlock button, Im like alright, I just jumped out. There werent any cars behind me or anything.'

Amircia Smalls, 19, abandoned her car in the middle of an icy road on Saturday when she lost the use of her brakes

Smalls said she is glad everything worked out, but would not recommend others jump out of their cars

A stranger came up to Smalls after witnessing the incident to make sure she was alright. She said others also came to help and even offered to bring food to her house.

She said her knee hurts a little bit and she is sore from her jump, but she was mostly unscathed. The main damage to her car was its bumper popping off.

An onlooker recorded the entire ordeal and posted it on social media. Local towing company Mr. Tow saw it a few minutes after it went up and immediately offered to help Smalls.

Tow Truck Driver Walter Wright told Fox 8: 'Id already seen the video shortly after it got posted to Facebook, just like about 2 million other people did.'

The video, posted by Houston DeFoe of Kansas City, has more than 10,000 reactions and nearly 7,000 shares.

'This girl straight bailed out of her car yesterday while sliding on an exit over by Briarcliff! Basically said "Jesus take the wheel and the whole car,"' he wrote in the caption.

Wright said there were knee-high snow drifts that day. The company pulled Smalls' car out of the embankment within 10 minutes. They then towed it to her home for free.

He said he was happy to be able to help her out so quickly. Smalls will 'always be appreciative and grateful' for his efforts, she told Fox 8.

Smalls said that she decided to leave her vehicle when she saw the busy intersection ahead

Tow Truck Driver Walter Wright said he is glad he was able to help Smalls out for free

Smalls' car was towed home shortly after it drifted off the road. It was mainly damaged on its bumper

A statement on Mr. Tow's Facebook page reads: 'It was a scary situation, but the outcome was phenomenal! Everyone is SAFE and we were able to get her car out and returned to her safely!

'Thank you, Kansas City for helping us all locate her - and for trusting in us, relying on us and supporting us.'

Smalls is glad that she is safe and that the damage was minimal but she encouraged others to stay in their cars if they find themselves in her situation.
Labour is facing Tory demands to drop a Wes Streeting-backed Islamophobia definition that criticises use of the term 'Asian grooming gangs'.

Kemi Badenoch referred to the definition, drawn up by an all-party Parliamentary group (APPG) co-chaired by Mr Streeting in 2018, as she clashed with Keir Starmer at PMQs.

She claimed in the Commons that the report said 'talking about sex groomers was an example of Islamophobia'.

The APPG on British Muslims said in a statement this afternoon that the definition actually referred to the 'collective smear and trope being used against all British Muslims'.

The report, co-chaired by Mr Streeting - now Health Secretary - and former Tory minister Anna Soubry, set out a series of 'contemporary examples of Islamophobia'.

Kemi Badenoch referred to the definition, drawn up by an all-party Parliamentary group (APPG) co-chaired by Mr Streeting in 2018, as she clashed with Keir Starmer at PMQs

The APPG on British Muslims said in a statement this afternoon that the definition actually referred to the 'collective smear and trope being used against all British Muslims'

The 2018 report, co-chaired by Wes Streeting - now Health Secretary - and former Tory minister Anna Soubry, set out a series of 'contemporary examples of Islamophobia'

They included: 'Using the symbols and images associated with classic Islamophobia (e.g. Muhammed being a paedophile, claims of Muslims spreading Islam by the sword or subjugating minority groups under their rule) to characterize Muslims as being 'sex groomers', inherently violent or incapable of living harmoniously in plural societies.'

The report also said: 'We also found that age-old stereotypes and tropes about Islam, such sexual profligacy and paedophilia or Islam and violence, and their modern-day iteration in the 'Asian grooming gangs' or 'Bin Laden' labels re-emerge in discourses and dispositions which heighten vulnerability of Muslims to hate crimes.'

At PMQs, Ms Badenoch said: 'The Labour Party has adopted the APPG (all-party parliamentary group) definition of Islamophobia. That same APPG report said talking about sex groomers was an example of Islamophobia. This is exactly why people are scared to tell the truth and the lack of clarity means that innocent British Muslims are smeared by association.

'That is not fair and only a national inquiry that can solve this. So will the Prime Minister look again at the Labour Party's adoption of the definition of Islamophobia, its chilling effect and rule out introducing it in government?'

Sir Keir said he would 'call out any aspect that has prevented anybody coming forward or any case going forward' when it comes to violence against women and girls, child abuse or child sexual exploitation, adding: 'Yes, some people will say there should be a further inquiry. I accept that.

'But that means all the victims and survivors who are going to give evidence need to be in a position to do so, not all of them are, I've been speaking to them, there are some who do think they are, it'll take time.

'All of the institutions will have to give evidence, that will take time, this will delay things until 2031. But we already know what the major flaws and my argument is we should get on with that action.'

The APPG said Mrs Badenoch had been 'wrong' about its report.

In a statement, it said: 'If the leader of the Opposition thoroughly read the report, she would understand the report speaks about the collective smear and trope being used against all British Muslims, a point which she accepted in her own words, and does not speak about legitimate concerns about criminal activity committed by specific individuals.

'There is nothing racist or Islamophobic about addressing any crime or protecting victims, regardless of the ethnicity or faith of the perpetrator.'

The group said the definition 'is not there to stop free speech', but urged politicians to 'act responsibly'.

It also pointed to the racist murder of 81-year-old Mushin Ahmed in 2015, who was killed on his way to the mosque in Rotherham by a man who accused him of being a 'groomer'.

The APPG, which is co-chaired by Labour's Sarah Owen and Conservative Robbie Moore, said: 'The whipping (up) of far-right conspiracies on this issue has already taken lives, including in this country.'

Mr Streeting was a backbench MP at the time of the 'Islamophobia Defined' report in 2018

Ms Badenoch's spokesman pointed to her words at PMQs, where she said: 'I would say to (Sir Keir) that by refusing this inquiry, he is enabling those people who wish to smear all British Muslims based on the actions of a small minority.'

The spokesman also pointed to previous comments by Ms Badenoch on the APPG's definition, in which she said it 'creates a blasphemy law via the back door if adopted'.

Posting on X in February last year Ms Badenoch said: 'We use the term 'Anti-Muslim hatred'. It makes clear the law protects Muslims. In this country, we have a proud tradition of religious freedom AND the freedom to criticise religion.'
The Spanish Prime Minister has claimed Elon Musk 'stirs up hatred' by 'openly attacking institutions' as he becomes the latest European leader to criticise the Tesla billionaire's 'meddling'.

The comments from Pedro Sanchez comes after fellow EU leaders French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz accused Musk of intervening directly in European national affairs.

Musk, who is set for a role in Trump's administration, has provoked fury across Europe with a string of attacks against the continent's leaders, including against Chancellor Scholz and Keir Starmer.

Sanchez made the comments about the tech billionaire during a speech for the start of official commemorations on the 50th anniversary of dictator Francisco Franco's death.

The Spanish fascist dictator ran Spain with an iron first from 1936 until 1975 after which the country transitioned back to democracy.

He accused Musk of heading an 'international reactionary' movement that 'openly attacks our institutions, stirs up hatred and openly calls for the support of the heirs of Nazism in Germany's upcoming elections'.

'All this is a problem, a challenge, a challenge that should challenge all of us who believe in democracy,' the PM added at the event at Madrid's Reina Sofia art museum, home to Pablo Picasso's 'Guernica' painting, one of the most famous anti-Franco works.

'Autocratic regimes are advancing halfway around the world,' Sanchez said, warning that 'the fascism we thought we had left behind is now the third political force in Europe', a reference to far-right parties that have gained ground across the continent.

Elon Musk (pictured), who is set for a role in Trump's administration, has provoked fury across Europe with a string of attacks against the continent's leaders

Pedro Sanchez (pictured) made the comments about the tech billionaire during a speech for the start of official commemorations on the 50th anniversary of dictator Francisco Franco's death

Sanchez has joined a growing chorus of European leaders who have issued stern warnings to Musk in recent days.

Yesterday, Macron said: 'Ten years ago, who could have imagined it if we had been told that the owner of one of the largest social networks in the world would support a new international reactionary movement and intervene directly in elections, including in Germany.'

Scholz, who Musk labelled a 'fool' after his coalition government collapsed in November, said at the weekend he is staying 'cool' against critical personal comments made by the US tech tycoon.

He added however that he finds it worrying that Musk, who backed the AfD in an opinion piece in a major German paper last year, makes the effort to get involved in a general election by endorsing the far-right.

German opposition leader Friedrich Merz also called Musk's remarks 'intrusive and pretentious', while vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck warned him: 'Hands off our democracy, Mr Musk!'

In the UK, ministers have urged Musk to get off social media today as brutal clashes with Keir Starmer escalated.

The Prime Minister slammed those 'spreading lies and misinformation' following days of incendiary posts by Musk over the historical grooming gangs scandal in northern England.

Musk accused the centre-left Labour leader of being 'deeply complicit in the mass rapes' and 'utterly despicable'.

Elon Musk, who is engaged in a bitter feud with the PM, cheered on Mrs Badenoch following her attack on Sir Keir at PMQs

During clashes at PMQs, the premier insisted that victims had told him a new probe would only mean 'delay'

He acknowledged there were 'mixed views' among survivors - but accused Kemi Badenoch of 'shocking' behaviour in tabling an amendment that would trigger a new official inquiry

He then sparked backlash after he asked followers on X whether the US should 'liberate' Britain from its 'tyrannical government'.

The Lib Dems have called for Washington's ambassador to be summoned to explain why one of Donald Trump's closest allies is mooting the overthrow of the British government.

Sir Keir mounted a robust defence as he took questions after laying out NHS waiting list plans this morning.

He said 'child sexual exploitation is utterly sickening' and victims had been 'let down' - but insisted he had tackled the issues 'head on' as director of public prosecutions.

The premier accused opposition politicians of 'amplifying what the far-right is saying' after falling to act 'for 14 long years'.

Meanwhile Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre, said Monday he found it 'worrying' that Musk, 'a man with enormous access to social media' would be so 'directly involved in the internal affairs of other countries.'
Donald Trump threw out yet another threat of tariffs when he floated hitting Denmark with the economic punishment if it did not consider his proposal for the U.S. to buy Greenland.

But there are concerns that if tariffs came to fruition, it would raise the prices of the very popular and highly sought after weight-loss drug GLP-1 found in Ozempic and Wegovy.

During a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday, the president-elect warned that he'd 'tariff Denmark at a very high level' if they continue to resist the offer.

Trump reupped this week his 2019 idea for the U.S. to purchase the arctic island, which is an autonomous territory of Denmark. His son, Donald Trump Jr., landed in Nuuk, Greenland on Tuesday along with three allies of his father's to meet with members of the community.

He wouldn't rule out the potential of using economic or military coercion to gain control of Greenland.

'I'm not gonna commit to that, no,' Trump told reporters when asked about taking action to get what he wants. 'It might be that you'll have to do something.'

Denmark is by far not one of the largest trading partners of the U.S., coming in 41st on the list.

But the country would absolutely feel the impact if tariffs were placed on the drugs it imports to the U.S.

President-elect Donald Trump said he would 'tariff Denmark at a very high level' if they resist his offer for the U.S. to buy their territory of Greenland

'For Denmark, this could be disastrous,' licensed pharmacist and founder of CrushCost, Dr. Grant Harting, told DailyMail.com.

'The country has seen a massive economic impact from the introduction of Ozempic and Wegovy,' he added. 'Some even attributing lower interest rates in Denmark to Novo Nordisk's success.'

And higher prices on Danish pharmaceuticals would be felt by millions of Americans who use hearing aids or those taking medications for diabetes or to manage weight.

More than 75 percent of U.S. insulin imports came from Denmark last year, reports Barrons.

Tariffs on Danish products also threaten to increase the price of blockbuster GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy  the former marketed for diabetes and the latter for managing obesity or expediting weight loss.

Additionally, between 25 percent and 30 percent of hearing aid imports came from the Nordic country.

Denmark shipped $14.6 million in goods to the U.S. from January through November of 2024.

This move by Trump would further destabilize the market of the popular weight loss drug considering supply in the U.S. has not been able to meet demand for a few years  ever GLP-1 was added to the Food and Drug Administration Drug Shortage List in March 2022.

'Supply has been increasing and so has access to the drug since then,' Dr. Harting said.

He continued: 'A tariff like the one Trump is considering may push Novo Nordisk to relocate its production facility, which would then cause another drop in supply, reducing access to the drug again for a period of time.'

Denmark has an economy the size of the state of Missouri.

If tariffs were imposed on Denmark, Americans would see a spike in the price of weight-loss pharmaceutical GLP-1 found in drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, as well as on hearing aids and insulin

Trump has also said he plans to impose 25 percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico in response to the immigration and southern border crisis. And wants to put an additional 10 percent tariff on China on top of any other economic restrictions against Beijing.

Before even taking office, Trump has affected much of the world economy with just threats of what he plans to do once he takes the oath later this month.

In addition to wanting to purchase Greenland, the president-elect is also getting more serious about Canada becoming the 51st state.

He also previously proposed acquiring Panama.
A California couple are fighting to save their home in Montana's Glacier National Park that authorities are saying it was built illegally.

John and Stacy Ambler's half-built home that sits along McDonald Creek inside the federal park may be forced to be torn down after the Flathead Conservation District believes they illegally constructed it without the proper permits.

However, the couple claim they were given permission by Flathead County's Planning Office, which told them they could do 'whatever they wanted with the land without restriction' as the land is in an un-zoned area, according to Hungry Horse News.

The Amblers, who are from San Diego, started building their Montana home in late 2022 and early 2023, where they laid a concrete retaining wall into a steambank and installed rock footers into the bank to build a deck, according to the outlet.

Locals filed complaints against them with the Flathead Conservation District, which enforces the state's Natural Steambed and Land Preservation Act, which they say the Amblers violated.

The District ordered the house to be deconstructed, but the Amblers countersued against the organization in federal and county court.

The California natives don't believe the District has any jurisdiction over their land and property because it's located inside the national park and is on an inholding, which is private land that predates the creations of the park in 1910.

They also claim the property is apart of Apgar, a small, private village in the park that was created in 1908.

John and Stacy Ambler's half-built home that sits along McDonald Creek inside the federal park may be forced to be torn down after the Flathead Conservation District believes they illegally constructed it without the proper permits

The couple argue that the state and federal government do not have jurisdiction over the property as it's located in a private village instead Glacier National Park

The District has accused the Amblers of trying to find the gray area, as they claim Montana has no jurisdiction over the plot of land because it's inside a national park, which is federally protected, but also claimed the feds don't have access because it's on private land.

However, the District claims that state and local laws still pertain to private land, regardless of where it is located, including in Glacier National Park.

The couple, however, argue Montana gave the rights to the land to the US when they handed over the land, which 'cedes jurisdiction,' their lawyer Trent Baker said, according to Hungry Horse News.

The Park Service, a federal organization, did allow the Amblers to connect to the Apgar water and sewer systems.

Superintendent David Roemer told Hungry Horse News that the park only has jurisdiction beginning at the high water mark, which is a few feet below the Amblers' home.

Open hearings were heard on Wednesday by US Magistrate Judge Kathleen DeSoto, but the determination has not been released. It is expected to take weeks before the judge's decision will be issued.

DailyMail.com has reached out to the Amblers for comment.
President Biden defended pardoning his son Hunter and rejected that it set a dangerous precedent as he shared what made him reverse course.

Hunter was convicted by a Delaware jury on federal gun crimes and separately pleaded guilty to a $1.4 million tax evasion charges.

But Biden, 82, for months had maintained that he would not let Hunter off the hook.

He told USA Today in an exit interview published Wednesday that he changed his mind only when new details came out about Hunter's case.

'I meant what I said when I was asked whether I was going to pardon my son, but then I found out two factors,' Biden told USA Today.

The president argued that his 54-year-old son paid all his taxes in the end despite them being late.

He also insisted no one had ever been tried for making false claims when signing a gun form. Hunter was found guilty for being under the influence of drugs when he purchased a firearm in 2018.

Biden gave the further insight into his thinking during a wide-ranging interview with USA Today as he prepares to leave office in less than two weeks.

But the president appeared to mix up key details in his son's case including when he son struggled with drug addiction which spiraled in 2016 after the death of the president's first son and Hunter's older brother Beau.

President Biden with his son Hunter in Nantucket over the Thanksgiving holidays just days before he announced he would pardon his son of all crimes committed from 2014 through December 1, 2024

'He was fighting a drug problem, and he beat it. He's been square and sober for almost six years now,' Biden told USA Today of Hunter's struggles.

But then the president confused the timeline according to the interview transcript.

'This was back in 80, I mean excuse me, in 2000 and... What year was it? Anyway, long time ago,' he said.

Hunter was found guilty on three felony charges in June related to the purchase of a gun in 2018 after prosecutors argued he lied on a mandatory gun-purchase form.

Last September, he pleaded guilty in a separate federal tax case on three felony counts for taxes he owed for the years 2016 through 2019.

President Joe Biden with his son Hunter on June 11 after a jury found Hunter Biden guilty on federal gun charges

Hunter Biden with his wife Melissa and their son Beau at the White House on January 2. President Biden said his son is 'doing really well' in his January 5 interview

For months, the White House insisted Biden would not pardon his son, but on December 1, the president made the bombshell announcement that he was pardoning Hunter.

Biden argued Hunter had been singled out 'only because he is my son.'

Addressing the gun-related charges in the interview which took place January 5, Biden argued 'no one's ever been tried on that. Nobody.'

'So he got former Attorneys General and former leaders in both parties, not office holders saying, "It's not done. It's not been done." And that's why I stepped in,' Biden said.

Biden praised his son and insisted that despite all of his challenges, Hunter is doing well.

'He's doing great, God love him. Thank God. He's doing really well. He's been straight and sober,' the president said.

Hunter Biden's legal troubles stem from a period of drug addition

For months, the White House rejected that Biden would not pardon his son as he faced the two separate cases last year.

So the December 1 was a massive U-turn when the 82-year-old president pardoned his son for any crimes committed from January 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024.

It was met with intense backlash from members of both political parties as critics accused the White House of lying about the president's plan leading up to the shocking announcement.

Just weeks earlier, the White House denied the president would pardon Hunter in the final months of his lame-duck presidency, and Biden himself had said he would not pardon him.

Even days after the November election, the White House was still claiming Biden would not pardon him.

Biden's statement about pardoning his son Hunter

In the end, Biden insisted his son had pledged to make amends for the crimes and no one had ever faced felony charges for the gun form.

'No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter's cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because is my son - and that is wrong,' he said in a statement announcing the pardon.

Afterward, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre defended the administration's previous claims that Biden would not issue the pardon.

She insisted the president was a truthful man who only reached his decision that weekend.
The world's richest man Elon Musk has backed British farmers protesting over the Labour government's inheritance tax changes.

Dozens of tractors drove in convoy through the streets of Beverley, East Yorkshire, today as part of a campaign by farmers against the tax they believe threatens the future of the vital industry.

And the billionaire, whose comments on Asian grooming gangs has sparked a heated political debate, gave his full backing to the rural protestors with a post on X.

Commenting on a photograph and post about the latest British farming protest against 'Socialist Labour tax policies that hurt farmers' Mr Musk commented: 'Good for the farmers.'

It is the second time Mr Musk  a key ally of President-elect Donald Trump  has voiced his opinion on the controversial farming tax changes.

Back in November he commented 'Britain is going full Stalin' in response to an article supporting the tax changes.

It was an apparent reference to the Soviet leader's forced redistribution of farmland during the 1930s, known as collectivisation.

A total of 88 tractors circled the town centre in Beverley, passing County Hall where councillors voted on a motion opposing the government's controversial plan to levy 20 per cent inheritance tax on agricultural assets worth more than 1 million.

The world's richest man Elon Musk has backed British farmers protesting over the Labour government's inheritance tax changes

Commenting on a photograph and post about the latest British farming protest against 'Socialist Labour tax policies that hurt farmers' Mr Musk commented: 'Good for the farmers'

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer pictured today leaving 10 Downing Street to attend PMQs at the House of Commons

Dozens of tractors drove in convoy through the streets of Beverley, East Yorkshire, today as part of a campaign by farmers against the tax they believe threatens the industry's future

Tractors are driven through Westminster, London, to protest the changes to inheritance tax on December 11, 2024

A supporter of the farmers holds a sign saying 'Starmer Farmer Harmer' during the rally on December 11, 2024

East Riding of Yorkshire councillors voted by 51 to 5 to support local farmers and write to the Chancellor, Prime Minister and Defra Secretary to urge a policy reversal.

Tory councillor Sean McMaster, who proposed the motion, described the tax changes as 'life-altering' and 'devastating' on farming families 'working the land for generations.'

He said the 'heinous' tax changes would 'threaten our food security and rural economy.'

'Metropolitan elites do not understand rural communities,' he said. 'We must stand with our farmers who work hard all year around to provide what we all take for granted. This government has bitten the hand that feeds the nation. Our farmers will not stand for it. The family farm tax needs to be stopped.'

NFU President Tom Bradshaw refused to comment on Mr Musk's intervention but said the protests by farmers across the country 'show the strength of feeling' in the agricultural community.
Italian police are investigating multiple New Year's Eve sex attacks on women in central Milan reminiscent of the horrifying assaults in Cologne in 2016.

The investigation was launched on January 7 after one of the attacked women spoke to Belgian media and described being surrounded by dozens of men who allegedly groped her.

Laura Barbier, 20, a student from Liege, in Belgium, had travelled to Milan, Italy, with five friends aged 20 and 21 to celebrate the New Year.

The group of four young women and two men watched the fireworks on the Piazza del Duomo outside Milan's cathedral, where men wearing balaclavas were filmed causing chaotic scenes by shooting fireworks into the crowd on the same night.

'Young people set off fireworks into the crowd, to create a crowd movement. It was very dangerous, we had a feeling of unease, as if there was going to be an attack,' Laura told Belgian broadcaster RTL.

Feeling unsafe, Laura said she and her friends tried to leave the square, but they were stopped by a mob of 30 to 40 men shouting shouting 'vaffanculo Italia' ('f*** off Italy') and 'polizia di merda' ('s*** police') who surrounded them.

'That's when we were touched on our bodies, on our clothes and some of us, including myself, inside our clothes,' Laura said.

'Three out of us four girls were sexually assaulted. A friend had her breasts groped and her buttocks touched. [The men] put their hands in my pants. It went very far.'

Laura Barbier (right), 20, a student from Liege, in Belgium, had travelled to Milan, Italy , with five friends aged between 20 and 21 to celebrate the New Year

'Three out of us four girls were sexually assaulted. A friend had her breasts groped and her buttocks touched. [The men] put their hands in my pants. It went very far,' Laura (pictured) told Belgian broadcaster RTL

While her two male friends tried to defend them, there was nothing they could do as the mob of men aged between 20 and 40 stood so close it was 'impossible' to move, Laura said.

She added that even hitting and kicking the attackers, as well as shouting for help, did not work. 'We were powerless,' she said.

Laura said she was finally saved by an Italian man whose wife had also been attacked.

But when Laura and her friends went to the local police to report the sex attacks, they were told that 'it would be useless' before being sent away, the Belgian student claims.

Laura, who has since been receiving psychological counselling over her ordeal at a hospital back in Belgium, said she wanted to speak up to stop similar attacks from happening to other young women.

She told RTL: 'I can't let this happen like this. I thought it only happened in the movies. I can't keep quiet.'

The attack has been compared to the scenes from New Year's Eve in Cologne at the end of 2015 when hundreds of women were sexually assaulted, harassed, and robbed during celebrations near the city's main train station and iconic cathedral.

The group of four young women and two men watched the fireworks on the Piazza del Duomo outside Milan's cathedral, where men wearing balaclavas were filmed causing chaotic scenes by shooting fireworks into the crowd on the same night

Footage from New Year's Eve of the Piazza del Duomo shows chaotic scenes

The situation caused particular outrage after Cologne police insisted that there had been no significant problems, before the real scale of the attacks was revealed in local media reports.

Over 1,200 criminal complaints were filed, including over 500 allegations of sexual assault.

The attacks in Germany were reportedly carried out by large groups of men described as predominantly of North African and Arab descent.

In Milan, the city's Piazza del Duomo has previously been the scene of sexual assaults on New Year's Eve in 2021.

Police said at the time that they had identified 15 young men and three boys, aged 15 to 21, who were described as foreigners or Italians of North-African origin.

Through surveillance images, witness testimony and social media tracking, police were able to piece together 'three different episodes of violence' committed against nine young women that night, they said.
A man whose body was found in the hunt for two British hikers who went missing in the Italian Dolomite mountains has been named by rescuers as Samuel Harris.

Mr Harris, 35, and his friend Aziz Ziriat, 36, both from London, were hiking in the Dolomites in northern Italy but they had not been heard from since 2.20pm on New Year's Day.

In a video to friends before they vanished, they had detailed plans to scale a 3,000-metre mountain on January 1.

But their family and friends became concerned when the two explorers missed their flights back to Britain on January 6 and alerted Italian authorities, who launched an urgent search, which has been hampered by heavy snow and strong winds.

The last known location of Mr Ziriat, who works for Crystal Palace's Palace for Life foundation, and Mr Harris was close to a hut called Casina Dosson, which is near the town of Tione Di Trento, near Riva del Garda, on Lake Garda.

Rescuers resumed a helicopter search on Wednesday morning amid improved weather conditions and tragically confirmed Mr Harris's body was found 'buried under the snow' at around 2,600m.

Italy's alpine rescue service said ground teams found his body at the base of the Care Alto peak and suggested he may have fallen from rocks above the spot.

The rescue teams had been searching the area after tracking a 'phone of one of the two mountaineers'.

Following the discovery of Mr Harris's body at 1pm, rescuers and sniffer dogs continued searching for his hiking partner until 1.30pm, when the hunt was called off due to worsening wind and fog.

Aziz Ziriat (left), 36, and his friend Samuel Harris (right), 35, both from London, were hiking in the Dolomites in northern Italy but they have not been heard from since 2.20pm on New Year's Day

The Italian Alpine rescue service has confirmed that it was Mr Harris's body that was found. Pictured: Sam Harris

Aziz Ziriat (pictured), 36, works for Crystal Palace's Palace for Life foundation

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An investigation is under way into the circumstances of the incident, the spokesperson said.

Earlier on Wednesday, rescuers said the men's backpacks and equipment were found during a search of a bivouac hut they are believed to have taken refuge in.

It comes after a video taken on the day they were last heard from revealed they had planned to leave their packs for a day before they moved to the next valley.

The discovery of Mr Harris's body comes just hours after Mr Ziriat's girlfriend, Bex Dimmock, said their disappearance 'just doesn't make sense'.

Breaking down in tears on Good Morning Britain, Ms Dimmock said this morning: 'There's just so many different possibilities and scenarios, that's the hardest thing. It doesn't make sense and we don't know what decisions they have made.'

She added: 'They are really experienced, they have been to some really harsh conditions.

'This trip, they had a plan to go hut to hut and if the weather permitted they would sleep outside.

'They did have a nice route planned where they would end up in Lake Garda and have some time in that town before coming back.'

Friends of the hikers revealed this morning that helicopters were focusing on a 'very specific area' this morning, including two huts.

In a separate interview with the BBC, Ms Dimmock said: 'They wanted to do a New Year's hike. They wanted to go from hut to hut throughout the Dolomites.

'They were planning on going off-grid, so that's not unexpected at all.

Rescuers are pictured on a mountain after the body of Sam Harris was located in the Dolomites

Rescuers were also searching for a second mountaineer and confirmed that the families of both men had been informed

An investigation is under way into the circumstances of the incident, rescuers said

Rescuers have released pictures of their search for the two missing hikers in the Dolomites

Aziz snapped a video before he and Samuel set off - which was shared with MailOnline

An image of the mountain hut where the men where staying that was included in Aziz's video

'I think they wanted to have some nights where they were out in nature and in fresh air and sleeping in the wild. They have all the gear and they've done hikes before.

'But they also wanted to get into the huts and have fires and drink red wine because it was New Year's, which they did do, because he did message me at one point and he was carrying a log up the mountain to one of the huts.'

She added: 'I know they made it to the hut, and they were drinking red wine, but he said it was freezing.'

She said she last spoke to Mr Ziriat at about 10:00 GMT on New Year's Day.

'He sent some photos of the mountains and a couple of himself,' she said. 'He said his phone was about to die but he would write back to me properly soon.'

She said a few hours later, her messages were not being received by Mr Ziriat's phone.

'His phone had obviously died at that point, or he was out of range,' she said.

Desperate friends of the missing pair have also revealed the moment their GPS tracker went dead.

Joseph Sheppard, a friend of Mr Ziriat, who is helping to co-ordinate the rescue, told The Times: '[Ziriat and Harris] were at a specific rifugio [shelter] and they looked like they were going to [try] and make it to the next refugio, which was on the other side of a mountain. So they had to go up one and down again.

'Their tracking [system] followed them from the rifugio up the mountain, it looks like they pretty much got to the peak of it and then the tracking stops.'

Bex Dimmock (middle) was visibly emotional as she spoke about the search for her boyfriend Aziz Ziriat on Wednesday morning

Descriptions have been shared of the Aziz and Samuel, including a picture of the clothes Sam is believed to have been wearing

It comes after MailOnline revealed the two missing British men snapped footage revealing their plans to scale 3,000-metre Italian mountains on New Year's Day before they vanished.

In the video, Mr Ziriat says the pair are going to leave their usual large packs at home.

The 36-year-old explained he and Mr Harris had been 'lugging' them up and down the valleys for the past two days of the trip.

Speaking into the camera as he stands outside the mountain hut in his flip-flops, Mr Ziriat says: 'Happy New Year! Woken up to some delightful sunshine, blue skies.

'There has not been a cloud in the sky since we got here, which is slightly unnerving but also quite jokes.'

'I want to attack this today, get up into the some of the 3,000 bits which are up yonder.'

'Looking forward to a day scampering, we are not taking our packs today, for the last two days lugging up this God-forsaken valley, another day frolicking before schlepping over to the next valley,' he adds in an extended version of clip.

He also pans to the 'World War One bunker' they had stayed in before going missing.

Before a body was located, friend Joe Stone said: 'They are experienced hikers and they go a couple of times a year. It wasn't surprising that they had no signal as they like going off the grid. Alarm bells were raised though when they didn't turn up for their flight on January 6.

'Helicopters are now searching two specific locations - two refuge huts. We think that's going to be the best chance of success.

'We're all waiting anxiously and the next few hours are crucial.'

Mr Ziriat, who is described as being 6ft 3in, was a student at the University of Brighton, while Mr Harris, who is 5ft 11in, went to Oxford Brookes.

Both attended Teddington School in Teddington in south-west London.
St Louis' woke former DA took nursing classes during her taxpayer-funded working hours before being fired over soaring crime.

Former Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, who was backed by progressive billionaire George Soros, spent 34.5 days attending classes at St Louis University in Missouri over two years instead of doing her public sector job.

That's according to a state audit released on Tuesday by State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick in a damning 71-page report.

The review also found widespread staff turnover, misuse of public funds and a large drop in the number of cases filed, referred and closed before she resigned in 2023.

Gardner quit after Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey took steps to remove her from office after she let too many cases, including homicide, go unpunished.

She told auditors she had been pursuing a family nurse practitioner post-master's certificate 'to improve the office and bring mental health awareness' to the office.

Other issues cited in the audit include $58,000 being spent on flowers, a DJ, car detailing, an office picnic, a chili cookout and her own legal expenses.

Auditors also found difficulty in obtaining information from her office while she was in charge.

Former Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner spent 34.5 days attending classes at St Louis University in Missouri over two years instead of doing her job

The review by state auditor Scott Fitzpatrick, seen here, found widespread staff turnover, misuse of public funds and a large drop in the number of cases filed, referred and closed

Employees denied or delayed requests by auditors for two years until they had to respond due to court subpoenas.

The audit said that 'full access to documents, personnel, and the office itself was only given after the new administration took over'.

An additional $1.9 million was found to have been used to pay contracts for outside legal representation, new software, consultants, and office equipment.

She told auditors that some of the purchases, which also included $5,180 at a bar and grill and $2,585 in pizza were to 'boost morale', according to the St. Louis Dispatch.

Gardner, a Democrat, took office in 2017 and quickly faced accusations of running a dysfunctional office.

She was part of a movement of progressive prosecutors who sought diversion to mental health treatment or drug abuse treatment for low-level crimes.

Gardner pledged to hold police more accountable, and sought to free incarcerated people who were wrongfully convicted.

The St. Louis attorney's office was drastically understaffed during Gardner's leadership.

When she took office there were 60 attorneys, but when she left, there only around 30 remained.

Under her watch, murder in St. Louis, seen here, hit a 50-year high and the city saw less and less felonies prosecuted

The audit said that 'full access to documents, personnel, and the office itself was only given after the new administration took over'

In 2018 she charged former Governor Eric Greitens then a rising star in GOP politics, with felony invasion of privacy, accusing him of taking a compromising photo of a woman during an affair.

The charge was eventually dropped, and Greitens would resign from office in June 2018.

Scrutiny of the case led to the conviction of her investigator and Gardner received a written reprimand from the state Supreme Court.

That was related to how her office was handling documents in the case, it was later found she used $5,004 to pay a fine related to the case.

In a statement, Fitzpatrick said: 'On the same day Kim Gardner should have been in a courtroom performing her duties as Circuit Attorney she was instead in a classroom pursuing her nursing certification.

'The judge at the time said Gardner was the captain of a 'rudderless ship of chaos' and our report backs up that claim by detailing how the performance of the Circuit Attorney's Office declined significantly because of her neglect and mismanagement.

'Taxpayers should be outraged by how this office was run into the ground by Gardner at the same time she was using tax dollars to throw parties for her staff, and to pay for personal legal fees that were a result of her own incompetence.'

One of the final cases that Gardner oversaw was a Cinco de Mayo shooting, which she refused to press charges against the suspected woman for due to a 'lack of evidence' despite surveillance images of the suspect wielding a gun.

According to Gardner's office the suspect - Amber Booker, 33 - wasn't charged due to a 'lack of evidence' and the victims not cooperating with the investigation.

The Democrat-elected prosecutor won her seat in 2016 and was re-elected in 2020.

Gardner was backed by billionaire George Soros and received about $116,000 from Soros-backed PACS his Vera Institute of Justice.

Under her watch, murder in St. Louis hit a 50-year high and the city saw fewer and fewer felonies prosecuted.
A British tourist was 'profoundly' drunk when he plunged to his death from his hotel balcony in Turkey, an inquest heard today.

Crane operator Antony Maxwell, 21, was nearly three times the drink driving limit when he fell from the fifth floor after going out for a cigarette at the Kahya Aqua Resort and Spa in Antalya Turkey.

Essex Coroner's Court in Chelmsford was told how he suffered a severe head injury and was declared dead in hospital in the early hours of April 18 last year.

Mr Maxwell was at the five star hotel with about 13 members of his girlfriend's family and friends, who were celebrating a child's birthday.

The inquest heard how his girlfriend was arrested by Turkish police but released later that day after any third-party involvement was ruled out.

Mr Maxwell's grandmother Lynn Mann suggested that he might have fallen while leaning over to try and get the attention of his friend staying in the room below.

Ms Mann told the inquest how her grandson and his girlfriend had just arrived at the hotel after 'a long day travelling' and he had worked lengthy hours the day before.

She said he had earlier sent her a picture before he boarded a plane at London Stansted Airport, with a message, saying: 'We're on our way'.

Antony Maxwell (pictured) was found to be nearly three times the drink driving limit when he fell from the fifth floor at the Kahya Aqua Resort and Spa in Antalya Turkey

The crane operator (pictured) suffered a severe head injury and was declared dead in hospital in the early hours of April 18 last year

Mr Maxwell (pictured) was at the five star hotel with about 13 members of his girlfriend's family and friends, who were celebrating a child's birthday

Ms Mann added: 'The next message to us was early hours in the morning. For all we knew he was on holiday enjoying himself.'

She said the family would have to make peace with the fact they would never know the exact reason why Mr Maxwell, who lived in Maldon, Essex, came to fall.

Ms Mann said: 'The fact of the matter is this is just tragic. Whatever happened, happened and it was a fall.'

Essex Area Coroner Michelle Brown recorded a conclusion that Mr Maxwell's death was accidental after describing him as being 'profoundly' intoxicated when he fell.

Tests revealed he had 231mgs of alcohol in 100mls of his blood. The legal limit to drive in the UK is 80mgs.

Ms Brown said: 'He was with his girlfriend on holiday, and they had just arrived at the hotel.

'She was unpacking, and he apparently went on to the balcony to have a cigarette and fell five floors.'

Ms Brown said it was impossible to determine the circumstances as to how he fell.

Mr Maxwell was described as 'an incredible young man' and a 'beautiful boy'

She added that the Turkish legal system did not recognise coroner's proceedings in the UK, making it difficult to obtain documents relating to his death.

Ms Brown added: 'They don't recognise the coronial system at all - we are lucky to get whatever documents we have.'

A Gofundme appeal organised last year to raise funds to bring Mr Maxwell's body home described him as 'an incredible young man' and a 'beautiful boy'.

It added: 'He loved his fishing and embraced life he was loved by everyone who knew him, and will be deeply missed. His death has shocked the family to the core.'

The tribute continued: 'Tony was a credit to his family at 21. He was the best big brother to his siblings. He was the friend that made everyone laugh, and the most politest young man I have encountered.'
A Russian guided bomb attack on Wednesday killed at least 13 people and injured 29 others in Ukraine's southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia, authorities said, adding that the number of victims could rise further.

The bodies of the dead and injured were strewn across a road and adjacent pavements next to damaged public transport.

High-rise apartment blocks, an industrial facility and other infrastructure were damaged in the attack, Ukraine's prosecutor general office said on Telegram.

The debris hit a tram and a bus with passengers inside, it added.

Emergency workers were trying to resuscitate a man, while raging flames, smoke and burnt cars could be seen in the background.

Russian troops had used two guided bombs to hit a residential area, the regional governor Ivan Fedorov told reporters.

At least four of the injured were rushed to hospital in a serious condition, Fedorov said, adding that Thursday would be an official day of mourning.

'There is nothing more cruel than launching aerial bombs on a city, knowing that ordinary civilians will suffer,' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on X, urging Ukraine's Western allies to step up pressure on Russia.

A Russian guided bomb attack on Wednesday killed at least 13 people and injured 29 others in Ukraine's southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia

The bodies of the dead and injured were strewn across a road and adjacent pavements next to damaged public transport

Emergency workers were trying to resuscitate a man, while raging flames, smoke and burnt cars could be seen in the background

Regional authorities reported further explosions after the first strike hit.

Russia regularly carries out air strikes on the Zaporizhzhia region, which its forces partially occupy, and its capital.

Moscow claims to have annexed the Ukrainian region along with four others including Crimea.

The strike comes hours after a Ukrainian Top Gun pilot set a new record in Ukraine's history using a F-16 fighter pilot, after he shot down six Putin cruise missiles in a single combat mission.

The air assault happened as Russia unleashed almost 200 drones into the sky, as well as Kinzhals, ballistics, sea and land-based cruise missiles on December 13.

The unnamed pilot was under orders to knock down the cruise missiles and admitted the chances of hitting a missile, travelling over 400mph, were slim.

It also comes after Ukraine used British Storm Shadow missiles to eliminate two top Kremlin officers in a dramatic double strike across the Russian border last week.

The strike on a key Russian command post in the Kursk region by half a dozen Ukrainian-deployed precision Storm Shadow missiles 'killed eight and wounded 22' in a major blow to tyrant President Putin.

A firefighter extinguishes cars which burn after Russian air and missile strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine today

Image shows firefighters at the site of a Russia strike in the city of Zaporizhzhia that killed 13 people today

Two men are pictured helping a wounded civilian today in Zaporizhzhia following a Russian strike

Chaotic footage showed the strike on Lgov targeting a building used by Russian serviceman, and today it was revealed that the lives of two colonels were lost to the blast.

Britain's Storm Shadow missiles are capable of dodging air defences - making them a nightmare attack weapon for their enemy.

The 800,000 rockets use GPS technology to precisely blast targets, and can travel through the air at 600mph.
Devastated Pacific Palisades residents have returned to their neighborhood to find their homes and businesses reduced to rubble and ash by deadly wildfires.

Harrowing video reveals the once-bustling Los Angeles enclave is now an eerie ghost town.

CBS correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti was unable to contain his emotion as he drove through the smoldering streets on Wednesday.

'Oh my god, look at this, beyond comprehension,' he is heard saying as he tears up. 'It's very sad.'

The video shows the charred remains of several businesses and homes, including a Starbucks, with plumes of flame continuing to rise in the background.

The apocalyptic scene shows crumpled power cables above piles of rubble lying in between the city's iconic palm trees.

Vigliotti reported that the mall survived the devastation but that, 'everything else is gone'.

The once ritzy neighborhood has been decimated by the blaze which began on Tuesday and spread rapidly amid 60mph Santa Ana winds.

Pacific Palisades residents have returned to the neighborhood to find their homes and businesses reduced to rubble and ash by deadly wildfires. A burned-out building that included a Starbucks is pictured

The same building is pictured before it was destroyed by flames that ravaged the ritzy enclave

Some 30,000 residents in Pacific Palisades and surrounding areas are now under mandatory evacuation orders

Some 30,000 residents in Pacific Palisades and surrounding areas are now under mandatory evacuation orders, amid warnings there is an immediate threat to their lives.

At least four separate blazes are burning in the metropolitan area, from the Pacific Coast inland to Pasadena.

As of 8am local time the fires were 0 percent contained. Two people have been killed and many more injured after the blazes tore through more than 5,000 acres.

The deaths were linked to the fire in Eaton, though the exact nature of what caused them has not been released.

LA fire chief Anthony Marrone said as many as 1,000 structures have been destroyed in the LA fires.

With thousands of firefighters already attacking the flames, the Los Angeles Fire Department put out a plea for off-duty firefighters to help, and weather conditions were too windy for firefighting aircraft to fly, further hampering the fight.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has now declared a state of emergency amid warnings the situation could worsen.

A CBS reporter captured the scenes of devastation in the once bustling metropolitan hub

California Governor Gavin Newsom has now declared a state of emergency after four separate blazes were identified

Torrance Firefighters are seen gearing up to fight the Palisades Fire. High winds have meant that tackling the blazes is proving difficult

Southern California Edison shut off power to nearly 120,000 customers in six counties over safety concerns due to high winds and the risk of wildfires.

Another 440,000 customers could face similar shutoffs depending on the weather.

Among the high-profile evacuations were former husband and wife Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck and their three children.

The ex-couple fled together after Affleck was ordered to leave his $20 million bachelor bad just blocks from Garner's home.

Star Wars actor Mark Hamill and actor James Wood have also been evacuated, while reality stars Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt have lost their home.

Two people have been arrested for looting amid the chaos, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna.

Daniel Swain, climate scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles, told CNN the ongoing fires in southern California could be historically costly.

Southern California Edison shut off power to nearly 120,000 customers in six counties

An oceanfront home in Malibu is pictured ravaged by the flames of the Palisades fire

'It is plausible that the Palisades Fire, in particular, will become the costliest on record period, not just in California, but in general,' Swain told CNN.

'Weve likely checked that box this time. Im hoping we dont check other boxes as well.'
Germany has been declared the 'world champions of sick leave' by the country's biggest insurer as it revealed that poorly Germans take an average of 20 days off each year.

The staggeringly high number of sick days are way above the European Union average of just eight days per year and provides a further dent in Germany's growing reputation for a poor work ethic.

Germany's high number of sick days were uncovered following research from the health insurer DAK.

They, in words reported by The Times, claimed the steep rise in sick days across the country since 2022 was partly due to a increases in colds and Covid cases.

It is employers who paid the price for the large amount of absences - which cost them an eye watering 77 billion in wages.

Including 19 billion from health insurers this comes to six per cent of the country's national social spending.

Currently, Germans are entitled to six weeks of full pay if they can't work for health reasons.

With Germany's economy floundering and its worker now putting in significantly fewer working hours than their EU and British counterparts, businesses leaders have put forward their own solutions to tackle the high amount of sick days and jumpstart the economy.

Germany has been declared the 'world champions of sick leave' by the country's biggest insurer as it is revealed that poorly Germans take an average of 20 days off each year (stock image)

A worker at the Volkswagen assembly line in Wolfsburg, Germany. It is employers who paid the price for the large amount of absences - which cost them an eye watering 77 billion in wages

Oliver Bate, the chief executive of Allianz SE, has proposed reintroducing a system abolished in 1970 where workers lost their pay on the first day sickness unless they have a doctor's note.

A policy still in place in many countries such as Spain and Greece.

Speaking to German media he pointed out that Germany would save 40 billion if it could cut the amount of workers taking sick days.

Mr Bate said: 'In countries like Switzerland and Denmark people work a month longer per year on average  with comparable pay.'

His suggestion has been praised by fellow business leaders but prompted an outcry from trade unions and political parties.

Hans-Jurgen Urban, a board member of the engineering union IG Metall, said: 'The German economy won't recover with sick employees, but on the contrary with better working conditions.'

He also claimed making workers pay for the first day of sick leave was an 'assault on the welfare state'.

The main Volkswagen factory of the German carmaker in Wolfsburg, Germany. For the first time in its history, the carmaker announced job cuts for the first time in its history in December

Dennis Radtke, a member of the European parliament for the centre-right CDU, called Mr Bate's suggestion 'class war from above'.

Meanwhile, Europe's largest economy has been floundering in recent months with titans of German industry such as Volkswagen announcing job cuts for the first time in their history last month.

It was the only G7 economy to shrink in 2023 and the IMF estimates that it will remain the group's worst performing economy of 2024 with disastrous a zero per cent growth.

However fellow G7 members do not fair much better with neighbouring France seeing an estimate growth of just 1.1 per cent and the UK seeing a meager growth of just 1.5 per cent.
A Brazilian beauty queen has been stripped of her crown after a bizarre video captured the moment she allegedly attacked cats with a firecracker.

Footage showed Miss Araucaria Gabrielly Palacio filming herself and her friends as she claimed that she was about to set off the small explosive on cats in the backyard of a home in the southern city of Curitiba.

The 19-year-old model paused for a moment and then says, 'God forbid I say something like that. I'm going to set them off to scare them away.'

Palacio then handed the cellphone to another friend and walked to an area of the home where the cats were located.

She then laughed as she held a lighter to the firecracker and tossed to the ground.

Because of the lack of lighting in the background, it's impossible to tell if any cats were injured.

The Miss Araucaria organizers condemned Palacio's behavior and removed her title as Miss Araucaria 2024.

'The competition's coordination does not agree with such an attitude and we believe that this action does not represent what is expected of a beauty queen, who, among other things, is the defense of animals,' the committee said. 'Therefore, this organization decides to revoke her title.'

Brazilian model Gabrielly Palacio was stripped of her title as Miss Araucaria on Tuesday after a video surface of her lighting a firecracker and tossing at cats. The 19-year-old addressed the incident on social media and said that the 'video was edited and taken out of context' and that no cats were present

Brazilian beauty queen Gabrielly Palacio is seen here lighting up a firecracker before tossing it towards an area at a home, where cats were present

Palacio took to Instagram on Tuesday and posted an apology, claiming the video was taken out of context and that no cats were injured, before she deleted the statement Wednesday.

'I would like to address you to clear up a serious misunderstanding involving my name and a misinterpreted statement about cats,' she wrote. 'I want to state categorically that there was no animal abuse.

'The video released was edited and taken out of context, omitting the part where I corrected my speech and showed that there were no cats at the scene. I apologize for any confusion or outrage caused.'

She also shared a photo of a cat sitting on top of the awning.

'The (water) pump is not working, guys,' she wrote. 'As you can see, I'm shaking and I'm scared ******* of cats.'

Palacio also explained that the pageant committee could not strip her crown because her reign concluded in November, exactly one year after she won.

Authorities are investigating the firecracker incident and will question former Miss Araucaria 2024, Gabrielly Palacio

Gabrielly Palacio said that her reign as Miss Araucaria 2024 concluded in November and that there was no way the beauty pageant committee could strip the title away from her

Gabrielly Palacio was crowned Miss Araucaria in November 2023

The beauty pageant organization announced the runner-up contestant will assume the title of Miss Araucaria.

Parana Civil Police chief Guilherme Dias told Brazilian news outlet G1 that an investigation is underway and that investigators will be seeking to interview Palacio and all other people who were present.

'The detonation of explosives, even if not with the intention of directly hitting the animal, causes intense suffering to the animals, therefore constituting the crime of mistreatment,' Dias said.

Palacio and any other codefendant could be sentenced to two to five years in prison if they are found guilty of animal abuse.
Germany has joined France in warning Donald Trump against threatening the European Union's 'sovereign borders' after the president-elect refused to rule out military action to take control of Greenland.

Trump has ramped up calls for the US to either purchase or stage a takeover of the 'strategically located' nation, which is an autonomous territory of EU member Denmark. Denmark is also a member of defence bloc NATO, along with France and Germany.

The rebukes came as Greenland's Prime Minister, Mute Bourup Egede, flew to Denmark to meet with its king for emergency talks.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said 'the principle of the inviolability of borders applies to every country... no matter whether it's a very small one or a very powerful one.'

Scholz said there was a 'certain incomprehension' about statements coming from the incoming US administration.

'The principle of the inviolability of borders applies to every country no matter whether that's in the east or the west.'

Scholz stressed that 'NATO is the most important instrument for our defence and a central of the transatlantic relationship'.

'There is no question of the EU letting other nations in the world, whoever they may be, attack its sovereign borders,' French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told the France Inter radio station earlier today.

He added that while he did not believe the US 'would invade' Greenland 'we have entered an era that is seeing the return of the law of the strongest'.

US President-elect Donald Trump arrives to speak to members of the media during a press conference at the Mar-a-Lago Club on January 07, 2025 in Palm Beach, Florida

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (pictured) said 'the principle of the inviolability of borders applies to every country... no matter whether it's a very small one or a very powerful one'

'We are a strong continent, we need to strengthen ourselves further,' he went on, warning that Europe needs to 'wake up' to the reality of an increasingly insecure world and 'reinforce ourselves, militarily, in competition'.

Barrot added that he believed that the United States is 'inherently not imperialistic' and said he 'did not believe' that it is changing.

Trump has questioned whether Denmark has any legal right or 'interest' to Greenland, stating yesterday: 'People really don't even know if Denmark has any legal right to it, but if they do, they should give it up, because we need it for national security.'

Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark and has been part of it for 600 years. The Danish government has control of Greenland's foreign and economic policy, but the territory left the EU in 1985 following a referendum.

The US has a military base there given its strategic position as the shortest oceanic crossroads between North America and Europe.

The island also has a large supply of valuable rare earth minerals - like uranium - not found in the US.

Trump declined on Monday to rule out military or economic action as part of his avowed desire to have the US seize control of Greenland, as well as the Panama Canal. He has also argued for a takeover of Canada.

During a rambling press conference at Mar-a-Lago, a reporter asked Trump if could assure he would not use 'military or economic coercion' to take control of the Panama Canal and Greenland.

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that while he did not believe the US 'would invade' Greenland 'we have entered an era that is seeing the return of the law of the strongest'

Trump ramped us his threats to take over Greenland as his son Don Jr. landed in the territory

Donald Trump Jr. visits Nuuk, Greenland, on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Republican lawmakers are largely in lockstep with Trump's Greenland plans

Residents wearing MAGA hats stand in front of the Hotel Hans Egede during Donald Trump Jr.'s (not pictured) visit to Nuuk, Greenland

'I'm not going to commit to that,' Trump said, when asked if he would rule out the use of the military.

'It might be that you'll have to do something. The Panama Canal is vital to our country.' He added, 'We need Greenland for national security purposes.'

He made the comments as his son Donald Trump Jr. made a trip there to shoot social media content.

Trump Jr. took his father's Trump Force One jet to the country. The president-elect called into his son's phone to speak to locals when Jr. was in a cafe.

He said that if Denmark tried to hold onto Greenland, they would face heavy economic tariffs.

He also contested, without any evidence, that the people of Greenland would vote to become a part of the United States.

Denmark, during Trump's first term, rejected the then-president's offer to buy the island, a position the country has made clear it will maintain.

Greenland, with a population of 57,000, controls most of its own domestic affairs as a semi-sovereign territory under the Danish realm.

A view of the village of Kangaamiut in Greenland, Wednesday, July 3, 2024

Wellwishers wait for the arrival of US businessman Donald Trump Jr. in Nuuk, Greenland on January 7, 2025

Its relations with Denmark have lately been strained over allegations of historic mistreatment of Greenlanders under colonial rule.

Egede has stated that the island is not for sale, while in his New Year speech he stepped up a push for independence from Denmark. Denmark also says the territory is not for sale, and that its fate can be decided only by Greenlanders.

In 2019, Trump cancelled a planned visit to Denmark after Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen rebuffed his suggestion of the US purchasing Greenland.

Trump has also taken aim at Canada in recent days, arguing that he believed the US' northern neighbour should become the country's 51st state.

Trump said that while he would not invade was Canada, combining it with the US would result in an 'economic force' that would 'really be something'.

He also mocked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau by calling him 'governor' and shared a map showing the two countries without borders emblazoned with an American flag.

He repeated his argument that the country is economically dependent on the United States. The US is Canada's biggest trading partner.
The Groucho Club's first female chief executive has resigned just months after an alleged rape on its Soho premises.

Iranian-born executive Elli Jafari was handed the reins of the famous private members club last May, but is understood to have stepped down from the role shortly before the Christmas break.

The venue, known as a celebrity haunt, has been closed since November after police arrested a 34-year-old man in Hertfordshire on suspicion of raping a woman.

Police banned the club from selling alcoholic drinks as they compiled evidence relating to the alleged crime, forcing its closure.

But on 17 December, the club successfully argued its licence should be reinstated and it is now due to reopen on Friday, albeit under stringent conditions.

These include a ban on more than one person using a toilet cubicle at a time, staff receiving welfare training and a tightening of club membership rules.

A note circulated to members revealed the Iranian-born executive, who previously served as vice-president for Europe and Americas at The Standard Hotel Group, had now departed from the Groucho Club, The Times reports.

The note read: 'We would like to let you know that Elli decided to resign from her role as CEO just before the Christmas break.

Elli Jafari, The Groucho Club's first female chief executive, has resigned just months after an alleged rape on its Soho premises

The Iranian-born executive was handed the reins of the famous private members club last May, but stepped down from the role shortly before the Christmas break

The venue has been closed since November after police arrested a 34-year-old man in Hertfordshire on suspicion of raping a woman

'We would like to extend our thanks to her for helping to steer the club through the last couple of months and wish her well for the future.

'Finally, we would like to reiterate our sincere thanks for all the support you have shown to the club over recent months.'

Groucho member Simon Cooke, a former managing director of famous jazz venue Ronnie Scott's Club, will take over as interim managing director.

At last month's meeting with Westminster Council, lawyers for the venue stated that it had never been under review in its 40-year history.

But Gary Grant, representing the Metropolitan Police, argued as the club is associated with an allegation of a serious crime, new rules needed to be installed.

He said: 'When an allegation was made that a woman was raped inside the Groucho Club that led police to carry out investigations at the Club.

'The police investigation led to meetings between police licence officials and the management of the Groucho Club.

'As a result of these discussions it became apparent that there were a number of breaches of the licence conditions at the time of the triggering incident (rape allegation) that led us here today.'

The Groucho Club was informed its licence would be reviewed following the rape allegation and has remained shut since November

George Michael and Liza Minnelli appeared to hit it off when they met for the first time at The Groucho Club in 1990, just five years after it opened its doors

Lily Allen, left in 2008, and Sienna Miller, right in 2005, are among the famous faces who have partied in The Groucho Club over the decades

New rules include making applicants for membership of the club wait a minimum of two days before being admitted.

Members will also be limited to four guests who must be accompanied at all times.

'If more than one person is found using a toilet cubicle they will be immediately evicted,' Mr Grant added.

'The police case is with these conditions it reflects an appropriate response.

'It addresses the three issues in this case, namely proper supervision of the toilet area, proper welfare training and tightening up previously lax procedures around membership and guests.'

The Groucho is a byword for style and glamour and has been a popular haunt for numerous celebrities, including George Michael, Rita Ora, Cara Delevingne, Noel and Liam Gallagher, Lily Allen, her father Keith, Robbie Williams, Freddie Mercury, and Noel Fielding.

In the Nineties and Noughties, it garnered a reputation for encouraging hedonism.

Although its reputation became a little more staid in recent years, the private venue in London's Soho continued to be known as a place where the rich and famous could let their hair down.

It is owned by Swiss art dealers Ewan and Manuela Wirth who were not present at the hearing.
Labour MPs tonight voted down a Tory demand for a new national inquiry into grooming gangs.

The Commons opposed a call, fronted by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, for a fresh probe into historical child sexual exploitation by 364 votes to 111.

Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, hit out at Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and accused the premier of using 'his supermajority in Parliament to block a national inquiry into the rape gangs scandal'.

It came amid a furious political row over the issue, which has seen pressure piled on Sir Keir by opposition MPs and billionaire Elon Musk.

The PM has endured a barrage of attacks from the tech mogul after it was revealed the Government declined a request for a nationally led inquiry in Oldham.

The controversial businessman has used a slew of social media posts to fuel demands for a new national inquiry.

This evening's Commons vote was held on a Tory amendment to Labour's Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

It called on the Government to establish a 'national statutory inquiry into historical child sexual exploitation, focused on grooming gangs'.

But, due to Labour's massive Commons majority, the amendment was defeated.

The vote was held just hours after Kemi Badenoch and Sir Keir Starmer had clashed at Prime Minister's Questions

The Tory leader warned that Sir Keir's refusal to support a national inquiry would fuel concerns about a 'cover-up'

The PM has endured a barrage of attacks from tech mogul Elon Musk after it was revealed the Government declined a request for a nationally-led inquiry in Oldham

Mr Philp said the Tories would not let Labour forget what he called an 'act of cowardice'.

'Labour MPs have put their Party ahead of getting to the truth and turned a blind eye to justice for the victims,' he said.

'Labour MPs will have to explain to the British people why they are against learning the truth behind the torture and rape of countless vulnerable girls.'

Fellow Tory MP Neil O'Brien, the shadow minister for education, gave an impassioned speech ahead of the vote calling for a 'much needed' national inquiry into grooming gangs.

'There were 40 to 50 places where the grooming gangs operated and the victims voices in those places have never been heard,' he said.

He said without a national inquiry it is clear 'we will not get to the bottom of this and the people who looked the other way or covered it up will not be held to account'.

'So far, madam deputy speaker, how many people in authority have been brought to justice or held to account? The answer is zero.' he said.

But schools minister Catherine McKinnell said Labour would be rejecting the amendment, calling it 'political opportunism'.

'Because instead of chasing headlines we want to focus our efforts and our actions on vulnerable children,' she said.

'The Conservatives know that if their amendment today was to pass then this Bill would fall. They also know this Bill will deliver landmark reforms to safeguarding and children's social care.

'It is the biggest piece of child protection legislation in a generation and we are bringing it forward to prioritise children.'

The vote was held just hours after Mrs Badenoch and Sir Keir had clashed at Prime Minister's Questions.

The Tory leader warned that Sir Keir's refusal to support a national inquiry would fuel concerns about a 'cover-up'.

The PM hit back at Mrs Badenoch over 'lies and misinformation and slinging of mud' which did not help victims of child sexual abuse.

He had urged Mrs Badenoch to drop her amendment which, if it had succeeded, would have derailed Labour's child protection legislation.

Sir Keir said a further inquiry could delay action on tackling child sexual abuse.

He pointed out that recommendations from a seven-year investigation chaired by Professor Alexis Jay, which reported in 2022, had not yet been implemented.

The PM hit back at Mrs Badenoch over 'lies and misinformation and slinging of mud' which did not help victims of child sexual abuse

Mrs Badenoch responded: 'The PM called for nine inquiries in the last Parliament. Does he not see that by resisting this one, people will start to worry about a cover-up?'

The Tories have stepped up their attack on Labour with an ad saying: 'Do you think there should be an inquiry into rape gangs? Keir Starmer doesn't.'

In heated Commons exchanges, the PM said: 'This morning, I met some of the victims and survivors of this scandal, and they were clear with me that they want action now, not the delay of a further inquiry.'

He said Mrs Badenoch had 'jumped on the bandwagon' about grooming gangs.

And, in a further swipe at the Tory leader, he added that while in office as children's minister and equalities minister, 'I can't recall her once raising this issue in the House, once calling for a national inquiry'.

Mrs Badenoch responded: 'The PM called for nine inquiries in the last Parliament. Does he not see that by resisting this one, people will start to worry about a cover-up?'

She urged Sir Keir, a former director of public prosecutions, to 'be a leader, not a lawyer'.

The PM told the Tory leader that 'lies and misinformation and slinging of mud doesn't help one bit'.

Mr Musk, estimated to be the world's richest man, cheered on Mrs Badenoch following the PMQs exchanges.

Posting on X, the social media site he owns that was formerly known as Twitter, he wrote: 'Well said by @KemiBadenoch.'

He had earlier branded Sir Keir 'Starmtrooper' and accused him of trying to cover up 'terrible things'.

Prior to tonight's vote, Mr Musk had also urged members of the public to call their MPs and 'tell them that the hundreds of thousands of little girls in Britain who were, and are still are, being systematically, horrifically gang-raped deserve some justice in this world'.

Sir Keir's official spokesman faced questions about the possibility of a national inquiry after safeguarding minister Jess Phillips told Sky News 'nothing is off the table' in dealing with the scandal.

The spokesman said the PM and his minister were of the same view, and insisted the Government's response is 'rooted in what victims want'.

Following PMQs, as MPs debated the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage suggested his party will fund an inquiry into child sexual abuse if the Government fails to do so.

The issue was raised at the first PMQs since the Commons returned from its Christmas break

He told the Commons that Reform will raise the money and appoint 'independent arbiters' to conduct the national inquiry.

Mr Farage said there was 'overwhelming' support across the political spectrum for an inquiry, adding: 'The PM is doing his best to tell us there's been an inquiry, the Jay inquiry.

'Well, there has, and it's 459 pages long. Grooming gangs are not mentioned once, Rotherham is literally mentioned once in passing.

'The scope of that inquiry was like a shotgun, it was to cover a whole range of areas in which children were being abused. What we need, and what we're calling for, is a rifle shot inquiry.

'One that looks specifically at to what extent were gangs of Pakistani men raping young white girls. Because, ultimately, it seems to me, there's a deep racist element behind what happened.

'Now I might be right, I might be wrong, but doesn't the country deserve a full, open national inquiry?'

Mr Farage also voiced his support for Mrs Badenoch's amendment, but added: 'I do note that as women and equalities minister from 2022 to 2024, she didn't meet a single victim of these rapes, and never raised the issue once.

'Insincere though it may be, I will vote for it. We will vote for it.

'But I beg those on the other side of the House to think, don't you believe that your constituents need to know the truth about this great evil that has happened in our culture?'

Labour MP Nadia Whittome said: 'The Conservative leadership and Reform MPs marching to the beat of Elon Musk's drum are plainly weaponising the pain and the trauma of victims for their own political ends.'

The Nottingham East MP added: 'When you say that child sexual and exploitation is the result of alien cultures, or a multiculturalism project that has failed, you mask the reality, which is that child sexual abuse and exploitation is happening in every area of this country, perpetrated by members of every social class, every race and every religion.'

Reform MP Rupert Lowe raised around 30 questions during the debate, including: 'Will the Government commit to pausing all Pakistani visas and foreign aid into the country until the Pakistani government agrees to accept any of its deported citizens that have perpetrated these crimes on British soil and also imprisons these rapists and their accomplices in Pakistan however they see fit?'

The Great Yarmouth MP added: 'The mass rape of young white working-class girls by gangs of Pakistani rapists is a rotting stain on our nation. This is not about Elon Musk, this is not a bandwagon of the far right.'

Sarah Champion, Labour MP for Rotherham, said she was appalled by the language used by Mr Lowe. Speaking directly after him, she said: 'I've got to say, I feel disgusted by what (he) has just said.

'Can you imagine, if you're a victim or survivor, listening to that? I'm sure his intent is to get to the truth and to get justice, but the language  please think about who hears our words.'

She said the previous inquiry by Professor Alexis Jay had taken seven years, cost 186 million, had more than two million pages of evidence, and spoke to 725 witnesses and more than 6,000 victims and survivors.

'So I say with the deepest respect to all of those calling for a national inquiry: rather than that, put all of your energy in getting these recommendations adopted, because with the best will in the world  another inquiry will mean another 10 years of waiting,' she added.

'And what I want to see, and I truly believe we want to see, is child protection right now.'

Critics claim Sir Keir wants to avoid a national inquiry as it could put the focus on his time as director of public prosecutions between 2008 and 2013.

The PM has defended his record, pointing out that he brought the 'first major prosecution of an Asian grooming gang' and changed the approach to dealing with similar cases.
Southern England has been battered by snow as droves of cars battle their way through icy conditions as rush hour chaos descends.

Footage emerged of vehicles trying to skid their way home today, with one lorry abandoned on the side of the road in Hove, Sussex.

Elsewhere a Mercedes slowly crawled its way up a road surface covered in ice before becoming stuck on a back lane, as snow blanketed parts of the county today.

Snow also fell on the sandy Brighton beach as the frosty waves crashed onto the shore and the misty air descended on the coastal town.

It comes as the Met Office issued an urgent amber snow warning for South West England today amid concerns up to four inches could settle as temperatures drop to -12C.

The warning was announced just before 2.30pm and activated immediately, running until 9pm tonight - with 0.8in (2cm) to 2in (5cm) of snow expected to accumulate on high ground above 500ft (150m) and up to 4in (10cm) above 800ft (250m).

Devon and Cornwall Police have urged drivers to wait until the snow passes later this evening to carry out their journeys unless they are 'absolutely necessary'.

Forecasters said travel delays on roads were 'likely' and could leave drivers stranded, while power cuts were also possible along with mobile phone coverage outages.

SUSSEX: A lorry was abandoned today in Hove as snow battered parts of the south

SUSSEX: A lorry sits vacant on the side of the road as vehicles take on their perilous journeys through the snow

SUSSEX: Rush hours chaos ensued this evening as motorist battled their way home

SUSSEX: Others abandoned their cars after losing hope of being able to make it through the wintry conditions

SUSSEX: A Mercedez attempted to crawl its way up an icy country road to no avail

BRIGHTON: People standing on the beach as it begins to snow today as temperatures are set to plummet to -12C

BRIGHTON: A woman takes shelter under a coat near Brighton Palace Pier as it starts to snow

BRIGHTON: A woman stands under an umbrella near the Palace Pier as snowflakes begin to fall

The Met Office has a series of yellow and amber warnings in place today for snow and ice

Delays and cancellations to trains and planes were also possible in parts of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset - while some rural communities could become cut off.

The amber warning comes on top of an existing yellow snow warning covering the South of England counties and parts of London from 9am until midnight today.

Between 0.8in (2cm) and 2in (5cm) of snow could also accumulate widely and as much as 4in (10cm) over higher ground, with sleet expected in South London tonight.

The Met Office said outbreaks of sleet and snow will push in from the South West today - although many places could see little to no snow settling, especially on roads.

Further yellow warnings for snow and ice have also been imposed for northern and western Scotland until midnight tomorrow night and Northern Ireland until 11am tomorrow. A similar warning for Wales will be in force tomorrow from 3am to 12pm.

The Environment Agency had 91 flood warnings and 179 alerts active for England today, while Natural Resources Wales imposed a further warning and four alerts.

Meanwhile hundreds of schools were closed again today due to the severe weather creating dangerous conditions, especially in West Yorkshire with 190 shut in Bradford.

Flooding also continued to impact rail services across England, including Northern trains between Doncaster and Scunthorpe; Great Western Railway between Liskeard and Looe in Cornwall and Merseyrail trains between Hooton and Capenhurst.

The Met Office has issued an urgent amber snow warning for South West England today, which was announced just before 2.30pm and activated immediately, running until 9pm tonight

DERBYSHIRE: An overturned car in the snow today after an accident on the A619 near Baswell

WEST YORKSHIRE: Snow in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, today as weather warnings for snow and ice are in force

LEICESTERSHIRE: Caravans are surrounded by floodwater today in Barrow upon Soar

It comes after temperatures this morning plunged to -7.8C (18.0F) in Cumbria, with the mercury set to fall further to -12C (10F) tonight and even -20C (-4F) tomorrow night.

The coldest areas are expected to be in northern Scotland and the North of England.

The UK's lowest temperature ever recorded was -27.2C (-17.0F) at Braemar in Aberdeenshire on January 10, 1982, and the last time the mercury fell below -20C was in February 2021 when Braemar fell to -23C (-9F).

Met Office chief forecaster Jason Kelly said: 'Weather conditions will start to change from the South West on Wednesday, with fronts from the Atlantic bringing milder air along with moisture.

'As this moisture encounters the cold air, snowfall is expected particularly over higher ground and away from the coast. However, there is still uncertainty about how far north these fronts will reach. They could either skirt the south or move into southern England.'

NORTH TYNESIDE: Huge waves smash against the sea front at Whitley Bay in North Tyneside this morning

LEICESTERSHIRE:An abandoned car on a flooded road in Mountsorrel today

SCOTLAND: Snow around Black Rock Cottage in front of Buachaille Etive Mor in Glencoe, Scotland, today

ABERDEEN: Wintry conditions in Aberdeen today as weather warnings for snow and ice are in force

NORTH TYNESIDE: Huge waves smash against the sea front at Whitley Bay in North Tyneside this morning

BEN NEVIS: People look at a fishing boat on the shore of Loch Linnhe in front of Ben Nevis in Corpach today

LIVERPOOL: Gulls stand on the frozen boating lake at Sefton Park this morning

LEICESTERSHIRE: An abandoned car on a flooded road in Mountsorrel today

SCOTLAND: Snow around Black Rock Cottage in front of Buachaille Etive Mor in Glencoe, today

LONDON: Walkers brave the frosty conditions on Wimbledon Common in South West London today

ABERDEEN: Wintry conditions in Aberdeen today as weather warnings for snow and ice are in force

LIVERPOOL: Gulls stand on the frozen boating lake at Sefton Park in Liverpool this morning

LEICESTERSHIRE: Caravans are surrounded by floodwater today in Barrow upon Soar

LONDON: Deer graze in the frost at Bushy Park in London today as the sub-zero temperatures continue

SCOTLAND: Loch Ba at Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands today as the sub-zero weather continues

NORTH TYNESIDE: Huge waves smash against the sea front at Whitley Bay in North Tyneside this morning

LIVERPOOL: A council worker spreads grit around the frozen boating lake at Sefton Park in Liverpool today

SCOTLAND: People look at a fishing boat on the shore of Loch Linnhe in front of Ben Nevis in Corpach today

LONDON: Deer graze in the frost at Bushy Park in London today as the sub-zero temperatures continue

LIVERPOOL: Gulls stand on the frozen boating lake at Sefton Park in Liverpool this morning

ABERDEEN: Wintry conditions in Aberdeen today as weather warnings for snow and ice are in force

LONDON: Deer graze in the frost at Bushy Park in London today as the sub-zero temperatures continue

LIVERPOOL: Gulls stand on the frozen boating lake at Sefton Park in Liverpool this morning

SCOTLAND:Snow around Black Rock Cottage in front of Buachaille Etive Mor in Glencoe today

NORTH TYNESIDE: Huge waves smash against the sea front at Whitley Bay in North Tyneside this morning

SCOTLAND: Lochan na h-Achlaise at Glencoe in the Highlands today as the sub-zero weather continues

LEICESTERSHIRE: An abandoned car on a flooded road in Mountsorrel today

SCOTLAND: People look at a fishing boat on the shore of Loch Linnhe in front of Ben Nevis in Corpach today

Forecasters said tomorrow and Friday will bring continued low temperatures with snow and ice warnings 'likely to be issued as confidence in the most likely impacted areas increases'.

The Met Office added that more snow is possible on Saturday, but milder air will have moved in across much of the UK by Sunday meaning rain is more likely than snow.

BBC weather presenter Carol Kirkwood tweeted this morning: 'It's another cold start with the risk of ice this morning. BUT tonight (Wed) parts of N Scot and N Eng could get down to -12C. Thursday night -20C is possible on higher elevations in N Scot, and -10 to -15C in parts of N Eng and N Scot.'

Meanwhile the Environment Agency (EA) estimates that more than 41,000 properties have been protected from flooding across England since New Year's Eve, but at least 300 properties have flooded.

LONDON: Deer graze in the frost at Bushy Park in London today as the sub-zero temperatures continue

ABERDEEN: Wintry conditions in Aberdeen today as weather warnings for snow and ice are in force

LONDON: Deer graze in the frost at Bushy Park in London today as the sub-zero temperatures continue

SCOTLAND: Loch Ba at Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands today as the sub-zero weather continues

LIVERPOOL: A person looks out over a frozen lake at Greenbank Park this morning

OXFORDSHIRE: A frosted car in the Oxfordshire countryside in Dunsden this morning after a bitterly cold night

LONDON: Deer graze in the frost at Bushy Park in London today as the sub-zero temperatures continue

NORTH TYNESIDE: Huge waves smash against the sea front at Whitley Bay in North Tyneside this morning

ABERDEEN: Wintry conditions today as weather warnings for snow and ice are in force

LONDON: Deer graze in the frost at Bushy Park in London today as the sub-zero temperatures continue

NORTH TYNESIDE: Huge waves smash against the sea front at Whitley Bay in North Tyneside this morning

LONDON: Deer graze in the frost at Bushy Park in London today as the sub-zero temperatures continue

LIVERPOOL: A tree frozen into the lake at Greenbank Park this morning

LONDON: Deer graze in the frost at Bushy Park in London today as the sub-zero temperatures continue

NORTH TYNESIDE: Huge waves smash against the sea front at Whitley Bay in North Tyneside this morning

LIVERPOOL: Gulls stand on the frozen boating lake at Sefton Park in Liverpool this morning

LEICESTERSHIRE: An abandoned car on a flooded road in Mountsorrel in Leicestershire today

LONDON: Deer graze in the frost at Bushy Park in London today as the sub-zero temperatures continue

Snowmelt has brought further disruption to parts of England, particularly in the Midlands, following the heavy rainfall over the New Year that saw significant river and surface water flooding across the North West of England and Yorkshire, the EA said.

Floods minister Emma Hardy said: 'My sympathies go out to the people, businesses and communities impacted by the recent flooding across the country.

'I want to express my heartfelt thanks for the vital work that the Environment Agency and emergency services are doing to keep people safe. People must continue to follow their advice and sign up for flood warnings.'

A danger-to-life warning was issued yesterday but later removed for the River Soar near Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire, where people living in caravan parks were urged by the EA to act, with a large-scale evacuation needed to save lives.

Dozens of people have been rescued by firefighters across Leicestershire since Monday, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said.

The snow warning for today covers parts of South London, where sleet is expected to fall

The Environment Agency has 91 flood warnings and 179 alerts in force for England today

Homeowners on Belton Road in Loughborough were stranded on the first floor of their semi-detached houses yesterday after rising water from the nearby Grand Union canal flooded the street.

It comes after Manchester, Bristol, Aberdeen and Liverpool John Lennon airports were forced to suspend flights for a period yesterday because of the conditions.

Stefan Laeger, flood duty manager at the EA, said: 'Environment Agency teams continue to be out on the ground, operating flood defences, taking action to reduce the impact of flooding, issuing flood warnings and supporting those communities affected.

'We urge people to remain vigilant over the next few days and advise anyone travelling to be especially careful and urge people to stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive through flood water as just 30cm (1ft) of flowing water is enough to move your car.'
Donald Trump tore into California Governor Gavin Newsom for being unprepared for the devastating wildfires that have cropped up all around Los Angeles causing immeasurable damage.

The wildfires, numbering up to four separate blazes, have already scorched thousands of acres, burnt scores of structures and caused what appears to be billions of dollars in damage.

The Palisades Fire, which began in Pacific Palisades, California, and currently is the most ferocious of all the blazes, has already torched beach-side homes from Malibu to Santa Monica, and as of Wednesday afternoon is 0 percent contained.

Images of the disaster show multi-million dollar homes going up in flames, fleeing residents panicking and brave firefighters desperately attempting to put out spot fires encroaching on major structures.

The president-elect lambasted Newsom in a Truth Social post Wednesday for focusing on environmental priorities like 'worthless fish' over those of Golden State residents.

Trump said that the governor, who he referred to as 'Gavin Newscum,' a favorite of the Republican's pet names, was at fault for the disaster.

'Governor Gavin Newscum refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snow melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way.'

California Governor Gavin Newsom surveys wildfire damage in the Pacific Palisades on Tuesday. President-elect Donald Trump slammed Newsom on Wednesday, blaming him for the fires, which as of noon Wednesday, were 0 percent contained

Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social that he previously warned Newsom about the many fire dangers California faces

A picture of a smelt fish

'He wanted to protect an essentially worthless fish called a smelt, by giving it less water (it didn't work!), but didn't care about the people of California,' the statement continued.

'Now the ultimate price is being paid. I will demand that this incompetent governor allow beautiful, clean, fresh water to FLOW INTO CALIFORNIA! He is the blame for this. On top of it all, no water for fire hydrants, not firefighting planes. A true disaster!'

In a separate post, the Republican again slammed the Democrat.

'As of this moment, Gavin Newscum and his Los Angeles crew have contained exactly ZERO percent of the fire. It is burning at levels that even surpass last night. This is not Government. I cant wait till January 20th!' Trump wrote around 2 pm ET.

Then again he spouted off about the California governor in a third post: 'NO WATER IN THE FIRE HYDRANTS, NO MONEY IN FEMA. THIS IS WHAT JOE BIDEN IS LEAVING ME. THANKS JOE!'

Trump has previously criticized Newsom for his handling of fires and told him he needs to better manage the state's many annual wildfires.

In a visit to The Golden State in November of 2018, the then president and newly elected governor both met following the devastating Camp Fire.

Speaking during their visit to Skyway Villa Mobile Home and RV Park in Paradise, California, Trump warned 'you've got to take care of the floors'.

Footage of their exchange has resurfaced online amid calls for Newsom to stand down as wildfires ravage parts of Los Angeles, amid complains about fire hydrants not having water and power lines not being shut off.

In the 2018 clip, he says: 'Get all of this cleaned out and protected. You've gotta take care of the floors. The floors of the forest.'

Speaking during their visit to Skyway Villa Mobile Home and RV Park in Paradise, California, in 2018, seen here, Trump warned 'you've got to take care of the floors'

More than 30,000 people have now fled the city as California issues warn there is an 'immediate threat to life'

Pacific Palisades residents have shared the fears they faced as they were forced to evacuate their mansions on Tuesday while a massive fire continues to spread

Trump again hit the governor in 2019 for doing a 'terrible job' managing the states forests.

'I told him from the first day we met that he must 'clean' his forest floors regardless of what his bosses, the environmentalists, DEMAND of him,' Trump posted at the time.

'Must also do burns and cut fire stoppers,' he added, in reference to forest management policies that were being overlooked.

In 2021 Newsom signed a bill directing over $15 billion to combat wildfires, drought and other climate challenges facing California.

That climate package dedicated nearly $1 billion exclusively to help prevent wildfires, after the two most destructive on record happened within one year of each other.

But these new blazes could be the most expensive to ever hit California.

Daniel Swain, climate scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles, told CNN Wednesday the ongoing fires in southern California could come at a historic cost.

'It is plausible that the Palisades Fire, in particular, will become the costliest on record period, not just in California, but in general,' Swain told CNN.

A home burns during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles County, California on January 8, 2025

'Weve likely checked that box this time. Im hoping we dont check other boxes as well.'

Karoline Leavitt, Trump's incoming Press Secretary, affirmed her boss's critique of Newsom in a post on X Wednesday afternoon.

'President Trump is 100 percent right about the wildfires In 2020, he signed an order diverting water from Northern Cali to cities & farmers in the south Gavin Newscum immediately filed suit to 'protect highly imperiled fish species close to extinction,'' she wrote.

The fires have been so widespread that Vice President Kamala Harris' Southern California home was under an evacuation order.

'Last night, the Vice President's neighborhood in Los Angeles was put under an evacuation order,' the VP's press secretary said in a statement.

'No one was in her home at the time. She and the Second Gentleman are praying for the safety of their fellow Californians, the heroic first responders, and Secret Service personnel.'
A shocking photo captured a group stopping to pose for smiling selfies near burning homes as raging wildfires ravaged Pacific Palisades, killing two and destroying thousands of homes.

Three major blazes have destroyed more than 1,000 structures and killed at least two people as flames move from the Pacific Coast inland to Pasadena.

While the Los Angeles Fire Department has put out a plea for off-duty firefighters to help battle the blaze, influencers are being blasted for pausing their evacuations to record themselves and take selfies.

An unidentified group was caught entering an evacuation zone to take selfie photos and videos near burning homes at the Eaton Fire on Tuesday.

Influencer Tara's World was slammed for filming videos during the power outages instead of evacuating.

'All of the power went out in our house because we're in an insane windstorm and there's like legit fires, so we're going to go on a nighttime adventure,' she said Tuesday night.

Wednesday morning she recorded the debris blown into her pool and complained of the food spoiling in her refrigerator because the power was still out.

Commenters begged her to prepare to evacuate by packing a bag and getting out before the flames get closer.

A group was caught entering an evacuation zone to take selfie photos and videos near burning homes at the Eaton Fire on Tuesday

Influencer Tara's world was slammed for recording videos during the power outages instead of evacuating

'This is when you prevent and leave because once that fire closes in youre toast,' one person said. 'Peoples priorities. Im astounded,' said another.

'Put all the cats and the dog [in the car] and get out of there. Just drive away as fast as possible,' a third person said.

One TikToker shared a video claiming she was ready to brag to her friends currently living in the polar vortex that she was somewhere warm, but was shocked to learn of the fires.

'I'm from a humid a** state, we don't have wildfires. I grew up thinking firemen literally just put out house fires,' she said.

She went on to complain about not knowing what to pack in her go bag and showed off some of her precious items.

'This is all my jewelry, cause I ain't leaving this behind. These are all my clothes that I could live without, these are all of my thrifted jewels that I will never be able to find again and could not live without.

'I've got some hats, this Rockies hat, I brought my silk scarf collection. I ain't leaving these behind. What do I pack? Do I pack fun stuff... what do I do?'

Commenters told her not to prioritize material items and to evacuate as soon as possible.

Another TikToker shared a video complaining about not knowing what to pack in her go bag and showed off some of her precious items

Another influencer complained that she was not able to save her belongings because she was at a resort in Mexico with her partner - despite the fact that the people back in LA are in physical danger and she is not

An NBC Los Angeles reporter offered to keep the paintings belonging to a man who was fleeing his home on a bicycle

'Girl important paper, pets, family and get out. Material things not important... your life is,' one person said. 'Things can go from bad to worse in minutes, take what u can and go.'

Another influencer complained that she was not able to save her belongings because she was at a resort in Mexico with her partner - despite the fact that the people back in LA are in physical danger and she is not.

'When you're in Mexico so you couldn't evacuate your apartment & cars and now it's burned down in the Palisades fire,' she said.

'Crying, laughing out of discomfort, sad we couldnt get any belongings, happy were safe. Trying to enjoy our work trip but dying to be home. Need all the prayers we can get.'

In a second video, she filmed herself sobbing at the resort while an upbeat song played in the background.

'What the f**k is this,' she said. 'Our apartment just burned down and our cars and we're on vacation in Mexico and this is the f*****g song.'

'Should we dance it out,' he partner said.

An NBC Los Angeles reporter offered to keep the paintings belonging to a man who was fleeing his home on a bicycle.

Three major blazes have destroyed more than 1,000 structures and killed at least two people as flames move from the Pacific Coast inland to Pasadena

Commenters critique the cyclist for waiting so long to leave and surprised by his attempt to take the paintings with him.

'That's so nice. My only transportation is a bike and I couldn't imagine trying to scramble to carry anything in that situation,' one person said.

'That one painting is a Van Gogh priced at $300mm,' one person speculated. He's fine, house or no house,' said another.

California governor Gavin Newsom was slammed after he shared a video as he surveilled the wildfires that are ravaging through the Los Angeles area.

The Democrat said he was on the ground in Pacific Palisades on Tuesday as the inferno spread throughout southern California, killing at least two and leaving many significantly injured, per officials.

But his critics took the image as a photo-op as they slammed Newsom for the fires.

The popular @Breaking911 X account wrote: 'JUST IN: California Gov. Gavin Newsom has showed up to the scene of the Palisades fire to put his hands in his back pockets.'
A Tennessee mother has been accused of smothering and killing her two children with a Lilo & Stitch blanket - and investigators revealed what they believe her motive was.

Jessica Chandler, who was 28 at the time, was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder on October 29, 2024, when her husband James came home and found their two children unresponsive.

During a court hearing on Tuesday, Johnson City Police Department (JCPD) Criminal Investigator Michael Fowler shared that Chandler allegedly killed her kids because she could not 'protect' them from James.

Fowler said: 'I think there [were] multiple reasons that came up. One was the previous incident with James and her not being able to protect her children.

'She explained a lot about her past with her past life experiences. There [were] various contributions.'

Chandler left notes taped to her cabinets, allegedly implicating her in her children's murders, according to police.

In one of the letters, Chandler detailed an incident involving the sexual assault of her niece by a relative, which made her concerned for her children's safety.

Fowler read a letter by Chandler in court: 'Im not asking you to know my story. I'm asking you to understand my decision. I've seen a lot in this lifetime.

Jessica Chandler has been accused of smothering her two young children on October 29, 2024

Chandler appeared in court on tuesday, she was given a $2 million bond and is set to appear again in March

Johnson City Police Department (JCPD) Criminal Investigator Michael Fowler shared letters that Chandler wrote in court

'I refuse to let my children bear this cruel world alone therefore I brought my children into this world and Im taking my children out of this world.'

At first, investigators believed that Chandler poisoned her kids Vista, 4, and Eli, 1, because they found empty bottles of Tylenol, Melatonin and NyQuil at the scene, WCYB reported.

But at the recent court hearing, Fowler testified that the autopsy suggested the children died from asphyxiation.

'She pointed out on the property list that she used a Lilo & Stitch blanket to first suffocate Vista in her bed,' Fowler said in court, according to WJHL.

Based on letters and the fact that Chandler was found by police in a bathtub with razor blades, investigators believe she was planning on ending her own life.

When she was arrested, police said she waved a knife as the officers and EMS personnel.

On top of her murder charges, Chandler was hit with two counts of aggravated child abuse and two counts of aggravated assault on a first responder.

Gary Price, the officer that responded to Chandler's when the children were found dead recalled what he saw that day.

Chandler and James pictured on his Facebook page in 2015. In court, Fowler said Chandler referenced James in her reasoning for allegedly killing her children

Officer Gary Price said he found Chandler in a bathtub with razor blades and knives near her

James posted a Facebook tribute to Vista on what would have been her fifth birthday

'The first thing I saw was a male giving presumably what I would see as CPR to a child in the front yard,' he said in court.

'As I approached the male, medical personnel was already there.'

Price said that James told him to go inside to house, where he found Chandler sitting in the tub with cuts on her.

He then noticed the razor blades and utility knives on the edge of the bathtub.

Chandler's bond was set a $2 million with GPS monitoring restrictions. Her next court date is set for March 31.

According to James' Facebook page, Vista would have celebrated her fifth birthday on December 7, 2024.

'Happy birthday Vista Mae. I love you every moment of everyday. Here's your moon and the stars will be out soon,' he captioned the photos of the evening sky and flowers on her and Eli's graves.
by Rachel Robison-Greene

Public philosophy isnt new. The image that many people conjure up when they picture a quintessential philosopherthe image of Socratesis the image of a public philosopher. Socrates didnt write articles. He didnt publish in peer reviewed journals. He had conversations with members of his community about subjects that matter. The practice of public philosophy is thriving today in a surprising number of forms. Different approaches give rise to meta-level questions about the nature of philosophy in general and the nature of public philosophy in particular. Ill provide a non-exhaustive discussion of some of these approaches and then Ill discuss perks and pitfalls of one approach in particular.

One of the most common forms that public philosophy takes is work written for a broad audience rather than an academic one. Public philosophers of this type write articles for media outlets and blogs as well as books intended for consumption by non-specialists. This work relays information or offers arguments. One advantage of such an approach is that experts can (ideally) summarize a critical mass of information succinctly, making it possible for the community to get at the heart of a philosophical issue quickly. 1,000 Word Philosophy, for instance, presents enduring philosophical questions along with summaries of some of the most compelling answers on offer in easily digestible articles.

Another form that public philosophy can take is facilitating active engagement with the history of philosophy. Public philosophers of this type might host open talks and panel discussions with experts. They might put together community reading groups. In Italy, a group of public philosophers has put together a philosophy museum that is open to the public. This form of public philosophy emphasizes the enterprise as a great conversation taking place across the duration of human history.

The third type of public philosophy and the type that Ill discuss at length here is the approach that brings communities together to facilitate important conversations. This occurs in many settings: street corners, libraries, coffee houses, pizza parlors, and this approach acknowledges the philosophical spirit in everyone: the ability to give and respond to reasons, the capacity to develop and react with apt emotions in particular circumstances, the potential to weigh evidence and evaluate the trustworthiness of sources, and so on. Community members are actively participating in crafting and critiquing arguments. My husband, Dr. Richard Greene and I have put on many such events. We call them Ethics Slams. Weve discussed issues such as climate change, gun control reform, and cancel culture. We begin by presenting a list of philosophical goals and commitments and then proceed to moderate open mic public conversations.

Though these conversations are often rich and meaningful, I must confess to a certain level of looming pessimism. I suspect that most of the gloom surrounds the likelihood of achieving the goal we set out to achieve, which is to come to a better understanding of truths by crafting and evaluating the strongest arguments we can related to the topics under discussion. The philosophical motivation is, in part, the motivation that John Stuart Mill offers in On Liberty. He says,

the peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is, that it is robbing the human race; posterity as well as the existing generation; those who dissent from the opinion still more than those who hold it.

If the opinion is right, they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth: if wrong, they lose, what is almost as great a benefit, the clearer perception, and livelier impression of truth, produced by its collision with error.We can never be sure that the opinion we are endeavoring to stifle is a false opinion; and if we were sure, stifling it would be an evil still.

Mill argues that the freedom to articulate viewpoints freely provides human beings with a better chance at arriving at truths and at recognizing not just that bad arguments are bad, but also at understanding why theyre bad. People are rarely placed in spaces in which they can engage in this activity with people from a wide range of backgrounds, so our hope is that Ethics Slams will provide them with healthy spaces to engage in the kind of exchange of ideas that Mill describes. The optimistic part of me believes that people value their innate philosophical nature; a nature which is on display when they participate in this kind of argument analysis. I hope this will make a difference when it comes to how we engage with one another and how we think about policy formation. Philosophical discourse shouldnt take place in a vacuum.

And yet, as Ive said, Im pessimistic. My pessimism arises from at least four main features of these discussions. The first is that our current epistemic climate is unfortunate, to put it mildly. It is hard to form true beliefs or to craft arguments with well-justified premises in a climate of belief formation, particularly online, in which profit is treated as more important than truth. When participants come from a wide range of backgrounds and political orientations, they bring with them confirmation bias, conspiracy theories, a tendency to demonize those they view as outside of their in-group, and a body of beliefs that has been heavily influenced by carefully crafted online misinformation designed to be seductive precisely to members of their given demographic.

My second concern is one that is discussed at length by Plato: some participants seem to engage the discussion with genuine curiosity and epistemic humility. Others seem interested only in persuasion. That is, they are engaging in rhetoric rather than philosophy. At first glance, rhetoric and philosophy seem quite similar, but their goals are often antithetical to one another. In Platos Gorgias, the titular character is a sophist, or what we might today call a rhetorician. He takes himself to have mastered the skill of making the weaker argument the stronger. He says, For the rhetorician can speak against all men and upon any subject. In short, he can persuade the multitude better than any other man of anything which he pleases. Rhetoric could but need not be used in the interest of truth. It could instead be used in the furtherance of what Harry Frankfurt, in his noteworthy work of public philosophy On Bullshit aptly describes as bullshit. In other words, if a philosopher and a sophist walk into an Ethics Slam, the participants might walk out more misguided than they were before, depending on the skills of the sophist and the position that sophist happens to take on the issue at hand.

Ive often wondered what, if any, difference exists between an event like an Ethics Slam and a Town Hall. I think there is a meaningful difference because the goals and expectations are clearly articulated from the start and the aims weve identified are explicitly and intentionally philosophical. In doing so, we hope to encounter philosophy rather than sophistry at our events.

Then again, that approach isnt as straightforward as it may seem either. Ensuring that discourse remains philosophical requires a stipulative definition of what it is to be philosophical. Some discussions that weve had have become predictably emotional because they involved not abstract philosophical concepts, but concrete social issues that impact some populations more than others. For example, weve hosted Ethics Slams about the ethics of public protest, the MeToo Movement, and recent laws that ban certain diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Voices were raised and tears were shed. Sometimes people are inclined to disregard what others say if those others become emotional because they view reason as at odds with emotion. Accepting this definition often leads to testimonial epistemic injustice. We might do well to include emotions, and moral emotions in particular, in our understanding of what it is to think philosophically. There are challenges for that position as well, however. What are we to do with retributive moral emotions such as shame, blame, guilt, and anger? What role, if any, should such emotions play in philosophical public discourse?

The third problem I want to identify is the self-selecting audience problem. The general idea is that we never manage to actually have good faith conversations with the people who might benefit from them the most. Ive framed this concern as a dilemma argument in what follows:

Either the parties participating in the discussion are committed to good faith discourse or they are not.

If they are committed to good faith discourse, they arent the people we need to reach, and the discourse isnt useful.

If they are not committed to good faith discourse, they wont be willing to participate in the discourse and the discourse isnt useful.

Either way, the discourse isnt particularly useful.

Finally, Im concerned with a related problem that Ill call the causal efficacy problem. Weve had strong attendance at these events. Weve often had well over a hundred people. In this climate, thats a lot of people in a room committed to philosophical discourse and treating one another with respect. That said, we could have ten, a hundred, or even a thousand times that many people present and it would be unlikely to have any practical impact on social policy. In a country that sometimes seems difficult to describe as anything other than an oligarchy, the people with the money and the power decide what policies will be implemented. Philosophical analysis plays little to no role in that.

In gloomier moods, I ask myself, Is any of this worth it? Engaging in public philosophy requires a lot of time and effort and doing it at all occasionally results in abuse and backlash.

But Im not always pessimistic. Despite my doubts, some of the most meaningful experiences Ive had both as a teacher and as a person have been doing public philosophy. Some professional philosophers respond to public philosophy with disdain. This strikes me as transparently gatekeeping. A discipline that is the heart and soul of the humanities shouldnt put its liberating, humanizing power on a shelf only the rich and privileged kids can reach. We should liberate philosophy from the ivory tower. It hasnt lived there for very long in the first place.

Ive seen the humanizing effects of philosophy firsthand. In one striking instance, we were working with a group of incarcerated students on a set of moral arguments related to contemporary issues. One student in particular had shared the details of her difficult childhood with us. She had moved around so much that she rarely attended school and did not graduate. Reading was challenging for her. She learned a lot from her circumstances and offered unique and compelling arguments I never would have considered without her contributions. When we mentioned this, she told us that this was the first time anyone had ever seemed to really care what she thought about anything. Offering reasons is an important part of what it is to be human. Listening carefully to each others reasons is both validating and humanizing.

The commitment to reasoning with one another helps us to form community and to recognize that we are not voiceless. Even if our voices dont change public policy, we can find comfort in our philosophical community. That community can be part of what makes our lives meaningful, even when things are grim. We can model good behavior for one another and serve as strong examples for young people.

In the Republic Glaucon challenges Socrates on the question of why we ought to be virtuous. He argues that people really only behave virtuously because they are concerned about the consequences. If there were no consequences, people would be self-serving. Socrates argues that virtue is worth pursuing for its own sake. Its intrinsically valuable. Similarly, living philosophically, taking ourselves and each another seriously as the source of reasons and as beholden to them is valuable for its own sake, even if our reasoning doesnt have much impact on world affairs.

Ill end with a supporting quote from Mills On Liberty about what makes us wise,

In the case of any person whose judgment is really deserving of confidence, how has it become so? Because he has kept his mind open to criticism of his opinions and conduct. Because it has been his practice to listen to all that has been said against him; to profit by as much of it as was just, and expound to himself, and upon occasion to others, the fallacy of what was fallacious.

Because he has felt that the only way in which a human being can make some approach to knowing the whole of a subject is by hearing what can be said about it by persons of every variety of opinion, and studying all modes in which it can be looked at by every character of mind.

***

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The Justice Department revealed it intends to release Jack Smith's report on the decision to charge Donald Trump with a conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election  but will sit on a separate volume on Trump's classified documents case.

The decision came in a court filing Wednesday, after lawyers for two Trump codefendants persuaded Trump-appointed Judge Aileen Cannon to block the release of the volume of Smith's report pertaining to their case before her.

The move could make public a trove of information on Trump just before he retakes office, while burying other information about government documents that ended up at Mar-a-Lago.

Trump was charged with willful retention of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago, in a case Cannon dismissed this summer that was on appeal when Trump won the November election.

Trump's team has also asked an appeals court to block the release of the entire two-volume report.

Legal filings reveal that Smith, the special counsel, accuses Trump of being 'the head of the criminal conspiracies,' and his footnotes indicate the combined reports run beyond 200 pages.

Trump's team argue that the report, under DOJ regulations, merely spews 'conspiracy theories,' and say it is unfair to release it, saying it violates his presumption of innocence. Trump, meanwhile, has continued to attack Jack Smith publicly.

DOJ said the volume on the classified documents case would be provided to key members of Congress for both parties for private review in redacted form. 'This limited disclosure will further the public interest in keeping congressional leadership apprised of a significant matter within the Department while safeguarding defendants interests,' DOJ wrote.

Once Trump takes office January 20th, his own Justice Department will get to make determinations on whether the report on the classified documents case ever gets released. Trump has repeatedly called the prosecutions against him 'witch hunts.'

He has nominated loyalist former Florida AG Pam Bondi to lead the agency.

Both of Trump's codefendants in the case, longtime valet Waltine Nauta and Carlos de Oliveira, a Mar-a-Lago property manager, have been in his longtime employ. Both have pleaded not guilty to charges against them.

'They brought this moron out of The Hague. He's a mean guy,' Trump said of special counsel Jack Smith. The Justice Department said it will release Smith's report on the January 6th case. A separate volume on the classified documents case may never see daylight

Trump unloaded on 'nasty guy' Jack Smith as his team tries to stop the special counsel from releasing the damning report.

Smith has been trying to get clearance from Attorney General Merrick Garland to release a two-part volume into Trump's alleged misconduct related to his handling of classified documents and attempts to overthrow the 2020 election.

Neither of Smith's cases against Trump reached trial and the president-elect has fiercely maintained his innocence during the 'political' prosecution.

Trump's team is pleading in court that Garland halt the release of the report that they say just spews 'conspiracy theories' about the incoming president.

The last-minute court battle came as Trump asked the Supreme Court to stop his sentencing in his hush money case.

The president-elect also made a series of personal jabs at Smith on Tuesday calling him 'mean and nasty' and accusing him of executing people.

'They brought this moron out of The Hague. He's a mean guy. He's a mean, nasty guy,' Trump said, referring to Smith's prior assignment prosecuting war crimes at the Hague.

Trump tore into the special counsel during an hour-long press conference at Mar-a-Lago where he also refused to rule out military force to obtain Greenland and regain control of the Panama Canal.

'[Smith's] picture was perfect, because you look at his picture, you say that's a bad guy with his robe  his purple robe  and he executes people. He shouldn't be allowed to execute people, because he'll execute everybody. He's a nutjob. But we won all of those cases with him.'

He went on praise 'brilliant' Judge Aileen Cannon in Florida who ruled that Smith's special counsel appointment was unlawful last year.

Smith himself asked that the January 6 case against Trump be withdrawn after he defeated Kamala Harris in the election. Prosecutors also stood down in the classified documents case, where they were appealing a district judge's order to dismiss the case.

'And some judges and prosecutors say, look, the only way I'm going to get these people off my back is to give victory to them,' said Trump.

'They're playing the ref. I think it's illegal what they do ... It's worse than talking to a judge. But the judge in Florida, Judge Cannon, was brilliant and tough, and she didn't stand for it. And I don't know her  and never met her until the case  and I don't believe I said even one word to her,' Trump said.

The Netherlands, where Smith prosecuted war crimes cases at the Hague, does not have the death penalty. He did get a death penalty conviction for a cop killer in New York.

Trump's comments came as there was more courtroom drama in the final days before Donald Trump is sworn in as president, with Trump's lawyers racing to try to get a judge to prevent Jack Smith from releasing a two-volume report on his historic charging decisions.

Those cases have been upended, but material in the special counsel's report could damage the incoming administration just as it is trying to get underway after what Trump's lawyers call a 'national mandate from the voters.'

Smith plans to hand the report to AG Merrick Garland Tuesday afternoon  with a potential release as early as Friday, just days before Trump takes the Oath of Office and assumes control over the Justice Department whose prosecutors brought criminal charges against him.

Trump lawyers John Lauro and Todd Blanche  who Trump is nominating to a top DOJ role  claim in a blistering letter to Garland that the draft report is a 'politically-motivated attack.'

They call it the product of a 'bad-faith crusade', and claim Smith lacks the authority to produce it, and that it 'violates fundamental norms regarding the presumption of innocence,' including toward third parties charged alongside Trump.

Trump brought up Smith's purple robe, which he wore as part of the uniform prosecuting war crimes in the Hague

They say the 'release of any confidential report prepared by this out-of-control private citizen unconstitutionally posing as a prosecutor would be nothing more than a lawless political stunt, designed to politically harm President Trump and justify the huge sums of taxpayer money Smith unconstitutionally spent on his failed and dismissed cases.'

The legal cases against Trump imploded after he won the presidential election, in part due to longstanding DOJ guidelines against charging the president while in office.

Trump-appointed Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the classified documents case against Trump, accepting his lawyers' argument that Smith's appointment wasn't constitutional.

That decision was on appeal when Trump won the election in November.

The release of a major final report by a special counsel can be an explosive event. Special Counsel Robert Hur's final report on the Hunter Biden saga last spring contained damaging language calling President Joe Biden an 'elderly man with a poor memory' that reverberated through the campaign.

Trump's team says a 'one-sided, improper report' would violate the presidential immunity principles established by the Supreme Court.

They were able to view the draft report in D.C., and say its first volume 'asserts, without any jury determination, that President Trump and others 'engaged in an unprecedented criminal effort,' was 'the head of the criminal conspiracies,' and harbored a 'criminal design.'

They cite page 68 and 69 of the still unseen draft report, with other citations running through page 108.

The second volume 'asserts that Trump 'violated multiple federal criminals laws,' with citations up to page 121  suggestion a lengthy report of beyond 200 pages.

The letter faults Smith for filing 'gratuitous speaking indictments,' holding a 'lawless press conference,' and filing 'extremely serious, and entirely false, allegations' against Trump in the January 6 case and the classified documents case.

At the same time, Trump co-defendants in the documents case, Walt Nauta and Carlos de Oliveira, have asked Judge Cannon to block Garland from releasing the report, arguing it would prevent them from getting a fair trial.

Their obstruction cases continue even after Smith withdrew the government's appeal to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Smith's team asked a judge to set aside the January 6 case, saying 'This outcome is not based on the merits or strength of the case against the defendant'

One of the volumes in Smith's report relates to Trump's possession of national security documents to Mar-a-Lago

Trump codefendants are asking Judge Aileen Cannon to block the release of the report

Trump's lawyers are trying to shut down the release of a two-volume report by Special Counsel Jack Smith in the final days before he takes office

The lawyers blast Smith and his team 'as the inauguration approaches' of efforts to put out a report that is 'not a legitimate use of taxpayer funds,' and accuse him of 'lawfare'  a phrase invoked by Trump himself.

They accuse him of 'unlawfully' encroaching on the 'Executive authority of the incoming Administration of President Trump to resolve the issues surrounding Smith's Office in accordance with President Trump's commanding national mandate from the voters.'

Smith's team says the report could be released as soon as Friday.

The report, offered under the DOJ regulations governing special counsel probes, is expected to describe prosecutors' charging decisions in the case that resulted in Trump being indicted for taking a trove of national security documents to Mar-a-Lago.

They also include the decision to charge Trump with heading a conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election.

Smith brought a superseding indictment in the January 6th case that narrowed the case after the Supreme Court issued issued its summer decision giving presidents presidential immunity from prosecution for official acts while in office.

Trump's team wants the AG to block the report or leave the decision to Trump's AG. Trump has said he will nominate longtime loyalist former Florida AG Pam Bondi to the post.

Smith's team filed their own filing where they spelled out a plan to submit their report to Garland Monday afternoon, and that the portion dealing with the classified documents case before Judge Cannon won't be made public before 10 am on Friday.

Weighing in Tuesday was former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), former vice of the House January 6 committee.

She accused Trump of 'yet again to hide evidence and suppress the truth. The Justice Department has obtained testimony and evidence from dozens of Trump's former advisors and Vice President Pence showing the danger Trump poses. Now Trump is already doing what despots do he is trying to conceal the truth and threatening to jail those who investigated him.'

'AG Garland now has a duty to release the Justice Department Report and prevent its evidence from being destroyed. The truth must prevail. The framers of our Constitution knew the lessons of history  that people led by men without character can quickly lose their freedom,' she posted on X.

She also said Rep. Barry Loudermilk spread 'malicious lies' about the House January 6 Committee, in reference to his report saying numerous laws were 'likely broken' and calling for an FBI probe of alleged 'criminal witness tampering.'
James Woods broke down during a CNN interview as he described evacuating his Pacific Palisades home amid the Los Angeles wildfires.

The actor, 77, became emotional as he shared how his wife's niece offered to help after their home was destroyed by the fires that have decimated at least 1,000 structures and left two dead.

Woods said his wife's eight-year-old niece 'came out with her little piggy bank for us to rebuild our house.'

'Im sorry, its just one day youre in the pool and the next its all gone,' Woods added as he teared up.

The Oscar winner continued: 'Im sorry, I thought I was stronger than this...'

Woods had previously shared a video of the view from his destroyed home and wrote on X: 'I took this last night from our beautiful little home in the Palisades.

'Now all the fire alarms are going off at once remotely. It tests your soul, losing everything at once, I must say.'

Actor James Woods, 77, broke into tears as he described evacuating his home in Los Angeles

As the wildfire continues to ravage California's Pacific Palisades, many celebrities have had to flee their luxurious homes as authorities warned of an 'immediate threat to life.'

Evacuation notices were initially placed along the affluent coastal region, with a chilling warning of an 'immediate threat to life' from the California Department of Forest and Fire Protection.

The apocalyptic inferno has torn through the ritzy neighborhood, home to many A-list celebrities, including Ben Affleck, Jhene Aiko, Tom Hanks, and Miles Teller, among others.

Reality TV star Spencer Pratt, 41, and his wife Heidi Montag, 38, lost their home in Pacific Palisades due to the raging wildfire.

Three major blazes were burning in the metropolitan area, from the Pacific Coast inland to Pasadena, home of the famed Rose Parade.

With thousands of firefighters already attacking the flames, the Los Angeles Fire Department put out a plea for off-duty firefighters to help, and weather conditions were too windy for firefighting aircraft to fly, further hampering the fight. Fire officials hoped to get the flights up later Wednesday.

In addition to the two deaths, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said many others were hurt in the fires, which threatened at least 28,000 structures.

The remains of a house burned to the ground as a result of the Palisades wildfire in Pacific Palisades

The steeple of a church burns as a result of the Palisades wildfire in Pacific Palisades

'This morning, we woke up to a dark cloud over all of Los Angeles. But it is darkest for those who are most intimately impacted by these fires. It has been an immensely painful 24 hours,' LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said.

At least 70,000 people were ordered to evacuate  a number that kept changing because evacuation orders were continually being issued, officials said. The flames marched toward highly populated and affluent neighborhoods home to Californias rich and famous. Hollywood stars, including Mark Hamill, Mandy Moore and James Woods, were among those forced to flee.

Images of the devastation showed luxurious homes that had collapsed in a whirlwind of flaming embers. The tops of palm trees whipped against a glowing red sky.

The home of Vice President Kamala Harris was included in an evacuation zone, although no one was there, according to a spokesperson.

More than 100 schools were closed due to fire risk. The flames also cut off power to more than 180,000 people mostly in Los Angeles County, according to the tracking website PowerOutage.us. Southern California Edison shut off some service because of safety concerns related to high winds and fire risks. More than 500,000 could face shutoffs depending on weather conditions, the utility said.

Recent dry winds, including the notorious Santa Anas, have contributed to warmer-than-average temperatures in Southern California, where theres been very little rain so far this season. Southern California hasnt seen more than 0.1 inches of rain since early May.
This is the moment a coffin containing the father-in-law of a woman accused of lacing a 'poisoned' Christmas cake with arsenic is exhumed.

Retired bus driver Paulo Luiz, 68, mysteriously died in September from food poisoning after eating what police and family fear may have been a poisoned banana.

His body was removed from a cemetery after investigators obtained a permit from a judge and it will now be sent for tests which are expected back next week

Paulo's daughter-in-law Deise Moura, 42, is being held in custody after being arrested on suspicion of contaminating her mother-inlaw's flour with arsenic before she used it to bake a fruit cake that left three women from the same family dead.

Moura's mother-in-law Zeli Anjos, 61, baked the cake with its deadly ingredient as a festive treat for a party on December 23.

But within minutes of eating the cake Zeli, who ate two slices, became ill and began vomiting. She spent the next week in hospital fighting for her life.

Zeli's sisters Neuza Dos Anjos, 65, and Maida da Silva, 58, both died after eating it along with Neuza's daughter Tatiana Dos Santos, 43.

Zeli's 10-year-old great-nephew was also taken ill.

This is the moment a coffin containing the father-in-law of a woman accused of lacing a 'poisoned' Christmas cake with arsenic is exhumed

Retired bus driver Paulo Luiz (pictured) mysteriously died in September from food poisoning after eating what police and family fear may have been a poisoned banana

Zeli Anjos (pictured) baked the cake with its deadly ingredient as a festive treat for a party on December 23

Initially authorities in Brazil believed that the death of Zeli's husband Paulo four months ago was a tragic accident.

But in light of recent events, detectives applied to have his body exhumed for further tests.

The operation to remove his body from the Sao Vincente cemetery in Canoas near the Brazilian city of Porto Alegre, took just over 15 minutes today.

It will now be examined for traces of arsenic at a laboratory while police continue their investigation into the Christmas cake deaths which happened in nearby Torres.

Detectives are investigating the relationship between Zeli and her daughter-in-law amid claims from relatives that the feuding pair had fallen out many years ago.

Police statements released in Brazil suggest that the women have never got on with Moura telling police during interviews that she referred to Zeli as naja which is Portuguese for cobra.

But despite their fractious relationship, Moura has insisted she is shocked at being a suspect for the killings and insists that she is innocent, according to her lawyer.

MailOnline revealed how Paulo died earlier last year when he and Zeli were rushed to hospital after eating mashed bananas.

Pictured: The Christmas cake that was consumed by guests on December 23

Deise Moura was taken initially to a police station at Canoas, then to Torres police station and is now in the women's jail in the city

The mother of one had been arrested at her home in Nova Santa Rita late on Sunday

Neuza Denize Silva dos Anjo, 65, was rushed to hospital in critical condition before dying the following day

Several members of the family died after eating the cake

Paulo died without leaving a will and 'with assets' according to his death certificate.

In prosecution papers released to the Brazilian media, it has now been alleged that Moura had taken the bananas to the couple's home as a 'peace offering' after not speaking to her in-laws for three and a half years in an 'attempt at building bridges'.

A source told MailOnline: 'After the bananas incident, Zeli's sister Maida was suspicious and urged her to take the fruit to a lab for testing, but Zeli refused.

Police have told MailOnline Moura's feud with her mother-in-law began in 2004 after Zeli withdraw money from her son Diego's account without telling him and angering his wife.

A source said: 'The money was eventually paid back but things and despite attempts at trying to patch things up over the years things didn't really improve.

'Deise and her husband would boycott family gatherings and his side of the family didn't go to Deise's graduation ceremony.

'They would spend Christmas apart and block each other on the phone, the last time they met was four years ago when they tried to make a go of it but it didn't work.'

The Christmas cake poisoning made headlines around the world after details emerged but it took a dramatic twist with Moura's arrest last Sunday.

At a press conference police confirmed that forensic tests had revealed the presence of arsenic in the cake and it was traced to flour in Zeli's kitchen at her seaside home in Arroio do Sal, near Torres.

10 year old Matheus Marques da Silva who survived eating the poisoned cake with Father Leonir Alves at the hospital in Torres, Brazil

The woman was arrested for triple homicide and attempted homicide

Deise Moura (pictured) was held by police at the home she shares with husband

Brazilian police in Torres hold a press conference today to explain the arrest of Deise Moura

Further investigations revealed how Moura had on several occasions searched on her phone and laptop the word 'arsenic' since November.

Moura appeared before a judge this week who confirmed she will remain in custody for at least 30 days during the investigation.

Her lawyer highlighted what he said were 'inconsistencies' in the case saying there was 'nothing to explain why the poisoned flour was linked to the suspect'.

He added: 'The findings are all very preliminary, questions still need to be answered, what is the link between the poison and Deise?

'There is no explanation as to how the flour ended up in Zeli's house, nor where or how it was acquired. These are minimal questions that need answering.

'However, all we have instead, are reports from family members and alleged data extraction from her mobile phone.

'Deise has made no secret that she didn't get on with her mother-in-law and she has told police that but as yet I have not had full access to the investigation files.'

Police are also probing whether Moura was behind the September poisoning so she and Diego could inherit the family's assets.

Public security secretary for the district told local media: 'The body of Paulo will be exhumed by the end of the week at the latest. Tests will then be carried out and we should have those results back within ten days.
For Mark Zuckerberg, time is money...and a lot of it.

The Meta CEO was spotted wearing nearly $1 million Swiss watch during his video announcing that all the company's platforms will end third party fact-checking ahead of Donald Trump retaking the White House.

The Facebook founder donned a Greubel Forsey 'Hand Made 1' on his left wrist in the five-minute video message shared to his Facebook profile.

The watch is extremely rare, with the company only making two or three of them per year. It retails for an eye-watering $895,500 before taxes.

The model is made almost entirely from components constructed by engineers at Greubel Forsey. It can take hundreds of hours to assemble and handcraft each watch.

'It's a pleasure to see someone who has played such a pivotal role in shaping the modern digital landscape and lifestyle show true appreciation for the most traditional approach to fine watchmaking today,' Greubel Forsey CEO Michel Nydegger told Bloomberg.

Zuckerberg's appreciation for watches was evident when he marveled over fellow billionaire Anant Ambani's $1 million timepiece during his pre-wedding party back in March.

Ambani, who would later that year wed Radhika Merchant in a six-day traditional Indian wedding ceremony in Mumbai, showed off his luxury Richard Mille to Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan.

Mark Zuckerberg is pictured in the video with the Greubel Forsey 'Hand Made 1' on his left wrist

A close-up view of the handcrafted watch, which take hundreds of hours to construct

'You know I never really wanted a watch but after seeing that I was like, "Watches are cool,"' Zuckerberg said in a video taken at the opulent event as his wife joked that she 'might want that.'

Zuckerberg has since been spotted wearing watches made by Patek Philippe and FP Journe.

The Meta CEO rocked the social media landscape Tuesday when he announced that Facebook, Instagram and Threads would no longer do fact-checking and instead move to a 'community notes' model used on Elon Musk's X platform.

Like X, the shift will allow users on the sites to call out posts that are potentially misleading and need more context.

The missive appears to be part of a full court press to change Meta, social media and the internet itself for the second Trump era.

Zuckerberg threatened governments in Europe, South America and China that Meta would 'work with President Trump to push back against foreign governments going after American companies to censor more.'

He claimed that foreign governments have been demanding Facebook be censored or even taken down and they will work with Trump to stop them.

Trump said Meta has 'come a long way' when asked about the changes Zuckerberg made to his social platforms.

Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan were seen admiring Anant Ambani's $1 million timepiece during at lavish pre-wedding party

Meta also said it will relocate its trust and safety teams from liberal California to more conservative Texas, mirroring Musk's recent relocations.

'That will help us build trust to do this work in places where there is less concern about the bias of our teams,' Zuckerberg said.

The shift came as the 40-year-old tycoon has been making efforts to reconcile with Trump since his election in November, including donating $1 million to his inauguration fund.

The policy change and the donation came after Zuckerberg sat down with the president-elect for dinner in Mar-a-Lago in November.

In another olive branch Monday, Zuckerberg added Dana White, a longtime friend to Trump, to Meta's board of directors.

Last week, Meta also named Joel Kaplan, an executive with deep GOP connections, as its president of global affairs.
A humble security guard and sculptor at the Metropolitan Museum of Art got a fairytale ending as his artwork is being displayed in the New York City institution after a chance encounter with a curator.

Armia Malak Khalil, 45, of New Jersey, first stepped into the Met in November 2006 as a visitor.

He had just immigrated to the US from Egypt a month prior with only $375 in his pocket at the age of 25 and he was dying to see the museum, especially the Egyptian Wing.

'I still have the ticket,' he recalled to The New York Times.

Khalil, who graduated from art school in his home country, was suddenly in front of the world's greatest artists, including Van Gogh, Manet, and Monet, but he was most interested in the artwork from his homeland.

'I asked them, where are the Egyptian galleries?'

It would be in that same gallery more than two decades later when he would encounter Met curator Akili Tommasino wandering through the artwork looking for the Flight Into Egypt oil painting by Henry Ossawa Tanner in the summer of 2023.

He asked Tommasino, who was not wearing his work badge at the time, if he needed any help.

Armia Malak Khalil, 45, of New Jersey , first stepped into the Met in November 2006 as a visitor. He now works as a security guard for the institution and is an artist currently featured in a major exhibit

His piece, titled Hope - I Am a Morning Scarab (pictured) is featured in the Met's newest Egyptian gallery

When the Harvard-educated curator asked for the painting: 'Of course, I knew it,' Khalil told The Times.

'At this point, after 10 years at the Met, almost everything about Egypt [Gallery], I would know. Almost!' he said.

While guiding Tommasino to the painting, he learned the man was not one of the thousands of daily visitors, but a Met employee like himself and one who was curating a new Egyptian exhibit.

The exhibition - titled Flight Into Egypt: Black Artists and Ancient Egypt, 1876-Now - was to feature black artists - including modern Egyptians - who used Ancient Egypt as inspiration for their own work.

After learning that Khalil was also more than what meets the eye too and was a security guard by day and a sculptor by night, Tommasino invited his colleague to make a sculpture for the exhibition and Khalil agreed.

After he would get off his shifts from the Met, he would travel home to Bayonne and work in his studio crafting what would become a piece called: Hope - I Am a Morning Scarab.

The sculptor is made of wood and is a bust of a woman whose head is sitting on a scarab beetle - a symbol of hope in Egypt - and is roughly two feet tall.

It came about after he accidentally encouraged curator Akili Tommasino, who was wandering through the artwork looking for the Flight Into Egypt oil painting by Henry Ossawa Tanner in the summer of 2023

He learned Tommasino was curating a new exhibition - Flight Into Egypt: Black Artists and Ancient Egypt 1876-Now - and the curator invited Khalil to make a piece for it

'They observed the scarab beetles, they would see them every morning, coming out of the mud, the same cycle of life, doing the same thing every day, not getting bored or tired,' he told The Times.

'I love that idea.'

He finished the piece in May 2024 and the museum photographed it for their catalog.

By October, he sealed the piece with a goodbye kiss and it was shipped off to the museum, according to The Times. After it left his New Jersey studio, he would not be allowed to touch it again while it was on display at the famous museum.

'That was my last chance to touch her,' he said. 'I kissed her goodbye. Even though I was going to see her - but in a different way.'

His work is now being displayed in the Met and will be until February 17.

Khalil described the moment as a 'really big [one] for me.'

'[It's] like two galleries away from Van Gogh!' he told The Times.

His piece was completed it May 2024 and has been on exhibition since November. It will be available to view until February 17

Khalil has come a long way from woodworking in Egypt near the pyramids (pictured). Little did he know that decades after his family would try to convince not to go to art school his work would appear in a major institution

Tommasino called Khalil's work a 'masterful sculpture that belongs in the exhibition.'

'The show would have been missing a key element,' he told the publication.

But the moment went beyond just being a career highlight and cementing himself in the art world more than he already is, but a moment of triumph after decades earlier his family tried to convince to be anything but an artist.

Growing up in Qulusna, Egypt, meant Khalil spent time playing on the banks of the Nile River, using its clay to craft art and copying his artistic brother.

His desire to be an artist grew in middle school when he won drawing contests and by high school, he had 'made up my mind.'

But art school was expensive and his family encouraged him to become a teacher or something more practical, but he wasn't deterred.

His cousin, who is a priest, funded his art program in Minya, around 160 miles outside of Cairo.

While in college, he began woodworking and found work craving small religious figures.

Khalil immigrated to the US in September 2006 after his sister reapplied for a visa for him after his first was denied. How he works at the Met and has a woodworking studio in Bayonne, NJ

After school, he hoped to move to the US, but his visa was denied. He moved to Cairo and worked near the pyramids, making work sculptures.

At least once a week, he visited the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

In 2005, his sister changed his life. She had reapplied for a visa on her brother's behalf and he was one of the 55,000 people who were granted an immigration visa.

He would land at JFK with two suitcases, one full of woodworking tools, in September 2006.

Little did he know that an art museum he would visit shortly after his arrival would change his life in more ways than one.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Khalil for comment.
The Republican had to be talked out of the selection by his top advisors

Donald Trump was insistent that he appoint the 'Money Honey' he watched on TV to become his vice president, but then his senior aides rushed to talk him out of the plan, a new book claims.

Veteran business journalist and Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo, 57, was almost selected as Trump's running mate instead of J.D. Vance, the fresh account claims.

Known for her sourcing across Wall Street, and from her days as CNBC's New York Stock Exchange floor reporter, where she was known by the sweet moniker 'Money Honey,' Trump thought Bartiromo would be a great VP, Politico's Alex Isenstadt writes in his upcoming book Revenge, CNN first reported.

Trump was 'seriously considering' the Fox host who he for years has been complimentary of.

According to the book, Trump 'was dead serious about Bartiromo and was making the case for her during the flight to Butler (Pennsylvania), before the first attempt on his life.

'She was great with the big-donor Wall Street types and she knew how to do TV, Trump told his team.'

But the president-elect's staff fretted because there, 'was no time to vet Bartiromo, as they had spent months doing with other candidates,' the book says.

This consideration as late as mid-July was tanked by his devoted incoming chief of staff, Susie Wiles, who he has nicknamed the 'Ice Maiden.'

She, reportedly, ended the conversation, and of course, J.D. Vance was eventually chosen.

Maria Bartiromo with Donald Trump in a photo posted Feb. 1, 2024 and captioned: 'I just left @realdonaldtrump I can tell you for sure he is so tough and so determined...'

Still, Bartiromo was a 'Trump favorite,' the book claims.

The pair have enjoyed dinners at Mar-a-Lago and Bartiromo has been a staunch defender of his policies on air.

Steven Cheung, Trump's incoming White House communications director, said that Vance was the 'perfect' choice for running mate in the dominant 2024 election victory.

'Vice President-elect Vance was the perfect choice to be President Trumps running mate,' Cheung said in a statement.

'There is nobody who is a better and stronger defender of the America First agenda, and he will continue to be a leader of the movement for years to come.'

Maria Bartiromo and husband Jonathan Steinberg with Donald and Melania Trump in a photo posted Dec. 1, 2024 and captioned: 50 days until #inaugurationday & so honored to see @realdonaldtrump & @melaniatrump

CNBC reporter Maria Bartiromo delivers her last report from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, shortly after the opening bell, Friday May 14, 2004

According to the book, Trump 'was dead serious about Bartiromo and was making the case for her during the flight to Butler ( Pennsylvani a), before the first attempt on his life

J.D. Vance was, of course, the successful choice to be running mate and helped propel Trump to victory in the general election

The Revenge excerpts also claim that a Fox News employee also shared questions with Trump before a town hall with Brett Baier and Martha MacCallum in January.

'About thirty minutes before the town hall was due to start, a senior aide started getting text messages from a person on the inside at Fox,' Isenstadt writes.

'Holy s***, the team thought. They were images of all the questions Trump would be asked and the planned follow-ups, down to the exact wording. Jackpot. This was like a student getting a peek at the test before the exam started.'

Trump, according to the book, was supposedly unhappy with the questions. He considered them 'attacks designed to put him on the defensive.'

Fox News insisted in a statement they had no evidence this had occurred, but have launched an investigation.
A police inspector who was filmed punching a motorist during a roadside confrontation has tonight been found guilty of gross misconduct.

Jonathan Mellor, who had over 30 years police service, was alleged to have used deliberate force and disrespectful, abusive and threatening conduct towards tree surgeon Shane Price in the incident recorded by the motorists wife.

Lincolnshire Police said the officers conduct was likely to undermine confidence in the police service.

At the conclusion of a two-day disciplinary hearing, the retired officer was found to have breached standards of professional behaviour relating to use of force, discreditable conduct and authority, respect and courtesy.

The misconduct hearing was told that on the evening of the confrontation in 2021, the duty inspector was on shift but driving his own vehicle and with a civilian jacket covering his police uniform when Mr Price gestured to him to pull over.

On the six-minute video of the confrontation which Mrs Price filmed from the passenger seat of their truck, the two men can be seen talking before the officer is seen forcibly pushing Mr Price towards a fence on the grass verge.

After Mrs Price lowered her side window in order to hear their conversation, the tree surgeon is heard accusing the inspector  who he alleged did not identify himself as a police officer - of using his phone at the wheel.

Inspector Jonathan Mellor was accused of punching a motorist at the side of the road during an incident that was caught on camera

The inspector, who had over 30 years police service, was found guilty of gross misconduct after a two-day disciplinary hearing

The officer, aged 52 at the time, then uses his radio to ask for back-up and gave his location as 'the A1'.

Mr Price then said: 'This is the A46, mate.'

The then Insp Mellor is seen to punch Mr Price to the head and stamp on his injured foot, before the pair begin grappling and Mr Price is pinned to the ground beside the northbound side of the dual carriageway at Aubourn, Lincolnshire.

Mr Price then complains that he is struggling to breathe as he checks his wife is still recording, before the officer step back a yard, leaving Mr Price still on the ground.

Mr Mellor retired from Lincolnshire Police in June 2022, a month after being cleared by a district judge of assaulting Mr Price in the road rage incident a year earlier.

Setting out its case at the misconduct hearing at Lincolns Bishop Grosseteste University, the force described Mr Mellor as the aggressor in the incident.

Liz Briggs, counsel for the force, said: The appropriate authority (police force) would say the footage shows the officer exits the vehicle wearing a black jacket which is not a police issue jacket. No other clearly police issued clothing is visible.

His radio is quickly put in his pocket and he doesnt appear to identify himself as a police officer.

In a statement read to the hearing, Mr Price said he believed Mr Mellor to be a security guard based on his appearance.

Ms Briggs suggested Mr Prices behaviour could be construed as calm as he put his hands in his pockets while against the fence and didnt appear to be struggling.

In the clip, Insp Mellor, of Lincolnshire police, can be seen punching Shane Price (pictured) in the face and stamping on his foot

The two men could be seen talking before the inspector pushed Mr Price towards a fence on the grass verge

The hearing was told Mr Price had indicated for Mr Mellor to pull over, believing the officer had taken a picture of him on his phone while driving.

When questioned over the confrontation, Mr Mellor denied Mr Price had trouble breathing when pinned down, and noted the incident came shortly after the death of George Floyd in America.

Mr Floyd died in May 2020 after police officer Derek Chauvin was filmed with his knee pressed on the 46-year-olds neck for more than nine minutes on the street outside a Minneapolis convenience store, where Mr Floyd had been suspected of trying to pass counterfeit money.

Chauvin was later convicted of second-degree murder.

Mr Mellor told the misconduct hearing he punched Mr Price as a distraction technique before he pinned him to the floor whilst on duty.

He repeatedly stated that he stands by his actions, and believed it was an appropriate use of force. He stated he had not taken a phone nor used his phone at any point, and it was secured in his kit bag in the passenger footwell.

With regard to wearing his civilian jacket over uniform, he explained it was standard advice to prevent officers personal vehicles being identified due to them driving in uniform, and said he had introduced himself as an officer to Mr Price, although he had not shown a warrant card.

Mr Mellor said he had noticed Mr Prices truck meandering between lanes before the driver gestured to him to pull over, and it had crossed his mind the driver could be intoxicated or distracted.

Once at the roadside, he had moved Mr Price away from traffic towards the verge for the safety of both men, he added.

Mr Mellor described Mr Price as Mr Shouty, Mr Aggressive coming at him, and said: For the first time in my career I thought if he took off I might struggle to control him Im 30 years older, fatter, and hes a strong bloke.

Mr Price claimed that he did not know Mellor was a police officer and assumed him to be a security guard

Insp Mellor insisted he did declare he was the duty inspector for the west of the county

He said his police experience had included roles as a hostage crisis negotiator  with core skills of threat assessment and communication  a public order co-ordinator, public order tactical advisor, and as a counter terrorism search advisor, among others.

Following his acquittal at Nottingham Magistrates Court, three years ago, Lincolnshire Police announced Mr Mellor would not face any misconduct proceedings.

But the panel heard the case had been reopened as the complainant had appealed the decision.

Jennifer Ferrario, the legally qualified chair of the independent misconduct panel, found the breaches of standards proven and that this amounted to gross misconduct.

She said Mr Mellor would have been dismissed without notice if he had not already retired.
US fugitive Nicholas Rossi is set to go on trial for allegedly faking his own death and fleeing the country to avoid rape charges after his plea deal was withdrawn.

Rossi, also known as Nicholas Alahverdian and his alleged alias Arthur Knight, is facing two rape charges in the US. He was extradited from Scotland following a lengthy process in early 2022.

The wheelchair-bound suspect is accused of raping a 21-year-old woman in Orem, Utah and his 26-year-old ex-girlfriend in Salt Lake City, Utah in 2008. He also faces charges of sexual assault in Rhode Island, Ohio and Massachusetts.

Rossi pleaded not guilty to the two rape charges in October 2024.

The accused first made headlines after he was arrested in Scotland in December 2021 while being treated for Covid-19 under the name Arthur Knight - an Irish orphan.

He was exposed when his fingerprints were found to match those of Rossi, who had been sought by cops for various crimes but was reported dead.

Rossi maintained that his arrest was a case of mistaken identity since being apprehended. However, his attorneys finally came clean last year and he admitted to posing as Knight in court.

After reports of a possible plea deal emerged last month, Deputy Utah County Attorney Stephen Jones confirmed that the state had withdrawn any plea offers and that none be offered again in the future during a pretrial conference on January 7.

US fugitive Nicholas Rossi is all set to go on trial for allegedly faking his own death and fleeing the country to avoid rape charges after his plea deal was withdrawn

According to Sky News, Fourth District Judge Derek Pullan asked, 'My understanding is that there were ongoing settlement discussions. Have those been fruitful or do you need the trial date?' to which Defense attorney Daniel Diaz responded, 'Your honor, they unfortunately haven't been fruitful.'

Jones also told the Pullan that the trial will be going ahead as scheduled while Rossi attended the hearing through a prison video link.

He is now scheduled to go on trial for the Salt Lake County case in April and the Orem case in September in Utah.

Rossi, who has been dubbed 'the man of many faces', is accused of carrying out a wild scheme to take on a new identity while a worldwide manhunt was underway.

He allegedly claimed he had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, before an obituary ran two months later. He then ended up in the UK under the alias Arthur Brown.

Once there, he reportedly professed he was an Irish orphan and spoke in a faux British accent.

He also adopted different looks. At times he appeared clean-shaven and boyish. At others he had a bead, glasses and dark cloak and hat. On other occasions he has appeared in a wheelchair with an oxygen mask.

In July, Peacock produced a docuseries on the imposter titled: 'Rossi: A Fugitive Faking Death.'

Rossi, also known as Nicholas Alahverdian and his alleged alias Arthur Knight, is facing two rape charges in the US. He was extradited from Scotland following a lengthy process in early 2022

Jones also told the Pullan that the trial will be going ahead as scheduled while Rossi attended the hearing through a prison video link

He is now scheduled to go on trial for the Salt Lake County case in April and the Orem case in September in Utah

Rossi is pictured departing Edinburgh Sheriff Court after his extradition hearing in July 2023 in Edinburgh, Scotland

Nicholas Rossi, aka 'the man of many faces,' pictured in a mugshot

Rossi who allegedly used up to sixteen different names, was described as a 'master of disguise, and deception,' by a reporter in docuseries, as per Oxygen.

During his time in the UK, Rossi met a woman by the name of Miranda Knight who would later become his wife. He took her surname, calling himself Arthur Knight.

In 2021, the couple moved to Glasgow. When Rossi contracted Covid-19 he was hospitalized at the city's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

While there, his distinctive tattoos and fingerprints matched the American man being hunted by police - but was reported dead.

Rossi told the authorities he was a UK citizen and that his name was Arthur Knight.

He claimed he had never been to the United States and that it was a case of mistaken identity.

He said in court that he did not know how he got his tattoos and did not have them when he went into a COVID coma.

He also claimed someone was trying to frame him, as per Dayton Daily News.

Later he was described as 'dishonest and deceitful as he is evasive and manipulative,' the BBC reported.
MPs tonight voted against the Tories' attempt to hold a national inquiry into grooming gangs.

The amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill called on Sir Keir Starmer's Labour Government to establish a 'national statutory inquiry into historical child sexual exploitation, focused on grooming gangs'.

But thanks to the premier's supermajority it was voted down by 364 to 111.

The vote came amid Sir Keir coming under a barrage of attacks from the world's richest man Elon Musk who has accused him of being 'complicit in the rape of Britain' after it was revealed the Government declined a request for a nationally led inquiry in Oldham.

Chris Philp MP, Shadow Home Secretary, hit out at the Prime Minister and accused Sir Keir of using 'his supermajority in Parliament to block a national inquiry into the rape gangs scandal'.

Neil O'Brien, shadow minister for education, gave an impassioned speech ahead of the vote calling for a 'much needed' national inquiry into grooming gangs.

'There were 40 to 50 places where the grooming gangs operated and the victims voices in those places have never been heard,' he said.

He said without a national inquiry it is clear 'we will not get to the bottom of this and the people who looked the other way or covered it up will not be held to account'.

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The amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill called on Sir Keir Starmer 's Labour Government to establish a 'national statutory inquiry into historical child sexual exploitation, focused on grooming gangs'

The vote came amid Sir Keir coming under a barrage of attacks including from the world's richest man Elon Musk who has accused him of being 'complicit in the rape of Britain'

'So far, madam deputy speaker, how many people in authority have been brought to justice or held to account? The answer is zero.' he said.

But Catherine McKinnell, minister for education, hit back and said they would be rejecting the amendment, calling it 'political opportunism'.

'Because instead of chasing headlines we want to focus our efforts and our actions on vulnerable children,' she said.

'The Conservatives know that if their amendment today was to pass then this Bill would fall. They also know this Bill will deliver landmark reforms to safeguarding and children's social care.

'It is the biggest piece of child protection legislation in a generation and we are bringing it forward to prioritise children.'

The vote was held just hours after Mrs Badenoch and Sir Keir had clashed at Prime Minister's Questions.

The Tory leader warned that Sir Keir's refusal to support a national inquiry would fuel concerns about a 'cover-up'.

The PM hit back at Mrs Badenoch over 'lies and misinformation and slinging of mud' which did not help victims of child sexual abuse.

He had urged Mrs Badenoch to drop her amendment which, if it had succeeded, would have derailed Labour's child protection legislation.

Sir Keir said a further inquiry could delay action on tackling child sexual abuse.

He pointed out that recommendations from a seven-year investigation chaired by Professor Alexis Jay, which reported in 2022, had not yet been implemented.
A top Canadian politician has suggested some U.S. states should leave and join their neighbors to the north after Donald Trump's threats to take over the country.

Canada's Green Party leader Elizabeth May suggested the three liberal west coast states of California, Oregon and Washington would be better off becoming part of the Great White North.

She said they would benefit from universal healthcare and stricter gun laws if they chose to secede.

It came after Ontario premier Doug Ford floated a counteroffer to buy two U.S. states - Alaska and Minnesota for Canada.

Both comments came in response to Trump's suggestion that Canada become the 51st U.S. state  a sentiment that started as a joke last month, but in recent weeks has become a serious proposal by the president-elect.

After Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigned this week, Trump's calls for statehood for the country only increased.

He posted an image of a map of North America to his Truth Social account on Wednesday that had the American Flag pattern covering the U.S. and Canada.

And when Trudeau said on X on Tuesday 'there isn't a snowball's chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States,' Trump's ally Elon Musk joined in on trolling him.

'Girl, you're not the governor of Canada anymore, so doesn't matter what you say,' Musk wrote on X.

President-elect Donald Trump is chugging forward with the idea of Canada becoming America's 51st state

He posted an image of Wednesday of the American Flag pattern over a map of both Canada and the U.S.

However, Canadian politicians are not keen on the idea of their country getting bundled into the U.S.

Speaking at a press conference last week in Ottawa, May called out the president-elect and asked more liberal U.S, states if they want to instead come over to the cold side.

'Hey, Donald, have we got a deal for you?' she said. 'You think we want to be the 51st state huh? But maybe California would like to be the 11th province. How about it? California? Oregon? Washington?'

'This is what you get: free health care  universal free health care. No more one-year-olds who suddenly fall off the Medicaid list and their parents are in the news because they're trying to do a GoFundMe so they can get their daughter to a doctor. Universal Free health care,' she said, addressing the three West Coast states.

'Guess what? Those gun laws that your Congress is too afraid to pass because of the national gun lobby. We already got our strict gun laws,' she added, trying to appeal to the more liberal factions of the country.

Ford, on the other hand, was a bit less antagonistic with his approach.

'You know something, to the president I'll make him a counteroffer,' he told reporters on Monday. 'How about if we buy Alaska and throw in Minnesota and Minneapolis at the same time?'

He told CNN later on Monday that he was joking with his comments.

Canadian Green Party leader Elizabeth May invited liberal west coast states of California, Oregon and Washington to join Canada instead

Trump told reporters during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday that the U.S. is 'not treated well by Canada.'

'Canada is subsidized to the tune of about $200 billion a year plus other things. They don't essentially have a military. They have a very small military. They rely on our military. It's all fine but, you know, they have to pay for that. It's very unfair,' Trump lamented.

'Something has to be done.'

'And we are going to put very serious tariffs on Mexico and Canada,' he reiterated.

Trump announced in late November his intent to impose a 25 percent tariff on Canada and Mexico in direct response to the proliferation of the migrant and fentanyl crisis.

This sparked Trudeau to immediately fly down to Trump's South Florida residence for a meeting where he scrambled to get the incoming U.S. president to change his mind about the tariffs.

He told Trump that the tariffs would cripple the Canadian economy, to which Trump suggested that the northern neighbors become a state to side-step the taxes.

Trump believes that Canada is costing the U.S. money and should suffer the economic consequences.

Elon Musk trolled Justin Trudeau after he said 'there isn't a snowball's chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States' and called the outgoing Prime Minister a 'governor' in a nod to Trump's desire to make Canada a state

Ontario Premier Ford says Canada is not to blame for any U.S. economic woes, instead pointing the finger at China for sending in 'cheap parts.'

'I've talked to so many governors and congresspeople and senators and never once did they say Canada is the problem,' Ford told CNN's Erin Burnett in a Monday night interview.

'I'll tell you who the problem is: China is the problem. China shipping in cheap parts, putting them through Mexico. Mexico slapping on a 'Made in Mexico' sticker on and shipping up through the U.S. and Canada. (It's) costing American and Canadian jobs.'

Ford believes a bilateral deal with the U.S. would address the issue instead of Trump punishing Canada with higher tariffs.

Trudeau announced in remarks outside his residence on Monday morning that he will step down as Canada's Prime Minister

Trump doubled-down on his proposal to make Canada a state on Monday, appearing to be more serious about the proposal.

'Many people in Canada LOVE being the 51st State,' Trump wrote on Truth Social after Trudeau's resignation. 'The United States can no longer suffer the massive Trade Deficits and Subsidies that Canada needs to stay afloat. Justin Trudeau knew this, and resigned.'

'If Canada merged with the U.S., there would be no Tariffs, taxes would go way down, and they would be TOTALLY SECURE from the threat of the Russian and Chinese Ships that are constantly surrounding them,' he wrote.

'Together, what a great Nation it would be!!!'
A man has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of Michelle Sadio who was killed in a drive-by shooting outside a wake in London.

The mother, 44, was gunned down when a car pulled up outside a church in North West London, near Wembley Stadium, and opened fire on a crowd of mourners in the street last month.

Scotland Yard confirmed tonight that detectives had arrested an 18-year-old man today. He is currently being held in custody.

Two men, both aged in their 30s, were also injured. One remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition, the other man has been discharged following treatment, the Met Police added.

Detective chief inspector Phil Clarke, who leads the investigation, said: 'While this arrest marks a significant step forward in this investigation we continue to appeal for anyone with information about Michelle's murder to come forward and speak to us.

'This was a senseless act of violence that resulted in an innocent woman being killed. Michelle's family continue to grieve and we are determined to ensure those responsible face the consequences of their actions.

'If you can help in any way then please don't hesitate to contact us.'

Michelle Sadio, 44, was shot dead in a drive-by shooting outside a wake in London on December 14

Forensics comb the scene of the shooting in North West London, near Wembley Stadium - December 14, 2024

Forensic pictured her at the scene of the shooting on December 14, 2024

Ms Sadio, from Walthamstow, East London, was attending a nine night ceremony on December 14 to celebrate the life of 80-year-old Dinah Boateng, who was the mother of one of her school friends.

The ceremony - held at the River of Life Elim Pentecostal Church in Harlesden - was organised to mark the ninth day on from Mrs Boatengs death on December 5.

She had stepped out of the venue to take a breather when she was shot just before 9.15pm.

One friend described Ms Sadio as a 'brilliant' person and mother who was 'the light in the lives' of her loved- ones.
A former British Army soldier and Durham University graduate has been killed by a Russian drone while fighting with Ukrainians.

Jake Waddington, 34, a former Lance Corporal in the Royal Anglian Regiment, was fatally injured by a grenade on Monday during a mission.

He was said to have been gathering intelligence in the Donetsk region just yards away from a Russian trench. A second soldier survived the attack but remains in a critical condition.

Before his voluntary stint in Ukraine, Mr Waddington, from Cambridge, served in the Army as a member of Second Battalion, the Royal Anglian Regiment.

But while preparing to be deployed to Afghanistan with the Royal Anglian Regiment, he suffered an epileptic seizure and volunterily withdrew from the Army.

Mr Waddington then studied at Durham before attempting to enlist again as an Officer Cadet at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst before being medically discharged following another seizure in 2022.

Jake Waddington (pictured), a former Lance Corporal in the Royal Anglian Regiment, died in a Russian drone strike on Monday

While never commissioned as an officer, he was awarded an SPS [Staff and Personnel Support] cap badge.

Its sad, he was a good lad, one source said. He was also super reliable and a great help to all those in the troop. It was a real shame he ever got discharged.

Mr Waddington had returned to the UK on a number of occasions after joining Ukraines International Legion and had recently extended his contract to fight for another six months.

Paying tribute on Facebook, friend Robert Clark said: You were one of the best of us. Im so proud of you mate.

Another colleague paid tribute to Mr Waddingtons infectious sense of humour and that unforgettable, big smile he always wore.

He is survived by a sister, mother and uncle.

The MoD was approached for comment.
Beleaguered anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq broke cover today for the first time since her use of homes connected with her deposed aunt were exposed.

The Labour MP was pictured on her way to work at the Treasury as questions continued to mount about the properties linked to the deposed regime in Bangladesh.

It came after it emerged that the Bangladeshi government is seeking Ms Siddiqs bank account details and transaction records.

The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), the government agency responsible for investigating money laundering and corruption, has sought her bank details.

An order was sent to all 61 banks in the country asking them to hand over any bank account details or records of transactions Ms Siddiq has ever made with them.

The order, in Bengali and seen by the Daily Mail, contained Ms Siddiqs name, her date of birth, the names of her parents and husband, a former civil servant.

The unit has already frozen the bank accounts of Ms Siddiqs aunt, Sheikh Hasina Wazed, 77, the former prime minister of Bangladesh who was ousted in August after being accused of being a despot.

Sheikh Hasina was deposed as Bangladeshs prime minister in August amid allegations of corruption and brutality.

Beleaguered anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq (pictured) broke cover for the first time since her use of homes connected with her deposed aunt were exposed

A view of the flat near Kings Cross owned by Tulip Siddiq, the UK's City Minister

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina interacts with journalists in Dhaka, Bangladesh on December 31, 2018

Ms Siddiq, her aunt and mother are being investigated over allegations that 3.9 billion was embezzled from a nuclear power plant project.

A spokesman for Ms Siddiq said of the bank details: No evidence has been presented for these allegations.

'Tulip has not been contacted by anyone on the matter and totally refutes the claims.

It is understood that she only holds a UK bank account and does not hold any accounts overseas.

Ms Siddiq, the economic secretary to the Treasury, who is responsible for tackling corruption in the financial industry, maintains that she has done nothing wrong.

She referred herself to the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards on Monday after questions about her use of properties linked to her aunt.

Sir Keir Starmer said he had confidence in the minister and that she had acted entirely properly in referring herself to Sir Laurie Magnus.

It came after it emerged that she could be quizzed over whether she lied to the Mail on Sunday about the gift of a flat from a developer linked to her aunt.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (right), former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (centre) and Tulip Siddiq MP (left) attend a signing ceremony in the Kremlin in Moscow in January 2013

Labour's anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq has referred herself to a watchdog amid questions over her property interests

Downing Street confirmed that a review by the PMs independent adviser on the ministerial code could examine whether she told the truth about the apartment in Londons Kings Cross.

She denied to the paper in 2022 that the apartment was a gift and insisted that her parents had bought it for her. She also threatened the Mail on Sunday with legal action.

Labour sources later confirmed that the flat was given to her by a property developer linked to her aunt as an act of gratitude.

A source close to Ms Siddiq told the paper: Tulips previous understanding of how she gained ownership of the property has changed.

The Labour MP for Hampstead and Highgate could also have her London properties investigated by the UKs National Crime Agency (NCA), according to the Times.

The probe would form part of an international hunt for billions of pounds allegedly stolen by her aunts regime.

Officials from the agency and HMRC are believed to have visited Dhaka to support the work of investigators late last year, the paper reported.

A source familiar with the investigation said the Kings Cross flat could well be in scope, as could the house in which she lives, which is owned by a political ally of her aunt.

Ms Siddiq and her family live in a 2.1million semi-detached home owned by Abdul Karim Nazim, an official in the London arm of her aunts political party.
A man with a machete was arrested after trying to enter the U.S. Capitol just before Donald Trump's scheduled visit.

Trump plans to pay his respects to former President Jimmy Carter as his body is lying in the rotunda of the complex ahead of his state funeral on Thursday.

And a handful of his Cabinet picks, including Pete Hegseth, RFK Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard, have been doing the rounds in Senate offices today.

Capitol Police confirmed the machete-yielding man who also tried to sneak in three knives was arrested just around 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, just hours before Trump's arrival.

The president-elect also plans to meet with senators to discuss his Cabinet picks and upcoming legislative priorities like immigration reform and implementing tax cuts.

Capitol Police confirmed the man was arrested in a thread on X Wednesday afternoon.

'Our officers stopped and arrested a man who tried to get a machete into the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC),' the first post began.

Capitol Police confirmed the machete-yielding man who also tried to sneak in three knives was arrested just around 2:00 p.m.

Police vehicles are parked outside the US Capitol building in Washington, U.S., January 2, 2025

The people pays their respects to former U.S. President Jimmy Carter as his flag-draped casket lies in state at the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC, on January 8, 2025

'During security screening at the CVCs north doors, our officers spotted a machete in the mans bag, stopped the x-ray machine, arrested the man, and secured the machete.'

But authorities uncovered more than just a machete.

'Three knives were also found in the bag, along with the machete,' the authorities revealed.

'Security screening was temporarily stopped at the north side of the Capitol Visitor Center while we investigated.'

The man, who was not named, is being arrested for 'multiple charges of Carrying a Dangerous Weapon.'

The Capitol Police said additional information is to come.

The frightening announcement comes just hours before Trump is expected to visit Carter's remains in the Capitol Rotunda.

President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Palm Beach, Florida

Capitol Police officers stand watch outside the Capitol building as snow falls ahead of a joint session of Congress to certify the results of the 2024 Presidential election on January 6, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

The Capitol Police swiftly arrested the man with the weapons, they wrote

The late president is currently lying in state, a special honor for high-ranking deceased politicians.

Trump's visit had been planned for days and was publicly known ahead of time.

Though authorities have not shared a motive behind the incident.

The CVC, the location the man with the machete and knives was apprehended, is not particularly close to where lawmakers gather, though it is an area open to the public where families and school groups on tours generally enter the Capitol.

There has been no reports of injuries.

After visiting Carter, the president-elect is expected to meet with congressional leaders ahead of his swearing-in ceremony in two weeks.

Recently the 78-year-old has been engaging with House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., about how to best achieve his many political priorities.

Getting these many legislative goals done will take major cooperation for Republicans in both chambers.

In the House, it will be acutely difficult, as Speaker Johnson only has a few vote majority, meaning he can only have one of the 219 GOP lawmakers vote against his plans.

Trump has been posting online about his desired 'big beautiful bill,' a message he has sent indicating that he wants all of his top objectives like tax cuts, immigration reform and more all in one package.

Thune, meanwhile, has advocated for passing separate bills to make the legislation less heavy.

Gathering together on Wednesday they are expected to discuss how to go about this plan.

The president-elect is will also presumably speak to the GOP senators in charge of confirming his Cabinet about his selections.
Megyn Kelly has accused Los Angeles' female fire chief of 'focusing on diversity' instead of planning for disaster.

The former Fox journalist slammed Kristin Crowley for prioritizing DEI training over preparing for wildfires.

Her comments come as the City of Angels has been engulfed a series of deadly blazes, which have so far killed two people and blitzed through more than 11,800 acres.

The wildfires are being fueled by Santa Ana winds of up to 60mph, which Kelly described as 'predictable'.

'In recent years LA's fire chief has made not filling the fire hydrants top priority. but diversity,' she fumed on The Megyn Kelly Show. 'Diversity is at least among the top priorities for the Department.'

She referenced an interview in which Crowley expressed her desire to boost the number of women and LGBTQ+ people in the fire service.

'Who gives a s**t if the fire chief is gay I'm sorry but who gives a flying fig about who she likes to sleep with can you fight the f**king fires madam that's the relevant question,' Kelly continued

'We don't care about your lady parts and we don't care who you want having access to them can you fight fires can you make sure there's water in the fire hydrants?'

Megyn Kelly has accused Los Angeles' female fire chief of 'focusing on diversity' instead of planning for disaster

She added that Crowley should have been more prepared given that Ventura County is currently experiencing a huge drought.

'I don't care who turns you on and you know why they have only a hundred women in a in a squad of 3,300?' Kelly asked.

'Women tend to be small smaller and not as strong and unless you lower the requirements to become a firefighter most women can't pass the test trust me.'

She described Crowley's push for inclusivity as 'an absurdity' and mocked her previous comments about how she has trained staff

'I don't give a s**t about how you're taking care of somebody inside the firehouse, take care of me and my home and my kids and my animals when thefires hit, that's your real job,' Kelly raged.

The ongoing fire currently devastating the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles is now the most destructive in the state's history.

After officials counted over 1,000 structures being destroyed in the inferno, it quickly overtook the second-most destructive - 2008's Sayre Fire.

Statistics kept by the Wildfire Alliance indicate the Sayre Fire destroyed 604 structures in Sylmar, the northernmost suburb of the city.

Kelly slammed Fire Chief Kristin Crowley for prioritizing DEI training over preparing for wildfires

Los Angeles has been engulfed a series of deadly blazes, which have so far killed two people and blitzed through more than 11,800 acres

At least two people have been killed and dozens more injured since the wildfires began on Tuesday

The wildfires are rapidly spreading across Los Angeles with firefighters conceding they remain powerless to contain the flames because of strong winds.

At least 70,000 people were ordered to evacuate  a number that kept changing because evacuation orders were continually being issued, officials said.

Experts say that heavy rains from El Nino last year fueled vegetation growth in Los Angeles area, which had since dried out and become highly flammable.

Once ignited, strong winds then fanned the flames.

Southern California was battered by 'devil winds', formally known as Santa Ana winds, which are warm and gusty northeast winds that blow from the interior of region toward the coast.

DailyMail.com has contacted LAFD for comment.
An 80-year-old nursing home resident in Minnesota died after she was found 'fully engulfed' in flames in her electric scooter.

The woman was found Tuesday outside of the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely after emergency services responded to a 911 call just after 4.30pm.

The victim, whose identity is yet to be released, was found covered in flames before staff members were able to remove her from the scooter, according to the Ely Police Department.

She suffered severe burns and was taken to Ely Hospital.

She was then airlifted to Duluth and later passed away after succumbing to her injuries.

One of the staff members who helped the victim off of the scooter suffered non-life-threatening injuries that were treated at the hospital.

It's unclear what caused the fire.

DailyMail.com reached out to Boundary Waters Care Center, Minnesota State Fire Marshal, and the St. Louis Medical Examiner's Office for comment.

The victim, who suffered severe burns, was found outside of the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely, Minnesota, after emergency services responded to a 911 call just after 4.30pm Tuesday
A Brazilian Navy sailor shot dead his estranged wife and then killed himself, in an apparent murder-suicide, police said.

Surveillance camera footage showed Jailton Silva, 35, confronting Elaine Silva, 25, at their former home Monday afternoon, a day after she was visited by her boyfriend.

The horrific footage shows Jailton chasing the mother-of-one around the house with a gun before shooting her dead. He later turned the weapon on himself.

Cops revealed tragically that Elaine's death may have been prevented as Jailton had a history of abuse towards her for which he had a criminal record.

However, his controlling behavior continued and the jealous ex-husband monitored his former partner though cameras set up in her home.

It was through this chilling surveillance activity that he discovered that Elaine had moved on with another man, making him furious.

In the footage recorded by the home video system, Jailton appeared to corner Elaine in the kitchen before her mother interceded and broke up the argument.

He then walked to the living and gestured at Elaine and took out a gun from his waistband.

Elaine Silva was murdered by her estranged husband Jailton Silva on Monday after he visited their former Rio de Janeiro home to confront her about dating a man he saw Sunday visiting the residence via a surveillance camera he had installed in their living room

Authorities revealed that Jailton Silva had a 'criminal record' for threatening his estranged wife

Brazilian Navy sailor Jailton Silva places his gun (circled) away during an argument with his estranged wife Elaine Silva (top left) before he shot her dead and kill himself at their former home in Rio de Janeiro on Monday

Elaine's mother stepped forward to pull Jailton away as he placed the gun back under his waistband.

A hallway security camera showed Elaine standing at the top of the steps and Jailton drew his weapon and pointed at her and followed her onto the street.

In a third surveillance camera, Elaine's mother was seen walking out of the building as her daughter entered a property across the street.

Jailton followed her inside and shot her three times before shooting himself on the head.

The couple, parents to a son, were married for six years and broke up six months ago.

But Jailton installed security cameras in the living room and continued to monitor Elaine, police said.

Rio de Janeiro Civil Police chief Renato Martins revealed that Jailton did not accept that he was no longer with Elaine.

'It is important to clarify that the perpetrator, Jailton, already had a previous record, criminal records of threatening his ex-wife,' Martins said.

'So, he already has a history of violence against women.'

Elaine had attended law school and was working as ride-share app driver.

Elaine Silva leaves behind a son she had from her marriage with her estranged husband, Jailton Silva, who shot her dead and then shot himself in the head in an apparent murder-suicide

'Elaine was strong and a fighter. She leaves behind a legacy of perseverance and faith,' her cousin, Liliam Valim, told O Dia newspaper.

'Strong as a rock and courageous, she overcame prejudices and turned things around. She was unique and fought hard to turn things around in her life. She deserved everything wonderful.'

The Navy said in a statement that it was aware of the incident and was providing assistance to the families.

'The Navy regrets what happened and expresses its solidarity with the family,' the maritime service branch said. 'It also clarifies that it provides the necessary support to the family and is following the police investigations to clarify the facts.'
A decision not to criminally charge a police sergeant accused of performing Nazi salutes sends a 'dangerous message' some may be above the law, a critic says.

A leading Jewish community figure has slammed a decision to not charge a police officer accused of performing the Nazi salute twice.

The veteran police sergeant allegedly made the banned gesture at the Victoria Police Academy at Glen Waverley, in Melbourne's southeast, on successive days in October.

The 65-year-old woman was accused of approaching two employees and performing the salute, as well as uttering the words 'heil Hitler'.

The following day, in a post-family violence scenario debriefing with a recruit squad and another instructor, the sergeant again allegedly performed the salute and said 'heil Hitler'.

It prompted a swift rebuke from Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton, who labelled her alleged actions 'appalling' and 'abhorrent'.

But Victoria Police's criminal case has been dropped after it received advice from the Office of Public Prosecutions there was 'no reasonable prospect of conviction'.

An internal discipline investigation has been launched and the sergeant remains suspended.

Jewish community leaders have called for an explanation as to why a veteran sergeant alleged to have performed the Nazi salute had her charges dropped (stock image)

The 65-year-old allegedly performed the salute twice on successive days at the Victoria Police Academy at Glen Waverley before uttering the words 'heil Hitler' (stock image)

Anti-Defamation Commission chair Dvir Abramovich, who spent years lobbying governments to ban the salute, said he was shocked by the outcome given Mr Patton's previous remarks.

'This decision risks sending a dangerous and corrosive message - that some individuals, by virtue of their position, may be above the law,' he told AAP.

Mr Abramovich said the 'shameful' decision must be fully explained and made public, declaring Victorians had a right to know.

'I am appalled that an act so profoundly offensive to Holocaust survivors and their descendants is being swept under the rug,' he said.

AAP contacted the state prosecutors' office for comment.

A Victorian government spokeswoman said it would be inappropriate to 'run a commentary' while the internal disciplinary process was under way.

'There's no place for this sort of hurtful and divisive behaviour and Victorians rightly expect the highest standard of conduct from police members,' she said.

Chief Commissioner Shane Patton (pictured) labelled her alleged actions as 'appalling' but the charges were dropped by prosecutors due to an unreasonable 'prospect of conviction'

State and federal governments have banned Nazi symbols and gestures following concerns of rising anti-Semitism.

Far-right extremist and self-proclaimed 'Hitler soldier' Jacob Hersant became the first Victorian found guilty of intentionally performing the Nazi salute in public in October.

He was sentenced to one month in prison but freed on bail pending an appeal.

In Victoria, performing the Nazi salute in public can carry a sentence of up to 12 months in prison and or a $23,000 fine if proven.
Rachel Reeves is drawing up contingency plans for emergency spending cuts or tax rises, as government borrowing costs soar.

Economists said a spike in rates could leave the Chancellor facing a 10 billion-a-year increase in debt interest payments  putting her on course to break her own fiscal rules.

Treasury sources last night acknowledged Ms Reeves could be forced to act as soon as March if sceptical financial markets continue to raise the cost of borrowing.

Tory business spokesman Andrew Griffith said: Tragically, the gilt markets can see that the Governments growth plan is dead on arrival.

It takes a certain level of incompetence to fiddle your fiscal rules and then still risk missing them.

In a rare intervention, a spokesman for the Chancellor said her commitment to the fiscal rules was non-negotiable.

A source said Ms Reeves would not wait until the autumn Budget if a new economic forecast by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) in March shows she is on course to break her rules.

The source suggested the Chancellor is against further tax rises or borrowing and will cut spending if market conditions continue  paving the way for a potentially huge Cabinet row over where the cuts should fall.

Rachel Reeves (pictured) is drawing up contingency plans for emergency spending cuts or tax rises, as government borrowing costs soar

Economists said a spike in rates could leave the Chancellor facing a 10 billion-a-year increase in debt interest payments (File image of London's skyline)

The welfare budget could also be targeted.

Ms Reeves, who has vowed not to raise taxes for the remainder of this parliament, is planning a major speech on the economy designed to reassure jittery financial markets that she has an iron grip on the public finances.

One City analyst said market sentiment about the Governments economic plans was more dire than it was in the wake of Liz Trusss notorious mini-Budget in 2022.

It came as:

The pound slumped more than a cent versus the US dollar to just above $1.23, a nine-month low

The FTSE 250 fell by 2 per cent to a five-month low

Food prices will rise by 4.2 per cent this year after tax and minimum wage rises pushed up costs, the British Retail Consortium said

Hiring has fallen at the sharpest pace for more than a year thanks to Labours National Insurance raid, according to a report

Optimism among banks and other financial services companies fell in the wake of the Budget at the fastest pace since September 2022, a survey by the Confederation of British Industry found

Treasury sources last night said it was too early to tell whether the rise in borrowing costs would require corrective action in March.

Keir Starmer has promised the UK will have the fastest growth in the G7

Ms Reeves had not planned to make tax or spending changes when she makes a statement to parliament alongside the OBRs forecast. But sources said she could do something on spending if the situation required it.

A spokesman said the Chancellor would not countenance breaking her rules, which include the countrys budget being in balance or surplus by 2029/30, and public debt falling as a share of the economy in the same time-frame.

No one should be under any doubt that meeting the fiscal rules is non-negotiable and the Government will have an iron grip on the public finances, the spokesman said.

Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride said the intervention from the Treasury was extraordinary, adding: When you have to issue emergency statements saying people should be in no doubt about your commitment to fiscal responsibility, you are acknowledging there are very significant doubts indeed.

Yesterday, yields on UK ten-year gilts spiked to more than 4.8 per cent, the highest level since the financial crisis of 2008. And yields on 30-year gilts surged close to 5.4 per cent, a new 27-year high.

Gilts are UK government bonds  parcels of debt it sells to investors when it needs to borrow money. A rise in gilt yields means investors are demanding a higher rate to lend to the Government.

The interest rate on 30-year gilts reached 5.22 per cent, topping the spike seen in 2023

Reeves has previously been warned that the spike in UK borrowing costs is worse than the crisis that ended Liz Truss 's premiership

It spells trouble for the Chancellor as higher borrowing costs threaten to wipe out the so-called headroom of 9.9 billion.

That is the amount of money left to spare in order to meet borrowing rules, according to forecasts made at the time of the Budget.

Sunaina Sinha Haldea, of wealth management firm Raymond James, told the BBC that although the outrage in the media is a lot less than after Ms Trusss mini-Budget, the mood in financial markets was worse. The concern this time is more dire  the mood is darker, she added.

Kallum Pickering, chief economist at broker Peel Hunt, said: If bond yields rise further, Reeves may be forced to make the economically damaging decision of further increasing taxes or cutting back on planned public spending to balance the books.
An Italian journalist left to languish in an Iranian prison for three weeks has returned home amid speculation she was released in exchange for an Iranian engineer accused of terrorism.

Cecilia Sala, 29, embraced her boyfriend Daniele Raineri after landing at Rome's Ciampino airport, before greeting Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni.

In announcing that the journalist was flying home, Ms Meloni's office said the premier had personally informed Sala's parents and credited the release to the government's 'intensive work on diplomatic and intelligence channels'.

According to The Times, she told Sala at the airport: 'Now you just need to stay serene, don't say anything  I am here to thank you and tell you that you were strong.'

The journalist was detained on December 19 and thrown into solitary confinement for 'violating' the Islamic Republic's 'harsh laws'.

However, analysts noted the timing of the arrest coincided with the United States and Italy arresting Mohammad Abedini, a Swiss-Iranian wanted over export violations linked to a deadly attack on American servicemen.

The US Justice Department accused Mr Abedini and another Iranian of supplying the drone technology to Iran that was used in a January 2024 attack on a US outpost in Jordan that killed three American troops. He denied the charges.

Mr Abedini remains in detention in Italy but has asked a Milan court to grant him house arrest pending an extradition hearing.

Free at last: Cecilia Sala, 29, greeted Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni as she landed at Rome's Ciampino airport on Wednesday

Sala is embraced by her parents after landing, having spent three weeks in a prison in Iran

The journalist was detained on December 19 and thrown into solitary confinement for 'violating' the Islamic Republic's harsh laws'

Sala's release was met with cheers in Italy, where her plight had dominated headlines.

Lawmakers from across the political spectrum praised the outcome, with the opposition Democratic leader Elly Schlein thanking the government specifically.

Her release came after Ms Meloni made a surprise trip to Florida last weekend to meet Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate, where it is believed the pair discussed the case.

Ms Meloni in a statement on X thanked 'all those who helped make Cecilia's return possible, allowing her to re-embrace her family and colleagues'.

Members of Ms Meloni's cabinet took personal interest in the case given the geopolitical implications. Foreign minister Antonio Tanaji hailed the diplomatic teamwork involved to secure Ms Sala's release.

Ahmad Rafat, an Italian-Iranian journalist based in Britain, said: 'I have been told by an Italian political source Trump agreed not to protest  once he is in office  if Italy releases Abedini in return for Iran freeing Sala.'

Farian Sabahi, an Iranian-Italian writer, told news agency Adnkronos that the move may also have been influenced by the more moderate-leaning and recently-elected President Pezeshkian.

'The government of the reformist Pezeshkian, whose objective is to draw closer to the West, will have surely contributed to the release of Cecilia Sala,' she said.

Sala was released amid speculation her freedom was in exchange for Iranian engineer Mohammad Abedini, who is accused of terrorism

Sala's release was met with cheers in Italy, where her plight had dominated headlines

Sala's boyfriend Daniele Raineri runs towards the freed journalist as her flight landed

Advocacy group Reporters Without Borders, which had flagged Ms Sala's detention as an attack on press freedom, also celebrated her release.

'Now the 25 journalists still held in Iranian prisons must also be released,' the group said in a social media post.

Since the 1979 US Embassy crisis, which saw dozens of hostages released after 444 days in captivity, Iran has used prisoners with Western ties as bargaining chips in negotiations.

In September 2023, five Americans detained for years in Iran were freed in exchange for five Iranians in US custody and for 6 billion dollars in frozen Iranian assets to be released by South Korea.

Western journalists have been held in the past. Roxana Saberi, an American journalist, was detained by Iran in 2009 for around 100 days before being released.

Also detained by Iran was Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian, who was held for more than 540 days before being released in 2016 in a prisoner swap between Iran and the US.

Both cases involved Iran making false espionage accusations in closed-door hearings.

The saga began after Sala travelled to Iran on December 13 on a journalist's visa.

Sala had travelled to Iran on December 13 on a journalist's visa. She was arrested six days later for 'violating the law of the Islamic Republic of Iran', according to the country's culture ministry

The journalist, who writes for the Italian daily Il Foglio and is the host of a news podcast produced by Chora media, had recently released a podcast episode about an Iranian woman who had rejected her conservative values

During a phone call with her family, Sala said she had been sleeping on the floor in a cell with the lights permanently on, Italian media reported

She was arrested six days later for 'violating the law of the Islamic Republic of Iran', according to the country's culture ministry.

Sala had been due to return home to Italy the following day.

Her last post on X before her arrest was a link to her latest podcast episode, which she captioned: 'A conversation about patriarchy in Tehran'.

During a phone call with her family, Sala said she had been sleeping on the floor in a cell with the lights permanently on, Italian media reported.

The foreign ministry's secretary general Riccardo Guariglia then met with ambassador Mohammad Reza Sabouri to discuss Sala in what was described as a 'friendly meeting'.

Guariglia told Iran's envoy that Italian embassy staff in Tehran should be allowed to visit the journalist 'and provide her with the comfort items that have been denied to date', the foreign ministry said.

They also discussed Iranian citizen Mohammad Abedini, who is 'detained in the prison of Milan on false charges', the statement added.

Abedini, 38, was arrested in Italy last month at the request of American authorities, who have accused him of supplying sophisticated drone navigation technology to Iran's military in violation of US sanctions laws.

Protesters demanded the immediate release of Sala in Turin, Italy, on 29 December 2024

Elisabetta Vernoni, mother of Cecilia Sala, had a meeting with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome last week to discuss her daughter's plight

The components were later used in a January drone strike at a Jordanian military base near the Syrian border that killed three American service members, US justice authorities have alleged.

A second man, naturalized American-Iranian Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi, 42, was also arrested in the United States and charged with conspiring with Abedini.

Iran has denied the accusations.
Keir Starmer today vows to hit people smugglers where it hurts with tough new financial sanctions.

Writing exclusively for the Daily Mail, the Prime Minister reveals that new laws will allow human traffickers to be treated like terrorists, cyber criminals and corrupt kleptocrats.

A new regime of sanctions will allow ministers to freeze the bank accounts, property and other assets of trafficking gangsters, including those responsible for sending tens of thousands of small-boat migrants across the Channel.

Traffickers will be publicly named for the first time so that financial institutions and other companies know it is illegal to deal with them.

Describing the measures as a world first, Sir Keir says: My pledge to Mail readers is this  were going to hit them where it hurts. Today we are announcing a new sanctions regime, the first of its kind anywhere in the world.

Were going to treat people smugglers like terrorists, cyber criminals and corrupt kleptocrats. Well freeze their assets, ban their travel and work with allies to put them behind bars.

He adds: My message to those criminals who still think they can breach our borders is this. There is nowhere to hide. Were coming after you.

After the Conservatives repeatedly attacked Labour for scrapping the Rwanda asylum deal  which was designed to deter Channel crossings  the PM suggests his new measures will also act as a deterrent. He insists the moves will put traffickers out of business.

Keir Starmer (pictured) today vows to hit people smugglers where it hurts with tough new financial sanctions

People smugglers advertise their services on Tik Tok

Amanj Hasan Zada (right) 33, was jailed for 17 years after a YouTube video showed him firing a gun while celebrating bringing seven illegal immigrants to Britain

Both Khan, 55, of Feltham (left) and Rashied, 58, from Southall (right) were sentenced to a combined total of 10 years and 6 months in prison for conspiring to facilitate illegal entry into the UK

It remains unclear, however, whether trafficking gangs  largely based abroad  have significant cash and assets in Britain.

Labours new measures, which are expected to be in force by the end of the year, will be able to freeze assets only here in the UK.

The number of individuals and companies which could be targeted is not yet known, and they may be able to move money abroad before the new strategy comes into force.

British-based individuals and companies who fail to comply could face strict penalties, including criminal prosecution.

Existing sanctions  for example, those imposed on Russian politicians and oligarchs  carry a maximum seven years imprisonment or a fine of up to 1million for anyone found dealing with them.

The measures will be brought in through secondary legislation rather than an Act of Parliament.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy is due to unveil further details of the scheme in a speech later today. The Foreign Office described them as the worlds first stand-alone sanctions regime dedicated to targeting irregular migration and organised immigration crime.

Mr Lammy said: Im proud to announce that the UK is set to be the first country in the world to develop legislation for a new sanctions regime specifically targeting irregular migration and organised immigration crime. This will help to prevent, combat, deter and disrupt irregular migration and the smuggling of migrants into the UK.

Newly-released figures showed nearly 37,000 migrants arrived on small boats last year

Images showed dozens of migrants being picked up at sea by Border Force and arriving in Dover aboard a patrol vessel

The first migrants of 2025 have been intercepted by officials trying to cross the Channel

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Measures will be drawn up by sanctions experts from across government alongside the police, officials said.

Tory foreign affairs spokesman Dame Priti Patel said: Labour has no credibility on dealing with the evil trade in people smuggling.

In Parliament they voted against tougher punishments and life sentences for people smugglers, abolished the Rwanda deterrent and campaigned in favour of the rights of dangerous criminals and foreign national offenders, over the safety of the British people.

Separately, new asylum and border security laws are due to be unveiled by Labour later this year.

In November Sir Keir said he would seek a renegotiation of Britains Brexit deal with Brussels in a bid to tackle the Channel crisis. The PM said he wanted to reinstate the UKs ability to lead investigations into people trafficking  and other crimes  on the Continent.

It opened the prospect of a major change to Britains relationship with the bloc  prompting questions about what Brussels may demand in return.
A teenage girl has revealed how she was able to escape the twisted man who kidnapped and raped her, while keeping her locked up.

But San Antonio police warn there may be other victims of 47-year-old Jamie Ray Rencher, who is now charged with aggravated kidnapping with intent to sexually abuse, KHOU reports.

He allegedly met the unidentified 17-year-old victim on a chat site, and convinced the teenager to meet him at a restaurant near her home in Conroe - a suburb of Houston, according to an affidavit obtained by the San Antonio Express-News.

When the girl then met Rencher and climbed into his car on December 31, he allegedly crushed her cellphone with a wrench and threw it out the window, she later told police.

At that point, Rencher reportedly told the teenager, 'I will not kill you, I will not hurt you, I will not break your bones if you just listen and obey.'

From there, the girl claimed Rencher drove her to a nearby hotel, where he poured her three shots of alcohol, before tying her to the bed with a chain lock, red and black rope and zip ties.

The victim said she then told her captor that she was afraid, to which Rencher allegedly replied: 'It's OK to be scared, but it's not OK to disobey.'

Jamie Ray Rencher, 47, is charged with aggravated kidnapping with intent to sexually abuse

As Rencher proceeded to sexually assault the victim, she said she tried to fight back - and was able to hit and scratch Rencher.

But every time she said 'no,' he would put his hands over her mouth and pinch her nose closed until she could not breathe, she claimed.

He also told the teenager that if she kept fighting, 'it was going to get worse,' the affidavit claims.

Following the assault, the victim said Rencher drove her to San Antonio, telling her he was going to 'store her' at a friend's house for a week while he decided what to do with her.

At one point during the drive, the victim said Rencher stopped at a gas station, where he forced her to break her laptop and throw it away.

Once they arrived in San Antonio, however, Rencher reportedly told the girl his friend was nervous about housing her due to her age, so he instead drove the victim to a nearby park, where he let her out of his vehicle and told her he would come back later to pick her up.

Fortunately, a good Samaritan let the victim use his cellphone to call the police.

He is being held at the Bexar County Jail (pictured) with his bail set at $250,000

She described the hotel where she was assaulted in Conroe, and with that information, police were able to obtain the name of the man who reserved the room, San Antonio police announced.

The victim later positively identified Rechner as her rapist in a photo lineup, they said.

He was then arrested at his home in San Antonio, where police said they found the red rope and chain lock still inside his vehicle.

They also allegedly uncovered evidence that led them to believe there were other victims, with police announcing that further charges may be coming, according to KENS 5.

An investigation into those cases is ongoing.

In the meantime, Rencher is being held at the Bexar County Jail with his bail set at $250,000.
Donald Trump arrived on Capitol Hill on Wednesday with wife Melania for meetings with Republicans and to pay their respects to Jimmy Carter.

The 78-year-old president-elect said it was 'great' to be back in Congress before heading into the Capitol Rotunda and for talks with the GOP.

Trump is in Washington D.C. to pay respects to the mourn the late President Carter at his funeral on Thursday.

In just 12 days, he will take the oath of office on the steps outside the building and be sworn in, capping off a historic political comeback.

The incoming first couple walked into the Capitol Rotunda and stood by his casket for a moment of silence.

Melania, dressed in black, held her husband's hand as they walked through Congress in front of watching reporters and photographers.

Their appearance came just hours after Capitol Police arrested a man for trying to enter the complex with a machete and three knives.

Carter has been lying in state in Washington D.C. since Tuesday afternoon ahead of his state funeral.

Dignitaries from around the world, including the living former presidents, are expected to attend.

President Joe Biden, 82, in one of his last acts in office will delivery a eulogy before his trip to Rome.

Donald Trump arrived on Capitol Hill on Wednesday with wife Melania for meetings with Republicans and to pay their respects to Jimmy Carter

The incoming first couple walked into the Capitol Rotunda and stood by his casket for a moment of silence

Trump is in Washington D.C. to pay respects to the mourn the late President Carter at his funeral on Thursday

The 78-year-old president-elect said it was 'great' to be back in Congress before heading into the Capitol Rotunda and for talks with the GOP

Before entering the rotunda, Trump also told reporters that he's 'looking' at doing one bill versus two bills in a massive reconciliation package to fund the government and advance several of his main initiatives.

'It doesn't matter, we're going to get the result' he went on adding 'Make American Great Again!'

His vision for a 'big beautiful bill' includes combining border security measures and extending the tax cuts he introduced back in 2017.

Melania, dressed in black, held her husband's hand as they walked through Congress in front of watching reporters and photographers

Their appearance came just hours after Capitol Police arrested a man for trying to enter the complex with a machete and three knives

Donald and Melania stand by Jimmy Carter's flag-draped casket for a moment of reflection in the Capitol Rotunda

'We must Secure our Border, Unleash American Energy, and Renew the Trump Tax Cuts, which were the largest in History, but we will make it even better,' he previously stated.

'NO TAX ON TIPS. IT WILL ALL BE MADE UP WITH TARIFFS, AND MUCH MORE, FROM COUNTRIES THAT HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THE U.S. FOR YEARS,' he continued.

The 'no tax on tips' provision was a promise he made on the campaign trail.

The president-elect will begin his second term in the White House on January 20 after the GOP-controlled 119th Congress convened on Friday.

But Republicans have very little margin for error in their rowdy conference as they set out to achieve Trump's agenda.

They hold just a three-seat majority in the Senate and will temporarily have an almost non-existent majority in the House once the president-elect takes office.

'Republicans must unite, and quickly deliver these Historic Victories for the American People. Get smart, tough, and send the Bill to my desk to sign as soon as possible,' Trump wrote on Truth Social.
A pair of lynx are believed to have been deliberately set loose in the Scottish Highlands - prompting an urgent police search.

The wild cats were spotted on Wednesday afternoon around two miles from a wildlife park in the Drumguish area, near to Kingussie.

It was originally believed that they had escaped from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland Highland Wildlife Park, which does have lynx.

But both police and the park confirmed on Wednesday night that they were not from the attraction and instead are thought to have been set loose illegally.

The Cairngorms National Park Authority said it was treating the sighting of the wild cats as a 'suspected illegal release'.

The organisation also 'strongly condemned' those responsible and said it was concerned for the welfare of the lynx.

Enquiries are going on now to establish where they did in fact originate from - as police warned the public not to approach the animals.

'Around 4.20pm on Wednesday, January 8, police were advised that two lynx had been spotted in the Drumguish area near to Kingussie,' a spokesperson for Police Scotland said.

A pair of lynx are believed to have been deliberately set loose in the Scottish Highlands - prompting an urgent police search (file photo of lynx at the highland wildlife park)

The wild cats were spotted on Wednesday afternoon around two miles from a wildlife park in the Drumguish area, near to Kingussie (file photo of lynx at the highland wildlife park)

'As a precaution, and also for the animals' safety, specially trained staff from Highland Wildlife Park are assisting officers to trace them.

'Members of the public are asked not to approach the Lynx nor indeed attend the area, but instead to contact police via 101 if they are spotted.'

There have been calls for lynx to be returned to the Scottish countryside in a rewilding trial - a move opposed by farming groups including NFU Scotland.

The case for reintroducing lynx to Scotland was discussed in the Scottish Parliament for the first time in 2023.

The predator could help control booming numbers of roe deer, supporters of the plan have argued.

The Labrador-sized Eurasian lynx was once native to Scotland but was driven to extinction some 500-1000 years ago through hunting and habitat loss.

It has since been reintroduced back in several parts of Europe, including in areas used for farming, hunting, forestry and tourism.

The Cairngorms National Park Authority said in a statement: 'The Park Authority have been notified about a suspected illegal release of two lynx in the Cairngorms National Park.

'Police Scotland have been informed and are working closely with partners (including the Park Authority) to establish the full picture and take appropriate action.

The Cairngorms National Park Authority said it was treating the sighting of the wild cats as a 'suspected illegal release' (file photo of lynx at the highland wildlife park)

'We condemn the illegal release of wild animals in the strongest possible terms and we are also concerned for the welfare of the lynx that have been released.

'Whilst they are shy animals and low risk to humans, we would ask anyone who does spot a lynx not to approach nor to attend the area. Instead, call Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 2179 of Wednesday 8 January 2025 when calling.

'As this is still an ongoing police investigation it would be inappropriate for the Park Authority to comment further at this stage.'

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland Highland Wildlife Park added: 'We are aware of the suspected illegal release of two lynx in the Cairngorms National Park.

'Although these are not our lynx, we are working closely with Police Scotland and partners to safely retrieve the animals.

'Whilst lynx present a low risk to humans we would ask anyone who does spot them not to approach nor to attend the area. Instead, call Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 2179 of Wednesday 8 January 2025.'
Anthony Albanese has hit back at accusations he made a 'blink and you'll miss it' visit to a youth crime-plagued area of the Outback rather than properly addressing the issue.

The Prime Minister has been in the Northern Territory from Wednesday as part of a multi-state pre-election blitz, with the vote to be held before May.

He has been criticised for not visiting Alice Springs while the town remain in the grips of a crime crisis among indigenous youth, and which saw a two-month-old baby suffer a fractured skull in a home invasion last month.

ABC News Breakfast host Stephanie March asked Mr Albanese on Wednesday if he would visit Alice Springs after Nationals senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price accused him of a 'blink and you'll miss it stop'.

'I had three days in the Northern Territory,' Mr Albanese hit back, tersely.

'Jacinta Price wasn't there on Christmas Day at the 50th anniversary of the commemoration of Cyclone Tracy. That was a really important event.

'I was there from the 23rd until Christmas Day there in Northern Territory.

'This visit will be my 12th visit to the Northern Territory - more visits than the three Liberal Prime Ministers who preceded me visited the Northern Territory over their almost decade in office.'

ABC News Breakfast host Stephanie March asked the Labor leader whether he was going to visit the youth crime capital Alice Springs after Nationals senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price criticised Mr Albanese (pictured) for a 'blink and you'll miss it stop'

Senator Price said people in the NT were afraid to sleep in their own beds at night

Mr Albanese spent Christmas Day in Darwin where he unveiled a memorial to victims of the 1974 natural disaster in which 66 people were killed and around 70 per cent of Darwin's buildings were destroyed, including 10,000 homes.

But Ms March cut him off to again ask if he would visit Alice Springs itself to see what the federal government could do to address indigenous youth crime.

'We're now seeing South Australia sending police to help with the situation,' Ms March said.

'You've obviously given $250 million to try and help the situation there, but it seems so dire. And you're not planning to visit to see if that money's working?'

Mr Albanese insisted he had been to Alice Springs on two previous occasions.

'I've visited every part of the Northern Territory, whether it be Darwin, Katherine, Nhulunbuy, Alice Springs, Uluru,' he responded.

In January 2023, the Prime Minister spoke with the mayor, police officials and Indigenous leaders in the area about the intolerable rates of youth crime following a national outcry.

In recent years, crime rates have soared in Alice Springs. For example, In 2022, alcohol-related assaults increased by almost 70 per cent (pictured: CCTV footage of youths targeting a local pub)

Mr Albanese gave his support for a number of stringent Northern Territory government measures, including a three-month ban on alcohol sales on Mondays and Tuesdays, with customers limited to one transaction per day in bottle shops.

A restrictive sales window of 3pm to 7pm was also introduced in an effort to curb the grog-fueled violence.

Mr Albanese stayed in Alice Springs for about four hours, and days later was spotted sipping on beer and eating ice cream at the Australian Open.

Deputy Opposition leader Sussan Ley accused the Prime Minister of not showing strong leadership on the youth crime crisis.

'(He) wasn't there in the evening and didn't see the violence that happens every night on the streets,' she said after his last visit.

'Didn't see the despair and the desperation that particularly women and children are experiencing.

'And then announced some measures but immediately local people are calling for more.

'We do need stronger leadership; we do need the Prime Minister to step up and do more to support this community.'

Businessman and Aboriginal leader Warren Mundine also accused Mr Albanese of 'flying around the country and having great times going to sporting events and drinking' while 'the country is hurting'.

In recent years, crime rates have soared in Alice Springs.

For example, In 2022, alcohol-related assaults increased by almost 70 per cent.

The topic has achieved national notoriety in recent weeks after a two-month-old baby was left with a fractured skull during a home invasion and a women was allegedly raped in her home by an unknown man.

In 2024, the Albanese government committed to a $250 million package of support for the Outback, with funds earmarked to help tackle crime levels in Alice Springs.
Australians are becoming increasingly savvy at spotting scams, but fraudsters are tipped to change their tactics in 2025 to dupe their targets.

Chris Sheehan, National Australia Bank's group investigations executive, has outlined five new scams to watch out for based on emerging trends the bank has seen in its customer reports.

'Every Australian needs to know about these scams so they can recognise the red flags and protect themselves and their loved ones,' the former Australian Federal Police officer said.

Emails and texts filled with spelling and grammar mistakes, along with obviously fake link addresses, used to be an easy way to identify scam messages.

An improvement in the quality of these messages, cleverly constructed links and even websites that replicate the genuine article are now making them harder to spot.

Mr Sheehan said there are also a new wave of AI-powered scams targeting Australians, scams that pitch cryptocurrency investments, and what he terms 'bucket list' scams that offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

'Criminals create urgency to act quickly. It could be fear of missing out that concert tickets will go quickly, that'll you miss the next big crypto investment opportunity or that there's a problem with your bank account and you need to move your money elsewhere,' Mr Sheehan said.

'Once funds are sent it's often very hard to recover money, despite our best efforts. Criminals quickly send it to overseas accounts or to cryptocurrency platforms knowing it makes it harder to retrieve. Which is why it's important to catch it quickly.'

Chris Sheehan is National Australia Bank's group investigations executive and previously worked for the Australian Federal Police

NAB has analysed customer reports of scams and have outlined five to watch out for in 2025

AI-powered scams

A common use of artificial intelligence by fraudsters is scams impersonating Australian politicians or famous personalities spruiking an opportunity or product on social media.

These scams use deepfake technology, which is lifelike impersonations of real people generated by computer.

Fake voice messages can be made using just three seconds of genuine audio or fake photos or videos made using just one image from a social media profile or a video on a website.

'While we haven't had any reports of our customers being impacted by sextortion using AI-generated images, we're watching this issue overseas given sextortion can have devastating consequences,' Mr Sheehan said.

How to protect yourself:

Treat investment opportunities backed by high profile figures with scepticism and do your own research.

Access investment opportunities via details you've found and verified yourself rather than clicking on ads on social media or sponsored search listings.

If you aren't sure about the legitimacy of a payment request, call the person back  even if you know them  directly using details you found yourself.

Set your social media profile to private and review friend requests and connections.

Stop all contact if someone threatens to release images if you don't make a payment. Report the matter to the e-Safety Commissioner, and your bank if you have sent a payment.

Cryptocurrency investment scams

Scammers can create urgency around cryptocurrency by saying it was about to leap in price and they need to get in now.

They socially engineer people to 'invest' via fake crypto trading apps and fraudulent websites but there's no legitimate portfolio.

Crypto scams offering opportunities to get in on investments before they skyrocket are targetting Aussies (stock image)

Small profits or being able to withdraw a small amount of money is used as a way for criminals to build trust.

But, when you try to withdraw your money, you're met with fees, tax issues or being locked out of the account.

How to protect yourself:

Confirm the person you're talking to has an Australian Financial Services (AFS) license and contact them on details you've found independently.

Look for the cryptocurrency exchange's registration number on its website. Digital currency exchanges in Australia must be registered with AUSTRAC.

Look for reviews of the investment offer and company, including search the offer and word 'scam'.

Search ASIC's investor alert list, which includes suspicious companies, businesses and websites.

Bucket list scams

International music acts playing in Australia and new visa requirements for Europe, such as the Electronic Travel Authorisation required for the UK from January 8, can create opportunities for buying and selling scams around bucket list moments.

A large number of all buying and selling scams customers report are linked to social media or digital platforms, reinforcing the need for a co-ordinated national approach to stopping scams.

The customer may pay for an item that does not exist or, if something arrives, it is random or counterfeit. Other variations involve paying an inflated price for a legitimate product or service.

'We anticipate ticket scams when Oasis and Metallica tour, similar to those seen with Taylor Swift and Coldplay in 2024,' Mr Sheehan said.

How to protect yourself:

Look for sold out tickets through official resellers, instead of on social media.

If possible, pick up the phone and talk to the seller or organisation directly before sending money.

Review the seller or organisation's social media profile in detail to see when it was created, how active they are and if they have any reviews.

Do a reverse image search. If you see the same image of tickets, visa authorisations or proof of purchase on other websites, it's probably a scam.

Consider how you pay. Private sales offer limited, if any, protection if the items aren't genuine.

Remote access scams targeting businesses

These remain among the top scams NAB customers report.

A phone call impersonating a well-known bank, telco, tech company or government department is the stepping stone and they often deliberately target older Australians.

An emerging trend is criminals calling business customers impersonating NAB and spinning a story that there's a new chat bot or version of NAB Connect, or an issue that they can help you fix.

They then direct people to download an app or software, giving them remote access to a computer so they can access online banking or other personal information.

Scammers target businesses by impersonating telcos, banks or the government (stock image)

'We anticipate criminals will continue to target Australian consumers and businesses with remote access scams in 2025. Losses often run into tens of thousands of dollars, compared to other scams where the criminals might net $500 or $1,000,' he said.

How to protect yourself

Never give an unexpected person remote access to your computer or online bank accounts.

Never share any SMS codes your bank has sent.

If you aren't sure if contact is legitimate, hang up or delete the text message or email. Contact the organisation using details you have found yourself.

Update computer software and apps regularly.

Sophisticated phishing scams

Phishing scams send out huge numbers of fake messages with scammers counting on getting a few 'bites'.

They content of messages and their appearance of making them harder to differentiate from genuine messages.

They remain one of the most popular types of scams among criminals.

'An emerging trend is text messages urging people to use their supermarket or similar retail rewards points before they expire.

How to protect yourself:

Be very suspicious of unsolicited contact. If in doubt, delete it or hang up.

Know NAB will never ask you to provide your personal or banking information through a link.

Know NAB will never send you an unexpected text message with a link in it.

Keep your phone and computer updated with the latest version of apps and trusted anti-virus software.
Royal hairstyles must always be flawless, especially for the most important moments of one's life.

So, it was no surprise that Kate Middleton's chestnut locks looked perfect when she and Prince William revealed their engagement to the world on November 16, 2010.

Onlookers were quick to notice her impeccable outfit and voluminous blow-dry - trademarks she has continued to impress with over the years.

In her book, Kate: The Future Queen, bestselling author Katie Nicholl offers a glimpse into what happened behind the scenes.

She discloses that Kate's trusted hairdresser, James Pryce, was called to the Palace to style her tresses ahead of the appearance.

He told the author: 'I was doing a client when I got a call from the Palace asking me to come and do Kate's hair. They told me that they had announced their engagement. It was hugely exciting and the most important blow-dry I'd ever done. Kate just asked me for the usual.'

Mr Pryce, who was then working at the Richard Ward salon in Chelsea, charged 50 for styling and 88 for a cut and blow dry.

He went on to create Kate's iconic half-up, half-down hairstyle on her wedding day.

After eight years of dating, Prince William and Kate Middleton thrilled royal fans with the announcement of their engagement on November 16, 2010

William and Kate shared their happy news in an exclusive interview with Tom Bradby, followed by a press appearance in the State Apartments at St James's Palace.

'Kate had been dreading the interview, and afterward Mr Bradby remembered her leaning back and sighing with relief, exclaiming, "I'm no good at this!",' Ms Nicholls writes.

She continues: 'Like the late Princess of Wales, Kate was statuesque and beautiful, with heavily made up eyes, but she seemed far more confident than Diana, who had been just nineteen when she and Charles got engaged.

The fifteen-minute interview was viewed by three billion people across the world - and it was the first time Kate had spoken publicly.

'She made a point of placing her hands on her lap so that she didn't fidget with her hair and spoke beautifully in a cut-glass accent,' Ms Nicholls says.

A number of Kate's school friends noted that she spoke quite differently compared to when she was younger.

'"She has changed a lot, she's certainly grown into a beauty, and the funny thing is her voice has completely changed. She sounds very posh, and she definitely wasn't that well-spoken when we were at school," recalled one of her contemporaries from St Andrew's Prep.'

Kate was immaculately clad a 385 royal blue dress by Daniella Helayel, founder and former creative director of Issa. The mid-length silk dress, inspired by a design worn by Helayel's couturier grandmother, was a fitting choice for the future Queen.

The couple shared their happy news in an exclusive interview with Tom Bradby, followed by a press appearance in the State Apartments at St James's Palace

Onlookers were quick to notice Kate's impeccable outfit and voluminous blowdry - trademarks she has continued to impress with over the years

Kate's trusted hairdresser, James Pryce, was called to the Palace to blow-dry her hair ahead of the big announcement

Mr Pryce, who then worked at the Richard Ward salon in Chelsea, charged 50 for styling and 88 for a cut and blow dry. He also styled Kate's half-up, half-down do on her wedding day

William had, of course, presented his fiancee with a 12-carat oval blue Ceylon sapphire, surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds, which was crafted by the London luxury jeweller Garrard. It was the very ring chosen by Lady Diana Spencer when she became engaged to Charles, then Prince of Wales, in 1981

One of the most famous pieces of jewellery in history, Kate's sapphire and diamond engagement ring was purchased by Charles for Diana in 1981. It cost 28,000 and is now valued at upwards of 300,000

It sold out within 24 hours, marking the beginning of the 'Kate effect.'

William proposed during a private holiday in Kenya the previous month, having received permission from Kate's father, Michael.

He had, of course, presented his fiancee with a 12-carat oval blue Ceylon sapphire, surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds, crafted by the London luxury jeweller Garrard.

One of the most famous pieces of jewellery in history, this engagement ring was purchased by Charles for Lady Diana Spencer in 1981. It cost 28,000 and is now valued at upwards of 300,000.

The striking design was inspired by Queen Victoria's sapphire brooch, worn as her 'something blue' for her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840.

The choice of a catalogue ring, instead of a custom-designed piece, broke royal tradition, allowing others to purchase the same engagement ring.

Dubbed the 'Commoner's Sapphire,' it reflected Diana's grounded nature, as she valued the sentimental meaning of the ring more than royal traditions.

Charles and Diana announced their engagement five months prior to their wedding, on February 24, 1981, with an exclusive interview.

The Prince told the BBC that he was 'delighted and frankly amazed' that Diana was 'prepared' to take him on.

However, he upset his future wife when he was asked if they were in love. Diana replied, 'Of course,' while Charles quipped, 'Whatever in love means' - a comment she was believed to find 'traumatising.'

In contrast, William and Kate presented a remarkedly different display.

Ms Nicholl observes: 'With his arm protectively around Kate, it was clear William knew exactly what love meant.'
A necklace made for King Edward VII's mistress, which appeared in the film The Devil Wears Prada, has resurfaced after being returned to the jewellery brand it originally came from - along with the intriguing tale behind the piece.

The then-Prince of Wales, who had been married to Princess Alexandra of Denmark since 1863, was reportedly infatuated with actress and socialite Lillie Langtry after meeting her at a London dinner party in the late 1870s.

She soon became one of Edward's mistresses, leading him to commission London jeweller Hancocks & Co to design an Egyptian-style necklace for her.

Lillie, born in Jersey, moved to London in 1876 at the age of 20 after marrying Irish landowner Edward Langtry. Her beauty and charm captured attention, sparking commentary and invitations from artists and society hosts alike.

During the Aesthetic Movement, she was painted by several prominent artists, and her portrait by Sir John Everett Millais, displayed at the Royal Academy, earned her the nickname 'Jersey Lily'.

In 1881, Lillie made her West End debut in the comedy She Stoops to Conquer, breaking new ground as the first socialite to appear on stage. The following year, she became the first celebrity to endorse a commercial product, lending her support to Pears soap.

Lillie starred in numerous plays, including The Lady of Lyons and William Shakespeare's As You Like It, before taking on the lead role in Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra in 1884.

She debuted the infamous necklace during her opening night performance.

Edward VII, then Prince of Wales, commissioned London jeweller Hancocks & Co to design an Egyptian-style necklace for his mistress Lillie Langtry. She debuted it on stage during the opening night of her performance as Cleopatra in the West End

The Egyptian-style necklace incorporated a carved carnelian shell, winged scarabs, coral drops, turquoise cabochons and carved moonstones

Lillie's acquaintances included Oscar Wilde, who encouraged her to pursue acting. She was also known for her relationships with royal figures and nobles, including Edward VII, Lord Shrewsbury, and Prince Louis of Battenberg.

Edward had a house built for her in Bournemouth, Dorset, where the couple conducted their three-year affair away from the public gaze.

Her former home, called the Red House, is now the Langtry Manor Hotel, with the King's room being used as a honeymoon suite.

Edward employed Hancocks & Co, which held a royal warrant from Queen Victoria, to create a necklace for Lillie, incorporating a carved carnelian shell, winged scarabs, coral drops, turquoise cabochons and carved moonstones.

The design captured the late 19th-century fascination with Egyptian-style jewellery, a trend inspired by Napoleon's expedition to Egypt and the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869.

Lillie held onto the necklace for several years, but it remained out of the public eye until it appeared at a Bonhams auction in 2003. The seller, a private individual, claimed that Lillie had gifted the necklace to their grandmother.

Hancocks bought the necklace back for 19,718. However, the company later sold it to New York-based antique dealer Fred Leighton, known for providing pieces to Hollywood celebrities and stylists.

Fred loaned the necklace to costume designer Patricia Field, who styled it on Meryl Streep's character, Miranda Priestly, in the 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada. She teamed it with a crisp white shirt and a Donna Karan trench coat.

The necklace was worn by Meryl Streep's character, Miranda Priestly, in the 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada

Edward VII, who had been married to Princess Alexandra of Denmark since 1863, was reportedly infatuated by actress and socialite Lillie Langtry after meeting at a London dinner party in the late 1870s. Pictured: Edward and Alexandra at his coronation in 1902

Lillie, born in Jersey, moved to London in 1876 at the age of 20 after marrying Irish landowner Edward Langtry

Lillie became the first celebrity to endorse a commercial product, lending her support to Pears soap in 1890

Her beauty and charm captured attention, sparking commentary and invitations from artists and society hostesses alike

Lillie modelling a sable motoring coat, standing next to an electric City and Suburban car

That same year, the necklace was auctioned again at Sotheby's in New York. Hancocks repurchased the piece and displayed it in its boutique at Mayfair's Burlington Arcade, before selling it once more to a private American client.

In October 2009, the necklace resurfaced at Christie's in New York, where Hancocks purchased it for 33,500, bringing it back to London for a third time.

However, an American collector, who had unsuccessfully bid on the piece, was determined to track it down. Hancocks agreed to sell it, though struggled with seller's regret.

This year, as the jeweller relocated to larger premises in St James's, with space to display its archive, managing director Guy Burton renewed his efforts to recover the piece.

He approached the client to enquire if they might be willing to part with it. After reaching an agreement on a private sale, the necklace has finally returned to Hancocks for a fourth time.

Amy Burton, daughter of Stephen and Janie Burton, who now own the company, told The Telegraph that they have no intention of selling the necklace again.

'This necklace is so special that we can never part with it again,' she said. 'Hancocks has always made incredible jewellery, and this necklace represents so much history: social history, royal history and the history of jewellery.

'It's such a unique piece that ties in so many elements of our 175-year history, and now it has come home. It feels like a very symbolic, full-circle moment.'

The necklace will now be displayed at Hancocks' townhouse boutique, alongside other historical pieces, including the Victorian Anglesey Tiara.

This tiara, originally created for the 5th Marquess of Anglesey, Henry Cyril Paget, was worn by aristocratic ladies at the coronations of both King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.
A surge of migrants at the border could be seen in the final days and even hours of Pres. Joe Biden's term, as desperate migrants who have risked it all to reach the US take 'a last bite at the apple,' DailyMail.com can reveal.

Although it's unclear where the surge might happen or how big it might be, Texas Congressman Tony Gonzalez, who represents over 600 miles of the southern border, believes the elements are in place for a surge to materialize.

'I think there is a last bite at the apple, where folks are going, "Now's the time to get in before they shut things down,"' the Republican lawmaker told DailyMail.com.

'I wouldn't be surprised if there was one last push to get anyone who was already stuck (in Northern Mexico) over.'

At least a few thousand migrants are already in cities across Northern Mexico, like Ciudad Juarez and Tijuana, while most await asylum appointments through Biden's CBP One Mobile app - which would grant them legal entry into the US.

Many are living on the streets or in Mexican shelters during their wait, which can be at least 15 days, according to 32% of migrants recently interviewed by a human rights organization.

Another 59% described waiting one to six months before scoring a coveted appointment.

Any of those asylum-seekers could lose hope in the final days of the Biden Administration and instead try to press their luck in crossing illegally before Donald Trump, who had promised to shut the border down takes office.

A demonstrator holds a banner with the image of US President-elect Donald Trump as she protests at the San Ysidro crossing port on the US-Mexico border in Tijuana, Baja California State, Mexico, on December 18

'There's already been a lot of chatter on the border. Everyone knows that there's going to be a new sheriff in town,' Gonzalez added.

Then the are the migrants racing to arrive the at border before Trump takes office and currently moving through Mexico.

People in these large groups have taken to walking at night, instead of the day as they have in the past, to try and avoid Mexican officials who have recently stepped up effort to stopped migrants from reaching the US border altogether.

At least three migrants caravans are planning to depart southern Mexico before Trump takes office, according to Mexican newspaper Diario del Sur.

Border Patrol agents are also making preparations for the change in administrations, Gonzalez, who represents border hot spots Del Rio and El Paso explained.

'Agents are very excited. They're ready to get back to work. In many cases, there's agents that have never been trained properly-- all they know is processing migrants,' he said.'

In the past, Border Patrol agents traditionally chased down any migrant who illegally crossed into the US.

The historic nature of the last years at the border brought a first-- asylum-seeking migrants who entered the US illegally but then invoked their legal right to asylum while seeking out green-uniformed federal agents so they could surrender.

Francisco Lopez, a Mexican migrant trying to reach the United States, sits in a plaza during a day of low temperatures, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

Migrants trying to reach the United States pray outside a shelter during a day of low temperatures, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico January 7

Hondurans rest before starting a migration caravan towards the US at San Pedro Sula, Honduras on January 6, 2025. Dozens of Hondurans set off on January 7 in a caravan from the northwestern city of San Pedro Sula towards the US

'(Young) agents don't know how to apprehend-- remember there's been four years of that. Now they're going to be blocking and tackling. They can't wait to really be turned loose and do their job.'

Throughout the last four years, many Border Patrol agents have expressed their frustration that they have released so many illegal immigrants into the country, based on the Biden administration of international law, which guarantees all the right to seek asylum in the US.

Asylum-seekers are typically released into the US while federal court decide if they actually qualify for asylum-- a process that can take year, and 70 to 80% don't end up qualifying.

Trump has promised that asylum seekers will not be allowed into the US while their cases are decided in court, instead hinting at bringing back his controversial 'Remain in Mexico' plan from his first administration.

The plan required asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases were decided.
The last days and hours of a CIA scientist working in the secretive mind-controlling 'MKUltra' program have been revealed for the first time since he died in 1953.

Dr Frank Olson, a biological warfare scientist, was covertly dosed with LSD at a meeting and died nine days later after falling out of his hotel room in New York City, which was declared a suicide - although some people believe he was murdered.

Now, a newly declassified account from Dr Olson's boss and former head of the Special Operations Division of the Army Chemical Corps has provided a firsthand account of the final moments of the scientist's life.

Vincent Ruwet wrote that following a meeting on November 19, 1953, when the scientist was drugged, Dr Olson appeared agitated compared to his usual social, 'life of the party' behavior.

In the days that followed, Dr Olson became paranoid, barely ate and even disappeared into the night to toss out his wallet, identification badge and money cause he be believed Ruwet asked him to.

'After about an hour of discussion it became apparent to me that Dr Olson needed psychiatric attention,' Ruwet wrote.

Dr Olson was set to fly out to a mental facility on November 27, telling Ruwet he would see him in the morning to catch the plane.

'At approximately 2:45am Sat. Nov. 28th, 1953, I received a call with from Dr [Sidney] Gottlieb with a message that Dr. Olson had died,' Ruwet's statement concluded.

Dr Frank Olson, a biological warfare scientist, was covertly dosed with LSD at a meeting and died nine days later after falling out of his hotel room in New York City , which was declared a suicide - although some people believe he was murdered

Pictured is Dr Frank Olson with his wife Alice and their children (L-R) Eric, Lisa and Nils

Dr Olson's body was found outside the Statler Hotel where he was staying on the 13th floor.

His family was not allowed to see his body, instead being told he had suffered significant facial injuries in the fall and that he had killed himself by jumping.

However, it was confirmed that he did have LSD in his system at the time of death.

In 1994, still uneasy with the narrative he'd been given, Dr Olson's oldest son had his father's body exhumed.

The pathologist ruled that Dr Olson did not suffer disfiguring facial injuries, as the family had been told, and that he had an injury on his head which was consistent with him being murdered in his room and then thrown from the window.

The CIA's MkUltra program, conducted from 1953 to 1964, aimed at developing procedures and drugs that could be used during interrogations, weakening individuals and forcing confessions through brainwashing and psychological torture.

A CIA spokesperson told DailyMail.com: 'The MKULTRA program ran from 1953 until the lack of productive results and ethical concerns about unwitting testing led to its cessation in 1963.

'CIA is committed to transparency regarding this chapter of its history, including by declassifying information on the programs and making it publicly available on CIA.gov.'

Ruwet's firsthand account was part of a trove of documents from the project that were declassified in December, detailing Dr Olson's state of mind during and in the days following the Deep Creek Lake experiment.

Now, a newly declassified account from Dr Olson's boss and former head of the Special Operations Division of the Army Chemical Corps has provided a firsthand account of the final moments of the scientist's life

Dr Olson's body was found in the street after falling from the 13th floor of The Statler Hotel

That was when Dr Olson was slipped the drug, leading to him on a downward spiral for nine days.

Ruwet's statement, dated December 1, 1953, begins with him describing Dr Olson's personality before the Deep Creek Lake experiment on November 19.

Deep Creek Lake, located in Maryland was a location of a cottage the CIA used as a hideaway and likely conducted mind-controlling experiments at the site.

'His personality was that almost of an extrovert,' he wrote. 'He liked a practical joke, did not carry it to excess.

'Socially, he was very popular, 'life of the party' type. He was the first one on hand to assist anyone who might have troubles either professionally or personally.'

The experiment took place on a Thursday and Ruwet and Dr Olson met for breakfast the next morning.

Dr Olson appeared agitated as they sat down to eat, but Ruwet 'did not consider this to be abnormal under the circumstances' of just completing a MKUltra experiment.

On November 23, Dr Olson met with Ruwet to ask if he should be fired or if he should quit.

Ruwet was 'taken a-back' by the comments, and that is when the scientist's behavior took a turn for the worst.

'I saw him Tuesday, 24 November, 1953, when he again was waiting for me in my office when I came to work at about 7:30am,' stated Ruwet.

'He appeared greatly agitated an in his own words, 'all mixed up.' He said he felt that he was not competent, that he had done something wrong.'

Ruwet tried to comfort Dr Olson, but 'after an hour of discussions it became apparent to [him] that Dr Olsent needed psychiatric attention.'

The scientist agreed to seek help, working with Dr Robert Lashbrook to arrange a meeting with a psychiatrist in New York and a stay at a mental facility in Maryland.

Dr Olson and Ruwet hopped on a plane to New York that day, but the scientist 'was very anxious and had the feeling that someone was out to get him' during the flight.

They met with a psychiatrist, but the Dr Olson became too suspicious and agitated that the meeting was cut short.

And the bizarre behavior continued when Dr Olson and Ruwet watched a Broadway show, 'Me and Juliet,' at 8:30pm.

'Dr Olson appeared to get upset during the first act and at intermission he was highly agitated and state that he knew that people were outside waiting to arrest him on his departure of the show,' said Ruwet.

That same night, Dr Olsen disappeared disappeared into the dark streets of Manhattan to discard his money and identification.

'He stated that he had done this because I had instructed him to do so since I was with him,' Ruwet penned.

'I told him that I wasn't with him; he said, 'Yes, that's right. I must've been dreaming.'

His family was not allowed to see his body, instead being told he had suffered significant facial injuries in the fall and that he had killed himself by jumping. However, it was confirmed that he did have LSD in his system at the time of death

The two returned to Washington DC, but Dr Olson's state of mind became worse. He pleaded to be turned over to the police since they were already after him.

With this happening, Dr Olsen returned to New York to see the psychiatrist again.

'This was the last time I saw Dr Olson,' Ruwet shared.

But the two spoke over the phone as they were planning for Dr Olson to admit himself into Chestnut Lodge in Rockville, Maryland, and they had reservations to go together.

'Dr Olson appeared on the phone quite relaxed,' said Ruwet. 'He told me about the trip in the morning, about the fact that they had reservations at Chestnut Lodge.'

The scientist even urged him not to go because 'he knew that [Ruwet] probably had to do work around the house' as it was a Saturday.

'I told him to think nothing of that and that I would meet him,' Ruwet stated. 'He said, fine. I'll see you in the morning.''

Dr Olson's family believes that he had 'grown uncomfortable with the nature of his work, showed signs of being a security risk, and then was made unstable when drugged with LSD at an offsite business meeting intended to test his trustworthiness.'

'He had become a man who knew too much,' according to his nephew, Paul Vidich.

The New York District Attorney's Office reopened its file on Olson's death in 1996, eventually changing the cause of death from 'suicide' to 'unknown' after a long investigation.
For nearly 100 after its discovery, the Sutton Hoo burial site in Suffolk was assumed to be the resting place for a high-ranking royals.

Out of about 20 burial mounds at the site, the most famous was thought to hold the remains of a 90-foot ship and a man  possibly a king  surrounded by opulent treasures, including a decorated helmet, gold coins and an iron sword.

However, a researcher now puts forward an alternative theory.

Dr Helen Gittos, a historian at the University of Oxford, thinks the graves belonged to British men who fought for the Byzantine Empire.

The Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire or Byzantium, was a powerful civilization based at Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul).

These early medieval soldiers were recruited from Britain into the Byzantine army in AD 575 and fought Sasanians, the ancient Iranian dynasty.

'Those who returned brought back with them metalwork and other goods which were current, and distinctive, and not the kinds of things that were part of normal trading networks,' she says.

'This opens up a startlingly new view onto early medieval English history.'

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The Sutton Hoo helmet is a decorated Anglo-Saxon helmet found during a 1939 excavation of the Sutton Hoo ship-burial

Photo from Trustees of the British Museum showing the discovery of a gold and garnet shoulder clasp from the ship burial mound at Sutton Hoo

The Sutton Hoo ship burial dates to between around AD 610 and AD 635, when the site belonged to the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of East Anglia.

In AD 575, the Byzantine army 'urgently' needed more troops because of the renewed war with the Sasanians, the academic points out.

Justin II, the Eastern Roman emperor from 565 until 578, conducted a major recruiting campaign of troops from western Europe.

Dr Gittos argues that this included men from Britain who were attracted by the 'allure of adventure and reward'.

'After all, we know that there were already established connections between Byzantium and Britain,' she adds.

Dr Gittos analysed all the evidence from Sutton Hoo as well as other notable English sites including the Prittlewell burial site, near Southend in Essex.

Previously described as 'work of the highest quality', the Sutton Hoo objects include Byzantine silver spoons, copper-alloy vessels, shield and sword, a lyre, a silver plate and the famous Sutton Hoo helmet.

The man buried in a ship at Sutton Hoo had not only silver and copper dishes from the east Mediterranean, but also lumps of bitumen and textiles from Syria.

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Pictured, a pair of hinged gold clasps jewelled with garnet and mosaic glass each with chained fastening pin in the form of an animal head found at Sutton Hoo

This Ornamental silver plate now at the British Museum was among the 1 400-years-old treasures unearthed at Sutton Hoo ship

Out of about 20 burial mounds at the site, the most famous held the remains of a 90-foot ship and a man - possibly a king - surrounded by opulent treasures. Pictured, a burial mound at Sutton Hoo

Who was buried at Sutton Hoo? Inside the burial mound at Sutton Hoo was the imprint of a decayed ship and a central chamber filled with treasures. Soil analysis revealed phosphate - an indicator that a human body once lay at rest there. But who exactly it was is less clear. The burial was the final resting place of someone who had died in the early seventh century, during the Anglo-Saxon period  a time before 'England' existed. Ship burials were rare in Anglo-Saxon England - probably reserved for the most important people in society - so it's likely that there was a huge funeral ceremony. Source: British Museum Advertisement

Meanwhile, at Prittlewell, a man was buried in a wood-panelled chamber with a copper flagon originally from the shrine of St Sergius in Sergiopolis, Syria.

And at Taplow in Berkshire, a man was buried with a pedestal bowl so rare only three comparable examples are known, all from Egypt.

These graves  commonly known as 'princely burials' in reference to their grandness  share a number of characteristics.

'They tend to contain objects that were made in the eastern Mediterranean which were current, rather than old, when buried, and were of very unusual types,' Dr Gittos says.

'Their burials were carefully orchestrated and included exotic objects imported across great distances.

'The graves themselves were monumental, in that they were designed to be an enduring feature in the landscape.

'The desire to mark the extraordinary lives and official military status of these men may have been one of the factors that led to this generation being buried in such unusually ostentatious ways.'

It's commonly believed one person was buried with the Sutton Hoo ship  known as Mound 1  along with the opulent grave goods, but it was the site of multiple burials, as evidenced by the numerous mounds.

Amateur archaeologist Basil Brown famously discovered Sutton Hoo in 1939, when he brushed away the Suffolk soil on request of local woman Edith Pretty. He uncovered evidence of a epic funerary monument  a 88.6-foot-long ship with a burial chamber of luxury goods. The ship's wood rotted away in the acidic soil over the course of 1,300 years, leaving only an imprint

This photo from Trustees of the British Museum showing landowner Mrs Edith Pretty watching the 1939 excavation of a burial ship from an Anglo-Saxon burial mound at Sutton Hoo

In her paper, published in the journal the English Historical Review, Dr Gittos argues that people laid to rest at Sutton Hoo and Prittlewell were all soldiers, offering 'a startlingly new view of early Anglo-Saxon history'.

'Evidence presented here indicates that the shadow cast by the eastern Roman empire in the west was longer  and less shadowy  than we have tended to think,' she concludes.

Dr Gittos stresses that she doesn't the Sutton Hoo burials didn't contain royals, telling MailOnline: 'It seems highly likely that the man buried in Sutton Hoo Mound 1 was a king.

'Im saying that the kinds of people buried in those burials may have served in the Byzantine army; its quite possible they did lots of other things in their lives too.'

She adds: 'There was almost certainly only one person buried in Sutton Hoo Mound 1  no bones survived because the sandy soil is so acidic  but it was part of a bigger cemetery of special burials.'

It was back in 1939 that amateur archaeologist Basil Brown discovered Sutton Hoo, when he brushed away the Suffolk soil on request of local woman Edith Pretty.

He uncovered evidence of a epic funerary monument  a 88.6-foot-long ship with a burial chamber full of luxury goods.

The ship's wood rotted away in the acidic soil over the course of 1,300 years, leaving only a ghostly imprint.

Later analysis detected phosphate in the soil  an indicator that a human body once lay at rest there.

The alkaline human bones were corroded, meaning we'll likely never know the identity of who was buried there.

The people buried here left no written records, so it's impossible to know exactly who they were, but historians have long claimed Sutton Hoo was the cemetery for the royal dynasty of East Anglia, the Wuffingas.

It's been said a king or great warrior of East Anglia was laid to rest surrounded by his treasures  possibly King Rdwald, according to the National Trust.
As Winter Storm Cora barrels toward the southern US, nine states are closing schools, stocking up on supplies and preparing for dangerous roads.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued winter storm watches and warnings for large swaths of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky and the entire state of Tennessee.

Snow and ice will create travel mayhem from Texas to the Carolinas and Virginia, including in and around Dallas-Fort Worth, Nashville, Atlanta and other cities, according to The Weather Channel.

AccuWeather stated that the risk of a significant ice storm could trigger widespread power outages is increasing for parts of northeastern Texas to northern Louisiana and southern Arkansas.

'Persons should delay travel if possible. If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility,' the NWS advised in a Wednesday morning update.

The warning comes as a person was found frozen to death at a bus stop in Houston, Texas during a winter storm that hit earlier this week.

The heaviest snowfall will hit far northern Texas and southeast Oklahoma into Arkansas, northern Mississippi, northern Alabama, northern Georgia, southern Tennessee and extreme western North Carolina, including in Dallas and Little Rock.

'Should 6 inches of snow fall in Dallas, it would be in the top-five snowfalls on record,' AccuWeather Senior Director of Forecasting Operations Dan DePodwin said.

Six to 12 inches of accumulation are possible for this area, according to AccuWeather.

Storm Cora is predicted to move into the South Plains Wednesday evening and linger until Thursday, with the wintry mix dissipating midday Friday.

As Winter Storm Cora barrels toward the southern US, nine states are closing schools, stocking up on supplies and preparing for dangerous roads

'Leave plenty of room between you and the motorist ahead of you, and allow extra time to reach your destination, the agency added.

'Avoid sudden braking or acceleration, and be especially cautious on hills or when making turns. Make sure your car is winterized and in good working order.'

South of the storm's main band, a few inches of snow and sleet may accumulate in areas near and north of Atlanta in Georgia, Greenville in South Carolina and North Carolina's Charlotte.

Elsewhere, light snow totals of a dusting to a few inches are expected from southern Kansas and Missouri to the Ohio Valley, the Great Lakes and the Northeast.

The storm will begin with some areas of light snow, freezing rain and sleet developing in the Southern Plains.

Parts of northern Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, southern Kansas and southwestern Missouri could see snow Wednesday night into Thursday, while sleet and freezing rain may stretch from central Texas into northern Louisiana and southern Arkansas.

By Thursday, driving could be hazardous in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Little Rock and the Texas Hill Country, The Weather Channel reported.

Wintry precipitation should taper off in Texas and Oklahoma by midday Friday, but snow will spread further east into Kentucky, Tennessee, northern Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and upstate South Carolina.

By Thursday, driving could be hazardous in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Little Rock and the Texas Hill Country, The Weather Channel reported.

Wintery precipitation should taper off in Texas and Oklahoma by midday Friday, but snow will spread further east into Kentucky, Tennessee, northern Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and upstate South Carolina

Heading into the weekend, the storm will move into the mid-Atlantic and Northeast, with areas of snow lingering near the Eastern Seaboard and in the Appalachians early Saturday

A wintery mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain could hit near and north of Interstate 20 from northern Louisiana to Georgia and South Carolina.

'This could lead to treacherous travel throughout these areas, with some roads possibly becoming impassable, especially in hilly or mountainous terrain,' meteorologists for The Weather Channel stated.

Travel will be hazardous in the cities of Atlanta, Birmingham, Charlotte, Huntsville, Little Rock, Memphis and Nashville for at least part of Friday.

A freeze warning sign stands outside of an apartment complex in North Texas as the area braces for Winter Storm Cora

Cora comes as the combined impact of the Arctic blast and Winter Storm Blair, which wreaked havoc on the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic this week (pictured)

Meanwhile, fast-moving wildfires are engulfing the Los Angeles area, triggered by a powerful Santa Ana windstorm that swept Southern California Tuesday

Heading into the weekend, the storm will move into the mid-Atlantic and Northeast, with areas of snow lingering near the Eastern Seaboard and in the Appalachians early Saturday.

Especially in the early morning, travel will be difficult from northern Georgia to parts of South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.

As the weekend comes to an end, the storm will move offshore and into the Atlantic, but could track as far north as southern New England before doing so, according to AccuWeather.

Winter Storm Cora comes as the eastern US faces a blast of Arctic air. New York City, pictured here, saw frigid temperatures Wednesday

Winter Storm Blair hit Cincinnati among many other major eastern cities this week

A different winter storm has swept the intermountain West this week. Motorists in Denver, Colorado survey damage to a utility vehicle after a storm-related crash

Winter Storm Cora comes as the eastern US faces a blast of Arctic air that will send temperatures plummeting as low as 30 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit below average in the first two weeks of January, according to AccuWeather.

The area most impacted by these frigid temps will be the northern Plains and Midwest to the interior Southeast.

As of Tuesday, the combined impact of the Arctic blast and Winter Storm Blair, which wreaked havoc on the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic this week, has already claimed the lives of at least six people.

The majority of these deaths were related to traffic accidents, but one victim was found frozen to death at a bus stop in Houston, Texas.

As of 10am ET Wednesday, more than 60,000 customers are still without power in Indiana, Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia, according to PowerOutage.us.

Meanwhile, fast-moving wildfires are engulfing the Los Angeles area, triggered by a powerful Santa Ana windstorm that swept Southern California Tuesday.

Nearly 250,000 customers are out of power, and mandatory evacuations have been ordered for more than 80,000 people.

More than 1,400 firefighters are working to contain multiple blazes, but at this time, the fires are zero percent contained.
BBC Breakfast fans have slammed the show's 'messy' hosts for a 'slip up' during Tuesday's episode.

Presenters Jon Kay, 55, and Nina Warhurst, 44, hosted the episode from the red sofa but something in the studio was amiss.

As the camera panned around eagle-eyed viewers noticed a banana on the floor by Nina's feet.

Sharing their thoughts on X, they joked: 'Banana for scale?' and snapped a photo of the fruit.

Others added to Facebook: 'What if before the programme started they were playing real life Mario Kart as a wake up activity?'

'It was there for scale what is wrong with you people,' another joked, while someone else added: 'The BBC slipped up there!'

BBC Breakfast fans have slammed the show's 'messy' hosts for a 'slip up' during Tuesday's episode

Presenters Jon Kay, 55, and Nina Warhurst, 44, hosted the episode from the red sofa but something in the studio was amiss

The show underwent yet another hosting shake-up on Tuesday morning.

Sally Nugent, 53, was nowhere to be seen on the red sofa - and her co-host Jon was joined by Nina instead.

BBC Breakfast is usually presented by Sally and Jon every Monday to Wednesday, and they are then followed by Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty Thursday to Saturday.

Jon and Nina didn't mention why Sally wasn't on the show at the very start of the episode at 6am.

Nina said: 'Good morning and welcome to Breakfast with Nina Warhurst and Jon Kay.'

Jon then went straight into the news headlines.

During the instalment the pair spoke to Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick, Justice Minister Alex Davies-Jones and also shared the news on the extreme weather warnings that the UK has issued recently.

Nina joined the Beeb back in 2016 as the political editor at BBC North West, but two years later joined BBC Breakfast as a freelancer.

As the camera panned around eagle-eyed viewers noticed a banana on the floor by Nina's feet

Sharing their thoughts on X and Facebook, they joked: 'Banana for scale?' and snapped a photo of the fruit

Sally Nugent was missing from BBC Breakfast on Tuesday morning's episode

In 2020 she was given the role of business correspondent on BBC Breakfast.

Now the journalist is a regular step-in when the main presenters aren't working.

Sally, who joined the Breakfast team in 2021, was last seen on our screens on Monday.

But she did present the show during the festive break on 30th and 31st of December.

However Nina stepped in for Sally once more on New Year's Day.

Sally and Jon also hosted 23rd and the 24th of December, but had Christmas Day off to spend it with loved ones.
A grisly and thrilling horror film with a an outstanding cast is set to land on Netflix this month.

With critics the movie has been divisive, with some calling it silly, while others claim the whole thing feels 'soulless'.

However, horror fans will be excited to be able to watch The Pope's Exorcist in the comfort of their own homes after showering it with praise on social media.

The 2023 thriller stars Russell Crowe as Father Gabriele Amorth, the chief exorcist for the Vatican.

The exciting film sees Amorth visit a young boy called Henry in Spain, who relocated there with his family from the US to take over an old abbey.

But quickly the little boy starts behaving strangely and Crowe's character is called in to get to the bottom of his condition after science fails to find an answer.

Hhorror fans will be excited to be able to watch The Pope's Exorcist in the comfort of their own homes

MNetflix has announced the 2023 thriller, which stars Russell Crowe as Father Gabriele Amorth, the chief exorcist for the Vatican, will be landing on the streaming service on January 19

The film is based on the 1990 book An Exorcist Tells His Story and the 1992 book An Exorcist: More Stories by Father Gabriele Amorth

The film is based on the 1990 book An Exorcist Tells His Story and the 1992 book An Exorcist: More Stories by Father Gabriele Amorth.

The 'real life accounts' are based on the religious man's personal experiences of the more than 60,000 exorcisms he performed during his career.

And the terrifying true story will be on Netflix on January 19 - bad news, perhaps, for the critics who slated it.

The Guardian were less complimentary, swiping: Crowe is by far the films strongest suit, pre-empting (some of) our gigglier responses and mitigating against (some of) the materials flimsiness.

While the Observer wrote: An absurdly plotted, blood-drenched haunted house moviewith all the vitality and vivaciousness of a 15th-century corpse.

However others were more generous, with Time magazine reviewing the film under the headline 'so bad it's good' and insisting it was 'shamefully entertaining; and 'an act of dorky blasphemy'.

The Australian added: It is a powerful historical drama and Crowe is outstanding as a real life Vatican exorcist-in-chief.

Empire echoed the same sentiments: Its not just the demonic possession victims whose eyes will be rolling back in their skulls  none of this should work, really, and yet the film just about gets away with it, proving the Lord truly does move in mysterious ways.

The exciting film sees Amorth visit a young boy called Henry in Spain who relocated there with his family from the US to take over an old abbey

But quickly the little boy starts behaving strangely and Crowe's character is called in to get to the bottom of it after science has failed to find an answer.

This is just the latest horror film dropping on the streaming giant, which previously announced fans would soon be able to enjoy 'demented and unnerving' horror film Pearl on the streaming service soon.

The movie - which is part of Ti West's X film series - premiered back in September 2022.

The horror is a prequel to the March 2022 slasher X, which was then followed by MaXXXine in July last year.

Back in August 2024, it was revealed that Pearl had landed on Netflix in the US and South America.

Now those in the UK will be able to watch it too on the subscription service, according to Metro.

The first instalment X follows the story of a actress Mia Goth, who plays a young girl called Maxine and an elderly woman called Pearl.

This is just the latest horror film dropping on the streaming giant which earlier announced fans would soon be able to enjoy a 'demented and unnerving' horror film on the streaming service soon

The horror is a prequel to the March 2022 slasher X, which was then followed by MaXXXine in July last year

The horror is set in 1979 and follows a group who travel out to a farm in the middle of rural Texas to film an adult film.

Things take a turn when their host finds out exactly what they are doing out there...

Pearl is the story of a psychotic girl who wants to escape from living on a farm with her parents.

Mia reprised her role of the protagonist in the blockbuster.

The actress is joined by the likes of David Corenswet, Tandi Wright, Matthew Sunderland and Emma Jenkins-Purro.

Despite being released three years ago, the film has a very high rating of 93 per cent on review site Rotten Tomatoes.
The BBC is facing more backlash after Gregg Wallace's Inside The Factory replacement Paddy McGuinness failed to win over viewers this week.

The comedian, 51, took over the hosting role from Gregg, 60, after he stepped down from the show last year following allegations relating to female factory workers at Nestle, where he was filming at the time.

Sources said he had been 'rude towards staff' and spoken to them in a 'derogatory manner, especially to women' although he later denied accusations, saying the claims were 'inaccurate'.

But following Tuesday's episode, fans of the show have revealed they aren't happy with the new presenter and labelled Paddy 'irritating'.

During the episode, the star returned to where he landed his first paying job at 16 - Warburtons bread factory.

Despite the nostalgic return to Paddy's hometown of Bolton where had had last worked in the factory more than 30 years ago, fans were not impressed and took to social media to share their frustrations.

The BBC is facing more backlash after Gregg Wallace's Inside The Factory replacement Paddy McGuinness, 51, fails to win over viewers

The comedian took over the hosting role from Gregg, 60, after he stepped down from the show last year following allegations relating to female factory workers at Nestle, where he was filming at the time

Sources said he had been 'rude towards staff' and spoken to them in a 'derogatory manner, especially to women' although he later denied accusations, saying the claims were 'inaccurate'

They wrote: 'Greg Wallace could be irritating, but they have replaced him with an even more irritating t**t! Of all the people they could have chosen, they chose Paddy McGuinness.'

Another joked: 'Sorry, some items weren't available. We substituted 240lbs of Gregg Wallace with 192lbs of Paddy McGuiness #insidethefactory'.

One person posted: 'I dont care how many saucy jokes Gregg Wallace made... Making us suffer Paddy McGuinness on inside the factory is a punishment nobody deserves! God hes just AWFUL!!!'.

Others said: 'TV producers and advertising execs take note: If you use Paddy f***ing McGuinness as a presenter or a voice over Im never ever watching your shows or buying your product. Ever.' and 'Someone throw Paddy in the bread maker. Hes overwhelmed by his own ego'.

But others were much more complimentary and called the new presenter a 'breath of fresh air'.

One fan wrote: 'Loving Paddy on #insidethefactory how many presenters take you back to their first job!'

Another said: 'Finally I can watch #insidethefactory Paddy is the breath of fresh air it needed after the creepiness of awful Wallace.'

And a third said: 'Absolutely loving @PaddyMcGuinness on Inside the Factory! Nailing that gig!

But following Tuesday's episode, fans of the show have revealed they aren't happy with the new presenter and labelled Paddy 'irritating'

During the episode, the star returned to where he landed his first paying job at 16 - Warburtons bread factory

In a recent interview with The Mirror, Paddy revealed that while he used to walk there in split trainers he used to feel like Jeff Bezos.

He explained that in 1989 he used to clean out the ovens for the factory and would get paid less than 20 for all his hard work.

And while that may not seem like a lot now, Paddy revealed that back in then even a tenner would make you feel rich in Bolton.

He told the publication: 'It was a lovely feeling knowing you had a tenner.

'A tenner back then in Bolton with me and my mates, I was like f***ing Jeff Bezos, you know.'

Paddy then went on to explain that he would wake up everyday Saturday at 6am during the winter.

And his determination to earn some cash was unbreakable as he revealed that he would still turn up when it was cold and wet.

He added: 'It was always raining, pitch black and freezing. I had a hole in my trainer where my sock would hang out.'

Paddy has seemed to have settled well into his new hosting role exploring factories.

He made his Inside The Factory debut alongside Cherry Healy last month during the BBC show's Christmas special.

Previously Paddy revealed he was nervous about working with co-host Cherry for the first time, in an interview with The Sun.

Despite the nostalgic return to Paddy's hometown of Bolton where had had last worked in the factory more than 30 years ago, fans were not impressed

Previously Paddy revealed he was nervous about working with co-host Cherry for the first time, in a new interview

He said: 'That's always the tricky bit, you hope you get on. But I'm telling you now, me and Cherry do so much laughing.

'As soon as I met her, we had the biggest talk and we just got on like that.

'This is testament to her - when I did my Children in Need challenge, she turned up in Kendal to surprise me - she even brought me up a lasagne she'd made!'

'I drove in in this big heavy goods vehicle for the first shot. I thought 'I got my heavy goods license doing Top Gear, now I'm driving into the place I used to work at 30-odd years ago, hosting another show for the BBC'.

'When I was that 16-year-old kid who used to walk to work with butties my mum had made me, who'd have thought all these years later, I'd have had all these amazing things go on in my life.

'It was one of those moments where I thought 'B****y h***, life eh? It does have its twists and turns'.'

The show visits factories up and down the country to see how our favourite products are made.

In the ninth season, Paddy and Cherry visit a host of new factories that produce some of our favourite foods on a massive scale, from sliced bread to flapjacks and sausage rolls.

Viewers took to X to share their frustrations with the new presenter although Paddy's latest role has divided fans

In a Christmas special the duo visit a chocolate factory in Belgium to learn how they produce an incredible four million individual chocolate shells every single day.

Gregg is facing accusations of inappropriate behaviour across five shows over a 17-year period.

Staff members and former contestants, including celebrities such as Emma Kennedy and Kirsty Wark, have claimed the former greengrocer made them feel uncomfortable on set.

Gregg has been accused of a raft of inappropriate behaviour including walking around on set naked except for a sock on his penis, getting changed in front of female staff, and even groping crew members.

Other allegations include sharing intimate details of his sex life, becoming fixated on a female staff member who was dating women and asking her about the 'logistics' and flirting with younger women on set.

Gregg stepped down from MasterChef while an external investigation is conducted by production company Banijay UK.

It was reported by The Times that he had allegedly offended certain female staff members at the Nestle UK factory in York with comments about their weight during a 'friendly' conversation.

Gregg stepped down from the show last year after the allegations in regard to female factory workers at Nestle, where he was filming at the time

Gregg then stepped back from MasterChef after nearly 20 years amid an investigation into his alleged misconduct, with Grace Dent is replacing him as judge (pictured with co-host John Torode)

The comments were non-sexual but were deemed 'inappropriate' and a complaint was lodged with Voltage TV, the production company responsible for developing the show.

'He was rude towards staff and continued to talk in a derogatory manner, especially to women.

'He was given a talking-to and was appalled that he had caused such offence,' a source said.

Voltage TV asked Wallace to moderate his language and filming continued - but his behaviour seemingly didn't change.

Staff reportedly informed management that they did not want the show to return while Wallace remained at the helm.
A Place in the Sun host suffered an awkward blow during Tuesday's episode when a couple cut viewing short then 'took the p***' with 'lowball' offer.

Jean Johansson met with John and Maxine from Durham who were on the hunt for a property in Cyprus with a budget of 150,000.

But she was unable to find the pair a holiday home after a series of unsuccessful viewings and a rejected offer.

First up was an apartment that was 10,000 below budget, but Maxine was left disappointed at the awful view.

After seeing a visible air conditioning unit and water tank from the balcony, Maxine said: 'It's not good, is it? It is a deal breaker for me.'

Next they went to look at a 'bargain' townhouse priced at 120,000 and a third that was listed slightly over budget at 157,000.

A Place in the Sun host suffered an awkward blow during Tuesday's episode when a couple cut viewing short then 'took the p***' with 'lowball' offer

Jean Johansson met with John and Maxine from Durham who were on the hunt for a property in Cyprus with a budget of 150,000

The fourth property was another 'deal breaker' for Maxine who didn't even stay to look at all the rooms, while a fifth priced at 172,000 was also not right.

After some consideration Maxine and `john decided to put an offer in for the third property.

They offered 140,000 for the 157,000 townhouse, which was rejected.

The seller then offered them a counteroffer of 155,000, but the couple came back with 144,000, which ended up being declined.

Sharing their thoughts on social media fans of the show wrote: '17k lowball is taking the p*** #aplaceinthesun';

'Still 13k under offer - can't have wanted it that much with a 150k budget. Knew they weren't buying.'

Elsewhere Jasmine Harman has landed herself a brand new show with her rarely-seen husband after leaving the UK for a new life abroad.

The property expert has presented A Place In The Sun for over 20 years, while also hosting series like Britain's Compulsive Shoppers and The Truth About Your Teeth.

First up was an apartment that was 10,000 below budget, but Maxine was left disappointed at the awful view

After some consideration Maxine and `john decided to put an offer in for the third property. They offered 140,000 for the 157,000 townhouse, which was rejected

Sharing their thoughts on social media fans of the show wrote: '17k lowball is taking the p*** #aplaceinthesun'

The presenter, 49, decided to relocate to the sunny shores of Spain in October 2023 so she could spend more time with her husband, Jon, and two children, Albion and Joy.

She headed off on her adventure to Estepona, Costa Del Sol, with her family and has been living on the continent ever since.

Now, fans can watch her, Jon and their children buy and renovate a rundown villa in Jasmine's Renovation In The Sun.

In the 15-part series, the family go to locals and ex-pats for advice on their project and compare their new home to other renovated properties in the area.
The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills star Garcelle Beauvais has claimed she 'made out with' Johnny Depp at a Miami club.

Garcelle, 58, who has been acting onscreen since her 1984 TV debut in Miami Vice, did not specify when the alleged encounter took place.

However she cheerfully told her hair and makeup team about the supposed kiss on the latest episode of The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills.

She was in the process of getting ready to see her co-star Erika Jayne perform at the famed Sunset Boulevard nightclub the Viper Room.

'Erika is being honored by the GLAAD Association, and it's at The Viper Room,' she said, asking her team if the venue had been owned by Johnny, 61.

When her makeup artist confirmed it had, she said: 'I was in Miami at a club, and yeah, made out with Johnny,' adding with a chuckle: 'Isn't it crazy?'

The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills star Garcelle Beauvais (pictured last February) has claimed she 'made out with' Johnny Depp (pictured last month) at a Miami club

Johnny used to co-own The Viper Room, which became known as a sensational nightspot for the young and famous during the 1990s.

In 1995, he performed CPR on Courtney Love while she was suffering a drug overdose outside the club, helping her survive the incident.

Johnny is in the midst of a comeback after spending years as a pariah in Hollywood amid his highly publicized legal battles with his ex-wife Amber Heard, 38.

They waged a blistering war of lawsuits against one another, accusing each other of abuse after their 15-month marriage disintegrated in 2016.

After his victory in a defamation case against Amber in 2022, Johnny was met with a rapturous reception at the following year's Cannes Film Festival, where he premiered his French romantic drama Jeanne du Barry.

Garcelle's claim about kissing Johnny comes after her Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills co-star Kyle Richards denied making a move on Kevin Costner.

Kyle split from her husband Mauricio Umansky in 2023 and has since been at the center of a swirl of rumors that she has been conducting a romance with country songstress Morgan Wade.

On the Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills premiere in November, co-star Sutton Stracke claimed Kyle at one point attempted to 'hook up with' Kevin.

Johnny used to co- own The Viper Room, which became known as a sensational nightspot for the young and famous during the 1990s; pictured last month

Johnny is in the midst of a comeback after spending years as a pariah in Hollywood amid his highly publicized legal battles with his ex-wife Amber Heard, 38; they are pictured in 2014

Garcelle's claim about kissing Johnny comes after her Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills co-star Kyle Richards (left) denied making a move on Kevin Costner (right)

Although she did not disclose when the exchange is supposed to have taken place, Sutton claimed that both Kyle and Kevin were in Aspen at the time.

Kyle and Kevin spotted separately, days apart, in Aspen in December 2023, but was unclear when precisely Sutton was claiming they met.

Meanwhile Kyle has staunchly repudiated Sutton's story, saying: 'That is definitely not true. I think she was just joking,' via TMZ.

Kyle explained that she and Kevin both own property in Aspen but have only met on two occasions and spoke 'for maybe one minute. That's the max.'

Asked to rate Kevin's attractiveness, Kyle acknowledged that the Yellowstone star is 'obviously a good-looking man. The storys just not true. Its just not.'
Clarkson's Farm fans were all left saying the same thing after the show shared an exciting update online.

The reality show, which follows Jeremy Clarkson's adventures on his farm Diddly Squat, has been at the centre of speculation over its release date for the highly-anticipated upcoming series.

A social media post from a fan account for the show told fans they won't have to wait much longer for the next batch of episodes, as the fourth season is already in post-production.

They also suggested that fans might be able to watch the new set of episodes sooner than they expected as they shared a promotional picture.

The post on X read: 'UPDATE! In the editing phase, estimated release date is still May 2025! We can't wait! Who else is excited? #clarksonsfarm.'

And fans were absolutely over the moon with the announcement, commenting underneath that they were excited to see more of the Top Gear host's antics.

Clarkson's Farm fans have all been left saying the same thing after the show shared an exciting update with fans

The reality show, which follows Jeremy Clarkson 's adventures on his farm Diddly Squat, has been at the centre of speculation over its release date for the highly-anticipated upcoming series

They wrote: 'Extremely excited. 3 was sooo good, it's just getting better and better.'; 'Just cant wait. We need at least 1 live-feed cam we can watch 24/7'; 'Im super excited!'.

And the fan outpouring of love continued: 'Looking forward to it'; 'one of the best shows on TV'; 'Added to the must watch list'; 'Looking forward to it. I hope you have a few more seasons.'; 'Finally, something on Amazon prime that's worth watching.'

The exciting news about the Amazon Prime show comes after the TV presenter revealed his pub - run only on British produce - is a 'total disaster' behind the scenes as thefts, traffic chaos and toilet nightmares run rampant.

When the Farmer's Dog first opened in Oxfordshire in August many had travelled from far and wide to the picturesque spot for a chance of a pint, with the car park rammed within an hour of its opening.

Despite pubs closing their doors up and down the UK, and amid warnings that his strict British products only policy would mean much smaller profit margins, the broadcaster steamed ahead.

And although punters have flocked to his watering hole, The Grand Tour host has recently revealed that being a publican isn't at all what he imagined it to be, sharing that it required 'much effort' for 'little money' in return.

Fans were absolutely over the moon with the announcement, commenting underneath that they were excited to see more of the Top Gear host's antics

The exciting news about the Amazon Prime show comes after the TV presenter revealed his pub - run only on British produce - is a 'total disaster'

'Its galling to see how much effort is required to make so little money on the farm. Its worse at the pub,' he wrote in his most recent Times column.

'The customers are coming. Theres no problem there. But turning their visits into a profit is nigh-on impossible.'

He divulged the myriad of issues he has faced as a pub owner, from 104 glasses going missing in a single day to spending 500 weekly on keeping the property and terrace warm.

However, his troubles don't end there, as he shared that he was having to cough up 27,000 in fees for parking and traffic marshals to keep the local council on side.

But the long list of problems only continue for Clarkson, who shared of the hellish toilet incident which required a 'whole team' of chemically trained hazmat engineers to tackle.

Recalling a recent occurrence, where one of employees called wailing on the phone after discovering a 'horror' bathroom 'accident', the presenter hired a team of specialist - a cost he had never envisioned listing on his business plans.

The farmer and his partner Lisa have also encountered some barriers in the run up to Christmas, as her goose night failing to sell out and only managing to shift five turkeys after ordering 40.

And although punters have flocked to his watering hole, The Grand Tour host has recently revealed that being a publican isn't at all what he imagined it to be

He divulged the myriad of issues he has faced as a pub owner, from 104 glasses going missing in a single day to spending 500 weekly on keeping the property and terrace warm (pictured with partner his Lisa)

But despite the hurdles Clarkson is more determined than ever to make his pub work.

'Its warm and theres a fire and the staff are friendly and young and happy. Its a proper, traditional pub,' he said.

'By which I mean youll love it, and Ill lose a fortune and develop a skin disease from the stress of running it.'

Beers on offer at Clarksons pub include five varieties and a cider from his co-owned Hawkstone brewery.

The IPA is the most expensive at 6 a pint while Hawkstone Session lager is 5.50 a pint, alongside the Hawkstone Pils, Hawkstone Breeze, and cask ale.

Pints of Hawkstone Hedgerow cider sell for 6. Half a pint costs 3.10
Patience (Channel 4)

Rating:

An anti-social streak is etched into every great sleuth's nature.

Curmudgeonly Morse, reclusive Holmes, supercilious Poirot, depressive Dalgliesh . . . none of them chaps you'd expect to see at the office party.

This has always been part of the detection template.

Fans of Golden Age murder mysteries will remember Nero Wolfe, the obese epicure who solved baffling crimes without ever leaving his New York apartment.

Of course, TV writers have tried creating gregarious detectives. But they don't often get a second series.

That bodes well for Patience, a police show based on the Franco/Belgian hit Astrid: Murder In Paris  a French language series which aired last year on More4, and on S4C with Welsh subtitles. How's that for multicultural?

Ella Maisy Purvis (left) and Laura Fraser (right) as their character Patience Evans and Detective Bea Metcalf

Patience stars 21-year-old newcomer Ella Maisy Purvis as a police archivist with autism, who finds smalltalk so challenging that she has to script her own dialogue before making a phonecall.

Everything's OK when she's greeted with, 'Hello, who's calling?', but an irritable 'Yes? What?' will throw her into a panic.

Yet her methodical mind is superlative at spotting patterns amid the evidence she files in the CID warehouse nicknamed 'Paper Mountain'.

And when a psychiatrist kills himself on the top floor of a multi-storey car park, by dousing himself in petrol and striking a light, Patience Evans is the only person who sees links to two previous suicides.

That's a neat premise for a crime show, but it's not enough to have a quirky lone genius unravelling mysteries.

Every Holmes needs a Watson, someone less brilliant but also less intimidating . . . someone more like us.

Laura Fraser fills this role, as harassed DI Bea Metcalf, dedicated to her job but so disorganised she doesn't always remember to pick her son up from school.

The weakness of the opening episode was that it took too long to bring the two women together.

Patience is a police show based on the Franco/Belgian hit Astrid: Murder In Paris  a French language series which aired last year on More4, and on S4C with Welsh subtitles

It was obvious from the outset that they'd end up working as a team, so that's where the story should have started.

Instead, a frustrating series of scenes established their opposite personalities  one obsessed with order and precision, the other an hour late for everything.

Interludes such as one with Patience at a bus stop, listening to classical music on headphones and bewildered by a young man's attempts to chat her up, could far better have been left till later.

The show didn't really get going until an unexpected turn after 30 minutes, when DI Metcalf gave Patience a lift to an AA meeting  not Alcoholics Anonymous, as the co-ordinator was at pains to point out, but Autistic Adults.

As attendees poured out their anxieties, Patience's character fully came to life.

We began to understand her and the way she navigates the world, even though she said nothing.

DI Metcalf also began to understand  and saw parallels with her own son, who is facing hostility at school from both classmates and teachers.

It's this connection that promises to give the show, which continues tonight, a deeper resonance.
Hugh Jackman's new girlfriend Sutton Foster made a very telling fashion statement when the pair finally went public with their romance on Monday.

The 49-year-old Broadway veteran and the 56-year-old X-Men star were spotted holding hands while out on a dinner date in Santa Monica, California.

Sutton opted for an elegant look, wearing a long double-breasted cashmere overcoat.

It featured interesting details taken from military trench coats, including a storm flap over her left shoulder and epaulettes on her shoulders.

The Music Man star also slipped into a a lovely dark green maxi dress underneath, which flowed elegantly and reached down to her ankles.

She wore her shoulder-length brunette locks styled pin straight, and she completed her look with a pair of towering black pumps.

Hugh Jackman 's new girlfriend Sutton Foster made a very telling fashion statement when the pair went public with their romance on Monday, wearing a pair of towering black pumps

Sutton's glamorous choice of footwear was a far cry from Deborra's signature chunky shoes she often wears during red carpet appearances.

Deb usually opts for black platform heels that appear to have a flat sole to offer support and stability.

Meanwhile, Hugh looked casual for the date in a charcoal zip-up jacket that he wore over a slim grey sweater and a pair of chinos with dark sneakers.

He also sported a dashing salt-and-pepper beard and wore his hair shaggier than usual.

As Hugh and Sutton walked down the sidewalk, they had their hands locked tightly, and they turned periodically to gaze into each others eyes.

Representatives for Hugh and Sutton did not immediately comment on their evening out together.

The outing came on the same day as reports that Hugh was planning to go 'public' with his new 'girlfriend' in the imminent future.

Hugh and Deborra announced in September 2023 that they were separating after 27 years of marriage.

Sutton's glamorous choice of footwear was a far cry from Deborra's signature chunky shoes she often wears during red carpet appearances

Deb usually opts for chunky black platform heels that appear to have a flat sole to offer support and stability

Hugh and Sutton's outing comes after the Logan star attended a performance of Sutton's production of Once Upon A Mattress in Los Angeles over the weekend, which had just transferred to the west coast after wrapping up a run in New York at the end of November.

The two stars had previously shared the stage on Broadway when the played the leads in an acclaimed production of the classic musical The Music Man.

Sutton filed for an uncontested divorce from her husband Ted Griffin in October of last year.

She had been married to the 53-year-old Ocean's screenwriter for 10 years.

Sutton and Hugh have been swarmed in recent months by rumours that an affair between the two scuttled their marriages.

Fans had remarked on how close they appeared to be in their off-stage interactions while they appeared together in The Music Man.

Deborra seemed to lend credence to the rumours when she liked an Instagram post in October from a gossip blogger who claimed that her husband was 'running off with the mistress' and planning a 'soft launch' of their relationship, according to Us Weekly.

A source told DailyMail.com in October that Furness had her suspicions of an affair, but she was still 'blindsided when she found out about the affair.'

Hugh and Deborra announced in September 2023 that they were separating after 27 years of marriage

Sutton and Hugh have been swarmed in recent months by rumours that an affair between the two scuttled their marriages. Pictured together in 2022

They described the alleged affair as 'Broadway's worst-kept secret,' adding that 'Deborra-Lee was the last to know.'

According to a RadarOnline report, Deb was particularly upset over the behaviour of Hugh's close friend Ryan Reynolds and his wife Blake Lively because they allegedly 'kept quiet' about the rumoured affair.

'They kept their lips sealed out of loyalty to Hugh,' a source claimed to the publication.

'Now she is seething with rage over being the last to know, Deb feels blindsided. She has a memory like a steel trap and isn't afraid to use it.

'Debs feels cheated by all three because someone could have told her what was happening and they all chose to keep their mouths shut,' they added.

Daily Mail Australia contacted Deborra and Ryan's representatives at the time for comment.

Following Hugh and Deborra's split, the former couple shared a statement addressing the breakup.

'We have been blessed to share almost 3 decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage. Our journey now is shifting and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth,' they announced.

'Our family has been and always will be our highest priority,' they continued. 'We undertake this next chapter with gratitude, love, and kindness. We greatly appreciate your understanding in respecting our privacy as our family navigates this transition in all of our lives.'
Police Academy star Steve Guttenberg sprung into action over 40 years after the release of the film as a deadly wildfire is ripping through the Pacific Palisades in California.

The fast moving-blaze has triggered the evacuation of its 20,000 residents and forcing panicked Californians to ditch their cars in the middle of the road as they're forced to leave.

The 66-year-old actor did not just stand by and instead opted to assist firefighters by moving cars in order to make room for the incoming fire trucks.

He told KTLA 5's Gene Kang: 'Whats happening is people take their keys with them as if theyre in a parking lot. This is not a parking lot. We really need people to move their cars.

'If you leave your car behind, leave the key in there so a guy like me can move your car so that these fire trucks can get up there.'

Guttenberg explained that he has friends who are unable to evacuate due to the traffic jam on Palisades Drive as he said: 'It's really, really important.

Police Academy star Steve Guttenberg sprung into action over 40 years after the release of the film as a deadly wildfire is ripping through the Pacific Palisades in California

A deadly wildfire is ripping through Pacific Palisades, triggering the evacuation of its 20,000 residents and forcing panicked Californians to ditch their cars

Guttenberg is seen in 1985's Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment Alongside Howard Hesseman (center) and George Gaynes (left)

'There are people stuck up there. So were trying to clear Palisades Dr. and Im walking up there as far as I can moving cars.'

The Three Men And A Baby star also stressed the importance of saving lives and helping one another.

Guttenberg said: 'There are families up there, there are pets up there. There are people who really need help.

'Dont worry about your personal property. Just get out. Get your loved ones and get out.'

Guttenberg was one of the biggest actors of the 1980s and recently returned to acting after spending five years as his father's primary caregiver until he passed away from kidney failure in the summer of 2022 at the age of 89.

Meanwhile, authorities has issued an 'immediate' evacuation order for Pacific Palisades, urging residents to 'LEAVE NOW.'

The evacuation notice has caused a gridlock on Sunset Boulevard as LA residents flee, leaving behind their mansions as the 200-acre fire quickly scorches the ground around them.

Some schools in Brentwood are also being evacuated.

The 66-year-old actor did not just stand by and instead opted to assist firefighters by moving cars in order to make room for the incoming fire trucks

He told KTLA 5 's Gene Kang: 'Whats happening is people take their keys with them as if theyre in a parking lot. This is not a parking lot. We really need people to move their cars. If you leave your car behind, leave the key in there so a guy like me can move your car so that these fire trucks can get up there'

Guttenberg explained that he has friends who are unable to evacuate due to the traffic jam on Palisades Drive as he said: 'It's really, really important.'

The Three Men And A Baby star also stressed the importance of saving lives and helping one another as he said: 'There are families up there, there are pets up there. There are people who really need help'

Guttenberg is seen at a Golden Globes Gala in Los Angeles on Friday

'Do not stand in the way of this fire,' Firefighter David Ortiz said. 'This is pretty much the worst possible scenario for a firefight.'

X user, Jonathan Vigliotti posted a video of a car burning uncontrollably in a driveway.

'Come on, guys!' he called, his voice filled with fear. 'We got to go!'

'We were in a neighborhood as it went up in flames. Mass panic in the streets, and the worst of the wind will hit the Palisades Fire tonight,' he wrote on X.

Others were seen quickly evacuated the area as the fire continues to grow. KTLA teams also had to evacuate the area mid-coverage.

Southern California Edison (SCE) shut off power to Cuthbert, Galahad, and parts of Malibu on Tuesday due to 'dangerous fire weather,' an alert said.

The company expected the power to be out for at least eight hours and it could be longer if crews need daylight to visibly inspect power lines and equipment. The inspection is required before SCE will restore power.

Roughly 10,000 are without power, with 5,600 or those provided by SCE, according to poweroutage.us.

Authorities has issued an 'immediate' evacuation order for Pacific Palisades, urging residents to 'LEAVE NOW.' 'Do not stand in the way of this fire,' Firefighter David Ortiz said

The 200-acre bush fire was first reported around 10:30am on Tuesday and authorities have described the flames as a blowtorch

The smoke could be seen in neighboring city Marina Del Rey

The evacuation notice has caused a gridlock on Sunset Boulevard as LA residents flee, leaving behind their mansions as the 200-acre fire quickly scorches the ground around them.

'This is pretty much the worst possible scenario for a firefight,' Ortiz said

X user, Jonathan Vigliotti posted a video of a car burning uncontrollably in a driveway. 'Come on, guys!' he called, his voice filled with fear. 'We got to go!'

Fire retardant being dropped over the flames in Pacific Palisades

Firefighters seen diligently working as LA residents scramble to get out of the rich neighborhood

The fire is rapidly move West and wind gust are up to 50 miles per hour in Ventura and LA Counties, according to The New York Times.

The 200-acre bush fire was first reported around 10:30am on Tuesday and authorities have described the flames as a blowtorch.

More than 100 firefighters and strike teams are working to battle the massive blaze, Ortiz said, according to KTLA.
Jennifer Aydin is no longer appearing in an upcoming fan event after going viral for the wrong reasons last week.

Aydin, 47, appears to have been dropped from Wives on the Waves, an upcoming cruise ship fan event that was originally set to feature her and fellow Real Housewives of New Jersey stars Teresa Giudice, 52, and Dolores Catania, 54.

Fans At Sea, the organization behind the upcoming cruise ship event, revealed to DailyMail.com they have made 'adjustments' to their line-up.

While the company never specifically named Aydin when revealing the changes, they had been promoting her as part of the event as of late and she no longer appears in their upcoming line-up.

The company insisted the decision was done to maintain a 'drama-free' and 'fun-filled' experience for guests.

'We want to address recent conversations about changes to the Wives on the Waves cruise lineup. This decision was not personal nor an act of canceling anyone. At Fans at Sea, we believe in second chances and personal growth,' the organization said.

Jennifer Aydin is no longer appearing in an upcoming fan event after going viral for the wrong reasons last week

Aydin, 47, has been dropped from Wives on the Waves, an upcoming cruise ship fan event that was originally slated to feature her and fellow Bravolebrities Teresa Giudice and Dolores Catania

'Our priority is to create a drama-free, fun-filled experience for everyone. To ensure this, we made adjustments to keep the cruise enjoyable and welcoming for all guests.'

In a statement posted to their Instagram, the organization added Giudice and Catania will still be joining the event, in addition to a 'surprise' housewife.

'Were thrilled to announce that our official lineup press release is coming soon, and we cant wait to bring this exciting event to fans. Join Teresa Giudice, Dolores Catania, and Surprise Housewife. Stay tuned for the special surprise guest announcement!'

On their Facebook page, various fans brought the recent controversy involving Aydin to the organization's attention, where they urged the company to drop her from the future event.

DailyMail.com has also contacted a representative for Aydin for comment.

The drama unfolded last week when the Real Housewives of New Jersey star filmed herself venting in line at Jersey Mike's, loudly declaring, 'I'm a f*****g celebrity' and hurling insults at an employee she described as an '80-year-old.'

In video obtained by a Bravo fan account, Aydin, said she was 'so mad' at waiting in line for 'what felt like forever' and said a customer who had ordered after her has already received their food.

She said: 'Everything was slow  we get it. It's early in the morning, you're in a bad mood, it's New Year's  you're working. I'd be pissed, too.'

She claimed the employee 'acted like she couldn't hear them' adding 'the 80-year-old that was working there, the amount of time she took to cut that bread was almost as much as we were waiting on that line.'

As she tried to add to her order, she claimed she was told to 'get back in line' or ask another customer if it was ok to do so.

The organization addressed Aydin's axing in a statement posted to their Instagram

Aydin was set to appear on the cruise ship with Dolores Catania and Teresa Giudice

The drama unfolded last week when the Real Housewives of New Jersey star, 47, filmed herself venting in line at Jersey Mike's, loudly declaring, 'I'm a f*****g celebrity' and hurling insults at an employee she described as an '80-year-old'

'She starts recording all of us, and she posts it,' the employee said, adding a final piece of advice for Aydin: 'Learn how to order'

The man told Aydin her request to do so was 'ridiculous' leading Aydin to brand him a 'freakin jerk' and started filming him.

Aydin claimed the man said he would 'sue her for her fake jewelry' if she shared the video.

She said: 'Fake diamonds, b***h? What you don't know  you better ask somebody, Please.'

She told another customer: 'I am a f***ing celebrity, you asshole!' and tagged Jersey Mikes in the post.

Fans quickly rounded on Aydin with one writing: 'DID YOU JUST MAKE FUN OF AN ELDERLY PERSON. Your disgusting

Others wrote: 'such a brat' and 'so rich she's at newark airport jersey mikes.'
Leah Remini on Tuesday paid memorial to her 'trusted partner' and 'closest confidant' Mike Rinder following his death at 69 Sunday after a battle with advanced esophageal cancer.

'On Sunday, we lost a giant, and I lost a man who was more than a friend - he was family,' Remini, 54, said in the caption of an Instagram post, accompanied by a carousel of photo's documenting Rinder's holiday celebration.

Remini, who played the role of Carrie Heffernan on The King of Queens from 19982007, said Rinder was a 'lifeline' for her before and after her messy 2013 split with the church.

'Its impossible to imagine the last 13 years of my life without Mike Rinder,' Remini said. When I left Scientology, Mike was one of the first people I turned to.'

Remini and Rinder had joined forces amid their respective defections from the Church of Scientology, as they collaborated on the A&E documentary show Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath; and the podcast Fair Game. (They won the Emmy for Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special the A&E show in 2020.)

'Together, we embarked on an incredible journey that included The Aftermath and our podcast, Fair Game,' Remini said. 'But Mike was so much more than my partner in this fight - he was my brother, my father, and my best friend.

Leah Remini, 54, on Tuesday paid memorial to her 'trusted partner' and 'closest confidant' Mike Rinder following his death at 69 Sunday after a battle with advanced esophageal cancer

Remini said Rinder was a 'lifeline' for her before and after her messy 2013 split with the church

'Mike saved my life and the life of my daughter and he stood by me through battles that felt insurmountable.'

Remini, who appears in the upcoming comedy The Mother, the Menacer, and Me opposite Lorraine Bracco, said she was dealing with the difficult aspects of the grieving process in the days since Rinder passed.

'I havent come to terms with the reality that I cant call him and hear his voice anymore,' Remini said. 'I am shattered in ways I never thought possible.

'I have cried endlessly and cant seem to move from my bed since coming home.'

Remini, said of Rinder, a former senior Scientologist who became one of the Church's fiercest critics: 'Mikey, I will miss you every day, and I just dont know how to do it without you.'

Rinder died shortly after sharing a photo with his wife and two kids over Christmas.

In the snap, a smiling Rinder looked a far cry from the man seen next to wife Christie Collbran in photos shot just a few months ago, where the Australian-born defector still had a full head of hair and a healthy complexion.

In the photograph taken December 25, he was bald - seemingly losing his hair within just three months as he grappled with his diagnosis.

Mike Rinder, 69, passed a year-and-a-half removed from his advanced esophageal cancer diagnosis, and shortly after sharing a photo with his wife and two kids over Christmas. He is seen here with fellow Scientologist-turned-whistleblower Leah Remini in 2018

In a heartfelt post showing the family during better days, Collbran paid tribute to the father-of-two, who cohosted the Emmy-winning docuseries Scientology and the Aftermath with Leah Remini.

Penning it Sunday, she did not confirm whether it was cancer that took her beloved's life and did disclose his day of death.

'Rest in peace, my sweet, beautiful husband,' the update began, before memorializing one of Scientologist's most high-profile detractors.

He had been part of the agency's secretive Sea Org for more than three decades, before realizing he had been brainwashed after seeing seeing - and ruminating on - investigative journalist John Sweeney's film Scientology and Me in 2007.

'Rest in peace, my sweet, beautiful husband,' Collbran wrote, revealing the news to the world.

'I speak for so many when I say the sadness and pain we feel mirror the depth of our unwavering love for you,' she continued.

'Your courage, bravery, and integrity are unmatched and will forever inspire us. You have been the pillar of stability in our lives, filling our days with your strength, wisdom, love, laughter, and devotion.

'The world will remember you.'

In the snap, a smiling Rinder looks a far cry from the man seen next to wife Christie Collbran in photos shot just a few months ago, where the Australian-born defector still had a full head of hair and a healthy glow

Rinder and his wife of 12 years, Christie Collbran, is seen here during a date night in September. She memorialized her beloved in a heartfelt post Sunday

The post also contained Rinder's last words, which Collbran proudly relayed to the public.

'If you are reading this, I have shuffled off this mortal coil in accordance with the immutable law that there are only two certainties in life: death and taxes," the final message read.

'My blog site will remain as an archive of more than 4,000 posts and 300,000 comments.

'It has been a labor of love and passion which has allowed me to speak my mind and offer my perspective with no outside filters.'

There, one will find Rinder's well-known critiques of the religion, which he became wrapped up in as a child because of his parents.

'My only real regret,' he added, 'is not having achieved what I said I wanted toending the abuses of Scientology... and seeing [my son] Jack into adulthood.'

Speaking out to other whistleblowers like Remini and the daughter of current head David Miscavige, he proclaimed: 'If you are in any way fighting to end those abuses please keep the flag flying - never give up.'

He went on to reference his departure from the controversial organization, counting himself lucky for 'living two lives in one lifetime.

Rinder and Remini are seen at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in 2017, after wrapping a docuseries that recalled their and other's experiences in the Church

The two went on to start a podcast, which was cancelled in 2018 after two seasons. Ridner was diagnosed with cancer five years later

Rinder was part of the agency's secretive Sea Org for decades, before defecting in 2007

'The second one,' he framed as 'the most wonderful years anyone could wish for', thanks to being spent 'with all of you and my new family.'

Rinder and Collbran, a former member who also fled Sea Org at the time, married in 2013.

Then almost 60, he spent almost half of his life as Scientologys international spokesperson and the head of its Office of Special Affairs, while also a member of the Board of Directors of Church of Scientology International.

At age 52, he renounced the religion - fleeing two years removed from the exit of perhaps the only defector more prominent than he.

Jenna Miscavige, David's 40-year-old niece, fled the Sea Org in 2005, and today, like Rinder had done for the better part of a decade on his blog, posts regular rundowns of her life in - and after surviving - Scientology's most powerful sect.

Today, she lives in California with her two children. Like Rinder and his wife, the pair met whiel in the Church, before leaving together in 2005.

He was converted after seeing journalist John Sweeney's film Scientology and Me in 2007, and had been one of the religion's fiercest critics

Like Jenna Miscavige (pictured), the 40-year-old niece of leader David Miscavige, he worked in Scientology's Sea Org for several decades. Afterwards, both began posting and promoting content critical of the religion

The Church of Scientology 'did their darndest to make life hell for us' she said in a video posted two months ago, claiming her marriage fell apart due to distrust sowed by the web of spies she claims the organization inserted into her life after she left.

The church denied all of her allegations in a statement to DailyMail.com.

In 2015 and 2016, Rinder hosted Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath on A&E, alongside the King of Queens star.

Over the course of three seasons the the pair delved into their and other former member's experiences in the Church, claiming like Miscavige that they were harassed after publicly speaking out and parting way.

Upon the show's conclusion, Remini and Rinder continued their partnership with a podcast Scientology: Fair Game, which launched in 2020.

The religion currently counts stars like Tom Cruise and John Travolta as members.
DailyMail.com has learnt that Glaser has already signed up for next year

Nikki Glaser will be hosting the Golden Globes for 'years to come' after she was praised as one of the ceremony's best ever hosts following Sunday's show.

A source close to the comedian, 40, told DailyMail.com that Glaser has already signed up for next year and wants to make the coveted hosting gig a permanent thing.

'Nikki is looking to make the Golden Globes her job for years to come. She has joked to friends that she wants to be the Ryan Seacrest of the Golden Globes,' they said.

'She has signed on for a few more years but anticipates signing another contract after that and to continue to do it for a very long time,' they continued.

The source also said that the show's producers are hoping that Glaser can help make the long-running awards ceremony relevant again.

Nikki Glaser will be hosting the Golden Globes for 'years to come' after she was praised as one of the ceremony's best ever hosts following Sunday's show

'Though the ratings were down this year from last year, there was an overall feeling that it went well and that she was fantastic and as people have seen her performance online after the show and as her star continues to rise, it will only get better and better,' they explained.

'Lots of positive vibes are around her and the show that has had a bit of struggle the past few years. Everyone is looking to see Nikki bringing them back to the prominence they once had, and she is ready to prove they made the right decision.'

Additionally, Deadline is reporting that Glaser will receive a 'significant' pay rise for next year's gig.

She was reportedly paid just over $400,000 for hosting Sunday's show, but will earn more for her second time as host.

Glaser, who already hosts The CW dating shows FBoy Island and Lovers and Liars, is said to have signed a three-year deal with CBS for the Globes.

The comedian recently claimed that she got paid less to host the Golden Globes than a past male host of the event who received a six figure sum.

Glaser, who roasted Hollywood in her opening monologue, revealed: 'I got paid pretty  I'm good with that' during a chat on Monday's episode of SiriusXMs The Howard Stern Show.

She added: 'There was a past host who said how much he got paid in his monologue and I got less than that, but thats OK. Ill get more next year. I feel well paid for what I do. Im alright.'

The comedian will also receive a significant pay rise for next year's hosting gig

The star appeared to be referring to 2023 host Jerrod Carmichael who said he was offered $500,000 to host and quipped that he took the job solely for the money in a much-derided opening monologue.

In 2024, Jo Koy was labeled 'the worst host ever' as social media blasted him over his dreadful monologue.

'Yo, I got the gig 10 days ago, you want a perfect monologue? Yo, shut up,' Koy said.

Glaser dropped shock jokes about Sean 'Diddy' Combs, Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during her speech.

She left the superstar audience and viewers reeling as she mentioned the disgraced star's 'freak-offs' and the viral 1,000 bottles of baby oil claims.

Glaser also made reference to Trump's presidential election victory - despite Hollywood's overwhelming support for Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris as well as a sex joke about Ben Affleck.
Nick Frost and Aisling Bea looked on cloud nine on Tuesday night, as they attended the UK premiere of their new film Get Away in London.

The actor, 52, and the Irish comedian, 40, beamed as they struck a number of playful poses together on the red carpet.

Nick proudly showed off his new look, after debuting it on Instagram the day before, sporting a neat moustache and round pair of tortoiseshell glasses.

He previously shared a selfie modelling the new spectacles on Monday, as he asked his followers for their opinions, writing: 'Found these in a cupboard. Thoughts?? (I kinda  them!)'

The Shaun Of The Dead star pulled out all the stops for the premiere, opting for a herringbone blazer over a burgundy turtleneck.

Nick added a pair of smart dark brown trousers, leather dress shoes and a blue dotted pocket square.

Nick Frost and Aisling Bea looked on cloud nine on Tuesday night, as they attended the UK premiere of their new film Get Away in London

The actor, 52, and the Irish comedian, 40, beamed as they struck a number of playful poses together on the red carpet

Nick proudly showed off his new look, after debuting it on Instagram the day before, sporting a neat moustache and round pair of tortoiseshell glasses

While Aisling put on a leggy display in a black velvet blazer-style dress featuring eye-catching silver buttons.

The actress accessorised her stylish look with sheer polka dot tights, a pair of red suede Mary Janes and several gold seashell earrings.

The Living with Yourself star giggled as she and Nick jokingly posed back-to-back, before she wrapped him in a warm hug.

The pair star as married couple Richard and Susan Smith in new film Get Away, with Maisie Ayres and Sebastian Croft playing their son and daughter, Jessie and Sam.

The slasher comedy was written by Nick himself and directed by Steffen Haars and follows the Smith family as they go away on holiday to the small Swedish island of Svalta.

However, the mainlanders warn them to avoid the island at all costs, especially during the Karantan festival  which is precisely when they're going.

The family opts to take the ferry to the island anyway, but while they are there, the locals are actively hostile and rude, with their extreme behaviour suggesting that something bad is about to happen.

The movie was released in the US and Canada in theatres last month and will become available to UK viewers on Sky Cinema on January 10.

He previously shared a selfie modelling the new spectacles on Monday, as he asked his followers for their opinions, writing: 'Found these in a cupboard. Thoughts?? (I kinda  them!)'

The Shaun Of The Dead star pulled out all the stops for the premiere, opting for a herringbone blazer over a burgundy turtleneck

Nick added a pair of smart dark brown trousers, leather dress shoes and a blue dotted pocket square

While Aisling put on a leggy display in a black velvet blazer-style dress featuring eye-catching silver buttons

The actress accessorised her stylish look with sheer polka dot tights, a pair of red suede Mary Janes and several gold seashell earrings

The Living with Yourself star giggled as she and Nick jokingly posed back-to-back, before she wrapped him in a warm hug

The pair star as married couple Richard and Susan Smith in new film Get Away, with Maisie Ayres and Sebastian Croft playing their son and daughter, Jessie and Sam (pictured in film)

Speaking to the PA news agency at the premiere, Nick said Get Away had been inspired by a 1992 mockumentary about a serial killer called Man Bites Dog, and 1998 dark comedy film The Idiots, by Lars von Trier.

He said: 'I really like films where [the] get to a point when something is revealed about these characters that youve kind of enjoyed along the way, and then youre given the option as an audience, whether or not do you now hate these people, or do you still kind of like them.'

Famous for his work on films like Shaun of the Dead with Simon Pegg, Nick admitted that he finds something 'relaxing' about horror films.

He said: 'Ive always loved comedy and Ive always loved horror  even as a 10-year-old I was watching horror films.

'I think theres something about it that my brain works, because I know it so well. Even though its horror, it kind of makes me feel relaxed and at ease.'

However, Aisling said she was the complete opposite, admitting to PA: 'I genuinely get scared all the time from everything.'

The slasher comedy was written by Nick himself and directed by Steffen Haars and follows the Smith family as they go away on holiday to the small Swedish island of Svalta (L-R Nick, Masie, Steffen, Sebastian and Aisling)

However, the mainlanders warn them to avoid the island at all costs, especially during the Karantan festival  which is precisely when they're going

Famous for his work on films like Shaun of the Dead with Simon Pegg, Nick admitted that he finds something 'relaxing' about horror films

However, Aisling said she was the complete opposite, admitting to PA: 'I genuinely get scared all the time from everything'

She went on: 'Theres currently a rumour [that] there is a mouse in my house and I dont really want to go home tonight  so Im not great with fear as a genre.

'But this was quite fun to be inside it, because youre less scared because you actually are sitting around eating sandwiches all day in between the murders and stuff like that. So, that slightly makes it easier to be in it.'

Aisling gushed about how much fun she had working on the film, despite having to 'run around a forest full of flies with jam all over you all day'.

She said: 'We would laugh so much all day long and have such a laugh, even among dead body parts and covered in fake blood and stuff like that. Pretty fun job, I have to say.'
The eastern suburbs may look like a playground for Sydney's young, hot and rich.

But in reality, the major players in the east are no different to teenagers competing to be the most popular girl in school. They may be older, some even a little wiser, but - according to our society insider - the same rules apply.

Behind the scenes at the Vaucluse mansion parties, Double Bay brunches and Mimi's long lunches, whispers abound about who's in and who's out of the elite harbourside cliques.

We spoke to a well-informed member of the 'in crowd' and regular DM snitch who shared with us a tongue-in-cheek 'tier list' that's been doing the rounds in group chats lately.

In it, socialites are divided into A, B and C lists. There are plenty of familiar names and some controversial placements - we'll leave it up to you to decide if they're fair.

First up, the A-list...

Pictured from left to right: Caroline Tran, Lou O'Neil, Montarna McDonald, Bernadette Fahey, Kris Macourt and Deborah Symond O'Neil

THE A-LIST

Leading the pack is Lou O'Neil (nee Hay) who is the daughter of the late Donald Hay, the brush-manufacturing pioneer and founder of Hayco.

In 2022, she married Jake O'Neil, a property developer and the second-eldest son of millionaire superyacht broker and Rose Bay marina owner Denis O'Neil and his wife Charlotte.

Lou, a beauty and fashion content creator, isn't the only wealthy outsider to marry into the super-rich O'Neil family.

Aussie Home Loans heiress Deborah Symond O'Neil, who tied the knot with eldest son Ned in 2018 in a lavish ceremony in the Whitsundays, also made the A-list.

Poppy Tzaneros (nee O'Neil), the daughter of Denis and Charlotte, runs in the same circles. She is married to Anthony Tzaneros, a member of the founding family of the giant port logistics firm ACFS.

Joining the trio is 'Pilates queen' Bernadette Fahey, who married Buildcorp COO Jordan Sukkar in a star-studded ceremony in Sydney last November.

She is known for being the fitness instructor to some of Sydney's most high-powered socialites, including Jade Yarbrough and Madeleine Holtznagel (more on them later).

Montarna Pitt, the founder of successful Sydney PR firm The Audience Agency, also made the A-list, which is hardly surprising given how well-connected she is.

Montarna Pitt (pictured), the founder of successful Sydney PR firm The Audience Agency, also made the A-list, which is hardly surprising given how well-connected she is

Also making the A-list is Nadia Fairfax, who is considered one of Sydney's top socialites

Pictured from left to right: Lou O'Neil, Deborah Symond O'Neil and Poppy Tzaneros

Stylist and brand consultant Caroline Tran and writer Kristina Macourt are also notable members of the Sydney 'It' crowd.

Also making the A-list is Nadia Fairfax, long considered one of Sydney's top socialites and fashion bloggers. She is married to Michael Wayne, the managing director of Medallion Financial and a regular contributor to Sky Business.

'It' girl Harriet Williams has also cemented her place in the elite social scene, despite speculation she has split from her husband Andy El-Bayeh.

Harriet, a kinesiologist at Inner Remedy, hails from a wealthy Sydney family, while Andy is the chief creative officer and founder of creative agency Example.

Hoda Waterhouse (nee Vakili) and her sister Rey-Hanna Vakili are also part of the eastern suburbs' principal social scene.

Hoda, an architect, is married to bookmaker and horse racing royalty Tom Waterhouse, while Rey's husband is multimillionaire chicken heir Johnny Ingham.

Johnny's sister Tamie Ingham, the former business partner of Jasmine Stefanovic and wife of celebrity chef Guillaume Brahimi, also holds a lofty position at the top of the Emerald City's social ladder.

Pictured from left to right: Hannah Gold, Kristina Macourt, Bernadette Fahey, Montarna Pitt, Brittany Gallagher and Harriet Williams

Hoda Waterhouse (nee Vakili) and her sister Rey-Hanna Vakili (both pictured) are also part of the eastern suburbs' principal social scene

Tamie Ingham, the former business partner of Jasmine Stefanovic and wife of celebrity chef Guillaume Brahimi, also holds a lofty position at the top of the Emerald City's social ladder

THE B-LIST

While they aren't quite at the pinnacle of Sydney high society, those in the B-list are still ones to watch.

The biggest of the B-crowd - at least according to the list doing the rounds - is P.E Nation founder Pip Edwards. She's a self-made fashion millionaire, but her reputation as a tabloid headline magnet perhaps keeps her from reaching the lofty heights of the A-list.

Dina Broadhurst, variously known as the 'nude artist' and 'The Body of the East', also sits firmly in the middle of the pack (although, personally, we think she deserves to be in the A-list based on her figure alone).

PR guru Roxy Jacenko is known for representing many celebrity clients and you'd think she would find a place near the top, but we understand she dropped to the B-list after relocating to Singapore with her family in 2023.

The B-list includes some familiar names, including Pip Edwards (left) and Jackie O (right)

Dina Broadhurst, known as the 'nude artist' and 'The Body of the East', sits firmly in the middle of the pack (although we think she deserves to be in the A-list based on her figure alone)

Roxy Jacenko is known for representing many celebrities and you'd think she would find a place near the top, but we understand she dropped to the B-list after relocating to Singapore

Joining Roxy on the B-list is Madeline Holtznagel (right), the 27-year-old girlfriend of Sydney hospitality mogul Justin Hemmes (left). They are expecting their first child together

Jackie 'O' Henderson is aggressively refurbishing her image from radio shock jock into a more brand-safe Goop-y influencer for Gen X women.

If net worth decided social status she'd be right up there, but her history of on-air scandals keeps her in the B-list. But we're sure, having signed a 10-year $200million deal in 2023, she'll be crying all the way to the bank.

Joining her on the B-list is Madeline Holtznagel, the 27-year-old girlfriend of Sydney hospitality mogul Justin Hemmes, 52. They are expecting their first child together.

Rounding out the middle tier is Ellie Aitken, who hit the headlines in late 2021 when her marriage to high-profile stockbroker Charlie Aitken blew up over his affair with her close friend Hollie Nasser.

Rounding out the middle tier is Ellie Aitken (centre right), who hit the headlines in late 2021 when her marriage to stockbroker Charlie Aitken blew up over his affair with her close friend Hollie Nasser. (Pictured from left: CJ and Hollie Nasser, and Ellie and Charlie Aitken)

Kristin Fisher's (pictured) reputation took a hit when a brush with the law in 2021 prompted a magistrate to scold eastern suburbs elites for their casual cocaine use

Sisters Jade (right) and Jasmine Yarbrough (left), from Queensland, round out the C-list

Model Laura Csortan became a Sydney 'It' girl when she won a string of beauty pageants in the late '90s. But these days she keeps a lower profile

THE C-LIST

Now, there's nothing wrong with being a C-lister.

While those sharing this list may have had snarky intentions, the socialites in Class C are still more rich, famous and beautiful than any of us could hope to be - and at least they're not on lists D to Z, which we dare not publish.

The aforementioned Hollie Nasser found a place, buoyed to relevancy by her role in the eastern suburbs love triangle. Although she hasn't done much since.

She's joined by Kristin Fisher, one of Sydney's most in-demand beauticians who runs an eponymous salon in Double Bay.

But while her talents as an 'eyebrow queen' are legendary, her reputation took a hit when a brush with the law in 2021 prompted a magistrate to scold eastern suburbs elites for their casual cocaine use.

Model Laura Csortan became a Sydney 'It' girl when she won a string of beauty pageants in the late '90s. But these days she keeps a lower profile.

Sisters Jade and Jasmine Yarbrough, from Queensland, round out the C-list. Jasmine is married to TV star Karl Stefanovic while (unfortunately) Jade's biggest claim to fame is being involved in the 'Noosa rumble' with her ex Michael Clarke.
An Australian OnlyFans star has launched an extraordinary spray against her followers for not subscribing to her channel 'for a good cause'.

Social media star Tasha Paige, 25, recently shared a post to Instagram Stories, asking her 127,000 followers to donate to a fundraiser for mental health charity Black Dog Institute.

Tasha promised them free access to her OnlyFans channel in return: 'Mental illness doesn't discriminate. It affects one in five Australians.

'A 24 hour run will be raising funds for mental illness. As someone who has lost someone to depression, skip a coffee today and donate $5 to this good cause.'

The fundraiser aims to raise $5,000 for the cause and despite being open for several days has only managed to bring in $2,793 so far.

After seeing the disappointing result, Tasha later lashed out at her fans on social media.

Australian OnlyFans star Tasha Paige (pictured) has launched an extraordinary spray against her followers for not suscribing to her channel 'for charity'

'12,000 of you have seen that story about raising money for mental health and not one of you have donated,' Tasha sniped.

'I know we are in a recession, but come on now! If you donate one dollar and send me a dm with a screenshot for proof, I'll send you a link to my private site as a thank you.'

Tasha's adult subscription site currently costs $3 for 31 days of access.

This is not the first time Tasha has gotten worked up over money.

In July 2023, Tasha revealed she owes a whopping $86,000 to the tax office, and admitted she had not contributed to her tax for months.

Tasha said she was 'going to cry' upon learning her fate.

'So I finally did my tax and I finally spoke to my accountant about everything and my tax bill is just shy of $90,000,' she said in a TikTok video.

I have to pay the ATO $90,000  specifically $86,000 but I feel like it may as well be $90,000.

Tasha recently shared a post to Instagram Stories, asking her 127,000 followers to donate to a fundraiser for mental health charity Black Dog Institute

After seeing the disappointing result, Tasha later lashed out at her fans on social media

'So that's great. I am just going to go cry. Moment of silence please for my bank account.'

Ms Paige reassured her followers that she had the money to pay for the debt, explaining in a follow up video that she usually pays towards her tax throughout the year but hadn't contributed in several months.

Taxpayers who are self-employed and make more than $18,200 a year are subject to income tax.

Her followers took to the comments section to express their shock at the massive debt, with one claiming she would have 'cried myself to sleep' if she received a bill that large.

Others were less forgiving, with one exclaiming: 'But do you take tax out of income weekly orrr? Because if not then what else do you expect'.

'What a surprise you have to pay tax like the rest of us,' another mocked.
Candiace Dillard slammed Allison Holker's decision to publicly discuss her late husband Stephen 'tWitch' Boss's struggles with addiction.

The Real Housewives of Potomac alum, 38, took to X on Tuesday writing, 'I'm not even gonna say it. But this white woman is doing everything BUT protecting her Black children and her Black husband's legacy.'

Dillard added, 'She couldve kept this in her therapist's office. SMH.'

Accompanying the post was a link to Holker's, 36, interview with People, where she discussed how Boss  who died by suicide at age 40 in December 2022  hid a 'cornucopia' of drugs from her.

After a commentator argued that Holker's intent might have been 'to make people aware of mental illness/drug abuse, recognize the signs and eliminate the stigma' Dillard wrote back that Holker could have chosen a different publication.

'She could've just easily taken this story to Essence or Ebony where care would have been taken to share such a tragically intimate story of a Black man's plight against himself,' she wrote.

Candiace Dillard, 38, slammed Allison Holker's, 36, decision to publicly discuss her late husband Stephen 'tWitch' Boss's struggles with addiction; Dillard seen in 2024

In a new interview with People Holker discussed how Boss  who died by suicide at age 40 in December 2022  hid a 'cornucopia' of drugs from her; the pair seen in 2022

In her new interview, Holker revealed that she found drugs  including mushrooms, pills and 'other substances I had to look up on my phone'  stashed away in her husband's shoeboxes, weeks after his death.

'I was with one of my really dear friends, and we were cleaning out the closet and picking out an outfit for him for the funeral,' she shared.

'It was a really triggering moment for me because there were a lot of things I discovered in our closet that I did not know existed. It was very alarming to me to learn that there was so much happening that I had no clue [about],' she added.

The professional dancer added that though it was a 'really scary moment' in her life, it also helped her 'process that he was going through so much and he was hiding so much' and that 'there must have been a lot of shame in that.'

Holker believed that the pair had 'very honest' communication, stating she knew that the Ellen DeGeneres Show DJ smoked marijuana after their three kids  Weslie, 16 (Holker's daughter from a previous relationship, whom Boss adopted) Maddox, 8, and Zaia, 4  went to bed.

'That was his alone time. It was his time to recharge, and that was okay,' she shared.

Holker further revealed that when she read his journals to try to find some closure, she learned that Boss alluded to being sexually abused by a male figure during his childhood in a number of his entries.

'He was wrestling with a lot inside himself, and he was trying to self-medicate and cope with all those feelings because he didn't want to put it on anyone because he loved everyone so much.'

Dillard took to X on Tuesday writing, 'I'm not even gonna say it. But this white woman is doing everything BUT protecting her Black children and her Black husband's legacy'

After a commentator argued that Holker's intent might have been 'to eliminate the stigma' of mental illness and drug abuse, Dillard wrote that she could have chosen a different publication

In her new interview, Holker revealed that she found drugs  including mushrooms, pills and 'other substances I had to look up on my phone'  stashed away in her husband's shoeboxes, weeks after his death

She added that though it was a 'really scary moment' in her life, it also helped her 'process that he was going through so much and he was hiding so much' and that 'there must have been a lot of shame in that'

Holker  who recently went Instagram official with new boyfriend Adam Edmunds  added that her late husband 'didnt want other people to take on his pain.'

Holker, whose upcoming memoir 'This Far: My Story of Love, Loss, and Embracing the Light' will delve deeper into her experiences, stated that she was sharing Boss struggles so that 'people dealing with the same thing will help themselves out of the shadows and [know] youre going to be OK.'

Elsewhere in the interview she shared the last words Boss said to their eldest daughter Weslie.

Holker revealed that the morning before Boss went missing, he dropped Weslie off at school, and told her, 'I wish I could be your Superman.'

The mom-of-three shared, 'Having someone say last words to you that you didnt really process at the time as being anything wrong  thats really hard, especially as a teenager,' adding, 'She handles it with far more grace than she should have to.'

Holker also revealed she and her kids began intense therapy in 2023.

'We took the steps to really help [Weslie] and communicate with her and make her feel seen and heard.'

Weslie was the last family member to see Boss alive, with Holker sharing, 'I think she also sees those words as something beautiful, and also ugly. Its a battle that shes going to always have with herself, but I know she can see it from both sides.'

Boss' widow said that therapy helps her deal with her grief.

Elsewhere in the interview she shared the last words Boss said to their eldest daughter Weslie, 16 (Holker's daughter from a previous relationship, whom Boss adopted); the pair also share Maddox, 8, and Zaia, 4; Boss pictured with all three kids

Holker revealed that the morning before Boss went missing, he dropped Weslie off at school, and told her, 'I wish I could be your Superman'

Holker's memoir, This Far: My Story of Love, Loss, and Embracing the Light, will be available February 4

'I'm not going to have closure. My kids arent going to have closure. Thats still something Im still trying to understand myself, which is why therapy is wonderful.'

Best known as the DJ on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Boss was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a Los Angeles motel at the age of 40 in 2022.

In December 2022, he checked into to the Oak Tree Inn in the Los Angeles suburb of Encino - 15 minutes' walk from his house - and shot himself.

His body was discovered the morning after he arrived at the motel by a horrified maid who came upon him in a pool of blood in the bath.

Just weeks before his death, Boss and Holker had gone on The Jennifer Hudson Show and shared that they hoped to have another baby.

Holker and Boss met on the set of So You Think You Can Dance in 2010 and wed in 2013, one year before he landed his job as the beloved DJ on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Holker has since moved on with her new boyfriend Adam, the CEO of the software firm-focused property management company Entrata.

They made their romance red carpet official by posing together at the Alice + Olivia Spring 2025 show during New York Fashion Week.

Last December, Holker uploaded a touching Instagram post about mourning as she approached two milestones - what would have been her and Boss' 10th wedding anniversary, and three days after that, his first death anniversary.

'Grief never ends .. but every season of challenge has an expiration date. Keep believing and keep dancing through,' she wrote.

Holker has since moved on with her new boyfriend Adam Edmunds, the CEO of the software firm-focused property management company Entrata; the two seen in September

The following month she revealed that she was open to the possibility of dating again, in an episode of Nick Viall's podcast The Viall Files.

'It was very hard for me to learn to like myself again and to learn to love myself again...it's a very complex situation I found myself in,' she said.

'It took me a long time to accept all of those things and those complexities of everything. But at the end of the day, I love life.'

When the subject of a new man came up, she said: 'Would I shy away from it? No. Am I looking for it? I don't know...but I'm definitely not shying away from it.'

Holker's memoir, This Far: My Story of Love, Loss, and Embracing the Light, will be available February 4.
Joey King looked unrecognizable as she debuted a bold new look over the weekend.

The actress, 25, flaunted her new bleached eyebrows for the cameras while attending W Magazine's starry pre-Golden Globes party on Saturday night.

The brows, which looked nearly invisible against King's pale complexion, were in stark contrast to her wavy brunette hair.

King gave a closer look at her transformation  one that's been tried by the likes of Kendall Jenner and Julia Fox  in photos share to Instagram on Sunday.

Rocking grungy eye makeup, King snapped a pouty selfie before posing for sultry portraits in a chic Wiederhoeft outfit at the invite-only party's rooftop venue.

While her BFFs Sabrina Carpenter and Noah Cyrus raved over King's new appearance, fans of the Golden Globe nominated TV star had mixed reactions.

Joey King looked unrecognizable as she debuted bleached brows over the weekend

King seen with her natural brunette brows in December 2024

Carpenter, 25, who has been friends with King since childhood, commented: 'rude to look this good without eyebrows'

Shortly after, Cyrus, 24, declared: 'THIS IS YOUR LOOK'

Many fans agreed with Carpenter and Cyrus' assessment as they flocked to the comment section to compliment King.

'Ok but like why does it slay cause I think she looks beautiful ' penned one King superfan.

Another wrote: 'The blonde color on your eyebrows looks great on you.'

Meanwhile, other fans felt that the look missed the mark.

'I see now the importance of eyebrows,' penned one Instagram user, with another writing: 'Why Just why?'

One fan said that they 'love' King but that they didn't think that the 'alien vibe' worked for her features.

The actress, 25, flaunted her bold new look for the cameras while attending W Magazine's starry pre-Golden Globes party on Saturday night; pictured with Sabrina Carpenter

The brows, which looked nearly invisible against King's pale complexion, were in stark contrast to her wavy brunette hair

King gave a closer look at her transformation  one that's been tried by the likes of Kendall Jenner and Julia Fox  in photos share to Instagram on Sunday

Rocking grungy eye makeup, King snapped a pouty selfie before posing for sultry portraitS in a chic Wiederhoeft outfit at the invite-only party's rooftop venue; pictured with Cara Delevingne

While her BFFs Sabrina Carpenter and Noah Cyrus raved over King's new appearance, fans of the Golden Globe nominated TV star had mixed reactions

After seeing some of the criticism, King's pal Cyrus came to her defense by posting a passionate, expletive-filled comment.

'everyone please shut the f**k up for once in your lives. she look THE F**K good,' the July hitmaker wrote.

The buzz around King's brows comes after it was confirmed on Tuesday that she will announce the Screen Actors Guild Awards nominations this week.

According to Variety, she and Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story star Cooper Koch will reveal the nominees on Netflixs YouTube channel on the morning of Wednesday, January 8.

The duo will be introduced to viewers by SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher.

The annual SAG Awards ceremony, which is in its 31st year, will be streamed via Netflix on Sunday, Feb. 23.

Hosted by Kristen Bell, stars will flock to LA's Shrine Auditorium to celebrate the latest achievements in both film and television.

King, who has been working professionally as an actress since age four, is no stranger to awards season.

Back in 2020, her performance in Hulu's The Act  which told the story of the real-life 2015 murder of Gypsy-Rose Blanchard's mother Dee Dee  earned her both a SAG Award nomination and a Golden Globe nomination for Lead Actress in a limited TV series.

While King did not end up winning, her co-star Patricia Arquette took home an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Gypsy-Rose's mother.

King portrayed Gypsy-Rose, who was found guilty of second-degree murder in 2016 for her part in the death of her mother.

Gypsy-Rose, a victim of munchausen syndrome by proxy, has repeatedly accused Dee Dee of horrific physical, mental and medical abuse that started in childhood.

She was sentenced to 10 years in prison but was released on parole in December 2023.

When The Act was released in March 2019, Gypsy-Rose said she was upset because the show allegedly never asked her for permission to tell her story  nor compensated her for it.

However, King revealed last year that she and Gypsy-Rose had 'privately talked a little bit' in the months following her December 2023 prison release.

The buzz around King's brows comes after it was confirmed on Tuesday that she will announce the Screen Actors Guild Awards nominations this week. According to Variety, she and Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story star Cooper Koch will reveal the nominees on Netflixs YouTube channel on the morning of Wednesday, January 8

King, who has been working professionally as an actress since age four, is no stranger to awards season. Her performance in Hulu's The Act earned her nominations at the Golden Globes and the SAG Awards in 2020

'She and I have privately talked a little bit, which has been really nice,' King told Variety in February 2024.

'Having that private conversation with her was really lovely,' King said.

'We both know that there's absolutely no ill will towards one another,' King continued.

'I really appreciated that we got to say those things to each other that were just really sweet and supportive because people are stupid and people assume whatever they want, and people are just going to make up stuff because it's funny to them.'

She added: 'There was no air to clear at all. There was nothing wrong. But it was nice to just connect for a minute.'
Karina Irby has suffered an embarrassing gaffe as she discussed her decision to not have kids with her fans on Monday.

The Brisbane-based influencer shared a video to TikTok responding to backlash after she revealed she and husband Ryan have decided to not have children.

While explaining her life choice, Karina, 34, claimed it was a 'voodoo' topic.

It appears that instead of 'voodoo', the influencer meant to use the term taboo which refers to a topic being considered completely unacceptable to discuss.

'I think having children is a beautiful concept, it's crazy what the human body can do but you can find happiness with not having children,' Karina said.

'As a woman who has decided to not have kids, I wish people talked about this more candidly. I wish it wasn't such a voodoo subject.'

Karina Irby has suffered an embarrassing gaffe while discussing her decision to not have kids with her fans on Monday

Last month, Karina, who owns swimsuit company Moana Swim, took to Instagram with a lengthy post saying that having kids would take more from her life than she's willing to give.

While she received an influx of support from her 1.1million followers, others in the comments were outraged by the body-positive influencer's reasoning.

The backlash began when Karina uploaded several selfies of herself enjoying life, alongside messages she had received from fans who asked why she doesn't want children.

Karina then went on to explain: 'I know I'd be a fantastic mother, but the thought of pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and having a healthy baby terrifies me.

'I fear I'd lose myselfmy identityand eventually resent my child. Raising a child in a world plagued by global warming, endless wars, and rising costs feels selfish to me.'

Karina went on to say she also fears having a child who may one day grow up to not like or respect her.

She added she 'wouldn't be able to run my companies anymoresomething I love and have worked so hard for', and 'fears' she would 'regret the loss of my freedom'.

'People tell me I'm missing out on the greatest gift in life, but having children would, in fact, take away my greatest gift in life'.

She shared a video to TikTok responding to backlash after she revealed she and husband Ryan have decided to not have children and claimed it was a 'voodoo' topic

While most of Karina's fans flocked to the comments to support her decision to live child-free and the reasons she gave, others weren't so forgiving.

'I'm sorry. But HAHAHAHAHA,' one critic put simply, while another said: 'The ego on this chick.'

A third wrote: 'Oh... global warming... then, why are you at a beach?'

'Can I ask who are you building your wealth for if you don't plan on passing it down to your children? It's invasive but it just doesn't make sense to me,' another questioned.

Someone else pointed out that Karina was allowing her life to be dictated by 'fear'.

'Imagine living your life out of fear and negative "imagine" scenarios instead if positivity. You CAN still have a successful career or business AND be a mum,' they said.

They added: 'Your business is also good enough where you can hire someone to do your work while you just chill too. It doesn't always need to be so extreme.'

Another follower took offence to Karina saying it was 'selfish' to raise children in modern times.

It appears that instead of 'voodoo', the influencer meant to use the term taboo which refers to a topic considered completely unacceptable to discuss

'To intentionally say that having a child in today's world is selfish that is offensive, no matter if you meant it that way or not,' they said.

'For some people their only happiness in this world is their children. I'm glad you're self aware enough to not want them, but to be unintentionally called selfish bc I chose to have children, 3 souls I love more than I could ever love myself, is insanely hurtful.

'Not to mention the parents who want nothing more than to have a baby and may struggle with fertility.'

'If you don't want kids, then you just don't want them, and that is completely fine. You don't have to explain why.'
Hugh Jackman's fans have been left divided after he confirmed his romance with Sutton Foster during a very loved-up outing. on Monday night.

The Australian actor, 56, and his wife Deborra-Lee Furness went their separate ways in September 2023 after almost three decades of marriage.

Hugh was then hit by rumours that he was thereafter dating Broadway star Sutton, 49, and the couple finally went public with their romance this week.

The new couple were seen holding hands as they stepped out for a date night in Santa Monica, California, just days after Hugh attended Sutton's play in Los Angeles.

However, Hugh's fans have been left divided over the news of his budding romance, with some sharing their anger and showing their support for his ex-wife Deb, 69.

One fumed: 'My respect for him has gone down. pfft. Team Deb. So he was all talk in the end.'

Hugh Jackman 's fans have been left divided after he confirmed his romance with Sutton Foster when they stepped out holding hands in Santa Monica on Monday (pictured)

Another said: 'I know you can fall out of love, but I'm very disappointed in him. I really thought he was with Deb for good.'

A third commented: 'Mr Nice guy-NOT! Team Deb,' while a fourth shared: 'Thought he was one of the good guys. He's lost credibility big time.'

'Very sad for Deborah. My heart goes out to her,' another added.

However, other fans were quick to show their support for the Hollywood star as they expressed how lovely it is that Hugh has seemingly found love again.

'Am I the only one who likes them together?' one said of his new romance with Sutton.

Another remarked: 'Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster are now an item. Great that Hugh has found love again.'

'He's a sweetie Debbie and him were separated a long time ago,' a third added.

Hugh and Sutton were seen looking very close as they strolled hand-in-hand during an evening out in Santa Monica which all but confirmed their romance.

The Australian actor, 56, and his wife Deborra-Lee Furness went their separate ways in September 2023 after almost three decades of marriage

The new couple were seen locking eyes as they smiled and laughed together while walking with their hands locked together.

Representatives for Hugh and Sutton have not immediately commented on their evening out together.

Their outing came just days after Hugh showed his support for Sutton by attending her performance of Once Upon A Mattress in Los Angeles over the weekend.

The production has just transferred to the west coast after it wrapped up a run in New York at the end of November.

The two stars had previously shared the stage on Broadway when the played the leads in an acclaimed production of the classic musical The Music Man back in 2022.

Deb was said to be left 'seething with rage' over being the 'last to know' about Hugh's new romance with Sutton.

According to Radaronline, Deb was angry in particular at Hugh's close friend Ryan Reynolds and his wife Blake Lively, who both allegedly 'kept quiet' about the rumoured romance.

'They kept their lips sealed out of loyalty to Hugh,' a source told the publication.

Hugh was hit by rumours that he was dating Broadway star Sutton, 49, and they went public with their romance this week (they are pictured in June 2022 at the Tony Awards while they were co-starring in a play)

'Now she is seething with rage over being the last to know, Deb feels blindsided. She has a memory like a steel trap and isn't afraid to use it!'

Hugh was reportedly planning to introduce his new partner Sutton to his and Deb's children Oscar, 24, and Ava, 19, over the festive period.

However, Deb was allegedly 'not keen on the idea' with a source claiming that she does not want a 'blended' family Christmas.

'It's a delicate balancing act and he feels like if anyone is going to spend less time with the kids this year, it's him,' they added.

Hugh shocked fans when he announced his separation from his wife of 27 years Deb in September 2023.

'We have been blessed to share almost three decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage,' the couple said in a joint statement.

'Our journey now is shifting, and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth.

Sutton filed for an uncontested divorce from her husband Ted Griffin (both pictured in June 2022 at the Tony Awards) in October of last year

'Our family has been and always will be our highest priority. We undertake this next chapter with gratitude, love, and kindness.

'We greatly appreciate your understanding in respecting our privacy as our family navigates this transition in all of our lives.'

Meanwhile, Sutton filed for an uncontested divorce from her husband Ted Griffin in October of last year.

She had been married to the 53-year-old screenwriter for 10 years and they share a daughter Emily, seven, together.
Kim Kardashian continues to get some mileage out of her bizarre music video for her Santa Baby cover.

On Tuesday, the 44-year-old reality icon shared behind-the-scenes photos from the video shoot to her Instagram account that featured some of her most shocking imagery to date.

One particularly controversial photo showed Kim sitting in a minimal nativity scene while wearing a low-cut beige bralette that put her cleavage on full display.

In other photos she crawled on the ground of a dirty home that some viewers likened to a 'crack house.'

Macaulay Culkin, who had a surprise cameo in the video at the very end, was also seen hanging out with Kim on set.

In her photos, the famous brunette traded out her raven locks for a shoulder-length platinum blond hairdo.

She added some color to her skimpy ensemble with a cropped powder blue cardigan that she let slip below her shoulders.

She kept the sweater unbuttoned to display her striking toned tummy.

Kim complemented her bralette with a set of beige leggings that emphasized her curvaceous figure, and she channeled the 1980s with a pair of pale pink leg warmers.

She completed her music video costume with a pair of white open-toe kitten heels.

'BTS ya filthy animals!' Kim captioned her post, referencing a line from Macaualy's Christmas classic, 1990's Home Alone.

Several of the photos she shared on Instagram app featured her simply posing against a wooden door, and she alternated between serious faces and ear-to-ear grins.

The disturbing music video, which appeared to be inspired by the films of David Lynch and low-budget horror films, was directed by Nadia Lee Cohen and Charlie Denis, both of whom were pictured conferencing with Kim as they appeared to look over some footage in the home's kitchen.

The two were pictured sitting on the soiled carpet near a small Christmas tree and presents while entranced by their phones.

The disturbing music video was directed by Nadia Lee Cohen (second to left) and Charlie Denis (R), both of whom were pictured conferencing with Kim as they appeared to look over some footage in the home's kitchen

Cohen, who wore a navy blue cropped jersey with red-and-white stripes over her shoulders, sported a platinum bob reminiscent of Kim's hair

They were seen in another photo discussing something with other behind-the-scenes creative figures

The two were pictured sitting on the soiled carpet near a small Christmas tree and presents while entranced by their phones

One sultry photo that Kim saved for her Instagram Stories featured only her pert derriere as she crawled on the ground, which was littered with hay, likely from a donkey featured in the video with actors appearing to play Joseph and the Virgin Mary.

Kim put the spotlight on her backside in several photos showing her sitting on her legs or crawling on all fours, as she did through much of the unusual music video

She dragged herself through a pile of $100 bills, which may have fueled complaints from fans that the set looked like a drug den.

In the old-fashioned kitchen, Kim posed against a door next to male actors seemingly dressed as businessmen who spoke on landline phones with the cords wrapped around their bodies.

The video was filtered through decaying video effects, as if it was discovered on a VHS tape that had been locked away for decades, so it was fitting that Santa (Culkin) was revealed at the end as he filmed the action on a vintage Sony camcorder.

Although the former child star was dressed in a red-and-white Santa Claus suit, he didn't bother with the hat or beard and instead showed off his blond swept-back hair and a close-cropped beard.

Macaulay was pictured staring through his view finder while Kim sat at his feet near the Christmas tree during some downtime between takes.

Kim originally recorded the audio-only version of her Christmas cover with her brother-in-law Travis Barker producing, though it's not clear if he was also involved with the making of the music video.

Kim was pictured looking serious as the crew planned out the video shoot

One sultry photo that Kim saved for her Instagram Stories featured only her pert derriere as she crawled on the ground, which was littered with hay and $100 bills

Kim put the spotlight on her backside in several photos showing her sitting on her legs or crawling on all fours, as she did through much of the unusual music video

In the old-fashioned kitchen, Kim posed against a door next to male actors seemingly dressed as businessmen who spoke on landline phones with the cords wrapped around their bodies

Although Macaulay Culkin was dressed in a red-and-white Santa Claus suit, he didn't bother with the hat or beard and instead showed off his blond swept-back hair and a close-cropped beard

Several fans were offended by the imagery in Kim's video, which they berated as 'demonic' and 'disturbing.'

One particularly sensitive user wrote, 'This is disturbing. And she claims to be Christian. This is absurd.'

Others called the video a 'nightmare,' and one person even complained that the money spent making it could have gone to better use.

'What a complete waste of time and money,' they seethed. 'You could have fed some homeless or given them shelter. More money than brains.'

However, some fans thought that the imagery that some derided as blasphemous could be an attempt to criticize the commercialization of Christmas by Kim, who has been open about her Christian faith in the past.

'I had to watch it twice to get it all,' wrote X user Ashton Paris, who claimed the music video was meant to show the true meaning of Christmas.

'It's basically, Santa is Satan, and he successfully distracted the world away from Jesus' birthday,' he explained.

'It all comes together at the final shot where the nun is saying, "He is not a man of God," and they are sweeping up all the money.'

'And then Santa with the camera (he sees you when your sleeping, knows when your awake),' he concluded, while other commenters echoed similar sentiments.
Justin Baldoni was heard rambling about Blake Lively in a new voice recording as their legal spat over It Ends With Us rambles on.

Lively, 37, starred in It Ends With Us opposite Baldoni, 40, who also directed the film, which was released in theaters this past August and is currently streaming on Netflix.

After months of rumors, Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, alleging Baldoni had improvised unwanted kissing scenes and created a hostile work environment through sexual harassment and more.

Just a day later, The New York Times published an article revealing Baldoni hired a crisis PR team to 'bury' Lively and destroy her credibility, with Lively then suing Baldoni and his Wayfarer Studios company later that day.

Baldoni responded by filing a $250 million libel lawsuit against The New York Times for their report that he claimed pushed an, 'unverified and self-serving narrative.'

Now, a new voice note from Baldoni has been released in which the actor claims Lively ordered him and his loved ones to 'go to a basement' during a premiere of It Ends With Us.

Justin Baldoni was heard rambling about Blake Lively in a new voice recording as their legal spat over It Ends With Us rambles on

Now, a new voice note from Baldoni has been released in which the actor claims Lively ordered him and his loved ones to 'go to a basement' during a premiere of It Ends With Us - pictured at the film's NYC premiere in August 2024

In the clip, released on Tuesday's The Megyn Kelly Show, Baldoni, addressing his 'dream team' who edited the film, said: 'On what could have been one of the most beautiful nights of my life career wise, I literally was sent to the basement with all my friends and family for over an hour because I wasn't allowed to be seen, she didn't want me anywhere near her or the rest of the cast.

'So they ushered me off the carpet and sent us down to the basement, we were down there together, my friends and family, the people that love me the most.

'We start laughing because of the ridiculousness of this whole thing and I realize like on a night that was supposed to be so materialistically joyful, I was in the basement with the people that love me the most and we were all joyful and laughing cos none of that s**t matters, none of it.

'That's not why we're in the business, to attend a premiere and be celebrated like that, we're in it because we're artists and we believe in what we do and we want to create art that touches people's souls and can move people.

'And that's what we did, that's what you both did and I believe that will follow us, the truth will prevail and light and love will win.'

DailyMail.com has contacted Lively's representatives for comment.

Elsewhere in the chat, Baldoni's attorney Bryan Freedman responded to Lively's claim she had been harassed by Baldoni, leading to his removal from the premiere.

He said: 'If she [Lively] was sexually harassed to to such a degree in this film and in this situation... she wouldn't have returned to the film. They had sat down and they had talked about what her complaints were.

He said: 'I literally was sent to the basement with all my friends and family for over an hour because I wasn't allowed to be seen, she didn't want me anywhere near her or the rest of the cast' Lively seen with co-star Brandon Sklenar and Ryan Reynolds at the NYC premiere

Baldoni's attorney Bryan Freedman responded to Lively's claim she had been harassed by Baldoni, leading to his removal from the premiere. He said: 'If she [Lively] was sexually harassed to to such a degree in this film and in this situation... she wouldn't have returned to the film'

'The unfortunate thing is she actually didn't read the book and didn't understand what the book was about and as a result of that the complaints are are things like, you know he had gone into her trailer when she was breastfeeding to which there are text messages that address that there were complaints.

'That Jamey Heath, Justin's partner had shown pornography, if you look at the actual complaint that they filed it says that that's pornography but what Jamey Heath showed her was a still video of a home birth because they were discussing a scene about birthing and and you know that's not pornography.

'If you get down to the specific allegations I mean what this film was about, was about domestic violence. this film was about sex scenes that involved rough behavior and domestic violence and serious issues like that. At every turn, to the extent that anybody felt uncomfortable in any way on the film Justin took responsibility for it.'

He added that his team are 'going to put every single document on a website for the public to read and come to their own conclusions.

'and they can determine whether or not there was sexual harassment, whether there there was a smear campaign or there was retaliation because we have proof and receipts that absolutely and unequivocally show this is not true.'

This comes after Freedman claimed he has evidence of Lively's alleged 'pattern of bullying' on It Ends With Us amid the pair's vicious lawsuits against each other.

Freedman says he has 'receipts' showing Lively's alleged 'threats to take over the movie' in a new statement issued to People on Tuesday, January 7.

Freedman (pictured 2024) says he has 'receipts' showing Lively's alleged 'threats to take over the movie' in a new statement issued to People on Tuesday, January 7

He said: 'It is painfully ironic that Blake Lively is accusing Justin Baldoni of weaponizing the media when her own team orchestrated this vicious attack by sending The New York Times grossly edited documents prior to even filing the complaint.

'We are releasing all of the evidence which will show a pattern of bullying and threats to take over the movie.

'None of this will come as a surprise because consistent with her past behavior Blake Lively used other people to communicate those threats and bully her way to get whatever she wanted. We have all the receipts and more.'

DailyMail.com has contacted Blake Lively's representatives for comment.

This comes after lawyers for Lively condemned Baldoni for launching even 'more attacks' against his client.

Lively's legal team insists to People that Lively's, 'serious claims of sexual harassment and retaliation' are in fact, 'backed by concrete facts.'

'This is not a feud arising from "creative differences" or a "he said/she said" situation,' Lively's lawyers' statement began.

'As alleged in Ms. Livelys complaint, and as we will prove in litigation, Wayfarer [Studios] and its associates engaged in unlawful, retaliatory astroturfing against Ms. Lively for simply trying to protect herself and others on a film set,' the attorneys added.

'And their response to the lawsuit has been to launch more attacks against Ms. Lively since her filing,' they continued.

'Sexual harassment and retaliation are illegal in every workplace and in every industry,' the lawyers added while breaking down some 'classic tactics' employed by abusers.

'A classic tactic to distract from allegations of this type of misconduct is to "blame the victim" by suggesting that they invited the conduct, brought it on themselves, misunderstood the intentions, or even lied,' the statement continued.

'Another classic tactic is to reverse the victim and offender, and suggest that the offender is actually the victim. These concepts normalize and trivialize allegations of serious misconduct,' they said.

'Most importantly, media statements are not a defense to Ms. Livelys legal claims. We will continue to prosecute her claims in federal court, where the rule of law determines who prevails, not hyperbole and threats,' the statement concluded.

Lively claimed in her lawsuit that the smear campaign employed by Baldoni employed caused her to suffer 'financial harms' which 'continue to the present'.

She states that her haircare brand, Blake Brown, and her two drinks ranges, Betty Buzz and Betty Booze, both suffered huge losses in sales due to the backlash she received.

Lively claimed in her lawsuit that the smear campaign employed by Baldoni employed c aused her to suffer 'financial harms' which 'continue to the present'

The lawsuit states that Blake Brown sales plummeted by up to 78 per cent after the 'social manipulation campaign started'.

It said: 'Based on internal sales projections, the sudden and unexpected negative media campaign launched against Ms. Lively depressed retail sales of Blake Brown products by 56-78 per cent.'

The lawsuit added: 'This dramatic drop was completely at odds with the high satisfaction scores that Blake Brown products received in the significant consumer testing performed before launch or its initial success after launch'.
James Woods had to evacuate his Pacific Palisades, California home on Tuesday amid dangerous wildfires in the upscale area.

The Oscar-nominated actor, 77, took to X/Twitter with multiple posts detailing the damage as a fast-moving wildfire in the Los Angeles hillsides was exacerbated by a fierce windstorm in Southern California, which also impacted actors Eugene Levy and Steve Guttenberg as well.

'Hope everybody gets out safely ... leaving,' Woods said in the post, accompanied by a clip of a hillside blaze.

Woods posted a series of photos and clips documenting the blaze as he praised the efforts made by first responders to his 4.5 million followers.

'We were blessed to have LA fire and police depts doing their jobs so well,' Woods said. 'We are safe and out. There are several elementary schools in our neighborhood and there was an enormous community effort to evacuate the children safely. Can not speak more highly of the LA fire and LAPD.'

In subsequent updates, Woods wrote, 'Hope everybody gets out safely' with views from his home's deck and other residences nearby.

Actor James Woods, 77, had to evacuate his Pacific Palisades, California home on Tuesday amid dangerous wildfires in the area. Pictured in LA in 2017

The Oscar-nominated actor took to X/ Twitter on with multiple posts detailing the damage as a fast-moving wildfire in the Los Angeles hillsides was exacerbated by a fierce windstorm in Southern California

The Casino actor said he was unclear on the overall condition of his home after he and his family evacuated, but was able to monitor damage via a security camera on the premises.

'To all the wonderful people who've reached out to us, thank you for being so concerned,' Woods said. 'Just letting you know that we were able to evacuate successfully. I do not know at this moment if our home is still standing, but sadly houses on our little street are not.'

He wrote Tuesday afternoon, 'Just been informed our next door neighbors house is on fire. Fortunately they were safely evacuated.'

Woods, an Academy Award-nominee for the films Salvador (1986) and Ghosts of Mississippi Leaving (1996), spoke about precautions he took as a homeowner in the area he was hoping would pay off amid the weather-related complications.

'We cleared and built pathways on our hillside with sprinkler systems that can be remotely managed,' Woods said. 'We also did brush clearance per local fire prevention mandates.

'Im hoping it has done some good. Its hard to beat the winds this time of year though, if someone is careless.'

Eugene Levy, 78, who is the current honorary mayor of Palisades, told the Los Angeles Times that he was caught in the gridlock of fleeing residents amid the blaze.

The Schitts Creek actor told the paper, 'The smoke looked pretty black and intense over Temescal Canyon. I couldnt see any flames, but the smoke was very dark.'

Woods posted a series of photos and clips documenting the blaze as he evacuated

Woods he praised the efforts made by first responders to his 4.5 million followers

Wood kept an eye on the damage to his neighborhood in a series of social media posts

Woods monitored the damage to his home via a security camera on the premises

The Casino actor said he was unclear on the condition of his home after he and his family evacuated their home

Woods spoke about precautions he took as a homeowner in the area he was hoping would pay off amid the weather-related complications

Actor Steve Guttenberg, 66, who lives in the Pacific Palisades, urged people who abandoned their cars to leave their keys behind so they could be moved to make way for fire trucks.

'This is not a parking lot,' the Three Men and a Baby actor told KTLA. 'I have friends up there and they can't evacuate ... Im walking up there as far as I can moving cars.'

The blaze could be seen for miles as scores of residents abandoned their cars and fled on foot to safety with roads blocked.

One resident described seeing people crying and screaming as they ran away carrying their children and pets.

Forecasters warned the worst may be yet to come with the windstorm predicted to last for days, producing isolated gusts that could top 100 mph in mountains and foothills - including in areas that haven't seen substantial rain in months.

Roughly half a million utility customers were at risk of having their power shut off to reduce the risk of equipment sparking blazes.

In the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in western Los Angeles, a fire swiftly consumed nearly 2 square miles of land, sending up a dramatic plume of smoke visible across the city. Residents in Venice Beach, some six miles away, reported seeing the flames. It was one of several blazes across the area.

Sections of Interstate 10 and the scenic Pacific Coast Highway were closed to all non-essential traffic to aid in evacuation efforts. But other roads were blocked. Some residents jumped out of their vehicles to get out of danger and waited to be picked up.

Actor Steve Guttenberg, 66, who lives in the Pacific Palisades, urged people who abandoned their cars to leave their keys behind so they could be moved to make way for fire trucks

Guttenberg told KTLA, 'I have friends up there and they can't evacuate ... Im walking up there as far as I can moving cars'

Eugene Levy, 78, said that he was caught in the gridlock of fleeing residents amid the blaze. Pictured in London in 2023

A line of vehicles crowds the road as residents flee from the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of LA Tuesday

Water is dropped on the advancing Palisades Fire by helicopter

The neighborhood that borders Malibu about 20 miles west of downtown LA includes hillside streets of tightly packed homes along winding roads nestled against the Santa Monica Mountains and stretches down to beaches along the Pacific Ocean.

The erratic weather caused President Joe Biden to cancel plans to travel to inland Riverside County, California, where he was to announce the establishment of two new national monuments in the state.

Biden will deliver his remarks in Los Angeles instead.

The National Weather Service said the wind event that was expected to peak early Wednesday could be the strongest Santa Ana windstorm in more than a decade across Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

The Los Angeles Unified School District said it was temporarily relocating students from three campuses in the Pacific Palisades area due to the fire.

Amazon and MGM Studios canceled a premiere of Jennifer Lopezs new film Unstoppable due to the fires and high winds.

A firefighters make a stand in front of the advancing Palisades Fire Tuesday

Heavy smoke from a brush fire in the Pacific Palisades rises over the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica, California Tuesday

Smoke from a wildfire is seen from the Venice Beach section of LA on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025

The winds will act as an 'atmospheric blow-dryer' for vegetation, bringing a long period of fire risk, said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist with the University of California, Los Angeles and the National Center for Atmospheric Research.

'We really haven't seen a season as dry as this one follow a season as wet as the previous one,' Swain said Monday.

Recent dry winds, including the notorious Santa Anas, have contributed to warmer-than-average temperatures in Southern California, where theres been very little rain so far this season.

Southern California hasnt seen more than 0.1 inches of rain since early May. Much of the region has fallen into moderate drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Meanwhile, up north, there have been multiple drenching storms.

Areas where gusts could create extreme fire conditions include the charred footprint of last months wind-driven Franklin Fire, which damaged or destroyed 48 structures, mostly homes, in and around Malibu.
Lisa Kudrow revealed she recently discovered a note from her late Friends castmate Matthew Perry, which he had stuffed inside the 'Cookie Time' jar from the Burbank set of the hit NBC sitcom.

'Matthew gave that to me at the end of our last episode,' the 61-year-old Emmy winner recalled on Tuesday's Drew Barrymore Show.

'I had recently found the note that he had in it for me. I hadn't opened it up or looked inside of it. But yeah, he did. He had a note in there and I forgot about it.'

Without revealing what Perry wrote, Lisa emotionally remarked: 'Timing is everything.'

Kudrow had previously told Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2020 that the five-time Emmy nominee gifted her the prop when they wrapped, because he found it hilarious that she thought it was a working clock while shooting a scene.

'I think the first thing I asked was, "This was so nice - did you get permission?"' the No Good Deed star said.

Lisa Kudrow revealed she recently discovered a note from her late Friends castmate Matthew Perry, which he had stuffed inside the 'Cookie Time' jar from the Burbank set of the hit NBC sitcom (pictured in red circle)

The 61-year-old Emmy winner (R) recalled on Tuesday's Drew Barrymore Show: 'Matthew gave that to me at the end of our last episode. I had recently found the note that he had in it for me. I hadn't opened it up or looked inside of it. But yeah, he did. He had a note in there and I forgot about it'

'I mean, my car used to get searched every night when I left.'

Lisa also held on to her security badges and her character Phoebe Buffay's rings after Friends concluded in 2004 following 10 seasons.

Matthew passed away, age 54, in 2023 from acute effects of the anesthetic ketamine and five people have since been indicted and charged as part of the LAPD's ensuing investigation.

A couple weeks later, Kudrow posted a Polaroid of them attending the 1994 NBC Upfronts and thanked him for trusting her, teaching her about grace and love, and making her laugh to the point of tears 'every day.'

The San Fernando Valley Girl previously revealed last month on the Dinner's on Me podcast that the Friends cast only reunited twice since their show ended - for an intimate dinner in 2014 at someone's house and HBO Max's 2021 Friends: The Reunion special.

The 49-year-old talk show host begged Lisa for an update on the follow-up to her 1997 cult classic comedy, Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, co-starring Mira Sorvino.

'[Mira] said it perfectly. We're as close as we have ever been. There's a script that's really good. [Original screenwriter] Robin Schiff wrote it,' Kudrow beamed.

'So it'll happen! I mean, we'll see. Because having a close friend it's about you know friends that love each other - which is funny because I was on a show that was like that too - but but that is basically what it is.'

The 57-year-old Oscar winner told People last November that they both signed their deals to executive produce and reprise their roles as Romy White and Michele Weinberger in the sequel, which is rumored to start shooting in the 'second quarter' of this year.

Without revealing what Perry wrote, Lisa emotionally remarked: 'Timing is everything'

Kudrow had previously told Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2020 that the five-time Emmy nominee gifted her the prop when they wrapped, because he found it hilarious that she thought it was a working clock while shooting a scene

The No Good Deed star said: 'I think the first thing I asked was, "This was so nice - did you get permission?" I mean, my car used to get searched every night when I left'

Lisa also held on to her security badges and her character Phoebe Buffay's rings after Friends concluded in 2004 following 10 seasons (final curtain call pictured)

Matthew passed away, age 54, in 2023 from acute effects of the anesthetic ketamine and five people have since been indicted and charged as part of the LAPD's ensuing investigation (pictured in 2015)

A couple weeks later, Kudrow posted a Polaroid of them attending the 1994 NBC Upfronts and thanked him for trusting her, teaching her about grace and love, and making her laugh to the point of tears 'every day'

The San Fernando Valley Girl previously revealed last month on the Dinner's on Me podcast that the Friends cast only reunited twice since their show ended - for an intimate dinner in 2014 at someone's house and HBO Max's 2021 Friends: The Reunion special (pictured)

The 49-year-old talk show host (L) begged Lisa for an update on the follow-up to her 1997 cult classic comedy, Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, co-starring Mira Sorvino

Kudrow beamed: '[Mira] said it perfectly. We're as close as we have ever been. There's a script that's really good. [Original screenwriter] Robin Schiff wrote it'

She continued: 'So it'll happen! I mean, we'll see. Because having a close friend it's about you know friends that love each other - which is funny because I was on a show that was like that too - but but that is basically what it is' (pictured in 1997)

The 57-year-old Oscar winner (R, pictured in 2022) told People last November that they both signed their deals to executive produce and reprise their roles in the sequel, which is rumored to start shooting in the 'second quarter' of this year

On the personal front, Lisa and her husband - French advertising executive Michael Stern - are proud parents of 26-year-old son Julian and they'll impressively celebrate 30 years of marriage on May 27.

'You know, it's not a romance. It's even more than a family member. I mean, it's the most intimate relationship you can have,' Kudrow told Barrymore.

'It's different from kids but, by 30 years, I'm not going anywhere, no way. That's how I feel about it.'
Charlotte Jordan has announced that she is leaving Coronation Street later this year, after starring on the show for four years.

The actress, 29, first joined the ITV soap in November 2020 as Rovers Return barmaid Daisy Midgeley.

She has been part of a number of hard-hitting storylines, including being stalked and facing a horrific acid attack on her wedding day, for which she won a British Soap Award for Best Dramatic Performance in 2023.

However, Charlotte revealed on Tuesday that she was bidding goodbye to the cobbles to 'explore other opportunities'.

In a statement, she said: 'My time at Coronation Street is something Ill always cherish. After a brilliant four years for Daisy, its time for me to start a new chapter and explore other opportunities.

'Its been a privilege to be part of a wonderful institution with even more wonderful colleagues who have taught me so much.'

Charlotte Jordan has announced that she is leaving Coronation Street later this year, after starring on the show for four years (pictured in 2022)

The actress, 29, first joined the ITV soap in November 2020 as Rovers Return barmaid Daisy Midgeley (pictured on soap in 2021)

She has been part of a number of hard-hitting storylines, including being stalked and facing a horrific acid attack on her wedding day, for which she won a British Soap Award for Best Dramatic Performance in 2023 (pictured)

While a source told The Sun: 'Charlotte has loved her time on the cobbles but is young, ambitious and hungry to see what else is out there for her.

'She told bosses last April that her next contract would be her last, giving them a year to craft an exciting exit storyline.

'Shes still filming now and her final scenes will play out in early summer. Shes adored by cast and crew and will be hugely missed.'

Her exit from Corrie comes after several other actors have left the soap in the last few weeks, including major stars Sue Cleaver and Colson Smith.

Sue, 61, who plays the iconic Eileen Grimshaw, announced she was quitting last week after 25 years on the cobbles, to pursue new acting projects.

The actress has already begun to film her exit storyline, but will still appear on viewers screens until late spring.

Revealing her exit, the Loose Women panellist explained Eileen won't be killed off by producers, leaving the door open for her to possibly return in the future.

Sue said: 'Ive had 25 privileged years of working on Coronation Street. The door is still firmly open but as I reached my 60th year, I decided it was time to embrace change, look for new adventures and live fearlessly.'

However, Charlotte revealed on Tuesday that she was bidding goodbye to the cobbles to 'explore other opportunities'

Her exit comes after several other actors have left the soap in the last few weeks, including Sue Cleaver, who has played the iconic Eileen Grimshaw for 25 years (pictured in September)

The actress has already begun to film her exit storyline, but will still appear on viewers' screens until late spring and won't be killed off by producers, leaving the door open for her to possibly return in the future (pictured on soap in 2012)

The star previously took a break from Corrie last year to star in Sister Act The Musical as Mother Superior and headed Down Under to compete in the 2022 series of Im A Celebrity.

The soap's new boss Kate Brooks shared the team's sadness to see Sue go as she said: 'We're sad to bid farewell to the wonderful Sue Cleaver.

'Over the past twenty five years, Eileen Grimshaw has been at the heart of some of the most memorable and iconic Corrie storylines, and her onscreen rivalry with Gail Platt will undoubtedly go down in Corrie folklore.

'There's certainly no one quite like Eileen, and her character will be hugely missed on the Cobbles. We wish Sue all the very best as she embarks on her next exciting chapter.'

While just two days later, Colson also confirmed he was leaving in the summer after 14 years on the soap as police officer Craig Tinker.

The actor, 26, revealed exclusively to MailOnline at the weekend that he was told in Autumn 2024 that he would be written out of the show.

Reflecting on his on the show, Colson confessed that he has loved 'every single second' of his time on the show and feels 'incredibly lucky' to have been a part of the show for so long.

Colson told MailOnline: 'Autumn last year I was told that Craig Tinker's time on the Cobbles is to come to end in 2025.

While just two days later, Colson also confirmed he was leaving in the summer after 14 years on the soap as police officer Craig Tinker (pictured on show in June)

The actor, 26, revealed exclusively to MailOnline at the weekend that he was told in Autumn 2024 that he would be written out of the show (pictured in 2022)

'I've loved every single second of my 14 year stay as a resident on the greatest street in the world. I feel incredibly lucky to have grown up in, on and around Coronation Street.

'I've learned pretty much everything about life from the people who call it home. I'm excited to play out the exit story for our Craigy.

'For me, this is the end of the beginning. I genuinely can't wait to see what chapter two has in store for me.'

An inside source also explained that Colson is excited for the next chapter of his career and said viewers should look forward to a 'brilliant exit storyline'.

While this week also saw the final appearance of Luca Toolan as Mason Radcliffe, after the character was stabbed to death by his brothers Matty and Logan.

And Debbie Webster, played by Sue Devaney, is reportedly set to be killed off this year as part of a hard-hitting dementia storyline, after six years on the cast.

New boss Kate had previously warned that multiple characters face the axe as she told of several 'unexpected exits' coming up this year.

The producer, who previously took the helm at Emmerdale, recently opened up about her plans for Weatherfield and its residents in 2025.

While this week also saw the final appearance of Luca Toolan as Mason Radcliffe, after the character was stabbed to death by his brothers Matty and Logan (pictured)

And Debbie Webster, played by Sue Devaney, is reportedly set to be killed off this year as part of a hard-hitting dementia storyline, after six years on the cast (pictured in July)

New boss Kate had previously warned that multiple characters face the axe as she told of several 'unexpected exits' coming up this year (pictured in 2022)

And while there's plenty of sizzling storylines and drama to come, there are several cast members who won't get to see this as their characters are set to leave the show in a move that is tipped to send 'shockwaves' throughout the show.

Speaking to The Sun and other press, Kate explained of the upcoming plans: 'There are a few exits this year, and some unexpected ones that will send shockwaves. People might not expect the exits, but there are a few.'

It comes after it was reported that stars are set to be offered shorter contracts amid the soap's declining viewing figures and financial woes.

Corrie only pulled in 2.6million viewers for its Christmas Day special which saw Gail Platt (Helen Worth) leave after 50 years on the show.

And last week, The Sun claimed that producers may now only guarantee contracts until the end of 2025 amid tightened budgets.

A source told the publication: 'The cast of Corrie is huge and some aren't getting enough episodes.

'A few paid per episode are struggling to pay mortgages are having to supplement income with personal appearances and ads on Instagram.

'A lot of cast members are now on 'guest contracts' like Maureen Lipman and Kate Ford. These are short term, so they can come and go and take extended breaks. The cast have been told they can't guarantee any contracts beyond the end of 2025.'
Ariana Grande enjoyed a reunion with boyfriend Ethan Slater at the star-studded National Board of Review Annual Awards Gala in New York on Tuesday.

The Wicked star, 31, cozied up to her other half, 32, in a rare public appearance, a month after his ex-wife Lilly Jay, 32, broke her silence on their split.

Ariana and Ethan enjoyed a date night at the awards bash, after she recently attended the 2025 Golden Globes without him.

Inside the gala the couple were seen exchanging a warm embrace before making their way to their table.

Ariana showed off her slim figure in a stunning baby pink Loewe backless gown. Sparkling around her neck was a spectacular diamond necklace.

Ariana and her other Wicked co-star, Cynthia Erivo, received the NBR Spotlight Award at the event, while Wicked got the Best Film award. The film's director, Jon M. Chu also won for Best Director.

Ariana Grande, 31, enjoyed a reunion with boyfriend Ethan Slater, 32, at The National Board of Review Annual Awards Gala in New York on Tuesday

Ariana and Ethan enjoyed a date night at the awards bash, after she recently attended the 2025 Golden Globes without him

Ariana showed off her slim figure in a stunning baby pink Loewe backless gown. Meanwhile Ethan looked dapper in a grey suit and a white shirt, opting to go without a tie for the occasion

She completed the outfit with white shoes and wore her brunette tresses in a ponytail.

Meanwhile Ethan looked dapper in a grey suit and a white shirt, opting to go without a tie for the occasion.

The pair's appearance comes a month after Slater's ex-wife Lilly - with whom he shares a two-year-old son - broke her silence on his romance with his Wicked co-star.

In the essay published for The Cut, Jay also emotionally opened up about their divorce and the 'public downfall of her marriage.'

She penned about moving both herself and her then two-month-old baby boy to London while Slater filmed Wicked - before he left her for Grande after they met on set of the movie.

Lilly further reflected on how she never expected to get a divorce after tying the knot with her high school sweetheart - but emphasized both she and her ex focus to positively co-parent their son.

Both she and Slater had been married for five years and welcomed their baby boy to the world in August 2022. However, the divorce was finalized three months earlier in September.

Grande was also previously married to Dalton Gomez for two years until their divorce was finalized in March of this year.

The Wicked star cozied up to her other half in a rare public appearance, a month after his ex-wife Lilly Jay broke her silence on their split

Inside the gala, the couple were seen exchanging a warm embrace before making their way to their table

They flashed bright smiles at the event

Sparkling around her neck was a spectacular diamond necklace

Later, the couple were seen leaving the event arm-in-arm

Ethan and Ariana looked to be in great spirits

Ariana and her other Wicked co-star, Cynthia Erivo, received the NBR Spotlight Award at the event, while Wicked got the Best Film award

Delicate makeup highlighted her features

She completed the outfit with white shoes and wore her tresses in a ponytail

The film's director, Jon M. Chu also won for Best Director at the ceremony

'I confidently moved to another country with my 2-month-old baby and my husband to support his career. Consumed by the magic and mundanity of new motherhood, I didn't understand the growing distance between us,' Jay wrote.

She expressed there are 'days when I can't escape the promotion of a movie associated with the saddest days of my life are darker' as she while trying to 'accept the sudden public downfall of my marriage.'

'No-one gets married thinking they'll get divorced, in the same way we don't board a plane expecting to crash.'

Lilly then seemingly referenced to Ethan and Ariana with, 'I really never thought I would get divorced.'

'Especially not just after giving birth to my first child and especially not in the shadow of my husband's new relationship with a celebrity.'

'In this season of shock and mourning, over a year after the end of my marriage was made public, I deeply miss the life of invisibility I created for myself as a psychologist specializing in women's mental health.'

Also present at the gala on Tuesday was Ariana's Wicked co-star Cynthia, 37. She also wore a Loewe gown with a unique design.

Meanwhile Nicole Kidman, 57, wowed in a floor-length black gown. Nicole received the Best Actress award for her steamy role in Babygirl.

Her Wicked co-star Cynthia Erivo, 37, also wore a Loewe gown with a unique design

Cynthia showed off her long nails

Also present at the gala on Tuesday was Nicole Kidman, 57, who wowed in a floor-length black gown

Nicole received the Best Actress award for her steamy role in Babygirl

Her blonde tresses were styled into a side ponytail, and she accessorized with sparkling drop earrings

Her backless gown featured pearl and crystal details

A Complete Unknown star Elle Fanning, 26, stunned in a pastel blue, pink and yellow gown, which she paired with a light pink fur shawl

She received the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in the Bob Dylan biopic, where she stars alongside Timothee Chalamet

The blonde beauty wore a lavender bow in her hair

Wicked star Michelle Yeoh, 62, showed off her toned arms in a sleeveless black dress

Liev Schreiber, 57, was dapper in a grey suit and was joined by wife Taylor Neisen

Jesse Eisenberg, 41, looked sharp in a black suit

Christine Baranski, 72, was stylish in a black pantsuit. June Squibb, 95, sported a shimmering white top and black pants

Marianne Jean-Baptiste, 57, looked glowing in a black gown

Succession star Kieran Culkin, 42, sported a burgundy suit with a baby blue sweater underneath

He rocked a layer of colorful bracelets

Mikey Madison, 25, made a striking appearance in a black gown

Iconic actress Isabella Rossellini, 72, stunned in a black lace ensemble with pearls

Her blonde tresses were styled into a side ponytail, and she accessorized with sparkling drop earrings.

A Complete Unknown star Elle Fanning, 26, stunned in a pastel blue, pink and yellow gown, which she paired with a light pink fur shawl.

She received the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in the Bob Dylan biopic, where she stars alongside Timothee Chalamet.

Wicked star Michelle Yeoh, 62, showed off her toned arms in a sleeveless black dress.

Liev Schreiber, 57, looked dapper in a grey suit and was joined by wife Taylor Neisen.

Succession star Kieran Culkin, 42, sported a burgundy suit with a baby blue sweater underneath.

Jesse Eisenberg, 41, looked sharp in a black suit.

Christine Baranski, 72, was stylish in a black pantsuit.

Mikey Madison, 25, made a striking appearance in a black gown.

Iconic actress Isabella Rossellini, 72, stunned in a black lace ensemble with pearls.

Nicole and Ariana caught up inside

The two stars chatted together

Wicked co-stars Michelle and Ariana met up inside

Nicole, Elle and director Sofia Coppola mingled at the event

Nicole, also caught up with Halina Reijn and Liev

Elle and Kieran posed inside

Kieran enjoyed a drink inside

June Squibb, 95, sported a shimmering white top and black pants.

Marianne Jean-Baptiste, 57, looked glowing in a black gown.

Also present at the event was director Sofia Coppola.

The National Board of Review (NBR) Awards are annual film awards given out by the National Board of Review.

They cover a range of categories, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Screenplay, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Animated Feature, and more.
Kanye West is continuing to roll out the birthday celebrations for his wife Bianca Censori, who turned 30 over the weekend, on their romantic getaway to Dubai.

After ringing in her milestone birthday with a wild disco party, in which the couple were recorded passionately kissing on the dance floor, the architect was treated to another surprise.

In footage, shared on X, the model was seen carrying a huge bouquet of flowers in what appeared to be a rooftop restaurant while out with her mom and dad, Alexandra and Elia 'Leo' Censori, who live in Alphington, Australia.

'Ye gifting Bianca some flowers in the presence of her parents,' the fan captioned the 19-second video, which received more than 21,000 views on Tuesday.

The couple's latest sighting together comes after a raunchy recording of them went viral from her birthday bash.

In the clip, Censori could be seen wrapping her legs around her man's waist as they got down on the dance floor.

Kanye West is continuing to roll out the birthday celebrations for his wife Bianca Censori, who turned 30 over the weekend, on their romantic getaway to Dubai

Ye gifting Bianca some flowers in the presence of her parents https://t.co/0MyqJFTpkV pic.twitter.com/km4ZbW7Vrk  Ye Bianca (@YeandBianca) January 7, 2025

In addition to her husband, the birthday girl was also seen dancing with actress Penelope Cruz.

She and the 50-year-old Oscar winner were seen shimmying and grinding against against each other in a video that Kanye shared to his Instagram account before quickly deleting it.

In addition to the steamy dancing clip, the rapper also posted a sultry video of his wife bathing in the nude.

In the black-and-white dancing clip, Bianca and Penelope were surrounded by revelers in a large room draped with strands of silver dangling streams, along with shiny mylar balloons.

Bianca was dressed as usual in a revealing ensemble with black leggings and a backless halter top that only barely covered her bust.

Penelope favored a more modest and hypnotizing look with a dress covered in colorful zigzagging designs that had a '60s-chic feel.

While Bianca had her dark hair looking sleek and wet and tied up in a bun, the Vicky Christina Barcelona star wore her voluminous raven hair down and cascading over her shoulders.

Both she and Bianca looked overwhelmed with passion as they beamed and raised their arms in the air while dancing.

After ringing in her milestone birthday with a wild disco party, in which the couple were recorded passionately kissing on the dance floor, the architect was treated to another surprise

In footage, shared on X, the model was seen carrying a huge bouquet of flowers in what appeared to be a rooftop restaurant while out with her mom and dad, Alexandra and Elia 'Leo' Censori, who live in Alphington, Australia

The couple's latest sighting together comes after a raunchy recording of them went viral from her birthday bash

In addition to her husband, the birthday girl was also seen dancing with actress Penelope Cruz (seen above together)

Things heated up as they got close and rubbed their chests against together while gyrating, before both separated and put on a show by dancing for each other.

She and Penelope were pictured writhing on the dance floor together, lost in the rhythm of Azealia Banks' party hit 212.

In addition to the steamy dancing clip, Kanye also posted a sultry video of his wife bathing in the nude.

'happy birthday baby,' he captioned the video.
Lorraine Kelly has furiously slammed the 'toxic' TV industry and Gregg Wallace's 'appalling behaviour' in a fiery new rant.

MasterChef presenter Gregg, 60, is currently under investigation over a string of allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour - including from Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark - and stepped down from hosting the hit BBC cooking show in November.

The Scottish star, 65, was not holding anything back in a new interview where she discussed an 'abuse of power' that 'should never happen'.

Lorraine told The Mirror: 'There are toxic people in telly. We're going through that at the moment. The behaviour of Gregg Wallace and other people that we've seen, should it come about as all true, is appalling.

'There's an imbalance of power there, and it's abused. They're just not right, and it should never happen.'

She added: 'But how dare the people round about them allow and enable them to behave like that? It's horrible and it's toxic and nasty. I've got no time for people who abuse their power.'

Lorraine Kelly has furiously slammed the 'toxic' TV industry and Gregg Wallace 's 'appalling behaviour' in a fiery new rant

MasterChef presenter Gregg, 60, is currently under investigation over a string of allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour

MailOnline contacted representatives for Gregg Wallace for comment.

Wallace was initially bullish in the face of the allegations, taking to Instagram to say they mostly came from 'middle class women of a certain age'.

He went on to ask: 'Can you imagine how many women on MasterChef have made sexual remarks or sexual innuendo?'

Since then, several high-profile names - including TV presenter Ulrika Jonsson as well as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer - have condemned his remarks in public statements.

The former greengrocer later apologised for the controversial comments which caused a PR storm.

The under-fire presenter said of his middle class women slur: 'I wasn't in a good headspace when I posted it. I've been under a huge amount of stress, a lot of emotion.

Among those to come forward with allegations against Wallace is a woman called Lisa, not her real name, who worked on BBC show Eat Well for Less in 2015.

She told the BBC Wallace 'touched her inappropriately' when they were filming in a supermarket.

'He brushed past me at the checkout, and touched my bum with his waist and penis and laughed and said 'oooh you liked that didn't you',' she alleged.

'It was the way he reacted, other people would've said 'oh I'm sorry can I squeeze by' which would've been ok.'

The Scottish star, 65, was not holding anything back in a new interview where she discussed an 'abuse of power' that 'should never happen'

Wallace (RIGHT) was initially bullish in the face of the allegations, taking to Instagram to say they mostly came from 'middle class women of a certain age'

Food critic Grace Dent, 51, is set to replace Wallace on MasterChef while the investigation into his behaviour takes place

Lisa also claims that she felt she had to continue working but was 'not ok about it', describing it as 'slimy and disgusting'. She claims she raised it with a senior colleague but that nothing was ever done.

Banijay say they have no record of this incident being raised at RDF Television, which produced Eat Well For Less.

A second woman claims that she came across Wallace while working at an event in 2022.

The woman, known only as Sarah, claims that Wallace asked her to take him to the car park at the end of the event.

'As we walked down, he started putting his arm around me, saying 'go on, hold my hand, don't you want to stand next to me',' she told the BBC.

Other claims include talking about his sex life on set, asking for women's numbers and repeatedly questioning a gay woman about the 'logistics' of dating other women.

Gregg's lawyers said 'it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature'.

Food critic Grace Dent, 51, is set to replace Wallace on MasterChef while the investigation into his behaviour takes place.

Dent will judge the upcoming 20th series of Celebrity MasterChef, having appeared regularly as a guest and then even a contestant on MasterChef: Battle Of The Critics in 2022.
American Bluey fans have been left confused after learning what Australians call a very well-known store.

Viewers of the globally popular children's animation show were sent into a frenzy while re-watching the popular episode TV Shop from the program's third season.

The episode sees Bluey and Bingo having fun playing with the CCTV cameras at a store called Pharmacy Warehouse.

However, American fans were left confused after hearing Bingo refer to the pharmacy as a 'chemist' in what is a very well-known turn of phrase Down Under.

Taking to Facebook, one American asked: 'Random question for Australian people are pharmacists commonly referred to as chemists like Bandit was doing in TV Shop?'

Aussies then took to the comments to clarify that 'chemist' is a very commonly-used term for a pharmacy as they voiced their disbelief over the confusion.

American Bluey fans have been left confused after learning what Australians call a very well-known store while watching the popular episode TV Shop from the program's third season

The episode sees Bluey and Bingo having fun playing with the CCTV cameras at a store called Pharmacy Warehouse

In fact, the term is so well-known in Australia that one of the leading pharmacy chains in the country is called Chemist Warehouse.

'Yep get your medicine from the chemist! As well as perfume, jelly beans, makeup and a whole lot more especially from chemist warehouse,' one user said.

'Yeah I go to the chemist,' another commented.

A third clarified: 'Yes, but either is actually used in Australia and in New Zealand. So you might say ''I need something from the chemist'' or something from the pharmacy, both are correct and common.'

'We have Chemist Warehouse and Priceline Pharmacy so both work,' another added.

'Chemist and pharmacy are interchangeable for the most part. I always say I'm going to the chemist, but the person who gives me my meds is a pharmacist,' a third added.

Another Australian weighed into the debate as they claimed most people call the actual shopfront a chemist, while the medicine counter inside is generally referred to as a pharmacy.

It is not just in Australia that the word chemist is frequently used, as it is also commonly heard in both the United Kingdom and New Zealand.

However, American fans were left confused after hearing Bingo refer to the pharmacy as a 'chemist' in what is a very well-known turn of phrase Down Under

Though Bluey is an Australian animation show, it has become hugely popular in the United States and has topped its ratings for two years in a row.

The children's animated series has been riding high in the top ten shows streamed in the US for a massive 112 weeks.

The figures were compiled earlier this month by the Nielsen ratings, which tracks viewership in the US, according to the Comicbook website.

And according to Nielsen's survey, Bluey has been in the top ten shows streaming in the US since October 2022.

Bluey is broadcast in more than 60 countries, with all three seasons of the Emmy-award-winning cartoon available on ABC iview.

The award-winning animated series first hit screens in 2018 and has since become a favourite for kids and parents.

Last month, BBC Studios and The Walt Disney Company announced they are bringing Bluey's first-ever animated feature film to the big screen, which will be written and directed by the show's creator Joe Brumm.

'I really enjoyed the experience of working with a longer format on The Sign in Series 3, so going even further with a feature film feels like a natural extension of that,' Brumm said.

'I've always thought Bluey deserved a theatrical movie. I want this to be an experiential event for the whole family to enjoy together.'
Spencer Pratt and his wife Heidi Montag have tragically lost their home in the massive wildfire sweeping through Los Angeles' Pacific Palisades neighborhood.

Pratt, 41, was captured in photos as he watched the rapidly advancing fire move toward his home, which is in an area featuring many celebrity estates that are also at risk of burning.

Sources told TMZ that Spencer and Heidi's home was completely destroyed after catching fire on Tuesday.

Luckily, the couple and their two sons were able to safely evacuate earlier in the day before the flames got too close.

However, they are said to be distraught by the staggering loss.

Spencer documented firefighters' attempts to contain the blaze with a video posted to his Instagram stories showing an airplane dropping water on a nearby mountain.

Spencer Pratt, 41, and his wife Heidi Montag, 38, have tragically lost their home in the massive wildfire sweeping through Los Angeles' Pacific Palisades neighborhood

Pratt, 41, was captured in photos as he watched the rapidly advancing fire move toward his home, which is in an area featuring many celebrity estates that are also at risk of burning

Video shot near the couple's home shows Spencer looking somberly at the approaching flames as he stands on a hillside with a group of people, including one person who appeared to be his father.

The Hills star, who wore a black graphic T-shirt, olive-colored shorts and black trainers, brushed his eyes at one point, possibly from irritating smoke or flying debris.

The roar of the winds that have fueled the fires overwhelmed the clip's audio at times.

One man could be heard urging the others to evacuate immediately, but others sounded unconcerned and laughed amid the advancing flames.

Spencer, who stood on a wooden boardwalk amid bushes and succulents, was pictured documenting the blaze with his phone.

The full extent of the destruction isn't yet clear, but other homes in Spencer and Heidi's neighborhood were likely affected by the wildfire.

The tony westside neighborhood of Pacific Palisades is home to a bevy of stars, including Ben Affleck, Tom Hanks, Miles Teller, Reese Witherspoon, Adam Sandler and Jhene Aiko, among others.

Actor James Woods shared footage of the blaze to Instagram on Tuesday as he announced that he was evacuating.

Sources told TMZ that Spencer and Heidi's home was completely destroyed after catching fire on Tuesday

Spencer was seen in photos and video has he watched the rapidly advancing wildfire from near the home he and Heidi share with their two young sons; their house is pictured before the fire reached it

Spencer was filmed looking somber and watching the blaze advance with a man who appeared to be his father

Luckily, the couple and their two sons were able to safely evacuate earlier in the day before the flames got too close

However, they are said to be distraught by the staggering loss

Spencer documented firefighters' attempts to contain the blaze with a video posted to his Instagram stories

He filmed an airplane dropping water on a nearby mountain to try to slow the fire's movement

The Hills star, who wore a black graphic T-shirt, olive-colored shorts and black trainers, brushed his eyes at one point, possibly from irritating smoke or flying debris

The roar of the winds that have fueled the fires overwhelmed the clip's audio at times

The tony westside neighborhood of Pacific Palisades is home to a bevy of stars, including Ben Affleck, Tom Hanks, Miles Teller, Reese Witherspoon, Adam Sandler, Chris Pratt and Jhene Aiko, among others

The wildfire has already engulfed more than 1,200 acres in the area, which is sparsely populated with massive celebrity estates surrounded by vegetation-covered hills, which has left plenty of fuel for the fire, unlike denser neighborhoods further inland.

The Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday that the Getty Villa, a museum designed in the image of an ancient Roman villa, was threatened by the wildfire.

Some of the vegetation on the museum estate had been burned, but the buildings on the campus were reportedly still safe, and the artwork and sculptures had been sealed to prevent smoke damage.

Katherine E. Fleming, the president and chief executive of the J. Paul Getty Trust, boasted in a statement that the Getty Villa had made 'extensive efforts to clear brush from the surrounding area as part of its fire mitigation efforts throughout the year.'

'Some trees and vegetation on site have burned, but staff and the collection remain safe,' she said.
Nicole Kidman caused a stir when she downed an entire glass of milk while accepting the Best Actress award at the 2025 National Board of Review Gala in New York on Tuesday night.

The Hollywood star, 57, was presented with the prestigious gong by her The Perfect Couple co-star Liev Schreiber, who played her husband.

She was recognised in the Best Actress category for her new age-gap romance film Babygirl, which has been highly-talked-about since its Christmas Day release.

During her acceptance speech, Nicole drank an entire glass of milk while on stage at the prestigious venue - Cipriani 42nd Street.

While she might have left some baffled by her wild action, it was actually a nod to a now-viral scene from Babygirl.

In the movie, Nicole stars as married company boss Romy who falls for her young intern Samuel, played by Harris Dickinson, 28, and they embark on a steamy affair.

Nicole Kidman caused a stir when she downed an entire glass of milk while accepting the Best Actress award at the 2025 National Board of Review Gala in New York on Tuesday night

During her acceptance speech, Nicole drank an entire glass of milk while on stage at the prestigious venue - Cipriani 42nd Street

The film features a whole host of very raunchy scenes but one in particular has gone viral on social media - and it bizarrely involved a glass of milk.

In the now-infamous scene, Samuel has already caught the eye of Romy when they enjoy some drinks after work with their colleagues.

Romy is presented with a glass of milk by a waiter and she realises that Samuel has ordered the drink for her, prompting her to drink the entire glass as he watches.

As he walks out of the bar, Samuel then whispers to her, 'Good girl,' setting the scene for the intense power-play dynamics in their budding relationship.

Surprisingly, it is not the only scene involving milk in the film as Romy also seductively licks milk off a plate in another moment, before Samuel then sucks it off her lip.

And Nicole made a cheeky reference to the headline-making bar scene at the National Board of Review Gala as she once again downed an entire glass of milk.

In a nod to her character's flirtatious exchange, Nicole held up a glass of milk to show the audience, before boldly necking it on stage.

She then proudly showed the empty glass to the crowd at the awards ceremony, which recognises the best films of the year.

In a nod to her character's flirtatious exchange, Nicole held up a glass of milk to show the audience, before boldly necking it on stage

While she might have left some baffled by her wild action, it was actually a nod to a now-viral scene from her film Babygirl - for which she was recognised at the awards show

In the now-infamous scene, Nicole's character Romy drinks an entire glass of milk in a bar (pictured) during a flirty exchange with her younger intern Samuel (Harris Dickinson)

The Hollywood star, 57, was presented with the prestigious gong by her The Perfect Couple on-screen husband Liev Schreiber at Tuesday night's ceremony

Nicole recently addressed the recurring use of milk in Babygirl's sex scenes and told how it is symbolic of the affair itself.

'Milk and cookies and all these sensory things are used for the power struggle,' she explained in a recent interview with Hits Radio.

The Australian star revealed that she had to drink around 16 glasses of milk while filming the iconic bar scene.

She admitted her first thought upon reading the scene was 'how many glasses of milk am I going to have to drink?' before adding: 'I think it was maybe 15 or 16.'

Director Halina Reijn has also revealed what inspired the sensual milk scene, revealing something similar actually happened to her when she was in her 30s.

Halina, 49, recalled going out for drinks after one of her stage performances, when a famous Belgian actor - whom she noted was 'way, way younger' than her - sent her a glass of milk.

'I drank it, and he just walked out,' she told W Magazine. 'I thought, ''How does this guy get the courage?'' I did think it was a very sensual thing to do. And I thought it was very funny.'

Nicole's role in Babygirl is widely considered to be her most erotic yet, but the Big Little Lies star was far from fazed to take on the challenge.

Nicole was seen smiling backstage with her former co-star Liev as they reunited for a rare appearance at the awards ceremony

On the night, Nicole cut a sophisticated figure in a black gown with white detailing around the cuffs and neckline

'The thing that attracted me to the film is that it's in the voice of the female,' she shared on The Graham Norton Show.

'A lot of films in this genre we saw in the 90s came from the male view, but this is twisted around and told though the lens of a woman.'

Host Graham asked her if she was hesitant about filming the sex scenes, but Nicole insisted that she was only ever excited and wanted to go beyond her 'comfort zone'.

'I loved the script, I love supporting women in the industry, and it was just really good. It is exciting and bold, and I am always looking to push out of my comfort zone,' she shared.

However, the erotic scenes in Babygirl were not without their challenges as Nicole admitted she had to pause shooting the intense scenes at one point.

According to The Sun, she said: 'There was an enormous amount of sharing and trust and then frustration. It's like, ''Don't touch me''.

'There were times when we were shooting where I was like, ''I don't want to orgasm any more. Don't come near me. I hate doing this''.

In Babygirl, Nicole stars as married company boss Romy who falls for her young intern Samuel, played by Harris Dickinson, 28, and they embark on a steamy affair

'''I don't care if I am never touched again in my life! I'm over it''. It was so present all the time for me that it was almost like a burnout.'

The cast convened with an intimacy co-ordinator for the racy scenes and Nicole believes she was able to act the racy moments because Halina was a female director.

She said: 'It's the story that I wanted to be a part of, that I wanted to tell, and every part of me was committed to that. There was enormous care taken by all of us.'

Nicole has not been afraid to push the boundaries during her 40-year career, famously starring in an orgy scene in the 1999 film Eyes Wide Shut with her then-husband Tom Cruise.
Tom Hanks' son shared a devastating message as his hometown of Pacific Palisades continues to be consumed by a horrifying wildfire.

Chet Hanks,34, the son of the Toy Story star and Rita Wilson, took to Instagram late Tuesday evening telling his followers to 'pray' for the neighborhood.

'The neighborhood I grew up in is burning to the ground rn [right now]. Pray for Palisades,' Chet wrote on his Instagram story, alongside a prayer hand emoji.

His parents purchased a sprawling $26million, 14,513 square-foot mansion in Pacific Palisades in 2010. It is unclear if the home has been affected by the inferno.

Chet currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee as he posted in August about 'leaving Hollywood.'

Firefighters have continued to fight the mammoth blaze in the ritzy neighborhood as nearly 30,000 residents have been forced out of the area.

Officials have warned they're running out of water and supplies, while emergency evacuation warnings have spread as far as Malibu and Calabasas.

Tankers full of water have been dousing the inferno from the skies all afternoon, but all aircraft have now been grounded amid deteriorating wind conditions and visibility.

Tom Hanks ' son, Chet Hanks, 34, shared a devastating message as his hometown of Pacific Palisades is consumed by a horrifying wildfire

Residents have been warned that the worst is yet to come as the raging fire burns through more than 2,900 acres of land in Los Angeles at an extraordinary rate.

While at least 30,000 people are currently under a mandatory evacuation order, others have been warned that they should prepare to flee as new brush fires have diverted necessary resources to Pasadena and Altadena near Eaton Canyon.

A fast moving brush fire has ignited near Pasadena within the last hour, and is already occupying 400 acres of land in the area.

Pacific Palisades, where houses have already been reduced to rubble, is a celebrity enclave home to Ben Affleck, Miles Teller and his model wife Keleigh Sperry, Jhene Aiko, among other Hollywood A-listers.

Even more celebrities call Calabasas and Pasadena home, including the Kardashians.

Reality TV star Spencer Pratt and his wife Heidi Montage have tragically lost their home to the massive wildfire.

Firefighters have continued to fight the mammoth blaze in the ritzy neighborhood as nearly 30,000 residents have been forced out of the area

The Toy Story star and his wife Rita Wilson purchased the 1.5- acre home in 2010

The actor, 34, took to his Instagram late Tuesday evening telling his followers to 'pray' for the neighborhood

Pratt, 41, was captured in photos as he watched the rapidly advancing fire move toward his home, which is in an area featuring many celebrity estates that are also at risk of burning.

Sources told TMZ that Spencer and Heidi's home was completely destroyed after catching fire on Tuesday.

Luckily, the couple and their two sons were able to safely evacuate earlier in the day before the flames got too close.

However, they are said to be distraught by the staggering loss.

Spencer documented firefighters' attempts to contain the blaze with a video posted to his Instagram stories showing an airplane dropping water on a nearby mountain.

The intense wildfire tears through a residence in Pacific Palisades

Video shot near the couple's home shows Spencer looking somberly at the approaching flames as he stands on a hillside with a group of people, including one person who appeared to be his father.

The Hills star, who wore a black graphic T-shirt, olive-colored shorts and black trainers, brushed his eyes at one point, possibly from irritating smoke or flying debris.

The full extent of the destruction isn't yet clear, but other homes in Spencer and Heidi's neighborhood were likely affected by the wildfire.

Oscar-nominated actor James Woods, 77, took to X with multiple posts detailing the damage as a fast-moving wildfire in the Los Angeles hillsides was exacerbated by a fierce windstorm in Southern California.

'Hope everybody gets out safely ... leaving,' said Woods, an Academy Award-nominee for the films Salvador (1986) and Ghosts of Mississippi Leaving (1996), accompanied by a clip of a hillside blaze.

Woods posted a series of photos and clips documenting the damage as he praised the efforts made by first responders to his 4.5 million followers.

Reality TV star Spencer Pratt and his wife Heidi Montage have tragically lost their home to the massive wildfire. (Picture: The fire raging on a mountainside near his home)

A firefighter hoses down a burning home from the Palisades wildfire in Los Angeles

'We were blessed to have LA fire and police depts doing their jobs so well,' Woods said. 'We are safe and out. 'There are several elementary schools in our neighborhood and there was an enormous community effort to evacuate the children safely. Can not speak more highly of the LA fire and LAPD.'

Schitt's Creek star Eugene Levy, 78, dubbed the honorary mayor of Pacific Palisades, told the Los Angeles Times that he was caught in the gridlock of fleeing residents amid the blaze.

The actor told the paper, 'The smoke looked pretty black and intense over Temescal Canyon. I couldnt see any flames, but the smoke was very dark.'

Actor Chris Pratt, another resident of the neighborhood, asked for prayers as Los Angeles continues to burn.

'Please send prayers and strength tonight to everyone in Los Angeles affected by these devastating fires,' he wrote on social media.

'Thank you to the brave firefighters and first responders who are working tirelessly to protect lives, homes, and wildlife as they battle fast-moving wildfire fueled by fierce winds.'

'You are true heroes, and we are endlessly grateful for your sacrifice and courage.'

The National Weather Service has warned residents to expect more carnage tonight with wind gusts reaching 60 mph.

'This will likely be the most destructive windstorm seen since 2011 windstorm that did extensive damage to Pasadena and nearby foothills of the San Gabriel Valley,' the NWS said.

'Any communities along Highway 118 and 210 corridors will be at highest risk for comparable wind damage.'

A wildfire burns in the hills near Eaton Canyon behind The Living Rock Church of Pasadena Tuesday

The winds forecast for tonight will only fan the flames of the wildfire, but also risks bringing down trees and power lines, or creating further infernos.

L.A. City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson declared a state of emergency on Tuesday afternoon amid raging wildfires.

He warned the worst is yet to come as he urged residents to stay off the roads if it is at all possible, to give emergency responders the best chance at fighting the inferno.

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Marrone also had a stern warning for residents on Tuesday night, telling them: 'we are not out of danger.'

'The National Weather Service has predicted that the winds are going to pick up and get worse,' Marrone said.

'We're going to have the most significant wind event between 10 p.m. [PST] this evening and 5 a.m. tomorrow morning.'
Ryan Reynolds was all smiles on Tuesday as he made his first public appearance since wife Blake Lively sued Justin Baldoni.

The Deadpool & Wolverine star, 48, brushed off the lawsuit as he attended the National Board of Review Annual Awards Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.

The actor was a presenter at this years ceremony, and looked dapper in a grey tuxedo with a white button up.

He presented an award to Wicked, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, which the National Board of Review recognized as the best film of the year.

Afterwards he was seen posing with Cynthia, Ariana and her co-star and boyfriend Ethan Slater.

Reynolds and his wife Lively, 37, have kept a low profile in recent weeks, since the Gossip Girl star filed a complaint against her It Ends with Us costar-director Baldoni, 40, alleging he had improvised unwanted kissing scenes and created a hostile work environment through sexual harassment and more.

Ryan Reynolds, 48, was all smiles on Tuesday as he made his first public appearance since his wife Blake Lively sued Justin Baldoni

Just a day later, The New York Times published an article revealing Baldoni hired a crisis PR team to 'bury' Lively and destroy her credibility, with Lively then suing Baldoni and his Wayfarer Studios company later that day.

Baldoni responded by filing a $250 million libel lawsuit against The New York Times for their report that he claimed pushed an, 'unverified and self-serving narrative.'

The bombshell lawsuit also accused Reynolds and Lively of 'bullying' Baldoni, claiming Reynolds 'berated' him during a heated meeting at the couple's home.

Reynolds is said to have 'aggressively' accused Baldoni of a string of offenses against his wife, including 'fat shaming' her, during a meeting with other producers and a representative of Sony.

Baldoni  who 'absolutely' plans to sue Lively back amid their spiraling legal battle  called the encounter 'traumatic', stating he had 'never been spoken to like that in his life.'

However an insider who was present at the meeting stated that Reynolds 'never screamed' at Baldoni during the showdown at his and Lively's New York penthouse.

The source told told TMZ Reynolds was 'angry and stern', but the accusation of him screaming is 'overblown.'

The insider described the actor's tone as 'impassioned', but insisted that it did not escalate to the level of screaming or berating.

The Deadpool & Wolverine star brushed off the lawsuit as he attended the National Board of Review Annual Awards Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City

The actor was a presenter at this years ceremony, and looked dapper in a grey tuxedo with a white button up

He presented an award to Wicked, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, which the National Board of Review recognized as the best film of the year

Reynolds and his wife Lively, 37, have kept a low profile in recent weeks, since the Gossip Girl star filed a complaint against her It Ends with Us costar-director Baldoni, 40

The source emphasized that everyone present was aware that Baldoni's alleged behavior would be discussed, therefore, nobody was blindsided.

The insider also disputed the lawsuit's characterization of the meeting, specifically the claim that other celebrities were casually present at couple's home. The insider stated that celebrities were not coming and going from the penthouse.

On the evening of January 4 last year, the lawsuit says Baldoni plus other producers and a representative of Sony were invited to the home shared by the couple.

It says: 'They arrived eager to discuss plans for the next day's filming, prepared with their production materials. Instead, they were blindsided by Lively and Reynolds, who presented a list of grievances that were both unanticipated and troubling.'

'Reynolds launched into a tirade, berating Baldoni in what Baldoni later described as a 'traumatic' encounter, stating he had 'never been spoken to like that in his life.'

Reynolds demanded an apology to Lively for actions that were mischaracterized and demonstrably false, the lawsuit says.

It adds: 'When Baldoni resisted apologizing for what he had not done, Reynolds became further enraged. Everyone, including the producer Lively had asked production to engage and a representative of Sony that was in attendance, left that 'meeting' in shock. The producer offered that in his 40-year career he had never seen anyone speak to someone like that.'

Baldoni says after the filming was complete that Lively took over the movie project from him, refused to walk the red carpet with him or let him attend its premiere, and that she and husband Reynolds allegedly used their power to try and damage him.

The lawsuit says that in July last year, before the film's release, he got word that: 'during the premiere of his movie Deadpool & Wolverine, Reynolds approached Baldoni's agent at William Morris Endeavor and demanded that the agent 'drop' Baldoni.'

The lawsuit was filed against the New York Times after its story on December 20 said that a Hollywood 'smear machine' had been summoned into action to discredit Lively.

He posed with Cynthia, Ariana and her co-star and boyfriend Ethan Slater

They were also joined by Michelle Yeoh, Jon M. Chu and David Nicksay

Ariana was seen reaching for her boyfriend's hand as Ryan watched

Reynolds also shared a hug with Cynthia

That article was based in part on an 80-page legal complaint filed by Lively which accused Baldoni and his partner of sexual harassment.

Instead, says the lawsuit, the 'true source of tension between Lively and plaintiffs.. was Lively's brazen and calculated effort to expropriate the film.'

Lively first sued on December 20, accusing Baldoni of sexually harassing her and fostering a toxic work environment on the set of their film It Ends With Us, in which he both directed her and acted with her. He has staunchly denied the allegations.

In the first complaint, she also claimed Baldoni worked to tarnish her reputation with a team including his publicist Jennifer Abel and crisis PR Melissa Nathan, who previously worked with Johnny Depp. Abel has denied waging a 'smear campaign.'

Lively then launched more formal complaint on New Year's Eve, doubling down on her accusations. She filed her first complaint with the California Civil Rights Commission, but is now suing Baldoni in federal court in New York.

Her December 31 filing came on the same day Baldoni initiated a $250M libel action against the New York Times for its bombshell report on Lively's first complaint.

Now Baldoni's lawyer Bryan Freedman has declared the actor intends to sue Lively herself, telling NBC: 'We plan to release every single text messages between the two of them [sic]. We want the truth to be out there. We want the documents to be out there. We want people to make their determination based on receipts.'

A source with knowledge of the case claimed that Baldoni's lawsuit against Lively will be launched 'soon', according to People.

Lively's lawsuits include screen-grabs of text messages by Baldoni, Abel and Nathan, supposedly showing a PR takedown of the actress being planned.

Freedman has previously slammed the 'leaked personal text exchanges' for lacking 'critical context,' and now he has said on television that he and his client mean to publish all texts between Lively and Baldoni.

The Deadpool star and his wife have been accused of 'bullying' the It Ends With Us director in a bombshell lawsuit, which says Reynolds 'berated' Baldoni during a heated meeting; Reynolds and Lively seen in 2024

Reynolds is said to have 'aggressively' accused Baldoni of a string of offenses against his wife, including 'fat shaming' her; Baldoni pictured in 2023

One example is a purported screen-grab of a conversation between Lively and Baldoni, in which she apparently informs him she is pumping breast milk in her trailer and then invites him there to work with her.

Lively allegedly texts Baldoni: 'I'm just pumping in my trailer if you wanna work out our lines,' and he replies: 'copy,' adding: 'Eating with crew and will head that way.'

Freedman argues that those texts disprove Lively's claim that Baldoni would enter her trailer 'uninvited while she was undressed, including while she was breastfeeding.'

Lively's latest lawsuit, launched on New Year's Eve, targets Baldoni, Abel and Nathan as defendants as well as Baldoni's production company Wayfarer Studios.

In her second legal action, Lively is demanding both 'punitive' and 'compensatory' damages and a jury trial, accusing the defendants of causing her 'mental pain and anguish,' as well as 'severe and serious emotional distress' and 'lost wages.'

Lively's attorneys gave a statement to DailyMail.com alleging their client has been subject to 'further retaliation and attacks' since she made the 'decision to speak out' about her allegations against Baldoni.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Nathan, Abel and Wayfarer Studios, as well as representatives for Baldoni for comment.

In her new lawsuit, Lively demands both 'punitive damages' as well as 'a money judgement representing compensatory damages, lost wages, earning, and all other sums of money,' plus 'interest' on the above 'in an amount to be proven at trial.'

She also wants 'an award of money judgment for mental pain and anguish and severe and serious emotional distress, in an amount to be proven at trial.'

Lawyers acting for Baldoni and his publicists have produced a wealth of text, email and WhatsApp evidence which they say proves that Lively undertook a 'hostile take over' of the film.

It lays out a litany of alleged diva behaviour by the actress. It says that she 'disrupted' the film by refusing to meet with an intimacy coordinator, demanded that her wardrobe was changed and that outfits were taken to her home so that she could look at them, and added lines to the film.

Lively first sued on December 20, accusing Baldoni of sexually harassing her and fostering a toxic work environment on the set of their film It Ends With Us, in which he both directed her and acted with her. He has staunchly denied the allegations; he and Lively are pictured in a still

Eventually she took over editing the movie and produced her own cut.

It is alleged that she 'threatened' producers Sony that she would walk out and eventually wrested full control from Baldoni.

She then allegedly demanded a PGA (Producers Guild of America) credit, and despite feeling that she had not done enough to get a producing credit, Jamey Heath wrote a letter in her support, which is produced.

Baldoni says that he, his family and friends were not invited to the film's after party, were forbidden from the red carpet and on the night of the premiere even ended up sheltering in a basement holding area because Lively wouldn't permit them to be in the same room as her.

The lawsuit says that the allegations that Baldoni, aided by crisis PRs Melissa Nathan and Jen Abel at TAG, created a global smear campaign against the actress are false, and this was a strategy used by Lively to try and reclaim her damaged public image.
Stephen 'tWitch' Boss' family has reportedly erupted into a fight over Allison Holker's comments about the late star.

Friends and family of Boss, who died of suicide at age 40 in December 2022, are angered after the late professional dancer's widow labelled him a drug addict after publicly discussing his alleged struggles with addiction.

They called her out for her tell-all memoir and its related press, slamming Holker, 36, for what they called a 'smear campaign for a buck.'

His other family members disputed her claims about his alleged drug abuse with the late DJ's brother Dre Rose insisting he was not an addict.

A reality star from the Real Housewives franchise also joined in and criticized Holker for revealing the late star's alleged addiction issues.

The comments on social media started popping up on Tuesday after Holker's claims were published in a People article about her upcoming memoir, This Far: My Story of Love, Loss, and Embracing the Light.

Stephen 'tWitch' Boss' family has reportedly erupted into a fight over Allison Holker's comments about the late star

Friends and family of Boss, who died of suicide at age 40 in December 2022, are angered after the late professional dancer's widow labelled him a drug addict after publicly discussing his alleged struggles with addiction; pictured May 2022 in New York City

She alleged that it was after his death and before his funeral when she found a 'cornucopia' of drugs  including mushrooms, pills and 'other substances' she had to 'look up'  that her late husband had hidden inside shoeboxes.

'I was with one of my really dear friends, and we were cleaning out the closet and picking out an outfit for him for the funeral,' she told the outlet.

'It was a really triggering moment for me because there were a lot of things I discovered in our closet that I did not know existed. It was very alarming to me to learn that there was so much happening that I had no clue [about],' she said.

'It was a really scary moment in my life to figure that out, but it also helped me process that he was going through so much and he was hiding so much, and there must have been a lot of shame in that.'

In the article, she told the outlet that she wanted to 'share the truth' to help other people feel safe in asking for help and support in difficult times.

However, other loved ones of the late star went on to claim she had different intentions.

Family friend Courtney Ann Platt shared a photo of the article on her Instagram on Tuesday and penned a lengthy caption condemning Holker's memoir and her claims.

Boss' brother Dre Rose also weighed in and reposted Platt's statement to his Instagram Story, adding: 'No lies told...'

Platt, who said she was there the day Holker and Boss got engaged as well as when they got married, slammed the book and its press as 'by far the most tacky, classless, opportunistic act I have ever seen in my entire life.'

They called her out for her tell-all memoir and its related press, slamming Holker, 36, for what they called a 'smear campaign for a buck'; pictured September 2024 in New York City

His other family members disputed her claims about his alleged drug abuse with the late DJ's brother insisting he was not an addict; pictured June 2022 in New York City

In the article, she told the outlet that she wanted to 'share the truth' to help other people feel safe in asking for help and support in difficult times. However, other loved ones of the late star went on to claim she had different intentions; pictured December 2019 in Los Angeles

She alleged that it was after his death and before his funeral when she found a 'cornucopia' of drugs  including mushrooms, pills and 'other substances' she had to 'look up'  that her late husband had hidden inside shoeboxes

Holker and her late husband were married for nearly a decade before his death. Holker was already mother to daughter Weslie, 16, whom Boss later adopted. The couple later welcomed son Maddox, eight, and daughter Zaia, five

She made a claim that Holker had people sign nondisclosure agreements to attend his funeral, which several Boss family members would also seemingly corroborate.

Platt criticized her former friend for writing and publishing 'all the dirty laundry smearing his name and attempting to dim the bright loyal, loving, light that was your husband, my friend.'

She also slammed Holker for 'shamelessly sharing the pages' of her late husband's journal.

'This smear campaign for a buck is absolutely not what he would have ever wanted. No matter how bad he was hurting. Not for second. You're a living, breathing bulldozer. Stick to your own demons. Shame on you Allison, shame on your money hungry team. Let my friend Rest in Peace not your PR.'

One of Boss' cousins also took to X and called Holker a 'crazy woman' who is 'trying to tarnish his legacy' and is refusing to let his family see his children.

Holker and her late husband were married for nearly a decade before his death. Holker was already mother to daughter Weslie, 16, whom Boss later adopted. The couple later welcomed son Maddox, eight, and daughter Zaia, five.

She also claimed Holker made her and the rest of Boss' family sign nondisclosure agreements before attending his funeral.

'Yeah [I don't give a f***] about an NDA,' she wrote. 'This crazy woman made me and his actual family ... sign an NDA just to even attend the funeral. She's been trying to tarnish his legacy and refuses to let the Boss family see the children. Only to exploit and LIE on my cousin. Hell no.'

Family friend Courtney Ann Platt shared a photo of the article on her Instagram on Tuesday and penned a lengthy caption condemning Holker's memoir and her claims. Boss' brother Dre Rose also weighed in and reposted Platt's statement to his Instagram Story, adding: 'No lies told...'

One of Boss' cousins also took to X and called Holker a 'crazy woman' who is 'trying to tarnish his legacy' and is refusing to let his family see his children

She also claimed Holker made her and the rest of Boss' family sign nondisclosure agreements before attending his funeral. She later reposted the same People article and added: 'I'm so tired of keeping my f***ing mouth shut bro. You did our family so mf dirty'

She later reposted the same People article and added: 'I'm so tired of keeping my f***ing mouth shut bro. You did our family so mf dirty.'

This comes after the Real Housewives of Potomac star Candiace Dillard slammed Holker for publicly discussing the late star's struggles in a tell-all memoir.

'This white woman is doing everything BUT protecting her Black children and her Black husband's legacy. She could've kept this in her therapist's office. SMH.'

Holker has not directly responded to any of the comments from Boss' family and friends.

However, she did appear to defend herself in response to fitness trainer and fellow dancer Kelly Gibson's comment underneath People's Instagram post.

'This whole thing made me sad. He's gone. Why tear apart his name? I was fully supportive about you moving [on] and being happy but this paycheck was not worth disgracing his name,' Gibson commented.

In response, Holker wrote: 'I'll always love you. Just trying to help people feel safe to ask for help and support.'
Mandy Moore revealed she and her three children have evacuated their home amid the catastrophic Pacific Palisades wildfire.

A huge section of southern California was ablaze Tuesday night as the fire continued to spread westward.

The This Is Us star, 40, took to her Instagram to share an update with her fans, assuring them she was safe.

'Evacuated and safe with kids, dog and cats. Praying and grateful for the first responders,' she wrote on her Instagram Stories.

The star shares sons August, three, and Oscar, 23 months, as well as daughter Louise Everett, born in September 2024, with husband Taylor Goldsmith, 39.

Moore currently resides in Pasadena, California. Some areas within Pasadena have been under mandatory evacuation orders.

Mandy Moore, 40, revealed she and her three children have evacuated their home amid the catastrophic Pacific Palisades wildfire

As the wildfire continues to ravage California's Pacific Palisades, many celebrities have had to flee their luxurious homes as authorities warn of an 'immediate threat to life.'

On Tuesday evening, Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson declared a state of emergency - while warning that the worst of the windstorm is 'yet to come.'

The apocalyptic inferno has torn through the ritzy neighborhood, home to many A-list celebrities, including Ben Affleck, Jhene Aiko, Tom Hanks, and Miles Teller, among others.

Reality TV star Spencer Pratt, 41, and his wife Heidi Montage, 38, lost their home in Pacific Palisades due to the raging wildfire.

The Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday that the Getty Villa, a museum designed in the image of an ancient Roman villa, was threatened by the wildfire.

Some of the vegetation on the museum estate had been burned, but the buildings on the campus were reportedly still safe, and the artwork and sculptures had been sealed to prevent smoke damage.

Katherine E. Fleming, the president and chief executive of the J. Paul Getty Trust, boasted in a statement that the Getty Villa had made 'extensive efforts to clear brush from the surrounding area as part of its fire mitigation efforts throughout the year.'

'Some trees and vegetation on site have burned, but staff and the collection remain safe,' she said.

'Evacuated and safe with kids, dog and cats. Praying and grateful for the first responders,' she wrote on her Instagram Stories

The star shares sons August, three, and Oscar, 23 months, as well as daughter Louise Everett, born in September 2024, with husband Taylor Goldsmith, 39

Moore currently resides in Pasadena, California. Some areas within Pasadena have been under mandatory evacuation orders

The dry and extremely windy condition have allowed a second fire to start in Altadena further east, which led residents in nearby Pasadena to evacuate.

As Westside residents rushed in a panic to escape at the last minute, numerous people got stuck in enormous traffic jams, including Schitt's Creek star Eugene Levy.

Many drivers ultimately abandoned their cars in the streets and proceeded on foot, and fire crews were forced to bulldoze rows of cars in order to get into the affected areas.

Stars across Los Angeles are taking to social media to express their devastation over the destructive wildfire.

In response to the life-threatening fire, which has evacuated about 30,000 people as flames threatened more than 10,000 homes, some of Hollywood's biggest stars, including Chris Pratt and his mother-in-law, Maria Shriver, are asking for prayers.

'Please send prayers and strength tonight to everyone in Los Angeles affected by these devastating fires. Los Angeles is in a state of emergency and over 30,000 have been ordered to evacuate,' Pratt, 45, captioned a slideshow, featuring a photo of a firefighter battling a blaze as well as views of smoke towering over Santa Monica.

He continued: 'Thank you to the brave firefighters and first responders who are working tirelessly to protect lives, homes, and wildlife as they battle fast-moving wildfire fueled by fierce winds. You are true heroes, and we are endlessly grateful for your sacrifice and courage.'

The Guardians of the Galaxy star, who welcomed his third child with wife Katherine Schwarzenegger in November, urged his 45.2 million followers to 'come together to support one another during this tough time.'

Shriver, 69, asked her followers to send their 'prayers to Los Angeles,' where '30,000 people have been ordered to evacuate as wildfires burn out of control.'

The entire city has been hit with severe wind exceeding 100mph in some areas, which resulted in wildfires raging through 1,200 acres of the Pacific Palisades forcing thousands to evacuate (pictured Tuesday)

Numerous celebrities, including Tom Hanks, Chris Pratt and Reese Witherspoon, live in the evacuation zone. The Hills star Spencer Pratt filmed an airplane dropping water on a nearby hill before the fire later destroyed the home he shares with Heidi Montag and their two boys

Eugene Levy, 78, was among the Pacific Palisades residents caught in the gridlock of residents fleeing the upscale area amid a fast-moving wildfire in the LA hillsides, exacerbated by a fierce windstorm; Pictured in January 2019 in LA

'Almost 1200 acres of land are on fire, with gusts of wind that could reach up to 100 m.p.h., threatening even more damage, forcing more people from their homes, and causing destruction. Its moments like this that make us recognize what truly matters  that things are only things,' she stated. 'Please pay attention if you are asked to evacuate.'

The Former First Lady of California reminded those in Los Angeles to 'stay informed' and applauded the men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department and public officials that were working 'tirelessly' to protect their city and keep everyone safe.

Later, she took to her Instagram Story to ask those that are able to 'leave bowls of water outside' for wild animals fleeing from the fires.

Her daughter, Katherine, shared a list of helpful apps and resources, including the KTLA App for live updates, Alert LA County for emergency alerts and Notify LA.

Julianne Hough, who lives in Hollywood Hills, shared footage from her backyard, which showed a Canadair CL-415, a yellow airplane that is used to fight forest fires, flying through smoke.

'Praying for everyone that had to evacuate and for the first responders and firefighters,' she wrote on the video, uploaded to her Instagram Story.
Britain's Got Talent judge Simon Cowell suggested he is still suffering from a painful medical issue after first opening up about it last year.

The TV mogul, 65, shared how he suffers from debilitating migraines last year when he worried fans after being forced to miss a couple of auditions during filming.

Simon wears a pair of red-tinted glasses to protect his eyes while shooting in the studio under bright lights for long periods of time.

A new picture which was shared by Simon on Tuesday showed the judges reuniting at the BGT auditions as filming for the new series kicks off.

Simon was wearing a pair of the coloured lens glasses in the snap, suggesting he is still struggling with migraines a year on.

Alongside him were his fellow judges Amanda Holden, 53, Alesha Dixon, 46, and Bruno Tonioli, 69, as they began a new series.

Britain's Got Talent judge Simon Cowell suggested he is still suffering from a painful medical issue after first opening up about it last year

Revealing they were in Blackpool for the next round of auditions, Simon declared: 'We're back!'

In February last year, Simon took to his Instagram as he explained to some 'concerned' fans that he needs them for health reasons.

He finished off saying: 'Next week we are filming BGT in Manchester - I look forward to seeing you then. PS. This is why I wear these glasses!'

Sharing a shot of him wearing the glasses while on the judging panel, he wrote: 'I just found out according to the internet, I have a 'mystery illness'.

'For anyone concerned, I missed two auditions at the end of one day, two weeks ago, because I do get migraines after long days in the filming lights.

This series the judges will once again be joined by hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly while YouTube star KSI will also make a guest appearance on the show.

The series was postponed in October following the death of Liam Payne, who rose to fame on Simon's show, the X Factor in 2010.

In a statement following Liam's death in October, a spokesman for the programme's producer, Freemantle UK, said: 'Due to the tragic passing of Liam Payne, we have decided to postpone the Britain's Got Talent auditions. Our thoughts are with Liam's friends, family and all who loved him.'

This series the judges will once again be joined by hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly while YouTube star KSI will also make a guest appearance on the show

Simon had decided last minute to call off the auditions in Blackpool as he discovered the shocking news.

Following Liam's passing, a 'devastated' Simon paid a heartfelt tribute to the 'kind, funny and talented' One Direction star, who 'never forgot the fans'.

Taking to Instagram, he wrote: 'You never really know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens.

'Liam, I am truly devastated. Heartbroken. And I feel empty. And I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you. Every tear I have shed is a memory of you.

'This is so difficult to put in words right now. I went outside today, and I thought about so many times we had together.

'I wanted to let you know what I would always say to the thousands of people who would always ask me. What is Liam like? And I would tell them you were kind, funny, sweet, thoughtful, talented, humble, focused. And how much you loved music. And how much love you genuinely had for the fans.

'I had to tell you when you were 14 that this wasn't your time. And we both made a promise that we would meet again. A lot of people would have given up. You didn't. You came back and within months the whole world knew Liam.

'And you never forgot the fans. I watched you spending so much time with people who had wanted to meet you. You really cared.

The series was postponed in October following the death of Liam Payne, who rose to fame on Simon's show, the X Factor in 2010

Simon decided last minute to call off the auditions in Blackpool in October as he discovered the shocking news about [Liam, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson pictured with Simon in 2015]

'You came to see me last year. Not for a meeting. Just to sit and talk. And we reminisced about all of the fun times we had together.

'And how proud you were to be a Dad. After you left, I was reminded that you were still the sweet, kind boy I met all of those years ago.'

He continued: 'I have met your son, Bear. He has your smile and that twinkle in his eyes you have. And he will be so proud of everything you achieved. And how you achieved it.

'I always thought of the 5 of you in the band as brothers. And reading their messages today I believe you were.

'And now Liam, I can see the effect you had on so many people. Because you left us too soon.

'Rest in peace my friend. And I am sending my love, thoughts and prayers to your family. Simon X'

The auditions resumed after Britain's Got Talent made a huge change to the audition process.

Show bosses pulled the plug on hosting the auditions in the London Palladium and they will now all be held in Blackpool instead.

Following Liam's passing, a 'devastated' Simon paid a heartfelt tribute to the 'kind, funny and talented' One Direction star, who 'never forgot the fans'

It comes after show bosses pulled the plug on hosting the auditions in the London Palladium and they will now all be held in Blackpool instead

According to The Sun, bosses decided to change the location because they found the atmosphere in the seaside town to be so enthusiastic for the show.

A source said: 'BGT is a show that hangs on the audience and how they react  and basically the crowd in Blackpool are absolutely brilliant.

'The Palladium is such an iconic venue but if you compare the shows in Blackpool to the ones they have filmed in London, the audience is way more up for it there.

'Boss Simon Cowell has given the green light to the move and just wants the show to be the best it can be.'

The insider added that Amanda may not be happy with the change, as she works five days a week in London and will have to commute.
Just days after it was revealed her Spider-Man co-stars Tom Holland and Zendaya have gotten engaged, Marisa Tomei sent along a congratulatory message.

Tomei, 60, played Aunt May, the sole caretaker of young Peter Parker (Holland) in 2017's Spider-Man: Homecoming, 2019's Spider-Man: Far From Home and 2021's Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Holland and Zendaya met on the set of those films, portraying his classmate MJ, who he ultimately forms a romance with in the films.

That on-screen romance was mirrored in real life, with Holland publicly confirming their relationship in November 2021, though it is believed they were dating for quite some time before the public acknowledgment.

After Zendaya was spotted wearing a massive engagement ring, it was revealed that they got engaged over the holidays.

Shortly after the couple confirmed their engagement, Tomei took to her Instagram story to congratulate them both.

Just days after it was revealed her Spider-Man co-stars Tom Holland and Zendaya have gotten engaged, Marisa Tomei sent along a congratulatory message

Shortly after the couple confirmed their engagement, Tomei took to her Instagram story to congratulate them both.

She shared a red carpet snap of them both smiling at the premiere of Spider-Man: No Way Home, which she captioned at the bottom, 'Congrats you two, xoxo,' with blowing kiss emoji.

As for the proposal, Holland reportedly popped the question sometime between Christmas and New Year's Eve.

The proposal happened, 'in a very intimate setting in one of Zendaya's family homes in the United States, according to TMZ.

While he was at one of her family's homes, they were both by themselves with a source calling the engagement, 'romantic and not over the top.'

Holland reportedly received the blessing of Zendaya's father Kazembe Ajamu Coleman months before popping the question, TMZ reported.

The outlet reports that Holland was particularly keen on obtaining approval as the Onward actor is quite traditional and put a lot of weight into receiving Kazembe's blessing prior to the big moment.

Holland reportedly met with Kazembe 'months ago' and of course his future father-in-law gave his blessing.

Zendaya's family is said to be incredibly excited with the couple's upcoming marriage and think highly of the actor, with insiders saying they love the star and see him as a 'class act.'

As for the proposal, Holland reportedly popped the question sometime between Christmas and New Year's Eve

The proposal happened, 'in a very intimate setting in one of Zendaya's family homes in the United States, according to TMZ

Holland reportedly received the blessing of Zendaya's father Kazembe Ajamu Coleman months before popping the question, TMZ reported

Tom reportedly waited months to drop down to one knee as he was looking for the right moment to ask for her hand in marriage.

News of the reported engagement comes after Zendaya sparked engagement rumors when she flashed a massive diamond ring on her wedding finger at the Golden Globes.

Zendaya was nominated for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy for her role in Challengers.

The happy couple both recently signed on to star in director Christopher Nolan's new film, an adaptation of Homer's The Odyssey.
Nicole Kidmant caused a stir at The National Board of Review Annual Awards Gala as she reenacted a steamy Babygirl scene on stage in New York on Tuesday evening.

The Babygirl actress, 57, downed a glass of milk while accepting her Best Actress award in a nod to a seductive moment in her new film.

In the movie, Nicole stars as married company boss Romy who falls for her young intern Samuel, played by Harris Dickinson, 28, and they embark on a steamy affair.

The film features a whole host of very raunchy scenes but one in particular has gone viral on social media - and it bizarrely involved a glass of milk.

Elsewhere at the event, Nicole was seen with Wicked sensation Ariana Grande, 31, as they both arrived in the city hot from attending the Golden Globes earlier in the week.

The two stars, who have made no secret of their admiration for each other, were spotted hugging and chatting as they mingled inside the event.

Nicole Kidman t caused a stir at The National Board of Review Annual Awards Gala as she reenacted a steamy Babygirl scene on stage in New York on Tuesday evening

The film features a whole host of very raunchy scenes but one in particular has gone viral on social media - and it bizarrely involved a glass of milk (stock from the film)

Elsewhere at the event, Nicole was seen with Wicked sensation Ariana Grande, 31

Nicole was spotted wrapping Ariana into an embrace before posing for a selection of cosy pictures together at the bash.

Last week fans were struck by the height difference between the two women as Nicole towered over the 5'1 star at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

It marks the second time this week the A-listers have been pictured together as they attended the same prestigious awards season events.

On the night, Ariana, who attended with her boyfriend and Wicked co-star Ethan Slater, looked stunning a pink satin backless gown with a matching wrap, while she wore her blonde locks in a chic up do.

The Glinda actress accessorised her evening look with a delicate diamond necklace and a pair of stud earrings with soft make-up.

Meanwhile, Nicole stunned in a black velvet dress which boasted incredible pearl stones outlining the garment.

Babygirl features a whole host of very raunchy scenes but one in particular has gone viral on social media - and it bizarrely involved a glass of milk.

In the now-infamous scene, Samuel has already caught the eye of Romy when they enjoy some drinks after work with their colleagues.

They both arrived in the city hot from attending the Golden Globes earlier in the week

In the movie, Nicole stars as married company boss Romy who falls for her young intern Samuel, played by Harris Dickinson, 28, and they embark on a steamy affair

The two stars, who have made no secret of their admiration for each other, were spotted hugging and chatting as they mingled inside the event

Nicole was spotted wrapping Ariana into an embrace before posing for a selection of cosy pictures together at the bash

It marks the second time this week the A-listers have been pictured together as they attended the same prestigious awards season events

The two stars were spotted hugging beside Ariana's table

They posed for a series of sweet pictures together

It marks the second time this week the A-listers have been pictured together as they attended the same prestigious awards season events

Romy is presented with a glass of milk by a waiter and she realises that Samuel has ordered the drink for her, prompting her to drink the entire glass as he watches.

As he walks out of the bar, Samuel then whispers to her, 'Good girl,' setting the scene for the intense power-play dynamics in their budding relationship.

Surprisingly, it is not the only scene involving milk in the film as Romy also seductively licks milk off a plate in another moment, before Samuel then sucks it off her lip.

And Nicole made a cheeky reference to the headline-making bar scene at the National Board of Review Gala as she once again downed an entire glass of milk.

In a nod to her character's flirtatious exchange, Nicole held up a glass of milk to show the audience, before boldly necking it on stage.

She then proudly showed the empty glass to the crowd at the awards ceremony, which recognises the best films of the year.

Ariana and Ethan were spotted chatting to fellow actor Kieran Culkin

Nicole was also seen catching up with her The Perfect Couple co-star Liev Schreiber, who plays her on-screen husband in the hit show

Nicole and Daniel shared a laugh about something at the table

She posed for selfies at her table where she was joined by Daniel Craig (left)

Nicole was seen posing for a picture with someone at the event

Nicole and Liev were seen talking to another guest

The group appeared deep in conversation as they mingled at the table

Mikey Madison and John Lithgow beamed for a snap

It was a star-studded affair

Robert Pattinson was also in attendance

Kieran and Ethan shook hands as they made introductions

Ariana and her Wicked co-star Cynthia Erivo presented an award together

They both looked glamorous for the ocassion

Nicole recently addressed the recurring use of milk in Babygirl's sex scenes and told how it is symbolic of the affair itself.

'Milk and cookies and all these sensory things are used for the power struggle,' she explained in a recent interview with Hits Radio.

The Australian star revealed that she had to drink around 16 glasses of milk while filming the iconic bar scene.

She admitted her first thought upon reading the scene was 'how many glasses of milk am I going to have to drink?' before adding: 'I think it was maybe 15 or 16.'

Director Halina Reijn has also revealed what inspired the sensual milk scene, revealing something similar actually happened to her when she was in her 30s.

Halina, 49, recalled going out for drinks after one of her stage performances, when a famous Belgian actor - whom she noted was 'way, way younger' than her - sent her a glass of milk.

'I drank it, and he just walked out,' she told W Magazine. 'I thought, ''How does this guy get the courage?'' I did think it was a very sensual thing to do. And I thought it was very funny.'

Nicole's role in Babygirl is widely considered to be her most erotic yet, but the Big Little Lies star was far from fazed to take on the challenge.

Nicole was seen smiling backstage with her former co-star Liev as they reunited for a rare appearance at the awards ceremony

On the night, Nicole cut a sophisticated figure in a black gown with white detailing around the cuffs and neckline

'The thing that attracted me to the film is that it's in the voice of the female,' she shared on The Graham Norton Show.

'A lot of films in this genre we saw in the 90s came from the male view, but this is twisted around and told though the lens of a woman.'

Host Graham asked her if she was hesitant about filming the sex scenes, but Nicole insisted that she was only ever excited and wanted to go beyond her 'comfort zone'.

'I loved the script, I love supporting women in the industry, and it was just really good. It is exciting and bold, and I am always looking to push out of my comfort zone,' she shared.

However, the erotic scenes in Babygirl were not without their challenges as Nicole admitted she had to pause shooting the intense scenes at one point.

According to The Sun, she said: 'There was an enormous amount of sharing and trust and then frustration. It's like, ''Don't touch me''.

'There were times when we were shooting where I was like, ''I don't want to orgasm any more. Don't come near me. I hate doing this''.

'I don't care if I am never touched again in my life! I'm over it''. It was so present all the time for me that it was almost like a burnout.'

The cast convened with an intimacy co-ordinator for the racy scenes and Nicole believes she was able to act the racy moments because Halina was a female director.

She said: 'It's the story that I wanted to be a part of, that I wanted to tell, and every part of me was committed to that. There was enormous care taken by all of us.'

Nicole has not been afraid to push the boundaries during her 40-year career, famously starring in an orgy scene in the 1999 film Eyes Wide Shut with her then-husband Tom Cruise.
Eamonn Holmes was spotted sharpening up his look for girlfriend Katie Alexander as he paid a visit to the barbers in London on Tuesday.

The broadcaster, 64, cut a dapper figure in a navy suit as he made his way inside with the help of a walking frame which he relies on due to chronic back pain.

Eamonn completed the look with a crisp white shirt and yellow striped tie as he chatted to the barber while having his barnet chopped.

With a fresh new look the former This Morning presenter was then helped into his waiting Range Rover by a chauffeur.

Eamonn announced his split from Ruth Langsford, 64, last year after 14 years of marriage, but cracks had already started to appear in their relationship and they had not been photographed together for two years.

He went on to find love again with counsellor Katie with who he recently sparked engagement rumours, and who has been a 'huge support' following his split.

Eamonn Holmes, 64, was spotted sharpening up his look for girlfriend Katie Alexander, 43, as he paid a visit to the barbers in London on Tuesday

The broadcastercut a dapper figure in a navy suit for the outing

Eamonn and Katie have recently sparked engagement rumours, and she has been a 'huge support' following his split from Ruth Langsfrod last year (pictured together in December)

It comes after Eamonn furiously hit back after being accused of getting his co-host Isabel Webster axed from GB News on Monday.

The TV star made the comment after Isabel left the show amid a channel shake-up and claims her relationship with the channel's bosses turned sour.

Isabel, 41, was replaced on the channel's breakfast show by 31-year-old Ellie Costello, dubbed as the organisation's 'own Holly Willoughby'.

The shock shake-up was one of a number of changes made by Britain's newest news channel, as Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg saw his hours cut and Mark Dolan replaced on his weekend show.

And as Eamonn returned to work on Monday after the Christmas and New Year break he posted a snap with new co-host Ellie.

In his caption, he lauded her for being 'fresh, bright and different'.

He wrote: 'A New Year , a new day and a new Breakfast line up on @GBNews .

'It's now Eamonn and @EllieCostellotv from 6 to 9.30 . It's Fresh , bright , different and I hope we have your company on TV, online, on your smartphone, on your Radio and by asking your smart device to play GB News. Please join us and say Hello.'

Eamonn completed the look with a crisp white shirt and yellow striped tie as he chatted to the barber while having his barnet chopped

Eamonn walked with the help of a walking frame which he relies on due to chronic back pain

The broadcaster enjoyed a pampering session

With a fresh new look the former This Morning presenter was then helped into his waiting Range Rover by a chauffeur

After surgery on his back in 2022 for a slipped disc, Eamonn has not been able to walk unaided and often relies on a wheelchair or an electric mobility scooter

Staff were on hand to offer support to Eamonn

He was helped into the passenger seat of the pricey car

Eamonn announced his split from Ruth Langsford , 64, last year after 14 years of marriage (pictured 2021)

One angry troll then wrote under the post in the comments section: 'Your mate got sacked for not being right wing enough and you sat back and did nothing. With friends like you'

But Eamonn then furiously shot back: 'And u know nothing!'

Back in December Isabel was replaced as Eamonn's co-host after her relationship with the channel's bosses turned sour, insiders revealed.

According to The Sun, Webster's shock exit was caused by a secret feud with her employees over her working hours.

The presenter 'wasn't happy' that the channel's senior chiefs were expecting her to increase her days on-screen from three to five a week and 'refused to bow to demands'.

'It had become a sticking point in negotiations and was causing tension behind the scenes,' an insider told The Sun.

'Eamonn's obviously the main star of the show and likes to be in charge - he's now looking forward to working with Ellie who's a young talent he can help mould as her career progresses.'

Responding to these claims, A GB News spokesman said: 'This is completely untrue.'

Talks between Isabel and GB News broke down at the end of last year and she was subsequently axed from the company, a decision which 'blindsided' her colleague Holmes.

It comes after Eamonn furiously hit back after being accused of getting his co-host Isabel Webster axed from GB News on Monday

Isabel , 41, was replaced on the channel's breakfast show by 31-year-old Ellie Costello (pictured) dubbed as the organisation's 'own Holly Willoughby'

Eamonn returned to work on Monday after the Christmas and New Year break. He posted a snap with new co-host Ellie. In his caption, he lauded Ellie Costello, 31, for being 'fresh, bright and different'

One angry troll then wrote in the comments section: 'Your mate got sacked for not being right wing enough and you sat back and did nothing'

But Eamonn then furiously shot back: 'And u know nothing!'

The pair had just finished their final show of the year and they were allegedly planning to celebrate Christmas together.

But she was immediately replaced by Ellie- who will join Holmes from Monday to Wednesday and Stephen Dixon on Thursday and Fridays.

Eamonn then gave a 'savage' response to Isabel's sacking, replying 'Bye my girl x' to a tweet about her departure.

Insiders said the post failed to properly pay tribute to a colleague he had worked with since the show launched in 2022.

The pair were said to be 'good friends' and 'worked well together', but questions have now been raised about their relationship after their 'wasn't a gushing post' about Isabel's exit.
Military trucks maneuver in snow-covered plateau

China Military Online) 11:21, January 08, 2025

Military trucks attached to a unit under the Chinese PLA Xinjiang Military Command move towards the designated area during a driving training exercise on November 27, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Li Feng)

Military trucks attached to a unit under the Chinese PLA Xinjiang Military Command move towards the designated area during a driving training exercise on November 27, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Li Feng)

Military trucks attached to a unit under the Chinese PLA Xinjiang Military Command move towards the designated area during a driving training exercise on November 27, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Li Feng)

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
Asher Keddie has survived a harrowing burglary after an intruder broke into the Melbourne home she shares with husband Vincent Fantauzzo and their two children.

According to a report in the Herald Sun on Wednesday, the Offspring star's husband leapt into action and heroically tackled a man who attempted to steal a motorbike from the couple's St Kilda home on December 28.

It was reported Asher, 50, saw the would-be thief wheeling a Ducati away from their property at 7am in the morning.

She quickly alerted her husband, 48, who raced out to stop the brazen burglar before a fight broke out between the two.

A passerby, upon witnessing the struggle, assisted Vincent in overpowering the 44-year old robber until police arrived on the scene.

While the couple declined to comment about the incident, a Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed the terrifying ordeal.

Asher Keddie (pictured) has survived a harrowing burglary after an intruder broke into the Melbourne home she shares with husband Vincent Fantauzzo and their two children

According to a report in the Herald Sun on Wednesday, the Offspring star's husband (pictured) leapt into action and heroically tackled a man who attempted to steal a motorbike from the couple's St Kilda home on December 28

They said the burglar was 'disturbed by the occupants whilst allegedly in the process of wheeling the Ducati motorcycle into the street.'

'The four occupants of the property and the witness were not injured,' the spokesperson added.

'The 44-year-old Altona man was arrested at the scene and transported to hospital under police guard.'

The spokesperson added that the man was charged with aggravated burglary, theft of motor vehicle, trespass and unlawful assault and will appear in Melbourne Magistrates' Court later this month.

The couple met in 2012 when Vincent asked to paint a portrait of Asher.

They tied the knot in the beachside ceremony on Fiji's Turtle Island in April 2014.

They share Valentino, nine, and Vincent's 14-year-old son, Luca, from a previous marriage.

Speaking to Marie Claire in 2023, Asher recalled the first meeting with her eventual husband.

She explained that while he was painting her, Vincent would look over the camera and they locked eyes.

It was reported Asher, 50, saw the would-be thief wheeling a Ducati away from their property at 7am in the morning. She quickly alerted her husband, 48, who raced out to stop the brazen burglar before a fight broke out between the two

'He still does that eyes above the camera; he's very charming,' she said.

Asher added the couple love parenting their children together as it gives them 'the feeling of togetherness'.

'What we enjoy most  and I know we both feel like this  is sharing the parenting. I love that feeling of togetherness we have in parenting them and being part of their lives,' she added.

She also shared a glimpse into the couple's home life with their children.

'I take care of stuff when I come home... but we have different roles within the house and as long as the kids come first, everything falls into place,' she added.

Vincent's famous works include striking portraits of Julia Gillard, Baz Luhrmann and Heath Ledger, with his work highlighting the depth of Ledger's mental struggle was revealed one month after his death in 2008.

The four-time Archibald People's Choice prize winning artist has a hotel in Brisbane named after him, which is filled with his paintings.

Asher, meanwhile, is a multiple Logie-winning actress, nabbing a Gold Logie in 2013 for her breakout role as Dr Nina Proudman in Offspring.

She was also awarded a Most Popular Actress Logie five times in a row from 2011 to 2015.

Most recently Asker was nominated or a Gold Logie in 2024 for her portrayal of Evelyn Jones in the BINGE series Strife.

Speaking to Stellar ahead of last year's event, Asher admitted her second Gold Logie nomination felt 'more special'.

'It actually feels more special now, to be honest,' she said.

'I was really taken aback when I got the call a few weeks back. I was like, What does this mean? Its extraordinary and I feel so excited.'

Asher was beaten to the top gong by Channel Seven star Larry Emdur.
Nicole Kidman's age-gap romance Babygirl has been billed as the sexiest film of the year which focuses on female desire as she embarks on an illicit affair.

Nicole's character Romy is married to her husband of 19 years Jacob [Antonio Banderas] but is deeply unsatisfied with their sex life.

She finds what she has been searching for sexually in an intern at work, Samuel [Harris Dickinson], who she enters into a BSDM-style relationship with.

Samuel confronts Nicole's deepest desires and takes control of their relationship in a way she has been lacking with her husband.

The sexually-charged film has been hit by controversy due to the age-gap between Nicole and Harris' characters, with the film's director forced to defend the choice.

The director behind the erotic thriller, Halina Reijn, has said she hopes her film will show that women are not 'trapped in a box' anymore and argued that having relationships with younger men should be 'normalised'.

The film begins with Romy having sex with her husband Jacob [Banderas], where she is seemingly enjoying herself until he reaches climax

Opening scene

The film begins with Romy having sex with her husband Jacob, where she is seemingly enjoying herself until he reaches climax.

Romy is seen on top of her husband as they partake in the steamy session and tell each other they love one another.

However, as soon as he falls asleep she sneaks out of their bedroom to watch porn and ultimately reach orgasm herself.

During the film, viewers discover that Romy has not enjoyed an orgasm during the 19 years she has been with Jacob.

The opening scene is what many would call a 'Hollywood orgasm' or as Nicole refers to it - 'pretty'. But she described her relationship with Samuel to Hollywood Reporter as far more 'primal and realistic'.

She said: 'Those ones may not look pretty or sound pretty. Or be what we think is pretty. That's probably why we constantly say we need women in all areas of filmmaking, telling different stories.

'It's not just to be more fair. It's actually because it's kind of fascinating. And for people to feel, "I can be who I am."

The electricity between Romy and Samuel is clear to see from the off as they tease each other with sexual quips and intense stares

When Romy tries to leave the room, Jacob blocks the door and in the heat of the moment the two lovers share their first kiss

First encounter with Samuel

The electricity between Romy and Samuel is clear to see from the off as they tease each other with sexual quips and intense stares.

Romy, who is Samuel's mentor, arranges a meeting to discuss their mentee-mentor relationship within the company.

However, clearly not content with becoming the submissive in the relationship, Jacob tells her: 'I think you like to be told what to do'.

When Romy tries to leave the room, Jacob blocks the door and in the heat of the moment the two lovers share their first kiss.

After pulling away Romy is deeply apologetic over the kiss.

Despite the fact the film has yet to be released in the UK, there is one scene in particular that has already set the internet ablaze

The milk scene

Despite the fact the film has yet to be released in the UK, there is one scene in particular that has already set the internet ablaze.

After their first kiss, Romy and Samuel attend an office happy hour and during the evening Samuel sends Romy over a glass of milk.

Romy realises who the drink has been sent by and locks eyes with Samuel across the bar before downing the whole glass in one.

Romy is the last to leave so she can pay her employees bar tab and Samuel hangs around until the bitter end as well.

And when Romy stays behind to pay the tab, Samuel leaves last, walking behind her and whispering 'good girl' as the Lacrimosa from Mozart's Requiem plays.

Director Reijn has since revealed that the kinky scene was inspired by something that happened to her with a younger actor in a bar.

After their lustful exchange at the bar, Samuel invites Romy to a hotel room he has booked for them, marking the next intimate moment in the film

She attempts to leave but doesn't make it out before hungrily kissing him, which he rejects before giving her sexual orders

Hotel room

After their lustful exchange at the bar, Samuel invites Romy to a hotel room he has booked for them, marking the next intimate moment in the film.

He invites Romy to meet him in the hotel room by leaving her a note.

Romy is seen waiting for her younger lover to arrive in the dirty hotel room, which horrifyingly features strangers' hair on the bed.

Romy tries to call off their fling when he arrives at the hotel room and tells him that 'what he is doing is wrong'.

She attempts to leave but doesn't make it out before hungrily kissing him, which he rejects before giving her sexual orders.

He tells her to 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.

One of the steamiest sequences in the film is a montage of their sexual encounters, which is to INXS's song, Never Tear Us Apart

A montage of their sex scenes

One of the steamiest sequences in the film is a montage of their sexual encounters, which is to INXS's song, Never Tear Us Apart.

The montage skips between mundane moments in Romy's life where she is working or in bed with her husband and daughters and her affair with Samuel.

These moments show her having sex against a wall in a stairwell, him breaking a mug in her office before commanding her to clean it up and kiss his shoes.

One of the steamiest sequences in the film is a montage of their sexual encounters, which is to INXS's song, Never Tear Us Apart

Second hotel room

This time booked by Romy, the couple meet again at a fancier hotel room.

Samuel explores the room and shouts that there is a 'whole other living room' in the suite, in stark contrast to their first meeting in a scuzzy motel.

Samuel tells Romy to take off her clothes - a velvet orange gown - in front of him as they 'make-up' after previously fighting.

He had said earlier than he didn't want a girlfriend 'especially her', because she's a 'mom'.

Samuel tells Romy to take off her clothes - a velvet orange gown - in front of him as they 'make-up' after previously fighting

At one point they have sex in a pool

The film's director Reijn recently defended Nicole and Harris' age gap in the erotic thriller.

In an interview with W Magazine, Reijn discussed the casting of her latest movie, which has notably garnered praise from both critics and audiences.

When the topic of age gaps in newer films such as Amazon Prime Video's The Idea Of You was brought up, Halina stated, 'If we see a movie where the male actor is the same age as the female actor, we find that odd.'

'Which is insane. It should completely be normalized that the age gaps switch and that women have different relationships.'

Reijn continued, 'We're not trapped in a box anymore. We internalize the male gaze, we internalize patriarchy, and we need to free ourselves from it. It's really hard.'

She further reflected on how she ended up casting both actors in Babygirl. The filmmaker revealed that the actress had reached out to her after seeing her movie Instinct (2019).

She explained Nicole 'read a very early draft of Babygirl and immediately said, "I want to play that character." She also said she wanted to surrender to it and not change a thing.'

'That was important to me, because I knew I wrote something controversial and, at least for me, surrounded by shame. I needed someone to be as courageous as the script tries to be.'

Director Halina Reijn has defended Nicole Kidman, 57, and Harris Dickinson's, 28, age gap in the erotic thriller, Babygirl; Kidman and Reijn seen earlier this month in Beverly Hills

She admitted that once Kidman 'was on board, I woke up totally panicked. We had one of the best actors in the world.'

'It's impossible to find a young man who's not only as good as her, but can dominate her. But then I saw Harris in Triangle Of Sadness. He's so vulnerable, yet so masculine and macho. He's kind of an ideal man, because he has all of these layers.'

The gruelling filming took its toll on Nicole, who admitted she was so turned on when shooting that at one point she had to pause filming.

And according to The Sun, in a revealing new interview Nicole said that performing the scenes with Harrison and Antonio Banderas, 64, as her husband, Jacob, was often too much to cope with.

Nicole started by saying: 'There was an enormous amount of sharing and trust and then frustration. It's like, "Don't touch me".

'There were times when we were shooting where I was like, "I don't want to orgasm any more".

'Don't come near me. I hate doing this. I don't care if I am never touched again in my life! I'm over it.

'It was so present all the time for me that it was almost like a burnout.'
Dianne Buswell has shared an emotional family update on Instagram on Wednesday as she headed back to rehearsals for the upcoming Strictly live tour.

The Australian dancer, 35, shared that after spending seven weeks with her parents, Mark and Rina, they will be flying back home to Australia.

In a heartwarming video posted online, her parents were seen visiting Dianne during a training session with her Strictly dance partner, Chris McCausland.

She then shared a string of pictures and clips of them spending precious time together before their stay in the UK came to an end.

Alongside the video, Dianne wrote: 'And just like that 7 weeks has passed by and it's time for mum and dad to fly the nest back home to Australia today.

'But what a 7 weeks it has been. Honestly moments that I had only dreamed of came to life and the best bit was that my parents were right there with me.

Dianne Buswell has shared an emotional family update on Instagram on Wednesday as she headed back to rehearsals for the upcoming Strictly live tour

The Australian dancer, 35, shared that after spending seven weeks with her parents, Mark and Rina, they will be flying back home to Australia

'Already looking forward to the next time we can make memories together. Love you both very much. Safe travels home.'

Over the last few weeks, Dianne's proud parents have been in the UK watching their daughter compete in the dance competition.

It was the first time Mark and Rina were able to watch her live in action in the ballroom since she joined the hit show back in 2017.

Not only were they able to watch Dianne perform in person, they later witnessed their daughter win the whole competition.

There were tears from Dianne, Chris and her family as they lifted the coveted Glitterball trophy at the grand final on December 14.

Since then, Dianne has managed to spend some quality time with her with not only her parents but also her siblings, nieces and nephews as they also visited for the festive period.

It comes after the dancer headed to the Strictly Come Dancing live tour practice on Tuesday.

She stepped out in a full-length tan waterproof adorned with drawings and paired it with ocean blue velvet trousers as she headed to rehearsals.

Over the last few weeks, Dianne's proud parents have been in the UK watching their daughter compete in the dance competition

Not only were they able to watch Dianne perform in person, they later witnessed their daughter win the whole competition

There were tears from Dianne, Chris and her family as they lifted the coveted Glitterball trophy at the grand final on December 14 (pictured)

Since then, Dianne has managed to spend some quality time with her with not only her parents but also her siblings, nieces and nephews as they also visited for the festive period

She toted a black rucksack and held red headphones and a blue metal coffee cup as she offered a wave to fans.

Dianne was joined in by co-stars Katya Jones, Vito Coppola, Jowita Przystal, Nancy Xu, Kai Widdrington, Michelle Tsiakkas, Neil Jones, Aljaz Skorjanec, Robbie Kmetoni, Karen Hauer, Jake Leigh, Lauren Oakley and Jason Gilkison.

The live tour shows return to Birmingham next week and will be judged by Strictly panel Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Revel Horwood and, for the first time, Motsi Mabuse.

Dianne's farewell comes a year after she returned Down Under with her boyfriend Joe Sugg for Christmas.

She travelled to her homeland to spend the whole of the festive season with her cancer-stricken father Mark and the rest of her family.

During her time away, she gave fans an update, sharing that her father started the third round of his chemotherapy treatment during her stay.

Dianne shared a video of herself in the hospital with her father as she praised him for always having a 'positive mind frame'.

In the clip, Dianne and her father Mark walked into the hospital arm-in-arm, before he gave her the thumbs up as he sat and waited for his treatment.

Dianne's farewell comes a year after she returned Down Under with her boyfriend Joe Sugg for Christmas (pictured Dianne and her dad in 2023)

Dianne returned home to Australia just days after competing in the 2023 Strictly final, where she competed with EastEnders star Bobby Brazier

She gushed in a caption: 'Round 3 proud of you dad always with a positive mind frame and smile on your face.'

Dianne returned home to Australia just days after competing in the 2023 Strictly final, where she competed with EastEnders star Bobby Brazier.

In an interview during Strictly training in 2023, Dianne spoke about the difficulty of not being in Australia with her family and how Bobby has helped her through the tough period.

Dianne told Heat Magazine: 'I am such a hard-working, crazy dancer that it's been a really nice balance, where Bobby has brought a lot of calmness into my life.

'There has been quite a lot of going on in my personal life over these past few months, and Bobby has been really realistic and supportive, telling me everything's going to be OK.

'It's crazy that such a young guy can have such a good mind on him.'
She has enjoyed a sunny New Year's break to see in 2025.

And Katie Piper showed off her incredible figure in a series of bikinis as she posted snaps from her trip to the mystery tropical location on Wednesday.

The Loose Women panellist, 41, was on holiday with her husband Richard James Sutton and their two children Belle, nine and five-year-old Penelope.

In one of the snaps she posed up a storm in a pink patterned bandeau number as she looked out over the ocean.

Another saw her enjoying a romantic boat trip with Richard, before spending time with her kids at the beach.

She penned in the caption of her holiday post: 'Back to reality! Paradise will have to wait for now!'

Katie Piper showed off her incredible figure in a series of bikinis as she posted snaps from her trip to the mystery tropical location on Wednesday

The Loose Women panellist, 41, was on holiday with her husband Richard James Sutton and their two children Belle, nine and five-year-old Penelope

It comes after the Loose Women star revealed her 'secret' to staying safe in the sun and how it was inspired by her ITV co-star.

Katie suffered major injuries and blindness in one eye after she was attacked with acid by her ex-boyfriend Daniel Lynch and accomplice Stefan Sylvestre in 2008.

In a recent post, she explained how, as a burns survivor, she manages to look after her skin in the intense heat or while on holiday.

She said: 'I've been in holiday all week, and it's been factor 30 on the body. 50 on the face. Life of a burns survivor.

'Everywhere that is not burned is a nice golden brown, I'm gonna have to do some serious fake tan so the curtains match the cuffs!'

Katie also donned a visor across her face, and revealed that she was inspired to do so by her Loose Women co-star Olivia Attwood.

She said: 'So here's my secret, although I wanna say it's not my secret, I stole this off Olivia Attwood. I saw this on her Stories.

'Check it out. Full-blown beekeeper, factor 50. So, underneath, I've got my La Roche Posay Invisible Fluid, SPF50.

One snap saw her enjoying a romantic boat trip with Richard, before spending time with her kids at the beach

She penned in the caption of her holiday post: 'Back to reality! Paradise will have to wait for now!'

It comes after the Loose Women star revealed her 'secret' to staying safe in the sun and how it was inspired by her ITV co-star

She larked around on the beach with her family

'And then I saw Olivia wear this on holiday, so I bought one. And it hasn't left my face for the whole week in Spain!'

The TV star has endured a number of operations since her horrific attack and in December 2023, she revealed that she was forced to have her eye sewn shut to allow it to heal.

Katie told her fellow Loose Women panellists: 'I had a planned procedure called a tarsorrhaphy, which is a semi-permanent closure of the eye. So, it's an operation done in theatre and your eye is sort of fully or partially stitched up.

'Some people might be familiar with it, you normally see it when somebody has some kind of disease of the cornea. And closing the eye gives it the optimum environment for it to heal.'

'So, I've had quite a lot of problems with my eye in the last year-and-a-half. I don't like to go on about it, because there's always somebody worse off!'

Katie's ex Daniel was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 16 years for the violence inflicted on Katie when she was just 24 years old.

They also enjoyed some snorkelling

She showed off her pert posterior as she walked down the beach at sunset

The pair put on a loved-up display in her post
Sam Thompson was all smiles as he stepped out with his best pal Pete Wicks to promote the Strictly star's new dog show.

The former TOWIE star, 37, headed out in London on Wednesday promoting Pete Wicks: For Dogs' Sake - and was even interviewed by his best friend and podcast co-host Sam.

Newly single Sam, 32, who recently split with girlfriend of five years Zara McDermott, looked cheery as he hugged his pal Pete.

The duo were back together again to record their Staying Relevant podcast, hours after Pete was interviewed by Sam for Hits Radio.

'Weird being interviewed by your best mate,' Pete wrote on Instagram as he shared a snap of the radio show being recorded.

Pete's outing with Sam came as his former Strictly dance partner Jowita Prystal, who he had a rumoured a fling with, shared a post gushing over how proud she was of him on his new dog show.

Sam Thompson was all smiles as he stepped out with his best pal Pete Wicks to promote the Strictly star's new dog show in London on Wednesday

The former TOWIE star, 37, headed out in London on Wednesday promoting Pete Wicks: For Dogs' Sake - and was even interviewed by his best friend and podcast co-host Sam

'Loved every second of first episode,' Jowita wrote as she shared a snap of Pete Wicks: For Dog's Sake on her TV. 'Proud of you @p_wicks01 [love heart].'

Jowita's show of pride for Pete came after Pete dropped a major hint that he spent the festive period with Maura Higgins.

In typical style, Pete and Sam showcased their opposite personalities with their outfit choices as they headed out in London.

Pete sported an all-black ensemble consisting of a denim jacket with jeans, a plain t-shirt and patent boots, while Sam was wearing a light grey hoodie with light blue jeans and a blue t-shirt underneath, as well as bright white trainers.

Sam's cheery appearance comes after it was revealed his house has undergone a bachelor pad makeover following his recent break-up from ex-girlfriend Zara.

It was claimed that Zara, 28, moved out of the west London home they shared weeks ago after they called time on their relationship before Christmas.

And it appears Sam has wasted no time in giving the place a refresh as he employed the help of organising duo, Sorter Sisters, to organise his dressing room.

Photographs shared by the company show Sam's perfectly organised wardrobes, housing his trainer collection and a selection of his clothing.

Pete's outing with Sam came as his former Strictly dance partner Jowita Prystal, who he had a rumoured a fling with, shared a post gushing over how proud she was of him on his new dog show (Pictured together in November)

'Loved every second of first episode,' Jowita wrote as she shared a snap of Pete Wicks: For Dog's Sake on her TV. 'Proud of you @p_wicks01 [love heart]'

The duo were back together again to record their Staying Relevant podcast, hours after Pete was interviewed by Sam for Hits Radio

Newly single Sam, 32, who recently split with girlfriend of five years Zara McDermott, looked cheery as he hugged his pal Pete

In typical style, Pete and Sam showcased their opposite personalities with their outfit choices as they headed out in London

'Weird being interviewed by your best mate,' Pete wrote on Instagram as he shared a snap of the radio show being recorded

The post received the support of his ex Zara, who 'liked' the gallery of images of the room in Sam's house which were posted on December 22.

Zara and Sam began dating in 2019 after Made In Chelsea star Sam, 32, messaged Love Islander Zara, 28, on Instagram.

But it was reported last week that the pair have recently parted ways - though neither have publicly commented on the break-up.

It has been reported that Sam and Zara split weeks ago and has already moved out of the couple's London home.

The Sun has revealed Zara has also jetted off on a secret trip to Paris for New Year's as she takes some time to herself post break up.

A source told the publication: 'It's been a tough time for Zara. The trip to Paris just helped her get away from it all.

Sam's cheery appearance comes after it was revealed his house has undergone a bachelor pad makeover following his recent break-up from ex-girlfriend Zara

It appears Sam has wasted no time in giving the place a refresh as he employed the help of organising duo, Sorter Sisters, to organise his dressing room

The post received the support of his ex Zara, who 'liked' the gallery of images of the room in Sam's house which were posted on December 22

'Zara just wants to try to focus on work and get herself together. They split some time before it officially emerged and she is now living apart from him.'

Fans were left convinced they knew the real reason why the couple split after not spending Christmas together.

Eagle-eyed supports claimed it was Sam's lack of action that prompted the pair to split as they said Sam should have asked Zara to marry him.

They wrote: 'In the words of Beyonce. If you like it then you should put a ring on it'; Propose, no time like the present; Mate, buy her a ring FFS.'

MailOnline contacted Zara and Sam's representatives for comment.
Montana Brown has revealed she plans to give birth to her breech baby at home despite being advised to have a C-section, she told fans on Monday.

The former Love Island star, 29, who shares 17-month-old son Jude, is expecting her second child with fiance Mark O'Connor.

Montana is exploring giving birth privately after criticising her 'inexperienced' NHS midwives, who she claims 'lacks training'.

The reality star said she was advised by her NHS midwives to give birth in hospital but she has insisted she wants to follow her head and heart and stay at home.

Montana claims the reason her midwives aren't advising a home birth is because they haven't been trained to give birth to breech babies - and said that her private midwife is confident she will be able to give birth naturally, despite being breech.

In a TikTok video, she said: 'So we are obviously nearing D-Day and she is still breech and for me, my mindset is on a home birth and It's really hard to find people who are supportive of a home birth especially in my position of having a breech baby.

Montana Brown, 29, has revealed she plans to give birth to her breech baby at home despite being advised to have a C-section, she told fans on Monday

Montana is exploring giving birth privately after criticising her 'inexperienced' NHS midwives, who she claims 'lacks training'

'Which has been really really tricky because if you speak to midwives who are a little bit older and have had their training, they are quite confident at birthing breech babies because from what I've heard it's just a different form of vaginal delivery.

'Yes there are risks but as there are with any birth and there are certain things you look out for and certain positions that are better in order to make sure that the baby is delivered in a safe environment.

'The hospital I am with, who have been incredibly supportive and have given me a lot of different options, are very against me giving birth at home and also if she continues to stay in the same positions that she has been which is footling breech, they have completely advised me to not give birth vaginally and have given me the option to book in for an elliptical [C-section].

'But a lot of the midwives that have been trained a lot more and have a lot of experience in delivery vaginal breach birth are not concerned about me giving birth at home so yeah there is a lot of conflict.'

She added: 'A lot of midwives at the hospital have never delivered a vaginal breech birth which is obviously concerning for me.

'But I can completely see that the hospital are cautious about me giving birth vaginally and on the birth centre if I don't have an experienced time without me, so we are now diving into the private midwife route.

'And I spoke to two amazing private midwives and they both feel really confident delivery breech babies.

'My partner and my mum are a bit like "Can we just go to hospital, it seems safer" and my instincts and my heart is just worried that I am going to get pigeon holed to make decisions on the day when I am trying to remain really focused.

What happens if your baby is breech? If your baby is lying bottom or feet first, they are in the breech position. If they're still breech at around 36 weeks' gestation, the obstetrician and midwife will discuss your options for a safe delivery, according to the NHS. If your baby is in a breech position at 36 weeks, you'll usually be offered an external cephalic version (ECV). This is when a healthcare professional, such as an obstetrician, tries to turn the baby into a head-down position by applying pressure on your abdomen. It's a safe procedure, although it can be a bit uncomfortable. If an ECV does not work, you'll need to discuss your options for a vaginal birth or caesarean section with your midwife and obstetrician. If you plan a caesarean and then go into labour before the operation, your obstetrician will assess whether it's safe to proceed with the caesarean delivery. If the baby is close to being born, it may be safer for you to have a vaginal breech birth. Advertisement

The former Love Island star, who shares 17-month-old son Jude, is expecting her second child with fiance Mark O'Connor

The reality star said she was advised by her NHS midwives to give birth in hospital but she has insisted she wants to follow her head and heart and stay at home

Montana claims the reason her midwives aren't advising a home birth is because they haven't been trained to give birth to breech babies - and said that her private midwife is confident she will be able to give birth naturally, despite being breech

'I'm worried on the day I'm going to be pushed into making certain decisions or not being listened too based on fear and lack of experience as opposed to being the right thing.

'And I'm not slating the midwives or the care that I am receiving but I want all the decisions made on the day to be based on facts and what physiologically is going on in my body rather than people not knowing certain situations because of the lack of training.'

She captioned her post: 'This is a birth update. Feeling a bit scrambled but my head and heart are wanting home birth and to listen to my body as much as possible #homebirth #maternity'

It comes after Montana revealed she was taken to hospital after being struck down with 'the worst tummy bug'.

The reality star took to Instagram to give fans a health update after feeling extremely unwell earlier this month.

Alongside an image of her in hospital, as well as several of her snuggling up to 17-month-old son Jude, Montana told her followers how she was on the mend and was gutted to have missed out on several events.

The reality star also expressed her relief that her little boy wasn't struck down with the same illness, as she credited his hugs and kisses for helping her get through her tough time.

She penned: 'A compilation of my week having the worst tummy bug, ending in a lovely trip to triage as I was so dehydrated.'

Montana announced she was pregnant with her second child in July and took to her Instagram to share the happy news with her 1.1 million followers

Montana and Mark welcomed their first child Jude in June last year and announced they were expecting again just 13 months later

The star took to her Instagram earlier this month to give fans a health update after feeling extremely unwell

She penned: 'A compilation of my week having the worst tummy bug, ending in a lovely trip to triage as I was so dehydrated'

'Had so many gorgeous plans this week so gutted to have missed it all BUT on the mend. Thank god for my little angel boy being so good with me and giving me all the hugs & kisses thank goodness he didnt get it!'

This is all the content I have for this week alongside me next to toilet bowls, thanks for all the recommendations too my lovely people xx.'

Montana announced she was pregnant with her second child in July and took to her Instagram to share the happy news with her 1.1 million followers.

Confirming that she is expecting again with her rugby player fiance Mark, Montana wrote: 'Two under two let's go!'

Montana and Mark welcomed their first child Jude in June last year and announced they were expecting again just 13 months later.

The couple travelled to Santorini after they enjoyed a week-long holiday with their son in Montenegro and shared updates from their sun-soaked trip.
Claire Sweeney posted a video of her return to the set of Coronation Street on Instagram on Wednesday after enjoying a sun-soaked holiday to Barbados.

The actress, 53, updated her story with a clip of her walking down Coronation Street itself on the set before panning to show the iconic Rovers Return pub.

She added a caption to the post, reading: 'Back to Work .'

A later story showed the famous 'Coronation St' street sign and the corner of the Rovers Return and included a heart-warming caption, reading: 'Good to be back.'

On her return to the UK, Claire also reposted a story from event planners Maddison J Creations, responding to a thank you note and present from the actress and her son Jaxon.

The note read: 'To Christmas tree people. Thank you, from Jaxon and Claire.'

Claire Sweeney posted a video of her return to the set of Coronation Street on Instagram on Wednesday

She hit the beach in sunny Barbados last week as she moved on from her Ricky Hatton split

The company posted: 'Thank you Jaxon & Claire Sweeney. What a lovely little present to find this morning.'

Claire enjoyed a fun-filled trip to the Caribbean over the New Year and posed with TV personality Lizzie Cundy on Sunday night in a pink and yellow horizontal-striped maxi dress with yellow flecks.

She accessorised her look with a thin gold necklace featuring a circular pendant.

This week Claire almost took a tumble as she struggled to get out of the water while at the beach in Barbados.

The Coronation Street star, who plays Cassie Plummer on the long running ITV soap, tried to keep her balance while out in the water for a swim on Monday, as the waves crashed against her in a collection of snaps.

The actress showed off her curves in a busty multi-coloured floral swimsuit for her day at the beach, complete with thick red straps.

Her blonde hair was bundled up into a messy bun and she also sported a silver cross necklace.

Earlier in the trip, spent with eight-year-old Jaxon, she topped up her tan in a colourful bikini.

The actress, 53, updated her story with a clip of her walking down Coronation Street itself on the set

A later story showed the famous 'Coronation St' street sign and the corner of the Rovers Return

On her return to the UK, Claire also reposted a story from event planners Maddison J Creations, responding to a thank you note and present from the actress and her son Jaxon

On holiday Claire posed with Lizzie Cundy and wore a pink and yellow horizontal-striped maxi dress with yellow flecks

Claire's Caribbean holiday came just weeks after she split from boyfriend Ricky Hatton after eight months of dating

Claire's tiny two piece boasted a plunging neckline and high-cut bottoms.

She completed the look with a pair of tinted shades and sipped on a cooling drink while making her way across the golden sands.

Claire's Caribbean holiday came just weeks after she split from boyfriend Ricky Hatton after eight months of dating.

The former couple dated in secret after starring on ITV's Dancing On Ice and enjoy a Tenerife holiday in May.

But since their summer getaway, the boxer and former Brookside actress have parted ways  months after Claire spoke about how they bonded over humour and their joint love of TV sitcom Only Fools and Horses.

The pair were last pictured together on November 13 in Manchester while attending the musical version of the hit sitcom, which is currently on a UK tour.

But speaking about the split at The Devil Wears Prada premiere, Claire told MailOnline: 'I'm great - we're still friends, we were friends, we dated and now we're friends again. It's all good!'
Mandy Moore has shared an emotional update after fleeing her family home with her children amid the devastating Pacific Palisades wildfires.

The wildfires are rapidly spreading across Los Angeles today with firefighters conceding they remain powerless to contain the flames because of strong winds.

Sharing a photo with her youngest son Oscar, 23 months, the star revealed she and husband Taylor Goldsmith were staying with friends and had no idea if their Pasadena home had survived the Eaton fire.

She wrote: 'Grateful for the kindness of friends that we had a place to land last night

'Trying to shield the kids from the immense sadness and worry I feel. Praying for everyone in our beautiful city

'So gutted for the destruction and loss. Don't know if our place made it #eatonfire.' d.

Mandy Moore has shared an emotional update after fleeing her family home with her children amid the devastating Pacific Palisades wildfires

Sharing a photo with her youngest son Oscar, 23 months, the star revealed she and husband Taylor Goldsmith were staying with friends and had no idea if their Pasadena home had survived the Eaton fire

On Tuesday, the This Is Us star, 40, took to her Instagram to share an update with her fans, assuring them she was safe.

'Evacuated and safe with kids, dog and cats. Praying and grateful for the first responders,' she wrote on her Instagram Stories.

The star shares sons August, three, and Oscar as well as daughter Louise Everett, born in September 2024, with husband Taylor Goldsmith, 39.

Some areas within Pasadena have been under mandatory evacuation orders.

As the wildfire continues to ravage California's Pacific Palisades, many celebrities have had to flee their luxurious homes as authorities warn of an 'immediate threat to life.'

On Tuesday evening, Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson declared a state of emergency - while warning that the worst of the windstorm is 'yet to come.'

The apocalyptic inferno has torn through the ritzy neighborhood, home to many A-list celebrities, including Ben Affleck, Jhene Aiko, Tom Hanks, and Miles Teller, among others.

Reality TV star Spencer Pratt, 41, and his wife Heidi Montage, 38, lost their home in Pacific Palisades due to the raging wildfire.

The Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday that the Getty Villa, a museum designed in the image of an ancient Roman villa, was threatened by the wildfire.

'Evacuated and safe with kids, dog and cats. Praying and grateful for the first responders,' she wrote on her Instagram Stories Tuesday

The star shares sons August, three, and Oscar as well as daughter Louise Everett, born in September 2024, with husband Taylor Goldsmith, 39

Moore currently resides in Pasadena, California. Some areas within Pasadena have been under mandatory evacuation orders

Some of the vegetation on the museum estate had been burned, but the buildings on the campus were reportedly still safe, and the artwork and sculptures had been sealed to prevent smoke damage.

Katherine E. Fleming, the president and chief executive of the J. Paul Getty Trust, boasted in a statement that the Getty Villa had made 'extensive efforts to clear brush from the surrounding area as part of its fire mitigation efforts throughout the year.'

'Some trees and vegetation on site have burned, but staff and the collection remain safe,' she said.

The dry and extremely windy condition have allowed a second fire to start in Altadena further east, which led residents in nearby Pasadena to evacuate.

As Westside residents rushed in a panic to escape at the last minute, numerous people got stuck in enormous traffic jams, including Schitt's Creek star Eugene Levy.

Many drivers ultimately abandoned their cars in the streets and proceeded on foot, and fire crews were forced to bulldoze rows of cars in order to get into the affected areas.

Stars across Los Angeles are taking to social media to express their devastation over the destructive wildfire.

In response to the life-threatening fire, which has evacuated about 30,000 people as flames threatened more than 10,000 homes, some of Hollywood's biggest stars, including Chris Pratt and his mother-in-law, Maria Shriver, are asking for prayers.

'Please send prayers and strength tonight to everyone in Los Angeles affected by these devastating fires. Los Angeles is in a state of emergency and over 30,000 have been ordered to evacuate,' Pratt, 45, captioned a slideshow, featuring a photo of a firefighter battling a blaze as well as views of smoke towering over Santa Monica.

He continued: 'Thank you to the brave firefighters and first responders who are working tirelessly to protect lives, homes, and wildlife as they battle fast-moving wildfire fueled by fierce winds. You are true heroes, and we are endlessly grateful for your sacrifice and courage.'

The Guardians of the Galaxy star, who welcomed his third child with wife Katherine Schwarzenegger in November, urged his 45.2 million followers to 'come together to support one another during this tough time.'

Shriver, 69, asked her followers to send their 'prayers to Los Angeles,' where '30,000 people have been ordered to evacuate as wildfires burn out of control.'

The entire city has been hit with severe wind exceeding 100mph in some areas, which resulted in wildfires raging through 1,200 acres of the Pacific Palisades forcing thousands to evacuate (pictured Tuesday)

Numerous celebrities, including Tom Hanks, Chris Pratt and Reese Witherspoon, live in the evacuation zone. The Hills star Spencer Pratt filmed an airplane dropping water on a nearby hill before the fire later destroyed the home he shares with Heidi Montag and their two boys

Eugene Levy, 78, was among the Pacific Palisades residents caught in the gridlock of residents fleeing the upscale area amid a fast-moving wildfire in the LA hillsides, exacerbated by a fierce windstorm; Pictured in January 2019 in LA

'Almost 1200 acres of land are on fire, with gusts of wind that could reach up to 100 m.p.h., threatening even more damage, forcing more people from their homes, and causing destruction. Its moments like this that make us recognize what truly matters  that things are only things,' she stated. 'Please pay attention if you are asked to evacuate.'

The Former First Lady of California reminded those in Los Angeles to 'stay informed' and applauded the men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department and public officials that were working 'tirelessly' to protect their city and keep everyone safe.

Later, she took to her Instagram Story to ask those that are able to 'leave bowls of water outside' for wild animals fleeing from the fires.

Her daughter, Katherine, shared a list of helpful apps and resources, including the KTLA App for live updates, Alert LA County for emergency alerts and Notify LA.

Julianne Hough, who lives in Hollywood Hills, shared footage from her backyard, which showed a Canadair CL-415, a yellow airplane that is used to fight forest fires, flying through smoke.

'Praying for everyone that had to evacuate and for the first responders and firefighters,' she wrote on the video, uploaded to her Instagram Story.
Liam Payne's ex-girlfriend returned to social media on Wednesday, hours after the One Direction star's cause of death was revealed at a UK inquest.

Payne was staying at the Casa Sur hotel in south America when he fell to his death after a drink-drug binge on October 16.

Fans across the world were stunned by his sudden death and an outpouring of grief culminated in a touching funeral attended by musical royalty and all of Payne's former bandmates.

Kate took to her Instagram Stories on Wednesday and shared a snap of herself posing in beige tracksuit bottoms with a '444' print on them.

The number has special significance for Kate and Liam as it was their 'angel number'.

It's an ideology that arguably roots back to the sixth century in Ancient Greece with the Pythagoreans, who believed that numbers had mystic, spiritual properties, with unique vibrational patterns that can provide insight into the nature of the universe.

Liam Payne's ex-girlfriend returned to social media on Wednesday, hours after the One Direction star's cause of death was revealed at a UK inquest.

Payne was staying at the Casa Sur hotel in south America when he fell to his death after a drink-drug binge on October 16

Kate took to her Instagram Stories on Wednesday and shared a snap of herself posing in beige tracksuit bottoms with a '444' print on them, Liam's 'angel number'

Fast forward to today, and a modern interpretation of the concept, angel numbers, has surged in popularity, with individuals keen to secure an improved existence through the guidance of numbers and manifestation.

The sequence '444' can signify protection, encouragement and support from the spiritual realm, as well as clarity, stability and security.

Believers in the trend report seeing angel number sequences everywhere, from bills and receipts to the time on the clock.

Alongside the snap, Kate wrote: 'Ali [her friend] found me these sweatpants yesterday' with a teary emoji.

Kate then shared a close up snap of the sweatpants with a message under the 444 that said: 'Love, support, guidance from your angels'.

Kate had previously shared a snap of a note where Liam had written the numbers. It showed the former One Direction member's fascination with angel numbers and 'manifesting'.

Jay-Z, Beyonce, Bella Hadid and Jennifer Aniston have all spoken on angel numbers, which can act as a 'manifestation tool'.

It comes after Payne's medical cause of death was announced to be 'polytrauma', a term which means a person has multiple traumatic injuries to their body.

Liam previously wrote Kate a note, which he asked her not to open, pledged his hope that they would marry within the year and be 'together forever' alongside the number 444

Kate added an explanation of the '444 angel number sequence on her Instagram, saying it 'reminds you that your angels are always there to support you'

Calling Liam her 'best friend, the love of my life', she said she is struggling to 'figure out how to live' without him

A hearing, which Buckinghamshire Coroner's Court said was held on December 17, was told it may take 'some time' to ascertain exactly how the 31-year-old died.

Five people have been charged over Payne's death in Argentina after he fell from a third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel.

The hotel's manager, a receptionist and a friend of Payne have been charged with manslaughter, Argentina's National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor's Office previously said in a statement.

They are reported to be hotel manager Gilda Martin, receptionist Esteban Grassi and Payne's friend Roger Nores. Two other people have been charged over the supply of drugs.

His medical cause of death was confirmed by Dr Roberto Victor Cohen as 'polytrauma', meaning multiple traumatic injuries.

The hearing was also told Payne, who was described as a 'singer and entertainer' during the hearing, was formally identified 'with the assistance of the funeral directors in Buckinghamshire.'

Payne was one of five members of hit boyband One Direction alongside Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan.

The band were formed on Simon Cowell's The X Factor before becoming an international sensation.

The couple first started dating in October 2022 and made their red carpet debut at the Fashion Awards later that year

Liam died at age 31 on October 16 after falling from a third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires

Kate attended his funeral, which was also attended by his bandmates Horan, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson

Last month, Kate shared an emotional post about dealing with grief at Christmas.

Taking to her Instagram Stories on Christmas eve she shared a post which read: 'As the holidays are here I realize it is a time for happiness and joy, but it is also a time of sadness and grief for so many.

'Be gentle with those around you this time of year as the holidays can feel different for everyone. Sending all my love to those carrying grief this holiday.

'I hope the season brings you comfort and peace. Wishing everyone a love-filled and healthy holiday season this year.

Earlier in the month Kate shared an emotional tribute to the late singer in a TikTok video which in the since-deleted clip showed adorable moments the couple shared during their two years together before his tragic death.

Nearly three weeks after laying him to rest in Amersham, near his hometown in England, she compiled the tribute video and wrote in her caption: 'I love you.'

In a minute-and-a-half TikTok post, she compiled clips of them to the song Fade Into You by Mazzy Star.

They were seen laughing, hugging and kissing on adventures all over the world  at a theme park, at scenic locations and in the cozy home they shared together in Miami.

In one clip, Liam was picking her up as she yelped in delight.

Payne (centre) was one of five members of hit boyband One Direction alongside (L-R) Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson (pictured in 2013)

She shared a clip of them enjoying a cozy getaway in a cabin and exchanging bright smiles.

His grieving girlfriend also posted videos of them laughing while skiing and having fun at the bowling alley.

She included clips of them cuddling in bed, sharing kisses on romantic dates and dancing in the bathroom together.

The couple first started dating in October 2022 and made their red carpet debut at the Fashion Awards later that year.

Before his tragic passing, they had travelled to Argentina together to support his former bandmate Niall Horan at his concert.

Kate returned to their Miami home days before Liam's passing in Buenos Aires.

In a TikTok video she shared in the days before the tragedy, she explained that she was homesick after their five-day getaway turned into a two-week trip.

She later attended his funeral, which was also attended by his bandmates Horan, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson.

Liam's ex, Cheryl Cole, the mother of his seven-year-old son Bear, was also in attendance.

The autopsy concluded that he died from multiple injuries and external bleeding after falling from his room's balcony on the third floor of the CasaSur hotel in the upscale neighbourhood of Palermo.

The toxicological exams showed that there were 'traces of alcohol, cocaine and a prescribed antidepressant' in his body prior to his passing.
Hollywood's biggest celebrities are picking up the pieces after discovering their affluent Los Angeles neighborhoods were reduced to ash and rubble when the California wildfires tore through the city.

The death toll of the historic infernos has reached 16, as heroic firefighters still battle hellish conditions on the front lines of at least five different fires.

The homes of Mel Gibson, Paris Hilton, Anthony Hopkins, Tina Knowles, John Goodman, Candy Spelling, Milo Ventimiglia, and Miles Teller are among those destroyed, while dozens of other stars face an anxious wait alongside their neighbors to learn if anything could be saved.

Apocalyptic fires tore through the ritzy enclave of Pacific Palisades on Tuesday, rapidly spreading to surrounding suburbs as a windstorm carried embers and debris in all directions.

Residents fled and then waited with bated breath to learn more about their homes, as news began trickling out that entire streets had been wiped off the map, firefighters were running out of water, and resources were being diverted to fight the fire on multiple fronts.

Now, the widespread devastation is becoming clearer as celebrities share their devastation upon discovering they've lost their million-dollar mansions.

Mel Gibson

Mel Gibson, 69, recalled returning home to 'nothing' after his $14.5million Malibu mansion burned down while he was filming Joe Rogan's podcast in Austin, Texas

The actor said he is 'devastated' that his home has been torn down by the horror wildfires in an emotional interview on NewsNations Elizabeth Vargas Reports

Mel Gibson recalled returning home to 'nothing' after his $14.5million Malibu mansion burned down while he was filming Joe Rogan's podcast in Austin, Texas.

The 69-year-old actor shared his devastation after his home was razed by the horrific wildfires, in an emotional interview on NewsNations Elizabeth Vargas Reports.

While he was filming the podcast, Mel said he knew his neighbourhood was on fire and wondered if his home was still standing.

Mel began: 'Obviously, its kind of devastating. Its emotional.'

He added: 'I was doing the Rogan podcast And [I was] kind of ill at ease while we were talking, because I knew my neighbourhood was on fire, so I thought, I wonder if my place is still there.

'But when I got home, sure enough, it wasnt there. I went home and I said to myself, well, at least I havent got any of those pesky plumbing problems anymore.

'I had a lot of personal things there that, you know, I cant get back

'All kinds of stuff, everything from photographs to files to, you know, you know, just personal things that I had from over the years, and clothing, you know, pretty cool stuff, you know, but you know that can all be replaced.

 Slide me  The actor said he is 'devastated' that his home has been torn down by the horror wildfires in an emotional interview on NewsNations Elizabeth Vargas Reports

'I had a lot of personal things there that, you know, I cant get back 'All kinds of stuff, everything from photographs to files to, you know, you know, just personal things that I had from over the years, and clothing, you know, pretty cool stuff, you know, but you know that can all be replaced,' he said

The sprawling property, built in 1996, was purchased by the Oscar winner in 2008 for a cool $11.5 million and boasted five-bedroom, as well as a majestic old world feel including a castle style turret

The actor-turned-filmmaker warned the controversial podcaster that society was heading toward a 'collapse' while discussing the fires that have devastated several neighbourhoods around Greater Los Angeles and left other celebrities without homes

'These are only things. And the good, the good news is that, you know, those in my family and those I love are all well, and were all happy and healthy and out of harms way, thats all I can care about, really.'

Mel has been trying to sell his sprawling mansion for years, and even knocked $3million off the listing price.

The sprawling property, built in 1996, was purchased by the Oscar winner in 2008 for a cool $11.5 million and boasted five-bedroom, as well as a majestic old world feel including a castle style turret.

Mel shared disturbing visions of fire and brimstone when he appeared on the latest episode of The Joe Rogan Experience.

The actor-turned-filmmaker warned the controversial podcaster that society was heading toward a 'collapse' while discussing the fires that have devastated several neighbourhoods around Greater Los Angeles and left other celebrities without homes.

Mel also included plenty of criticism for California Governor Gavin Newsom for failing to 'take care of the forest and maintain the forest,' though the current fires all started in urban environments.

Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton's beachfront mansion in Malibu was razed. The fires reached Malibu on Tuesday night as the blaze spread at an unprecedented rate.

Beloved local businesses were destroyed along the waterfront and her mansion was among the casualties. Hilton shared her heartbreak in a video of the charred ruins on Thursday.

Hilton, 43, purchased the two-story residence in 2021 for $8.4 million. It had a staircase in the back that once led down to La Costa beach and was not her main residence.

She shared several videos on Wednesday evening as she bundled her 'babies' into a car and fled her Malibu mansion in the middle of the night as the infernos raged.

The socialite, 43, lost her beachfront mansion in Malibu in the fires. It was not her main residence

An oceanfront Malibu home owned by the socialite was 'burned to a crisp,' insiders told TMZ Wednesday

Julia-Louis Dreyfus

Actress and comedian Julia-Louis Dreyfus, 63, lost her home in the Huntington neighborhood of Pacific Palisades, California, during the Palisades fire.

Shocking photos showed the five bedroom, five bathroom home destroyed with ash and rubble strewn on the ground.

Homes around Veep star Dreyfus' property had survived the blaze.

Actress and comedian Julia-Louis Dreyfus, 63, lost her home in the Huntington neighborhood of Pacific Palisades, California, during the Palisades fire - pictured November 2024

Shocking photos showed the five bedroom, five bathroom home destroyed with ash and rubble strewn on the ground

The home is pictured before the blaze

The home is now in total ruin

The brick fire place was damaged but still standing while the rest of the house was turned to ash

A plaque for Julia's great-great-grandfather Leopold Louis-Dreyfus survived

Milo Ventimiglia

This is Us star Milo Ventimiglia, 47, lost his home in the blaze, the actor told CBS News.

Despite neighbors telling the father-to-be that his home was destroyed, Ventimiglia got emotional when he saw it for himself after returning home to his Malibu home.

'You start thinking about all the memories in different parts of the house and what not and then you see your neighbors houses and everything kind of around and your heart just breaks,' Ventimiglia told the outlet.

He and his pregnant wife, Jarah Mariano, who is due to give birth any day now, evacuated the home on Tuesday and sadly watched the destruction take its toll through their security cameras.

'I think there's a kind of shock moment where you go, "Oh, this is real. This is happening."

'And then at a certain point we just turned it off. Like what good is it to continue watching? You know, we kind of accepted the loss,' he added.

He walked around the ruble that replaced his family home and tried to collect what he could. The crib he and his wife set up for their child was ruined in the fire.

This is Us star Milo Ventimiglia, 47, lost his home in the blaze, the actor told CBS News

Despite neighbors telling the father-to-be that his home was destroyed, Ventimiglia got emotional when he saw it for himself after returning home to his Malibu home

He walked around the ruble that replaced his family home and tried to collect what he could. The crib he and his wife set up for their child was ruined in the fire

'You start thinking about all the memories in different parts of the house and what not and then you see your neighbors houses and everything kind of around and your heart just breaks,' Ventimiglia told the outlet

He and his pregnant wife, Jarah Mariano, who is due to give birth any day now, evacuated the home on Tuesday and sadly watched the destruction take its toll through their security cameras

'I think there's a kind of shock moment where you go, "Oh, this is real. This is happening,"' the actor said

Denise Crosby

Star Trek: The Next Generation actress Denise Crosby, 67, shared that her Spanish Cottage Pacific Palisades home was completely destroyed in the wildfire.

On Wednesday she said: 'Yesterday morning I had a beautiful Spanish cottage that gave me endless joy, where I met my husband and raised my son.

'The only house Ive ever owned, with fruit trees I grew, with a garden of native plants. Now, ashes. I am heartbroken #palisadesfire.'

Prior to posting about her loss, she posted that she and her husband, Ken Sylk, and their dog were safe.

The granddaughter of late singer and actor Bing Crosby, also shared horrific videos of smoke-filled skies on Sunset Boulevard on Tuesday.

She also shared just how long her home was standing before it was turned to ruble.

'So scared! My beautiful Spanish house has survived 100 years! Please Casa, you have been so good to me, I pray for you!#PalisadesFire,' she wrote.

Star Trek: The Next Generation actress Denise Crosby, 67, shared that her Spanish Cottage Pacific Palisades home was completely destroyed in the wildfire

She revealed that her home stood for 100 years before being turned into ruble from the wildfire

Jamie Chung & Bryan Greenburg

Jamie Chung and Bryan Greenberg said they lost their home in the Los Angeles wildfire.

On Wednesday, Greenberg, 46, shared a sad message to his Instagram story, saying: 'Family is safe and that's all that matters.

'Everything else is just stuff. Thanks for checking in. Stay safe out there!'

He shared heartbreaking images of what appeared to be their home, adding: 'It was all a dream. Thankfully the family is safe. Thank you to all of the firefighters risking their lives. Stay safe out there.'

Before he and Chung, 41, evacuated, The Good Guy star reposted a heartwarming photo of their twin sons and the Grown Up actress playing around as they stood on his back.

'Doing their best Life is beautiful for the babies pre evacuation. Best parents,' he wrote.

His wife also posted about the tragedy, noting the 'brave firefighters' who have been battling the blaze.

'Thank you to all of our brave firefighters and fire responders. If youre in red alert areas, have your bags ready to go. Safety first. Praying for all the families impacted by the fires,' Chung said.

Jamie Chung and Bryan Greenberg said they lost their home in the Los Angeles wildfire

Greenberg, 46, shared horrific images of their destroyed home as he thanks firefighters and shared his happiness that his family was safe

Before he and Chung, 41, evacuated, The Good Guy star reposted a heartwarming photo of their twin sons and the Grown Up actress playing around as they stood on his back

Cary Elwes

On Thursday, Cary Elwes, 62, said that he and his family are safe, but 'sadly we did lose our home.'

The Princess Bride actor added: 'Our hearts go out to all the families impacted by this tragic event and we also wish to extend our gratitude to all the firefighters, first responders and law enforcement who work tirelessly through the night and are still at it.'

Prior to sharing the sad news, he posted a horrific video of bright orange and smoke-filled skies as the brutal blaze continues on.

'Evacuation from Malibu 10.30pm PST #Biblical,' he wrote.

On Thursday, Cary Elwes, 62, said that he and his family are safe, but 'sadly we did lose our home'

The Princess Bride actor added: 'Our hearts go out to all the families impacted by this tragic event and we also wish to extend our gratitude to all the firefighters, first responders and law enforcement who work tirelessly through the night and are still at it'

Prior to sharing the sad news, he posted a horrific video of bright orange and smoke-filled skies as the brutal blaze continues on.

Candy Spelling

Candy Spelling's $24million home on Malibu's Pacific Coast Highway was lost in the wildfires - she is pictured with friend Josh Flagg in 2024

 Slide me  Candy's home and neighbor Rick Caruso's property was seen in smoking ruins

The star lives primarily in the $155million Spelling Manor in Holmby Hills

Candy Spelling's $23million home on Malibu's Pacific Coast Highway was lost in the wildfires.

She told TMZ: 'Im in shock and processing this massive loss for our family. I am beyond grateful for the memories. It was truly a wonderful gift to have.'

She added her late husband and TV producer Aaron Spelling had loved the house.

She previously listed the home for sale for $24million but took it off the market. She resides in

Candy told us her late husband, mega TV/film producer Aaron Spelling, loved the house. Last year, Spelling listed the home for sale for $24 million, but later took it off the market

Candys best pal Josh Flagg said: 'Im devastated. I have so many memories in this house. The house is gone but the memories are not. This is a total shame. This entire fire is a shame. This did not need to be happen.'

The star lives primarily in the $155million Spelling Manor in Holmby Hills.

Tina Knowles

Beyonce's mother Tina Knowles revealed that she lost her Malibu bungalow to the catastrophic wildfires that have devastated Los Angeles.

She heartbrokenly revealed that her oceanfront property in Malibu was wrecked by the same fire - just days after she celebrated her 71st birthday there.

'It was my favorite place, my sanctuary , my sacred Happy Place . Now it is gone !!' she wrote on Instagram, before paying tribute to the five people who died.

Her message was accompanied by a video of the ocean view from her bungalow, with what appeared to be dolphins briefly surfacing over the waves.

Beyonce 's mother Tina Knowles revealed that she lost her Malibu bungalow to the wildfires that have devastated Los Angeles; the two women are pictured last month

'It was my favorite place, my sanctuary , my sacred Happy Place . Now it is gone !!' she wrote on Instagram, before paying tribute to the five people who died

Her message was accompanied by a video of the ocean view from her bungalow, with what appeared to be dolphins briefly surfacing over the waves

Jeff Bridges

Jeff Bridges, 75, confirmed his Malibu family home was burnt down in the Pacific Palisades fire.

Per TMZ, the four bedroom home had been in the family for generations, and was inherited by Jeff, his brother and sister.

Jeff Bridges, 75, confirmed his Malibu family home was burnt down in the Pacific Palisades fire

Real Housewife of Beverly Hills Bozoma Saint John

Bozoma Saint John - who is the latest castmember of The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills - revealed that she had lost her Malibu home.

Melissa Rivers also lost her home in the Pacific Palisades - which she had purchased in 2021 for $7.7 million.

The 47-year-old former chief marketing officer of Netflix shared a photo of the rubble along with other images of memorable times she shared on the property with her child Lael.

She wrote a heartfelt caption which read: 'It is gone. This is an unimaginable loss. I grieve with the rest of Los Angeles as it burns and even though Ive found even words to write here, theres nothing that I could say in this moment to describe this feeling.'

Bozoma began the post with a powerful message about what owning that dream home meant to her.

She wrote: 'This is the house I wanted. The house I prayed for. The house I worked in blood, sweat and tears for. The house that I put a key pad instead of a key hole in the front door because I wanted all my family and friends to have a code and use the house whenever they wanted.

'This is the house where I found peace after battling with racist neighbors and a community that made me have to buy it in a trust within a trust so no one would know that widowed, single Black woman with a teenager was buying on the exclusively-held beach.

'This was my EFF YOU Im here house. The house that I built a movie room dedicated to my sister so she could see her films in her own sanctuary. This is the house where I finally felt like I could choose to spend time when I wanted to and how I wanted to.'

Bozoma Saint John - who is the latest castmember of The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills - revealed that she had lost her Malibu home

The 47-year-old former chief marketing officer of Netflix shared a photo of the rubble

She shared this devastating photo of her neighborhood alaze

She also shared other images of memorable times she shared on the property with her child Lael

This was a photo of the serene property before it was burned down

She wrote a heartfelt caption which read: 'It is gone. This is an unimaginable loss. I grieve with the rest of Los Angeles as it burns and even though Ive found even words to write here, theres nothing that I could say in this moment to describe this feeling'

This is the house I wanted. The house I prayed for. The house I worked in blood, sweat and tears for, she wrote in an emotional Instagram post on Thursday.

'The house that I put a key pad instead of a key hole in the front door because I wanted all my family and friends to have a code and use the house whenever they wanted,' Saint John added, who has also held high-profile roles at Uber and Endeavor.

She had lived in the home with her 15-year-old daughter, Lael, whom she raised with her late husband, Peter Saint John, until his passing from cancer in 2015.

Diane Warren

Legendary songwriter Diane Warren announced Wednesday that her beach house of nearly 30 years was destroyed in the wildfires raging across Southern California.

The 68-year-old veteran hitmaker posted a photograph of a prominent rock in the surf, which she photographs annually to commemorate the death of her 'awesome insane friend' Leah from cancer.

'This is the last pic I took of Leah's rock from my beach house. I've had this house for almost 30 years. It looks like it was lost in the fire last [night],' Diane wrote on Instagram.

'There's a rainbow shining on it which I'm taking as a sign of hope for all creatures who have been affected by this tragedy.'

Warren also reassured her 249K social media followers that the chickens, ducks, goats, cows, and horses living at her rescue ranch 'are okay, which is the most important thing. Stay safe everyone.'

Legendary songwriter Diane Warren announced Wednesday that her beach house of nearly 30 years was destroyed in the wildfires raging across Southern California

The 68-year-old veteran hitmaker posted a photograph of a prominent rock in the surf, which she photographs annually to commemorate the death of her 'awesome insane friend' Leah from cancer

Diane wrote on Instagram: 'This is the last pic I took of Leah's rock from my beach house. I've had this house for almost 30 years. It looks like it was lost in the fire last [night]. There's a rainbow shining on it which I'm taking as a sign of hope for all creatures who have been affected by this tragedy'

Melissa Rivers

Melissa Rivers lost her Pacific Palisades home in the L.A. fires - which she had purchased in 2021 for $7.7 million; seen in 2023 in Beverly Hills

Melissa Rivers lost her Pacific Palisades home in the L.A. fires - which she had purchased in 2021 for $7.7 million.

The TV personality took to her Instagram page on Wednesday to reveal to her followers that her home had been lost.

She wrote, 'My family and I have safely evacuated, and we are deeply grateful to be unharmed.'

'I am heartbroken by the devastation caused by the fires, which have tragically destroyed my home.'

'I want to express my profound gratitude to the courageous firefighters and first responders who are tirelessly risking their lives to protect our communities and save lives,' Rivers concluded.

Melissa had notably purchased the home in the Pacific Palisades nearly four years ago in 2021 for $7.7 million, per Architectural Digest.

The two-story house had consisted of five bedrooms as well as five and a half baths. In the backyard was a swimming pool, spa area and also an outdoor fireplace.

Melissa had previously owned a separate property in the Palisades - which she sold in 2019 for around $5.2 million.

After being evacuated from her home, the star was able to save her late mother Joan Rivers' Emmy award before the property burned down.

John Goodman

Beloved actor John Goodman's home was wiped out in the wildfires.

The Pacific Palisades property was right in the path of the blaze, which has already scorched more than 15,000 acres and was traveling as far as five football fields a minute.

All that remains is his backyard pool, which is still filled with dirty, blackened water, and the driveway, which now leads to nothing but rubble.

Debris was strewn across the property in aerial pictures obtained by DailyMail.com, while a huge tree that once stood at the front of the home had also fallen in the blaze.

The Big Lebowski star, 72, tragically lost his Pacific Palisades home due to the wildfires ravaging the state

Beloved actor John Goodman's home was also wiped out in the wildfires

Debris was strewn across the property in aerial pictures obtained by DailyMail.com, while a huge tree that once stood at the front of the home had also fallen in the blaze

 Slide me  A before and after picture of the home shows the devastating toll of the loss

Pictured: The gorgeous home as smoke billowed in the distance behind as the fire approached

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Anthony Hopkins

Anthony Hopkins' home is also gone, the devastating photos show.

There is nothing left of the Oscar winner's property. The gates which protected the property are still standing, but have been pushed wide open.

Trees which once offered privacy are charred to a crisp.

As of Wednesday afternoon, officials haven't provided an estimate of structures damaged or destroyed in the wildfire, but they said at least 100,000 residents were under evacuation orders and nearly 30,000 structures were under threat.

At least 100,000 additional people have been warned they should consider evacuating.

There is nothing left of the Oscar winner's property, seen here in 2022. The gates which protected the property are still standing, but have been pushed wide open

Anthony Hopkins' home is also gone, devastating photos show

 Slide me  Pictured: Hopkins' home, which was purchased in 2019

The famed actor nearly lost his Malibu home in 2018 to the Woolsey fires which completely took down his neighbors property; the home pictured in 2018

Miles and Keleigh Teller

Top Gun: Maverick star Miles Teller and his wife Keleigh bought their dream home for $7.5million in April 2023.

The home is now entirely wiped out.

Shocking pictures show a car parked in the driveway was also completely charred.

Keleigh had shared several photos on Instagram overnight, the first being a dramatic photo of the blaze with a crying emoji, and the second urging evacuees to leave bowls of water on the streets for animals as they escaped.

The couple have not yet commented on the loss of their own home.

The sprawling five bed, seven bath home was built in 2015, equipped with a movie theatre, gym and custom staircase.

It is understood the property was purchased as a 'secondary residence.'

Miles Teller and his wife Keleigh, seen here attending the Golden Globes on Sunday, had landed their dream home for $7.5 million in 2023 before losing it this week to the fires

Top Gun: Maverick star Miles Teller and his wife Keleigh bought their dream home for $7.5million in April 2023. The home is now entirely wiped out

Eugene Levy

American Pie star Eugene Levy's home has also been leveled.

He had earlier discussed trying to flee and being trapped in the gridlocked traffic along with thousands of other residents who were following evacuation orders.

'The smoke looked pretty black and intense over Temescal Canyon,' he said.

'I couldn't see any flames but the smoke was very dark.'

His son Dan Levy later wrote on social media: 'Heartbroken for my family, my friends and the people of LA affected by the catastrophic fires.'

The American Pie star is seen here speaking during a ceremony for his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in March of last year

American Pie star Eugene Levy's home has also been leveled

Sarah Levy

Eugene Levy's daughter Sarah also heartbreakingly lost her home in the Palisades fire.

She revealed the loss in an Instagram post recalling memories of her time on the property and community.

'Oh, my sweet home. My heart so deeply aches. What I would give to hear the key slide in the front door one more time or the baby gate click behind me as I bring the laundry upstairs,' she began the post.

Eugene Levy's daughter Sarah also heartbreakingly lost her home in the Palisades fire

She included an image of what appeared to be the Palisades hillside

Billy Crystal

Nothing remains of Billy Crystal's palatial home beyond the tennis courts.

Aerial images show the tennis court almost entirely unmarked, despite the wreck right beside it.

He and his wife Janice released a statement confirming the loss.

Janice and I lived in our home since 1979,' Crystal wrote.

'We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that cant be taken away.

'We are heartbroken of course but with the love of our children and friends we will get through this.'

The 76-year-old, seen here in October of last year, had lived at the property since 1979 alongside his wife Janice

Nothing remains of Billy Crystal's palatial home beyond the tennis courts

Aerial images show the tennis court almost entirely unmarked, despite the wreck right beside it

 Slide me  Pictured: A devastating aerial view of before and after fire tore through Billy Crystal's home

Adam Brody and Leighton Meester

Actors Adam Brody and Leighton Meester's $7million mansion is among the 1,000 structures which have been destroyed due to the wildfires.

The couple purchased the five bedroom home in 2019, but pictures show the property now engulfed in flames.

The Nobody Wants This star, 45, and Gossip Girl actress, 38, were last pictured in public at Sunday's Golden Globe Awards, less than two days before the fires broke out.

They lived at the 6,000 square foot home with their two young daughters.

The Nobody Wants This star, 45, and Gossip Girl actress, 38, were last pictured in public at Sunday's Golden Globe Awards

Actors Adam Brody and Leighton Meester 's $7 million mansion is among the victims of the Los Angeles wildfires

The couple purchased the five bedroom home in 2019, but pictures show the property now engulfed in flames

They shared the family home with their two young daughters

 Slide me  Pictured: Before and after the wildfires of the family home

Anna Faris

Similarly, actress Anna Faris' $5 million eco-friendly abode was totally decimated by the blaze.

Aerial photos show how the Scary Movie star has been left with nothing but a pile of rubble.

Faris bought the property in 2018 through an off-market deal following her split from ex-husband Chris Pratt

Aerial photos show how Scary Movie star Anna Faris has been left with nothing but a pile of rubble

Anna Faris' $5 million eco-friendly abode was totally decimated by the blaze

 Slide me  Pictured: Before and after of Anna Faris' now destroyed home

Jen Atkin

Kim Kardashian's hairstylist Jen Atkin took to Instagram to reveal she lost her home in Los Angeles.

'This is weird to post but our house is gone,' she wrote on Instagram as she was seen crying with a dog on her lap while her husband drove a car.

'We just got confirmation. Our whole area demolished. So many are displaced and feeling scared right now it's almost too much to comprehend.

'Our neighbors are all taking care of one another and checking in and that's the theme for 2025.

'We're going to be ok. We always push thru. I'm just so sad I left Grandma Atkin's church blazer with her tissues and ticracs in the pockets. I also left chews little grave.

'I love u guys thnx for the warm blanket of love today.'

Kim Kardashian's hairstylist Jen Atkin took to Instagram to reveal she lost her home in Los Angeles

'This is weird to post but our house is gone,' she wrote on Instagram as she was seen crying with a dog on her lap while her husband drove a car

Sandra Lee

Sandra Lee revealed she lost her home in the Palisades wildfire - like many other celebrities - and has bravely vowed to rebuild it.

The 58-year-old television star took to her Instagram on Wednesday to share a tearful update on the status of her home.

Sandra held back tears as she shared a self-taken video which began: 'Thank you for all your well wishes.

'I'm in a hotel. I don't have a home anymore. My house is gone. It's literally gone. I've been crying all night. Thank God everybody is safe.'

The former First Lady of New York got emotional as she went on to reflect on the things she has lost due to the raging wildfires.

The 58-year-old television star, seen here in September of last year, took to her Instagram on Wednesday to share a tearful update on the status of her home

Ricki Lake

Former talk show host Ricki Lake also shared an emotional post mourning the 'immeasurable' loss of her 'dream home.'

Lake, 56, bought the property back in 2014. She and husband Ross Sussman tied the knot there in their backyard just three years ago.

'I can't believe I am typing these words [...] Ross and I lost our dream home,' Lake wrote on Instagram.

'This description 'dream home' doesn't suffice. It was our heaven on earth. The place where we planned to grow old together.

'We never took our heavenly spot on the bluff overlooking our beloved Malibu for granted, not even for one second. This loss is immeasurable.'

Lake, 56, bought the property back in 2014. She and husband Ross Sussman tied the knot there in their backyard just three years ago

Rikki Lake revealed that she has lost her 'dream home' in the wildfires, where she and husband Ross Sussman tied the knot three years ago

The charred remains of Lake's Pacific Palisades home pictured Saturday, January 11

Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag

Reality stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag confirmed their home has also been lost.

Pratt, 41, was captured in photos as he watched the rapidly advancing fire move toward his home.

Montag was inconsolable as she filmed herself sobbing on Snapchat early Wednesday morning.

'I have no words... I'm so thankful that we're safe,' she said as her youngest son Ryker, two, comforted her.

'I'm so sad our house is gone. I wish I could have gone back and got more,' she continued through tears.

'I didn't think it would be the last time we would be in our house. I'm so sad for everyone else going through the same thing.'

The couple and their two sons were able to safely evacuate earlier in the day before the flames got too close.

Pratt and Montag, seen here, watched on as the rapidly spreading fires approached before it engulfed their home

Reality stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag confirmed their home has also been lost

Images taken on Wednesday showed the decimated property

There was nothing but rubble left behind

The devastating fire burned their home to the ground

Photos showed the severity of the devastation

The only parts of the home still standing are the charred entry gate and the front portion of the home's stucco perimeter wall

A devastated Heidi broke down in tears this morning after losing her family home in the Los Angeles wildfires

Spencer, 41, was captured in photos as he watched the rapidly advancing fire move toward his home, which is in an area featuring many celebrity estates that are also at risk of burning

Mandy Moore

Mandy Moore revealed that the Altadena home she shares husband Taylor Goldsmith was partially burned down due to the Eaton fire.

The 40-year-old actress and singer shared photos of the rubble along with a lengthy message beginning with the news that part of their home still remained standing.

She wrote: 'We were able to park and walk up our street to bear witness to all the loss. Miraculously, the main part of our house is still standing. For now. Its not livable but mostly intact.

'We lost Taylor and griffins studio with every instrument and piece of equipment theyve ever owned. We lost our garage and back house.'

Mandy went on to sadly reveal that everyone that they know in the area were not as fortunate - giving her a sense of survivors guilt - as they were as every house on their street is gone including the home of her in-laws.

She also revealed that her brother and sister-in-law's home had burned down just six weeks after welcoming their first child.

Mandy Moore revealed that the Altadena home she shares husband Taylor Goldsmith was partially burned down due to the Eaton fire

The 40-year-old actress and singer shared photos of the rubble along with a lengthy message beginning with the news that part of their home still remained standing

She wrote: 'We were able to park and walk up our street to bear witness to all the loss. Miraculously, the main part of our house is still standing. For now. Its not livable but mostly intact'

Matthew Perry's former home

The home where Friends star Matthew Perry tragically died is within the destroyed evacuation zone of Pacific Palisades, according to Realtor.com.

The home was bought by real estate developer Anita Verma-Lallian for $8.5million just a few months ago.

According to Realtor.com, the property was surrounded by fire on Wednesday, with neighbors on Blue Sail Drive sharing horrifying footage of the rapidly approaching blaze to social media.

Though its unknown if Perry's former home has burned down, Cal Fire's live map shows that the neighborhood is within the 'incident perimeter.'

Verma-Lallian confirmed via Instagram Story that her and her family are 'safe' but did not provide any information about the state of the property.

Verma-Lallian  who is based in Scottsdale, Arizona  purchased Perry's 3,500-square-foot mansion in off-market deal in October 2024.

She previously told The Los Angeles Times that she planned to use the Pacific Palisades property as a 'vacation home.'

Perry is seen here in 2022. He tragically died inside the Pacific Palisades that was sold last year

Matthew Perry's former Pacific Palisades home is under immediate threat amid the devastating wildfire ravaging the celeb-loved Los Angeles enclave

Jhene Aiko

Jhene Aiko has revealed her Pacific Palisades home has burned down in the LA fire as she shared a heartbreaking message about the loss.

The 36-year-old singer took to her Instagram to share the news as she wrote: 'me and my children's home is gone [heartbreak emoji] burned to the ground with all of our things inside.

'Lord have mercy [prayer hands emoji] Thankful we still have each other [blue heart emoji] starting from scratch. My heart is so heavy [heartbreak emoji].'

Jhene is a mother of two as she has a 16-year-old daughter named Namiko Love Browner with ex O'Ryan and a two-year-old son Noah Hasani with current beau Big Sean.

She began her message on Instagram by writing: 'praying for everyone this morning.

'those who lost their home, those who lost their life's work, those who lost their life. praying for my city. praying for the wild life and lost pets. praying for the world [blue heart emoji]'

Jhene had purchased the Pacific Palisades mansion for $5.6million in July 2023.

Jhene Aiko (pictured with partner Big Sean in West Hollywood back in February 2017) has revealed her Pacific Palisades home has burned down in the LA fire as she shared a heartbreaking message about the loss

Jhene had purchased the Pacific Palisades mansion for $5.6million in July 2023

She took to her Instagram to share the news as she wrote: 'me and my children's home is gone [heartbreak emoji] burned to the ground with all of our things inside. Lord have mercy [prayer hands emoji] Thankful we still have each other [blue heart emoji] starting from scratch. My heart is so heavy [heartbreak emoji]'

James Woods

Oscar-nominated actor James Woods shared footage of a home two blocks from his property that was completely set alight.

He fled the Palisades with his family as the fast-moving wildfire tore through and is unclear what remains of his own property after the evacuation.

Woods also declared that he and many of his neighbors no longer have insurance after a 'major company' supposedly canceled many of the policies four months ago.

Woods fled the Palisades with his family as the fast-moving wildfire tore through and is unclear what remains of his own property after the evacuation

Actor James Woods shared footage of a home two blocks from his property that was completely set alight

Mark Hamill

Star Wars actor Mark Hamill revealed he was bundled out of his Malibu home in a 'last-minute' evacuation on Tuesday night.

He said 'small fires' burned on 'both sides of the road' as he approached the Pacific Coast Highway and called the blaze the 'most horrific fire' since 1993.

Hamill speaks at the ceremony for actress Carrie Fisher being honored posthumously with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on May 04, 2023

John C. Reilly

John C. Reilly's home was reduced to rubble amid the devastating wildfires that continue raging throughout Los Angeles.

Photos of the Step Brothers actor's, 59, Altadena residence  which he bought for $1.225M  taken on Thursday, show it has all been reduced to ashes.

The Chicago native purchased the 2-bed, 2-bath 2,620 sq ft home back in June of 2004.

The Academy Award nominee shares two kids with wife Alison Dickey, to whom he's been married to since 1992.

Their Altadena house was situated in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, just north of the city of Pasadena.

John C. Reilly's, 59, home was reduced to rubble amid the devastating wildfires that continue raging throughout Los Angeles; he is pictured on 2023

 Slide me  Photos of the Step Brothers actor's Altadena residence  which he bought for $1.225M  taken on Thursday, show it has all been reduced to ashes

The Chicago native purchased the 2-bed, 2-bath 2,620 sq ft home back in June of 2004

Yolanda Hadid

The iconic mansion featured in the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills was tragically destroyed by the wildfires raging across Los Angeles.

The luxurious property  where Yolanda Hadid, 60, once lived and raised her kids including Gigi Hadid and Bella Hadid  would frequently make appearances in the hit Bravo franchise series.

Once a backdrop to the reality TV series and drama-filled dinner parties in the earliest seasons, now just the wooden frames remain.

The Malibu mansion, known as the Carbon Canyon Estate, was also once rented by Kylie Jenner for nearly half a million dollars a month, but now no longer exists after heroic firefighters put out the blaze.

Only the ruins of the sprawling manse can be seen after the devastating wildfires ravaged the Pacific Palisades, and all throughout Los Angeles, burning down many other homes of the rich and famous in the process.

Bella shared a heartbreaking photo of her childhood home burning down amid the ongoing fires.

'Childhood bedroom,' Bella wrote on the snap with a sad face emoji. She also shared another decimated photo of the home in the daytime.

Bella Hadid, 28, shared a heartbreaking photo of her childhood home burning down in the Los Angeles fires. Her mother Yolanda Hadid, 60, previously owned the Malibu mansion; Bella and Yolanda seen in 2017

 Slide me  The Vogue cover girl took to her Instagram Stories with a photo of her mom Yolanda's iconic former Malibu mansion engulfed in flames

She also shared another decimated snap of the home in the daytime. Once a backdrop to the reality TV series and drama-filled dinner parties in the earliest seasons, now just the wooden frames of the home remain

The last owner had just put the Los Angeles mansion up for sale in July 2024 for $35 million.

The massive six-bedroom, 11-bathroom mansion was known for being the home of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum Yolanda.

Hadid previously purchased the home for $4.5 million in 2007 and renovated the mansion for two years to suit her and her now-ex, composter David Foster.

During the time Hadid owned and lived there, the house had seen iconic scenes starring the old, beloved cast: Taylor Armstrong, Kim Richards, Lisa Vanderpump, Adrienne Maloof, Brandi Glanville and Kyle Richards.

The home was featured on multiple seasons of RHOBH and was known for being the location of the infamous Don't Sing For Your Supper episode in season three.

Hadid and Foster were married for four years before she announced their divorce filing in 2015 and finalized their legal separation in 2017.

She sold her Malibu, Mediterranean-inspired mansion, the childhood home of her kids Gigi, Bella and Anwar Hadid, in 2015 after eight years of living there.

Cameron Mathison

General Hospital star Cameron Mathison's LA home was also razed in the fires.

The actor, 55, shared a shocking video of the still-flaming rubble of his former home in Pasadena, California which was destroyed in the Eaton wildfire as the Pacific Palisades blaze continues to spread.

Ash and flames were seen in the background, with the exterior structure of the home barely standing. Rubble and brick, as well as a ladder, was seen strewn about the property,

Mathison wrote: 'We are safe But this is what's left of our beautiful home. Our home where our kids were raised and where they wanted to raise their own someday.

'Thanks to all who reached out and checked in. Can't respond to all so wanted to give an update here. Sending so many prayers to everyone being affected by these fires.'

Mathison and now estranged wife Vanessa Arevalo lived in the home with their two children. The All My Children star bought the house in 2012 with Arevalo for for $1.672 million.

Speaking on Good Morning America on Thursday, he said he managed to make it out with only the clothes he was wearing.

He said: 'I've been up all night. I can't sleep. I've lost my home and everything that I own. I have this hoodie and a pair of pants and two pairs of sneakers left. That's it.

'This was not just a house. This was every single corner and tile and light fixture was picked out over a decade and half we were there.'

General Hospital star Cameron Mathison's LA home burned down in the devastating LA wildfires this week - pictured last month

The actor, 55, shared a shocking video of the still-flaming rubble of his former home in Pasadena, California which was destroyed in the Eaton wildfire

The home was razed to the ground in the shock video

Cobie Smulders

Cobie Smulders also tragically lost her home in the Pacific Palisades fire.

The fire started on the side of the house and within minutes engulfed the entire property, despite efforts from fire fighters to contain the blaze.

The How I Met Your Mother star, 42, and her husband, Taran Killam, bought the $5.6 million residence in 2017 and spent a year renovating it.

The home boasted five bedrooms and six bathrooms.

In a 2018 interview with Architectural Digest, she revealed that solar panels were her biggest splurge for the house, and that she also added in a 40-year-old photo booth.

Cobie Smulders, 42, also tragically lost her home in the Pacific Palisades fire; the home pictured in flames on Wednesday; seen in 2023

The How I Met Your Mother star and her husband, Taran Killam, bought the $5.6 million residence in 2017 and spent a year renovating it

The home boasted five bedrooms and six bathrooms

Maria Shriver

Arnold Schwarzenegger's ex wife and former First Lady of California Maria Shriver shared a devastating update driving through her community on Wednesday.

She shared footage of the charred remains of homes, an entire street leveled with nothing left.

'Heartbreaking, devastating, beyond belief. Everything is gone. Our neighborhood, our restaurants,' she wrote.

'All our friends have lost everything. We have evacuated, but are safe. But people have lost everything.'

The former First Lady of California shared footage of the charred remains of her neighborhood saying she had managed to evacuate in time

At least 30,000 residents are now under mandatory evacuation orders

Vernon Wells

Australian actor Vernon Wells has shared how a neighbour attempted to save his home in the Pacific Palisades from destruction during the California wildfires.

The US-based 79-year-old, who co-starred with Mel Gibson in Mad Max 2 over 40 years ago, said his friend, a firefighter, had heroically stayed behind after most in the neighbourhood had fled the flames.

But the man's efforts to save Vernon's house as well as other neighbouring homes failed as the blaze was just too powerful.

'He rang us and he was in tears,' a still shaken Vernon said on Friday during an appearance on Sunrise.

He continued: 'And he said, " am so, so sorry to tell you - I tried so hard to save your house and it's gone. Everything's gone".

'He said, "The other five houses, including mine, have gone as well, and that was the start of it."'

Australian actor Vernon Wells has shared how a neighbour attempted to save his home in the Pacific Palisades from destruction during the California wildfires. Pictured: He appeared on Sunrise on Friday to talk about his ordeal

The US-based actor, said his friend, a firefighter, had heroically stayed behind after most in the neighbourhood had fled the flames. Pictured: A view of the destruction in the Pacific Palisades

Elsewhere in the chat, Vernon related how his friend had stayed behind to wait for fire trucks to arrive to fight the blaze.

While he was standing by for help to arrive the courageous neighbour had resorted to a using a garden hose to wet down homes - including Vernon's - in order to try and protect them.

'About 150 houses went up. So far, they're saying 10,000 homes in the Pacific Palisades area have been burnt,' a heartbroken Vernon added.

Vernon, who is known to Mad Max fans the world over as the villain Wez in MM2 from 1981 said he and his wife lost 'everything' when their home was destroyed.

'I had all stuff from awards I'd won for acting, photographs from films. I had a big thing from our wedding,' he said.

'We had all this stuff that we'd accumulated over the time we've been together and, suddenly it's not there anymore. Everything, I mean, everything.

'We left with clothes on our back, our dog, our turtle, and a stray butterfly that couldn't fly that my wife was feeding.'

Vernon, who is known to Mad Max fans the world over as the villain Wez in MM2 (pictured) from 1981 said he and his wife lost 'everything' when their home was destroyed

Still, Vernon paid tribute to his community for the way they bonded together to support one another during the deadly fires which has reportedly claimed seven lives.

Joshua Jackson

Joshua Jackson's childhood home in Topanga Canyon, which he bought back after becoming a Hollywood success, was also consumed by the Palisades fire.

He was born in Vancouver but grew up in the Topanga Canyon home until he was eight, when his father left the family and he moved back to Canada with his mother.

After rising to fame in the 1990s via the Mighty Ducks film franchise, he purchased the California house back in 2002 for $865,000.

'My father unfortunately was not a good father or a husband and exited the scene, but that house in Topanga was where everything felt simple, so it was a very healing thing for me to do,' he told MR PORTER in 2021.

'There was a mural of a dragon on the wall in that room that I couldnt believe was still there, years later. The owner[who sold him the house] said: "I knew it meant a lot to somebody and that they were going to come back for it some day."'

Joshua Jackson's childhood home in Topanga Canyon, which he bought back after becoming a Hollywood success, was also consumed by the Palisades fire

After rising to fame in the 1990s via the Mighty Ducks film franchise, he purchased the California house back in 2001

As the Palisades fire raged, a second blaze, dubbed the Eaton Fire, broke out some 30 miles inland in Altadena, near Pasadena, and increased in size to 10,000 acres as of Wednesday afternoon.Up to 500 structures have been lost in that fire alone, and all five confirmed fatalities are related to the Eaton blaze.

Mandy Moore and her three children have evacuated their Pasadena home as the catastrophic fire continued to spread westward. The This Is Us star, 40, says the family and their pets are safe. She's unsure if her house survived.

A third blaze named the Hurst Fire had also broken out in Sylmar, in the San Fernando Valley northwest of Los Angeles, prompting evacuations of some nearby residents, while two more fires are now raging in the area as well.

Firefighters are continuing to battle the ferocious wildfires in Los Angeles suburbs, which have devoured buildings and sparked panicked evacuations as hurricane-force winds fueled rapid blaze growth.

Frightened residents abandoned their cars on one of the only roads in and out of the upscale Pacific Palisades area, fleeing on foot from the 15,000-acre inferno.

Melissa Claire Egan

The Young And The Restless star, Melissa Claire Egan, lost her home in the Pacific Palisades fire; seen in December 2024 in New Jersey

Both she and her husband, Matt Katrosar, had closed on the property two weeks before the devastating fires began on Tuesday; taken on Saturday

The Young And The Restless star, Melissa Claire Egan, lost her home in the Pacific Palisades fire.

Both she and her husband, Matt Katrosar, had closed on the property two weeks before the devastating fires began on Tuesday.

On Instagram, the soap opera actress penned, 'We are safe. Thank God. All that matters.'

'We just bought a house in the Palisades two weeks ago that's now destroyed. We hadn't moved in yet but it's gone.'

In a photo taken on Saturday, the burnt remains of the house could be seen, while neighboring homes seemingly also suffered the same tragic fate.

Ryan O'Neal and Farrah Fawcett

The Malibu home late Hollywood stars Ryan O'Neal and Farrah Fawcett lived in has burned down amid the ongoing wildfires in Southern California, his daughter Tatum O'Neal said Saturday.

'Its the saddest ever so sad I could cry,' the Oscar-winning actress, 61, said on Threads. 'My fathers house is gone Malibu gone.'

The Malibu home late Hollywood stars Ryan O'Neal lived in has burned down amid the ongoing wildfires in Southern California, his daughter Tatum O'Neal said Saturday.

O'Neal and Farrah Fawcett, pictured in NYC in 1989, lived at the oceanfront home for years

The late actor, pictured in front of the home in 2010, died in December 2023

Tatum subsequently spoke about the fire damage in a comment thread adjacent to a post actor Michael Douglas shared to Instagram Saturday.

'My fathers house in Malibu is gone Malibu house gone,' said Tatum, who won an Academy Award performing opposite her father in 1973's Paper Moon.

The blaze to the Love Story actor's longtime residence off Pacific Coast Highway comes more than two years after he died at the age of 82 on December 8, 2023 from congestive heart failure.

It also comes more than 15 years after Fawcett's death at 62 from cancer on June 25, 2009. She and O'Neal never married, but dated and lived with one another on-and-off (sans a split from 1997-2001) from 1979 until her death.

Insiders told the New York Post a report published following Ryan's death in December of 2023, Ryan left a $30 million estate that included the 2,344 square foot home, which was valued at $5 million.

A recent Redfin listing estimated the home, which had three bedrooms and three bathrooms, for $3,348,606.
Ben Affleck seemed to be in good spirits just hours after being evacuated from his $20 million Pacific Palisades bachelor pad due to the California wildfires.

The actor had rushed to his ex-wife Jennifer Garners nearby home on Tuesday to pick up their three kids, and sources confirmed to DailyMail.com that theyre all safe now.

Now, looking more at ease, Affleck was spotted with a big grin while appearing to check on his neighbors in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood.

Wearing a hooded sweatshirt and sporting his signature beard, he was seen hugging an acquaintance before hopping back into his luxury SUV.

Affleck has been living in the bachelor pad since his split from Jennifer Lopez, leaving the $68 million home they once shared.

Hes one of several celebrities whose homes in the area have been affected by the devastating fires.

On Tuesday the premiere for his film Unstoppable, which stars Lopez, was canceled.

Ben Affleck seemed to be in good spirits just hours after being evacuated from his $20 million Pacific Palisades bachelor pad due to the California wildfires

Looking more at ease, Affleck was spotted with a big grin while appearing to check on his neighbors in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood

Affleck was pictured looking downcast as he drove up to his home to find it engulfed in flames yesterday.

Garner has been residing in a $53,271-a-month home just blocks away from her ex-husband whilst renovations were completed on her $8 million Brentwood farmhouse, Architectural Digest reports.

Ben's westside neighborhood of Pacific Palisades is home to a bevy of stars, including Ben Affleck, Tom Hanks, Miles Teller, Reese Witherspoon, Adam Sandler and Jhene Aiko, among others.

Actor James Woods shared footage of the blaze to Instagram on Tuesday as he announced that he was evacuating.

The wildfire has already engulfed more than 1,200 acres in the area, which is sparsely populated with massive celebrity estates surrounded by vegetation-covered hills, which has left plenty of fuel for the fire, unlike denser neighborhoods further inland.

The Armageddon star has only been living in the neighborhood for a short time after he bought a home in the area for $20.5 million following his separation from Jennifer Lopez.

Although it's far from the opulent retreat that he and his ex had lived in together in Beverly Hills, it's far from tiny with 6,247 square feet and five bedrooms and six bathrooms.

Prior to that he had been living in the massive, 38,000 square foot Georgian mansion that he and Lopez purchased for $60 million.

Wearing a hooded sweatshirt and sporting his signature beard, he was seen hugging an acquaintance before hopping back into his luxury SUV

The actor had rushed to his ex-wife Jennifer Garner s nearby home on Tuesday to pick up their three kids, and sources confirmed to DailyMail.com that theyre all safe now (Affleck and Garner in 2014)

Affleck has been living in the bachelor pad since his split from Jennifer Lopez , leaving the $68 million home they once shared; (seen in February 2024)

It boasts 12 bedrooms and 24 bathroom and features numerous amenities, including a 12-car garage and an elevator, but so far the couple haven't found a buyer after putting it on the market for $68 million.

After separating from Jennifer  but prior to her going public with her divorce filing  Ben had been seen living in a Brentwood rental, which isn't too far from his current home and kept him in the same neighborhood that his ex-wife Jennifer Garner and his children live in.

Stars across Hollywood reacted with shock and concern on social media as the fires spread thanks to winds sweeping through Los Angeles that at times exceeded 100mph.

'Please send prayers and strength tonight to everyone in Los Angeles affected by these devastating fires. Los Angeles is in a state of emergency and over 30,000 have been ordered to evacuate,' Chris Pratt captioned a photo of a firefighter battling the blaze on social media.

The Hills star Spencer Pratt was one of the unlucky people whose home was engulfed in the rapidly advancing wildfire.

He was seen watching the fire approach his Pacific Palisades home from a nearby hill and shot a video of an airplane dropping water on a nearby hill earlier in the day, but he and his wife Heidi Montag were forced to evacuate with their two young boys later before their house was burned to the ground.

The Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday that the Getty Villa, a museum designed in the image of an ancient Roman villa, was threatened by the wildfire.

Some of the vegetation on the museum estate had been burned, but the buildings on the campus were reportedly still safe, and the artwork and sculptures had been sealed to prevent smoke damage.

Katherine E. Fleming, the president and chief executive of the J. Paul Getty Trust, boasted in a statement that the Getty Villa had made 'extensive efforts to clear brush from the surrounding area as part of its fire mitigation efforts throughout the year.'

The entire city has been hit with severe wind exceeding 100mph in some areas, which resulted in wildfires raging through 1,200 acres of the Pacific Palisades forcing thousands to evacuate (pictured Tuesday)

'Some trees and vegetation on site have burned, but staff and the collection remain safe,' she said.

The dry and extremely windy condition have allowed a second fire to start in Altadena further east, which led residents in nearby Pasadena to evacuate.

As Westside residents rushed in a panic to escape at the last minute, numerous people got stuck in enormous traffic jams, including Schitt's Creek star Eugene Levy.

Many drivers ultimately abandoned their cars in the streets and proceeded on foot, and fire crews were forced to bulldoze rows of cars in order to get into the affected areas.
New slimmer and more fuel-efficient planes could spell the end of large hub airports, as direct flights to smaller destinations become increasingly viable.

This shift eliminates the hassle of long layovers and missed connections.

Traditionally, airlines relied on large planes packed with passengers for major international routes to keep costs down.

These flights funneled into major hubs like London Heathrow or New York's JFK, where roughly half of passengers connect to smaller planes bound for regional destinations.

This 'hub and spoke' model, often resulting in long layovers, is now facing disruption as the likes of United make the most of a new breed of passenger planes.

Advanced aircraft like the Boeing 737 Max 8 and Airbus A321XLR can now make cost-effective, long-distance trips to smaller regional airports, bypassing the need for hubs.

For travelers, this means airlines like United will soon offer transatlantic flights from the East Coast to less traditional destinations such as Nuuk, Greenland; Palermo, Italy; and Bilbao, Spain.

'Smaller, fuel-efficient aircraft like the Boeing 737 Max 8 have enabled new non-stop service to burgeoning niche leisure destinations within reach from the US East Coast,' United Airlines' Patrick Quayle told the Financial Times.

United will use smaller jets to make direct trips from the East Coast to places such as Nuuk

'Our point-to-point portfolio taps into the growing interest in diverse European locales,' he said.

Flyers are more keen than ever to skip a transfer at a major hub airport after major disruptions have blighted so many since the pandemic, causing massive delays and cancelled trips.

'We do hear that some passengers are avoiding the very big hubs... where there have been delays,' Bogi Nils Bogason, Icelandair's chief executive told the FT.

Indeed, 55 percent of travelers to ten of the world's busiest hubs were directly at their final destination.

This is an increase from the 50-50 split seen almost a decade earlier, which saw half take a connecting flight onwards, Financial Times analysis of data from OAG showed.

The shift is unlikely to slow, with new aircrafts such as the A321XLR Airbus being taken up by budget airlines in an effort to revamp their route maps.

The A321XLR can fly continuously for 11 hours at a time, or 8,700km, compared to the older A320 Airbus which has a maximum range of 6,300km.

Budget airline Wizz Air plans to use the new Airbus, which can carry up to 244 passengers, for new routes from the UK to Saudi Arabia, the FT reported.

Major airports such as JFK (pictured) connect around half of passengers onto regional flights

United will soon offer transatlantic flights from the East Coast to destinations such as Palermo

'You could say the business model has always been under threat,' Thomas Woldbye, chief executive of Heathrow (pictured) told the FT

Other airlines, including Aer Lingus and Iberia, are set to use the model for transatlantic flights.

'We can fly further into North America on a very fuel-efficient narrow-body aircraft' Bogason said of the XLR.

Icelandair is considering using the aircraft for flights from its Reykjavik hub to Texas, California and Dubai.

Major airport executives and airlines told the FT that hubs will still play an important role in flight networks.

'Our hubs will continue to play a vital role in our network,' United's Quayle told the publication.

However, there is a growing acceptance that new models will shake up the status quo.

'You could say the business model has always been under threat,' Thomas Woldbye, chief executive of Heathrow said.

'Will we see areas which will be less dependent on hubs, not least because of the XLR? Of course we will. But there is an enormous amount of people who want to travel, many come from areas without major airports. So I don't think the hub is disappearing,' he said in November.
As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his second term, the debate over H-1B visas for skilled foreign workers is heating up

As the US President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office on January 20, he faces a unique challenge. The issue of immigration and the H-1B visa has become a contentious point among the two key groups. He is trying to satisfy the conflicting interests of the billionaire tech community, who heavily fund his campaigns, and his America First base.

Trumps recent favourable statements on H-1B visas for foreign skilled workers have sparked renewed discussions on the future of this critical programme. The New York Post quoted Trump, Ive always liked the visas, I have always been in favour of the visas.

Thats why we have them. He added: I have many H-1B visas on my properties. Ive been a believer in H-1B visas. I have used it many times. Its a great program.

Trump admitted. Trump has backed Elon Musk and his other wealthy funders from Silicon Valley ( South Africa-born Musk had an H1B visa himself). While tech leaders want a liberal H-1B visa regime, America First hardliners wish for stricter restrictions on immigration at all levels.

In his first term, Trump prioritised protecting American citizens interests, which had significant implications on the H-1B visas. America First advocates argue that H-1B visas take jobs away from American workers. The looming question is, will the Trumps second term may prioritise American workers jobs, or it could revert to the traditional Republican belief that immigration primarily benefits employers. Debates arose over H-1B visas following Trumps appointment of India-born Sriram Krishnan as his advisor on artificial intelligence. It caused divisions within Trumps teamopponents of the H-1B visa claim that the immigrants take away American jobs. The intriguing question is whether a second Trump term will prioritise jobs for American workers or revert to the traditional Republican stance that immigration is primarily beneficial for employers. Influential supporters like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy argue that H-1B visas are crucial for addressing the US engineers shortage.

Musk, who built his empire, and Vicek Ramasawamy have strongly supported the program. Musk expressed his readiness to go to war over it. They highlight a significant skills gap in the US labour market, particularly in STEM fields.

What is an H-1B visa, and why is there such controversy surrounding it? Would India suffer if H-1B visas were eliminated? The visa system for skilled workers from other countries was introduced in 1990 by President Bush to work legally in the US. The visa is for three years. Applicants must have a job lined up with a US-based sponsoring company or institution. Since 2004, the United States has limited the number of new H-1B visas to 85,000 yearly.

This cap includes 20,000 visas for international students with advanced degrees from US universities. In the fiscal year 2023, the US approved just over 386,000 H-1B applications. For the fiscal year 2024, there were 758,994 eligible registrations, an increase from 474,421 in 2023. Most approved applicants work in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The issue is more than just an economic concern; new developments in artificial intelligence and advanced computing technology make it vital for US defence and national security. India receives approximately 72 per cent of H-1B visas, while Chinese citizens account for around 12 per cent.

Eliminating country-specific caps could increase job opportunities for Indians in the United States. It is a significant concern for many prospective applicants. Major employers in the tech industry, including Indian companies like Infosys, TCS, HCL, and Wipro, represent 35 per cent of the top 10 beneficiaries of H-1B visas. Beginning with FY 2025, USCIS changed from an employer-based to a beneficiary-centric registration system, following the agencys serious concerns noted after the FY 2024 registration period. Amazon, the largest H-1B sponsor, saw a steep decline in approvals, dropping from over 11,000 in 2023 to just above 9,000 in 2024. Major U.S. companies, including tech giants like Amazon and Google, are significantly scaling back their sponsorship of H-1B visas. Indian IT firms, including Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), also recorded substantial reductions. Not everyone wants to get rid of the visa system.

According to the American Enterprise Institute and the Partnership for a New American Economy, increasing the H-1B visa cap could generate 1.3 million new jobs. It would contribute approximately $158 billion to the US GDP by 2045. H-1B visa holders often add to the workforce instead of taking jobs from US workers. Trumps recent statement about H-1B visas has given hope to many visa seekers, especially Indians.

He stated that the US needs skilled and intelligent people and promised more job opportunities. It provides a positive outlook for H-1B visas.H-1B visa holders often complement, rather than compete with, US workers.

Now many H-1B visa seekers are hopeful after Trump has sided with Musk. He claimed that there was a need for skilled and intelligent workers. His promise of unprecedented job opportunities offers a positive outlook for those seeking H-1B visas. The Indian government closely monitors any backlash against Indian H-1B visa holders in the US.

(The writer is a popular columnist; views expressed are personal)
More than 15 educational institutions including Lady Shri Ram College across the national Capital received bomb threats, which later turned out to be hoaxes.

Since May last year, more than 100 schools have been receiving bomb threats through mails. According to the police on Wednesday, more than 15 schools including Bal Bharati Public School in Ganga Ram, Laxman Public School in Hauz Khas, Fr. Agnel School in Gauta Nagar, Bluebells School in Kailash, Modern School in Vasant Vihar, Amity School in Saket, Salwan Public School in Mayur Vihar, G D Goenka school, Spring Bell Nursery School in West Patel Nagar, Tagore international in Amar Colony and Delhi Public School in East of kailash among others.

According to police sources, the mail was received from an e-mail id 'troiisns@gmail.com'. The content of the mail mentioned that since exams are going on in the schools, this will be the best time to strike and create maximum damage.

The mail was received around 10:15 am, a senior police officer said, adding that after thorough checking it turned out to be hoax.

"We received two different bomb threat calls from Lady Shri Ram College at 11.40 am. Another bomb threat call was received from Tagore International School in the East of Kailash area at 11.17 am," an official said.

He said teams were immediately rushed to the site, but nothing suspicious was found. A dog squad and bomb disposal squad were part of the teams rushed to the spot, a police officer said.

Since May last year, over 50 bomb threat emails have targeted not only schools but also hospitals, airports and airline companies in Delhi, but the police have yet to make any breakthroughs in these cases.

The Delhi Police has been unable to crack the cases due to VPNs (Virtual Private Network) and proxy servers which acted as key barriers in solving cases and legal frameworks for obtaining information from these services are inadequate, leading to delays in investigations.

According to senior officials, the Delhi Police have written to service providers like Google, VK (known as Mail.Ru), and Outlook.Com to obtain the IP addresses of the senders.

"Our investigation is underway. We are working to trace the origin of the sender. While their servers or domains have been traced to European or Middle Eastern countries, the actual origin remains unconfirmed, as the emails were sent using VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) or proxy servers," an officer said, adding that a dedicated unit of the Delhi Police Special Cell has been tasked with investigating the threat cases.
Ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, Opposition parties INDIA Bloc's rift widened as Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Wednesday announced its support for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). This comes after Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) and Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party (SP) too announced to support the AAP in the upcoming assembly polls in Delhi has sparked speculation of a significant rift within the alliance, particularly concerning the Congress party, which is running alone in the Delhi polls and finds itself isolated despite claiming leadership in the alliance.

AAP Supremo and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said he is "personally grateful" to TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the support.

Responding to this, Kejriwal thanked the TMC chief. Kejriwal took said TMC extended support to AAP in the assembly polls, adding that he is personally grateful to Mamata. TMC and SP had thrown their weight behind the AAP in the 2020 Delhi assembly elections as well. Earlier on Tuesday, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh had said that Delhi residents will defeat the saffron party in the upcoming assembly elections.

All the four parties - AAP, Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party and Congress - are partners in the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) and had jointly fought the Lok Sabha elections last year.

With major INDIA bloc allies supporting AAP, the Congress has found itself cornered in the three-way battle against the AAP and the BJP. The current situation fuels existing speculation about leadership within the INDIA Bloc.

Mamata Banerjee has openly expressed her desire to lead the coalition, a move that has reportedly put pressure on the Congress party, who are seen by many as facing a leadership crisis. The support from both the SP and TMC appears to be a direct challenge to Congress's position.

The support for AAP is particularly noteworthy since it appears to directly undermine Congress's election strategy. Sharad Pawar of the NCP and Lalu Prasad Yadav of the RJD have also publicly backed Banerjee's leadership ambitions, further intensifying pressure on Congress.

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav declared his support for the AAP in the upcoming Delhi assembly elections, signaling a significant crack in the opposition's INDIA alliance. Kejriwal extended his gratitude to the former Uttar Pradesh CM.

Talking to reporters in Lucknow, Yadav made it clear that SP will support AAP in Delhi and he would share the stage with them. Yadav further stated that he would not support Congress.

Besides, the Shiv Sena (UBT) is planning to campaign in support of Arvind Kejriwal and AAP in the next few days. Kejriwal is in touch with Uddhav Thackeray.

The 70-member assembly of the national capital will go to polls on February 5 and the counting of votes will take place on February 8. Kejriwal's AAP is seeking a third term in office in the capital, going in for a head-on fight with the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress. It dominated the 2020 assembly elections by winning 62 out of 70 seats while the BJP got only eight seats.

Both the AAP and the Congress have been locked in an intense battle, over various issues, for quite some time. Last month, Delhi Congress leader Ajay Maken's remarks that a tie-up with the AAP during the Lok Sabha polls was a "mistake" further worsened relations between the allies. The AAP said it will ask other members of the INDIA bloc to remove the Congress from the alliance, if the latter does not act against Maken for his remarks.
First meeting of Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) meeting on one Nation one poll bills on Wednesday witnessed exchange of opinions between the Opposition and ruling party MPs. Opposition MPs criticised the bills as an attack on the basic fabric of the Constitution and federalism and BJP MPs hailing it as reflective of popular opinion. All MPs were given a trolley carrying over 18,000 pages, including one volume of the Kovind committee report each in Hindi and English, and 21 volumes of annexure, besides a soft copy as well.

The MPs attending the meeting of the 39-member JPC expressed their views and asked questions following a presentation by the Ministry of Law and Justice on the provisions of the bills and the rationale guiding them. Opposition MPs, including Congress' Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, questioned the claim that simultaneous polls will reduce expenditure. They asked if any estimate was made following the 2004 Lok Sabha elections when EVMs were used for the first time in all 543 seats and are believed to have brought down the cost incurred.

BJP MPs, the sources added, countered the charge that the 'one nation one election' proposal flouted constitutional values by requiring an early dissolution of several state assemblies and locking their term with the Lok Sabha's. Noting that Seven State Assemblies were dissolved early in 1957 to ensure all state elections are held alongside the national elections, Sanjay Jaiswal asked if the likes of then president Rajendra Prasad, who was also the chairman of Constituent Assembly, and other eminent lawmakers, including those in the Nehru government, acted in violation of the Constitution. Another BJP MP, V D Sharma, said the idea of simultaneous elections was reflective of the popular will. He also noted that the high-level committee headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind had consulted over 25,000 members of the public, with an overwhelming majority supporting the idea.

The BJP MPs reiterated that a continuous cycle of elections hampers development, the country's growth and is a drain on the exchequer. One nation one election will be a boost to growth and development, they added.

Shiv Sena, which was represented by Shrikant Shinde, cited the case of Maharashtra where Lok Sabha, assembly, and local body polls are held back to back within few months, stressing that this derails development work as the entire state machinery is busy in the conduct of elections. Several opposition MPs, including those from the Congress, DMK and the Trinamool Congress, echoed their parties' stated views that the proposed laws run contrary to the Constitution and are attack on its basic fabric as well as federalism.

A TMC MP said upholding people's democratic rights is more important than saving money. Some opposition MPs demanded that the Joint Committee of Parliament, headed by former Union minister P P Chaudhary, scrutinising the two bills should be given a tenure of at least on year due to the enormity of the exercise.

V Vijayasai Reddy of the YSR Congress, which had earlier supported the concept in its submission to the Kovind committee, raised a number of questions over the bills, and demanded that ballot papers must replace Electronic Voting Machines which are is "vulnerable to manipulation". Reddy claimed that simultaneous elections will marginalise regional parties, dilute diversity of representations and local issues, undermine the need for elected representatives to engage regularly with voters and turn polls into a contest between two or three national parties.

JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha, sources said, spoke of the incidents of booth capturing in Bihar during the use of ballot papers to refute the suggestion to bring them back. The BJP ally, however, also raised a few questions, including whether a government elected for a short tenure will have the required governance focus that a incumbent with five-year term will have.

The bills propose that if a mid-term Lok Sabha or assembly election is held due to the fall of a government and the absence of any alternative, the tenure of the new legislature will be for the remainder of outgoing House. The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill were introduced in the Lok Sabha during the recent Winter Session and referred to the committee. The panel has 27 members from the Lok Sabha, and 12 from the Rajya Sabha.
The outgoing AAP government has passed a proposal to maintain the status quo on the shifting of dairies from Bhalswa to Ghoga dairy colony till a policy is finalised for the accommodation of its residents.

According to official sources on Wednesday, the council of ministers has also requested Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena to take a considerate view of the issue for the well-being of the large number of people involved.

It is requested that the Lieutenant Governor takes a considerate view of the above, keeping in mind the far-reaching implications it holds for a significant number of families whose well-being and livelihoods are directly impacted, the resolution read.

In 2019, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the High Court brought to light the challenges faced by dairy colonies in Delhi, including overcrowding, inadequate drainage, pollution, etc. Responding to these directives, the Government of NCT of Delhi embarked on a mission to address these pressing issues. The concerns raised by dairy farmers, who demanded uniform standards for accommodating dairy animals, added urgency to the matter.

In August 2019, a joint committee of MLAs, officers and dairy farmers was formed with the task of chalking out a standard policy for dairy farm accommodations, aligning with court orders. The committee's first site visit to Gazipur Dairy Colony on August 8, 2019, revealed the on-ground realities. Subsequent meetings on September 17 and 24, 2019, led to a set of recommendations to resolve the identified issues and establish a uniform policy for dairy colonies in Delhi, it noted.

However, the policy is yet to be formed, the sources said, adding that after the Delhi High Court issued a directive last year to relocate the dairies within four weeks, there was an urgency to finalise the policy.

As a result, a resolution recommending mixed land use and freehold ownership rights for dairy owners in these colonies was adopted by the Delhi Assembly in September last year. Meanwhile, considering the dire circumstances affecting many familles, a resolution moved by Kuldeep Kumar, member, was adopted unanimously by the house on 27th September 2024, which recommends mixed land use and freehold ownership rights for dairy owners, the proposal stated.

The resolution emphasises that the current restrictions on land use and ownership rights have severely impacted the livelihoods of many dairy owners. It mentions that most of them have been forced to shut down their dairies leading to significant economic distress.

The council of ministers has endorsed the resolution and recommended that until the proposed policy is approved and implemented, local authorities like the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board refrain from taking any adverse action against dairy owners, sources said.

It also recommended that the dairy farmers be permitted to undertake small-scale non-polluting activities to sustain their livelihoods, they said. Dairy farms in Delhi were established under the Master Plan in 1975-76 on the city's outskirts. However, with the rapid expansion and urbanisation, these once-peripheral locations integrated into the urban landscape.

This development led to challenges such as overcrowding, waste management issues, and environmental concerns, as dairy farms now coexist with residential and commercial zones.
Delhi chief minister Atishi on Wednesday raised concerns over alleged large-scale voter deletions and additions in the New Delhi assembly constituency, putting forth the matter with a second letter to the chief election commissioner (CEC). She requested an urgent meeting to address the issue, citing its critical impact on the upcoming Delhi assembly polls, now less than 27 days away. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor and former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday accused the BJP of instructing its seven members of Parliament from Delhi to manufacture fake votes ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in the national capital.

This is the second letter the senior AAP leader has written to the chief election commissioner over the allegation of deletions and additions of voter in the constituency, held by AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal. She requested an urgent meeting to address the issue, citing its critical impact on the upcoming Delhi assembly polls, now less than 27 days away.

In her letter, Atishi referenced her earlier correspondence dated January 5, 2025, in which she pointed out irregularities in the voter list and sought an immediate appointment with the CEC. This is regarding my earlier letter dated 05.01.2025 highlighting the issue of large-scale voter deletions and additions in the New Delhi assembly constituency. I had sought an appointment from your good office for a meeting to apprise you of the issue in person.

She added, However, in response to my letter, my office has received a correspondence (attached) from Lalit Mittal, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Delhi stating that the office is ascertaining the facts mentioned in my letter.

Atishi, in the letter, claimed that the matter is beyond the authority of the local CEO and given the date of voting for the high-octane elections the issue should be given highest priority. Sir, in my letter, I sought an urgent appointment with your good self to personally discuss this matter and seek directions since this matter is beyond the scope of the local CEO. With less than 27 days left for the Delhi Assembly Elections, this matter should be considered at the highest priority, she added.

She asserted that Delhi is the only state going to polls during this time, and the entire county and its media will closely follow the elections and its processes. We place our trust in the Election Commission of India to uphold the principles of free and fair elections. Once again, I would like to ask you to please give an appointment as soon as possible to ensure free and fair elections in the upcoming Delhi Assembly, she said.

The AAP chief and former Chief Minister also took to X and alleged that the seven BJP MPs have been asked to add fake voters in their constituencies. According to sources, the Gaali Galooj Party has given targets to its seven MPs to get fake votes made in the New Delhi Legislative Assembly in the next few days. Let's see how many applications for making new votes come in the next few days. Everyone should keep an eye on this, he shared.

Kejriwal added, Atishi ji has sought time to meet the Chief Election Commissioner. We hope we will get time soon.

Meanwhile, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva said that every party has the right to present its complaint before the Election Commission but the Chief Minister is preparing a stage not for making any valid complaint but for blaming the Election Commission.

The AAP leaders have realized that they are losing the Delhi Assembly elections and all their efforts to protect fake Bangladeshi and Rohingya voters have become public, so now they are preparing for post-defeat defense. All "AAP" leaders including Chief Minister and former Chief Minister are now doing the correspondence drama to question the impartiality of the Election Commission, he claimed, adding that after a few days, they will question the impartiality of their own Delhi government as well as the Delhi Police.
IIM Ranchi successfully concluded the Management Development Programme (MDP) on Strategic Financial Management for the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) executives. This three-day intensive training programme was meticulously designed to enhance strategic financial expertise and address stress management among senior professionals, equipping them to tackle the evolving challenges within their demanding roles.

Prof. Deepak Kumar Srivastava, Director IIM Ranchi, engaged with the participants, celebrating DVCs legacy as a dream project envisioned by Jawaharlal Nehru and modeled after American infrastructure. He emphasized the importance of lifelong learning and outlined flexible programs such as the MBA Executive in hybrid mode and Executive PhD, which enable professionals to pursue higher education while maintaining their careers. In a gesture of appreciation, the Director presented mementos to the participants, acknowledging their dedication to the programme.

Prof. Amit Sachan, Dean Executive Education, acknowledged the participants commitment to professional development. Prof. Sachan highlighted the critical role of financial management in driving organizational success and underscored the programmes value in empowering leaders with actionable insights.

Prof. Manish Bansal praised the programmes focus on core areas such as finance and accounting. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to the organizing team for their relentless efforts in ensuring the events success. Participants shared overwhelmingly positive feedback, applauding the seamless execution, relevant content, and engaging sessions that significantly contributed to their professional growth.

The event concluded on a high note fostering camaraderie and meaningful connections among attendees. This programme reinforced IIM Ranchis commitment to advancing executive education and enabling transformative leadership within organizations like DVC.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said with an expected turnout of 40 crore devotees this year, the Maha Kumbh is projected to generate up to Rs 2 lakh crore in economic growth.

Speaking at the 'Divine Uttar Pradesh: The Must Visit Sacred Journey' conclave organised by a prominent media group, Adityanath acknowledged the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "inspiring the nation to embrace its heritage with pride", according to an official statement.

Sharing the economic impact of the Maha Kumbh, the chief minister said the 2019 event contributed Rs 1.2 lakh crore to the state's economy. With an expected turnout of 40 crore devotees this year, the Maha Kumbh is projected to generate up to Rs 2 lakh crore in economic growth, he said.

In addition, Adityanath revealed that the year 2024 has already seen over 16 crore devotees visiting Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi and more than 13.55 crore devotees in Ayodhya from January to September.

The chief minister said Maha Kumbh Mela, set to take place from January 13 to February 26, will elevate India's ancient cultural and religious traditions to global prominence, a press statement said.

Noting the spiritual and societal importance of the Maha Kumbh, he stated that the event is not just a religious gathering but a symbol of social and spiritual unity. He described the Maha Kumbh as the world's largest temporary city, expected to accommodate between 50 lakh to one crore devotees at any given time.

He criticised those who take pride in the legacy of foreign invaders rather than embracing India's glorious heritage.

"These individuals thrive on division -- whether by caste, region, language or other factors -- and use such divides for political gain expecting a constructive approach from them would be futile," he said.

Adityanath contended that such individuals fail to appreciate the significance of the Maha Kumbh and the transformation of sacred sites like Ayodhya, Kashi and Mathura-Vrindavan.

"These people thrive on division and seek political gain from societal divides," he remarked.

He said the people of the state are privileged to showcase India's profound spiritual heritage to the world through the upcoming Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj and said those who take pride in the legacy of foreign invaders will never understand its grandeur.

He noted that under PM Modi's vision, India's spiritual roots are being celebrated on a global scale.

CM Adityanath described the Maha Kumbh as a monumental spiritual event and said it is a grand, divine and digitally advanced gathering, where faith and modernity converge.

He further outlined that the central and state governments, with the support from "revered" saints, have worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the Maha Kumbh.

"This will be a model of modernity," he assured, highlighting the focus on environmental sustainability, including the prevention of sewage from flowing into the Ganga and Yamuna rivers.
Its not just the Big State civil service and train drivers who get a good deal under Labour, grooming gangs who operate in many parts of the country will be allowed to work from home, and allowed a 4-day grooming rape week.

Even Pakistani rapists need a few days off from grooming and gang raping young English girls. Because these people are core Labour voters in many Northern and Midlands counties, we are not only halting any enquiries into these gangs but enabling them to continue what they are doing without fear of prosecution, Labour Safeguard minister, Jess Phillips, told a Birmingham reporter on Tuesday.

An unnamed groomer from Rotherham was appreciative of the new Labour grooming gangs initiative.

Labour gets my vote again. Thank you. I just had a hard night raping and grooming outside the local school. Thanks to Labour, I can have times to rest and conduct grooming and rape operations from my home and kebab house business.

PM Keir Starmer also gave the new grooming gang Labour scheme his thumbs up.

Anyone who disagrees with my decisions is a far-right fascist! Next!
The Peoples Soviet Republic of Britain and Supreme Comrade Starmer are staying vigilant after being attacked with threats from the capitalist swine Elon Musk from the USA.

Today, Comrade Starmer responded to the threats from his dacha.

Comrades, commissars, Bolsheviks, apparatchiks, working people, cash cows, train drivers, civil servants of the Big Soviet State, Stasi Thoughtcrime Police. Today I address you from my dacha. I have taken a few days off to avoid any questions about this ridiculous call for some kind of enquiry about child abuse. Let me tell you, I do not have to answer questions to anyone about anything, especially from a filthy capitalist swine. The terrible things that I and the Labour government are covering up will stay covered up. This is the soviet communist way, and if you dont like it, we will take away your choco rations.

Comrades, we are being attacked by vile capitalists from the Imperialist USA, a terrible place where they actually believe in democracy, freedom, private business, aspiration, personal wealth, justice and free speech. These attacks are being led by the despicable capitalist far-right fascist stooge called Elon Musk.

The abominable Elon Musk is trying to force the Labour Communist Party to open an enquiry dealing with issues that happened many, many years ago. This stupid man does not realise that in communist states, everyone is deemed as equal, even rapists and paedophiles, especially if they are ethnic. We will protect those people, particularly because of their ethnicity. Under communism, we make extra provisions to champion equality in diversity and inclusivity.

Furthermore, any enquiry would threaten my leadership because it would delve into my conduct when I covered up the cover-up during the cover-up. This very conversation will be erased from all records and covered up and shredded.

I am not bothered by you, Elon Musk, you despicable capitalist swine. Why dont you take a trip to Mars where you belong, you entrepreneurial nincompoop! Now, please excuse me, I have to conduct another cover-up of child abuse by a protected ethnic group.

INGSOC NOTICE  211110111110-9WT-00097856400000-A-12229292929292929

JANE DOE, 21, OF ROCHDALE, SECTOR 32, WHO REPORTED THAT SHE WAS REPEATEDLY RAPED BY GANGS OF MEN FROM AN UNMENTIONABLE ETHNIC GROUP WHEN SHE WAS 12-YEARS OLD, WAS TODAY TAKEN AWAY AND SHUT UP. ANYONE WHO DARES TO THREATEN OUR WONDERFUL DIVERSITY WILL BE ERASED AND CANCELLED. IN OLDHAM, A GROOMING GANG WAS TODAY COMMENDED FOR THEIR WORK IN DIVERSITY BY RAPING A DIVERSE AMOUNT OF CHILDREN VARYING FROM THE AGES OF 9-15.
Dr. Wanda Costen was out for a stroll on Dal campus last month  the same week she completed her move to Halifax  when someone she didnt know stopped to say hello. A short time later, it happened again.

Hey, arent you Dals new provost? was the general gist of the conversations, she recalls.

While she was still a couple weeks away from beginning her role officially, Dr. Costen was already making connections  and she couldn't have been more thrilled.

"I am an off-the-charts extrovert, she says. I need to connect with people. I want to know people. And to really get to know a community and what it is about, you have to know the people."

Dr. Costen, now settling in as the universitys provost and vice president academic, will be doing a lot more of that over the coming weeks and months as she familiarizes herself with Dal and Dal gets to know her.

To really get to know a community and what it is about, you have to know the people.

As dean of the Smith School of Business at Queens University, Dr. Costen prioritized building personal connections with students and colleagues, going so far as meeting each new class of incoming students in every program over her three years or so in the role.

Dr. Costen will oversee a considerably larger swath of academic and administrative portfolios as provost at Dal, supporting a diverse research-intensive university of 13 Faculties, 21,000 students and more than 200 programs. Still, she says her general approach will remain much the same: To meet people where they are. To go into their spaces and talk to them.

A university for all



In some ways, Dr. Costen has been getting to know Dal for a while already. Shortly after moving to Canada in 2018 from the U.S. (where she was born) to be a dean at MacEwan University in Edmonton, she travelled to Halifax to attend a Dalhousie-hosted conference. Her first Dal experience left a deep impression.

I cant explain it, but Ive had a deep affinity for Dalhousie ever since, she says. The vibe it has, the connection to community, the integration of the people, the type of students that come here  it just resonated with me. It struck me as a university that is aligned with my idea of what a university is supposed to do.

She sees that purpose as, at its core, creating possibilities for positive change.

At the end of the day, youre providing talent for this country but really citizens that are hopefully informed, who make good decisions and hopefully challenge the status quo, and who are willing to be engaged in their community to effect change, she says.

Dr. Costen traces her path into academia back to similar impulses. Though she'd already completed degrees in life sciences and business and worked in strategic human resources, she felt an urge to ask deeper questions.

"Someone asked me Why are you here?" she recalls after she undertook a PhD in sociology at Washington State University. "I said, I just want to know why there arent more people who look like me in positions of decision-making power and authority.'"

Dr. Costen emerged from her education more committed than ever to reducing barriers to access everywhere for people from all walks of life. As Dal's provost, she says shell seek to ensure nothing gets in the way of people "coming here and getting the amazing education that we impart in this university.

"It informs everything I do every day."

Tapping into Dal's strengths



Dr. Costen says her number one priority as provost will be ensuring the university remains focused on its core academic mission and attracting people from across Nova Scotia, Canada and the world to study here.

That means continuing to prioritize the development of programs that tap into Dal's culture and reputation as a university that accepts different ideas, challenges the status quo, and addresses societys big questions.

She sees power in Dal's diverse range of Faculties and wants to enable them to come together in new ways to offer unique dual degrees, certificates, diplomas, and experiential-learning opportunities.

"Imagine an oceanographer, a biologist, a businessperson, and a sociologist coming together to solve a problem," she says.

At Dal, it's possible.

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Dr. Costen says building upon and conveying Dal's unique strengths and value  including its civic impact  have grown especially important in a more challenging financial environment where governments are setting caps on international enrolment and tying funding to specific priorities. Universities across Canada are reporting budget shortfalls, reflecting a sector-wide challenge for the countrys post-secondary education system.

"The most important thing is for members of the Dalhousie community to understand is that this is real," she says. "And unfortunately, its not short term. Its a fundamental shift in the types of support we are going to get financially and in, I would argue, the public demanding us to show the qualities we are developing in our students and graduates."

She encourages everyone at Dal to start asking: "What is your contribution to the greater good  not just to your faculty, but to the university and beyond? Thats how we have to start thinking."

The many sides of Wanda Costen



Dr. Costen says she'll be asking those same questions herself and engaging others in discussions.

"I ask a lot of questions," she says. "Dont be intimidated by that. Its fact finding. Its to help me understand where people are coming from, so I dont make a decision that doesnt align."

In addition to being open to learning, she says she's committed to revealing her own thinking to others.

Theyll see me laugh, theyll see me be happy, theyll see me frustrated, theyll see me cry  its all real.

This is who I am. Its not a game," she says. "I genuinely care about people, for real. They will see all sides of Wanda Costen. Theyll see me laugh, theyll see me be happy, theyll see me frustrated, theyll see me cry  its all real. I know thats uncomfortable for people sometimes, but youre going to know what Im thinking. My mantra is transparency, fairness and equity, and I honour that every day in what Im trying to do. Thats my commitment to this community.

Theres also a solid chance you might bump into her cheering on the Tigers at a game or kayaking on a lake near her new home in Beechville, a recent fascination. Just dont expect to see her paddling on the open ocean.

People are saying, Well, now you can sea kayak. Yeah, no, Im good with the lake, she says, chuckling.
With such a bleak outlook for the Liberals, we asked Dr. Scott Pruysers , an associate professor in Dals Department of Political Science , whats at stake for the candidates and how the coming leadership saga could play out.

Indeed, only one of the expected candidates  former Finance Minister Christie Freeland  showed any promise for improving the party's electoral fortunes in the latest polling from the Angus Reid Institute . If she were to succeed in securing the leadership, the poll  done before Trudeau announced he'd resign  shows the Liberal Party's vote share nationally could jump eight points to 21 per cent. That said, the Conservative Party still holds a 15-point lead in a scenario with Freeland as leader.

Trudeau's success in proroguing Parliament until late March may buy them all a bit of time to build support ahead of a party leadership vote, but with a federal election looming soon thereafter, time will be tight for the chosen candidate to set the party up for success.

As Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stares down his final weeks as leader of the Liberal Party (and of the country), the slate of potential contenders vying to replace him are ramping up their campaigns.

Why would a possible leadership candidate throw their hat in the ring right now when the odds are stacked against the party in the next election?

With limited time to introduce themselves to the electorate before the next election, and with historically low polling numbers, it might seem odd that anyone would raise their hand to become the next Liberal leader. However, there are several possible reasons why someone might be interested in running, including the ability to rebuild the party.

I will focus on two likely explanations here. First, there is political life after losing a leadership race, and the decision to run might not be about winning (at least not winning this leadership election). There have been a number of individuals who have sought and won their partys leadership after initially being defeated. This includes Brian Mulroney, Ed Broadbent, Jean Chretien, Joe Clark, John Diefenbaker, John Turner, Michael Ignatieff, Paul Martin, and Erin OToole. Several of these very individuals went on to become not only party leader but also Prime Minister. Even in defeat a losing candidates profile and visibility can be heightened significantly and stepping forward now may be more about positioning themselves for the future.

Second, for many potential candidates, this may represent their best, and perhaps only, chance at becoming the leader of the Liberal Party. Liberal leaders have exhibited very little diversity, and the party has never selected a woman to lead the party. A phenomenon titled the glass cliff suggests that women are more likely to be selected as party leader when their party is in crisis and the odds of failure are high (think of Kim Campbell and the PCs in the 1990s). Atypical factors such as crisis and scandal often inspire potential frontrunning male candidates to step aside, instead waiting for more ideal circumstances to contest the partys leadership, and therefore increasing the chances that a woman is selected. As strategic actors, many women may step forward knowing the context is less than ideal but understanding that this may be their best chance.

What are some of the steps a new leader could take to turn the partys electoral outlook for the coming federal election around?

The electoral context for the next Liberal leader is dire, with some polls putting the party at less than 20 per cent. With that said, there is some evidence that selecting a new leader can result in a modest, though short-term, polling bump for political parties. Internal elections create a lot of buzz and excitement and offer the party an opportunity to rebuild/rebrand as it recruits new members and supporters. At the same time, leadership candidates take their campaigns across the country, receiving widespread media attention and publicity. Liberal leadership candidates will be in the spotlight over the course of the next few months and while a change in leadership is unlikely to change the tide of public opinion completely, it can start the rebuilding process.

In terms of concrete steps that the party and new leader can do, there are a few. Among the most important is to establish a strong slate of candidates. While leaders and national campaigns matter to election outcomes, local candidates and their campaigns are not unimportant. After all, Canada does not directly elect a Prime Minister. Putting together a strong team and nominating quality candidates in each of the countrys 338 electoral districts will be essential (and difficult given the partys current standing).

How tough would it be for a new leader who fails to gain a decent electoral outcome in the coming election to stay on in the position?

While not unheard of, it will be very difficult for a new Liberal leader to remain in their position in the context of a poor electoral showing. Historically, Liberal leaders have been afforded more latitude in remaining in the position and were often given the opportunity to rebuild after an election loss. John Turner, for example, remained as party leader after a landslide PC victory in 1984 reduced the Liberals to just 40 seats. Likewise, Pierre Trudeau lost the 1979 election to Joe Clark only to stay in the position and win a year later in 1980. Similar examples can be seen in the 1950s and 60s with leaders such as Lester Pearson and Louis St. Laurent  both of whom lost elections and remained as leader.

Contemporary party leaders, however, have not been given second chances. It has been nearly two decades since a Liberal party leader who did not form government was able to stay in the position. Michael Ignatieff (2011), Stephane Dion (2008), and Paul Martin (2006) all resigned after failing to form government. Of course, what performing poorly looks like will be different depending on the party. Parties that do not form government, such as the New Democrats, have traditionally been more willing to provide electorally unsuccessful leaders with more latitude, even in recent elections (i.e., Jagmeet Singh remained leader of the NDP despite the party losing 15 seats in 2019). For the Liberals and Conservatives, however, the threshold for success has often been higher. In this context where Liberals and Conservatives define success strictly in terms of forming government, a losing leader would likely face quick and sustained pressure to resign.

(Images: Christy Clark photo from Province of British Columbia's official Flickr account; Chrystia Freeland image from Alex Guibord on Flickr; and Mark Carney image from the Bank of England's Flickr account)
A shift is underway in the naval strategies of Asia-Pacific nations. Driven by concerns over Chinas increasingly assertive posture in the region, countries from Japan to Australia are rapidly expanding their amphibious warfare capabilities. This buildup reflects a growing emphasis on securing complex coastlines and projecting power within their respective maritime territories. While Chinas naval expansion isnt new, recent demonstrations of force have amplified the urgency for neighboring nations to enhance their maritime defenses.

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Japans Amphibious Force

Japan, in particular, is at the forefront of this trend. The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) is set to receive a boost in amphibious assets, with 10 new landing craft slated for delivery by the end of Fiscal Year 2027. This fleet will comprise two 3,500-ton Logistics Support Vessels (LSV), four 2,400-ton Landing Craft Utility (LCU), and four smaller Maneuver Support Vessels. Japanese shipbuilder Naikai Zosen launched the first LSV on November 28th and the first LCU on October 29th, highlighting the accelerated pace of this program.

These vessels will be integrated into a joint Maritime Transport Group, scheduled for establishment in March. They will play a crucial role in supporting the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, Japans equivalent of a marine corps. The JGSDF, highlighting the strategic rationale behind this buildup, stated, In light of the current severe security environment, the JGSDF will steadily build transport vessels to strengthen transport functions to islands. This statement underscores Tokyos concerns about the vulnerability of its southwestern archipelago to potential Chinese incursions.

Australias Littoral Focus

Australia is mirroring Japans strategy and embarking on an overhaul of its amphibious capacity. The plan includes the acquisition of 18 new Landing Craft Medium (LCM) and eight Landing Craft Heavy (LCH). Last years Defence Strategic Review mandated a significant enhancement of Australias littoral warfare capabilities, spurring this initiative.

The LCMs, designed by Birdon Group, can carry 90 tons of cargo, while the larger LCHs, based on Damen Shipyards LST 100 design, can displace a substantial 3,900 tons. On November 22nd, Canberra announced that Australia would construct all LCMs and LCHs in Western Australia, emphasizing the countrys commitment to bolstering its domestic defense industry.

Lt. Gen. Simon Stuart, Australias chief of Army, outlined the ambitious timeline for this project: Our plan is to have the first medium in the water by the end of 2026, the first heavy by the end of 2028. That means weve got to work with industry and make sensible compromises to get the capability, which will be a step change above anything weve currently got. The Australian government has explicitly linked this capability enhancement to a strategy of denial, which includes the deployment and sustainment of modernized land forces with long-range land and maritime strike capabilities across the region.

Chinas Show of Force

Recent Chinese naval activities have further intensified regional anxieties. In December of 2024, China deployed its largest naval fleet in nearly three decades to the region, a move that Taiwans defense ministry described as a great threat. Defence ministry spokesperson Sun Li-fang stated that the scale of the deployment, stretching from the southern Japanese islands to the South China Sea, was unprecedented since the 1996 Taiwanese presidential elections.

While China has not officially confirmed any exercises, Taiwans military raised its alert status in response to the increased activity. Senior Ministry intelligence officer Hsieh Jih-sheng noted a significant increase in Chinese activity north of Taiwan, describing the number of Chinese navy and coast guard ships in the region as very alarming. He suggested that Chinas deployment within the First Island Chain aims to prevent foreign forces from intervening in the region, effectively creating two walls in the Pacific to make the Taiwan Strait an internal sea of China.

Recent Chinese activities, including simulated attacks on foreign naval ships and blockade exercises, have reinforced the perception of a growing threat, prompting Asia-Pacific nations to accelerate their naval modernization efforts, particularly in amphibious warfare. This regional arms race, driven by Chinas assertive posture, marks a significant turning point in the regions strategic terrain.
More than 80 Northern Ireland children battling life-threatening and life-limiting conditions enjoy a trip of a lifetime to Lapland

The Northern Ireland Children to Lapland and Days to Remember Trust (NICLT) recently (16 December 2024) embarked on its much-anticipated annual trip to Lapland.

Roisin Higgins and daughter Grace Higgins from Magherafelt attended the trip of a lifetime.

It marked the charitys 16th year of creating magical moments for children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions. Over the years, NICLT has brought the wonder of Lapland to over 1,700 children, with only two interruptions due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This annual trip provides unforgettable experiences that bring joy, respite, and cherished memories to children and their families facing some of lifes toughest challenges.

Departing from Belfast International Airport, the trip was made possible by the generous contributions of TUI, Belfast International Airport, Swissport, Santa Park, Wild Nordic in Rovaniemi and an exceptional team of healthcare professionals and volunteers.

The children, accompanied by a parent or carer, travelled to Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus on the Arctic Circle. There, they enjoyed an enchanting day filled with reindeer and husky rides, mini skidoo adventures, magic sleigh rides, snowmobile safaris, and a magical meeting with Santa Claus himself.

Colin Barkley, Chair of NI Children to Lapland and Days to Remember Trust, added: "There is no greater Christmas gift than bringing joy to children living with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions. This trip allows families to escape their daily challenges, offering a day of magic, support, and unforgettable memories.

Our deepest thanks go to TUI, Belfast International Airport, Swissport, Santa Park, Wild Nordic, The Choir Studio from Newry and the countless volunteers and supporters who make this trip possible. Without their dedication, none of this would be achievable.

We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to our wonderful fundraisers and corporate partners including Wineflair, The Bushmills Inn, C-Tec (NI), Glens of Antrim Potatoes, CosyRoof, Bells of Crossgar, Energystore and Mango, whose generosity ensures this magical journey continues to bring light and joy to these remarkable children and their families.

Charlotte Brenner, Marketing Manager at TUI, one of the companies enabling the annual trip, said: "It is an enormous privilege to welcome on board the children, families, medical teams and support staff heading off on this exciting adventure to Lapland. We were delighted to lend our support once again and help to make this a joyful experience that will create wonderful lasting memories."

The trip wouldnt be possible without the streamlined support from Belfast International Airport representatives. Deborah Harris, PR & Marketing Manager at Belfast International Airport, added:

The Northern Ireland Children to Lapland Trust flight is always very special and this year was no exception. We were delighted to welcome all of the children, their families and the fantastic staff to Belfast International Airport and we are sure they had an experience to remember. It is very important for us to be part of this magical event - it really brings home the meaning of Christmas.

Liz Stewart, Head of Customer Services, from Swissport, Belfast is part of the exceptional team supporting young travellers, their families and health staff on the ground at the airport. Liz said: It is our absolute pleasure to be working with this wonderful charity again.

Adding to the festive spirit on the day, The Choir Studio from Newry performed at the airport before departure, filling the terminal with Christmas cheer and excitement.

Kathy McCaughey of The Choir Studio said: "To be part of something so magical and special is a joy and privilegethe true meaning of Christmas for our choir.

To view photos and memories from the special trip to Lapland, check out the charitys Facebook page: @childrentolaplandtrust

For further information on the charity, visit: nichildrentolapland.com
Munira Subasic, the President of the Mothers of Srebrenica and Zepa Enclaves, the main organisation representing victims of the Srebrenica genocide, is visiting Derry City and Strabane in January as part of Holocaust Memorial Week.

Munira will be the special guest at a Holocaust Memorial event at 7.00pm on Tuesday, January 21 at the Guildhall with a specific focus on Srebrenica.

All are welcome.

Munira lost 22 members of her family during the genocide including her two sons and husband.

The visit is an initiative of Derry City and Strabane District Council, supported by The Executive Office, and organised with Remembering Srebrenica.

Speaking about the visit, Mayor Lilian Seenoi-Barr said: We are honoured to host Munira and take a moment to reflect on the tragic events of July 1995, when 8,365 Muslim men and boys were brutally murdered in what the UN and the international community recognise as genocide. This atrocity was part of an effort to ethnically cleanse a region of Bosnia during the Bosnian War.

"The Srebrenica genocide reminds us of the devastating consequences of ethnic and religious hatred. It is a stark lesson to always stand firmly against racism and intolerance, especially when they are fuelled by prejudice and bigotry. Here in Derry City and Strabane, we pride ourselves on embracing diversity, celebrating differences, and fostering equality and cohesion.

"However, we also recognise that we have a long way to go to achieve true racial equality and respect for all differences. There is always room for growth and improvement. Hosting Munira and learning from her experiences is a significant opportunity, especially as we commemorate the Holocaust and other genocides around the world.

"When President Clinton addressed the Guildhall in 1995, just months after the Srebrenica genocide, he urged us to build a future that surpasses the pain of our past and to work together rather than drift apart. Nearly 30 years later, Munira will take to the same stage, sharing her story of loss and resilience, with a message of hope and unity. I am confident she will be warmly welcomed and made to feel like a true Derry Girl.

Peter Osborne from Remembering Srebrenica in Northern Ireland said: We are so grateful for the support of Council and The Executive Office in recognising what happened at Srebrenica and further spreading the message that diversity is good and racism is wrong.

"Muniras visit will be reported in Bosnia where people are grateful that Srebrenica victims are acknowledged and that significant work continues to prevent genocide happening again there or elsewhere.

Small steps towards understanding diversity are important, starting with exploring our own attitudes, being open to learning and building relationships with those who are different.

As well as the event in the Guildhall, Munira will have meetings and speak at events with local schools, the PSNI, Strabane Inter Ethnic Forum, peace barrier projects, and will speak with council officers and elected members.

The visit is supported by the good relations section of Derry City and Strabane District Council.
The Derry branch of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) was the first group invited to make a presentation to Derry and Strabane Council in 2025.

Welcoming the delegation and speaker Catherine Hutton, DIPSC chairperson, Cllr Christopher Jackson, chair of the Governance and Strategic Planning (GSP), said: The Genocide that is taking place in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories, has dominated the discussions of Council over 2024.

I feel it would be very fitting for the first deputation of 2025 to be from Derry IPSC, who are one of the organisations leading in raising the plight of the Palestinians, here locally.

Derry IPSC was formed in 2016 - the second active branch in the North of Ireland.

The IPSC is a grassroots movement working to support Palestinian human rights through advocacy and education and activism.

Ms Hutton said it focuses on raising awareness about the illegal occupation and promoting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.

She added: We want to raise awareness about Israels occupation of Palestinian land, the Right of Return for Palestinian refugees who have been displaced and expelled from their homeland since 1948, and to bring about an end to the brutal apartheid regime in Palestine.

From 2018 to the present Derry IPSC has lobbied and been an integral part of the decision for Derry City and Strabane District Council adopting the corporate policy to support the Palestinian people in their struggle and we continue to support this work through the submission of several motions, including: Derry-Strabane BDS commitment, the expulsion of the Israeli Ambassador, a call for ceasefire, the implementation of an ethical procurement policy, and also twinning with Bethlehem. said Ms Hutton.

Speaking about the ongoing genocide in Gaza, Ms Hutton highlighted that more than 48,000 people were dead, including 20,000 children.

Thats just the official figures, she added. We know there are at least tens of thousands under the rubble who may never, ever be found.

Whole families have been wiped off the Civil Registry in Gaza. Whole bloodlines have been destroyed. This is nothing but deliberate.

The global protests have been ignored by the governments but the people on the ground, the citizens of the world are with Palestine. We know wrong when we see wrong.

Palestinians in Gaza have live streamed and chronicled their genocide, said a clearly moved Catherine Hutton.

She added: If the health care system in Ukraine was being deliberately targeted and destroyed and health care workers killed by Russian troops, there British, US and EU boots on the ground. It would have been stopped without delay.

The complicity of these governments in Israels genocide of the Palestinian people is chilling. The implications for international law are very grave. The International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) were for tin pot dictators and regimes not for the civilised West.

Ms Hutton described Derrys prominent status as an apartheid free zone as mere window dressing.

It has not been properly implemented, she added. There is little evidence of Council actions reflecting its commitments and we seek clarification on progress.

There is a lack of progress by Council and the BDS working group within Council. Derry IPSC and Strabane BDS have not been involved in any of these meetings to date. Minutes have not been published on a regular basis or regular meetings held.

We believe the BDS working group has failed to achieve its potential. It lacks transparency. Additionally, Council engagements with pro-Israel politicians during trade missions sends a conflicting message about the Councils commitments.

We hope we can move forward with a proposal to develop a robust strategy and action plan with supporting communications, to ensure transparency and accountability.

Derry IPSC is happy to be part of the BDS working group and would ask that this request be given due consideration, said Ms Hutton.

Ms Hutton said IN 2025, Derry IPSC would like to strengthen BDS and make it work within the Council area, with IPSC representatives and Strabane representatives.

She added: [We are also proposing] holding regular meetings and publishing minutes to develop and co-produced and short and long term strategy for implementing Councils corporate policy.

We have talked about launching a campaign for an apartheid free Derry and Strabane. Coca Cola is one of the top BDS priorities. It is very complicit in the Israeli occupation. It has a huge factory on stolen land in a settlement called Atarot.

We would urge and we would like to work with Council to remove products complicit in genocide from Council premises and replace them with ethical alternatives.

Finishing with a call to action, Ms Hutton urged Council to reaffirm its role in supporting Palestine, to fully implement BDS, to support the end of military support for Israel and to support ICC arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, and to demand accountability.

She said: The BBC, in particular, has been very, very complicit in its reporting of this genocide. It has been almost silent about the deaths, the murders of over 200 Palestinian journalists.

Cllr Sandra Duffy (Sinn Fein) said her party was also endeavouring to progress the Occupied Territories Bill in Dail Eireann.

The Occupied Territories Bill would ban and criminalise "trade with and economic support for illegal settlements in territories deemed occupied under international law", most notably Israeli settlements in Israeli-occupied territories.

Cllr Shaun Harkin (PBP) said there was an issue of transparency in Council.

He added: I think people, because of the resolutions weve passed, expect us to be doing more and we have to be able to make that clear.

The Trade Mission frustrated a lot of Palestine campaigners and we have to have clarity there about how that is going to work going forward. There are going to be invitations sent to Irish political parties to go to the White House with Trump this year. I would hope none take them up.

Cllr Harkin was referring to a meeting between Mayor of Derry and Strabane Lilian Seenoi-Barr's meeting with pro-Israeli politicians during a trade mission to the US.

Cllr Donnelly said doctors, nurses, and ambulance staff being deliberately targeted. It is not mindless. It is clinical and it is strategic and it is part of the bigger picture. If you dont have a health service, then your genocide efforts are made that bit easier.

Any child under the age of 15 months in Gaza knows nothing but daily bombardment. Can you imagine that? Coming into this world with constant bombs going off at all hours of the day and night. The psychological effect of that is a form of torture.

Cllr Catherine McDaid (SDLP) proposed Councils adoption of the recommendations in Ms Huttons presentation. This was seconded by Cllr Gary Donnelly (Independent).

Cllr Duffy also proposed the inclusion of the Bloody Sunday Trust in Councils BDS working group and its partnering with Derry IPSC and BDS Strabane for education and activism. Ths was seconded by Cllr Emma McGinley (Sinn Fein).

The proposal and the amendment were passed.
Work is continuing to restore power and water to thousands of households as Ireland grapples with a prolonged cold snap.

Some schools in parts of the country badly hit by snow or ice remained closed, though the majority of schools opened on Wednesday.

Travel conditions in some parts remain hazardous and people are being warned to be aware of icy paths and roads.

People left without power have been told by the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) they can use facilities in nearby hotels on Wednesday and Thursday as crews work to restore electricity to thousands of households.

Around 4,000 people are still without power while 4,500 are without water, though more sub-zero conditions overnight are expected to cause more disruption.

Tanaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin said Munster and parts of Leinster had taken a big hit during the cold snap.

These are very challenging weather conditions and by definition they create difficulties, he said, adding that they would evaluate the response to the significant weather warnings.

We certainly will do everything we can to assist those who are still without water and without power.

The entire island was under weather warnings coming into Wednesday morning, with temperatures as low as minus 6C recorded in parts at 9am.

Temperatures were expected to plummet even further to around minus 8C overnight into Thursday, before conditions begin to improve on Friday and into the weekend.

All of the Republic of Ireland is on at least a Status Yellow low temperature and ice warning until midday on Friday, but more severe alerts will also apply to the vast majority of the country.

Irish weather agency Met Eireann said the extremely cold weather runs the risk of dangerous travelling conditions, transport delays and animal welfare issues.

A Status Orange low temperature and ice warning was in place for most counties overnight and expired at 10am on Wednesday.

Stay safe, informed & prepared by understanding the weather warning meaning for your area & take advice from your local authorities during weather events Useful linkshttps://t.co/3041XHiRrKhttps://t.co/1ySKW612Ehhttps://t.co/itZWaoDj9Ahttps://t.co/d4K1ltldih pic.twitter.com/7pgqulCc0n  Met Eireann (@MetEireann) January 7, 2025

At 6pm, a similar orange-level warning came into effect for every county except Donegal, and will remain in place until 11am on Thursday.

Met Eireann said Thursday would be bitterly cold with widespread frost, ice and patches of freezing fog.

The ESB said 4,000 homes, farms and businesses are without power and that customers have been told they can use nearby hotel facilities while work is under way to restore their power.

We obviously appreciate that this is an incredibly difficult time for our customers, particularly in those worst-affected areas, ESB Networks regional manager Siobhan Wynn told RTE Radio.

So in an effort to try and provide some support to them, weve made arrangements with local hotels where people can go to refresh and get a hot meal, recharge their mobile phones.

Thats going to be available both today and tomorrow.

Weve contacted all of the customers directly in those areas so we would have called them yesterday to let them know about this service and to avail of this service they just need to provide their NPRN, thats their account number on their electricity bill.

Were conscious that some of these people could be travelling from areas where there are still hazardous road conditions so we would remind people to only travel if it is safe to do so.

She said that they are hoping that all those customers will have their power restored by Wednesday night.

There may be small pockets of customers that run into tomorrow, but absolutely yes the vast majority you would hope that later tonight we would have them back.

Irish utility agency Uisce Eireann continued to work to restore water to customers in the worst-affected regions, mostly in counties Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary.

Meanwhile, Gardai have said they issued fines to 15 cars that were parked on the narrow roads around the Sally Gap in Co Wicklow.

We understand that people want to take in the snowy scenery but please help us out and be responsible. The area is impassable so please avoid, Gardai said in a social media post.

The National Emergency Co-ordination Group met on Wednesday morning to discuss the cross-department and agency response to sub-zero hazardous conditions.

The Dublin Region Homeless Executive has a free app and an online form which enables members of the public to alert them to any rough sleepers so that they can be offered a bed or other services.

Weather related water disruption likely to continue due to Status Orange alert. Freezing ground puts stress on underground pipes and network connections. Crews will continue to work to maintain and restore water supplies for customers across the country. https://t.co/ZQnJXPn6wG  Uisce Eireann  Irish Water (@IrishWater) January 7, 2025

National director of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management Keith Leonard said there has been no let-up in the bitterly cold weather.

We are continuing to co-ordinate the responses by all agencies and local authorities to ensure the most appropriate responses and supports are happening at local level during these challenging conditions.

Road and path surfaces will remain challenging throughout the country and I would urge drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to take extra caution if you have to set out on a journey.

Remember, even where there is no lying snow, icy conditions will prevail and surfaces may look deceptively safe.

I would like to thank all those members of the public who have been checking in on vulnerable neighbours during this cold spell.

If anyone knows a neighbour who is elderly, alone or who has mobility issues, please keep an eye out for them and make sure they are OK.

A yellow-level snow and ice warning was also announced for parts of Northern Ireland, with the UK Met Office advising of a risk of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces.

The warning for areas in counties Antrim, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Londonderry was issued for between 4pm on Wednesday and 11am on Thursday.
Flu vaccine rates are disappointing this winter season, a senior health official has said.

Director of Public Health Dr Joanne McClean outlined the level of uptake of flu jabs to date among healthcare staff and vulnerable people before the Stormont Assembly Health Committee.

She said the low flu vaccine uptake rate of 6.4% among home care workers was really disappointing.

It is disappointing that our numbers havent been as high as they have been in previous years, she said of the overall rates on Tuesday.

We have done a lot to promote the vaccine through social media, media appearances  ministers have been on.

Any support that we can get from elected representatives encouraging people to come forward is great, because I do think, while we do think we have reached and just passed the peak, we still have a fair bit to run on this flu season.

Minister for Health Mike Nesbitt said: Vaccine hesitancy is a thing, and its not specific to Northern Ireland.

Ms McClean added that colleagues in England, Scotland, Wales and in Ireland all report seeing a similar trend of less enthusiasm about vaccination and a difficulty in getting the uptake that we would have had in the past.

Outlining the vaccination rates across Northern Ireland to date, Ms McClean said there was a 71.2% uptake rate in the over-65s.

She said as you look at an older age cohort, the rate of vaccination increases.

And thats good, because the people who are most likely to become sick are the older people, Ms McClean said.

Among care home residents, described as a very high-risk group, there was an uptake rate of almost 80%.

Care home staff, unfortunately, is very disappointing, at 6.4%, so really disappointing numbers among our care home staff, she said.

The rate was just under 18% among health and social care workers overall.

Among people aged under-65 who have underlying conditions, around 99,000 have been vaccinated, which is roughly estimated to be around 40% of the total group.

More than 100,000 children in primary schools, almost 60,000 children in post-primary schools, and just over 2,360 pregnant women have also been vaccinated.
A man has been arrested in Spain after a body was found in the hunt for missing Belfast man John George.

The 37-year-old, from west Belfast, also known as John Hardy, had been on holiday in Alicante and was last in touch with his family on December 14.

The father of two was reported missing four days later after he failed to board his flight home to Northern Ireland.

Mr Georges family and friends travelled to Spain to search for him.

His father Billy was told by Spanish police on Tuesday evening that they believed they had found his sons body.

It also emerged overnight that a 32-year-old man has been arrested.

Formal identification of the body is expected to be completed by Wednesday afternoon.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they have been assisting their Spanish counterparts with the investigation and had issued appeals for information after Mr George was reported missing.

On Wednesday, the PSNI said it was made aware on Tuesday that a body recovered in Spain was believed to be that of Mr George.

Detective Inspector Jennifer Rea said her thoughts are with Mr Georges family and reiterated an appeal for information.

Our dedicated family liaison officers continue to provide support to the family, and we continue to work closely with international law enforcement agencies, she said.

I am keen to reiterate our appeal for anyone with information that could assist the Spanish investigation team with their inquiries to please contact us on 101.

Belfast solicitors KRW Law, who are assisting Mr Georges relatives, said in a statement on behalf of the family that they are distressed but also relieved at the latest development.

It brings to an end an extremely tortuous search process for the body, they said.

Mr Georges parents Billy and Sharon, brother Darren, and sisters Courtney and Caitlin  along with up to 50 friends and wider family from Northern Ireland  were involved in the search operation.

The statement said a murder investigation has been launched and appealed for privacy for Mr Georges family.

It said: The family want to thank all who have helped and supported them over the last number of days.

They now respectfully ask for some privacy to allow them both time and space to engage on the next harrowing stages of what is now a formalised murder investigation.

West Belfast MP Paul Maskey expressed condolences to Mr Georges family.

I want to express my heartfelt condolences to the family of John George after a body was found on Tuesday in Spain, the Sinn Fein man said.

This is tragic news for Johns loved ones who have been courageously searching for him after he went missing on December 14.

I have been in contact with Billy George, Johns father, throughout this period and as recently as last night where he informed me that a body had been found.

I now hope Johns body can be returned home to Ireland as quickly as possible to allow his heart-broken family and friends to have a dignified funeral.

May he rest in peace.

Photos and footage, including CCTV, mobile phone or dash cam footage, can be shared with the PSNI through the Major Incident Public Portal at https://mipp.police.uk Information will be shared with Spanish Police.
The UK is braced for an icy blast, with temperatures set to plummet as low as minus 16C.

Snow and sleet began to hit southern England on Wednesday afternoon as an amber weather warning came into force, with the Met Office saying further warnings are likely to be issued as the week goes on.

Police in Devon and Cornwall have urged drivers to wait until the snow passes to carry out their journeys, unless they are absolutely necessary.

WEATHER | Snowfall is being reported in areas of Devon and Cornwall this afternoon with more bursts predicted to follow. Drivers, consider whether or not your journey is absolutely necessary, and if it is not, please wait until the current weather moves through. pic.twitter.com/EUvHfggF6h  Devon & Cornwall Police (@DC_Police) January 8, 2025

Parts of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset were included in the amber snow warning, which was in place until 9pm on Wednesday.

Significant travel disruption was caused in Devon and Cornwall on Wednesday, with some roads closed and motorists stationary for long periods of time, a joint statement from Devon and Cornwall Police and Devon County Council Highways said.

Snow ploughs became stuck in queues of traffic caused by minor incidents, the statement added.

The Met Office had measured 3cm of snow in Herstmonceux, East Sussex, and 2cm in Liscombe, Somerset, by Wednesday evening.

Overnight, temperatures are set to drop sharply, with lows of minus 14C possible in Scotland and northern England on Wednesday and sub-zero temperatures expected across the country.

Minimum temperatures of minus 16C could be reached on Thursday night, the Met Office said.

Oli Claydon, spokesman for the Met Office, told the PA news agency it will be bitterly cold on Thursday night.

He said the lowest temperatures will be recorded in rural Scotland and rural northern England where there is lying snow, cloudless skies and very cold airflow.

A temperature of minus 14C would equal the lowest seen in this month last year, recorded in Dalwhinnie in the Scottish Highlands on January 17 2024.

But a temperature of minus 16C would be the lowest recorded in January in the UK for 15 years, since minus 22.3C was logged in Altnaharra in the Highlands on January 8 2010, according to Met Office data.

Lows of minus 20C have not been reached since minus 23C was recorded at Braemar, Aberdeenshire, in February 2021.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended its cold weather health alert for all of England until Sunday.

Amber alerts issued on Thursday have been extended and will now run until January 12, meaning a rise in deaths is likely, the agency said.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at the UKHSA, said: We are extending the duration of our Cold-Health Alert, since the Met Office are forecasting that the low temperatures we are seeing will continue further into this week, with snow and icy conditions likely to persist.

This weather can have a serious impact on the health of some people, including those aged 65 and over and those with pre-existing health conditions, and it is therefore vital that we continue to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable.

These people could be more at risk of heart attacks, stroke and chest infections as a result of cold temperatures.

As icy conditions persist, motorists are being urged to stick to major roads that are most likely to have been gritted.

Car insurer RAC said it has seen the highest levels of demand for rescues in a three-day period since December 2022.

Cold conditions will last until at least the weekend, so we urge drivers to remain vigilant of the risks posed by ice and, in some locations, snow, said RAC breakdown spokeswoman Alice Simpson.

Black ice on rural roads can be impossible to spot, leaving very little time to react if driving at speed. Sticking to major roads that are most likely to have been gritted is strongly recommended.

The Met Office yellow weather warning for snow covering southern counties of England remains in place until midnight on Wednesday.

A yellow warning for snow and ice is in place for northern Scotland until midnight on Thursday and another snow and ice warning is in force for Northern Ireland until 11am on Thursday as sleet and snow showers are set to continue.

Meanwhile, a yellow fog warning has been issued for Northern Ireland until 9am on Thursday.

A further yellow warning for snow and ice affecting Cornwall, much of Wales and parts of north-west England has also been issued from 00.15am until 11am on Thursday.

And a new yellow ice warning has been issued for parts of southern England and south-east Wales between 00.15am and 10.30am on Thursday.

The Met Office has warned that snow and icy patches in these areas could lead to some travel disruption.

Disabled retiree Allan Fawcett, 77, said he had been stuck in his cul-de-sac in Yeadon, West Yorkshire, since Sunday due to the snow, although his 74-year-old wife had managed to go out to buy necessities.

He told the PA news agency: Im frustrated. Im disabled, I can barely walk 10 yards without being in pain and I rely on my car to get about  its a lifeline to me.

Ive got an automatic car and it just wont move as weve got about three inches of snow and below that, theres about two inches of solid packed ice.

The country has been hit by widespread flooding in recent days and a danger to life flood warning was issued for Barrow upon Soar in Leicestershire as firefighters had to rescue dozens of people stranded in rising water.

Scores of flood warnings and alerts remain in place for England but more than 200 have been removed in the last 24 hours and the weather is set to be drier over the next few days.

Much of the UK is seeing a much drier day and some bright conditions away from coasts, Mr Claydon said on Wednesday.

In those flood-affected areas it is a much better, drier picture.

But Deena Ingham, who lives on a canal boat in Barrow upon Soar, said she and her husband have not been able to leave their boat since Monday evening because of the severe flooding.

The couple, who live 200m above Proctors Pleasure Park, which was evacuated by emergency services on Monday evening, said the water levels on Pillings Lock, where their boat is moored, reached a record 2.52m on Tuesday morning.

We cant move because the river is in no navigation mode, because its in flood, Mrs Ingham, a freelance journalist, told the PA news agency.

Were far more fortunate than many. Weve got wood. Weve got the stove on.

One flood warning is in place for the River Wye at Monmouth and four flood alerts are in place for the rest of Wales on Wednesday, Natural Resources Wales said.

Mr Claydon said the weather will get gradually milder over the next few days.

Certainly by the end of the weekend were moving to a milder air mass and itll slowly get introduced across the UK through Sunday, he said.

By Monday, the UK will broadly be in a milder air mass and well see some rain moving in from the North West into parts of western Scotland and potentially Northern Ireland as well.
The Stormont Executive faces a financial cliff-edge when stabilisation funding provided by the UK Government runs out, MPs have been told.

Sir Robert Chote, chairman of the Northern Ireland Fiscal Council, said that money which was provided by the Treasury when the powersharing Executive was restored last year was helpful but would not lead to financial sustainability for the region.

A 3.3 billion financial package accompanied the restoration of devolution in February 2024 following a two-year suspension.

This included a commitment that the region receives 124% of any equivalent increase in funding for England for the policy areas run out of Stormont, including health, policing and education.

The deal also included a 1.125 billion stabilisation fund over two years and a pledge that a Stormont overspend of 559 million would be written off when the Executive balanced its budget, including generating 113 million in additional revenue.

Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald published a Budget Sustainability Plan in October that set out details on how the 113 million could be delivered by the end of 25/26 financial year.

Stormont ministers have also since agreed a draft budget, but have continued to warn of huge financial challenges facing their departments.

Sir Robert appeared before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee hearing on the funding and delivery of public services in the region.

He told MPs that the stabilisation funding provided by the Treasury had been inescapable given the financial situation Northern Ireland faced at the time.

He added: One challenge at the moment is that short-term stabilisation money runs out, thus confronting the Executive with a potential cliff-edge in 2006/2027 when that money goes away but the 24% top-up to the Barnett consequentials wont have been large enough to fill that gap.

I think there is a particular challenge around that point.

That cliff-edge could in theory move forward to 2025/26 if the Executive doesnt manage to balance the budget this year and also to meet its commitment to deliver some 113 million of additional revenue as well.

It (stabilisation funding) has clearly helped in the short term but departments are still over-committed, they are saying they are over-spending relative to available funding.

Sir Robert said the deficit facing Stormont departments in the current financial year was now more manageable following extra funding provided in Chancellor Rachel Reeves budget.

He said: The short-term stabilisation was certainly helpful but not on its own putting you on a sustainable pattern for five years ahead.

Sir Robert was later asked about the potential benefit of the Executive being able to set multi-year budgets going forward.

He said: In the Northern Ireland context this is the 10th or 11th consecutive single year budget, which is obviously a different situation from the (rest of the) UK because for Northern Ireland to run a multi-year budget you need to have the institutions to be stable and in place and you need to have a multi-year budget at the UK level to give you a multi-year block grant settlement.

We havent had that for a decade or more.

It is clearly desirable.

Northern Irelands comptroller and auditor general Dorinnia Carville told the committee that a multi-year budget had to be linked to outcomes from the Executives programme for government.

She said: It will allow for longer term planning, especially for large infrastructure projects, things that naturally cant be delivered within a one-year window.

The element of certainty and stability that would come with that shouldnt be overlooked for departments as well.

We have talked about this firefighting mode they have been in.
Answers are being demanded from Stormont Education Minister Paul Givan after applications by two schools for integrated status were turned down.

Both Bangor Academy and Sixth Form Centre and Rathmore Primary School submitted applications to the Department of Education.

They applied for controlled integrated status from September 2025 but were both turned down in decisions made on January 7.

Documents published on the departments website said Mr Givan did not approve the applications because, while both schools are sustainable in terms of numbers, he did not believe there was reasonable representation from both of the predominant communities in their areas.

The Integrated Education Fund (IEF) said the schools will consider their next steps.

IEF chief executive Paul Caskey said the organisation is extremely disappointed that the Minister of Education has rejected the democratic wishes of the overwhelming majority of parents at both schools.

In reaching this flawed decision, the minister has clearly rejected not only the desire of the school community but also the advice of his own officials, the Education Authority and the Controlled Schools Support Council, he said.

It is hard to comprehend how such decisions reflect the Department of Educations statutory duty to support, encourage and facilitate integrated education.

We deeply appreciate the time, energy and commitment both schools, parents and the wider communities have already dedicated to the transformation process.

We dont want any of this hard work to be lost going forward and the IEF will continue to support the schools to help them consider next steps and future actions.

Education Minister needs to urgently set out his rationale for turning down integrated education proposals, say Alliance representatives. See more here https://t.co/hIaQj20yLy  Alliance Party (@allianceparty) January 8, 2025

Alliance North Down MLA Connie Egan said both schools separately balloted parents of pupils, with almost 80% supporting Bangor Academys proposal and more than 82% backing Rathmores.

She said they were not only exceptionally disappointing decisions by the Education Minster but deeply concerning ones.

The minister needs to set out his rationale for effectively blocking integrated education across North Down, she said.

It is difficult to think of one, given the overwhelming public support for the moves among parents of pupils and also the wider local community.

This move will cause hurt right across North Down, with 79.4% of parents at Bangor Academy and 82.3% of parents at Rathmore now feeling as if their views have now been ignored.

I will be submitting an urgent question to the minister to seek immediate clarification around this matter.

Another Alliance North Down MLA, Andrew Muir, said the news is a complete shock.

However, Alliance will continue to support not only these two schools but all those who wish to transform to integrated status, he said.

Every parent deserves access to integrated education for their child and it is crucial more is done to facilitate that.
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KonstTech secures multi-million dollar funding providing comprehensive AI solutions for the global industry

Asia's leading AI infrastructure company, KonstTech, proudly announces the completion of a multi-million-dollar funding round. This significant investment attracted participation from major energy corporations, technology giants, and renowned cybersecurity enterprises in Taiwan, showcasing the industry's strong trust in KonstTech's market potential and technical expertise.

KonstTech CEO Avery Tsai remarked, "Taiwan holds unparalleled hardware advantages in the semiconductor and AI sectors. Our mission is to introduce these specialized technologies from Taiwan to the global stage. Having already established multiple supercomputing centers in Taiwan, we are also building a new center in Texas, aiming to expand into the U.S. market by 2025. This eort highlights Taiwan's pivotal role in global AI development and competition. We are accelerating global AI infrastructure development and partnering with venture capital and academic institutions to nurture innovative AI enterprises worldwide."

KonstTech: The Pioneer in AI Infrastructure

KonstTech focuses on building state-of-the-art computing centers, serving government agencies, publicly listed companies, educational institutions, and developers. By integrating cutting-edge hardware and software technologies, KonstTech provides ecient, low-latency computational services. This enables engineers to focus solely on software development, eliminating hardware bottlenecks in AI progress.

 Expansive Market Prospects

According to IDC, the global computing power market is projected to reach $311 billion by 2027, driven primarily by AI, machine learning, and biotech advancements.

 Exceptional Team

KonstTech's founding team comprises top talents from Taiwan and global elite academic institutions. With expertise in multi-national technical collaborations and the operation of 16 computational facilities, the team boasts profound technical and operational capabilities.

Glows.ai: Redefining AI Cloud Computing

 A Global Leader in AI Cloud Platforms

Incubated by KonstTech, Glows.ai specializes in delivering high-eciency, secure, and reliable AI cloud computing services for enterprises, research institutions, and developers. With numerous technological innovations, it is redefining the possibilities of AI computing power.

 Technological Advantages

Resource Virtualization

Leveraging advanced dynamic allocation and containerization technologies, Glows.ai supports multi-brand GPU resources (e.g., Nvidia, AMD) with flexible scaling across global nodes. Whether for model training or high-load applications, Glows.ai helps businesses achieve their goals with unparalleled eciency.

Cross-Network File System Storage

With cutting-edge cross-network file storage technology, Glows.ai ensures high-speed, secure data transmission and sharing between computing centers and end users. This minimizes latency across regions and supports diverse AI model training and inference needs.

Automatic Elastic Scaling ( Tripods )

The Tripods system dynamically expands computational resources based on real-time demand, ensuring optimal performance for AI tasks. It also supports cross-regional migration, swiftly transferring workloads to available zones during hardware failures or unexpected events, minimizing downtime. Seamlessly integrating edge computing and multi-data-center capabilities, Tripods delivers high performance at an exceptional cost-eciency balance.

 Open Application for Computational Grants

Starting today, AI teams can register with Glows.ai to access competitive developer incubation programs. Approved applicants may receive up to $2,000 in computational credits, empowering the next generation of AI projects.

Register now for high-eciency computing. Apply for incubation programs

Looking Ahead: A Green and Global AI Ecosystem

 Global Expansion

KonstTech is expanding computing centers across Asia, North America, and Europe, creating a global cloud computing network to meet diverse industry needs.

 Deeper Industry Collaboration

KonstTech works closely with industry leaders across high-end manufacturing, biotech, gaming, and finance, providing customized AI computing solutions that unlock groundbreaking applications and fuel innovation across ecosystems.

 Building a Green AI Infrastructure

Over the next three years, KonstTech plans to construct 10 ESG-compliant computing centers. Utilizing clean energy and ecient technologies, the company aims to foster the symbiosis of technology and the environment, setting a benchmark for green AI cloud platforms.
CES 2025: Toyota and Nvidia forge AI alliance for autonomous future

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang delivered the opening keynote at CES 2025, announcing a groundbreaking collaboration with Toyota to develop the next generation of autonomous vehicles. Under the partnership, Toyota's upcoming vehicles will incorporate Nvidia's Drive AGX Orin supercomputer and DriveOS operating system to power advanced driver assistance systems.

From skeptic to believer

Toyota Motor Chairman Akio Toyoda, speaking at CES 2025, shared his evolving perspective on autonomous vehicles. "Between you and me, as Toyota's Master Driver, I initially thought autonomous vehicles were a bit boringuntil our team showed me these two Toyota race cars that drift autonomously," Toyoda revealed. His wait-and-see attitude toward autonomous technology shifted significantly following Toyota's breakthrough achievement in 2024, when the company, in collaboration with Stanford University, completed the world's first autonomous dual-car drifting maneuver.

Woven City takes shape

The first phase of Woven City, Toyota's futuristic smart city project initially unveiled in 2022, remains on track to launch by fall 2025. The development will serve as a living laboratory, integrating cutting-edge technologies including autonomous vehicles, robotics, and AI systems.

The planned city will showcase a variety of mobility solutions, from personal mobility devices to drones. In a significant development, Toyota is co-developing flying cars with Joby Aviation, aiming to provide seamless transportation between Woven City, situated at the foot of Mount Fuji, and Tokyo, bypassing traditional traffic constraints.

Space aspirations

In a surprising revelation, Toyoda announced Toyota's expansion into space-related ventures. Through its subsidiary Woven by Toyota, the company is investing US$4.44 million in Japanese space firm Interstellar Technologies, focusing on the development of satellite launch vehicles.
Indonesia approves Apple's AirTag manufacturing project

Apple plans to invest US$1 billion to speed up the iPhone 16 launch in Indonesia, including building an AirTag factory. Indonesian officials met with Apple on January 7 and approved the factory proposal, though other issues are still being negotiated.

Reuters reported that Indonesia's Minister of Industry, Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, met with Apple's VP of Global Government Affairs, Nick Ammann, on January 7 to discuss Apple's investment proposal. Agus mentioned that negotiations are ongoing and that while no time frame has been set, practical goals have been established, though he provided no additional details.

Apple has continually raised its investment commitments, with a recent US$1 billion investment speculated to help lift the sales ban on the iPhone 16. However, Agus did not confirm this, adding, "If it is US$1 billion, then that is not enough." After the discussions concluded, Apple's Ammann described the talks as "great." He also did not disclose additional details.

Bloomberg reported, via Bisnis Indonesia, that the Indonesian government has approved Apple's plan to build an AirTag factory in Batam, set to be operational by early 2026. This facility will reportedly employ around 1,000 people and produce 20% of the global AirTag supply. Batam, close to Singapore, offers the advantage of zero tariffs.
Microsoft announces record US$3 billion India AI investment

Amid growing investments in India's AI sector, Microsoft has announced plans to invest US$3 billion in the country. This substantial investment aims to enhance AI capabilities and expand the reach of Azure services across India.

According to Reuters and Bloomberg, at a January 7, 2025 event in Bangalore, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced that the company intends to invest US$3 billion to enhance its cloud computing and artificial intelligence capacities in India. This strategic move capitalizes on India's significant potential in the AI market owing to its vast population of 1.4 billion and its strong software capabilities, which position the country as a major provider of AI solutions.

Describing the investment as the "single largest expansion" in the country, Nadella also revealed plans to train 10 million people in AI by 2030, adding that the AI diffusion rate in India is exciting.

During his previous visit to India in February 2024, Nadella highlighted Microsoft's commitment to supporting India's transformation into an AI-first country. At the time, he announced that Microsoft would provide 2 million people in India with AI skilling opportunities by 2025 through its ADVANT(I)GE India initiative.

India is one of the leading global economies that is investing significantly in AI to maintain its competitive edge. The country's focus on AI development comes as the demand for sovereign AI intensifies amid growing security concerns.

In 2024, India announced an INR103.72 billion (US$1.25 billion) IndiaAI Mission. The mission includes the IndiaAI Compute Capacity, which involves deploying over 10,000 GPUs through strategic partnerships between the government and private sector.

Microsoft is not alone in investing in India amid the global AI surge. At the Nvidia AI Summit India in October 2024, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang remarked that India possesses the fundamental ingredients to create its AI flywheel. He highlighted that India benefits from a very large population of users and significant computer science expertise, along with having its data. "You exported software, and in the future, India is going to export AI," Huang emphasized.
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Status Orange ice warnings are in place across Ireland for most of the day as the country continues to battle the cold snap.

The lowest temperature recorded overnight was -5.8C at Casement Aerodrome in Co Dublin, closely followed by -5.7C in Gurteen, Co Tipperary and Mullingar, Co Westmeath.

A Status Orange warning is currently in place for 22 counties, including all counties in Munster and Connacht, and Carlow, Cavan Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Meath, Monaghan Offaly and Westmeath. It came into effect at 8pm on Tuesday night and remains in place until 10am this morning.

A second Status Orange low temperature and ice warning for Leinster, Munster, Connacht, Cavan and Monaghan will come into effect at 6pm this evening and remain in place until 11am tomorrow morning.

Met Eireann has warned of extremely cold conditions with widespread severe frost, ice and lying snow. They also highlighted dangerous travelling conditions on roads and underfoot, alongside travel disruption and delays.

While a third nationwide Status Yellow low temperature and ice warning is in place until 10am on Friday morning.

Speaking on Prime Time on Tuesday night, Met Eireann's Mark Bowe said the "cold air just isn't going anywhere".

"I'm afraid it's more of the same (over the coming days) cold weather unfortunately.

"The cold air in conjunction with the lying snow already on the ground means our daytime temperatures will really struggle, but the overnight temperatures are going to go down to -6C, -7C, maybe even -8C, so plenty of severe frost and ice is expected.

"At the moment it's looking like around Friday and towards the weekend we'll see that warm air come back in but it's going to be with us until around the weekend, I'm afraid."

According to Met Eireann, this morning will be bitterly cold with widespread frost, ice and patches of freezing fog, all of which will persist in some areas all day. Most areas dry with bright or sunny spells. Some scattered wintry showers in the northwest. It will be cloudier in the south with a little patchy rain possible near the south coast for a time. Highest temperatures of -1 to +4 degrees with mostly light variable or northerly breezes.

Tonight will be "extremely cold" and largely dry. A few wintry showers will affect parts of the north and west. There will be severe frost, ice or black ice and patches of freezing fog with lowest temperatures of -8 to -3 degrees with light variable breezes.
Eimear Mattison, a 22-year-old from Blackrock, County Louth, initially considered a career in aviation management but discovered a passion for audio production, earning a BA (Hons) in Audio and Music Production at Dundalk IT.

After graduation, Eimear secured a freelance sound editing role with Raygun Post Production, working on the animated series The Scavengers created by Little Moon Animations and taking on responsibilities like sound design and editing.

Her current role with Raygun is one she claims to have gotten by pure luck, but it was a road of hard work and determination that landed her there. Eimears journey into post-production began with work experience at Windmill Lane Studios and a placement at Clean Cuts in Washington DC. Through persistent networking and hard work, she impressed Rayguns team, ultimately landing a role on The Scavengers. Shes grateful for her current position, where shes excited to learn and grow.

After gaining her first taste of post-production during work experience at Windmill Lane Studios, Eimear realised she was more drawn to audio than music production, leading her to focus on sound design and editing.

My first exposure to post-production was during work experience at Windmill Lane Post Production Studios in secondary school. After realising I didnt want to be a music producer but still wanted to work in audio, I discovered the role of re-recording mixer, which intrigued me.

Her hard work and persistence paid off as her talent was recognised and Eimear is thriving in a role which she loves. I am learning more than I could imagine and the atmosphere in Raygun is the stuff of dreams for my first job in industry. I enjoy what I do so much and I wake up every day excited to work on the shows, she says.

She also credits her time at DkIT, where she was recently awarded the Presidents Prize for Excellence, for her success: I think DkIT influenced my career path because my lecturers cared and pushed me to be the greatest I could be. They didn't laugh at how ambitious and maybe, at times, too optimistic I was and believed in my abilities even when I didnt.

Moving to Ireland from America at the age of six, Eimear was interested in music from a very young age. Watching The X Factor at the age of seven was the catalyst for her love of music, music production and the music industry. When I found out you could make music for others to sing and perform to, I was hooked, she recalls.

Receiving a drum set for her 10th birthday, followed by a keyboard for Christmas, Eimear taught herself how to play and started mashing up songs. She was then gifted an old guitar from an aunt, which further increased her interest in making music, followed by an introduction to GarageBand, which helped her realise her passion for creating songs.

Her parents also spotted Eimears talent and recognised the need for her to explore it as a career. The Audio Music course seemed like the perfect fit for Eimear and the facilities available really appealed to her. Recalling her first visit to the college she said: What drew me to the course was the facilities. DKIT has state-of-the-art studios and equipment and they are all exclusive to students which isn't the norm for other music courses around the country.

Like many other students, Eimear had to navigate the difficulties of beginning her course during the COVID lockdowns. Despite the challenges this threw her way, she really enjoyed all the opportunities her course provided over the four years with very supportive lecturers and a heavy focus on music production and live sound throughout.

She recalls some of her favourite things about the course as getting to work on her Major Project, creating an EP with an artist and recording it in the studio throughout her whole last year. She also credits the DkIT lectures for their approachable and caring nature, which greatly contributed to her positive experience in third-level.

A visit to Porto to participate in a project about Arts and Mindfulness in Education, including creating resources for teachers to use to incorporate mindfulness into their classrooms, evening recording sessions and working on a wide array of interesting projects such as a collaboration with science students for a podcast, were just some of the highlights of DkIT for Eimear. She also recalls the amazing experience of being given the keys to the recording studios after hours and we get to work on our projects and says that It really felt like what it would look like as a career in the future and the energy in the room was always filled with excitement.

Read Next: From Germany to Dundalk: The remarkable life of Helge Hollerieth

Clearly loving her new position, Eimear is so full of gratitude for her success and thankful for securing such a fantastic role. For anyone aspiring to work in this field, she recommends trying to find experience wherever you can to build up your CV and putting yourself out there at every opportunity.

Experience and internships are so important. I think a lot of the time you hear Its all about who you know when it comes to entering this industry and getting work but thats not exactly true. Of course, it helps for sure, but really its about your drive and passion for the work because that comes across when you're in interviews.

In the future, Eimear aspires to work in Los Angeles and sees herself pushing boundaries in the post-production industry, possibly working on major Hollywood projects. She's determined to pave the way for more women in the field, hoping to inspire a new generation of audio professionals and is adamant that the women working behind the scenes in some of the most well know Hollywood productions get more credit and publicity for their skills.

Im interested in staying in post-production and my sights have always been on working in Los Angeles. I think I eventually want to end up there or at least try it out for a while. Its where the big leagues are and that is where I want to be. Some people may think I have unrealistic goals but I think go big or go home!

For Eimear, the journey is only just beginning. just go for and you never know where it will lead she says. Audio post production is such a fun, creative and fast paced career and I would also like to see more women in audio careers because its not impossible and its really, really fun.
Louth County Council has said that it is continuing to review the 1,657 submissions it received as part of the Public Consultation Day 2, in the Route Corridor Options consultation stage for the proposed Dundalk Bay to Carlingford Greenway.

The local authority, with the support of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), is developing proposals for the Dundalk Bay to Carlingford Greenway project. The study area for the proposed greenway project encompasses the Regional Centre of Dundalk and the coastal town of Carlingford, along with the interconnecting road network.

In its most recent update on the project, Louth County Council says that the submissions are being reviewed by the project consultants and will inform the process in determining an emerged preferred route corridor, which will be subject to the next public consultation phase. TII approval has been received to move the project into options phase.

As part of the development of route corridor options for the project, the consultants, RODA, will be carrying out several ecological walkover surveys within the identified study area from public roads and public lands, to undertake wintering bird

surveys. Louth County Council says that the procurement exercise is ongoing for preliminary topographical survey services and an appointment is due early in the first quarter of this year.

An Independent Agronomist, Declan Phelan, Philip Farrelly & Co, has been engaged by the Council during the route corridor option selection stage to assist landowners through the project considering any relevant agronomy issues. Louth County Council says that the Independent Agronomist will be made available to landowners to fully and fairly assess the impact of the proposed Greenway on their property types.

The Independent Agronomist / Property Advisor will assist in identifying a route which minimises the impact of the scheme on affected properties. The Project Agronomist / Property Advisor will also assist in agreeing upon appropriate accommodation works and access arrangements in consultation with the farmer / landowner. Louth County Council adds that an initial meeting with IFA and the project team in relation to the project took place on Tuesday 19 November.

Further details on the project can be found on the dedicated website www.dundalkcarlingfordgreenway.ie, including contact details for the Project Liaison Officer and the independent appointed agronomist.
Parents and caregivers in Louth are being encouraged to familiarise themselves with the symptoms of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as the highest numbers of infections are usually reported in December and January every year. RSV is a common virus that causes coughs and colds and may cause infection in the lower part of the respiratory system. These are known as lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs).

A recent online survey was funded and conducted by Sanofi among 500 adults who are either currently pregnant or who have children under the age of four in Ireland to understand their level of awareness and knowledge of RSV. The survey results revealed that just over half (51%) of Irish parents had heard of RSV and understand the risk it poses to infants and babies, but almost 1 in 5 (19%) have not heard of RSV.

Approximately 90% of children are infected with RSV by two years of age, with RSV being the leading cause of LRTIs in babies. RSV is a seasonal virus and is spread by coughs and sneezes or close physical contact. In Ireland, the RSV season is generally from early October, with peak outbreaks typically occurring in the winter months.

Dr Maire Finn GP at Ennis Centric Health, said:

Most RSV infections in babies are mild and will clear up within a few weeks. However, some cases can be more serious and may require hospitalisation. RSV can initially present with symptoms that might easily be mistaken for a common cold, such as fever, sniffles, wheezing, reduced appetite, or even ear infections.

Read Next: Louth County Council continue to monitor severe weather ahead of Orange Alert warning

If symptoms progress to include changes in feeding habits, prolonged periods without wet nappies, rapid breathing, persistent high fever despite medication, or uncharacteristic fussiness, it's best to consult your GP. And if your child shows noticeable breathing difficulties or significant pauses in breathing, it's imperative to seek urgent medical attention, including dialling 999.

According to the Health Service Executive (HSE), symptoms of RSV can often resemble a cold at the beginning, including:

cough

wheezing

runny nose

difficulty feeding or decreased appetite

fever (temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or higher)

sore throat

Precautionary steps can be taken to help protect infants. These include:

keep your child home from school, childcare and other activities if they are not well enough to attend

wash their hands properly and regularly

always carry tissues and cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when they cough or sneeze

cough or sneeze into your bent elbow if you do not have a tissue and wash your hands after

put used tissues in the bin and wash your hands after

The HSE also recommends that parents or caregivers contact a GP if they are worried about their babys symptoms or if:

you're worried about your child

your baby has had less than 3 to 4 wet nappies in a 24 hour period

your baby has gone 12 hours without having a wet nappy

your baby has no energy to breastfeed, or if they are refusing to feed. Or if your baby is too breathless to attach to your breast

you are bottle feeding and you notice your baby is taking less than half of what they would normally take

your child has a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or higher that does not settle or improve

your child seems short of breath

your child has no energy or is irritable

Furthermore, the HSE recommends immediately calling 999 or 112 for an ambulance or go to your nearest emergency department if you or a caregiver notices that.3

is having visible difficulty breathing - their nostrils are getting wider as they breathe, or their ribs are sucking in

has gone blue on their lips or tongue

will not stay awake or wake up

has long gaps in breathing (more than 10 seconds at a time or regular short gaps in breathing of 5 to 10 seconds)

is breathing a lot faster than usual (more than 60 breaths per minute)

is pale and sweaty

has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more

Where to go for more information

Sanofi has an informative website www.togetheragainstrsv.ie, that provides information about RSV to complement HSE advice.
Where are you from, and where do you currently live?

I was born in Cork, and my parents, Terrence and Edith Hayes (nee Creagh), made the decision to emigrate to Australia.

My parents, my sister Alexandra and I departed in March, 1983, for Perth in Western Australia.

I was from a big family in Ireland, dad was the eldest of eight (Hayes from the northside of Cork), and my mum one of five (Creaghs, also from the northside of Cork).

I grew up with plenty of uncles, aunties, and cousins, and at the time both sets of grandparents.

I was nearly four when we left Ireland - so young - however, I recall a very happy childhood growing up in Cork surrounded by love and family.

The house I was born into was in Church Avenue, Shandon, and we then moved to live in Hillcrest Rise, the house was called Shalimar.

In 1983, Australia was looking for skilled-workers for the growing resources industry (mining, oil and gas) and my father, being an electrician, and coupled with having first cousins living in Perth (the Hayes family emigrated there in the 1950s), made it an easier transition to receive approval for the permanent residency visa.

My father, Terrence, shared with me that the appetite for adventure, job opportunities, climate, and quality of life was too strong a draw card to pass up, so Perth became home.

What is life like in Perth, and what have been some of the challenges?

Life in the 1980s was very different to what it is now in Perth. Back then, Perth was very remote from the rest of the world, so living away from family in Ireland felt like a million miles away.

We had the odd long distance expensive call  or the wait by the letterbox for the letters from home. My mum was very homesick and felt that distance more than anyone, as my dad went to work in the FIFO (Fly In, Fly Out) lifestyle in the north-west of Australia on the LNG Gas projects, which saw him work a 6/2 roster  six weeks working, and two weeks home.

However, our family made friends fast with other Irish families that had also emigrated, which made us feel like a community with support.

We would never have settled if we didnt have the extended Hayes cousins/family here in Perth, and the community of other Irish emigrants who, like us, would have felt the distance.

My dad was one of the founding members of a soccer club in Perth called Shamrock Rovers, this too was a home away from home community, all Irish players, all immigrants, forging their way into the Aussie lifestyle. This club is still going strong to this day.

Lesley-Ann Hayes with her sister Alexandra on the day they left Cork for Perth in 1983

The biggest challenge was missing family from home and the battle of the Cork accent, we laugh now when reminiscing, but back then, Perth was not a very cosmopolitan city, so a lot of Aussies were not used to the Cork accent, and my parents felt they had to repeat themselves and slow down.

I even recall being at school and counting, 1, 2, and 3  and to say three I said tree in true Irish form, the kids at school would say trees are outside.

There was the usual element of words being lost in translation that you navigate when moving to a new country with an accent.

I had an opportunity to come to Ireland in my twenties when I decided to travel Europe with my Aussie friends (who also held Irish passports), and we decided to land in Dublin and use this as a base.

There was always a part of me growing up in Australia where I craved the need to connect to my Irish heritage/roots and my extended family.

I landed in Dublin in the early 2000s. Ireland was booming. The Celtic Tiger was roaring, so there was plenty of work for Aussie girls.

I had so many amazing memories from that time of my life, and I also made friends for life and connected to my family in Cork and Dublin.

It came to a wonderful conclusion after seven years and it was time to come home  to Perth.

How might you spend your weekends?

Weekends in Perth are the best, I am biased, but I feel we have the best weather in Western Australia, where we have a long and hot summer, and three other seasons that are complementary to summer with warm days and cool evenings.

Weekends for me involve exercising outdoors, walking along our stunning coastline, or around the large lakes, swimming and barbecues in the summer, and spending my time with my family and friends.

Tell us a bit about the culture of where you live?

I live in an area called Scarborough Beach, Im a 20 minute walk to the beach, and about 12km to the city for work, so I have the best of both worlds with beach and city.

Scarborough has a really relaxed, chilled beach town vibe, think cafes, surfing, lots of nationalities all living in one place, we even have an Irish bar  The Galway Hooker.

Tell us about your line of work/career?

As legacy and history would have it, I have followed my father into the resource industry in Perth. I work as a Senior Specialist in Human Resources.

I work for a global (oil and gas) energy company founded in Australia, which provides reliable and affordable energy to countries across the world.

Over the last 17 years of my career in HR, I have worked in the oil, gas, mining and lithium industries. Australia is rich in natural and mineral resources and Western Australia is one of the larger states to provide all these resources exporting across the world.

In my HR career, I have had the opportunity to employ thousands of people into the industry, this has been the most rewarding, to offer people great opportunities of learning and earning, and this can change lives.

Lesley-Ann Hayes works for a global energy company foudned in Australia.

What has been your most memorable moment in your new location so far?

I have been fortunate enough to make the best friends who have been in my life for nearly 35 years, who I have travelled with and shared my best and most challenging memories.

Funny enough, most of these friends are from Ireland or have Irish heritage, its funny how we seem to draw back to what/who we know in life.

Any special mentions to friends or family back in Cork?

The last time I was back in Cork/Dublin was 2017, a trip was planned for 2020 but covid took that dream away, and here we are and now its 2025.

I will always continue to travel to Ireland to see family and friends and fill my cup/heart

I am fortunate to be part of a loving family on both sides, the Hayes and the Creaghs, and when we travel back to Cork we spend a lot of time in my uncles pub on Blarney Street, The Joshua Tree  many fabulous nights have been spent there with the extended family, and I have a very close group of friends in Dublin that will always be close to my heart.

I have been blessed to have so many family members/cousins visit us in Western Australia, and our hearts and homes are always open with that Irish flair for laughter and hospitality.

If you were back in Cork for one day, what would be the ideal day for you?

I would head out to Blarney, then onwards to one of my favourite places Kinsale, and would end up back in The Josh to meet family and toast the day!

What are you looking forward to in the coming months?

I am looking forward to a great summer in Perth, which is averaging about 30 degrees, which is perfect. I am also looking forward to my mothers 70th birthday in March, which will see some of the Irish family visit to celebrate with us.

Is there anything that you especially miss about Cork?

I miss the humour, some of my funniest moments of my life were with my family in Cork, the banter is like no other, its fast and funny, and the people of Cork are staunch loyal to their county, and the local sport teams.

I would like to think I have inherited some of that staunch and loyal spirit!
Kinsale and District Lions Club is set to host a talk by one of the Irish naval services first female officers at an event benefitting the UCC Foundations research into infant mortality.

The event, entitled Inspirational Leadership, will feature Marie Gleeson, a former Irish navy ships captain.

Cormac Fitzgerald, the president of Kinsale and District Lions Club, said the event would inspire audiences of all ages with lessons in leadership, resilience, and purpose while supporting an essential cause.

This is an unmissable opportunity to gain valuable insights from one of Irelands most inspiring leaders while supporting a critical healthcare cause, he said.

The event is suitable for all ages, making it a fantastic evening for families, businesses, and community groups alike.

The event will take place on Thursday, February 20, at 7.45pm, in the Shane Fitzsimons Theatre in Kinsale Community School.

Tickets are 25 per person and are available online at kinsalelionsonline.com.
Homelessness services across Cork are making use of any available floor space in over-capacity shelters to keep people off the streets during the cold weather.

Sophie Johnston, from Cork Simon, told The Echo: Our emergency shelter has been packed to capacity for some time.

Since the weather turned cold, we have been doing all we can to create extra space and accommodation for even more people.

When the weather takes a turn like this, we try to create space with things like extra mattresses in the Night Light Centre, couches in our high-support houses, a sofa or free floor space in the rec rooms in our shelters  any available space where someone can bed down for the night.

Its far from ideal, but at least we are getting people in. It does mean we are drawing on extra staffing. Our Night Light service is normally a night-service only. But, at the moment, people have full access during the day also.

Ms Johnston said: A lot more people in a confined space makes for a challenging situation. It affects staff, but mainly it affects our service users ... its emergency measures on top of whats already emergency accommodation.

Dire situation

Ms Johnston said the situation highlights how dire Irelands housing crisis has become.

We already have huge numbers of people using our services, Ms Johnston said.

Sophie Johnson of Cork Simon said the situation highlights how dire Irelands housing crisis has become.

There are far too many people who have been stuck in emergency accommodation for far too long, because housing is just not available for people to move on to.

A situation like this highlights it all the more: The monthly homelessness figures are absolutely terrible, and theyre only going in one direction. In October 2022, we hit 500 adults a month across Cork in emergency accommodation.

The November 2024 figures, released last Friday, show that has risen to 589  so were edging up towards the 600 mark. Its high time for action, Ms Johnston said.

Susceptible

People who have drugs and alcohol in their system are particularly susceptible to hypothermia, and Ms Johnston explained that Cork Simon teams are working hard to encourage everyone to avail of their shelters.

Wed be really concerned for people rough sleeping anyway. It can take a significant toll on peoples health, but we are especially concerned in this weather.

Our outreach team are out on the streets, encouraging people to come indoors.

If there is a reluctance, they encourage them as best they can to come to our day centre. Its open from 9am to 1pm, and they can get some hot food, have a shower, and engage with staff.

She said that, if anyone sees someone on the streets, they can call the Cork Simon emergency shelter at 021 4278728 and ask for outreach services.

Outreach team

They can tell the outreach team the location of the person, and the team possibly would be aware of them, but they possibly would not be, and thats invaluable information. They will then go out and try to make contact with the person and encourage them.

We would really be concerned for the welfare of anybody who is outdoors, so our outreach team is actively looking for people still out there.

Weather like this just really highlights, again, the absolutely critical need to turn things around.

Ms Johnston added: I think were constantly hearing that housing and homelessness is the top priority. But, in conditions like this, when peoples minds do turn to those sleeping rough, the crisis has to be at the forefront of the government formation talks that are happening at the moment.

People need permanent roofs over their heads.
A newly elected Cork TD has warned that the last Governments failure to update legislation against extreme hate speech may result in infringement proceedings from the European Commission.

Padraig Rice, the Social Democrats TD for Cork South Central, said he welcomed the commencement of the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024  which came into effect on December 31  but expressed disappointment that the Government decided not to proceed with the so-called hate speech crimes that were contained in the original bill.

The new law means that where hatred against certain categories of people has been demonstrated in certain crimes, harsher sentences will be incurred.

Existing crimes cited in the law include criminal damage, public order offences, assault, coercion, threatening to kill or injure, and distribution or display in public of threatening or abusive material.

The law seeks to protect those targeted because of race, colour, nationality, religion, national or ethnic origin (including Traveller), descent, gender identity, sex characteristics, sexual orientation or disability.

Clear message

Mr Rice said the new hate crime legislation sent a clear message that hate crimes and targeting people because of their identity would not be tolerated in Ireland, but he expressed concern that extreme hate speech was not covered in the new act.

Its disappointing that the updates to the 1989 Incitement to Hatred Act were dropped by the last Government, he said.

Mr Rice said freedom of speech was an important right, but it was not an absolute right.

That is why we have laws on defamation, and that is why we need an updated law on extreme hate speech.

When you stir up hate, violence, or rioting, there should be legal consequences.

He added that Ireland had obligations under European law to combat racism and xenophobia, and the European Commission had already warned the Government about allegedly failing to fully address those obligations.

The new Government must get our house in order before we are dragged before the European courts, Mr Rice said.

Disappointing

Fiona Hurley, CEO of Nasc, the Migrant and Refugee Rights Centre, said it was disappointing that hate speech provisions had been removed from the act.

We will continue to press for legislation from the next Government, as we do not believe that the Incitement to Hatred Act 1989 is fit for purpose.

We are worried about the impact that increasingly violent rhetoric, particularly against asylum seekers, is having on our society, she said.

Misinformation and distorted stories have led to violence against people and property and, without new legislation, the State lacks the tools to properly address this.

Konrad Im, the manager of the Gay Project, said much more work was needed to challenge hate against minority groups on the streets and online.

Were disappointed to be hearing that the next programme for Government potentially might not commit to passing hate speech legislation, he said.

Mr Im said the Gay Project would continue to work with its fellow LGBT+ organisations and community members to push for greater protections for all.
Update 5.40pm

County council advise older people to stay indoors

The Cork County Local Coordination Group convened this afternoon ahead of the Met Eireann Status Orange low temperature/ice warning coming into effect this evening.

The group is made up of senior representatives from Cork County Council, An Garda Siochana, the Health Service Executive (HSE), the Defence Forces, ESB Networks and Uisce Eireann.

The Coordination Group is urging all road users to take extreme care if they must travel over the coming days and to check on elderly, vulnerable and isolated neighbours, advising that extremely cold conditions are forecast overnight with widespread severe frost, ice and lying snow leading to hazardous travelling conditions on roads and underfoot.

The Cork County Local Coordination Group convened this afternoon ahead of a Met Eireann Status Orange Low Temperature/Ice warning which comes into effect at 6.00pm this evening with extremely cold conditions, widespread severe frost and ice.



The group is made up of senior pic.twitter.com/qSSntZ5J86  Cork County Council (@Corkcoco) January 8, 2025

The agencies have been liaising and working together throughout the extended cold snap. The Group is collaborating on the deployment of resources, planning and organising support interventions, and identifying priority tasks.

'Phenomenal work'

The work of the many voluntary emergency service providers across the length and breadth of the county is recognised in particular, with the council saying they have been doing phenomenal work in assisting communities in coping with the severe weather conditions.

Conditions remain extremely challenging on many routes in north-west and north Cork where lying snow continues to be an issue, the council shared, adding that its crews are continuing to treat priority routes, however, due to the low temperatures, widespread icy patches can be expected even on treated roads.

They added: The ongoing low temperatures means there is a higher risk of slips, trips and falls on icy footpaths and steps. Older people should not venture outdoors in severe weather if possible.

It is important that people continue to consider all options and pathways available to them before attending the emergency department, which are always available to treat seriously ill patients - with the sickest patients seen first.

People with less severe injuries and symptoms may have to wait to be seen. If you need care, visit your pharmacy, GP or family doctor, GP Out of Hours, or if it is safe for you to travel, the injury unit in Mallow for non-serious injuries.

ESB Emergency Services can be contacted at 1800 372 999, and the public can monitor www.PowerCheck.ie.

Uisce Eireann Customers can check their website and social media channels for updates and to get in touch with any issues or concerns via its 24/7 customer care centre at 1800 278 278.

Cork County Councils Emergency Line remains open on 021 4800048 to report any issues, and they will continue to provide updates on https://www.corkcoco.ie/en and across the councils social media channels @Corkcoco.

Update 5.25pm

Cold weather is also contributing to pressure on healthcare settings, with 103 people on trolleys in Cork hospitals today and nearly 500 treated on trolleys across Cork so far this year.

There were 103 people on trolleys in Cork hospitals today.

The figure, compiled by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), includes 70 people on trolleys in Cork University Hospital, 21 in the Mercy and 12 in Bantry.

Corks Colm Porter, the INMOs assistant director of Industrial Relations said that emergency departments are dealing with high levels of flu as well as injuries from falls, while staff are struggling to get to work.

The weather is definitely contributing to the overcrowding, whenever the weather gets bad theres much more trips and falls that people have to go to the emergency department for. Then obviously theres the respiratory illnesses, flu and RSV, so its all one big melting pot at the moment.

Theres no doubt that the weather is adding to it and putting stress on services, there are also a lot of staff who are struggling to get into work.

A lot of people from north Cork and Limerick are working in CUH and coming in from those areas has been a huge struggle  CUH have been very good about helping to accommodate for that though.

'Hands to the wheel'

He added: Its really an all hands to the wheel situation at the moment, nurses and midwives are some of the people who just have to be in work, they cant cancel emergency departments or births like they can cancel non-urgent appointments.

Todays figures mean 326 people have been treated on trolleys in CUH in 2025 so far, as well as 110 in the Mercy and 59 in Bantry  a total of 495 just one week into the year.

Mr Porter said that that the bad weather coinciding with peak flu season meant a difficult start to 2024: It is not ideal timing when youve got the flu cases through the roof, but heres hoping it will get better.

Update 4.30pm

Several medical services, largely in North Cork, will not go ahead tomorrow, as the HSE South West Regional executive officer said they are seeing a lot of people injured after slipping on ice.

Appointments scheduled for tomorrow in Cork University Hospital, Mercy University Hospital and the South Infirmary  Victoria University Hospital will go ahead as planned, but the HSE continue to appeal to patients not to travel to the city unless it is absolutely safe to do so.

Appointments will also go ahead on Thursday at community facilities around the city, East Cork and South Cork.

However, anyone who is unable to attend a hospital or community appointment is asked to contact the local team who will offer them a new appointment as soon as possible.

The HSE advised: You will not lose your appointment, so please stay safe at home if travel is risky.

At Mallow General Hospital, there will be no in-person appointments. However, some outpatient appointments will be conducted via telemedicine or by telephone. All scheduled theatre procedures for Thursday are cancelled but endoscopy appointments are going ahead.

At Bantry General Hospital, endoscopy is cancelled, the out-patient service is operational in the afternoon and the medical assessment unit is open as usual. Patients will be contacted if there are any cancellations.

Cancelled

Some appointments have also been cancelled at Cork University Maternity Hospital and patients have been contacted directly, while all non-urgent gynaecological appointments at the Lee Clinic are cancelled tomorrow also.

Patients are asked to contact the CUMH on 021-492 0500 with any questions.

Appointments at community facilities in North Cork will also be affected. Staff will be in touch as soon as possible to reschedule appointments, and where it is possible and appropriate, staff may offer virtual appointments. Anyone in doubt should contact the service that made the appointment.

Cancelled services in North Cork tomorrow include appointments in Community Services including physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, community psychology, podiatry, audiology, dietetics, child development clinics and eye care clinics, dental services, day services for older people, school vaccinations, appointments at ICPOP (Integrated Care Programme for Older Persons) and Integrated Care Programme Chronic Diseases and all mental health day services, day hospitals and outpatient services.

HSE South West Regional executive officer Dr Andy Phillips said: Our incredible staff are working night and day to keep as many hospital and community services clinics and appointments to schedule.

I wish the sincerely thank everyone who is going above and beyond to help this week, including those in the Defence Forces and community organisations who are assisting us, wherever possible.

We are hopeful that most appointments will go to plan on Thursday; apart from in North and West Cork, where the icy conditions are too dangerous - in places - to ask either staff or patients to travel.

Please dont worry if you cant get to an appointment, I dont want anyone taking risks and travelling in poor conditions. Let us know as soon as you can and we will quickly reschedule your appointment. Our absolute priority is everyones safety; this cold spell will pass and we will get back on track.

He added: Slips and falls in the icy conditions are also a huge concern. People are falling while de-icing the car, letting the dog out, or bringing in shopping. Please take extra care, but if you need non-urgent medical attention, you will be seen faster at a minor injury unit as our emergency departments are under severe pressure at the moment.

Injury units treat recent injuries that are not life-threatening and unlikely to result in admission to hospital - most injury units treat patients over 5 years of age, but some injury units have higher age limits, so people are asked to check the website before attending.

Injury units can treat broken bones, sprains and strains, minor facial injuries, scalds, burns, wounds, bites, cuts, grazes and scalp lacerations, small abscesses and boils, splinters and fish hooks, objects stuck in eyes, ears or nose and minor head injuries.

Update 3.30pm

The national emergency co-ordination Group (NECG) met again today to discuss the disruption caused by the ongoing cold weather and the latest weather warnings issued by Met Eireann.

They have advised that as the extremely cold weather continues, widespread severe frost, ice and lying snow will again cause dangerous travelling conditions, travel disruption, and potential animal welfare issues.

Tonight will again see lowest temperatures of between -3C and -8C.

There will be severe frost, ice or black ice and patches of freezing fog.

Tomorrow will also remain bitterly cold with frost, ice and freezing fog lingering throughout the day in many areas.

Keith Leonard, national director of the national directorate for fire and emergency management, said: Unfortunately we are seeing no let up in the bitterly cold weather conditions.

We are continuing to coordinate the responses by all agencies and local authorities to ensure the most appropriate responses and supports are happening at local level during these challenging conditions.

Road and path surfaces will remain challenging throughout the country and I would urge drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to take extra caution if you have to set out on a journey.

Remember, even where there is no lying snow, icy conditions will prevail and surfaces may look deceptively safe.

He added: I would like to thank all those members of the public who have been checking in on vulnerable neighbours during this cold spell.

If anyone knows a neighbour who is elderly, alone or who has mobility issues, please keep an eye out for them and make sure they are ok.

Water outages:

Uisce Eireann is warning that weather related bursts on the water network are likely to continue for the coming days as a result of sub-zero temperatures.

The number of people without water today nationally has fallen to approximately 4,500, down from a peak of 40,000 early Monday morning, and it is expected that the majority of those will have their water restored later today.

A spokesperson said: We would like to thank all those who have supported our efforts to restore normal water supplies including the National Emergency Co-ordination Group, local authorities, the ESB, Civil Defence and other agencies for their support and advice.

As the impact of the freezing weather and subsequent thaw continues to be felt over the coming days there may be some further disruption to supplies around the country.

Uisce Eireann crews will remain on standby ready to maintain and restore water supplies for customers across the country.

Uisce Eireanns head of water operations Margaret Attridge advised:

As some counties experience Arctic conditions, which can impact on our pipe infrastructure, letting us know of breaks on the public network allows us to dispatch our expert crews as early as possible, therefore protecting the levels of water in our reservoirs for the whole country.

She added: Conserving water at home and at work can help safeguard water supplies for as many people as possible, especially for our vulnerable customers and essential services such as hospitals and nursing homes.

Were asking people to do simple things like being mindful of shower times and turning off the faucet when brushing teeth.

We are continuing to ask people to insulate outside taps, exposed pipes and tanks, to check for leaks and to turn off water to exterior pipes or unoccupied premises.

We are especially asking people never to leave taps running as this will not necessarily prevent pipes from freezing and can impact on local water supply.

The public can report leaks or bursts on the public water networks to Uisce Eireanns customer care team on 1800 278 278, and can also sign up to a free text alerts scheme at water.ie.

Update 12.30pm:

Founder of Irelands Weather Channel and climate scientist at UCC Cathal Nolan told The Echo that over the next few days, North Cork will continue to be the worst affected by the cold weather.

In terms of temperature, the coldest temperatures in the county will certainly be seen in parts of North Cork, the reason being because theyre more inland so lose the influence of the sea which has a major bearing on temperatures.

Also, most of the lying snow at the moment is in North Cork, and where we have lying snow, thats where we see the coldest temperatures in place.

He said tonight will be even colder than last night, explaining: Tonight in particular the sky will be clear, there was a layer of cloud last night which stopped temperatures getting too low but tonight they could go as low as minus 6 or 7.

We have a weather front pushing in from the South West from Friday morning that could bring some more snow, but very small amounts, which will quickly turn back to sleet before it fizzles out, but it will also introduce milder air.

So we will begin to see that thaw setting in, the snow and ice start to melt and temperatures return back to normal for this time of year, maybe even a degree above average at 6 to 9 degrees, so going from well below average to average or even a little above.

Over the next few days, he said: There will be no additional snow in Cork, maybe a chance of one or two patches of mist near the South.

Mr Nolan concluded: For areas like Rockchapel, Ballydesmond and Charleville, some got 10 to 14 inches of snow, thats 30 to 38 centimetres which is really an exceptional fall of snow, you wouldnt see that depth too often in Cork.

Even in 2010, the deepest snowfall recorded was 22 to 24 centimetres in Cork, so its been the deepest snowfall in some parts of Cork since January 1982, so definitely exceptional in meteorological terms.

City Council advice Cork City Council have advised that in light of the ongoing status orange warnings, people should expect:

-Dangerous travelling conditions for motorists and cyclists on roads due to black ice.

-Footpaths will be treacherous due to icy conditions.

-Disruption to public transport

The council added: Our severe weather assessment team continues to monitor the situation and is working closely with various agencies to ensure the publics safety.

Following an inspection of the Civic Amenity Site this morning, the council confirmed that it was to reopen today from 11am.

Water and power outages

Many parts of Cork are without power or water this morning, as the ESB and Uisce Eireanns websites both show several Cork faults on their live maps.

Power outages can often also affect water supplies, with Uisce Eireann sharing this morning that a power outage may cause supply disruptions to Liscarroll, Buttevant, Dromina, Churchtown, Ballyhea, Freemount and surrounding areas until 5pm today.

Update 12.10pm

Civil Defence

Maeve Hourihan of the Cork West Civil Defence told The Echo that they have been on standby for deployment since Saturday in advance of forecast snowfall and low temperatures.

Cork West Civil Defence transporting a Public Health Nurse to care for a patient in Enniskeane.

Deployments commenced on Sunday, and volunteers remain on standby in Ballineen, Clonakilty, Rosscarbery, Schull and Skibbereen.

Tasks have included the collection of National Ambulance Service personnel, night nurses, care assistants, hospital staff and members of An Garda Siochana from their homes to bring them to work.

They have transported dialysis patients to hospital for essential medical treatment, and have been prepared to provide 4x4 support to the local Garda Siochana.

Additionally, they have delivered Meals on Wheels to elderly and vulnerable people in remote locations, and have delivered groceries and medication to families who have not been able to leave their homes.

Cork West Civil Defence - Donal Shorten and Kathy Kennefick bringing Enniskeane Pharmacist Caitriona Nugent to work on Tuesday.

Ms Hourihan added: Cork West Civil Defence volunteers are highly trained and are prepared to support events such as this.

All volunteers are qualified in severe weather off-road driving. In saying this, volunteers all have their own full-time jobs and families. Our volunteers generously give their time as they are committed to supporting their local community and people in need.

Trains

Issues have arisen once again on the Cork to Dublin trains, following ongoing delays yesterday.

Yesterday, Social Democrats Cork East TD Liam Quaide said he took a train in Midleton at 9.45am and didn't get to Dublin until after 4pm. He praised the work of the crews who managed to get issues repaired in challenging weather conditions.

This morning, Iarnrod Eireann shared that the 9.25am Cork to Heuston was held in Portlaoise due to a mechanical issue.

They added at 11.45am that the train would terminate in Portlaoise, adding that the 11.25pm Portlaoise to Heuston was in Portlaoise station and would operate to Heuston shortly.

Update:

09:25 Cork to Heuston will terminate in Portlaoise.

11:25 Portlaoise to Heuston is now in Portlaoise Station and operate to Heuston shortly.



Update to follow. @TFIupdates

-CL https://t.co/M0oFtJBnez  Iarnrod Eireann (@IrishRail) January 8, 2025

University College Cork

The UCC Emergency Management Team (EMT) continues to monitor the adverse weather situation throughout the week.

In line with government guidelines and having regard to the safety and wellbeing of those on, and travelling to and from campus, the opening of all UCC campuses is delayed until 11am on both Wednesday and Thursday.

The university advised: Please contact your line manager regarding your individual circumstances and agree your working arrangements during this period.

Our priority is the welfare and safety of our colleagues and students. The EMT will continue to monitor the evolving situation closely in the interest of the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff.

Council service update

Due to the adverse weather, Cork County Councils area offices in Kanturk, Newmarket, Charleville and Millstreet will remain closed today. The Dunmanway Area Office will open at 12 noon.

The council added that some library branches may open at a later time, close at an earlier time or remain closed in the coming days, such as Macroom and Carrigaline Libraries which will be closed today.

Before you travel, first check with your local library, contact library headquarters at 021 454 6499 or email corkcountylibrary@corkcoco.ie, they advised.

 Service Update 



Due to the adverse weather, our Area Offices in Kanturk, Newmarket, Charleville and Millstreet will remain closed today. Dunmanway Area Office will open at 12noon.



Some library branches may open at a later time, close at an earlier time or remain closed pic.twitter.com/pHJqzVk0tT  Cork County Council (@Corkcoco) January 8, 2025

Civic amenity sites

Macroom, Raffeen, Rossmore and Youghal civic amenity sites opened at the later time of 11am today, and due to the severity of the weather in North Cork, Kanturk will remain closed.

Castletownbere, Clonakilty and Skibbereen Civic Amenity sites opened as normal at 9am.

Swimming pools

Mallow and Fermoy Swimming Pools are open from 10am to 5pm, while Dunmanway Swimming Pool opened at the later time of 11am and will close at 5pm.

Update 10am:

Schools around Cork are closed today as the county comes out of an overnight weather warning and prepares for another this evening.

Met Eireann's warning for extremely cold weather with widespread severe frost, ice and lying snow remained in place until 10am.

A further status orange low temperature/ice warning will come into effect for Cork at 6pm tonight until 11am tomorrow morning.

A status yellow warning also remains in place until 12 noon on Friday.

Cars stuck in the snow on New Street in Newmarket, Co Cork. Road users have again been asked to avoid unnecessary journeys and to take extreme care if they must travel as widespread severe frost, ice and lying snow persists. Picture: Dan Linehan

Cork County Councils severe weather assessment team convened again this morning and has urged all road users to take extreme care if they must travel over the coming days.

They explained: Conditions remain extremely challenging on many routes in north-west and north Cork where lying snow continues to be an issue.

Council crews are continuing to treat priority routes, however, due to the low temperatures, widespread icy patches can be expected even on treated roads, they warned.

Cork County Councils Severe Weather Assessment Team convened this morning as a Status Orange Low Temperature/Ice warning remains in effect for Cork until 10.00am.



A further Status Orange Low Temperature/Ice warning will come into effect for Cork at 6.00pm tonight until pic.twitter.com/yD5uIAqVRg  Cork County Council (@Corkcoco) January 8, 2025

Currently, diversions remain in place westbound on the R585 in West Cork due to icy conditions.

Traffic is advised to divert via the R587 at Shanlaragh to Dunmanway and then via the R586/N71 to Bantry.

The R579 Banteer to Nadd and the Newmarket to Rockchapel roads are now passable with caution.

The council advised: If your journey is essential, please slow down, drive with caution, and be aware of other road users. Allow extra time for your journey.

If a road has been treated by a gritter or snowplough, do not assume that the road is safe to travel. There may still be underlying snow or ice which would make the road hazardous.

Cork County Councils emergency line remains open on 021 4800048 to report any issues.

Some council services may have varying opening hours or remain closed today, and they are asking people to contact them before travelling, and to keep an eye on the council website and social media channels.

Bus cancellations

Bus Eireann has advised that all Cork city services are operating as planned, but there are some areas that cant be served.

Service Update  Adverse Weather Warning



We continue to advise all intending passengers to check the Service Updates section of our website, before travelling, for potential service disruptions due to adverse weather.



Latest updates - https://t.co/kZjvdulzCL pic.twitter.com/w6C43Tv5cn  Bus Eireann (@Buseireann) January 5, 2025

They issued the following list in the early hours of this morning:

Route 214 - Currently not servicing Knockraha

Route 233 - Service will not serve Killmuray

Route 23507.15 ex Rylane -Cork will operate from Tower. Donoughmore, Shournagh Rd not being served. Service will resume from Tower.

Route 237 - 08:25 ex Skibbereen to Baltimore- cancelled. 09:30 ex Baltimore to Skibbereen- cancelled

Route 239 - 239 services will not serve Kilbrogan, Crossbarry, Killeady, Waterfall, Halfway or Culinanes Cross until further notice.

Route 243 - 243 services will not serve Doneraile, Kanturk or Newmarket until further notice. 13:15 Cork to Rathduff will not serve Whitechurch.

Route 245 - 07:30 ex Michelstown to Cork - cancelled.

Route 248 - 248 services suspended until further notice.

Route 257 - All 257 services are suspended until further notice.

Route 270 - Route 270 will operate as normal from Killarney to Kenmare and return. The section of the route from Kenmare to Skibbereen is suspended in both directions until further notice.

Route 272 - 272 service ex Ballybunion to Tralee will no be servicing Ballybunion and Lisselton until further notice. 272 service ex Tralee to Ballybunion will not be servicing Abbeydorney and Lixna until further notice.

Earlier: Road users have again been asked to avoid unnecessary journeys and to take extreme care if they must travel as widespread severe frost, ice and lying snow persists.

A status orange low temperature and ice warning for Munster is in effect until 10am today with a second status orange low temperature and ice warning coming into effect at 6pm and remaining until 11am tomorrow.

A countrywide status yellow low temperature and ice warning is in effect until noon on Friday.

This morning will be bitterly cold with widespread frost, ice & patches of freezing fog, all of which will persist in some areas all day



Most areas dry w/ bright or sunny spells. Some scattered wintry showers in the NW



Highs of -1 to 4C

Warningshttps://t.co/3041XHiRrK pic.twitter.com/m4D491SSfY  Met Eireann (@MetEireann) January 8, 2025

During the period of the orange warnings, the public has been advised to expect dangerous travelling conditions on roads and underfoot and travel disruption and delays.

In an update yesterday evening, Cork County Council said its crisis management team had again convened.

The council is appealing to people to avoid unnecessary journeys and is urging all road users to take extreme care if they must travel.

The local authority said it would continue to treat priority routes however, due to the low temperatures, widespread icy patches can be expected even on treated roads.

"If your journey is essential, please slow down, drive with caution, and be aware of other road users. Allow extra time for your journey.

"If a road has been treated by a gritter or snowplough, do not assume that the road is safe to travel.

"There may still be underlying snow or ice which would make the road hazardous," the council said.

Non-urgent HSE appointments scheduled for today at Bantry and Mallow general hospitals will not go ahead, and appointments at community facilities in North Cork will also be affected.

While many appointments will go ahead in Cork city hospitals and community settings, the HSE has appealed to patients not to travel unless it is safe to do so.

Service update for Cork 



Non-urgent appointments @BGHsswhg & @HospitalMallow on Jan 8th will not go ahead. Community appts in #NorthCork are also affected.



Many Cork City appts will still go ahead. Please only travel if safe to do so.



https://t.co/Qs76XCDczX pic.twitter.com/MgDpXhseMl  Cork Kerry Community Healthcare (@CorkKerryCH) January 7, 2025

Paddy OBrien, a Cork advocate for the elderly, told The Echo: During this exceptionally cold spell, theres a possibility that senior citizens are running out of food.

Its going into almost a week now, and many people are too afraid to go out the door. In some cases in Cork, Meals on Wheels were not delivered some days.

Lots of people also have been confined indoors and are now running out of essential foodstuff, and the most vulnerable people are those who live alone.

Many dont have a mobile or even a landline to make contact with anyone.

He advised the elderly to drink several hot drinks during the day, wear warm clothes including headgear, put extra blankets on their bed at night, walk around to generate body heat, and to prioritise heat over food if it comes to that.

Mr OBrien added that he cant overestimate the important role neighbours play, saying: We dont want any tragedies  a knock on the door can save a life.
A 38-year-old man signed a plea of guilty to carrying out a robbery at a Centra store in Cork city centre, and he faces sentencing next month for the crime.

On the application of Sergeant Aisling Murphy at Cork District Court, Judge Mary Dorgan sent the case forward for sentencing at the next sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court commencing on February 4, 2025.

Matthew Heaphy, previously of The Borough, Maryborough Hill, Douglas, and now in full-time residential care in Dublin, signed the plea of guilty to the charge of robbery at Herlihys Centra, Grand Parade, on February 22, 2024, where 140 in 20 notes was taken.

Solicitor Eddie Burke confirmed the signed plea of guilty to the charge at Cork District Court.
A new company plans to establish four creches over the next two years and to do so with the help of a 5.5m investment, beginning with a facility in Douglas.

Zenith Childcare, a new group, led by industry professionals Charlene Roche and Stephen Moore, plans to launch a network of state-of-the-art creches.

They are starting with a flagship, purpose-built facility in Bayly, Douglas, Cork, and the group has ambitious plans to expand to four creches to cater for up to 500 children by the end of 2025.

Quintas Capital, a boutique investment firm and manager of the EIIS Innovation Fund, has announced a 2.25m investment in Zenith Childcare, with a further 3.25m earmarked for 2025.

The EIIS Innovation Fund 2024 is targeting 8m to support three to four Irish businesses in the social-infrastructure sectors, such as renewable energy, childcare, and healthcare.

The 5.5m investment marks the funds first significant investment in the company, aimed at addressing the growing need for childcare facilities in Ireland.

Quintas Capital is an Irish investment firm dedicated to originating, structuring, and investing in opportunities that drive economic growth and societal impact.

Quintas Capital investors are benefiting from 50% EIIS tax relief as part of their investment.

This will be in addition to a return after four years.

Kevin Canning, managing director of Quintas Capital and investment director of the EIIS Innovation Fund, said: This investment is a significant milestone for the EIIS Innovation Fund.

Zenith Childcare, founded by two seasoned industry professionals, is well-positioned to address Irelands growing demand for high-quality childcare services.

Our fund has a robust pipeline of similar investments across the country.

Mr Canning said: Every housing estate approved for more than 75 homes must include a creche.

This creates a unique opportunity for Zenith to capitalise on a market with such high demand but limited readily available facilities, he said.

Charlene Roche, an experienced professional in the childcare sector, both as a founder and chief operating officer, explained: With the Governments push for accessible and quality childcare, were excited to support a new wave of creche development.

Stephen Moore, who was previously the group finance director of Nua Healthcare and an investor in various businesses, added: Zenith aims to build childcare for Irelands future by creating purpose-built facilities that will help meet the immediate need for increased capacity.

This partnership with Quintas Capital enables us to achieve our vision, Mr Moore said.
A book of evidence is to be served on January 22 on a man who allegedly made up to 10 attempts to stab and slash another man in Cork city centre where it was claimed that he acted like the attack was a badge of honour.

The book of evidence was not ready to be served today and Sergeant Dave Delea applied to have the case adjourned for a fortnight so that this could be done on that date.

Detective Garda Conor Cronin gave evidence at Cork District Court in the prosecutions objection to bail being granted to Aaron Bohane who is charged with assault causing harm to Gavin Sheehan at Oliver Plunkett St, and producing a bladed weapon.

Det Garda Cronin said the evidence against Mr Bohane was very strong. He said the injured party was walking along Oliver Plunkett Street shortly after 5pm on September 6.

He said that Mr Bohane, 24, was in a doorway on the street while a man with him was acting as a lookout.

He gave Aaron Bohane a gesture. Mr Bohane removed a silver-coloured knife from the waistband of his pants and he viciously assaulted the injured party from behind. In the course of 16 seconds he attempted to stab and slash him up to 10 times.

The male with him then strikes the injured party over the head with a glass bottle.

The injured party had serious lacerations to his head, arms and back and was taken to Cork University Hospital for surgery, Det. Garda Cronin said.

He alleged that the accused was arrested 10 minutes later and had blood on his clothing and shoes.

Mr Bohane said the injured party had previously threatened his partner and he acted like the assault was a badge of honour  he showed no remorse, the detective said.

He said school-going children were among the members of the public in the area at the time of the incident which was captured on CCTV.

Shane Collins-Daly asked if a statement of complaint had been made by the injured party and if he had consented to gardai accessing his medical records in connection with the investigation. Det Garda Cronin confirmed that the complainant had done both.

Mr Collins-Daly said Mr Bohane, of no fixed address and originally from Ballincollig, County Cork, denied being involved in any sort of feud and said this was an isolated incident.
A Cork TD has called on city council to clarify the status of an implementation report on a phased northside regeneration project that has been plagued by delays.

The Cork City Northwest Quarter Regeneration (CNWQR) masterplan was adopted by the council in November 2011 and involves the demolition of 450 houses and the design and construction of more than 600 new homes.

Thomas Gould, Sinn Fein TD for Cork North Central, told The Echo it had been more than two decades since he had attended the first regeneration meeting in Knocknaheeny.

In that time, only 99 new homes have been delivered, he said.

While regeneration is more than just bricks and mortar, the snails pace of delivery is completely unacceptable.

I believe that for regeneration to work, there must be community buy-in. People in Knocknaheeny, Hollyhill, and the entire north-west area are deeply frustrated by the failure to progress this scheme.

Mr Gould said that he had been told in January 2024 by Housing Minister Darragh OBrien that an implementation update would be published by the years end, but that date had passed without publication.

This is deeply frustrating, Mr Gould said. For months now, I have been requesting that Cork City Council provide details on the update and start a consultation process to feed into that.

Kenneth Collins, Sinn Fein councillor in the north-west ward, said it beggared belief that work on Phase 2c of CNWQR, which entails the delivery of 24 homes at Kilmore Road, had yet to begin.

In May of 2024, the council resolved what it had described as a complex contractual dispute which had stalled Phase 2c since 2019, and in July reissued the tender for the project, which it costed at an estimated 5m, and gave a commencement date of October 1, 2024, for works.

Myself and [fellow Sinn Fein councillor] Michelle Gould have been very clear that there can be no more delays to the regeneration, Mr Collins said.

This is vital for people in the north-west, and could have potentially lifelong impacts on their outcomes. Currently, people are living in unsuitable homes waiting for regeneration with no end in sight. We will be raising this as a top priority in 2025.

A spokesperson for Cork City Council said: The CNWQR Implementation programme is dynamic and not subject to regular published reviews or public consultation processes. The Housing Delivery and Regeneration Directorate regularly updates local councillors through regeneration meetings and informs the community via a local newsletter.

They added that Part 8 planning processes include public consultations and local information events as needed.

The CNWQR was a comprehensive and evolving strategy, with three phases currently under construction, two phases at tender stage, and with further phases currently being designed, together with a strong SEEP [Social, Economic, Environmental Plan] implementation programme, the council spokesperson said.

We continue to remain focused on regeneration of this area, while keeping the community informed and involved through various communication channels and consultation processes.
Tom Tuite

A man has been charged with using a bogus Afghan passport and theft of 48,000 during an alleged 12-year social welfare fraud.

Faizal Akbar, 60, of Benburb Street, Dublin 7, was charged on Wednesday with 12 counts of theft of various sums and unlawful use of two false documents, including an Afghan passport, between 2008 and 2019.

He then appeared before Judge Treasa Kelly at Dublin District Court.

Detective Garda Dave Chapman said that the accused was charged at the Bridewell Garda Station and made no reply before being handed true copies of the charges.

He confirmed there was no objection to bail if the accused handed over his passport and provided the address where he would reside.

Defence solicitor Eoghan OSullivan informed the detective of his clients address and handed over the mans Pakistani passport.

The Director of Public Prosecutions has directed summary disposal of Mr Akbars case in the District Court if he pleads guilty.

Otherwise, he must face trial before a judge and jury in the Circuit Court which has wider sentencing powers.

Mr Akbar did not address the proceedings until Judge Kelly told him he must not apply for other travel documents or renew his passport, after which he replied, Yes.

She also warned him to notify gardai of any address change and to remain in the jurisdiction.

The defence solicitor said it was a matter where the accused self-reported himself to the authorities and it was expected that a certain course of action would be taken on the next date.

However, Mr OSullivan said he still wished to have an opportunity go over the prosecution evidence. Judge Kelly granted a disclosure order.

A statement of his means was handed in to court as part of Mr Akbars application for legal aid and the court heard he was on social welfare. The said he was entitled to it and acceded to the application.

Mr Akbar was remanded in his bond of 500 and ordered to appear again in February to enter a plea.
Gordon Deegan

MMA fighter Conor McGregors planned sprawling mansion, complete with a cinema, bar and two swimming pools, will not have any undue impact on local residents, according to new planning documentation lodged with Kildare County Council.

The documents concern McGregors application to demolish his existing five-bedroom home at The Paddocks, Castledillon, Straffan, and replace it with 32,693sq ft six-bedroom "family home".

The new home is to be a two-storey over basement house complete with a 19.6-metre indoor swimming pool, a 21-metre outdoor swimming pool and a cinema.

The fully sunken basement is to include car-parking, a bar, games area and ancillary rooms.

McGregor paid 3 million for The Paddocks in 2019 and planning documentation shows that McGregors staff are to be housed in a nearby home at No 5 Castledillon which is now also in the full ownership of the applicant.

Records with the Residential Property Price Register show that No 5 Castledillon was purchased for 1.65 million in June 2022.

The purchasing of the neighbouring No 5 Castledillon has increased McGregors landholding from 5.8 acres to 10 acres.

In response to the proposal for the new home on the site of The Paddocks, council planners last July wrote to Mr McGregor telling him that the design and scale of the proposed home due to its length, massing and scale did not comply with the Kildare County Development Plan.

In the further information request, the council requested Mr McGregor to submit revised proposals which take account of the County Development Plan.

The council also asked Mr McGregor to submit a comprehensive design statement.

The new home is being designed by Dublin-based architects Tyler Owens Architects.

Now, in response to the council's further information request, a submission on behalf of McGregor does not include any proposals to reduce the scale of the home.

Instead, the submission says it is clear from a revised suite of photomontages submitted that the subject site has the capacity to comfortably absorb the proposed dwelling without resulting in any undue impacts or dis-amenity to surrounding residents.

The submission says the photomontages demonstrate that careful siting of the proposed home and the large scale nature of the site.

It also says the planned home is largely screened from the view from the adjacent public road and neighbouring properties, any intermittent views are further obscured to the presence of existing and proposed supplementary planting.

The document says the various items in the councils further information request have been comprehensively dealt with and that the proposal is compliant with the policies and objectives as set out in the Kildare County Development Plan 2023-2029.

McGregor previously secured planning permission to partly demolish and extend and renovate The Paddocks.

However, Tyler Owens Architects told the council that having started the process of demolition back in 2022, it became apparent that the existing quality of construction of the remainder of the house, along with the clients changing needs, indicated that the works would not make sense.

This has resulted in the planning application for the complete demolition of the Paddocks and replacing it with a new family home.

The design statement says that by prioritising harmony with the rural landscape, the new house design adheres to guidelines on scale, massing and sustainability, ensuring integration into the surrounding environment.

The statement says the proposal also maximises the natural site features, promotes energy efficiency and incorporates adaptable design for long term functionality.

It adds that it balances modern architectural innovation with respect for local elements, offering a dwelling that complements its setting while addressing future need.

The council is due to make a decision on the planning application later this month.

In November in the High Court, a jury found against McGregor in the civil rape case taken by Nikita Hand and McGregor has until the middle of next month to lodge appeal papers.

The Dublin woman was awarded nearly 250,000 in damages after the jury found that she was raped by McGregor in the Dublin hotel in December 2018 and McGregor also faces paying the bulk of the legal costs estimated at more than 1m associated with the case.
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.

Researchers found microplastics in the edible tissue of six species that are economically or culturally important in Oregon (clockwise from top left): Chinook salmon, lingcod, black rockfish, pink shrimp, Pacific herring, and Pacific lamprey. NOAA Fisheries, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission

Microplastics shed from plastic products like clothing and packaging are ending up in the fish we eat, according to researchers from Portland State University (PSU).

The findings of the study highlight a need for strategies and technologies to reduce the microfiber pollution that makes its way into the environment, a press release from PSU said.

Microplastics (MPs) and other anthropogenic particles (APs) are pervasive environmental contaminants found throughout marine and aquatic environments. We quantified APs in the edible tissue of black rockfish, lingcod, Chinook salmon, Pacific herring, Pacific lamprey, and pink shrimp, comparing AP burdens across trophic levels and between vessel-retrieved and retail-purchased individuals, the researchers wrote in the study. Anthropogenic particles were found in 180 of 182 individuals These findings suggest a need for further research into technologies and strategies to reduce microfiber pollution entering the environment.

Scientists from the Applied Coastal Ecology Lab at PSU built on earlier research that explored the pervasiveness of microplastics in bivalves such as Pacific razor clams and oysters, the press release said. Led by Elise Granek, an environmental science and management professor, the team focused on commonly eaten crustaceans and finfish.

Their goal was to fill in the gaps regarding microplastic contamination in shellfish and finfish in Oregon, while gaining a better understanding of differences across trophic levels  which arrange the position of fish in the food chain  as well as in pathways to consumers.

The researchers quantified particles from materials modified or produced by humans that they discovered in the edible tissues of half a dozen species that are culturally or economically important in Oregon: Chinook salmon, lingcod, black rockfish, Pacific lamprey, Pacific herring and pink shrimp.

The team then compared concentrations of particles across trophic levels, as well as whether where the microplastics were positioned in the food web had an effect on how much and what was contaminating the edible tissue of the fish. They also looked at whether samples obtained directly from research vessels differed from those of seafood vendors and supermarkets.

The researchers found 1,806 suspected plastic particles in 180 out of 182 individual samples. Fibers were most abundant, followed by films and fragments.

The study, From the ocean to our kitchen table: anthropogenic particles in the edible tissue of U.S. West Coast seafood species, was published in the journal Frontiers in Toxicology.

Of the species the research team sampled, pink shrimp were found to have the highest particle concentrations in their edible tissues. The lowest concentrations were found in Chinook salmon, followed by lingcod and black rockfish.

We found that the smaller organisms that we sampled seem to be ingesting more anthropogenic, non-nutritious particles, Granek said in the press release. Shrimp and small fish, like herring, are eating smaller food items like zooplankton. Other studies have found high concentrations of plastics in the area in which zooplankton accumulate and these anthropogenic particles may resemble zooplankton and thus be taken up for animals that feed on zooplankton.

The team expected processing would introduce more contaminants from plastic packaging, but that was not found to be universally true. The researchers also discovered that rinsing shrimp and fish fillets  as many people do before preparing them  could, in some cases, remove additional contamination that might have landed on the surface between catch and consumer.

Overall, the study provided evidence of widespread plastic particles and fibers in the edible tissues of marine and freshwater species in Oregon.

Its very concerning that microfibers appear to move from the gut into other tissues such as muscle, Susanne Brander, an ecotoxicologist with Oregon State University who helped with lab analysis, said in the press release. This has wide implications for other organisms, potentially including humans too.

The researchers said the findings demonstrate the need for more studies to understand how particles end up in muscle tissue, along with policies to regulate anthropogenic particles.

This project established critical baseline data for West Coast fisheries stakeholders and highlighted how much we still do not know about these pervasive microplastic pollutants, said Summer Traylor, who led the project with help from Marilyn Duncan, an environmental science student who graduated from PSU in 2024. Traylor graduated with a masters in environmental management in 2022 and is now a NOAA Corps Officer.

Rather than recommending people avoid seafood, the authors of the study are instead focusing on solutions.

If we are disposing of and utilizing products that release microplastics, those microplastics make their way into the environment, and are taken up by things we eat, Granek said. What we put out into the environment ends up back on our plates.

Were continuing to do work to understand the effects of anthropogenic particles on animals, but were also moving into experimental work to test what are effective solutions to reduce microplastics entering marine ecosystems, Granek added.
Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions.

The recently opened 650-megawatt Witznitz solar energy park, built on a former mining site, in Saxony, Witznitz, Germany on July 3, 2024. In the background is the Lippendorf coal-fired power plant. Hendrik Schmidt / picture alliance via Getty Images

Renewables are now making up a majority of the net public electricity generation in Germany, according to a new report by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (Fraunhofer ISE).

As Fraunhofer ISE reported, renewable energy sources accounted for 62.7% of the net public electricity generated in Germany in 2024. Wind energy made up the most of this share, comprising 33% of net public electricity generation at 136.4 terawatt hours (TWh). While onshore wind energy declined slightly, offshore wind power increased to 25.7 TWh compared to 2023s 23.5 TWh.

Meanwhile, solar power in Germany reached a new record of 72.2 TWh in 2024 and exceeded the countrys photovoltaic target to install 13 gigawatts (GW) of solar for 2024, with 13.3 GW installed by November 2024 and an estimated 15.9 GW installed by the end of the year.

Total solar power production increased by 18% compared to 2023, and solar energy made up 14% of the total net public electricity generation, according to Fraunhofer ISE.

Solar expansion and production increased rapidly last year, despite weather conditions that were often not ideal for solar power generation, PV Magazine reported. While Germany experienced its hottest year on record, as Yahoo! reported, the country experienced heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in July, which was also the month with the most solar energy production of 2024. Heavy rain and storms continued into the fall.

The Odervorland wind farm in Brandenburg, Germany on Oct. 24, 2024. Patrick Pleul / picture alliance via Getty Images

In addition to rising renewables, reliance on hard coal and lignite for public electricity generation declined by 27.6% and 8.4%, respectively. Lignite, or brown coal, is one of the most polluting and carbon-emitting types of coal to use for power generation, according to Greenpeace. Reducing the combustion of lignite and hard coal in favor of renewables is helping to lower emissions in Germany.

Due to the increasing share of renewable energies and the decline in coal-fired power generation, electricity generation is lower in CO2 emissions than ever before; since 2014, emissions from electricity generation have halved (from 312 to approx. 152 million tons of CO2 per year), Fraunhofer ISE stated. Carbon dioxide emissions from German electricity generation were 58 percent lower than at the start of data collection in 1990.

While renewable energy expansion and generation is on the rise in Germany, the country still has more targets to meet to reach its overall clean energy goals. According to Fraunhofer ISE, onshore wind expansion, which met 2.44 GW installed for 2024, fell behind schedule of the 7 GW planned. Further, while lignite consumption declined, it still provided 71.1 TWh for net public electricity generation, nearly the same amount as solar. Natural gas consumption for electricity also increased 9.5% in 2024 compared to 2023.

To boost the continued increase in renewable energy capacity and reduce the use of fossil fuels, Germany has worked to expand battery storage. In 2024, the country increased installed battery capacity from 8.6 GW to 12.1 GW. Storage capacity increased from 12.7 gigawatt hours (GWh) to 17.7 GWh.

The German Federal Government has set a target for carbon-neutrality by 2045 as well as goals to end coal-fired power generation and meet 80% of gross electricity consumption with renewable energy sources by 2030, as United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) reported. In June 2024, the governments climate advisors announced the country was not on track to meet its 2030 goals, Reuters reported.
Couplet culture thrives in Sidi village, N China's Shanxi

People's Daily Online) 13:50, January 08, 2025

Couplets, known as Yinglian in Chinese, are one of the treasures of Chinese traditional culture. As the saying goes, "The most exquisite form of literature is poetry; the finest essence of poetry is found in couplets." They are a popular art form enjoyed by the masses and are flexible in their use. For centuries, couplets have carried the Chinese people's hopes for a better life. Whether during festive occasions like weddings or the Chinese New Year, or for major family events, couplets are a vital part of the celebration.

Wenxi couplets, as a cultural symbol of north China's Shanxi Province, from Wenxi county have gained fame both domestically and internationally. Recently, the Wenxi county poetry and couplets association, established in 1999, received national recognition for promoting couplet culture.

 : Photo shows a scene of Sidi village, Wenxi county, north China's Shanxi Province.

: Villagers write Spring Festival couplets in Sidi village, Wenxi county, north China's Shanxi Province.

: Villagers show "Fu" characters (meaning blessings) and a pair of Spring Festival couplets in Sidi village, Wenxi county, north China's Shanxi Province.

: Photo shows couplets hung on pillars of a corridor in Sidi village, Wenxi county, north China's Shanxi Province.

: Photo shows couplets on a wall in Sidi village, Wenxi county, north China's Shanxi Province.

Photos provided by the Wenxi county poetry and couplets association

Sidi village serves as a vivid example of the rich couplet culture in the county. 25 years ago, several villagers who were passionate about Chinese traditional culture proposed the idea of revitalizing the village through couplet culture.

In 2000, Wen Shun and several other retired teachers initiated the Sidi village Yinglian branch. Today, the branch has 113 members, including 10 who are members of the Yinglian Society of China.

After its establishment, the Sidi village Yinglian branch regularly organized activities, including regular lectures, giving out Yinglian to model families, and offering free calligraphy training sessions. Members of the branch create couplets for villagers for personal celebrations like those for babies' first month birthdays, graduations, birthdays of the elderly, weddings, and funerals.

Members of the branch also compose couplets for major national festivals, which are then displayed in the village's cultural hall.

In 2012, Sidi village was recognized as a national couplet culture village by the Yinglian Society of China. This recognition affirmed the village's cultural development.

Ji Pingjuan, who spent decades working away from home, returned to Sidi village in 2017 and was elected head of the villagers' committee. She raised over 20 million yuan (about $2.74 million) to revive a malleable iron factory, creating jobs for villagers. She also improved the infrastructure in the village and invested over 100,000 yuan in supporting the village's cultural festival.

With a particular passion for couplets, Ji has led teams to engage in exchanges in other regions for several years, exploring the couplet cultural industry while supporting free training for the village's students during summer and winter vacations. Her efforts have reinvigorated elderly enthusiasts of couplets and strengthened the village's resolve to promote cultural development.

"Over the past years, the village has provided us with brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. To be honest, without the support of the villagers' committee, the Sidi village Yinglian branch could hardly have kept going," said villager Pan Kaiji.

Sidi's couplet culture has been covered by media outlets in Southeast Asia and Europe.

Since 2017, elderly enthusiasts of couplets have launched training sessions on traditional Chinese culture, including couplets and calligraphy, for students aged 8 years old and above during summer vacations for eight consecutive years. To date, over 300 students have participated in the training sessions, which have facilitated the inheritance of the village's couplet culture.

Like all Chinese villages, Sidi village truly comes alive during the Spring Festival. With the Spring Festival approaching, members of the Sidi village Yinglian branch have been busy writing Spring Festival couplets.

They've written Spring Festival couplets for villagers free of charge for 25 consecutive years. In recent years, their services have expanded beyond the village to township and county levels, bringing these festive red couplets to many households.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Surprising no one, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang isn't too worried about a future filled with robots and superintelligent AI. In fact, he welcomes it. During a CES Q&A session with media and analysts, Huang was asked if he thought intelligent robots would ultimately side with humans, or against them. "With the humans, because we're going to build them that way," he replied confidently.

"The idea of superintelligence is not unusual," Huang continued. "I have a company with many many people who are superintelligent in their field of work. I'm surrounded by superintelligence. And I prefer to be surrounded by superintelligence than the alternative."

Given that the hype around generative AI has been huge for NVIDIA's business  it's currently vying with Apple and Microsoft for the largest valuation in the world  it makes sense that Huang would be all for a future where we're more reliant on smarter AI. He falls short of proclaiming the arrival of god-like artificial general intelligence (AGI) like OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Tesla's Elon Musk, instead Huang's vision sounds more task-focused.

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"That's the future, you're going to have superintelligent AI that will let you write, analyze problems, deal with supply chain planning, write software, design chips," he said. "The technology, of course, can be used in many ways, but it's humans that are harmful. I think machines are machines."

During the morning Q&A session, which came after Huang's lengthy CES keynote to a mostly unenthusiastic crowd, he admitted that he did a poor job of conveying his vision for AI in the real world. Huang thinks the combination of NVIDIA's Omniverse technology for visualizing 3D routines, as well as NVIDIA Cosmos for generating photorealistic environments for AI training, will make it easier to train robots for real-world work. That could end up being one small step towards AI superintelligence  or, at the very least, slightly more capable robots.

Engadget spent the week of January 5 reporting live from CES 2025 in Las Vegas. See our picks for the Best of CES 2025.
Annie Altman, the sister of OpenAI founder and CEO Sam Altman, has sued her brother accusing him of sexually assaulting her when she was a minor. In a complaint filed this week with a Missouri federal court, Annie Altman alleges her older brother committed numerous acts of rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse, molestation, sodomy, and battery from 1997 to 2006, with the abuse starting when she was only three years old.

In a joint statement he made alongside his mother and two younger brothers, Sam Altman said all of [Annies] claims are utterly untrue. The Altmans say theyve tried to support Annie in many ways over the years, including by offering direct financial assistance.

My sister has filed a lawsuit against me. Here is a statement from my mom, brothers, and me: pic.twitter.com/Nve0yokTSX  Sam Altman (@sama) January 7, 2025

Annie has made deeply hurtful and entirely untrue claims about our family, especially Sam. Weve chosen not to respond publicly, out of respect for her privacy and our own. However, she has now taken legal actions against Sam, and we feel we have no choice but to address this, the statement reads.  This situation causes immense pain to our entire family.

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Over the past few years, Annie Altman has made similar allegations online. Im not four years old with a 13 year old brother climbing into my bed non-consensually anymore, she wrote in a X post from March 2023.

As part of her lawsuit, Altman seeks a jury trial and damages in excess of $75,000. Per The New York Times, $75,000 is the minimum required for a federal lawsuit of this type. Her lawyer told The Times she is also seeking punitive damages based on her brothers net worth, which could become public knowledge as part of the cases discovery process.
A Florida man pleaded guilty today, began a Department of Justice press release published on Tuesday. In this case, the ever-infamous Florida Man is none other than Ted Farnsworth, the former CEO of MoviePass parent company. His plea comes fewer than four months after another MoviePass leader, former CEO Mitch Lowe, entered a guilty plea of his own.

Farnsworth pleaded guilty to one count of securities fraud and another of conspiracy to commit securities fraud. Hell face a maximum of 20 years in prison for the former charge and up to five for the latter. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled later.

The DOJ charged Farnsworth, 62, with scheming to defraud investors in MoviePass former parent company, Helios & Matheson Analytics (HMNY). The agency accused him of making false and misleading representations of HMNYs and MoviePass business to artificially inflate stock and woo investors.

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If that sounds familiar, its because former MoviePass CEO Mitch Lowe pleaded guilty to the same charges in September. Lowe reportedly agreed to cooperate with prosecutors and regulators as part of his plea, a detail one can imagine tightened the vise on Farnsworth leading up to his plea.

MoviePass subscribers paid the company $9.95 monthly for what were supposed to be unlimited movie tickets with no blackout dates. Farnsworth and Lowe told investors the business plan was tested and sustainable and would at least break even  if not turn a profit  from subscription fees alone. On top of that, they used buzzwords like big data and artificial intelligence to claim they could alchemize subscriber data, transforming it into profit.

But according to the DOJ (and logic), that was never the case. Instead, it was a marketing gimmick to lure in new subscribers and pump HMNYs stock price.

Farnsworth falsely claimed that MoviePass cost of goods (the number of tickets each subscriber bought with their subscription) naturally declined over time, which was in line with his publicly stated expectations. But the DOJ says that was because the company directed MoviePass employees to throttle subscribers who used the service to buy the most movies, preventing them from getting what was promised from their unlimited memberships. That aligns with reports from 2019 that employees were ordered to change the passwords of frequent moviegoers.

Unsurprisingly, the company lost money from the plan. A downward spiral commenced, MoviePass and its parent company declared bankruptcy in 2020 and the pair of Florida men in charge of the too-good-to-be-true scheme have admitted their guilt in a federal court.

The company has since been resurrected with a new business model after co-founder Stacy Spikes bought its scraps in 2021.
Its the second day of CES 2025, and Im sure youve spent the whole day with your eyes pointed to our liveblog containing all the news of the day . But Im sure there are a few folks who might have sneezed, or blinked, and missed something important. Which is why weve made this lovely list of all the biggest news from this day of the show, just for those folks who sneezed.

Lenovo blesses us with its presence at CES

There was plenty more PC-flavored news broadcast to the world, including Lenovos turn in the spotlight. Most notably, it showed off the ThinkBook Plus , a real version of its flexible OLED laptop from a few years back. At the touch of a button, that 14-inch display will expand to a bit more productivity-friendly 16.7-inches, which might justify the $3,500 starting price.

Lenovo also showed off a dummy prototype of its Legion Go 2 gaming handheld , and hints as to what specs itll be carrying. Alongside that, it announced the Legion Go S , the first third-party SteamOS gaming handheld thatll offer a legitimate alternative to the Steam Deck. If youd rather play games in a more traditional way, by which I mean with one leg as an ersatz table while you sit awkwardly on a crowded bus, then you can opt for Lenovos new Legion Pro 7i gaming laptop which can be specced with NVIDIAs RTX 5090 graphics .

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Of course, Lenovo also released some normal laptops, including the Yoga Slim 9i, the first laptop to launch with an under-display camera. The tweak enables it to boast a 98 percent screen to body ratio, which should get all of your friends and enemies feeling jealous. The ThinkPad X9 , meanwhile, will likely break hearts of longstanding ThinkPad fans, since it has no aluminum chassis and no Trackpoint. Yes, we can hardly believe it too.

Qualcomm brings new chips, while Maingear, ASUS and Razer bring the PC goodies

Qualcomm, with less to prove than Intel right now, has announced its Snapdragon X chips will land in more Windows Copilot + PCs in the near future . A plethora of models are currently in development, with a focus on affordability rather than bells and whistles. Qualcomm and its partners, which include Acer, Dell, HP and Lenovo are targeting a base price of $600. Which should be affordable enough for plenty of entry-level buyers to update their ageing hardware to take advantage of whatever we work out what AI is actually good for.

ASUS new ZenBook A14 made its debut in the desert, showing off some pretty lovely industrial design and a spec sheet to match. Engadgets Devindra Hardawar was delighted with the premium materials used in its construction, and the look and feel. The one downside is that its equipped / blighted (delete as appropriate) with Qualcomms X or Elite chips, limiting backwards compatibility with older Windows apps.

Maingear, meanwhile, went to town on its fancy-looking water-cooled desktops as it attempts to reassert its dominance in the custom PC space. The range comes with heavy-duty plumbing and a whole bunch of fans and radiators to help keep your planet-burning GPUs cool.

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One permanent fixture of CES 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada is gaming company Razer showing off its latest lighting-infused hardware. First up, it debuted its new Blade 16 laptop , which it says is its thinnest gaming laptop ever made. It also showed off Project Arielle , an RGB-clad gaming chair thatll glow red as it warms you up and blue as it cools you down. And, to round things out, the company also showed off a fancypants monitor stand that, surprise surprise, was also RGB .

Smart Glasses at CES 2025

Smart glasses have always been something of a technological cul-de-sac, but the signs are that the technology is quickly maturing. Weve seen plenty of specs at this years CES that arent just a faddy gimmick with a too-expensive price tag. For instance, RayNeos new X3 AR Pro frames comes with a built-in camera and the ability to interact with a ChatGPT-powered assistant. Then theres Even Realities, which brought the G1A and G1B to the show, which impressed me no end. Theyre far lower tech than some of the products on offer, but with a more robust feature set that includes real-time translation, teleprompting and turn-by-turn directions. Xreal, too, was able to show off its latest personal cinema-style AR glasses that didnt make me want to throw up the second I put them on.

The CES Auto Show: New Honda EVs and BMWs Panoramic iDrive turn heads

Honda rocked up in Nevada to talk up prototype models of the concept vehicles it showed off last year . The 0 Series Saloon sedan, which 100% looks like the car Inspector Gadget would drive, and the 0 Series SUV, which also looks like a car Inspector Gadget would drive. The auto maker said both models will be available to buy at some point next year, harnessing Hondas brand-spanking new EV architecture.

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And BMW was also here, showing off its new Panoramic iDrive system thatll come to every new BMW. That includes a display running the width of the dashboard with key statistics on your drive, rather than sticking it in an instrument binnacle like a normal person is used to. Of course, the idea here is to give you so many places to stick useful information its impossible for you to miss whats going on. Unless you spend so much time staring at the raft of digital displays that you forget your eyes should really be pointed toward the road.

The rest of the best at CES 2025

Day two of CES is where the focus pivots from the biggest names to everyone else, and there was plenty of interesting stuff on show. For instance, InkPoster uses color e-paper displays as a canvas upon which you can hang digital art on your walls. MCON by OhSnap is a neat magnetic game controller for your smartphone with high-class features like Hall Effect Joysticks. Anker built a solar umbrella that lets you re-juice your gadgets while catching some rays . And, not one to be outdone, EcoFlow showed off a solar hat thatll do the same thing, but goofier.

Engadget spent the week of January 5 reporting live from CES 2025 in Las Vegas. See our picks for the Best of CES 2025.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced yesterday that the company is swinging away from its efforts to corral its content. Meta is suspending its fact-checking program to move to an X-style Community Notes model on Facebook, Instagram and Threads. We go into detail on the changes Meta promised, but is the company attempting to court the new Trump presidency?

Well, alongside donating to Donald Trumps inauguration fund, replacing policy chief Nick Clegg with a former George W. Bush aide and even adding Trumps buddy (and UFC CEO) Dana White to its board yeah. Probably.

Meta blocked Trump from using his accounts on its platforms for years after he stoked the flames of the attempted coup of January 6, 2021. At the time, Zuckerberg said, His decision to use his platform to condone rather than condemn the actions of his supporters at the Capitol building has rightly disturbed people in the US and around the world.

But who cares about that when you could get some sweet favor with the incoming administration? Zuckerberg, who revealed the change on Fox News, said Trumps election win is part of the reasoning behind Metas policy shift, calling it a cultural tipping point on free speech. He said the company will work with Trump to push back against other governments, including China.

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He added, Europe has an ever-increasing number of laws institutionalizing censorship and making it difficult to build anything innovative there. Its not innovative to copy everything rival social networks do, Mark. Also, pay your fines , Mark.

Alongside Zuckerbergs video, Meta had a blog post  More Speech and Fewer Mistakes  detailing incoming changes and policy shifts  or more lies and fewer consequences.

 Mat Smith

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The biggest tech stories you missed

Making the assistant a better conversationalist.

Google is integrating Gemini capabilities into its smart home platform via devices, like the Nest Audio, Nest Hub and Nest Cameras, and at CES we finally got to see them in action. The main takeaway is that conversations with Google Assistant will feel more natural. Possibly the most impressive trick we saw was the case of the missing cookies. The rep asked the Nest Hub what happened to the cookies on the counter, and it pulled footage from a connected Nest Cam, showing a dog walking into a kitchen, swiping a cookie and scampering off. Cheeky. These Gemini-improved smarts will reach Nest Aware subscribers in a public preview later this year. Subscribers? Cheeky.

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In case you missed it, Gemini is also coming to Google-powered TVs .

Continue reading.

Put a solar panel on it.

Engadget

Following Ankers thrilling solar beach umbrella, were moving onto accessories. EcoFlows Solar hat is a floppy number able to charge two devices at a time. EcoFlow says itll output a maximum of 5V / 2.4A, so you can expect it to keep your phone or tablet topped up, if not power anything more substantial. Fashion victims can rejoice: Its already on sale for $129. The Solar hat also marks the start of my favorite part of CES coverage: compromising pictures of our editors looking goofy in tech. Wait until you see Cherlynn Low tomorrow.

Continue reading.

Dont tell the Daleks.

Engadget

I dont know why this is the year everyones going hard on truly innovating with robot vacuums, but here we are. Dreames new model doesnt have an arm, but it can climb stairs. For just $1,699.

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Continue reading.

Theres also a Windows 11 version that will arrive earlier.

Ready to supplant the beefy Legion Go, Lenovo is announcing a slightly more portable version called the Legion Go S, supporting two OSes: Windows 11 and SteamOS. The specs on both are nearly identical, with either an AMD Ryzen Z2 Go chip or the Z1 Extreme APU Lenovo used on the previous model, up to 32GB of RAM, 1TB SSD and a 55.5Wh battery. Compared to the original Legion Go, the S features a smaller but still large 8-inch 120 Hz OLED display (down from 8.8 inches) with a 1,920 x 1,200 resolution and VRR instead of 2,560 x 1,600 144Hz panel like on the original. That should translate to a better battery life, but well have to see when we eventually get one to test.

Continue reading.
Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products .

Choosing the best Android phone can feel overwhelming as there are so many options from so many brands, its hard to know where to start. Unlike Apple, which sticks to its sleek lineup of iPhones, Android offers a world of variety. Whether you're eyeing the latest flagship from Samsung, a budget-friendly smartphone from Motorola or something unique with a foldable design, theres an Android device out there to suit your needs.



The beauty of Android is its flexibility. Youll find phones with different screen sizes, camera setups, battery life and even quirky extras like stylus support or rugged builds. Plus, Android lets you customize your device to your heart's content  something Apple fans might envy. Weve tested and researched the top Android phones to help you find the right one for your budget, lifestyle, and tech preferences.

What to look for in a new Android phone

Performance

When it comes to picking our favorite Android phones, the main things we look for are pretty straightforward: good performance (both compute and AI), a nice display, solid design, sharp cameras, long battery life and a significant commitment to ongoing software support. For performance, not only do we look at benchmarks and other metrics, but we also evaluate phones based on responsiveness. Regardless of whether youre reading, text messaging, scrolling through social media or playing a game, no one wants a gadget that feels sluggish.

Display

Sam Rutherford/Engadget

When it comes to displays, we generally prefer OLED panels that can produce rich, saturated colors with at least 600 nits of brightness, though many of our top mid-range and high-end phones can hit 1,000 nits or more. And more recently, most of our favorite devices also support screens with fast refresh rates of 90Hz or 120Hz, which adds an extra level of smoothness and fluidity.

Design

Now we will admit there is a bit of subjectivity when deciding which phones look the best, but there are other design aspects like dust and water resistance or screen durability that can make a big difference to long-term survival. Its also important to consider things like support for wireless charging, power sharing (aka reverse wireless charging) and UWB connectivity, which can have an impact on how your phone interacts with your other devices.

Cameras

Obviously, for photos were looking for sharp, colorful shots in both bright and low-light conditions. And we want video clips with high dynamic range, rich audio and smooth image stabilization. Extra cameras for ultra-wide and telephoto lenses are a plus. The best cameras should also include features like dedicated night modes, support for various video recording resolutions, and additional photo modes like timelapse, slow motion and more.

Battery and software

Finally, in terms of longevity, were looking for all-day battery life on devices that also delivered great results on our local video rundown test (at least 16 hours on a charge, but more is obviously better). Wireless charging capabilities have become almost ubiquitous over the past few years, and most of our top picks have this extra perk. Fast-charging is available on some Android phones, too. Finally, with people holding onto their phones longer than ever, we like to see companies commit to at least three years of software support, upgrades and regular security updates.

Google 94 100 Expert Score Best Android phone overall Google Pixel 9 Pro Read our full Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL review Processor: Google Tensor G4 | Display: 6.3-inch Super Actua, up to 120Hz | Cameras: Rear array (50MP wide, 48MP ultrawide with Macro Focus, 48MP 5x telephoto lens), 42MP dual PD selfie front camera with autofocus | Battery: 4,700mAh Finally, a smaller Pixel Pro. Google's Pixel series has long been one of the best Android phones around, with the Pro model being the superior version. But it was always a little too big and too cumbersome for those of us who have smaller hands or want our phones to fit in our pockets. Cue the Pixel 9 Pro, which is the littler version of the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Instead of a relatively large 6.8-inch screen like that on its bigger sibling, the standard Pro has a 6.3-inch display that is easy to maneuver. No more worrying about dropping your Pixel Pro just because you fumbled while trying to reach the top of the screen! Better yet, with the Pixel 9 Pro, Google hasn't sacrificed any key feature to get to the smaller size, meaning you'll find the same camera setup and performance in both handsets. The only real differences are the screen size, battery and charging speeds, as the non-XL model recharges at a slightly slower rate. But the Pixel 9 Pro is also much longer-lasting than the XL, notching almost 25 hours on our battery test. Those distinctions aside, the Pixel 9 Pro lineup is our favorite Android phone because of its top-notch camera performance, intriguing AI features and a general grown-up vibe. While previous Pixel flagships had a colorful, blocky design that felt fresh, this year's devices feel solid and refined. And, dare we say it, almost like iPhones. Without the camera bars, they would be pretty hard to tell apart from Apple's phones. Possibly because it's grown up so much over the years, but the Pixel phones now cost the same as iPhones. The Pixel 9 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro both start at $999, and though some of us have come to think of Google's handsets as the more competitively priced option, this year's model might be good enough to justify a premium price. If you still want something from the Pixel 9 family but don't want to pay $1,000, the base Pixel 9 is still a solid handset for most people. But as it stands, the Pixel 9 Pro is the best Android handset money can buy.  Cherlynn Low, Deputy Editor Pros Great camera features and improved telephoto camera

A year of Gemini Advanced for free

Incredible battery life

A beautiful, bright screen thats easy to use outdoors

Tensor G4 runs cooler than its predecessor Cons Slower charging speeds than the XL

Not the best phone for gaming $999 at Google Explore More Buying Options $999 at Amazon$999 at Best Buy

Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget 90 100 Expert Score Best budget Android phone Google Pixel 8a Read our full Google Pixel 8a review Processor: Google Tensor G3 | Display: 6.1-inch 1,080 x 2,400 OLED, up to 120Hz | Cameras: Rear array (64MP wide, 13MP ultrawide), 13MP front camera | Battery: 4,49mAh Googles A-series Pixels have long been some of the best midrange phones on the market. But now with the addition of a Tensor G3 chip, the Pixel 8a supports the same powerful and versatile AI functions you get on Googles flagship phones along with excellent cameras, a gorgeous 120Hz OLED display and great battery life. The device also comes with creature comforts like IP67 dust and water resistance and convenient (but slow) 7.5-watt Qi wireless charging. But most importantly, starting at $499, it might be one of the best deals on the market.  Sam Rutherford, Senior Reporter Pros Colorful 120Hz OLED display

Strong battery life

Excellent cameras

Great value Cons Slow wireless charging

Thick bezels $417 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $499 at Google Store

Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget 89 100 Expert Score Best premium Android phone Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Read our full Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite | Display: 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x QHD+, up to 120Hz | Cameras: Rear array (200MP, Dual Pixel AF, Digital Zoom 100x, 50MP Macro, 50MP UW), 12MP front camera | Battery: 5,000mAh The S25 Ultra is a do-anything phone. It has a wide range of cameras including a 5x telephoto lens and a new 50-megapixel sensor for its ultra-wide shooter, a gorgeous 6.9-inch AMOLED display (which is 0.1 inches bigger than last year) and of course, Samsungs signature S Pen. That said, for 2025, Samsungs main focus was on its improved Galaxy AI features such as Now Brief, which creates a personalized feed of news, events and more. Theres also Drawing Assist that makes it easier to create AI-generated art, or you can turn to AI Select for help with taking screenshots, turning videos into GIFs or summarizing stories. Unfortunately, aside from a new Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, the S25 Ultra doesnt come with a ton of new hardware compared to its predecessor (or the S23U for that matter). So while Samsungs latest flagship is a great phone, it doesnt feel like an essential upgrade for people with flagship devices that are only a year or two old.  S.R. Pros Excellent screen

Great performance and battery life

Anti-reflective Gorilla Armor 2 panels

Slimmer bezels

New 50MP ultra-wide sensor Cons S Pen no longer suppers Air actions

Same main and telephoto cameras as last year

Not fully compatible with magnetic Qi2 accessories

Expensive $1,100 at Amazon

Google 88 100 Expert Score Best foldable Android phone Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold Read our full Pixel 9 Pro Fold review Processor: Google Tensor G4 | Display: 8-inch Super Actua Flex LTPO full display, 6.3-inch Actua cover display | Cameras: Rear array (48MP wide, 10.5MP ultrawide, 10.8MP telephoto), 10MP front camera | Battery: 4,650mAh The small but mighty improvements Google brought to its second-gen foldable have pushed it to the front of the pack. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold turns the somewhat unfinished original Pixel Fold into a solid handset ready for prime time. Google refined its design to have an aspect ratio that mimics the standard Pixel 9 smartphones, with a familiar 6.3-inch, 20:9 external display, thats both easier to use and hold. The internal display has a more square aspect ratio as well with a bit more screen real estate than before. The handset overall has a more premium feel and certainly a more polished look thanks to its matte back and satin metal frame. Along with solid performance (and battery life) and an upgraded design to match, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold still has the best cameras out of any foldable handset weve tried, despite not having any hardware upgrades from the original version. Plus, Googles AI image editing tools like Magic Editor give you more control over your photos, and Pixel-only software like Made You Look make Googles handset a more compelling foldable.  Valentina Palladino, Deputy Editor Pros Slick design

Better cameras than the competition

Thinner and lighter than previous model

Runs cooler than before Cons Still expensive

Some software quirks $1,799 at Google Explore More Buying Options $1,799 at Amazon
I have to admit  I used to be very skeptical of LED devices that purport to be good for your skin. When they first started being sold for home use, I felt like they were mostly expensive, ineffective appliances that were obvious cash grabs. Nowadays, though, as is usually the case with any burgeoning category of products, the technology has improved. We're seeing more sophisticated offerings that not only use better components, but are more comfortable to wear. Full face masks from the likes of Therabody, Dr. Dennis Gross and Omnilux have exploded in popularity, taking over social media and constantly selling out. After hearing rave reviews from friends and family, and undergoing more light treatments in salons myself, I have grown more convinced there's room for devices like these.

Shark, the maker of vacuum cleaners, air fryers and assorted kitchen gear, has unveiled its take on the LED face mask device here at CES 2025. Launched under its three-year-old Shark Beauty arm, the new "CryoGlow under-eye cooling + LED anti-aging and skin clearing face mask" has quite a long name. I'm just going to refer to it as the CryoGlow mask from here on. At a meeting here in Las Vegas, Shark's senior vice president of global product development Danielle Lessing described a number of ways the CryoGlow is different from what's currently out there.

First of all, as its name implies, there is a cooling component to this device. In addition to the 160 "interlocking tri-wick LEDs" on the mask, there are two metallic plates on the cheeks that are shaped like eye masks. This is the conduit for what Shark is calling its "InstaChill" technology and basically are a pair of cold plates that, in my brief time with the CryoGlow, felt satisfyingly soothing. In fact, that might be my favorite part of the device (and frankly its differentiating trait).

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After putting on the CryoGlow for maybe about a minute, and after I took several hilarious pictures and selfies with it, I really appreciated how cold it felt in my under-eye area. To be clear, the plates felt chilly immediately after I wore the mask, but it was the prolonged coolness that I enjoyed. And after removing the device, I still relished the sensation that remained, even after a few minutes. I don't feel like I had the mask on for long enough to know if it'd start to feel clunky after prolonged wear, but at least during my demo, I didn't feel strained, nor did the wired remote control get in my way.

I also want to note that, unlike the Therabody option, Shark's CryoGlow does not vibrate. Lessing said "This is a skincare system and vibrating doesn't affect the skin."

Lessing stressed to me the importance of the tri-wick LED bulbs each being able to produce red, blue and deep infrared light, as they differ from some other products on the market that might only use single or dual-wick bulbs instead. In those cases, manufacturers may choose to lay red-only bulbs or blue-only bulbs in alternating layouts or various arrangements that allow them to claim to provide both types of light, while effectively covering less area per bulb.

Cherlynn Low for Engadget

It's this sort of math that Lessing enthusiastically highlighted in our quick meeting, as she told me that the company worked hard to calculate the ideal combination of factors like distance of the bulbs from the wearer's face and apart from each other. To that end, the CryoGlow will sit in a way that the LEDs are about 15mm from your skin  a good balance between effectiveness and coverage. The bulbs themselves are spaced 10mm apart, and the four programs that Shark offers also consider the duration of the lights on your face.

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Lessing said the company wanted to make something that was more inclusive, not just of different head sizes and types, but also of skin concerns. Most of the products that are currently available tend to target signs of aging on women, she said. Shark wants to buck that trend, and part of that effort involves making a mask that should fit people of all types  from women with smaller faces to men with larger heads.

When I first laid eyes on the CryoGlow in person, I couldn't help but smile. Unlike the Theraface or Dr. Dennis Gross masks, which look a little robotic or cyborg-like, the Shark device is, strangely enough, cute? The shape of its mouth cutout is slightly upturned and the whole thing just looks like it's smiling at you. I also instinctively reached out to stroke the textured sides of the mask, which look like lines raked in sand. I could see making this my pet.

Cherlynn Low for Engadget

The CryoGlow not only looks adorable, but also felt comfortable to wear. It was big enough for my larger-than-average head, but didn't feel too heavy. That might be thanks to the adjustable T-shaped head strap that reminds me of the Apple Vision Pro. Lessing said the team also drew inspiration from ski goggles for the design, especially for the protective guards around the eye cutouts.

There's also the fact that the CryoGlow is fairly lightweight, likely due to the fact that it's powered by a battery in the attached remote control. This handheld controller is connected via a cord, which is a slightly less elegant approach than competing products that have on-mask buttons. But I do appreciate that it looks and feels like a Nokia 3310 with a much nicer screen and a dial plus two buttons below it.

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You can rotate the wheel to scroll through the menu, and I liked the aesthetic Shark used for the interface, too. The system offers four treatment modes: an under-eye "revive" that delivers "cryo-inspired tightening and soothing," a 6-minute "Better aging" option, an 8-minute "Skin Clearing Treatment" that targets acne and a 4-minute "Skin Sustain" maintenance mode that's meant for daily use. There are also three chill levels available, which you can control with this system. Shark says its tests indicated clearer skin can be observed in four weeks of use, while two months of consistent application might result in firmer skin.

Shark

Shark says its programs are all backed by clinical testing, and most intriguingly, it actually put its CryoGlow device to the test against competitors. According to Shark, this image "captures a demonstration conducted featuring light absorbing, photochromic paint to show the even coverage of CryoGlows iQLED technology vs. a competitors uneven coverage." I will point out that while it does seem like Shark's device had a more even and generally larger spread, it does leave the two patches below the eye bare.

It's unclear what this competing device is or how much it might cost, but considering the CryoGlow is priced at $349 while the Theraface Mask and the Dr. Dennis Gross SpectraLite FaceWare Pro start at $599 and $455 respectively, I'm already intrigued. This feels like a sophisticated device that's at least within the range I might be able to afford. And I loved my brief experience with it, too. I will likely have to test other competing products before I can definitively evaluate how well the CryoGlow fares against what's out there, but for now, and for the price, I'm very impressed by Shark's LED mask debut.

Engadget spent the week of January 5 reporting live from CES 2025 in Las Vegas. See our picks for the Best of CES 2025.
Meghan Markle has shared the heartbreaking news of her beloved beagle Guy's passing. In a deeply emotional message, Meghan reflects on the rescue dog's journey and the impact the pet had on her.

Accompanying the words in her touching Instagram post is an emotional slideshow of images featuring Meghan and Prince Harry alongside the cherished pup.

"In 2015, I adopted a beagle from a dog rescue in Canada," Meghan writes. "He had been at a kill shelter in Kentucky and given a few days to live. I swooped him up...and fell in love."

She explains, "They referred to him as 'the little guy' because he was so small and frail, so I named him 'Guy.' And he was the best guy any girl could have asked for."

Indeed, Guy became a constant companion through Meghan's most transformative years. He was with her during her time on Suits, her engagement and marriage to Prince Harry and as she became a mother.

"He was with me for everything: the quiet, the chaos, the calm, the comfort," Meghan shares.

Meghan Markles dog Guy has passed away, as if she hasnt been through enough pic.twitter.com/UBpWpZMCCF  Meech (@MediumSizeMeech) January 7, 2025

The Duchess also opened up about Guy's resilience after a terrible accident left him needing surgeries and rehabilitation.

Doctors feared he would never walk again, but thanks to great medical care, Guy made a remarkable recovery. Meghan and Prince Harry frequently visited him during his months of treatment in Surrey.

"I will always be grateful to Noel and his team, the team at Queen West Animal Hospital in TO, our vets now, and my friends and community: Thank you for loving him so," Meghan says.

She also addressed fans who may spot Guy in her new Netflix series With Love, Meghan.

"Because many of you will now see Guy in this new series," she cautions, "I hope you'll come to understand why I am so devastated by his loss. I think you may fall a little bit in love too."

Meghan Markle Grieves Her Pet Dog

The Duchess closes her message with a raw reflection on her grief.

"I have cried too many tears to count  the type of tears that make you get in the shower with the absurd hope that the running water on your face will somehow make you not feel them, or pretend they're not there. But they are. And that's okay too."

She concludes, "Thank you for so many years of unconditional love, my sweet Guy. You filled my life in ways you'll never know."

Meghan fans interested in watching With Love, Meghan can catch all eight episodes when it premieres on Netflix Jan. 15.
Austin Butler and Kaia Gerber have broken up after nearly three years of dating.

Sources close to the couple confirmed the split on Tuesday, saying in a new report that the breakup was mutual and drama-free.

The Elvis actor and the supermodel began dating in late 2021 and were frequently spotted together at events, fashion shows and even family outings.

Their relationship sparked engagement rumors in 2023 when Butler was seen helping Gerber move into a new home. However, those rumors were quickly shut down by insiders at the time.

Kaia Gerber and Austin Butler Break Up

But despite their high-profile romance, Austin Butler, 33, and Kaia Gerber, 23, reportedly grew apart over the last few months, sources now tell TMZ. The two were seen together less often.

Naturally, this led to speculation about their relationship status. Sources now confirm that the split simply came down to timing and different life paths.

Read more: NBA Star Walker Kessler Shares His Stunned Reaction to His Girlfriend Winning Miss America

Most recently, Kaia celebrated the New Year on a family vacation in Cabo San Lucas with her parents, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, and her brother, Presley, as People showed.

Presley brought along his girlfriend, Isabella Jones, but noticeably absent from the trip was Butler  a detail that raised eyebrows before news of the breakup broke.

This isn't the first time Kaia has weathered a high-profile breakup. Before dating Butler, she was linked to Euphoria star Jacob Elordi.

Butler, meanwhile, previously had a long-term relationship with actress Vanessa Hudgens, which ended in 2020.

On social media, fans of both stars are already buzzing about their return to single life, with some speculating what's next for the two Hollywood powerhouses.

While Butler continues to enjoy his post-Elvis fame, Gerber remains a standout on the runway and in campaigns for major fashion brands.
Tom Holland and Zendaya have taken their engagement to the next level with matching tattoos!

Fans first noticed Zendaya's small "T" tattoo at the Golden Globes over the weekend, sparking speculation about its meaning. Now, it's been confirmed that the couple got matching ink as a symbol of their love.

Indeed, the celebrity pair visited Boston Tattoo Company in Massachusetts the day before Thanksgiving, according to a new report, where they each got their discreet tattoos.

Zendaya's "T" is paired with a matching "Z" on Tom's ribcage, per TMZ. The tattoos, of course, represent their initials, making their bond even more special. See a glimpse of Zendaya's below.

finding out that zendaya has a tiny t tattoo and an engagement ring was not on my golden globes bingo card  im so happy for my girl pic.twitter.com/WdJuEnzYR9  skye  (@4folklovermore) January 6, 2025

Zendaya's mother also joined the couple for the tattoo session, per the report, marking it as a family occasion.

Sources say the couple handled the pain like pros, and the experience was a relaxed, low-key affair.

The tattoo artist reportedly even gave them a discount, and they snapped pictures with the staff, who were said to be starstruck by the visit.

This is just the latest sign of the couple's commitment. Zendaya and Tom got engaged in December, with Tom reportedly proposing in a private moment at Zendaya's home.

Zendaya and Tom's Matching Tattoos

Zendaya's tattoo first caught attention at the Golden Globes, the same night she wore her new engagement ring for the first time.

She was there to celebrate her Best Actress nomination for Challengers. Tom, who skipped the red carpet, explained that he prefers to let Zendaya shine on her own during her career milestones.

In a January interview, Tom shared his plans for the future, revealing that once they have kids, he plans to step away from acting to focus on family.

He has made it clear that his priorities will shift to a quieter, more private life with Zendaya and their future children.
Adrien Brody addressed rumors surrounding his alleged "ban" from "Saturday Night Live" more than two decades ago following a skit that stirred controversy due to his use of a Jamaican accent.

In 2003, Brody took the comedy stage with a theatrical Jamaican accent and a wig of dreadlocks to present Sean Paul, who hails from Kingston, the capital of the Caribbean island.

During the 40-second opening, Brody took a different route, straying from the typical "Ladies and gentlemen, Sean Paul," to echo several stereotypical Jamaican expressions, a reference to Rastafari, and comical quips about Paul's relatives all having different versions of the name "Sean."

On stage, Brody wore a tank top, a wristband reflecting the colors of the Rastafarian movement, and a wig fashioned with locs and dreadlocks.

The 51-year-old star confessed to proposing the concept to the "SNL" crew, sharing that his initial performance was showed to "SNL" originator Lorne Michaels at the dress rehearsal. The production team then outfitted him with the necessary attire.

But since that episode aired, Brody has not made another appearance on "SNL."

Speculation arose that this incident might have been the cause.

However, Brody has recently revealed that this assumption was not accurate.

In a recent interview with Vulture, he shared that the producers were left speechless by his creative ideas he brought to the show, referring to them as being "agape."

"I think Lorne (SNL creator) wasn't happy with me embellishing a bit, but they allowed me to."

He added, "I thought that was a safe space to do that, weirdly."

In response to questions about his current status if he was really banned from the show or not, he clarified, "I also have never been invited back on so I don't know what to tell you."

Brody's skit footage has practically disappeared from public access, making it impossible to view on any of "SNL's" authorized platforms but there are some clips posted on other streaming sites and social media.

This comes amid Brody celebrating a significant milestone by clinching a Golden Globe for his outstanding portrayal in "The Brutalist" on Sunday.
Following a controversy involving claims of brutal abuse and cannibalism, Armie Hammer's acting career has taken a surprising turn.

The 38-year-old has always denied the allegations that have been made against him. In addition, he has already been cleared of the charges following a Los Angeles Police Department investigation in 2023.

Now, it seems that he's ready for comeback and has even secured an upcoming project directed by Uwe Boll.

Variety reported that the "Call Me by Your Name" actor is gearing up to take on a fresh role set to begin filming in Croatia soon for a movie called "The Dark Knight."

This should not be confused with the 2008 Christopher Nolan "Batman" movie.

In the movie, Hammer will portray the character of Sanders, an individual who "takes justice into his own hands as he sets out to hunt down criminals."

Even as Sanders receives admiration from the community and online followers, local authorities view him as a threat to public safety and seek to arrest him.

Armie Hammer is set to star in Uwe Bolls

The Dark Knight. (via Variety) pic.twitter.com/91gV9y17Xw  Pop Base (@PopBase) January 7, 2025

Reflecting on the movie, Boll expressed enthusiasm, saying, "The story of 'The Dark Knight' couldn't be a more current topic, and I'm excited to bring it to life with this excellent cast."

Michael Roesch, the executive producer, also emphasized that the film stands out distinctly from Chris Nolan's work, ensuring no room for misunderstanding.

He told Variety, "With Armie Hammer in the lead role and more great actors to be announced soon, and with an outstanding script, we are excited to build up on the great response we got for 'First Shift' and 'Run,' and will have another strong movie soon."

This comes after Hammer shared that he is being selective about the movie roles he pursues as his career gains momentum once again.

During a recent appearance on the "Your Mom's House" podcast, he openly discussed his resurgence in Hollywood following controversies involving allegations of cannibalism, sexual misconduct, and rape that temporarily derailed his professional trajectory.

"I'm turning down jobs. My dance card is getting pretty full," he said.

In his recent announcement regarding his comeback to the big screen, Hammer also shared details about his role set in a western period backdrop.

The former "Gossip Girl" star will also star in the movie "Frontier Crucible," alongside actors Thomas Jane and William H. Macy. The movie is directed by Travis Mills.

On his return to acting, Hammer said that reestablishing himself within Hollywood's elite would require patience and perseverance.

"It's slow, but generally now the conversation when my name comes up with people in the industry is, 'Man, that guy got fucked,'" he said. "And that feels really good. It's really encouraging."

Hammer was found himself in the middle of controversy in 2021 after the emergence of explicit text messages with multiple women. This tumultuous period also saw allegations from a woman named Effie, who claimed that Hammer had sexually assaulted her in 2017.

Two additional women spoke out, detailing instances of emotional manipulation by Hammer that resulted in them seeking help for post-traumatic stress disorder.

In response, Hammer argued that the dynamics in question were based on mutual agreement within sadomasochistic partnerships, although he acknowledged his behavior towards the women was emotionally harmful.
Sean "Diddy" Combs, who is in prison for various counts of sexual harassment, was rumored on social media to have been discovered in his prison cell with a sock around his neck.

But these allegations have been proven falsethanks to no hard proof.

Speculations started when YouTuber Jamil Peterson uploaded a two-hour-long video, titled "Breaking News: Diddy Found Unconscious With Sock Around His Neck In Jail Cell & Rushed To Hospital" on January 2.

Except for that headline, no other outlet confirmed the video that has garnered considerable attention, accumulating over 175,000 views as of this writing, and thus, many treated that as a hoax.

Express Tribune also noted that throughout the two-hour video, Peterson failed to present any evidence or credible sources to support his claims.

Although Peterson was clearly emotional in the video, the clickable thumbnail included unrelated images and boasted a sign that read, "Emergency."

The thumbnail was made up of various images, including one of a mystery man being wheeled down a hospital hallway and another of the man lying in a hospital bed with family members surrounding him.

Similar images could not be verified to any source and seemed manipulated.

After a grand jury indictment on multiple felonies, including racketeering conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, multiple counts of forcible compulsion, and human trafficking, Combs was arrested on September 16.

The media interest in his case makes it unlikely that anything like that happens without wider coverage.

To make the speculation even murkier, the Daily Mail reported on December 27 that Combs had a "meltdown" in his cell over the holidays. However prison staff refused, and he later allegedly asked for a doctor to be called after Christmas.

Citizens are cautioned to be wary of such unverifiable allegations, particularly in respect of potentially sensitive issues pertaining to personal security and welfare.

Originally published in Music Times
The Palisades fire continues to blaze across Pacific Palisades, a high-profile neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, endangering properties owned by some of the biggest names in Hollywood.

Alongside thousands of other residents, celebrities are scrambling to protect their homes and families as the fire moves closer.

Pacific Palisades, home to stars like Tom Hanks, Ben Affleck, Steven Spielberg, Reese Witherspoon, Michael Keaton, and Miles Teller, is one of the most exclusive areas in L.A.

As flames approach, the uncertainty surrounding their properties has left many families in distress.

Chet Hanks, the son of Hanks and Rita Wilson, shared his fear on Instagram, posting, "The neighborhood I grew up in is burning to the ground rn [right now]. Pray for the Palisades."

Evacuations have been ordered for thousands of residents, including notable figures like Mark Hamill, who described the terror of escaping Malibu.

"We were fleeing for our lives," Hamill shared. Similarly, Eugene Levy was among the 30,000 people forced to leave Pacific Palisades, recounting how he became stuck while trying to evacuate.

Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag have already faced the unimaginable loss of their home to the wildfire.

Pratt posted a heartbreaking video on TikTok early Wednesday, January 8, showing flames engulfing his property.

"Oh wow, it's back there!" he said, capturing the inferno through his fence. He later added, "Nightmare came true," in the video caption.

Montag also shared her family's evacuation efforts, holding her youngest child, Ryker, as she explained, "There's a fire right over our house, so please say some prayers for us, it's a mandatory evacuation."

Pratt's sister, Stephanie Pratt, who is in London, expressed her devastation over the fire's impact on her family and neighbors. "I'm frozen in shock. How horrible for my sweet little nephews to watch their house disappear like this," she wrote on Instagram. Stephanie added, "We are such a tight community. I'm at a loss for words knowing so many friends have lost their homes today."

"My community and possibly my home is on fire. My family is safe. Many of my friends will lose their homes. Many other communities as well," Jamie Lee Curtis wrote in an Instagram caption.

Jennifer Love Hewitt also took to Instagram, writing how she has "no words. Only prayers and holding as much hope as I can for our home and our kids while we watch everything burn."

She added: "Thank you to every first responder fighting so hard for all of us. Thank you to every friend who reached out and new person I have hugged in tears in the last 24 hours. ."

Khloe Kardashian also spoke out about the devastation on X early Wednesday.

To all the firefighters and first responders -Thank you for your unwavering dedication and courage in the face of these devastating fires in CA.

Your selflessness, resilience, and tireless efforts to protect lives and communities are deeply appreciated. You are true heroes, and...  Khloe (@khloekardashian) January 8, 2025

"To all the firefighters and first responders -Thank you for your unwavering dedication and courage in the face of these devastating fires in CA," she began her tweet. "Your selflessness, resilience, and tireless efforts to protect lives and communities are deeply appreciated. You are true heroes, and we are incredibly grateful for all you do. Please know that your sacrifice does not go unnoticed, and we stand with you in gratitude and support. Praying strongly that these winds die down and no more homes are lost Lord ." She ended her post ensuring others that she's

"Praying for everyone's safety!!! This is so sad and scary!"

The 31st Screen Actors Guild Award (SAG) nominations, originally scheduled to be announced live Wednesday, has also been canceled due to the fiery conditions. The official SAG Awards X account made the announcement on Wednesday.

31st Screen Actors Guild Awards Nominations Announcement Update pic.twitter.com/v7dvzIQtc0  SAG Awards (@SAGawards) January 8, 2025

"In an abundance of caution for the safety of our presenters, guests, and staff, the life in-person 31st Annual SAG Awards nominations has been cancelled due to the wildfires and adverse wind conditions in Los Angeles. We look forward to celebrating these incredible actors and their work at the SAG Awards ceremony on February 23," the statement explained. "We urge everyone to stay safe."

As an alternative, the SAG nominees will be announced via press release at 7:30 a.m. PST.
Joseline Hernandez is calling out Shamar Marco after a mishap on Apple Music was exposed by a fan.

Hernandez, 38, was left with no other choice but to regulate when one of her fans reached out to her on social media with receipts showing the social media star turned musician seemingly claimed one of her songs as his.

Social media user AAnguel_S wrote to the Zeus Network reality star informing her that some suspicious activity was going on with her latest track, "I Like The Way You Are," which was listed as Marco's music on Apple's streaming service.

"UH @MsJoseline are you aware of this," the user asked alongside crying face emojis. The tea was sent to the Joseline's Cabaret star on January 8, quickly gaining over 300K views in less than 24 hours. "Call me a snitch but i'm not trynna [sic] listen to a chopped audio a*s version I want the official one," the user added.

Thank you he will be taking this bullshit down asap. Trust me. Thank you https://t.co/tgbUZ6Dj4p  Joseline Hernandez (@MsJoseline) January 8, 2025

"Thank you he will be taking this bulls**t down asap. Trust me. Thank you," Hernandez replied to the fan in a repost of the message.

One fan in the comment section called Shamar out as well, jokingly writing "Now Shamar," along with a photo of the infamous Will Smith slap. "Ms puerto rican princess could you PLEASE out of the kindness of your heart and big breast release this song ???" a second inquired. "Joseline but you got the streets starving! We need the song!" a third exclaimed.

Hernandez, known as the self-proclaimed Puerto-Rican princess, was discovered by music producer Stevie J while she was a stripper at the Onyx club in Atlanta, Georgia.

The rapper, TV personality, and actress  best known for her fan-favorite role in VH1's Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta  became part of the cast, appearing as the Grammy Award-winning producer's artist in 2012.

The Miami-bred personality appeared in various other projects, including her very own spinoff, Joseline's Cabaret, Stevie J & Joseline Go Hollywood, College Hill, and Marriage Boot Camp season 14.

Shamar Marco  known on the internet for his trending videos and outspoken antics  first went viral in 2021 after popularizing a dance that swept trendy social media. Marco's first song, Enemy (You Ain't My Friend) released in August 2024.

Along with several other disabilities, Marco, 27, reportedly suffers from a reading disability, causing restrictions in his academic skills, per Sportskeeda.
Ryan Reynolds' recent return to the spotlight has fans worried about his well-being.

The actor made his first public appearance at New York City's National Board Awards on January 7 since his wife Blake Lively filed explosive allegations against It Ends With Us director Justin Baldoni - but it wasn't his light gray suit, white button-down shirt, or brown reading glasses that had people talking.

Social media erupted with concern over Reynolds' dramatically different appearance after photos surfaced, with fans noting significant weight loss and seemingly visible signs of stress.

Comments flooded in about the actor's apparent transformation:

"He's aged 20 yrs in 2 weeks and lost weight. He doesn't look well," wrote one worried fan. "Is this a picture of the appearance cuz dude is lookin a lil stressed," another observed.

The stream of concerned comments continued: "Why does he look so worn out...," "Is he sick?," and "Ozempified..." as fans speculated about the reasons behind his apparent transformation.

"By the looks of it! This suing thing is taking a toll on him, hope both sides find peace and goodwill and forgiveness otherwise it's a tooth for a tooth and and eye for an eye doesn't give any resolutions!" one follower wrote, directly linking his appearance to the ongoing legal battle.

"He looks tired, go take a looooong nap Ryan," advised another concerned fan.

The public scrutiny comes just one week after Lively filed a formal lawsuit against Baldoni, her co-star and director in the 2024 film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's bestseller.

Lively's 70-page complaint alleges sexual harassment on set and claims Baldoni orchestrated a smear campaign to damage her reputation, resulting in mental anguish, emotional distress, and lost wages.

The situation has only intensified, with Baldoni launching a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times over their coverage of Lively's complaint. His legal team claims the publication used "doctored and manipulated texts" while "intentionally omitting texts which dispute their chosen PR narrative."

Lively's attorneys dismissed Baldoni's allegations as "false," insisting his lawsuit doesn't affect "the claims advanced in Ms. Lively's California Civil Rights Department Complaint."

The New York Times defended their reporting as "meticulously and responsibly reported," citing "thousands of pages of original documents" including text messages and emails quoted in their article.
Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Age Brilliantly (.org) Announces Winter 2025 Weekly "Opportunities" Workshops

Conversations Empower Adults to Maximize Opportunities to Lead Fulfilling 100-Year Lives

New York, NY. January 7, 2025. Age Brilliantly(.org) is the interactive community of adults who want to maximize opportunities to lead (more) fulfilling 100-year lives. Its Academy announced the Winter 2025 "Opportunities" series of online workshops that are designed to inspire and educate members. These complimentary one-hour programs take place on Tuesdays from Jan. 14 to March 25, 2025 at 1 PM ET.

"Thanks to the gift of longevity, people can lead longer, fulfilling lives by nurturing the eight Life Essentials throughout their potential 100 year lives," observed Jerry Cahn, Ph.D., J.D., Age Brilliantly's CEO and CLO. "We're fortunate to have trailblazers as role models of how we all can maximize opportunities to lead a fulfilling life through intentional living. Unfortunately, we lost a giant role-model when President Jimmy Carter, after celebrating his 100th birthday, passed away a few days ago.

"Mr. Carter lived a full-life by living up to his most important values and goals. He was born in 1924, and lived in a home without running water in rural Georgia. He transcended the humble beginnings and focused on serving others through hard work and respect. He entered politics as a state senator and later, Governor. In 1977, he became the 39thPresident for one term. At age 56, he chose not to retire from servicing, and instead served people globally through The Carter Center and Habitat for Humanity.





He continued living his values of preventing and resolving global conflicts, promoting freedom and democracy, and alleviating human suffering by improving people's health and housing. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 2002 for working on the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel. He and his wife Rosalynn used their lives to make a difference in the world, despite passing 'traditional retirement' age. These 'trailblazers' exemplify the Age Brilliantly mindset: lead your life to maximize opportunities for a long, fulfilling life for all. We dedicate the 'Opportunities Series' to the Carters."

Age Brilliantly (.org) provides an interactive platform where members share information, inspiration, resources, support & tools to make better life decisions as they navigate their 100-year lives. It includes an Academy-Learning Center, Insight Exchange, Self-discovery tools, and other advisory resources.

Each season, the Academy offers free Virtual workshops to inspire and educate adults on how to Age Brilliantly. The Explorer discussion programs are led by subject matter experts. The Winter series focuses on Opportunities and takes place Tuesdays at 1PM ET from Jan. 14 to March 25. The schedule is:





Jan. 14  What's Your Opp Age? Why Does it Matter?

Jan. 21  Wowzitude's Opportunities to Travel and Connect Globally

Jan. 28  Plan Your Estate Today for all Your Opportunities Tomorrow

Feb. 4  The Opportunities Found in Planning Beyond your Business

Feb. 11  Hidden Opportunities: Embracing Reinvention in Every Season of Life

Feb. 18  The Opportunities Entrepreneur: Bring Your Questions

Feb. 25  Your Crystal Ball Opportunities

Mar. 4  Align Family Values for Greater Life Opportunities

Mar. 11  Change your Thoughts, Change your Opportunities

Mar. 18  Project Thrive: Business Growth Using Synergistic Alignment



Mar. 25  How to Finance a Lifetime of Opportunities



Dr. Cahn concluded, "The Age Brilliantly mindset focuses on maximizing opportunities for fulfillment for your Future-self and the people we influence for generations to come. To help us do so, we're introducing OppAge  to help people focus on the Opportunity years ahead; it's our first workshop.

Imagine you're chronologically 63 years of age; your OppAge is 37 years (100 minus 63). That's almost

13,000 days in which you can plan and achieve exciting relationships, passionate activities and/or purposeful projects. Life's opportunities are a terrible thing to waste; and regret comes mostly from things we could have done, but didn't! Maximize opportunities for life-fulfillment, always."

People can register for individual programs at AgeBrilliantly.org/Upcoming-Workshops.



For more information, visit www.AgeBrilliantly.org contact 800-493-1334, or JCahn@agebrilliantly.org.
The Wildlife Trusts have called for an agriculture budget worth 3.1 billion for England to fight climate change impacts which are 'starting to bite' farmers.

The charity has published a briefing today (8 January) ahead of this week's Oxford Farming Conferences, making the case for increased investment in nature to curb these impacts.

An increase to the annual farming budget to 3.1bn per year would support nature-friendly farming, safeguard livelihoods and meet critical climate targets, it said.

And at least 3,000 Countryside Stewardship agreements per year must be delivered by 2028, supported by more resourcing for Natural England.

The charity will be involved in events during the two Oxford Farming Conferences, where it will underscore the importance of nature-friendly farming to food security and climate adaptation.

Last year was the second worst harvest on record for England, with analysis estimating that this equated to a 600m reduction in revenue for farmers in comparison to 2023.

The government itself also recently confirmed the UK's third lowest total production for wheat, barley, oats and oilseed rape since modern records began in 1984.

It followed record breaking rain last winter that disrupted farmers' cropping plans, preventing them from establishing and managing winter crops such as wheat and winter barley

The Wildlife Trusts warned that climate change impacts such as these were 'starting to bite' at a time when the farming industry faced concerns around policy.

Its senior land use policy manager, Barnaby Coupe said: The government needs to outline a clear future for nature-friendly farm schemes as a matter of extreme urgency.

"The ambitions of too many farmers are being stifled by a lack of certainty about what actions will be available to them, and when they will be able to access payments.

Hundreds of farmers who were early adopters of nature-friendly farming practices are locked into lower-paying EU-era legacy schemes while they wait for government to open access to new schemes.

"Access to this funding is vital to ensure these businesses continue to create fantastic outcomes for nature and climate."

The Wildlife Trusts briefing paper Environmental Land Management schemes & Food Security' is available to read online [PDF].
Experts have identified what they think will prove to be the biggest themes facing farms in the coming year and how there may be ways to turn challenges into opportunities.

Below, Rhodri Thomas, who is Strutt & Parkers head of rural, has provided six key themes that will define 2025 for the British farming industry.

Taking a proactive approach to challenges  from changes to the tax regime through to the growing impact of climate change  may help farms to navigate the uncertainty and put them in a stronger position.

Last year was challenging, marked by a difficult start due to extreme weather and ending under the looming impact of a range of measures announced in the autumn budget.

Confidence, particularly among farmers, is low and many are seeking support and guidance on ways to improve resilience and long-term financial and environmental sustainability.

We have identified what they think will prove to be the biggest themes facing farms in the coming year and offer some thoughts on how there may be ways to turn challenges into opportunities.

Make succession planning a positive

The number one issue facing most farms in 2025 is likely to be succession planning, following the changes to the inheritance tax regime announced in October 2024.

Industry representatives continue to lobby for the policy to be reversed or amended and everyone is closely monitoring these developments.

However, for now, businesses whose tax planning has previously relied on the availability of Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief without a cap, have a 16-month window to put the right building blocks in place to reduce their tax liability.

This will require careful thought, so families will want to work with their agents or consultant, solicitor and accountant to work out how best to pass on assets, to whom and when.

While the trigger for people needing to prioritise succession planning may be unwelcome, the process can prove to be extremely valuable and lead to positive changes.

It can be the starting point for important conversations about the future and how best to maximise assets and opportunities.

Budgeting to for long-term profitability

The outlook for farm profitability remains challenging in 2025, with larger farms in England now also facing deeper-than-expected cuts to de-linked farm payments.

Rising labour costs, driven by increases in the minimum wage and national insurance, will also put a further squeeze on margins.

Against such a backdrop, budgeting is essential to identify where there may be cash flow issues and to aid decision-making about whether there needs to be bigger changes to put the business on a more sustainable financial footing.

Farms are advised to explore further diversification opportunities and also take advantage of any government grants while they are available.

Although schemes like the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) are not a replacement for Basic Payments, it does offer a useful opportunity to de-risk some farming income.

Strategic business planning is often considered hand-in-hand with succession planning: it is an ideal moment in a business lifecycle to consider some more difficult long-term decisions.

These could include changing management practices, reviewing the enterprise mix, collaboration, Joint Ventures, Contract Farming Agreements or even the sale or lease of assets.

Seeking input from an independent source  whether a trusted advisor, friend or neighbour  can be incredibly valuable during this journey.

They can offer a fresh perspective, raise questions you might not have thought about and suggest new possibilities which you may not have yet considered.

Climate change adaptation

The impact of climate change is becoming increasingly evident on farms and while we cannot control the weather it is possible to plan to reduce exposure  both physically and financially  to more erratic weather patterns.

Most farms have already responded to the impact of climate change in one way or another, but a more strategic approach to improving climate resilience can enable the risks to be managed more effectively.

Strategies may include a focus on protecting and enhancing soil health; aiming for greater diversity in cropping; ensuring the infrastructure is in place to be able to cope with very wet or very dry conditions and adapting machinery policy so you have access to the right machinery at the right time.

Taking proactive steps should help to secure long-term productivity, reduce your emissions and ensure farms are well-placed to thrive in a changing climate.

Land use strategy direction

Recent years have seen growing tensions over the competing demands for land, particularly in relation to food security, energy production and the environment, exacerbated by a lack of an overarching policy on land use.

In 2023, the Conservative government promised a Land Use Framework to address these issues and help guide decision making.

The current government has decided this is something it is taking forward with the long-awaited document now expected early in the new year.

Done well it may help to improve confidence among land managers about the way forward.

Ensure residential property fit for the future

Demand continues to outstrip supply for residential rental properties on farms and can be an important income stream.

However, landlords need to be ready for upcoming legislation focused on improving energy efficiency in rural housing and giving tenants greater rights.

Landlords in England must ensure their properties have an EPC rating of at least C by 2030 which may be practically difficult and expensive for those with traditional cottages or listed buildings.

Tough decisions may need to be made about whether it is possible to invest to future proof such properties or whether it is better to sell.

The government is also pushing forward with the Renters Rights Bill which aims to ban no-fault evictions (Section 21 notices) and increase tenants rights and protections, while still allowing the property to be reclaimed by the landlord under certain circumstances.

Inspiring leadership more important than ever

Investing in leadership skills, staff management, and personal development may prove to be the best investment you can make in 2025.

Research consistently highlights that management is often the key determinant of a farms financial success, explaining why some farms are consistently in the top 25% - despite many not being particularly large or without the best soils.

In todays challenging environment, taking care of your team has become more critical than ever.

The industry has faced a long-standing skilled labour shortage, which has now reached such an acute level that some farmers are choosing to streamline their operations rather than struggle to recruit.

By building strong leadership and improving workforce management, farmers can take practical steps to address these challenges and keep their businesses running smoothly.
Scientists are developing a Black Death vaccine amid concerns that the ancient disease could re-emerge.

A Black Death vaccine is being developed

Researchers behind the Covid jab believe that their inoculation will be the first approved in the UK to combat the infection - which is also known as bubonic plague.

The Black Death has killed 200 million people around the world in the past and doctors are worried that a super-strength version could appear and claim even more lives.

A trial of the vaccine on 40 healthy adults began in 2021 and has shown that the jab is safe, although the results will be assessed by global experts before testing continues this year.

Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, told the Daily Telegraph newspaper: "There are no licensed plague vaccines in the UK. Antibiotics are the only treatment. There are some licensed vaccines in Russia.

"The risk in the UK is currently very low. Previous historical pandemics that had high mortality were associated with initiation from fleas on rodents but were driven by person to person spread."
Hulk Hogan was reportedly "instantly disappointed" to be booed by WWE fans.

Hulk Hogan 'disappointed by WWE fans booing him'

The 71-year-old Hall of Famer, whose real name is Terry Bollea, made a return for Monday's (06.01.25) first live episode of 'WWE Raw' on Netflix but was met with jeers from the live crowd in Los Angeles as he talked about his wrestling legacy and pulled his Real American Beer.

A source told DailyMail.com: "Did Hulk think he was going to be cheered? Especially bringing out Jimmy Hart, who everyone likes, and who was also waving an American flag at the time... that is a resounding yes!

"So, when he came out, got booed, and then went to the back after his promo, he was instantly disappointed that the fans turned on him. But he wasn't p*****!

"Had it not been for him being there to promote his beer, he would have leaned into it a little more, but he just had to get through the promotion of it all."

Hogan has become a divisive and controversial figure in wrestling over the last decade.

WWE cut ties with him in 2015 after a recording of him using the N-word was leaked during his sex tape lawsuit against Gawker magazine, which he won.

He was reinstated in 2018 after apologising, but fans booed him at 'WrestleMania 37' in 2021.

Last year, he was a vocal supporter and campaigner for Donald Trump during his fellow WWE Hall of Famer's successful presidential campaign.

His Real American Beer has landed a multi-year sponsorship deal with WWE, including ring mat corner branding during every episode of 'Raw'.

And the insider has claimed being booed has actually been "great promotion" for his product.

The source added: "This has actually been a great promotion for his beer and as quickly as he was disappointed, he thought about it a little more and is actually excited by how it turned out.

"Hulk is a businessman, and he is going to take advantage of the fans' reaction all the way to the bank."
James Woods wifes niece offered to empty her piggy bank to help him rebuild his mansion after it was destroyed in the LA wildfires.

James Woods wifes niece offered to empty her piggy bank to help him rebuild his mansion after it was destroyed in the LA wildfires

The 77-year-old actor and his wife Sara Millers home was one of at least 1,000 structures destroyed by the blazes, which have also left two dead.

He has now old CNN his partners eight-year-old niece came out with her little piggy bank after the tragedy for us to rebuild our house.

James added: Im sorry  its just one day youre in the pool and the next its all gone.

As he teared up, he went on: Im sorry, I thought I was stronger than this.

James previously shared a video of the view from his destroyed home and said on X: I took this last night from our beautiful little home in the Palisades. Now all the fire alarms are going off at once remotely.

It tests your soul, losing everything at once, I must say.

At least 70,000 people have been ordered to evacuate amid the wildfires, with Star Wars actor Mark Hamill and Mandy Moore among the famous faces forced to flee.

Along with his CNN chat, James blasted a troll as ignorant over a dig about him losing his home to the Pacific Palisades wildfire.

The actor  who has been a vocal sceptic of climate change  blasted a critic online who claimed it was ironic he lost his home to the very wildfires linked to climate change impacts in California.

He replied on X: This fire is not from climate change, you ignorant a******.

Its because liberal idiots like you elect liberal idiots like Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass.

One doesnt understand the first thing about fire management and the other cant fill the water reservoirs.

James had revealed fire alarms at his home were set off when flames reached his property.

He posted on X: All the smoke detectors are going off in our house and transmitting to our iPhones.

I couldnt believe our lovely little home in the hills held on this long. It feels like losing a loved one.
Pamela Anderson was "aching to express herself" before starring in 'The Last Showgirl'.

Pamela Anderson loved starring in the movie

The 57-year-old actress believes director Gia Coppola was able to see beyond the "nonsense" that surrounds her life, after watching Pamela's 2023 Netlix documentary, 'Pamela, a Love Story'.

The Hollywood star - who plays Shelley Gardner, a Las Vegas showgirl, in the drama film - said on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon': "Gia saw the documentary, and she could just see someone.

"Thank god she could see through the nonsense, you know, and see that I was a woman aching to express herself."

Pamela is thankful that Gia, 38, gave her the opportunity to showcase her talent in 'The Last Showgirl'.

The actress - who shot to fame as CJ Parker on the hit TV series 'Baywatch' - said: "It was nice that she gave me the opportunity, because that's a skill in itself, to see past all of the nonsense."

Pamela recently admitted that she's always been "very curious about the craft of acting".

The movie star is still best known for her role on 'Baywatch' - but Pamela always knew she was capable of much more.

Pamela - who became a global sex symbol in the 90s - told Variety: "I was always very curious about the craft of acting, but I didnt have to apply myself when I was running around in a bathing suit on 'Baywatch'.

"I was curious about it - I would be sitting on the floor of Samuel French, reading Tennessee Williams and Eugene ONeill plays. I didnt know how to get from there to there, but I just had this dream. I always kept it a secret that I could be more than I was doing."
'Police Academy' star Steve Guttenberg is helping firefighters move cars in the Pacific Palisades, where a deadly wildfire is destroying homes and 20,000 residents are trying to evacuate.

Police Academy's Steve Guttenberg is helping firefighters to move cars amid the terrifying Pacific Palisades wildfire

The 66-year-old actor - who played lead character Cadet Carey Mahoney in the 1984 comedy film - has been urging locals departing the Californian neighbourhood to leave their car keys behind, if they aren't taking their motor with them, so he or a firefighter can move the vehicles to make way for fire engines.

He told KTLA 5: "Whats happening is people take their keys with them as if theyre in a parking lot. This is not a parking lot.

"We really need people to move their cars.

"If you leave your car behind, leave the key in there so a guy like me can move your car so that these fire trucks can get up there.

"Its really, really important."

Los Angeles has declared a "state of emergency" due to the brush fire.

The Mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, wrote on X: "Weve declared a state of emergency to amplify our response to this devastating fire and clear a path for a rapid recovery.

"To the hundreds of brave firefighters and first responders who have been responding all day to this blaze - we thank you.

"To the thousands of families impacted by this horrific fire - the City of Los Angeles is providing resources and shelter as this fire continues. Visit http://notifyla.org for up to date information.

"The City is working AGGRESSIVELY to confront this emergency. (sic)"

Steve has been helping to move cars on Palisades Drive, where some families are unable to evacuate.

The 'Three Men And A Baby' actor added: "There are people stuck up there. So were trying to clear Palisades Drive and Im walking up there as far as I can moving cars.

"There are families up there, there are pets up there. There are people who really need help."

Steve urged residents: "Dont worry about your personal property. Just get out. Get your loved ones and get out."

'Schitt's Creek' star Eugene Levy is among those who are trying to flee the terrifying Pacific Palisades brush fire.

He told the Los Angeles Times newspaper: "The smoke looked pretty black and intense over Temescal Canyon.

"I couldnt see any flames, but the smoke was very dark."
Sharon Stone is "choosing to be happy" after her past traumas.

Sharon Stone is 'choosing to be happy' after her past traumas.

The 66-year-old actress suffered a near-fatal brain hemorrhage almost 25 years ago that left her penniless and with no choice but to rebuild her career but admitted that all this time later she has "disciplined" herself to still have a cheery disposition.

She told Fox News Digital: "I think that you get to choose how you view the world, and I choose to be happy, which I think is a discipline. And so thats what I do."

The 'Basic Instinct' star recently opened up about the advice she would like to give her younger self, and wished she knew that everything was going to work out in the end,

She told the BBC: "[I'd tell myself that] you're going to make it. You don't know it, but you're going to make it. I would have it tattooed on the inside of my eyelids. I would have wanted to have known it so many times.

"When I was on the floor and couldn't get an ambulance. When I went home [from the hospital] and I read in People magazine that we wouldn't know for 30 days if I was going to live or die."

"We can choose to b**** and moan, or we can choose joy. I think you have to just keep choosing.

"Stay present. You fell down. Get up. Someone pushed you down. Now they want to help you up. Let them."

The Hollywood actress also admitted that the whole incident had "O=one hundred percent" changed her outlook on life.

Asked if the stroke had changed the way she thought, she told The Hollywood Reporter: "Totally. One hundred percent. A Buddhist monk told me that I had been reincarnated into my same body. I had a death experience and then they brought me back. I bled into my brain for nine days, so my brain was shoved to the front of my face. It wasnt positioned in my head where it was before. And while that was happening, everything changed. My sense of smell, my sight, my touch. I couldnt read for a couple of years. Things were stretched and I was seeing color patterns. A lot of people thought I was going to die.

"People took advantage of me over that time. I had $18 million saved because of all my success, but when I got back into my bank account, it was all gone. My refrigerator, my phone  everything was in other peoples names.

"I had zero money."
Ben Affleck is sheltering from the Pacific Palisades wildfire with his ex-wife Jennifer Garner.

Ben Affleck is sheltering from the Pacific Palisades wildfire with his ex-wife Jennifer Garner

The Good Will Hunting actor, 52, is one of a string of celebrities who has been forced to flee the infernos in the swanky LA neighbourhood, which have devastated homes and keep growing due to 100-mile-per-hour winds.

Ben was photographed driving to 52-year-old Jennifers home with his arm hanging out of the window of his black SUV on Tuesday (07.01.25) night.

Jennifer and her and Bens children  Violet, 19, Seraphina, 16, and 12-year-old Samuel  are reported to not have been ordered to evacuate the area yet, but they are on standby.

Nearly 30,000 people in the Los Angeles area have evacuated their pricey homes in the midst of the blazes.

Actor Eugene Levy, 78, told the Los Angeles Times he got trapped in traffic as he tried to flee his neighbourhood.

He said: The smoke looked pretty black and intense over Temescal Canyon. I couldnt see any flames, but the smoke was very dark.

Prince Harry, 40, and Meghan Markle, 43, who own a $14 million mansion in Montecito, California, are also facing evacuation orders and may have the power cut from their home.

Reality star Spencer Pratt, 41, and his wife Heidi Montag, 38, saw their home totally destroyed during the fires.

A source told TMZ The Hills regulars safely evacuated their neighbourhood, but their Pacific Palisades house burned to the ground.

The fire started on Tuesday around 10:30am quickly spread over thousands of acres.

According to California governor Gavin Newsom, fire season  which isnt traditionally at this time of year  has become year-round in the state of California.

Scientists will take time to assess the role climate change may have played in the blaze, which could include drying out land or decreasing wind speeds.

Scientists at World Weather Attribution have noted climate change increases hot, dry weather in the US which leaves vegetation parched and creates fuel for wildfires.
Peru's apparel imports from China were valued at $387.704 million during the first three quarters of 2024. This was 2.72 per cent lower than the imports of $398.532 million in the corresponding period of 2023. China remained the largest apparel supplier with a market share of 60.28 per cent during the period.

The country's total apparel imports reached $643.146 million from January to September 2024. The imports decreased by 0.92 per cent from the inbound shipment of $649.338 million in the same period of 2023, according to Fibre2Fashion's market insight tool TexPro.

In 2024, Peru's apparel imports from China during the first three quarters amounted to $387.704 million, a 2.72 per cent decrease from the previous year. China maintained its position as the largest supplier with a 60.28 per cent market share. The overall apparel imports to Peru slightly decreased by 0.92 per cent to $643.146 million compared to $649.338 million in 2023.

Trousers and shorts were the most dominant products in Peru's apparel imports during the first nine months of 2024. The imports of trousers and shorts were valued at $51.222 million, which constituted 15.68 per cent of the total apparel imports for the period. The import of jerseys was $44.946 million (13.76 per cent), socks $35.422 million (10.84 per cent), innerwear $34.605 million (10.59 per cent), and T-shirts $25.687 million (7.86 per cent), as per TexPro.

In 2023, China's share was 59.71 per cent of Peru's total apparel imports, which totalled $843.884 million. The imports from China were recorded at $503.903 million. The imports had fallen by 12.76 per cent from $577.637 million in 2022, when textile imports had seen impressive growth following the COVID impact.

Earlier, Peru's apparel imports from China were noted at $446.253 million in 2021, $408.431 million in 2020, and $510.508 million in 2019.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)
Brazil recently announced that Indonesia will formally join BRICS as a full member.

The bloc was originally formed with Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. It was later joined by Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.

Brazil recently announced that Indonesia will formally join BRICS as a full member. The bloc was originally formed with Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Brazil, which holds the bloc's presidency this year, said in a statement that member states approved Indonesia's entry by consensus as part of an expansion push initially endorsed at the 2023 BRICS summit in Johannesburg.

Brazil, which holds the bloc's presidency this year, said in a statement that member states approved Indonesia's entry by consensus as part of an expansion push initially endorsed at the 2023 BRICS summit in Johannesburg.

Indonesia's foreign ministry welcomed the announcement, saying "BRICS membership is a strategic way to increase collaboration and partnership with other developing nations.

"Indonesia shares with the other members of the group support for the reform of global governance institutions, and contributes positively to the deepening of cooperation in the Global South," the Brazilian government was quoted as saying by global newswires.

Brazil has said one of the key objectives of the bloc is the development of means of payment to facilitate trade between member countries.

During the last BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, in November 2024, member nations discussed boosting non-dollar transactions and strengthening local currencies. US President-elect Donald Trump then threatened the group's members with 100 per cent tariffs if they undercut the US dollar.

Rio de Janeiro will host this year's BRICS summit in July.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
1 - Haasil (2003)

2 - Life in a Metro (2007)

3 - Paan Singh Tomar (2012)

4 - Hindi Medium (2017)

5 - Angrezi Medium (2020)

Today, on the birth anniversary of the legendary actor Irrfan Khan, we celebrate his extraordinary film career that left an indelible mark on Indian and global cinema. Renowned for his unmatched skill as an actor, Irrfan had an extraordinary ability to infuse every role he played with compelling naturalism. From being in deep absorbing flicks to tender loving narratives, he was adored and praised by fans and critics due to his range and dedication to his craft. It is certainly motivational to see how he progressed from working in television to becoming one of the most renowned actors in both Bollywood and Hollywood.Irrfan Khan's talent was recognized with numerous accolades, including multiple Filmfare Awards, which highlighted his contribution to Indian cinema. Let's take a look at the films for which Irrfan Khan received Filmfare awards.A gripping drama set against the backdrop of college politics in Uttar Pradesh, Haasil showcased Irrfan Khan in a villainous role that left audiences in awe of his intensity. His portrayal of Ranvijay Singh earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Villain in 2004.A story of intersecting lives in a bustling city, Life in a Metro featured Irrfan as Monty, a simple, lovable man searching for companionship. His heartwarming performance won him the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2008.This biographical drama tells the story of an athlete-turned-dacoit, Paan Singh Tomar, whose journey from glory to rebellion was both moving and powerful. Irrfan's brilliant portrayal earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Actor in 2013.A satirical take on the Indian education system, Hindi Medium follows a couple's humorous and emotional struggles to get their daughter admitted to an elite school. Irrfan's natural charm won him the Filmfare Award for Best Actor in 2018.A heartwarming tale of a father-daughter relationship, Angrezi Medium showcased Irrfan's poignant performance as a devoted father willing to go to any lengths for his daughter's dreams. He posthumously received the Filmfare Award for Best Actor in 2021.
EDGNEX announced an initial $20 Billion investment with a plan to potentially double the investment based on future demand

The U.S. market is critical to EDGNEX's global and exponential growth strategy.

As a group, DAMAC is invested significantly in the U.S. through several private equity funds and in real estate in Miami.

The data center expansion will include key U.S. regions, i.e. Sunbelt and Midwest states.

DUBAI and PALM BEACH, Fla., Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Dubai-headquartered global digital infrastructure company EDGNEX Data Centers by DAMAC (fully owned by global group DAMAC) has announced its strategic entry in data centers into the United States market, marking a transformative phase in its international expansion. The announced US expansion will deliver state-of-the-art data centers targeting a 2000MW capacity over the next four years. EDGNEX announced an initial investment of $20 Billion with potential plans of doubling the investment on the basis of future demand, market opportunity and scalability. This endeavor is aligned with EDGNEX's commitment to building world-class digital infrastructure platforms targetting hyperscalers, AI players, and Fortune 500 companies alike, fostering innovation and delivering sustainable, high-quality infrastructure that powers customers in the U.S. and around the globe. EDGNEX expansion plan will focus on sunbelt states specifically Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, and Louisiana and midwest states: Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, and Indiana.

The first phase includes capacity build-up through joint ventures with partners, acquiring land banks in conjunction with utilities, and acquiring existing data centers and platforms. It will represent approximately 500MW capacity-one in the Sunbelt and one in the Midwest. This will meet the growing current demand as EDGNEX continues to scale.

Statement from Mr. Hussain Sajwani, Founder, DAMAC:

"This is an extremely exciting moment for us. Our foray into the U.S. market in data centers represents a significant milestone in our journey to build a global digital infrastructure platform that will empower businesses today and in the future. Leveraging our expertise in real estate and data centers, we aim to deliver best-in-class infrastructure that supports the next wave of cloud and AI growth, helping further to position the U.S. in the technology and global data ecosystem."

Besides its latest foray into data centers, DAMAC as a Group is significantly invested in the US in real estate and through several private equity funds. In Miami, DAMAC is planning a boutique condo project designed by Zaha Hadid Architects with a 1bn$ GDV development value. DAMAC continues to look for strategic real estate opportunities in the U.S.

Building a Global Platform Exponentially

DAMAC's success in real estate in the Middle East and globally has provided the foundation for ventures into high-capex, high-yield asset classes like data centers. Enterprises of all sizes adopting cloud and AI technologies present a significant 15-year growth opportunity that reinforces DAMAC's commitment to seizing opportunities and establishing a robust global platform that serves international markets.

Progress and Timeline

EDGNEX's existing portfolio includes operations in 10 countries (UAE, KSA, Turkey, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Greece, Spain, Finland and Italy) with a projected capacity exceeding 1000MW+. Current operational data centers include over 10MW in Saudi Arabia and 5MW in Thailand, which will be operational by Q1 2025. By 2026, EDGNEX aims to have over 300MW+ operational globally.

Management and Growth Strategy

EDGNEX, with a management team of 100+ professionals based in the Middle East, Europe and Asia, is actively expanding its team to support these growth plans. Since its inception in 2021, EDGNEX has rapidly expanded across the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Europe, setting the stage for a strategic entry into the U.S. market. EDGNEX brings and sets new benchmarks in secure, scalable, and sustainable digital infrastructure. DAMAC is an infrastructure provider and does not handle or manage data privacy or compliance. EDGNEX plans to leverage DAMAC's equity, bank debt, and potential third-party capital to fuel expansion in the U.S.

About EDGNEX

EDGNEX is a global digital infrastructure company headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of the DAMAC Group, providing a foundation for local innovation across the globe and disrupting the data center market with new speed and agility. EDGNEX proactively builds, buys, or partners to serve the next wave of demand for data center services. www.edgnex.com

For further information, please contact:

EDGNEX / DAMAC Corporate Communications

Email: corporatecommunications@damacgroup.com

Website: www.edgnex.com

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/edgnex-data-centers-by-damac-announces-expansion-into-the-us-market-with-2000mw-projected-future-capacity-302345087.html
Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - January 7, 2025) - Emperor Metals Inc. (CSE: AUOZ) (the "Company" or "Emperor Metals") - is pleased to announce that it has entered into a property purchase agreement dated January 7, 2025 (the "Property Purchase Agreement") with Maritime Resources Corp. ("Maritime") and its affiliate to acquire all of Maritime's undersurface rights and interests in the Lac Pelletier Property, Quebec (the "Lac Pelletier Property" or the "Property"), in consideration of the issuance to Maritime of 12,500,000 common shares of Emperor Metals (representing approximately 10.06% of the Company's current total issued and outstanding shares). The closing of the Property Purchase Agreement is subject to certain conditions customary for transactions of this nature, including no objection from the Canadian Securities Exchange.

The Lac Pelletier Property comprises 25 mining claims and a mining lease covering a total area of at least 558 hectares and is located approximately 4 km southwest of the city of Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec. The Property is located adjacent to and contiguous with Agnico Eagles' advanced exploration project known as their Wasamac Gold Deposit (Measured and Indicated: 2.2 Moz @ 2.43 g/t Au and Inferred: 0.8 Moz Au @ 2.66 g/t Au). These properties share the Wasamac Shear Zone that Agnico Eagle views as good potential to host additional discoveries (see Agnico Eagles' website referencing its Exploration Projects: Wasamac).

The Lac Pelletier Property currently has an historical estimated mineral resource of 681,200 tonnes grading @ 4.08 g/t Au for 89,400 oz (total Measured and Indicated), and Inferred mineral resources of 1,099,000 tonnes grading @ 3.89 g/t Au for 137,600 oz Au (see Maritime's press release dated May 11, 2022 as posted on SEDAR+). The historical estimate was calculated using modern statistical methods and uses classification categories that are compliant with current Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy definition standards (2014) and best practices guidelines (2019). However, the estimate was completed on behalf of another issuer. In addition, Emperor's "qualified person" has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves, and Emperor, therefore, is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. No material work has been performed on the Property since the date of the Maritime press release, and Emperor does not anticipate significant work will be required to update or verify the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves in future.

Several key factors make this an attractive acquisition:

The historical mineral resource is contained in several zones of mineralization.

105,000 meters of drilling has been completed (both above ground and underground).

Over 3.3 km of underground development is in place, including portal, and vent raise with only limited bulk sample mining.

Two (2) bulk samples (2009-2010) with an average recovery of 96.3% (2,950 oz Au recovered @ 4.35 g/t Au).

Potential for both robust thickness and high-grade resource expansion with diamond drill hole intercepts of 22.4 m of 7.6 g/t Au and 6.2 m of 24.8 g/t Au.

Very close to infrastructure in area; within the Rouyn municipal limits.

Potential pre-production scenario for Emperor Metals.

Estimated +$70 Million dollars in prior expenditures on infrastructure and drilling on site (today's terms).

Significant potential to expand gold resources.

The Property is subject to a one percent (1.0%) net smelter returns royalty reserved to Metalla Royalty & Streaming Ltd. pursuant to an underlying royalty agreement. It is expected that the transaction will close before March 31, 2025.

Emperor Metals welcomes Maritime as a significant shareholder. We look forward to unlocking significant value on this project for both companies.

The technical information in this press release has been reviewed by John Florek, P. Geo., President & CEO of Emperor Metals, and the Company's "qualified person" as defined under NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Emperor Metals Inc.

Emperor Metals Inc. is a mineral exploration company focused mineral exploration in Canada, and on proving the potential of the Pine Grove and other early-stage gold projects located near the Hemlo Gold Mine within the western portion of the prolific Wawa-Abitibi Gold Belt of Ontario, Canada.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

s/ "John Florek"

John Florek,

Chief Executive Officer

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

CERTAIN STATEMENTS MADE AND INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN MAY CONSTITUTE "FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION" AND "FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS" WITHIN THE MEANING OF APPLICABLE CANADIAN AND UNITED STATES SECURITIES LEGISLATION. THESE STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION ARE BASED ON FACTS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO THE COMPANY AND THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THAT ACTUAL RESULTS WILL MEET MANAGEMENT'S EXPECTATIONS. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION MAY BE IDENTIFIED BY SUCH TERMS AS "POTENTIAL", "ANTICIPATES", "BELIEVES", "TARGETS", "ESTIMATED", "PLANS", "EXPECTS", "MAY", "WILL", "COULD" OR "WOULD".

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN ARE BASED ON CERTAIN FACTORS AND ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE ESTIMATION OF MINERAL RESOURCES AND RESERVES, THE REALIZATION OF RESOURCE AND RESERVE ESTIMATES, METAL PRICES, TAXATION, THE ESTIMATION, TIMING AND AMOUNT OF FUTURE EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT, CAPITAL AND OPERATING COSTS, THE AVAILABILITY OF FINANCING, THE RECEIPT OF REGULATORY APPROVALS, ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS, TITLE DISPUTES AND OTHER MATTERS. WHILE THE COMPANY CONSIDERS ITS ASSUMPTIONS TO BE REASONABLE AS OF THE DATE HEREOF, FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION ARE NOT GUARANTEES OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE AND READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON SUCH STATEMENTS AS ACTUAL EVENTS AND RESULTS MAY DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE DESCRIBED HEREIN. THE COMPANY DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS OR INFORMATION EXCEPT AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/236356

SOURCE: Emperor Metals Inc.
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Responding to the U.S. Department of Justice Lawsuit, Camden Property Trust (CPT) said it disagreed with the allegations made in the amended complaint against RealPage, which added Camden and others as defendants. Camden will vigorously defend itself against these claims and intends to move for dismissal.Camden said it is committed to enhancing the lives of its employees, residents, and shareholders, one experience at a time. Since its inception, Camden has been dedicated to delivering Living Excellence to its residents. Many of the Department of Justice's claims pertain to actions taken during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when Camden made the choice to not increase renewal rates, waive late fees, freeze evictions, and took the unprecedented step of providing over $10 million in cash directly to its residents to support them during that uncertain period, with no strings attached. This support came before federal, state, or local governments offered any form of financial assistance due to the pandemic.Earlier today, the U.S. Justice Department, together with its state co-plaintiffs, filed an amended complaint in its antitrust lawsuit against RealPage, to sue six of the nation's largest landlords for participating in algorithmic pricing schemes that harmed renters.The amended complaint alleged the landlords - Greystar Real Estate Partners LLC; Blackstone's LivCor LLC; Camden Property Trust; Cushman & Wakefield Inc and Pinnacle Property Management Services LLC; Willow Bridge Property Company LLC and Cortland Management LLC - participated in an unlawful scheme to decrease competition among landlords in apartment pricing, harming millions of American renters. Together, these landlords operate more than 1.3 million units in 43 states and the District of Columbia.The Attorneys General of Illinois and Massachusetts joined the amended complaint as co-plaintiffs, increasing the total number of State and Commonwealth co-plaintiffs to 10.At the same time, the Justice Department filed a proposed consent decree with landlord Cortland that requires it to cooperate with the government, stop using its competitors' sensitive data to set rents and stop using the same algorithm as its competitors without a corporate monitor.Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - NCL Corporation Ltd. (NCLC), a subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH), announced that it has priced $1.800 billion aggregate principal amount of its 6.750% senior notes due 2032, which were offered in a private offering.The offering of the Notes is expected to close on January 22, 2025.The company said it plans to use the net proceeds from the Notes Offering, together with cash on hand, to redeem $1.20 billion aggregate principal amount of the 5.875% Senior Notes due 2026 and $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 8.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2028, together with any accrued and unpaid interest thereon, and to pay any related transaction premiums, fees and expenses. The redemption of the 2026 Senior Notes and the 2028 Senior Secured Notes will be conditioned upon the consummation of the Notes Offering.Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 8, 2025) - District Metals Corp. (TSXV: DMX) (OTCQB: DMXCF) (FSE: DFPP); ("District" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive royalty purchase agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") with an arm's length vendor (the "Vendor") to acquire the 2.0% net smelter returns ("NSR") royalty previously granted by the Company over the remaining four mineral licences (Norra Leden, Norr Viken, Lill Viken, and Storviken) covering the Viken Deposit (Figure 1) located in Jamtland County, central Sweden (see news release January 15, 2024). As a result, subject to closing, District's 100% owned Viken Deposit is now completely free of any NSR royalty.

Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, District will acquire the 2.0% NSR for a purchase price consisting of 500,000 common shares of District (the "Consideration Shares"). Closing of the Purchase Agreement remains subject to TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") approval. The Consideration Shares will be subject to a hold period of 4 months and one day, from the date of issue.

Garrett Ainsworth, CEO of District, commented: "District consolidated 100% of the Viken Energy Metals Deposit in January 2024, and we have now executed a definitive agreement to make the Viken Deposit free and clear of any and all NSR royalties. Alum Shales are the host rock for the Viken Deposit, which contains critical energy metals essential for the green energy transition that include uranium, vanadium, nickel, molybdenum, copper, zinc, and rare earth elements. Additionally, Alum Shales present the potential to produce significant amounts of sulphate of potash, which would greatly benefit the agriculturally dominant Jamtland County.

The timing of this acquisition comes after the Swedish Government released their inquiry report on lifting the uranium moratorium and their supporting press release that we commented on here."

Viken Deposit

The Viken Deposit is situated in the province of Jamtland, approximately 570 km northwest of Stockholm, Sweden. Infrastructure is well developed in the area with daily air service, as well as rail and truck freight services. Electrical power and modern communications are also readily available in the area.

The Geological Survey of Sweden (SGU) carried out work on the Alum Shales from 1977 to 1978 and drilled approximately 19 holes within and in the vicinity of the Viken Deposit. In 2005, Continental Precious Minerals Inc. ("CPM") purchased mineral licences that covered prospective Alum Shales where CPM drilled 26,293 m in 133 holes from 2006 to 2008 to delineate the Viken Deposit.

CPM retained P&E Mining Consultants Inc. to carry out a mineral resource estimate and preliminary economic assessment in 2010 that resulted in the following historical mineral resource estimate:

Table 1: 2010 Viken Deposit Historical Mineral Resource Estimate1

2010 Viken Deposit Historical Mineral Resource Estimate Classification Tonnage

(k tonnes) Grade Contained Metal V2O5

(ppm) U3O8

(ppm) Mo

(ppm) Ni

(ppm) V2O5

(Mlbs) U3O8

(Mlbs) Mo

(Mlbs) Ni

(Mlbs) Indicated 23,610 3,130 190 280 320 162.8 9.9 14.7 16.5 Inferred 2,830,757 2,680 170 240 320 16,716.1 1,037.7 1,516.5 2,015.7

Notes:

The Company views the 2010 Viken Report as relevant and reliable.

Weighting of composite samples by linear Ordinary Kriging was used for the estimation of block grades. Kriging parameters were based on the grade-element variography derived from the mineralized shale domain. A block discretization level of 5 x 5 x 2 was used during kriging. The mineralized shale domain was treated as a hard boundary, and data used during estimation were limited to composite samples located within the mineralized shale domain wireframe. Only blocks wholly or partially within the mineralized shale domain were estimated. The mineralized shale domain was treated as a hard boundary, and data used during estimation.

During the first pass, four samples from each of three drill holes within 110m of the block centroid were required. All block grades estimated during the first pass were classified as Indicated.

During the second pass, blocks not populated during the first pass were estimated. A minimum of three and a maximum of six samples from one or more drillholes within 330 m of the block centroid were required. All block grades estimated during the second pass were classified as Inferred.

An internal break-even cut-off grade of US$7.50/tonne was used in reporting this historical estimate.

The historical estimate categories are classified under the previous definition standards and do not match the current categories under NI 43-101.

Other than the 2014 Viken Report, the Company is not aware of any more recent estimates or data available to the Company on the Viken deposit.

The Company would need to conduct an exploration program, including twinning of historical drill holes in order to verify the Viken Deposit historical estimate as a current mineral resource.

The mineral resource estimates is considered to be a "historical estimate" under NI 43-101 and a qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as a current mineral resource and District is not treating the historical estimate as a current mineral resource.

In 2012, a bio-heap leach scenario was evaluated, and P&E Mining Consultants were retained again to conduct an updated mineral resource estimate and preliminary economic assessment on the Viken Deposit with the following historical estimate:

Table 2: 2014 Viken Deposit Historical Mineral Resource Estimate2

2014 Viken Deposit Historical Mineral Resource Estimate Classification Tonnage

(k tonnes) Grade Contained Metal U3O8

(ppm) Ni

(ppm) Cu

(ppm) Zn

(ppm) U3O8

(Mlbs) Ni

(Mlbs) Cu

(Mlbs) Zn

(Mlbs) Indicated 43,000 190 340 100 410 18.0 32.0 10.0 38.0 Inferred 3,019,000 170 340 120 420 1,145.0 2,230.0 799.0 2,802.0

Notes:

The Company views the 2014 Viken Report as relevant and reliable.

Block grades were estimated using Ordinary Kriging of capped composite samples. Only blocks wholly or partially within the mineralized shale domain were estimated, and between six and fifteen samples from two or more drill holes within 660 m of the block centroid were used for estimation. A small area in the Southern portion of the deposit with an average drillhole spacing of approximately 120 m has been classified as an indicated mineral resource.

An internal break-even cut-off grade of US$11.00/tonne was used in reporting this historical estimate.

The historical estimate categories are classified under the previous definition standards and do not match the current categories under NI 43-101.

The Company is not aware of any more recent estimates or data available to the Company on the Viken deposit.

The Company would need to conduct an exploration program, including twinning of historical drill holes in order to verify the Viken deposit historical estimate as a current mineral resource.

The mineral resource estimates is considered to be a "historical estimate" under NI 43-101 and a qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as a current mineral resource and District is not treating the historical estimate as a current mineral resource.

The Viken Deposit is a polymetallic shale resource contained within the Cambrian Viken Shale which regionally is referred to as the Alum Shale. The Alum Shale is enriched in metals such as vanadium, uranium, nickel, copper, zinc, and molybdenum. It also contains significant concentrations of potash. Alum Shale occurs over a significant area in Sweden and is locally valued as a bituminous shale with recoverable hydrocarbons. The Alum Shale is regionally extensive in Sweden.

The stratigraphy across the Viken Property consists of upper Middle and Upper Cambrian age Alum Shale occurring as both in situ and fault detached blocks, with the latter having greater potential for economic mineralization due to imbrication of mineralized blocks. The Alum Shale is mostly exposed at surface and is underlain by Proterozoic granites and gneisses thrust Eastward over Archean granitic basement rocks. The thickness of the Alum Shale host rock has been tectonically thickened from 20 to 30 m by thrusting and folding during the Silurian to approximately 180 m.

Mineralization of potential economic significance is hosted in Middle and Upper Cambrian Alum Shale, with the Upper Cambrian age strata more enriched in vanadium and uranium than the Middle Cambrian.3 Vanadium occurs within the lattice of a mica mineral named roscoelite. Uranium values are predominantly associated with sub-micron-scale uraninite crystals. Nickel, molybdenum, copper and zinc are present as sulphides.





Figure 1: Viken Mineral Licences with Outline of Viken Deposit

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7971/236401_50d6b00734ee0aa9_002full.jpg

References

1 "Preliminary Economic Assessment on the Viken MMS Project, Sweden," prepared for Continental Precious Minerals Inc., dated October 19, 2010 with an effective date of September 10, 2010 (the "2010 Viken Report").

2 "Updated Technical Report, Resource Estimate and Preliminary Economic Assessment on the Viken MMS Project, Sweden," prepared for Continental Precious Minerals Inc., dated February 27, 2014 with an effective date of February 6, 2014 (the "2014 Viken Report").

3 Andersson, A, Dahlman, B., Gee, D.G. and Snall, S., 1985: The Scandanavian Alum Shale, S.G.U., Ser. Ca Nr 56, 50 p .

Technical Information

All scientific and technical information in this news release has been prepared by, or approved by Garrett Ainsworth, PGeo, President and CEO of the Company. Mr. Ainsworth is a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Drilling data disclosed in this news release relates to historical drilling results. District has not undertaken any independent investigation of the sampling, nor has it independently analyzed the results of the historical exploration work in order to verify the results. District considers these historical drill results relevant as the Company is using this data as a guide to plan exploration programs. The Company's current and future exploration work includes verification of the historical data through drilling.

About District Metals Corp.

District Metals Corp. is led by industry professionals with a track record of success in the mining industry. The Company's mandate is to seek out, explore, and develop prospective mineral properties through a disciplined science-based approach to create shareholder value and benefit other stakeholders.

District is a polymetallic exploration and development company focused on the Viken and Tomtebo Properties in Sweden. The Viken Property covers 100% of the uranium-vanadium Viken Deposit, which is an asset with substantial exploration and development expenditures that resulted in the definition of historic polymetallic resource estimates in 2010 and 2014.

The advanced exploration stage Tomtebo Property is located in the Bergslagen Mining District of south-central Sweden and is situated between the historic Falun Mine and Boliden's Garpenberg Mine that are located 25 km to the northwest and southeast, respectively. Two historic polymetallic mines and numerous polymetallic showings are located on the Tomtebo Property along an approximate 17 km trend that exhibits similar geology, structure, alteration and VMS/SedEx style mineralization as other significant mines within the district.

For further information on the Tomtebo Property, please see the technical report entitled "NI 43-101 Update Technical Report on the Tomtebo Project, Bergslagen Region of Sweden" dated effective October 15, 2020 and amended and restated on February 26, 2021, which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking Information"

This news release contains certain statements that may be considered "forward-looking information" with respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "targets", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "an opportunity exists", "is positioned", "estimates", "intends", "assumes", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" and any similar expressions. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, predictions, indications, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent management's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events. Forward-looking information in this news release relating to the Company include, among other things, statements relating to the Purchase Agreement and closing thereof; the Company's Swedish polymetallic properties; the Company's planned exploration activities, including its drill target strategy and next steps for the Swedish properties; and the Company's interpretations and expectations about the results on the Swedish properties.

These statements and other forward-looking information are based on opinions, assumptions and estimates made by the Company in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that the Company believes are appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances, as of the date of this news release, including, without limitation, assumptions about the reliability of historical data and the accuracy of publicly reported information regarding past and historic mines in the Bergslagen district; and in respect of the Swedish properties; that the Swedish government will eventually lift or amend its moratorium on uranium exploration and mining in Sweden; the Company's ability to raise sufficient capital to fund planned exploration activities, maintain corporate capacity; and stability in financial and capital markets.

Forward-looking information is necessarily based on a number of opinions, assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date such statements are made, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to risks associated with the following: the reliability of historic data on District's properties; the Company's ability to raise sufficient capital to finance planned exploration; that the Swedish government maintains its moratorium on uranium exploration and mining in Sweden for the foreseeable future; the Company's limited operating history; the Company's negative operating cash flow and dependence on third-party financing; the uncertainty of additional funding; the uncertainties associated with early stage exploration activities including general economic, market and business conditions, the regulatory process, failure to obtain necessary permits and approvals, technical issues, potential delays, unexpected events and management's capacity to execute and implement its future plans; the Company's ability to identify any mineral resources and mineral reserves; the substantial expenditures required to establish mineral reserves through drilling and the estimation of mineral reserves or mineral resources; the uncertainty of estimates used to calculated mineralization figures; changes in governmental regulations; compliance with applicable laws and regulations; competition for future resource acquisitions and skilled industry personnel; reliance on key personnel; title matters; conflicts of interest; environmental laws and regulations and associated risks, including climate change legislation; land reclamation requirements; changes in government policies; volatility of the Company's share price; the unlikelihood that shareholders will receive dividends from the Company; potential future acquisitions and joint ventures; infrastructure risks; fluctuations in demand for, and prices of metals; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; legal proceedings and the enforceability of judgments; going concern risk; risks related to the Company's information technology systems and cyber-security risks; and risk related to the outbreak of epidemics or pandemics or other health crises. For additional information regarding these risks, please see the Company's Annual Information Form dated July 11, 2022 for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, under the heading "Risk Factors", which is available at www.sedarplus.ca. These factors and assumptions are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors and assumptions that could affect the Company. These factors and assumptions, however, should be considered carefully. Although the Company has attempted to identify factors that would cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those disclosed in the forward-looking information or information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Also, many of such factors are beyond the control of the Company. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information is made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise such forward-looking information, except as required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/236401

SOURCE: District Metals Corp.
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.
Clinical Trial Application for global Phase 3 trials with nizubaglustat in GM1/GM2 gangliosidoses and Niemann-Pick Disease Type C approved in multiple European countries, anticipated to begin in Q2, 2025. These studies are set to be conducted across major regions including the United States, Europe, Latin America, and other select countries.

Company's lead asset, nizubaglustat, awarded GM1 Orphan Drug Designation by the US Food and Drug administration (FDA) and Orphan Medicinal Product Designation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of GM1 Gangliosidosis.

Azafaros B.V. today announced that its lead asset, nizubaglustat, has been granted orphan drug designation from regulatory authorities in both the United States and the European Union for the treatment of GM1 gangliosidosis. Additionally, the company's Clinical Trial Application (CTA) for two global Phase 3 studies investigating the drug's efficacy and safety in GM1/GM2 gangliosidoses and Niemann-Pick Type C (NPC) was approved by multiple European countries. Azafaros expects to initiate the two global trials in Q2, 2025.

The company's lead product is a potential treatment for rare lysosomal storage disorders with neurological involvement, including GM1/GM2 gangliosidoses and NPC. Positive topline data reported earlier this year from the company's successful Phase 2 study investigating nizubaglustat in GM2 and NPC patients demonstrated that the compound had a positive safety profile. Preliminary improvements or the stabilization of clinical endpoints were observed in the majority of patients, highlighting encouraging early efficacy trends for the compound.

The Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) and Orphan Medicinal Product Designation (OMPD) announced today cover GM1 gangliosidosis, a rare disease for which there is no current treatment available.

We are very pleased to have been awarded orphan drug designations in both the US and EU ahead of our Phase 3 initiation planned for Q2 this year as they provide strategically important advantages in drug development in particular during the regulatory process. With CTA approval we are set to advance the development of nizubaglustat and aim to initiate our global Phase 3 trials in GM1, GM2 and NPC in Q2, 2025," said Stefano Portolano, Chief Executive Officer at Azafaros

"Nizubaglustat, with its dual mode of action, represents a significant leap forward compared to existing therapies and is positioned to be the first-in-class therapy for GM1 and GM2 gangliosidoses and the best-in-class therapy for NPC. Patients with these diseases have limited treatment options and we are extremely grateful to them and their families for their contribution to our clinical progress."

The orphan drug designations come after the recent promotion of Anke Arnold-Tugulu to the role of Chief Regulatory Officer at Azafaros, where she will continue to lead the company's regulatory strategy.

Commenting on the news, Dr Arnold-Tugulu said: "These important designations are a milestone in the development of nizubaglustat. They highlight the critical need for effective treatment options for patients living with GM1 gangliosidosis, for which today no approved treatments exist, and the potential for nizubaglustat to be effective in these diseases."

Securing orphan drug designations in both the European Union and the United States offers companies valuable incentives, including market exclusivity and reduced regulatory fees, fostering innovation in treatments for rare diseases.

About nizubaglustat

Nizubaglustat is a small molecule, orally available and brain penetrant azasugar with a unique dual mode of action, developed as a potential treatment for rare lysosomal storage disorders with neurological involvement, including GM1 and GM2 gangliosidoses and Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC).

Nizubaglustat has received the following designations and support:

United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Rare Pediatric Disease Designations (RPDD) for the treatment of GM1 and GM2 gangliosidoses and NPC.

Orphan Drug Designations (ODD) for GM2 gangliosidosis (Sandhoff and Tay-Sachs Diseases) and NPC.

IND Clearance and Fast Track Designation for GM1/GM2 gangliosidoses and NPC

European Medicines Agency (EMA)

Orphan Medicinal Product Designation (OMPD) for the treatment of GM2 gangliosidosis.

UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)

Innovation Passport for the treatment of GM1 and GM2 gangliosidoses.

About GM1 and GM2 gangliosidoses

GM1 gangliosidosis and GM2 gangliosidosis (Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff diseases) are lysosomal storage disorders caused by the accumulation of GM1 or GM2 gangliosides respectively, in the central nervous system (CNS), resulting in progressive and severe neurological impairment and premature death. These diseases mostly affect infants and children, and no disease-modifying treatments are currently available.

About Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC)

Niemann-Pick disease type C is a progressive, life-limiting neurological lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in the NPC1 or NPC2 gene and aberrant endosomal-lysosomal trafficking, leading to the accumulation of various lipids, including gangliosides in the CNS. The onset of disease can happen throughout the lifespan of an affected individual, from prenatal life through adulthood.

About Azafaros

Azafaros is a clinical-stage company founded in 2018 with a deep understanding of rare genetic disease mechanisms using compound discoveries made by scientists at Leiden University and Amsterdam UMC and is led by a team of highly experienced industry experts. Azafaros aims to build a pipeline of disease-modifying therapeutics to offer new treatment options to patients and their families. By applying its knowledge, network and courage, the Azafaros team challenges traditional development pathways to rapidly bring new drugs to the rare disease patients who need them. Azafaros is supported by a syndicate of leading Dutch and Swiss investors including Forbion, BioGeneration Ventures (BGV), BioMedPartners, Asahi Kasei Pharma Ventures, and Schroders Capital.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250107508677/en/

Contacts:

Azafaros B.V.

Email: info@azafaros.com

www.azafaros.com
Supporting the commercialisation of new technologies

Agreement on sale and leaseback of CTOL electric cargo aircraft

Avolon, a leading global aviation finance company, and Air New Zealand have agreed a memorandum of understanding to partner on research to support the commercialisation of electric aircraft, and other novel propulsion technologies including battery hybrid and hydrogen. The agreement also includes the signing a letter of intent (LOI) for the sale and leaseback of a BETA Alia CX300 electric cargo aircraft.

The conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) Alia CX300 is designed by BETA Technologies and will carry up to 560kg of cargo per flight for the airline. The aircraft is due for delivery in 2026 and will be used by Air New Zealand to carry cargo between Wellington and Blenheim through its partnership with New Zealand Post.

The wider collaboration between Avolon and Air New Zealand reflects both companies' drive to take leadership positions in supporting the development of clean tech aircraft, contributing to the decarbonisation of air travel, and supporting the aviation sector's net zero 2050 ambition.

Andy Cronin, CEO, Avolon commented: "Lessors have an important role to play in supporting the commercialisation of clean tech aircraft to help the aviation sector achieve its net zero ambitions. This partnership with Air New Zealand reflects Avolon's commitment to supporting innovation, building on our investment in Vertical Aerospace and our involvement with Airbus' ZEROe Project."

Richard Thomson, Chief Financial Officer, Air New Zealand commented: "Introducing new technology into the aviation sector is not something any one organisation can do alone. It will require engagement across the board including regulators, maintenance and supply chain, day of operations and financing. With regard to the latter, this partnership with Avolon is another important step in our Next Generation Aircraft programme of work. While only a small trial, it will allow us to understand what the financing of this programme could look like in the future so we're incredibly grateful for Avolon leaning in and supporting us on our journey."

Note to editors:

Air New Zealand

Through its Mission Next Gen Aircraft programme, Air New Zealand sought and received ideas and insights from 30 organisations, selecting four partners to work closely with on its goal of launching commercial flights using next generation aircraft in 2026. BETA's ALIA is the first commercial order in the programme.

Air New Zealand will initially operate the aircraft as a cargo only service in partnership with New Zealand Post between Wellington and Blenheim

Avolon

Avolon is taking a leadership position on future technologies and in 2021 invested in eVTOL manufacturer Vertical Aerospace and through its innovation affiliate, Avolon-e, placed an order for up to 500 of Vertical Aerospace's VX4 aircraft. The order was placed with 5 operators within 9 months with customers including JAL, Air Asia, and Gozen Holdings.

In July 2024 Avolon partnered with Airbus to support the development of hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft through Airbus' ZEROe Project. Airbus and Avolon are investigating how future hydrogen-powered aircraft could be financed and commercialised, and how they might be supported by the leasing business model.

About Avolon

Avolon is a leading global aviation finance company connecting capital with customers to drive the transformation of aviation and the economic and social benefits of global travel. We pride ourselves on our deep customer relationships, our collaborative team approach, and our fast execution. We invest with a long-term perspective, diversifying risk and managing capital efficiently to maintain our strong balance sheet. Working with 140 airlines in 59 countries, Avolon has an owned, managed, and committed fleet of 1,129 aircraft, as of 31 December 2024 on a pro forma basis including the proposed acquisition of Castlelake Aviation Limited. www.avolon.aero

About Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand's story started in 1940, first taking to the skies between Auckland and Sydney on a flying boat a Short S30. Known for its warm Kiwi hospitality, today, the airline has 104 operating aircraft ranging from Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A320s to ATRs and Q300s, offering customers comfort in the latest most efficient jets and turboprops. It's a modern fuel-efficient fleet with an average age of 7.3 years. Air New Zealand's global network of passenger and cargo services centres around New Zealand. Pre-Covid, the airline flew more than 17 million passengers every year, with 3,400 flights per week. Air New Zealand was recently named the World's Safest Airline by the Australian rating service AirlineRatings.com, highlighting the airline's laser-focus on safety. Last year, Air New Zealand won Best Corporate Reputation in New Zealand 8th year in a row.

Air New Zealand has a well-connected domestic business, connecting customers and cargo to 20 different regions around New Zealand. Internationally, the airline has direct flights to major cities across Australia, Asia, the Pacific Islands and the US, and through its strong relationships with alliance partners, offers customers more choice and convenience to connect further afield to hundreds of destinations. Air New Zealand has a particular focus on sustainability and its Sustainability Framework helps guide the airline's efforts in tackling some of New Zealand's and the world's most complex challenges. Air New Zealand aircraft are proudly identified by its distinct tail livery of the Mangopare, the Maori symbol of the hammerhead shark which represents strength, tenacity, and resilience. www.airnewzealand.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250107983537/en/

Contacts:

Avolon: Doug Keatinge, Head of Communications, dkeatinge@avolon.aero, +353 86 037 416

Air New Zealand: media@airnz.co.nz, +64 21 747 320
BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - Factory orders and retail sales from Germany and economic sentiment from the euro area are due on Wednesday, headlining a light day for the European economic news.At 2.00 am ET, Destatis is scheduled to issue Germany's factory orders and retail sales for November. Economists forecast factory orders to fall 0.3 percent on month, slower than the 1.5 percent decrease in October. Economists forecast sales to grow 0.5 percent, following a 1.5 percent decline in the previous month.At 2.45 am ET, France's statistical office INSEE releases consumer confidence survey results. The consumer sentiment index is seen at 89 in December, down from 90 in November.In the meantime, foreign trade and current account figures are due from France.At 5.00 am ET, EU releases Eurozone monthly economic sentiment survey results. The economic confidence index is forecast to fall to 95.6 in December from 95.8 in the prior month.Eurostat publishes Eurozone producer prices data at 5.00. Producer prices are expected to fall 1.2 percent annually after easing 3.2 percent in October.Copyright(c) 2025 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.
CallTower Announces Acquisition of Inoria to Expand Market Presence and Strengthen Communications Technology Capabilities

SALT LAKE CITY, UT and MONTREAL, QC, Jan. 08, 2025, a global leader in cloud-based communicationsInc. This acquisition marks a strategic milestone in CallTower's mission to deliver best-of-breed CCaaS solutions, expand its Customer Experience (CX) and Conversational Artificial Intelligence (CAI) capabilities to the global market.

In joining forces, CallTower and Inoria represent a dynamic convergence of some of the leading UCaaS and CCaaS providers. CallTower's acquisition of Inoria strengthens its offerings with complete CX solutions, including professional and managed services. This partnership expands CallTower's global reach and enhances its ability to meet diverse customer needs with tailored support and professional services.

A defining aspect of this collaboration lies in the expertise and innovative solutions brought by Inoria. Inoria was named the Genesys North America, Canada Partner of the Year for Genesys' fiscal year 2024. Renowned for its technical expertise with Genesys CCaaS solutions including Genesys Cloud and Genesys Cloud AI, Inoria introduces a Genesys CX solution that seamlessly aligns with CallTower's best-in-breed unified communications offerings. In addition to the Genesys offering, the Inoria solutions portfolio brings together other leading technology partnerships in CAI such as Kore.ai and Parloa - allowing the combined organizations to meet the unique needs of each customer. This union empowers enterprise customers with an expanded portfolio of cutting-edge cloud communication technologies, designed to meet the evolving demands of a global market. Enterprises will benefit from enhanced capabilities, broader solutions, and greater innovation that ultimately creates a richer, personalized experience for end customers.

"The acquisition of Inoria presents an exciting strategic opportunity for our customers, and partners, enhancing our growth in delivering global best-of-breed enterprise communication solutions," said CallTower's Chief Executive Officer, Bret England. "This acquisition offers our combined customers and the enterprise market with expanded communication solutions with extensive resources for design, licensing, implementation, integration, and support of an extensive list of CCaaS and CAI solutions along with our industry leading UCaaS offerings. CallTower and Inoria are planning a swift integration along with an expanded launch of innovative and connected global communications solutions. The full Inoria Team represents the best in the CCaaS business and there are tremendous similarities in culture and customer solution focused approach. CallTower is honored to include Inoria's customers, employees and partners as we continue to grow with best-of-breed, global communication offerings."

"Inoria's investment from CallTower is pivotal for our company," said Joe Bigio, Co-Founder & EVP of Inoria, Inc. "This unique partnership allows us to accelerate innovation, expand our services, reach new markets, and scale rapidly while delivering even greater value to our partners and enterprise customers across North America and speedily into Europe. We are thrilled to join forces with CallTower, whose expertise and resources will launch us into our next phase of growth. I am personally excited to join the CallTower executive team to lead the CCaaS, CX, and CAI organization and play a pivotal role in making CallTower a global industry leader in enterprise communications. As part of CallTower, Inoria remains committed to providing best-in-class solutions and service to our Canadian and US customers as we expand our offering into the global market."

Through this acquisition, CallTower continues its commitment to delivering innovative solutions that empower businesses to connect, collaborate, and thrive. The combined expertise and resources of the two companies will ensure a seamless customer experience while positioning CallTower for sustained growth and leadership in the industry.

Arma Capital acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Inoria.

About CallTower

CallTower is leading the future of global communications where UCaaS and CCaaS innovations meets the vast expanse of connectivity with numbering coverage in over 80 countries with additional countries with a managed telephony solution offering. CallTower is revolutionizing communications through integration of cutting-edge technologies. CallTower delivers seamless MS Teams, Zoom, and Webex voice solutions (UCaaS) with one-click failover offerings are provided via CallTower Connect, a CallTower proprietary delivery and managed service tool. CallTower provides a comprehensive contact center, customer experience solutions (CCaaS/CX) of Genesys, Five9, Intermedia, along with conversational artificial intelligence (CAI) of Kore.ai and Parloa offerings. Products are provided with robust professional and global managed service offering that allows customers to deploy and manage best-of-breed communications solutions that meet their current and expanding future global needs.

Since its establishment in 2002, CallTower has evolved into a global cloud-based, enterprise-class cloud communications solutions provider, catering to the needs of enterprise businesses. CallTower offers and supports industry-leading solutions such as Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams, MS Teams Direct Routing, GCC High Teams Direct Routing, Microsoft 365, Cisco Webex Calling / UCM, Cisco CCP, Zoom Phone, Zoom (BYOB), Genesys, Five9, Intermedia.

About Inoria

Inoria is the North American partner of choice, actively orchestrating the evolution of contact center operations. Inoria powers millions of customer interactions, passionately supporting organizations as they navigate their digital transformation journey through customized optimization, implementation, and integration services. Leveraging Conversational AI (CAI) and advanced analytics, Inoria provides deep insights and strategic recommendations that drive performance. Agile, personable, and human-centric, Inoria builds authentic relationships and champions success through inspired guidance, collaboration, and innovative solutions.

Inoria's value-added partner solutions support the diverse and evolutive needs of the contact center. Partners in CCaaS, workforce management, CAI and analytics include Genesys, Talkdesk, Alvaria, Kore.ai, Parloa, Coveo and Emite. Together, they work collaboratively to deliver enhanced interactions.

More than contact center expert consulting, Inoria is about enriching the customer experience, positioning them as a turnkey partner for all your contact center needs. For more information about Inoria, visit www.inoria.com.

For more information about CallTower, contact marketing@calltower.com .

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Anticipated advancements in obesity, oncology, gene therapy and other areas poised to revolutionize patient care

LONDON, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Clarivate Plc (NYSE:CLVT) a leading global provider of transformative intelligence, today announced the release of the twelfth annual Drugs to Watch report, a trusted guide to the therapies poised to redefine the future of healthcare. This year, the highly anticipated resource highlights 11 drugs projected to achieve blockbuster status or revolutionize treatment paradigms within five years. Since its inception, Drugs to Watch has identified over 98 transformative therapies, cementing its role as an essential resource for navigating the ever-evolving pharmaceutical landscape.

This year's report, powered by insights from the Clarivate Cortellis intelligence suite of products, highlights 11 therapies that have recently launched or are set to debut in 2025. These innovations, addressing critical challenges in areas such as obesity, oncology, and gene therapy, are forecast to achieve blockbuster sales by 2030 or dramatically improve patient outcomes on a global scale. The report also explores pivotal trends shaping the industry, including the surging demand for obesity treatments, the transformative potential of gene editing, and the growing impact of regulatory innovation.

The report offers an in-depth analysis of the chronic disease market in Mainland China, spotlighting five therapies expected to exceed $1 billion in annual sales over the next five years or deliver transformative outcomes for patients. It also explores critical topics shaping global healthcare, including regulatory advancements, the role of radiopharmaceutical theranostics in oncology, and the growing use of real-world data (RWD) and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) to drive health equity and enhance regulatory submissions.

Henry Levy, President, Life Sciences & Healthcare, Clarivate, remarked: "Innovation in the life sciences is reaching unprecedented heights, and this year's Drugs to Watch report once again demonstrates the industry's ability to deliver therapies that address unmet medical needs and challenge existing paradigms of care. At Clarivate, we take pride in the precision and reliability of our predictions-last year, we identified 13 molecules as Drugs to Watch, with 12 already approved and launched and one poised for launch. This track record reflects the strength of our comprehensive data and deep expertise. By continuing to provide actionable insights, we empower the sector to navigate opportunities, overcome challenges and drive progress in advancing global health."

Mike Ward, Global Head of Thought Leadership, Life Sciences & Healthcare, Clarivate, stated: "2025 represents a turning point for the life sciences sector as it embraces cutting-edge technologies such as AI and machine learning to enhance drug discovery and development. This year's report captures the dynamic forces at play, including groundbreaking progress in precision oncology, the rise of radiopharmaceuticals, and the growing focus on addressing global health disparities."

The 2025 Drugs to Watch report highlights key trends reshaping the life sciences landscape, emphasizing the transformative impact of emerging technologies and therapeutic breakthroughs. Advances in AI and machine learning are streamlining drug discovery, clinical trials, and real-world data integration, enabling precision medicine approaches. The obesity market is undergoing a revolution driven by next-generation GLP-1 therapies, while radiopharmaceutical theranostics are redefining cancer treatment with a "see it and treat it" paradigm. Gene editing technologies are unlocking new opportunities in personalized medicine, and evolving regulatory frameworks are fostering greater emphasis on patient-reported outcomes and health equity. Together, these trends showcase the sector's resilience and its ability to navigate challenges while driving innovation to improve patient care worldwide.

This year's drugs to watch exemplify the fusion of innovation and dedication to advancing patient care in an increasingly complex healthcare ecosystem. The Drugs to Watch 2025 list include:

AWIQLI (LAI 287; insulin icodec) developed by Novo Nordisk | Type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus

AWIQLI, the first once-weekly, subcutaneous insulin, has launched in Australia, Canada, the EU, Mainland China, and Japan. Its weekly dosing offers a significant advantage over daily basal insulin, potentially reducing the treatment burden for patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes (T1DM and T2DM).

CagriSema (cagrilintide + semaglutide) developed by Novo Nordisk | Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus

CagriSema, combining cagrilintide, a long-acting amylin analog, with semaglutide, promises superior efficacy over semaglutide (OZEMPIC/WEGOVY) and tirzepatide (MOUNJARO/ZEPBOUND) in treating obesity and type 2 diabetes. This next-generation GLP-1 therapy leverages the benefits of GLP-1s, such as enhanced insulin secretion and appetite reduction, while incorporating amylin's effects, including slowed glucose absorption and release. If approved, CagriSema will be the first fixed-dose combination of amylin and GLP-1 receptor agonists in the obesity and T2DM markets.

COBENFY (KarXT; xanomeline-trospium) developed by Bristol Myers Squibb | Schizophrenia and psychosis related to Alzheimer's disease

Amid setbacks for emerging schizophrenia treatments, the approval of COBENFY marks a transformative milestone as the first drug in over 30 years with a novel mechanism of action for treating schizophrenia. Combining xanomeline and trospium, COBENFY selectively targets M1 and M4 receptors, rather than traditional dopamine pathways, while minimizing cholinergic side effects. While further data is needed to assess its effectiveness in Alzheimer's disease-related psychosis, COBENFY shows strong commercial potential if proven effective in treating AD-related hallucinations and delusions.

EBGLYSS (lebrikizumab) developed by Eli Lilly and Co and Almirall | Atopic dermatitis

EBGLYSS, the third biologic targeting IL-13 for atopic dermatitis, follows DUPIXENT (dupilumab) and ADBRY/ADTRALZA (tralokinumab) to market. Its less frequent dosing, more selective IL-13 inhibition, and strong efficacy and safety data position it as a likely first-line treatment for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis when topical corticosteroids are inadequate.

Fitusiran developed by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc and Sanofi | Hemophilia A and B

Fitusiran, shown to be effective in phase 3 trials for both hemophilia A and B, regardless of inhibitor status, has the potential to offer a new approach to hemophilia treatment. This small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapy works by inhibiting SerpinPC1 mRNA, reducing antithrombin levels, promoting thrombin generation, and helping to rebalance hemostasis to prevent bleeds. Leveraging Alnylam Pharmaceuticals' ESC-GalNAc conjugate technology, fitusiran could become the first antithrombin-lowering therapy based on a double-stranded RNA molecule, pending approval.

GSK-3536819 (MenABCWY) developed by GSK plc | Meningococcus

GSK plc's GSK-3536819 vaccine candidate, a 5-in-1, first-generation formulation, targets the five groups of Neisseria meningitidis (A, B, C, W, and Y) responsible for most invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) cases worldwide. It combines the antigenic components of GSK's licensed meningococcal vaccines, BEXSERO (MenB) and MENVEO (MenACWY), both of which have established efficacy and safety profiles.

IMDELLTRA (tarlatamab-dlle) developed by Amgen | Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC)

IMDELLTRA is a first-in-class immunotherapy for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). Using Amgen's bispecific T cell engager (BiTE) molecules, it targets CD3 on T cells and DLL3 on tumor cells, enabling T cells to attack and lyse the tumor. DLL3 is expressed on the surface of SCLC cells in more than 85% of patients but is minimally expressed on healthy cells making it an attractive target. This mechanism positions IMDELLTRA as a potential standard of care for previously treated ES-SCLC.

mRESVIA (mRNA-1345) developed by Moderna Inc | RSV

With its U.S. FDA approval in May 2024, mRESVIA joined AREXVY and ABRYSVO, both featured in Drugs to Watch 2024, as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines currently available for adults ages 60 years and older, helping further support the public health initiative to reduce the RSV-related disease burden. Even with available vaccines, RSV infections continue to be a public health concern, particularly for infants and older adults (65 years and older).

SEL-212 developed by Sobi and Cartesian Therapeutics Inc/Selecta Biosciences Inc | Gout

SEL-212 is a novel, once-monthly treatment combining pegylated uricase (pegadricase; SEL-037) with ImmTOR, an immune tolerance technology designed to inhibit the formation of anti-drug antibodies (ADAs). For this application, ImmTOR consists of SEL-110.36, an inhibitor of uricase-specific ADA. This approach may help overcome the limitations of reduced efficacy and tolerability seen with other biologic treatments, such as KRYSTEXXA (pegloticase), in patients with chronic gout.

Vepdegestrant (ARV-471) developed by Arvinas Inc and Pfizer Inc | Breast cancer

A global collaboration between Arvinas Inc and Pfizer Inc, vepdegestrant may become the first PROteolysis Targeting Chimera (PROTAC) protein degrader on the market. Designed to target and degrade the estrogen receptor (ER) protein, early studies suggest PROTAC-induced degradation is more complete than with oral selective estrogen receptor degraders (SERDs). This offers potential for overcoming endocrine resistance in breast cancer. Label expansions, including combination with IBRANCE (palbociclib), are being explored.

Zanzalintinib (XL092) developed by Exelixis Inc | Colorectal cancer, renal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck

Zanzalintinib is a third-generation oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting VEGF receptors, MET, and TAM kinases involved in tumor growth and immunosuppression. Currently in phase 3 trials for non-clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (nccRCC), colorectal cancer (CRC) and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), the company anticipates one potential zanzalintinib launch per year starting as early as 2026. Compared to CABOMETYX (cabozantinib), zanzalintinib may offer benefits, including approval for nccRCC histology and a broader patient population.

Access the Drugs to Watch 2025 report from Clarivate, here.

For more Drugs to Watch updates and analyses throughout the year, visit the Drugs to Watch web page and follow Clarivate for Life Sciences & Healthcare on LinkedIn and X. Join the conversation, using DrugstoWatch.

To learn more about how Clarivate can help healthcare companies inform and shape the drug discovery, development and delivery process, visit here.

Methodology for the Clarivate Drugs to Watch 2025 Report

To identify this year's Drugs to Watch, Clarivate drew from the expertise of over 160 analysts covering hundreds of diseases, drugs and markets, along with 11 integrated data sets that span the R&D and commercialization lifecycle, including: Cortellis Competitive Intelligence, Disease Landscape & Forecast, Epidemiology Intelligence, BioWorld, Cortellis Regulatory Intelligence, Drug Timeline & Success Rates, Cortellis Clinical Trials Intelligence, Cortellis Deals Intelligence, Access & Reimbursement payer studies, Clarivate Real-World Data and Analytics, Web of Science, Derwent Innovation, and other industry sources including biopharma company press releases, filings and peer-reviewed publications. Candidate drugs in phase 2 or phase 3 trials, at pre-registration or registration stage, or already launched in 2024 were selected for analysis, including both novel treatments and already-marketed drugs pursuing new indications that could be particularly impactful. Drugs launched prior to 2024 were excluded. The dataset was filtered for drugs that had total forecast sales of $1 billion or more by 2030. Clarivate experts and analysts evaluated each drug in its individual context, based on factors such as expected approval or launch dates, competitive landscape, regulatory status, trial results, market dynamics and other key factors, and added novel drugs that, while likely to fall short of blockbuster status, are poised to be therapeutic game-changers.

Please note that Clarivate analysts generated the data shown in this report prior to December 31, 2024. The Drugs to Watch 2025 Report and the treatments referenced in this release are based on Clarivate's current expectations per existing data, but actual results derived from the drugs named in the report and here may differ significantly.

Clarivate is committed to comprehensively supporting customers across the entire drug, device and medical technology lifecycles to advance human health. By combining patient journey data, therapeutic area expertise, artificial intelligence and analytics in ways that unlock hidden insights, data-driven decisions and accelerating innovation, Clarivate's end-to-end research intelligence is designed to enable customers to make informed evidence-based decisions.

About Clarivate

Clarivate is a leading global provider of transformative intelligence. We offer enriched data, insights & analytics, workflow solutions and expert services in the areas of Academia & Government, Intellectual Property and Life Sciences & Healthcare. For more information, please visit?www.clarivate.com.

Media Contact:

Catherine Daniel

Director, External Communications, Life Sciences & Healthcare

newsroom@clarivate.com

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/clarivate-identifies-eleven-potential-blockbuster-and-transformative-drugs-in-annual-drugs-to-watch-report-302345558.html
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 8, 2025 / Capacitor Metals Corp. (the "Company" or "Capacitor") is pleased to announce that it has filed a technical report (the "Report") on SEDAR+ titled, "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Blue River Property, Blue River, British Columbia". The Report was prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") respecting the Company's 100% owned Blue River project located approximately 60 kms south of Valemount, British Columbia. The Report was prepared by Nathan Schmidt, B.Sc., P.Geo, of Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd., a "qualified person" for purposes of NI 43-101. The effective date of the Report is October 1, 2024.

Capacitor Metals CEO Chris Grove states "We are very pleased with the release of this new 43-101 report. With the current state of the global tantalum market of continued increased demand, against significant issues on the supply side, we are excited to be advancing this valuable Canadian project once again"

The full Report can be found on the Company website: https://capacitormetals.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2024-10-01_Blue-River_NI-43-101_Signed.pdf

and under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Capacitor Metals Blue Property in Blue River, BC

About Capacitor Metals Corp.

Capacitor Metals Corp. is a British Columbia company focused on the exploration and development of the Blue River Tantalum-Niobium Property located in British Columbia, Canada.

Within the Blue River Property, the Upper Fir deposit has a significant historical indicated resource of 9.6M kg contained tantalum and 77.8M kg contained niobium plus an historical inferred resource of 1.0M kg contained tantalum and 9.6M kg contained niobium.

The Company is positioned to be one of the lowest cost tantalum-niobium producers globally, with a specific focus on being a long-term supplier of tantalum and niobium to the global market. The Blue River Property is a fully serviced site in mining-friendly British Columbia, Canada with excellent infrastructure close at hand, including rail, paved road, water, and power adjacent to project site. The Property contains three known deposits of tantalum and niobium (the Fir, the Verity and the Upper Fir) and an additional 20+ known exploration targets. The Blue River Property is advanced with significant work already completed. CAD$34M+ has been spent to date, including 271 drill holes, an historical Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA"), community consultations, and preliminary metallurgical and environmental work.

For more information, please visit the corporate website at www.capacitormetals.com or email jschroenn@capacitormetals.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

CAPACITOR METALS CORP.

"Chris Grove"

Chris Grove

President and CEO

Tel: 604.484.2700

Email: cgrove@capacitormetals.com

Web: http://www.capacitormetals.com

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION :

This news release contains forward-looking statements, which includes any information about activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Forward-looking statements in this news release include that the Company is positioned to be one of the lowest cost tantalum-niobium producers globally, with a specific focus on being a long-term supplier of tantalum and niobium to the global market. These forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially may include misinterpretation of data; that we may not be able to get equipment or labour as we need it; that we may not be able to raise sufficient funds to complete our intended exploration and development; that our applications to drill may be denied; that weather, logistical problems or hazards may prevent us from exploration; that equipment may not work as well as expected; that analysis of data may not be possible accurately and at depth; that results which we or others have found in any particular location are not necessarily indicative of larger areas of our properties; that we may not complete environmental programs in a timely manner or at all; that market prices for tantalum and niobium may not justify commercial production costs; and that despite encouraging data there may be no commercially exploitable mineralization on our properties. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.

SOURCE: Capacitor Metals Corp.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - SGS SA (SGSOY), a Testing, Inspection, and Certification company, Wednesday announced the acquisition of Aster Global Environmental Solutions, Inc. The company has not disclosed the financial details of the deal.The acquisition aligns with SGS's Strategy 27, helping the company capitalize on its unique strengths. It positions SGS to effectively address the major trends driving growth in the Testing, Inspection, and Certification industry.Aster Global, which was founded in 2019, expands SGS's greenhouse gas services both in North America and worldwide, bringing key accreditations and expertise in the field. The acquisition also adds 25 skilled employees to SGS.On Tuesday, SGSOY had closed 0.30% less at $10.08.Copyright(c) 2025 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.
Former Head of Global R&D at Bayer AG and an exceptional leader with a wealth of experience across biopharma

Pivotal time of transition as the company prepares to start clinical development of its first-in-class lead candidate, AT-7687 in obesity

AT-7687 offers a new mechanism of action, to set a new standard in obesity management

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Antag Therapeutics ("Antag" or "the company"), a biopharmaceutical company pioneering novel treatments for obesity, today announced the appointment of Joerg Moeller, MD, PhD, as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Dr. Moeller succeeds Antag's Co-Founder and former CEO, Dr. Alexander Sparre-Ulrich, who played a pivotal role in reaching clinical inflection points and establishing Antag as a leader in GIP receptor antagonism, a new mechanism in the field of obesity. Dr. Sparre-Ulrich will move into the position of Chief Operating Officer and will continue to support the company in a senior role.

With over 30 years of industry and leadership experience, Dr. Moeller has an impressive track record of successfully leading large global organizations and has built an expansive portfolio by driving strategic growth, regulatory compliance, and fostering innovation. He has extensive experience in bringing first-in-class and best-in-class therapies to the market across a wide range of therapeutic areas, including cardio-metabolic, oncology, hematology, ophthalmology, female health, dermatology, and infectious diseases. Dr. Moeller was previously Head of Global R&D and a member of the executive leadership team at Bayer AG's Pharmaceutical Division where he led the development and global approval of numerous innovative therapies, redefined its pipeline strategy, and introduced strategic AI collaborations.

Philip Just Larsen, MD, PhD, Chair of Antag Therapeutics Board of Directors, said: "Dr. Moeller has a proven track record in pharmaceutical innovation and pioneering cutting-edge biotech solutions, and has the experience to drive Antag to its next phase of growth as we prepare to enter clinical development with our lead candidate, AT-7687. On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Alexander for his exceptional contributions in founding and leading Antag into this critical stage of drug development. His work has laid a strong foundation for future success as we continue our commitment to delivering transformative therapies with the potential to improve patient outcomes and address the growing global burden of obesity and metabolic disorders."

2024 was a milestone year for Antag with the completion of a 80m Series A financing and U.S. FDA IND clearance, to advance its first-in-class, lead candidate, AT-7687, into Phase 1 clinical development in early 2025. AT-7687 is a novel, once-weekly subcutaneous antagonist of the Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide Receptor (GIPR). By enhancing the efficacy of GLP-1-based therapies while mitigating tolerability issues, AT-7687 has the potential to deliver superior weight loss and revolutionize obesity management, while delivering metabolic benefits for obese patients as both a monotherapy and in combination with other therapies.

Joerg Moeller, MD, newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of Antag Therapeutics, commented:"Antag's innovative approach and new mechanism of action in obesity treatment, rooted in pioneering GIP receptor antagonism, holds tremendous potential to address the global rise of people living with obesity and improve the current standard of care. I look forward to working with Alexander and Antag's stellar leadership team as we advance our pipeline of injectable therapies, striving to benefit patients suffering from obesity and cardiometabolic diseases."

Most recently, Dr. Moeller served as CEO and Executive Board Member of BenevolentAI, a leader in AI-augmented drug discovery. Before this, he was the Global Head of Research and Development at LEO Pharma, a research-based pharmaceutical company specializing in medical dermatology.

Antag Therapeutics' management team will be in San Francisco for J.P. Morgan's 43rd Annual Healthcare Conference from January 13-16, 2025. To arrange a meeting, please contact antag@antagtherapeutics.com.

Notes to Editors

About Antag Therapeutics

Antag Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering and developing novel therapies for obesity and cardiometabolic diseases through GIP receptor antagonism. As a pioneer in exploring the potential of GIP receptor antagonists, the company is dedicated to advancing science and improving patient outcomes by delivering groundbreaking solutions that address unmet medical needs. For more information, please visit https://antagtherapeutics.com.

About AT-7687

The development of AT-7687 builds on the groundbreaking discovery of a novel human metabolite by world-renowned Professor Jens Holst, the discoverer of GLP-1, and his colleagues. In addition to promising preclinical data, the therapeutic potential of AT-7687 is further supported by robust human genetic validation, demonstrating that reducing GIP receptor activity is associated with leanness.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/experienced-industry-leader-dr-joerg-moeller-appointed-as-chief-executive-officer-of-antag-therapeutics-302344355.html
Vertical becomes only the second company in the world to achieve piloted thrustborne flight manoeuvres with a full-scale vectored thrust eVTOL aircraft

UK Civil Aviation Authority approves final stages of Phase 2 testing

Strong start to 2025 as Vertical progresses towards flying full-scale piloted wingborne ahead of transition flight

Vertical Aerospace Ltd. ("Vertical" or the "Company") (NYSE: EVTL; EVTLW), a global aerospace and technology company that is pioneering electric aviation, has taken another significant step in its testing programme by successfully completing its first piloted thrustborne flight manoeuvres.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250108901737/en/

Vertical's VX4 prototype successfully completes its first piloted thrustborne flight manoeuvres. (Photo: Business Wire)

The milestone was achieved after the business received approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to expand its Permit to Fly, enabling Vertical to progress from piloted thrustborne hover to piloted thrustborne low-speed flight manoeuvres at altitude. The latest flight included roll, yaw and spot turn manoeuvres and was flown by Simon Davies, Vertical's Chief Test Pilot.

Completing the initial piloted thrustborne manoeuvres at its Flight Test Centre made Vertical only the second company worldwide to achieve this critical step using a full scale vectored thrust eVTOL aircraft.

Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, said: "Starting the year with this milestone is a fantastic achievement and testament to the dedication of our team and partners. Becoming one of only two companies globally to conduct piloted thrustborne flight manoeuvres in a full-scale vectored thrust eVTOL underscores the progress we're making toward our Flightpath 2030 strategy and our vision to transform the way the world moves. The team is now focused on completing this phase while we prepare for the significant next step of wingborne flight."

First thrustborne flight

Vertical's VX4 aircraft has now progressed from piloted hover flight to piloted, low-speed manoeuvres using lift generated by the propellers. Thrustborne flights are designed to assess the aircraft's stability, battery efficiency, control characteristics, aerodynamics, structural and dynamic loads and performance across different speeds, enabling further assessment of how the VX4 behaves under real-world flight conditions.

At the same time, Vertical will work with the CAA to expand its Permit to Fly, clearing the path for Phase 3 wingborne flight tests. This phase, which includes flying beyond the airfield boundaries, will effectively serve as a mini-certification of the prototype, laying the groundwork for the VX4's full certification.

Strengthening the Team

To support the growing demands of its flight test programme, Vertical has appointed Tim Eldridge as test pilot.

With over two decades of flight test experience in the Royal Navy, including testing aircraft such as the Sea King, Merlin, Chinook, and Lynx, Tim brings exceptional expertise to the team. His prior roles, including at Babcock, with whom Vertical is collaborating with on Emergency Medical Services (EMS), where Tim was a helicopter EMS pilot, as well as at QinetiQ and Airbus Helicopters further enhance Vertical's flight test capabilities.

Notes to editors:

Piloted flight test programme explainer

Phase 1: Tethered: the VX4 will perform stabilised hover while loosely tethered to the ground. COMPLETE

Phase 2: Thrustborne: the VX4 will take-off and land vertically and conduct low speed flight manoeuvres with lift generated by the propellers. IN PROGRESS

Phase 3: Wingborne: the VX4 will take-off, fly and land like a conventional aircraft, with lift generated by the wing.

Phase 4: Transition: The VX4 will transition between thrustborne and wingborne flight, and vice versa.

Notes to Editors

About Vertical Aerospace

Vertical Aerospace is a global aerospace and technology company pioneering electric aviation. Vertical is creating a safer, cleaner and quieter way to travel. Vertical's VX4 is a piloted, four passenger, Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, with zero operating emissions. Vertical combines partnering with leading aerospace companies, including GKN Aerospace, Honeywell and Leonardo, with developing its own proprietary battery and propeller technology to develop the world's most advanced and safest eVTOL.

Vertical has c.1,500 pre-orders of the VX4, with customers across four continents, including American Airlines, Japan Airlines, GOL and Bristow. Headquartered in Bristol, the epicentre of the UK's aerospace industry, Vertical was founded in 2016 by Stephen Fitzpatrick, founder of the OVO Group, Europe's largest independent energy retailer. Vertical's experienced leadership team comes from top tier automotive and aerospace companies such as Rolls-Royce, Airbus, GM and Leonardo. Together they have previously certified and supported over 30 different civil and military aircraft and propulsion systems.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that relate to our current expectations and views of future events. We intend such forward- looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements as contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Any express or implied statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the design and manufacture of the VX4, the features and capabilities of the VX4, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, including the building and testing of our prototype aircrafts on timelines projected, completion of the piloted test programme phases, selection of suppliers, certification and the commercialization of the VX4 and our ability to achieve regulatory certification of our aircraft product on any particular timeline or at all, our ability and plans to raise additional capital to fund our operations, the differential strategy compared to our peer group, expectations surrounding pre-orders and commitments, our future results of operations and financial position and expected financial performance and operational performance, liquidity, growth and profitability strategies, our plans to mitigate the risk that we are unable to continue as a going concern, the transition towards a net-zero emissions economy, as well as statements that include the words "expect," "intend," "plan," "believe," "project," "forecast," "estimate," "may," "should," "anticipate," "will," "aim," "potential," "continue," "are likely to" and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature. Forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including, without limitation: our limited operating history without manufactured non-prototype aircraft or completed eVTOL aircraft customer order; our potential inability to raise additional funds when we need or want them, or at all, to fund our operations; our limited cash and cash equivalents and recurring losses from our operations raise significant doubt (or raise substantial doubt as contemplated by PCAOB standards) regarding our ability to continue as a going concern; our potential inability to produce or launch aircraft in the volumes or timelines projected; the potential inability to obtain the necessary certifications for production and operation within any projected timeline, or at all; the inability for our aircraft to perform at the level we expect and may have potential defects; our history of losses and the expectation to incur significant expenses and continuing losses for the foreseeable future; the market for eVTOL aircraft being in a relatively early stage; any accidents or incidents involving eVTOL aircraft could harm our business; our dependence on partners and suppliers for the components in our aircraft and for operational needs; the potential that certain strategic partnerships may not materialize into long-term partnership arrangements; all of the pre-orders received are conditional and may be terminated at any time and any predelivery payments may be fully refundable upon certain specified dates; any circumstances; any potential failure to effectively manage our growth; our inability to recruit and retain senior management and other highly skilled personnel; we have previously identified material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting which if we fail to properly remediate, could adversely affect our results of operations, investor confidence in us and the market price of our ordinary shares; as a foreign private issuer we follow certain home country corporate governance rules, are not subject to U.S. proxy rules and are subject to Exchange Act reporting obligations that, to some extent, are more lenient and less frequent than those of a U.S. domestic public company; and the other important factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 14, 2024, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and accordingly undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. We disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than to the extent required by applicable law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250108901737/en/

Contacts:

Justin Bates, Head of Communications justin.bates@vertical-aerospace.com +44 7878 357 463

Samuel Emden, Head of Investor Affairs samuel.emden@vertical-aerospace.com +44 7816 459 904
DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The industrial hemp market is estimated at USD 11.03 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 30.24 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 22.4% from 2024 to 2029, according to a report published by MarketsandMarkets.

The demand for industrial hemp is growing globally due to increasing demands for the use of environment-friendly products in the different sectors like textiles, construction, bioplastics, personal care products, and the increased cultivation, favourable regulatory amendments, as well as widespread recognition of its environmental benefits among consumers are driving the growing interest in the global industrial hemp market. The development of new, innovative hemp-based products is yet another opportunity to grow markets with biodegradable plastics and natural fibers. Going forward, the market will keep on growing with continuous loosening of regulations by governments to support hemp cultivation.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Industrial Hemp Market"

307 - Tables

30 - Figures

299 - Pages

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=84188417

The hemp seed segment holds the highest market share in the type of segment of the industrial hemp market.

Hemp seed hold highest market share in industrial hemp because of its diverse uses, like the food sector, cosmetic areas, and even in agricultural operations. Hemp seed is high in essential fatty acids, and it does contain proteins along with vital nutrients that really make a great product for any food industry or wellness-oriented operations. Skincare products contain the oil extracted from hemp seeds. Snacks, beverages, and supplements also contain hemp seeds. As the demand for plant-based nutrition and sustainable ingredients grows, hemp seeds lead the market in the industrial hemp.

The conventional source segment holds highest share in the source segment in industrial hemp market during the forecasted period 2024-2029.

The conventional sources of the industrial hemp market dominate because they already have established infrastructure system and are highly accepted for farming and processing. Traditional farming, along with government policies and supply chains already set up, remains the largest area of production of hemp for textiles, bioplastics, and food products. This would mean consistent yields and product quality as conventional sources assure, making it a choice source for large-scale industrial hemp production. So, with this growth of demand, conventional sources should remain the leader in this market.

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Based on region, Europe has a significant share in the industrial hemp market.

Europe accounts for significant share in industrial hemp market due to its strong agricultural sector, supportive regulatory environment, and increasing demand for sustainable products. The European Union has policies to encourage hemp farming; these policies include financial incentives to farmers and a clear framework for the processing of the crop. Hemp farming is on the rise across the European region, especially with regard to fiber production. Between 2015 and 2022, the areas planted with hemp in the EU increased by 60% from 20,540 hectares to 33,020 hectares. In the same time span, hemp production saw a growth of 84.3%, increasing from 97,130 tonnes to 179,020 tonnes. The country that leads as the biggest producer is France with more than 60%, Germany with 17% followed by the Netherlands by 5%.

In December 2021, the European Union approved its new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for 2023-2027, applicable from January 2023. This new policy opens the way for farmers to be paid directly for cultivating hemp varieties listed in the EU Catalogue with a THC content below 0.3%. For now, hemp varieties must contain less than 0.2% of THC. Traditionally, hemp fibres in Europe have mostly been used for specialty pulp and paper, such as cigarette paper, Bible paper, and banknotes. However, thanks to the European Commission's supports, increasing research and development lead to the expansion of this use of hemp fibers both in automotive applications and for construction materials.

The report profiles key players such as Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (US), Green Thumb Industries (US), Canopy Gowth Corporation (Canada), AURORA CANNABIS INC. (Canada), The Cronos Group (Canada), Ecofibre Ltd (Australia), HempFlax Group B.V. (Netherlands), Dun Agro Hemp Group (Netherlands), Fresh Hemp Foods Ltd. (Canada), GenCanna (US), Konoplex Group (Russia), Canah International (Netherlands), MH Medical Hemp GmbH (Germany), Liaoning Qiaopai Biotech Co., Ltd. (China), and IND HEMP (US).

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Oscillate Plc - CEO & Board Appointment and Role Change

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, January 08

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS DEEMED BY THE COMPANY TO CONSTITUTE INSIDE INFORMATION AS STIPULATED UNDER THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) NO. 596/2014, AS AMENDED ("MAR"). ON THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT VIA A REGULATORY INFORMATION SERVICE, THIS INSIDE INFORMATION IS NOW CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.

Oscillate Plc

AQSE: MUSH

("Oscillate" or the "Company")

CEO & BOARD APPOINTMENT AND ROLE CHANGE

The Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Robin Jonathan Eckford Birchall as Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect. Steve Xerri will become Executive Director with immediate effect.

Robin Birchall (aged 54) has more than twenty-five years of experience in the financing and management of resource companies. Mr. Birchall is currently the Non-Executive Chairman of Evolution Energy Minerals Ltd. and previously was Non-Executive Chairman of Awale Resources Ltd. Mr. Birchall was Chief Executive Officer & Director at Giyani Metals Corp. Before that he was the Executive Chair of Silver Bear Resources. Mr. Birchall was also a Non-Executive Director of Helium One Global. Previous roles include former Chief Executive Officer of a private oil and gas E&P company as well as Vice President Investment & Corporate Banking with BMO Capital Markets, where he completed a variety of high-profile transactions for resource companies. Prior to BMO Capital Markets, Mr. Birchall was Vice President Corporate Finance at Canaccord Adams Ltd. Mr. Birchall earned an MBA from the University of Cape Town, a MSc in European and International Politics from Edinburgh University, a Premiere Degre en Langues Literature et Civilisation, from Stendahl Universite and a BA from Queens University.

Mr. Birchall does not currently hold any ordinary shares in the Company. Mr. Birchall will be rewarded with options as follows, exercisable in the event there is admission to AIM or other Recognised Investment Exchange:

options equal to 2% of the current issued share capital in the Company, equating to approximately 8,508,000 options over ordinary shares. The options shall have a strike price equivalent to an initial quotation price upon commencement of trading on AIM or other Recognised Investment Exchange; and

a payment which will be used to subscribe for ordinary shares in the Company upon commencement of trading on AIM or other Recognised Investment Exchange, equal to 1% of the current share capital, equivalent to approximately 4,254,400 ordinary shares.

The below details all directorships held by the director in any other company at any time in the previous five years:

Current directorships Previous directorships Evolution Energy Minerals Limited Awale Resources Limited Georgetown Real Estate Company Giyani Metals Corp Helium One Global Limited

Except as set out above, there is no further information regarding Robin Birchall that is required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 4.9 of the Aquis Growth Market Access Rulebook.

Steve Xerri commented: "The appointment of Robin Birchall with his industry experience in non-hydrocarbon gases at the stage when Helium One was being formed, along with his wealth of experience in various other industries, positions Robin with a wide range of relevant skills as CEO to take us to the next level. He also brings a high level of confidence and commitment which is in line with the Company's vision. Robin has been directly and specifically remunerated around the ultimate success of the Company and for our shareholders and therefore I am confident that this appointment should give an extreme amount of confidence to our investors for the future. I look forward to working with Robin and dividing the executive function, bringing our near-term plans to fruition."

The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement.

Enquiries:

Company

Oscillate PLC

John Treacy

ir@oscillateplc.com

https://oscillateplc.com

Corporate Adviser

Peterhouse Capital Limited

Telephone: 020 7220 9795
Research reveals mounting worries amongst UK banking customers about IT outages at financial institutions

LONDON, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As digital banking becomes the norm, over a third (34%) of Brits are worried about the potential of IT failures at their banks, and 25% now keep cash on hand as a precaution against outages.

This trend reflects the growing uncertainty consumers feel about the reliability of digital financial services, as the availability of in-person banking continues to decline.

Over the past year, one in six (17%) people have been affected by IT failures within their banks, facing an average disruption time of six hours, with customers unable to access their funds or pay for essential goods and services.

This data comes from GFT's latest Banking Disruption Index, a bi-annual assessment of consumer sentiment towards digital banking.

The research also uncovered growing concern about the security and resiliency of third-party technology providers supporting banks, with 38% of respondents worried about the potential of these organisations to cause an IT outage at a bank, highlighting a broader scepticism around the security and reliability of outsourced digital services.

Additionally, 42% of those surveyed said they were wary of cyber-attacks, fearing that an outage could lead to personal information theft. This underscores the growing expectation for banks to protect both consumer data and access to funds.

Richard Kalas, Client Solutions Director, Retail Banking at GFT, said: "These findings reveal a clear disconnect between the rapid digitalisation of banking services and consumer confidence around the security and resilience of these measures. While digital banking offers numerous benefits, it's essential that banks continue to clearly demonstrate the various measures they are taking to ensure all critical customer services are resilient."

The role of banks in enhancing security

As digital banking continues to grow, so do consumer concerns about security and reliability. In response, banks are under increased pressure to strengthen their resilience strategies, ensure operational stability, and better safeguard customers.

To meet these expectations, financial institutions must continue to invest in robust IT infrastructure and cybersecurity measures, and partner with trusted organisations to effectively prevent and swiftly recover from outages.

What's more, under recent Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) guidelines effective from 7th October, banks must now refund fraud victims up to 85,000 within five days. By shifting a significant portion of responsibility back to banks, the regulation reinforces the importance of customer protection and proactive fraud prevention.

To download the full Banking Disruption Index report, please follow this link.

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PARIS (dpa-AFX) - French stocks are down marginally in lackluster trade Wednesday morning as investors largely refrain from making significant moves amid a lack of triggers. Political uncertainty and anxiety ahead of some crucial data, including U.S. non-farm payroll report appear to be rendering the mood cautious.The benchmark CAC 40 is down 3.37 points or 0.04% at 7,485.98Edenred is gaining about 4.7%. Thales and Societe Generale are up 3.4% and 2.1%, respectively. Safran is up nearly 1%, while BNP Paribas and TotalEnergies are modestly higher.Eurofins Scientific and Vivendi are down 3.4% and 3%, respectively. L'Oreal is lower by about 1.25%, while Danone, STMicroElectronics and Vinci are down 0.7 to 1%.Auto major Stellantis is down 0.7%. The company announced that its racing division, Stellantis Motorsport, is collaborating with Intel Automotive, affiliated to chip maker Intel Corp., to be its technical partner in Formula E. Under the deal, the companies will work to accelerate the development of technologies specific to Formula E, in the electric series.On the economic front, a report from statistical office INSEE said French consumer confidence unexpectedly fell in December to the lowest level in a year, coming in at 89.0, from a score of 90.0 in November.France's trade balance narrowed to 7.1 billion euros in November, from a downwardly revised 7.5 billion euros in October.France's current account deficit decreased to 1.7 billion euros in November from a downwardly revised 1.9 billion euros in the previous month. Exports increased to 50.10 billion euros, while imports rose to 57.186 billion euros.Copyright(c) 2025 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.
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - A state of emergency has been declared in Los Angeles as huge wildfires ripped through its suburbs.The wildfires, which are spreading at a speed of around 100 acres in an hour, has so far burned more than 2,900 acres of vegetation, reports say.California state Fire department's chief Kristin Crowley issued an evacuation order urging more than 30,000 people to leave the risky areas, as two more raging fires are heading to north-west Los Angeles.Tens of thousands of people are abandoning their homes and cars, heeding to evacuation orders as a fast-growing blaze destroys homes in the Pacific Palisades.The Los Angeles County Fire Department said on X that winds gusting up to 60 mph are expected to continue through Thursday.The Hurst fire, which broke out at around 10:30 p.m. ET Tuesday north of San Fernando, is 'spreading rapidly under high winds, creating dangerous conditions for nearby communities,' according to CAL Fire.Another fire has erupted in Los Angeles County, the Eaton fire in Altadena.The fire has disrupted power supply in tens of thousands of homes and buildings in the county.Los Angeles officials have warned that the situation is going to worsen as 'tornado-like' winds will make the task of the firefighters battling the wildfires very difficult, and the flames is to spread fast.The California state fire department has set up evacuation centers at El Camino Real Charter High School, Pasadena Convention Center and Westwood Recreation Center.Meanwhile, President Joe Biden said he and his team are in touch with state and local officials, and offered any federal assistance that is needed to help suppress the Pacific Palisades fire.Earlier, FEMA approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant to support areas that are impacted and help reimburse the state of California for the immediate firefighting costs.Copyright(c) 2025 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.
Sheffield Village, Ohio--(Newsfile Corp. - January 8, 2025) - The Dooley Gembala McLaughlin Pecora Attorneys & Counselors Law Firm announced the expansion of its business litigation services as the firm marks its 20th anniversary, a business achievement underscored by Super Lawyer distinctions from 2023 to 2025. The firm, which serves corporate clients, municipalities, and educational institutions, is reinforcing its focus on high-stakes litigation and regulatory advisory services.

Dooley Gembala McLaughlin Pecora Law Firm Marks 20 Years with Expansion in Business Litigation Services

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The expansion highlights the law firm's growing role in representing clients in complex disputes and compliance matters across industries such as food and beverage, public education, and municipal governance. The firm has solidified its standing as a key player in navigating federal regulations and corporate litigation.

"This milestone is not just a reflection of our longevity but of the trust our clients place in us to manage their most critical legal challenges," said Ryan Gembala, director at Dooley Gembala. "We are strengthening our services to meet the increasing demand for legal expertise in regulatory compliance and business disputes."

With a track record of success in federal courts and administrative bodies, the firm regularly handles cases under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act, the Food Safety Modernization Act, and other regulatory frameworks impacting corporate clients. The expansion aims to further position the firm as a leader in business litigation and risk management.

The firm's advisory services continue to address the needs of Ohio's public education system and corporate entities, focusing on labor relations, governance, and compliance. The firm also supports school districts and municipalities in navigating labor disputes and policy implementation.

"Our clients require sophisticated legal strategies to stay ahead of regulatory changes and industry challenges," Gembala said. "This expansion reflects our commitment to providing solutions that align with their operational goals."

The firm has stepped up its legal work and operations in Sheffield Village, Medina, and Vermilion, Ohio, with a focus on expanding business litigation, estate planning, and public entity law practices.

About Dooley Gembala McLaughlin Pecora Attorneys & Counselors

Dooley Gembala McLaughlin Pecora Attorneys & Counselors, composed of topnotch Ohio Divorce Lawyers, provides comprehensive legal services to businesses and public entities across Ohio. The firm's focus on high-stakes litigation and regulatory compliance supports clients in achieving long-term success.

For more information about Dooley Gembala McLaughlin Pecora Attorneys & Counselors, visit their offices in Sheffield Village, Medina, or Vermilion, Ohio.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/236417

SOURCE: Plentisoft
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 8, 2025) - XXIX Metal Corp . (TSXV: XXIX) (OTCQB: QCCUF) ("XXIX" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has listed its common shares on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE) under the ticker symbol "5LW0".

"By listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, XXIX will be significantly more accessible for European shareholders and investors interested in having exposure to one of Canada's most exciting copper developers," said Stephen Stewart, CEO of XXIX.

The FSE is one of the world's largest trading centres for securities, and the largest stock exchange in Germany, operated by parent company Deutsche Borse AG.

XXIX Frankfurt Stock Exchange Profile

About XXIX Metal Corp .

XXIX is advancing its Opemiska and Thierry Copper projects, two significant Canadian copper assets. The Opemiska Project, Canada's highest-grade copper resource, spans 13,000 hectares in Quebec's Chapais-Chibougamau region, with strong infrastructure and nearby access to the Horne Smelter. A January 2024 resource update reported a 16% increase in contained Copper Equivalent (CuEq) and a 10% grade boost, including 87.3 million tonnes at 0.93% CuEq (Measured & Indicated) and additional Out of Pit resources. The Thierry Project hosts two past-producing ore bodies, one of which was mined underground for six years-producing 5.8Mt @ 1.13% Cu, 0.14% Ni between 1976 - 1982 by UMEX Inc. Historically, copper concentrate was shipped to the Horne Smelter in Rouyn-Noranda, QC. Significant infrastructure is already in place, with the Thierry property being accessible via all-season road, an airport within 5km, a provincial power grid within 8km, and nearby rail. With these two high-potential projects, the Company has solidified its position as a key player in the Canadian copper sector, and has established itself as one of Eastern Canada's largest copper developer.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements. When used in this document, the words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "seek", "propose", "estimate", "expect", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to vary from those described in this news release. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in this news release as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Specific forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements pertaining to the commencement of trading of the Common Shares on the TSXV under the new name and new stock ticker. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the risk factors set forth above and elsewhere in this news release. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. These statements are given only as of the date of this news release. The Company does not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/236315

SOURCE: XXIX Metal Corp.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 8, 2025) - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) ("Happy Belly" or the "Company"), a leading consolidator of emerging food brands is happy to announce that it has signed as of January 6th, a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of Smile Tiger Coffee Roasters Inc ("Smile Tiger"), Happy Belly's first acquisition in the coffee sector.

Smile Tiger Coffee Roasters 1

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"Today is a big day for Happy Belly Food Group as we announce the 100% acquisition of our newest brand Smile Tiger to our growing list of emerging brands," said Sean Black Chief Executive Officer of Happy Belly. Entering the coffee & tea beverage category is something we have been exploring for some time, so finding our entry point with Smile Tiger is a great step forward. As we continue to execute on our consolidation strategy of brands that fit the 3 P's of People, Product and Process, we welcome the entry into a new category with so much room for sector consolidation as well as menu expansion. This is another significant achievement as it demonstrates our commitment to our shareholders to focus on value creation across our portfolio. Our mandate is to deliver disciplined organic growth as well as accretive M&A. We look forward to sharing detailed development plans for the brand post closing, but buying cash-flow positive brands that are debt free with positive same store sales is a low-risk plan that I want more of for our shareholders. The key here is what happens to the brand post closing in our hands. Our team continues to demonstrate how we can buy low risk cash-flow positive assets at reasonable multiples and then immediately expand the brands EBITDA. Just like we did with Heal Wellness, Lettuce Love Cafe, iQ Foods, Via Cibo, Rosie's Burgers, Yolks Breakfast & Pirho."

"Smile Tiger will operate as a corporate-owned retail location, catering to walk-in customers in the Kitchener region while also reaching a nationwide audience through its online offerings. These include both consumer-packaged goods (CPG) and white-label products. A key aspect of this acquisition is Smile Tiger's role as a coffee roaster, enabling large-scale commerce and broad market opportunities including supplying our own brands across the country. Having this market advantage in addition to delivering exceptional coffee and outstanding service, positions us to capitalize on the strong growth potential in the coffee, teas, bubble tea, energy drinks and refreshers vertical that we believe is currently disrupting the beverage category across North America."

Smile Tiger Coffee Roasters 2

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"We are excited about expanding our coffee capabilities, not only through both additional corporate and franchised retail locations but also in exploring opportunities to provide Smile Tiger products across our existing retail locations going forward. With our diverse portfolio of breakfast, lunch, and dinner brands, Happy Belly consumes a significant amount of coffee, making this expansion a natural fit for cross selling. The opportunity to broaden the footprint of our coffee brand-both in product offerings and physical reach-represents a significant growth avenue for us in 2025 and beyond. Thankfully we have significant bench strength in the coffee category within our leadership team. John Delutis brings experience from his time at Second Cup and Tim Hortons, Gary Fung previously served as Head of Finance and Strategy for Tim Hortons, and Randall Papineau successfully led Balzac's Coffee; so we anticipate the integration to be smooth and acceleration of the brand to be immediate "

Smile Tiger Coffee Roasters 3

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We are just getting started



Acquisition Details

Happy Belly and Smile Tiger Coffee Roasters have signed a definitive acquisition agreement for the 100% acquisition of Smile Tiger Coffee Roasters by Happy Belly. Happy Belly will issue such number of common shares of Happy Belly equal in value to $125,000 (based on a 10-day VWAP) at time of closing together with $125,000 in cash for 100% ownership of Smile Tiger Coffee Roasters, representing an estimated purchase price of 3.3x EBITDA based on 2024 sales of north of $1,000,000. The Company anticipates the closing of this agreement to take place within the next 30 days.

About Smile Tiger Coffee Roasters Inc.

Our coffee brand is built on the art of unique, in-house roasting. By sourcing premium, ethically grown beans from around the globe, we ensure every cup delivers unparalleled freshness and flavor. Our expert roasters meticulously craft each batch, unlocking the distinct profiles and aromas that set us apart. From rich, bold blends to delicate, nuanced single origins, our roasting process is a celebration of coffee's diversity. Committed to sustainability and quality, we bring you an exceptional coffee experience, roasted to perfection and tailored to delight even the most discerning coffee enthusiasts.

Franchising

For franchising inquiries please see www.happybellyfg.com/franchise-with-us/ or contact us at hello@happybellyfg.com.

About Happy Belly Food Group

Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) ("Happy Belly" or the "Company") is a leading consolidator of emerging food brands.

Happy Belly Food Group

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Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release, which has been prepared by management.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-Looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur and include the future performance of Happy Belly and her subsidiaries. Forward-Looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the business plans for Happy Belly described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis and other disclosure filings with Canadian securities regulators, which are posted on www.sedarplus.ca.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/236407

SOURCE: Happy Belly Food Group Inc.
Info-Tech Research Group, a global leader in IT research and advisory, has recently published its Best of 2024 report. The report highlights IT's focus on foundational improvements in AI, cybersecurity, data quality, and workforce strategies over the past year, positioning organisations to thrive in an era of exponential technologies.

LONDON, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Info-Tech Research Group highlights in its recently published Best of 2024 report that exponential advancements in AI and other emerging technologies are reshaping how organisations are preparing for the future. The global research and advisory firm's Best of 2024 report showcases the most sought-after resources and trends that defined IT priorities and strategies over the past year. Based on trending research consumption and insights, the report indicates that IT leaders are prioritising building strong operational foundations to stay competitive and drive innovation as they look forward to the coming year. The firm explains in the new resource that the technology changes experienced over the past 12 months are not just transforming IT departments but are also influencing broader business strategies and decision-making processes in the long term.

'The Best of 2024 report highlights the strategic priorities that UK IT leaders have embraced to address the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly evolving technology landscape,' says Phil Brunkard, Executive Counselor at Info-Tech Research Group, UK. 'Organisations that focus on foundational improvements in cybersecurity, AI, and operational efficiency will be in a stronger position to navigate today's uncertainties and lead the charge into 2025 and an era defined by exponential technologies.'

The Best of 2024 report reveals that IT leaders strategically prioritised core areas such as cybersecurity, data quality, and operational efficiency while also addressing emerging opportunities in AI and advanced analytics. Info-Tech's most popular research in 2024 included The CIO Playbook, AI Trends 2025, Tech Trends 2025, and IT Talent Trends 2025, reflecting IT's commitment to aligning technology strategies with organisational goals and addressing both immediate and future challenges.

'Our Best of 2024 report details trends that reflect a critical shift in IT leadership, where the emphasis has moved beyond keeping pace and responding to technological change to actively driving it,' says Gord Harrison, Chief Research Officer at Info-Tech Research Group. 'Progressive IT leaders are not just addressing immediate needs but are strategically positioning their organisations to harness the transformative potential of exponential technologies like AI and advanced analytics.'

Key Highlights from Info-Tech's Best of 2024 Report:

Strengthening Core IT Foundations : IT leaders prioritised improving service desk performance, data quality, and analytics to enhance operational efficiency. Among the most popular resources were Standardise the Service Desk and IT Management & Governance Framework Capstone .

: IT leaders prioritised improving service desk performance, data quality, and analytics to enhance operational efficiency. Among the most popular resources were and . Proactively Addressing Cybersecurity Risks : Blueprints like Develop a Comprehensive IAM Improvement Strategy and Build an Information Security Strategy supported IT leaders in mitigating privacy and security threats.

: Blueprints like and supported IT leaders in mitigating privacy and security threats. Harnessing AI and Advanced Analytics : Actionable guidance from Build Your AI Strategy Roadmap and AI Trends 2025 enabled IT teams to integrate emerging technologies, driving innovation and maintaining competitiveness.

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Delivered Net Sales of $952M , an Increase of 2% Compared to the Prior Year

Grew Operating Profit to $133M , Flat Compared to the Prior Year; Adjusted Operating Profit of $159M , up 3% Over the Prior Year

Reported Diluted EPS of $3.35 , up 4% Over the Prior Year; Adjusted Diluted EPS of $3.97 , up 7% Over the Prior Year

Completed the Acquisition of QSC, LLC Effective January 1, 2025

ATLANTA, Jan. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE: AYI) (the "Company"), a market-leading industrial technology company, announced net sales of $951.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 ended November 30, 2024, an increase of $16.9 million, or 1.8 percent, compared to the prior year.

"Our fiscal 2025 first quarter performance was solid," stated Neil Ashe, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Acuity Brands, Inc. "We delivered sales growth, increased our adjusted operating profit and adjusted operating profit margin, and increased our adjusted diluted earnings per share." Neil Ashe went on to say, "We're also pleased to welcome QSC to Acuity, having successfully closed the acquisition last week."

Operating profit was $133.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, an increase of $0.4 million, or 0.3 percent, compared to the prior year. Operating profit as a percent of net sales was 14.0 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, a decrease of 20 basis points compared to the prior year. Adjusted operating profit was $158.7 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, an increase of $4.8 million, or 3.1 percent, compared to the prior year. Adjusted operating profit as a percent of net sales was 16.7 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, an increase of 20 basis points compared to the prior year.

Diluted earnings per share was $3.35 in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, an increase of $0.14, or 4.4 percent, compared to the prior year. Adjusted diluted earnings per share was $3.97 in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, an increase of $0.25, or 6.7 percent, from $3.72 in the prior year.

Segment Performance

Acuity Brands Lighting

Acuity Brands Lighting generated net sales of $886.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, an increase of $9.6 million, or 1.1 percent, compared to the prior year.

Operating profit was $143.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, a decrease of $0.5 million, or 0.3 percent, compared to the prior year. Operating profit as a percent of Acuity Brands Lighting net sales was 16.2 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, a decrease of 20 basis points compared to the prior year. Adjusted operating profit was $153.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, a decrease of $0.3 million, or 0.2 percent, compared to the prior year. Adjusted operating profit as a percent of Acuity Brands Lighting net sales was 17.3 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, a decrease of 20 basis points compared to the prior year.

Acuity Intelligent Spaces

Acuity Intelligent Spaces generated net sales of $73.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, an increase of $9.3 million, or 14.5 percent, compared to the prior year.

Operating profit was $10.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, an increase of $5.5 million compared to the prior year. Operating profit as a percent of Acuity Intelligent Spaces net sales was 14.7 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, an increase of 640 basis points compared to the prior year. Adjusted operating profit was $15.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, an increase of $5.1 million compared to the prior year. Adjusted operating profit as a percent of Acuity Intelligent Spaces net sales was 21.0 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, an increase of 500 basis points compared to the prior year.

Cash Flow and Capital Allocation

Net cash from operating activities was $132.2 million for the first three months of fiscal 2025. During the quarter the Company repurchased approximately 17,000 shares of common stock for a total of approximately $5 million.

Post-Quarter Events

Effective January 1, 2025, the Company completed the acquisition of QSC, LLC. The acquisition expands Acuity's Intelligent Spaces into cloud-manageable audio, video and control. The gross purchase price was $1.215 billion, or $1.1 billion net of approximately $100 million in present value of expected tax benefits.

Today's Call Details

The Company will host a conference call at 8:00 a.m. (ET) today, Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Neil Ashe, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Acuity Brands, Inc. will lead the call. The conference call and earnings release can be accessed via the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at www.investors.acuitybrands.com. A replay of the call will also be posted to the Investor Relations website within two hours of the completion of the conference call and will be available on the website for a limited time.

About Acuity Brands

Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE: AYI) is a market-leading industrial technology company. We use technology to solve problems in spaces, light, and more things to come. Through our two business segments, Acuity Brands Lighting and Acuity Intelligent Spaces, we design, manufacture, and bring to market products and services that make a valuable difference in people's lives.

We achieve growth through the development of innovative new products and services, including lighting, lighting controls, building management solutions, and an audio, video and control platform. We achieve customer-focused efficiencies that allow us to increase market share and deliver superior returns. We look to aggressively deploy capital to grow the business and to enter attractive new verticals.

Acuity Brands, Inc. is based in Atlanta, Georgia, with operations across North America, Europe, and Asia. The Company is powered by approximately 13,000 dedicated and talented associates. Visit us at www.acuitybrands.com

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This news release includes the following non-generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") financial measures: "adjusted operating profit" and "adjusted operating profit margin" for total company and by segment; "adjusted net income;" "adjusted diluted EPS;" "earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization ("EBITDA");" "EBITDA margin;" "adjusted EBITDA;" and "adjusted EBITDA margin". These non-GAAP financial measures are provided to enhance the reader's overall understanding of the Company's current financial performance and prospects for the future. Specifically, management believes that these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to investors by excluding or adjusting items for amortization of acquired intangible assets, share-based payment expense, and acquisition-related items.

We also provide "free cash flow" ("FCF") to enhance the reader's understanding of the Company's ability to generate additional cash from its business.

Management typically adjusts for these items for internal reviews of performance and uses the above non-GAAP measures for baseline comparative operational analysis, decision making, and other activities. Management believes these non-GAAP measures provide greater comparability and enhanced visibility into the Company's results of operations as well as comparability with many of its peers, especially those companies focused more on technology and software. Non-GAAP financial measures included in this news release should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or superior to, results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

The most directly comparable GAAP measures for adjusted operating profit and adjusted operating profit margin for total company and by segment are "operating profit" and "operating profit margin," respectively, for total company and by segment, which include the impact of amortization of acquired intangible assets and share-based payment expense. Adjusted operating profit margin is adjusted operating profit divided by net sales for total company and by segment. The most directly comparable GAAP measures for adjusted net income and adjusted diluted EPS are "net income" and "diluted EPS," respectively, which include the impact of amortization of acquired intangible assets, share-based payment expense, and acquisition-related items. Adjusted diluted EPS is adjusted net income divided by diluted weighted average shares outstanding. The most directly comparable GAAP measure for EBITDA is "net income", which includes the impact of net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, and amortization of acquired intangible assets. EBITDA margin is EBITDA divided by net sales for total company. The most directly comparable GAAP measure for adjusted EBITDA is "net income", which includes the impact of net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization of acquired intangible assets, share-based payment expense, acquisition-related items, and miscellaneous (income) expense, net. Adjusted EBITDA margin is adjusted EBITDA divided by net sales for total company. A reconciliation of each measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure is available in this news release.

The Company defines FCF as net cash provided by operating activities less purchases of property, plant and equipment. A calculation of this measure is available in this news release.

The Company's non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies, have limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP financial measures. Our presentation of such measures, which may include adjustments to exclude unusual or non-recurring items, should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by other unusual or non-recurring items.

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"). Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that describe or relate to the Company's plans, initiatives, projections, vision, goals, targets, commitments, expectations, objectives, prospects, strategies, or financial outlook, and the assumptions underlying or relating thereto. In some cases, we may use words such as "expect," "believe," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "forecast," "indicate," "project," "predict," "plan," "may," "will," "could," "should," "would," "potential," and words of similar meaning, as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions, or circumstances, to identify forward-looking statements. We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Act. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Our forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions, which may not prove to be accurate, and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, assumptions, and other important factors, many of which are outside of our control and any of which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are discussed in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent annual report on Form 10-K (including, but not limited to, the sections titled "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations"), quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made. This press release is not comprehensive, and for that reason, should be read in conjunction with such filings. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect any events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

ACUITY BRANDS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except per-share data)



November 30, 2024 August 31, 2024 (unaudited) ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 935.6 $ 845.8 Accounts receivable, less reserve for doubtful accounts of $1.9 and $1.9, respectively 534.7 563.0 Inventories 391.1 387.6 Prepayments and other current assets 75.9 75.1 Total current assets 1,937.3 1,871.5 Property, plant, and equipment, net 299.8 303.9 Operating lease right-of-use assets 61.1 65.6 Goodwill 1,091.8 1,098.7 Intangible assets, net 440.3 440.5 Deferred income taxes 2.4 2.3 Other long-term assets 31.6 32.1 Total assets $ 3,864.3 $ 3,814.6 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 331.5 $ 352.3 Current operating lease liabilities 18.9 19.2 Accrued compensation 72.7 110.1 Other current liabilities 227.5 206.3 Total current liabilities 650.6 687.9 Long-term debt 496.3 496.2 Long-term operating lease liabilities 54.4 58.1 Accrued pension liabilities 37.5 37.5 Deferred income taxes 25.6 26.0 Other long-term liabilities 136.5 130.1 Total liabilities 1,400.9 1,435.8 Stockholders' equity: Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share; 50.0 shares authorized; none issued - - Common stock, $0.01 par value per share; 500.0 shares authorized; 54.8 and 54.6 issued, respectively 0.5 0.5 Paid-in capital 1,120.5 1,115.9 Retained earnings 4,012.0 3,909.8 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (131.7 ) (114.9 ) Treasury stock, at cost, of 23.8 and 23.8 shares, respectively (2,537.9 ) (2,532.5 ) Total stockholders' equity 2,463.4 2,378.8 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 3,864.3 $ 3,814.6

ACUITY BRANDS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)

(In millions, except per-share data)



Three Months Ended November 30, 2024 November 30, 2023 Net sales $ 951.6 $ 934.7 Cost of products sold 502.3 506.3 Gross profit 449.3 428.4 Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses 316.0 295.5 Operating profit 133.3 132.9 Other (income) expense: Interest (income) expense, net (4.0 ) 0.9 Miscellaneous expense, net 2.5 1.1 Total other (income) expense (1.5 ) 2.0 Income before income taxes 134.8 130.9 Income tax expense 28.1 30.3 Net income $ 106.7 $ 100.6 Earnings per share(1): Basic earnings per share $ 3.45 $ 3.25 Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding 30.930 31.005 Diluted earnings per share $ 3.35 $ 3.21 Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding 31.799 31.365 Dividends declared per share $ 0.15 $ 0.13

(1) Earnings per share is calculated using unrounded numbers. Amounts in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding.

ACUITY BRANDS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

(In millions)



Three Months Ended November 30, 2024 November 30, 2023 Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 106.7 $ 100.6 Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows from operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 21.6 22.7 Share-based payment expense 12.1 11.1 Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and divestitures: Accounts receivable 25.2 37.8 Inventories (5.1 ) 3.2 Prepayments and other current assets (1.8 ) (5.3 ) Accounts payable (14.5 ) 28.7 Other operating activities (12.0 ) (8.8 ) Net cash provided by operating activities 132.2 190.0 Cash flows from investing activities: Purchases of property, plant, and equipment (18.9 ) (14.6 ) Other investing activities 0.5 0.1 Net cash used for investing activities (18.4 ) (14.5 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Repurchases of common stock (6.7 ) (48.2 ) Proceeds from stock option exercises and other 15.6 1.6 Payments of taxes withheld on net settlement of equity awards (23.1 ) (9.0 ) Dividends paid (4.5 ) (4.1 ) Net cash used for financing activities (18.7 ) (59.7 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (5.3 ) (0.4 ) Net change in cash and cash equivalents 89.8 115.4 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 845.8 397.9 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 935.6 $ 513.3

ACUITY BRANDS, INC.

DISAGGREGATED NET SALES

(In millions)



The following tables show net sales by channel for the periods presented:



Three Months Ended November 30, 2024 November 30, 2023 Increase (Decrease) Percent Change Acuity Brands Lighting: Independent sales network $ 643.9 $ 625.2 $ 18.7 3.0 % Direct sales network 107.2 97.4 9.8 10.1 % Retail sales 44.9 55.6 (10.7 ) (19.2 )% Corporate accounts 32.7 41.5 (8.8 ) (21.2 )% Original equipment manufacturer and other 57.3 56.7 0.6 1.1 % Total Acuity Brands Lighting 886.0 876.4 9.6 1.1 % Acuity Intelligent Spaces 73.5 64.2 9.3 14.5 % Eliminations (7.9 ) (5.9 ) (2.0 ) 33.9 % Total $ 951.6 $ 934.7 $ 16.9 1.8 %

ACUITY BRANDS, INC.

Reconciliation of Non-U.S. GAAP Measures



The tables below reconcile certain GAAP financial measures to the corresponding non-GAAP measures for total Company as well as our reportable operating segments (in millions except per share data):



Three Months Ended November

30, 2024 November

30, 2023 Increase

(Decrease) Percent

Change Net sales $ 951.6 $ 934.7 $ 16.9 1.8 % Operating profit (GAAP) $ 133.3 $ 132.9 $ 0.4 0.3 % Percent of net sales (GAAP) 14.0 % 14.2 % (20 ) bps Add-back: Amortization of acquired intangible assets 8.7 9.9 Add-back: Share-based payment expense 12.1 11.1 Add-back: Acquisition-related items(1) 4.6 - Adjusted operating profit (Non-GAAP) $ 158.7 $ 153.9 $ 4.8 3.1 % Percent of net sales (Non-GAAP) 16.7 % 16.5 % 20 bps Net income (GAAP) $ 106.7 $ 100.6 $ 6.1 6.1 % Add-back: Amortization of acquired intangible assets 8.7 9.9 Add-back: Share-based payment expense 12.1 11.1 Add-back: Acquisition-related items(1) 4.6 - Total pre-tax adjustments to net income 25.4 21.0 Income tax effects (5.8 ) (4.8 ) Adjusted net income (Non-GAAP) $ 126.3 $ 116.8 $ 9.5 8.1 % Diluted earnings per share (GAAP) $ 3.35 $ 3.21 $ 0.14 4.4 % Adjusted diluted earnings per share (Non-GAAP) $ 3.97 $ 3.72 $ 0.25 6.7 % Net income (GAAP) $ 106.7 $ 100.6 $ 6.1 6.1 % Percent of net sales (GAAP) 11.2 % 10.8 % 40 bps Interest (income) expense, net (4.0 ) 0.9 Income tax expense 28.1 30.3 Depreciation 12.9 12.8 Amortization of acquired intangible assets 8.7 9.9 EBITDA (Non-GAAP) 152.4 154.5 (2.1 ) (1.4 )% Percent of net sales (Non-GAAP) 16.0 % 16.5 % (50 ) bps Share-based payment expense 12.1 11.1 Acquisition-related items(1) 4.6 - Miscellaneous expense, net 2.5 1.1 Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) $ 171.6 $ 166.7 $ 4.9 2.9 % Percent of net sales (Non-GAAP) 18.0 % 17.8 % 20 bps

(1) Acquisition-related items include professional fees.

Three Months Ended Acuity Brands Lighting November 30, 2024 November 30, 2023 Increase (Decrease) Percent Change Net sales $ 886.0 $ 876.4 $ 9.6 1.1 % Operating profit (GAAP) $ 143.3 $ 143.8 $ (0.5 ) (0.3 )% Add-back: Amortization of acquired intangible assets 5.9 6.5 Add-back: Share-based payment expense 4.3 3.5 Adjusted operating profit (Non-GAAP) $ 153.5 $ 153.8 $ (0.3 ) (0.2 )% Operating profit margin (GAAP) 16.2 % 16.4 % (20 ) bps Adjusted operating profit margin (Non-GAAP) 17.3 % 17.5 % (20 ) bps

Three Months Ended Acuity Intelligent Spaces November 30, 2024 November 30, 2023 Increase (Decrease) Percent Change Net sales $ 73.5 $ 64.2 $ 9.3 14.5 % Operating profit (GAAP) $ 10.8 $ 5.3 $ 5.5 103.8 % Add-back: Amortization of acquired intangible assets 2.8 3.4 Add-back: Share-based payment expense 1.8 1.6 Adjusted operating profit (Non-GAAP) $ 15.4 $ 10.3 $ 5.1 49.5 % Operating profit margin (GAAP) 14.7 % 8.3 % 640 bps Adjusted operating profit margin (Non-GAAP) 21.0 % 16.0 % 500 bps

Three Months Ended November 30, 2024 November 30, 2023 Increase (Decrease) Percent Change Net cash provided by operating activities (GAAP) $ 132.2 $ 190.0 $ (57.8 ) (30.4 )% Less: Purchases of property, plant, and equipment (18.9 ) (14.6 ) Free cash flow (Non-GAAP) $ 113.3 $ 175.4 $ (62.1 ) (35.4 )%



Investor Contact:

Charlotte McLaughlin

Vice President, Investor Relations

(404) 853-1456

investorrelations@acuitybrands.com

Media Contact:

April Appling

Vice President, Corporate Communications

corporatecommunications@acuitybrands.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 8, 2025) - Midnight Sun Mining Corporation (TSXV: MMA) (OTC Pink: MDNGF) ("Midnight Sun" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the completion of the previously announced exploration program at the Kazhiba Target, located on the Company's Solwezi Property in Zambia (see news release dated September 19th, 2024). The exploration program consisted of reverse circulation drilling ("RC Drilling") designed to delineate near surface oxide copper mineralization, an induced polarization survey ("IP Survey") to test nearby anomalies for potential sulfide target generation, and partial ionic leach sampling to identify additional targets previously masked by the regional regolith.

Midnight Sun's President & CEO, Al Fabbro, states: "Our COO, Dr. Kevin Bonel, has led our team to the very swift and successful completion of this exciting new phase of exploration work at Kazhiba. 2025 is off to an excellent start, and this recent work serves as a testament to the incredible team we have built. We now await assays, which will dictate the next steps at Kazhiba. This marks a pivotal milestone achieved under our Cooperative Exploration Plan with First Quantum and we look forward to delivering results shortly."

2024 Kazhiba Exploration Program Details

RC Drilling

The Company completed a total of 2,005 metres of RC Drilling within 54 holes. The total number of metres drilled were less than originally planned due to shallower than estimated depth to bedrock. This spatially constrained drill pattern was designed to form the basis of an oxide mineral resource estimate.

IP Survey

A wide spaced IP Survey has been completed over additional targets at Kazhiba to identify stratigraphic conductors for future drill testing of possible sulphide sources of the Kazhiba oxide blanket. Additional targets could represent standalone opportunities within the licence.

Partial Ionic Leach Soil Sampling

The company completed a geochemical survey over the Kazhiba License using partial ionic leach sampling, a proprietary technique developed by ALS Chemex. This method is extremely sensitive and thought to be more effective than traditional geochemical techniques at identifying base metal anomalies when searching for covered areas of mineralisation. This new geochemical 'fingerprint' over the known mineralised area of Kazhiba will help with the interpretation of the sampling data on the rest of the licence, potentially leading to new, similar targets.

Qualified Person: Darin Labrenz, P.Geo., a Qualified Person under NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical data and contents of this release.

About Midnight Sun

Midnight Sun is focused on exploring our flagship Solwezi Project, located in Zambia. Situated in the heart of the Zambia-Congo Copperbelt, the second largest copper producing region in the world, our property is vast and highly prospective. Our Solwezi Project is surrounded by world-class producing copper mines, including Africa's largest copper mining complex right next door, First Quantum's Kansanshi Mine. Led by an experienced geological team with multiple discoveries and mines around the world to their credit, Midnight Sun intends to find and develop Zambia's next generational copper deposit.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF MIDNIGHT SUN MINING CORP.

Al Fabbro

President & CEO

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEW RELEASE.

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation that are based on expectations, estimates, assumptions, and projections as at the date of this news release. The information in this news release about the resolution of mineral exploration licence renewals, timing, and ability of the Company to obtain the approval of relevant regulatory bodies, if at all; and any other information herein that is not a historical fact may be "forward-looking statements." Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (which may, but not always, include phrases such as "anticipates", "plans", "scheduled", "believed" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements and are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Such factors include, among others, risks relating to the timing and ability of the Company to obtain and the timing of the approval of relevant regulatory bodies, if at all; risks relating to property interests; risks related to access to the project; risks inherent in mineral exploration, including the fact that any particular phase of exploration may be unsuccessful; geo-political risks; the global economic climate; metal prices; environmental risks; political risks; and community and non-governmental actions. Neither the Company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any such forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake, and assumes no obligation, to update or revise any such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/236399

SOURCE: Midnight Sun Mining Corp.
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Meta has announced that it is ending its third party fact-checking program and moving to a Community Notes model on its social media platforms.The technology giant said in an announcement Tuesday that it is doing away with third party fact-checking program as it wants to fix increasingly complex systems developed to manage content across its platforms, and to return to the fundamental commitment made by Mark Zuckerberg to free expression.'This approach has gone too far. Many of these efforts have expanded over time to the point where we are making too many mistakes, frustrating our users and too often getting in the way of the free expression we set out to enable. Too much harmless content gets censored, too many people find themselves wrongly locked up in 'Facebook jail,' and we are often too slow to respond when they do,' said Joel Kaplan, Meta Chief Global Affairs Officer.'We will allow more speech by lifting restrictions on some topics that are part of mainstream discourse and focusing our enforcement on illegal and high-severity violations. We will take a more personalized approach to political content, so that people who want to see more of it in their feeds can.'Once the program is up and running, Meta won't write Community Notes or decide which ones show up. They are written and rated by contributing users. Just like they do on X, Community Notes will require agreement between people with a range of perspectives to help prevent biased ratings.Meta said it intends to be transparent about how different viewpoints inform the Notes displayed in its apps, and are working on the right way to share this information.The company plans to phase in Community Notes in the U.S. first over the next couple of months, and will continue to improve it over the course of the year. 'As we make the transition, we will get rid of our fact-checking control, stop demoting fact checked content and, instead of overlaying full screen interstitial warnings you have to click through before you can even see the post, we will use a much less obtrusive label indicating that there is additional information for those who want to see it'.Meta admitted that it has been 'over-enforcing' rules, limiting legitimate political debate and censoring too much trivial content and subjecting too many people to frustrating enforcement actions.Citing an example, Meta said that in December, millions of pieces of content were removed from its social media platforms every day. 'While these actions account for less than 1% of content produced every day, we think one to two out of every 10 of these actions may have been mistakes.'Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
OXFORD, England, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Park Signalling, a Unipart company, has won a 3m contract with Network Rail to produce a Design Workstation that will support Solid State Interlocking (SSI) signalling systems in the UK.

Configuring SSI systems requires specialised knowledge of railway signalling principles, interlocking logic, and the SSI technology being used.

Park Signalling's Design Workstation will replace obsolete and unsupported technology, and provide rail engineers with the hardware and software needed to test, configure and make changes to SSI interlockings on a new technology platform.

Marc Winterton, Managing Director, Park Signalling, said: "We are delighted to continue a long-term partnership with Network Rail, by developing a replacement Design Workstation that is critical to the long-term efficiency of SSI signalling systems.

"The award is testament to the innovation and unrivalled technical expertise that gives Network Rail confidence in our ability to deliver signalling, control and obsolescence solutions that enhance the safety and efficiency of UK railways.

"The new Design Workstation will provide an update to the way that SSI signalling systems can be managed, by allowing engineers to create and modify interlocking logic, configure trackside equipment, and perform testing and simulations in a safe and controlled environment.

"This will not only improve the efficiency of rail infrastructure, but also bolster the overall safety of the rail network, by minimising downtime and ensuring efficient operation of rail services.

"We look forward to working with Network Rail, and leveraging our expertise and resources to ensure the success of this project."

Dr. David McGorman, Managing Director, Unipart Technologies Group, said: "Unipart's commitment to safety, sustainability, and efficiency has been central to nearly three decades' of delivering innovative technology and supply chain solutions to the global rail industry.

"This latest collaboration with Network Rail further demonstrates Unipart's ability to provide cutting-edge technology solutions for the rail industry that nobody else can.

"By combining Park Signalling's deep technical understanding, with Unipart's commitment to performance improvement in the rail industry, we are uniquely positioned to address Network Rail's critical project requirements and to drive continued progress within the rail sector."

Park Signalling will begin work on the project immediately, with an anticipated completion date of September 2026.

For further information, please contact:

Alistair Drummond, Head of External Communications

T: +44(0)7771 798835

E: alistair.drummond@unipart.com

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2593580/Unipart_Signals_Paddingtonstation.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/park-signalling-wins-3m-contract-with-network-rail-to-produce-ssi-design-workstation-302345702.html
Frankfurt Airport operator Fraport AG demonstrates strong market momentum as its stock price climbs to 58.20, marking a 0.87 percent increase. This positive trajectory is further reinforced by Goldman Sachs' revised outlook, which has elevated its target price for Fraport shares from 87 to 90, maintaining its buy recommendation. The company's robust market position is reflected in its 5.4 billion market capitalization and an attractive projected price-earnings ratio of 11.42 for 2025, while its year-to-date performance shows an impressive 8.81 percent gain.

Financial Reporting Schedule

To maintain transparency with investors, Fraport has announced its comprehensive financial reporting calendar for 2025. The schedule begins with the annual and consolidated financial reports on March 18, followed by quarterly statements on May 13 and November 11, with the half-year report scheduled for August 5. These reports will be made available in both German and English through the company's investor relations portal, providing detailed insights into the airport operator's business development.

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Fresh Fraport information released. What's the impact for investors? Our latest independent report examines recent figures and market trends.

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TDG Gold Corp. (TSXV:TDG) (the "Company" or "TDG") is pleased to announce an updated Mineral Resource Estimate1 ("MRE") incorporating the results of (1) its relogging, resampling and assay program of 2007 and 2010 historical diamond drillholes comprising ~3,250 metres ("m") at the former producing Shasta gold-silver ("Au-Ag") mine and (2) its 2024 drill program at the Tailings Storage Facility #1 ("TSF1") located adjacent to the Baker Mill. The key outcomes of the updated MRE are improved grades and a significant reduction in the estimated quantity of waste rock within the conceptual mineral resource limiting pit. An updated technical report will be filed on the Company's website and SEDAR within 45 calendar days of this disclosure.

Highlights: Updated Mineral Resource Estimate (see Table 1; below for details)

Indicated Mineral Resource of 515.8 thousand ounces ("koz") gold equivalent ("AuEq*") grading 1.35 grams per tonne ("g/t") AuEq*(see Table 1 below for grades by metal and Table 1 Notes for AuEq* calculation) contained within 11.9 million metric tonnes ("Mt").

2 Inferred Mineral Resource of 505.5 koz AuEq* grading 1.04 g/t AuEq 2 , contained within 15.14 Mt and including 12,120 oz AuEq* grading 1.37 g/t AuEq* contained within TSF1 (see Table 1 below for grades by metal and Table 1 Notes for AuEq* calculation).

Cut-off grade maintained at 0.4 g/t AuEq* cut-off grade ("COG") for the base case.

Significant silver contribution (14.2 million ounces ("Moz") Indicated / 14.3 Moz Inferred) included in the AuEq* ounces.

MRE conceptual pit outline extends to within 100 m of the Newberry exploration target zone 3 which has never been drill tested (Figure 1) .

MRE shows continuity and consistency , with an increased COG resulting in a relatively minor reduction in the pit-constrained AuEq* ounces within the Shasta deposit, while increasing the grade ( Table 1 ). The MRE for TSF1 is an inaugural estimate.

Shasta deposit remainsopen at depth and along strike 3 (see TDG news release March 20, 2023).

MRE does not include any of the Greater Shasta-Newberry3 satellite exploration target zones, or any of the second Tailings Storage Facility,located adjacent to TSF13 (Figure 2).

Fletcher Morgan, TDG's CEO, commented: "TheShasta mineral resource demonstrates continuity and consistency across the deposit and ~25% of the estimated AuEq* is contributed by silver. There are known parts of the deposit that merit further HQ drilling, as both infill and larger diameter core have consistently increased the grade of the areas drilled. However, the greater opportunity is testing for potential extensions to the mineralized system, particularly the 2.5 kilometre 'Fisher Zone3' extending from Shasta to the boundary with the Freeport-Amarc JV ground to southeast (Figure 1); and the Newberry exploration target area3 immediately north of the Shasta MRE, which has never been drill tested.

The calculated 12,100 AuEq* ounces within TSF1 is in line with the historical4 production records at Baker-Shasta from 1981-2012 and is located within our Baker-Shasta Permitted Mine Area. The definition of an inaugural Inferred2 MRE at TSF1 represents an opportunity to convert a potential liability into a net asset by demonstrating a path to reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction."

2Inferred Mineral Resources are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable their classification as Mineral Reserves. However, it is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Measured or Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration and additional data.

Table 1 - Shasta Updated 2024 Mineral Resource Estimate including Sensitivity (base case highlighted)*

Class AuEq

Cutoff In Situ Tonnage and Grade AuEq*

Metal Au

Metal Ag

Metal AuEq* Au Ag NSR (g/t) Mt (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) ($CDN) (koz) (koz) (koz) Indicated (Shasta) 0.30 15.169 1.13 0.86 31.2 101 552.3 417.2 15,231 0.35 13.327 1.24 0.94 34.4 111 533.1 402.6 14,718 0.40 11.881 1.35 1.02 37.3 120 515.8 389.3 14,256 0.45 10.710 1.45 1.10 40.2 129 499.8 377.1 13,832 0.50 9.743 1.55 1.17 42.9 138 485.1 365.9 13,438 1.00 4.580 2.50 1.89 69.3 223 368.5 278.0 10,207 Inferred

(Shasta) 0.30 19.331 0.87 0.65 24.9 78 543.1 405.9 15,469 0.35 16.927 0.95 0.71 27.0 85 518.1 387.9 14,683 0.40 14.865 1.03 0.78 29.1 92 493.4 370.2 13,888 0.45 12.930 1.12 0.85 31.4 100 467.0 351.1 13,066 0.50 11.482 1.21 0.91 33.5 107 444.9 335.2 12,374 1.00 4.388 2.02 1.56 51.9 180 284.5 219.6 7,323 Inferred

(TSF1) N/A 0.276 1.37 0.97 45.0 122 12.1 8.6 398

*Notes to the MRE table:

The Mineral Resource estimate has been prepared by Sue Bird, P.Eng., an independent Qualified Person. The effective date of the mineral resource estimate is December 29, 2024. Mineral Resources are reported using the 2014 CIM Definition Standards and were estimated in accordance with the CIM 2019 Best Practices Guidelines, as required by NI43-101. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all Mineral Resources will be converted into Mineral Reserves. The Mineral Resource has been confined by a "reasonable prospects of eventual economic extraction" pit using the following assumptions, which were estimated from comparable projects: Au price of US$2,250/oz, Ag price of US$25/oz at an exchange rate of 0.74 US$ per CDN$; a 1.5 % NSR royalty; 93 % metallurgical recovery for Au, based on past TDG test work, historical mill records4 and nearby project comparables6; 86 % recovery for Ag based on nearby project comparables6 and, while prior MREs assumed somewhat lower Ag recoveries based on historical mill records4 and limited past TDG test work , test work was not optimized for Ag recoveries. Further, test work at comparable projects indicate that improvement could be expected; 99.9 % payable Au; 95.0 % payable Ag; US$7.00/oz Au and US$3.00/oz Ag offsite costs (refining, transport and insurance); Mining costs of CDN$4.00/tonne mineralized material; Processing Costs of CDN$15/tonne and G&A of CDN$8.00/tonne processed; Pit slopes of 45 degrees. The resulting NSR equation is: NSR (CDN$) = 95.79*Au Grade*0.93 + 0.92*Ag Grade*0.86 The resulting AuEq equation is: AuEq = Au + Ag*0.00887 The bulk density of the deposit is based on 2021 & 2022 measurements and is assumed to be 2.61 throughout the deposit and 2.00 for overburden. Numbers may not sum due to rounding.

Figure 1: Shasta Plan Map with MRE Resource-limiting Pit Outline

Figure 2: Tailings Storage Facility 1 & 2

Overview

The 2024 MRE update was based on the incorporation of ~3,250 m of historical diamond drilling from the 2007 (16 drillholes now included) and 2010 (10 drillholes now included) drill campaigns. These drillholes were not included in prior MRE calculations as collars could not accurately be validated and/or assay data was not recovered as part of the acquisition. However, TDG has since: (i) re-logged, re-sampled and assayed the cores (where available) with modern assaying techniques, and (ii) completed a comprehensive data validation and ground-truthing to confidently place those collars in 3D space. This endeavour was one of the 'low hanging fruit' objectives from the Shasta MRE forward plan (see TDG news release May 01, 2023). The result is an increase in grade and decrease in tonnage (Figure 3). Additionally, metal prices and NSR derived costs have been updated to reflect a higher price environment.

Figure 3 - 2022 vs. 2023 vs. 2024 MRE Visual Comparison.

Note: the 2022, 2023 and 2024 MREs each have their own set of assumptions and modifying factors and are not directly comparable estimates, but this figure is provided for illustration purposes.

Mineral Resource overview

The Shasta deposit mineral resource database consists of 367 drillholes with 19,896 assay intervals from 1983 through 2022 drilling. This represents 23,936 m of assayed intervals at an average interval of 1.3 m per assay interval. Approximately 50 % of all assayed interval lengths of core used in the mineralized domains is comprised of TDG's modern, HQ diameter, oriented, diamond drill core from 2021 and 2022. The remaining assay intervals from the mineralized domains are from historical4,5 drilling. All data used for the MRE has been validated statistically to show no significant bias, either by twinned drillholes in 2021 or through statistical comparison of historical4,5 data with TDG drilling using Point Validation. Historical collar locations have also been validated by field validation of collar locations.

Two mineralized domains were generated based on: (i) the major north-south Shasta fault system as well as, (ii) the northwest trending, sub-vertical JM zone. The block model has a block size of 5 m x 5 m x 5 m to correspond to expected selective mining unit, with interpolation of Au and Ag by Inverse Distance Cubed ("ID3"). The interpolations were limited by the domain boundaries and were clipped to the overburden surface. Historical mine workings4 were removed from the in-situ mineral MRE.

There are no other known factors or issues that materially affect the MRE other than normal risks faced by mining projects in the province of British Columbia, Canada, in terms of environmental, permitting, taxation, socio-economic, marketing, and political factors and additional risk factors as listed in the "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information" section below.

Mineral Resource growth potential & Forward Plan

The Shasta Deposit still has many avenues for further improvements, including in-fill drilling to improve the confidence and continuity and potentially improve grade and/or classification as well as test the zones of known mineralized extension. Additionally, the Greater Shasta-Newberry project offers potential for the discovery of new mineralized zones3 that could increase the existing 2024 MRE. Such potential endeavours include:

'Scout' Drilling. Using a small mobile drill to drill test the Greater Shasta area following up on historical drilling and exploration that suggest additional proximal zones of mineralization, adjacent to the Shasta Deposit (Fisher, Hood, Cody Lee and North Shasta Zones3) Expansion Potential. The Shasta Deposit remains open along the strike and at depth, beyond the known and defined mineralized zones3. Further diamond drilling could unlock more mineralization to be incorporated into the Shasta Deposit MRE. 'Upgrade' Drilling. From data analysis, replacing historical holes (small diameter, historical assay methods) with modern, HQ (large diameter) diamond drilling coupled with modern precious metal assays has the potential to increase grade and confidence by providing more representative samples. Metallurgical testing. TDG has initiated Phase 1 metallurgical testing of core samples collected from the Shasta Project in order to optimize metallurgical recoveries and support future economic studies. Economic Studies. To take the known mineral deposit area in accordance with NI 43-101 and advance through studies to evaluate potential economic scenarios.

Steven Kramar, TDG's VP Exploration, commented: "Our systematic review of Greater Shasta continued throughout 2024, incorporating ~4,500 m of historical diamond drill core information that we recovered in 2023, in addition to the ~3,250 m of 2007 and 2010 specific information. We're now ready to launch a scout drill campaign, having identified multiple target locations to evaluate the four known extensions3 to the Shasta mineral deposit area with a priority focus on the Fisher Zone3. Our aim would be to follow-up with HQ diamond drilling to rapidly add additional mineral resources3 that offer the best potential to improve the overall scale and economics of the project. A similar approach would apply for expanding the high-grade gold Mets mining lease3. We continue to believe that Greater Shasta-Newberry & Mets, in combination, represent a compelling opportunity for the definition of a substantial global mineral resource in an established mining district."

Data Verification

TDG followed industry standard Quality Assurance/Quality Control ("QA/QC") protocols for the 2021 and 2022 drill programs by inserting blind certified reference materials ("CRMs"), field duplicates and blanks into the sample stream of core samples at sufficient proportions to primary core samples. QA/QC is maintained internally at the lab through rigorous use of internal CRMs, blanks, and duplicates.

If a QA/QC sample returned an unacceptable value an investigation into the results is triggered and, when deemed necessary, the samples that were tested in the batch with the failed QA/QC sample were re-tested.

The drill cores from 2021 and 2022 drilling were delivered to the core shack at TDG's Baker Mine site, and processed by geologists who inserted QA/QC samples into the sampling sequence. The drill core was cut in half (1/2 HQ core) and placed in zip-tied polyurethane bags, then in security-sealed rice bags before being delivered directly from the Baker Mine site to Bandstra Transportation Systems in Prince George, B.C., enroute to either:

SGS' laboratory in Burnaby, B.C., for preparation and analysis of 2021 drillcore samples. Samples were prepared and analyzed following procedures summarized in Table 2, where information about methodology can be found on the SGS Canada Website, in the analytical guide (here). ALS' preparation facility in Kamloops, B.C., and ultimately to the ALS' laboratory in North Vancouver, B.C., for 2022 and 2023 drillcore samples. Samples were prepared and analyzed following procedures summarized in Table 2, where information about methodology can be found on the ALS Global website, in the analytical guide (here).

Table 2 - 2021 & 2022 Assay Methodology

Year Lab Method (Au) Method (Ag) Method (Overlimit - Au) Method (Overlimit - Ag) 2021 SGS GO_FAI50V10 GE_IMS40Q12 N/A GO_ICP42Q100/GO_FAG37V 2022 ALS AU-ICP22 MEMS61 Au-GRA22 Ag-GRA22 2023 ALS AU-ICP22 MEMS61 Au-GRA22 Ag-GRA22

Historical4,5 data were verified using Point Validation, by interpolating the Au and Ag grades to locations of the historical4,5 data for comparison. In addition, two of the 2021 drillholes were twins of historical4,5 drilling. Based on these analyses, the historical4,5 drilling for years 1983 to 2006 show no significant bias.

Drill collar validation was completed using handheld (GARMIN GPSMAP64 or equivalent) GPS equipment, selecting a subset of historical4,5 collars to validate positions inherited from the historical4,5 database. In 2022, a DGPS was utilized to further validate historical4,5 collars and rectify locations into modern UTM NAD83 Zone: 9 north coordinate system (from a locally derived mine grid). Collar locations from the 1980/90s era drilling were validated for use in the mineral resource database.

Methods Used for the Mineral Resource Estimate

Grade Capping

Cumulative probability plots ("CPPs") for the assays within both domains have been used to determine high grade outliers which were capped (Table 3). CPPs of the composited data (composited at 2 m) have also been used to determine the Outlier Restriction during interpolation. Outlier restriction values are applied for distances beyond 5 m from the composite locations.

Table 3 - Capping and Outlier Restriction Values

Assay Capping Values Composite Outliers DOM Au # capped Ag # capped Au # of outliers Ag # of outliers (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) 1 100 1 5000 1 30 10 5 5 2 50 1 3000 1 5 9 1000 2

Variography and Interpolations

Variography was completed on each domain for Au and Ag to determine appropriate search parameters. Interpolation has been done by ID3 in 4 passes with increasing search distances up to 150 m for the major and minor axes. The modelled grades have been validated using de-clustered composites (Nearest Neighbour or Polygonal model) and indicate no global bias with appropriate smoothing throughout the grade-tonnage curves.

Classification of Mineral Resource Criteria

Volumes of the mineral resource that contained 2021 and/or 2022 drilling data with an average distance between two drillholes of 50 m (or less), were considered Indicated. The mineral resource was assigned to Inferred for all other blocks interpolated, with a Au grade.

Cut-off Grade

The COG was selected using AuEq* to cover, as a minimum, the processing and G&A costs and to account for the metallurgical recovery, smelter terms and royalties. In 2022, the base case COG was 0.3 g/t AuEq*which approximates the marginal economic COG; and in the 2023 and in the current, 2024 MRE the base case COG is assigned at 0.4 g/t AuEq*.

Qualified Person

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Steven Kramar, MSc., P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration for TDG., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

The technical information relating to the mineral resource estimate has been prepared by Sue Bird, P.Eng. (Moose Mountain Technical Services) a Qualified Person, as defined under National Instrument 43-101 and who is independent of TDG.

1Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE): All scientific and technical information relating to the TDG's Shasta Project pertaining to the Mineral Resource Estimate ("Shasta MRE") contained in this news release is derived from the Technical Report dated June 14, 2023 (with an effective date of February 11, 2023) titled "The Toodoggone Portfolio and the 2023 Resource Estimate for the Shasta Deposit" (the "2023 Technical Report") prepared by Sue Bird, MSc., P.Eng. of Moose Mountain Technical Services. The information contained herein in respect of the Shasta MRE is subject to all of the assumptions, qualifications and procedures set out in the 2023 Technical Report and reference should be made to the full text of the 2023 Technical Report, a copy of which has been filed with the securities regulators in each of the provinces of Canada (except Quebec) and is available on https://www.sedarplus.ca/. An updated technical report for the 2024 MRE will be filed within 45 days of this release.

2Inferred Mineral Resources: Inferred Mineral Resources are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable their classification as Mineral Reserves. However, it is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Measured or Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration and additional data.

3Mineral Exploration/Exploration Target Area(s): Exploration targets and/or Exploration zones and/or Exploration areas are speculative and there is no certainty that any future work or evaluation will lead to the definition of a mineral resource.

4Historical Data: This news release includes historical information that has been reviewed by TDG's qualified person (QP). TDG's review of the historical records and information reasonably substantiate the validity of the information presented in this news release; however, TDG cannot directly verify the accuracy of the historical data, including (but not limited to) the procedures used for sample collection and analysis. Therefore, any conclusions or interpretations borne from use of this data should be considered too speculative to suggest that additional exploration will result in mineral resource delineation. TDG encourages readers to exercise appropriate caution when evaluating these data and/or results.

5Historical Drill core Sampling & Assay Methodology: Historical core was geologically logged with lithologies identified and notable geological features recorded. Historical core was cut in half (and in rare cases sawn in half) along sample intervals (lithology and mineralization dependant) generally less than 3 m. Chemical analysis was performed dominantly for precious metal analysis (Au and Ag), and infrequently for base metals (Pb, Zn and Cu), and rarely for major elements and trace elements. Historically, different commercial laboratories were utilized in addition to an assay lab at Baker Mine site. These lab facilities may or may not have had accreditation and in all cases accreditation (if applicable) pre-dated current ISO standards. Over that period, a variety of digestion and assay methods were used, including atomic absorption, fire assay atomic absorption, aqua regia atomic absorption and aqua regia ICP with varying detection limits. Reference materials (if any) were inserted at the analytical level and thus were unblind to the facility processing the samples.

6Adjacent Properties: The Company has no interest in, or rights to, any of the adjacent properties mentioned, and mineral deposits on adjacent properties are not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the Company's properties. Any references to resources, grades, metallurgical or process studies, engineering studies or historical results are provided for information only and do not imply any certainty of achieving similar results on the Company's properties.

About TDG Gold Corp.

TDG is a major mineral tenure holder in the historical Toodoggone Production Corridor of north-central British Columbia, Canada, with over 32,000 hectares of brownfield and greenfield exploration opportunities under direct ownership. TDG's flagship projects are the former producing, high-grade gold-silver Shasta and Baker mines, which produced intermittently between 1981-2012, and the historical high-grade gold Mets developed prospect, all of which are road accessible, and combined have over 65,000 m of historical drilling. The projects have been advanced through compilation of historical data, new geological mapping, geochemical and geophysical surveys and, at Shasta, 13,250 m of modern HQ drill testing of the known mineralization occurrences and their potential extensions. In May 2023, TDG published an updated Mineral Resource Estimate for Shasta (news release May 01, 2023) which remains open at depth and along strike. In January 2023, TDG defined a larger exploration target area adjacent to Shasta ('Greater Shasta-Newberry'; news release Jan 25, 2023). In Fall 2023, TDG published the first modern drill results from the Mets mining lease (news releases Sep 07, 2023, Sep 11, 2023 and Nov 28, 2023). In early 2024, TDG identified new copper-gold target areas over an expanded footprint covering ~53 sq.km known as the 'Baker Complex' (news release Feb 28, 2024).

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Fletcher Morgan

Chief Executive Officer

For further information contact:

TDG Gold Corp.

Telephone: +1.604.536.2711

Email: info@tdggold.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the Company's current expectations and estimates. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "expand", "expect", "demonstrate", "outcome", "continue" "potential", "improve", "discover", "priority", "significant", "opportunity", "compel" "continuity", "consistent", "expected", "relative", "comprehensive", "confident", "concept", "unlock", "identify", "modest", and variations of these words as well as other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "could", "may", "would" or "will" occur. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results implied or expressed in such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others: the actual results of current and planned exploration activities; the potential to expand the Shasta MRE beyond its current limits and to convert unclassified material within the MRE-limiting pit to mineral resources; the interpretation of the Fisher, Hood, Cody Lee and other Zones as representing potential mineralized trends, and the potential for extensions to the Fisher, Hood, Cody Lee and other Zones; the interpretation that the Greater Shasta-Newberry Target Area represents a larger mineralized system encompassing several target zones and the potential that such zones may represent additional Shasta-like deposits; the ability to further improve confidence in the Shasta MRE and the potential for, and timing of, a larger, updated MRE; the timing, results and conclusions of future economic evaluations; the improvement of the Shasta MRE by future drilling in the known historical areas utilizing larger diameter core and modern assay practices; changes in project parameters as plans to continue to be refined; results of current and future metallurgical testing; possible variations in grades of mineralization and/or future actual recovery rates; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; the availability of sufficient funding on terms acceptable to the company to complete the planned work programs; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing; and fluctuations in metal prices. There may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

SOURCE: TDG Gold Corp.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 8, 2025) - ATEX Resources Inc. (TSXV: ATX) ("ATEX" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an outline of key achievements in 2024 and an update on its Phase V exploration program at the Valeriano Copper Gold Project ("Valeriano" or the "Project"), located in the Atacama Region, Chile.

2024 HIGHLIGHTS:

PHASE IV DRILL PROGRAM RESULTED IN UPDATED GEOLOGICAL INTERPRETATION - Potential for a significantly larger, simpler, and more continuous intrusive system than previously contemplated in the 2023 Mineral Resource Estimate.

- Potential for a significantly larger, simpler, and more continuous intrusive system than previously contemplated in the 2023 Mineral Resource Estimate. DRILL HOLES OF SIGNIFICANCE INCLUDED ATXD16A and ATXD26 - ATXD16A demonstrated that the high-grade porphyry core was open to the southeast with the potential for extension while ATXD26 located above the porphyry body, closer to surface and in a previously untested area, could significantly derisk potential project economics.

- ATXD16A demonstrated that the high-grade porphyry core was open to the southeast with the potential for extension while ATXD26 located above the porphyry body, closer to surface and in a previously untested area, could significantly derisk potential project economics. ROBUST COPPER AND GOLD RECOVERIES - Second stage metallurgical total copper and gold recoveries ranging from 92% to 95% and 90% to 97% respectively, at a coarser grind, support significant operational and capital efficiencies.

- Second stage metallurgical total copper and gold recoveries ranging from 92% to 95% and 90% to 97% respectively, at a coarser grind, support significant operational and capital efficiencies. NEW EQUITY PARTNER CLEANS UP BALANCE SHEET - Agnico Eagle Mines invested C$55 million, shoring up ATEX's balance sheet to fund the Phase V drill program and beyond. Concurrently, ATEX settled its debt outstanding with key long-term shareholders on the same terms as the strategic investor.

- Agnico Eagle Mines invested C$55 million, shoring up ATEX's balance sheet to fund the Phase V drill program and beyond. Concurrently, ATEX settled its debt outstanding with key long-term shareholders on the same terms as the strategic investor. ACHIEVED 100% OWNERSHIP OF VALERIANO AHEAD OF PLAN - ATEX wholly owns the Valeriano Project, satisfying its final financial commitment to the previous Project owners through the issuance of equity, thereby preserving cash for exploration efforts.

- ATEX wholly owns the Valeriano Project, satisfying its final financial commitment to the previous Project owners through the issuance of equity, thereby preserving cash for exploration efforts. MANAGEMENT AND BOARD STRENGTHENED - ATEX management and board have grown to match the needs of the Project, with experienced individuals adding to our technical, financial and sustainability skill sets.

2025 OUTLOOK:

FIVE RIGS CURRENTLY OPERATIONAL AT VALERIANO - News flow from the Phase V drill program is expected to pick up during Q1 2025 into the second half of the year, with all five planned rigs currently at site and operational.

- News flow from the Phase V drill program is expected to pick up during Q1 2025 into the second half of the year, with all five planned rigs currently at site and operational. INITIALLY TARGETING ATXD23A AND ATXD16B - First set of results expected in January from holes ATXD23A and ATXD16B that are testing extensions to the high-grade breccia zones and to the high-grade early porphyry core, respectively. The holes are still in progress; however, both have intersected targeted mineralization.

- First set of results expected in January from holes ATXD23A and ATXD16B that are testing extensions to the high-grade breccia zones and to the high-grade early porphyry core, respectively. The holes are still in progress; however, both have intersected targeted mineralization. STEP-OUT DRILLING TO EXPAND KNOWN MINERALIZED FOOTPRINT - Drilling towards the north, northwest and southeast where the deposit remains open with the limits of mineralization still unknown. This includes the completion of two holes, ATXD25A and ATXD27 from the Phase IV drill program.

- Drilling towards the north, northwest and southeast where the deposit remains open with the limits of mineralization still unknown. This includes the completion of two holes, ATXD25A and ATXD27 from the Phase IV drill program. UPDATED GEOLOGY MODEL AND MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATE IN H2 2025 - An updated geological model and Mineral Resource Estimate will incorporate all Phase IV and Phase V drilling, with the plan to upgrade the current Inferred Mineral Resource to an Indicated Resource category.

2024 Highlights - A Transformative Year

2024 was a meaningful year for ATEX with the Phase IV drill program demonstrating continuity of the higher-grade porphyry mineralization within the broader system, leading to an updated geological interpretation. The new interpretation outlined a larger, more continuous, and potentially higher-grade intrusive target. Previously, the 2023 Mineral Resource Estimate (the "MRE")1 reported 1.4 billion tonnes at a grade of 0.67% CuEq (0.50% Cu, 0.20 g/t Au, 0.91 g/t Ag, 64 g/t Mo) with a higher-grade core of 200 million tonnes at a grade of 0.84% CuEq (0.62% Cu, 0.29 g/t Au, 1.25 g/t Ag, 55.7 g/t Mo). This estimate contemplated approximately 300 million tonnes of the intrusive unit within three separate bodies, with the remainder totaling 1.1 billion tonnes of wall rock.

By the end of the Phase IV program, ATEX had outlined a continuous, multiphase intrusive system measuring roughly 1.2 kilometers along strike (northwest), 500 to 600 meters in width and with a current vertical extent of 500 to 700 meters that remains open along strike and at depth and demonstrating the potential for a significantly larger, simpler, and more continuous intrusive system than previously contemplated in the 2023 MRE.

The two drill holes of significance in the Phase IV program were ATXD16A and ATXD26. ATXD16A demonstrated that the high-grade porphyry core was open to the southeast with the potential for extension in the Phase V drill program2. ATXD26 was the final drill hole completed in Phase IV, and not only did it yield the highest-grade interval seen on the Project to date, including 68 meters at a grade of 2.02% CuEq (1.39% Cu, 0.60 g/t Au, 3.81 g/t Ag, 473 g/t Mo)3, but it also discovered a new style of enriched and overprinted breccia hosted mineralization not identified at the Project previously. This mineralization is also located above the porphyry body, closer to surface and in a previously untested area corresponding to a much larger feature imaged in geophysical surveys. This mineralization could represent the potential for a stand-alone starter mine that would significantly derisk potential project economics, bring forward cashflow and fund development and expansion of production from the porphyry related mineralization at depth.

Towards the end of 2024, ATEX completed and announced the second round of metallurgical test work on the Project yielding results that were in-line with the first program and a significant improvement compared to recovery factors assumed in the 2023 MRE, including 90% recovery for copper and 70% for gold. Both rounds of metallurgical testing completed on the Project have been able to demonstrate recoveries of up to 95% for copper and 97% for gold through standard industry practices of flotation and leaching4. A key differentiator of the second phase of metallurgical work was successfully demonstrating that coarser grinding at 200 microns did not have a negative impact on recoveries, which potentially supports significant operational and capital efficiencies for the Project in the future.

ATEX's management team has grown to match the Valeriano's needs, with experienced individuals adding to our technical, financial and sustainability skill sets. The board of directors brought on board Chris Beer and Rick McCreary, two strong members with decades of capital markets and corporate experience. Agnico Eagle Mines became an equity partner through a significant strategic investment totaling C$55 million, shoring up ATEX's balance sheet to fund the Phase V drill program and beyond and concurrently ATEX settled its debt outstanding with key long term shareholders. As a final achievement to close out the year, ATEX achieved a 100% ownership interest in the Valeriano Project ahead of schedule and through the issuance of equity thereby preserving cash in its treasury for its exploration programs and other Project derisking initiatives.

2025 Outlook - Five Rigs Currently Drilling at the Valeriano Project

Looking ahead to 2025, ATEX's largest drill program to date labeled Phase V, is well underway with five drill rigs currently operating at the Project in three primary areas as illustrated in Figures 1 & 2. This represents a significant achievement for the ATEX team and the Valeriano Project. The first set of results is expected shortly from ATXD23A and ATXD16B, with these holes nearing completion. Both holes are testing extensions to the high-grade breccia zones and to the high-grade early porphyry core, respectively. Additional details are below.





Figure 1. Isometric View, Epithermal and Cu/Au Porphyry Targets

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Figure 2. Level Plans, Epithermal and Cu/Au Porphyry Targets

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ATXD16B, a daughter hole from ATXD16A which intersected 852 metres grading 0.82% CuEq (0.60% Cu, 0.28 g/t Au, 0.98 g/t Ag and 72 g/t Mo), including 594 metres grading 0.92% CuEq (0.67% Cu, 0.32 g/t Au, 1.13 g/t Ag and 71 g/t Mo) and 112 metres of 1.42% CuEq (1.01% Cu, 0.57 g/t Au, 2.06 g/t Ag and 46 g/t Mo)2. ATXD16B has intersected mineralized porphyry from a depth of 1,413 metres and approximately 120 metres to the southeast of ATXD16A and has a current depth of 1,800 metres.

ATXD23A is a daughter hole stepping out approximately 100 metres along strike to the north of ATXD263, the highest grade hole on the Project to date that intersected 68.0 metres of 2.02% CuEq (1.39% Cu, 0.60 g/t Au, 3.81 g/t Ag and 473 g/t Mo) within longer intervals of 356.0 metres of 0.98% CuEq (0.7% Cu, 0.29 g/t Au, 1.49 g/t Ag and 180 g/t Mo) and 978.0 metres of 0.75% CuEq (0.54% Cu, 0.21 g/t Au, 1.26 g/t Ag and 145 g/t Mo). The hole drilled into mineralized wall rock and intersected mineralized hydrothermal breccia units with overprinting copper-gold mineralization from approximately 1,200 metres to 1,400 metres downhole. The hole remains in mineralized wall rock approaching 1,800 metres.

ATXD25A continues from where it was paused at the end of Phase IV at a depth of 1,454 metres and is designed to test the northern most extensions of the known mineralized porphyry footprint. ATXD25A is a daughter hole stepping out to the north of ATXD25 which intersected 862.2 metres of 0.62% CuEq (0.42% Cu, 0.27 g/t Au, 1.72 g/t Ag and 26 g/t Mo), including 114 metres of 0.88% CuEq (0.54% Cu, 0.48 g/t Au, 2.95 g/t Ag and 6 g/t Mo), within a broader interval of 350.2 metres grading 0.75% CuEq (0.45% Cu, 0.42 g/t Au, 2.60 g/t Ag and 3 g/t Mo)5. At the end of the previous campaign, this hole had entered hydrothermal alteration indicative of proximity to mineralization and will test a cross-section of modelled porphyry which is expected to hold high-grade mineralization.

ATXD27A is a daughter hole from ATXD27 that was paused at 944 meters at the end of Phase IV. The target for ATXD27A is the northern extension of the breccia corridor, 140 metres to the north of where the target was intersected in ATXD26 and ATXD23A, and in an area never tested in drilling before.

The fifth rig is drilling hole ATXD22C, a daughter hole designed to infill to increase confidence in the Inferred Mineral Resource, drilling at nominal 150 metre centres on previously defined high-grade zones within the existing porphyry footprint.

Initial samples from ATXD23A and ATXD16B were shipped to the lab in mid-December and will continue through to hole completion with results anticipated later this month.

The Phase V program is expected to ultimately culminate in an updated MRE later in the year. It will also include the updated and improved metallurgical recoveries recently announced.

Qualified Person

Dr. Owen Hatton, PhD, MAusIMM, registered with the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), is the Qualified Person, as defined by Canadian Securities National Instrument 43-101 Standards for Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), for the Valeriano Copper-Gold Porphyry Project. Dr Hatton is Director of Exploration of ATEX and is therefore not independent of ATEX for the purposes of NI 43-101. He has reviewed and approved the disclosure of the scientific and technical information contained in this press release.

About ATEX

ATEX is exploring the Valeriano Copper-Gold Project which is located within the emerging copper gold porphyry mineral belt linking the prolific El Indio High-Sulphidation Belt to the south with the Maricunga Gold Porphyry Belt to the north, located in the Atacama Region, Chile. This emerging belt, informally referred to as the Link Belt, hosts several copper gold porphyry deposits at various stages of development including, Filo del Sol (Filo Mining), Josemaria (Lundin Mining), Los Helados (NGEX Minerals/JX Nippon), La Fortuna (Teck Resources/Newmont) and El Encierro (Antofagasta/Barrick Gold). The Valeriano Project hosts a large copper gold porphyry mineral resource: 1.41 billion tonnes at 0.67% CuEq (0.50% Cu, 0.20 g/t Au, 0.96 g/t Ag and 63.80 g/t Mo), which includes a higher-grade core totaling 200 million tonnes at 0.84% CuEq (0.62% Cu, 0.29 g/t Au 1.25 g/t Ag and 55.7 g/t Mo), as reported by ATEX on September 12, 20236.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

This news release contains forward-looking statements, including predictions, projections, and forecasts. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "planning", "expects" or "does not expect", "continues", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "potential", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", or describes a "goal", or variation of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, future events, conditions, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, prediction, projection, forecast, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

Such forward-looking statements include, among others: future results of on-going or additional metallurgical testing and programs; the marketability of copper concentrate that may be produced at the Project; the impact of coarser grinding on recoveries; potential for production of a saleable molybdenum concentrate; the length and terms of the engagement of Adelaide; the success and robustness of the process flowsheet being developed for Valeriano; plans for the evaluation of exploration properties including the Project; the success of evaluation plans; the success of exploration activities at the Project, including those related to copper, gold and molybdenum; mine development prospects; potential for future metals production; changes in economic parameters and assumptions; all aspects related to the timing and extent of exploration activities including the Phase V exploration program contemplated in this press release; timing of receipt of exploration results; the interpretation and actual results of current exploration activities, including drilling and metallurgical programs, and mineralization; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; the results of regulatory and permitting processes; future metals price; possible variations in grade or recovery rates; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; the results of economic and technical studies; delays in obtaining governmental and local approvals or financing or in the completion of exploration; timing of assay results; as well as those factors disclosed in ATEX's publicly filed documents.

Although ATEX has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider has reviewed or accepts

responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release.

1 See news release dated October 25, 2023, titled "ATEX Files NI 43-101 Technical Report on Updated Mineral Resource Estimate for Valeriano Project".

2 See news release dated February 22, 2024, titled "ATEX Expands High-Grade Early Porphyry at Valeriano, Intersects 112 Metres of 1.42% CuEq Within a Longer Interval of 852m Grading 0.82% CuEq".

3 See news release dated May 15, 2024, titled "ATEX Discovers New High-Grade Mineralization at Valeriano Intersecting 68 Metres of 2.02% CuEq Within a Broader Intercept Of 356 Metres Of 0.98% CuEq".

4 See news release dated October 18, 2023, titled "ATEX Announces Excellent Metallurgical Recoveries for Cu-Au Porphyry Mineralization at Valeriano" for details of the first round of test work and news release dated December 11, 2024, titled "ATEX Announces Results of Second Metallurgical Program Further Demonstrating Outstanding Recoveries for Copper and Gold at Valeriano, Phase V Drill Program Underway with Fourth Rig Being Mobilized" for details on the second round.

5 See news release dated April 30, 2024, titled "ATEX Step Out Drilling Intersects 114 Metres of 0.88% CuEq Within a Broader Interval of 862.2 Metres of 0.62% CuEq".

6 See NI 43-101 technical report titled "Independent Technical Report for the Valeriano Copper-Gold Project, Atacama Region, Chile" by Joled Nur, CCCRRM-Chile, and David Hopper, CGeol, with an effective date of September 1, 2023, filed at www.sedarplus.ca on October 25, 2023, for additional details on the 2023 Mineral Resource Estimate for the Valeriano project.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/236303

SOURCE: ATEX Resources Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 8, 2025) - EMX Royalty Corporation (NYSE American: EMX) (TSXV: EMX) (the "Company" or "EMX") is pleased to announce that it has executed four separate option agreements (the "Agreements"), all dated January 7, 2025, with Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd. (TSXV: PEX) ("Pacific Ridge" or "PEX") for the Ripsey West, Royston, Red Star, and Mineral Hill projects (the "Projects" or individually a "Project") located in Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming, respectively. The Agreements provide EMX with cash payments, an equity stake in PEX, and required work commitments on the Projects during the earn-in period. Additionally, upon earn-in for a given Project, a 3% net smelter return ("NSR") royalty, annual advance royalty ("AAR") payments, and milestone payments provide a strong foundation for future upside as the Projects advance.

The Ripsey West Project is a shallow copper porphyry target in central Arizona's Laramide copper province with exploration potential for both supergene and hypogene mineralization. The Royston Project in western Nevada targets a late Triassic-early Jurassic copper porphyry system. Of note, porphyries of this age have not traditionally been explored for in the region, even though this age of magmatic activity generally displays a stronger gold affinity than Laramide systems. The Red Star Project is a copper porphyry target adjacent to the historical Star mining district in Utah, and has added potential for skarn, manto, and carbonate-replacement deposit (CRD) styles of mineralization. The Mineral Hill Project in eastern Wyoming is centered on an alkaline intrusive complex, which displays both epithermal and copper-gold porphyry exploration potential.

EMX acquired the Projects through the staking of open ground after recognizing overlooked opportunities in districts with historical exploration. EMX's track record of organically generating new targets in historical mining districts underscores the strength of the Company's project generation business model.

Commercial Terms Overview (all dollar amounts in USD). Under the terms of the Agreements, subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, Pacific Ridge can earn 100% interest in each Project over a five-year option period by satisfying the following terms on a per-Project basis: a) upon receipt of regulatory approval, Pacific Ridge will pay $60,000 in cash and issue 200,000 Pacific Ridge shares (on a post 10:1 consolidation basis), and b) Pacific Ridge will also make option payments totaling $180,000, issue 1,175,000 additional shares, and complete $2,250,000 in exploration expenditures over the five-year term of the option agreement.

Upon option exercise by Pacific Ridge, EMX will retain a 3% NSR royalty on each applicable Project; 1% of the royalty may be bought back by first completing an initial 0.5% royalty buyback for a payment of $1,000,000 to the Company prior to the eighth anniversary of the Effective Date of the Agreement. If the first buyback is completed, then the remaining 0.5% of the royalty buyback can be purchased any time prior to production for $3,000,000. Pacific Ridge will also make AAR payments of $25,000 per Project, which will increase by $10,000 per year until reaching a cap of $75,000 per year. In addition, Pacific Ridge will make Project milestone payments consisting of: a) $500,000 upon completion of a Preliminary Economic Assessment, b) $1,000,000 upon completion of a Pre-Feasibility study, and c) $2,000,000 upon completion of a Feasibility Study.

Project Overviews

Ripsey West : The Ripsey West Project spans over 2,161 hectares and consists of 36 unpatented mining claims and eight state exploration leases in central Arizona's prolific Laramide copper province. Historical exploration by Conoco, Bear Creek, Noranda, BHP, Freeport-McMoRan, and others concentrated on altered and mineralized outcrops adjacent to EMX's primary target area. These outcrops display distal chlorite-epidote and sericitic alteration over a broad footprint measuring approximately four by six kilometers, with a central zone of moderate sericitic alteration. Locally, structurally controlled zones exhibit strong sericitic alteration and variable copper mineralization. Through a detailed compilation of historical drilling and an iterative structural study, EMX determined that the district has undergone significant tilting of approximately 90 degrees. The historically explored area represents distal alteration and mineralization, along the paleo-eastern margin of the tilted and dismembered porphyry copper system, whereas EMX's Ripsey West Project targets the core of the system several kilometers to the west. Exploration by a previous partner included two drill holes totaling 649 meters which primarily tested the depth to bedrock. Beneath the post-mineral alluvium, the alteration in the drill holes matches well with the predictive interpretation of the system, but left the target and the core of the porphyry system untested at depth.

Red Star : The Red Star Project covers 3,005 hectares and consists of unpatented mining claims adjacent to the historical Star mining district in Beaver County, Utah. Geologic observations indicate that the source of polymetallic fissure veins and replacements in the Star mining district may be a concealed porphyry copper system. Although historical workers explored for the source porphyry, they misunderstood the timing relationships between the exposed mineralization and intrusive rocks in the area as well as erroneously mapped normal faults as thrust faults. Structural reinterpretation and geochemical zonation patterns in outcropping stratigraphy indicate a westward vector towards a down-faulted block, or blocks, within the Red Star Project. The strongest copper and pathfinder geochemical anomalies occur at the western side of the exposed Paleozoic sedimentary package, coincident with the highest abundance of prospects in the Star district. Recent geophysical datasets, including drone magnetics, induced polarization (IP), and magnetotelluric (MT) surveys, are supportive of a target in the same area independently predicted by geological and geochemical vectors. The abundance of Paleozoic carbonate rocks in the host stratigraphy indicates potential for skarn, manto, and CRD-style mineralization at the Red Star Project, in addition to the target Cu-Mo porphyry.

Royston : The Royston Project spans over 1,830 hectares and consists of 227 unpatented mining claims northwest of Tonopah, Nevada. The Royston Project represents a compelling porphyry prospect within a belt of Jurassic to late Triassic intrusive rocks in the western US, which are underexplored with respect to copper mineralization. Surface exposures and historical drilling reveal a significant zone of quartz-pyrite-sericite "QSP" style alteration in porphyry dikes and surrounding host rocks. Subsequent geological, geochemical, and geophysical work advanced EMX's understanding of the system and led to the identification of strong vectors based on system-scale zoning of alteration and mineralization. A reconnaissance reverse-circulation ("RC") drilling campaign was recently conducted which further validated the target concept and outlined a robust porphyry system which has undergone significant post-mineral tilting. Two of the RC drill holes were cased for re-entry with a core rig due to the shallow intersections of intense QSP (-clay) alteration with increasing base metal mineralization downhole. Follow-up core drilling will target the high temperature core of the porphyry system, which has not previously been intersected in drilling.

Mineral Hill : The Mineral Hill Project in eastern Wyoming spans over 600 hectares across 77 unpatented and 19 patented mining claims. The Project is centered on a zoned Eocene-age alkaline intrusive complex with an outer ring, interior intrusive zones, and a central breccia. Historical mining in the late 19th and early 20th centuries produced gold from alluvial deposits, gold and silver from the Treadwell Mine, and gold and copper from the Interocean Mine. EMX and previous partners recognized that the gold and silver mineralization at the Treadwell Mine is associated with lower-temperature adularia-bearing potassic alteration and is consistent with epithermal-style mineralization. In contrast, the gold and copper mineralization at the Interocean Mine is associated with higher-temperature potassic alteration mineral assemblages (including potassium feldspar and biotite), consistent with a porphyry system. Reconnaissance drill programs with previous partners confirmed these two distinct mineralization styles, but never followed up on initial drill results. Mineral Hill's proximity to significant historical producers, such as the Homestake and Wharf mines, highlights the potential for additional discoveries in this productive belt.

EMX and Pacific Ridge look forward to commencing work on the Projects.

This transaction is another example of the execution of EMX's business model in providing turn-key and drill ready exploration projects to its partner companies in exchange for royalty interests.

More information on the Projects can be found at www.EMXroyalty.com.

Comments on Adjacent or nearby Districts, Mines, and Deposits. The districts, mines and deposits discussed in this news release provide context for EMX's projects, which occur in similar geologic settings, but this is not necessarily indicative that the Company's projects host similar tonnages or grades of mineralization.

Michael P. Sheehan, CPG, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and employee of the Company, has reviewed, verified and approved the disclosure of the technical information contained in this news release.

About EMX. EMX is a precious and base metals royalty company. EMX's investors are provided with discovery, development, and commodity price optionality, while limiting exposure to risks inherent to operating companies. The Company's common shares are listed on the NYSE American Exchange and TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "EMX". Please see www.EMXroyalty.com for more information. For further information contact:

David M. Cole

President and CEO

Phone: (303) 973-8585

Dave@EMXroyalty.com

Isabel Belger

Investor Relations

Phone: +49 178 4909039

IBelger@EMXroyalty.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain "forward-looking statements" that reflect the Company's current expectations and projections about its future results. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding perceived merit of properties, exploration results and budgets, mineral reserves and resource estimates, work programs, capital expenditures, timelines, strategic plans, market prices for precious and base metal, or other statements that are not statements of fact. When used in this news release, words such as "estimate," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "will", "believe", "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which, by their very nature, are not guarantees of the Company's future operational or financial performance, and are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company's actual results, performance, prospects or opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and factors may include, but are not limited to unavailability of financing, failure to identify commercially viable mineral reserves, fluctuations in the market valuation for commodities, difficulties in obtaining required approvals for the development of a mineral project, increased regulatory compliance costs, expectations of project funding by joint venture partners and other factors.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release or as of the date otherwise specifically indicated herein. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified in this news release, and other risk factors and forward-looking statements listed in the Company's MD&A for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 (the "MD&A"), and the most recently filed Annual Information Form ("AIF") for the year ended December 31, 2023, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. More information about the Company, including the MD&A, the AIF and financial statements of the Company, is available on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca and on the SEC's EDGAR website at www.sec.gov.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/236325

SOURCE: EMX Royalty Corp.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 8, 2025) - C3 Metals Inc. (TSXV: CCCM) (OTCQB: CUAUF) ("C3 Metals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce results from a recently completed surface mapping and rock sampling program at its highly promising Khaleesi copper-gold project in Southern Peru. Ongoing surface mapping and sampling continues to expand the previously identified skarn, porphyry and epithermal vein copper-gold mineralization. The most recent batch of rock chip samples from the Company's mapping and rock sampling program returned up to 1.80% copper, 4.4 g/t gold and 403 ppm molybdenum.

Khaleesi represents a rare opportunity to explore an undrilled copper-gold mineralized skarn, epithermal and porphyry prospect on the world-class Andahuaylas-Yauri Porphyry-Skarn belt. The Company has strategically amalgamated a significant mineral concession package of over 30,000 hectares within 45km of the large Las Bambas (MMG) and Constancia (Hudbay Minerals) copper mines. Several major and intermediate mining companies hold mineral concessions surrounding C3 Metals' package and in the district (Figure 1).

Dan Symons, President and CEO, stated, "With an alteration footprint spanning 1,500m by 1,000m, the Khalessi porphyry, epithermal and skarn copper-gold prospect rates as a Tier-1 undrilled exploration target in an established, world-class copper mining belt. We are in a unique position having consolidated a large, strategic mineral concession package ahead of the recent activity by larger companies. Khaleesi was staked by our exploration team and now is amongst our highest priority geologic targets. After completing the mapping and rock sampling program, we shifted to a grid-based soil geochemical sampling program. This will be followed by a geophysical program January through March 2025, so that we have a full geochemical and geophysical data set in advance of a maiden drill program."

Highlights of Recent Mapping and Sampling Program at Khaleesi

Diorite dykes containing chalcopyrite and chrysocolla, malachite, azurite mineralization. Rock chips assayed up to 0.50% copper, 0.34 g/t gold and 403 ppm molybdenum.

Prograde and retrograde skarn mapped over a 1,200m by 1,000m area. Rock chips assayed up to 0.26% copper and 0.48 g/t gold.

Meter-scale epithermal veins containing bornite-chalcopyrite mineralization. Rock chips assayed up to 1.80% copper, 29.6 g/t silver and 4.4 g/t gold.

Large prospective area is partially covered by thin glacial till. Grid-based soil sampling campaign is underway.

Induced Polarization, Ground Magnetic and MT/AMT geophysical surveys are planned to commence in January 2025.

Khaleesi is approximately 8km west of the Company's Jasperoide Project and is similarly located along a northwest trending copper-gold mineralized corridor. At Jasperoide, the Company identified 13 skarn prospects. Montana de Cobre ("MCZ") is the only one of these skarns the Company has systematically drill tested. MCZ has a near surface Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource of 51.9 million tonnes at 0.50% total copper and 0.20 g/t gold for 569.1 million pounds of copper and 326,800 ounces of gold.1





Figure 1: Regional map showing C3 Metals' mineral concession package in relation to other large-scale operations, development projects and exploration projects.



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Mapping and sampling at Khaleesi have confirmed an extensive zone of prograde and retrograde skarn that measures 1,200 metres by 1,000 metres and remains open in multiple directions. Retrograde magnetite skarn is locally intensely mineralized with chalcopyrite and bornite sulphides (Figure 2). Epithermal quartz breccias and veins have been mapped along strike for over 2,000 metres and contain bornite, chalcopyrite and pyrite mineralization. These veins locally crosscut the skarn. Porphyry-style alteration and mineralization occurs in diorite dykes (up to 25-metres wide) and stocks in the eastern prospect area and along the batholith contact (Figure 3). The diorite and associated copper mineralization in the central prospect area are covered by glacial till varying in thickness from 2 to 15 metres. The diorite outcrops on both the western and eastern side of this glacial till. Geochemical and geophysical data collection will be important to understand the potential for a mineralized porphyry system beneath the glacial till, as there is outcropping porphyry-style mineralization and alteration on either side of the till occurrence.

Figure 2: (Left) Magnetite skarn with strong chalcopyrite mineralization. (Right) Magnetite skarn with strong bornite mineralization.

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Figure 3: Khaleesi map showing pervasive magnetite and garnet-diopside skarn alteration near to an intrusive diorite containing porphyry-style B-veins. Also showing copper in rock chip geochemistry.

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Next Steps

Following on from the mapping and sampling program, the Company commenced a 50-metre grid soil sampling program over the Khaleesi project area. The Company has contracted Arce Geofisicos to undertake a 45.5-line kilometre ground magnetic survey, a 24.5-line kilometre Induced Polarization survey and complete a MT/AMT survey (14 full tensor stations) during the first quarter of 2025. Data from grid-soils and geophysics programs will provide essential surface and subsurface data that will be used to design a maiden drill program.

ABOUT C3 METALS INC.

C3 Metals Inc. is a mineral exploration company focused on creating substantive value for its shareholders through the discovery and development of large copper and gold deposits. The Company holds approximately 30,000 hectares located in the prolific high-grade Andahuaylas-Yauri Porphyry-Skarn belt of Southern Peru. Mineralization at Jasperoide is hosted in a similar geological setting to the nearby major mining operations at Las Bambas (MMG), Constancia (Hudbay) and Antapaccay (Glencore). At Jasperoide, the Company has identified over 15 skarn prospects and an outcropping porphyry system over two parallel 28km belts. The Company has published a maiden resource estimate on the first of these skarn targets, which contained Measured & Indicated Resources of 52Mt at 0.5% copper and 0.2 g/t gold. The Company is also actively exploring in Jamaica where it has identified 16 porphyry, 40 epithermal and multiple volcanic redbed copper prospects over a 30km strike extent. The Company holds a 100% interest in 17,855 hectares of exploration licenses and a 50% interest in 9,870 hectares in a joint venture with Geophsyx Jamaica Ltd, the largest mineral tenure holder in the country. Barrick Gold Corp. announced on May 1, 2024 that it had entered into an earn-in agreement with Geophysx Jamaica Ltd. on approximately 400,000 hectares of exploration licenses, several of which surround C3 Metals' mineral concessions. Mining is currently the second largest industry in Jamaica, and historical mining dates back to the colonial eras of the 1500s (Spanish) and 1800s (British).

Related Link: www.c3metals.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

QP Statement

Stephen Hughes, P.Geo. is Vice President Exploration and a Director for C3 Metals and is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Hughes has reviewed the technical information in this news release and approves the written disclosure contained herein.

Technical Program

C3 Metals surface rock chip samples were sent to the ALS assay laboratories in Lima, Peru and the Company adheres to a strict QA/QC protocol for handling, sampling, sample transportation and analyses. Chain-of-custody protocols are designed to ensure security of samples until their delivery at the laboratory.

Rock chip samples are analysed by 4-Acid digest ICP-MS finish for 60 elements, including pathfinder REE elements with pulps from samples reporting greater than 1.0% copper being re-assayed by the ore grade method. Gold is analysed by 30g Fire Assay AAS finish, with pulps from samples reporting greater than 5ppm re-assayed by 1kg Screen Fire Assay. On average, 10% of the submitted samples are quality control samples. No data quality problems were indicated by the QA/QC program.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the exploration operations of the Company and the timing which could be affected by the current global COVID-19 pandemic. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the Company. Although such statements are based on reasonable assumptions of the Company's management, there can be no assurance that any conclusions or forecasts will prove to be accurate.

While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined, risks relating to variations in grade or recovery rates, risks relating to changes in mineral prices and the worldwide demand for and supply of minerals, risks related to increased competition and current global financial conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic, access and supply risks, reliance on key personnel, operational risks, and regulatory risks, including risks relating to the acquisition of the necessary licenses and permits, financing, capitalization and liquidity risks.

The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.

1 Based on the assumptions and parameters outlined in the NI 43-101 Technical Report titled Jasperoide Copper-Gold Project Cusco Region, Peru dated July 5, 2023.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/236352

SOURCE: C3 Metals Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 8, 2025) - Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd. (TSXV: PEX) (OTCQB: PEXZF) (FSE: PQWN) ("Pacific Ridge" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company entered into option agreements with Bronco Creek Exploration Inc. ("BCE") on January 7, 2025 (the "Effective Date"), a wholly owned subsidiary of EMX Royalty Corporation ("EMX") (NYSE: EMX) (TSXV: EMX) (FSE: 6E9), to acquire a portfolio of copper and gold projects located in the United States (the "Agreements").

Highlights:

Exclusive option to acquire a 100% interest in four projects: the Mineral Hill gold project ("Mineral Hill"), located in Wyoming; the Red Star copper project ("Red Star"), located in Utah; the Ripsey West copper project ("Ripsey West"), located in Arizona; and, the Royston copper project ("Royston"), located in Nevada (each a "Project", together, "Projects").

Diversification of the Company's existing porphyry copper project portfolio to create one of North America's leading copper exploration companies with projects located in premier copper mining districts in America and Canada.

Plans to unlock shareholder value by spinning out Pacific Ridge's gold projects in the Yukon, the Mariposa gold project ("Mariposa"), the Eureka Dome gold project ("Eureka"), and the Gold Cap project ("Gold Cap"), and the Mineral Hill gold project ("Mineral Hill") to create a new North American gold focused exploration company.

"We are very pleased to have come to an agreement with EMX to acquire this portfolio of highly prospective copper and gold projects located in the U.S.," said Blaine Monaghan, President and CEO of Pacific Ridge. "With the option to acquire Red Star, Ripsey West, and Royston, we have diversified our existing copper porphyry project portfolio to become one of North America's leading copper exploration companies. All of these projects are road accessible, where we can conduct exploration year-round, and are located in mining-friendly states. In fact, according to the Fraser Institute's 2023 annual mining survey, Utah was the top jurisdiction in the world, Nevada was 2nd, and Arizona was 7th. Further, BCE's exceptional technical team have already developed exploration models and targets that are ready to be drill tested."

The addition of these Projects to Pacific Ridge's portfolio expands the Company's footprint into areas that include some of the world's largest porphyry copper mines and complement Pacific Ridge's existing portfolio of porphyry copper projects in B.C.: the Chuchi copper-gold project, the Kliyul copper-gold project, the Onjo copper-gold project, the RDP copper-gold project, and the Redton copper-gold project. The Company now owns or controls eight porphyry copper projects in premier copper mining districts in America and Canada (see Figure 1).

Figure 1





Location of Pacific Ridge's Copper Projects



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About the Projects

Mineral Hill

Mineral Hill is over 902 hectares in size (comprising 19 patented lode and placer claims, and 177 unpatented federal lode mining claims) and is located in eastern Wyoming in the Black Hills gold province, which has produced more than 40 million ounces of gold from the Homestake gold mine alone1 (see Figure 2). Tertiary alkalic intrusive centers and domes follow an 80 km-long WNW-trending belt across the Black Hills. Low- to intermediate-sulfidation epithermal gold-silver mineralization is currently being mined 18 km east of Mineral Hill at Coeur Mining, Inc.'s Wharf mine. Targets at Mineral Hill include high-grade epithermal gold veins and disseminated and stockwork veined porphyry gold-copper mineralization. The Company believes Mineral Hill represents a fully intact upright alkalic porphyry gold-copper system and near-surface epithermal transition zone that is associated with a 3 x 2 km composite alkaline intrusive centre. Known gold-copper mineralization at historical Interocean mine is related to cross-cutting quartz-sulfide veins in a 300-m-long north-south trending corridor that has been drill-tested to about 200 m vertical depth and remains open in every direction. Epithermal gold target areas lie 600-750 m west and southwest of the Interocean zone.

Figure 2





Mineral Hill Location



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Red Star

Red Star is approximately 3,005 hectares in size (398 unpatented federal lode mining claims) and is adjacent to the Star mining district, Utah (See Figure 3). Surface alteration and mineralization suggests the presence of a porphyry copper system beneath post-mineral cover composed of volcanics and alluvium. Polymetallic (Pb-Zn-Ag-Cu-Au) fissure veins, mantos, and local Zn-rich skarn are hosted in east-tilted and fault-repeated Paleozoic carbonate rocks in the Star mining district. These fissure veins may be analogous to fissure veins found in the periphery of the Bingham and Tintic districts. Red Star also shares a similar regional geophysical signature with Bingham and Tintic porphyry copper deposits, each lying within ENE-trending aeromagnetic domains considered to be representative of Tertiary batholiths (see Figure 3). The timing of Tertiary magmatism in Utah youngs southward such that the age of an undiscovered porphyry system at Red Star would likely be ~34-27 Ma.. At Red Star, known polymetallic fissure veins and replacement mantos, and a copper-zinc skarn occurrence (Moscow mine), define a WSW-trending vector towards a 2.0 x 1.5 km porphyry target area with anomalous geophysics (Spartan IP-MT and UAV magnetics). The primary target zone starts about 1.5 km west of the Moscow mine skarn.

Figure 3





Red Star Location



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Ripsey West

Ripsey West is over 2,161 hectares in size (comprising 36 unpatented federal lode mining claims and eight Arizona state leases) and is located 23 km south of the Ray Mine in Arizona (see Figure 4). The principal target at Ripsey West is a high-grade Laramide porphyry copper system. An ENE-trending target area measures ~3.5 x 1.5 km and has potential for both hypogene mineralization and supergene enrichment.

The Ripsey West exploration model is for a porphyry copper system that's been episodically faulted and tilted 90 eastward and buried under alluvial cover in a half graben basin. The porphyry target area lies between a 2-km-long ENE-trending stock-shaped magnetic low feature in the west thought to be associated with a Laramide pluton, and a magnetic high feature in the east demarking the faulted basin edge. A zone of QSP alteration and D-veins associated with ENE-trending Laramide porphyry dykes extends for 900 m east outside the basin margin, and base metal mineralization and veins in historical drilling continue for ~2 km. These provide a vector towards a porphyry core in the west under the post-mineral alluvium.

Figure 4





Ripsey West Location



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Royston

Royston is over 1,855 hectares in size (comprised of 227 unpatented federal lode mining claims) and is located 30 km northwest of Tonopah in Nevada (see Figure 5). The principal target at Royston is a porphyry copper system within a 2.8 x 1.8 km target area which contains a significant zone of quartz-sericite-pyrite "QSP" alteration and mineralization A five-hole reconnaissance reverse circulation drill program completed in late 2023 confirmed the presence of a strongly westward tilted and fault segmented porphyry of significant scale containing intense QSP alteration and base metal mineralization. Two of the holes were cased and are ready to be followed up with diamond core tails under the active drill permit at Royston.

Figure 5





Royston Location



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Gold Project Spin Out

In H1, 2025, Pacific Ridge will look to unlock shareholder value by spinning out the Company's gold projects in the Yukon (Mariposa, Eureka Dome, and Gold Cap) and Mineral Hill to create a new, North American gold focused exploration company (see Figure 6).

Figure 6





Location of Pacific Ridge's Gold Projects



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Terms of the Agreements

Subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"), Pacific Ridge can acquire a 100% interest in the Projects by making an initial payment in the aggregate amount of US$240,000 and issuing a total of 800,000 common shares (on a post-Consolidation basis, as described and defined below) and making certain option payments, incurring exploration expenditures and issuing common shares as summarized below:

Option Payments:

Project 60 days of Effective Date Anniversary Date of Option Agreement 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Red Star US$60,000 US$10,000 US$15,000 US$15,000 US$15,000 US$125,000 Royston US$60,000 US$10,000 US$15,000 US$15,000 US$15,000 US$125,000 Ripsey West US$60,000 US$10,000 US$15,000 US$15,000 US$15,000 US$125,000 Mineral Hill US$60,000 US$10,000 US$15,000 US$15,000 US$15,000 US$125,000

Exploration Expenditures:

Project Anniversary Date of Option Agreement 1st 2nd 5th Red Star US$400,000 US$1,600,000 US$2,250,000 Royston US$2,250,000 Ripsey West US$2,250,000 Mineral Hill US$2,250,000

Issuance of Common Shares:

Project 3 business days following TSXV Approval Anniversary Date of Option Agreement 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Red Star 200,000 100,000 100,000 100,000 125,000 750,000 Royston 200,000 100,000 100,000 100,000 125,000 750,000 Ripsey West 200,000 100,000 100,000 100,000 125,000 750,000 Mineral Hill 200,000 100,000 100,000 100,000 125,000 750,000

Upon option exercise, each Project will be subject to a 3% production royalty ("Royalty"). The Royalty can be reduced to 2% by making two payments totaling US$4.0M (US$1.0M for the first 0.5% and US$3.0M for the second 0.5%). The Projects are also subject to annual advanced royalty payments that begin on the first (1st) anniversary after Pacific Ridge has exercised its option to acquire a Project. A payment of US$25,000 is due on the 1st anniversary and increases by US$10,000 each year, up to a maximum of US$75,000 per year per Project.

In addition, each Project is subject to the following milestone payments in the event of completion of a preliminary economic assessment ("PEA"), pre-feasibility study ("PFS") and/or feasibility study ("FS") respectively as follows:

Project Milestone PEA PFS FS Red Star US$500,000 US$1,000,000 US$2,000,000 Royston US$500,000 US$1,000,000 US$2,000,000 Ripsey West US$500,000 US$1,000,000 US$2,000,000 Mineral Hill US$500,000 US$1,000,000 US$2,000,000

Consolidation

The Board of Directors of the Company has recommended and authorized a consolidation of the Company's outstanding common shares on the basis of ten (10) pre-consolidation common shares for one (1) post-consolidation common share (the "Consolidation"). The Consolidation remain subject to TSXV approval. The effective date and further details of the Consolidation will be disclosed in a subsequent news release following receipt of all requisite approvals.

About EMX

EMX is a precious and base metals royalty company. EMX's investors are provided with discovery, development, and commodity price optionality, while limiting exposure to risks inherent to operating companies. The Company's common shares are listed on the NYSE American Exchange and TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "EMX". Please see www.EMXroyalty.com for more information.

About Pacific Ridge

Pacific Ridge is one of North America's leading copper exploration companies. We own or control eight porphyry copper projects in premier copper mining districts in America and Canada.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

"Blaine Monaghan"

Blaine Monaghan

President & CEO

Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd.

1 Maps Showing Geology, Structure, and Geophysics of the Central Black Hills, South Dakota (USGS) https://pubs.usgs.gov/sim/2777/downloads/2777_pamphlet_508.pdf

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

The technical information contained within this News Release has been prepared under the supervision of, and reviewed and approved by. Danette Schwab, P.Geo., Vice President Exploration of the Company, and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Forward-Looking Information: This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements in this news release include plans to acquire the Mineral Hill, Red Star, Ripsey West, and Royston Projects and the expected benefits thereof; plans to spin out the gold projects; and plans to complete the Consolidation. Although Pacific Ridge believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploration successes, and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. These statements are based on a number of assumptions including, among other things, assumptions regarding general business and economic conditions; that at least one of the options will be exercised; that Pacific Ridge and other parties will be able to satisfy stock exchange and other regulatory requirements in a timely manner; that TSXV approval will be granted in a timely manner subject only to standard conditions; that all conditions precedent to the Agreements will be satisfied in a timely manner; the availability of financing for Pacific Ridge's proposed programs on reasonable terms, and the ability of third party service providers to deliver services in a timely manner. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Pacific Ridge does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/236360

SOURCE: Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd.
Faraday Copper Corp. (" Faraday " or the " Company ") (TSX:FDY)(OTCQX:CPPKF) is pleased to announce the results of five drill holes from its ongoing Phase III drill program at the Copper Creek Project, located in Arizona ("Copper Creek"). Two holes were drilled in the American Eagle area, two in the Rum area and one was a reconnaissance hole east of Area 51.

Paul Harbidge, President and CEO, commented "It is exciting to see that our on-going drill program continues to deliver positive results. These results confirm additional near-surface mineralization above the existing resource in the American Eagle area, including the identification of high-grade copper at the Boomerang breccia. Moreover, significant copper was identified in veins outside the breccia domains. All fifteen drill holes, reported in the American Eagle area to date, have intersected copper mineralization above cutoff grade 1 with numerous high-grade zones present. Additionally, drilling has demonstrated exploration potential well outside of the resource area, including east of Area 51 and at depth in the Rum area."

Highlights

Two drill holes, FCD-24-077 and FCD-24-082, expand the known near-surface mineralization in the American Eagle area. Drill hole FCD-24-082 intersected mineralization in the Prada breccia and the results demonstrate that the Boomerang breccia is mineralized at depth. Significant intercepts include: At Prada, 118.28 metres ("m") at 0.30% copper and 1.14 grams per tonne ("g/t") silver from 168.92 m, including 22.54 m at 0.53% copper and 1.39 g/t silver from 213.83 m; and At Boomerang, 109.42 m at 0.41% copper, 0.007% molybdenum, and 1.24 g/t silver from 417.90 m, including 40.06 m at 0.78% copper, 0.018% molybdenum, and 2.28 g/t silver from 459.08 m. North of the American Eagle breccia, drill hole FCD-24-077 intersected 197.20 m at 0.22% copper and 0.77 g/t silver from 25.37 m, including 16.11 m at 0.45% copper and 1.35 g/t silver from 86.00 m. Mineralization in this area is largely vein-hosted, confirming that copper is not restricted to breccias. A reconnaissance drill hole east of Area 51 identified silver-rich skarn and vein-hosted mineralization over 58.08 m at 19.10 g/t silver from surface, including 8.90 m at 42.84 g/t silver and 0.34% copper from 47.23 m.

(For true width information see Table 1)

The American Eagle area, as mapped on surface, covers approximately 800 m by 1,000 m and is host to numerous prospective breccias and porphyries which have strong copper geochemical signatures (Figures 1 to 5). These surface expressions locate above the large underground porphyry mineral resource, which is approximately 500 m to 1,100 m depth below surface. Historically, the near-surface mineralization was not adequately tested as previous drilling was vertical to steeply inclined. Mapped geology, isolated historical drill intercepts and historical small-scale mining highlight the potential for near-surface mineralization. The Company has reported assay results for fifteen drill holes from this area as part of the current program (for drill holes not reported herein, refer to news releases on the Company's website). These results provide a broad framework of the geology, structure, and alteration and confirm the potential for significant near-surface copper mineralization. Drilling continues in the area to test additional undrilled breccias and follow-up drilling on recent discoveries.

Drill hole FCD-24-077 was collared approximately 110 m northeast of the American Eagle breccia. It was drilled to the northwest to test the northern extent of the American Eagle breccia. The hole intersected dominantly granodiorite with intervals of porphyry and breccia. Porphyry was intersected from 20 m to 55 m, from 93 m to 106 m, from 141 m to 148 m, 171 m to 184 m and 248 m to 279 m. Breccia intervals are present from 106 m to 110 m, 152 m to 171 m and 289 m to 300 m. Alteration throughout the hole is dominated by sericite and kaolinite with breccia intervals characterized by sericite and tourmaline. Mineralization occurs as chalcopyrite with pyrite in vein zones cross cutting granodiorite and porphyry and to a lesser degree in breccia cement.

Drill hole FCD-24-082 was collared approximately 100 m southwest of the Prada breccia and drilled to the northeast to test the Prada and the Boomerang breccias (Figures 2 to 5). The hole intersected granodiorite from surface to 160 m, hydrothermal breccia to 300 m, followed by porphyry to 342 m. From 342 m to 445 m the dominant lithology is igneous cemented breccia, and from 445 m to 515 m it is hydrothermal breccia. The hole ends in granodiorite. Alteration throughout the hole is dominated by sericite and kaolinite with breccia intervals characterized by sericite and tourmaline. Mineralization occurs as chalcopyrite with pyrite in breccia cement and veins.

The Rum area is located approximately 700 m northwest of the resource area (Figure 1). It features several breccias and porphyries intruding Glory Hole volcanics over an area of approximately 250 m by 400 m, with copper oxide mineralization observed at surface. A recent drill hole (FCD-24-078) intersected 57.73 m at 0.85% copper from surface (Refer to news release dated November 19, 2024 ).

Drill hole FCD-24-080 was collared near the Rum breccia and drilled to the south, testing the Rum South breccia and porphyry. The hole starts in porphyry and intersected breccia from 26 m to 83 m. It entered Glory Hole volcanics to the end of the hole except for a porphyry interval from 125 m to 169 m and hydrothermal breccia from 218 m to 228 m. Alteration is dominantly kaolinite and sericite in the breccia and porphyry intervals and chlorite in the Glory Hole volcanics. Copper mineralization consists of oxide minerals and is restricted to the first 80 m of the hole. Elevated silver values of up to 20.6 g/t are recorded from 25 m to 36 m.

Drill hole FCD-24-083 was collared 100 m west of the Rum South breccia and drilled towards the east. The hole intersected Glory Hole volcanics from surface to 128 m and entered hydrothermal breccia to 202 m. After crossing a fault, it intersected porphyry to the end of the hole. Alteration associated with breccia is kaolinite and sericite with subordinate chlorite. The breccia contains pyrite associated with 0.8 g/t silver and anomalous tellurium and bismuth, suggesting potential for copper mineralization at depth.

The Eastern Area 51, located 500 m northeast of Area 51 (Figure 1), is dominated by Proterozoic sedimentary rocks, including skarn altered limestone and quartzite. These rocks are intruded by porphyry and breccias. A steeply southeast dipping vein cross cutting porphyry is documented. Surface grab samples from this vein have up to 0.7% silver and 8% copper. Additional drilling in this area is being evaluated.

Drill hole FCD-24-079 is a reconnaissance hole testing the vein and adjacent rocks for copper and precious metal mineralization. The hole starts in Proterozoic limestone with skarn alteration to 10 m, followed by quartzite to 21 m, porphyry to 151 m and granodiorite to the end of the hole. The vein zone was intersected from 48 m to 51 m. Hematite related to weathering is abundant from surface to 145 m. Elevated silver has been identified from surface to 58 m with the vein zone containing up to 153 g/t silver. Copper mineralization occurs as oxide and is restricted to the vein zone and adjacent wall rock.

Next Steps

Phase III drilling continues with the current focus on near-surface mineralization in the American Eagle and Rum areas.

To date, through the combined Phase II and Phase III drill programs, which are not included in the Mineral Resource Estimate, the Company has released results from 73 drill holes as follows:

46 drill holes were drilled on new targets that are entirely outside of the resource boundary;

20 drill holes were step-out holes testing extensions to the mineral resource; and

7 drill holes were drilled within the resource area, targeting expansion of the higher-grade cores.

The Company has conducted over 30,000 metres of incremental drilling beyond the current Mineral Resource Estimate, with the new targets representing a significant opportunity to enhance the project value.

The assay results for additional completed drill holes will be released as they are received, analyzed and confirmed by the Company.

Figure 1: Location Map

Figure 2: Plan View Showing Surface Geology and Location of the Drill Holes in the American Eagle Area

Note: The open pit shell is based on constraints used in the MRE as presented in the report titled "Copper Creek Project NI 43-101 Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment" with an effective date of May 3, 2023 (the " Technical Report") available on the Company's website at www.faradaycopper.com and on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca

Figure 3: Cross Section Showing Phase III Drill Hole at Prada and Boomerang

Figure 4: Isometric View Showing Phase III Drill Holes in the American Eagle Area

Note: The field of view represents an approximately 700-metre-thick slice. The open pit shells and underground footprint are based on constraints used in the MRE as presented in the Technical Report available on the Company's website at www.faradaycopper.com and on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. For drill holes not reported herein, refer to news releases dated June 25, 2024, July 25, 2024, August 21, 2024, September 24, 2024, and October 17, 2024.

Figure 5: A Core Sample from Drill Hole FCD-24-082

Table 1: Selected Drill Results

Drill Hole ID From To Length True Width Cu Au Ag Mo (m) (m) (m) (m) (%) (g/t) (g/t) (%) FCD-24-077 25.37 222.57 197.20 197 0.22 N/A 0.77 0.0007 including 86.00 171.00 85.00 85 0.31 N/A 1.07 0.0008 and including 86.00 102.11 16.11 16 0.45 N/A 1.35 0.0005 and including 134.79 171.00 36.21 36 0.36 N/A 1.26 0.0012 and 287.30 320.07 32.77 32 0.21 N/A 0.66 0.0018 and 378.91 393.55 14.64 14 0.24 N/A 2.00 0.0010 FCD-24-079 0.00 58.08 58.08 45 0.07 N/A 19.10 0.0003 Including 47.23 56.13 8.90 7 0.34 0.03 42.84 0.0003 FCD-24-080 5.40 28.70 23.30 23 0.17 N/A 1.48 0.0002 and 66.53 73.15 6.62 6 0.31 N/A 0.50 0.0002 FCD-24-082 168.92 287.20 118.28 68 0.30 0.01 1.14 0.0015 Including 213.83 236.37 22.54 13 0.53 0.02 1.39 0.0011 and 417.90 527.32 109.42 63 0.41 0.01 1.24 0.0074 Including 459.08 499.14 40.06 23 0.78 0.02 2.28 0.0182 FCD-24-083 No significant values.

Note: All intercepts are reported as downhole drill widths. Mineralization includes bulk porphyry style and breccia mineralization. True widths are approximate due to the irregular shape of mineralized domains. N/A: Not analyzed.

Table 2: Collar Locations from the Drill Holes Reported Herein

Drill Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation Azimuth Dip Target Depth Depth (m) () () (ft) (m) FCD-24-077 549097 3623420 1,307 302 45 American Eagle North 1328.8 435.95 FCD-24-079 550131 3622788 1,435 280 45 Area 51 East 825.0 270.66 FCD-24-080 547275 3625755 1,399 145 55 Rum 1270.9 416.97 FCD-24-082 548951 3623150 1,293 059 55 Prada-Boomerang 1661.1 544.98 FCD-24-083 547144 3625676 1,412 072 45 Rum 965.8 316.87

Note: Coordinates are given as World Geodetic System 84, Universal Transverse Mercator Zone 12 north (WGS84, UTM12N).

Sampling Methodology, Chain of Custody, Quality Control and Quality Assurance

All sampling was conducted under the supervision of the Company's geologists and the chain of custody from Copper Creek to the independent sample preparation facility, ALS Laboratories in Tucson, AZ, was continuously monitored. The samples were taken as  core, over 2 m core length. Samples were crushed, pulverized and sample pulps were analyzed using industry standard analytical methods including a 4-Acid ICP-MS multielement package and an ICP-AES method for high-grade copper samples. Gold was analyzed on a 30 g aliquot by fire assay with an ICP-AES finish. A certified reference sample was inserted every 20 th sample. Coarse and fine blanks were inserted every 20 th sample. Approximately 5% of the core samples were cut into  core and submitted as field duplicates. On top of internal QA-QC protocol, additional blanks, reference materials and duplicates were inserted by the analytical laboratory according to their procedure. Data verification of the analytical results included a statistical analysis of the standards and blanks that must pass certain parameters for acceptance to ensure accurate and verifiable results.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Faraday's VP Exploration, Dr. Thomas Bissig, P. Geo., who is a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").

Notes

1 Copper cutoff grade is as presented in the report titled "Copper Creek Project NI 43-101 Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment" with an effective date of May 3, 2023 available on the Company's website at www.faradaycopper.com and on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

About Faraday Copper

Faraday Copper is a Canadian exploration company focused on advancing its flagship copper project in Arizona, U.S. The Copper Creek Project is one of the largest undeveloped copper projects in North America with significant district scale exploration potential. The Company is well-funded to deliver on its key milestones and benefits from a management team and board of directors with senior mining company experience and expertise. Faraday trades on the TSX under the symbol "FDY".

For additional information please contact:

Stacey Pavlova, CFA

Vice President, Investor Relations & Communications

Faraday Copper Corp.

E-mail: info@faradaycopper.com

Website: www.faradaycopper.com

To receive news releases by e-mail, please register using the Faraday website at www.faradaycopper.com.

Cautionary Note on Forward Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking statements" and are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Faraday to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information specifically include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the exploration potential of the Copper Creek property.

Although Faraday believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements should not be in any way construed as guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include without limitation: market prices for metals; the conclusions of detailed feasibility and technical analyses; lower than expected grades and quantities of mineral resources; receipt of regulatory approval; receipt of shareholder approval; mining rates and recovery rates; significant capital requirements; price volatility in the spot and forward markets for commodities; fluctuations in rates of exchange; taxation; controls, regulations and political or economic developments in the countries in which Faraday does or may carry on business; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, competition; loss of key employees; rising costs of labour, supplies, fuel and equipment; actual results of current exploration or reclamation activities; accidents; labour disputes; defective title to mineral claims or property or contests over claims to mineral properties; unexpected delays and costs inherent to consulting and accommodating rights of Indigenous peoples and other groups; risks, uncertainties and unanticipated delays associated with obtaining and maintaining necessary licenses, permits and authorizations and complying with permitting requirements, including those associated with the Copper Creek property; and uncertainties with respect to any future acquisitions by Faraday. In addition, there are risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining, including environmental events and hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins, flooding and the risk of inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance to cover these risks as well as "Risk Factors" included in Faraday's disclosure documents filed on and available at www.sedarplus.ca.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. This press release is not, and under no circumstances is to be construed as, a prospectus, an offering memorandum, an advertisement or a public offering of securities in Faraday in Canada, the United States or any other jurisdiction. No securities commission or similar authority in Canada or in the United States has reviewed or in any way passed upon this press release, and any representation to the contrary is an offence.

SOURCE: Faraday Copper Corp.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

South Star Battery Metals Corp. ("South Star" or the "Company") (TSXV:STS)(OTCQB:STSBF), is pleased to announce that it that it has successfully completed the closing of the third and final tranche of its upsized, non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") of Units for gross proceeds to the Company of US$879,449.45 (CA$1,231,229.06). When combined with Tranche 1 and Tranche 2, the gross proceeds of the Private Placement to the Company total US$3,000,000 (CA$4,200,000). Funds from the Private Placement will be used for exploration, development, production activities, as well as corporate G&A and general working capital requirements.

Tranche 3 of the Private Placement consists of the issuance of 2,045,231 Units (the "Units"). Each Unit consists of one common share (a "Share") priced at US$0.43 (CA$0.602) and one common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant is exercisable into one Share at a price of US$0.89 (CA$1.246) for five years from the date of issue and is subject to an acceleration clause as detailed below.

Final closing of the Private Placement is subject to customary closing conditions, including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. In connection with the third tranche closing of the Private Placement, the Company paid finder's fees of US$40,000 (CA$56,000) and issued 55,813 common shares (the "Finders Shares") to A8 Capital Advisors Latam Ltd. The Units and Finder's Shares issued pursuant to the Private Placement will be subject to a four-month hold period.

Insiders of the Company participated in Tranche 3 of the Private Placement for an aggregate amount of US$29,440.45 (CA$41,216.53) for 68,466 Units. Insider participation for the Private Placement totaled US$936,798.50 (CA$1,311,517.90) for 2,178,601 Units. The transaction with the director, officers and insiders constitutes a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is relying on the exemptions under section 5.5(a) and section 5.7(1)(a) from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101, as the fair market value of the Units issued to the related parties and the consideration paid by the related parties under the Private Placement does not exceed 25% of Company's market capitalization, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report in respect of the related party transaction at least 21 days before the closing of the Private Placement, as the details of the participation by related parties of the Company were not settled until shortly prior to closing of the Private Placement.

Acceleration Clause

The acceleration clause of the Warrants will provide that, if, during any period of ten (10) consecutive trading days between the date that is four (4) months following the closing of the Private Placement and the expiry of the Warrants, the daily volume weighted average trading price of the common shares of the Company on the TSX Venture Exchange (or such other stock exchange where the majority of the trading volume occurs) is equal to or exceeds US$1.79 (CA$2.506) on each day, the Company may, within thirty (30) days of such an occurrence, give notice, via news release, to the holders of the Warrants that all unexercised Warrants will expire at 4:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) on the 30th day following the giving of such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, the holders of the Warrants will have thirty (30) days to exercise their Warrants and any Warrants that remain unexercised will expire.

# # #

About South Star Battery Metals Corp.

South Star is a Canadian battery-metals project developer focused on the selective acquisition and development of near-term production projects in the Americas. South Star's Santa Cruz Graphite Project, located in Southern Bahia, Brazil is the first of a series of industrial- and battery-metals projects that will be put into production. Brazil is the second-largest graphite-producing region in the world with more than 80 years of continuous mining. Santa Cruz has at-surface mineralization in friable materials, and successful large-scale pilot-plant testing (> 30 tonnes) has been completed. The results of the testing show that approximately 65% of graphite concentrate is +80 mesh with good recoveries and 95%-99% graphitic carbon (Cg). With excellent infrastructure and logistics, South Star Phase 1 is ramping up commercial production with first shipments completed in October 2024. Santa Cruz Phase 1 commercial production has a nameplate capacity of 12,000 tpy and is the first new graphite production in the Americas since 1996. Phase 2 production (25,000 tpy) is partially funded and planned for 2026, while Phase 3 (50,000 tpy) is scheduled for 2028.

South Star's second project in the development pipeline is strategically located in Alabama, U.S.A. in the center of a developing electric-vehicle, aerospace, and defense hub in the southeastern United States. The BamaStar Project includes a historic mine active during the First and Second World Wars. A NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment was filed on SEDAR+ in November 2024. Trenching, Phase 1 drilling, sampling, analysis, and preliminary metallurgical testing have been completed. The testing included a traditional crush/grind/flotation concentration circuit that achieved grades of approximately 94-99% Cg with approximately 90% recoveries. The vertically integrated production facilities include a mine and industrial concentrator in Coosa County, AL and a downstream value-add plant in Mobile, AL, which will be upgrading natural flake graphite concentrates from both Santa Cruz and BamaStar mines. South Star is executing on its plan to create a multi-asset, diversified battery-metals company with near-term operations in strategic jurisdictions. South Star trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol STS, and on the OTCQB under the symbol STSBF.

South Star is committed to a corporate culture, project execution plan and safe operations that embrace the highest standards of ESG principles, based on transparency, stakeholder engagement, ongoing education, and stewardship. To learn more, please visit the Company website at http://www.southstarbatterymetals.com.

This news release has been reviewed and approved for South Star by Richard Pearce, P.E., a "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101 and President and CEO of South Star Battery Metals Corp.

On behalf of the South Star Board of Directors,

MR. RICHARD L. PEARCE,

President & Chief Executive Officer

For additional information, please contact:

South Star Investor Relations

Email: invest@southstarbatterymetals.com

Phone: +1 (604) 706-0212

Website: www.southstarbatterymetals.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/southstarbm

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southstarbatterymetals

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/southstarbatterymetals/

YouTube: South Star Battery Metals - YouTube

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to statements regarding the Private Placement, including the closing date, the use of proceeds and potential acceleration of Warrants and Finder's Warrants, production at Santa Cruz, and scaling operations as well as advancing the Alabama project; and the Company's plans and expectations.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

SOURCE: South Star Battery Metals Corp.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 8, 2025) - Caprock Mining Corp. (CSE: CAPR) ("Caprock" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has engaged BBA E&C ("BBA"), a world-renowned resource consulting firm, to complete an updated Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") and accompanying National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") technical report (the "Technical Report") on its newly optioned Destiny gold property ("Destiny" or the "Project" or the "Property") located near Val D'Or, Quebec. The updated MRE is expected to be completed in Q1 2025, following which, the updated Technical Report is expected to be published in early Q2 2025.

Destiny hosts a near-surface, historical NI 43-101 compliant MRE published in 2011 on the DAC deposit (the "Historical Estimate"), which is just one of several mineralized zones identified on the Property through previous drilling, comprising the following gold inventory:

10.8 million tonnes averaging 1.05 g/t Au and containing 364,000 ounces Au in the Indicated category; and

in the Indicated category; and 8.3 million tonnes averaging 0.92 g/t Au and containing 247,000 ounces Au in the Inferred category.

(The Historical Estimate is based on the March 2011 NI 43-101 technical report on the DAC Deposit authored by Todd McCracken, P.Geo., who is an independent qualified person pursuant to NI 43-101 working for Wardrop and prepared for Alto Ventures Ltd., a previous owner of the Property. Management of the Company believes that the Historical Estimate is reliable based on the fact that it was prepared by a qualified person with extensive experience in Archean and Proterozoic gold deposits, working for a world-renowned resource firm. In order to bring this Historical Estimate to current relevance, the estimate needs to be re-generated using current economic parameters in the context of the current gold price environment and latest costing estimates. The key assumptions and parameters of the Historical Estimate are as follows: (i) drill holes used: 152; (ii) gold price of US$973/oz; (iii) strip ratio: 4:1; (iv) cut-off grade: 0.5 g/t Au; (v) FX Rate: 1.02 CAD - 1.00 USD; (vi) gold recovery: 94%; (vii) operating cost: $14.30/tonne; and (viii) operating rate: 10,000 tpd. Furthermore, the Company would like to note that the Historical Estimate's global block model statistics showed good agreement between all three separate modeling methods, including ordinary kriging, inverse distance squared and nearest neighbour. The Historical Estimate does not use categories other than the ones set out in Sections 1.2 and 1.3 of NI 43-101.)

The Historical Estimate was generated using a gold price of US$973/oz and a CAD:USD exchange rate of 1.02. The updated MRE will be generated in the context of the current gold price and exchange rates, which are much more favourable for overall project economics than in 2011. The updated MRE and Technical Report will also incorporate results from an additional ~10,000 m of drilling that was completed on the Project in 2020.

Management believes that gold mineralization is open at the DAC Deposit along strike, at depth and on parallel structures on the Property. This resource expansion potential is in addition to the potential to explore for, and establish, independent mineral resource estimates on four other mineralized zones that have previously been identified on the Property. Management plans to announce the details of its multi-phased exploration plan for Destiny in the coming weeks.

Independent Qualified Person

For the purposes of this engagement, Mr. Todd McCracken, P.Geo., of BBA, will act as the Independent Qualified Person (the "QP") as defined by NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum. Mr. McCracken was also the QP for the 2011 Historical Estimate and technical report on Destiny, and hence, is very familiar with the Project.

Mr. McCracken has over 32 years of experience in mineral exploration, mine operations, resource estimation and consulting. Mr. McCracken's commodities expertise includes gold, base metals, nickel-PGE, lithium pegmatite, and vanadium. He has worked on projects across Canada and internationally. Mr. McCracken is an in-house authority on NI 43-101 standards at BBA, where he leads the Mining and Geology group that specializes in project management, QA/QC programs, due diligence reviews, resource estimations, mine design, ventilation, rock mechanics, preliminary economic analysis, prefeasibility studies and feasibility studies.

About Caprock Mining Corp.

Caprock Mining Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on exploring precious metals in Quebec and Ontario.

The Company has an option to earn a 100% interest in the Destiny gold property that comprises 127 mineral claims and encompasses an area of 5,013 hectares located less than two hours' drive from Val D'Or, Quebec. Destiny lies along a major deformation corridor in the Abitibi greenstone belt that includes the prolific Cadillac-Larder Lake, Destor-Porcupine and Casa Berardi fault zones which host numerous producing and development-stage gold deposits. The Project overlies a 6.0 km long segment of the poorly explored Despinassay shear zone which is a splay off the regional Chicobi Fault. One of the several gold deposits discovered on Destiny is the DAC Deposit which has a near-surface, NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource estimate (the "Historical Estimate") published in 2011 comprising the following gold inventory:

10.8 million tonnes averaging 1.05 g/t Au and containing 364,000 ounces Au in the Indicated category; and

8.3 million tonnes averaging 0.92 g/t Au and containing 247,000 ounces Au in the Inferred category.

(The Historical Estimate is based on the March 2011 NI 43-101 technical report on the DAC Deposit authored by Todd McCracken, P.Geo., who is an independent qualified person pursuant to NI 43-101 working for Wardrop and prepared for Alto Ventures Ltd., a previous owner of the Property. Management of the Company believes that the Historical Estimate is reliable based on the fact that it was prepared by a qualified person with extensive experience in Archean and Proterozoic gold deposits, working for a world-renowned resource firm. In order to bring this Historical Estimate to current relevance, the estimate needs to be re-generated using current economic parameters in the context of the current gold price environment and latest costing estimates. The key assumptions and parameters of the Historical Estimate are as follows: (i) drill holes used: 152; (ii) gold price of US$973/oz; (iii) strip ratio: 4:1; (iv) cut-off grade: 0.5 g/t Au; (v) FX Rate: 1.02 CAD - 1.00 USD; (vi) gold recovery: 94%; (vii) operating cost: $14.30/tonne; and (viii) operating rate: 10,000 tpd. Furthermore, the Company would like to note that the Historical Estimate's global block model statistics showed good agreement between all three separate modeling methods, including ordinary kriging, inverse distance squared and nearest neighbour. The Historical Estimate does not use categories other than the ones set out in Sections 1.2 and 1.3 of NI 43-101.)

Additionally, the Company holds a 100% interest in three gold exploration properties in the historical Beardmore-Geraldton Gold Belt of Ontario - a belt that has produced over four million ounces of gold historically (Reference: Beardmore-Geraldton Gold Camp - Tashota Resources), and contains the sizeable Greenstone gold project (formerly known as the Hardrock gold project) which is being brought to production by Equinox Gold (Reference: Greenstone Gold Mines - Mining & Processing).

The scientific and technical information disclosed in this release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Vishal Gupta, the Company's President & CEO. Mr. Gupta is a P.Geo. registered with the Professional Geoscientists of Ontario (PGO) and considered a "Qualified Person" as defined under NI 43-101.

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this press release about anticipated future events or results constitute forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, statements with respect to: the Company's plans and expectations for the Destiny Project, the timing of the completion of the MRE and Technical Report, the potential for additional gold mineralization on the Property and the timing of the announcement of the Company's exploration plan for the Property. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. Although Caprock believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and/or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements since Caprock can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements, including the risks, uncertainties and other factors identified in Caprock's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. Forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results of operations to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Caprock's expectations include risks associated with the business of Caprock; risks related to reliance on technical information provided by Caprock; risks related to exploration and potential development of the Company's mineral properties; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; fluctuations in commodity prices and currency exchange rates; uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; the need for cooperation of government agencies and First Nation groups in the exploration and development of properties and the issuance of required permits; the need to obtain additional financing to develop properties and uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future financing; the possibility of delay in exploration or development programs and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones; uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other governmental approvals; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time and additional risks identified in Caprock's filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR+ in Canada (available at www.sedarplus.ca). Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the date the statements are made. Caprock does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this Release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/236342

SOURCE: Caprock Mining Corp.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 8, 2025) - Tenet Fintech Group Inc. (CSE: PKK) (OTCQB: PKKFF) ("Tenet" or the "Company"), an innovative analytics service provider, owner and operator of the Cubeler Business Hub, today announced that a recent single-day influx of data from almost 400 small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) on its Business Hub platform has now made the commercialization of the Company's first macroeconomic indicator indexes viable.

Tenet initially targeted the launch of its first ie-Pulse macroeconomic indicator indexes by the end of 2024. However, the lack of sufficient SME data shared through the Business Hub at that time made the launch unfeasible. Tenet worked closely with its bookkeeping service partners in late 2024 to speed up SME registrations on the Business Hub in preparation for the ie-Pulse launch. The Company updated the platform to allow its bookkeeping service partners, with their clients' consent, to register multiple SMEs on the platform at a time. Previously, the platform was designed to connect only with individual SMEs' accounting software systems. This adjustment introduced technical complexities that required additional time to address, which contributed to the delayed launch of the ie-Pulse offering. With the enhancements now complete, Tenet will be looking to release the initial version of the ie-Pulse indexes following a short two-to-three-week internal testing period.

About Tenet Fintech Group Inc.:

Tenet Fintech Group Inc. is the parent company of a group of innovative financial technology (Fintech) and artificial intelligence (AI) companies. All references to Tenet in this news release, unless explicitly specified, include Tenet and all its subsidiaries. Tenet's subsidiaries offer various analytics and AI-based products and services to businesses, capital markets professionals, government agencies and financial institutions either through or leveraging data gathered by the Cubeler Business Hub, a global ecosystem where analytics and AI are used to create opportunities and facilitate B2B transactions among its members. Please visit our website at: https://www.tenetfintech.com/.

Forward-Looking information

Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of Tenet to be materially different from the outlook or any future results, performance or achievements implied by such statements. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Important risk factors that could affect the forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, holding company with significant operations in China; general economic and business conditions, including factors impacting the Company's business in China such as pandemics and COVID-19; legislative and/or regulatory developments; Global Financial conditions, repatriation of profits or transfer of funds from China to Canada, operations in foreign jurisdictions and possible exposure to corruption, bribery or civil unrest; actions by regulators; uncertainties of investigations, proceedings or other types of claims and litigation; timing and completion of capital programs; liquidity and capital resources, negative operating cash flow and additional funding, dilution from further financing; financial performance and timing of capital; and other risks detailed from time to time in reports filed by Tenet with securities regulators in Canada. Reference should also be made to Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) in Tenet's annual and interim reports, Annual Information Form, filed with Canadian securities regulators and available via the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR+) under Tenet's profile at www.sedarplus.ca, for a description of major risk factors relating to Tenet. Although Tenet has attempted to identify certain factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended.

Forward-looking statements reflect information as of the date on which they are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect future events, changes in circumstances, or changes in beliefs, unless required by applicable securities laws. In the event the Company does update any forward-looking statement, no inference should be made that the Company will make additional updates with respect to that statement, related matters, or any other forward-looking statement.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/236373

SOURCE: Tenet Fintech Group Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 8, 2025) - Tower Resources Ltd. (TSXV: TWR) ("Tower" or the "Company") is pleased to report complete gold assays from Hole RN24-056 on the Thunder North gold zone on the Company's Rabbit North property in the heart of the Kamloops mining district (see Fig. 1). These assays extend the Thunder North discovery 250 m along strike to the east at double the gold grade of the 2023 discovery intersection.

Hole 056 Au Results

Hole 056 was the second hole of Tower's four-hole October 2024 diamond drilling program. It was drilled ~250 m east along strike from Hole 039, Tower's 2023 discovery hole on the Thunder North Zone, to test for possible continuation of the gold mineralization beyond a disruptive monzonite dyke 50 m east of Hole 039 (see Fig. 2).

Hole 056 successfully intersected 15.85 m of continuous gold mineralization averaging 5.80 g/t Au between 139.5 and 155.35 m down-hole (see Table 1). The overall 15.85 m gold zone is bookended by higher grade intervals of 4.5 m averaging 13.97 g/t Au at the top of the section, including 0.75 m of 65.30 g/t Au, and 4.35 m averaging 5.70 g/t Au at the bottom of the section.

Together with Hole 055 which discovered the new Blue Sky Zone ~1 km to the northeast with an initial intersection of 31.5 m averaging 4.15 g/t Au overlain by 158 m (vertical thickness) of highly anomalous to significantly mineralized diorite averaging 0.75 g/t Au (see December 23 press release), Hole 056 demonstrates how quickly Tower is building a significant gold resource at Rabbit North. Only 36 holes totaling 10,000 m have been drilled, with only half exploring outside Tower's original 2021 Lightning Zone discovery yet delivering three new discoveries of successively higher Au grades.

Total

Depth

(m) Mineralized Interval(s) Average Au Grade

(g/t) Hole No. Easting

(m) Northing

(m) Azimuth

() Dip

() Mineralized Zone(s) From

(m) To

(m) Length

(m) RN24-056 663014 5607544 143.0 -60 200 Thunder North 139.50 155.35 15.85 5.80 Including 139.50 144.00 4.50 13.97 Including 139.50 140.25 0.75 65.30 Including 151.00 155.35 4.35 5.70

Table 1 - Significant gold intercepts of the shear-hosted type from Hole 56. Samples with Au grades greater than 15 g/t are shown individually. True widths have not been determined.

Figure 2 - Location of Hole 056 relative to discovery Hole 039 on the Thunder North gold zone and Hole 055 on the new Blue Sky Zone. The Au grade x metres value for significant Au intersections in previous drill holes are used by Tower for exploration targeting only; they are not indicative of the economic potential of the mineralization.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5023/236405_aec5d23c24c0a8d9_002full.jpg

The mineralized shear zone at Thunder North, like those at Thunder and Lightning, is hosted by andesitic volcaniclastic rocks, primarily fine ash and lapilli tuffs, whereas the shear zones hosting both Blue Sky and a historical 39.7 m intersection averaging 1.75 g/t Au in a 1990 drill hole 1.5 m east of Blue Sky (see Fig. 2) occur within the Durand Stock. In Hole 056 at Thunder North the very high-grade, 65.3 g/t Au interval at the top of the gold zone (see Table 1) is of particular interest because the core also contains 0.15% bismuth and >0.05% tellurium. The elevated Bi and Tl levels indicate the presence of one or more Bi telluride minerals and suggest that the initial, pyrite-associated gold mineralization has been overprinted and upgraded by a second, lower-temperature mineralizing event.

Overdue Holes 050 and 052 Results

Holes 050 and 052 were drilled in Tower's earlier June 2024 drilling program to follow up the Rainbow porphyry Cu-Au-Mo zone that Tower discovered in Holes 041 and 042 in 2023 (see Fig. 3). The drill crew only started coring Hole 050 at a depth of 85 m, after passing through the Chilcotin cover basalt flows (see Figs. 2, 3) and upper, saprolitized part of the underlying volcaniclastic section. Hole 052 was drilled beside and below Hole 050 to obtain core from the basalt and saprolite and overlap with the top of the cored volcaniclastic section of Hole 050. However, the Hole 052 core could not be cut during the June drilling campaign because the core saw failed and required significant repairs. Instead, it was cut and assayed during the October campaign.

Both holes intersected only spotty Cu-Au-Mo mineralization rather than the continuous mineralization encountered in the 2023 discovery holes. This indicates that the Rainbow Zone, which is hosted by a magmatic-hydrothermal breccia having a very fine-grained and strongly magnetic diorite matrix, has a limited surface footprint (below the cover basalt) typical of a breccia pipe rather than being of broad extent as suggested by the large, coincident magnetic anomaly (see Fig. 3).

Follow-Up Drilling Planned

The exceptional gold results obtained from both Hole 055 at Blue Sky and Hole 056 at Thunder North clearly warrant a major follow-up drilling campaign. The Rabbit North property is accessible year-round and Tower plans to commence drilling in March.

Methods and Qualified Person

The drill core was logged at Tower's leased, fully equipped core facility near Kamloops by Matthew Husslage, P.Geo. and Ryan Parsons, G.I.T. Mr. Husslage has managed or co-managed all of Tower's Rabbit North diamond drilling programs since the discovery of the Lightning Zone in December 2021.

Split samples of the core, generally 1.0 or 1.5 m in length, were delivered directly to Activation Laboratories (ActLabs) in Kamloops, BC, a laboratory certified as ISO/IEC 17025 Accredited (Lab 790) by the Standards Council of Canada. QA/QC samples including blanks and standards were inserted regularly into the sample sequence at a ratio of approximately 1:20.

The samples were analyzed for Au by fire assay and ICP-OES and for Ag and 36 additional elements by ICP-OES using a four-acid, near-total digestion. Any over-limit (>5 g/t) Au analyses were repeated using the same fire assay procedure but with a gravimetric rather than ICP finish.

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Stuart Averill, P.Geo., a director of the Company and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Tower Resources

Tower is a Canadian based mineral exploration company focused on the discovery and advancement of economic mineral projects in the Americas. The Company's key exploration assets, all in B.C., are the Rabbit North orogenic gold and porphyry copper-gold project located between the New Afton copper-gold and Highland Valley copper mines in the Kamloops mining district, the Nechako porphyry-associated gold-silver project near Artemis' Blackwater project and the More Creek epithermal gold project on the critical "red line" structural zone connecting the mineral deposits of the Golden Triangle.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Tower Resources Ltd.

Reader Advisory

This news release may contain statements which constitute "forward-looking information", including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities of the Company. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. 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 as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, fluctuations in market prices, successes of the operations of the Company, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such information will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Figure 1 - Location of the Rabbit North property.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Figure 3 - Locations of Tower's June 2024 holes No. 050 and 052 relative to the Rainbow porphyry Cu-Au-Mo zone and Rainbow discovery Holes 041 and 042.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/236405

SOURCE: Tower Resources Ltd.
Romania's Ministry of Energy has given the green light to a 1. 5 GW solar panel factory to be built in the northeastern part of the country. Romania's Ministry of Energy has approved 32. 92 million ($27. 2 million) in state aid for the construction of a 1. 5 GW solar panel factory. SC Heliomit SRL will build the manufacturing facility in Barlad, northeastern Romania. The ministry approved the funds under the country's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). The investment contract, signed in November 2024, is one of three solar manufacturing projects approved under the PNRR. The three ...

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.
China will keep promoting friendship, cooperation and harmony among all nations

13:51, January 08, 2025 By He Yin ( People's Daily

"China will work with all countries to promote friendship and cooperation, enhance mutual learning among different cultures, and build a community with a shared future for mankind. We must jointly create a better future for the world," said Chinese President Xi Jinping in his 2025 New Year message.

His remarks demonstrate to the world China's sincere hope to strengthen friendship and cooperation with other countries, its broad vision to rise above estrangement and conflict, and its great passion for caring for the future of humanity.

Friendly cooperation has always been the defining feature of China's external exchanges. Drawing inspiration from its profound traditional culture, China has always valued making friends widely and deeply, followed the communication approaches of acting in good faith and being friendly to others, and strived for the ideals of pursuing the common good for all and promoting harmony among all nations.

These cultural values reflect the Chinese people's respect for diversity and inclusiveness, and their commitment to working together with other countries for the common good.

Chinese diplomacy also emphasizes friendship and cooperation. In October 2024, Xi met with foreign guests attending the China International Friendship Conference and conference marking the 70th founding anniversary of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries in Beijing. He recalled that a foreign friend once told him that friendship is a big deal, and a world of friendship is a world of peace.

Xi's remarks show that the streams of friendship and the vitality of cooperation can converge into a powerful force that promotes world peace and development, contributing to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

In promoting friendship and cooperation with other countries, China always values mutual respect and treats others as equals.

China always believes that all countries, big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, are equal members of the international community. It supports all countries in independently choosing development paths suited to their respective national conditions, and is ready to share development opportunities brought by Chinese modernization.

Today, China has established diplomatic relations with 183 countries and has become a major trading partner of over 150 countries and regions, creating a closer global network of partnerships.

In promoting friendship and cooperation with other countries, China always values win-win cooperation and mutual benefit.

China believes that win-win cooperation is the sure way to success in launching major initiatives that benefit all. This is also a vital experience learned from China's foreign exchange practices.

On Dec. 31, 2024, the China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement Further Upgrade Protocol entered into force. On Jan. 1, 2025, the China-Maldives Free Trade Agreement took effect. As China continues to expand high-level opening up, it has provided new opportunities for global development with new achievements of Chinese modernization.

In promoting friendship and cooperation with other countries, China always values openness, inclusiveness, and mutual learning among different civilizations.

As an old Chinese saying goes, "All living things should flourish without harming each other; all ways of life should thrive without hindering each other."

China has announced the initiative of inviting 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study programs in a five-year span, contributing to the development of China-U.S. relations and world peace. It has also invited 1,000 members of African political parties to China to deepen exchanges of experience in party and state governance.

China has established the Chinese School of Classical Studies at Athens, creating a new platform for civilizational exchange and mutual learning between China, Greece, and other nations around the world. Moreover, China has developed over 3,000 international friendship city relationships with more than 140 countries across the world, building a global network of friendships and partnerships.

With tangible actions, China has built bridges for people-to-people exchanges and encouraged people of all countries to promote mutual learning among different civilizations and foster people-to-people connectivity, injecting stronger momentum into human progress and world peace.

Sincerity is the foundation for friendship and long-term dedication is the basis of international cooperation. As changes unseen in a century accelerate across the world and the international situation becomes increasingly turbulent, the world needs to strengthen friendship and cooperation more than ever before.

China remains committed to promoting friendship and cooperation, and stands ready to work with all countries to converge the powerful force that promotes world peace and development and builds a community with a shared future for mankind.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
Particular Audience, the global leader in AI-powered retail media technology, today announced the appointment of Matt Romano, a founding architect of retail media with transformative experience at The Home Depot, Triad Retail Media, Rakuten, and most recently, Western Union Media, as VP Partnerships. Romano's arrival marks a pivotal moment in Particular Audience's mission to deliver retail media's full promise across the U.S. and Europe.

A Proven Leader Across Retail Media Pioneers

Romano's track record reads like the blueprint of modern retail media success. At The Home Depot, he built and scaled the retailer's advertising network to become one of the highest margin and fastest scaling initiatives in the business, embedding advertising seamlessly into the customer experience and redefining the value exchange between brand and retailer.

In 5 years at Triad Retail Media, as Vice President of Platform Strategy, he played a key role in Walmart and eBay's then nascent retail media networks. Triad's success led to its acquisition by WPP for $300 million in 2016, underscoring the immense value of the monetization strategies Romano helped architect.

"Alumni of Triad Retail Media dominate Retail Media today-they're everywhere, in all the right places," said James Taylor, CEO of Particular Audience. "Matt's leadership spanned Programmatic, Audience Extension, Agency Sales, and Self-Serve Sponsored Advertising. His experience is unmatched in its depth and breadth. His decision to join Particular Audience is a testament to the precision, sophistication, and automation that our platform delivers-qualities sorely missing from much of today's retail media infrastructure. With Matt, we see a massive execution opportunity as the market continues to mature and demand better, measurable results at scale."

Romano also helped drive Rakuten's monetization strategy, connecting brands with Rakuten's extensive digital ecosystem. Most recently, at Western Union Media, he launched a global media network, leveraging Western Union's vast international reach to create an innovative advertising channel for global brands.

Why Particular Audience? Why Now?

Romano's decision to join Particular Audience underscores the company's unique position in a rapidly maturing market. While antiquated retail media solutions still rely on outdated keyword-based targeting or face friction with native search integrations, Particular Audience delivers a fully integrated, AI-powered platform designed to unify every aspect of retail media performance under one system.

"Particular Audience offers the most advanced AI-powered retail media platform on the market today said James Taylor, CEO of Particular Audience. "It's not just search, not just recommendations, and not just auction mechanics-it's an end-to-end system that understands shopper intent, automates placements, and drives measurable results at scale. Whether retailers want a fully integrated solution or specific modular components, Particular Audience delivers transformative value from day one."

As the $160 billion global retail media industry continues to grow, many networks remain constrained by manual processes and outdated ad-serving technologies. Particular Audience is the missing piece of the puzzle

"Every retailer and vendor is fighting to close the technical gap with Amazon and Walmart-to build smarter, more dynamic experiences for shoppers. But the reality is, most aren't equipped to deliver," said Matt Romano. "Particular Audience offers a best-in-class AI engine out of the box, ready to slot into any retail media tech stack. We want to enable every player in the space to deliver better results, faster

Retail Media's Essential Technology Layer

With global operations spanning the U.S., Europe, Canada, and Australia, Particular Audience partners with the world's most ambitious retailers including Target, Petbarn, and Hamleys. Enterprise retail media networks leveraging Particular Audience consistently achieve up to 3x higher engagement, 2x increased onsite inventory, and 4-10x growth in ad revenue.

As the retail media industry matures, every vendor and network is working to define their lane-but the reality is, every player in the space can benefit from elements of Particular Audience's advanced technology. Whether it's intelligent automation, dynamic campaign optimization, or advanced reporting capabilities, Particular Audience's modular, enterprise-grade technology is ready to slot seamlessly into any retail media stack-empowering networks to deliver measurable outcomes without disrupting their existing infrastructure.

"Matt isn't just joining us-he's helping set the course for the entire industry," said James Taylor, CEO of Particular Audience. "Retail media is evolving fast, and the networks that win won't just have basic ad-serving tools-they'll have deeply integrated AI systems driving measurable outcomes, personalization at scale, and campaign automation. That's what we've built, and it's why Matt is here-to help bring it to every corner of the industry."

As Romano steps into his role, Particular Audience is doubling down on its mission to make advanced retail media accessible to all-one intelligent recommendation at a time.

For more information, visit https://particularaudience.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250108391585/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact:

Subject: Attention Press Media Team

Email: hello@particularaudience.com


MAHE, Seychelles, Jan. 08, 2025, the OG crypto derivatives exchange, is announcing the launch of Multi Asset Margining. This game-changing feature allows traders to use multiple margin currencies - including USDT, USDC, ETH, and XBT (Bitcoin) - to trade derivatives contracts without the hassle of asset conversions or wallet transfers. The tool was designed to streamline the trading process, enhance flexibility, and increase capital efficiency, empowering users to trade with more currencies of their choice, with the list of currencies to expand in the future.





With the addition of Multi Asset Margining, users can open and maintain positions using currencies other than a contract's settlement currency. This eliminates the step of time-consuming asset conversions, allowing users to hold multiple currencies to gain exposure to diverse markets simultaneously.

Unlike the requirements set on most exchanges, BitMEX ensures a frictionless trading experience-users can deposit their preferred currency and start trading immediately without needing to shuffle funds between wallets.

Stephan Lutz, CEO of BitMEX said, "The launch of Multi Asset Margining on BitMEX marks a transformative milestone in simplifying trading for our users and to enhance their capital efficiency. By removing the need for tedious asset conversions and wallet transfers, this feature not only simplifies the trading process but also unlocks new opportunities for our users to maximise their capital and engage seamlessly with the crypto derivatives market. As we look to 2025 and the next decade, we want to affirm our commitment to creating a more accessible and efficient crypto trading ecosystem."

How Does Multi Asset Margining Work?

BitMEX's new Multi Asset Margining system automatically allocates a user's funds to meet the margin requirements of their positions in the most efficient way possible. Traders can easily enable the feature through their account settings and monitor their available margin on the Wallet page.

To get started:

Navigate to the order form on the left side of the trading UI. Click on the 'Single Asset' button on the top left corner of the order form. In the pop-up window, select 'Multi Asset Margining'. The 'Single Asset' button should be changed to 'Multi Asset'. Start trading with a preferred margin currency.

For the full details on how Multi Asset Margining works on BitMEX, visit the FAQ page here or the BitMEX blog .

About BitMEX

BitMEX is the OG crypto derivatives exchange, providing professional crypto traders with a platform that caters to their needs through low latency, deep crypto native liquidity and unmatched reliability.

Since its founding, no cryptocurrency has been lost through intrusion or hacking, allowing BitMEX users to trade safely in the knowledge that their funds are secure. So too that they have access to the products and tools they require to be profitable.

BitMEX was also one of the first exchanges to publish their on-chain Proof of Reserves and Proof of Liabilities data. The exchange continues to publish this data twice a week - proving assurance that they safely store and segregate the funds they are entrusted with.

For more information on BitMEX, please visit the BitMEX Blog or www.bitmex.com , and follow Telegram , Twitte r and its online communities . For further inquiries, please contact press@bitmex.com .

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3ccd5092-6b64-4546-a4a6-d84595141170
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) has become the UK's largest battery storage investor, with the start of construction of two new Battery Energy Storage Systems the largest of their kind in Europe

LONDON, Jan. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) has, through its flagship fund CI IV, taken Financial Investment Decision (FID) and issued Notice to Proceed (NTP) to commence construction of two further Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects in Scotland.

Coalburn 2 is situated in South Lanarkshire, adjacent to CIP's existing Coalburn 1 BESS project, and Devilla is situated in Fife, near the town of Kincardine. Each project is sized at 500MW and, once commissioned, will be the largest battery storage projects in Europe.

These two projects represent an investment of approximately 800 million. They expand CIP's UK BESS construction portfolio from one to three projects and make CIP the largest battery storage investor in the United Kingdom.

The CIP BESS portfolio (Coalburn 1, Coalburn 2, and Devilla) will have total power capacity of 1.5GW and will be able to store and supply the grid with a total of 3GWh of electricity, equivalent to the electricity demand of over 4.5 million households, across a 2-hour period.

To mark the commencement of construction for the Coalburn 2 project, CIP welcomed Scotland's First Minister John Swinney and Gillian Martin, Scotland's Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, to the Coalburn site for a tour of ongoing construction works and to discuss CIP's future energy infrastructure investment plans for Scotland and the UK.

Nischal Agarwal, partner at CIP, said: "CIP's latest investments in Scottish battery energy storage will support the UK's pursuit of a clean power system by 2030 and delivering a net zero carbon economy by 2050. Battery storage, which is well located, like our Coalburn and Devilla projects, enhances energy security, provides the grid with much needed flexibility and enables low cost renewables to be deployed faster. CIP is fully committed to a vibrant Scottish renewable sector, and we are thrilled to welcome the First Minister John Swinney, and Cabinet Secretary Gillian Martin, to our Coalburn sites to mark our recent investment decisions and start of construction of Coalburn 2."

Scotland's First Minister John Swinney said: "The construction of the two largest battery systems in Europe, in South Lanarkshire and Fife, delivered by international investment, is to be welcomed as a significant contribution to the growth of Scotland's energy transition infrastructure. By helping to supply reliable and secure power to our homes and businesses, well-located storage systems, such as batteries and pumped hydro storage, can move us closer to net zero and directly support the communities around them. Scotland is open for business when it comes to new investments in the technologies and systems that will play a role in our just energy transition."

UK Minister for Investment Baroness Gustafsson said:?"This 800 million commitment is a major vote of confidence in the UK's investment environment and supports our mission to become a clean energy superpower. With energy being identified as a growth sector in our upcoming Industrial Strategy, we're not only helping to attract and secure investment, but providing affordable, reliable renewable energy for people across the country."

James Forster, Development Director of Alcemi, commented: "The partnership between CIP and Alcemi has gone from strength to strength and has grown into what both companies envisioned. We're proud to be a significant part of CIPs growth to becoming the UK's largest battery storage investor. We look forward to continuing to work together, delivering more strategic projects that will enable a clean power system by 2030."

Colin Parkin, President of e-STORAGE, commented, "We are thrilled to continue our partnership with CIP, as they solidify their position as the UK's largest battery storage investor, leading the way with these groundbreaking projects, the largest of their kind in Europe. e-STORAGE will deliver 2 GWh of energy storage capacity to the Coalburn 2 and Devilla batteries, marking a transformative milestone for Scotland and the UK."

In February 2022, CIP's CI IV fund entered a partnership with Alcemi, a large-scale BESS developer, to develop a UK wide portfolio of BESS projects to FID. CIP's FID for Coalburn 2 and Devilla comes approximately one year after an equivalent decision for Coalburn 1. Battery technology provider e-STORAGE, a subsidiary of Canadian Solar and a Tier 1 global energy storage solutions provider, will supply all three projects. H&MV Engineering and the OCU Group have been contracted to supply Balance of Plant and electrical engineering services for Coalburn 2 and Devilla respectively. Wood Group is providing construction management services for both Coalburn 2 and Devilla sites.

About Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners

Founded in 2012, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners P/S (CIP) today is the world's largest dedicated fund manager within greenfield renewable energy investments and a global leader in offshore wind. The funds managed by CIP focus on investments in offshore and onshore wind, solar PV, biomass and energy-from-waste, transmission and distribution, reserve capacity, storage, advanced bioenergy, and Power-to-X. In the UK, CIP is investing in over 30 GW of renewable energy infrastructure, representing over 15 Billion of future investment potential.

CIP manages 12 funds and has to date raised approximately EUR 31 billion for investments in energy and associated infrastructure from more than 180 international institutional investors. CIP has approximately 500 employees and 14 offices around the world. For more information, visit www.cip.com

For further information, please contact:

E-mail: media@cip.com

Oliver Routhe Skov, Head of Media Relations

Phone: +45 30541227

Email: orsk@cip.com

Alex Murley - CIP Head of Government Affairs & Communications (UK & Ireland)

Phone: +44 77 88 350 719

Email: almu@cisc.dk

Thomas Knig, Partner - Investor Relations

Phone: +45 7070 5151

Email: tkon@cip.com
Funds aimed at accelerating development of immersive platform technology and global expansion

NEW YORK, Jan. 08, 2025, an innovation company powering the next generation of digital media and e-commerce through extended reality- and positions iR to capture a commanding share of this growth.

Today's capital infusion exemplifies Infinite Reality's unique approach to growth, built on meaningful and lasting relationships with individual investors and family offices rather than conventional venture funding. This purposeful strategy has distinguished iR within the technology sector since its founding in 2019. And with this substantial backing, iR is uniquely positioned to accelerate the evolution of digital engagement, providing enterprises and creators with an unprecedented suite of tools and advanced data capabilities to build immersive experiences that redefine audience connections in the digital world.

"While we are excited that our ability to secure this level of funding validates our mission to build an immersive experience platform that will power the next generation of the web, we are absolutely ecstatic to share this news with our customers: businesses all over the world," said John Acunto, co-founder and CEO of Infinite Reality. "The ability to provide them a platform where they can not only create a great immersive environment, but one where they own their data, own their customer, and own their experience means the world to Infinite Reality - and to me personally."

"This fundraise allows us to continue investing in our customers as they strive to be active participants in today's technological advancements," Acunto continues. "Put simply, we enable them to seamlessly convert their existing 2D website into an immersive space and add the power of AI to optimize sales and ultimately their bottom line. In our world, brands and creators aren't just participants but true architects of their digital destiny, with complete control over their customer relationships and data. This strategy requires investment in exceptional talent, breakthrough technology, and most importantly, an unwavering commitment to our customers."

With this significant warchest, Infinite Reality aims to continue to build on the many initiatives it kicked off in 2024, including the execution of acquisitions, landmark partnerships, and product launches. The company's trajectory to today has been marked by bold moves that significantly expanded its global footprint and technological capabilities, and established it as a category leader. This was evidenced in multiple milestones announced in the last year, including:

The signing of a five-year deal with Google Cloud (https://www.theinfinitereality.com/news/infinite-reality-and-google-cloud-ink-5-year-strategic-partnership-to-drive-innovation-adoption-and-scale-of-immersive-digital-experiences). Not only will this alliance power immersive digital experiences using AI and spatial computing, it further energizes iR's ambitious product roadmap and plan for scale.

(https://www.theinfinitereality.com/news/infinite-reality-and-google-cloud-ink-5-year-strategic-partnership-to-drive-innovation-adoption-and-scale-of-immersive-digital-experiences). Not only will this alliance power immersive digital experiences using AI and spatial computing, it further energizes iR's ambitious product roadmap and plan for scale. The significant expansion of iR's MENA presence through partnerships with both public and private sectors. This rapid growth is highlighted by multiple high profile collaborations, including the development of advanced digital twin technologies for practical applications such as interactive training and safety demonstrations for the UAE Ministry of Finance, as well as the recent unveiling of the digital twin of the DMCC Crypto Centre (https://www.theinfinitereality.com/news/infinite-reality-launches-immersive-digital-twin-for-dmccs-crypto-centre-in-dubai). The momentum will continue to build with upcoming prominent projects across the region including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and beyond, encompassing initiatives with government entities, tourism authorities, and premier real estate developers.

(https://www.theinfinitereality.com/news/infinite-reality-launches-immersive-digital-twin-for-dmccs-crypto-centre-in-dubai). The momentum will continue to build with upcoming prominent projects across the region including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and beyond, encompassing initiatives with government entities, tourism authorities, and premier real estate developers. The $450 million purchase of Dubai-based Landvault (now iR Enterprise) (https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/07/09/2910405/0/en/Infinite-Reality-Closes-350-Million-Investment-Acquires-Landvault-in-450-Million-Deal-Valuation-Soars-to-5-1-Billion.html) which has built over 1.2 million square feet of virtual experiences for countless high-profile brands including Mastercard, Standard Chartered, Hershey, a Cannes Lion-winning Heineken campaign (https://landvault.io/portfolio/heineken-silver-brewery) with Dentsu, groundbreaking activations with Hershey in Decentraland, and the innovative World of Women experience in The Sandbox.

(https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/07/09/2910405/0/en/Infinite-Reality-Closes-350-Million-Investment-Acquires-Landvault-in-450-Million-Deal-Valuation-Soars-to-5-1-Billion.html) which has built over 1.2 million square feet of virtual experiences for countless high-profile brands including Mastercard, Standard Chartered, Hershey, a (https://landvault.io/portfolio/heineken-silver-brewery) with Dentsu, groundbreaking activations with Hershey in Decentraland, and the innovative World of Women experience in The Sandbox. The closing of multiple acquisitions, including the $250 million acquisition of the Drone Racing League (https://www.theinfinitereality.com/news/infinite-reality-acquires-the-drone-racing-league-for-250-million-solidifying-position-as-global-leader-in-immersive-technology-experiences), the $75 million purchase of Ethereal Engine (https://www.theinfinitereality.com/news/infinite-reality-the-global-leader-in-immersive-experiences-acquires-spatial-web-pioneer-ethereal-engine), Action Face (https://www.theinfinitereality.com/news/infinite-reality-acquires-action-face-custom-3-d-avatar-creator-to-bring-more-personalization-to-immersive-experiences), and Stakes (https://www.theinfinitereality.com/news/infinite-reality-the-global-leader-in-immersive-experiences-strengthens-team-with-acquisition-of-cutting-edge-social-sports-platform-stakes). These deals strengthened iR's capabilities in computer vision and spatial web technology, gaming, robotics, and more.

(https://www.theinfinitereality.com/news/infinite-reality-acquires-the-drone-racing-league-for-250-million-solidifying-position-as-global-leader-in-immersive-technology-experiences), the (https://www.theinfinitereality.com/news/infinite-reality-the-global-leader-in-immersive-experiences-acquires-spatial-web-pioneer-ethereal-engine), (https://www.theinfinitereality.com/news/infinite-reality-acquires-action-face-custom-3-d-avatar-creator-to-bring-more-personalization-to-immersive-experiences), and (https://www.theinfinitereality.com/news/infinite-reality-the-global-leader-in-immersive-experiences-strengthens-team-with-acquisition-of-cutting-edge-social-sports-platform-stakes). These deals strengthened iR's capabilities in computer vision and spatial web technology, gaming, robotics, and more. Continued work with Warner Bros. Discovery Sports, including the launch of the FIM SGP-VERSE (https://www.theinfinitereality.com/news/introducing-the-fim-sgp-verse-fans-to-experience-fim-speedway-gp-like-never-before-with-launch-of-new-ios-immersive-experience) app, the world's first socially interactive and fully immersive speedway experience with features such as customizable camera streams, an exclusive pit reporter feed and on-demand video content.

(https://www.theinfinitereality.com/news/introducing-the-fim-sgp-verse-fans-to-experience-fim-speedway-gp-like-never-before-with-launch-of-new-ios-immersive-experience) app, the world's first socially interactive and fully immersive speedway experience with features such as customizable camera streams, an exclusive pit reporter feed and on-demand video content. The continuation of iR's long-standing work with Pairpoint (https://www.theinfinitereality.com/news/infinite-reality-and-pairpoint-to-unveil-mixed-reality-experience-at-gitex-global-in-dubai), a Vodafone and Sumitomo Company, was on full display in Dubai at GITEX Global 2024, the world's largest tech and startup event. This exhibition marked the third successful joint venture between the two companies, and saw Infinite Reality leading the development of a peerless mixed reality (MR) experience that seeks to redefine digital interaction.

In a statement shared on behalf of their client, the investor, Michael Sullivan of the Ashcroft Law Firm said, "Our client has made and evaluated several investments in the technology sector. What compelled this investment was not just John's stated vision for the product itself, but his commitment to giving customers ownership of their data. As everyone understands, it is a crucial time for businesses of all sizes to own their data, customers, and intellectual property as AI gains momentum in the marketplace. Recognizing the significance of scalability and mass marketability, our client was particularly impressed by what he believes is iR's revolutionary product, which caters to individuals and artists seeking to build their brand image with immediate global reach while servicing clientele from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. It is our clients belief this investment underscores a pivotal move towards empowering users and redefining ownership in the digital age."

Among the key areas where iR will leverage the pivotal investment includes further feature development for its no-code immersive SaaS product iR Studio , which launched in public beta earlier this year. This solution directly gives brands, creators, and developers the tools to build and deploy immersive projects, aiming to democratize access to XR by making it easy to create and broadly accessible to consume via the web. Through its proprietary iR Engine and the addition of AI assistance, iR Studio customers will soon be able to easily publish 3D websites and access enhanced data, ultimately supporting improved e-commerce conversion rates and other valuable business metrics.

In addition to its software investments, iR will also continue to execute on its infrastructure plan, namely the public-private partnership with the city of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and iR's build-out of a new global headquarters in the Sunshine State. Launched with the acquisition of over 60 acres of previously abandoned property, the ambitious project will see the former Superfund site be revitalized into a state-of-the-art innovation hub. In September, Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean J. Trantalis said , "This landmark development underscores iR's strategic vision of Florida as the emerging epicenter of next-generation internet technologies." The complex is projected to create thousands of new jobs and serve as a catalyst for technological advancement across multiple industries. With support from this latest funding round, the development reinforces Florida's position as the new frontier for digital innovation and iR's commitment to building the infrastructure of tomorrow's internet. For more on this project, visit theinfinitereality.com/florida .

"This transaction is in the form of pure equity, and no debt or restrictive covenants were made. The investor reviewed many opportunities, but ultimately bet on our vision, mission, strategy and team," said Amish Shah, co-founder and Chief Business Officer of Infinite Reality. "This represents not just a vote of confidence, but provides us the firepower to grow at warp speed through continued innovation, accretive acquisitions, and global go-to-market activity. The unique nature of this partnership gives us full freedom to execute our vision exactly as intended."

Today, Infinite Reality stands ready to accelerate the global adoption of immersive technologies across industries and use cases. iR's expanded capabilities and robust financial foundation cement its role as the definitive platform for the immersive web.

About Infinite Reality

Infinite Reality.

About Ashcroft Law Firm

We believe the true character of an organization or a leader is revealed by adversity. Bad things can happen to good people and honest people can make mistakes. Leaders and organizations committed to integrity will thrive in even the toughest situations. We have also seen organizations choose a different path and suffer the consequences of their decisions.

That's one reason why we personally treat maintaining our and our clients' integrity as a specific commitment - and why we only advise leaders and organizations who share a similar commitment.

Former U.S. Attorney General, Governor and Senator John Ashcroft serves as the firm's founder. Together with the select group of seasoned, respected and experienced senior executives he recruited to join him-many of whom helped to lead the U.S. Department of Justice during a significant time in our nation's history-the Firm has earned a reputation for integrity and a track record for accelerating successful resolutions of even the most complex matters. ashcroftlawfirm.com .
Greene Concepts, Inc. (OTC PINK:INKW) proudly announces nine core elements driving its strategic roadmap for sustained growth. These pillars, outlined in the company's business plan, set a clear path for continued success in the expanding bottled water market.

Be Water artesian spring water

Key Elements of Greene Concepts' Growth Strategy:

Expansive Market Potential: The global bottled water market, valued at $372.7 billion in 2025, is projected to reach $509.18 billion by 2030 (Grand View Research). Rapid Market Growth: A strong compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4% is expected for the industry through 2030. Experienced Leadership: Greene Concepts' team brings decades of expertise in sales, product development, and distribution. Sustainable Competitive Edge: The BE WATER brand caters to niche markets with unique health requirements. Adaptability: As a lean company, Greene Concepts is agile, developing innovative products to meet evolving consumer demands. Commercialization Strategy: A multi-channel approach includes online sales, retail distribution, and government partnerships. Scalability: Positioned for exponential growth through diverse marketing channels and consumer-focused products. Proof of Concept: Quality sales performance, strategic partnerships, and market validation underscore the company's potential. Realistic Business Model: A solid foundation based on detailed market analysis, cost assessment, and operational planning.

Lenny Greene, CEO of Greene Concepts, states, "As we enter 2025, we are well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for healthy, hydrating beverages. These nine elements perfectly align with our business strategy, ensuring a robust and sustainable future for Greene Concepts. Stay tuned for more exciting updates soon."

Be Water Logo

About Greene Concepts, Inc.

Greene Concepts, Inc. (http://www.greeneconcepts.com) is a publicly traded company whose purpose is to provide the world with high-quality, healthy and enhanced beverage choices that meet the nutritional needs of its consumers while refreshing their mind, body and spirit. The Company's flagship product, BE WATER, is a premium artesian bottled water that supports total body health and wellness. Greene Concepts' beverage and bottling plant is located in Marion, North Carolina, and their water is ethically sourced from spring and artesian wells that are fed from a natural aquifer located deep beneath the Blue Ridge Mountains. Greene Concepts continues to develop and market premium beverage brands designed to enhance the daily lives of consumers.

Safe Harbor: This Press Release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based on the current plans and expectations of management and are subject to a few uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect the company's current plans and expectations, as well as future results of operations and financial condition. A more extensive listing of risks and factors that may affect the company's business prospects and cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the reports and other documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission and OTC Markets, Inc. OTC Disclosure and News Service. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, because of new information, future events or otherwise.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 8, 2025 / Trans Canada Gold Corp. (TSX-V:TTG)(OTCQB:TTGXF) ("Trans Canada" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that the Company has now completed another month of robust steady oil production for the month of December 2024, with trucking and oil sales to Altex. The two Lloydminster wells have shipped 5,376 barrels (bbl) for the month of December and produced at an average daily rate of 180 bbl/d gross (32.5bbl/d net) to the Company since being placed on production, representing its 18.75% working interest ownership in both wells. Production shipping and sales commenced on the first newly drilled Multilateral well, a year ago on October 6th, 2023, and the new well was brought on production in mid-September 2024. Croverro Energy Ltd. is the Operator.

Croverro has set a 2025 preliminary budget with one Multilateral Sparky well forecasted to be drilled for Spring 2025. This well is expected to be identical to the original Sparky well drilled by the Company in October 2023. Once the GP well has been repaired and resumes production, additional GP zone wells may be drilled in late 2025. The Company is currently monitoring oil prices, and should they improve Croverro is expected to accelerate drilling and development.

The second newly drilled well the 8-23 targeting the GP zone, successfully commenced production of over 150 bbl/d, delivering more than 5,000 bbls of oil production before encountering a blockage near the end of the intermediate casing. While this has temporarily impacted production, Croverro has proactively implemented a range of repair solutions, including multiple Super Flushes on the well. Croverro remains optimistic about resuming operations and restoring production once the Alberta extreme cold weather conditions improve and the repair plan is fully implemented.

Commented Tim Coupland, "We have now managed steady oil production for 2024, successfully producing our two Multilateral Well program for over a year now, and brought on to production, two Multilateral wells, and successfully surpassed the 90,000-barrel production benchmark. The Company is continuing its newly adopted multilateral well drilling strategy for 2025-2026, using new state of the art multilateral well drilling techniques in Alberta and Saskatchewan, to create growth.

The Company continues to explore additional exploration drilling opportunities in Canada and the United States.

ABOUT TRANS CANADA GOLD CORP. - OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION/REVENUE PRODUCING WELLS

The Company is a discovery focused Oil & Gas Resource Development and Mineral Exploration Company that is currently focused on developing and drilling its' production of conventional heavy oil exploration properties, increasing production capabilities, and increasing future oil production revenues through responsible exploration. The Company identifies, acquires and finances with its working interest partners, the ongoing development of oil and gas assets primarily situated in Alberta Canada. The Company has qualified Senior exploration management and Geological teams of professionals, seasoned in exploration production, field exploration and drilling. The Company currently works with Croverro Energy Ltd., who has demonstrated proficiency, expected of an experienced oil and gas technical team that has proven oil production, and revenue success with large multi-lateral wells currently under their supervision. The Company has the necessary manpower in place to develop its natural resource properties and manage its production properties. The Company is committed to minimizing risk through selective property acquisitions, and responsible exploration drilling, and maximizing long term petroleum and natural gas resource assets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Tim Coupland, President and CEO

Trans Canada Gold Corp.

Tel: (604) 681-3131

astar@telus.com

www.transcanadagold.com

or

Christian Timmins, Director

Trans Canada Gold Corp.

Tel: (403) 597-3410

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider, (as the term is defined in the Policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contact Information

Chris Timmins

Director

ctimmins29@gmail.com

403-597-3410

Tim Coupland

CEO

astar@telus.com

604-681-3131



SOURCE: Trans Canada Gold Corp.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Highlights:

Core Drilling has commenced at Pilar's Main Zone

Four RC Drillholes Completed Prior to Holiday Break on Expansion Area Assays Pending for 776.2 meters



Tocvan Ventures Corp. (the "Company") (CSE:TOC)(OTCQB:TCVNF)(WKN:TV3/A2PE64), is pleased to announce core drilling has commenced at its Gran Pilar Gold Silver Project in mine-friendly Sonora, Mexico. An initial nine core drill holes are budgeted and pre-paid through an existing credit with partial joint venture partner, Colibri Resources Corp. (Colibri). Tocvan and Colibri share 51/49 percent interest in the 105-hectare area that contains Pilar's Main Zone, core drilling will be focused on the JV area across the Main Zone to build out a robust geological model needed for resource estimation (see Figure 1).

Prior to the holiday break, four RC drillholes were completed, totaling 776.2 meters. Several trends extending into the 100% controlled expansion area (over 2,100 hectares) are being tested for the first time, pushing the known boundary of mineralization farther out than ever before. Assays are pending for the four drillholes. RC drilling is planned to continue throughout the year.

"We welcome 2025 as important year with a focus on two key project advancements: 1) the establishment and ongoing expansion of a resource estimate; 2) the setup and processing of a proof-of-concept test mine." commented, CEO Brodie Sutherland. "With drilling ongoing we expect results from RC drilling and surface exploration across the Gran Pilar expansion area starting the later half of January into February. First results from core drilling we expect later in February into early March. During this time, we will continue to build towards test mine operation with aim for proof-of-concept production during the third quarter of this year. The Tocvan team wishes everyone a happy and healthy 2025. With the progression of the exciting events unfolding, we are optimistic for a great year ahead for Tocvan and its shareholders."

Plate 1. Photo of Core Drilling starting at the Gran Pilar Gold-Silver Project, Sonora, Mexico.

Pilar Drill Highlights:

2024 RC Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 42.7m @ 1.0 g/t Au, including 3.1m @ 10.9 g/t Au 56.4m @ 1.0 g/t Au, including 3.1m @ 14.7 g/t Au 16.8m @ 0.8 g/t Au and 19 g/t Ag

2022 Phase III Diamond Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 116.9m @ 1.2 g/t Au, including 10.2m @ 12 g/t Au and 23 g/t Ag 108.9m @ 0.8 g/t Au, including 9.4m @ 7.6 g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag 63.4m @ 0.6 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag, including 29.9m @ 0.9 g/t Au and 18 g/t Ag

2021 Phase II RC Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 39.7m @ 1.0 g/t Au, including 1.5m @ 14.6 g/t Au 47.7m @ 0.7 g/t Au including 3m @ 5.6 g/t Au and 22 g/t Ag 29m @ 0.7 g/t Au 35.1m @ 0.7 g/t Au

2020 Phase I RC Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 94.6m @ 1.6 g/t Au, including 9.2m @ 10.8 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag; 41.2m @ 1.1 g/t Au, including 3.1m @ 6.0 g/t Au and 12 g/t Ag ; 24.4m @ 2.5 g/t Au and 73 g/t Ag, including 1.5m @ 33.4 g/t Au and 1,090 g/t Ag

15,000m of Historic Core & RC drilling. Highlights include: 61.0m @ 0.8 g/t Au 21.0m @ 38.3 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag 13.0m @ 9.6 g/t Au 9.0m @ 10.2 g/t Au and 46 g/t Ag



Pilar Bulk Sample Summary:

62% Recovery of Gold Achieved Over 46-day Leaching Period

Head Grade Calculated at 1.9 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag; Extracted Grade Calculated at 1.2 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag

Bulk Sample Only Included Coarse Fraction of Material (+3/4" to +1/8")

Fine Fraction (-1/8") Indicates Rapid Recovery with Agitated Leach Agitated Bottle Roll Test Returned Rapid and High Recovery Results: 80% Recovery of Gold and 94% Recovery of Silver after Rapid 24-hour Retention Time



Additional Metallurgical Studies:

Gravity Recovery with Agitated Leach Results of Five Composite Samples Returned 95 to 99% Recovery of Gold 73 to 97% Recovery of Silver Includes the Recovery of 99% Au and 73% Ag from Drill Core Composite at 120-meter depth.



Based on management's strong belief in the project's potential, the Company is outlining a permitting and operations strategy for a pilot facility at Pilar. The facility would underpin a robust test mine scenario with aims to process up to 50,000 tonnes of material. Timelines and budget are being prepared with the aim of moving forward with the development early in 2025. With gold prices hitting all-time highs, the Company believes the onsite test mine will provide key economic parameters and showcase the mineral potential of the area. In 2023, the Company completed an offsite bulk sample that produced important data showcasing the potential to recover both gold and silver through a variety of methods including heap leach, gravity and agitated leach (see August 22, 2023, news release for more details).

About Tocvan Ventures Corp.

Tocvan's advancing gold-silver projects are located in the mine-friendly jurisdiction of Sonora, Mexico. Through ongoing exploration programs, Company is unveiling the high-potential at its Gran Pilar Gold-Silver Project where it holds 100% interests in over 21 square kilometers of prospective area and a majority ownership (51%) in a one square kilometer area shared with Colibri Resources. The Company also holds 100% interest in the Picacho Gold-Silver project in the Caborca Trend of northern Sonora, a trend host to some of the major gold deposits of the region. Management feels both projects represent tremendous opportunity to create shareholder value.

Tocvan has approximately 51 million shares outstanding.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the

Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains "forward-looking information" which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Forward-looking information in this news release includes statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Offering. Such forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words and phrases such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved.

These forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business. Management believes that these assumptions are reasonable. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, risks related to the speculative nature of the Company's business, the Company's formative stage of development and the Company's financial position. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

For more information, please contact:

TOCVAN VENTURES CORP.

Brodie A. Sutherland, CEO

820-1130 West Pender St.

Vancouver, BC V6E 4A4

Telephone: 1 888 772 2452

Email: ir@tocvan.ca

SOURCE: Tocvan Ventures Corp

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 8, 2025) - Kingsmen Resources Ltd. (TSXV: KNG) (OTCQB: KNGRF) ("Kingsmen" or the "Company") is pleased to report it will commence its field reconnaissance program on the Saddle Extension zone ("Saddle X") . The Saddle and Saddle X areas are part of its 100% owned Las Coloradas project, in the Parral mining district of the Central Mexican Silver Belt, Chihuahua, Mexico.







Figure 1



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9640/236394_95bc4ab0d4388bb3_003full.jpg

The Saddle X covers an area of 1.8 X 1.4 kilometers (1.2 square miles) between the Saddle target and the Soledad structures/historic Las Coloradas mine (Figure 1), where the company is planning its initial drill program. The goal of Kingsmen's exploration in this area is to better define this newly discovered drill target.

President, Scott Emerson, commented: "We are excited to start 2025, putting the logistics together for our initial drill program and the expanded field work on the newly discovered Saddle target. The magnetic signature of this area strongly resembles the La Prieta mine in Parral City. The Saddle target presents an opportunity which could significantly add to our resource potential"

About Las Coloradas

The Las Coloradas Project ( 8.5 km2 -3.3 sq miles) represents a consolidation of a historic mining district that covers numerous silver-gold-lead-zinc-copper mines previously exploited by ASARCO (American Smelting and Refining Company), the U.S.- based subsidiary of Grupo Mexico.

Las Coloradas is in the Parral mining district of the Central Mexican Silver Belt, located approximately 30 kilometers southeast of the city of Hildago de Parral and 40 kilometers east of the San Francisco de Oro and Santa Barbara mining districts where several old major mines are located: La Prieta, Veta Colorada, Palmilla, Esmeralda, San Francisco del Oro and Santa Barbara. As well, new major mining projects are currently being explored in the district: Cordero (Discovery Silver Corp.), 35 kms north of Parral, and La Cigarra (Kootenay Silver Inc.), 35 kms northwest of Parral. Click here to see locator map, https://www.kingsmenresources.com/area-history

Qualified Person

Kieran Downes, Ph.D., P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure set out in this news release.

About Kingsmen Resources

Kingsmen Resources is a mineral exploration company focused on advancing its 100% held Las Coloradas Project located in the prolific mining district of Parral Mexico. The project hosts the historic past producing high-grade silver mine, Las Coloradas. It is considered to be prospective for hosting further precious metal deposits, being on the same structural and stratigraphic belts that host numerous other , on -trend, high- grade deposits. In addition, the company has a 1% NSR on the Los Ricos North project operated by GoGold Resources Inc.in Mexico. The Company's leaders have extensive experience in the mining and financial sectors. Kingsmen is a publicly-traded company (TSXV: KNG) (OTCQB: KNGRF) and is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia.

On behalf of the Board, Signed:

"Scott Emerson"

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statement:

All statements, trend analysis and other information contained in this press release about anticipated future events or results constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including, without limitation, statements regarding the completion of the acquisition of the Las Coloradas Project and receipt of regulatory approval, are forward-looking statements. Although Kingsmen believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and/or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements since Kingsmen can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements, including the risks, uncertainties and other factors identified in Kingsmen's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators, and assumptions made with regard to: Kingsmen's ability to make the required payments under the definitive agreements; and Kingsmen's ability to secure the necessary regulatory approvals. Forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results of operations to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Kingsmen's expectations include risks associated with the business of Kingsmen; risks related to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions to the closing of the acquisition of the Las Coloradas Project; non-completion of the acquisition of the Las Coloradas Project; risks related to exploration and potential development of the Las Coloradas Project; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; fluctuations in commodity prices and currency exchange rates; uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; the need for cooperation of government agencies in the exploration and development of properties and the issuance of required permits; the need to obtain additional financing to develop properties and uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future financing; the possibility of delay in exploration or development programs and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones; uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other governmental approvals; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time and additional risks identified in Kingsmen's filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedarplus.ca). Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the date the statements are made. Kingsmen does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/236394

SOURCE: Kingsmen Resources Ltd
ClearCoast is the only Portable MRI system that provides real time intraoperative objective, quantitative, and immediately actionable information on margin malignancy assessment during Breast Conserving Surgery

REHOVOT, Israel, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ClearCut Medical, a commercial stage privately held company, developed the ClearCoast, the first and only portable MRI system that performs real-time intraoperative margin assessment of excised breast tumors during Breast Conserving Surgery (BCS). Clear margins are critical in order to minimize the risk of recurrence and the need for retreatment.

The study aimed primarily to compare retreatment proportion within and between study groups with accordance to the SSO-ASTRO guideline. The secondary endpoint compared ClearCoast and the Standard of Care (SoC) diagnostic ability to detect positive margins intraoperatively, as well as the total excised breast tissue volume between study groups.

"ClearCoast is the most promising technique currently available for intraoperative margin assessment in breast conserving surgery of in situ and invasive breast cancer" said Prof. Dr. Marc Thill, director of the Department of Gynecology and Gynecological Oncology at the Agaplesion Markus Hospital in Frankfurt, Germany and PI of the study. "Following previous trials and after using the technique in our interventional post-marketing ClearCoast study, I am convinced that the technique is ready for clinical routine."

ClearCoast demonstrated a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 70%. It detected 92% of the DCIS compared to 18% in the control group. Moreover, the surgeon removed less breast tissue (69.9cm3 vs. 153.2 cm3) without increasing the duration of the procedure. Lastly, ClearCoast showed a potential for an 80% reduction in re-excisions.

"These results emphasize its potential in reducing the burden of re-excision for patients and the Healthcare costs without trading off time for precision", said Hezi Himelfarb, CEO of ClearCut Medical. "The intuitive display of the system produces images that can be immediately interpreted by the surgeon, without the need for other specialists."

The system received CE Mark approval and is being sold in Europe by pfm medical gmbh.

About Clear-Cut Medical

Clear-Cut Medical is dedicated to improve the quality of care for cancer patients using MRI, the trusted gold-standard imaging modality for cancer diagnostics.

The company developed the ClearCoast, a powerful 1.2T MRI system used to assess the margin of the lumpectomy specimen that is encased in a proprietary disposable chamber inserted into the system. It is fully shielded with no special facility requirements or interference with other instruments in the OR, and provides real-time quantitative information in an intuitive topographic display that is interpreted by the surgeon with no need for additional experts.

The surgeon can instantly identify marginal areas suspected to be malignant and proceed to remove immediately additional tissue before sending the specimen to pathology and by this, reduce significantly the re-excision rate.

The system utilizes state-of-the-art proprietary MRI technology for real time tissue margin assessment. Clinical trial results in BCS have shown high sensitivity and specificity and a potential reduction in re-excision of up to 80%.

Contact:

Hezi Himelfarb

hezi@clrcut.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2589546/ClearCoast_MRI_System.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/clearcut-medical-announces-results-of-a-post-marketing-clearcoast-study-presented-at-the-san-antonio-breast-cancer-symposium-302345603.html
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 8, 2025) - Indigo Exploration Inc. (TSXV: IXI) (OTCQB: IXIXF) (FSE: INEN) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has commenced a planned 50-hole drill program on its highly prospective uranium project located in the past producing Shirley Basin of Wyoming. The Hot Property covers a 5.75 km2 (2.2 miles2) area of the Basin and has seen over 200 uranium exploration holes completed between 1957 and 1975. The Project is located adjacent to Uranium Energy Corp.'s (UEC-NYSE) Shirley Basin project, Ur-Energy Inc.'s (URG-NYSE) Shirley Basin mine, and Nuclear Fuels Inc.'s (NF-CSE) Bobcat Uranium Project. Ur-Energy's Shirley Basin project hosts an NI 43-101 Measured and Indicated Resource of 8.8 Mlb U3O8 grading 0.23%1 currently under construction2.

This of Indigo's first drill campaign on its 100% owned Hot Property will systematically explore the southern part of the property, where favourable historic intercepts were encountered in the top 53 metres (175 feet) from surface, as well as areas that have never been drilled before. Holes will be spaced roughly every 160 metres (525 feet) apart with the aim to characterize the thickness and grade of uranium mineralization through downhole gamma ray geophysical logging and develop a stratigraphic framework to broadly model the continuity and configuration of near surface potentially multiple uranium roll fronts. The 50-hole program is anticipated to take 10 days.



Figure 1: Shirley Basin Uranium Project Map

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1Updated Initial Assessment Technical Report Summary on Shirley Basin ISR Uranium Project, Carbon County Wyoming, USA dated March 4, 2024 and prepared by Western Water Consultants, Inc.

2 Ur-Energy Announces Decision to Build Out Shirley Basin Mine: Press Release dated March 13, 2024

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,"Paul Cowley", President and CEO

Bradley Parkes, P.Geo., VP Exploration and Director of Indigo Exploration Inc., is the Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, who has read and approved the technical content of this news release.

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements as well as management's objectives, strategies, beliefs and intentions. Forward-looking statements are frequently identified by such words as "may", "will", "plan", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend" and similar words referring to future events and results. Forward-looking statements are based on the current opinions and expectations of management. All forward-looking information is inherently uncertain and subject to a variety of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, fluctuating commodity prices, competitive risks and the availability of financing, as described in more detail in our recent securities filings available at www.sedarplus.ca. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements and we caution against placing undue reliance thereon. We assume no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulations Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/236404

SOURCE: Indigo Exploration Inc.
New global climate role will help tackle increasing weather and catastrophe risks through advanced analytics, innovative solutions and new sources of capital

Proven entrepreneurial leader with international experience across Reinsurance and Commercial Risk strengthens the firm's industry-leading integrated Risk Capital capability

DUBLIN, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, announced today the appointment of John Neal as Global Chairman of Climate Solutions and Global CEO of Reinsurance for Aon, effective following the conclusion of his notice period.

Neal will help lead Aon's efforts to address the growing and complex risks associated with climate change, while also building on the success of the firm's industry-leading Reinsurance team, further enhancing the value Aon delivers to clients. His appointment arrives at a critical time as businesses and communities around the world must tackle increasing volatility driven by climate-related events, and as Aon continues to leverage its integrated Risk Capital capabilities to offer the firm's clients advanced analytics, innovative solutions and access to new sources of capital. Neal will play an important role in delivering Reinsurance solutions to meet the evolving demands of today's dynamic marketplace. He will be based in London, reporting to Andy Marcell, CEO of Risk Capital for Aon, and serve as a member of the firm's Risk Capital leadership team.

"John's career is celebrated for looking ahead to the future and investing in technology and talent to position the insurance industry for greater impact and growth," said Greg Case, CEO of Aon. "He brings significant and relevant experience that will advance our 3x3 Plan to accelerate our Aon United strategy, unlock integrated climate solutions and ultimately create key points of difference in how we serve our clients across risk and people issues."

Neal will join Aon from Lloyd's of London (Lloyd's), the world's leading insurance marketplace, where he has served as CEO since October 2018. During his tenure, Lloyd's experienced a remarkable transformation, achieving industry-leading performance and the company's strongest financial position in its 340-year history. His strategic initiatives helped position the company for long-term growth and sustainability, while reinforcing the vital role the insurance industry plays in helping clients navigate risks - from geopolitical volatility to climate change.

Marcell said, "I'm excited to welcome John to Aon. He brings a wealth of experience, strategic vision and a deep understanding of the shifting needs of our clients. His leadership will be instrumental in supporting the team to address the challenges organizations face across the megatrends of Trade, Technology, Weather and Workforce, and developing solutions that enable our clients to thrive in a rapidly changing world."

Neal added, "I will be forever grateful to my colleagues and many others across the Lloyd's market for the opportunity to put in place a framework that has delivered strong and sustainable financial performance and positions Lloyd's for future success. At Aon, I'm looking forward to supporting colleagues as they look to serve clients' reinsurance needs and deliver smart insurance solutions that help address some of the world's most pressing challenges, especially with regard to the climate transition."

Prior to joining Lloyd's, Neal served as Group CEO of QBE, a global insurance and reinsurance business, where he was responsible for running a $14 billion gross written premium (GWP) business with over 14,000 employees in 37 countries. Before becoming CEO, he held a number of leadership positions at QBE, including Chief Underwriting Officer and Chief Operations Officer of the firm's European operations. Previously, he led a management buyout of Ensign to establish a dedicated Lloyd's Managing Agency. As CEO of Ensign, he grew GWP to $300 million to create the leading specialist commercial motor underwriter in the UK. He also worked at Bankside Managing Agency, where he was the youngest active underwriter at Lloyd's, and started his career at the Crowe Underwriting Agency.

About Aon

Aon plc (NYSE: AON) exists to shape decisions for the better - to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Through actionable analytic insight, globally integrated Risk Capital and Human Capital expertise, and locally relevant solutions, our colleagues provide clients in over 120 countries and sovereignties with the clarity and confidence to make better risk and people decisions that protect and grow their businesses.

Follow Aon on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram. Stay up-to-date by visiting Aon's newsroom and sign up for news alerts here.

Media Contact

mediainquiries@aon.com

Toll-free (U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico): +1 833 751 8114

International: +1 312 381 3024

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 8, 2025 / Mastercard:

By Maggie Sieger

Originally published by Mastercard

This year, a hurricane washed away mountain towns in the U.S., a brutal heat dome oppressed India and wildfires ravaged South America. But amid the chaos were signs of hope, courtesy of people who proved that our efforts do make a difference in the fight against climate change.

These Mastercard employees, partners and innovators made a marked effort in 2024 to restore and protect areas all around the globe in ways that will be long-lasting and impactful.

Mitigating risk from extreme weather

Ensuring that Mastercard's people and facilities are safe - no matter what Mother Nature throws their way - is a job Montana Eck and his climate risk and resilience team approach with enthusiasm and empathy. After all, Eck himself lives in Asheville, North Carolina, which was hit particularly hard by Hurricane Helene.

His team is developing comprehensive plans to enhance the company's physical resiliency, including a checklist to mitigate the impact of extreme weather on infrastructure and landscaping designed to withstand both higher- and lower-than-normal temperatures for years to come. In the meantime, they're making changes like painting parking lots and rooftops in cooler colors so they reflect rather than absorb heat and elevating equipment in flood-prone areas.

Reforesting former mining sites

Green Forests Work is planting trees to regenerate forests and spur local economies that have been destroyed by coal mining. "If you're going to put money into reforestation projects, there's so much benefit to doing it on mined land," says Chris Barton, Green Forests Work's founder and president. "They're a scar on the landscape."

GFW works with landowners, local communities and organizations like the Priceless Planet Coalition, created by Mastercard in partnership with Conservation International and the World Resources Institute. The coalition aims to fund the restoration of 100 million trees at sites around the world.

In an effort to sequester carbon emissions and support local economies, GFW has planted more than 7 million trees across six states - including 100,000 on this hilltop in Martin County, Kentucky, a former coal-mining site. In 2024 the coalition expanded sites globally to 22, including in the high Andes, the eastern Himalayas of India, and Thailand's Kaeng Krachan National Park, underscoring its efforts to maximize benefits on climate, communities, and biodiversity.

Securing economic stability for marginalized groups

Nearly 6 million small-scale fishers globally earn less than a dollar a day, often depleting fisheries in the process of trying to scrape a living from the sea. Rising ocean temperatures spurred by climate change are making their job even harder. The tech platformAbalobi helps fishers use technology to find sustainable and legal fishing spots, sell their catch to local restaurants and markets, and take out loans for better GPS-equipped boats and housing.

This year, Abalobi received a boost from the Climate Smart Innovation Hub, a program launched by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth and the Climate Innovation for Adaptation and Resilience Alliance to connect entrepreneurs with climate scientists, financial service providers and investors to help unbanked workers become more resilient to climate change.

The hub showcased Abalobi among more than 70 banking and financial services solutions designed to drive financial resilience and promote environmental sustainability. The products serve affected populations around the world with a range of financial tools including credit, savings, payments and insurance.

Inclusive climate action

Climate change disproportionately affects global populations that are hardest to reach - whether for geographic, administrative or social reasons. Many of these communities have developed innovative solutions that offer lessons for addressing climate challenges at scale. For example, southern Kenyan villagers are restoring mangrove forests, which capture 10 times more carbon than regular forests, and selling the carbon credits to large companies.

These "blue economy" projects have helped fuel a rise in prosperity in Kenya, which caught the attention of Reach Alliance. Founded in 2015 as a partnership between the University of Toronto and the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, the alliance looks for development strategies for climate-vulnerable communities around the world. It's made a list of five key factors for boosting inclusive climate resilience in vulnerable communities: program sustainability, repurposing existing technology and resources, local ownership, appropriate incentives and a network of partnerships.

After studying the mangrove projects, the Reach Alliance realized that in addition to bringing new prosperity, these projects also protect villagers against extreme weather events. Kenyans in the project areas gain a new a source of income that they invest back into their communities, thus contributing to the development of sanitation, education, health and environment in their own neighborhoods. Ultimately their better understanding of successful sustainability models opens the door to an increase in similar projects around the globe.

Originally published by Mastercard

Follow along Mastercard's journey to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Mastercard on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Mastercard

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/mastercard

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Mastercard

View the original press release on accesswire.com
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- TCL CSOT, a global leader in display technology, brings its breakthrough APEX technology brand and mass-produced Inkjet Printing OLED (IJP OLED) solutions to CES 2025. Taking place January 7-10 in Las Vegas, this world's premier technology event witnesses TCL CSOT's latest innovations in display technology, ranging from advanced IJP OLED applications to comprehensive display solutions across TVs, automotive displays, mobile phones, tablets, laptops, monitors, VR devices, commercial displays, and other fields.

At CES 2025, TCL CSOT showcases its breakthrough IJP OLED technology, which has successfully entered mass production. As the only OLED technology achieving regular RGB pixel arrangement, IJP OLED delivers superior performance with an average 50-60% light-emitting area rate and exceptional color consistency across all brightness levels. The technology demonstrates remarkable cost efficiency and environmental benefits, achieving over 90% material utilization rate and reducing carbon emissions by 20% compared to traditional OLED technologies.

The comprehensive IJP OLED lineup includes TCL CSOT's First Mass-Produced 4K IJP OLED Professional Display (21.6"), 4K 120Hz IJP OLED Bezel-less Gaming MNT (27") and the World's Highest Brightness IJP QD-EL NB (14"), showcasing the versatility and maturity of TCL CSOT's IJP OLED technology.

The company's television display technology reaches new heights with the introduction of the HVA Pro Ultimate Picture Quality TV (98"). This flagship display delivers exceptional performance across all key metrics, achieving exceptional performance through independent HVA technology, featuring a 178 wide viewing angle, BT2020 88% cinematic color gamut, 144Hz refresh rate, and an elegant 2.9mm narrow bezel design, delivering OLED-comparable picture quality.

Meanwhile, the HVA Green Low Power TV (98") combines Mini LED backlight technology with advanced Local Dimming algorithms across 1,536 partitions, achieving 96% DCI color gamut and 400nit brightness while reducing power consumption by approximately 50%. Through innovations like high-transmittance panel design and optimized algorithms, it meets European energy efficiency B-level certification - a significant achievement when most large screens typically rank at F-level. These innovations have contributed to TCL CSOT's position as Global No. 2 in TV panels according to Omdia's Large Area Display Market Tracker Database (September 2024).

TCL CSOT's APEX technology brand continues to evolve, representing the company's commitment to innovation across four core pillars: Amazing - Pleasant Display Experience, Protective - Reliable Vision Health, Eco-friendly - Sustainable Green and Low Carbon, and X - Unlimited Future Imagination, making advanced display technology more accessible and easier to understand for users.

Through continuous innovation in core technologies such as HVA, HFS, IJP OLED, FMM OLED, MLCD and MLED, combined with eco-friendly materials and energy-saving solutions, APEX products consistently deliver superior visual experiences while minimizing environmental impact. Driven by technological breakthroughs, product innovation, and strategic upgrades, TCL CSOT will continue to fulfill its relentless pursuit of change, innovation, responsibility, and excellence.

About TCL CSOT

TCL CSOT (TCL China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.), established in 2009, is committed to developing innovative technologies in the display industry. With a "3+2+N" - "3" representing TV commercial display, IT, and MC; "2" representing automotive and professional displays; and "N" signifying the exploration of more application scenarios - TCL CSOT continuously empowers customers' needs with full-scenario product services. With manufacturing and R&D bases in Shenzhen, Wuhan, Huizhou, Suzhou, Guangzhou, and India, TCL CSOT has established 11 production lines. TCL CSOT's business encompasses producing display panels from 1 to 115 inches. From LCD to OLED to MLED, TCL CSOT offers solutions across a wide array of applications, including TVs, mobile phones, tablets, laptops, monitors, automotive displays, XR (Extended Reality) devices, wearables, commercial displays, and other fields. The company leads the market in several of these areas and is dedicated to ongoing technological innovation, providing advanced products for customers and building a vibrant display industry ecosystem.

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Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 8, 2025) - Sprott Money Ltd., a premier e-commerce platform for gold, silver, and platinum bullion, is pleased to announce its participation in the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC) 2025. The event will take place on January 21-22, 2025, at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver, BC.

Owned by acclaimed investor Eric Sprott, Sprott Money Ltd. has built a reputation as a trusted leader in the precious metals market. The company has decades of experience helping individuals diversify their investment portfolios with high-quality bullion products.

At VRIC 2025, Sprott Money will offer attendees opportunities to:

Gain Insights : Engage with our team of precious metals experts to discuss market trends, investment strategies, and the role of gold, silver, and platinum in wealth preservation.

: Engage with our team of precious metals experts to discuss market trends, investment strategies, and the role of gold, silver, and platinum in wealth preservation. Explore Products : Discover our extensive range of bullion products, from coins to bars, all available through our e-commerce platform at www.sprottmoney.ca.

: Discover our extensive range of bullion products, from coins to bars, all available through our e-commerce platform at www.sprottmoney.ca. Access Promotions: Learn about special offers available exclusively to VRIC attendees.

"We're excited to join VRIC 2025, one of the premier events for investors and resource enthusiasts," said Larisa Sprott, President of Sprott Money Ltd. "This conference provides a valuable platform to connect with clients, share our expertise, and emphasize the importance of precious metals in today's economic environment."

VRIC 2025 will bring together industry leaders, investors, and innovators to explore opportunities in the resource sector. Sprott Money Ltd. invites attendees to visit their booth to meet the team and learn how precious metals can strengthen their investment portfolios.

About Sprott Money Ltd.

Sprott Money Ltd. is a leading precious metals dealer specializing in gold, silver, and platinum bullion. Established by Eric Sprott, a renowned resource investor, the company is committed to delivering exceptional service and trusted advice to clients worldwide. Through its secure online platform, Sprott Money makes it easy for investors to buy, sell, and store precious metals. For more information, visit www.sprottmoney.ca.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/235933

SOURCE: Cambridge House International
BOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 8, 2025 / Physician Growth Partners ("PGP"), a leading healthcare investment banking and M&A Advisory firm, is pleased to announce it has recently advised Allergy & Asthma Associates of Michigan ("AAAM") in their transaction with Parallel ENT & Allergy (backed by Trinity Hunt Partners).

Established in 1990, Allergy & Asthma Associates of Michigan has grown into the leading allergy and asthma practice in the suburban Detroit market, providing care across three clinic locations. AAAM will look to leverage the relationship with Parallel ENT & Allergy to execute on a broader growth strategy, expanding its service offerings and infrastructure while further developing its market position across the state.

Dr. Amrish Patel, AAAM allergist and partner, commented on the transaction: "We cannot give a stronger recommendation for Physician Growth Partners. Robert, Jay and Jeremy helped us get educated on the market, ultimately aligning us with Parallel, whom we are excited to partner with. The potential synergy for us with this group simply "feels right" and we feel our new partners will be a great source of support, enabling our practice to continue to deliver the highest quality of patient care in conjunction with enhancing the practice's ability for further growth. We will continue to recommend PGP to our colleagues who are now themselves considering this next step for their practices."

AAAM allergist and partner, Dr. Mohamad Tawila added, "Our experience with Physician Growth Partners has been an incredible journey. From the initial introductory call with PGP, it was very clear they were a very professional, knowledgeable and ambitious group of individuals focused on helping physicians navigate the private equity landscape. The amazing support and skill shown by the entire staff was simply incredible and without their guidance we would not have been able to navigate a very complex transaction process."

PGP Partner Robert Aprill commented on the partnership: "AAAM's partnership with Parallel positions them to achieve their future goals while preserving their local brand and reputation as the leading allergy and asthma provider in suburban Detroit. We are thrilled with this successful outcome and look forward to seeing the practice continue to grow with like-minded, high performing ENT, allergy, and asthma physicians for years to come."

Physician Growth Partners served as the exclusive financial advisor to AAAM in its evaluation, negotiation, and execution of this partnership. Russell Hilton of Alston & Bird served as legal counsel to AAAM.

About Physician Growth Partners

Physician Growth Partners is recognized nationally as a leading healthcare investment banking firm, exclusively focused on representing independent physician groups in transactions with private equity and strategic partners across all medical specialties. PGP advocates for doctors to achieve the most favorable economic outcome while retaining a significant level of control in their transactions. PGP is the most active M&A advisor to independent physician groups1 during that time frame, advising more than 60 practices in successful transactions with private equity and strategic partners.

1 LevinPro HC data platform www.levinassociates.com

For more information about Physician Growth Partners, please visit www.physiciangrowthpartners.com or contact us at press@physiciangrowthpartners.com - 432 N. Clark Street, Ste. 200, Chicago, IL 60654.

SOURCE: Physician Growth Partners

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LONDON, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP ("Davidson Kempner"), a global investment management firm, supported by operating partner Afendis Capital Management ("Afendis"), has completed the acquisition (the "Transaction") of ice cream producer YSCO through its ice cream investments platform, Glacier. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The acquisition is transformational for Glacier's ambitions to grow in the global ice cream industry, with YSCO joining Gelato d'Italia which was acquired in 2022. Gelato d'Italia is a leading independent ice cream producer with two sites in Italy and a key innovation and manufacturing partner for ice cream brand owners and retailers worldwide.

Bringing Gelato d'Italia together with YSCO will create one of the largest third-party ice cream manufacturers globally with revenues in excess of 600 million. Aligned in their commitments to innovation, efficiency and customer satisfaction, the companies are highly complementary in operations and ethos.

YSCO works closely with almost all the mainstream European retailers for the co-creation and production of their home-brand ice cream products. YSCO has production capabilities in Belgium and France and distributes up to 200 million liters of ice cream per year, predominately within the European market.

Glacier aims to leverage its scale to become a key partner to ice cream brand owners worldwide, aided by its commitment to delivering the fastest ideation-to-launch for new products.

Working with these international brand owners, Glacier is targeting international expansion and becoming the third-party ice cream manufacturer of choice.

Bert Van Nieuwenborgh, CEO of YSCO, said:

"This acquisition represents an exciting opportunity for YSCO to accelerate our growth as part of Glacier's ambitious vision. As Europe's second-largest private label ice cream producer, our expertise in large batch production and strong retailer relationships perfectly complement Glacier's innovative approach. Together, we are well-positioned to lead the way in a rapidly growing and evolving market, delivering exceptional value to our partners and customers."

Cem Karakas, Chairperson of Glacier and Partner at Afendis, said:

"Glacier is perfectly positioned to capitalize on strong growth in the fragmented European third-party ice cream sector. By building on the success of Gelato d'Italia and leveraging YSCO's scale and expertise in long-run production of large batch products, Glacier is well-placed to be a leading player in Europe. This acquisition will be the launchpad for further expansion across the globe."

About Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP

Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP is a global investment management firm with over 40 years of experience and a focus on fundamental investing with a multi-strategy approach. Davidson Kempner has approximately $37 billion in assets under management and over 500 employees across seven offices: New York, Philadelphia, London, Dublin, Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Mumbai. Additional information is available at: www.davidsonkempner.com.

About Afendis Capital Management

Afendis Capital Management is a specialist investor and investment manager of food and pharmaceutical businesses.

About Glacier

Glacier is a global ice cream investments platform backed by Davidson Kempner Capital Management and Afendis Capital Management. It unites leading producers like YSCO and Gelato d'Italia, creating one of the world's largest third-party manufacturers with revenues over 600 million. Glacier specializes in innovation, efficiency, and rapid ideation-to-launch, partnering with brand owners and retailers worldwide to drive growth and set new industry standards.

Contact details:

Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP

Dkmedia@dkp.com

Afendis Capital Management

Matthew Frost

mfrost@afendis.com

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / January 8, 2024 / Whether you're working to streamline your production process or stay afloat during difficult times, achieving your business goals often takes a little extra cash. Government grants for small businesses may provide the boost you need to take your venture to the next level. While government funding may seem complicated at first, careful research and planning can help you secure the funds you need to bring your small business visions to life.

How do government grants for small businesses work?

Before you begin the grant application process, you should familiarize yourself with the basics. Unlike loans, small business grants provide qualifying applicants with money they don't have to repay. The federal government doesn't award grants directly to businesses. Instead, the government distributes funds through various agencies and local governments.

To qualify for government grants, you should show that your business objective aligns with each grantor's goals and priorities. That means you must use any government grant money you receive to cover the specific costs outlined in your application. Government grants tend to be highly competitive. Identifying a good fit that aligns with your business background and goals may improve your chances.

Research grant options

Government grant applications are typically demanding and complex. You would never want to spend time applying for a grant only to discover that your business doesn't qualify, so it's important to find the right choice. Government grants for small businesses include the following:

USDA Rural Business Development Grants

If your small business operates in a rural community, you might consider a Rural Business Development Grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA Rural Business Development Grants (RBDGs) are designed to bolster economic growth in eligible underserved rural communities.

Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs

Many small tech companies struggle with research and development efforts because they come at a high cost with no guaranteed payoff. The Small Business Association (SBA) provides money to offset those costs and risks through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBTT) programs, freeing businesses with small budgets to innovate. Different federal agencies award SBIR and SBTT funds for innovative projects with commercial potential within relevant fields. Past winners include a regenerative bone adhesive and a machine-learning enhanced camera for measuring coastal sediment grains.

The State Trade Expansion Program

The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) provides funds to facilitate small businesses' expansion into international markets. STEP funds may support export initiatives, like tradeshows, translations, international marketing, e-commerce infrastructure, and other efforts related to expansion outside of the United States. For example, if you're going to start selling your cosmetics line in Germany, a STEP grant could help you improve your e-commerce strategy or get your product on German shelves.

US Economic Development Administration Small Business Grants

The US Economic Development Administration offers grants of various sizes for different small business objectives throughout the year. Grants may help your business rebuild after a disaster or adopt emergent technologies, for example. You can browse their website for current opportunities.

Invest time in your application

Government grant applications are often extensive. Your team may spend weeks gathering documents and developing materials. Some government grants, like the SBIR program, even include several phases of work. Still, you should try to take the application process one step at a time and proceed carefully. A thoughtful, refined application is more likely to succeed than a rushed submission.

Tell your story

Many grant applications require a copy of your business plan. Your business plan should demonstrate your commitment to your business's success and illustrate your vision. While your business chops are vital, the personal aspect of your story may also connect with grantors. Don't be afraid to share the human side of your business and vision. Consider showcasing what inspired you to enter your field or the role you see your company playing in the world.

Use data

A compelling story may engage potential grantors, but data could sell them on your vision. The application may require some specific figures. However, providing additional data based on your business type and circumstances can strengthen your application. You might include sales numbers and revenue, for example, or testimonials from happy customers. In addition to performance metrics, you may use data to demonstrate that your business's service or product is in demand.

Triple-check application directions

Government grantors may receive thousands of applications for a single funding opportunity. With so much competition, failing to follow a single direction might result in instant disqualification. Make sure you follow instructions carefully and include all required documents. If possible, try having a few people review your application materials to ensure you didn't miss a question or a form.

Final thoughts

Securing government grants for your small business requires research, preparation, and persistence. Remember, government grants are highly competitive. Don't give up if you don't receive funding the first time you apply. Instead, take the opportunity to refine your application, build relationships with grantors, and improve your processes so you can submit an even stronger application next time.

CONTACT:

Sonakshi Murze

Manager

sonakshi.murze@iquanti.com

SOURCE: iQuanti

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Retained executive search firm Caldwell (TSX:CWL)(OTCQX:CWLPF) today announced a major enhancement to its industrial recruiting capabilities with the addition of Scott Clark as a partner in the firm's Industrial Practice.

Scott Clark, Caldwell's newest member of the Industrial Practice, has extensive expertise in identifying and placing transformational leaders in the infrastructure, energy, and renewables sectors.

"Scott's extensive background in identifying and placing transformational leaders in the infrastructure, energy, and renewables sectors adds incredible depth to our Industrial Practice," said Dave Winston, managing partner of Caldwell's Industrial Practice. "His expertise in emerging and evolving industries, coupled with his ability to build strong client relationships, positions us to address the growing demand for leadership talent in these critical areas. We're excited to have him on board."

Prior to joining Caldwell, Mr. Clark served as a managing director at a leading international executive search firm, where he advised clients across a broad range of industries, including infrastructure, engineering, construction, industrial goods and services, and alternative energy. Earlier in his career, he led talent acquisition for AMEC's Americas operations, overseeing recruitment across diverse sectors such as environment & infrastructure, power & process, oil & gas, and mining.

Mr. Clark began his career at a boutique executive search firm in Atlanta, where he specialized in environmental, engineering, and construction industries. His ability to deliver results for clients stems from a keen understanding of market trends and a commitment to aligning organizational needs with top-tier talent.

Mr. Clark holds a Bachelor of Science in business with a concentration in finance from Auburn University.

"Caldwell's strength lies in its commitment to building a team of deeply knowledgeable and innovative partners," said Chris Beck, chief executive officer. "Scott's proven ability to deliver value to clients by identifying leaders who drive transformation is a perfect fit for our culture. We are thrilled to welcome him and look forward to the impact he will make."

??About Caldwell

Caldwell is a leading retained executive search firm connecting clients with transformational talent. Together with IQTalent, we are a technology-powered talent acquisition firm specializing in recruitment at all levels. Through the two distinct brands - Caldwell and IQTalent- the firm leverages the latest innovations in AI to offer an integrated spectrum of services delivered by teams with deep knowledge in their respective areas. Services include candidate research and sourcing through to full recruitment at the professional, executive and board levels, as well as a suite of talent strategy and assessment tools that can help clients hire the right people, then manage and inspire them to achieve maximum business results.

Caldwell's common shares are listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: CWL) and trade on the OTCQX Market (OTCQX: CWLPF). Please visit our website at www.caldwell.com for further information.

For further information, please contact:

Caroline Lomot

Vice President, Marketing & Communications

Caldwell

clomot@caldwell.com

+1 516 830 3535

SOURCE: Caldwell Partners International, Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
AFYREN NEOXY business update : first acids sales in the second half of 2024 additional operational adjustments will be required to achieve continuous production in 2025 financial capacity strengthened by a new 10 million Sustainability-Linked Loan 1



AFYREN's cash position around 33 million as of December 31, 2024

Regulatory News:

AFYREN (Paris:ALAFY)a greentech company offering manufacturers biobased, low-carbon ingredients through a unique fermentation technology based on a circular model, provides a business update and announces a new 10 million financing for its subsidiary AFYREN NEOXY. AFYREN aims to start continuous production of AFYREN NEOXY in 2025, compared with its initial forecast of 2024, and reports a cash position of around 33 million euros at the end of 2024.

Nicolas SORDET, Chief Executive Officer of AFYREN, stated: "AFYREN NEOXY is a pioneering plant in the bioeconomy sector and a model for future biorefineries. Now that the plant has reached the commercial production stage, we are addressing some typical issues associated with the startup phase of innovative technology. With our production launch and first sales in 2024, we realized extra time was needed to reach continuous production levels, which we now expect during 2025. Against this backdrop, securing a new non-dilutive financing from our investment banks and new partners is excellent news, enabling us to approach the days ahead with real confidence. Indexing the loan to CSR criteria a pioneering move for a young industrial company reflects our strong commitment to our stakeholders -employees, customers and investors- and the challenges of decarbonization."

Business update: AFYREN NEOXY's continuous production to start in 2025

In the second half of 2024, AFYREN NEOXY produced and sold several dozen tons of biobased acids, meeting the quality standards of strategic markets. At the same time, the validation of our acids by clients continues, with positive feedback from multiple customers and business prospects, in particular in the Nutrition and Flavors Fragrances markets.

In recent weeks, new production campaigns have been carried out to get the AFYREN NEOXY plant running on a continuous basis. The reliability work on the separation-purification stage, our main challenge, has shown progress: there is good control of process management while some equipment for product extraction requires improvement and proofing to ensure stable, long-term continuous operation. As a result, the plant is expected to be in continuous production during 2025, compared with its initial forecast of 2024, with the break-even expected after a few quarters of activity.

A new "Sustainability-Linked" financing1 to support the start-up and subsequent ramp-up of the AFYREN NEOXY plant

AFYREN is pleased to announce that it has obtained a new 10 million loan, of which 6 million has already been paid up and 4 million will be paid up, subject to conditions, at a later date, on behalf of its subsidiary AFYREN NEOXY, from a banking syndicate comprising long-term partners BNP Paribas -lead bank and ESG coordinator- and Banque Populaire Auvergne Rhone-Alpes, plus new partners Societe Generale, Caisse d'epargne et de prevoyance Rhone-Alpes and Credit Lyonnais.

In line with its commitment to adopting and promoting best CSR practices, AFYREN has decided to link the cost of credit to its CSR performance by means of a "Sustainability-Linked Loan"1. The credit margin will therefore be adjusted according to objectives relating first to the company's social pillar and CSR rating, followed by its environmental impact.

Following the securing of a 9 million "Pret Nouvelle Industrie" loan at the end of November 2024, this new 10 million loan strengthens AFYREN NEOXY's financial structure to support the continuous production and industrial ramp-up. The transaction also expands the list of banking partners that can be mobilized around future industrial projects of AFYREN.

Strong cash position of parent company AFYREN

AFYREN had a solid cash position of around 33 million on December 31, 2024, compared with 50 million as of December 31, 2023. AFYREN's annual cash outflow from operations was about 7 million. AFYREN also granted a 10 million shareholder loan to its subsidiary AFYREN NEOXY. AFYREN has therefore enough cash to support AFYREN NEOXY through the start of the continuous production phase and has capital available for future development.

About AFYREN

AFYREN is a French greentech company launched in 2012 to meet the challenge of decarbonizing industrial supplies. Its natural, innovative and proprietary fermentation technology valorizes local biomass from non-food agricultural co-products, in order to replace petro-sourced ingredients typically used in many product formulations. AFYREN's 100% biobased, low-carbon and sustainable solutions can meet decarbonization challenges in a wide variety of strategic sectors: human and animal nutrition, flavors and fragrances, life sciences and materials, and lubricants and technical fluids. AFYREN's plug-and-play, circular technology combines sustainability and competitiveness, with no need for manufacturers to change their production processes.

The Group's first French plant, AFYREN NEOXY, a joint venture with Bpifrance's SPI fund, located in the Grand-Est region of France, at Saint Avold, serves mainly the European market.

AFYREN is also pursuing a project in Thailand with a world leader in the sugar industry, and is developing its presence in the Americas, following up on previously signed distribution agreements.

At the end of 2024, the AFYREN Group employed about 130 people in Lyon, Clermont-Ferrand and Carling Saint-Avold. The company invests 20% of its annual budget in R&D to further develop the range of sustainable solutions.

AFYREN is listed on the Paris Euronext Growth exchange since 2021 (ISIN code: FR0014005AC9, Ticker symbol: ALAFY).

Find out more: www.afyren.com

1 Financing related to company's sustainable development efforts

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250108936469/en/

Contacts:

AFYREN

Director for ESG, Communications and Public Affairs

Caroline Petigny

caroline.petigny@afyren.com



Investor Relations

Mark Reinhard

investisseurs@afyren.com



NewCap

Investor Relations

Theo Martin Mathilde Bohin

Tel: 01 44 71 94 94

afyren@newcap.eu



Media Relations

Nicolas Merigeau Gaelle Fromaigeat

Tel: 01 44 71 94 98

afyren@newcap.eu



MC Services AG (international)

Investor Relations

Bettina Ellinghorst



Media Relations

Shaun Brown, Dr. Johanna Kobler



Tel: +49 89 210 228 0

afyren@mc-services.eu
The "Germany E-Commerce Payment Market Forecast Report by Type, Application and Company Analysis 2024-2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The projected growth of the e-commerce payment market in Germany indicates a strong upward trajectory, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.31% from 2024 to 2032. According to recent studies, the German e-commerce payment market is set to rise from a value of US$ 214.31 billion in 2023 to an impressive US$ 609.26 billion by the year 2032. This advancement is largely attributed to the increasing internet penetration, swift adoption of mobile payment solutions, and the substantial growth of e-commerce within the region.

Dynamic Payment Landscape

As the digital economy flourishes, Germany's e-commerce payment landscape is characterized by a potent mix of traditional and innovative payment methods. Dominant methods like direct debit and credit cards are complemented by growing alternatives such as PayPal, Sofort, and various mobile wallet solutions. The digital payment ecosystem is further strengthened by German consumers' preference for security and reliability, supported by stringent regulatory compliance, particularly in data protection. Moreover, the emerging popularity of buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) services is reshaping consumer spending habits, particularly among the younger demographics.

Catalysts of Growth

The surge in the German e-commerce market is propelled by the region's rapid adoption of online shopping. Evidence of this is seen in the increasing percentage of consumers engaging in e-commerce activities, with figures rising from 51% in 2016 to 66% in 2021 among EU citizens aged 16 to 74, according to EUROSTAT. The variety of payment options, including PayPal, credit/debit cards, and BNPL, along with seamless checkout experiences offered by e-commerce entities, plays a significant role in this growth. These factors, coupled with innovative changes in payment solutions, are expected to drive expansion throughout the forecast period.

Consumer Payment Preferences

With the aim of elevating flexibility and convenience in transactions, German customers are increasingly inclined towards digital payment methods. Mobile wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay are gaining attention for their prompt transactional capabilities. This is especially prevalent among the younger consumer base, who value the ease of transaction processing. Retailers and service providers are responding by integrating diverse payment solutions to meet these evolving consumer preferences.

E-Commerce Payment Market Players

The e-commerce payment sphere in Germany is comprised of key industry players, including global giants such as Amazon.com Inc., American Express Company, Apple Inc., Fiserv Inc., Mastercard Incorporated, PayPal Holdings Inc., and Visa Inc. Each of these companies contributes to the market with innovative payment solutions, ensuring robust competition and continual advancements within the industry.

Insightful Discoveries

The forthcoming report unveils critical insights, ranging from market size and growth rates to company profiles and strategic developments. It delineates the array of payment methods and applications that constitute the e-commerce payment market landscape in Germany. This comprehensive analysis sheds light on the direction in which the German e-commerce payment market is heading, helping stakeholders to understand the dynamics and opportunities within this burgeoning sector.

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 200 Forecast Period 2023 2032 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $214.31 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2032 $609.26 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 12.3% Regions Covered Germany

Companies Featured

Amazon.com Inc.

American Express Company

Apple Inc.

Fiserv Inc.

Mastercard Incorporated

Paypal Holdings Inc.

Visa Inc.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rpcynw

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250108402480/en/

Contacts:

ResearchAndMarkets.com

Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com

For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470

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Distilled 2025 uses AI-driven analysis to offer foresights into trends shaping consumer behaviour in 2025, including the rise of consumers alternating between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks ('zebra striping'), exploring 'one night only' experiences and integrating AI further into their daily lives.

The report's findings are not siloed to the alcohol industry, supporting brands in any region or sector.

LONDON, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Diageo, maker of Johnnie Walker, Don Julio Tequila and Guinness, has today unveiled its annual global trends report which reveals how and why consumers will socialise over the next year. Based on AI analysis of over 160 million online conversations across the world, Distilled 2025 offers detailed insights into what is driving discussions globally and the current trends shaping consumer decision-making.

This year's edition builds on the success of the inaugural Distilled report. In its first version, the study uncovered and classified five key global consumer trends: Neo-Hedonism, Conscious Wellbeing, Expanding Reality, Collective Belonging and Betterment Brands. In this year's report, Diageo has explored how these five macro trends have evolved over the past 12 months[1] and used them to offer new foresights into trends likely to shape consumer behaviour this year.

The report identifies that in 2025 we will see a further rise in consumers:

Practicing moderate drinking by 'zebra striping' - the behaviour of alternating between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages during a single social occasion. This reflects the broader rise the report uncovered in online conversations around self-care, wellness and slower social interactions: a 79% year-on-year growth in discussions around "decelerated occasions" (one of the largest increases identified) and a 37% rise in discussions around 'celebrating self-love'.





the behaviour of alternating between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages during a single social occasion. This reflects the broader rise the report uncovered in online conversations around self-care, wellness and slower social interactions: a 79% year-on-year growth in discussions around "decelerated occasions" (one of the largest increases identified) and a 37% rise in discussions around 'celebrating self-love'. Spending more time and money on single unique products or experiences - or making the most of 'one night only' to create once in a lifetime memories. The report found that conversations about making the most of unique products and events have risen 83% year-on-year (5.6m conversations) alongside a 42% increase in consumers talking about alternative social spaces such as virtual reality gaming lounges, hybrid physical-digital venues or pop-up bars - all offering new ways for people to connect and socialise.





- or making the most of 'one night only' to create once in a lifetime memories. The report found that conversations about making the most of unique products and events have risen 83% year-on-year (5.6m conversations) alongside a 42% increase in consumers talking about alternative social spaces such as virtual reality gaming lounges, hybrid physical-digital venues or pop-up bars - all offering new ways for people to connect and socialise. Integrating AI into their daily lives . Conversations around AI-enabled relationships are up across every region globally - 83% worldwide with the largest growth in Europe (96%) and North America (91%). [2] The report explores how as AI evolves, it will likely become a more trusted aid in navigating daily choices and how this is already being seen through everyday consumer applications from banking digital assistants to fitness apps with personalised training plans and real-time health insights, transforming the relationship between consumers and brands as a result.





. Conversations around AI-enabled relationships are up across every region globally - 83% worldwide with the largest growth in Europe (96%) and North America (91%). The report explores how as AI evolves, it will likely become a more trusted aid in navigating daily choices and how this is already being seen through everyday consumer applications from banking digital assistants to fitness apps with personalised training plans and real-time health insights, transforming the relationship between consumers and brands as a result. Seeking deeper connections in online and offline communities. The report shows a 121% surge globally in discussions about connecting passionate fandoms - over 32m conversations and the highest conversation increase identified. Markets such as LAC and North America saw an increase of 135% and 126% respectively.

Cristina Diezhandino, Chief Marketing Officer at Diageo, commented: "Distilled 2025 delves into the biggest trends shaping socialising this year - from the rise of the 'zebra striping' phenomenon to people worldwide wanting to spend their well-earned money on one incredible experience. People socialising goes back thousands of years and by tracking how it evolves, it helps us, and our brands, to stay deeply connected with our consumers."

Distilled 2025 is a key component of Diageo's Consumer Choice Framework, a methodology that helps deepen the company's understanding of consumer motivations and ultimately shape the future of socialising by tracking long-term trends. The report is powered by Diageo's Foresight SystemTM - a proprietary AI-driven listening tool developed in partnership with data and insight partners Share Creative and Kantar. It combines in-depth quantitative analysis of conversations from an array of online sources including social media platforms, forums and digital media with expert foresights to provide a nuanced understanding of emerging cultural signals and consumer expressions.

About Diageo

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray, and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world.

The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

[1] The data presented in the report tracks conversations between July 2022 and 2024. Any percentage growth rates referenced reflect an increase in conversations between the periods of July 2022 and June 2023 and July 2023 and June 2024.

[2] Regions covered are Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) and North America.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/diageo-identifies-2025-socialising-trends-in-new-global-report-302346092.html
TAIPEI, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- GIGABYTE, the world's leading computer brand, unveils the new generation of Intel B860 and AMD B850 series motherboards at CES 2025. These new series are designed to unleash the performance of the latest Intel Core Ultra and AMD Ryzen processors by leveraging AI-enhanced technology and user-friendly design for a seamless gaming and PC-building experience. Equipped with all digital power and enhanced thermal design, GIGABYTE B800 series motherboards are the gateway to mainstream PC gamers.

GIGABYTE achieved the remarkable milestone of claiming the highest market share on X870 series motherboards due to fully supporting AMD Ryzen 5 7000 and 9000 series X3D processors. The new B800 series motherboards are also adopted with ultra-durable and high-end components and the revolutionary AI suite, D5 Bionics Corsa, integrates software, hardware, and firmware to boost DD5 memory performance up to 8600MT/s on AMD B850 models and 9466MT/s on Intel B860 motherboards. The AI SNATCH is an exclusive AI-based software for enhancing DDR5 performance with just a few clicks. Meanwhile, the AI-Driven PCB Design ensures low signal reflection for peak performance across multiple layers through AI simulation. Plus, HyperTune BIOS integrates AI-driven optimizations to fine-tune the Memory Reference Code on Intel B860 series motherboards for high-demand gaming and multitasking. Specially built for AMD Ryzen 9000 series X3D processors, GIGABYTE applies X3D Turbo mode on AMD B850 series motherboards by adjusting core count to boost gaming performance.

GIGABYTE B860 and B850 motherboards feature all digital power design and premium thermal solution with a unique heatsink that improves the cooling surface up to 4 times, combined with heat pipes, and high thermal conductivity pads for superior cooling efficiency. Focusing on user-friendly features for an easy PC build experience, GIGABYTE includes complete DIY-friendly innovations from PCIe EZ-Latch Plus, and M.2 EZ-Latch Click to WIFI EZ-PLUG onboard for a hassle-free installation.

Alongside high-end AORUS PRO and ELITE, GIGABYTE GAMING(X), and EAGLE models, GIGABYTE offers the ICE series featuring a comprehensive white aesthetic with pure white PCB, memory DIMM slots, PCIe slots, connectors, and a debug port delivering a complete solution for white build enthusiasts. Not only catering to gamers' needs, the GIGABYTE B850 AI TOP is also compatible with GIGABYTE's AI TOP utility for local AI fine-tuning. Visit GIGABYTE EVENT | CES 2025 for more info on GIGABYTE B800 series motherboards.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2592493/GIGABYTEB800Series.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/gigabyte-redefines-intel-and-amd-b800-series-motherboards-performance-with-ai-technology-at-ces-2025-302345267.html
RIMOUSKI, Quebec, Jan. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Puma Exploration Inc. (TSXV: PUMA, OTCQB: PUMXF) (the "Company" or "Puma") is pleased to review its corporate and exploration achievements for 2024 and provide an overview of its plans for 2025.

"2024 was a transformational year for Puma Exploration. Our DEAR strategy proved to be our differentiator in the challenging market conditions where junior exploration companies struggle to access capital. Our unique strategy is positioning us for success in 2025 and beyond. Our partnership with Kinross ensures we have the funds to drive exploration and continue developing Williams Brook. With our proven discovery model, we are confident that we'll make gold discoveries on our new McKenzie Gold Project." notes Marcel Robillard, President and CEO of Puma Exploration.

The partnership with Kinross, a leading gold mining company, marks a significant milestone for Puma. Not only does it provide the Company with the necessary funds for exploration and development at Williams Brook, but it also opens up new avenues for collaboration and growth. In light of this pivotal partnership, Puma has appointed Dominique Gagne as Vice-President of Exploration, effective immediately. Mr. Gagne, an experienced exploration geologist, will now represent Puma on the companies' joint technical committee, guiding Puma's ongoing search for new exploration and development opportunities.

Kinross has committed to investing CAD$2,000,000, including 5,000 metres of drilling at Williams Brook in 2025. The joint technical committee will meet in the coming weeks to define this year's exploration program, and details of the plan will be announced when it is finalized. In parallel, Puma will be focused on discovering new high-grade gold deposits on its recently acquired McKenzie Gold Project. Fieldwork will start following ongoing data compilation this spring, with an inaugural drilling program scheduled in the fall.

Adhering to its DEAR strategy, the Company is continuously evaluating new opportunities to create shareholder value. Stay tuned for more exciting news and developments in 2025.

Figure 1. Current landholdings in northern New Brunswick





2024 Highlights:

1) DEAR strategy achievements:

Signed a definitive agreement to acquire 70% of the TIMM property (22/01/2024) Canadian Copper (CSE: CCI), of which Puma owns 9.78%, completed the acquisition of the Murray Brook Deposit (05/02/2024) The Chester and Turgeon Projects were optioned to Raptor Resources (04/03/2024) Puma acquired the Moose Brook Property at the heart of the Williams Brook Project (09/07/2024) The sale of the Chester property to Raptor was completed, with Puma receiving AUD$500K + 4,000,000 Raptor shares (03/10/2024) Puma optioned 65% of the Williams Brook Project to Kinross for CAD$16.75M over 5 years (24/10/2024) Kinross acquired a 9.9% stake in Puma Exploration by way of a private placement (24/10/2024) Canadian Copper announced its acquisition of the Caribou Processing Plant Complex (28/10/2024) Puma signed LOIs for the McKenzie Gold Project (18/11/2024) Puma staked 255 claims units for a total of 5,500 hectares South-East of the Caribou Processing Plant Complex Puma signed Definitive Agreements for the McKenzie Gold Project (23/12/2024)

2) Corporate developments:

Welcomed Mia Boiridy as Director (31/08/2024) Appointed Martin Nicoletti as CFO (09/10/2024) Appointed Kayla Nicoletti as Corporate Secretary (21/10/2024) Appointed Dominique Gagne as Vice-President Exploration (08/01/2025)

3) Technical achievements:

Extended the Lynx Gold trend over four (4) kilometres with an initial 2,000 m drilling program to verify high-grade grab samples. Results returned anomalous gold mineralization with alteration and structural features similar to Lynx at the Tiger and Cheetah Gold Zones (12/12/2023; 27/02/2024; 04/04/2024; 18/04/2024; 25/04/2024; 11/07/2024) Began exploration program at the Jonpol property (08/05/2024) Discovered the Lion Gold Zone with grab samples up to 72 g/t gold (24/07/2024) Extended the Lion Gold Zone to over 550 metres strike length (04/12/2024)

2025 Plans:

Launch the fully funded CAD$2,000,000 exploration program at the Williams Brook Project with Kinross Gold. Launch a surface exploration program at the newly acquired McKenzie Gold Project. Close the sale of the Turgeon Project to Raptor Resources for AUD$350K + 4,000,000 Raptor shares Continue to search for exploration/development opportunities in New Brunswick.

Qualified Person

Dominique Gagne, P.Geo, V-P Exploration of Puma and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101-Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved this release's technical information.

About Puma's Assets in New Brunswick

Puma has accumulated an impressive portfolio of prospective gold landholdings strategically located close to roads and infrastructure in Northern New Brunswick - the Williams Brook Project and the new Mckenzie Gold Project. Both are located near the Rocky Brook Millstream Fault ("RBMF"), a major regional structure formed during the Appalachian Orogeny and a significant control for gold deposition in the region. Puma's work to date has focused on the Williams Brook property, but prospecting and surface exploration work on its other properties have confirmed their potential for significant gold mineralization.

About Puma Exploration

Puma Exploration is a Canadian mineral exploration company with a successful history in Northern New Brunswick, having worked on regional projects for over 20 years. Our focus on finding and growing a pipeline of precious metals projects in New Brunswick, near Canada's Famous Bathurst Mining Camp, is backed by our successful exploration methodology. This methodology combines old prospecting methods with detailed trenching and up-to-date technology such as Artificial Intelligence. It has been instrumental in facilitating an understanding of the region's geology and associated mineralized systems. Armed with geophysical surveys, geochemical data and consultants' expertise, Puma has developed a perfect low-cost exploration tool to discover gold at shallow depths and maximize drilling results.

The Company is committed to its DEAR business model of Discovery, Exploration, Acquisition and Royalties to generate maximum value for shareholders with low share dilution.

Connect with us on Facebook / X / LinkedIn.

Visit www.explorationpuma.com for more information or contact:

Marcel Robillard, President and CEO.

(418) 750-8510; president@explorationpuma.com

Mia Boiridy, Head of Investor Relations and Corporate Development.

(250) 575-3305; mboiridy@explorationpuma.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements: This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve several known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Puma to be materially different from actual future results and achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made, except as required by law. Puma undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. The quarterly and annual reports and the documents submitted to the securities administration describe these risks and uncertainties.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1c2ca59c-cb36-495a-bd55-35e65208d857
Penn State and PureLine Collaborate to Tackle Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

In a bold step to combat airborne viral infections in poultry production, a groundbreaking research collaboration between Penn State University and PureLine is underway. This innovative project explores the use of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) gas as a safe, efficient, and practical method to neutralize avian viruses, including highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV).

The Research Initiative

Led by Dr. Ruth Nissly and Dr. Mathias Martins, experts in poultry virology, the study focuses on:

Optimizing ClO2 gas protocols for inactivating viruses in air duct filters.

Testing the safety and efficacy of low-level ClO2 exposure in preventing viral infections among chickens.

Evaluating the potential of ClO2 to decontaminate virus-contaminated poultry housing and prevent future outbreaks.

"Effective biosecurity measures are critical for maintaining healthy poultry flocks and ensuring the sustainability of the industry," said Dr. Ruth Nissly, Assistant Research Professor at Penn State. "This research aims to offer a simple, science-backed solution to combat airborne transmission of devastating poultry viruses."

A Collaborative Effort

This project brings together a multidisciplinary team of experts, including Penn State poultry scientists and virologists, and PureLine, a leader in chlorine dioxide technology.

Tim Lathrop, President of PureLine, highlighted the importance of this collaboration:

"At PureLine, we are proud to partner with Penn State on this critical initiative. Chlorine dioxide has proven to be an incredibly versatile and effective disinfectant. Through this partnership, we aim to revolutionize biosecurity in poultry production by developing practical, real-world solutions to protect both flocks and the farmers who rely on them."

Why It Matters

The U.S. poultry industry, valued at over $57 billion annually, is a vital component of the agricultural economy. Pennsylvania alone contributes $2.6 billion to this total. Airborne viral diseases, such as HPAIV, pose significant threats to economic stability, animal welfare, and food security.

This research is expected to have far-reaching implications, providing innovative biosecurity measures to prevent outbreaks and safeguard the future of poultry production across the nation.

Project Timeline

The study is set to run from January 2025 to October 2025, with findings to be shared at industry conferences, in peer-reviewed journals, and through public communication channels.

For further information, please contact:

Tim Lathrop, Tim.Lathrop@PureLine.com

About PureLine

Founded in 1995, PureLine specializes in the production and application of chlorine dioxide solutions for a wide range of industries. With a focus on safety, innovation, and effectiveness, PureLine is at the forefront of disinfection technology.

Contact Information

Alex Whitmore

Marketing

info@pureline.com

847-963-8465





SOURCE: PureLine

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Modern Italian Restaurant's Ninth Location Serves Italian-Inspired and Locally Sourced Dishes

Evviva Trattoria, a Massachusetts-based restaurant brand featuring locally sourced modern Italian cuisine, will open its newest location on Friday, January 10 at 4:00pm at 5 Colby Ct. in Bedford, New Hampshire, marking its ninth location. Guests will enjoy Italian-inspired cuisine served in a comfortable and family-style atmosphere with a full bar serving beer, wine and specialty cocktails.

"Evviva Trattoria loves to celebrate our guests and the local communities we serve over a fresh, approachable Italian-inspired meal from our scratch kitchen. We hope people will visit us here at our second location in New Hampshire and leave feeling like they are a part of the Evviva family," said Marcie Day, Chief Operating Officer of Evviva Trattoria.

The new Bedford, NH Evviva Trattoria location boasts an open kitchen and bar, a spacious 1,800 square foot dining room with booths and high-top tables, a 500 square foot private dining room and outdoor patio coming in the spring 2025. The private dining space is a vibrant, flexible atmosphere that's ideal for any event from wedding rehearsal dinners, baby and bridal showers to corporate dinners and more. Accommodating large groups of guests with individual dining needs and preferences is made easy.

Over 90 percent of Evviva's core menu is either naturally gluten free or can be modified to be so. To start the meal, for Primi, the crave worthy Crispy Lasagna Fritters ($14) or the Italian Street Fries ($13) always please, as do longtime entree menu staples like the Parmigiana (Eggplant, Chicken or Veal; $22-$27), Bolognese (sm $16.50, lg $24) and a variety of specialty pizzas available Montanara Style (signature fried crust; 9 inch only) or Neapolitan Style (traditional crust 9 inch or 16 inch). The restaurant serves lunch and dinner daily, 7 days a week.

About Evviva Trattoria

With seven locations across Massachusetts and two in New Hampshire, Evviva Trattoria features Italian-inspired, locally made cuisine. The award-winning restaurant brand is committed to the local sourcing of whole foods, prepared fresh at each location including Quincy, Hanover, Marlborough, Maynard, Stoneham, Westford and Wrentham as well as Rochester and Bedford, NH. Evviva Trattoria prides itself on accommodating each of its guests with allergy-safe options and offers over 90percent of the core menu with gluten-free alternatives. This is accomplished through preparing dishes to order in scratch kitchens on designated equipment and ensuring management delivers allergy-safe dishes. Established in 2012 and headquartered in Westford, Mass., Evviva Trattoria is part of RAVentures, which owns and operates hospitality brands and real estate and development companies.

For more information, please visit www.evvivatrattoria.com , join the Loyalty program for member benefits, and follow Evivva on Instagram .

Media Contact:

Lisa Bell

Sleek Machine for RAVentures Hospitality Group

lisabellpublicrelations@gmail.com

617-304-3836

SOURCE: Evviva Trattoria

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Trailblazing Finance Leaders Shaping the Future of Business

The CFO Alliance is thrilled to announce the formation of its 2025-2026 Global Advisory Board (GAB), a powerhouse collective of senior finance executives whose visionary leadership is set to redefine the profession. Representing industries from biotechnology to manufacturing and geographies spanning North America to Asia, this esteemed board of trailblazers is uniquely equipped to tackle the pressing challenges and opportunities reshaping global business.

CFO Alliance Status Quo

"This Global Advisory Board doesn't just represent the future of finance leadership - it's actively shaping it."

- Nick Araco Jr., CEO and Chairman, The CFO Alliance

Meet the Leaders Driving Change

The 2025-2026 GAB features leaders who have accomplished milestones that redefine the possibilities of finance:

AI Pioneers : Leveraging artificial intelligence to automate financial processes and unlock data-driven insights. "30% of these board members have led major digital transformations."

Dealmakers Extraordinaire : Executing mergers, acquisitions, and IPOs worth billions, transforming markets and fueling innovation. "Over $10B in cumulative deals managed."

Talent Innovators : Developing future-ready teams by harmonizing human capital with cutting-edge technologies. "4 IPOs launched in the last decade."

Operational Wizards: Delivering double-digit growth by optimizing costs and modernizing supply chains. "50% have implemented DE&I strategies."

This exceptional roster includes industry icons, innovators, and disruptors from Fortune 500 companies, high-growth startups, and global think tanks.

What Makes This GAB Unmissable?

A truly global perspective: With members representing diverse industries, regions, and areas of expertise, this board offers insights into every corner of the financial world. (North America: 40%, Europe: 30%, Asia: 20%, Other: 10%).

Direct Impact: The GAB is laser-focused on equipping CFOs with actionable strategies to address issues like:

Talent shortages and diversity in leadership.

AI and automation as drivers of strategic value.

Economic resilience in uncertain markets.

"The insights and experiences of this board are nothing short of transformative," says Dr. Tim Naddy, GAB Member and VP of Finance for the Savannah Bananas.

Opportunities to Engage

Don't just read about the GAB - experience its impact firsthand.

Participate in the 2025 CFO Sentiment Survey: Shape the future of finance leadership by sharing your insights. Take the survey now.

Join the Conversation: Attend exclusive events-virtual and in-person-featuring GAB members as keynote speakers.

Access Exclusive Resources: Dive into playbooks, case studies, and reports developed by the GAB to help you navigate the complexities of modern finance.

Call to Action: Be Part of the Movement

This isn't just about one board - it's about building a global community of finance leaders driven by innovation, resilience, and collaboration. The CFO Alliance is your gateway to connecting with the sharpest minds in the industry.

Visit CFOAlliance.com for exclusive content and opportunities to connect with the GAB.

About The CFO Alliance

The CFO Alliance is the premier global network for senior finance leaders, connecting thousands of professionals to the insights, relationships, and tools they need to succeed. With a mission to empower CFOs through collaboration and innovation, The CFO Alliance is the go-to resource for today's finance trailblazers.

SOURCE: CFO Alliance

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Professor Michel Sadelain and Professor Sumio Iijima, among other eminent figures, were selected to win the 47th session of the Prize

Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Jan. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- January 8, 2025

On Wednesday, January 8th, Professor Michel Sadelain, of Canadian origins, was announced the 2025 laureate for King Faisal Prize in Medicine for his groundbreaking contributions to Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, a revolutionary cancer treatment that has transformed immunotherapy and inspired advancements in regenerative medicine. Professor Sumio Iijima, from Japan, was named the 2025 laureate for King Faisal Prize in Science in the field of physics for his pioneering discovery of carbon nanotubes, which has redefined nanotechnology and enabled innovations across materials science, electronics, and medicine. In addition, the 2025 King Faisal Prize honored remarkable individuals in the field of Islamic Studies. These laureates were celebrated for their exceptional scholarly contributions, innovative research, and enduring impact on enriching cultural and intellectual heritage, further advancing humanity's understanding and appreciation of these fields.

Medicine Prize in "Cellular Therapy" and the Early Research and Development of CAR T-Cell Therapy by Professor Michel Sadelain

Professor Sadelain's research into CAR T-cell therapy began in the early 1990s, driven by his vision to engineer the immune system to precisely target cancer cells. CAR T cell therapy is a type of cellular immunotherapy that aims to transform T cells, which are immune system cells that have a role in the body's fight against diseases, to enable them to particularly recognize and attack cancer cells in patients with cancer.

By 1992, his foundational work introduced the concept of genetically modifying T lymphocytes to express Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs). Building on early theories, Professor Sadelain's team created the first functional CAR T cells in 2002. These cells, capable of recognizing and attacking cancer-specific antigens, became a cornerstone of immuno-oncology. The innovation concluded in the second-generation CARs, which incorporated costimulatory domains like CD28 and 4-1BB. These enhancements not only amplified T-cell activation and persistence but also improved their efficacy in eradicating tumor cells. By 2003, these landmark studies provided conclusive evidence that CAR T cells could eliminate CD19-positive leukemias and lymphomas in animal models, demonstrating the potential of this therapy to achieve complete remission in hematologic cancers and offering curative possibilities for patients with refractory malignancies.

This discovery translated into the clinical application of CAR T-cell therapy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the therapy in 2017 for treating Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL). This marked a breakthrough in cancer therapy.

Leadership and Recognition

As the founding director of the Center for Cell Engineering at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Professor Sadelain has fostered a dynamic and collaborative environment that seamlessly integrates science and medicine. His leadership has been instrumental in bridging the gap between fundamental research and clinical application, driving innovations that directly improve patient care. In 2024, Prof. Sadelain was appointed the inaugural director of the Columbia Initiative for Cell Engineering and Therapy, further solidifying his position as a trailblazer in the field. In this role, he continues to lead groundbreaking research aimed at advancing cellular therapies and translating them into life-saving treatments.

With over 280 peer-reviewed papers, Prof. Sadelain's pioneering research has also resulted in the creation of more than 60 patents, underscoring his significant contributions to the field of gene and cell therapy. His influence extended beyond research, having served on the NIH Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee and as President of the American Society for Gene and Cell Therapy. He is also an elected Fellow of the American Association of Cancer Research, a testament to his enduring impact on oncology and immunology.

Professor Sadelain's groundbreaking work has earned him numerous prestigious honors, including the Cancer Research Institute's Coley Award for Distinguished Research in Tumor Immunology, the Sultan Bin Khalifa International Award for Innovative Medical Research on Thalassemia, and the NYIPLA Inventor of the Year award. Among his many honors are the Passano Award, the Pasteur-Weizmann Award, the Gabbay Award, the INSERM International Prize Laureate, and the ARC Foundation Leopold Griffuel Award.

Additionally, he has been recognized with the Outstanding Achievement Award from the American Society for Gene and Cell Therapy and the Clarivate Citation Laureate in Physiology or Medicine. In 2024, Dr. Sadelain was awarded the prestigious Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences and the Canada Gairdner Award, further cementing his legacy as a transformative figure in cellular therapy and medicine.

Science Prize in the field of "Physics" and The Discovery of Carbon Nanotubes by Professor Sumio Iijima

Prof. Sumio Iijima revolutionized materials science and nanotechnology with his discovery of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in 1991. These cylindrical structures, composed of graphene-a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice-exhibit extraordinary mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties, making them one of the most studied nanomaterials in modern science. Prof. Ijima's seminal work, published in Nature, detailed the observation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). These tubular structures, consisting of concentric graphene cylinders, possess diameters ranging from a few nanometers to tens of nanometers. Two years later, Iijima and his collaborators identified single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), which consist of a single graphene cylinder with a diameter as small as one nanometer. This marked a significant breakthrough, as SWCNTs exhibit unique quantum mechanical properties due to their reduced dimensionality.

The discovery of CNTs has catalyzed advancements in numerous fields. In the realm of energy, CNTs are being developed for high-capacity lithium-ion batteries, supercapacitors, and hydrogen storage systems due to their large surface area and conductive properties. In medicine, CNTs are studied for their potential in targeted drug delivery and bioimaging, where their nanoscale dimensions enable precision targeting of diseased cells. In environmental science, CNT-based membranes are being used for water purification and desalination, offering an efficient and scalable solution to global water shortages. Their ability to adsorb pollutants while maintaining high flow rates exemplifies their potential in addressing critical sustainability challenges.

Legacy and Recognition

Prof. Iijima is an honorary fellow of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and a member of prestigious academies worldwide, including the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. His seminal paper on carbon nanotubes has garnered over 58,000 citations, underlining its monumental influence in scientific literature.

He gained global recognition and invitations to prestigious international conferences, including the 2014 KAUST-NSF Conference, where his work was celebrated as foundational to nanotechnology research. His contributions were honored with numerous prestigious awards, such as the Franklin Medal in Physics (2001), the Agilent Europhysics Award, the APS McGroddy Prize, the Imperial Prize, and the Japan Academy Prize. In 2009, he received Japan's Order of Culture Merits, reflecting the national significance of his work.

Internationally, his impact was acknowledged with the Aminoff Prize from Sweden and the Balzan Prize from Italy in 2007, and the European Inventor Award in 2015. His influence extends beyond academia into global scientific communities; he was elected as a member of the Japan Academy and honored as a foreign member of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Honoring Pioneers in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage in King Faisal Prize

In addition to Medicine and Science, King Faisal Prize recognized this year the achievements of an outstanding thinker and scholar in the field of Islamic Studies. Professor Said Al-Said and Professor Saad Al-Rashed have been jointly awarded the King Faisal Prize in Islamic Studies for 2025 for their exceptional contributions to archaeology and the preservation of cultural heritage in Saudi Arabia.

Professor Al-Said, a distinguished Saudi professor at King Saud University, has significantly advanced the understanding of the Arabian Peninsula's archaeological history. His extensive research includes the publication of 91 scientific papers in multiple languages, focusing on the region's rich archaeological heritage. Notably, he co-chaired the Saudi-German excavation project in Tayma, uncovering insights into ancient civilizations.

Professor Al-Rashed, a pioneering Saudi archaeologist, has dedicated over five decades to unearthing and preserving the hidden treasures of Arabia's heritage. His groundbreaking studies on Islamic pilgrimage routes, particularly the Darb Zubayda, and early Islamic cities have provided invaluable insights into the region's historical and civilizational evolution. His work at Al-Rabadha has been pivotal in understanding early Islamic urban planning and culture.

King Faisal Prize for Arabic Language & Literature for 2025 on the topic of "Studies of Identity in Arabic Literature" was withheld due to nominated works not elevating to the criteria of the prize.

King Faisal Prize laureates' names for 2025 were announced today in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, by HH Prince Bandar Bin Saud Bin Khalid and the Prize's Secretary General Dr. Abdulaziz Alsebail.

About King Faisal Prize

Since 1979, King Faisal Prize in its 5 different categories has awarded 299 laureates who have made distinguished contributions to different sciences and causes. Each prize laureate is endowed with USD 200 thousand; a 24-carat gold medal weighing 200 grams, and a Certificate inscribed with the Laureate's name and a summary of their work which qualified them for the prize.

Attachments
The study met its primary endpoint with a significant gastrointestinal overall response rate at Day 28 of 62% and demonstrates the unprecedented efficacy of MaaT013 as third-line treatment of aGvHD with gastrointestinal involvement (GI-aGvHD)

High gastrointestinal overall response rate (GI-ORR) exceeding the expected response rate of 38%. Complete response (CR), only, was 38% and very good partial response (VGPR) was 20%.

Frequent and strong all-organ responses (ORR), prevalently consisting of complete response (CR) of 36% and very good partial response (VGPR) of 18%, reflecting systemic effects beyond the gastrointestinal tract.

54% probability of survival at 1 year driven by clinical response, highlighting MaaT013's potential to overcome the short-term mortality of third-line GI-aGvHD.

Company anticipates MAA submission in Europe in mid-2025, earlier than initially planned.

Conference call and webcast to be held on Thursday, January 9, 2025,

at 4.00PM CET/ 7.00 AM PST/ 10.00AM EST/ 7.00PM GST

To register, please click here.

Regulatory News:

MaaT Pharma (EURONEXT: MAAT the "Company"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company and a leader in the development of Microbiome Ecosystem TherapiesTM (MET) dedicated to enhancing survival for patients with cancer through immune modulation, today announced topline results from ARES, a pivotal, single-arm, open-label, multicenter European Phase 3 study evaluating the efficacy and safety of MaaT013 in acute Graft-versus-Host Disease patients with gastrointestinal involvement (GI-aGvHD) in third-line treatment, meaning refractory to steroids and refractory or intolerant to ruxolitinib. Notably, the study met its primary endpoint, with asignificant gastrointestinal overall response rate (GI-ORR) at 28 Days of 62%, exceeding the expected 38% response rate. Responses reviewed by an Independent Review Committee (IRC), exceed the per-protocol prespecified threshold and confirm the unprecedented clinical efficacy of MaaT013 for the treatment of third-line GI-aGvHD.

"Gastrointestinal involvement in aGvHD is a devastating condition, particularly for patients who do not respond to ruxolitinib. These individuals face an urgent unmet medical need, with alarmingly low survival rates and a critical lack of effective treatment options," stated Professor Mohamad Mohty, Professor of Hematology and Head of the Hematology and Cellular Therapy Department at Saint-Antoine Hospital and Sorbonne University. "The results for MaaT013 in this Phase 3 trial represent a groundbreaking advancement in third-line treatment for GI-aGvHD. By directly targeting the gut-immune interface, this innovative therapy has the potential to redefine disease management, bringing new hope to patients and clinicians, alike."

"We would like to thank all patients who participated in this landmark study. These positive topline results strongly position MaaT013 as a first-in-class therapeutic for GI-aGvHD, potentially bringing a new option for patients in need of effective treatments when both steroids and ruxolitinib have failed. ARES represents the first-ever positive pivotal clinical study for an immunosuppressant-sparing, microbiome-based approach, confirming MaaT Pharma's leadership in the field, validating the Company's therapeutic platform, supporting its programs, and broadens potential applications in oncology, inflammation, and other therapeutic areas," said Gianfranco Pittari, MD PhD, Chief Medical Officer, MaaT Pharma.

The therapeutic options for patients with GI-aGvHD refractory to steroids and refractory or intolerant to ruxolitinib remain very limited despite the poor prognosis for this condition, which has 1-year survival rates of just 15% (Abedin et al., 2021). MaaT013 has the potential to be the first approved third-line treatment option and thereby transform the survival outcomes and redefine long-term prospects for approximately 3,000 third-line GI-aGvHD patients per year in the U.S., Canada and Europe.

Top-line Data Highlights:

In the single-arm ARES study, 66 adult patients with GI-aGvHD refractory to steroids and refractory or intolerant to ruxolitinib were treated with MaaT013 as third-line treatment across 50 European sites (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Spain).

Patients' characteristics: Gender: 47% females, 53% males. Median age: 55.5 years (24-76) At baseline, aGvHD grading (according to both IRC and investigators' assessments): Grade II: 9.1% Grade III: 57.6% Grade IV: 33.3% Steroid refractory: 86.4% Steroid dependent: 13.6% Ruxolitinib refractory: 100% Ruxolitinib intolerant: 0

The study met its primary endpoint of GI-ORR at Day 28 of treatment with MaaT013 (p <0.0001), as assessed by the Independent Review Committee (IRC).

Frequent, strong and durable response rates translating into prolonged survival GI-ORR at Day 28 occurred in 41/66 patients (62%) and prevalently consisted of complete response (CR) (25/66 patients, 38%) and very good partial response (VGPR) (13/66 patients, 20%). ORR in all evaluable organs occurred in 42/66 patients (64%) patients and was similarly driven by high rates of CR (24/66 patients, 36%) and VGPR (12/66 patients, 18%). The 12-month probability of survival was 54% (median survival not reached). The 12-month probability was significantly higher in patients who responded at Day 28 than those who did not respond (67% vs 28% respectively, p <0.0001), demonstrating MaaT013's significant survival benefit in refractory GI-aGvHD.



Enrolled patients will continue to be followed for secondary and exploratory endpoints for the duration of the study. Results are expected to be presented at future scientific conferences.

MaaT013's safety has already been confirmed by the ARES Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) in October 2023 for the first 30 patients, showing it was well tolerated with no increased infection risk or treatment-related fatal events (Full details here). Pharmacovigilance and DSMB surveillance for the study remain ongoing.

With robust data supporting efficacy and safety, MaaT Pharma is pursuing the regulatory submission of MaaT013, in Europe, as a treatment for GI-aGvHD in third-line, aiming for a Centralized Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) submission to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in mid-2025, earlier than previously expected. The centralized procedure enables a single authorization across the EU (27 members), thus facilitating patient access and market launch.

In line with its mission to offer new treatment options for high unmet medical needs, MaaT Pharma will continue to ensure availability of MaaT013 in Europe, for patients with aGvHD (and other indications) as part of its Early Access Program (EAP), which exceeded 100 requests for patients in 2024. The EAP will continue during the regulatory evaluation phase and up to commercialization, anticipated for end of 2026. The Early Access Program, has been expanded to the United States in December 2024, will continue as the Company advances readiness for the U.S. Phase 3 clinical trial, which is expected to be launched in 2025, upon securing financing.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

MaaT Pharma will host a conference call and a webcast tomorrow on Thursday, January 9th, 2025, at 4.00PM CET/ 7.00AM PST/ 10.00AM EST/ 7.00PM GST. Herve Affagard, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder, Gianfranco Pittari, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer, Eric Soyer, Chief Financial Officer, Sian Crouzet, Chief of Staff, will further discuss the impact of the ARES Phase 3 results and the related perspectives for MaaT Pharma. To register, please click here. Participants can also join the conference by phone by dialling the following number: +33 1 78 42 94 76 and using the PIN code 85 99 53.

About MaaT Pharma

MaaT Pharma is a leading, late-stage clinical company focused on developing innovative gut microbiome-driven therapies to modulate the immune system and enhance cancer patient survival. Supported by a talented team committed to making a difference for patients worldwide, the Company was founded in 2014 and is based in Lyon, France. As a pioneer, MaaT Pharma is leading the way in bringing the first microbiome-driven immunomodulator in oncology. Using its proprietary pooling and co-cultivation technologies, MaaT Pharma develops high diversity, standardized drug candidates, aiming at extending life of cancer patients. MaaT Pharma has been listed on Euronext Paris (ticker: MAAT) since 2021.

About MaaT013

MaaT Pharma's Microbiome Ecosystem Therapies (MET) are designed to leverage a full microbiome ecosystem to restore balance and maximize clinical benefits for patients with severe, treatment-induced dysbiosis in acute diseases. MaaT013 is a full-ecosystem, off-the-shelf, standardized, pooled-donor, enema Microbiome Ecosystem TherapyTM for acute, hospital use. It is characterized by a consistently high diversity and richness of microbial species and the presence of ButycoreTM (a group of bacterial species known to produce anti-inflammatory metabolites). MaaT013 aims to restore the symbiotic relationship between the patient's functional gut microbiome and their immune system to correct the responsiveness and tolerance of immune functions and thus reduce steroid-resistant, gastrointestinal (GI)-aGvHD. MaaT013 has been granted Orphan Drug Designation by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

About acute Graft-versus-Host Disease

Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease occurs in patients within 100 days of undergoing a stem cell or bone marrow transplant, where the transplanted cells initiate an immune response and attack the transplant recipient's organs, causing inflammation of the skin, liver and/or gastro-intestinal tract and leading to significant morbidity and mortality. GI involvement is associated with severe complications such as profound diarrhea, abdominal pain, intestinal bleeding, and death. These complications are often life-threatening, with increased mortality risk, due to the challenges of managing severe GI inflammation and the associated risks of infection, malnutrition, and organ failure. The standard first line therapy for treating aGvHD is the use of systemic steroids. If patients do not respond to steroids, they are considered Steroid Resistant (SR) and other agents can be administered. Currently the only agent approved for treating SR aGvHD after failure of steroid treatment is ruxolitinib, which is currently approved for this indication in USA and has received approval from the European Medical Agency's Committee for Human Medicinal Products (CHMP) on March 25, 2022.

Forward-looking Statements

All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release about future events are subject to (i) change without notice and (ii) factors beyond the Company's control. These statements may include, without limitation, any statements preceded by, followed by, or including words such as "target," "believe," "expect," "aim", "intend," "may," "anticipate," "estimate," "plan," "project," "will," "can have," "likely," "should," "would," "could" and other words and terms of similar meaning or the negative thereof. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties beyond the Company's control that could cause the Company's actual results or performance to be materially different from the expected results or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250108967308/en/

Contacts:

MaaT Pharma Investor Relations

Guilhaume DEBROAS, Ph.D.

Head of Investor Relations

+33 6 16 48 92 50

invest@maat-pharma.com



Rx Communications Group

U.S. Investor Relations

Michael Miller

Managing Director

+1-917-633-6086

mmiller@rxir.com



MaaT Pharma Media Relations

Pauline RICHAUD

Senior PR Corporate Communications Manager

+33 6 14 06 45 92

media@maat-pharma.com



Catalytic Agency

U.S. Media Relations

Heather Shea

Media relations for MaaT Pharma

+1 617-286-2013

heather.shea@catalyticagency.com
CRUMLIN, Wales, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BBI Solutions Limited ("BBI"), global leader in the development and manufacture of IVD reagents, announces a CEO succession.

After 7 years as CEO, Mario Gualano will be leaving BBI on 31 March 2025. With more than 30 years of experience in the diagnostics industry, Mario has successfully driven outstanding growth in the business, both organically and through acquisitions, established a clear and focused strategy, and conceived and led the transformative investment in BBI's recombinant reagent capabilities.

Succeeding Mario, with immediate effect, is Alexander A. Socarras. Alex is a highly experienced diagnostics industry leader with over 30 years of experience in senior roles at Siemens Healthineers, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, Bayer Healthcare and Roche Diagnostics, most recently serving as Executive Vice President of Global Commercial Operations at Siemens Healthineers' diagnostics business. Alex holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and an MBA, and has lived and worked in the United States and Europe, managing global businesses and teams for over 18 years.

David Martyr, Chairman of BBI, commented: "Mario has regrettably decided that now is the right time for him to step back from full time employment and we sincerely thank him for his excellent leadership of BBI. Alex will relocate to the UK to take on his new role."

Johan Hueffer, Senior Partner at Novo Holdings, said: "We are delighted to welcome Alex to BBI Solutions, and believe he is the perfect person to lead the company in the next chapter of its development. Novo Holdings looks forward to continuing to support BBI Solutions in its organic and inorganic growth ambitions, serving customers around the world, and further building the leading independent IVD reagent platform."

Alex Socarras said "I am honored and excited to join BBI and I am eager to collaborate with our team and our customers to drive the next stage of transformative business growth."

Mario Gualano added: "With his highly relevant experience, Alex is well placed to continue to drive growth at BBI and I look forward to working with him during the next 3 months to facilitate a smooth transition."

ABOUT BBI SOLUTIONS

BBI Solutions is a leading global manufacturer of immunodiagnostic reagents and custom development solutions, with a history spanning over five decades in the in vitro diagnostics (IVD) industry. The company specializes in the development and manufacturing of high-quality raw materials for the IVD sector, including custom antibody development, recombinant proteins, a wide array of immunodiagnostic reagents, and support with lateral flow test development and manufacturing. Its operations are underpinned by ISO 13485-certified facilities located across four continents, ensuring compliance with industry standards and global reach.

Annually, BBI's reagents play a pivotal role in more than 400 million lateral flow tests and are a trusted component in 5 billion blood glucose test strips, showcasing the company's significant contribution to global health and solidifying its reputation as an industry leader.

With a focus on quality, customization, and an extensive pipeline of recombinant products, BBI Solutions continues to address the evolving demands of the market by offering a range of precise, innovative solutions, guaranteeing that its partners' assays achieve market prominence and contribute to transformative patient outcomes.

www.bbisolutions.com

ABOUT NOVO HOLDINGS

Novo Holdings is a holding and investment company that is responsible for managing the assets and the wealth of the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The purpose of Novo Holdings is to improve people's health and the sustainability of society and the planet by generating attractive long-term returns on the assets of the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

Wholly owned by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, Novo Holdings is the controlling shareholder of Novo Nordisk A/S and Novonesis A/S (Novozymes A/S) and manages an investment portfolio with a long-term return perspective. In addition to managing a broad portfolio of equities, bonds, real estate, infrastructure and private equity assets, Novo Holdings is a world-leading life sciences investor. Through its Seed, Venture, Groth, Asia, Planetary Health and Principal Investments teams, Novo Holdings invests in life science companies at all stages of development. As of year-end 2023, Novo Holding had total assets of EUR 149 billion.

www.novoholdings.dk

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bbi-solutions-appoints-alexander-a-socarras-as-chief-executive-officer-302346196.html
Collaboration Aims to Strengthen Professional License Defense Practice

Tarvis, a leading management consulting firm with experience in legal strategic practice growth solutions, is proud to announce its collaboration with the Norman Spencer Law Group, a distinguished New York-based law firm handling professional license defense, criminal defense and white-collar crimes. This partnership is focused on helping the firm expand its professional license defense practice areas in 2025, leveraging the experience of Tarvis to reach new clients and enhance service offerings.

Norman Spencer Law Group has built a reputation for providing comprehensive representation to professionals across the healthcare industry facing challenges to their licenses, ensuring that their rights and livelihoods are protected. With growing demand for professional license defense, the firm is poised to broaden its services to meet the needs of medical professionals, including physicians, nurses, physical therapists, and other licensed practitioners.

The partnership will focus on:

Client-Centered Outreach: Expanding Norman Spencer Law Group's online presence to ensure their services are accessible to professionals across various industries.

Practice Development: Leveraging data-driven insights to identify new opportunities for growth while maintaining ethical and professional standards.

"Our collaboration with Tarvis represents a significant step forward in our commitment to serving professionals who depend on their licenses to work and thrive," said Norman Spencer, founding partner at Norman Spencer Law Group. "By combining our legal expertise with Tarvis's innovative growth strategies, we can ensure that more professionals receive the guidance they need during challenging times."

Norman Spencer Law Group's expanded professional license defense services will cover cases involving investigations, disciplinary proceedings, license denials, and appeals. Their experienced team is dedicated to protecting the rights of professionals in New York and beyond, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory standards.

About Norman Spencer Law Group

Norman Spencer Law Group is a full-service law firm based in New York, offering a wide range of legal services, including criminal defense, white-collar crimes, and professional license defense. The firm is dedicated to providing exceptional representation and personalized service to its clients.

For more information about Norman Spencer Law Group's services visit https://www.nycriminallawyers.com

About Tarvis

Tarvis is a management consulting firm, empowering organizations with actionable strategies and cutting-edge insights to navigate the complexities of today's business environment. Tarvis partners with companies nationwide to deliver tailored solutions that drive success.

To learn more about Tarvis, please visit: https://www.tarvis.com

Contact Information

Veronica Green

Communications Manager

press@tarvis.com

716-759-4636

SOURCE: Tarvis

View the original press release on accesswire.com
St. Louis, Missouri--(Newsfile Corp. - January 8, 2025) - Benjamin F. Edwards, whose roots date back to 1887, is making history by opening its 100th location. It's a record breakthrough representing a continuing, present-day story of growth transcending the number of advisors and significant financial achievements.

"We're celebrating this historic milestone, which we believe affirms our business model of putting the interests of our advisors and their clients first," said Tad Edwards, chairman, CEO and president of Benjamin F. Edwards based in St. Louis. "We're thankful to our financial advisors who have made this possible by entrusting their treasured clients to our growing firm."

Team Effort

"It's a team win that everyone can be proud of and build upon, representing just the beginning of an even brighter future," Tad said.

Benjamin F. Edwards's roots trace back to the former A.G. Edwards, founded by Tad Edwards's great- great-grandfather, Albert Gallatin Edwards, in 1887. A.G. Edwards was once the nation's largest brokerage firm outside New York.

First Office in 2009

The 100th location in Wyoming, Mich., opened in December with three advisors. The firm opened its first location in Springfield, Mo., in 2009. It's a time that Springfield Branch Manager, Managing Director-Investments Tim Reese remembers well.

"Tad's vision for Edwards was nimble and responsive, with a single focus -- to serve. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that environment?" Tim said. "There aren't individual egos that get in the way of consensus or progress.

"I am loyal to Edwards; there's a tangible sense this enterprise is part of a much higher mission greater than any of us individually."

Today, the firm employs 737 people, including 328 advisors. It offers a traditional business arrangement and an independent model called Edwards Wealth Management, a registered investment advisor.

Tad said: "We are proud of our history and remarkable success, but we must continue to look toward the future so our clients reap the benefits of the latest financial planning technologies and advice strategies. We're a firm of the future built generations ago on a strong, principled foundation."

As the firm looks ahead to 100-plus locations and continues to add experienced and new advisors to existing locations, tremendous opportunities abound.

This includes expanding into new larger markets, further developing existing locations and teams with experienced advisors, and laying the foundation for the next generation through the firm's advisor trainee program launched in 2021.

Edwards prioritizes building a firm with an unwavering commitment to integrity, character and trust. Over the past decade, the firm has carefully chosen to grow in ways consistent with its culture and values, ensuring that those who join share its vision.

"We seek quality over quantity - choosing entrepreneurial advisors who value freedom and independence and want to partner with a leadership team they can know and trust," Tad said. "Advisors who join Edwards embrace the opportunity to create wealth through equity ownership in the private firm, achieve their goals and enjoy a fulfilling, fun career journey."

'Growing' Against the Grain

Benjamin F. Edwards takes a different approach from many of its competitors, providing every client -- regardless of portfolio size -- with a financial advisor dedicated to them.

Instead of relying on call centers, the employees in the home office respond to the advisors' requests and know them by name.

"This relationship-driven model has been a key factor in attracting financial advisors nationwide as the firm works toward its goal of expanding the Edwards brand into new locations and growing the number of advisors in all 100-plus locations," Tad said. "By building strong relationships with advisors and taking the time to understand their business models, we help them and their clients succeed.

"As we often say, 'We still prefer to pick up the phone ourselves and speak directly with anyone who needs our help, whether it's a client or an advisor.' It's the type of service our clients and advisors have come to expect."

Benjamin F. Edwards is one of the largest privately owned companies in St. Louis.

About Benjamin F. Edwards

With a legacy spanning 137 years over six generations of the Edwards family, Benjamin F. Edwards today is an entrepreneurial wealth-management enterprise welcoming client-first, full-service financial advisors to join the firm. Advisors at Edwards seek to render solid investment advice while helping clients develop a plan to reach their goals. The growing national firm is now in 34 states with 100 locations and over $47 billion in assets under management. It remains true to its Golden Rule roots in the treatment of clients, financial advisors, employees and all partners. The home office in St. Louis knows advisors by name and eschews call centers to get advisors' questions answered. Leveraging the firm's distinguished heritage and vision for the future, those who desire can become advisors of the firm's broker-dealer, Benjamin F. Edwards. Alternatively, they can choose an independent affiliation with the firm's registered investment advisor (RIA), Edwards Wealth Management. Edwards's strong fiscal foundation and timeless values enable it to be a firm of "Client-First Service Second-to-None," offering friendly support and thoughtful, tailored investment and planning advice to its treasured clients who make it all possible. The firm has zero debt and is committed to staying independent through future generations.

# # #

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/236316

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Edwards
Malaysia has steadily emerged as a beacon for luxury living and premium property investments in Southeast Asia, with branded residences leading the charge. Among the many developments redefining the country's property landscape, 8 Conlay Kempinski Kuala Lumpur stands out as a masterpiece of design, luxury, and hospitality. This integrated development is more than just a residence-it is a lifestyle statement.

The Branded Residences Advantage

Globally, branded residences have become synonymous with resilience and value retention, especially in uncertain economic climates. According to Knight Frank's "The Wealth Report 2023," these properties consistently outperform traditional luxury homes in terms of capital appreciation and rental yields.

In Kuala Lumpur, branded residences in prime locations deliver rental yields between 4% and 6%, compared to the 3% average for non-branded luxury properties. Data from Savills Malaysia highlights that branded residences in KL's city center achieve rental yields up to 6%, making them attractive propositions for investors targeting high-net-worth expatriates and corporate tenants. This proven resilience underscores their appeal to investors and homeowners seeking long-term value.

Why 8 Conlay Kempinski Stands Out

Strategically located in the prestigious Golden Triangle, 8 Conlay Kempinski sets new benchmarks in contemporary luxury living. Conceptualised by KSK Land, a whollyowned subsidiary of KSK Group, this mixed-use marvel combines elegance, innovation, superior service and hospitality. The project comprises three towers: two residential towers branded as YOO8 and a five-star Kempinski Hotel. Here's what sets 8 Conlay apart:

World-Class Branding and Service: As the first Kempinski-branded residences in Malaysia, 8 Conlay offers unparalleled five-star luxury hospitality synonymous with the brand's European heritage. Innovative Design Excellence: The architecture, conceived by RSP Architects, is inspired by the Chinese character for eight, symbolizing harmony and prosperity. The YOO8 twin towers feature distinct interiors by globally renowned designers. Tower A, designed by Steve Leung, exudes contemporary sophistication, while Tower B, designed by Kelly Hoppen, embodies timeless elegance. Both towers are seamlessly serviced by Kempinski, ensuring a contemporary luxurious living experience. Prime Location with Experiential Retail: Situated in the heart of Kuala Lumpur's Golden Triangle, 8 Conlay offers unmatched convenience and connectivity. Adding to its allure is the experiential and lifestyle-focused contemporary retail podium, which promises to redefine shopping, dining and leisure in the city. MM2H Eligibility: Foreign buyers can benefit from Malaysia's Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program, which offers long-term residency incentives, making 8 Conlay an attractive proposition for international investors.

Comparisons with Other Branded Residences in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is home to several branded residences, each offering unique features:

Four Seasons Place : Renowned for its proximity to the Petronas Towers and world-class amenities, but it lacks the integrated retail and experiential focus of 8 Conlay

The Ritz-Carlton Residences : Known for its legendary service, yet its location does not match the centrality and vibrancy of 8 Conlay's Golden Triangle address

The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur: Offers spacious layouts and luxurious finishes, but it does not deliver the seamless integration of design, hospitality, and retail provided by 8 Conlay

While these developments have their merits, 8 Conlay Kempinski's combination of cutting-edge design, Kempinski's hospitality, and a prime location positions it as the most compelling choice for discerning buyers.

Resilient Performance and Market Appeal

8 Conlay Kempinski aligns with the global surge in demand for branded residences. The YOO8 residences, a fusion of Kempinski's service ethos and YOO Studio's design innovation, have already achieved 60% sales for the twisted twin residential towers. These impressive figures underscore the property's desirability among foreign affluent and high-net-worth individuals, further solidifying its position in the competitive luxury market.

Global and Industry Endorsements

Industry experts continue to highlight Malaysia's growing prominence in the branded residences sector. A Colliers International report identifies Kuala Lumpur as a cost-competitive alternative to established luxury markets, while Bloomberg Asia highlights Malaysia's post-pandemic rebound as a driver of renewed investor interest. Bank Negara Malaysia's economic forecast anticipates sustained real estate growth, supported by foreign investment and government-backed infrastructure projects. Branded residences, known for their exclusivity and resilience, continue to hold 30%40% higher value during economic downturns compared to non-branded properties. This staying power mirrors 8 Conlay's enduring appeal, as it is renowned for its exclusivity, unparalleled service quality, and lasting value, ensuring it continues to command a premium among both domestic buyers and international investors, particularly from China, the Middle East, and ASEAN countries.

A Vision for the Future

With its targeted Q4 2027 completion, 8 Conlay will set the benchmark for the true meaning of contemporary luxury living in Kuala Lumpur and redefine the city's skyline. The seamless integration of world-class design, impeccable service, and a lifestyle-focused retail podium ensures that 8 Conlay will redefine urban living in Southeast Asia.

In conclusion, as Kuala Lumpur's property market continues to thrive, 8 Conlay Kempinski stands unrivaled as the best-branded residence for living and investment. Its strategic location, innovative design, superior service, and experiential retail offerings make it a beacon of refined contemporary luxury living in the city. For discerning buyers and investors seeking enduring value and lifestyle excellence, 8 Conlay Kempinski is the ultimate choice.

Company Name: 8 Conlay

Contact Person - Yao Fei

Division: Marketing

Contact Email: 8conlay@kskgroup.com

Website link: https://8conlay.com

SOURCE: 8 Conlay

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Dubai, UAE, January 8th, 2025, FinanceWire

Achieving success in financial markets is often a challenging journey for many investors. Requiring both time management and market expertise, individual investors frequently struggle with inexperience, risk control, and developing effective strategies.

This is where PAMM (Percentage Allocation Management Module) accounts come into play, offering a modern and efficient solution for investors.

PAMM accounts provide a system that allows individual investors to collaborate with professional fund managers. In this system, investors retain complete control over their funds, while trading authority is solely granted to the fund manager. This ensures an additional layer of security as the manager cannot access or withdraw the investors funds. Additionally, PAMM systems are built on transparency, offering a clear and predefined profit-sharing structure. This structure is automatically applied after every transaction, ensuring a fair distribution of returns for all parties. These features make PAMM accounts an attractive choice for individual investors seeking a secure and streamlined approach to investing.

Secure and Strategic Management with PAMM Manager

PAMM Manager has established itself as a leading name globally in PAMM account management, offering investors a transparent, reliable, and profit-focused service.

Led by Kaan Calskan, a fund management expert with over 10 years of experience and a background in behavioral finance, PAMM Manager has become a standout in the industry.

In 2024, the PAMM account managed by PAMM Manager delivered a remarkable 508% cumulative growth for over 250 investors. This success not only helped investors achieve their financial goals but also strengthened the trust in PAMM Managers expertise. In response to high demand from investors, a new PAMM account was launched in 2025 to continue this impressive journey.

Kaan Calskan is not only renowned for his fund management skills but also for his mentorship in behavioral finance within the Forex market. His expertise in investor psychology, strategic thinking, and market dynamics enables investors to make more informed and successful decisions. This dual role positions PAMM Manager as both a fund management solution and a strategic partner for investors.

A Strong Foundation Through Partnership with Vantage Markets

PAMM Managers strength is further amplified through its partnership with Vantage Markets, a globally recognized broker with over 15 years of excellence in the industry. Vantage Markets is renowned for its robust infrastructure and transparency-focused services. The funds are managed within Vantage Markets secure ecosystem, ensuring that the investments remain safe and well-protected.

Why Choose PAMM Accounts?

1. Professional Management: The investments are managed by experts, minimizing risks.

2. Time Efficiency: Save hours spent on market analysis and strategy development.

3. Transparency: Every transaction and performance metric is reported in real time.

4. Accessibility: Gain access to major markets with low initial investment thresholds.

PAMM accounts offer a modern solution for investors looking to achieve their financial goals through professional management. Users can reach out to PAMM Manager, led by Kaan Calskan.

About PAMM Manager

PAMM Manager is a global financial consultancy brand that provides professional forex fund management services for both individual and institutional investors. Led by Kaan Calskan, with over 10 years of experience in investment management and expertise in behavioral finance, PAMM Manager helps investors achieve their financial goals with confidence. The company stands out in the industry by offering a conservative risk management approach, professional data analytics, technical solution partnerships, and resources equally to all investors, regardless of the size of their investments.

https://linkedin.com/in/caliskanpr

[email protected]

2025 PAMM Live Result: https://fxmerge.com/strategies-results/1364213/pamm-manager

Contacts

CFO & Trader

Alp Varol

PAMM Manager

[email protected]

+905400044900

CEO & Fund Manager

Kaan Calskan

PAMM Manager

[email protected]

+905400044900
Contentstack, an Austin, TX-based AI-powered headless CMS, announced the acquisition of Lytics, a Portland, OR-based real-time customer data platform provider.

The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

Co-founded in 2013 by McDermott and Aaron Raddon, Lytics provides the CDP category and has been recognized by organizations including Adweek and Deloitte for its innovation. Its composable approach aligns with Contentstacks vision for the future of enterprises: flexible and modular technology that grows and changes as the business evolves.

Major global brands including Mondelez, Universal Music Group, LiveNation, Clorox and Ancestry will join the Contentstack client roster.

Led by CEO and Founder Neha Sampat, Contentstack is the creator of the Headless CMS and the Composable Digital Experience Platform (DXP) used by brands around the world such as Alaska Airlines, ASICS, Burberry, Mattel, Mitsubishi and Walmart.

With the acquisition, the company will further enhance:

Real-time engagement data and audience insights for both known and unknown visitors.

The ability to create audience profiles and segments out-of-the box.

A data activation layer that enables users to access and understand customer data and send it across preferred channels instantly.

FinSMEs

07/01/2024
Deep Vector, a NYC-based provider of an AI platform for analyzing underwriting documents, raised $1.5M in Seed funding.

The round was led by Aperture Venture Capital and InsurTech NY.

Wesley Janse van Rensburg

The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and its development efforts.

Scott Knowles

Founded by Scott Knowles and Wesley Janse van Rensburg, Deep Vector helps insurers and brokers translate the influx of analog documents used for underwriting risk, claims loss runs, Acord forms, motor vehicle records, and business records, into usable and actionable data. Previously known as Loss Scan, the company uses a proprietary algorithm and machine learning to classify documents from a library of 5,600+ formats specific to each insurance carriers forms. Once identified, it processes and translates the documents into usable data for carriers, brokers, and risk managers.

FinSMEs

08/01/2025
Nomupay, a Dublin, Ireland-based company providing unified payment solutions, raised $37M in third funding.

The final $12M tranche of the September fundraise was led by Endeit Capital, with Uneti Ventures participating. Existing investors continued their support, contributing $25M over the last 18 months.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate expansion in Asia of integrated payments platform for European, US and ROW players through a single API-integration for e-commerce and POS acquiring, and global payouts. Expansion plans include additional markets, local hires and partnerships in Singapore, Indonesia, Japan and Vietnam, adding to existing local presence in the region in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Philippines, Hong Kong and Thailand.

Led by CEO Peter Burridge, Nomupay provides secure and flexible payment solutions used to the needs of high-growth regions in Southeast Asia, Middle East, and Europe. Answering demand from Europe and the US, the companys Unified Payments (UP) platform will enable online, POS and payout capability in multiple Asian, European and Middle Eastern markets simultaneously through a single API. The gateway-agnostic omnichannel acceptance and disbursements offering will also address the need for easy scalability. Nomupay leverages AI to provide data management and reporting capabilities as well as enhanced business strategy decisions through provision of greater insights.

The latest round followed Series A rounds of $53.6M from Finch Capital and other investors in 2023, bringing the total to just under $90M to date.

FinSMEs

08/01/2025
These actors are making their mark in 2025 by shifting from in front of the camera to behind it, proving their creative prowess read more

Bollywood actors are increasingly stepping into behind-the-scenes roles, showcasing their versatility and broadening their creative horizons. These actors are making their mark in 2025 by shifting from in front of the camera to behind it, proving their creative prowess and contributing to the growth of the Indian film industry in new and exciting ways.

Heres a look at some stars who are venturing into direction, production, and more in 2025:

Ajay Devgn as Director

Ajay Devgn is taking on the directors hat once again for an untitled project that will feature his longtime friend and co-star, Akshay Kumar. This collaboration is highly anticipated, and fans are excited to see Ajays unique storytelling style behind the camera.

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Vir Das as Director

After making his mark as an actor and stand-up comedian worldwide, Vir Das is set to make his directorial debut with Happy Patel. The film, which stars Imran Khan in the lead role, is backed by Imrans uncle, Aamir Khan. Vir and Imrans previous collaboration in Delhi Belly was a hit, and expectations are high for this new venture.

Anshuman Jha as Director

Lakadbaggha actor Anshuman Jha is stepping into the directors chair for the first time with the black comedy thriller Lord Curzon Ki Haveli. The film, shot entirely in the UK, stars Arjun Mathur, Rasika Dugal, and Paresh Pahuja, among others. Having already garnered acclaim at international film festivals, the film is expected to release in India in the first quarter of 2025.

Shahid Kapoor as Producer

Shahid Kapoor is embracing his entrepreneurial side in 2025 with a trilogy he is both starring in and producing. This marks his debut as a producer. The trilogy, inspired by Amish Tripathis novel, is a period mythological war saga. Shahid has partnered with Netflix for this ambitious project, which is expected to be on the scale of epic films like Baahubali.

Rajkummar Rao as Producer

After the success of Stree 2 in 2024, Rajkummar Rao is making his debut as a producer with the crime comedy Toaster. Collaborating with Netflix, Rajkummar will also star alongside Sonakshi Sinha in this exciting project. Directed by Vivek Daschaudhary who served as an assistant on Guns and Gulaabs, Toaster is expected to go into production in January 2025 and release later that year.

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Pragya Jaiswal graced the grand trailer launch event of her upcoming film Daaku Maharaaj in Dallas, along with Nandamuri Balakrishna. The event witnessed the presence of over 7000 enthusiastic fans, who gave a grand welcome to the cast. As the trailer for the much-anticipated film Daaku Maharaj was unveiled, the audience broke into cheer, passionately praising Pragya Jaiswal. The crowd showered her with immense love and praise. Ahead of her birthday, they even wished her by singing the birthday song.

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The overwhelming show of love highlighted the connection shared by Pragya with her fans, cementing her as a beloved celebrity in Indian cinema. Speaking about her experiences in Dallas Pragya shared This was the first time any pre-release event for my movie took place overseas, and I am incredibly grateful to Dallas for making it so special. Until now, I had only experienced this kind of love virtually, and I had heard about the passion of Telugu movie fans and the Telugu community in Dallas. However, this was the first time I got to witness their warmth and love in person. Their enthusiasm for movies is unmatched, and experiencing their excitement firsthand was truly amazing.

The response to our trailer was incredible  the cheers, chants, and energy were unbelievable. It was a surreal moment, with over 7,000 people in the auditorium showing us so much love. Their support was heartwarming and incredibly encouraging. They even sang me a happy birthday when they found out the movie is releasing on my birthday, making it all the more special. Fingers crossed, I hope the movie becomes a blockbuster and lives up to their excitement!

The recently released trailer of Daaku Maharaj witnessed a positive response from the masses, setting expectations that the actioner will emerge as a blockbuster. With a gripping narrative, high-octane action sequences, and powerful dialogues, Daaku Maharaj is slated to land in theatres on January 12.
Rakhi Singh, a 13-year-old girl from Agra changed her perspective towards life after she spent a month at a Maha Kumbh camp in Prayagraj. The teen, who wanted to pursue IAS, renounced the worldly life to become a sadhvi. Her parents supported her decision and called it Gods will. She is now known as Gauri Giri and will be a part of Mahant Kaushal Giris ashram after the Kumbh mela read more

The teen felt a deep sense of "detachment from worldly life at the Maha Kumbh," and made a life-changing decision to become a sadhvi. Image for Representation. Reuters

Rakhi Singh, a 13-year-old girl from Agra, had always dreamed of becoming an IAS officer. However, during her visit to the Maha Kumbh camp in Prayagraj, her perspective on life took a dramatic turn.

The teen felt a deep sense of detachment from worldly life at the Maha Kumbh, and made a life-changing decision to become a sadhvi.

Her parents, viewing this transformation as a divine calling, wholeheartedly supported her decision, and even willingly donated their daughter to the ashram, a prominent mahant (religious leader) shared with PTI.

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With the Maha Kumbh set to begin on January 19, Rakhi, now known as Gauri Giri, will undergo the sacred renunciation process and embark on her new spiritual journey.

Becoming Gauri Giri

Rakhis journey began when her family, residing in Agra, connected with Mahant Kaushal Giri Maharaj of the Juna Akhara, one of the most prominent Hindu monastic orders.

For the past three years, Mahant Kaushal Giri had been visiting their village to conduct Bhagwat Katha sessions, during which Rakhi, along with her family, became profoundly influenced by his teachings.

It was during one of these sessions that Rakhi took her guru diksha, or initiation, marking the start of her spiritual path, PTI quoted the girls mother Reema Singh as saying.

Reema explained that Mahant Kaushal Giri invited her, her husband Sandeep Singhwho runs a confectionery businessand their two daughters, Rakhi and 8-year-old Nikki, to serve at the Maha Kumbh camp in Prayagraj last month.

Rakhi expressed her desire to become a sadhvi at Maha Kumbh camp in Prayagraj last month.Her parents, guided by their faith, accepted her decision as Gods will. File image

It was here that Rakhi expressed her desire to become a sadhvi. Her parents, guided by their faith, accepted her decision as Gods will. One day, Rakhi expressed her wish to become a sadhvi. Believing it to be Gods will, we raised no objections, her mother said.

Mahant Kaushal Giri confirmed that the family willingly donated their daughter to the ashram, emphasizing that the decision was made freely, without any coercion. The decision was made without any coercion. The family has been connected to us for some time, and at their request, Rakhi has been accepted into the ashram, the seer said.

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Rakhi will now be known as Gauri Giri, marking the beginning of her new life dedicated to spirituality.

Also read: AI surveillance, multilingual chatbots & more: How Mahakumbh 2025 is going hi-tech

Renunciation process

Rakhis renunciation is part of a centuries-old tradition, where spiritual seekers detach from worldly attachments to dedicate themselves to a life of service and devotion.

As part of this sacred process, Rakhi will participate in rituals, including the pind daan ceremony, which marks her formal transition to a life of renunciation. On January 19, she will undergo these rites, officially becoming a member of the Gurus spiritual family.

When asked if she has concerns about her daughters decision, Reema, Rakhis mother, shared, As a mother, I will always worry about where and how she is. Relatives often question why we entrusted our daughter to the ashram. Our response is that it was Gods wish.

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In recent years, many young individuals have chosen to leave the comforts of the world behind in pursuit of a life dedicated to spirituality. One such notable case was that of 8-year-old Devanshi Sanghvi from Surat, who renounced her luxurious life as the daughter of a wealthy diamond businessman to become a Jain sadhvi.

Last year, another high-profile story emerged when Bhavesh Bhai Bhandari, a businessman from Gujarat, made headlines. He and his wife were seen showering currency notes on a crowd from a chariot during a grand ceremony where they, along with 33 othersincluding children and several couplesrenounced their material comforts to embrace monkhood in Ahmedabad.

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With input from agencies
Indian Navy divers recovered the body of one of the nine miners trapped inside a flooded coal mine in Assams Dima Hasao district on Wednesday. They were trapped on Monday after the mine became inundated with water. Now, nearly 100 rescuers, including from the Indian Army, Navy and NDRF, are putting their all in to get the workers out read more

This image provided by Indian Army shows rescue workers standing around a coal mine where at least nine workers are trapped, in Umrangso area of Dimapur Hasao district in Assam, January 7, 2025. Indian Army via AP

The body of one of the nine miners trapped inside a flooded coal mine in Assam was recovered on Wednesday (January 8). These men got trapped in the rat hole mine in Dima Hasaos Umrangso coal reserves on Monday after it was inundated with water.

About 100 rescuers are racing against time to save the miners. Reports say three miners are confirmed dead, while six remain stuck.

Lets take a closer look.

Body found in Assam coal mine

Indian Navy divers recovered the body of one of the miners trapped inside the Assam Coal Quarry situated in the 3 Kilo area of Umrangso, in the hilly district of Dima Hasao.

Officials said the divers found the body early on Wednesday. Army deep divers have found and retrieved one body from the flooded mine. The divers will go into the mine again to continue their search operations, Assam minister Kaushik Rai, who is monitoring the rescue efforts, was quoted as saying by Associated Press (AP).

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This image provided by Indian Army shows soldiers preparing their equipment to rescue workers who are trapped inside a coal mine, in Umrangso area of Dimapur Hasao district in Assam, January 7, 2025. AP

Taking to X, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the dead miner has been identified as Ganga Bahadur Srestho, a native of Nepals Udayapur district.

21 Para divers have just recovered a lifeless body from the bottom of the well. Our thoughts and prayers are with the grieving family, he had tweeted earlier.

Deep sea divers joined the rescue efforts on Tuesday evening to bring out miners trapped inside the coal mine, which is 300 feet deep and has several underground tunnels.

We didnt see the body, it was completely dark inside, we felt a body using our hands, and thats how we were able to rescue them, one of the divers told a local news channel, as per Reuters.

Nine miners aged between 26 and 57 became trapped inside the coal mine after water suddenly gushed in on Monday morning. The workers are feared trapped 300 feet below the ground after water gushed in from a nearby unused mine. We are mobilising resources to rescue them, Rai said earlier.

The mine got flooded yesterday [Monday]  the source was internal. They [the miners] probably hit some water channel and water came out and flooded it, Mayank Kumar, district police chief in Dima Hasao, told the Reuters news agency.

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Twelve miners were reportedly trapped inside the mine but some men were rescued using cranes and trolleys by the locals.

The trapped workers hail from Assam, Nepal and West Bengal.

The Assam CM has said it was an illegal mine and one person has been arrested in connection with the case.

UPDATE



The rescue operation is in full swing with Army and NDRF divers having already entered the well. Navy personnel are on-site, making final preparations to dive in after them. Meanwhile, SDRF de-watering pumps have departed from Umrangshu for the location. Additionally, https://t.co/4X6WNtcp23  Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) January 8, 2025

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Inside rescue efforts

As hope for the survival of the trapped miners in Assam fizzles, rescuers are giving their all to save them.

Teams of the Indian Army, Navy, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have launched rescue operations.

The Indian Army said in a statement earlier that its personnel were at the site and were assisting the local administration.

Senior officials of [the] Indian Army will also be reaching the site to co-ordinate with the civil administration, the statement said, according to BBC.

The Armys relief task force includes divers, sappers, medical staff and necessary equipment, it added.

Rescue ops at #Umrangso are in full swing with Indian Navy divers, NDRF, Army, Assam Rifles, SDRF & Police working tirelessly. Under Hon'ble CM Dr. @himantabiswa ji's leadership, Assam demonstrates unwavering commitment to saving every precious life. pic.twitter.com/KMRAdlarHV  Kaushik Rai (@iKaushikRai) January 7, 2025

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The Navy deep sea divers were flown in from Vishakhapatnam on Tuesday evening. They carried out a recce before entering the quarry. As per the US news agency AP, cranes are being used to lower divers into the narrow, dark mine.

The Navy also deployed Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) to examine the situation underwater.

High suction pumps are being flown into the site by Indian Air Force helicopters to aid in pumping out the water from the mine, Rai said to the American news agency.

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According to Assam CM Sarma, a team from Coal India is slated to join the rescue operations today.

As per Indian Express, officials say the main impediment in rescue efforts is that the water level inside the mine is 200 feet deep. District disaster management official Riki Phukan said the equipment available is not helping in pumping out the water at a quick speed.

There is 200 feet of water and only one functional machine to pump it out. We are trying to source more equipment, he told the newspaper.

On Tuesday, rescuers found three helmets, some slippers and other items.

Officials fear that some workers are trapped in the rat hole tunnels inside the coal mine.

It is difficult to say how long the operation will take, because we have been told there are rat holes in the mine, HPS Kandhari, a commandant in the NDRF, told ANI.

What is rat-hole mining?

Rat-hole mining has been a banned practice in India since 2014. Workers use this method to extract coal in dangerous conditions from narrow pits in the ground, or small rat hole mines. These pits are just large enough for one person to go down and extract coal.

After the mines are dug, workers use ropes or bamboo ladders to reach the coal seams, common in hilly areas.

Coal is extracted by miners using tools like pickaxes, shovels, and baskets, as per Indian Express.

Accidents in such mines are not uncommon in the northeast. In 2019, at least 15 miners lost their lives after getting trapped in a flooded illegal rat-hole mine in Meghalaya.

Last January, six workers died after a fire broke out in a rat-hole coal mine in Nagaland.

With inputs from agencies
US President-elect Donald Trump is making his desire to purchase Greenland loud and clear. On Tuesday (January 7), when questioned about the use of military power to seize the Arctic island he did not rule it out. But what will Trump gain from the territory? read more

Donald Trump Jr, son of US President-elect Donald Trump, visits Nuuk, capital of Greenland, on Tuesday. At the same time of Trump Jr's visit, the US president-elect reiterated his desire to purchase the Arctic island. Reuters

We are less than two weeks away from Donald Trumps inauguration, but his provocative foreign policy is already here. Case in point: The US president-elect reiterated his desire to acquire Greenland, calling it critical to American national security.

On Tuesday (January 7), speaking to reporters at a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, Trump refused to rule out using American military force to seize Greenland. I cant assure you on either of those two, Trump said in response to a reporters question on Greenland and the Panama Canal. But I can say this, we need them for economic security.

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Interestingly, Trumps remarks on Greenland came as his son, Donald Trump Jr, reached Greenlands capital, Nuuk, where he reportedly distributed Make Greenland Great Again hats despite claiming to be visiting purely as a tourist.

Trumps interest in Greenland

On Tuesday, Donald Trump ramped up his desire to buy Greenland, saying he wouldnt rule out using military or economic coercion to acquire Greenland. But this isnt the first time that he has spoken of the worlds largest island and his desire to acquire it.

He wrote earlier on social media, Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our Nation. We will protect it, and cherish it, from a very vicious outside World. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!

President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. AP

On Christmas (25 December 2024), the US president-elect took aim at Greenland in social media posts, writing on his Truth Social platform, the people of Greenland, which is needed by the United States for National Security purposes and, who want the US to be there, and we will!

Before that, he spoke of buying Greenland when he was on the campaign trail.

However, the idea of buying Greenland first came to Trump in August 2019 while he served as the president of the United States. At the time, he had said, Denmark essentially owns it. Were very good allies with Denmark, we protect Denmark like we protect large portions of the world. So the concept came up and I said, Certainly Id be. Strategically its interesting and wed be interested but well talk to them a little bit. Its not No. 1 on the burner, I can tell you that.

In th_e book The Divider,_ it is suggested that Trump got the idea of purchasing Greenland from Ronald Lauder, a billionaire heir to the Estee Lauder cosmetics fortune. In fact, he had even offered to play the role of back-channel negotiator with the Danish government for Trump.

A view of the village of Kangaamiut in Greenland. The Arctic island, housing over 60,000 people, is three times the size of Texas. File image/AP

US age-old interest in Greenland

But Trump isnt alone in his yearning to buy Greenland. The idea that the US should annex or purchase the island dates back to 1946. Then, Washington offered Denmark, which previously had formal sovereignty over Greenland, $100 million worth of gold for the territory.

That 1946 offer was supposed to be secret. (This became public only in 1991 when Danish newspapers discovered declassified documents), the magazine TIME wrote.

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Before that, President Andrew Johnson wanted to buy the Arctic island in 1867. As per the Journal of American History, Johnsons administration thought of the purchase of Greenland and Iceland for $5.5 million in gold after the US had bought Alaska from the Russian Empire.

A glacier in the Scoresby Sund in Greenland. Greenland plays an outsized role in the daily weather experienced by billions of people. File image/AP

Reasons why Trump wants Greenland

To understand Trumps desire to purchase Greenland, lets understand more about this island. The worlds largest island  it is said to be three times the size of Texas  houses over 60,000 residents, most of whom are Indigenous Inuit people. Historically, Greenland was a Danish colony until it became self-ruled in 1979. It still remains a territory of Denmark. However, Greenlands Prime Minister Mute Egede has called for independence from Denmark.

But what makes Greenland so coveted is its location and the fact that it is mineral-rich. Greenland straddles the Arctic Circle between the US, Russia and Europe, making it geopolitically strategic. Its even more valuable as the Arctic opens up more to shipping and trade.

Moreover, Greenland is key for US security; the island is already home to a large US military base. Experts believe that Greenland is critical for the US to repel a potential attack from Russia. As Ulrik Pram Gad, a senior researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies, told CNN, The US is keen to ensure no hostile great powers control Greenland because it can be a foothold for attacking the US.

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Sled dogs rest near Qeqertarsuaq, on Disko Island, which is the Greenlands largest island. File image/Reuters

Amanda Lynch, professor of earth sciences at Brown University, also shared similar sentiments. In an NPR report, she said, From the perspective of the Arctic, Greenland is our eyes on everything thats going on, including on the Northern Sea Route, which is controlled by Russia.

Trumps ambition to purchase Greenland is also to keep China at bay. In 2019, Republican lawmakers warned China was trying to build airports on Greenland and even buy an old American naval base there.

China has also shown significant interest in a new route through the Arctic, and last November, China and Russia agreed to work together to develop Arctic shipping routes. Some believe that Trump buying Greenland would be a show of strength for Washington when its rivals are increasingly encroaching into the region.

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In addition to this, Greenland is a rich source of vital minerals that could aid a country in the long term. It is rich in coal, zinc, copper, iron ore, diamonds and oil, and even enormous quantities of cold-water fish that can now be harvested year-round.

These minerals are important for high-end military, green energy and industrial technologies and would give the US an edge over China. There is no question at all that Trump and his advisers are very concerned about the stranglehold that China appears to have, Klaus Dodds, professor of geopolitics at Royal Holloway, University of London, told CNN, adding, Greenland offers a potentially rich source of these critical minerals. I think Greenland is really about keeping China out.

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Greenland and Denmark speak

When Trump had initially floated the idea of Washington buying Greenland back in 2019, Denmark Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen shot down the proposal, saying that Greenland is not for sale.

Just a few days ago, Denmarks King Frederik X changed his countrys coat of arms to feature the symbol of Greenland more prominently.

In announcing the new design  the first since 1972  the Danish Royal House said the king wanted to create a contemporary royal coat of arms that both reflects the Realm and takes into account history as well as the heraldic tradition.

The new coat of arms, unveiled on January 1, gives Greenland, represented by a polar bear, and the Faroe Islands, represented by a ram, their own sections, which strengthens the Realms prominence in the royal coat of arms. Previously, the symbols of the Faroe Islands and Greenland, along with three crowns, were all contained in a single section.

On Tuesday (January 7), Greenlands PM Mute Bourup Egede said on Facebook, Let me repeat - Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland. Our future and fight for independence is our business.

While others, including Danes and Americans, are entitled to their opinions, but we should not be caught up in the hysteria and external pressures.

The future is ours and ours to shape, adding, Every day is spent on working to become independent.

With inputs from agencies
Dr V Narayanan was appointed as the new chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) and Secretary of the Department of Space on Tuesday. He is a distinguished scientist with nearly four decades of experience in rocket and spacecraft propulsion. He will succeed S Somanath, who oversaw the historic Chandrayaan-3 mission read more

Dr V Narayanan is a distinguished scientist with nearly four decades of experience in rocket and spacecraft propulsion. Image Courtesy: @ISROSight/X

The Centre appointed Dr V Narayanan as the new chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) and Secretary of the Department of Space on Tuesday.

He will take over from S Somanath, the organisations current head on January 14.

In a notification on Tuesday, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet said Narayanan will have a tenure of two years.

An official order from the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Personnel and Training states, The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Shri V. Narayanan, Director. Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, Valiamala as Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman, Space Commission for a period of two years with effect from January 14, 2025, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

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Heres all we know about him.

Who is V Narayanan?

Dr V Narayanan is a distinguished scientist with nearly four decades of experience in rocket and spacecraft propulsion.

He joined Isro in 1984 and functioned in various capacities.

During the initial phase, he worked in the Solid Propulsion area of Sounding Rockets and Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV) and Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).

He was appointed Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in 2018, one of the major centres of the Isro, having its headquarters at Valiamala in Thiruvananthapuram, with a unit in Bangalore.

The centre is engaged in developing liquid, semi-cryogenic propulsion stages for launch vehicles, chemical and electric propulsion systems for satellites, control systems for launch vehicles, and transducer development for space systems health monitoring.

He also chairs the Programme Management Council  Space Transportation Systems (PMC-STS), which makes decisions in all launch vehicle projects and programmes.

Dr Narayanan heads the National Level Human Rated Certification Board (HRCB) for Gaganyaan, Indias planned human spaceflight mission.

His contributions

Dr Narayanan has contributed to the process planning, process control, and realisation of Ablative nozzle systems, composite motor cases, and composite Igniter cases.

Under his guidance, the LPSC delivered 183 Liquid Propulsion Systems and Control Power plants for various Isro missions.

One of Dr Narayanans notable achievements was his role as Project Director for the GSLV Mk IIIs C25 Cryogenic Project.

Thanks to his leadership, the C25 Stage  a vital part of the GSLV Mk III vehicle  was successfully developed.

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Academic excellence

Dr Narayanan, who attended Tamil-medium schools, completed his MTech in Cryogenic Engineering and PhD in Aerospace Engineering from IIT Kharagpur. He also received a silver medal for achieving the first rank in the MTech degree.

He received an honorary Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) degree from Chennais Sathyabama University.

Numerous distinguished awards have been bestowed onto the newly appointed Isro chief, according to the official LPSC website.

Dr Narayanan received the ASI Award for Rocket and Related Technologies and a Gold Medal from the Astronautical Society of India (ASI).

He has won several Isro awards, including the Outstanding Achievement Award, Performance Excellence Award, and Team Excellence Award, in addition to the High Energy Materials Society of Indias Team Award.

Achievements under S Somanaths leadership

S Somanath took over as the Isro chief in January 2022.

He oversaw the third Indian lunar exploration project, Chandrayaan-3, which made India the first nation in history to land a rover on the Moons south pole.

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It also became one of the few nations to achieve a soft landing on the moon, following China, the US, and the former Soviet Union.

Under his leadership, the space agency also successfully launched the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan).

Isros new SpaDex mission

Indias space agency recently made headlines when it launched SpaDex, a domestically built space docking technology that is essential for large-scale projects like Gagayaan and Chandrayaan 4.

The SpaDex mission involves the deployment of two small satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), into a low-Earth circular orbit at an altitude of 470 km. The primary goal is to test and demonstrate the technology for rendezvous, docking, and undocking of these spacecraft. Unlike larger docking missions, SpaDeX presents a unique challenge due to the precision required for these manoeuvres, given the smaller size and mass of the satellites.

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By mastering this technology, India seeks to join the exclusive club of countriescurrently limited to the United States, Russia, and Chinathat possess space docking expertise.

The space agency is set to dock in orbit on January 9.

With inputs from agencies
January 8 has seen pivotal events. On this day in 1992, US President George HW Bush vomited at a state dinner in Tokyo with Japans then-prime minister, Kiichi Miyazawa. It also marks the birthdays of Elvis Presley and Stephen Hawking, the foundation of the Democratic Party, and Brazils 2023 Congressional protests read more

US President George Bush is helped into his jacket as Japanese Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa (right), applauds after the president got to his feet after collapsing during a dinner, January 8, 1992 at the prime ministers official residence in Tokyo. File image/AP

From moments of political significance to notorious criminal captures, January 8 has been witness to a diverse range of events.

As part of Firstposts ongoing series,  History Today, we explore some of the most defining occurrences of this day.

Joaquin El Chapo Guzman captured

On January 8, 2016, Mexican law enforcement captured Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, head of the Sinaloa drug cartel. His capture came six months after his dramatic escape from Altiplano prison through a mile-long tunnel equipped with lighting, ventilation, and a motorcycle track.

The operation involved Mexican marines storming a safe house in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, following a shootout with Guzmans security team. Guzmans capture was a major victory for Mexican authorities and brought an end to his years of evading justice.

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Extradited to the United States in 2017, he was later convicted on multiple charges, including drug trafficking and murder, and sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years.

Ramzi Ahmed Yousef sentenced to life in prison

On January 8, 1998, Ramzi Ahmed Yousef, the architect of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, was sentenced to life imprisonment plus 240 years by a US federal court.

The attack involved a truck bomb detonated in the underground parking garage of the North Tower, killing six people, including a pregnant woman, and injuring over 1,000.

Yousefs plan was to bring down the Twin Towers and cause mass casualties. Though he failed in his larger objective, the attack was one of the first major acts of international terrorism on US soil. His sentencing was a landmark moment in the fight against terrorism.

Woodrow Wilsons Fourteen Points

On January 8, 1918, US President Woodrow Wilson delivered his Fourteen Points speech to a joint session of Congress, presenting a framework for peace following the devastation of World War I.

The speech highlighted principles such as open diplomacy, free trade, arms reduction, and self-determination for nations. It also proposed the establishment of the League of Nations, a precursor to todays United Nations.

Though not fully adopted in the Treaty of Versailles, the Fourteen Points were influential in shaping modern international relations and promoting a vision of global cooperation.

George Washingtons first State of the Union address

On January 8, 1790, George Washington delivered the first-ever State of the Union address to Congress in New York City, then the US capital. His speech outlined key priorities for the young nation, including the importance of a strong economy, a well-regulated militia, and national unity.

This historic address set the precedent for the State of the Union as an annual presidential tradition, providing an opportunity to outline legislative agendas and reflect on the nations progress.

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Anniversary of Grimaldi rule in Monaco

January 8 marks the anniversary of the Grimaldi familys rule in Monaco, which began in 1297. Francois Grimaldi, disguised as a monk, seized the fortress of Monaco, laying the foundation for his familys enduring reign.

Today, the Grimaldis remain one of the longest-reigning families in history. Under their leadership, Monaco has transformed into a global hub for luxury tourism, finance, and cultural diplomacy.

George HW Bushs infamous incident in Japan

On January 8, 1992, US President George HW Bush made headlines when he vomited and fainted during a state banquet hosted by Japanese Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa. The incident, caused by a stomach virus, occurred as Bush leaned forward to speak with Miyazawa, leading to an awkward moment that was broadcast globally.

President George HW Bush throws up in the lap of the Prime Minister of Japan and then faints. (1992) pic.twitter.com/WJeubBvXg2  crazy ass moments in american politics (@ampol_moment) March 25, 2022

Dubbed Bushush in Japan, the event became a lighthearted anecdote in diplomatic history, with no lasting impact on US-Japan relations.

This day, that year

1828 : The Democratic Party of the United States is officially founded.

1935 : Elvis Presley, The King of Rock and Roll, is born in Tupelo, Mississippi.

1942 : Stephen Hawking, renowned theoretical physicist and author of A Brief History of Time, is born in Oxford, England.

1959 : Charles de Gaulle is inaugurated as the first president of Frances Fifth Republic.

2011 : US Representative Gabby Giffords is shot during an assassination attempt in Tucson, Arizona; six others are killed, and Giffords survives despite a severe head injury.

2023: Thousands of protesters storm Brazils Congress, presidential palace, and Supreme Court, rejecting the presidential election results and demanding military intervention.

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Nearly a week after a chilling New Years Day attack outside President-elect Donald Trumps Las Vegas hotel, the police have revealed that the attacker used generative AI tools, including ChatGPT to plan the blast. This is the first known instance in the US of ChatGPT being used for such an act of violence read more

Nearly a week after a chilling New Years Day attack outside President-elect Donald Trumps Las Vegas hotel, the police have revealed a startling detail about the perpetrator Matthew Livelsberger. They disclosed that the highly decorated army soldier used generative AI tools, including ChatGPT to plan his criminal act.

The 37-year-old member of the elite US special forces had shot himself before the rented Tesla vehicle, packed with fuel containers and fireworks, blew up. The blast had left seven people with minor injuries.

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Investigators uncovered that Livelsberger did not intend to harm others, however, his reliance on AI tools for gathering information to execute the attack marks a troubling precedent.

How exactly did he utilise ChatGPT for planning? And how has OpenAI responded to the incident? Heres what we know so far.

Use of AI is a game-changer

Authorities disclosed that the attacker employed ChatGPT to gather information pertinent to the execution of his plan.

Investigators revealed that Livelsberger queried the AI for information about how he could assemble an explosive, how fast a round would need to be fired for the explosives found in the truck to explode and what laws in Arizona he would need to get around to obtain the necessary materials.



In a press conference, Kevin McMahill, sheriff of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, described the use of generative AI in the attack as a game-changer.

This is the first incident that Im aware of on US soil where ChatGPT is utilised to help an individual build a particular device, he said. Its a concerning moment."

Authorities disclosed that the Tesla cybertruck attacker employed ChatGPT to gather information pertinent to the execution of his plan. Image for Representation.

The use and growing accessibility of ChatGPT and other AI platforms has become a rising concern for law enforcement officers, who fear that such technology could serve as a how-to guide for attackers.

AI takes existing problems and magnifies them. It makes them at scale and at cost, said Rebecca Weiner, New York Citys deputy police commissioner for intelligence and counterterrorism, in an NBC News report. The technology makes it easier to do the concerning stuff, she explained.

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Open AI responds

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, responded to the incident in a statement, expressing its dismay that its technology was used in planning the attack.

We are saddened by this incident and committed to seeing AI tools used responsibly, a spokesperson for OpenAI said.

The spokesperson further explained, Our models are designed to refuse harmful instructions and minimise harmful content. In this case, ChatGPT responded with information already publicly available on the internet and provided warnings against harmful or illegal activities.

OpenAI also confirmed its cooperation with law enforcement in the ongoing investigation.

Stopped before attack to fill racing fuel

Las Vegas police and federal law enforcement officials revealed that during his drive to Las Vegas, Livelsberger stopped at a gas station to pour racing-grade fuel into his Cybertruck, which later leaked.

The truck, packed with 60 pounds (27 kg) of pyrotechnic materials and 70 pounds (31 kg) of birdshot, exploded after a flashlikely triggered by the firearm Livelsberger used to fatally shoot himselfignited the fuel vapour.

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Video from Las Vegas Metro police shows fuel leaking from Matthew Livelsbergers rented Cybertruck. Investigators suspect the gas and explosives inside ignited when he shot himself. https://t.co/xhBpmwAnpO pic.twitter.com/KuMF22Qk94  David Charns (@davidcharns) January 7, 2025

Seven individuals were injured in the blast, but the entrance to the Trump hotel sustained almost no damage.

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Kenny Cooper, assistant special agent in charge of the San Francisco Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, told NBC News that investigators found no evidence suggesting Livelsberger used a remote-controlled detonation or a sophisticated timed-initiation system.

Among the charred items discovered inside the vehicle were a handgun at Livelsbergers feet, another firearm, fireworks, a passport, a military ID, credit cards, an iPhone, and a smartwatch. Authorities confirmed that both guns had been purchased legally.

Also read: FBI probes link between New Orleans attack and Tesla Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas

Wake up call

Earlier, authorities uncovered a troubling app on one of two phones found inside the Cybertruck, where Livelsberger expressed harsh criticism of the US government and seemed to admit that he intentionally caused the explosion.

In one of the two letters, he addressed fellow service members, veterans and all Americans, urging them to wake up because the countrys leadership is weak and only serves to enrich themselves.

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The letter also delved into his political grievances and concerns over societal issues, both domestic and international, including the war in Ukraine. Livelsberger wrote that the US was terminally ill and headed toward collapse.

An ID belonging to Matthew Livelsberger, found inside a Tesla Cybertruck involved in an explosion outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas. AP

A second letter provided further insight into his mindset, wherein he clarified that the explosion was not a terrorist attack and insisted he had no intention of causing harm to others. However, he mentioned that Americans pay attention to only spectacles and violence.

He also called for Americans to rally around President-elect Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk and emphasised that he held no ill will toward Trump. Instead, he described his actions as an attempt to cleanse his mind of the burden of war and the lives he had taken.

Livelsberger was a highly trained Green Beret in the US Army Special Forces, renowned for his expertise in guerrilla warfare and unconventional combat tactics. He had served in Afghanistan, Ukraine, Tajikistan, Georgia, and Congo, with two deployments to Afghanistan.

Recently, he had returned from an overseas assignment in Germany and was on approved leave when the incident occurred.

His military accolades included five Bronze Stars, one of which was awarded with a valour device for courage under fire, a combat infantry badge, and an Army Commendation Medal with valour.

With input from agencies
US President-elect Donald Trump wants to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. While claiming the change is appropriate given US dominance in the region, the move has drawn criticism and scepticism. This bold idea comes alongside Trumps ongoing aspirations, including acquiring Greenland, regaining control of the Panama Canal, and referring to Canada as the 51st State read more

A composite satellite view shows the Gulf of Mexico region amid Hurricane Beryl in this handout image obtained July 3, 2024. File Image/NOAA via Reuters

United States President-elect Donald Trump has proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

Calling it a beautiful name, Trump says that the move is appropriate, citing the USs significant presence and activity in the region.

During a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday, he said, We do most of the work there, and its ours. The Gulf of America has a beautiful ring to it.

This latest suggestion aligns with his history of proposing bold territorial changes, including the purchase of Greenland, tighter control of the Panama Canal, and even reimagining Canada as the 51st state.

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How the Gulf got its name

The Gulf of Mexico has carried its current name for over 400 years. Its name traces back to a Native American city named Mexico, and early maps from the era of Christopher Columbus solidified the designation.

Spanning approximately 1,631 miles of US coastline and 1,743 miles of Mexican coastline, the gulf is an essential maritime hub, rich in natural resources, tourism, and commerce.

Often referred to as the third coast of the US and the Mediterranean of the Americas, the Gulf of Mexico holds significant economic and cultural importance for all bordering nations, including the US, Mexico, and Cuba.

Can the name be changed?

Renaming the Gulf of Mexico isnt a simple matter. The International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO), of which both the US and Mexico are members, oversees the naming of seas, oceans, and navigable waters.

While countries can refer to geographic features by different names in their own documentation, an official change would require international consensus.

For Trump to rename a body of water would require the agreement of the doughty International Hydrographic Organisation. One supposed Mexico might disagree with the proposal. They may go for Gulf of the Americas.



These guys dont fuck around. Serbia and Syria are currently  Ben Archibald (@benarchibald) January 7, 2025

For instance, previous disputes over the names of the Sea of Japan and the Persian Gulf highlight the complexity of such decisions. Even domestically, the US Congress would need to pass legislation to enforce any name change in official US materials.

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Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has expressed strong support, pledging to introduce legislation to rename the gulf. She argued, The American people are footing the bill to protect and secure the maritime waterways for commerce to be conducted. Its our gulf. The rightful name is the Gulf of America.

 READ MY STATEMENT & BILL TEXT 



Mexican cartels currently use the Gulf of Mexico to traffic humans, drugs, weapons, and God knows what else while the Mexican government allows them to do it.



The American people are footing the bill to protect and secure the maritime pic.twitter.com/m0Nh3a6vuq  Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) January 7, 2025

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However, critics have questioned both the practicality and motivations behind the proposal. Mexican officials have not formally commented on the name change, though Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo has previously linked cartel violence in Mexico to American demand for drugs and smuggled US-made weapons.

What Trumps history tells us

Renaming geographic landmarks has precedent but often sparks controversy. In 2015, then-US President Barack Obama approved renaming Mount McKinley to its Native Alaskan name, Denali, a decision Trump later criticised.

In 2012, a Mississippi legislator humourously suggested naming parts of the Gulf of Mexico Gulf of America, but the proposal never advanced. Globally, disputes over maritime names, such as the Persian Gulf and the South China Sea, highlight how such changes can inflame regional tensions.

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Throughout his political career, Trump has proposed sweeping territorial changes to bolster US dominance. In 2019, he floated the idea of purchasing Greenland from Denmark, citing its strategic location and resource potential. Denmark rebuffed the proposal, with the Danish prime minister calling it absurd.

Trumps ambitions also extend to the Panama Canal, where he has criticised Panama for overcharging US vessels and suggested more aggressive control over the vital waterway.

His controversial remarks about Canada, often referring to it as the 51st state, underline his tendency to frame neighboring territories as extensions of American influence.

Why is the Gulf important?

The Gulf of Mexico is a vital resource shared by the US, Mexico, and Cuba. It is rich in oil, natural gas, marine life, and tourism opportunities. The gulf supports critical shipping lanes and some of the most beautiful beaches in the Americas.

Under international maritime law, the US has jurisdiction over parts of the gulf extending up to 200 miles offshore. However, ownership and control are governed by longstanding treaties and agreements.

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The Submerged Lands Act of 1953 also grants states jurisdiction over waters up to three nautical miles offshore, with exceptions for Texas and Florida, which have jurisdiction up to nine nautical miles.

By asserting US dominance over a shared body of water, the proposal mirrors Trumps stance on immigration and trade. Critics argue that such moves distract from pressing issues like climate change and maritime security, while supporters see it as a symbolic gesture of American strength.

Also Watch:

With inputs from agencies
Singapore has introduced a new law empowering police to freeze the bank accounts of scam victims as a last resort to curb rising financial fraud. With scam losses hitting record highs, the Protection from Scams Bill aims to protect individuals while balancing personal rights read more

A Singapore dollar note is seen in this illustration photo May 31, 2017. File Image/Reuters

Singapore has introduced a law to combat the rising tide of financial scams, empowering police to freeze bank accounts of potential scam victims as a last resort.

This move aims to stem the financial losses suffered by individuals, with scam cases becoming an alarming issue in the Southeast Asian nation.

What is Singapores Protection from Scams Bill?

The Protection from Scams Bill, passed on January 7, 2025, gives police and specified officers the authority to issue restriction orders to banks. These orders, designed to block transactions temporarily, will apply if there is reasonable belief that individuals are at risk of transferring money to scammers.

Scams have emerged as a grave concern in Singapore. Statistics reveal 26,587 scam cases in the first half of 2024 alone, leading to losses of S$385.6 million (US$283.34 million).

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Victims lost a total of S$651.8 million in 2023 and S$660.7 million in 2022, reflecting the growing sophistication of scam tactics. Preliminary data from 2024 suggests an alarming increase, with scam-related losses rising by 40 per cent compared to the previous year.

Minister of State for Home Affairs and Social and Family Development Sun Xueling highlighted the urgency of this measure, stating, Speed is of the essence in order to protect these individuals and minimise losses, which in some cases might involve all of the victims life savings.

How do the restriction orders work?

Restriction orders allow authorities to suspend a victims ability to transfer funds, use ATMs, or access credit facilities, while ensuring access to daily living expenses.

Initially set for 30 days, these orders can be renewed up to five times, depending on the situation. However, after the maximum period, the responsibility shifts back to the individual.

Seven major retail banks, including DBS, OCBC, UOB, Maybank, Standard Chartered, Citibank, and HSBC, are automatically covered under the law. Other banks and financial institutions can also be included on a case-by-case basis.

Police will assess several factors before issuing restriction orders, such as whether the victim has already transferred money to a scammer or remains in active communication with one.

Sun Xueling noted, The intent is to buy the police more time to engage and convince the individual that he is being scammed, including through enlisting the help of his family members.

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In cases where the victim persists in transferring money after the restriction orders have lapsed, the authorities stress that accountability must ultimately rest with the individual.

What about individual rights and privacy?

While the law aims to protect victims, it has sparked debate over personal agency and the potential for overreach. Members of Parliament highlighted concerns about the intrusive nature of freezing accounts.

Channel News Asia quoted Yip Hon Weng of the Peoples Action Party who remarked, Temporarily freezing someones account is a serious measure. It should only be justified by the need to protect vulnerable individuals.

Suggestions for refinement included offering victims the ability to designate trusted administrators or introducing opt-out provisions. Non-constituency MP Hazel Poa proposed mandatory counselling sessions for victims before opting out of restrictions, while Sun Xueling assured safeguards are in place to ensure orders are used as a last resort.

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To balance these concerns, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) incorporated safeguards such as requiring that restriction orders only be issued when all other efforts to dissuade individuals have failed.

Victims can also appeal restriction orders to the Commissioner of Police, a process designed to be quick and efficient.

Does this solve the scam issue?

The MHA acknowledged that scammers might exploit non-banking platforms such as cryptocurrency exchanges, remittance companies, and e-wallet providers. It plans to collaborate with the Monetary Authority of Singapore to monitor scam tactics and potentially expand restriction orders to include these platforms.

We recognise the risk that other platforms serve as intermediaries in the scam chain, Sun Xueling said. This is why we will continue working closely with stakeholders to ensure no loopholes are left unaddressed.

Additionally, MPs highlighted the evolving nature of scams, many of which involve self-effected transfers where victims willingly send money to fraudsters.

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These include government impersonation scams, investment scams, and internet love scams, which accounted for 86 per cent of scam reports and 94 per cent of losses from January to September 2024.

The police project issuing five to ten restriction orders each month, amounting to 60 to 120 annually. Though these numbers appear small compared to the estimated 50,000 scam cases reported annually, the authorities argue that these measures target high-value cases where substantial losses can be prevented.

While the new law marks a pivotal step in protecting victims, it is not a standalone solution. Authorities have stated the importance of public education and ongoing collaboration with financial institutions to tackle the root causes of scams.

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With inputs from agencies
For the second time in six months, Pakistan has cut down 1.5 lakh government jobs. Pakistans Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said that the job cuts are part of a broader cost-cutting and efficiency drive introduced by the government. It is important to note that the Pakistan government has come under scrutiny for a major rise in expenditures as it faces an economic crisis read more

Pakistan is currently under a $7 billion, 37-month loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund, which was signed in July last year. Reuters/File Photo

For the second time in six months, Pakistan has announced plans to cut down 150,000 government jobs.

Pakistans Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said that the government aims to reduce the number of affiliated agencies by half, with the reforms set to be completed by June 2025.

ALSO READ | Pakistan puts over 4,000 beggars on no-fly list: Heres why

Notably, this comes after a similar announcement in September 2024, when Pakistan cut 150,000 government positions, shut down six ministries, and merged two others as part of reform measures agreed upon with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

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Why Pakistan has cut 150,000 jobs again

We are reducing the federal governments size step by step. So far, 80 departments have been consolidated into 40, Pakistans Finance Minister said during a press conference.

The job cuts are part of a wide cost-cutting and efficiency initiative announced by the government.

Pakistan had cut down150,000 government positions and shut six ministries in September last year. Reuters/File Photo

Aurangzeb said that 60 per cent of vacant positions, around 150,000 government jobs, have been abolished, PTI reported. The restructuring, Aurangzeb said, aligns with benchmarks set by the IMF and is essential to ensure fiscal sustainability.

He stated that the restructuring is a key component of an initiative launched in mid-2024 under a committee formed by Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to rationalise expenditures and improve efficiency.

The committee was responsible for reviewing 43 ministries and their associated agencies. The finance minister revealed that the federal government spends Rs 900 billion annually on these departments.

ALSO READ | Pakistans economic woes deepen as it faces complex web of challenges

The plan was to shift Pakistans economic strategy towards export-driven growth, which is supported by digitalisation and technological advancements. Aurangzeb said that the Pakistan PM is expected to launch a new technology programme in Karachi soon.

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He added that the government has consolidated 80 departments into 40 as part of these reforms.

Which ministries and agencies have been abolished in Pakistan?

According to Aurangzeb, six ministries were initially selected for right-sizing. These included the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (Safron), the Ministry of IT and Telecom, the Ministry of Industries and Production, the Ministry of National Health Services, and the Capital Development Authority (CAD).

He mentioned that the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Safron are being merged, while the Capital Development Authority is being abolished.

In the second phase of the restructuring, 25 institutions from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Commerce Division, Housing and Works, and National Food Security and Research will be abolished, 20 will be reduced in size, and nine will be merged.

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The minister said that four ministries were targeted in this phase, and five more ministries were selected for the third phase, including the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Ministry of Power, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture.

The job cuts are part of a wide cost-cutting and efficiency initiative announced by the government. Reuters/File Photo

This is not just about cutting costs

Aurangzeb said that efforts to reduce the size of the federal government had been ongoing for several years. However, he added, The problem was that if you wanted to do everything possible at once, it couldnt be done, so we decided to do it gradually, in stages.

This is not just about cutting costs; its about improving efficiency, he said.

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The minister also shared that part of the governments restructuring plan involves transferring hospitals to provincial administrations.

According to him, the governments focus on macroeconomic stability has led to improvements in key economic indicators, positioning Pakistan at a promising economic juncture due to various government initiatives.

Pakistans 1.5 lakh jobs cut in September 2024

In order to secure a $7 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund, Pakistan cut nearly 1.5 lakh government jobs, shut down six ministries, and merged two others as part of the agreement reached with the global lender in September 2024.

The IMF approved the assistance package on September 26, 2024, releasing $1 billion as the first instalment.

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Pakistan has been facing economic challenges for years and was on the brink of default in 2023. However, a timely $3 billion loan from the IMF helped stabilise the situation.

The country has since negotiated a long-term loan with the IMF, hoping and claiming that it will be the last loan required.

ALSO READ | Why Pakistans IMF bailout wont be its last as PM Sharif says

Pakistans economic crisis

The size of Pakistans government has faced scrutiny due to a major increase in expenditures, which further raised questions about its sustainability. In response, the government has promised to take steps to reduce both the size and the expenses of the government.

One such measure was the abolition of the traditional pension system for government employees last year, alongside a reduction in pension benefits for current staff.

Pakistan has been facing economic challenges for years. Reuters/File Photo

Pakistan is currently under a $7 billion, 37-month loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund, which was signed in July last year. The next review of the program is scheduled for February.

This deal comes with a commitment to end Pakistans long-standing dependence on bailout programmes, which it has resorted to at least 20 times since 1958.

A study by Karachi-based Pulse Consultants revealed that nearly a million workers have left Pakistan since 2008, with the trend continuing to rise.

According to the World Banks October update, Pakistans economy is showing some signs of recovery. After a recession in FY23, economic activity rebounded in FY24, increasing from 40.2% in FY23 to 40.5% in FY24. However, this growth is still insufficient to address the countrys economic challenges.

Uzair Younas, Principal at The Asia Group, Washington DC, told The Indian Express, This growing stability has allowed the central bank to aggressively cut rates, and the stock exchange has entered a dramatic bull run due to greater optimism around economic stability. However, sustaining this recovery requires fundamental economic reforms.

One of the primary concerns remains Pakistans growing debt. According to ARY News, which cited official documents, Pakistans debt has surged by PKR 4,304 billion during the first eight months of the current governments tenure.

As of October, the total debt stood at PKR 69.114 trillion, up from PKR 64.810 trillion in February. The governments debt reached a record high of PKR 70.36 trillion in October, sparking significant concerns over the countrys economic stability, according to ARY News.

With inputs from agencies
Japan which has the most generous childcare leave policies in the world, has increased its spending on childcare and offered incentives like raising the income cap for child cash benefits. Now, it is going one step further to reduce the pain of having children  subsidising epidurals for women during childbirth read more

Many women in Japan cannot afford epidurals. Pixabay

For a long time, Japan has sought to ease the pain of having children.

The country, which has had the most generous childcare leave policies in the world, has increased its spending on childcare and offered incentives like raising the income cap for child cash benefits.

Now, Japans capital is going one step further by subsidising epidurals for women during childbirth, according to several media reports.

But what do we know? Why is it doing so?

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Lets take a closer look:

What do we know?

First, lets take a brief look at epidurals.

According to the American Pregnancy Association, epidural anaesthesia is a type of regional anaesthesia.

Epidurals block nerve impulses from the lower spinal segments, which reduces sensations in the lower half of the body.

As per Japan Times, Tokyo has said it will be looking to offer the subsidy in the January 2025 fiscal.

This would make it the first city in Japan to offer women this option.

Tokyo authorities say they want to bring in the subsidy as early as possible.

They said a budget proposal will be submitted at the metropolitan government assembly next month.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike had made such a pledge when running for office last year.

Why is Japan doing so?

Japan, like South Korea and China, is pulling out all the stops to convince its citizens to have children.

According to The Independent, Japans birthrate hit a record low of 1.20 in 2023.

Tokyo, where the birthrate fell under 1, was the most severely hit.

The country needs a birthrate of 2.1 to maintain its population.

Japan, among developed nations, also has one of the lowest rates of births using epidurals.

As per Tokyo Weekender, 11.6 per cent of women who gave birth in Japan in 2022 used epidurals. That number was at 5.2 per cent in 2017.

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A 2020 survey showed that just 8.6 per cent of women gave birth during epidurals, according to The Independent.

Japans birthrate hit a record low of 1.20 in 2023. AP

But why is this the case?

As per Tokyo Weekender, many women simply cannot afford epidurals  which cost between $635 (Rs 54,000) and $1270 (Rs 108,000).

According to Asahi.com, this is on top of the price of a normal delivery in Japan  which was at $3,949 (Rs 3.39 lakh) in 2023.

The government gives a childbirth allowance of $3,159 (Rs 2.71 lakh).

Koike told the Asahi Shimbun on January 6, Looking at the situation around the world, painless deliveries are quite common.

She said she came up with the idea after speaking to a woman official in the Tokyo metropolitan government.

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Ive heard many people say that they had their first child and never want to experience the same pain they felt again, Koike said in June as per Japan Times.

In that sense we must protect the mothers body and at the same time create an economy and support system where women would want to have a second and third child.

The piece in Tokyo Weekender noted that Koikes policy puts the spotlight on the much neglected issue of womens reproductive rights.

If successful, the initiative could put pressure on other prefectures to follow suit, finally bringing Japan closer to global standards in maternal care, the piece noted.

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However, not everyone is in favour.

Kohsuke Nagai, an Ebina city assembly member in Kananaga Prefecture, told Japan Times such a programme might cause people from around the country to relocate to Tokyio  thus increasing the pressure on the city.

Gynecologist-obstetrician Song Mihyon, meanwhile, raised the possibility of anesthesiologists being recruited by big Tokyo hospitals  thus leading to a shortage in other areas around the country.

NHK Japan in 2023 had reported that the country faced a shortage of anaesthesiologists  which also contributed to the low use of epidurals during childbirth.

With inputs from agencies
The US and UK are battling a quad-demic as COVID-19, flu, RSV, and norovirus converge, overwhelming healthcare systems. Hospitals face record admissions, with paediatric wards and emergency rooms stretched thin. Experts urge vaccinations, hygiene measures, and vigilance to curb the viral surge read more

People wear masks as a protection against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in New York City, New York, US, December 12, 2022. File Image/Reuters

The term quad-demic refers to the simultaneous surge of four major viruses  COVID-19, flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and norovirus  currently placing immense pressure on healthcare systems in the United States and the United Kingdom.

These illnesses, common in winter months, are spreading at unprecedented levels this season, sparking concerns among public health officials.

Dr. David Lloyd, an NHS GP, told Sky News, The risk and complication rate of people catching all four of these illnesses at once heightens at this time of the year, hence the term.

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The viruses behind the Quad-demic

COVID-19: Despite widespread vaccinations and immunity from past infections, COVID-19 continues to pose challenges, particularly with the emergence of new variants.

The combination of weakened immunity and holiday gatherings has fuelled a resurgence in cases, with hospitals already reporting thousands of related admissions.

Flu: Flu activity has surged dramatically this winter, with the UK reporting a 352 per cent increase in hospitalisations compared to December 2023.

Similarly, the US is experiencing widespread flu activity, with millions affected. Vulnerable groups, including children and the elderly, are at heightened risk of severe outcomes.

RSV: RSV, a common virus that can cause severe respiratory infections in infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals, is contributing to overcrowded paediatric hospitals.

Vaccines for RSV, recently rolled out for certain vulnerable populations, are expected to help reduce hospitalisations but remain underutilised.

Norovirus: Known as the stomach bug, norovirus causes gastrointestinal distress, including vomiting and diarrhea. It is highly contagious, spreading rapidly in close-contact settings like schools and hospitals.

WTAE-TV quoted Dr. Joseph Aracri of Allegheny Health Network who described the situation as a bunch of puking kids, highlighting its contagious nature.

Why are these viruses surging simultaneously?

Several factors contribute to the quad-demic:

Seasonal patterns : Cold, dry winter air facilitates virus survival and spread.

Pandemic legacy : Reduced exposure to viruses during COVID-19 lockdowns has led to lower immunity in many populations.

Increased interaction: Holiday gatherings, travel, and the return to work and school environments have accelerated transmission.

How healthcare systems are under strain

Healthcare systems in both the US and UK are being severely tested by the quad-demic, with hospitals reporting alarming statistics that reflect the strain on resources:

In the UK, hospitalisations due to flu reached an average of 1,861 patients per day in the first week of December 2024  a staggering 70 per cent increase from the previous week and more than three times higher than the same period last year.

Norovirus cases are also up by 10 per cent compared to the prior week and 64 per cent higher than in December 2023.

RSV hospitalisations have been particularly concerning, with 152 children admitted daily in the UK, compared to 107 during the same period last year.

In the US, norovirus outbreaks have risen to their highest levels since 2012. RSV hospitalisations increased by nearly 40 per cent over two weeks, with paediatric hospitals experiencing overcrowding.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that flu has already affected 3.1 million Americans, resulting in 37,000 hospitalisations and 1,500 deaths by early January 2025.

To cope with the surge, hospitals are taking extraordinary measures. Some US healthcare facilities, particularly in Wisconsin, New Jersey, and California, have reinstated mask mandates for staff and visitors. Additionally, there are reports of hospitals delaying elective procedures to prioritise care for critically ill patients.

The UKs National Health Service (NHS) has issued a stark warning about its capacity to handle the winter pressures, with flu, COVID-19, RSV, and norovirus stretching its already fragile resources.

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Patients have reported long wait times for appointments and emergency care, and delays in RSV vaccine rollouts have left some vulnerable groups unprotected.

How to protect yourself

Experts unanimously recommend vaccination as the first line of defense. Flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines are widely available for eligible individuals, while good hygiene practices remain essential for preventing norovirus.

Dr. Robert Hopkins Jr., medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, told Fortune, If you havent been vaccinated and youre eligible, get that COVID shot, get that flu shot.

Additional preventive measures include:

Frequent handwashing, especially before eating or preparing food.

Wearing masks in crowded or indoor settings.

Staying home when sick to prevent spreading illnesses to others.

Vaccinations, public awareness, and robust healthcare strategies will be critical in navigating this challenging winter.

With inputs from agencies
Mumbai has reported its first case of HMPV, taking the total number in India to eight. While the Centre has urged citizens not to panic, rumours are abuzz. How can we protect ourselves in case of an infection? Do antibiotics work? read more

Currently, no specific antiviral drugs are approved to treat HMPV. Image courtesy: Pixabay/Representational

What do you do when you feel unwell?

Whether it is a headache, stomach ache, or fever, many people avoid consulting doctors and instead take commonly available medicines.

So far, seven cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) have been reported in India.

ALSO READ | Is HMPV similar to Covid-19? Should you be worried?

With rising concerns about the virus, questions are being asked: do antibiotics have any effect on it?

Lets take a look:

Can antibiotics treat HMPV?

The straightforward answer is no. Antibiotics are effective against bacteria, not viruses.

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Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory virus that causes upper and lower respiratory tract infections, like the common cold. Identified in 2001, HMPV belongs to the Pneumoviridae family, which also includes RSV, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Speaking to IANS, Guleria, Chairman, Institute of Internal Medicine, Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Medanta Gurugram, said, There is no specific antiviral drug which should be taken. There is no role of taking antibiotics because it is a viral infection.

Dr Ankita Baidya, Consultant in Infectious Diseases, Manipal Hospital, told NDTV, No, antibiotics are not recommended. Antibiotics are given only when theres bacterial infection linked.

Unlike bacteria, viruses do not have the cellular structures that antibiotics target, such as cell walls and ribosomes. Instead, viruses are composed of genetic material covered in a protein shell and depend on host cells to multiply.

Antibiotics are effective against bacteria, not viruses. Image courtesy: Pixabay/Representational

ALSO READ | HMPV cases rise in India: How virus can cause serious illness in children

Currently, no specific antiviral drugs are approved to treat HMPV. Treatment is based on supportive care, which involves alleviating symptoms like fever and cough through rest, hydration, and over-the-counter remedies.

For most, HMPV infections resolve without intervention. However, vulnerable groups, including young children and the elderly, may require closer monitoring and, in severe cases, advanced medical care.

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HMPV in India

India has reported seven confirmed cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), with two cases each reported in Bengaluru and Nagpur, and one case each in Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Salem.

The Centre has urged states to strengthen surveillance for respiratory illnesses, including Influenza-Like Illnesses (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI).

Further, states have been advised to raise awareness about preventing HMPV transmission and to conduct information, education, and communication (IEC) campaigns to inform the public of simple preventive measures.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda informed that the government is closely monitoring the situation and added that there is no cause for alarm. HMPV is not a new virus, and no unusual surge in common respiratory viruses has been observed in the country, he said.

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ALSO READ | HMPV tracker: Are infections surging in India, China and the UK?

In a video message, Nadda said that the Health Ministry, the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), and the National Centre for Disease Control are also monitoring the situation in China and neighbouring countries.

What we know about HMPV

Human Metapneumovirus is a respiratory virus that causes upper and lower respiratory tract infections, such as the common cold. It is a seasonal illness, typically occurring in winter and early spring, and resembles other viruses like Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and influenza.

Symptoms of HMPV include coughing, wheezing, a runny nose, and a sore throat. While most cases are mild, young children, adults over 65, and people with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable to severe complications, according to Cleveland Clinic.

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The human metapneumovirus (HMPVI) mimics the symptom of the common cold. Image for Representation. Pixabay

HMPV is common, with most individuals contracting it before the age of five. Though it can occur again, they are generally mild. Research suggests that the virus has been circulating for over six decades and is now recognised as a widespread respiratory pathogen.

ALSO READ | HMPV cases: Doctor explains how to protect yourself from the virus

In China, HMPV infections have risen significantly, particularly among children under 14. Northern provinces have reported an increase in cases, and during the week of December 16 to 22, 2024, a surge in acute respiratory illnesses was observed, according to Reuters.

What are the symptoms of HMPV?

Symptoms of HMPV include:

Fever

Cough

Wheezing

Runny or stuffy nose

Sore throat

Rash

Shortness of breath (dyspnoea)

#FPVideo: The ICMR confirmed that two cases of HMPV cases have been detected in the southern Karnataka state. These cases were identified through the ICMR's routine surveillance for various respiratory viruses amid ongoing efforts to monitor respiratory illnesses nationwide. pic.twitter.com/F0YuP4PVWt  Firstpost (@firstpost) January 6, 2025

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How does HMPV spread?

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) spreads primarily through respiratory droplets when an infected individual coughs, sneezes, or talks. It can also be transmitted via contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.

Dr Sanchayan Roy, senior consultant in internal medicine at Apollo Spectra, Delhi, told News18 that HMPV primarily targets the lungs and airways.

While it generally presents with mild cold-like symptoms such as nasal congestion, cough, and fever, HMPV can lead to more severe complications like bronchitis or pneumonia, particularly in young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems," Roy said.

With inputs from agencies
Dr S Somanath, whose term as Isro chief ends on January 15, will be remembered for his key role in leading India to the moons south pole and making the Chandrayaan-3 mission a success. read more

5 things about S Somanath, the man who took India to moon

Dr Sreedhara Panicker Somanaths tenure as the chief of the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) ends on January 15. V Narayanan has been appointed as the next Isro chief. As Somanath prepares to hand over Indias space agency to his successor, it is also time to remember his role in leading India to the moons south pole, making the Chandrayaan-3 mission a success.

Somanath became Isro chief in January 2022, after K Sivan retired.

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Here are some key things about the man who took India to moon

Born to a Hindi teacher in Kerala

Sreedhara Panicker Somanath was born in July 1963 to a Malayali family in Keralas Alappuzha district. He was born to V Sreedhara Panicker, a Hindi teacher, and Thankamma.

From a young age, he showed a keen interest in science and technology, which eventually led him to pursue a career in aerospace engineering.

An IITian from Madras

Dr Somanath completed his academics at the countrys premier institutions, such as the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, and the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras.

However, he completed his Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering at Thangal Kunju Musaliar College of Engineering in Kollam. He later earned a Masters degree in Aerospace Engineering from the IIS, Bangalore, and a PhD from the IIT, Madras.

Life at Isro began with PSLV

Dr Somanath joined Isro in 1985. During the initial days, he played an important role in various key projects, including the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk III). He was in charge of the system integration design, sub-assembly realization, and testing of the PSLV stages during its development.

A major achievement during his tenure was leading Isro to successfully complete the Chandrayaan-3 mission. This made India the first country to land a spacecraft near the lunar south pole.

Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre

He has also served as the Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC). It was during his tenure, VSSC achieved significant milestones. This includes the demonstration of the Crew Escape System through the Pad Abort Test (PAT), the launch of the 50th PSLV, and the GSLV Mk-III M1/Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft.

A star of awards

Somanath has received the Space Gold Medal from the Astronautical Society of India (ASI), as well as the Performance Excellence Award 2014 and Team Excellence Award 2014 from ISRO for his work on the GSLV Mk-III realization.
This PSUs turnover tripled from FY21 to FY24. During that period, its order book jumped tenfold from Rs 2,000 crore to over Rs 20,000 during, and it has managed to deliver Indias first Ocean Surveillance Ship and launched two Diving Support Vessels with 80% indigenous content read more

In less than half a decade, HSL has scripted a stunning turnaround story. Image courtesy: X.com/@CMD_HSL

Indias oldest shipbuilding institution, Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), has quietly scripted an extraordinary financial turnaround story.

Once plagued by inefficiencies and a sinking order book, this public sector undertaking (PSU) has clocked in a record turnover of over Rs 1,400 crore in the 2023-24 fiscal year.

That is a nearly threefold increase from Rs 478 crore in FY 2020-21.

More impressively, the company has seen an unprecedented order book expansion, which jumped tenfold from Rs 2,000 crore to over Rs 20,000 crore during the same period, Firstpost has learned.

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So, how did HSL do it?

HSLs path to record profit

In the past four years, under the leadership of Commodore Hemant Khatri (Retd), the secret sauce for HSL has been a combination of strict financial management, innovation and modernisation, and renewed focus on quality control.

On the finance front, new business models and varied costing techniques have been adopted. Additionally, the shipyard has signed multiple MoUs to expand its footprint in international markets.

For capacity building, HSL has been investing heavily in modernisation to support large-scale projects.

Some recent examples in this direction are its decision to install a 300-tonne Goliath Crane for constructing large warships, upgraded machinery

The addition of a 4.7 MW Load Bank the largest in India according to the supplier Statcon Energiaa and new blasting and painting bays is a step in this direction, too.

The shipyards Innovation Incubation Cell is fostering advancements in shipbuilding technology, including the development of previously imported sophisticated equipment moves that typically result in lower long-term costs.

HSL has also established new standards in quality management by implementing 27 Welding Procedure Specifications. It has achieved significant reductions in quality control observations.

As such, since 2020, the PSU has managed to deliver Indias first Ocean Surveillance Ship, launched two Diving Support Vessels with 80 per cent indigenous content (a first for the shipyard), and signed a record Rs 18,250 crore contract for five Fleet Support Ships.

HSLs renaissance has also resulted in the shipyard expanding its small and medium enterprises (MSME) vendor base from 130 in FY 2020 to 564 in FY 2024.

Great expectations

HSL is aggressively pursuing export opportunities, negotiating submarine refits with the Vietnam Peoples Navy and exploring shipbuilding contracts in Bangladesh, Myanmar, and the Philippines.

In its Strategic Vision 2025-2034 document, unveiled last week, HSL has set the goal of achieving a Value of Production (VoP) of Rs 3,500 crore, secure Mini Ratna status by 2026, and focus on green energy, advanced shipbuilding, and global collaborations.

Its broader aim is to integrate Industry 4.0 technologies, including robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and IoT, to enhance productivity and efficiency.
The construction of a sixth American military base in the city of Kobani is aimed at maintaining control over oil-rich northeast Syria with the SDFs assistance read more

The United States (US) might mess up Syrialike Iraq.

Three days after Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a coalition of Jihadists from the erstwhile al-Nusra Front (al-Qaedas Syrian affiliate) and Syrian rebels captured Damascus on December 7, US secretary of state Antony Blinken said that the US reaffirms its full support for a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition. The Syrians will decide the future of Syria, he added.

However, the US, infamous for reneging on promises, is increasing its military presence in the war-ravaged nation despite a transitional government headed by HTS chief and Syrias de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.

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Increased US military presence in Syria

The latest development comes after the Pentagon lied about the exact number of US troops stationed in Syria in the last several years.

Around four years after the US involvement in the Syrian Civil War, then-President Donald Trump unilaterally ordered the withdrawal of around 2,0002,500 troops from the nation in December 2018. However, he agreed to keep a contingency force of 400-500 soldiers in Syria indefinitely on the pretext of countering the Islamic State (IS) after apparently withdrawing the rest in October 2019.

That was the first lie. Later, it was revealed that around 900 American troops were present in Syria as of February 2021. The second lie was revealed last December when the Pentagon said it had around 2,000 troops in Syria. Shockingly, Pentagon spokesperson Major General Pat Ryder told the media that he learned the number today, but the 2,000 troops had been there for months before President Bashar al-Assads ouster.

The US already has five known military bases in northeast Syria.

Mission Support Site Euphrates, also known as the Conoco gas field site, is in territory controlled primarily by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led coalition of American-backed ethnic militias and rebel groups that fought the IS.

Mission Support Site Green Village, known as Omar, is about 47 km south of Conoco. Patrol Base Shaddadi and Rumalyn Landing Zone are located closer to the border with Iraq. The al-Tanf Garrison is situated southeast near the borders with Iraq and Jordan.

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In the latest move to expand its military presence in Syria, 50 US Army trucks loaded with concrete fortifications and accompanied by an SDF military vehicle were headed to the Kurdish-majority city of Kobani (Kobane), or Ain al-Arab, in Aleppo on January 2, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).

Mustafa Al-Ali, a Kurdish journalist from Syria, tweeted a video showing one of the trucks with a US flag.

Breaking :US forces start building a military base in the city center of Kobani. pic.twitter.com/YgqXFn65dx  Mustafa Al-Ali (@Mustafa_Alali2) January 2, 2025

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On Wednesday, another US convoy supplied premade chambers, surveillance cameras, cement blocks, fuel tanks and digging equipment to Kobani. More military reinforcements such as soldiers, weapons, armoured vehicles, radars and anti-aircraft weapons, will be brought, the SOHR said.

More American troops will complicate US relations with its NATO ally Turkey and the bloody situation with Syria divided between rebel factions battling for dominance.

HTS and other allied opposition groups control the biggest chunkin the western, central and southern parts, such as Damascus, Aleppo, Manbij, Idlib, Hama, Homs and Derra.

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The SDF controls the northeast, including Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa and Qamishi.

The Turkey-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) rebel force, comprising former al-Qaeda, IS and Free Syrian Army members, controls northern Syria, including Afrin, Tal Abyad and Ras al-Ain.

All these years, the US has shown its double standards regarding the SDF, whose main militia force is the YPG, the Syrian branch of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). On the one hand, the US, along with Turkey, has designated the PKK as a terrorist organisation, on the other hand, Washington has been arming its Syrian branch to fight the IS.

Since the lightning HTS takeover of Damascus, the coalition and the SNA have waged bloody battles with the SDF to capture more territories.

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The SNA, backed by Turkish war jets and artillery, captured the key city of Manbij and the surrounding areas on December 8. Now, the SNA and SDF are locked in a pitched battle for supremacy in the north causing around 240 deaths since December 8. On January 3, more than 60 people were killed when the SDF and SNA clashed near Manbij and the Tishreen Dam, east of Aleppo.

The situation in Kobani has become extremely volatile with the SNA amassing troops to capture it. While Turkey plans the elimination of the SDF, per its foreign minister Hakan Fidan, the US is in an indirect confrontation with Turkey and the HTS.

Reason for new US base in Kobani

In November 2019, Trump mentioned the motive for retaining 400-500 troops in Syria. Were keeping the oil, remember that. We want to keep the oil$45 million a month.

In an interview with Fox News in January 2020, Trump said, I left troops to take the oil. I took the oil. The only troops I have are taking the oil. Theyre protecting the oil. I took over the oil.

The reason for building a new US military base in Kobani is oil.

Supporting the SDF against the HTS and the SNA or countering the IS, which has a negligible presence, is a US pretext for controlling the oil fields.

Syrias proven oil reserves are around 7 billion barrels, accounting for a mere 0.5 per cent of the global production in 2010, the year before the civil war.

According to the Energy Institutes latest data, Syria accounted for less than 0.05 per cent of global oil production in 2023. Syrias oil production declined from around 385,000 barrels per day before the war to only about 20,000 barrels per day in 2024.

However, Syria is the only significant crude oil-producing country in the Eastern Mediterranean and strategically important due to its transit routes. It has oil and gas reserves in the northeast, which has 95 per cent of the reserves, and southwest.

The SDF-controlled Deir ez-Zor region has around 12 fields containing 1.1 billion barrels of oil, holding around 40 per cent of the countrys oil reserves and several gas fields.

Kobani, in the Ayn al-Arab District, lies south of the border with Turkey. The city was captured by the YPG during the civil war in 2012 and became the administrative centre of the Kobani Canton, which later became the de facto Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, or Rajova, comprising Raqqa, Tabqa, Deir ez-Zor, Jazira and Euphrates.

The IS captured Kobani in September 2014 and controlled it till January 2015, when the SDF and US forces recaptured it in what is known as the Kurdish Stalingrad.

Kobani doesnt have major oil and gas reserves but is an important oil transit route and also links Syrias north with the Iraqi Kurdish region. A corridor of oil pipelines and refineries lies from Kobanis west, past Sinjar and towards Irbil in the easta vital oil transit route for the US and the Kurds.

The IS, like the US, wanted to capture Kobani for the same reason. The terrorist organisation earned a daily revenue of $2 million by producing 300-500 barrels of refined petroleum.

The US was alarmed when Assad allowed Russia to restore oil production to pre-civil war levels. Under an energy cooperation agreement signed in January 2018, Damascus gave Moscow exclusive rights to produce oil and gas and rebuild the sector by rehabilitating damaged rigs and constructing new ones.

In December 2019, two little-known Russian companies, Mercury and Velada, tied to Russian President Vladimir Putins henchman and Wagner PMC boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, signed an oil exploration deal with Syria.

Trump immediately decided not to withdraw from Syria completely. The Pentagon lied to the public and justified the presence of US troops, which were more than 400-500, to protect its oil interests in Syria.

Assad was aware of the American designs on Syrias oil. Its about money and its about oil  Of course, we are angry; every Syrian is angry. This is looting, he said.

On April 8, 2020, the Trump administration secretly allowed a little-known Delaware firm, Delta Crescent Energy, to develop and modernise more than 50 per cent of the oil fields in northeast Syria and explore oil in Rumeilan, Tel Hamees, and Tel Brak by exempting it from Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, 2019, imposed on Assad.

The secret deal was revealed during a Senate hearing exchange between Blinkens predecessor, Mike Pompeo, and South Carolina Republican senator Lindsey Graham.

Unsurprisingly, one of Delta Crescents three co-founders is John Dorrier. He was among the first American oil executives to vie for contracts with Baghdad after the 2003 Iraq invasion. In fact, his firm, Gulfsands Petroleum, signed the first American oil drilling contract in Syria in 15 years in May 2003.

The other co-founders are James Cain, George W Bushs US ambassador to Denmark, and James Reese, a retired Delta Force officer who established a private security firm.

After the deal with Delta Crescent, which was incorporated in 2019, the US had a bigger justification for maintaining deployment in Syriaassisting the SDF in repelling Syrian and Iranian forces and the IS was a small aspect of the bigger game for oil.

Moreover, helping the SDF also ensured the protection of the oil fields. A special SDF team of 200 members, Critical Petroleum Infrastructure, was formed to protect the oil facilities.

Delta Crescents run abruptly stopped in May 2021 when President Joe Biden didnt renew its one-year sanctions waiver. However, Biden didnt disclose the number of troops based in Syria either and the reason for their deployment, which was oil.

Assads then-oil minister Bassam Tomaa had then claimed that 90 per cent of Syrian oil, was under US control. The Americans and their followers are acting like pirates as they are targeting the Syrian oil wealth and oil supplies, he had said.

With its transitional government in power, HTS and its backer Turkey are also vying for the oil-rich northeast. Turkish energy minister Alparslan Bayraktar recently told the media that Ankara wants to revive Syrias oil and gas sector. We are also studying the use of crude oil and natural gas for the reconstruction of Syria, he said adding that there were plans to lay oil and gas pipelines between the two countries.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has become a power broker in Syria. He wants the SDF out of the northeast so that Turkey can have a big share of Syrian oil. Therefore, HTS and SNA are targeting the SDF.

Syrias situation could become messier with the US and Turkey vying for oil. Recently, Syrian oil minister Ghiath Diab, without naming the deployed American forces, said that several oil wells outside the administration of the Syrian state are one of the biggest and most prominent obstacles in the countrys recovery.

The US never wanted to withdraw from Syria and most likely continue its oil mission there with Trump returning to the White House.

In November 2020, Trumps then-special envoy in the counter-IS fight Jim Jeffrey revealed that the US never intended to withdraw from Syria.

What Syria withdrawal? There was never a Syria withdrawal. When the situation in northeast Syria had been fairly stable after we defeated ISIS (IS) [Trump] was inclined to pull out. In each case, we then decided to come up with five better arguments for why we needed to stayand we succeeded both times. Thats the story, he said.

With the Syrian Civil War over and Assad gone, a mad rush for oil would followlike in Iraq after Saddam Hussein was toppled.

In 2013, 10 years after Operation Iraqi Freedom, oil giants like ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP and Shell were doing business in the war-torn nation.

Oil was not the only goal of the Iraq War, but it was certainly the central one, as top U.S. military and political figures have attested to in the years following the invasion.

As then-senator Chuck Hagel, appointed defence secretary in 2013, said in 2007, People say were not fighting for oilof course, we are.

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.
The military junta holds less than 50 percent of Myanmarese territory, but as long as it holds on to the majority of airfields and sea ports and controls the Bamar (Burman) heartland, an endgame does not flicker on the horizon read more

I am writing this article from close to the Myanmar-Thailand border with the help of elements from the resistance. They are joyful over their victories against junta forces and hopeful that junta rule will soon collapse; maybe a new general would sue for peace to end violence. As long as the junta holds on to the majority of airfields and sea ports and controls the Bamar (Burman) heartland, an endgame does not flicker on the horizon.

The Junta enjoys the support of two P-5 (UNs permanent five) countriesRussia and Chinawho will ensure they can keep fighting defensive battles. For the military, the stakes are existential, as it had been in power since 1962, the longest direct/indirect military rule in recent history, next only to Pakistan.

Most dictators, especially generals who have dismantled democratic systems for regime change, would like to hold sham elections to restore democracy to please the Liberals and the United Nations. That is precisely what Senior General Min Aung Hlaing intends to do in Myanmar, like some illustrious predecessors, so that international and regional organisations revive aid and assistance and provide it a veneer of legitimacy. Generals and colonels in Latin America, Africa, Indias extended neighbourhood, and ASEAN have perfected coup-craft.

Hlaing is trying to enter that distinguished club. Those softly backing him are neighbours Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand, the country holding the dubious record in maximum number of attempted and successful coups (30). For generals in Naypyidaw, the Bangkok militaryin Saville Row suitshad become their model. But Thailand itself could be transiting into a relatively new system of governance with the monarch himself calling the shots under a democratic facade. The problem for Hlaing, like usurpers elsewhere, in holding elections is control of territory, population centres, and levels of violence by Resistance forces. Credibility is a perfunctory factor.

By last count in December last year, the junta held less than 50 per cent territory, though it held the majority of population centres. Hlaing has been postponing elections for the last four years as an alliance of the National Unity Government (NUG), its Peoples Defence Force (PDF), and several Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs) constituting the Resistance has made his mission unfeasible. Last November, China, a key stakeholder in Myanmar, had committed to help Hlaing in turning into reality a difficult taskholding elections in 2025.

I recall in 2001-02, PM Sher Bahadur Deuba of Nepal was ordered by King Gyanendra to hold elections that were long overdue. But the civil war against Maoists was turning the tide against the Royal Nepal Army in creating conditions conducive to holding elections. My counsel was sought on the feasibility of elections in Nepal, given that the Indian Army and security forces had enabled elections on time despite the insurgency and terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

Although advice was accompanied with a blueprint for elections, Kathmandu was unable to hold them. King Gyanendra dismissed Deuba for failure to conduct elections. Democracy was restored in 2006, but by then, the king had lost his job, and the RNA its royal title. However, it had not blundered like the junta in Myanmar on the scale and intensity of human rights violations.

The junta, given its history of governing the country, many believe, is still the key stakeholder in any conflict resolution, especially as some ethnic disputes remain unsettled for decades. That the junta, the self-proclaimed defender of Myanmars sovereignty, diversity, and ethical values, is dispensable in any endgame is hard to sell. After four years of fighting, the juntas control of territory is unimpressive. Most border trade routes have been lost to EAOs, assisted at places by the PDF.

Rakhine and Chin states bordering India and Bangladesh are with the Arakan Army and Chin Defence Forces. In the north, contiguous with China, and in the east with Thailand, the trade routes are with an alliance of EAOs and Kachins and Karens. Two military command headquarterswestern at Ann and northeastern at Lashioalong with their airports at Thandwe and Lashio were evacuated by the military. 75 towns and cities out of some 370 of them have been captured by rebel groups. Two seaportsIndia-operated Sittwe, the gateway for its multi-modal Kaladan Connectivity Project promoting the Act East Policy, and China-owned Kyaukphyuboth in the Indian Ocean, are surrounded and are on the Arakan Armys 2025 target list.

Mandalay, the second largest city after Yangon, is threatened and had come under rocket attack in November. For Juntas survival, the Bamar (Burman) majority areas in Naypyidaw, Sagaing, Mandalay, the Irrawadi delta, Yangon, Bago, and Magwe must be held at all costs. Though the morale and cohesion of the army are suspect, it is believed that the juntas crack divisions are deployed in the heartland.

Last November, Hlaing visited China and met Premier Li Qiang, who wanted foolproof security for Beijings strategic assets: the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, which contains oil and gas pipelines and rail and road facilities from Kyaukphyhu to Kunming. China is insisting on deploying private security companies to operate alongside Junta forces in these locations. Beijing is believed to have recalibrated its support for EAOs and has informed the junta about it. But China is adept at playing the double game, and its commitments not to assist EAOs must be taken with a handful of salt. China virtually controls the economy, and Myanmarese, including the junta, resent this. China is the Big Brother. So, no outcome to the conflict is possible without Chinas involvement.

India has also reset its compass but cautiously. New Delhi has been unwilling to annoy the junta and was reluctant to engage rebel groups and EAOs who have seized control of territories alongside Manipur and Mizoram. Around 60,000 ethnic Kuki-Zo refugees are camped in Mizoram and a few in Manipur. Last year, the US had, through Track II, contacted India for jointly establishing humanitarian corridors to provide medicines, food, and fuel for internally displaced persons along the border.

Delhis response was tardy and too late. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, a former ambassador to Myanmar, has pressed the pedal. Last November, the MEA think tank, Indian Council for World Affairs, New Delhi, had organised a number of meetings with relevant EAOs and other stakeholders. Joint Secretary (Bangladesh and Myanmar) B Shyam took the precaution of also inviting members from the junta in separate engagements. It is not confirmed if NUG was also invited, though government sources say they have been contacted.

India has to contend with the Arakan Army, the most powerful group in Rakhine state, whose operational control spills over into neighbouring Chinland, where the Chin Defence Force operates. These rebel groups will determine the fate of Indias connectivity projects, stuck due to change in territorial control and violence across Myanmars central region.

Initially, Indias Act East Policy was to have pivoted to Bangladesh. But passage through it had its own vicissitudes. So the multi-modal Kaladan connectivity project was designed by sea (Kolkata to Sittwe), across the Kaladan River and overland through Rakhine state to Paletwa in Chin state but under the Arakan Army, and on to Mizoram. Even after a decade and a half, the project has failed to complete. India has to take proactive and trade risks with the junta in the face of transformed ground reality. The Chinese, as usual, are ahead of the curve.

The Myanmar peace process in its different avatars, like Track I (ASEANs 5-point consensus), Track One and a Half, and Track II, has made no headway due to the juntas intransigence. Elections are slated for now in November 2025. No one can tell whether they can be held even with Chinas help. But one thing is sure: Gen Hlaing cannot be dismissed for failure to hold elections.

The author is former GOC IPKF South Sri Lanka and founder member Defence Planning Staff, now Integrated Defence Staff, Ministry of Defence. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
On Monday, Justin Trudeau became the first Canadian Prime Minister since 1920 to resign without losing an election or officially retiring read more

Canada's outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to reporters, announcing he intends to step down as Liberal Party leader, but he will stay on in his post until a replacement has been chosen, from his Rideau Cottage residence in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, January 6, 2025. Reuters

As whispers of Justin Trudeaus resignation as Canadian Prime Minister grow louder, one cannot help but marvel at his astounding and embarrassing fall from grace. Once touted as the epitome of a modern-day woke and liberal leader, he now finds himself at the centre of several humiliating international diplomatic fumbles, including his ongoing tussle with India, becoming the butt of many a joke.

His harshest critics will attribute this as an obvious ending to a career that was largely driven by a need for a certain kind of optics and powered by a certain lobby for the sole purpose of virtue signalling.

On Monday, he became the first Canadian Prime Minister since 1920 to resign without losing an election or officially retiring. So, how did things go so wrong for the oft-hailed crown prince of woke politics?

By 2021, Justin Trudeaus Liberal Party of Canada found itself in serious trouble, losing a significant number of seats in Parliament due to multiple scandals. These losses compelled Trudeau to form alliances with Canadas left-wing New Democratic Party.

In recent times, the departure of several key political supporters and allies, coupled with mounting cost-of-living pressures in Canada, has created a wave of negative publicity and discontent among Trudeaus countrymen.

The resignation of Chrystia Freeland, his deputy prime minister and finance minister, proved to be a pivotal moment in Trudeaus political decline. Her abrupt departure stemmed from a dispute over how to respond to the incoming Trump administration and its policies.

US President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian products, further escalating tensions. Trump even went so far as to suggest that Canada could become the 51st state of the United States, referring to Justin Trudeau as Governor Justin Trudeau. Strong words for a weak man?

The fallout between Freeland and Trudeau over how to address this looming threat was significant. Adding to the damage, Freeland, in her resignation speech, criticised the governments recently announced tax holiday and its plan to issue $CA250 cheques to millions of families, calling it a costly gimmick that Canada can ill afford.

Prior to Freelands exit, Canadas former housing minister Sean Fraser had also announced his resignation, further compounding Trudeaus challenges.

Trudeaus leadership has been marred by multiple ethics scandals that Canadian citizens have not forgotten. On 14 August 2019, Ethics Commissioner Mario Dion released a damning report on the SNC-Lavalin affair, which led to the ousting of two Cabinet members, key aides to Justin Trudeau, and widespread calls for his resignation at the time.

SNC-Lavalin, a Canadian engineering company, faced charges of corruption and fraud involving nearly $48 million in payments to the Libyan government. It was alleged that Justin Trudeau and his aides pressured Jody Wilson-Raybould, the then Attorney General, to intervene in the case to spare SNC-Lavalin from prosecution.

In 2020, Trudeau and the Liberal Party faced further scrutiny over a conflict of interest concerning their contract with WE Charity to manage a $900 million student grant programme. Allegations surfaced that WE Charity was favoured due to Trudeaus close personal ties to the organisation. It was later revealed that several of Trudeaus family members, including his mother Margaret and then-wife Sophie, were paid six-figure sums by WE Charity for appearances.

These ethical scandals not only damaged Trudeaus reputation but also led to several high profile resignations of his close aides. It eroded the publics confidence in his leadership and his true intentions.

Of course, the disintegration of his marriage and his image as a devoted family man and faithful husband did not help matters either.

Adding to the embarrassment were his clumsy attempts to showcase multiculturalism. In 2019, photographs emerged of Trudeau at a 2001 party wearing blackfacea deeply offensive act where a light-skinned individual paints their face black to imitate African Americans or darker-skinned individuals. These images caused widespread outrage and further undermined his credibility.

He was forced to publicly apologise, and of course, he blamed his privilege. As a self-proclaimed champion of human rights and equality, his hypocrisy was exposed to Canadians and the world.

Outside these domestic tensions, who can forget his ridiculous standoff with the Indian government for several months now, after the Canadian government launched a criminal investigation against India over the alleged assassination of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Apart from expelling top Indian diplomats from Canadaan action that led to an almost complete breakdown of diplomatic relations between the former alliesTrudeaus actions were widely perceived as being influenced by his partys financial and political reliance on a lobby known for supporting Khalistani separatist terrorism in India.

To make matters worse, Trudeau went on to indulge in several whiny complaints against India to other world leaders, including the Jordanian King and the UAE President, a move that was viewed as laughably petty and desperate by most of the world.

By announcing his resignation on Monday, Justin Trudeau will be leaving his party without a leader before elections scheduled to take place later in the year. His party, the Liberal Party, will be forced to appoint an interim leader to take over as Prime Minister while they scramble to set up a special leadership convention. This convention could take months to arrange, and if no election occurs before then, Canada could end up with a leader who has not been directly elected by the people.

Alternatively, the Canadian government will need to prove it has the confidence of the House of Commons. If confidence measures come into play, such as votes on budgets, and the government loses even one, it will fall.

One might assume that in the event of an untimely resignation, an election campaign would commence almost immediately. What can we expect from Trudeau now? A lucrative book deal, perhaps? Soon enough, we may know the story of a man who fell victim to his own follies, and of a country left in a far worse condition than when it first placed its trust in him as its leader.

The author is a freelance journalist and features writer based out of Delhi. Her main areas of focus are politics, social issues, climate change and lifestyle-related topics. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
If the partnership is to continue, then it is time the US State Department structure its diplomatic footprint to look forward towards India and into the 21st century, and not backwards toward Canada and the 20th read more

The United States has seen itself as a global power for only a century. President Woodrow Wilson sought assiduously to stay out of World War I, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt preferred isolationism to involvement in World War II up until December 7, 1941, when the Japanese Empire attacked the American fleet at Pearl Harbor.

Initially, the US diplomatic corps was scattershot. The State Department might appoint ministers but they often acted in an ad hoc capacity, often had to fend for themselves, and simply declared the houses they bought or rented to be embassies. The modern US foreign service only came into existence a century ago with the May 24, 1924 Rogers Act.

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In 1930, the US maintained only 57 embassies and legations and 299 consulates and consulates-general posts. As decolonialisation swept the globe, the number of US embassies surged to 162 while the number of consulates plummeted to just 75. Today, the US maintains 193 embassies and 78 consulates. Today, that represents the worlds largest diplomatic footprint after China.

Size alone does not correlate to effectiveness. Generally, the US seeks to have an embassy in every country apart from countries like North Korea, Iran, Syria, and Afghanistan that refuse diplomatic relations with the United States or Washington considers adversarial. Even by this standard, however, the United States falls short. The State Department maintains no embassy in Bhutan, for example, instead coordinating diplomatic affairs from New Delhi, and maintains embassies in only half of the Caribbean countries it recognises.

The problem is with the consulates. Many US consulates are legacies of the 20th if not 19th century and serve no strategic and little diplomatic purpose in the 21st century. Given how resources are finite, every legacy consulate represents an opportunity lost when the State Department cannot afford consulates elsewhere.

There is no better example than Canada. Beyond the embassy in Ottawa, the US consulates in Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, Vancouver, and Winnipeg. Even the embassy should not be so important as the two countries share language, time zones, and even phone systems. When a problem emerges between the two countries, the US president and Canadian prime minister, or the US Secretary of State and the Canadian Foreign Minister are likely to call each other directly; the idea each might instead turn to their embassy is laughable. The same holds true with U.S. states and Canadian provinces. A New York State representative representing a border district likely has his Canadian counterpart in Ontario or Quebec on speed dial or WhatsApp.

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US diplomats are not businessmen; few have had a private sector job in their post-college careers which is why most businessmen ignore any commercial advice American diplomats may offer. This means that the local consulates serve little commercial purpose. They do not benefit ordinary diplomacy either. To learn about the United States or US policy, Canadians would turn on the television and tune into an American news station like CNN or Fox; they would not call up their local American consulates. This leaves American citizens services as the only purpose for the United States to spend millions of dollars maintaining facilities in Winnipeg, Quebec City, or Halifax. Americans do get arrested or robbed in Canada (though Canadian criminals are more likely to say please and thank you than their American counterparts) and sometimes they lose their passports. In the age of email and Zoom, however, Americans can just as easily contact their embassy in Ottawa, or receive forms necessary via FedEx. Consulates may provide a convenience, but not a necessary one.

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Contrast Canadas oversaturation with American consulates to their general paucity in India. Beyond the US Embassy in New Delhi, the State Department maintains consulates in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai. Each of these are necessary, but just a drop in the bucket of the diplomatic investment the United States should make in India given its role as the worlds largest democracy, most populous country, and third or fourth largest economy.

Unlike Canada whose Prime Minister Justin Trudeau embraces Canadas superficial diversity, India is truly diverse, with more than 1,000 spoken languages. India is a haven of religious freedom. It boasts not only the worlds largest Hindu community, but also the worlds largest Sikh, Jain, and Zoroastrian populations. While Iran, of course, hosts the worlds largest Shiite Muslim community, Indianot Lebanon, Iraq, or Azerbaijanis the runner up. Indeed, India boasts the second largest number of Muslims in the world after Indonesia. Indias Christian population is as large as Spains, and India has more Jews than Poland, Portugal, or the Czech Republic. Baltis, who fuse Shiism and Buddhism flee Pakistan into India to practice their faith freely.

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Indias diversity makes local representation essential. There are only so much diplomats can learn from reading Indian newspapers or watching its robust television debates. The US absence in key Indian states and territories leads to errors. The State Department, for example, warns Americans not to travel to Jammu and Kashmir due to terrorism and civil unrest, but there are fifteen times more murders in Washington, DC than in Srinagar, even though Washington has just half the population of Kashmirs capital. Perhaps if American diplomats lived in Srinagar and travelled across Jammu and Kashmir, they would recognise that the union territory has grown fundamentally safer since its status was normalised with the long overdue abrogation of Article 370.

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Then there is Punjab, a state where Sikhs form the majority, especially after Pakistan drove Sikhs and other non-Muslims from its Punjab province. As Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence agency seeks to create an artificial Khalistan movement, a US consulate in Chandigarh, Ludhiana, or Amritsar would render such propaganda worthless.

Bangalore, too, deserves a dedicated American consulate, not only because it is Indias third most populous city, but also because so much of the American tech industry depends on the graduates from the citys universities and researchers from its companies. To ignore Indias equivalent of Silicon Valley is foolish. At 335 kilometres away, diplomats in Chennai are simply too far away to appreciate truly the intellectual and tech engine that Bangalore has become. The list goes on: Of Indias top ten cities, only half have American representation. For strategic reasons, the State Department should have permanent representation in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.

Of course, relations are not unidirectional. The State Department should not only prioritize missions in Pune, Lucknow, and Kochi, closing its redundant consulates in Canada, France, and Italy if necessary, but should also welcome new Indian consulates across the United States. The new Indian consulates in Boston and Los Angeles represent a good beginning; not the end. Huntsville, Alabama has the highest proportion of engineers in the United States for example; it is no coincidence that so many are Indians. The research triangle in North Carolina, too, deserves its own consulate rather than being an after thought for diplomats in Washington, DC. Denver, too, is too big and important to be run from Houston. For that matter, if CaliforniaAmericas most populous statecan now have two Indian consulates, why should India not open a second one in Texas, which could soon overtake California? Permanently stationing Indian diplomats in Dallas could only strengthen Indias commercial position in the United States. The same holds true for Florida. As India becomes a global economic powerhouse, what better spot to launch its wares into the Caribbean than from Miami or Tampa, Florida? Tampa may not be a household name in India, but it and Pensacola are important centers for the U.S. military and therefore, for India as cooperation deepens.

The India-United States partnership has developed in important ways over the past quarter century. It has survived hurdles, crises, and defied expectations. If the partnership is to continue, then it is time the State Department structure its diplomatic footprint to look forward towards India and into the 21st century, and not backwards toward Canada and the 20th.

Michael Rubin is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, DC, USA and director of policy analysis at the Middle East Forum. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
From AI-powered desktops to next-gen graphics cards and record-breaking gaming monitors, MSI is reimagining how users experience gaming, productivity, and compact computing. At the heart of MSIs exhibit is a deep focus on AI integration, which aims to simplify workflows, boost gaming performance read more

MSI also introduced some new laptops. The updated range includes the Cyborg, Stealth, Raider, and Vector series, each tailored to different needs and budgets. Key to the new lineup is the integration of NVIDIAs powerful RTX 50-series GPUs, promising top-notch graphics for gaming, and content creation. Image Credit: MSI

MSI made a big splash at CES 2025, showcasing a fresh lineup that combines artificial intelligence (AI) with cutting-edge gaming technology. From AI-powered desktops to next-gen graphics cards and record-breaking gaming monitors, the company is reimagining how users experience gaming, productivity, and compact computing.

At the heart of MSIs exhibit is a deep focus on AI integration, which aims to simplify workflows, boost gaming performance, and personalise everyday tasks. MSIs Vice President of Marketing explained how the companys latest offerings are designed to adapt to user needs, harnessing AI to deliver smarter, more efficient tools for both gaming enthusiasts and professionals.

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Smarter computing with AI

MSIs CES lineup features the AI Robot, powered by NVIDIA ACE, which allows users to control MSI laptops and desktops through natural language commands, all while operating offline for added security.

A standout in this space is the MEG VISION X AI gaming desktop, a double honouree at the CES Innovation Awards. Equipped with Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processors and NVIDIA graphics, this powerhouse features a 13-inch AI touchscreen for hardware monitoring, intelligent mode switching, and seamless control over MSI monitors. Its built-in microphone and speaker enable voice-based interaction, while Silent Storm Cooling AI dynamically adjusts fan speeds for quieter, high-performance gaming.

Game-changing monitors

MSI is setting new benchmarks in gaming displays with its MPG 272URX QD-OLED monitor. This 27-inch 4K display features a 240Hz refresh rate, a world first for DP 2.1 QD-OLED monitors. With G-SYNC compatibility, EL Gen 3 OLED technology, and a 5-layer tandem panel, it delivers stunning clarity and tear-free gaming.

Also on display is the MPG 272QR QD-OLED X50, another industry first with its 500Hz refresh rate for ultra-fast gaming. Designed for competitive gamers, this monitor supports G-SYNC, VESA Certified DisplayHDR True Black 500, and ClearMR 21000 for unmatched motion clarity. Both monitors integrate MSIs AI Navigator, enhancing immersion and gameplay intelligence through adaptive features.

Next-gen GPUs and power supply units

MSIs NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series graphics cards are built on NVIDIAs Blackwell architecture, offering advanced AI-driven features. The lineup includes Project SL, S, V, Trio, X, and I, all designed for superior performance and efficient cooling. These GPUs support innovations like DLSS 4 for enhanced graphics fidelity and NVIDIA Studio tools for content creators.

For DIY enthusiasts, MSI introduced compact options like the Project I and Project X RTX 5080, 5070 Ti, and 5070, perfect for small-form-factor builds.

To support these high-performance components, MSI launched power supplies like the MEG Ai1600T PCIE5, which uses server-grade SiC-MOSFET technology for stability, and the MPG A1250GS PCIE5, featuring dual-colour cables and ultra-quiet fans.

Compact PCs and DIY-friendly motherboards

MSI is redefining compact computing with its Cubi NUC AI Series Mini PCs, offering powerful AI tools in a small footprint. The Cubi NUC AI+ 2M includes a fingerprint power button and an AI Co-Pilot button, while the Cubi NUC AI 1UM packs dual Thunderbolt 4 ports and dual 2.5G LAN ports for high-speed connectivity.

For DIY builders, MSIs new Intel and AMD B chipset motherboards make assembling PCs easier than ever. Features like EZ PCIe Release, EZ M.2 Clip II, and EZ Antenna simplify GPU and SSD installation, while pre-installed I/O shields reduce setup hassles.

Taking innovation further, the PROJECT ZERO X motherboard moves all cables to the back, creating a clean, minimalist look that enhances customisation with glass panels.

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High-speed storage and next-gen peripherals

MSIs DATAMAG 40Gbps Portable SSD is designed for speed, leveraging USB 4.0 technology to deliver transfer rates of up to 40Gbps. Housed in a sturdy aluminium casing, its ideal for gaming, professional editing, and even console use.

The company also introduced cutting-edge peripherals like the STRIKE wireless keyboard, VERSA wireless mice, and FORCE wireless controllers, all built for precision and customisation. Additionally, the MAESTRO headset delivers immersive audio for gaming and communication, ensuring seamless performance across platforms.

With a lineup that balances innovation and practicality, MSIs CES 2025 showcase is a testament to its commitment to pushing boundaries in gaming, AI, and smart computing. Whether its redefining desktops or delivering record-breaking displays, MSI is positioning itself as a leader in the next era of tech innovation.

New cutting-edge laptops for gamers and creators

MSI also introduced some new laptops. The updated range includes the Cyborg, Stealth, Raider, and Vector series, each tailored to different needs and budgets. Key to the new lineup is the integration of NVIDIAs powerful RTX 50-series GPUs, promising top-notch graphics for gaming, content creation, and AI-driven tasks. Users can also choose between Intels 14th-generation Core processors and AMDs Ryzen 7000 series for maximum flexibility.

Highlights include the Titan Series with its striking Dragon Edition Norse Myth design, blending Nordic-inspired artistry with cutting-edge performance. The Cyborg Series targets budget-conscious gamers with futuristic, transparent designs, while the Stealth Series offers slim, portable power. The Raider Series is built for hardcore gamers, featuring bold aesthetics and RGB lighting, while the Vector Series strikes a balance between power and versatility for professionals and gamers.

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Across the lineup, MSI has introduced advanced cooling systems for optimal performance, high-refresh-rate displays for smooth gameplay, and upgraded connectivity options like Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 7, and PCIe Gen 5 SSDs. The laptops are set to launch in Q2 2025, with prices varying by model and configuration.
The Snapdragon X Platform is designed to bring high-performance, AI-driven capabilities to more affordable laptops, while the upgraded Qualcomm Aware platform seeks to revolutionise industrial IoT with smarter, more efficient connected solutions read more

Qualcomms dual focus on affordable AI-powered PCs and advanced IoT solutions reflects a broader ambition to lead the way in both consumer and industrial tech. Image Credit: Quaclomm

At CES 2025, Qualcomm has set the tech world abuzz with two ground-breaking innovations aimed at transforming how we compute and connect. The Snapdragon X Platform is designed to bring high-performance, AI-driven capabilities to more affordable laptops, while the upgraded Qualcomm Aware platform seeks to revolutionise industrial IoT with smarter, more efficient connected solutions. These announcements underscore Qualcomms commitment to making advanced technology accessible across a variety of industries.

The companys focus on AI and connectivity highlights its forward-looking strategy, addressing both consumer and enterprise needs. With promises of enhanced efficiency, seamless functionality, and cost-effectiveness, Qualcomms latest offerings seem poised to make a significant impact in their respective domains.

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Snapdragon X: AI for everyone

Qualcomms Snapdragon X Platform is a fresh addition to its X Series, aiming to make advanced computing accessible to budget-conscious users. Targeted at laptops in the 500600 range, the platform powers what Qualcomm calls Copilot+ PCs. These devices promise multi-day battery life, seamless performance, and a suite of AI-driven features tailored for tasks like web browsing, streaming, and light content creation.

At the heart of this innovation is Qualcomms 8-core Oryon CPU, supported by a 45 TOPS NPU designed to handle demanding AI tasks. According to Qualcomm, this combination delivers up to 163% better performance than comparable processors while consuming significantly less power. A power-efficient GPU complements the setup, ensuring these laptops are well-suited for everyday use without compromising on battery life.

Qualcomm is also breaking new ground with mini desktop PCs powered by Snapdragon X, marking a first for the series. These compact devices are built to meet the needs of developers, businesses, and consumers looking for portable yet powerful computing solutions. With brands like Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo already on board, these Copilot+ laptops and mini PCs are expected to hit the market in early 2025, offering a versatile mix of form factors for a wide range of users.

Qualcomm Aware: Revolutionising IoT

The Qualcomm Aware platform takes a giant leap forward in addressing the growing demands of the industrial Internet of Things (IoT). Originally designed for logistics, the platform now extends its reach across industries such as retail, energy, smart homes, and robotics. Qualcomm Aware provides businesses with tools to monitor, manage, and optimise connected devices, offering actionable insights that drive efficiency and innovation.

This horizontal IoT platform brings a variety of capabilities, including geolocation, fine indoor positioning, firmware updates, and device management. Qualcomm has enhanced its platform with better connectivity algorithms and a 65% reduction in power consumption compared to previous LTE modems. This makes it possible for businesses to efficiently manage fleets, track high-value inventory, and even prevent theft with smart alerts.

Qualcomm Aware is already a robust system, supporting approximately 30 million active devices monthly and processing billions of transactions per day. With over 20 commercial customers and more than 100 successful trials, the platform is rapidly gaining traction. By integrating these capabilities directly into Qualcomm chipsets and third-party hardware, the company is simplifying the process for businesses to deploy intelligent, connected solutions.

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AI Ecosystem for a connected future

Qualcomms innovations extend beyond individual devices, aiming to build a comprehensive AI ecosystem. On the consumer side, the Snapdragon X Platform is transforming laptops into AI-powered companions. These devices are expected to be particularly appealing to students, freelancers, and professionals who need reliable, cost-effective computing.

On the enterprise side, Qualcomm Aware is unlocking new possibilities for businesses. For example, retailers can track how often high-value inventory turns over, receive alerts for potential theft, and optimise stock management. Logistics companies can improve delivery efficiency and accuracy, while device manufacturers gain tools to troubleshoot and update their products remotely. These capabilities not only enhance productivity but also extend the lifespan of connected devices, reducing costs and waste.

Qualcomms Vision: Bridging innovation and affordability

Qualcomms dual focus on affordable AI-powered PCs and advanced IoT solutions reflects a broader ambition to lead the way in both consumer and industrial tech. By introducing the Snapdragon X Platform, the company is bringing high-performance computing to a wider audience, breaking down barriers that previously limited AI capabilities to premium devices. Meanwhile, the Aware platform is empowering industries to embrace smart technology with solutions tailored to their specific needs.

As CES 2025 unfolds, the real-world impact of these innovations will become clearer. However, Qualcomms commitment to accessible technology, efficient design, and user-centric solutions is evident. Whether its enabling students to access powerful laptops or helping businesses optimise their operations, Qualcomm is paving the way for a smarter, more connected future.

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O3 is expected to power popular tools like ChatGPT, and its potential to handle large-scale tasks autonomously is causing jitters among tech professionals. For computer science majors, the prospect of entering a job market dominated by such powerful AI systems is raising eyebrows read more

The unveiling of OpenAIs O3 reasoning model has stirred up mixed emotions among software engineers, developers, and computer science students. While some view it as a game-changing innovation, others worry it could disrupt the tech job market. With its advanced capabilities, the model promises to reshape how AI tackles complex projects, leaving many to question the future of their roles.

The anxiety isnt unfoundedO3 is expected to power popular tools like ChatGPT, and its potential to handle large-scale tasks autonomously is causing jitters among tech professionals. For computer science majors, the prospect of entering a job market dominated by such powerful AI systems is raising eyebrows.

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A new frontier or an existential threat?

The O3 models impressive benchmarks are hard to ignore. Its already outperforming human experts on mathematical reasoning tests and surpassing OpenAIs chief scientist on coding challenges. OpenAI has made it clear: this is just the beginning, and the model will only get better.

Despite the worries, experts argue that the rise of advanced AI will open doors rather than shut them. Georgia Techs AI Hub director believes automation will free up professionals to focus on higher-level tasks, rather than replacing their jobs entirely. For students and professionals, this could mean pivoting towards areas where creativity, strategy, and innovation are keythings AI isnt as adept at yet.

The high costs of intelligence

While the technology itself is groundbreaking, it comes at a steep price. The O3 model demands enormous computational resources, with some tasks costing as much as $1,000 to complete. OpenAIs leadership has hinted at potential pricing models that could see subscriptions reach $2,000 a month. For that price, they argue, users gain access to a tool likened to having a PhD-level assistant on call.

Such costs may make the technology less accessible to smaller developers or independent professionals, raising questions about who will truly benefit from this leap forward in AI capabilities.

A future rewritten by AI

As generative AI technology becomes more prevalent, its role in reshaping industries is inevitable. While some fear a decline in wages and job opportunities, others see a world where mundane tasks are automated, allowing humans to focus on more meaningful and creative pursuits.

For now, the challenge lies in navigating this shift. The integration of AI like O3 could revolutionise white-collar professions, creating roles that lean heavily on brainstorming, automation, and innovation. Whether this transformation sparks hope or fear, one thing is certain: the workplace of the future will look very different from today.
ByteDance, TikToks Chinese parent company, is promoting Lemon8 as a backup option, even as discussions around the TikTok ban intensify. While the legislation specifically targets ByteDance-owned apps, the spotlight remains on TikTok, leaving the fate of Lemon8 relatively under-discussed read more

Although Lemon8 remains significantly smaller than TikTok, with just over one million active daily users, its engagement has steadily grown over the past year. ByteDance appears eager to develop its audience, regardless of TikToks future. Image Credit: Reuters

TikTok is encouraging its US users to explore its sister app, Lemon8, as the platform faces increasing scrutiny and the potential for an outright ban. Lemon8 has been making its presence known through sponsored TikTok posts, urging users to migrate and keep their content, followers, and usernames intact. The move signals ByteDances attempt to hedge its bets amid rising regulatory pressure.

ByteDance, TikToks Chinese parent company, is promoting Lemon8 as a backup option, even as discussions around the TikTok ban intensify. While the legislation specifically targets ByteDance-owned apps, the spotlight remains on TikTok, leaving the fate of Lemon8 relatively under-discussed.

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Lemon8 gains momentum with TikToks support

Over recent weeks, Lemon8 has ramped up its visibility through TikTok-sponsored videos. Some creators have highlighted the app as an alternative, explaining how it integrates seamlessly with TikTok, even transferring usernames and linking profiles. Users are being encouraged to download Lemon8 as a safeguard against losing access to their content and followers in case of a TikTok ban.

The app offers a hybrid experience, blending TikTok-like short videos with Instagram-style photos. Its design appeals largely to Gen Z and Gen Alpha audiences, providing a familiar yet distinct platform. Lemon8 features personalisation tools like a For You feed and a Following feed, resembling TikToks interface while offering its unique charm.

Behind ByteDances push

Lemon8s recent push isnt entirely new. ByteDance began integrating its backend with TikTok last year, enabling seamless profile linkage and data sharing between the two platforms. Notices to TikTok users revealed these changes, emphasising that Lemon8 profiles would be linked to TikTok by default unless users opted out.

ByteDance has downplayed the connection between Lemon8s promotion and the looming ban, describing the integration as unrelated. However, the timing of the sponsored posts suggests a deliberate effort to expand Lemon8s user base amidst the regulatory uncertainty.

A strategic move or a backup plan?

Although Lemon8 remains significantly smaller than TikTok, with just over one million active daily users, its engagement has steadily grown over the past year. ByteDance appears eager to develop its audience, regardless of TikToks future.

The broader conversation about the TikTok ban has so far centred on the platform itself, leaving Lemon8 and other ByteDance-owned apps in the shadows. Lawmakers have explicitly named TikTok in their legislation, but ByteDances complex corporate structure has obscured its broader portfolio.

As the regulatory battle unfolds, Lemon8s growing presence could serve as ByteDances contingency plan, offering users and the company an alternative path forward in a turbulent landscape.
Rescuers who found the migrant boat were surprised to find that instead of a pregnant woman onboard, as they had been informed, there was a new mother with her baby read more

A migrant holds a newborn baby as a woman lies inside a rubber boat with other migrants who were rescued off the island off the Canary Island of Lanzarote in Spain. Reuters

A baby boy was born aboard a migrant boat headed to Spains Canary Islands, Spains rescue service said Wednesday (January 8), sharing a photograph of the newborn, his mother, and dozens of others on the overcrowded vessel.

The dinghy was first spotted off the island of Lanzarote on January 6, as Spain marked the Epiphany holiday. Rescuers found 60 people on board, including 14 women and four children. Both the mother and baby were in good health when the coastguard arrived.

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Domingo Trujillo, captain of the rescue vessel, told TVE they had been informed of a pregnant woman onboard. However, they were surprised to discover the baby had been born just minutes before their arrival.

The surprise was (that we found) a totally naked baby who was born 10, 15 or 20 minutes earlier, Trujillo said. I covered him up, took him here (to my chest) and patted him so that he would stop crying.

Medics recommended transferring the mother and baby to a hospital by helicopter. Reuters cited helicopter commander Alvaro Serrano Perez as saying, Being Three Kings Day this was the best gift we could have received.

Canary Islands: A migrant magnet

The Canary Islands, a common entry point for migrants from Africa, have faced increasing migration. In 2024, the archipelago recorded an all-time annual high with 46,843 illegal arrivals, representing 73 per cent of irregular migration to Spain, according to Interior Ministry data.

Most migrants reaching the islands come from Mali, Senegal, and Morocco, with many braving dangerous journeys in overcrowded boats to seek a better future.

However, the journey is extremely dangerous. A recent report by NGO Caminando Fronteras said that at least 10,457 migrants died or went missing while attempting to reach Spain by sea from January 1 to December 5, 2024.

This was a 50-per cent increase on 2023 and the highest toll since its tallies began in 2007, attributing it to the use of ramshackle boats, dangerous waters and a lack of resources for rescues.

With inputs from agencies
Bangladeshs former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who has been unwell for some time, flew to London for medical treatment on a special royal air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar read more

Bangladeshs former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who is unwell, flew to London on a special royal air ambulance sent by Emir of Qatar on Tuesday for medical treatment, The Dhaka Tribune reported.

Zahiruddin Swapan, an adviser to Zia, told The Associated Press that the three-time former prime minister and leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party left Dhakas Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport late Tuesday on an air ambulance. Swapan added that senior leaders of the party were at the airport to see her off.

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Zias convoy took almost three hours to travel a 10-kilometer route to the airport from her home in Dhakas Gulshan area. Thousands of her supporters lined the way, causing heavy traffic. The long journey was shown live on television.

Zia was accompanied by her doctors, family, and assistants. Also, a team of doctors from the Qatari government is on the plane.

Her ailments include liver cirrhosis, cardiac disease and kidney problems, according to her physician.

Unrest in Bangladesh and ouster of Sheikh Hasina

After weeks of mass protests led by students, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country in August 2024. The protests, which began over demands for changes to government job quotas, quickly turned into a wider anti-government movement. The unrest resulted in the deaths of about 300 people.

An interim government, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, is currently in power and plans to hold elections either in December of this year or in the first half of 2026.

Zia was sentenced to 17 years in prison during ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas rule due to two corruption cases from 2001-2006, when Zia was prime minister. Her supporters claim the charges were politically motivated, a charge which Hasinas government has denied. Under Yunus, Zia was acquitted in one of the cases in November, and the appeal for the second case was being heard on Tuesday.
The Justice Department argued in a brief filed with a federal appeals court in the District of Columbia that the government would be irreparably harmed if the guilty pleas were accepted for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two co-defendants in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks read more

A courtroom drawing by artist Janet Hamlin and reviewed by the U.S. military, shows Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, center, and co-defendant Walid Bin Attash, left, attending a pre-trial session at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba. File image/ AP

The Biden administration asked a federal appeals court on Tuesday to block a plea agreement for accused 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed that would spare him the risk of the death penalty in one of the deadliest attacks ever on the United States.

The Justice Department argued in a brief filed with a federal appeals court in the District of Columbia that the government would be irreparably harmed if the guilty pleas were accepted for Mohammed and two co-defendants in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

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It said the government would be denied a chance for a public trial and the opportunity to seek capital punishment against three men charged with a heinous act of mass murder that caused the death of thousands of people and shocked the nation and the world.

The Defense Department negotiated and approved the plea deal but later repudiated it. Attorneys for the defendants argue the deal is already legally in effect and that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who began the administrations efforts to throw it out, acted too late.

When the appeal was filed Tuesday, family members of some the nearly 3,000 people killed in the al-Qaida attacks already were gathered at the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to hear Mohammeds scheduled guilty plea Friday. The other two men, accused of lesser roles in 9/11, were due to enter them next week.

Family members have been split on the deal, with some calling it the best resolution possible for a prosecution mired for more than a decade in pretrial hearings and legal and logistical difficulties. Others demanded a trial and  they hoped  execution.

Some legal experts have warned that the legal challenges posed by the case, including the mens torture under CIA custody after their capture, could keep the aging detainees from ever facing verdicts and any possible sentences.

Military prosecutors this summer notified families of the victims that the senior Pentagon official overseeing Guantanamo had approved a plea deal after more than two years of negotiations. The deal was the best path to finality and justice, military prosecutors said.

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But some family members and Republican lawmakers condemned the deal and the Biden administration for reaching it.

Austin has fought unsuccessfully since August to throw out the agreement, saying that a decision on death penalties in an attack as grave as the Sept. 11 plot should only be made by the defense secretary.

A military judge at Guantanamo and a military appeals panel rejected those efforts, saying he had no power to throw out the agreement after it had been approved by the senior Pentagon official for Guantanamo.

Defense attorneys say the plea agreement was approved by Austins own officials and military prosecutors and that his intervention was unlawful political interference in the justice system.

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The Justice Department brief Tuesday said the defendants would not be harmed by a short delay, given that the prosecution has been ongoing since 2012 and the plea agreements would likely result in them serving long prison sentences, potentially for the rest of their lives.

A short delay to allow this Court to weigh the merits of the governments request in this momentous case will not materially harm the respondents, the government argued.

The Justice Department criticized the military commission judge for a ruling that it said improperly curtailed the defense secretarys authority in a case of unique national importance. Preserving that authority is a matter of critical importance warranting the issuance of extraordinary relief, the governments filing said.

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A total of 163 of those workers, hired by BYD contractor Jinjiang, were found last month to be working in what Brazilian authorities said were slavery-like conditions read more

Electric vehicle producer BYD brought hundreds of Chinese workers on irregular visas to build a factory in Brazil, a key labour inspector told Reuters on Tuesday, adding the company has pledged to comply with local labour laws for the workers remaining in the country.

A total of 163 of those workers, hired by BYD contractor Jinjiang, were found last month to be working in what Brazilian authorities said were slavery-like conditions.

The 163 workers who were rescued by labor authorities in December are leaving or have already left Brazil, said Liane Durao, who has spearheaded the probe announced in late December by the labor authorities in Bahia state.

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All of this was irregular, said Durao, adding that BYD would be fined for each worker found in this situation, without elaborating on the total amount to be paid. Durao is a labor inspector with a team that monitors workplace safety for Brazils Ministry of Labor.

She said the firm agreed to adjust the conditions of the hundreds of workers who will remain in the country, to comply with Brazilian labor laws. About 500 Chinese workers were brought to work in the Brazilian factory, she said.

BYD and Jinjiang did not immediately reply to a request for comment. BYD has previously said it cut ties with Jinjiang, which disputes the charges by Brazilian authorities.

A person close to BYD told Reuters that the Chinese company believes that the visas were issued properly and that all employees came voluntarily to work in Brazil.

The factory has become a symbol of Chinas growing influence in Brazil and an example of a closer relationship between both countries.

Labor authorities and representatives from BYD and its contractors working in Bahia met on Tuesday to negotiate how to protect the rights of all workers employed in the factory.

Key to BYDs global expansion

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BYD has been building the factory to produce 150,000 cars initially as part of plans to start production in Brazil, its biggest market outside China, in the beginning of this year. It is unclear whether construction will be delayed by the investigation into working conditions at the factory.

It has invested $620 million to set up the Bahia factory complex alone. Nearly one in five cars BYD sold outside China in the first 11 months of 2024 was in Brazil.

In December, the labor prosecutors office described the workers, who had been hired by Chinese construction firm Jinjiang Group, as human trafficking victims. The firm had withheld the passports of 107 of the workers, investigators said.

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Investigations into slavery can carry powerful consequences for employers in Brazil, including a restriction on their access to bank loans.

Since the workers were found in slavery-like conditions, the Brazilian government has suspended temporary visa issuance to BYD.

The reports of irregularities in Bahia could prove to be a major sticking point in bilateral relations.

Brazil has long sought more Chinese investment. But Beijings model of taking Chinese workers to the countries where it invests presents a challenge to local job creation, a priority for President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

The probe has also brought unwelcome attention to BYD when it is seeking to expand globally and build on its dominance in China, the worlds largest auto market, where it makes up more than a third of the market of EVs and plug-in hybrids.

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Labor inspectors will continue to monitor BYDs construction site, Durao said, to make sure that the workers who remain employed in the factory are not being submitted to abusive working conditions.
The announcement comes a day after Trump told American conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt on Monday that he and Xi had previously spoken through officials and that they will probably get along very well read more

China has revealed for the first time that President Xi Jinping has communicated with US President-elect Donald Trump in preparation for his inauguration this month.

The announcement comes a day after Trump told American conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt on Monday that he and Xi had previously spoken through officials and that they will probably get along very well.

When asked about the sentiments on Tuesday, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Guo Jiakun stated that Beijing attaches importance to Trumps remarks.

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China and the US have maintained communication through various means, he added.

He also emphasised that China is willing to collaborate with the US on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation to promote the stable, healthy, and long-term expansion of China-US ties for the benefit of both countries and the world.

It was not the first time Trump has stated he was in communication with the Chinese leader since winning the election in November.

However, until Tuesday, Beijing has disclosed no backchannel communication between the two sides, with the exception of a congratulations telegram to Trump shortly after the election.

During the interview on Monday, Trump stated that the US-China relationship must be a two-way street, and that China is ripping off the United States for a trillion dollars a year.

Guo said that China regarded the two nations economic and trade cooperation was win-win in nature.

Between China and the US, one countrys success is an opportunity for the other, and one countrys development is a boost for the other, according to him.

Also on Tuesday, outgoing US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen met virtually with Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng, the countrys top financial leader. According to the US Department of the Treasury, all sides agreed about the importance of communication and contact at the meeting.

According to a Chinese statement, the two sides also agreed to maintain communication, manage differences, and continue to stabilise the China-US economic relationship during the transition period.

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Trumps staff stated on December 12 that the president-elect has invited Xi attend his January 20 inauguration. About a week ago, Trump informed NBC News that he had recently talked with Xi.

Beijing declined to comment on the reports. However, China has conveyed indications in recent weeks about the tone of its policies towards the upcoming Trump government.

On December 10, Xi stated that he wished to maintain dialogue but cautioned that there would be no winners in a tariff or tech war.

A week later, Wang Yi, Chinas top diplomat, stated that as long as China and the United States cooperate, they can achieve many great things together.

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He went on to say that China firmly opposes the illegal and unreasonable suppression by the US side.

Analysts say Beijings efforts to engage with Trump and his senior advisors following the election will be essential in influencing the course of bilateral ties in the near term once Trump returns to the White House, though they are unlikely to have long-term consequences.

Some experts believe that the first 100 days of Trumps second term will be a critical window of opportunity for Chinese officials to cultivate interaction with Trump in order to avoid an abrupt escalation in hostilities.
The tiny separatist republic bordering Ukraine has been unable to provide heating and hot water to residents since New Years Day, when Russias Gazprom turned off the spigot over a financial dispute with the Moldovan government in Chisinau read more

The coat of arms of Transdniestria is depicted on a banner in central Tiraspol, in Moldova's breakaway region of Transdniestria. File image/ Reuters

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has accused Russia of using gas as a weapon and waging a hybrid war in Moldova, where the breakaway region of Transnistria has been without Russian gas since January 1.

Russia continues to use gas as a weapon and once again Moldova is a target of its hybrid warfare, Kallas said overnight Tuesday on social media platform X.

She said she had reaffirmed the EUs unwavering solidarity with Moldova in a call with the countrys prime minister, Dorin Recean.

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Thanks to EU support Moldova remains resilient and well-connected to European energy networks, Kallas said.

Russia continues to use gas as a weapon and once again Moldova is a target of its hybrid warfare.



Thanks to EU support Moldova remains resilient and well-connected to European energy networks.



In my call with @DorinRecean I reaffirmed our unwavering solidarity with Moldova.  Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) January 7, 2025

The tiny separatist republic bordering Ukraine has been unable to provide heating and hot water to residents since New Years Day, when Russias Gazprom turned off the spigot over a financial dispute with the Moldovan government in Chisinau.

The same day a major gas transit agreement between Moscow and Kyiv to ship gas across Ukraine came to an end.

The cut-off has plunged Transnistria into crisis, with most industry grinding to a halt.

With temperatures hitting freezing, people have been forced to burn wood or rely on plug-in electric heaters.

The thin sliver of land has been de facto controlled by pro-Russian forces since the collapse of the Soviet Union, but is internationally recognised as part of Moldova.

Russian supplies via Ukraine would have been cut off with the end of the transit deal anyway, but Chisinau said last year that Gazprom had the option of providing gas through a pipeline network that runs across the Black Sea to Turkey and then up through the Balkans.

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The rest of Moldova has been spared for now, able to secure power imports from neighbouring Romania.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Wednesday met acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai where they discussed a range of topics, including ongoing humanitarian assistance, bilateral relations, and the regional security situation read more

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri with the acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, in Dubai on Wednesday. Image Courtesy: @MEAIndia

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Wednesday met acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai where they discussed a range of topics, including ongoing humanitarian assistance, bilateral relations, and the regional security situation.

Foreign Secretary underlined Indias historic friendship with the Afghan people and the strong people-to-people contacts between the two countries. In this context, he conveyed Indias readiness to respond to the urgent developmental needs of the Afghan people, the MEA said in a statement.

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The statement further said that the two sides evaluated the ongoing Indian humanitarian assistance programmes.

The Afghan minister appreciated and thanked the Indian leadership for continuing to engage and support the people of Afghanistan. In view of the current need for development activities, it was decided that India would consider engaging in development projects in the near future, in addition to the ongoing humanitarian assistance programme, the statement added.

In a post on X, the MEA said that the two sides agreed to promote trade and commerce, including through Chabahar port.

Foreign Secy @VikramMisri met Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai today.



Both sides discussed 's ongoing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, bilateral issues and security situation in the region. India reiterated its commitment to pic.twitter.com/a3UyuIqkAG  Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) January 8, 2025

India will also extend its support to the health sector & rehabilitation of refugees in the country, it added.

India has responded to the urgent needs of the Afghan people by extending humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. To date, India has dispatched several shipments, including 50,000 metric tons of wheat, 300 tons of medicines, 27 tons of earthquake relief aid, 40,000 liters of pesticides, 100 million doses of polio vaccine, 1.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine, 11,000 hygiene kits for drug de-addiction programs, 500 winter clothing units, and 1.2 tons of stationery kits, among other supplies.

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This meeting comes just two days after India condemned Pakistan for its cross-border airstrikes in Afghanistans Paktika province, which resulted in the deaths of 46 civilians.

The meeting also follows the recent visit of US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to Delhi, where he held discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and NSA Ajit Doval.

The Afghan Taliban criticised the US for claiming to have provided millions of dollars in aid to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, labeling the assertion as inaccurate. The talks also take place amid significantly strained relations between Islamabad and the Kabul regime.

With inputs from agencies
A public inquiry into alleged war crimes has revealed that UK Special Forces (UKSF) soldiers in Afghanistan operated with a golden pass that allowed them to evade accountability for murder, according to a report read more

A public inquiry into alleged war crimes has revealed that UK Special Forces (UKSF) soldiers in Afghanistan operated with a golden pass that allowed them to evade accountability for murder.

According to an Independent report_,_ the evidence, provided by seven witnesses from UK special forces, was published on Wednesday as part of a release of material summarising the content of secret hearings.

The inquiry, which opened in March but has now started substantive hearings at Londons Royal Courts of Justice, is investigating accusations about the special forces conduct in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013.

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It is examining so-called deliberate detention operations during that period and how allegations of unlawful killings were investigated by Britains military police, in particular whether there were any cover-ups.

The independent inquiry follows legal challenges by the families of some of the dozens of people allegedly murdered by UK special forces during night raids.

It is set to hear submissions on behalf of the families of 33 people, including eight children, who were allegedly killed.

Testimony from an individual identified as N2107, who had access to operational reports regarding the SASs activities in Afghanistan in 2011, revealed his growing skepticism about the official accounts of Afghan fatalities.

According to the report, citing the witness, UK special forces (UKSF) in Afghanistan appeared beyond reproach and operated with a golden pass allowing them to get away with murder.

Another witness, identified as N1799, testified to the inquiry that he believed an Special Air Service (SAS) unit had been executing fighting age males in Afghanistan. He alleged that the deceased Afghans were referred to dismissively as having been flat packed.

In his statement, N1799 recounted being informed by a soldier from the unit that a pillow was placed over the head of an individual before they were shot with a pistol.

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It was implied that photos would be taken of the deceased alongside weapons that the fighting age male may not have had in their position when they were killed, Independent quoted the witness as saying.

The whistleblower informed Oliver Glasgow, the inquirys counsel, that leaving a discarded weapon beside a dead person was informally referred to as a Mr Wolf.

He said the term originated from the film Pulp Fiction, where a character introduces himself as Mr Wolf. He told Glasgow, Mr. Wolf says, Im Mr. Wolf, and Im here to solve problems.

N1799 testified to the inquiry that he had trained alongside a member of the accused unit, UKSF1, who had allegedly discussed operations during their training.

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In his witness statement, N1799 said the account provided by the UKSF member N1201 was in stark contrast to a briefing given by commanding officers months earlier, which asserted that UKSF does not operate outside of the law.

Questioned by Glasgow on whether he had any concerns for his own personal wellbeing after making allegations against UKSF1, Independent quoted the witness as saying, I did then and I still do now.

The counsel to the inquiry continued: As to how that might be perceived by others within the wider UKSF community, is there a danger that you might be branded as a traitor?

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N1799 replied: Yes.

A different UKSF member, involved in overseeing an Afghan Partner Unit (APU), said that Afghan counterparts felt they were being treated like dogs by UKSF1.

Afghan families have accused UK special forces of running a campaign of murder against civilians, while senior officers and Ministry of Defence personnel allegedly sought to hinder thorough investigations.

No charges were filed under Operation Northmoor, established in 2014 to investigate claims of executions by special forces, including those involving children.

Another investigation by the Royal Military Police, codenamed Operation Cestro, led to three soldiers being referred to the Service Prosecuting Authority, but none faced prosecution.

The inquiry is ongoing.

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With inputs from agencies
Earlier today, Bangladesh revoked Hasinas passport over her alleged involvement in enforced disappearances and the July killings read more

The extradition issue of Sheikh Hasina that has transpired between India and Bangladesh will have no effect on their ties, former Dhaka Ambassador to India Mashfee Binte Shams said on Wednesday.

Right now, Sheikh Hasinas extradition is very important for the Bangladesh government but it is not the only factor that the two countries are working on. This issue has not strained the relationship between the two countries, she said.

Earlier today, Bangladesh revoked Hasinas passport over her alleged involvement in enforced disappearances and the July killings. Following this, the Hindustan Times reported that Indias Foreigners Regional Registration Office extended the ousted prime ministers visa.

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People aware of the matter told HT that the claim that India has provided Hasina asylum is not true and she is staying in the country normally. They highlighted that India cannot grant her asylum because India has no asylum policy and hence there exists no system of granting asylum to anyone.

As for the extradition request, they told the newspaper that Yunus regime did not complete key formalities and therefore the Indian government is unlikely to respond to the demand.

Hasina, 77, has been living in India since August 5 last year 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.

Addressing a press briefing here, Chief Advisers Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder said, The Passports Department cancelled passports of 22 people involved in enforced disappearances, while passports of 75 people, including Sheikh Hasina, were revoked due to their involvement in the July killings. He, however, did not reveal the names of the remaining individuals whose passports were cancelled, the state-run BSS news agency reported.

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As billionaire Elon Musk continues his efforts to topple democratically-elected governments in Europe and resorts to falsehoods to drive his far-right politics, biographer Seth Abramson has said he is likely not in sound mind anymore read more

Seth Abramson, a biographer of billionaire Elon Musk, has warned that the worlds richest man might have lost his mind  literally.

Abramsons warning comes as Musk, the worlds richest person, has become a full-time politician who has turned his attention to Europe. After bankrolling US President-elect Donald Trumps successful election campaign, Trudeau has been driving a regime change juggernaut aimed at toppling governments throughout the Western world and replacing themselves with like-minded right-wing figures.

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Over the past one year, Musk has vowed to oust Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Canada, endorsed neo-Nazis of AfD in Germany, threatened to trigger a civil war in the United Kingdom, topple British PM Sir Keir Starmers government in the UK and replace it with far-right Reform UK.

Abramson, a lawyer and a journalist who has covered Trump and Musk for years, has said that Musk appears to be going mad.

I legitimately believe Elon Musk may be going mad. Im a Musk biographer who has been tracking his online behavior for the last two yearsand given that hes admitted to all of mental illness, heavy drug use, and crippling stress, it is now reasonable to fear he is deeply unwell, said Abramson in a post on X.

I legitimately believe Elon Musk may be going mad. I'm a Musk biographer who has been tracking his online behavior for the last two yearsand given that he's admitted to all of mental illness, heavy drug use, and crippling stress, it is now reasonable to fear he is deeply unwell.  Seth Abramson (@SethAbramson) January 6, 2025

Abramson went on to say that Musks personal struggles with mental health would not have normally mattered to the world, but his mental state and actions arising from that mental state matter as he is at the helm of several civilisation-essential companies, such as SpaceX, Tesla, and Neuralink, and has as much political power as the president in the incoming Trump administration.

His private struggles would not be of general concern except they have dramatic public consequences. His holdings across many civilization-essential industries and the fact that hes the incoming POTUS mean that his madness and increasing incitement of violence endanger us all, said Abramson.

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Musk is acting in very troubling way

Musk, who has emerged as the foremost far-right champion in the world, has been acting in a very troubling way, said Abramson.

Highlighting Musks own previous admissions of mental illness, his history of drug usage, Abramson said that his current behaviour suggests he is not mentally sound.

Abramson said that he has worked with troubled individuals as a lawyer and that experience and insights into Trump as his biographer makes him certain that he is no longer mentally sound and a danger to the world as his decisions decide the US policy.

Im not a doctor, psychologist or psychiatrist; my PhD is nonmedical. But I was also a public defender for years and years, so I have worked for and with and around individuals suffering from mental illness more than most readers will know. Musk is acting in a very troubling wayCandidlyand again Im just saying this as someone whos worked with hundreds and hundreds of people suffering from mental illnessesI suspect most mental health professionals following his conduct as closely as I have as his biographer would be deeply concerned about his health, said Abramson on X.

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Abramson also highlighted that Musks employees have previously been so concerned about his conduct that they almost called police to intervene.

Abramson said, His employees came close to calling in a police-conducted wellness check, per a recent book. He has admitted to both being mentally ill and being under medical supervision for it via experimental drug therapy. He has admitted to crippling stress. And he is acting in a manic way.

Abramson was referring to the disclosure by Ben Mezrich, the author of Breaking Twitter on Musks acquisition of Twitter (later renamed as X) in 2023.

His employees came close to calling in a police-conducted wellness check, per a recent book. He has admitted to both being mentally ill and being under medical supervision for it via experimental drug therapy. He has admitted to crippling stress. And he is acting in a manic way.  Seth Abramson (@SethAbramson) January 7, 2025

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In an interview with CNBC, Mezrich said that X staffers at one point almost called police to check in on Musk after he locked himself in office after being upset.

He got to a point where he locked himself in his office, was so upset that the Twitter employees were considering calling a wellness check by the San Francisco police because they thought he was going to self-harm himself. I think he truly cares about his reputation, and he was shocked, said Mezrich.

Over the past one year, Musk has turned from a futuristic businessman who pioneered rocketry and dreamt of interstellar travel into the far-right politician who is running a regime-change juggernaut in the Western world to install right-wing leaders and is fomenting trouble for governments and people he does not like either through inciting mobs or spreading misinformation. He has also joined Trump in parroting Russian propaganda against the West, including the United States, and has pledged to dismantle the US government and reshape it as a far-right institution to serve his agenda.

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Italian journalist Cecilia Sala has been released from detention in Iran and is on her way home, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Melonis office said in a statement on Wednesday read more

Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, who was arrested by police in Tehran, Iran on December 19, 2024, according to Italy's foreign ministry, records her podcast 'Stories' at her home in Rome, Italy. Reuters File

Italian journalist Cecilia Sala has been released from detention in Iran and is on her way home, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Melonis office said in a statement on Wednesday.

Sala, 29, had been working with a valid journalistic visa when she was detained in Tehran on December 19 and held in solitary confinement at the infamous Evin prison.

Her detention took place just three days after Iranian businessman Mohammad Abedini was arrested at Milans Malpensa Airport on a US warrant for allegedly supplying drone parts linked to a 2024 attack that resulted in the deaths of three US service members in Jordan.

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Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, meanwhile, said she personally informed about the journalists release to her parents in a phone call.

The plane taking Cecilia Sala home from Tehran is in flight. Thanks to intense work on diplomatic and intelligence channels, our compatriot has been released by the Iranian authorities and is returning to Italy. I personally informed the journalists parents during a phone call. I want to express gratitude to all those who contributed to making Cecilias return possible, allowing her to embrace her family and colleagues again, Meloni wrote on X.

E in volo l'aereo che riporta a casa Cecilia Sala da Teheran.

Grazie a un intenso lavoro sui canali diplomatici e di intelligence, la nostra connazionale e stata rilasciata dalle autorita iraniane e sta rientrando in Italia. Ho informato personalmente i genitori della giornalista  Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) January 8, 2025

In recent years, Irans security forces have arrested dozens of foreigners and dual nationals, mostly on charges related to espionage and security.

Rights groups have accused Iran of trying to extract concessions from other countries through such arrests. Iran denies this.

With inputs from agencies
The three-day visit by the Maldivian Defence Minister Mohammed Ghassan Maumoon comes over eight months after India withdrew its military personnel from the island nation following a demand by its pro-China president Mohamed Muizzu read more

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday met his Maldivian counterpart Mohammed Ghassan Maumoon where India assured Maldives of its effort to enhance military ties under the Neighbourhood First policy.

The two leaders discussed a variety of topics during their meeting in New Delhi including training, joint exercises, and the supply of defence equipment to bolster the Maldives National Defence Force.

The three-day visit by the Maldivian minister comes over eight months after India withdrew its military personnel from the island nation following a demand by its pro-China president Mohamed Muizzu.

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India will continue to support Maldives

During his bilateral meeting with Maumoon, Singh said, India has been offering avenues of capacity building to the Maldives in all fields of defence cooperation, including training, regular exercises, workshops, and seminars to enhance the capability of the Maldives National Defence Forces as well as supply of defence equipment and stores.

It would be important to ensure that we continue the same momentum. India will continue to support the Maldives and the Maldives National Defence Force in their capacity-building efforts through projects, equipment and training. As a trusted partner and a close friend, I assure you that India will continue to support Maldives on its development needs and welfare of its people, the Indian defence minister added.

Maumoon is also set to visit the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai and the Goa Shipyard.

#WATCH | Delhi | In his opening remarks at a delegation-level talk with his Maldivian counterpart, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, "...I recall our brief meeting with you during the state visit of President Mohamed Muizzu to India in October 2024. The visit of the President pic.twitter.com/t4OgkAWmxZ  ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2025

India-Maldives ties

The Maldives is one of Indias key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean Region and the overall bilateral ties including in areas of defence and security witnessed an upward trajectory under the previous government in Male.

The ties, however, came under severe strain after Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge of the top office in November 2023. Within hours of his oath, he had demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from his country. Subsequently, the Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians. There was a thaw in relations as Muizzu vowed to boost bilateral ties with India during his visit to Delhi in October last year.

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With inputs from agencies
Describing Iran as the main strategic and security challenge for France and Europe, French President Emmanuel Macron has said that the Iranian nuclear programme appears to be nearing the point of no return read more

French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that Iran may soon decide to develop a nuclear weapon.

In a conference with French diplomats, Macron said that the Iranian nuclear programme appears to be nearing the point of no return soon, according to Reuters.

The warning comes at a time when there are concerns that Iran may finally decide to develop a nuclear weapon this year to restore deterrence in the region. From more than a year of conflict with Israel, Iran stands battered in West Asia. Two rounds of aerial battles with Iran have rendered it essentially naked as air defence systems stand destroyed. Its allies, mainly Hezbollah and Hamas are battered, and it has also lost the strategic depth in Iran with the ouster of Bashar al-Assad.

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To restore deterrence and make up for its losses, there are concerns that Iran may finally decide to develop a nuclear weapon.

Even as Iran has ramped up enrichment of nuclear fuel uranium in recent years to near-weapons grade level, it has not yet enriched it to weapons-grade level.

Amid such fears, Marcon described Iran as the main strategic and security challenge for France and Europe, according to Reuters.

Macron added, The acceleration of the nuclear programme leads us nearly to the point of no return.

The statement comes weeks after France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, who are engaged in talks with Iran over its nuclear programme, said last month that Irans uranium enrichment was without credible civilian justification.

Even as the European countries are scheduled to join Iran in another round of talks on January 13, Macron said that Europe should be prepared for the eventuality that Iran would not mend its ways.

In the coming months we will have to ask ourselves whether to use  the mechanism to restore sanctions, said Macron.

It was also a reference to the timeline of the Iran nuclear deal signed in 2015. Even as the deal essentially died after the United States withdrew from the agreement under the first Donald Trump administration in 2018, the deals time period would have anyway ended in October 2025. This would have meant that even if Iran and others were notionally part of the deal, they would have to come to drawing board soon anyway.

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Since 2003, the Iranian nuclear weapons programme has been in suspension. Even though Iran has ramped up uranium enrichment to near weapons-grade level, the order has not yet come from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei to enrich it to weapons-grade level and develop a weapon from it, according to the latest US intelligence assessment.

If and when the order from Khamenei comes, the US assessment says it would take Iran one or two weeks to enrich enough weapons-grade uranium of at least 90 per cent purity to develop a nuclear weapon. Then, estimates suggest that Iran could make a nuclear warhead anywhere between 6-18 months.

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However, as Israel destroyed a key component of Iranian nuclear weapons programme in airstrikes last year, the capacity to produce a weapon has likely been hit and the timeline might be delayed further.
Doha has been hosting negotiations on a ceasefire in the Gaza war that would include freeing hostages that Hamas abducted in its Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel read more

American business person Steve Witkoff makes remarks next to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. January 7, 2025. REUTERS

President-elect Donald Trumps Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said on Tuesday he hopes to have good things to report about hostages held by Hamas in Gaza by the time Trump is sworn in as U.S. president on Jan. 20.

Well, I think were making a lot of progress, and I dont want to say too much because I think theyre doing a really good job back in Doha, Witkoff said at a Trump press conference in Palm Beach, Florida.

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Doha has been hosting negotiations on a ceasefire in the Gaza war that would include freeing hostages that Hamas abducted in its Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Doha is the capital of the Gulf state of Qatar, which along with Egypt and the U.S. has been mediating negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

Witkoff said that he if did not travel back to Doha on Tuesday night, he would head there on Wednesday night.

I think that weve had some really great progress, and Im really hopeful that by the inaugural, well have some good things to announce on behalf of the president, Witkoff said.

Trump, a Republican who will succeed Democratic President Joe Biden, repeated his threat that all hell will break out in the Middle East if Hamas does not release the hostages by the time he takes office.

It will not be good for Hamas, and it will not be good, frankly, for anyone, he said.

Hamas-led Islamist militants killed 1,200 people and captured more than 250, including Israeli-American dual nationals, during their Oct. 7 attack, according to Israeli tallies.

More than 100 hostages have been freed through negotiations or Israeli military rescue operations. Of the 101 still held in Gaza, roughly half are believed to be alive.

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Israels subsequent campaign against Hamas has killed more than 45,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to Palestinian health officials, displaced nearly all of the population in Hamas-ruled Gaza and reduced much of its territory to rubble.
It is out of the question that the European Union would let other countries  attack its sovereign borders, whoever they are, said French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot read more

A day after US President-elect Donald Trump refused to rule out military force to take Greenland, France on Wednesday said that the EU wont allow other countries to attack their sovereign borders.

It is out of the question that the European Union would let other countries  attack its sovereign borders, whoever they are, Politico quoted French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot as saying on French radio.

Barrot said he did not believe Trump would actually invade Greenland.

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If youre asking me whether I think the United States will invade Greenland, my answer is no. But have we entered into a period of time when it is survival of the fittest? Then my answer is yes, Barrot added.

Trump on Tuesday did not dismiss the possibility that the US could use military force to acquire the Arctic island or the Panama Canal.

Im not going to commit to that, Trump was quoted as saying, when asked if he would rule out the use of the military.

It might be that youll have to do something. The Panama Canal is vital to our country. He added, We need Greenland for national security purposes.

Trump told residents of Greenland that were going to treat you well as his son Donald Trump Jr. visited the mineral-rich Danish territory thats home to a large US military base, heightening speculation that the incoming US administration could seek to acquire it.

The extraordinary statement came as Trump further outlined an expansionist agenda, two weeks before he is sworn into office at the Jan. 20 inauguration in Washington.

Greenland, with a population of 57,000, has been part of Denmark for 600 years and now controls most of its own domestic affairs as a semi-sovereign territory under the Danish realm. Its relations with Denmark have lately been strained over allegations of historic mistreatment of Greenlanders under colonial rule.

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With inputs from agencies
Melonis remarks about the Tesla CEO have sparked speculation that she could act as a distinctive bridge between Europe and the incoming US administration read more

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, right, presents Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni with an award during the Global Citizen Awards dinner, Monday, September 23, 2024, in New York. AP

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has slammed Elon Musks critics for calling him a monster, in a further show of admiration for the Tesla CEO who she met recently. Meloni and Musks friendship has blossomed ever since the X owner was elevated into a member of incoming US President Donald Trumps team.

In an interview with Corriere Della Sera, the Italian prime minister said that people are labelling Musk a monster because he supports what others call the wrong side. It makes you smile quite a lot when those who until yesterday exalted Musk as a genius and today instead paint him as a monster, only because he chose the side considered wrong of the barricade. I have always not reasoned this way, she said.

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When asked if she considers Musk her friend, Meloni said, We are definitely two people who have a great relationship. Elon Musk is a brilliant man and it is always very interesting to talk to him, adding that the Tesla CEO has a great personality and is an extraordinary innovator.

Melonis remarks about the Tesla CEO have sparked speculation that she could act as a distinctive bridge between Europe and the incoming US administration.

Earlier this week, Musk said he was ready to provide Italy with secure communication services. Meloni has developed a strong relationship with Musk, a close ally of incoming US President Donald Trump, and Rome is evaluating potential supply accords with the tech billionaires Starlink business, part of his SpaceX company.

Italy is considering using Starlink services to boost Internet penetration in remote areas in response to slow progress in public-funded fibre rollout programmes.

In October, the foreign ministry said Italy was also evaluating using Starlink systems to enhance communications for Italian diplomats and defence officials operating in risky areas across the Mediterranean.

With inputs from agencies
The action is part of a preliminary finding after a petition filed by domestic maker Recron (M) Sdn Bhd, which claimed that PET imports from China and Indonesia were being sold at rates lower than their domestic market value, causing severe harm to Malaysias local sector read more

The Malaysian government has imposed provisional anti-dumping tariffs ranging from 6.33% to 37.44% on imports of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a synthetic fibre originating in China and Indonesia.

The action is part of a preliminary finding after a petition filed by domestic maker Recron (M) Sdn Bhd, which claimed that PET imports from China and Indonesia were being sold at rates lower than their domestic market value, causing severe harm to Malaysias local sector.

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The Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry (Miti), which launched an inquiry in August 2024, said it discovered enough evidence to support the most recent steps.

The provisional duties take effect on Tuesday, January 7, and will last for up to 120 days, awaiting the final determination, which is expected to be published by May 6, 2025.

In a statement on Tuesday, the ministry said that interested parties, such as importers, foreign producers/exporters and associations related to the investigation, are welcome to provide comments or views on the report of the preliminary determination to Miti by Jan 17, 2025, 5.30pm.

PET is a strong, rigid synthetic fibre and resin that belongs to the polyester family of polymers. It is utilised in textile fabrics, liquid and food containers, thermoforming for manufacturing, and engineering resins when combined with glass fibre.
As US President-elect Donald Trump continued with his expansionist rhetoric about Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Leader of Opposition Pierre Poilievre said in one voice that Canadia would never be the 51st US state read more

Amid continuing rhetoric from US President-elect Donald Trump about making Canada the 51st US state, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday said there isnt a snowballs chance in hell that it would happen.

In a rambling press conference, Trump on Tuesday said that he would use economic force to deal with Canada.

Since winning the 2024 US presidential election, Trump has been saying that Canada should become the 51st US state if it does not want to be hit with sanctions. He has been frequently mocking Trudeau as Governor Trudeau in his social media posts.

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Responding to Trumps expansionist rhetoric, Trudeau said on X: There isnt a snowballs chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States. Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each others biggest trading and security partner.

There isnt a snowballs chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States.



Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each others biggest trading and security partner.  Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 7, 2025

Trumps rhetoric about Canada is part of the broader imperialist agenda that Trump has laid bare in recent days. He has said that he would bring the Panama Canal under US control and annex Denmarks Greenland island. While he ruled out using military force against Canada, he kept the possibility open for the annexation of Panama Canal and Greenland.

When asked if he would rule out military force to annex Panama Canal and Greenland, Trump said, No, I cant assure you on either of those two, but I can say this, we need them for economic security.

The rhetoric about Canada joining the United States as the 51st state is rooted in a meeting between Trump and Trudeau in November.

After Trump pledged to impose 25 per cent tariff on Canada and Mexico for their purported failure to stop the flow of illegal migrants and drugs from their territories into the United States, Trudeau came to Mar-a-Lago, Florida to meet Trump. During their meeting, when Trudeau complained that tariffs would cripple the Canadian economy, Trump said that Canada should become a US state if outstanding issues cannot be addressed, according to Fox News. Trump reportedly told Trudeau that he could be the Governor of the State of Canada.

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Since that meeting, Trump has been mocking Trudeau as governor in social media posts and has been referring to Canada as a state in his social media posts.

As Trumps rhetoric continued, Canadian Leader of Opposition Pierre Poilievre said that Canada will never be the 51st state.

While Poilievre slammed Trudeaus government as weak and said the Canada-US partnership was much-needed, he made it clear that Canada would not give up its sovereignty and the bilateral relationship was one of mutual benefits.

By referring to boost military preparedness and improving border management, Poilievre also appeared to address Trumps complaints with Trudeau.

Canada will never be the 51st state. Period. We are a great and independent country. We are the best friend to the U.S. We spent billions of dollars and hundreds of lives helping Americans retaliate against Al-Qaedas 9/11 attacks. We supply the US with billions of dollars of high-quality and totally reliable energy well below market prices. We buy hundreds of billions of dollars of American goodsWhen I am Prime Minister, we will rebuild our military and take back control of the border to secure both Canada and the U.S. We will take back control of our Arctic to keep Russia and China out, said Poilievre in a post on X.

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Canada will never be the 51st state. Period.



We are a great and independent country.



We are the best friend to the U.S. We spent billions of dollars and hundreds of lives helping Americans retaliate against Al-Qaedas 9/11 attacks. We supply the U.S. with billions of dollars of  Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) January 7, 2025

As Trudeau and Poilievre have taken a stand against Trumps rhetoric, Global News has reported that Trudeau would next week call an in-person meeting of the premiers of all Canadian state to discuss the future of the US-Canada relationship under the incoming Trump administration.
The idea expressed about Greenland is obviously not a good one, but maybe more important its obviously one thats not going to happen, so we probably shouldnt waste a lot of time talking about it, Blinken said at a press conference in Paris read more

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, addresses the media during a joint press conference with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot after their meeting at the Quai d'Orsay in Paris, France, on Wednesday. AP

Secretary of State Antony Blinken rejected President-elect Trumps proposal for the US to acquire Greenland, saying it is obviously not going to happen.

The idea expressed about Greenland is obviously not a good one, but maybe more important its obviously one thats not going to happen, so we probably shouldnt waste a lot of time talking about it, The Hill quoted Blinken as saying at a press conference in Paris.

Blinken said that over the past four years the Biden administration has worked to support its allies and not saying or doing things that may alienate them.

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I think one of the basic propositions we brought to our work over the last four years is that were stronger, were more effective, we get better results when were working closely with our allies, not saying or doing things that may alienate them, he added.

During a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Tuesday, Trump was asked about his recent interest in the Panama Canal and Greenland for potential American expansion and whether he would rule out using military force in those endeavors.

Trump responded by saying, Im not going to commit to that. It might be that you have to do something.

Following the controversy, Donald Trump Jr. made a day trip to Greenland, which is currently a territory of Denmark but has sought independence from the European nation.

Denmark, however, has emphasised that the island is not for sale.

The president-elects proposal has met with skepticism from both political parties.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, who was alongside Blinken at the press conference, supported the secretary of states comments.

Like Tony, I will put a question to you: Do we believe that the United States will take over Greenland? The answer is no, The Hill quoted Barrot as saying.

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Earlier in the day, Barrot said that the EU wont allow other countries to attack their sovereign borders, in response to Trumps statement on Greenland.

It is out of the question that the European Union would let other countries  attack its sovereign borders, whoever they are, Politico quoted Barrot as saying on French radio.

Barrot added that he did not believe Trump would actually invade Greenland.

If youre asking me whether I think the United States will invade Greenland, my answer is no. But have we entered into a period of time when it is survival of the fittest? Then my answer is yes, Barrot said.

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Meanwhile, Denmarks foreign minister said on Wednesday that Greenland may become independent if its residents want, but is unlikely to become a US state.

Greenlands leader met with the Danish king in Copenhagen on Wednesday, a day after Trumps remarks thrust the fate of the mineral-rich and strategically important island, which is under Danish rule, to the top of world headlines.

With inputs from agencies
PTI called on the government to grant unrestricted access to its jailed founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, allowing meetings without surveillance read more

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has called on the Shehbaz Sharif government to allow unrestricted access to jailed former Prime Minister and party founder Imran Khan for meetings without surveillance, as a precondition for engaging in the next round of talks with the government to ease political tensions, The Dawn reported.

The government and PTI teams have had two rounds of talks so far, with a third round expected this week to resolve political differences and stabilize the countrys political situation.

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At a press conference in Islamabad with other party leaders, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said the party had not received any information about a meeting with Imran. Gohar stated that a third meeting would only take place once Khan was allowed to meet with them.

He emphasised that the negotiations were not about making a deal but were focused on the people, urging that there should be no delay in finalizing the negotiation draft.

Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan said, In our last meeting with the government, we asked for an unsupervised meeting with Imran Khan, without any intelligence agencies monitoring. He added that the current meeting conditions in Adiala Jail were not suitable for open and free discussions.

Omar Ayub Khan said, The governments commitment to negotiations will be clear if they allow us to meet Imran in an unrestricted setting, as we need to get our instructions from him.

In response to the unrest in the country, Imran set up a five-member committee to hold talks with anyone, signaling a change in the PTI lawmakers approach in parliament. In turn, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also formed a committee with members of the ruling coalition.

The first meeting between both sides was held on December 23, and the second one took place on January 2. So far, little progress has been made, as PTI leaders have sought frequent meetings with Imran to finalize their list of demands. Both sides are expected to meet again, possibly this week.

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Since Imrans imprisonment last year on multiple charges, the PTIs relationship with the government and the establishment has worsened, leading to protests that often turned violent due to state repression.
The organizers of the sit-in in Hunza in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan have vowed to continue their protest until their demands are met read more

Residents stage a sit-in protest against power outages as they block the Karakoram Highway in Khaplu city, in Pakistan's mountainous Gilgit-Baltistan region. AFP

Pakistans critical trade route with China remained blocked for the fifth consecutive day on Tuesday as thousands of people continue to hold protest against prolonged power outages in the mountainous region, VOA News reported.

The organizers of the sit-in in Hunza in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan have vowed to continue their protest until their demands are met. Rally leaders spoke about the persistent inadequate power supply in the region, noting that people face up to 23-hour electricity outages amid the winter season.

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Both men and women participated in the protest amid the average daytime temperatures of -4C and nighttime temperatures of -10C, VOA News reported citing rally participants.

Rahim Aman, a Hunza resident, said that there was a substantial increase in protesters. He further said that female activists were seen making use of vehicles and loudspeakers to encourage people to participate in the rally. He said representatives of local political parties, traders and hotel associations were also present in the rally.

Local authorities tried to negotiate with the protesters. However, they were unable to convince them to disperse and restore traffic movement along the Karakoram Highway connecting Pakistan to China. Hunza is situated on a roadway traversing the Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan region which shares a border with Tibet.

According to traders, a number of containers carrying commercial goods were stuck on both sides of the highway due to the sit-in. Protest in Hunza erupted more than a month after Pakistan and China said that they would keep their land port, the Khunjerab Pass, open for year-round operations to boost trade connectivity between the two nations, VOA News reported.

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The impoverished Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan region is heavily dependent on hydropower. However, the generation almost stops during the winter months due to the freezing of rivers and lakes. As a result, residents and business owners, including hotels, need to use expensive thermal generators to maintain power supply.

Residents and area experts have said that the increase in the use of such generators by hotels and other commercial entities has damaged the atmosphere in Hunza and surrounding areas, according to VOA News report.

The Khunjerab Pass is an integral part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Since the launch of CPEC a decade ago, China has invested over USD 25 billion in Pakistan and has expressed willingness to use Gwadar as a strategic gateway to international markets.

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Regent Street, a prominent shopping and cultural destination, was particularly busy due to post-Christmas sales. The area is home to flagship stores such as Apple, Burberry, and Hamleys, as well as the historic Regent Street Cinema read more

Regent Street, a busy commercial and cultural hub in Central London, was evacuated due to a suspicious vehicle. Pixabay

Police in central London carried out a series of controlled explosions Wednesday (January 8) after a suspicious vehicle prompted the evacuation of Regent Street, one of Britains busiest shopping areas.

The Metropolitan Police said the explosions were a precautionary measure, and the incident was later declared non-suspicious. A statement confirmed the vehicle that caused alarm was parked and harmless, and the situation was fully stood down shortly after 2:30 p.m.

Counter-terrorism sources indicated there was no initial evidence suggesting the incident was terror-related.

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Road closures are in place in the vicinity of Regent Street and New Burlington Street while officers investigate a suspicious vehicle. Officers have carried out a number of controlled explosions as a precautionary measure, police said earlier on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

Road closures are in place in the vicinity of Regent Street and New Burlington Street while officers investigate a suspicious vehicle. Officers have carried out a number of controlled explosions as a precautionary measure.



We will post any further updates on this thread.  Westminster Police | Central West BCU (@MPSWestminster) January 8, 2025

Social media footage showed police cordoning off the area, redirecting pedestrians, and securing the scene. Witnesses reported hearing a loud boom during the controlled detonations, CNBC TV-18 reported.

The Metropolitan Police later assured the public the incident had been resolved, stating that the vehicle was found to be non-suspicious.

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Regent Streets significance

Regent Street is not only famous as a shopping destination but also as a cultural landmark. It has appeared in numerous television programs and films.

The street is home to flagship stores for global brands such as Apple, Burberry, and Hamleys, the iconic toy shop that draws both tourists and locals. Further along is the historic Regent Street Cinema, often referred to as the birthplace of British cinema. This cinema opened in 1848 and showcased the UKs first motion picture.

This month, Regent Street and the surrounding area are particularly busy as crowds flock to the area for the post-Christmas January sales.
Sudans military has captured key areas in Omdurman from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), including strategic neighbourhoods and a weapons depot. Fierce clashes continue in the civil war. read more

Sudanese military forces said Wednesday they have captured key areas in Omdurman, the countrys second-largest city, from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) amid ongoing clashes in the region.

The army announced the seizure of RSF-held territories in Mansoura, Murabaat, and Elfitihab, as well as a weapons and ammunition depot. Fighting has continued in the city for a second day, according to Sudanese state media and local reports. Omdurman sits across the Nile River from Khartoum, where heavy fighting has persisted since the conflict erupted in April 2023.

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The Sudan Tribune reported that the military freed three officers from RSF captivity during a special operation that resulted in the deaths of up to 20 RSF fighters, including a commander. Brigadier General Nabil Abdallah confirmed the operation, but did not verify the details. According to Al Jazeera RSF fighters are deploying drones to slow the militarys advance. The RSF has been accused of maintaining stockpiles of critical supplies, including flour and sugar, in the seized depots.

The latest clashes mark a new phase in the war, which has displaced millions and left tens of thousands dead. The conflict has also exacerbated a humanitarian crisis, with famine spreading across the nation, according to United Nations (UN) backed reports.

International attention on Sudan intensified last month when the United States (US) declared that RSF forces had committed genocide, imposing sanctions on RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti. Both sides in the conflict have faced allegations of war crimes and atrocities by human rights groups.

The ongoing violence has turned Sudan into the epicentre of the worlds largest internal displacement crisis. Despite the turmoil, some displaced residents have begun returning to areas retaken by government forces. In November, the Sudanese army regained control of Singah in Sennar province, offering a glimmer of hope for stability in certain regions.
US President-elect Donald Trump reiterated his warning to Hamas, pressing for the release of hostages it took during the October 2023 raid in Israel. Trump said all hell will break out if Hamas doesnt release hostages by January 20. read more

Trump gives Hamas 'inauguration' deadline, says 'all hell will break out' if hostages not released by Jan 20. File Image / Reuters

US President-elect Donald Trump has repeated his warning to the Palestinian armed group Hamas asking it to release Israeli and other hostages before his inauguration on January 20, when he will officially become the 47th President of the United States.

Hamas had taken more than 250 hostages when it raided Israeli territory in October 2023. More than 1,200 people were killed during the Hamas raid. It has released some of the hostages in the intervening period. It is estimated that about 100 people are still the captivity of Hamas in Gaza.

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Trump said, All hell will break out. If those hostages arent back, I dont want to hurt your negotiation, but if theyre not back by the time I take office, all hell will break out in the Middle East [West Asia].

He made these comments during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida on Tuesday.

I dont need to say more, its clear. They should have returned them long ago  they never should have taken them in the first place. The attack on October 7th should never have happened. People tend to forget that, but it did, and many lives were lost, Trump said.

He said, They are no longer hostages. Ive received calls from people in Israel and others, begging me for help. We also had people from the United States there, just so you know. Some of them are holding so-called hostages from the US, and Ive had parents come to me, crying, asking if I can bring their son or daughters body back.

The president-elects statement came in response to a question regarding the status of negotiations with Hamas concerning the release of American hostages.

Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steven Charles Witkoff, who had recently returned from the region, also informed reporters that they were close to a resolution.

I believe weve been on the verge of it. I dont want to discuss sort of whats delayed it, no point to be negative in any way. But I think its the president, his stature, what hes said he expects, the red lines hes put out there, thats driving this negotiation, Witkoff said.

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Situation volatile in Gaza

The situation in Gaza has remained volatile since the Israeli invasion, after the deadly October 7 attack in 2023, which has led to a growing humanitarian crisis.

The conflict between Hamas and Israel has been ongoing for years, which intensified after a surprise attack by Hamas on southern Israel in October 2023.

Efforts to broker a ceasefire continues

Efforts to broker a ceasefire have continued, with both sides facing pressure from international players, including the United States.

The conflict has claimed over 40,000 lives as of late 2024, and negotiations for a ceasefire have encountered several challenges, especially concerning the release of hostages and the terms of a potential truce.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza is critical, marked by widespread destruction and severe shortages of essential supplies.
Falsely claiming that outgoing US President Joe Biden provoked the Russian invasion of Ukraine, US President-elect Donald Trump has said that he sympathises with Russian leader Vladimir Putin over the invasion of Ukraine read more

In the latest instance of US President-elect Donald Trump parroting Russian leader Vladimir Putins propaganda, he has blamed outgoing US President Joe Biden and the Western military alliance Nato for provoking the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

At a press conference on Tuesday (January 7), Trump falsely said that Biden and his call for Ukraines membership of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) triggered the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Trump and his allies on the American far-right have long been friendly with Putin and have supported Russia over Ukraine and Nato. Trump has berated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Putin for emptying American coffers over the aid that the Biden administration has been giving to Ukraine. He and his allies have also repeated Putins propaganda that it was Natos advancement towards Russian borders that forced Russia to invade Ukraine.

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In reality, Putin invaded Ukraine because he rejects the nations right to exist and believes in carving out a Soviet Union-like sphere of influence around Russia.

Moreover, it was not Biden but former President George W Bush who called for Ukraines membership of Nato in 2008. Biden is merely the latest US and Western leader to support the idea of Ukraines Nato membership.

Blaming Biden for the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Trump said, A big part of the problem is, Russia for many, many years, long before Putin said, You could never have NATO involved with Ukraine. Now, theyve said that. Thats been, like, written in stone. And somewhere along the line Biden said, No. They should be able to join NATO. Well, then Russia has somebody right on their doorstep, and I could understand their feelings about that.

While Trump had been boasting for nearly two years that he would end the war within 24 hours of assuming office, he said in the press conference that it would take him up to six months to end the war in Ukraine.

I hope to have six months. No, I would think, I hope long before six months. Look, Russia is losing a lot of young people, and so is Ukraine, and it should have never been started, said Trump.

Even as Zelenskyy has changed tune and is appeasing Trump and berating Biden now, as was seen throughout the three-hour-interview with podcaster Lex Fridman last week, there are concerns in Ukraine and the West that Trump could force Ukraine into a deal with Russia that would essentially serve a victory to Russia on a platter. There are signs that Trump is planning exactly that.

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While Trump has not yet outlined any plan to end the war in Ukraine, his top aides have outlined numerous plans that broadly call for freezing territorial control as of the day the deal would be signed and would take the Nato and European Union (EU) membership of Ukraine off the table to appease Putin.

Trump and his allies have a long history of aligning with Russia instead of US intelligence and allies. During his first term, against the assessments of US agencies, Trump parroted Putins claim that Russia had not intervened in the US election. Similarly, his allies now, chief among them his incoming intelligence head Tulsi Gabbard, are staunch supporters of Russia.

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Just like Trump, Gabbard said on X on the day Russia invaded Ukraine: This war and suffering could have easily been avoided if Biden Admin/NATO had simply acknowledged Russias legitimate security concerns regarding Ukraines becoming a member of NATO, which would mean US/NATO forces right on Russias border (sic).

In the run-up to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Gabbard falsely claimed that Biden wanted there to be a war. She said that Biden should assure Russia that Ukraine would not be part of Nato.

Biden can very easily prevent a war with Russia by guaranteeing that Ukraine will not become a member of NATO. It is not in our national security interests for Ukraine to become a member of NATO anyway, so why not give Russia that assurance? Is it because the warmongers actually WANT Russia to invade? So that we can levy draconian sanctions on Russia and firmly establish a new Cold War which will reap the Military Industrial Complex endless profit for decades to come? (sic) said Gabbard on X.

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The scheme, aimed at tightening border security, will next be extended to dozens of EU and European countries and territories on April 2 read more

The UKs new visa-waiver entry system took effect on Wednesday for passengers from dozens more countries, including millions of annual visitors from the United States, Canada and Australia.

The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) scheme  similar to the ESTA system in the United States  requires visitors who do not need a visa to enter Britain to acquire pre-travel authorization.

Costing 10 ($12.50) and allowing stays of up to six months at a time over two years, it first launched in 2023, with Qatar, before being extended last year to five regional Gulf neighbors.

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Now, it has been expanded to include citizens of around 50 more countries and territories, from Argentina, Brazil and New Zealand to Japan, South Korea and Caribbean nations.

With the system kicking in for them on Wednesday, they have been able to apply since last November.

The scheme, aimed at tightening border security, will next be extended to dozens of EU and European countries and territories on April 2.

Citizens covered by the scheme will be able to apply for the new ETA  which is digitally linked to the travelers passport  via an app, from March 5.

Around six million people from the US, Canada and Australia visit Britain each year, according to the UK government.

Eligible travelers will need one even if they are just using the UK to connect to an onward flight abroad. ETA also applies to children and babies.

Londons Heathrow Airport has opposed the scheme, saying its rollout has reduced the number of passengers transiting through the UK, and that it makes the country less competitive and harms economic growth.

The new requirement does not apply to British and Irish citizens, those with passports from British overseas territories and legal UK residents.

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It does not change the requirements for citizens of countries who need a visa to visit Britain, such as Chinese, Ecuadorian and South African travelers.

Previously, most visitors not requiring a visa could arrive at a British airport and proceed through immigration control with their passport.

The new UK entry scheme mirrors the imminent ETIAS scheme for visa-exempt nationals traveling to 30 European countries, including France and Germany, which will cost seven euros ($7.40) and last three years.

The European Commission expects the system  which will apply to around 60 countries, including the US, Canada, Brazil and the UK  to become operational in the middle of this year.

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Trumps lawyers turned to the nations highest court on Wednesday after New York courts refused to postpone the sentencing by Judge Juan M. Merchan, who presided over Trumps trial and conviction last May on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records read more

President-elect Donald Trump is asking the Supreme Court to call off Fridays sentencing in his hush money case in New York.

Trumps lawyers turned to the nations highest court on Wednesday after New York courts refused to postpone the sentencing by Judge Juan M. Merchan, who presided over Trumps trial and conviction last May on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Trump has denied wrongdoing.

The justices asked for a response from prosecutors by Thursday morning.

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Trumps team sought an immediate stay of the scheduled sentencing, saying it would wrongly restrict him as he prepares to take office. While Merchan has indicated he will not impose jail time, fines or probation, Trumps lawyers argued a felony conviction would still have intolerable side effects.

The sentencing should be delayed as he appeals the conviction to prevent grave injustice and harm to the institution of the Presidency and the operations of the federal government," they argued.

The emergency motion is from lawyers John Sauer, Trumps pick for solicitor general, who represents the government before the high court, and Todd Blanche, in line to be the second-ranking official at the Justice Department.

They also pointed to the Supreme Court ruling giving Trump and other presidents broad immunity from prosecutions over their actions in office, saying it supports their argument that his New York conviction should be overturned.

Their filing said the New York trial court lacks authority to impose sentence and judgment on President Trump  or conduct any further criminal proceedings against him until the resolution of his underlying appeal raising substantial claims of Presidential immunity, including by review in this Court if necessary.

The Republican president-elects spokesman, Steven Cheung, called for the case to be dismissed in a statement. Trump simultaneously filed an emergency appeal in front of New Yorks highest court.

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The Manhattan district attorneys office, meanwhile, said it will respond in court papers.

Trumps convictions arose from what prosecutors said was an attempt to cover up a $130,000 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels just before the 2016 presidential election.

Daniels claims she had a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006. He denies it.

The Supreme Courts immunity opinion came in a separate election interference case against him, but Trumps lawyers say it means some of the evidence used against him in his hush money trial should have been shielded by presidential immunity. That includes testimony from some White House aides and social media posts made while he was in office.

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Merchan has disagreed, finding they would qualify as personal business. The Supreme Courts immunity decision was largely about official acts of presidents while in office.
The head of Prime Minister Viktor Orbans cabinet office, Antal Rogan oversees the engineering of wide-reaching government communication campaigns that are credited with being instrumental in maintaining Orbans power since 2010 read more

(FILES) Picture taken on September 30, 2024 in Budapest, Hungary shows Antal Rogan, the Chief of Staff of Hungary's Prime Minister, as he listens to the speech of Hungary's Prime Minister during the first session of the autumn season of the Hungarian Parliament. AFP

The US Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on Hungarian minister Antal Rogan over corruption as ties between the two countries remain frosty.

On Tuesday, US ambassador to Hungary David Pressman told a press briefing that Rogan was involved in orchestrating schemes designed to control several strategic sectors of the Hungarian economy and to divert proceeds from those sectors to himself and to reward loyalists from his political party.

Pressman added that the Hungarian ministers actions " affected Hungarys decision-making process," impacting US national security.

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Minister Rogan has played a central role in enabling a system in Hungary that has benefitted himself and his party at the expense of the Hungarian people. Rogans activity is emblematic of the broader climate of impunity in Hungary where key elements of the state have been captured by oligarchs and undemocratic actors, the US State Department said.

Who is Rogan?

The head of Prime Minister Viktor Orbans cabinet office, Rogan oversees the engineering of wide-reaching government communication campaigns that are credited with being instrumental in maintaining Orbans power since 2010.

Known among critics in Hungary as the propaganda minister, Rogan rarely appears in public or gives interviews, but is a veteran advisor to Orban and also oversees Hungarys secret services.

How has Hungary reacted?

Hungary, meanwhile, thinks that the recent action was a result of Bidens vendetta against the country and hopes that the situation will improve when Donald Trump takes charge.

This is the personal revenge of the ambassador sent by the failed US administration to Hungary, who leaves unsuccessfully and in disgrace, against Antal Rogan, Hungarys foreign minister Peter Szijjarto said on Facebook.

How good that in a few days time the United States will be led by people who see our country as a friend and not an enemy, he added.

Hungary-US ties

The relationship between the two NATO partners has been erratic in recent years. On the one hand, the two countries have cooperated on various fronts, including security, law enforcement, and economic matters as alliance partners and on the other hand recent developments have introduced new challenges.

With inputs from agencies
Three wildfires are threatening Los Angeles, forcing thousands of people to flee their homes. California firefighters are finding it difficult to contain the blazes. read more

The famous city of Californias Los Angeles has been battling three wildfires since Tuesday. These fires have forced thousands of people to flee their homes for safety. Firefighters are battling it out there on multiple fronts to contain the spread of these forest fires.

The Palisades fire was first reported on Tuesday morning. It is said to have spread from an area of about 20 acres to over 200 acres in less than half-an-hour. The authorities issued a hurried order for 30,000 people to evacuate from their homes to safe places.

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The Eaton fire was reported on Tuesday evening, and within hours it spread to over 1,000 acres emerging from the hills above Pasadena.

The third wildfire is the Hurst fire, which was reported late Tuesday night north of San Fernando. It is also reported to have spread to over 500 acres, triggering evacuation orders in neighbouring Santa Clarita.

California firefighters continue to fight Santa Ana wind-whipped wildfires destroying homes, clogging roadways. Officials say the worst is yet to come.

This is the most wild thing I think Ive ever seen.



These homes are on the Malibu beach. #PalisadesFire #PalisadesFire pic.twitter.com/5BTWdreFbe  Lucifer (@krishnakamal077) January 8, 2025

The flames from a fire that broke out Tuesday evening near a nature preserve in the inland foothills northeast of the city spread so rapidly that staff at a senior living center had to push dozens of residents in wheelchairs and hospital beds down the street to a parking lot. The residents waited there in their bedclothes as embers fell around them until ambulances, buses and even construction vans arrived to take them to safety.

This is by far the craziest video from the fire in Los Angeles. This guy is filming huge walls of fire surrounding a house they're in, and there's another person and a dog. I have no idea why they didn't evacuate or what happened to them. Let's hope they're okay. #PalisadesFire pic.twitter.com/QYtsBSKvdl  Sia Kordestani (@SiaKordestani) January 8, 2025

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Another blaze that started hours earlier ripped through the citys Pacific Palisades neighborhood, a hillside area along the coast dotted with celebrity residences. In the frantic haste to get to safety, roadways became impassable when scores of people abandoned their vehicles and fled on foot, some toting suitcases. The traffic jam on Palisades Drive prevented emergency vehicles from getting through and a bulldozer was brought in to push the abandoned cars to the side and create a path.

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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced that the mandatory evacuation zone for the fire had expanded.

The mandatory evacuation zone for the #PalisadesFire has expanded.



All residents East to Kenter and North to Mulholland Rd are now under mandatory evacuation.



Please follow evacuation orders and stay up to date on the #PalisadesFire at: https://t.co/bPaqoPJcsU. pic.twitter.com/fgEfgfssVz  Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) January 8, 2025

The fast-moving fire prompted the Los Angeles Fire Department to take the rare step of putting out a plea for off-duty firefighters to help. It was too windy for firefighting aircraft to fly, further hampering the fight.

Our @LAFD is on the ground urgently responding to the #palisadesfire.



Angelenos should sign up for emergency @NotifyLA alerts and heed all instructions from public safety officials. pic.twitter.com/TvRGy0YFCR  Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) January 7, 2025

Flames were being pushed by Santa Ana winds topping 60 mph (97 kph) in some places. The winds were expected to increase overnight, producing isolated gusts that could top 100 mph (160 kph) in mountains and foothills  including in areas that havent seen substantial rain in months.

The homes of Hollywood elites are once again in jeopardy as a wildfire in Pacific Palisades, California, has prompted an evacuation order.

The wildfire is rapidly spreading.#PalisadesFire #Palisades pic.twitter.com/iXJfUuuu5S  Kash Patel Commentary (@KashpatelCIA) January 8, 2025

Officials didnt give an estimate of structures damaged or destroyed in the Pacific Palisades wildfire, but they said about 30,000 residents were under evacuation orders and more than 13,000 structures were under threat. Gov. Gavin Newsom visited the scene and said many homes had burned.

By evening the flames had spread into neighboring Malibu and several people there were being treated for burn injuries and a firefighter had a serious head injury and was taken to a hospital, according to Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Erik Scott.

By no stretch of the imagination are we out of the woods, Newsom warned residents, saying the worst of the winds were expected between 10 p.m. Tuesday and 5 a.m. Wednesday.

Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency to support the communities impacted by the Palisades fire.

Ive proclaimed a state of emergency to support the communities impacted by the #PalisadesFire.



Southern California residents: stay vigilant, take all necessary precautions, and follow local emergency guidance. pic.twitter.com/ONlIqbpLtW  Governor Newsom (@CAgovernor) January 8, 2025

President Joe Biden said that he was being frequently briefed on the wildfires in west Los Angeles and that he and his team and I were in touch with state and local officials.

Biden also offered any federal assistance needed to help suppress the Pacific Palisades fire.

I am being frequently briefed on the wildfires in west Los Angeles. My team and I are in touch with state and local officials, and I have offered any federal assistance that is needed to help suppress the terrible Pacific Palisades fire. Earlier tonight, FEMA approved a Fire  President Biden Archived (@POTUS46Archive) January 8, 2025

Actor James Woods posted on X, To all the wonderful people whove reached out to us, thank you for being so concerned.

He added that they were able to evacuate successfully but did not know if their home was still standing.

To all the wonderful people whove reached out to us, thank you for being so concerned. Just letting you know that we were able to evacuate successfully. I do not know at this moment if our home is still standing, but sadly houses on our little street are not. pic.twitter.com/xZjvsIg6Fg  James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 7, 2025
Gao Shanwen, chief economist at state-owned SDIC Securities, had suggested that Chinas real economic growth in recent years may have been closer to 2% annually, not 5% as claimed by authorities. Now, he has been banned from public speaking indefinitely read more

Chinese President Xi Jinping has reportedly ordered an investigation into a prominent economist who questioned the credibility of Beijings official GDP figures and criticised the governments economic policies.

Gao Shanwen, chief economist at state-owned SDIC Securities, has been banned from public speaking for an indefinite period, Washington Post reported citing individuals familiar with the matter.

Why was Gao shunned?

The move came after Gaos remarks at a Washington forum last month, where he suggested that Chinas real economic growth in recent years may have been closer to 2 per cent annually, well below the 5 per cent claimed by authorities. Gao also expressed scepticism about the governments ability to effectively implement measures to stimulate growth.

We do not know the true number of Chinas real growth figure, Gao had said during the December 12 event co-hosted by the Peterson Institute for International Economics and a Chinese think tank. He speculated that the actual growth rate might be significantly lower than official data suggested.

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Xi is said to have been angered by Gaos remarks, ordering that he be disciplined. Although Gao has retained his job, his public engagements have been curtailed. A planned lecture at Chinas Nankai University was abruptly cancelled in January, reportedly due to scheduling conflicts.

Chinas GDP: Mysterious or misleading?

This crackdown on Gao comes as Beijing seeks to manage growing concerns over its economic trajectory. Chinas economy faces mounting challenges, including a real estate crisis that has eroded household wealth by an estimated $18 trillion, rising debt nearing 300 per cent of GDP, and industrial overcapacity. Analysts have raised concerns about the risk of a deflationary spiral.

The Securities Association of China recently issued directives urging economists to play a positive role in interpreting government policies, warning of consequences for those deemed to have made irresponsible remarks. The China Securities Regulatory Commission echoed this sentiment but denied broader claims about Gaos situation, Washington Post reported.

Beijing has intensified efforts to suppress negative commentary about the economy, with senior officials urging tighter control over economic messaging. In a recent meeting, Cai Qi, Xis chief of staff, called for greater expectation management to counteract pessimism.

Doubts about the reliability of Chinas economic data have persisted for years. Former Premier Li Keqiang famously relied on alternative indicators such as electricity usage and freight volumes instead of GDP figures to gauge economic health.

Growing scepticism about Chinas growth

More recently, discrepancies between official data and other economic indicators, such as wage growth and exports, have fuelled scepticism among economists.

Chinas official statistics claim the economy grew 5.2 per cent in 2023 and is on track to meet similar targets this year. However, Gaos comments suggest a more modest outlook, with growth potentially averaging 3 per cent to 4 per cent in the coming years.

Such a slowdown would challenge Xis goal of doubling the nations economic output by 2035.

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On January 7, 2025 local time, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi gave an interview to the press after meeting with President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso in Brazzaville.

When asked about the plans and design for China and the Republic of the Congo, as co-chairs of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), to implement the outcomes of the Beijing Summit, Wang Yi said that FOCAC has played an important role in promoting Africa's development and improving the well-being of African people. It has become a symbol of China-Africa solidarity and cooperation, a banner of South-South cooperation, and a model for guiding international cooperation with Africa. Over the past 25 years since the establishment of the forum, China has helped Africa build 100,000 kilometers of roads, more than 10,000 kilometers of railways, nearly 1,000 bridges and nearly 100 ports. Over the past three years alone, over 1 million jobs have been created in Africa. The livelihood projects implemented in Africa, such as those related to food security, water supply, and education, have benefited the people of many African countries. This visit aims to build consensus with the Republic of the Congo on improving and upgrading the forum cooperation. After thorough consultation, the two sides have three basic considerations for implementing the outcomes of the Beijing Summit:

First, following the general direction of modernization that is just and equitable, open and win-win and eco-friendly, puts the people first, features diversity and inclusiveness, and is underpinned by peace and security, proposed by President Xi Jinping, the two sides should further synergize development strategies, increase the exchanges of governance experience, and create more ideological resonance and shared understanding of concepts, opening up broader prospects and injecting inexhaustible dynamism into the development of China-Africa relations.

Second, the two sides should continuously enrich the "spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation", find the right path for state-to-state relations, set a benchmark for international cooperation with Africa, and ensure that China and Africa always stay at the forefront of the times in building a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind.

Third, the two sides should focus on implementing ten partnership actions for modernization for China and Africa and identify priority areas and key projects. China should ensure the full implementation of zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines, put in place a China-Africa network featuring land-sea links, and advance 1,000 small and beautiful livelihood projects. The two sides should improve the China-Africa investment and trade cooperation mechanism, so as to provide Africa with a broader market, more practical technologies, and more stable investment for its modernization.

Both China and the Republic of the Congo have developed a "timetable" and "roadmap" for the development of the forum over the next three years. This year, the focus will be on holding a coordinators' meeting on the implementation of the follow-up actions of the ministerial conference of FOCAC to drive the implementation of the summit outcomes and achieve more "early harvests". Next year, both sides will co-host events marking the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Africa, as well as the "China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges". Through the 18th Senior Officials Meeting of FOCAC, the two sides will accelerate the implementation of the summit outcomes in the "mid-term". In 2027, the focus will be on preparing for the 10th FOCAC Ministerial Conference, driving the final completion of the implementation of the summit outcomes.

China is ready to work with African countries to further boost the well-established credentials of FOCAC, making their contributions to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
Google has identified a battery performance issue in some Pixel 4a phones and is rolling out a software update to address it. This update, however, may reduce battery capacity and charging performance for some users (Impacted Devices). To compensate for this, Google is offering several appeasement options to impacted users.

Heres a summary of the program:

The Issue: Some Pixel 4a devices experience reduced battery capacity and charging performance after the Android 13 update.

The Solution: Google is offering a software update to improve battery stability, but it may affect battery life for some.

Whos affected: Not all Pixel 4a devices are impacted. You can check your devices eligibility on Googles registration page.

Appeasement Options: Impacted users can choose from: Free battery replacement (availability varies by location) $50 USD (or local equivalent) payment $100 USD (or local equivalent) Google Store discount code for a new Pixel phone

How to Claim: Visit Googles registration page to check eligibility and claim your preferred appeasement option.

Battery replacement is available at walk-in repair centres in select countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore and India.

Deadline: Users have until January 8, 2026, to register and claim their appeasement.

Key Details:

The program is only for individual end-user consumers who purchased their Pixel 4a before January 6, 2025.

Proof of ownership may be required.

Appeasement options may vary by country.

The program doesnt affect other Pixel phone models, like the Pixel 4a 5G.

Important Notes:

You can continue using your Pixel 4a after the update.

Google recommends backing up your data before sending your phone for battery replacement.

Dispose of your old battery and phone responsibly according to local regulations.
1 dead body recovered from India's coal mine, search continues

Xinhua) 14:28, January 08, 2025

NEW DELHI, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- One dead body was recovered on Wednesday from the coal mine in India's north-eastern state of Assam, in which nine miners were trapped two days ago after water gushed into the mine, confirmed the state's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

"21 Para divers have just recovered a lifeless body from the bottom of the well. Our thoughts and prayers are with the grieving family," posted Sarma on X.

An official involved in the search and rescue work said that efforts were being made to find the rest. "Water is being pumped out from the coal mine. Several teams of the Indian Army, the Indian Navy, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are engaged in the rescue work," he stated.

The coal mine was located in Assam's Dima Hasao hill district.

Assam's Minister of Mines and Minerals Kaushik Rai told media that divers were sent inside the water-filled mine to locate the remaining miners trapped inside.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
At CES 2025, Lenovo unveiled a range of new devices across its Yoga, IdeaPad, ThinkBook, and ThinkPad series, showcasing developments in both hardware and software.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i (14, 10)

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i (14, 10) is the first laptop featuring camera-under-display (CUD) technology combined with Visionary.ai image processing. This allows for a seamless 14 4K OLED display with a 98% screen-to-body ratio.

The display offers a 120Hz refresh rate and supports multiple color profiles, including 100% sRGB, P3, and Adobe RGB, ensuring accurate color reproduction. The laptop is certified by TUV Low Blue Light and Eyesafe, intended to reduce eye strain during extended use.

It is powered by Intel Core Ultra 7 processors, with a 48 TOPS NPU for enhanced performance and creative application acceleration. The laptop weighs 2.62lbs (1.19kg) and offers up to 17 hours of battery life.

Lenovo Yoga Book 9i (14, 10)

The Lenovo Yoga Book 9i is a dual-screen convertible laptop designed for multitasking. The 14 OLED PureSight touch displays offer a 120Hz VRR and 100% DCI-P3 color accuracy.

Users can take advantage of its dual-screen design for tasks like video calls on one screen and editing or running AI software on the other. The device is powered by an 88Wh battery, with a weight of 2.69lbs (1.22kg).

Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition (14, 10)

The Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition is equipped with a 2.8K OLED display offering 120Hz VRR, 1100nits peak brightness, and 100% sRGB and P3 color gamuts.

The laptop is powered by Intel Core Ultra processors and supports switching between different modes using the Yoga Pen. The device weighs 2.91lbs (1.32kg) and has a 75Wh battery.

Quick specifications

Lenovo AI Now and Aura Edition Features

Lenovo AI Now is an advanced AI assistant that enhances workflows through personalized, real-time intelligence. Built on Metas Llama 3.0 model, it provides privacy-focused, on-device AI tools for tasks such as document organization and quick searches. Lenovo AI Now will soon introduce multilingual support, smarter document searches, and cross-device knowledge retrieval.

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Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition (14, 10)

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition is a lightweight, AI-powered laptop designed for creative professionals. It offers a 14 2.8K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 100% sRGB/P3 color accuracy.

Powered by Intel Core Ultra processors and Lenovo AI Core, the device accelerates creative tasks while optimizing battery life. The laptop weighs 2.76lbs (1.25kg) and has a 70Wh battery.

Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 (14, 10) & (16, 10)

The Yoga 7i 2-in-1 series is available in two sizes, both featuring 2.8K OLED displays and 120Hz refresh rates. With a 70Wh battery and Yoga Pen support, these laptops provide versatility for various tasks. The 14 version weighs 3.20lbs (1.45kg), while the 16 model weighs 4.17lbs (1.89kg).

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Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i (16, 10)

The Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i is designed for productivity tasks, powered by Intel Core Ultra 9 processors with up to 135W TDP for enhanced performance.

Its 16 OLED display offers a 2.8K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring accurate color rendering for tasks such as video editing and design. The 84Wh battery offers extended usage, and the device weighs 4.39lbs (1.99kg).

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Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Series

The Lenovo ThinkPad X9 series, available in both 14 and 15 sizes, introduces a new design featuring 50% recycled aluminum covers and a slim profile. These laptops are powered by Intel Core Ultra processors and include MIL-SPEC durability and advanced AI features.

The X9 series offers an 8MP camera, dual noise-canceling microphones, and a high-quality OLED display for video calls. Additionally, the devices feature Thunderbolt ports and long-lasting batteries.

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ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable

The ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable is a unique AI-powered laptop with a 14 to 16.7 rollable display. The flexible screen can be expanded using a key press or gesture, providing users with a vertical screen experience ideal for tasks such as document editing, coding, and content creation. It is powered by Intel Core Ultra processors, Thunderbolt 4, and Wi-Fi 7 support.

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Pricing and Availability
POCO India has roped in Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar as its brand ambassador, ahead of tomorrows POCO X7 series launch in the country. Hardik Pandya was the ambassador for last years POCO X6 series.

Known for his fearless energy and mass appeal, Akshay Kumar is the perfect embodiment of POCOs Made of MAD philosophy, said the company. His partnership aligns seamlessly with the X7 series campaign, Xceed Your Limits, which inspires users to defy conventions and reach for the extraordinary, the company added.

POCO said that the dual announcement is a strategic milestone for POCO, signaling its growth trajectory and intent to dominate Indias tech landscape.

With Akshay Kumars partnership amplifying the brands reach and the X7 series launch on January 9th at 5:30 PM, POCO said that it is poised to deliver a bold and transformative experience for its users, sparking intrigue and excitement across the market.

Regarding the announcement Himanshu Tandon, Country Head, POCO India said:

At POCO, weve always embraced bold choices that reflect our vision of delivering innovative technology and empowering the next generation. Akshay Kumars fearless persona and mass appeal make him the perfect fit for a brand that thrives on breaking boundaries and redefining value. His partnership, coupled with the X7 series launch, highlights our strategic focus on scaling new heights and delivering transformative experiences as we gear up for an exciting 2025.

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar said:

Partnering with POCO is an exciting new chapter for me. Ive always admired brands that dare to be different, and POCOs fearless approach to innovation and its Made of MAD philosophy truly resonate with my personality. The X7 series campaign, Xceed Your Limits, reflects the energy and determination I believe inpushing boundaries and striving for excellence. Im thrilled to be part of this journey as POCO inspires Indias youth to embrace bold choices and redefine possibilities in technology.
Two men allegedly opened fire on cattle late last month, killing two, one of which was pregnant, and wounding a third, which also was pregnant. The alleged shooting spree resulted in losses of more than $6,000 to the cattles owner  and, reportedly, in one of the suspects getting a black eye after he showed others a video of his alleged handiwork and angered them.

When confronted by authorities, suspect Jevon Vigil, 19, could not give a concrete reason why he and a codefendant, Leeland Hernandez, 20, shot the animals, an arrest affidavit alleges. The same document states that Hernandez asserted his right to an attorney and did not speak to investigators.

Vigil and Hernandez were arrested Jan. 3 on suspicion of three counts of cruelty to animals, a class-6 felony, and criminal mischief. Formal charges have not been filed. Both men are free on bond and are set to next appear in court Thursday.

They are accused of shooting the animals sometime after 4 p.m. on Dec. 29, when the owner last saw the white Charolais cattle alive on 25 Mesa Road, and before 10 a.m. on Dec. 30, when he spotted two of the cows on the ground, with bullet wounds, and the third cow wounded, but walking around.

One of the dead cows was due to calve in about a month, the owner reported to Montrose County Sheriffs Investigator Sarah Belcher. The surviving cow also is pregnant, and although she was expected to survive, it was said she might lose the calf.

Belcher at the scene noted tire tracks, footprints, snack packaging and a 12-gauge shotgun shell. The cattle owner directed her to another shell near the deceased cows, which Belcher saw was the same color and brand. She also found wadding consistent with the ammunition.

One cow had a wound in her neck and a larger wound in her opposite shoulder. The second dead cow had an apparent bullet hole in her ribs behind her shoulder. These were consistent with shotgun wounds.

The surviving cow had a perforating gunshot wound other leg that appeared to enter her lower rib cage, with no exit wound.

The cattle owner later found and recovered bullets in the dead cows and Belcher collected these, too. One round was from a small-caliber weapon, later alleged to have been a .270.

CRIME STOPPERS HELP

Belcher that same day followed up a lead about a vehicle involved in a police chase; in it, police found weaponry similar to what was used against the cattle. The vehicle appeared to have traveled in the area of the shooting and within a timeframe that fit, however, when Belcher interviewed the driver at the jail, he said he would never injure an innocent animal or bystander and firmly denied his involvement in the shooting of the cows, per the affidavit.

Belcher was able to find corroborating evidence of his explanation he had run out of gas while traveling the area. His vehicles tire tread was not consistent with what was at the scene, nor were his shoe treads, and the man was eliminated as a suspect.

Thanks in part to Montrose Regional Crime Stoppers, Belcher on Dec. 31 received a tip that she should look at Vigil. However, when she went to his job and looked at his trucks tires, the tread was not consistent with what was at the scene. Tips alleging Vigil was involved continued to come in, though, including word that Vigil had a video of the cattle being shot. (Tipster) further informed me there had been an assault in which Jevon was attacked by two male parties after he showed them the video, and they had chosen to beat his ass because they believed he was wrong for having shot the cows, the affidavit states.

The Delta County Sheriffs Office confirmed to Belcher there had been an assault that day, in which Vigil was the alleged victim. People interviewed at that scene reportedly told authorities Vigil had shown them a cellphone video of him killing cows.

Delta deputies looked for Vigils vehicle at an address associated with him, but did not find it there. Belcher drove by his listed address in Delta, and on the second trip by, spotted a Blazer in the driveway with tire treads possibly consistent with those she found on 25 Mesa Road. No one answered her knock; she coordinated with DCSO for continued patrols, and, using license plate reader information, determined Vigils truck was likely in Montrose.

Belcher was granted a warrant for Vigils cellphone and residence on Jan. 3, which was served the same day.

+5 Inside the investigation of Western Slope ranchers missing cattle From early June to mid-October, Gayle Ware surveys 30,000 acres of remote and rocky national

She located Vigil at his work and advised him of his rights. Vigil handed over his phone and allowed her to take pictures of his shoe soles; these were not consistent with the footprints at the 25 Mesa Road scene.

Vigil had visible facial injuries consistent with a fight of some kind; per the affidavit, he told Belcher a houseguest of his roommate, Hernandez, had accused him of striking a womans car, then assaulted him when Vigil told him he had to leave.

Belcher did not believe him, and confronted him with an admission by his alleged assailant as to why hed assaulted Vigil. She also disclosed she had reports of the video.

Vigil then allegedly admitted to being in a Jeep with Hernandez and another person, who was driving.

No one else had been arrested in the matter as of Monday afternoon.

According to the affidavit, Vigil said he thought it was a stupid idea to shoot the cattle, but that Hernandez egged him on. He denied trying to actually kill the cows, but based on Vigils experience with hunting and where the animals were wounded, Belcher doubted that, too.

I told Jevon that it might be different, had he needed food for his family and killed the animals to get meat, but that I was bothered by the fact that the animals were shot and left to rot, as that was wasteful and cruel, Belcher wrote. Jevon stated he understood and did not know why he had done that.

SECOND SUSPECT

Belcher and a Montrose police officer searched Vigils vehicle and reportedly found 12-gauge shotgun shells and other ammunition.

Belcher and DCSO deputies then served the warrant at Vigils home in Delta, where they found Hernandez. She advised him of his rights and asked why he thought law enforcement was at his home. Hernandez reportedly said it was because of a party a few days prior, when a guy punched his roommate. Belcher told him that wasnt so, that she knew about the cattle, and asked him to be honest.

At that time, Hernandez invoked his right to legal counsel and the interview ceased.

During the search, Belcher and DCSO reportedly found a 12-gauge shotgun, ammunition, and shoes with a tread appearing to match some of the footprints at the 25 Mesa Road scene. They also collected a .270 rifle, two more cellphones and cowboy boots, with flat soles, the latter because flat-soled prints were reportedly also left at the scene.

Sheriff Gene Lillard on Monday praised his team and the DCSO for their work on the case, and Montrose Regional Crime Stoppers for helping to spread awareness and generate tips.

Our investigation team did a remarkable job on it, he said.

Delta County Sheriff Mark Taylor put out a statement calling the tips that were received as part of the agencies tandem investigation critical in identifying suspects in this senseless crime and offered personal thanks to tipsters, who, he said, serve as an example of how authorities and the public can work together to protect communities.

Lillard said the cattle shootings are not thought to be connected to the disappearance of nearly 200 cattle off the Uncompahgre Plateau that was reported to the MCSO and the state in December. At least 180 head came up missing off the plateau, most of them, from grazing allotments between 25 Mesa and Transfer Roads. That investigation is ongoing.

Its very disturbing. We dont condone thievery or destruction of an animal for totally wanton reasons. Its bothersome for all involved. Were hoping that justice prevails, Lillard said.

Anyone with information about the missing cattle can call dispatch at 970-249-9110 or Crime Stoppers at 970-249-8500. Growers who are missing livestock should alert the Colorado Department of Agricultures Brand Inspection Division can be reached at 303-869-9160 or ag.colorado.gov/brands

Anyone with additional information about the cattle shooting can contact dispatch or Crime Stoppers at the above numbers.
Its back! A last-minute court of appeals ruling could put tens of thousands of farmers in legal crosshairs for failing to register their businesses with the federal government. Farmers who operate some corporations and limited liability companies ar...
The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is proud to announce the fifth annual Rural Resilience Webinar Series, a free educational program designed to help ranchers and rural residents grow their financial, ecological, and social resilience. This four...
Jan. 3, 2024

After a mild week before Christmas, it has turned cold, hovering at -10 at night.

Florence Marie Unrau Chalmers passed away Dec. 30, in Billings, Mont., with family by her side. No services have yet been planned. She graduated from LCHS...
Together with Attorney General Austin Knudsen, Governor Greg Gianforte recognized Human Trafficking Prevention Month on Jan. 2, by reminding Montanans to learn the signs of human trafficking and report it if they see it to help stop the heinous crime...
End Goal Is To Have Cast And Crew Come Back For Full-Feature Movie

For current and former residents of St. Marie, the area is home. For others, St. Marie is a mystical place with lots of history from the Air Force Base days, with buildings and artifacts still left over. However, for film makers, the area is paradise...
The Valley County Commissioners met in regular session on Dec. 31, to discuss whether or not to opt into the Montana Community Reinvestment Plan through House Bill 819. This plan allocates $56 million statewide to provide homebuyer assistance to low-...
More than $1 million in scholarships are available for Montana students via the Montana Community Foundation. Students can apply for funding between through March 31, 2025.

A variety of scholarships are available for four-year or two-year colleges, certificate courses, non-traditional students, vocational studies, and more.

For more information or to apply, please visit mtcf.org to take the scholarship eligibility quiz and find the right scholarship for you!

2024 was an impressive year and the statistics highlight the impact these scholarships have for Montana students:

New awards: $1,040,920

Renewed Awards: $273,400

Total Awards: $1,314,320

Students awarded: 207
Underwater investigation of the cable ruptures nearly complete

Police of Finland

Publication date 3.1.2025

News item

The underwater investigation is almost complete in terms of investigating the seabed. The Helsinki District Court has upheld the decision made by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on the seizure of the Eagle S tanker.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is about to complete undersea investigations.

- The seabed imaging has largely been completed, says Detective Chief Inspector Elina Katajamaki of the NBI.

The repair work of the ruptured cables has started, and at the same time, samples are collected for forensic analysis.

Investigative measures have been continued on board of the Eagle S on Friday. Eight crew members remain under a travel ban.

Maintenance work has been carried out on the vessel again today, For example, more food has been provided for the crew.

The Helsinki District Court has today upheld the decision on the seizure of the Eagle S, initially seized by the police. The matter was brought before the district court after the vessel's owner requested the seizure to be lifted.

International cooperation in the investigation

In the course of the criminal investigation, the NBI has been cooperating closely with foreign countries, for example, with the authorities of the Cook Islands i.e. the flag state of the tanker Eagle S, who carry out their own measures in respect to the vessel.

- Cooperation with the Cook Islands has concerned details of the vessel, explains Katajamaki.

The authorities also cooperate with Sweden in completing the investigative measures taken on the seabed.

- In the course of the investigation of the seabed, such areas have been identified that may be suitable for possible locations where the anchor may have fallen off. Those areas will be investigated in more detail, says Katajamaki.

The Defence Forces also provide assistance to the case.

The Helsinki Police Department is leading the operation, and the Border Guard is contributing to the carrying out of the operation. The NBI is in charge of conducting the criminal investigation.

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Anchor allegedly involved in cable ruptures on Christmas day recovered in Gulf of Finland

Police of Finland

Publication date 7.1.2025

An anchor has been recovered from the Gulf of Finland in connection with the criminal investigation conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). The anchor is suspected to be related to the cable rupture that took place on Christmas Day, 25 December. The authorities raised the anchor to the surface in a joint operation yesterday afternoon, 06 January.

The investigation into the cable rupture in the Gulf of Finland has progressed over the weekend. Yesterday afternoon, 06 January, an anchor suspected by the police to belong to the tanker Eagle S was retrieved from the Gulf of Finland.

- The location where the anchor was found is along the Eagle S's route, at the level of the Porkkala Peninsula. The anchor was located towards the western end of the drag trace found on the seabed, near the point where the trace ends, explains Detective Superintendent Risto Lohi of the NBI.

The authorities located the anchor in a joint operation during the night between Sunday and Monday 06 January, and after that preparations for its recovery began. The anchor was raised to the surface after 17:00 yesterday.

- We are pleased that the anchor was found. It will contribute to the progress of the criminal investigation, and it is now subjected to forensic analysis, says Lohi.

The hauling operation in the Gulf of Finland was carried out in cooperation with the authorities. The police and the Border Guard were assisted by both the Defence Forces and the Swedish Navy in connection with the underwater diving and hoisting operation.

- The cooperation between the authorities in the investigation into the case has been excellent, and this is a very good starting point for continuing the criminal investigation," says Lohi.

The Helsinki Police Department is leading the operation in the Gulf of Finland, and the Border Guard Service and the Defence Forces are contributing to the carrying out of the operation. The NBI is in charge of conducting the criminal investigation.

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Hostile activities of MI6, Saudi intelligence thwarted in Yemen: Statement

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 7, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- The security services in Yemen have issued a statement regarding the foiling of activities of the British Intelligence Service (MI6) and the Saudi Intelligence Service.

The hostile actions of MI6 and Saudi Intelligence were neutralized in Yemen, leading to the arrest of members of a British spy network in December 2024, according to the country's Saba news agency.

The intelligence agencies sought to intensify their activities to establish a target bank, it added.

British and Saudi intelligence cooperated to recruit and train spies for missions against the country's strategic capabilities, focusing on monitoring missile facilities, military, and security sites, as well as tracking state leaders, the statement noted.

It added that the arrested operatives had undergone training in Riyadh to develop espionage skills and utilize advanced spying technologies.

British officers equipped them with sophisticated communication tools and techniques to gather intelligence, the statement noted.

In a related development, the Yemeni Shura Council recognized this achievement as a significant action taken by the security and intelligence services.

They described it as a preemptive strike that disrupted the efforts of hostile entities aimed at undermining the security, stability, and territorial sovereignty of the Yemeni people.

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Authorities Find Anchor Believed To Be Linked To Damaged Cables In Baltic Sea

By RFE/RL January 07, 2025

Finnish police say an anchor has been recovered from the bottom of the Baltic Sea as part of an investigation into an incident last week in which undersea power and telecommunications cables were damaged.

Authorities have said they suspect the damage was caused by a ship dragging its anchor and have detained a tanker carrying Russian oil, the Eagle S, that was missing one of its anchors. Investigators said earlier that they found a track on the seabed dozens of kilometers long indicating the ship dragged its anchor, but until now they had not found the missing anchor.

"The location where the anchor was found is along the route of the Eagle S...toward the western end of the drag trace found on the seabed," Finland's National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said in a statement.

The Swedish Navy said earlier on January 7 it had recovered the anchor after sending a submarine to assist Finland in the investigation. A spokesman for the navy told AFP that the anchor had been handed over to Finnish authorities.

Finnish customs have said they suspected the tanker is part of Russia's "shadow fleet" -- ships that carry Russian crude oil and petroleum products that are embargoed over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

The Estlink 2 electricity interconnector cable between Finland and Estonia was suddenly disconnected from the grid on December 25 along with four telecommunications lines. The Cook Islands-flagged Eagle S was detained by Finnish authorities shortly afterward and is being held in Finnish waters in the Baltic Sea.

The captain and another crew member of the seized oil tanker are Georgian nationals, Georgia's Maritime Transport Agency told RFE/RL on January 6. The agency said a representative of the Georgian Embassy had been informed of the two crew members' detention.

The incident, one of several since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has raised concerns across Europe that energy and communications infrastructure are being targeted as part of what experts and politicians call Russia's hybrid war with Western countries.

Moscow has said it has no connection to the Eagle S and Finland's seizure of the vessel is not a matter for Russia. It has regularly denied that it is involved in any of the other incidents involving Baltic Sea region infrastructure assets.

NATO announced it will strengthen its military presence in the Baltic Sea following the damage caused to the Estlink 2 and similar incidents since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Two of the damaged telecommunications cables have been repaired, according to their operators, but it remained unclear when the Estlink 2 power cable would be fixed.

With reporting by Reuters and AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/finland-russia-cable- baltic-sea-anchor/33266386.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Our effort to save lives of survivors in Gaza is at breaking point - Statement by Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, on the Occupied Palestinian Territory

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

(New York, 6 January 2025) Our humanitarian effort in Gaza, already struggling, faces mounting obstacles.

Just three examples from the last couple of days alone. An Israeli strike seriously injured three people at a known food distribution point where a partner of the World Food Programme was operating. Israeli soldiers fired over 16 bullets at a clearly marked UN convoy at the checkpoint from the south to the north. Armed Palestinian gangs hijacked six fuel tankers entering from the Kerem Shalom crossing, leaving us hardly any fuel for aid operations.

These incidents are part of a dangerous pattern of sabotage and deliberate disruption. On Friday night, Israeli forces increased attacks during the movement of a 74-truck aid convoy. A drone strike hit a vehicle from the local community which was protecting part of the convoy. And just a few days ago, a UN mission out of Jabalya ran into hostile Israeli soldiers who threatened critical patients and arrested four of them.

The reality is that despite our determination to deliver food, water, and medicine to survivors, our efforts to save lives are at breaking point. There is no meaningful civil order. Israeli forces are unable or unwilling to ensure the safety of our convoys. Statements by Israeli authorities vilify our aid workers even as the military attacks them. Community volunteers who accompany our convoys are being targeted. There is now a perception that it is dangerous to protect aid convoys but safe to loot them.

Since the Hamas attacks of 7 October 2023, over 45,000 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis have been killed. The population of Gaza has endured more than 14 months of displacement, trauma, destruction of schools, hospitals and civilian infrastructure, and starvation.

As in my statement on 19 December, I call on UN Member States to insist that all civilians, and all humanitarian operations, are protected. This should not need to be said.

Media contacts:

In Geneva: Jens Laerke, laerke@un.org, +41 79 472 9750

In New York: Amanda Price, amanda.price@un.org, +1 917 853 2839

6 January 2025

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China warmly welcomes new member as Indonesia becomes a full member of BRICS: FM

Global Times

By Zhang Yuying Published: Jan 07, 2025 10:42 PM

China warmly welcomes the new addition to the BRICS family, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday, in response to Brazil, as the BRICS chair 2025, releasing a statement on Monday night announcing the official entry of Indonesia as a full member into BRICS.

The BRICS cooperation mechanism came into being amidst the collective rise of emerging markets and developing countries. It is also what the world would like to see in the interest of peace, the world's common development and better global governance, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a routine press conference.

BRICS has become a vital platform for promoting solidarity and cooperation of the Global South and a major force driving the reform of the global governance system, Guo said.

China stands ready to work with all BRICS members to embrace the spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, advance the high-quality development of greater BRICS cooperation, jointly advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and promote the building of a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and a community with a shared future for all, the spokesperson noted.

The future holds tremendous promise for greater BRICS cooperation, he said.

According to the Jakarta Post, Indonesia's foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that it welcomed Brazil's announcement and that "BRICS membership is a strategic way to increase collaboration and partnership with other developing nations."

Indonesia's membership in BRICS is a strategic step toward strengthening South-South cooperation and represents the aspirations of Global South countries in global decision-making processes, the ministry said, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Indonesia shares a similar perspective on global governance and international order to that of other BRICS member countries, as it is committed to the democratization of international relations and the multipolarization of the world, Wang Youming, director of the Institute of Developing Countries at the China Institute of International Studies in Beijing, told the Global Times on Tuesday, noting that its joining is expected to contribute more strength and voices from the Global South.

"The continuous expansion of BRICS reflects the growing momentum among an increasing number of Global South countries to jointly promote a more equitable and just transformation of global governance," Wang said, noting that the BRICS platform advocates for equity, consultation and cooperation rather than confrontation, which stands in stark contrast to the exclusive and closed circles of the West.

With more countries from the Global South joining the BRICS family, their collective strength in promoting global governance reform is guided by the principles of fairness, justice, openness and inclusiveness, and it will become more powerful, the expert said.

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Hamas says may appoint new leader soon

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 7, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Osama Hamdan, a senior Hamas official, has said that the resistance group is mulling the appointment of a new leader and may come to a final conclusion in the near future.

His comments come after Hamas confirmed the death of its former leader Yahya Sinwar in a Zionist bombardment in the Gaza Strip on October 17, 2024.

According to a Tuesday report by Palestinian Shahab new agency, he reaffirmed Hamas' commitment to continue with its path of resistance, stressing that nothing can crush this will.

Referring to the ongoing atrocities of the Zionist regime in Gaza which he said has deprived the Palestinian nation of everything, the official highlighted that in ceasefire talks, Hamas has urged the need for the retreat of the occupying forces from the tiny besieged Palestinian territory, exchange of prisoners and the reconstruction of Gaza without any preconditions.

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Israeli forces kill 2 Palestinians in West Bank

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 7, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- The Israeli regime's military forces have raided several areas in the West Bank, killing two Palestinians in the cities of Tubas and Nablus.

According to the Palestinian Sama news agency, a young man was killed in the city of Tubas, located in the northeastern West Bank, and a released war prisoner was shot in front of his home in Nablus, situated in northern al-Quds city.

At the same time, the regime's military announced its forces bombarded an armed group in the town of Tammun, Tubas.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society reported that their staff transferred the injured to a hospital, with one of the wounded in critical condition.

The Israeli occupying forces raided Tammun and broke into numerous houses, while the regime's spy drones flew over the Tubas region.

Over the past 24 hours, Palestinian resistance fighters have conducted 17 operations against Israeli military forces and settlers in the occupied West Bank.

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UNRWA chief says Israel sees no distinction in massacre in Gaza

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 7, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has said that umanitarian workers have been regularly a target in Gaza and the Israeli regime sees no distinction in this regard.

"In Gaza, there is no distinction," Philippe Lazzarini wrote on his X account on Monday following the recent Israeli attack on the World Food Program (WFP) aid convoy in the Gaza Strip.

"Humanitarian workers, whoever they are, have been regularly a target," he added.

UNRWA warned Israel's blatant disregard cannot be the new norm, saying that humanitarian workers wherever they are should not be a target.

Meanwhile, Executive Director of the World Food Programme Cindy McCain has reiterated, "We must have safe, secure access to continue delivering life-saving aid."

In the meantime, WFP in the Middle East & North Africa strongly condemned the horrifying incident on January 5, when a clearly marked WFP convoy was shot at by Israeli forces near the Wadi Gaza checkpoint.

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, 45,805 people have been killed in Gaza since the beginning of the Israeli invasion of Gaza in November 2023.

It also announced that the Israeli regime has killed 88 Palestinians and injured 208 others since yesterday.

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Palestinian resistance fighters conduct 17 anti-Israel operations in occupied West Bank

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 7, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Palestinian resistance fighters have carried out 17 operations against Israel in the West Bank over the past 24 hours, media outlets have reported.

The Palestinian Center for Statistics and Information announced on Tuesday that Palestinian resistance fighters fired bullets and threw explosive materials at Zionist military forces in different districts of the occupied West Bank and al-Quds.

At least three Israeli troopers were killed and eight others were wounded in these fresh retaliatory operation carried out by Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

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Palestinian Authority crossed all red lines: Hamas, Fatah

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 7, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- The Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, a Fatah-aligned coalition of Palestinian armed groups in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, have warned that the Palestinian Authority has crossed all red lines by killing innocent Palestinians.

According to the Palestinian Information Center, the two military wings of the resistance movements said in a joint press conference that the PA deprived the Jenin refugee camp of water, electricity, and education.

They also urged all Palestinians to fulfill their responsibilities in the face of the oppression by the PA and warned that such actions could bring the situation to an irreversible point with uncertain consequences, underlining that the current circumstances favor the Israeli regime.

The Palestinian Authority's security forces have raided the Jenin camp, which led to clashes with resistance fighters, leading to the death of several civilians in recent months.

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Lebanese PM calls for setting Israeli troop withdrawal deadline

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 7, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- The Prime Minister of the Caretaker Government of Lebanon calls for a specific timetable for the complete withdrawal of Zionist forces from southern parts of the Arab country before the end of the 60-day period stipulated in the November ceasefire agreement.

According to a report on Tuesday morning by IRNA, citing the Lebanese National News Agency, Najib Mikati issued the call during a meeting with US special envoy for the Middle East, Amos Hochstein in Beirut.

During the meeting, they discussed and reviewed the stages the ceasefire between Lebanon and the Israeli regime have gone through since it took effect on November 27, 2024.

The Lebanese premier highlighted the ceasefire violation by the Zionist regime and once again emphasized the cessation of the continuous attacks on southern cities and the systematic destruction of homes and infrastructure as well as the violation of Lebanese airspace.

The continuation of these violations and talk about the Israeli regime's intention to extend the ceasefire is highly unacceptable, Mikati said, adding that and we hold the countries that supported the conclusion of the truce deal and the committee that is responsible for monitoring its implementation accountable for whatever happens.

Hochstein described his meeting with Mikati about the implementation of the ceasefire and the cessation of hostilities as constructive

On Monday morning, I went to Naqoura in southern Lebanon and chaired a meeting with General Jasper Jeffers, who heads the cease-fire mechanism in Lebanon, to ensure that the verification for the implementation of the ceasefire are proceeding smoothly, he underlined.

The US envoy expressed happiness over the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Naqoura, and said that "these withdrawals will continue until the Israeli army forces are completely withdrawn from Lebanon."

Asked whether the Israeli army would be out of Lebanon on January 26, he said: "The implementation of the ceasefire agreement began on November 27 and it was necessary to comply with all the provisions of the agreement, including the establishment of a mechanism that required a team "

Hochstein continued: "This took some time and we are establishing this process from scratch and its implementation did not happen as quickly as everyone expected, but it led to what we have achieved today, which is the complete withdrawal of the Israeli army from one of the sectors, and this means a phased withdrawal with the deployment of the Lebanese army."

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More Zionist military personnel killed, injured in Gaza

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 7, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- The Israeli media reports confirm the death of two more officers and the injury of two other soldiers during a battle with Palestinian resistance fighters in the northern Gaza Strip.

According to the Israeli Radio and Television Organization, citing a spokesman for the regime's army on Tuesday morning, acknowledged that two more soldiers of the regime were killed during clashes with resistance forces in northern Gaza.

Rear Admiral, Daniel Hagari emphasized that the two soldiers were from the Nahal Brigade and were killed by an anti-tank rocket fired in the Beit Hanoun area of northern Gaza.

He also acknowledged that two other soldiers were wounded in the battles and that their condition "declared serious."

Earlier, IRNA citing the Resistance War Information Center reported that an Israeli soldier who held the position of deputy company commander in the Nahal Brigade was killed in northern Gaza.

Nahal is an infantry brigade of the Israeli Army and a subsidiary of the 162nd Ha'Plada Armored Division under the Southern Command of the regime.

In this connection, al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, in a statement said that its fighters targeted the vehicles of the Israeli army on several areas in the Gaza Strip, inflicting heavy losses on them.

Palestine Online news site added that the Al-Qassam in their latest operation also targeted two Israeli Merkava tanks using a powerful explosive device and an anti-tank missile, west of the Jabalia camp in the northern Gaza Strip.

Mujahideen Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian Mujahideen Movement also shelled the command and control headquarters of the Zionist enemy in Jabalia with mortars, the report said.

Earlier on Monday, the Israeli army announced that two of its soldiers from the Nahal patrol unit were seriously injured in a battle that took place in northern Gaza.

Meanwhile, the Yedioth Aharonot newspaper revealed that the soldiers were injured in a bomb explosion in a building in Beit Hanoun.

The Israeli Radio and Television Organization announced that the number of Israeli army deaths since the start of the war against Gaza has increased to 826.

But the Israeli media have repeatedly questioned the given figure, saying that public backlash is the main reason the army is unable to give exact number of casualties among its soldiers

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General Saree: Yemen targets USS Harry Truman

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 7, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- The spokesman of the Yemeni armed forces, General Yahya Saree, announced that the USS Harry Truman was targeted by Yemen's armed forces.

According to the Yemeni media, General Saree, added in a statement that the Yemeni missile and drone forces in a joint military operation with two cruise missiles and four drones targeted the USS Harry Truman aircraft carrier in north of the Red Sea.

"The military operation against the US aircraft carrier was carried out while the US was preparing for a major air attack against Yemen, which, by the grace of God, led to failure," he pointed out.

Earlier, Yemen's Ansarullah had warned the United States about the continued presence of the American aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea, media outlets have reported.

Mohammad Ali al-Houthi, a senior member of the Yemeni Supreme Political Council, wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that the carrier should leave the Red Sea and return to the American coast.

Al-Houthi emphasized that the carrier's continued presence militarizes the waters and lacks legitimacy, falling outside of its legal mission and duties.

He described the situation as "an uncalculated move" by the United States.

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Data on interceptions of aircraft completed near the Baltic States' borders on December, 2024-January 5, 2025

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2025-01-07

International cooperation

On December, 2024-January 5, 2025, NATO Air Policing Detachment in the Baltic states was not activated to intercept aircraft of the Russian Federation violating international aviation regulations in international airspace over the Baltic Sea, nor to patrol airspace over the border of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia and the Russian Federation.

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Navy assures PH strategic passages under tight watch

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno

January 7, 2025, 3:53 pm

MANILA -- The Philippine Navy (PN) on Tuesday said it is sparing no effort to safeguard strategic passages in the country in line with the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC).

In a media briefing, PN spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad clarified that they are not only securing San Bernardino Strait but also several chokepoints.

"Not only San Bernardino Strait, (and the) southernmost part of the Bicol Region, the CADC also emphasizes Surigao Strait, Basilan Strait, Sibutu Passage, Balabac Passage, Verde Island Passage, and up north, Balintang or Basi Channel. These are what we call chokepoints," he added.

CADC is a strategic shift that calls for the Philippine military to protect the country's entire territory along with its 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.

Chokepoint is defined as a maritime passage or a critical waterway.

"So, these chokepoints are also covered by the CADC. We have an emphasis on our choke points," Trinidad said.

He added that chokepoints are covered by littoral stations or land-based sensors, aside from ship-based and air surveillance sensors. (PNA)

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Palace concerned about China's monster ship presence in PH territory

Philippine News Agency

By Darryl John Esguerra and Priam Nepomuceno

January 7, 2025, 3:26 pm Updated on January 7, 2025, 6:21 pm

MANILA -- Malacanang on Tuesday expressed concern over the presence of the China Coast Guard's (CCG) "monster ship" in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

In a Palace press briefing, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has been closely keeping tabs on the Chinese ship, adding that its presence within Philippine waters has been continuously challenged.

"We view it with concern. So far, we've been challenging the presence of that monster ship. Our Coast Guard has been very alert in following up the presence of that monster ship. Pasulpot-sulpot (It comes and go) and it is within our exclusive economic zone," Bersamin said.

"Maaring projection (of power) ang issue dito (This could be a case of power projection)," he added.

The CCG ship 5901, dubbed a "monster ship" due to its massive size of 12,000 gross register tons, was spotted in the coastline of Capones Island in Zambales on Jan. 4.

The PCG's BRP Cabra (MMRV-4409) and its aircraft, the Northern Luzon Command and other assets from the Area Task Force North and National Task Force West Philippine Sea are keeping a tight watch on CCG 5901.

AFP undeterred

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), meanwhile, said it will continue its maritime and air patrols in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) despite the illegal presence of foreign vessels.

"The Armed Forces is continuing its mandate of patrolling the seas and the air. We will not be deterred in spite of the presence, the illegal presence of any foreign vessel," PN spokesperson for the WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said in a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

"Any intrusion, even if only (one) ship, is a concern of the AFP," he added.

He, however, deferred to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on the details of this development, noting that it is the one who does the "day-to-day tracking" of the CCG ship.

"But rest assured, your AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) will continue conducting our maritime and air patrols in the West Philippine Sea, even focusing on BDM (Bajo de Masinloc) for this particular case. And we coordinate with the Coast Guard, BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) the Maritime Police, and other government agencies to address such," he added.

'Illegal'

The PCG, meanwhile, asserted that the presence of CCG 5901 is "illegal", adding that its movement shows it is not in the area for "innocent passage."

"Observations reveal that the CCG vessel's erratic movements indicate it is not engaged in innocent passage but rather asserts that it is conducting a law enforcement operation, claiming jurisdiction over these waters as belonging to the People's Republic of China," PCG Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela said in a post on X.

He said the PCG had deployed BRP Cabra to monitor the CCG ship and challenge China's assertion over the affected waters.

"This unwavering commitment reflects the guidance of PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, emphasizing the importance of persistently confronting the illegal presence of the People's Republic of China and ensuring the safety and security of Filipino fishermen operating in the area," Tarriela said. (With a report from Raymond Carl Dela Cruz/PNA)

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PH Navy: Drone found off Masbate possibly launched by surface ship

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno

January 7, 2025, 3:01 pm Updated on January 7, 2025, 3:55 pm

MANILA -- The submersible drone recovered off Masbate province last month could have been launched by a surface ship, a Philippine Navy (PN) official said Tuesday.

"Based on the physical description of the equipment, of the item which I have seen, the absence of any attachments for airdrop capability would rule out an air launch platform. Since the wings are not foldable, then we could rule out a submarine launch method for this. So most likely, this was launched from a mothership, a mother craft. It is not large enough to travel far distances. Kailangan ito ng isang mother ship (the drone needs a mother ship for launching)," PN spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad said in a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Trinidad described the drone recovered by fisherfolk last Dec. 30 in the waters of San Pascual town as "bright yellow in color, 3.5 meters in length, 24 centimeters in diameter and weighs 94 kilograms."

"The color itself would tell us that these are designed to be seen from the air, hence to be recovered. Red, yellow, bright orange. Mostly, these are commercially available," he added.

Meanwhile, Trinidad lauded the fisherfolk who recovered the submersible drone last week.

"To our fisherfolk, we would like to commend them. I mentioned they are an indispensable part of the whole-of-nation, whole-of-society effort to secure and protect our maritime domain," he added.

Probe of drone's origin

In a related development, PN spokesperson Commander John Percie Alcos said the forensic investigation to determine the origin of the submersible drone will take six to eight weeks.

"The object has been turned over to the PN on Dec. 31 and a six to eight-week forensic analysis is ongoing to determine its origin, its purpose, and technical specifications. The analysis will examine the object's physical structure, electronic components, power source and any possible stored data," he added.

Alcos said that "while initial observation suggests that it may be a submersible used for scientific research or fish tracking, alternative perspectives point to possible military applications."

"Further updates will be provided as the forensic analysis progresses. Rest assured that your Philippine Navy remains steadfast in ensuring public safety, responding to emergencies and safeguarding our nation's interest," he added. (PNA)

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Palestine, Jordan slam map showing Arab lands as part of 'greater Israel'

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 07 January 2025 7:05 PM

Palestinian and Jordanian officials have condemned an Israeli map that claimed territories of several Arab countries as part of the so-called "greater Israel."

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority, described the map shared by Israeli social media accounts this week as a blatant violation of all international resolutions and laws.

He said Israeli occupation policies, attacks by settlers, and the relentless storming of the al-Aqsa Mosque compound require "an urgent international stance to stop what the Palestinian people are being subjected to from war and destruction."

The spokesman also called on the incoming US administration to halt unconditional support for all Israeli policies that undermine security and peace in West Asia.

Parts of the Palestinian, Jordanian, Syrian, and Lebanese territories were included in the map.

The Jordanian Foreign Ministry also described the document as "provocative and baseless."

The ministry said Israeli actions based on racism would neither undermine Jordan's sovereignty nor change the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

It added that the Israeli regime must "immediately cease these provocative actions and stop the reckless statements, which are only fueling tensions and contributing to the instability of the region."

The ministry said that publishing the map coincided with "racist statements" made by far-right hawkish Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich regarding the annexation of the Occupied West Bank and the construction of settlements in the besieged Gaza Strip.

After recent US elections, in which Donald Trump emerged as the winner, speculation has been rife that the Israeli regime is seeking to significantly expand its settlement construction in the occupied West Bank, which has been evident from appointments made by the US president-elect.

In Gaza, many Israeli soldiers have been seen displaying their regime's expansionist ambitions by wearing patches on their uniforms that depict maps of the Israeli regime extending into many regional countries, including Syria and Iraq.

These patches, which often feature the Israeli regime's flag superimposed over a map of the region with redrawn borders, symbolize the desire to conquer Arab lands beyond the current boundaries of the occupied Palestinian territories.

Bezalel Smotrich, the Israeli finance minister, revealed his desire to not only conquer all Palestinian territories up to the Jordan River but also to extend to include Damascus. Smotrich also expressed his ambition to annex territories reaching as far as Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

Israel's recent military offensive in Lebanon, which began in late September and concluded with a ceasefire on November 27, was believed to be part of the Zionist regime's broader expansionist strategy. However, it ended in a disaster for the occupation regime.

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Beirut's message clear; Israel must leave southern Lebanon: PM

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 07 January 2025 5:14 PM

The prime minister of Lebanon says Beirut has sent a "clear message" to the international overseers of the truce deal with Israel that the regime has to completely withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon before the end of January.

The truce deal reached between Israel and Hezbollah in November stipulated that Israeli forces must leave Lebanon before January 26.

However, a report cited an unnamed Israeli official on Monday saying that the Israeli military was preparing for a prolonged stay in Lebanon.

Prime Minister Najib Mikati said Tuesday that he conveyed a clear message to the committee that oversees the truce deal that Israel's extending of the ceasefire period is "categorically unacceptable."

The regime's "violations must stop and that Israel must withdraw completely from the occupied Lebanese territories," his office said in a message on X.

"We also warned against continuing to violate the ceasefire understanding because it threatens the entire understanding, which is something I do not believe anyone wants to happen."

During a meeting with US envoy Amos Hochstein in Beirut on Monday, Mikati also demanded a clear timetable for completing the regime's withdrawal from his country.

A committee made up of France, the United States, Lebanon, and United Nations peacekeepers is tasked with monitoring the ceasefire and ensuring violations are identified and dealt with.

But at least 300 Israeli violations have been reported since the ceasefire agreement took effect at the end of November last year to end nearly 70 days of Israel's offensive on the country.

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Gaza health ministry warns of 'real disaster' amid Israel's barbarism in hospitals

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 07 January 2025 2:54 PM

The Gaza Ministry of Health has warned that a "real disaster" is sweeping hospitals, oxygen stations, medicine refrigerators, and nurseries in all health facilities still partially operational in the besieged Palestinian territory.

The ministry said in a Tuesday statement that the Israeli regime has filled roads across the enclave with "thieves and bandits to steal" aid convoys.

"The last shipment of fuel was stolen yesterday; it was on its way to hospitals through international organizations."

It said there is no fuel stock remaining in hospitals now.

"We reiterate our appeal to all concerned, international, and humanitarian organizations to urgently intervene to provide fuel and secure it to operate generators in hospitals and health centers in the Gaza Strip."

A report by the Gaza media office said in late December that Tel Aviv provides full support for the theft of humanitarian aid and kills security personnel to starve the people of the Gaza Strip.

Officials have repeatedly warned that healthcare in Gaza has been pushed to the brink of collapse under relentless attacks by Israeli forces on hospitals and health facilities, including its barbaric destruction of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in the battered north of Gaza on December 28, 2024.

The regime's forces raided the hospital, forcibly removed patients and staff, and kidnapped the director of the hospital Hussam Abu Safia along with many medical staff before setting the building on fire.

They also took another key hospital, the Indonesian Hospital, out of service in the north on Saturday. The hospital, which was home to displaced Palestinians in the northern town of Beit Lahiya, is so severely damaged that it may never open again.

Health officials say they are "in shock and horrified at the scenes left by Israeli forces at the Indonesian Hospital."

A separate evacuation order has also been issued to the al-Awda Hospital in Jabalia.

According to rights groups, the medical and humanitarian catastrophe inflicted by Israel on the besieged area are "clear signs of ethnic cleansing."

In the north, "we are witnessing clear signs of ethnic cleansing as Palestinian life is being wiped off the area," Doctors Without Borders said in a recent statement.

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Hamas seeks formation of 'national consensus government' in Gaza: Hamdan

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 07 January 2025 2:29 PM

A senior leader of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas says the group seeks the formation of a national consensus government in the Gaza Strip.

Osama Hamdan, Hamas's representative in Lebanon and a member of the group's politburo, made the remarks in a statement on Tuesday, as a new round of indirect talks on a ceasefire in Gaza have resumed in Qatar's capital, Doha.

"We want a national consensus government to be the gateway to managing Palestinian affairs in this transitional phase until the Palestinian people decide to choose their leadership," Hamdan said.

He said, "The experience of negotiating with Israel has proven that the only solution to achieve the rights of our people is to engage with the enemy and force it to retreat."

The senior Hamas official further noted that Israel prevents the Palestinian people in Gaza from everything and persists in killing and destruction, stressing that the message of the resistance is that it will continue on the same path and nothing will weaken its resolve.

"Our clear position in the negotiations is a ceasefire, the withdrawal of the occupation, the exchange of prisoners and the reconstruction of Gaza without Israeli conditions," he said.

Hamdan's remarks come as indirect talks aimed at establishing a ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas have resumed in Qatar.

Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari confirmed in a statement on Tuesday that the technical meetings "are still happening between both sides," referring to meetings with lower-level officials on the details of an agreement.

He went on to say that there were "a lot of issues that are being discussed" in the ongoing meetings, but declined to go into details "to protect the integrity of the negotiations."

According to Ansari, there are "no principal meetings" taking place at the moment.

Mediators Qatar, Egypt and the United States have been engaged in months of back-and-forth talks between representatives from the Tel Aviv regime and Hamas that have failed to end nearly 15 months of the Israeli war.

A key obstacle to a deal has been Israel's reluctance to agree to a lasting ceasefire.

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Resistance warns Palestinian Authority over Jenin siege as PA seeks US aid for crackdown

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 07 January 2025 10:14 AM

Palestinian resistance groups have denounced the military operations conducted by the Palestinian Authority (PA) against residents in the Jenin refugee camp, which coincides with the PA's appeal for increased military assistance from the United States.

The Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, affiliated with the Fatah movement, in a joint statement from the Jenin refugee camp on Tuesday criticized the PA's military actions and systematic deprivation of necessities for innocent Palestinians.

The statement blasted the PA for crossing "red lines" by intentionally harming civilians, as well as obstructing access to essential services like water, electricity, and education.

The armed groups expressed their growing frustration, warning, "Our patience is running out, so do not force us to reach the point of no return, which has dire consequences."

They emphasized that any escalation would ultimately serve the interests of their adversaries while reaffirming their commitment to resist the Israeli occupation.

The statement comes in the wake of violent clashes in Jenin, where several homes were set ablaze and several Palestinian were killed, following a PA crackdown on Palestinians in the Jenin refugee camp.

Last month, the PA launched a crackdown on a coalition of armed groups called the Jenin Brigades, which are affiliated with Palestinian factions such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

Palestinian Authority seeks $680 million in US aid to eliminate resistance

Amidst the tensions, the Palestinian Authority has sought significant military aid from the United States, requesting a $680 million plan to enhance training for its special forces and increase its arsenal, including armored vehicles and ammunition.

During a December meeting with US security officials, representatives from the PA sought financial assistance from the United States over a four-year period, proposing to dismantle resistance forces in the Jenin camp as part of the deal.

The Palestinian Authority also complained that the US had yet to approve funding for renovation works at prisons in Bethlehem and Nablus in the occupied West Bank.

A former US intelligence official, on condition of anonymity, said that the US has been urging the PA for several months to enhance its security efforts against the resistance groups in the West Bank.

The Palestinian Authority's actions have caused widespread criticism among Palestinians, many of whom view the Authority as ineffective and corrupt.

Meanwhile, the Israeli regime continues to conduct unilateral operations in the occupied West Bank, particularly in Area A, which is designated for the exclusive authority of the Palestinian Authority according to the Oslo Accords.

Since the onset of the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza on October, 7, 2023, Israeli forces and extremist Jewish settlers have killed at least 838 Palestinians and injured more than 6,700 in the West Bank, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

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Indonesia officially admitted to BRICS bloc of emerging economies as full member

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 07 January 2025 9:28 AM

Indonesia has officially been granted full membership in the BRICS bloc of emerging economies, says Brazil, the current chair of the intergovernmental organization.

In a statement on Monday, the foreign ministry of Brazil, which holds the BRICS presidency for 2025, announced that the bloc's leaders had approved Indonesia's application in August 2023, but the world's fourth-most populous country decided to formally join the bloc only after its newly-elected government took office last year.

"The Brazilian government welcomes Indonesia's entry into the BRICS. With the largest population and economy in Southeast Asia, Indonesia shares with other members a commitment to reforming global governance institutions and contributes positively to deepening South-South cooperation," the statement read.

Indonesia's foreign ministry, for its part, said in a statement on Tuesday that it welcomed the announcement and that "BRICS membership is a strategic way to increase collaboration and partnership with other developing nations."

BRICS, originally comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and later South Africa, expanded last year to include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. Countries such as Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Malaysia have formally applied for membership, with several others expressing interest in joining.

The expansion exemplifies the group's growing heft, building on its desire to create a counterweight to Western influence in global institutions.

The engagement of developing countries with rising political and economic powers can significantly accelerate their growth and development.

Specifically, developing nations with emerging economies capable of becoming regional power centers are focused on discovering effective strategies to challenge the existing global hierarchy and positioning themselves as a new force in the future multipolar world order.

Prior to Indonesia's inclusion, BRICS represented almost 45 percent of the global population and 35 percent of the world's GDP, based on purchasing power parity.

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Israeli settlers, protected by occupation troops, raid West Bank villages, torch homes, vehicles

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 07 January 2025 6:48 AM

Israeli settlers shielded by the occupation troops have stormed several villages in the West Bank, setting Palestinian homes, farms and vehicles on fire.

Palestinian media reported that the violent settler attacks took place on Monday night in the villages of Turmus Ayya, Tuqu', Hajjah, Fara'ata, al-Funduq and Immatain.

Prior to the raids, far-right Israeli social media groups had posted messages calling on members to join in on rampages against Palestinian villages.

The attacks took place although Israeli rights groups had demanded preventative actions by the regime's authorities.

"Once again, the army is doing nothing to prevent settler violence. This time, too, the writing was on the wall, and notices calling for riots in the villages were distributed publicly among settlers," the Yesh Din right group said.

Settler violence has escalated significantly since October 7, 2023, when Israel unleashed a genocidal war on the Gaza Strip.

So far, the Tel Aviv regime has killed at least 45,854 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 109,139 others, in its brutal Gaza onslaught.

Israel confiscates more Palestinian land

Separately on Monday, the Wafa news agency reported that Israeli authorities had seized 262,000 square meters of Palestinian land in Jaba', al-Ram, Kafr 'Aqab, and Mukhmas, all situated in the al-Quds governorate.

Israeli human rights organization Ir Amim said that the occupying regime is seeking to annex the confiscated area to the illegal Geva Binyamin settlement.

More than 600,000 Israelis live in over 230 settlements built since the 1967 Israeli occupation of the West Bank and East al-Quds.

While all Israeli settlements are illegal under international law, Israel keeps expanding them in blatant violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions.

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UN World Food Program condemns Israel's attack on its aid convoy in war-torn Gaza

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 07 January 2025 6:45 AM

The World Food Programme (WFP) has strongly condemned the horrifying Israeli attack on its "clearly marked" convoy in the besieged Gaza Strip.

In a statement on Monday, WFP said Israeli forces opened fire on its convoy of three vehicles that was carrying eight staff members near the Wadi Gaza checkpoint a day earlier, despite "having received all of the necessary clearances from Israeli authorities."

"At least 16 bullets struck the vehicles," putting the lives of "our staff at tremendous risk and leaving the vehicles immobilized," WFP said.

"Thankfully, no staff members were injured in this terrifying encounter."

The world's largest humanitarian agency stressed that the "unacceptable event" is just the latest example of the complex and dangerous working environment that WFP and other agencies are operating in today, calling for urgent improvement of security conditions in Gaza to allow lifesaving humanitarian aid to continue.

"WFP urges all parties to respect international humanitarian law, protect civilian lives, and allow safe passage for humanitarian aid," the statement said.

International aid agencies working to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza have frequently slammed Israel for hampering or threatening their operations.

Israel launched a genocidal war on Gaza on October 7, 2023 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas waged the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against the occupying entity in response to the Israeli regime's decades-long campaign of bloodletting and devastation against Palestinians.

The regime's bloody onslaught on Gaza has so far killed at least 45,854 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured more than 109,139 others. Thousands more are also missing and presumed dead under rubble.

This is not the first time that Israel has attacked a humanitarian aid convoy in the Gaza Strip.

In late November, Israeli occupation forces targeted a civil car belonging to the World Central Kitchen (WCK) in a drone attack on Gaza's southern city of Khan Yunis, medics said.

Five people were killed including three aid workers from the charity kitchen, medics said on November 30, 2024. One of the victims was reportedly the director of the civilian agency.

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Jan. 6: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 07 January 2025 5:57 AM

By Press TV Website Staff

Amid the West-backed Israeli genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed nearly 45,900 Palestinians so far, resistance groups in Palestine and across the region continue their operations against the Tel Aviv regime and its Western backers.

The major operations by the Palestinian and regional resistance groups on Monday, Jan. 6, are as follows:

Al-Qassam Brigades' operations on Jan. 6:

Targeted two Israeli Merkava tanks with a high-explosive device and a "Shawaz" device east of Al-Saftawi Junction, west of Jabalia camp, northern Gaza Strip

In a joint operation with the Al-Quds Brigades, engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip.

Al-Quds Brigades' operations on Jan. 6:

Targeted a convoy of Israeli military vehicles in the city of Jenin, occupied West Bank, with a heavy barrage of bullets.

Fighters in the engineering detonated a pre-planted explosive device on an Israeli military personnel carrier of the "Namer" type in Jenin, occupied West Bank.

Raised a building where a group of Israeli soldiers were holed up in Jabalia camp, northern Gaza Strip.

Yemeni military's operations on Jan. 6:

The missile force and the drone force of the Yemeni Armed Forces carried out a joint military operation targeting the US aircraft carrier USS Harry Truman with two winged missiles and four drones in the northern Red Sea while they were preparing for a major air attack on Yemen.

Targeted a vital Israeli military site in occupied Jaffa (Tel Aviv) with two drones.

Targeted a vital Israeli military site in occupied Ashkelon with a drone.

Targeted another Israeli military site target in occupied Jaffa (Tel Aviv) with a drone.

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Venezuela cuts off diplomatic ties with Paraguay over opposition support

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 07 January 2025 3:33 AM

Venezuela has broken off its diplomatic relations with Paraguay after the latter expresses support for the Venezuelan opposition, which it claimed to be the winner of the Venezuela's presidential elections.

On Monday, Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro announced severance of his country's diplomatic ties with Asuncion after Paraguayan President Santiago Pena declared his backing for exiled Venezuelan figure Edmundo Gonzalez, calling him the winner of Venezuela's elections last year.

For his part, Pena reiterated his support for Gonzalez and ordered Venezuela's diplomats in his country to leave within 48 hours.

Commenting on X, former Twitter, he said he "expressed our commitment to continue working together with the international community, not only to recognize (Gonzalez's) victory, but to contribute to the prompt restoration of democracy in Venezuela."

The Venezuelan figure claims to have triumphed in the polls, releasing alleged details of the tallies.

Maduro, however, was declared winner by the electoral authority and the nation's top court, and is set to be inaugurated for his third term on Friday.

He became president following the death of his mentor Hugo Chavez in 2013, and was re-elected in 2018 despite the United States-orchestrated opposition.

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Former Vietnamese lawmakers on trial for corruption

Luu Binh Nhuong and Le Thanh Van could face life sentences.

By RFA Vietnamese 2025.01.07 -- Two former members of Vietnam's National Assembly went on trial for corruption on Tuesday, state media reported, the latest prosecutions in a sweeping anti-graft campaign known as the "blazing furnace".

Luu Binh Nhuong, 61, is accused of extortion and taking advantage of his position and power to influence others for personal gain, under articles 170 and 358 of the criminal code. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years or life in prison.

Prosecutors say Nhuong abused his position as deputy head of the National Assembly's petition committee. They say he called the deputy director of the province's police to ask him to turn a blind eye while gangsters extorted money from businesses. He also allegedly used his position to receive a wire transfer for US$300,000.

Fellow parliamentary delegate Le Thanh Van, 60, is accused of conspiring with Nhuong to commit fraud. Prosecutors say he signed four documents allowing him to benefit from the sale of land worth more than $70,000 and earn a further $77,000 from a land project.

In July 2023, Van allegedly asked leaders of Quang Ninh province to help the Truong Sinh Company get a license to develop land in the Bac Son valley, benefitting to the sum of $2,300. He is being prosecuted under article 358 of the criminal code and faces a maximum 20 years or life in prison.

Nhuong was arrested in November 2023 and Van in July 2024 and both have been held in detention since then.

Three other people are being tried in connection with the case: Nguyen Van Vuong, 49, a former specialist in the legal department of the office of the president; Pham Minh Cuong, 39, who has three previous convictions; and Vu Dang Phuong, 43. Vuong is accused of abusing his position and power to influence others for personal gain. Cuong and Phuong are accused of extortion. All three are serving sentences for other crimes.

The Communist Party's "blazing furnace" campaign, aimed at weeding out corruption in the party and the business world, has led to the prosecution of hundreds of political and business people.

However, some critics say the campaign has also been used by leaders in the party to go after rivals.

Nhuong was a member of the 14th National Assembly of Vietnam for the 2016-2021 term and a member of the National Assembly's Social Affairs Committee. He is currently deputy head of the National Assembly's People's Petitions but was not recommended for re-election because of his age..

During the November 2018 parliamentary session Nhuong criticized the public security ministry, formerly headed by Communist Party General Secretary To Lam. He also said the police had made "terrible mistakes."

Translated by RFA Vietnamese. Edited by Mike Firn.

Copyright 1998-2025, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content January not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Thai police: Former Cambodian opposition lawmaker fatally shot in Bangkok

Surveillance video shows a suspect breezily crossing a busy street just before 3 shots ring out near a pagoda.

By RFA Khmer 2025.01.07 -- A former opposition party lawmaker was fatally shot just after arriving in Bangkok from Cambodia's Siem Reap province, apparently by an assassin who fired at him as street vendors and others stood nearby, then casually rode off on a motorbike.

Surveillance video footage posted to Facebook showed a tall man remove his helmet just before strolling across a busy street near Wat Bowonniwet Vihara temple in Bangkok's Phra Nakhon district.

Three shots could be heard on the video, although the actual shooting was not visible. Then the man, wearing long jeans and a grey short-sleeved shirt with a bag across the front, jogs back to his parked motorbike and rides away, steering with one hand while adjusting his helmet.

The Bangkok Post reported that Lim Kimya, 74, was shot twice at around 4 p.m. and died at the scene. He had traveled by bus with his French wife and Cambodian uncle, police told the newspaper.

Police said they've launched a manhunt for the shooter. Thailand's Khaosod newspaper posted two surveillance images of the suspect riding a motorbike at around the time of the shooting.

The shooting will have a "direct impact" in further intimidating hundreds of Cambodian political opposition figures, activists and human rights defenders who have fled to Thailand to escape political repression in Cambodia, said Phil Robertson, the director of Asia Human Rights and Labour Advocates.

"This brazen shooting ... on the streets of Bangkok has all the hallmarks of a political assassination, and looks to be a significant escalation in the use of transnational repression in Bangkok," he said in a statement.

Lim Kimya told Agence France-Presse in 2017 that he would "never give up politics" and planned to stay in Cambodia despite an order from the Supreme Court banning the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, or CNRP.

The CNRP was founded by veteran opposition leader Sam Rainsy in 2012. It was banned by the court following accusations that it had plotted to topple the government. Many of its top leaders - including Sam Rainsy - left the country after the ruling.

"With dual French-Cambodian citizenship, Lim Kimya could have easily joined the three dozen MPs who have fled abroad," AFP wrote in 2017. "Yet Lim Kimya refuses to quit."

Proposal for 'terrorist' designation

Tuesday's shooting came as former Prime Minister Hun Sen urged the government to pass a law allowing prosecutors to charge dissidents with terrorism.

"It is time to make a law that will define any person or group that has plans or actions to create an anti-extremist movement, cause chaos and insecurity in society, cause conflict with others, and attempt to overthrow the government as terrorists who must be brought to justice to protect peace," he said at a public ceremony.

With no real opposition, the ruling Cambodian People's Party, or CPP, coasted to national election victories in 2018 and 2023.

After 38 years in power, Hun Sen resigned as prime minister just after the 2023 election to make way for the appointment of his son, Hun Manet, who has since shown little interest in diverting from his father's heavy-handed approach to ruling Cambodia.

Hun Sen continues to serve as president of the CPP and as Senate president.

Tuesday's ceremony marked the 46th anniversary of the day that the Khmer Rouge regime was driven from power by a Vietnamese-led force. The event is celebrated annually by the CPP, which has historic ties to Vietnam and came to power after the Khmer Rouge was forced out of Phnom Penh.

In recent years, dozens of pro-democracy Cambodian activists have fled to Thailand to seek asylum as the CPP has used intimidation and the courts to neutralize the political opposition.

Several Cambodians have said they were attacked in public in Thailand in 2023 because of their activism.

Smash and destroy

Last February, Prime Minister Hun Manet met with then-Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin in Bangkok to discuss a crackdown on what they called "interference" in Cambodian politics by Thai-based Cambodian political activists.

In June, Hun Sen encouraged CPP supporters to "smash" and "destroy" opposition political activists in audio comments that were purportedly recorded at a party meeting and circulated on Cambodian social media.

In November, six activists associated with the CNRP and one minor were deported from Thailand to Cambodia at the request of the Cambodian government. The six adults, who escaped Cambodia in 2022, were subsequently charged with "treason."

Cambodian activists remaining in Thailand told RFA in November that the arrests have increased their safety concerns, with one dissident saying that nearly 100 Cambodian refugees had fled their rented rooms for new housing and agreed to stop meeting up in-person.

Robertson urged Thai authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation, adding that the French government should also "aggressively pursue justice" for Lim Kimya - "no matter where the path leads."

"Thailand's international reputation is on the line in this case, and the Thai police and politicians should recognize they can't just sweep this brutal murder under the rug," he said.

International human rights groups have condemned Thailand for assisting neighbors, including Vietnam and Cambodia, to undertake what the groups say is unlawful action against human rights defenders and dissidents, making Thailand increasingly unsafe for those fleeing persecution.

Human Rights Watch has criticized what it called a "swap mart" of transnational repression in which foreign dissidents in Thailand are effectively traded for critics of the Thai government living abroad.

Translated by Yun Samean. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2025, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content January not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Dozens killed as 7.1-magnitude earthquake hits Tibet

The mountainous region is prone to quakes because of colliding tectonic plates.

By Tashi Wangchuk, Dolkar, Tenzin Pema for RFA Tibetan and Taejun Kang for RFA 2025.01.07 -- At least 126 people were killed and 188 others were injured after a powerful earthquake hit Tibet on Tuesday morning, according to Chinese state media, with the tremors felt in multiple regions in neighboring countries of India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.

The 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck at 9:05 a.m. local time in Dingri county of Shigatse prefecture in the Tibet Autonomous Region, located close to the border with Nepal, according to the United States Geological Survey.

The China Earthquake Networks Center recorded a magnitude 6.8 quake.

Multiple aftershocks of magnitudes of more than 4 struck the region, the most powerful of which was 4.4. magnitude. More than 3,000 buildings were destroyed in one county alone, Chinese state media reported.

Rescue teams have been deployed, Chinese media reported earlier.

Many Tibetans from around Tibet are rallying together to provide aid to the hundreds of affected Tibetans in Dingri, with videos as seen by Radio Free Asia showing individuals leading donation drives for shoes, blankets, food, water and other basic necessities such as tissue rolls, and loading these in trucks for distribution.

Sources told RFA that freezing temperatures in the region have exacerbated challenges, after the earthquake destroyed homes and forced people out in the open. Temperatures in January in the region plunge as low as minus-16 degrees Celsius (3 degrees Fahrenheit).

Dalai Lama offers prayers

Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, who is currently in South India, expressed deep sadness over loss of lives, property and homes in the earthquake.

"I offer my prayers for those who have lost their lives and extend my wishes for a swift recovery to all who have been injured," he said in an official announcement.

In video footage sourced by RFA, significant damage can be seen, with many buildings reduced to rubble. In one video, a Tibetan woman can be heard crying out for trapped family members.

Dingri County has a population of about 60,000, according to a 2020 census. Within 5 kilometers (3 miles) of the epicenter are the villages of Tangren, Xuezhu, Garegoji, and Meiduo, while Tsosang and Chulho townships are within 20 kilometers (12 miles) of the impact zone, Chinese state media reported.

The earthquake was felt strongly in Cogo, Chulho, and Chamco townships, said a source in India who has family members in Chamco.

"I was able to connect with my family this morning and got to know they were all safe at the time but was not able to connect in the afternoon," he told RFA.

Tremors were also felt in Nepal's capital Kathmandu some 400 kilometers (250 miles) away, where residents ran from their houses, Reuters news agency reported.

"We felt a very strong earthquake. So far we have not received any report of injuries or physical loss," said Anoj Raj Ghimire, chief district officer of Solukhumbu district in Nepal, quoted by Reuters.

The earthquake also hit Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, and the northern Indian state of Bihar which borders Nepal, Reuters said.

CTA extends condolences

Penpa Tsering, president of the Tibetan government-in-exile, expressed his condolences and announced a prayer service to be held on Wednesday at the Thekchen Choeling Tsuglakhang complex in Dharamsala, India.

"The Central Tibetan Administration deeply mourns the devastating 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the Dingri region and surrounding areas in Tibet this morning," he told RFA. "The CTA, along with Tibetans around the world, extends our heartfelt condolences and prayers to all those affected by this tragedy. ...We will continue to monitor the situation inside Tibet."

China's official Xinhua news agency said the Chinese government dispatched a rescue team of 198 people and 35 ambulances, and that President Xi Jinping ordered authorities to ensure that those affected by the quake were protected from the harsh winter.

"However, the locals were left with no sign of help at the site even about three hours after the earthquake," said a Tibetan resident in Nepal, who has been in touch with those affected since the earthquake struck in Dingri.

An unusually large number of photos and videos about the earthquake have surfaced online, including one in which a Tibetan woman can be heard taking the name of the Dalai Lama, referring to him as "Gyalwa Rinpoche" in Tibetan. "May His Holiness bless us," her prayer can be heard in the WeChat video.

Many Tibetans inside and outside Tibet have also taken to social media to express their solidarity.

"Dingri, may you recover soon from the effects of the earthquake and stand tall like a mountain once again," said a social media user named Phakchen. "May all brothers and sisters be free from the sufferings caused by the earthquake."

Another user, named Tsowo, expressed solidarity with Tibetans affected by the disaster with a post of a traditional Tibetan butter lamp, a symbol of driving away darker times.

Frequent earthquakes

Southwestern parts of China and Nepal have been hit frequently by earthquakes.

A huge earthquake in China's Sichuan province in 2008 killed almost 70,000 people, while in 2015, a magnitude 7.8 quake, Nepal's worst, hit near Kathmandu, killing about 9,000 people and injuring thousands.

A 7.1 magnitude earthquake can cause extensive structural damage, severe ground shaking, landslides and fatalities, particularly in densely populated or poorly constructed areas, with risks of power outages, gas leaks, and tsunamis if near the coast.

There have been 29 earthquakes with magnitudes of 3 or higher within 200 kilometers (124 miles) of the epicenter of Tingri in the past five years, according to China's state-run broadcaster CCTV.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, an earthquake of a magnitude 6 or higher has struck only 10 times in the last 100 years within 250 kilometers (155 miles) of the epicenter in Dingri county.

Additional reporting by Tenzin Tenkyong, Nordhey Dolma, Lobe Socktsang, Dorjee Dolma and Tenzin Norzom. Translated by RFA Tibetan. Edited by Mike Firn.

The story was updated to include comments by Penpa Tsering, information about photos and videos on social media, and comments by Tibetans on social media.

Copyright 1998-2025, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content January not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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U.S. Imposes Sanctions On Senior Hungarian Official Over Alleged Corruption

By RFE/RL's Hungarian Service January 07, 2025

The United States has announced sanctions on a senior Hungarian official with a critical role in Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government for his alleged involvement in corruption.

The sanctions are being imposed on Antal Rogan, who "has used his role to enrich himself and those loyal to his party," the U.S. Treasury Department said in a news release on January 7.

Rogan "orchestrated schemes designed to control several strategic sectors of the Hungarian economy" and skim the proceeds from the sectors for himself and loyalists to Orban's Fidesz party, the department said.

Under Orban's right-wing government, Hungary has been accused, at home and abroad, of democratic backsliding.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto blasted the U.S. action, calling it a "personal vendetta" of the U.S. ambassador.

"How good it is that in a few days' time the United States will be led by people who see our country as a friend and not an enemy," he added, referring to the January 20 inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, who has often praised Orban.

The U.S. statement noted that, in his role as minister in charge of Orban's cabinet office, Rogan controls many government entities, including the National Communications Office, the Digital Government Agency, and the Hungarian Tourism Agency. Rogan also has been a member of parliament in Hungary since 1998.

"Throughout his tenure as a government official, Rogan has orchestrated Hungary's system for distributing public contracts and resources to cronies loyal to himself and the Fidesz political party," the department said.

He is being designated under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, which targets perpetrators of serious human rights abuses and corruption around the world.

"Corruption undermines a country's governing institutions and limits its economic development, providing short-sighted gain to a select few while depriving future generations of longer-term benefit," said acting Treasury Undersecretary Bradley T. Smith.

The department said public sector corruption in Hungary has been worsening for more than a decade, leading to Hungary receiving the lowest score of any European Union (EU) member state on Transparency International's 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index for the second consecutive year.

It also said whistleblowers in Hungary have criticized the government for operating a kleptocracy with a notable lack of transparency and equity in public and private expenditure deals made between administrators such as Rogan and loyalist business leaders.

"Hungary's failure to address transparency issues in its public procurement mechanisms has most recently led to a loss of over 1 billion Euros in future funding from the European Union, disadvantaging Hungarian citizens," the department noted.

The Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act targets perpetrators of serious human rights abuse and corruption around the world. The sanctions freeze any property Rogan holds within U.S. jurisdiction and bar any dealings with him by a U.S. person.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/hungary-rogan-corruption- treasury-sanctrions/33266474.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Trump Acknowledges Russia's Concerns Over Ukraine's Possible Entry Into NATO

Sputnik News

20250107

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday expressed understanding of Russia's position, which opposes Ukraine accession to NATO.

"So, you know, a big part of the problem was Russia for many, many years, long before Putin said you could never have NATO involved with Ukraine. Now they have said that that has been like written in stone, and somewhere along the line, [outgoing President Joe] Biden said, no, they should be able to join NATO. Well, then Russia has somebody right on their doorstep. But I can understand their feeling about that," Trump told a press conference in Mar-a-Lago, adding that "there were a lot of mistakes made in that negotiation."

Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly said that Ukraine's possible membership in NATO threatens Russia's security. In June 2024, Putin said that Ukraine's abandonment of its plans to join NATO was one of the conditions under which Moscow would be ready for a ceasefire and talks.

At the same time Trump declined to say when he was going to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, but added that such a meeting would not be appropriate before his inauguration on January 20.

"I know that Putin would like to meet. I do not think it is appropriate that I meet him until after [January] 20," Trump said.

Speaking at the press conference, Trump made several key announcements and policy declarations. In particular, he promised to introduce very serious tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada in an effort to combat drug trafficking.

"And we are going to put very serious tariffs on Mexico and Canada, because Canada, they come through Canada too, and the drugs that are coming through are at record numbers, record numbers," Trump said.

In late November, Trump announced that upon taking office, he would impose 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico due to unresolved issues related to illegal immigration and drug trafficking in the US.

Speaking about Greenland, Trump said that the US needs it for national security purposes.

"People really do not even know if Denmark has any legal right to it. But if they do, they should give it up because we need it for national security, that is for the free world ... and if Denmark wants to get to a conclusion, but nobody knows it they even have the right title or interest, the people are going to probably vote for independence or to come into the US, but if they did do that, then I would tariff Denmark at a very high level," he said.

Trump also announced his intention to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

He added that he plan to reclaim the Panama Canal to US ownership is currently under consideration.

"So the Panama Canal is under discussion with them right now," Trump told journalists.

Trump said on December 22 that he would demand the rapid return of the Panama Canal to American ownership due to high fees for passage through it. The politician emphasized that the Panama Canal was critically important for US trade, as well as for the rapid deployment of US naval forces in the Atlantic and the Pacific.

 Sputnik

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Israeli Company Says Will Supply Anti-Drone Systems to NATO Country

Sputnik News

20250107

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Israeli defense company Elbit Systems has said it will supply anti-drone systems to a European NATO member state for a total of $60 million.

"Elbit Systems Ltd. has been awarded a contract worth approximately $60 million to supply its multi-layered Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) to a NATO European country. The contract will be performed over a period of 3 years," the company said on Monday.

The company will also supply the ReDrone modular system, which can detect, recognize and neutralize drones both day and night and in all weather conditions.

The News.ro portal reported, citing sources, that the company signed this contract with Romania.

 Sputnik

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Sanctioning Hungarian Official Antal Rogan

US Department of State

Press Statement

Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson

January 7, 2025

The United States is today designating senior Hungarian government official Antal Rogan under the Global Magnitsky sanctions program for his involvement in corruption.

During his tenure as a government official, including as Minister in Charge of Orban's Cabinet Office, Rogan has reportedly orchestrated schemes designed to control strategic sectors of the Hungarian economy. Minister Rogan has played a central role in enabling a system in Hungary that has benefitted himself and his party at the expense of the Hungarian people. Rogan's activity is emblematic of the broader climate of impunity in Hungary where key elements of the state have been captured by oligarchs and undemocratic actors.

Today's action implements the U.S. Strategy on Countering Corruption, which identifies state capture as a specific typology of concern. The United States has a national security interest in the vitality and continuity of the democratic institutions of our Allies as well as in protecting democracy globally. This designation is intended to ensure the U.S. financial system plays no role in facilitating the corrupt activities of Antal Rogan.

We continue to urge Hungary's leaders to address corruption proactively, unequivocally, and decisively. A more transparent Hungary will contribute to a stronger Transatlantic Alliance and a more prosperous Europe.

The Department of the Treasury's sanctions actions today were taken pursuant to Executive Order 13818, which implements and builds upon the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act and targets perpetrators of serious human rights abuse and corruption around the world. For more information, see Treasury's press release.

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Treasury Sanctions Sudanese Paramilitary Leader, Weapons Supplier, and Related Companies

U.S. Department of the Treasury

January 7, 2025

WASHINGTON -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is sanctioning Mohammad Hamdan Daglo Mousa (Hemedti), the leader of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF), under Executive Order (E.O.) 14098, "Imposing Sanctions on Certain Persons Destabilizing Sudan and Undermining the Goal of a Democratic Transition." For nearly two years, Hemedti's RSF has engaged in a brutal armed conflict with the Sudanese Armed Forces for control of Sudan, killing tens of thousands, displacing 12 million Sudanese, and triggering widespread starvation.

In addition, OFAC is sanctioning seven companies and one individual linked to the RSF. The RSF's ability to acquire military equipment and generate finances continue to fuel the conflict in Sudan. Capital Tap Holding L.L.C. (Capital Tap Holding), based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has provided money and weapons to the RSF.

"The United States continues to call for an end to this conflict that is putting innocent civilian lives in jeopardy," said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo. "The Treasury Department remains committed to using every tool available to hold accountable those responsible for violating the human rights of the Sudanese people."

Today, Secretary of State Antony Blinken determined that the RSF has perpetrated genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan during the course of the war. Secretary Blinken previously determined that members of the RSF and its allied militias have engaged in war crimes, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing. Under Hemedti's leadership, the RSF has engaged in serious human rights abuses, including widespread sexual violence and executing defenseless civilians and unarmed fighters. The RSF has also used the denial of humanitarian relief as a weapon of war against the people of Sudan, systematically violating its obligationsincluding international humanitarian law, the 2023 Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan, and the 2024 Code of Conduct thatthe RSF accepted as part of the Aligned to Protect Advancing Lifesaving and Peace in Sudan (ALPS).

RSF's leader

Mohammad Hamdan Daglo Mousa (Hemedti), the Commander of RSF, is being sanctioned for his leadership of the RSF, one of the Sudanese war's primary belligerents. Through its campaign in Darfur, Gezira, and other combat areas, the RSF has committed a litany of documented war crimes and atrocities, including ethnically motivated killings and sexual violence as a weapon of war. As the overall commander of the RSF, Hemedti bears command responsibility for the abhorrent and illegal actions of his forces.

Hemedti is being designated, pursuant to E.O. 14098, for being a foreign person who is or has been a leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors of the RSF, an entity that has, or whose members have, been responsible for, or complicit in, or have directly or indirectly engaged in actions or policies that threaten the peace, security, or stability of Sudan relating to the tenure of such leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors.

RSF Weapons Supplier AND RELATED COMPANIES

Capital Tap Holding L.L.C. (Capital Tap Holding), a UAE-based holding company that manages 50 companies over ten countries, has provided the RSF with money and military equipment. Sudanese national Abu Dharr Abdul Nabi Habiballa Ahmmed (Abu Dharr) is the owner and manager of Capital Tap Holding, and additionally owns or manages several other related companies sanctioned by OFAC today.

Capital Tap Management Consultancies L.L.C. (Capital Tap Management) and Capital Tap General Trading L.L.C. (Capital Tap General) are Capital Tap Holding subsidiaries based in the UAE. Capital Tap Holding described Capital Tap Management as one of its companies, while Abu Dharr is the owner and manager of Capital Tap General.

Creative Python L.L.C. (Creative Python) is a UAE-based company, owned and managed by Abu Dharr, which serves as a cut-out to obfuscate Hemedti's business dealings to avoid sanctions. The managing director of Creative Python handled financial transactions for Algoney Hamdan Daglo Musa (Algoney), the RSF's procurement director and brother of RSF leader Hemedti. OFAC sanctioned Algoney on October 8, 2024, pursuant to E.O. 14098.

Al Zumoroud and Al Yaqoot Gold & Jewellers L.L.C. (AZ Gold) is a UAE-based gold purchasing company managed by Abu Dharr. AZ Gold has purchased gold from Sudan, presumably for the benefit of the RSF, and subsequently transported it to Dubai. Algoney maintained access to AZ Gold's bank account in the UAE, which held millions of dollars.

Al Jil Al Qadem General Trading L.L.C. (Al Jil Al Qadem) is a UAE-based company co-owned and co-managed by Abu Dharr. Al Jil Al Qadem has longstanding ties to the RSF. Hemedti's brother and RSF commander, Abdelrahim Hamdan Dagalo (Abdelrahim), who OFAC designated on September 6, 2023, pursuant to E.O. 14098, was formerly the minority owner of Al Jil Al Qadem. Additionally, Al Jil Al Qadem has been the shareholder of Alkhaleej Co LTD (Alkhaleej), a financial institution which was controlled by the RSF and was an essential part of the RSF's efforts to finance its operations. On January 31, 2024, OFAC designated Alkhaleej pursuant to E.O. 14098.

Horizon Advanced Solutions General Trading L.L.C. - Sole Proprietorship (Horizon Advanced Solutions) is a UAE-based subsidiary of Capital Tap Holding. In early 2023, Horizon Advanced Solutions imported cargo from GSK Advanced Business Co Ltd, an information technology and security company managed by Algoney. On September 28, 2023, OFAC designated GSK Advanced pursuant to E.O. 14098.

Capital Tap Holding is being designated, pursuant to E.O. 14098, for being a foreign person who is responsible for, or complicit in, or who has directly or indirectly engaged or attempted to engage in actions or policies that threaten the peace, security, or stability of Sudan.

Abu Dharr is being designated pursuant to E.O. 14098 for being a foreign person who is or has been a leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors of Capital Tap Holding, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order relating to the tenure of such leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors.

Capital Tap General, Creative Python, AZ Gold, and Al Jil Al Qadem are being designated, pursuant to E.O. 14098, for being a foreign person who is owned or controlled by or has acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Abu Dharr.

Lastly, Capital Tap Management and Horizon Advanced Solutions are being designated pursuant to E.O. 14098 for being a foreign person who is owned or controlled by, or has acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Capital Tap Holding.

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS

As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons.

In addition, financial institutions and other persons that engage in certain transactions or activities with the sanctioned entities and individuals may expose themselves to sanctions or be subject to an enforcement action. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.

The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the SDN List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, please refer to OFAC's Frequently Asked Question 897 here. For detailed information on the process to submit a request for removal from an OFAC sanctions list, please click here.

Click here for more information on the individual designated today.

###

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Treasury Sanctions Corrupt Hungarian Official

U.S. Department of the Treasury

January 7, 2025

WASHINGTON -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is sanctioning Antal Rogan,a senior Hungarian government official, for his involvement in corruption in Hungary. He is being designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act and targets perpetrators of serious human rights abuse and corruption around the world.

"Corruption undermines a country's governing institutions and limits its economic development, providing short-sighted gain to a select few while depriving future generations of longer-term benefit," said Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Bradley T. Smith. "The United States will not hesitate to hold accountable individuals, like Rogan, who use the power of their office to illicitly enrich themselves and their cronies at the expense of their country and their fellow citizens."

Public sector corruption in Hungary has been worsening for more than a decade, leading to Hungary receiving the lowest score of any European Union (EU) member state on Transparency International's 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index for the second consecutive year. The European Union suspended funding over concerns with breaches of the principles of rule of law in Hungary, including those related to public procurement, conflict of interest, and the fight against corruption. Whistleblowers in Hungary have criticized the government for operating a kleptocracy with a notable lack of transparency and equity in public and private expenditure deals made between administrators in Budapest, such as Rogan, and loyalist business leaders. Hungary's failure to address transparency issues in its public procurement mechanisms has most recently led to a loss of over one billion Euros in future funding from the European Union, disadvantaging Hungarian citizens.

ANTAL ROGAN

Antal Rogan (Rogan) is a senior Hungarian government official who has a critical role in Prime Minister Orban's government. Currently the Minister in Charge of Orban's Cabinet Office, Rogan controls many government entities, including the National Communications Office, the Digital Government Agency, and the Hungarian Tourism Agency. Rogan has used his role to enrich himself and those loyal to his party. Rogan also has been a Member of Parliament in Hungary since 1998.

Throughout his tenure as a government official, Rogan has orchestrated Hungary's system for distributing public contracts and resources to cronies loyal to himself and the Fidesz political party. Rogan orchestrated schemes designed to control several strategic sectors of the Hungarian economy and to divert proceeds from those sectors to himself and to reward loyalists from his political party.

OFAC is designating Rogan pursuant to E.O. 13818 for being a foreign person who is a current or former government official, or a person acting for or on behalf of such an official, who is responsible for or complicit in, or has directly or indirectly engaged in, corruption, including the misappropriation of state assets, the expropriation of private assets for personal gain, corruption related to government contracts or the extraction of natural resources, or bribery.

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS

As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated person described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons.

In addition, financial institutions and other persons that engage in certain transactions or activities with the individual may expose themselves to sanctions or be subject to an enforcement action. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.

GLOBAL MAGNITSKY

Building upon the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, E.O. 13818 was issued on December 20, 2017, in recognition that the prevalence of human rights abuse and corruption that have their source, in whole or in substantial part, outside the United States, had reached such scope and gravity as to threaten the stability of international political and economic systems. Human rights abuse and corruption undermine the values that form an essential foundation of stable, secure, and functioning societies; have devastating impacts on individuals; weaken democratic institutions; degrade the rule of law; perpetuate violent conflicts; facilitate the activities of dangerous persons; and undermine economic markets. The United States seeks to impose tangible and significant consequences on those who commit serious human rights abuse or engage in corruption, as well as to protect the financial system of the United States from abuse by these same persons.

The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the SDN List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, please refer to OFAC's Frequently Asked Question 897 here. For detailed information on the process to submit a request for removal from an OFAC sanctions list, please click here.

Click here for more information on the individual designated today.

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United Nations and Lebanese Government Announce $371.4 Million Extended Flash Appeal to Address Growing Humanitarian Needs

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Beirut, January 7, 2025 -- Today, the United Nations and the Government of Lebanon issued a $371.4 million extension of the Lebanon Flash Appeal, aiming to provide life-saving assistance to civilians affected by the recent conflict and the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Announced at the Grand Serail in Beirut by Deputy Prime Minister Saade el-Shami and Humanitarian Coordinator Imran Riza, the appeal extends emergency efforts, covering the period from January to March 2025.

Building on the Flash Appeal initially launched in October 2024, this extension seeks to support Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian refugees, and migrants most affected by the crisis. It complements the Lebanon Response Plan (LRP) by addressing immediate humanitarian needs while the LRP serves as the primary framework for humanitarian and stabilization responses in the country.

"The Government of Lebanon remains committed to leading a coordinated, transparent and accountable response," said Deputy Prime Minister Saade el-Shami. "Our aim is to focus together on bridging immediate humanitarian needs with long-term recovery planning, in the most efficient and transparent way. However, the scale of this crisis exceeds the resources available, underscoring the necessity of robust international support to sustain and expand these efforts."

The conflict, which began in October 2023 and intensified over a devastating six-week period from late September to early November 2024, caused over 4,000 deaths, 16,000 injuries, and displaced more than 1 million people. It has left hundreds of thousands struggling to return to their homes amidst extensive destruction of buildings, essential infrastructure and services.

"While the cessation of hostilities offers hope, over 125,000 people remain displaced, and hundreds of thousands more face immense challenges rebuilding their lives. An additional $371.4 million is urgently required to sustain life-saving efforts and prevent further deterioration of an already dire situation," warned Imran Riza, the Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon.

The extended appeal prioritizes food assistance, winterization support, emergency repairs, and protection of civilians, while addressing gaps in healthcare, water, and education infrastructure.

Minister of Environment and Coordinator of the Government Emergency Committee, Nasser Yassin, said: "While additional humanitarian assistance is essential, Lebanon's institutions and public sector also require significant support to prevent the collapse of basic and social services and address the urgent needs of citizens. Similarly, municipalities and local authorities urgently need emergency funding to maintain their operations, given their frontline role and the heavy burden they bear as a result of the war."

As Lebanon continues to grapple with the aftermath of the conflict, the Lebanese government and the humanitarian community urge the international community to step up their support. Sustained funding and resources are essential to stabilize the situation, deliver aid to those in need, and enable Lebanon's recovery from one of the darkest chapters in its modern history.

Link to the Flash Appeal: Lebanon, Covering the period January-March 2025

https://reliefweb.int/report/lebanon/flash-appeal-lebanon-covering-period-january-march-2025-january-2025-enar

Note to Editors

This Flash Appeal outlines the financial requirements for humanitarian organizations to deliver immediate and life-saving assistance and protection to 1 million conflict-affected people in Lebanon. It supports Government-led relief efforts and complements the Lebanon Response Plan (LRP), which serves as the primary framework for humanitarian and stabilization responses in the country. The figures presented in this appeal may be adjusted in the coming weeks and months, in keeping with the evolving situation and associated response requirements.

-Ends-

7 January 2025

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Navy awards $3.5B contract to Northrop Grumman to develop successor to E-6B Mercury aircraft

US Navy

07 January 2025

From Courtesy Story

NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXENT RIVER, MD -- The U.S. Navy announced today that it has awarded Northrop Grumman Corp. a $3.5 billion contract to conduct the mission-systems integration for the E-130J, which will be the successor to the E-6B Mercury for the Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) mission.

Under the contract, Northrop Grumman of Melbourne, Florida, will serve as the prime contractor to integrate TACAMO mission systems, including the Collins Aerospace Very Low Frequency system, into government-furnished C-130J-30 air vehicles built by Lockheed Martin Corp. The contract is for three Engineering Development Models (EDMs) and options for up to three System Demonstration Test Articles (SDTAs) and up to six aircraft in the first lot of production. Collins Aerospace and Lockheed Martin are directed subcontractors to support the integration and airworthiness.

"Our TACAMO mission is foundational to our nation's nuclear Triad," said Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro. "The E-130J will carry on the proud legacy of Navy TACAMO aircraft and keep our nation safe."

The acquisition effort is being led by the Navy's Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office (PMA-271) within the Program Executive Office for Air Anti-Submarine Warfare, Assault and Special Mission Programs (PEO(A)).

"Today is a tremendous day for the future of naval aviation's contribution to our nation's nuclear deterrence mission," said Capt. Adam Scott, PMA-271 program manager. "With the selection of Northrop Grumman as the prime contractor for the TACAMO Recapitalization Program, we are ready to move out with developing this critical asset. In carrying on the legacy of the E-6B Mercury, the E-130J will ensure our nation's leadership is always connected to its nuclear forces for decades to come."

Work developing this asset in conjunction with the prime contractor begins today.

The contract award is the result of a competitive source selection that included significant engagement with industry. PMA-271 released the request for proposals on sam.gov on Sept. 21, 2023, with proposals due by April 22, 2024.

The Navy selected the winner based on the proposal that offered the best value to the government, considering the offeror's technical approach and cost. The total contract value is $3,459,276,000.

The E-130J is a critical part of the United States' nuclear modernization program, which includes new Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines, new bomber aircraft such as the B-21 Raider, and Sentinel, a new ground-based system to replace the silo-based Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles. The E-130J will ensure that leadership can always communicate with those nuclear forces to order or cancel strikes, even if ground-based communications are unavailable.

The E-6B is a communications relay and strategic airborne command post aircraft. It provides survivable, reliable, and endurable airborne nuclear command, control and communications (NC3) for the president, secretary of defense and U.S. Strategic Command. It is a dual-mission aircraft capable of fulfilling the no-fail TACAMO mission and the Looking Glass mission, which facilitates the launch of U.S. land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles using an airborne launch control system. The E-130J will relieve the E-6B of the TACAMO mission.

PMA-271 is headquartered at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. Its mission is to deliver and support survivable, reliable and endurable airborne command, control and communications for the president, secretary of defense and U.S. Strategic Command.



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Why Ivory Coast, Senegal asked French troops to leave

By Henry Wilkins January 07, 2025

In a major shift in West Africa's security landscape, Ivory Coast and Senegal, regional economic powerhouses, have ordered France to remove its troops from their territories.

The withdrawals will mark the effective end of a decadeslong military presence by France in Senegal and Ivory Coast. But why is this happening?

Geoffroy Julien Kouao, an Ivorian political scientist, explained that it is part of a broader strategy by African nations wanting to forge new partnerships.

"I think that African politicians want to diversify their relations, especially with the countries of the global south, such as China, Turkey, Brazil, the Arab monarchies of the Gulf, but also with Russia," he said.

Ivory Coast and Senegal are following in the footsteps of Sahel countries that are fighting a war against jihadis linked to Islamic State and al-Qaida. After almost 10 years of French military involvement failed to stop escalating terrorist violence in the Sahel, the former colonial power began removing its troops from the region in 2022.

"Coastal countries like Senegal and Ivory Coast are part of the new dynamic initiated by the Sahel states, such as Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Chad," Kouao said. "These countries are looking for more sovereignty and above all [politicians] don't want to go against public opinion, which favors the departure of French troops."

Public opinion in West Africa has become critical of French and Western military presence in the region. Many see it as a continuation of colonial ties. It has even become the source of debunked conspiracy theories that France is supporting terrorist groups.

Rinaldo Depagne, West Africa project director for the International Crisis Group, doubts the French military departure will improve security in Senegal and Ivory Coast, which border the Sahel countries and have seen terrorist attacks spilling over from them.

"The expansion of jihadism in the north of the coastal countries has been slow, but fairly constant since 2020," Depagne said. "It is not certain that the departure of French troops, and more broadly of foreign troops, will make a big difference, except perhaps in terms of information."

Asked if Senegal and Ivory Coast could seek military partnerships with Russia, as some Sahel countries have, Depagne said that.the presence of French troops in the Sahel between 2013 and 2022 did not restore security, and that the Russian troops currently engaged in the Sahel haven't done any better. He said that this is largely because the solution to Sahelian armed jihadism is not only military but also political.

Analyst Andrew Lebovich, a research fellow at the Clingendael Institute in the Netherlands, noted that as French troops depart West Africa, France continues to train troops fighting terrorism.

"Certainly, French troops are going to remain involved in training and cooperation in Cote d'Ivoire, in Benin, likely in a few other places, so it's not an end to the post-colonial military presence, but it certainly is an important shift," he said.

Other Western nations are offering military assistance to coastal West African countries. The U.S. will hold its annual West African military exercise, Flintlock, in Ivory Coast this year.

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Trump: 'All hell will break out' if Hamas hostages not returned

By Anita Powell January 07, 2025

President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday held an omnibus press conference at his Florida estate, where he explained his stances on key foreign policy issues as he prepares to take office in two weeks.

He forcefully called for the release of hostages seized in Israel more than a year ago by the militant group Hamas, saying six times that "all hell will break loose" otherwise.

Hamas, which the United States considers a terrorist organization, dug in on its top demand in ongoing negotiations that Israel ends its assault and withdraw from Gaza. At a news conference in Algiers, Hamas official Osama Hamdan blamed Israel for stymieing a deal.

When asked to respond to Trump's comments, Hamdan replied, "I think the U.S. president must make more disciplined and diplomatic statements."

The Palestinian group's stunning terror attack on civilians in Israel sparked a brutal conflict that has since inflamed the region and killed tens of thousands of civilians.

Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, had moments before joined the president-elect at the podium to brief reporters on his recent high-level talks in the region, saying his team is "on the verge" of a deal and that he would travel back in coming days.

"I don't want to hurt your negotiation," Trump told Witkoff, "but if they're not back by the time I get into office, all hell will break out in the Middle East, and it will not be good for Hamas, and it will not be good, frankly, for anyone."

On Ukraine, he expressed interest in meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and repeated his vow to get the conflict in Ukraine "straightened out." Trump has not explained how he would do this.

When asked about a key demand in Ukraine's peace plan  that it be allowed to join NATO  Trump said, "My view is that it was always understood" that Ukraine would not be admitted to the security alliance.

He repeated his tariff threats against Canada and Mexico, his line that Canada should be a U.S. state, and he floated a name change, saying: "We're going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America."

Thessalia Merivaki, an associate teaching professor at Georgetown University, said Trump often uses bluster as a strategy.

"So, Trump has a record of just floating controversial ideas and positions to attract attention and generate interest and media coverage," she said.

Foreign policy

Trump has not said how the U.S. will acquire control of Greenland, the large North American island that is an autonomous territory of Denmark. On Tuesday, he repeated his stance that "we need them for economic security."

When asked directly if he would commit to not use military or economic coercion to back his increasingly voluble desire for control of Greenland and also the Panama Canal, Trump replied, "I can't assure you on either of those two."

Trump has accused Panama of violating the treaty under which the U.S. ceded control of the famous canal more than four decades ago under former President Jimmy Carter.

"Giving the Panama Canal to Panama was a very big mistake," Trump said. "Giving that away was a horrible thing, and I believe that's why Jimmy Carter lost the election."

Trump added that he liked Carter "as a man." He is expected to attend Carter's national funeral Thursday in Washington. President Joe Biden will deliver the eulogy.

First day and beyond

Trump also said he would be "making major pardons" on his first day in office, when asked about his previous vow to issue clemency to some of the more than 1,500 people charged with crimes in connection to the riot on the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

He also repeated past commitments to loosen what he called the "quagmire" of U.S. environmental regulations and smooth the path for billionaire investors.

He described his re-election victory as a "landslide" for winning the Electoral College and the popular vote, although official results show he did not win the majority of the ballots, as third-party candidates shaved off votes. He promised to have future election results counted earlier on election night.

He repeated his vow to "drill, baby, drill" on his first day in office by reversing Biden's recent orders seeking to protect against offshore drilling.

He accused Biden of botching foreign policy, saying, "Now, I'm going into a world that's burning."

Trump will assume office on January 20.

VOA White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara contributed to this story from Washington. Some information for this story came from Reuters.

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Israeli military says it killed 3 militants in West Bank raids

By VOA News January 07, 2025

Israel's military said Tuesday it carried out raids in the occupied West Bank, killing at least three militants and arresting 18 others.

The Israel Defense Forces said an airstrike killed two militants in the village of Tamun after they fired at troops.

Israeli forces killed another militant during fighting in Taluza, while an Israeli soldier was wounded.

The raids came a day after gunman attacked a bus and car near the West Bank town of Al-Funduq, killing three people and wounding seven others.

Violence has surged in the West Bank since the October 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israel and the resulting Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian health officials say Israeli troop fire and attacks by Israeli settlers have killed at least 818 Palestinians in the West Bank during that time, while Palestinians have killed dozens of Israelis.

The war in Gaza began with the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack in which the militants killed 1,200 people and took about 250 others hostage. There are still about 100 hostages being held in Gaza, with at least one-third of them believed to be dead.

Israel's counteroffensive has killed at least 45,800 people and injured more than 109,000, according to the health ministry in Gaza. The ministry does not differentiate between militants and civilians in its count.

The United States, United Kingdom, European Union and others have designated Hamas as a terror group.

Some information for this report was provided by from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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Russian gas shipments through Ukraine end; creating trouble for Transnistria

By Valentina Vasileva January 07, 2025

With temperatures dipping below freezing this week in Moldova's Russian-backed breakaway region of Transnistria, the end of an agreement to ship natural gas from Russia through Ukraine has led to rolling blackouts, idle factories and a lack of hot water.

Ukraine decided not to renew a five-year gas transfer deal with Russia's state-controlled energy giant Gazprom. The agreement, which was negotiated before the February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, allowed natural gas shipments across Ukrainian territories to countries in Europe.

Before the war, Russian pipelines supplied 40% of Europe's natural gas. Now, that figure is about 8%, according to data from the European Commission.

Ukraine's energy minister, Herman Halushchenko, confirmed Kyiv had stopped the transit "in the interest of national security," according to The Associated Press.

The European Commission has repeatedly emphasized that ending the transfer of Russian natural gas across Ukraine was not a surprise and that countries had time to prepare for it.

But in Transnistria, a sliver of territory wedged between the Dniester River and the Ukrainian border, the end of the agreement is a serious matter. The pro-Russia separatist enclave, which fought against Moldova in 1992, declared a state of emergency over the end of the shipments.

Moldova's Foreign Ministry told VOA in a statement that parts of the country west of the Dniester River  which includes most of Moldova's population and the nation's capital, Chisinau  was preparing to stop supplies from Russia and has been buying gas on European markets, albeit at a higher price.

Moldovan authorities said they offered to help the breakaway region obtain gas from European markets. In response, Transnistria's "Foreign Ministry" claimed Moldova was attempting "to manipulate public opinion by providing false information."

In a statement issued on January 6, it said: "Transnistria has not received any specific forms of assistance or adequate practical support from the Moldovan side. There is none today."

Moldova's pro-Western prime minister, Dorin Recean, said that by "jeopardizing the future of the protectorate it has supported for three decades in an attempt to destabilize Moldova, Russia is demonstrating the inevitable outcome for all its allies: betrayal and isolation."

"We view this as a security crisis aimed at allowing pro-Russian forces to return to power in Moldova and use our territory as a weapon against Ukraine, with which we share a 1,200-kilometer border," Recean said.

"The Moldovan government remains committed to supporting all citizens with simple solutions for those in the Transnistrian region. Alternative energy solutions such as biomass systems, generators, humanitarian aid and basic medical supplies are ready to be delivered if the separatist leadership accepts support," he added.

Oazu Nantoi, a member of the Moldovan parliament, said he also believes that Transnistria is refusing help from official Moldovan authorities on the Kremlin's orders.

Nantoi told VOA that most of Moldova is supplied until March.

"There, we are no longer dependent on Gazprom's monopoly. We can buy gas at market prices," he said. "Sometimes these prices bite, but Gazprom cannot influence consumption."

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How Carter's covert aid to Afghan rebels redefined his foreign policy record

By Masood Farivar January 07, 2025

President Ronald Reagan is often credited with defeating the Soviet Union, in part by helping Afghan rebels, but it was the administration of President Jimmy Carter that laid the groundwork.

Considered a foreign policy novice by many when he entered the White House, Carter made the early decision to provide covert aid to Afghan insurgents months before the Soviet invasion. The move offers a window into one of the defining issues of his presidency, showing a president unafraid to confront the Soviets while pursuing a policy of detente.

"I think people's image of Carter as a deeply religious man, a deeply moral man, is very much influenced by the activities he's done after he left office. [But] he definitely had a ruthless side to him, and he had a side that was very willing to use force, including nuclear weapons," said David Gibbs, a history professor at the University of Arizona.

The covert aid program initiated under Carter became the backbone of the Afghan insurgency, setting the stage for the Soviet Union's eventual withdrawal in 1989.

In a bold move six months before the Soviets' December 1979 invasion, Carter signed a secret directive known as a "presidential finding" that authorized the CIA to provide nonlethal aid to rebels fighting Afghanistan's Soviet-backed communist government.

That finding stayed under wraps for nearly two decades, coming to light only when several Carter administration officials, including former CIA Director Robert Gates and national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski, disclosed its existence in the 1990s, suggesting the Carter administration aimed to lure the Soviets into a Vietnam-style quagmire.

'Afghan trap'

Brzezinski's revelations were the most striking. In a 1998 interview with a French magazine, Carter's Polish-born, ardently anti-communist adviser denied provoking the Soviets but claimed the administration had "knowingly increased the probability" of a Soviet invasion. Calling the program "an excellent idea," he said it had the "effect of drawing the Russians into the Afghan trap."

Although Brzezinski later disputed the accuracy of the interview and never repeated the claim, the so-called "Afghan trap" thesis gained traction, with critics excoriating the Carter administration for instigating the Soviet invasion and causing decades of conflict in Afghanistan.

Among scholars who see the aid program as a deliberate provocation, Gibbs said he was initially loath to read too much into the Brzezinski interview before becoming convinced of its veracity.

As Gibbs described it to VOA, a military aide once told historian Jonathan Haslam that Brzezinski, upon learning of the Soviet invasion, "pumped his first in the air in triumph and said, 'They've taken the bait!'"

"The implication was that the decision to supply aid to the mujahideen was bait," Gibbs said. "That, to me, is a strong indication that what he said is true, because it was said twice over a period of time, and it's from the horse's mouth."

The Afghan trap thesis has permeated the works of other prominent experts, although most now dismiss it as baseless, according to historian Conor Tobin of the University College Dublin, who has researched it.

The problem with the theory, Tobin argues, is that it views the Carter administration's involvement in Afghanistan through a 21st century lens, "working backwards from the events of 9/11."

"They rely almost exclusively on Gates' memoirs, the controversial French interview and other circumstantial and limited anecdotal evidence without exploring the subject in detail, and without using any other sources to corroborate the statements made," Tobin told VOA via email.

A close look at recently declassified Carter-era documents tells a different story, Tobin said.

"It reveals that there was no attempt to ensnare the Soviet Union in the Afghan trap, and U.S. policies were in fact marginal in leading to the Soviet military intervention," he said.

Nonlethal aid

What is not up for debate, however, is that the aid program was launched in response to rising Soviet influence in Afghanistan. A communist coup in April 1978 toppled the government of President Mohammad Daoud. The new regime then initiated radical reforms, sparking public opposition and eventually a full-blown insurgency.

According to Tobin, the Carter administration initially took a "wait-and-see" approach. That policy ended with the kidnapping and murder of U.S. Ambassador Adolph Dubs the following February. Brzezinski then ordered a new plan for Afghanistan.

"Should we help any insurgents?" he asked an aide to investigate, according to Tobin. "With whom would we have to work?"

A popular revolt in the western Afghan city of Herat, however, "led to a shift in attitude in Washington and the consensus began to slide towards a more active role," Tobin wrote in his analysis, "The Myth of the 'Afghan Trap'."

CIA operatives sprang into action, developing a plan of action while reaching out to U.S. allies Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Several options were formulated, ranging from small-scale propaganda campaigns and nonlethal support to lethal arms supplies and military training via a third country.

After determining that military assistance may "provoke vigorous Soviet countermeasures," the administration settled on nonlethal aid.

"The decision-making process demonstrated caution, rather than an effort to induce an invasion," Tobin wrote.

On July 3, 1979, Carter authorized the CIA to provide up to $695,000 in aid to the insurgents. By mid-August, $575,000 of the funds had been allocated for cash, medical equipment and radio transmitters to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence, who then delivered them to the mujahideen, according to Tobin's account.

The aid program, says Tobin, was modest but significant in two key respects. It helped establish links with the mujahideen through Pakistani intelligence that would prove invaluable after the Soviet invasion. It also underscored American resolve to allies Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, reassuring them at a time when concerns about diminishing U.S. influence in the region were mounting.

The aid program came against a backdrop of escalating Cold War tensions. The Iranian Revolution of February 1979 had robbed the U.S. of a key strategic ally in the region. Rather than seeking to provoke the Soviets, Brzezinski worried about a "creeping intervention" in Afghanistan, fearing ''Moscow would continue to expand its influence until a de factor invasion had taken place,'' Tobin wrote.

"The objectives in mid-1979 were essentially to do something, anything, to counter the Soviet advance in Afghanistan," Tobin said.

Historian Scott Kaufman of Francis Marion University and author of a book on Carter's foreign policy, said the late president also had to consider his bid for re-election the following year.

"He was already under attack for having 'lost' Nicaragua to communists and for being 'soft' on the Soviet Union," Kaufman told VOA via email. "How would it look to voters if Carter, who wanted to get SALT II (Strategic Arms Limitations Talks) approved, made moves that encouraged what would be seen by them as further Soviet aggression."

'Carter Doctrine'

Kaufman took issue with the popular perception of Carter as a foreign policy novice. Though he lacked the foreign policy experience of a Richard Nixon or even Gerald Ford, Carter sat on the Trilateral Commission and had traveled overseas as governor of Georgia, Kaufman noted.

"That said, his support for the mujahideen reflected a foreign policy that since at least 1978 reflected a hardening insofar as U.S. policy toward the Soviet Union," he said.

Carter's tougher stance, Kaufman said, was driven by growing anti-Soviet sentiment in Congress, Brzezinski's influence, and his personal disdain for Soviet repression and machinations.

"This does not mean that he had given up on seeking detente with the Soviets, as reflected by his desire to get SALT II ratified," he said. "But his foreign policy vis-a-vis the U.S.S.R. (Soviet Union) demonstrated a preparedness to take a harder line."

Nothing demonstrated Carter's resolve more forcefully than the "Carter Doctrine," his bold Persian Gulf policy adopted in response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

Unveiling the new policy during his 1980 State of the Union address, Carter warned that the U.S. was prepared to use "any means necessary" to prevent a Soviet takeover of the Persian Gulf region.

With the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the Carter administration upped the ante. On December 28, 1979, the day after Soviet commandos assassinated Afghan President Hafizullah Amin in Kabul, Carter signed a new finding that authorized the supply of weapons and training for the mujahideen. The first batch of weapons arrived in Pakistan in less than two weeks.

Carter went on to lose the 1980 election to Reagan, whose administration largely continued Carter's Afghan policy for several years before dramatically building up the covert aid program to the tune of several hundred million dollars a year. Instead of merely harassing the Soviets, the Reagan administration sought its defeat, according to Tobin.

"The criticism of the Carter administration as weak on defense, therefore, is unjustified, with Carter largely laying the groundwork for the renewed global containment of the 1980s," Tobin said.

"So, despite enduring orthodox assessments of Carter as a foreign policy failure, he departed office in January 1981 leaving a clear foreign policy direction for the incoming Reagan administration that arguably contributed to the end of the Cold War a decade later  an outcome that was almost incomprehensible as the Carter administration took office in January 1977."

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Chinese-owned gold mine stirs controversy in eastern Zimbabwe

By Enos Denhere January 07, 2025

Government officials in Zimbabwe have been scrutinizing a Chinese mining company that has been operating a gold mine in the country's east since at least 2021. The scrutiny comes as residents voice concern about the impact on health and the environment.

The company in question is Sino Africa Huijin Holdings, which faces accusations of severe environmental destruction and community harm. Its gold prospecting operations have been taking place in an area known as Premier Estate in the Mutasa District of Manicaland.

Villagers and community groups have complained about the blasting that has taken place at the mine. Nearby residents have reported widespread ecological damage, including the decimation of a mountain and the displacement of wildlife. They also say tremors from the blasts have caused structural damage to homes.

Residents further complain of dust pollution and the potential contamination of water sources due to alleged leaching of cyanide. Cyanide leaching is a method of extracting gold from ore that can pollute water resources.

Adding to these concerns, Sino Africa is accused of forging community signatures on their Environmental Impact Assessment document, raising questions about the transparency and legitimacy of their operations.

The complaints prompted the government to shut down the mine's operations twice in 2024. In the past two months, however, mining has resumed.

"We are between a rock and a hard place. If it's possible, let them compensate us and relocate us because it's no longer appealing," Ishewedenga Moyo, one of 30 residents living within some 300 meters of the Sino Africa Huijin mine, told VOA in December.

"The vibrations and noise generated by mining blasting are disrupting wildlife habitats and ecosystems, damaging biodiversity, and causing cracks in our homes," Moyo added.

Government-ordered suspensions

A Manicaland Joint Command Task Force, composed of a number of government entities, ordered the temporary closure of Sino Africa Huijin's gold mining operations twice. Officials say the shutdowns were enforced to ensure the mine met all necessary requirements.

The first suspension occurred in October and lasted two weeks. Sino Africa Huijin made pledges to improve the situation and was allowed to resume operations. Then, the task force ordered the mine to close a second time in mid-November.

Traditional Chief James Kurauone of the Mutasa district told VOA on Dec. 11 that officials forced Sino Africa Huijing's operations to stop each time because the company "failed to address critical concerns raised by the local community."

"These concerns that led to the temporary closure included severe air pollution, destructive blasting activities impacting local homes, and the company's failure to fulfill its corporate social responsibility obligations," said Mutasa in recent comments. Mutasa added that he plans to convene a meeting with mining officials and members from the community to discuss a path forward in a couple of weeks.

Mining compliance

Mining operations resumed on November 25 at the conclusion of discussions among government officials, community leaders and company representatives.

Daniel Panganai, the current HR manager of Sino Africa Huijin, was involved in the discussions. He told VOA in mid-December that the company "complied with all the requirements outlined in writing, but I cannot divulge much information at this time."

Misheck Mugadza, the Manicaland minister of state, also said in December that Sino Africa Huijin committed to adhering to all mining and environmental regulations. He said the Chinese company had acted on its social responsibility obligations by donating to the local hospital and drilling a well to provide water to the local school.

The government is closely monitoring the company's operations, Mugadza said, and some households have already received full compensation for damages. He further stated that the company is obligated to compensate all affected residents.

Chinese investments in Zimbabwean mines

The controversy surrounding the Sino Africa Huijin mine is not isolated, according to a September report by the Center for Natural Resource Governance, or CNRG, a Harare-based community rights organization.

The report, which assessed the impact of Chinese investment on Zimbabwe's mining industry, found that "Chinese mining ventures have led to widespread environmental degradation, disregard for the cultural rights of host communities, and, in many cases, the violation of the country's labor laws, often with apparent impunity."

Chinese investors control an estimated 90% of the of Zimbabwe's mining industry, according to the report.

"In 2023 alone, Sino investments in Zimbabwe's mining sector saw 121 investors contributing a staggering $2.79 billion," said CNRG Executive Director Farai Maguwu, who was quoted in a post on the organization's website.

Separately, another area resident voiced criticism of the government's response to the mining.

"There are times when the mine uses explosives of higher magnitude, and there will be tremors," said area resident Thobekile Mhenziwamukuru.

"When we call the government officials about the crisis, they always go directly alone to the Sino mine offices without any community leaders, then they will come and address us, just saying they will use explosives of low magnitude next time and we now know that it's now their cash cow.

"Even in terms of closing and reopening of the mine, instead of solving our grievances, there is no fairness in everything because money is being exchanged to slow the progress and we hope higher offices in government will come to rescue us," she concluded.

Maguwu accused local lawmakers of corruption, saying, "Instead of enforcing the law, they are cashing in on this illegality by forcing them to close down, demanding bribes for reopening, and then returning to close them down again and demand another bribe."

Despite repeated phone calls and visits to the offices of government stakeholders to address these accusations, including the Ministry of Mines and the Environmental Management Agency, VOA received no response.

"This cycle goes on and on while the environment is being sacrificed," Maguwu said.

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Arrest of activist spotlights alleged illegal lithium mining in central Namibia

By Vitalio Angula January 07, 2025

Namibian activist Jimmy Areseb appeared in court Monday after being arrested for allegedly violating public order laws during a protest at a local traditional authority's offices. Areseb and others at the rally accused officials of accepting bribes from a Chinese mining company in return for access to lithium deposits. The confrontation highlights growing tensions in Namibia's Erongo region, where activists say the Chinese company, Xinfeng, is acting illegally.

Images of an elderly woman being carried off by members of Namibia's paramilitary Special Field Force on Saturday set the Namibian social media space abuzz, with some comments likening it to the apartheid era when the country was controlled by South Africa.

In another circulating video, members of the widely feared police unit are seen confronting elderly men and women who had gathered at offices of traditional chiefs and councilors, whom they accuse of allowing the Chinese company Xinfeng permission to mine for lithium without following the proper channels and procedures.

The tensions at Uis, a mining settlement in the mineral-rich Erongo region, culminated in the arrest of activist Jimmy Areseb for interfering with the Special Field Force, who were enforcing a court order for demonstrators to vacate the offices where they had camped for a week demanding to see the chief.

At the center of the storm is Xinfeng, a company that Namibia's commissioner of mines has charged with illegal mining.

Community members are asking why police arrested Areseb but not anyone from Xinfeng.

Speaking to VOA, police spokesperson Kauna Shikwambi said the two cases cannot be compared.

"Those, were obstructing officers, right there at the scene, now. The other one requires investigation, and there must be evidence, that's why investigations take so long, to have evidence, that indeed an arrest can be affected or not. You can never compare that and that! It doesn't make sense," said Shikwambi.

Xinfeng is accused by the activists of paying bribes to the chiefs, in order to gain consent for the mining.

However, a Xinfeng spokesperson, Kuvee Kangueehi, said those claims are false. He said the company makes a contribution of about $550 per month to the traditional authority as part of its corporate social responsibility and this is being misconstrued by the community as a bribe.

"EPL's, and mining claims, and all the rights are granted by the Ministry. So for what reason will Xinfeng bribe an entity that does not grant the license? And it's not in the business of Xinfeng to bribe anybody," he said.

Local chief Sagarias Seibeb, who is being accused of turning a blind eye to the interests of his community in favor of the Chinese company, told VOA the people camping at his office, including Jimmy Areseb, are his in-laws.

He said family members feel they are not benefiting from his position as a chief, and are using the Xinfeng issue to settle family disputes.

"I cannot deny someone access to do prospecting, or whatever, in my area. I am just a custodian of the area. The land belongs to the state and there is a section that deals with that consent letter, and that can be done with or without my consent letter," said Seibeb.

On Tuesday, the chief is to meet with protesters in the presence of police officers and officials from the central government to try and find a solution to the tensions troubling the community.

Meanwhile, police say they are investigating the charge against Xinfeng.

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Son-in-law of Venezuela's opposition leader kidnapped

By VOA News January 07, 2025

Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez, who insists he won the July presidential election against incumbent president Nicolas Maduro, said his son-in-law was kidnapped Tuesday morning in the capital, Caracas.

In a statement on X, Gonzalez said Rafael Tudares was abducted as he was taking his children to school.

"Rafael was on his way to my grandchildren's school to drop them off for the start of classes, he was intercepted by hooded men, dressed in black, they put him in a gold-colored van," Gonzalez said in the statement on X.

Gonzalez did not provide any information on the status of his grandchildren, whom the Associated Press reports are 6 and 7 years old.

The abduction comes as tensions are mounting in Venezuela. Both Gonzalez and Maduro claim to have won the presidential election.

Maduro has continued to claim victory in Venezuela's July election, even though electoral authorities did not provide detailed vote counts following the election.

The opposition said its collection of tally sheets from more than 80% of Venezuela's electronic voting machines prove that Gonzalez was the clear winner.

Gonzalez has visited several countries in the Americas recently as he seeks to rally support for his effort to oust Maduro. On Monday, he met with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House.

The U.S., most European countries and several Latin American countries have rejected Maduro's claims to victory, which have been recognized by Venezuela's top court and electoral authority.

Gonzalez, who has been living in exile in Spain since the election, has promised to return to Venezuela on Friday for the presidential inauguration.

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said Monday that Gonzalez would be "arrested and tried if he sets foot in Venezuela."

Venezuela is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Gonzalez.

The controversial presidential election sparked mass protests that left nearly 30 people dead and more than 2,000 arrested.

Some information in this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

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Former Cambodian MP shot dead in Bangkok

By Tommy Walker January 07, 2025

A former member of Cambodia's opposition party was shot dead in Bangkok on Tuesday evening.

Lim Kimya, a former politician of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), died at the scene near Wat Bowonniwet Vihara Ratchaworawihan, a Buddhist temple near the tourist area of Khao San Road in Phra Nakhon district, The Bangkok Post reports.

Police say a man parked his motorbike and then shot dead Lim Kimya at about 4 p.m. before fleeing. The authorities say surveillance cameras near the scene show the man riding a red Honda motorbike, and that they are searching for the suspect.

The focus is on catching the assassin, but questions remain about the motive of the killing, according to police.

Phil Robertson of Asia Human Rights and Labor Advocates (AHRLA) told VOA the killing on Tuesday is an escalation of transnational repression and appears to be a political assassination.

"This brazen shooting of a former CNRP MP on the streets of Bangkok has all the hallmarks of a political assassination and looks to be a significant escalation in the use of transnational repression in Bangkok," he said.

Lim Kimya, 73, also held French citizenship and had reportedly traveled to Bangkok in recent days with his wife and uncle. He was elected as a member of Cambodia's opposition party in 2013.

Cambodian activists and politicians who have opposed the country's regime have long been targeted at home and abroad. Those who have fled to other countries, such as Thailand, have been attacked, arrested and deported to Cambodia. Critics have coined the term "transnational repression" to describe the phenomenon.

VOA reached out to Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comment but has not yet received a reply.

Cambodia has been ruled by Cambodia's People's Party for 45 years. Critics say the regime has targeted dissidents, opposition parties and independent media who pose any threat to its rule.

Hun Manet took power in 2022, succeeding his father, Hun Sen, who led Cambodia for nearly four decades.

For a short time, the CNRP posed a legitimate challenge to Hun Sen's rule after it was founded in 2012. But the opposition party was dissolved five years later after a Cambodian court ruled the party had attempted to overthrow the then-president.

Members of the party were banned from political activities, and its founders fled the country. Kem Sokha, one of the party's founders, was sentenced in 2023 to 27 years for treason.

Robertson said Lim Kimya's killing will have ramifications for other Cambodians who have fled the country.

"The direct impact will be to severely intimidate the hundreds of Cambodian political opposition figures, NGO activists, and human rights defenders who have already fled to Thailand to escape PM Hun Manet's campaign of political repression in Cambodia," he added.

In August, Hay Vannith, the brother of Hay Vanna, a CNRP member, was arrested at the Cambodian border.

And in November, Thailand authorities deported Pen Chan Sangkream, Hong An, Mean Chanthon, Yin Chanthou, Soeung Khunthea and Vorn Chanratana back to their homeland for criticizing an economic trade pact Cambodia was part of.

Observers and rights groups say Thailand and Cambodia have unofficial agreements in place to return political dissidents should they flee to one another's country.

"This collaborative approach is not coincidental but strategically designed. Both countries share similar authoritarian impulses, with royal institutions and political elites working in concert to maintain their grip on power. By harmonizing their approach to dissent, Thailand and Cambodia create a more comprehensive mechanism of controlling political discourse," Prem Singh Gill, a visiting fellow at Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, told VOA in December.

Since 2014, more than 150 individuals in Thailand have been victims of transnational repression, according to a 2022 report from Freedom House.

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126 dead, 188 injured in Xizang 6.8-magnitude quake

Global Times

Xi orders all-out rescue efforts following heavy casualties

By GT staff reporters Published: Jan 08, 2025 12:14 AM

President Xi Jinping has ordered all-out rescue efforts to save lives and minimize casualties following a 6.8-magnitude earthquake that took a heavy toll after jolting a county in Southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region Tuesday morning.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, ordered utmost efforts to treat the injured. He also urged efforts to prevent secondary disasters, properly resettle affected residents, and handle the aftermath work effectively, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

It is essential to strengthen earthquake monitoring and early warning, promptly allocate emergency rescue supplies, expedite the repair of damaged infrastructure, ensure the basic needs of residents are met, and guarantee a safe and warm winter for all, Xi said.

A total of 126 people have been confirmed dead and 188 others injured as of 7 pm Tuesday, after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted Dingri County in the city of Xigaze in Southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region at 9:05 am Tuesday (Beijing Time), Xinhua reported.

There are 27 villages and approximately 6,900 people within a 20-km radius of the epicenter. Official data shows that Dingri County has a population of over 61,000, according to a press conference held by local government of Xigaze, which began with a moment of silence for the victims.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday expressed his condolences to President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping over the earthquake that struck China's Xizang Autonomous Region.

Please, accept most sincere condolences on the tragic aftermath of the earthquake in the Xizang Autonomous Region of China. Russia shares the grief of those who lost their families and close ones in this disaster and hopes for a speedy recovery of the injured, read a statement on Kremlin's official website.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrote on X "I extend my heartfelt condolences to President Xi Jinping and the brotherly people of China for the loss of precious lives in the devastating earthquake in Xizang, China. The entire Pakistani nation is deeply saddened by the tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all those affected. Pakistan stands in solidarity with the people of China during this difficult time."

Rescue efforts pouring in

More than 3,400 rescuers and over 340 medical workers have been sent to the quake-hit area, according to a press conference on the earthquake.

The earthquake emergency response in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region has been raised to level I, the highest level, the region's emergency command center announced Tuesday.

China's national commission for disaster prevention, reduction and relief, along with the Ministry of Emergency Management, provided over 130,000 relief supplies to the disaster-stricken area in Southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, including heaters, electric blankets, and emergency food, to ensure the basic living needs of the affected population are met. Earlier on Tuesday, the two departments had allocated 22,000 pieces of national disaster relief supplies to the area, according to CCTV News.

The military has also launched swift operations. The Global Times learned from the Xizang Military Command's Xigaze Military Sub-command that rescue teams have been mobilized to head toward the epicenter. Videos from the scene show significant damage to the roads leading to the epicenter, and buildings along the route showing varying levels of damage. The sub-command is rapidly deploying personnel to the affected area to participate in rescue efforts.

As of 11:25 am Tuesday, a regiment of 160 personnel from the sub-command has reached Jijiao Bridge in Dinggye county, while a company of 40 personnel has been dispatched to areas near Dingri Airport.

The Global Times also learned from the Xizang Military Command that at 1:00 pm, the General Hospital affiliated to the Command dispatched 50 medical personnel to the earthquake-stricken area in Xigaze.

By 1:15 pm, the second batch of rescue forces from the Xigaze Military Sub-command, totaling over 680 personnel, had been deployed to three directions - Dingri, Lazi, and Sa'gya - to assist in the rescue efforts in nearby towns and villages, working tirelessly to protect people's lives and property.

Video footage from the scene showed a regiment from the Xigaze Military Sub-command rescuing a child from the rubble and providing emergency medical assistance.

The Global Times learned from the Chinese People's Armed Police (PAP) Force Xizang Contingent that following the earthquake, they responded swiftly and urgently. As of 12:30 pm on Tuesday, 389 officers and soldiers had been dispatched, carrying with them various rescue equipment. They rushed to the severely affected areas to participate in rescue operations. Videos from the scene show that they have successfully rescued multiple individuals from the collapsed buildings. Currently, the rescue efforts are still ongoing.

The air force of the PLA Western Theater Command quickly activated its emergency disaster relief plan and dispatched a drone to assess the situation at the epicenter. At the same time, multiple transport aircraft, medical planes, helicopters, and ground forces from the Western Theater Command Air Force have been assembled and are on standby, according to Xinhua.

The air force of the PLA Western Theater Command dispatched a Y-20 aircraft sending the forward command post of the Western Theater Command to the disaster-stricken area in Dingri. The aircraft arrived at Xigaze Dingri airport at around 5 pm, CCTV reported.

The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Emergency Management said they allocated 100 million yuan ($13.9 million) to support disaster relief efforts in Xizang. The National Development and Reform Commission also allocated 100 million yuan to support post-disaster emergency recovery, Xinhua reported.

Xu Xiwei, deputy director of the Institute of Geology at the China Earthquake Administration, told the Global Times rescue efforts in the plateau region face unique challenges, including low oxygen levels and altitude sickness. The quake-stricken areas are also in urgent need of insulated tents to protect local residents from the harsh plateau climate after their homes collapsed or became dangerous to reside.

According to the China Earthquake Networks Center, a total of 150 aftershocks had been recorded by 6pm on Monday. This includes 131 aftershocks below magnitude 3.0 and 19 aftershocks of magnitude 3.0 or higher. The largest aftershock recorded so far was magnitude 4.4, located approximately 18 kilometers from the epicenter of the main earthquake.

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Hamas slams Israeli regime's plan to annex Arab countries

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 08 January 2025 2:10 AM

The Hamas resistance movement has strongly condemned Israel's plan to annex more Palestinian and Arab lands.

It said on Tuesday the plan reaffirms the Israeli regime's aggressive nature and expansionist ambitions.

"The hostile declarations by occupation leaders demand strong responses from Arab and Islamic governments to confront these ambitions and halt their crimes," the Hamas statement said.

The movement's comments came after official Israeli social media accounts published a map, showing Palestinian territories along with Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon, annexed to the regime.

Hamas said the map was further evidence of Israel's colonial nature, and its plan to escalate aggression to subjugate the region and seize its resources.

The movement then called for decisive actions on the part of the Arab League as well as Arab and Islamic nations to confront Israel's ambitions and stop its crimes against Palestinians.

"These aggressive policies and repeated public declarations, coinciding with the ongoing brutal war of genocide and ethnic cleansing in Gaza and the West Bank, call for decisive actions from the Arab League and Arab and Islamic governments. It is imperative to confront these ambitions, stop the continuous zionist crimes against our Palestinian people, and provide all forms of support and solidarity in the face of fascist plans targeting the entire region," the Hamas statement said.

The map came after Israel's far-right minister, Bezalel Smotrich, revealed his desire not only to conquer all Palestinian territories up to the Jordan River, but also Syria, Jordan and Lebanon.

He also expressed his ambition to annex Arab territories reaching as far as Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

In a previous statement Hamas urged Arab and Muslim populations, and the free people of the world, to exert more pressure on governments and international organizations to move beyond mere condemnation and denunciation, and to "assume their responsibility in stopping this holocaust being committed by the Zionist occupation, which feels secure in its crimes under American cover."

Earlier on Tuesday, Palestinian and Jordanian officials condemned an Israeli map that claimed territories of several Arab countries as part of the so-called "greater Israel."

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority, described the map shared by Israeli social media accounts this week as a blatant violation of all international resolutions and laws.

He said Israeli occupation policies, attacks by settlers, and the relentless storming of the al-Aqsa Mosque compound require "an urgent international stance to stop what the Palestinian people are being subjected to from war and destruction."

The spokesman also called on the incoming US administration to halt unconditional support for all Israeli policies that undermine security and peace in West Asia.

Parts of the Palestinian, Jordanian, Syrian, and Lebanese territories were included in the map.

The Jordanian Foreign Ministry also described the document as "provocative and baseless."

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Russo-Ukraine War - 07 January 2025 - Day 1049

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 UK Ministry of Defence reported that Russian forces sustained 429,660 casualties (killed and wounded) in the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2024, a notable increase on the 252,940 casualties sustained in 2023, according to Ukrainian General Staff reporting. Since the start of the conflict Russia has likely sustained over 790,000 casualties.

December 2024 was likely the most costly month of the war for Russia with a total of 48,670 casualties reported by the Ukraine General Staff. 45,680 Russian casualties were recorded in November 2024. December was the sixth straight month that Russian Forces have suffered an increase in monthly total losses.

The average daily Russian casualties reached a new monthly war high during December 2024. The average daily loss rate was 1,570, the fifth straight month that Russian Forces have sustained new war high average daily losses.19 December 2024 saw a new war high of 2,200 losses in a single day. Russia will highly likely continue to experience high casualty rates over January 2025 with continued dismounted infantry attacks on multiple axes.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the Defense Forces are directing efforts to disrupt the execution of Russian invaders' offensive plans and exhaust their combat potential.

Since the beginning of the day, there have been 159 combat clashes, the Russian enemy launched 28 air strikes, dropping 59 CAB, 750 kamikaze drones strikes, carried out 3886 shelling positions of Ukrainian troops.

In the Kharkiv direction, Ukrainian troops repelled four Russian attacks near vovcans ka and tihogo. Currently, one attack of the opponent in the area of tavilzhanka.

The Russian aggressor carried out three attacks on Ukrainian fortifications in the Kupyansky direction near the settlements of Topoli, Golubivka and Petropavlivka. Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled all attacks, the Russian opponent was unsuccessful.

In the Lyman direction per day Russian troops 13 times stormed the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the areas of Novosergiyivka, Nadia, Pershotravnevogo, Cherneshchyna, Makiyivka, Zarichny, Terniv and Ivanivka. One battle is still going on.

In the Siversky direction, Ukrainian troops repelled seven Russian attacks in the area of the settlement of Bilogorivka.

In the direction of kramators komu, Russian forces seven times attacked near vasyukivka, the bondarnogo, time gap and stupocok. Two clashes are ongoing so far.

In the Toretsky direction, the Russian occupiers seven times today stormed the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the areas of the settlements of Toretsk, Northern and Sherbinivka. Two clashes are underway.

In the Pokrovsky direction throughout the day, Russian forces carried out 38 assault and offensive actions. The largest activity of the Russian occupiers is in the areas of Tarasivka, Water Second, Elizabeth, Beam, Fox, Dry Ditch, Green, New Labor, Pokrovska, Kotlinogo, Novovasilivka, Nadiivka. The Russian opponent used 16 controlled aviation bombs on pokrovsk.

According to preliminary calculations, today Ukrainian warriors eliminated 171 and wounded 218 Russian invaders in total in this direction; destroyed two armored vehicles and two motorcycles, in addition, significantly damaged a tank and four invaders' cars.

Intensely attacks the Russian opponent and in the Kurakhiv direction. At this time of the day, there are already 17 clashes. Attacks Ukrainian warriors fought near Silver, Slovaanka, Petropavlivka, Andriyivka, Kurakhovogo and Dachny. There is currently one confrontation in progress.

In the Vremivs komu direction, the Russian enemy has tried to break through 20 times near the settlements of Yantarne, Konstantinopolsk, Uspenivka, Konstyantinopil, Novosilka and Privilne, two confrontations are ongoing so far.

In the Gulyajpils komu direction, Ukrainian troops repelled one Russian attack in the area of Novosilka. The opponent of success did not succeed.

In the Pridniprovsk direction, Russian forces twice tried to suppress the Defense Forces in the area of the Cossack island without success.

In the Orihivs komu direction, the Russian enemy did not perform active actions.

In the Kurs komu direction Ukrainian defenders for today repelled 25 Russian attacks, six more boezitknen .

In other directions, there have been no significant changes in the environment.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kharkov direction, units of the Sever Group of Forces inflicted losses on formations of one mechanised brigade, one air assault brigade of the AFU, and one territorial defence brigade near Oreshanka, Granov, Veterinarnoye (Kharkov region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 65 troops, two motor vehicles, two 152-mm D-20 guns, and two 122-mm D-30 howitzers.

Units of the Zapad Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front line. Losses were inflicted on manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades and one assault brigade of the AFU near Zeleny Gay, Petropavlovka (Kharkov region), and Novoyegorovka (Lugansk People's Republic). Two counter-attacks launched by AFU assault detachments were repelled.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 580 troops, two infantry fighting vehicles, 12 motor vehicles, one Italian-made Iveco armoured fighting vehicle, one Italian-made 105-mm Melara Mod 56 howitzer, one German-made 155-mm Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled artillery system, one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, three 122-mm D-30 howitzers, one U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, two U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzers, two U.S.-made 155-mm M198 howitzers, and one U.S.-made 105-mm M119 guns.

One Israeli-made RADA RPS-42 counter-battery radar, four Khortitsa, one Bukovel-AD, and one Anklav electronic warfare stations as well as one ammunition depot were destroyed.

Units of the Yug Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions. Losses were inflicted on formations of one mechanised brigade, one motorised infantry brigade, and two airmobile brigades of the AFU near Seversk, Predtechino, Dachnoye, and Belogorovka (Donetsk People's Republic). Two counter-attacks launched by the enemy's assault detachments were repelled.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 245 troops, one tank, one infantry fighting vehicle, two pick trucks, two 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, one 122-mm D-30 howitzer, and two U.S.-made 105-mm M119 guns. Three ammunition depots were destroyed.

Units of the Tsentr Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. Losses were inflicted on manpower and hardware of four mechanised brigades of the AFU, three territorial defence brigades, two national guard brigades, and one brigade of the National Police of Ukraine near Druzhba, Panteleymonovka, Mirolyubovka, Shcherbinovka, Dzerzhinsk, Vozdvizhenka, Shevchenko, Aleksandropol, Dyleyevka, and Volkovo (Donetsk People's Republic). Twelve AFU counter-attacks launched by AFU formations were repelled.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 510 troops, four tanks, including two German-made Leopard tanks, three infantry fighting vehicles, two U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carriers, five other armoured fighting vehicles, ten motor vehicles, three 152-mm D-20 guns, one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, two 122-mm D-30 howitzers, and one U.S.-made 105-mm M119 gun. One electronic warfare station was eliminated.

Units of the Vostok Group of Forces continued advancing to the depth of the enemy's defences. Losses were inflicted on formations of three mechanised brigades of the AFU, two territorial defence brigades, and one national guard brigade near Neskuchnoye, Velikaya Novoselka, Razliv, Volnoye Pole, and Vremevka (Donetsk People's Republic). Two counter-attacks launched by the enemy's assault detachments were repelled.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 155 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, five motor vehicles, one 152-mm Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and one 122-mm D-30 howitzer. One ammunition depot was wiped out.

Units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of one infantry brigade of the AFU near Pyatikhatki (Zaporozhye region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 80 troops, six motor vehicles, and one 122-mm D-30 howitzer. One Bukovel-AD electronic warfare station and one ammunition depot were destroyed.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces struck infrastructure of military airfields, ammunition depots, as well as engaged manpower and hardware of the armed AFU formations and foreign mercenaries in 164 areas.

Air defence units shot down six U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles and 50 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 652 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 39,618 unmanned aerial vehicles, 590 anti-aircraft missile systems, 20,280 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,507 MLRS combat vehicles, 20,270 field artillery guns and mortars, and 29,955 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 actions, units of the Sever Group of Forces inflicted losses on formations of one heavy mechanised brigade, three mechanised brigades, two air assault brigades, one marine brigade, and two territorial defence brigades of the AFU near Kazachaya Loknya, Kubatkin, Lebedevka, Nikolsky, Sudzha, and Cherkasskoye Porechnoye.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation and artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the enemy near Zazulevka, Zamostye, Kamyshovka, Mirny, Russkoye Porechnoye, Sverdlikovo as well as Basovka in Sumy region.

Over the past 24 hours, the AFU losses amounted to more than 325 troops, ten tanks, one infantry fighting vehicle, one armoured personnel carrier, 11 armoured fighting vehicles, eight motor vehicles, three artillery guns, and three mortars.

Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the AFU losses amounted to more than 49,830 troops, 293 tanks, 217 infantry fighting vehicles, 159 armoured personnel carriers, 1,511 armoured fighting vehicles, 1,426 motor vehicles, 344 artillery guns, 44 MLRS launchers, including 13 of HIMARS and six of MLRS made by the USA, 16 anti-aircraft missile launchers, eight transport-loading vehicles, 89 EW stations, 13 counter-battery warfare radars, four air defence radars, 29 units of engineering and other materiel, including 15 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.





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China will keep enhancing mutual learning among different cultures

15:23, January 08, 2025 By He Yin ( People's Daily

In his 2025 New Year message, Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated that China will work with all countries to enhance mutual learning among different cultures. This demonstrates China's wisdom and vision to promote harmonious coexistence among different civilizations, as well as the country's sense of responsibility in advancing the progress of human civilizations.

The world is in a new period of turbulence and transformation, and global challenges keep emerging. To achieve peaceful coexistence and harmony among different civilizations remains crucial for addressing common challenges facing humanity.

In the face of rising unilateralism, protectionism and populism, as well as the increasing disputes derived from the differences in cultures and civilizations, China remains committed to promoting exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, which is a wise choice inspired by the 5,000-plus years of Chinese civilization.

The prosperity of civilization and human progress will not be possible without enhancing common ground, openness and inclusiveness as well as exchange and mutual learning among civilizations and agreeing to reserve differences. More dialogue means less confrontation, and more inclusiveness means less estrangement.

Xi has made solid efforts to strengthen exchanges and enhance understanding among different civilizations, ensuring that civilizations, diverse in many ways, complement each other and shine brightly together, just like the multicolored pools of China's Jiuzhaigou and Peru's Salt Terraces of Maras.

When replying to the letter from his American friend, Xi pointed out, "For China-U.S. relations to advance, it hinges more on the two peoples." In a congratulatory letter to the inaugural World Conference of Classics, he emphasized the need to seek wisdom from different civilizations. When drawing blueprints for BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and other cooperation mechanisms, he elaborated on people-to-people and cultural exchanges and dialogue on many occasions.

While injecting momentum into exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, Xi has also provided wisdom and solutions to questions like how countries should get along with each other and how they should make joint efforts to address global challenges.

Civilizations are like water, moistening everything silently. "As an old Chinese saying goes, 'Passengers in the same boat should help each other.' Today, as I see it, dwellers of the same planet should help each other," said Xi. He also encouraged the international community to resolve differences through dialogue and rise above conflicts through cooperation, and build a beautiful world of harmonious coexistence together.

These important proposals reflect the essence of fine traditional Chinese culture and serve as a source of inspiration for humanity to tackle the challenges of the times.

In June 2024, the 78th session of the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution proposed by China to establish the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations. This vividly exemplifies China's solutions and contributions to eliminating prejudices and misunderstanding and enhancing mutual understanding and trust among different civilizations.

Joining hands to advance modernization

To achieve modernization is an important topic in the development of civilizations. Modernization is not "an exclusive patent" of a small handful of countries, nor is it a single answer question. It cannot be realized by a cookie cutter approach or simple "copy and paste."

Along the path to modernization, China has been working together with other countries to step up the exchange of experience in state governance and national development.

In November 2024, Xi shared with other countries China's successful story in poverty alleviation when attending the 19th G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

To tackle poverty, China has made targeted policies tailored to each village, each household and each person; helped localities generate growth by fostering industries with distinctive features and upgrading infrastructure, all in light of their own conditions; and promoted common prosperity by pairing up well-off regions with less developed ones. Such experience has drawn great attention worldwide.

From poverty reduction to the fight against corruption, from promoting common prosperity to enhancing ecological conservation, the successful experience of Chinese modernization has become a public good driving the progress of human civilizations.

At the opening ceremony of the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, China unveiled ten partnership actions for modernization to deepen China-Africa cooperation, of which the Partnership Action for Mutual Learning among Civilizations is in the first place. Under this action, China is ready to work with Africa to build a platform for governance experience sharing.

Many African leaders believe that China stands ready to share its experience with other countries based on common values and mutual respect. They said that Africa and China can accelerate the process of industrialization and modernization by learning from each other and drawing on each other's strengths.

China has always been committed to strengthening exchanges and mutual learning with all countries. Its experience is increasingly viewed by the international community, especially countries of the Global South, as an opportunity and hope for achieving development and progress.

The world is a colorful place and civilizations are diverse. At the crossroads of human civilizations, China stands ready to enhance mutual learning among different cultures together with other countries, to see that different civilizations enrich each other and add to the beauty of the world.

China will also join hands with other countries to bring down cultural barriers on the ground, reject prejudices that stand in the way of human interactions, and eliminate cultural bias that prevents people from engaging with one another, so as to ensure that different civilizations coexist in harmony.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
US relocates 11 detainees from Guantanamo to Oman after over 2 decades without charge

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 07 January 2025 6:12 AM

The United States has transferred 11 Yemeni detainees from its notorious Guantanamo Bay detention center to Oman, after holding them for more than two decades without charge or trial as part of Washington's so-called "war on terror."

"The United States appreciates the willingness of the government of Oman and other partners to support ongoing US efforts focused on responsibly reducing the detainee population and ultimately closing the Guantanamo Bay facility," the US Department of Defense said in a statement on Monday evening.

The released men include Tawfiq al-Bihani, who had been cleared for transfer since 2010; Khalid Qassim, a long-term hunger striker who has spoken about spending most of his adult life in Guantanamo; and Hassan bin Attash, who was captured in a security raid in Pakistan in 2002.

Hassan's older brother, Walid bin Attash, remains detained and is a defendant in a military tribunal, accused of helping plot the September 11, 2001 attacks on the US.

None of the men in the latest transfer out of the camp had been criminally charged or put on trial during their two decades of detention. All were approved for transfer through federal national security officials.

The US-based Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) said that among the 11 detainees transferred to Oman this week was Sharqawi al-Hajj, who had undergone repeated hunger strikes and hospitalizations at Guantanamo to protest his 21 years in prison, which came after two years of detention and torture by the CIA.

With the latest release, the total number of men now remaining at Guantanamo stands at 15. CCR said that of the 15 men who remain at Guantanamo, six are uncharged and three of those have been cleared for transfer from the US.

The detention site held about 800 detainees at its peak in the aftermath of the purported September 11, 2001 attacks by al-Qaeda, when then-US president George W Bush set up the prison camp to hold suspects indefinitely and without charge and disallowing legal challenges to their detention.

Rights groups and some lawmakers have pushed successive US administrations to close Guantanamo or, at least, release all those detainees never charged with a crime.

Outgoing President Joe Biden had pledged before his election in 2020 to try to shut down Guantanamo, but it remains in operation just weeks before he leaves office.

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READOUT: Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen's Meeting with Vice Premier He Lifeng of the People's Republic of China

U.S. Department of the Treasury

January 6, 2025

WASHINGTON - Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen met virtually today with Vice Premier He Lifeng of the People's Republic of China as part of her efforts to responsibly manage the bilateral economic relationship.

Secretary Yellen and Vice Premier He discussed macroeconomic developments in both countries. They also reviewed the work of the Economic and Financial Working Groups that they jointly established last year.

Secretary Yellen raised issues of concern, including those related to China's non-market policies and practices and industrial overcapacity, which harm U.S. workers and firms, and unless addressed, will continue to adversely affect the U.S.-China bilateral economic relationship. She underscored the significant consequences that companies, including those in China, would face if they provide material support for Russia's war against Ukraine. Secretary Yellen also expressed serious concern about malicious cyber activity by PRC state-sponsored actors and its impact on the bilateral relationship.

The virtual call was candid, in-depth, and constructive, and both sides agreed about the importance of communication and contact.

###

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January 7, 2025

Release

DOD Releases List of Chinese Military Companies in Accordance with Section 1260H of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021

Today, the Department of Defense released an update to the names of "Chinese military companies" operating directly or indirectly in the United States in accordance with the statutory requirement of Section 1260H of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021.

Updating the Section 1260H list of "Chinese military companies" is an important continuing effort in highlighting and countering the People's Republic of China's (PRC) Military-Civil Fusion strategy. The PRC's Military-Civil Fusion strategy supports the modernization goals of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) by ensuring it can acquire advanced technologies and expertise developed by PRC companies, universities, and research programs that appear to be civilian entities. Section 1260H directs the Department to begin identifying, among other things, Military-Civil Fusion contributors operating directly or indirectly in the United States.

The Department will update the list with additional entities as appropriate. The United States Government reserves the right to take additional actions on these entities under authorities other than Section 1260H. The list is available here.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4023145/

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Chinese FM urges US to lift sanctions on Chinese firms after Pentagon list

Global Times

By GT staff reporters Published: Jan 07, 2025 11:26 PM

The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday urged the US to immediately correct its wrong practices and lift illegal unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction on Chinese companies, after several Chinese tech companies including Tencent and battery maker CATL were added to a list of firms allegedly working with China's military.

China stands firmly against the US's practice of overstretching the concept of national security, making discriminatory lists in various names and going after Chinese companies to contain China's high-quality development, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun at a routine press conference.

"The Chinese people's right to development is not to be deprived of or ignored," Guo said.

China will take all measures necessary to firmly defend the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies and uphold its legitimate right to development, he added.

According to a document published by the US Department of Defense on Monday, it added several Chinese tech giants, such as Tencent Holdings, leading battery maker CATL, artificial intelligence software company SenseTime and CloudWalk Technology, as well as IoT solutions provider Quectel Wireless Solutions, among a number of other Chinese companies, to its Section 1260H list of firms allegedly linked to China's military.

Several Chinese companies being blacklisted refuted on Tuesday the inclusion on the list, with companies such as Tencent, CATL and Quectel Wireless Solutions stating that the move is "a mistake."

As the company is neither a Chinese military company nor a military-civil fusion contributor to the Chinese defense industrial base, it believes its inclusion in the "Chinese military companies" (CMC) list is a mistake, Tencent Holdings Ltd said in a filing to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Tuesday.

CATL told the Global Times that the company has never engaged in any military-related business or activities, so this designation by the Department of Defense is a mistake.

"Being listed on the Section 1260H list is clearly a mistake," Quectel Wireless Solutions said via its WeChat account on Tuesday. The company emphasized that its business is focused on civilian applications and that it is neither a military enterprise nor a supplier to military enterprises.

Other companies such as SenseTime also refuted the claims. "This decision by the US Department of Defense has no factual basis, and we firmly disagree with it," SenseTime spokesperson told the Global Times on Tuesday.

We firmly deny the relevant accusations and express our strong dissatisfaction, CloudWalk Technology Co said on its WeChat account on Tuesday, adding that the list is based on groundless speculation rather than concrete evidence and has no substantial impact on our business.

Exaggerated 'China threat' narrative

The Section 1260H list is intended to create the impression that these companies pose a threat to US security, but it is rooted in the exaggerated "China threat" narrative, Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Addressing concern by some companies that the US government made the decision without sufficient communication and without necessary transparency and fair procedures, Zhou said the sudden and poorly researched measure undermines the credibility of the list, disrupts market order, and significantly impacts the normal operations of businesses and the broader market.

Under the pretext of safeguarding national security, US government agencies have created lists targeting Chinese companies they deem problematic, Gao Lingyun, an expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing, told the Global Times on Tuesday, noting that the US is using security as a tool to discriminate against Chinese firms.

Gao criticized the move, stating that the lack of compelling evidence to support these accusations undermines the credibility of such actions, especially for a country that prides itself on the rule of law and evidence-based practices. "This inconsistency calls into question the legitimacy of the list," Gao said.

Potential impact

While the addition to the Defense Department's list of "Chinese military companies" does not involve immediate bans, it represents warning to US entities and firms about the risks of conducting business with them and entities blacklisted are restricted from serving as suppliers to the US Department of Defense.

Unlike other lists maintained by the US Government for sanctions or export control measures, inclusion in the CMC list relates only to US defense procurement, which does not affect the business of the Group, Tencent Holdings Ltd said.

It does not restrict CATL from conducting business with entities other than the US Department of Defense and it is expected to have no substantially adverse impact on our business. We will proactively engage with US Department of Defense to address the false designation, including legal action if necessary, to protect the interests of our company and shareholders as a whole, the company said.

This decision has no material impact on our global operations. We remain firmly committed to working collaboratively with the relevant stakeholders to address this matter, and to safeguarding the interests of the company and our shareholders, SenseTime said.

Quectel Wireless Solutions also said the company is taking the matter seriously and responding proactively, adding that the list has no impact on the company's business, and CloudWalk Technology said the list is based on groundless speculation rather than concrete evidence, and has no substantial impact on its business.

CloudWalk Technology also said that the US government made the decision without sufficient communication and without necessary transparency and fair procedures, which has created unnecessary uncertainty in the international business environment.

The US Department of Defense removed Chinese firm Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment Inc. China (AMEC) from its so-called CMC list, after the company sued the department over the designation, Bloomberg reported on December 18, 2024.

In January 2024, the US Department of Defense added the Chinese firm to its so-called CMC list, while, after "extensive efforts to engage with the US Department of Defense in order to clarify the facts and demonstrate that it does not meet any of the CMC criteria" failed to change the designation, AMEC announced on August 16 that it had formally filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Defense in the US District Court for the District of Columbia for "unlawfully" designating AMEC as a CMC, the company said in a statement at the time, the Global Times reported earlier.

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Chinese vice premier, US treasury secretary hold video talks, agreeing to stabilize ties during transition period

Global Times

By GT staff reporters Published: Jan 07, 2025 01:32 PM

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng on Tuesday held talks via video link with US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, with both sides agreeing to maintain communication, manage differences and continue stabilization of China-US economic relations during the political transition period in the US, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

The two lead persons for China-US economic and trade affairs reviewed the experience of China-US economic exchanges and cooperation in recent years and spoke highly of the important role of China-US economic and financial working groups and other dialogue mechanisms in implementing the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, according to Xinhua.

The Chinese side expressed concern over US economic and trade restrictions on China, in particular clarifying China's position concerning the recent trade investigation initiated by the US side.

The video call was candid, in-depth and constructive, and both sides agreed on the importance of maintaining communication, according to Xinhua.

The significance of this meeting lies in confirming the continuity of the existing dialogue mechanisms between China and the US, He Weiwen, a senior fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

He said that it is important for China and the US to maintain dialogue and promote constructive cooperation. "It is hoped that the new US administration will maintain dialogue mechanisms, as managing differences through dialogue and achieving effective communication are crucial," he said, adding that the two sides should transcend differences, find new common ground and bring more benefits for both sides through cooperation.

Despite tension, China and the US have maintained communication through various mechanisms. For example, from December 15 to 16, 2024, the China-US financial working group held its seventh meeting in Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu Province, the People's Bank of China said in a statement on December 17.

The two sides had professional, pragmatic, candid and constructive discussions on a range of topics, including macroeconomic and financial situations, monetary policy, financial stability and supervision, and international financial governance, according to the statement.

The communication mechanisms between China and the US have proven to be positive and effective, as they have helped promote candid and constructive dialogue and manage differences, He Weiwen said.

"Practical actions, including the working groups, have helped promote cooperation in finance, trade, investment and other areas, and enhance people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, all of which are very positive outcomes," said He Weiwen.

Chinese officials have also stressed the importance of dialogue and communication. China has maintained close communication with the team from the US Department of Commerce through the established bilateral communication mechanisms and is also open to engaging with the new US administration's economic and trade team, He Yadong, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), said at a press briefing on December 12.

"We are committed to enhancing dialogue and cooperation with the US based on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win collaboration, to effectively manage differences and promote the long-term stability and growth of bilateral economic and trade relations," the MOFCOM spokesperson said.





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Xi calls for winning tough anti-graft battle

People's Daily Online

By Cao Desheng (China Daily) 13:27, January 07, 2025

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, emphasized on Monday the importance of exercising rigorous Party governance with the spirit of reform, reiterating that the battle against corruption is an unceasing endeavor.

He called for taking simultaneous, coordinated, and comprehensive steps to see that officials do not have the audacity, opportunity, or desire to become corrupt, and to resolutely win the tough, protracted, and all-out battle against corruption.

Xi, who is also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks when addressing the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, which opened in Beijing on Monday and runs through Wednesday.

While acknowledging the significant advances that have been made in exercising full and rigorous Party governance over the years, he warned of the continued severity and complexity of the fight against corruption, and highlighted the daunting task of eradicating the soil and conditions that breed corruption.

He emphasized the need to maintain unwavering determination in the ongoing fight against corruption, and maintain strategic resolve and high-pressure momentum to relentlessly advance the anti-corruption campaign.

Corruption poses the greatest threat to the Party, and fighting corruption is the most thorough kind of self-reform, Xi said.

He underlined the necessity of resolute action to combat corruption, and warned against any wavering, slackening, or abandonment of anticorruption efforts, as such actions could lead to grave errors.

A Party-wide campaign on Party discipline education was held from April to July, during which CPC members studied the newly revised Party regulations on disciplinary action to strengthen their discipline awareness and always remain loyal, clean, and responsible.

On the new journey in the new era, it is imperative to make greater progress in governing the Party to ensure it remains the strong leadership core in building socialism with Chinese characteristics and to guarantee the steady advancement of Chinese modernization, Xi said.

He called for advancing concrete, targeted, and regular political oversight, and urged maintaining a high degree of consistency with the CPC Central Committee in thoughts, politics, and actions.

He stressed the importance of strengthening Party discipline as an ongoing task, and guiding all Party members and officials to take Party discipline as a daily norm.

Highlighting a zero-tolerance approach in the fight against corruption, Xi urged a resolute crackdown on violations of Party discipline, as well as formalism, bureaucratism, hedonism, and extravagance.

Party members and officials must oppose privilege-seeking mindsets and practices and have a correct understanding of what it means to exercise power, and what it means to perform well, he said.

Xi urged intensified efforts to investigate key people in key sectors, punish both bribe takers and givers, and take resolute measures to eliminate systemic corruption risks.

He called for enhancing the mechanisms for checks on and supervision over power to prevent and combat new and disguised forms of corruption.

While underscoring the primary responsibility and supervisory duties of Party committees in exercising full and rigorous Party governance, Xi called for the continuous extension of this governance to the grassroots level, and advocated deepening reforms of the supervisory system at the grassroots level.

Noting that the disciplinary and supervisory authorities are crucial forces in advancing the Party's self-reform, Xi underlined the necessity to deepen reforms in the disciplinary and supervisory system to restrain power in an institutional cage.

It is essential to maintain a tough stance on wrongdoing, strengthen strict management and supervision of the disciplinary inspection forces, and cultivate a loyal, clean, accountable, and capable disciplinary and supervisory team, he added.

On Monday afternoon, Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CCDI, delivered a work report on behalf of the CCDI Standing Committee.

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun's Regular Press Conference on January 7, 2025

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: January 07, 2025 19:12

CCTV: Last night, the 2025 BRICS chair Brazil announced that Indonesia has become a full member of BRICS. On January 1, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Cuba, Bolivia and many other countries became BRICS partners. Media commentators say that BRICS has entered a new era of "greater BRICS cooperation", and will have an important impact on the solidarity and cooperation of the Global South and efforts to better the global governance system. What is China's comment?

Guo Jiakun: China warmly welcomes the new addition to the BRICS family.

The BRICS cooperation mechanism came into being amidst the collective rise of emerging markets and developing countries. It is also what the world would like to see in the interest of peace, the world's common development and better global governance. Almost two decades on since the launch of BRICS, it now accounts for nearly half of the global population, more than a third of the global economy and more than half of the world's economic growth. BRICS's representation, appeal and influence have been rising. BRICS has become a vital platform for promoting solidarity and cooperation of the Global South and a major force driving the reform of the global governance system.

China stands ready to work with all BRICS members to embrace the spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, advance the high quality development of greater BRICS cooperation, jointly advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and promote the building of a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and a community with a shared future for all. The future holds tremendous promise for greater BRICS cooperation.

AFP: US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen held a video conference with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng today. The US Treasury Department stated that Yellen expressed concern over malicious cyberattack activities conducted by individuals supported by the Chinese government. What is China's comment?

Guo Jiakun: You may refer to the readout China has released on the video call. On your specific question, I'd refer you to competent authorities.

Shenzhen TV: Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said in a recent interview that Kazakhstan is an extremely important strategic partner for China, and the cooperation between the two countries has evolved into a dynamic and multifaceted relationship, essentially achieving the status of a permanent comprehensive strategic partnership. The further development of comprehensive cooperation with China remains a key objective for Kazakh diplomacy. Kazakhstan and China have close business and trade ties and enjoy a bright future. He added that in 2023, Kazakhstan and China established a mutual visa-free regime, which has strengthened the bond between the two peoples. Kazakh citizens now have the opportunity to see firsthand how China has evolved, while also experiencing the friendly nature of the Chinese people. Do you have any comment on this?

Guo Jiakun: China and Kazakhstan are good neighbors bound together by mountains and rivers, good friends sharing a high degree of mutual trust and good partners enabling each other's success. Just as President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted in the interview, the cooperation between the two countries has evolved into a dynamic and multifaceted relationship. In recent years, under the strategic and personal guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Tokayev, cooperation between China and Kazakhstan in various fields has entered the fast lane. The year of 2024 was a year of good harvest for China-Kazakhstan relations. President Xi paid a successful state visit to Kazakhstan and reached important new common understandings with President Tokayev on bilateral relations, providing a strong boost to bilateral cooperation. The two countries have seen frequent mutual visits at various levels and more robust trade and economic ties. Cooperation in industrial capacity, connectivity, agriculture, new energy and so on is going well. Cultural and people-to-people exchanges have seen new breakthroughs. Two-way travel hit a new high.

In the new year, China stands ready to work with Kazakhstan to forge stronger synergy between our development strategies, deepen mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation, jointly ensure the success of this year's major events, translate the common understandings of our heads of states into more deliverables and continue to take China-Kazakhstan relations to new heights.

Bloomberg: The US has blacklisted Tencent and the battery maker CATL. Would the ministry like to comment on this?

Guo Jiakun: China stands firmly against the US's practice of overstretching the concept of national security, making discriminatory lists in various names and going after Chinese companies to contain China's high-quality development. The Chinese people's right to development is not to be deprived of or ignored. We urge the US to immediately correct its wrongdoings, and end the illegal unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction on Chinese companies. China will take all measures necessary to firmly defend the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies and uphold its legitimate right to development.

Antara: Still related to the announcement of Indonesia becoming the official member of BRICS. My question is as one of the founding members of BRICS, how does China see the strategic significance of Indonesia becoming an official BRICS member?

Guo Jiakun: I just stated China's position on BRICS's addition.

On your question, China welcomes and warmly congratulates Indonesia on becoming a full member of BRICS. Indonesia, as a major developing country and important force in the Global South, highly recognizes the BRICS spirit and has taken an active part in "BRICS Plus" cooperation. Indonesia's official entry into BRICS serves the common interests of BRICS countries and the Global South, and we believe that Indonesia will make active contribution to the development of BRICS.

China stands ready to work with Indonesia and other BRICS members to jointly build a more comprehensive, close, practical and inclusive partnership, advance the high-quality development of greater BRICS cooperation, and make greater contribution to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Reuters: Chinese media outlets have reported that the Chinese actor Wang Xing has gone missing at the Myanmar-Thailand border, citing the Chinese Embassy in Thailand. Can you confirm this? And in which country is Wang believed to have gone missing and can you show any other details on this case?

Guo Jiakun: Relevant Chinese embassy and consulate have received request for help from the person's family and are in close communication with them. Our missions overseas are verifying the information and doing their work. We will follow up on the developments and direct our missions overseas in making sure everything is properly handled.

Bloomberg: The Philippines has said a large Chinese Coast Guard vessel has maintained an "illegal presence" in its exclusive economic zone. The Philippine Coast Guard said that one of its vessels has been trailing the Chinese ship since it was spotted off the Capones Island in the western province of Zambales on Saturday. Would the ministry like to comment on this?

Guo Jiakun: China Coast Guard conduct its patrols and law enforcement activities in relevant waters in full accordance with the law. It is fully justified.

Antara: The spokesperson for the World Health Organization said that data from China indicates there has been a recent rise in acute respiratory infections but the overall scale and intensity of respiratory infectious diseases in China this year are lower than last year. Is China still safe to travel for foreign visitors?

Guo Jiakun: The Chinese government has and will continue to release information about infectious diseases in a timely and transparent way in accordance with law. On the specific question you raised, I'd refer you to competent authorities.

AFP: We noted that the new Chinese Ambassador to France Deng Li has arrived in France. What is your expectation for the development of China-France relations?

Guo Jiakun: I would refer you to the press release by our embassy on Mr. Deng Li's arrival in Paris as China's new ambassador to France and Monaco. China's position on advancing its relations with France is consistent and clear.

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Chinese firms supporting Russia pose as Taiwanese to dodge sanctions: activist

Chinese companies provided crucial components for glide bombs used by Russia against Ukraine.

By Alan Lu for RFA

2025.01.07

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Chinese firms supporting Russia are presenting themselves as if they are from Taiwan not only to avoid sanctions but also to discredit the self-ruled island, said a Ukrainian activist.

Vadym Labas initially accused the Taiwanese company Taiwan Rung Cherng Suspenparts, or TRC, of modifying and producing servomechanisms for Russia's deadly glide bombs, citing a transaction document between TRC and a Russian firm.

However, Labas later clarified that further investigation revealed the TRC name in the document was actually a front for a Chinese company seeking to evade international sanctions, not the Taiwanese company.

"We also discovered a double operation, which consisted not only of a new scheme to circumvent sanctions, but also an operation to discredit the Taiwanese manufacturer, which had been repeatedly carried out by the parties concerned," Labas wrote on his Facebook on Monday.

Labas added that the Chinese company KST Digital Technology Limited supplied servomotors to Russia through a network of intermediaries, including a firm called Kaifeng Zhendaqian Technology. These products were eventually rebranded as those of the Taiwanese firm TRC, whose name was used without authorization.

Servomotors are crucial for glide bombs as they control the bomb's aerodynamic surfaces, such as fins or wings, enabling precise maneuvering and guidance.

"Taiwan has been unjustly implicated. The actual culprits are Chinese manufacturers exploiting TRC's name for camouflage," he added.

Radio Free Asia was not able to contact KST Digital Technology Limited or Kaifeng Zhendaqian Technology for comment.

Chen Shu-Mei, TRC's deputy general manager, dismissed any suggestion of a business connection with Russia, saying the firm may take legal action to protect its reputation.

"It was a totally unfounded claim," said Chen, adding that the company primarily produces automotive chassis components and parts for vehicle suspension systems.

While not as advanced as Western precision-guided munitions, Russian glide bombs have become a key part of its air strategy in Ukraine. Military analysts estimate they contribute 20% of Russia's operational advantage in the conflict.

Ukrainian intelligence reports that Russia has greatly increased its use of such bombs. In May 2023, Russian forces were using about 25 glide bombs daily, but that number has since climbed to at least 60 per day, sometimes exceeding 100.

Edited by Taejun Kang.

Copyright 1998-2025, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content January not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Critical minerals, waning Western influence a focus of Chinese FM's African tour, analysts say

By Kate Bartlett January 07, 2025

Critical minerals and oil, a renewed focus on the Atlantic coast, and the West's loss of influence in the Sahel are some of the reasons analysts believe Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has chosen the Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Chad and Namibia as the stops on his visit to Africa this week.

For decades it has been tradition that Beijing's top diplomat makes his first foreign foray of the year to the African continent, and each time experts try to analyse the reasons behind the specific itinerary.

"It's always a mix of big states and small ones. The main point of all of this is to show that China is a non-discriminatory partner; that it doesn't have 'important countries,' the way Western powers would tend to cherry pick," Cobus van Staden, an editor at the China Global South Project, told VOA in a WhatsApp voice message.

During his first stop in Namibia on Monday, Wang said the 35-year-old tradition of starting the year with an Africa trip shows the world that "China remains Africa's most reliable friend" and its "strongest supporter...on the global stage," Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported.

Namibia and minerals

Namibia is Wang's southern African pit-stop this year. The country "is China's major maritime partner on Africa's Atlantic seaboard, where the largest concentration of China's port developments are located," Paul Nantulya, a research associate at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies in Washington, D.C., told VOA.

Van Staden echoed this, noting that "the last year or two there seems to have been an emphasis on the Indian Ocean, this year they seem to be rebalancing towards the Atlantic."

Namibia is also rich in uranium and critical minerals like lithium, cobalt and manganese.

Namibia's president, Nangolo Mbumba, said at his meeting with Wang this week that Chinese investment "continues to play a significant role in developing Namibia's uranium sector as one of the biggest global uranium producers."

Mbumba and Wang also spoke about Chinese investments in infrastructure such as a planned desalination plant. Chinese companies are also starting to build Namibia's largest solar power plant this year.

Republic of Congo and oil

After Namibia, Wang heads next to the Republic of Congo, another Atlantic seaboard country and the incoming African co-chair of the Forum for China Africa Cooperation or FOCAC.

The country, which is next to mineral-rich Congo, has untapped mineral deposits, but its economy is mainly based around oil, which accounts for some 80 percent of its exports, according to the World Bank.

Van Staden said "the diversification of Chinese oil imports" could be part of the reason for Wang's visit to the country, as well as to the other two oil producers on the agenda: Chad and Nigeria.

"The Republic of Congo used to be a big oil exporter to China, but over the years China's diversified its oil supplies," he said.

However, the Republic of Congo is trying to increase production and last year Cogo, the Congolese subsidiary of China Oil Natural Gas Overseas, announced a $150 million investment in two oil fields there.

A Chinese company also holds a controversial permit to conduct oil exploration near a national park. In a September meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso in Beijing last year, the Chinese foreign ministry readout stated, "China supports the Republic of the Congo in developing a diversified economy, and encourages Chinese enterprises to participate in the construction of major infrastructure and regional connectivity projects in the country."

Over the years, China and its companies have been investing in major infrastructure projects in the Republic of Congo, building roads and modernizing the airport. It has gifted the country a new parliament building and construction is set to begin on a $9 billion hydropower dam this month.

Chad and security

Another country Wang will visit this week is Chad, the Central African nation that saw relations with Bejing elevated to a "strategic partnership" during last year's FOCAC.

"Chad and its immediate neighbors play a key role in China's effort to secure global supply chains of critical minerals in the high-tech and clean energy sectors, including the EV industry which China dominates so far," said Nantulya.

Situated in the volatile Sahel region, which has seen a spate of coups in recent years, oil-rich Chad has been under military rule since a 2021 putsch. Chad is also one of several regional countries that have asked troops belonging to former colonial power France to leave amid rising anti-French sentiment.

In December, Chad ordered France to withdraw about 1,000 troops from the country, where it had long been helping to fight jihadist insurgents.

The void left by the West could be China's gain, analysts said.

"It is the fifth former African French colony to remove French forces from its territory," said Nantulya of Chad. "China has been showing great interest in ramping up its strategic security engagements with these countries as seen by the sharp increase in Chinese military engagement in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Senegal in particular, as well as Ivory Coast."

Nigeria and trade

Analysts say one of the more obvious stops on Wang's 2025 tour is Nigeria, Africa's most populous country and one of its biggest economies.

Cliff Mboya, a postdoctoral fellow at the Center for Africa-China Studies at the University of Johannesburg, said trade would be a major item on the agenda.

"Looking at Nigeria, one of the issues that also came out strongly during the last FOCAC was market access for African products into China, and Nigeria was one of the leading countries pushing for this idea," he told VOA. "So that will feature more prominently during Wang Yi's visit to Nigeria."

Security is also a factor, said Oluwole Ojewale, a Nigerian researcher at the Institute for Security Studies.

"If you also look at the things that bind Nigeria and Chad together, one of them is the counter insurgency operations that both countries have been involved in for a while now," he told VOA. "Maybe the Chinese foreign affairs minister is also going to talk about security partnerships."

Filling the void

Ojewale added that the stops on Wang's trip can also be seen through the lens of regional geopolitical competition.

"Where the Western alliance and establishment have vacated in Africa, we're seeing in equal proportion China or Russia in particular occupying those places  supplanting the Western alliance," he said.

And while such trips happen every year, Van Staden said this year's trip is especially significant given that on Jan. 20th the U.S. will see a change of government when president-elect Donald Trump starts his 2nd term in office.

"I think the main message that [the Chinese are] trying to send is that they're a constant partner, that they're not fickle," he said. "This message is of course reinforced right ahead of the Trump inauguration, you know, where a lot of people expect a low level of interest in Washington in relation to Africa."

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DPRK: Statement by the Spokesperson on the latest missile launch

European External Action Service (EEAS)

07.01.2025

EEAS Press Team

The EU condemns the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) launch of an intermediate-range ballistic missile, which Pyongyang claims was equipped with a hypersonic warhead.

This violates multiple UN Security Council resolutions and further raises tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

The EU expresses its full solidarity with its partners in the region, in particular the Republic of Korea and Japan. The EU urges the DPRK to cease such illegal and escalatory actions, and to take up offers of dialogue by the main parties. This is the only path to sustainable peace and security on the Korean Peninsula.

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N Korea successfully tests new hypersonic ballistic missile to 'deter rivals' in Pacific

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 07 January 2025 8:03 AM

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un says the country's new hypersonic ballistic missile will bolster its deterrent strength against adversaries in the Pacific region.

Overseeing the missile launch, Kim said "the hypersonic missile system will reliably contain any rivals in the Pacific region that can affect the security of our state," the North Korean state media (KCNA) reported on Tuesday.

The news agency highlighted the missile's use of a "new compound of carbon fiber" in its engine, a technology currently possessed only by the US, Russia, and China, which could enable North Korea to reach further targets.

The launch also featured a "new comprehensive and effective method" for flight and guidance control.

Kim stated that the missile launched on Monday flew 1,500 kilometers (930 miles)  surpassing the 1,100-kilometer figure reported by South Korea  and reached speeds of up to 12 times the speed of sound before landing in the ocean.

He emphasized that the launch was a defensive measure rather than an offensive one, while also asserting that the missile's capabilities could not be overlooked globally, indicating it could deliver a significant military strike while overcoming robust defensive systems.

"The development of the defense capabilities of the DPRK aiming to be a military power will be further accelerated," Kim said, using the official name for the country, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

The missile launch marked North Korea's first this year and the last one since November, when it tested what it said was its most advanced solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

The specific location of the missile test was not disclosed, but images revealed it was launched from a remote area bordered by water and stripped of trees due to winter conditions.

Experts have highlighted the unique technology among nations, noting that if successful, it means that the missile could achieve ranges between 3,000 to 5,000 kilometers.

This missile test coincided with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to the region.

In a joint news conference on Monday, Blinken reaffirmed his country's "unwavering" security commitment to South Korea and called for a strong defensive stance against North Korea's so-called provocations, while emphasizing the importance of strengthening trilateral cooperation with Japan.

Blinken also warned of Pyongyang's deepening ties with Moscow. He claimed Russia intended to share space and satellite technology with North Korea in exchange for its support for the Ukraine war.

North Korea and Russia have strengthened their military ties in recent years.

Analysts interpreted the launch as a strategic message to the United States, particularly as president-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, suggesting that any future dialogue must consider North Korea's enhanced military position.

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North Korea's claim of hypersonic missile launch likely 'deception': Seoul

The North said it successfully test-fired the missile the previous day.

By Taejun Kang for RFA

2025.01.07

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- South Korea's military said North Korea's claim of successfully launching a new intermediate-range ballistic missile, or IRBM, tipped with a hypersonic warhead is likely to be a "deception."

The North said on Tuesday that it successfully test-fired the missile the previous day, saying it flew some 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) at 12 times the speed of sound. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, or JCS, confirmed the launch on Monday but did not identify the type of missile.

"It is assessed that North Korea's claim of the flight distance and the second peak altitude is highly likely deception," said JCS spokesperson Col. Lee Sung-jun during a regular briefing on Tuesday.

"The flight range analyzed by South Korea, the United States and Japan is around 1,100 kilometers and [the missile] did not reach a second peak," Lee added, dismissing the North's claim that the missile reached the second peak at 42.5 kilometers.

"Hypersonic missiles will be difficult to demonstrate their performance in the Korean Peninsula, which has a short length of depth," said Lee. In the military, the term "depth" refers to the extension of operations in space, time, or purpose.

When asked whether North Korea could have received technological assistance from Russia, Lee did not rule that out.

The North said it had accomplished technological advancements, such as using a "new compound of carbon fiber" for the engine body.

Unlike conventional ballistic missiles that fly through the thin atmosphere of outer space, hypersonic missiles need to be made of new materials that can withstand resistance and friction because they have a long flight path within the atmosphere.

South Korea included carbon fibre, which can be used to develop solid fuel missiles, in the list of items subject to sanctions monitoring against North Korea.

However, the North's announcement indicates that it had acquired such materials, raising suspicion that there might have been Russian assistance.

North Korea and Russia have moved noticeably closer over the past year or more amid widespread suspicion that North Korea has supplied conventional weapons to Russia for its war in Ukraine in return for military and economic assistance.

Over the past five years, nations like Russia and China have accelerated their development of hypersonic missiles to target U.S. forces both domestically and internationally, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Most modern missile defence systems, including the one in South Korea, are designed to target ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles are designed to exploit loopholes in such defence systems.

Edited by Mike Firn.

Copyright 1998-2016, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content January not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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French Defense Minister Says Drone Development Main Challenge for 2025

Sputnik News

20250107

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The development of unmanned aerial vehicles and technologies is the major challenge for the French defense industry in 2025, French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Tuesday.

"Drones have become the backbone of modern battles. Every ground unit, navy ship or aircraft must be equipped with accompanying drones and a defense system against them. All weapons must be equipped with electronic warfare systems. However, we are not at our best in this regard, 2025 should be a breakthrough year, and developments in this field need to be accelerated," Lecornu said in an annual address to the armed forces.

Sebastien Lecornu

French Defense Minister

France also intends to become a leader in the use of artificial intelligence for various operational purposes, including countering drones, fire control, fighter jets and nuclear submarines, the minister noted.

The lack of a budget for 2025 is a "threat to the country's rearmament," Lecornu said, at the same time noting that France is transitioning to an "economy of war," which has already allowed it to double the production of shells, including 155mm caliber, and Mistral short-range air defense missile systems.

In addition, the minister said that the country is set to open a new gunpowder production plant in Bergerac this spring to localize manufacturing on national territory.

He also emphasized the need to invent "weapons of the future, easier to manufacture, cheaper and in greater quantity."

The year 2024 has become the second most successful in terms of defense exports, which amounted to 18 billion euros ($18.6 billion), including the sale of Rafale fighter jets and submarines, Lecornu added.

 Sputnik

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Death of French far-right leader draws tributes, denouncements

By Lisa Bryant January 07, 2025

Praise and sharp criticism are flooding in for far-right French leader Jean-Marie Le Pen, who died Tuesday at the age of 96. A pugnacious veteran of the colonial wars, Le Pen was a five-time presidential candidate who helped to shape the rising power of Europe's far right.

Members of Le Pen's far-right party  originally called the National Front and since renamed the National Rally by his daughter Marine  described him as a courageous visionary who has always served France.

Other politicians were less complimentary. Centrist President Emmanuel Macron sent his condolences to Le Pen's family and said Le Pen would be judged by history. Far-left politicians denounced Le Pen for his anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim, antisemitic stances.

A veteran of two French colonial wars, Le Pen founded the National Front in 1972. His Paris apartment was bombed four years later.

Le Pen shocked the nation  still traumatized by its World War II past  by calling Nazi gas chambers a "detail" in French history. He was later tried and fined.

In 2002, Le Pen placed second in the first round of French presidential elections  shocking France, and the world.

Front-runner and incumbent President Jacques Chirac made an appeal against extremism. It worked. Chirac won the runoff with more than 80% of the vote.

Daughter Marine Le Pen took over the party in 2011. She launched a major makeover to soften its racist image and make it more aligned with common working-class issues.

The two Le Pens feuded, and in 2015, Jean-Marie Le Pen was ousted from the party he founded. Later, father and daughter drew closer.

Analysts say Le Pen has left a broader mark on Europe  seen in the far right's rising influence in places like Austria and Germany  and in France, where the opposition National Rally is now the country's most powerful party.

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Remarks of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan A New Frontier for the U.S.-India Partnership

January 06, 2025

The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi

Good afternoon. It's great to be back in New Delhi.

And thank you, Eric, for that gracious introduction. President Biden has been lucky to have you here representing the United States.

I also want to thank everyone here at IIT Delhi for such a warm welcome.

***

In 1949, Prime Minister Nehru went on a now-famous tour of the United States.

His goal was to understand how new technologies and innovations could strengthen his then-young nation.

So for nearly a month, he traveled all across America. From businesses in New York and San Francisco, to family farms around Chicago and Madison, to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

And that visit at MIT helped inspire the establishment of India's own IIT system, which not only ignited a new era of science and technology innovation for a new nation -

but also ignited a partnership in science and technology between the United States and India.

Indeed, the United States was the first foreign partner to collaborate with India's IITs, when nine leading U.S. universities helped build the Indo-American research program at IIT Kanpur.

Some years later, Prime Minister Nehru would observe - at an IIT convocation, in fact something prescient for our own era. He said, and I quote:

"the time has now come when the engineer plays an infinitely greater role than anybody else...because the major work of the country today deals with...engineering schemes of various types...and the administrator who is completely ignorant of engineering does not help much in administering."

Something quite similar could of course be said today...about governments racing to keep pace with concurrent revolutions in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, space, quantum, and other fields.

So it is fitting in many ways that today, seven decades later and in this moment of technological transformation, India and the United States are taking our partnership to the next frontiertogether.

Andif we can get it rightI believe this partnership will be the most consequential of the 21st century.

For both the United States and India, our partnership is key to our own growth  and jobs  at home ...

It is critical for stability and security in the Indo-Pacific ...

And, increasingly, it will bring prosperity to like-minded friends around the world, especially emerging economies.

And so, we are deeply invested in India's success and, I believe, India in ours.

Over 1,000 American companies are operating in India.

Over $50 billion in foreign direct investment flowed into India from the United States, and Indian private sector investment in the United States recently surpassed that of China - investments that, by some estimates, are generating over 400,000 U.S. jobs.

And over 300,000 Indian students are studying in the United States. In fact, our international students come from India more than any other country in the world.

And for all our work together, in many ways, we're just getting started.

When President Biden came into office, he made clear that America's domestic strength and our international position were inherently linked.

And that in an era of intense geopolitical competition, we needed to re-invest in our domestic industrial base and our innovation economy to strengthen our advantages abroad.

But he was also clear that this approach was not one we could pursue on our own. We would need to do it together with our allies and partners.

Because by building trusted supply chains, jointly investing in emerging technologies, and leveraging our respective advantages, we would all emerge in a stronger position.

There is nowhere we have proved the theory of that case more clearly than in the U.S.-India relationship.

Over the past four years, we've joined hands to halt a pandemic and bring vaccines to the world; we've launched initiatives on jet engines, semiconductors, and clean energy; and in a few months' time, we will come together to put an Indian astronaut into space.

These are remarkable achievements, and we made them by harnessing the remarkable innovation of the American and Indian people.

I had the chance to see some of that collaboration here at IIT Delhi just a few moments ago, when I met with some impressive young entrepreneurs who are designing everything from AI-enabled robotics to military-grade sensors...

...ventures that I'm proud to say are being supported by the United States through partnerships with New York University, the U.S. National Science Foundation, and the U.S. Space Force.

And that's what I'd like to say more about today: How we've taken the U.S.-India partnership to a fundamentally new level over the last four years, with innovation at its core, and how that is playing out bilaterally, regionally, and globally.

***

First, we started by transforming our technology partnership.

When President Biden came into office, he knew that "Make in India" and "Made in America" are complementary, not incompatible, precepts.

That's why, in 2022, our Administration launched the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies with India.

The fundamental premise of iCET is that, in an era of renewed geopolitical competition, the United States and India must collaborate on the development, diffusion, and protection of critical technologiesfrom artificial intelligence to biotechnology, and beyond.

That is our responsibility as the world's largest democracies. As two of the fastest-growing and largest economies. And as leading Indo-Pacific powers.

Andas we mark the second anniversary of iCET this monthwe've proven just how impactful this deepened collaboration can be across both of our economies, and both of our innovation ecosystems.

Just look at Vikram Solar, which announced plans last year for a $1.5 billion investment in solar manufacturing here in the United States.

Or Bharat Forge, which in 2021 opened the first U.S. greenfield aluminum forging plant in over 15 years.

At the same time, U.S. companies looking for more resilience in both their markets and supply chains are shifting out of China and expanding to India.

Take, for example, Apple's significant investment in Indian production. Within the next couple of years, over a quarter of all iPhones in the world will be made right here in India.

Or Ford's recent expansion in Chennaiwhich will add thousands of jobs in Tamil Nadu.

And I want to take a moment to talk about our supply chains specifically.

The United States, India, and other partners have all been remindedabruptly and sharplythat we cannot ignore the ways in which interdependencies can be weaponized against us.

We've seen countries lose access to critical minerals that support our clean energy and electronics industries.

We've seen companies struggling to compete against China's predatory industrial strategies in chips, clean energy, and other emerging technologies.

And, of course, we've seen repeated attacks on industries tied to our critical infrastructure, which is heightening the risks not only of cyber espionage, but of destructive sabotage.

That's whyas we launched iCETboth President Biden and Prime Minister Modi made it a priority to invest in national programs that are spurring production in sectors that had become overly reliant on China.

These include the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act, the India Semiconductor Mission, and India's Production-Linked Incentive program in areas such as biopharmaceuticals.

The benefits of those programs are already flowing to both of our countries.

Micron was the first, not just American, but first global company to partner with India's Semiconductor Mission, investing hundreds of millions of dollars in new semi-conductor packaging facilities that will establish India as a new hub in the global chip ecosystem.

India and the United States have joined hands with Japan, the ROK, and Europe to establish a new Biopharmaceutical Supply Chain Consortiumthe "Bio-5"that will reduce dependence on single-source suppliers supply chains.

We are poised to expand these efforts into new sectorsmost notably, commercial space exploration. In fact, as we speak, U.S. companies are providing support for a SpaDeX [Spay-Dex] satellite docking experiment that will enable new Indian missions to the moon.

And as a result of new updates to our missile technology control export policies that President Biden signed out just last weekand which I'm glad to announce publicly for the first time todayour commercial and civil space partnership is set for lift off.

***

Second, as we've strengthened our technology partnershipwe started delivering for the Indo-Pacific region as well.

Take, for example, the U.S.-India defense partnership. The growth of our defense partnership over the past two decades has been nothing short of remarkable.

Just consider, twenty-five years ago, the United States and India had no defense trade relationship at all.

No frameworks for information sharing or logistics cooperation.

No major military exercises to train alongside each other.

Today, the United States is not just selling defense systems to India. We are making them here in India. And the United States has become the top destination for Indian defense exports.

We launched a first-of-its kind defense initiativeINDUS Xthat is awarding American and Indian start-ups the funding to more rapidly bring new technologies forward to our militaries.

On top of thisin the past two years alonethe Biden administration has approved technology proposals that would enable India to become the first global producer of Stryker combat vehicles, a leading producer of advanced munitions systems, and the first foreign producer of cutting-edge maritime systems.

We announced a ground-breaking initiative to enable India to manufacture jet engines that will power India's future indigenous fighter fleet.

And even more work is underway - in aviation, sensing, undersea  that will come to fruition soon.

So many of these initiatives have the potential to extend beyond the United States and India, to eventually help countries across the Indo-Pacific region upgrade their defensive capabilities as well.

Because that's another goal that unites us: to ensure a more free, more secure, more prosperous, and more resilient Indo-Pacific region.

And stronger U.S. and Indian defense cooperation is already enabling security across the region.

Through the multinational Combined Maritime Forces Coalitionof which India is now a full-time memberwe are combatting piracy and trafficking at sea.

Through Exercise Malabar, the United States, India, Australia, and Japan are training to more rapidly respond to natural disasters across the Indo-Pacific.

And through historic agreements that allow U.S. Navy vessels to seek repair and maintenance in Indian shipyards in Kochi, Mumbai, and soon Chennai, the United States can more readily train and operate with countries across the Indian Ocean region.

At a time when we're seeing dangerous provocations in the air and at sea

The proliferation of destabilizing technologies

And countries attempting to change the status quo by force

Our cooperationin technology, in defense, and beyondis a pillar of stability in the Indo-Pacific.

***

And frankly, it goes beyond the Indo-Pacific. Which brings me to the third area: delivering for the world.

Nowhere is this more evident than clean and affordable technologies.

The U.S. Development Finance Corporation is engaged in path-breaking partnerships with Indian companies to localize and scale solar manufacturing.

This includes investing nearly $1 billion in solar panel manufacturing in Tamil Nadu, and providing support for leading Indian manufacturers, like Tata Power Renewables.

And in the past year, we concluded a new initiative on clean energy supply chains that lays out a path for our countries to deploy clean energy across Africa and to work with African partners on high-impact solar and electric vehicle projects.

And we're not stopping with clean energy. Our technology partnership is delivering affordable public goods in numerous ways.

That is why we launched a new U.S.-India Global Digital Development Partnership that will leverage both government and private sector resources to deploy safe and responsible digital technologies with like-minded partners around the world.

And through the Quad, we announced plans to deliver Open RAN technology, AI-driven agricultural solutions, and cutting-edge satellite data to developing economies.

And at the G20 in Delhi in September of 2023, we announced the launch of the India-Middle East Economic Corridor, an ambitious initiative linking India, the Middle East and Europe with a sea-and-rail corridor and fiber and energy connections.

That was just a few weeks before October 7. But we have continued to nurture the vision, and I have personally engaged the key countries and key leaders to keep making progress.

I have also talked to the incoming administration about the enormous opportunity to deliver growth and integration - and a high-standard alternative to what Beijing is offering.

The bottom line of all of these efforts is that the potential of this partnership is boundless.

***

But I hasten to add: it is not inevitable.

Over the years, people have referred to the United States and India as "natural" partners.

And in many ways, that's true. Our democracies our linked. Our companies are linked. Our universities are linked. And more than anything else, our people our linked.

But the U.S.-India partnership that we have built together is not one that just naturally sprang into existence. All of our linkages have been necessary, but at the same time, insufficient.

The partnership we have built is one of intention, of choice. One of determination, of leadership. And, frankly, one of perseverance and grit.

Look at the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Agreement concluded by President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, may he rest in peace.

Or India's designation as a Major Defense Partner of the United States in 2016.

Or President Biden and Prime Minister Modi's decision to manufacture advanced jet engine technology and explore space together.

None of these were "natural" occurrences.

Step-by-step we have worked to build trust. To build habits of cooperation. And to move our partnership past what Prime Minister Modi has called our "hesitations of history."

Which brings me to another historic step forward on that journey.

Although former President Bush and former Prime Minister Singh laid out a vision of civil-nuclear cooperation twenty years ago, we have yet to fully realize it.

But as we work to build clean energy technologies, to enable growth in artificial intelligence, and to help U.S. and Indian energy companies unlock their innovation potential, the Biden administration determined it was time to take the next major step in cementing this partnership.

So today I can announce that the United States is now finalizing the necessary steps to remove longstanding regulations that have prevented civil nuclear cooperation between India's leading nuclear entities and U.S. companies.

This is a statement of confidence in the progress we have madeand will continue to makeas strategic partners, and as countries who share a commitment to peaceful nuclear cooperation.

And it is the result of India's open and transparent engagement with our Administration over the course of the past four years, which has enabled this new chapter to move forward.

Of course, none of this has been easy.

We've both had to navigate our share of turbulence. Legacy relationships. Tensions over trade, as well as human rights and rule of law, at home and abroad.

But we have navigated these issues together, with our eye on the long game. And our ability to do so reflects the deep and enduring resilience between the United States and Indiaacross generations, across administrations, and "across the aisle."

***

This leads to my parting thoughts: where do we go from here?

I am deeply proud of the work the United States and India have done together under iCET to shape the technologies of the future. And I'm proud that we are passing the baton off the next Administration in an even stronger position.

But there is still much more to be done.

Looking forward, it will not be enough for the United States and India to simply collaborate in building the critical technologies of the future.

We also need to work together to shape the diffusion, protection, and rules that govern those technologies.

We have already begun this work in domains such as space, where India's decision to join the Artemis Accords is allowing us to establish a common set of principles around civilian space exploration.

We will need to continue to drive similar efforts in other spheres, such as the employment of artificial intelligence and advanced biotechnologiesboth of which will have enormous consequences in every facet of life.

As we see more and more new technologies diverted to unfriendly actors, theUnited States and India will also need to ensure that valuable dual-use technologies don't fall into the wrong hands.

This means aligning our export control systems. Looking at trade measures to protect our industrial strategies against overcapacity. Better securing our supply chains. And reviewing outbound and inbound investments in sensitive sectors.

As we take these steps, we need to expand the work we're doing to leverage American and Indian innovation to help the world - especially emerging economies - to enable equitable growth across the globe.

And finally, our partnership can be most effectively sustained - and can only reach its full potential - if we each live up to the values that lie at the core of our democracies. Respect for the rule of law that creates the conditions for dynamic growth. Respect for pluralism and tolerance that powers innovation. And the protection of basic freedoms that unleash the human spirit.

I say this not as a skeptic, but as someone who fully believes the United States and India can realize those aspirations. These are basic truths about how our democracies will grow and flourish.

***

So let me close with this.

This is likely the last trip overseas I will lead as National Security Advisor.

And I cannot think of a better way to end my tenure in the White House-visiting India on my final overseas visit to mark the advances we have made together over the past four years: this is a shared and historic achievement, and a cornerstone of the Biden administration's foreign policy legacy.

We've had to deal with challenging moments. We've had to work to resolve difficult issues.

But being here at IIT Delhi with the young technologists and entrepreneurs and policymakers who will take this generational project forward,

I have every reason to be believe that within the next decade we'll see:

American and Indian firms working together to build the next generation of semi-conductor technologies.

American and Indian astronauts conducting cutting-edge research and space exploration together.

American and Indian researchers contributing to a new explosion in lifesaving vaccines.

American and Indian engineering students developing new innovations together right here at IIT Delhi.

And American and Indian leaders propelling our partnership - and our future - toward what the American statesman-scientist Vannevar Bush called "the endless frontier" that we haven't yet imagined.

Thank you again for having me here. I cannot wait to see what all of you, and so many other young people across our nations, achieve in the years ahead.

###

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INS TUSHIL COMPLETES ITS VISIT TO DAKAR, SENEGAL

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Posted On: 07 JAN 2025 7:26PM by PIB Delhi

INS Tushil, the Indian Navy's latest guided missile stealth frigate, has completed its inaugural port visit to Dakar, Senegal, enhancing bilateral relations between the two nations. During its three-day stay at Dakar, Captain Peter Varghese engaged with Rear Admiral Abdou Sene, Chief of Staff of the Senegalese Navy, to discuss strengthening naval cooperation and shared maritime security initiatives.

The visit included a Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE), showcasing the Indian Navy's NISHAR - MITRA terminal, and a joint Yoga session involving the Yoga Association of Senegal and Navy personnel. The ship welcomed around 150 visitors from the Indian diaspora and local community, illustrating the Indian Navy's growing presence in the region.

INS Tushil concluded the visit by undertaking a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with the Senegalese naval vessel PHM Niani upon departure. This visit highlights the importance of cooperative efforts in promoting regional security and marks a significant step in enhancing interoperability between the two navies.

_____________________________

VM/SPS 8/25

(Release ID: 2090966)

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DELIVERY OF YARD 132 (LSAM 22)

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Posted On: 07 JAN 2025 10:50AM by PIB Delhi

Induction ceremony of eighth Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile (ACTCM) Barge, LSAM 22 (Yard 132) was held on 06 Jan 25 at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. Chief Guest for the Induction Ceremony was Cmde Vinay Venkataram, Officer-in-Charge, Fleet Maintenance Unit (Mbi).

The contract for construction and delivery of eleven ACTCM Barges was concluded with M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt. Ltd., Thane on 05 Mar 21, a MSME Shipyard. Seven ACTCM Barges have already been delivered and the shipyard has also been awarded a contract for construction and delivery of four Sullage Barges to the Indian Navy thereby highlighting the Indian Navy's commitment towards encouraging MSMEs.

The Shipyard has indigenously designed these Barges in collaboration with an Indian Ship Designing firm and subsequently model tested at Naval Science and Technological Laboratory, Visakhapatnam, successfully to ensure seaworthiness. These barges are built in accordance with the relevant Naval Rules and Regulations of Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). These Barges are proud flag bearers of Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives of Government of India.

Induction of these Barges would provide impetus to operational commitments of Indian Navy by facilitating Transportation, Embarkation and Disembarkation of articles/ ammunition to Indian Navy platforms both alongside jetties and at outer harbours.

_______________________

VM/SPS 7/25



(Release ID: 2090784)

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President Pezeshkian: Iran is ready for all parties' return to agreement and mutual obligations

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 7, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian while refering to the 2018 US withdrawal from the JCPOA and the failure of the European parties to the deal to compensate for the pullout despite Iran's living up to its commitments said that the Islamic Republic is ready for the return of all parties to the agreement and fulfilling mutual obligations.

The Iranian president made the remarks in separate meetings with the new ambassadors of Armenia, Ireland, the UK, Turkmenistan, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Cuba, Kuwait, Mauritania, and the Netherlands, and while receiving their credentials and welcoming them.

President Pezeshkian pointed out that his administration is seeking to promote consensus inside the country and friendly interactions with nations across the world.

Israel's war on Gaza was also one of the topics the Iranian president discussed with the new British ambassador, Hugo Shorter.

Pezeshkian criticized Western countries' inaction on the Zionist regime's "unprecedented crimes" against innocent women and children in Gaza.

He said the inaction is totally unacceptable and unjustifiable, considering Western states' claims that they champion human rights.

More worse is that the US and some European countries send weapons to "this criminal regime", added Pezeshkian, while emphasizing that Iran seeks to establish tranquility, security and peace in the West Asia region and elsewhere in the world.

In his meeting with the new Dutch ambassador Emiel de Bont, Pezeshkian said that his public stance has focused on forging consensus inside and interaction with the world even during the presidential election campaign in Iran.

"The Zionist regime however tried to obstruct the progress of that approach since my inaugural day and drag us to war by assassinating Mr. Haniyeh, the official guest of the Islamic Republic," the president said in reference to the July 31 assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh who attended Pezeshkian's inauguration ceremony in Tehran a day earlier.

In his meeting with the Kenyan, Mauritanian and Sierra Leonean ambassadors, the Iranian president emphasized the importance of further expansion of his country's ties with the three African countries.

Pezeshkian also discussed expansion of Iran's ties with the new ambassadors of Turkmenistan and Armenia, which are both neighbors of the Islamic Republic. He said that boosting relations with neighbors is the strategic policy of Iran.

During talks with the new Cuban envoy Jorge Fernando Lefebre Nicolas, President Pezeshkian said both Iran and Cuba have paid and continue to pay prices over their fight against imperialism, adding that independent countries can support each other in resolving the problems they face.

The Iranian president, in his meeting with the new Kuwaiti ambassador Mishal Ahmad Al-Mansour, emphasized the need for forging brotherly ties among Islamic countries.

All the foreign envoys expressed their countries' readiness to expand relations with the Islamic Republic.

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Iran ready for nuclear talks within framework of JCPOA: Deputy foreign minister

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 7, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Iran is prepared to negotiate with Western powers within the framework of a nuclear deal it signed in 2015 to lift the economic sanctions imposed on the country over its nuclear program, says Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi.

Takht-Ravanchi, a former envoy to the United Nations, made the remarks in an interview with the Italian magazine Affari Internazionali and the radio station Radicale, outlining Iran's position regarding the now-stalled nuclear talks with European powers. Those talks are expected to resume before US President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House in less than two weeks.

He emphasized that any negotiations will be conducted within the framework of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which the United States unilaterally abandoned under Trump in 2018, leaving its fate in limbo to this day.

As a member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Takht-Ravanchi stated that Iran is inherently entitled to a peaceful nuclear energy program. He insisted that these rights have been repeatedly violated by the other parties involved. The long-standing dispute over Iran's nuclear program largely stems from the denial of its rights under the NPT, the senior diplomat added.

Tensions further escalated when, he said, Iran's dossier was unjustly referred to the United Nations Security Council, resulting in multiple rounds of sanctions against Iran.

"We have always stated that we do not seek nuclear weapons. As an NPT member, nuclear weapons have no place in our defensive doctrine," he said.

He asserted that numerous reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have confirmed Iran's full compliance with its commitments under the JCPOA. However, the US, as a signatory to the deal, failed to uphold its obligations from day one, he added.

The violations by the US culminated in its withdrawal from the UN-endorsed accord, Takht-Ravanchi said. European signatories to the deal urged Iran at the time not to exit the JCPOA, promising to compensate for the economic damages incurred by the US decision.

"We waited for a year, but unfortunately, the European countries either could not or did not want to fulfill their commitments," he said. Consequently, in 2019, Iran began to gradually scale back its obligations under the JCPOA.

When asked about the possible implications of a second Trump presidency for Iran, the deputy minister emphasized, "We judge the US based on its actions, not its rhetoric."

Takht-Ravanchi further advised the incoming US administration to let go of the failed policy of "maximum pressure" against Iran, which Trump has promised to reinstate in full upon returning to the White House. "Why would America want to enforce a failed policy yet again?" he asked.

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First stage of 'Eqtedar 1403' drills kicks off near Natanz nuclear facility in Central Iran

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 7, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- The first stage of the military exercise, codenamed Eqtedar (Authority) 1403, in the air defense zone of the Natanz nuclear facility, has commenced under the order of Brigadier General Qader Rahimzadeh, commander of the Khatam al-Anbia Air Defense Base.

After announcing the beginning of the first phase of the "Eqtedar 1403" drills on Tuesday, Brigadier General Rahimzadeh said that during this phase of the military exercise, the air defense units of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force are providing comprehensive protection for the Shahid Ahmadi Roshan nuclear site, commonly known as the Natanz site, against various aerial threats under critical electronic warfare conditions.

He noted that the joint air defense exercise is based on detailed annual planning and will take place over the next few days as part of an exercise demonstrating the authority of the armed forces.

The drills will review the training conducted over the past year, he said, adding that the exercises focusing on monitoring enemy movements and addressing the country's air defense needs will serve as the foundation for this defense drill.

Brigadier General Rahimzadeh emphasized that the air defense units from both the army and the IRGC have been deployed alongside new and advanced systems near sensitive sites, noting that, in the coming days, under the command of the integrated air defense network, they will practice robustly defending the country's skies as part of the armed forces' authority exercises.

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FM Araghchi: Iran looking to have its frozen assets released

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 7, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that the release of the country's frozen funds is a constant priority for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant institutions.

The top Iranian diplomat addressed the recent efforts made by the diplomatic apparatus to release Iran's frozen assets on Tuesday.

He emphasized the importance of implementing special measures given the current sanctions and external pressures, noting that the issue of frozen funds remains a priority for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and related institutions.

Araghchi noted that some funds have been released due to ongoing efforts, while another portion remains blocked, stressing the need for continuous meetings, reviews, and new initiatives in this regard.

Over the past few years, the United States has frozen billions of dollars of Iran's assets in third countries under illegal pretexts, limiting the country's access to these funds.

In August last year, some seized assets were released from South Korea, and the Iranian Foreign Ministry continues to work on securing the release of additional funds through legal processes.

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Iran: Rise in executions deeply troubling - UN Human Rights Chief

Press releases

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

07 January 2025

GENEVA -- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk on Tuesday said he was deeply troubled by the marked increase in executions in Iran last year. At least 901 people were reportedly executed in 2024, including some 40 in one week alone in December. At least 853 people were executed in 2023.

"It is deeply disturbing that yet again we see an increase in the number of people subjected to the death penalty in Iran year-on-year," said Turk. "It is high time Iran stemmed this ever-swelling tide of executions."

Most of the executions last year were for drug-related offences, but dissidents and people connected to the 2022 protests were also executed. There was also a rise in the number of women executed.

"We oppose the death penalty under all circumstances," said the High Commissioner. "It is incompatible with the fundamental right to life and raises the unacceptable risk of executing innocent people. And, to be clear, it can never be imposed for conduct that is protected under international human rights law."

The UN Human Rights Chief urged the Iranian authorities to halt all further executions, and to place a moratorium on the use of the death penalty with a view to ultimately abolishing it.

Some 170 States have either abolished the death penalty or imposed a moratorium on its use.

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Resistance 'growing' despite enemy's plots, remains 'impervious' to bombardment: Araghchi

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 07 January 2025 10:29 AM

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the resistance school of thought has been developing in recent months in defiance of attempts by the enemies to weaken and upend it.

Speaking during a ceremony honoring Iran's martyred anti-terror commander General Qassem Soleimani on Tuesday, Araghchi said the enemies do not recognize the fact that the blood of martyrs is a weapon in the hands of the resistance.

"The resistance school of thought cannot be eliminated by military strikes and bombings," he emphasized.

"Despite all the ups and downs, blows and blood, the resistance school of thought has been growing. The enemies should not assume that the blows they have inflicted on the resistance front over past few months will damage the cause or weaken it, but actually this school of thought will become stronger."

The top Iranian diplomat further praised martyred General Soleimani for giving a practical aspect to the resistance and turning it into a movement that maintains a strong presence in the region and fights against Israel and the Western hegemony.

General Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), was assassinated on January 3, 2020 along with his companions in a US drone strike authorized by then-US President Donald Trump near Baghdad International Airport.

He was highly revered across West Asia because of his key role in fighting the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in Iraq and Syria.

Also in his remarks, Araghchi referred to the assassination of resistance leaders, including Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, by Israel.

"I have no doubt that the blood of Martyr Nasrallah will make Hezbollah stronger and more competent," he said.

Touching on the latest developments in Syria, he said the Syrian army suffered a psychological blow before a military blow through media warfare, noting, "The Syrian army was defeated before it could fight, and it failed to resist."

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IRGC Aerospace Force launches 'Eqtedar 1403' drills near Natanz nuclear facility

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 07 January 2025 8:05 AM

The Aerospace Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has launched a large-scale military exercise in the central province of Isfahan.

The first stage of the exercise, codenamed Eqtedar (Authority) 1403, began on Tuesday on the periphery of the Natanz uranium enrichment facility upon the order of Brigadier General Qader Rahimzadeh, commander of the country's Khatam al-Anbia Air Defense Base.

During this phase of the military exercise, air defense units of the IRGC Aerospace Force are providing a complete protection of Shahid Ahmadi Roshan nuclear site, also known as Natanz site, against a multitude of aerial threats under critical electronic warfare conditions.

Iranian military forces hold routine exercises according to a detailed schedule in various parts of the country in order to test their weaponry and equipment and evaluate their combat preparedness.

The country's officials have repeatedly underscored that the country will not hesitate to strengthen its military capabilities which are entirely meant for defense against potential new threats.

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UN calls for halt to all executions in Iran as numbers surge

By Lisa Schlein January 07, 2025

U.N. human rights chief Volker Turk expressed alarm Tuesday at the sharp increase in executions in Iran and called on the Islamic Republic to halt all further executions of people facing the death penalty for a range of crimes.

"It is deeply disturbing that yet again we see an increase in the number of people subjected to the death penalty in Iran year-on-year," Turk said in a statement. "It is high time Iran stemmed this ever-swelling tide of executions."

According to the high commissioner's office, at least 901 people reportedly were executed in 2024, including some 40 in one week in December.

It says the highest number of executions in recent decades was reached in 2015 when at least 972 individuals were executed in Iran. After a decline in the number of executions, it notes that the numbers have risen sharply since 2022.

"At least 853 people were executed in 2023," Liz Throssell, spokesperson for the high commissioner, told journalists at a briefing in Geneva, adding that the 2024 number of 901 executions "is alarmingly, shockingly high."

The human rights office reports that most of the executions last year were for drug-related offenses, but that "dissidents and people connected to the 2022 protests also were executed."

That's a reference to the nationwide protests that erupted following the Sept. 16, 2022, death in police custody of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested by the so-called morality police for the alleged improper wearing of the hijab.

The International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran, which presented a report to the U.N. human rights council in March 2024 found "credible figures" of up to 551 deaths, including at least 49 women and 68 children had "occurred in 26 out of the 31 provinces of Iran over multiple months."

Throssell said there was a rise in the number of women executed last year. "We understand that at least 31 women were reportedly executed in 2024. Now, that marks the highest number in 15 years.

"The majority of cases involve charges of murder. A significant number of the women were victims of domestic violence, child marriage or forced marriage. A number of them were convicted of murdering their husbands," she said, adding that "The method of execution, we understand, is by hanging."

She said it was difficult to know how much recourse people accused of crimes had to the judicial system because "of the opacity of the system" in Iran. "I mean, people will have lawyers, but it is very hard to determine how free and fair a particular trial may be," she said. "So, this is why we believe it is so important to be speaking out on the executions and also to highlight that there are people who are awaiting execution, who are on death row."

"We are concerned because of this lack of transparency around what happens in Iran with regard to the sentencing and the carrying out of the death penalty," she said.

Human Rights chief Turk doubled down on his concerns by urging Iranian authorities to place a moratorium on the use of the death penalty "with a view to ultimately abolishing it."

"We oppose the death penalty under all circumstances," he said. "It is incompatible with the fundamental right to life and raises the unacceptable risk of executing innocent people.

"And, to be clear, it can never be imposed for conduct that is protected under international human rights law," he asserted.

International standards prohibit the imposition of the death penalty for any but the "most serious crimes"  crimes of extreme gravity, involving intentional killing  and "may be imposed only when the guilt of the person charged is based upon clear and convincing evidence leaving no room for an alternative explanation of the facts."

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Iran rejects 'baseless' claims of French president

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 8, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei has rejected as baseless and contradictory the recent claims made by the French President about Tehran, calling on Emmanuel Macron to reconsider his country's unconstructive approaches toward peace and stability in the West Asian region.

According to IRNA, Baghaei made the remarks on Tuesday night, in response to Macron's anti-Iran rhetoric during his annual conference with French ambassadors to outline foreign policy objectives in 2025 at the Elysee Palace on Monday.

The French president came up with a host of allegations against the Islamic Republic ranging from the country's regional and foreign policies to the nuclear program. While calling Iran the main "strategic and security challenge" for Europeans in the Middle East, also raised concern over Tehran's nuclear program which he said is "close to the point of no return".

The immediate and real threat to regional peace and stability is the occupying Israeli regime, which, with the full support of the United States and some European countries, including France, in addition to continuing the occupation and genocide, has continuously expanded the scope of its aggression to various countries in the region, the Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman reacted to Macron's claims.

Baghaei added: It is very regrettable that the French President, instead of criticizing a genocidal and apartheid regime whose leaders are wanted by the International Criminal Court, is pointing the finger at a country (Iran) that has always been a harbinger of peace and respect for the principles of international law.

The spokesman also rejected the French President's claim about Iran's nuclear program, emphasizing that the country peaceful nuclear activities are within the framework of international law and under the strict and continuous supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

He called it "clearly projective and deceitful" for making unfounded claims by a government (France) that has itself refused to fulfill its obligations under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and, on the other hand, has played a major role in a genocidal regime's acquisition of nuclear weapons.

Recalling Iran's consistent and principled stance on a peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian conflict, Baghaei rejected the claim of intervention there, saying: "Such irresponsible statements are tantamount to distorting the facts and an attempt to conceal the destructive role of the main crisis-causing actors in the world."

Elsewhere in his remarks, the Foreign Ministry spokesman expressed surprise and regret at Macron's concern about Iran's interactions with African countries, saying "countries having a history of violent colonialism in Africa cannot determine the fate of independent nation with the same mentality".

The relations of the Islamic Republic of Iran with African countries are based on mutual respect and are being pursued in order to achieve mutual benefits, Baghaei added.

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Iraqi army, PMF pound Daesh hideouts in country

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 8, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- The Iraqi army and its allied forces have intensified military operations against remnants of Daesh terrorists, this time, targeting their hideouts in the mountainous Hamrin region in the northeast of the country.

According to IRNA citing Al-Mayadeen reported the operation on Tuesday night although the network did not provide further details on casualties or possible damage.

Meanwhile an Iraqi official told a media outlet that the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), also known as Hashd ash-Shabi were able to destroy 11 secret tunnels of ISIS elements in their latest anti-terrorist operation in the western regions of Anbar province.

According to the report, the PMF carried out preemptive operations in various areas of Rawa, Al-Rutba and Al-Qaim, which resulted in the identification and destruction of ISIS secret bases.

These tunnels reportedly contained a large quantity of explosives and bomb-laden objects.

On Monday, the US-led coalition also announced that it had targeted Daesh positions in the Hamrin Mountains with the help of the Iraqi army.

United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it, along with allied forces, conducted anti-Daesh operations in Iraq and Syria from December 30, 2024 to January 6, 2025.

Observers stress the need for sustained military pressure to prevent ISIS from regaining strength in the region. The continued existence and activity of ISIS cells underscores the group's ability to exploit Iraq's complex terrain and security gaps even years after their formal defeat.

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Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

January 7, 2025

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa in Tokyo on January 7. Secretary Blinken thanked Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi for his work on Japan's global leadership during his time as foreign minister and in his current role. They discussed the deepening military cooperation between the DPRK and Russia and the PRC's dangerous and destabilizing behavior in the South China Sea. Both sides reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The Secretary reaffirmed the United States' ironclad commitment to the defense of Japan.

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Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

January 7, 2025

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru in Tokyo today. Secretary Blinken thanked Prime Minister Ishiba for Japan's global leadership on the most pressing issues of our time. The Secretary applauded Prime Minister Ishiba for continuing to work to advance stronger ties with the Republic of Korea (ROK) and emphasized the importance of continued U.S.-Japan-ROK trilateral cooperation. They also discussed deep concerns about the PRC's dangerous and destabilizing behavior in the South China Sea and reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of security and prosperity in the international community. The Secretary reaffirmed the United States' ironclad commitment to the defense of Japan. The Secretary also reaffirmed the United States' commitment to continuing to deepen our strong economic and trade relationship.

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Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

January 7, 2025

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi in Tokyo. The Secretary and Foreign Minister discussed the immense achievements in our bilateral relationship over the last four years and reflected on the U.S.-Japan Alliance as the cornerstone of security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. They reaffirmed that our countries stand shoulder-to-shoulder as allies in a truly global partnership. The Secretary and Foreign Minister discussed the importance of advancing U.S.-Japan-ROK trilateral cooperation, which remains vital to regional security, stability, and prosperity. They also discussed the PRC's dangerous and destabilizing behavior in the South China Sea - including the repeated blocking and harassment of Philippine vessels from operating within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone - behavior that threatens the freedoms of navigation and overflight of all nations. They emphasized their robust support for Ukraine in Russia's war of aggression. The Secretary condemned the escalatory deployment of DPRK troops to Russia and discussed deep concerns about the PRC's support for Russia's defense industrial base.

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Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi Before Their Meeting

US Department of State

Remarks

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

The Capitol Hotel Tokyu

Tokyo, Japan

January 7, 2025

FOREIGN MINISTER IWAYA: (Via interpreter) It is my honor to welcome you today to Japan very soon after our meeting in Peru this November. First of all, we are deeply saddened to learn the passing of former President Carter, who left behind a legacy of incredible achievements. I would like to once again express our heartfelt condolences.

I also wish to extend my deepest sympathies to the victims of the tragic incident in New Orleans and convey my thoughts and prayers to those who were injured. Such acts of violence can never be justified under any circumstances. During these challenging times, I want to express Japan's deep bond of solidarity with the U.S. government and American people.

I deeply appreciate your visit to Japan despite the profound sorrow surrounding these events. We believe that the fact your first overseas trip as Secretary of State was to Japan and that you have chosen to visit again as your tenure draws to a close underscores the importance you place on the U.S.-Japan relationship.

Over the past four years under your tenure as the Secretary of State, the Japan-U.S. alliance has grown stronger than ever. I would like to take this opportunity to express my profound respect for your friendship with Japan and your tremendous contributions to the Japan-U.S. relationship.

Looking ahead, I am committed to elevating Japan-U.S. alliance to new heights, and to that end I am very much looking forward to engaging in discussion with you regarding the current regional affairs and the state of Japan-U.S. relations. Thank you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, Takeshi, thank you so very much. It is a pleasure for me both professionally and personally to be in Japan once again - as you mentioned, my first trip in this job and now probably my last trip in this job is to Japan. I've been to Japan seven times over the last four years, to the Indo-Pacific region 21 times. And as you said, this is evidence of the - not just the importance, the centrality, that the United States attaches to our alliance and partnership with Japan as well as the broader region. And President Biden asked me to come on this last trip to underscore that point.

I think one of the things that he and we are proudest of is the strength of this relationship, of this partnership, of this allyship. And I believe it's actually stronger than it's ever been. We have between our two countries a partnership that started out focusing on bilateral relations and worked on regional issues and now is genuinely global, and that is more than anything else a reflection of the extraordinary success that Japan is in having such a strong global brand and something that the United States gives a tremendous importance and tremendous value.

So we know that even though we're in political transition the world doesn't stop. It doesn't wait for our transitions. There is much on our common agenda that it's important that we're working on. We had just yesterday another missile launch by the DPRK among many other things. So I look forward as well to looking at where we are and where we need to continue going together. We've had very successful meetings over the last year. Our security 2+2, our economic 2+2 - oh I'm sorry, I've forgotten the interpretation. Please, go ahead. Thank you, Ambassador. Thank God we have a diplomat here. (Laughter.)

(The Secretary's remarks were interpreted.)

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, for the sake of the translator I'll keep it brief. (Laughter.) I'll simply say that if you look at the work that we've done through our security 2+2, our economic 2+2, the work that our teams are doing every day, I think the foundational strength of our alliance - security, economically, innovatively, people-to-people - has never been better, and I look forward to seeing that continue, like you, to grow in the months and years ahead. Thank you.

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Myanmar's junta answers rebel proposal for talks with week of deadly airstrikes

Since the Arakan Army offer, bombings have killed 10 and injured more than a dozen in Rakhine state.

By RFA Burmese 2025.01.07 -- Myanmar's junta has rebuffed a New Year's proposal for political dialogue by rebels in Rakhine state with a week of deadly airstrikes, residents say.

Observers said the military's actions following the proposal indicate that the junta has no interest in talks, despite frequent calls by chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing for political means to end the crisis.

On Dec. 29, Arakan Army, or AA, insurgents captured the west coast town of Gwa from the military, a major step toward their goal of taking the whole of Rakhine state, and then said they were ready for talks with the junta, which seized power in a February 2021 coup d'etat.

The seizure came slightly more than a week after the AA took a major military base in Ann town on Dec. 20, and the rebels have now captured 14 of the state's 17 townships, pushing the military into shrinking pockets of territory.

On Dec. 30, the AA said it was open to talks with the military to resolve Rakhine state's "internal issues through political means rather than military solutions," although the group did not refer specifically to a ceasefire.

However, as of Monday, the military had carried out at least six airstrikes since the proposal in the AA-controlled townships of Ponnagyun, Ann, Gwa and Myebon, killing 10 civilians and injuring more than a dozen others, residents told RFA Burmese.

Week of airstrikes

Most recently, on Sunday, a military airstrike on Ponnagyun's Aung Zon Pyin village killed three members of the ethnic Rohingya community, including a child, and a female resident, according to sources who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns.

"As this area has access to mobile signals, residents [of the state] come here to make phone calls, and the area is normally crowded," said an aid worker in Ponnagyun. "[On Sunday], when people were talking on the phone, an aerial attack took place, causing some [deaths and] injuries."

The aid worker said another airstrike took place the same day on nearby Taung Pauk village.

The three Rohingya killed in the airstrike on Aung Zon Pyin had traveled there from nearby Kyauktaw township to place phone calls, he said.

The airstrikes followed a Jan. 3 military bombing of a hospital in Myebon township's Kan Htaung Gyi town, which killed a woman, residents said.

And on New Year's Eve  a day after the AA proposal  military jets struck Ponnagyun's Yoe Ta Yoke village, residents said, killing five civilians and injuring 10 others.

Residents are living in constant fear of aerial bombings, Tin Aung Htay, of Ponnagyun township, told RFA.

"[On Sunday] evening, the junta carried out continuous bombings, with a jet flying overhead for 15 minutes," he said. "Residents were terrified and fled. Children lay flat on the ground while the plane passed. [No one] dared go to work while the junta's jet was in the area."

'No political dialogue'

A commentator on military affairs in Rakhine state said that the junta's bombings demonstrates a stance of "no political dialogue," despite the AA's offer.

"The recent bombings indicate that the junta has no intention of engaging in political dialogue," said the commentator, who also declined to be named. "Targeting civilians who are not part of any armed group was both malicious and deeply unethical. These were inhumane acts."

Attempts by RFA to contact both AA spokesperson Khaing Thu Kha and junta spokesperson and Rakhine state attorney general Hla Thein for their comments on the attacks went unanswered by the time of publishing.

In November, the AA said that since the Nov. 13, 2023, start of its offensive in Rakhine state, military airstrikes, artillery strikes and small arms fire has killed more than 700 civilians and injured more than 1,500 others.

Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2025, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content January not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Clashes in northwest Pakistan kill 19 militants, 3 soldiers, military says

By Ayaz Gul January 07, 2025

Pakistan's armed forces said Tuesday that 19 militants and three soldiers were killed during counter-terrorism operations in its northwestern province bordering Afghanistan.

The fatalities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa occurred during what the military called intelligence-driven raids on suspected militant hideouts in three districts, including the provincial capital of Peshawar.

The military statement identified the slain insurgents as "khwarij," a term the government uses for the outlawed armed group Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, known by the acronym TTP, which has been waging deadly attacks in the country.

Official claims about insurgent deaths cannot be independently verified, and the TTP did not issue any immediate comment on the military's claim.

These were the first major clashes of the year between security forces and anti-state militants in Pakistan, following a dramatic surge in militant activity during 2024.

In 2024, insurgent attacks resulted in the deaths of more than 1,600 Pakistanis nationwide. The death toll included nearly 700 troops and police force members. TTP and separatist groups active in southwestern Balochistan province claimed responsibility for much of the bloodshed.

The Islamabad-based Independent Center for Research and Security Studies documented the casualties, stating that 2024 was the deadliest year for Pakistani security forces in a decade.

This week, the TTP issued a warning that it would persist in targeting security personnel and escalate its attacks to encompass commercial enterprises run by the Pakistani military.

TTP, designated as a global terrorist group by the United Nations, urged employees of military-operated companies to find alternative sources of income within three months and warned civilians to refrain from engaging with these businesses.

Neither the Pakistani government nor the military has responded to the TTP threat.

The militant warning comes as a surge in terrorist activities in Pakistan has strained its relations with Afghanistan's Taliban government. Last month, the Pakistani military reported that 27 Afghan nationals were among more than 900 militants killed during counterterrorism operations in 2024.

Islamabad asserts that the TTP operates from Afghan sanctuaries and receives support from the Taliban government to perpetrate cross-border attacks. Kabul has vehemently denied the presence of foreign militants in Afghanistan or the use of its soil to threaten neighboring countries.

In December, Pakistan allegedly conducted airstrikes against TTP-suspected hideouts in an Afghan border province, resulting in the deaths of dozens of individuals. Taliban authorities condemned the bombardment, saying it killed nearly 50 civilians and describing the victims as "Pakistani refugees."

While the Pakistani government has publicly refrained from acknowledging the attack, officials have anonymously confirmed it and said the airstrikes killed more than 25 prominent TTP commanders and operatives.

Neither the Pakistani nor the Afghan assertions regarding the strikes could be independently verified.

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Protests over power outages block Pakistan's trade route with China

By Ayaz Gul January 07, 2025

Thousands continued their blockade of a crucial Pakistani trade route with China for a fifth day on Tuesday, protesting chronic, prolonged power outages in the mountainous region.

The organizers of the sit-in demonstration in Hunza, a picturesque city with a population of more than 70,000, have pledged to remain in place until their demands are met. Rally leaders emphasized the town's persistent inadequate power supply, noting that residents endure up to 23-hour electricity outages amid a harsh winter season.

Both men and women participated in the protest, braving average daytime temperatures of -4 degrees Celsius and nighttime temperatures of -10 degrees Celsius, as reported by rally participants to VOA via phone.

Rahim Aman, a Hunza resident, reported a gradual and substantial increase in protesters, saying female activists were seen using vehicles and loudspeakers to encourage participation in the rally. He said representatives of local political parties, traders and hotel associations were also present.

Local authorities negotiated with the protesters but failed to persuade them to disperse and restore traffic flow along the Karakoram Highway connecting Pakistan to China. Hunza is situated on the scenic roadway traversing the Gilgit-Baltistan region, bordering China's western Xinjiang province.

Traders reported that numerous containers carrying commercial goods were stuck on both sides of the highway due to the sit-in demonstration.

The crippling protest erupted more than a month after Pakistan and China announced that they would keep open their sole land port, the Khunjerab Pass, for year-round operations to foster trade connectivity between the two nations.

The world's highest paved border crossing, approximately 190 kilometers from Hunza, stands at an elevation exceeding 4,600 meters and was previously closed for four months annually due to heavy snowfall.

The impoverished Gilgit-Baltistan region heavily relies on hydropower, but generation almost ceases during the winter months due to the freezing of rivers and lakes. Consequently, residents and business establishments, including hotels, must operate expensive thermal generators to maintain power supply.

Residents and area experts have noted that the growing use of such generators by major hotels and other commercial entities is damaging the atmosphere in Hunza and surrounding areas.

The United Nations reports that the Pakistani regions are home to some of the largest stretches of glaciers outside the northern pole and already face the growing threat of global warming.

The Khunjerab Pass is an integral component of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, or CPEC. The multibillion-dollar corridor seeks to establish a comprehensive trade and transit infrastructure between the two nations, the most populous and fifth-most populous in the world.

Beijing has invested more than $25 billion in Pakistan since the two countries launched the CPEC a decade ago and is eager to use Gwadar, a Chinese-managed Pakistani port on the Arabian Sea, as a strategic gateway to international markets.

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US allows transactions with HTS administration in Syria but keeps sanctions in place

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 07 January 2025 10:36 AM

The United States has issued a sanctions exemption for transactions with the ruling Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) administration in Syria for six months, as part of efforts purportedly seeking to ease the flow of humanitarian assistance following the downfall of President Bashar al-Assad's government.

The exemption, known as a general license, also allows some energy transactions and personal remittances to Syria until July 7. The action did not lift any sanctions against the Arab nation.

The US Treasury said the move sought "to help ensure that sanctions do not impede essential services and continuity of governance functions across Syria, including the provision of electricity, energy, water, and sanitation."

The United States, Britain, the European Union and other Western governments imposed tough sanctions on Syria at the height of the foreign-sponsored militancy against the country in 2011.

A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed that the move showed goodwill toward the Syrian people rather than the new HTS administration.

Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo also alleged in a statement that Washington "will continue to support humanitarian assistance and responsible governance in Syria" during the current period of transition.

Maher Khalil al-Hasan, the trade minister in the HTS administration, said on Monday the country is unable to make deals to import fuel, wheat or other key goods due to strict US sanctions.

Syria faces a "catastrophe" if sanctions are not frozen or lifted soon, he said.

Militants, led by HTS, took control of Damascus on December 8 and declared an end to Assad's rule in a surprise offensive that was launched from their stronghold in northwestern Syria, reaching the capital in less than two weeks.

The situation in the Arab country remains very fluid and fragile, amid the ongoing political instability.

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What future awaits Syria's Christian minority?

By Aram Avetisyan January 07, 2025

De facto Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa  whose Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) fighters drove President Bashar al-Assad from power last month  recently met with the Mideast nation's Christian leadership after a string of menacing attacks on religious minorities, giving some observers hope the sanctioned militants are ushering in an era of greater inclusion and tolerance, though others remain skeptical.

Protests broke out in Syria over the Dec. 23 burning of a Christmas tree in a Christian-majority town in Hama amid other reports of harassment, prompting calls for the new Islamist authorities to take steps to safeguard ethnic minorities.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), an independent U.K.-based human rights organization, "Uzbek gunmen set fire to the Christmas tree in Al-Saqilibiya in Hama... that is inhabited by Christian residents."

The state-run Syrian Arab News Agency reported on Sharaa's meeting with Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican clerics, including publishing pictures from the event.

Syrian Catholic Archbishop Jacques Mourad of Homs, who attended the meeting, said Sharaa avoided using the term "minority," according to France-based La Croix International, a general-interest Catholic publication.

"He said that Christians and other groups are part of the Syrian people," the archbishop told La Croix. "He is aware that we Christians are foundational to this country."

Hope and skepticism

Rafif Jouejati, nonresident scholar at the Washington-based Middle East Institute, expressed optimism about the public rallies to demand accountability.

"If you watch the demonstrations taking place in Syria, you see immediately that people are out freely expressing their views," she told VOA. "This is not something we've been able to do in half a century."

She also shared her belief that Syria is moving in the right direction, dismissing concerns about a country transitioning to an Islamist state.

But others aren't so sure.

Richard Ghazal, executive director of In Defense of Christians, told VOA there was no "difference [between HTS] and their organizational predecessor, Jabhat al-Nusra, which is the Nusra Front, al-Qaida or even [Islamic State]."

"They've taken the lessons from the mistakes of ISIS and al-Qaida," he said, using another term for Islamic State, which is also known as ISIS, ISIL, IS or Daesh. "They've used those to polish their message, their media engagement, and try to fool the West if not convince the West."

Although Sharaa was quick to emphasize the language of tolerance upon ousting Assad from power, declaring "a Syria for everyone" the day after taking Damascus, Ghazal says how they will govern remains to be seen.

Jouejati points to 2016, when HTS leaders distanced themselves from more radical militant groups.

"They have shown themselves to be far more moderate than their Islamist counterparts," she said. "We're observing a gradual shift away from any semblance of an Islamic dictatorship. Increasingly, they are beginning to resemble civilians more than soldiers."

Sanctions

U.S. officials recently lifted a $10 million bounty on Sharaa, a decision that top U.S. diplomat for the Middle East Barbara Leaf called a "policy decision" aimed at facilitating engagement with HTS.

U.N. Syria envoy Geir Pedersen in late December expressed hope for a swift end to the U.N. sanctions on Sharaa's organization to help facilitate Syria's economic recovery.

But Syria's economic rebound, say some observers, also requires an inclusive constitutional framework.

"The main challenge today, of course, is putting together a government that is in accordance and in adherence with U.N. resolution 2254," said Ghazal said, which "calls for a new Syrian government that actively involves the Syrian people and putting that government together with full sight and visibility to the international community and full transparency."

Jouejati envisions Syria evolving into a "Middle Eastern-style democracy."

"I believe we will have a country that is based on ... all human rights. I believe we have an opportunity to establish a state that is grounded on the rule of law, that incorporates transitional justice, that has free and fair elections, that has a separation of powers, and perhaps most importantly, a separation of religion and state," she said.

The 2023 U.S. Department of State Report on International Religious Freedom regarding Syria notes that approximately 2.5% of the population remaining in the country are Christians.

Ghazal said he anticipates a new wave of emigration.

Signs of intolerance

Despite calls for inclusion by HTS leadership, Ghazal said signs of intolerance are already evident, including a ban on alcohol, the separation of women from men in public transport, and the presence of the Islamic State flags near some Damascus suburbs.

"This is very alarming that we're seeing this in Christian neighborhoods," he told VOA. "Signs like this tell you that while violence has not been witnessed on a large scale just yet, I'm afraid it may be looming in the future."

Jouejati emphasized the importance of unity and a shared Syrian identity for the country's future.

"I believe that right now [the] minorities' biggest problem is their own fears," she told VOA. "We have seen and heard and, we've seen examples of this complete willingness to accept that there are Christian and other minorities. We have seen them being very respectful of everybody, not just minorities."

Nadine Maenza, of the Washington-based International Religious Freedom Secretariat, recorded at least a dozen eyewitness accounts of attacks on religious and ethnic minorities in the Shehba region outside Aleppo in late December.

"Both HTS and the Turkish-backed militias have a history of severe religious violations against [minorities]," she told VOA. "Atrocities are continuing against Kurds, Yazidis, Christians, and other religious minorities, but particularly we are seeing them from the Turkish-backed Islamist militias."

Ghazal said he anticipates an exodus of religious minorities from the country.

"The only reason the Christians who are currently in Syria have not migrated west to Europe, to the United States, Australia, it's not because they haven't wanted to," he told VOA. "It's simply because they haven't had the opportunity. And that's the tragic part."

Jouejati, however, described the reports of harassment as isolated cases rather than a consistent pattern of broader intolerance.

"I have seen some individual incidents where spoilers have instigated trouble, but I've also seen communities banding together," she told VOA. "Syrian Sunnis, who make up the majority, are reaching out to their Kurdish and Alawite and Christian and other counterparts to join hands. And I'm seeing an overwhelmingly positive response to being free of the Assad regime."

Asked to comment about Sharaa's direct engagement with Christian leaders, Italian Archbishop Mario Zenari, the pope's envoy to Syria, said the fact of the meeting itself speaks volumes.

"This event would have been unimaginable only three weeks ago and the bishops and priests ... left with a sense of hope for Syria's future," Zenari, who met with Syria's top diplomat last month, told Vatican News.

This story originated in VOA's Armenian Service.

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China satellite launch no threat to Taiwan: MND

ROC Central News Agency

01/07/2025 04:50 PM

Taipei, Jan. 7 (CNA) The Ministry of National Defense (MND) on Tuesday said a satellite launched by China that flew over Taiwan posed no threat given its altitude.

In a news release, the MND said the satellite was launched at 4 a.m. Tuesday from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC), also known as the Xichang Space Center, in China's Sichuan Province.

The satellite flew over Taiwan and towards the west of the Pacific Ocean, the MND added.

However, as the satellite flew beyond the Earth's atmosphere, the ministry said the launch posed no threat to Taiwan.

The MND added that it will continue to monitor threats and "remain ready to respond" should any arise.

(By Matt Yu and James Lo)

Enditem/ASG

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Taiwan may consider introducing foreign migrants into army

The idea of having foreign fighters has been floating among Taiwan's security circles.

By RFA Staff

2025.01.07

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Introducing foreign migrants into the armed forces may be considered in the future to overcome a military staffing shortage, Taiwanese politicians and scholars have said.

The proposal, however, is still at a very initial stage and needs to be appropriately discussed at different levels, they said.

The island's army has been decreasing in numbers and is at 80% strength, the defense ministry said in a report. The military's staffing level was 89% in 2020.

"According to the Legislative Yuan Budget Center, the volunteer force's manpower was 12,000 fewer from January 2022 to June 2024," said Alexander Huang, a security expert and professor at Tamkang University, referring to the so-called professional troops, the number of which fell from nearly 165,000 in 2022 to 153,000 in just two years.

The Legislative Yuan is Taiwan's parliament.

"There are many reasons behind the fall," Retired Adm. Richard Chen Yeong-kang, a legislator from the nationalist party Kuomintang, or KMT, told Radio Free Asia in December. "First of all, Taiwan has a very low birth rate which is currently the second slowest in Asia after South Korea."

Competition from the civilian sector, with its salaries and other benefits, is another factor that makes joining the army less attractive for young people.

As of January 2024, Taiwan brought back the national one-year mandatory service in order to increase the overall number of conscripts but analysts say this does little to help combat units which need lengthy training and professional skills.

To address the manpower shortage trend, there could be three approaches, said Huang, the first being to increase the defense budget to provide better incentives to attract and retain military personnel.

The military could also aim to introduce new technologies and develop new management methods that can be used to compensate for the manpower shortage, he said.

A third approach could be to introduce migrants into the forces and create a kind of "foreign legion."

"Approaches 2 and 3 require longer time and huge management adaptation," the expert said, "Both have appeared only in casual conversations and have not been in formal government deliberation."

Legislator Richard Chen said that there were talks about various models including a U.S. model, where foreigners could spend two years in service and get awarded with citizenship, but things needed to be deliberated through a proper process which "has yet to start."

Large force of migrant workers

There have been suggestions to open up Taiwan's defense reserve to foreigners who live in Taiwan. Currently, foreigners cannot join the reserve.

According to official statistics, there are about 750,000 foreign workers among 950,000 foreign residents.

"There will doubtless be many foreigners who have settled down in Taiwan and made a life for themselves here and who, in the event of an invasion, would be willing to take up arms to defend their adopted homeland," wrote David Spencer, chief executive of the Taiwan Policy Centre, an independent think tank.

"Everyone understands that Taiwan doesn't have enough soldiers to fight an invading Chinese army, even if fully mobilized across regular and reserves," Ben Goren, the center's director of communication, told RFA.

Yet policy discussion "has tended to focus more on hardware and strategic use of limited resources to deter or delay an invasion than quantity of personnel," Goren said.

"I would be very surprised if the concept of foreign workers acting as reservists has been discussed or included in the short-to-medium-term defense objectives for the government or military here," he added.

For Taiwan's government, the prospect of recruiting a foreign legion raised a number of security and practical issues, Goren said, such as: "Why invest in foreign reservists when we could invest in rebuilding Taiwanese civilian militias, especially since Taiwanese have a much better understanding of the geography, terrain, signage etc.?"

"I suspect the Taiwanese government does not think it is realistic to recruit a foreign legion to fight for Taiwan, certainly not at present," Goren said.

"It could be, in the event of a war with China, that the government puts out something like a call for general mobilization, meaning all male citizens between 21 and 50."

"Even then, I think they would not extend the call to foreigners, but would also likely not object if foreign residents with prior military or crisis experience contributed to the nation's civil defense," he said.

Vietnam, a country that last fought a war in the 1980s, has up to 300,000 citizens living in Taiwan.

"I wouldn't mind fighting for Taiwan if the pay is right," a Vietnamese migrant worker named Trung told RFA when asked.

Edited by Mike Firn.

Copyright 1998-2025, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content January not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2025/01/07

PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

1.Date

6 to 6 a.m. (UTC+8) Monday to Tuesday, Jan. 6-7

2.PLA activities

15 PLA aircraft and 8 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 14 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities.

1140107_Diagram of PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan.jpg

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Chinese vessel suspected of damaging undersea cable near Taiwan

By William Yang January 07, 2025

Taiwan is investigating a Chinese-owned ship suspected of severing an undersea fiber-optic cable north of the island. While the incident caused minimal disruption to internet services, analysts say it reflects the vulnerability of Taiwan and its undersea infrastructure in the event of a Chinese military attack or blockade.

"It's a vulnerability shared by a lot of countries in a globalized world," said Drew Thompson, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore and a former Pentagon official.

"The real challenge for Taiwan is how do they increase their resilience now [that] there is growing awareness that they could be intentionally held vulnerable through direct attacks that are difficult to attribute to a particular actor," he told VOA by phone.

Taiwan's government-run telecommunications operator Chunghwa Telecom received a warning about damage to a subsea cable near the Keelung Harbor in northern Taiwan Friday morning.

Chunghwa Telecom said the disruption, which didn't affect internet service across the island, may have been caused by a vessel dragging its anchor along the seabed where the undersea cable is located.

Within hours, Taiwan's coast guard dispatched a ship and found the Cameroon-flagged vessel Shunxin-39 in waters north of Taiwan. Taiwanese authorities ordered the ship to return to waters off Keelung Harbor for inspection but failed to board the ship due to rough weather conditions.

Taipei has sought assistance from South Korea to investigate the ship, which is sailing toward the South Korean city of Busan. The Taiwanese coast guard said in a statement shared with VOA that the ship is owned by a Hong Kong company headed by a Chinese national. The seven crew members on board are Chinese nationals.

In addition to carrying a Cameroon flag, Taiwanese authorities said the ship was also registered in Tanzania and seemed to operate under two sets of Automatic Identification System equipment, which shows the vessel's basic information and coordinates.

The coast guard said while the Chinese vessel's intention remains unclear, the incident could be part of China's gray zone operations that aim to exert pressure on Taiwan through irregular tactics short of combat.

China views Taiwan as part of its territory and has repeatedly vowed to reunify with the island, with force if necessary. China has increased the frequency of its gray zone operations around Taiwan in recent years, regularly deploying military aircraft, naval vessels, and coast guard ships to airspaces and waters near Taiwan.

Ray Powell, director of Stanford University's Sealight project, which tracks Chinese maritime activities across the Indo-Pacific region, told VOA that the Chinese vessel has been operating between in waters near Taiwan's Keelung Harbor, South Korea's Busan and along the Chinese coast under two different names, two different flags, and six different identification numbers over the last six months.

"Having at least six different registration numbers indicates this ship is devoted to being off-grid or hard to track," he said in a phone interview.

Powell said the vessel may be conducting a gray zone operation against Taiwan's key infrastructure in the region.

"The reason we would classify the incident as a potential gray zone activity is because it's hidden behind a private company based out of Hong Kong with an owner in China and flags of African countries, which keep the Chinese government from the vessel's activities," he told VOA.

The Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C., told VOA in a written response that it is unaware of the severing of the undersea cable near northern Taiwan, adding that Beijing "has always welcomed and supported other countries and telecommunications companies laying international submarine cables in waters under China's jurisdiction."

The incident comes amid a growing number of damages to undersea cables and pipelines caused by Chinese and Russian vessels in the Baltic Sea since 2023.

It is also not the first time a Chinese vessel has been suspected of cutting undersea cables near Taiwan. In February 2023, Taiwanese authorities found evidence that two Chinese ships cut two internet cables near Taiwan's outlying island of Matsu, causing a month-long internet outage on the tiny island.

Since then, Taiwan has poured more resources into preparing for potential internet outages caused by damage to undersea cables. Last October, Chunghwa Telecom announced that signals from low-earth orbit satellites should cover the entire island. It was part of the efforts to reduce Taiwan's dependence on undersea cables for external communication.

During the first tabletop military exercise held by Taiwan's presidential office last month, response to internet blackouts caused by damage to undersea cables was one of the scenarios simulated by top Taiwanese officials.

While Chunghwa Telecom said the cable will be fixed later this month, Taiwan's Ministry of Digital Affairs has vowed to secure more funding to help the telecom operator build more facilities to increase the island's connection to international undersea cables.

Some Taiwanese lawmakers also urged the coast guard to strengthen its capabilities to monitor activities in areas concentrated with undersea cables and update protocols in case similar incidents happen in the future.

Some analysts say the coast guard needs to enhance its capabilities to address challenges posed by China, which have become more frequent in recent years.

That includes monitoring "irregular activities conducted by fishing or commercial vessels in waters near Taiwan's undersea cables," said Shen Ming-shih, a defense analyst at the Taipei-based Institute for National Defense and Security Research.

He told VOA in a phone interview that Taiwan should also enhance its efficiency in repairing "damaged undersea cables within the shortest amount of time."

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January 7, 2025

Release

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III to Travel to Ramstein Air Base to Host 25th Ukraine Defense Contact Group

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III will depart Washington, D.C., today to travel to Ramstein Air Base, Germany, where he will host the 25th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) on January 9.

The UDCG, convened by Secretary Austin since its inception in April 2022, has been instrumental in coordinating international support to assist Ukraine in defending its sovereignty against Russia's unprovoked aggression. This meeting will mark the 25th gathering of this coalition of some 50 nations, united in their commitment to assist Ukraine.

At this milestone meeting, Secretary Austin will engage with defense ministers and senior military officials from around the world to discuss Ukraine's immediate battlefield needs, longer-term defense requirements, and the important coordination being conducted through the capability coalitions. The meeting will focus on the need to ensure continued delivery of key capabilities including air defense systems, artillery munitions, and armored vehicles, as well as efforts to enhance the defense industrial base.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4023546/

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Kursk Battles Rage As U.S. Set To Unveil 'Final' Aid Package Under Biden

By Current Time and RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service January 07, 2025

The Ukrainian military continued its drive in Russia's Kursk region late on January 7, claiming it hit a key Russian command post, while Washington is reportedly set to announce a "substantial" final weapons package under the current administration.

AP, citing two senior defense officials, reported that President Joe Biden's administration will announce the aid package during Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's visit to Ramstein, Germany, on January 9 for the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, a summit of some 50 partner nations.

The officials did not discuss the amount or nature of the package other than to say it would be "substantial," as Biden looks to shore up Ukraine's defenses before he leaves office on January 20.

One of the officials said Biden's defense team has been in contact with President-elect Donald Trump's transition leaders regarding "all the issues that we believe are important" regarding Ukraine.

In his nightly video address on January 7, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said his team is "thoroughly preparing" for the crucial Ramstein meeting, without elaborating.

On the battlefield, the General Staff of the Ukrainian military said it hit the Russian command post with a "high-precision strike," adding that "a series of recent operations...were coordinated with the Ukrainian Ground Forces who are currently commencing new offensive operations."

It said Russia's 810th Separate Marine Brigade in the village of Bila in the Kursk region was targeted, although it did not disclose the results of the attack.

Dozens of clashes had been reported earlier in the Kursk region. The General Staff said at least 94 battles had taken place in over the previous 24 hours in an operation it said was aimed at "preventing an enemy offensive in the Sumy region" on the Ukrainian side of the border with Kursk.

A spokesman for Ukraine's National Guard said Russia has been forced to transfer units to the Kursk region to reinforce troops there.

"What we are seeing now has an effect not only on the north of the Kharkiv region -- on the enemy's activity along the border with the Sumy region -- but also on other directions of the front," Ruslan Muzychuk said on Ukrainian television.

Ukraine's army also rejected Russia's claim that it had taken the strategic town of Kurakhove, saying it was still repelling attacks near the town despite being outmanned.

Battlefield claims by either side could not be independently verified.

Ukrainian forces resumed offensive operations in several directions within the Kursk region in recent days, which analysts told Current Time gives Kyiv a bargaining chip in any possible cease-fire or peace talks with Moscow.

"It is important for Ukraine to have a bridgehead in the Kursk region as an instrument of pressure in the negotiations and as an opportunity to negotiate a territorial exchange," Ukrainian political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko told Current Time on January 7.

"Ukraine doesn't need any territory in Russia. Ukraine can negotiate to withdraw from the Kursk region, but in exchange, for example, for the withdrawal of Russian troops from the Kharkiv region. Such an option is possible."

Ukrainian troops first pushed into in a surprise incursion on August 6. They have since resisted Russian attempts to fully expel them.

According to Russian pro-war accounts on Telegram that closely follow and document frontline developments, the attack is being carried out with armored vehicles, mine-clearing vehicles, and electronic warfare systems, which are said to be successfully countering Russian drones.

Russia's Defense Ministry had claimed its troops had taken the Ukrainian town of Kurakhove some 30 kilometers south of Pokrovsk -- the strategic logistics hub that has been the target of Russian forces over the past several months.

The situation there remains unclear as of late January 7.

If Russian forces were to take Pokrovsk, it would represent a major gain for the Kremlin after fighting that has left the city mostly in ruins, with most of its 64,000 prewar population having fled.

Russian advances around Kurakhove and Kyiv's offensive in Kursk come ahead of the inauguration Trump, who has previously said that ending the war in Ukraine would be a priority for his first day in office.

Fesenko said both sides are trying to strengthen their pre-negotiation positions and also "to show their strength, their power to the new U.S. administration in order to put it under military pressure."

The scale of the current offensive and whether it will lead to changes along the front line remains unclear, but U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on January 6 that Ukraine's positioning in Kursk indeed is critical to possible future peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv.

Videos online purported to show columns of Ukrainian military vehicles speeding across snow-covered land in the Kursk region.

The MIG Rossyy channel claimed the Ukrainian military has had "local successes," saying, "These are not sluggish maneuvers of small sabotage groups, but a full-scale attempt to attack."

Russian forces, supported by the introduction of thousands of North Korean soldiers, have advanced but failed to eject Ukrainian troops entirely from Kursk.

The offensive was reportedly launched from the district center of Sudzha, which has been under Ukrainian control since August, in the direction of Bolshoye Soldatskoye, which lies some 70 kilometers from Kursk city, the region's administrative center.

Zelenskiy said late on January 6 that Russia had suffered heavy losses in five months of fighting Ukrainian forces in Kursk, with nearly 15,000 killed. He did not present evidence to back up the claim.

Ukraine's General Staff said on January 6 that Russian forces have lost 1,550 soldiers over the past 24 hours. It did not elaborate.

Russia's Defense Ministry, meanwhile, said on January 7 that it had inflicted several defeats on Ukrainian units in Kursk.

About half of the land seized in Ukraine's initial offensive has been recaptured since August, but Kyiv still holds Sudzha and about 500 square kilometers of Russian territory.

In November, Ukraine reported its forces had engaged in combat with North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region and Ukrainian officials have claimed that North Korean forces are suffering heavy losses.

The introduction of North Korean troops followed Ukraine's cross-border offensive, which Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned as a "major provocation."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kursk-russia-ukraine- kurakhove-pokrovsk/33266145.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Tanks, Drones, And Troops Fight For Russian Village In Kursk Offensive

By Ray Furlong and Yauhen Lehalau January 07, 2025

A drone closes in on a column of tanks as they advance across a snow-covered field, footage released by Russia's National Guard and geolocated by RFE/RL shows.

The attack took place southwest of the village of Berdin, in Russia's Kursk region, where Ukraine launched a new offensive on January 5.

RFE/RL has also verified Russian drone footage of Ukrainian armored vehicles nearby.

Ukrainian forces launched a surprise offensive in Kursk in August, seizing chunks of territory. They have since resisted Russian attempts to fully expel them.

Official Russian sources have claimed to have stopped the new Ukrainian offensive.

On January 6, the Defense Ministry stated it had destroyed Ukrainian tanks around the village of Berdin and foiled an attempt at a breakthrough.

Russian pro-war blogs also reported from the area.

The MIG Rossyy Telegram channel said Ukrainian forces were moving around Berdin but not attacking it. It said Ukrainian forces were using armored personnel carriers to move infantry into the area.

Satellite imagery from January 5 revealed the area to be pockmarked with craters that were not there three days earlier.

Another Russian military blog, exilenova_plus, posted a video of a Russian soldier in the region saying the situation was "complicated."

Clashes were also reported in several other locations in Kursk, including the villages of Tyotkino, Leonidovo, and Pushkarnoye.

This has prompted speculation that the movements around Berdin were a feint attack -- designed to draw Russian forces in from elsewhere on the front.

The commander of a Chechen unit operating with Russian forces in Kursk, Major General Apti Alaudinov, posted a video saying, "We are registering a concentration of enemy [Ukrainian] equipment in another direction."

In any case, the scale of the Ukrainian operation so far may suggest it has tactical rather than strategic objectives.

"The local target is to capture the town of Bolshoye Soldatskoye... to complicate Russian logistics," military analyst Yan Matveyev told Current Time.

Israeli military expert David Gendelman told RFE/RL it was still unclear what the main thrust of the attack would be. But he said the intention may be to secure Ukraine's foothold in Russia.

"If there's been a political directive to hold on to that foothold, an additional attack makes sense," he added. "Combat action is always a way to implement a political decision."

While the location of the fighting can be pinned down, the course of the battle is harder to gauge.

One Ukrainian military blogger reported "panic" along the Russian lines and said North Korean units fighting for Moscow had also been encountered.

Russian pro-war blog Rybar said some Ukrainian military vehicles entered Berdin at one point in the fighting.

Various Russian blogs reported Russian attacks destroying columns of Ukrainian armor elsewhere in Kursk.

The Ukrainian General Staff issued a statement on January 6, saying, "In Kursk region, Ukrainian defenders repelled 17 attacks by [Russians], 45 more battles continue."

RFE/RL could not verify the battlefield claims.

Ukrainian military analyst Pavlo Narozhniy told RFE/RL he would be cautious about evaluating reports from Kursk for now.

The main questions, he said, related to Ukraine's capacity for a new offensive.

"Do we have a sufficient number of free reserves, enough artillery to demolish the enemy's [Russia's] defenses there, which have already entrenched themselves in positions? Do we have a sufficient number of armored vehicles?"

The coming days may present some answers to those questions.

With additional reporting by RFE/RL's Russian Service, RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, and Current Time

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/33265079.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Belarus Rejects Zelenskiy's Comments on Apology Following Russia's Invasion

By RFE/RL's Belarus Service January 07, 2025

Belarusian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka did not apologize to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in the days following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a spokeswoman for the authoritarian leader said, disputing recent comments made by Zelenskiy.

"No apologies were made by the Belarusian president to Zelenskiy for the simple reason that we have nothing to apologize for," spokeswoman Natalia Eismont told Russian media on January 6 while confirming that a phone call did take place.

She was responding to comments made by Zelenskiy during an interview with U.S. podcaster Lex Fridman published a day earlier.

The Ukrainian leader said that in the first days following Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, Lukashenka apologized for the missiles that were fired from Belarusian territory.

"He said that 'it was not me. Missiles were launched from my territory and [Russian President Vladimir] Putin was the one launching them,'" Zelenskiy related.

Zelenskiy said Lukashenka told him: "Volodymyr, this is not me. I'm not in charge.... I'm not in charge. These are just missiles. This is Putin."

"I told him, 'You are a murderer, too, I'm just saying.' He told me, 'You must understand, you can't fight the Russians.'"

The Belarus spokeswoman claimed that during the call, Lukashenka "primarily said the conflict broke out on the territory of Ukraine, on Zelenskiy's territory, and it is he who will eventually have to be responsible for the loss of life more than anyone else."

While Belarus has not sent forces to join Russia's war in Ukraine, it has allowed Moscow to use its territory as a staging ground for the full-scale invasion it launched in February 2022.

Moscow and Minsk in 2023 signed documents allowing for the placement of Russian tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of Belarus -- the first relocation of such warheads outside Russia since the fall of the Soviet Union.

The announcement sparked immediate criticism from governments around the world, while NATO called it "dangerous and irresponsible."

Lukashenka has waged a relentless clampdown on dissent with the support of Putin since unprecedented street protests erupted in the former Soviet republic after he declared victory in a fraught election for a sixth presidential term in 2020.

A presidential election is scheduled for January 26, one in which Lukashenka is certain to be declared the winner.

With reporting by Ukrinform

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/lukashenka-zelenskiy- belarus-ukraine-russia-apology/33265425.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russian Defence Ministry reports on repelling AFU attempt to invade Russian territory in Kursk region (7 January 2025)

07.01.2025

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 actions, units of the Sever Group of Forces inflicted losses on formations of one heavy mechanised brigade, three mechanised brigades, two air assault brigades, one marine brigade, and two territorial defence brigades of the AFU near Kazachaya Loknya, Kubatkin, Lebedevka, Nikolsky, Sudzha, and Cherkasskoye Porechnoye.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation and artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the enemy near Zazulevka, Zamostye, Kamyshovka, Mirny, Russkoye Porechnoye, Sverdlikovo as well as Basovka in Sumy region.

Over the past 24 hours, the AFU losses amounted to more than 325 troops, ten tanks, one infantry fighting vehicle, one armoured personnel carrier, 11 armoured fighting vehicles, eight motor vehicles, three artillery guns, and three mortars.

Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the AFU losses amounted to more than 49,830 troops, 293 tanks, 217 infantry fighting vehicles, 159 armoured personnel carriers, 1,511 armoured fighting vehicles, 1,426 motor vehicles, 344 artillery guns, 44 MLRS launchers, including 13 of HIMARS and six of MLRS made by the USA, 16 anti-aircraft missile launchers, eight transport-loading vehicles, 89 EW stations, 13 counter-battery warfare radars, four air defence radars, 29 units of engineering and other materiel, including 15 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.

Department for Media Affairs and Information

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Bern Ready to Act as Mediator in Ukraine Peace Process- President

Sputnik News

20250107

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - New Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter said on Tuesday that she has told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Bern was ready to act as an mediator in the Ukraine settlement process.

"During today's phone call with [Ukrainian] President Zelenskyy, I assured him of [Switzerland's] ongoing support for Ukrainemost notably through our many long-term humanitarian and reconstruction projects, plus our willingness to contribute to the peace process via Switzerland's good offices," the president said on X.

In June, Putin proposed initiatives for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine. According to his plan, Moscow would immediately cease hostilities and express readiness for negotiations once Ukrainian forces withdraw from the territories of Russia's newly integrated regions. Additionally, Kiev would need to declare its refusal to join NATO, undertake demilitarization and denazification efforts, and adopt a neutral, non-aligned, and non-nuclear status. Putin also stressed the necessity of lifting sanctions against Russia as part of the resolution process.

 Sputnik

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EU Commission Cancels Gas Meeting Due to Absence of Ukrainian Officials - Slovak Gov't

Sputnik News

20250107

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The European Commission has canceled talks on gas transit through Ukraine, which were scheduled for January 7, due to the decision of the Ukrainian delegation not to participate in the event, the Slovak government said.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said earlier that consultations on the issue of the halted gas transit through Ukraine to Slovakia were to take place in Brussels on January 7.

"Considering the fact that the Ukrainian side will not participate in tomorrow's talks, the European Commission has decided to cancel the meeting. However, the European Commission, in cooperation with interested parties, is looking for another date when the meeting could take place," the government said in a statement on Monday.

On Wednesday, Russian gas transit via Ukraine stopped, with the expiry of a 2019 contract between Russia's Gazprom and Ukraine's Naftogaz. The Russian company said it had neither the legal nor the technical capacity to continue pumping gas into the pipeline that supplied Moldova and four EU countries, namely Slovakia, Austria, Italy and the Czech Republic.

 Sputnik

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This Year Should Be as Productive in Ukraine's EU Accession Negotiations as Required to Meet Ukraine's Needs and, Therefore, Strengthen the Security of All Europe - Address by the President

President of Ukraine

7 January 2025 - 20:28

I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!

A lot of meetings were held today.

The Ministry of Defense and the General Staff - all available packages, as well as our needs. We are thoroughly preparing for Ramstein.

The report from the Foreign Intelligence Service - a lot of issues, our prospects.

Today, we also discussed some details of our engagement with the European Union - regarding the negotiation process. The Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, Government officials, and the Office team were present. This year should be as productive in Ukraine's EU accession negotiations as required to meet Ukraine's needs and, therefore, strengthen the security of all Europe. This year, the EU Presidency will be held first by Poland, and in the second half of the year by Denmark. They are very responsible partners of ours. From the Ukrainian side, we will ensure everything necessary to take the right steps.

And one more thing.

I spoke with the President of Switzerland. It is important for Ukraine that relations between our countries remain meaningful and focused on achieving peace as soon as possible. Ukraine is grateful to Switzerland for jointly organizing the first Peace Summit with us. And we value Switzerland's willingness to help us now, both politically and organizationally, and we discussed with Madam President our communication with key partners. We are also preparing a bilateral meeting. And another component is that we can help stabilize Syria together. I proposed that Switzerland contribute to delivering food to Syria. Ukrainian food and financial participation of Switzerland - along with our other partners in this humanitarian program - is something that can help the Syrian people to establish a normal life after the war, and importantly, after Russia's presence in Syria. Where Russia leaves ruins, we, together with the world, can restore normal life. I am confident that this will also be the case on our land. We definitely must defeat the occupier. I am grateful to everyone in the world who is helping Ukraine.

Glory to Ukraine!

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy Had a Telephone Conversation with the New President of Switzerland

President of Ukraine

7 January 2025 - 23:16

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a telephone conversation with the new President of Switzerland, Karin Keller-Sutter, and congratulated her on assuming office.

The Ukrainian leader expressed his gratitude for all of Switzerland's political and humanitarian support, including the successful organization of the first Peace Summit and participation in thematic conferences that followed, as well as for the willingness to work together in the pursuit of a just and sustainable peace for Ukraine and all of Europe.

The President of Ukraine particularly acknowledged Switzerland's annual contributions to the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian program and invited the country to join the new Ukrainian initiative, Food from Ukraine, aimed at supporting the Syrian people and preventing a food crisis in Syria. Under this program, our state will supply agricultural products to Syria. The first 500 tons of Ukrainian wheat flour have already been sent to Syria. Ukraine calls on its partners to join the initiative and help restore stability in Syria, which is also a shared contribution to protecting lives worldwide.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Karin Keller-Sutter agreed to continue the dialogue at their personal meeting scheduled for the near future.

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Ukraine says it shot down 28 Russian drones

By VOA News January 07, 2025

Ukraine's military said Tuesday it shot down 28 of 38 Russian drones that targeted areas of central and eastern Ukraine overnight.

The Ukrainian air force said the intercepts took place over the Cherkasy, Kharkiv, Kherson, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Poltava and Sumy regions.

Kherson Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said the attacks injured one person.

Russia's Defense Ministry said Tuesday it destroyed one Ukrainian drone over the Belgorod region.

On Monday, the Russian military said its forces captured an important town in eastern Ukraine, while Ukrainian officials cited tens of thousands of Russian casualties in the fighting in Russia's Kursk region.

The Russian Defense Ministry said its control of the town of Kurakhove after several months of fighting for the logistics hub will allow the Russian military to more quickly advance elsewhere in the Donetsk region.

Ukrainian officials did not confirm the loss of Kurakhove on Monday, with the military's General Staff saying in a late Monday report that Russian forces had launched attacks on Ukrainian positions in the town.

Russian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly address Monday that the Ukrainian offensive in Kursk, which began five months ago, had caused 38,000 Russian military casualties.

"The Russians have deployed their strongest units to Kursk, including soldiers from North Korea. Importantly, all this manpower cannot now be redirected to other fronts - neither to the Donetsk region, nor against Sumy, the Kharkiv region or Zaporizhzhia," Zelenskyy said.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said earlier Monday that North Korea and China are the "biggest ongoing drivers" allowing Russia to carry out its war in Ukraine, and that security assurances will need to be a part of potential future negotiations ending the conflict.

Speaking during a visit to South Korea, Blinken said North Korean supplies of artillery, ammunition and troops, along with Chinese support for Russia's military industrial base are giving the Russian military the backing it needs to continue carrying out the fight it started in February 2022.

Some information for this report was provided by from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters

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London, UK, Jan. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In the dynamic and competitive world of trading, Canadian investors are turning to CTRPro, a platform celebrated for its innovation, reliability, and exceptional results. As the top-rated trading platform in Canada for 2025, CTRPro is leading the charge in redefining how traders engage with the markets. Its seamless interface, advanced tools, and client-focused approach have cemented its position as the go-to platform for traders seeking success.





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These features have been highlighted in many positive CTRPro reviews, with clients praising the platforms efficiency and reliability.

Real Stories, Real Success

The exceptional results provided by CTRPro are best illustrated through the testimonials of its Canadian users. Heres what clients from across the country have to say:

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As the top trading platform in Canada for 2025, CTRPro continues to lead the way with its innovative approach and client-centered design. With glowing CTRPro reviews and a track record of success, the platform is a trusted partner for traders across the country. Whether youre new to trading or an experienced investor, CTRPro provides the tools, insights, and support needed to achieve your financial goals.

Experience the unmatched results of CTRPro today and see why its the choice of Canadian traders for 2025 and beyond.

Disclaimer: 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.


NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC (KSF) and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until February 24, 2025 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Transocean Ltd. (the Company) (NYSE: RIG), if they purchased the Companys securities between October 31, 2023 and September 2, 2024, inclusive (the Class Period). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

What You May Do

If you purchased securities of Transocean and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email (lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-rig/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by February 24, 2025 .

About the Lawsuit

Transocean and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. The alleged false and misleading statements and omissions include, but are not limited to, that: (1) the Discoverer Inspiration and the Development Driller III were considered non-strategic assets; (2) the Companys recorded asset valuations were overstated; (3) as a result, the Company would take nearly twice the vessels sale price in impairment if sold; and (4) as a result of the foregoing, Defendants positive statements about the Companys business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

On September 3, 2024, pre-market, the Company disclosed that it had agreed to sell the Development Driller III and the Discoverer Inspiration rigs and associated assets for an aggregate $342 million as part of the Companys effort to dispose of non-strategic assets, which would result in an estimated third-quarter non-cash charge of up to $645 million associated with the impairment of said assets. On this news, the price of Transoceans shares fell $0.42, or 8.86%, to close at $4.32 per share on September 3, 2024, on unusually heavy trading volume.

The case is Gabor v. Transocean Ltd., et al., No. 24-cv-9964.

About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nations premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients  including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors  in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago and New Jersey.

To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com.

Contact:

Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
Allschwil, Switzerland, January 08, 2025

Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd, Allschwil (SIX: BSLN), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to meeting the needs of patients with severe bacterial and fungal infections, reported today on the progress of its Research & Development portfolio in 2024 and upcoming milestones.

David Veitch, Chief Executive Officer, said: We have achieved several significant milestones in 2024. We partnered with a highly committed, focused and capable company for the commercialization of our anti-MRSA antibiotic, Zevtera, in the United States, following its approval earlier in the year. For our leading antifungal Cresemba, the European Commission expanded the approved uses to include treatment for pediatric patients. This not only made Cresemba available to children, but also extended its protection from generic competition in the EU until late 2027. We are also pleased to have been awarded very significant non-dilutive funding from BARDA and CARB-X to support the development of novel, first-in-class antifungals and antibacterials within our R&D portfolio. Finally, we laid the foundation for future growth by commencing a phase 3 study in invasive yeast infections with our potential next lead product, the broad-spectrum antifungal fosmanogepix. Throughout 2025, we aim to continue both progressing our current R&D assets and expanding our portfolio through targeted in-licensing and acquisition of innovative, commercially attractive, pre-clinical and clinical assets, addressing unmet medical needs in the treatment of severe fungal and bacterial diseases.

Maintaining its strong momentum, the commercial performance of Cresemba triggered several milestone payments to Basilea in 2024. By year-end 2024, Cresemba was marketed in more than 70 countries, including the United States (US), most EU member states, China and Japan. According to the latest available market data, total global in-market sales of Cresemba in the twelve-month period between October 2023 and September 2024 amounted to USD 533 million, a 20 percent growth year-on-year, making it the largest branded antifungal for invasive fungal infections worldwide.1

Portfolio key highlights 2024 and outlook 2025

Cresemba  (isavuconazole): Indications expanded to pediatric patients

In August, the European Commission approved the use of Cresemba in children with invasive aspergillosis or mucormycosis,2 following a similar decision by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2023; the market exclusivity of Cresemba was extended to October 2027 in the EU and September 2027 in the US.

Zevtera  (ceftobiprole): US approval and commercialization progress; Chinese NRDL inclusion

In April, the US FDA approved Zevtera for SAB, ABSSSI and CABP, i.e. all three submitted indications. 3 , 4

In September, Zevtera has been approved for New-Technology Add-On Payment (NTAP) in the US, which will provide hospitals an incremental payment in addition to standard reimbursement, by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service (CMS). 5

In December, we announced Innoviva Specialty Therapeutics (IST) as commercialization partner for the US market. The US launch is expected mid-2025.

In China, ceftobiprole (Chinese trade name: Sibipre) has been included in the National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) at the end of 2024, making it eligible for reimbursement under the Chinese national basic medical insurance program from 2025.

Clinical and preclinical pipeline: Substantial progress made and significant funding secured

The Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) 6 with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) signed in September provides up to approximately USD 268 million non-dilutive funding over up to 12 years for the development of novel antifungals and antibacterials. An initial commitment of USD 29 million supports the development of our antifungals fosmanogepix and BAL2062.

with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) signed in September provides up to approximately USD 268 million non-dilutive funding over up to 12 years for the development of novel antifungals and antibacterials. An initial commitment of USD 29 million supports the development of our antifungals fosmanogepix and BAL2062. In September, we commenced a phase 3 study with fosmanogepix in the treatment of adult patients with candidemia and/or invasive candidiasis, i.e. severe invasive yeast infections. A second phase 3 study, in invasive mold infections, is expected to start in the coming months.

The Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X) awarded non-dilutive funding of USD 7.3 million in December for the first-in-class LptA inhibitor antibiotic, BAL2420, which we acquired in January 2024. 7 This was new funding on top of USD 0.9 million awarded in April. The extended funding supports the progression of the drug candidate towards a first-in-human clinical study which is expected to start mid-2026. BAL2420 is being developed for the potential treatment of severe infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria.

This was new funding on top of USD 0.9 million awarded in April. The extended funding supports the progression of the drug candidate towards a first-in-human clinical study which is expected to start mid-2026. BAL2420 is being developed for the potential treatment of severe infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria. Preclinical evaluations for the antibacterial tonabacase and the antifungal BAL2062 are well advanced. We expect to take the decision whether to exercise our option to initiate exclusive contract negotiations to license tonabacase for further clinical development and commercialization in the next few weeks. For BAL2062, our focus in 2025 will be on the completion of the preclinical profiling and the preparation of the phase 2 program so that we can start the clinical study in early 2026.

About Basilea

Basilea is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company founded in 2000 and headquartered in Switzerland. We are committed to discovering, developing and commercializing innovative drugs to meet the needs of patients with severe bacterial and fungal infections. We have successfully launched two hospital brands, Cresemba for the treatment of invasive fungal infections and Zevtera for the treatment of bacterial infections. In addition, we have preclinical and clinical anti-infective assets in our portfolio. Basilea is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX: BSLN). Please visit basilea.com.

Disclaimer

This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements, such as "believe", "assume", "expect", "forecast", "project", "may", "could", "might", "will" or similar expressions concerning Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd, Allschwil and its business, including with respect to the progress, timing and completion of research, development and clinical studies for product candidates. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd, Allschwil to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd, Allschwil is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For further information, please contact:

Peer Nils Schroder, PhD



Head of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations

Basilea Pharmaceutica International Ltd, Allschwil

Hegenheimermattweg 167b

4123 Allschwil

Switzerland Phone +41 61 606 1102 E-mail media_relations@basilea.com

investor_relations@basilea.com

This press release can be downloaded from www.basilea.com.

References

IQVIA Analytics Link, September 2024. In-market sales reported as moving annual total (MAT) in US dollar. European Public Assessment Report (EPAR): https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/cresemba [Accessed: January 07, 2025] Full US prescribing information: https://www.basilea.com/ZEVTERA_US_prescribing_information_46b9y4wk;

SAB: Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia; ABSSSI: Acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections;

CABP: Community-acquired bacterial pneumonia. Basileas ceftobiprole phase 3 program is funded in part with federal funds from the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR); Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), under contract number HHSO100201600002C. Basilea has been awarded approximately USD 112 million, or approximately 75 percent of the costs related to the Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) and acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) phase 3 studies, regulatory activities and non-clinical work Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: Medicare and Medicaid Programs and the Children's Health Insurance Program; Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care Hospitals and the Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System and Policy Changes and Fiscal Year 2025 Rates; Quality Programs Requirements; and Other Policy Changes: https://federalregister.gov/d/2024-17021 (Accessed: January 07, 2025) BARDA OTA number: 75A50124C00033 CARB-Xs funding for this project is provided in part with federal funds from the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response; Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority; Antibacterials branch; under agreement number 75A50122C00028; and by awards from Wellcome (WT224842) and Germanys Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The content of this press release is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of CARB-X or any of its funders.





Attachment
VILNIUS, Lithuania, Jan. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BTCC Exchange , a leading cryptocurrency trading platform, hosted three insightful AMAs focusing on the exciting world of meme coins and crypto trends for 2025 during its recent OG Week campaign. These sessions took a deep dive into the world of meme coins, exploring their potential and predicting their trends in 2025.

Held on December 20, December 27, 2024, and January 3, 2025, on BTCC's official X Space, the discussions brought together industry leaders, attracting nearly 3,000 enthusiasts tuning in to the AMAs.

Notable speakers included Nibiru Chain , a blockchain hub specializing in DeFi and real-world asset (RWA) tokens, with a strong following of over 475K on X.

Meme Coins and Predictions for 2025

As Bitcoin surpassed the historic $100,000 mark in December 2024, meme coins have been riding a bullish wave. These AMAs explored the evolving role of meme coins. Key topics discussed included:

 Dogecoin and Meme Coins: The discussion centered around Dogecoin's leadership in the meme coin space, Elon Musk's influence, and the role of the community in driving meme coin success.

 Community and Evolution: Speakers talked about the importance of self-sustaining communities, storytelling, and adaptability for meme coins to thrive.

 Crypto Market Trends for 2025: Guests shared insights on AI's growing influence in trading and meme coins, which could reshape the meme coin landscape.

BTCC OG Week Campaign

These AMAs were hosted as part of BTCCs OG Week events, a unique celebration of crypto and meme coin pioneers. Every week, a featured meme coin takes center stage, accompanied by social media giveaways and exciting trading opportunities.

About BTCC Exchange

BTCC is a leading cryptocurrency exchange offering a wide range of products, including over 300 futures pairs with up to 500x leverage, encompassing the hottest meme coins. BTCC is committed to providing a secure and user-friendly platform for traders of all levels.

For more details about OG Week and BTCCs offerings, visit BTCC OG Week .

Website: https://www.btcc.com/en-us
Press release

8 January 2025 at 9:00 am

eQ Community Properties Fund (AIF) has agreed with Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Company on the acquisition of properties from Ilmarinen and Ilmarinens investment into eQ Community Properties Fund (AIF). The fund acquired four properties from Ilmarinen, which are located in Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa. The tenants of the properties are the City of Helsinki, the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County, the City of Vantaa and Aimo Park Oy. Ilmarinen simultaneously made an investment into the fund, which was executed on 31 December 2024.

The investment director at eQ Community Properties Fund (AIF) Jennifer Eloheimo says: eQ Community Properties Fund (AIF) is the largest special investment fund in Finland and also the largest community property investor. Ilmarinens properties are very well matched with the fund strategy. The Finnish community property sector is a growing niche segment, in which we have a very robust and long-time experience and deep understanding. It is especially great to be able to deepen our relationship with Ilmarinen and show our potential in this segment to the larger professional investors.

eQ Community Properties Fund (AIF) was established in 2012. The market value of the funds property portfolio is EUR 1.8 billion as per December 2024. The fund is the largest community properties investor and developer in Finland. The assets are located in the six largest growth centers in Finland and over half is located in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area.

Helsinki 8 January 2025

eQ Asset Management Ltd

Further information:

Jennifer Eloheimo, Investment Director, eQ Asset Management Ltd, +358 50 5473660 / jennifer.eloheimo@eQ.fi

eQ Group is a group of companies that concentrates on asset management and corporate finance business. eQ Asset Management offers a wide range of asset management services (including private equity funds and real estate asset management) for institutions and private individuals. The assets managed by the Group total approximately EUR 13.3 billion. Advium Corporate Finance, which is part of the Group, offers services related to mergers and acquisitions, real estate transactions and equity capital markets.

More information about the Group is available on our website www.eQ.fi.
IDEX Biometrics has received an order for solution development and subsequent delivery of biometric sensor systems from US client DigAware, a product company of Emnovate, to target enterprises with its unique biometric physical access solutions across the United States and globally.

With biometric authentication locally executed on the card, DigAware is making employee IDs smarter, strengthening security and improving productivity among its enterprise customers. Having digital awareness enables the business to upgrade their security posture by upgrading their ID without having to change their entire infrastructure.

For the first phase of the agreement, IDEX is developing a customized biometric matching solution that fits with DigAwares specific card architecture, including Bluetooth and RFID radios. The work is to be completed in the first quarter of 2025. Upon completion and customer acceptance, DigAware will buy 50,000 sensor systems from IDEX as part of scaling the solution.

Robin Bienfait, CEO and Founder of DigAware expresses, "The IDEX Biometrics authentication system excels with its resource efficiency and performance. Partnering with IDEX Biometrics enables us to effectively meet the rapidly expanding demands of our customer base for state-of-the-art physical security solutions."

Petter Andersson, Global Head of Sales for IDEX Biometrics, shares, "As the market for secure proof of identity is growing, IDEX Biometrics is pleased to support DigAware, leveraging the competitive edge of our core platform, allowing customize build on top of our biometric system. This will bring to market highest performing physical access solutions, for the benefit of DigAware and their clients.

For further information contact:

Marianne Be, Head of Investor Relations, +47 91800186

Kristian Flaten, CFO, +47 95092322

E-mail:ir@idexbiometrics.com



About IDEX Biometrics

IDEX Biometrics ASA (OSE: IDEX) is a global technology leader in fingerprint biometrics, offering authentication solutions across payments, access control, and digital identity. The company's solutions provide convenience, security, peace of mind, and seamless user experiences worldwide. Built on patented and proprietary sensor technologies, integrated circuit designs, and software, IDEX Biometrics' biometric solutions target card-based applications for payments and digital authentication. As an industry enabler, the company partners with leading card manufacturers and technology companies to bring its solutions to market.

For more information, please visit www.idexbiometrics.com.

About Emnovate / DigAware

Founded by senior global executive Robin Bienfait. Emnovate is an executive advisory firm that delivers enterprise class services to any company or individual wanting to grow their existing business or build a new business model or personal career. DigAware is a product company of Emnovate.

For more information, please visit www.emnovate.com

Trademark Statement

IDEX, IDEX Biometrics and the IDEX logo are trademarks owned by IDEX Biometrics ASA. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders.

About this notice:

This notice was issued by Marianne Be, Head of Investor Relations, on 8 January 2025 at 09:00 CET on behalf of IDEX Biometrics ASA.
Dublin, Jan. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "In Vitro Diagnostics Market Report 2024-2034" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



Overall world revenue for the In Vitro Diagnostics Market will surpass US$100 billion in 2024



The In Vitro Diagnostics Market Report 2024-2034: This report will prove invaluable to leading firms striving for new revenue pockets if they wish to better understand the industry and its underlying dynamics. It will be useful for companies that would like to expand into different industries or to expand their existing operations in a new region.



Technological Advancements Propelling Industry Growth



The surge in precision, portability, and affordability of diagnostic technologies is significantly driving growth in the market. The global adoption of innovative in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) tests is gaining momentum, fuelled by the introduction of advanced and highly accurate clinical laboratory tests. For instance, in June 2023, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare granted approval for Toray Industries, Inc.'s Toray APOA2-iTQ, a diagnostic tool for pancreatic cancer.

Likewise, in March 2023, the U.S. FDA approved Abbott's pioneering blood test for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The successful approval and deployment of such cutting-edge IVD tests for critical health conditions are poised to unlock substantial commercial opportunities, positioning companies at the forefront of this evolving landscape. This trend underscores the importance of investing in research and development to remain competitive and responsive to emerging healthcare needs.



Segment Analysis



In 2024, the reagents segment is projected to hold over 50% of the market share, and is expected to maintain its dominance with the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) projected from 2024 to 2034. This growth trajectory is driven by extensive research and development initiatives undertaken by major industry players to innovate novel reagents and diagnostic kits.

A noteworthy example is BD's market authorization in February 2023 for the BD Onclarity HPV Assay, which is used in conjunction with the ThinPrep Pap Test in the United States. Such advancements underscore the increasing emphasis on research and development aimed at enhancing rapid cancer diagnostics and precision medicine solutions, allowing companies to capitalize on specialized and lucrative niches within the in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) sector.



Additionally, in March 2023, QIAGEN entered into a collaboration with Servier to develop a companion diagnostic test for TIBSOVO, designed for treating acute myeloid leukaemia. This partnership exemplifies the industry's heightened focus on precision medicine, which is driving demand for innovative reagents and consumables.

As the field of precision medicine continues to evolve, the need for novel products is expected to grow, positioning the reagents segment as a critical catalyst for market expansion. Companies that invest in this area will be well-positioned to lead in the competitive landscape of IVD solutions.



Key Questions Answered

How is the in vitro diagnostics market evolving?

What is driving and restraining the in vitro diagnostics market?

How will each in vitro diagnostics submarket segment grow over the forecast period and how much revenue will these submarkets account for in 2034?

How will the market shares for each in vitro diagnostics submarket develop from 2024 to 2034?

What will be the main driver for the overall market from 2024 to 2034?

Will leading in vitro diagnostics markets broadly follow the macroeconomic dynamics, or will individual national markets outperform others?

How will the market shares of the national markets change by 2034 and which geographical region will lead the market in 2034?

Who are the leading players and what are their prospects over the forecast period?

What are the in vitro diagnostics projects for these leading companies?

How will the industry evolve during the period between 2024 and 2034? What are the implications of in vitro diagnostics projects taking place now and over the next 10 years?

Is there a greater need for product commercialisation to further scale the in vitro diagnostics market?

Where is the in vitro diagnostics market heading and how can you ensure you are at the forefront of the market?

What are the best investment options for new product and service lines?

What are the key prospects for moving companies into a new growth path and C-suite?

Forecasts to 2034 and other analyses reveal commercial prospects

In addition to revenue forecasting to 2034, the new study provides you with recent results, growth rates, and market shares.

You will find original analyses, with business outlooks and developments.

Discover qualitative analyses (including market dynamics, drivers, opportunities, and restraints), Porter's Five Forces Analysis, PEST Analysis and recent developments.

In Vitro Diagnostics Market Dynamics

In Vitro Diagnostics Market Driving Factors

Increasing Prevalence of Chronic Diseases

Rising Demand for Personalized Medicine

Advancements in Diagnostic Technologies

Growing Adoption of Point-of-Care Testing

Expanding Healthcare Infrastructure in Emerging Economies

Rising Awareness About Early Disease Detection

Government Initiatives Supporting Healthcare Reforms

Market Restraining Factors

High Costs of Advanced Diagnostic Tests

Stringent Regulatory Frameworks

Limited Accessibility in Low-resource Regions

Shortage of Skilled Professionals for Handling IVD Devices

Reimbursement Challenges for Novel Diagnostic Tests

Market Opportunities

Integration of AI and Machine Learning in Diagnostics

Expansion into Untapped Markets in Developing Regions

Growing Demand for Home-based Diagnostics

Development of Advanced Biomarkers

Increasing Collaborations Between Diagnostic Companies and Healthcare Providers

Rising Focus on Preventive Healthcare Strategies

Growth in Molecular Diagnostics and Genetic Testing

Leading Companies

QIAGEN

BD

BioMerieux SA

F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Ltd.

Quidel

Ortho Corporation

Abbott

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Thermofisher Scientific, Inc.

Siemens Healthineers AG

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.

Danaher

Sysmex Corporation

Charles River Laboratories

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated

Illumina, Inc.

Hologic

Revvity

Exact Sciences

Segments Covered in the Report

Product

Instruments

Reagents & Kits

Test

Clinical Chemistry

Immunoassay/Immunochemistry

Molecular Diagnostics

Hematology

Urinalysis

Others

Application

Cardiology

Diabetes

Oncology

Infectious Diseases

Nephrology

Autoimmune Diseases

Drug Testing/Pharmacogenomics

Others

End-users

Academic & Research Institutes

Diagnostic Laboratories

Hospitals

Others

North America

U.S.

Canada

Europe

Germany

UK

France

Italy

Spain

Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

Japan

China

India

Australia

South Korea

Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Rest of Latin America

MEA

GCC

South Africa

Rest of MEA

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/7k2dbu

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.
VICTORIA, Seychelles, Jan. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- XT.COM is excited to welcome Cat Gold Miner (CATGOLD) to its platform, offering a fresh and innovative way to experience blockchain technology. With the launch of the CATGOLD/USDT trading pair in the Innovation Zone (Metaverse) category, traders and gaming enthusiasts alike can now explore the exciting world of Cat Gold Miner.





What Is Cat Gold Miner?

Cat Gold Miner is an innovative blockchain-based game where you can build your mining empire, earn tokens, and enjoy frequent airdropsall while being part of a dynamic and engaging community. Designed for both active players and those who prefer a more hands-off approach, the platform ensures youre consistently earning $CATGOLD, whether youre strategizing or letting your mining operations work for you.

More than just a game, Cat Gold Miner is a community-driven ecosystem powered by Telegram. It encourages collaboration, strategy-sharing, and interaction among players, creating a vibrant space where everyone can contribute and thrive. With regular rewards, seamless gameplay, and an active user base, Cat Gold Miner caters to both casual gamers and seasoned blockchain enthusiasts.

Whether youre exploring the world of blockchain for the first time or looking for your next strategic challenge, Cat Gold Miner offers an entertaining and rewarding experience that bridges the gap between gaming and cryptocurrency.

Why Everyones Talking About Cat Gold Miner

Cat Gold Miner stands out in the crowded blockchain space with its unique blend of gaming, rewards, and community engagement. Heres what makes it special:

Fun and Strategic Gameplay : Build and manage your mining empire with smart decisions to maximize your earnings.

: Build and manage your mining empire with smart decisions to maximize your earnings. Community Focus : A Telegram-based ecosystem fosters collaboration and friendly competition.

: A Telegram-based ecosystem fosters collaboration and friendly competition. Nonstop Rewards : Enjoy regular $CATGOLD airdrops and keep your coins flowing.

: Enjoy regular $CATGOLD airdrops and keep your coins flowing. Metaverse Integration: Bridging the gap between gaming and blockchain technology, Cat Gold Miner embraces the future of decentralized ecosystems.

XT.COM and Cat Gold Miner: A Perfect Match

The listing of CATGOLD on XT.COM highlights a shared vision of innovation and accessibility. With the CATGOLD/USDT trading pair now live, XT.COM users have the opportunity to engage with a project that combines blockchain technology and gaming in a unique way.

For Cat Gold Miner, this partnership opens the door to a global audience eager to explore the possibilities of decentralized gaming. And for XT.COM, its another step forward in showcasing projects that redefine how we interact with blockchain.

Get Started with Cat Gold Miner

Ready to dive into the world of Cat Gold Miner? Heres where you can learn more:

Website : www.catgoldminer.ai

: Blockchain Explorer : https://tonviewer.com/EQDG8hrMmjWD7iP7Op2XkZ6jGhFtBUqzBrwpj4g50_VRPgYp

: CoinMarketCap: https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/cat-gold-miner/



About XT.COM

As one of the worlds leading cryptocurrency exchanges, XT.COM connects over 40 million users with cutting-edge projects and trading opportunities. Whether youre into spot trading, futures, or NFTs, XT.COM is the go-to platform for discovering the latest innovations in blockchain.

Dont miss your chance to explore the CATGOLD/USDT trading pair, now available on XT.COM. Join the fun, earn rewards, and be part of a growing community thats redefining blockchain gaming.

Website: XT.COM

Follow Us: @XTexchange | XT Telegram

Risk Reminder: Trading cryptocurrencies involves significant risks. Please trade responsibly and conduct your own research.

XT Exchange

Bella Wei

Listing@xt.com

Cat Gold Miner

marketing@catgoldminer.ai

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/5754d02c-78fd-44e5-90fd-13836b98b5a8
Dublin, Jan. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "United States Feed Additives Market, By Region, Competition, Forecast and Opportunities, 2019-2029F" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The United States Feed Additives Market was valued at USD 6.46 Billion in 2023, and is expected to reach USD 8.57 Billion by 2029, rising at a CAGR of 5.03%

The United States Feed Additives Market is a dynamic and rapidly evolving sector within the broader agricultural industry. Feed additives are substances added to animal feed to enhance its nutritional value, improve animal health, and boost overall livestock performance.







One of the key drivers of the United States Feed Additives Market is the increasing demand for high-quality animal products, such as meat, dairy, and eggs. As consumers become more health-conscious and concerned about food safety, there is a growing emphasis on the nutritional content and safety of livestock and poultry products. Feed additives, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and enzymes, are used to optimize animal nutrition and promote healthy growth.



Another significant factor shaping this market is the need for efficient and sustainable livestock production. Producers are constantly seeking ways to improve feed conversion rates and reduce the environmental impact of their operations. Feed additives, such as probiotics, prebiotics, and organic acids, help enhance the digestibility of feed, reduce the use of antibiotics, and minimize the carbon footprint of animal agriculture.



Further, regulatory changes and consumer preferences are driving innovation in the United States Feed Additives Market. The industry is adapting to stricter regulations governing the use of certain additives, such as antibiotics, while also addressing consumer demands for natural and organic feed additives. This has led to the development of novel products and formulations that align with these evolving requirements.

Segmental Insights

Livestock Insights



Based on the Livestock, Poultry emerged as the dominant segment in the United States market for feed additives in 2023. Poultry, including chickens and turkeys, is one of the most consumed sources of animal protein in the United States. The high demand for poultry meat and eggs drives substantial production, necessitating the use of feed additives to optimize growth and productivity. Poultry are known for their efficiency in converting feed into meat or eggs.



Feed additives can enhance this efficiency by improving feed conversion rates, accelerating growth, and reducing the time it takes for poultry to reach market weight. This efficiency is critical in meeting the demands of a growing population. Caked fertilizers are problematic as they may not disperse uniformly when applied to the soil. Uneven distribution of nutrients can lead to inconsistent crop growth and yield variations within fields. Inefficient nutrient release due to caking can also result in nutrient wastage and decreased agricultural productivity.



Form Insights



Based on the Form, Dry segment emerged as the dominant segment in the United States market for feed additives in 2023. Dry feed additives are easy to handle, transport, and store. They do not require specialized equipment or facilities for storage and can be conveniently stored in bags, containers, or silos. This convenience makes them a practical choice for both manufacturers and end-users. Dry additives generally have a longer shelf life compared to liquid formulations.

This extended shelf life reduces the risk of spoilage or degradation, ensuring the additives remain effective over an extended period. Dry additives can be evenly mixed with bulk feed ingredients, ensuring a consistent distribution of the additive throughout the feed. This uniformity is essential to guarantee that animals receive the proper dosage of the additive, optimizing its effectiveness.



Regional Insights



Mid-West emerged as the dominant region in the United States Feed Additives Market in 2023, holding the largest market share. The Mid-western United States is often referred to as the "Corn Belt" and the "Soybean Belt" due to its substantial production of corn and soybeans. These crops are not only essential for human consumption but also serve as primary ingredients in animal feed.



High-intensity crop and livestock production in the Mid-west generates significant demand for feed additives to support animal nutrition and health. The Mid-west is home to a large concentration of livestock operations, including beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, and poultry. These intensive livestock farming operations rely heavily on feed additives to optimize animal nutrition, enhance growth, and improve overall animal health. The sheer volume of livestock in the region contributes to high demand for feed additives.

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 85 Forecast Period 2023 - 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $6.46 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $8.57 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 5.0% Regions Covered United States

Report Scope:

Key Market Players

Adisseo USA Inc.

Archer Daniel Midland Co.

BASF SE

Cargill Inc.

DSM Nutritional Products AG

Elanco Animal Health Inc.

Evonik Industries AG

IFF(Danisco Animal Nutrition)

SHV (Nutreco NV)

Solvay S.A

United States Feed Additives Market, By Ingredient Type:

Antibiotics

Vitamins

Enzyme

Antioxidants

Probiotics

Others

United States Feed Additives Market, By Livestock:

Poultry

Ruminants

Swine

Aquatic Animals

Others

United States Feed Additives Market, By Form:

Dry

Liquid

United States Feed Additives Market, By Region:

North-East

Mid-west

West

South

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/kuzvrv

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Attachment
Dublin, Jan. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "United States AI in Agriculture Market, By Region, Competition, Forecast and Opportunities, 2019-2029F" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The United States AI in Agriculture Market was valued at USD 351.09 Million in 2023, and is expected to reach USD 705.74 Million by 2029, rising at a CAGR of 12.30%

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in agriculture represents the deployment of advanced technologies to improve crop yield, efficiency, and profitability. AI-driven models and tools facilitate precise farming methods, predicting weather patterns, and making sense of real-time data for better decision-making. Machine learning algorithms can identify potential diseases or pests, and automation technologies can perform mundane tasks, hence, improving overall agricultural productivity.







The AI in Agriculture market in the United States is a rapidly expanding sector, fueled by the country's strong technological infrastructure and its vast agricultural industry. It encompasses a plethora of services, software, and hardware products designed to enhance productivity, efficiency, and sustainability in farming. Market players range from tech-startups innovating in niche areas like disease identification, to major companies providing comprehensive AI-based farm management systems.

In the dynamic landscape of agriculture, ensuring food security stands as a paramount concern. The United States AI in Agriculture market is witnessing a significant surge, fueled in part by the escalating demand for food security. Precision agriculture, empowered by AI technologies, addresses this challenge by optimizing crop yields. Through data-driven insights and predictive analytics, farmers can precisely manage resources such as water, fertilizers, and pesticides, ultimately enhancing productivity and contributing to food security objectives.

Market growth is driven by factors such as increasing food demand, the need for climate-smart agriculture, and the desire to streamline farming operations. This has led to a surge in the adoption of AI technologies such as machine learning, computer vision, and predictive analytics in various agricultural practices.



By integrating IoT sensors, drones, and satellite imagery, farmers gain granular insights into soil health, moisture levels, and plant conditions. This data-driven approach minimizes waste, conserves resources, and maximizes agricultural output, aligning with food security imperatives. Food security encompasses not only quantity but also accessibility. AI technologies democratize access to advanced agricultural practices, benefitting smallholder farmers. Cloud-based AI platforms and mobile applications provide affordable solutions for remote monitoring, crop management, and market access. By leveling the playing field, these technologies empower smallholder farmers to improve yields, increase incomes, and contribute to broader food security efforts.

Segmental Insights

Technology Insights



Based on the Technology, in the United States, the AI in Agriculture market is experiencing a significant growth in the application of Predictive Analytics. This cutting-edge technology is primarily being used to analyze complex patterns and trends from vast datasets, empowering farmers to make highly accurate forecasting decisions regarding crop yield and potential pest infestations.



Offering Insights



Based on the Offering, in the United States, the AI in Agriculture market is currently undergoing a remarkable transformation. The emergence of AI-As-A-Service as the dominant solution is surpassing traditional Hardware and Software options. This shift is primarily driven by the remarkable benefits offered by AI-As-A-Service models, which include unparalleled scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. One of the most significant advantages of AI-As-A-Service is its ability to enable even small-scale farmers to leverage the power of AI. Previously, high upfront costs posed a significant barrier for these farmers to adopt AI technologies. However, with AI-As-A-Service, they can now gain access to advanced capabilities without the burden of hefty initial investments.

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 85 Forecast Period 2023 - 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $351.09 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $705.74 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 12.3% Regions Covered United States



Competitive Landscape



Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the United States AI in Agriculture Market.

International Business Machines Corporation (IBM)

Granular, Inc.

Microsoft

Deere & Company

Awhere Inc.

Climate LLC.

Agribotix, LLC

Descartes Labs Inc.

Valmont Industries, Inc.

Key Topics Covered:



1. Product Overview

1.1. Market Definition

1.2. Scope of the Market

1.2.1. Markets Covered

1.2.2. Years Considered for Study

1.2.3. Key Market Segmentations



2. Research Methodology

2.1. Objective of the Study

2.2. Baseline Methodology

2.3. Key Industry Partners

2.4. Major Association and Secondary Sources

2.5. Forecasting Methodology

2.6. Data Triangulation & Validation

2.7. Assumptions and Limitations



3. Executive Summary

3.1. Overview of the Market

3.2. Overview of Key Market Segmentations

3.3. Overview of Key Market Players

3.4. Overview of Key Regions/Countries

3.5. Overview of Market Drivers, Challenges, Trends



4. Voice of Customer



5. United States AI in Agriculture Market Outlook

5.1. Market Size & Forecast

5.1.1. By Value

5.2. Market Share & Forecast

5.2.1. By Technology (Machine Learning, Predictive Analytics and Computer Vision)

5.2.2. By Offering (Hardware, Software and AI-As-A-Service)

5.2.3. By Application (Precision Farming, Livestock Monitoring, Agriculture Robots, Drone and Others)

5.2.4. By Region

5.2.5. By Company (2023)

5.3. Market Map



6. North-East AI in Agriculture Market Outlook

6.1. Market Size & Forecast

6.1.1. By Value

6.2. Market Share & Forecast

6.2.1. By Technology

6.2.2. By Offering

6.2.3. By Application



7. Mid-West AI in Agriculture Market Outlook

7.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.1.1. By Value

7.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.2.1. By Technology

7.2.2. By Offering

7.2.3. By Application



8. West AI in Agriculture Market Outlook

8.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.1.1. By Value

8.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.2.1. By Technology

8.2.2. By Offering

8.2.3. By Application



9. South AI in Agriculture Market Outlook

9.1. Market Size & Forecast

9.1.1. By Value

9.2. Market Share & Forecast

9.2.1. By Technology

9.2.2. By Offering

9.2.3. By Application



10. Market Dynamics

10.1. Drivers

10.2. Challenges



11. Market Trends & Developments

11.1. Recent Development

11.2. Mergers & Acquisitions

11.3. Product Launches



12. Policy & Regulatory Landscape



13. United States Economic Profile



14. United States AI in Agriculture Market: SWOT Analysis



15. Porter's Five Forces Analysis

15.1. Competition in the Industry

15.2. Potential of New Entrants

15.3. Power of Suppliers

15.4. Power of Customers

15.5. Threat of Substitute Products



16. Competitive Landscape

16.1. Business Overview

16.2. Product & Services

16.3. Recent Developments

16.4. Financials (As Reported)

16.5. Key Personnel

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/w0el18

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Gondia, India, Jan. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Brain Ischemia Market Research Report published by IMIR Market Research Pvt. Ltd. The Patient Monitoring Accessories Market size was valued at around 7.83 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach a value of USD 16.87 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 8.9% over the forecast period (20242032).

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The global market for patient monitoring accessories has registered significant growth over the past few years due to advancement in healthcare technology, a greying population, and increased prevalence of chronic diseases. Patient monitoring accessories comprise parts like electrodes, sensors, cuffs, lead wires, and probes. These devices are part of patient monitoring systems used in hospitals, outpatient facilities, home care settings, and long-term care facilities to monitor patients in real-time with respect to key health parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen levels in the blood.

The growing prevalence of chronic conditions, especially cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and respiratory conditions, has created the need for continuous monitoring products and, subsequently, for high quality and accuracy accessories. Healthcare providers and patients appreciate that proactive monitoring of a patient's condition helps identify the early signs of complications. For instance, modern monitoring accessories, for example ECG electrodes, blood pressure cuffs are produced with better sensitivity and resilience so as to provide adequate information for clinicians to institute interventions timely. More benefits realized by the advent of technology are wireless and disposable monitoring accessories. These come in handy and are clean and infections-free hence giving a lot of comfort to the patients.





The other critical growth factor in this market is remote and home-based monitoring systems, which have recently gained their popularity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a critical application area with relevance for remote monitoring and managing patients with chronic illness. Patients can easily record their health metrics in these applications and send data about them without having to rush to hospitals frequently. To date, there is growing development in accessories for wearable and portable monitoring devices as the accessories allow seamless communication from these monitoring devices to healthcare providers. This is a trend in line with telemedicine as a whole since the accessories for patient monitoring help facilitate virtual care whereby clinicians are able to make constant care and timely interventions with the patients from distant places.

The healthcare industry has increasingly concentrated on prevention and early diagnosis, which means increased use of patient monitoring accessories. Wearable and sensor-based accessories are being used extensively not only in clinical environments but also for at-home health monitoring, catering to the needs of an active, health-conscious population. Modern accessories have incorporated wireless connectivity, battery efficiency, and ergonomic designs, making them more suitable for everyday use and enhancing patient compliance. Besides, artificial intelligence and machine learning have also improved the health monitoring system capabilities in the healthcare technology sector by enabling integration to analyse data of accessories and provide alerts, which empowered healthcare providers to use decision-making tools to improve patient care.

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Furthermore, favourable government initiatives along with investments to improve healthcare infrastructure and accessibility support growth in this market. In many countries, the strengthening of continuum care-from acute care through chronic and preventive care-by means of patient monitoring accessories is becoming increasingly important in healthcare policy. This is where most investments have been made into research and development by the manufacturers of medical devices themselves, creating new, more accessible, improved, and more precise, dependable, and comfortable accessories for use with medical devices.

With such an optimistic outlook of the market, challenges still lie within, including data privacy and the cost of sophisticated monitoring solutions. However, high demand for effective patient monitoring, the growth of telemedicine, and continuous improvements in technology and the availability of medical devices provide positive indications about a brighter future for the patient monitoring accessories market. As health service providers embrace digital means for providing better health services and monitoring of patients in all categories, the demand for patient monitoring accessories would tend to rise.

Market Drivers

Growing Prevalence of Chronic Diseases

Growing prevalence of chronic diseases: The patient monitoring accessories market is driven mainly by rising chronic diseases such as cardiovascular, diabetes, respiratory, and hypertension. These chronic conditions will require continuous or periodic follow-up to ensure that they do not have complications arising from health. This increase in demand is thus high for monitoring accessories such as the use of blood pressure cuffs, ECG electrodes, and pulse ox meters because such accessories are needed to record critical health parameters. With the world's aging population, the population of chronic diseased individuals continues to rise with a great need for uninterrupted health monitoring solutions that are helpful in early diagnosis to enhance the outcomes of patients. Patient monitoring accessories are also equally important in acute and critical care where rapid and precise data acquisition is critical before complications occur. Since chronic diseases will likely continue to be a great burden on healthcare systems, a need for high-quality reliable monitoring accessories will rise up and, therefore, continue to drive the market.

Advancements in Remote Patient Monitoring Technology

Remote patient monitoring technology has taken a big leap forward by allowing patients to monitor themselves from their homes and report the data to the healthcare providers. This is a trend set by the innovations in wireless connectivity, wearable devices, and portable monitoring systems and has seen an increased need for compatible accessories. Included in the list of compatible accessories are wearable sensors, disposable probes, and wireless ECG patches, which support home-based and telemedicine applications. As much as remote monitoring reduces patient visit frequency in a conventional clinical setting, it really allows for wider access into convenience-also especially where chronic patient needs are a concern-making health care an accessible sector, and further demand and pressure on sales of matching patient monitoring accessories compatible to such remote-monitoring units grows.

Market Opportunities

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Expansion of Telemedicine and Home Healthcare

Expansion of telemedicine and home healthcare presents an attractive avenue for the growth of patient monitoring accessories market. Popularity of telemedicine skyrocketed with advancement, because it allowed treating patients out of the walls; post the COVID-19 phase. This rise has therefore increased demand from users seeking non-complex items for home applications and those to be readily used on any telemedicine platform. Products such as wearable sensors, wireless blood pressure cuffs, and portable ECG devices enable the tracking of vital signs in a patient's home with data integration that is quite easy on the part of the provider. The expansion of telemedicine creates broad scope through which manufacturers of accessories that support patient monitoring develops and launch user-friendly, accurate, and reliable products to meet this demand for remote care.

Rising Demand for Wearable Monitoring Devices

Wearable monitoring devices have witnessed an increasing demand. The trend presents a massive opportunity for the patient monitoring accessories market. Worn out of comfort, the popularity of wearable among health-conscious individuals and patients with chronic conditions who seek convenient ways to monitor their health continuously is high. Accessories like wearable sensors, smart patches, and ECG monitoring patches serve the purpose of non-invasive, comfortable, and real-time monitoring. Increased advances in technology have made such wearable more accurate, efficient, and appealing for wider use. The interfacing of these accessories through a mobile app or health application with the user provides that meaningful information to enhance personal care on personal health management and support its prevention.

Top of Form

Market Restraining Factors

High Cost of Advanced Monitoring Accessories

High-cost technologically advanced patient monitoring accessories is one of the major restraints for the market. Some of the accessories such as wireless sensors and sophisticated probes have a high price because it requires research, materials, and precision engineering to develop these products. The high prices may be a barrier to smaller healthcare providers and to patients in low-income areas, limiting their access to the most advanced monitoring technologies. Moreover, the recurring replacement cost or disposable accessories contribute to further increasing the costs, making it less accessible and not very affordable for such products. Consequently, some of the advanced solutions cannot reach the healthcare facilities in developing regions and even some healthcare providers with limited budgets.

Data Privacy and Security Concerns

As patient monitoring becomes more digitally oriented with data transmitted over wireless networks, issues regarding privacy and security of the data itself have emerged as an important constraint. The transmission of patient data, including health parameters, is typically conducted on networks, making them susceptible to data breaches or cyber-attacks. Safety of such data and consequently the trust in healthcare systems forms a significant requirement. Compliance with regulations, such as HIPAA in the US and GDPR in Europe, will add cost and complexity to deploying patient monitoring solutions as these systems need to conform to tight data protection standards. The healthcare provider companies have to spend big time on cyber security, adding more costs to operational activities, though sometimes hindering their implementation of advanced monitoring accessories.

Segmentation Analysis

The market scope is segmented because of by Product.

By Product

Based on the Product of the market is segmented into SpO2 Sensors, Blood Pressure Cuffs, Brain Monitoring System Sensors, Neuromuscular Transmission Sensors, Temperature Sensors, CO2 Absorbers/Amsorb Filters, ECG Leadwires.

SpO2 sensors have the highest market share of 52.6% in the year 2023 and are also expected to dominate in terms of revenue in the SpO2 Sensors market in the forecast period due to their significance to the patient, wide range of applications, technical progress, higher prevalence of respiratory diseases, and the rising inclination towards home health care and telemonitoring services. More sophisticated sensor types guarantee better performance as well as the longest possible lifespan of products compatible with multi-equipment designed for monitoring purposes.

SpO2 sensors are employed in numerous health care facilities such as hospitals, clinics, ambulatory health care facilities and even in-home health care. The other life support monitor provided to the patients is pulse oximetry, it measures the levels of SpO2 within the patient's body. It thus furnishes essential information within the assessment of the patient's status in terms of their respiratory condition in addition to their general condition.

This group segment-the neuromuscular transmission sensors-NMT sensors will increase at a CAGR of 12.9 % during the forecast period and shall be propelled by technology and growth in cases of diseases; besides, moving towards patient-centred care as it becomes the part of an entire network with electronic health systems integrated with health care.

There is a growing demand for better and more sensitive monitoring devices for patients who are suffering from neuromuscular transmission disorders. These sensors work to measure muscle activity, nerve impulse transmission, and blockade of nerve impulses that occur during surgical procedures and other times of intensive care. The sensors of neuromuscular transmission are being included in digital health solutions as well as electronic medical records systems, which allow efficient data capture, analysis, and sharing among healthcare providers.

Regional Snapshots

By region, Insights into the markets in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and MEA are provided by the study. North America is leading the patient monitoring accessories market at present. This can be attributed to the advanced healthcare infrastructure in place, with a high rate of adoption of latest medical technology and significant health expenditure in the region. In the United States, there is leading healthcare innovation where healthcare providers and patients alike are adapting to new technologies, including remote patient monitoring and wearable devices. Additionally, a high and rising prevalence of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, is increasing the demand for patient monitoring accessories in this region. Key market players along with an efficient regulatory framework such as FDA approvals further help drive dominance in North America in this market.

On the other hand, in terms of market, it is expected that patient monitoring accessories would grow faster in the Asia-Pacific region. Such a growth is expected mainly because of a large, aged population, increased awareness toward health care, and increasing infrastructures of healthcare especially in the emerging countries, like China and India, wherein most people are under sufferance from chronic diseases that call for low-cost monitoring of patients. Further, the advancements of healthcare technology and the growth in usage of telemedicine and wearable devices have accounted for this growth. With the regional government increasing its expenditure in healthcare reforms and medical device production, the Asia-Pacific market is set to witness strong growth.

List of Companies Profiled:

Medtronic

GE HealthCare

NIHON KOHDEN CORPORATION

Masimo

Welch Allyn Warehouse

LifeScan IP Holdings, LLC.

Honeywell International Inc.

Koninklijke Philips N.V.

OMRON Healthcare Co., Ltd

F. Hoffmann-La Roche Lt

ABBOTT LABORATORIES

DEXCOM, INC.

PHILIPS HEALTHCARE

MINDRAY MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL LTD.

EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORPORATION

GETINGE AB

BAXTER INTERNATIONAL (HILL-ROM HOLDINGS, INC.)

BOSTON SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION

Key Industry Developments

In June 2024, Masimo introduced hospital-based remote patient monitoring in partnership with Cleveland Clinic. The collaboration brings together the central patient monitoring platforms of Cleveland Clinic and Masimo's Hospital Automation technology.

In October 2023, Ricoh USA, Inc. launched its managed services solution, RICOH Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) Enablement, to support sustainable and effective Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) workflows and improve the care delivery team and patient experience.

Report Coverage

The report will cover the qualitative and quantitative data on the Global Patient Monitoring Accessories Market. The qualitative data includes latest trends, market players analysis, market drivers, market opportunity, and many others. Also, the report quantitative data includes market size for every region, country, and segments according to your requirements. We can also provide customize report in every industry vertical.

Report Scope and Segmentations:

Study Period 2024-32 Base Year 2023 Estimated Forecast Year 2024-32 Growth Rate CAGR of 8.9% from 2024 to 2032 Segmentation By Product, By Region Unit USD Billion By Product SpO2 Sensors Disposable Reusable

Blood Pressure Cuffs Disposable Reusable

Brain Monitoring System Sensors

Neuromuscular Transmission Sensors

Temperature Sensors Adult Pediatric

CO2 Absorbers/Amsorb Filters

ECG Leadwires Disposable Reusable

By Region North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico)

Europe (Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, Russia, Rest of Europe)

Asia-Pacific (China, India, Japan, ASEAN, Rest of Asia-Pacific)

Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Rest of Latin America)

MEA (Saudi Arabia, South Africa, UAE, Rest Of MEA)

Global Patient Monitoring Accessories Market Regional Analysis

North America accounted for the highest xx% market share in terms of revenue in the Patient Monitoring Accessories market and is expected to expand at a CAGR of xx% during the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to the growing adoption of Patient Monitoring Accessories. The market in APAC is expected to witness significant growth and is expected to register a CAGR of xx% over upcoming years, because of the presence of key Patient Monitoring Accessories companies in economies such as Japan and China.

The objective of the report is to present comprehensive analysis of Global Patient Monitoring Accessories Market including all the stakeholders of the industry. The past and current status of the industry with forecasted market size and trends are presented in the report with the analysis of complicated data in simple language.

Patient Monitoring Accessories Market Report is also available for below Regions and Country Please Ask for that

North America

U.S

Canada

Europe

Switzerland

Belgium

Germany

France

U.K

Italy

Spain

Sweden

Netherland

Turkey

Rest of Europe

Asia-Pacific

India

Australia

Philippines

Singapore

South Korea

Japan

China

Malaysia

Thailand

Indonesia

Rest Of APAC

Latin America

Mexico

Argentina

Peru

Colombia

Brazil

Rest of South America

Middle East and Africa

Saudi Arabia

UAE

Egypt

South Africa

Rest Of MEA

Points Covered in the Report

The points that are discussed within the report are the major market players that are involved in the market such as market players, raw material suppliers, equipment suppliers, end users, traders, distributors and etc.

The complete profile of the companies is mentioned. And the capacity, production, price, revenue, cost, gross, gross margin, sales volume, sales revenue, consumption, growth rate, import, export, supply, future strategies, and the technological developments that they are making are also included within the report. This report analysed 5 years data history and forecast.

The growth factors of the market are discussed in detail wherein the different end users of the market are explained in detail.

Data and information by market player, by region, by type, by application and etc., and custom research can be added according to specific requirements.

The report contains the SWOT analysis of the market. Finally, the report contains the conclusion part where the opinions of the industrial experts are included.

Key Questions:

How much the global Patient Monitoring Accessories Market valued?

Which region has the largest share in 2021 for the global Patient Monitoring Accessories Market?

What are the driving factors for the market?

Which is the leading segment in the global market?

What are the major players in the market?

Research Scope of Patient Monitoring Accessories Market

Historic year: 2018- 2021

Base year: 2022

Forecast: 2023 to 2031

Representation of Market revenue in USD Million

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Danelon Brings Two Decades of Leadership and Operational Expertise to Drive RAD-Rs Residential Security Expansion

Detroit, Michigan, Jan. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions , Inc. (the Company), a global leader in AI-driven security and productivity solutions, is pleased to announce that its subsidiary, Robotic Assistance Devices Residential, Inc. (RAD-R) , has appointed Steve Danelon as President of RAD-R. This key appointment underscores RAD-Rs commitment to redefining residential security with innovative, AI-driven solutions like the recently launched RADCam.

Steve Danelon brings with him an illustrious 30-year career in the security industry, including 22 years of leadership with Allied Universal, where he oversaw Canadian sales and operations. Following his tenure at Allied Universal, Steve founded Fortress Solutions, a boutique residential security company that further honed his expertise in protecting homes and families. Danelon has been an avid supporter of AITX's transformative journey and has eagerly followed its evolution in the security technology sector.

Steves extensive industry experience, proven leadership, and entrepreneurial mindset make him the perfect leader to take RAD-R to new heights, said Steve Reinharz, CEO and CTO of AITX and RAD-R. Having a leader of Steves caliber strengthens our ability to deliver groundbreaking residential security solutions, and Im thrilled to welcome him to the AITX and RAD family.

Danelons decision to join RAD-R was influenced by his firsthand experience with RADs technology, particularly the RADCam , which he sees as a game-changer for the residential security market. His compensation package reflects RAD-Rs focus on performance and results, aligning his success with the Company's goals. This strategic alignment ensures RAD-R is positioned to lead the industry in innovative and accessible AI-powered residential security solutions.

Im honored to join RAD-R and excited to contribute to its mission of transforming residential security, said Steve Danelon. The technology that RAD has developed, particularly within RADCam, is unlike anything Ive seen in my career. Im confident well deliver unparalleled solutions to homeowners and redefine the standard for residential security.

RAD-R, a wholly owned subsidiary of AITX, focuses on delivering advanced AI-based solutions to the residential market, including the revolutionary RADCam. Unlike traditional residential security products, RAD-Rs solutions emphasize meaningful interactions, proactive response, and a reimagined approach to home safety.

RADCam is now available for purchase on Amazon , Walmart.com , as well as directly through www.radcam.ai . Discover how this groundbreaking technology can redefine security and convenience for your home or property.

About Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions (AITX)

AITX is an innovator in the delivery of artificial intelligence-based solutions that empower organizations to gain new insight, solve complex challenges and fuel new business ideas. Through its next-generation robotic product offerings, AITXs RAD-I, RAD-R, RAD-M and RAD-G companies help organizations streamline operations, increase ROI, and strengthen business. AITX technology improves the simplicity and economics of patrolling and guard services and allows experienced personnel to focus on more strategic tasks. Customers augment the capabilities of existing staff and gain higher levels of situational awareness, all at drastically reduced cost. AITX solutions are well suited for use in multiple industries such as enterprises, government, transportation, critical infrastructure, education, and healthcare. To learn more, visit www.aitx.ai , www.radsecurity.com , www.stevereinharz.com , www.radgroup.ai , www.raddog.ai , www.radcam.ai , and www.radlightmyway.com , or follow Steve Reinharz on X/Twitter @SteveReinharz .

CAUTIONARY DISCLOSURE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The information contained in this publication does not constitute an offer to sell or solicit an offer to buy securities of Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc. (the Company). This publication contains forward-looking statements, which are not guarantees of future performance and may involve subjective judgment and analysis. The information provided herein is believed to be accurate and reliable, however the Company makes no representations or warranties, expressed or implied, as to its accuracy or completeness. The Company has no obligation to provide the recipient with additional updated information. No information in this publication should be interpreted as any indication whatsoever of the Companys future revenues, results of operations, or stock price.

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Charleston, SC, Jan. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In the United States, cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular disease (stroke) are the leading causes of morbidity, mortality, and disability. And after his own encounter with heart disease at the age of 75, semi-retired anesthesiologist Dr. Hasnain wants to bridge the gap in public health education. With the economic burden of cardiovascular disease and stroke totaling over $400 billion and climbing, Dr. Hasnain believes its high time to ease the socioeconomic impact. Seeking to spread awareness, Hasnain delivers a public service announcement on cardiovascular health in a new book.

In Second Chance at 75, Dr. Hasnain describes both his personal and professional experience with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, conditions he considers to be societal scourges. Unlike many books on chronic disease, Dr. Hasnain humanizes the topic of heart disease and stroke, and his own journey is a unique testament of survival. Stressing the importance of prevention and timely and effective treatment, Hasnain unpacks these diseases, offering an overview of treatment options and sharing strategies for maintaining heart health. Dr. Hasnains insightful narrative offers readers a unique resource for better understanding the risks of poor cardiovascular and cerebrovascular fitness. I hope this educational approach with benefit medical professionals, patients, and the general public, Dr. Hasnain says.

Second Chance at 75 is available for purchase on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com.

About the Author:

Dr. Jawad Hasnain earned his medical degree from the prestigious King Edward Medical University in Lahore, Pakistan. He continued his medical training at the University of Maryland Hospital for his fellowship and residency, specializing in cardiovascular anesthesiology. Board-certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology, he was also honored as a Fellow of both the American College of Cardiology and the American College of Anesthesiology. As a lifelong advocate of continuous learning, he received his MBA from the University of Maryland, specializing in both health informatics and international finance. During his 32-year tenure as a faculty member at the University of Maryland, he not only mentored countless students and residents but also made significant contributions to medical literature, particularly in hemodynamic monitoring, thoracoscopy, laparoscopy, and transesophageal echocardiography. Now semi-retired, he works as a locum anesthesiologist and is dedicated to combating metabolic syndrome and the obesity epidemic.

For more information about the author and his work, please visit any of his social media profiles.

Facebook: jawad.hasnain

Instagram: @jhasnain

LinkedIn: jawad-hasnain

Media Contact:

Dr. Jawad Hasnain

juhasnain@gmail.com

Available for interviews: Author, Jawad Hasnain, MD, MBA, FACC

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RIMOUSKI, Quebec, Jan. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Puma Exploration Inc. (TSXV: PUMA, OTCQB: PUMXF) (the Company or Puma) is pleased to review its corporate and exploration achievements for 2024 and provide an overview of its plans for 2025.

2024 was a transformational year for Puma Exploration. Our DEAR strategy proved to be our differentiator in the challenging market conditions where junior exploration companies struggle to access capital. Our unique strategy is positioning us for success in 2025 and beyond. Our partnership with Kinross ensures we have the funds to drive exploration and continue developing Williams Brook. With our proven discovery model, we are confident that well make gold discoveries on our new McKenzie Gold Project. notes Marcel Robillard, President and CEO of Puma Exploration.

The partnership with Kinross, a leading gold mining company, marks a significant milestone for Puma. Not only does it provide the Company with the necessary funds for exploration and development at Williams Brook, but it also opens up new avenues for collaboration and growth. In light of this pivotal partnership, Puma has appointed Dominique Gagne as Vice-President of Exploration, effective immediately. Mr. Gagne, an experienced exploration geologist, will now represent Puma on the companies joint technical committee, guiding Pumas ongoing search for new exploration and development opportunities.

Kinross has committed to investing CAD$2,000,000, including 5,000 metres of drilling at Williams Brook in 2025. The joint technical committee will meet in the coming weeks to define this years exploration program, and details of the plan will be announced when it is finalized. In parallel, Puma will be focused on discovering new high-grade gold deposits on its recently acquired McKenzie Gold Project. Fieldwork will start following ongoing data compilation this spring, with an inaugural drilling program scheduled in the fall.

Adhering to its DEAR strategy, the Company is continuously evaluating new opportunities to create shareholder value. Stay tuned for more exciting news and developments in 2025.

Figure 1. Current landholdings in northern New Brunswick





2024 Highlights:

1) DEAR strategy achievements:

Signed a definitive agreement to acquire 70% of the TIMM property (22/01/2024) Canadian Copper (CSE: CCI), of which Puma owns 9.78%, completed the acquisition of the Murray Brook Deposit (05/02/2024) The Chester and Turgeon Projects were optioned to Raptor Resources (04/03/2024) Puma acquired the Moose Brook Property at the heart of the Williams Brook Project (09/07/2024) The sale of the Chester property to Raptor was completed, with Puma receiving AUD$500K + 4,000,000 Raptor shares (03/10/2024) Puma optioned 65% of the Williams Brook Project to Kinross for CAD$16.75M over 5 years (24/10/2024) Kinross acquired a 9.9% stake in Puma Exploration by way of a private placement (24/10/2024) Canadian Copper announced its acquisition of the Caribou Processing Plant Complex (28/10/2024) Puma signed LOIs for the McKenzie Gold Project (18/11/2024) Puma staked 255 claims units for a total of 5,500 hectares South-East of the Caribou Processing Plant Complex Puma signed Definitive Agreements for the McKenzie Gold Project (23/12/2024)

2) Corporate developments:

Welcomed Mia Boiridy as Director (31/08/2024) Appointed Martin Nicoletti as CFO (09/10/2024) Appointed Kayla Nicoletti as Corporate Secretary (21/10/2024) Appointed Dominique Gagne as Vice-President Exploration (08/01/2025)

3) Technical achievements :

Extended the Lynx Gold trend over four (4) kilometres with an initial 2,000 m drilling program to verify high-grade grab samples. Results returned anomalous gold mineralization with alteration and structural features similar to Lynx at the Tiger and Cheetah Gold Zones (12/12/2023; 27/02/2024; 04/04/2024; 18/04/2024; 25/04/2024; 11/07/2024) Began exploration program at the Jonpol property (08/05/2024) Discovered the Lion Gold Zone with grab samples up to 72 g/t gold (24/07/2024) Extended the Lion Gold Zone to over 550 metres strike length (04/12/2024)

2025 Plans:

Launch the fully funded CAD$2,000,000 exploration program at the Williams Brook Project with Kinross Gold. Launch a surface exploration program at the newly acquired McKenzie Gold Project. Close the sale of the Turgeon Project to Raptor Resources for AUD$350K + 4,000,000 Raptor shares Continue to search for exploration/development opportunities in New Brunswick.

Qualified Person

Dominique Gagne, P.Geo, V-P Exploration of Puma and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved this release's technical information.

About Pumas Assets in New Brunswick

Puma has accumulated an impressive portfolio of prospective gold landholdings strategically located close to roads and infrastructure in Northern New Brunswick - the Williams Brook Project and the new Mckenzie Gold Project. Both are located near the Rocky Brook Millstream Fault (RBMF), a major regional structure formed during the Appalachian Orogeny and a significant control for gold deposition in the region. Pumas work to date has focused on the Williams Brook property, but prospecting and surface exploration work on its other properties have confirmed their potential for significant gold mineralization.

About Puma Exploration

Puma Exploration is a Canadian mineral exploration company with a successful history in Northern New Brunswick, having worked on regional projects for over 20 years. Our focus on finding and growing a pipeline of precious metals projects in New Brunswick, near Canada's Famous Bathurst Mining Camp, is backed by our successful exploration methodology. This methodology combines old prospecting methods with detailed trenching and up-to-date technology such as Artificial Intelligence. It has been instrumental in facilitating an understanding of the region's geology and associated mineralized systems. Armed with geophysical surveys, geochemical data and consultants expertise, Puma has developed a perfect low-cost exploration tool to discover gold at shallow depths and maximize drilling results.

The Company is committed to its DEAR business model of Discovery, Exploration, Acquisition and Royalties to generate maximum value for shareholders with low share dilution.

Connect with us on Facebook / X / LinkedIn.

Visit www.explorationpuma.com for more information or contact:

Marcel Robillard, President and CEO.

(418) 750-8510; president@explorationpuma.com

Mia Boiridy, Head of Investor Relations and Corporate Development.

(250) 575-3305; mboiridy@explorationpuma.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements: This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve several known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Puma to be materially different from actual future results and achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made, except as required by law. Puma undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. The quarterly and annual reports and the documents submitted to the securities administration describe these risks and uncertainties.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1c2ca59c-cb36-495a-bd55-35e65208d857
Chicago, Jan. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TAWANI Enterprises, Inc. is proud to announce that its Chairwoman, Lieutenant Colonel (IL) Jennifer N. Pritzker, IL ARNG (Retired), was named a Silver winner for the 14th Annual Best in Biz Awards Philanthropist of the Year in the Executive of the Year category. Lt. Colonel Pritzker, who received the Bronze award in 2023, was recognized for her exceptional social impact and dedication to societal causes. The award highlights her leadership in guiding company initiatives, charitable giving, funding, and employee matching programs that create meaningful, lasting contributions to communities in need.

The Best in Biz Awards is the only business awards program judged by independent panels of prominent writers and editors from top-tier publications. Judges award a score from 1 to 10, with 10 indicating an entry the judge deems worthy of a gold win, 9 indicating a silver contender, and 8 indicating an entry deserving a bronze award. The organization presented several awards within five categories including company, department/team, executive, product and crisis management/PR.

"Im truly humbled and honored to be named the Best in Biz Awards 2023 Philanthropist of the Year for the second year in a row," said Lt. Colonel Pritzker. "This recognition highlights the ongoing commitment of our TAWANI Foundation and Pritzker Military Foundation to support a wide array of causes. Through our work, were proud to make a difference in areas such as military support, education, historic preservation, and cultural enrichment, helping organizations drive their missions forward."

Through the Pritzker Military Foundation and TAWANI Foundation, Lt. Colonel Pritzker has significantly impacted numerous organizations across the United States, donating millions to causes ranging from military education to environmental stewardship. Her philanthropic efforts extend globally, responding to crises like the tornado in Tennessee and supporting individuals affected by conflict in Ukraine. Lt. Colonel Pritzker's life and work exemplify a profound commitment to integrity and societal betterment, driven by her belief in creating enduring value in every enterprise she undertakes.

Lt. Colonel Jennifer Pritzker served in the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve, and the Illinois Army National Guard for nearly three decades. A historian, businesswoman, investor, developer, and philanthropist, she founded TAWANI Enterprises in 1994. Through a dynamic portfolio of brands, including the Pritzker Military Museum & Library, and not-for-profit interests, TAWANI Enterprises aims not just to grow value for itself but to create things of value shared and enjoyed by its fellow citizens into the future.

To view the complete list of the Best in Biz Awards honorees, please visit their website.

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About TAWANI Enterprises

A visionary umbrella organization with an entrepreneurial outlook, TAWANI Enterprises has a private equity portfolio of startup and mature innovative companies in various industries; and not-for-profit interests. The company offers back-office services to all internal owned companies, including TAWANI Property Management, TAWANI Foundation, Pritzker Military Foundation, Master Wings Publishing, TAWANI Ventures, Mission94 Firearms Education Center and Aurum Trading, a coins and precious medals maker. All investments, for profit and not-for-profit, are based on TAWANIs mission to create opportunities for growth and knowledge and to create things of shared value to be enjoyed by citizens into the future. For more information, visit http://www.tawanienterprises.com

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New York, NY, Jan. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In the era of digitalization, automation, and dynamic social changes, the role of business leaders is undergoing profound transformations. On January 30, 2025, in the heart of Manhattan, at the prestigious Kosciuszko Foundation headquarters, the first in the series of four events  IDEAS+LEADERS Summit  will take place. The conference is aimed at business leaders, innovators, and decision-makers who shape the future of leadership in an ever-changing world and seek knowledge and practical experience in the international environment.





The IDEAS+LEADERS Summit NYC is a conference inspired by the TED format, where participants will be engaged in the impactful presentations and panel discussions. This edition will cover topics such as the future of leadership, team management in the age of automation, and global collaboration. Also the latest UN report "World Economic Situation and Prospects" will be presented during the event.

The program will feature speeches by the recognized experts and leaders from various industries who will share their knowledge and experience in leadership, changing management and innovative solutions for companies. Among them are Prof. Mehmet Tosun from the University of Nevada at Reno, Valerie Trapunsky, founder of ChatterBoss, Marek Skulimowski - President of the Kosciuszko Foundation, Pawel Pietrasienski - Associate Professor at the Warsaw School of Economics, Nilofar Ayoubi - journalist, activist, regional secretary of the World Liberty Congress, Kerry Fisher - founder of Be Extraordinary Publishing, and Dr. Elena Paweta - founder of the training company IDEAS+LEADERS and the organizer of the event ,the expert in communication and leadership, a lecturer at the Warsaw School of Economics. Other leading experts in the fields of leadership, management, technology and organizational culture will also appear.

The Role of Leaders in a Changing Business Reality

As highlighted in McKinseys latest report, Leadership Development Trends 2024, todays leaders face challenges such as burnout, the need for flexible management, and integrating artificial intelligence into decision-making processes. These challenges demand new tasks from the managers. In response, IDEAS+LEADERS Summit NYC will focus on key aspects of contemporary leadership, including:

Changing Role of Leaders  Leaders are no longer just supervisors but also mentors and guides for their teams in the changing world.

Burnout  How to recognize burnout symptoms and manage teams under stress and psychological difficulties.

Micromanagement  How to avoid the pitfalls of micromanagement and build trust within the team instead.

Leadership in the AI Era  How to manage a team effectively while artificial intelligence takes on an increasingly significant role in daily tasks.

The IDEAS+LEADERS Summit NYC is an opportunity for business leaders to learn how to manage change better, motivate teams, and implement innovative approaches to the leadership that provides a competitive edge. All of this will take place in the international and multicultural environment.

Dr. Elena Paweta, the event organizer, emphasizes:

Modern leadership is no longer just about decision-making and team management. It is about adaptability, inspiration, and building bridges between diverse cultures and work environments. As leaders, we face unique challenges  automation and artificial intelligence are reshaping the business landscape faster than we can predict.





Dr. Elena Paweta

The IDEAS+LEADERS Summit provides a space for leaders to reflect on the future of the leadership. We aim to equip participants with practical tools to not only manage teams effectively but also build organizations resilient to the changes and ready for international collaboration. I believe that the transformation we are experiencing is also an opportunity to create a more conscious, inclusive, and sustainable work environment.

Event co-organiser Nilofar Ayoubi says: "Women in leadership face unique challenges, from breaking through glass ceilings to navigating biases in the workplace. At the IDEAS+LEADERS Summit, we aim to not only highlight these issues but also celebrate the incredible achievements of women leaders worldwide."

What Will the Participants Gain?

Through the interactions with the experts and leaders from the various industries, the participants will gain specific skills that can be immediately implemented in their organizations, particularly:

Practical Tools  the Leaders will learn the strategies how to manage teams effectively , increase the engagement, and optimize the company processes.

Networking with the Industry Leaders  The event also provides an excellent opportunity to establish valuable business connections and exchange experiences with the representatives of the leading organizations in the international setting.

Better Preparation for Business Challenges  By analyzing current trends in the management and leadership, the participants will be better prepared for changing market conditions and challenges related to the new technologies and organizational culture.

Kosciuszko Foundation: A Partnership of Tradition and Modernity

The conference will take place in the historic residence of the Kosciuszko Foundation  an institution that has supported cultural and educational cooperation between Poland and the United States for 100 years. The foundation allocates nearly $2 million annually to scholarships, grants, and initiatives promoting Poland. This unique venue symbolizes the mission of the building intercultural bridges and underscores the importance of international cooperation, including the business world.

Upcoming Events in 2025

This is the first event in the series of the international conferences on leadership planned for 2025.

We are excited to inaugurate the IDEAS+LEADERS Summit in New York, the center of global business, says the organizer Dr. Elena Paweta. Later this year, additional conferences will be held in Dubai, London, and Warsaw. Our goal is to become a permanent part of the global discussion on the future of the international business.

Details about the IDEAS+LEADERS Summit NYC are available at: https://ideasleaders.com/summitnyc/
Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Jan. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- January 8, 2025

On Wednesday, January 8th, Professor Michel Sadelain, of Canadian origins, was announced the 2025 laureate for King Faisal Prize in Medicine for his groundbreaking contributions to Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, a revolutionary cancer treatment that has transformed immunotherapy and inspired advancements in regenerative medicine. Professor Sumio Iijima, from Japan, was named the 2025 laureate for King Faisal Prize in Science in the field of physics for his pioneering discovery of carbon nanotubes, which has redefined nanotechnology and enabled innovations across materials science, electronics, and medicine. In addition, the 2025 King Faisal Prize honored remarkable individuals in the field of Islamic Studies. These laureates were celebrated for their exceptional scholarly contributions, innovative research, and enduring impact on enriching cultural and intellectual heritage, further advancing humanity's understanding and appreciation of these fields.

Medicine Prize in Cellular Therapy and the Early Research and Development of CAR T-Cell Therapy by Professor Michel Sadelain

Professor Sadelain's research into CAR T-cell therapy began in the early 1990s, driven by his vision to engineer the immune system to precisely target cancer cells. CAR T cell therapy is a type of cellular immunotherapy that aims to transform T cells, which are immune system cells that have a role in the bodys fight against diseases, to enable them to particularly recognize and attack cancer cells in patients with cancer.

By 1992, his foundational work introduced the concept of genetically modifying T lymphocytes to express Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs). Building on early theories, Professor Sadelains team created the first functional CAR T cells in 2002. These cells, capable of recognizing and attacking cancer-specific antigens, became a cornerstone of immuno-oncology. The innovation concluded in the second-generation CARs, which incorporated costimulatory domains like CD28 and 4-1BB. These enhancements not only amplified T-cell activation and persistence but also improved their efficacy in eradicating tumor cells. By 2003, these landmark studies provided conclusive evidence that CAR T cells could eliminate CD19-positive leukemias and lymphomas in animal models, demonstrating the potential of this therapy to achieve complete remission in hematologic cancers and offering curative possibilities for patients with refractory malignancies.

This discovery translated into the clinical application of CAR T-cell therapy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the therapy in 2017 for treating Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL). This marked a breakthrough in cancer therapy.

Leadership and Recognition

As the founding director of the Center for Cell Engineering at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Professor Sadelain has fostered a dynamic and collaborative environment that seamlessly integrates science and medicine. His leadership has been instrumental in bridging the gap between fundamental research and clinical application, driving innovations that directly improve patient care. In 2024, Prof. Sadelain was appointed the inaugural director of the Columbia Initiative for Cell Engineering and Therapy, further solidifying his position as a trailblazer in the field. In this role, he continues to lead groundbreaking research aimed at advancing cellular therapies and translating them into life-saving treatments.

With over 280 peer-reviewed papers, Prof. Sadelains pioneering research has also resulted in the creation of more than 60 patents, underscoring his significant contributions to the field of gene and cell therapy. His influence extended beyond research, having served on the NIH Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee and as President of the American Society for Gene and Cell Therapy. He is also an elected Fellow of the American Association of Cancer Research, a testament to his enduring impact on oncology and immunology.

Professor Sadelains groundbreaking work has earned him numerous prestigious honors, including the Cancer Research Institutes Coley Award for Distinguished Research in Tumor Immunology, the Sultan Bin Khalifa International Award for Innovative Medical Research on Thalassemia, and the NYIPLA Inventor of the Year award. Among his many honors are the Passano Award, the Pasteur-Weizmann Award, the Gabbay Award, the INSERM International Prize Laureate, and the ARC Foundation Leopold Griffuel Award.

Additionally, he has been recognized with the Outstanding Achievement Award from the American Society for Gene and Cell Therapy and the Clarivate Citation Laureate in Physiology or Medicine. In 2024, Dr. Sadelain was awarded the prestigious Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences and the Canada Gairdner Award, further cementing his legacy as a transformative figure in cellular therapy and medicine.

Science Prize in the field of Physics and The Discovery of Carbon Nanotubes by Professor Sumio Iijima

Prof. Sumio Iijima revolutionized materials science and nanotechnology with his discovery of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in 1991. These cylindrical structures, composed of graphenea single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal latticeexhibit extraordinary mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties, making them one of the most studied nanomaterials in modern science. Prof. Ijima's seminal work, published in Nature, detailed the observation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). These tubular structures, consisting of concentric graphene cylinders, possess diameters ranging from a few nanometers to tens of nanometers. Two years later, Iijima and his collaborators identified single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), which consist of a single graphene cylinder with a diameter as small as one nanometer. This marked a significant breakthrough, as SWCNTs exhibit unique quantum mechanical properties due to their reduced dimensionality.

The discovery of CNTs has catalyzed advancements in numerous fields. In the realm of energy, CNTs are being developed for high-capacity lithium-ion batteries, supercapacitors, and hydrogen storage systems due to their large surface area and conductive properties. In medicine, CNTs are studied for their potential in targeted drug delivery and bioimaging, where their nanoscale dimensions enable precision targeting of diseased cells. In environmental science, CNT-based membranes are being used for water purification and desalination, offering an efficient and scalable solution to global water shortages. Their ability to adsorb pollutants while maintaining high flow rates exemplifies their potential in addressing critical sustainability challenges.

Legacy and Recognition

Prof. Iijima is an honorary fellow of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and a member of prestigious academies worldwide, including the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. His seminal paper on carbon nanotubes has garnered over 58,000 citations, underlining its monumental influence in scientific literature.

He gained global recognition and invitations to prestigious international conferences, including the 2014 KAUST-NSF Conference, where his work was celebrated as foundational to nanotechnology research. His contributions were honored with numerous prestigious awards, such as the Franklin Medal in Physics (2001), the Agilent Europhysics Award, the APS McGroddy Prize, the Imperial Prize, and the Japan Academy Prize. In 2009, he received Japan's Order of Culture Merits, reflecting the national significance of his work.

Internationally, his impact was acknowledged with the Aminoff Prize from Sweden and the Balzan Prize from Italy in 2007, and the European Inventor Award in 2015. His influence extends beyond academia into global scientific communities; he was elected as a member of the Japan Academy and honored as a foreign member of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Honoring Pioneers in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage in King Faisal Prize

In addition to Medicine and Science, King Faisal Prize recognized this year the achievements of an outstanding thinker and scholar in the field of Islamic Studies. Professor Said Al-Said and Professor Saad Al-Rashed have been jointly awarded the King Faisal Prize in Islamic Studies for 2025 for their exceptional contributions to archaeology and the preservation of cultural heritage in Saudi Arabia.

Professor Al-Said, a distinguished Saudi professor at King Saud University, has significantly advanced the understanding of the Arabian Peninsula's archaeological history. His extensive research includes the publication of 91 scientific papers in multiple languages, focusing on the region's rich archaeological heritage. Notably, he co-chaired the Saudi-German excavation project in Tayma, uncovering insights into ancient civilizations.

Professor Al-Rashed, a pioneering Saudi archaeologist, has dedicated over five decades to unearthing and preserving the hidden treasures of Arabia's heritage. His groundbreaking studies on Islamic pilgrimage routes, particularly the Darb Zubayda, and early Islamic cities have provided invaluable insights into the region's historical and civilizational evolution. His work at Al-Rabadha has been pivotal in understanding early Islamic urban planning and culture.

King Faisal Prize for Arabic Language & Literature for 2025 on the topic of Studies of Identity in Arabic Literature was withheld due to nominated works not elevating to the criteria of the prize.

King Faisal Prize laureates names for 2025 were announced today in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, by HH Prince Bandar Bin Saud Bin Khalid and the Prize's Secretary General Dr. Abdulaziz Alsebail.

About King Faisal Prize

Since 1979, King Faisal Prize in its 5 different categories has awarded 299 laureates who have made distinguished contributions to different sciences and causes. Each prize laureate is endowed with USD 200 thousand; a 24-carat gold medal weighing 200 grams, and a Certificate inscribed with the Laureates name and a summary of their work which qualified them for the prize.

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WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, Jan. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GuideOne Insurance announces the appointment of Wei Huang to its board of directors. Huang, who serves as the senior vice president and senior client investment officer at Northern Trust Asset Management, began his term on Jan. 1.

With over two decades of experience in public and private equity investment management, Huang brings a proven track record of managing complex investment portfolios across various asset classes. In his current role, he oversees billions of dollars in discretionary assets for single-family offices and their private foundations, developing tailored strategies to meet diverse mandates and objectives.

Huangs career includes positions as chief investment officer and executive roles at several organizations, including Enboon Family Office, Auto Club Group, Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation and Sentry Insurance. He completed his undergraduate studies at Clark University after transferring from Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Huang holds a Master of Science in finance from Boston College and an MBA with honors from the Wharton School. Additionally, he is a charter member of the CFA Institute and is licensed by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

Wei brings a unique dimension to our boards experience base as we continue to focus on balance sheet strength for our policyholders, said GuideOne Board Chair Bernie Hengesbaugh.

We are thrilled to welcome Weis expertise and vision to our board, added GuideOne President and CEO Ken Cadematori.

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About GuideOne Insurance

GuideOne Insurance is an independent mutual insurer that provides property and casualty insurance and risk management solutions to religious organizations, nonprofit and human services organizations, small businesses and programs markets. Headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, GuideOne strives to Help Make Positive Change Possible by serving as a trusted partner to the people who strengthen and support our communities. For more information, visit GuideOne.com.

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New York, NY, Jan. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The TradeInvestNow.com team is excited to invite you to join tech legend Jeff Brown - this coming Wednesday, January 15, when he's hosting his first strategy session of the year to help you prepare for the inauguration of Americas first-ever pro-crypto president.

Jeff Brown's Event "President Trumps Day One" - What Is All About?

This coming Wednesday, January 15, at 8 p.m. ET, tech legend Jeff Brown will be hosting a special strategy session directly from Washington, DC, called "President Trumps Day One".

Jeff predicts that shortly after his inauguration, President Trump will trigger the biggest crypto boom ever. But he believes the biggest gains will NOT come from Bitcoin. It will come from a small set of rare coins that are powered by a bleeding-edge technology.

Even though these coins are not endorsed by Trump...

Jeff calls these next generation coins Trump coins because he believes they could be the biggest winners of his second term. When you join him this coming Wednesday, hell show you why these coins have been called the next big thing in the cryptocurrency market

What will Jeff Brown share through "President Trump's Day One" event?

When you join Jeff this coming Wednesday, January 15, he will:

Explain why a Trump campaign official said his inauguration on January 20 will be like nothing youve seen in history.

Reveal how President Trumps day-one executive orders could help send Jeffs top five Trump coins higher than anyone can imagine.

Give away the name and ticker symbol of a Trump coin, completely free of charge.

Who Is Jeff Brown?

Jeff Brown is the founder and chief investment analyst for Brownstone Research. Before founding Brownstone Research, Jeff spent 25 years as a high-technology executive. He worked as an executive level for some of the best technology companies in the world, like Qualcomm, NXP Semiconductors, and Juniper Networks.

As an active and successful angel investor in early stage technology companies, he has access to information the public never sees. He is on the front line, in the field, seeing things months, if not years, before the mass market becomes aware.

Jeff has a wide range of technology industry experience. From semiconductors to mobility to broadcasting and video technology to technology infrastructure to IT networking and security to automotive and even consumer electronics hes done it all.

Jeff is an active board member and adviser to several companies and an active angel investor.

Today, Jeff uses his technology, business, finance, and investing expertise to help everyday investors discover companies on the verge of exponential growth.

When Is Jeff Brown's Event "President Trumps Day One"?

Jeff Brown's Event "President Trumps Day One" has been scheduled to take place on Wednesday, January 15, at 8 p.m. ET.

How to sign up for Jeff Brown's Event "President Trumps Day One"?

To get access to Jeff Brown's Event "President Trumps Day One", all individuals have to do is enter their respective emails here. Upon entering, those residing in the U.S. (or have a U.S.-based phone number) will also be presented with the chance of becoming VIPs. As a VIP member, the following extra bonus will be sent out immediately:

Jeff Browns free bonus report, The Hottest IPO of 2025.

Final Word

On January 20th, President Trump will finally take office and according to tech legend Jeff Brown, it will trigger the biggest bull market in the history of the blockchain industry and cryptocurrencies. But Jeff believes the biggest gains will NOT come from Bitcoin. It will come for a small set of coins. Even though these coins are not endorsed by President TrumpJeff calls them Trump coins because they could be the biggest beneficiaries of President Trumps policies.

Which is why hes hosting a special strategy session this coming Wednesday, January 15, at 8 p.m. ET called "President Trumps Day One".

Because back in 2017, President Trumps inauguration kicked off a crypto boom of historical proportions Now, Jeff believes history is about to repeat itself.

About Brownstone Research

Brownstone Research is a boutique investment research firm that consistently delivers insights and profitable investment recommendations to its subscribers.

For too long, the best investment research has not been available to individual investors. It has been typically reserved for investment banks, hedge funds, private equity, and high-net-worth clients.

The mission of Brownstone Research is to make that kind of proprietary research available to any investors looking to gain an edge in the markets. The goal is simple to deliver unique and profitable investment research found nowhere else.

You can contact the Brownstone Research team via the following:

Email: memberservices@brownstoneresearch.com

Phone: 1-888-493-3156

About TradeInvestNow.com

This press release is published by Tradeinvestnow.com.

TradeInvestNow.com was founded by trading education insiders with one simple goal: provide well educated self-directed traders to the material that will truly further their trading success.

Our mission is to give every reader FREE access to the trading articles, events, eBooks and videos that can change their trading lives and careers forever.

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Remember, potential investors should perform their own due diligence and consult with their professional financial, legal, and tax advisors before making their decisions.

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LONDON, Ontario, Jan. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PEARL RIVER HOLDINGS LIMITED (Pearl River) (TSXV: PRH) announced today that it has appointed PFK Antares Professional Corporation, Chartered Professional Accountants, as auditor of the Corporation effective December 23, 2024. The resignation of the Corporations former auditor, Crowe MacKay LLP, was accepted by the Corporation effective November 18, 2024.

About Pearl River

Through its subsidiaries, Pearl Rivers principal business is the manufacturing and distribution of plastic products in China, Australia and the United States of America.

For further information please contact:

George Lunick

CEO

T: (519) 645-0267

E: george@lunick.ca

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT, Jan. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Belpointe PREP, LLC (NYSE American: OZ) (Belpointe OZ, we, us, our or the Company) today announced that its adjourned annual meeting (the Annual Meeting), has been rescheduled for Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. E.T. at the Companys corporate headquarters, located at 255 Glenville Road, Greenwich, Connecticut 06831, to accommodate for the distribution of certain additional materials to its unitholders. Unitholders planning to attend the meeting in person are requested to contact Belpointe OZs Investor Relations team at 1-833-828-2721 or via email at IR@belpointeoz.com for further details.

The record date for the Annual Meeting remains unchanged as October 30, 2024. Unitholders who have already submitted their proxy or voted and do not wish to change their vote do not need to take any additional action.

There have been no changes to the items of business that are scheduled to be voted on at the adjourned Annual Meeting. We encourage all of our unitholders to read our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on November 5, 2024, and other proxy materials related to the Annual Meeting, and Amendment No. 1 to our annual report on Form 10-K/A, filed with the SEC on September 20, 2024, which are available free of charge on the SECs website at sec.gov and on our website at investors.belpointeoz.com/filings.

To request a separate copy of the proxy materials or for further assistance, unitholders may contact our Investor Relations team by:

Phone : 1-833-828-2721

: 1-833-828-2721 Mail : Belpointe PREP, LLC, 255 Glenville Road, Greenwich, Connecticut 06831

: Belpointe PREP, LLC, 255 Glenville Road, Greenwich, Connecticut 06831 Email: IR@belpointeoz.com



Belpointe OZ also today announced that, on January 6, 2025, the Company received a letter from NYSE American LLC (NYSE American) indicating that, as a result of having not held its Annual Meeting by December 31, 2024, the Company is noncompliant with the continued listing standards set forth in Section 704 of the NYSE American Company Guide, and, consequently, the Companys ticker symbol may include a below compliance (.BC) indicator until such time as the Company has held its Annual Meeting and regained compliance with the continued listing standards.

The Company remains committed to maintaining its listing on the NYSE American and will take all necessary steps to ensure compliance with applicable continued listing standards.

About Belpointe OZ

Belpointe OZ is a publicly traded qualified opportunity fund, listed on NYSE American under the symbol OZ. To date, Belpointe OZ has over 2,500 units in its development pipeline throughout four cities, representing an approximate total project cost of over $1.3 billion.

Belpointe OZ has filed two registration statements (including a combined prospectus) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the offer and sale of up to an aggregate of $1,500,000,000 of Class A units representing limited liability interests in Belpointe OZ (the Class A units). Before you invest, you should read Belpointe OZs most recent prospectus and the other documents that it has filed with the SEC for more complete information about Belpointe OZ and the offering. Investing in Belpointe OZs Class A units involves a high degree of risk, including a complete loss of investment. Prior to making an investment decision, you should carefully consider Belpointe OZs investment objectives and strategy, risk factors, fees and expenses and any tax consequences that may results from an investment in Belpointe OZs Class A units. To view Belpointe OZs most recent prospectus containing this and other important information visit sec.gov or investors.belpointeoz.com. Alternatively, you may request Belpointe OZ send you the prospectus by calling (203) 883-1944 or emailing IR@belpointeoz.com. Read the prospectus in its entirety before making an investment decision.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release may be considered forward-looking, such as statements containing estimates, projections, and other forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words and phrases such as anticipate, estimate, believe, continue, could, intend, may, plan, potential, predict, seek, should, will, would, expect, objective, projection, forecast, goal, guidance, outlook, effort, target or the negative of such words and other comparable terminology. However, the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Any forward-looking statements expressing an expectation or belief as to future events is expressed in good faith and believed to be reasonable at the time such forward-looking statement is made. However, these statements are not guarantees of future events and involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors beyond our control. Therefore, we caution you against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed in any forward-looking statement. Except as required by applicable law, including federal securities laws, we do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform them to actual results or revised expectations.

Investor Relations and Media Contact:

Cody H. Laidlaw

Belpointe PREP, LLC

255 Glenville Road

Greenwich, Connecticut 06831

IR@belpointeoz.com

203-883-1944
VANCOUVER, January 7, 2025 - Future Fuels Inc. (the "Company" or "Future Fuels") (TSXV:FTUR)(FWB:S0J) is pleased to announce the appointment Bernd Christmas and Mark Riccio to its board of directors.

Mr. Christmas is a highly esteemed legal professional and advocate for First Nations across Canada, recognized for his extensive experience and unwavering dedication to his field. As of February 1, 2024, he has taken on the role of Senior Counsel at JFK Law. He is situated at JFK Law's Six Nations office in Ohsweken, Ontario.

Mr. Riccio has over 20 years' experience in financial markets, with the majority of time spent in the mining industry. He most recently co-founded Vikara Capital that manages a liquid, digital assets fund. He was previously a Director at Macquarie Group in the Commodities and Global Markets Division in Sydney. Prior to Macquarie, he was a Director at commodities private equity firm Denham Capital in Perth and Houston and Vice President in the investment banking group at Merrill Lynch in Sydney and Los Angeles. He has co-founded a number of businesses including copper and nickel royalty company Nova Royalty. He holds a BS in Finance from University of Colorado Boulder, an MBA from University of Texas Austin and is a CFA Charterholder.

The Company also announces the resignation of Mr. Kevin Bottomley from his role of Director of the Company, effective immediately. The Company would like to thank Mr. Bottomley for his contributions during his tenure that helped guide the company through various strategic decisions.

President, CEO and director Rob Leckie comments "It is a pleasure to welcome Mr. Christmas and Mr. Riccio to our board of directors. Their experience and expertise will undoubtedly serve the interests of our shareholders in advancing our Nunavut project. I would also like to express my gratitude to Mr. Bottomley. His professionalism and insights were of great value to the board. We wish him continued success in his endeavours. On behalf of the company, I would like to thank all three individuals for their commitment to Future Fuels".

Grant of Stock Options

The Company also wishes to announce that it has granted (the "Grant") an aggregate of 4,380,000 incentive stock options (each, an "Option") to purchase up to 4,380,000 common shares of the Company (each, a "Share") to certain directors, officers and consultants under its Equity Incentive Plan. The Options are exercisable for a period of two years from the date of Grant, expiring on January 7, 2027, at a price of $0.44 per Share. The Options will vest immediately.

All Options and the Shares underlying such Options are subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance.

About Future Fuels Inc.

Future Fuels' principal asset is the Hornby Uranium Project, covering the entire 3,407 km Hornby Basin in north-western Nunavut, a geologically promising area with over 40 underexplored uranium showings. Additionally, Future Fuels holds the Covette Property in Quebec's James Bay region, comprising 65 mineral claims over 3,370 hectares. Future Fuels Inc. is publicly listed in Canada on the TSX Venture Exchange, under the symbol "FTUR," and in Germany on the Borse Frankfurt under the symbol "S0J" or WKN: A40TUW. You are invited to find out more at www.futurefuelsinc.com where you can subscribe for News Alerts, or follow us on Facebook, X.com or LinkedIn.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

FUTURE FUELS INC.

"Rob Leckie"

Rob Leckie, CEO

Tel: 604.681.1568

Email: info@futurefuelsinc.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:

This news release may contain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements with respect to the future vesting dates respecting the Options. Forward-looking statements are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements, including risks related to factors beyond the control of the Company. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

SOURCE: Future Fuels Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
VANCOUVER, January 7, 2025 - Rockland Resources Ltd. (the "Company" or "Rockland") (CSE:RKL), announces it has entered into debt settlement agreements with certain creditors to settle outstanding indebtedness totalling $172,500 through the issuance of 3,450,000 Units at a deemed price of $0.05 per Unit. Each unit will consist of one common share and one half of one common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share (a "Warrant Share") of the Company at a price of $0.10 per warrant share for a period of 24 months.

All securities issued in connection with the debt settlement will be subject to restrictions on resale for a period of four months and one day in accordance with applicable securities laws. Completion of the debt settlement remains subject to regulatory and board approvals and completion of customary filings with the Canadian Securities Exchange.

Rockland further announces it has set 475,000 options to consultants and directors of the Company at a price of $0.05 for a period of 2 years in accordance with the Company's stock option plan.

About Rockland Resources Ltd.

Rockland Resources is engaged in the business of mineral exploration and the acquisition of mineral property assets for the benefit of its shareholders.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Michael England, CEO & Director

For further information, please contact:

Mike England

Email: mike@engcom.ca

Neither the Canadian Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Rockland Resources Ltd.


Giant Mining Corp. (CSE: BFG | OTC: BFGFF | FWB: YW5) ("Giant Mining" or the "Company") announces the company has recently updated its corporate website and encourages investors to visit GiantMiningCorp.com.

The company further advises it has updated its Corporate Communications contact details as follows:

E: info@giantminingcorp.com

P: 1 (236) 788 0643

W: www.GiantMiningCorp.com

Investors are further encouraged to join and follow along with the company's journey on social media on Twitter, Linkedin, Youtube and Facebook.

About Giant Mining Corp.

Giant Mining Corp. is engaged in the identification, review and acquisition of latter stage copper and copper/silver/gold assets. This is in direct response to the growing worldwide demand and lack of supply for precious metals fueled by the Green New Deal in the US and most other developed nations with similar programs aimed at addressing climate change. Such programs are heavily reliant on silver, gold and especially copper to produce Electric Vehicles and other renewable power sources, as well as building infrastructure to provide clean and affordable electricity.

The flagship project is the Majuba Hill copper, silver and gold District located 156 miles (251 km) outside Reno, Nevada, USA. Management has been mandated to focus on safe, mining friendly jurisdictions where government regulations are supportive of mining operations.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

On Behalf of the Board of Giant Mining Corp.

"David Greenway"

David C. Greenway

President & CEO

For further information, please contact:

E: info@giantminingcorp.com

P: 1 (236) 788 0643

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS

www.giantminingcorp.com

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Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward?looking information. Such information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by statements herein, and therefore these statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. All forward?looking statements are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to it as well as other factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified by the Company in its public securities filings, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


Vancouver, Jan. 8, 2025 - Emperor Metals Inc. (CSE: AUOZ) (OTCQB: EMAUF) (FSE: 9NH) ("Emperor") is pleased to share additional results from its 2024 drilling program. The program included 8,166 meters of drilling across 19 new drill holes, and assays of approximately 8,000 meters of historical core. To date, 70% of the new drilling assays have been reported, but only 35% of the total assays for the 2024 season (combined 2024 drilling and historical core resampling). All assays should be finalized by mid-February.

CEO John Florek commented: "The intersection of broad zones of multi-gram gold (Au) mineralization with visible gold within the conceptual open-pit model is highly encouraging for future open-pit mining economics. These results highlight significant opportunities in poorly drilled areas within the defined conceptual open-pit model. This reinforces the potential to optimize and expand the currently understood boundaries of potentially viable mining for this deposit. This additional high-grade mineralization, once fully defined, will be vital to increasing our open-pit head grade for potential future mining and our upcoming Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) expected in Q1 of 2025."

Highlights:

DQ24-11 intersects 24.8 meters (m) of 1.8 g/t Au and 56.1 m of 0.5 g/t Au which expands on the low-grade bulk tonnage in the Conceptual Open Pit.

DQ24-12 intersected 21.7 m of 7.2 g/t Au within a broader interval of 38.3 m of 4.1 g/t Au within an area of limited drilling in Emperor's conceptual open pit model.

DQ24-12 intersects 23.5 m of 1.2 g/t Au (within a broader interval of 68.3 m of 0.6 g/t Au) (see Figure 1 and 2).

Full results for DQ24-10 to DQ24-11 and partial results for DQ24-12 have been released from SGS Laboratories (see Table 1 intercept highlights). These results continue to identify significant potential for resource expansion within and along strike of the open pit concept through previously unidentified low grade bulk tonnage zones and discoveries of high-grade lenses containing visible gold within the conceptual open-pit model (Figure 1 and 2).

Emperor is targeting a multi-million-ounce resource in a combination of conceptual open pit and underground mining scenarios. The Property hosts a historical inferred mineral resource estimate of 727,000 ounces of gold at a grade of 5.42 g/t Au.1,2 Emperor is committed to delivering a new Mineral Resource Estimate in Q1 of 2025.

Figure 1: Location of DQ24-10 to 12 DDH.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8461/236364_3eb824e0e41efae3_002full.jpg

Figure 2: Cross section showing the location of DDH24-12 and the significant intercepts in conceptual open-pit environment.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8461/236364_3eb824e0e41efae3_003full.jpg

Figure 3: Visible Gold Occurrences in DQ24-12.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8461/236364_3eb824e0e41efae3_004full.jpg

Drillhole Discussion:

The 2024 drilling continues to validate low-grade bulk-tonnage and high-grade mineralization inside and external to the conceptual open-pit concept.

DQ24-11

Emperor is encouraged by the intersection of multiple mineralized zones in DQ24-11, highlighting significant expansion potential. Notably, Drillhole DQ24-11, located within the conceptual open-pit concept area, revealed a broad interval of 56.1 meters grading 0.5 g/t Au in the hanging wall mafic volcanics, which host previously identified high-grade gold lenses. This zone exhibited moderate to strong shearing and pervasive alteration with carbonate and silica, accompanied by 2-5% pyrite throughout the interval.

Below the conceptual open-pit, Drillhole DQ24-11 intersected a broad zone of interlayered mafic, ultramafic, and quartz-feldspar porphyries within the footwall of the deposit. This interval included 24.8 meters grading 1.8 g/t Au, hosted in highly altered, mineralized mafic volcanics with 1-3% pyrite mineralization. The zone exhibits significant shearing and structural weakness, characterized by mineralized, brecciated mafic volcanic flows, altered and sheared fuchsite-bearing ultramafic rocks, and intrusions of altered quartz-feldspar porphyries. These features underscore the expansion potential of this zone and the robust, well-endowed mineralization identified along its 2.8 km strike length to date.

DQ24-12

Drillhole DQ24-12 intersected multiple zones of continuous low-grade, bulk-tonnage gold mineralization. Most notably, within the conceptual open-pit environment, it encountered 68.3 meters grading 0.6 g/t Au, including a higher-grade interval of 23.5 meters at 1.2 g/t Au. This mineralization, hosted in altered and locally brecciated quartz-feldspar porphyries containing 1-3% pyrite, represents incremental bulk-tonnage gold that will contribute significantly to the upcoming Q1 mineral resource model.

An exciting discovery within the conceptual open-pit environment revealed a 38.3-meter zone grading 4.1 g/t Au, including a high-grade interval of 21.7 meters at 7.2 g/t Au, in an area previously modeled as lower-grade mineralization. This zone contained visible gold, with an exceptional interval reporting 2.5 meters at 57.8 g/t Au (see Figure 3). The presence of visible gold not only validates previously reported positive metallurgical results (Press Release dated November 19, 2024) but also highlights the potential to significantly enhance the deposit's grade through closer drill spacing. This improvement is expected to positively impact the project's overall economics.

These findings are expected to make a significant contribution to the upcoming Q1 mineral resource estimate. A total of 35% of the assays for the 2024 season has been reported to date. By focusing on near-surface drilling for open-pit mining, Emperor aims to economically expand its resource base at lower grades compared to underground mining by targeting near-surface drilling.

Deposits in the region with currently active open pits have been economic at grades equal 0.30 g/t Au (see Agnico Eagles press release dated Feb 15, 2024 - Detour Lake Deposit cut-off grade, pg. 52.)

Strategic Plan

The 2024 drilling campaign at Emperor's Duquesne West Gold Project in Quebec continues to identify extensive low-grade bulk tonnage zones surrounding the previously known high grade areas. These latest results further solidify the project's immense potential and underscore the company's commitment to unlocking substantial value for its shareholders.

The 2024 season leverages advanced exploration techniques to test several scenarios to add ounces and/or expand the footprint:

1) Explore Lower Grade Discoveries: Target additional discoveries within the host rock containing high-grade gold lenses, focusing on the conceptual open-pit model.

2) Increase the Thickness of the High-Grade Lenses: Incorporate previously unaccounted lower-grade gold from the margins of high-grade lenses to enhance their overall thickness.

3) Expand Mineralized Zones: Extend the lateral footprint of mineralized zones along strike and dip.

4) Discover New Zones: Explore potential new zones not yet included in the conceptual open-pit model, with a particular focus on eastward expansion.

These latest results continue to build on the strong momentum generated by last year's drilling program and confirm the presences of extensive low grade bulk tonnage zones surrounding the known high-grade regions.

Table 1 - Intercept Highlights- Host Structures are interpreted to be steeply dipping and true widths are generally estimated to 90%.

Hole No. From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t Au) DQ24-101 92.3 94.3 2 0.13

94.3 95.9 1.6 0.53



Wt. Avg. 3.6 0.3









DQ24-101 104.1 105.5 1.4 0.49

105.5 106.9 1.4 0.12



Wt. Avg. 2.8 0.3









Hole No. From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t Au) DQ24-111 162.1 163.1 1 0.81

163.1 164.45 1.35 0.17

164.45 165.8 1.35 0.48

165.8 168 2.2 0.5

168 170.2 2.2 0.24

170.2 171.2 1 2.25

171.2 172.2 1 0.13 Note2 172.2 173.2 1 0.005

173.2 174.2 1 0.51

174.2 175.2 1 1.04

175.2 176.2 1 0.27

176.2 177.2 1 0.89

177.2 178.2 1 0.03

178.2 179.2 1 0.03

179.2 180.2 1 0.93

180.2 181.2 1 1.67

181.2 182.2 1 0.39

182.2 183.2 1 1.18

183.2 184.2 1 0.91

184.2 185.2 1 0.68

185.2 186.2 1 0.08

186.2 187.2 1 1.11

187.2 188.2 1 1.17

188.2 189.2 1 0.09

189.2 190.2 1 0.07

190.2 191.2 1 0.05

191.2 192.2 1 0.19

192.2 193.2 1 0.9

193.2 194.2 1 0.26 Note2 194.2 195.2 1 0.005 Note2 195.2 196.2 1 0.005 Note2 196.2 197.2 1 0.005 Note2 197.2 198.2 1 0.005 Note2 198.2 199.2 1 0.005 Note2 199.2 200.2 1 0.005 Note2 200.2 201.2 1 0.005

201.2 202.2 1 0.1

202.2 203.2 1 0.01

203.2 204.2 1 0.06 Note2 204.2 205.2 1 0.005

205.2 206.2 1 0.01

206.2 207.2 1 0.005 Note2 207.2 208.2 1 0.005

208.2 209.2 1 0.01

209.2 210.2 1 0.23

210.2 211.2 1 0.005

211.2 212.2 1 1.05

212.2 213.2 1 4.33

213.2 214.2 1 0.07

214.2 215.2 1 0.04

215.2 216.2 1 0.6

216.2 217.2 1 0.62

217.2 218.2 1 2.14



Wt. Avg. 56.1 0.5



Including (170.2 to188.2 m) 18 0.7



Including (179.2 to188.2 m) 9 0.9



Including (179.2 to188.2 m) 7 1.3









DQ24-111 233.2 234.2 1 0.21











234.2 235.2 1 0.28

235.2 236.2 1 0.54

236.2 237.2 1 0.46



Wt. Avg. 4 0.4









DQ24-111 349.3 350.3 1 0.75

350.3 351.3 1 0.02 Note2 351.3 352.3 1 0.005 Note2 352.3 353.3 1 0.005

353.3 354.3 1 0.06

354.3 355.3 1 0.81

355.3 356.3 1 1.47

356.3 357.3 1 0.73

357.3 358.3 1 0.25

358.3 359.3 1 0.11

359.3 360.3 1 0.03

360.3 361.3 1 0.06

361.3 362.3 1 0.11

362.3 363.3 1 0.06

363.3 364.3 1 0.03 Note2 364.3 365.3 1 0.005

365.3 366.3 1 0.02

366.3 367.3 1 0.03

367.3 368.3 1 0.23

368.3 369.3 1 0.55

369.3 370.3 1 0.04

370.3 371.3 1 0.06

371.3 372.3 1 0.02

372.3 373.3 1 0.05

373.3 374.3 1 0.15

374.3 375.3 1 0.63

375.3 376.3 1 0.65

376.3 377.3 1 1.37

377.3 378.3 1 0.02

378.3 379.3 1 0.14

379.3 380.3 1 0.41

380.3 381.3 1 0.04

381.3 382.3 1 0.3

382.3 383.3 1 0.28



Wt. Avg. 34 0.3



Including (349.3 to358.3 m) 9 0.5



Including (374.3 to383.3 m) 9 0.4



Including (354.3 to358..3 m) 4 0.8



Including (354.3 to357..3 m) 3 1.0









DQ24-111 432.6 433.6 1 0.51

433.6 434.6 1 5.52

434.6 435.6 1 3.71

435.6 436.6 1 0.89

436.6 437.6 1 0.31

437.6 438.6 1 2.21



Wt. Avg. 6 2.2









DQ24-111 466.3 467.3 1 0.39

467.3 468.3 1 1.53

468.3 469.3 1 0.33

469.3 470.3 1 0.25

470.3 471.3 1 0.15

471.3 472.3 1 0.1

472.3 473.3 1 0.18



Wt. Avg. 7 0.4









DQ24-111 510.5 513 2.5 0.24

513 515.5 2.5 3.23



Wt. Avg. 5 1.7









DQ24-111 580.2 581.65 1.45 0.49 Note2 581.65 583.3 1.65 0.005

583.3 585.2 1.9 0.31



Wt. Avg. 5 0.3









DQ24-111 614.5 615.5 1 0.21

615.5 616.5 1 0.2

616.5 617.5 1 0.06

617.5 618.5 1 0.74

618.5 619.7 1.2 0.26

619.7 621.1 1.4 0.17

621.1 622.5 1.4 0.02

622.5 623.5 1 0.005

623.5 624.5 1 0.21

624.5 625.5 1 0.1 Note2 625.5 626.5 1 0.005

626.5 627.5 1 0.03

627.5 628.5 1 2.41

628.5 629.5 1 26.63

629.5 630.5 1 11.82

630.5 631.5 1 0.02

631.5 632.5 1 0.05

632.5 633.5 1 0.12

633.5 635.3 1.8 0.04

635.3 636.3 1 0.5

636.3 637.3 1 0.62

637.3 638.3 1 0.31

638.3 639.3 1 0.21



Wt. Avg. 24.8 1.8



Including (617.5 to 638.5 m) 20.8 2.1



Including (617.5 to 638.5 m) 10.8 3.9



Including (627.5 to 630.5 m) 3 13.6









DQ24-111 729.6 730.6 1 0.54

730.6 731.6 1 0.61

731.6 732.9 1.3 0.15



Wt. Avg. 3.3 0.4









Hole No. From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t Au) DQ24-121 155.5 156.5 1 4.65

156.5 157.5 1 8

157.5 158.6 1.1 1.13

158.6 161.1 2.5 1.34

161.1 163.6 2.5 0.01

163.6 166.1 2.5 0.04 Note2 166.1 168.3 2.2 0.005

168.3 170.6 2.3 1.97

170.6 173.1 2.5 1.09

173.1 174.55 1.45 0.78

174.55 176 1.45 0.49

176 177 1 0.18

177 178 1 0.49

178 179 1 0.75

179 180 1 0.03

180 181.8 1.8 0.06 Note2 181.8 183.6 1.8 0.005

183.6 184.6 1 0.1

184.6 185.6 1 0.81

185.6 186.6 1 0.04

186.6 187.6 1 0.11

187.6 188.6 1 0.05

188.6 189.6 1 0.06

189.6 190.6 1 0.09

190.6 191.6 1 0.04

191.6 192.6 1 0.02

192.6 193.6 1 0.02

193.6 194.6 1 1.88

194.6 195.6 1 0.1

195.6 196.6 1 0.18

196.6 197.6 1 0.01

197.6 198.6 1 0.05

198.6 199.6 1 0.03

199.6 200.6 1 0.05

200.6 201.6 1 0.21

201.6 202.6 1 0.52

202.6 203.6 1 0.84

203.6 204.6 1 0.59

204.6 205.6 1 0.43

205.6 206.6 1 0.04

206.6 207.6 1 0.05

207.6 208.6 1 0.07

208.6 209.6 1 0.02

209.6 210.6 1 0.03

210.6 211.6 1 0.02

211.6 212.6 1 0.01

212.6 213.6 1 0.05

213.6 214.6 1 2.13

214.6 215.6 1 0.02

215.6 216.6 1 0.04

216.6 217.6 1 0.005

217.6 218.8 1.2 0.06

218.8 221.3 2.5 0.03

221.3 223.8 2.5 1.23



Wt. Avg. 68.3 0.6



Including (155.5 to 179 m) 23.5 1.2



Including (155.5 to 161.1 m) 5.6 3.1









DQ24-121 258.8 261.3 2.5 0.39

261.3 263.8 2.5 0.13

263.8 266.3 2.5 0.02 Note2 266.3 268.8 2.5 0.005

268.8 271.3 2.5 0.01 Note2 271.3 273.8 2.5 0.005

273.8 275.4 1.6 0.02

275.4 276.4 1 6.77

276.4 277.4 1 1.65

277.4 278.4 1 0.09

278.4 279.4 1 0.06

279.4 280.4 1 0.02

280.4 281.7 1.3 0.02

281.7 283.05 1.35 1.47

283.05 284.4 1.35 0.07

284.4 286.9 2.5 0.01

286.9 289.4 2.5 57.8

289.4 291.9 2.5 0.005

291.9 294.1 2.2 0.13

294.1 295.1 1 0.13

295.1 296.1 1 0.09

296.1 297.1 1 0.21



Wt. Avg. 38.3 4.1



Including (275.4 to 297.1 m) 21.7 7.2



Including (275.4 to 289.4 m) 14 11.1









DQ24-121 346.4 347.4 1 0.4

347.4 348.4 1 0.13

348.4 349.4 1 0.06

349.4 350.4 1 0.28

350.4 351.4 1 0.02

351.4 352.6 1.2 1.1

352.6 354.9 2.3 0.13

354.9 355.9 1 0.09

355.9 356.9 1 0.56

356.9 357.9 1 0.23

357.9 360.4 2.5 0.32

360.4 361.9 1.5 0.05

361.9 362.9 1 1.14

362.9 363.9 1 0.32

363.9 364.9 1 1.22

364.9 365.9 1 0.74 Note2 365.9 366.9 1 0.005

366.9 368.1 1.2 0.29



Wt. Avg. 21.7 0.4



Including (351.4-365.9 m) 14.5 0.5



Including (193.6-365.9 m) 4 0.9 1Host Structures are interpreted to be steeply dipping and true widths are generally estimated to 90%. 2Value reported below detection limit of <0.01. Value was numerically halved to assign a real number.

Quality Assurance and Control

The Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QAQC) was conducted by Technominex, a geological contractor hired by Emperor Metals, which adheres to CIM Best Practices Guidelines for exploration related activities conducted at its facility in Rouyn Noranda, Quebec. The QA/QC procedures are overseen by a Qualified Person on site.

Emperor Metals QA/QC protocols are maintained through the insertion of certified reference material (standards), blanks and lab duplicates within the sample stream totaling approximately one QA/QC sample per 7 samples. Drill core is cut in-half with a diamond saw, with one-half placed in sealed bags with appropriate tags and shipped to the SGS Sudbury laboratory and the other half retained on site in the original core box. A dispatch list consists of 88 or 176 samples along with their corresponding QA/QC samples for a single batch. This allows complete batches (88 samples) for fire assay. A file for sample tracking records tags used and weights of sample bags shipped to the SGS Lakefield. Shipment is done by Manitoulin Transport and coordination by Technominex staff in Rouyn-Noranda

The third-party laboratory, SGS prep laboratory in Sudbury Ontario, processes the shipment of samples using standard sample preparation (code PRP91) and produces pulps from the specified samples. The pulps are then sent off to SGS Burnaby for analysis. Chain of custody is maintained from the drill to the submittal into the laboratory preparation facility all the way to analysis at the SGS Burnaby B.C. laboratory.

Analytical testing is performed by SGS laboratories in Burnaby, British Columbia. The entire sample is crushed to 75% passing 2mm, with a split of 500g pulverized to 85% passing 75 microns. Samples are then analyzed using Au - ore grade 50g Fire Assay, ICP-AES with reporting limits of 0.01 -100 part per million (ppm). High grade gold analysis based on the presence of visible gold or a fire assay result exceeding 100 ppm, are analyzed by Au - metallic screening, 1kg screened to 106m, 50g fire assay, gravimetric, AAS or ICP-AES of entire plus fraction and duplicate analysis of minus fraction. Reporting limit 0.01ppm.

About the Duquesne West Gold Project

The Duquesne West Gold Property is located 32 km northwest of the city of Rouyn-Noranda and 10 km east of the town of Duparquet, Quebec, Canada. The property lies within the historic Duparquet gold mining camp in the southern portion of the Abitibi Greenstone Belt in the Superior Province.

Under an Option Agreement, Emperor agreed to acquire a 100% interest in a mineral claim package comprising 38 claims covering approximately 1,389 ha, located in the Duparquet Township of Quebec (the "Duquesne West Property") from Duparquet Assets Ltd., a 50% owned subsidiary of Globex Mining Enterprises Inc. (GMX-TSX). For further information on the Duquesne West Property and Option Agreement, see Emperor's press release dated Oct. 12, 2022, available on SEDAR.

The Property hosts a historical inferred mineral resource estimate of 727,000 ounces of gold at a grade of 5.42 g/t Au.1,2 The mineral resource estimate predates modern Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (CIM) guidelines and a Qualified Person on behalf of Emperor has not reviewed or verified the mineral resource estimate, therefore it is considered historical in nature and is reported solely to provide an indication of the magnitude of mineralization that could be present on the property. The gold system remains open for resource identification and expansion.

A reinterpretation of the existing geological model was created using AI and Machine Learning. This model shows the opportunity for additional discovery of ounces by revealing gold trends unknown to previous workers and the potential to expand the resource along significant gold- endowed structural zones.

Multiple scenarios exist to expand additional resources which include:

1) Underground High-Grade Gold.

2) Open Pit Bulk Tonnage Gold.

3) Underground Bulk Tonnage Gold.

1 Watts, Griffis, and McOuat Consulting Geologists and Engineers, Oct. 20, 2011, Technical Report and Mineral Resource Estimate Update for the Duquesne-Ottoman Property, Quebec, Canada, for Xmet Inc.

2 Power-Fardy and Breede, 2011. The Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) constructed in 2011 is considered historical in nature as it was constructed prior to the most recent CIM standards (2014) and guidelines (2019) for mineral resources. In addition, the economic factors used to demonstrate reasonable prospects of eventual economic extraction for the MRE have changed since 2011. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to consider the MRE as a current MRE. Emperor is not treating the historical MRE as a current mineral resource. The reader is cautioned not to treat it, or any part of it, as a current mineral resource.

QP Disclosure

The technical content for the Duquesne West Project in this news release has been reviewed and approved by John Florek, M.Sc., P.Geol., a Qualified Person pursuant to CIM guidelines.

About Emperor Metals Inc.

Emperor Metals Inc. is an innovative Canadian mineral exploration company focused on developing high-quality gold properties situated in the Canadian Shield. For more information, please refer to SEDAR (www.sedar.com), under the Company's profile.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

s/ "John Florek"

John Florek, M.Sc., P.Geol

President, CEO and Director

Emperor Metals Inc.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not approved nor disapproved the content of this press release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made and information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. These statements and information are based on facts currently available to the company and there is no assurance that the actual results will meet management's expectations. Forward-looking statements and information may be identified by such terms as "anticipates," "believes," "targets," "estimates," "plans," "expects," "may," "will," "could" or "would."

Forward-looking statements and information contained herein are based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the estimation of mineral resources and reserves, the realization of resource and reserve estimates, metal prices, taxation, the estimation, timing and amount of future exploration and development, capital and operating costs, the availability of financing, the receipt of regulatory approvals, environmental risks, title disputes and other matters. While the company considers its assumptions to be reasonable as of the date hereof, forward-looking statements and information are not guarantees of future performance and readers should not place undue importance on such statements as actual events and results may differ materially from those described herein. The company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or information except as may be required by applicable securities laws.


Almonty Industries Inc. ("Almonty" or the "Company") (TSX: AII / ASX: AII / OTCQX: ALMTF / Frankfurt: ALI) is pleased to announce that the Company has received further commitments, thus increasing the total Placement to raise gross proceeds for the equivalent of A$15.45 million via the issuance of 4.53 million Canadian units and 12.08 million Placement Chess Depository Interests Units ("CDIs") at C$0.82 per Canadian unit and A$0.90 per CDI Unit ("Placement"), respectively. Closing of the Placement was delayed by the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Each Canadian unit and CDI Placement Unit participant will be issued with one warrant for every common share issued and one free unlisted option for every one CDI issued, exercisable at C$1.14 and A$1.25, respectively, with an expiry date of three years from the date of closing. ("Options").

Proceeds from the Placement will be applied towards restructuring the Company's balance sheet and towards offer costs.

The Canadian units and Placement CDI units are expected to settle on or about 20 January 2025. The Canadian Units and CDI Placement Units issued will rank equally with existing CDI's and Common Shares on issue.

The closing of the Placement is subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the acceptance by the TSX and ASX.

RM Corporate Finance Pty Ltd ("RM") has acted as Lead Manager to the Placement and will be paid a fee of 6% on the portion of funds raised by RM.

About Almonty

The principal business of Toronto, Canada-based Almonty Industries Inc. is the mining, processing and shipping of tungsten concentrate from its Los Santos Mine in western Spain and its Panasqueira mine in Portugal as well as the development of its Sangdong tungsten mine in Gangwon Province, South Korea and the development of the Valtreixal tin/tungsten project in northwestern Spain. The Los Santos Mine was acquired by Almonty in September 2011 and is located approximately 50 kilometres from Salamanca in western Spain and produces tungsten concentrate. The Panasqueira mine, which has been in production since 1896, is located approximately 260 kilometres northeast of Lisbon, Portugal, was acquired in January 2016 and produces tungsten concentrate. The Sangdong mine, which was historically one of the largest tungsten mines in the world and one of the few long-life, high-grade tungsten deposits outside of China, was acquired in September 2015 through the acquisition of a 100% interest in Woulfe Mining Corp. Almonty owns 100% of the Valtreixal tin-tungsten project in north- western Spain. Further information about Almonty's activities may be found at www.almonty.com and under Almonty's profile at www.sedar.com.

Legal Notice

The release, publication, or distribution of this announcement in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law and therefore persons in such jurisdictions into which this announcement is released, published, or distributed should inform themselves about and observe such restrictions.

Neither the TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

When used in this press release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. These statements and information are based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and reflect Almonty's current expectations.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Almonty to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: any specific risks relating to fluctuations in the price of ammonium para tungstate ("APT") from which the sale price of Almonty's tungsten concentrate is derived, actual results of mining and exploration activities, environmental, economic and political risks of the jurisdictions in which Almonty's operations are located and changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, forecasts and assessments relating to Almonty's business, credit and liquidity risks, hedging risk, competition in the mining industry, risks related to the market price of Almonty's shares, the ability of Almonty to retain key management employees or procure the services of skilled and experienced personnel, risks related to claims and legal proceedings against Almonty and any of its operating mines, risks relating to unknown defects and impairments, risks related to the adequacy of internal control over financial reporting, risks related to governmental regulations, including environmental regulations, risks related to international operations of Almonty, risks relating to exploration, development and operations at Almonty's tungsten mines, the ability of Almonty to obtain and maintain necessary permits, the ability of Almonty to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permitting requirements, lack of suitable infrastructure and employees to support Almonty's mining operations, uncertainty in the accuracy of mineral reserves and mineral resources estimates, production estimates from Almonty's mining operations, inability to replace and expand mineral reserves, uncertainties related to title and indigenous rights with respect to mineral properties owned directly or indirectly by Almonty, the ability of Almonty to obtain adequate financing, the ability of Almonty to complete permitting, construction, development and expansion, challenges related to global financial conditions, risks related to future sales or issuance of equity securities, differences in the interpretation or application of tax laws and regulations or accounting policies and rules and acceptance of the TSX of the listing of Almonty shares on the TSX.

Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to, no material adverse change in the market price of ammonium para tungstate (APT), the continuing ability to fund or obtain funding for outstanding commitments, expectations regarding the resolution of legal and tax matters, no negative change to applicable laws, the ability to secure local contractors, employees and assistance as and when required and on reasonable terms, and such other assumptions and factors as are set out herein. Although Almonty has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results, level of activity, performance or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and even if events or results described in the forward-looking statements are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, Almonty. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and are cautioned that actual outcomes may vary.

Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. Almonty cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on Almonty's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events.

Almonty has also assumed that material factors will not cause any forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors.

THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF ALMONTY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS PRESS RELEASE AND, ACCORDINGLY, IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER SUCH DATE. READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON FORWARD- LOOKING INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THIS INFORMATION AS OF ANY OTHER DATE. WHILE ALMONTY MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME EXCEPT AS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250108301862/en/

Contact

For further information, please contact:

Lewis Black

Chairman, President and CEO

Telephone: +1 647 438-9766

Email: info@almonty.com
New life insurance company coming

A new life insurance company is planning to launch later this year and has already made some senior hires.

Wednesday, January 8th 2025, 8:17AM

by Jenny Ruth

A South African company specialising in providing insurance for professionals, which already has a presence in Australia, is preparing to launch in New Zealand and has already made some hires of well-known locals.

William Lynch, known as Billy, is the company's local chief executive who has previously worked for Westpac New Zealand as chief operating officer and for Barclays in South Africa, according to his profile on LinkedIn.

The profile shows he has had some involvement of working with PPS in South Africa since 2017 and was also a non-executive director of the Australian company for two years to July 2020.

PPS has already hired Len Elikhis as chief operating and financial officer, who was previously AIA NZ's chief products and investments officer and has also worked for Sovereign, and Adrienne Lowe, a long term Asteron underwriter.

The company has been advertising for other staffers including a lead business analyst, a product and pricing actuary and a chief of staff and is particularly seeking applicants with a life insurance background.

PPS isn't ready to talk about its plans for New Zealand yet but says it may be ready to in a couple of weeks. It is yet to get a licence from the Reserve Bank but Good Returns understands an application has been made.

But it appears to operate in a similar fashion to MAS, a life insurance and investment company for medical professionals, that has been operating here since 1921 and which is also a mutual society.

PPS stands for Professional Provident Society, a mutual organisation formed in South Africa in 1941 by a group of eight dentists to focus on providing life insurance products to professionals such as doctors, lawyers and other professional graduates.

Its website says: It provides tailor-made insurance, investment and healthcare solutions to its members, their families and associates, to create wealth, peace of mind and security during their working lives and in retirement.

PPS Mutual launched in Sydney, Australia in February 2016 and is also a mutual society. It says in 2023/24, the profit-share pool passed A$10.7 million.

The Australian firm requires members to have a four-year bachelors, masters or doctorate degree in a designated professional field or to be currently or previously elibible to practice in their field.

While New Zealand used to have a number of life companies that were mutual societies, and rural specialist FMG is still a mutual society owned by its members, many such as AMP and National Mutual have converted to companies or have been sold.

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Fiifi Coleman Productions launches Private Actors Welfare Scheme for actors

Gifty Owusu-Amoah Showbiz News Jan - 07 - 2025 , 20:27 3 minutes read

To champion the welfare of aged actors, Fiifi Coleman Productions has launched a Private Welfare Scheme in Accra.

The event which took place at Marriott Hotel in Accra on Saturday, January 4, saw a number of veteran actors such as Abeiku Sagoe, Ben Abdallah, Oscar Provencal, Edinam Atatsi, Fred Amugi, Augustine Abbey, popularly known as Idikoko, Mawuli Semevo among a host of others in attendance.

A collaboration with Hollard Insurance, the Private Welfare Scheme aims among other things to secure the future of actors who are mostly left at the mercy of public funds for survival in their old ages when they are struck with illnesses.

Actor Fiifi Coleman

According to actor Fiifi Coleman, the scheme aims to alleviate the financial hardships that often plague actors, particularly during old age or when they fall ill.

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He was optimistic that with the private welfare scheme in place, the narrative will change going forward.

Today, we reclaim our narrative, Today, I present to you the Private Actors Welfare Scheme. We are stepping into an era where our future isnt left to chance. How many times have we seen our colleagues fall sick and watch helplessly as the public rallies to raise funds for their healthcare?

How many funerals have we attended wondering how those who entertained millions couldnt afford a dignified farewell?

This isnt just a crisis but a failed work. A failure of an industry to protect its own. A failure of a community to ensure that the hands that feed them and built our dreams dont crumble in despair. But today, we say enough. Today, we replay or narrative. Today, I present to you the Private Actors Welfare Scheme, he said.

He stated that actors were stepping into an era where their futures would no longer be left to chance, but would instead be secured by the very industry to which they had dedicated their lives.

This scheme is more than financial security. Its dignity, respect and above all, its hope. No longer will we love in fear of sickness or old age. No longer will we depend on charity. Together, we can build a future that every artiste can retire with pride, he added.

Fiifi Coleman also disclosed this his Productions company will pay the premium of 10 people veterans for a start, which received loud cheers from those at the venue.

Eunice Etornam Owusu, Group Business and Partnership Manager of Hollard Insurance speaking at the launch

At the event, Eunice Etornam Owusu, Group Business and Partnership Manager of Hollard Insurance, engaged with the actors, outlining the details and modalities of the scheme.

The actors also used the opportunity to ask questions and clear the doubts about the insurance scheme and package.

The launch which was also an End of Year dinner hosted by Fiifi Coleman Productions was graced by the likes of Mawuli Semevo, Akofa Edjeani, Vivian Opare, Pascaline Edwards, Ken Fiati, Oscar Provencal, George Quaye, Naa Ashorkor, Salinko, Abeiku Sagoe, Edinam Atatsi, Fred Amugi, Nii Saka Brown, Amankwah Ampofo, Irene Opae, Adwoa Smart, Mawuli Semevo, Ben Abdallah among others.

There was also a poetry recital by Nana Asaase, which was commended by Ben Abdallah as a great performance.
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Emmanuel Macron: French President accused of 'contempt' over ''ungrateful' Africa remarks

bbc.com International News Jan - 08 - 2025 , 06:09 3 minutes read

Senegal and Chad have reacted strongly to remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron about African countries being ungrateful over France's role in helping fight militant jihadist insurgencies.

On Monday, Macron said that Sahel states "forgot" to thank France for its role, amid the continuing withdrawal of French troops from West African countries.

He said no Sahelian nation would be a sovereign nation without France's intervention that prevented them from falling under the control of militants.

In response, Chad's Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah said Macron comments had revealed his contempt for Africa.

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"Chad expresses its deep concern following the remarks made recently by [the French president], which reflect a contemptuous attitude towards Africa and Africans," he said in a statement on national TV.

He said "French leaders must learn to respect the African people and recognise the value of their sacrifices".

Senegal's Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko said France had in the past contributed to "destabilising certain African countries such as Libya" which had "disastrous consequences" for the region's security.

"France has neither the capacity nor the legitimacy to ensure Africa's security and sovereignty," he said in a statement.

Macron made his comments at an annual ambassadors' conference in Paris, saying France was reorganising its strategic interests in the region and rejected the idea that it had been forced to withdraw from Africa.

French troops were sent to Mali in 2013 in response to an Islamist insurgency. A year later the mission was extended to take in other countries in the region, including Niger and Burkina Faso.

"We were right [to deploy]. I think someone forgot to say thank you. It's ok it will come with time," Macron said on Monday.

"But I say this for all the African heads of state who have not had the courage in the face of public opinion to hold that view. None of them would be a sovereign country today if the French army hadn't deployed in the region."

Sonko said that in the case of Senegal's decision to ask French troops to leave, Macron's remarks were "totally wrong".

He said there had been no negotiation with France regarding the move to close its military bases in the country.

He said and the decision had stemmed from Senegal's "sole will as a free, independent and sovereign country".

Both Sonko and Koulamallah also cited the role of African soldiers towards the liberation of France in the world wars.

"Had African soldiers, sometimes forcibly mobilised, mistreated and ultimately betrayed, not been deployed during the Second World War to defend France, it would, perhaps still be German today," Sonko said.

Chad, Senegal and Ivory Coast have recently ended security agreements with France - while Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger told French troops to leave following coups.

France's influence in the region has been waning in recent years, amid accusations of neo-colonialism and exploitative relationships with their former colonies.

The junta-led governments in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have moved closer to Russia after the French withdrawal from their countries.

On Monday, Chad's foreign minister said France's contribution in the country was limited to "its own strategic interests" even as Chad had grappled with instability and other issues during their 60- year partnership.

Chad ended its defence agreement with France in November, saying it was "time for Chad to assert its full sovereignty and redefine its strategic partnerships according to national priorities".
Featured

Ghana suspends diplomatic relations with Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic

Kweku Zurek International News Jan - 08 - 2025 , 06:30 1 minute read

The Republic of Ghana has officially suspended diplomatic relations with the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), according to an official statement released by the Kingdom of Moroccos Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates.

The statement said this decision was communicated in a formal document from Ghana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration to its Moroccan counterpart. It said the Ghanaian government confirmed that it would notify the African Union, the United Nations, and the Kingdom of Morocco of its decision through diplomatic channels.

In the statement, Ghana expressed its backing for Moroccos ongoing efforts to find a mutually acceptable resolution to the Moroccan Sahara issue, describing them as good-faith efforts.

Ghana had initially recognised the SADR in 1979. However, this suspension aligns Ghana with 46 other countries, including 13 African nations, that have either severed or suspended their relations with the SADR since 2000.

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The move reflects the broader diplomatic momentum gained by Morocco under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, who has actively championed the Moroccan Sahara cause on the international stage.
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Sam Altman: ChatGPT boss denies sister's allegations of childhood rape

bbc.com International News Jan - 08 - 2025 , 07:28 1 minute read

OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman's sister, Ann Altman, has filed a lawsuit alleging that he regularly sexually abused her between 1997 and 2006.

The lawsuit, which was filed on January 6 in a US District Court in the Eastern District of Missouri, alleges that the abuse started when she was three and Mr Altman was 12.

In a joint statement on X, with his mother and two brothers, Mr Altman denied the allegations, saying "all of these claims are utterly untrue."

"Caring for a family member who faces mental health challenges is incredibly difficult," the statement added.

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"This situation causes immense pain to our entire family."

In the filing, which has been seen by the BBC, Ms Altman alleged that the abuse, which took place over many years, included rape.

The lawsuit added the last instance of the alleged abuse took place when Mr Altman was an adult but she was still a minor.

The lawsuit requested a jury trial and damages in excess of $75,000 (60,100).

Ms Altman has previously made similar allegations against her brother on social media platforms such as X.

Mr Altman is one of the technology world's most high profile figures.

In late 2022, OpenAI launched the ChatGPT generative artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot.
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Colonel Festus Aboagye: Little danger from Captain Traore greeting President Mahama while armed

Kweku Zurek Jan - 08 - 2025 , 13:06 2 minutes read

Security analyst Colonel (rtd) Festus Aboagye has dismissed public concerns over Burkina Faso's leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore, greeting President John Dramani Mahama while visibly armed during Tuesday's Presidential swearing-in ceremony in Accra.

Captain Traores attendance, alongside other dignitaries such as Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and Benins President Patrice Talon, came amid strained relations within ECOWAS. Despite Burkina Faso signalling its intent to leave the bloc, his presence was seen as a step towards reconciliation.

Col. Aboagye, speaking to Citi News, clarified that Captain Traore carrying a sidearm during the ceremony was pre-arranged and posed minimal risk.

At the diplomatic level, when a head of state, like Captain Traore, has been invited, his protocol, state protocol, and Ghanas protocol, foreign affairs to foreign affairs, would have discussed how this head of state was going to attend the ceremony, dressed in his normal camouflage and carrying his sidearm, he explained.

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He added that such arrangements would have been agreed upon by both nations. If the two states, Ghana and Burkina Faso, agreeand that is my assumptionthat he did not arrive carrying his sidearm, but a discussion had taken place and there had been consensus between Burkina Faso and Ghana that that Head of State would arrive wearing his sidearm or carrying his sidearm.

Col. Aboagye also addressed fears of potential misuse of the weapon, noting that the event's security was robust. The only danger could have been that if it was not, hopefully secure on his belt and somebody then snatched the weapon. That other person could have used the weapon to do a bit of damage, but around the dais, there was nobody who was going to have access to the people on the dais or wherever he was sitting. The whole place was riddled with security.

The ceremony, which drew high-profile leaders despite ongoing tensions, highlighted President Mahamas reputation as a unifying figure. According to Col. Aboagye, the presence of Captain Traore and other leaders reflected the expectations placed on Mahama to help reconcile the fractured ECOWAS bloc.

It shows in one breath that diplomatic skills have to give the credit to President John Mahama. Because everybody who came, came because of himwhat they knew of him, what they expect of him, Col. Aboagye remarked.
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Ghana has the human resources to overcome looming power crisis  President Mahama

GraphicOnline Jan - 08 - 2025 , 18:22 2 minutes read

President John Dramani Mahama has expressed optimism that Ghana possesses the human resources necessary to address the challenges of a looming power crisis and restore stability in the energy sector swiftly.

Speaking during a meeting with a delegation from the World Bank, President Mahama acknowledged that while the transition of power had been smooth and cordial, the severity of issues in the energy sector was unexpected. Despite these challenges, he emphasized his confidence in the country's ability to overcome them.

Energy crisis: We have the personnel capable of dealing with the looming power crisis - @JDMahama #JoyNews pic.twitter.com/xe67qEp9zN  JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) January 8, 2025

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The transition has taken place, its been smooth and cordial. But there are few surprises that have come up in respect of the energy sector, and some aspects of government decisions over the seven years. But Ghana has the human resources to deal with the situation and turn things around as quickly as possible, he stated.

The Presidents remarks follow concerns raised by John Jinapor, Member of Parliament for Yapei Kusawgu, who highlighted a critical fuel shortage threatening to plunge the nation into an energy crisis, commonly referred to as "dumsor." According to Jinapor, Ghanas fuel reserves are critically low, with only five hours of supply remaining.

President Mahama assured the public and stakeholders of his administrations resolve to tackle the energy crisis head-on, leveraging the expertise and resilience of Ghanaian professionals to restore stability in the sector.

Meanwhile, the government has convened a high-level technical committee to address the country's looming power crisis, with directives to present a comprehensive roadmap by the end of today, Wednesday, January 8, 2025.
Ghana's democratic transition testament to Africas strength  President Tinubu

Samuel Duodu Jan - 08 - 2025 , 09:57 4 minutes read

The Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has celebrated Ghana's democratic transition, highlighting it as a testament to the strength of African democracy.

"It is time that our continent's critics stop forgetting this right that Ghana, Nigeria, and others have," President Tinubu stated.

"We need not prove ourselves to them. We have nothing to prove to anyone except ourselves," he said.

Speaking as the special guest of honour at the inauguration of President John Dramani Mahama at the Black Star Square in Accra yesterday, President Tinubu also emphasised the symbolic significance of the Black Star, a symbol of Ghana's independence and unity.

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Mahama's leadership

The Nigerian President expressed confidence in President Mahama's leadership, describing him as a man of patriotic vision and substance, and pledged his country's unwavering support to Ghana.

"We share a deep friendship, my dear brother. I'm here to walk with you. You know you can count on Nigerian support at any given time," President Tinubu assured, emphasising the strong bond between the two nations.

He expressed confidence in President Mahama's administration, stating, "I am confident that the new government, under your leadership, will work with Nigeria to strengthen this powerful bond, leading to greater shared progress and prosperity for our people."

President Tinubu also acknowledged the significance of President Mahama's accession to power, noting that it marked a new momentum in pursuing sub-regional integration and progress.

He described President Mahama as "a man of patriotic mission and substance" who loved his nation and people.

High-profile guests

The ceremony, attended by 10 heads of state, two Vice-Presidents and representatives from international organisations, was used to celebrate Ghana's democratic legacy and its high standing on the global stage as far as democratic credentials are concerned.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by dignitaries from across Africa and the world, which marked a significant moment in Ghana's democratic history.

Message for Africa

President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria's support for Ghana and called for a renewed focus on regional integration and progress.

The Nigerian President hailed Ghana's democratic transition as a testament to West Africa's capabilities, stating, "It further demonstrates that in West Africa, we are capable of democratic and productive endeavours."

He emphasised the significance of the moment, saying, "It is a time that our continent is waiting for. It is time that Ghana, Nigeria and other nations keep our nations out of poverty and build strong and resilient economies for our people."

President Tinubu expressed his solidarity with Ghana, declaring, "Today, I am here not only as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, but also as an African in resolute support of Ghana and her people."

He praised the occasion as "a source of pride and honour for Ghanaians, the entire continent, and its diaspora."

Using the symbol of the Black Star, President Tinubu highlighted the shared history and unity of African nations, saying, "The sun is out and the sky may be blue, but I see today a black star rising high in the African sky.

This black star shines over this nation and its rays spread across this continent with a sense of shared history, hope, compassion, unity and devotion to our commonwealth."

He urged African leaders to choose dialogue and unity, warning against external interference and internal conflicts.

He called on them to work together to lift their nations out of poverty so as to build strong and resilient economies.

"We can tackle our people's most pressing problems of poverty, youth unemployment, instability, insurgency and many other problems," President Tinubu stressed.

The Nigerian leader emphasised the importance of solidarity, resilience and collective effort in overcoming poverty, youth unemployment and instability.

President Tinubu also paid tribute to Ghana's founding father, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, and Nigeria's founding fathers, emphasising the need to draw inspiration from their vision and leadership.
Featured

Impending Dumsor? NDC and NPP trade accusations over power supply challenges

Kweku Zurek Jan - 08 - 2025 , 06:49 3 minutes read

As Ghana faces a potential power crisis, the Member of Parliament for Yapei Kusawgu, John Jinapor, and Herbert Krapa, the former Energy Minister, have clashed over the countrys energy preparedness.

Speaking after the inauguration of President John Dramani Mahama in Accra on January 7, 2025, Mr. John Jinapor raised alarms over an imminent return to dumsor (erratic power outages), citing dangerously low fuel reserves.

Jinapor: "We are in for real trouble"

Addressing the media, Mr. Jinapor stated that Ghanas fuel stock is critically low, with just five hours of fuel available.

I have bad news for you, the confirmation we are getting is that we have only five hours of fuel stock. If you look at heavy fuel oil and diesel fuel, we dont have up to two days, and so in two days time, we are likely to run out of fuel, he stated.

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Mr. Jinapor criticised the outgoing administration, accusing them of failing to procure adequate fuel supplies during the transition period.

This administration has not ordered any fuel as we speak, and it takes on average four weeks for the fuel to arrive and four weeks for the fuel to be treated, and so we are in a very serious situation, he told Joy News.

He further disclosed that assurances from the previous government about fuel procurement during the transition proved misleading.

Today, right after President Mahama assumed office and I served on the transition, my checks indicate that we do not have fuel that can cater for even two days, and so clearly we have a major, major problem, Mr. Jinapor emphasised.

Mr. Jinapor warned of a prolonged period of power outages, stating that even immediate action would take weeks to resolve.

We are in for real trouble, he concluded, urging swift measures to address the looming crisis.

Herbert Krapa: "Keep the lights on as we did"

In a sharp rebuttal, Herbert Krapa, the former Energy Minister of the recent government, dismissed Jinapors claims, insisting that there is no impending load shedding.

Load shedding does not loom. It is caused either by technical or emergency power generation issues or a lack of competence in managing the power sector. Mr. Jinapor seems to be haunted clearly by the latter, Krapa stated in a press release.

Mr. Krapa argued that the Akufo-Addo administration left sufficient fuel stock for power generation.

By the time of leaving office, President Akufo-Addos government left in stock, light crude oil which Cenpower currently generates power with, whilst AKSA continues to take delivery of heavy fuel oil which it generates power with. This fact is easily verifiable with a phone call to both power plants, he said.

He challenged the new administration to demonstrate competence in managing the sector, as the previous government did.

The responsibility of the new administration is to not only procure more liquid fuel to keep the lights on, whenever liquid fuel becomes required to complement gas supply, but also plan competently to avert power supply disruptions. We did it and they can do it too, if they can, Krapa added.

Mr. Krapa also urged the NDC government to focus on delivering results instead of laying blame.

The NDC government should get to work as we did, the reason we kept the lights on for eight years, regardless of the difficult times, and stop the needless finger pointing. That is not the way we kept the lights on, he concluded.

Outlook

With both sides trading accusations, the onus now lies on the incoming administration to address the alleged fuel shortage and avert a potential power crisis.

The energy sector remains a critical issue, and Ghanaians are watching closely to see how the new government will respond to these challenges.
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President Mahama convenes crucial meeting on energy generation a day after inauguration

Graphic.com.gh Jan - 08 - 2025 , 10:29 3 minutes read

The government is holding a crucial meeting to decide how to resolve a reported looming energy challenge in Ghana following the transition from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government to the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Timothy Gobah and Kester Aburam Korankye report that President John Dramani Mahama has convened a meeting with energy experts and policymakers from the Ministry of Energy and relevant sector agencies.

On Tuesday, in a terse interview during the inaugural ceremony of the new president, the Member of Parliament for Yapei Kusawgu, John Abdulai Jinapor told Joy News [video attached below] that, the NDC government had just discovered that the NPP government had not procured enough fuel for the generation of power.

He said the entire fuel reserve could generate only up to five hours of power, signaling a looming energy crisis.

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Mahama convenes crucial meeting on energy challenges https://t.co/k3RwqHCzZf pic.twitter.com/BmrutUoFTF  DailyGraphic GraphicOnline (@Graphicgh) January 8, 2025

According to the acting Government Spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Fosu, the energy sector was facing a looming crisis, prompting the government to set up a technical committee to investigate the situation.

He said the committee, commissioned by Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, has until Wednesday evening to come up with a decision on the issues plaguing the sector.

He said the challenges could lead to a significant loss of dependable capacity, with Accra needing around $1.2 billion to purchase fuel for its predominantly thermal power plants.

Related: NDC and NPP trade accusations over power supply challenges

Herbert Krapa: "Keep the lights on as we did"

However in a sharp rebuttal, Herbert Krapa, the former Energy Minister of the recent government, dismissed Jinapors claims, insisting that there is no impending load shedding, reports Kweku Zurek.

Load shedding does not loom. It is caused either by technical or emergency power generation issues or a lack of competence in managing the power sector. Mr. Jinapor seems to be haunted clearly by the latter, Krapa stated in a press release.

Mr. Krapa argued that the Akufo-Addo administration left sufficient fuel stock for power generation.

By the time of leaving office, President Akufo-Addos government left in stock, light crude oil which Cenpower currently generates power with, whilst AKSA continues to take delivery of heavy fuel oil which it generates power with. This fact is easily verifiable with a phone call to both power plants, he said.

He challenged the new administration to demonstrate competence in managing the sector, as the previous government did.

The responsibility of the new administration is to not only procure more liquid fuel to keep the lights on, whenever liquid fuel becomes required to complement gas supply, but also plan competently to avert power supply disruptions. We did it and they can do it too, if they can, Krapa added.

Mr. Krapa also urged the NDC government to focus on delivering results instead of laying blame.

The NDC government should get to work as we did, the reason we kept the lights on for eight years, regardless of the difficult times, and stop the needless finger pointing. That is not the way we kept the lights on, he concluded.

Outlook

With both sides trading accusations, the onus now lies on the incoming administration to address the alleged fuel shortage and avert a potential power crisis.

The energy sector remains a critical issue, and Ghanaians are watching closely to see how the new government will respond to these challenges.
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'They kept dumsor crisis from us until final notes' - John Jinapor

Mohammed Ali Jan - 08 - 2025 , 12:04 2 minutes read

The Member of Parliament for Yapei Kusawgu, John Abdulai Jinapor, who was co-opted into a technical committee under the Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee of the Transition Team has alleged that, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government kept information about the availability of fuel to power energy generation away from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) team until the final notes.

He claimed that the lack of this early warning signal about fuel shortages is why the NDC team was unable to act upon it.

He claimed that his limited role and late inclusion in the process prevented earlier intervention.

He was speaking in an interview with Joy FM on Wednesday morning [December 8, 2024].

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Mr Jinapor clarified that he was not an original member of the main transition committee but was later co-opted into a technical committee under the Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee.

"By the time they had done all this, we were around December 30, and then they gave us the handing over notes," Mr Jinapor explained, detailing how his team discovered the fuel stock issues while reviewing these documents.

According to Mr Jinapor, an emergency meeting was convened approximately two weeks before the handover after his team identified the fuel shortage risks.

He said the outgoing administration had assured the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo) about fuel procurement but failed to follow through.

"The [Energy] minister [Herbert Krapa] assured us that right after the meeting, they were going to take steps to procure the fuel," Mr Jinapor stated, explaining why he initially remained quiet about the situation.

"In the energy sector, you ought to be cautious with how you manage information."

This explanation comes amid conflicting claims about Ghana's fuel reserves, with former Energy Minister Herbert Krapa maintaining that adequate fuel stocks were left by the previous administration, while Jinapor warns of critical shortages that could lead to power outages.

Mr Jinapor defended his recent public statements about the fuel situation, stating, "I do not regret putting the facts out before President Mahama assumed office," though these warnings came after the period when fuel orders could have been placed.

Watch a video of Mr Jinapor speaking about the issue at Tuesday's inauguration in an interview with Joy News while the inaugural ceremony was still underway
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Its unacceptable to describe NPP as micro-minority in Parliament - Afenyo-Markin protests Speakers description

Nana Konadu Agyeman Politics Jan - 08 - 2025 , 17:28 3 minutes read

The Minority in Parliament today vehemently objected to the Speakers description of the caucus as a micro-Minority.

During the correction of Votes and Proceedings at the beginning of the first sitting of the Ninth Parliament, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, remarked that it was his duty to protect the micro-Minority in the Chamber.

The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, took strong exception to the Speakers use of the term, insisting that the rules of the House recognised only the Minority and the Majority.

Mr Speaker, the Minority Caucus hereby protests the description given to us by Mr Speaker. We find this unacceptable, he said. He explained how the Minority had seconded the proposal and the motion for the Speakers election.

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We are the minority, not micro-minority - Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin responds to Speaker Alban Bagbin#TV3GH pic.twitter.com/KiqzKPrLmy  #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) January 8, 2025

From today, nobody should ever use the term micro-minority to describe the NPP caucus in parliament - Alexander Afenyo-Markin#3NewsGH pic.twitter.com/Brv0tduTXY  #3NewsGH (@3NewsGH) January 8, 2025

Protect us

Mr Afenyo-Markin further claimed that when the Majority was conspiring against the Speaker, it was the Minority that protested and stopped such actions.

Mr Speaker, it was us, the Minority of conscience, who protected you; in fact, but for us, you would not be the Speaker.

We do not accept the description micro-Minority; we are Minority, simplicita, he declared, urging the Speaker to simply describe the New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucus as the Minority.

The Effutu MP expressed concern that the Speaker might be assisting the Majority in their debates. Mr Speaker, you seem to be doing their debate for them.

We are the official Minority, and there cannot be any other description. It should not be used by anybody on the floor of this House.

From today, nobody should use that term in this House, Mr Afenyo-Markin stressed, calling on the Speaker to protect the Minority.

Minority Leader misled me

Responding to the protest, Speaker Bagbin acknowledged the Minority Leaders concerns, admitting that the term micro-Minority was not recognised by the rules of the House.

He is totally right, and I would say that he himself (Afenyo-Markin) misled me because he himself has used the term micro-Minority.

Honourable Members, the objection is to the fact that the term should not be formally recognised in the records of Parliament, and I agree with you, the Speaker conceded.

However, Mr Bagbin clarified that while the term should not be used by the Speaker, it could be used by the Leaders in their discussions. Despite this clarification, his assertion that the term was not subject to debate seemed to fall on deaf ears in the House.
Asus ROG Phone 9 and ROG Phone 9 Pro are finally available in the US

The Asus ROG Phone 9 and ROG Phone 9 Pro were unveiled back in November, with the US launch planned for January 2025. Well, here we are in January 2025, and the two flagship smartphones have now finally become available in the US.

The recommended pricing is $999.99 for the ROG Phone 9, $1,199.99 for the ROG Phone 9 Pro, and $1,499.99 for the ROG Phone 9 Pro Edition. Currently, Asus' online store has a $100 off deal on the ROG Phone 9, bringing its price down to $899.99. It's unclear how long this introductory deal will last, however.

The ROG Phone 9 comes with a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED screen with 185 Hz refresh rate and 2,500-nit peak brightness, the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, 12/16GB of RAM, 256/512GB of storage, a triple rear camera system (50 MP main with gimbal OIS, 13 MP ultrawide, 5 MP macro), a 32 MP selfie camera, and a 5,800 mAh battery with 65W wired and 15W wireless charging support. There's also an 85-dot programmable Mini-LED matrix on the back.

The Pro ups the Mini-LED dots to 648 and brings a 32 MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom to replace the macro cam, while the Edition ups the RAM to 24GB and the storage to 1TB while also packing a bundled AeroActive Cooler X Pro.

To learn more about these phones, enjoy our video review embedded above or read our in-depth written review.

ROG Phone 9 | ROG Phone 9 Pro and ROG Phone 9 Pro Edition
Lenovo is launching a host of new Legion-branded gaming devices  handheld consoles, laptops, desktops, monitors and also a tablet. The successor to the Legion Tab boosts performance, improves cooling and is coming later this month.

The big upgrade on the Lenovo Legion Tab (2025) is the switch to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset  its not the latest, but this will bring a massive performance increase over the 8+ Gen 1 of the previous slate.

Also, keep in mind that this is a $500 tablet. For this price, youre getting 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM (8,533MHz) and 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage. Lenovo made the ColdFront vapor chamber 14% larger to improve cooling.



Lenovo Legion Tab (2025) with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and improved cooling

Another upgrade is the screen  its still an 8.8 LCD with 2,560 x 1,600px resolution (16:10), but now its refresh rate goes up to 165Hz (up from 144Hz). Its brighter too, at 500 nits normally and up to 900 nits in high brightness mode. The display has 98% DCI-P3 coverage and supports HDR10.

The new chipset brings extra oomph as well as new connectivity. Wi-Fi 7 (including the 6GHz band) is now supported for a lower-latency connection, as is Bluetooth 5.4.

As before, the tablet has two USB-C ports  one on the bottom and one on the side  with passthrough charging. This extends the life of the 6,550mAh battery and reduces heat if you use an external power source. Note that only one port is wired for fast data (10Gbps), the other is USB 2.0.

Two USB-C ports (3 and 4)

The Lenovo Legion Tab (2025) comes with Android 14 out of the box with Legion Space and Game Assistant, which will help you balance performance and battery life, as well as toggle various game-related features. Lenovo is promising three OS updates.

The tablet has a metal chassis (available only in Eclipse Black) that weighs the same as the previous model at 350g/0.77lbs but is a bit thicker at 7.8mm/0.31 (up from 7.6mm/0.30).

For audio, there are a pair of 2712 superlinear speakers with Dolby Atmos support plus two microphones. There is a 13MP camera on the back (and a 2MP macro module), the front has an 8MP camera.



Lenovo Legion Tab (2025)

The Lenovo Legion Tab (2025) will be available later this month at $500. You can find it on the Lenovo US site if you want a closer look.

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More steps afoot to boost property sector

15:23, January 08, 2025 By Wang Keju ( China Daily

A worker installs an elevator for an aging urban residential building in Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region. (Yuan Hongyan/Xinhua)

China will roll out more stimulus measures to push urban renewal projects this year in a bid to scale up effective investment and shore up domestic demand in the face of rising global uncertainties, analysts said.

As the world's second-largest economy has put boosting domestic demand high on its economic work agenda this year, the urban renewal initiatives, which will leverage public funding and private capital, will effectively drive investment  a key component of domestic demand, they added.

The country will accelerate the transformation of aging residential neighborhoods, industrial areas, and urban villages, as well as strengthen underlying urban infrastructure, the State Council, the country's Cabinet, said on Friday during the first executive meeting of 2025.

By the end of this year, China aims to complete the renovation of old urban residential communities built before the end of 2000, said the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development in late December during its annual work conference.

The country is also scheduled to complete the renovation of aging gas pipelines that have been identified, and eliminate stagnant bodies of water in county-level cities in 2025, as outlined during the meeting.

Prior to the December meeting, Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Ni Hong said in October that the country plans to renovate an additional 1 million units in run-down urban villages or properties identified as dilapidated, with measures including providing monetary compensation to residents.

Later in November, the country's policymakers expanded the scope of urban village renewal initiatives. What was once limited to 35 major cities has now been extended to 300 urban areas nationwide.

The renovation of 1 million such units is expected to help clear 200 million square meters of commodity housing inventory through monetary compensation, housing vouchers, and government-led acquisitions of existing commercial housing units for resettlement purposes, said Xia Lei, chief analyst at Sealand Securities.

Moreover, by repositioning land in certain urban villages, the government aims to better align redevelopment with evolving market needs, unlocking an estimated 500 billion yuan ($68.3 billion) in construction investment, Xia said.

Eligible urban village redevelopment initiatives will have access to a range of policy support measures, including local government special bond financing, special-purpose loans from policy banks, as well as relevant tax and fee incentives, according to government authorities.

Earlier last year, the Ministry of Finance announced the first batch of 15 cities selected to receive central government financial support for urban renewal projects to begin in May 2024.

Cities in eastern China will receive up to 800 million yuan in total central government assistance, while those in central and western regions, as well as the country's four municipalities, will be eligible for up to 1 billion yuan and 1.2 billion yuan, respectively, according to the funding standards.

In addition to government-backed financial support, the State Council also places a high premium on improving market-based financing models to attract greater private-sector participation in the country's urban renewal initiatives.

Given the sheer scale, lengthy implementation timelines, and complex planning requirements of these urban renewal projects, the traditional model of relying solely on government-driven fiscal support is simply not sustainable over the long run, said Su Jian, director of the National Center for Economic Research at Peking University.

Over the next five years, underground plumbing and wiring alone will require a total investment of around 4 trillion yuan, with an estimated 600,000 kilometers of aging gas, water, and heating lines in need of upgrades, said the National Development and Reform Commission in September.

To ensure the viability and scalability of these renewal efforts, it's imperative to focus on mobilizing a diverse array of stakeholders and funding sources, with the government playing a crucial role in unleashing market dynamics, Su said.

The key is the careful selection of urban renewal projects that offer investors clear avenues for reasonable returns. This could include the redevelopment of aging residential compounds, the construction of toll roads, and other initiatives that can generate predictable revenue streams and attractive investment returns, Su added.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
Samsung Galaxy A36 is headed to the US, Galaxy M06 5G and F06 5G get certified

The international version of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy A36 ran Geekbench back in October, and today the same happened but with the US-bound model. This confirms that the A36 will be sold in the US, and also confirms the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 SoC that the phone will use.

The prototype tested this time around came with 6GB of RAM, but more options could be offered upon launch. It managed a single-core score of 967 and a multi-core score of 2,750 in Geekbench 6.3.0.

The device will run Android 15 out of the box, which means we're probably still many weeks away from its launch, as the first Samsung phones to come with the latest OS version will be the Galaxy S25 family, due to be announced later this month.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy M06 5G and Galaxy F06 5G both got Wi-Fi certified, and they both have support for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands.

Via
Last year Huawei stunned the world with the Mate XT, a "tri-fold" smartphone (it folds twice, not three times, by the way). And ever since its introduction we've been wondering when another smartphone maker would come out with its own tri-fold device.

The answer now seems to be "in the second half of 2025", if we go by a new report out of Korea. And it will be Samsung introducing its own version, though when it launches it will be available in a very limited quantity - less than 300,000 units, to be precise.

Huawei Mate XT

This is obviously due to the insanely complicated production required for such a device, but we're sure that Samsung will find ways to improve its production capacity if the device turns out to be extremely successful.

That, however, may be hard since it's perhaps not unexpectedly rumored to arrive at the highest price a Samsung foldable ever launched for. The Samsung device's screen will be made by Samsung Display. It will allegedly fold in a different way compared to the Huawei Mate XT, and when it's fully folded the folding screen won't be exposed on one side. This aims to improve durability.

Huawei Mate XT

The screen size will differ because of the new folding mechanism. The device will not have an under-display camera.

Source (in Korean)
Xiaomi unveiled the 14 Ultra for global markets during Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona last year at the end of February, only a few days after its Chinese launch. The 15 Ultra is coming, and you may have been wondering when it will get official.

According to a new rumor out of China, Xiaomi will once again announce its top of the line flagship phone for global markets at MWC, which this year takes place at the beginning of March.

Xiaomi 14 Ultra

Just like last year, the 15 Ultra is expected to be introduced for the Chinese market at the end of February, a mere few days before the global launch at MWC.

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra will thus be the first ultra high-end Chinese Android smartphone to arrive this year. The phone is expected to be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, and to have a "2K" OLED screen with 120 Hz refresh rate. It's likely to get a 6,000 mAh battery with support for 90W wired and 50W wireless charging.

On the rear, rumor has it we'll see a 1-inch type Sony Lytia LYT-900 sensor for the main camera, a 50 MP ultrawide using the Samsung ISOCELL JN5, a 50 MP close range telephoto, and a 200 MP periscope telephoto which will be marketed to enable 100x hybrid "AI" zoom.

Source (in Chinese)
A motorist who repeatedly asked police to let him go after he was stopped for traffic infractions was arrested when drugs were found in his vehicle, according to a magistrates complaint filed in Superior Court.

Ignacio A. Villanueva, 55, was charged with possession of a Schedule II controlled substance as a third-degree felony.

At 10:57 p.m. Sunday, an officer stopped a vehicle traveling without a front license plate and with defective rear license plate lamps.

When the officer spoke with Villanueva, he immediately apologized and asked if he could leave, cutting off the officer, according to the complaint.

The officer again explained why she stopped him, and he interrupted her, insisting he would fix the lights and asking her to let him go.

He said he had new lights in the back seat of the vehicle, and tried to reach back several times, which made the officer concerned for her safety, the complaint stated.

Villanueva asked to leave several more times, and denied having any weapons in the vehicle. He consented to a search of the vehicle and a bag he was trying to conceal. In the bag, the officer found crystal methamphetamine and a clear pipe with methamphetamine residue, according to the complaint.

He initially stated the items belonged to a friend, then later said he had been smoking methamphetamine for about a year and the items belonged to him.

Villanueva faces three years in prison if convicted of the charge. He was released on a $3,000 personal recognizance bond.
American Rescue Plan Act money under the governors control is down to about $183.7 million and can no longer be moved around, according to the latest ARP fund status report and Bureau of Budget and Management Research Director Lester Carlson.

Carlson on Tuesday said zero dollars will be returned to the federal government following a Dec. 31 deadline to obligate the money.

Some $434.9 million of the total $618 million received by the government has been spent or transferred out, according to the latest ARP report from BBMR.

Some $177.2 million is encumbered, while a $6.5 million balance has been obligated for future use, according to Carlson.

Outstanding big-ticket items on the ARP report include $104.8 million for new hospital construction, $14.37 million to renovate the Sinajana Fire Station, $12 million for the Guam Police Departments communication system, and $7.25 million for contracts through the Department of Public Works.

The Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority retains about $5.18 million to buy more property for a new hospital, even after the purchase of 48 acres and movement to condemn another 42 acres in Mangilao, according to the report.

Meanwhile, around $5 million earmarked for property acquisitions is no longer reflected in the report.

There is about $850,000 encumbered for renovations to the historic chancery property that GovGuam bought from the Archdiocese of Agana at a cost of $2.3 million late last year.

Additionally, BBMRs Carlson said about $645,000 allocated for property acquisition for future government services corresponds to bids put out on other archdiocese properties that were put on sale as part of the churchs bankruptcy process.

ARP funds have been shuffled around by Adelup from priority to priority since Guam started receiving the money, totaling $618.5 million meant for COVID-19 pandemic response and economic recovery.

Most notable is funding for a new hospital, which has shrunk to just a third of the initial $300 million Gov. Leon Guerrero planned to reserve, as money has been moved to accommodate various emergencies faced by the government, to include a cash crunch at the current Guam Memorial Hospital.

But Carlson said the funds are now locked into whatever spending area theyve been put towards.

Burden attached to large windfall

He said having the money has been a large windfall for the government, but there was also a burden attached to it, given competing interests and various needs at different agencies.

You can always say no, when we didnt have money, Carlson said. But then when you have this windfall, right, also, everybody thinks, well, you know, can you find a way to make it eligible? Can you find a way to make my request work?

GovGuam has until the end of 2026 to spend the remaining funds.

Carlson also clarified that a $6.5 million balance which is listed as neither expended nor encumbered on the ARP report is obligated to eligible future uses.

For example, theres a $795,383.13 balance for the Office of Homelessness and Poverty Prevention, mostly assigned to salaries and benefits, because lawmakers opted to not fund the office in the most recent budget cycle, he said.

There are also several negative balances for different agencies and projects listed on the report that were made in error, which will be corrected pending information from the Department of Administration.

Theres nobody thats overspending, Carlson said.

Carlson also stressed the effort that had gone into ensuring the money was not returned.

The bottom line is, one of the things that we did to get all the deficit that the governor inherited when she took office was to use to the fullest extent possible federal funds and to not return federal funds, he said.

Were not returning any of this, he added.

Contentious

Spending of ARP money has been a contentious matter, with Sen. Telo Taitague and others pointing out that multiple expenditures have not been clearly connected to the COVID-19 pandemic recovery, including buying TVs, sofas, work boots, and paying for employee drug testing.

Most recently, Attorney General Douglas Moylan has argued that $104 million for hospital construction should be reprogrammed, due to alleged illegalities in the acquisition and condemnation of some 90 acres in Mangilao for the facility.

Moylan has argued the $104 million could be lost, and in December launched a federal lawsuit to block the use of the funds.

The governor earlier this week shared more plans for the funds, which the Guam Economic Development Authority is now using to start the installation of utility hookups at the hospital site.

Heres a list of encumbered but not yet spent ARP funding areas as of Dec. 31:

$104.8 million for a new GMH

$14.36 million Sinajana Fire Station renovations

$12 million for a GPD communication system

$7.25 million for DPW contracts

$5.18 million for GHURA new hospital property acquisition

$5.4 million for DPW Guam Highway program

$4.6 million universal collection upfront capital costs

$3.35 million for GPD capital outlay and equipment

$3.33 million for the Department of Revenue and Taxation IT and contractual needs

$1.55 million for Department of Agriculture contracts

$1.06 million for a hospital step down facility

$850,000 for the recently purchased chancery

$772,500 for the Guam Fire Department local mobile radio system

$750,000 for Guam Waterworks Authority surveying services

$723,167.91 for DPW transportation maintenance

$647,200 for the Department of CHamoru Affairs contracts

$509,952.56 for the Office of Veterans Affairs contracts and equipment

$504,952.36 for DPW bus operations

$469,346 for DOA information and contractual needs

$320,240 for Department of Public Health and Social Services supplies

$288,000 for DPW capital improvement project permits

$214,869 for Mayors' Council of Guam equipment

$166,005 for Malesso flood risk feasibility study

$161,030 for Bureau of Statistics and Plans coastal signage expansion project

$150,553.25 for Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center contracts

$131,212.65 for Bureau of Womens Affairs salaries, benefits, contracts, supplies

$113,844 for the Office of Homeland Security operations

$107,000 for Hagatna shoreline feasibility study

$100,156 for BSP contracts

$96,706 for Department of Corrections jail management system

$89,500 for BSP's Tourism Recovery Plan

$87,862.50 for Commission on CHamoru Languages rent

$72,406.61 for Department of Youth Affairs juvenile justice program

$73,766.82 for DISID contracts, supplies

$71,930.43 for DOC contracts

$68,523.96 for Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities contracts

$65,170.40 for Guam Environmental Protection Agency equipment

$51,799 for quarantine facilities

$50,391 for Chief Medical Examiner contracts

$49,355.82 for GBHWC supplies, equipment

$45,127.90 for BSP sub-grant

$43,075 for Department of Parks and Recreation capital outlay

$38,158.25 for Public Health contracts

$32,984.49 for Office of Technology contracts

$27,228.33 for Public Health senior services contracts

$11,021.99 for Department of Military Affairs supplies, equipment

$9,541.09 for DOC supplies

$8,196 for Department of Labor supplies, equipment

$7,190.38 for Civil Service Commission

$6,129.81 for Guam Ancestral Lands Commission

$6,220.45 for Homeless Housing and Safe Haven Program contracts, supplies

$4,950 for DPR equipment

$4,600 for DISID telephone

$745 for GBHWC rent

$642.86 for DISID supplies

$564.86 for Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission contracts, supplies

$50.25 for Guam Public Library System contracts

$44.77 for DPR contracts

$25.14 for DPR supplies

Here are the balances obligated for future use:
Ron McNinch is a longstanding member of the Guam community and frequently gives his opinion on a wide range of topics.




Haiti - FLASH : Arrest of 12 illegal fishermen in Dominican waters in 48 hours





On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, as part of the actions to guarantee the integrity of the maritime resources of the Dominican Republic, the Dominican Navy (ARD) intercepted an artisanal boat with 3 Haitian fishermen on board, who were carrying out illegal fishing activities in waters under Dominican jurisdiction in Pepillo Salcedo, Monte Cristi.



During the intervention, the 3 Haitian fishermen in an irregular migratory situation were arrested and placed at the disposal of the General Directorate of Migration (DGM) for the corresponding legal procedures.



It should be recalled that on Monday, January 6, four other artisanal boats equipped with 15 HP engines that were carrying out illegal fishing activities in national waters off Pedernales were intercepted.



During the operation, 9 Haitian fishermen without documents were arrested and handed over to DGM agents, while the 4 boats were seized and handed over to the Miramar detachment of the ARD.



In addition, regarding the rumors circulating that Haitians are using the maritime zone to illegally enter the Dominican Republic, Vice Admiral Luis Rafael Lee Ballester, Director General of Migration, said "This information has been analyzed and refined. I have worked with the Commander General of the Navy, with the J-2 (intelligence service), and so far, the Navy personnel have not found evidence validating these rumors, however, we remain vigilant."



S/ HaitiLibre


















Telepaatti, a Finnish cable layer, was dispatched to repair the cables on Thursday, 2 January. The vessel has since moved on to start repairs on another data cable damaged on the same day.

ELISA on Tuesday reported that two of its submarine data cables have been repaired after the damage caused presumably by Eagle S, a Cook Islands-flagged oil tanker that is part of the shadow fleet of Russia, on Christmas Day.

Elisa has declined to provide an estimate of the costs of the repairs. Both Elisa and Fingrid, the Finnish power transmission grid operator, called for the seizure of the oil tanker linked to the damaged cables in a petition submitted to the District Court of Helsinki on Thursday.

Weve requested that the vessel be seized to secure our receivables. The damage has caused various costs, Jaakko Wallenius, the director of security at Elisa, confirmed to YLE on Thursday.

Fingrid similarly communicated last week that it has called for the vessels seizure in order to secure its receivables for the damage caused to Estlink 2, a power transmission link between Finland and Estonia. Marina Louhija, the director of legal affairs at Fingrid, said to the public broadcasting company that the seizure petition concerns only the vessel, not its cargo  around 35,000 tonnes of unleaded petrol.

The cargo isnt what caused the damage, but the vessel is, she explained.

Eagle S is believed to have damaged the power transmission link, along with three data cables, by dragging its anchor and anchor chain along the seabed on 25 December 2024. The vessel was seized as part of a criminal pre-trial investigation led by the National Bureau of Investigation (KRP) on Sunday, 29 December.

Louhija last Thursday reminded YLE that the KRP seizure relates to the coercive measures act and criminal law. Fingrids seizure petition, by contrast, is an attempt to secure compensation for damage in a civil law case.

Theyre in a way two separate legal processes, and thats why a separate request has to be filed. Because we have different grounds [for the seizure], she said.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
The issue is particularly pronounced in fields such as humanities, arts, natural sciences, and engineering, where many fail to find work within a year of graduating.

A growing number of highly educated individuals in Finland are facing significant employment challenges, with 1,400 PhD holders currently unemployed. Two-thirds of them are long-term unemployed, according to Finnish customs data and labour market studies.

While Finnish doctoral programs primarily train researchers, only a third of PhD graduates secure positions in academia. Companies and municipalities are the next largest employers, but the transition is not always smooth.

Employers often fail to fully utilise the transferable skills of PhD graduates, said Suvi Liikkanen, Career Services Director at the Union of Professionals in Natural, Environmental, and Forestry Sciences (Loimu). Many PhD holders excel in project management and analytical thinking, yet struggle to showcase their abilities to potential employers.

Meanwhile, Finland's employment services have been criticised for their inability to effectively assist unemployed PhDs. A study by the Labour Institute for Economic Research (Labore) revealed that some PhD graduates were offered jobs far below their qualifications, such as cleaning parks or working as janitors.

Anna Idstrom, a Labore researcher, expressed hope that the transfer of employment services to municipalities might improve support for this group, especially in cities with large university populations like Helsinki.

Some experts and unions are questioning whether Finland is training more PhDs than the job market can absorb. Despite this, the government plans to fund universities to train 1,000 more PhDs by 2027, with a goal to strengthen private sector innovation.

Minister of Science and Culture Sari Multala defended the initiative, highlighting the untapped potential of doctoral expertise in business sectors. However, Liikkanen noted a contradiction in promoting more PhDs while many existing graduates remain unemployed.

Geography PhD graduate Elina Ahokangas, who specialised in groundwater, has been unemployed for a year despite extensive efforts to secure research funding and positions. Similarly, Kimmo Oksanen, a PhD in education, found himself laid off from his role as Head of Creative Team at an eLearning company.

Oksanen now works as a substitute preschool teacher to fill his time while continuing his job search.

HT
As of 1 January 2025, the Finnish Immigration Service has taken full responsibility for processing residence permits for employed persons. This transition centralises employment permit matters under one authority, streamlining a process previously divided between the TE Office and the Immigration Service.

The change is part of a larger reform transferring employment and economic development services from the central government to municipalities.

It aims to simplify the application process and improve efficiency for both applicants and employers.

Streamlined processing for employment permits

Previously, the application process involved a two-phase system where the TE Office conducted initial assessments before forwarding cases to the Immigration Service. Now, the Finnish Immigration Service will handle all aspects of the process, including employment terms, employer obligations, income verification, and labour market testing.

Labour market testing ensures there are no suitable candidates within the Finnish, EU, or EEA labour market before approving permits for non-EU employees. Employers must also report the hiring of foreign nationals with valid residence permits, excluding EU citizens and their family members.

Reports must be submitted through the Enter Finland platform. This online service enables employers to track applications, provide necessary documents, and update information about new hires.

Temporary delays during transition

The transition has involved significant system updates and automation enhancements. Between 1 and 8 January, decision-making was briefly paused to implement these updates.

The expected processing time for a positive decision will initially be two months but will soon return to the target of one month, said Tuuli Huhtilainen, Process Owner at the Finnish Immigration Service.

The reform includes training for employees transferring from TE Offices to the Immigration Service to familiarise them with new tasks and systems.

Improved services for employers

Employers are encouraged to use the Enter Finland service to streamline their reporting and application processes. The Finnish Immigration Service has also introduced customer coordinators to assist employers who regularly hire foreign workers.

We aim to improve services for employers and ensure a smoother application process, Huhtilainen said.

HT
The Tulppio station previously held this winter's cold record of -38.2C, recorded on 16 December.

Finland experienced its coldest temperature of the winter early Wednesday morning, as the Tulppio weather station in eastern Lapland recorded a frigid -38.9C. The reading, taken at 3:40am, marks the lowest temperature registered in the country so far this season.

Although the day began with freezing temperatures in Lapland, conditions are expected to moderate slightly, with temperatures rising to between -15C and -20C during the day.

Elsewhere in Finland, the weather remains varied. Southern regions can anticipate temperatures as mild as +3C, while central areas will experience cooler conditions of about -8C.

The Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) has issued warnings for hazardous driving conditions in eastern Finland, where snowfall could reach up to 10 centimetres on Wednesday.

HT


By Aster Misganaw, Mulugeta Atsbeha

Wednesday January 8, 2025



FILE - People look on at makeshift shelters near Awlala Camp, Amhara region, Ethiopia, May 31, 2024. UNICEF reported on Jan. 7, 2025, that 4.4 children in Amhara are unschooled due to disasters and violence. (Alfatih Alsemari via Reuters)



Over nine million children are currently out of school across Ethiopia due to conflict, violence and natural disasters, with more than 6,000 schools shut down, according to the United Nations.



In a report published on Thursday, the United Nations Childrens Fund, or UNICEF, said the highest numbers of out-of-school children are found in the Amhara region with 4.4 million, followed by the Oromia region with 3.2 million, and the Tigray region with about 1.2 million children.





Over 10,000 schools, representing 18% of schools across the country, have been damaged by conflict and climate shocks, further reducing the availability of safe and functional learning spaces, the report said.Yohannes Wogasso, the head of educational programs and quality improvement at the Ethiopia Ministry of Education, said the U.N. figure does not reflect the ministrys own data and may be a result of different definitions of "out-of-school student.He said, I think the discrepancy may arise from the fact that they are not collecting real-time data, as it often takes a long time to gather accurate data."Conflict has forced the closure of many schools in the Amhara and Oromia regions, where rebel groups are fighting government forces.On Sept. 18, two teachers were killed in the Sinan district of East Gojam in the Amhara region, which created fear and concern among the regions school workers, education workers said.Without naming a particular group, the local administration at the time accused armed groups who swear in the name of the Amhara people of being behind the killing.The Amhara rebel group known as Fano denies targeting the teachers and civilians but admits its against the reopening of some schools for the safety of students and community.Meanwhile, some public schools in the ancient Tigray city of Axum have banned Islamic headscarves, forcing 159 female students to miss school, Muslim organizations in Ethiopia said.The Tigray regions Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council said Axum schools move to block Muslim female students who wear the headscarf undermines the values of religious tolerance in the country, where different religions respect each other.The council alleged that Muslim girl students are being threatened, arrested and pressured by the police to remove their hijab.Ethiopias Ministry of Education allows Muslim female students to wear headscarves in schools. The Islamic affairs council said the actions of Axum schools are not acceptable.While my classmates are at school, I am at home, said a 12th-grade student at Axum Secondary School, one of the schools that imposed the ban, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of repercussions.She said she wishes that authorities would reconsider their decision.Because of the war in Tigray, I didnt go to school for three years, and now, because of the hijab, said another 10th-grader, who also requested anonymity for safety reasons.Going to school at this time is scary; the police are arresting and threatening female Muslim students who wear the hijab around the school.Kindeya Elementary School is another school that refused attendance of students wearing headscarves, parents said.Nuruya Mohamed, 55, is the mother of four daughters. Three of them are students at Kindeya Elementary School, the fourth in Axum Secondary School. She said all her four daughters are now staying at home because they are scared of the authorities.I have never seen female Muslim students with hijabs being blocked from school in my life, Nuruya said.The schools have defended their stance.Schools are not religious or political areas, said Axum Secondary School Vice Director Gebremeskel Gebregziabher. He added that students are not allowed to enter school with religious symbols or dress, a policy that has been in place for decades.The school has the support of some of the parents.Mulu Tamene, the mother of a sixth-grade student at Kindeya Elementary School, believes that banning headscarves in schools is justified. Schools should not be religious spaces. Students can wear the hijab up to the school entrance, but they should remove it once inside, she said.Natnael Fitsum, a former Axum student, said that during his time in school between 1999 to 2010, teachers would remove the hijab and other headscarves from students, he said, adding that its common for schools in Axum to ban the hijab.A source from the Education Bureau in Axum who requested anonymity as he is not allowed to speak with media, told VOA that out of the 15 schools in Axum, four have banned the wearing of the hijab.However, the students said they wore the hijab when attending schools in previous years, including last year.Contacted by VOA, the head of the public relations department at Ethiopia's Ministry of Education, Mesfin Bogale, said, This issue concerns the regional education bureau.The mayor of Axum, the head of the citys education office and the head of the Tigray Education Bureau did not answer calls from VOA.This must be resolved urgently, the Ethiopia Islamic Affairs Supreme Council said.This story originated in VOA's Horn of Africa Service.
China's Wonderland | The china of China

(People's Daily App) 16:42, January 08, 2025

In this episode of Peking University's China's Wonderland, Phoebe, a doctoral student at PKU's School of Arts, shares how her love for porcelain was sparked by a piece on display at the school. When Shi Yucong, a graduate student of law, explains the piece was crafted by an artist from Liling, a city in Hunan Province famed for its porcelain, the pair embarks on a journey to nine Liling sites important to its porcelain legacy.

(Video source: Peking University; Edited by Feng Zihan, Li Wenjing and Lin Rui)

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
A former Cambodian opposition MP and French citizen was shot dead by a gunman on a motorcycle in Bangkok on Tuesday, Thai media reported.

"Lim Kimya... died at the scene. Officers with the Metropolitan Police Bureau have launched a manhunt for the assassin," the Bangkok Post reported, adding that the deceased was a dual Cambodian-French national.

Thai police confirmed the death of a Cambodian man without identifying him as Lim Kimya, telling AFP "we are currently investigating the motives and will provide more information at a later time".

Multiple Thai media outlets reported that a gunman on a motorcycle opened fire on Lim Kimya as he arrived in the Thai capital from the Cambodian city of Siem Reap by bus, accompanied by his French wife and a Cambodian uncle.

An AFP photojournalist saw blood at the scene near the popular Khao San Road area of Bangkok.

"This brazen shooting of a former CNRP MP on the streets of Bangkok has all the hallmarks of a political assassination, and looks to be a significant escalation in the use of transnational repression," said Phil Robertson, director of Asia Human Rights Labour Advocates.

"The French government must aggressively pursue justice for their citizen, Lim Kimya, and leave no stone unturned in pressing the Thai government to effectively and thoroughly investigate this assassination, no matter where the path leads."

Lim Kimya was elected as an opposition member of Cambodia's parliament following a general poll in 2013 in which the ruling party under former leader Hun Sen almost lost to its then-rival, the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP).

The CNRP, which was founded in 2012 by opposition leaders Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha and once considered the sole viable opponent to the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP), was dissolved by court order in 2017.

Scores of opposition politicians and MPs, including Lim Kimya, were banned from political activities following the party's dissolution.

Rights groups have accused Hun Sen -- who ruled Cambodia for nearly four decades before stepping down in 2023 and handing power to his eldest son, Hun Manet -- of using the legal system to crush any opposition to his rule.

Scores of opposition politicians and activists were convicted and jailed during his time in power, with challengers forced to flee and freedom of expression stifled.

Kem Sokha was arrested and was sentenced in 2023 to 27 years in prison for treason -- a charge he has repeatedly denied -- and was immediately placed under house arrest.

Sam Rainsy lives in exile in France.

Despite holding French citizenship, Lim Kimya did not join the dozens of lawmakers who fled abroad after Kem Sokha was detained.

Lim Kimya told AFP at the time in Phnom Penh: "I will never give up politics".

His fatal shooting comes the same day that the still influential Hun Sen called for a new law to label anyone who attempts to topple his son Hun Manet's government as "terrorists".
Turkey threatened Tuesday to launch a military operation against Kurdish forces in Syria unless they accepted Ankara's conditions for a "bloodless" transition after the fall of strongman president Bashar al-Assad.

"We will do what's necessary" if the People's Protection Units (YPG) fail to meet Ankara's demands, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told CNNTurk television. Asked what that might entail, he said: "Military operation".

Assad's overthrow by Islamist-led rebels last month raised the prospect of Turkey intervening directly in the country against Kurdish forces accused by Ankara of links to armed separatists.

Ankara accuses the YPG -- seen by the West as essential in the fight against Islamic State jihadists -- of links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in Turkey.

The PKK has fought a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state and is listed as a terrorist organisation by Ankara and its Western allies.

"Those international fighters who came from Turkey, Iran and Iraq must leave Syria immediately. We see neither any preparation nor any intention in this direction right now and we are waiting," Fidan said.

"The ultimatum we gave them (the YPG) through the Americans is obvious," he added.

Since 2016, Turkey has carried out successive ground operations in Syria to push Kurdish forces away from its border.

The foreign minister also said Turkey had the capability to take over the management of prisons and detention camps holding IS jihadists in Syria if the new leadership was unable to do so.

"Our president gave the instruction that if others cannot do it, Turkey will keep control (of the camps) with its own soldiers. As Turkey, we are ready for this," Fidan said.

New Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, whose HTS group has long had ties with Turkey, told Al Arabiya TV on Sunday that the Kurdish-led forces should be integrated into the national army.

Fidan, who met with Sharaa in Damascus last month, said Ankara expected the new leadership to address the YPG issue.

Asked if they were taking the necessary steps: Fidan said: "We need to give it some time," adding talks between Damascus and the YPG were going on.

He said Syria's new rulers were capable of fighting the YPG, which he accused of buying time.

"The administration in Damascus is not made of those who are scared of war. They seized Damascus by fighting," Fidan said.

Referring to Kurdish fighters in Syria, he said: "If you do not want any military operation in the region, neither by us nor by the new administration in Syria, the conditions for this are clear."

"The terrorist fighters coming from international countries must leave Syria, the PKK leadership must leave the country. The remaining cadres must lay down their weapons and join the new system, this is for a bloodless and problem-free transition."

Asked if Turkey would still intervene in Syria despite the United States' support for the YPG, Fidan said: "We did it in the past in Afrin, in Ras al-Ayn and in Tal Abyad," referring to locations in northern Syria that Turkey has targeted.

He said Turkey would not hesitate to do it again.

"This is what our national security requires. We don't have any other option."

More than 100 combatants have died over the past few days in northern Syria in fighting between Turkish-backed groups and Syrian Kurdish forces, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Sunday.

Turkish-backed factions in northern Syria resumed their armed conflict with Kurdish forces at the same time Islamist-led rebels launched their November 27 offensive that ousted Assad just 11 days later.
Hotel Okura Co., Ltd., the leading global Japanese hotel operator, is pleased to announce the conclusion of a new management agreement with Asset World Corporation (AWC), Thailand's leading integrated lifestyle real estate group. Signed on December 19, 2024, the agreement paves the way for two new hotels - Okura Resort Chiang Mai in the historic city of Chiang Mai, and The Okura Prestige Sukhumvit Bangkok Hotel and Spa in Bangkok's trendy Thonglor district. Both properties are slated to open in 2028, expanding Hotel Okura's Thai offering to seven hotels and adding over 400 rooms to Okura Nikko Hotels' portfolio in the country.

Hotel Okura's relationship with AWC, a major operator of Thai development projects, has gradually strengthened since the 2012 opening of The Okura Prestige Bangkok. Their most recent joint venture is the Okura Cruise, a Chao Phraya River dinner cruise ship that launched on December 20, 2024.

Okura Resort Chiang Mai, located in Thailand's second-largest city, will be the first Okura-branded hotel in Northern Thailand. The Okura Prestige Sukhumvit Bangkok Hotel and Spa will offer Japanese-style wellness services and long-term stays in the Thonglor district of Bangkok, home to many Japanese expatriates and other foreign residents. Both hotels will blend Japanese hospitality with local culture, aiming to create luxurious and sustainable experiences, and in line with the rise of health-conscious travel, both properties will also focus on wellness.

Okura Resort Chiang Mai will be situated on the bustling Chang Klan Road, a major tourist hub known for its night markets and local cuisine. It will feature over 200 rooms, with sizes ranging from 40 to 120 square meters; their design will blend ryokan-style elements such as tatami mats and open-air baths with influences from the Lanna culture of ancient Chiang Mai. The hotel will feature a cafe, rooftop bar, and other food and beverage facilities, offering Japanese cuisine and all-day dining. These amenities will provide guests with a blend of Japanese and Northern Thai culinary experiences.

The Okura Prestige Sukhumvit Bangkok Hotel and Spa will be located in Thonglor, a district of Bangkok popular with expatriates. The hotel will offer long-term stays and a wellness program combining traditional Japanese approaches with modern wellness techniques. It will feature over 200 rooms averaging 45 square meters in size, including suites with the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese-style ryokan and with western-style conveniences. Guests will be able to enjoy views across Bangkok from the sky lobby and rooftop bar, and dine on healthy meals at the outdoor pool cabana.

Toshihiro Ogita, President, Hotel Okura, said: "We are delighted to reach another milestone with AWC through the development of new projects in Thailand, building on the success of The Okura Prestige Bangkok. We are particularly excited to bring the Okura brand to Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand for the first time. Our commitment to offering world-class hospitality, blending the elegance of Japanese culture with local charm, is unwavering. Our global network of high-quality international hotels seamlessly blends the delicate beauty and subtleties of Japanese culture with convenience and functionality. These additional collaborations with AWC will surely offer exceptional experiences and excellent service to both Thai guests and tourists from around the world."

The two hotels will operate as part of a larger framework agreement with AWC signed in May 2024 aimed at expanding Hotel Okura's business in Thailand. By the time of their planned opening in 2028, Okura Nikko Hotels expects to be operating seven hotels and approximately 2,000 rooms in Thailand. Under its long-term partnership with AWC, Hotel Okura will continue to develop hotels aimed at welcoming residents of Thailand and overseas visitors. The two companies thereby aim to contribute to the further development of Thailand's tourism industry, offering unique experiences rooted in the spirit of Japanese hospitality.

Hotel website
The all-new Wave House El Zonte welcomes travelers to explore the coastal town and its iconic surf breaks with residential accommodations and high-end amenities.

Now officially open, the all-new Wave House is the first high-end condo hotel in the coastal town of El Zonte along El Salvador's Pacific Ocean coastline, boasting 19 'residences' that cater to travelers seeking spacious accommodations with in-house kitchens, access to sprawling black-sand beaches, locavore restaurants and cafes and world-class surf breaks. Known as "Bitcoin Beach," El Zonte is located on the Pacific Ocean just one hour from San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador.

Wave House residences range in size between studios to three-bedrooms penthouse suites. The studio residences offer travelers ocean views from the balcony or patio, while the two-bedroom residences feature a mix of ocean and mountain views that can be taken in from the terrace, bedroom, living room and kitchen.

The three-bedroom residences offer an added layer of luxury, with indoor-outdoor living spaces and one residence featuring a private pool, and offering either views of the lush mountain landscape or majestic oceanfront.

Each accommodation is fashioned with furniture created by local Salvadoran design studio CHWashington Studio, ensuring it is aligned with the property's hyperlocal identity. While select items were imported from Spain, other pieces were sourced from local vendors, from textiles designed by Lulu Mena, a local women-owned brand with a mission to empower women in high risk areas of El Salvador, and pottery designed by the Wave House team and crafted by Shicali Ceramics, a non-profit organization employing and creating awareness for those with disabilities.

Further immersing guests in the local culture, the property showcases local artists in the lobby art gallery and has partnered with Bendito Fuego and other local renowned chefs to offer one-of-a-kind fine dining experiences. Guests can also take advantage of amenities such as an outdoor infinity pool with vistas of the Pacific Ocean, a new collaboration with "Minibar Miami" cocktail bar to enjoy poolside, a 5,000 square-foot rooftop deck with one-of-a-kind panoramic ocean views and sunsets (capacity for up to 150 people), a rooftop wellness area with jacuzzi and cold plunge, a Biomechanics gym, a physical therapy/massage room, concierge service and personalized experience management, as well as a lounge and workspace.

Hotel website
ROMEO Collection opens its second luxury hotel, where art, architecture, fine-dining, and well-being meet in a unique and conscious experience.

The Italian luxury hospitality group ROMEO Collection, renowned for its innovative vision and commitment to ethical and sustainable luxury, is proud to announce the opening of Hotel ROMEO Roma, its second design hotel in the heart of the Eternal City. Located just steps from Piazza del Popolo, inside a historic 16th-century palace, this exclusive 74-room boutique hotel sets a new standard for urban resorts, embodying the concept of conscious luxury by blending art, architecture, design, gastronomy, and well-being in a timeless setting.

A Masterpiece by Zaha Hadid: History, Avant-garde, and Sustainability

Designed by the renowned architect Zaha Hadid, Hotel ROMEO Roma is one of her last projects, seamlessly merging the centuries-old history of the building with contemporary, futuristic architectural elements. This balance of tradition and innovation is not only visual but also extends to sustainability, with the use of eco-friendly materials and cutting-edge techniques to minimize environmental impact.

Premium materials, such as Macassar ebony, Nero Marquina marble, and Carrara marble, create a dialogue between tradition and innovation, grounding the hotel in its Roman context while exploring new frontiers of sustainable design. Hadid's signature dynamic, fluid lines harmoniously blend with historical elements like frescoed ceilings, creating an environment where past and present coexist in perfect harmony.

Sustainability and respect for historical heritage are at the core of every design decision at ROMEO Roma, proving that conscious luxury can coexist with avant-garde architecture.

An Urban Resort: Well-being and Culture in the Heart of Rome

At the heart of the hotel lies a unique internal courtyard, designed as a contemporary urban square where design and conviviality meet. This space, the vibrant core of the hotel, invites guests to socialize and relax in an exclusive atmosphere.

Surrounded by the historical facades of the palace, the courtyard houses some of the hotel's most iconic experiences: IL BAR open all day, LA SPA Sisley Paris, and IL CORTILE, an all-day dining service, that creates a continuous dialogue between gastronomy, well-being, and architecture.

With designer furniture, artistic installations, and carefully selected greenery, the courtyard transforms into an urban oasis, where the hectic pace of Rome seems to dissolve. This "square within a palace" is much more than just a passageway; it reflects the very essence of ROMEO Roma - a meeting point for history, culture, and innovation, offering an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Eternal City.

Additionally, LA TERRAZZA in collaboration with Krug offers unique moments with an exclusive selection of Champagne and breathtaking views over Rome's rooftops, perfect for special events or luxurious aperitifs.

Conscious Luxury: A Commitment to Sustainability

Like ROMEO Napoli, ROMEO Roma embodies the philosophy of conscious luxuryan approach to luxury that goes beyond opulence, embracing sustainability, ethics, and environmental responsibility. Every design decision, from material selection to resource management, is made with a focus on reducing environmental impact without compromising comfort or aesthetics. This ethical luxury is also reflected in the use of natural materials, energy-efficient systems, and waste reduction, ensuring that guests enjoy a stay that respects both the planet and its people.

Rooms and Suites: Personalized Luxury Between the Past and Innovation

The 74 rooms and suites at ROMEO Roma are the perfect synthesis of contemporary design and historical tradition. Each space is enhanced with high-quality materials such as Carrara marble, lava stone, glass, solid wood, and Krion, chosen not only for their refined aesthetic but also for their functionality in improving acoustics and naturally regulating room temperature.

Advanced technology integration allows for intuitive control of the environment, with customizable lighting, whirlpool tubs, hidden televisions, and integrated fireplaces in some suites, offering a tailored stay. Some rooms feature private terraces, providing spectacular panoramic views of Rome's rooftops, creating unique and unforgettable relaxation spaces.

The noble floor, a focal point of the hotel, houses rooms adorned with original historical frescoes, including a highly valuable frescoed room with views over Via di Ripetta. Here, the dialogue between Renaissance architecture and contemporary details and innovative solutions comes to life, celebrating the beauty of tradition while embracing the comforts of modern design.

A Living Art Museum: Art and History at Every Corner

ROMEO Roma is not just a hotel, but a true living art gallery. Every space is enriched with works by contemporary artists like Christian Leperino, Mario Schifano, Mimmo Paladino, and Francesco Clemente. Alongside these modern pieces, the hotel displays historical artifacts uncovered during restoration works, such as the white marble head of Livia Drusilla, wife of Emperor Augustus, offering guests a unique connection with the history of Rome.

Art, like design, is an integral part of the ROMEO experience, turning every stay into a cultural and sensory journey. The artworks not only decorate but also tell stories that bridge the past and present, immersing guests in a world of beauty and reflection.

A Historic Debut: Alain Ducasse opens his first restaurant in Rome

The opening of ROMEO Roma marks a milestone for Rome's culinary scene: for the first time, the renowned chef Alain Ducasse, a global icon of haute cuisine, brings his culinary vision to Rome through an exclusive partnership with ROMEO Collection. Following the success of the restaurant at ROMEO Napoli, Ducasse now brings his innovative approach to Roman gastronomy, blending traditional flavours with cutting-edge techniques.

Il Ristorante Alain Ducasse Roma located within ROMEO Roma, will be a temple of culinary excellence, where tradition and modernity merge, enhancing the finest Italian ingredients with cutting-edge techniques. Even breakfast, a key moment for the group's hospitality, will be curated by the chef, offering an exclusive selection of options that combine quality, refinement, and the unmistakable Ducasse touch for a memorable start to the day. Led by a team personally selected by Ducasse, the restaurant will offer a fine dining experience that promises to redefine the gastronomic standards of the Eternal City. This opening represents not only a groundbreaking novelty for Rome but also a testament to ROMEO Collection's ongoing commitment to collaborating with prominent figures in global culture and culinary arts, creating unique and memorable experiences.

An Urban Oasis of Well-being

ROMEO Roma offers a sanctuary of tranquility in the heart of the city with a 1,200-square-meter wellness area, signed Sisley Paris. LA SPA Sisley Paris is a sanctuary for body and mind, offering treatments based on the Phyto-Aromatiques philosophy, which combines plant extracts and natural essences for a sensory relaxation experience. The indoor/outdoor pool, with a transparent bottom revealing the archaeological remains beneath, creates a visual connection with the history of Rome, enriching the wellness experience.

In addition to the treatments, LA SPA Sisley Paris includes a hammam, a gravitational tub, a salt wall, and a fitness center equipped with the latest Technogym technology, providing a comprehensive well-being and regeneration experience.

With its opening, ROMEO Roma joins ROMEO Napoli and will soon be followed by ROMEO Massa Lubrense in 2025, sharing the same dedication to conscious luxury and hospitality that leaves a lasting positive impact. Each stay at ROMEO Roma is an emotional, cultural, and ethical experience, destined to leave an unforgettable mark on the memories of its guests.

ROMEO Roma is the latest luxury boutique hotel from ROMEO Collection, located in the heart of Rome, steps from Piazza del Popolo. Born from the group's innovative vision and designed by the iconic architect Zaha Hadid, ROMEO Roma is the perfect union of contemporary design, historical tradition, and conscious luxury. With 74 rooms and suites, an exclusive restaurant by Alain Ducasse, an avant-garde LA SPA Sisley Paris, and a unique focus on art and sustainability, ROMEO Roma redefines high-end hospitality, offering a unique stay where past and future coexist in harmony.

Hotel website
Located in the heart of the UNESCO-listed Amsterdam Canal District, Rosewood Amsterdam is now accepting reservations for stays starting June 1st, 2025.

Situated within the historic former Palace of Justice, Rosewood Amsterdam is now accepting reservations from June 1st, 2025, marking the brand's debut in the Netherlands. This iconic property will be the last new hotel development permitted within a monumental building in Amsterdam, reinforcing Rosewood's position as a leader in luxury lifestyle. Offering a unique cultural experience, the new property seamlessly blends its rich history with ongoing transformation, creating an exceptional destination.

After ten-years in the making, the city's former Palace of Justice now welcomes a new era, as Rosewood gives this important landmark back to the city of Amsterdam. Built in 1665 and situated on the UNESCO World Heritage listed canals, the property's opening will set a new precedent for purpose-led luxury by embracing circular hospitality and collaborating with local partners. An extensive range of high-end amenities will bring to life the lens of Rosewood's A Sense of Place philosophy.

The hotel includes 134 elegantly designed guest rooms and suites, along with five remarkable signature suites, many offering views of the picturesque canals, peaceful courtyards, and classic townhouse rooftops. Guests will enjoy a collection of refined dining options, including three distinctive restaurants and bars, as well as an in-house distillery. Rosewood Amsterdam will embody the Dutch concept of gezelligheid a "welcoming and cozy atmosphere"throughout its venues, while elevating the local dining and event scene.

Designed by Studio Piet Boon, the interiors of Rosewood Amsterdam honour the building's heritage with a modern take on Dutch craftsmanship, combining historic grandeur with contemporary sophistication. Amsterdam's intimate, vibrant, and accessible charm, along with its rich history, are captured through the thoughtful restoration of original features, such as cellblocks and courtrooms, reimagined for unique and exceptional guest experiences. Guests can also enjoy the city's canals on a private Salon Boat, styled and decorated by Studio Piet Boon, providing an elegant and scenic way to travel to and from the hotel.

Guests are invited on a journey to indulge their curiosities, connecting with the essence of Amsterdam's past, present, and future. Through thoughtfully curated experiences, the hotel offers rich insights into Dutch culture, presenting a gesamtkunstwerka "total work of art"in service, comfort, art, cultural programming, retail, and design.

The property's grand 2,400-square-foot (223-square-meters) ballroom provides a sophisticated space for events, while public areas feature intricate design elements that honour the storied past of the building and its surroundings. The property also features an Asaya Spa, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, and an indoor swimming pool. This debut marks a significant milestone for Rosewood Hotels & Resorts as it opens its first flagship property, in the Netherlands, continuing its legacy of curating unique and culturally enriching stays around the world.

About Rosewood Amsterdam

Rosewood Amsterdam offers an exceptional blend of Dutch heritage and contemporary luxury in the UNESCO-listed Amsterdam Canal District. Located within the historic former Palace of Justice, this landmark property features 134 beautifully appointed guestrooms, including five signature suites, many with views of the city's iconic canals and rooftops. Thoughtfully restored by Studio Piet Boon, the hotel combines historic grandeur with modern sophistication, offering world-class dining, an Asaya Spa, and curated experiences that celebrate Amsterdam's rich culture. Guests can explore the city on a private Salon Boat or unwind in the elegant surroundings that reflect Rosewood's A Sense of Place philosophy. Rosewood Amsterdam invites travellers to immerse themselves in a seamless blend of history, charm, and luxury for an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Netherlands.

For more information, please visit: rosewoodhotels.com/en/amsterdam

Connect with us: Facebook, Instagram @RosewoodAmsterdam

Hotel website
Billesley Manor, near Stratford-upon-Avon, has welcomed Jason Mayglothling as its new General Manager as it plans to transition to being a Marriott Tribute Portfolio hotel in April.

With extensive experience in hospitality and a focus on food and beverage, Jason is well-positioned to lead the hotel into its next phase of development. His previous roles include leadership positions at Mercure Stratford-upon-Avon Shakespeare Hotel, The Bank House Hotel in Worcester, and the St James's Hotel Group in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Having just started his new role, Jason's immediate priority is to oversee the hotel's transition to the Marriott group, guiding his team through the change and ensuring the hotel's high service standards are maintained, while aligning with Marriott's values and expectations.

The appointment comes after Billesley Manor announced in September that it would be managed by TROO Hospitality, a business management consultancy that specialises in high-end hospitality, as it seeks to build on its reputation as a premier destination for weddings, events, and leisure stays.
Equinox Hotels, known for its commitment to high-performance luxury hospitality and health, announces a pioneering partnership with Dr. Matthew Walker, renowned author, sleep scientist, and professor of neuroscience and psychology at the University of California, Berkeley. The introduction of this sleep innovation project with Dr. Walker deepens Equinox Hotels commitment to sleep-focused hospitality and takes the guest experience to new heights by integrating cutting-edge sleep science to further elevate health and performance.

Recognizing sleep as the cornerstone of health and a driver of movement, nutrition, and recovery, the introduction of this sleep innovation project further advances Equinox Hotels existing sleep scientist-vetted guest rooms, AM + PM Rituals designed to optimize guests circadian rhythm, sleep-driven spa treatments, The Art + Science of Sleep program and recovery-focused RoomBar amenities.

By integrating Dr. Walkers insights, this partnership will push the boundaries of sleep advancements within hospitality by encompassing further guest personalization around sleep, advancements in sleep technology, and a dynamic approach to in-room testing and evolving innovative solutions. Key initiatives include:

Equinox Hotels Sleep Lab: An immersive, living experiment within Equinox Hotel New York where guests engage with cutting-edge sleep technologies and participate in studies led by Dr. Walker. Guests will explore environments designed to push the boundaries of sleep innovation and technology that will inform future property designs and improve sleep quality in real time. Enhanced Future Guest Room Design: Future Equinox Hotels and Resorts guest rooms will feature cutting-edge sleep technologies, developed in consultation with Dr. Walker, to continue to improve and develop sleep-optimized environments. Thoughtfully integrated, content-rich enhancements will further redene luxury by seamlessly blending science-backed solutions with an unparalleled commitment to recovery. Equinox Hotels Jet Lag Reset: A proprietary digital oering providing personalized strategies to mitigate jet lag and optimize recovery supporting guests' arrival and departure from its hotels and resorts. The Reset will be available on the Equinox Hotels website to also support our digital audiences' travel.

At Equinox Hotels, we understand that sleep isnt just a luxuryits essential to living a high-performance life, said Chris Norton, CEO of Equinox Hotels, This partnership with Dr. Walker extends our leadership in the industry, reinforcing our commitment to delivering the highest-quality regeneration experiences to our guests and helping them perform at their best. Dr. Matthew Walker expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating, "Sleep is the foundation for everything we doas expressed in one of the four pillars of Equinox Hotels. Im thrilled to partner with Equinox Hotels to develop innovative sleep solutions that will revolutionize the guest experience in hospitality and empower travelers to achieve their full potential."

The partnership with Dr. Matthew Walker, also includes ongoing educational content curated by Dr. Walker, designed to engage and inform Equinox Hotels guests and digital audiences, sharing valuable insights into sleep science.

As part of Equinox Hotels commitment to sleep innovation, the second annual Equinox Hotels Global Sleep Symposium, taking place on May 1, 2025, will provide guests and industry leaders with the latest sleep science insights from Dr. Walker. Attendees will gain exclusive access to the Equinox Hotels Sleep Lab and other immersive programming designed to redene the sleep experience. Through ongoing research, strategic partnerships, and a dedication to excellence, the symposium underscores Equinox Hotels position as the premier destination for transformative health and regeneration.

Equinox Hotels is advancing the future of sleep health by integrating cutting-edge science with luxury hospitality. With innovative initiatives around sleep projects, Equinox Hotels solidifies its leadership in sleep-led hospitality, offering an unparalleled experience that redefines how guests sleep, move, eat, and recover.

About Equinox

Equinox Hotels is a hospitality brand built off the evolution of Equinox. With the successful adaptation of Equinox's founding principles from their experience-defining approach, Equinox Hotels has envisioned, designed, and revolutionized a new category of luxury within the hospitality sector. Centrally located in the vibrant Hudson Yards neighborhood, Equinox Hotel New York provides guests with a safe, clean, and convenient experience. The unrivaled on-site amenities include The Spa by Equinox Hotels, Electric Lemon restaurant, bar, and terrace, as well as private dining and events areas. Additionally, Equinox Hudson Yards allows guests and members alike to access over 60,000 square feet of club space with state-of-the-art equipment, group fitness classes, personal training, indoor + outdoor pools, hot and cold plunges, outdoor barrel saunas and a wraparound terrace providing breathtaking 360-degree views of Manhattan and the Hudson River. Indulge in Electric Lemon, a culinary destination created by renowned restaurateur Stephen Starr and STARR Group, offers an enticing menu that seamlessly blends indulgence and health-consciousness. Equinox Hotel New York rooms offer an incomparable high-performance experience, scientifically designed to optimize your sleep with features such as RoomBar, AM/PM Rituals to optimize the body's circadian rhythm, yoga equipment, Grown Alchemist custom-made bath products, and more. For more information, visit: equinox-hotels.com + equinox-hotels.com/nyc/
London  Movenpick, the brand synonymous with Swiss hospitality and culinary excellence, today announced the upcoming opening of Movenpick Grand Hotel Wrocaw and Movenpick Resort & Spa Karpacz, the brands first hotels in Poland, which are both slated to open later this month. The latest additions build on the brands expansion trajectory across Europe, with other recent entries in Belgium and Azerbaijan, as well as upcoming debuts in Italy (Bari and Mondello), Greece (Sivota) and Montenegro (Kotor) later this year.

Founded in 1948, Movenpick pioneered the Swiss restaurant scene and evolved into an international hotel brand with inventive culinary excellence at its heart. Today, that same generous and creative hospitality lives on in each of its 120+ hotels around the world, where cuisine serves as the cornerstone for fostering meaningful human connections and driving positive change.

Philippe Bijaoui, Chief Development Officer Premium, Midscale & Economy Division, Accor Europe and North Africa, said: True hospitality is about turning small gestures into heartwarming moments, and the expansion of Movenpick in these exciting European destinations goes to show how the brand resonates with our guests and partners. Accelerating Accors portfolio of premium brands is a core part of the Groups growth strategy and underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences in the region and beyond.

Located in the heart of Wrocaw, Polands third largest city with rich history, culture and innovation, Movenpick Grand Hotel Wrocaw is situated in a fully renovated historic building and features 180 upscale guest rooms and amenities for a relaxing break in the city. Guests can savour modern takes on traditional Polish cuisine at the on-site restaurant and bar, relax on the hotels terrace, or unwind in the dedicated wellness area. Those travelling for business can access a versatile space for tailor-made corporate events as well as private gatherings.

Nestled among lush forests in southwest Poland, Movenpick Resort & Spa Karpacz offers a serene mountain escape. The 126-room resort provides convenient access to the nearby ski station and scenic hiking trails. Facilities include heated outdoor swimming pools surrounded by lush greenery, and a wellness area with a spacious spa and eight treatment rooms. Guest can explore the nearby surroundings from the majestic peaks of the Karkonosze mountain range to the tranquil beauty of the omnica River valley, making it an ideal year-round destination.

Other recent Movenpick entries in Europe include:

Movenpick Hotel Winter Park Baku (Azerbaijan)  Opened in November 2024 as the first Movenpick in Azerbaijan and the South Caucasus region, the new hotel offers 172 elegant rooms in the capitals city centre. Guests can enjoy convenient access to the Winter Park area, shopping and business hubs, as well as the Walled City of Baku, also known as the Old Town, renowned for its historic buildings and mosques.

 Opened in November 2024 as the first Movenpick in Azerbaijan and the South Caucasus region, the new hotel offers 172 elegant rooms in the capitals city centre. Guests can enjoy convenient access to the Winter Park area, shopping and business hubs, as well as the Walled City of Baku, also known as the Old Town, renowned for its historic buildings and mosques. Movenpick Hotel Brussels Airport (Belgium)  This remarkable new hotel, and first Movenpick property in Belgium, is located moments away from Zaventem airport, the perfect location for those stopping in the capital. The hotel offers 103 comfortable rooms and complimentary access to a sauna and hammam. Named after Belgiums famous surrealist painter Rene Magritte, the hotels restaurant concept celebrates Movenpicks culinary heritage, with seasonal menus paired with an extensive list of local wines.

 This remarkable new hotel, and first Movenpick property in Belgium, is located moments away from Zaventem airport, the perfect location for those stopping in the capital. The hotel offers 103 comfortable rooms and complimentary access to a sauna and hammam. Named after Belgiums famous surrealist painter Rene Magritte, the hotels restaurant concept celebrates Movenpicks culinary heritage, with seasonal menus paired with an extensive list of local wines. Movenpick Hotel Sarajevo (Bosnia & Herzegovina)  Located at the heart of the city with easy access to both the financial district and the old town, the hotel offers 186 comfortable rooms, an indoor pool, a fitness room, a business centre and a brasserie serving an exquisite mix of traditional and international cuisine.

Additional upcoming openings in 2025 include:

Movenpick Hotel & Residences Kvarner Bay (Croatia)  With 14,000 square metres of wellness facilities, including indoor and outdoor pools, and 23 treatment rooms, with 199 hotel rooms and 304 residences the resort will be one of the finest beach and spa destinations on the Northern Adriatic coast. Guests will be able to enjoy culinary offerings from five restaurants and bars, catering to all preferences. The hotel will also offer 2,600 square metres of modern event and conferencing facilities, as well as its own retail gallery. The hotel is slated to open in the second half of 2025.

 With 14,000 square metres of wellness facilities, including indoor and outdoor pools, and 23 treatment rooms, with 199 hotel rooms and 304 residences the resort will be one of the finest beach and spa destinations on the Northern Adriatic coast. Guests will be able to enjoy culinary offerings from five restaurants and bars, catering to all preferences. The hotel will also offer 2,600 square metres of modern event and conferencing facilities, as well as its own retail gallery. The hotel is slated to open in the second half of 2025. Movenpick Resort Agios Nikolaos Sivota (Greece) Located in a picturesque waterfront village with beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters, this new 67-room resort will debut in Greece in Spring 2025, offering a tranquil hideaway by the sea. Guests will be able to visit several nearby UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Zagori, Nikolpolis, and Corfu, as well as explore historical towns such as Ioannina and Parga.

Located in a picturesque waterfront village with beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters, this new 67-room resort will debut in Greece in Spring 2025, offering a tranquil hideaway by the sea. Guests will be able to visit several nearby UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Zagori, Nikolpolis, and Corfu, as well as explore historical towns such as Ioannina and Parga. Movenpick Hotel Bari (Italy)  Nestled in a historic building overlooking Baris old town centre and the Adriatic Sea, this new hotel will provide an ideal base for exploring the citys main attractions. Slated to welcome guests from May 2025, the hotel will feature 180 well-appointed rooms and suites, a modern spa and a lively restaurant serving authentic delicacies.

 Nestled in a historic building overlooking Baris old town centre and the Adriatic Sea, this new hotel will provide an ideal base for exploring the citys main attractions. Slated to welcome guests from May 2025, the hotel will feature 180 well-appointed rooms and suites, a modern spa and a lively restaurant serving authentic delicacies. Movenpick Hotel Mondello Palace Palermo (Italy)  Expected to open in September 2025, this hotel is situated within a historic building that serves as a landmark in Mondellos coastal district. The 80-room hotel will be located just steps from the famous Mondello beach and only seven kilometres from the lively city of Palermo, granting guests access to beautiful natural landscapes, cultural treasures and generous hospitality experience.

 Expected to open in September 2025, this hotel is situated within a historic building that serves as a landmark in Mondellos coastal district. The 80-room hotel will be located just steps from the famous Mondello beach and only seven kilometres from the lively city of Palermo, granting guests access to beautiful natural landscapes, cultural treasures and generous hospitality experience. Movenpick Hotel Teuta Kotor Bay (Montenegro)  Featuring 83 elegant rooms overlooking the sandy shores of Kotor Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, this hotel, which is slated to open in May 2025, will offer spectacular sea and mountain views and will be the perfect sport for those seeking rest and relaxation, as well as those interested in history or adventure in the nearby mountains.

 Featuring 83 elegant rooms overlooking the sandy shores of Kotor Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, this hotel, which is slated to open in May 2025, will offer spectacular sea and mountain views and will be the perfect sport for those seeking rest and relaxation, as well as those interested in history or adventure in the nearby mountains. Movenpick Hotel Budapest Centre (Hungary)  Set in a famous Art Nouveau building in the heart of Budapest, this hotel will reopen in 2025 following an extensive renovation project. Featuring 227 guest rooms, an on-site restaurant and bar, and modern meetings and events facilities, it will serve as a perfect destination for both leisure and business travellers alike.

Guests staying at Movenpick hotels are welcome to enjoy a wide variety of rewards, services, and experiences as part of ALL, the renowned loyalty programme that enhances the experience during and beyond each hotel stay.
Join JMBM partners Catherine DeBono Holmes and David Sudeck at the upcoming EB-5 & Global Immigration Expo on January 9-10, 2025, in Newport Beach, California. This event will celebrate the Top 25 winners released in EB5 Investors Magazine and Uglobal Immigration Magazine, and provide invaluable networking and learning opportunities for high net worth individuals, tax and immigration attorneys, migration agents, investors and project developers.

We are pleased to announce that JMBM attorneys Catherine DeBono Holmes, Jeffrey Myers and David Sudeck have been named among the 2024 Top 15 Corporate Attorneys by EB5 Investors Magazine. Additionally, Jim Butler, Chair of JMBMs Global Hospitality Group, has been recognized as an EB-5 All Staran honor awarded to the top five leaders in the EB-5 industry. Read the full issue of EB5 Investors Magazine here.

What: EB-5 & Global Immigration Expo

Where: VEA Newport Beach, 900 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660

When: January 9-10, 2025

Register now on the conference website using JMBMs exclusive discount.

JMBM has closed more than $1.5 billion in EB-5 financing for our clients development projects. Dont miss the chance to connect with our exceptional team!

EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa Program & Financing

JMBM has closed more than $1.5 billion in EB-5 financing for our clients development projects. We have worked on dozens of EB-5 financings from every angle, and as a result we know the players in the EB-5 world, including many of the regional center operators throughout the U.S. and marketing agents operating globally. We use our expertise and relationships to make good choices and guide our clients through the entire EB-5 financing process. We also assist lender clients in structuring their relationships with EB-5 investments.

How we Help Clients Seeking EB-5 Financing

For our hotel, restaurant and other commercial real estate clients seeking financing through the EB-5 program, we advise on:

EB-5 project viability and due diligence

Qualifying for governmental incentives such as New Markets Tax Credits, redevelopment agency funding, and other tax credits

EB-5 Regional Centers

Determining targeted employment area (TEA) designation

Job creation requirements

Securing state and local governmental support for a project

Federal securities laws with respect to the sale of limited partnership interests to EB-5 investors

Structuring and documenting EB-5 investment programs

Negotiating marketing contracts for EB-5 investment programs

Negotiating loan and inter-creditor agreements between EB-5 lenders and other lenders

For more on the background of the EB-5 program, some best practices weve observed through our work with clients, and other EB-5 information, you can start with these popular articles:

See how JMBMs Global Hospitality Group can help you.

Click here for the latest articles on EB-5 Financing.

About the JMBM Global Hospitality Group

The hospitality attorneys in the Global Hospitality Group of Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP comprise the premier hospitality practice in a full-service law firm, and the most experienced legal and advisory team in the industry. Our team of seasoned hotel lawyers has helped clients with more than 4,600 hospitality properties located around the globe valued at more than $123 billion, and have worked on more than 2,700 management and franchise agreements. Our experience provides one of the most extensive virtual data bases of market terms for deals and financings. The hospitality lawyers of our team are not just great hotel lawyerswe are also hospitality consultants and business advisors, dealmakers and facilitators of the flow of capital. We help our clients find the right operator, joint venture partner or capital provider. We know who to call and how to reach them.

Jim Butler

+1 310 201 3526

JMBM

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The global business travel sector is entering a pivotal phase, poised for transformative growth that combines heightened demand, technological advancements, and a strategic focus on sustainability. Recent forecasts and industry surveys suggest that 2025 will mark not just a full recovery of pre-2019 levels but also a fundamental reshaping of how business travel operates, as budgets rise, travel patterns evolve, and companies prioritize innovative solutions. As a leader in travel technology, DerbySoft recognizes that this resurgence offers unparalleled opportunities. By leveraging advanced connectivity, data analytics, and sustainable practices, we help travel brands navigate this dynamic environment. Heres an in-depth analysis of the trends shaping 2025, supported by statistics and insights from GBTA and other authoritative sources.

Global Business Travel Spending: A Surge in Growth

According to the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), global business travel spending is expected to reach $1.48 trillion by the end of 2024, exceeding the previous record of $1.43 trillion in 2019. This trajectory continues upward, with spending forecasted to hit $2 trillion by 2028. Deloittes Corporate Travel Outlook aligns with these figures, noting that 58% of travel managers expect budgets to increase in 2025, reflecting rising demand for face-to-face interactions in client meetings, conferences, and internal collaborations.

Regional Highlights:

Asia-Pacific: This region leads the resurgence, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6-7%. China and India are driving this growth, supported by expanding economies and increased corporate activities. North America: Business travel spending in the United States is forecasted to hit $350 billion by 2025, driven by the return of large-scale events and domestic travel demand. Europe: While rebounding at a slower pace, Europes business travel market is growing at a CAGR of 4-5%, with Germany, the UK, and France leading the recovery.



The Evolving Profile of Business Travelers

Business travel is no longer limited to executives or sales representatives. By 2025, the volume of trips taken by employees across all roles will rival 2019s highs, driven by the growing need for company-wide retreats, team-building events, and in-person collaborations among distributed workforces. Skifts 2025 Megatrends forecast notes that work trips for all employees, fueled by hybrid work models, will account for a significant portion of corporate travel. According to the AMEX GBTA forecast, meeting budgets are anticipated to increase by 1-5%, with 60% of meetings expected to be held in personsignaling a significant rise in travel for small group gatherings. When it comes to spending, the report reveals that 74% are optimistic about the health of the industry.

Gen Z and Millennial Travelers: Younger employees are shaping the future of business travel with their demand for flexibility, seamless digital experiences, and environmentally conscious options. This demographic is also more likely to blend business with leisure (bleisure travel), with GBTA reporting that 46% of travel buyers observed a rise in such trips in 2024.

Younger employees are shaping the future of business travel with their demand for flexibility, seamless digital experiences, and environmentally conscious options. This demographic is also more likely to blend business with leisure (bleisure travel), with GBTA reporting that 46% of travel buyers observed a rise in such trips in 2024. Linked and Extended Trips: More than 53% of buyers noted an increase in linked trips, where multiple meetings or stops are combined into a single itinerary. Simultaneously, 36% reported that trip durations are getting longer, reflecting the need to maximize travel efficiency.

Technology: The Cornerstone of Growth and Efficiency

Technology is at the forefront of reshaping the business travel ecosystem. While GBTA reports that 88% of travel management companies (TMCs) and 74% of suppliers believe their organizations are performing well in terms of technology, significant opportunities remain to integrate advanced tools such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and real-time analytics.

AI in Business Travel: Adoption of AI is on the rise, with 44% of travel professionals expressing excitement about its potential, up from 32% the previous year. AI-powered tools offer personalized travel recommendations, automate booking processes, and provide real-time expense tracking. Yet, adoption remains limited, with only 14% of buyers actively using AI in their programsa clear indicator of untapped potential.

Adoption of AI is on the rise, with 44% of travel professionals expressing excitement about its potential, up from 32% the previous year. AI-powered tools offer personalized travel recommendations, automate booking processes, and provide real-time expense tracking. Yet, adoption remains limited, with only 14% of buyers actively using AI in their programsa clear indicator of untapped potential. Attribute Based Selling: Data-driven Attribute-Based Selling (ABS) enhances this approach by dynamically pricing individual room attributes based on factors like availability, guest persona, and attribute combinations. This allows guests to select the features they value most, creating a personalized booking experience and a seamless journey from start to finish.

Data-driven Attribute-Based Selling (ABS) enhances this approach by dynamically pricing individual room attributes based on factors like availability, guest persona, and attribute combinations. This allows guests to select the features they value most, creating a personalized booking experience and a seamless journey from start to finish. Real-Time Data Analytics: Companies are increasingly using analytics to identify cost-saving opportunities, optimize travel patterns, and enhance traveler satisfaction. This data-driven approach allows for dynamic policy adjustments based on real-time market conditions.

Sustainability: A Strategic Imperative for the Future

Sustainability has moved from a nice-to-have to a critical focus for the business travel industry. GBTA reports that 46% of travel programs prioritized sustainability in 2024, with 44% actively integrating green initiatives into their policies. However, obstacles such as higher costs, complexity, and inconsistent standards remain significant barriers.

Regional Leadership in Sustainability:

In Europe, 60% of travel buyers have integrated sustainability initiatives into their programs, compared to 36% in North America. European markets also lead in adopting multimodal travel options such as rail and public transport. The Asia-Pacific region is increasingly incorporating sustainable practices, driven by government policies and corporate mandates.

Eco-Friendly Travel Choices: The shift toward lower-emission travel options is gaining momentum. GBTA found that 38% of buyers reported an increase in rail travel, while 33% observed more multimodal trips.

At DerbySoft, we are committed to enabling sustainability through tools that can help travel providers align with corporate social responsibility goals while maintaining operational efficiency.

Balancing Growth with Cost Efficiency

While the business travel market is poised for expansion, managing rising travel costs remains a top concern. GBTAs survey reveals that 78% of travel buyers cite cost control as a strategic priority for 2025. Key strategies include:

Dynamic Travel Policies: Flexible policies allow employees to make cost-conscious decisions, such as choosing budget-friendly accommodations or off-peak travel times.

Flexible policies allow employees to make cost-conscious decisions, such as choosing budget-friendly accommodations or off-peak travel times. Partnerships with TMCs: By leveraging the expertise of TMCs, businesses can negotiate better rates, streamline itineraries, and gain valuable insights into travel trends.

By leveraging the expertise of TMCs, businesses can negotiate better rates, streamline itineraries, and gain valuable insights into travel trends. Virtual Meetings as a Supplement: Companies continue to invest in hybrid meeting technologies, balancing the benefits of in-person interactions with the cost and sustainability advantages of virtual solutions.

2025: A Turning Point for Business Travel

As the business travel sector approaches the new year, it is clear that the industry is entering a new eraone defined by innovation, sustainability, and a deeper understanding of traveler needs. This transformation is not without its challenges, but it is precisely these challenges that present opportunities for companies willing to embrace change.

DerbySofts Business Travel Suite (BTS) simplifies collaboration between Travel Management Companies (TMCs) and suppliers, improving efficiency and reducing costs. With advanced features like dynamic pricing and real-time analytics, BTS streamlines workflows and ensures accurate booking and commission reconciliation through partnerships with providers like Arise.

A single connection to BTS gives TMCs direct access to a wide range of ratescorporate, rack, negotiated, and loyaltywithout the hassle of managing multiple APIs. It connects suppliers of all sizes, from independent hotels to alternative accommodations, enabling unique product offerings and better service. BTS empowers hoteliers and travel companies to cut costs, expand market reach, and maintain a competitive edge in the evolving travel industry.

Together, lets redefine the possibilities for 2025 and beyond.

About DerbySoft

DerbySoft is the Travel Commerce Accelerator, with a mission to converge the diverse elements of travel, creating a unified and efficient ecosystem of connectivity services, high-performing AI-driven marketing services, and an end-to-end content platform. Our world-class services are designed to deliver seamless, frictionless commerce, accelerating the pace at which properties can connect, grow, and optimize profit. DerbySoft consistently pushes the boundaries of innovation to unlock new opportunities and accelerate travel commerce. Our team of travel industry experts is passionate about uniting people and technology and committed to enhancing every aspect of travel, making it more accessible, efficient, and enjoyable for all. Our approach is centered on making travel better - not just for today, but for years to come. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, USA, DerbySoft's cutting-edge technology is trusted by the world's leading online travel distribution partners and hotel companies in 197 countries. To learn more, visit DerbySoft.com.

With six offices around the globe and over 300 employees in over 11 countries, DerbySoft continues to grow and develop the next generation of online hotel distribution infrastructure. DerbySoft.com.

Caroline Terry

Director, Corporate Marketing

DerbySoft
How many articles that you've read recently begin with something like:hospitality is changing faster than ever. Its a common intro because its a recurring theme (and because its one of ChatGPTs favorite phrases)  but that doesnt make it any less true.

Of course, change is always happening within our industry. Some of it is easy to predict and see with our own eyes, but sometimes we need to take a few steps back and enlist the help of some real hospitality visionaries to look at the bigger picture. Thats exactly what we did in the 2025 Hospitality Outlook: Key Trends and Expert Predictions, which is the subject of episode 13 of Matt Talks.

Watch the video to see Mews CEO, Matt Welle, unpack some of the reports key findings, specifically the four key trends that will likely shape the next year in hospitality, from the rise of AI-driven personalization to the growing diversification of hotel offerings. If you prefer the written word, read on here for some of the highlights.

Watch the episode

1. AI Will Revolutionize Guest Experience and Solve Long-Standing Industry Problems

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming one of the most important tools in hospitality. The potential for AI to improve both guest experiences and operational efficiency is vast, and the industry is beginning to scratch away at the surface.

For years, hotel operations have been hindered by legacy systems that were not designed to meet the evolving needs of guests. Front desk staff often spend more time entering data into systems than engaging with customers, and guest profiles are scattered across multiple disjointed platforms. AI offers a solution by enabling hotels to gather and analyze massive amounts of guest data in real time, allowing for personalized experiences and predictive service delivery.

For example, AI tools can aggregate data such as guest preferences, previous complaints and special requests, creating a more holistic profile that staff can use to enhance experiences. At Mews, this technology has already been implemented with the "Smart Tips" feature, which displays relevant guest information to hotel staff at the point of check-in, ensuring a seamless and personalized experience from the moment guests arrive.

But AIs potential doesnt stop at personalization. AI-powered chatbots and predictive systems are also revolutionizing the way guests interact with hotels. AI tools can anticipate what a guest may need based on historical data  whether it's a specific pillow type or a preferred dining option  allowing the hotel to prepare in advance. As AI continues to evolve, it will increasingly support human staff in delivering exceptional service while automating routine tasks.

2. Staff Productivity Will See a Major Boost with Modern Tech

One of hospitalitys most significant challenges is staff productivity. Historically, hotel operations have seen little improvement in productivity, particularly when compared to other industries. The lack of automation and reliance on outdated systems has created inefficiencies, especially in areas like front desk operations and housekeeping.

The post-pandemic hospitality industry has faced a staffing shortage, making it even more urgent for hotels to find ways to improve productivity without compromising service. The key to solving this issue lies in adopting modern cloud-based systems and leveraging AI-driven automation.

Cloud-based platforms can drastically improve hotel productivity by integrating various operational systems and allowing staff to access the tools they need more quickly. For example, automated check-in kiosks, mobile check-in apps and AI-driven chatbots reduce the amount of time staff spend on administrative tasks, allowing them to focus more on delivering a personalized guest experience.

By eliminating the need for data entry and routine tasks, employees can return to what they love about hospitality  connecting with guests and creating memorable experiences. However, hotels must also rethink how they attract new talent. The traditional concept of hotel work, which often involves long hours at a front desk or housekeeping with minimal technology, is no longer appealing to younger generations. The focus must shift to making the job experience enjoyable, leveraging technology to streamline workflows and allowing staff to focus on delivering exceptional service.

3. A Shift Away from OTAs Toward Direct Bookings

For years, OTAs like Booking.com and Expedia have dominated the hotel booking landscape, capturing a significant portion of the market. However, AI-driven innovations are shifting this dynamic, with hotels now able to reclaim some of their direct booking power.

The rise of AI chat tools, like ChatGPT and Claude, is changing the way travelers search for accommodations. Instead of turning to OTAs first, guests are increasingly asking AI systems to help them plan their travel. These tools can filter through thousands of options and surface personalized hotel recommendations based on criteria like location, price, and amenities. As a result, hotels are seeing more direct traffic, bypassing OTAs in favor of branded, user-friendly websites.

But theres a catch: many hotel websites remain outdated, difficult to navigate and lack the information travelers need to make booking decisions. To capitalize on the AI-driven shift, hotels must invest in improving their digital presence. AI tools will help surface the most relevant content for guests, such as detailed descriptions of facilities (gyms, family-friendly amenities, etc.) and local attractions, but hotels will need to keep their websites updated, intuitive and engaging to fully benefit.

Loyalty programs will also play a key role in shifting business away from OTAs. Traditionally, hotel loyalty programs have focused on points for stays, but theres an emerging trend toward non-traditional loyalty programs, such as partnerships with credit card companies. These programs offer incentives for direct bookings, making it easier for guests to commit to a specific hotel brand.

4. Diversification of Hotel Offerings: The Rise of Extended and Hybrid Stays

Another significant trend gaining momentum is the diversification of hotel portfolios. With the rise of hybrid and long-term travelers such as digital nomads, extended-stay guests and bleisure travelers, traditional hotel models are evolving.

The pandemic accelerated this trend, with many travelers seeking longer stays and more flexible accommodation options. Major hotel chains are already making significant moves into the extended stay market. For example, Hilton acquired Graduate Hotels to tap into a younger generation of travelers, while Hyatt expanded with the Apple Leisure Group acquisition. Accor, too, has been investing heavily in the extended stay and aparthotel categories.

Hotels are increasingly offering more versatile accommodation options, such as rooms with kitchenettes, coworking spaces and wellness facilities. These amenities cater to the needs of long-term and hybrid travelers who require more than just a place to sleep. The shift is evident in hotel concepts like The Social Hub, a European brand that blends student housing with short stays, offering a flexible, community-driven experience that appeals to a variety of demographics.

For hotels to succeed in this space, however, technology will be key. Managing reservations for stays ranging from one night to several months requires sophisticated systems that can handle different types of billing and guest expectations. Hotels will need to ensure they can provide the same level of personalized service across varying lengths of stay.

Conclusion

The hospitality industry is undergoing a transformation, driven by technology, evolving guest expectations and new business models. AI is paving the way for personalized, data-driven guest experiences while modern cloud-based systems are improving staff productivity and efficiency. Hotels are also increasingly moving away from OTAs, reclaiming their direct booking channels and diversifying their portfolios to meet the needs of a broader range of travelers.

To remain competitive, hotel operators must embrace these changes, invest in new technology and rethink traditional business models. The future of hospitality lies in leveraging the power of AI, adapting to the demands of modern travelers and creating experiences that go beyond the conventional hotel stay.

Want to find out how to best prepare your business for success? 2025 Hospitality Outlook: Key Trends and Expert Predictions includes insights from industry leaders from the likes of Skift, BWH Hotels, Stripe and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.

Read the report

About Mews

Mews is the leading platform for the new era of hospitality, designed to streamline operations for modern hoteliers, transform the guest experience and create more profitable businesses. Customers include BWH Hotels, Strawberry, The Social Hub and Airelles Collection. Mews was named Best PMS (2024, 2025) and listed among the Best Places to Work in Hotel Tech (2021, 2022, 2024, 2025) by Hotel Tech Report, and won the Tech Hero 2024 Award at CIODAY. Mews has previously raised $335 million from investors including Growth Equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives, Kinnevik and Notion to transform hospitality.

www.mews.com
Fashion Town Hotel Shenzhen - Image Credit Accor

Accor's MGallery Collection has expanded its presence in Greater China by launching three new hotels. The openings in Shenzhen, Wuxi, and Nanjing bring the total number of MGallery properties in the region to nine, with several more under development.

The Fashion Town Hotel Shenzhen, the Dangkou Ancient Town Hotel Wuxi, and the Ming Hotel Nanjing all promise to provide guests with luxurious, sustainable, and personalized service. These openings follow the recent launch of the Chengdu Expo Waterfall Hotel, another MGallery property.

Gary Rosen, CEO of Accor Greater China, described MGallery as one of the region's fastest-growing hospitality brands. He emphasized the brand's commitment to creating unique guest experiences that resonate with local culture and incorporate strong design identities and sustainable practices.

The Fashion Town Hotel Shenzhen, located in Longhua, aims to capture the spirit of the surrounding fashion district. The hotel features 262 guestrooms, several restaurants, a lobby bar, and over 1,654 square meters of meeting and banquet space.

The Dangkou Ancient Town Hotel is situated in the historic Taishi Mansion in Wuxi. It offers guests a fusion of ancient charm and modern elegance. The hotel includes 178 individually designed rooms, restaurants and lounges and more than 1,300 square meters of event and meeting spaces.

The Ming Hotel Nanjing, located on Changjiang Road, combines the city's historical features with modern luxury. The hotel offers 160 rooms and suites, a signature restaurant, a rooftop terrace, and multiple function rooms for events and meetings.

MGallery, with over 120 properties worldwide and around 40 more under development, aims to double its footprint in Greater China by 2030. The latest additions in Shenzhen, Wuxi, and Nanjing strengthen Accor's MGallery portfolio in the region, including properties in Chengdu, Mile, Changbai Mountain, and Hong Kong.
How to Choose a Property Management System (+ 10 Best Hotel PMS) - Image Credit Unsplash+



If you have the right staff and strategies in place at your hotel but youre still not performing as youd like to, the chances are youre being let down by your systems.

At the heart of any hotels systems will be its property management system (PMS)  or at least it should be. But maybe

Yours is out of date and youre in need of an upgrade

It doesnt talk to your other systems

You dont actually have one, as youre making do with other systems or have just started out

Whatever the nature of your headache, this blog post will help you identify the key considerations you should bear in mind when choosing or upgrading your PMS.

Start by nailing down your budget

As with evaluating any piece of hotel management software, before diving into the search for a PMS , it's essential to establish a clear budget. Setting a budget early in the process not only keeps you grounded during your search, but it also ensures that you dont waste time exploring options that may be out of reach for your business.

The first step is to involve key stakeholders in the discussion  such as hotel management, IT team (if you have one), finance and even front-line staff who will be using the software regularly. Their input will help define the system's required features and ensure you're investing in a solution that meets everyones needs while staying within budget.

Setting a budget from the outset is crucial for several reasons. For one, it helps narrow down the pool of available PMS options and prevents the overwhelm of exploring systems that exceed your financial capacity.

Without a budget, its easy to get caught up in exploring highly sophisticated solutions that might not be necessary for your hotels size or operation type. Additionally, establishing a clear budget allows you to prioritize features and functionalities that will have the most impact on your operations, like booking management, revenue optimization, or guest communication tools.

In terms of cost, hotel PMS systems typically range in price based on the size of your property, the features you require and whether the system is cloud-based or on-premise.

On average, small to mid-sized hotels might spend anywhere between $5,000 to $20,000 annually for a cloud-based PMS, with larger hotels or more feature-rich systems costing upwards of $30,000 per year. But, before you get sticker shock, understand that many PMS providers offer per key pricing that make these solutions affordable for smaller hotels

For reference, the overall investment in technology and software solutions in the hospitality industry is growing steadily. According to one report in 2023 thats typical of many, 72% of hoteliers planned to increase their IT budgets to improve operational efficiency, with automation and cloud-based systems being a top priority.

This emphasizes the increasing role of software solutions like PMS in modern hotel management, making it all the more important to allocate your budget thoughtfully.

Define your requirements for a PMS

Defining your software requirements is one of the most important steps in selecting a property management system that aligns with your hotels needs.

Begin by identifying the key functions you need beyond the basic requirement of effectively analyzing your PMS data for good revenue management .

These typically include reservation management, guest check-in and check-out, billing and room assignments. Additionally, consider the following key aspects of functionality:

Implementation requirements: Consider the ease of implementation when choosing a PMS. A system that offers quick setup and minimal disruption to existing workflows can be critical. It is also worth checking if the PMS system integrates well with any existing tools you may already have in your tech stack.

For example, cloud-based systems boast faster deployment times compared to on-premise software.

User-friendliness: The user interface (UI) should be intuitive and easy for your team to navigate. A complicated or cumbersome system can lead to delays and errors, negatively affecting your hotels operations.

Many PMS providers now focus on delivering simple, streamlined interfaces that reduce training time and improve user efficiency.

Cloud-based vs on-premise: One of the first choices to make is whether you want a cloud-based or on-premise system.

Cloud-based systems offer the advantage of remote access, allowing you to manage your hotel from anywhere, often at lower upfront costs. However, on-premise solutions might offer greater control over data security and customizability.

Features and capabilities: Identify the specific features that will benefit your hotel. For instance, revenue management tools, integrated booking engines, guest messaging systems and housekeeping management are becoming essential in todays competitive market.

Advanced PMS solutions also offer features like mobile check-in/check-out, guest preference tracking and integrated channel management to optimize occupancy.

Customer support: Evaluate the level of customer support provided by the PMS vendor. A reliable support team can help resolve issues quickly and minimize downtime.

Look for vendors who offer 24/7 support, as well as comprehensive resources like online documentation, live chat and phone support.

By pinning down these key requirements early on, youll be better placed to choose a PMS that aligns with your operational needs and long-term goals, ultimately improving your hotels efficiency and guest experience.

3 Must-have PMS feature capabilities for hotels of any size

Key features and capabilities of a PMS typically include:

Guest profile management : They store and organize guest information for personalized service and loyalty tracking.

Billing and Invoicing : They simplify payment processing, invoicing and financial reporting.

Reporting and analytics : They provide insights into occupancy, revenue and performance metrics for informed decision-making

Mobile accessibility: They allow staff to manage operations on-the-go, ensuring flexibility and efficiency.

But, most importantly, they help you deal with reservation management, with housekeeping management and with integrations, three modules of functionality that well take a deep dive into.

1. Reservation management

Reservation management is the core function of any PMS, allowing hoteliers to efficiently handle guest bookings. A best-in-class solution goes beyond basic reservation tracking, offering seamless integration with online travel agencies (OTAs), such as Booking.com and Expedia, a dynamic booking engine, and real-time availability updates.

It should also provide advanced features like automated confirmation emails, overbooking prevention, and the ability to manage cancellations and modifications with ease.

The most sophisticated systems allow for rate management and room allocation, optimizing revenue through real-time pricing adjustments and occupancy forecasts.

Effective reservation management is crucial for maximizing occupancy and ensuring a smooth guest experience from booking to check-in. For hotels of all sizes, it helps reduce human error, streamline operations and workflows and avoid costly mistakes like overbookings.

With guest expectations higher than ever, offering a seamless and reliable reservation process is key to building trust and ensuring repeat business. Systems that integrate with OTAs and provide real-time updates also increase visibility, allowing hotels to capture more bookings and optimize revenue streams across multiple channels.

2. Housekeeping management

Housekeeping management within a PMS helps coordinate and streamline the cleaning and maintenance of guest rooms and public areas.

A top-tier PMS solution allows for real-time tracking of room status, from "clean" to "dirty" or "out of service." It should also integrate seamlessly with other hotel operations, enabling staff to receive instant updates on room assignments and priority tasks.

The best systems enable mobile access for housekeeping staff, allowing them to mark rooms as completed, request supplies, or flag maintenance issues directly from their devices. Automated alerts for room cleaning based on check-out times or guest preferences can also help improve efficiency.

Effective housekeeping management is vital for ensuring a smooth guest experience and maintaining high cleanliness standards. A PMS that integrates housekeeping functions ensures that rooms are cleaned on time and in a way that meets guest expectations.

With real-time updates, hotel staff can quickly respond to requests or issues, enhancing guest satisfaction.

Additionally, efficient housekeeping management reduces downtime, lowers operational costs and helps optimize room turnover, which is essential for maximizing revenue, particularly during peak periods.

Without proper coordination, hotels may face delays, missed requests and an overall decline in service quality, which can lead to negative reviews and lost business.

3. Integrations

Integrations refer to the ability of property management software to seamlessly connect with other hotel software and platforms, enabling streamlined operations and data sharing.

A best-in-class PMS should integrate with various third-party systems such as:

Channel manager

Booking engine

Pricing recommendation tool

Payment gateway

Accounting software

Benchmarking

Customer relationship management (CRM)

Business Intelligence

Revenue Management System (RMS)

The most advanced solutions enable two-way communication with these platforms, ensuring that data is synchronized in real-time.

For instance, integrating with a channel manager allows a hotels availability and rates to be automatically updated across multiple OTAs, preventing overbookings and optimizing revenue management.

When evaluating a PMS, its essential to prioritize integrations that align with your hotels operational needs. For example, integrating with pricing recommendation software can optimize pricing decisions in real time to drive revenue and save you time.

Additionally, a system that integrates with financial and accounting software helps maintain accurate records and simplifies financial reporting. The ability to integrate easily with these tools reduces manual data entry, saves time and increases operational efficiency across the board.

Compare 10 leading hotel property management systems

1. Cloudbeds

Cloudbeds PMS is a versatile property management solution tailored for the hospitality sector. It efficiently consolidates bookings from various OTAs to minimize overbookings and enhance revenue through tools like the Pricing Intelligence Engine (PIE).

Designed to simplify hotel operations, Cloudbeds PMS integrates seamlessly into existing workflows, serving as a comprehensive tool for managing properties and elevating the guest experience.

Features and benefits include:

An intuitive calendar

Simple drag and drop functionality

Customizable reporting for actionable insights

Automated guest comms

Streamlined invoice processing

2. Mews

Mews PMS is a cloud-based property management solution built to simplify hotel operations and elevate the guest experience through automation and easy-to-use features.

It streamlines processes like daily reconciliations, reservations and property management, improving overall efficiency. The platform integrates seamlessly with third-party tools, allowing for tailored solutions to meet unique hotel requirements. Mews enhances both front desk and back-office operations, driving efficiency and guest satisfaction.

Features and benefits include:

Intuitive interface

Powerful API

High-performing booking engine

Mobile app for managing tasks on the go

3. Oracle Hospitality

Oracle OPERA PMS is a powerful property management solution built to support hotel operations and distribution, utilizing advanced cloud-based technologies. Widely seen as the legacy 'industry standard - it improves efficiency with customizable dashboards and a scalable cloud infrastructure.

However, having cemented its position as the industry leader, it also comes with a high price tag.

The platform streamlines training and enhances staff efficiency and is well renowned for being used by big hotels with banqueting, F&B outlets, and a considerable amount of amenities and services.

Managing a broad spectrum of tasks, including front desk activities like check-ins and room assignments, as well as back-office processes such as revenue optimization, OPERA plays a key role in elevating guest satisfaction and optimizing the overall management of your hotel business.

Features and benefits include:

Real-time insights

Group block management

Easy integration with external systems

Customizable dashboards

Extensive mobile functionality

4. Stayntouch

Stayntouch is a modern cloud-based PMS created to simplify hotel operations. It improves operational workflows and guest satisfaction with its intuitive design, mobile accessibility and seamless integration options. The system streamlines processes like reservation handling, front desk tasks, revenue tracking and housekeeping management. It also supports group bookings and multi-property operations, enhancing staff efficiency and increasing revenue potential.

Featuring remote installation with thorough training, Stayntouch is an essential solution for contemporary hotels looking to grow their business and deliver exceptional guest experiences.

Features and benefits include:

Open APIs

Contactless check-in capabilities

Remote installation with thorough training

5. innQuest

Built by innQuest , roomMaster HMS by is an all-in-one property management solution tailored to simplify hotel operations.

Renowned for its intuitive interface and extensive features, it enables efficient management of reservations, front desk tasks, housekeeping and more. Its advanced reporting and revenue optimization tools help maximize profitability through smart rate management and detailed analytics.

With integration capabilities spanning over 155 third-party systems, the platform enhances efficiency while reducing operational costs. Designed to improve the guest journey from check-in to check-out, roomMaster HMS is a powerful tool for streamlining workflows and enhancing overall hotel performance.

Features and benefits include:

Performance reporting

Online booking

Channel management

Payments

A communications suite

6. HotelTime PMS

HotelTime PMS is a cloud-based property management system designed to simplify a wide range of hotel operations, from handling room bookings to managing spa services.

This flexible platform not only covers essential property management tasks but also provides channel management and comprehensive reporting capabilities. Offering real-time data access and extensive integration options, HotelTime PMS boosts efficiency, reduces costs, and suits properties of all sizes, from boutique hotels to large resorts. With robust customer support and customizable features, its a modern solution for efficient hospitality management.

Features and benefits include:

Inventory management and control

Rate optimization

Accurate forecasting

Seamless integration with other hotel systems

7. Agilysys

Agilysys PMS is a robust property management solution crafted for the hospitality sector. It streamlines hotel operations by efficiently handling reservations, guest profiles, check-ins and check-outs, housekeeping and invoicing.

Designed with a hospitality-first approach, the system adapts to the unique details and changes in guest preferences, delivering personalized and memorable experiences. Its proactive technology anticipates and addresses potential operational challenges, ensuring minimal disruptions and smooth day-to-day management.

This makes Agilysys PMS an essential tool for maintaining efficiency and enhancing guest satisfaction.

Features and benefits include:

Hassle-free customization

Contactless guest engagement

Self-service check-in and check-out

8. WebRezPro

WebRezPro is a versatile cloud-based property management system designed to improve efficiency and profitability for a wide range of accommodations. It simplifies operations by managing reservations, inventory, accounting and reporting in a unified platform, streamlining front desk and back office tasks.

With a built-in, commission-free online booking engine and integration with over 125 third-party platforms, the system enhances revenue management and operational productivity. Offering customizable tools, group booking capabilities and advanced billing options, WebRezPro adapts to the unique needs of different properties.

Features and benefits include:

Integrated accounting

Commission-free booking engine with upsells

Guest self check-in

Yield management

Optimized for mobile use

9. Hotelogix

Hotelogix is a comprehensive property management system designed to simplify hotel operations and improve efficiency.

It consolidates key functions such as reservations, front desk management, housekeeping and billing into a single platform, eliminating the need for multiple systems. With advanced reporting tools, seamless integration with OTAs and remote access capabilities, Hotelogix empowers hoteliers to manage and optimize their operations from any location.

These features enhance revenue generation, boost guest satisfaction and streamline daily workflows, making it an ideal solution for modern hospitality businesses.

Features and benefits include:

Drag and drop reservations to quicken operations

Easy usage and training capabilities

Cloud-based 24/7 accessibility

Sophisticated admin console

10. Guesty

Guesty is a versatile property management platform tailored for short-term and vacation rental properties. It simplifies daily operations, providing end-to-end solutions for property managers.

By reducing the time spent on routine tasks, Guesty enables managers to focus on scaling their businesses. The platform integrates effortlessly with existing systems to enhance operational efficiency, making it a valuable asset for optimizing rental management and streamlining workflows.

Features and benefits include:

Automated guest communication

Task management capabilities

Payment processing

Shortlist your top PMS vendors and get in touch with them

To narrow down your list of vendors, revisit the requirements you defined earlier in the selection process. Focus on vendors that align with your hotels unique needs, such as essential features, integration capabilities, budget constraints and scalability.

Eliminate options that lack critical functionalities or exceed your financial limits. Pay attention to user reviews, case studies and demos to assess whether the system is practical and user-friendly for your team.

Aim to shortlist three to five vendors for further evaluation. This number ensures a manageable comparison without overlooking key contenders. Before committing, contact each vendor to ask specific questions about their systems features, implementation process and ongoing support.

Scheduling demos or trials is crucial for understanding how the PMS will perform in real-world scenarios. Engaging with the vendor also provides insight into their responsiveness and customer service quality  important factors in a successful long-term partnership.

Key questions to ask the sales team

Prepare a list of prioritized questions and scenarios to discuss. Take notes during the conversation and request a follow-up email summarizing the discussion for clarity.

You could consider asking these questions:

Be specific and check how the exact tools in your current tech stack integrate with the PMS

What does the implementation process look like and how long does it typically take?

What kind of training and ongoing support do you provide?

How do you handle data security and compliance with privacy regulations?

What is their onboarding pipeline like? Is there currently a wait?

Can you provide case studies or references from hotels similar to ours?

How to maximize the value of a product demo

To get the most out of demos and free trials, prepare a checklist of key features and tasks based on your hotels requirements. Involve staff members who will use the PMS daily, as their input is critical for evaluating usability.

Test real-world scenarios such as making a reservation, assigning a room or integrating with existing tools.

During demos, ask vendors to show specific workflows and address any unique needs your hotel might have. For free trials, set clear testing objectives and collect feedback from all users to ensure the system meets both operational and guest service expectations.

Get even more out of your PMS by leveraging its data to gain insight insights into hotel performance

Lighthouses intuitive commercial platform is designed to aid you in uncovering valuable and actionable insights, for more informed decision making and connect with almost all PMS on the market.

Our solutions leverage your PMS data to full effect, in a variety of ways from demand forecasting, benchmarking and room price optimization to give you a real competitive edge, and enable you to maximize revenue with minimal effort.

Used individually or in combination, our tools will help you maximize the benefits of your PMS once its been implemented.

To find out more about our solutions, get in touch with our team today.

About Lighthouse

Lighthouse (formerly OTA Insight) is the leading commercial platform for the travel & hospitality industry. We transform complexity into confidence by providing actionable market insights, business intelligence, and pricing tools that maximize revenue growth. We continually innovate to deliver the best platform for hospitality professionals to price more effectively, measure performance more efficiently, and understand the market in new ways.

Trusted by over 65,000 hotels in 185 countries, Lighthouse is the only solution that provides real-time hotel and short-term rental data in a single platform. We strive to deliver the best possible experience with unmatched customer service. We consider our clients as true partners - their success is our success.
Home2 Suites Lewisville Dallas



HWE completes sale of 122-room asset in growing DFW area submarket of Lewisville

Hodges Ward Elliott arranged the sale of the Home2 Suites Lewisville Dallas, a 122-room extended-stay hotel in Lewisville, TX.

An HWE team led by Austin Brooks, Managing Director, Michael Brandes, Vice President, and Chase Wood, Associate, facilitated the transaction on behalf of the seller.

The Home2 Suites Lewisville Dallas opened in September 2020, making it one of the newest select-service hotels in the market. The property is strategically located in the northern Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area within the Lewisville submarket, which has experienced significant population growth over the last decade.

The property is also close to the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, surrounded by over 60 million square feet of office and industrial space, including numerous corporate headquarters.
Social Media Addiction Lawsuit targets Meta, TikTok

A major social media addiction lawsuit is taking on Meta, TikTok, and more, accusing them of making their platforms dangerously addictive. With billions at stake, this case could change how Big Tech is held accountable.

Social Media Addiction Lawsuit Targets Big Tech Giants

by CHRIS CASTLE via Music Tech Policy

The Social Media Addiction Multidistrict Litigation (MDL No. 3047) involves 815 plaintiffs, including individual users, school districts, and 33 state attorneys general, against major social media companies like Meta Platforms (Facebook and Instagram), Snap Inc. (Snapchat), TikTok Inc., ByteDance Inc., YouTube LLC, and Google LLC.

MDL-3047-Personal-Injury-Plaintiffs-Second-Amended-Master-ComplaintDownload

Lets not forget that advertisers and their agencies are the paymasters of social media. It is interesting that in litigation derived from an advertising-driven hierarchy, no advertisers have been sued so far in this case. Lets not forget that the FTC went after Joe Camel in 1997.

Its also kind of extraordinary how little press coverage this case has gottenor maybe not so remarkable. Ahem

This MDL is relevant to the music business because the victims in many of the combined cases were drawn to the platforms because of their interest in artists and their music. So this is what happens to our fans. We drive them to social media and they get monetized, commoditized, and addicted. And some of them dont make it back.

The MDL has that tobacco addiction ring to it, so lets consider the potential damages and the plaintiffs claims in this case compared to the tobacco cases. (And for those reading along at home, thats the Master Settlement Agreement of 1998 that banned the use of Joe Camel and allowed the dismissal of the FTC complaint in 1999.)

DAMAGES

The potential damages in the MDL could be substantial, given the wide range of claims and the number of plaintiffs involved. Plaintiffs are seeking compensation for various harms, including emotional distress, mental health issues, and other damages related to social media addiction. The damages claims are against the companies, not particular executives or board members. So far, Mark Zuckerberg has avoided personal liability in 25 of the cases, but despite claims against him personally being dismissed, there is a long way to go and discovery continues.

While the exact amount of potential damages hasnt been determined, it could include:

Compensatory Damages: These are intended to compensate plaintiffs for their actual losses, such as medical expenses, therapy costs, and other related expenses. Punitive Damages: These are intended to punish the defendants for their alleged misconduct and to deter similar behavior in the future. Punitive damages could be significant if the court finds that the social media companies acted recklessly or with gross negligence. One of the problems with suing the richest corporations in commercial history is that any punitive damages award would have to be many billions in order to discourage the behavior, or as Voltaire said of Admiral Bings hanging, to encourage the others. Class Action Settlements: If the MDL proceeds as a class action, the total damages could be divided among the class members, potentially resulting in smaller individual payouts but a larger overall settlement.

The final amount will, of course, depend on the outcomes of the individual cases within the MDL, the strength of the plaintiffs arguments, and the success of defenses raised by the social media companies. Lets take a high level look at those claims and defenses.

KEY CLAIMS AND DEFENSES:

1. DEFECTIVE DESIGN

Plaintiffs Argument: The social media platforms are intentionally designed to maximize user engagement and screen time, particularly targeting adolescents. Plaintiffs allege that features such as infinite scrolling, push notifications, and personalized content recommendations from the algocrats are intended and designed to exploit psychological vulnerabilities, leading to compulsive use and addiction. And big money in advertising.

Defense: The social media companies argue that their platforms are designed to provide a positive user experience and that features like infinite scrolling and personalized content are intended to enhance user engagement, not to cause addiction. They claim that users have the autonomy to control their usage and that the platforms offer various tools to manage screen time. Because its never the companys fault no matter how many times you watched The Social Dilemma.

2. EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL HARM

Plaintiffs Argument: The addictive nature of these platforms allegedly causes significant emotional and physical harm to users, especially minors. Plaintiffs claim that excessive use of social media leads to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and even suicidal ideation. In extreme cases, there have been reports of deaths linked to social media addiction.

Defense: The companies assert that they are not responsible for the emotional and physical harm claimed by the plaintiffs. This is kind of like a pimp saying She walked into a door to explain the black eyes. The tech giants argue that many factors contribute to mental health issues and that it is not solely the use of social media that causes these problems. They also emphasize that they provide resources and support for mental health within their platforms. The defendants are trying to find a loophole to save them because social media addiction is a mental illness rather than a physical one. So because a user kills themselves instead of developing cancer, the algocrats want to dodge the liability.

3. DECEPTIVE PRACTICES

Plaintiffs Argument: Plaintiffs argue that social media companies engaged in deceptive practices by not adequately informing users, particularly minors, about the risks associated with prolonged use of their platforms. They claim that the companies concealed information about the potential for addiction and mental health issues, misleading users into believing that their platforms were safe and beneficial.

Defense: The social media companies contend that they have not engaged in deceptive practices. They argue that they provide clear information about the potential risks of using their platforms and that they take steps to inform users, especially minors, about the importance of responsible usage. They also highlight their efforts to promote digital well-being.

4. NEGLIGENCE AND PUBLIC NUISANCE

Plaintiffs Argument: School districts and local governments argue that social media addiction has led to significant disruptions and expenses. They claim that the companies negligence in designing addictive platforms constitutes a public nuisance, as it affects the well-being and productivity of students and the community at large.

Defense: The companies argue that they are not negligent and that their platforms do not constitute a public nuisance. They claim that they have implemented various measures to ensure user safety and that they are not responsible for the actions of individual users. They also argue that the claims of public nuisance are unfounded and lack legal merit. Sounds kind of like graduated response and DMCA programs, yes? Were screwing you, but were so careful about. We aint pimpin.

5. VIOLATION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS

Plaintiffs Argument: State attorneys general have brought claims under consumer protection laws, alleging that social media companies misled users about the dangers of their platforms. They argue that the companies marketing and promotional materials downplayed the risks of addiction and mental health issues, violating state consumer protection statutes.

Defense: The social media companies assert that they comply with consumer protection laws and that their marketing and promotional materials are not misleading. They argue that they provide accurate information about their platforms and that they are transparent about the potential risks associated with their use. They also claim that they are not liable for any alleged violations of consumer protection laws.

THE RETURN OF JOE CAMEL

The MDL is reminiscent of the mass tort litigation against tobacco companies that lead to the multi-billion dollar tobacco Master Settlement Agreement.

SIMILARITIES:

Public Health Concerns: Both cases involve allegations that companies prioritized profits over public health. In the tobacco settlements, cigarette manufacturers were accused of downplaying the health risks of smoking. Similarly, social media companies are accused of designing addictive platforms without adequately warning users about the risks of addiction and mental health issues. Mass Tort Litigation: Both cases involve mass tort litigation, where numerous plaintiffs have joined together to file lawsuits against large corporations. This allows for the consolidation of similar claims to streamline the legal process. Government Involvement: Both cases have seen significant involvement from state attorneys general and other government entities. In the tobacco settlements, state attorneys general played a crucial role in negotiating the settlements. In the social media MDL, state attorneys general have also filed claims against social media companies.

DIFFERENCES:

Nature of Harm: The tobacco settlements primarily focused on physical health harms caused by smoking, such as lung cancer and heart disease. The social media MDL, on the other hand, focuses on emotional and mental health harms, such as anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. Regulatory Environment: The tobacco industry faced a different regulatory environment in the 1990s, with fewer restrictions on advertising and marketing to minors. In contrast, social media companies operate in a more regulated environment, with laws and guidelines aimed at protecting minors from harmful contentwhich are like locks, they protect you from the honest people. Settlement Outcomes: The tobacco settlements resulted in significant financial payouts from cigarette manufacturers to states and individuals, along with strict advertising and marketing restrictions. Size of Tobacco Companies vs. Social Media Companies:



Top 5 Tobacco Companies: Philip Morris International: $188.8 billion; Altria Group: $88.8 billion; British American Tobacco: $80.0 billion; ITC Ltd: $69.8 billion; Japan Tobacco: $45.9 billion



Social Media Defendant Companies:



Meta Platforms (Facebook): $884.9 billion; Alphabet Inc (Google): $1,250.7 billion; Amazon.com Inc: $1,151.2 billion; Snap: $20.07 billion; Bytedance: $223 billion

We can see that the MDL defendants have vastly larger market capitalizations than the tobacco companies which may demonstrate the value of social media addiction, safe harbors and political clout. But even so, in order for a damages award to get their attention, its going to have to have an awful lot of zeros.

Its worth noting that a number of the claims against social media companies sound very similar to techniques that companies like Spotify use to attract and retain users through their algorithms and other tools such as the Meta pixel that allows Spotify to report back to Facebook on Spotify user activity.

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Berkshire Schools Awarded Early College Program Grants

BOSTON  Bard College at Simon's Rock was awarded a $60,000 Early College Capacity Grant and Pittsfield High School and Taconic were both awarded $50,000 Early College Planning Grants with Berkshire Community College.

The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that it is awarding $8 million in designated Early College grants to allow high school students to take college classes and earn college credit at no cost to them or their families. These funds will be

used to support schools and higher education institutions as they design new Early College programs, as well as expand existing programs to provide an estimated additional 2,300 seats, increase staffing and recruitment, and provide professional development. Early college programs are a key part of the administration's "Reimagining High School" initiative, ensuring Massachusetts students are prepared for college or careers when they graduate high school.

"Early College programs are great for our students and great for our economy. They allow students to get college credit while they're still in high school at no cost, making it more affordable for them to get their degree and preparing them to succeed in their careers," said Governor Maura Healey. "We're also strengthening our workforce by helping students graduate with the skills that are in demand by employers today. We're proud to be expanding Early College to more schools than ever."

The administration continues to expand designated Early College programs, increasing the number of students participating by nearly 2,000 since school year 2022-2023, a 31 percent increase. Further, the administration designated 16 new Early College program partnerships over the last two years. Over 9,000 students are expected to be supported this school year, stated a press release.

Massachusetts prioritizes participation by students historically underrepresented in higher education. The state's 12th

grade early college participants are majority Black and Latino and evenly split between low-income and non-low-income students. Early college participation increases college enrollment for all racial groups, but makes the biggest difference for Latino students who historically have been the least likely to matriculate to college, continued a press release.
The Board of Water Commissioners, with their attorney Elisabeth Goodman, voted to fire the fire chief on Tuesday after an independent investigation into allegations including harassment.

Dalton Fire Chief Christian Tobin Terminated



Members of the Fire District attend the meeting at the Stationery Factory, where Christian Tobin was sworn in on Jan. 29, 2024. DALTON, Mass.  The Board of Water Commissioners on Tuesday unanimously voted to terminate Fire Chief Christian Tobin just a year after hiring him

The decision comes after an investigation by Kerry Gilpin of Comprehensive Investigations and Consulting, which began when the board announced Tobin's paid suspension in August over allegations of sexual harassment, grant overspending, and employee concerns

The suspension was originally for a month but was indefinitely extended in September until the investigation into Tobin's conduct was complete.

"I feel there's sufficient evidence to support the harassment charges brought to our attention against Christian Tobin," board Chair James Driscoll said.

"Also, the fact Mr. Tobin did not make himself available for the requested interviews in person or on Zoom by Comprehensive Investigations and Consulting LLC leads me to the decision that we need to terminate the employment of Mr. Tobin as of Jan. 7."

Tobin's attorney, Jonathan Thomas Zepka of Elizabeth J. Quigley & Associates, alleges that Tobin was never contacted by the district and no interview was performed.

Elizabeth J. Quigley & Associates office was contacted via a defunct AOL email and there was a meeting that was supposed to be scheduled later this month. Then, the conclusion of this report was made known to their office but was not shared, Zepka said.

"We also have never seen this report and we do not know of its contents," he said.

After reading the report from the district's independent investigator titled "Sexual Harassment and Inappropriate Workplace Behavior at the Dalton Fire District," board member Michael Kubicki said he agrees with the consultant's conclusion that Tobin "engaged in inappropriate workplace behavior and created an intimidating work environment."

Board member Camillus B. Cachat, Jr. also said Tobin did not meet all the responsibilities agreed upon during his hiring interview.

Tobin did not have an employment contract, a practice of the district, but did have a verbal agreement and was expected to follow the district handbook and policies, the district's attorney, Elisabeth Goodman, from Cain Hibbard and Meyers, said in a follow-up.

Goodman highlighted several reasons included in the report that justify this termination, including engaging in "inappropriate workplace behavior in violation of the district handbook Section 2.1," "taken time off without authorization," and "did not make himself available within a reasonable time for an interview by the investigator, either in person or by video conference."

She also said Tobin did not complete all requirements for continued employment, including obtaining a Massachusetts Emergency Medical Technicians certification and failure to pass the fire prevention officer level two certification.

Although the total cost of the investigation is not yet known, it was capped at $5,000, and the results will be available on the district website once redactions are made, Driscoll said.

Tobin has been on paid administrative leave since August. Filling in during Tobin's absence has been the district's Assistant Fire Chief Chris Cachat.

Placing Tobin on paid administrative leave will have minimal effect on the budget because Tobin and Cachat's pay had already been budgeted, Driscoll said in a follow-up.

Throughout his suspension, Tobin has accused the district of unlawful departmental practices, including illegal wages and hour practices, unlawful public meetings, improper safety practices, failure to supply employee medical and respiratory protection, the misuse of district credit card funds, falsification of records for personal or others' benefit, and among other allegations.

Amongst these accusations were claims that there was a deficit of about $183,084 in fiscal year 2023.

Tobin requested access to public records, which include documentation such as incident reports, credit card statements, expenditures, pay stubs, and documents related to the Fire Department's fiscal year 2023 debt but did not receive them over a dispute on the cost to supply the public records.

Tobin has previously claimed that the district informed him the cost estimate for the requested records is $1,630.45, which includes paper copy fees and labor costs. This includes an hourly rate increase from $18 to $25 to reflect the time needed for a qualified individual to access, segregate or redact personal or protected health information, and reproduce documents, District Clerk and Treasurer Melanie Roucoulet said in a response to Tobin's request.

Zebka emphasized in a follow-up that Tobin was never given an opportunity to be interviewed and voice his side of the story.

He also suggested that the board was trying to justify the termination by bringing in additional issues beyond just the sexual harassment allegations, which the attorney felt were not clearly established.

"[Tobin] advanced some very serious accusations against the town, and I think that they have taken action in regard to those accusations," he said.

During the meeting on Tuesday, the district was asked by resident Robert Bishop whether it also investigated Tobin's accusations against the district.

In response, Driscoll said, "We went to an individual investigating service to look at everything. So, we didn't do anything on our own because, I think, it could be looked at being biased from our point of view. So, everything that we're basing [this decision] on is in that report."

Following the meeting, Driscoll said there had not been an investigation into Tobin's accusations and clarified that the only investigation that was done was the one conducted by Comprehensive Investigations and Consulting.

In a follow-up, Zepka highlighted Tobin's 25 years of experience in fire service, originating from Naples, Fla.

"The client really here is a whistleblower here with the town, and you know, we seek to look at all avenues going forward with those claims," he said.

The documents show the reason being "insubordination, conduct unbecoming and misconduct."

Following the leave, Tobin requested to arbitrate, which resulted in a settlement to him of $98,331, $13,550 of which went to Sugerman Susskind Braswell Herra Trust Account for his alleged attorney fees and costs.
North Adams School Committee OKs Search Panel, Ad for Superintendent

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  The School Committee on Tuesday approved a superintendent search committee and a brochure advertisement for the post.

Superintendent Barbara Malkas will retire at the end of the fiscal year after nine years in the post.

The committee had agreed last month to have two of its members on the search panel in addition to Mayor Jennifer Macksey, who will be chair.

But members held off on deciding who will represent them when it became apparent more than two were interested.

On Tuesday, Macksey pulled the names of David Sookey and Cody Chamberlain out of a bag. They had both shown strong interest last month.

"We had a lively discussion at the next last meeting, I asked those who were interested to send me an email," said Macksey. "I received three responses, one for Mr. Sookey, Mr. Chamberlain and Ms. [Tara] Jacobs.

"To be fair, I don't want to choose one of my colleagues over the other, so I have this black bag with every one those three recipients names in it."

Sookey and Chamberlain will join Macksey on the search committee with 14 others approved by the committee.

"We had a lengthy conversation [about members]. We went out and asked people who were interested to email us," said the mayor. "I had some people in mind as well."

The are community members Maria "Toni" Diamond (an educator who was on the committee that chose Malkas) and Rebecca Cellana; Jason Canales of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (also a parent); parents Karen Bond (a former committee member) and Elizabeth Rutledge; Colegrove Park Principal Amy Meehan and Drury High Principal Stephanie Kopala; Adult Basic Education coordinator Annie Pecor; school Facilities Director Robert Flaherty and Director of Finance and Operations Nancy Rauscher; teachers' union representatives Michelle Darling and Mary Scanlon; nonprofessional staff representative Mary Beth Peck; and City Council President Bryan Sapienza.

The first meeting of the search committee will be Thursday, Jan. 16, at 5:30 p.m.

"From your even brief description for those folks, I don't know, it seems like you put together a really robust list that hits everything we need, and it's very exciting," said committee member Alyssa Tomkowicz. "So thank you for all your effort in this."

The committee also reviewed and approved the brochure, which described the community, the school district and the responsibilities of the superintendent.

The salary is pegged at between $155,000 and $180,000 with a three-year contract and negotiable fringe benefits. Candidates are expected to have at least 15 years in instructional education and administration with a doctorate in education or philosophy preferred. They should also be able to licensed in the state of Massachusetts.

Applications are due by Feb. 7 with the anticipation intial interviews will be scheduled by the end February. The School Committee hopes to have finalist interviews by April 1.

Disclosure: Rebecca Cellana is the business manager for BoxcarMedia.com, iBerkshires' parent company.
Wednesday 8 January 2025, 13:04 - Last updated: 18:30

Cecilia Sala is now free and back in Italy. The journalist was held in the notorious Evin Prison in Tehran for almost three weeks now. It has been reported that Giovanni Caravelli, director of the External Intelligence and Security Agency (Aise), personally traveled to the Iranian capital to secure her return.

Cecilia Sala, italian journalist arrested in Tehran: her detention conditions in Evin Prison are reported to be awful

Cecilia Sala freed (thanks to Aise)

She was detained since December 19, 2024, shortly after arriving on a journalist visa. Now she isback home, landing in Ciampino's airport (Rome) in the afternoon.

But what is Aise, and who is General Caravelli, the protagonist of this diplomatic and intelligence mission? "Aise: Italian intelligence beyond borders The External Intelligence and Security Agency" (Aise) is responsible for protecting Italian strategic interests outside national borders.

Its main purpose is to gather and analyze useful information for the defense of the security, independence, and integrity of the Republic, operating in delicate international contexts.

General Caravelli, on his side, boasts numerous awards, including medals for NATO missions, peacekeeping, and interventions in natural disasters. He is also a Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. The return of Cecilia Sala The direct presence of General Caravelli in Tehran underscores the diplomatic and humanitarian importance of the mission, confirming the strategic role of Aise in protecting Italian citizens abroad. Cecilia Sala remained in the Iranian prison for 20 days. The arrival of the plane that will bring the journalist to Rome is expected at Ciampino airport at 3:30 PM today.

Cecilia Sala, what happened and her detention conditions

The photographs of the detention conditions at the notorious Evin Prison, where Cecilia Sala was being held, were quite disturbing. She was arrested three weeks ago on vague charges, alleging that she "violated the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran".

Evin Prison has long been a site of imprisonment for dissidents, journalists, academics, students, activists, and members of ethnic and religious minorities. Reports from political prisoners describe overcrowded cells, inadequate medical care, and widespread use of torture. These direct and indirect testimonies have, for years, exposed the grim reality behind the walls of this notorious institution, which has become a symbol of oppression in Tehran. With an estimated 15,000 inmates, Evin serves as a dark reminder of the Iranian regimes relentless control over its people.
Get ready for AI that is more natural and intuitive. The next evolution of Galaxy AI is coming and its going to change the way you interact with the world every day. The new Galaxy S series is about to set the bar once again for mobile AI experiences now and into the future.

On January 23, 2:00 AM PH Time, Samsung Electronics will host Unpacked in San Jose. Join us as we unveil a new chapter in mobile AI  premium Galaxy innovations that bring seamless convenience into every moment of your life. The event will be streamed live on Samsung.com, Samsung Newsroom, and Samsungs YouTube channel beginning at 2:00 AM PH Time.

Stay tuned and make sure to visit news.samsung/com/ph for all upcoming teasers, trailers and updates ahead of Unpacked 2025. Register to Galaxy Unpacked and get up to 5,000 e-voucher when you complete your registration by visiting https://www.samsung.com/ph/unpacked/.
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Jesse Eisenberg is hunched forward in his seat in a Soho hotel room, speaking rapidly, digressively, about the film he has just written and directed. In A Real Pain, the star of The Social Network plays what can only be described as an Eisenbergian character  clever, introverted, socially awkward  on a pilgrimage to Poland with his cousin (Kieran Culkin) to revisit a painful part of his family history. Eisenberg made that same trip in real life. In the film, he repeatedly watches videos of his son being cute, marvelling at his curiosity. Here and now, Eisenberg pauses our interview to take a video call in the hotel room. Its his seven-year-old son, Banner, who wants to show him how he pronounces his Rs. Eisenberg marvels. Oh honey, youre such a good student, he tells him. You sound perfect. Father and son in both scenarios, it turns out, are the same people. Were you starstruck? Eisenberg asks me of his boys budding celebrity.

There was a time when Eisenberg was known for being a tricky interviewee  not in the expect-a-call-from-his-publicist-later kind of way, but rather in the sense that he might destroy you with a withering putdown should you fail to measure up intellectually. Today, the 41-year-old is a tough interview for altogether different reasons. He is genial and unfailingly polite, but  amid the fusillades of observation, introspection and droll self-doubt  he lives up to his reputation of asking questions as much as answering them (which may be why I find myself off on a tangent explaining that the London borough of Walthamstow is associated with the boyband East 17).

In the flesh, he has the air less of a leading man than of a former child prodigy turned writer. He has a slight build and is dressed in a navy polo jumper, straight-leg jeans and New Balance trainers. His eyes dart like minnows beneath a fringe; between his fingers is a teaspoon that he plays with skittishly. Im in a constant state of nervousness, he notes, dryly.

That tracks, of course. Eisenberg has talked about the obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety and depression hes had since he was a child; in 2017, he recorded a video in which he offered advice to his younger self on overcoming these inner struggles. More recently, in a story he wrote for The New Yorker titled A GPS Route for My Anxiety, Eisenberg described its narrator as staring at a sunset and wondering why something so viscerally, timelessly beautiful leaves him completely cold. How is it possible, he continued, that your antidepressant is keeping you functional but also stifling any semblance of spiritual epiphany? I wonder if Eisenberg thinks that medication prevents you from being able to feel things.

Oh yes, he says. I mean, I have no opinions for other people, but for myself, Im just constantly asking my therapist, Is this going to make me less creative? And he tells me all the time, You asked me this last week, and every other patient I see asks me this as well, and I say, I dont think so. Every artist is paranoid about the same thing, which is I want to be happy, but I dont want to lose the thing that allowed me to write the poem.

What also seems to rescue Eisenberg from spiralling inexorably  besides medication and a weekly trip to see his therapist  is having a close-knit family. Even when I ask how he feels about cancel culture  hes worked more than once with Woody Allen  he widens the focus to how his feelings about social justice in general have been influenced by those closest to him. My wife comes from a family of activists, says Eisenberg. (Hes married to the charity worker Anna Strout, whose mother, Toby Strout, ran a domestic violence shelter, and whose brother, Anthony Arnove, co-founded a non-profit arts organisation.) I married into a brilliant left-wing family, and my wife has shaped every thought Ive ever had as an adult, he continues. So Im a supporter of all social movements that lift up those who need a lift.

Given his fathers a sociology professor, its likely that Eisenberg  who grew up in Queens, New York and New Jersey  already had a grasp of social currents when he met Strout aged 18. By then, hed also begun to develop an ear for dialogue, having become obsessed early on with Borscht belt humour, a brisk, hyper-self-critical brand of comedy that thrived at the Jewish holiday resorts in upstate New York in the middle of the 20th century. His mother, a professional clown who worked at childrens parties, would distil elements of it into her act. She taught me the dedication needed to do something creative, Eisenberg once said.

open image in gallery Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg in A Real Pain ( Searchlight )

His own family history is key to A Real Pain. Deftly finding a balance between big laughs and pathos, the film is as perceptive and melancholic as it is funny, a finely modulated study of historical trauma. Its also partly autobiographical, as Eisenbergs David and Culkins Benji, looking to honour the final wishes of their beloved grandmother Dory, a Holocaust survivor, visit the place where she used to live, near the concentration camps in Poland.

The house they make their way to once belonged to Eisenbergs ancestors. Although his grandfathers family, including his great aunt, moved from there to New York in 1918, 21 years before the invasion of Poland triggered the Second World War, his other relatives stayed put and were murdered, explains Eisenberg. They were taken to the cemetery and shot, which was doubly strange, because our trailers were parked across the street from the cemetery. This was the history of Jews in this town.

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One of Eisenbergs Polish cousins survived the Holocaust. She lived in Izbica, south of Lublin, close to the border with Ukraine, then part of the Soviet Union. The town became a transfer point for Jews being taken to the death camps in Belzec and Sobibor. My cousin Maria survived through, as we say in the movie, a thousand miracles, he explains. She stayed in Poland [after the war] and moved to Szczecin, which is in the north, and my first play [The Revisionist] was about her. Vanessa Redgrave played Maria in it. She was kind of the lone survivor of the family, and her story is just one kind of horror story after another, even post-war. So this character of Dory in A Real Pain was a combination of my cousin Maria, who survived, and my great-aunt Doris, who kind of shaped my life.

This traumatic family history was, for a time, not spoken of. Whats weird is my parents were never told about what happened to their families, to their aunts and uncles and cousins, because I think there was a feeling from their parents, my grandparents, that we didnt do anything, says Eisenberg. Theres just a great feeling of survivors guilt  that my grandparents survived when all their contemporaries died. So they never talked about it with my parents.

Im the third generation American, and for me, I had enough distance to become really interested in it. My curiosity was not fraught with a sense of guilt or denialism. At the beginning, Eisenberg says, it was almost academic, like, Oh, what happened to us? Im so curious, what happened to our family? That distance from the complex emotional spectrum his parents experienced, he believes, allowed him to research their history in a different way.

open image in gallery Jesse Eisenberg earned an Oscar nomination for his role as Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network ( Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock )

This interlocking of Jewish history with American identity, each reflecting the other, is what Eisenberg turns to when I ask him how A Real Pains depiction of the Jewish experience in Europe speaks to the current global situation. Like the films central characters, he says, I feel very American. I feel like Ive been in New York for ten million years. I feel like my family has been eating at the New York delis for ten thousand years. [But] when I was learning about my familys history, it seemed that we spent more time in Poland than America. I was struck by the idea that we, as a culture, can assimilate  we have a history of assimilating after being kicked out of countries, and that by the third generation, theres no kind of visceral memory or connection to where we came from.

In the film, he says, Culkin refers to how that creation of American identity is forged from other cultures. Then later, when were talking to these Polish guys, I say Im American and then immediately feel guilty that Im saying Im American, like Im some kind of colonial power to these guys.

Emma Stone persuaded me not to play an unhinged character while trying to direct a movie

Culkins Golden Globe-winning turn as the troubled manchild Benji is at the heart of A Real Pain. He plays him as a motor-mouthed mass of juxtapositions: hot-blooded yet sensitive, selfish yet kind, depressed yet ebullient. Eisenberg is the perfect foil for him, his David a neurotic New Yorker who sells digital ads for a living and finds his cousin enviably charming but infuriating. Eisenberg wrote the character of Benji, a composite of people he knew growing up, with himself in mind. I was going to play him, he says, but I was persuaded not to play him by our producer, whos Emma Stone. She was just saying not to play an unhinged character while trying to direct a movie, because she had done Poor Things and though she was not the director, she was managing stuff as a producer would while also playing this incredibly otherworldly character. So she just said, From my experience, I dont think youre going to be comfortable playing this kind of role while trying to manage a set. And she was right, as she often is.

It was also Stone who persuaded Culkin, her onetime boyfriend, not to drop out a few weeks before filming, after he panicked about being away from his children for too long. Shes the greatest, says Eisenberg. The pair met on the set of the 2009 film Zombieland, when he was 25 and she was 20. I think of her as a friend, sure, but I really just think of her as like a fairy godmother. Shes read everything Ive written, and seen my plays, and shes just very supportive of me, and shes so much more successful than me. I feel like shes kind of letting me have some of her fairy dust that the world has been sprinkling on her for so many years, and I feel really indebted to her.

open image in gallery Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Abigail Breslin and Emma Stone in Zombieland: Double Tap ( JMiglio/Columbia/Sony/Kobal/Shutterstock )

Every time he tries to tell her that, though, he adds, she tells me to shut up. He describes her as almost pathologically nice and engaged. Stone produced Eisenbergs directorial debut, When You Finish Saving the World (2022), a sardonic portrayal of a tricky mother-son dynamic starring Julianne Moore and Stranger Things Finn Wolfhard. Shes also signed up to produce Eisenbergs next film, still untitled, with Paul Giamatti in the lead. I feel like shes given me a second shot at life, I really do, he says.

By the time they first crossed paths, Eisenberg had already established himself as a distinctive voice in Hollywood, a player of garrulous, precocious types vibrating with discomfort, in films such as Roger Dodger (2002), The Squid and the Whale (2005) and Adventureland (2009). Then came David Finchers The Social Network (2010), for which Eisenberg received an Oscar nomination as Facebook inventor Mark Zuckerberg, and the world realised he could also do smug egotists with a knack for brutal deadpan (see also the magician film franchise Now You See Me and 2016s Batman v Superman).

Richard Ayoade isnt a natural leader  but hes my favourite director that Ive worked with

Yet his favourite acting experience, he insists, was on the 2013 Dostoevsky adaptation The Double, written and directed by British comic actor Richard Ayoade. Hes my favourite director, says Eisenberg  not least, one suspects, because Ayoade, like Eisenberg, achieves his aims without being a dominant dictator. Hes not a natural boss or leader, Eisenberg notes, [but] the set was run really well. Hes so creative and inspiring.

Eisenberg is well aware that making admired films does not guarantee future success. He watched his popularity soar after The Social Network, but describes the effect as transient. Id been in some popular movies before  not as popular  and Id seen kind of what happens: youre celebrated for a brief period of time, and youre on top of some vague lists and agencies for a few months, and then you go back to whatever your status is in the movie industry.

open image in gallery Shes my fairy godmother: Jesse Eisenberg sings the praises of Emma Stone ( Getty )

Im having that experience right now, he says. I made a movie thats relatively popular, at least critically popular, so Im getting a lot of calls and notes from people I havent spoken to in a long time, and that will go away in a few weeks, and then Ill be back to feeling like, you know, a freelance artist eager to find my next job.

Its been the same since he was a 16-year-old on the US teen drama Get Real with a young Anne Hathaway. When that show got cancelled, he went back to chasing work wherever he could find it, which is why British viewers first got to see him in a Dr Pepper advert that still raises a chuckle. He was the kid asking Whats the worst that could happen? before taking the drink from a supermarket fridge  a sequence that ends with him trapped beneath a pile of food boxes, having his pants cut off, and being carried out by a fire crew shouting Step aside! Butt naked kid coming through!.

I just remember that so well, he says. That commercial in some ways represented for me exactly what my life would be like  like Im going to just be auditioning for anything, after being the lead on a show. That was a life lesson.

A Real Pain is in cinemas
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Any good horror director will want their audiences gasping in their seats. Or covering their eyes. Screaming, even. What no one is aiming for, though, is full body collapse. But film history is full of movies so shocking, strange or downright ugly that viewers just stopped being conscious while watching them.

Coincidence or not, a hell of a lot of them seem to be French. But others are more mainstream. Take Saw III, a film so gnarly that Bolton ambulances were put on stand-by after reports that filmgoers were passing out during scenes of brain surgery. Cry babies!

Last year, reports emerged of yet another film  the latest film in the Terrifier franchise  leaving audiences feeling rather queasy.

Here are 13 films that quite literally knocked people out.

Freaks (1932)

One of the most notorious horror films in history, Tod Brownings Freaks cast real actors with disabilities and physical differences to play carnival attractions. Test screenings for the film  held in 1931  were so disastrous that numerous audience members fainted. One went on to sue filmmakers at MGM, claiming that the film was so grotesque that she miscarried as a result. MGM naturally got cold feet and cut the 90-minute film down to 60 for release. A graphic castration scene has subsequently never seen the light of day. Probably for the best, that.

Pulp Fiction (1994)

For the pivotal scene in which John Travolta plunges a hypodermic needle into Uma Thurmans chest after she overdoses, the act was filmed in reverse and then played backwards on-screen. The uncanny effect  sped up and accompanied by a morbid thud  proved too much for one audience member at the films world premiere in 1994. They stopped the film, actor Eric Stoltz said. We were all in a box seat in the balcony, and I was mortified. The lights went up, ushers flocked around the audience member in question, and he was brought back around with a glug of Coca Cola. Director Quentin Tarantino was probably ecstatic.

Saw III (2006)

There were three separate call-outs to the Cineworld cinema in Stevenage on Friday night, a spokesperson for the East Anglian Ambulance Trust said in a statement in 2006. The reason: that pesky mass murderer Jigsaw. Saw was the high priest of horror throughout the Noughties, with audiences sent into convulsions by needle pits, eyeball poking and ribcage removals. Saw III, though, seemed to be the most destructive, with reports of fainting in Bolton, Cambridge, Peterborough and Stevenage screenings.

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

It wasnt the spookiness that made Blair Witch audiences hurl in 1999  it was the filmmaking. After reports that the movie was upsetting stomachs across the US, cinemas began putting up warning signs about possible motion sickness and fainting spells due to its use of handheld cameras. It was too late for some, though, with tales of cinemagoers throwing up in the aisles and collapsing in Atlanta, Portland, Georgia and Dallas.

open image in gallery Heather Donahue in The Blair Witch Project' ( Moviestore/Shutterstock )

Irreversible (2002)

Gaspar Noes revenge drama features a 10-minute rape scene in a Paris underpass, and is the kind of thing the fast-forward button was practically designed for. For those trapped with it in a cinema screening, though, its a nightmare. Take the films premiere at Cannes in 2002, which led to at least 250 people walking out, and 20 people fainting. A fire brigade spokesperson said: In 25 years in my job Ive never seen this at the Cannes festival. The scenes in this film are unbearable, even for us professionals.

127 Hours (2010)

Whod have thought a film about a man removing his own arm with a pair of rusty pliers would be too much for some? This James Franco drama  based on the real story of climber Aron Ralstons self-amputation  led to three people fainting and one person having a seizure when it premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in 2010. Even Ralston himself hated watching it, saying: I was ecstatic to be getting out of there.

The Exorcist (1973)

In 1973, The Exorcist was such a runaway smash that audiences lined up for hours for a chance to see it. Many were left scarred. As captured by news reports from the time, cinemagoers often emerged from screenings shaking and crying and unsure of what theyd just seen. The demonic possession tale was so terrifying for Seventies audiences that fainting and vomiting was widespread. I just found it really horrible, a trembling British woman told a news reporter, as captured in the YouTube compilation below. I couldnt take it anymore.

Antichrist (2009)

Somewhere between scenes of a baby falling to its death and a scene of genital mutilation later on, Lars Von Triers Antichrist inspired one New Yorker to have a panic attack during a screening in 2009. Earlier that year  at the films premiere in Cannes  four people fainted, while its debut at the Toronto Film Festival led to at least one person vomiting. Von Trier was unbothered. I dont have to justify myself, he said that year. You are all my guests, its not the other way round.

Prometheus (2012)

There were reports of cinemagoers fainting during the first Alien in 1979, and audiences hadnt become desensitised by 2012, either. Upon the release of Alien prequel Prometheus, at least one person shared that they had fainted during a scene in which star Noomi Rapace aborts her own alien foetus. The last thing I remember was watching her being stapled back together whilst the alien squid-thing lashed around in the tight auto-surgery chamber, the person shared on an Alien message board.

The Last House on the Left (1972)

open image in gallery The poster artwork for The Last House on the Left, complete with fainting warning ( American International Pictures )

Wes Cravens infamous rape-revenge movie sparked controversy even before it was released, with a graphic scene of sexual assault leading to audiences walking out and fainting. Because scandal sells, the films backers quickly exploited the horrified reactions and adjusted the films posters accordingly. Its new tagline? To avoid fainting, keep repeating Its only a movie, ...only a movie.

Raw (2016)

Julia Ducournaus 2016 debut revolved around a young cannibal. The characters graphic munching led to audience members passing out at the Toronto Film Festival. Because hes very good at his job, the films publicist Ryan Werner quickly rushed out a statement confirming the story: An ambulance had to be called to the scene as the film became too much for a couple patrons.

Titane (2021)

Making Raw look like an episode of Junior Masterchef, Ducournaus follow-up Titane doubled down on the gore. Full of self-mutilation, torture and graphic violence, Titane incited mass hysteria when it played at the Sydney Film Festival last year. In a statement, the festival confirmed 13 people had fainted. Earlier, at Cannes, there were other reports that fainting had occurred. As for Ducournau, shes suggested most of the fainting stories may have been whipped up for marketing purposes. I was in Cannes when Raw premiered and I didnt see anyone faint or throw up, like many said, she told Exberliner. Hmm.

Psycho (1960)

Alfred Hitchcocks classic horror film proved so shocking to Sixties audiences that it seemed to spark a kind of collective mania in those who watched. Reports from New York at the time claimed that cinemas became hotbeds of hyperventilating, with police called to deal with mass fainting. Demands to have the film banned naturally followed, but proved unsuccessful.
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Armie Hammer is set to play the lead role in Uwe Bolls upcoming thriller The Dark Knight.

Despite sharing a title, the movie is unrelated to Christopher Nolans 2008 Batman film that starred Christian Bale and Heath Ledger.

However, the plot does appear to share some similarities with the superhero film.

According to Variety, Hammer will play a character named Sanders who takes justice into his own hands when he starts hunting down local criminals. His crusade makes him a public hero and a social media sensation, but a police chief sees him as a menace to society and sets out to take him down.

The 38-year-olds career was derailed several years ago by a series of sexual accusations, and earlier this month he blamed Covid and kink-shaming for the fallout.

In 2021, direct messages allegedly sent from Hammer were made public detailing graphic sexual desires and cannibalistic fetishism.

Armie Hammer is set to play the lead role in Uwe Bolls upcoming thriller The Dark Knight ( Getty Images, )

Several women later accused the actor of sexual assault and he was subsequently accused of rape and abuse by ex-girlfriend Effie Angelova. Hammer has consistently denied any criminal wrongdoing and said that all of his relationships with women were consensual.

In May 2023, the LA County District Attorneys Office announced it would not file sexual assault charges, citing insufficient evidence and the complexity of the relationship. He has since shared his financial struggles, admitting he sold his truck because he couldnt afford the petrol.

The world seemed like it was falling apart, and people were just deeply unhappy with their own lives, Hammer said on the Your Moms House podcast about the news breaking during the Covid lockdown.

And then this salacious story comes around where this actor wants to murder and eat people. And all of a sudden, everyones like, Oh, this is so much more fun to focus on than the fact that I cant leave my living room.

Speaking about this sexual preferences, Hammer suggested that kink-shaming could have been at play in the backlash he received about his alleged sexual fantasies.

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If anyone took anyones bedroom conversations specifically if people were having a little bit of sexy time, and they took the s*** that they said, even if it was completely vanilla, and you read that somewhere else out of context, everyones going to go, You guys are f***ing disgusting. he said.

The actor said that the volume of private messages made public made him feel like he was left standing there naked in front of the world with all of your proclivities or kinks being judged by the world.

Describing his relationship to women, he said: People were my bags of dope with skin on it.

He hinted that he understood why he would be disliked as he added: I would scoop these girls up, take them on a whirlwind month and a half... then Im going bounce and go do it with someone else.

Going further to expand on his sexual inclinations, he said: I like the idea that you are so completely mine. Yeah. I can do whatever I want, and you love it because you know youre mine.

Hammer has since embraced the cannibal label.

This possession-kinda thing, he continued, thats just fun to talk about. And by the way, especially if youre drunk or stoned or high at night and youre texting. While youre saying it, youre chuckling to yourself, like, Im going to f***ing cut your toe off and keep it in my pocket so I got a piece of you everywhere I go.
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Jacob Elordi is reportedly in early negotiations to replace Paul Mescal as the lead of Ridley Scotts new thriller, The Dog Stars.

The forthcoming movie will be based on Peter Hellers 2016 post-apocalyptic novel of the same name about a deadly virus that ravages the world, wiping out nearly the entirety of humanity.

While Mescal, 28, had originally been attached to star in the picture, he was forced to withdraw because of scheduling conflicts with Sam Mendes four-piece Beatles biopic, according to Variety.

Should the deal go through, it is believed that Elordi, 27, would play a pilot named Hig, one of the few lone survivors who lives in a plane hangar with his dog and a gruff gunman as they try to outlive a dangerous group of scavengers called Reapers.

The Independent has contacted Elordis representatives for comment.

Last month, Scott appeared to leak Mescals casting in the highly anticipated Beatles project during a Los Angeles screening of his Gladiator sequel, in which the Irish actor stars alongside Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal.

The British filmmaker was in conversation with fellow director Christopher Nolan, who asked him whether audiences could expect to see Mescal in The Dog Stars.

Jacob Elordi is in negotations to replace Paul Mescal in new Ridley Scott movie ( Getty Images )

Maybe. Paul is actually stacked up, doing the Beatles next. So I may have to let him go, Scott revealed.

Its not been confirmed which Beatle the Normal People alum will be portraying, but there is speculation that hes been cast as Paul McCartney due to their resemblance.

Mescals casting revelation came shortly after Beatles drummer Ringo Starr let it slip that Saltburns Barry Keoghan was lined up to play him in the film about his life.

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Mendes has remained quiet about the casting, although Stranger Things alum Joseph Quinn and Triangle of Sadness actor Harris Dickinson are also rumored to be starring as George Harrison and John Lennon, respectively.

Elordi, meanwhile, has a jam-packed year himself. His hit HBO series Euphoria is finally scheduled to go into production for its long-awaited third season sometime this spring, as is Emerald Fennells Wuthering Heights adaptation, in which Elordi has been cast opposite fellow Australian Margot Robbie.

The Dog Stars is apparently also eyeing to begin production around the same time, so its unknown yet if any of these projects will be delayed to accomodate one another.
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Johnny Depp has been forced to step in and issue a warning to his fans due to a rise in social media scams.

The Pirates of the Caribbean star shared a post on Monday (6 January), telling his Instagram followers that scammers are intensifying their efforts to target my fans and supporters.

His new statement follows a similar one made in 2022  back when the actor was more of an online presence.

In his latest post, Depp, who recently appeared on a list naming the celebrities most commonly misused in scams, wrote: As part of their tactics, they create multiple, deceptive social media and email accounts impersonating me and members of my team.

The 61-year-old also addressed the dangers of AI, stating: Today, AI can create the illusion of my face and voice. Scammers may look and sound just like the real me.

However, he assured his fans that neither I, nor my team, will ask you for money or your personal information.

We are actively working to combat these illicit schemes, he said, before laying down some truths for the protection and awareness of my fans.

open image in gallery Johnny Depp says scammers are intensifying their efforts to target my fans and supporters ( Getty Images for The Red Sea Int )

The actor revealed that he has official accounts on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook, alerting fans to the fact that he is not active on X/Twitter, Snapchat or Discord.

He also said that he does not interact directly with fans on any social media platform or via email, or via chat-based platforms like Telegram, WhatsApp, Signal or Zangi.

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Depp also stated that he does not offer paid meetings, phone calls, club memberships, or fan cards, adding: If you are ever asked for any money for a meeting, call, membership, or fan card, it is a scam.

He ended the statement: Again, neither myself, my team, my agent, nor my family will ever contact you on my behalf asking for money or your personal information.

open image in gallery Johnny Depp takes action after rise in online scams of people pretending to be him ( Instagram )

In July 2024, money saving expert Martin Lewis analysed data from Action Fraud, looking at how frequently public figures, including Depp, Elon Musk and Adele, were mentioned in scams reported in 2022 and 2023.

Lewis went on to say that the amount of data his website analysed is likely only a drop in the ocean, considering that many people do not report scams to the police.

If someone believes they have been scammed, they should contact their bank and the police.
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Justin Baldonis attorney has accused Ryan Reynolds of making a mockery of the It Ends with Us director and star in his recent Deadpool & Wolverine film.

During a recent appearance on The Megyn Kelly Show, Bryan Freedman  who is representing Baldoni in his libel suit against the New York Times for its reporting of his co-star Blake Livelys sex harassment allegations against him  said that there is no question Reynolds Marvel movie is making fun of his client.

What Ryan Reynolds has seemingly done is use his power and influence to not only help Blake Lively take over [It Ends with Us] but hes used it on Deadpool and to make fun of Justin Baldoni, Freedman told host Megyn Kelly.

Kelly then went on to play a clip from the third instalment in the superhero franchise, which sees Nicepool, a variant of Reynoldss character, introduce himself to Deadpool and Hugh Jackmans Wolverine for the first time.

Oh my goodness, wait until you see Ladypool. She is gorgeous, a man bun-wearing Nicepool says of Livelys mutant mercenary. She just had a baby, too, you cant even tell.

I dont think youre supposed to say that, Deadpool retorts. Nicepool responds: Thats ok. I identify as a feminist.

Justin Baldoni is ( Getty Images )

Some people on social media have argued that Nicepool is a mimicry of Baldoni, who used to wear his hair long and has regularly spoken about feminism on his Instagram.

What do you make of that? the conservative pundit asked Freedman.

What I make of that is that if your wife is sexually harassed, you dont make fun of Justin Baldoni, the lawyer replied. You dont make fun of the situation. You take it very seriously. File HR complaints. You raise the issue and follow a legal process.

What you dont do is mock the person and turn it into a joke. Theres no question it relates to Justin. I mean anybody that can watch that  the hair bun, the comment about the pregnancy  its pretty obvious whats being done, he argued.

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The Independent has contacted Reynoldss representative for comment.

In Livelys lawsuit against Baldoni, she accused the It Ends with Us director of sexual harassment during filming as well as organizing a smear campaign against her in the months that followed.

The suit states that there was a meeting attended by individuals, including Lively, Reynolds, Baldoni and their lawyers, to address The Age of Adeline stars claims.

Lively had a number of requirements in order for her to work on the film that included no more inquiries about Blakes weight, as well as no more showing nude videos or images of women to Blake, no more mention of Baldonis alleged previous pornography addiction, no more discussions about sexual conquests in front of Blake and others, no further mentions of cast and crews genitalia.

Baldoni has denied all of Livelys allegations and plans to file a countersuit, Freedman told NBC News last week.
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A Real Pain starts and ends at the same spot. Two cousins, David (Jesse Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin), as close as brothers, attempt to heal their generational trauma and their relationship with each other by flying out to Poland to visit their late grandmothers house. But most trips abroad, no matter the weight of transformation we place on them, start and end at the same spot. Usually, its an airport terminal hall.

The real test of how much weve been transformed only occurs once weve reentered the quotidian cycle of our lives. Yet Eisenberg, also the films writer and director, makes a provocative choice here. We never find out what happens next. A Real Pain is a film thats really an ellipsis. Thats where it derives its tender power.

David and Benji join a group on a Jewish heritage tour: recent divorcee Marcia (Jennifer Grey), married couple Mark (Daniel Oreskes) and Diane (Liza Sadovy), Rwandan genocide survivor and Jewish convert Eloge (Kurt Egyiawan), and British guide James (Will Sharpe, in a performance full of perfectly stammered platitudes), who is not himself Jewish but considers himself a scholar in the Jewish experience.

Their journey is strictly scheduled and emotionally predetermined. A visit to the Warsaw Uprising Monument leads to a walk through Lublins pre-war traces of Jewish life, and, finally, to the aching silence of Majdanek concentration camp. Its a tour primed for revelation. But a revelation of what? Eisenberg fills that anxious blank space with genuine questions seeking genuine answers, delivered by the comforting typewriter patter of his own voice, and a poignant, wrecking ball performance by Culkin.

Eisenbergs work as actor, director, and writer has become a shorthand for millennial neurosis (he previously directed 2022s coming-of-age drama When You Finish Saving the World). David and Benji sit at opposite ends of that spectrum. The former is a diligent micro-manager of his pain. The latter is charismatic, but volatile; so much of an active listener that hell cry out, Oh snap!, when Eloge shares that hes a survivor of genocide.

Isnt everyone in pain in some way? David argues. Were in the middle of a group meal, and Benji has just stormed off, disorientated by a manic outburst that his new acquaintances are learning is a periodic experience. David is frustrated; sympathetic to his cousin, but oddly jealous about the fact hes too in control of his emotional faculties to express how he feels. I know that my pain is unexceptional so I dont feel the need to burden everyone with it.

Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg in A Real Pain ( Searchlight )

That particular moment is exquisitely managed by Eisenberg, in all his roles here. But A Real Pain is  and has been designed to be  Culkins film, and the exposed nerve quality of his performance has already seen him richly rewarded, most recently with a Golden Globe. Benji works so well as a character because the actor offers equal attention to his skittish, surface qualities and the deeper turmoil that drives them. Hes funny and unpredictable at first, even a little antisocial, but it hurts when all the pieces finally click tragically into place.

Both men miss their grandmother terribly. She passed six months earlier, and they have nowhere, it seems, to place all that grief. Thats why theyre here. Both are products of generational trauma but, as David phrases it, something beautiful, too  a thousand f***ing miracles. How do they open themselves up to that history, to the suffering of their ancestors, while simultaneously squaring up their own privileges with the vast emptiness they feel inside? Theres no real answer to that question. So, A Real Pain stays honest. We end up back at the start.

Dir: Jesse Eisenberg. Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Kieran Culkin, Will Sharpe, Jennifer Grey, Kurt Egyiawan, Liza Sadovy, Daniel Oreskes. Cert 15, 90 mins.

A Real Pain is in cinemas from 8 January
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A wave of catastrophic wildfires sweeping across southern California has left Hollywood stars among those devastated as their homes were reduced to ashes.

The fires, which have claimed five lives and forced more than 70,000 people to flee their homes, continue to rage across Los Angeles County, fuelled by high winds.

The Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst fires erupted on Tuesday, engulfing nearly 23,000 acres, while two more  the Tyler and Woodley fires  ignited nearby on Wednesday. A state of emergency has been declared in the city.

Find all live updates on the California fires here

Among the celebrities to lose their homes was Billy Crystal, who revealed that the property he had lived in for 46 years was completely destroyed, with only a tennis court left standing.

In a joint statement with his wife, Janice, the When Harry Met Sally star said: Words cannot describe the enormity of the devastation we are witnessing and experiencing. Janice and I lived in our home since 1979. We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that cant be taken away. We are heartbroken, of course, but with the love of our children and friends, we will get through this.

open image in gallery A firefighter, pictured, as a Palisades Fire burns a house in the hill next to the Getty Villa (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent) ( AP )

Paris Hilton shared her heartbreak after witnessing news footage of her $8.4 million Malibu oceanfront home burn to a crisp.

She told her fans: This is something no one should ever have to experience. Hilton later wrote: This home was where we built so many precious memories. While the loss is overwhelming, Im holding onto gratitude that my family and pets are safe.

Other high-profile victims included Anna Faris, whose $5 million, 4,000-square-foot home was destroyed. Eugene Levy, the Schitts Creek star and honorary mayor of the Palisades, also lost his $3.9 million property. His son, Dan Levy, wrote on social media: Heartbroken for my family, my friends, and the people of LA affected by the catastrophic fires.

Princess Bride actor Cary Elwes confirmed the loss of his family home, stating: Sadly, we did lose our home but we are grateful to have survived this truly devastating fire.

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open image in gallery Paris Hilton shared news footage showing her house burnt to the ground ( Instagram )

Oscar-winning actor Anthony Hopkins, 87, is also believed to have lost his $6 million home. Haunting images appear to show only the propertys gate still standing. Hopkins frequently posted photos and videos of the residence on social media, which has now been reduced to rubble.

Grammy-winning songwriter Diane Warren revealed that her Malibu home of 30 years was destroyed. She wrote: It looks like it was lost in the fire last night. Theres a rainbow shining on it, which Im taking as a sign of hope for all creatures who have been affected by this tragedy. Warren, who runs an animal rescue ranch in the area, confirmed that the animals were safe.

Hairspray actor and talk show host Ricki Lake lost her dream home in Malibu, according to her post on social media. Its all gone, she wrote. It was our heaven on earth. The place where we planned to grow old together. We never took our heavenly spot on the bluff overlooking our beloved malibu for granted, not even for one second.

open image in gallery James Woods grew emotional while talking about losing his home in the wildfires ( CNN )

Miles Teller, star of Whiplash and Top Gun: Maverick, lost his $7.5 million mansion, though he and his wife, Keleigh, have yet to comment.

Married actors Adam Brody and Leighton Meester also saw their home destroyed, just days after attending the Golden Globes.

Actor and musician Mandy Moores home in Altadena, which she shared with her husband Taylor Goldsmith of the band Dawes, was badly damaged by the fires. On Instagram, Moore wrote: We were able to park and walk up our street to bear witness to all the loss. Miraculously, the main part of our house is still standing. For now. Its not livable but mostly intact.

We lost Taylor and griffins studio with every instrument and piece of equipment theyve ever owned. We lost our garage and back house. Everyone we know lost everything. Every house on our street is gone. My in laws. My brother and sister in law- 6 weeks from welcoming their first baby. Our best friends. Feeling weird survivors guilt. We love this community and will do everything we can to help rebuild and support. Thanks for everyone for checking on us and offering us help. Altadena strong.

Reality stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag were among those forced to evacuate. Pratt shared an emotional detail: The one positive sign I saw as our house burned down was our sons bed burned in the shape of a heart. A sign of how much love was in this house. Montag tearfully recounted the chaos of packing an emergency bag, saying: I only have two pairs of jeans, two shirts. The main thing is that were safe and got out.

open image in gallery LA mayor left speechless as she refuses to respond to wildfire criticism during live interview. ( Sky News )

Actor James Woods broke down during a live interview on CNN after being evacuated from his Pacific Palisades home. Im sorry  its just one day youre in the pool, and the next, its all gone, he said through tears.

Beyonces mother Tina Knowles also lost a home in Malibu. She posted a video of a sea view on Instagram along with the caption: This is what I was looking at on my birthday this past weekend from my tiny little bungalow on the water in Malibu! It was my favorite place, my sanctuary, my sacred Happy Place. Now it is gone !!

Despite the devastation, some stars were more fortunate. Jamie Lee Curtis, Ben Affleck, Bill Hader, and Star Wars actor Mark Hamill were among those whose properties escaped the flames. Hamill described the disaster as the most horrific fire since 93 in an Instagram post, assuring fans of his safety.

The wildfires, which now span more than 27,000 acres, are among the most destructive in Los Angeless history, leaving communities shattered and countless lives changed forever.
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Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid bluntly shut down the father of Elon Musk after he compared far-right leader Tommy Robinson to Nelson Mandela.

Musk, 53, has drawn widespread criticism for his alleged propagation of false claims about grooming gangs on social media, and was blamed for stoking the flames of riots sparked by murders in Southport last year.

Prime minister Keir Starmer denounced the Tesla founders lies and misinformation as he accused him of the elevation of the desire for retweets over any real interest in the safeguarding of children.

On Wednesday (8 January), Reid and her co-host Ed Balls were joined by Musks father, Errol as he defended his son.

Im very interested, Errol, firstly in your analysis of your own son, Elon, is he a genius or completely bonkers? Reid asked.

Of course hes a genius, thats ridiculous, what a stupid question! he hit back.

Reid continued: Well, people have asked if he is in fact a madman and certainly theres a degree of madness in being a genius.

They went on to discuss Musks focus on UK politics as well as his troubled relationship with Reform leader Nigel Farage. Matters escalated when the father of the X/Twitter owner doubled down on his comparison between far-right leader Robinson  whose real name is Stephen Yaxley Lennon  and Nelson Mandela, before shifting to the issue of a Canadian referendum.

open image in gallery Musks father appeared on Good Morning Britain on Wednesday (8 January) ( ITV/GMB )

Reid called the comparison utterly bizarre, quickly shutting down the rant as she interjected: Right, Errol, thank you very much indeed but I feel that were drifting slightly from the core issues for our audience.

She then addressed viewers as she explained: I think we slightly drifted away from how democracy works and the legal system in this country as well.

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Balls added: I love the idea of somebody being relatively innocent.

open image in gallery Balls appeared confused and shocked at Musks claims ( ITV/GMB )

During his interview the billionaires dad passionately defended Robinson who has been amongst the most ardent in speaking about grooming gangs, and said he should be prime minister of the UK.

I dont see anybody weeping about any of the things Tommy Robinson has done, he said.

The government need to release Tommy Robinson [from prison]... its insane whats happening in this country.
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Its official, Nikki Glaser will return to host the 2026 Golden Globes following viewer and fan demand.

The 40-year-old stand-up comedian impressed while hosting the event this year, and reports quickly emerged that she was being tapped to return.

Now, CBS has confirmed that to be the case, with Glaser saying in a press statement that she cant wait to do it again.

And this time in front of the team from The White Lotus who will finally recognize my talent and cast me in season 4 as a Scandinavian Pilates instructor with a shadowy past, she quipped.

Golden Globes President Helen Hoehne added: Nikki Glaser brought a refreshing spark and fearless wit to the Golden Globes stage this year. Her sharp humor and bold presence set the tone for an unforgettable night, making the ceremony feel vibrant and, most of all, fun.

Deadline previously reported that Glaser was paid a bit more than $400,000 to host this years event, and according to a source that fee is set to rise significantly next year.

The publication additionally reported that Glaser signed a three-year deal last year, though this has yet to be confirmed.

Speaking on an earlier episode of SiriusXMs Howard Stern Show, the comic revealed she hadnt been paid as much for the hosting gig as a previous male host.

I got paid pretty  Im good with that, she said without divulging an exact figure. There was a past host who said how much he got paid in his monologue and I got less than that, but thats OK. Ill get more next year.

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Nikki Glaser impressive performance hosting this years Golden Globes has earned her another shot next year. ( CBS )

Although Glaser didnt specify which past host she made less than, it seems she was likely referring to 2023 host Jerrod Carmichael, who, during his opening monologue, revealed he was paid $500,000 for the gig.

Expressing her gratitude for the opportunity, Glaser added: This first year, when youre just trying to prove yourself, I honestly wouldve done it for free. Its an insane platform to be on. Its not about the money for me.

The Someday Youll Die stand-up was overwhelmingly lauded by viewers, who praised her for annihilating with her routine.

Even fellow comedian and late-night host Jon Stewart joined in on the virtual applause, tweeting: Nikki Glaser is very very good at this.

The awards shows producers also seemed impressed with her performance, telling Variety at the time that they were definitely interested in inviting her back to host next years ceremony.

We absolutely had a great experience with her, executive producer Glenn Weiss said, and think that she would be great at this in the long term.

While Glaser was one of the major hits of the evening, there was one joke that didnt land with the audience or viewers.

After making several safe jokes in her opening set about the nominees, Glaser found space for a quip about the scandal involving rapper and music mogul Diddy, which she addressed to Dune star Zendaya.

Zendaya, you were incredible in Dune, she said, adding: Oh my God, I woke up for all of your scenes. You were so good... and Challengers, girl? Oh my God! That movie was more sexually charged than Diddys credit card. I mean, seriously.She continued: Im sorry  Im upset too. The afterparty is not going to be as good this year, but we have to move on. I know a Stanley Tucci freak-off doesnt have the same ring to it. No baby oil this year, just lots of olive oil.

The crowd of A-listers in the room groaned at the mention of Diddy, and the joke was branded gross and crazy by some on social media.
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Piers Morgan is leaving News UK to focus on expanding his YouTube channel.

The 59-year-olds Uncensored programme has found some success since the broadcaster first established it on TalkTV in 2022, with the channel now boasting around 3.6 million subscribers.

In a new deal with the Rupert Murdoch-owned News UK, Morgan will take ownership of the Uncensored brand through his production company, Wake Up Productions. It will mark a move away from his other work as he focuses on expanding the venture internationally, according to Sky News.

News UK, which owns The Sun and Times Radio, are said to have struck a four-year revenue-sharing deal with Morgan that will see the company receive a portion of advertising revenue generated by Piers Morgan Uncensored until 2029.

As part of the deal, the television personality has also signed an agreement with Red Seat Ventures, an American company that partners with prominent media figures including Megyn Kelly and Tucker Carlson. The company enables the broadcasters to exploit commercial opportunities, including sponsorships and other revenue streams.

Morgan returned to the company in January 2022 as part of a three-year deal that included writing regular columns for The Sun and New York Post. His duties included presenting shows on the companys now-defunct television channel, Talk TV. His future was under speculation following the end of his three-year contract with the company at the end of 2024.

He will continue to write some pieces for brands associated with News UK, according to one insider.

( Lucy North/PA Wire )

Responding to an enquiry from Sky News on Wednesday morning, Morgan said in a statement: I have had a great time working back at News and am delighted that we will continue to be partners.

Owning the brand allows my team and I the freedom to focus exclusively on building Uncensored into a standalone business, editorially and commercially, and in time, widening it from just me and my content.

Its clear from the recent US election that YouTube is an increasingly powerful and influential media platform, and Uncensored is one of the fastest-growing shows on it in the world.

Im very excited about the potential for Uncensored.
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Television production across Los Angeles was brought to a halt on Wednesday (January 8) as wildfires continue to affect neighborhoods including Pacific Palisades, Altadena and Sylmar.

The fires have so far burned across 15,000 acres, killing two and destroying over 1,000 buildings.

Variety reports that FilmLA, the agency that grants permits for shoots in Los Angeles, has issued a notification that personnel resources ordinarily available to support film production may not be available during the local State of Emergency.

The statement continued: The LA County Fire Department has specifically instructed that all permits issued for filming in the communities of Altadena, La Crescenta, La Canada/Flintridge and unincorporated Pasadena are withdrawn. Other permit revocations are possible.

Though most studio sites and soundstages are not directly in the path of the various fires, the air quality has been deemed dangerous to health and residents are being asked not to leave their homes unnecessarily.

In light of this advice, NBCUniversal said production has been suspended on Hacks, Loot, Ted, Suits: L.A. and Happys Place.

open image in gallery NBC has halted production on Hacks among other shows during the wildfire outbreak ( HBO )

Amazon has confirmed that production on season two of Fallout has been postponed. The dystopian series was due to film in the Santa Clarita area and production has been tentatively rescheduled for Friday.

CBS Studios have suspended shooting for NCIS, NCIS: Origins, Poppas House and The Neighborhood. Meanwhile tapings of late night show After Midnight, hosted by stand-up comic Taylor Tomlinson, have been cancelled for the remainder of the week.

Likewise Disney-20th have suspended filming of late night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live as well as shutting down work on Doctor Odyssey and Greys Anatomy.

open image in gallery Los Angeles County firefighters using hoses as water drops from a helicopter on to the Palisades wildfire ( EPA )

Elsewhere in Hollywood, the premieres of Unstoppable and Wolf Man have both been postponed, and the Critics Choice Awards that were set to be held in Santa Monica on Sunday will also be rescheduled.

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Many A-list stars have been forced to flee their homes in the Palisades.

Guardians of the Galaxy star Chris Pratt issued a passionate plea for people to come together to support one another in a post on Instagram.

Please send prayers and strength tonight to everyone in Los Angeles affected by these devastating fires, he wrote. Los Angeles is in a state of emergency and over 30,000 have been ordered to evacuate.

He thanked firefighters and first responders who are working tirelessly to protect lives, homes, and wildlife. He added: You are true heroes, and we are endlessly grateful for your sacrifice and courage.
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China is experiencing a surge in infections of a respiratory virus, leading to reports of overcrowded hospitals, new monitoring measures and public concerns about an outbreak.

The virus, identified as human metapneumovirus (HMPV), has seen cases spiking across northern Chinese provinces this winter, particularly among children.

The outbreak comes five years after the world was first alerted to the emergence of a novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China, which later turned into a global pandemic with seven million deaths reported.

Photos and videos of people wearing masks in hospitals in China emerged on social media platforms and local reports compared the scenes to the initial outbreak of Covid.

Health authorities are implementing new measures to monitor and manage the spread of pneumonia cases of unknown origin. Nonetheless, Beijing has downplayed the developments as an annual winter occurrence.

Chinas foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday: Respiratory infections tend to peak during the winter season.

The diseases appear to be less severe and spread with a smaller scale compared to the previous year, she said.

What is HMPV?

Human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, is a respiratory virus that causes symptoms similar to the common cold and influenza. While the illness is typically mild, it can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia, particularly in infants, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

The virus is not new but has gained attention amid a surge in cases, particularly in children under 14 in northern China.

First identified in 2001, HMPV is a single-stranded RNA virus that spreads through respiratory droplets or contact with contaminated surfaces. Cases have been previously identified in various countries, including the United Kingdom.

Its symptoms include cough, fever, nasal congestion, and fatigue, with an incubation period of three to six days. Unlike Covid-19, there is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for HMPV; treatment primarily involves managing symptoms.

Rising cases of HMPV in China

The spike in cases coincides with colder weather and increased indoor activity, conditions that typically fuel the spread of respiratory viruses. Health officials emphasize that this surge is consistent with seasonal trends.

Chinas National Disease Control and Prevention Administration recently reported an increase in respiratory infections, including HMPV, during the winter. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has not flagged the situation as a global health emergency, but the rise in cases has prompted authorities to bolster monitoring systems.

A pilot programme has been launched to track pneumonia of unknown origin, ensuring labs and health agencies report and manage cases more effectively, state broadcaster CCTV reported, quoting an administration official at a news conference.

Can HMPV virus spread to other countries?

Hong Kong has reported a few cases of HMPV. Neighbouring countries like Cambodia and Taiwan are keeping a close watch on the situation. Cambodias Communicable Disease Control Department has issued warnings about HMPV, noting its similarity to Covid-19 and influenza.

Taiwans Centers for Disease Control has said the viruss higher risks for children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.

In neighbouring India, officials said there is no need for panic as HMPV is like any other respiratory virus.

There has been news doing the rounds about a metapneumovirus outbreak in China. Let me be very clear on that count. Metapneumovirus is like any other respiratory virus which causes the common cold, and in the very old and the very young it could cause flu-like symptoms, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) official Dr Atul Goel said.

Reassuring citizens and tourists, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said: I can assure you that the Chinese government cares about the health of Chinese citizens and foreigners coming to China, adding that it is safe to travel in China.
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Bird feathers have been found in an engine recovered from the site of the deadly Jeju Air flight which crashed-landedand killed 179 people in South Korea, investigators said.

The Boeing 737-800 skidded off a runway at Muan International Airport and hit a concrete fence, bursting into flames, on 29 December.

The cause of the disaster is under investigation, but video showed the plane having difficulty with the landing gear.

The pilot also received a warning from air traffic controllers about possible bird strikes and the plane issued a distress signal before the crash, investigators added.

All of the victims were South Koreans except for two Thais, with many returning from Bangkok after Christmas holidays there.

open image in gallery The Boeing 737-800 was carrying 181 people from Thailand to South Korea when it crashed on arrival on 29 December 2024 ( AFP via Getty Images )

Last week, investigators searched the offices of the airport operator and the transport ministrys aviation authority in the southwestern county of Muan as the well as office of Jeju Air in Seoul, the South Jeolla provincial police said in a statement.

They planned to seize documents and materials related to the operation and maintenance of the aircraft as well as the operation of airport facilities, a police official told Reuters.

Authorities also banned the chief executive of Jeju Air from leaving South Korea. The investigation team imposed a travel ban on two individuals, including Jeju Air CEO Kim E Bae, police said.

The crash has prompted the South Korean government to order emergency inspections of all Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by domestic carriers. Investigators are focusing on the landing gear, which appeared to have malfunctioned during the Jeju Air crash.

open image in gallery The plane crash-landed and skidded off a runway at Muan International Airport and hit a concrete fence, bursting into flames

Jeju Air, facing significant public backlash, has seen a sharp drop in its stock value and over 60,000 flight cancellations.

The tragedy has shaken South Korea, prompting the acting president to call for a comprehensive review of airline operations and airport safety infrastructure

Bereaved relatives held a memorial service at the site of the crash on New Years Day, laying white flowers and offering traditional rice cake soup in tribute to their loved ones.

They were bused to the site, where they took turns laying white flowers, knelt down and bowed deeply before a memorial table where food was placed. The food included ddeokguk, a Korean rice cake soup eaten on New Years Day.
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South Korean investigators are preparing for a fresh showdown with supporters of impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol after a second warrant was issued to detain him over his shortlived martial law declaration in December.

Both Mr Yoons supporters and opponents continued to brave freezing temperatures to stage rallies on the streets around the presidential palace in Seoul on Wednesday.

His supporters, carrying the national flag, chanted "Arrest Lee Jae Myung", referring to the opposition leader, and We oppose impeachment".

The second arrest warrant for Mr Yoon came days after his supporters and security guards prevented investigators from entering the presidential palace to detain him on Friday.

The first warrant, issued after Mr Yoon repeatedly defied summons to appear for questioning. expired on Monday.

Supporters of impeached South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol stage a rally to oppose his impeachment ( AP )

Oh Dong Woon, chief prosecutor of the anti-corruption agency leading the investigation against Mr Yoon, on Tuesday apologised for failing to execute the first warrant and vowed to "prepare thoroughly" the second time around with the understanding it could be the "last opportunity".

Mr Yoon is under criminal investigation for insurrection over his 3 December declaration of martial law that stunned South Korea and the world. The Constitutional Court, meanwhile, is set to rule on the validity of his impeachment by the National Assembly for violating his oath. If the court rules the impeachment valid, Mr Yoon will be removed from office.

The presidents security service was seen this week fortifying his compound with barbed wire and barricades, and parking buses to block access to the hillside villa where Mr Yoon is believed to be holed up.

Mr Yoon's lawyers on Monday filed complaints against Mr Oh and six other anti-corruption and police officers for orchestrating Friday's detainment attempt, which they claimed was illegal. The lawyers said they planned to file complaints against about 150 anti-corruption and police investigators involved in the detention attempt.

Park Jong Joon, head of the presidential security service, hit back against criticism that they had become Mr Yoon's private army, saying they had a legal obligation to protect the incumbent president.
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The health of an elderly, cancer-stricken farmer who is taking part in a hunger strike in north India has worsened after he rejected calls by the Narendra Modi government to end his protest.

Doctors have advised Jagjit Singh Dallewal, 68, who has been on a hunger strike for nearly a month and a half at a makeshift tent city in the Khanauri area of Punjab, be admitted to an intensive care unit after he collapsed on Saturday while addressing farmer protesters.

Mr Dallewal is one of the faces of a fresh round of farmer protests in north India seeking agricultural reforms and fair prices. The first round of protests in 2020-21 saw thousands of farmers camp on the national capital Delhis border for nearly a year, forcing the Modi government to repeal a set of contentious farm laws.

His condition is extremely critical and serious. Doctors have requested shifting him to hospital but he has declined medical help saying farm reforms are more important than his body and life, Abhimanyu Kohar, a young farmer leader who is helping monitor Mr Dallewals health, said.

Mr Dallewal, a leader of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, a coalition of over 40 farmer unions, legally transferred his property to his family saying he was ready to die if the government did not heed their demands.

He is unable to stand on his feet, his blood pressure reading is at 75/45, Mr Kohar said. Weve been rubbing his feet constantly and keeping them elevated to ensure blood circulation.

Mr Dallewal was diagnosed with prostate cancer four years ago.

open image in gallery Farmers take part in a protest demanding minimum crop prices, loan waivers and an investigation into a farmers death during their March to Delhi ( AFP via Getty )

Mr Dallewal has, on multiple occasions, requested Mr Modi to heed the farmers request to guarantee a law on minimum support price, loan debt waiver, compensation for the families of farmers who have died by suicide and during the protests since 2020, Mr Kohar said, mentioning some of the 13 demands made by the protesters.

The minimum support price guarantee  a standard rate set by the federal government for procurement of various crops  is one of the main demands of the farmers. The minimum support price mechanism is already in effect for a number of crops but the farmers want it expanded.

After reluctantly withdrawing the three contentious laws to end the first round of farmer protests in 2021, the Modi government promised to address the other demands of the farmers. It never did, farmer leaders allege, forcing them to return to the streets in late 2024.

The farmers launched a march to Delhi but were stopped outside the capital. They then set up makeshift camps along the national highways connecting Punjab to Delhi.

open image in gallery Jagjit Singh Dallewal, centre, addresses a press conference in February 2024 ( Getty )

In December, Mr Dallewal published an open letter to the prime minister arguing that minimum crop prices were equivalent to the right to live for farmers.

To stop the death of farmers, I have decided to sacrifice my life, he wrote, pushing the government to pay attention.

Photos and videos shared with The Independent show the feeble farmer leader covered in blankets in his tent. Temperatures have dropped as low as 5C at night where his tent is pitched.

open image in gallery Jagjit Singh Dallewal inside his tent on the Punjab border on Monday ( Sourced/ The Independent )

The Indian prime minister has time to meet Indian actors, sportspersons and attend a billionaires wedding but not to come meet the farmers fighting for a minimum support price for feeding the country, Mr Kohar said.

Alerted to Mr Dallewals deteriorating health, the Supreme Court sent a committee led by retired judge Nawab Singh to visit him on Monday.

Mr Singh told the farm leader the court was concerned about his condition and had been issuing orders to ensure his good health.

It has been 42 days, Mr Dallewal reportedly replied. Nothing will happen to me, I have God by my side. But if the government could show some mercy to farmers.

I do not need to observe a fast if the government fulfills our demands and I request you take up the issue with the government now to resolve this.
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Tokyo is considering a subsidy for epidural childbirths in the 2025 fiscal year in an attempt to reverse the citys declining birthrate.

Japans birthrate, which is defined as the average number of children per woman, dropped to a record low of 1.20 in 2023. The fall was the most severe in the capital Tokyo, where the birthrate fell below 1 for the first time.

A birthrate of 2.1 is required to keep the population stable in the long run.

To address the problem, Tokyo mayor Yuriko Koike has pledged to subsidise epidural childbirth as early as possible to encourage larger families.

Japan desperately needs more children as its population continues to age, and the countrys alarmed leaders have been promising policy after policy to encourage more people to get married and give birth.

If the current birthrate persists, one forecast predicts, Japan will be left with just one child under the age of 14 in about 695 years.

According to the American Pregnancy Association, epidural anaesthesia is a type of regional anaesthesia that targets pain in a specific area of the body. Epidurals work by blocking nerve impulses from the lower spinal segments, reducing sensation in the lower half of the body.

I have heard many people say that they had their first child and never want to experience the same pain they felt again, Ms Koike said during her campaign last June.

In that sense we must protect the mothers body and at the same time create an economy and support system where women would want to have a second and third child.

She said the subsidy could help ease the burden of Tokyo residents who wanted to have children but were hesitant for various reasons, while contributing to reversing the citys declining birthrate.

Tokyo mayor Yuriko Koike has promised to subsidise epidural childbirth as early as possible in order to encourage larger families ( AFP via Getty )

If it goes ahead, the subsidy will be the first such initiative at the prefecture level in Japan. A budget proposal for the project is expected to be submitted at the metropolitan government assembly which is scheduled to meet next month, The Japan Times reported.

The cost of epidurals in Japan ranges from 100,000 to 200,000 yen (500 to 1,015).

Japan has one of the lowest rates of births using epidurals among developed nations, at just 8.6 per cent according to a 2020 survey.

According to an August 2023 report in NHK Japan, the country was facing a nationwide shortage of anaesthesiologists, which contributed to the low use of epidurals for pain relief during childbirth.
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Thai police are searching for a gunman who shot dead Cambodia's former opposition leader at a popular tourist spot in Bangkok.

Lim Kimya, 74, a former senior member of the now-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party, was killed near Khaosan Road on Tuesday evening, just hours after arriving in Thailand with his wife.

The gunman, who was apparently waiting for the politician, fired three shots at him.

Siam Boonsom, chief of the Bangkok police, said on Wednesday that initial investigations indicated the shooter was a hired gun who had relied on another person to identify Kimya.

Security camera footage of the incident released to Thai media showed the suspected gunman arriving at and leaving the scene on a motorbike. He did not cover his face.

"We have gathered evidence and know who the perpetrator is. Right now, we are working to arrest him," Mr Boonsom told the media.

Kimya was a member of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party that was dissolved by a court order ahead of the 2018 election over an alleged treason plot.

The party said in a statement that it was "deeply shocked and appalled by the brutal and inhumane assassination" of Kimya and urged Thai authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The party had been expected to present a strong challenge to the ruling Cambodian People's Party of former prime minister Hun Sen in the 2018 general election. But as part of a sweeping crackdown on opposition before the election, the high court dissolved the party, and the ruling party subsequently won every seat in the National Assembly.

Kimya, a dual Cambodian and French citizen, continued to live in Cambodia even as many opposition politicians fled in the face of threats from the Sen government.

His shooting took place the same day that Sen, now head of the Cambodian senate, called for the government to enact a law that would label certain dissident actions as terrorism.

Phil Robertson, the director of the Asia Human Rights and Labour Advocates, said the shooting had all the hallmarks of a political assassination and looks to be a significant escalation in the use of transnational repression in Bangkok" to intimidate opponents of Cambodias ruling party.

Additional reporting by agencies.
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A Malaysian state has proposed that concertgoers take urine tests as a standard operating procedure after four people, suspected to have taken the drug ecstasy, died at a New Years Eve show.

Seven people fell unconscious at a Pinkfish concert in Subang Jaya city of Selangor state on New Years Eve, and four of them died. Selangor police chief Hussein Omar Khan said an investigation found all of them had taken ecstasy pills at the event, reported The Straits Times.

We believe there were individuals who sold the drug at the concert, he said. We are in the midst of identifying the drug pushers.

Police are investigating the concert organisers and trying to ascertain whether the drugs were bought before the event or at the venue itself.

To prevent such incidents in the future, the Selangor government said it would be recommending that attendees undertake urine tests at concert venues to deter drug use.

open image in gallery Selangor government recommended concertgoers take urine tests after four people suspected of taking ecstasy died at a Pinkfish concert ( Getty Images/iStockphoto )

We want to tighten the SOP, and look at what cooperation can be conducted with the police and the local authorities, because when licences or permits are granted, we want to ensure the organisers thoroughly check, especially for drugs, Datuk Ng Suee Lim, chairman of the Local Government and Tourism Committee, said.

So, from now on, we might need to conduct urine tests as part of the SOP for visitors.

The proposal has drawn derision from concertgoers and organisers who claim it is impractical as well as financially prohibitive.

Its better for authorities to address the main issue, which is how the drugs got into the country, said Shirazdeen Abdul Karim, executive producer of Shiraz Projects, which has hosted acts like Simple Plan and Bruno Major.

He pointed out that it would take hours to screen thousands of concert attendees.

open image in gallery Concert organisers say plan is impractical ( Getty Images )

Livescape Group CEO Iqbal Ameer told The Straits Times that conducting urine tests would only burden organisers.

Who is going to bear the cost of these screenings? Is it the police or the organisers? he asked.

I think the current security checks at concerts are sufficient; in fact, they are already causing long wait times for attendees. Adding more layers isnt going to solve the drug issue.

Selangor police have temporarily suspended all concert permits in the state.

For concerts with approved permits, organisers must ensure no prohibited items, such as drugs and alcohol, are brought in, and visitor capacity remains under control, Mr Khan was quoted as saying by Malay Mail.

Organisers of the Pinkfish concert, which saw about 16,000 attendees, issued a statement saying proper security measures had been implemented at the venue, including deployment of 100 police officers, K9 units and trained security personnel at all entry points.

Police said they were reassessing existing security protocols to prevent similar incidents happening in the future.
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Bosses at Johnson Matthey have said the chemical technologies firm is making progress with transformation plans after calls to break up the group.

It came after US investor Standard Investments renewed demands for an overhaul, accusing the business of a significant destruction of shareholder value.

Johnson Matthey shares have dropped by around 60% over the past three years, knocking more than 3 billion off its market value.

Standard Investments, which owns a roughly 11% stake in the company, published a critical open letter shortly before Christmas demanding an improvement in performance.

Patrick Thomas, chairman of Johnson Matthey, responded on Christmas Eve with plans to hold talks with investors.

In a fresh letter on Tuesday, Standard Investments said the response from the chairman was wholly insufficient and does not adequately address many serious issues.

Directors at Standard Investments said an offer to set up an investment committee to periodically assess whether alternative options to the status quo are available was not adequate.

In fact, it only underscores the continued lack of urgency and incapacity of the current board to do what is necessary to turn Johnson Matthey around and help it to realise its potential, the investor added.

On Wednesday, bosses at Johnson Matthey responded that they are resolute in their focus on improving Johnson Mattheys share price performance and delivering value for shareholders.

The board added: Johnson Matthey is making progress in a challenging market environment through delivery of a comprehensive transformation strategy which includes significant manufacturing footprint consolidation in clean air, a generational upgrade in our PGM (platinum group metal) refining capabilities, significant cost reduction, the implementation of a global business services model and extensive organisational changes.

In addition, we have made substantial commercial progress, winning new business across all our business areas that will drive future growth.

We will continue to act with a strong sense of urgency as we adapt this strategy to the evolving market situation.
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Brooke Shields and her daughter Rowan Henchy have added another permanent piece to their collection of matching tattoos, celebrating their close bond with a meaningful new design.

The mother-daughter duo began 2025 by visiting East Side Ink, a New York City tattoo parlor, where they had matching tattoos inked on their forearms. The design, written in Rowans own script, reads and to a party.

On January 4, Rowan, 21, shared a photo of the tattoos on her Instagram Stories, captioning it: Mother-daughter bonding. The Blue Lagoon star reposted the story, adding: Another matching tattoo with my bug.

Tattoo artist Matt Gutierrez, who created the design, shared behind-the-scenes photos of the session, including close-ups of the tattoos and a snapshot of the actor lying down post-session as Rowan smiled beside her.

In his Instagram caption, Gutierrez admitted that he initially didnt recognize his high-profile clients.

Sometimes it is important not to recognize the character, but to know the person, Gutierrez wrote. Today I had the opportunity to meet both of them (they make a good team). Thanks for the patience, trust, laughter, confidence and tranquility.

Gutierrez reflected on the session, calling Rowans handwriting some of the most difficult hes worked with and expressing gratitude for the experience. I will remember tattooing them ... and with a photo that for me as a person and professional is very important  and for my family even more (they so admire you), he added.

The first time Shields and Rowan got matching tattoos was in June 2021 to celebrate Rowans high school graduation with dainty ladybug tattoos. Shields had hers inked on her wrist, while Rowan chose her ankle. Sharing the moment on Instagram, Shields wrote: A special graduation gift and memory with my girl. Im so proud of you, I love you more than words can say.

Shields tradition of tattoo bonding extends to her younger daughter, Grier. In May 2024, ahead of Griers departure for Wake Forest University  the same school her older sister Rowan attends Shields and Grier visited renowned tattoo artist Scott Campbell for a joint session.

The tattoos depict two pairs of feet wearing high heelsone larger pair representing Shields and a smaller pair symbolizing Grier. Campbell later posted the pair on his Instagram, writing that the tattoo session really pulled on my parental heart strings.

Shields revealed the inspiration behind the tattoos in an appearance Campbells Stupid Things For Love podcast.

When she was little, she would always just wear my shoes, no matter how teeny she was, Shields fondly recalled. She would go into my closet and come out and have breakfast in her diaper and high heels, and then the night gown and high heels.

You hear her clicking all over the house, Shields reminisced.

The actor shares both daughters with husband Chris Henchy.
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Brooke Shields has recently opened up about a medical procedure that resulted in an extra addition that she didnt ask for.

The Pretty Baby actor recently spoke with Us Weekly to discuss her upcoming memoir Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old: Thoughts on Aging as a Woman, which hits shelves on January 14. During her interview, she detailed her gynecologist asking her at one point if her labia ever caused her any discomfort.

The model admitted that she had experienced discomfort, including bleeding and chafing since she was in high school, which was when her doctor informed her that she could undergo a labia reduction.

Of course, its not covered by insurance because its considered cosmetic, which is very interesting. The last time I did check, I did not want to be a porn star, Shields told Us Weekly, adding that she had heard of porn stars receiving the surgery for aesthetic reasons.

After deciding to go through with the surgery, she recalled being at a post-op checkup with her male plastic surgeon, who revealed to her that he had done more than just a labia reduction.

It felt like such an invasion  such a bizarre, like, rape of some kind, Shields said ( Getty Images )

He informed me that he threw in a little bonus, Shields said.

Her surgeon had also given her a vaginal rejuvenation which the Mayo Clinic describes as a procedure meant to improve the elasticity and strength of the vagina and its surrounding tissues.

It felt like such an invasion  such a bizarre, like, rape of some kind, she said about the added procedure.

She said she was dumbfounded over how her surgeon proudly explained to me that he, you know, threw in a little twofer.

Nothing pointed toward this need to be tighter or smaller or firmer or younger, especially there, she emphasized.

After she learned of the surgeons unasked-for modification, she said she didnt want to talk about it, even keeping it a secret from husband Chris Henchy because of the shame and anger surrounding the situation.

Despite The Blue Lagoon actors decision not to pursue legal action, she did decide to share her story in her upcoming memoir.

Id be lying if I said Im not embarrassed to share this very intimate information, Us Weekly cites the memoir. But, if we are to change the way we approach and talk about womens health, then we need to bring up the uncomfortable but very real issues. Shame is no longer an option.

This isnt the first time Shields has waited years to publicly discuss specific aspects of her life.

In 2023 the model discussed her documentary, Pretty Baby, and how it recounted her experience with sexual assault during a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

It has taken me many years of therapy to even be able to talk about it, she told the publication at the time. I definitely have worked very hard through it, and Ive learned to process it. And Ive come to a place, and weve come to a time in our society, where we can talk about these things much more openly. I had no idea I was going to say it.
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A woman has expressed her gratitude to Delta Airlines after they held a flight for her to be able to see her mother before she died.

Hannah White shared a video on TikTok on December 9, 2024, where she typed out the story of what happened and continuously thanked the airline for what they did for her. I wish I knew the names of those who helped me, but the story is too beautiful not to share, she prefaced the story.

At the time, her mother, Kathleen Nelson, was in the hospital for undiagnosed pneumonia and was doing well after her surgery. However, White said she received a call from her brother who told her that her mothers body had gone into septic shock. She was informed that family needed to visit her immediately because the doctors were unclear what was wrong or how long she had.

open image in gallery I was able to say I love you one last time and provide the comfort for her in her final moments, that she provided for me my whole life, the daughter wrote in her TikTok ( TikTok/@xoxohannahwhite )

Whites flight from Dallas, Texas, required a connection in Minneapolis, Minnesota, but because of mechanical issues her plane sat at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport for over an hour, meaning she might miss her connecting flight and wasnt sure if shed be able to see her mother alive.

She then explained her predicament to one of the flight attendants, who told her she would not be able to make her flight in Minneapolis and was booked for a new flight the next day.

As she explained this, I immediately started welling up with tears. She apologized and cried with me. I bawled in my seat, knowing there was a possibility I wouldnt be able to see my mom one last time, she wrote on TikTok.

open image in gallery White was able to say goodbye to her mother thanks to the actions of Delta flight crew ( xoxohannahwhite/TikTok )

However, the pilot on the first flight called the pilot on Whites connecting flight, who agreed to hold the plane until she could get there.

The flight crew also upgraded Whites seat to ensure that she could depart the plane faster and even made an announcement over the loudspeaker to make sure she was the first person off. The man sitting next to her in first class also pulled out a map of the Minneapolis airport so she knew actually where to board her connecting flight.

After the Minneapolis flight waited for 30 minutes, White was able to get on the plane and make it to her destination in time.

My mom passed away the next day. Deltas kindness gave me 24 extra hours with her. I was able to say I love you one last time and provide the comfort for her in her final moments, that she provided for me my whole life, she wrote in her TikTok, saying the airline gave her the gift of time.

Since the video was first posted, it has received over 10 million views with many people turning to the comments section to gush over the kindness she was shown that day.

The man mapping the airport for you, all the people who made time stop so you could have 24 hours makes me believe in humanity, one comment read.

Another commenter agreed, writing, I know everyone is thanking the crew but I cant stop thinking of the one flight attendant you told first. Some might have not even gone to ask. So happy she listened and the rest followed.
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As weather warnings are issued across the UK, some areas are expected to see temperatures plunge as low as -10C. When it comes to your beauty routine  its not just your skin that suffers.

Your hair has a lot to tolerate during the blustery cold spell  from brittle breakage to excess dandruff.

So, celebrity hair experts share their top tips for keeping your hair in prime health and looking great throughout the icy snap.

A dramatic drop in temperature can wreak havoc on your hair  as its forced to quickly acclimatise from the chilly outdoors to drying central heating.

The problem in the winter is that the moisture in the atmosphere is forced out towards cold surfaces, which is why you get condensation on windows, explains Davina McCalls stylist and hair expert, Michael Douglas. This moisture, that is usually in the atmosphere at other times of the year, helps to keep your hair in check.

open image in gallery The cold weather zaps hair of moisture making it more fragile (Alamy/PA)

It plays a large part in keeping static electricity at bay, and also keeping your hair feeling generally softer to the touch and more moisturised.

Therefore in the winter, your hair can often feel dry, brittle and not so well-behaved. So, using some products that moisturise the hair, such as a hair oil or a hair mask, will help make the hair feel and behave better, says Douglas.

open image in gallery (Look Fantastic/PA)

OGX Renewing+ Argan Oil of Morocco Weightless Reviving Dry Oil, 6.02 (was 8.99), Look Fantastic

The cold weathers impact on scalp health and dandruff

Environmental fluctuations like cold weather are external aggravators for dry and flaky scalps, explains Philip Kingsleys trichologist, Anabel Kingsley.

Our scalp is home to our hair follicles, so its overall condition is highly important to healthy hair growth, says Kingsley. Flaking of the scalp can cause hair loss and also impact the quality of hairs were producing.

A dry scalp  unlike dandruff which is an oily scalp condition  occurs when the top layer of skin (the epidermis) lacks moisture (water).

To moisturise the scalp, Kingsley recommends rehydrating with a water-based toner to cool and soothe the scalp, and provide relief from itchiness.

Revive and refresh your scalp by using a weekly exfoliating scalp mask, and a nightly balancing serum, says Kingsley.

open image in gallery (Look Fantastic/PA)

Aveda Scalp Solutions Exfoliating Scalp Treatment, 18, Look Fantastic

open image in gallery (Philip Kingsley/PA)

Philip Kingsley Flaky/Itchy Anti-Dandruff Scalp Toner, 12

How to prevent breakage, frizz and dullness

The cold and dry weather can increase the likelihood of your hair breaking, looking frizzy and dull.

The key to strong and healthy hair lies in protein-based products, which heal your hair and improve its stability, says celebrity hairdresser Jon Hala, the brains behind Keira Knightleys luscious locks in Black Doves.

Id recommend using a moisturising masque to keep all the goodness in your hair and help heal the results of the cold, dry weather snaps.

You can also consider looking at your supplements as this will help your hair too, in particular Biotin.

To prevent frizz, opt for light weightless serums and leave-in conditioners to base and coat the hair after the wash process. This will help smooth cuticles and add moisture and shine, explains Hala.

If youre particularly struggling with frizz throughout winter, small changes to your daily routine, like switching to a silk or satin pillowcase, can make a big difference, says Milk & Blushs hair expert Nicole Petty. These materials cause less friction than cotton, helping your hair stay silky and reducing breakage while you sleep.

open image in gallery (Scandinavian Biolabs/PA)

Scandinavian Biolabs Bio-Pilixin Activation Serum, 49

open image in gallery (Cult Beauty/PA)

K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Leave-in Molecular Repair Hair Mask, 30, Cult Beauty

Should you adjust your washing and styling routine?

You may find yourself wanting to lessen the frequency of hair wash days so you dont have to deal with cold, damp hair.

What we always recommend, especially for clients who wash their hair in the mornings and then go out into out of the house in the cold, is to instead shampoo their hair in the evening so theyre not going outside with any level of wet hair  because thats when it becomes really fragile, explains lead hairdresser for the BAFTAs and former London Hairdresser of the Year, Philipp Haug.

Even when you think your hair is dry theres still a lot of moisture in it, which is very sensitive to the cold, says Haug.

Reduce using heated tools when the weather is cold as hair is already more fragile, and if you do use them, use them on the lowest possible heat.

Hold your blow-dryer at least six inches away from your hair, use a vented brush to help with heat dissipation, and apply a good heat protective spray or serum beforehand, says Kingsley.

Also, turn the heat off when your hair is just dry  dont go over areas repeatedly to smooth. If you find your hair is still frizzy after drying, try applying an anti-frizz serum before (and after) to help combat fly-aways.

open image in gallery (Umberto Giannini/PA)

Umberto Giannini Super Sleek Heat Protecting Spray, 8.95

open image in gallery (Philip Kingsley/PA)

Philip Kingsley Vented Paddle Brush, 27

What to avoid at all costs

While it may be tempting to warm up quickly in a hot shower  this can do more damage than good.

Dont wash the hair with hot, hot water, says RUSH Hairs editorial director Tina Farey. Instead opt for lukewarm. Hot water has the same effects as hot air on the hair, opt for lukewarm which is much kinder to the hair.

If you are experiencing a dry scalp, it may be tempting to use oils to help moisturise, says Kingsley. DO NOT however, apply oils directly to the scalp.

This can cause adverse scalp issues, such as dandruff. Every hair follicle on your scalp has an oil gland attached to it, the oils help to also keep your scalp supple, and your oils glands are continually producing sebum therefore you do not need to compensate for this, she explains.

However, if not cleansed frequently, the sebum on your scalp can harbour bacteria, dead skin cells and sweat which can cause an imbalance in the scalps microbiome and an overgrowth of Malassezia yeast  the root cause of dandruff.
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Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster have officially taken their relationship out from behind closed doors.

The 56-year-old Logan star and the 49-year-old Tony award-winner were spotted holding hands on their way back from a dinner date in Santa Monica, California on Monday (January 7).

In pictures published by People, the couple, who allegedly first began the secret affair when they were costars and married to their exes, smile as they walk down a sidewalk in the City of Angels. Other photos show them chit-chatting as they cross the street.

Jackman was photographed wearing a blue turtleneck shirt, a dark zip-up bomber jacket, white pants, and blue sneakers. Meanwhile, Foster is pictured donning a long, camel-colored trench coat over a gray dress and black pointed-toe pumps.

One eyewitness spoke to Page Six, boasting about how they saw the couple walking hand in hand right before the paparazzi jumped out and took a few shots.

Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster were spotted out on a date in Los Angeles ( Getty )

The pairs PDA moment comes after the Deadpool & Wolverine actor attended Fosters performance of Once Upon A Mattress at the Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles on January 4.

Speculation the two were more than just friends have been swirling around ever since they co-starred in Music Man on Broadway together from December 2021 to January 2023.

Rumors amped up after Us Weekly published a report, citing sources who claimed Jackman and Fosters romance started during the musicals run.

Foster filed for uncontested divorce from her husband of 10 years, Ted Griffin, back in October 2024. She and the screenwriter welcomed one child together during their marriage.

Jackman, on the other hand, shares two kids with his ex-wife of 27 years, Deborra-Lee Furness. After tying the knot in 1996, the former couple decided to call it quits on their relationship in September 2023.

At the time of their divorce filing, Jackman and Furness shared a joint statement to their fans.

We have been blessed to share almost three decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage. Our journey now is shifting, and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth, they wrote.

Our family has been and always will be our highest priority. We undertake this next chapter with gratitude, love, and kindness. We greatly appreciate your understanding in respecting our privacy as our family navigates this transition in all of our lives, they continued before finishing: This is the sole statement either of us will make.
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Joe Biden has revealed that his granddaughter, Naomi Biden, has given birth to her first child.

The President of the United States made the announcement during a press conference in Los Angeles on Wednesday (January 8) while discussing the current wildfires in California.

But the good news is, Im a great-grandfather as of today, he said. Although he initially said the child was a 10-pound baby girl, he quickly corrected himself, revealing Naomi had a baby boy.

The First Lady of the United States, Jill Biden, later went to Instagram to share a sweet photo of her great-grandson in Joes arms. We are proud to introduce you to our great-grandson: William Brannon Neal, IV, she wrote in the caption.

The news comes days after Joe first confirmed that Naomi and her husband Peter Neal, were preparing to welcome their child.

Im about to be a great-grandfather, Jesus God... Im going out to California, he told USA Today on Sunday. Shes due to have a cesarean on the 8th of January.

In November, Naomi, who is the eldest daughter of Joes son Hunter and his ex-wife Kathleen Buhle, announced that she was expecting.

Joe Biden announced he was a great-grandfather during a press conference in Los Angeles ( Getty Images )

She shared a mirror selfie on Election Day while sporting a black poncho and a matching pair of leggings adorned with an I Voted sticker. She also showed off her baby bump, with the caption: (we) voted.

Naomi and her husband tied the knot in 2022 during a private ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House. The celebration also marked the first White House wedding with a presidents granddaughter as the bride, and the first one on the South Lawn.

During a cover story with Vogue in 2022, it was revealed that Naomi made a number of wardrobe changes throughout the evening. For example, she walked down the aisle wearing a high-neck, long-sleeved Chantilly lace dress designed by Ralph Lauren. The dress was paired with a cathedral-length silk organza veil, featuring a matching Chantilly lace border.

For the black-tie reception, Naomi changed into a strapless ivory silk Mikado Reem Acra dress, which had her grandmother Roberta Buhles pearls sewn into the six-foot train. She also had a third dress, a beaded fringed Markarian mini-dress, for some late-night dancing.

According to Noami, the wedding dress she wore to exchange vows with Neal was inspired by the high-necked gown famously worn by actress Grace Kelly when she married Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956. Like every little girl, I had a vision in my head  it was Grace Kellys dress I loved, she told Vogue.

Naomi revealed shed be having her nuptials at the White House in April 2022 and expressed her gratitude to her grandparents.

Peter and I are endlessly grateful to my Nana and Pop for the opportunity to celebrate our wedding at the White House, she tweeted at the time. We cant wait to make our commitment to one another official and for what lies ahead.
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Kaia Gerber and Austin Butler have ended their relationship after more than three years together.

According to a TMZ report, the couple called it quits near the end of 2024. The outlet noted Butler, 33, was noticeably absent from the Gerber familys recent vacation in Mexico. A source from People confirmed the split.

The actor-model, 23, and the Oscar-nominated Elvis star first sparked romance rumors in December 2021 when they attended a yoga session together in Los Angeles. Their relationship became public in March 2022, when they made their red carpet debut at W Magazines annual Best Performances party.

The pair solidified their status as a couple with several public appearances in 2022. They attended the Met Gala together in May, walking the carpet separately but sharing a sweet moment  and a kiss  at the top of the iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art staircase.

The Saturday Night actor was by Butlers side throughout the 2022-2023 awards season, where his performance in Elvis earned him critical acclaim and a Best Actor Oscar nomination.

open image in gallery Kaia Gerber and Austin Butler end relationship after more than three years together ( Getty Images )

In January 2023, Butler attended the Golden Globe Awards, where he won Best Actor for his movie portrayal of Elvis Presley. Although Gerber did not accompany him on the red carpet, the couple shared a celebratory moment backstage. A viral TikTok video captured Gerber congratulating Butler with a kiss.

Following the Academy Awards in March 2023, Gerber and Butler made a notable appearance together at the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty. In April 2023, Butler was honored at the TIME100 Gala, celebrating the worlds most influential people. Gerber attended the event supporting Butler, and the couple walked the red carpet together.

Butler was also embraced by Gerbers famous family, which includes her mother, supermodel Cindy Crawford, and her father, businessman Rande Gerber. In May 2023, the couples were spotted enjoying dinner together at Robertas in Culver City, California.

Their romance continued to flourish into 2024.

Kaia and Austin are going strong, a source told People in May. They held hands the entire way to dinner and stopped and hugged a few times before going into a club [on May 24]. They definitely looked happy and in love.

Gerber and Butler maintained a relatively low profile throughout their relationship, with Gerber explaining in a February 2024 interview with WSJ. Magazine why they chose to keep their romance private.

Honestly, I feel like so few things in my life are private, and that is one of the things that I try to keep as sacred as possible, she said.

Before dating Butler, Gerber was in a relationship with Euphoria actor Jacob Elordi. Butler, meanwhile, dated High School Musical star Vanessa Hudgens for eight years before their split in January 2020.
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Kat Dennings got to share her favorite quote from Whoopi Goldberg about dating  with Goldberg herself.

During Tuesdays (January 7) episode of The View, the 38-year-old actor discussed how she recently celebrated her first wedding anniversary with her husband, Andrew W.K. However, Dennings said that before tying the knot, she didnt enjoy being in the dating scene.

Its the worst, isnt it? she said. Its terrible. Yes, I was in a few long relationships and I tried to date a little. It was just a nightmare.

The 2 Broke Girls star then explains that during her previous relationships, she abided by some of Goldbegs iconic words of wisdom.

I actually lived by a quote from you Whoopi, correct me if this is the wrong quote, but I did look it up to make sure. I dont want somebody in my house, Dennings recalled, prompting laughter from the TV hosts at the table.

Goldberg, whos been married three times before, confirmed that she said this, responding: Yes, thats me!

Kat Dennings says she didnt want anyone in her home before she met her husband ( Getty Images )

The Sister Act alum first made this remark in 2016 during an interview with The New York Times. Im much happier on my own. I can spend as much time with somebody as I want to spend, but Im not looking to be with somebody forever or live with someone. I dont want somebody in my house, she told the publication at the time.

During her recent appearance on The View, Dennings acknowledged how her stance on relationships ultimately changed.

Those were my feelings towards marriage in general until I met my husband, and now I like him in my house, she explained. I want him in my house.

In November 2023, Dennings and artist Andrew W.K. tied the knot in their home in Los Angeles. During an interview with Vogue after the nuptials, Dennings noted that she and her partner initially considered having a bigger ceremony.

But in the end, the kitchen engagement moment kept calling back to us, she said. We realized that a small home wedding was too cozy to resist. Plus, all our stuff was there so we wouldnt have to pack anything.

She also shared that she and her now-husband were the ones who did all the planning for the 15-guest wedding, which included couple Macaulay Culkin and Brenda Song.

I wanted our wedding to feel completely different from an industry event in every way, the Dollface alum added. I even handmade all of our wedding florals, aisle pieces, and our ceremony arch, which took three entire days. I wanted to be hands-on with the entire experience and feel like we had built our moment together from scratch.

While looking back on all the work she did for her wedding, Dennings was extremely happy with it.

Im very glad I didnt realize how completely insane it was to do everything ourselves, she added. Had I known the florals would take three days of nonstop work, I might have hired a professional. But standing with Andrew at an arch I made myself, infused with all our effort and care, it was exactly what we wanted in the end.
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Shari Franke, the oldest daughter of YouTube family vlogger and convicted child abuser Ruby Franke,has revealed that she witnessed evidence of an intimate relationship between her mother and mothers business partner Jodi Hildebrant.

On Tuesday (January 7) the 21-year-olds memoir The House of My Mother: A Daughters Quest for Freedom was released. In the book, she wrote about her 8 Passengers family vlogger mother and how she was sneaking around with Hildebrant.

Back in February Ruby and Hildebrant were sentenced to up to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse, including trying to convince Rubys two youngest children that they were evil, possessed by demons, and needed to be punished. Rubys four minor children were taken into the custody of the Department of Children and Family Services.

In her memoir, Franke revealed that at one point, her room had been given to Hildebrant, and she was forced to sleep on the living room couch.

She wrote that the two of them were the only people allowed upstairs and in her old bedroom as they even cut off Rubys now ex-husband Kevin Franke.

open image in gallery Shari Frankes (right) memoir about her mother (left) was released on January 7 ( Instagram/@momoftruth/@sharilfranke )

When Hildebrandt began experiencing demonic night terrors Ruby decided she would sleep in the room with her business partner, explaining that Frankes bedroom was their sanctuary.

At one point, she snuck back into her bedroom noticing that it was filled with candles and massage oils. The room was bathed in the soft glow of candles, she wrote in her memoir. The air was heavy with the scent of lavender and vanilla wafting form the massage oils on the dresser.

open image in gallery Ruby (right) and Hildebrant (left) were both sentenced to up to 30 years in prison ( Moms of Truth/Instagram )

I quickly grabbed what I needed and got the hell out of there, feeling like I had just walked into someone elses honeymoon suite, she continued.The only thing missing was rose petals on the bed.

She recalled Ruby then leaving her old bedroom at 5 a.m. trying to quickly tie her robe with messy hair and flushed cheeks.

What the hell was going on? she asked in her memoir. Why was Ruby sneaking around in the middle of the night like a teenager trying not to get caught by her parents? Were they really doing candlelit massages in my bedroom?

Franke admitted how bad she felt for her father, who seemed oblivious to what his wife was doing.

She also committed on how the two of them had condemned queerness very publicly in their ConneXions videos, while embodying it privately. In my room. On my bed, most likely.

Despite the pain she says she would have felt if Hildebrant and her mother openly admitted their affair, Franke also wrote that she would have supported them.

It would have been preferable to living like  this, she wrote. In this house of lies that I couldnt bear to step foot in anymore.

At a different point in her book, Franke recounted what happened when she first contacted child protective services in a bid to help her siblings.

Rubys face contorted with anger and hurt. I cant believe you called the police on me, she began, her voice rising. After everything Ive done for you, after all the sacrifices Ive made. How could you betray me like that, Shari? How could you be so selfish? she wrote.

The words hit me like physical blows, but I stood my ground. [I reminded myself] that I wasnt alone, that I had support beyond the toxic web of my family, she continued.

Franke first revealed she had written a memoir in an Instagram post back in October 2024.
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Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montags Los Angeles home has been affected by the escalating wildfires in the Pacific Palisades area.

On Tuesday morning (7 January), at least 30,000 people were ordered to evacuate a rapidly growing wind-driven wildfire in California as the blaze spread from just 20 acres to more than 3,000 in a matter of hours. The affluent coastal neighbourhood, located on the citys west side, is home to many Hollywood stars and A-list celebrities including Tom Hanks, Reese Witherspoon, Adam Sandler, Steve Guttenberg and Michael Keaton.

While there have been no injuries in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood, a number of homes have been damaged in the blaze and more than 250 firefighters have been on the scene.

Pratt and Montag, best known for appearing in the reality series The Hills, were reportedly evacuated from their Los Angeles home as it became engulfed in the wildfire, according to TMZ. The publication reports that their family was safely evacuated to another location.

The pair share two sons together, Gunner, born in 2017, and Ryker, born in 2022.

On Tuesday, Pratt shared a video on his Instagram Story hours before having to evacuate his home, in which an aerial firefighter vehicle was seen in the distance flying ahead dumping water on the nearby mountains to try to contain the blaze.

open image in gallery Spencer Pratts Instagram story ( Instagram via @spencerpratt )

In another video shared on TikTok, Pratt showed that a blaze was happening behind their house, and told the camera: Weve got a fire going on behind the house. Say a prayer for the Palisades here. Okay, I should go and start packing up the house.

In a third video, Pratt showed the blaze growing closer, and captioned the post: Nightmare came true.

Montag shared a post of her own while holding their youngest child, Ryker. She told the camera: Theres a fire right over our house, so please say some prayers for us, its a mandatory evacuation.

Several Hollywood events including the premieres of Unstoppable, starring Jennifer Lopez and Ryan Gosling-produced Wolf Man have been cancelled as a result of the wildfires.

Steve Guttenberg, also a resident of Pacific Palisades, told the media that the wildfire burning through his community was the most unbelievable Ive ever seen.

Appearing on CNN, the actor said he was one of 30,000 residents placed under evacuation orders after the fire began around 10.30am that morning. He painted a vivid picture of the daytime scene, recalling that the sky was dark, like it was nighttime, due to thick smoke.

open image in gallery Pratt and Montag pictured in October 2024 ( Getty Images )

Guttenberg said that people trying to leave the area led to bumper-to-bumper traffic, which meant the fire services could not get through. Eventually, people began to flee their vehicles but were urged to leave the keys inside.

The cars were bumper-to-bumper traffic for over two miles and it was dangerous, the police were coming. I spent all day moving these cars up on the hill, trying to [move them] so the fire trucks could get through, he said.

Trees were coming down on Sunset Boulevard, he recalled, adding that devastation was all around him. Gelsons grocery store, the Palisades Playhouse theater, and the Palisades Womans Club were all burning, he said.

All of Temescal Canyon is on fire, both sides. All the houses; the school is on fire, he said.

open image in gallery A home engulfed in flames during the Eaton fire in Pasadena, California on 7 January 2025 ( AFP via Getty Images )

California governor Gavin Newsom said on Tuesday afternoon that many structures have been destroyed in the wildfires.

The Eaton fire, burning in the San Gabriel Mountains above Pasadena, expanded to 400 acres on Tuesday.

City spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said at least 550 houses were within the evacuation zones of the Eaton Canyon fire. The fire would be especially challenging to combat, she noted, as extreme winds had grounded firefighting aircraft.

Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass declared a state of emergency because of the Palisades fire. The city is working aggressively to confront this emergency, she said.

The National Weather Service issued a warning on Monday for a life-threatening, destructive, and widespread windstorm in California, lasting through Wednesday.

Widespread damaging winds are expected across most of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Areas not typically windy will be impacted, it said.
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Stephen tWtich Bosss widow, Allison Holker, has responded to claims that shes disgracing her husband for a paycheck.

The 36-year-old dancer addressed the backlash in the comments of an Instagram post on Tuesday (January 7) after People magazine published its interview with her about her late husband.

Boss, known for being the DJ on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, died by suicide at age 40 in December 2022.

During her conversation with People, Holker opened up about the aftermath of her husbands death, including discovering his drug addiction only days after his funeral.

In one video of the interview shared on the publications Instagram, Holker discussed the importance of being vulnerable with those around her. She also urged people to ask for help during difficult times.

However, multiple people in the comments criticized Holker for airing details about Bosss personal life.

This whole thing made me sad. Hes gone. Why tear apart this name? one person wrote. I was fully supportive about you moving in and being happy but this@paycheck was not worth disgracing his name.

Holker responded to the comment, saying: Ill always love you. Just trying to help people feel safe to ask for help and support.

open image in gallery Allison Holker says shes just trying to help people after revealing husband Stephen tWitch Bosss drug addiction before his death ( Getty Images )

In the interview, Holker claimed she discovered a large amount of drugs in their home hidden in shoe boxes after Bosss death.

I was with one of my really dear friends, and we were cleaning out the closet and picking out an outfit for him for the funeral, she said. It was a really triggering moment for me because there were a lot of things I discovered in our closet that I did not know existed.

She continued: It was very alarming to me to learn that there was so much happening that I had no clue [about]. It was a really scary moment in my life to figure that out, but it also helped me process that he was going through so much and he was hiding so much, and there must have been a lot of shame in that.

Holker explained that throughout her and Bosss nine years together, she thought they were very honest about things, including his marijuana use.

She also said that her husband would go to the guesthouse to smoke or drink, after their three children  Weslie, 16, Maddox, eight, and Zaia, five  went to sleep. That was his alone time. It was his time to recharge, and that was okay, she added.

open image in gallery Stephen tWtich Boss was the DJ on The Ellen DeGeneres Show ( Michael Rozman/Warner Bros. )

Following Boss funeral, Holker went through his journals and discovered he was sexually abused by a male figure when he was a child.

He was wrestling with a lot inside himself, and he was trying to self-medicate and cope with all those feelings because he didnt want to put it on anyone because he loved everyone so much, she explained. He didnt want other people to take on his pain.

Last month, Holker  whos releasing her memoir, This Far: My Story of Love, Loss, and Embracing the Light, on February 4  took to Instagram to pay tribute to Boss on the second anniversary of his death.

Our Angel @sir_twitch_alot is watching over us and protecting us. You are always on our hearts and we will always love you, she wrote in the caption of the post, which included a picture of the couple and their three children. We miss you Stephen. Two years with you not here but you are always on our minds. We love you.

In September 2024, Holker confirmed that she had fallen in love again, going public with her relationship with Adam Edmunds.

If you or someone you know is suffering from drug addiction, you can seek confidential help and support 24-7 from Frank, by calling 0300 123 6600, texting 82111, sending an email or visiting their website here.

In the US, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration can be reached at 1-800-662-HELP
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A Virginia man accused of stockpiling the largest number of finished explosives in FBI history and using President Joe Biden's photo for target practice must stay in jail until trial, a federal judge ruled, writing that he has shown the capacity for extreme danger.

Brad Spafford, 36, is being held on a federal firearms charge for allegedly owning an unregistered short-barrel rifle. Prosecutors say he faces more potential charges for the explosives, including devices found in a backpack labeled #nolivesmatter.

Spafford, a father of two young daughters, also stored a highly unstable explosive material in a garage freezer next to Hot Pockets and frozen corn on the cob," according to court documents.

In a ruling late Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Arenda L. Wright Allen in Norfolk noted that Spafford lost three fingers in an accident involving homemade explosives in 2021, something she said his defense attorneys have not disputed.

Mr. Spafford has specifically stated that he does not believe in Government regulation when it comes to firearms, and he intentionally flouted the requirements for registration of short-barrel rifles, Allen wrote. The Court is not confident that Mr. Spafford would be any more respectful of the imposed conditions of release.

Defense attorneys had argued that authorities havent produced evidence that Spafford was planning violence. They also noted that Spafford, who is married and works a steady job as a machinist, has no criminal record.

His attorneys also questioned whether the explosive devices found on Spafford's property were usable because professionally trained explosive technicians had to rig the devices to explode them.

There is not a shred of evidence in the record that Mr. Spafford ever threatened anyone and the contention that someone might be in danger because of their political views and comments is nonsensical, his defense lawyers wrote in a recent filing.

Investigators seized more than 150 pipe bombs and other homemade devices when they searched Spafford's Isle of Wight County home in December, the prosecutors said in court filings.

Most of the bombs were found in a detached garage, along with tools and bomb-making materials including fuses and pieces of plastic pipe, according to court documents.

Several additional apparent pipe bombs were found in a backpack in the homes bedroom, completely unsecured, in the house he shares with his wife and children, prosecutors also wrote.

The investigation began in 2023 when an informant told authorities that Spafford was stockpiling weapons and ammunition, according to court documents. The informant, a friend and member of law enforcement, told authorities that Spafford was using pictures of the president for target practice and that he believed political assassinations should be brought back, prosecutors wrote.

Numerous law enforcement officers and bomb technicians searched the property on Dec. 17. The agents located the rifle and the explosive devices, some of which had been hand-labeled as lethal and some of which were loaded into a wearable vest, court documents state. Technicians detonated most of the devices on site because they were deemed unsafe to transport, though several were kept for analysis.

At a hearing last week, federal Magistrate Judge Lawrence Leonard determined that Spafford could be released into house arrest at his mothers home but agreed to keep him detained while the government files further arguments.

In response, prosecutors acknowledged that Spafford is not known to have engaged in any apparent violence.

But they argued that Spafford "has certainly expressed interest in the same, through his manufacture of pipe bombs marked lethal, his possession of riot gear and a vest loaded with pipe bombs, his support for political assassinations and use of the pictures of the President for target practice, and his belief that no lives matter.

In Tuesday's ruling, Allen wrote that the degree of danger that Spafford posed to his own family and community was extreme and noted the sheer scale of the enterprise.

The Court has not found a comparable case in terms of scale, she wrote, "but even cases involving smaller numbers of destructive devices and other factors that were positive for the defendant have resulted in detention."
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Wild weather during New Zealands peak summer holiday period has disrupted travel for thousands on ferries that cross the sea between the main islands.

The problems wrought by huge swells and gales in the deep and turbulent Cook Strait between the North and South Islands is a recurring feature of the countrys roughest weather.

Unlike in Britain and Japan, New Zealand has not seriously considered an undersea tunnel beneath the strait that more than 1 million people cross by sea each year. Although every New Zealander has an opinion on the idea, the last time a prime minister was known to have suggested building one was in 1904.

A tunnel or bridge crossing the approximately 25-30 kilometers (15-18 miles) of volatile sea is so unlikely for the same reason that regularly vexes the countrys planners  solutions for traversing New Zealands remote, rugged and hazard-prone terrain are logistically fraught, analysts said.

A Cook Strait tunnel would dramatically reduce the three- to four-hour sailing time between the North Island, home to 75% of the population, and the South.

open image in gallery An Interislander ferry leaves Wellington harbor, New Zealand, ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

But it would chew up, off the top of my head, about 20 years of the countrys entire transport infrastructure development budget in one project, said Nicolas Reid, transport planner at MRCagney.

He estimated a cost for a tunnel of 50 billion New Zealand dollars ($28 billion), comparable in todays terms to the price of the undersea tunnel that connects Britain and Europe by rail. New Zealand is the same size as the United Kingdom  but the U.K. has a population of 69 million, more than 13 times New Zealands.

Its also about the same size as Japan, which is home to the Seikan undersea rail tunnel connecting the islands of Honshu and Hokkaido  and has a population of 124 million.

We have a large infrastructure burden if we want to reach out across the country, said Reid. And weve only got 5 million people to pay for it.

The Cook Straight mapped:

New Zealands volatile ground could also prove a problem. Perched on the boundary between tectonic plates, fault lines run under both the North and South Islands and earthquakes are sometimes centered in the strait, said seismologist John Risteau of GNS.

Sailing on both Cook Strait ferry services  which have five ships transporting people, vehicles and freight  resumed Wednesday after two days of dangerous waves. Clearing the backlog meant more waiting and some passengers on one carrier said they could not book a new berth for a fortnight.

The Cook Strait is less calm than many worldwide because it features opposing tides at each end  one where it joins the Tasman Sea and the other where it meets the Pacific Ocean.

We tend to have the prevailing, dominating wind funnel through Cook Strait, northerlies or southerlies, and thats why theyre stronger there, said Gerard Bellam, a forecaster for the weather agency MetService. Swells in the strait this week reached 9 meters (30 feet), he said.

Julia Rufey, an English tourist waiting at the Wellington terminal, said she had flown between North Island and South Island on previous trips, but adventure had prompted her to choose the ferry.

We thought, come to Wellington, try the ferry, which is already 3 1/2 hours late, she said.

open image in gallery Bluebridge ferry passengers disembark in Wellington, New Zealand ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

The ferries themselves, prone to breakdowns and more than half of them state-owned, have long been a political hot potato. The current government scrapped their predecessors plan to replace the vessels before they become defunct in 2029 as too costly. The opposition has criticized the government for only partly revealing its new ferry replacement plan in December and for not divulging the cost.

Still, some delayed on Wednesday said they would choose the ferry even if they had alternatives. Laurie Perino, an Australian tourist, said the pristine and scenic ocean views had prompted her to book.

It would be more convenient, she said, referring to a Cook Strait tunnel. But I think a lot of people would still like to travel on the ferry.
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People have been found dead hiding in the wheel wells of planes twice in the past month.

Two stowaways were arrested on different flights in November and December. Then a passenger opened an emergency door while a plane was taxiing in Boston Tuesday night.

These incidents are being investigated, so we don't know yet exactly where security failed. But there were clear gaps in security.

Passengers panicked when a man onboard a JetBlue plane taxiing for takeoff at Boston's Logan International Airport opened an exit door over a wing, trigging an emergency slide to inflate Tuesday. Other passengers quickly restrained the man, and the plane never took off, but clearly it was a scary moment.

On Monday, two dead bodies were found inside the landing gear compartment of a different JetBlue plane after it landed in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.

In late December, a body was found in the wheel well of a United Airlines plane after it landed in Maui from Chicago.

Also in December, a passenger without a ticket was discovered aboard a Delta Air Lines flight as that plane was rolling across the tarmac in Seattle before it took off for Honolulu.

A separate stowaway was arrested in November after a Delta Air Lines flight from New York landed in Paris. That Russian national had somehow bypassed security to board the flight.

open image in gallery A JetBlue plane lands at Logan International Airport, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023 ( Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

If a stowaway can get inside a plane's wheel well or sneak aboard the cabin, what would prevent someone with malicious intent from getting access?

The challenge we run into is we have a system with gaps, and those gaps are sometimes exploited, said Jeff Price, professor of aviation at Metropolitan State University of Denver.

The Transportation Security Administration, the airlines and the airports are all trying to find where those gaps are and plug them. But Price said that by design there are gaps in the system.

The fact that people are getting access to these planes makes pilots worried about the system.

Right now were seeing some fissure cracks. Theyre unacceptable. And weve been lucky that it hasnt been somebody with broader nefarious intent, said Dennis Tajer, a longtime airline pilot and spokesman for the Allied Pilots Association union.

open image in gallery A Delta Air Lines jet leaves the gate, July 19, 2024, at Logan International Airport in Boston ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Experts have also said that a shortage of air traffic controllers, outdated plane-tracking technology and other problems are eroding the margin of safety in air travel.

Crashes are rare

The National Safety Council estimates that Americans have a 1-in-93 chance of dying in a motor vehicle crash, while deaths on airplanes are too rare to calculate the odds. Figures from the U.S. Department of Transportation tell a similar story.

The last deadly crash involving a U.S. airliner occurred in February 2009, an unprecedented streak of safety. But planes have crashed elsewhere around the world. And there are other concerns.

Safety regulators are worried about a number of close calls at airports in the past couple years.

Emergency doors

This is not the first time that a passenger has opened an emergency door on a plane on the ground. In one incident in Australia last year, a man opened a door and walked out onto the wing of a stationary plane and was arrested after he climbed down to the ground.

Emergency doors are supposed to be able to be opened when a plane is on the ground so passengers can quickly escape if there is a problem.

Passengers can take comfort in the fact that emergency doors are extremely difficult to open during a flight. There are locks that keep a door in place in flight that are armed after takeoff. And once a plane is above 10,000 feet, the air pressure inside the plane holds the door in place. Most of them are designed so that they must be pulled inward before they can be opened.

But in January 2024, a panel plugging the space reserved for an unused emergency door blew off an Alaska Airlines jetliner 16,000 feet above Oregon. Pilots landed the Boeing 737 Max safely, but videos from passengers showed the terrifying scene. The rapid loss of cabin pressure caused oxygen masks to drop from the ceiling, and suction as air rushed from the hole exerted force on people inside the plane.

Investigators have said it appears that four bolts used to help secure the panel were missing after the plane was worked on at a Boeing factory in Renton, Washington.
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The Biden administration will continue protecting about 2,000 grizzly bears in four Rocky Mountain states despite objections from Republicans.

Federal officials have said they will reclassify the grizzlys status so that ranchers would be able to shoot bears that are killing livestock. Officials will end protections for the animals in states where theyre no longer found, including California, Colorado, New Mexico and Oregon.

The animals have been protected as a threatened species across the lower 48 states since 1975. Officials during President-elect Donald Trumps first term sought to eliminate those protections, but were blocked in court.

Republican officials in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming petitioned the Fish and Wildlife Service beginning in 2021 seeking to reclaim state management of the grizzly population. That would have opened the door to public hunts, although state officials said they would be limited and not endanger the overall population.

Federal officials said they will work toward ending protections eventually, but declined to offer a timeline.

This reclassification will facilitate recovery of grizzly bears and provide a stronger foundation for eventual delisting, Martha Williams, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director, said in a statement.

The agency's actions drew a sharp rebuke from Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke, who worked on a prior attempt to remove protections when he led the U.S. Interior Department under Trump.

Theres no denying the Biden administration jammed this through with 12 days to go knowing its a blatantly political play to appease radical environmentalists," Zinke said in a statement. Thankfully the political hands pulling the strings at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are about to be fired.

open image in gallery ( Getty Images/iStockphoto )

Grizzlies greatly expanded their range over the past several decades, including in parts of western Washington state. Thats led to more conflicts between humans and bears, including periodic attacks on livestock and, rarely, on people.

U.S. government scientists concluded years ago that the bear population in parts of the West  including around Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks  had biologically recovered. But theres been concern that state wildlife laws wouldnt be enough to protect the animals.

Former Fish and Wildlife Service grizzly recovery coordinator Chris Servheen said keeping protections in place will allow grizzlies to continue expanding into new areas. Without those safeguards, he added, the species would again be driven toward extinction because of habitat losses due to climate change and hostile state officials intent on reducing bear populations.

We spent about $30 million and 45 years recovering grizzly bears to where they are now. If they are delisted, it would turn around and they would again be on the verge of extinction, Servheen said in an interview. He said he had not yet reviewed documents related to Wednesday's decision.

An estimated 50,000 grizzlies once roamed portions of 18 western states stretching from Texas to the Canadian border. They were wiped out in most areas by overhunting and trapping.

By 1975, only about 700 to 800 bears remained in the lower 48 states.

Following intensive recovery efforts led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, there are now more than 2,000 grizzlies in the lower 48 states and larger populations in Alaska, where hunting is allowed.

Prior attempts to lift protections  in 2007 and 2017  were blocked in federal court. In 2021, federal officials decided protections were still needed because of pressures such as the number of bear deaths caused by humans. Authorities reconsidered over the past two years at the request of governors in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said there was substantial evidence grizzlies have recovered from the threat of extinction in the regions surrounding Yellowstone and Glacier national parks.

After the species temporarily lost protection in the Yellowstone region in 2017, Wyoming and Idaho scheduled hunts.

In Wyoming, almost 1,500 people applied for 12 grizzly bear licenses. Idaho issued just one license before the hunts were blocked without any grizzlies being killed.

Federal officials also raised concerns about laws from Republican-led states that could potentially harm grizzly populations. Among them was a Montana law allowing grizzlies to be killed if they attack livestock.

Certain states also have pursued aggressive policies against gray wolves, including loosened wolf trapping rules that some scientists fear could lead to grizzlies being inadvertently trapped and killed.
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The decorated soldier who blew up a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump hotel in Las Vegas last week used generative AI, including ChatGPT, to help set up the attack, Las Vegas police said Tuesday.

A laptop, cellphone and watch are still being examined after 37-year-old Matthew Livelsberger fatally shot himself just before the truck exploded on New Years Day.

An investigation of Livelsbergers searches through ChatGPT indicate he was looking for information on explosive targets, the speed at which certain rounds of ammunition would travel and whether fireworks were legal in Arizona, according to investigators.

Kevin McMahill, sheriff of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, called the use of generative AI a game-changer and said the department was sharing information with other law enforcement agencies about the crime.

This is the first incident that Im aware of on U.S. soil where ChatGPT is utilized to help an individual build a particular device," he said. Its a concerning moment. McMahill did not detail how ChatGPT was used to build the device, presumably referring to the gasoline- and fireworks-laden Cybertruck triggered to explode.

Matthew Livelsberger, 37, fatally shot himself in his Cybertruck before the vehicle exploded last week outside the Trump hotel in Las Vegas ( Facebook/Reuters )

Las Vegas police and federal law enforcement officials also unveiled other new details about the explosion.

They noted that Livelsberger stopped during his drive to Las Vegas to pour racing-grade fuel into the Cybertruck, which then dripped the substance. The vehicle was loaded with 60 pounds of pyrotechnic material. Officials are still uncertain exactly what detonated the explosion, but said it could have been the flash from the firearm that Livelsberger used to fatally shoot himself.

Livelsberger, an Army Green Beret who deployed twice to Afghanistan and lived in Colorado Springs, Colorado, left notes saying the explosion was intended to be a wake-up call  for the nation's troubles, officials said last week.

He also left cellphone notes saying he needed to cleanse his mind of the brothers Ive lost and relieve myself of the burden of the lives I took."

The explosion caused minor injuries to seven people, but virtually no damage to the Trump International Hotel. Authorities said Livelsberger acted alone.

Livelsbergers letters touched on political grievances, social problems and domestic and international issues, including the war in Ukraine. He wrote that the U.S. was terminally ill and headed toward collapse.

Investigators had been trying to determine if Livelsberger wanted to make a political point, given the Tesla and the hotel bearing the president-elects name.

But Livelsberger was a big supporter of President-elect Trump, according to his family. In one of the notes he left, he said the country needed to rally around him and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
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Turkey has again insisted on a two-state peace accord in ethnically divided Cyprus as the United Nations prepares to meet with all sides in early spring in hopes of restarting formal talks to resolve one of the worlds most intractable conflicts.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Cyprus must continue on the path of a two-state solution and that expending efforts on other arrangements ending Cyprus half-century divide would be a waste of time.

Fidan spoke to reporters after talks with Ersin Tatar, leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots whose declaration of independence in 1983 in Cyprus northern third is recognized only by Turkey.

Cyprus ethnic division occurred in 1974 when Turkey invaded in the wake of a coup, sponsored by the junta then ruling Greece, that aimed to unite the island in the eastern Mediterranean with the Greek state.

The most recent major push for a peace deal collapsed in 2017.

Since then, Turkey has advocated for a two-state arrangement in which the numerically fewer Turkish Cypriots would never be the minority in any power-sharing arrangement.

But Greek Cypriots do not support a two-state deal that they see as formalizing the islands partition and perpetuating what they see as a threat of a permanent Turkish military presence on the island.

open image in gallery U.N. Secretary General's Special Representative in Cyprus Colin Stewart, center, Cyprus' President Nikos Christodoulides, left, and the Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar talk as they attend the U.N.'s end of year reception at Ledras Palace inside the U.N buffer zone in the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Greek Cypriot officials have maintained that the 2017 talks collapsed primarily on Turkeys insistence on permanently keeping at least some of its estimated 35,000 troops currently in the island's breakaway north, and on enshrining military intervention rights in any new peace deal.

The U.N. the European Union and others have rejected a two-state deal for Cyprus, saying the only way forward is a federation agreement with Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot zones.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is preparing to host an informal meeting in Switzerland in March to hear what each side envisions for a peace deal. Last year, an envoy Guterres dispatched to Cyprus reportedly concluded that there's no common ground for a return to talks.

The islands Greek Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides says hes ready to resume formal talks immediately but has ruled out any discussion on a two-state arrangement.

Tatar, leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots, said the meeting will bring together the two sides in Cyprus, the foreign ministers of guarantor powers Greece and Turkey and a senior British official to chart the next steps regarding Cyprus future.

A peace deal would not only remove a source of instability in the eastern Mediterranean, but could also expedite the development of natural gas deposits inside Cyprus' offshore economic zone that Turkey disputes.
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Multiple hospitals across England have declared critical incidents amid a soaring number of patients being admitted with flu and other respiratory illnesses.

Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was genuinely distressed and ashamed by the situation faced by patients and staff as the highest alert level was sounded at least 11 hospitals due to high demands in emergency departments.

The UKs chief emergency doctor, Adrian Boyle, told The Independent that the flu outbreak had severe consequences for already overwhelmed hospitals, while the NHSs top doctor, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, said the demand showed no signs of letting up.

The rising pressure on wards was also having an impact on waiting times, with a patient at one hospital forced to wait 50 hours.

On Tuesday, Royal Liverpool University Hospital declared a critical incident, followed by Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Basingstoke and Winchester hospitals, and University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, which runs Derriford Hospital.

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Birmingham NHS Trust, which runs Queen Elizabeth, Solihull, Good Hope and Heartlands hospitals, and NHS Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board, which oversees Northampton and Kettering hospitals, also declared the alert level.

A critical incident declared on Friday by Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust, which runs Royal Cornwall Hospital, continues.

A number of other NHS trusts  including East Kent Hospitals, Leeds Teaching Hospitals and United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals  said their emergency departments were extremely busy and urged people to stay away.

Speaking on LBC Radio, Mr Streeting said: I feel genuinely distressed and ashamed, actually, of some of the things that patients are experiencing and I know that the staff of the NHS and social care services feel the same. They go to work, they slog their guts out, and its very distressing for them seeing people in this condition as well.

The health secretary, who said an emergency reform plan would be published shortly, added: Weve got this extraordinary pressure on flu where weve got between three and four times as many hospital beds taken up with flu cases this year than we did this time last year. Even so, annual winter pressures should not lead to an annual winter crisis.

Dr Boyle said most A&E departments around the country were now close to capacity.

open image in gallery Weekly emergency department attendances for seasonal viruses. Source: UKHSA ( Single use )

There have been critical incidents declared across English emergency departments, he said. Many other emergency departments are reporting very very long stays, and people are groaning under an enormous workload of people with flu and respiratory viruses.

Dr Boyle said the increase in pressure on hospitals had come from a combination of the weekends cold snap, an earlier and harder flu season, and people mingling again.

NHS data showed there 5,000 patients in hospital with the flu at the end of last week - almost 3.5 times higher than the same week in 2023, although not as high as in 2022.

Dr Boyle said flu was just the straw that broke the camels back. It would be a mistake to think that when the weather warms up, that everything will be OK, he said. Hospitals are so under capacity and overwhelmed, that even a predictable event like flu has severe consequences.

Separate data up to the last week of November also showed a surge in A&E admissions, up nearly 7 per cent on last year, before the winter flu surge hit.

open image in gallery Ambulances outside the Basingstoke hospital where Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has declared a critical incident ( Andrew Matthews/PA Wire )

NHS national medical director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said: Frontline NHS staff are under significant pressure and the demand is showing no signs of letting up, with latest data showing flu cases skyrocketed to around 5,000 a day in hospitals at the end of last year and multiple trusts across the country declaring incidents to help them to manage additional strain on services.

Rory Deighton, director of the acute network at the NHS Confederation, said the next two to three weeks will likely be the busiest period of the year for health services. We are seeing many patients who are very poorly and need hospital beds, with up to 20 per cent of beds taken up by patients who could be at home with social care support, he said.

Health experts have told The Independent this winters flu strain appeared to be more virulent than last years.

Professor Penny Ward, of Kings College London, said: It seems this year is more virulent, and there is a relatively low rate of bed spaces at the best of times so its not unusual for the winter flu season to overwhelm the hospitals.

The latest NHS data on flu vaccinations from mid-December shows 73 per cent of people aged over 65 had received a flu vaccine - but just 37.6 per cent of people aged under 65 and considered high risk including pregnant women and young children.

Its never too late for people during the flu season to get their vaccines, Prof Ward said.
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The European Union is monitoring cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) amid an outbreak of the disease in China.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said cases across Europe were not unusual for this time of year, but would continue to assess the situation.

ECDC continues to monitor the situation in collaboration with the Chinese CDC and WHO/EURO to gather additional information, it said.

The virus, which causes flu or cold-like symptoms, has seen cases spiking across northern Chinese provinces this winter, particularly among children.

Photos and videos of people wearing masks in hospitals in China emerged on social media platforms and local reports compared the scenes to the initial outbreak of Covid .

Meanwhile, Indonesia has started monitoring flights from China and Malaysia amid concern over rising HMPV infections across the region.

Those travelling to Bali will have to fill out a form three days before their arrival to the island providing a record of passengers health, according to local health authorities.
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An increase in human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infections in China has received widespread media coverage, but leading scientists and public health experts say there isnt yet a cause for alarm.

Chinese health authorities last month reported a rise in children aged 14 and under testing positive for HMPV as part of a broader update on the respiratory virus season.

Photos and videos posted on social media in recent days show crowded hospitals in China, sparking concerns over the virus spreading to other countries and causing a Covid-like outbreak.

The concerns come just as the world completes five years since the novel coronavirus infection was first reported in Chinas Wuhan.

However, experts emphasise that HMPV is neither new nor poses an unusual threat to global health.

What Is HMPV?

Human metapneumovirus, first identified in 2001 by Dutch scientists, is a common respiratory virus known to cause mild cold-like symptoms in most people. However, it can lead to severe illness in infants, the elderly, and those with underlying health conditions.

Professor Andrew Pollard, director of the Oxford Vaccine Group at the University of Oxford, describes HMPV as one of many viruses contributing to winter pressure on healthcare systems.

It causes respiratory illness in babies and the elderly, which can result in hospitalisation. For most other age groups, it simply causes cold-like symptoms, he says.

Professor John Tregoning from Imperial College London reiterates that HMPV is not a new virus and shares symptoms with other respiratory illnesses like RSV and flu. It will present in the same way as flu, SARS-CoV-2, and RSV, he says, adding that preventive measures like handwashing, good ventilation, and staying home when sick can help curb its spread.

Professor Paul Hunter from the University of East Anglia notes that almost every child contracts HMPV by five years of age, with reinfections occurring throughout life. HMPV typically causes cold-like symptoms that recover by themselves within 2 to 5 days. Severe cases are rare but can occur in vulnerable groups, he says.

Theres no vaccine for HMPV at the moment but a few are under development.

Current situation in China

Chinas National Disease Control and Prevention Administration recently acknowledged an increase in respiratory infections, including HMPV. In response, it has launched a pilot programme to track pneumonia of unknown origin, aiming to improve the identification and management of such cases. This involves closer coordination between laboratories and health agencies and ensuring timely reporting of new cases.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday the disease was spreading at a smaller scale compared to the previous year.

This mirrors seasonal trends seen in other countries, including the UK, which is experiencing similar spikes in respiratory illnesses this winter.

Experts say at this stage the outbreak doesnt appear out of the ordinary.

At this stage, the likelihood is that China is experiencing a bad HMPV season, in the same way that in some years we have an overwhelming flu season, Dr Sanjaya Senanayake, infectious diseases specialist from the Australian National University, says.

This could be due to a combination of viral and behavioural factors, but it should settle down. However, it is vital for China to share data on this outbreak in a timely manner. This includes epidemiologic data about who is getting infected. Also, we need genomic data confirming that HMPV is the culprit and that there arent any significant mutations of concern. Such genomic data will also guide vaccine development.

Some scientists say the rise in infections could be a result of increased diagnosis. We are diagnosing a greater proportion of infections. So far, there is no evidence of a more serious global issue, Prof Hunter says.

No global health emergency

The World Health Organization has not classified the increase in HMPV infections as a global health emergency, but the UN agency continues to monitor the situation closely.

Professor Jill Carr, a virologist at Flinders University, says HMPV outbreak is very different from Covid, where the virus was completely new in humans and arose from a spillover from animals.

HMPV can certainly make people very sick, she notes, but the current situation in China with high HMPV cases is very different from the threats initially posed by SARS-CoV-2.

The scientific community also has some understanding of the genetic diversity and epidemiology of HPMV, the kind of impact the virus has on the lungs and established laboratory testing methods  again, very different to the Covid pandemic where a new lung disease was seen, there was little information on how the virus may vary and spread and we had no initial diagnostic tests.
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Palestinian medics say Israeli airstrikes have killed at least five people in the Gaza Strip, including two infants and a woman.

One strike hit a home in the central city of Deir al-Balah, killing two men and a woman, according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, which received the casualties.

The hospital said it also received a 4-month-old boy who was killed in a strike on his family house in the nearby built-up Bureij refugee camp.

An Associated Press journalist saw the four bodies in the hospital morgue.

In Gaza City, an airstrike hit a home in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, killing a 3-week-old baby, according to the Health Ministrys emergency service.

Israels military says it only targets militants, who it accuses of hiding among civilians.

The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and abducting around 250. Some 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead.

Israels air and ground offensive has killed over 45,800 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry. It does not say how many were fighters, but says women and children make up over half the fatalities. The military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence.
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A federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked the public release of special counsel Jack Smith's report on investigations into Donald Trump as an appeals court weighs a challenge to the disclosure of a much-anticipated document just days before the president-elect reclaims office.

The ruling from U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon may represent a short-lived victory for Trump, but it's nonetheless the latest instance of the Trump-appointed jurist taking action in the Republican's favor. The halt followed an emergency request Monday by defense lawyers to block the release of a report that they said would be one-sided and prejudicial.

Trump responded to Cannon's order by complaining anew at a news conference about Smith's investigation and saying, It'll be a fake report just like it was a fake investigation.

It was unclear what the Justice Department, which has its own guidelines governing special counsels and the reports they are expected to produce when they conclude their own, intended to do following Cannon's order.

The two-volume report is expected to describe charging decisions made in separate investigations by Smith into Trump's hoarding of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, and his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in the run-up to the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.

Cannon's order did not make a distinction between the two volumes, instead barring the release of any information from any report for three days after the dispute is resolved by the Atlanta -based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, unless the court orders otherwise. Smiths team was to respond with a written filing Wednesday to that appeals court.

Trump was charged alongside two co-defendants in the classified documents case, which was dismissed in July by Cannon, who concluded that Smith's appointment was illegal. Trump was also charged in an election interference case that was significantly narrowed by a Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity. Smith's team abandoned both cases in November after Trump's presidential victory, citing Justice Department policy that prohibits the federal prosecutions of sitting presidents.

Lawyers for Trump, including Todd Blanche, who was picked by Trump to serve as his deputy attorney general, urged Attorney General Garland in a letter that was made public late Monday to block the release of the report and to remove Smith from his position promptly  or defer the release of the report to the incoming attorney general.

Using language mimicking Trump's own attacks on Smith and his work, Blanche told Garland that the release of any confidential report prepared by this out-of-control private citizen unconstitutionally posing as a prosecutor would be nothing more than a lawless political stunt, designed to politically harm President Trump and justify the huge sums of taxpayer money Smith unconstitutionally spent on his failed and dismissed cases.

The letter was included as part of an emergency request filed late Monday with Cannon by lawyers for Trump's codefendants in the documents case, Trump valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira.

They asked Cannon to block the report's release, noting that Smith's appeal of her dismissal of charges against the men is pending and that the disclosure of pejorative information about them would be prejudicial.

In response to that request, Smith's team said in a two-page filing earlier Tuesday that it intended to submit its report to Garland by that afternoon and that the volume pertaining to the classified documents investigation would not be made public before 10 a.m. Friday.

Justice Department regulations call for special counsels appointed by the attorney general to submit a confidential report at the conclusion of their investigations. It's then up to the attorney general to decide what to make public.

Garland has made public in their entirety the reports produced by special counsels who operated under his watch, including Robert Hur's report on President Joe Biden's handling of classified information and John Durham's report on the FBI's Russian election interference investigation.
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The Biden administration in its final days is shifting more than $100 million in military aid from Israel and Egypt to Lebanon as it tries to bolster a ceasefire agreement it helped mediate between Israel and Hezbollah.

In separate notices sent to Congress, the State Department said it was moving $95 million in military assistance intended for Egypt and $7.5 million for Israel toward supporting the Lebanese army and its government. The notices were dated Jan. 3 and obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Most of the money will go to the Lebanese Armed Forces, which have a critical role in standing up the ceasefire that was agreed to in November following an all-out war that battered much of southern and eastern Lebanon for two months.

It is intended to help the LAF deploy in the south of the country and supplement the role of the U.N. peacekeeping mission patrolling the so-called Blue Line, which has separated Israel and Lebanon since the end of a 2006 war between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group.

Successful implementation (of the ceasefire) will require an empowered LAF, which will need robust assistance from the United States and other partners, the State Department said in the notices, both of which used nearly identical language to explain the funding shifts.

Both Israel and Hezbollah agreed to pull their forces out of southern Lebanon before the end of January, with compliance to be overseen by the Lebanese army and U.N. peacekeepers.

U.S. security assistance to the LAF increases its capacity as the countrys only legitimate military force and defender of Lebanons territorial integrity, enables the LAF to prevent potential destabilization from ISIS and other terrorist groups, and enables the LAF to provide security both for the Lebanese people and for U.S. personnel, the State Department said.

Critics of U.S. assistance to the Lebanese military have often complained that it has been infiltrated by Hezbollah, but the notices rejected that claim.

U.S. support to the LAF reinforces the LAF as an important institutional counterweight to Hezbollah, which receives weapons, training, and financial support from Iran, the State Department said. The LAF continues to be an independent, non-sectarian institution in Lebanon, and is respected across all sectors.

In a third notice, also sent to Congress on Jan. 3, the department said it was going to provide $15 million to Lebanons Internal Security Forces to ensure that they become the primary law enforcement entity in the country and assist the LAF in controlling areas in the south.

That money will primarily be used to rebuild police stations, improve radio communications and purchase vehicles, the notice said.

The third notice also informed lawmakers that the administration would provide $3.06 million to the Palestinian Authority police to support its operations in the West Bank and $2.5 million to Jordan's Public Security Directorate to support its response to public demonstrations.
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Ring doorbell footage has captured the moment armed police fatally shot a man on Christmas Eve.

Marcus Meade, 39, was killed during a standoff with police officers that lasted more than five hours at a property in Redditch, Worcestershire.

Officers arrived at the address on Fownhope Close at 2pm on 24 December after concerns were raised for the safety of a man with a knife.

However, at around 8pm the dad-of-two was pronounced dead at the scene after being shot by armed officers.

His family have now released footage from the evening as the police watchdog launch an investigation into the shooting.

The video shows police standing outside the address before around a dozen loud bangs can be heard and white flashes can be seen.

During the two-minute clip Mr Meade is wounded off-screen. He died of his injuries 20 minutes later.

West Mercia Police said he was shot once. Mr Meades family said he had been a well-respected member of the local community, picking up a bravery reward for tackling a murderer in 2003.

He helped wrestle killer Inderjit Kainth to the ground after he stabbed 16-year-old Rosie Ross as she sunbathed in Birmingham city centre.

Mr Meades brother, Jahziah Meade, has now set up a Gofundme to raise funeral costs. In a tribute, he said: For me, he was a phenomenal brother - a great friend.He was a great person, he was always helpful. He couldnt do enough to help everybody.

He was like my twin - but theres nine months between us. He has two beautiful children, we have a big family.

Police at the scene in Redditch, Worcestershire after Meade was shot dead on Christmas Eve (Jacob King/PA) ( PA Wire )

We are all truly devastated. Theres an empty hole left in all of our hearts.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said officers involved had provided detailed accounts and that it was conducting a lengthy investigation.

The police watchdog said officers had attempted to negotiate with Mr Meade before forcing entry to the property using distraction devices.

An IOPC spokesperson added: At least one taser was then discharged, and a firearms officer fired a single shot which hit Mr Meade in the chest.

Officers attempted immediate first aid, but he died at the scene a short time later.

A post-mortem examination took place on 31 December and toxicology tests are being progressed.

IOPC Regional Director Derrick Campbell said: Our thoughts and sympathies remain with Mr Meades family, and everyone affected by his death. We are working hard to piece together all the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident and we want to reassure the community that our investigation, which is still in its early stages, will be thorough and guided by the evidence we find.

We are meeting with Mr Meades family to again offer our sincere condolences and to outline how our investigation will progress.

We will provide them with regular updates as our enquiries continue.

We have established that while police used distraction techniques causing several bangs and flashes on entering the property, there was one shot fired by an armed officer.

We will continue to carefully review the considerable volume of police body-worn footage we have collated.

Our investigation will examine the police strategy and tactics throughout the overall incident and officers actions and decision-making including any risk assessments of the situation, and whether relevant policies and procedures were followed.

A West Mercia Police spokesperson said: The Independent Office for Police Conduct is carrying out an independent investigation and it would therefore not be appropriate for us comment further while this investigation is on-going.

However, we will do so when we are able.

The Gofundme has raised nearly 7,000 since it was set up.
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An investigation has been launched into the Metropolitan Polices handing of sexual assault allegations made against former Harrods boss Mohamed al-Fayed.

Two complaints from victim-survivors raising concerns about the forces handling of allegations they made against al-Fayed will be investigated by the Met itself under the direction of the independent policing watchdog.

The Independent understands the allegations, which the victim-survivors each reported to the Met in 2008, were both accusations of sexual assault.

The Met is currently reviewing a total of 21 allegations that were made before al-Fayed died in 2023, and referred two of these to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in November.

On Wednesday, the IOPC announced that the Mets Directorate of Professional Standards will continue to investigate the complaints, but under the direction of the watchdog to identify if there were any missed opportunities or failures by officers to properly investigate these reports.

open image in gallery The Met is currently reviewing a total of 21 allegations that were made before the former Harrods boss before he died in 2023 ( PA Wire )

The IOPC also fears it could become much wider than two complaints.

More than 100 alleged victims have contacted police to say they were sexually abused by the tycoon, the youngest of whom is thought to have been 13 at the time.

A number of allegations were made against al-Fayed while he was still alive, but no charges were ever brought against him before his death last year.

Investigators twice sent files for a charging decision to the Crown Prosecution Service  once in 2008 relating to three victims and again in 2015 linked to one other.

On another three occasions  in 2018, 2021 and 2023  the CPS was asked for what is called early investigative advice, but the matters were not pursued further by police.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said during PMQs on Wednesday that the case of sex abuse allegations against al-Fayed never crossed his desk during his tenure as director of public prosecutions.

open image in gallery (Left to right) Barristers Bruce Drummond, Dean Armstrong KC and Maria Mulla address the media during a Justice for Harrods Survivors press conference in London in October ( EPA )

In November the Met confirmed that detectives were investigating more than five people who may have facilitated the former Harrods boss in his alleged sexual abuse of dozens of women and girls.

They are looking at individuals surrounding the businessman who could have enabled him to commit crimes which are claimed to have spanned decades between 1977 and 2014.

The force is also facing allegations of police corruption, with the Guardian reporting that officers were accused of taking bribes to help him persecute staff and avoid accusations of abuse.

On Wednesday, IOPC Director of Operations Steve Noonan said: Our sympathies are with all the victim-survivors who reported allegations against Mr Al Fayed.

There is widespread public concern around this case, with a significant number of allegations reported over many years while Mr Al Fayed was still alive.

open image in gallery A number of allegations were made against al-Fayed while he was still alive, but no charges were ever brought against him before his death last year ( PA Archive )

Its important that an investigation is carried out into these complaints to identify if there were any missed opportunities or failures by officers to properly investigate these reports made back in 2008.

Weve decided to direct these investigations as the Mets ongoing review of 21 allegations means it could become much wider than two complaints, and also it will help information sharing between DPS and the on-going criminal investigation into those who potentially enabled or assisted the alleged offending.

The complainants will be kept regularly updated throughout the investigation.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police, said: We are committed to thoroughly reviewing all information relating to allegations in the case of Mohamed as-Fayed and take the necessary steps to ensure accountability and public confidence in our processes.

In November 2024, we voluntarily referred two cases to the IOPC and acknowledge their decision today for our Directorate of Professional Standards to investigate these complaints, under the IOPC's direction. This is in addition to our wider review into the handling of all 21 allegations made against Mohamed Al Fayed prior to his death.

Given the sensitivity of this matter, and the current review, we cannot comment further at this time, but we are committed to openly sharing our findings as soon as we are able to and where this wont jeopardise criminal or other proceedings.
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A woman who was raped in Oldham aged 12 has implored Sir Keir Starmer to launch a government inquiry into child sexual abuse in the town  but hit out at the far right for hijacking the cause.

Samantha Walker-Roberts, who has bravely waived her right to anonymity, was gang raped in a house in Chadderton, northwest England, in 2006. Shakil Chowdhury was jailed for six years for the brutal attack but released on licence after three. Three other attackers were never caught.

The survivor, now 31, has called for the prime minister to launch a government review into the scandal after Home Office minister Jess Phillips declined a request for a nationally led inquiry into abuse in Oldham, Greater Manchester, in favour of a locally led review.

We want justice and we want our voices to be heard so they need to now start taking that on and listening to what we want, which is a government inquiry in Oldham, Ms Walker-Roberts told The Independent.

The governments refusal sparked a furore as billionaire Elon Musk launched a series of attacks on his social media site X (formerly Twitter), calling Ms Phillips a rape genocide apologist and accusing Sir Keir of hiding terrible things.

The Tories have piled pressure on the government by joining Mr Musks calls for a national inquiry into grooming gangs across the country, tabling an amendment to the Childrens Wellbeing and Schools Bill. On Wednesday, ahead of a vote on the amendment, Downing Street indicated the prime minister was open to a U-turn for the first time.

open image in gallery Samantha Walker-Roberts, 31, has called for a government-led inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Oldham ( Supplied )

Ms Walker-Roberts, who is campaigning for a government probe into crimes in Oldham with two other survivors, believes a local inquiry led by Oldham Council will not see professionals held accountable for their failings in handling the abuse.

However, her demands fall short of the full national inquiry demanded by the Tories, amid fears Oldham would get lost in a nationwide probe.

She told The Independent: I would like a government-led inquiry, not a national inquiry because Oldham will get lost in it.

He [Sir Keir] has to listen. He has to listen or hes going to be called into question. If he cant do right for survivors, then what can he do for the country?

Although the campaigner welcomes the spotlight being shone on the issue by Mr Musks intervention, she said she was frustrated with far-right groups for jumping on the bandwagon.

She said she believed some people, including jailed far-right political activist Tommy Robinson, who has styled himself as a campaigner exposing Asian grooming gangs, were misrepresenting the issue as a problem with Pakistani grooming gangs. Her abuser was from Bangladesh.

open image in gallery Shakil Chowdhury was jailed for six years for the brutal attack but released on licence after three ( PA )

It infuriates me, she said. The only views that matter are the survivors, not family members, not members of the public.

Tommy Robinson needs to take no involvement in this. We dont want him. It is not about race or the colour of your skin and he makes it that kind of problem.

It infuriates me that they like to put everybody under the same umbrella of Pakistani grooming gangs. That is not the case here, because mine were predominantly Bengalis.

The survivor hopes a government review into Oldham would lead to proper accountability for officials in the police, Oldham Council and social services.

I have still not had any justice against any professional that has been involved in my case at all, she said.

Greater Manchester Police assistant chief constable Steph Parker said: We wholeheartedly apologise to all victims of child sexual exploitation who we badly let down, including Sam, for the hurt and ongoing trauma caused by what happened. We have accepted that our actions fell far short of the help that they had every right to expect from us.

open image in gallery Elon Musk launched a series of attacks on Keir Starmer on his social media site X ( PA Archive )

She said child protection was the priority of police, as was listening to survivors of abuse to ensure they were believed.

The abuse Sam suffered is subject to one of a number of ongoing victim-focused investigations by our specialist unit investigating non-recent CSE, which has 100 dedicated detectives working at a pace survivors are comfortable with when the time is right for them. This has seen more than 100 arrests, with suspects continuing to be taken to court to face justice, she added.

Ms Walker-Roberts said a local review, similar to one already held into grooming gangs in Telford, would not effect real change, although she acknowledged some other survivors would rather see the investigation carried out locally.

Ms Walker-Roberts also questioned whether Oldham Council had all the resources needed for a local inquiry. In September, the councils deputy leader promised they would manage the finances of Oldham so we dont go bankrupt as he was grilled on a 21m budget hole.

She called for survivors to be central to every stage of any inquiry, including setting the terms of reference, which are expected to be agreed in the coming months.

Professor Alexis Jay, who led the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse which reported in 2022, has said the time has passed for another lengthy examination of grooming gangs.

open image in gallery Professor Alexis Jay, who led the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, has said the time has passed for more inquiries ( PA )

This week, home secretary Yvette Cooper announced the government would begin to implement Prof Jays call for mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse.

Councillor Arooj Shah, leader of Oldham Council, said no stone will be left unturned in their work to hold perpetrators to account and work is underway to establish a Telford-style local inquiry.

Since October, when the government confirmed we should carry out a local inquiry, we have been working on setting up that independent inquiry, she said. That work has included liaising with Oldham survivors and Telford Council which conducted a similar inquiry.

Child sexual exploitation is a vile form of child abuse, and the failings of the past are shameful. We have a duty not to repeat them and this inquiry will help strengthen local safeguarding and  most importantly  protect Oldhams children.

A Home Office spokesperson said: No child should ever suffer sexual abuse or exploitation and it is paramount we do more to protect vulnerable children  which is why we are working at pace to implement the recommendations of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.

We fully support an independent inquiry or investigation by Oldham Council. This is entirely in line with the approach of the previous government and follows the example of local reviews in Telford and Rotherham.
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The head of a Republican group in the UK said optimism and expectations are really high ahead of Donald Trumps inauguration later this month.

Investment banker and political commentator Greg Swenson is chairman of the Republicans Overseas UK group, a support network for Republican Americans living in the United Kingdom.

He said he believed Mr Trumps election would be net positive for US-UK relations but added that Mr Trump and his cabinet wont be scared to criticise.

Looking ahead to the inauguration on January 20, Mr Swenson told the PA news agency: Theres just a massive amount of optimism. Perhaps a bit too much.

We've had four years of Trump that was filled with peace and prosperity, barring a few bumps, and we're getting rid of the insanity of this Biden administration Greg Swenson

Expectations are really high because this time weve seen the movie.

In 2016 we didnt feel this way because it was such a shock result. But now weve had four years of Trump that was filled with peace and prosperity, barring a few bumps, and were getting rid of the insanity of this Biden administration.

There will be challenges. For example, us on the right will have to pay for what Biden did in raising national debt. Thats going to be a big challenge.

But a criticism I dont agree with is that all of Trumps appointees are yes men. I dont think thats true and as long as everyones on the same page a little bit of friction is healthy.

You have a president who likes the UK but won't be scared to criticise. You're going to get grenades in the room Greg Swenson

Mr Swensons comments come amid an ongoing spat between UK ministers and billionaire X owner Elon Musk, who has been appointed by the president-elect to lead his Department of Government Efficiency advisory board.

On this, the Republican admitted there could be bumps in UK-US relations but that overall it would be net positive.

He explained: Almost the entire West is moving to the right. But because of the election cycle and the disappointment of the Tories, the UK is the opposite with Labour.

But I do think the relationship will be positive. You have a president who likes the UK but wont be scared to criticise. Youre going to get grenades in the room.

On Mr Musks particular criticism of Home Office minister Jess Phillips, including a post on X describing her as a rape genocide apologist, Mr Swenson said: Elon is piling on a bit with the sex terrorism but nobody knew about it in the US. They were shocked that it could happen in a Western country.

I dont necessarily agree with his comments but I dont think it will damage the relationship between the UK and US. If the comments elevated the threat against her then thats not good. But where do you stop criticising opponents?

When you look at what the Labour government has said in the past about Trump, calling him a fascist and a racist, thats really inflammatory.

So I dont think the comments are anything unusual for elevated rhetoric. But would I have made them? No.

Mr Trump will be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on January 20.

The ceremony will take place in Washington, DC, marking the peaceful transition of power from Joe Biden to Mr Trump  who is returning to the White House for a non-consecutive second term.
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A body believed to be one of the two British hikers who went missing in the Dolomites at the start of the year has been found, Italys alpine rescue service has said.

Aziz Ziriat, 36, and Sam Harris, 35, have not been seen or heard from since 1 January, as they prepared to go on a hike in the Trentino mountain region of northern Italy. They later missed their return flight to London on 6 January, sparking an urgent search and rescue operation.

Italys alpine rescue services said a body was found unfortunately lifeless, buried under the snow following the resumption of a helicopter search on Wednesday morning. The search had been hampered by bad weather on Tuesday.

The body was discovered in a high-altitude area where a phone signal was last recorded from one of the men. The indentity of the body has not yet been officially comfirmed.

The ground teams of the Soccorso Alpino [Alpine Rescue] airlifted in the morning... to an altitude of approximately 2,600 metres to conduct ground searches and snow probing in the area identified as a priority thanks to a track recorded on the phone of one of the two mountaineers, a statement from the rescue service read.

They have found one of the bodies, sadly deceased, buried under the snow. The dynamics of the accident are under evaluation. The search for the second mountaineer continues on the ground, with the deployment of Soccorso Alpinos avalanche-trained canine units.

The families of the two men, who have traveled to Italy, have already been informed of the discovery of the body and are being supported by a team of psychologists.

The last known location of the two hikers was near a mountain hut called Casina Dosson, close to the town of Tione Di Trento, near Riva Del Garda, on Lake Garda in northern Italy. The pair had sent a video message to their families from the hut ahead of plans to hike a 3,000 metre peak. They said in the video that they planned to leave their packs at this hut ahead of a hike.

Italian rescue workers search an area in the Dolomites ( Corpo Nazionale Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico )

The rescue team issued an update earlier on Wednesday morning saying the men's backpacks and equipment were found during a search of the hut they are believed to have sheltered at.

Joseph Sheppard, a close friend of both Mr Ziriat and Mr Harris, and who was supposed to join them on their hike but was unable to in the end due to an injury, told The Independent on Tuesday that he was scared for their lives.

He said he had expected that they wouldnt be in regular contact while on the hike as there wouldnt be much signal and their phone batteries would die, but his worries intensified when he found out they didnt make their flight back to London.

Mr Ziriats girlfriend and friends of the hikers, including Mr Sheppard, have flown to Italy to help coordinate the search with local authorities.

They managed to log into Mr Ziriats email, finding a route the two experienced hikers had discussed as their possible route, but there was little information beyond that concerning their whereabouts.

Helicopters had been used to search the Casina Dosson mountain hut and a second refuge in the area.

Joe Stone, a university friend of Mr Ziriat, told the PA news agency: They are experienced hikers and they go a couple of times a year. It wasnt surprising that they had no signal as they like going off the grid. Alarm bells were raised though when they didnt turn up for their flight.

Mr Stone praised the public response and said they had seen a nice side of humanity since asking for help. He added: The response from the local authorities has been fantastic and people from all walks of life have been trying to help, both in Italy and in the UK.
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Sir Keir Starmer has responded to attacks from US billionaire and Trump ally Elon Musk over the Labour governments response to grooming gangs in the UK.

Pressure had mounted on the prime minister after safeguarding minister Jess Phillips denied requests for the Home Office to lead a public inquiry into child sexual exploitation and grooming in Oldham.

The tech billionaire triggered an attack on the government on Thursday, as he suggested Ms Phillips deserves to be in prison.

He also appeared to place blame at Sir Keirs door, arguing that rape gangs were allowed to exploit young girls without facing justice during the prime ministers time as director of public prosecutions.

Responding to reporter questions, Sir Keir said: Those that are spreading lies and misinformation, as far and as wide as possible  theyre not interested in victims, theyre interested in themselves.

Since the Tesla boss posted his claims on X, several high profile figures including Tory leader Kemi Badenoch have also spoken out calling for a full inquiry into the sexual abuse.

Heres what we know about the why Sir Keir is under fire over grooming gang scandal and whether there will be an inquiry:

Why did the uproar start?

The criticism began after safeguarding minister Jess Phillips formally denied requests for the Home Office to lead a public inquiry into child sexual exploitation and grooming in Oldham.

Ms Phillips said she recognised the strength of feeling for a Home Office-led inquiry, but she told the local council the Government will not intervene.

I believe it is for Oldham Council alone to decide to commission an inquiry into child sexual exploitation locally, rather than for the Government to intervene, she said.

open image in gallery Mr Musk heavily criticised Jess Phillips (Jordan Pettitt/PA) ( PA Wire )

Instead of the Government leading a probe, Oldham must follow in the footsteps of other towns like Rotherham and Telford and commission its own inquiry into historical abuse of children, Ms Phillips said in a letter to the local council.

The last Tory government also rejected a similar request from Oldham council for a public inquiry, saying it is for local authorities to commission local inquiries.

Why are people calling for a review?

In response to Ms Phillips decision, Mr Musk, a key member of US President-elect Donald Trumps inner circle, said: She deserves to be in prison.

The businessman, who owns X, has used the social media site to post or repost about child grooming in the UK more than 40 times over the last 24 hours.

He appeared to blame Sir Keir for the scandal and argued that rape gangs were allowed to exploit young girls without facing justice during Sir Keirs time as director of public prosecutions.

Mr Musk said: In the UK, serious crimes such as rape require the Crown Prosecution Services approval for the police to charge suspects.

Who was the head of the CPS when rape gangs were allowed to exploit young girls without facing justice? Keir Starmer, 2008-2013.

open image in gallery Elon Musk (L) and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (R). (Evan Vucci AP, Leon Neal PA)

In a series of posts on his social media site, Mr Musk described the Prime Minister as two-tier Keir, claiming there was no justice for severe, violent crimes but prison for social media posts.

Mr Musk also shared a post asking whether King Charles should dissolve parliament and order a general election for the sake and security of Britain.

Senior Tories also sought to put pressure on the Government over grooming gangs.

Mrs Badenoch said: The time is long overdue for a full national inquiry into the rape gangs scandal. Trials have taken place all over the country in recent years but no one in authority has joined the dots.

2025 must be the year that the victims start to get justice.

How has the government responded?

Home secretary Yvette Cooper has defended her decision to not launch a national inquiry into child sex abuse. Facing MPs in Commons, she announced that professionals who work with children will face criminal sanctions if they do not report child sexual abuse.

The home secretary said the measure was part the governments wider work around child sexual exploitation and abuse, criticising the Conservatives record on the issue.

Pressed if Mr Musks comments were unhelpful to the Government, Health Secretary Wes Streeting told ITV News that ministers took child sexual exploitation incredibly seriously.

He added: Some of the criticisms that Elon Musk has made, I think are misjudged and certainly misinformed, but were willing to work with Elon Musk, who I think has got a big role to play with his social media platform to help us and other countries to tackle this serious issue. So if he wants to work with us and roll his sleeves up, wed welcome that.

open image in gallery Health Secretary Wes Streeting told ITV News that ministers took child sexual exploitation incredibly seriously. ( Rich McCarthy/PA Wire )

Andrew Gwynne, a minister working in Mr Streetings health team, had earlier taken a stronger stance, suggesting Mr Musk should to stick to US politics, where he is set to act as an unelected adviser to the Trump presidency on cutting federal spending.

Mr Gwynne told LBC: Elon Musk is an American citizen and perhaps ought to focus on issues on the other side of the Atlantic.

After listing the host of investigations which had taken place, the minister added: There comes a point where we dont need more inquiries, and had Elon Musk really paid attention to whats been going on in this country, he might have recognised that there have already been inquiries.

Will there be an inquiry?

A national inquiry by Professor Alexis Jay concluded in 2022, and probes into Greater Manchester Polices handling of historical child sex abuse cases in Manchester, Oldham and Rochdale have already been carried out.

The inquiry looked into abuse by organised groups following multiple convictions of sexual offences against children across the UK between 2010-2014, including in Rotherham, Cornwall, Derbyshire, Rochdale and Bristol.

In November last year, Professor Jay said she felt frustrated that none of the probes 20 recommendations had been implemented more than two years after its conclusion.

Mr Streeting said the Government was committed to implementing the recommendations of Professor Jays report in full.

The Health Secretary also told the PA news agency that ministers were supportive of an inquiry into the Oldham scandal, but signalled it had to be led locally.

There may well be, and we think there is a good case for further inquiries into specific places, Oldham being a good and latest example.

We would absolutely encourage and work with Oldham in establishing their own inquiries, he said.
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Londoners are getting older on average while post-Brexit migration brings young foreign nationals to cities outside the capital, new analysis reveals.

Research from thinktank the Resolution Foundation has found that London is bucking the trend of other major cities in the UK, with the median age of residents increasing in the past decade.

The average Londoner was 35.8-years-old in 2023, up from 33.8 in 2011.

This is compared with the average age of people in major cities outside the capital dropping by 0.6 years between 2001 and 2022. Bristol, Newcastle, Cardiff and Nottingham have all been getting younger, the report found, while the average age of people in Salford has reduced by three years since 2001.

The boom in international migration following the UKs departure from the EU has led to higher net arrivals of young migrants outside the capital, researchers say, while net migration to London has remained fairly constant.

At the same time, Londons birth rate has declined faster than the national trend.

Nye Cominetti, principal economist at the Resolution Foundation, said Britain was getting older, but not at an even rate. The coast and the countryside, which were already older, are ageing faster. In contrast, many major cities across the midlands and the north are getting younger, he said.

London is the one city bucking this trend. Changing immigration flows since Brexit, combined with falling birthrates, have workd together to age the capital over the past decade.

Londons declining birth rate has been contributing to the median age in the city getting older ( Getty Images )

These demographic trends will have profound implications for the local provision of public services, from education to health and care - and the government will need to carefully consider their long-term consequences.

Net migration to the UK has boomed since Brexit, with more non-EU nationals, such as Indians and Nigerians, coming to work and study.

While net migration to London has remained fairly level, core cities outside the capital have seen big increases, researchers found. Between 2002 and 2018, major cities outside of London gained an average of only 6,000 young people each year.

However this has risen significantly to an average gain of 15,000 people between 2019 and 2023.

The Resolution Foundation defined their core cities in the UK as Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield.

Londons birth rate has also been declining faster than the national trend - effectively adding six months to the capitals median age.

Nationally the birth rate fell from 12 births per 1,000 people during the 2000s to 11 births per 1,000 people in the 2010s. In London, that same figure fell from 16 to 14 births per 1,000 people.

The oldest local authority is North Norfolk, where the median age of residents is 55.3-years-old, and the youngest is Tower Hamlets, where the average resident is 30.6-years-old.
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The mother of a 14-year-old boy who was stabbed to death on a bus in southeast London has tearfully spoken of how the police told her what she was fearing the most.

Aspiring rapper Kelyan Bokassa died shortly after being fatally injured on a 472 double-decker bus in Woolwich Church Street, close to the Woolwich Ferry, at 2.30pm on Tuesday.

His mother, Mary Bokassa, told The Independent at her home: Every time I go into Woolwich I see police officers investigating a stabbing. I guess it is just my turn now.

It feels so surreal and its something we tried to avoid. I did my very best to prevent that.

I could never relax when he was out; my heart skipped when he left through the door. Id just go to bed and wait for him. And thats where I was when I got the knock on the door and the police told me what I was fearing the most.

open image in gallery Kelyans mother holds a photo of her son and a teddy bear ( Barney Davis/The Independent )

A manhunt has been launched to find Kelyans killer, but no arrests have been made so far. Detectives say they are working at pace to find those responsible.

Surrounded by school certificates for English and pictures of her only son adorning the walls, Mary said he was a generous young boy.

In a note she will now preserve for ever, he wrote in a childs scrawl I love you Mum in her lipstick on the balcony wall just last year.

open image in gallery Mary Bokassa says her son was a generous young boy ( Barney Davis/The Independent )

Through tears, Mary said: I couldnt even be angry at him. I will always keep this here. He was taken into care when he was younger and he fought to come back to me.

When I gave him money for his birthday, he would spend it on flowers for me. We had just got a puppy, and they had bonded so well he was even asking me to adopt a little sister.

I told him I love you. I didnt say for him to be careful, because I didnt want him to be anxious.

She hit out at young boys killing other young boys but said she didnt have a message for her sons killers.

open image in gallery Kelyan wrote in a childs scrawl I love you Mum in her lipstick on the balcony wall last year ( Barney Davis/The Independent )

One witness said he was coming out of his apartment block when he saw two hooded young people sprint past him towards the River Thames.

He told The Independent: I was on the way to the gym. As I was coming out of the flat I heard shouting and yelling.

These two young-looking guys were sprinting as fast as they could towards the river. They were quite close together, but I noticed as they were running that they were laughing together.

I found it quite chilling. They were in hoodies and must have been trying to get away along the river. I saw the police cars arrive, but they were heading straight for the bus in the other direction.

He added: The poor kid was lying on the ground with a group of women around him. They were completely upset. Paramedics were doing all they could.

open image in gallery Mary says she didnt want to worry her son by telling him to be careful ( Barney Davis/The Independent )

Ms Bokassa also told Mail Online that her son  who is understood to have been an aspiring drill rapper under the name Grippa  had been groomed by gangs.

She said: My son and others were taken advantage [of] by gangs. They were groomed.

He was missing for a year and was living on the street. He finally turned up at my doorstep; he was sick, underweight and tattooed ... He was exposed to drugs. He probably experienced something because I could sense it.

Kelyan was formerly a pupil at St Columbas Catholic Boys School in Bexleyheath, southeast London.

A spokesperson for the school said in a statement: We are saddened by the loss of life in Woolwich yesterday of a young boy who was briefly a pupil of St Columbas in 2022.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time. Our schools will provide support to any of the students who may be affected by this senseless violence.

open image in gallery A police officer on Woolwich Church Road, which was cordoned off as part of the investigation ( PA )

The Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, said: My thoughts are with the family, friends and wider community in Greenwich following the appalling fatal stabbing of a 14-year-old boy. This heartbreaking violence has absolutely no place in our city.

I am in close contact with police leaders. An investigation is underway and local residents will see increased patrols in the local area.

I urge anyone with information to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. There is no honour in staying silent.

Some 10 teenagers were killed in London last year, nine of whom were victims of stabbing, while one died in a shooting, according to the latest data.

This was down sharply from 21 teenage deaths in the capital in 2023. The youngest victim in 2024 was aged 14.

open image in gallery Flowers left in tribute at a bus stop in southeast London ( PA )

Deputy Commander Louise Sargent of the Metropolitan Police described the attack as a horrendous crime, telling reporters on Tuesday: Im very sad to say that, this afternoon, a 14-year-old boy has died.

The initial alert was raised by a local officer out on patrol. Paramedics treated a 14-year-old boy at the scene who had received stab wounds but, really sadly, he died shortly after medics arrived.

Our thoughts at this time are with the victims family and friends. This is a horrendous crime and I cant imagine what they must be going through right now.

We are working at pace to identify and arrest those involved. I know this will be a worrying time for everyone here in Woolwich, and all the more so given the very young age of the victim.

There was also another stabbing at around 4.20pm on Monday in Prince Imperial Road, Woolwich, which led to an 18-year-old man being admitted to hospital. It is not thought to have been linked to Kelyans death.
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For decades, it was thought those interred at the Anglo-Saxon burial mounds of Sutton Hoo, Suffolk, were lavish Kings buried with their riches.

But a leading Anglo-Saxon expert has now suggested it might have been the grave of British soldiers who fought for the Byzantine Empire in the 6th century AD.

The site was unearthed in the late 1930s, including a 27-metre oak burial ship, alongside Byzantium silverware and luxurious textiles.

We always want these people to be kings, medieval history professor Dr Helen Dittos, of the University of Oxford, told The Times.

But this is another example of how you might have received considerable honours in your burial, but it doesnt mean that youre royal, she said.

open image in gallery The site was unearthed in 1939 with a 27-metre oak ship discovered alongside Byzantium silverware and other treasures ( Getty )

We should be willing to consider that these werent men dressed up as Roman soldiers, Dr Gittos said. They were Roman soldiers.

In 575, the Byzantines were in desperate need of men as they fought against the Sasanian Empire of Persia - launching a recruitment drive throughout Europe. A group called the foederati was formed - including men from both sides of the Alps including Franks and Burgundians.

A Byzantine military manual referred to Britons as being good fighters in woodland, and there is evidence that then-Emperor Justinian was paying subsidies in Britain. So there is a chance the recruiting drive could have spread further north.

That kind of adventuring can enable changes in status quite rapidly, Dr Gittos said, suggesting that the honour gained in war could have brought rewards back home. In Beowulf, thats what happens. He gains his status from being such a warrior.

open image in gallery A leading expert has suggested the site - along with its treasures - belonged to Britons who fought for the Byzantium Empire ( Getty Images )

Dr Gittos research, published in the journal the English Historical Review, looks not just at the burials at Sutton Hoo but at other notable sites, all of which contain common characteristics, like a large amount of items from areas around what is now Syria.

Other research has suggested Sutton Hoo could be the resting place of an Anglo-Saxon King, potentially Raedwald, who ruled the kingdom of East Anglia.

Sue Brunning, Curator of Early Medieval European Collections, at the British Museum, said: Its [the] effort, coupled with the quality and the quantity of the grave goods from all over the known world at that time, that has made people think that an Anglo-Saxon king may have been buried here.

We cant name that king for certain, but a popular candidate is Raedwald, who ruled the kingdom of East Anglia around this time in the early seventh century. He may have held power over neighbouring kingdoms too, which may have earned him a good send off.
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Angela Rayner has told MPs that she plans to bring in a new law governing party donations and election rules before the next general election expected in 2029.

The deputy prime minister told the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee in the Commons that voters need transparency on where party funding is coming from.

The issue was raised in the wake of concerns over foreign interference after it was mooted that X social media platform owner Elon Musk might give Reform UK $100 million.

Currently the law would allow for a foreign national to give huge sums of money to a party which could alter the course of an election and political landscape in the UK. While Reform leader Nigel Farage and Mr Musk have had a spectacular falling out this week over far right activist Tommy Robinson, the concerns over money pouring from America to aid Farage still remains.

Ms Rayner was giving her first session of evidence to the select committee since being given the housing, communities and local government brief which includes the management of elections which are overseen by councils.

Angela Rayner gives evidence to a Commons committee ( House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA Wire )

She was pressed on the issue of party funding by newly elected Kensington and Bayswater Labour MP Joe Powell.

Ms Rayner said: We have to make sure that elections are transparent, and donations, are transparent within our system. We continue to look at that and making sure that we have the systems in place that people have confidence in.

We want to enfranchise people into exercising their votes and we've looked at both our ideas as part of that and supporting that process. But equally we want to see transparency in the process of where donations come from. And people are very clear about that and that the rules are followed.

Pushed on when legislation might come forward, Ms Rayner noted that the proposed Bill was not in the first Kings speech. However, she committed to bringing forward before the next general election expected in 2029.

I certainly would want to do that as soon as possible. Certainly before the next general election, she said.

I get frustrated that people feel disconnected from politics and politicians. I want people to to be engaged with that process and to have confidence in our political system. And thats what well be hoping to achieve.
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David Lammy is set to put in place sweeping new sanctions to target the finances of people smuggling networks as part Labours efforts to get a grip on the migrant crisis.

The planned measures are intended to disrupt the flow of money and make it harder for ringleaders to profit from the deadly trade.

It will be the worlds first standalone sanctions regime dedicated to targeting irregular migration and organised immigration crime, the government said.

Labour has put international co-operation at the heart of its plans after scrapping the Tory plan to send asylum seekers on a one-way trip to Rwanda, with Sir Keir expected to discuss cooperation on the issue with Frances Emmanuel Macron on Thursday.

open image in gallery Foreign Secretary David Lammy is holding talks in London (PA) ( PA Wire )

As well as the UKs sanctions regime, the Foreign Office expects to collaborate closely with international allies to combat people smugglers.

It comes after the number of migrants arriving in the UK after crossing the Channel in small boats was 25 per cent higher in 2024 than 2023.

Some 36,816 people made the journey in 2024, up from 29,437 the year before. The total is down 20 per cent on the record 45,774 arrivals in 2022, however.

Sir Keir Starmer said Britain must dismantle the crime gangs facilitating breaches of our borders, arguing that crippling illicit finance rings allowing smugglers to traffic vulnerable people across Europe would help secure UK borders.

The government will bring forward legislation for the new scheme, which is expected to come into force within the year.

The plans have not yet been finalised but the regime is likely to operate on similar lines to other sanctions, meaning asset freezes and travel bans for individuals or firms where there are reasonable grounds to suspect involvement in people smuggling.

The sanctions regime would prevent them using UK financial institutions to invest or move money around.

If the new scheme is in line with the UKs other regimes, such as those aimed at tackling terrorism, cyber attacks or Russians linked to the war in Ukraine, breaches of sanctions could be a criminal offence, punishable by up to seven years in prison.

open image in gallery Sir Keir Starmer said Britain must dismantle the crime gangs facilitating breaches of our borders ( House of Commons )

The announcement comes ahead of a major speech by foreign secretary David Lammy on Thursday, who is expected to argue the new regime will target irregular migration and organised immigration crime to secure UK borders in a decade of national renewal.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: Since coming into power, we have taken swift and robust action to smash the gangs, working with international partners to track down and disrupt dangerous criminal networks.

With these new sanctions, we will target those profiting off putting lives at risk and disrupt the gangs finances, making it harder for them to operate.
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The Conservatives say they will attempt to win parliamentary backing for a new inquiry into grooming gangs on Wednesday as Labours landmark bill for child safety reaches a crucial stage.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said her party will table an amendment to the Childrens Wellbeing and Schools Bill to require a national statutory inquiry into grooming gangs.

Ahead of the debate at 4pm, Labour has responded by accusing the Conservatives of playing politics.

Education minister Bridget Phillipson said the single biggest piece of children safeguarding legislation in a generation was now liable to be sacrificed on the altar of political opportunism.

Thats because even if the Tories managed to persuade Labour MPs to vote for their amendment, the intervention is more likely to kill the Bill than bring forth any inquiry.

Heres why:

What is happening today?

The Tory party will bring forward an amendment to the Governments Childrens Wellbeing and Schools Bill to establish a national statutory inquiry into historical child sexual exploitation, focused on grooming gangs.

The efforts come after relentless interventions from Trump ally Elon Musk. The eccentric billionaire has written more than 200 posts on the issue since New Years Day, taking aim at the prime minister, Jess Phillips and others in government.

The renewed calls for an inquiry comes despite one of similar scope concluding its work in 2022, which made a number of recommendations. Ministers say that the Conservative government did not act on the findings at the time.

With the governments Childrens Wellbeing and Schools Bill reaching its second reading today, opposition members are able to bring forward amendments for all MPs to vote on.

For the latest updates ahead of todays vote, follow The Independents live coverage

Will there be a new inquiry?

Not under this Bill.

Firstly, given Labours large majority in parliament, there is very little chance that many  or any  of their MPs will vote against the government on Wednesday. The party has pledged to act on the recommendations of the 2022 inquiry, with more details to be set out in the Crime and Policing Bill later this year.

But if passed somehow, the amendment would not spark a fresh inquiry into groom gangs under the Bill - it would instead kill the legislation. This is because amendments do not usually take place until after the second reading.

Opposition parties are allowed to table a reasoned amendment but, due to a technicality of parliamentary procedure, these do not change the bill if passed. Instead, they kill it entirely.

Furthermore, it would be impossible to bring back the Bill again until after the next Kings Speech.

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson has criticsed the Tories over the amendment ( Jonathan Brady/PA Wire )

It is also not a given that Speaker Lindsay Hoyle will select the amendment to be voted on in the first place. While amendments put forward by the leader of the opposition generally are, this would also usually be at the next stage of the legislative process.

Any amendments at this stage must give a specific reason for opposition to the bill. Basically, they must explain why they dont want it to be made into law. The last time an amendment like this was successful was in 1986.

What does Labours bill for children say?

Introduced by the education secretary, the new legislation is focused on bolstering the protection of children.

One of the key measures is a change to homeschooling rules in the country. A compulsory Children Not in School register would be introduced for all homeschooled children, while parents will also have the automatic right to home educate their children.

It was introduced on the same day that Sara Sharifs father and stepmother were sentenced to life in prison for the 10-year-olds murder. Mr Justice Cavanagh said the case starkly illustrates the dangers of parents automatic right to homeschool children.

The government will also pilot a single unique identifier number for all children in or out of school, similar to a national insurance number. This is designed to assist authorities that are responsible for the safeguarding and welfare of children.
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Jeremy Corbyn has accused Sir Keir Starmer of betraying the health service by introducing a much greater role for the private sector, which he warns will hollow out the NHS.

In one of his first major interventions on an issue outside of the crisis in the Middle East, the former Labour leader also accused Sir Keir of abandoning working-class voters with a series of broken pledges, in an article for The Independent.

But Labour hit back, with a spokesperson telling Mr Corbyn: If your ideology forces NHS patients to wait longer for healthcare, theres something wrong with your ideology.

It comes after the Labour leader announced on Monday that private hospitals will provide up to a million extra appointments, scans and operations a year as the government scrambles to cut sky-high waiting lists.

The move is a significant expansion of the independent sectors role in tackling long delays that have built up in part because of the Covid pandemic.

open image in gallery Keir Starmer with Jeremy Corbyn during the 2019 general election campaign ( PA )

Under the plans, unveiled by the prime minister in a major speech, private operators will receive an extra 2.5bn a year, as ministers try to hit a target that no patients will have to wait longer than 18 weeks by 2029.

But Mr Corbyn, who is now an independent MP, said that with greater privatisation the new Labour government was repeating the mistakes of the last, when Tony Blairs administration also controversially made use of the private sector.

Expanding its role hollows out a service that is meant to guarantee a comprehensive service for all, Mr Corbyn writes.

He goes further, accusing the Labour government of plans which betray the foundational purpose of the NHS: to provide healthcare for everyone irrespective of their status of wealth. He warns that private companies have been accused of cherry picking by treating the easiest cases and leaving those with more complex needs languishing on NHS waiting lists.

He also accuses Labour of breaking promises to low-income voters, saying whether its maintaining the two-child benefit cap, cutting winter fuel or selling off our NHS, this government is abandoning working-class people, one broken pledge at a time.

open image in gallery Health secretary Wes Streeting has defended the use of the private sector to bring down waiting lists ( PA )

And in what will be seen as a warning to Sir Keir, he suggests the party will regret its choice.

He writes: People in this country are disillusioned by a two-party system that thrives on despair.

Politicians may regret spending their lives convincing their constituents that nothing will change. Instead, they should inspire some hope that a more equal world is possible. Perhaps they could start with defending a British institution to be proud of an NHS that is public, universal and free for all.

He also links despair around the NHS to the rise of the far right, which Sir Keir hit out at in his speech after a lengthy public row over his governments handling of the grooming gangs scandal.

The PM accused billionaire Donald Trump ally Elon Musk of cheerleading for the far-right agitator Tommy Robinson, a man who went to prison for nearly collapsing a grooming case, a gang grooming case.

Mr Corbyn said as voters despaired over the state of the NHS, adding: The government wonder why they are overseeing an unprecedented rise in support for far-right parties and personalities.

Mr Corbyn was suspended by Labour in 2020 over his response to a damning report on antisemitism under his leadership. In last years general election he stood and won as an independent candidate, beating the Labour candidate to hold his seat in Islington, north London.

A Labour spokesperson said: The last Labour government achieved the shortest waiting times and highest patient satisfaction in history. Through our Plan for Change, this Labour government will pull every available lever to cut waiting times from 18 months to 18 weeks. That includes paying for patients to be treated free at the point of use by the independent sector, where spare capacity exists.

If your ideology forces NHS patients to wait longer for healthcare, theres something wrong with your ideology. Thanks to 14 years of Conservative neglect, patients are in misery waiting up to 18 months in pain - they cant wait any longer.
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Jess Phillips has spoken about her fears for her life for the first time since Elon Musk unleashed a torrent of abuse against her over the child grooming scandal.

The safeguarding minister found herself at the centre of an international storm when she decided not to agree to a national inquiry into child grooming and rape across towns in the north of England because one had already been conducted.

The attacks were led by the X social media platform boss who described her as a witch and a rape genocide apologist as well as taking aim at prime minister Keir Starmer who yesterday defended his minister.

Musk's extraordinary attacks came in response to Ms Phillips rejecting a request for the government to lead a public inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Oldham.

Speaking to ITV News, Ms Phillips admitted she was still reeling from the experience.

open image in gallery Jess Phillips (Jordan Pettitt/PA) ( PA Wire )

She said: Of course I worry about my safety. Of course, and you have to, you know, anyone who has worked in the fields of violence against women and girls. Risk is dynamic and I have to take account of the risks in my life and this is one of them currently.

Ms Phillips described Musks allegations against her being part of a conspiracy to cover up the scandals to protect Labour politicians as ridiculous.

She said: The things that hes saying are so ridiculous as to initially make me just go what? But then you wake up with the realisation that thats millions of people that he has said that to and you feel immediately like this is going to turn my world upside down and I have to try and limit for how long that is the case.

But you know, your immediate, my immediate thought was like just, its sort of like, what a joke. And then the realisation of what this is probably going to mean for you.

The South African-born American billionaire has even tried to justify his actions by harking back to his British grandmother who he said used to clean peoples houses.

Already an individual in the south west of England has been charged with making threats against Ms Phillips.

The minister, who has been a campaigner for womens rights and against domestic violence, admitted: The thing that annoys me the most about it is it takes up so much bandwidth of my time from a man who knows absolutely nothing about the subject he's talking about.

When the only thing I ever want to be doing is being able to use all of my brain power to focus on the hundreds of girls I have supported over the years who have been victims of grooming gangs and what needs to happen to make their lives better. And to stop what is still happening today.

open image in gallery Elon Musk (Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA) ( PA Archive )

But she questioned why the Tories have been supportive of Mr Musks claims especially as they did little to help the victims of the Asian grooming gangs in their 14 years in power.

 I wonder how much Chris Philp or Kemi Badenoch have been involved or even read the documents that came out of Telford, or in fact, any of the inquiries that have already happened. I watched what happened there and I saw a process.

That was the only one that has ever done anything to actually change the way the council, the local police, the local CPS, have actually changed and I took part in that process for years. And so actually, no, when I was asked to make that decision, my instinct was to try and get for Oldham what Id seen in Telford, which was locally led, a locally led independent inquiry.

However, despite her ordeal, Ms Phillips insisted that it was nothing compared to what the victims of rape by Asian gangs had suffered.

The few days of madness is nothing compared to the decades sat in police stations with girls bleeding from a battering that theyve taken from a grooming gang. So Ill put on my big girl pants and just suck it up.
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Jess Phillips has reportedly had her security bolstered after Elon Musk launched into a furious social media tirade against the home office minister over the governments decision to reject a national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal.

She is also said to have had close protection officers assigned to her and has been advised not to go out in public alone, sources told The Times.

The revelation comes just hours after Ms Phillips admitted she fears for her safety as a result of the barrage of abuse she has received on social media.

She told ITV: Of course I worry about my safety. Of course, and you have to, you know, anyone who has worked in the fields of violence against women and girls. Risk is dynamic and I have to take account of the risks in my life and this is one of them currently.

open image in gallery Ms Phillips admitted she is concerned for her personal safety ( AP )

The things that hes saying are so ridiculous as to initially make me just go, what? But then you wake up with the realisation that thats millions of people that he has said that to and you feel immediately like this is going to turn my world upside down and I have to try and limit for how long that is the case, Ms Phillips added.

Mr Musk criticised the governments handling of the grooming gangs scandal - including attacking Sir Keir Starmer for his role as director of public prosecutions - and shared a flurry of posts accusing Ms Phillips of being a rape genocide apologist who deserves to be in prison.

The last Tory government also rejected a request from Oldham council for a national inquiry.

Earlier this week, it emerged that a man has been charged with sending malicious communications to Ms Phillips just days after criticism from Mr Musk.

Sir Keir made an impassioned defence of his safeguarding minister, warning that those whipping up intimidation and threats of violence on social media have crossed a line.

Those that are spreading lies and misinformation as far as wide as possible are not interested in victims, theyre interested in themselves, Sir Keir said on Monday.

Those attacking Jess Phillips, who Im proud to call a colleague and a friend, are not protecting victims. Jess Phillips has done a thousand times more than theyve even dreamt about when it comes to protecting victims of sexual abuse throughout her entire career.

Weve seen this play out many times whipping up intimidation and threats of violence, hoping that the media will amplify it.

When the poison of the far right leads to serious threats, to Jess Phillips and others, that in my book, means a line has been crossed. I enjoy the cut and thrust of politics. The robust debate that we must have. But thats got to be based on facts and truth. Not on lies.

open image in gallery American billionaire Elon Musk has been posting relentless attacks on Starmer and his government ( PA Wire )

While the government has repeatedly said a national inquiry is not necessary, Ms Phillips on Wednesday said nothing is off the table when dealing with the grooming gangs scandal.

She told the Electoral Dysfunction podcast: If the victims come forward to me in this victims panel and they say, actually, we think there needs to be a national inquiry into this, Ill listen to them.

But speaking at Prime Ministers Questions, Sir Keir said a new inquiry will delay things to 2031, pointing out that recommendations from a seven-year investigation which reported in 2022 had not yet been implemented.

We already know what the major flaws are and my argument is we should get on with that action, he said.

The Tories have tabled an amendment to the Childrens Wellbeing and Schools Bill demanding a new national inquiry into gangs, but if MPs backed Mrs Badenochs call it would prevent the legislation making progress.

The Met Police declined to comment when approached by The Independent.
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John Swinney has said he is concerned by the moderation changes at Facebook and Instagram, while signalling that he may reconsider the Scottish Governments use of X, formerly Twitter, in future.

Meta has announced that Facebook and Instagram will move away from using third-party fact checkers to flag misleading content in favour of user-based notes similar to X.

Boss Mark Zuckerberg has said the system which has built up in his company in recent years has become biased and is making too many mistakes, saying he wants to return to his platforms core values of free speech.

But fact-checking organisations say the move will mean misinformation will spread more easily online.

Asked about the changes during a visit to a battery storage site in South Lanarkshire on Wednesday, Mr Swinney said quality factual information should underpin all of our discourse in life and certainly within public policy.

He added: Im concerned about these developments, because anything that undermines the reliability of information thats available to the public causes uncertainty and potentially damage to the quality of our debate.

He also said populism is a disaster for our society which he will seek to confront.

X owner Elon Musk has made a number of comments on UK politics in recent days, leading to the Prime Minister defending his safeguarding minister Jess Phillips.

The worlds richest man has also clashed with Mr Swinneys predecessor Humza Yousaf online.

Discussing the Scottish Governments use of X, the First Minister said: Ill keep considering this, because its certainly not my last word on the subject.

I want to make sure I use all channels to communicate with the public, but Ive got to be satisfied those channels are appropriate for me and for my government.

While Im still using X just now, I will consider further the issues that are raised by members of the public about the appropriateness of that as a communications channel.
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The Labour government has laid down a challenge to Elon Musk and other social media giants, promising to go after tech firms allowing online abuse on their platforms.

It comes as the government launches a new crackdown on explicit deepfakes, introducing a new offence meaning perpetrators could be charged for both creating and sharing these images.

Sitting down with The Independent, victims minister Alex Davies-Jones said the hyper-realistic images are abusive, degrading and humiliating, promising to tackle what she said was an epidemic of a problem.

Issuing a warning to tech platforms, she emphasised that Ofcom has robust powers to go after them if there is illegal activity happening on their sites.

[Ofcom] has got teeth, and theyre robust enough to go after them, she warned  pointing to the regulators powers to fine platforms up to 18m, or 10 per cent of their annual revenue, whichever is higher.

There are also criminal sanctions available to Ofcom to force tech firms to take action, Ms Davies-Jones highlighted, saying she is working with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to utilise the Online Safety Act to ensure tech companies are held to account.

open image in gallery Alex Davies-Jones said explicit deepfakes are abusive, degrading and humiliating ( Parliament UK )

Once we create these new offences and we make these images illegal, then Ofcom has a duty to go after the platforms to say: Theres illegal activity happening on your site. You need to remove it.

While Ms Davies-Jones admitted that the legislation will be very difficult to police, she said the government is working with the College of Policing to ensure forces have the expertise and resources needed to go after the individual perpetrators of these crimes.

Ministers have warned that the proliferation of these hyper-realistic images has grown at an alarming rate, causing devastating harm to victims, particularly women and girls who are often the target. One in three women are victims of online abuse, the Ministry of Justice estimates.

It is horrific. From speaking to victims and survivors of these crimes, it is abusive, it is its degrading, its humiliating, the victims minister said.

It makes you feel worthless because you dont know who has seen these images. Youre walking down the street, youre in your workplace. You have no idea who may have seen them, if theyve been shared or theyve been created.

Part of the issue is that these can be such hyper realistic images, so its really, really difficult to tell whats fake and whats not. So its really important that we get the legislation right, but that we tackle this, because this is an epidemic of a problem, she added.

open image in gallery Tech billionaire Elon Musk has fired off a slew of messages attacking Sir Keir Starmer over child sexual abuse (Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA) ( PA Wire )

It comes amid an explosive row between Sir Keir Starmer and X owner Mr Musk, which broke out after the Tesla boss criticised the government for rejecting a national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal.

Over Christmas, he launched into a furious tirade on social media, sharing a flurry of posts accusing home office minister Jess Phillips of being a rape genocide apologist who deserves to be in prison.

He has also claimed that the prime minister is complicit in the scandal and criticised his handling of it while he was director of public prosecutions, triggering the PM to come out fighting on Monday, using a speech on the NHS to hit back at lies and misinformation on social media.

On Monday, it emerged that a man has been charged with sending malicious communications to Ms Phillips just days after criticism from Elon Musk - a case Ms Davies-Jones said highlights how violence against women and girls is a national emergency.

Its not just MPs, she said. It happens to everyone, and this is why we need to tackle it, and thats why this government is determined to act.

The victims minister also dismissed Mr Musks calls for a national inquiry into grooming gangs  demands which have been echoed by the Tories and Reform  emphasising that the UK has already conducted a national inquiry into the scandal.

It was very wide ranging, took seven years to complete and over 100 million [was spent]. Professor Alexis Jay has been very clear that she wants action and less words.

We dont need another national inquiry. What we need now is to work through those recommendations at pace to make sure that we can work with victims and survivors to get them justice, she said.

Her remarks came just hours after Professor Jay, chair of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse (IICSA), backed Sir Keir by saying there is no need for a new national investigation into the issue.

In a pointed intervention, she said those whipping up the current furore do not have the interests of victims at heart and instead called for the recommendations to be implemented.

Ms Davies-Jones also issued a warning to Mr Musk and others on social media over the recent commentary on the grooming gangs scadal, saying it is incumbent on everyone to be mindful of how they treat the issue of violence against women and girls.

We all have a responsibility here, and first and foremost, my duty is to the victims and survivors, and I want to listen to them, she said.

I think we should be platforming them, hearing from them, directly in their voices and how we can best deliver for them. You know, over 7,000 of them gave evidence to the National Inquiry into child sexual abuse and exploitation. They have spoken, and it is time that we deliver justice for them.
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Nigel Farage has been paid tens of thousands of pounds to be the ambassador of a gold bullion company, the latest alternate income for the Reform UK leader.

The Member of Parliament for Clacton was paid 189,300 from Direct Bullion for a brand ambassador role in December, according to the latest MPs register of interests. By comparison, the basic annual salary for an MP is 91,346, plus expenses.

The hefty sum amounts to just four hours of work per month, according to the self-reported register, and includes some work undertaken before Mr Farage was elected in July.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has a number of lucrative sidelines (Jacob King/PA) ( PA Wire )

Mr Farage appeared in a series of videos for the gold dealer beginning in March, touting gold as a capital gains tax-free investment option.

I have been bullish [on] gold for over five years and am delighted with the results, Mr Farage told the Independent.

This 189,000 sum adds to a long list of jobs for Mr Farage, ranging from social media influencer to GB news pundit.

This makes him one of the top-paid MPs in the country, with a total sum of at least 547,583 in payment for non-MP employment in 2024 according to his register of interests.

Mr Farages register of interests since he was elected include a self-estimated 456 hours of work for external paid opportunities, not including an estimated 16 hours per month (80 hours in total) writing for the Daily Telegraph.

This amounts to approximately 58 days of paid work for non-MP duties, or about 11.6 weeks, in the same period; or 68 days including his Telegraph gig.

Mr Farage told the Independent he did not believe that his multiple jobs distracted from his constituency work.

In December, Mr Farage received a further 42,076 for presenting on GB News, bringing his total registered salary from the network to around 220,000 since being elected.

One of Mr Farages most lucrative side gigs is the video platform Cameo, for which he was paid 15,451 between November and December alone.

Cameo users can pay to receive personalised videos from Mr Farage, some of which have gotten him into hot water. His Cameo earnings total to approximately 53,000 since he began reporting his interests.
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The appointment of Theresa Mays former chief negotiator with the European Union as the most senior civil servant in the Foreign Office (FCDO) by Sir Keir Starmer is being seen as a statement of intent in his determination to reset relations with the EU.

Sir Oliver Robbins was on a shortlist of four to become his new permanent secretary running the civil service in Whitehall, but has ended up with a job in charge of David Lammys team of mandarins at the FCDO.

Sir Oliver was the architect of Theresa Mays attempts to find a sensible agreement with the EU after she became prime minister following the 2016 referendum on Britains membership.

However, after three failed meaningful votes in parliament as hardline Brexiteers and Remainers combined to defeat the May government, Sir Olivers attempts to find a compromise were shelved by the incoming Boris Johnson administration.

Mr Lammy said Sir Oliver was exactly the person to help him rewire the FCDO to act as the international delivery arm of this governments missions.

open image in gallery Sir Oliver Robbins ( PA )

Mr Lammy added: His extensive experience of economic and security issues, gained across a range of Whitehall departments, will stand us in good stead as we reorient the FCDO to focus on growth and migration, while continuing to double down on national security  the foundation of our Plan for Change.

I would like to thank Sir Philip Barton for his many years of dedicated public service, in particular his leadership as PUS (permanent secretary) and his support through the recent political transition.

Sir Oliver said: It has been my pleasure to work alongside the FCDOs predecessors for most of my civil service career. Ive seen our extraordinary diplomatic and development capabilities first-hand, from Washington DC to Mogadishu, Dublin to Sanaa and Abuja to New Delhi.

After five years out of the civil service, I return believing more strongly than ever in the value of those capabilities and the public service principles that underpin them, while convinced that maintaining the UKs lead depends critically on understanding and co-opting the pace of change evident in the UK and around the world.

His appointment is being seen in parliament as part of a strategy to move Britain closer to the EU including possibly his plan to shadow EU rules and regulations to enable the free movement of trade and end a border in the Irish Sea between the mainland and Northern Ireland.

The appointment has infuriated Brexiteers, who hit out at the prime minister.

Mark Francois, chairman of the hardline European Research Group (ERG), said: If Labour wanted to rejoin the EU, Olly Robbins, a notable Europhile, is their perfect choice at the FCDO. As the official who led the negotiations on Theresa Mays deeply flawed Withdrawal Agreement, he is well connected around the EU. I have always argued that Starmer remains a Remainer at heart and this just helps prove it. Labour are going to try and take us back in, one step at a time.

Sir Oliver will replace Sir Philip Barton, who is stepping down after nearly four decades at the FCDO.

He currently works for Hakluyt, a global strategic advisory firm, and has previously worked for Goldman Sachs, held senior roles at the Cabinet Office, Treasury and in Downing Street, but he has never previously worked at the Foreign Office.
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Kemi Badenoch has refused to restore the whip to Sayeeda Warsi, despite her having been cleared of wrongdoing over a tweet calling Rishi Sunak a coconut.

The former party chair, now a peer, resigned the Tory whip in the Lords in September when it emerged she was being investigated over the tweet.

The Independent has now learnt that the disciplinary panel cleared Baroness Warsi of being divisive and bringing the party into disrepute. But despite this, the Tory chief whip in the Lords, Susan Williams, has written to Lady Warsi, who was the UKs first Muslim cabinet member, saying that she is not welcome back.

open image in gallery Sayeeda Warsi insists she did not request the whip to be restored ( PA Archive )

Lady Warsi said she was being targeted for warning of rising levels of Islamophobia in the Conservative Party.

It comes amid the row over calls for an inquiry into grooming gangs, which has seen the Tories accused of political opportunism.

On Tuesday, Ms Badenoch stood by her shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick as he railed against Muslims and alien cultures importing medieval attitudes in relation to the grooming gang scandal. His comments caused outrage and there were calls for him to be sacked.

In a letter from Baroness Williams, seen by The Independent, Lady Warsi was told: While your membership of the Conservative Party is unaffected, restoring the party whip is a different matter.

It is a privilege, not a right, and following careful consideration, I cannot be confident that you have any intention of stopping your public denigration of our party and its successive leaders. This behaviour is not acceptable and I will not allow it from Conservative peers.

It is understood that the Tory leadership objects to comments Lady Warsi has made previously about the party being Islamophobic and sliding into far-right extremism.

open image in gallery The peer referred to the former prime minister Rishi Sunak as a coconut ( PA Wire )

However, Lady Warsi has insisted she has not asked to have the whip restored, and accused the Tories of game playing.

In a statement, Lady Warsi told The Independent that the party was attempting to demonise her for challenging its rising levels of extremism, racism and Islamophobia.

The move appears to be an attempt to shore up the party on the right, in light of concerns over voters and members alike defecting to Nigel Farages Reform UK. Recent high-profile right-wing defections have included three former MPs, a major donor, and the founder of the Conservative Home website.

open image in gallery Kemi Badenoch has stood by shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick after his comments about alien cultures caused controversy ( PA Wire )

Lady Warsis appointment as party chair in 2010 by David Cameron was a sign of modernisation in the Conservative Party, but since then she has been pushed back to the fringe as the Tories embraced Brexit and hardline rhetoric on immigration.

The peer had suggested she might vote for Ms Badenoch in last years leadership election, before changing her mind.
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Nigel Farage and Lee Anderson are among three Reform MPs accused of profiting from spreading hateful rhetoric after it emerged theyve made thousands of pounds from posting on Elon Musks X.

Mr Farage, Mr Anderson and Rupert Lowe MP have each declared thousands in payments from the company in their recent parliamentary register of interests, via billionaire Musks creator revenue programme.

The scheme allows premium users with more than 500 verified followers to monetise their accounts on the controversial site, which has grown increasingly toxic since it was taken over by the Tesla tycoon in 2022.

More than 10,000 has been paid to the right-wing trio since July last year, with Mr Farage having earned the most so far, according to parliamentary filings. The Clacton-on-Sea MP, who has 2.2 million followers, has made in excess of 5,000 since entering the scheme.

A Labour source told The Independent: Weve always known that for every person who spreads hateful rhetoric on X because they want to divide our society, there is another set of grifters who do it just to make money. It looks like these Reform MPs fall in both categories, and no one will be in the least bit surprised.

open image in gallery Xs creator revenue sharing programme was launched under Musks leadership in 2023 ( via Reuters )

Carla Denyer, MP for Bristol Central and Green Party co-leader, said the profits mark an unholy alliance between the right wing and Elon Musk.

The fact that Reform MPs are profiting financially from posting on Musks X tells us all we need to know about how genuine their motives are, she said.

Neither Musk nor Farage have ordinary peoples interests at heart. They dont want to make peoples lives better, and they dont value our democracy. They want to strip away protections for workers to make it easier for them and their super-rich buddies to make money, and dont care what damage they do to our communities in the process.

Victoria Collins, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for science, innovation and technology:[Reform MPs] have been happy to whip up a frenzy online, riding on the coattails of Mr Musk himself  no matter the cost to communities. And now we discover, to no ones surprise, that theyre lining their pockets with this kind of online behaviour.

However, Mr Farage has suggested that Reform MPs are not the only politicians making money from the scheme, though he and his colleagues are the only MPs to have declared payments.

He said: Many MPs are on X and have the tick. Whilst their views are tiny compared to ours they will be receiving money; its automatic once you pay for the tick so why are we the only ones declaring?

On 16 December, Mr Anderson said he had been paid 107.50 from the corporation. The day after, the Ashfield MP declared he was expected to receive a further 1,612.63.

open image in gallery Lee Anderson has been paid over 1,700 from creator revenue ( PA Wire )

He said: I am making a few quid on X and paying 40 per cent income tax which will help pay for public services.

He suggested other MPs were quite happy to rip off the taxpayer with their wages and expenses yet at the same time refuse to help thousands of young girls who have been raped by Pakistani rape gangs. They should hang their heads in shame.

His fellow Reform MP Mr Lowe declared on 11 December that he had received 1,384.81 from the company. It comes after he registered a 3,259.18 payment from X Corp on 3 December, meaning he has received over 4,600 from the corporation in total.

The Great Yarmouth MP said he donates his entire MP salary to local charities and said: This is the most expensive job I have ever had  if I was in this to make money, I am going about it in an incredibly stupid way.

Mr Musk, who promotes the system as a way for users to get paid to post and earn a living on X, previously claimed that its revenue-sharing programme would reward accuracy over sensationalism.

In a recent update, X said it evaluates earnings based on genuine interactions, such as replies, likes, bookmarks and the time Premium users spend viewing your content.

However, a former X/Twitter curator, who worked for the organisation for seven years, warned of the dangers of monetising content.

Writing for this publication, Marc Burrows said: Unlike traditional media, where editorial standards might temper the most inflammatory content, Xs monetisation strategy actively incentivises division.

The more outraged people are, the more they engage. The more they engage, the more the poster earns. Truth, accuracy and adding value to public discourse are secondary concerns. This is about generating heat rather than light.

The former curator, who left his post in protest a month before Mr Musk arrived, added: By monetising outrage, X has created a self-perpetuating ecosystem where inflammatory content rises to the top, dragging political discourse ever further toward the extremes.

Mr Farage has also received payments from Meta and Google, amounting to 2,793 and 11,116 respectively since last summer.

open image in gallery Rupert Lowe, Reform UK MP for Great Yarmouth ( PA Archive )

Meanwhile, Mr Musk has been increasingly vocal on UK politics, with his involvement intensifying in the last week after he launched an attack on Labours handling of the child grooming scandal.

The Tesla boss has been a steadfast supporter of Reform UK, having met Mr Farage at Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida in December.

However, relations have recently soured after Mr Musk seemingly withdrew his support for the Clacton MP on Sunday over Mr Farages rejection of calls to support jailed far-right activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.

Mr Musk posted: The Reform Party need a new leader. Farage doesnt have what it takes.
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Sir Keir Starmer has opened the door to a U-turn on his refusal to hold an inquiry into grooming gangs, Downing Street has confirmed, despite ordering his MPs to vote against initiating one.

After safeguarding minister Jess Phillips said a new national probe into the scandal was still on the table, the prime ministers spokesperson said the government would grant one if victims groups called for it.

Jess Phillips has been engaging extensively with victims, and what we have heard loud and clear from victims is that they do not want to see more inquiries, they said.

open image in gallery Starmer and Tory leader Kemi Badenoch traded blows over grooming gangs at PMQs ( Sky News )

The shift in position came as MPs voted against a Tory amendment that would have initiated an inquiry; the amendment was defeated by 364 votes to 111.

After repeated questioning, Sir Keirs spokesperson said that if victims groups indicated in the future they wanted a new national probe into grooming gangs, one would be granted. It represented a major shift by the government from its position at the weekend of being strongly against an inquiry:

On Sunday, health secretary Wes Streeting said: The reason we are not doing another national inquiry is because there has been a national inquiry

As pressure grew on Monday, Sir Keir said: Politicians  calling for inquiries are jumping on the bandwagon with the far right

On Wednesday morning, Jess Phillips, who had initially rejected the inquiry, said: Nothing is off the table. If the victims come forward to me in this victims panel that I will make, and they say, actually, we think there needs to be a national inquiry into this, Ill listen to them

At 12.05pm, Starmer said in Prime Ministers Questions: On the question of a further inquiry, there have been a number of inquiries, some of them localised, including the mayor of Manchesters recent inquiry. The national inquiry Professor Jay carried out took seven years. It had 20 recommendations, none of which were actually implemented by the Conservative Party when it was in government

Less than an hour later, the PMs spokesperson told journalists: If victims groups indicate in the future they want a new national probe into grooming gangs, one will be granted

Sir Keirs spokesperson said they would reject claims it was a U-turn, instead saying the government was pursuing a victims-first approach.

It came after a tense PMQs in which Sir Keir and Kemi Badenoch traded blows over the issue of child grooming gangs, with the PM sticking to the line that victims want action as opposed to another inquiry over fears about a delay.

Ms Badenoch described child grooming as one of the worst scandals in British history, accusing the PM of denying an inquiry to protect Labour politicians who may be complicit.

But her spokesperson later confirmed she has not yet met any victims of the grooming gangs scandal and has no plans to do so.

open image in gallery Home Office minister Jess Phillips has said Elon Musk knows absolutely nothing about child sexual abuse ( PA Wire )

In the Commons debate, shadow education secretary Laura Trott dismissed claims that it is only the far right calling for an inquiry into grooming gangs.

There are legitimate arguments to be had in this area. But the one I will not accept is to call for this is to be far right. The Labour government have to understand that they must explain their actions, not just call the opposition names, Ms Trott told the Commons.

She added: This is an enormous scandal and yet we do not know fully the number of victims, the number of perpetrators and where this has taken place.

open image in gallery Professor Alexis Jay has said the time has passed for another lengthy examination of grooming gangs ( PA Media )

Despite growing pressure from figures including tech billionaire Elon Musk, Sir Keir and his top team have so far insisted the government is focused on implementing the recommendations of the previous review into child sex abuse, by Professor Alexis Jay. She has denounced Mr Musks calls for a new inquiry, urging ministers to get on with it and implement the 20 recommendations from her 2022 report.

At PMQs, Sir Keir accused Ms Badenoch of jumping on a bandwagon in her calls for a new inquiry into grooming gangs. He said: One of the central recommendations was mandatory reporting, and it still hasnt been enacted. I called for this 11 years ago, theyve been tweeting and talking, weve been acting.

The Leader of the Opposition has been an MP, I think, for eight years; her party have been in government for seven and a half of those eight years. She was the childrens minister. She was the womens equalities minister. I cant remember her, I cant recall her once raising this issue in the House, once calling for a national inquiry.

Its only in recent days shes jumped on the bandwagon. In fairness, if Im wrong about that and she has raised it, then I invite her to say that now, and I will happily withdraw the remark that she hasnt raised it in this House in the eight years that shes been here until today.
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Sir Keir Starmer is under pressure to cut Elon Musks access to government contracts and funding after the billionaires firms raked in more than 190m of taxpayer cash since 2016.

The prime minister is facing calls to prevent the Tesla tycoons companies benefiting from taxpayer-funded grants, subsidies and contracts in future after his repeated outbursts against the government over grooming gangs and criminal justice.

Despite his repeated attacks on the PM and his top team, Mr Musks Tesla has received 191m from the public purse since 2016, with 188.3m coming from Department for Transport grants designed to increase uptake of plug-in electric vehicles, The Independent can reveal.

open image in gallery Keir Starmer has hit back at Elon Musks attacks on the government over grooming gangs ( AFP/AP )

The remainder of the governments spend on Tesla was through local authorities such as the Scottish government purchasing Tesla vehicles and leasing charging points.

The government and local authorities have also spent nearly 300,000 on X, formerly Twitter, since 2016, with the platform having been taken over by Mr Musk for 38bn in 2022. Some 60,000 of this was spent by the Cabinet Office on Brexit-related comms efforts.

The figures, compiled for The Independent by procurement specialists Tussell, led to furious calls for Sir Keir to cut ties with Mr Musks sprawling business empire, denying the billionaire access to future taxpayer grants, subsidies and contracts.

Labour MP Joe Powell, chair of parliaments cross-party anti-corruption group, said it is ironic that Musks companies have benefitted from nearly 200m of UK taxpayers money in subsidies and grants over recent years.

He told The Independent: If he is so critical of UK government policies, perhaps he should consider returning the money his companies have pocketed and focus on his business ventures instead of interfering in British politics.

Alex Sobel praised Sir Keir for calling out Mr Musks lies and misinformation about grooming gangs, his record as director of public prosecutions and safeguarding minister Jess Phillips.

open image in gallery Jess Phillips has said Elon Musks attacks put her safety at risk ( PA )

And the Labour MP called for an end to any taxpayer handouts for Mr Musk. He told The Independent: The prime minister has shown the leadership that voters expect from a Labour government in stark contrast to that of the Tories and the populist right that have opportunistically sought to jump on the bandwagon of reckless and baseless claims.

Corporate giants cannot be allowed to attempt to override democracy by stoking up division and inflaming tensions.

Independent MP Richard Burgon told The Independent: Given Elon Musk has been suggesting that the elected British government should be overthrown, surely this funding has to be halted.

Any company lucky enough to receive British state support needs to respect our democracy, not agitate against it. Cutting off further funding should be the first step of the bold moves needed to prevent Musk and other billionaires from using their vast wealth to interfere in our politics.

Sir Keir on Monday accused Mr Musk of spreading lies about grooming gangs and warned the billionaire, as well as the Conservatives and Reform UK, have crossed a line.

Without naming Mr Musk directly, the PM said: Those that are spreading lies and misinformation as far and wide as possible are not interested in victims, theyre interested in themselves.

He attacked Mr Musk over his claims Ms Phillips is a rape genocide apologist who should be in prison.

He added: When the poison of the far right leads to serious threats, to Jess Phillips and others, that in my book, means a line has been crossed.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey went further, calling for the government to summon the US ambassador to raise Mr Musks tweets.

The call was in response to the tech billionaire, who will be a key member of Donald Trumps administration when the president-elect takes office this month, suggesting the US should overthrow the British government.

And Lib Dem MP Caroline Voaden told The Independent: Time and time again, Elon Musk has shown not only a lack of understanding about the rules and norms of the democracies hes interfering in, but also of the very subjects he is campaigning on.

Summoning the US ambassador to ask about the actions of an incoming US official is an obvious move.

But the government must also consider the subsidies and grants handed out to Musks companies, a whopping 190m of them since 2016. Since Musk regards himself as a man of such high principles, Im sure hed agree its wrong for him or his companies to financially benefit from a government hes so clearly opposed to.

Tesla, X, and the government have been approached for comment.
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Canadian Prime MinisterJustin Trudeau is stepping down as leader of the Liberal Party after serving as prime minister for nearly a decade  a move that requires the party to choose a new leader.

Facing mounting pressure to resign from members of his own party, Trudeau announced on Monday he will step down from his post which he was first elected to in 2015.

open image in gallery Trudeau, who has led the Liberal Party since 2015, will step down from his position ( AP )

I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister after the party selects its next leader through a robust nationwide, competitive process, Trudeau said on Monday.

Now, the Liberal Party will decide on its next leader by holding a contest to decide who will succeed Trudeau. Until they do so, Trudeau will remain prime minister.

The move comes eight months before the country is expected to hold federal elections

For months, Trudeau has been facing resignation calls as Canadians face a cost of living crisis and, now, fears of economic turmoil thanks to President-elect Donald Trumps threat to impose a 25 percent tariff.

Those calls became more aggressive in December after Chrystia Freeland, the deputy prime minister and finance minister, unexpectedly resigned. That was, in part, due to disagreements over how to handle the potential tariffs.

By the end of the year, Liberal caucus members had joined the resignation calls, leaving Trudeau with dwindling options. While announcing his resignation, Trudeau citing fighting internal battles as one of the reasons he was stepping down.

open image in gallery Trumps threat to impose a 25 percent tariff on Canada sparked internal battles among Trudeau and his party ( AP )

Trudeau said he asked the president of the Liberal Party, Sachit Mehra, to begin the leadership selection process.

The Liberal Party would have until March 24 to decide on a new leader. Parliament was supposed to resume on January 27 but Trudeau has asked for a lengthy suspension to give the party time.

Canadas opposition parties, the Conservative Party, Bloc Quebecois and the New Democratic Party, all said they planned to hold a non-confidence vote when Parliament returned. Should the vote prevail, which it is likely to, it would trigger an early federal election.

In the meantime, the Liberal Party national board of directors must meet within the month to set a date for a leadership vote as well as establish other parameters around the leadership contest, according to the partys constitution.

Several people could replace Trudeau as Liberal Party leader, including Freeland. As the former deputy, she is one of the most well-known members of Trudeaus team and a top contender.

Transport Minister Anita Anand could be considered for the position, as well as Francois-Philippe Champagne, the registrar of Canada and minister of innovation, science and industry,

Other names thrown into the mix include Melanie Joy, the minister of foreign affairs; Sean Fraser, the former minister of immigration and former minister of housing; Mark Carney, an adviser to Trudeau and the former governor of the Bank of England; Christy Clark, the former premier of British Columbia; and Dominic LeBlanc, the minister of finance.
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Rumors of jailhouse jealousy are coming out of the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where alleged sex trafficker Sean "Diddy" Combs is reportedly pouting because he's playing second fiddle to suspected health insurance hitman Luigi Mangione.

A source reportedly familiar with the situation told the New York Post that Combs was "throwing tantrums" inside the notorious New York jail because all eyes are on Mangione, at least inside the facility.

Combs is facing charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. After he was arrested late last year, colorful details of his alleged "freak off" parties  elaborate sex performances involving a whole lot of baby oil and drugs to leash the sex workers hired for the event  were revealed via discovery.

open image in gallery Sean Diddy Combs is reportedly furious that alleged UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter Luigi Mangione is taking his spotlight in their shared Brooklyn jail ( Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP )

Mangione allegedly shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last month in an attack New York City police believe was targeted. Mangione faces both state and federal charges, which is why he is being held in the federal facility.

The alleged gunman  was arrested while lurking at a McDonald's in Pennsylvania a few days after the shooting  left a manifesto that made clear he was no fan of the health insurance industry in the U.S..

Unfortunately for Mangione, he may be on Combs' "s*** list" for stealing his jailhouse spotlight, according to someone who spoke to the New York Post.

The 26-year-old reportedly received a heros welcome inside the detention facility and other inmates have been quick to share their health insurance woes with the alleged gunman.

open image in gallery Mangione may be on Combs s*** list for stealing his jailhouse spotlight, according to a report ( CURTIS MEANS@2024 )

Diddy has been throwing tantrums over the fact that Luigi is getting all of the attention in prison and is being revered as a hero after literally murdering someone on camera," the source told the paper. Even in prison, Diddys ego is bigger than life."

Some other unnamed source  one alleged former member of Combs' inner circle  told the New York Post that they've been cut off since Combs went to jail. They also said that Combs is not happy playing second fiddle.

"He always wants to be the center of everything," the alleged source said. "If he feels like anyone takes his attention, he doesn't take it well. He gets pissed off, and if he has the power to do it, he makes the other person's life miserable."
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Police officials have shut down online speculation claiming that Henrico nurse Erin Strotman targeted babies based on race.

Strotman, 26, of Chesterfield County, Virginia, a former nurse at Henrico Doctors Hospitals Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Richmond was charged Friday with malicious wounding and felony child abuse, according to a Henrico County police press release.

Henrico County Police Division addressed the accusations on Tuesday after becoming aware of multiple editorial social media videos that discussed the investigation and promoted racially motivated theories for the alleged abuse.

A statement read: Henrico Police is aware of editorial social media videos discussing the Henrico Doctors Hospital NICU investigation.

These individuals in the video claim the victims were targeted by the suspect on account of their race.

The preliminary investigation indicates this information is not factual.

They added that due to the sensitive nature of the case, they were unable to disclose crucial information such as the babies genders and ethnicity  details they argue would compromise the investigation if released.

Henrico police chief Eric D English said: We understand the feelings and emotions this investigation has generated for our community members and beyond.

We kindly request patience as our detectives work to investigate every piece of evidence in connection to these cases.

The Henrico County Police Division is working seamlessly with our partners, including the Henrico County Commonwealths Attorneys Office, to investigate these cases; we will not be deterred.

English urged members of the public concerned about the case to contact the Henrico County Department of Emergency Communications (DEC) to voice their thoughts and information on the investigation.

However, specific information and tips that could help propel the investigation forward should be sent directly to the Henrico Police Division at police@henrico.gov.

open image in gallery Erin Strotman at her ECPI University graduation in 2019 ( Facebook )

So far, only one family affected by the alleged abuse has decided to break anonymity, but at least three of the families were said to be in court for Strotmans arraignment on Friday.

Dominique Hackey, the father of two prematurely born twin boys told Fox5 Washington that all of the victims, presumed to be seven in total, were boys.

He said that while all victims suffered different injuries and came from non-white families, there were no other common factors.

Hackeys son, Noah, suffered an unexplained fractured tibia in September 2023 but upon meeting other families in court Friday, he discovered that another baby had been wounded just days after his son.

"There were all different injuries, and two boys had multiple injuries. So far, in chatting amongst ourselves, we cant find a pattern of why our babies, other than that, they were just boys, he told Fox5.

The news of Strotmans arrest took the internet by storm over the weekend attracting discussion from a wide range of commentators, one of whom was actor and stand-up comedian DL Hughley.

The star, who featured in the sitcom The Hughleys, reposted an Instagram post by National Black Guide which speculated Strotman had been arrested for allegedly breaking bones of Newborn Black Babies. The star branded the case as PURE EVIL, as per his post.

Officials have refused to disclose any further details on the case as the investigation continues.
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Jet Blue passengers subdued a man after he opened an emergency door and tried to jump out of the aircraft during an apparent argument with his girlfriend.

The incident on JetBlue Flight 161, leaving Boston Logan International Airport for San Juan, Puerto Rico on Tuesday, resulted in the planes slide being deployed while the aircraft was on the taxiway at around 7.30pm.

Passengers, reportedly including an onboard FBI agent, managed to overpower the man on the Airbus A320 until officers with the Massachusetts State Police responded and detained him for further questioning.

A representative for JetBlue said the man opened the emergency overwing exit for unknown reasons. The flight was swapped for another aircraft and eventually left for San Juan, the airline spokesperson said. No injuries were reported.

The passenger has not been publicly identified but he was arrested and is scheduled to be arraigned in court on Wednesday in Massachusetts. It wasnt immediately clear what the charges against him were.

The Federal Aviation Administration is now investigating the incident.

A passenger who spoke to WBZ-TV from the plane told the outlet the man had been embroiled in an argument with his girlfriend as the situation unfolded. He said the couple were sitting behind him on the plane.

Boyfriend and girlfriend were arguing behind me, passenger Fred Wynn said. Boyfriend got mad, got up walked down the center aisle, grabbed the emergency door, ripped it off, completely off. FBI agent tackled him, handcuffed him. Shortly after, state police came on board and took him off.

Passengers on other flights were reportedly delayed because of the incident.

State police said preliminary information indicates there was no active threat to the public, according to the outlet. The Independent has reached out to state police for comment.
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An American man whose body washed up on the US-Ontario border more than 20 years ago has finally been identified, police said this week.

In May 2003, a mans body was discovered off the Livingston Channel Detroit River, the Ontario Provincial Police announced in a social media post on Monday. He was wearing dark-colored pants, a dark shirt, a winter coat and mountain shoes.

Police were not able to determine his identity for more than two decades. Several attempts were made to identify the remains but did not yield positive results.

A breakthrough came in early 2023 when police submitted his DNA for a genetic genealogy.

But initially obtained a presumptive ID but by September 2024 confirmed his identity as 48-year-old James Raymond Stewart, a man from Detroit, Michigan, who went missing in November 2002. Police were able to use the DNA of a sibling to find a match.

The mans family later traveled to Amherstburg, Ontario to visit his gravestone. Stewarts parents died before they were able to determine what happened to him.

Its not clear what caused Stewart to end up in the river. His cause of death was undetermined, but foul play was not suspected in the case, Detective Inspector Randy Gaynor said in a video release.

Stewart was born on May 31, 1954. The mans sister, who spoke in a YouTube video posted by police, described him as a sensitive and quiet person. He loved jazz and eating, another sister said. Stewart leaves behind three siblings.

Earlier in his life, the man served in the US Navy and worked in Detroit-area restaurants.

One of his sisters said the Thanksgiving holiday season is always bittersweet for her family because thats around the time he went missing.

Its closure for us because we had no idea, one of the sisters said. Were just celebrating the fact that now we have closure.

We know where he is.
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A TikToker who gained notoriety for dangerously speeding down highways has taken a sweetheart plea deal after killing six people in a crash.

Noah Galle, 20, took a guilty plea and agreed to serve a 12-year prison sentence after he drove 150mph in a $100,000 BMW and smashed into the back of an SUV, killing all six of the passengers during a January 2022 wreck in Palm Beach County, Florida.

Galle, who is the son of a prominent attorney, Craig Galle, could have faced a 55-year sentence for causing the deadly car crash, the Palm Beach Post reported.

He became prominent on TikTok by offering $25 to any followers who could correctly guess how fast he drove as she shared videos bombing down highways.

At a court hearing on Monday, Galle got his defense attorney, Liz Parker, to read out his statement of remorse instead of doing it himself, the paper reported. Perkins said that Galle wished every day that he died in the crash instead of the victims.

It is not stated on his arrest report whether he was recording on the night of the crash near Delray Beach, according to the Post.

The plea deal was negotiated by Galles legal team and Chief Assistant State Attorney Al Johnson. It comes as Alexcia Cox was sworn in as the countys new state attorney on Tuesday, replacing Dave Aronberg who had been in the position since 2013.

The victims of the crash, Mirlaine Julceus, 45, Remize Michel, 53, Marie Louis, 60, Michel Saint, 77, Filaine Dieu, 46 and Vanice Percina, 29, were carpooling together from the farm where they worked on January 27, 2022, when their Nissan Rouge was struck at the back by Galle, who was 17 at the time.

Family members of the victims did not attend Mondays hearing.

open image in gallery Noah Galle received a 12-year prison sentence for the deaths of six people in a 2022 crash. He had risen to fame on TikTok before the crash ( Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office )

The 12-year sentence was met with anger by some in the community, with many commenting on the Facebook profile of the Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office to air their views.

12 years is a joke! one person said. Shameful sentencing for 6 innocent lives and numerous affected family members who will relive this trauma the rest of their lives, another wrote.

Johnson issued a statement following sentencing where he said that the families of the victims did not object and the prosecution felt it was an appropriate resolution.

The victims families have written to us that they did not object to this plea, Johnson said. Some of them didnt even want him to go to jail at all.

One wanted us to drop the case entirely. What is the proper sentence in the case like this? No amount of prison time will bring the victims back to their families. We feel this is an appropriate resolution. This case is a tragedy.

Speaking outside of court when asked about the sentencing, Johnson reportedly told the Post: This is under the Dave Aronberg administration. Im not going to comment past that, because its not really appropriate."

Circuit Judge Sherri Collins ordered Galle to post a one-minute video on social media talking about the importance of safe driving. He was also ordered to complete 800 hours of community service and take a 12-hour driving course.

Galle was also ordered to attend a panel where he will hear stories from crash victims about how injuries from dangerous driving have affected their lives.

His drivers license has been revoked for three years.
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A U.S. Marine has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman while stationed in Okinawa, Japans southernmost island, marking the fourth case of its kind within the past year.

The serviceman, who is believed to be in his 30s, is suspected of allegedly raping a woman older than 20 in an undisclosed building at Camp Foster in Ginowan City on Okinawa Island in November, a police spokesperson told Stars and Stripes.

On Wednesday, Okinawa Prefectural Police referred the case to the Naha Public Prosecutors Office, the spokesperson said. They added that prosecutors are mulling a decision on whether to file charges against the suspect.

The Marine is currently being held in U.S. military custody, the spokesperson said. It is not clear whether the suspect has admitted to the allegation.

The III Marine Expeditionary Force, a task force in Japan, is aware of allegations of criminal misconduct against an Okinawa-based U.S. service member, spokeswoman First Lt. Isabel Izquierdo told Stars and Stripes Wednesday. The Marine Corps is cooperating with local authorities, she said.

The victim, who remains anonymous, reported the alleged incident to police immediately, according to the spokesperson.

Authorities forwarded the case to prosecutors after a review of security cameras and questioning the man. The precise location of where the alleged assault took place is not clear.

The Independent has contacted the Okinawa Prefectural Police Headquarters for more information.

The suspect and the victim met for the first time on the day of the alleged incident, sources told the Japan Times.

open image in gallery The US marine has been accused of sexually assualting a woman at an undisclosed building on the US military base, Camp Foster (pictured in 2014) ( AFP via Getty Images )

Izquierdo continued: The alleged behavior does not reflect the core values of the U.S. Military, nor does it represent the conduct of the overwhelming majority of Okinawa-based service members.

In a statement to The Times, Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki said: This is a matter of great concern to the people of Okinawa, and we demand a firm response.

The allegations follow three sexual assault cases last year that strained the U.S.-Japanese alliance.

Brennan Washington, 25, a Senior Airman stationed at Kadena Air Base, was sentenced to five years in prison last month for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl in December 2023.

In September, Marine Lance Corporal Michael Hofmaster, 20, was charged with injuring a woman during a sexual assault. She was hospitalized for a week and had wounds on her genitals which took a month to heal, according to the indictment.

Hofmaster, who was detained in a Japanese facility, denied part of the charges, claiming that he had consent, sources told The Times.

Another Marine Lance Corporal, 21-year-old Jamel Clayton, was indicted in a separate case of attempted sexual assault resulting in injury in June. It is not clear if Clayton has entered a plea in the case.

While the U.S. relinquished control of the prefecture and Okinawa returned to Japanese ownership in May 1972, the U.S. military presence remained. An estimated 30,000 active-duty troops are currently stationed in Okinawa.
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Two sons of notorious Mexican drug kingpin El Chapo facing sweeping drug-trafficking charges in the U.S. are in plea negotiations with the federal government, attorneys acknowledged on Tuesday in a Chicago courtroom.

Neither Ovidio Guzman Lopez, 34, nor Joaquin Guzman Lopez, 38, appeared at the brief hearing.

Word of a possible deal for Ovidio Guzman Lopez, who has pleaded not guilty, was first disclosed during an October court date. It came months after his brother, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, was arrested in an astonishing capture by U.S. authorities in Texas with Ismael El Mayo Zambada, a longtime leader of Mexicos Sinaloa cartel.

Attorneys on Tuesday also publicly confirmed plea negotiations recently began for Joaquin Guzman Lopez, who has also pleaded not guilty.

We need a bit more time, Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Erskine said in court. We're trying to explore whether there might be a global resolution.

He did not elaborate in court and declined to talk to reporters afterward.

open image in gallery Joaquin Guzman Lopez, after he was arrested by U.S. authorities in Texas

Zambada had eluded U.S. authorities for years. He was believed to be more involved in daily operations of the cartel than his better-known and flashier boss, Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, who was sentenced to life in prison in the U.S. in 2019.

In recent years, Guzmans sons have led a faction of the cartel known as the Chapitos, or little Chapos, that has been identified as a main exporter of fentanyl to the U.S. In 2023, federal prosecutors unsealed sprawling indictments against dozens of members of the Sinaloa cartel, including the brothers, in a fentanyl-trafficking investigation.

The FBI alleges Zambada and Joaquin Guzman Lopez oversaw the trafficking of tens of thousands of pounds of drugs into the United States, along with related violence. Zambada is due in court in New York next week.

The mens dramatic July capture  with many details still unknown  has sparked theories about how federal authorities pulled it off. It also prompted a surge in violence in Mexicos northern state of Sinaloa as two factions of the Sinaloa cartel clashed.

Zambadas attorney claims his client was kidnapped by Joaquin Guzman Lopez and brought to the U.S. aboard a private plane that landed near El Paso. The brothers defense attorney Jeffrey Lichtman has dismissed those claims and previously denied any government cooperation.

He did not offer any details during Tuesday's hearing, which he attended via phone.

Ovidio Guzman Lopez is due in court Feb. 27. Joaquin Guzman Lopez's next court date is March 19.
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The fast-moving wildfires ripping through Southern California are being fueled by the states fierce Santa Ana winds.

The Los Angeles Fire Department is bracing itself for the bruising winds to reach gusts of up to 60 mph through Thursday. In some parts, the Santa Anas could reach speeds of up to 100 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

The NWS has issued an extreme weather warning of a life-threatening and destructive windstorm for some areas.

Thousands of residents have been forced to evacuate LA and more than 300,000 people have been left without power after several fires ignited across the county on Tuesday evening. Five people have died.

The Pacific Palisades fire has spread to nearly 16,000 acres as of Wednesday afternoon, while the Eaton fire has spread to over 10,600 acres through Altadena, Pasadena, Arcadia, and Sierra Madre.

By no stretch of the imagination are we out of the woods, Governor Gavin Newsom said on Tuesday. I saw firsthand the impact of these swirling winds and the embers and the number of structures that are destroyed. Not a few, many structures already destroyed.

open image in gallery Residents of a senior center are evacuated as the Eaton Fire approaches Tuesday, Jan 7, 2025, in Altadena, California ( AP )

What are the Santa Ana winds?

With the ability to turn a small spark into a raging wildfire, the Santa Anas are dry, warm and gusty northeast winds that blow from Nevada and Utah to Southern California toward the coast. They move in the opposite direction of the normal onshore flow that carries moist air from the Pacific into the region.

The name is understood to be linked to Santa Ana Canyon in Orange County, but the weather has other nicknames such as devil winds or red wind.

Santa Ana occurs during the cooler months between September and May. Southern California is particularly vulnerable to them.

Fire ecologist Chad Hanson told BBC News that it would be a rough night for fire crews. These winds are unique to southern California and it results in extreme, sustained wind events with pretty dramatic gusts.

open image in gallery Wind pushes embers into a home as the Eaton Fire moves through the area on January 8, 2025 in Altadena, California ( Getty Images )

How do the winds form?

Santa Anas are created by high pressure over the Great Basin  the vast desert interior of the West overlapping Nevada, parts of Utah and other states. The sinking air loses its moisture and flows in a clockwise direction toward Southern California, where it must get past towering mountain ranges that separate the desert from the metropolitan region lining the coast.

Like a slow-moving river that suddenly narrows and turns into rapids, the air speeds up as it squeezes through mountain passes and canyons, becoming drier and warmer as it descends.

Alex Hall, director of the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability at the University of California, said to imagine the Great Basin as a big bowl lined with holes that represent mountain passes.

open image in gallery Apocalyptic pictures from the wildfire engulfing a home in the Pacific Palisades ( AP )

If you have a lot of heavy, high pressure sitting there in the bowl, youre going to be pushing air out through the holes, Hall told TheNew York Times.

As air charges through the mountain passes, or the imaginary holes in the bowl, the winds pick up speed and funnel toward the Southern California coast.

Why the winds can be deadly

The air in Southern California is dry at the moment, with humidity around 10-20 percent. It is likely to fall further, according to meteorologists, thus creating the perfect conditions for fire to spread.

A lack of humidity in the air causes vegetation to dry out and essentially become kindling for a fire. The wind speeds can stoke any spark, from a fallen power line to a discarded cigarette bud, and rapidly spread.

When and where will the winds be the most extreme?

open image in gallery The Palisades Fire burns a residence in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. ( AP )

The National Weather Service has issued an extreme weather warning for parts of southern California due to the Santa Anas winds fueling the flames.

It said that the time period of the greatest concern would be Tuesday night through Wednesday afternoon local time, where it warned of widespread gusts of 50 - 80 mph, with isolated speeds of 80 - 100mph in the mountains and foothills.

The agency says the areas of greatest concern are: Highways 118/210 corridors, San Gabriel/ Santa Susana / Santa Monica Mountains and Foothills; San Gabriel and San Fernando Valleys, Pasadena, Burbank, San Fernando, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Simi Valley, Sylmar, Porter Ranch, Altadena, La Crescenta and Malibu.

Winds are linked to some of Southern Californias worst wildfires

open image in gallery A firefighter battles a hotspot caused by the Woosley Fire in Malibu, California, 10 November 2018 ( EPA )

Santa Anas are linked to some of the worst wildfires Southern California has experienced.

The devastating 2018 Woosley fire broke out on November 8, 2018 and was not fully contained until November 21. It burned almost 100,000 acres, including more than 21,000 acres of National Park Service land.

Santa Ana winds pushed the fire south, where it went into the Santa Monica Mountains.

The Associated Press contributed reporting
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Passengers on board a flight that flew over the rapidly spreading Palisades California Fire have described the terrifying moment smoke fumes filled the cabin mid-air.

As they gazed down Tuesday at the roaring flames below, more than 30,000 residents were being forced to evacuate their homes as the wildfire raged over roughly 3,000 acres at zero percent containment, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department . Now more than 150,000 people have been forced to evacuate as the fires tear up 27,000 acres. At least five people have been killed.

Tai Wright, from North Hollywood, was aboard American Airlines Flight 2597 heading from Dallas Fort Worth toward Hollywood Burbank Airport Tuesday when her plane was diverted as it was due to land, she told Newsweek.

Wright also captured the nail-biting moment her flight soared above the flames.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency as flames erupted across half a dozen communities.

Casualties have since been confirmed as the fire continues to grow, say the LAFD.

Describing the tense moment she felt the force of the fires, Wright told Newsweek: We were making our descent at the time of the photos. Right after taking them, the heat inside the aircraft started to rise, and the smoke smell filled the cabin.

Three powerful infernos are rapidly spreading across Southern California as more than 30,000 residents are being evacuated ( Getty Images )

The general mood of the flight got very tense and quiet up until we landed some 20 to 30 minutes afterward, she added.

More than 3,000 acres are ablaze in the Pacific Palisades fire, over 1,000 in the Eaton Fire through Altadena, Pasadena, Arcadia, and Sierra Madre, and flames have stretched across 500 acres in the Hurst Fire in Sylmar, according to LA fire officials.

Wright described the landing as rocky as she and those on board her flight felt the aircraft swaying and turning in multiple directions up until the wheels touched the tarmac.

Everyone on board applauded with good reason after we touched [the] ground, she added.

Emotions were high as passengers watched down in disbelief at the flames. Wright said she could feel the adrenaline rushing through her body and it wasnt until she arrived home, that she finally cried it out, as per the outlet.

Mark Viniello had been on board a United Airlines flight from Denver to Burbank when his plane was diverted to Los Angeles International Airport Tuesday night.

Viniello captured the inferno with the city lights visible in the background on video, as shared by Newsweek.

Multiple airline carriers are reported to have diverted planes in California as California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency.

The Independent contacted American Airlines and United Airlines for comment.
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Frances foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot has fiercely defended the European Union in response to US president-elect Donald Trumps claim that America should take ownership and control of Greenland.

Speaking on the France Inter radio Wednesday, Barrot said: There is obviously no question that the European Union would let other nations of the world attack its sovereign borders, whoever they are.

We are a strong continent.

While he did not anticipate a US invasion of Greenland, he suggested that global power structures had shifted stating: If youre asking me whether I think the United States will invade Greenland, my answer is no.

But have we entered into a period of time when it is survival of the fittest? Then my answer is yes.

Barrot insisted that the EU should not allow itself to be intimidated, and rather, that it should wake up and strengthen to a new and concerning era.

Frances foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot defended EU in the wake of Trumps comments on Greenland ( AFP/Getty )

The comments came in response to Trumps declaration, just two weeks ahead of his inauguration at the White House on 20 January, that the US should buy Greenland.

Taking to Truth Social last month, the president-elect wrote: 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.

But Greenland prime minister Mute Egede has insisted that Greenland was an unobtainable target for Trump.

We are not for sale and will never be for sale, he said 23 December just hours after Trump announced his plans to nominate Paypal co-founder Ken Howery for US ambassador to Denmark.

The furor over the Arctic island with 56,000 inhabitants erupted in tandem with the unofficial arrival of Donald Trump Jr in the capital of Nuuk Tuesday.

Greenlands Ministry of Independence and Foreign Affairs insisted that they had no intention of meeting with the president-elects eldest.

A statement read Tuesday: Since the visit is not official, the Government of Greenland or their representatives will not meet with Donald Trump Jr. Greenland is open and those who wish to visit us are welcome.

The president-elect also stated that he might use economic force to take hold of Canada by enlisting it as the 51st US state.

He flaunted the suggestion on Truth Social Tuesday by posting a map that omitted the borders between Canada and the U.S.

Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, who announced his resignation from office Monday after facing calls to step down following low approval ratings, dismissed Trumps suggestions, responding in a post on X: There isnt a snowballs chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States.

Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each others biggest trading and security partner, he added.
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Brazilian authorities gathered in capital Brasilia on Wednesday to mark the second anniversary of an alleged coup attempt by supporters of former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was joined by the Supreme Court's deputy Chief Justice Luiz Edson Fachin for a ceremony at the presidential palace, one of the buildings Bolsonaro supporters trashed in 2023 in a bid to trigger a military intervention that would oust the leftist leader from office.

We are here not to mourn, but certainly not to forget. We are here to celebrate and strengthen democracy and hand over to the Brazilian people their fully restored heritage, said Brazils first lady, Rosangela da Silva, known as Janja, as she opened the ceremony at the presidential Palace.

On Jan. 8, 2023, thousands of pro-Bolsonaro rioters bypassed security barricades around the presidential palace, Congress and the Supreme Court, and climbed onto roofs, smashed windows, urinated on precious art and damaged historic Brazilian memorabilia. They invaded government buildings and called for a military intervention to remove Lula from office.

Artworks that were destroyed have been restored, in partnership with Swiss authorities, and are being reintroduced to the public, Brazils presidency said. Lula had invited the president of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco, and the lower house speaker, Arthur Lira, but neither participated in the ceremony.

Brazils Supreme Court is scheduled to host discussions with staffers who witnessed the court's invasion and others who took part in reconstruction efforts. A remembrance website is being set up and an exhibition of art produced using wreckage from the melee will be opened.

The anniversary is taking place amid several legal cases targeting Bolsonaro, who narrowly lost his 2022 reelection bid to Lula, then questioned the legitimacy of the results and declined to concede.

Federal Police have formally accused Bolsonaro and 36 others, including high-ranking military officers, of attempting a coup. The accusation is sealed, but the authorities had been investigating whether he incited the Jan. 8 uprising.

The former leader is an outspoken admirer of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, and the riot in Brasilia offered an echo of the Capitol insurrection in Washington in January 2021.

Legal experts believe Bolsonaro could be charged and stand trial in the second of half of 2025 at the Supreme Court for allegedly falsifying his COVID-19 vaccination status. Analysts also say theres a reasonable chance he stands trial before 2026 over allegedly embezzling jewels gifted by Saudi Arabian authorities.

Brazils electoral court has already barred Bolsonaro from running for office until 2030, after a panel ruled that he abused his power and cast unfounded doubts on the countrys electronic voting system.

His supporters have focused most of their anger at the Supreme Court, particularly Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is presiding over several investigations targeting them. He publicly warned Brazilians last year that any celebration of Jan. 8 would constitute a crime.

According to a Supreme Court report released Tuesday, 898 people have so far been held criminally responsible for the Jan. 8 uprising, with 371 convicted and the remainder signing leniency agreements. The report notes 485 additional investigations are ongoing.

___

Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
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The bodies of the stowaways who rode to Florida in a JetBlue airplane's landing gear compartment were reportedly decomposed when they were found by airport staff, according to a report.

The remains of the men were found on Monday inside the compartment after a JetBlue plane landed at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. An airline worker was inspecting the landing gear when they stumbled onto the deceased stowaways.

A gate technician in the landing gear area noticed two males who appear to be Signal 7, advised they are not moving in the landing gear area, an unidentified individual said over a police radio during the incident. "Signal 7" is a police radio code used to describe a dead body.

The flight departed Jamaica earlier in the day, leading to some speculation that the men who died are Jamaican, though there has been no official identification.

An anonymous law enforcement source told CNN that the bodies were badly decomposed when they were found, which, if true, likely indicates that the stowaways were onboard the aircraft for multiple flights.

A pair of men who climbed into the wheel bay of a Jet Blue aircraft were found dead by airport staff in Fort Lauderdale, Florida ( AFP via Getty Images )

If they climbed into the landing gear compartment in Jamaica, they likley did not survive the plane's first stop. The A320 departed from Kingston just after 1 a.m., where it flew to JFK International Airport in New York. It was below 30 degrees the day the men were discovered, and would have been much, much colder at higher altitudes.

The plane then flew from New York to Salt Lake City, Utah, around 7:30 a.m., and made a return flight just before 7 p.m. It's final flight of the day took the plane from New York to Florida, where the bodies of the men were found near the landing gear.

The Transportation Security Administration is investigating the deaths with the help of local law enforcement and the Federal Aviation Administration.

This is a heartbreaking situation, and we are committed to working closely with authorities to support their efforts to understand how this occurred, JetBlue said in a statement.

Officials from the National Transportation Safety Board told CNN that it would not investigate the incident because it did not involve the operation of the plane or the actions of the flight staff.

Unfortunately, this is far from the only incident of stowaways dying in a landing gear compartment.

Two weeks ago, a body was found inside the compartment of a United Airlines flight between Chicago and Maui. The FAA says that stowaways likely overestimate how much room will be available to them inside a wheel bay once the landing gear are retracted. Stowaways who aren't crushed by the landing gear would have to survive on minimal oxygen and avoid freezing to death once the jet reaches cruising altitude.

The most likely country for wheel-well stowaways used to be Cuba, often due to immigration or family reunification efforts, former Department of Transportation Inspector General Mary Schiavo told CNN during a News Central appearance on Tuesday. But the dangers are profound. Survivors may suffer long-term physical damage from the noise, lack of oxygen, or freezing temperatures.

According to an FAA report from 2011, approximately 80 percent of stowaways who try to hide in wheel bays or other external jet compartments die.
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A group of young adults were pictured smiling as they posed for selfies in front of a raging Southern California wildfire that has devastated the area.

The group, who have not been identified, were pictured by Getty photographer David McNew on Tuesday in an evacuation zone in Pasadena as the Eaton fire ripped through peoples homes.

At least five people have died as a result of the Eaton fire, the Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed, which has so far spread to 27,000 acres and forced the evacuation of 150,000.

A newspaper editor shared the picture on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) and commented: More madness.

Wow. Gross, someone else replied, while another branded the group as stupid, stupid, people.

open image in gallery The group pose for a selfie in front of the raging wildfire in Pasadena ( Getty )

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday morning, chief of the Los Angeles Police Department Jim McDonnell had warned residents to get out of evacuation zones, emphasizing that it could make the difference between living and not.

Take these these warnings, orders, to evacuate very seriously, he told the press conference. As youve heard over again, be ready to go, pack what you need up but then please comply with these orders.

We dont give them put them out lightly, he added. When we believe that youre in the path of the fire, were going to order that evacuation and we really, really need your compliance on that.

If you are told to evacuate and given an order, there is nothing worth your life, L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Morrone said. Please listen to the police and fire officials that are out there and be prepared to evacuate.

open image in gallery Elderly patients are quickly evacuated into an armored vehicle as embers and flames approach during the Eaton fire in Pasadena ( AFP via Getty Images )

The Eaton fire prompted more than 50,000 evacuation orders, Angeles National Forest officials said. City spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said at least 550 houses were within the evacuation zones of the Eaton Canyon fire.

We were having dinner with the family and we just had to leave because the fire was coming so fast, Darinka Whitmore from Eaton Canyon in Altadena, who fled with her husband and their four children, told The New York Times. We just grabbed our backpacks and our kids and our doggies.

More than 80,000 residents in Los Angeles have evacuated their homes as the infernos in the Palisades, Eaton and Hurst show little sign of slowing down.

open image in gallery A playground burns in a residential neighborhood during the Eaton fire in Pasadena ( AFP via Getty Images )

A 25-year-old female firefighter and multiple burn victims are among the injured, LAFD spokesperson Erik Scott said Wednesday morning.

The fires have spread in less than 24 hours and expanded to more than 25,000 acres as of Wednesday afternoon. They have been fueled by a fierce windstorm known as the Santa Ana winds, and officials are warning the situation could get worse as none of the blazes have been contained.

Gusts up to 70 mph in some areas are essentially fanning the flames as well as grounding firefighting aircraft. A wind advisory is in effect through Wednesday evening in southern California.

The first fire to erupt is burning in Pacific Palisades, an affluent coastal neighborhood on the west of Los Angeles, having started in 10.30 a.m. PT Tuesday. As of Wednesday afternoon it has burned more than 15,000 acres.

The blaze caused flaming embers to rain onto trees and rooftops in the neighborhood, with residents rushing to escape. It also created a traffic jam on Palisades Drive, blocking emergency vehicles from getting through. Crews used a bulldozer to push the abandoned cars off to the side, the Associated Press reported.

Several Hollywood stars  including Ben Affleck, Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson and Mark Hamill  have been forced to flee.
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Tens of thousands of Southern California residents have been forced to evacuate as wildfires rip through the region, devouring homes, restaurants, and local landmarks, and killing at least five people and injuring countless other area residents.

The Palisades fire, the largest among them, erupted at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday and has since grown to cover nearly 16,000 acres as of Wednesday afternoon.

To make matters worse, a windstorm with gusts of up to 60 mph is essentially fanning the flames. So far, there has been no containment of the wildfire.

The Palisades fire first engulfed Pacific Palisades before barreling into Malibu, ultimately forcing an estimated 150,000 locals to flee and destroying more than 1,000 structures along the way.

Some local favorites have tragically been consumed by the blaze.

Reel Inn was one of them. The 36-year-old seafood restaurant in Malibu was damaged by the fire, owners Teddy and Andy Leonard wrote in an Instagram post. The staff was safe, but the owners say they are heartbroken and unsure what will be left of the restaurant: Hopefully the state parks will let us rebuild when the dust settles.

Video captured by the Malibu Times shows smoke billowing from the establishment as winds whip along Pacific Coast Highway.

open image in gallery Reel Inn, an iconic seafood restaurant, was engulfed in the wildfires, the owners say ( Google Maps )

Down the road, Cholada Thai restaurant was also engulfed in flames, the owner confirmed to The Independent.

This is Cholada Thai restaurant :( one of my favorite places, small family restaurant. So sad to see it up in flames, one X user wrote, attaching a video of the establishment being swallowed by flames.

The owners, Sawai Theprian and her husband Nikorn Sriwichailumpan, moved to the U.S. with the dream of running a restaurant; they have owned the Thai restaurant since 2000, according to Malibu Magazine.

Just next door, Rosenthal Wine Bar & Patio said it lost its tasting room to the blaze. We dont know what the future holds, the company said on Instagram Wednesday, and noted that thankfully all of its staff members were safe.

Malibu Feed Bin, a pet supplies store, announced that it had been lost to the wildfire.

The 60-year-old store made the announcement with a heavy heart in a Facebook post on Wednesday. The post read: This is so unreal for me and I having a hard time finding the words that even make sense. I want to thank everyone who has sent kind words and expressed concern for the store, my family and staff. We are so thankful for the love and support you all have shown us after 60 years in business.

The Feed Bin was such an iconic store in Malibu. I loved to go there in the 70s and bought all of my horse feed and tack there, one social media user said. This loss cuts deep.

open image in gallery A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire while it burns homes at Pacific Coast Highway amid a powerful windstorm on January 8, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. ( Getty Images )

Another wrote: For all of my 59 years, Ive known and loved the Feed Bin. It was such an important part of my life as a Topanga Kid  and as a Topanga adult, too.

Outside of Malibu, other structures have been damaged by two of the other major fires.

The Pacific Palisades neighborhood has also been ravaged by the blaze.

The Getty Villa, an art museum, has been threatened by some of the impacts of the wildfires, but remains largely undamaged.

Some trees & vegetation on site have burned, but no structures are on fire, and staff and the collection remain safe, the museum wrote on X Tuesday. It will remain closed from Wednesday through January 13.

Will Rogers State Historic Park is closed after it was affected by the Palisades fire, its website said. The extent of the damage is not immediately clear.

Theatre Palisades also sustained serious damage in the blaze. The theater said on its website that it would be suspending its operations until further notice by the board of directors.

Other popular destinations in the area, including the Griffith Observatory, the Los Angeles Zoo and Universal Studios Hollywood were all closed Wednesday.

Due to evacuations, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a research institute outside Altadena, is closed from Wednesday through January 13, except for a small number of emergency personnel who were required to remain on site, according to a notice on its website.

The Eaton fire, which has raged since Tuesday evening and has grown to span 2,000 acres, consumed the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, NBC Los Angeles reported. The structure is reportedly destroyed.

open image in gallery Some trees & vegetation on site have burned, but no structures are on fire, and staff and the collection remain safe, the Getty Villa said Wednesday ( AFP via Getty Images )

I feel numb to it, one worshipper told the outlet. Its like a bad, bad horrific dream to see that its not going to be here tomorrow. This whole place is lighting up.
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Louisiana authorities have promised much tighter security will be implemented in New Orleans for the upcoming Mardi Gras celebrations, following the deadly New Years Day terror attack that left 14 innocent people dead.

State Attorney General Liz Murrill said measures would be in place throughout the period leading up to the festivals conclusion on March 4, and that some would likely become permanent.

I think that we have to wrap our arms around the fact that this city can be a target for terrorism and that that isnt going to change, Murrill told reporters on Tuesday. I think that youre going to see a lot more resources moved into place during Mardi Gras.

Youre going to see barriers in place that we probably didnt have, because theres a recognition that not only have we just been through this terrible event but theres always a sense of concern that theres going to be some follow-up event.

We definitely dont want anybody to come and think that because we were vulnerable once we are vulnerable again  were not.

open image in gallery Louisiana authorities have assured the public that tighter security measures will be in place for Mardi Gras celebrations, in the wake of the New Years Day terror attack in New Orleans ( Getty Images )

It comes as investigations continue into the attack in New Orleans French Quarter in the early hours of January 1, when 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove a truck down Bourbon Street, killing 14 people and injuring dozens.

open image in gallery Despite ongoing concern, on Monday evening the first parade of the 2025 New Orleans Carnival season  the Joan of Arc parade  took place ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Jabbar, who was inspired by the terrorist group ISIS was later killed in a shootout with police.

Earlier in the press conference, Murill said members of the public had never been safer in the city of New Orleans due to the variety of police and federal resources in place every 10 feet.

However, she added that part of the investigations into future security needs would include considering what measures would remain as permanent fixtures and whether attitudes need to change, whether cooperation needs to change whether individuals need to change.

All of that is on the table, she said.

open image in gallery State Attorney General Liz Murrill said measures would be in place throughout the period leading up to the festivals conclusion on March 4 ( AP )

In addition, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell put out a call over the weekend for a "tactical expert" to review the citys security capabilities prior to the Super Bowl LIX, which will be held at the citys Caesars Superdome.

Despite ongoing concern, on Monday evening the first parade of the 2025 New Orleans Carnival season  the Joan of Arc parade  took place, just blocks from the tragic incident five days previously.

Earlier in the day President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden visited Louisiana.
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Sam Altman, the head of OpenAI  the company that created ChatGPT  has been accused by his sister of sexually abusing her while they were both children.

Now, he is hitting back at the claims and painting his sister as someone suffering from mental health issues.

Ann Altman, Sam's sister, sued him on January 6, alleging he repeatedly sexually abused her between 1997 and 2006 while she was three and he was 12. The family was living at their home in Clayton, Missouri, when the alleged abuse took place. She claims in her lawsuit that the abuse occurred "several times per week" and included both oral sex and later penetrative rape.

Altman, along with his mother and two brothers, issued a combined statement denying the allegations.

"All of these claims are utterly untrue," Altman said in the statement. "Our family loves Annie and is very concerned about her wellbeing. Caring for a family member who faces mental health challenges is incredibly difficult."

The family statement claims that Ann Altman has "made deeply hurtful and entirely untrue claims about our family, and especially Sam ... This situation causes immense pain to our entire family."

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman speaks during the Microsoft Build conference in Seattle. He is now responding after a lawsuit filed by a family member ( Getty Images )

Weve chosen not to respond publicly, out of respect for her privacy and our own. However, she has now taken legal action against Sam, and we feel we have no choice but to address this," the statement says.

According to the statement, Ann Altman had made previous allegations against her brother on social media.

In one of those posts, from November 2021, Ann Altman wrote on X that she "experience sexual, physical, emotional, verbal, financial, and technological abuse from my biological siblings, mostly Sam Altman and some from Jack Altman."

In the same message, she speculated that other people had allegedly been abused by her siblings.

"I feel strongly that others have also been abused by these perpetrators. I'm seeking people to join me in pursuing legal justice, safety for others in the future, and group healing," she wrote.

Ann Altman's lawyers have said her mental health issues stemmed from the alleged abuse she suffered, according to the New York Post.

The lawsuit claims that the "acts of sexual assault" caused Ann "severe emotional distress, mental anguish, and depression, which is expected to continue into the future."

The Altman family claimed in their statement that Ann "refuses conventional treatment and lashes out at family members who are genuinely trying to help."

The family's statement said that they have previously tried to pay for Ann's bills, her rent, and to help her find job opportunities as well as medical assistance. They also allegedly offered to buy her a house through a trust.

The lawsuit, which was filed in the US Eastern District of Missouri, is seeking a jury trial and damages in excess of $75,000.
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Watch as Pacific Palisades wildfires rage across Los Angeles on Wednesday (8 January) as 30,000 residents have been forced to flee homes.

While there have been no injuries in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, home to numerous A-list celebrities, a number of homes have been damaged in the blaze and more than 250 firefighters - including 46 engines and five helicopters - are on the scene.

Dont wait, evacuate said an advisory by California governors office, while vice president Kamala Harris issued a statement saying her heart goes out to all those impacted.

The historic Palisades Charter High School, a frequent filming location for Hollywood productions, has been severely damaged as the Palisades fire rages through the Santa Monica mountains and surrounding coastal areas, reported CNN.

According to Nick Melvoin, a member of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) board, the school is currently engulfed in flames.

The worst could be still to come as winds of up to 100 miles an hour, the strongest in southern California in a decade, were expected through Wednesday.
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A U.S. Navy seaman is accused of pulling double duty as a shipboard drug dealer while serving on the San Diego-based nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, only getting caught after a batch of bogus Percocet tainted with fentanyl killed a fellow sailor.

Bailey Szramowski, 27, knew the pills were laced, but sold them to at least two shipmates anyway, according to a federal complaint filed Tuesday.

Szramowski, who does not yet have an attorney listed in court records, was unable to be reached for comment. A Navy spokesman told The Independent he would look into Szramowskis service status as he awaits trial.

The USS Lincoln is known as the carrier on which former President George W. Bush delivered his now-infamous  Mission Accomplished  speech in 2003, declaring major combat operations in Iraq to be over amid fighting that continued to drag on for another nine years.

open image in gallery The USS Abraham Lincoln is Americas fifth Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images )

The case against Szramowski, a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, native, stems from a fatal January 3, 2023, overdose that left a USS Lincoln sailor dead, according to the complaint. The victim, identified in court filings only as A.N., was on leave at the time, staying in an RV parked outside his aunt and uncles house in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Officers from the San Leandro Police Department say they searched the RV and discovered evidence of drug use  specifically, a rolled-up dollar bill that had a white substance fall out when investigators handled it, the complaint states. An autopsy later concluded that A.N. had died of acute fentanyl intoxication.

Ten days after A.N.s death, a second sailor stationed onboard the USS Lincoln was rushed to the hospital following an apparent OD, the complaint goes on. It says first responders successfully revived the sailor, who is identified in the complaint as C.L., with Narcan, a prescription nasal spray used to counteract opioid overdoses.

Following C.L.s release from the hospital on January 17, 2023, he agreed to cooperate with Naval Criminal Investigative Service agents probing the source of the fentanyl, according to the complaint. He fingered Szramowski as his dealer, and said he and other sailors had been buying Percosets  branded oxycodone pills, which, in this instance, investigators believe were counterfeit  for roughly a year, the complaint explains.

open image in gallery The USS Lincoln is the carrier on which former President George W. Bush delivered his now-infamous Mission Accomplished speech in 2003 ( AFP via Getty Images )

Szramowski sold the pills to C.L. about 10 times during the USS Lincolns 2022 deployment to the South China Sea, and another four times after the carrier returned to San Diego, including on the day of his OD, according to the complaint. It says C.L. told agents that Szramowskis source sent the pills to a Post Office Box in Coronado, California, and that Szramowskis shipboard customers typically paid him via CashApp.

When Szramowski heard that C.L. was planning to meet with NCIS, he called him and said to tell the agents he had in fact gotten the deadly pills from A.N., the complaint contends.

In a separate interview with NCIS, A.N.s aunt and uncle, who were the ones to find A.N.s body, said Szramowski called them once he heard the news and tried, unsuccessfully, to convince them to delete any messages from him on A.N.s phone, the complaint goes on. It says Szramowski was concerned that if law enforcement saw the exchanges, he might go down for murder, or it would ruin his future, or words to that effect.

Next, NCIS agents interviewed A.N.s former fiancee, G.G., according to the complaint. She confirmed that Szramowski had been A.N.s plug, and told the agents that Szramowski also got high on his own supply, the complaint continues.

open image in gallery The USS Abraham Lincoln is homeported in San Diego, California ( U.S. Navy )

G.G. said she had driven with A.N. to his aunt and uncles place in Northern California, where he died, according to the complaint. On the way there, G.G. told NCIS, A.N. showed her a baggie containing 10 Percocets he said he bought from Szramowski for $100, the complaint states. In the aftermath of A.N.s fatal overdose, G.G. said she went through his belongings and found only nine pills left in the baggie, according to the complaint.

The complaint says G.G. told the NCIS agents that Szramowski had admitted to her in person that he gave A.N. the fentanyl-laced pills, but he claimed, it wasnt [his] fault because he told [A.N.] the pills were different, implying that A.N. had fair warning of the lethal nature of the pills he had purchased from Szramowski.

NCIS performed a forensic extraction of A.N.s cell phone, which they say turned up numerous messages between him and Szramowski in which they regularly discussed drug use and drug sales  including perc[s], coca, coke, blow, vics, hydrocodone, lsd, shrooms, and ecstasy, the complaint states. They also occasionally filmed themselves using drugs.

Agents also reviewed A.N.s CashApp account records, and located the $100 payment to Szramowski for the pills on which he allegedly ODed, according to the complaint.

Szramowski is facing one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. If convicted, he faces a prison sentence of 20 years to life.
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President Donald Trump followed through on his promise to rename the Gulf of Mexico the "Gulf of America."

Trump issued an executive order shortly after taking office to rename the gulf, and in February, the federal Board on Geographic Names formally changed the name of the body of water to the Gulf of America. Trump also ordered Denali  the highest mountain in North America  to return to its previous moniker, Mount McKinley.

On Super Bowl Sunday, Trump flew over the gulf in Air Force One and declared it the first-ever Gulf of America Day.

Trumps announcement comes at the same time as Republican Representative Buddy Carters new bill aiming to change the name of Greenland  which is not under the authority of the U.S.  to Red, White and Blueland.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump, from right, speaks to reporters accompanied by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Burgum's wife Kathryn Burgum, aboard Air Force One where Trump signed a proclamation declaring Feb. 9 Gulf of America Day, as he travels from West Palm Beach, Fla. to New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Google Maps has already adjusted the name of the gulf for American users. The name of the gulf is now the Gulf of America on the app. Apple Maps has done the same.

The Trump White House is reportedly punishing media outlets who dont recognize his executive order to change the name; the Associated Press claims one of its reporters was barred from a Trump event on Tuesday because the wire service did not refer to the gulf as the Gulf of America in one of its stories.

Trump insisted earlier this year that the gulfs name should celebrate the U.S. rather than Mexico.

The nations with the most "control" over the gulf are the U.S., Mexico, and Cuba, and for years have shared the body of water. The gulf serves as an important center of economic activity, including fishing, electricity generation, and shipping.

Why does the gulf bear Mexico's name? It's actually not a reference to the modern state of Mexico, but rather to a Native American city bearing the same moniker, and it has borne that name for more than 400 years.

Despite the fact that the gulf is shared by multiple nations, Trump recently said that the U.S. does the "most work" on the gulf, and insisted that the body of water should bear America's name "because it's ours."

While ownership is up for debate, it's true that the U.S. has claimed control over much of the gulf. The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea determined that U.S. territorial waters expand for 12 nautical miles from its shores, and the U.S. federal government manages the seas and the submerged parts of the Outer Continental Shelf as well.

open image in gallery President-elect Donald Trump said he wants to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America because its ours ( AP )

Trump ally Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene previously said she planned to introduce legislation to change the name of the gulf, though it ultimately wasnt necessary due to Trumps executive order.

The American people are footing the bill to protect and secure the maritime waterways for commerce to be conducted. Our U.S. armed forces protect the area from any military threats from foreign countries, she said at the time. Its our gulf. The rightful name is the Gulf of America and its what the entire world should refer to it as.

Despite Trumps executive order requiring a name change in state and federal language, there is nothing forcing other nations to adhere to that decision.

Trumps decision to rename the gulf may be part of a broader offensive against Mexico, which hes called "very dangerous" and "in a lot of trouble," citing drug trafficking and illegal immigration. However, most drug trafficking from Mexico is aimed at fulfilling consumer demand from Americans.

Trump also proposed imposing tariffs on both Mexico and Canada if the nations do not meet his demands for stopping illegal immigration and curbing drug trafficking. He claimed that America's neighbors are responsible for significant amounts of drug and illegal immigrant crossings, but did not provide data or evidence for his claims. The president eventually backed off his tariff promises after his initial threats.

If Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo said she would ignore Trumps executive order, and urged other world leaders to do the same. She has, however, responded to his threats to impose tariffs, telling the former president that the cartel violence in Mexico  and the instability it causes  is fueled by American demand for illegal drugs and US-made weapons being smuggled into the country.

Trump has proposed potential U.S. military incursions into Mexico to engage drug cartels, said he would name Mexican drug cartels terrorist organizations, and elsewhere in Central America has accused Panama of overcharging U.S. shipping vessels for use of the Panama Canal.
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Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum excoriated President-elect Donald Trump Wednesday after he suggested that the Gulf of Mexico be renamed the Gulf of America.

Obviously, the Gulf of Mexico is a name recognized by the United Nations, Sheinbaum, speaking in Spanish, said during her daily press conference, according to Politico.

She then pointed to a historic map of North America, on which parts of what is now the U.S. the map said, America Mexicana.

Why dont we call it Mexican America? she said with a heavy tinge of sarcasm. It sounds nice, no?

During his own press conference Tuesday at Mar-a-Lago, Trump said, Were going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

He added: What a beautiful name. And its appropriateAnd Mexico has to stop allowing millions of people to pour into our country.

He went on to claim that Mexico can stop them and were going to put very serious tariffs on Mexico and Canada because Canada, they come through Canada, too.

Mexicos President Claudia Sheinbaum speaks during her daily conference at the National Palace in Mexico City on January 8, 2025. She suggested that parts of the U.S. be called Mexican America in response to Donald Trumps comments about the Gulf of Mexico ( AFP via Getty Images )

Because I know I will be asked, I think that yesterday, President Trump was misinformed, with all due respect to President Trump. Because I believe they informed him that in Mexico, Felipe Calderon was still governing, and Garcia Luna, Sheinbaum said in reference to the former president of Mexico and his Secretary of Public Security, who both left their posts in 2012.

Last year, Luna was sentenced to more than 38 years in U.S. prison after he was found to have taken bribes from the Sinaloa cartel.

But no. In Mexico, the people govern, she said.

This comes as Republican Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has vowed to introduce legislation to change the name of the gulf.

Greene took to Trumps platform Truth Social to share a clip of the president-elect pitching the name change.

President @realDonaldTrumps second term is off to a GREAT start. Ill be introducing legislation ASAP to officially change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to its rightful name, the Gulf of America! she wrote.

A number of congressional Republicans have already begun using the new name.

Texas Republican Rep. Brandon Gill appeared on CNN Wednesday, saying that President Trump is bringing us into a golden age of America. This is the new Manifest Destiny. Reacquiring the Panama Canal, acquiring Greenland, renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. This is the light of America expanding.

Political scientist and head of the Eurasia Group Ian Bremmer commented on Sheinbaums mockery of Trump, writing: file under: two can play that game.

Watching Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum dog walk Trump has been and will continue to be so much fun, Arturo Dominguez added.

I am once again asking for a Canadian leader to show even half the backbone of Claudia Sheinbaum in responding to Trump, Chris Horkins wrote.
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Donald Trump Jr traveled to Greenland, reportedly to explore his father's interest in purchasing the island and maybe make friends, but left quickly after it was made clear to him that Denmark wasn't interested.

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Tuesday that Greenland's Prime Minister, Mute Edege, "has been very, very clear ... there is a lot of support among the people of Greenland that Greenland is not for sale and will not be in the future."

Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark, meaning it has its own ruling body while still being a part of the Kingdom of Denmark.

Trump Jr spent less than a day in Greenland before leaving. Despite the short trip, he convinced by his speedy assessment of Greenlandic sentiment toward his father and to the U.S in general.

"Incredible experience," he said. "By the way, they love America here. They love America. They love Trump," he said in a video he posted to social media.

Donald Trump Jr. visiting Nuuk, Greenland on Tuesday ( via REUTERS )

He also lashed out at the "fake news" in Denmark that contradicted his messaging.

"Danish fake news has been doing a lot of anti-American sentiment, so that shouldn't surprise us, but let's go have some fun," he said in the video.

President-elect Donald Trump is once again daydreaming about purchasing Greenland from Denmark, calling the acquisition an "absolute necessity" for American security and freedom in comments he made in December. During a news conference on Tuesday, Trump repeated that U.S ownership of Greenland  and potentially the Panama Canal  were critical for American "economic security."

When asked if he would rule out using "military or economic coercion" to obtain the foreign land, Trump said "no, I can't assure you on either of those two."

Greenland has both a strategic location between the Atlantic and the Arctic Oceans  where melting ice caused by human-driven climate change is opening up long inaccessible northern sea routes  and a trove of rare earth metals that may become accessible as the ice retreats.

Trump isn't the first president to consider buying the island; Andrew Johnson considered purchasing Greenland in 1867 when he bought Alaska, and Harry Truman offered Denmark $100 million for the island at the end of World War II, according to Danish historical documents.

The U.S. does operate an airbase in northern Greenland called Pituffik Space Base.

In addition to trying to gain control of Greenland and the Panama Canal, Trump has also floated the idea of sending the U.S. military into Mexico to battle drug cartels  a move that would no doubt create deep animosity with Americas southern neighbor  and has insultingly referred to Canada as the 51st state of the U.S., with outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as its "governor."
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Matt Gaetz, the former Florida Republican congressman turned cable news anchor, has revealed he is starting to think about running for governor of the Sunshine State in 2026 in place of two-term incumbent Ron DeSantis.

I have a compelling vision for the state, Gaetz told The Tampa Bay Times.

I understand how to fix the insurance problem, and its not to hand the keys to the state over to the insurance industry.

If I run, I would be the most pro-consumer candidate on the Republican side.

He added that he needs more time to pray on his decision and to discuss it with his wife Ginger Gaetz.

The MAGA favourite was tapped by President-elect Donald Trump on November 13 last year as his nominee to be the next US attorney general and stood down from the House of Representatives in order to lobby senators for the role.

But his resignation came just two days before the House Ethics Committee was due to publish a report summarizing its two-year investigation into a series of allegations against Gaetz concerning sex with underage girls and recreational drug use, accusations that the representative vehemently denied but which immediately dogged his candidacy for the top job at the Justice Department.

Realizing his chances of surviving a hostile Senate confirmation hearing untarnished were slim, Gaetz duly bowed out of the process on November 21 saying his circumstances were becoming a distraction and was replaced by Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.

He then accepted a role as a TV presenter with One America News (OAN) instead, taking to the air for the first time last week.

In the interim, the Ethics Committee finally did release its report on December 23, which concluded that there was substantial evidence that Representative 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.

Matt Gaetz attending the Young Republican Gala in New York in December ( AP )

It emerged Gaetz had sued the panel in a last-ditch attempt to block the reports publication, accusing it of making an unconstitutional attempt to exercise jurisdiction over a private citizen by releasing a document containing potentially defamatory allegations.

When that failed, he sent out a fundraising appeal to supporters via his new Florida Firebrand PAC that read: I need your help. Ive fought for you in Congress for eight years against the worst of the Radical Left and Uniparty.

Now, theyre seeking their revenge. Can you chip in anything you can spare before midnight to help me defend myself?

Asked by The Tampa Bay Times whether he believes the reports findings and the allegations against him could hinder his chances of winning the governors mansion, Gaetz answered: Those lies have been told about me for years.

Theyve never affected my ability to win elections.

Should he ultimately run, Gaetz could reportedly face competition from Byron Donalds  another Florida Republican congressman close to the Trump camp  as well as Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.

Moody though has also been tipped as DeSantiss choice to replace Marco Rubio in the Senate, assuming the latter is confirmed as Trumps next secretary of state.

The possibility of Gaetz running for governor was first mooted on X by Florida State Representative Anthony Sabatini in late November, two days after the former had dropped out of the running for attorney general, to which he responded with a GIF of a billowing state flag.
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MSNBC host Mika Brzezinski offered up a legal disclaimer on Wednesday following a Morning Joe interview with Scott Galloway that featured the entrepreneur referring to President-elect Donald Trump as a rapist.

Perhaps sensing that her network could face a similar situation as ABC News, which recently settled a defamation suit with the famously litigious incoming president, Brzezinski clarified that Trump was tried civilly and found liable of sexual abuse, not rape  in the E. Jean Carroll case.

During an appearance on Morning Joe, Galloway  who hosts the popular Pivot podcast with tech journalist Kara Swisher  talked about why a slate of economic factors were responsible for Trumps electoral victory. At the same time, while warning that America faces a class-based revolution, he described the president-elect in a rather unflattering light.

But these individuals have weaponized the government, and we risk revolution, whether its CEOs being murdered in the street, whether its a MeToo movement that had righteous components of it, or Black Lives Matter, he stated. What are these movements? They are targeting the wealthy. We are in the midst of a series of small revolutions to correct income inequality.

MSNBC host Mika Brzezinski issues a legal note after guest Scott Galloway calls Trump a rapist ( MSNBC )

Galloway continued: And the reason we put an insurrectionist and a rapist in office is because, for the first time in our nations history, a 30-year-old man or woman isnt doing as well as his or his or her parents were at 30. Why? Because the majority of households are having the oxygen sucked out of the room such that a small number of individuals and a small number of companies can be worth more than nation-states. Income inequality is out of control. Our tax policy has gone full oligarch.

Moments later, after wrapping up the interview with Galloway, Brzezinski stepped in to deliver a legal note to viewers.

I want to make a comment about a word that was used in this interview, she said. Donald Trump was tried civilly and was found libel of sexual abuse, not rape. But the judge in the case likened his actions to rape, but the liability was officially called sexual abuse.

The disclaimer from Brzezinski comes weeks after ABC News paid Trumps presidential library $15 million and his lawyers an additional million dollars to settle the incoming presidents defamation case against the network. The lawsuit centered on ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos repeatedly saying during a March interview with Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) that Trump had been found liable for rape by a jury.

Stephanopoulos was referring to the Carroll case in which a New York jury found Trump liable for defaming the writer and sexually abusing her. The jury, however, did not find that Trump had raped her under the stringent definitions of New York Penal law. The judge in that case, meanwhile, said that the distinction was merely semantic and that the jury found that Mr. Trump in fact did exactly that.

While ABC declared that Stephanopoulos comments were substantially true, the Florida judge overseeing Trumps defamation case rejected the networks arguments and motion to dismiss the case. ABC faced additional setbacks as the trial date approached, with the judge saying the states fair reporting privilege did not protect media where the omission of important context renders a report misleading. Additionally, ABC was subjected to pre-trial discovery where Stephanoulous would have to hand over emails and communications, and the judge ruled that Trump and the anchor would have to sit for depositions immediately.

First Amendment experts have warned that ABC and parent company Walt Disneys capitulation to Trump could have a chilling effect on the free press going forward, especially as other media companies seek to curry favor with the incoming administration and pull back on adversarial coverage of the president-elect  who has threatened retribution against the media and his political enemies. Many in free press circles are holding their breath, one expert told The Independent. There is concern that we are embarking on some scary times.

Meanwhile, the Morning Joe crew has also taken heat recently for seemingly bowing down to Trump after spending years warning that he represented a unique threat to democracy. Besides viewers and critics taking issue with Brzezinski and co-host/spouse Joe Scarborough trekking down to Mar-a-Lago for a sitdown with Trump, frequent guest David Frum suggested the pair was fearful of the president-elect after they apologized on-air for a flippant remark he made about Fox News.
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President-elect Donald Trump has asked the Supreme Court to pause proceedings in his New York criminal trial, including sentencing that is set to take place on Friday.

After two failed attempts to block sentencing from occurring, Trumps lawyers have simultaneously turned to the New York Court of Appeals -the highest court in the state - and the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. for help.

In an emergency application on Wednesday, Trumps lawyers said the court should intervene to prevent grave injustice and harm to the institution of the Presidency and the operations of the federal government.

open image in gallery President-elect Donald Trump asked the United States Supreme Court to intervene in his hush-money trial sentencing ( Getty Images )

Sentencing in the case, where the president-elect was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records in New York, is set to to happen just 10 days before the inauguration.

Much like previous requests, lawyers for the president-elect argue all criminal proceedings should be paused because Trump has immunity from criminal prosecution thanks to the Supreme Courts ruling in Trump v. United States in July.

The courts landmark decision determined that sitting presidents are entitled to immunity for official acts and so-called acts within the outer perimeter while in office. However, they did not define that.

Acting Justice Juan Merchan, the New York judge who presided over the hush money trial has already said that immunity does not apply to Trumps criminal case and refused to drop the case or pause sentencing.

Merchan said Trumps actions in his criminal case were personal.

In May, a jury of 12 New Yorkers found Trump guilty of falsifying business records. Prosecutors said Trump covered up hush money payments that he made to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election to buy her silence over an alleged affair.

Michael Cohen, Trumps former lawyer, paid Daniels and Trump reimbursed him over several months, marking the reimbursements as payments for legal fees.

open image in gallery Trump spent six weeks in Manhattan Criminal Court hearing testimony and evidence regarding hush-money payments that he made to Stormy Daniels ( via REUTERS )

After Merchan denied Trumps request to pause sentencing, the president-elects lawyers asked a New York state appellate court to intervene. After a brief hearing on Tuesday, an appellate court judge issued a one-page denial.

Now, in a desperate attempt to return to the White House free of any indictments or convictions, Trumps lawyers are turning to the Supreme Court  a body that has consistently awarded the president-elect with his requests.

Trumps lawyers are asking the court to decide if immunity extends to the president-elect, if he is entitled to paused proceedings while he appeals or if the evidence used in the case actually does fall under presidential immunity.

Sentencing in the case has been postponed multiple times. It was initially supposed to take place in July but was re-scheduled due to the Supreme Courts immunity ruling, the 2024 presidential election and Trumps win. Last week, Merchan issued a ruling determining sentencing would take place on Friday but said he would not sentence Trump to jail time.

Merchan and District Attorney Alvin Bragg have until Thursday at 10 a.m. to respond to Trumps application.
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President-elect Donald Trump is not someone who plays down expectations, whether about himself or the United States. And he raises the expectations of others accordingly. His re-entry onto the world stage after his victory in last years election prompted urgent shifts in international dynamics on the part of national leaders around the world, simply in anticipation. From midday on Monday, Mr Trumps power is real. With it comes promise  and peril.

Four years ago, the inauguration of Joe Biden as US president was greeted, especially in Europe, as heralding a welcome return to normality. By which was meant a re-emphasis on Atlanticism abroad, a respect for the constitution at home, and, above all, a steady, predictable hand on the global tiller. That is not quite how it turned out. From the chaotic end to the US-led intervention in Afghanistan to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the new hostilities in the Middle East, Bidens four years encompassed as much, if not more, destructive disruption as any recent US presidents term.

That needs to be borne in mind as Mr Trump enters the White House again. Stuff happens. But Mr Trump is different  and not just from his predecessor  in both the scope of his personal ambition and how he believes he can use American power, but also in the extent to which his personality dictates the terms and draws the limelight  for better and worse.

Early proof of the promise his presidency could bring were the joyous scenes that followed the agreement between Israel and Hamas; the celebrations on the streets of Tel Aviv, the festivities even amid the devastation of Gaza, and the rapturous reception, on both sides, for the released captives. The Biden and Trump teams may dispute where the credit lies for this lamentably overdue ceasefire, but Mr Trumps imminent inauguration and the pressure exerted by his envoy on the hitherto immovable Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu are surely part of the explanation.

It must be hoped that President Trump  we must become used to hearing that combination again  can follow through, not only to pre-empt any backsliding by either signatory to this agreement but to ensure that the next stages are honoured, bringing the release of all Hamas hostages, and the possibility of rebuilding in a peace that increasingly embraces the whole region. This will not be easy; Syria, Iran and maybe Turkey are, or could all be, in the throes of change.

Mr Trumps other foreign policy projects, as so far outlined, present at least as much peril as promise. He has undertaken to end the war in Ukraine, but he must do so without placing Ukraines future at still greater risk or appearing to acquiesce in the change of national borders by military force. Unpredictability and risk-taking here could have lethal consequences.

European members of Nato have been making some efforts to prepare for a time when they might have to take more responsibility for Europes security, but there is a long way still to go. Trump 1.0 raised concerns  in the end unwarranted  that the US could forsake Europe. There is less alarm over Trump 2.0 but no room for complacency, either.

Mr Trump has a keen sense of where power lies, abroad as at home. He has US relations with China in his sights as a priority  hence the invitation to President Xi Jinping to his inauguration. Mr Xi himself is not going but he is sending a deputy; the honour, in other words, was recognised, not spurned. Will Mr Trump suspend, or soften, the ban on the Chinese-owned social media app TikTok, if only as a gesture? Is that the right thing to do?

Will Mr Trump start a wider trade war with his threat to impose tariffs, or is the threat more by way of a signal from this arch-realist and disruptor that the rest of the world must strike new bargains to protect what he sees as the US national interest? Europe, in particular, must be as much on its guard as it was eight years ago, so as not to be wrong-footed by a US president whose exclusive concern, to a greater extent than many recent predecessors, is the security and prosperity of the United States. This is also how his striking talk about Canada, Greenland and the Panama Canal might be taken, as a 21st-century Monroe Doctrine, which sees the US in hemisphere, rather than global, terms.

There have been mixed signals about how far Mr Trumps British  in fact, Scottish  connection could translate into closer, or less close, relations with the UK. With gaps already evident over policy towards Ukraine and the Middle East, not to mention the Chagos Islands, this is already looking to be a delicate relationship, even as it has become more crucial for the UK after Brexit. If, however, as The Independent has reported, the new US administration could decide to reject Sir Keir Starmers nominee for ambassador, that could not but sour relations, while underlining the disparity in power. Lord Mandelson has his flaws but an ambassador with the ear of the prime minister and expertise in trade matters can be an asset for both sides.

President Trump is nothing if not his own man, and a respecter of power  his own and that of others. The UKs position vis-a-vis the United States under such a president would be stronger, the more it can make common cause with the EU and the European members of Nato. A strong and united voice in Washington from across the Atlantic would be one way, probably the best way, to make the most of Mr Trumps promise, while reducing the peril.
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Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau resigned as leader of the Liberal Party on Monday, after facing immense pressure to step down from members of his own party since his deputy prime minister resigned over concerns about Donald Trumps tariffs.

Facing low approval ratings in part due to the cost of living crisis, signs were mounting that Canadians had lost faith in the Liberal Party, which Trudeau has led as prime minister since 2015.

But internal confidence plummeted in mid-December, when Chrystia Freeland, the deputy prime minister and head of finance, unexpectedly resigned citing disagreements over the handling of Trumps proposed 25 percent tariffs on the country  an issue that could damage the economy.

open image in gallery Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau finally bowed to pressure from members of his own party ( AFP via Getty Images )

In the following weeks, dozens of Liberal MPs called on Trudeau to step down. In December, a majority of Liberal MPs in the province of Ontario agreed, on a call, that Trudeau should step down, according to CBC.

Weve reached a breaking point, said one Liberal who attended the meeting, and was granted anonymity to speak freely, according to Politico. Theres a critical mass now that has been reached and that was not in place before.

Ontario is the countrys most populous province, and support from the Liberals there put Trudeaus confidence on life-support.

Then, on Friday, George Chahal, a Liberal MP for Calgary Skyview, penned a letter to the liberal caucus urging them to support others in calling for Trudeau to step down and appoint an interim leader.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau no longer has the support of caucus and to maintain some dignity he should immediately tender his resignation, Chahal wrote.

The developments arrived amid resignation calls from the Liberal Partys Atlantic caucus, Conservatives and the New Democratic Party.

open image in gallery Trudeau announced his intent to resign in a televized statement ( AP )

Trudeau was all but physically backed into a corner as the opposition parties, Conservatives, the New Democratic Party and Bloc Quebecois, signaled they would move for a non-confidence vote in January when Parliament was slated to return, claiming the Liberal government does not have the confidence of Parliament.

That non-confidence vote could have triggered early federal election country which Liberals were widely expected to not survive.

But upon returning from a ski vacation with his family on Monday, Trudeau announced he was stepping down  answering Liberals calls.

It has become clear to me that if Im having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option, Trudeau said.

The Liberal Party will now begin its process of selecting a new leader. Trudeau said he asked Parliament to be suspended until March. Opposition parties are still expected to hold a confidence vote which could move the federal elections up from October.
Since foxes and cats ravaged the landscape, these ferocious "miniature weapons" are seldom seen during the day.

A photograph of a rarely seen cat-sized Aussie predator has got experts who study the elusive creature excited. Although its hard to spot among the high native grasses, the animal has been identified as an endangered spotted-tail quoll.

Ecologist Paul Revie from Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland told Yahoo News the species is seldom seen in the wild because its quite cryptic and numbers have plummeted due to human impacts. Theres probably 5,000 or 6,000 in total across the whole of eastern Australia, so its very thin on the ground. Numbers are massively down on what they originally at, he said.

People usually only photograph quolls after theyve become trapped in a pen after attacking chickens. Because theyre so unknown as a species, he fears this  beautiful and ferocious animal could disappear without too much fanfare.

Whats most remarkable about the photo is that it shows a nocturnal quoll during the day  a sight thats extremely uncommon. Seeing one like that out in the open, out in the light, it's like a reflection on what Australia would have been like 200 years ago, Revie added.

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Related:  Man's encounter with rare quoll: 'Most beautiful creature I've ever photographed'

Spotted-tail quoll numbers have dramatically declined since European settlement. Source: Getty

Predator that once dominated landscape face new threat

Before Europeans released invasive species into the landscape, quolls were one of ancient Australia's most dominant apex predators. Revie describes them as a miniature weapon, noting that although they only weigh between 2 and 6kg, individuals have been known to take down a 16kg wallaby.

When Europeans first tried to release rabbits onto the continent, they were unsuccessful because the quolls simply predated them all. It wasn't until they started poisoning and shooting all the quolls that rabbits were able to establish, Revie said.

Once foxes and cats began to dominate the continent, quolls retreated and became less common during the day. Theyve had to change their behaviour and theyre just not around in the same numbers, Revie said.

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Foxes also brought with them a deadly parasite that triggers a disease called mange, which is now also frequently found in wombats. It causes infection, hair loss, blindness, inhibits mobility and eventually results in death.

Today, seeing quolls wandering during the day can be a sign theyre infected and cant see that the sun is shining. But Revie is hopeful the individual in the photo is actually healthy and thriving despite the mounting pressures it faces.

Researchers use photographs to help map quoll strongholds

The photo was collected as part of the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queenslands Quoll Seekers Network. The program collects hard evidence of quoll sightings to help map where they live.

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The quoll was documented near the NSW town of Tenterfield, which is near the border of Queensland. The wider region has been a well-known stronghold for the creatures, where theyve withstood attacks from invasive predators and the destruction of habitat by humans.

But now new threats are putting more pressure on the animals. Not only is mange an emerging problem, but cane toads are also expanding their range due to climate change. Sadly the invasive amphibians are the perfect meal size for quolls, but they have poisonous glands that cause sickness and death.

Little quolls are quite silly and naive and will have a go at anything they can get their mouths on, so cane toads are an easy target for them. That's why over the last 30 or 40 years weve seen quolls disappear from a lot of the lowlands in South East Queensland and northern New South Wales, Revie said.

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A hiker survived who was lost in Australian mountains for two weeks survided on two muesli bars, foraged berries and creek water.

Hadi Nazari, a 23-year-old medical student from Melbourne, went missing on Christmas Eve when he separated from two hiking companions to take photos in the Kosciuszko National Park in the Snowy Mountains in New South Wales state.

He was rescued after he approached a group of hikers on Wednesday afternoon, telling them he was lost and thirsty, Police Insp. Josh Broadfoot said. Nazari had traveled more than 10 kilometers (6 miles) across steep and densely wooded terrain from where he was last seen.

A major land and air search had been launched the day Nazari went missing. More than 300 searchers were involved.

He was reunited with his two hiking friends on Wednesday before he was flown to a hospital for a medical assessment, Broadfoot said.

Nazari told police had had been walking from morning until night," Broadfoot said.

He seems well: Amazing, Broadfoot told reporters.

This is the 14th day weve been looking for him. For him to come out and be in such good spirits and in such great condition, its incredible, he added.

There are some creeks up there and he said hes been finding water where he could and foraging for food where he could, in terms of berries. At one point, he said he found a couple of muesli bars in a hut, but other than that  14 days and thats very little food, Broadfoot said.

Nazari only needed treatment for dehydration.

The national park surrounds Mount Kosciuszko, which is Australias highest peak. But Australia is a relatively flat continent and the mountain is only 2,228 meters (7,310 feet) above sea level.

Weather conditions are mild during the current Southern Hemisphere summer.

Searchers had been optimistic that Nazari would be found alive. He was an experienced hiker equipped with a tent. Searchers had found his campfire, camera and hiking poles in recent days, suggesting that he was continuing to walk.
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An Italian journalist detained in Iran has been freed and is heading back to Italy, prime minister Giorgia Meloni has announced.

A plane carrying Cecilia Sala, 29, took off from Tehran after intensive work on diplomatic and intelligence channels, a statement said.

Ms Sala, a reporter for Il Foglio, was detained in Tehran three days after she arrived on a journalist visa on 19 December 2024.

She was arrested three days after Iranian businessman Mohammad Abedini was arrested in Milan on a US warrant for related to the alleged supply of drone parts for an attack that killed US personnel in Jordan.

I want to express my gratitude to everyone who helped make Cecilias return possible, Ms Meloni said on X, formerly Twitter.

open image in gallery President-elect Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni meet at Mar-a-Lago on Saturday evening. Italian media suggested Mr Trump gave the go ahead for Ms Salas release ( EPA )

The Italian outlet Chora Media, where Ms Sala also works, said that she had left Rome on with a valid journalistic visa and the protections of a journalist on assignment.

She conducted several interviews and produced three episodes of the Stories podcast for Chora News, the media outlet said in late December.

The Italian prime minister is expected to greet Ms Sala in person when she lands in Rome later on Wednesday.

An Italian newspaper reported that incoming US president Donald Trump had blessed a deal to secure Ms Salas release, so long as it happened before his 20 January inauguration. Melonis office did not comment on the report.

It came after Mr Meloni made a surprise trip to Florida last weekend to meet with Mr Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate.

Ms Sala's fate became intertwined with that of Mr Abedini as each country's foreign ministries summoned the other's ambassador to demand the prisoners' release and decent detention conditions. The diplomatic tangle was particularly complicated for Italy, which is a historic ally of Washington but maintains traditionally good relations with Tehran.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Sunday that Mr Abedinis detention amounted to hostage-taking. On Monday, Iran then denied there was a link between the two cases, claiming that Ms Sala had been arrested for violating the law of the Islamic republic during her reporting trip.

open image in gallery Cecilia Salas mother after meeting with Giorgia Meloni earlier this month to plead for her daughters release ( LaPresse )

Members of Ms Meloni's cabinet took personal interest in the case given the geopolitical implications. Foreign Minister Antonio Tanaji and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto hailed the diplomatic teamwork involved to secure Mr Sala's release, which amounted to a significant victory for the Italian prime minister.

In recent years, Irans security forces have arrested dozens of foreigners and dual nationals, mostly on charges related to espionage and security.

Rights groups have accused Iran of trying to extract concessions from other countries through such arrests. Iran denies this.

Since the 1979 US Embassy crisis, which saw dozens of hostages released after 444 days in captivity, Iran has used prisoners with Western ties as bargaining chips in negotiations with the world.

In September 2023, five Americans detained for years in Iran were freed in exchange for five Iranians in US custody and for $6 billion (4.8bn) in frozen Iranian assets to be released by South Korea.

Western journalists have been held in the past as well. Roxana Saberi, an American journalist, was detained by Iran in 2009 for some 100 days before being released.

Also detained by Iran was Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian, who was held for over 540 days before being released in 2016 in a prisoner swap between Iran and the US.

Both cases involved Iran making false espionage accusations in closed-door hearings.

Associated Press contributed to this report
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The family of missing Belfast man John Hardy, also known as John George, say his body has been found in Spain.

The 37-year-old had been holidaying in Alicante and was last in touch with his family on December 14.

The father of two was reported missing four days later after he failed to board his flight home to Northern Ireland.

Solicitor firm KRW Law said Mr Georges father Billy contacted them on Tuesday evening with an update that Spanish police believed they had found his sons remains, and that a murder investigation had been launched.

open image in gallery His family reported him missing after he failed to board his flight home ( Family Handout )

We can confirm the father of Mr George contacted us today shortly after 5pm to confirm Spanish police told him they had recovered his sons remains, the statement said.

Mr Billy George was told that his sons body was now in a morgue awaiting formal identification.

The family are both distressed but also relieved at this latest news. It brings to an end an extremely tortuous search process for the body.

Speaking to The Independent in December, his brother Darren said: Our family home has been ripped to pieces. Dad has had a heart attack, our mum has had two strokes, but they are still running around Spain looking out for him.

Through tears, he added: John was my best friend. He looked after me my whole life I never had to worry for anything.

open image in gallery Siblings Darren, Courtney and Caitlyn had travelled out to find John George (right) ( Family Handout/PA Wire )

He is my go-to person. Whether I was sick or having a bad day he was always coming to the rescue. He made you feel safe.

He was a character, he would call us every day and Christmas time is his favourite time. He should be coming through that door to see his kids and get everyones spirits up.

There is no way he would be away from his kids. He did everything in his power to give them a good life.

Mr Georges family and friends had travelled to Spain to help search efforts and made public pleas for information.

Parents Billy and Sharon, brother Darren, and sisters Courtney and Caitlin  along with up to 50 friends and wider family from Northern Ireland  were involved in the wide-scale search operation.

The statement said a murder investigation had been launched and appealed for privacy for Mr Georges family.

It said: The family want to thank all who have helped and supported them over the last number of days.

They now respectfully ask for some privacy to allow them both time and space to engage on the next harrowing stages on what is now a formalised murder investigation.

Police in Northern Ireland have been aiding their Spanish counterparts with their investigation and had issued appeals for information since Mr George was reported missing.
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Israeli strikes across Gaza killed at least 22 people, according to Palestinian medics, as the US ramps up efforts to reach a ceasefire toe nd the conflict before Joe Biden leaves othe White House.

An airstrike killed at least 10 people in a multi-storey house in Sheikh Radwan, Gaza City, on Wednesday, while another killed five in the nearby Zeitoun suburb, medics said.

In Deir al-Balah city in central Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are sheltering, an Israeli airstrike killed three other people, they added.

Meanwhile, another airstrike killed four people in Jabalia in northern Gaza, where the army has been operating for more than three weeks.

open image in gallery Three children look on from a damaged building after an Israeli airstrike on the Bureij camp for Palestinian refugees in the central Gaza Strip ( AFP via Getty Images )

As Israel continued its bombardments, the United States, Qatar and Egypt were making intensive efforts to reach a ceasefire deal, with one source close to the talks saying this was the most serious attempt to reach a deal so far.

Mr Bidens outgoing administration has called for a final push for a truce, and many in the region view president-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on 20 January as an unofficial deadline.

Things are better than ever before, but there is no deal yet, the source told Reuters. But with the clock ticking, both sides accuse the other of blocking a deal by adhering to conditions that have torpedoed all previous peace efforts for more than a year.

Israel launched its assault on Gaza after Hamas attacked southern Israel on 7 October, 2023, killing 1,200 people and capturing more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Nearly 46,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeals retaliatory offensive.

On Tuesday, Hamas stood by its demand that it will only free its remaining hostages if Israel agrees to end the war and withdraw all its troops from Gaza.

open image in gallery A girl rests on a sofa as she looks out at damaged caused by Israeli airstrikes on Gaza ( AFP via Getty Images )

On Tuesday, Israeli military strikes killed at least 24 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip, medics said, with two airstrikes hitting tent encampments in Mawasi, to the west of the southern city of Khan Younis, killing 18 people.

The dead included several women and children. There was no comment by the Israeli military on those incidents.

Most of the Gazas 2.2 million people have been displaced multiple times and face acute shortages of food and medicine, humanitarian agencies say.

On Wednesday, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said heavy rains and flooding had left families living in damaged tents with up to 30 cm of water in them, clinging on to survival without even the most basic necessities, such as blankets.
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The bodies of two Israeli hostages have been recovered by troops in Gaza, Israels defence minister has said.

Israel Katz said the bodies of Yosef Al Zaydani and his son Hamzah were recovered in an operation, without disclosing further details.

The men were taken captive during Hamass attack on 7 October 2023.

The return of the two bodies comes as Israel and Hamas are considering a ceasefire deal that would free the remaining 100 or so hostages and halt the fighting in the besieged enclave.

Israel believes a third of the remaining hostages are dead, while a number have been previously freed through negotiated deals. However, Yosef and Hamzah Al Zaydani were believed to still be alive and their bodies return could ramp up the pressure on Israel to move ahead on a deal.

open image in gallery Israeli forces discovered the bodies during an operation in Gaza ( AP )

The news came as fresh Israeli airstrikes killed at least five people in the Gaza Strip, including two infants and a woman, Palestinian medics said.

One strike hit a home in the central city of Deir al-Balah, killing two men and a woman, according to Shuhada al-Aqsa Hospital, which received the casualties.

The hospital said it also received a four-month-old boy who was killed in a strike on his family house in the nearby built-up Bureij refugee camp.

In Gaza City, an airstrike hit a home in the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood, killing a three-week-old baby, according to the Health Ministrys emergency service.

Israels military says it only targets militants, who they say are hiding among civilians.

Several rounds of talks mediated by the US, Egypt and Qatar have failed to produce a lasting ceasefire, despite the parties expressing repeated optimism about procuring a deal.

The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on October 7 2023, killing some 1,200 people and abducting around 250.

Israels air and ground offensive has killed more than 45,800 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

It does not say how many were fighters but says women and children make up over half the fatalities.

The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence.

More follows...
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Facebook and Instagram have quietly loosened their public rules on hate speech against transgender people, women, and immigrants as executives seek to curry favor with Donald Trump.

In an update to its hate speech policy on Tuesday, spotted first by The Independent, the apps' parent company Meta deleted numerous clauses banning specific derogatory statements about protected groups, while adding detailed exceptions for anti-trans speech.

Gone is the clause saying you cannot compare women to "household objects or property." Also removed is a prohibition on claiming that there is "no such thing" as a trans or gay person.

Previously you could not say that a protected group spreads or is responsible for Covid-19, but the new changes removed that line, which seems to allow for anti-Chinese rhetoric.

Added in to the policy are new clauses apparently designed to explicitly allow common anti-trans arguments, such as advocating for trans people to be banned from public bathrooms, school sports, or certain jobs.

"We do allow allegations of mental illness or abnormality when based on gender or sexual orientation," reads one exception. The same section previously said that users couldnt call protected groups freaks or abnormal.

Meta also replaced language banning generalizations about a protected groups inferiority on the basis of intellectual capacity. Now the new language merely bans unsupported comparisons between protected groups on the basis of their inherent intellectual capacity  seemingly opening the door to scientific racism.

The new policy is among a raft Republican-friendly reforms announced by Mark Zuckerberg on Tuesday, alongside abolishing Meta's fact-checking program and moving its content moderation team from California to Texas. Meta also announced Monday that Ultimate Fighting Championship president and Trump ally Dana White will join its board of directors.

open image in gallery A screenshot from Metas policy change log, showing adjustments as of Tuesday Jan 7, 2024. Green highlights are additions, red strikethroughs are deletions. Note that Black people as farm equipment has been added back in to a different bullet point, not seen in this screenshot. ( Meta / Io Dodds )

The document updated on Tuesday  Meta shows a log of the changes made to the policy  is only a public-facing summary of the actual rules enforced by the companys content moderators, which are far more detailed and usually kept secret from users.

Therefore, just because a reference to certain conduct is deleted from the public document, that doesnt necessarily mean the conduct is now permitted. Likewise, Meta adding a new exception does not necessarily mean the exception didn't exist before. The Independent has asked Meta for comment on the edited policy.

Metas public rules define the wiggle room that the company gives itself to make whatever decision it pleases behind the scenes  and when it comes to advocating against minority rights, Tuesday's changes have widened the barometers of what was previously allowed.

"People sometimes use sex- or gender-exclusive language when discussing access to spaces often limited by sex or gender, such as access to bathrooms, specific schools, specific military, law enforcement, or teaching roles, and health or support groups," the new rules say.

"Our policies are designed to allow room for these types of speech."

open image in gallery A screenshot from Metas policy change log, showing adjustments as of Tuesday Jan 7, 2024. Green highlights are additions, red strikethroughs are deletions. ( Meta / Io Dodds )

The new public policy removes language that bans comparing protected groups to "feces", "filth", or "primitives", and weakens a prohibition on calling people "criminals" to say "violent criminals" or "serious criminals."

It also slims down the clauses against insulting protected groups based on their appearance and alleged sexual promiscuity, and removes language banning open admissions of intolerance (such as "I despise x group" or "I don't respect x group").
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The head of X has called Metas decision to scrap fact checkers and scale back content moderation in favour of X-style Community Notes really exciting.

Linda Yaccarino told Mark Zuckerberg welcome to the party while speaking during an appearance at the CES technology show in Las Vegas on Tuesday.

Her comments came hours after Meta made the surprise announcement that it was to move away from using third-party fact checkers to flag misleading content in favour of user-based notes, claiming the system amounted to censorship and was riddled with bias.

In a short video from Mr Zuckerberg and supporting blog post from the company, the social media giant said it would also scale back its automated content moderation systems to allow for more free speech on its sites, despite Mr Zuckerberg admitting it would mean the company would catch less bad stuff.

The decision has been widely criticised by commentators and online safety campaigners, who warned it would allow misinformation to more easily flow on Meta platforms and leave users more at risk from harmful content.

But speaking during during an on-stage Q&A at CES, Ms Yaccarino said: I think its really exciting that when you think about Community Notes being good for the world.

Think about it as this global collective consciousness, keeping each other accountable at global scale in real time. And it couldnt be more validating than to see that Mark and Meta realised that.

When you think about Community Notes, Mark and Meta realised that its the most effective, fastest fact-checking, without bias also it inspires great behaviour. Human behaviour is inspired because when a post is noted, its dramatically shared less, so thats the power of Community Notes.

She added: We say: Mark, Meta, welcome to the party.

Despite her championing of the community notes system, studies have shown Xs system has failed to counter false and misleading claims  including about the US presidential election in November last year.

A study from the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) from October found that 74% of posts with accurate Community Notes were not being shown to users, while hundreds of misleading posts in the studys sample which did not display available Community Notes had amassed more than two billion views.

Responding to Metas announcement on Tuesday, CCDH chief executive Imran Ahmed said: By abandoning its fact-checking programme in favour of a discredited community notes system, Meta is turbocharging the spread of unchallenged online lies, worsening the spread of hate, and creating more risks to our communities, democracy, public health, and the safety of our kids.

Meta is now saying its up to you to spot the lies on its platforms, and that its not their problem if you cant tell the difference, even if those lies, hate, or scams end up hurting you.

Rather than stepping up to the challenge of responsible platform governance, Meta is retreating from accountability.

This is huge step back for online safety, transparency, and accountability, and it could have terrible offline consequences in the form of real-world harm.
The eye-watering cost of a single dish has left a 'bad taste' in a diner's mouth, but the restaurant has defended the price.

An Aussie diner was left with a "bad taste" in her mouth after visiting a popular Chinese restaurant where a dish she ordered ended up costing a whopping $615  sparking a debate about price transparency.

Reanne Ho issued a warning after eating at Canton Lane Chinese Restaurant in Perth on January 3, claiming staff didn't clearly inform her of the eye-watering price tag of the lobster noodle dish she ordered before serving it. The lobster was charged by weight, rather than a set price, but she claims it was only when she got the bill that the huge price tag was revealed.

"I wanted to warn others because I believe no one should have to go through something like this, especially when it comes to transparency and pricing," she told Yahoo News Australia. "$600 for one dish does seem very unusual to me, especially without being clearly informed about the price and weight beforehand."

However, after sharing details of her dining experience online, staff at Canton Lane issued a statement denying they deceived Reanne and defended their pricing, but admitted 'there is a negligence on our part'.

Diner 'wasn't informed' of $600 price tag

Reanne, who visited the restaurant in a large group, claims for this kind of dish, it's "standard" to have the restaurant show the table the seafood before it's cooked. However, she claims in this instance, this didn't happen.

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"This is especially important when it comes to expensive items like lobster or fish," she said.

The business lists its lobster at "market price" on its menus. When the bill came, Reanne said it was a "real shock", and questioned staff it could be a mistake. "They assured me it was correct," she said.

Canton Lane has defended the price of its lobster dish. Source: Canton Lane

Reanne said while the table paid the bill totalling $944.30, the next day she "couldn't shake the feeling that something was off" so phoned the restaurant to clarify. She said it was explained to her over the phone that the large lobster was 4.5 pounds, around 2kg, and was priced at $120 per pound, with five portions of noodles added making the dish $615.

"When we ordered, the waiter did not clearly inform us of the lobsters weight and price, nor did they mention it was a 'jumbo lobster'," she said.

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A social media post about the ordeal sparked hundreds of responses debating the issue.

"It's not standard practice to weigh and present seafood," one said. "Ask if unsure and dont assume," another responded.

"What an expensive price," said another more sympathetic local.

Restaurant responds to diner's claims

Canton Lane, based in the suburb of Belmont, responded on their own social media page defending the incident and even shared CCTV evidence of the lobster being taken from the live seafood tank before being prepared.

"Yes, there is negligence on our part where the price and weight were not informed to the customer. However, there is definitely no deceiving involved," the small business said.

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"When it comes to the pricing, customers need to understand that there is a difference between buying seafood yourself outside and having live seafood in the restaurant. There are other costs involved other than just the live seafood itself. "

The restaurant added that at this time of year, prices of lobster "soar up real quick", adding the announcement of live lobster export to China meant that the prices soared "real quick".

"This is something that also needs to be taken into consideration," they said.

"We have been running this restaurant for 8 years and have been running it smoothly. We do not need to deceive anyone in any way in order to sustain our business."

Canton Lane released CCTV footage of the woman's lobster being prepared. Source: Canton Lane

Lobster exports to China resumed in 'major win'

Last week, the same week Reanne ordered the dish, it was announced that a four-year ban on exporting live Western rock lobsters to China was finally lifted.

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In 2020, the Chinese government imposed restrictions on the importation of Australian goods including lobster, wine, beef and barley.

Live rock lobsters were the last item to have the trade barrier lifted with the Australian government calling the move a "major win" for the hard-hit industry.

Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell called the move a "fantastic outcome for the Australian lobster industry and for Chinese consumers who will be able to enjoy delicious Australian live rock lobster in time for Lunar New Year celebrations.

"It is in Australias national interest to have a constructive relationship with our largest trading partner and to have Australias top exports purchased by Chinas consumers," he said. "The Government will continue to support Australian businesses sell their world-class products on the global stage."

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
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At least three people were killed after a small seaplane crashed during take-off from an Australian tourist island.

The Cessna 208 Caravan plane crashed on Tuesday while leaving Rottnest Island, which is famous for its friendly marsupials called quokkas.

The victims were identified as the 34-year-old pilot, a 65-year-old woman from Switzerland and a 60-year-old man from Denmark.

Three passengers were taken to hospital with wounds while one of the seven people onboard escaped unharmed.

The plane, owned by Swan River Seaplanes, was returning to its base in Perth, 30km east of the island, Western Australia premier Roger Cook said.

Mr Cook confirmed the deaths on Wednesday as search teams fished wreckage of the plane from the sea. The survivors included an Australian couple, a 63-year-old man and 65-year-old woman.

open image in gallery A seaplane crashed while leaving a tourist island in Australia ( AP )

Police divers recovered the bodies on Tuesday night from a depth of 8m, authorities said.

Mr Cook said the cause of the crash was not immediately known but there were unconfirmed reports that the plane had struck a rock at the entrance of a bay on the west side of the island.

"Every Western Australian knows that Rottnest is our premier tourism destination," Mr Cook said. "For something so tragic to happen in front of so many people, at a place that provides so much joy, especially at this time of the year, is deeply upsetting."

Rottnest Island is renowned for its sandy beaches and quokkas, which are rare on the Australian mainland. The island's tourist accommodation is fully booked during the Southern Hemisphere summer months.

open image in gallery A fuselage in water off Rottnest Island ( AP )

Police said they received several calls from the public at around 4pm local time on Tuesday alerting them to the plane crash, which prompted a multi-agency response.

"Importantly, members of the public were already present, immediately jumped to save lives," police commissioner Col Blanch said.

Greg Quin, a tourist vacationing on Rottnest, said he saw the plane crash. "We were watching the seaplane take off and just as it was beginning to get off the water, it just tipped over and it crashed," he told Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio in Perth.

"A lot of people in the water on their boats rushed to the scene and I think got there really, really quickly.

Australian Transport Safety Bureau, the aviation crash investigator, said specialist investigators were being sent to the scene.

"As reported to the ATSB, during take-off the floatplane collided with the water, before coming to rest partially submerged," the bureau's chief commissioner, Angus Mitchell, said in a statement.

Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese described the crash as "terrible news". "The pictures would have been seen by all Australians as they woke up this morning," he said. "My heart goes out to all those involved.
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When he was still a boy making long, tedious trips between his school and his woodsy home in the mountains during the 1980s, JoeBen Bevirt began fantasizing about flying cars.

As CEO of Joby Aviation, Bevirt is getting closer to turning his boyhood flights of fancy into a dream come true as he and latter-day versions of the Wright Brothers launch a new class of electric-powered aircraft vying to become taxis in the sky.

China is also vying to make flying cars a reality, a quest that has piqued President-elect Donald Trumps interest in making the vehicles a priority for his incoming administration during the next four years.

The aircraft  known as "electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle, or eVTOL  lift off the ground like a helicopter before flying at speeds up to 200 miles per hour (322 kilometers per hour) with a range of about 100 miles (161 kilometers). And these craft do it without filling the air with excessive noise caused by fuel-powered helicopters and small airplanes.

We are just a few steps from the finish line. We want to turn what are now one- and two-hour trips into five-minute trips, Bevirt, 51, said before a Joby air taxi took off on a test flight in Marina, California  located about 40 miles south from where he grew up in the mountains.

Archer Aviation, a Silicon Valley a Silicon Valley company backed by automaker Stellantis and United Airlines, has been testing its own eTVOLs over farmland in Salinas, California, where a prototype called Midnight could be seen gliding above a tractor plowing fields last November.

open image in gallery An electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft built by Archer Aviation is parked at an airfield in Salinas,

The tests are part of the journey that Joby Aviation and other ambitious companies that collectively have raised billions of dollars are taking to turn flying cars into more than just pie-in-the-sky concepts popularized in 1960s-era cartoon series, The Jetsons, and the 1982 science fiction film, Blade Runner.

Archer Aviation and nearby Wisk Aero, with ties to aerospace giant Boeing Co. and Google co-founder Larry Page, are also at the forefront in the race to bring air taxis to market in the United States. Joby has already former a partnership to connect its air taxis with Delta Air Lines flights while Archer Aviation has a similar alliance with United Airlines.

Flying taxis have made enough regulatory inroads with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to result in the recent creation of a new aircraft category called powered lift, a step that the agency hadn't taken since helicopters were introduced for civilian use in the 1940s.

But there are more regulatory hurdles to be cleared before air taxis will be allowed to carry passengers in the U.S., making Dubai the most likely place where eVTOLs will take commercial flight  perhaps by the end of this year.

Its a tricky business to develop a whole new class of vehicles, said Adam Lim, director of Alton Aviation Consultancy, a firm tracking the industry's evolution. It is going to be like a crawl, walk, run situation. Right now, I think we are still crawling. We are not going to have the Jetsons-type reality where everyone will be flying around everywhere in the next two to three years.

If the ambitions of eVTOL pioneers are realized in the U.S., people will be able to hop in an air taxi to get to and from airports serving New York and Los Angeles within the next few years.

open image in gallery An electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft built by Joby Aviation is parked at an airfield in Marina ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Because its electric taxis can fly unimpeded at high speeds, Joby envisions transporting up to four Delta Air Lines passengers at a time from New York area airports to Manhattan in about 10 minutes or less. To start, air taxi prices almost certainly will be significantly more that the cost of taking a cab or Uber ride from JFK airport to Manhattan, but the difference could narrow over time because eVTOLs should be able to transport a higher volume of passengers than ground vehicles stuck in traffic going each way.

You will see highways in the sky, Archer Aviation CEO Adam Goldstein predicted during an interview at the company's San Jose, California, headquarters. There will be hundreds, maybe thousands of these aircraft flying in these individual cities and it will truly change the way cities are being built.

Investors are betting Goldstein is right, helping Archer raise an additional $430 million late last year from a group that included Stellantis and United Airlines. The infusion came shortly after a Japanese automaker poured another $500 million into Joby to bring its total investment in that company to nearly $900 million.

Those investments were part of the $13 billion that eTVOL companies have raised during the past five years, according to Alton Aviation.

open image in gallery JoeBen Bevirt, CEO of Joby Aviation, stands next to an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, also known as an eVTOL, in Marina, Cali ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Both Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation went public in 2021 through reverse mergers, opening up another fundraising avenue and making it easier to recruit engineers with the allure of stock options. Both companies have been able to attract workers away from electric automaker Tesla and rocket maker SpaceX and, in Archer's instance, raiding the ranks of Wisk Aero.

The Wisk defections triggered a lawsuit accusing Archer of intellectual property theft in a dispute that was resolved with a 2023 settlement that included an agreement for the two sides to collaborate on some facets of eTVOL technology.

Before going public, Joby also acquired eTVOL technology developed by ride-sharing service Uber in an $83 million deal that also brought those two companies together as partners.

But none of the deals or technological advances have stopped the losses from piling up at the companies building flying cars. Joby, whose roots date back to 2009 when Bevirt founded the company, has sustained $1.6 billion in losses since its inception while Archer has amassed nearly $1.5 billion in losses since its founding in 2018.

While they moved to commercial air taxi services, both Joby and Archer are trying to bring in revenue by negotiating contracts to use their eTVOLs in the U.S. military for deliveries and other short-range missions. Archer has forged a partnership with Anduril Industries, a military defense technology specialist founded by Oculus headset inventor Palmer Luckey, to help it win deals.

The uncertain prospects have left both companies with relatively low market values by tech industry standards, with Joby's hovering around $7 billion and Archer's $6 billion.

But Bevirt sees blue skies ahead. eVTOLs are going to transform the way we move, he said. Its a dramatically better way to get around. Seeing the world from the air is better than being stuck in the traffic on the interstate.
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Authorities in Los Angeles are continuing to tackle the wildfires that have spread across California, which has now burned over 40,000 acres in the region.

The National Weather Service (NWS) said Wednesday that wind speeds in southern California are dwindling, though sudden gusts and dry conditions could still help ignite new fires.

However, the NWS added that the winds will be slow to weaken and as conditions change, the potential for rapid fire growth and localized downed trees and power outages will still remain.

More than 90,000 residents have been urged by officials to stay alert and follow any evacuation warnings and orders, while at least 25 people have been killed amid the devastating blaze.

Power outages have been experienced by many over the past week, while thousands of others have seen their homes or businesses burn down, including in the Pacific Palisades, known for being the home of several A-listers.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has described the Los Angeles wildfires as the worst disaster in US history, while fire personnel continue to try and fend off the blaze, deploying more water trucks to help.

Pacific Palisades is a residential community and attracts very few tourists, however, the area it sits in, Los Angeles County, is popular with visitors who are heading to the sandy shores of Venice Beach, exploring Hollywood as well as touring studios and museums among many other attractions.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) sits relatively close to the Palisades fires, but so far minimal travel disruption has occurred.

Several airlines have offered temporary fee waivers to travellers who had upcoming travel plans to the area, while local train transportation is offering free or discounted fares while the conditions continue.

Meanwhile, several roads including parts of the Pacific Coast Highway have been closed as of early Wednesday morning.

Has the fire impacted flights at LAX?

LAX is roughly around 18-19 miles south of Pacific Palisades, but the majority of arrivals and departures have continued as normal amid the wildfires.

As of Thursday morning, the majority of flights scheduled to arrive have done so on time over the past few days, with the exception of a couple of flights that had been delayed and a handful of cancellations, data from FlightRadar24 shows.

On Wednesday, departures were also operating as normal yet some flights were running ever so slightly delayed, especially in the late morning and late evening.

LAX is open and operating normally. Passengers should check their flight status directly with their airline, the airport has said on its website.

Has the fire impacted other travel?

Large roads such as the Pacific Coast Highway have been out of action in various places for several days since the wildfires started.

Caltrans, Californias Department of Transportation, has announced several road closures due to the wildfires throughout the region.

Closures as of 6.45am Wednesday local time:

I-405 at Getty Center Drive, access to northbound Sepulveda Boulevard is restricted.

I-405 southbound Skirball Center Drive off-ramp closed.

I-405 southbound Valley Vista Boulevard off ramp closed

The Pacific Coast Highway (State Route 1) is closed southbound at Sweetwater Canyon Drive and northbound at McClure Tunnel.

I-10 closed westbound at Lincoln Boulevard and the westbound 4th and 5th Street on-ramps closed.

Topanga Canyon Boulevard (State Route 27) is fully closed between Pacific Coast Highway and Mulholland Drive.

San Gabriel Canyon Road (State Route 39) is closed as a preventative measure north of Azusa, only residents are allowed to enter.

Authorities have warned that due to power outages, some traffic lights may be malfunctioning.

When traffic signals are dark or blinking red, treat them as a stop sign. Due to heavy winds and power outages, some highway and on and off-ramp locations may have signals that are temporarily out. Slow down if power is out in your area, Caltrans said.

Be prepared to take alternative routes to avoid road closures and come to a complete stop when lights are flashing red or malfunctioning during the Palisades Fire, the City of Malibu added.

The Metro Los Angeles said that all rail lines are currently running regular service, but there are a few service impacts on some bus routes due to the wildfires. The LA County Supervisor has authorised free fares systemwide on the metro for as long as the conditions last.

Amtraks Pacific Surfliner is offering $10 fares for travel anywhere between San Diego and San Luis Obispo until 24 January.

What attractions have reopened and what remains closed?

After two days of closure, Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk announced that they reopened on 10 January and have resumed regular operating hours.

We extend our heartfelt sympathies to those impacted by the recent and ongoing fires, as well as our deepest appreciation to the first responders for their valiant and ongoing efforts during this difficult time, the park said in an update to guests.

The Getty Center and The Getty Villa had a preliminary date to reopen early this week, but in an update, it said that the Center will be closed through 20 January, and the Villa will be closed until further notice.

Fire reached the grounds of The Getty Villa Museum, located in the Palisades, on Tuesday and burned some vegetation, but officials have said that the structure and its collections have remained safe.

The Griffith Observatory announced they would reopen at 12pm on 16 January and Griffith Park at 8am the same day. The Norton Simon Museum will reopen on 16 January, with free admission through 20 January.

The USC Pacific Asia Museum remains closed, the Hammer Museum will reopen on 18 January and The Huntington reopened on 15 January.

The Angeles National Forest has extended its closure for public safety and the protection of natural resources through 19 January.

LA Parks have strongly advised Angelenos to avoid hiking trails, hillsides and forested areas of parks during high wind and particularly dangerous red flag warnings.

The Will Rogers State Historic Park and the Topanga State Park remain closed until further notice.

Government travel advice

The UKs Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advice for the USA, warning travellers of the fast-spreading wildfires that are currently active within Los Angeles County.

The FCDO wrote: Monitor local media and follow the advice of the local authorities. More detailed information can be found on CAL FIRE.

If you are in need of consular assistance, you should call +1 310 789 0031 or visit Emergency help. In the UK, call +44 (0) 20 7008 5000.

Where are the fires?

The wildfires that have engulfed thousands of structures have spread around the affluent Pacific Palisades area in Los Angeles County.

The fires have spread across 40,660 acres, fanned by a windstorm known as the Santa Ana winds since it broke out.

The Palisades Fire has spread across over 23,700 acres at a 21 per cent containment; the Altadena and Pasadena-based Eaton Fire at over 14,000 acres with 45 per cent containment and the Hurst fire at 799 acres at 98 per cent containment.

Can I cancel my holiday or flight and get a refund?

Flights

Several airlines that serve the Los Angeles area have waived fees for flight changes for those who had upcoming travel plans to the area.

Subject to different dates, terms and conditions and airports, American Airlines, Southwest, JetBlue and United are among the carriers that are offering various forms of fee waivers to those planning to travel to Los Angeles.

As for cancelled flights, Simon Calder, travel correspondent at The Independent, says: Whatever the cause of a cancellation, and regardless of the amount of notice that is given, you can insist upon replacement transport: the airline must get you to your destination as soon as possible if that is what you want.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority says that means if a flight is available on the original day of travel, the passenger must be booked on it  even if it is on a rival carrier.

However, cash compensation may not be available, as the airlines may claim the wildfires come under extraordinary circumstances, which means that the cancellation was not the airlines fault.

The rules are similar in the US: If your flight is cancelled, most airlines will rebook you on their first flight to your destination on which space is available, at no additional charge.

Regardless of the reason, if an airline cancels a flight it is required to provide a refund if the passenger chooses not to travel, including those with non-refundable tickets, or if the passenger chooses not to accept the alternative offered, such as rebooking on another flight.

Holidays

As the Foreign Office has not warned against non-essential travel to the USA, there will be no special circumstances in place to be able to cancel a trip for a full refund.

The conditions for cancelling your trip will be dependent on your holiday provider, so its best to contact them if youre looking to postpone.

There is no obligation for companies to refund bookings if you want to cancel, and you will not be able to claim travel insurance due to safety concerns unless the Foreign Office advice changes.

In terms of travel insurance, some policies include natural disaster cover for an event that prevents you from reaching your holiday destination. Check your insurance policies and speak to your insurer to see where you stand.

For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast
Nick Frost has admitted that his wife, who is not a horror fan, hated his new film Get Away.

The horror-comedy, set in Sweden, follows a family of four (Frost, Aisling Bea, Sebastian Croft and Maisie Ayres) whose holiday takes an unexpected turn when they discover the remote island theyre staying on is inhabited by a serial killer.

Speaking at the movies premiere in London on Tuesday, 7 January, the Hot Fuzz star told The Independent: My wife is not a horror person... she hated it. She didnt like it at all, she said God its really violent isnt it?

The blood budget was big... Theres always room for more blood.
Former Made in Chelsea star Stephanie Pratt broke down in tears during a live interview as she revealed that she discovered the fate of her Palisades home with a Google search as fire devastated the area on Wednesday, 8 January.

The television personality, 38, told Sky News that her mother, father, and brother Spencer  who starred alongside her in The Hills  were evacuated from the area in Los Angeles, but she had struggled to get in touch with family members and she did not know what happened to her house.

"I just can't reach anyone to see if my house is okay. I just Googled it and it said that it's destroyed and terrible... I don't know if my house is there," she explained through tears.
Hakeem Jeffries has lambasted Donald Trump for his threats to seize Greenland.

The president-elect will be back on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, 8 January, to meet with Senate Republicans about legislative priorities.

It comes after his speech at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday, Trump doubled down on his wish to make Canada a state, occupy Greenland, and seize the Panama Canal, not ruling out the use of the military in the latter two instances.

"We are not sent to Washington to invade Greenland, rename the Gulf of Mexico or seize the Panama Canal by force. We were sent to Washington to lower the high cost of living in the United States of America," the House Minority Leader told a press conference.
Incredible satellite footage captures the Pacific Palisades wildfires rage across Los Angeles.

Bright orange flames and thick smoke can be seen from the skies, in the footage shared by CIRA on Wednesday (8 January).

CIRA captioned the video: A dire situation is unfolding tonight as wildfires rage in Southern California. Communities continue to be significantly impacted by the Palisades and Eaton Fires.

At least 30,000 people have been ordered to evacuate the rapidly growing wind-driven wildfire as the blaze spread from just 20 acres to more than 3,000 in a matter of hours.
Mark Zuckerberg wants you to believe hes had an epiphany about free speech.

In a video posted this week, presumably from a secret lair hidden beneath a volcano somewhere, the Meta CEO announced plans to scrap fact-checking on his platforms (Facebook, Instagram) in favour of a crowdsourced community notes system, similar to what Elon Musks X (formerly Twitter) relies on. Its a decision thats as dangerous as it is startlingly transparent in its true motivations.

The timing is not subtle. Just as Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House, Zuckerberg has decided that fact-checkers  actual journalists who verify claims using careful and diligent research  have destroyed more trust than theyve created. Instead, he says, anyone can decide whats true.

Zuckerberg frames this as a return to Metas roots around free expression, which is a curious claim for a company that was initially founded to rank the attractiveness of Harvard students. He speaks of a cultural tipping point toward prioritising speech,  a creative way of saying Trump won and we need to get on his good side.

Buried in the middle of Zuckerbergs speech was the news that Metas trust and safety teams would be moved from California to Texas, where there is less concern about the bias of our teams. This is very telling, since Silicon Valleys workforce, with its reputation for progressive politics and employee activism, has become inconvenient for any company which may be eager to please a Republican administration.

By moving to Texas, (again, following the lead of Elon Musk who announced last year that the SpaceX and X HQs would be moving to Austin) Meta is seeking to distance itself from employees who might object to its new direction. Its a calculated effort to replace staff whove historically pushed back against harmful content decisions with those less likely to raise ethical concerns. The irony here is off the scale. Meta is addressing a supposed bias by explicitly choosing a location that tolerates its political leanings.

Theres plenty in Zucks speech that gives away his real game plan. Consider how he describes the content his platforms need to moderate: drugs, terrorism, child exploitation. All of which are serious matters, which absolutely need to be tackled. But theres no mention of election interference, coordinated disinformation campaigns, or targeted harassment: the nuts and bolts of the right wing propaganda machine. Instead he talks about getting rid of restrictions on topics like immigration and gender that are just out of touch with mainstream discourse. He has opened the door to prejudice and bigotry, given a green flag for attacks on the vulnerable, with no checks and balances.

The most revealing part comes when Zuckerberg discusses working with Trump to push back on governments around the world who are going after American companies and pushing to censor more. By this, he means that Meta will help the new administration fight regulatory efforts, particularly in Europe, in exchange for a favourable business environment at home. This is the same Mark Zuckerberg who, after Trumps 2020 election lies led to the January 6th insurrection, wrote that the current context is now fundamentally different, involving use of our platform to incite violent insurrection against a democratically elected government. Now, apparently, were meant to believe that fact-checking is the real threat to democracy.

Metas fact-checking program wasnt perfect, no system is, as Zuckerberg points out, but it was a genuine attempt to grapple with the platforms immense power and responsibility. Professional fact-checkers might occasionally show bias  theyre human, after all  but theyre accountable to journalistic standards and ethics. They can be scrutinised, challenged, and held responsible for their work.

Community notes, while occasionally useful, are susceptible to brigading, manipulation, and the same echo chamber effects that make social media such a fertile ground for misinformation in the first place. Its your word against theirs. The average social media user is more likely to share a post because it confirms what they already believe. Its why your aunt still thinks Bill Gates is putting microchips in vaccines.

A system thats easier to game is a system thats easier to control. And control, not free speech, is what this is really about. Meta isnt dismantling its fact-checking program to champion free expression  its doing it to curry favour with a returning president who has made no secret of his hostility toward the company.

Its about power. Meta already has plenty  Facebook and WhatsApp are so deeply woven into our daily lives that theyre practically utilities. Instagram shapes culture and commerce. Threads is rapidly growing. Zuckerberg needs his company to stay right at the centre of our lives, and seems determined to cement his platforms influence by aligning with the incoming administration.

He ends his announcement by saying hes looking forward to this next chapter. I imagine he is, as it is one where Meta stands to consolidate its power while washing its hands of responsibility for what happens on its platforms. The rest of us, faced with the prospect of the most powerful social tech company in the world ushering in a new era of rampant misinformation and unchecked attacks on the vulnerable  we should be scared to turn the page.

Marc Burrows is a freelance journalist, author and comedian based in Bristol, specialising in internet and pop culture. He is a former Curator at the pre-Musk Twitter, and Senior Community Moderator at The Guardian. His biography of Sir Terry Pratchett won a Locus Award in 2021 and was adapted into an acclaimed touring stand up show, and he has since written books on Nirvana and Manic Street Preachers as well as a social history of 60s London.
Construction is failing to keep up with demand, which continues to push prices up. Photo: Getty

Property prices are to keep rising this year, according to property advisers DNG.

It comes after the average price of a second-hand home rose by 8.4pc last year, almost double the rate of growth seen in 2023.

The estate agency has forecast average house prices will rise by between 5pc and 8pc in the coming year.

Experts at the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) recently warned that Irish house prices are overvalued by 10pc, a situation that is increasing risk of a painful correction.

However, a severe shortage of new homes and too few second-hand homes coming up for sale is pushing up prices.

Construction Information Services (CIS), the building industry analysis group, says the number of housing construction starts would decline this year and in 2026, with huge pent-up demand continuing to push home prices higher.

CIS said construction of 55,000 new housing units had started by the end of the third quarter last year. That compares to 33,000 for the whole of 2023.

But it added that the 20,000 completions recorded by the end of the third quarter last year was significantly lower than the Government target of having 33,500 new homes built every year.

The rise of 8.4pc in second-hand home prices nationally last year came after an increase of 4.3pc in 2023, DNG said.

The strongest growth was in the mid-west, with prices up by 9.6pc, followed by the west, south-east and midlands, where average prices increased by 8.7pc.

The Border region had the lowest rate of price growth in 2024 at 6.8pc.

At a national level excluding Dublin, the average price of a second-hand home recorded by DNGs national price gauge is now 299,429. This compares with 276,149 at the end of 2023.

Second-hand house prices increased in the capital by 9.6pc on average in 2024, DNG said.

The number of transactions last year will lag that of 2023 by around 8pc

South Dublin recorded the highest rate of price increase last year at 10.5pc. North Dublin and west Dublin recorded increases of 8.5pc and 8.7pc respectively.

DNG said the average price of a resale property in Dublin now stood at 582,772, compared with 531,773 at the end of 2023.

Chief executive of the estate agency, Keith Lowe, said that last year first-time buyers continued to dominate the second-hand market in the capital.

Mr Lowe said: The total number of residential property transactions last year is likely to reach approximately 58,000 once all are recorded on the Property Price Register.

This means that firstly, the number of transactions last year will lag that of 2023 by around 8pc, and secondly, Ireland still falls behind the UK by 26pc in terms of the number of house sales per thousand head of population.

He said the total number of new homes built last year would come in at around 32,500.

But only one-third of these are being sold to individual private buyers. The bulk of units were being reserved for social housing, affordable house sale, cost rental or private rental block sales, he said.
Concerns have been raised after thousands of hectares were found to have been cleared within the proposed site of the Great Koala National Park.

This section of forest in Clouds Creek was monitored by satellite by the Wilderness Society. The graphic below reveals how it was systematically cleared for forestry products. Source: Google Earth/Airbus

Concerns are mounting that forest being considered as part of a new Aussie national park is rapidly being cut down before its borders are ratified. Satellite analysis shared with Yahoo News reveals an area at least 13 times the size of the Sydney CBD (3,513 hectares of forest) was harvested in just over a year.

The vision was collated by the Wilderness Society to document forest loss between March 2023 and June 2024. It shows forest at sites including Wild Cattle Creek, Moonpah and Clouds Creek rapidly cleared. Conservationists had hoped these state forests would be included in a planned Great Koala National Park on the NSW Mid-North Coast.

The wider plan is to link up to 175,000 hectares of state forest with existing national parks, creating a 315,000-hectare nature reserve in the Coffs Coast Region. By protecting this forest, it's hoped the regions koala population can be saved from extinction.

Related: Aussie state where future generations will only see iconic wildlife in zoos

Conservationists estimate 314 hectares has been cleared at Clouds Creek. Source: Wilderness Society/Watch on Nature

The Wilderness Society's Victoria Jack described the extent of the clearing as "extremely disappointing" and said it should not be up to conservationists to "uncover the scale of their destruction".

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"Some of the deforestation is taking place in prime koala habitat, in forests that are among the most biodiverse in the world. Ive been to some of these forests and seen koala scratch marks and scat with my own eyes. There is no doubt the koalas are there, and the trees they live in and feed on are being chopped down," she told Yahoo News.

The proposed Great Koala National Park could help save the marsupials from extinction. Source: National Parks Association/Getty

National Park could help prevent the extinction of koalas

The Minns government agreed to create the Great Koala National Park ahead of the 2023 state election, and $80 million dollars was then committed to the plan. Its decision came after the 2019/2020 Black Summer Bushfires killed upwards of 64,000 koalas, forcing regulators to list populations as endangered in NSW, Queensland and ACT. A subsequent state parliamentary inquiry warned the species likely wouldnt survive past 2050 in NSW if land clearing wasnt immediately addressed.

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Critics say progress on the park has been slow since the Minns Government was elected to government. Environment Minister Penny Sharpe has consulted with unions, the forestry industry and Indigenous elders about the plan, but it has been delayed by changes to federal regulations to carbon credits, which Premier Chris Minns has indicated he wants to capitalise on when the park is created.

Sharpe has regularly demonstrated she believes the Great Koala National Park is important. If we do not take this urgent action, there is a very real possibility that our grandchildren will never get the chance to see koalas in the wild, she said in December 2023 after the Nationals Party signalled its opposition to the plan.

She has simultaneously been a vocal supporter of the logging operator that manages harvesting around Mid North Coast  the state-owned Forestry Corporation of NSW.

Related: Deal to protect Australia's native forests blocked amid 'bullying' claims

Conservationists estimate 275 hectares has been cleared at Moonpah. Source: Wilderness Society/Watch on Nature

In a statement to Yahoo News, the Corporation explained that its hands are tied when it comes to felling trees around the proposed Great Koala National Park.

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The process to establish a Great Koala National Park is a matter for the NSW Government, it said.

Forestry Corporation is a State-owned corporation appointed to deliver the objectives under the Forestry Act, which include to supply timber from the land it manages. While the NSW Government process is occurring, Forestry Corporation must continue to meet statutory obligations to produce renewable timber under contracts held by timber customers, Forestry Corporation and the State of NSW.

Conservationists estimate 132 hectares has been cleared at Wild Cattle Creek. Source: Wilderness Society/Watch on Nature

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Revenue says nearly all money due under scheme is now settled or secured

More than 7,000 businesses were kicked out of the Revenues debt warehousing scheme because they failed to engage meaningfully to address their liabilities before a deadline last year.

However, Revenue said that as of last year, 3bn of the 3.2bn included in the scheme at its peak in January 2022 had either been settled or secured under phased payment arrangements (PPAs).

Businesses had a deadline of May 1 last year to engage with Revenue to tackle any outstanding debt they had under the scheme.

The debt warehousing scheme was introduced by the government in response to the Covid pandemic in order to help struggling businesses.

The debt warehousing scheme applied to Vat debts, payments due under PAYE, some self-assessed income tax and overpayments made to businesses under wage support schemes.

Releasing its review of 2024 on Tuesday, Revenue confirmed that the bulk of the money due under the scheme had now been successfully addressed.

Revenue has a proven track record in supporting taxpayers with outstanding tax liabilities, and Revenue extended considerable flexibility to taxpayers entering PPAs in respect of warehoused debt, said Revenue commissioner Ruth Kennedy.

We continue to monitor compliance with the terms of any PPAs agreed for warehoused debt, including the requirement to keep current returns and payments up to date, and confirm that 97pc of all PPAs covering warehoused debt are being honoured, she added.

Outside of the debt warehouse scheme (DWS), 1.8bn in taxes remain uncollected.

Revenue said its debt management system is now fully deployed in dealing with these outstanding liabilities.

Last year, 57,000 referrals were made to the Revenues enforcement agents, resulting in the collection of 230m.

All businesses, irrespective of whether they availed of the DWS or not, are reminded that if they are struggling to pay current taxes or meet monthly payments under an ongoing PPA they should engage with Revenue as soon as these difficulties arise, so that a mutually acceptable solution, which takes account of the taxpayers financial circumstances, can be found, according to Ms Kennedy.

Revenue chairman Niall Cody said that timely compliance rates remained strong across all taxes, notwithstanding the exceptional disruption that taxpayers faced in recent years.

Although the vast majority of taxpayers pay the right amount of tax at the right time, we remain committed to tackling tax and duty non-compliance in all forms, he said. 2024 saw a continuation of our work in managing risk, using a range of real-time data analytics and risk assessment programmes to ensure that our compliance resources focus on the non-compliant taxpayer.
New York court asked to reject motion in case against Irish-owned Junk Kouture and founder

Eco-fashion firm has been sued for more than $500,000 in US legal action

Junk Kouture encourages post-primary students to showcase fashion outfits they create using recycled material. Photo: Getty

John Mulligan Wed 8 Jan 2025 at 03:30

A US businesswoman has asked a New York court to deny a request by Irish eco-fashion business Junk Kouture to stay the discovery process in a $500,000 (481,000) case she has taken against it.
Channel 4s newest true crime documentary Accused: The Fake Grooming Scandal focuses on the the case of Ellie Williams  the woman who lied about being raped, beaten, tortured and trafficked by a group of Asian men.

Ellie Williams, a serial liar, asked people to share her Facebook post wrongly accusing a group of men of raping and trafficking her. Photo: Channel 4

Truly, we live in interesting times. Americas president-elect Donald Trump wants to buy Greenland so he can make it great again and has sent his son, Don Jr, on a private visit to scope out this vast piece of real estate.

Meanwhile, the real power behind the Trump throne, the worlds wealthiest genius/idiot (delete according to preference) Elon Musk, has been sticking his nose into the politics of European countries  a subject about which he appears to know as much as my dog knows about quantum physics.

As well as urging the German people to vote for the extreme right-wing party Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) in the upcoming elections and calling for the release of racist thug Tommy Robinson (real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon), who was jailed for contempt of court after repeating false claims against a Syrian refugee, Musk wants King Charles to dissolve parliament and order a new general election, neither of which the monarch is empowered to do.

He also wants to see Prime Minister Keir Starmer thrown in prison. Musk claims  wrongly, naturally  that Starmer failed to prosecute grooming gangs while director of public prosecutions from 2008 to 2013.

Musk may be an ignoramus whose influence on the feeble-minded and easily duped is deeply depressing, but at least his latest outpouring of drivel gives increased pertinence to the docuseries Accused: The Fake Grooming Scandal (Channel 4, Tuesday, 9pm and 10pm, and Wednesday, 10pm, Jan 7-8; also streaming at Channel4.com).

Its harrowing to hear Rammy, his wife Nicola and son Harry describe how their lives were made hell

The three-parter focuses in detail on the case of Ellie Williams. In 2019, Williams, from the town of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, made multiple allegations that shed been raped, beaten, tortured and trafficked by a group of Asian men.

Williams, who was 19 at the time, posted a photo of herself bloodied and bruised, her right eye swollen shut, on Facebook. She urged others to share it. People need to know about this local and very real issue, she wrote.

Share they did. The post quickly went viral, not just locally, but throughout the UK and even abroad. The racist mob mentality kicked in. Inevitably, Tommy Robinson got involved.

Williams went on to describe the men as mostly Pakistani, some of whom were businessmen.

She saved the outraged mob the trouble of finding out who they were by thoughtfully sharing some names, including local ice-cream seller Mohammed Ramzan, known to all as Mo Rammy, who she claimed was the leader of the group.

Its harrowing to hear Rammy, his wife Nicola and son Harry describe how their lives were made hell: death threats, damage to their property, being called racist names and spat at in the street.

Its hardly a spoiler to reveal that not a word of what Williams said was true. The details of her deception, which included sending fake messages between two phones, have been thoroughly documented by the media.

Williams falsely named Mo Rammy as one of her abusers. Photo: Channel 4

The injuries, as well as others including slash marks to her body that she displayed in subsequent posts, were all self-inflicted, in some cases using a hammer shed bought, which was found at the scene of one of the attacks.

The purchase had been captured on in-store CCTV.

At her trial in 2020, Williams was found guilty of perverting the course of justice and sentenced to eight-and-a-half years. Shell be eligible for parole in 2027.

By the time of the fateful Facebook post, Cumbrian police had already spent a year investigating multiple earlier allegations by Williams, including one against a white teenager called Jordan Trengove, who Williams claimed had threatened her with a knife, beaten her with a shower head and raped her.

He was arrested, released on bail and later rearrested after Williams made a fresh allegation against him.

Trengove spent 73 days in prison on remand (for his own safety, he was placed in a wing with convicted sex offenders), before being released when Williams decided to withdraw the allegations.

Despite featuring the usual trappings of the true-crime genre, the series is primarily an examination of human behaviour at its basest, ugliest and most toxically stupid.

Accused: The Fake Grooming Scandal airs on Channel 4, Tuesday, 9pm and 10pm, and Wednesday, 10pm, Jan 7-8; also streaming at Channel4.com
The titular investigator  played by Ella Maisy Purvis, who herself has autism  has extraordinary gifts but the plots in this Channel 4 series need a bit more detective work

Having an autistic detective in a television series might have seemed like an original idea to someone at Channel 4, but then you have to ask yourself where youve seen it before.

Patience 4 is based on a French series, Astrid et Raphaelle. But before that there was Chasing Shadows with Reece Shearsmith. And a whole lot more. And so we spool right back through the neurodiverse universe to Sherlock Holmes himself.

Benedict Cumberbatch certainly leaned into Sherlocks strange but brilliant mental make-up in the BBC reboot, which started in 2010. But from the very start, all portrayals of Holmes have emphasised his genius, his extraordinary ability to make connections and spot patterns that ordinary people cannot see. Sherlock was not as other men  Watson took care of the other men part.

Sherlock was the father of all fictional detectives and, in detective drama, the idea of the neurodiverse genius investigator is living still.

I wonder how useful this is for neurodivergent people, specifically autistic people, who are living in what we call the real world.

Patience Evans, who is autistic and working in the police archive, is a beautiful young woman who is obsessed with forensics. Her father was a policeman.

What the character of Patience  played by Ella Maisy Purvis, who is herself autistic  gives the producers of the programme is a tireless worker who can make extraordinary connections between disparate things and make intuitive leaps in the detection process. Her extraordinary gifts, by the happiest of coincidences, render the construction of plots a bit of a doddle.

This is television, so Patience is always beautifully dressed. Even her distress is photogenic. And shes a proper size, not television skinny, and pretty tall. Shes not so much a television detective as a superhero. Maybe this is a good thing. And the long list of situations which Patience finds very difficult does make you think about your own taboos. I am certainly with her on crowded lifts.

The long list of situations which Patience finds very difficult does make you think about your own taboos. I am certainly with her on crowded lifts

The series really turns on the question: how perfect are the people who we call normal? Detective Bea Metcalf, a talented police officer with the best detection rate in her office, also has her issues. Fifty-two minutes late, says Patience as she waits for Bea to start her working day.

Patience carries two umbrellas in case one breaks.

Bea is played by Laura Fraser, once of Breaking Bad and, later, Better Call Saul. She is television skinny and petite.

The relationship between the two women is the centre of the series. And, mostly through a lot of effort on the part of Patience, it begins to build. Both actresses spend most of their screen time dressed in blue, which is perhaps a technique to illustrate how much they belong together. Bea in her trouser suits and shirts and high-heeled boots and Patience in her flat shoes, wide trousers and polo necks. It is reality, but better.

Detective Bea Metcalf (Laura Fraser) and son Alfie (Maxwell Whitelock)

All the familiar markers of a cosy detective series are here. And thats not a coincidence because Patience will also be shown on PBS in the US, that huge market for British cosy crime.

Our first clue is the photogenic location, in this case the city of York which looks absolutely fantastic, like something from an old German painting. It seems to be full of crooked streets and shadowy, pedestrian-only laneways. York seems to be compulsively picturesque. (And its got to be cheaper than Dublin.)

Patience lives in an old house which has 70s decor downstairs  beautifully imagined 70s decor, right down to the pot plant  and her own pristine modern environment upstairs in her room. So for the viewer, it is a bit of a shock to sometimes find ourselves in modern places like the police station and the schoolyard. And any kind of ordinary, nasty cynicism comes as a bolt from the very deep blue.

It would improve our diversity stats, says the police boss when it is suggested that he hire Patience. The police are, so far, uniformly polite, tolerant and hardworking. The lovely boss is played by Mark Benton.

But, be warned, the violence is not lovely at all. The first two episodes feature grisly deaths.

Patience likes this case because she can immediately spot connections between the people who have died. For the casual viewer, it all seems a bit much, particularly coming from a series that has concern for mental health as its USP.

As a viewer, the violence and despair of these first crimes sits oddly with a sympathetic portrayal of a support group for autistic adults  which was a bit clunky to be honest.

The crimes are the least interesting part of Patience, but this is pretty much the case with all detective series. I do think they could have put a bit more effort into them though. At times, the detective work on Patience was reminiscent of McDonald & Dodds  and that cant be good.

The real interest lies in other areas, particularly in the welfare of Beas son. Shes not a perfect mother and the boy is struggling at school. Could Patience perhaps help him?

This is the first series. Is it possible that Patience might grow to be the new Scott & Bailey? Stranger things have happened in detective drama.
The mother of a young woman battling brain and spine cancer says the freezing weather is putting additional pressure on cancer patients who have to travel for their treatment.

Louise Whitehead said her seriously ill daughter Rachael, and her daughters partner Alan, endured hazardous driving conditions and maniacs speeding as they drove from their home in southeast Clare to Bon Secours Hospital, Co Cork, for Rachaels treatment.

Rachael Whitehead (31) received her cancer diagnosis from doctors just before Christmas after complaining of numbness in one of her legs. She is undergoing six weeks of intensive radiotherapy.

The mother to six-year-old son Leo recently qualified as a midwife, but she had not worked up enough tax credits to qualify for employment benefit.

Her family has set up an online fundraising account on GoFundMe to cover the cost of Ms Whiteheads travel, accommodation, and ongoing medical and household bills. So far it has raised 24,000.

Sharing her daughters cancer journey online, Louise Whitehead wrote: Another week begins for our Princess. Yesterday Alan and herself battled through the snow and slush to get back down to Cork. They will never forget it!! Held up outside Charleville for 3 hours!! Hazardous driving conditions and maniacs speeding.

She said her daughter and partner also passed a number of cars turned upside down on the side of the road on their long journey.

She added: They made it safely at 8:30pm after leaving home at 2:30pm. As if things arent worrying enough for her. But our warrior is heading into radiotherapy this morning full of determination. Im getting this done mam in half an hour today ( her words this morning). The bravest person I know.

She had the back surgery and she had the brain surgery

Rachael Whitehead has undergone a number of surgeries in the past few weeks to remove tumours from her brain and spine.

I really don't know how Rachael is talking to us, her mother continued. She had the back surgery and she had the brain surgery. She is amazing  a walking absolutely fantastic rock of a miracle of a girl, she is absolutely brilliant.

Rachael has two more weeks of radiotherapy. She then has a six-week wait before going for a scan to to assess its impact.

Louise Whitehead, who retired from nursing in Limerick after suffering a stroke five years ago, said her daughter may yet have to travel Germany to receive further treatment for the sarcoma cancer.

There is no such thing as giving up at the first hurdle if radiotherapy doesn't work, but we are going to stay confident that it is going to work and it is going to kill it (the sarcoma), she added.
The number of students caught cheating in their Leaving Cert and Junior Cert exams has more than doubled in the space of a year.

The State Examinations Commission (SEC) said 86 results had been withheld for last years Leaving Cert compared to 39 in 2023.

Similarly, 24 Junior Cycle exam scores were permanently withheld after last years exams  over double the figure of 10 from 2023.

The Sec said that while they would not provide details of individual breaches, results were withheld for a variety of reasons.

These included possession of notes and unauthorised use of mobile phones, or other electronic devices including smart watches, in exam halls.

Some of the cheating incidents were uncovered by the inclusion of extraneous material with an exam script. There were also cases where papers from different students were almost identical.

Stock image

Today's News in 90 seconds - 8th January 2025

The Sec said the exam process was treated with the utmost confidentiality and on that basis, only overall figures without details of school or gender would be released.

Along with the 86 Leaving Cert results permanently withheld, there were a further 12 that had been provisionally withheld, it said.

These provisional cases will be decided upon pending further communication with the schools and candidates concerned.

This is essential in order to uphold the integrity of the Irish State examinations system and to underpin equity and fairness within the system

The SEC said strict guidelines were in place for all students sitting state exams, including a ban on bringing in notes or electronic devices.

Attempting to help another student or copy from another pupil is prohibited, as is attempting to contact somebody outside the exam hall.

A spokesman for the SEC said clear procedures were in place to investigate and deal with cases of non-compliance with regulations.

He said: In the interest of being fair to all candidates, the SEC must be satisfied that marks awarded have been gained fairly and will investigate any suggestion, suspicion, or allegation of cheating.

This is essential in order to uphold the integrity of the Irish State examinations system and to underpin equity and fairness within the system in order to enable all candidates to display their achievements on an equal footing.

The SEC said the most common penalty was the withholding of marks in a particular subject, but that in more serious cases, withholding of all results or debarring from repeating were also options.
The two-week deadline to elect a new Taoiseach is now being cast in doubt.

Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Independents are supposed to vote in Micheal Martin to head the new government on January 22.

But senior figures in both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are expressing doubts about the timeline being met.

The obstacle is the convoluted process for ratification by party members.

Fianna Fail and Fine Gael both have to hold meetings of the party grassroots to vote on the Programme for Government.

In Fianna Fail's case, there is talk of a week or two being needed.

Within Fine Gael, party sources are saying there is "no hope" of January 22 being met because the party will need a week for the ratification process.

The approval involves holding a series of regional meetings, meaning a document would need to be signed off by this weekend.

"The process is likely to model the election of a party leader, whereby you have a number of regional events allowing members to discuss the matter and then regional voting," a source said.

It came as Tanaiste Micheal Martin failed to rule out speculation that he will be Taoiseach for the next three years, followed by Simon Harris for two.

Acknowledging that he had spoken to the Fine Gael leader about a resumption of the rotating arrangement, Mr Martin said: Nothing has been finally agreed on this.

He also said he was not going to pre-empt the vote of Dail Eireann, but was hopeful a Taoiseach would be elected when it next meets  January 22  referring to the inauguration of Donald Trump two days before. Ireland should have a Government in place around then, he said.

Mr Martin added: I think the primary focus at the moment is policy. There's been fairly significant progress made in the last number of days, on top of what was done before Christmas, in respect of a number of the policy items.

We're also meeting in terms of the structure of Government in parallel meetings [on departmental responsibilities], and those will continue i Government Buildings.

Asked if he could confirm he would be the next Taoiseach, the Fianna Fail leader said: Well, you may speculate, but I'm not pre-empting anything.

There has to be a Dail vote, and there has to be agreement, obviously between Fianna Fail and the Fine Gael party and a group of Independents, indeed a range of independents.

Those discussions are continuing, We commenced with some, and with others there will be meetings towards the end of the week. Independent Ireland are also there, and we'll be engaging with them tomorrow [Thursday].

We will do everything we can to bring this to a conclusion as quickly as we can.

Asked if the Healy-Rae brothers were credible political bedfellows, Mr Martin answered: Yes. I mean, I've had substantive discussions with Michael and Danny Healy-Rae on policy issues and with a view to enabling a Government that can sustain for five years.

Wearing his hat as Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Tanaiste also revealed that Ireland has been invited to be a member of the G20 group of the worlds most powerful economies.

It was because of the challenges that are coming our way, he suggested.

We have the European Union presidency coming. Ireland will be leading the European Union in the beginning of 2026, and we have been invited to be members of the G20, Mr Martin said.

The geopolitical situation is very, very challenging, particularly in terms of multiple conflicts, wars in the Middle East, Ukraine, Sudan, in different parts of Africa. And then in the midst of all of that, we are trying to chart a sustainable economic pathway, not just for Ireland, but for Europe.

We're advocates of a single market in Europe, and of free trade as [much as] we possibly can  in the context of an increasingly protectionist world.

So we have a very challenging agenda ahead of us, and it's important we get a Government together to meet those challenges.
Flu cases expected to peak this week Over 3,300 cases recorded last week amid low uptake of vaccineHospitals in hardest-hit counties cancel more clinics

Pressure on hospital beds has meant many appointments have been cancelled. Photo: Getty

Health chiefs have called on older people across three counties not to go outdoors as weather conditions become more dangerous, while several hospitals in the hardest-hit areas have cancelled hundreds of appointments.

The severe weather alert for counties Limerick, Clare and Tipperary led health staff to appeal to older and vulnerable people to stay at home.

Cold weather can be harder on older people and other vulnerable members of the community. We strongly advise them to avoid going outdoors during these severe weather conditions, the HSE Mid West said.

The HSE South also warned people with medical appointments in Cork city hospitals to only attend if it is safe to travel. The Status Orange weather alert applies to all of Munster and Connacht, Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow, Cavan and Monaghan. It came into effect at 8pm last night and lasts until 10am today.

A second Status Orange warning, covering Munster, Leinster, Connacht, Cavan, and Monaghan, will come into effect at 6pm tonight today and last until 11am tomorrow.

Outpatient and non-urgent clinical appointments have been cancelled in University Hospital Kerry and St Lukes Hospital for today and tomorrow.

Outpatient clinics in Bantry Hospital and Mallow General Hospital are also shut today.

Some appointments in Cork University Hospital and University Hospital Galway are also cancelled, while services in some other hospitals have also been disrupted. Portlaoise Hospital will resume clinics today.

A total of 748 patients hospitalised with flu were being treated yesterday along with another 150 patients with RSV, as nurses counted 700 people waiting for a bed, with 444 crammed in to A&E departments.

More than 100 patients were enduring delays of more than 24 hours for a bed, including eight who were over 75 years of age.

University Hospital Limerick, Galway University Hospital, Sligo University Hospital, Cork University Hospital and St Vincents Hospital in Dublin faced the worst overcrowding.

Face masks are now compulsory in most hospitals nationwide. Photo: PA

Several hospitals have introduced the mandatory wearing of face masks to reduce the risks of infection.

Visiting restrictions are also in place in some hospitals and confined to a strict limit of two visitors.

People are also asked not to visit hospitals if they are unwell or have symptoms.

HSE chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry highlighted the disappointing take-up of the flu vaccine and said 3,300 people were confirmed to have the virus last week.

Cases should peak some time this week, but the spread will continue for weeks. He said that people with flu symptoms should stay at home, take paracetamol or ibuprofen, liquids and they should rest. They should contact their GP first: a number of doctors surgeries are opening for longer hours.

The weather has led to difficulties in carers and public health nurses making essential calls to the homes of older people and those with a disability who rely on the vital service.

We are urging members of the public to keep warm, eat well and avoid unnecessary travel

Maria Bridgeman, integrated healthcare area manager in the HSE Mid-West, said it is making every effort to provide essential services such as home supports and community nursing.

However, disruptions to hospital and community services are expected to continue for the remainder of this week due to the hazardous travelling conditions, she said.

I would also like to recognise the support from our voluntary partners such as the Civil Defence, Order of Malta and Irish Red Cross who are assisting in the transport of personnel to ensure that essential services can continue for those with the highest care needs.

We are urging members of the public to keep warm, eat well and avoid unnecessary travel over the coming days. This is especially important in more remote areas where the snow and ice has resulted in extremely hazardous travelling conditions.

HSE South West regional executive officer Dr Andy Phillips said it was a difficult but necessary decision to cancel some non-urgent appointments at Bantry and Mallow hospitals and some other community facilities in north Cork.

The Orange weather warning will lead to hazardous travelling conditions for all, and the safety of patients and staff is our utmost priority, he said.

A snow-covered tractor in Slieve Gallion, Co Derry. Catherine McGeehan

I appreciate that this is disappointing for many patients, but we must concentrate on delivering time-critical services to those who need the most urgent care.

The message to the public remains that hospital A&E departments are open 24-7 for patients with the most serious illnesses and injuries, including life-threatening emergencies. Anyone attending with a less urgent condition may face a long waiting time.

They are advised to attend minor injury units and if unwell, to consider all available healthcare options, including local pharmacies, GP or the out-of-hours GP service.
PSNI does not believe it was a terrorism related incident

Police at the scene of a suspected shooting incident in the Carnmoney area of Newtownabbey on January 6th 2025 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

Police at the scene of a suspected shooting incident in the Carnmoney area of Newtownabbey on January 6th 2025 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

Police at the scene of a suspected shooting incident in the Carnmoney area of Newtownabbey on January 6th 2025 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

A man who was shot in Newtownabbey on outskirts of Belfast last night was an off-duty police officer.

The incident took place in the Beverley Road area of Newtownabbey, where cordons were in place as police attended the scene on Monday night.

The officer is currently receiving treatment for what the PSNI called treatment for non-life-threatening injuries in hospital.

Police at the scene of a suspected shooting incident in the Carnmoney area of Newtownabbey on January 6th 2025 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

A 29-year old man has been arrested and remains in police custody.

A police spokesperson said the incident is not being treated as terrorism related.

Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said I can confirm that the injured man was an off duty police officer, who was taken to hospital and is currently receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. My thoughts are with him, his family and we will offer every support to them while he recovers.

While our investigation is at an early stage, we do not believe this is a terrorism related incident.

A 29-year-old man was arrested at the scene and he remains in police custody at this time.

We will continue to liaise with other key stakeholders, including the Police Federation.

As our investigation progresses I would appeal to anyone with any information, who was in the area around the time of the shooting, or with doorbell or dashcam footage, to contact Police on 101 and quote reference 1699 06/01/25.

You can also report online here: https://www.psni.police.uk/report or in confidence through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police at the scene of a suspected shooting incident in the Carnmoney area of Newtownabbey on January 6th 2025 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

DUP MLA Pam Cameron urged anyone with information relating to the shooting to come forward.

The South Antrim MLA said: I am shocked by the events overnight in a residential area in close proximity to my constituency office.

It is important for all of us not to jump to conclusions as this is a live investigation and to allow the PSNI to do their work. Im grateful for swift response from PSNI and I have asked to be kept updated around this serious incident.

I understand that the victim is in a stable condition in hospital. I would urge anyone with relevant information to contact the Police directly or via Crimestoppers 0800 555 111
The Indo Daily: Why is even the mention of water charges like playing with fire for politicians?
For many bird species in Australia, breeding season peaks in early summer. By January, hatched chicks are leaving the nest and learning to forage, fly and navigate their surroundings.

Australians are being urged to remain on the lookout for chicks and fledglings around roads this summer. Source: Facebook/Alexandra Brewster/Queensland Government

Australians are being told to remain mindful of their surroundings on roads and reserves this summer, with newly-hatched chicks venturing out of their nests for the the first time  and being particularly vulnerable to traffic, predators, and human activity.

This week, a concerned wildlife advocate took to social media to warn Aussies to be aware of the many birds that are "on the move" at this time of year. The east coast woman, from the Whitsundays in Queensland, said bush stone-curlews in particular are prone to wandering onto the road.

"Just reminding everyone that the curlews have their babies on the move  please be mindful," she wrote online on Monday. Pictures show the baby bird, merely the size of the palm of a hand, wandering onto a road where a car is parked nearby.

Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, Sean Dooley from Bird Life Australia, emphasised the importance protecting our wildlife by leaving native animals alone when spotted. He said while residents should report any injured animals to the relevant authority, we should never feed, handle or interfere with them ourselves unless absolutely necessary.

Be wary of our native wildlife, but don't interfere

"Bush stone-curlews are ground-dwelling birds and they rely on camouflage," he explained. "So if you find a chick on the ground, it's not like it's fallen out of a nestthat's where it's meant to be.

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"The parents are probably nearby and they're usually pretty protective," he added. "They'll let you know by making threats using noises and displays."

A Whitsundays woman found a tiny bush stone-curlew chick and it's protective mother on a road this in the region this week, prompting the warning. Source: Facebook/Alexandra Brewster

Dooley said the species is much more common in northern Australia than they are in the south, where they're listed as endangered in Victoria and in NSW. And unlike some other species of birds, chicks are capable of feeding "pretty quickly" after they've hatched, he added.

Breeding season is usually between July and January when they begin to venture away from the nest.

"The best thing you can do, unless there's immediate danger, like an injury, or there's cats around, is to leave it. The parents probably know where it is, and they'll come back to check on it and feed it if necessary. They don't need your intervention unless it's a crisis."

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Though they're vulnerable in some regions of the state, remarkably, the birds thrive in some areas of Brisbane, despite it being an area inhabited by foxes and domestic pets  a major reason for their decline in the south.

Locals warn to 'watch out' for vulnerable birds

Online, impassioned locals reiterated Dooley's message.

"Keep your cats locked up, they are killers for these poor babies," one woman wrote.

"They are beautiful birds, please watch out for them," said a second.

"Like turtles, curlews nest where they were born. It was scrubland, before roads," a man commented.

Why are bush stone-curlews vulnerable in some parts of Australia?

Bush Stone-curlews are listed as vulnerable in parts of Queensland, particularly in areas where their populations are declining due to habitat loss, predation, and human activity.

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While they are not considered endangered across all of the state, local threats such as urban development, increased predation by foxes and feral cats, and changes to their natural habitats  like clearing of woodlands  have caused significant declines in some regions.

While bush stone-curlews are still relatively common in northern Australia, their populations are declining in southern and eastern parts of the country, including parts of NSW and Victoria, where they are classified as endangered.

Introduced predators such as foxes and feral cats also pose a major threat, particularly to eggs and young chicks.

Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment?  Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories.
Senior republican Ted Howell was hailed as a "patriot" by Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald during his funeral in west Belfast.

Mr Howell who died last week, was a close ally and friend of Gerry Adams.

A backroom figure during the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement negotiations, he was also Sinn Feins ex-director of foreign affairs.

The 78-year-old passed away peacefully at his home on January 3.

Hundreds of mourners gathered for his funeral, with a service held in his late residence in the Lenadoon area of west Belfast.

The home service was conducted by Fr Gary Donegan, and broadcast from the house to those gathered outside in falling snow before the procession to Milltown Cemetery, where Mr Howell was laid to rest alongside his wife.

First Minister Michelle ONeill, Ms McDonald and Mr Adams helped to carry the coffin.

Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams attending the funeral of Ted Howell. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Speaking at Milltown, Ms McDonald said tributes have been paid to Mr Howell from people across the world.

"Ted Howell was a patriot, a family man, a proud Belfast man, a united Irelander, an internationalist and it is no surprise that we have travelled from the four corners of Ireland but also from Canada, from the US, from Britain, from the Basque country and that messages have poured in to Ted's family and friends from all four corners of the globe to recognise this extraordinary man," she said.

"Ted Howell was a significant figure in the Irish struggle for freedom from his earliest days and he remained a true and faithful servant of our struggle until his very very last."

Mr Adams, described as a lifelong friend of Mr Howell, recalled sharing a bunk bed while they were both interned at Long Kesh prison camp in the 1970s.

"All of us will have stories of Ted - his family members, his lifelong friends, his neighbours, his comrades, his local butcher, his drinking companions, former prisoners, people from the Felon's Club or the Horseshoe bar, Gaza or the Basque country, Long Kesh or London or the USA, Canada or South Africa," he said.

"Stories about his humour, his generosity, his loyalty, his lifelong commitment to republicanism and those of us who worked with him for decades value his friendship and his mischief making, his craic and his insights into the human condition. Ted's life was full and he loved life, and no oration can do justice to him."

Ted Howell (right) with Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness

Mr Adams recalled Mr Howell living in Canada for just a couple of months, and returning to Belfast amid the civil rights campaign and saw a "warzone" develop following the events including the battle of the Bogside and Bloody Sunday in Derry and the introduction of internment.

"Ted took part in protest marches then he joined the Irish Republican Army," he said.

"In March 1972 he was arrested, he was interned, first on the prison ship Maidstone and then in Long Kesh camp."

Mr Adams described the 1980s as being a "significant decade of change for Sinn Fein ... building a peace strategy", talks with then SDLP leader John Hume and moving into the 1990s when multi party talks resulted in the signing of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement in 1998.

"Ted was at the heart of it all," he said.

"Ted had great politics .... he understood strategy and the need for the national question to be constantly at the centre of Sinn Fein's strategy and of all our work. He was a member of the party's uniting Ireland committee up until his death.

"He was also deeply involved in Sinn Fein's international outreach, he sought help for the Irish cause but also provided help to other liberation struggles and peace processes.

"Ted was one of us, he was the best of us."

Pall bearers carry the coffin of Ted Howell as it passes though west Belfast after a funeral service. Liam McBurney/PA Wire

During Mr Adams time as party president, one Sinn Fein employee described Mr Howell as the real leader of Sinn Fein, while a senior republican described him to The Irish Times as the backroom backroom man.

His role came under scrutiny after it emerged Sinn Fein finance minister Mairtin O Muilleoir sent an email in 2017, before cost-cutting measures to the controversial Renewable Heat Incentive were approved, asking if Mr Howell would be content for him to sign off on his recommendations.

Mr O Muilleoir denied the email was seeking Mr Howells permission, saying it was a courtesy to keep him informed.

But it fuelled criticism that Sinn Fein was ultimately controlled by figures outside the public eye.

A funeral notice said Mr Howell passed away peacefully at home and was the dearly beloved husband of the late Eileen and loving father to Proinnsias and Eamonn.

Much loved father-in-law to Karen and Nora, added the death notice. Devoted granda to Miceal, Caoimhe and Amelia. Cherished brother to Anne, Margaret and the late Jim and Kathleen.

Ted will be loved and missed always by his heartbroken sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, sisters and entire family circle, read his death notice.
And he rejected any equivalence between the bellicosity of Vladimir Putins rhetoric before the invasion of Ukraine and Trumps refusal to rule out military action in the case of both Panama and Greenland.

I think there's a lot being said at the moment, Mr Martin said. My own view is I think we have to wait and see to a certain extent, once a government is established in the United States.

Theyre not quite similar to us, as far as they have a presidential model. But a we do know from experience that there are checks and balances in all political systems, likewise the United States, so we'll see how things materialise, he said.

I'm more focused, first of all, on getting our own Government established, but also in seeing the substance of what emerges in terms of the details of any policy initiatives or departures in the approach of the new US President and Government, being the Congress and Senate as well.

The Tanaiste added: We've been here before, in some respects, not just in terms of President Trump, but previous American presidents who have had protectionist approaches.

Even President Biden was strongly protectionist in many ways. And Europe had to navigate that. And Ireland will, as a member of the European Union, navigate these new challenges.

I think we have to be skilful, but we also have to hold our nerve. We have to be firm but clear in terms of how we deal with the new challenges that will undoubtedly arise.

Asked if there was similarity as regards President Putin, with Ireland very critical of his bellicosity even before the invasion of Ukraine, Mr Martin said: First of all, we were not angry at the bellicosity of Russia. We are outraged at the fact that Russia invaded Ukraine in a ruthless, brutal, barbaric way.

Weve no evidence that anything of that sort is going to materialise from the US, and experience teaches us that that's unlikely to happen.

As to the point overall, Ireland is a multilateralist country. Ireland believes in the existing order and a rules-based approach to world affairs. Its the only way we can manage the world as best we can.

Therefore we put a lot of emphasis on our membership of the European Union and on our membership of the United Nations.

And we will use all international fora to argue for more common sense and realism in terms of the progression of policies.

Mr Martin said he expected the next Taoiseach to meet President Trump at the White House in March as usual for the annual St Patricks Day shamrock summit.
Revealed: The number of hotel rooms granted planning permission in Dublin since 2023 amid homelessness crisis

Continuing rise in approvals sparks complaints and controversy in the capital

Hotel reception. Stock photo

Sarah Burke Wed 8 Jan 2025 at 03:30

More than 2,100 hotel rooms have been approved for planning permission by Dublin City Council since the beginning of 2023.
Professor Patricia Casey horrified at reduced funding

A leading psychiatrist has warned that the countrys mental health services are in a dire state of neglect and appealed to the incoming government to give more funding for psychiatry.

Professor Patricia Casey, a consultant psychiatrist at the Mater Hospital in Dublin, said that the public sector, where she has worked for years, was getting less funding now as a proportion of the total health budget than in 1980.
The unlikely bromance between Donald Trump and Elon Musk may not yet be over, but its contours are certainly beginning to fray. According to New York Times White House correspondent Maggie Haberman, after two months with Musk almost constantly by his side, Trump does complain a bit to people about how Musk is around a lot. Hes really parked himself in Trumps face.
Elon Musk is becoming the biggest spreader of falsehoods in history, but political leaders have power to rein him in

The tech billionaire is determined to fuel culture wars globally, but he has a habit of backing down in the face of real opposition

Elon Musk spent over $250m to help Donald Trump get elected and has been rewarded with a government role. Photo: Getty

Peter Geoghegan Wed 8 Jan 2025 at 03:30

Its a core principle of many modern democracies that elections should be protected from outside interference. In Ireland, there is a complete ban on foreign donations.
As we begin 2025, we are witnessing unspeakable human suffering due to the proliferation of conflicts lacking political solutions and the normalisation of international humanitarian law (IHL) violations.

Climate shocks, economic fragility and protracted conflict are exacerbating humanitarian needs, leading to unprecedented levels of displacement and an escalating hunger crisis. With one in every five children in the world  about 400 million  living in or fleeing from conflict zones, the scale of the challenge is daunting.

Against a backdrop of geopolitical unrest and an increasingly defensive EU, Ireland will be challenged to assert its foreign policy priorities in the coming years. Ireland has a confident identity on the international stage. We have an opportunity to renew our moral, political and economic standing internationally.

Much has been achieved by our active participation in multilateral forums, including the UN Security Council, and by our central role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. Our reputation as an ethical leader, and our overseas development assistance which strives to reach the furthest behind first is a crucial part of our identity on the world stage. Irelands success globally has been strengthened by our membership of the EU, our model of foreign direct investment and the hinterland of our diaspora.

Looking ahead to the mid-21st century, we must build on that. Globalisation and climate change mean that previously far horizons are coming closer. The EU, which is central to our positioning, will require members to do more in a changed environment. We cannot stand still and expect the world to stay the same.

Our opportunity is to deepen our long-standing and deeply believed-in commitment to overseas development. We need to maintain an outsize footprint globally.

In the Programme for Government 2025-2030, and for the decades after, Dochas, the Irish Network of Development and Humanitarian Organisations, calls for an ambitious plan on the world stage based on our core values. We must uphold our principles in the world, develop our positive presence in Africa and reinforce our strong humanitarian leadership within the multilateral systems which has earned us such respect.

We must also modernise that tradition, adding our smart strategic knowledge, providing the solutions to climate change, eradicating hunger, insisting that international law is upheld and justice is done. This aligns what we should do for others with what we can do for ourselves.

Centre to that pledge is a number: 0.7pc. That is the promise to spend 0.7pc of Gross National Income (GNI) on Official Development Assistance (ODA). In reality, Ireland is miles off where it needs to be in getting to this target.

In 2015, Ireland committed to reaching that target by 2030. In 2023, we reached 0.32pc, and Budget 2025 was a missed opportunity to progress this.

A man carries a child on the day Palestinian Christians attend an Orthodox Christmas mass at the Saint Porphyrius Church in Gaza City yesterday. Photo: Reuters

Today's News in 90 seconds - 8th January 2025

Irish civil society, represented by respected development and humanitarian non-governmental organisations, is a key part of Irelands presence on the world stage. In the Programme for Government 2025-2030, the government must realise Irelands commitment to spend 0.7pc of GNI on Overseas Development Assistance by 2030 and publish a clear spending pathway to achieve this.

We must also provide transformative climate finance that meets our fair share. The inadequate and slow global response of governments and policymakers in delivering known solutions at Cop29 effectively abandoned the least developed countries  those least responsible  to solve the crisis themselves.

Irish people actively support Irelands role in standing in solidarity with the most marginalised people around the world. This is evidenced by the nationwide call to action in support of the people of Gaza. We also know that almost one in five households across Ireland donates money to an international humanitarian and development organisation, while 76pc of Irish people support giving overseas development assistance. We ask that the next Programme for Government backs our call to reassert Irelands positive position in the world with confidence and to reach 0.7pc GNI on real, overseas aid without delay.

Jane-Ann McKenna is the CEO of Dochas, the Irish Network of Humanitarian and Development Organisations
No stranger to controversy, Elon Musk has started 2025 in ferocious fashion, launching a savage attack on UK prime minister Keir Starmer, while also finding time to throw fellow Donald Trump enthusiast Nigel Farage under the bus.

The outspoken X boss has accused Starmer of being deeply complicit in a scandal involving grooming gangs in the UK, going as far as to publicly call for prison for Starmer.

Nigel Farage, meanwhile, provoked Musks ire due to his stance on convicted criminal Tommy Robinson, whom Musk has likened to a political prisoner.

Britain isnt the only country lined up on Musks personal political battleground, having recently declared his support for the rising far-right Alternative for Germany party.

He has also been quick to share his thoughts on Irish politics in recent months, communicating anti-establishment sentiment and courting right-wing opposition.

So, what does it all mean for the political landscape and beyond?

And is Musks bromance with Trump likely to stay the course?

On this episode of The Indo Daily, Fionnan Sheahan is joined from London by TRT World presenter Enda Brady, and in studio in Dublin by Irish Independent journalist John Meagher, to look at the latest chaos left in Elon Musks wake.
The shows music was composed by the late Eoin French, who passed away aged 36 last year

Corks Everyman Theatre will host two showings of actor Emmet Kirwans renowned show ACCENTS, which features music composed by the late Cork artist Eoin French (Talos).

The show is being toured around the country in 2025 following two sold-out runs in 2022. This years tour of the play is dedicated to the memory of Eoin French, who composed the shows music, following his sad passing in August.

Written by Emmett Kirwan, the play which was nominated for Best Soundscape at last years Irish Times Theatre Awards promises to present a powerful, poetic journey through a gentrified city.

The play is billed as a transformative show about the arrival of new life, the families we try to create, the families we may never have, and the post-crash boom generation living a life delayed. Prompted by the birth of Kirwans first son, the actor-writer explores the sounds of our voices and how they define us, how were perceived and how they can give us power.

Performed by Kirwan and directed by Claire OReilly, the production takes the form of eight poems delivered against the soundtrack crafted by Eoin French.

The show will also feature the musical talents of Ben Bix and Brian (The Line) Dillon, two classically trained musicians and members of the experimental electronic super group Melty Brains. The multi-instrumentalists are said to bring Frenchs score to life.

The production will visit six venues around Ireland and will be held at the Everyman Theatre on Saturday, February 18 and Sunday, February 19 before continuing to Galway for the final show.

Speaking about ACCENTS, Emmet Kirwan said he is thrilled to bring the play back to Irish stage and to a larger audience.

I set out to write a contemporary piece about life in modern Ireland five years ago alongside Eoin. Life has changed for everyone since then including myself and becoming a father and that changed the narrative of not only my own story but the narrative of this play, and the loss of Eoin has profoundly affected all of us and changed how we see the world and his work, we hope to bring Eoin French's incredible score and body of work back to the stage so it can be heard by new audiences and make sure that it still pulsates and lives on in peoples memories, Emmett said.

I know he was incredibly proud of what he made and we want people to hear that. This show is laugh out loud funny, energetic, entertaining, and also extremely life affirming.

Tickets for the 65 minute show can be purchased on the Everyman Theatre website: https://everymancork.com
The snow lay in drifts as deep as 14 - 17 inches in parts of North Cork, prompting a community response not seen since the Covid-19 lockdowns

The Czlonka family from Millstreet savoured the Snow Fun at Deer Park outside Millstreet. Picture John Tarrant

Kaleb Kearney O'Sullivan and his dog Bailey enjoying the snow at Dromcummer Kanturk. Photo by Helen Kearney

Even the Snowmen were obliterated in a short time as blizzard conditions prevailed

Clearing the roads after the intense snowfall on Saturday and Sunday

Luke O Carroll with his Mom Grace O Carroll and Grandad DD Fleming delivered groceries to snowbound neighbours in Ballydesmond on Monday. Photo by Sheila Fitzgerald

Picture postcard lovely but not so pretty when you cant get out even to the main road!

SNOW ANGELS Jason McAree of the Civil Defence and Inspector Paul Aherne braved the incredibly difficult weather conditions to deliver food and fuel for Generators to snowbound people all over the Duhallow area during the crisis. Photo by Sheila Fitzgerald

2025 came in with a blast for all the wrong reasons as the biggest snowfall in decades brought almost the entire country to a standstill from Saturday evening.

While the people of Duhallow and Sliabh Luachra are battle-hardened to extreme weather conditions, the 14-inch depth of snow reported in some areas was compared by many to the 1963 fall when temperatures dropped to a record low.

From early Saturday, social media flagged the cancellation of a myriad of events with Nollaig na mBan parties the first to fall prey to the weather conditions.

Masses were cancelled as well as social dancing, music sessions in pubs and outdoor sporting events.

Many shops and other workplaces closed as early as 2pm on Saturday and remained closed on Sunday and Monday.

As conditions worsened over Sunday, Cork and Kerry County Councils deployed snow ploughs across the region and advised of heavy snow accumulations everywhere.

Clearing the roads after the intense snowfall on Saturday and Sunday

Meanwhile a series of Snow Angels risked their own safety when members of the Garda Siochana and Civil Defence began dropping off much needed supplies to people who were snowed in.

Jason McAree and Inspector Paul Aherne braved the dangerous road conditions to deliver food, milk and petrol for Generators throughout the Duhallow area and further afield.

SNOW ANGELS Jason McAree of the Civil Defence and Inspector Paul Aherne braved the incredibly difficult weather conditions to deliver food and fuel for Generators to snowbound people all over the Duhallow area during the crisis. Photo by Sheila Fitzgerald

Compounding the atrocious weather were the power outages, with approximately 80,000 homes still reported to be without electricity on Monday night.

In Ballydesmond, we were left in the dark from 10pm on Saturday night until 4pm on Monday evening. While Ireland is now described as a global powerhouse and a prosperous country, it is a pity that our electricity supply falls apart at the first hint of a storm or snowfall.

Calling the ESB Power Check line was a frustrating experience, to say the least, with an automated message advising that crews are currently working on the fault.

Caelan and Kieran Noonan hitting the slopes at Deer Park. Picture John Tarrant

Like so many companies in todays world, it was impossible to get to speak to a human, an experience that must be truly daunting for elderly or vulnerable people.

In addition, the Vodafone network also went down, so it was a case of no electricity, no phone coverage and zero hope of getting out with a car.

Thank God for fantastic neighbours with big tractors, the County Council workers, Gardai and the Civil Defence.
Playwright explores past traumas in new show, Declans got Talent

A playwright and actor who went to therapy during his cancer treatment, found out he had a lot of anxiety caused by his days in school.

Peter Gowen, known for roles in Fair City and Love/Hate, has created a dark comedy called Declans Got Talent which looks at mental health and generational trauma.

I had cancer in 2018, and I got therapy for the trauma. But when I continued with the therapy, I found a lot of anxiety-based behaviours because of my school days, they were very negative, Mr Gowen said.

Its because of how we were treated in school, how we lived in fear, and how we were ridiculed. We werent cherished. I hated going to that place.

I was very lucky to grow up in a house with a large, loving family. I was a free spirit, funny and creative guy, but none of that was tolerated in school.

Almost nobody could escape the punishment. People need to tell their stories, and, in some ways, I am telling part of the story.

Declans Got Talent will be at Smock Alley in Dublin as part of First Fortnight Festival

This show is a look at Irish society and how people survived, how we as a nation overcome adversity. Having a laugh and getting on with it.

School affected me very badly. I have lived with it all my life and I hated it. Its really weird. Im 66 and still bothered by it.

Im looking at a school where a priest, who now has a series of offences, taught. Im looking right at his classroom where he used to teach and sexually abuse people in.

Im also looking at the spot across the river where a school friend of mine killed himself. The play is an attempt to explore what happened and have a discussion.

Declans Got Talent, starring Peter Gowen and Jack Healy, will be on the Smock Alley stage from January 9-11 as part of First Fortnight Festival, providing over 65 events until January 18.

The play looks at Declan, who is in his 60s, and has decided he wants to prove something to himself after years of self-doubt.

Declans Got Talent is a contemporary piece about a man looking back at his school days and re-examining why it was that children were treated so badly, Mr Gowen said.

There are two characters playing Declan, his inner self, and his outer self. Hes trying to work through this aspect of his life that still haunts him.

As hes preparing for his audition, were thrown back into his past and we begin to understand a little bit more about it.

It brings up questions like why children were badly treated in some schools, and why people were never allowed to talk about it?

In the typical Irish way, the play deals with it with a light-hearted approach, but also an exploration of it.

It looks at a particular period in Irish history and what it was like to live in small-town Ireland back then.

Were welcoming all people who are trying to kick off their Dry January at the theatre, he added.
A protest has been organised over the closure of the Palas Cinema as the arts community in Galway city bid to save the cinema with a community-run model.

The protest will take place on Monday, January 13, at 3pm at Galway City Hall, and it will coincide with the first plenary Galway City Council meeting of 2025.

Conor Burke, who is part of a group within the Galway arts community organising the protest, told the Irish Independent the event comes after many expressed their disappointment in hearing about the cinemas closure.

I spoke to some many people over the course of Christmas that care. People want it to remain open.

The protest is going to be on Monday afternoon, which is kind of a difficult time to try and build a huge crowd but based on the feedback we are getting, it should be a significant enough turnout, just showing the public opposition to the idea of Palas shutting down indefinitely.

In December, the Light House Cinema Group announced that Palas Cinema will close its doors for good in February 2025 due to financial losses.

Mr Burke hopes that Galway City Council, which already owns the building, will listen to their opposition and that the cinema can revert back to its original purpose of community-based facility.

The fact that it was being run on a commercial basis, to try and compete with the larger commercial cinemas was the wrong model for a cinema like Palas.

It was originally set up to be more of a community based facility that could allow local and regional filmmakers and people in the arts to use it as a resource centre, and could show independent movies.

I think theres definitely scope for that to happen and there is the possibility it could be linked to the college here locally, that have film courses, and use it that way, to help develop future filmmakers.

In particular, Mr Burke added they will advocate for a community-led model.

There are examples already in place where institutions like the Galway Arts Centre for example and the community itself steps in and runs the facility. [The cinema] would be owned effectively by the council but it would be run on behalf of the public by the arts community. That is the kind of model we would be advocating for.

He added: Theres no end to the practical uses that the building itself could be used for, the fact that it would be just shut down and not used for anything is something that we cant tolerate as an arts community here in Galway.

Galway has a reputation for being the cultural capital and we need to ensure that we protect the cultural infrastructure of the city.
Department of Foreign Affairs offering consular assistance to family

The renowned UK pensioner and environmentalist sent back to jail last month has strong links to Valentia Island.

Gaie Delap (77) was given a 20 month prison sentence in August 2024 after taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest in November 2022 that blocked the M25 motorway near London.

However, she was released on home curfew in November but was sent back to prison just before Christmas because authorities said the electronic tag to monitor her was too big for her wrist.

Ms Delap was arrested at on December 21 and taken to Eastwood Park Prison in Gloucestershire where she remains. She will celebrate her 78th birthday this week. A candlelit vigil will be held outside the prison on her birthday on January 10.

Her family have been campaigning for her release and have said they have sought help from the Irish authorities as she is an Irish passport holder and has strong links to Kerry.

Her brother Mick told the The Kerryman that they are very pleased that the Department of Foreign Affairs are looking into her case.

He said the family are campaigning for her to be released as had been arranged under the scheme and said she should be treated the same as all those serving a sentence.

"We are not asking for special treatment. She should be treated as a normal person going through the judicial system. She will serve her sentence like everyone else, he said.

He said the family believe there is other similar equipment that could be used to monitor Gaie and they said they do not believe her wrists are any smaller than any other female.

Gaie is the great niece of Maude Delap ( who was a world-famous self taught Marine biologist who moved to Valentia Island when her father became a rector on the island and in Cahersiveen.

Maude is best known for being the first person to breed jellyfish in captivity to observe their life-cycle. She was also involved in extensive study of plankton from the coasts of Valentia Island.

Maude who passed away on the island in 1953 at the age of 1986 and is still remembered on the island.

Much of her and her sisters maritime collection is housed in the National History museum

The Delap family own a house on the island and visit regularly. Gaie has previously visited the island and the family have also thanked the Irish media and authorities are the interest in her case.

Mick said despite the situation Gaie is doing well although her health is not great.

"I saw her last Friday and she is fine. She is a resourceful woman but it is stressful and her health isnt great. She is in the wrong place, he said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed they are aware of the case and is providing consular assistance.

As with all consular cases, the Department does not comment on the details of individual cases, they said in a statement this week.
Judith Chalmers McEneaney is gearing up for a challenge of a lifetime  climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for Droghedas Tredagh Lodge, a centre providing vital care for people living with Alzheimers and dementia. Her motivation comes from a personal place, as she has seen first-hand how the disease impacts sufferers and their families.

Ive got friends whose parents have Alzheimers, and on my husbands side of the family, I never realised how much of a knock-on effect it has  not just for the person going through it but also for their families, Judith shares. I thought Ive paid for the expedition to Kilimanjaro and so everything I raise will go towards someone who needs it.

Judith leaves Ireland for Kilimanjaro, Tanzania on January 31, and the seven-day hike to scale Africas tallest peak, situated at 5,895 m (19,341 ft) above sea level, starts on February 1. I hike all the time with friends of mine and I saw the expedition on Hiking Buddies Ireland and thought, would I be able for Kilimanjaro? I thought. yeah Ill give it a bash!, she says.

Being no stranger to hiking, Judith is a keen hiker with Anam Tours in Louth, High Hopes Hiking in Sligo and Hiking Buddies Ireland, and has tackled Carrauntuohill, the highest mountain in Ireland, the Snowdonia mountains in Wales and many trails in the Mourne Mountains, but she knows this will be a climb unlike any other. Its not a climb like in Ireland or the UK, she says. Its a slow, gradual climb. There is a thing called pole pole where the guides tell you to go slow and give your body a chance to adjust to the altitude. It means slow and steady. Theyll monitor our oxygen levels regularly and make sure we are staying hydrated.

Judith has been getting plenty of support from the Kilimanjaro Bucket List Expedition group who will guide her on the momentous climb. Theyve been amazing, sending me information at every stage, like Now you should apply for a visa, or Now you should be doing cardio, they have been so helpful and encouraging, which is reassuring. Full of nervous excitement, she says that mindset is key. They warn you not to think too much about the altitude, the minute you start thinking about that, youre done before you start.

The trek will span over a week, taking the group through diverse terrain, from everything from deserts, rainforests and icy conditions at the summit. The team will also tackle the Barranco Wall, a difficult rocky section and spend nights in tents, moving to different camps each day. We have a porter who carries our equipment and a loo, and we carry a 30 litre bag with our day stuff, like snacks, water and a change of clothes, she explains.

Judith will be joined by three of her good friends: Elaine McCann from Drogheda, Richard Compton from Leitrim and Fiona Hillen from Newry. Theyll also be joined by fellow hiker and guide from Kerry, Tony Digby. I was out having dinner with them in November 2023 and just casually said Im doing Kilimanjaro, she recalls. And this was before Id even had a drink yet! she laughs. I told them theyd be welcome to join, but I didnt want to put pressure on anyone. I knew I was going to do it, even if nobody wanted to join me! But it was nice when Elaine called me up the following week and said she was coming and then the others signed up too. Itll be a fantastic adventure for us all and its great that we get to share the journey together.

The climb will be followed by a two-day safari in Tanzania and the group will return to Ireland on February 11. I cant wait to get to the top and that picture that shows I did it, I conquered it! she says.

Judith is passionate about raising awareness for Alzheimers and is hopeful that her climb will contribute to that. If I can help raise funds for Tredagh Lodge, Ill be really happy, she says. Its such a lovely, beautiful place and if I can do something to make it easier for local people to get the care they need without having to travel to Dublin, I will feed proud of that.

She shares that one of her motivations for supporting Tredagh Lodge was from an experience she had with a friend who is beginning their own Alzheimers journey. We were out at a restaurant and my friend ordered from the waitress, but she changed her mind and I could see the frustration in the waitress, and it made me think back to a talk I had been at hosted by Tredagh Lodge. They spoke of how they wanted to transform Drogheda into an Alzheimers and dementia-aware town, sharing a vision of how staff in restaurants and businesses could be trained to help support people on this journey. Just a bit of extra time and understanding makes a huge difference. It made me realise further how the work at Tredagh Lodge can really make such an impact.

Judiths decision to take on this challenge was not only down to raising funds, it came after a difficult year for her personally. She adds that life is short, if you want to do something, just go and do it!

To support Judith;s Kilamanjaro climb and to help raise vital finds for Tredagh Lodge, visit https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/JudithsclimbingKilimanjarofund. Every contribution helpseven the price of a cup of coffee. Im really grateful for the support towards helping this incredible cause.
Murder accused Nebojsa Pap has been remanded in custody for a further two weeks. (Pic: Paddy Cummins)

A man in his 30s accused of murdering his mother in her midlands home has been remanded in custody for a second time.

Nebojsa Pap (31) with an address at Beechville in Athlone, Westmeath, appeared via video link at a sitting of Athlone District Court on Wednesday afternoon.

The accused initially came before a special sitting of Mullingar District Court five days earlier, charged with murdering 58-year-old Mirjana Pap, who also resided at the same aforementioned address, on December 28.

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Sgt Paul McNally, for the State, said directions were still outstanding from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and sought a four-week adjournment.

Defence solicitor Mark Cooney replied, saying the court had previously directed his client to undergo psychiatric assessment by referring to a note on the court file which suggested such a report was not ready to be presented to the court.

There was no application for bail as the District Court does not have jurisdiction to consider bail in murder cases which require an application to go before the High Court.

Mirjana Pap

In addressing his client, Mr Cooney asked Pap if he was willing to agree to a two week adjournment as opposed to the States four week application, a question the accused replied by saying: Yes.

Mr Cooney added how Ms Paps body could now be released to her family after a previous application for the extension of legal aid to cover the cost of for an independent pathologist to be engaged had been granted by the court.

The Croatian national, who was a widow, lived and worked in Athlone for several years and previously worked at the Athlone accommodation centre.

Her body was found on bogland at Curraghaleen outside the midlands town on December 30 after being reported missing two days earlier.

Pap was consequently remanded in custody to a sitting of Athlone District Court on January 22 when DPP directions are expected to be made known.
Enniscorthy native and broadcaster Aedin Ni Thiarnaigh made a lasting impression with her eloquent speaking and knowledge on the latest episode of The Tommy Tiernan Show.

Although she now resides in the Aran Islands, Aedin grew up in Enniscorthy and attended local secondary school Colaiste Bride, where she developed her love of the Irish language. Since her graduation she has made a name for herself as a broadcaster, writer, and Gaeilgeoir.
Malcolm Byrne TD, Taoiseach Simon Harris, Minister Hildegarde Naughton, Principal Kerrie Wickham, Brian Brennan TD and Karina Daly CEO of WWETB Unveiling the plaque at the Gorey Hill School Official Launch. PIC:Sabrina Ffrench

Karina Daly CEO of WWETB, Aileen Roche Deputy Principal, Principal Kerrie Wickham, Taoiseach Simon Harris, Minister Hildegarde Naughton, Lola O Sullivan Chair of WWETB and CLLR Mary Farrell at the Gorey Hill School Official Launch. PIC:Sabrina Ffrench

Malcolm Byrne TD, Taoiseach Simon Harris, Minister Hildegarde Naughton, Principal Kerrie Wickham, Brian Brennan TD and Karina Daly CEO of WWETB Unveiling the plaque at the Gorey Hill School Official Launch. PIC:Sabrina Ffrench

Malcolm Byrne TD, Taoiseach Simon Harris, Minister Hildegarde Naughton, Principal Kerrie Wickham, Brian Brennan TD and Karina Daly CEO of WWETB Unveiling the plaque at the Gorey Hill School Official Launch. PIC:Sabrina Ffrench

Staff and students of Gorey Hill School were delighted to welcome An Taoiseach, Simon Harris and Minister Hildegarde Naughton to its official opening on Tuesday, January 7.

With a mission to provide a nurturing and supportive environment, Gorey Hill School is committed to fostering inclusive learning experiences tailored to the needs of each student. The school features state-of-the-art facilities and a team of experienced and committed staff.

Speaking after the official opening, Principal of Gorey Hill School Kerrie Wickham said: "We are thrilled to welcome An Taoiseach and the Minister to officially open our school. Our dedicated staff members have worked tirelessly to create an environment where every child feels valued and empowered to reach their fullest potential."

Gorey Hill School is a Special School that provides an appropriate education for students, aged 4 to 18 years old who have a diagnosis of autism and complex learning needs or complex learning needs, with a professional recommendation for a special school.

The new school boasts sensory rooms, adaptive technologies, outdoor learning and play spaces, ensuring that students receive a holistic education.

"We recognise that every child is unique and at Gorey Hill School we celebrate those differences," said Dr Karina Daly, Chief Executive of Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB).

Karina thanked the Department of Education for inviting WWETB to become the patron of this new school. I hope that this school will be used to its full capacity and that it becomes a haven where education is provided, along with a place to nurture good friendships, in a space that feels welcoming to all, she said.

An Taoiseach Simon Harris who was also at the official opening said he wanted to acknowledge the incredible work that's happening here in Gorey Hill today.

Student Harry Crosbie admiring Taoiseach Simon Harris' hair with Minister Hildegarde Naughton at the Gorey Hill School Official Launch. PIC:Sabrina Ffrench

He commended the staff and said that he wished to thank them for their work, especially in regard to individual education plans, designed specifically for each and every child. I know from talking to the teachers and the SNAs, that they are already seeing progress in the children in this school, even in a very short space of time, and its great to see children being happy to return to school, he said.

The Taoiseach also thanked everybody who made this beautiful building a reality and I want to acknowledge the work required to get from concept to school, to happy children in such a short period of nine months, which is something I dont take for granted.

Government Chief Whip and Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, Hildegarde Naughton TD said: I am so happy to see Gorey Hill Special School officially opened. This is such an exciting and important day, especially for the children and young people who are at the very heart of everything we celebrate today.

In conclusion, Minister Naughton said, This school is a place where children will feel welcomed, supported, and valued for who they are. It will be a place where they can grow, learn, and achieve in a way that suits their unique strengths and abilities. Every child deserves to feel connected to their school and community which will be made a reality in the new special school here in Gorey.

Deputy Malcolm Byrne welcomed the official opening of Gorey Hill Special School by an Taoiseach this morning but added that expansion will be necessary soon.

"This is a wonderful and much needed facility and tribute to the Department of Education and Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (the patron body) as well the management, staff, parents and students for getting it off the ground so quickly.

But we know that demand for special school places is growing and we need to plan for the development of a larger school in Gorey. This will continue to be a priority for me.

Taoiseach, Simon Harris joining in the morning movement break at the Gorey Hill School Official Launch. PIC:Sabrina Ffrench

Deputy Fionntan O Suilleabhain thanked principal Kerrie Wickham and the staff at Waterford Wexford Education & Training Board; Principal Aodhagan Swords and the staff of Gaelscoil Moshiolog, who facilitated the establishment of the Special School on its premises, and all others concerned.

Additionally, he highlighted a number of elements that need to be seen in terms of Special Education provision across the state. Firstly, he called for the National Council for Special Education to be provided with greater powers to ensure that sufficient, appropriate school places and classes are provided.

Deputy O Suilleabhain also called for the recruitment of additional educational psychologists along with greater administrative support to make better use of their time and to ensure that children with additional needs are assessed in a timely manner.

Furthermore, he called for the provision of funding for the recruitment of 1,000 additional Special Education teachers and 1,300 additional SNAs on average per annum as well as the recruitment of sufficient Occupational Therapists to help deal with the present crisis.
Jessica and Joshua MacElroy with Nathan Docobo at the Joe The Magician show at the Whale theatre, Greystones. Photo: Leigh Anderson

Parish of Powerscourt with Kilbride

Services at Powerscourt with Kilbride: All Services are available on the Parish YouTube Channel.

Service of Worship in St. Patricks Church, Powerscourt, for this Sunday, The Third Sunday of Christmas: 11.30am Holy Communion 1.

Service of Worship in St. Brigids Church, Kilbride, for this Sunday, The Third Sunday of Christmas: 9.45am Morning Prayer 2.

The Living Room: The next meeting with St. Marys Enniskerry takes place at 11am on Wednesday February 5th in St. Marys

Irish Trefoil GuildGuiding for Life: Calling all former leaders of the Irish Girl Guides in

Bray and the surrounding area. There is now a Trefoil Guild in Bray. Contact Anne at braytrefoilguild@gmail.com.

St Marys Church

Parish Website: www.enniskerryparish.ie is the Parish website of the Immaculate Heart of Marycheck it out for the latest information about our parish.

Facebook Page: There is a facebook page for the parish of Enniskerry, incorporating all four churches which facebook users will find under Enniskerry parish with a cover photo of trees and profile picture of a quote from Pope Francis. Please give it a like and feel free to post news from your community.

Enniskerry (also Curtlestown & Glencree) Parish Office opening times: Monday to Friday: 10am to 1pm; email: stmarys@enniskerryparish.ie; or call 01-2760030.

St. Mochonogs Parish Office opening times: Monday: 9am to 2pm, Tuesday: (by phone) 10am to 1pm, Wednesday: 10am to 2pm, Thursday (by phone) 10am to 1pm. Closed Friday.

Parish Churches Schedule of Masses: Enniskerry St. Marys: Saturday evening 6pm and also via parish webcam; Sunday 11am and also via parish webcam. Weekday Mass at Enniskerry is at 10.15am on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and also via parish webcam lay-led prayer service on Wednesday; and Saturday at 10.15am, and also available via the parish webcam. Masses in Curtlestown and Kilmacanogue are on Sunday at 10am. Mass in Glencree is at 9am on the first Sunday each month.

The Living Room: The next meeting with St. Patricks Powerscourt takes place at 11am on Wednesday February 5th in St Marys.

Baptism Requests: Requests for Baptism now take place online at www.enniskerryparish.ie.

Downtime Thursday/Adoration: Downtime Thursday has now reverted to the last Thursday of the Month so the next one will take place on Thursday January 30th from 7pm to 8pm so why not pop into the church for some quiet time.. You can sit in silence with candlelight and gentle music. Take a few minutes for yourself and just be. Light a candle, say a prayer. Just sit if thats what you need. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will take place.

New Here?: You are very welcome. You can keep up to date with us through the parish webpage at www.enniskerryparish.ie. You can register as a parishioner by mailing us at stmarys@enniskerryparish.ie or stmochonogs@enniskerryparish.ie. If you wish to receive items, or if you would like to receive the Parish Link by email weekly please phone the Parish Office in Enniskerry on 01-2760030 (10am to 1pm Monday to Friday or email: stmarys@enniskerry.ie; and Kilmacanogue on 01-2021882 (10am to 1pm Monday to Thursday) or email:stmochonogs@enniskerryparish.ie.

Broadcast List: A broadcast list for the parish is now up and running. This is to keep everyone up to date with what is happening in the parish and for easy communication in relation to building our communities. If you would like to have your name added to the list please contact Aideen at 086 8182 241.

History Society

Members and supporters of the Enniskerry History Society are asked to note that the following events will take place in the week ahead.

Today (Wednesday) Chris Corlett will present a Monumental Mystery Tour of Medieval Ireland at 7.45 p.m. to the Knocklyon History Society in The Iona Pastoral Centre, Idrone Avenue, Knocklyon, Dublin 16. All are welcome to attendadmission is 3 for members and 5 for non-members. A 24-hour pay and display car park is in operation; Robert Nicholson will present Tales from the Tower at 8pm to the Rathmichael Historical Society in Rathmichael National School, Stonebridge Road, Shankill, Co. Dublin. All are welcome. Admission is 5 for non-members. Tomorrow (Thursday) Michael Traynor will present Petticoat Pilots at 8pm to the Kilmacud-Stillorgan Local History Society in St. Lawrences Parish Centre, Lower Kilmacud Road, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin. Members are free visitors 3. Please note that there is a car parking charge of 1 per hour at this venue coin payment only. On Friday as part of the Marino 100 History Talks, Sam McGrath will present The IRA in Fairview/Drumcondra 1916-1923: Including the veterans who moved into Marino after the Civil War at 7pm in Carleton Hall (Marino Community Centre), 53A Shelmartin Avenue, Dublin 3; Michal Barr will present 24 Shipwrecks on the Irish Coast: The Spanish Armada and Ireland at 8pm to the Military History Society of Ireland in Griffith College, South Circular Road, Dublin 8. Next Monday Anne Chambers will present T.K. Whitaker (1916-2017) Irishman of the 20th Century at 8pm to the Blackrock Society in Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, 32 Belgrave Square, Monkstown, Co. Dublin. All are welcomeadmission is 5 for non-members; Gary Ahern will recall The Southern Cross flight from Portmarnock in 1930 at 8pm to the Kilmacanogue History Society in Kilmacanogue Parish Hall, adjacent to St. Mochonogs R.C. Church, Kilmacanogue, Co. Wicklow All are welcomeadmission is 3 for members and 5 for non-members. Next Tuesday night Declan Brady will present A Century of Malahide and Fingal Politics in the Period 1848 1948 at 8pm to the Malahide Historical Society in St. Sylvesters Church Parish Centre, Malahide, Co. Dublin. All are welcome admission is 5. Next Wednesday Cathy Scuffil will present A Tale from South Dublin: Down by the River Poddle at 8pm to the Dun Laoghaire Borough Historical Society in the Royal Marine Hotel, Marine Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. All are welcomeadmission is 5. Free parking for those attending this lecture; John Martin will present From rocky commons to fashionable suburbthe transformation of Dalkey in the 19th century at 7.30pm to the Greystones Archaeological and Historical Society in the Kilian Family Centre beside Holy Rosary Church, Greystones. All are welcome admission charge.

Enniskerry Library

Opening hours are Tuesday 10.30am to 12.30pm & 1.30pm to 4.30pm; Wednesday: 2pm to 4.30pm & 6pm to 8pm; Friday: 10.30am to 12.30pm & 1.30pm to 4.30pm; Saturday: 10am to 2.30pm. The Library is closed on Mondays and Thursdays and on the Saturdays of Bank Holiday weekends.

The Library can be contacted at 01-2864339 or email: enniskerrylib@wicklowcoco.ie. On-line services including e-books, audio-books, digital magazines and newspapers and e-learning are available from the library website.

Enniskerry Bridge Club

Enniskerry Bridge Club meets every Tuesday night in the Parochial Hall (beside Poppies) at 7.30pm. New members are very welcome. For more information please contact the Secretary on 085-7112179.
Katy Cavanagh is to return to Coronation Street as Julie Carp (ITV/PA)

Coronation Street character Julie Carp is to return to the show a decade after her last appearance.

Played by Katy Cavanagh, Julie will return to the cobbles to surprise half-sister Eileen Grimshaw (Sue Cleaver) on February 21 as Cleaver leaves the ITV soap after 25 years.

Speaking about her return, Cavanagh, 51, said: It is exciting to dust off Julies quirky wardrobe again and an absolute joy to step back on to the cobbles. Julie is so much fun, Ive missed her.

Katy Cavanagh as Julie Carp (ITV/PA)

Her character first arrived in Weatherfield in 2008 after a holiday romance with Kirk Sutherland (Andy Whyment).

The relationship did not work out, and when Julie set her sights on Eileens son Jason (Ryan Thomas), her mother Paula (Sharon Duce) was forced to tell her she was Eileens half-sister and Jasons aunt.

After a brief fling with Eileens then-boyfriend Jessie Chadwick, Julie fell in love with newsagent Brian Packham (Peter Gunn) and they left the street together in 2015, but they split and Brian eventually returned to Weatherfield without her.

It comes after one of the shows stars, Charlotte Jordan, announced she is leaving the show to start a new chapter and explore other opportunities.

Charlotte Jordan has won awards for her work on Coronation Street (Danny Lawson/PA)

The 29-year-old plays Daisy Midgeley in the programme and won best dramatic performance at the British Soap Awards in 2023.

Colson Smith (who plays Craig Tinker) and Luca Toolan (Mason Radcliffe) also announced their departures earlier in the month along with Cleaver, with reports that Sue Devaneys character Debbie Webster is to be axed.

Jordan said: My time at Coronation Street is something I will always cherish.

Its been a privilege to be part of a wonderful institution with even more wonderful colleagues who have taught me so much.

After a brilliant four years for Daisy on the street, its time for me to start a new chapter and explore other opportunities.

Her storylines have included being involved in a multi-level marketing scheme and being stalked by Justin Rutherford (Andrew Still), which ended in her and Ryan Connor (Ryan Prescott) becoming victims of an acid attack.

A source for the show told the PA news agency: The producers fully understand Charlottes desire to explore other projects  she is a talented, ambitious actress.

She advised the show of her decision to leave last April when she started her latest contract, giving a years notice and plenty of time for the producer and writing team to devise a dramatic exit storyline which has already started to play out on screen.

She will be on screen until early summer.

Former Emmerdale producer Kate Brooks took over creative responsibilities for Coronation Street in April last year, and said she would endeavour to take great care of the show and make sure it endures.

The on-air changes come after Helen Worth, who played Gail Rodwell, left the soap on Christmas Day after 50 years, as her character decided to move to France after marrying Jesse Chadwick (John Thomson)  amid reports that budgets for Emmerdale and Coronation Street have been cut.
Tourists among three killed in Australian seaplane crash

A Swiss woman, a Danish man and the pilot died when the plane crashed during take-off from an Australian tourist island

An image from a video provided by Australian Broadcasting Corporation, shows part of a plane wreckage being pulled onto shore on Rottnest Island (Australian Broadcasting Corporation /AP)

Rod McGuirk Wed 8 Jan 2025 at 08:05







Three people, including Swiss and Danish tourists, died when a seaplane crashed during take-off from an Australian tourist island, injuring three others.
The eldest son of US President-elect Donald Trump arrived in Greenland for a private visit which has heightened speculation that the incoming US administration could seek to take control of the Danish territory.

The Danish state broadcaster reported that Donald Trump Jrs plane landed in Nuuk, the capital of the vast and icy territory which has 57,000 residents. In a statement, Greenlands government said Mr Trump Jr was visiting as a private individual and not in an official capacity, and that Greenland representatives would not meet him.
Ukraine yesterday said its forces were commencing new offensive actions in Russias western Kursk region, in its first substantive remarks two days after Russian reports of a renewed Ukrainian thrust in the area.

Ukraine first seized part of the region in a surprise incursion last August, and it has held territory there for five months despite losing some ground. Russias defence ministry said on Sunday that Kyiv had launched a new counter-attack.
Mourners attend the funeral of Rachel Cohen (73) and Aliza Raiz (70) who were killed yesterday in a Palestinian shooting attack in the West Bank on Monday. Photo: AP

The Israeli military launched a wave of raids across the occupied West Bank on Monday night and in to yesterday, killing at least three Palestinians it said were militants a day after a deadly shooting attack.
OpenAI boss Sam Altman denies sisters allegations of sexual abuse

Ann Altman has filed a lawsuit claiming her brother sexually abused her over a number of years, starting when they were children

Open AI chief executive Sam Altman. Photo: AP

Martyn Landi Wed 8 Jan 2025 at 10:34







The sister of OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman has filed a lawsuit in the United States alleging that he regularly sexually abused her over a number of years, starting when they were children.
SAG Awards nominations and premieres cancelled as wildfires hit Los Angeles

About 30,000 people living in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood, home to a string of A-list celebrities, have been ordered to evacuate

Firefighters work to extinguish flames at a McDonald's restaurant as the Eaton Fire burns in Pasadena, California, U.S. January 7, 2025. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Ellie Iorizzo Wed 8 Jan 2025 at 09:27







The Screen Actors Guild Awards have cancelled a live nominations announcement because of the wildfires in Los Angeles.
Griha Laxmi OTT Release Date: Actor Hina Khan has announced her upcoming series Griha Laxmi, a gripping tale of power, betrayal, and danger. The gritty series Griha Laxmi will be streaming on EPIC ON from 16 January.

In the narrow lanes of Betalgadh, Laxmis life takes a shocking turn.



From a simple housewife to the queen of the citys drug world  her journey will leave you stunned.



Get ready for a story filled with power, betrayal, and danger.



Streaming on 16th January only on EPIC ON. pic.twitter.com/ytbd1jx9Mr  Hina Khan (@eyehinakhan) January 5, 2025

Griha Laxmi plot

Set in the fictional town of Betalgadh, Griha Laxmi follows the journey of Lakshmi, played by Hina Khan, a housewife struggling to make ends meet.

Lakshmi's ordinary life takes a dramatic twist when she accidentally discovers a stash of marijuana during a police chase.

Desperate to provide for her family, she makes the bold decision to sell the contraband, plunging into a dangerous underworld rife with peril, secrets, and tough moral choices.

As she navigates this treacherous path, Lakshmi evolves into the unlikely 'queen of the city's drug world,' balancing her family's needs with the escalating risks of her new life.

Griha Laxmi cast and crew

The series features Hina Khan leads as Lakshmi, supported by Chunky Pandey as Kareem Kazi, Dibyendu Bhattacharya as Vikram, Harish as Surya, Abhishek Verma as Hemant, Manish Raisinghan as Milan, and Rahul Dev in pivotal roles.

This gritty series is set to captivate viewers with its intense storytelling and complex characters.

Hina Khan's recent cancer diagnosis

Actor Hina Khan was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2024.

Throughout her treatment process, she has remained open and transparent, regularly sharing her personal journey on social media.

Her updates have not only informed her followers but also served as a source of inspiration for many, as she navigates the challenges of her battle.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
Actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut is at the centre of controversy again as she promotes her upcoming movie Emergency, based on the 1975 Emergency imposed by former PM Indira Gandhi. Known for her bold statements, the Mandi MP recently shared the struggles behind getting the film made, revealing in an interview with ANI how even the director of the 1978 Kissa Kursi Ka, another film based on Indira Gandhi's life, was pushed to commit suicide due to a "situation" created for him.

The 38-year old actor shared her thoughts on the challenges of making Emergency in an interview with ANI, saying, "Mrs. Gandhi par aaj tak koi film nahi bana paya. Inspired bolna, naam kuch rakh dena, iss tarah se bane hai kuch kisso pe, lekin ek entirety mein koi nahi bana paya." (No one has ever made a film about Mrs. Gandhi (Indira Gandhi) that truly captures everything. People might say it's inspired, but no one has done it in its entirety).

#WATCH | Mumbai: On her film Emergency, actress Kangana Ranaut says "There was a lot of struggle. You must have seen no one could ever make a film on Mrs Gandhi (Indira Gandhi)...There was a film 'Kissa Kursi Ka', Director of that film had to commit suicide and such a situation pic.twitter.com/G1R8XKXDM3  ANI (@ANI) January 7, 2025

She also recalled the story of Kissa Kursi Ka, a 1978 satire on Indira Gandhi's politics, adding, "Ek film bani thi Kissa Kursi Ka ke kisse aaj bhi chalte hai. Aaakhir mein director ko aatmahatya karni padi gayi thi..iss tarah ka mahaul unke liye kar diya gaya tha." (The director of that film had to commit suicide because of the intense pressure put on him.)

Kissa Kursi Ka was banned during the Emergency period by the Indian government, and all copies of the film were seized. However, there are no news reports of director Amrit Nahata committing suicide. Instead, the former member of parliament, passed away in 2001 at the age of 74 during an operation at Escorts Hospital in Delhi.

The Queen actor also said, "Mujhe bilkul bhi pata nahi tha ki mujhe itni mushkilein aayengi is film ko banate waqt... usually, meri films kaafi comfortable budget mein banti hain lekin is baar mujhe bahut struggles ka samna karna pada  chahe wo studios ya funds se related ho. Sabse badi struggle thi ki koi bhi iss film ke release ko lekar confident nahi tha. 'Kya yeh film kabhi release hogi ya nahi?' Yeh sawal hamesha humare dimaag mein tha." (I didn't expect to go through such tough times. My films are usually made with a comfortable budget, but this time, we struggled with studios and funds. The biggest challenge was that no one believed the film would actually be released. The question was always, 'Will it ever be seen or not?')

Censor issues with the movie 'Emergency'

Kangana Ranaut's Emergency was initially set to release on September 6 but faced delays due to certification issues with the CBFC (Censor Board of Film Certification).

The film eventually received a U/A certificate, although the board recommended 13 cuts.

Addressing the situation, she said, "I would have liked that the full version would have come. But with the cuts, there is no issue, because it's not like the film was made to mock someone. It's not like that. It's fine. They completely removed some episodes of history. And the fact that it doesn't impact my film, in a way, it is a testimony of that, that it doesn't matter."

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
Ajith Kumar is one of the biggest names in Tamil cinema. The mass hero enjoys a strong fan following because of his striking screen presence and intense performances. The actor is now in the limelight because of a shocking reason. The Viswasam actor recently met with an accident while practicing for the Dubai 24 Hours race in Dubai.

Ajith Kumar meets with an accident during race practice

Ajith Kumar is a racing enthusiast and owns a racing team. He will be participating in a race in Dubai. The actors car was involved in an accident during a practice session.

Ajith Kumars massive crash in practise, but he walks away unscathed.

Another day in the office  thats racing!#ajithkumarracing #ajithkumar pic.twitter.com/dH5rQb18z0  Ajithkumar Racing (@Akracingoffl) January 7, 2025

In a video posted online by his team, the car is seen colliding with barriers at a high speed. In the next shot, Ajith is seen stepping out of the car unhurt. As expected this created a great deal of buzz among netizens and they took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to express their concern.

No worries AK fans 



AK Will bounce back  



His Will power beyond what we imagine  RF (@FedererMani) January 7, 2025

I can't take this  praying everything goes well.  Spiced Lad (@thespicedlad) January 7, 2025

Ajith Kumar is expected to resume practice today (January 8) as he is perfectly fine.

Busy time for Ajith

Ajith is gearing up for the release of Vidaamuyarchi, directed by Magizh Thirumeni. The action thriller revolves around the events that take place when the protagonists wife disappears during a trip. The cast includes Trisha, Arjun Sarja, and Regina Cassandra. It is expected to hit the screens later this month.

Ajith also has Good Bad Ugly, directed by Adhik Ravichandran, in his kitty. It features him in three distinct looks and will open in theatres in April.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
Screen grab: Netflix

WWE pulled out all the stops for its Netflix debut on Monday night. That included an appearance from arguably the biggest star in the companys history, Hulk Hogan, in what ultimately proved to be one of the shows few lowlights.

While the opening of chords of Real American elicited the expected pop that most nostalgia acts receive, the cheers across Los Angeles Intuit Dome quickly shifted to boos. The heckling of Hogan only gained steam as the Hulkster proceeded to cut a rambling babyface promo that doubled as an ad for his Real American Beer, which WWE now has a partnership with.

The boos for Hogan were so intense that they even got recognized by Netflixs subtitles, as pictured at the top of this story.

Watching Hulk Hogan get booed out of a building filled with 18k people restored my faith in humanity  #WWERAW #RawOnNetflix pic.twitter.com/f8qBP7uILt  Public Enemies Podcast (@TheEnemiesPE3) January 7, 2025

With Raws highly anticipated debut on Netflix already putting WWE in the spotlight, the bizarre nature of Hogans appearance received plenty of media attention. That included on CNN NewsNight, where conservative commentator Scott Jennings suggested that the living legend was booed because of his public support of President Elect Donald Trump.

Hulk Hogan came out and was largely booed by the crowd in Los Angeles and it took me aback because, as you know, Im a big Hulkamaniac, Jennings said. It was likely because he decided to get involved in politics and he was in L.A. and he got booed.

Jennings went on to implore Hogan to embrace his heel persona  Hollywood Hulk Hogan  in future appearances, which actually isnt a bad idea.

Dump the yellow and red. Go back to the black and white nWo days, Jenning said. Lean into your new bad guy MAGA status and own it and continue to generate heat.

CNN have covered Hulk Hogan being booed on this weeks Monday Night RAW.pic.twitter.com/BzPAo4jsLk  Fightful Wrestling (@Fightful) January 8, 2025

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But while the master of running leg drop is obviously already a heel to WWE fans, the reasoning why isnt as simple as Jennings and others have suggested. After all, it was just a few segments earlier that another Trump-supporting WWE legend  The Undertaker  made a cameo of his own, receiving raucous cheers as he drove a motorcycle down the ramp, to Kid Rocks American Bad Ass, no less.

If the audience at the Intuit Dome was as anti-Trump as Jennings suggested, its hard to imagine The Undertaker  who interviewed the 45th/47th president on his podcast just weeks before the 2024 election  being greeted with such fanfare.

So what happened with Hogan?

While Jennings later noted that the 71-year-old has had some controversies in his life as well, the fact of the matter is that those controversies are more than just a footnote to many  if not most  pro wrestling fans. Ultimately, Hogan has been a polarizing figure for nearly a decade now after it was first reported in 2015 that he made racist and homophobic comments, including the use of slurs while being secretly recorded years earlier.

WWE even disassociated itself from Hogan  arguably the biggest star in the companys history  for nearly three years as a result of the situation before bringing him back for periodic appearances beginning in 2018. That included at WrestleMania 37 in 2021, in which the crowd at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa also booed him, years before he had become the public Trump supporter he is today.

Its also worth noting that Hogan hasnt been booed at every appearance hes made in the years since the audio recordings first leaked, which only illustrates the complexity of the circumstances that led to his reception on Monday night.

To be certain, his public support of Trump surely didnt help matters, especially with the appearance taking place in a city as liberal as Los Angeles. But with his reputation already working against him for a multitude of reasons, perhaps one of the biggest unspoken reasons for Hogan got booed as fervently as he did is the reality that wrestling fans see through the schtick. And not only was someone they dont like interrupting what was otherwise a WrestleMania-caliber show, but he was doing so to shamelessly sell them beer during time that would have been spent better on the actual WWE product.

Say what you will about wrestling fans, but we know the difference between a work and a shoot. And what we perhaps hate more than anything is trying to be sold a shoot when we know its a work  especially when it involves a babyface weve already decided is a real-life heel.
Bhogi 2025 date & history: Bhogi, a key part of the Pongal celebrations, is a festival dedicated to Lord Indra, the rain god. Farmers in India honour Lord Indra to seek his blessings for good rainfall and abundant harvests, which bring happiness and wealth. Bhogi is not just about worship; its a time to leave behind negativity and start afresh. Lets understand the history, traditions, and significance of this joyous occasion.

When Is Bhogi 2025?

Bhogi 2025 will be observed on Monday, 13 January, with the Bhogi Sankranti rituals falling on 14 January at 9:03 AM. It is the perfect time to plan your celebrations and rituals to embrace the true spirit of the festival.

The Meaning and Importance of Bhogi

Credit: Freepik

Bhogi is deeply connected to farming and nature. It is celebrated to thank Lord Indra for rain and good crops. Farmers also worship their tools and equipment, which are essential for their livelihoods.

This day is important because it encourages people to leave behind old, unwanted things and make a fresh start. Its a time for positivity, renewal, and new beginnings.

Rituals of Bhogi: Celebrating Fresh Starts

Bhogi Mantalu: Saying Goodbye to the Old

One of the most unique traditions of Bhogi is the Bhogi Mantalu, where people light a bonfire. Items like old clothes, wooden objects, and other unnecessary household things are burnt in this fire made of wood and cow dung cakes. This ritual symbolises letting go of negative energy and welcoming a new phase of life.

Women wear fresh clothes and gather around the fire to chant prayers. Homes are thoroughly cleaned, and beautiful decorations such as marigold garlands and mango leaves are used to bring positive energy.

Bhogi Pallu: Blessings for Young Ones

The Bhogi Pallu ritual is especially for children aged three to six. Kids are dressed in traditional outfits and showered with a mixture of jujube fruits, flowers, black gram, jaggery, sugarcane pieces, and coins. This is believed to keep children safe from evil eyes and bring them blessings and protection.

Bommala Koluvu: A Creative Devotion

During Bhogi, families create artistic displays called Bommala Koluvu. Dolls and figurines are placed on tiered platforms as an offering to the gods. This ritual reflects devotion and adds to the festive atmosphere.

Ariselu Adugulu: Stepping Towards Growth

A sweet ritual called Ariselu Adugulu involves preparing a traditional dessert, Ariselu, made from rice and jaggery. Toddlers are encouraged to take their first steps on this sweet dish, which symbolises growth, progress, and new achievements.

Rangoli and Competitions

Another beautiful part of Bhogi is making colourful rangolis with flowers and powders. People decorate their home entrances with intricate patterns, which are believed to bring good fortune. Rangoli competitions are also held, adding to the excitement of the festival.

Celebrations with Food and Togetherness

Festivals in India are incomplete without food, and Bhogi is no exception. Families come together to prepare and enjoy traditional sweets and other delicacies. Sharing food strengthens bonds and fills hearts with joy and optimism for the year ahead.

Why Bhogi Matters During Pongal 2025

Bhogi marks the first day of the four-day Pongal festival, celebrated in South India. This festival thanks nature for its blessings and begins with Bhogi, setting the stage for the next days of festivities.

Bhogi is a time to celebrate new beginnings, honour traditions, and create memories with loved ones. This day brings hope, joy, and positivity, making it a special part of Pongal festivities.
Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 travel and staying cost: The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, one of the most sacred events for Hindus, will take place in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, from 13th January to 26th February 2025. This grand religious gathering, held every 12 years, draws millions of people from India and around the world.

The Uttar Pradesh government expects more than 40 to 45 crore visitors to attend, including tourists from other countries. Many VIPs, VVIPs, and wealthy individuals are also likely to be part of this spiritual event.

How to reach Maha Kumbh Mela By Flight?

If you prefer flying, here are the approximate ticket prices:

Delhi to Prayagraj: Rs 7,500Rs 13,000, depending on the date.

Rs 7,500Rs 13,000, depending on the date. Mumbai to Prayagraj: Rs 7,500Rs 12,000.

Rs 7,500Rs 12,000. Chennai to Prayagraj: Rs 13,000Rs 25,000.

Rs 13,000Rs 25,000. Bengaluru to Prayagraj: Rs 6,800Rs 12,000.

Flight prices are likely to go up closer to the event, so its best to book early.

How to reach Maha Kumbh Mela By Train?

Indian Railways runs many trains to Prayagraj from major cities. However, due to high demand, tickets for some routes are already sold out.

From Delhi to Prayagraj

Here are some trains you can book:

Vande Bharat Express (22436): Leaves at 6:00 AM and arrives at 12:08 PM. Tickets are available from 15th January onwards.

Leaves at 6:00 AM and arrives at 12:08 PM. Tickets are available from 15th January onwards. Vande Bharat Express (22416): Leaves at 3:00 PM and arrives at 9:11 PM. Tickets are open from 15th January.

Leaves at 3:00 PM and arrives at 9:11 PM. Tickets are open from 15th January. DBRT Rajdhani (12424): Leaves at 4:20 PM and arrives at 11:08 PM. Seats are available from 14th January onwards.

Leaves at 4:20 PM and arrives at 11:08 PM. Seats are available from 14th January onwards. RJPB Tejas Raj (12310): Leaves at 5:10 PM and arrives at midnight. Seats are available from 14th January.

Leaves at 5:10 PM and arrives at midnight. Seats are available from 14th January. Howrah Rajdhani (12302): Leaves at 4:40 PM and arrives at 11:41 PM. Tickets are available from 14th January onwards.

Additional trains are also available from Delhi, Anand Vihar, and other stations to Prayagraj Junction.

From Lucknow to Prayagraj

Most trains from Lucknow are already fully booked between 13th and 19th January. However, the Vande Bharat Express (22549) has seats available from 14th January onwards.

From Pune to Prayagraj

For those travelling from Pune, IRCTC has introduced a special Bharat Gaurav train for Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. This train will run from 15th January to 23rd February, carrying about 750 passengers per trip as part of the Mahakumbh Gram IRCTC Tent City package.

How Much Does It Cost to Stay Near Triveni Sangam?

The Triveni Sangam, where the rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati meet, is the main attraction of the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. Hotels and guest houses nearby will be in high demand.

Luxury Hotels: Expect to pay between Rs 11,000 and Rs 30,000 per night.

Expect to pay between Rs 11,000 and Rs 30,000 per night. ISKCON Guest House: Costs over Rs 25,000 per night for two adults.

Costs over Rs 25,000 per night for two adults. Budget Hotels: Affordable options range between Rs 5,000 and Rs 7,800 per night.

Plan Your Trip to Maha Kumbh Mela 2025

With millions of people expected to visit Prayagraj, planning early for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 is essential. Whether you travel by train, book a flight, or secure a hotel near the Triveni Sangam, making arrangements in advance will ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience.

This unique event is not just a spiritual journey but also a chance to witness Indias vibrant culture and rich traditions. Dont miss out on the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025!



(Disclaimer: The information provided above is for general guidance and planning purposes only. Prices for flights, trains, and hotels during the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 are subject to change based on availability and demand. Readers are advised to check official sources or booking platforms for the latest updates before making travel arrangements.)

For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.
If you've recently gone to a fish market to get some fresh tuna for a sushi meal, you may be aware that it costs around Rs. 200 per kilogramme. However, a single gigantic 276-kg bluefin tuna from Japan has gone viral after being sold for a high price. The massive fish was auctioned off at a Tokyo fish market, with the highest bidder offering more than a million for the tuna, which was claimed to weigh as much as a motorcycle.

Michelin-starred sushi restaurant, paid a stunning Rs 11 crore for the faint

A bluefin tuna was sold for 207 million yen ($1.3 million) at the first tuna auction of 2025 at Tokyo's Toyosu fish market. Sushi restaurant chains often compete to win the first auction so they can receive global/domestic media attention.pic.twitter.com/g2iQYn4vSw  Jeffrey J. Hall  (@mrjeffu) January 5, 2025

The auction took place at the city's Toyosu Market, with one of the popular eateries bidding on the tuna. The Onodera Group, a Michelin-starred sushi restaurant, paid a stunning 207 million yen ($1.3 million or Rs 11 crore) for the tuna.

Notably, this group paid 114 million yen for the top tuna last year. The bluefin tuna sold out for a record price. It became the second most expensive fish after a similar incident in Tokyo in 1999.

Shinji Nagao, an Onodera official, spoke to the media after claiming the large tuna. "The first tuna symbolises good fortune... We hope that people will eat this and have a good year," he told reporters after bidding and winning the motorbike-sized tuna during the auction. Another bluefin tuna was auctioned in 2019 for 333.6 million yen (more than Rs 18 crore).

It weighed more than the most recent tuna on display at the fish store. The previous one weighed 278 kilogrammes. In this example, the runner of the Sushi Zanmai restaurant chain in Japan, a well-known individual named Kiyoshi Kimura (also known as the 'Tuna King'), paid for the tuna.

Fun fact- A Bluefin Tuna can weigh up to 900 kg (2,000 lbs) and live up to 20 years.

The Atlantic Bluefin Tuna can weigh up to 900 kg (2,000 lbs) and live up to 20 years.



[ henrykirkwoodwildlife]pic.twitter.com/dFSL05Icoz  Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) February 7, 2024

Also read: 'Have broken down crying in my room': Japanese tourist shares struggles with 'constant noise, overstimulation' in India

To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending.
He stated that 2,000 families control 18% of the nation's wealth while contributing less than 1.8% in taxes. His candid remarks have raised discussions on economic disparity and work culture in India.

Shantanu Deshpande: Shantanu Deshpande has made a notable impact in the mens grooming industry since founding the company in 2016. As of 2025, his estimated net worth is primarily derived from his 21.1% stake in the company, which has a post-money valuation of 792 crore following its recent funding rounds (as per Channeliam & Pagesixbio report).

Deshpande comes from a Marathi family and was born in Dallas, USA, in 1987. He completed his education at the Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology and later earned an MBA from IIM Lucknow.

In terms of personal life, Shantanu Deshpande is married to Sakshi Gudwani , and they have a son named Arjun.

, and they have a son named Arjun. His professional journey began at McKinsey & Company, where he worked for five years before venturing into entrepreneurship.

Deshpande's approach to wealth management is quite impressive. Despite his substantial earnings, he prefers renting over owning property, opting to invest in public markets for better liquidity.

Shantanu Deshpande's Net Worth

As of December 2024, Shantanu Deshpande's estimated net worth is approximately 167.4 crore (around $20 million) based on his 21.1% stake in Bombay Shaving Company. This valuation comes from the companys recent funding round, which raised 42 crore, increasing the company's post-money valuation to 792 crore. (as per Channeliam report)

His wealth is closely linked to the performance of his company in the competitive grooming market.

Company Growth and Financial Performance

Bombay Shaving Company has shown significant growth over the years. In the fiscal year 2022-23, its revenue increased by 71.5%, reaching 182.4 crore. The company also reported a net loss of 80.3 crore, which indicates challenges despite its revenue growth.

The brand holds nearly 21% of India's mens grooming market, making it a strong competitor.

Shantanu Deshpande Future Vision

Looking ahead, Shantanu Deshpande aims to expand Bombay Shaving Company's presence both in India and internationally. He is committed to making it a leading name in men's grooming worldwide. His leadership style and marketing strategies are central to the company's ongoing success.

Shantanu Deshpande's story is one of determination and innovation. His estimated net worth of 167.4 crore showcases his achievements as he continues to lead Bombay Shaving Company towards greater heights.

The net worth figures in this article are based on above mentioned sources and are approximate. They may vary from actual values. Readers are advised to consider them as approximate values.

For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.
Donald Trump will be inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States on January 20. While that is still nearly two weeks away, Trump has already laid the foundations for what he wants the world to look like once he is in office.

CREDIT: AP

Future world according to Trump

This included an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, where the invaders are likely to get to keep the areas they have occupied in the past two years, and more tariffs on China and the rest of the world.

But in the past few days, what gained the most attention is what Trump wants to do with Canada, Greenland, the Panama Canal, and the Gulf of Mexico.

Canada as the 51st state of US

According to Trump, Canada should become the 51st state of the United States of America and, following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation, the US president-elect has threatened to use "economic force" to make the merger happen.

CREDIT: DONALD TRUMP

Also read: 'No chance in hell', says Justin Trudeau as Donald Trump shares map showing Canada as state of US

Buying Greenland from Denmark

Another outrageous claim the 78-year-old has made is to buy Greenland from Denmark. Greenland, which is under the control of Denmark but has some autonomy, is strategically important. Trump, during his first term in office, also expressed his desire to buy Greenland for security reasons and for its mineral resources.

CREDIT: REUTERS

This time, Trump seems to be more adamant, and on Tuesday, he refused to rule out military intervention to do so. Denmark has ruled out selling Greenland to the US, saying the island is not for sale.

Seize control of Panama Canal

Another asset Trump wants to acquire for the US by force is the Panama Canal. Trump claimed the Panama Canal, which was transferred to Panamanian control in 1999, was being operated by China.

CREDIT: AP

According to Trump, the Panama Canal was built for the US military, and it should be returned to American control.

Rename Gulf of Mexico

The latest in Trump's sight is the Gulf of Mexico, which the US president-elect has promised to rename the Gulf of America.

CREDIT: NOAA

"We're going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America, which has a beautiful ring. It's appropriate. And Mexico has to stop allowing millions of people to pour into our country," Trump said.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
After three years of serving couple goals on and off the red carpet, Austin Butler and Kaia Gerber have officially called it quits. The internet's favorite low-key duo reportedly parted ways at the end of 2024, leaving fans in shock and wondering: What went wrong with Hollywoods golden pair?

These two photos of Austin Butler and Kaia Gerber give off the same vibe  pic.twitter.com/9NDWGrDB9s  daily austin butler  (@archivebutler) March 13, 2023

Austin Butler and Kaia Gerbers no drama breakup

According to sources spilling tea to TMZ, the split was mutual, with zero animosity between the Elvis star and the supermodel. The relationship just simply ran its course, insiders claim. But if you think its all rainbows and kumbaya, heres the catch: Butlers conspicuous absence from the Gerber familys recent Mexican getaway has fans raising eyebrows.

January 6th 2023 - Austin Butler and Kaia Gerber attend Louis Vuitton & W Magazine's awards season dinner pic.twitter.com/14R6knYjAg  austin throwback (@throwbackab) January 6, 2025

Austin Butler and Kaia Gerbers relationship

Butler, 33, and Gerber, 23, first sparked romance rumors back in December 2021 during a casual yoga date in Los Angeles. By March 2022, the two made their red carpet debut at W Magazines Best Performances party, radiating glam and chemistry. The couple took things up a notch at the 2022 Met Gala, where their coordinated looks sent shippers into overdrive.

And lets not forget their PDA-filled appearances during the 2022-2023 awards season, where Gerber cheered on Butler as he scooped accolades for his unforgettable Elvis performance. Remember that Golden Globes kiss? Iconic.

Austin Butler and Kaia Gerber have reportedly split after 3 years. (via TMZ) pic.twitter.com/bbDVC4rKWf  Pop Base (@PopBase) January 7, 2025

As recently as May 2024, sources assured People that Kaia and Austin are going strong. Their Memorial Day weekend in NYC, filled with hand-holding, hugs, and clubbing, had fans swooning. But the seemingly fairytale romance came to an abrupt end just months later.

Gerber once revealed in an interview with WSJ. Magazine that she kept her relationship with Butler private to preserve its sanctity. So few things in my life are private, she said, emphasizing the importance of keeping her love life sacred.

After three years of dating, Kaia Gerber and Austin Butler have broken up. pic.twitter.com/qMsLFuOoW6    (@CinemaBurst) January 7, 2025

Who is Kaia Gerber?

Before Butler, Gerber famously dated Euphoria star Jacob Elordi. And lets not forget Butlers high-profile eight-year romance with Vanessa Hudgens, which ended in January 2020.

As fans mourn the end of Kaustin, one thing is clear: both stars are no strangers to high-profile breakups. For now, all eyes are on whator whocomes next for these Hollywood heartbreakers.
H&M Delhi-NCR headquarters moving to Bengaluru? Yes, Delhiites, you have heard that right. H&M, the Swedish fast fashion company, is shifting its Indian headquarters from Delhi-NCR to Bengaluru, Karnataka.

The firm with over 100 employees will now be relocating from its Saket office in New Delhi to a new office in North Bengaluru, reported YourStory.

The YourStory report highlighted that this move is going to impact a series of leadership changes at H&M India. The company's CFO and the country controller, Louis Coucke, left the previous year to join the Dubai-based Albatha Group.

After this, Eric Bennici and Helena Kuylenstierna were appointed as the India Directors in 2024. Eventually, Eric Bennici succeeded Louis Coucke. But what's the major reason behind the shift of H&M headquarters in Delhi to Bengaluru?

Why is H&M Delhi-NCR headquarters moving to Bengaluru?

According to the report, the Swedish fashion brand is trying to tap into Bengaluru's growing e-commerce and fashion technology sector.

Bengaluru has become the centre for top talent in e-commerce technology and fashion. Some of the major fashion platforms, including Myntra, Ajio, Flipkart, and Meesho, are also located in Bengaluru, and this is the major reason why the city is a hub of a growing number of apparel brands.

The city is home to both traditional and digital-first companies, including Rare Rabbit, Mensa Brands, and Arvind Fashion. However, with the top four online brands located in Bengaluru, the city can become an ideal place for H&M to expand its presence.

H&M plans to expand the company's presence across

As per the report, the move to shift the Delhi-NCR headquarters to Bengaluru comes at a time when e-commerce is becoming a vital part of the fashion industry, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.

With growing time, we have noticed that H&M has tried to expand its business on e-commerce sites, as it started to sell exclusively on Myntra, and in 2023 it expanded its partnership with Ajio, the report noted.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
It's 2025or as the fandom ARMY has called it, the "BTS Year"! By June, all seven membersJin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkookwill reunite as a group after successfully completing their South Korean military service. ARMY, who have entered 2025 with hopeful hearts, are looking forward to a joyous time ahead, having been without the full group for over two years.

When the New Year arrived, fans eagerly anticipated letters from each member, as has been tradition. However, only Jin and J-Hope shared messages of encouragement, leaving ARMY longing for more.

Jungkook's late message

On January 8, the group's maknae, Jungkook, took to Weverse to share a heartfelt message with ARMY. In his long and emotional letter, he expressed his love for fans, saying, "I love you," and wished for time to pass quickly so he could reunite with them.

Jungkook also shared his hopes that no fans would fall sick, but acknowledged he couldn't control that, adding that he wished any illnesses wouldn't hurt ARMY too much. He hoped everyone had started the New Year on a bright note and expressed how much he misses everyone.

Credit: Weverse

ARMY's reaction

Jungkooks letter was enough to stir deep emotions among ARMY, especially after recent tensions between BTS fans and BIGBANG fans, known as VIPs. The fandom quickly began trending Weverse and Jungkooks name on X (formerly Twitter), showing their overwhelming love and support.

Fans expressed how thoughtful Jungkook was to want to wish well for all, adding how even he is eager to be on stage and perform and be reunited with his members and ARMY.

Jungkook 



: This is the year of my discharge and the year we will meet, ARMY pic.twitter.com/gvs9bXF18O   (@JlNSONYEONDAN) January 8, 2025

"would you still love us if we were bugs?"

jungkook: what kind of question is that? id become a bug collector pic.twitter.com/w4SrtgUhnM  tay  bts year ! (@kimgayism) January 8, 2025

my honest reaction to jungkook's letter  pic.twitter.com/ESLn0kGNl5  jjk (@archivesofkook) January 8, 2025

I LOVE YOU FROM JUNGKOOK pic.twitter.com/3khatfold4  hope (@winnttaebear) January 8, 2025

Where is Jungkook?

Jungkook began his mandatory military service on December 11, 2023, and is expected to complete it in June 2025. He enlisted alongside bandmate Jimin, and the two completed basic training at the 5th Infantry Division in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province. While in his service, Jungkook launched an Instagram account for his dog, Bam, which rapidly gained millions of followers.

Jungkook is set to be discharged on June 11, 2025, along with Jimin. The day before, RM and V are scheduled for discharge on June 10. The final member to complete his service will be rapper Suga.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
Mark Zuckerberg, the Meta CEO, on Tuesday, announced a series of major changes the firm's moderation policies and practices are going to initiate. The thought process behind the change is to embrace free speech amid the shifting political and social landscape.

Mark Zuckerberg announced the introduction of a new feature called 'community notes,' which will replace the company's strict formal fact-checking program in the United States.

The founder of the social media giant further noted in the Meta News Post that the decision will allow 'free speech' on its platform because the fact-checkers have been politically biased and have destroyed more trust than they have created these years, especially in the US, pointed out Zuckerberg.

Here's the script I was given to make it appear I'm now for "Free Speech."



It took me about 5 tries since it pains me to do this pic.twitter.com/alUXTXbEhp  Mark Zuckerberg - CEO of Facebook - Parody (@MarkZuckss) January 7, 2025

What is the goal of Mark Zuckerbergs decision

According to Meta News, the Meta platforms are created where people can express themselves freely. Mark Zuckerberg, in one of his speeches in 2019 at Georgetown University, argued that free expression has been the driving force behind progress in American society and around the world.

Similarly, this decision means that Meta will stop proactively tackling posts that peddle hate speech, politically sensitive, or pseudo-scientific claims. The social media platform will use automated systems to review the high-severity violations. But such a step also comes along with various impacts. The change comes just before the President-elect, Donald Trump, is set to take office.

I'm taking the path of least resistance, even if it's not admirable https://t.co/TmILoIM8Ny  Mark Zuckerberg - CEO of Facebook - Parody (@MarkZuckss) January 7, 2025

How your feed will look like with Meta's new policy

Mark Zuckerbergs effort to change some policies to allow free speech, Meta may see some significant changes. The new policy may change how you consume content or feed on your Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.

Meta intends to prioritise the political content, along with replacing its third-party fact-checking system with Community Notes, similar to Elon Musks X. Apart from this, there will be changes seen, like the removal of restrictions on subjects such as immigration and gender and revising enforcement measures for fewer violations.

More news, fewer views: How will your Facebook, Instagram, and Threads look like now

According to Zuckerbergs comments, you are likely to see a wider range of views now, including the controversial ones. Moreover, in the next few weeks, you may also notice more controversial content in your feeds.

The company also highlighted that it has removed millions of content pieces from December 2024, and daily, it is removing around one to two out of every 10 pieces that may not have violated its policies.

Ramifications of the changes made by Meta

Mark Zuckerbergs changes are going to loosen some old policies to allow free speech. Along with this, it will also remove restrictions on topics like gender, gender identity, and immigration, which means there will be more controversial opinions on the platform.

According to the platform, they will allow allegations of mental illness. Were getting rid of several restrictions on topics like immigration, gender identity, and gender that are the subject of frequent political discourse and debate, noted Meta.

Moreover, less severe violations wont be reviewed unless people report them. Additionally, moving forward, the social media giant would focus on addressing illegal and high-severity violations, including those linked to terrorism, child sexual exploitation, and drugs.

To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
Popular Pakistani actress Hania Amir recently took to X to shower praise on Indian actor Mrunal Thakur, even calling her the "best actor of this generation." Thakur, touched by the compliment, responded with gratitude, saying it made her day. However, things took an unexpected turn when it was revealed that the account was a fake profile impersonating Hania Amir, leading to a hilarious (and somewhat embarrassing) mix-up for Thakur.

A verified account claiming to be Hania Amir took to X to post, "I may be emotional but for me @mrunal0801 is the best actor of this generation. She is unparalleled. I don't see any other actress so versatile like her in India."

I may be emotional but for me @mrunal0801 is the best actor of this generation. She is unparalleled. I don't see any other actress so versatile like her in India.  Hania Aamir_ (@HaniaAamir___) January 7, 2025

Mrunal Thakur responded warmly, saying, "Hania you made my day. Thank you so much my dear."

Hania  you made my day . Thank you so much my dear https://t.co/toISKpu9N2  Mrunal Thakur (@mrunal0801) January 7, 2025

However, a X community note under the post revealed that the account, with 12k followers, wasn't actually Hania's.

Credit: X

In fact, the bio stated it was a "Fanpage/Parody managed by loyal fans of Hania."

The real Hania Amir account has 166.5K followers and includes the bio 'Pindi boy,' as seen on her Instagram as well.

Many users quickly pointed out the mistake, with one urging, "Please delete this, Mrunal, and save us from this embarrassment!"

Another comment read, "Parody account ki tareef se hi khush ho jaate hain."

27-year-old Hania Amir was recently featured in the popular Pakistani show Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum, where she starred alongside Fahad Mustafa. The show gained significant popularity in India as well.

Credit: X

Meanwhile, Mrunal Thakur is gearing up for her upcoming film Dacoit, where she will star opposite Adivi Sesh.

To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
* As the world's largest developing country and the continent with the highest number of developing countries, China and Africa are charting the course for shared progress and revitalization, facilitating the modernization of the Global South and injecting "Southern" power into global prosperity and development. * Over the years, China-Africa cooperation has propelled Africa's growth by empowering African youth through initiatives such as the Luban Workshops, Confucius Institutes, and the China-Africa Universities 100 Cooperation Plan. NAIROBI, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is on a visit to four African countries -- Namibia, the Republic of the Congo, Chad, and Nigeria -- from Jan. 5 to 11, marking the 35th consecutive year that China's foreign minister has chosen Africa as the destination for the first overseas trip of the year. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has hailed it as a longstanding tradition and a distinctive hallmark of China's diplomacy that stems from the deep and enduring friendship between China and Africa. Over the years, China-Africa cooperation has been forging ahead towards all-round, multi-level, and high-quality development, delivering results across multiple fields, notably in areas of trade, industrialization, agricultural modernization, and capacity building, benefiting billions of people in both China and Africa. As the world's largest developing country and the continent with the highest number of developing countries, China and Africa are charting the course for shared progress and revitalization, facilitating the modernization of the Global South and injecting "Southern" power into global prosperity and development. DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES Herman Uwizeyimana, general manager of Fisher Global, a Rwandan agriculture company specializing in chili cultivation and export, made a field trip to examine the vibrant red chili crops near Mulindi Market in Kigali, the country's capital. In 2021, Rwanda began to export dried chili to China, making chili cultivation a key export industry. "When people talk about chili, they often think of China. Everyone knows that our main market is China, and we have many farmers involved," he said. Over the past three years, Fisher Global has exported 200-300 tonnes of dried chili to China annually. Bolstered by China's recent zero-tariff policy, Uwizeyimana's goal is to expand exports to 1,500 tonnes per year. Since Dec. 1, China has granted all least developed countries with which it has diplomatic relations, including 33 African countries, zero-tariff treatment on 100 percent of their product categories, becoming the first major developing country and leading economy to adopt such a policy. On top of the zero-tariff policy, China has introduced measures to turn its vast consumption market into a key opportunity for Africa, not least by expanding green channels for African agricultural products. It has also facilitated Africa's participation in major exhibitions like the China International Import Expo, helped connect African products to global markets, and signed economic partnership agreements for long-term, stable institutional support. Driven by these measures, Rwandan dried chili and coffee, Kenyan avocados, Beninese pineapples, Malagasy lamb, Malawian peanuts, and Mozambican macadamia nuts and cashews are now gracing Chinese consumers' tables. According to the General Administration of Customs of China, in the first eight months of 2024, China imported African agricultural products worth 28.47 billion yuan (about 4 billion U.S. dollars), up by 4.8 percent from a year earlier. With two-way trade booming, China's vast market has also strengthened Africa's industrial chains and added value to its products. Michel Anondraka, director general of agriculture and livestock at Madagascar's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, said Madagascar exported frozen lamb products to China for the first time in 2024 and the transition to exporting meat instead of live animals will retain more added value in the country. "Thanks to this export, (Madagascar's) livestock farmers will have a secure market, which will boost their production, increase their income, and earn more foreign currency," he said, adding that China's growing demand for Madagascar's mutton and goat meat will boost production for local livestock farmers and speed up the African country's agricultural modernization. ADVANCING TOWARD MODERNIZATION In November 2024, a group of 20 Africans from the agricultural sector visited the Manluanzhan village in southwest China's Yunnan Province to dig into the country's achievements in rural revitalization. During their stay, they saw how structures like disused water towers had been transformed into cafes, and traditional homes converted into modern guesthouses. Participants also engaged in cultural activities such as traditional pottery-making and local martial arts. Nabirye Sarah from the Busoga Consortium for Development tried making a pottery vase. "These hands-on activities showcase the value of local ethnic culture and are very appealing to urban youth and children," she said, unveiling her plan to introduce such easily accessible and innovative business projects to young people upon returning to her country. Sarah is among the first cohort under a young rural entrepreneurs' initiative for African countries jointly launched by China Agricultural University and Chinese tech giant Tencent in 2024. Dima Al-Khatib, director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation, depicted the initiative as an innovative South-South cooperation model that facilitates knowledge and skills sharing and fosters collaborative innovation between developing countries. "This will enable you to transform your communities, to create lasting change, and drive sustainable development across Africa," she said. As China is working for high-quality development and Chinese modernization, Africa is also pursuing the modernization goals outlined in the African Union's Agenda 2063. China's experience offers fresh opportunities for Africa's development. From Madagascar's hybrid rice to agricultural poverty reduction demonstration villages in Sao Tome and Principe, from Ethiopia's Eastern Industrial Zone to the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, and from Mauritania's China-Africa Green Technology Park to the geothermal power plant of Sosian Energy in Kenya, Chinese wisdom and solutions are taking root across Africa, boosting the continent's modernization drive. "Africa and China are all giants who stand on the shoulders of each other. Let us work together for a better life. This life leaves no one behind," said Omar Mjenga, president and chief executive officer of the Center for International Policy-Africa. EMPOWERING YOUNG GENERATION In early December, Aloui Safaa, a student from Morocco Yiwu Business School, completed her first live-streaming session in a cross-border e-commerce class. Presenting stationery samples in English, Arabic, and French, she captivated a large audience. "Live-streaming is so much fun! I used to watch livestream, but now I'm actively participating, leveraging my language skills, and even generating income," she said. Her Chinese instructor Xiong Aisha comes from Yiwu Industrial and Commercial College. In 2023, the college partnered with Morocco's Mundiapolis University to establish Morocco Yiwu Business School. By tailoring China's vocational education expertise to local needs, the college offers degree programs and an education model that blends Chinese language learning with professional skill-building. "I see that China has a lot to offer to Africa in terms of knowledge and development," said Olusola Oyewole, secretary general of the Association of African Universities, adding that collaboration with Chinese universities will help African researchers address their challenges. With Africa's predominantly young population, the focus now must be on empowering the youth through skills and competence, which will drive the continent's development, he said. Over the years, China-Africa cooperation has propelled Africa's growth by empowering African youth through initiatives such as the Luban Workshops, Confucius Institutes, and the China-Africa Universities 100 Cooperation Plan. Over the next three years, China will further cooperate with Africa to advance vocational education programs, establish engineering colleges, and extend the reach of the Luban Workshops to even more African countries. The collaboration between Africa and China can enhance and empower African youth, particularly in emerging fields like digitalization and artificial intelligence, where China is providing strong support, said Oyewole.
After months-long manifestation, Queen of Tears fans are finally getting a special episode. tvN Tuesday announced a special broadcast program for the Kim Ji Won and Kim Soo Hyun starrer, which had fans swooning last year. This exciting news comes on the heels of the show being named the Best tvN Program of 2024, with an impressive 160,119 votes from viewers during the network's 2024 Holiday Party Run with tvN. The latest development has now sparked a fan frenzy online, with QoT fans going bonkers to watch their favorite couple one more time.

tvN announces special broadcast for Queen of Tears

To commemorate its win as the Best tvN Program of 2024, tvN has announced a special broadcast program for the Kim Ji Won and Kim Soo Hyun starrer Queen of Tears. More details related to the special episode, such as plot, cast members' return, and release date, have been kept under wraps by the broadcast network.

In an announcement, tvN shared, "To celebrate its #1 ranking, a special episode of Queen of Tears is coming soon. Get ready to experience even greater emotions as we reunite with the Queen of Tears. Details about the special episode will be revealed soon, so stay tuned."

Congratulations to #QueenOfTears as the 2024 Viewer-Selected Best tvN Program.



To celebrate its #1 ranking, a special episode of Queen of Tears is coming soon. Get ready to experience even greater emotions as we reunite with Queen of Tears. Details about the special episode pic.twitter.com/OkoexolS5O  soohyunupdates (@soohyunupdates) January 7, 2025

Will Kim Ji Won and Kim Soo Hyun return for the Queen of Tears special broadcast program?

tvN's announcement has left fans with more questions than answers, as the network has not confirmed whether the cast members, including Kim Ji Won and Kim Soo Hyun, will be returning for the episode. While some fans speculate that it might be a compilation of memorable moments from the show, others are holding out hope that the special episode will provide a glimpse into the lives of the lead characters after the finale.

Fans react to the announcement

On expected lines, the announcement has sparked a frenzy among Queen of Tears fans, with many taking to X to express their excitement. One user wrote, "WE ARE IN 2025 AND STILL GETTING QUEEN OF TEARS SPECIAL EPISODE(S). I FEEL SO BEAK HYUNWOO RIGHT NOW."

WE ARE IN 2025 AND STILL GETTING QUEEN OF TEARS SPECIAL EPISODE(S) I FEEL SO BEAK HYUNWOO RIGHT NOW pic.twitter.com/jRhS6tmxeb  hong haein's nosy maid (@anyagrmnsausage) January 7, 2025

"Queen of Tears special episode in 2025 They did this for the Baekhong yearners (me). Oh my god, WE ARE SO BACK!!!!" mentioned another.

queen of tears special episode in 2025 they did this for the baekhong yearners (me) oh my god WE ARE SO BACK!!!! pic.twitter.com/20yYX0qwkq   (@kangsolae) January 7, 2025

"I'm blocking anyone who talks negatively about the special episode of Queen of Tears." I don't care if it's the same clips; I'm here for it," a third user wrote.

One user mentioned, "QUEEN OF TEARS SPECIAL EPISODE CONFIRMED OUR PARENTS ARE BACKKKKK. BAEKHONG IS BACK."

QUEEN OF TEARS SPECIAL EPISODE CONFIRMED OUR PARENTS ARE BACKKKKK BAEKHONG ARE BACK  pic.twitter.com/0QUoc5yG6O  love scout brainrot (@sprinkleflakes) January 7, 2025

"Tell me that, as a special episode, they mean the royal wedding of the two of them," noted another.

tell me that as a special episode they mean the royal wedding of the two of them.. #QueenOfTears #KimSooHyun #KimJiWon pic.twitter.com/pAuefeEmtG    candem (@ekmydrug) January 7, 2025

About Queen of Tears

Queen of Tears revolves around Baek Hyun Woo (Kim Soo Hyun), a lawyer from a small village, and Hong Hae In (Kim Ji Won), the heiress of a powerful South Korean conglomerate. The couple's whirlwind romance begins when they meet as interns at Hae In's grandfather's company, which leads to an extraordinary marriage and a grand wedding.

However, their fairy tale marriage is short-lived. Over the years, Hyun Woo starts to feel neglected by his in-laws, and Hae In's indifference towards him further complicates his feelings. Just as Hyun Woo gets the divorce papers ready, he gets to know Hae In has a limited time left to live, with only three months to cherish the time they have together. As they navigate this heart-wrenching crisis, their relationship is put to the test, but it also helps them in reignite the old sparks.
Public health experts are warning of a potential surge in viral infections as schools reopen across Greece. With respiratory illnesses already affecting thousands of citizens, the return to classrooms is expected to accelerate the spread of viruses, particularly among children.

Dimitris Paraskevis, a professor

of epidemiology at the University of Athens and a member of the National Public Health Organization (EODY), emphasized that children are particularly vulnerable due to their lower immunity and increased contact in enclosed spaces.

He stressed the importance of vaccinations and preventive measures to protect vulnerable populations.

While the peak of the current wave remains uncertain, January is anticipated to be a challenging month, with increased circulation of influenza, COVID-19, and other common infections like gastroenteritis. Of particular concern is a resurgence of pertussis (whooping cough), which has already claimed the lives of two infants in Greece.

Theodora Psaltopoulou, another epidemiology professor at the University of Athens, highlighted the dangers of pertussis and attributed its resurgence to lower vaccination rates and waning immunity.

She urged vigilance and proactive measures, including mask-wearing in appropriate settings, timely medical consultations, and antiviral medications when necessary.

Scientists are also monitoring a recent uptick in mpox (monkeypox) cases in Greece. This viral disease, spread through close contact, can cause fever, rash, and other symptoms.

Preventive measures include avoiding contact with infected individuals, seeking medical attention if symptoms arise, and getting vaccinated.

Yannis Tountas, an emeritus professor of social and preventive medicine, linked the increase in viral infections to global factors such as climate change and increased international travel.

"The warming of the planet creates conditions that favor the spread of viruses," he noted.

As Greece faces this surge in infections, experts are calling for a multi-pronged approach, including public education, preventive measures, and robust healthcare interventions to mitigate the risks and protect public health.

   iefimerida.gr
Greece's relations with the United States "were, are, and shall be very close, of strategic importance," government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said in the Mega TV program "Live News" on Wednesday.

"This is well-known and has been cultivated several decades now, and will continue to be cultivated under the new leadership. We have every reason to believe that," he added

in the interview.

He pointed out however that what events showed within Europe and beyond it is that "Greece exports stability, radiates security, and is one of the few exceptions - including very powerful economies even - it votes for budgets that reduce taxes and increase citizens' incomes. [...] It has political stability, it has an economic stability, and none of this is a given in very large economies in Europe. This was not accediental. It is certainly the result of a specific policy by the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis. It is a result of citizens' sacrifices."

Marinakis said that despite progress, a lot remained to be done yet, including in creating better and better-paid jobs, increasing households' incomes, and providing more funding to health. The goal for 2025 and 2026, he said, is to bring Greek wages closer to the average European ones, especially for the middle class, young people, and pensioners with low monthly checks.

   iefimerida.gr
Minister of Labour and Social Security Niki Kerameus met on Tuesday with the outgoing US Ambassador to Greece George Tsunis.

In a post on her social media, she reviewed their cooperation at the Ministries of Education, Interior, and Labor, stressing that

it was excellent.

Specifically, Kerameus spoke about her cooperation with Tsunis at the Ministry of Education, highlighting efforts to strengthen vocational education and training, as well as initiatives to encourage young girls to engage in science through joint programs. At the Ministry of Interior, she referred to the campaign targeting Greeks living in the US to promote postal voting.

At the Ministry of Labour, she emphasized initiatives aimed at facilitating employment for foreign investors in Greece.

"There is, however, one cooperation that I particularly stand out from all these years, and that was the PHAROS SUMMIT, the event we jointly organized for the coming of 30 top American universities to our country in November 2022 (Yale, Columbia, Harvard, Tufts, Princeton, etc.), which led to dozens of new partnerships between our excellent public universities and top American universities," Kerameus said and added that "this extremely difficult mission could not have been accomplished without the close and constructive cooperation with the US Embassy in Greece, which I thank warmly."

"Our cooperation with the US Embassy in Greece will continue dynamically and in new areas," Kerameus stressed.

   iefimerida.gr
Saudi Arabian real estate developer Dar Global is expanding its global footprint with ambitious plans to invest in Greece and the United States.

The company, the international arm of Saudi giant Dar Al Arkan, is targeting "major international cities" in the US and

is reportedly seeking partnerships with leading developers to create luxury residential properties

Dar Global has already established strong ties with the Trump Organization, having partnered on several high-profile projects, including Trump-branded towers in Jeddah and Dubai, as well as a real estate venture in Oman.

Eric Trump, an executive with the Trump Organization, recently indicated that further projects are planned in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

This expansion strategy builds on existing relationships between Dar Global and key figures in the US, leveraging their expertise and brand recognition to attract international buyers.

The move also reflects the growing interest of Saudi investors in the Greek and US real estate markets, particularly in the luxury segment.

Dar Global's focus on prime locations and high-quality developments is expected to appeal to a diverse clientele, including domestic and international investors seeking luxury properties in sought-after destinations.

The company's ambitious plans signal its confidence in the long-term growth potential of the Greek and US real estate sectors.

   iefimerida.gr
Prime Minister Kyriakosreferred to the geopolitical challenges in the Middle East region during his statement in the context of the 10th Trilateral Summit of Greece-Egypt-Cyprus held in Cairo.

Mitsotakis from Cairo: Cooperation with regional players who share common views -  


A high-stakes meeting took place in Abuja on Tuesday, as key allies of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai converged with the leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The closed-door gathering, held at the SDP national secretariat, has set off speculation about potential alliances and realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Among the notable attendees were Maj. Hamza Al-Mustapha, an ex-presidential candidate and former Chief Security Officer to the late Gen Sani Abacha, and Atikus former spokesman, Otunba Segun Showunmi.

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The meeting is described as part of a broader strategy to forge alliances among opposition figures, aiming to present a formidable challenge to President Bola Tinubu in the next election cycle.

Showunmi confirmed the meeting on Facebook, describing it as a strategic gathering convened by SDP Chairman, Shehu Gabam, to evaluate the state of opposition politics in Nigeria.

READ ALSO: Tinubus Greatest Mistake Is Fuel Subsidy Removal  Ex-SDP Candidate, Adebayo

You must set forth at dawn! A Strategic Meeting was called by HE Shehu Gabam, Chairman of SDP, with HE Nasir El-Rufai, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, Otunba Segun Showunmi. The alternative to meet, greet, and review the state of opposition democratic engagement in Nigeria, Showunmi wrote.

Gabam stated that the meeting was not about official party affiliations but rather about finding like-minded individuals who share a vision for Nigerias progress.

There is no official statement from El-Rufai or any one of them about officially joining SDP.

Its not about a political party; its about the future of Nigeria, Gabam told Punch.

The meeting comes amid speculation about potential cracks within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

El-Rufais involvement in discussions with SDP leaders has fueled speculation about his potential defection, which he has denied.

As Nigeria inches toward the 2027 elections, this meeting signals an intensifying effort among opposition groups to consolidate and strategize for a united front against the ruling APC.












The Nigeria Police Force has claimed that national and external factors are responsible for recent explosion which claimed two lives in a secondary school, in Abuja.

Recall that INFORMATION NIGERIA had reported that the horrible incident, which occurred at the Tsangagyar Sani Uthman Islamiyya School in Kuchibuyi Village, Bwari Area Council, left two others injured on Monday.

It was gathered that three men who had earlier visited the school proprietor were accused of bringing an explosive device.

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Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja, Force Spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, disclosed that police have some clues on the incidents.

Adejobi added that significant progress is being made in uncovering the cause of a recent explosion

He said: We have some clues to what actually happened. This is not the right time for us to say much about the incident because we dont want to be judgmental. Let them finish their investigation.

READ MORE: Two Killed, Others Injured As Explosion Hits Abuja School

Its a case of national and international interest that the police will address properly. We will continue to update Nigerians about the incident.

We want to seize the opportunity to talk to Nigerians, particularly residents of the Federal Capital Territory, to be more vigilant.

This is an indication that we need to work together, to collaborate, and to make sure we dont give any gap for any other incidents to be recorded in the Federal Capital Territory.

We need to be more vigilant. You can see that this didnt happen in the suburbs. Its not in the main city, we need to be more vigilant and work with your local security operatives and other security agencies around you. We must work together.
The Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has tasked State Governors in South-West to address insecurity challenges in their states before it gets out of hand.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that Adams call is coming, following an alarm raised by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who revealed that some gunmen, suspected to be bandits, fleeing military operations in the North-West .

Governor Makinde, while speaking during 2025 annual interfaith service in Ibadan on Monday, added that the criminal elements are already occupying South West region.

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Reacting to the development in a statement by his Media Assistant, Kehinde Akinyemi, on Tuesday, Adams warned that ignoring Makindes revelation could have huge consequences for the region.

He said: The alarm raised by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State is a wake-up call for all the governors in the South-West. I raised similar concerns last year, but nothing was done. Sadly, insecurity has continued to escalate.

READ MORE: Bandits Relocating To Oyo Due To Military Operations In North-West  Makinde Vows To Find, Deal With Them

The South-West Security Stakeholders Group including the OPC, Agbekoya Society, Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Professional Hunters, Vigilante Jahun, Agbekoya Peace Movement, and others under my leadership, have been working tirelessly to ensure the safety of the region.

However, now that Governor Makinde has sounded the alarm, it is imperative for a more urgent and coordinated approach to tackle the issue before it spirals out of control.

Oyo State is the political capital of the South-West, and whatever happens there will undoubtedly affect the entire region.

I urge all South-West governors to remain vigilant and address the security challenges in their respective states promptly.
Self-proclaimed financial expert, Geh Geh, has advised men against funding a womans education, suggesting instead that they buy a tricycle (keke) for her father.

He shared his views during a recent appearance on the popular podcast Honest Bunch, shared on X on Tuesday.

Geh Geh argued that it would be unwise for a man to invest in a womans education, as she might eventually leave him, making all his efforts futile.

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READ MORE: Peller Is A Successful Name  Shina Peller Dismisses Alleged Family Link To TikTok Star

Instead, he recommended that the man purchase a keke for the womans father, enabling him to generate income and cover her school fees.

The financial expert further claimed that many Nigerian women view relationships as a form of employment, expecting to be compensated for their involvement.

He said, No train woman go school, instead of training her to school buy keke for the father, now that youve engaged the father, he will use from the income to train the daughter, the relationship in Nigeria is considered as form of employment whereby as long as theyre in a relationship with you, you must pay their expenses, even the ones working hard still want your money.
The US Department of Defense released a new list of so-called "Chinese military companies" - a list of firms that it alleges work with China's military, on Monday. International media quickly noted that even Tencent Holdings had made the list, which sparked surprise and panic in overseas markets. From an external perspective, Tencent is primarily known as its social media application WeChat and its game Honor of Kings. The company has no connection to Pentagon's alleged claim of "collaborating with the Chinese military." Some mainstream international media have published stories with Tencent on their headlines, indicating their attitude toward the Pentagon's so-called list: it is nothing short of absurd.

On the evening of Tuesday, Tencent Holdings responded that it intended to initiate a Reconsideration Process to correct this mistake. During the process, the company will engage in discussions with the US Department of Defense to resolve any misunderstandings, and if necessary, will undertake legal proceedings. Apart from Tencent, other Chinese companies which were added to the "blacklist" include CATL, China Commercial Aircraft Corporation, China COSCO Shipping Corporation, CXMT, and etc. With this update, the Pentagon's "blacklist" now includes 134 companies, nearly covering all of China's top tech enterprises. Anyone with a discerning eye can easily recognize this as a poorly disguised attempt by the US to suppress Chinese leading tech companies under the clumsy excuse of so-called "national security."

The Pentagon's military-related companies list is becoming an increasingly absurd political farce. Chinese companies are added or removed based on little more than the speculative whims of politicians, with terms like "possibly" and "concerned" being their most frequently used words. Many companies, including Xiaomi, DJI, Hesai, and Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment Inc China (AMEC), have resorted to legal action to protect their legitimate rights. Some have filed complaints or lawsuits against the Pentagon, and even faced "second-round rights protection" efforts, but the Pentagon's arbitrary approach remains like a stubborn "sticker" that can't be peeled off. This year, DJI and Hesai remain on the list. The Pentagon removed six Chinese companies without giving any explanation, showing little regard for the losses these Chinese firms endured during this period.

From the lawsuits filed by Chinese companies previously blacklisted by the Pentagon, we've come to learn quite a few details. For instance, AMEC was listed simply because it had received a manufacturing award from China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Meanwhile, DJI discovered that the Pentagon initially refused to engage in dialogue with the company, but later provided a report riddled with errors, failing even to differentiate between consumer drones powered by batteries and military drones that use gasoline or diesel. This shows that the Pentagon's so-called "list" is nothing but a "messy account." What exactly are the Pentagon's "standards of determination"? An analyst at Stansberry Research, a publisher of financial research based in the US, hit the nail on the head: "It's turning out that if you're an innovative Chinese business making money, you're likely to be considered a threat to US national security. Wild."

The very act of the Pentagon creating this list under the pretext of "military involvement" embodies a hegemonic mindset that aims to prohibit technological achievements from supporting the development of China's national defense. This shows blatant double standards. It's hard to imagine how a country's defense modernization could progress without relying on advanced technology. In fact, many American high-tech companies maintain close ties with the Pentagon. For example, Microsoft once secured $10 billion cloud computing contract with the Pentagon, and the Pentagon even poached Apple's Vice President, Doug Beck, appointing him as the director of its Defense Innovation Unit. In the era of artificial intelligence, the Pentagon is accelerating the adoption of large language models and other generative AI tools by the military, with deep and extensive ties to Silicon Valley tech companies. Therefore, the essence of the Pentagon's so-called "blacklist" is an unfair "bully clause" aimed at containing China's development.

In fact, the US' approach of suppressing Chinese companies in this manner is a lose-lose strategy. Take the companies listed this time as examples: Tencent fully owns Riot Games, the developer of the popular game League of Legends, which is highly favored by young Americans, and also holds a significant stake in Epic Games, the developer of another hit game, Fortnite. CATL is a partner of Ford and Tesla, and Ford plans to collaborate with CATL to establish a lithium iron phosphate EV battery plant in Michigan. Whether in terms of investment, trade, or supply chain integration, the highly complementary economies of China and the US require mutual dependence and coexistence, with significant potential for collaboration in the tech sector. These cannot simply be "blocked" by a Pentagon mandate.

On January 7, He Lifeng, Chinese vice premier and Chinese lead person for China-US economic and trade affairs, held a video call with US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. During the talks, China raised concerns about US economic and trade restrictions on China, and in particular clarified its stance on recent US trade investigations. The Chinese people's right to development shouldn't be deprived, and the Chinese government's firm determination to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its enterprises will never waver. The US made solemn commitments to not seek a "new cold war" or conflict with China. China hopes the US will align its actions with its words and deliver on its promises. Source: Global Times)
Renowned on-air personality Do2dtun has criticised a well-known media platform for allegedly failing to pay its staff for eight months.

Taking to the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter on Wednesday, he expressed his frustration, stating that running a radio station is not compulsory.

He described the stations alleged failure to pay its employees as both cruel and inhumane, stressing that such behaviour is obviously unacceptable.

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READ MORE: Wike Expresses Pride As Son Bags Master Of Laws From UK Varsity

He tweeted, Its not by force to open a radio station. Owing your staff for 8 months is very cruel and inhumane. You dont need a soothsayer to tell you this.

In a follow-up post, Do2dtun disclosed the stations name, Soundcity, a platform that operates both a TV and radio station.

He then questioned how his friends and colleagues were managing under such conditions.

He added, My friends and colleagues at Soundcity, how do you guys cope?

No salary for 8 months? Mehn thats crazy!!!!.

SEE POST:
A Kano resident, Malam Surajo Yarima, has appealed to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to intervene in a shocking case where his N20 million house was auctioned for a mere N2 million to settle a N300,000 debt.

Yarima revealed that he failed to repay the debt, leading to the courts decision to auction his house.

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Despite being summoned several times, Yarima claimed he was unaware of the court proceedings as he was out of the State.

READ ALSO: Kano Govt Suspends Kannywood Actress For 365 Days Over Indecent Dressing

I returned to Kano after the judgment and brought the N300,000 to settle the debt on January 6, two days after the auction. However, my creditor refused to accept the payment, Yarima said in an interview with Hikima RTV on Tuesday as revealed by Daily Post.

The court informed Yarima of a three-week window to appeal the decision, but the auction proceeded regardless.

My house was auctioned for only N2 million, and now my family and I are sleeping outside, Yarima lamented.

Yarima however called on the Kano State government to investigate the matter, alleging a lack of transparency in the judicial process.
Lead counsel for the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, Aloy Ejimakor, has rejected a request by the Federal Government to fix date for the resumption of his clients trial.

Disclosing this in a post shared is his X page on Tuesday, Ejimakor noted that Kanu rejected the FGs bid to reopen the trial and insisted that the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako, must recuse herself from the case.

He argued that Justice Nyakos decision to recuse herself was still valid and binding, accusing the prosecution of attempting to mislead the court, and insisting that Kanu no longer has a case before Justice Nyako.

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He said: Our position is based on the fact that Justice Nyako entered and enrolled an order recusing herself on September 24, 2024, and to date, that order remains extant and subsisting. It has not been set aside by any competent court.

READ MORE: Sowore Blames Igbo Elites For Nnamdi Kanus Prolonged Detention

For the avoidance of doubt, as of September 24, 2024, the defendant no longer has any case to answer before Justice Binta Nyako.

Kanu who is being prosecuted on seven counts of alleged treasonable felony and terrorism, has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

He was first arrested on October 14, 2015, following his return to Nigeria from the U K and was later granted bail in 2017 on health grounds after being detained at the Kuje correctional facility.
Two separate road accidents on Tuesday left at least one person dead and six others with injuries of varying severity.

The accidents took place near the Otedola Bridge on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and at Ijebu Imusin on the Sagamu-Benin Expressway.

According to an incident report from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, signed by its Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, PUNCH Metro gathered that the accident at Otedola Bridge occurred in the early hours of Tuesday.

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Oke-Osanyintolu stated that the accident, which involved four articulated trucks carrying containers, was caused by reckless driving, leading to one death and three injuries.

He explained, On arrival at the scene of the secondary incident nearby, the agencys Response Team discovered that a multiple-truck accident involving four articulated trucks laden with containers had occurred.

Investigations conducted by the team revealed that the incident occurred due to reckless driving, which resulted in the accident trucks getting stuck to each other due to the force of impact on collision.

Unfortunately, one adult male extricated from beneath the first accident truck lost his life to the incident. Three adult males sustained various degrees of injuries. The two seriously affected victims were taken to the Accident and Emergency Centre after receiving on-the-spot medical attention at the incident scene.

READ MORE: Ondo Rival Cult Clash Claims Four Lives

In a separate incident, the Commandant General of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, Seni Ogunyemi, confirmed a lone accident involving a Sienna vehicle at Ijebu Imusin, near Imeri Junction, along the Sagamu-Benin Expressway.

He added that the accident was caused by excessive speed, which resulted in a loss of control and injured three females out of the vehicles six occupants.

A lone RTA involving a Sienna white colour with registration number RBC 751 XU occurred at Ijebu Imusin, before Imeri Junction, along the Sagamu-Benin Expressway.

Six occupants were involved, including four females and two males. Three females sustained injuries, and no death was recorded.

According to an eyewitness, the accident was caused by excessive speed and loss of control.

He concluded that the three injured female victims have been taken to Ronal Hospital, Ijebu Ode, by TRACE operatives.


Lagos State has been identified as the biggest loser in the ongoing tax reform efforts, according to Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms.

Oyedele made this assertion during an interview on Arise Television on Tuesday, addressing concerns about the reform policy introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The proposed reforms aim to ensure a fair distribution of tax revenue across all regions in Nigeria.

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However, Oyedele noted that Lagos suffers the most because many companies headquartered in the State remit their Value Added Tax, VAT, centrally due to centralized finance operations.

Lagos is the biggest loser in the reform bill because most companies headquartered there currently remit their VAT within the state, Oyedele said.

He added that the current VAT system lacks clarity due to its omission from the 1999 Constitution.

READ ALSO: Stop The Noise, Focus On Impacts Of Tax Reforms  Bwala

The constitution introduced in 1999 didnt include VAT, yet the government continued its collection, he stated.

Oyedele also addressed disputes from States like Lagos and Rivers, which argue that direct VAT collection would better reflect their contributions.

He cautioned that allowing states to collect VAT independently would lead to business chaos, describing it as a move akin to 100 per cent derivation.

Under the reforms, VAT collection will be adjusted to address inequities. Revenue redistribution will shift away from Lagos despite its significant contributions, Oyedele explained.

He highlighted that companies like MTN, Dangote, BUA, Airtel, and several banks remit VAT from their Lagos headquarters.

The tax reforms, introduced in October 2024, include four proposed bills: the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, the Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill.

These bills aim to streamline Nigerias tax system, consolidate existing laws, simplify administration, and boost revenue generation.
The Nigerian military has confirmed that six soldiers were killed in action during a recent encounter with terrorists in Borno State.

However, the military also reported a significant victory, eliminating 34 terrorists who had attempted to retaliate against the troops for a recent killing of their commander and combatants.

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According to Major-General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, On 4 January 2025, an unspecified number of ISWAP/BHT terrorists riding on motorcycles and gun trucks engaged troops deployed in Sabon Gari Village of Damboa LGA of Borno State in a fire fight.

Buba explained in a statement on Wednesday that the terrorists were neutralized by the air component of Operation HADIN KAI, which conducted air interdiction.

READ ALSO: Yobe Police Nab Five For Scamming Victims With Ritual-Based Fraud Scheme

The terrorists had attempted to surprise troops and retaliate the recent killing of their commander and combatants by troops. The terrorists were taken unaware, when troops fighting patrol returning to the Base foiled their planned attack as soon as the attack commenced.

The militarys Battle Damage Assessment, he added, revealed that several terrorists were killed, and their weapons were recovered.

In total, 23 AK 47 weapons and over 200 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, were recovered.

Buba appealed to the media and Nigerians to respect the non-disclosure of the names of killed-in-action personnel, saying, We appeal to the media organisations and Nigerians to respect non-disclosure of the names of killed-in-action personnel to allow administrative procedures of notifying their Next of Kin.
Seven suspected vandals of vital national infrastructure have been taken into custody by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Command of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), often known as the NSCDC.

The Corps Commandant for the FCT, Olusola Odumosu, revealed this on Tuesday while showcasing the vandalised items recovered from the suspects at the commands headquarters in Abuja.

According to Odumosu, five of the suspected criminals were apprehended while breaking and removing manhole covers and armoured cables along Constitution Avenue in Abujas Central Business District.

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He stated that heightened surveillance and strategic ambushes led to the midnight arrest of five male suspects, aged between 19 and 24 years.

READ MORE: Stolen Vehicle Recovered In Kano, Suspect Arrested After Escape Attempt

Exhibits recovered from the suspects were: two manhole covers, underground armoured cables, two diggers.

Impounded also, was one Toyota Carina and one Toyota Corolla car that were on standby to evacuate their loot, Odumosu said.

He also stated that the command had detained two other individuals for damaging and stealing drainage concrete reinforcement iron rods along the Presidential Villa axis of the region.

The commandant also indicated that the suspects were now under investigation, and that due diligence will be used in their prosecution.

Odumosu condemned the ongoing vandalism of infrastructure in the FCT, calling it inhumane and a deplorable act of wickedness.

He emphasised the importance of regulating scrap metal activities (pantakers) in the FCT, stressing that without ready buyers, vandals would have less incentive to engage in such destructive acts.

He called on the Federal Government to implement harsher penalties to ensure that convicted vandals receive appropriate punishment, serving as a deterrent to potential offenders.


The Ogun State Police Command has expressed concern over a significant increase in reported cases of missing persons across the State.

According to Omolola Odutola, the Commands spokesperson, the rise in missing persons cases has been noticed across all age groups.

Odutola, as stated by News Agency of Nigeria, urged residents to be vigilant and prioritize their safety.

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READ ALSO: Police Nab Two Suspects For Stealing, Slaughtering Goat For Babys Naming Ceremony In Ogun

She also advised parents not to allow their children to use commercial transportation services with strangers.

The Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, has outlined essential measures and guidelines to keep residents informed about the most pressing issues, Odutola said on Tuesday via a statement in Abeokuta.

She encouraged restless youth to activate the digital communication and sharing features on their mobile devices, especially when traveling or in moments of distress.

Odutola also provided contact information for the police control room and the Police Public Relations Department for those seeking assistance as 09164859299, 09159578888.
A suspect has been arrested by the Nigeria Police Force National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF-NCCC) on charges of identity theft, business email compromise (BEC), computer-related fraud, and money laundering.

ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the forces public relations officer, confirmed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday.

He stated that the suspect was apprehended on December 20 after an intelligence-driven investigation into the operations of a cybercrime syndicate on the dark web.

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Mr. Adejobi explained that the syndicate specialises in hacking business emails to defraud companies and divert funds for personal gain, targeting major global companies to carry out their criminal activities.

He revealed that during interrogation, the suspect admitted to infiltrating business communications, obtaining customers email addresses and passwords, and diverting funds to their syndicate.

The police spokesman stated that thousands of compromised email credentials and login details were recovered from the suspects Skype account.

He said the suspect further revealed that the syndicate has members all around the world and that all communication and transactions are done over Skype.

READ MORE: Two Arrested In Anambra For Allegedly Killing, Burying Brother In Shallow Grave

Mr Adejobi stated that this has made their operations extremely difficult.

He stated that efforts are currently being made to track down and catch the syndicates leader and other members who are still at large.

Mr Adejobi restated the Nigeria Police Forces commitment to combating cybercrime, dominating cyberspace, and punishing all violators to the fullest extent of the law.

He urged the people to remain watchful and report any suspicious activity to law authorities immediately.

In a related case, Mr. Adejobi revealed that NPF-NCCC operatives had apprehended a suspect for allegedly facilitating in cybercrime activities.

He explained that the suspect specialises in fraudulently opening and renting bank accounts, which are then used by cybercriminals to receive funds from a WhatsApp hacking syndicate.

According to Mr Adejobi, the suspect used his girlfriends credentials to register many accounts with a prominent digital bank in Nigeria, which he then rented to cybercriminals.

The cybercriminals hack WhatsApp accounts belonging to prominent Nigerians, including Senators and Ministers, to solicit funds from their contacts under false pretences.

Upon investigation, the suspect admitted knowing that the accounts would be used for fraud but claimed he believed the victims were foreigners, despite receiving all payments in naira, he said.

Mr. Adejobi stated that the investigation had uncovered that the suspect typically takes a portion of the proceeds before sending the remaining funds to his clients.

He stated that the suspect would face charges in court for criminal conspiracy, impersonation, and computer fraud.

(NAN)
The Igbo Women Assembly has called on President Bola Tinubus government to withdraw military men from South East region.

The group also tasked President Tinubu to unconditionally release detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that IWA made this known on Tuesday, during the inauguration of the Umuahia chapter of the organisation, led by its President, Lolo Chimezie.

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The group lamented over heavy military presence on South-East roads, describing it as counterproductive and harmful.

Chimezie said: We are calling on the Federal Government to withdraw the military from South-East roads.

READ MORE: Igbo Land Is Peaceful  IPOB Assures Travellers Of Safety During Festive Period

Their presence causes more harm than good, creating hardship for our people. Instead of checkpoints that disrupt daily life, patrols would be more effective in addressing security concerns.

Speaking further, the IWAs President also demanded for unconditional release of IPOBs leader, Kanu, adding that it will delegitimise those exploiting his detention for criminal activities.

She said: The Federal Government must release Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally if it is sincere about restoring peace in the South-East.
President Bola Tinubu has told new President of Ghana, John Mahama, that his country can always count on Nigerias support for national development.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that Mahama was inaugurated on Tuesday in Accra, the nations capital, marking his return to office years after he served as Ghanas president.

Tinubu, who was among world leaders in Ghana, to witness the historic event, noted that Mahamas administration would mark the beginning of prosperity between the two nations.

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READ MORE: Tinubus Visit To Enugu Shows FGs Attention To SEast Development  Gov Soludo

He said: President John Mahama and I share a deep friendship. My dear brother, I am here to work with you.

You know you can count on Nigerias support and goodwill whenever needed. We are your brothers and sisters. The bond is strong and cannot be broken.

It lays to bed the question of whether Ghana and Africa are capable of democratic and productive endeavours. Ghana has answered that question resoundingly.

It is time that Africas critics stop forgetting the strides your nation, Nigeria, and others have made by continuing to ask us to prove ourselves. We have nothing to prove to anyone except ourselves.

May your administration be a profound success and progress for you, Ghanaians, and our entire region.


Solomon Dalung, a former Minister of Youth and Sports, has expressed his concerns about the cabal surrounding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to him, they are more ambitious, power-hungry, and sophisticated than those in former President Muhammadu Buharis administration.

Speaking on Channels TVs Politics Today on Tuesday, Dalung noted that Buharis cabal was comprised of individuals with limited experience in politics, public administration, and governance, who were primarily focused on embezzling public funds.

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READ ALSO: All Of Us In Buharis Administration Deceived Nigerians  Ex-Minister Dalung Admits

In contrast, Tinubus cabal is made up of educated and experienced individuals with a long history of power, who possess a sound understanding of what power entails.

Dalung warned that Tinubus presidency will suffer more due to the cabals capacity to manipulate power, block information from reaching the president, and build security barricades around him.

These cabals are masters. Therefore, they may be more dangerous than any cabal in the previous administrations to the best of my knowledge, he said.

Dalungs comments come as Nigerians continue to face untold hardship, with many expecting the president to show compassion.
Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has celebrated his son, Jordan, for obtaining a Master of Laws (LLM) degree from Queen Mary University of London, UK.

In a post shared on X on Tuesday, the FCT Minister expressed pride in his sons progress in pursuing his career goals.

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He wrote, Happy to witness, alongside my wife, the graduation ceremony of our son, Jordan, who just earned a Master of Laws (LLM) degree at Queen Mary University of London, UK. As a father, I am happy for the progress Jordan is making in the pursuit of his career.

READ MORE: Funke Akindele Sets New Record As Everybody Loves Jenifa Becomes Nollywoods Highest-Grossing Film

The minister also shared some images from the graduation ceremony.

Eberechi, a judge of the court of appeal, who is the wife of Wike, also featured in the pictures.

Jordan graduated from the University of Exeter, UK, in July 2022 with a bachelors degree in law.

SEE POST:


Comrade Timi Frank, former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has urged Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, to refrain from insulting elders if he hopes to attain a similar status someday.

Frank criticized Wikes recent verbal attacks on several prominent figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, former Rivers State Governor Dr. Peter Odili, and the Labour Partys 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Wike must engage in soul-searching and evaluate his character and behaviour. Hiding acts of disrespect behind political motives is unacceptable, Frank stated in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to him, Wikes behavior is unacceptable and may have severe consequences.

READ ALSO: Wikes Land Revocation Spree Directed At Tinubus Opponents  Timi Frank Alleges

The fact that Wike appears older than his age does not place him in the same age bracket as Peter Odili, Uche Secondus, and others he routinely insults. No reasonable person would behave this way unless influenced by intoxicants or harmful substances, Frank added.

He advised Wike to seek help to curb his behavior, warning that failure to do so may lead to severe consequences.

If Wike hopes to live to 80 and beyond, he must stop showing disdain and disrespect for elders. Otherwise, he risks facing the consequences of his actions, he added

Furthermore, Frank accused Wike of undermining the people of Rivers State and urged him to leave them out of his controversies.

He suggested that Wike seek professional help to improve his public speaking skills and avoid being excessively garrulous.

Frank concluded by urging Wike to reflect on his actions and regain the respect befitting his office and age.
The Yobe State Police Command has arrested a five-member syndicate involved in defrauding unsuspecting victims.

SP Dungus Abdulkarim, the Commands Public Relations Officer, confirmed the arrest in a statement made on Tuesday, stating that it is another noteworthy victory in the states fight against crime and criminality.

The suspects, namely: Abdullahi Suleman (62); Sani Salisu (30); Nasiru Mohd (30); Alhasan Illiya (55) from Potiskum LGA, Yobe State, as well as Weti Mohd (43) from Ngorore, Adamawa State, were apprehended on January 6, 2025, at about 1630hrs by the joint operations of the State Intelligence Department (SID) and Tarmuwa Divisional Police Headquarters, SP Abdulkarim said.

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The PPRO explained that the suspects method involves approaching their targets, pretending to be travellers in need of assistance, and then tricking them into giving large amounts of money by claiming to perform fetish rituals to protect them from enemies and bring prosperity.

READ MORE: Three Arrested For Murder, Motorcycle Theft In Niger

The syndicates latest victim, Mallam Audu Shehu of Shekau Village, Tarmuwa LGA, was defrauded of N500,000.00. However, the stolen money was recovered intact during a search of the suspects possessions.

The suspects confessed to the crime, revealing that this was their first operation in Yobe State, although they had been active in Adamawa, Gombe, and Taraba States for over three years he added.

The State Commissioner of Police, Garba Ahmed, through the Commands Spokesperson, reaffirmed the Commands dedication to maintaining security and safety within the state.

He advised the public to remain vigilant against impostors posing as marabouts or security agents in order to deceive and defraud members of the community.

The Command urged residents to report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station and to stay alert.

Investigation is ongoing for subsequent prosecution. The following exhibits were recovered: a Mercedes-Benz saloon car, a bunch of paper notes, N500,000.00 in cash, and six granite pebbles, he said.


Felix Morka, spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has denied threatening the life of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in 2023.

Obi had claimed that his life was under threat due to his criticism of President Bola Tinubus administration.

Morka had described Obi as a prophet of doom and stated that he has crossed the line so many times and has it coming to him whatever he gets.

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However, he clarified that this statement was not a threat to Obis life.

In a statement on Tuesday he said, While everyone has a right to free speech, no one has a right to peddle misinformation or outright falsehood

The right to free speech granted by our countrys Constitution is not Mr. Obis exclusive right but a right that is available to all Nigerians, including Morka.

READ ALSO: Peter Obi Alleges Threat To Life For Speaking Against Tinubus Govt

Morka also alleged that Obi leads a mob that issues death threats to anyone who disagrees with him.

Many eminent and highly respected elder statesmen have been serially attacked, humiliated, and bullied by Obis online followers. Obi has never condemned their conduct or called them to order, he said.

According to him, Obi is not entitled to any special treatment or exclusive rights.

Mr. Obi is not entitled to any monolithic or exclusive constitutional or extraterrestrial liberty over and above any other citizen, he stated.

Obis claim of a threat to his life is unacceptable, according to Morka.

As a public figure, Mr. Obi bears a responsibility to provide accurate and truthful information, he concluded.
Trapped inside a shuttered musical instrument repair shop in a New York City suburb sits Mark Gigliottis livelihood: his prized bassoon, locked up, unattended, and likely pulled apart into pieces.

Worse, the Philadelphia Orchestra player has no idea when hell once again see his instrument  a 1931 German bassoon with an enviable Philadelphia pedigree, owned and played by him for half a century.

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Calls have been made, a lawyer hired, and months into the strange episode, no resolution is in sight.

The orchestras coprincipal bassoonist had expected to be separated from his own instrument for two or three weeks. He needed surgery on his right hand for arthritis and, after scheduling the procedure for September, figured it was also a good time for his instrument to undergo routine maintenance.

He dropped off the bassoon at Nicholas Evans shop in Yonkers in November, as he had done many times before in the last 10 or 15 years. About a week later he thought of something he wanted to tell Evans, so he called the shop.

He didnt hear back, so he called again. Then again.

I must have called 20 times.

A week later, someone from Yonkers city government called with an explanation for the silence: The highly regarded repairman was dead.

Nick went to bed and never woke up, said Gigliotti.

It came as a complete shock. We were very close to Nick. So just the fact that he died was very difficult. And then the situation with the bassoon kind of came into the picture and we started to realize the ramifications of that.

The ramifications were numerous. Evans had no immediate family, says Gigliotti, and left no will, and so Gigliotti expected it would be some time before the estate would be sorted out and the instruments in the shop returned to their owners.

In the meantime, Gigliottis hand was better and he was scheduled to return to work for the orchestras New Years Eve concert, and had no instrument. And even if he could find another bassoon, it might not be an easy fit.

The thing with these vintage instruments is that every one is different from another, and varying to big degrees in some cases, Gigliotti says. Its very hard to jump from one instrument to another.

But word of his tough spot started to get around, and a friend suggested contacting Peter Schoenbach, a music administrator, linguist, bassoonist, former dean at the Curtis Institute, and son of legendary Philadelphia Orchestra bassoonist Sol Schoenbach.

Peter Schoenbach had already heard of Gigliottis predicament, so when Gigliotti called, he immediately wanted to help by loaning one of his two bassoons  his fathers.

Schoenbach had to first check with his insurance company about adding a rider, but after the expense was determined, he told Gigliotti: Itll cost you $350, but the instrument is yours.

The historical resonances of the loan are both musical and personal, and in an orchestra as dynastic as this one  with musicians often following their wives, husbands, siblings, and other relatives into membership  one tends to blur into the other.

Schoenbachs and Gigliottis fathers once played side by side in the orchestra  Sol Schoenbach was principal bassoonist from 1937 to 1957, and Anthony Gigliotti principal clarinetist from 1949 to 1996.

Both men were members of the illustrious Philadelphia Woodwind Quintet, which actively performed and recorded in the 1950s and 60s. And the two families were close from the days when they lived near each other in North Philadelphias Logan neighborhood in the late 1940s and 1950s.

Then theres the story of how Mark Gigliotti came to play the bassoon in the first place. He started as a pianist, then at age 10 took up the clarinet  first studying with his father, then his grandfather  and recalls hearing Sol Schoenbach playing chamber music.

I was fascinated by it. I mean, he was such a beautiful player. His sound, no one had that sound, Gigliotti said.

While the orchestra was in residence in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., one summer, we were sitting there one night looking out at Lake George having this conversation, recalled Gigliotti in a recent talk with Peter Schoenbach. I dont know how we got onto it, but I was complaining about the clarinet and my grandfather yelling at me, and your dad said, Why dont you let me teach him the bassoon?

Gigliotti studied with Schoenbach for a year before switching to other teachers  or, rather, after being switched.

I think he got a little tired of the beginner stuff, Gigliotti said.

Musically, Gigliottis and Schoenbachs bassoons are similar. They were both made by Wiesbaden-based bassoon maker Heckel, which traces its beginnings to 1831 and is still producing instruments. Both were made in the 1930s. The era is significant, Gigliotti said.

The instruments from that time, from 1930 to lets say 1950, we call them the Stradivarius of bassoons, and theyre amazing instruments.

After Gigliotti took possession of Schoenbachs bassoon, I put it together, and it was like, wow. I mean, it has an incredible sound.

When Giglotti listens to recordings of Schoenbach playing the instrument, he says it is the sound that I always wanted to have.

Says Schoenbach: Me, too.

Its very individual, Schoenbach explains. Its like your voice or your fingerprint. Everybody, no matter if they play the same instrument, the same reed, it doesnt sound exactly the same.

Schoenbach has yet to hear Gigliotti playing his fathers bassoon in the orchestra.

Gigliotti will next play the instrument in this weeks performances of Mahlers Symphony No. 9 (the third bassoon part)  and in concerts for an undetermined period of time. The New Years Eve and Mahler concerts are the first time the instrument has been heard in the Philadelphia Orchestra in nearly 70 years.

The Sol Schoenbach sound is familiar to many, even if they dont know it, since he was principal bassoonist during much of the Philadelphia Orchestras golden age of recording. It was Schoenbach who played the famously high, eerie opening bassoon solo in the Rite of Spring segment of Fantasia  a solo he played 45 times before conductor Leopold Stokowski would give his approval.

The instrument is also known as one of the orchestras more sonorous character actors, representing the cantankerous grandfather in Prokofievs Peter and the Wolf and snoring soldiers in Smetanas Ma vlast. Mozart used the bassoon for evoking urgency, Brahms for sincerity, Rimsky-Korsakov for mystery. To Berlioz, only the bassoon could convey the proper stealth and spook of an opium-fueled march to the scaffold.

Sol Schoenbach died in 1999 at age 83 after making his mark not just as a musician, but also as the longtime director of the Settlement Music School and a civic leader.

The recent episode  Evans death, the ongoing limbo state of Gigliottis instrument  is obviously sorrowful and frustrating, but it has also brought unexpected joys.

Its what we call serendipity, this thing, right? Schoenbach said. All of these things falling into place, its like it was fated that somehow if this were to take place, that would be the outcome.

And in a way, your dad is alive again, said Gigliotti to Schoenbach.

Yeah, absolutely, said Schoenbach of his fathers presence once more wafting through the orchestra. Between us, we brought him back.

Mahlers Symphony No. 9, Jan. 9 and 11, Marian Anderson Hall, 300 S. Broad St., Phila. philorch.ensembleartsphilly.org, 215-893-1999.
Workers with Spirit Airlines move luggage to another belt location due to a system outage in Terminal D at Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia, Pa., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. Read more

Spirit Airlines is cutting some flights at Philadelphia International Airport next month, according to data from Cirium, an aviation analytics company.

Over 100 flights will be cut in February at PHL compared to the same time last year. Most impacted routes will see a reduction in frequency while a route to Houstons George Bush Intercontinental Airport will be cut entirely for some months. The Philadelphia Business Journal first reported on the changes.

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Flights connecting PHL to Nashville; Las Vegas; Orlando; Atlanta; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Los Angeles; Miami; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; and Cancun, Mexico, will become less frequent in February.

The route to Houston is scheduled to return in April, according to Cirium. The aviation analytics company shared scheduled flight information for Spirit Airlines through May 2025.

Flights to Tampa and Fort Myers, Fla., which were cut from the schedule in May 2024, are expected to return in March and April respectively.

Some of the reduced routes were among PHLs 10 most popular destinations in 2023: Miami, Atlanta, Orlando, and Los Angeles.

Spirit is one of the largest carriers at PHL, carrying roughly 1.94 million passengers in 2023. The largest by far is American Airlines, which carried some 17 million passengers at PHL in 2023, followed by Frontier with 3.46 million.

Spirit filed for bankruptcy protection in November. Prior to the bankruptcy filing, Spirit leaders planned to sell off some aircrafts and reduce its workforce to cut costs. The company furloughed some 186 pilots in September and expects to furlough roughly 330 more this month, Reuters reported in October.

A spokesperson for Spirit declined to comment on Monday.

Spirit continues to operate a robust schedule at PHL, with flights scheduled to 15 nonstop destinations during the first and second quarters of 2025, Heather Redfern, public affairs manager for the citys department of aviation, said via email on Monday. We look forward to our continued partnership with Spirit this year.

Repairing engines, recovering from the pandemic, and more

At the time of Spirits bankruptcy filing last year, the airline had been struggling to recover from the pandemic. The company also was facing higher labor costs and was seeing revenue per mile take a hit from passenger fares. The company also faced competition from other airlines that offer cheap flying options. Spirit faces debt payments of over $1 billion this year and in 2026, the Associated Press reported in November. A planned merger with JetBlue ultimately failed last year.

The airline has also seen some airplanes removed from service because the engines they needed were not available.

In a November statement, Spirit said passengers could continue to book and fly with the airline and that tickets, credits, and loyalty points could still be used. It also noted that the company expected to complete the bankruptcy process in the first quarter of 2025.
Lower Merion's new superintendent, Frank Ranelli (left), and new acting superintendent Lawrence Mussoline, pictured during a school board meeting Tuesday. Mussoline will lead the district until Ranelli takes over in April. Read more

As the Lower Merion school board approved a contract for new Superintendent Frank Ranelli on Monday, district officials highlighted the New Jersey schools leaders resume, including the development of a diversity, equity, and inclusion department and revamping technology and security systems in his Piscataway Township district.

But they also emphasized the stability they hoped he would bring the top-ranked district, which has lost two superintendents in a row after about a year each in their jobs.

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Were hoping for over five on this one, said the boards president, Kerry Sautner, at Mondays meeting.

Ranelli, who takes over in April, marks the third superintendent Lower Merion has hired in a little more than three years: After joining the district in October 2021, Khalid Mumin left in January 2023 to become Gov. Josh Shapiros education secretary. (Mumin has since left Shapiros administration.)

Steven Yanni, who started as Lower Merions superintendent in August 2023, left the district in July to lead the Central Bucks School District.

The contract approved for Ranelli on Monday includes a $290,000 annual salary  the same as Yanni received his first year  and other terms similar to those given to the former superintendent, said Lower Merions solicitor, Kenneth Roos.

But, Roos noted, certain benefits will kick in only after Ranelli serves for five years, to help ensure his retention.

Addressing the board and members of the public after his contract was approved, Ranelli said he was extremely excited to be here.

This is a very important role in the community, I understand that, and Im ready to make that commitment to Lower Merion, said Ranelli, who started his career 28 years ago as a special-education teacher, then became an administrator, including stints leading high schools in South Jersey.

After acknowledging the Piscataway schools  my work home for 11 years  Ranelli said, Im looking forward to Lower Merion becoming my work home for a long time.

The school board also on Monday approved the hire of an acting superintendent to lead the district until Ranelli takes over in April. The district will pay a staffing agency $1,485 a day for Lawrence Mussoline, a former superintendent of the Haddonfield School District in New Jersey and the Downingtown Area School District in Chester County. Roos said it was common for districts to pay staffing agencies to hire retired administrators for temporary positions.

While Lower Merion has been led by acting Superintendent Megan Shafer since Yanni left, Shafer  whose official position is assistant to the superintendent for district administration  suggested it would be best if she moves back to her role rather than continuing to juggle additional responsibilities, Sautner said.

Some in the community questioned the logic, and price tag, of hiring an administrator until April. Im trying to wrap my head around this small three-month window and what its going to cost, Crystal Blunt told the board.

District officials said it wasnt known exactly how many days Mussoline would work. But, Sautner said, the district expects the cost of the new leadership will still come out to about $20,000 less this year than what the district would have paid had Yanni continued.

Transitions are hard, Sautner said. Weve all lived through three transitions in three years and it affects our kids. The board favors bringing more support on to ease the process, she said. She added that, given Mussolines background leading New Jersey and Pennsylvania schools, he would be well-positioned to advise Ranelli on differences in the states' policies and practices.
Residents at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia recently voted against unionizing. Read more

Good morning. For the first full week of the year, lets catch you up on what you missed in health news over the holidays:

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 Aubrey Whelan, Inquirer health reporter

Weve been covering the wave of unionization efforts among Philadelphia doctors, with a big push underway to get more than 3,000 resident and fellow physicians at major health systems around the region to form unions.

Last month, residents at CHOP were the first in that cadre to vote on whether to unionize. The vote failed  by 17 votes.

Pro-union residents at CHOP say that the hospital employed antiunion tactics during their campaign that specifically targeted fellows, who have completed their residencies and are undergoing further training in a specialty medical field like pediatric endocrinology. CHOP did not comment on its tactics during the campaign, but officials there say they are committed to working with employees regardless of their union status.

Residents organizing for unions at other hospitals in the area  who will vote on their own unions in the coming weeks  say the vote is disappointing, but wont deter them. CHOP organizers say theyre not giving up, either.

Even since the election result, Ive spoken to several people who feel even more motivated to get involved with our effort, said Natalie LaBossier, a second-year pediatrics resident who helped organize the push at CHOP. Ive had some conversations with people who were disappointed in themselves, and who asked me when can we try again.

The latest news to pay attention to

A new law in Pennsylvania is limiting to one year noncompete agreements that keep doctors and other health-care employees from leaving their jobs to work for competitors. But there are loopholes in the law that have experts concluding it wont change much on the ground. When youre injured on Phillys vast system of biking and hiking trails, calling 911 may not bring you timely medical help. Often, dispatchers dont know how to direct cops or paramedics to people in need  whether because of technology limits, inexperience, or a host of other factors. Our colleague Wendy Ruderman explored the problem  and possible solutions. New gene therapies, big deals, and less demand for lab space are highlights of a roundup by our coworker Harold Brubaker of what happened last year in the world of Philly biotech. Plus, WuXi AppTech, the Chinese-owned research and manufacturing firm thats a prominent part of citys biotech scene, has sold their South Philly facilities to a New York company.

This weeks big number: $467 million.

Thats how much Penn will receive after settling a lawsuit with the German drug manufacturer BioNTech, which, with Pfizer, made their blockbuster COVID vaccine using mRNA technology developed at the university, our coworker Abraham Gutman reported.

Penn licensed the technology  for which researchers Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman won a Nobel Prize  to BioNTech and Moderna in the summer of 2020, in return for royalties on the vaccines sales.

But in a lawsuit filed in August 2024, Penn said that BioNTech hadnt paid the school enough in royalties from the vaccine. For one, they contended that the company should have paid them royalties on all vaccines sold around the world, but instead paid them only for sales of the vaccine in countries where Penn holds patents for mRNA.

BioNTech denies the allegations and, as part of the settlement, did not admit liability in the case.

A patient at St. Mary Medical Center was mistakenly given a double dose of an anti-blood clot medication  after a nurse incorrectly reported the patients weight, our coworker Sarah Gantz reports.

The mistake, which took place at the 373-bed Langhorne hospital last fall, drew one of the state health departments harshest warnings. State inspectors said the hospital created a potentially life-threatening safety risk. Read Sarahs story for more on what happened and why such incidents are so serious.

Pulmonologist Frank Leone often has emotional conversations with patients about how to quit smoking  even when theyre facing conditions like lung disease. Early in his career, he thought the answer was obvious: Well, you just stop.

But, over the years, Leone, now the director of Penn Medicines Comprehensive Smoking Treatment Program, has learned that helping patients quit smoking is a much more complex process that involves both pharmaceutical and cognitive interventions.

The brain, following exposure to nicotine, knows how to be a smoker and does it very, very well. The idea of becoming a nonsmoker is akin to learning a new set of skills, he told Wendy.

Three executives at the health and human services nonprofit Resources for Human Development have left their positions  weeks after Inperium, another human services nonprofit, acquired RHD, our coworker Harold Brubaker reports.

The terms of the departure of Linda Donovan, Bernard Glavin, and Stephanie Pompey arent clear. Donovan was mostly recently listed as chief program officer for RHDs behavioral health and housing division. Glavin was executive vice president for intellectual disabilities services. Pompey was the organizations chief legal officer.

Reading-based Inperium agreed to acquire RHD in the spring as the nonprofit, which offers services for intellectually disabled people, as well as behavioral health and substance use treatment, faced bankruptcy.

Well leave you with a feel-good feature about Penn Presbyterian OR nurse Chris Naimo. The Army veteran was treated for cancer at Penn and then enrolled in nursing school so he could work at the health system that he says saved his life.

His own experiences at Penn shape how he deals with patients today: He has tips on how to endure an abdominal surgery and guidelines for how to set up a care plan with your doctor. Dont let this [disease] define you, he tells patients. Let you define it.
Residents in the Einstein Healthcare Network, which includes North Philadelphia's Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital and is owned by Jefferson Health, voted Wednesday to unionize. Read more

Resident physicians and fellows at Einstein Healthcare Network, which is owned by Jefferson Health, voted to unionize on Wednesday, joining a broader labor organizing movement among physicians in the Philadelphia area and nationally.

The doctors-in-training voted 356-35 to join the Committee of Interns and Residents, a division of the Service Employees International Union, the union said in a news release.

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In a statement, a Jefferson spokesperson said that the health system respects the decision of our residents and fellows to vote in favor of unionization.

We remain committed to maintaining an environment of exceptional medical training, open communication, and collaboration to ensure the success and well-being of our residents as we deliver outstanding patient care, the spokesperson wrote.

In November, Einstein residents announced their plans to unionize along with 3,000 physicians training at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, Temple University Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, and the Delaware-based ChristianaCare health system. Last month, CHOP residents and fellows narrowly voted against unionizing by a 17-vote margin.

Residents at the other hospitals are set to hold their own votes in the coming weeks.

The move is part of a wave of organizing activity among doctors in the Philadelphia region, who have not historically been part of labor unions.

Last fall, residents at Penn Medicine and the Rutgers University health system finalized their first contracts with their health systems. And last summer, attending doctors at ChristianaCare became the first group of post-training physicians in the region to unionize.

The shift takes place amid a changing landscape for doctors employment: Most now work for health systems instead of at their own private practice. And residents, in particular, have been organizing in increasing numbers around the country. About 20% are currently in a union.

In Philadelphia, residents have cited grueling working conditions and relatively low pay in their efforts to unionize. Resident physicians can work up to 80 hours a week for, on average, about $61,000 a year  less pay than employees in other fields who require special training, like flight attendants and electricians, the New England Journal of Medicines Resident 360 website reported.

Were going to ensure that our health-care system prioritizes patient care, not executives paychecks. More and more physicians are stepping up and were so excited to be part of this growing movement of healthcare workers unionizing, Grace Cho, a resident physician training in psychiatry at Einstein, said in the unions statement.
XyloCor Therapeutics Inc., a Wayne gene therapy company, received $67.5 million from investors to support Phase 2 trials of a treatment designed to grow new blood vessels in the heart, XyloCor announced Tuesday.

The company is working on treatments for a form of heart pain. Its gene therapy, XC001, will also be tested as a supplemental treatment for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

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Leading the latest round of investment in XyloCor was Jeito Capital, a private equity firm based in Paris. Previous institutional investors EQT, Fountain Healthcare Partners, and Lumira Ventures also participated, bringing total investment in XyloCor to $107.5 million.

XyloCor employs 10 people, and plans to add to staff this year, a spokesperson said. The companys potential gene therapy product is based on technology licensed from Cornell University.

The company was founded in 2013 and moved to the Philadelphia region in 2016 after it hired Al Gianchetti, a former GlaxoSmithKline vice president for research, as CEO, The Inquirer reported in 2018.

We are committed to the Philadelphia region and growing our life sciences business here, Gianchetti said in an email Tuesday.
Over a hundred Kensington residents remained without power Wednesday as a Peco outage left many scrambling for heat during yet another day of below-freezing temperatures.

The electricity supplier was notified around 7 p.m. Tuesday that power lines were down in the area, said spokesperson Tom Brubaker. Peco has yet to identify a cause, Brubaker said. Fire crews responded to a call about downed wires at Rorer and East Westmoreland Streets at 7:20 p.m. Tuesday, according to a Philadelphia Fire Department spokesperson.

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About 3,000 customers were affected when electricity first went out, but that number had ticked down to 134 as of Wednesday afternoon, according to PECOs live outage tracker, as crews started work overnight to begin restoring power.

PECO expects to have all power fully restored by late Wednesday afternoon, Brubaker said.

Theres a not a single fix, Brubaker said, noting that technicians have to work on each outage site individually, which can cause delays. All available crews are on the scene working as quickly and safely as possible to restore power.

 READ MORE: Snow coated Phillys Monday morning commute, followed by a prolonged cold spell

The outages come as Philadelphia heads into what some meteorologists predict will be a two-week-long cold spell. Following Mondays snow, temperatures are expected to stay below freezing until at least Friday, with lows reaching the teens. Brubaker urged Peco customers without heat to consider finding warm shelter elsewhere until the power comes back.

The City of Philadelphias Office of Homeless Services issued an indefinite Code Blue, invoking additional city resources during times of severe winter weather. The city is operating 20 warming centers  including a 24/7 location at Kensingtons Inn of Amazing Mercy at 115 E. Huntingdon St.  where anyone is welcome to walk in at any time.

The rest of the warming centers can be found on this digital map.
Anyone 65 and up ride for free on SEPTA's buses, trolleys, subways, Norristown High Speed Line, and Regional Rail with a SEPTA Key Senior ID card. Read more

For Paul Ziegler, 69, becoming a senior feels new.

The Montgomery County resident saw SEPTAs free rides for seniors as a bit of joy that allows him to have new experiences exploring Philly.

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That was until someone told him he was taking away from Pennsylvanias budget by riding for free. Concerned, he asked Curious Philly, The Inquirers forum for questions about the city and region: Does the state reimburse SEPTA for each trip I take? And why does my SEPTA Senior card make a different sound at the turnstile?

Seniors free rides are not taken from the Pennsylvanias budget or SEPTAs. The money covering those passes comes from the Pennsylvania Lottery.

The lotto funds multiple senior programs, including meals, prescription assistance, care services, property tax assistance, rent rebates, and public transportation, including the SEPTA Senior Fare program, according to SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch.

Any Philadelphian 65 or older can get a free ride on SEPTAs buses, trolleys, subways, Norristown High Speed Line, and Regional Rail in Pennsylvania.

The amount of money from the lottery allocated for this comes from a formula based on the amount of recorded senior ridership, Busch said.

Between 2022 and 2023, more than $145.1 million in lottery funds became about 24.2 million free transit rides statewide, according to the Pennsylvania Lottery.

In Philly, this helped hundreds of thousands Philadelphia-area seniors to access free rides, Busch said.

To Ziegler, this was a relief.

Thats good, I am not stealing, he said. I want to make sure the transit is there for everyone, because I know how helpful having access to it is for me.

A longtime Lansdale/Doylestown Line rider, Ziegler said he doesnt think he would take the train into Philly as often as he does if he had to pay over $5 each way.

But one thing Ziegler doesnt like is the different sound his senior fare card makes.

The specific warble, as Busch described it, is meant to alert operators and cashiers that seniors (or any other specialty fare users) are traveling to monitor for improper use of free-ride cards.

The SEPTA Key Senior card is valid for four years  provided card glitches arent showing that theyre prematurely expired. They can also provide seniors 50% off weekday fares when traveling to New Jersey or Delaware.

Applying for a SEPTA Senior Fare Card is necessary to be eligible for free rides. Appointments are strongly encouraged.

For Ziegler, the process is worth it and didnt take long.

Just think about all sorts of restaurants, markets, history, bookstores, and record stores, you will get to see in Philly, he said.
U.S. Sen. John Fetterman speaks at the Penn Ag Democrats Luncheon at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg, Pa., on Saturday Jan. 4, 2025. Read more

Sen. John Fetterman is the lone Senate Democrat cosponsoring a Republican-led bill that would require federal authorities to detain undocumented immigrants arrested for theft-related crimes.

The bill, passed with bipartisan support in the House on Tuesday, is slated to come up for a Senate vote on Friday. In addition to requiring federal detention of undocumented immigrants who commit theft, it would allow states to sue the Department of Homeland Security for harm caused to their citizens because of illegal immigration, greatly expanding the authority of state attorneys general.

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Lawmakers named the legislation after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student who was murdered while jogging at the University of Georgia. Her convicted killer, Jose Ibarra, had entered the U.S. illegally and had previously been released after an arrest for stealing merchandise from a Walmart store. He was sentenced to life without parole in November.

Laken Rileys story is a tragic reminder of whats at stake when our systems fail to protect people, Fetterman said in a joint news release sent by the bills sponsor, Sen. Katie Britt (R., Ala.). No family should have to endure the pain of losing a loved one to preventable violence, the Pennsylvania Democrat continued. Immigration is what makes our country great. I support giving authorities the tools to prevent tragedies like this one while we work on comprehensive solutions to our broken system.

A seismic shift

Fettermans support, first reported by Punchbowl News, continues an openness he has displayed for working with Republicans and on Republican-led issues. The bill is backed by every Republican in the Senate. But Fettermans backing also reflects how Democrats are reexamining their stances on immigration, which played a key role in the presidential campaign in Pennsylvania and nationally. While Fetterman is the only listed Democratic cosponsor, Sens. Gary Peters (D., Mich.) and Jon Ossoff (D., Ga.) indicated they would support the bill in interviews on the Hill on Tuesday.

The bill passed the House on Tuesday with the support of 48 Democrats, including Pennsylvania Reps. Brendan Boyle, of Philadelphia, and Chris Deluzio, who represents a section of Western Pennsylvania outside Pittsburgh. Rep. Dwight Evans (D., Pa.), of Philadelphia, did not vote.

We are a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants, Boyle, whose father emigrated from Ireland, said in a statement Tuesday. We can be true to both. As the son of an immigrant, I am proudly pro-immigrant. I also believe in holding individuals accountable who break the law.

Boyle said the bill isnt perfect, but called it much improved from the version introduced last session, which he said was filled with vitriolic partisan attacks.

For the bill to receive a vote in the Senate, Republicans would need at least seven Democrats to support taking up the legislation.

Democrats and immigrant rights groups opposing the bill accused Republicans of using a horrible tragedy for political gain. They called the legislation a violation of due process, noting it would mandate detention for undocumented immigrants, including DACA recipients and those with temporary protected status accused of theft, even if they are not convicted. And the provision that allows states to sue the federal government could represent a seismic shift in immigration policy, said Nayna Gupta, policy director at the American Immigration Council.

This is the Republican playbook over and over again, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D., Wash.) said on the House floor. Scare people about immigrants, never propose anything that actually solves an outdated and arcane immigration system.

Fetterman has been a staunch advocate for immigrants, particularly those referred to as Dreamers, who come to the country as minors. His wife, Gisele, was a Dreamer who came to the U.S. with her mother and younger brother from Brazil when she was 7. The family, all of them undocumented, lived in a one-room apartment in New York City, a story both Fettermans have told on the campaign trail. In 2004, Gisele Fetterman received lawful permanent residency, commonly called a green card, and she became a United States citizen in 2009.

While Fetterman has reiterated his support for Dreamers in recent months, he has also called for stronger border security and stricter penalties for undocumented immigrants who commit crimes.

ICE reported tens of thousands of migrants with criminal records  homicide or sexual assault, Fetterman posted on X Tuesday. 425,000 have criminal records in total and should be deported. I support a secure border. I support a legal path for Dreamers. I support the Laken Riley Act.

That number, 425,000, refers to a memo ICE issued this summer and encompasses data going back decades, including people who entered the country 40 years ago and those who are incarcerated in federal, state, or local prisons, serving sentences or awaiting trials.

Jasmine Rivera, executive director of the Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition, said Fetterman was turning his back on the immigrant community by supporting the bill.

We stood with his family in front of a prison for immigrant families. And now hes taking this line? Rivera said, recalling a vigil held outside the migrant detention center in Berks County.

When John Fetterman first ran for Senate  I would hear him say over and over and over again how thankful he was to his wifes parents, Rivera said. Because they chose to come to this country, and they chose to take the risk of being undocumented. And because of them, he was able to meet his wife and have his family. That is what I keep remembering as he has spent the last couple of years completely turning his back on the immigrant community.

How the legislation would change immigration laws

The legislation would change immigration laws to authorize the secretary of homeland security to take custody of undocumented people charged with crimes related to theft, including burglary, larceny, and shoplifting. Those detainments could result in deportation. Under current law, an undocumented immigrant who commits two petty crimes could face deportation.

Congress has taken a stricter approach in recent years to crimes that can result in deportation, expanding the list to include more minor infractions. Studies have shown undocumented immigrants commit crimes at far lower rates than U.S.-born citizens.

It violates due process to say someone merely arrested for stealing diapers in a store could be detained with no opportunity for release, said Gupta, from the American Immigration Council, an immigrant advocacy group.

Under the bill, state attorneys general could also sue the federal government if an immigrant who enters the United States illegally and is released commits a crime against the state or its residents.

Gupta said those lawsuits could extend to state attorneys general suing the federal government to stop issuing visas to foreign countries.

Its really just a vehicle for Trumps mass deportation agenda, she said. And a way to target undocumented people and to give anti-immigrant state attorneys general leeway to control what the federal government does.
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker places a new block on the scale model of the Riverview Wellness Village Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 during the unveiling of Philadelphias new city-operated drug treatment facility. At left is Managing Director Adam Thiel and Councilmember Michael Driscoll is at right. Read more

A new city-operated rehabilitation facility for people in recovery from drug addiction will begin accepting patients this month in Northeast Philadelphia, marking a major milestone for Mayor Cherelle L. Parker a year after taking office.

Flanked by top cabinet members and local elected officials, Parker on Wednesday unveiled the Riverview Wellness Village, a former personal-care home in the shadow of the citys jail complex that will have 340 treatment beds in its initial phase.

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The mayor framed the opening as a critical component of her administrations plan to end open-air drug markets across the city. She has made addressing the crisis in Kensington, where hundreds of people in the throes of addiction live on the street, a cornerstone of her first-term agenda.

We will be a model for the nation about how you deal with this issue, Parker said.

The opening at Riverview, the first in a multiphase plan, comes less than a year after Parker proposed spending $100 million to construct the first recovery facility operated by Philadelphias government. The administration estimates that once construction is complete, it will be able to house more than 600 people at a time  a significant expansion of the estimated 500 beds citywide that are currently in city-contracted recovery houses.

What we are doing here today is, to many, the impossible, Adam K. Thiel, the citys managing director, said Wednesday during a news conference at the new facility at 7979 State Rd. Hundreds of people attended and gave Parker a standing ovation, including members of City Council, representatives of Gov. Josh Shapiros administration, and state Supreme Court Justice Kevin Dougherty.

Thiel said the facility will fill a gap in what is available to people seeking to recover from drug addiction. Patients will be referred to the facility after completing short-term, inpatient drug treatment elsewhere, and can live at the village for up to a year.

Parkers efforts to address the decades-in-the-making opioid crisis have been met with a range of responses since she campaigned on opposing some progressive approaches to the problem, such as supervised injection sites and city-funded needle exchanges.

So while some cheered the effort to bolster the citys network of recovery options, other advocates and legal observers raised concerns about the administrations broader effort. Later this month, officials are planning to launch a wellness court in Kensington, where some people in addiction who are arrested for minor offenses could go before a judge and be offered treatment instead of criminal charges.

Some advocates said having people choose between recovery or the criminal justice system amounts to coerced treatment.

We really miss the mark when we lead any of these efforts through police, said Mike Lee, executive director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania.

Parker on Wednesday said critics who say her administration is criminalizing addiction are wrong.

Give us the opportunity, she said, to start building what doesnt exist and focus on a comprehensive, long-term strategy: long-term care, treatment and housing, [and] getting the best and the brightest to come and serve our people.

Inside the Riverview recovery site

The first buildings to open at the 19-acre complex along the Delaware River are six cottages and a large communal space called the Meeting House. The cottages include shared bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, living areas, and spaces where people will receive a variety of types of medical and behavioral health treatment.

Several other structures remain under construction on the campus, and the Parker administration is building an additional residential facility on the premises.

In its initial phase, Riverview will be considered a low-intensity recovery house, meaning patients are admitted only if medical professionals deem that their withdrawal symptoms or other medical conditions can be managed outside a hospital. The administration said patients will be referred by other providers only after completing 30 days or more of intensive treatment elsewhere.

Thiel said the forthcoming wellness court program will not refer patients directly to Riverview.

Care on the campus is being delivered in part by third-party providers. The city contracted with Merakey, a behavioral health provider, to deliver addiction recovery services, and the Black Doctors Consortium to provide medical care, such as primary health care, disease management, and wound care.

Wounds are a particularly acute concern for people in addiction in Kensington due to the toxic nature of the street drug supply that increasingly includes the animal tranquilizer xylazine, which is also called tranq and can cause severe health complications like flesh wounds and painful withdrawal.

Officials have said they expect to accept individual patients, as well as couples and people who have pets, addressing two major barriers experts say can keep people from being placed or staying in treatment.

Patients also will have access to workforce development and other activities, such as culinary training, art therapy, fitness, a community garden, and job connections.

Leaders of some of the citys largest health-care systems  including at Temple University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Thomas Jefferson University  said in statements Wednesday that they support the citys efforts.

Big issues require innovative, multipronged solutions, said Michael A. Young, president and CEO of Temple Health, and the opening of Riverview Wellness Village is an important step to providing so many people with essential resources for long-term recovery in our great city.

However, proponents of the harm-reduction model of approaching the opioid crisis said they were concerned, saying many people in Philadelphia face barriers to entering the higher levels of treatment that would be required before taking a spot at Riverview.

For example, advocate Frida Clark-Garcia said, many people who use xylazine have serious wounds that bar them from many inpatient treatment centers that dont have the medical capacity to care for wounds.

Were looking at this crisis of unhoused people across the city of Philadelphia with horrible wounds and an inability to access a lot of or, honestly, any type of medical or social services and support, Clark-Garcia said. I dont understand how this facility is addressing this greatest need.

Questions remain about wellness court

Chief Public Safety Director Adam Geer said the new wellness court initiative will launch in Kensington on Jan. 21. The administration has framed the fast-track court as a key step to improving the quality of life in the neighborhood.

A police captain detailed the plan to Kensington residents late last year, saying police would conduct sweeps in the neighborhood and arrest people using drugs on the street, then issue them summary citations. The idea is that those individuals could go before a judge the same day and choose either to accept the charge and return to court at a later date, or to enter treatment.

But advocates have expressed concern about the arrests, saying people in addiction who are already on probation or who have open warrants could be jailed instead of placed in treatment. The citys jails have been understaffed for years, and observers question the citys ability to absorb an influx of prisoners with complex health needs.

The ACLU and a handful of other outside attorneys and advocates wrote in a December letter to the administration that the wellness court plan could perpetuate harmful treatment of people in the Kensington neighborhood and place their constitutional rights at risk.

Solomon Furious Worlds, a staff attorney at the ACLU of Pennsylvania, said Philadelphia police do not typically arrest people who are issued summary citations, meaning individuals arrested in Kensington could face a higher level of enforcement than in other parts of the city.

Worlds said advocates are also concerned that people will be asked to make decisions about whether to enter treatment while they are intoxicated.

If the options are you need to be 100% treated and cured soon or face all the repercussions of the legal system, Worlds said, thats a lot of pressure to put on someone.
We have an obligation to help prevent the claim or prevent a loss from happening and we have an obligation to assist you in a non-claim situation, said Surana. If the situation is clear, we'll absolutely do everything that is within our power to make sure that you are assisted to the best of our ability.
Recommendations for the SPF Bill

The ICA made several recommendations to clarify the SPF Bills scope and ensure it aligns with existing regulatory frameworks, including the Financial Accountability Regime (FAR). It also called for a principles-based approach to ensure flexibility and scalability across different sectors.
This is an exciting opportunity to dive deeper into different areas of expertise bundled under Specialty Reinsurance | Munich Re such as the North American agriculture, as well as our global aviation, contingency and marine business, she said. I look forward to new insights from clients, partners and my colleagues in order to further develop our offerings.
Despite the slowdown in rate hikes, the average cost of full car insurance coverage is expected to reach a record high of $2,101 per year. The states of Nevada and Florida are set to overtake Michigan as the most expensive state for auto insurance in 2025, with annual full insurance costs expected to be at $3,216 and $3,264, respectively.
Our shared values and aligned goals create a strong foundation for success, allowing us to maintain our commitment to delivering customized insurance solutions and exceptional service to our clients, said Shawn Martin, president of Viper Risk Management. With the expanded resources and expertise of King Risk Partners, we are poised to broaden our offerings, reach new markets and elevate the value we provide.
The 2018 Camp Fire was dubbed as the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California. The fire, which started on Nov. 8, 2018, burned through 95% of the area of Paradise and Concow, and was contained after two weeks on Nov. 25. It led to 85 fatalities and destroyed more than 18,000 structures for an estimated $16.5 billion in damage.
The court ruled that HICAs contract effectively sought funds to facilitate repairs and fell under the scope of the AOB statute. It noted that the agreement failed to include required information, such as the scope of work, estimated costs, and notices about the insureds right to cancel the agreement.
Deep Vector, an artificial intelligence (AI) platform for analyzing underwriting documents, closed its seed round of $1.5 million, co-led by Aperture Venture Capital and InsurTech NY.

Deep Vector helps insurers and brokers translate analog documents used for underwriting riskclaims loss runs, ACORD forms, motor vehicle records, and business recordsinto usable data.

Previously known as Loss Scan, Deep Vector uses a proprietary algorithm and machine learning to classify documents from a library of more than 5,600 formats specific to each insurance carriers forms. Once identified, Deep Vector translates the documents into usable data for carriers, brokers, and risk managers.

Insurers have little incentive to make their loss run and claims analysis process easier because it is simply a cost center, according to David Gritz, managing director at InsurTech NY. Deep Vector bridges the gap between the insurance broker and underwriter for complex commercial accounts and saves thousands of hours analyzing accounts.

The companys founders are Scott Knowles and Wesley Janse van Rensburg. Knowles started his career as a commercial insurance broker, and most recently, the team sold their insurance analytics business, Modgic, to Zywave.

By automating the extraction of information from complex loss runs, were giving insurance professionals access to previously buried insights in PDFs and spreadsheets. Its not just about saving time  its about unlocking data that transforms how underwriters assess risk and brokers serve their clients. said Knowles.

InsurTech NY brings together insurers, investors, and insurtechs through conferences, competitions, and accelerators. Deep Vector will showcase its technology next at the InsurTech Spring Conference on April 2-3 in New York City.

Aperture is a seed-stage investor in startups leveraging financial innovation and AI.

Topics InsurTech New York Tech
Not all accidents are compensable merely because they happen at work, the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission (WCC) reminded in denying workers compensation benefits to a school bus driver for an injury that happened while he was simply walking from his bus to a restroom.

Simple acts of walking, bending, reaching, or turning, without any work-related exertion or awkward contributing factors, are not considered to be risks of ones employment, the commission noted in upholding a deputy commissioners denial of benefits sought by the bus driver.

The bus driver was employed by Fairfax County, which argued the injury was not compensable. A deputy commissioner agreed, denying benefits while noting that every injured worker has the burden of showing that the conditions of the workplace or some significant work related exertion caused the injury.

The driver asked the WCC to review that decision but he fared no better.

There was no dispute that the bus driver was at work during his shift when he felt pain. On February 15, 2024, he drove his bus route, and part of the route was to a recreational center where he parked and then exited the bus to go use a bathroom. While walking to the bathroom, he felt severe pain in his left knee and foot and he could not walk. He needed help and assistance to get back to the bus.

The driver was forthcoming and said he did not know what caused the pain when first questioned. He acknowledged that he was simply walking at the time. On appeal, he wrote for the first time that his knee injury happened over time as he assisted heavy children on a daily basis.

A medical expert offered his opinion that the knee condition was not work related.

In upholding the deputy commissioner, the WCC said that the legislature did not intend to make the employer an insurer against all accidental injuries on the job. Instead, the employer is liable only for such injuries arising from or growing out of the risks peculiar to the nature of the work, in the scope of the workmans employment or incidental to such employment, and accidents to which the employee is exposed in a special degree by reason of such employment.

The WCC further noted that the drivers new allegation of a knee condition that happened over time would equally be non-compensable under the workers compensation statute because the evidence must demonstrate an identifiable incident that occurs at some reasonably definite time; an obvious sudden mechanical or structural change in the body; and a causal connection between the incident and bodily change.

Comp-Related: Florida Appeals Court Upsets Applecart on Statute of Limitations

Topics Workers' Compensation Talent
South Korea plans to review the concrete walls positioned just beyond the end of some airport runways after an aircraft attempting an emergency landing smashed into one just over a week ago, killing almost everyone on board.

Authorities will alter all of the concrete structures at local airports that were designed to support so-called localisers, instruments installed on poles at the end of the runway to guide landing of planes, Transport Minister Sangwoo Park said at a briefing on Tuesday.

No matter how the wall complies with rules or not, we will immediately improve them in a way to consider safety more, Park said. He didnt provide details on how the government intends to carry out the changes. South Korean transport officials have previous said the equipment was built in accordance with local rules.

The decision comes as authorities seek to reassure travelers of air safety following the crash of Jeju Air Co Ltd flight 2216 that killed 179 passengers on the morning of Dec. 29. The decision to alter the airport infrastructure is the first action the South Korean government has announced since the tragedy took place.

The deadly crash of the Boeing Co. 737-800 plane, a predecessor to the 737 Max, at the Muan International Airport left just two survivors. The plane was attempting an emergency landing without its landing gear deployed, skidding on its belly off the runway and exploding after hitting the concrete structure. The accident came a few minutes after the airport control tower had warned the pilot of the risk of bird strikes.

As South Korean officials investigate the crash, part of their focus has been on the concrete-topped mound placed at the end of the runway. While other countries use the same types of antennas to guide incoming planes, these are designed to snap easily to avoid a fatal impact of the kind experienced by Jeju plane.

Korean police raided and searched offices and the Muan airport last week after experts raised questions over the airfields design, particularly the concrete-topped embankment.

The joint investigation team also includes experts from the US National Transportation Safety Board as well as Boeing. The planes engine maker, a joint venture between General Electric Co. and Safran SA, found a feather in one of the two engines, Lee Seung-yeol, the leader of the investigative team, said at the briefing. The team is still looking for what kind of bird hit the plane and whether the second engine may also have experienced a bird strike, he said.

Officials plan to share some of the transcripts of the cockpit voice recorder that was retrieved from the wreckage. The device contains recordings of the pilots communication and engine noises during the final two hours.

Another key piece of evidence, the flight data recorder tracking important parameters of flights such as altitude, routes and engines while the power system is on, has been sent to the US for repair. It may take at least a week to download, decode and analyse the data from the recorder, investigators said.

Leesaid its too early to conclude what caused the crash and that the team would wait for data from the two recorders to make a determination. At this stage of the investigation, they assume bird strikes occurred on at least one of the engines, based on video footage shared by the public, Lee said, though they have yet to conclude that the strike also led to shutdown of engines.

Photograph: The wreckage of Jeju Air Co. Flight 2216 at Muan International Airport. Photo credit: SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg

Related:

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics Aviation
A strong earthquake shook a high-altitude region of western China and areas of Nepal on Tuesday, damaging hundreds of houses, littering streets with rubble and killing at least 126 people in Tibet. Many others were trapped as dozens of aftershocks shook the remote region.

Rescue workers climbed mounds of broken bricks, some using ladders in heavily damaged villages, as they searched for survivors. Videos posted by Chinas Ministry of Emergency Management showed two people being carried on stretchers by workers treading over the debris from collapsed homes.

At least 188 people were injured in Tibet on the Chinese side of the border, the official Xinhua News Agency said.

More than 1,000 homes were damaged in the barren and sparsely populated region, state broadcaster CCTV reported. In video posted by the broadcaster, building debris littered streets and crushed cars.

People in northeastern Nepal strongly felt the earthquake, but there were no initial reports of injuries or damage, according to the countrys National Emergency Operation Center. The area around Mount Everest, about 75 kilometers (50 miles) southwest of the epicenter, was empty in the depth of winter when even some residents move away to escape the cold.

The quake woke up residents in Nepals capital of Kathmandu  about 230 kilometers (140 miles) from the epicenter  and sent them running into the streets.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake measured magnitude 7.1 and was relatively shallow at a depth of about 10 kilometers (6 miles). Chinas Earthquake Networks Center recorded the magnitude as 6.8. Shallow earthquakes often cause more damage.

The epicenter was in Tibets Tingri county, where the India and Eurasia plates grind against each other and can cause earthquakes strong enough to change the heights of some of the worlds tallest peaks in the Himalayan mountains.

Tibet is part of China, but many Tibetans loyalties lie with the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader who has lived in exile in India since a failed anti-Chinese uprising in 1959. Western governments and human rights organizations have repeatedly accused the Chinese government of abuses in Tibet, where it has cracked down on dissent while investing heavily in economic development.

There have been 10 earthquakes of at least magnitude 6 in the area where Tuesdays quake hit over the past century, the USGS said.

About 150 aftershocks were recorded in the nine hours after the earthquake, and the Mount Everest scenic area on the Chinese side was closed.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping called for all-out efforts to rescue people, minimize casualties and resettle those whose homes were damaged. More than 3,000 rescuers were deployed, CCTV said.

Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing was dispatched to the area to guide the work, and the government announced the allocation of 100 million yuan ($13.6 million) for disaster relief.

About 6,900 people live in three townships and 27 villages within 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) of the epicenter on the Chinese side, state media said. The average altitude in the area is about 4,200 meters (13,800 feet), the Chinese earthquake center said in a social media post.

On the southwest edge of Kathmandu, a video showed water spilling out into the street from a pond in a courtyard with a small temple.

It is a big earthquake, a woman can be heard saying. People are all shaking.

___

Associated Press writer Binaj Gurubacharya in Kathmandu, Nepal, and researcher Yu Bing in Beijing contributed to this report.

Photograph: In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, rescue workers search for survivors in the aftermath of an earthquake in Changsuo Township of Dingri in Xigaze, southwestern Chinas Tibet Autonomous Region on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (Xinhua via AP)

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters
Once again, settlements from class-action litigation topped $40 billion in 2024, according to an extensive analysis of more than 1,400 cases by law firm Duane Morris.

Gerald L. Maatman, partner at the firm and co-author of its 650-page report, said class-action settlements in 2024 were like a gold rush, with plaintiffs mining the courts for massive payouts.

Settlements in 2024 across all areas of litigation totaled about $42 billion in 2024. It was the third year a row settlements eclipsed $40 billion and the third-highest total value of the last 20 years, according to Duane Morris. Maatman said the last three years of settlements of more than $157 billion shows the enduring power of class actions as a tool for redistribution of wealth on an extraordinary basis.

There may not be a reprieve coming soon. Jennifer A. Riley, vice chair of Duane Morris class-action defense team and co-author of the report, said a the decreased role for government enforcement and the increasingly active and influential pace of Supreme Court decisions will continue to loom over the class-action landscape.

Duane Morris said plaintiffs attorneys are clamoring to find the next tort of the day,' which looks to have been found with PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Record-setting settlements involving these so-called forever chemicals include two of the highest settlements of the year totaling more than $11 billion, including $956 million in attorneys fees.

These numbers are going to inspire a continued wave of PFAS class actions, as the plaintiffs class action bar targets more companies with claims that their products or packaging contained PFAS, and those companies, in turn, search for claims against their material suppliers, Duane Morris said.

Also making headlines in 2024 and noted by Duane Morris were the attacks on companies diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and environmental, social, governance (ESG) initiatives. The Supreme Courts ruling regarding Harvards admission policies was like a lightning strike that set off a storm of challenges against [DEI] programs, said Riley, adding that claims have poured in over the last year from employees or job applicants accusing companies of putting diversity over merit. Watch for more potential lawsuits once the Supreme Court rules in a case on whether members of a majority group that allege reverse discrimination need to meet a higher burden of proof.



Class actions involving privacy and data breaches also generated many filings in 2024. Privacy, according to Duane Morris, is one of the hottest areas of growth in terms of activity by the plaintiffs class-action bar, and as technology advances, the trend is not predicted to slow. Suits involving biometrics were plentiful in 2024, with 427 lawsuits. Website advertising technology is another are of privacy class-action growth, the firm said.

Topics Claims
Oklahoma City and its police department have discriminated against people with behavioral health disabilities, the U.S. Department of Justice said last week after releasing the latest in a series of investigations into state and local law enforcement agencies.

In its 45-page report, the DOJ found the city unnecessarily institutionalizes adults with mental illness and that the police department often escalates crisis situations by responding with armed officers instead of with behavioral health professionals.

As a result, urgent mental health needs often go unaddressed and crisis situations are needlessly escalated, sometimes leading to avoidable use of force, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the DOJs Civil Rights Division said in a statement.

Oklahoma City and police Chief Ron Bacy both said Thursday they were still reviewing the report.

The report said the DOJ launched the investigation in 2022 after receiving a complaint but did not provide further details. The agency, through a spokesperson, declined to comment further.

The probe in Oklahoma is one of 12 similar investigations opened by the DOJ since April 2021. Many have been in response to high-profile deaths at the hands of police, including George Floyd in Minneapolis and Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky. Other completed investigations all found patterns of illegal police practices.

The DOJ concluded in its findings report that it intends to work with city and state officials to reach a resolution to their findings but added that if a resolution couldnt be reached, the agency could file a lawsuit to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

In separate statements, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond and Gov. Kevin Stitt acknowledged the need for improvements to the states mental health system but were critical of the DOJ under President Joe Biden for what they characterized as federal overreach.

We will closely review the findings, but the DOJ report appears to be an attempt to bully Oklahoma into compliance with ever-changing and undefined targets, Drummond said.

Topics Law Enforcement Oklahoma
Local law enforcement officials in Fort Lauderdale are investigating the deaths of two individuals found in the landing gear compartment of a JetBlue Airways Corp. plane after it arrived at the Florida airport on Monday.

A representative for the Broward Sheriffs Office, whose jurisdiction includes Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, said deputies responded to a call regarding the two individuals late Monday evening and that paramedics pronounced both dead on scene.

BSOs Homicide and Crime Scene units responded to investigate the circumstances of the incident, and the investigation is ongoing, the office said in a statement. The Broward County Medical Examiners Office will perform autopsies to determine the causes of death of both individuals.

JetBlue Flight 1801 traveled to Florida from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. The carrier said the plane was undergoing a routine post-flight maintenance check when the individuals were discovered. The aircraft, an 18-year-old Airbus A320, had also flown from Kingston in Jamaica to JFK and to Salt Lake City earlier on Jan. 6, according to flight-tracking website FlightRadar24.

At this time, the identities of the individuals and the circumstances surrounding how they accessed the aircraft remain under investigation, a representative for the airline said.

Stowaway attempts on aircraft most often result in death. The wheel wells that store the landing gear arent pressurized, meaning individuals who try to hide away in them often die from a lack of oxygen when the plane reaches high altitude, or from hypothermia due to the extremely cold temperatures. Theres also a risk of being crushed by retracting landing gear after takeoff or falling from a great height once the wheels are deployed again for landing.

According to a 2011 report, researchers at the Federal Aviation Administrations Civil Aerospace Medical Institute found that only 18 people out of 89 survived attempts to fly in the wheel well or other compartments outside of the aircraft cabin, excluding where cargo is held. Thats about an 80% fatality rate.

The JetBlue incident follows a similar tragedy on a recent United Airlines Holdings Inc. flight from Chicago to Hawaii. On Dec. 24, a body was found in one of the wheel wells of the plane after it landed in Kahului Airport, the carrier said in a statement on Tuesday.

United said its working with law enforcement on an investigation.

Photo: A JetBlue Airbus A320 plane lands at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. (Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg)

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics Florida New York Aviation
Mercury Insurance announced this week that the company will begin writing new homeowners insurance policies in the town of Paradise, California.

Mercury says it is the first major insurance company to begin offering policies to Paradise homeowners since the town was destroyed by the Camp Fire in November 2018.

Mercury said the move was made possible by California Department of Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Laras commitment to implement his Sustainable Insurance Strategy. Lara at the end of December announced what he is calling the final step in his efforts to help the states ailing homeowners insurance market with the Net Cost of Reinsurance in Ratemaking Regulation, which enables reinsurance as a ratemaking factor and requires insurers to increase coverage in high-risk areas.

The efforts of Paradise city officials and residents also played a pivotal role in the carriers decision to reenter the market, with a commitment to reducing wildfire risk through forward-thinking urban planning and mitigation strategies.

Paradise worked with the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety to strengthen the towns resilience. The town updated its building ordinance in 2022 to require all new homes be built to IBHSs Wildfire Prepared Home standard. Wildfire Prepared is based on wildfire research and the program is designed to reduce a structures risk of ember ignition. Requirements include a Class A roof, an exterior that features ember-resistant vents with lower six inches of vertical space, and a noncombustible Zone 0, the five-foot buffer around a house. The result is a community positioned to deal with future fire events like never before.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, Mercury Insurance is a multiple-line insurance carrier offering personal auto, homeowners and renters insurance directly to consumers and through a network of independent agents in Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia, as well as auto insurance in Florida. Mercury also writes business owners, business auto, landlord, commercial multi-peril and mechanical protection insurance in various states.

Topics California
This article is part of The Priorities of the Next EU Commission

The Draghi report has underscored the need for an additional 800 billion in annual investments from 2025 to 2030 in order to maintain the EUs global competitiveness. This ambitious target represents about 5% of the EUs GDP, far surpassing the 2% of GDP investments mobilised under the Marshall Plan from 1948 to 1951. While questions may arise about whether enough viable business projects exist to absorb such a vast amount of capital, we will, for this analysis, take Draghis estimate as a valid benchmark. Indeed, even if the targets were somewhat lower, the scale of resources required is so immense that achieving it without significant contributions from the financial sector is practically inconceivable. Much of the media attention on the Draghi report has focused on the possibility of eurobonds; however, it is clear that most of the additional investment will need to come from the private sector. The fiscal space of many EU member states is already highly constrained: for instance, three of the four largest EU economies have public debt levels exceeding 100% of GDP, and future prospects show limited fiscal flexibility (Arnal, 2024). While eurobonds could deepen the Economic and Monetary Union, lower borrowing costs, significantly advance integration in Europes capital markets and enhance private risksharing (Lannoo & Thomadakis, 2019), the introduction of eurobonds alone would not fundamentally alter the financing landscape for this large-scale investment challenge. In this context, revitalising the EUs financial sector takes on heightened importance. But are the European Commissions current plans for financial services aligned with the EUs needs? What direction might financial regulation take in the next five years? Will the banking sector become more integrated, and will capital markets advance significantly? To address these questions, this article first reviews the current state of the EUs financial sector and then discusses the most likely actions the next European Commission will undertake, based on the mission letter from the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to Commissioner-designate for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union, Maria Luis Albuquerque. The paper concludes with an analysis of the mission letters content and puts forward a series of policy recommendations aimed at fostering a resilient and competitive financial sector for the EU. Figure 1

Total assets of credit institutions, 1997-2023 Sources: Authors calculations based on data from the Bank of England, ECB, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, FRED Economic Data, Swiss National Bank and Eurostat. State of play of the EUs financial sector The EUs financial sector is characterised by several key features, discussed in detail below: a large banking system in terms of assets, though lagging in market capitalisation; a sharp decline in public listings within the EU; a shrinking role in both equity and fixed income markets globally; limited venture capital availability and smaller, costlier investment funds, increasingly weighted towards US assets; a strong preference among European households for cash and deposits over investments; and a complex regulatory framework that creates compliance burdens and limits market dynamism. Today, the EU hosts the worlds largest banking system by assets (Thomadakis et al., 2024). Total bank assets in the EU27 reached approximately 41.9 trillion in 2023, or 247% of the regions GDP (see Figure 1). This contrasts sharply with the US, where total bank assets were valued at 21.2 trillion, or 85% of GDP. However, despite this scale, EU banks exhibit weaker structural performance compared to their global peers, as evidenced by consistently lower stock market valuations. Before the global financial crisis, the long-term weighted average price-to-book (P/B) ratios of EU and US banks hovered around 2 and 2.4, respectively. Since the 2007 crisis, P/B ratios of EU banks fell sharply and have consistently remained below 1 (see Figure 2). Figure 2

Price-to-book ratios in the euro area and the US, 2007-2023 Source: Authors calculations based on data from ECB (2023), Adrian et al. (2024) and Oliver Wyman and European Banking Federation (2023). The number of public listings in the EU has declined dramatically as a share of global initial public offerings (IPOs). Prior to the European Single Market, EU27 corporates accounted for roughly 5% of global IPOs, peaking at around 20% with the establishment of the Single Market in the 1990s. However, this share has since fallen back to around 7% due to low IPO activity and increased delistings, driven primarily by mergers and acquisitions (see Figure 3). Figure 3

Number of annual delistings in the EU classified by type of market Note: MTF refers to a multilateral trading facility, a trading venue that serves as an alternative to a traditional exchange. Source: Authors calculations based on data from the Federation of European Securities Exchanges. The lack of development in the EUs capital markets is stark when compared with the US (Lannoo et al., 2024). In 2008, the EU27 comprised 17% of global market capitalisation, compared with 35% for the US (see Figure 4). By 2023, the US share had grown to 43%, while the EUs share had fallen to just 11%. Chinas equity share rose from 5% in 2008 to 10% in 2023, highlighting the growing importance of non-European markets. Figure 4

Global equity market capitalisation, 2008-2023 Share of total Notes: The figure depicts the market capitalisation of listed domestic companies. The category Other includes AU, CA, HK and SG, as well as other developed and emerging markets. Source: Authors calculations based on data from the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association. The EUs fixed income markets reflect a similar trend (see Figure 5). The US has maintained a stable global market share of around 40%, whereas the EUs share has dropped from 28% in 2008 to 18% in 2023. Meanwhile, Chinas share of global fixed-income markets grew from 3% to 16% over this period. Figure 5

Global fixed income market outstanding, 2008-2023 Share of total Note: The category Other includes AU, CA, HK and SG, as well as other developed and emerging markets. Source: Authors calculations based on data from the Bank for International Settlements. Risk capital investments are low in the EU, which impedes the development of start-ups and scale-ups (see Figure 6). Risk capital is particularly relevant for early-stage companies that do not yet have a sufficient track record to access more traditional financing sources, such as banking. Venture capital investment in the EU27 accounted for just 0.1% of GDP in 2023 (8.4 billion), six times lower than that in the US (0.6% of GDP or 150 billion). Additionally, EU private equity investment was 0.3% of GDP (50.7 billion), much lower than that of the US at 2.5% (639 billion). Figure 6

Pre-IPO risk capital investments in the EU27 and the US, 2008-2023 in billion euros and % of GDP Note: IPO: initial public offering. Sources: Authors calculations based on data from the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, University of New Hampshire  Center for Venture Research, European Business Angels Network, Eurostat, Florida Atlantic University  College of Business, FRED Economic Data, Invest Europe and PitchBook. The funding escalator in both the EU and the US shows a relatively balanced landscape at the early stages, such as business angel investing, equity crowdfunding and early-stage venture capital. However, as companies progress along the funding escalator, significant disparities emerge. In later stages  particularly in late-stage venture capital and private equity  the gap widens considerably. For instance, the US boasts over seven times the number of large venture capital funds (i.e. those with assets exceeding 600 million) compared to the EU. Additionally, more than half of the financing for EU-based tech companies in later stages comes from non-EU sources. This reliance on external capital highlights a structural funding gap within the EU and underscores the limited availability of sizable funds that can support companies as they mature and scale up. In terms of investment funds, a stark difference in scale and cost is evident between the EU and the US. The average size of an EU investment fund is less than one-sixth of its US counterpart, highlighting a substantial size disadvantage in Europe (see Figure 7, left-hand panel). Additionally, European funds come with a higher price tag  their average cost is approximately 0.4 percentage points above that of comparable US funds (ESMA, 2023; Morningstar, 2024) (see Figure 7, right-hand panel). Such a discrepancy in cost structure suggests, among other things, that EU investors face the dual challenge of smaller fund sizes and higher expenses  factors that could adversely impact net returns and weaken the competitiveness of European funds on the global stage. Figure 7

Average size and average cost of an investment fund in the EU and the US Note: UCITS: undertakings for collective investment in transferable securities. Source: Noyer (2024). Furthermore, European funds display a significant tilt towards US assets (see Figure 8). From 2012 to 2023, equity UCITS (Undertakings for collective investment in transferable securities) funds reduced their allocation to European assets by 7 percentage points, while investment in US assets surged from 19% to 45%. This trend is even more pronounced in exchange-traded equity UCITS, highlighting the growing investor appetite for higher returns and greater liquidity found in US markets. Notably, this shift aligns with the expanding presence of US asset managers in the EU, whose market share reached 40% in 2023 (Noyer, 2024). Figure 8

Share of assets in different types of equity UCITS, 2012 and 2023 Note: UCITS: Undertakings for collective investment in transferable securities. ETF: Exchage Traded Funds. Source: Authors calculations based on data from the European Fund and Asset Management Association (EFAMA, 2024). One of the key reasons why EU capital markets remain significantly smaller relative to the size of the economy, compared to their US counterparts, may lie in the allocation of financial assets. Although the asset allocation of European households has shifted more towards capital markets since the initiation of the Capital Markets Union (CMU) project, overall investment in capital markets remains considerably lower than in the US (see Figure 9). On average, European households allocate about 32% of their financial assets to cash and deposits, compared to just 12% for US households. In contrast, US households invest nearly 50% of their savings in equity and investment funds, while their European counterparts invest about 30%. This differing allocation of household financial assets helps explain, at least in part, why capital markets in the EU are less developed than in the US, thereby limiting alternative financing options for the European private sector. Figure 9

Household financial assets in the EU27 and the US, on average in 2007-2014 and 2015-2022 Share of total financial assets

Notes: The category Other financial assets, for the EU includes other accounts receivable, financial derivatives and loans. For the US it includes other miscellaneous assets and loans. Sources: Authors calculations based on data from Eurostat and FRED Economic Data.

In addition to the potential lack of appropriate measures to channel the EUs savings into mutual and pension funds, such as a pre-paid pension system, the preference of European households for cash and deposits  presumably perceived as simpler and safer  may also be linked to insufficient financial education. Improving financial literacy could encourage European households to diversify their investments across a broader range of financial products, which in turn could help develop capital markets further.

This challenging environment, marked by undervalued banks, decreasing public listings, underdeveloped capital markets, small and relatively expensive investment funds and lack of venture capital, is compounded by a complex regulatory framework. Under the EUs single rulebook approach, almost all foundational financial regulations  whether directives or regulations  are supported by secondary legislation, including level 2 implementing measures (e.g. delegated acts, implementing acts, regulatory and implementing technical standards) and level 3 guidelines and recommendations, alongside related Q&As.

For instance, in banking, the Capital Requirements Regulation and Directive (CRR and CRD) comprise over 300 implementing measures, including guidelines (see Table 1). In insurance, Solvency II includes over 120 implementing measures, with level 3 elements as well. Similarly, in capital markets, the revised Markets in Financial Instruments Directive framework (MiFID II) is estimated to contain over 10,000 pages of regulations and supporting documents. This intricate and voluminous regulatory landscape further adds to the challenges facing the EU financial sector, impeding growth and market development.

Table 1

Number of articles, level 2 and 3 measures under the core EU financial services acts

Articles Level 2 measures (RTS, ITS, delegated acts) Level 3 measures (guidelines, opinions, Q&A) CRR 519 53 282 CRD 165 13 88 Solvency II 311 63 57 MiFIR 54 41 64 MiFID 97 40 48 UCITS 119 22 74

Notes: CRD: Credit Requirements Directive, CRR: Capital Requirements Regulation, ITS: Implementing Technical Standards, MiFID: Markets in Financial Instruments Directive, RTS: Regulatory Technical Standards, UCITS: Undertakings for collective investment in transferable securities. Source: Lannoo et al. (2024).

Given this diagnosis and the substantial additional investments the EU needs to make in the coming years, it is critical to closely examine the European Commissions plans to determine if the EU is on the right track. While the Letta and Draghi reports offer valuable insights into the future of the financial sector, the most relevant policy document is widely considered to be the draft letter addressed to the Commissioner-designate for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union, Maria Luis Albuquerque, as well as her public hearing before the European Parliament.

Von der Leyens mission letter to the Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and

Investments Union

On 17 September 2024, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen sent a mission letter to Commissioner-designate Maria Luis Albuquerque. The mission letter, with its 15 priorities, outlines an ambitious agenda for the next five years, reflecting the urgency of addressing critical gaps in the EUs financial markets and broader economic challenges.
Net neutrality came to an end in the U.S. in January 2025. This was the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) policy that required internet service providers (ISPs) to deliver content at the same speed regardless of its source.

This meant, among other things, that the Walt Disney Company couldn't pay extra for a better download speed, and your nephew's blog wouldn't get lousy delivery because he couldn't pay a premium. And, your ISP couldn't slow down your service unless you paid to upgrade to the best delivery speed.

Now that a federal appeals court has shut down net neutrality in the U.S., it's important to understand what it was, how we got here, and what could be next.

Key Takeaways Net neutrality is a rule that prohibited ISPs from charging businesses or consumers differently for better (or worse) internet delivery speeds.

The issue of net neutrality was settled in the U.S. in January 2025. A federal appeals court determined that the FCC can't regulate ISPs in this way.



Net neutrality is in practice around the world, including the EU and India.

Obama Administration

The Obama administration advocated for a continuation of net neutrality, the FCC rules in place since 2010 that required companies like Verizon (VZ) and Comcast (CMCSA) to handle all content on their networks in an equal fashion, regardless of whether it was a video on a personal blog, a streaming service like Spotify, or a government website.

What the Rules Prevented

More specifically, net neutrality rules prevented:

Throttling or slowing down the delivery of some websites or online services

Preferential treatment, better service, or faster service for companies or consumers who paid higher premiums to service providers

In January 2014, under then-chair Tom Wheeler, the FCC proposed new rules for internet traffic that would allow broadband providers to charge companies like Netflix (NFLX) and Google (GOOG) a higher rate to deliver content via the speediest lanes.

Enter John Oliver

Wheeler was a former lobbyist for the cable television industry, which some argued could benefit greatly if new rules were created to allow internet service providers to treat data differently for different clients or customers. Before the initial policy decision on February 26, 2015, HBOs John Oliver became an unofficial pro-net neutrality spokesman and mocked Wheeler over the issue on more than one occasion.

The Arguments for Net Neutrality

The end of net neutrality would spawn the beginning of net inequality, Oliver and others said. Broadband providers, many of which also offer cable TV services, would be able to charge premiums for an indispensable service for businesses: fast internet service. The providers would be able to selectively pick which companies get access to high-speed internet and how much they should pay, which could be devastating for the streaming industry.

The Legal Fight

Oliver focused the publics attention on a difficult-to-understand legal fight. During the first round of debates in 2015, the public filed more than 120,000 comments on the issue of Protecting and Promoting the Open Internet. That staggering number is almost ten times the next most-commented issue at the time. The FCC site actually crashed after the John Oliver episode aired.

The Blowback

Many of the comments expressed outrage that the FCC would permit a new era of tiered internet service. Consumers and businesses feared that the internet would become a segregated landscape in which some content would be delivered at full speed while others would work more slowly because their owners couldn't pay the premiums for the biggest bandwidth.

Many social media users noted that in countries without net neutrality, people purchase packages for different types of internet. The practical effect is that a consumer who wants to stream video has to pay for a more expensive package than a consumer who just visits websites.

The Fight Continues

It seemed that the issue was put to rest in 2015 when the regulations that restricted broadband providers from blocking content, slowing down specific services or applications, and receiving payments for favorable treatment stayed in place. The net neutrality advocates won.

Then, in November 2016, Donald Trump was elected president. He installed Agit Pai as the new head of the FCC.

Rolling Back Regulation

Pai warned against net neutrality in 2015, arguing in a speech, "It's basic economics. The more heavily you regulate something, the less of it you're likely to get."

Pai said that the purpose of the roll-back of policy was to "restore internet freedom," according to a press release.

After becoming the new FCC head in January 2017, Pai continued to argue that high-speed internet service should not be treated as a public utility and that the industry should police itself instead of being regulated by the government. With that, the same conflict that was put to rest in 2015 began once again.

Alerting Consumers

More than 80,000 websites and organizations, including Google, Facebook, and, perhaps surprisingly, AT&T, joined a protest called the "Day of Action" on July 12, 2017. On that day, websites published alerts encouraging users to send letters to the FCC urging it to keep net neutrality. On December 12, 2017, many web-based companies such as Reddit, Etsy, and Kickstarter posted protests to the FCC's imminent vote on their websites. Still, the FCC voted to repeal net neutrality on December 14, 2017. The measure took effect on June 11, 2018.

Biden Administration

In 2018, the Senate voted to overturn the repeal of net neutrality but the resolution stalled in the House. The House then put it to a vote again in 2019 under the "Save the Internet Act." But it was effectively dead in the water.

Joe Biden was inaugurated as President on Jan. 20, 2021. His FCC chair, Jessica Rosenworcel, championed net neutrality. In 2024, the commission reinstated the policy.

However, the Ohio Telecom Association, a trade group representing ISPs, brought a case accusing the FCC of regulatory overreach. In January 2025, a federal appeals court based in Cincinnati agreed, calling net neutrality a "heavy-handed regulatory regime."

Any substantial change, even at the state level, could be tough to implement. The FCC said that local and state governments cannot pass laws inconsistent with federal net neutrality rules.

What Is Net Neutrality? As a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) policy that targeted internet service providers (ISP), net neutrality attempted to ensure equal access to the internet, making the internet open and free for everyone. Introduced by the Obama administration, it was gutted by the first Trump administration and reinstated by the Biden administration before ultimately being eliminated by a federal appeals court in January 2025, which stated that the FCC couldn't regulate ISPs in this way.

How Did Net Neutrality Start in the U.S.? The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) under the Obama administration was the first to vote in favor of net neutrality.

What Did the Trump Administration Do to Net Neutrality? Agit Pai, the chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) under the first Trump administration, called for eliminating net neutrality rules. The commission voted to do just that.

The Bottom Line

Net neutrality was passed back and forth between administrations for 15 years, from 2010 to 2025. A federal appeals court finally closed the issue in January 2025, ruling in favor of a trade group that represented ISPs. Though net neutrality is dead in the U.S., it is alive and well elsewhere in the world, including India and the European Union (EU).
Living in an old farmhouse in Ballydehob on the foothills of Mount Gabriel with her wife, two teenage daughters, cats, dogs and chickens, writer Leeanne ODonnell paints an idyllic picture of life in West Cork.

Dublin-born ODonnell, who is the new writer-in-residence for 2025 at Cork County Council, says that if she had a trust fund, life really would be idyllic. As things are, ODonnell says: Theres the eternal question, how do you keep all the plates spinning? How do you earn a living while you have this kind of idyllic life?

ODonnell is a qualified psychotherapist and her wife is a clinical psychologist, working in private practice. While ODonnell hasnt practised psychotherapy for a while, she intends to work part-time at creative coaching, combining psychotherapy with what she knows about writing.

Her debut novel, Sparks of Bright Matter, was published in April 2024 and was well-received. Set in eighteenth century London and Ireland, it was inspired by the magic of the mountain where she lives and the notion of alchemy, influenced by the ancient copper mines in the area. The book is about a cast of characters who are all searching for something, leading to complications and a resolution of sorts.

ODonnell is working on her second novel which she describes as speculative fiction. Virginia Woolf famously wrote about the need for creative women to have a room of their own. A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction, wrote the British author. ODonnell agrees. It took her ten years, on and off, to write her novel, edit it and get it published. She talks about the importance of a desk of ones own, never mind a room, although she wrote part of her novel in a second hand caravan she bought, anchoring it in the garden.

Any bit of space that you can hive off is necessary to write. I remember having a desk of my own and discovering that the children (when they were very young) had scribbled all over the pages with crayons.

Firmly rooted in West Cork, having moved there 18 years ago from London, ODonnell doesnt miss big city life, describing it as a rat race. We came to West Cork for a weekend in the aftermath of the death of a friend and we just completely fell in love with it. I think it has something to do with the landscape at one level. Its also to do with the people. It felt like West Cork was a place we could live in and be creative and connected.

Surely London has a lot more going for it culturally, compared to Ballydehob and its environs? I dont know if that is. There is more in terms of the sheer volume of things happening in London but I find the cultural life here amazing. Its not out in bright lights all the time but theres amazing music here, amazing people and lovely bookshops. I find living here really stimulating.

For ODonnell, the only disadvantage about Ballydehob is that its so far away from anywhere else she wants to go. But she has no regrets about relocating and says there is a lot of resourcefulness and inventiveness about how people manage in her community and make it all add up. ODonnell has made award-winning documentaries for RTEs Doc on One series including one on dancer and artist, Lucia Joyce, daughter of James Joyce. She also spent a year as a researcher for BBC Radio 4.

As writer-in-residence for Cork County Council, ODonnell will be working in libraries in Castletownbere, Charleville, Fermoy, Macroom and Schull.

Im interested in bringing in groups that maybe havent found it that easy to access things like writing groups. Previously with the HSE, I did work with people recovering from mental health challenges. I found that really inspiring. It was bringing in people who were extremely creative and maybe hadnt the confidence to be part of creative activities. Part of what Id like to do is expand the outreach of the role and bring more people into writing groups, supporting them creatively, across the board.

ODonnell knows all about the challenges of having a creative life. It takes a certain amount of resilience. Youre on your own a lot and you have to believe in yourself. You have to keep pushing forward for something that might turn into nothing. Thats the key issue with it. At each step, youre wondering, why am I doing this? Would I not just get a proper job?"

But ODonnell is hooked on writing and seems to have found her metier.
Irish stars landed major nods in the television categories for the Screen Actors Guild Awards, which were announced on Wednesday evening.

Colin Farrell is up for best male actor in a limited series for The Penguin opposite Andrew Scott for Ripley, while Nicola Coughlan received a best actress in a drama series nod for Bridgerton.

The live nominations for the 31st annual awards, a bellwether for the Oscars, were due to be announced yesterday morning at a Netflix-streamed event hosted by actors Joey King and Cooper Koch.

However, the nominations were cancelled and instead unveiled in a press release and on the awards website due to the "wildfires and adverse wind conditions in Los Angeles", a spokesperson said.

British stars Ralph Fiennes, Daniel Craig, Cynthia Erivo, and Jonathan Bailey all landed nominations in major acting categories for the awards.

Fiennes led those nominated for best male actor in a leading role following his portrayal as a conflicted priest overseeing a papal election in Conclave.

Ralph Fiennes arrives at the 82nd Golden Globes on Sunday (Chris Pizzello/AP)

He will compete against James Bond star Craig in Luca Guadagninos romance Queer  where he plays an American living in 1950s Mexico who falls in love with a young student.

The category includes Colman Domingo for Sing Sing, about a man imprisoned for a crime he did not commit who finds purpose by acting in a theatre group; Timothee Chalamet for his Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown; and Adrien Brody  who won the Golden Globe for his portrayal of a Hungarian architect attempting to build a life in the US after the Second World War in The Brutalist.

Meanwhile, Erivo received a nomination for best actress in a leading role following her performance as Elphaba in the film adaptation of the hit Broadway and West End musical, Wicked.

Among those named in the same category was US actress Demi Moore, whose role in The Substance confronts the harsh reality of aging in Hollywood won her first Golden Globe award on Sunday.

Demi Moore poses with her Golden Globe award on Sunday (Chris Pizzello/AP)

Similarly, Emilia Perez star Karla Sofia Gascon, The Last Showgirls Pamela Anderson and Mikey Madison for Anora  a film about a young sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch  received nominations.

Bridgerton star Bailey also scored a supporting role nomination for his role as Prince Fiyero in the Wizard Of Oz prequel Wicked; alongside Edward Norton for A Complete Unknown; Jeremy Strong for The Apprentice which follows the career of Donald Trump; Yura Borisov for Anora and Kieran Culkin for A Real Pain  about mismatched cousins who tour Poland in honour of their grandmother.

Wicked also scored a nod in the female supporting category for pop heavyweight Ariana Grande, who will face off against Zoe Saldana for her role in Emilia Perez  about a Mexican drug lord who changes gender  alongside The Last Showgirls Jamie Lee Curtis, Danielle Deadwyler for The Piano Lesson and Monica Barbaro in A Complete Unknown.

Irish stars also landed major nods in the television categories, with Colin Farrell up for best male actor in a limited series opposite Andrew Scott for Ripley, while Scottish star Richard Gadd scored a nomination for his dark Netflix drama Baby Reindeer, which scooped best limited TV series at the Golden Globes on Sunday.

Baby Reindeer also won a best limited series actress nod for Yorkshire-born Jessica Gunning, days after she picked up best TV supporting actress for her role in the show as Martha Scott.

Cynthia Erivo and Jonathan Bailey (James Manning/PA)

British stars also appeared in the category for best male actor in a drama series, with Gary Oldman recognised for Slow Horses and Eddie Redmayne for The Day Of The Jackal, while Irish star Nicola Coughlan received a best actress nod for Bridgerton.

US actress and humanitarian Jane Fonda will be presented with the SAG life achievement award to add to her many accolades during the ceremony next month.

During her six-decade career, Fonda has won two Oscars: for Klute and Coming Home; alongside two Bafta Awards, an Emmy and seven Golden Globes.

The winners of the 13 awards in film and television will be revealed at the awards ceremony on February 23 at the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall, following voting by actors union Sag-Aftras 130,000 members.

The SAG Awards will stream live globally on Netflix, with Nobody Wants This star Kristin Bell serving as host after previously compering the show in 2018.
President Michael D Higgins has said calls by Nato for alliance countries to hike defence spending are appalling and rebuked the size of global military spending.

In a speech at the BT Young Scientists exhibition, Mr Higgins described the rise in defence spending across the world to $2.44trn as shocking. He contrasted it with the number of people who are suffering from hunger rising by 200 million.

The president said while the results of scientific achievement had revolutionised life and enabled social change, misuse of scientific knowledge has been and can be disastrous for us all.

History shows us that, when being exercised and practised in the wrong hands or funded by those of authoritarian tendency for insidious purposes, science can produce catastrophic results, Mr Higgins said.

The president said science could be used to generate ever-more sophisticated weapons and instruments of death and destruction that are used to generate fear for populations, while also supporting the military-industrial complex for profit.

He added this could be at the cost of undermining democratic accountability through corruption, unaccountable lobbying, and bribery in continents where millions are starving and societies are being divided over access to resources for life itself.

It is important that we respond to this use of science and the rhetoric that calls for war as a state of mind, including to the recent appalling comments from Nato calling for ever-more armaments spending to be achieved, Mr Higgins added.

In particular, he referred to comments made by Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte, who last month called on Nato countries to hike defence spending and accept to make sacrifices that include cuts to health, pensions and social welfare spending.

We must envisage with those of different and diverse outlook and work for peace, I suggest, Mr Higgins said.

War in Gaza

The president also referred to the ongoing war in Gaza, which has left tens of thousands of Palestinians dead amid bombardment from the Israeli military.

He said the world had the capacity to eliminate global poverty, but that preparing for war has driven it off the agenda.

As I wrote this speech, six infants under four weeks old had died of hypothermia in their tents in Gaza. Having been displaced three times, the grieving father of twins said, 'there were eight of us, and we had only four blankets', Mr Higgins said.

Available waterproof tents, food and clothing were present in the region, but were not allowed access to starving families in sub-zero conditions.

Now is the time to rethink the relationship between science and society in its multiple manifestations.

He added young scientists had a responsibility, and opportunities, to be conscientious to where their work is applied.

Their moral choice has repercussions for us all, he added.

The president praised the work of the young scientists participating in the exhibition, saying they will be enthusiastic global citizens which is positive for achieving a sustainable and cohesive future on our island as well as on the planet.
The European Commission appears to be on a collision course with the US over social media giants X and Meta, while the Irish regulator is set to engage with the latter on its drastic changes to content moderation policies announced this week.

With a Trump presidency looming, Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg announced his platforms would be ending third-party fact-checking on posts in the US and would instead switch to an X-style Community Notes system where users flag content as false or misleading.

Mr Zuckerberg said the decision was about "restoring free expression" on its platforms and "reducing mistakes", while the owner of Facebook, Instagram and Threads said fact-checkers had been influenced by their own biases with it amounting to censorship.

Incoming US President Donald Trump, who has already hinted at a potential trade war with Europe, said the move is probably because of his threats against the Meta boss.

Its understood that authorities in Ireland and in Europe will be closely monitoring developments from Meta going forward.

Furthermore, indications are that the European Commission will be looking closely to see how soon Meta seeks to roll out its US changes across the Atlantic, which may provoke a reaction from Brussels.

Meta is already under investigation from the European Commission for alleged breaches of the Digital Services Act, and any reaction from the US to Europes attempts to hold social media giants to account is expected to be sharply monitored.

Irish regulator Coimisiun na Mean has said it will engage with Meta on its decision relating to community standards and the impact this will have on European users. However, it stressed that the compliance of online platforms like Facebook with elements of the Digital Services Act relating to risk assessment and mitigation falls within the competency of the European Commission.

A spokesperson said: Coimisiun na Mean is engaged with Meta as part of our ongoing supervisory process to ensure compliance with the DSA. Metas statement in relation to its fact-checking programme indicates that it applies only to the United States currently and not to users within the European Union.

Meanwhile, an Irish extremism watchdog described Mr Zuckerbergs announcement as deeply dangerous and disingenuous and claimed Meta is trying to escape democratic control. Hope and Courage, which has presented to Oireachtas committees, claimed that Meta already fuels misinformation, hate and violence and that its toxic algorithms limit freedom of expression.

Hope and Courage executive director, Edel McGinley, said: Algorithms take people down the river of hate, leaving truth and compassion to catch up.

Facebook removing fact-checking and allowing lies to spread unchallenged poses a direct threat to our communities. This move will limit the space where democratic ideals like freedom of expression, truth-telling and safety can exist online.

In the next programme for the government, it's time to turn off the toxic engagement-based recommender systems by default. Already, elected representatives are proposing protecting children and young people from digital harm.

This is a good first step, and shows a recognition that these platforms can be dangerous if not properly regulated. But we need to do more.

Meta fact-checking

Furthermore, Metas decision comes after its most recent risk assessment report for the EU states that its fact-checking programme forms the basis of its efforts to "prevent the spread of large-scale misinformation and disinformation on Facebook.

Its report, published last August, stated that in the period of just six months  July to December 2023  it attached fact-checking labels to over 68 million pieces of content viewed in the EU on Facebook and Instagram globally.

The report said: When a fact-checked label is placed on a post, 95% of people do not click to view it.

It said disinformation is the promotion and distribution of false or misleading information with the intention to deceive or secure economic and political gain and includes the actions of covert influence operations, including by hostile parties or states.

The report, produced by Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, the provider of Facebook in the EU, said it had built the largest fact-checking programme across the industry in Europe, with 29 partners across the EU covering 23 languages.

Our fact-checking programme forms the basis to prevent the spread of large-scale misinformation and disinformation and is capacity bound, it said.

It said the policy is focused on fact-checking for widespread hoaxes such as climate change is not real and not every piece of content, as that is not feasible.

It said AI-generated content was making this task increasingly challenging, but said Meta is investing heavily to adapt its detection and enforcement processes.

The report said misinformation (which is false but not intended to deceive) is more difficult to identify and deal with and is typically assessed by its independent fact-checkers for review. It said the fact-checkers can also identify content to review themselves.

There is no society-wide consensus on what constitutes misinformation and how it should be addressed," the report said. "Metas approach to this is to rely on third-party fact-checkers who independently review and rate content.

It said that even if the content does not violate its Community Standards the fact-checkers examine the accuracy and content and can still determine it as false and label accordingly.

Elon Musk

Separately, French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot has hit out at X owner Elon Musk for his interference in European politics and said that France may call for powers from the European Commission to protect against interference.

Mr Musk has been a key ally of Trump in recent times, with experts suggesting that both his platform and now Meta are rowing in behind the new US president seeking his approval. Mr Musk has also made disparaging comments about UK and German leaders in recent times, and is set to host German far-right politician Alice Weidel in a livestream on X on Thursday.

Mr Barrot told French radio: If the European Commission does not know how to protect us against this interference or these threats of interference then it must give member states, including France, the ability to protect itself.

X is already subject to formal proceedings from the European Commission under the DSA. It has also brought a legal challenge against Irelands regulator over its Online Safety Code, which place obligations on platforms to keep users safe online.
A 25-year-old man threatened to assault a woman who told him he was barred from a shop and he also verbally abused gardai as "clowns".

Dylan Duggan, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to a range of public order offences at Cork District Court and he was given an overall sentence of six months.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said the young mans background was extremely challenging, involving social deprivation, substance abuse, and the loss of contact with his family.

He said the accused was bereft of all support other than the social services provided through Simon.

Mr Buttimer said: His verbal behaviour is certainly offensive but it does not go beyond that. He tends to get short-term sentences and fall back into difficult situations following his release from those sentences. He is sorry for his behaviour.

Judge Mary Dorgan said some of the defendants behaviour was very bad and that the three-month maximum sentence for the threatening charges was a very limited sanction given that some of those offences were very messy.

Sergeant John Kelleher said that on November 30, 2024, gardai approached Duggan when he was sitting outside Isaacs restaurant on MacCurtain Street, Cork.,

Dylan Duggan got up from the footpath and began screaming towards gardai: Ye wont fucking tell me what to fucking do. Fuck off, ye clowns.

He stumbled out into traffic on the road and threw his jacket at a moving vehicle.

On November 8, 2024, he pushed a female member of staff aside at Centra on St Patricks Street, when he was told he was barred, telling her: Ill break your mouth.

When she took out her phone to call the guards he tried to grab it out of her hand and called her a tramp.

Judge Dorgan said: I take a poor view of this. It must be very scary. She got pushed and otherwise threatened. It was not nice. She told him to leave as she was required to do as part of her job.

On September 26, 2024, Dylan Duggan stole 243 worth of property at Michael Guineys, Oliver Plunkett Street.

On October 31, 2024, he was approached for begging and was verbally abusive to the arresting garda at Bridge Street.

Sgt Kelleher said the accused was clenching his fists and shouting during this incident.
A young Irish woman who emigrated to Australia has warned others planning on travelling that life down under is no "fairytale experience", after she experienced racism and discrimination in the workplace.

At first glance, Australia seemed to be a lovely fit for Dubliner Anna OReilly, who, like many young Irish people, decided to start a new life there. Anna, 25, moved to Brisbane last May as her friends had a room available in their house.

Her first impression was positive. She was wowed by Australia's natural beauty, and she landed a job  working 9-5 in event management.

However, over time her experience soured, as she witnessed racism and homophobia, prompting her decision to fly back to Dublin at Christmas, and move back in with her parents.

During her time in Australia, Anna said she endured a number of unfortunate experiences and that the work permit situation left her feeling like a second-class citizen.

They are looking for working holiday visa people to basically come over, and you're treated kind of like a second-class citizen," she said. "They make it very, very difficult for you to upgrade yourself to permanent residency.

Discrimination and homophobia

In her workplace, where she was the only Irish national, she experienced discrimination.

I went over to be there permanently, but obviously it didn't work out that way. I was being brought into behavioural meetings over things that should never be brought up in a workplace, and it was only ever me."

Anna firmly believes it was because she was the only Irish person employed.

"It all actually really boiled down to the fact that I was Irish, because I was the only Irish person there and everybody else was Australian, she said.

Anna O'Reilly: 'I just was never gonna click with a place like that.'

She said she witnessed several incidents of discrimination and homophobia, which coloured her view of Australia, and that she would rather live somewhere "that aligns to my core values".

Some of the things that I saw in terms of homophobia and discrimination, with racism towards people, it was very hard to see and I just was never gonna click with a place like that," she said.

Living in a modern city, she was surprised to witness casual racism and discrimination on a daily basis.

Even if people were coming with their work and holiday visa from France, for example, people would turn around and be like, Can you just speak English properly?, or Why are you here?," she said.

"So it's just quite jarring to see when you're not used to it, and then to experience it yourself, you're not used to something like that.

'Its very cliquey'

According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO), an estimated 10,600 people moved to Australia from Ireland in the 12 months leading up to April 2024  an increase of 126% compared to the previous year.

Despite having made a couple of local friends, Anna said Irish people tend to flock together.

Youre going over 16,000km away; sure, it has better weather, but I think its a very isolating experience," she said.

Its very cliquey, youre going over there just to talk to Irish people, just to hang out with Irish people.

If you join a GAA club over there, youre only going to be mixing with those kind of people and not having any sort of authentic experience. Because youre not actually getting involved in the culture thats around you, youre mainly only socialising with people who are from where youre from.

While the large number of Irish people in Australia is what makes it feel like home for so many, Anna says it also makes it hard to integrate into Australian society.

If you go over and you are looking for an Irish community outside of Ireland, that's the best place you're going to get because you're all going to be enjoying the sunshine, but you're going to be feeling like you're at home.

"That's exactly why people go, in my opinion. I wouldn't want to be around just Irish people all the time. It's just not really for me, but it definitely is amazing for other people who love it.

Living wage

Even though her experience was far from fairytale-like, Ireland could take some pointers from Australia, according to Anna, particularly when it comes to public transport and a living wage.

The trains ran regularly," she said. "And if there was ever anything wrong, you would get a notification if your train line that you regularly used, if anything was delayed.

They obviously pay you a living wage. If you do casual work, you can make it a living wage and they also give extra money for people who are working overtime, late nights, or on Sundays.

They actually pay you for what life is like, it's like the government understands the trials and tribulations of life, and pay you accordingly, which is crazy to see.
MANY great films, including To Kill a Mockingbird, 12 Angry Men, and Runaway Jury, involve juries and courtroom dramas. However, if we are lucky, juries dont usually feature in most of our lives.

Over the last year, several high-profile cases, both criminal and civil in nature, involved juries, including the high-profile Nikita Hand v Conor McGregor civil case, and the criminal trial of the barrister and Trinity College law lecturer Diarmuid Rossa Phelan, who last week was acquitted of murdering a man who trespassed on his land in February 2022.

Both cases ignited public and private discussions about the nature of verdicts and the high-stakes and socially charged issues that may have been perceived to have underpinned the trials.

Without directly discussing those verdicts, it generally brought me back to the perennial question of whether we need juries at all.

To some, even raising this inquiry is heresy. The standard line is that a jury fulfils an essential function in the legal system. The theory is that 12 randomly chosen peers give an accused a greater guarantee of representativeness than one judge, thereby guarding against state tyranny or judicial whimsy.

Proponents of this view also believe that citizens participation in the criminal justice system promotes confidence in the judicial system as a whole and even educates and morally improves the character of the jurors involved.

As English law lord Patrick Devlin once loftily said: Trial by jury is the lamp that shows that freedom lives.

Many fine words have been spoken about the ancient right of the citizen to be tried by a jury. This right dates back to the English Magna Carta of 1215 and the Irish Magna Carta of 1216 and is enshrined in our 1937 Irish Constitution.

Yet just because something has always been the case doesnt mean it shouldnt change. As the American comedian Norm Crosby once said: When you go into court, you are putting your fate into the hands of 12 people who werent smart enough to get out of jury duty.

While funny, this is glib and harsh. Law is turgid; evidence can be complicated and specialist and most jurors do their best. The question, though, is whether that best is good enough

A contrary view to the one that juries are essential is that they are unreliable and may vote with their emotions, potentially exhibiting gendered, racial, and socio-economic bias. They may associate criminality with class, misunderstand judicial directions, and even engage in internet research, introducing a large element of arbitrariness into the process.

In sexual violence cases in particular, there is much criticism of juries as being influenced by rape myths and responsible for the markedly low conviction rates. Quantitative legal data effectively suggests the jury may act as a roadblock to conviction in sexual crimes relative to other crimes.

Theres a strong case to be made that instead of juries in sexual assault cases, we should have specially trained (emphasis on the word trained) judges rather than juries. Its a system implemented in New Zealand, and the feedback has been positive. Judges who are trained to understand concepts like how many victims freeze when being raped rather than fighting back. This is something that rears its head repeatedly in sexual assault and rape cases.

Jury selection

Even if we accept the right to a jury trial is essential, we could amend the current system.

There are similarities between how a jury is chosen here and in the United States. Still, one key dissimilarity is that American courtrooms know more about jury composition and its effects on verdicts.

Here, the County Registrar selects names of potential jurors randomly for a particular case. In open court, jurors are chosen at the beginning of a trial. This is comparable to what takes place in the States, but things get markedly different at this point.

In Ireland, the prosecution and the defence can challenge the selection of up to seven jurors each without explaining why they seek to strike out a potential juror. Once theyve used their seven challenges, they can make as many more challenges as they like but must provide an explanation or cause for the objection.

Making informed objections about who they want or dont want is difficult because they are more or less flying blind. The only deductions they can make about a juror are based on their age, gender, name, and sometimes occupation.

In contrast, in the US, the prosecution and defence can question potential jurors before they seek to have them removed, probing things like past experiences, such as being the victim of a crime, opinions, beliefs, and values through which they will view the case, education and occupation and even things like media viewing habits. If a lawyer is skilled at this procedure, they will mine a jurors body language as they answer, including body movement, word choice, and vocal hesitancy. Here, the prosecution and the defence have almost zero insight into potential jurors prejudices, biases, and sympathies.

Not everyone would agree with extending the pre-emptive challenge system; in fact, they would argue that we should abolish the ability to strike people out altogether because then we would end up with a genuinely representative random cross-section of society.

I disagree. Surely, if we want juries to bring a degree of impartiality to a case, this lack of ability to question jurors is a shortcoming

For example, if I were defending somebody for rape, I wouldnt want somebody on the jury who had previously been raped. Even though she might empathise with the victim, its possible that her trauma would prevent her from setting aside understandably strong views on the subject of sexual violence in favour of examining the evidence in the particular case.

ONCE called for jury duty in a murder trial, I was challenged as one of the jurors the defence didnt want. My rear end had barely hit the chair when they had me out of there. I had my out anyway because, at the time, I was a practising solicitor, and nobody who works in the legal system is supposed to be a juror.

My guess, though, is because the victim who had been sexually assaulted and strangled was a young woman around my age, the defence would not want me reckoning I would sympathise or identify with her.

My assessment of the motivations underpinning the defences use of their seven challenges in that tragic case was they wanted blue-collar men who might identify with the accused and older women who might judge the victim for what she had been wearing and the fact she had been drinking and out late at night with a small child at home.

At the very least, the thorny and complicated topic of the necessity of jury trials and how juries operate in modern society bears further examination because, as Ive written numerous times, we need to modernise the Irish court system, digitalise it, make it fit-for-purpose and efficient, and meet the needs of those who access it and hope to access justice. To say we are a long way off this is an understatement.
An Italian journalist detained in Iran since December 19 and whose fate became intertwined with that of an Iranian engineer wanted by the United States has been freed and is heading home, officials announced.

A plane carrying Cecilia Sala took off from Tehran after intensive work on diplomatic and intelligence channels, Italian Premier Giorgia Melonis office said, adding that Ms Meloni had informed Salas parents of the news.
An Italian journalist detained in Iran for three weeks has returned home after her fate became intertwined with that of an Iranian engineer arrested in Italy and wanted by the United States.

A plane carrying Cecilia Sala, 29, landed at Romes Ciampino airport, where Premier Giorgia Meloni was on hand to welcome her alongside family members.

Ms Salas companion Daniele Raineri posted a photo of a smiling Ms Sala greeting Ms Meloni in the airport.

In announcing that Ms Sala was flying home, Ms Melonis office said the premier had personally informed Ms Salas parents and credited the release to the governments intensive work on diplomatic and intelligence channels.

Elisabetta Vernoni, pressed for her daughters release (Mauro Scrobogna/LaPresse via AP)

Iranian media acknowledged the journalists release, citing only the foreign reports.

The reporter for the Il Foglio daily was detained in Tehran on December 19, three days after she arrived on a journalist visa. She was accused of violating the laws of the Islamic Republic, the official IRNA news agency said.

Italian commentators had speculated that Iran detained and held Ms Sala as a bargaining chip to ensure the release in Italy of Mohammad Abedini, who was arrested by Italian authorities at Milans Malpensa airport three days before, on December 16, on a US warrant.

The US Justice Department has accused Mr Abedini and another Iranian of supplying the drone technology to Iran that was used in a January 2024 attack on a US outpost in Jordan that killed three American troops.

Mr Abedini remains in detention in Italy but has asked a Milan court to grant him house arrest pending an extradition hearing.

Ms Salas release was met with cheers in Italy, where her plight had dominated headlines, with lawmakers from across the political spectrum praising the outcome and the opposition Democratic leader Elly Schlein thanking the government specifically.

It came after Ms Meloni made a surprise trip to Florida last weekend to meet Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate.

Ms Meloni in a statement on X thanked all those who helped make Cecilias return possible, allowing her to re-embrace her family and colleagues.

Members of Ms Melonis cabinet took personal interest in the case given the geopolitical implications. Foreign minister Antonio Tanaji hailed the diplomatic teamwork involved to secure Ms Salas release.

But the release also posed a delicate political question for Italy given Mr Abedinis status. The United States has complained in the past when Italy has lost track of suspects in the Italian judicial system awaiting hearings for extradition to the US.

A hearing on his bid to be given house arrest is scheduled for January 15.

Advocacy group Reporters Without Borders, which had flagged Ms Salas detention as an attack on press freedom, cheered her release.

The release of Italian reporter Cecilia Sala, who had been detained since 19/12 in #Iran, is a huge relief. Now the 25 journalists still held in Iranian prisons must also be released.#JournalismIsNotACrime! pic.twitter.com/RSjhi1m3ff  RSF (@RSF_inter) January 8, 2025

Now the 25 journalists still held in Iranian prisons must also be released, the group said in a social media post.

Since the 1979 US Embassy crisis, which saw dozens of hostages released after 444 days in captivity, Iran has used prisoners with Western ties as bargaining chips in negotiations.

In September 2023, five Americans detained for years in Iran were freed in exchange for five Iranians in US custody and for 6 billion dollars in frozen Iranian assets to be released by South Korea.

Western journalists have been held in the past. Roxana Saberi, an American journalist, was detained by Iran in 2009 for around 100 days before being released.

Also detained by Iran was Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian, who was held for more than 540 days before being released in 2016 in a prisoner swap between Iran and the US.

Both cases involved Iran making false espionage accusations in closed-door hearings.
Outgoing US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has advised the world not to waste a lot of time on what President-elect Donald Trump has been saying about Greenland.

The Republican made clear again this week that he would like the semi-autonomous territory of Denmark to come under US control and said he would not rule out the use of military force to make that happen.

We need Greenland for national security purposes, Mr Trump said.

But Mr Blinken said on Wednesday that the incoming presidents ambitions are unlikely to amount to anything more than talk.

Anthony Blinken held talks with Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris (Thibault Camus/AP)

The idea expressed about Greenland is obviously not a good one, the senior US diplomat said during a stop in Paris for meetings.

Maybe more important, its obviously one thats not going to happen. So we probably shouldnt waste a lot of time talking about it, he said.

Frances foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot also played down any possibility of US forces being deployed against Denmark, a US ally in the Nato military alliance.

But Mr Barrot warned nevertheless that Europe must brace for turbulence ahead  as other powers throw their weight around.

Do we think the United States will invade Greenland? The answer is, No, the French minister said. But do we think that were entering into a period that sees the return of the law of the strongest, the answer is, Yes.

Europe must become stronger militarily and more economically and commercially competitive in response, Mr Barrot said.

We have to go a lot further to affirm who we are, what we want, he said.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has said she does not believe the United States will use military or economic power to secure control over Greenland and has appealed for US behaviour that is respectful of the Greenlandic people.

In Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Wednesday that the principle of inviolability of borders applies to every country no matter how powerful, in a reaction to Mr Trumps remarks that did not mention him by name.

Borders must not be moved by force, Mr Scholz said.
Today

Cloudy and windy with light rain early...then becoming partly cloudy. Low near 50F. Winds WSW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.

Tonight

Cloudy and windy with light rain early...then becoming partly cloudy. Low near 50F. Winds WSW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.

Tomorrow

Mostly cloudy. High around 65F. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.
Today

Partly cloudy skies. Gusty winds during the evening. Low around 50F. Winds WSW at 20 to 30 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Gusty winds during the evening. Low around 50F. Winds WSW at 20 to 30 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.

Tomorrow

Mostly cloudy skies. High around 65F. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.
The Global Cooperation Barometer 2025 report called on the international community to expand cooperation for the common good.

GENEVA, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- The escalation of geopolitical conflicts and regional instability have brought the level of global cooperation to a low point, according to a report released by the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Tuesday.

The Global Cooperation Barometer 2025 report called on the international community to actively explore cooperation paths and strengthen cooperation to meet common challenges.

It uses statistical data from 2012 to 2023 to evaluate global cooperation trends in five areas, including trade and capital, innovation and technology, climate and natural capital, health and wellness, peace and security.

The report expressed belief that after a decade of positive momentum, international cooperation around various areas has stalled.

Affected by the intensification of geopolitical competition and conflict, the level of global cooperation in peace and security has dropped sharply in the past few years, the report said. In 2023, affected by crises in the Middle East, Ukraine and Sudan, geopolitical conflicts and the resulting humanitarian crises have reached unprecedented severity, it added.

Political and geopolitical turbulence has the potential to degrade global cooperative efforts, the report said. But in areas such as trade, innovation and climate, global cooperation is still in a positive trend.

Thanks to the digitalization of the global economy, global technology and innovation cooperation continued to advance in 2023, but emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence are reshaping the global landscape, increasing the possibility of new frontiers of geostrategic competition, the report said.

The report stated that global cooperation to achieve climate goals has been strengthened in 2023, capital flows and trade in low-carbon technologies such as solar energy, wind energy and electric vehicles have increased. As global carbon emissions continue to increase, strengthening global cooperation is necessary to achieve climate goals by 2030.

This is the second time the WEF has released the Global Cooperation Barometer since 2024. Borge Brende, president of the World Economic Forum, said that in the face of a challenging global situation, cooperation is the only way to address major economic, environmental and technological challenges.
The body of former US President Jimmy Carter has arrived in Washington, where three days of official mourning will take place, culminating in lying in state at the Capitol building ahead of his funeral on Thursday.

As military service members stood at attention, Mr. Carters flag-draped coffin was transferred from Air Force One to a hearse adorned with the presidential seal.

The motorcade then proceeded to the US Navy Memorial on Pennsylvania Avenue, where his remains were placed in a horse-drawn carriage for a procession to the Capitol.

The state funeral for the 39th US president coincides with preparations for Republican President-elect Donald Trump to take over from Democrat Joe Biden.

Mr. Carter, a Democrat who served a single term in the White House from 1977 to 1981, passed away on December 29 at the age of 100.

The remains of Jimmy Carter being transported through Washington to the Capitol

The former peanut farmer from Georgia faced significant challenges during his presidency, including a struggling economy and the Iran hostage crisis, ultimately losing his re-election bid to Republican Ronald Reagan.

In the years following his presidency, Mr. Carter was regarded as a dedicated humanitarian and often viewed as a more effective former president than he was during his time in office. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

Mr. Carter lived longer than any other US president and had been receiving hospice care for nearly two years prior to his passing.

His last public appearance occurred at the funeral of his wife, Rosalynn, in November 2023, where he appeared frail and used a wheelchair.

In August, his grandson Jason Carter mentioned that Mr. Carter was eager to cast his vote for the Democratic presidential candidate, Kamala Harris, who lost against Mr. Trump.

Jimmy Carter passed away on December 29 at the age of 100.

President Biden has ordered that flags at government buildings be flown at half-mast for 30 days as a gesture of mourning.

The incoming leader indicated that flags should not be lowered during his inauguration.

During a news conference, Mr. Trump reiterated his intentions to reclaim control of the Panama Canal, which Mr. Carter handed over to Panama during his presidency.

Members of Congress will pay their respects this evening at a service in the Capitol Rotunda, followed by a period for the general public to do the same.

Mr. Carter will lie in state under military guard for 24 hours before being transported by motorcade to Washington National Cathedral.

Today, President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina visited the American Embassy in Dublin to sign the book of condolences in memory of former President Jimmy Carter. pic.twitter.com/CCIytIc9Fj

Both President Biden and Mr. Trump are expected to attend the funeral on Thursday, along with former leaders Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton.

Mr. Biden is scheduled to deliver the eulogy during the service.

Afterwards, Mr. Carters remains will be flown back to Georgia, where he will be interred in his hometown of Plains.
Orthodox Christians in war-torn Gaza observed a solemn Christmas this year, with congregants expressing that there would be no presents for children and a profound absence of joy during the holiday.

At the Church of Saint Porphyrius in Gaza City, as clashes continued throughout the Palestinian territory, approximately a dozen members of the Orthodox Christian community came together for their annual service.

Older men and women participated alongside Archbishop Alexios of Tiberias in lighting candles and offering prayers for loved ones, as well as for an end to the ongoing 15-month conflict.

Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas Day on 7 January.

Celebrations are confined to prayers only; there are no gifts for children and no signs of joy during this holiday, stated community member Ramez al-Suri.

We hope and appeal to all nations to assist in achieving a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

After 15 months of war, our Christian community consistently prays for peace, with all our hopes centered on love and harmony for everyone and an immediate end to the conflict, he added.

The Church of Saint Porphyrius suffered damage in an Israeli assault in 2023.

In the church courtyard, which was partially damaged in an Israeli airstrike in October 2023, the extent of destruction that has ravaged much of Gaza is evident in the surrounding bombed buildings.

Outside the church, community member Fuad Ayyad expressed: We awaken every moment to bombing, massacres, genocide, or the martyrdom of a citizen.

As a result of the strike that impacted the church, 18 Palestinian Christians were reported killed, according to Gazas health ministry.

We welcome the holiday with joy, though it is diminished for Christians, Mr. Ayyad remarked, stating that sadness persists and prevails across both the western and eastern churches and within the Palestinian community, be it Muslim or Christian.

On 25 December, when Catholic and other denominations celebrated Christmas, Pope Francis, in his annual message, called for arms to be silenced globally and made an appeal for peace in the Middle East, Ukraine, and Sudan.

He also condemned the extremely grave humanitarian situation in Gaza.

The Hamas attack in October 2023 resulted in 1,208 fatalities, primarily among civilians, as reported by official Israeli statistics.

Since then, Israels military operation has led to 45,885 deaths in Gaza, the majority being civilians, as stated by figures from the health ministry run by Hamas, which the United Nations deems reliable.

Three militants killed in West Bank raids  Israel

The Israeli army reported the deaths of three Palestinian militants during separate counterterrorism operations in the northern occupied West Bank; Palestinian medics indicated that one of the deceased was a teenager.

A military communique noted that two militants died when the Israeli air force targeted an armed terrorist cell that opened fire during a raid in the village of Tammun, near the city of Nablus.

The Palestinian Red Crescent confirmed that an 18-year-old was killed as a result of shelling and that five individuals were severely injured during the Israeli operation.

The Red Crescent stated its teams had transported the body of the 18-year-old to the nearby city of Tubas, where a hospital director identified him as Suleiman Qutaishat.

Residents of Tammun noted that Israeli forces took the body of a second deceased individual.

The Israeli military statement indicated that weapons were confiscated and several wanted individuals were apprehended during the raid.

In a separate operation in the village of Taluza, near Tammun, the military asserted that a militant was killed in close-quarters combat, in addition to confiscating an AK-47 rifle and detaining one person.

A man lights a candle in Gaza City on Orthodox Christmas Day.

The Red Crescent revealed that its teams had recovered the body of a 40-year-old man, identified by residents as Jaafar Dababseh.

Hamas declared that he was a member of the group.

Residents stated that Mr. Dababseh was fatally shot by Israeli forces in front of his home.

Hamas mourned his death in a statement, recognizing him as a former prisoner in Israel and one of its operatives.

Mourners were observed carrying Mr. Dababsehs body draped in a Palestinian flag through Taluza during his funeral.

The Palestinian health ministry in the West Bank reported one fatality in Tammun and another in Taluza due to Israeli gunfire.

The Israeli military declared that their forces executed raids overnight across the West Bank, apprehending multiple individuals deemed wanted.

Latest Middle East stories

Since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, violence in the West Bank has surged, separated from Gaza by Israeli territory. Israel has maintained its occupation of the West Bank since 1967.

According to its health ministry, Israeli troops or settlers in the West Bank have killed at least 821 Palestinians, including some militants, since the Gaza conflict began.

In the same timeframe, at least 28 Israelis have perished in the West Bank, based on official Israeli figures.

Just yesterday, three Israelis were killed when armed individuals attacked vehicles along a northern West Bank road, as reported by medics.
Search and Rescue Efforts Underway Following Earthquake in Tibet That Claims Over 120 Lives

Chinese officials reported that more than 400 individuals trapped by a powerful earthquake in the Himalayas foothills have been rescued, while over 30,000 residents have been evacuated as the search for survivors continued into its second day.

The epicentre of the magnitude 6.8 quake, one of the strongest tremors in the area in recent years, was located in Tingri, roughly 80km north of Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world. The quake was also felt in neighboring Nepal, Bhutan, and India.

After 24 hours of the quake, survivors trapped under debris have endured freezing temperatures overnight, risking hypothermia and dehydration.

An infographic detailing the location of the 6.8 earthquake

According to Chinese state media, an initial assessment revealed that 3,609 homes were destroyed in the Shigatse region of Tibet, which has a population of 800,000. More than 500 individuals and 106 ambulances have been deployed to assist the injured.

The temperatures in the high-altitude region plummeted to as low as minus 18 degrees Celsius overnight, exacerbating the plight of those left homeless.

By late yesterday, tents, food supplies, electrical generators, and other essentials had arrived at the site, and all damaged roads had been reopened, as reported by CCTV.

Upon arriving in Lhatse, 65 km from the epicentre, tourist Meng Lingkang observed, the buildings had cracked open.

Some of the older homes collapsed, and many brick structures had fissures and cracks, said the 23-year-old to AFP.

There were many rescue vehicles arriving one after the other, he added.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for all-out search and rescue efforts, as reported by CCTV.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed that he was profoundly saddened by the loss of life in the earthquake.

The United Nations is closely monitoring the situation and is prepared to provide support if needed, Mr. Guterres stated.

French President Emmanuel Macron extended offers of assistance to those impacted, while Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba conveyed their condolences.

Tingri operates under the administration of Shigatse, which is home to the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, a significant spiritual figure in Tibetan Buddhism second only to the Dalai Lama.

The Dalai Lama expressed his sorrow, stating, I offer my prayers for those who have lost their lives and wish for a speedy recovery for all the injured.

Southwestern China, Nepal, and northern India frequently experience earthquakes due to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, which together push up the ancient seabed now known as the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau.

Damage to houses in the aftermath of the 6.8 earthquake

The entire plateau is seismically active, along with its eastern and northern edges overlapping with the Chinese provinces and regions of Sichuan, Gansu, and Qinghai.

Beijing, managing Tibet as an autonomous region within China, dismisses criticism from rights organizations and exiles who accuse it of violating the cultural and religious rights of the Tibetan people.

As of 8 AM (12 AM Irish time) today, over 500 aftershocks, with magnitudes reaching 4.4, were reported by the China Earthquake Networks Centre.

In the last five years, there have been 29 earthquakes with magnitudes of 3 or higher within a 200km radius of the epicentre of yesterdays quake, according to the Sichuan provincial earthquake bureau.

The devastating 8.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Chengdu, Sichuan, in 2008 claimed at least 70,000 lives, making it the deadliest quake in China since the Tangshan earthquake of 1976, which resulted in a minimum of 242,000 deaths.

Yesterdays quake is the most severe since a 6.2 magnitude earthquake in 2023 that resulted in at least 149 fatalities in a remote northwestern region of the country.
Trump Does Not Dismiss Use of Force for Panama Canal, Greenland

US President-elect Donald Trump has declined to dismiss the possibility of employing military or economic measures to pursue the acquisition of the Panama Canal and Greenland, aligning with a wider expansionist strategy he has advocated since his electoral victory.

Mr. Trump, who will assume office on January 20, has also entertained the notion of transforming Canada into a US state. He stated he would require significantly higher defense expenditures from NATO allies and promised to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

With two weeks remaining until his inauguration, Mr. Trump has started to sketch out a forceful foreign policy with minimal consideration for diplomatic norms or the apprehensions of US allies.

When questioned during a press conference at his Florida resort if he could guarantee that he would not use military or economic pressure in his efforts to gain control of the Panama Canal and Greenland, Mr. Trump replied, No, I cant assure you on either of those two. But I can say this, we need them for economic security.

Donald Trump Jr. mentioned he was visiting Greenland as a tourist.

He suggested the imposition of tariffs on Denmark if it resists his proposal to buy Greenland, which he claims is essential for US national security. Just prior to Mr. Trumps statement, his son Don Jr. arrived in Greenland for a private visit.

Denmark has stated that Greenland, an autonomous part of its realm, is not for sale.

I dont think its a productive approach to confront each other through financial means when we are close allies and partners, responded Denmarks Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to Mr. Trumps remarks.

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Will never back down  Canada

Canadas foreign affairs minister, Melanie Joly, remarked on X, President-elect Trumps comments demonstrate a complete lack of understanding of what makes Canada a robust nation. Our economy is strong. Our populace is strong. We will never yield to threats.

Mexican and Panamanian authorities have yet to respond. Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino has previously dismissed the idea of returning the canal to US control after it was handed over in 1999.

Ambassador Daniel Fried, a former US diplomat now affiliated with the Atlantic Council think tank, remarked that Mr. Trumps statements depicted national power as territorial expansion, likening him to a 19th-century imperialist.

Canadian foreign minister Melanie Joly stated Mr. Trumps remarks illustrate a fundamental misunderstanding of Canadas strength.

Claiming Greenland, Mr. Fried argued, would dismantle NATO, as it would make us no better than Vladimir Putin, Russias president.

Mr. Trumps vow to rename the Gulf of Mexico mirrored his earlier commitment to restore the name of Denali, the highest mountain peak in North America, to Mount McKinley. Former President Barack Obama had renamed the Alaskan mountain in respect to Native Americans.

Normally, the US Board of Geographic Names determines geographic names, though presidents have occasionally renamed geographic features through executive action.

NATO spending

Mr. Trump asserted that NATO countries should allocate 5% of their gross domestic product on defense, a significant rise from the current target of 2%.

I believe NATO should be at 5%, he stated. They can all afford it, but they really should be at 5%, not 2%.

Mr. Trump has persistently criticized most NATO members for not contributing their fair share and hinted at demanding an increase in NATO defense contributions during his campaign.

NATO projected that 23 of its 32 members would meet its 2% of GDP spending goal by 2024.

Currently, none of the alliance members, including the US, spends 5% of GDP on defense, according to NATO data. Poland leads in GDP spendings at 4.12%, followed by Estonia at 3.43% and the United States at 3.38%.

Mr. Trump also reiterated his warning that all hell will break loose in the Middle East if the Palestinian Hamas militants do not release hosts abducted from Israel on October 7, 2023, before he takes office.

It wont end well for Hamas, and frankly, it wont go well for anyone, he remarked.

His designated Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, expressed hope to have positive updates on negotiations between Israel and Hamas by the time Mr. Trump is inaugurated.

Familiar grievances

The informal, hour-long press conference, Mr. Trumps second since his victory, echoed similar previous events from his presidential campaign.

He voiced a series of familiar grievances concerning his legal issues, targeting Justice Juan Merchan, the New York judge who is set to sentence Mr. Trump on Friday for falsifying business records related to hush money payments made to a pornographic actress.

A New York appeals court rejected his latest attempt to postpone the sentencing shortly after his press conference concluded.

In a separate issue, as Mr. Trump spoke, a US judge temporarily barred Special Counsel Jack Smith from publishing a report on his investigations regarding the alleged mishandling of classified documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

The judge, Aileen Cannon, had earlier dismissed the case accusing Mr. Trump of unlawfully retaining classified materials post-office.

Tuesdays event occurred in the elaborately decorated living room at Mar-a-Lago, Mr. Trumps Palm Beach resort. Several of his senior advisers observed the proceedings as club guests were seen dining on the terrace outside.

Mr. Trump was additionally queried about whether it is appropriate for Elon Musk to publicly comment on foreign matters. In recent weeks, the billionaire Trump supporter has utilized his X platform to weigh in on European politics, including showing support for Germanys far-right Alternative for Germany party.

I can say Elon is doing an excellent job, a very intelligent guy, Mr. Trump commented. I am not familiar with the individuals you mentioned.
The Ukrainian military reported that its forces targeted a Russian oil depot situated hundreds of kilometers from the shared border of the warring nations, which is utilized by Russias air force.

Ukrainian defense forces struck the Russian oil depot in Engels, the Ukrainian general staff stated on social media, adding that, this oil depot supplied fuel to the Engels-2 military airfield, which accommodates enemy strategic aviation.

This region is home to a significant air base for strategic bombers that are part of Russias nuclear arsenal.

Ukraine has previously attacked the base using drones, but it remains unclear if it was targeted during this particular incident.

Reports from Russian news sources indicated that a fire occurred at an oil facility.

Regional governor Roman Busargin mentioned that the cities of Saratov and Engels, located on opposite banks of the Volga River, experienced a mass drone attack and confirmed a fire at an industrial site, although no casualties have been reported.

There are adequate forces and resources available to contain the fire, he shared on Telegram.

Russias defense ministry released a statement claiming that 11 Ukrainian drones were destroyed overnight in the Saratov region, with an additional 21 neutralized in other areas of Russia and the Azov Sea. The statement did not provide details on any damage incurred.

The Engels air base lies approximately 730 km southeast of Moscow and several hundred kilometers away from the Ukrainian border.

In December 2022, a drone shoot-down incident at the base resulted in the deaths of three Russian air force personnel.

The independent news outlet Astra reported that the oil depot experiencing the fire was responsible for fueling the air base.
01/07/2025





Jacksonville State University (Jax State) is proud to announce its advancement to the Network Leader phase of the FirstGen Forward Network, a national initiative dedicated to enhancing the success of first-generation college students. This recognition underscores Jax State's unwavering commitment to fostering a supportive environment for first-generation students.

According to the FirstGen Forward Networks release, it was established by NASPA and The Suder Foundation and employs a three-phase approach to assist higher education institutions in improving outcomes for first-generation students. Progressing to the Network Leader phase signifies Jax State's dedication to implementing effective, sustainable student success initiatives and institution-wide strategies.

"At Jacksonville State University, we are committed to empowering first-generation students by providing the resources and support necessary for their academic and personal success, said Dr. Christie Shelton, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Jax State. Advancing to the Network Leader phase of the FirstGen Forward Network reflects our approach to addressing the unique challenges first-generation students face and our ongoing efforts to create an environment where all students can thrive."

As a Network Leader, Jax State will use a tailored process to transform its infrastructure and support systems, aiming to advance first-generation student success. This phase offers access to diagnostic tools, customized solutions, data reporting, and expert guidance, enabling the university to implement evidence-based strategies that align with its specific needs.

Jax States advancement reflects its dedication to closing the achievement gap between first-generation students and their continuing-generation peers. By adopting tailored strategies and fostering a supportive campus culture, Jax State aims to enhance enrollment, retention, and overall success for first-generation students.

For more information about Jax States initiatives for first-generation students, please visit its First-Generation Student Page. Students interested in a faculty or staff mentor can visit this link.

For more information about the FirstGen Forward Network, please visit FirstGen Forward.
( Tomdispatch.com )  The expression punch-drunk, Google informs me, means stupefied by or as if by a series of heavy blows to the head. Googles Oxford Language entry then offers a not-terribly-illuminating example of the terms use: I feel a little punch-drunk today. Right now, a better one might be something like: After November 5, 2024, a lot of people have been feeling more than a little punch-drunk.

Learning on the night of November 5th that Donald Trump had probably been reelected president certainly left me feeling stupefied, with a sense that Id somehow sustained a number of heavy blows to the head. The experience was undoubtedly amplified by the fact that Id spent the previous three months in Reno, Nevada, as part of a seven-day-a-week political effort to prevent just such an outcome, along with a crew of valiant UNITE-HERE union members and more than 1,000 volunteer canvassers organized by Seed the Vote.

Still, I hoped that battered feeling would wear off after our campaign office was dismantled, the rental car returned, and the extended-stay hotel room vacated. Surely, once reunited with my beloved partner (and a pair of disgruntled cats), Id find the disorienting pain of repeated shocks beginning to dissipate.

And the Hits Just Keep on Coming

In fact, its only gotten worse, as Trump has rolled out his picks and plans for the new administration. As old radio DJs used to shout: the hits just keep on coming! Unfortunately, these hits arent rock-n-roll records; theyre blows to the collective consciousness of those of us who worked to prevent Trumps reelection, and perhaps even to a few of those who voted for him.

Ethics-deficient Matt Gaetz for attorney general? Bam! Kristi Noem, the puppy-killer, to run the Department of Homeland Security? Pow! Wait, Matt Gaetz is out! Now, its Pam Bondi, the woman who accepted an illegal $25,000 campaign contribution from the now-defunct Trump Foundation for attorney general. Bam! Anti-vaxxer Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., to run health and human services? Bang! Convicted (and Trump-pardoned) felon Charles Kushner (Jareds dad) for ambassador to France? Take that, Emmanuel Macron! Wham! And then theres a double-whammy for those of us who spent a couple of decades opposing this countrys Global War on Terror, as we watch the liberal media (even the British Guardian) lionize old neocon war criminals like John Bolton and Dick Cheney for their opposition to Trump this time around. Whack! No wonder our ears are ringing!

As one uppercut after another left us reeling, a whole flurry of stiff jabs followed in the form of Trumps announcements of new territorial ambitions for this country. He wants the Panama Canal back. And Greenland, which was never ours to begin with. As he wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, 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. Letat, cest Donald Trump, apparently.

O Canada! Yes, he wants that, too! It was a pleasure to have dinner the other night with Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada, he wrote on Truth Social. Governor Trudeau, really? Bernie Sanders jokingly probed the possible benefits of a U.S.-Canada assimilation, asking on X, Does that mean that we can adopt the Canadian health care system and guarantee health care to all, lower the cost of prescription drugs, and spend 50% less per capita on healthcare?

The Referee Goes AWOL

One problem with being punch-drunk is that not only do you feel funny, but you begin to think everything else is a little funny, too. Demanding the Panama Canal and Greenland, not to mention Canada, is the kind of thing youd expect to see in a Saturday Night Live skit. As it turns out, though, its neither a caricature nor a joke. In fact, Donald Trump has transformed this presidential transition period into a Theater of the Absurd performance. And while some of his most outrageous statements may indeed turn out to be mere political theater, in the post-November 5th world, we wont be waiting for Godot, but for the other shoe to drop.

And thats undoubtedly been part of Trumps point with his recent flurry of absurdities. Hes already testing how far he can go without meeting any meaningful resistance. How hard can he hit (and how far below the belt) before the referee blows the whistle and stops the fight? Or is there even a referee anymore?

Our problem (and the rest of the worlds, too) is that the fight is rigged and anyone who might have refereed it is either too corrupt, too terrified, or too absent to do the job. Dont count on the courts, not after the Supreme Court granted the soon-to-be sitting president more or less blanket immunity for anything he does on the job. Too many Republican members of Congress, never known for possessing spines of steel, now seem perfectly happy to relinquish their lawmaking powers to unelected First Buddy Elon Musk, ducking and covering when he threatens their reelection prospects with primary fights.

With Congress and the judiciary unwilling or unable to do the job, the executive branch will undoubtedly be largely left to referee itself. Foxes and hen houses, anyone? In fact, at least since Ronald Reagan, no president has sought to reduce the power of the executive, while the once-fringe theory of a unitary executive has increasingly come to underpin the moves of successive administrations, locating ever more power in the person of the president. That principle was fundamental to Project 2025, the transition program the Heritage Foundation prepared for the next Trump presidency. The central premise of its key document, Mandate for Leadership, is that all executive government functions belong under direct presidential control. That control would extend even to those offices Congress made independent, such as the Federal Reserve, various special prosecutors and inspectors general, and agencies like the FBI and the Environmental Protection Agency. This is the reasoning behind Project 2025s plan to replace as many as 50,000 career civil servants with Trumpist political appointees, who will serve only at the pleasure of the president.

During his recent campaign, Trump disavowed any knowledge of Project 2025 or its architects. But today, the project and the key individuals connected to it are once again openly in his good graces. In fact, he plans to restore one of its key architects, Russell Vought, to his old job directing the Office of Management and Budget, or OMB, a low-profile agency with tremendous power. The National Archives describes it this way:

The core mission of OMB is to serve the President of the United States in implementing his vision across the Executive Branch. OMB is the largest component of the Executive Office of the President. It reports directly to the President and helps a wide range of executive departments and agencies across the Federal Government to implement the commitments and priorities of the President.

In other words, the head of the most powerful office in the executive branch will, under President Donald Trump, be someone whose understanding of the role of president is frankly monarchical  that is, the government of a single, all-powerful ruler.

Still Standing  and Not Standing Still

So, if we cant count on this countrys vaunted checks and balances to either check or balance the power of an absurdist president, where else can we look?

Well, theres the media. Its freedom is enshrined in the first article of the Bill of Rights and the rest of us must do what we can to protect journalists (whether from U.S. missiles flying in Gaza, or Trumpian threats at home). Of course, its also worth remembering journalist A.J. Lieblings classic observation that freedom of the press is guaranteed only to those who own one. Such prescient words first appeared in his 1960 New Yorker article about the disappearance of competing newspapers in various markets. I doubt he would be at all surprised, more than 60 years later, by the spectacle of the billionaire owners of the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times preventing their editorial staffs from publishing pre-election endorsements of Kamala Harris. I wonder what he would have made of ABCs abject $15-million surrender to Donald Trumps patently frivolous defamation lawsuit.

A free media will remain crucial in the coming period, but though it pains my writers soul to admit it, there are limits to the power of the written (or even the spoken) word. To check a power-mad president and his fascist handlers, those of us who are already punch-drunk but still standing in the ring will have to find new ways to amplify our commitment to freedom and human dignity through collective action.

We can undoubtedly look to existing organizations like the fighting unions of todays reinvigorated labor movement for guidance and inspiration. We can value our own narratives in the fashion of Renee Bracey Sherman of We Testify, who creates the space for women to tell our stories in Liberating Abortion: Claiming Our History, Sharing Our Stories, and Building the Reproductive Future We Deserve. We can work with any number of national progressive electoral organizations like Seed the Vote, Swing Left, or Indivisible. We can support organizations dedicated to defending the groups that even many mainstream Democrats are ready to blame for their loss of the White House  among them undocumented immigrants and transgender folks.

Seeing Negative Spaces

I really do believe what I just wrote. We must continue learning and practicing the skills, discipline, and joys of collective action. However, I wonder whether theres something else we  each of us individually  need to do as well in the new age of Trump.

Over the last year, Ive been trying to learn to draw. As I struggle with line and value, and my never-very-impressive hand-eye coordination, I remember how my father, a painter and illustrator, used to say that he could teach anyone the basic skills. Hes been gone for more than a decade now and, though Im glad he didnt live to see Donald Trump in the White House, Im sad that I never asked him to teach me to draw. So, Ive turned elsewhere.

For all its horrors, the Internet contains wonderful resources when it comes to learning anything  from how to knit to how to interpret that annoying little illuminated wrench on your cars dashboard. Hundreds of thousands of generous people freely share their hard-won knowledge there with strangers around the world. One of them is Julia Bausenhardt, a German artist and illustrator. Ive learned so much from her many video lessons on sketching the natural world. Above all, Ive learned that drawing is as much about what you do with your eyes as with your hands. Its about learning to look.

Like most drawing teachers, Julia emphasizes the value of observing negative space. If you want to understand, for example, how a tangle of overlapping leaves and blossoms relate to each other, take a look at what isnt there. Consider the negative spaces around the shapes youre drawing.

I wonder whether those of us seeking to forestall an autocratic takeover of this country would benefit from focusing on the negative spaces around the Trump phenomenon, looking for what isnt there as much as what is. I suspect thats what the historian Timothy Snyder is doing when he counsels those resisting Trump not to obey in advance. Theres no reason to fill in the space around the future autocrat with our own obedience before its even demanded. Lets decorate it with resistance instead.

Similarly, in the spaces around the program Trumps handlers have devised (most explicitly, Project 2025), we can discern whats missing from it. Surrounding its blueprints for destroying public education (the foundation of democratic life), decimating labor unions, and resurrecting long-buried regimes of child labor, forced marriage, and childbearing we can discern negative space.

Whats missing from the Trumpian program is something human beings require as much as we need food to eat and air to breathe: respect for human dignity. Dont mistake my meaning. Respect is not acquiescence to another persons racism or woman-hatred. Respect for human dignity requires evoking  calling out  whats best in ourselves and each other. That means avoiding both cowardice in the face of conflict and any kind of arrogant belief in our own superiority.

In some ways, this fight is about who our society counts as human, who deserves dignity. Over seven decades, Ive fought alongside millions of other people to widen that circle  reducing the negative space around it  to include, among others, myself, as a woman, a lesbian, and a working person. Now, we have to figure out how to hold  and expand  the perimeter of that circle of personhood.

We must do this work collectively in organized ways, but we can also do it individually in small ways. As I contemplate another four horrific years of Donald Trump, Im also thinking about the negative spaces of daily life. Im thinking about small daily interactions with strangers and acquaintances. Im thinking about the in-between times that surround the events of our lives  negative time, if you will. In the era of Trump 2.0, I hope to fill my negative time waiting in lines or sitting in yet another endless meeting with small acts of attention and respect. Those, too, can be acts of resistance.

Copyright 2024 Rebecca Gordon

Via Tomdispatch.com
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  Ireland has filed a declaration with the International Court of Justice of its intention to intervene in South Africas genocide case against Israel for its tactics in the war on Gaza. So reports Kerry OShea at IrishCentral.

The Statute of the International Court of Justice, Article 63, provides for the notification of all member states about procedures regarding conventions that might affect them, and that every state so notified has the right to intervene in the proceedings. In this case, the relevant document is the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide of 1948.

The Irish intervention addresses the difficulty of proving that officials of a state have deliberately set themselves a goal of wiping out another people in whole or in part. It says, Ireland respectfully submits that the perpetrator does not need to have, as his or her purpose, the commission of the crime of genocide when committing any one or more of the material elements of the crime. The crime may also be committed where a perpetrator  regardless of his or her purpose  knows (or should know) that the natural and probable consequence of these acts is either to destroy or contribute to the destruction of the protected group, in whole or part, as such, and proceeds regardless.

That is, if a reasonable person can foresee that dropping 500-lb. bombs on residential apartment complexes, destroying water pipes, destroying most of the hospitals, and making people move from one tent camp to another once they were rendered homeless, would have a genocidal effect, and nevertheless committed these acts, the person is guilty of genocide even if there isnt a smoking gun document of intent.

Irelands document concludes, It is evident from the drafting history of the Convention that the term intent is not limited to the purpose of the perpetrator, but can also comprehend knowledge of the foreseeable consequence of the act committed.

It is sort of like if a person kept shooting a gun in the general direction of a crowd of people, and ends up killing someone, the shooter would be guilty of murder even if there was no specific intent to kill that individual, because a reasonable person could foresee that shooting the gun repeatedly in the direction of a crowd would eventually result in a death.

Irelands Declaration of Intervention also tackles the difficulty that genocides often take place in the context of war-fighting, so that it is difficult to determine whether what appear to be genocidal acts are simply collateral damage, the unfortunate civilian deaths that inadvertently attend any battle.

The Declaration quotes the ICJ itself on one way to resolve this condundrum: The Court restated this test where it said that for a pattern of conduct, that is to SllJJ, a consistent series of acts carried out over a specific period of time, to be accepted as evidence of genocidal intent, it would have to be such that it could only point to the existence of such intent, that is to say, that it can only reasonably be understood as reflecting that intent [  ]

This can be characterised as the only reasonable inference test.



Photo by Roman Boed,

from PxHere.

Ireland points out that in the real world, actions can be taken for more than one purpose. That is, a country may kill large numbers of civilians while fighting a war both because that country is fighting a war and because it wants to destroy a group in whole or in part. The mere fact of war-fighting cannot be invoked to rule out genocidal intent.

The Declaration says, Ireland submits that, in order to avoid the possibility of genocide being excluded in most, if not all, cases of anned conflict the application of the only reasonable inference test clarifies that a pattern of conduct can only be fully explained as intended to destroy  at least in part  the protected group. In applying the test, Ireland respectfully submits that it is not necessary that the acts concerned should be exclusively intended to destroy the group but could also be committed with the intent of achieving one or more other objectives.

The Irish cabinet made the decision to intervene at a cabinet meeting in early December. Deputy Prime Minister (Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs) Micheal Martin said then that:

There has been a collective punishment of the Palestinian people through the intent and impact of military actions of Israel in Gaza, leaving 44,000 dead and millions of civilians displaced. By legally intervening in South Africas case, Ireland will be asking the ICJ to broaden its interpretation of what constitutes the commission of genocide by a State. We are concerned that a very narrow interpretation of what constitutes genocide leads to a culture of impunity in which the protection of civilians is minimised. Irelands view of the Convention is broader and prioritises the protection of civilian life  as a committed supporter of the Convention, the government will promote that interpretation in its intervention in this case.

He added on another occasion, Fundamentally, Ireland is asking the court to broaden its interpretation of genocide within the Genocide Convention.

Although the center-right Irish government has made it clear that it stands with South Africa in charging Israel with genocide in Gaza, the ICJ rules on such interventions give Ireland the position of adding to the deliberations. Article 82 of the Rules of the Court provide for signatories intervening in cases to engage in the identification of the particular provisions of the convention the construction of which it considers to be in question and to submit a list of documents in support of a case.
Highlights:

Core Drilling has commenced at Pilar's Main Zone

Four RC Drillholes Completed Prior to Holiday Break on Expansion Area Assays Pending for 776.2 meters



CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / January 8, 2025 /Tocvan Ventures Corp. (the "Company") (CSE:TOC) (OTCQB:TCVNF) (WKN:TV3/A2PE64), is pleased to announce core drilling has commenced at its Gran Pilar Gold Silver Project in mine-friendly Sonora, Mexico. An initial nine core drill holes are budgeted and pre-paid through an existing credit with partial joint venture partner, Colibri Resources Corp. (Colibri). Tocvan and Colibri share 51/49 percent interest in the 105-hectare area that contains Pilar's Main Zone, core drilling will be focused on the JV area across the Main Zone to build out a robust geological model needed for resource estimation (see Figure 1).

Prior to the holiday break, four RC drillholes were completed, totaling 776.2 meters. Several trends extending into the 100% controlled expansion area (over 2,100 hectares) are being tested for the first time, pushing the known boundary of mineralization farther out than ever before. Assays are pending for the four drillholes. RC drilling is planned to continue throughout the year.

"We welcome 2025 as important year with a focus on two key project advancements: 1) the establishment and ongoing expansion of a resource estimate; 2) the setup and processing of a proof-of-concept test mine." commented, CEO Brodie Sutherland. "With drilling ongoing we expect results from RC drilling and surface exploration across the Gran Pilar expansion area starting the later half of January into February. First results from core drilling we expect later in February into early March. During this time, we will continue to build towards test mine operation with aim for proof-of-concept production during the third quarter of this year. The Tocvan team wishes everyone a happy and healthy 2025. With the progression of the exciting events unfolding, we are optimistic for a great year ahead for Tocvan and its shareholders."

Plate 1. Photo of Core Drilling starting at the Gran Pilar Gold-Silver Project, Sonora, Mexico.

Pilar Drill Highlights:

2024 RC Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 42.7m @ 1.0 g/t Au, including 3.1m @ 10.9 g/t Au 56.4m @ 1.0 g/t Au, including 3.1m @ 14.7 g/t Au 16.8m @ 0.8 g/t Au and 19 g/t Ag

2022 Phase III Diamond Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 116.9m @ 1.2 g/t Au, including 10.2m @ 12 g/t Au and 23 g/t Ag 108.9m @ 0.8 g/t Au, including 9.4m @ 7.6 g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag 63.4m @ 0.6 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag, including 29.9m @ 0.9 g/t Au and 18 g/t Ag

2021 Phase II RC Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 39.7m @ 1.0 g/t Au, including 1.5m @ 14.6 g/t Au 47.7m @ 0.7 g/t Au including 3m @ 5.6 g/t Au and 22 g/t Ag 29m @ 0.7 g/t Au 35.1m @ 0.7 g/t Au

2020 Phase I RC Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 94.6m @ 1.6 g/t Au, including 9.2m @ 10.8 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag; 41.2m @ 1.1 g/t Au, including 3.1m @ 6.0 g/t Au and 12 g/t Ag ; 24.4m @ 2.5 g/t Au and 73 g/t Ag, including 1.5m @ 33.4 g/t Au and 1,090 g/t Ag

15,000m of Historic Core & RC drilling. Highlights include: 61.0m @ 0.8 g/t Au 21.0m @ 38.3 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag 13.0m @ 9.6 g/t Au 9.0m @ 10.2 g/t Au and 46 g/t Ag



Pilar Bulk Sample Summary:

62% Recovery of Gold Achieved Over 46-day Leaching Period

Head Grade Calculated at 1.9 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag; Extracted Grade Calculated at 1.2 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag

Bulk Sample Only Included Coarse Fraction of Material (+3/4" to +1/8")

Fine Fraction (-1/8") Indicates Rapid Recovery with Agitated Leach Agitated Bottle Roll Test Returned Rapid and High Recovery Results: 80% Recovery of Gold and 94% Recovery of Silver after Rapid 24-hour Retention Time



Additional Metallurgical Studies:

Gravity Recovery with Agitated Leach Results of Five Composite Samples Returned 95 to 99% Recovery of Gold 73 to 97% Recovery of Silver Includes the Recovery of 99% Au and 73% Ag from Drill Core Composite at 120-meter depth.



Based on management's strong belief in the project's potential, the Company is outlining a permitting and operations strategy for a pilot facility at Pilar. The facility would underpin a robust test mine scenario with aims to process up to 50,000 tonnes of material. Timelines and budget are being prepared with the aim of moving forward with the development early in 2025. With gold prices hitting all-time highs, the Company believes the onsite test mine will provide key economic parameters and showcase the mineral potential of the area. In 2023, the Company completed an offsite bulk sample that produced important data showcasing the potential to recover both gold and silver through a variety of methods including heap leach, gravity and agitated leach (see August 22, 2023, news release for more details).

About Tocvan Ventures Corp.

Tocvan's advancing gold-silver projects are located in the mine-friendly jurisdiction of Sonora, Mexico. Through ongoing exploration programs, Company is unveiling the high-potential at its Gran Pilar Gold-Silver Project where it holds 100% interests in over 21 square kilometers of prospective area and a majority ownership (51%) in a one square kilometer area shared with Colibri Resources. The Company also holds 100% interest in the Picacho Gold-Silver project in the Caborca Trend of northern Sonora, a trend host to some of the major gold deposits of the region. Management feels both projects represent tremendous opportunity to create shareholder value.

Tocvan has approximately 51 million shares outstanding.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the

Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains "forward-looking information" which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Forward-looking information in this news release includes statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Offering. Such forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words and phrases such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved.

These forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business. Management believes that these assumptions are reasonable. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, risks related to the speculative nature of the Company's business, the Company's formative stage of development and the Company's financial position. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

For more information, please contact:

TOCVAN VENTURES CORP.

Brodie A. Sutherland, CEO

820-1130 West Pender St.

Vancouver, BC V6E 4A4

Telephone: 1 888 772 2452

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
WHITE ROCK, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 8, 2025 / TDG Gold Corp. (TSXV:TDG) (the "Company" or "TDG") is pleased to announce an updated Mineral Resource Estimate1 ("MRE") incorporating the results of (1) its relogging, resampling and assay program of 2007 and 2010 historical diamond drillholes comprising ~3,250 metres ("m") at the former producing Shasta gold-silver ("Au-Ag") mine and (2) its 2024 drill program at the Tailings Storage Facility #1 ("TSF1") located adjacent to the Baker Mill. The key outcomes of the updated MRE are improved grades and a significant reduction in the estimated quantity of waste rock within the conceptual mineral resource limiting pit. An updated technical report will be filed on the Company's website and SEDAR within 45 calendar days of this disclosure.

Highlights: Updated Mineral Resource Estimate (see Table 1; below for details)

Indicated Mineral Resource of 515.8 thousand ounces ("koz") gold equivalent ("AuEq*") grading 1.35 grams per tonne ("g/t") AuEq*(see Table 1 below for grades by metal and Table 1 Notes for AuEq* calculation) contained within 11.9 million metric tonnes ("Mt").

2 Inferred Mineral Resource of 505.5 koz AuEq* grading 1.04 g/t AuEq 2 , contained within 15.14 Mt and including 12,120 oz AuEq* grading 1.37 g/t AuEq* contained within TSF1 (see Table 1 below for grades by metal and Table 1 Notes for AuEq* calculation).

Cut-off grade maintained at 0.4 g/t AuEq* cut-off grade ("COG") for the base case.

Significant silver contribution (14.2 million ounces ("Moz") Indicated / 14.3 Moz Inferred) included in the AuEq* ounces.

MRE conceptual pit outline extends to within 100 m of the Newberry exploration target zone 3 which has never been drill tested (Figure 1) .

MRE shows continuity and consistency , with an increased COG resulting in a relatively minor reduction in the pit-constrained AuEq* ounces within the Shasta deposit, while increasing the grade ( Table 1 ). The MRE for TSF1 is an inaugural estimate.

Shasta deposit remainsopen at depth and along strike 3 (see TDG news release March 20, 2023).

MRE does not include any of the Greater Shasta-Newberry3 satellite exploration target zones, or any of the second Tailings Storage Facility,located adjacent to TSF13 (Figure 2).

Fletcher Morgan, TDG's CEO, commented: "TheShasta mineral resource demonstrates continuity and consistency across the deposit and ~25% of the estimated AuEq* is contributed by silver. There are known parts of the deposit that merit further HQ drilling, as both infill and larger diameter core have consistently increased the grade of the areas drilled. However, the greater opportunity is testing for potential extensions to the mineralized system, particularly the 2.5 kilometre Fisher Zone3' extending from Shasta to the boundary with the Freeport-Amarc JV ground to southeast (Figure 1); and the Newberry exploration target area3 immediately north of the Shasta MRE, which has never been drill tested.

The calculated 12,100 AuEq* ounces within TSF1 is in line with the historical4 production records at Baker-Shasta from 1981-2012 and is located within our Baker-Shasta Permitted Mine Area. The definition of an inaugural Inferred2 MRE at TSF1 represents an opportunity to convert a potential liability into a net asset by demonstrating a path to reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction."

2Inferred Mineral Resources are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable their classification as Mineral Reserves. However, it is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Measured or Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration and additional data.

Table 1 - Shasta Updated 2024 Mineral Resource Estimate including Sensitivity (base case highlighted)*

Class AuEq

Cutoff In Situ Tonnage and Grade AuEq*

Metal Au

Metal Ag

Metal AuEq* Au Ag NSR (g/t) Mt (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) ($CDN) (koz) (koz) (koz) Indicated (Shasta) 0.30 15.169 1.13 0.86 31.2 101 552.3 417.2 15,231 0.35 13.327 1.24 0.94 34.4 111 533.1 402.6 14,718 0.40 11.881 1.35 1.02 37.3 120 515.8 389.3 14,256 0.45 10.710 1.45 1.10 40.2 129 499.8 377.1 13,832 0.50 9.743 1.55 1.17 42.9 138 485.1 365.9 13,438 1.00 4.580 2.50 1.89 69.3 223 368.5 278.0 10,207 Inferred

(Shasta) 0.30 19.331 0.87 0.65 24.9 78 543.1 405.9 15,469 0.35 16.927 0.95 0.71 27.0 85 518.1 387.9 14,683 0.40 14.865 1.03 0.78 29.1 92 493.4 370.2 13,888 0.45 12.930 1.12 0.85 31.4 100 467.0 351.1 13,066 0.50 11.482 1.21 0.91 33.5 107 444.9 335.2 12,374 1.00 4.388 2.02 1.56 51.9 180 284.5 219.6 7,323 Inferred

(TSF1) N/A 0.276 1.37 0.97 45.0 122 12.1 8.6 398

*Notes to the MRE table:

The Mineral Resource estimate has been prepared by Sue Bird, P.Eng., an independent Qualified Person. The effective date of the mineral resource estimate is December 29, 2024. Mineral Resources are reported using the 2014 CIM Definition Standards and were estimated in accordance with the CIM 2019 Best Practices Guidelines, as required by NI43-101. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all Mineral Resources will be converted into Mineral Reserves. The Mineral Resource has been confined by a "reasonable prospects of eventual economic extraction" pit using the following assumptions, which were estimated from comparable projects: Au price of US$2,250/oz, Ag price of US$25/oz at an exchange rate of 0.74 US$ per CDN$; a 1.5 % NSR royalty; 93 % metallurgical recovery for Au, based on past TDG test work, historical mill records4 and nearby project comparables6; 86 % recovery for Ag based on nearby project comparables6 and, while prior MREs assumed somewhat lower Ag recoveries based on historical mill records4 and limited past TDG test work , test work was not optimized for Ag recoveries. Further, test work at comparable projects indicate that improvement could be expected; 99.9 % payable Au; 95.0 % payable Ag; US$7.00/oz Au and US$3.00/oz Ag offsite costs (refining, transport and insurance); Mining costs of CDN$4.00/tonne mineralized material; Processing Costs of CDN$15/tonne and G&A of CDN$8.00/tonne processed; Pit slopes of 45 degrees. The resulting NSR equation is: NSR (CDN$) = 95.79*Au Grade*0.93 + 0.92*Ag Grade*0.86 The resulting AuEq equation is: AuEq = Au + Ag*0.00887 The bulk density of the deposit is based on 2021 & 2022 measurements and is assumed to be 2.61 throughout the deposit and 2.00 for overburden. Numbers may not sum due to rounding.

Figure 1: Shasta Plan Map with MRE Resource-limiting Pit Outline

Figure 2: Tailings Storage Facility 1 & 2

Overview

The 2024 MRE update was based on the incorporation of ~3,250 m of historical diamond drilling from the 2007 (16 drillholes now included) and 2010 (10 drillholes now included) drill campaigns. These drillholes were not included in prior MRE calculations as collars could not accurately be validated and/or assay data was not recovered as part of the acquisition. However, TDG has since: (i) re-logged, re-sampled and assayed the cores (where available) with modern assaying techniques, and (ii) completed a comprehensive data validation and ground-truthing to confidently place those collars in 3D space. This endeavour was one of the low hanging fruit' objectives from the Shasta MRE forward plan (see TDG news release May 01, 2023). The result is an increase in grade and decrease in tonnage (Figure 3). Additionally, metal prices and NSR derived costs have been updated to reflect a higher price environment.

Figure 3 - 2022 vs. 2023 vs. 2024 MRE Visual Comparison.

Note: the 2022, 2023 and 2024 MREs each have their own set of assumptions and modifying factors and are not directly comparable estimates, but this figure is provided for illustration purposes.

Mineral Resource overview

The Shasta deposit mineral resource database consists of 367 drillholes with 19,896 assay intervals from 1983 through 2022 drilling. This represents 23,936 m of assayed intervals at an average interval of 1.3 m per assay interval. Approximately 50 % of all assayed interval lengths of core used in the mineralized domains is comprised of TDG's modern, HQ diameter, oriented, diamond drill core from 2021 and 2022. The remaining assay intervals from the mineralized domains are from historical4,5 drilling. All data used for the MRE has been validated statistically to show no significant bias, either by twinned drillholes in 2021 or through statistical comparison of historical4,5 data with TDG drilling using Point Validation. Historical collar locations have also been validated by field validation of collar locations.

Two mineralized domains were generated based on: (i) the major north-south Shasta fault system as well as, (ii) the northwest trending, sub-vertical JM zone. The block model has a block size of 5 m x 5 m x 5 m to correspond to expected selective mining unit, with interpolation of Au and Ag by Inverse Distance Cubed ("ID3"). The interpolations were limited by the domain boundaries and were clipped to the overburden surface. Historical mine workings4 were removed from the in-situ mineral MRE.

There are no other known factors or issues that materially affect the MRE other than normal risks faced by mining projects in the province of British Columbia, Canada, in terms of environmental, permitting, taxation, socio-economic, marketing, and political factors and additional risk factors as listed in the "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information" section below.

Mineral Resource growth potential & Forward Plan

The Shasta Deposit still has many avenues for further improvements, including in-fill drilling to improve the confidence and continuity and potentially improve grade and/or classification as well as test the zones of known mineralized extension. Additionally, the Greater Shasta-Newberry project offers potential for the discovery of new mineralized zones3 that could increase the existing 2024 MRE. Such potential endeavours include:

Scout' Drilling. Using a small mobile drill to drill test the Greater Shasta area following up on historical drilling and exploration that suggest additional proximal zones of mineralization, adjacent to the Shasta Deposit (Fisher, Hood, Cody Lee and North Shasta Zones3) Expansion Potential. The Shasta Deposit remains open along the strike and at depth, beyond the known and defined mineralized zones3. Further diamond drilling could unlock more mineralization to be incorporated into the Shasta Deposit MRE. Upgrade' Drilling. From data analysis, replacing historical holes (small diameter, historical assay methods) with modern, HQ (large diameter) diamond drilling coupled with modern precious metal assays has the potential to increase grade and confidence by providing more representative samples. Metallurgical testing. TDG has initiated Phase 1 metallurgical testing of core samples collected from the Shasta Project in order to optimize metallurgical recoveries and support future economic studies. Economic Studies. To take the known mineral deposit area in accordance with NI 43-101 and advance through studies to evaluate potential economic scenarios.

Steven Kramar, TDG's VP Exploration, commented: "Our systematic review of Greater Shasta continued throughout 2024, incorporating ~4,500 m of historical diamond drill core information that we recovered in 2023, in addition to the ~3,250 m of 2007 and 2010 specific information. We're now ready to launch a scout drill campaign, having identified multiple target locations to evaluate the four known extensions3 to the Shasta mineral deposit area with a priority focus on the Fisher Zone3. Our aim would be to follow-up with HQ diamond drilling to rapidly add additional mineral resources3 that offer the best potential to improve the overall scale and economics of the project. A similar approach would apply for expanding the high-grade gold Mets mining lease3. We continue to believe that Greater Shasta-Newberry & Mets, in combination, represent a compelling opportunity for the definition of a substantial global mineral resource in an established mining district."

Data Verification

TDG followed industry standard Quality Assurance/Quality Control ("QA/QC") protocols for the 2021 and 2022 drill programs by inserting blind certified reference materials ("CRMs"), field duplicates and blanks into the sample stream of core samples at sufficient proportions to primary core samples. QA/QC is maintained internally at the lab through rigorous use of internal CRMs, blanks, and duplicates.

If a QA/QC sample returned an unacceptable value an investigation into the results is triggered and, when deemed necessary, the samples that were tested in the batch with the failed QA/QC sample were re-tested.

The drill cores from 2021 and 2022 drilling were delivered to the core shack at TDG's Baker Mine site, and processed by geologists who inserted QA/QC samples into the sampling sequence. The drill core was cut in half (1/2 HQ core) and placed in zip-tied polyurethane bags, then in security-sealed rice bags before being delivered directly from the Baker Mine site to Bandstra Transportation Systems in Prince George, B.C., enroute to either:

SGS' laboratory in Burnaby, B.C., for preparation and analysis of 2021 drillcore samples. Samples were prepared and analyzed following procedures summarized in Table 2, where information about methodology can be found on the SGS Canada Website, in the analytical guide (here). ALS' preparation facility in Kamloops, B.C., and ultimately to the ALS' laboratory in North Vancouver, B.C., for 2022 and 2023 drillcore samples. Samples were prepared and analyzed following procedures summarized in Table 2, where information about methodology can be found on the ALS Global website, in the analytical guide (here).

Table 2 - 2021 & 2022 Assay Methodology

Year Lab Method (Au) Method (Ag) Method (Overlimit - Au) Method (Overlimit - Ag) 2021 SGS GO_FAI50V10 GE_IMS40Q12 N/A GO_ICP42Q100/GO_FAG37V 2022 ALS AU-ICP22 MEMS61 Au-GRA22 Ag-GRA22 2023 ALS AU-ICP22 MEMS61 Au-GRA22 Ag-GRA22

Historical4,5 data were verified using Point Validation, by interpolating the Au and Ag grades to locations of the historical4,5 data for comparison. In addition, two of the 2021 drillholes were twins of historical4,5 drilling. Based on these analyses, the historical4,5 drilling for years 1983 to 2006 show no significant bias.

Drill collar validation was completed using handheld (GARMIN GPSMAP64 or equivalent) GPS equipment, selecting a subset of historical4,5 collars to validate positions inherited from the historical4,5 database. In 2022, a DGPS was utilized to further validate historical4,5 collars and rectify locations into modern UTM NAD83 Zone: 9 north coordinate system (from a locally derived mine grid). Collar locations from the 1980/90s era drilling were validated for use in the mineral resource database.

Methods Used for the Mineral Resource Estimate

Grade Capping

Cumulative probability plots ("CPPs") for the assays within both domains have been used to determine high grade outliers which were capped (Table 3). CPPs of the composited data (composited at 2 m) have also been used to determine the Outlier Restriction during interpolation. Outlier restriction values are applied for distances beyond 5 m from the composite locations.

Table 3 - Capping and Outlier Restriction Values

Assay Capping Values Composite Outliers DOM Au # capped Ag # capped Au # of outliers Ag # of outliers (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) 1 100 1 5000 1 30 10 5 5 2 50 1 3000 1 5 9 1000 2

Variography and Interpolations

Variography was completed on each domain for Au and Ag to determine appropriate search parameters. Interpolation has been done by ID3 in 4 passes with increasing search distances up to 150 m for the major and minor axes. The modelled grades have been validated using de-clustered composites (Nearest Neighbour or Polygonal model) and indicate no global bias with appropriate smoothing throughout the grade-tonnage curves.

Classification of Mineral Resource Criteria

Volumes of the mineral resource that contained 2021 and/or 2022 drilling data with an average distance between two drillholes of 50 m (or less), were considered Indicated. The mineral resource was assigned to Inferred for all other blocks interpolated, with a Au grade.

Cut-off Grade

The COG was selected using AuEq* to cover, as a minimum, the processing and G&A costs and to account for the metallurgical recovery, smelter terms and royalties. In 2022, the base case COG was 0.3 g/t AuEq*which approximates the marginal economic COG; and in the 2023 and in the current, 2024 MRE the base case COG is assigned at 0.4 g/t AuEq*.

Qualified Person

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Steven Kramar, MSc., P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration for TDG., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

The technical information relating to the mineral resource estimate has been prepared by Sue Bird, P.Eng. (Moose Mountain Technical Services) a Qualified Person, as defined under National Instrument 43-101 and who is independent of TDG.

1Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE): All scientific and technical information relating to the TDG's Shasta Project pertaining to the Mineral Resource Estimate ("Shasta MRE") contained in this news release is derived from the Technical Report dated June 14, 2023 (with an effective date of February 11, 2023) titled "The Toodoggone Portfolio and the 2023 Resource Estimate for the Shasta Deposit" (the "2023 Technical Report") prepared by Sue Bird, MSc., P.Eng. of Moose Mountain Technical Services. The information contained herein in respect of the Shasta MRE is subject to all of the assumptions, qualifications and procedures set out in the 2023 Technical Report and reference should be made to the full text of the 2023 Technical Report, a copy of which has been filed with the securities regulators in each of the provinces of Canada (except Quebec) and is available on https://www.sedarplus.ca/. An updated technical report for the 2024 MRE will be filed within 45 days of this release.

2Inferred Mineral Resources: Inferred Mineral Resources are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable their classification as Mineral Reserves. However, it is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Measured or Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration and additional data.

3Mineral Exploration/Exploration Target Area(s): Exploration targets and/or Exploration zones and/or Exploration areas are speculative and there is no certainty that any future work or evaluation will lead to the definition of a mineral resource.

4Historical Data: This news release includes historical information that has been reviewed by TDG's qualified person (QP). TDG's review of the historical records and information reasonably substantiate the validity of the information presented in this news release; however, TDG cannot directly verify the accuracy of the historical data, including (but not limited to) the procedures used for sample collection and analysis. Therefore, any conclusions or interpretations borne from use of this data should be considered too speculative to suggest that additional exploration will result in mineral resource delineation. TDG encourages readers to exercise appropriate caution when evaluating these data and/or results.

5Historical Drill core Sampling & Assay Methodology: Historical core was geologically logged with lithologies identified and notable geological features recorded. Historical core was cut in half (and in rare cases sawn in half) along sample intervals (lithology and mineralization dependant) generally less than 3 m. Chemical analysis was performed dominantly for precious metal analysis (Au and Ag), and infrequently for base metals (Pb, Zn and Cu), and rarely for major elements and trace elements. Historically, different commercial laboratories were utilized in addition to an assay lab at Baker Mine site. These lab facilities may or may not have had accreditation and in all cases accreditation (if applicable) pre-dated current ISO standards. Over that period, a variety of digestion and assay methods were used, including atomic absorption, fire assay atomic absorption, aqua regia atomic absorption and aqua regia ICP with varying detection limits. Reference materials (if any) were inserted at the analytical level and thus were unblind to the facility processing the samples.

6Adjacent Properties: The Company has no interest in, or rights to, any of the adjacent properties mentioned, and mineral deposits on adjacent properties are not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the Company's properties. Any references to resources, grades, metallurgical or process studies, engineering studies or historical results are provided for information only and do not imply any certainty of achieving similar results on the Company's properties.

About TDG Gold Corp.

TDG is a major mineral tenure holder in the historical Toodoggone Production Corridor of north-central British Columbia, Canada, with over 32,000 hectares of brownfield and greenfield exploration opportunities under direct ownership. TDG's flagship projects are the former producing, high-grade gold-silver Shasta and Baker mines, which produced intermittently between 1981-2012, and the historical high-grade gold Mets developed prospect, all of which are road accessible, and combined have over 65,000 m of historical drilling. The projects have been advanced through compilation of historical data, new geological mapping, geochemical and geophysical surveys and, at Shasta, 13,250 m of modern HQ drill testing of the known mineralization occurrences and their potential extensions. In May 2023, TDG published an updated Mineral Resource Estimate for Shasta (news release May 01, 2023) which remains open at depth and along strike. In January 2023, TDG defined a larger exploration target area adjacent to Shasta (Greater Shasta-Newberry'; news release Jan 25, 2023). In Fall 2023, TDG published the first modern drill results from the Mets mining lease (news releases Sep 07, 2023, Sep 11, 2023 and Nov 28, 2023). In early 2024, TDG identified new copper-gold target areas over an expanded footprint covering ~53 sq.km known as the Baker Complex' (news release Feb 28, 2024).

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Fletcher Morgan

Chief Executive Officer

For further information contact:

TDG Gold Corp.

Telephone: +1.604.536.2711

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the Company's current expectations and estimates. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "expand", "expect", "demonstrate", "outcome", "continue" "potential", "improve", "discover", "priority", "significant", "opportunity", "compel" "continuity", "consistent", "expected", "relative", "comprehensive", "confident", "concept", "unlock", "identify", "modest", and variations of these words as well as other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "could", "may", "would" or "will" occur. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results implied or expressed in such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others: the actual results of current and planned exploration activities; the potential to expand the Shasta MRE beyond its current limits and to convert unclassified material within the MRE-limiting pit to mineral resources; the interpretation of the Fisher, Hood, Cody Lee and other Zones as representing potential mineralized trends, and the potential for extensions to the Fisher, Hood, Cody Lee and other Zones; the interpretation that the Greater Shasta-Newberry Target Area represents a larger mineralized system encompassing several target zones and the potential that such zones may represent additional Shasta-like deposits; the ability to further improve confidence in the Shasta MRE and the potential for, and timing of, a larger, updated MRE; the timing, results and conclusions of future economic evaluations; the improvement of the Shasta MRE by future drilling in the known historical areas utilizing larger diameter core and modern assay practices; changes in project parameters as plans to continue to be refined; results of current and future metallurgical testing; possible variations in grades of mineralization and/or future actual recovery rates; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; the availability of sufficient funding on terms acceptable to the company to complete the planned work programs; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing; and fluctuations in metal prices. There may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.
VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 8, 2025 /CNW/ - Vizsla Copper Corp. (TSXV: VCU) (OTCQB: VCUFF) (FRANKFURT: 97E0) ("Vizsla Copper" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a purchase agreement (the "Agreement") with Siyata Mobile Inc. (the "Vendor"), pursuant to which the Company has agreed to acquire (the "Acquisition") the Vendor's 49% joint venture interest (the "JV Interest") in five claims within the Company's Woodjam Project that were previously known as the Rand claims (the "Claims"). Upon closing, Vizsla Copper will own a 100% interest in the Claims.

The Claims

The Claims are wholly within the outline of the greater Woodjam Project and cover a total of 1,500 hectares (Figure 1). The geology underlying the Claims consists of till covered intrusive rocks belonging to the early Jurassic Takomkane batholith, and volcanic rocks belonging to the late Triassic Nicola Group, both of which are host to the copper-gold porphyry-related deposits within the Woodjam Project. Given the prospective geology, the Claims will continue to be a high priority for upcoming exploration programs at the Woodjam Project.

Terms of the Agreement

Pursuant to the Agreement, Vizsla Copper has agreed to acquire the JV Interest in exchange for $5,000 and 2,000,000 common shares of the Company (the "Consideration Shares"). The Consideration Shares will be subject to a four-month hold period pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws. The Vendor has agreed to voluntary resale restrictions whereby 250,000 Consideration Shares will become free trading four months after closing and an additional 250,000 Consideration Shares will become free trading every four months thereafter. The Acquisition is subject to standard closing conditions, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Figure 1  Rand Claims Location

About Vizsla Copper

Vizsla Copper is a Cu-Au-Mo focused mineral exploration and development company headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. The Company is primarily focused on its flagship Woodjam project, located within the prolific Quesnel Terrane, 55 kilometers east of the community of Williams Lake, British Columbia. It has three additional copper properties: Poplar, Copperview, and Redgold, all well situated amongst significant infrastructure in British Columbia. The Company's growth strategy is focused on the exploration and development of its copper properties within its portfolio in addition to value accretive acquisitions. Vizsla Copper's vision is to be a responsible copper explorer and developer in the stable mining jurisdiction of British Columbia, Canada and it is committed to socially responsible exploration and development, working safely, ethically and with integrity.

Vizsla Copper is a spin-out of Vizsla Silver (TSX.V: VZLA) (NYSE: VZLA) and is backed by Inventa Capital Corp., a premier investment group founded in 2017 with the goal of discovering and funding opportunities in the resource sector. Additional information about the Company is available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and the Company's website (www.vizslacopper.com).

Qualified Person

The Company's disclosure of technical or scientific information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Christopher Leslie, Ph.D., P.Geo., Technical Advisor for Vizsla Copper. Dr. Leslie is a Qualified Person as defined under the terms of National Instrument 43-101. Some technical information contained in this release is historical in nature and has been compiled from public sources believed to be accurate. The technical information has not been verified by Viszla Copper and may in some instances be unverifiable.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including, without limitation, planned exploration activities. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotation thereof. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others, statements relating to: completion of the Acquisition; the exploration and development of the Woodjam Project; and the Company's growth and business strategies.

Such forward-looking information and statements are based on numerous assumptions, including among others, that the results of planned exploration activities are as anticipated, the anticipated cost of planned exploration activities, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms, that third party contractors, equipment and supplies and governmental and other approvals required to conduct the Company's planned exploration activities will be available on reasonable terms and in a timely manner. Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward-looking information or making forward-looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate.

Forward-looking information and statements also involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual events or results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future events or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or statements, including, among others: negative operating cash flow and dependence on third party financing, uncertainty of additional financing, no known mineral reserves or resources, the limited operating history of the Company, the influence of a large shareholder, aboriginal title and consultation issues, reliance on key management and other personnel, actual results of exploration activities being different than anticipated, changes in exploration programs based upon results, availability of third party contractors, availability of equipment and supplies, failure of equipment to operate as anticipated; accidents, effects of weather and other natural phenomena and other risks associated with the mineral exploration industry, environmental risks, changes in laws and regulations, community relations and delays in obtaining governmental or other approvals.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or reissue forward-looking information as a result of new information or events except as required by applicable securities laws.
Final 2024 drill results expand high-grade vein corridor in Jarbidge Rhyolite to a minimum of 350 meters on strike and a minimum of 250 meters on dip with 1.53 meters of 19.98 g/t Aueq in WG462 and 1.13 meters of 12.0 g/t Aueq in WG461

VANCOUVER / Jan 08, 2025 / Business Wire / Western Exploration Inc. (TSXV: WEX; OTCQX: WEXPF) (the "Company" or "Western Exploration") is pleased to announce additional assay results from its 2024 core drilling program in the high-grade Jarbidge rhyolite discovery immediately adjacent the Gravel Creek resource at the Company's wholly-owned Aura gold-silver project (the "Aura Project").

Gravel Creek is a new high-grade, Miocene aged, epithermal discovery in the northern Great Basin of Nevada, with assays in 2024 drilling of up to 75.3 g/t Au (WGC459) and 4,630.0 g/t Ag (WGC461). The new high-grade area, located less than 200 meters east of the current Gravel Creek mineral resource, which contains 245k Aueq indicated ounces at 5.81 g/t Aueq and 443k Aueq inferred ounces at 5.02 g/t Aueq (Table 3 Mineral resource estimates for the Aura Project as reported in the 2021 Technical Report), has been tested by only 19 drill holes to date and is open in all directions. It is one of multiple high-grade targets in the Wood Gulch/Gravel Creek area that offers excellent near-term resource expansion potential on the Aura Project.

Significant Resource Expansion Potential

Western Exploration CEO, Darcy Marud, commented: "The 2024 drill program intersected multiple high-grade gold-silver intercepts in all five core holes completed. We are very excited with the results as they met and even exceeded our expectations both in terms of grade and extension of mineralization. Every drill hole to date has returned high-grade results and the two step out holes to the south and north, drill holes WGC458 and WGC462, intersected the Discovery Trend as anticipated and showed the continuation of high-grade precious metals mineralization."

Mr. Marud added "The 2024 drill results support Western Exploration's confidence that the Jarbidge rhyolite and greater Gravel Creek-Wood Gulch area hold significant resource expansion potential in high-grade gold-silver bearing epithermal veins and breccia zones analogous to other Miocene epithermal systems in the northern Great Basin of Nevada."

Highlights from 2024 Exploration Program

The 2024 drill program consisted of five oriented core holes designed to offset high-grade intercepts encountered in 2023 drilling.

All 2024 drill holes intersected multiple vein/breccia zones with +10.0 g/t AuEq values defining a minimum of 350 meters of strike and 250 meters of dip length.

New results are reported here for holes WGC461 and WGC462 WGC461 was drilled 80 meters up dip to the east on Section BL+500N and reported individual assays of up to 46.1 g/t Au and 4,630.0 Ag, including: 1.53 meters @ 19.98 g/t AuEq (10.39 g/t Au and 815.1 g/t Ag) 0.85 meters @ 21.26 g/t AuEq (4.08 g/t Au and 1,460 g/t Ag) WGC462 was drilled 180 meters north of the Discovery Section on Section BL+680N and reported individual assays of up to 24.5 g/t Au and 1,070 g/t Ag, including: 1.13 meters @ 12.0 g/t AuEq (8.24 g/t Au and 318.9 g/t Ag)



Multiple rhyolite-hosted high-grade Au-Ag drill intercepts peripheral to the Gravel Creek Resource

Previous drilling in the Miocene Jarbidge rhyolite to the east of the Gravel Creek deposit intersected multiple high-grade Au-Ag bearing vein intercepts, with individual assays up to 237.0 g/t Au (WG379) and 2,800 g/t Ag (WG456). None of these Jarbidge-hosted intercepts have been included in previous resource estimates. To follow up on these intercepts, five oriented core holes totaling 3,556 meters were drilled as 80-meter step outs in the 2024 Gravel Creek drill program. (Figure 1). Results for holes WGC461 and WGC462 are reported here, while results for holes WGC458 to WGC460 were previously reported in news releases of the Company dated October 7, 2024 (entitled "Western Exploration Reports Positive Assay Results From 2024 Drilling Program at Gravel Creek") and November 11, 2024 (entitled "Western Exploration Reports Additional High Grade Assay Results From 2024 Drilling At Gravel Creek").

Hole WGC461 was drilled on Discovery Section 500N, 80 meters up dip from hole WGC456 (Figure 1 and Figure 2). Hole WGC462 was drilled on Section 680N, approximately 100 meters north of holes WGC459 and WGC460 (Figure 1 and Figure 3). Both holes intersected multiple quartz-pyrite marcasite-bearing veins and breccias along the projected Discovery Section trend, with multiple intercepts over 10.0 g/t AuEq. Significant assay intercepts are summarized in Table 1 with drill hole coordinates in Table 2.

Table 1. Summary of Significant Drill Intercepts in 2024 core holes, including new results for holes WGC461 and WGC462

FROM TO INTERVAL* AuEq ** Au Ag DRILL HOLE (m) (m) (m) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) WGC458 227.38 227.84 0.46 4.36 1.16 272.0 WGC458 645.27 647.25 1.98 7.41 4.98 206.6 includes 646.91 647.25 0.34 33.69 22.20 977.0 WGC458 650.69 651.09 0.40 15.36 13.20 184.0 WGC458 725.10 725.70 0.61 13.74 12.35 118.0 WGC458 764.13 765.66 1.53 5.74 5.38 31.0 WGC459 273.40 274.26 0.86 10.08 9.80 23.4 WGC459 302.30 303.40 1.10 5.97 2.58 288.0 WGC459 360.27 360.64 0.37 5.91 3.30 222.0 WGC459 420.01 420.32 0.31 7.54 7.21 27.7 WGC459 540.87 541.63 0.76 5.85 3.36 212.0 WGC459 543.89 547.58 3.69 22.06 16.66 458.6 includes 543.89 544.90 1.01 68.32 51.50 1430.0 includes 547.09 547.58 0.49 20.14 15.45 399.0 WGC459 564.49 565.81 1.31 8.46 7.09 115.7 includes 565.44 565.81 0.37 26.50 22.50 340.0 WGC459 651.36 657.46 6.10 12.44 8.52 333.5 includes 654.78 655.27 0.49 111.54 75.30 3080.0 WGC460 313.03 314.07 1.04 16.72 12.34 372.2 includes 313.34 314.07 0.73 21.19 15.50 484.0 WGC460 506.88 507.19 0.30 3.92 3.61 26.1 WGC460 560.68 561.23 0.55 75.12 50.30 2110.0 WGC460 618.13 619.35 1.22 5.06 2.76 196.0 WGC460 676.72 677.63 0.91 5.32 4.67 55.6 WGC460 683.09 683.48 0.40 14.28 13.55 62.1 WGC460 688.63 689.37 0.73 4.36 3.31 72.9 WGC460 690.68 690.98 0.30 3.11 2.97 11.8 WGC460 699.06 700.13 1.07 10.38 8.51 119.6 includes 699.67 700.13 0.46 16.88 13.60 279.0 WGC461 189.28 189.74 0.46 3.63 1.17 209.0 WGC461 322.57 328.27 5.70 2.28 1.75 44.6 includes 325.43 326.75 1.31 4.28 3.58 59.8 WGC461 372.62 373.04 0.43 8.04 4.09 336.0 WGC461 474.57 475.18 0.61 17.30 9.46 666.0 WGC461 482.19 483.72 1.53 19.98 10.39 815.1 includes 482.19 482.93 0.73 38.34 19.55 1597.5 or 482.19 482.38 0.19 97.62 46.10 4380.0 WGC461 542.30 543.15 0.85 21.26 4.08 1460.0 WGC461 549.95 550.77 0.82 5.93 4.62 111.0 WGC462 287.12 288.04 0.91 3.94 1.52 206.0 WGC462 336.56 336.68 0.12 8.75 6.60 183.0 WGC462 521.30 522.43 1.13 12.00 8.24 318.9 includes 521.30 521.57 0.27 37.09 24.50 1070.0 WGC462 598.02 599.54 1.52 7.53 4.67 243.1 includes 598.02 598.44 0.43 15.34 10.60 403.0 WGC462 602.59 603.96 1.37 7.88 5.38 212.5 includes 602.59 602.96 0.37 19.11 12.90 528.0 WGC462 621.64 622.10 0.46 3.16 2.17 84.4

Notes:

* Estimated true width is 80-100% of Interval Width; Intervals are calculated with a 3 g/t AuEq cutoff, with limited +1.0 g/t AuEq internal dilution. ** AuEq is calculated at 85:1 Ag: Au *** Intercepts in WGC458-WGC460 were reported in the new releases of the Company dated October 7, 2024 (entitled "Western Exploration Reports Positive Assay Results From 2024 Drilling Program at Gravel Creek") and November 11, 2024 (entitled "Western Exploration Reports Positive Gravel Creek Metallurgical Results, Including Gold Recovery of 94.8% to Combined Gravity and Flotation Concentrate").

Table 2. Coordinates for 2024 Gravel Creek Core Holes (UTM NAD 83, Zone 11)

Drill Hole Easting (m) Northing (m) Elevation (m) Depth (m) Azimuth Dip WGC458 586,975.45 4,616,052.79 2,191.51 764.18 99 64 WGC459 587,070.85 4,616,192.49 2,222.35 712.3 97 69 WGC460 587,069.59 4,616,192.66 2,222.10 737.01 96 76 WGC461 587,178.88 4,616,092.07 2,187.66 670.26 96 71 WGC462 587,034.18 4,616,324.03 2,216.90 672.7 104 60

Significance for Future Gravel Creek Exploration

Results from 2024 core drilling confirms there are multiple vein-breccia zones with +10.0 g/t AuEq values within the projected structural corridor in the Jarbidge rhyolite east of the Gravel Creek resource (Figure 4). Drilling has been successful, with all oriented core holes drilled in 2023-2024 intersecting multiple zones with +10.0 g/t AuEq mineralization. Multiple high priority targets are present along dip and strike both to infill and extend mineralization. The 2024 drilling gives further confidence to expand oriented core drilling into and beyond the 550-meter by 350-meter area east of Gravel Creek that hosts multiple high grade AuEq intercepts in widely spaced legacy holes, as the system appears open for expansion.

Of broader significance, Figure 5 shows that the Gravel Creek area is a small portion of a zone of favorable structures and hydrothermal alteration at least 2.5 x 4.0 kilometers in size, with multiple targets with resource expansion potential that have received limited to no exploration drilling.

ABOUT THE AURA PROJECT

The 6,000-hectare Aura Project has established mineral resource estimates in three different deposits (Doby George, Gravel Creek and Wood Gulch), as described in the technical report entitled "2021 Updated Resource Estimates and Technical Report for the Aura Gold-Silver Project, Elko County, Nevada" dated October 20, 2021 (with an effective date of October 14, 2021) that was prepared for the Company by Mine Development Associates (the "Technical Report"; see Table 3 below). The mineral resource estimates in the Technical Report were established in accordance with National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").

In addition, the Aura Project has well-established infrastructure including year-round accessibility by highway and county-maintained road and nearby access to water and electricity (see Figure 6 below). Western Exploration has exploration, development, and mining rights on 930 hectares of privately owned land through a mineral lease agreement with a local landowner and may purchase those fee lands at any time for the development of Doby George.

Table 3. Mineral resource estimates for the Aura Project as reported in the 2021 Technical Report

MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATE(1) Indicated Inferred Tonnes Au (g/t) Au

(ozs) Ag (g/t) Ag

(ozs) AuEq (g/t) AuEq (oz.) Tonnes Au (g/t) Au

(ozs) Ag (g/t) Ag

(ozs) AuEq (g/t) AuEq (oz.) Doby George(2) 12,922,000 0.98 407,000 - - 0.98 407,000 4,999,000 0.73 118,000 - - 0.73 118,000 Wood Gulch(3) - - - - - - - 4,359,000 0.66 93,000 5.80 808,000 0.74 104,543 Gravel Creek(4) 1,315,000 4.73 200,000 75.0 3,169,000 5.81 245,271 2,744,000 4.16 367,000 60.20 5,307,000 5.02 442,814 TOTAL 14,237,000 1.33 607,000 75.0 3,169,000 1.43 652,271 12,102,000 1.48 578,000 15.74 6,115,000 1.71 665,357

Notes:

(1) Au equivalent oz assumes US$1,800 per oz Au and 70:1 ratio of Ag: Au. (2) Pit constrained 0.2 g/t AuEq cutoff for oxide, 0.4 g/t Au cutoff for mixed and 1.4 g/t Au cutoff for unoxidized. (3) Pit constrained 0.2 g/t AuEq cutoff. (4) 3.0 g/t Au cutoff.

About Western Exploration

Western Exploration is focused on advancing the 100% owned Aura Project, located approximately 120 kilometers/75 miles north of the city of Elko, Nevada. The Aura Project includes three unique gold and silver deposits: Doby George, Gravel Creek, and Wood Gulch. Western Exploration is comprised of an experienced team of precious metals experts that aim to lead the company to becoming North America's premiere gold and silver development company.

Additional information regarding Western Exploration can be found on Western Exploration's corporate website (www.westernexploration.com) on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under Western Exploration's issuer profile.

Qualified Person Approval

The scientific and technical content in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mark Hawksworth, General Manager of the Western Exploration's Aura Project, who is a "qualified person" within the meaning of NI 43-101.

Quality Assurance  Quality Control

Drill program design, Quality Assurance/Quality Control ("QA/QC") and the interpretation of results is performed by qualified persons using a QA/QC program in accordance with NI 43-101 and industry best practices.

Drill core samples were delivered by Major Drilling to Western Exploration's warehouse/logging facility in Mountain City, Nevada and washed, photographed, and logged by company geologists. Sample intervals were marked and recorded. Quality control (QC) samples were inserted at regular intervals in the sample stream with all sample shipments, including blanks, core duplicates and reference materials, to monitor laboratory performance. Core was kept in the secure Mountain City, Nevada facility until transported for assay.

Drill core samples were transported by Neilsen Exploration to ALS Chemex located in Sparks, Nevada, for sample preparation and analysis. Core was sawed at the ALS facility, with  prepared for assay and  core preserved and returned to Western Exploration's Mountain City facility. Samples were analyzed for gold using ALS CHEMEX fire assay procedure Au-AA13, with over limits being analyzed by Au_GRA21. Samples were analyzed for silver and a 40 element suite using ALS Chemex procedure ME-ICP41, with over limits being analyzed by Ag_GRA21. Split core, all pulps and select rejects are returned to Mountain City for secure long-term storage.

Oriented core data was collected following methodology established by Oriented Targeting Solutions. Oriented Targeting Solutions compiled data in Access and completed the first pass interpretation utilizing Leapfrog software.

Please see below under the heading "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information" for further details regarding the risks facing Western Exploration.

For additional information on the Aura Project, please see the Technical Report, which has been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101, a copy of which is available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under Western Exploration's issuer profile and on Western Exploration's corporate website (www.westernexploration.com).

Cautionary Statements Regarding Estimates of Mineral Resources

This news release uses the terms measured, indicated, and inferred mineral resources as a relative measure of the level of confidence in the resource estimate. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources are not mineral reserves and that the economic viability of resources that are not mineral reserves has not been demonstrated. The mineral resource estimate disclosed in this news release may be materially affected by geology, environmental, permitting, legal, title, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues. The mineral resource estimate is classified in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum's "CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves" (CIM) incorporated by reference into NI 43-101. Under NI 43-101, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies or economic studies except for preliminary economic assessments. Readers are cautioned not to assume that further work on the stated resources will lead to mineral reserves that can be mined economically.

Inferred mineral resources have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to whether they can be mined legally or economically. On October 31, 2018, the SEC adopted new mining disclosure rules ("S-K 1300") that are more closely aligned with current industry and global regulatory practices and standards, including NI 43-101, although there are some differences in the two standards. Accordingly, information concerning mineral deposits contain in this release may not be comparable with information made public by U.S. companies that report in accordance with S-K 1300.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release may contain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). These forward-looking statements, by their nature, require the Company to make certain assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Any statement that involves predictions, expectations, interpretations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often, but not always, using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "interpreted", "management's view", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "potential", "feasibility", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information and are intended to identify forward-looking information. This news release contains the forward-looking information pertaining to, among other things: the significance of the results of the 2024 core drill program, including the prospectivity of the Jarbidge rhyolite discovery; the ability of exploration activities, including drilling, to accurately predict mineralization; management's expectations on the grade and extension of mineralization; the significant resource expansion potential om the greater Gravel Creek-Wood Gulch area (if any); the system being open for expansion (if at all), including in all directions; the accuracy of results from prior exploration activities conducted at the Aura Project; the key assumptions, parameters and methods used to estimate the mineral resource estimate disclosed in this news release; the prospects, if any, of the Doby George, Wood Gulch and Gravel Creek mineral deposits; the potential to greatly expand resources within the Gravel Creek mineralized system; future drilling at the Aura Project; the significance of historic exploration activities and results; the ability to expand the existing mineral resources at the Aura Project. Such factors include, among others, risks relating to the ability of exploration activities (including drill results) to accurately predict mineralization; errors in management's geological modelling; the ability of Western Exploration to complete further exploration activities, including drilling; the uncertain nature of exploration activities; property and royalty interests in respect of the Aura Project; the ability of the Company to obtain required approvals; the results of exploration activities; risks relating to mining activities; the global economic climate; metal prices; dilution; environmental risks; and community and non-governmental actions. Although the forward-looking information contained in this news release is based upon what management believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, Western Exploration cannot assure shareholders and prospective purchasers of securities of the Company that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking information, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, and neither Western Exploration nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any such forward-looking information. Western Exploration does not undertake, and assumes no obligation, to update or revise any such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by law.

For additional information with respect to these and other factors and assumptions underlying the forwardlooking statements and forward-looking information made in this news release concerning Western Exploration, please refer to the continuous disclosure record of Western Exploration on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under Western Exploration's issuer profile. The forward-looking statements set forth herein concerning Western Exploration reflect management's expectations as at the date of this news release and are subject to change after such date. Western Exploration disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than 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. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 8, 2025) - Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd. (TSXV: PEX) (OTCQB: PEXZF) (FSE: PQWN) ("Pacific Ridge" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company entered into option agreements with Bronco Creek Exploration Inc. ("BCE") on January 7, 2025 (the "Effective Date"), a wholly owned subsidiary of EMX Royalty Corporation ("EMX") (NYSE: EMX) (TSXV: EMX) (FSE: 6E9), to acquire a portfolio of copper and gold projects located in the United States (the "Agreements").

Highlights:

Exclusive option to acquire a 100% interest in four projects: the Mineral Hill gold project ("Mineral Hill"), located in Wyoming; the Red Star copper project ("Red Star"), located in Utah; the Ripsey West copper project ("Ripsey West"), located in Arizona; and, the Royston copper project ("Royston"), located in Nevada (each a "Project", together, "Projects").

Diversification of the Company's existing porphyry copper project portfolio to create one of North America's leading copper exploration companies with projects located in premier copper mining districts in America and Canada.

Plans to unlock shareholder value by spinning out Pacific Ridge's gold projects in the Yukon, the Mariposa gold project ("Mariposa"), the Eureka Dome gold project ("Eureka"), and the Gold Cap project ("Gold Cap"), and the Mineral Hill gold project ("Mineral Hill") to create a new North American gold focused exploration company.

"We are very pleased to have come to an agreement with EMX to acquire this portfolio of highly prospective copper and gold projects located in the U.S.," said Blaine Monaghan, President and CEO of Pacific Ridge. "With the option to acquire Red Star, Ripsey West, and Royston, we have diversified our existing copper porphyry project portfolio to become one of North America's leading copper exploration companies. All of these projects are road accessible, where we can conduct exploration year-round, and are located in mining-friendly states. In fact, according to the Fraser Institute's 2023 annual mining survey, Utah was the top jurisdiction in the world, Nevada was 2nd, and Arizona was 7th. Further, BCE's exceptional technical team have already developed exploration models and targets that are ready to be drill tested."

The addition of these Projects to Pacific Ridge's portfolio expands the Company's footprint into areas that include some of the world's largest porphyry copper mines and complement Pacific Ridge's existing portfolio of porphyry copper projects in B.C.: the Chuchi copper-gold project, the Kliyul copper-gold project, the Onjo copper-gold project, the RDP copper-gold project, and the Redton copper-gold project. The Company now owns or controls eight porphyry copper projects in premier copper mining districts in America and Canada (see Figure 1).

Figure 1

Location of Pacific Ridge's Copper Projects

About the Projects

Mineral Hill

Mineral Hill is over 902 hectares in size (comprising 19 patented lode and placer claims, and 177 unpatented federal lode mining claims) and is located in eastern Wyoming in the Black Hills gold province, which has produced more than 40 million ounces of gold from the Homestake gold mine alone1 (see Figure 2). Tertiary alkalic intrusive centers and domes follow an 80 km-long WNW-trending belt across the Black Hills. Low- to intermediate-sulfidation epithermal gold-silver mineralization is currently being mined 18 km east of Mineral Hill at Coeur Mining, Inc.'s Wharf mine. Targets at Mineral Hill include high-grade epithermal gold veins and disseminated and stockwork veined porphyry gold-copper mineralization. The Company believes Mineral Hill represents a fully intact upright alkalic porphyry gold-copper system and near-surface epithermal transition zone that is associated with a 3 x 2 km composite alkaline intrusive centre. Known gold-copper mineralization at historical Interocean mine is related to cross-cutting quartz-sulfide veins in a 300-m-long north-south trending corridor that has been drill-tested to about 200 m vertical depth and remains open in every direction. Epithermal gold target areas lie 600-750 m west and southwest of the Interocean zone.

Figure 2

Mineral Hill Location



Red Star

Red Star is approximately 3,005 hectares in size (398 unpatented federal lode mining claims) and is adjacent to the Star mining district, Utah (See Figure 3). Surface alteration and mineralization suggests the presence of a porphyry copper system beneath post-mineral cover composed of volcanics and alluvium. Polymetallic (Pb-Zn-Ag-Cu-Au) fissure veins, mantos, and local Zn-rich skarn are hosted in east-tilted and fault-repeated Paleozoic carbonate rocks in the Star mining district. These fissure veins may be analogous to fissure veins found in the periphery of the Bingham and Tintic districts. Red Star also shares a similar regional geophysical signature with Bingham and Tintic porphyry copper deposits, each lying within ENE-trending aeromagnetic domains considered to be representative of Tertiary batholiths (see Figure 3). The timing of Tertiary magmatism in Utah youngs southward such that the age of an undiscovered porphyry system at Red Star would likely be ~34-27 Ma.. At Red Star, known polymetallic fissure veins and replacement mantos, and a copper-zinc skarn occurrence (Moscow mine), define a WSW-trending vector towards a 2.0 x 1.5 km porphyry target area with anomalous geophysics (Spartan IP-MT and UAV magnetics). The primary target zone starts about 1.5 km west of the Moscow mine skarn.

Figure 3

Red Star Location



Ripsey West

Ripsey West is over 2,161 hectares in size (comprising 36 unpatented federal lode mining claims and eight Arizona state leases) and is located 23 km south of the Ray Mine in Arizona (see Figure 4). The principal target at Ripsey West is a high-grade Laramide porphyry copper system. An ENE-trending target area measures ~3.5 x 1.5 km and has potential for both hypogene mineralization and supergene enrichment.

The Ripsey West exploration model is for a porphyry copper system that's been episodically faulted and tilted 90 eastward and buried under alluvial cover in a half graben basin. The porphyry target area lies between a 2-km-long ENE-trending stock-shaped magnetic low feature in the west thought to be associated with a Laramide pluton, and a magnetic high feature in the east demarking the faulted basin edge. A zone of QSP alteration and D-veins associated with ENE-trending Laramide porphyry dykes extends for 900 m east outside the basin margin, and base metal mineralization and veins in historical drilling continue for ~2 km. These provide a vector towards a porphyry core in the west under the post-mineral alluvium.

Figure 4

Ripsey West Location



Royston

Royston is over 1,855 hectares in size (comprised of 227 unpatented federal lode mining claims) and is located 30 km northwest of Tonopah in Nevada (see Figure 5). The principal target at Royston is a porphyry copper system within a 2.8 x 1.8 km target area which contains a significant zone of quartz-sericite-pyrite "QSP" alteration and mineralization A five-hole reconnaissance reverse circulation drill program completed in late 2023 confirmed the presence of a strongly westward tilted and fault segmented porphyry of significant scale containing intense QSP alteration and base metal mineralization. Two of the holes were cased and are ready to be followed up with diamond core tails under the active drill permit at Royston.

Figure 5

Royston Location



Gold Project Spin Out

In H1, 2025, Pacific Ridge will look to unlock shareholder value by spinning out the Company's gold projects in the Yukon (Mariposa, Eureka Dome, and Gold Cap) and Mineral Hill to create a new, North American gold focused exploration company (see Figure 6).

Figure 6

Location of Pacific Ridge's Gold Projects



Terms of the Agreements

Subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"), Pacific Ridge can acquire a 100% interest in the Projects by making an initial payment in the aggregate amount of US$240,000 and issuing a total of 800,000 common shares (on a post-Consolidation basis, as described and defined below) and making certain option payments, incurring exploration expenditures and issuing common shares as summarized below:

Option Payments:

Project 60 days of Effective Date Anniversary Date of Option Agreement 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Red Star US$60,000 US$10,000 US$15,000 US$15,000 US$15,000 US$125,000 Royston US$60,000 US$10,000 US$15,000 US$15,000 US$15,000 US$125,000 Ripsey West US$60,000 US$10,000 US$15,000 US$15,000 US$15,000 US$125,000 Mineral Hill US$60,000 US$10,000 US$15,000 US$15,000 US$15,000 US$125,000

Exploration Expenditures:

Project Anniversary Date of Option Agreement 1st 2nd 5th Red Star US$400,000 US$1,600,000 US$2,250,000 Royston US$2,250,000 Ripsey West US$2,250,000 Mineral Hill US$2,250,000

Issuance of Common Shares:

Project 3 business days following TSXV Approval Anniversary Date of Option Agreement 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Red Star 200,000 100,000 100,000 100,000 125,000 750,000 Royston 200,000 100,000 100,000 100,000 125,000 750,000 Ripsey West 200,000 100,000 100,000 100,000 125,000 750,000 Mineral Hill 200,000 100,000 100,000 100,000 125,000 750,000

Upon option exercise, each Project will be subject to a 3% production royalty ("Royalty"). The Royalty can be reduced to 2% by making two payments totaling US$4.0M (US$1.0M for the first 0.5% and US$3.0M for the second 0.5%). The Projects are also subject to annual advanced royalty payments that begin on the first (1st) anniversary after Pacific Ridge has exercised its option to acquire a Project. A payment of US$25,000 is due on the 1st anniversary and increases by US$10,000 each year, up to a maximum of US$75,000 per year per Project.

In addition, each Project is subject to the following milestone payments in the event of completion of a preliminary economic assessment ("PEA"), pre-feasibility study ("PFS") and/or feasibility study ("FS") respectively as follows:

Project Milestone PEA PFS FS Red Star US$500,000 US$1,000,000 US$2,000,000 Royston US$500,000 US$1,000,000 US$2,000,000 Ripsey West US$500,000 US$1,000,000 US$2,000,000 Mineral Hill US$500,000 US$1,000,000 US$2,000,000

Consolidation

The Board of Directors of the Company has recommended and authorized a consolidation of the Company's outstanding common shares on the basis of ten (10) pre-consolidation common shares for one (1) post-consolidation common share (the "Consolidation"). The Consolidation remain subject to TSXV approval. The effective date and further details of the Consolidation will be disclosed in a subsequent news release following receipt of all requisite approvals.

About EMX

EMX is a precious and base metals royalty company. EMX's investors are provided with discovery, development, and commodity price optionality, while limiting exposure to risks inherent to operating companies. The Company's common shares are listed on the NYSE American Exchange and TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "EMX". Please see www.EMXroyalty.com for more information.

About Pacific Ridge

Pacific Ridge is one of North America's leading copper exploration companies. We own or control eight porphyry copper projects in premier copper mining districts in America and Canada.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

"Blaine Monaghan"

Blaine Monaghan

President & CEO

Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd.

1 Maps Showing Geology, Structure, and Geophysics of the Central Black Hills, South Dakota (USGS) https://pubs.usgs.gov/sim/2777/downloads/2777_pamphlet_508.pdf

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

The technical information contained within this News Release has been prepared under the supervision of, and reviewed and approved by. Danette Schwab, P.Geo., Vice President Exploration of the Company, and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Forward-Looking Information: This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements in this news release include plans to acquire the Mineral Hill, Red Star, Ripsey West, and Royston Projects and the expected benefits thereof; plans to spin out the gold projects; and plans to complete the Consolidation. Although Pacific Ridge believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploration successes, and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. These statements are based on a number of assumptions including, among other things, assumptions regarding general business and economic conditions; that at least one of the options will be exercised; that Pacific Ridge and other parties will be able to satisfy stock exchange and other regulatory requirements in a timely manner; that TSXV approval will be granted in a timely manner subject only to standard conditions; that all conditions precedent to the Agreements will be satisfied in a timely manner; the availability of financing for Pacific Ridge's proposed programs on reasonable terms, and the ability of third party service providers to deliver services in a timely manner. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Pacific Ridge does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 7, 2025) - Canada Rare Earth Corp. (TSXV: LL) ("Canada Rare Earth" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with a private Laos-based company that gives Canada Rare Earth the right to purchase 70% of a recently fully permitted rare earth refinery (the "Refinery") designed and built to process rare earth concentrates and produce the entire suite of commercially traded rare earth oxides, including both light and heavy rare earth elements (the "Acquisition").

The Refinery has a rare earth oxide production capacity of 3,000 tonnes per year (tpy) and was constructed twelve years ago. The refinery has not operated since being built due to a historical Lao PDR policy change affecting rare earth processing. These policies are now reversed and the government is strongly supporting the startup and operation of the Refinery. The government is encouraging in-country processing of locally produced rare earth concentrates to increase economic benefits from the numerous new ion adsorption clay rare earth mines located in Northern Laos. These new sources of rare earth concentrates have greatly enhanced the operating situation for the Laos Refinery by reducing the risk of consistent concentrate supply. The Refinery will be ready for commissioning after some relatively modest refurbishments, expected to be complete in Q4 2025.

The economic benefits to Laos of in-country beneficiation versus the exportation of raw materials are evident to the Lao government and that understanding, combined with an updated Environmental Impact Assessment at the Refinery, have contributed to the issuance of all required licenses and permits required for the Refinery's operation.

Canada Rare Earth has entered into discussions with numerous interested parties for offtake and potential investment at the project level. These discussions are expected to result in pre-payments and associated credit facilities to support the operation of the Refinery based on preferred terms for a secure annual supply of key rare earth oxides such as Nd, Pr, Dy, and Tb.

Peter Shearing, Chief Executive Officer of Canada Rare Earth, commented, "Selecting the right offtake partner and project funders & lenders are critical decisions and must ensure the alignment of both parties' objectives for the relationship to be both a commercial and strategic success. We are approaching this carefully and selectively to ensure the Refinery delivers the most value to the rare earth market, consumers, and our shareholders."

Rare Earth Mine Development Project

Canada Rare Earth is also pleased to announce it has entered into an Memorandum of Understanding which gives the Company the right to enter into a 70/30 Joint Venture with a private Laos-based company to co-develop an advanced-exploration stage, ion adsorption clay rare earth (IAC-RE) mining project in Laos (the "Mine JV").

Trading Halt and Change of Business

The TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSX.V") has reviewed both proposed transactions referred to in this news release (the Acquisition and the Mine JV) and has determined that they constitute a Change of Business under TSX.V policy 5.2, "Changes of Business and Reverse Takeovers" (the "Policy"). Until the TSX.V has approved the Change of Business and the associated transactions, the Company's shares are subject to a trading halt. The process to comply with the Change of Business is expected to take 12 to 16 weeks and is subject to various conditions including execution of a definitive agreement for the Acquisition and the approval by the TSX.V of a comprehensive disclosure document as required by the Policy. Information detailing the terms of the acquisition of both the Refinery and the mining project will be released in due course.

Don Anderson, Chief Investment Officer of Canada Rare Earth, said, "With this acquisition, the Company will join a small group of companies that produce separated rare earths and an even smaller group that produce the full suite of separated rare earth oxides. These are crucial ingredients for high-performance rare earth permanent magnets used in electric motors for applications such as electric vehicles, advanced air mobility, and robotics. As indicated by various industry analysts, demand for rare earth NdFeB permanent magnets is expected to have a compound annual growth rate exceeding 8% from 2024 to 2040."

Peter Shearing added "The Company's acquisition of the Laos Refinery has been a strategic objective since its construction. When these transactions are complete, Canada Rare Earth will have an integrated supply chain from mining through to rare earth oxide production and Company will have successfully executed its vertical integration strategy which we have been pursuing over ten years. I want to thank our shareholders and all stakeholders for their patience. This is indeed a transformational transaction for Canada Rare Earth."

Reappointment of CFO

Canada Rare Earth is also pleased to announce the reappointment of Michael Lee as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and to welcome Mr. Lee back to the management team. Mr. Lee was previously the Company's CFO from September 2020 to August 2021.

"We are thrilled to welcome Michael Lee back to the Company," remarked Peter Shearing, CEO of Canada Rare Earth. "Michael is highly experienced in financial management, has a very good understanding of our business and is known to our Board and management team. He is precisely the CFO that the Company needs to be successful."

Mr. Lee has over twenty-five years of experience working with publicly listed companies, from multi-mine operating companies to grassroots mineral exploration. Mr. Lee has more than ten years of working experience with the highly-regarded Hunter Dickinson Group and has held Chief Financial Officer positions for a number of their publicly-listed portfolio companies. His career foundation was built as a consultant and auditor at Ernst & Young and Deloitte.

Mr. Lee replaces Janet Meiklejohn, who resigned from her position as CFO in 2024.

About Rare Earths

Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are a group of chemically similar metals essential to modern technology and green energy. In their various forms (metals, alloys, oxides, etc.), rare earths are critical for devices like smartphones, electric vehicles (EVs), wind turbines, and military equipment due to their unique magnetic, optical, and conductive properties. REEs are also used in medical technologies such as MRIs and laser scalpels. Among these, Neodymium (Nd), Dysprosium (Dy), Praseodymium (Pr), and Terbium (Tb) are particularly indispensable for high-performance magnets, such as NdFeB (Neodymium Iron Boron) magnets, which power motors in EVs, wind turbines, drones, and robotics. (http://www.canadarareearth.com/rare-earth-overview)

Although REEs are not rare in the Earth's crust, finding deposits concentrated enough for economical mining is uncommon. The real challenge lies in separating and refining REEs into their most common usable forms, known as rare earth oxides (REOs) or rare earth metals (REMs). A small number of countries currently dominate the rare earth market, with one nation controlling a majority of global production and refining capacity. This concentration of supply creates a pressing need for alternative production and refining facilities to ensure the stability of global supply chains.

Establishing an independent full-capability rare earth production stream is immensely valuable for diversifying supply chains, stabilizing global markets, and reducing reliance on concentrated production hubs. With demand for NdFeB magnets expected to grow at 8.7% annually from 2024 to 2040 (Adamas Intelligence), rare earths will play an increasingly vital role in green energy and high-tech industries (https://www.adamasintel.com/rare-earths/).

About Canada Rare Earth Corp.

Canada Rare Earth Corp. operates a rapidly growing global essential minerals business built from over a decade of success in rare earth minerals and products. Our strategy leverages near-term positive cash flow opportunities supporting our business growth, including acquiring and developing proprietary projects, resources and processing capabilities and facilities.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements") that relate to the Company's current expectations and views of future events. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers should refer to the risks discussed in the Company's continuous disclosure filings with the Canadian Securities Administrators, available on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca.
Jisoo of BLACKPINK is set to star in her first-ever lead role for the forthcoming K-Drama "Newtopia," with actor Park Jung Min.

The series, describing itself as an apocalyptic romantic fantasy story, releases its teaser on January 7, having unveiled a new teaser earlier in the day, which gives viewers a glimpse of a Seoul somewhat overrun by zombies.

According to Mail Korea, Jisoo and Park spoke with reporters about their experiences filming the drama at a press conference that same day.

Details on the series haven't been revealed, but the story tells of Jae Yoon (Portrayed by Park) and girlfriend Young Ju (Portrayed by Jisoo) in the wake of an apocalypse.

Meanwhile, Park, who had previously worked with Jisoo on projects like Smugglers, Start-Up, and Harbin, commended the dedicated and professional nature of the K-pop superstar during filming.

He said the two actors filmed around 10 scenes together early in production to help establish the emotional bond of their characters.

That break in between filming, however, left him wanting more romantic scenes between them.

Park said, "I wish I had more romantic scenes with Jisoo. If "Newtopia" performs well, I think it really sets up my being able to delve into that with her in Season 2. Excited for it!"

Though some fans were worried about who had been cast opposite Jisoo, based on the trailer and the press event, the pair has so much chemistry it's hard not to look forward to the series, which premieres on February 7.

The drama's elements of romance and heart in a zombie apocalypse have resonated with fans, many of whom can't wait to see where the story leads.

Until then, fans can keep an eye on the official social media channels for "Newtopia" for updates through the release.




Wednesday, January 8, 2025 - Frustrations are reaching a boiling point at Kilimani Police Station, where allegations of ethnic favouritism and nepotism have allegedly stirred discontent among officers.

Insiders within the station claim that a large number of key positions are currently occupied by officers from the same ethnic group, with non-members reportedly sidelined when it comes to assignments.

Sources who reached out under the request of anonymity have articulated concerns about the system, which they claim allows selected people to take on the most sought-after assignments.

It is further alleged that when these officers come back, they reportedly converse in their native tongue, preventing others from grasping the specifics of their assignments.

The affected officers are now appealing to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to ensure that Kilimani Police Station reflects the diversity of Kenyas population.

"Hi Nyakundi. I am a police officer stationed at Kilimani Police Station.

"The station is being run by officers from one particular tribe and almost everything including assignments is done in their language.

"The leadership from OCPD, OCS, and Deputy OCS Korir are all from the same community.

"They are very powerful and when they assign good tasks its always to officers of their community.

"They even speak in their language to exclude others. We feel helpless.

"We are appealing to IG Kanja to intervene and make changes. Hide my ID."

The Kenyan DAILY POST.






Wednesday, January 08, 2025 - US President-elect, Donald Trump has repeated his warnings that all hell will break loose in the Middle East if hostages kidnapped by Hamas in the Gaza Strip are not released before his inauguration on January 20.

It will not be good for Hamas, and it will not be good, frankly, for anyone, Trump said during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. All hell will break out. I dont have to say anymore, but thats what it is.

Trump also emphasized his strong support for Israel and his commitment to achieving peace in the region, noting that the conflict has persisted longer than people would understand.

I have to add, I am also for peace, its time, this fight has been going on for too long, he said, noting that he was going to try to end the war between Hamas and Israel that began on Oct. 7, 2023, when thousands of Hamas-led terrorists massacred some 1,200 Israeli residents and took more than 250 captives.

Steve Witkoff, Trumps special envoy to the Middle East, said at the same press conference that theres been a lot of progress on efforts to release about 100 hostages held in the Gaza Strip, saying hes hopeful a deal is achieved ahead of the inauguration.

Witkoff said he had just returned from discussions in Doha, Qatar, on the hostage release deal and was planning to head back to the region this week.

I believe weve been on the verge of it. I dont want to discuss sort of whats delayed it, he said.




Wednesday, January 8,2025 - Deliverance Church International General Overseer, Bishop Dr. Mark Kariuki, has revealed that he faced abuse from Kenyans after meeting President William Ruto last month

Kariuki was among the evangelical church leaders hosted by the President at State House, Nairobi, on December 11.

The Evangelical and Pentecostal church leaders were led by Redeemed Gospel Church Presiding Bishop Kepha Omae.

President Ruto, in a statement following the meeting, emphasized that church leaders and the state have always collaborated to promote unity.

Speaking last weekend, Bishop Kariuki disclosed that he faced severe abuse from Kenyans after he visited President Ruto at State House, Nairobi.

He revealed that he was called unprintable names for associating himself with the President.

Here is the video of Bishop Mark Kariuki revealing how he was abused by Kenyans for meeting Ruto.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Wednesday, January 8, 2025  Allies of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua have issued a list of demands to President William Rutos government in response to the recent wave of abductions across the country.

Speaking during a press conference in Nairobi, the MPs, led by Kiambu Senator Karungo Wa Thang'wa, lashed out at the government over the raging spate of abductions and demanded an end to the abductions.

Among the list of demands issued by the lawmakers include the establishment of an independent public inquiry commission to investigate the alarming series of public abductions targeting citizens perceived to be critics of the President and the executive.

The MPs also called for the examination of the politicisation efforts within police services and forces and other independent institutions.

Consequently, the MPs demanded that the commission investigate instances where security agencies have been used to persecute dissenting voices.

The lawmakers also demanded that the commission investigate organized criminal attacks against Gachagua, referencing recent attacks that were allegedly targeted at him in Limuru, and Nyandarua.

A few days after the two lobby groups floated the idea of transferring abduction cases to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the subsequent update by the court to members of the public on how they can lodge complaints, the Gachagua allies thanked the institution of heeding to the calls of Kenyans.

They also urged President William Ruto and his government to ensure the immediate release of all the remaining abductees.

Additionally, they demanded that the National Police Service (NPS) explain why, over four months later, no arrests have been made in connection with the abduction of the Kitengela three.

The Kitengela three include activists Bob Njagi Jamil and Aslam Longton, who were abducted last year and released after a month in September last year.

They also urged the government to clarify its stance on state capture, particularly regarding the awarding of government contracts to affiliates, rampant land grabbing, and the misuse of public resources.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Wednesday, January 8, 2025 - Trans Nzoia County Governor George Natembeya has taken legal action against Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichungwah following his public comments on Natembeya's conduct as a regional commissioner.

Ichungwah made the comments on Saturday during the burial of Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangulas mother in Bungoma County.

In his speech, Ichungwah accused Natembeya, the former Rift Valley regional commissioner, of being involved in the abduction and murder of Kenyans during the Jubilee administration.

The MPs comments have sparked an outrage from the governor, who has now demanded a public apology.

Through his legal representatives, the law firm Oringe Waswa & Opany, Natembeya has demanded an apology within three days.

The county boss stated that if Ichungwah failed to comply, he would pursue legal action for defamation.

Natembeya asserted that Ichung'wah's remarks were false, malicious, and reckless, causing significant damage to his reputation.

The lawyers argued that Ichungwah's words, "You were the regional commissioner in charge of abductions and murdering Kenyans, shame on you", implied Natembeya was directly involved in the killing and disappearance of innocent Kenyans.

Natembeya has stated that the MPs statements seriously injured his professional and personal reputation, subjecting him to public ridicule and disdain.

"The allegations against our client have had and continue to exert devastating effects on our client's reputation, credibility, integrity, moral, societal and professional standing.

"Our client has in consequence been seriously injured in his character, esteem, credibility as well as his societal and professional standing both locally and internationally," read the letter.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Wednesday, January 8, 2024 - One of the six Kenyans who was abducted for criticising President William Ruto on social media has said he has forgiven his abductors.

Mwangi was abducted two weeks ago after he posted a photo on X showing President William Ruto inside a casket.

However, he and four others were released on Monday at different locations across the country.

Witnesses reported that the masked men bundled Mwangi into the car without any explanation.

"I was mentally tortured and dont remember many things. It will take time for me to recover.

"Even now, I feel disturbed and confused.

"However, I have forgiven those who abducted me and left them in the hands of God," he said.

Mwangi's release brought immense relief to his family, who had tirelessly campaigned for his freedom.

"His father, Gerald Karicha, thanked Kenyans and church leaders who protested and prayed for his son's safe return.

"Kenyans stood with us and their efforts led to my son's release. We are forever grateful," he said.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Wednesday, January 8, 2025 - Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, has distanced himself from two petitions linking him to the ongoing abductions of young Kenyans in the country.

Through his advocates, Danstan Omari and Sam Nyaberi, Murkomen stated that he neither authorized the abductions nor had any knowledge of the missing persons' disappearances.

"The CS has no legal or constitutional instruments to sanction abductions.

"We have laid very bare that the mandate of protection, security, property, and life lies with the inspector general of police.

"He is on policy. The CS has not sanctioned or condoned any abductions or any extra-legal actions by anyone.

"Anybody found culpable shall face the full force of the law," Omari and Nyaberi stated.

The two petitions filed in the High Court are scheduled for hearing. Justice Bahati Mwamuye will summon Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Murkomen, and Director of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations Amin Mohamed.

Murkomen, through his lawyers, expressed his concern over the abductions, emphasizing the need for clarity and resolution in the ongoing investigations.

"However, as the CS and a citizen, he is concerned, which is why he is condemning it. He only deals with policy.

"You have seen that he has not come out with the AG as his advocate, but has hired private advocates to represent him in the petitions filed before Justice Mwamuye," Omari explained.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, January 8, 2025 - Senate Speaker Amason Kingi has maintained his stance on the ongoing abductions of Kenyans.

This is after he rejected Nyandarua Senator John Methus request for a special Senate sitting over the abductions.

Methu wrote to Kingi in a letter dated December 27, 2024, requesting a Senate sitting to address the recent cases of abductions of government critics.

In his letter, Methu faulted the National Police Service (NPS) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for denial of responsibility for abductions.

However, in a rejoinder, Kingi rejected the request citing non-compliance with Standing Order 33(1), which requires the request to come from the Majority or Minority Leader.

I note that the request is anchored on Standing Order 33(1) of the Senate Standing Orders which provides that- Whenever during a Session the Senate stands adjourned, whether or not a day has been appointed for the next meeting, the Speaker may, on the request of the Senate Majority Leader or the Senate Minority Leader, and in each case with the support of at least fifteen Senators, appoint a day for a special sitting of the Senate, Kingi stated.

"From the foregoing, it is clear that your request does not meet the requirements set out in standing order 33(1) for the following reasons- A request for a special sitting should originate from the Senate Majority Leader or the Senate Minority Leader; a request for a special sitting is to be supported by at least fifteen senators," he added.

Kingi had earlier dismissed the abductions as fake and urged those responsible to grow up.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Wednesday, January 8, 2025 - Popular silhouette cartoonist, Gideon Kibet alias Kibet Bull, has revealed the reason why he attended a disco matanga after he was released by his abductors on Monday.

Speaking after his release, Kibet explained that he had little choice but to attend the event after being dropped off in Luanda, Vihiga County, between 3am and 4am.

Kibet recounted knocking on the doors of three houses to seek help, but no one responded. Left without options, he sat in a nearby spot but felt unsafe.

"Government bloggers are using the disco matanga incident to push a narrative. I knocked on three houses to explain what had happened, but no one responded. One house had fierce dogs, so I couldnt approach. I went to sit somewhere but felt unsafe," Kibet said.

It was then that he heard music from a Disco Matanga and decided to seek refuge there, believing it was a safer option.

Kibet further explained that he avoided staying near the highway, fearing his abductors might return to check if he had left the area.

Kibet was among six young Kenyans who had been abducted by suspected state agents for reportedly criticizing President William Rutos administration.

Others were Bernard Kavuli, Rony Kiplagat, Billy Mwangi ,Steve Mbisi and Peter Muteti.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.






Wednesday, January 08, 2025 - Mexico's government has launched a citizen disarmament program offering financial incentives of up to $1,300 for people who voluntarily hand in firearms, including machine guns and assault rifles, as part of efforts to curb violent crime.

The financial rewards for turning in weapons at designated collection points in churches were detailed in the country's official gazette on Monday, January 6. The incentives include 8,700 pesos ($430) for a revolver, 25,000 pesos ($1,200) for an AK-47 rifle, and 26,450 pesos ($1,300) for a machine gun.

President Claudia Sheinbaum last month encouraged citizens to participate in the Yes to Disarmament, Yes to Peace initiative, assuring those hesitant that no legal action would be taken against individuals surrendering their firearms. "Its about setting up places like the lobbies of churches where people can go to turn in their weapons voluntarily, and give them economic incentives to give up their firearms, she said.

Sheinbaum added, We also had it in Mexico City, and it had significant results, referencing the success of a similar program implemented during her tenure as mayor of the capital, a city of around nine million residents.

Mexico continues to grapple with violent crime driven largely by the illegal drug trade. The country recorded 31,062 homicides in 2023, with approximately 70 percent attributed to firearms, according to preliminary figures from the National Statistics Institute.

Mexico maintains strict control over gun sales, making legal access to firearms highly restricted. The government has also repeatedly urged the United States to address arms trafficking across the shared border.




Wednesday, January 8, 2025  Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangis 2027 presidential bid has received a boost.

This is after Gusii leaders endorsed his candidature for the big seat.

The leaders, under the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) party, said they will formulate a Presidential Exploratory Team (PET) to analyse Matiangis suitability to run for president.

UPA national chairman Nyambega Gisesa said the team will evaluate relevant information before making a final decision on Matiangis candidature.

The party is also reaching out to other political parties and stakeholders to explore opportunities to work together.

UPA, which has over the years been linked to Matiangi, announced plans to open offices across the country in readiness for the 2027 elections.

We are not leaving anything to chance. We need to bring all like-minded people on board and hope to galvanise adequate support for a possible Matiangi presidency, Gisesa said.

Although the former CS has not made a formal declaration, calls emanating from his supporters, including professionals and politicians from his Gusii backyard, have intensified.

North Mugirango MP, Joash Nyamoko observes that Matiangi stands out as a possible uniting factor of the Gusii community, going into the future.

Similar sentiments were echoed by Lawyer Danstan Omari who urged the Gusii community to rally behind one of their own.

Matiangi is ripe for the countrys top seat and we will accord him the support to bag victory, said lawyer Danstan Omari, a close friend and official of the Gusii-Kenyatta University (KU) Alumni Association, where the former CS is an active member.

He noted that the former CS had a robust career in academia before he got into Cabinet where he performed exceedingly well.

It is evident that Matiangi is a result-oriented person and we have no doubt that he will take our country to greater heights, Omari said, remarks which were echoed by Gisesa.

The former CS delivered in all the portfolios he held; education, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Interior, said Gisesa.

While reminiscing the time when former Cabinet Minister Simeon Nyachae united the community, Omari said that it would be a regrettable mistake if the Gusii people fail to unite one more time.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Wednesday, January 8, 2025 - Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has finally broken his silence after the government of President William Ruto linked him to the past abductions during former President Uhuru Kenyattas regime.

Speaking during an interview, the visibly angry Natembeya dismissed allegations that he was behind the abductions and extrajudicial killings of Kenyans whose bodies were found dumped in River Yala when he was a Regional Commissioner.

He dismissed National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwahs wild allegations, stating that his record in public service is clean and above reproach.

Natembeya previously served as the Regional Commissioner in the volatile Rift Valley region under former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

He noted that his integrity and stellar public service earned him the trust of the people of Trans Nzoia, leading to his election as Governor.

Addressing his time as Regional Commissioner, Natembeya explained that deaths recorded in areas such as the Rift Valley and Kerio Valley were largely the result of conflicts among bandits or their attacks on innocent civilians during cattle raids.

"I don't know anything related to what was happening in River Yala. There is not even a single incident where the government killed people in the Rift Valley region, and in the bandit-prone Kerio Valley," he said.

"The killings that happened, either bandits fought among themselves and killed each other, or they killed innocent civilians during cattle raids," Natembeya explained.

The former regional chief further denied any involvement in security operations that resulted in the loss of lives, citing political and logistical challenges during his tenure.

"The operations that I led as a regional commissioner, that had possibilities of people being killed, there's not even one that took place.

"Because we didn't have the political goodwill. We didn't have money, and the security bosses at Harambee House did not give us a nod to continue with such operations," he stated.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.






Wednesday, January 08, 2025 - South Korean anti-graft investigators secured a new court-ordered arrest warrant Tuesday, January 7, for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose failed martial law bid plunged the country into its worst political crisis in decades.

The former star prosecutor has refused questioning three times since his December 3 martial law decree, remaining holed up in his residence, surrounded by hundreds of guards preventing his detention.

The arrest warrant re-requested for the suspect Yoon was issued today in the afternoon, the Joint Investigation Headquarters stated. The Corruption Investigation Office (CIO), leading the probe, has kept the duration of the new warrant secret after the initial seven-day one expired. Seoul Western District Court declined to confirm the warrants details when contacted by AFP.

If detained, Yoon would become the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested. However, investigators would have only 48 hours to either request another arrest warrant or release him. The anti-graft officials have sought additional time and resources due to security forces obstructing their first attempt to detain Yoon at his residence last Friday.

Yoon faces charges of insurrection and, if formally arrested and convicted, could face either imprisonment or, in the most severe case, the death penalty. His lawyers have labelled the initial warrant unlawful and pledged further legal action, arguing that the CIO lacks the authority to investigate insurrection as it is not listed among its designated offences.

The situation has left South Korea in unprecedented political turmoilwhether Yoon is arrested or evades court-ordered detention, the outcome will be historic. CIO chief Oh Dong-woon expressed regret for the failed arrest attempt, stating, I must express my sincere apologies to the public for the failure to execute the arrest warrant due to the security measures taken by the Presidential Security Service. Yoons presidential guards had refused to stand down during a six-hour standoff on Friday.

The CIO established less than four years ago with fewer than 100 staff, has yet to prosecute a single case. Naturally, they have no prior experience with arrests, let alone something as significant as arresting the president, said Yun Bok-Nam, president of Lawyers for a Democratic Society, who is not involved in the investigation.

Meanwhile, South Koreas opposition Democratic Party has filed a legal complaint against acting president Choi Sang-mok for dereliction of duty after he failed to intervene as requested. The Constitutional Court has set January 14 for the start of Yoons impeachment trial, which will proceed in his absence if he does not attend. While local media reported he was likely to appear on the opening day, Yoons lawyer told AFP his appearance was still undecided.

The court has up to 180 days to decide whether to remove or reinstate Yoon as president. Opposition party lawmaker Youn Kun-young has described Yoons residence as turning into a fortress, claiming guards were installing barbed wire and vehicle barricades. Many supporters have also camped outside his residence despite freezing weather.

While investigators have yet to reach Yoon, they have targeted top military officials involved in the martial law plan.






Wednesday, January 08, 2025 - US President-elect, Donald Trump did not rule out using the military to wrest control of the Panama Canal and Greenland during remarks to the press on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.

When asked directly whether he would rule out using military or economic coercion to see through his goal of gaining those territories, the president-elect responded, No.

No, I cant assure you on either of those two, but I can say this, we need them for economic security, he said.

His apparent openness to using the military to achieve those goals comes despite his promises to avoid wars once he is sworn in.

Im not going to start a war, Trump said during his victory speech after winning the 2024 election. Im going to stop wars.

Since his election, Trump has repeatedly raised his interest in acquiring both the Panama Canal and Greenland. His remarks on Tuesday were the first time he has suggested using the military to do so.

Also asked whether he would also use the military against Canada, which he has also floated about the US acquiring, Trump replied: No, economic force.

Continuing his expansionist streak, Donald Trump said the Gulf of Mexico should instead be called the Gulf of America.

Were going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, which has a beautiful ring that covers a lot of territory,





What a beautiful name. And its appropriate.

He did not outline how he would make the renaming happen, but quickly pivoted to blaming Mexico for undocumented immigration and threatening tariffs on both of Americas continental neighbors:

Mexico has to stop allowing millions of people to pour into our country. They can stop them. And were going to put very serious tariffs on Mexico and Canada, because Canada, they come through Canada too, and the drugs that are coming through are at record numbers, record numbers. So were going to make up for that by putting tariffs on Mexico and Canada, substantial tariffs.






Wednesday, January 08, 2025 - Donald Trump is attempting to block the public release of a report by special counsel Jack Smith summarizing the investigation that led to criminal charges against him. Trump, accused of conspiring to overturn the 2020 election results and mishandling classified documents after leaving office, saw both cases dismissed after his victory in the November presidential election. Smith, however, has been preparing a final report for Attorney General Merrick Garland detailing his findings.

Trump's attorneys, in a letter to Garland on Monday, January 6, demanded that Smith terminate all efforts toward the preparation and release of the report. They stated, Rather than acknowledging, as he must, President Trumps complete exoneration, Smith now seeks to disseminate an extrajudicial Final Report to perpetuate his false and discredited accusations. The letter further described the release of the report as unlawful, undertaken in bad faith, and contrary to the public interest, adding that it would be nothing more than a lawless political stunt, designed to politically harm President Trump.

Two of the attorneys who signed the letter, Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, have been selected for high-ranking positions in Trump's incoming Justice Department following his inauguration as the 47th U.S. president on January 20.

In a court filing on Tuesday, January 7, Smith clarified that his office was working on a two-volume confidential report explaining the prosecution decisions made during the investigation. Smith stated, The Attorney General will decide whether any portion of the report should be released to the public. Last year, Garland authorized the public release of a report by special counsel Robert Hur on Joe Bidens handling of classified documents. While Hur declined to charge Biden, the report controversially described him as an elderly man with a poor memory.

Trump was previously charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, and attempting to disenfranchise voters by promoting false claims that he won the 2020 election. The charges were connected to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot aimed at disrupting Congress's certification of Bidens victory.

Additionally, Trump has faced state-level cases. In New York, he was convicted in May on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. Sentencing in that case is scheduled for Friday, though Judge Juan Merchan has indicated he is unlikely to impose jail time. In Georgia, Trump faces racketeering charges over efforts to subvert the 2020 election results, but those proceedings are expected to be paused while he is in office.






Wednesday, January 08, 2025 - Two of the 37 federal prisoners whose death sentences were commuted to life in prison without parole last month by US President Joe Biden are refusing to accept the action.

Shannon Agofsky and Len Davis, both inmates at the U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana, filed emergency motions in federal court in the state's southern district on Dec. 30 seeking an injunction to block having their death sentences commuted to life in prison without parole.

The two men argue that accepting the commutations puts them at a legal disadvantage as they are seeking to appeal their cases.

To commute his sentence now, while the defendant has active litigation in court, is to strip him of the protection of heightened scrutiny. This constitutes an undue burden and leaves the defendant in a position of fundamental unfairness, which would decimate his pending appellate procedures, according to Agofskys filing, first reported by NBC News.

Agofskys wife told NBC News the concern was he would lose legal counsel provided to him if his sentence were commuted.

Agofsky received a life sentence after being convicted in 1989 in the robbery and killing of Oklahoma bank president Dan Short. While imprisoned in a Texas prison, he was convicted in the 2001 stomping death of another prisoner, placing him on death row.

In the filing, Agofsky is disputing how he was charged with the murder of a fellow prisoner and is trying to establish his innocence in the 1989 case.

Len Davis, a former New Orleans police officer, was convicted for the 1994 murder of Kim Groves, who had filed a civil complaint against him, accusing him of beating a teenager in her neighbourhood.

Bidens action marked the highest number of death sentences commuted by any American president in the modern era.

The clemency action applied to all federal death row inmates except three who were convicted of terrorism or hate-motivated mass murder.






Wednesday, January 08, 2025 - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced Tuesday, January 7, the arrest of seven foreigners, including two Americans, accusing them of being "mercenaries" plotting to prevent his inauguration for another six-year term. Maduro claimed the group, which included two Colombian "hitmen" and three "mercenaries" from the Ukraine war, was involved in planning unspecified terrorist acts before his swearing-in ceremony set for Friday. He expressed confidence that the detainees would confess soon and ordered a mass deployment of police and military across the country.

The arrests were revealed hours after U.S. President Joe Biden hosted exiled Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, expressing support for a "peaceful transfer back to democratic rule" and cautioning against further repression in Venezuela. The U.S. and several democratic allies of Venezuela believe Gonzalez Urrutia won the July presidential election by a landslide but allege the results were falsified.

The Venezuelan opposition has called for mass protests on Thursday to prevent Maduros swearing-in, despite his longstanding grip on power since succeeding Hugo Chavez in 2013. Chavez and Maduro have ruled Venezuela for a combined 25 years, maintaining control through disputed elections, populist measures, and security force loyalty.

In a sign of increasing repression, Maduro's security forces have detained several foreigners and targeted the families of opposition figures. Gonzalez Urrutia reported that his son-in-law, Rafael Tudares, was kidnapped during a school run in Caracas by masked men dressed in black. Tudares remains missing.

Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado also reported harassment, stating that agents of the regime surrounded her mothers home, cut power to the neighborhood, and flew drones overhead. Her mother, 84, suffers from chronic health issues.

Security forces, including pro-regime militia members armed with Russian assault rifles, have been deployed across Caracas. A pro-Maduro rally is also scheduled for Thursday, January 9, raising tensions further.

Despite widespread discontent and mass emigration driven by economic collapse, experts suggest the opposition faces significant challenges in ousting Maduro without military support. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino recently reaffirmed the armed forces' loyalty to Maduro after Gonzalez Urrutia called on them to recognize him as their commander-in-chief.

Meanwhile, millions of Venezuelans have fled the country amid worsening economic conditions. Nurse Susej Ramos, 30, told AFP that Maduro's reelection was "the last straw" and confirmed plans to leave Venezuela with her brother, hoping to reach the United States in search of a better life.




Wednesday, January 8, 2025  National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has recalled MPs to discuss President William Rutos urgent business.

In a notice, Wetangula stated that the sittings shall commence on January 16 at 10 am for the morning session and 2.30 pm for the afternoon session.

This comes after Majority Leader and Kikuyu Member of Parliament Kimani Ichungwah made a special request for the same under the business order.

According to the notice, the lawmakers will be forced to cut short their holiday recess for the sessions to consider priority business including a special motion of the parliamentary committees on appointment for the consideration of nominees for the appointment as cabinet secretaries who were recently appointed by Ruto.

The house is also expected to receive a tabled report and notice of motion on the mediated version of the County Governments Additional Allocations Bill (Senate Bill No. 19 of 2024)  subject to the conclusion of the mediation process.

According to the notice, the August House will also sit to consider a report that will be tabled by the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations on its consideration of nominees for various diplomatic jobs by the President.

This comes after President Ruto made a shakeup to the Cabinet in December to bring key allies of former President Uhuru Kenyatta to the government.

The nominees for Cabinet Secretary positions include former Health CS Mutahi Kagwe, former Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui, and former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo, who have been proposed to head the Agriculture, Trade, and Information dockets, respectively.

The nominees for appointment as High Commissioners, Ambassadors, Permanent Representatives, and Consul-General include former Cabinet Secretaries Andrew Karanja, Margaret Nyambura, Ababu Namwamba, and former Administration Police boss Noor Gabow, among others.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, January 8, 2025 - Nominated United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Senator Karen Nyamu has called on security agencies to arrest the five Kenyans who were abducted two weeks ago and released on Monday.

The five are Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti, Ronny Kiplagat, Gideon Kibet, and Bernard Kavuli. Steve Mbisi, however, is yet to be released

The six were abducted for criticising President William Ruto's administration.

Reacting to their release on Monday, Nyamu asked the police to arrest the five so that they can help them with investigations.

The agenda of abductions is unfolding well as planned.

"Police should arrest those released to assist in investigations.

"We want the abductees to speak. It is not enough to tell they are traumatized.

"We need their story. Where were they? With who and what was happening when they were missing, Karen said.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.
A judge said Tuesday that he will do what he can to expedite a case brought by a federal agent who has been banned from possessing weapons over his voluntary hospital visit for a mental health evaluation nearly a decade ago.

We ought to be able to resolve this relatively quickly, U.S. District Judge Lawrence Vilardo said.

Edmund J. Susman Jr. said his career as a special agent with the Bureau of Diplomatic Security for the U.S. Department of State is in jeopardy because the state reported him to the FBIs National Instant Criminal Background Check System as a person prohibited from possessing firearms. It was a mistake for the state to have done so, Susman said.

Carrying a firearm is an essential function of his job, which includes serving as a liaison agent to the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force in Buffalo.

His safety is at risk, too, said attorney Amy L. Bellantoni, who represents Susman.

During a court proceeding Tuesday, Bellantoni told Vilardo of active threats against Susman, 50. Just last month, the agent was accosted by a relative of a father and brother convicted of conspiring to kidnap a Lackawanna woman who was lured to Yemen and stranded there. Susman, who worked two years on the case, testified last month about his surreptitious communications with the woman effectively trapped in Yemen for 16 months and his work to arrest her family members.

Im concerned for my clients safety, Ballantoni said.

Ballantoni said Susman has surrendered his guns to avoid being arrested by police.

Susman, a longtime gun owner who lives in Erie County, discovered in November he had been banned from buying firearms when he failed a federal background check when trying to make a purchase.

His inclusion on the prohibited person list stems from checking himself into Erie County Medical Center nearly a decade ago for a mental health evaluation after he experienced suicidal thoughts, according to a lawsuit he filed in U.S. District Court in Buffalo. He voluntarily admitted himself to the hospitals comprehensive psychiatric emergency program. Within days, the hospital discharged him after a psychiatrist determined he was not a danger to himself or others.

Federal agent carries a firearm on the job but is blocked from buying any guns The Erie County resident  who has never been arrested and owns handguns, rifles and shotguns  discovered in November he had been banned from buying firearms when he failed a federal background check when trying to make a purchase. He recently filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Buffalo.

Nobody told him at the time, but his name was forwarded to the state Office of Mental Health and the background check system.

Ballantoni said Sussmans name should not have been forwarded to the background check system.

When Susman asked the New York State Attorney Generals Office about the denial, he received an email from the state saying his gun purchase transaction was denied because he had been determined to be mentally defective or had been committed to a mental institution.

Neither is true, his lawyer said.

Ballantoni has sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the state from enforcing its mental hygiene laws firearm regulations that have disarmed Susman based on a brief voluntary hospital admission close to a decade ago.

Susman has never been formally committed to a mental hospital or adjudicated as insane, she said in a court filing. Yet, in the absence of a formal commitment to a mental institution, New York States broad-sweeping mental health law strips individuals of their Second Amendment rights who, like Susman, were voluntarily admitted to a hospital, evaluated by a psychiatrist, and then discharged because they did not meet the heightened dangerousness standard to be committed.

The case calls on Vilardo to weigh two competing concerns. We want people with mental health issues seeking help, the judge said. On the other hand, we dont want people with significant mental health issues to have weapons.

Vilardo said he wants to honor both of those issues.

People may not seek the help they need if an evaluation alone triggers a process that puts their names on a the prohibited list for gun purchases and possession, especially if the evaluation does not lead to an involuntary confinement or mental illness diagnosis.

Vilardo said that if Susmans inclusion on the prohibited list was a mistake, it ought to be fixed short of making it a federal case.

Daniel Maguire, an assistant attorney general representing the Office of Mental Health, said an administrative appeals process can take six months to a year to complete. This is going to be resolved a lot quicker than that, one way or another, Vilardo responded.

The two sides will file written briefs over the next several weeks, and Vilardo scheduled an oral argument for Feb. 11.

In the meantime, the judge urged the two sides to work toward a resolution that doesnt need the courts intervention. Short of that, the judge suggested the lawyers cooperate on the temporary restraining order Susman has sought. Vilardo asked if the two sides could stipulate that Susman can carry a firearm on the job while the civil case proceeds.

If theres a way for the two of you to resolve the TRO issue right now, so this gentleman can carry a weapon in his work capacity, Ill be happy to issue that TRO, Vilardo said.

Susmans name was put on the list in 2015, so he carried a gun for 10 years without any issues, Vilardo said.

Maguire told Vilardo he is waiting to receive Susmans medical records from ECMC and will check to see if what Susman says about his hospital visit is true.

A spokesman for the Office of Mental Health said federal and state laws prevent the office from providing information that would reveal the identity of any recipient of mental health services. Also, the agency does not discuss pending litigation.

Generally speaking, but not specific to this case, the Office of Mental Health is required by federal law to transmit to the NICS database the identifying information of people involuntary committed to a psychiatric hospital in New York State.

Any admitted patient committed to a mental institution or adjudicated as a mental defective is reported to the FBIs background check system.

In New York, theyre reported through a fully automated process.

There is an electronic system in which hospitals with a mental health unit or ward input qualifying admissions. Data is entered into the electronic medical record system by hospital employees at the time of patients hospitalization. The system electronically sends a report of qualifying admissions to the Office of Mental Health. When the data is then electronically combined with reports of involuntary admissions from hospitals, the Office of Mental Healths electronic medical record system generates the records, which are automatically sent for inclusion in the NICS database.

New York State has an appeals process to be removed from the background check system. Those erroneously listed on NICS may provide the Office of Mental Health with conclusive documentation establishing an error was made.

The agency can then assess, review, investigate and relay this information to the federal authorities.

Ballantoni, the lawyer for Susman, said he did not go through the appeals process because his name should never have been sent in the first place.
Three Kildare businesses have made it to the finals of the prestigious 2025 National Digital Awards.

Newbridge Silverware has been nominated for Website of the Year, Newbridge-based McCullagh Digital is up for Small Business Website of the Year and Gastro Life, which has a clinic in Naas, is in the running for E-Commerce Business of the Year.

Digital Business Ireland launched the organisations fifth Digital Awards in October in order to recognise the best digital, ecommerce and innovation businesses in Ireland while celebrating talent across the industry.

This years esteemed judging panel were tasked with identifying five finalists across 16 categories including websites, innovation and people, following several hundred submissions.

The finalists will now be invited to make a further submission to the judges which will be considered in February by the judging panel made up of experts from across the digital sector including Caroline Dunlea of Core Optimisation, Victor Timon of Byrne Wallace, Ashley McDonnell of Puig, and others.

Chairperson of Digital Business Ireland, Caroline Dunlea said: The Irish business community is relentless in its pursuit to reinvent and deliver solutions for their customers, while moving our economy forward. They have a remarkable ability to adapt, pivot and innovate in a changing world. This proved to be very inspiring to all the judging panel. The winners will then be announced at a supper and prosecco reception on the evening of 27 March 2025, at TwentyTwo, in Dublin 2.
A ROUNDABOUT requested for the R445 at the Monasterevin exit 14 on the M7 can't be considered in the current junction improvement project considering ten locations.

Cllr Pat Balfe had put down a motion requesting a feasibility study of providing a roundabout at what he said was one of the busiest junctions in the county. The report on the motion noted that no funding or resources are available for such a study at this time.

Suggesting that motorists coming up to the junction can be "blindsided" cllr Balfe said he completely understood about resources, but wondered what was needed to move the project up the list?

He was supported by Cllr Kevin Duffy, who said that he believes the location was originally intended for a roundabout. "I'm curious to understand what is the demarcation for deciding what is something the National Transport Authority would look at."

Acting senior engineer Daragh Conlan said that the junction would be considered a local issue for the local authority to resolve.

"In the absence of Transport Infrastructure Ireland taking ownership, the best way to fund it would be to look for a national grant." He added that this would be the next step after a design.
The BBC reports:

Elon Musk has called for Nigel Farage to be replaced as leader of Reform UK, just weeks after reports the multi-billionaire was in talks to donate to the party. In a post on his social media site X, Musk said Farage doesnt have what it takes to lead the party  but did not explain his reasoning. Farage suggested this was due to a disagreement over Musks support for far-right activist Tommy Robinson. He said Musks comment was a surprise, but that he would never sell out my principles.

It is about Tommy Robinson, and I have to say that Farage is in the right here.

Musk has tweeted:

Why is Tommy Robinson in a solitary confinement prison for telling the truth?



He should be freed and those who covered up this travesty should take his place in that cell. https://t.co/Dn48JLoJgR  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 1, 2025

Musk is conflating two seperate issues here. Robinson is not in prison for exposing the horrific grooming gangs scandal. In fact he didnt expose them. He is in prison for contempt of court.

It was Andrew Norfolk of The Times that exposed the child grooming and abuse. I agree that what happened hasnt had the media exposure it should have, and that too many in authority failed to act, because they were too focused on the perpetrators instead of the victims. It is a good thing to have people demanding that those in power should hold a high profile national inquiry into what happened (there have been a number of more targeted inquiries).

What Robinson is in jail for all comes from what was probably pretty typical school bullying. A 16 year old assault a 15 year old. The video went viral with a narrative that it was racially inspired as the victim was a Syrian refugee. It got viewed millions of times. It is worth noting that the Judge in the defamation trial said there was no evidence the attack was racially or religiously motivated. It was just a 16 year old being thuggish (sadly quite common).

Robinson took the side of the assailant and repeated claims by the assailant that the victim was in fact the bully, that it was self-defence, that he had attacked others. These were seen by millions also. The victim sued for defamation and a court found that what Robinson said was untrue. He found the statements by friends of the assailant to be unreliable and not backed by school evidence. Robinson was ordered to pay 100,000 pounds plus costs.

Robinson then made a film repeating the allegations against the victim, which had been found to be false and defamatory by the court. He then fled the country and only returned due to an arrest warrant. He was then jailed for contempt of court.

If you lose a defamation case in court, and you then make a film repeating the claims that had already been judged defamatory (and not to be repeated) then you will face contempt of court. It had nothing to do with the grooming scandals.

I think you can certainly make a valid criticism that the length of jail sentence for Robinson is excessive for a contempt of court ruling. But that is very different to claiming he is in prison for telling the truth.

Farage understands this, and that is why he refused to endorse Robinson, which then led Musk to say Farage should be replaced as UK Reform Leader. Just a few days earlier Musk was talking of possibly donating 100 million pounds to Reform  this shows the pitfalls of mercurial billionaires.

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BEIJING, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government has issued a comprehensive directive aimed at addressing the misuse of administrative inspections of enterprises, a senior judicial official said Tuesday.

The new policy document, the first systematic one to regulate such inspections, aims to strike a balance between effective supervision and minimal interference in law-abiding business operations, said Vice Minister of Justice Hu Weilie at a press conference.

The directive targets longstanding problems such as unclear inspection authority, excessive frequency and arbitrary implementation, Hu said.

The document stipulates that only qualified entities may conduct inspections and ask for a review of existing inspection items to eliminate unnecessary or redundant checks.

It also includes provisions to minimize the number and frequency of on-site inspections and replace some of them with written reviews, data sharing and application of information technology.

Each administrative agency is instructed to adopt and publish the maximum annual inspection frequency of one enterprise by mid-2025.

"These hard quotas aim to substantially lower the burden on enterprises," said Fei Xianghong, a senior ministry official, at the same press conference.

The directive establishes clear rules to prevent abuse of power, including bans on profit-driven inspections, interference in regular business operations, arbitrary seizures and freezing of assets, and unjustified orders to halt production.

Additionally, the document outlines procedural safeguards for conducting inspections, ensuring transparency and fairness throughout the process.

"We are determined to show businesses the government's commitment to regulating administrative inspections and enhancing their confidence in the future," Hu said.

He also emphasized that inspections in areas critical to public safety, such as food, pharmaceuticals and workplace safety, will remain rigorous, especially in cases involving public complaints or reports.
Weather Alert

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON FRIDAY TO 1 AM CDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...South winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected. * WHERE...Portions of south central, southwest, and west central Illinois and central, east central, northeast, and southeast Missouri. * WHEN...From noon Friday to 1 AM CDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution. &&
The Korean historical drama film "Harbin" has been sold to 117 countries, its distributor said Wednesday.

"It is meaningful in that the movie with a distinctly Korean narrative achieved successful international sales," CJ ENM said in a press release.

The movie has already premiered in several markets, including the United States, Singapore and Indonesia, with releases scheduled in Australia, New Zealand and Taiwan later this month.

The distributor attributed the strong global interest to multiple factors: director Woo Min-ho's reputation, the appeal of its star-studded cast led by Hyun Bin, and the film's critical recognition at prestigious events like the Toronto International Film Festival.

Since its Korean premiere on Dec. 24, the film has so far attracted over 3.77 million viewers.

Set in 1909, "Harbin" tells the story of a group of Korean independence fighters, led by Ahn Jung-geun (1879-1910), as they plot to assassinate Ito Hirobumi, Japan's first prime minister and resident-general of Korea, at Harbin Station in northern China. Korea was under brutal Japanese colonial rule from 1910 to 1945. (Yonhap)
Sluggish growth in Korea's industrial output is hampering the country's overall economic recovery amid increased uncertainties, which have been further exacerbated by domestic political instability, a state-run economic think tank said Wednesday.

"Our economy has recently seen a slowdown in industrial output growth delaying economic improvement, and heightened uncertainties have weakened economic sentiment," the Korea Development Institute (KDI) said in its monthly economic assessment report.

The think tank emphasized that economic sentiment has further deteriorated due to the domestic political situation, referring to President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived imposition of martial law on Dec. 3 and his subsequent impeachment.

Despite the overall slowdown, the KDI pointed out that semiconductor production and exports have remained relatively strong, with associated facility investments continuing to rise.

However, performance in the construction sector has shown persistent weakness.

According to the latest data compiled by Statistics Korea, industrial production decreased 0.4 percent from a month earlier in November, marking the third consecutive month of decline.

Despite the recent political unrest, the KDI observed that fluctuations in financial market indicators, such as foreign exchange rates, have remained limited.

However, household and corporate sentiment indices have significantly declined, compared with the situation during former President Park Geun-hye's impeachment in 2016.

A survey conducted by the Bank of Korea (BOK) showed that the composite consumer sentiment index stood at 88.4 in December, falling by the largest margin since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Composite Business Sentiment Index, or CBSI, in all industries came to 87 for December, falling to the lowest level in more than four years, a separate BOK survey showed.

"Economic sentiment has weakened, particularly in the area of consumer consumption, expanding the downward risk," the KDI concluded. (Yonhap)
District chief aims to foster inclusivity through cultural programs

By Jung Da-hyun

Seodaemun District in Seoul, a hub for international students with nine universities within its jurisdiction, is ramping up efforts to support foreign residents and multicultural families as part of its community integration strategy, according to the head of the district office.

"Approximately 15,000 foreign residents live in the district, and around 12,000 of them are international students," Lee Sung-hun, the head of Seodaemun District Office, said during a recent interview with The Korea Times.

"When foreign nationals, including international students, enter Korea, they face numerous complicated administrative processes, which often cause significant hardships.

To ease this burden, the district has introduced streamlined services to help international students and long-term foreign residents within the district better navigate the often-daunting paperwork required for their stay.

The system simplifies the preparation of necessary documents, making the process more efficient and accessible.

In addition, the district plans to establish a shared office space where international students can study and work, further supporting their integration and productivity.

The district is also preparing to launch a new service to assist foreign residents, particularly international students, in navigating Koreas real estate market. The service is expected to provide essential information on housing options and guide users through the rental process, helping them avoid potential disadvantages due to a lack of knowledge.

"Among international students, many graduate students are married and have families," Lee said. "Their biggest challenge is finding suitable housing, as universities often lack sufficient dormitories, and the available accommodations are not designed to support families."

The service will offer tailored support, including recommendations on locations and practical tips when looking for suitable housing.

In addition to practical support for daily living, Seodaemun District Office has launched a cultural initiative to foster community integration between local residents, international students and foreign visitors.

The program, named the Sinchon World Youth Festival, aims to create a welcoming atmosphere that celebrates diversity within the district.

The inaugural event, held in 2023, attracted approximately 530,000 visitors. Last years event, which ran from Sept. 27 to 29, saw a 59 percent increase in participation, drawing about 760,000 visitors over three days.

The festival featured parades, international food markets, cooking contests and cultural and tourism-themed booths, offering a vibrant showcase of global traditions.

"I hope this event serves as a platform for both Koreans and non-Koreans  whether residents, visitors or students  to connect, communicate and build friendships," Lee said.

He also highlighted that the district has several popular destinations that draw both residents and tourists.

Cafe Pokpo is one emerging standout attraction. Known for its unique setting that offers views of a waterfall within the bustling city, the coffee shop has become a global hotspot, attracting 1.5 million visitors to date.

Nearly half of these visitors are international tourists visiting from more than 31 countries.

"In Dubai, taking photos at Cafe Pokpo has become a must-do activity for those visiting Korea," Lee said.

To enhance the experience for international visitors, the district has established a tourist information center to provide language assistance and support. Measures have also been introduced to make ordering coffee and purchasing items more convenient, along with a tourist booth offering comprehensive information about attractions across the district.

Furthermore, the district office plans to transform a building adjacent to Cafe Pokpo into a cultural center where visitors can immerse themselves in diverse cultural programs.

"The space will feature a gift shop on the first floor and areas on the second floor dedicated to interactive programs showcasing Korean culture, providing visitors with an immersive cultural experience," Lee said.

Another popular attraction in the district is the Ansan Red Clay Trail, a 550-meter-long walking path designed to offer a unique and restorative experience for visitors.

The trail is equipped with foot-washing facilities, rest areas, a red clay footbath and massage balls, providing a soothing environment for those seeking relaxation.

Last June, the district expanded its offerings by opening an 800-meter section of the trails in Cheonnyeon-dong. The new trail has already attracted over 96,000 visitors in just six months since its launch, underscoring its growing popularity as a recreational spot.

Lee also expressed optimism about the Yonsei-ro area in Sinchon, Seouls first car-free street. However, private vehicles were allowed back on the street as of Jan. 1.

"I've been working hard to reinstate private vehicles on the street since I took office as head of the district office in July 2022," he said.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government had originally designated the area as a "public transportation zone" in 2014 under former Mayor Park Won-soon to promote a pedestrian-friendly environment.

However, local shopkeepers and residents argued that the car-free policy negatively impacted the local economy, particularly in the commercial district of Sinchon, which has struggled to recover since the COVID-19 pandemic. This has led to calls for the policys repeal.

"Allowing cars to pass through the area will help revitalize the commercial district around Sinchon," Lee said.

Looking ahead, Lee expressed his determination to achieve the districts goals in the coming year.

"There are many initiatives weve been working on to improve residents lives, and I hope this year will be one where these projects are completed and show tangible results," he said.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has attended a ceremony to inaugurate factories in the southwestern county of Jaeryong, reaffirming his plan to push for an "upsurge" in regional construction, state media reported Wednesday.

An inauguration ceremony of regional-industry factories in Jaeryong County for the "Regional Development 20x10 Policy" took place on Tuesday, with Kim in attendance, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

The KCNA said the new factories, built on a granary, marked a significant beginning of 2025, describing it as a "year of great turn for raising the overall development of socialism onto a higher stage."

Kim said that inauguration ceremonies for regional-industry factories have taken place in 20 cities and counties, calling them "a fruition of sincere efforts rendered for the people last year" and expressing "greater pride."

He also stressed the need to provide "conditions necessary for normalizing production" at such factories, such as raw materials and skilled workers, so that the country's regional development policy can promote the material well-being of regional residents.

Kim affirmed his commitment to making this year "a year of another upsurge in regional construction by setting a higher standard as a goal ... and ensuring the economic profitability, effectiveness and prospectiveness to the maximum," the KCNA noted.

He also inspected the interiors of the factories and their manufactured products, including bakery items and soaps, and discussed ways to assist the production with accompanying officials, including Premier Pak Thae-song, according to the report.

In a parliamentary meeting in January last year, the North's leader set forth a project to build modernized factories in 20 cities and counties every year over a 10-year period to enhance the living standards of the people, named the Regional Development 20x10 Policy. (Yonhap)
Health experts call on public to get vaccinated

By Jung Da-hyun

The number of flu patients here has soared in recent months as more people have become ill amid increasing levels of social interactions, health authorities said Wednesday.

Authorities are urging the public to get vaccinated ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday as people usually visit their hometowns to meet family and friends. Hospitalizations for COVID-19 have also been on the rise recently.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said that suspected influenza cases surged in the last week of December, with 73.9 cases per 1,000 outpatients between Dec. 22 and 28. This figure is 2.4 times higher than the 31.3 cases reported the week before.

The highest recorded number was 86.2 in 2016, marking the peak from eight years ago.

COVID-19 hospitalizations also saw a sharp increase during the same period, with 111 new inpatients recorded, a 1.7 times rise from the previous weeks 66 cases.

Hospitals across the country are seeing a surge in flu patients, leading to long wait times and crowded conditions.

"There were so many people at the hospital, even though it was a small one in my neighborhood," said a freelancer in her 50s surnamed Hong. "As soon as the doctor checked my fever, I was tested for the flu and got a positive result."

She added that many patients were coughing, and those with fevers were immediately sent to a designated room for flu checkups.

The overwhelming influx of patients has left many hospitals struggling to accommodate everyone.

"I went to see a doctor around 11:20 a.m. because I had a runny nose, but the morning registration had already closed due to the number of patients," Jung Hae-won, a 26-year-old office worker, said.

"Many hospitals close after 6 p.m., which is usually after office hours, so I still couldnt see a doctor," she said.

The flu outbreak is hitting young people aged 18 and under particularly hard.

Data from the last week of 2024 shows that the highest infection rate was among those aged 13 to 18, with 151.3 cases per 1,000 outpatients, followed by 137.3 cases for children aged 7 to 12. Adults aged 19 to 49 recorded 93.6 cases, while the rate among those aged 65 and older was 20.3.

The KDCA has advised getting vaccinated ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, warning that increased travel and gatherings could accelerate the spread of influenza and COVID-19.

The health agency also stated that the influenza vaccine is closely aligned with the strains currently in circulation, offering strong protection against the virus.

It emphasized the importance of COVID-19 vaccination, noting that the vaccine effectively builds immunity against the variants now spreading in Korea.

"To ensure a safe and healthy Lunar New Year holiday with family, we urge high-risk groups, including seniors aged 65 and older, pregnant women and children, to get vaccinated in advance if they havent already," KDCA Commissioner Ji Young-mi said.
Incoming President Donald Trump may not support South Korea's independent nuclearization, a former senior Pentagon official anticipated Tuesday, stressing Seoul is "better off" under America's nuclear umbrella.

Vipin Narang, former acting assistant secretary of defense for space policy, made the remarks, voicing optimism that the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG), the allies' nuclear deterrence body launched during the Biden administration, will continue at least "for the foreseeable future" under Trump.

"I personally don't think President Trump would support South Korean independent nuclearization," he said during a virtual forum hosted by the Institute for Corean-American Studies, a nonprofit research organization.

"I think President Biden and President Trump may not agree on many things, but I think they agree on one thing, which is they both view nuclear weapons as an existential threat, and neither wants nuclear weapons to spread to other countries," he added.

Though he described the North's nuclear program as advancing at "one of the highest rates in the world, matched only by China," Narang said it is better for South Korea to rely on America's "extended deterrence" pledge to use the full range of its military capabilities, including nuclear, to defend its ally.

"I still believe that it's in South Korea's interest to ensconce itself in the extended deterrence umbrella because it's not as if South Korea can get nuclear weapons overnight. There will be a window of vulnerability against a nuclear North Korea that will have an incentive to try and stop South Korea potentially through the use of force," he said.

"In a world in which South Korea is pursuing its own nuclear weapons, then the U.S. probably doesn't have an obligation to defend it ... South Korea may be very vulnerable in that period."

Narang, currently the Frank Stanton Professor of Nuclear Security and Political Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, expected that the NCG would remain under Trump, highlighting it is "in America's interest."

"The work streams that we've established mean that the NCG will at least persist, in my view, for the foreseeable future. I do think that the Trump administration will see that this is in America's interest," he said.

"It's a way to allow South Korea to contribute to the extended deterrence relationship in ways that I think the president will appreciate in the sense that it is a good 'bargain' for the U.S., and so I am hopeful that at least on the U.S. side, there will be some continuity," he added.

Under the NCG mechanism, the two allies are pursuing a model of "conventional and nuclear integration" in which the Asian ally uses its high-tech conventional military assets to support America's nuclear operations in an integrated way  a shift that requires South Korea to take greater responsibilities in the alliance.

Rather, Narang raised concerns over whether South Korea's efforts for the NCG would continue in the midst of political uncertainties caused by President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law bid and his subsequent impeachment last month.

"My bigger question is actually on the South Korea side ... what happens with the domestic political changes that are imminent and forthcoming in South Korea and the commitment to the NCG, given that President Yoon himself was so intimately ... and personally involved with the NCG," he said.

Apparently mindful of growing concerns over Trump's foreign policy approach, Narang underscored the importance of alliances.

"This notion that allies are liabilities or free riders is simply not true," he said, calling the allies "force multipliers." "When we provide a united front to our adversaries, we are stronger, and the allies provide capability and geography, and we share values."

The professor voiced worries over North Korea's fast-advancing nuclear capabilities as well as its deepening military alignment with Russia.

"I think on a percentage basis, North Korea's strategic programs are advancing at one of the highest rates in the world, matched perhaps only by China ... and it continues to expand and diversify its capabilities," he said without elaborating further.

Asked to describe Pyongyang's nuclear doctrine, Narang said Pyongyang has an "asymmetric escalation" posture under which a state deploys a nuclear arsenal to present a credible threat of a first nuclear strike or preemptive nuclear strike.

"No question. Asymmetric escalation, 100 percent," he said.

Commenting on the potential for South Korea's nuclear latency, Narang said the Asian country has the scientific and technical capability if it needed to pursue nuclear weapons, but the question is "how far could they go without getting detected?"

"I do think that if there is an effort to produce ... enough quantities of fissile materials to have ... an arsenal that is credible of independently deterring and defeating North Korea ... I think South Korea probably gets detected," he said. (Yonhap)
By Kim Hyun-bin

Claudio Raul Monzon Baeza, Cubas newly appointed ambassador to Korea, formally began his role on Tuesday after presenting his credentials in a ceremony at the Government Complex in Seoul.

Monzons arrival marks a significant step in the deepening diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Acting President Choi Sang-mok, who presided over the credential presentation ceremony, welcomed nine new ambassadors, including representatives from China and Cuba.

Monzon, who arrived in Seoul on Sunday, will focus on establishing Cubas first embassy in Korea, with plans to complete the process within the first half of the year.

This development follows the establishment of diplomatic ties on Feb. 14 last year, when the two nations exchanged diplomatic notes through their United Nations missions in New York.

The Korean government also plans to open an embassy in Havana in the coming months, pending agrement for its ambassador-designate.

Monzon's credentials were presented amid Korea's political turmoil. The acting president hosted the event due to President Yoon Suk Yeol's suspension of executive powers after the National Assembly impeached him.

Despite the political turbulence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that credential presentations are standard diplomatic procedures and remain unaffected by internal transitions.

Korea has historically convened such ceremonies when five or more newly appointed ambassadors are ready to present their credentials. The last event attended by Yoon was in late October.

Korea and Cuba have taken steps to enhance bilateral cooperation since normalizing relations last year. Analysts view the embassy openings as a pivotal moment for both nations, enabling opportunities for expanded economic and cultural exchanges.

The other eight ambassadors who also formally began their roles include Antonio de Sa Benevides, ambassador of Timor-Leste, Paul Sobba Massaquoi, ambassador of Sierra Leone, Patricio Esteban Troya Suarez, ambassador of Ecuador, Diego Manuel Villanueva Martinelli, ambassador of Panama, Landry Mboumba, ambassador of Gabon, Dai Bing, ambassador of China, Shiva Maya Tumbahangphe, ambassador of Nepal and Loukas Tsokos, ambassador of Greece.
South Korea's ambassador to the United States is expected to attend U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony this month as the government's representative, diplomatic sources said Wednesday.

Preparations are currently being made for Cho Hyun-dong, South Korea's top envoy in Washington, to represent the government at the ceremony for the incoming U.S. president on Jan. 20, according to the sources.

If confirmed, Cho's attendance would follow established convention.

South Korea has sent its top envoys in Washington as government representatives to the past three U.S. presidential inaugurations, such as Ambassador Lee Soo-hyuck to President Joe Biden's inauguration in 2021.

Meanwhile, the government is unlikely to send a special delegation to the U.S. as it had hoped before Trump's inauguration, considering the recent political turmoil in South Korea stemming from President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived imposition of martial law last month.

Separately in the private sector, Chung Yong-jin, chairman of South Korean retail conglomerate Shinsegae Group, and other business leaders plan to attend Trump's inauguration ceremony later this month. (Yonhap)
Bill proposed to offer special visas, benefits for experts in AI, EV batteries, other areas

By Jung Min-ho

Korea is moving to attract foreign professionals in high-tech areas such as artificial intelligence and electric vehicle batteries, with legislative bills and programs being introduced to make Korea a more appealing destination for them.

In the latest such move, a group of lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party introduced a bill on Tuesday to offer experts in high-tech industries a fast-track program to get special visas and benefits like a residence permit for their family members, including parents.

With the recent advancement of generative AI, countries around the world are trying hard to attract AI experts as the technology is expected to lead the global economy. And high-tech companies in sectors such as semiconductors, software, displays, bio and rechargeable batteries, among others, have a strong desire to attract and recruit them, said Rep. Koh Dong-jin, one of the 11 legislators and a former president of Samsung Electronics.

Under the proposal, foreign experts in government-designated high-tech areas would be allowed to receive benefits, including less stringent visa screening, residence permits for their families and extended stay without frequently renewing their visas. This would help create a better environment for such workers to stay here longer and make it possible for Korea to make use of their expertise more sustainably, Koh said.

This bill comes when the global competition is heating up to secure tech dominance by luring top experts.

Korea is lagging in the race, according to the lawmaker, with non-citizens accounting for just 0.09 percent of all skilled professionals working in the country, compared with 6.6 percent in Singapore and 0.3 percent in Australia and Japan.

With countries such as the United States, Britain, Japan and Taiwan introducing special visas and more benefits to attract such experts, Korea also needs to step up its efforts, Koh said.

Korea is known as one of the least open countries to foreign workers. In recent years, more jobs have been offered, but mostly in labor-intensive industries that Korean nationals shun.

This may have to change for Korea and its cities to stay competitive in the coming decades, according to a senior official at the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

Attracting such professionals is particularly important for Korea, a country that has a low birthrate and needs foreign workers, the official told The Korea Times. But that is, fundamentally, a job for the private companies that pay them salaries. What policymakers can do to help is to make the country or its cities a more attractive option for them to consider.

As part of that effort, the Seoul city government recently introduced a scholarship program for international students studying science or engineering at Korean graduate schools.

Potential beneficiaries are those with bachelors degrees or expected to earn one soon at universities outside Korea. In addition to the money, the government offers them legal tips and language education to help them achieve their career aspirations in the city.

If Korea is to stay stable and competitive in the long run, it needs to embrace more foreign workers in more sectors, including high-tech areas, according to Kim Joon-sik, the honorary chairman of Asian Friends, a Seoul-based NGO.

But policymakers should tread carefully, given that high-paying tech jobs are scarce also for Koreans, who have to compete fiercely for them," he said. "If they feel the competition becomes even more intense because of more competition with non-citizens, it could trigger anti-immigration sentiment, which is bad for Koreas long-term immigration policy.
Police said Wednesday they are tracking President Yoon Suk Yeol's location amid rumors he may have fled from his residence while facing the threat of arrest over his short-lived imposition of martial law.

"We cannot specially disclose President Yoon's location," a police official told Yonhap News Agency. "We continue to track his location."

Yoon is believed to have been largely holed up at his official residence in central Seoul since the National Assembly impeached him on Dec. 14 over his failed martial law bid earlier that month.

Police confirmed he was home last Friday when investigators tried to execute a warrant to detain him before withdrawing five hours later amid a standoff with presidential security staff, according to sources. He was home at least until early this week, they said.

Rumors that he may have fled were sparked Tuesday by Oh Dong-woon, chief of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, who told lawmakers during a parliamentary session that he had heard nothing specific about whether Yoon remained home.

When asked if Yoon could have fled, he answered, "We're thinking about various possibilities."

In an interview with KBS radio Wednesday, Rep. Ahn Gyu-back of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, claimed he had information Yoon has already left the residence and is hiding in a "third location."

"I received a tip-off," Ahn said. "I heard yesterday the police have also made a similar location assessment." (Yonhap)
By KTimes

A doctor accused of sexually assaulting patients under anesthesia and prescribing narcotics to a driver of a Rolls-Royce involved in a fatal accident was sentenced to 16 years in prison in his second trial.

The Seoul High Court said Wednesday that its criminal division, led by presiding judge Hwang Jin-gu, sentenced doctor Yeom to 16 years in prison and imposed a fine of 5 million won ($3,800) for charges including violations of medical law.

The court reduced the sentence by one year from the 17-year term handed down in the first trial.

As a doctor and authorized handler of narcotics, the defendant exploited his position to satisfy his deviant sexual desires," the court said in the ruling. "He committed crimes over an extended period, taking advantage of the victims' inability to remember due to sedation, demonstrating extremely poor moral character.

Crimes involving drugs, sexual assault

Yeom was prosecuted for administering a combination of propofol and other narcotics to the Rolls-Royce driver involved in the Apgujeong Rolls-Royce hit-and-run case in August last year, which resulted in the death of a pedestrian. He also falsified medical records related to the case.

A forensic investigation of Yeoms phone uncovered evidence that he had sexually assaulted more than 10 women under sedation and illegally filmed the acts.

Additional charges under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, including unauthorized filming, quasi-rape and quasi-indecent assault, were filed against him.

While the first trial sentenced Yeom to 17 years in prison, the appellate court reduced the term, citing his remorse and efforts to compensate the victims, including a significant deposit for damages.

The court considered the restitution efforts as a limited factor for sentencing but found that a heavy sentence was unavoidable given the severity of the crimes, the court said.

The court emphasized the profound mental trauma suffered by the victims, noting that some experienced suicidal impulses, with one tragically taking her own life.

The defendant has not received explicit forgiveness from any of the victims, the court said. It also condemned Yeom for prioritizing profit over medical ethics, and using psychotropic drugs instead of providing proper treatment, which caused significant harm to society.

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.
Song Young-gil, a former leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), was sentenced by a court Wednesday to serve two years in prison for receiving illegal political funds from businesspeople.

The Seoul Central District Court handed out the prison term to Song, who was indicted a year ago for taking 763 million won ($524,000) in illegal political funds from seven people under the pretext of donations for his support group, the Research Institute for Peace & Livelihood, from 2020 to 2021.

Song was also indicted in January last year for his alleged involvement in his campaign's distribution of cash totaling 66 million won to 20 sitting DPK lawmakers and other party members in the run-up to the party's leadership election in May 2021, which he ultimately won.

But the court acquitted Song of the charges related to the cash-for-votes scandal after refusing to recognize the evidential value of a former DPK official's cell phone recording files, which was the starting point of the prosecution's investigation into the case.

The court then ordered the immediate detention of Song, who was previously put under arrest in January last year but was released on bail four months later in May.

Song is now serving as the leader of the Pine Tree Party, a minor political party.

Prosecutors demanded imprisonment of nine years and a fine of 100 million won for Song in his previous hearing. (Yonhap)
By Kim Se-jeong, Lee Hae-rin

The government and the ruling People Power Party (PPP) decided, Wednesday, to designate Jan. 27 as a temporary holiday in Korea.

With the Lunar New Year holiday slated for Jan. 28 to 30, the designation will enable people to take a six-day break, from Jan. 25 to 30. If they take an additional day off on Jan. 31, they could enjoy up to nine days of holiday through Feb. 2.

According to officials, the decision is part of government efforts to boost domestic consumption.

"The government has agreed to designate Jan. 27 as a temporary holiday to boost the domestic economy and tourism during the Lunar New Year holiday," Rep. Kim Sang-hoon, the chairman of the PPPs policy committee, said during a briefing at the National Assembly in Seoul following a meeting with government officials.

"The government and the ruling party believe that it will play a role in improving peoples quality of life as well as providing them with a chance to rest," he said.

The measure comes as consumer sentiment sharply declined due to political uncertainties, which were further exacerbated by President Yoon Suk Yeols imposition of martial law on Dec. 3 and his subsequent impeachment.

According to the Bank of Korea, the Composite Consumer Sentiment Index stood at 88.4 in December, a decrease of 12.3 points from November. This marks the biggest drop since March 2020, when it fell 18.3 points during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, the country canceled and scaled down year-end and New Year's festivities as people mourn the tragic crash of a Jeju Air passenger plane last month, which claimed 179 lives.

"We hope that it will be a warmer and more relaxed Lunar New Year holiday, and we promise to take a closer look at the benefits of designating a temporary holiday," Kim said.

While the effectiveness of stimulating domestic spending remains uncertain, the anticipated economic impact of the temporary holiday is one of the few options the government has relied on.

Hyundai Research Institute estimated in 2020 that each additional national holiday will increase consumer spending by 2.1 trillion won ($1.4 billion) and create a production-inducing effect of 4.2 trillion won.

In recent years, temporary holidays were designated mostly to make long holidays by linking them with existing national holidays such as Liberation Day, Children's Day and National Foundation Day. Last year, Oct. 1, Armed Forces Day, was designated as a temporary break to honor the nation's armed forces, although it was not linked to any other holiday.
Hundreds of people in support of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol and those calling for his immediate arrest rallied near the presidential residence Wednesday, a day after a court extended a warrant to detain him over his botched martial law declaration.

Some 600 supporters gathered at a road near Hangangjin Station, mostly from a conservative civic group led by pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon and Freedom Union, another conservative organization.

Holding red light sticks and waving the Korean and American flags, the supporters chanted, "Arrest Lee Jae-myung," referring to the opposition leader, and "We oppose impeachment."

The supporters claimed the detention warrant for Yoon was illegal, as the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), which is leading an investigation into insurrection charges related to Yoon's martial law decree, is not authorized to investigate insurrection.

A separate rally demanding Yoon's immediate arrest was held nearby, with dozens of people urging the CIO to speedily execute the warrant.

No major clashes were reported between the rallygoers, though some shouted or swore at each other beyond the safety fence separating them.

Police have stationed a midsized bus between the opposing rallies to prevent clashes.

The rallies have been held day and night, with some sleeping out in freezing temperatures. Both sides have rallies scheduled for the afternoon near the presidential residence and the Constitutional Court. (Yonhap)
By KTimes

Japan's Asahi Shimbun reported that President Yoon Suk Yeol frequently mentioned martial law starting around April last year, coinciding with Korea's general elections.

Citing a former cabinet minister under the Yoon administration who dined with the president several times, Asahi reported, Yoon began bringing up the term martial law more frequently in gatherings after the ruling partys crushing defeat in the April elections last year. His stress levels and alcohol consumption increased as well.

According to the report, Yoon often drank at venues such as a government residence in Samcheong-dong, Seoul. These gatherings typically included samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly), paired with rounds of "somaek"  a shot of soju mixed with beer. Apparently, Yoon drank up to 20 glasses of somaek in a single sitting.

The former minister said, Most people fill their somaek glasses halfway, but the president filled his to the brim. While drinking, the president would criticize opposition politicians, though he sometimes directed criticism at ruling party members as well.

The report speculated that this habit may stem from Yoons days as a prosecutor when he drank a mix of whiskey and beer called "Ten-Ten." This potent drink, designed for quick intoxication, was said to be popular among prosecutors.

A former foreign affairs aide from Yoons administration revealed that these drinking sessions frequently lasted until dawn.

Even the security personnel stationed at the presidents facilities expressed frustration over the long hours they had to endure during these late-night gatherings, the aide said.

Fan of far-right YouTube broadcasts

Asahi also reported that Yoon became heavily influenced by far-right YouTube channels amid declining approval ratings and criticism of his unilateral governance style.

A close aide to the president said, As his approval ratings remained stagnant and criticisms of his governance style grew, President Yoon became increasingly absorbed in far-right YouTube broadcasts.

Former cabinet members advised Yoon to monitor mainstream media to better gauge public sentiment, but their suggestions were dismissed. An official close to the administration was quoted as saying, The term anti-state forces isnt something politicians typically use.

A ruling party lawmaker told Asahi, Politics often involves reconciling differing opinions, which can be time-consuming and inefficient. Coming from a background as a prosecutor focused on efficiency, President Yoon seems to struggle with understanding the nature of politics.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.
The National Assembly rejected two special counsel bills targeting impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law bid and allegations surrounding first lady Kim Keon Hee in a revote on Wednesday.

The special counsel bill targeting Yoon calls for the designation of special prosecutors to look into insurrection charges related to Yoon's short-lived martial law imposition.

The bill was rejected in a 198-101 vote with one abstention and was ultimately scrapped as it failed to gain the two-thirds support required to override the president's veto.

The opposition parties unilaterally passed the bill at a plenary session last month before the Cabinet demanded the National Assembly reconsider its decision in a meeting chaired by acting President Choi Sang-mok.

The opposition-controlled National Assembly also rejected another bill that calls for a special counsel probe into two key allegations involving the first lady over her alleged involvement in a stock manipulation scheme and interference in election nominations through a power broker.

The bill was voted down in a 196-103 vote with one abstention.

It is the fourth version of the bill targeting Kim following a similar proposal vetoed by Yoon, which was ultimately scrapped in a revote.

People Power Party floor leader Kweon Seong-dong earlier reaffirmed his party's official decision to vote against the special counsel bills, while the main opposition Democratic Party vowed to reintroduce the bills to the Assembly if they are rejected.

Parliament also voted down six more bills, including a controversial grain bill that was vetoed by then acting President Han Duck-soo, during the session.

The Grain Management Act mandates the government purchase of surplus rice to stabilize prices during market fluctuations. A similar bill was vetoed by Yoon in March 2023 and subsequently scrapped in a revote.

Other bills include the National Assembly Act, aimed at preventing the automatic submission of the government budget to the plenary session after the legal deadline, and the National Assembly Testimony Appraisal Act, which would require companies to submit requested data to lawmakers. (Yonhap)
The presidential office on Wednesday denied speculations that President Yoon Suk Yeol might have fled his residence amid investigators' attempt to detain him for a probe into his short-lived imposition of martial law.

"(I) have heard the president is currently staying at the official residence," a presidential official with knowledge of the matter told Yonhap News Agency by phone, without providing further details.

Police said they are tracking Yoon's location amid rumors he may have fled from his residence in central Seoul as investigators led by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) were mulling ways to arrest the impeached president.

Rep. Ahn Gyu-back of the main opposition Democratic Party claimed in an interview with KBS radio Wednesday that he had information Yoon has already left the residence and is hiding in a "third location."

During a parliamentary session Tuesday, Oh Dong-woon, chief of the CIO, told lawmakers he had heard nothing specific about whether Yoon remained home. (Yonhap)
Investigators prepare for 2nd attempt to detain president

By Lee Hyo-jin

President Yoon Suk Yeol will comply with legal procedures if he is indicted or a formal arrest warrant is sought over his short-lived martial law, rather than the current warrant for temporary detention, his lawyers said, Wednesday.

They also said the president is willing to attend his impeachment trial hearings at the Constitutional Court without restrictions, as long as the ongoing controversy over the removal of insurrection charges is resolved.

However, it remains to be seen if the presidents side will truly comply with the legal procedures, as he has not done so with the detention warrant issued at the request of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), which is leading a joint investigation with the police and the defense ministry.

The lawyers reiterated their stance of non-cooperation with the CIO's detention warrant, which has been extended. A detention warrant is typically issued when investigators need to take immediate custody of a suspect for questioning before seeking a formal arrest warrant. This allows them to detain a suspect for 48 hours, and if they wish to continue questioning under custody, they must seek a separate arrest warrant.

Yoon has refused to cooperate with the detention warrant, arguing that the anti-corruption agency lacks legal grounds for investigating the insurrection charges.

"(They should) make an indicment, or request an arrest warrant. Then, we will be willing to cooperate with the court process," Yun Gap-keun, a member of Yoon's legal team, said during a press conference in Seoul.

The president's legal team also claims that the detention warrant, issued by the Seoul Western District Court, is invalid, arguing that the CIO falls under the Seoul Central District Court's jurisdiction.

The lawyers also said Yoon will actively defend himself at the impeachment trial.

"There is no change in the president's willingness to attend the Constitutional Court hearings," Yun said.

"But he will be able to attend the trials once the controversy surrounding the withdrawal of insurrection charges and other issues are resolved, and relevant conditions are met for the president to speak. There is no limit to the number of times (of his attendance)," he added.

The lawyer also noted security concerns should be resolved for the president to appear at court.

Yun's remarks come amid intensifying controversy surrounding whether insurrection charges should be excluded as grounds for the president's impeachment at court.

Opposition parties have called for the withdrawal of the insurrection charges, which are being handled seperately by the investigation authorities, arguing that the impeachment should focus solely on whether Yoon's declaration of martial law was unconstitutional.

On the other hand, the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and Yoon's legal defense team have rejected the removal of the insurrection charges, which they view as the key point of the National Assembly's impeachment motion. They argue that withdrawing the charges would make the motion meaningless, and therefore the court should dismiss it.

The court has yet to make a final decision on the matter.

Violent clash feared

The CIO is preparing for a second attempt to raid the presidential residence to detain Yoon, amid concerns of violent clashes with the Presidential Security Service (PSS). It remains unclear when the agency will execute the warrant, as officials are maintaining silence to avoid leaks that could allow Yoon and his security team to prepare for the move.

If successful, it would mark the first-ever detention of a sitting president. However, another failure would place the CIO  already facing mounting criticism for its incompentent handling of the investigation  under greater scrutiny.

After the first attempt last Friday was thwarted by strong resistance from the PSS officials, authorities are reviewing various strategies to ensure success on the second attempt.

The CIO is said to be considering the mobilization of additional personnel and resources, surpassing the roughly 30 CIO officials and 100 police officers who were involved in the first attempt. The police are also weighing the potential deployment of special forces and helicopters.

The PSS has reportedly fortified the residence by installing barbed wire and barricading the entrance with additional buses to block the impending arrest attempt.

The CIO's efforts could face additional challenges due to Yoon's die-hard supporters, who have converged outside his residence to protest the detention attempt. Waving Korean and U.S. flags, they have been holding round-the-clock rallies, hoping to protect the embattled leader.

During a National Assembly session, Tuesday, CIO head Oh Dong-woon vowed to succeed in the second attempt, saying that it could be their "last opportunity" to carry out the warrant.

But Oh remained tight-lipped when asked by lawmakers about how the warrant would be executed, emphasizing the need for confidentiality in order to succeed.

Amid the impasse over the detention, opposition parties have raised concerns that Yoon may have already fled his residence to avoid being detained.

Rep. Ahn Gyu-baek of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) suggested that the president might be hiding in an undisclosed location.

Ive received tip-offs. There should be more verification, but I believe he may already be at a third location, Ahn said during a radio interview with KBS, Wednesday.

The police said that they are tracking Yoons location, but did not specify his exact whereabouts.

However, during the press conference, Yoons lawyer refuted the speculation, calling it a "malicious rumor."

I want to clarify that I personally saw him at the residence yesterday, Yun said.
Acting President Choi Sang-mok on Wednesday urged government agencies, including the secret service, to avoid any physical confrontation during the process of arresting President Yoon Suk-yeol, who remains in his fortified compound.

"Ensure that no harm comes to citizens, and avoid any unfortunate incidents such as physical clashes between government agencies under any circumstances," Choi said during a government meeting.

On Friday, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), which is investigating Yoon for alleged insurrection, attempted to execute a court-issued warrant for his arrest but withdrew after a five-hour standoff with the Presidential Security Service (PSS).

Despite calls from the CIO to tell the PSS to stand down, Choi has so far refrained from actively exercising his authority to provide guidelines.

The PSS reinforced Yoon's presidential residence earlier this week by installing barbed wire and barricades, and using buses to block access to the residence in Seoul.

Meanwhile, the CIO has announced its plan to thoroughly execute the warrant through an apparently pending second attempt to detain Yoon.

Following the impeachment of both Yoon and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has called for an investigation against Choi, accusing him of dereliction of duty for failing to act.

Additionally, the DPK has criticized Choi for not taking any action against Park Chong-jun, head of the PSS, despite his role in obstructing the CIO's attempt to detain Yoon. (Yonhap)
By Lee Hae-rin

The opposition-controlled National Assembly failed to pass two special counsel bills on Wednesday on impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched martial law and first lady Kim Keon Hee over multiple corruption allegations.

With all 300 Assembly members present in a revote during the plenary session, 198 voted in favor of the special probe bill targeting Yoon, with 101 objections and one abstention.

Another special probe bill targeting Kim saw 196 votes in favor, with 103 objections and one abstention.

As the bills failed to gain 200 votes, falling short of the two-thirds majority needed to override the presidential veto, they were scrapped.

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers left the parliamentary chamber after voting in protest of the results. The party said it will reintroudce the bills as soon as possible.

The bills, which the opposition parties passed on Dec. 12, call for the designation of special prosecutors to investigate insurrection charges against Yoon for his Dec. 3 martial law and Kims alleged involvement stock price manipulation scheme and interference in election nominations through a power broker.

Acting President Choi Sang-mok vetoed the two bills on Dec. 31 in a Cabinet meeting and demanded the National Assembly reconsider its decision.

I have pondered countless times about whether it is truly responsible to promulgate bills whose question of unconstitutionality has not been resolved and which raise concerns about national interests and the peoples basic rights, Choi said.

The ruling People Power Party, which holds 108 seats in the Assembly, has been opposing the two contentious bills.
By Gywnne Dyer

Turning yourself from a democratically elected president into a dictator is a tricky operation, and most people who try it fail. Its called a "self-coup," from the Spanish "auto-golpe," and to try it without first gaining the support of the armed forces is sheer lunacy. Yet, from time to time, an elected president tries to do exactly that.

The latest president to try it is Koreas Yoon Suk Yeol, elected two years ago by the slimmest margin ever. His declaration of martial law on Dec. 3 was withdrawn after three hours when thousands of civilians went to the National Assembly building and helped lawmakers convene inside and vote to cancel Yoons decree.

The disgraced president has now been suspended from office and impeached by the National Assembly on charges of insurrection. After he refused three times to appear before a court and answer questions on those charges, the investigators obtained an order to arrest him and bring him before the court to testify.

They tried to arrest him on Saturday, but thousands of Yoons supporters formed a human chain to stop them. The head of the Presidential Security Service, Park Chong-jun, recently appointed by Yoon himself, also showed up at Yoons residence with his heavily armed paramilitary troops, vowing to resist to the death. So the police chose to withdraw.

This was not a blunder or a failure of nerve by the courts investigators. It was a sensible decision not to give Yoon the spectacle of 3,000 armed police clashing with his own civilian backers and hundreds of armed presidential guards. It will take a little longer to get Yoon into handcuffs, but at the end of it he will no longer be president.

The "martyrdom" of another president who tried and failed to carry out a self-coup is just beginning. Last month, Brazilian ex-president Jair Bolsonaro and 36 former associates were indicted by Brazils federal police for plotting to assassinate the victor in the 2022 election, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and put Bolsonaro back in office.

What makes these two events relevant to the present is that both Bolsonaro and Yoon modeled their behavior on Donald Trumps. Yoons supporters in the confrontation outside the presidential residence last week were even waving American flags to show that they were emulating Trumps supporters in their attack on the U.S. Congress on Jan. 6, 2021.

Like Trump, Bolsonaro and Yoon are populists who have little regard for the truth or the law. When they found themselves thwarted by events  a lost election in Bolsonaros case, an opposition majority in the Korean National Assembly in Yoons  they were willing to take unconstitutional action to get their way.

Like Trump again, both men justified their illegal actions with the false claim that the previous election had been rigged against their side. But there was one big difference: unlike Trump, they didnt chicken out at the last moment. Stupid, but brave.

In any coup attempt, there is a point at which mere talk crosses the line into irrevocable action, and it is a bright red line. To bring people with you in sufficient numbers, you have to cross that line and risk everything. Yoon and Bolsonaro crossed it and failed anyway. Trump never crossed it.

The key moment was on Jan. 6, four years ago, when Trump, having promised to join the potential rioters and insurrectionists in front of the Capitol building, let himself be driven back to the White House after a brief token attempt to seize the steering wheel from the Secret Service driver. He watched the potential coup fizzle out on television.

Four years later, having won reelection fair and square, Trump is heading back to the White House. If even half of his promises are kept, there will be plenty of conflicts and crises between his administration on one side and federal law, the constitution and the strongly held values of around half the population on the other.

Trumps control of the Supreme Court will let him ride out some of the protests, but it is likely that there will be grave confrontations between Trump and a large section of the American people. It is, therefore, some consolation that he lacks the courage and determination of a genuine revolutionary.

He talks a great fight, but when it came to the crisis point in 2021 he went tamely back to the White House. The rational explanation was that he could not count on the U.S. military to accept a Trump coup, which is probably still the case, but the real reason was that he didnt have the guts to stage a coup.

Thats no guarantee that next time wont be different, but 78-year-old leopards dont usually change their spots.

Gwynne Dyers new book is "Intervention Earth: Life-Saving Ideas from the Worlds Climate Engineers." His previous book, "The Shortest History of War," is also still available.








Judiciary must regain public trust amid fairness dispute

The Constitutional Court's handling of President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial has come under scrutiny, amid concerns about fairness and due process.

The ruling People Power Party (PPP) and the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) are at odds over a decision to remove the treason charge from the proceedings. Yoon has been accused of treason and violating the Constitution.

The two parties have sharply differing opinions on two key issues: first, whether a new impeachment motion is required, and second, whether there was an alleged behind-the-scenes agreement between the Constitutional Court and the DPK which initiated the impeachment trial.

At a meeting of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, Rep. Joo Jin-woo of the PPP called for a new impeachment motion. He argued that the original motion, passed in December, was heavily influenced by the treason charge, which motivated over 200 lawmakers to vote in favor of it. With the removal of this major charge, Joo, a former prosecutor, argued that the National Assembly should draw up a new measure reflecting these changes and vote on it again.

This is a completely new situation. The National Assembly must draft a new measure that reflects this significant change and then vote on it, he said.

DPK members, however, disagreed, arguing that the current motion still encompasses "acts of insurrection," even though it does not provide specific details.

Rep. Joo also raised the allegation that the Constitutional Court encouraged the DPK to drop the treason charge to expedite the trial. If true, he suggested, this could compromise the fairness of the process.

The allegation surfaced after a pretrial conference on Jan. 3, when the justices met with attorneys representing both the plaintiff (the National Assembly) and the defendant (the president). An attorney for the National Assembly revealed that the decision to drop the treason charge followed advice from the justices, who recommended focusing on Yoons alleged constitutional violations to expedite the trial. This statement stirred controversy, implying potential undue influence by the court.

Both the Constitutional Court and the DPK denied the allegation. The court maintained that it had conducted its duties in strict accordance with the Constitution and the law, emphasizing its commitment to impartiality and independence from partisan interests.

The controversy surrounding the trial raises concerns about fairness, especially given the judiciarys history of handling high-profile cases. During the previous Moon Jae-in administration, the judiciary faced criticism for delays in cases involving prominent politicians. For example, in November 2023, the Supreme Court ruled against former DPK lawmaker Yoon Mi-hyang for embezzlement, a case that took over four years to settle. She was sentenced to a one-and-a-half-year jail term which was suspended for three years. Had the ruling been made while she was in office, the activist-turned-politician would have lost her parliamentary seat. However, because the ruling was delayed, she served her full four-year term and retired from her position as a lawmaker.

Similarly, Rep. Hwang Un-ha, indicted in 2020 for election meddling, was sentenced in November 2023, nearly four years after his indictment. Hwang, a former police official, was indicted in January 2020 on charges of election meddling. He was accused of helping a close aide to Moon, when he was president, secure a victory in the 2018 local election for mayor of Ulsan, a city on the southeastern coast. Hwang was later elected as a lawmaker on the DPKs ticket. In November 2023, he was sentenced to three years in prison. The district courts ruling came three years and 10 months after his indictment. Due to the delayed ruling, Hwang, like Yoon, was able to complete his four-year term as a DPK lawmaker. If the ruling is upheld by the upper court, however, his second term will be cut short.

Now, the Constitutional Court is facing criticism for its handling of the impeachment procedure. The court has scheduled five trial sessions without prior consultation with either the plaintiff or defendants attorneys, and has scheduled two trials per week. The courts unusually rapid trial schedule has raised suspicions that it plans to complete the impeachment process quickly. Given that impeaching a sitting president is a critical decision with potentially far-reaching consequences, it is essential that the process be thoroughly deliberated, ensuring both the plaintiff and defendant have adequate time to present their cases. A speedy trial should not come at the expense of due process.




Telecommunication firm showcases Aster at CES 2025

By Park Jae-hyuk

SK Telecom (SKT) introduced its Aster personal artificial intelligence (AI) agent to participants at the CES 2025 tech fair in Las Vegas on Tuesday (local time), with plans for a beta launch in March for North American users.

This is the first time for the Korean company to showcase its AI agent in the United States.

In November, the telecommunication firm announced its development of Aster during the SK AI Summit 2024 at COEX in Seoul.

According to SKT, it has started recruiting users for the beta service through SK Groups exhibition pavilion at CES 2025 and the official website for Aster.

The company is considering introducing Aster in other regions next year, following the official launch of the service in North America during the second half of this year.

According to SKT, Aster can help its users focus more on what's valuable in their everyday lives through its four functions  planning, execution, reminders and advice.

Even if its user makes an ambiguous or complicated request, the AI agent can induce a smoother conversation to clarify the users intention and propose feasible plans.

If a person on a business trip in Las Vegas asks about what to do on the final day of the trip, Aster figures out the users needs by suggesting shopping spots, restaurants or theaters, and draws up a feasible schedule, an SKT official said.

If the user wants to watch a performance, Aster recommends the most suitable show and introduces nearby restaurants and how to get there.

For Aster to do various tasks, including reservations and payments, SKT said that it is considering strengthening partnerships with other tech firms, including Perplexity, which offers a generative AI-powered answer engine service.

The telecom firm also emphasized that Aster not only responds to requests from users but also makes proposals more actively.

For a user on a business trip in Las Vegas, Aster can suggest the purchase of a souvenir as a gift for the users daughter, whose birthday is next week, the official said.

Aster is differentiated from other AI services, as it finds out answers through communication between the AI agent and its user.
Jensen Huang credits Samsung, SK hynix as key memory suppliers

By Nam Hyun-woo

LAS VEGAS  Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang expressed optimism, Tuesday (local time), about Samsung Electronics efforts to supply its most advanced high-bandwidth HBM memory chip to his company. However, Huang stressed the need for the Korean chipmaker to "engineer a new design."

During a press Q&A session on the sidelines of CES 2025, the artificial intelligence (AI) guru said Samsung is working on Nvidias qualification tests for HBM3e and there is no question they will succeed.

I have confidence that Samsung will succeed with HBM. I have confidence like tomorrow is Wednesday, Huang said.

The remarks were made in response to a question about why he chose to highlight Microns G7 memory chip, which is used in Nvidias new RTX 50 series graphics cards, unveiled during his CES keynote speech. The RTX 50 series is powered by Micron's Blackwell-based AI technologies, and following Huangs comments, the U.S. chipmaker's stock saw a significant rise.

Remember, Samsung created HBM, he said. Originally, the very first HBM memory that Nvidia has ever used was from Samsung.

Samsung Electronics has been struggling to get its HBM3e chips to pass qualification tests for Nvidias AI processors, while its rival, SK hynix, has become the dominant supplier, providing 12-layer HBM3e chips to Nvidia.

In October, Samsung said in an earnings conference call that it has achieved meaningful progress in meeting qualification requirements for a major customer, assumed to be Nvidia. But the chipmaker has yet to receive an official verification from Nvidia for its eight-layer and 12-layer HBM3e chips.

The challenges surrounding HBM have raised concerns about Samsungs competitiveness as the worlds largest memory chipmaker. As HBM continues to account for only a small share of Samsungs chipmaking business, a decline in the traditional DRAM market has hurt the companys overall earnings.

Against this backdrop, Huang expressed confidence that Samsung will recover and said that Nvidia's testing of its HBM3e chips will be completed soon. However, he emphasized that the company needs to develop a new design.

Korea is very impatient, which is a good thing, Huang said when asked about the delays in Samsungs chip tests. But they have to engineer a new one, new design. But they can do it. They are working very fast and very committed to do it.

So far, industry observers have speculated that the delay in qualifying Samsung chips is due to a lack of optimization with Nvidias chip specifications, rather than an issue with the chip quality itself. However, Huangs comments suggest that further delays in Samsungs bid to supply Nvidia could occur unless there is a fundamental change in the memory chip design.

Huang also noted that Samsung and SK hynix are two of Nvidias largest suppliers, praising them as excellent memory companies which will continue to succeed given the high demand for memory chips in Blackwell architecture. During his keynote speech, Huang showcased the GB200 Grace Blackwell Superchip, which is powered by multiple HBM chips.

After the Q&A session, Huang mentioned that he will meet SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won during CES, but did not reveal any further details about the meeting.
Designation of Tencent as military firm may affect gaming industry

By Park Jae-hyuk

The U.S. Department of Defense's addition of CATL to its list of companies supporting the Chinese military is expected to benefit Korean electric vehicle (EV) battery makers, which have been experiencing a steady decline in their global market shares.

Korean gaming firms, on the other hand, are keeping a close watch on the Pentagon's move to blacklist Tencent, considering their business partnerships with the Chinese IT company.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Defense Department announced updates to the names of Chinese military companies operating directly or indirectly in the United States. Although they will not face any immediate restrictions on their businesses in the private sector, the department will be banned from dealing with them starting in June next year.

"This could add to their reputational damage in the U.S., Europe and other parts of the world," said Douglas Kim, an analyst at SmartKarma, a Singapore-based investment research firm.

The analyst anticipated positive effects of Washington's recent decision on Korean rechargeable battery firms, mentioning a rise in their share prices amid a drop in CATL's stock price.

"This is a reflection of some investors increasing capital allocation to these beaten-down stocks, combined with positive sentiment on the department's adding of CATL as a military stock and increased optimism that Trump's tariffs on Korean companies may not be too excessive," he said.

CATL has maintained its lead in the global market, while LG Energy Solution, SK On and Samsung SDI have faced reductions in their respective market shares.

Read More Battery makers enter 2025 in belt-tightening mode

Hyundai Motor Group is also among the global carmakers using the Chinese company's batteries, along with Tesla, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen. Ford Motor has even sparked concerns among U.S. politicians over its construction of a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery plant in Michigan by licensing technologies from CATL.

Amid the growing possibility of global EV makers reducing their reliance on CATL's products, the company and Beijing are protesting the blacklisting, denying the battery maker's involvement in any military-related activities.

However, Kim said that it could be difficult for CATL to be removed from the list.

"Given the incoming Trump administration, which has openly touted high tariffs and other tough measures for Chinese companies, the higher probability scenario at this point is for Tencent and CATL to be officially included in the Chinese Military Industrial Complex list in the coming weeks," he said.

Tencent also threatened to take legal action to correct its inclusion.

Although there exists a view that Korean gaming firms will benefit from the blacklisting of Tencent, they have maintained a cautious stance on the issue, as the Chinese firm holds large stakes in them and has handled marketing and distribution of their games in China, the world's second-largest gaming market.
Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia on Tuesday hinted that Samsung Electronics will soon be able to supply its high bandwidth memory (HBM) chips to the U.S. AI chip giant.

"They are working on it. They're gonna succeed. No question," Huang said in a press event on the sidelines of the ongoing CES 2025 in Las Vegas. "I have confidence that Samsung will succeed with HBM. I have confidence like, tomorrow is Wednesday."

Samsung Electronics has been struggling to have its HBM3E chips pass Nvidia's quality tests, while its local chipmaking rival SK hynix recently began mass-producing industry-leading 12-layer HBM3E chips.

Huang's comments are in line with the Korean tech giant's announcement in late October that it has achieved "meaningful progress" in meeting quality testing requirements for a "major customer," expected to be Nvidia, whose GPUs are essential for AI computing.

Huang also expressed his strong confidence in Samsung Electronics' achievements in memory history, especially in the HBM field.

"I have confidence that Samsung has succeeded," he said. "Remember, Samsung created HBM. Originally, the very first HBM memory that Nvidia has ever used was from Samsung."

Huang emphasized Samsung's potential to overcome current challenges in HBM3E chip development.

"They have to engineer a new design," he said. "But they can do it. They are working very fast. They're very committed to do it."

HBM is integral to the future of computing, powering Nvidia's GPUs, which are essential for AI and other advanced applications. Nvidia relies on both Samsung and SK hynix as HBM suppliers.

"As you know, SK and Samsung are two of the largest suppliers to Nvidia," he said. "I'm very confident that SK hynix and Samsung are excellent companies and excellent memory companies. So I expect them to continue to succeed."

During CES 2025, which opened on Tuesday for a four-day run in Las Vegas, the Nvidia CEO hinted that he has plans to meet SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, who is expected to attend the annual tech show.

"I think I'm going to (meet him). I'm looking forward to it," he said. (Yonhap)
SK Telecom said Tuesday it will begin a beta service of its artificial intelligence agent "aster" in March, targeting North American customers.

The company opened beta registration for aster during CES 2025, which kicked off Tuesday for a four-day run in Las Vegas.

SK Telecom said the North American launch will serve as a test of its AI agent service in the global market.

"We don't have plans to release specific numbers for sales and user targets in North America," SK Telecom Vice President Chung Suk-geun told a press briefing at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the venue of the ongoing CES 2025.

"We just aim to leave meaningful footprints in this large-scale market and make our presence felt here, so that global big techs recognize us as a meaningful partner for further AI developments."

Aster, first released in November 2024, is an advanced AI agent designed to help users organize their daily routines through features like planning, execution, reminders and advice.

It operates autonomously as an "agentic AI," capable of making complex decisions and taking actions based on conversational interactions with users.

"Unlike other AI agents, which simply provide answers to users' needs, aster takes actions in response to users' requests and plans," SK Telecom said. (Yonhap)
Samsung Electronics on Wednesday estimated its fourth-quarter operating profit more than doubled from a year earlier but missed market expectations due to lackluster performance in its high-end memory chips for artificial intelligence accelerators.

The world's biggest maker of memory chips expected an operating profit of 6.5 trillion won ($4.46 billion) for the three months ended in December, up from 2.82 trillion won a year earlier, the company said in a regulatory filing.

But the operating profit is 15.7 percent lower than the average estimate based on a survey by Yonhap Infomax, the financial data firm of Yonhap News Agency.

On-quarter, operating profit retreated 29.19 percent from 9.18 trillion won.

Among others, decreased sales in Samsung's device solutions division in charge of memory and foundry business units weighed on the quarterly results, the company said in an explanation note.

Also, sluggish demand for conventional PCs, mobile phones and home appliances affected the chip giant's overall performance despite strong sales of high-capacity products for servers, the note said.

Samsung's lower-than-expected operating figure comes amid prolonged delays in securing Nvidia Corp.'s approval for its high bandwidth memory (HBM) chips for AI computing.

Investors are keeping a watchful eye on whether Samsung will be able to catch up with its compatriot rival SK hynix in the HBM market.

Late last year, Samsung made a rare apology for its disappointing results in the chip business division and conducted a major executive reshuffle to put a bigger focus on high-end technologies and overcome ongoing business challenges.

Revenue rose 10.7 percent to 75 trillion won for the October-December period from 67.78 trillion a year earlier. The company did not disclose the data for net earnings in the guidance.

For the whole of 2024, operating profit jumped nearly fivefold to 32.73 trillion won from 6.57 trillion won the previous year, the filing said.

Revenue rose 15.9 percent to 300.08 trillion won from 258.94 trillion won over the mentioned period.

On Wednesday, Samsung Electronics shares jumped 3.43 percent to 57,300 won with local analysts noting its disappointing fourth-quarter figures had already been factored into its share price.

The chipmaker outperformed the broader Korea Composite Stock Price Index's 1.16 percent gain.

Its final earnings results are set to be released later this month. (Yonhap)




Chung Yong-jin, chairman of Korean retail conglomerate Shinsegae Group, and a group of other Korean business leaders will attend U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony later this month, officials said Wednesday.

Chung has been invited to the inauguration ceremony slated for Jan. 20 (U.S. time) in Washington, along with Woo Oh-hyun, chairman of construction and shipping conglomerate SM Group; bakery giant SPC Group Chairman Hur Young-in; and Ryu Jin, Poongsan Group chairman and head of the Federation of Korean Industries, according to the officials.

Chung will also attend the presidential inaugural ball to be held throughout the evening of the inauguration day at the invitation of Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., with whom he reportedly has a close relationship, other informed sources said on condition of anonymity.

Chung held a brief meeting with Trump during his recent visit to Trump's Florida resort last month at the invitation of Trump junior, becoming the first known Korean to have personally met the U.S. president-elect since the U.S. election in November.

The Shinsegae Group chief is also the only known person so far from the Korean business circle set to join the inaugural ball.

Woo and Hur have been invited to the inauguration ceremony by the ROK-US Alliance Friendship Association. ROK stands for Republic of Korea, the official name of Korea.

Ryu is known to have close ties with U.S. Republican Party officials, including former President George W. Bush. (Yonhap)
Korean carmakers set to localize parts production during Trump era

By Lee Min-hyung

Hyundai Steel is considering opening a steel mill in the United States to manufacture automotive steel provided to Hyundai Motor and Kia, in an apparent move to help the carmakers minimize regulatory risks under the second Donald Trump administration, according to industry officials on Wednesday.

This comes in response to Trumps protectionist policies, which encourage non-American companies to invest in the worlds largest economy for their stable business operation. Trump is threatening to impose higher tariffs on all imported goods.

Hyundai Steel is an affiliate of Hyundai Motor Group, so the two major auto brands hope to reduce any possible regulatory pressure from the incoming Trump administration with the localized parts production facility.

If Hyundai Steel proceeds with the plan, it would be the companys first overseas mill, with an estimated investment exceeding 10 trillion won ($6.87 billion).

The move reflects the two auto brands growing presence in the U.S., with their combined auto sales setting a new annual high of more than 1.7 million in 2024.

However, as Trump steps up hostile rhetoric against any foreign manufacturing firms, both carmakers are raising their vigilance to ensure their profitable growth even in an era of Trump.

Both Hyundai Steel and Hyundai Motor Group declined to confirm the plan to build the U.S. steel mill, but the scenario sounds feasible, as the U.S. is one of Koreas largest export markets for manufacturing industry players.

We review a plan to set up a production hub in other countries to respond to global protectionism, Hyundai Steel CEO Seo Gang-hyun told investors during a shareholders meeting last year.

At that time, he refrained from specifying locations for its new manufacturing hub, but the U.S. is one of the most probable candidates due to its ever-growing global influence.

Regarding the overnight report, Hyundai Steel said, Nothing specific has been confirmed.

We have left open a variety of options to secure our global competitiveness and sustainable growth, but the company has not confirmed anything for the time being, the company said in a regulatory filing Wednesday.

However, the steelmaker did not deny the reported plan. It decided to issue updated statements upon confirming details on the issue.

The company is reportedly considering southern U.S. states, including Texas and Georgia, as potential locations for the mill.

Industry officials said the move will help the carmakers minimize possible tariff risks in the U.S.

Trump places a priority on attracting overseas investment for the country, thereby creating more jobs, an official from an auto industry said.

The reported investment plan will serve as a bargaining chip for Hyundai Motor Group when it engages in talks with the authority there.
By Ko Dong-hwan

Home health care product developer Ceragem showcased its latest technology at this years CES in Las Vegas, marking the company's second consecutive appearance at the world's largest tech trade show.

The company introduced 20 products, including a bed, recliner, and chair, by showcasing them in a living room and bedroom setup created for its booth. The mock-up house interior was called My Future Home.

All of the company's products are designed based on its 7-Care Solution, which focuses on core health, exercise, rest, anti-aging, good circulation, essential nutrition and mindset. Among these products, the Home Medicare Bed 2.0 and Balance AI Medi Water received CES Innovation Awards this year.

The Master V11, one of the company's flagship products, draws design inspiration from a first-class airplane recliner seat, combining the ergonomic benefits of both a bed and a chair. While it functions as a chair, the Master V11 can be transformed into a recliner that flattens to a 180-degree position, offering heat treatment for users' backs.

Celltron, a therapeutic chair technology also showcased at the event, helps alleviate muscle tension and improve blood circulation by sending electric currents through the body.

Another highlight at the Ceragem CES booth is its collaboration with Humans Since 1982, a creative studio and global luxury brand for collectible art and design based in Stockholm, Sweden. The partnership has produced media art that portrays the importance of the seven key elements of health.

The media art is in line with Ceragems slogan, Wellness Begins at Home, with music from a composer who worked on the popular Netflix original series Squid Game."

Ceragem CEO Lee Kyung-soo said the company aimed to showcase the home of the future, one that fosters healthy habits, through CES.

We have built our reputation with our innovative back-massaging medical devices, Lee said.

Now, we want to collaborate with companies in different fields across the world to propose our version of a healthy home.
Jeju Air, Korea's largest budget carrier, will initially cut nearly 1,880 flights in the first quarter, it said Wednesday, a move aimed at enhancing its operational safety following the recent crash of its Boeing 737-800 flight that left 179 people dead.

Jeju Air plans to reduce flights by 1,878  838 on domestic routes and 1,040 on international routes  during the winter months through March, the company said in a press release.

The company plans to cut 30 additional flights in the near future, bringing the overall flight reduction to over 1,900 in the first quarter, a company spokesperson said by phone.

The Boeing 737-800 plane, which departed the Thai capital of Bangkok for Muan in southwestern South Korea, was carrying 181 passengers and crew on Dec. 29 when it belly-landed at Muan airport and exploded into flames after hitting an embankment.

Investigators have pointed to a bird strike, faulty landing gear and the runway concrete barrier as possible causes of the fatal incident. (Yonhap)
Prominent U.S. politicians, known to value the South Korea-U.S. alliance, have been named to chair the Senate committees on foreign relations and armed services that have a substantial influence over America's foreign and security policy.

Sen. James Risch (R-Idaho) and Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) have taken the helm of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Armed Services Committee, respectively, in the 119th Congress that kicked off last week, according to reports and other sources. The GOP has a thin majority in both the Senate and House of Representatives.

Their chairmanship comes amid lingering concerns that incoming President Donald Trump's America First agenda and his perceived transactional approach in diplomatic and trade policies could weaken Washington's ties with U.S. allies and partners.

Korean policymakers have been keenly watching the makeup of key U.S. Senate and House committees as they could affect U.S. policy legislation related to the Seoul-Washington alliance, diplomacy with North Korea and other issues related to the Korean Peninsula and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

Last year, Risch and Wicker floated the idea of the United States redeploying tactical nuclear arms to South Korea for more robust deterrence against persistent North Korean threats, as Pyongyang has been forging ahead with its nuclear and missile programs in the absence of meaningful diplomacy aimed at removing, freezing or slowing its menacing weapons projects.

During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing in May, Risch called for Washington to look into options for redeploying nuclear weapons to assure its allies as he stressed that East Asian allies worry about Pyongyang being "on track to field a diverse nuclear arsenal in the hundreds."

Wicker also brought up the issue again in last year's report titled "21st Century Peace Through Strength: A Generational Investment in the U.S. Military."

"Because there is no immediate diplomatic solution in sight, the United States must ensure that deterrence does not erode on the Korean Peninsula," Wicker said.

"That means maintaining readiness with regular U.S.-Republic of Korea military exercises, keeping a persistent U.S. military presence on the Korean Peninsula and exploring new options  such as nuclear-sharing agreements in the Indo-Pacific and redeployment of U.S. tactical nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula  to bolster deterrence on the Korean Peninsula," he added.

Both Risch and Wicker were ranking members of their respective committees in the previous Congress.

Meanwhile, Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) has been confirmed as the chair of the Senate Finance Committee that deals with federal tax policy and the implementation of foreign trade agreements. (Yonhap)
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump refused on Tuesday to rule out using military or economic action to pursue acquisition of the Panama Canal and Greenland, part of a broader expansionist agenda he has promoted since winning the Nov. 5 election.

Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, also floated the idea of turning Canada into a U.S. state, said he would demand far higher defense spending from NATO allies and promised to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

Still two weeks away from taking office, Trump has begun outlining an aggressive foreign policy with little regard to diplomatic considerations or the concerns of U.S. allies.

Asked at a press conference at his Florida resort whether he could assure the world he would not use military or economic coercion as he tries to gain control of the Panama Canal and Greenland, Trump said, "No, I can't assure you on either of those two. But I can say this, we need them for economic security."

Trump criticized American spending on Canadian goods and military support for Canada, saying the U.S. derives no benefits from doing so, and called the border between the two countries an "artificially drawn line."

He suggested he would impose tariffs on Denmark if it resists his offer to purchase Greenland, which he said is vital to U.S. national security. Shortly before Trump's comments, his son Don Jr. arrived in Greenland for a private visit.

Denmark has said Greenland, a self-governing part of its kingdom, is not for sale.

"I don't think it's a good way forward to fight each other with financial means when we are close allies and partners," Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said late on Tuesday in response to Trump's comments.

Canada says: 'we will never back down'

Canada's minister of foreign affairs, Melanie Joly, said on X, "President-elect Trump's comments show a complete lack of understanding of what makes Canada a strong country. Our economy is strong. Our people are strong. We will never back down in the face of threats."

Panama's top diplomat also pushed back on the incoming U.S. leader's threat to retake the key global waterway, which the U.S. had built and owned before handing over control to the Central American nation in 1999.

"The only hands that control the canal are Panamanian and that's how it will continue to be," Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha told reporters on Tuesday.

Ambassador Daniel Fried, a retired U.S. diplomat now with the Atlantic Council think tank, said Trump's comments painted a picture of national power as territorial expansion and compared him to a "19th century imperialist."

Seizing Greenland, Fried said, "would destroy NATO, because it would make us no different than Vladimir Putin," Russia's president.

Trump's promise to rename the Gulf of Mexico echoed his previous vow to revert the name of Denali, the highest mountain peak in North America, to Mount McKinley. Former President Barack Obama changed the name of the Alaskan mountain in deference to Native Americans.

Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard, who is expected to play a key role in looming U.S.-Mexico trade issues, appeared to dismiss Trump's call to rename the shared body of water later on Tuesday.

"Today I'd tell you if we saw each other in 30 years, the Gulf of Mexico will still be called the Gulf of Mexico," he said, adding that the Mexican government would not get drawn into the debate.

Typically, the U.S. Board of Geographic Names sets geographic names, though presidents have also renamed geographic features via executive action.

NATO Spending

Trump said NATO members should spend 5 percent of their gross domestic product on defense, a significant increase from the current 2 percent target.

"I think NATO should have 5 percent," he said. "They can all afford it, but they should be at 5 percent, not 2 percent."

Trump has frequently complained that most NATO members are not paying their fair share, and he floated demanding an increase in NATO defense contributions during the campaign.

NATO estimated that 23 of its 32 members would meet its goal of spending 2 percent of GDP in 2024.

None of the alliance percentembers, including the U.S., cu percentr percentntly spends 5 percent of GDP on defense, according to NATO figures. Poland is the highest spender in GDP percentterms at 4.12 percent, followed by Estonia at 3.43 percent and the United States at 3.38 percent.

Trump also repeated his threat that "all hell will break out in the Middle East" if Palestinian Hamas militants do not release by the time he takes office hostages it abducted from Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and still hold in the Gaza Strip.

"It will not be good for Hamas, and it will not be good, frankly, for anyone," he said.

His Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, told reporters he hopes to have good things to report on negotiations between Israel and Hamas by the time Trump is sworn into office.

Familiar grievances

The free-wheeling, hour-long press conference, Trump's second since his victory, echoed similar events during his presidential campaign.

He aired a series of familiar grievances about his criminal indictments, including attacking Justice Juan Merchan, the New York judge who is scheduled to sentence Trump on Friday for falsifying business records in connection with hush money payments to a porn star.

A New York appeals court denied his latest bid to halt the sentencing shortly after his press conference ended.

Separately, as Trump was speaking, a U.S. judge temporarily blocked Special Counsel Jack Smith from releasing a report on his investigations into Trump's alleged mishandling of classified documents and attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

The judge, Aileen Cannon, had previously dismissed the case charging Trump with illegally retaining classified materials after leaving office.

Tuesday's event took place in the ornate living room at Mar-a-Lago, Trump's Palm Beach resort. Several of Trump's senior advisers watched the proceedings, while club guests could be seen outside dining on the terrace.

Trump was also asked whether it was appropriate for Elon Musk to publicly weigh in on foreign affairs. In recent weeks, the billionaire Trump allay has used his X platform to comment on European politics, including expressing support for Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany.

"I can say Elon is doing a good job, very smart guy," Trump said. "I don't know the people you're talking about." (Reuters)
U.S. leaders on Tuesday paid tribute to former President Jimmy Carter  who had the longest and most admired post-presidency in history  as he laid in state at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday ahead of his funeral on Thursday.

Members of Congress and several Supreme Court justices gathered around Carter's flag-draped coffin under the Capitol dome. Several praised Carter's actions as the 39th president and the humanitarian work he pursued for decades after leaving office in 1981.

"Jimmy Carter was an all too rare example of a gifted man who also walked with humility, modesty and grace," said Vice President Kamala Harris, who belongs to the Democratic Party as Carter did.

Republicans John Thune, Senate leader, and Mike Johnson, House of Representatives speaker, also spoke as Carter family members and other lawmakers observed. Among them were Democratic senators Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff of Georgia, where Carter served as governor

The carefully choreographed ceremony came at a time of transition in Washington as Republican President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office from Democratic President Joe Biden on Jan. 20. Security is higher than usual, with fencing surrounding the Capitol.

Carter's flag-draped casket arrived at the Capitol on a horse-drawn caisson after a funeral procession down Pennsylvania Avenue. Family members followed on foot, in a nod to Carter's walk down the boulevard during his 1977 inauguration. Cadets from the U.S. Naval Academy saluted the former Navy submarine officer.

Carter's remains will lie in state in the Rotunda of the Capitol for the next three days for members of Congress and the public to pay their respects. His body will travel by motorcade on Thursday for a funeral service at the Washington National Cathedral.

Carter, who served one White House term from 1977 to 1981, died Dec. 29 at the age of 100.

Body to be returned to hometown

The former Georgia peanut farmer struggled with a bad economy and the Iran hostage crisis while in office and was handily defeated for re-election by Republican Ronald Reagan.

In the decades after, he earned a reputation as a committed humanitarian and was widely seen as a better former president than he was a president. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

Carter lived longer than any other U.S. president and had been in hospice care for nearly two years before his death. His last public appearance was at wife Rosalynn's funeral in November 2023, where he used a wheelchair and appeared frail.

In August, his grandson Jason Carter said Carter was looking forward to casting a ballot for Harris in the Nov. 5 election, which she lost to Trump.

Biden has ordered flags at government buildings to be flown at half-staff for 30 days as a sign of mourning. That has irked Trump, who has said they should not be lowered during his inauguration.

At a news conference, Trump reiterated his desire to take back control of the Panama Canal, which Carter signed over to Panama during his presidency.

Members of the public will be able to view the casket from 6 p.m. until midnight.

On Wednesday, public viewing hours will resume at 7 a.m., and Carter will lie in state in the Rotunda with a military guard of honor for 24 hours.

Both Biden and Trump were expected to attend Carter's funeral service at 10 a.m. on Thursday.

Biden was expected to deliver the eulogy. After the funeral, Carter's remains will be flown back home to Georgia. His body will be interred later that day in his hometown of Plains. (Reuters)
Visitors to the UK from dozens of countries, including the United States, Canada and Australia, must now pay to enter Britain after a new visa-waiver entry system took effect on Wednesday.

The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme  similar to the ESTA system in the United States requires visitors who do not need a visa to enter Britain to acquire pre-travel authorisation.

Costing $12.50 and allowing stays of up to six months at a time over two years, it first launched in 2023, with Qatar, before being extended last year to five regional Gulf neighbours.

Now, it has been expanded to include citizens of around 50 more countries and territories, from Argentina, Brazil and New Zealand to Japan, South Korea and Caribbean nations.

With the system kicking in for them on Wednesday, they have been able to apply since last November.

The scheme, aimed at tightening border security, will next be extended to dozens of EU and European countries and territories on April 2.

Those citizens covered by the scheme will be able to apply for the new ETA  which is digitally linked to the traveller's passport  via an app, from March 5.

Around six million people from the United States, Canada and Australia visit Britain each year, according to the U.K. government.

Eligible travellers will need one even if they are just using the U.K. to connect to an onward flight abroad. ETA also applies to children and babies.

Tourism impact

Northern Ireland economy minister Conor Murphy has warned the introduction of ETA will have a "devastating" impact on tourism in the British province, given that its neighbour the Republic of Ireland is not involved with the scheme.

Murphy fears that the cost and red tape will deter international tourists visiting the Republic from making the journey across the land border to visit Northern Ireland, and has called for a time-limited exemption for people visiting up to seven days.

London's Heathrow Airport has also opposed the scheme, saying its rollout has reduced the number of passengers transiting through the U.K., and that it makes the country "less competitive" and harms economic growth.

The new requirement does not apply to British and Irish citizens, those with passports from British overseas territories and legal U.K. residents.

It does not change the requirements for citizens of countries who need a visa to visit Britain, such as Chinese, Ecuadorian and South African travellers.

Previously, most visitors not requiring a visa could arrive at a British airport and proceed through immigration control with their passport.

The new U.K. entry scheme mirrors the imminent ETIAS scheme for visa-exempt nationals travelling to 30 European countries, including France and Germany, which will cost seven euros ($7.40) and last three years.

The European Commission expects the system  which will apply to around 60 countries, including the United States, Canada, Brazil and the U.K.  to become operational in the middle of this year. (AFP)
The U.S. government's move to add Tencent Holdings, China's most valuable company, to its list of Chinese military firms has raised concerns about further bifurcation in the technology spheres of the world's two largest economies.

Tencent, operator of super-app WeChat and the world's biggest video gaming business by revenue, is among five new companies that Washington believes pose a threat to U.S. national security, according to a document on the Federal Register published on Tuesday.

The Shenzhen-based social media giant said its inclusion on the Pentagon's list was "clearly a mistake", as the company is "not a military company or supplier."

"Unlike sanctions or export controls, this listing has no impact on our business," Tencent said in a statement on Tuesday. "We will nonetheless work with the Department of Defense to address any misunderstanding."

The latest U.S. move shook investor confidence in some of China's biggest private tech companies ahead of the inauguration of president-elect Donald Trump this month.

Tencent shares slumped 7.3 percent to HK$379.60 in Hong Kong on Tuesday. CATL, the world's biggest maker of electric-vehicle batteries and which was also newly blacklisted, fell 2.8 percent to 249.45 yuan in Shenzhen.

While the addition of Tencent to the U.S. blacklist was a "negative surprise", it does not incur specific sanctions or penalties, according to Ivan Su, senior equity analyst at Morningstar. It is also likely that the company can reverse the decision through legal actions, he added.

"Given Tencent's business model  which primarily revolves around social networking and online gaming  we believe the company has a good chance to secure exclusion through U.S. courts," Su wrote in a research note. "However, inclusion in the list may result in reputational damage and could discourage other companies from collaborating with Tencent and its subsidiaries."

In a filing to the Hong Kong stock exchange on Tuesday, Tencent said it "intends to initiate a reconsideration process to correct this mistake" and "undertake legal proceedings" to remove the company from the list if necessary.

There are precedents for the removal of Chinese companies from the Pentagon's list. In 2021, smartphone giant Xiaomi reached an agreement with the U.S. government to overturn a blacklisting by the Trump administration.

The Pentagon also removed from its latest list six companies it said no longer met the requirements for the designation, including artificial intelligence (AI) firm Megvii.

However, Tencent faces the risk of broader sanctions if U.S.-China relations continue to deteriorate, according to Alex Capri, a lecturer at the National University of Singapore's Business School and author of Techno-Nationalism: How it's Reshaping Trade, Geopolitics and Society. That could send ripples through the global supply chain, he said.

"Washington has widened the techno-nationalist grey zone for an entire ecosystem of Chinese and non-Chinese companies that use Tencent for everything from cloud infrastructure and cloud computing, to data center services," Capri said.

"These creeping export controls signal that the tech war between China and the U.S. is escalating, and there is every indication that when it comes to strategic technologies like telecoms, or, in the case of CATL, batteries for [electric vehicles], global value chains will continue to bifurcate and fragment."

Tencent, once known for "owning half the rivers and mountains" in China's internet industry, operates across a wide range of businesses covering social media, online gaming, fintech, cloud computing, AI and more.

It also has a sprawling global investment portfolio, with stakes in U.S. social media platforms Reddit and Snap, as well as game studios including League of Legends developer Riot Games and Fortnite creator Epic Games.

Tencent's earnings exposure in the U.S. is estimated to be in the high-single-digit percentage range, stemming primarily from video gaming revenue, according to Morningstar's Su. The company's video gaming revenue in the U.S. is unlikely to be affected in the near term, he added.

While the Pentagon designation has no legal ramifications, it may give the U.S. Treasury an excuse to impose further sanctions and trade restrictions, and may make it harder for Tencent to buy advanced products from U.S. tech giants such as chip-designing company Nvidia, said Zhou Chao, researcher at Beijing-based think tank Anbound.

This is not the first time that Tencent has become a target of U.S. scrutiny.

In 2020, the Trump administration attempted to ban WeChat in the U.S. citing national security reasons. That order was revoked in 2021 by President Joe Biden.

Read the full story at SCMP.
The first-gen girl group Baby V.O.X, which debuted in 1997 under the label DR Music, added the then-member Lee Gai in 1998 after multiple member re-organization.

In the second year of their career, the group enjoyed domestic success leading their fans to dig more into the members' respective lives and backgrounds.

At the time, Lee Gai, who sparked skepticism for looking older than her claimed age was eventually exposed for faking her birth year. She was originally born in 1968, but she was suggested to act like a '78-liner, leading her to be expelled from the team in the same year.

Afterwards, she vanished from the music scene.

READ ALSO: 5 K-pop Idols Who Faked Their Age Before Debut: Lee Gai, K-Soul, More!

In a twist, on January 3 and 7  more than 20 years later  Lee Gai finally broke her silence and updated on her recent status through the comments she left under a fan-run YouTube channel uploading Baby V.O.X's old clips, which was also reported by the Korean media outlet Wikitree.

Here she shared life updates and once again apologized for deceiving her fans.

"I'm living with a different name now after changing it. I've been getting calls from broadcasting companies and they've been coming to the restaurant where I used to work, so I'm currently taking a break," said Lee Gai.

"I have never lived a single day comfortably after deceiving my fans and the public. I am only talking about it now, 20 years later, but I lived without being able to say anything."

Regarding her co-Baby V.O.X members who recently reunited at the 2024 KBS Gayo Daechukje on December 20, the supposed eldest member expressed her love to them, even after many years had passed. However, she also confirmed they are not in contact anymore due to her deep guilt.

"Seeing my friends standing prettily on stage made me think of the old days for a moment. The members held me crying and told me not to leave, but I have my conscience and couldn't contact them anymore," she said.

In a comment, she explained her side for faking her age and pointed out the label as the mastermind of the whole lie.

"I originally started training with the goal of being the female version of Roo'ra, but things changed when I got seriously injured while dancing," she said.

"After that, my agency's CEO tried to persuade me to lie about my age, saying, 'You look twenty to other people. Everyone lies about their age. How many years are you going to be active for?' and pressured me to fake my age."

"Just like the saying goes, don't try to cover the whole sky with just the palm of your hand, I ended up getting caught and leaving the group. I was completely fooled by the promise of making a lot of money, and I did something foolish by deceiving my fan club and the public."

RELATED ARTICLE: Baby V.O.X Shuts Down Discord Rumors With Full Group Reunion at 2024 KBS Gayo Daechukje
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Romania is a regional leader in terms of actual individual consumption (AIC) per capita, in purchasing power standards (pps, adjusted to prices), an indicator widely used to evaluate the material well-being of households.

This occurrence is a result of the increase in household consumption in Romania, closer to the EU average in the post-pandemic years, while the indicator in the region deteriorated, with the exception of Hungary, where it increased marginally while being more than 10pp lower.

Subsequently, the actual individual consumption per capita in Romania registered an increase of 5pp of the EU average in the period 2020-2023, reaching 86%.

In the same interval, this indicator has deteriorated in the Czech Republic and Poland, according to an analysis by Euronews Business. In Poland it fell from 86% of the EU average in 2020 to 83% in 2023, and in the Czech Republic from 90% to 81%  the second steepest decline at European level. Only in Hungary it increased slightly, from 69% to 70%.

In 2023, actual individual consumption per capita, expressed in purchasing power standards (PPS), ranged from 70% of the EU average in Bulgaria and Hungary to 136% in Luxembourg.

Note: Household spending refers to the final consumption expenditure incurred by the population to satisfy their daily needs and wants. These expenses include various categories such as food, clothing, housing (including rent), energy, transportation, durable goods such as cars, medical services, leisure activities and other miscellaneous services. For example, in 2023, total household spending in the EU represented 52.1% of GDP. Actual individual consumption also includes spending by government and nonprofit institutions that serve households.

Nine countries, above the EU average

Nine countries registered an AIC per capita above the EU average. In addition to Luxembourg, these included Germany (119%), the Netherlands (119%), Austria (114%), Belgium (113%), Denmark (108%), France (106%), Sweden (106%) and Finland (105%).

Out of the EUs Big Four, Germany performed best, sharing second place with the Netherlands. In France, the material well-being of households was 6% above the EU average. Italy was at the level of the EU average, while Spain recorded the lowest well-being, 9 pp below the EU average.

At the lower end of the EU, Latvia, Estonia, Croatia and Slovakia followed Bulgaria and Hungary, with household material well-being more than 20 pp below the EU average.

Candidate countries are below the EU average

All four EFTA countries (European Free Trade Association: Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland) reported material well-being higher than the EU average. Norway exceeded the EU average by 24%, while Switzerland was 16% above it.

AIC per capita was below the EU average in all six EU candidate countries, namely in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedoania and Kosovo.

This figure was below 50 pp in North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania.

Turkey surpassed nine EU countries in terms of material well-being

Turkey represents a special case, household material well-being being 16 pp below the EU average, compared to 36 pp below the EU average in Montenegro, the second-best performing candidate country.

The material well-being of Turkish households, at 84% of the EU average, was higher than that of nine EU member states, including Poland (83%), the Czech Republic (81%) and Greece (80%).

Nordic and Western European countries have a significantly higher AIC per capita, reflecting higher material well-being. In contrast, Central and Eastern European nations, along with EU candidate countries, generally report a lower AIC per capita. This highlights a discrepancy in material well-being between regions, evidenced by differences in living standards.

Post-pandemic changes

After the Covid-19 pandemic, AIC per capita, relative to the EU average, has remained relatively stable in some countries, with minor changes in others. However, several countries experienced significant increases and decreases.

Among EU members, the most notable decrease was recorded in Denmark, where AIC fell from 120% in 2020 to 108% in 2023, followed by that of the Czech Republic (from 90% to 81%) and Finland (from 111% to 105%).

Countries that saw declines as well were Germany (from 124% to 119%) and France (from 110% to 106%).

Over the same period, the biggest increases within the EU were recorded by Ireland (from 87% to 99%), Bulgaria (from 62% to 70%) and Spain (from 83% to 91%). Upon including EFTA and candidate countries, Turkey saw the most significant increase, going up from 64% to 84%. The other five EU candidate countries also reported increases.

***
James Cox

Here, we have a look at the issues likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come.

Government formation in 'landing zone'

Taoiseach Simon Harris has said government formation talks are in the "landing zone".

Mr Harris said it may be "tight" to have a coalition in place before the Dail resumes on January 22nd. However, he believes it can be done.

"We're in the landing zone of being able to deliver a new government," he said.

People can work hard, work later, work longer  were doing that, and work through the weekend.

The Fine Gael leader said forming a government within eight weeks of the election is not an extraordinary length of time when the Christmas break is taken into consideration.

Certain key areas of the programme of government are understood to have been largely agreed between the two parties, although talks on disability, justice and climate continue.

Rotating taoiseach to return

After Fianna Fail won 10 more seats than Fine Gael in the general election, there were questions over whether the rotating taoiseach arrangement would continue.

After a busy nine months in the office, Mr Harris will be targeting another spell as taoiseach, and it appears he has got his way in negotiations as he confirmed the agreement would return.

Asked if Fine Gael would enter into Government without a return to the rotating Taoiseach arrangement, Mr Harris said: There will be a rotating Taoiseach in the next government and I think thats been very clear probably since the day or two after the election.

Mr Harris said the arrangement had worked well in the previous government.

Speaking on Tuesday, he added: I believe many hundreds of thousands of people in this country have voted for Fine Gael and Fianna Fail to provide stable government for the next five years, and for myself and Micheal Martin to lead that government.

Harris has eyes on foreign affairs?

If Mr Harris hopes to succeed Micheal Martin as taoiseach, he will have to keep a high-profile, and he may well be targeting the role of Minister for Foreign Affairs.

He will undoubtedly take a senior ministerial role along with the position of tanaiste, and he may well be considering how Mr Martin has benefitted from the role.

After Fianna Fail secured 48 seats in the general election, his position as leader of the party is very secure.

However, there was a wobble a couple of years ago, with consistent murmurings of discontent among backbench TDs. Some speculated that Mr Martin could suffer from being abroad so much, with rumours of secret meetings when he was away.

However, having such a prominent role on the world stage has served him well, and it may well be tempting to Mr Harris.

He has been linked with the departments of enterprise and justice (which he served in temporarily while Helen McEntee was on maternity leave), but his recent comments in an opinion piece in The Irish Times suggest he has his eyes on foreign affairs.

Michael Lowry's role

Speaking this week, Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O'Callaghan confirmed the party would not enter into government after talks with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.

This means it is all but certain the government will make a deal with the Regional Independent TDs Group.

The Regional Independent Group is made up of Michael Lowry, Sean Canney, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, Noel Grealish, Marian Harkin, Barry Heneghan, Gillian Toole and Verona Murphy.

Independent TD Michael Lowry is likely to play a key role in government formation. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Images

Michael Lowry is understood to be one of the leaders in the group, and was a key voice in the ultimately successful nomination of Ms Murphy as Ceann Comhairle.

Mr Lowry's past has been the subject of some criticism amid the negotiations.

The Moriarty Tribunal was set up in 1997 to examine payments made to former taoiseach Charles Haughey and Mr Lowry.

It found Mr Lowry's behaviour was "profoundly corrupt".

Asked if he had any hesitation about including Mr Lowry in a future government, Mr Harris said he fully accepted the findings of the tribunal.

However, he added: I also know the practicality of how the Dail works, and that when people get elected to Dail Eireann, they can choose to support or not support governments  thats the way our parliamentary democracy works, and the deputy has been elected.

But my issue here isnt about individuals, its about recognising that there are a number of Independent TDs who have come together in a grouping called the Regional Independents.

"They have indicated that they wish to try and support a government, and were happy to engage with them on that basis.

Healy-Raes pushing for ministerial role?

Kerry Independents Danny Healy-Rae and Michael Healy-Rae have indicated they could support the government in votes, further strengthening their majority.

The pair have met Micheal Martin on a number of occasions and indicated they would be willing to back the government in return for assurances about certain supports for their constituencies.

Speaking recently, Michael Healy-Rae said: The government has made it very clear they want us and they need us. We were asked if we were willing to support them for five years and the answer was yes provided that Kerry was looked after.

However, the brothers are reportedly pushing for a ministerial role which could complicate negotiations.

A super-junior ministerial position would have to be on offer for the two Healy-Rae brothers to strike a deal with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael to enter a coalition government, sources close to the two Kerry TDs told The Irish Times on Tuesday.

Abroad

Elon Musk continues to make waves in UK politics.

The UK Home Office minister suggested her life had been turned upside down and the risk to her safety had risen after Mr Musk used his X social media platform to accuse her of being a rape genocide apologist.

Mr Musk knows absolutely nothing about the subject of grooming gangs, Jess Phillips has said, after the billionaire attacked her on social media.

After his role in Donald Trump's successful campaign, Elon Musk is trying to influence UK politics. Photo: Getty Images

Political circles in the UK had speculated Mr Musk was preparing to give Nigel Farage's Reform UK party $100 million (96 million) in funding.

However, Mr Musk's relations with Mr Farage have soured as he suggested he should be removed as Reform leader. This is because Mr Farage refused to back Mr Musk's demands for the release of far-right agitator Tommy Robinson.

Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is currently serving an 18-month prison sentence for contempt of court.

In the US, president-elect Donald Trump made some alarming comments at a press conference this week.

He said he would not rule out the use of military force to seize control of the Panama Canal and Greenland, as he declared US control of both to be vital to American national security.

Mr Trump also warned "all hell will break loose" if the Gaza hostages aren't released by his inauguration.
VMPL

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], January 8: Denovo Bioinnovations Pvt. Ltd., an R&D-driven, IP-backed deep-tech company specializing in advanced wound closure and handheld surgical robotics, has raised Rs1.96 Crore in its latest funding round led by Campus Angels Network. This funding will propel Denovo's efforts in product development, clinical validation, regulatory approvals, and to be ready for the commercialization of the products.

Also Read | F1 2025: Formula One Announces Multi-Year Extension With Iconic Belgian Grand Prix.

Founded in 2020 by Dr. Nikhil Mamoria, a doctor-turned-innovator, Denovo is at the forefront of surgical innovation. Its flagship products, SutureSure, India's first automated suturing system, and LapSure, an advanced laparoscopic suturing tool, are powered by the proprietary SmartStitch Technology. These groundbreaking solutions simplify complex wound closure processes, making surgeries faster, safer, and more precise. Denovo holds a robust IP portfolio, including 2 granted patents and 9 pending patents across India, the USA, Europe, and other regions.

Denovo's approach leverages a unique "razor-razor blade" revenue model, combining reusable devices with disposable cartridges to create a sustainable and scalable business framework. The company is targeting a global Total Addressable Market (TAM) of $36 billion, with a Serviceable Obtainable Market (SOM) of $400 million.

Also Read | Latest ICC Rankings 2025: Scott Boland Breaks Into Top Ten in Test Bowling Standings After 10-Wicket Haul at SCG.

Leadership Insights

Dr. Nikhil Mamoria, Founder and CEO of Denovo, remarked, "This funding marks a significant milestone in our mission to revolutionize surgical care. With the support of Campus Angels Network and our investors, we are poised to bring our cutting-edge solutions to market, addressing critical challenges faced by surgeons and improving patient outcomes."

Chandran Krishnan, Managing Director & CEO of Campus Angels Network, commented, "Denovo's innovative technologies align perfectly with our mission to support transformative startups. Their focus on advanced wound closure and surgical robotics holds immense potential to redefine surgical care globally. We are excited to partner with Denovo in their journey toward creating a lasting impact in healthcare."

Driving Innovation in Surgical Care

This funding will enable Denovo to accelerate its go-to-market plans, complete pre-clinical and clinical studies, and achieve key regulatory approvals. By leveraging strong partnerships with medical professionals and institutions, Denovo is well-positioned to scale its solutions, making surgeries safer and more efficient worldwide. As a pioneer in India's surgical robotics space, Denovo is poised to lead the next wave of healthcare innovation.

(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

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Geneva, Switzerland, 8 January (ANI): The World Economic Forum (WEF) says that job disruption will equate to 22 per cent of the jobs by 2030.

In a report released on Tuesday titled 'Future of Jobs Report 2025' WEF says 170 million new jobs will be created and 92 million jobs will be displaced resulting in a net increase of 78 million jobs by 2030.

Also Read | South Korea To Invest USD 59.3 Million for Development of Technologies To Tackle Climate Change in 2025.

Based on data from over 1000 companies, the report finds that skill gap is the most significant hurdle for business transformation in these companies. Nearly 40 per cent of skills required for the jobs need to change and 63 per cent of the employers says they are facing proper skillset as the key barrier.

The report said out of every 100 workers from the global workforce, 59 are projected to require reskilling or upskilling by 2030, but out of this 11 are unlikely to receive it which suggests that over 120 million workers are at medium-term risk of redundancy.

Also Read | Ola Electric Mobility Limited Receives Administrative Warning From SEBI for Violating Disclosure Norms.

The report analysed that technology skills in Artificial intelligence (AI), big data and cybersecurity are expected to see rapid growth in demand, but human skills, such as creative thinking, resilience, flexibility and agility, will remain critical. Persons having a combination of both skill types will be increasingly crucial in a fast-shifting job market.

While advances in AI and renewable energy are reshaping and driving the market, Frontline roles and essential in sectors like care and education will see the highest job growth by 2030.

Till Leopold, Head of Work, Wages and Job Creation at the World Economic Forum says "Trends such as generative AI and rapid technological shifts are upending industries and labour markets, creating both unprecedented opportunities and profound risks,"

Leopold added "The time is now for businesses and governments to work together, invest in skills and build an equitable and resilient global workforce."

The report said frontline roles, including farmworkers, delivery drivers and construction workers, will be more in demand and poised to see the largest job growth in absolute terms by 2030. Significant increases are also projected for care jobs, like nursing professionals, and education specialists, such as secondary school teachers, with demographic trends driving growth in demand across essential sectors.

Meanwhile, advances in AI, robotics and energy systems, notably in renewable energy and environmental engineering, are expected to increase demand for specialist roles in these fields.

However, roles like cashiers and administrative assistants will come under the fastest declining sector but are now joined by roles including graphic designers as generative AI rapidly reshapes the labour market.

With half of the employers globally are planning to reorient their businesses to target new opportunities, AI is reshaping their business models. While 77 per cent employers are planning to upskill their workers, 41 per cent are planning to reduce their workforce as AI automates certain tasks

The WEF report said urgent and collective action are required across government, businesses and education to bridge skills gaps, invest in reskilling and upskilling initiatives and create accessible pathways into fast-growing jobs and skills that are seeing fast growth in demand

The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025, taking place in Davos-Klosters from 20 to 24 January, convenes global leaders under the theme, Collaboration for the Intelligent Age. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
PRNewswire

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], January 8: wienerberger India's flagship product, Porotherm Smart Bricks, has demonstrated an exceptional environmental performance in a recent Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) conducted by LEAD Consultancy and Engineering Services (India) Pvt Ltd.

Also Read | South Korea To Invest USD 59.3 Million for Development of Technologies To Tackle Climate Change in 2025.

The LCA, adopted the 'Cradle to Grave' approach, adhering to international standards (EN 15804+A2 & ISO 14025 / ISO 21930) and assessed the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of various walling materials. The 'Cradle to Grave' approach covers entire life cycle of a product from the excavation of raw materials to the manufacturing process, transportation, installation, and usage to its end-of-life phases.

Porotherm Smart Bricks including Porotherm HP, Porotherm Plus, FB Exteria and Grinded bricks showed a remarkable GWP of 97.103 Kg CO2e per ton, significantly outperforming other materials. The lifespan of Porotherm is 150 years as per the LCA report.

Also Read | Ola Electric Mobility Limited Receives Administrative Warning From SEBI for Violating Disclosure Norms.

Porotherm Vs other walling materials

The Global Warming Potential (GWP) of Porotherm is much lesser as compared to other walling materials as per the LCA

* Porotherm: 97.103 Kg CO2e/ton* Autoclaved Concrete: 230 Kg CO2e/ton* Burnt Clay Bricks: 330 Kg CO2e/ton* Concrete Blocks: 400 Kg CO2e/ton* Reinforced Concrete Wall: 800 Kg CO2e/ton

For a typical 1500 Sqft residence, Porotherm's total embodied carbon is 1491, compared to:

* 3172 for Autoclaved Concrete* 21133 for Burnt Clay Bricks* 18401 for Concrete Blocks* 52277 for Reinforced Concrete Wall

"This significant reduction in carbon footprint underscores our commitment to sustainability," said Monnanda Appaiah, Managing Director, wienerberger India. "Our eco-conscious approach enables us to create environmentally friendly products, contributing to a greener future."

Sustainable Manufacturing

Porotherm's composition includes an impressive 90% recycled waste, including:

* Stone slurry* Rice husk* Tank clay (silt removed from dead tanks and lakes during de-silting)

Only 10% of the raw material is clay sourced from clay mines. This innovative use of recycled materials significantly reduces waste and minimizes the product's ecological footprint.

The benefits of Porotherm's sustainable manufacturing process extend beyond environmental benefits, offering:

* Reduced waste disposal costs* Conservation of natural resources* Lower energy consumption

About wienerberger India

wienerberger India provides innovative building solutions, focusing on environmental responsibility and sustainable development. With a strong commitment to reducing carbon emissions, wienerberger India strives to minimize its ecological footprint while promoting sustainable development.

For more information log on to : https://www.wienerberger.in/

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2592529/Porotherm_Smart_Bricks.jpg

(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

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New Delhi [India], January 8 (ANI): BJP National President JP Nadda will hold a crucial Delhi election management meeting tomorrow, January 9, at the Delhi BJP office, party sources told ANI.

The key organisational meeting, expected to start around 10:30 am, aims to review Delhi election preparations ahead of the polls.

Also Read | Kota Suicide: 19-Year-Old Coaching Student From Haryana Found Hanging From Noose in His Hostel Room in Rajasthan.

Approximately 30-32 committees, formed to oversee various aspects of the Delhi election, such as booth management, social media, advertisements, etc., will provide feedback during the meeting.

The BJP is gearing up to contest the election, and JP Nadda will offer guidance on the way forward. In the first half of the meeting, JP Nadda will meet with Delhi BJP core group members, followed by a meeting with the Delhi BJP election management committees, according to sources.

Also Read | Supreme Court Expresses 'Shock' Over Bail Application of Murder Accused Pending Before Allahabad High Court for 4 Years.

The Delhi BJP election management committees regularly convene at intervals, with BJP Delhi Chief Virendra Sachdeva leading the review meetings. With the Delhi polls approaching, JP Nadda will review progress and share the success mantra with the members.

Delhi assembly elections will be held in a single phase on February 5, while the counting of votes will take place on February 8. The last date of filing nominations is January 17. The date for scrutiny of nominations is January 18. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is January 20.

Incumbent AAP, which won the previous two terms with massive margins--67 and 62 out of 70 seats--is facing a stiff two-pronged challenge against BJP and the Congress and will be seeking a fourth term by showcasing its 'performance' in the areas of education and health as well as the plethora of welfare schemes. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Jan 8 (PTI) Observing clinical trials of medicines and vaccines were often carried out in poor countries, the Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed a petitioner to file submissions and objections to the rules framed by the Centre on the issue.

A bench comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy and S V N Bhatti considered the submissions of Centre's additional solicitor general Archana Pathak Dave who said rules for new drugs and clinical trials were framed in 2019.

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"We know that the clinical trials are conducted in poor countries," the bench said.

Following the rules, Dave said New Drugs and Clinical Trials (Amendment) Rules were notified in 2024 to streamline the approval process for clinical trials and new drugs in India which aimed to improve patient safety protocols and ensure compliance with global standards.

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Senior advocate Sanjay Parikh, appearing for NGO Swasthya Adhikar Manch, which filed a PIL in 2012 alleging large-scale clinical drug trials across the country by multinational pharmaceutical firms, said poor citizens were still being used as "guinea pigs" and not paid adequate compensation.

The senior lawyer said he wanted to file his objections and submissions in the case to ensure a proper redressal of the grievances.

Dave, however, said the PILs had become infructuous as the rules and the amendments were notified in 2019 and 2024, respectively, and nothing remained to be dealt with.

The top court granted four weeks to Parikh to file his objections to the rules and otherwise.

Clinical trials in India are governed by several rules, including the approval of the Drugs Controller General of India for such trials.

The 2024 rules were intended to make changes to the existing ones introduced in 2019.

The top court had said clinical trials in the country must be for the help of people in the country and not be allowed for the benefits of multinational companies.

In 2013, it said norms formulated by the Centre were "deficient" to protect the rights of the subjects following which new rules were introduced.

The PIL alleged clinical drug trials by various pharmaceutical firms took place indiscriminately across states in the country and used Indian citizens as guinea pigs.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Patna, January 8 (PTI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday unveiled development projects worth Rs 985 crore in Saran district, officials said.

During his 'Pragati Yatra', Kumar virtually inaugurated the newly constructed district government medical college and hospital built at a cost of Rs 655 crore and laid foundation stones for 52 projects and schemes, they added.

Also Read | Supreme Court Expresses 'Shock' Over Bail Application of Murder Accused Pending Before Allahabad High Court for 4 Years.

According to a statement by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), the CM inspected the medical college and hospital and chaired a meeting to review the ongoing development schemes in the district.

Saran DM Aman Sameer gave a detailed presentation about the ongoing projects and schemes in the district to the CM.

Also Read | Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Forms SIT To Probe Allegations Made by Kirit Somaiya Regarding Issuance of Fake Birth Certificates to Illegal Bangladeshi Immigrants in Malegaon.

"The CM was briefed about the ongoing schemes, including Bihar Student Credit Card Scheme, Chief Minister Nishchay Self Help Allowance Scheme, tap water to every house and their maintenance, Chief Minister Rural Solar Street Light scheme, irrigation water to every farm, Chief Minister Agricultural Electricity Connection Scheme, etc. in the district. The meeting was attended by the elected representatives of the district as well," the statement added.

The CM instructed officials to "resolve issues raised by the elected representatives in the meeting at the earliest," it added.

Kumar also announced the construction of an elevated road on NH-31 from Doriganj to Vishunpura and redevelopment works around the famous Baba Hariharnat temple in Sonepur sub-division in Saran district.

(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], January 8 (ANI): The Delhi Police have arrested a person in connection with the murder of his 26-year-old wife, Deepa Chauhan, whose decomposed body was found in her rented accommodation in Janakpuri, Delhi, on January 3.

The accused has been identified as Dhanraj alias Lalu, the police said.

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According to the police, Dhanraj, a 28-year-old motorcycle rider with Ola and Uber, had a quarrel with his wife on December 29, 2024, and strangulated her to death. He then wrapped her mouth with white tape to delay decomposition and hid her body inside the bed.

The police said that Dhanraj was unhappy with his wife's friendship with another person and had planned to murder the friend as well. He had watched videos on YouTube to learn how to dispose of the body and had even asked his friends for help, but they refused.

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The police tracked Dhanraj's movements, which took him to Agra, Jaipur, and Amritsar, before he was apprehended by the Anti-Narcotics Cell, Dwarka District, on his return from Amritsar.

According to the police, during interrogation, Dhanraj confessed to the crime.

The accused is a habitual drinker who earned quite less. His wife was paying for all the expenses of the family, the police said. Further investigation is ongoing

Earlier on Tuesday, the Central Delhi Police detained nine Bangladeshi nationals over the past six days. Seven of the individuals were arrested from a hotel in the Nabi Karim area of Central Delhi.Reports said that some of the detainees had entered India using tourist visas, while others had illegally crossed the border through the "donkey route" passing through West Bengal and Tripura before reaching Delhi. With this operation, a total of 14 Bangladeshi nationals have now been detained by the Central Delhi Police, and they have been sent to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) for further processing and investigation. (ANI)

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New Delhi, Jan 8 (PTI) Delhi Police on Wednesday held an inter-state coordination meeting to strengthen cooperation among various law enforcement agencies and address security concerns ahead of the Republic Day celebrations and assembly polls here, officials said.

The meeting chaired by Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora was attended by senior police officers from Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Rajasthan, Chandigarh, and Jammu and Kashmir.

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The officers exchanged inputs and intelligence related to various matters and it was resolved to strengthen the anti-terror measures, including border checking, verifications of suspicious elements etc., police said.

Arora exhorted all concerned to extensively utilise human/technical intelligence for keeping watch on suspicious elements and anticipate in advance any subversive activities to thwart any evil designs.

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Advance information about the movement of any suspicious elements/vehicles was also stressed upon. Inter-state gangs operating in the NCR and instances of supply of illegal firearms, illicit liquor, cash and narcotics etc. were also discussed at length.

Coordination for traffic regulation during the Republic Day celebrations was formulated, said Special Commissioner of Police (Crime) Devesh Chandra Srivastava.

Strict and effective implementation of the Election Commission of India's guidelines and zero tolerance to violation during the Delhi Assembly elections was emphasised. Increased policing effort at the state borders was planned, he said.

The Republic Day will be celebrated on January 26, while voting for the 70-member Delhi Assembly will be held in a single phase on February 5 and the counting of votes will take place on February 8.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Chennai, Jan 8 (PTI) Denying permission to Prasar Bharti-DD Tamil to telecast Assembly proceedings was the reason behind Governor RN Ravi's 'censorship reminds emergency days,' remarks, Speaker M Appavu said on Wednesday.

The Speaker said the House strongly condemned Governor Ravi for "insulting the Tamil Nadu people and the MLAs they elected," for his social media posts, such as censorship.

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Without permission, a DD unit placed their camera inside the House for coverage on the January 6 for Governor's Address and they should not have done that in the absence of nod, Appavu said.

The Speaker, against the backdrop of Governor Ravi walking out of the House on January 6, 2025 and later alleging insult to national anthem and the Constitution, said that he would like to provide an explanation to the Governor's views still in social media.

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Ravi had in a post on 'X' alleged, "total censorship of the proceedings of Tamil Nadu State Assembly today reminds the country of the Emergency Days." Further, he also had claimed that the people were deprived of the '"actual proceedings" of the House and were fed only the doctored versions of the state government.

In the Assembly, the Speaker said denying Doordarshan permission to telecast proceedings was the reason behind the Governor's remarks. The Governor was inside the House for only 2-3 minutes that day following the playing of Tamil Thai Vazhthu, the state anthem. The Tamil Nadu government's Information and Public Relations Department has now taken up the task of broadcast of proceedings, which had been done before by Prasar Bharati-DD Tamil.

Since the Information and Public Relations department has been handling the task newly, there may be some 'merits and demerits,' and these will be addressed. Further, Appavu said the state government had known in advance that Governor Ravi may attempt to do something by bringing in the DD unit to record proceedings and later use it by 'deleting and adding.'

It was the Chief Minister's administration that safeguarded the government and the House from the 'pressure' exerted by Ravi (through the DD). Since what was intended did not happen, Ravi was posting such content on social media and "insulting the Tamil Nadu people and the MLAs they elected and this House strongly condemns this." It is the duty of the Governor to read out the prepared text and he does not have any right to make an appeal to play first the national anthem.

The Speaker, providing a detailed background, referred to the live telecast by Doordarshan of the proceedings between January 5, 2022 and May 10, 2022, and said Rs 44.65 lakh was remitted to Prasar Bharati by Assembly secretariat.

When live telecast of Assembly proceedings was sought from October 17, 2022, the public broadcaster cited 'VVIP coverage,' and non availability of Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG) unit. "They are India's Public Service Broadcaster. They avoided citing VVIP coverage." In 2023, Governor's Address was telecast live. When live telecast was sought from January 10, 2023, Prasar Bharati again cited same reasons and expressed its inability to cover the proceedings.

Due to this, alternate arrangements were made for live coverage. Subsequently, when the Assembly met, live relay request was again made. "We did not receive any reply." However, during direct interaction, they said that the unit had been sent to Gujarat for election coverage. "They continuously said the same twice (when coverage was sought)."

Against this background, this year Prasar Bharati-DD Tamil was not invited for coverage and permission was not granted for telecast. "What can we do if you go to Delhi for election coverage? and this was conveyed to them as well during discussions.

On January 6, 2025, just before the arrival of Governor Ravi in the Assembly for the scheduled delivery of customary address, without permission, a DD unit placed their camera inside the House for coverage and All India Radio was also there.

"They were not given permission. Though they were not given permission, they came... they should not have come." Appavu said during the Governor's address, it had been the public broadcaster's practice to "add and cut" footage and release it. "How can a person who does not have permission could be permitted inside? Twice, they had said that they cannot come (for coverage). We have witnessed them not coming here (Assembly) despite remittance of fee and inspite of confirmation," the Speaker said adding they acted as per the department minister's directions.

Further, the Speaker, referring to the AIADMK and Congress MLA members gathering in front of the chair during the Governor's presence, said that what was happening could not be assessed immediately and hence he had only said that mounting pressure on Ravi by holding placards (by AIADMK members, on the student assault issue) may not be published.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai, Jan 8 (PTI) In a first for Maharashtra, drones will be deployed to monitor illegal fishing along its 720-km coastline beginning January 9, a Fisheries Department official said on Wednesday.

The drones will provide live footage of up to the 12-mile maritime boundary from nine locations across all seven coastal districts.

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The official said the streaming data collected by drones will be used to take legal action against unauthorised fishing boats.

He said the drone system will be launched by Minister of State for Fisheries and Ports Nitesh Rane.

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"The minister will oversee the system through a live feed from the Fisheries Commissioner's Office. Streaming data collected by these drones will be used as evidence to take legal action against unauthorised fishing boats," the official said.

He said the drone system will bring the entire maritime area of Maharashtra under camera surveillance, helping the government to curb illegal fishing.

"It is an important step to protect marine resources and ensure compliance with regulations," the official added.

Devendra Tandel, president of the Akhil Maharashtra Fishermen's Action Committee, welcomed the initiative.

"Illegal fishing has severely impacted traditional fishermen. This system should support us rather than harass us. However, there are concerns about its effectiveness during the monsoon and the use of the collected data," he said.

Tandel said traditional fishermen face challenges ranging from the rampant use of purse seine nets and unauthorised fishing during the monsoon to inadequate coordination between fisheries and police authorities.

He also raised concerns about boats operating without proper identification and lacking resources for effective maritime monitoring.

"We hope this system will address these challenges and bring accountability. But the Fisheries Act should focus on safeguarding fishermen's livelihoods while ensuring sustainability," Tandel said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
JAKARTA, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Diplomats from Indonesia and China unveiled a logo on Tuesday to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

The logo was created by an Indonesian youth who won a design competition organized by the Chinese Embassy in Jakarta, the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing, and the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI).

"In this design competition, we are delighted to see designers and art enthusiasts from both countries actively participating, with over 600 submissions from Indonesia alone. Each participant skillfully incorporated the historical ties, cooperative achievements, and shared visions for a brighter future between China and Indonesia," said Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Wang Lutong at the unveiling ceremony held at the China Space within the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta.

Indonesian Ambassador to China Djauhari Oratmangun praised the competition for reflecting the strong and enduring partnership between the two nations.

"The bilateral collaboration continues to benefit the welfare of the Indonesian people," he noted, emphasizing the importance of strengthening ties in security, economy, and people-to-people exchanges.

Dino Patti Djalal, founder and chairman of FPCI and a former Indonesian diplomat, expressed optimism about the future development of Indonesia-China relations

The 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations is not only a milestone of friendship, but will also lay a firm foundation for the future development of bilateral cooperation, he added.

Indonesia and China established diplomatic ties on April 13, 1950.
New Delhi, Jan 8 (PTI) Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri held talks with Afghanistan's acting foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai on Wednesday.

In the meeting, the Afghan side underlined its sensitivities to India's security concerns, according to an Indian readout.

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India would consider engaging in development projects in the near future, in addition to the ongoing humanitarian assistance programme, it said.

"It was also agreed to promote the use of Chabahar port for supporting trade and commercial activities, including for the purpose of humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in the readout.

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In response to the request from the Afghan side, India will provide further material support in the first instance to the health sector and for the rehabilitation of refugees, it said.

"The foreign secretary underlined India's historic friendship with the Afghan people and the strong people-to-people contacts between the two countries," the MEA said.

"In this context, he conveyed India's readiness to respond to the urgent developmental needs of the Afghan people," it said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Jammu, Jan 8 (PTI) Dr Sandeep Singh, former president of the Jammu University Teachers Association (JUTA), and People's Democratic Party (PDP) additional spokesperson Sohit Sharma joined the Congress here on Wednesday.

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra welcomed the duo into the party fold and said their joining reflects a shift in the thought process of people, particularly among the educated class in Jammu.

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He emphasized the Congress remains the only secular, democratic and unifying force capable of delivering justice to all sections of the society.

Karra said the recent elections have brought about a change in the mindset of the people of Jammu who now recognize the Congress party's ability to address the issues of all sections of the region.

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"People have realized that they are often emotionally manipulated during the election process by the communal and divisive narratives of the BJP. However, the Congress party has consistently delivered on its promises and ensured justice for the people," he added.

Karra further said that in the coming days, more like-minded individuals and forces are expected to join the Congress, as it remains steadfast in its commitment to secularism, socialism and the strengthening of democracy and constitutional values.

Dr Singh, an assistant professor in the Department of Lifelong Learning at the Jammu University, is a well-known socio-political activist. He has worked extensively on cross-border peace dialogue, both as an activist and researcher.

Dr Singh expressed his belief that the Congress party reflects the ethos of Indian identity and the principles of the Constitution. He also voiced his concern over the distortion of parliamentary democracy in Jammu and Kashmir.

Sharma, who served as additional spokesperson for the PDP, has been associated with the party for a long time, a Congress spokesperson said.

Sharma explained his decision to join the Congress, saying he believes it provides the right platform to raise the issues of the people of Jammu region. He expressed confidence that the Congress would emerge stronger in the region under its current leadership.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 8 (ANI): A 65-year-old French woman, Pascal, has reached Prayagraj to participate in the Kumbh Mela.

Pascal, who resides in France, has been drawn to Hinduism since childhood, revering Lord Shiva as her idol and possessing knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita and Puranas.

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"I have a great attachment to the Hindu religion and Lord Shiva. I have no reason to express my attachment to Hinduism. This feeling comes from my heart," Pascal told ANI.

Pascal's connection to Hinduism began in 1984 when she first visited India. Her experiences have left her so enamoured with the Sanatan tradition that she is considering becoming a sadhu.

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Pascal revealed her extensive knowledge of the Kumbh Mela and its significance, including the legend of Samudra Manthan and the drop of Amrit. "I know everything about Kumbh Mela and I also have complete information about Samudra Manthan. I also have complete information about the drop of Amrit," she said.

She expressed her delight in meeting sadhus, sanyasis, and Hindus, saying, "I like meeting Sadhu Sanyasis and Hindus here."

Pascal also showcased her Rudraksha necklace, a gift from a friend, which she believes offers her protection. "I am wearing a Rudraksha necklace around my neck which was given to me by my friend. Wearing it feels like it protects me," she said.

She praised the arrangements at the Kumbh Mela, highlighting the safety, free accommodations, food, and drink available to all attendees. "Mahakumbh is amazing. Crores of people are coming here and I feel very safe here. Staying here is free, eating is free, drinking is free and sleeping is also free. All the arrangements are very good," Pascal exclaimed.

The Maha Kumbh, the world's largest spiritual congregation, is being celebrated after 12 years and a huge turnout of devotees is expected in Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26. To prevent mishaps, the district administration has been taking important steps to ensure the safety of the devotees, especially for crowd management and avoiding fire incidents.

DIG Mahakumbh Vaibhav Krishna and SSP Kumbh Rajesh Dwivedi on Tuesday inspected the Kumbh Mela area.

"Police are conducting their drills and rehearsals on the placement of force at different points in the Kumbh area. The emphasis of the police is to ensure that devotees face no problems," said DIG Mahakumbh Vaibhav Krishna while speaking to ANI. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 8 (ANI): As the world prepares for the Mahakumbh Mela 2025, security measures are being ramped up. Horses worth Rs 1.5 crore have been deployed by the Patrolling Police (Mounted Police) to beef up the security at the Mahakumbh Mela grounds. A total of five American Warmblood (breed) horses have been brought, as they are distinct because of their speciality in sensing danger from a distance and ensuring swift protective action.

Although the market value of each horse stands at Rs 1.5 crore, they have been procured at Rs 7 lakh per horse for the Mahakumbh Mela. The horses were sourced with coordination between the state and central governments.

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Reserve Inspector of the Mounted Police, Prem Babu said, "These horses have been brought from the Army with the communication between the state and central governments...These horses are American Warmbloods (breed)... There is a microchip in the neck of these horses that is connected to the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI). It can trace the location of horses. The Defence Ministry decides the cost of these horses...Here, these five horses have been bought at Rs seven lakh per horse..."

Notably, the horses come with advanced tracking technology, with the microchip allowing authorities to trace the lineage of the horses. By scanning the chip, officials can access records of up to seven generations of the horses, including their birthplace, birth year, and even the name of the father. The horses' background information is also engraved on their bodies: the front leg displays their birthplace and year, while the father's name is inscribed on the back thigh.

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Meanwhile, another attraction at the Mela is the camel rides operating from Qila Ghat to Sangam Nose. These camels, brought from Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, are charmingly named by their owners, with names like Ramu, Ghanshyam, and Radheshyam becoming a hit among visitors.

The Mahakumbh is being celebrated after 12 years, and over 45 crore devotees are expected for the event. During the Mahakumbh, devotees will gather at the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, to take a holy dip believed to absolve sins and grant moksha (liberation).

The Mahakumbh will conclude on February 26. The main bathing rituals (Shahi Snan) of the Kumbh will take place on January 14 (Makar Sankranti), January 29 (Mauni Amavasya), and February 3 (Basant Panchami). (ANI)

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Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 8 (ANI): As the commencement date for the 2025 Maha Kumbh nears, popular seers and saints are joining the crowd in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj.

Amid celebrations, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati Maharaj on Wednesday demanded that cow be given the status of 'Rashtra Mata'. He said that one of the biggest problems was cow slaughter and it must be stopped.

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The seer said that they would organise a 'maha yagya' to press their demands.

"All Sanatani Hindus are uniting here for Kumbh. Even though we have a number of problems, the biggest out of them is cow slaughter. To stop that and to award the status of 'Rashtra Mata' to the cow. This will be our wish for which we are going to organise a 'maha yagya'," Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati told ANI.

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He further appealed to the politicians to only discuss religion when they arrive at the Maha Kumbh.

"Even though politicians come here in large numbers, we want them to talk only about religion when they are here. People across professions and walks of life come here, but we rather they not talk about their professions here," Saraswati Maharaj added.

Earlier, the three prominent 'akharas' of the Vaishnav sect made an entry at the 2025 Maha Kumbh on Wednesday as the preparations for the holy festival are in full swing. The Digambar, Nirvani, and Nirmohi akharas joined the holy celebrations at the Kumbh, which is scheduled to begin on January 13.

The three Akharas were formed after the Mughal period. A huge number of Khalsa will also join the celebrations. The procession carrying instruments will enter with elephants, horses, camels, and the revered white and yellow flag. The procession will make an entry amid heavy security arrangements made by the local and state administrations.

Jagadguru Rambhadracharya is leading the procession. Mahants of the three Akharas are also accompanying him."I want to wake up Hindus through this Maha Kumbh. When the Hindus will become conscious, every opposition will be on our feet," Rambhadracharya told ANI.

Reacting to the claims that Maha Kumbh is being held on Waqf land, the renowned seer said, "The entire Prayagraj is ours, they are lying. This is their mischief."

Speaking on the Sanatan board proposal, he said, "We will not allow any political interference...as I remain one of the top seers at Kumbh."

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Minister Nand Gopal Gupta assured that all necessary preparations have been completed for the grand event. The minister stated that around 40-45 crore people are expected to visit during the Mahakumbh festival. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Lucknow, Jan 8 (PTI) The Samajwadi Party has called for the webcasting of all 414 polling stations in the Milkipur Assembly constituency and its access during the February 5 by-election.

According to a press statement issued by the party, it has demanded that the webcasting links be provided to the candidates contesting the election and the recognised political parties, to "ensure transparency and prevent any potential irregularities."

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In a memorandum sent to the Chief Electoral Officer of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, Shyam Lal Pal, the state president of the SP, stressed that allowing candidates and political parties to view the webcasting would help them stay informed about any incidents or disturbances at the polling stations.

"This would ensure that the elections are conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner," reads the memorandum.

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The memorandum highlights concerns that while the webcasting links are made available to electoral officials, such as the Chief Electoral Officer and District Electoral Officer, candidates and political parties currently do not have access to the same information.

This lack of transparency is undemocratic, unconstitutional, and unjust, the party said.

The bypoll in Milkipur was necessitated after sitting SP MLA Awadhesh Prasad won the Lok Sabha election from Faizabad and vacated the seat. The votes will be counted on February 8.

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New Delhi, Jan 8 (PTI) Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said the stampede in Andhra Pradesh's Tirupati temple is deeply saddening and urged the Congress workers to provide all possible assistance in this difficult time.

"The tragic stampede in Tirupati is deeply saddening. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Wishing a swift recovery to all those injured," Gandhi said in a post on X.

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"I urge Congress leaders and workers to provide all possible assistance during this difficult time," he added.

At least six devotees died and dozens were injured in a stampede that broke out late Wednesday evening as hundreds of them jostled for tickets for Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam at Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple on Tirumala Hills, said an official.

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Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Chairman BR Naidu said one body has been identified.

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New Delhi [India], January 8 (ANI): The Centre appointed V Narayanan as the new Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Secretary of the Department of Space on Tuesday.

V Narayanan will assume office on January 14. He will succeed the current ISRO chairman, S Somanath.

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According to an official order from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, Narayanan has been appointed to serve in these roles for the next two years, until further notice.

Narayanan is currently serving as the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) of the ISRO in Valiamala, Kerala.

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An official order from the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Personnel and Training states, "The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Shri V. Narayanan, Director. Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, Valiamala as Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman, Space Commission for a period of two years with effect from 14.01.2025, or until further orders, whichever is earlier."

V Narayanan is a distinguished scientist with nearly four decades of experience in rocket and spacecraft propulsion.

He is a Rocket and Space Craft Propulsion Expert and joined ISRO in 1984 and functioned in various capacities before becoming Director of LPSC. During the initial phase, he worked in the Solid Propulsion area of Sounding Rockets and Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV) and Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).

He further contributed to the process planning, process control and realization of Ablative nozzle systems, composite motor cases and composite Igniter cases.

Currently, Narayanan is the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), one of the major Centres of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) having its Headquarters at Valiamala in Thiruvananthapuram, with a unit at Bangalore. (ANI)

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Chennai, Jan 8 (PTI) Hospitality service provider Radisson Hotel Group has inaugurated its Park Inn by Radisson in Vellore, under its expansion plan in tier II and III towns.

The company currently operates seven hotels in Tamil Nadu across brands including Radisson, Radisson Blu and Park Plaza. The new hotel Park Inn by Radisson, marks the Group's entry into Vellore, as a first internationally branded hotel, the company said.

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Vellore is located about 180 km west of Chennai. The inauguration of a new hotel in the district follows the strategy of the company, to have properties within a three-hour drive to each other.

"The opening of Park Inn by Radisson Vellore marks a prominent moment for us as we enter the city with the first internationally branded hotel. This opening underpins our strategy of being the first mover and focusing on cities like Vellore where rich cultural heritage meets a growing economic landscape. This approach allows us to cater to diverse travellers while fostering new partnerships and recognising local talent." said Nikhil Sharma, Radisson Hotel Group South Asia Managing Director and Area Senior Vice President.

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"We are excited to continue this journey, expanding into more new and emerging cities across the country," he added.

Located on the Bengaluru-Chennai-Tirupati Highway, the hotel offers event spaces including a banquet hall for meetings, weddings. At 'RBG-All Day Dining' guests would be able to taste Mughlai recipes and south Indian flavours. The rooftop 'Heaven's Gate' and 'Down to Earth' provide dining options to every guest visiting the hotel.

"It is truly an honour to extend a warm welcome to our guests. Our hotel not only showcases culinary delights that celebrate the local flavours but also provides convenient access to nearby attractions, making it an ideal choice for all types of travellers," Park Inn by Radisson Vellore, General Manager Sooraj Narayanan said.

Radisson Hotel Group has over 194 hotels in operation and under development with over 50 per cent of its range of hotels were in tier II and III locations. The company claimed in the statement that it is the largest hotel operator in a tier-1 market like Delhi-National Capital Region.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Glasgow [Scotland], January 8 (ANI): Human rights activist Amjad Ayub Mirza has strongly condemned Pakistan's recent decision to dissolve the Election Commission of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) and transfer all its powers to the Election Commission of Pakistan.

This move, set to take effect on January 14, has been described by Mirza was a "direct and brazen attack" on the democratic and political rights of the people living in the besieged region.

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Mirza pointed out that the appointments of the Chief Election Commissioner and other members of the PoJK Election Commission have been called off, leaving the region vulnerable to further political suppression. He termed this action as a "violation of the sovereignty of the occupied territory" and warned that such a unilateral decision "would provoke widespread resistance, likely to manifest in public protests across PoJK."

In his statement, Mirza also criticized the Prime Minister of PoJK, Chaudhry Anwar Ul Haq, for his silence on the matter.

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According to Mirza, Haq's failure to speak out against this decision highlights his opportunistic stance. Mirza referred to Haq as a "dangerous adventurist" for his recent comments during a public address on January 5, where he reportedly announced that his government would "facilitate a jihadi culture in PoJK," a statement that further fueled concerns about the growing political instability in the region.

Mirza further condemned the actions of the Pakistani state, accusing it of sponsoring a counter-revolution in PoJK to suppress the ongoing support for the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a political group advocating for the rights of the people in the region.

On January 12, the Jammu Kashmir Muslim Conference planned a rally to promote the "Accession to Pakistan" agenda, with an expected turnout of 15,000 to 20,000 people. Mirza believes the rally and the state's active participation in organizing it is aimed at intimidating the JAAC and creating an atmosphere of fear in PoJK.

The activist urged the United Nations Security Council to take immediate action to protect the dignity and sovereignty of the people of PoJK, emphasizing that the international community must act to prevent further political suppression and human rights violations in the region.

The situation in PoJK continues to be tense, with growing concerns about the erosion of democratic freedoms and the increasing influence of Pakistan's military and political agenda in the disputed territory.

Mirza's appeal for international attention comes amid repeated calls to address the rights and aspirations of the people of PoJK, who continue to live under 'occupation' and are denied the political autonomy. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], January 8 (ANI): In a delegation-level meeting with his Maldivian counterpart, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reaffirmed India's commitment to deepening ties with the Maldives.

Reflecting on the recent visit of President Mohamed Muizzu to India, Singh stated, "I recall our brief meeting with you during the state visit of President Mohamed Muizzu to India in October 2024. The visit of the President of the Maldives has provided a new orientation to our bilateral relationship, and the Joint Vision Document released during the visit acts as a guiding principle for our two countries."

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He emphasised the enduring spiritual, historical, linguistic, and ethnic ties between the nations, describing the relationship as "close, cordial, and multidimensional."

Singh noted that the Maldives holds a special position under India's Neighbourhood First Policy, a strategic framework aimed at ensuring regional stability and prosperity. He added, "Maldives occupied a special place under Neighbourhood's First Policy of India, which aimed to bring stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region."

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Highlighting the shared role of the two nations in maintaining security in the Indian Ocean, Singh stated, "Both nations are key players in maintaining the safety and security of the Indian Ocean region, thus contributing to 'Security And Growth For All' (SAGAR) in the region."

India's robust defence cooperation with the Maldives was another focal point of the talks. Singh pointed out the avenues for capacity building offered by India, which include training programs, joint exercises, workshops, and the supply of defence equipment.

He emphasised the importance of maintaining this momentum, saying, "India will continue to support the Maldives and the Maldives National Defence Force in their capacity-building efforts through projects, equipment and training. As a trusted partner and a close friend, I assure you that India will continue to support Maldives on its development needs and welfare of its people."

The relationship between India and the Maldives is built on a foundation of longstanding cultural, religious, and commercial ties, with India being among the first nations to recognise the Maldives after its independence in 1965. Geographically, the Maldives' proximity to India's west coast and its location along critical maritime trade routes further underscore its strategic importance.

Tourism also remains a cornerstone of the Maldivian economy, directly contributing to about a quarter of its GDP and accounting for a significant share of employment opportunities. With indirect contributions included, the tourism sector supports nearly 70% of the nation's employment, highlighting its pivotal role in the Maldivian economy.

The robust bilateral cooperation between India and the Maldives aims to further strengthen these economic and strategic ties. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Dubai [UAE], January 8 (ANI): Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al Hashimy in Dubai on Wednesday.

The meeting aimed to reinforce the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with discussions focused on deepening bilateral ties and exchanging views on regional and global issues.

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https://x.com/IndembAbuDhabi/status/1876987751712673809

Indian Embassy in UAE shared the pictures of the meet and wrote on X, "Reinforcing India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership! Foreign Secretary @VikramMisri met H.E. Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation in Dubai today. They discussed ways to further deepen ties and exchanged views on regional and global issues."

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Earlier in the day, Misri met with the Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai on Wednesday, and affirmed India's commitment to provide further humanitarian and development assistance to the Afghan people

During the meet, India agreed to promote trade and commerce, including through Chabahar port. It will also extend its support to the health sector and rehabilitation of refugees in the country.

https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1876979447175217450

Sharing the picture of the meet, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote on X, "Foreign Secy @VikramMisri met Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai today. Both sides discussed ongoing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, bilateral issues and security situation in the region."

"India reiterated its commitment to continue to provide humanitarian & development assistance to the Afghan people. Agreed to promote trade and commerce, including through Chabahar port. India will also extend its support to the health sector & rehabilitation of refugees in the country," the post added.

During the meet, the Foreign Secretary underlined India's historic friendship with the Afghan people and the strong people to people contacts between the two countries.

In this context, he conveyed India's readiness to respond to the urgent developmental needs of the Afghan people.The two sides evaluated the ongoing Indian humanitarian assistance programmes.

The Afghan Minister appreciated and thanked the Indian leadership for continuing to engage and support the people of Afghanistan. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], January 8 (ANI): Godavarthi Venkata Srinivas presently serving as the Officer on Special Duty in the Ministry, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Oman, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Wednesday

"Godavarthi Venkata Srinivas (IFS: 1993), presently Officer on Special Duty in the Ministry, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Sultanate of Oman," according to MEA.

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He is expected to take up the assignment shortly. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Rome, Jan 8 (AP) An Italian journalist detained in Iran for three weeks was freed Wednesday and returned home, after her fate had become intertwined with that of an Iranian engineer arrested in Italy and wanted by the United States.

A plane carrying Cecilia Sala, 29, landed at Rome's Ciampino airport, where Premier Giorgia Meloni was on hand to welcome her alongside Sala's family members. Sala descended from the plane and ran to embrace her boyfriend, Daniele Raineri, who later posted a photo of a smiling Sala greeting Meloni in the airport on social media.

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Sala's liberation marked a major diplomatic and political victory for Meloni, whose recent visit to President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago retreat greatly enhanced her stature internationally at a time when Italy was negotiating Sala's release.

In announcing that Sala was flying home, Meloni's office said the premier had personally informed Sala's parents and credited the release to the government's intensive work on diplomatic and intelligence channels.

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Iranian media acknowledged the journalist's release, citing only the foreign reports. Iranian officials offered no immediate comment.

Sala, a reporter for the Il Foglio daily, was detained in Tehran on Dec. 19, a week after she arrived on a journalist visa. She was accused of violating the laws of the Islamic Republic, the official IRNA news agency said.

Italian commentators had speculated that Iran detained and held Sala as a bargaining chip to ensure the release in Italy of Mohammad Abedini, who was arrested by Italian authorities at Milan's Malpensa airport three days before, on Dec 16, on a US warrant.

The US Justice Department has accused Abedini and another Iranian of supplying the drone technology to Iran that was used in a January 2024 attack on a US outpost in Jordan that killed three American troops.

Abedini remains in detention in Italy but has asked a Milan court to grant him house arrest pending an extradition hearing.

Sala's release was met with cheers in Italy, where her plight had dominated headlines. Lawmakers from across the political spectrum praised the outcome, with the opposition Democratic leader Elly Schlein thanking the government specifically.

It came after Meloni made a surprise trip to Florida last weekend to meet Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate.

Meloni in a statement on X thanked all those who helped make Cecilia's return possible, allowing her to re-embrace her family and colleagues.

Meloni's visit to Trump had a strong impact on the premier's international standing, which strengthened Italy's hand in negotiations, Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said.

Any time you can reinforce the credibility of a leader of a country at a particular moment, the stronger the country is, he told Italy's Sky Tg24.

Sala's fate had become intertwined with that of Abedini. Each country's foreign ministry summoned the other's ambassador to demand the prisoner's release and decent detention conditions. The diplomatic tangle was particularly complicated for Italy, which is a historic ally of Washington but maintains good relations with Tehran.

Members of Meloni's cabinet took personal interest in the case given the geopolitical implications. Foreign Minister Antonio Tanaji and Crosetto hailed the diplomatic teamwork involved to secure Sala's release.

But the release also posed a delicate political question for Italy given Abedini's status. The United States has complained in the past when Italy has lost track of suspects in the Italian judicial system awaiting hearings for extradition to the US.

A hearing on his bid to be given house arrest is scheduled for Jan 15.

Advocacy group Reporters Without Borders, which had flagged Sala's detention as an attack on press freedom, cheered her release.

Now the 25 journalists still held in Iranian prisons must also be released, the group said in a social media post.

Since the 1979 US Embassy crisis, which saw dozens of hostages released after 444 days in captivity, Iran has used prisoners with Western ties as bargaining chips in negotiations.

In September 2023, five Americans detained for years in Iran were freed in exchange for five Iranians in US custody and for $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets to be released by South Korea.

Western journalists have been held in the past. Roxana Saberi, an American journalist, was detained by Iran in 2009 for around 100 days before being released.

Also detained by Iran was Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian, who was held for more than 540 days before being released in 2016 in a prisoner swap between Iran and the US.

Both cases involved Iran making false espionage accusations in closed-door hearings. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
London/Dhaka, Jan 8 (PTI) Bangladesh's former prime minister Khaleda Zia was admitted to a specialised hospital in London on Wednesday for advanced treatment, her party said.

Earlier, the 79-year-old chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) had an emotional reunion with her eldest son, Tarique Rahman, at the Heathrow International Airport after more than seven years of separation.

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Begum Khaleda Zia was admitted to the London Clinic under Professor Patrick Kennedy at 6.30 pm (BST), BNP Media Cell member Shairul Kabir Khan quoted Khaleda Zia's personal physician Professor AZM Zahid Hossain as saying.

Zia was driven to the London Clinic directly from Heathrow Airport by her son and BNP acting chairman Rahman.

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Rahman's wife Dr Zubaida Rahman accompanied them. Bangladeshi physicians, who accompanied the former premier to London, handed over treatment related documents to the doctors of the London Clinic, state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) said.

Later, the physicians of the clinic decided to get her admitted to the facility for further treatment after reviewing the documents and carrying out some required medical tests, it said.

The former premier, who is suffering from multiple diseases, reached London onboard a Qatari Royal Air Ambulance for medical treatment, her first overseas trip since July 16, 2017, when she travelled to London for treatment.

"The air ambulance carrying her landed at Heathrow International Airport in London at 2:55 pm (Bangladesh time)," Khan said.

Rahman gave a warm hug to his wheelchair bound mother just as she was brought out of the airport.

Bangladesh's acting High Commissioner in London, Mohammad Hazrat Ali Khan, welcomed the former prime minister with a bouquet at the airport, BSS news agency reported.

She was received by her son Rahman, the acting chairperson of the BNP, and his wife, Zubaida, at the airport, the Daily Star newspaper reported.

Zia, who served as the premier thrice, met her son Rahman for the first time since 2017 as the Sheikh Hasina led government did not allow her to visit abroad, citing legal complications.

Rahman, convicted in a number of criminal and graft cases, has been living in London since 2008.

The air ambulance, which left Dhaka late on Tuesday night, made a stopover in Doha en route to London.

Zia left home for treatment in the UK, months after a court scrapped her conviction on graft charges following the ouster of ex-premier Sheikh Hasina's regime in a student-led upsurge in August.

The special plane equipped with state-of-the-art medical facilities, including an ICU, was provided by the Emir of Qatar for the ailing Bangladeshi leader.

Media reports said the special air ambulance also carried four Royal Qatari doctors and paramedics while several Bangladeshi doctors were accompanying her as well alongside her younger daughter-in-law and some other relatives.

Doctors have been advocating for her treatment abroad since late 2021, a call denied by the Hasina government.

A day after the fall of the Awami League regime on August 5, 2024, Zia was freed under a presidential order.

She was sentenced to 17 years in prison for graft in 2018 under the rule of Hasina.

Zia had been imprisoned for more than two years. On March 25, 2020, the Hasina government suspended her sentence and granted her conditional release through an executive order.

Subsequently, the government extended her sentence suspension and release period every six months, upon application. Since then, she has been frequently admitted to a specialised private hospital with multiple complaints, including cardiac ailments.

Zia appeared in public on November 21, 2024, at Dhaka Cantonment to join Bangladesh's Armed Forces Day reception at the invitation of the Chief Adviser of the interim government Muhammad Yunus.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Miami, Jan 9 (AP) Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro will be sworn in for a third term Friday, while hundreds of government opponents arrested since his disputed reelection last summer languish in the country's packed prisons.

Sharing cells with them are as many as 10 Americans.

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One is David Estrella, who was last heard from in September, when the 62-year-old native New Yorker was about to take a taxi from Colombia to Venezuela with a bag of perfume, clothes and shoes to gift to friends he made on a previous trip.

It's like mourning someone in life, said Margarita Estrella, his ex-wife and mother of three of his children, the youngest of whom just turned 18. We don't know anything about where he is, or how he's doing. Without being able to talk to him, to hear his voice, so he knows all we're trying to do for him, makes it a lot worse.

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The circumstances around the arrest of David Estrella and the other Americans are not well known. Most have not had access to a lawyer and only limited contact with family members, who worry they could be subject to torture, as past American detainees have alleged.

None has been declared wrongfully detained by the State Department, a designation that would gives their cases more attention. Because the US has diplomatic presence in Venezuela, their families can face a long process pushing for their release.

The Americans' detentions add another complication to the many Venezuela challenges that await President-elect Donald Trump when he returns to the White House on January 20.

For senior foreign policy roles in his administration, Trump has picked several architects of the maximum pressure campaign he pursued during his first term when he tried to oust Maduro. They include Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state and Mauricio Claver-Carone, a former White House National Security Council aide, as special envoy to Latin America.

But the failure of those policies is readily apparent, and it's not clear whether Trump will pursue the same course this time.

For one, Maduro enjoys the backing of the armed forces, the traditional arbiter of disputes in Venezuela. The military has stuck by Maduro even as the US and other foreign governments recognised his opponent, Edmundo Gonzalez, as the winner of last year's vote. Also, crippling oil sanctions that Trump previously promoted have inadvertently strengthened American adversaries such as China, Russia and Iran in the strategic energy sector.

Meanwhile, Trump's campaign promise of mass deportations depends on Maduro's willingness to take back migrants from the United States. So far, Maduro has been reluctant to do so without concessions from Washington.

To come in and take the same failed approach seems misguided, said Brian Fonseca, a former Pentagon expert on Latin America who heads a national security think tank at Florida International University.

He said Trump would be wiser to engage with Maduro in a more pragmatic way, similar to how the US has long dealt with Saudi Arabia, where human rights abuses are also a major concern.

The US must adopt a realistic approach that requires short-term compromises to gain long-term leverage where it can advance human rights and democratic governance," Fonseca said.

The Trump transition team did not respond to request for comment on its plans for Venezuela.

Maduro congratulated Trump after his victory in November and called for a fresh start in relations with the US Venezuela's state-owned oil company contributed USD 500,000 to Trump's inauguration committee in 2016 and hired several lobbyists in an ultimately unsuccessful campaign to draw close to the White House.

But Trump hasn't shown any signs of softening his hawkish stance.

They'll take them back," he said last month when asked whether Venezuelans could be deported to a country without diplomatic relations with the US. If they don't, they'll be met very harshly economically.

Analysts don't see American prisoners as an insurmountable obstacle to rebuilding ties, but they have no illusion about Maduro's intentions in targeting Americans.

In December 2023, the Biden administration swapped a close Maduro ally who was awaiting trial on corruption charges in Miami for 10 Americans jailed in Venezuela. At the time, the White House said it secured commitments that Maduro's government would not arrest additional Americans.

The arrests since then, however, indicate Maduro has broken that pledge.

The detentions fit into a worrisome pattern of Maduro targeting foreigners with passports from countries at odds with Maduro, activists say.

Foro Penal, a Caracas-based legal assistance group, has counted 47 foreign or dual nationals from 13 countries among the nearly 1,800 people imprisoned for political reasons in Venezuela. That compares with barely 300 before the July election.

One is a national guardsman from Argentina who was arrested coming to visit his Venezuelan wife's family. Authorities accused him of terrorism, linking him to five opposition activists who have been sheltering in the Argentine ambassador's residence for 10 months. Other prisoners hail from Ecuador, Spain and the Czech Republic.

Maduro is playing up the arrest of foreigners  something he has been reluctant to do in the past. On Tuesday, he said two more Americans had been captured as part of a group of mercenaries that also included men from Colombia and Ukraine.

I am sure in the next few hours they will confess, Maduro said, adding that the men, whom he didn't name, came to carry out terrorist activities against the fatherland.

Before that announcement, Venezuelan officials have given the names of seven American detainees, and human rights groups identified an additional one. The State Department has declined to provide a number, citing privacy and security concerns.

The Maduro regime does not notify the US government of the detention of US citizens, and the US government is not granted access to those citizens, a State Department spokesperson said.

One American detainee, Wilbert Castaneda, is a Navy SEAL. His mother told The Associated Press that he was on vacation when he traveled to Venezuela to visit a girlfriend.

Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello announced Estrella's detention in September, alleging Estrella was part of a plot led by Castaneda to assassinate Maduro. The two Americans have never met, according to their families.

Estrella had been working as an auditor at a pharmaceutical company in the New York area when he relocated to Ecuador  where he met his wife decades earlier  during the coronavirus pandemic. The same adventure-seeking lifestyle drew him to Venezuela, where he first traveled in 2023, says his former spouse.

You could talk to him, and within a few minutes, he was calling you his brother," Margarita Estrella said. He was always talking about how he was looking forward to retiring and enjoying the rest of his life. (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, Jan 8 (PTI) US President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday said that he understands the Russian feeling with NATO being on their doorstep.

You know, a big part of the problem was Russia for many, many years, long before (Russian President, Vladimir) Putin said, you could never have NATO involved with Ukraine. Now they've said  that's been like written in stone. Somewhere along the line (US President, Joe) Biden said no, they should be able to join NATO. Well, then Russia has somebody right on their doorstep and I could understand their feeling about that, Trump told reporters at Mar-a-Lago in Florida.

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There were a lot of mistakes made in that negotiation. When I heard the way that Biden was negotiating, I said you're going to end up in a war and it turned out to be a very bad war. That war could escalate to be much worse than it is right now, he said in response to a question.

My view is that it was always understood. In fact, I believe that they had a deal and then Biden broke it. They had a deal which would have been a satisfactory deal to Ukraine and everybody else. But Biden said, no, you have to be able to join NATO.

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"That's always been, and nobody knows more about NATO than I. You know, years ago when I first started this, I didn't know too much about NATO, but I got it right anyway, he said.

Ukraine now wants to be a NATO member. In 2008, NATO had expressed support for Ukraine joining NATO. However, NATO has not yet extended its membership to Ukraine.

Trump also told reporters that he wants NATO members to contribute five per cent of their GDP. NATO should have five per cent, he said.

Well, you can't do it at two. I mean at two per cent, if you're going to have a country and a regular military, you're at four per cent. I think they're in dangerous territory. They can all afford it, but they should be at five per cent, not two per cent. I'm the one that got him to pay two per cent, he said.

They're taking advantage. I'm the one that got, and the (NATO) secretary general was here two weeks ago, saying that if it weren't for me, NATO wouldn't even exist right now. Because I raised, from countries that weren't paying their bills, at that time 28 countries, 20 of them were not paying their bills, 21 to be exact, he asserted.

They weren't paying or they were paying a very small portion, and I raised over USD 680 billion, that was the number he gave, by saying, if you don't pay, we're not going to protect you. As soon as I said that, the money came pouring in. But Obama could have said it, other people could have said it, Bush could have said it. Nobody said it but me. I took a lot of heat, he said.

They said, that's a threatening statement. Well, they weren't paying their bills. I said we're not going to protect you if you're not paying the bills. So, in a true sense, I saved NATO, but NATO has taken advantage of us. And one of the problems that I have, and I've said it openly, I said it to President Zelenskyy, Trump said.

Europe is in for a tiny fraction of the money that we're in. Now, whether you like that situation or not, Europe is much more affected than the United States. We have a thing called the ocean in between us. Why are we in for billions and billions of dollars more money than Europe? And you know, they're a similar size, a little smaller, but they're a similar size economy as the United States when you add them up. And yet Europe is in for a small fraction of the number the United States is in, he said.

I said you have to pay your bills and they all  one stood up, I won't say who, you'll probably have it because the papers  the media hated to report on it. But a prime minister stood up from a country, you know, a famous meeting of 28 nations with no press, he stood up and he says, does that mean if we don't pay our bill I said, if you don't pay, you mean you're delinquent? He said, yes. I said, if you're delinquent, we will not protect you, Trump said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Nicosia, Jan 8 (AP) Turkey on Wednesday again insisted on a two-state peace accord in ethnically divided Cyprus as the United Nations prepares to meet with all sides in early spring in hopes of restarting formal talks to resolve one of the world's most intractable conflicts.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Cyprus must continue on the path of a two-state solution and that expending efforts on other arrangements ending Cyprus' half-century divide would be a waste of time.

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Fidan spoke to reporters after talks with Ersin Tatar, leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots whose declaration of independence in 1983 in Cyprus' northern third is recognized only by Turkey.

Cyprus' ethnic division occurred in 1974 when Turkey invaded in the wake of a coup, sponsored by the junta then ruling Greece, that aimed to unite the island in the eastern Mediterranean with the Greek state.

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The most recent major push for a peace deal collapsed in 2017.

Turkey has advocated for a two-state arrangement in which the numerically fewer Turkish Cypriots would never be the minority in any power-sharing arrangement.

But Greek Cypriots do not support a two-state deal that they see as formalising the island's partition and perpetuating what they see as a threat of a permanent Turkish military presence on the island.

Greek Cypriot officials have maintained that the 2017 talks collapsed primarily on Turkey's insistence on permanently keeping at least some of its estimated 35,000 troops currently in the island's breakaway north, and on enshrining military intervention rights in any new peace deal.

The UN, the European Union, and others have rejected a two-state deal for Cyprus, saying the only way forward is a federation agreement with Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot zones.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is preparing to host an informal meeting in Switzerland in March. The island's Greek Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides says he's ready to resume formal talks immediately but has ruled out any discussion on a two-state arrangement.

Tatar, leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots, said the meeting will bring together the two sides in Cyprus, the foreign ministers of guarantor powers Greece and Turkey and a senior British official to chart the next steps regarding Cyprus' future. (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], January 8 (ANI): US District Judge Aileen Cannon has blocked the release of special counsel Jack Smith's final report on his probe into US President-elect Donald Trump, CNN reported.

Her order stops Smith and the Justice Department from releasing the report until the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals has time to review the emergency motion by Trump's co-defendants to block the report's release.

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The decision of the judge comes amid a flurry of legal filings that took place on Monday and Tuesday. Trump's lawyers have reviewed a draft of Smith's final report connected to the federal probe into the US President-elect, according to a letter included in court filings from Trump's former co-defendants on Monday.

Trump had appointed Cannon during his first term as US President. Aileen Cannon's order blocking the US Justice Department on Tuesday does not distinguish between the two volumes said to be in Smith's report - one covering the probe into 2020 election interference and the other dealing with the mishandling of classified documents investigation. According to Trump's lawyers, the arguments against publication of the report applied to both volumes.

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The filings included letters from Trump's attorneys to Attorney General Merrick Garland, which mentioned that they were allowed "to review the two-volume Draft Report in a conference room at Smith's office between January 3 and January 6, 2025," CNN reported.

The attorneys, two of whom have been chosen by Trump for top roles in the US Justice Department in his administration, requested advance notice of the report's release so that they can "take appropriate legal action."

In the court filings, the defence lawyers said that the government gave them "limited access" to review the draft over the weekend and that it "revealed a one-sided narrative arguing that the Defendants committed the crimes charged in this case."

Garland has told Congress he plans to give the report to lawmakers, allowing for redactions needed under Justice Department policy. That would imply the Justice Department would likely redact portions of the report related to the two co-defendants as the department is seeking to continue those cases and it is barred from prejudicing their potential trials.

In a separate overnight court filing, Smith's office shared more details of the timeline for the finalization of the report. The special counsel's office said it would not give the report to the attorney general until 1 pm ET Tuesday at the earliest, and the attorney general would not release it until at the earliest Friday morning.

Smith's team wrote, "The Attorney General has not yet determined how to handle the reported volume pertaining to this case, about which the parties were conferring at the time the defendants filed the motion."

According to federal regulations about special counsel's office work at the US Justice Department, the decisions regarding the release of reports like these lie in the hands of the attorney general. The office further said it plans to give more on its position to Cannon on Tuesday evening (local time). The defence attorneys expressed dissatisfaction over the filings on Monday with the level of redactions in the draft that they had reviewed. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, January 8: Electric vehicle (EV) company Ola Electric Mobility Limited has received an administrative warning from the markets regulator, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), for violating disclosure norms.

The reason cited is that Ola Electric announced its e-scooter expansion plans first on social media instead of announcing it on the stock exchanges. In an administrative warning, sent via email on January 7 for violating various sections of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, the regulator asked the EV firm to ensure "equal, timely, cost-efficient access to relevant information for all investors via stock exchanges. 2025 Bajaj Pulsar RS200 Teased, Launch in January 2025; Check Expected Specifications and Features.

By failing to first disseminate the information on the stock exchanges and instead announcing it on social media platforms, you have failed to provide equal and timely access to information to all investors, read the SEBI warning. Ola Electric Founder Bhavish Aggarwal had posted a video on his X handle on December 2 before 10 a.m, in which he shared his plan to increase the company's sales network by nearly four times by December 20. The company later informed the exchanges post 1.30 p.m on December 2.

SEBI stated in its warning letter that "The above violations have been taken very seriously. You are warned and advised to be careful in future and improve your compliance standards to avoid recurrence of such instances, failing which appropriate enforcement action may be initiated." Mahindra Unveils Price for Top-End Variant of Mahindra BE 6 and Mahindra XEV 9e at Unlimit India Tech Day; Check Specifications and Other Details.

On Wednesday, at around 10:13 am, the EV company's shares declined 4.78 per cent to Rs 75.38 per share. In addition, Ola Electric's market share declined by 5 per cent on a MoM (month-on-month) basis to 19 per cent in December. It was 24 per cent in November, dethroning it as the top Indian 2-wheeler EV company.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 08, 2025 10:41 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Srinagar, January 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Jammu and Kashmir on January 13 to inaugurate the Z-Morh tunnel on the Srinagar-Sonamarg road to make Sonamarg an all-weather tourist destination. Official sources said that the PM will arrive here on January 13 to physically inaugurate the Z-Morh tunnel that will bypass the road from Gagangir to Sonamarg allowing visitors and locals to visit the hill station throughout the year.

At present, the Gagangir-Sonamarg stretch of the road gets blocked by heavy snowfall and avalanches that hit the area every year. The Z-Morh Tunnel is a 6.5 km long 2-lane road tunnel between Gagangir and Sonamarg in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir. It is named after the Z-shaped stretch of road that the tunnel has replaced (Z-Morh translates to "Z-turn" in English). PM Narendra Modi To Be on 2-Day Visit to Andhra Pradesh, Odisha From Today.

The road used before was avalanche-prone and often got blocked for several months, but the Z-Morh tunnel provides all-weather connectivity to the Sonamarg tourist town. It takes only 15 minutes to travel the 6.5 km long tunnel compared to hours over the zig-zag road up and down the hills.

Together with the adjacent Zoji-La Tunnel, this geostrategically important tunnel on the Srinagar-Leh Highway will provide year-round weather-proof connectivity to Baltal (Amarnath cave), Kargil and other places in the Ladakh region. PM Narendra Modi Sets Example by Not Using Taxpayer Money for Personal Festivities, RTI Discloses.

It will also enhance military logistics and boost tourism and the economy. In addition to providing all-weather connectivity to Sonamarg, the tunnel will help the employment of local youth and boost tourism and allied activities in the area. It is one of the 31 road tunnels, 20 in Jammu and Kashmir and 11 in Ladakh. The construction of the tunnel was started in 2018.

The tunnel workers came under terror attack on October 20, 2024, when two terrorists entered the workers' camp at Gagangir and fired indiscriminately. Seven civilians, including six non-local workers of the infrastructure company building the Z-Morh tunnel, were killed. A local doctor was also killed in the attack.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 08, 2025 10:17 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Ahmedabad, January 8: In a significant move to regulate the growing bike taxi sector, the Ahmedabad Regional Transport Office (RTO) has suspended Rapidos services for 30 days following multiple complaints from local rickshaw drivers. The decision comes after Rapido violated city transport rules by using non-transport two-wheelers for commercial operations. Meanwhile, Uber has been given a 15-day deadline to halt the use of motorcycles in its fleet, with the RTO citing similar violations.

According to a report by the Ahmedabad Mirror, the suspension of Rapidos services comes after repeated complaints from the Ahmedabad Rickshaw Association, which raised concerns about the increasing use of non-transport two-wheelers by private aggregators. These vehicles, which are not registered for commercial use, have caused an uneven playing field between auto-rickshaw drivers and bike taxi operators. Rickshaw unions had approached the RTO, urging them to take action against these violations, as it not only threatened their livelihoods but also posed a potential safety risk to passengers. Rapido Net Loss: Swiggy-Backed Ride-Sharing Platform Registers INR 371 Crore As Net Loss in FY24.

Rapido's failure to adhere to the mandatory regulations, which include using yellow number plates and providing proper insurance for vehicles, led the RTO to intervene and issue the suspension order. In a similar vein, Gujarat Samachar reported that Uber has also been found guilty of using two-wheelers for commercial transportation despite being granted a license only for three and four-wheel vehicles. The RTO's investigation revealed that Uber was operating motorcycles in violation of aggregator rules set by the states transport department. Rapido FY23 Report: Bike-Taxi Startup Posts Rs 675 Crore in Losses in Last Fiscal Year, Revenue From Operations Jumps Three Times.

While Uber had been using these motorcycles for commuter transport, the company did not have the appropriate license for such vehicles, and the RTO issued a 15-day deadline for the company to cease the practice. If Uber fails to comply with this directive, it could face further penalties or suspension. The RTO's actions are seen as part of a broader effort to enforce safety standards and maintain fair competition in Ahmedabad's public transport sector. The new law, which requires auto-rickshaws to display meters starting January 1, is designed to curb irregularities in fares and operations across different modes of transport.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 08, 2025 08:50 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Pongal, also called Thai Pongal, is a significant and auspicious harvest festival celebrated in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The four-day festival marks the start of the Thai month in the Tamil calendar. It is celebrated every year in a grand way and with a lot of joy and devotion by the people of the state. Pongal marks the end of the winters and the start of the harvest season in India. During the festival, devotees worship Lord Surya and other deities for their blessings and agricultural abundance. Families get together and prepare traditional delicacies like Pongal, sakkarai Pongal, payasam, and more as part of the celebrations. Pongal 2025 Dates: Why Is Pongal Celebrated? Bhogi Pongal, Mattu Pongal and Other Traditions, Rituals, Delicious Recipes and More To Know About the Harvest Festival in Tamil Nadu.

It is a time of ritualistic offerings, feasts, and joy, especially for farmers. Families get together, clean their spaces, and decorate homes with lamps and beautiful kolam designs and prepare traditional Pongal foods. On account of the occasion, the government has declared holidays for schools and colleges. Check the dates below.

Pongal 2025 Dates

Pongal is celebrated over a span of four days. The first day of the celebration is called Bhogi Pongal. Bhogi Pongal 2025 falls on Tuesday, January 14. The second day of the celebration is called Surya Pongal. Surya Pongal 2025 falls on Wednesday, January 15. The third day of the celebration is Maatu Pongal. Maatu Pongal 2025 falls on Thursday, January 16. The fourth and last day of the celebration is known as Kaanum Pongal, and it falls on Friday, January 17.

Pongal 2025 Holiday Dates

Due to the festival, the state government had declared a holiday from January 1416 for schools, colleges, and government offices. However, in response to many sections from the state, January 17 too has been declared a holiday. An official press release states that as Pongal 2025 falls on January 14, it will be a holiday followed by holidays on January 15 for Thiruvallur and 16 for Uzhavar Thirunal. But as many students and employees travel to their native place for the festival, January 17 has also been declared a holiday, considering their requests.

This creates an extended six-day holiday for the festival, as January 18 and 19 are Saturday and Sunday, respectively. However, to make up for the 17th, all education institutions in the state will remain operational on the 25th. In Telangana too, the government has declared official holiday for January 13, January 14 and January 15 being an optional holiday for Pongal 2025. However, the Telangana Board of Intermediate Education (BIE) declared Makar Sankranti holiday for intermediate colleges from January 11 to January 16. The board stated that the classes will resume on January 17. Tamil Nadu Government Holiday List For Pongal 2025: State Govt Employees to Enjoy Extended Holiday, Check Dates and Other Details Here.

Pongal 2025 Holiday Dates

The Tamil Nadu government has announced holidays on the 14th, 15th, 16th, and 17th of January to accommodate the extended Pongal festival celebrations. pic.twitter.com/P7iuUkcodf  Vijith Amirthalingam (@Vijith_offl) January 4, 2025

The festival holds immense cultural as well as religious significance in the state. The extended holiday period not only aims to enable families to celebrate the festival together; it also aims to facilitate smooth travel for students and families returning to their homes for Pongal 2025.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 08, 2025 04:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, also known as NRI Day, is a significant celebration that is held once every two years in India. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas marks the contribution of the overseas Indians in the development of the country. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2025 will be celebrated from January 810. The celebration aims to strengthen the engagement between NRIs and the Government of India. It also aims to reconnect them to their cultural roots. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas emphasises the crucial role that the Indian diaspora plays in strengthening the nations image on a global stage. The day is significant as it also marks the day Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in 1915. To celebrate the day, share Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2025 wishes with all the NRIs you know. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2025 Date, Theme and Venue: When Is NRI Day Observed? From Significance To Live Streaming Details, Heres All You Need To Know About PBD Convention.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is marked by award ceremonies, felicitations, and honours given to overseas Indians for their excellent contributions in their chosen professions. The celebration is a proud moment for overseas Indians as it highlights their contributions in fields like trade, technology, healthcare, and education. Indians living abroad play a major role in shaping the countrys identity and helping it become a developed nation. It also serves as a platform for the Indian diaspora to voice their opinions on issues and talk about the challenges they face. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was first celebrated in January 2003. It was then celebrated every year, but after a change in format, it is celebrated once every two years. Celebrate the day by sharing NRI Day 2025 greetings, messages, and quotes, and Pravasi Bharatiya Divas HD images and wallpapers. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2025 Date and Theme: Know NRI Day History, Significance and Other Details of the Day That Marks the Contribution of Overseas Indians in the Development of the Country.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Wishes

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Wishes (Photo Credits: File Photo)

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Messages

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Wishes (Photo Credits: File Photo)

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Images

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Wishes (Photo Credits: File Photo)

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Quotes

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Wishes (Photo Credits: File Photo)

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Wallpapers

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Wishes (Photo Credits: File Photo)

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is a testament to the strong ties between India and the diaspora that is spread around the world. The celebration not only acknowledges the contributions made by NRIs; it also fosters a sense of mutual understanding and connection. Through cultural events, conferences, recognition of their achievements, and dialogue, the celebration is a platform for the Government of India to engage with global citizens and build bridges that span countries and continents.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 08, 2025 12:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Makar Sankranti is the annual celebration that marks the transition of the sun from the zodiac of Sagittarius (dhanu) to Capricorn (Makara). The Sankranti moment when this occurs is considered to be extremely auspicious and Makar Sankranti 2025 will be marked on January 14. The celebration of Makar Sankranti is dedicated to the sun god and is celebrated with different observances in different parts of the country. Makar Sankranti is also known by different names across India. While Maharashtra celebrates it as Makara Sankranti, people in Assam observe the festival as Magh Bihu. Likewise, Pongal is celebrated by Tamils, Uttarayan is a major festival in Gujarat and the people in West Bengal celebrate Poush Sankranti. As we prepare to celebrate Makar Sankranti 2025, here is everything you need to know about this day, how to celebrate Makar Sankranti and its significance. Makar Sankranti 2025 Calendar: Know Dates of Pongal, Magh Bihu, Lohri, Khichdi Parv and More To Celebrate the Harvest Festival in India.

When is Makar Sankranti 2025?

Makar Sankranti 2025 will be marked on January 14. This annual celebration is marked on the day that the sun enters the Makar or Capricorn sign. The celebration is usually observed on January 14, except on leap years, when the festivities would shift to January 15. Makar Sankranti's date and time are analogous to the Sidereal time of the Zodiac sign of Capricorn (when the sun enters). The Makara Sankranti Punya Kala for Makar Sankranti 2025 will be from 09:03 AM to 06:21 PM. Indian New Year 2025 Calendar Dates.

Makar Sankranti Significance and Rituals

Makar Sankranti is dedicated to the Hindu religious sun god and is marked by reciting the Gayatri Mantra. It is also said to be associated with the birth and coming of the final Avatar of the Hindu God Vishnu, Kalki and is celebrated with great fervour and enthusiasm by people across the world. People often mark this day by taking a holy dip in the river, and offering special prayers at the time of sunrise.

Makar Sankranti is an important pan-Indian solar festival, known by different names though observed on the same date, sometimes for multiple dates around the Makar Sankranti. It is also known as Pedda Panduga in Andhra Pradesh and Pongal in Tamil Nadu.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 08, 2025 02:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
If you took out cash from an ATM that used a Visa or Mastercard network in the past 17 years, you may be eligible for a piece of a $197.5 million class action settlement.

The settlement ends a lawsuit that accused Visa and Mastercard of charging unlawful surcharges on transactions at certain bank-operated ATMs between Oct. 1, 2007 and July 26, 2024.

The deadline to file a claim is Jan. 22, 2025.

JP Morgan, Wells Fargo and Bank of America were among the banks that collected the fees. They agreed to a previous settlement worth $67 million, the Visa/Mastercard settlement website said.

None of the companies admitted wrongdoing as part of the settlement agreements.

Visa and Mastercard did not respond to requests for comment about the settlement, which could affect some 175 million people.

The settlement website says if you filed a claim or received a payment from a previous settlement, you are automatically eligible to get money from the new settlement. If you believe you paid additional surcharges since filing your last claim, you must file an updated claim, the website said. And new claimants can file their first new claim on the settlement website at atmclassaction.com.

There are no estimates for how much of a payment would be received by each affected customer, the settlement website said. Payments will depend on the number of approved claims, court fees and attorneys costs, which may not exceed 33% of the total settlement amount, it said.

You can get additional information by calling the settlement administrator at (877) 311-3724 or by emailing info@ATMClassAction.com.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.

Karin Price Mueller may be reached at KPriceMueller@NJAdvanceMedia.com. Follow her on X at @KPMueller.
Community leaders in Reading celebrated the citys inclusion this year in a Pennsylvania program to incentivize redevelopment and job creation by reinvesting new tax revenue in the community.

The Berks County city is one of two new Community Revitalization and Improvement Zones (CRIZ) created through legislation in the states 2024-2025 budget. Reading and Erie join Bethlehem, Lancaster and Tamaqua, which received their designations more than a decade ago, to bring the number of CRIZs across the state to five.
In the first Corvallis City Council meeting of the new year  and this council term  all nine councilors were sworn in for their next two years of service to the city.

Of the nine, four are brand-new faces, two of whom ran on the same slate.

Councilors also elected on Monday, Jan. 6, this terms council leadership, and approved assignments of council liaisons to different advisory bodies and committees.

New faces

Jan Napack of Ward 1, Briae Lewis of Ward 2, Charlyn Ellis of Ward 5, Paul Shaffer of Ward 7 and Tony Cadena of Ward 9 are all returning councilors.

New councilors are Jim Moorefield of Ward 3, Ava Olson of Ward 4, Alison Bowden of Ward 6 and Carolyn Mayers of Ward 8.

Moorefield previously served as a city councilor from 1989 to 1992. Now retired, he worked as the executive director of Willamette Neighborhood Housing Services and brings four decades of experience in affordable housing to the council. He replaces former Councilor Hyatt Lytle, who served from 2016 and did not run for reelection in November.

Olson, just 21, replaces Gabe Shepherd, another young politico who is now serving as a Benton County Commissioner. Olson is a fourth-year student at Oregon State University and was a member of the Sunrise Corvallis slate, whose six candidates boasted shared priorities that included climate resilience and humane treatment of the unhoused.

Bowden, 27, also ran as a part of the Sunrise Corvallis slate and replaces Laurie Chaplen, who was first elected in 2020 and opted not to run Nov. 5. As part of a rousing speech made during councilors reports that received applause from the audience, Bowden said that housing justice will be a cornerstone of their term.

They shared that in December, they had attended the Longest Night Community Vigil hosted by Corvallis community service providers to honor unsheltered individuals in the community who had lost their lives in 2024.

The solemn event was a powerful and sobering reminder of the weight our decisions carry, and how policies both directly and indirectly impact peoples lives. The system has failed this portion of our community. As an elected official, I am now part of that system, Bowden said.

Im committed to being a staunch defender of our most vulnerable residents, working collaboratively with service providers and building partnerships at the county and state levels to address these systemic issues, they continued. While we cannot solve these challenges alone, we can and must be part of the solution.

Mayers replaced former Councilor Tracey Yee, who had served since 2021 until opting not to run for reelection last year. Up until recently, Mayers served as vice chair of the Corvallis Planning Commission.

Council leadership

Mayor Charles Maughan was the only one on the dais not running for office in November, as mayors serve four-year terms.

Shaffer will reprise his role as council president, a position he held last term. Ellis, who's currently suing the city for trying to remove her last term, will serve as council vice president.

Councilors are responsible for electing their president and vice president. Shaffer was nominated by Ellis, who said shed like to see his balanced, calm and reasonable presence continue into another term.

Cadena was also nominated for the role of council president by Napack, who said he was a true nonpartisan able to bridge different ideologies, but he did not attain the votes necessary to usurp Shaffer.

Shaffer nominated Ellis to serve as vice president, saying shed served on council for a long time and was a wonderful councilor. Ellis, having served since 2016, is now the single longest-standing councilor following Lytles departure.

Cadena nominated Mayers, saying shed be an asset to leadership despite this being her first term. And Napack once again nominated Cadena, this time for vice president.

When Maughan gave nominees the opportunity to speak, Ellis said it was time for me to step up.

She hadnt done so in previous years, she said, because she felt that leadership had been solid and shed been working full-time. But as past leaders have moved on  Lytle was the previous council vice president  and Ellis dropped to two-thirds time at work, she felt she had the time and energy necessary for leadership, she said.

After eight years of being merely a Ward 5 councilor  the best ward  Im ready to take on some leadership, sort of towards the end of my council career, she said.

After electing Shaffer and Ellis to leadership, councilors accepted their liaison assignments. Per municipal code, appointees cannot serve more than three consecutive terms on the same policy advisory board or commission, which affected Napack and Ellis.

As such, Ellis will no longer serve as council liaison to the Climate Action Advisory Board, an assignment that landed her in some hot water after she was accused of interfering in city hiring matters, which led to the current lawsuit that she has brought against the city of Corvallis.

Bowden will now serve as council liaison to CAAB.

There was also some discussion of establishing an official city liaison to Benton County in light of Shepherds new position as county liaison to the city of Corvallis, something that Shepherd said had not existed in an official capacity in quite some time.

Maughan said he will be working with leadership to get that potential liaison position off the ground.

Related stories:
LOS ANGELES  California firefighters battled wind-whipped wildfires that tore across the Los Angeles area, destroying homes, clogging roadways as tens of thousands fled and straining resources as the fires burned uncontained early Wednesday.

The flames from a fire that broke out Tuesday evening near a nature preserve in the inland foothills northeast of LA spread so rapidly that staff at a senior living center had to push dozens of residents in wheelchairs and hospital beds down the street to a parking lot.

The residents  one as old as 102  waited there in their bedclothes as the night sky glowed red from flames and embers fell around them until ambulances, buses and even construction vans arrived to take them to safety.

Another blaze that started hours earlier ripped through the citys Pacific Palisades neighborhood, a hillside area along the coast dotted with celebrity residences and memorialized by the Beach Boys in their 1960s hit Surfin USA. In the frantic haste to get to safety, roadways became impassable when scores of people abandoned their vehicles and fled on foot, some toting suitcases.

The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)AP

The traffic jam on Palisades Drive prevented emergency vehicles from getting through and a bulldozer was brought in to push the abandoned cars to the side and create a path. Video along the Pacific Coast Highway showed widespread destruction of homes and businesses along the famed roadway.

Pacific Palisades resident Kelsey Trainor said the only road in and out of her neighborhood was blocked. Ash fell all around them while fires burned on both sides of the road.

We looked across and the fire had jumped from one side of the road to the other side of the road, Trainor said. People were getting out of the cars with their dogs and babies and bags, they were crying and screaming.

A third wildfire started around 10:30 p.m. and quickly prompted evacuations in Sylmar, a San Fernando Valley community that is the northernmost neighborhood in Los Angeles. The causes of all three fires were under investigation.

Water is dropped by helicopter on the advancing Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)AP

Flames were being pushed by Santa Ana winds topping 60 mph in some places Tuesday, increasing to 70 miles an hour by early Wednesday, according to reports received by the National Weather Service in Los Angeles. They could top 100 mph in mountains and foothills  including in areas that havent seen substantial rain in months.

The situation prompted the Los Angeles Fire Department to take the rare step of putting out a plea for off-duty firefighters to help. It was too windy for firefighting aircraft to fly, further hampering the fight. A high wind warning was in effect for the region through 6 p.m., the weather service said.

This will likely be the most destructive windstorm seen 2011 windstorm that did extensive damage to Pasadena and nearby foothills of the San Gabriel Valley, the weather service said in a red flag warning early Wednesday.

Gov. Gavin Newsom posted on X early Wednesday that California had deployed more than 1,400 firefighting personnel to combat the blazes. Emergency officials, firefighters, and first responders are all hands on deck through the night to do everything possible to protect lives, Newsom said.

The erratic weather caused President Joe Biden to cancel plans to travel to inland Riverside County, where he was to announce the establishment of two new national monuments in the state. He remained in Los Angeles, where smoke was visible from his hotel, and was briefed on the wildfires. The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved a grant to help reimburse California for the firefighting cost.

A firefighter makes a stand in front of the advancing Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)AP

Officials didnt give an estimate of structures damaged or destroyed in the Pacific Palisades wildfire, but they said about 30,000 residents were under evacuation orders and more than 13,000 structures were under threat. Newsom visited the scene and said many homes had burned. He declared a state of emergency.

The fire burned down Temescal Canyon, a popular hiking area surrounded by dense neighborhoods of multimillion-dollar homes. Flames jumped famous Sunset Boulevard and burned parts of the Palisades Charter High School, which has been featured in many Hollywood productions including the 1976 horror movie Carrie, the 2003 remake of Freaky Friday and the TV series Teen Wolf.

By evening the flames had spread into neighboring Malibu and several people there were being treated for burn injuries and a firefighter had a serious head injury and was taken to a hospital, according to Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Erik Scott.

By early Wednesday, the Eaton fire, which started around 6:30 p.m. the day before, had quickly burned 1.6 square miles, according to fire officials. The Hurst fire jumped to 500 acres and the Palisades fire, which started around around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday and sent up a dramatic plume of smoke visible across Los Angeles, had destroyed 4.5 square miles according to Angeles National Forest. The fires were at 0% containment as of early Wednesday.

The Palisades Fire burns a residence in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)AP

As of Wednesday morning, more than 200,000 people were without power in Los Angeles County, according to the tracking website PowerOutage.us, due to the strong winds.

Recent dry winds, including the notorious Santa Anas, have contributed to warmer-than-average temperatures in Southern California, where theres been very little rain so far this season. Southern California hasnt seen more than 0.1 inches of rain since early May.

The neighborhood, which borders Malibu about 20 miles west of downtown LA, includes hillside streets of tightly packed homes along winding roads nestled against the Santa Monica Mountains and stretches down to beaches along the Pacific Ocean.

Long-time Palisades resident Will Adams said he immediately went to pick his two kids up from St. Matthews Parish School when he heard the fire was nearby. Meanwhile, he said embers flew into his wifes car as she tried to evacuate.

She vacated her car and left it running, Adams said. She and many other residents walked down toward the ocean until it was safe.

Adams said he had never witnessed anything like this in the 56 years hes lived there. He watched as the sky turned brown and then black as homes started burning. He could hear loud popping and bangs like small explosions, which he said he believes were the transformers exploding.

It is crazy, its everywhere, in all the nooks and crannies of the Palisades. One homes safe, the other ones up in flames, Adams said.

A residence burns as a firefighter battles the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Garcia)AP

Actor James Woods posted footage of flames burning through bushes and past palm trees on a hill near his home. The towering orange flames billowed among the landscaped yards between the homes.

Standing in my driveway, getting ready to evacuate, Woods said in the short video on X.

Some trees and vegetation on the grounds of the Getty Villa were burned by late Tuesday, but staff and the museum collection remain safe, Getty President Katherine Fleming said in a statement. The museum located on the eastern end of the Pacific Palisades is a separate campus of the world-famous Getty Museum that focuses on the art and culture of ancient Greece and Rome.

Film studios canceled two movie premieres due to the fire and windy weather, and the Los Angeles Unified School District said it temporarily relocated students from three campuses in the Pacific Palisades area.

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An Irish rock band have taken Germany by storm, and will return to Laois for their debut performance in the Dunamaise Arts Centre.

Chiral, made up of Gary Duncan, Adam Brewer, Eddie Graveyard Delaney and Al Bluster Bhoy Tierney will take to the stage on Thursday, February 27.

Originally formed in 2023, the band have recently been praised as one of the top ten rock/metal bands in Ireland in 2024.

We will be launching our debut album, The Karnival Of Chaos with first pressings on vinyl, said band member Gary Duncan.

The records will be exclusively available to show attendees at first, we intend to release the album to the public around April, Mr Duncan explained.

The group is also set to premiere their music video Bones, one of a three-part series featuring Rebecca Deegan as actress and artist.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by CH IR A L (@chiral.labs)

"The three videos make up a complete story through music, Mr Duncan told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

Our first major singles have performed brilliantly, launching Chiral on to the rock/metal music scene, both in Ireland and abroad, he said.

Local band Motion Sickness featured as special guests, and the Red Embers Dance Group performing also.

The groups Rage Against the Machine inspired anthem Digital Whispers is a haunting ode to the existential dread of AIs influence on humanity.

Although 'Digital Whispers' is where Chiral started, the band maintain that they originally had no plans to release the song.

However, this decision changed following the success of their single 'I Bring Chaos'.

Mr Duncans magic on the guitar, paired with the talent from vocalist Adam Brewer, provide a dark alliance to the band from the very start.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by CH IR A L (@chiral.labs)

This coupling led to a perfect match with Eddie Graveyard Delaney bringing the thunder on drums, and the iconic sound from bass behemoth Al Bluster Bhoy Tierney.

With further releases like 'Digital Whispers' and 'Kubrick Odyssey' exclusively on YouTube in early 2024, a dark pilgrimage through Germany in May, and accolades echoing from the farthest corners of the globe, the chaos of Chiral seems to know no bounds.

Imagine this pandemonium through the prism of chirality, where rebellion intertwines with the symphony of skulls and spray cans, Mr Duncan said,

Chiral is not just a band; it is a carnival of sonic madness, where the darkness beckons you. Come join the dark parade, he finished.

The rock band will provide what they hail as an Audio-Visual Extravaganza at their Dunamaise performance.

Expect sensory overload as they merge sound, light, and motion in a one-night-only experience.

Catch Chiral and guests at the Dunamaise Arts Centre on Thursday February 27, with doors opening at 8:30pm.

For tickets, see here.
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The first part of a new two-part documentary series, Michael Lynn: The Fugitive aired on RTE One and RTE Player on Monday night, January 6.

The documentary highlighted new links involving a Bulgarian business associate of Michael Lynn's setting up companies in Ireland relating to property development, and those company accounts being accessed by Mr Lynn's wife, Brid Murphy withdrawing cash in the last year.



The two part series reveals the true story of a hunt to bring one of Irelands most notorious fugitives to justice told directly by the reporter who tracked him down, his victims, and former employees.

READ MORE: Should Irish people be worrying about HMPV as cases surge in China?



Irish viewers have been sharing their thoughts and questions surrounding the first part of this story and many have criticised the lack of due diligence from banks involved and others have slammed then Minister for Justice Michael McDowell for "opposing regulation".

McDowell is an Independent Senator and a practising Senior Counsel. He has been a member of Seanad Eireann since 2016, he was elected again in 2020 and he is seeking re-election in the next Seanad election this month.

One person posted on X/Twitter: "Michael Lynn on RTE 1 just now. Michael Mc Dowell - current senator and candidate for re-election to the University panel- was then Minister for Justice and opposed regulation: People have to look after themselves. Michael Lynn was able to rob 12m from Irish people hmm.."

Another simply tweeted: "Michael Lynn.....con man, obnoxious chancer, he was at 18 he never changed..."

One person said: "not saying Michael Lynn isn't a scumbag - he is - but what this documentary is really highlighting is the complete absence of due diligence in banking regulations back in the 00's"

Another said: "#MichaelLynn the #banks might have forgotten about him after a year but the small investor who were buying a property with their pension and the man whose wife died will carry that burden for the rest of their lives"
Actor and writer Nick Frost said he has been watching horror films since he was a child as they make him feel relaxed and at ease.

The British star appeared at the UK premiere of comedy horror film Get Away, which he wrote and co-stars in alongside Irish comedian Aisling Bea, Maisie Ayres and Sebastian Croft.

Ive always loved comedy and Ive always loved horror  even as a 10-year-old I was watching horror films, Frost told the PA news agency on the London carpet.

I think theres something about it that my brain works, because I know it so well. Even though its horror, it kind of makes me feel relaxed and at ease.

Talking about the writing process for Get Away, about a family whose holiday takes an unexpected turn when they discover the remote island is inhabited by a serial killer, Frost said its the same as everything.

I sit and I put the telly on, and I watch horror films all day, and I just write, and thats it, he told PA.

I make pages and pages and pages and pages of notes, not just for Get Away but for things Im going to do in two or three films time and start to kind of put a bank together.

Frost said he has learned to lower my expectations regarding the quality of the first draft, knowing from that point, its just going to get better and better and better as the cast and director bring fresh ideas to the script.

The 52-year-old said inspiration for Get Away, directed by Steffen Haars, came from a 1992 mockumentary about a serial killer called Man Bites Dog, and a 1998 dark comedy film by Lars von Trier called The Idiots.

I really like films where (they) get to a point when something is revealed about these characters that youve kind of enjoyed along the way, and then youre given the option as an audience, whether or not do you now hate these people, or do you still kind of like them, Frost added.

In comparison, his co-star Bea told PA I genuinely get scared all the time from everything.

Theres currently a rumour (that) there is a mouse in my house and I dont really want to go home tonight  so Im not great with fear as a genre, she said.

But this was quite fun to be inside it, because youre less scared because you actually are sitting around eating sandwiches all day in between the murders and stuff like that.

So, that slightly makes it easier to be in it.

Bea also spoke about challenges of production on the film, which included having to run around a forest full of flies with jam all over you all day to portray fake blood.

The 40-year-old added: We would laugh so much all day long and have such a laugh, even among dead body parts and covered in fake blood and stuff like that.

Pretty fun job, I have to say.

Croft, 23, said he was happy to just be a fly on the wall as Frost and Bea improvised on set.

Get Away will be released on Sky Cinema in the UK on January 10.
A woman has been airlifted to hospital after she sustained critical injuries in a road crash this Wednesday afternoon.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses following the incident which happened at Lisgrey, close to Virginia, County Cavan at around 1.10pm.

"A passenger of one car, a woman aged in her 70s, was brought by air ambulance to the Mater Hospital, Dublin, where she is in a critical condition. The occupant of the second car was hospitalised with non-life-threatening injuries," said a garda spokesperson.

The scene of the crash has been preserved for a technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators and the road will remain closed overnight.

Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to come forward.

READ ALSO: Gardai swap patrol car for tractor to get medication to snowed-in elderly Irish couple

Additionally, road users travelling on the N3, between The Lavey Inn and Virginia, between 12.45pm and 1.15pm and who may have camera footage, including dashcam recordings, are asked to make it available to gardai.


A last minute change of heart by the Department of Justice could mean a Laois African family may avoid deportation while fearing for their lives.

St Mary's CBS Portlaoise and the Edmund Rice Schools Trust (ERST) had pressed the Department to reconsider the case of the Adebowale five brothers and their mother, whose first appeal against deportation had been rejected last December.

The family have also claimed that their mother has received death threats from their father and his family back in Nigeria if they return.

The school is now planning to start a petition campaign to support the family's legal appeal.

Both the school and ERST have welcomed the decision to allow a second appeal against deportation of their "three promising students".

St Marys CBS, Portlaoise and the Edmund Rice Schools Trust (ERST) have welcomed a decision made on Tuesday, January 7, by the Department of Justice to allow a second appeal against the proposed deportation of the three Adebowale brothers and their family.

The three older brothers  Star, Greatness and Value  are all students in St Marys CBS, Portlaoise and together with their mother, Lucy, and their younger brothers, Prosperity and Gold, they were informed before Christmas that their initial appeal against a deportation order had been refused.

Maura Murphy, St Marys CBS Principal, said that the school community in St Marys was shocked at the decision to refuse the initial appeal by these three young people and the rest of their family.

However, we very much welcome yesterdays decision to enable the Adebowale family to make a second appeal and we will shortly be commencing a petition campaign to enable the wider public in Portlaoise and further afield to express their support for this appeal, Ms Murphy said.

She had told the Leinster Express / Laois Live about the urgent case ahead of the family's meeting with the department of emigration on January 7, saying if another appeal was not allowed, they would be "literally on a plane".

Ms Murphy said that the whole school, who have already fundraised for the family's legal bill, are prepared to march on the Dail. Read more here.

Gerry Bennett ERST CEO said that the Trust sees the matter as an educational wellbeing issue.

From an educational wellbeing point of view, it is so important that Star Adebowale gets to sit his Leaving Cert next June and his two brothers get to complete their Leaving Cert and Junior Cycle exams and profile in 2026 respectively. This is why we in ERST are supporting St Marys campaign to ask the authorities to favourably consider the Adebowale familys appeal against deportation, Mr Bennett concluded.
Local Kildare-based business SIOG Botanicals has been nominated for the 'Best Newcomer' category in the 2025 Business of Craft Awards, hosted by Showcase Ireland. This exciting announcement highlights the incredible achievements of the flower art studio, co-founded by Lorna Frawley and Joanna Brien-Sammons, who are based in County Kildare.

SIOG Botanicals specialises in creating pressed flower art prints and greeting cards inspired by the beauty of Irish nature. Their work has gained recognition not just locally but across the country, and this nomination is a testament to their passion and craftsmanship.

Adding to this success, SIOG Botanicals was proudly selected by the Kildare Local Enterprise Office (LEO) to represent the county at Showcase 2025, Irelands premier creative expo. Being chosen to attend this prestigious event as part of the LEO-supported contingent is an incredible opportunity for the duo to share their work with a wider audience and to highlight the talent thriving in Kildare.

Earlier this year, SIOG Botanicals relocated from Kildare Town to a larger studio space in Crookstown Business Park to accommodate their growing business. The move has enabled them to expand their operations and continue creating their unique, nature-inspired art pieces.

We are absolutely delighted and humbled to be shortlisted for such a prestigious award, said Joanna Brien-Sammons. Having the support of Kildare Local Enterprise Office has been invaluable in helping us grow and showcase our work on a national stage.

This recognition is not just for us but for the entire community that has supported us along the way, added Lorna Frawley. From our customers to local supporters here in Kildare, were so grateful for everyone who has believed in our vision.

The Business of Craft Awards celebrates the best of Irish creativity, innovation, and craftsmanship. For SIOG Botanicals, being shortlisted among Irelands finest makers is an honour in itself. The winners will be announced at Showcase 2025 later this month, and no matter the result, the team at SIOG Botanicals is thrilled to have reached this milestone.

The Kildare community is encouraged to join in celebrating this fantastic achievement. To learn more about SIOG Botanicals and their journey, visit their website at www.siogbotanicals.ie.

For more information on the Business of Craft Awards and other finalists, visit Showcase Irelands website.
Matt Dempsey, former Editor of the Irish Farmers Journal and Chairman of the Food Vision Tillage Group will contest the upcoming elections for Seanad Eireann which take place by postal ballot from January 15.

Mr Dempsey has been nominated by the RDS to contest for one of 11 Seanad seats on the Agricultural panel.

Mr Dempsey is a cattle and tillage farmer near Celbridge and is married to Mary, and they have nine adult children.

MR Dempsey's roles have included chairman of the Irish National Stud and m ember of the Maynooth University Foundation Board.

The Agricultural panel is one of five vocational panels, the others being Cultural and Educational, Labour, Industrial and Commercial, and Administrative panels.

All elected members of county councils, city corporations, Dail Eireann and outgoing members of Seanad Eireann can vote. Voting is by way of postal ballot with ballot papers issued on 15th January. The ballot closes on 30th January at 11 am for the vocational panels.

Mr Dempsey said: Seanad Eireann is an important part of our legislative framework. It provides opportunities to speak out on critical issues and have an input into laws and policies that affect peoples lives. These issues include rural as well as urban housing, the threats to foreign direct investment in a rapidly changing world and a loss of competitiveness if we dont keep pace with scientific and technological developments.

We must support our indigenous enterprise sectors and, of these, farming and food production is by far our biggest sector. It underpins massive exports and tens of thousands of jobs and widely distributed economic activity right across the country.

The Seanad must also speak out on the disastrous Mercusor trade deal and the real damage this could wreak on Irish farming and our wider economy.

Mr Dempsey is a farmer and agriculturalist. For 25 years he was editor of the Irish Farmers Journal, the globally recognized top news and technical publication serving farming, food production and rural life. While Editor, the Journal drove many campaigns including a campaign with the Irish Farmers Association which highlighted serious issues around animal welfare and traceability surrounding Brazilian beef exports into the European Union which forced a change of course from the European Commission.

He has been a life-long supporter of research and funding for sciences and innovation. He was Chairman of the two organisations that formed Teagasc which has gone on to become the one of the worlds leading agricultural research and advisory bodies.
Students in Kildare county are reminded that the deadline for entries to the ActionTalks national speech writing competition is coming up on Friday, January 24.

The competition, now in its eleventh year, is an opportunity for young people to explore the root causes of local and global injustices and inequalities. This years themes focus on the leadership role of women during emergencies, conflict and climate disasters; the impact of climate change on womens rights and overseas aid and womens rights organisations.

Entries to the competition can be submitted to ActionAid by email in written form and fifteen successful entrants will go forward to the regionals final, with six regional winners winning a 50 voucher each. At the national final in March, the six finalists will be asked to present their speech to a panel of esteemed judges. The national prize is a 500 voucher for the winner and a 100 voucher for their teacher.

The competition is designed to build students research, writing, critical thinking and public speaking skills. ActionAid is hoping entrants will examine how the concentration of power and resources in northern countries impacts the lives of people in the global south.

Karol Balfe, CEO of ActionAid Ireland said, This is the eleventh year of the ActionTalks competition. Year after year we receive high quality, unique and inspiring speeches from students right across the country. We are excited to hear what young people have to say on important issues like the impact of climate change on womens rights and overseas aid and womens rights organisations. Today we are reminding students to be sure to enter their speeches before the deadline of Friday, January 24.

ActionAid works with women and children, as they take the lead in claiming their human rights to build a more just world. ActionAids Womens Rights Programme, funded by Irish Aid (Department of Foreign Affairs), works to eliminate violence against women and girls. Irish Aid programmes are funded by Irish citizens and play an important global role in supporting women and girls.

To enter, students can ask their teacher for details or visit https://actionaid.ie/speech-writing-competition/
Connor Feehily of Feehilys Designs in Manorhamilton has been honoured with the prestigious Rising Star in Graphic Design Accreditation by the All-Ireland Business Foundation (AIBF).

Connor is the founder of Feehilys Designs which offers graphic design services, and is renowned for its ability to transform creative ideas into reality, offering clients a blend of innovation, quality, and speed.

Whether its crafting unique logos that reflect brand identity, designing captivating marketing materials, or producing custom illustrations for books, the web and campaigns, the company has become a trusted partner for businesses and individuals seeking standout design solutions.

Connors approach in business is rooted in collaboration and customer satisfaction, ensuring every project exceeds expectations.

His dedication to meeting tight deadlines without sacrificing quality has earned Feehilys Designs a reputation for excellence and reliability.

Im incredibly honoured to be recognised as a Rising Star in Graphic Design by the AIBF. This accreditation is a testament to the hard work and passion I pour into every project at Feehilys Designs, Connor said on winning the esteemed accolade.

Im thrilled to continue serving my clients with creative, high-quality designs that help their visions come to life.

The Rising Star Accreditation by the AIBF highlights emerging leaders who exhibit outstanding potential and contribution to their field.

The All-Star accreditation is a symbol of trust in the Irish business world, with over 7000 companies accredited.

Connors recognition underscores his commitment to pushing the boundaries of graphic design while setting a new standard for service and creativity in the industry.

Connor Feehilys innovative approach and passion for design have made a significant impact on the graphic design landscape, said Kapil Khanna, Managing Director of the All-Ireland Business Foundation. His dedication to his craft and his clients exemplifies what it means to be a rising star in Irelands business community.

We evaluate a companys background, trustworthiness and performance, and we speak to customers, employees and vendors, Mr Khanna continued.

The AIBF is an autonomous national accreditation body tasked with enterprise development and the promotion of Best in Class Irish businesses.

The All-Ireland Business Foundation awards companies that merit recognition based on an independent audit of their performance, reputation, and customer-centricity.

We also anonymously approach the company as a customer and report back on the experience. The business goes through at least two interviews and is scored on every part of the process against set metrics, Mr Khanna explained.

The AIBF also hosts an annual All-Ireland Summit and monthly gatherings to promote peer-learning and collaboration among its accredited companies.

Congratulations to Connor Feehily on this distinguished achievement, reaffirming his position as an emerging leader and visionary in the graphic design industry, commented Kieran Ring, Deputy Chair of AIBFs Adjudication Board.

READ MORE: Leitrim braces for bitter cold with Status Orange weather warnings
The Healy-Raes are credible as potential government partners, Micheal Martin has said.

The Fianna Fail leader said party negotiators were doing everything they can to bring government formation talks to a conclusion as quickly as we can, but added that the mechanics of a rotating taoiseach had yet to be finalised.

He also said any arrangement would require approval of a range of independents, in a further signal that a third party in the coalition is unlikely.

Fine Gael leader Simon Harris has said a rotating taoiseach arrangement will be part of the government that his party is attempting to form with Fianna Fail.

The parties agreed to an even split of the top role following the 2020 election, but Fianna Fail increased its lead over Fine Gael to 10 seats in Novembers vote.

Asked if the next Government would see the taoiseach role split in a three-to-two year ratio in favour of Fianna Fail, Mr Martin said nothing has been finally agreed.

Pressed on whether he would take the office first and become the next taoiseach, he said: You may speculate, but Im not pre-empting anything.

There has to be a Dail vote and there has to be agreement between Fianna Fail and the Fine Gael party and a range of independents.

Mr Harris said on Tuesday that reaching a final agreement by the return of the Dail on January 22 is possible but a little bit tight.

Asked if he believed this deadline was possible, Mr Martin said he was hopeful negotiations would have concluded around the time of the US presidential inauguration on January 20.

Asked if he would see US President-elect Donald Trump in Washington DC on St Patricks Day, Mr Martin said: Weve always been there on St Patricks Day, yeah.

That visit is traditionally taken by the taoiseach at the time.

Fine Gael and Fianna Fail are just shy of forming a majority by themselves and are expected to rely on independents to make up the numbers.

Mr Martin said the parties were primarily focused on policy, adding that there had been significant progress in recent days.

He said that engagements with independents are continuing, adding that negotiators will meet with the Independent Ireland party on Thursday.

Brothers Michael and Danny Healy-Rae, two independent Kerry TDs, have expressed an interest in engaging with the parties on forming a government.

Asked if they would be credible partners, Mr Martin said: Yes, Ive had substantive discussions with Michael and Danny Healy-Rae on policy issues with a view to enabling a government that can sustain for five years.

He was speaking at an event for the launch of the Hampson House outpatient facility for the Rotunda Hospital.

Mr Martin said the wonderful facility demonstrated continued modernisation of maternity services in Ireland.
Krause Wins C40 Cities Reinventing Cities Competition in Arizona





The Zero Carbon, Net-Positive Facility, part of C40 Cities' Reinventing Cities Initiative, Will Transform the Underutilized Estrella Village and Protect Arizona's Waterways

PHOENIX, Jan. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Arizona-based architectural firm Krause was selected as the winner of the C40 Cities Reinventing Cities Initiative to develop Phoenix's Resource Innovation Campus (RIC). The initiative is a competition that invites professional multi-disciplinary teams to transform underutilized sites in cities across the world into beacons of sustainability and resilience. The campus will provide a platform for companies to further develop innovative manufacturing technologies that ultimately transform our waste into new resources.

Krause's state-of-the-art solution to the campus aims to revolutionize Arizona's economy for the next century. Through its design, Krause and their collaborators will target a fully carbon-positive building and Living Building Challenge certification, the most rigorous sustainability certification in the world. The campus's design will move the needle for the City of Phoenix's goal of achieving 50% waste diversion by 2030 and zero waste by 2050, becoming a lynchpin to Arizona's future, serving as an incubator for public-private partnerships and fostering sustainable business growth in the region.

"Our design approach to Phoenix's Resource Innovation Campus begins where the typical approach ends. Rather than seeking incremental improvements, we went beyond checklist-minded sustainability certifications in an effort to truly give back to the community and our environment through design," said Michael Krause, Partner & Senior Designer at Krause. "RIC's design will provide companies the opportunity to develop and research new technologies, ultimately creating a circular economy that benefits local business and residential communities alike."

"Phoenix has been a national leader in developing circular economy solutions that divert materials from landfills and turn waste into resources. This is an exciting step forward that builds upon this leadership and promises transformational, sustainable development in an important part of our city. Twenty acres of unused land at the 27th Avenue transfer station will be designed for the Resource Innovation Campus, redefining how the built environment and the circular economy can be interwoven in a transformation development that celebrates the beauty of the Rio corridor and provides amenities for our community to enjoy. Combining state-of-the-art technologies with an innovative, community-minded design creates a new vision for a resilient desert business park that our residents can be proud of," Mayor Gallego said.

The 20-acre site of the future RIC is just south of the central business district at the 27th Avenue Transfer Station campus in the Estrella Village community. Estrella Village has been a manufacturing hub in Phoenix for more than half a century. The RIC provides an opportunity for job growth and economic revitalization in this historic area. The RIC site intersects with Senator John McCain's legacy project, Rio Reimagined , which was created to restore and strengthen more than 55 miles along the Salt River and Gila River and create opportunities for education and promoting diverse programming to inspire the protection of the river's ecosystems.

The Reinventing Cities competition strives to promote the development of zero-carbon developments worldwide and support local economies by repurposing underutilized sites and integrating innovative solutions to environmental and urban challenges. The caliber of research and cutting-edge innovation anticipated for this world-class hub drew many participants to the design competition. After the first selection phase, the applicants were narrowed down to a shortlist of just three teams of finalists. Other than the winning team of Krause/JLG Architects/Studio MLA, the shortlist included team PhiX: Venue Projects and Richard Kennedy Architects, and team Bending The Lines: DLR Group and J2 Engineering and Environmental Design.

Reinventing Cities is sponsored by C40 Cities, a network of mayors from nearly 100 cities worldwide, convening to collaborate on urgent actions to alleviate the climate crisis. C40 represents 700+ million people and one-quarter of the global economy. C40 Cities is backed by Bloomberg Philanthropies, Children's Investment Fund Foundation, and Realdania, among other leading climate change activists and environmental groups.

A comprehensive announcement detailing the development and technology partnerships planned for Phoenix's Resource Innovation Campus will follow in early 2025 when the project is slated to begin. Construction is slated for completion by 2028.

For interviews, images, and further information on the project, please contact Katie Breest of AgencyPR at [email protected] .

About Krause: Krause has built a strong reputation for its diverse portfolio of work that aims to strengthen the community and better the climate. Celebrating over 25 years of experience, the firm has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades for its visionary designs. Krause's commitment to innovation and sustainability is evident in its work, which consistently demonstrates a high level of expertise and professionalism. To learn more visit krauseaz.com .

About C40 Cities: C40 Cities is a global network of nearly 100 mayors of the world's leading cities that are united in action to confront the climate crisis. Mayors of C40 Cities are committed to using an inclusive, science-based, and collaborative approach to cut their fair share of emissions in half by 2030, help the world limit global heating to 1.5C, and build healthy, equitable and resilient communities. To learn more visit c40.org .

About RIC: The Resource Innovation Campus (RIC) is approximately 40 acres of city-owned land allocated in a strategic area near Phoenix's southern transfer station, material recovery facility, compost facility, and closed landfill site.

SOURCE Krause Architecture + Interiors

7 january 2025 at 16:50

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Accenture Acquires Digital Twin Technology for Banks to Enhance Core Modernization Capabilities





Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has acquired a digital twin technology platform for banks developed by Percipient, a Singapore-based fintech company with deep experience in banking technology transformation. The acquisition enhances Accenture's existing banking modernization capabilities, helping financial services clients in Asia Pacific accelerate the reinvention of their core systems, foster innovation and drive growth.

Percipient's platform serves as a digital twin?or virtual duplicate?of banks' legacy and modern systems, integrating and unifying the data from each one into a single-real time hub. This can reduce the challenges that many banks face around core modernizations by simplifying the application of data and enabling faster development of new products and services, all without overhauling existing systems or disrupting operations.

Integrating Percipient's digital twin solution further complements Accenture's capabilities to help banks decouple from legacy systems and embrace cloud and AI-led banking services. Banks that shift to a modern, cloud-enabled digital core can attain up to 60% higher revenue growth rates and a 40% increase in profits, according to recent research from Accenture.

"Banks' core systems are often decades old, with layers of tangled code that are costly to maintain, reduce business flexibility and require highly specialized talent, making the need for transformation urgent," said Masashi Nakano, Accenture's Financial Services lead for Asia Pacific. "Percipient's unique capabilities strengthen our existing core modernization offerings, enabling banks to efficiently unlock new opportunities for growth, launch new products faster, and deepen customer engagement through cloud, data, and AI."

Navin Suri, the founder and CEO of Percipient who joins Accenture together with Percipient's core technology leadership team, said: "We have a shared vision to reinvent how digital transformation is achieved at financial institutions. By combining Percipient's platform with Accenture's core banking and technology capabilities, we can enable banks to more seamlessly transform their legacy systems and gain agility and speed, while lowering the risk associated with such modernization efforts."

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may," "will," "should," "likely," "anticipates," "aspires," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "believes," "estimates," "positioned," "outlook," "goal," "target" and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance nor promises that goals or targets will be met, and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These risks include, without limitation, risks that: the transaction might not achieve the anticipated benefits for Accenture; Accenture's results of operations have been, and may in the future be, adversely affected by volatile, negative or uncertain economic and geopolitical conditions and the effects of these conditions on the company's clients' businesses and levels of business activity; Accenture's business depends on generating and maintaining client demand for the company's services and solutions including through the adaptation and expansion of its services and solutions in response to ongoing changes in technology and offerings, and a significant reduction in such demand or an inability to respond to the evolving technological environment could materially affect the company's results of operations; risks and uncertainties related to the development and use of AI could harm the company's business, damage its reputation or give rise to legal or regulatory action; if Accenture is unable to match people and their skills with client demand around the world and attract and retain professionals with strong leadership skills, the company's business, the utilization rate of the company's professionals and the company's results of operations may be materially adversely affected; Accenture faces legal, reputational and financial risks from any failure to protect client and/or company data from security incidents or cyberattacks; the markets in which Accenture operates are highly competitive, and Accenture might not be able to compete effectively; Accenture's ability to attract and retain business and employees may depend on its reputation in the marketplace; if Accenture does not successfully manage and develop its relationships with key ecosystem partners or fails to anticipate and establish new alliances in new technologies, the company's results of operations could be adversely affected; Accenture's profitability could materially suffer due to pricing pressure, if the company is unable to remain competitive, if its cost-management strategies are unsuccessful or if it experiences delivery inefficiencies or fail to satisfy certain agreed-upon targets or specific service levels; changes in Accenture's level of taxes, as well as audits, investigations and tax proceedings, or changes in tax laws or in their interpretation or enforcement, could have a material adverse effect on the company's effective tax rate, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition; Accenture's results of operations could be materially adversely affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; Accenture's debt obligations could adversely affect its business and financial condition; changes to accounting standards or in the estimates and assumptions Accenture makes in connection with the preparation of its consolidated financial statements could adversely affect its financial results; as a result of Accenture's geographically diverse operations and strategy to continue to grow in key markets around the world, the company is more susceptible to certain risks; if Accenture is unable to manage the organizational challenges associated with its size, the company might be unable to achieve its business objectives; Accenture might not be successful at acquiring, investing in or integrating businesses, entering into joint ventures or divesting businesses; Accenture's business could be materially adversely affected if the company incurs legal liability; Accenture's global operations expose the company to numerous and sometimes conflicting legal and regulatory requirements; Accenture's work with government clients exposes the company to additional risks inherent in the government contracting environment; if Accenture is unable to protect or enforce its intellectual property rights or if Accenture's services or solutions infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others or the company loses its ability to utilize the intellectual property of others, its business could be adversely affected; Accenture may be subject to criticism and negative publicity related to its incorporation in Ireland; as well as the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed under the "Risk Factors" heading in Accenture plc's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements in this news release speak only as of the date they were made, and Accenture undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made in this news release or to conform such statements to actual results or changes in Accenture's expectations.

About Accenture

Accenture is a leading global professional services company that helps the world's leading businesses, governments and other organizations build their digital core, optimize their operations, accelerate revenue growth and enhance citizen services?creating tangible value at speed and scale. We are a talent- and innovation-led company with approximately 799,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Technology is at the core of change today, and we are one of the world's leaders in helping drive that change, with strong ecosystem relationships. We combine our strength in technology and leadership in cloud, data and AI with unmatched industry experience, functional expertise and global delivery capability. Our broad range of services, solutions and assets across Strategy & Consulting, Technology, Operations, Industry X and Song, together with our culture of shared success and commitment to creating 360 value, enable us to help our clients reinvent and build trusted, lasting relationships. We measure our success by the 360 value we create for our clients, each other, our shareholders, partners and communities. Visit us at accenture.com.

Copyright  2025 Accenture. All rights reserved. Accenture and its logo are registered trademarks of Accenture.

7 january 2025 at 21:00

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Markel appoints Grant Smith to lead its Transport and Logistics team in International Specialty





LONDON, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Markel, the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL), today announced that Grant Smith is to head up its Transport and Logistics team, with immediate effect.

In his expanded role, Smith will be responsible for defining the underwriting strategy for the Transport and Logistics team, centered on driving sustainable, profitable growth. Smith will also be tasked with expanding market share, driving product development and further establishing Markel as a market leader in transport and logistics.

Smith takes on his new role in addition to his responsibilities as Director of Marine and Energy Liabilities ? a role he was appointed to in August 2024. He will continue to report to Tom Hillier, Managing Director, International Specialty, at Markel.

Hillier commented: "Transport and logistics companies currently face a heightened risk environment, due to global economic contraction, heightened geopolitical tensions and increasing technological and regulatory risks. At times such as these, it's crucial that companies have the right insurance partner who can help ensure they have comprehensive insurance cover in place that meets their evolving needs.

"I'm therefore delighted that Grant will be leading our Transport and Logistics team. Grant has already made a significant impact and contribution to Markel since joining earlier this year. His leadership, knowledge and experience of underwriting these classes of business will be hugely important as we continue to partner with clients and brokers and help them to navigate this evolving risk landscape."

Smith has extensive knowledge of the insurance market, having spent more than 17 years of his career working in various underwriting and leadership positions across these classes of business. Prior to joining Markel in August 2024, he worked as Portfolio Manager Specialty at QBE European Operations ? a role he held since 2014. Before joining QBE as a Marine and Energy Liability Underwriter in 2011, Smith had spent five years working in various underwriting roles across marine and aviation at Travelers.

About Markel

We are Markel, a leading global specialty insurer with a truly people-first approach. As the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc. (NYSE: MKL), we operate the Markel Specialty, Markel International, and Markel Global Reinsurance divisions, as well as State National, our portfolio protection and program services operations, and Nephila, our insurance-linked securities operations. Our broad array of capabilities and expertise allow us to create intelligent solutions for the most complex risk management needs. However, it is our people?and the deep, valued relationships they develop with colleagues, brokers and clients?that differentiates us worldwide.

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8 january 2025 at 04:00

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Microbix Expanding Addressable Market Share with Test Makers Augmenting its Recombinant Antigen Capabilities for Immunoassay Markets





MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, Jan. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Microbix Biosystems Inc. (TSX: MBX, OTCQX: MBXBF, Microbix), a life sciences innovator, manufacturer, and exporter, announces its intentions to broaden its platform capabilities to enable production of a wider range of test ingredients ("Antigens") by using recombinant production technologies. Directing existing in-house synthetic biology capabilities to this project will create large-scale recombinant Antigens production to complement and expand Microbix's addressable market share as a key supplier to manufacturers of immunoassays ? the class of diagnostic tests that establishes exposure to, or immunity from, pathogens.

Microbix has been a leading producer of purified and inactivated Antigens from native (natural) bacterial and viral organisms for more than three decades. It supplies these critical biological ingredients to more than 100 international manufacturers of immunoassays where test accuracy is maximized by using such Antigens. Microbix's sales of native Antigens totaled C$ 13.8 million in fiscal 2024, an increase of 44% from the prior year and generated from a catalogue of dozens of these complex and valuable biomaterials.

However, to date Microbix has not broadly participated in making Antigens using the recombination of genetic materials from different species (i.e., "recombinant" technologies). Such recombinant Antigens can have price advantages relative to native Antigens and are the choice of immunoassay makers in situations where they can be used without sacrificing assay performance. Microbix offering recombinant Antigens will increase the extent to which it can grow sales of this important segment of its business.

Microbix has therefore decided to fund the augmentation of its internal capabilities in synthetic biology in order to build the processes and capacity for production of recombinant Antigens. This will entail adding trained staff, equipment, biological vectors, and cell-lines. With the infrastructure and capabilities already built-out over the past several years, the incremental investment needed to drive the opening of these new market opportunities will be modest, at about C$ 0.5 million per year.

Cameron Groome, CEO & President of Microbix, commented, "With our improved financial position and greater internal capabilities, we are now moving to fully resource a recombinant antigens program. By year-end 2025, this initiative will increase our total addressable market by way of providing existing and new customers with a broader range of infectious-disease antigens and at a variety of price points."

Dr. Ken Hughes, COO of Microbix, also commented, "Few, if any, companies have keener insight than Microbix regarding how recombinant antigens must perform to effectively emulate their native versions, which will provide material benefits to our test-maker clients. Additionally, we will use our recombinant antigens as ingredients for our QAPs test-controls ? providing an immediate internal client to provide performance validation for external customers while also strengthening our supply chain."

Purchase enquiries for Microbix Antigens can be e-mailed to [email protected].



About Microbix Biosystems Inc.

Microbix Biosystems Inc. creates proprietary biological products for human health, with over 100 skilled employees and sales now targeting C$ 2.0 million or more per month. It makes and exports a wide range of critical ingredients and devices for the global diagnostics industry, notably antigens for immunoassays and its laboratory quality assessment products (QAPstm) that support clinical lab proficiency testing, enable assay development and validation, or help ensure the quality of clinical diagnostic workflows. Its antigens drive the antibody tests of approximately 100 diagnostics makers, while QAPs are sold to clinical lab accreditation organizations, diagnostics companies, and clinical labs. Microbix QAPs are now available in over 30 countries, supported by a network of international distributors. Microbix is ISO 9001 & 13485 accredited, U.S. FDA registered, Australian TGA registered, Health Canada establishment licensed, and provides IVDR-compliant CE marked products.

Microbix also applies its biological expertise and infrastructure to develop other proprietary products and technologies, most notably Kinlytic urokinase, a biologic thrombolytic drug used to treat blood clots, and reagents or media to support molecular diagnostic testing (e.g., its DxTMtm for patient-sample collection). Microbix is traded on the TSX and OTCQX, and headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release includes "forward-looking information," as such term is defined in applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, discussion of recombinant Antigen plans or their relevance, Microbix's or others' products or services, business and business results, goals or outlook, risks associated with financial results and stability, development projects such as those referenced in its presentations, regulatory compliance and approvals, sales to foreign jurisdictions, engineering and construction, production (including control over costs, quality, quantity or timeliness of delivery), currency exchange rates, maintaining adequate working capital or raising new capital on acceptable terms or at all, and other similar statements about anticipated future events, conditions or results that are not historical facts. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions, and expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. Microbix cautions that all forward-looking information is inherently uncertain and actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond its control. Accordingly, actual future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions, and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. All statements are made as of the date of this news release and represent Microbix's judgement as of the date of this new release, and it is under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking information.

Please visit https://microbix.com or www.sedar.com for recent Microbix news and filings.

For further information, please contact Microbix at:

Cameron Groome,

CEO

(905) 361-8910 Jim Currie,

CFO

(905) 361-8910 Deborah Honig,

Investor Relations

Adelaide Capital Markets

(647) 203-8793

[email protected]

Copyright  2025 Microbix Biosystems Inc.

Microbix, DxTMtm, Kinlytic, and QAPstm are trademarks of Microbix Biosystems Inc.

8 january 2025 at 07:00

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Cencora Announces Date and Time for First Quarter Fiscal 2025 Earnings Release





Cencora, Inc. (NYSE: COR) today announced that it plans to release its results for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2025 on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, prior to the opening of trading on the New York Stock Exchange. The Company will host a conference call to discuss the results at 8:30 a.m. ET on February 5, 2025.

Participating in the conference call will be:

Robert P. Mauch, President & Chief Executive Officer

James F. Cleary, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

The live call will be webcast via the Company's website at investor.cencora.com. Users are encouraged to log on to the webcast approximately 10 minutes in advance of the scheduled start time of the call.

To access the call via telephone from within the United States and Canada, dial (833) 470-1428. From outside the United States and Canada, dial +1 (404) 975-4839. The access code for the call will be 427679.

Replays of the call will be made available via telephone and webcast. A replay of the webcast will be posted on investor.cencora.com approximately one hour after the completion of the call and will remain available for one year. The telephone replay will also be available approximately one hour after the completion of the call and will remain available for 7 days. To access the telephone replay from within the United States and Canada, dial (866) 813-9403. From outside the United States, dial +1 (929) 458-6194. The access code for the replay is 402593.

Please check the website investor.cencora.com for updates regarding the timing of the live webcasts and for replay information.

About Cencora

Cencora is a leading global pharmaceutical solutions organization centered on improving the lives of people and animals around the world. Cencora partners with pharmaceutical innovators across the value chain to facilitate and optimize market access to therapies. Care providers depend on Cencora for the secure, reliable delivery of pharmaceuticals, healthcare products, and solutions. Cencora's 46,000+ worldwide team members contribute to positive health outcomes through the power of Cencora's purpose: Cencora is united in its responsibility to create healthier futures. Cencora is ranked #10 on the Fortune 500 and #18 on the Global Fortune 500 with more than $290 billion in annual revenue. Learn more at investor.cencora.com.

8 january 2025 at 07:35

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Cameroons state-owned telco Cameroon Telecommunications (Camtel) has reportedly revealed a budget of XAF326.2 billion (US$514.7 million) for 2025 to upgrade its network infrastructure and improve service quality, along with a strategic roadmap to steward its evolution to 2027.

According to a report from TechAfrica News on Tuesday, the 2025 budget includes plans for installing new antennas and modernizing existing equipment. Meanwhile, the roadmap aims to diversify Camtels service offerings, enhance operational efficiency, and reinforce transparency and good governance practices over the next three years.

Both the budget and the roadmap appear geared to respond to criticism over Camtels service quality, the report said.

Despite that, Camtel said it is a strong position financially to implement the improvements, with revenue doubling from XAF108 billion in 2018 to XAF207 billion in 2023, while its capital has grown from XAF67 billion to XAF117 billion. Camtel also reported a net profit of XAF11 billion in 2023.

In November, Camtels director of strategy, organisation, project and innovation, Gilbert Ngono, told Developing Telecoms that the telco plans to conduct 5G pilots next year in Yaounde, Douala, and selected rural locations to align with the governments Universal Service mandate.

Meanwhile, as part of its expansion plans, Camtel aims to increase its fibre-optic network from 12,000 kilometres to between 17,000 and 22,000 kilometres. That includes a new XAF100 billion fibre backbone that will add new fibre-optic lines and routes for data traffic.

Camtel has also signed a mobile network sharing agreement with French operator group Orange to boost service quality and narrow the gap with mobile rivals Orange and MTN.

Ngono said that while Camtel holds under 5% of Cameroons XAF800 billion mobile market, its network expansion plans should help it achieve 10% market share within the next two years.
Holistic care for senior citizen parents of NRIs: Policybazaar and insurer partners join hands for elderly support services





GURUGRAM, India, Jan. 8, 2025 /CNW/ -- Policybazaar, in collaboration with its insurer partners, has lifted the caregiving worry off the shoulders of its NRI customers by introducing a range of comprehensive services as part of the NRI Care Program. The program includes benefits such as dedicated NRI concierge services including hospitalization and claims support for NRIs and their elderly parents living in India. Policybazaar is now stepping up to provide absolute peace of mind for its NRI consumers through emergency and healthcare management as well. Health insurance in India for NRI's senior citizen parents is thoughtfully designed to fulfill every aspect of elderly caregiving. These services ensure that NRIs and their senior citizen parents receive top-notch support on priority.

Comprehensive elderly care under one roof

This new initiative rolls out an umbrella of services aimed at easing the concerns of NRIs, 40-60% of whom hail from the Gulf region and the rest majorly from the US and Canada. Notably, 50% of these NRIs prioritize securing the well-being of their elderly family members in India. Our research indicates that more than 70% of the NRIs expressed the need for support in services such as right doctor or hospital identification in India and thereafter with claims paperwork.

These services include:

Emergency and concierge support: A 24/7 emergency helpline dedicated to NRIs ensures immediate assistance during critical moments. Additionally, concierge services help manage essential formalities and documentation seamlessly.

Healthcare needs management : NRI Care program provides access to doctors on call, tailored medical consultations, ambulance coverage and guidance on hospital selection among other benefits. It also facilitates sessions with psychologists and physiotherapists.

Social engagement and wellness activities: Seniors can access engaging activities and lively events to stay active and socially connected, along with counseling services to support their emotional well-being.

Streamlined claim support and tailored assistance: Policybazaar has also introduced a unique on-ground claim support service, promising assistance within 30 minutes for emergency needs. This swift and personalized approach underscores Policybazaar's commitment to making the claims process as stress-free as possible for senior citizens and their families.

A solution tailored to NRIs' needs

"Our aim is to provide NRIs with a worry-free experience, knowing their loved ones in India are being cared for with the utmost professionalism and empathy. By integrating healthcare management, social engagement, and emergency services, we are redefining senior care, making it holistic and truly impactful," says Sarbvir Singh, Joint Group CEO, PB Fintech.

"Recognizing the dual challenges faced by NRIs in managing professional lives abroad and ensuring the well-being of their families in India, the NRI Care Program bridges this critical gap. This initiative comes from a deep understanding of the social and clinical needs of seniors and how NRI customers struggle to manage them from far away. We aim at offering a blend of practicality and compassion that sets a new benchmark for eldercare services," says Siddharth Singhal, Head, Health Insurance, Policybazaar.com.

With this forward-looking approach, Policybazaar is empowering NRIs to support their elderly family members, ensuring they live a life of dignity, health and joy - no matter where their loved ones reside.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2375092/Policybazaar_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Policybazaar

8 january 2025 at 07:54

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Geneoscopy Closes $105M in Series C Funding Round to Power Next-Generation of Gastrointestinal Diagnostic Tests





Geneoscopy, Inc., a life sciences company focused on developing diagnostic tests for the advancement of gastrointestinal health, today announced the closing of a Series C funding round raising $105 million. Bio-Rad Laboratories (NYSE: BIO and BIO.B) led the financing and was joined by Petrichor, Labcorp (NYSE: LH), Morningside Ventures, Lightchain Capital, NT Investments, Granger Management and Mercy Health, Tri Locum Partners, and others.

The capital raise positions the company to achieve key milestones, including the launch and commercialization of Geneoscopy's at-home, stool-based colorectal cancer screening test, ColoSense. The funding also enables the company to continue investing in its innovative pipeline of diagnostic tests for inflammatory bowel disease, addressing a critical unmet medical need.

Geneoscopy's novel platform for isolating human RNA from stool samples, combined with the high sensitivity and specificity of Bio-Rad's Droplet Digitaltm PCR (ddPCRtm) technology, allows for highly effective screening and detection of colorectal cancer. Further, Geneoscopy and Labcorp will work together to provide broad availability of ColoSense, enabling healthcare providers to conveniently order the test as part of their comprehensive screening programs.

"This past year, we achieved many significant milestones, most notably FDA approval of ColoSense," said Andrew Barnell, CEO and co-founder of Geneoscopy. "We are extremely pleased to secure this financing, which reflects investor confidence in the potential of our RNA technology to address unmet needs in colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. This continued support will enable us to deliver innovative solutions that prioritize patient well-being and shape the future of gastrointestinal health."

Norman Schwartz, CEO of Bio-Rad Laboratories, stated, "As a leader in clinical diagnostics and digital biology, Bio-Rad's mission is to advance science and save lives by improving healthcare outcomes. Geneoscopy's ColoSense screening test is designed for use with Bio-Rad's QXDx ddPCR platform and demonstrates remarkable sensitivity in detecting colorectal cancer and advanced adenomas. With this investment, we look forward to supporting Geneoscopy's development and commercialization efforts while advancing our Droplet Digital PCR platform as a foundational technology for oncology applications across the clinical diagnostics and translational research markets."

Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer in the U.S., with incidence rates rising among populations under 50 years old. This alarming trend prompted the United States Preventive Services Task Force to lower the recommended age for initial screening to 45. Despite this change, millions of eligible people do not get screened due to a combination of factors such as limited access or avoidance of invasive procedures like colonoscopies. Following the successful Series C funding round, Geneoscopy is poised to address these challenges with ColoSense, a promising new tool that detects colorectal cancer early and accurately.

Geneoscopy's CEO, Andrew Barnell, will present a company update and expand on plans for this funding round at the 43rd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco. The presentation will take place on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, at 11:30 AM PST / 2:30 PM EST.

About Geneoscopy, Inc.

Geneoscopy, Inc. is a life sciences company focused on developing diagnostic tests for gastrointestinal health. Leveraging its proprietary, patented stool-derived eukaryotic RNA (seRNA) biomarker platform, Geneoscopy's mission is to empower patients and providers to transform gastrointestinal health through innovative diagnostics. The company's FDA-approved ColoSense test uses a proprietary RNA-based platform to screen for colorectal cancer and advanced adenomas for average-risk individuals over the age of 45. In partnership with leading universities and biopharmaceutical companies, Geneoscopy is also developing diagnostic tests for treatment selection and therapy monitoring in other GI disease areas. For more information, visit www.geneoscopy.com and follow the company on LinkedIn.

About Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: BIO and BIO.B) is a leader in developing, manufacturing, and marketing a broad range of products for the life science research and clinical diagnostics markets. Based in Hercules, California, Bio-Rad operates a global network of research, development, manufacturing, and sales operations with approximately 7,700 employees and $2.7 billion in revenues in 2023. Our customers include universities, research institutions, hospitals, and biopharmaceutical companies, as well as clinical, food safety and environmental quality laboratories. Together, we develop innovative, high-quality products that advance science and save lives. To learn more, visit www.bio-rad.com.

Bio-Rad Forward Looking Statements

This release may be deemed to contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements we make regarding our expectations about our products, Geneoscopy's ColoSense screening test, and supporting Geneoscopy's development and commercialization efforts while advancing our droplet digital PCR platform as a foundational technology for oncology applications across the clinical diagnostics and translational research markets. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plan," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "may," "will," "intend," "estimate," "continue," or similar expressions or the negative of those terms or expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include global economic and geopolitical conditions, our ability to develop and market new or improved products, our ability to compete effectively, international legal and regulatory risks, supply chain risks, and product quality and liability issues. For further information regarding our risks and uncertainties, please refer to the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation" in Bio-Rad's public reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Bio-Rad cautions you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect an analysis only and speak only as of the date hereof. We disclaim any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

8 january 2025 at 08:20

News published onand distributed by:
Fresenius Kabi Canada has received a Health Canada Notice of Compliance (NOC) for Otulfitm* an Ustekinumab Biosimilar





Otulfi TM received a Health Canada Notice of Compliance (NOC) approval on December 30 th for both subcutaneous and intravenous formulations

received a Health Canada Notice of Compliance (NOC) approval on for both subcutaneous and intravenous formulations With this approval, Fresenius Kabi Canada's immunology biosimilar portfolio is further expanding, offering more treatment options for patients with chronic autoimmune conditions

OtulfiTM is approved for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease, moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis, moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and active psoriatic arthritis indications of its originator biologic Stelara**

TORONTO, Jan. 8, 2025 /CNW/ - Fresenius Kabi Canada proudly announces the recent Health Canada Notice of Compliance (NOC) for OtulfiTM, an ustekinumab biosimilar indicated for Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, plaque psoriasis and active psoriatic arthritis in adult patients. This milestone comes just a few months after the NOC approval of Tyenne (tocilizumab) and Idacio (adalimumab) Citrate-free formulation. Fresenius Kabi, an operating company of Fresenius, is further continuing its momentum in Canada, striving to expand its strong Biopharma portfolio. This expansion is a substantial cornerstone of #FutureFresenius.

"This is Fresenius Kabi Canada's third immunology biosimilar product approval, an important milestone on our pathway to expand our biopharma portfolio in Canada. This achievement underscores our commitment to improving patient care across the country." said Darius Panaligan Sr. Vice President Commercial, Fresenius Kabi Biopharma, EU & ROW.

OtulfiTM will provide Canadians with a cost-effective alternative, which helps to ensure healthcare in Canada is accessible and affordable for all patients. All ten provinces have adopted the transition to biosimilars, and Fresenius Kabi is committed to continue providing further cost-effective solutions such as OtulfiTM.

"We are very proud to be introducing an affordable alternative ustekinumab treatment option for patients living with inflammatory and immune diseases." said Abhi Bhoite, Sr. Director and Head of Commercial, Fresenius Kabi Biopharma, Canada.

Fresenius Kabi's patient support program (PSP), KabiCare will provide support to Canadian patients prescribed OtulfiTM. KabiCare provides tailored support to its patients with a full range of services including injection training, reimbursement assistance, a dedicated single point of contact, bloodwork coordination and lifestyle assessments. With KabiCare, patients receive assistance in accessing their medicine, ongoing support, education, and guidance throughout their biosimilar treatment journey.

Fresenius Kabi is an operating company of Fresenius, that specializes in biopharmaceuticals, clinical nutrition, medical technologies, and I.V. generic drugs for critical and chronic conditions. Formycon AG is a leading independent developer of high-quality biosimilars. In February 2023, Fresenius Kabi and Formycon entered a global commercialization partnership for the ustekinumab biosimilar candidate covering key global markets.

About OtulfiTM

Ustekinumab is a human monoclonal antibody that targets the cytokines interleukin-12 and interleukin-23 which play an important role in inflammatory and immune responses. Health Canada's NOC approval of OtulfiTM (ustekinumab) is based on a thorough evaluation of a comprehensive data package including analytical, pre-clinical, clinical, and manufacturing data. OtulfiTM demonstrated comparable efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetics, and immunogenicity to the reference drug Stelara in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. OtulfiTM was approved for both subcutaneous and intravenous formulations which will offer flexible treatment options for healthcare professionals and patients treated with ustekinumab in Canada.

___________ *OtulfiTM (ustekinumab) is a trademark of Fresenius Kabi Deutschland GmbH in selected countries ** Stelara is a registered trademark of Johnson & Johnson

About Fresenius Kabi:

As a global healthcare company, Fresenius Kabi is Committed to Life. The company's products, technologies, and services are used for the therapy and care of critically and chronically ill patients. With more than 43,000 employees and present in over 100 countries, Fresenius Kabi's expansive product portfolio focuses on providing access to high-quality and lifesaving medicines and technologies.

In Biopharma, Fresenius Kabi offers cutting-edge biosimilars for autoimmune diseases and oncology. With leading market positions in Clinical Nutrition, a broad portfolio of enteral and parenteral products makes a distinct difference in patients' nutritional status ? notably as the only corporation offering both product groups. In MedTech, the company provides vital infusion pumps, cell and gene therapy devices, disposables, and more.

Fresenius Kabi is the global leader in supplying blood collection bags and devices, supporting blood banks and healthcare facilities worldwide. The company's I.V. Generics and Fluids for infusion therapy help save millions of lives every year, in emergency medicine, surgery, oncology, and intensive care.

Fresenius Kabi takes a holistic approach to healthcare and uniquely combines experience, expertise, innovation, and dedication ? making a difference in the lives of almost 450 million patients annually. With Vision 2026, as part of the #FutureFresenius strategy, the company is developing, producing, and selling new products and technologies and aspires to expand its position as a leading global provider of therapies, improve patient care, generate sustainable value for stakeholders ? shaping the future of healthcare.

Fresenius Kabi is an operating company of the Fresenius Group, founded in 1912, along with Helios and Quironsalud. As ONE team, the companies in the Fresenius Group are committed to providing lifesaving and life-changing healthcare solutions on a global scale.

For more information, please visit www.fresenius-kabi.com.

This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Future results could differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements due to certain factors, e.g., changes in business, economic and competitive conditions, regulatory reforms, results of clinical trials, foreign exchange rate fluctuations, uncertainties in litigation or investigative proceedings, and the availability of financing. Fresenius Kabi does not undertake any responsibility to update the forward-looking statements in this release.

About Formycon:

Formycon AG (FSE: FYB) is a leading, independent developer of high-quality biosimilars, follow-on products of biopharmaceutical medicines. The company focuses on therapies in ophthalmology, immunology, immuno-oncology and other key disease areas, covering almost the entire value chain from technical development through clinical trials to approval by the regulatory authorities. For commercialization of its biosimilars, Formycon relies on strong, well-trusted and long-term partnerships worldwide. With FYB201/Ranibizumab, Formycon already has a biosimilar on the market in Europe and the U.S. Another five biosimilar candidates are currently in development. With its biosimilars, Formycon is making an important contribution to providing as many patients as possible with access to highly effective and affordable medicines. Formycon AG is headquartered in Munich and is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange: FYB / ISIN: DE000A1EWVY8 / WKN: A1EWVY. Further information can be found at: https://www.formycon.com

This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Future results could differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements due to certain factors, e.g., changes in business, economic and competitive conditions, regulatory reforms, results of clinical trials, foreign exchange rate fluctuations, uncertainties in litigation or investigative proceedings, and the availability of financing. Fresenius Kabi does not undertake any responsibility to update the forward-looking statements in this release.

Management Board: Pierluigi Antonelli (Chairman), Marc Crouton, Andreas Duenkel, Dr. Christian Hauer, Dr. Marc-Alexander Mahl, Dr. Sang-Jin Pak

Chairman of the Supervisory Board: Michael Sen

Registered Office: Bad Homburg, Germany

Commercial Register: Amtsgericht Bad Homburg - HRB 11654

Media Contact:

Sasha Sheludko

NATIONAL Public Relations

+1-(416)-899-9364

[email protected]

www.fresenius.com

SOURCE Fresenius Kabi Canada Inc.

8 january 2025 at 08:30

News published onand distributed by:
Eleven Charities Share in $550,000 Donation from Brandt









Brandt employees directed funds to support 11 organizations across Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand during an annual holiday event.

REGINA, Saskatchewan, Jan. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eleven charities are sharing $550,000 in holiday cheer, thanks to donations from the Brandt Thanks A Billion Holiday Fund. The contributions are part of the company's annual week-long virtual holiday celebration, where Brandt employees choose how the funds are distributed in their local communities. Over the last five years, Brandt employees have directed $2.2 million to various charities in Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

"Supporting our communities is a priority for us. We give back to strengthen the places where our employees and customers live and work, ensuring a brighter future for us all" said Matt Semple, Brandt Senior Vice-President?Marketing. "The holidays are a time for gratitude, and the Thanks A Billion Holiday Fund is the Brandt Family's way of saying ?thank you' to our communities and the organizations that make them strong."

This year's recipients, by country, include:

Canada ($295,000 CAD) ? Canadian Cancer Society $140,000 ? Make a Wish Canada $71,000 ? Alzheimer Society of Canada $51,000 ? MS Canada $33,000 US ($85,000 USD) ? Wounded Warrior Project $50,000 ? Mayo Clinic $25,000 ? Heartland Community College Foundation $10,000 Australia ($85,000 AUD) ? Rural Aid Australia $61,000 ? Make-A-Wish Australia $24,000 New Zealand ($85,000 NZD) ? Cancer Society New Zealand $53,000 ? New Zealand Rural Support Charitable Trust $32,000

The Brandt's Thanks A Billion program is about to celebrate its thirteenth anniversary. Since its inception, the program has invested more than $25 million in 250+ communities across Canada, the US, New Zealand, and Australia.

About the Brandt Group of Companies

The Brandt Group of Companies?headquartered in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada?is a privately owned manufacturing and distribution company that serves a growing international audience in industries such as agriculture, construction, forestry, rail, mining, steel, transportation, material handling, and energy. The company has 6000+ employees and more than 170 locations in Canada, USA, Australia, and New Zealand. Brandt is one of Canada's largest privately owned companies and is among an elite group of Platinum Club members of Canada's Best Managed Companies.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c3954c48-ec46-4759-96a4-3011ef468dac

8 january 2025 at 09:00

News published onand distributed by:
Broad Gold Intersections reported at Duquesne West Property





ROUYN-NORANDA, Quebec, Jan. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GLOBEX MINING ENTERPRISES INC. (GMX ? Toronto Stock Exchange, G1MN ? Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Berlin, Munich, Tradegate, Lang & Schwarz, LS Exchange, TTMzero, Dusseldorf and Quotrix Dusseldorf Stock Exchanges and GLBXF ? OTCQX International in the US) is pleased to report that Emperor Metals Inc. have shared additional results from its 2024 drill program which included 8,166 metres of drilling across 19 new drill holes and approximately 8,000 metres of historical core assays. To date, 70% of the new drilling assays have been reported, but only 35% of the total assays from the combined 2024 drilling and historical core resampling. All assaying should be completed by mid-February. The Duquesne West property is in Duparquet Township, Quebec, 32 km northwest of the town of Rouyn-Noranda and, covers a portion of the gold localizing Porcupine-Destor Break.

Highlights reported include:

Hole DQ-24-12 4.1 g/t Au over 38.3 m including 7.2 g/t Au over 21.7 m and 0.6 g/t Au over 68.3 m including 1.2 g/t Au over 23.5 m Hole DQ24-11 0.5 g/t Au over 56.1 m including 1.8 g/t Au over 24.8 m

Note: Lengths reported are drill core lengths

John Florek, President of Emperor commented: "The intersection of broad zones of multi-gram gold (Au) mineralization with visible gold within the conceptual open-pit model is highly encouraging for future open-pit mining economics. These results highlight significant opportunities in poorly drilled areas within the defined conceptual open-pit model. This reinforces the potential to optimize and expand the currently understood boundaries of potentially viable mining for this deposit. This additional high-grade mineralization, once fully defined, will be vital to increasing our open-pit head grade for potential future mining and our upcoming Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) expected in Q1 of 2025."

Shareholders may read the detailed Emperor press release by clicking here.

Of note, on December 24, 2024, Emperor prepaid the $500,000 cash portion of the 2025 option payment. The share portion is expected later this month.

Globex is pleased with the progress of Emperor on the Duquesne West property which is 50% owned by Globex through Duparquet Assets Ltd

Location of DQ24-10 to 12 DDH ? Emperor Metals

Cross section showing the location of DDH24-12 and the

significant intercepts in conceptual open-pit environment - Emperor Metals

This press release was written by Jack Stoch, P. Geo., President and CEO of Globex in his capacity as a Qualified Person (Q.P.) under NI 43-101.

We Seek Safe Harbour. Foreign Private Issuer 12g3 ? 2(b) CUSIP Number 379900 50 9

LEI 529900XYUKGG3LF9PY95 For further information, contact: Jack Stoch, P.Geo., Acc.Dir.

President & CEO

Globex Mining Enterprises Inc.

86, 14th Street

Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec Canada J9X 2J1

Tel.: 819.797.5242

Fax: 819.797.1470

[email protected]

www.globexmining.com



Forward-Looking Statements: Except for historical information, this news release may contain certain "forward-looking statements". These statements may involve a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity and performance to be materially different from the expectations and projections of Globex Mining Enterprises Inc. ("Globex"). No assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking information will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits Globex will derive therefrom. A more detailed discussion of the risks is available in the "Annual Information Form" filed by Globex on SEDARplus.ca

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d52dc3b9-d1e3-4b25-8034-41a7c80f74be

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f155a215-de53-4527-accd-0fdad7ac56f3

8 january 2025 at 09:00

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Wolters Kluwer launches AI-driven nursing education remediation, enhancing student preparedness





Wolters Kluwer Health today announced that Lippincott Ready for NCLEX-RN will now feature AI-driven remediation with personalized, multi-modal improvement plans, benefiting both nurse educators and students. These innovative, easy-to-use enhancements better prepare students for their nursing licensure exam, the Next Generation National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), by providing adaptive and clinically focused learning materials.

"Lippincott Nursing Education has always excelled in delivering tools that help aspiring nurses build, practice, and master essential skills throughout their educational journey," said Julie Stegman, Vice President, Wolters Kluwer Health Learning & Practice. "Now, with the integration of AI, students will receive the tailored support they need to succeed in their studies and in their nursing career. This innovation also gives educators more time to focus on classroom teaching, knowing that their students are empowered to manage their own learning through trusted, proven resources."

Infusing AI into trusted nursing education expert solutions

Lippincott Ready for NCLEX provides essential opportunities for students to gain knowledge, develop clinical skills, and track their progress at their own pace. By taking a tested, measured approach to the use of AI in nursing education, the newest enhancement in Lippincott Ready for NCLEX ensures students maximize their preparation to successfully pass their licensure exam and become more prepared for clinical practice. This is done by combining the advanced technology of AI with trusted content from Lippincott, which is validated by our nurse educator expertise.

Additionally, when instructors assign a Lippincott Ready for NCLEX-RN Readiness Exam, they can choose to have improvement plans created for each student based on their results. The AI remediation feature can analyze and identify individual areas of weakness, and then retrieve relevant, expert-created content, ensuring that students receive more focused, pertinent study material without redundancy. Students who score 84% or higher on the Lippincott Ready for NCLEX-RN Readiness Exam have a 99% probability of passing the NCLEX on their first attempt.

Improving student outcomes & easing the burden on nurse educators

From a faculty perspective, Lippincott Ready for NCLEX's AI-driven remediation feature allows educators to easily view results and track progress. By automating a typically cumbersome process of developing individualized improvement plans, it frees faculty to focus on active learning and addressing the needs of the entire class.

"The education environment is undergoing significant changes, prompting nurse educators to engage with students in different ways then they may have previously. Faculty members, often stretched thin, can harness AI-driven technology to streamline processes and enhance student outcomes, empowering learners to take charge of their education," said Traci C. Henry DNP, RN, National Director of Academic Programs, Chamberlain University. "As nursing schools continue to embrace digital innovations, the blend of human insight and technology promises a more dynamic, efficient, and responsive educational environment that graduates more practice-ready nurses."

Visit the Wolters Kluwer AI center to see the company's commitment to developing artificial intelligence in an ethical and responsible manner with Artificial Intelligence Principles that incorporate key standards of use. For more information about Wolters Kluwer, please visit: www.wolterskluwer.com

About Wolters Kluwer

Wolters Kluwer (EURONEXT: WKL) is a global leader in information, software solutions and services for professionals in healthcare; tax and accounting; financial and corporate compliance; legal and regulatory; corporate performance and ESG. We help our customers make critical decisions every day by providing expert solutions that combine deep domain knowledge with technology and services.

Wolters Kluwer reported 2023 annual revenues of ?5.6 billion. The group serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries, and employs approximately 21,400 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands.

For more information, visit www.wolterskluwer.com, follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.

8 january 2025 at 09:15

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TRREB: Ontario's Home Renovation Savings Program ? A Win for Homeowners and Energy Efficiency





TORONTO, Jan. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- High energy and construction costs are hurting families and individuals across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) commends Minister Lecce and the Government of Ontario for the launch of the Home Renovation Savings Program, coming into effect January 28, 2025. This new program is a win for homeowners, helping them save money on their energy bills while advancing energy efficiency throughout the province.

The Home Renovation Savings Program, part of Ontario's $10.9 billion investment in energy efficiency, provides rebates of up to 30 per cent for home renovations, including new windows, doors, insulation, smart thermostats, heat pumps, rooftop solar panels, and battery storage systems. This initiative empowers homeowners to invest in energy-efficient upgrades, reducing long-term energy costs and enhancing property values.

The program offers homeowners an opportunity to reduce energy costs and improve living spaces sustainably. Making energy-efficient upgrades more affordable also contributes to broader housing affordability by lowering ongoing utility expenses for individuals and families.

TRREB remains committed to supporting policies that help homeowners make informed decisions benefiting both their families and the environment. The Home Renovation Savings Program reflects our commitment to supporting initiatives that encourage homeowners to make environmentally conscious choices through incentives, rather than imposing mandatory requirements.

Elechia Barry-Sproule

TRREB President

Media Inquiries:

Maria Karafilidis, Manager, Public Affairs [email protected] 416-443-8139

About TRREB:

The Toronto Regional Real Estate Board is Canada's largest real estate board with over 73,000 residential and commercial professionals connecting people, property and communities.

8 january 2025 at 10:00

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K-water Pavilion Opens at CES 2025 Eureka Park: Showcasing Innovations in Korea's Water Industry to the World





SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water) announced on January 7 (local time) the opening of its "K-water Pavilion" at CES 2025 in Las Vegas.

CES 2025, which runs from January 7 to 10, is expected to attract more than 4,400 companies and more than 130,000 visitors worldwide. At Eureka Park within the Venetian Expo, K-water has set up a 277.7-square-meter (2,989-square-foot) pavilion to showcase Korea's innovative water technologies in collaboration with Korean water-related companies.

Marking its third CES appearance, K-water focuses on artificial intelligence (AI) and deep-tech-based advanced water management technologies to align with this year's CES theme. The pavilion highlights innovative solutions and practical approaches to water management.

Additionally, the pavilion features groundbreaking technologies from 19 Korean water industry startups collaborating with K-water. These companies work together in areas such as water treatment processes to enhance Korea's water industry competitiveness. INOSEP, Fawoo Nanotech, and FUST Lab. have received CES Innovation Awards, showcasing their global technological prowess.

The second "Future Vision Forum for the Water Industry" will also be held during CES. The forum will feature Professor Sajjad Ahmad from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), an expert in urban water management systems and long-term river flow analysis using ocean-atmosphere indices. Experts from the industrial, government, and academic sectors in Korea and the U.S. will gather to discuss global water industry trends and Korea's advanced technologies.

In addition, K-water will introduce cutting-edge and globally leading technologies, including the "Global Lighthouse" AI water purification plant, which the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has recognized as a standard design alternative. The pavilion will also host buyer meetings and open pitching sessions to support the export of innovative technologies from the 19 participating companies.

The Korean startups featured in the K-water Pavilion include The Spatial Party XR (TSPXR), Stellarvision, sim2real, ENICT, DATS, Murepa Korea, PurifiedU (brand name WATERKOREA), Quantum Matrix, BLUELABS, INOSEP, FUST Lab., OZ SEPA, MDS Intelligence, Fawoo Nanotech, SC SOLUTION, TheEN, Blue Device, H2, Inc., and R&S Science.

SOURCE Korea Water Resources Corporation

8 january 2025 at 15:15

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SIR Royalty Income Fund Announces January 2025 Distribution





BURLINGTON, ON, Jan. 8, 2025 /CNW/ - SIR Royalty Income Fund (TSX: SRV.UN) ("the Fund") today declared a cash distribution of $0.095 per unit for the period December 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024. The distribution will be payable on January 31, 2025 to unitholders of record as at the close of business on January 17, 2025.

About SIR Royalty Income Fund

The Fund is a trust governed by the laws of the province of Ontario that receives distribution income from its investment in the SIR Royalty Limited Partnership and interest income from the SIR Loan. The Fund intends to pay distributions to unitholders on a monthly basis.

About SIR Corp.

SIR Corp. ("SIR") is a privately held Canadian corporation that owns a portfolio of 54 restaurants in Canada. SIR's Concept brands include Jack Astor's Bar and Grill with 36 locations and Scaddabush Italian Kitchen & Bar with 13 locations. SIR also operates one-of-a-kind "Signature" brands including The Loose Moose and Reds Square One. All trademarks related to the Concept and Signature brands noted above are used by SIR under a License and Royalty Agreement with SIR Royalty Limited Partnership. SIR also owns three additional restaurants, including two Duke's Refresher + Bar locations and Edna + VitaTM, which are currently not part of the Royalty Pool. For more information on SIR or the SIR Royalty Income Fund, please visit www.sircorp.com.

SOURCE SIR Royalty Income Fund

8 january 2025 at 17:00

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Microsoft announced on Tuesday that it will invest US $3 billion in India in cloud and AI infrastructure over the next two years, including new data centres and skills development, as part of a broad initiative to develop the country's AI ecosystem.

Microsoft chairman and CEO Satya Nadella revealed the plan onstage at the Microsoft AI Tour in Bengaluru. He didnt specify how many new data centres Microsoft intends to build in India, but noted that the company already has three data centre regions in the country, with a fourth planned to go live in 2026.

Microsoft also said it has secured renewable energy to power its data centres in India via long-term contracts with Amplus and ReNew. As part of the agreement with ReNew, around US$15 million of revenue from the contract will go to a community fund to support environmental justice initiatives focusing on womens livelihoods and economic empowerment, energy access, rural electrification, environmental remediation and water quality improvement, and other concerns of communities disproportionately impacted by pollution and climate change, Microsoft said.

The announcement comes last week's blog post from Microsoft vice chair and president Brad Smith that said the company is on track to invest approximately $80 billion globally in AI-enabled data centres in FY 2025, although over half of that amount will be invested in the US.

Beyond the data centres themselves, Microsoft also aims to develop a scalable AI computing ecosystem in India to meet growing demand from the countrys rapidly expanding AI start-ups and research community.

For example, Microsoft unveiled a new AI upskilling initiative that builds on Microsofts ADVANTA(I)GE India initiative launched last year with the goal of training 2 million people in AI skills by 2025. With that initiative having already beat that target with 2.4 million individuals trained in under a year (65% of them women), Microsoft said it has set a new target of upskilling 10 million additional people with AI skills by 2030.

Meanwhile, Microsoft Research (MSR) Lab kicked off a new initiaitive to develop Indias AI ecosystem. Under the AI Innovation Network, MSR will collaborate with digital startups to develop AI research into usable business solutions.

Microsoft also signed an MoU with B2B startup community SaaSBoomi to accelerate the growth of Indias AI and SaaS ecosystem over the next five years, especially in Tier II cities. Microsoft and SaaSBoomi said the collaboration will benefit over 5,000 startups and over 10,000 entrepreneurs. It will also enable upskilling for over 150,000 startup employees, create over 200,000 new job opportunities, and help attract an additional US$1.5 billion in venture capital funding for Indias AI and SaaS ecosystem, Microsoft said.

Todays announcement strengthens our belief in Indias potential and our resolve to equip the country with the resources and future-ready skills needed to excel in the global marketplace, said Puneet Chandok, president of Microsoft India and South Asia, We will continue to use AI to unlock possibilities for the next few decades and ensure communities across the country have access to the compute they need to prosper in the AI era.
(Flashback) President Boakai signing the Executive Order establishing the office of the War and Economic Crimes Court
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LIMERICK councillor Liam Galvin received 200 calls in one day and says people are in "dire straits" and running out of food in West Limerick as they battle severe weather conditions.

"But for the farming community, there'd be people dead because the farming community are bringing supplies to those people."

Cllr Galvin said he's never seen the weather as bad. "There's two feet of snow inside in yards where people cannot access the public road... even to have the public road snow ploughed.

"They're running out of food. They have no water, they have no electricity, they have no heating. This is dire." Cllr Galvin has been contacted for help by multiple people, aged in their 80s, who haven't had power, water or heating for four days.

He also received a phone call from a man in his nineties this morning who needed to get to hospital and a snow plough was sent there to clear the road.

Cllr Galvin is calling for an emergency number to be set up to ensure the delivery of provisions to people who can't leave their homes.

The Fine Gael councillor added that it would be wrong not to acknowledge the work that the ESB, Limerick City and County Council and Uisce Eireann have done because "they're working in desperate conditions."

READ MORE: BREAKING: Missing Limerick teenagers found following garda appeal

However, Cllr Galvin said he would fault the ESB and Uisce Eireann for not keeping the public and public representatives updated on the situation.

"There are people without information regarding water for the last four days. That's not acceptable in today's world."

He feels that their websites should be updated every twelve hours and said it was "shambolic" how the public have been treated.

Cllr Galvin said he received a couple of hundred phone calls yesterday and could not keep up with the volume of calls. "People are desperate... all they want to know is a bloody update."

Speaking on Today with Claire Byrne on RTE Radio 1 this morning, Cllr Galvin said yesterday was the busiest day he's had in 21 years of being in local government. He added that people are distraught and that roads in rural Limerick including Carrigkerry and Templeglantine "haven't seen a snow plough yet."

Cllr Galvin explained that people can't get vehicles out of their driveways onto the public roads as there's still two feet of snow in their yards. He said families need supplies and are running out of food and water. "They have no communication because broadband is down... We're at an emergency crisis here at this stage."

The Abbeyfeale native said he's hoping things will improve today. "We're getting resources from the Transport Infrastructure Ireland. The problem we now have though, clearly, is that the snow is like concrete on top of the ground and I don't think that the snow ploughs are going to have the effect that they should have."

Cllr Galvin added that some areas in Limerick got their power back last night but that other areas haven't yet and are very "isolated."

He also praised the work of Abbeyfeale Search and Rescue who are helping those who are "really stuck for provisions."
A LIMERICK man caught red-handed by gardai with a semi-automatic pistol with a round in the chamber, and with 10,000 worth of drugs on a separate date, has been jailed for eight years.

Craig ODonnell, aged 27, of OMalley Park, Southill, Limerick pleaded guilty to the possession of a converted 9mm semi-automatic pistol and possession of 9mm calibre ammunition at Bishop Street, Limerick city on Thursday, June 27 in suspicious circumstances.

Prosecuting barrister John OSullivan, instructed by State solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the evidence in Limerick Circuit Criminal Court prior to Christmas.

Judge Colin Daly, giving sentence, said gardai observed ODonnell late at night on a scrambler bike wearing dark clothes and a face covering.

They considered him to be acting suspiciously. They gave chase, stopped him and searched him under the Misuse of Drugs Act. He was found to be in possession of a firearm and ammunition - the firearm was a converted 9mm semi-automatic pistol and several rounds of 9mm calibre ammunition including one round in the chamber, said Judge Daly.

Garda Stephen McEntegart had previously given evidence in the district court when ODonnell was charged that he was on patrol at Island Road, Limerick city on Thursday, June 27 at 11.38pm.

I observed a male on an electric scrambler wearing a balaclava with his hood up and wearing red and black gloves. I attempted to stop him. He abandoned the bike and fled on foot. After a short foot chase I arrested him on Bishop Street, said Garda McEntegart.

In considering the gravity of the offence, Judge Daly said while the firearm may not have been brandished during the course of the interaction a pistol is obviously to be used in criminality generally.

The defence (Liam Carroll BL) suggests there was no evidence the defendant was going to use the firearm. He was caught red -handed with ammunition in the chamber and other rounds of ammunition found.

The aggravating factors are previous convictions for an aggravated burglary with a knife and robbery while carrying a firearm, said Judge Daly.

In mitigation, the judge said ODonnell comes forward on signed pleas although that is tempered by the fact he was caught red-handed.

He is the father of two young children aged nine and one. He has spent a considerable period of his young adult life in custody. He is doing well in prison, said Judge Daly, who imposed a seven year jail sentence.

The judge noted ODonnell was on bail at the time of the firearm charges after being caught with 10,000 worth of cannabis on an earlier date.

READ MORE: Gardai seek information on motorist as part of investigation into Limerick city shooting

Judge Daly said ODonnell had recently been released from prison when he was found with the drugs in his possession.

Defence suggested that he was under pressure due to a drug debt but there is no actual evidence to support this contention, said Judge Daly, who imposed a three year jail sentence for possession of cannabis for sale or supply.

Judge Daly said the seven year jail sentence and three year prison term are to run consecutively. He suspended the final two years of the 10 year sentence and backdated it to June 27, 2024 when ODonnell first entered custody.
Tecto, the data centre subsidiary of global end-to-end digital infrastructure solutions company V.tal has announced some of the details of its first hyperscale data centre in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

In a LinkedIn post it said it was thrilled to announce the acquisition of land in Santana de Parnaiba to build the data centre, which is designed to support high-density workloads. In fact the new facility, with initial power already secured, is expected to deliver 200 MW of capacity, powered entirely by 100% renewable energy.

Describing the investment as a significant milestone in its ambitious expansion plan, Tecto notes that it has US$1 billion already allocated for new data centre projects in the Latin American region. Indeed, it has five data centres currently operating in Brazil and Colombia, and construction is underway for a large-scale data centre called Mega Lobster in Fortaleza, a city in the state of Ceara in northeastern Brazil.

We reported late last year that V.tal had unveiled Tecto Data Centres as the new brand for its data centre business unit, having announced the separation of this unit from its neutral network FTTH (fibre to the home) and wholesale businesses.

The launch of the new brand coincided with the start of construction of Mega Lobster, which will occupy an area of 13,000 square metres and will have a capacity of 20MW.

We also reported in late 2024 that V.tal had agreed a contract with Atlas Renewable Energy, an international renewable energy solutions provider which said it was entering the data centre sector in Latin America through the deal, starting with a solar plant in the Brazilian city of Arinos in northern Minas Gerais state.

As for the Sao Paulo facility, the Data Centre Dynamics website says that further specifications have not been shared, nor have timelines for construction, but that V.tal first acquired the land parcel in October 2024.

As well as its data centre investments, V.tal has a number of subsea cable investments in Latin America and thousands of miles of terrestrial fibre.
A MOTHER and daughter who are accused of possessing nearly 1.3m worth of cannabis at Shannon airport two days before Christmas, have been further remanded in custody.

Dovil Reifonaite, aged 40, and Migle Kurieniute, aged 20, both with an address at Newlands, Mullingar, County Westmeath, appeared before Ennis District Court this Wednesday.

In what was their third court appearance since being charged, they appeared via video link from the womens prison at Limerick prison.

The two spent the Christmas and New Year period in custody after they failed to secure bail at a special court sitting in Limerick on Christmas Eve.

Each accused is charged with one count of possession of cannabis for sale or supply, as well as one count of possession of cannabis. The offences are alleged to have occurred on December 23, 2024.

READ ALSO: Limerick braced as new weather warning comes into effect

Solicitor for the two, John Casey told the court previously that he was waiting for the Christmas holidays to end before he could bring an application for bail to the High Court.

In court this Wednesday Mr Casey applied to come off-record (legally representing the pair) and Dublin-based solicitor, Adam Dodd said that he is now representing the two.

Judge Gabbett granted the application and he transferred the legal aid cert to Mr Dodd.

During the procedural hearing, Sergeant John Burke told the court that gardai are awaiting directions from the DPP.

Sgt Burke previously told the court that a small sample of the suspected drugs was brought to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) and that the tests confirmed that the substance is cannabis.

Judge Gabbett directed that a Lithuanian interpreter be present for the next day in court. Daughter, Migle has very good English while mother, Dovil requires the interpreter.

At the Christmas Eve court sitting, gardai told the bail hearing that, at 11:16am on December 23 last, the two accused disembarked from a flight at Shannon Airport from Boston.

Gardai alleged that officers attached to Revenue discovered 64kgs of vacuum-packed packages of cannabis with a street value of 1.28 million, in four suitcases belonging to the two accused.

It was a significant quantity of drugs, they stated.

Mr Casey told the Christmas Eve court that Ms Reifonaite and Ms Kurieniute had lived in Mullingar for the past eight years and that they would abide by any bail conditions.

Ms Kurieniute has been here since she was 12. They have set up home here, and if granted bail they will sign on daily or even twice daily at a garda station, this is where their life is, said Mr Casey.

Judge Gabbett further remanded the two in custody to appear, via video-link, at Ennis District Court on January 22.

Addressing the defendants from the body of the courtroom, Mr Dodd said: "I will make further contact and meet ye in person in the near future."
TWENTY-six projects from eleven Limerick schools that have qualified for the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE) 2025 are battling it out for the winning title.

Over 4,000 students from across the country entered the competition with a chance to represent their schools on a national level. 550 projects were shortlisted, 26 of those being Limerick-born creations.

The BTYSTE is taking place at the RDS this Wednesday, January 8, to Saturday, January 11.

Secondary school students from across Limerick are hoping to follow in footsteps of the 2024 winner, Sean O'Sullivan from Colaiste Chiarain, Croom.

READ ALSO: Family Carers Ireland announces transformative collaboration with Eli Lilly to support carers

The eleven schools representing Limerick on the national stage are Scoil Pol, Salesian Secondary College, Glenstal Abbey, Desmond College, Colaiste Iosaef, Colaiste Chiarain, Castletroy College, Ardscoil Ris, Colaiste Nano Nagle and Mungret Community College and Laurel Hill Secondary School FCJ.

Health has emerged as a key theme, accounting for over one-third (42%) of all project entries across a number of categories with topics covered ranging from the impact of vaping to mental health, to hospital queues.

Shay Walsh, managing director of BT Ireland said: This years entries reflect the dedication and creativity of students in Ireland in addressing some of the worlds greatest challenges today, and we see a shift towards more specific and detailed investigations within the project entries.

In 25 years, we have seen many previous entrants go on to make a big impact in the STEM sector and change the world for the better. I have no doubt based on this years entries, that future alumni will continue on that same trajectory.

There are over 200 prizes and a prize fund of well over 50,000 to be won.

These prizes are awarded across all five categories and age groups, including the overall BT Young Scientist & Technologist(s) of the Year Award, worth 7,500, which will see the winners go on to represent Ireland at the prestigious European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS), which will take place in Latvia.

The winner of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE) 2024, Sean OSullivan, also placed second at the 2024 EU Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS) in Katowice, Poland.

The 17-year-old from Pallaskenry is a 6th year student at Colaiste Chiarai, Croom and was recognised by the EUCYS judging panel for his BTYSTE winning project, titled VerifyMe: A new approach to authorship attribution in the post-ChatGPT era.

He was also awarded the 2025 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair Prize.

At the EUCYS, Sean competed against 250 young scientists aged between 14 and 20 from nearly 40 countries in the EU, as well as guest projects from the United States and beyond.

Speaking on his achievement, Sean OSullivan said: It was an honour to travel to Katowice, Poland and represent Ireland at one of the worlds most prestigious science fairs. With so many fascinating, important projects on display, I am absolutely thrilled to take home the second place prize at the competition.

Scoil Pol, Kilfinane: City Greens: Growing Food with Hydroponics and Aquaponics for Sustainable Urban Farming and Visualise It! An interactive teaching tool

Salesian Secondary College, Pallaskenry: The Detection and Dangers of Microplastics

Glenstal Abbey School: A Study of the Formation of Hydraulic Jumps (Holes) in a River as Used by Freestyle Kayakers

Desmond College, Newcastle West: Facial Rehabilitation: A Technological Approach for Bells Palsy Patients, Chill N Heal Bandage, Using Benfords Law To Detect Electoral Fraud and OtoInSight

Colaiste Iosaef, Kilmallock: Connected By Blood a Continued Study

Colaiste Chiarain, Croom: Quantum Insights: Particle Profiling via Cloud Chamber & AI Analysis, Discovering Habitable Exoplanets with the help of AI, An investigation to understand the reasons behind the falling trends of EV sales in Ireland, Which Plant is the Best Defence Against Ocean Acidification? The Big Irish Head On You!, Bo-Watch: An AI powered monitoring system for cows, Identifying AI Speech: the Future Of Cybersecurity with ZyphAI and SmartSpecs

Castletroy College: An investigation into the relationship between catch areas to the quantity of microplastics found in fishs gastrointestinal system.

Ardscoil Ris, North Circular Road: Failed stars or hidden opportunities? An investigation into the likelihood of brown dwarfs supporting life within their orbits and Inner Strength: An investigation of crystal structures and how they scale.

Colaiste Nano Nagle, Sexton Street: ImiCircle and SettleEase: Empowering Immigrants to Thrive

Mungret Community College: To investigate the Influence of LED Light Spectral Variations on Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) Vitamin C Composition and IndependentMe: An at home healthcare device to support independent living for people suffering from memory impairment

Laurel Hill Secondary School FCJ, Limerick City : The Relationship Between Menstrual Health And Injury Rates In Female Athletes
SINN Fein Senator Paul Gavan of Limerick has announced he will not be seeking re-election in the Seanad election.

It comes after Sinn Fein defended a decision to leave Mr Gavan and another party candidate off a list of its Seanad hopefuls by saying it wanted to elect the strongest team possible.

Mr Gavan and councillor Daithi Doolan were nominated for the Seanad Labour Panel through the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU).

Meet Sinn Feins six candidates for the upcoming Seanad Eireann elections. Industrial and commercial panel  Conor Murphy MLACultural and educational panel  Pauline TullyAgricultural panel  Joanne Collins 1/2 pic.twitter.com/JnOGjBtut3  Sinn Fein (@sinnfeinireland) January 6, 2025

However, in a social media post announcing Sinn Feins candidates for the Seanad elections on Monday, former TD Chris Andrews and Laois-based representative Maria McCormack were listed and pictured as the partys only hopefuls for the Labour Panel.

READ ALSO: ESB offering hotel assistance to Limerick homes still without power

The Labour Panel elects 11 senators, at least four of whom must come from nominations through the Oireachtas and at least four through nominating bodies like ICTU.

Asked about the omission of Mr Doolan and Mr Gavan, the Sinn Fein press office drew a distinction between candidates put forward by the party and those nominated through external bodies.

It confirmed Mr Doolan and Mr Gavan had independently received nominations from ICTU, while Mr Andrews and Ms McCormack were nominated by the party.

Mr Gavan was included in the partys candidate announcement for the 2020 Seanad elections, despite being put forward under the same external nomination process on that occasion.

Pressed on this discrepancy, a party spokesman told the PA news agency: Our aim is to elect the strongest Sinn Fein team possible.

Hours later, Sinn Fein announced that Mr Gavan would not be actively seeking re-election despite the ICTU nomination.

In a statement released by the party, he said: Having taken time over Christmas to consider matters, I do not believe there is anything to be gained by actively contesting for a seat on the Labour Panel.

The party has nominated and endorsed two other candidates for this panel.

A spokeswoman for ICTU said the organisation wished Mr Gavan well in the future and thanked him for his work in the Seanad as well as a trade union official.

ICTU noted that it had put forward several other candidates which remain in the race.

Mr Doolan said on Monday that he would contest the election after successfully seeking a nomination from ICTU, having been an active member of Unite for more than 20 years.

He said: I have a long track record of working with other union members and in the spirit of cross party co-operation on key issues, including Right to Water, support for Dublin Fire Brigade workers, and resolving the pension claims of local authority staff.

I am confident this will attract support beyond Sinn Fein colleagues.
AS LIMERICK braces itself for a vicious cold snap with temperatures of -8C forecast following 14 inches of snow in places, major questions have been asked as to why a Status Red warning isnt in place.

Another Orange - low temperature / ice warning comes into effect this Wednesday at 6pm until Thursday at 11am.

Thousands are facing into their fourth night this Wednesday without electricity for heat and light, water to make tea, to shower and flush toilets, and poor or no mobile phone coverage to communicate.

Many elderly people in rural areas are snowed in, prisoners in their own homes. ESB isnt due to be back in some cases until 9pm on Thursday. The ESB PowerWatch map shows faults stretching from Abbeyfeale to Galbally.

Road conditions have been atrocious despite the best efforts of council staff gritting and ploughing 24/7.

Lorries jackknifed on the N20 and N21, cars ending up on their roof and motorists were trapped for hours in blizzard-like conditions. Over 30 cars were abandoned near Charleville by motorists stuck in traffic for hours due to collisions. A number of people checked into the Charleville Park Hotel.

The Irish Army has even been drafted in. One of their helicopters has been in the skies over Limerick, including the Kilmallock and Kilfinane area, to assist the ESB in locating power lines downed by the snow. Soldiers have been assisting in the transportation of essential healthcare workers and patients.

There were wartime scenes in Kilfinane on Monday with long queues formed outside the local Centra store to get provisions. Call-outs have been made on social media from concerned family members for those with tractors and jeeps to check in on loved ones.

READ MORE: 'But for the Limerick farming community, there'd be people dead. All people want is a bloody update'

Deputy Richard ODonoghue said: If this isn't a red warning, I dont know what is. He said we haven't had snow like this since 1963, saying Met Eireann has left Limerick down.

In 2010, we got three or four inches of snow. I'm 54 years of age and we've never got this fall of snow. If people knew that we were getting that heavy fall of snow, do you think we would be prepared? Yes, we would.

"If this was to happen in Dublin, would they have got a Status Red warning? It looks like that if you're outside of Dublin and are snowed in for days you dont matter, said Deputy ODonoghue. The Independent Ireland TD said all the shop suppliers got caught because of the Orange warning which means trucks can travel.

A Red warning means that everyone is off the road so if a Red warning was given for Sunday they would have got everything out throughout Saturday. People would have worked through the night to get it done. Met Eireann have left Limerick down, they've left Kerry down, they've left parts of Cork down, he said.

Mr ODonoghue, in his trusty off-road jeep, rescued a man stuck in a car for three hours in Granagh, brought a heavily-pregnant woman from the Ballyhouras to the maternity and delivered blocks to a house in Bruree for people with special needs who had no heat.

He also collected bread and milk from a lorry that didnt want to risk the back roads and helped Americans stuck in the snow in Granagh as they headed to Killarney. Sat navs bring people through Granagh to avoid Adare. Mr ODonoghue praised the community spirit and everybody helping out.

READ MORE: Limerick farmer delivers gallons of water to neighbours for their cattle

Schools have closed, hospital procedures and appointments deferred, courts cancelled, post offices closed and deliveries curtailed.

Mr ODonoghue said: Its nuts that there isnt a Red warning.

A Met Eireann spokesperson, responding to a query from the Leader, said: While overall the snowfall has been within the Orange warning category, as part of its warning procedure, Met Eireann does always communicate that there can be localised variations which can exceed thresholds and for this particular weather event, the risk was flagged particularly for higher ground.
New Delhi: The Centre proposes to keep its focus on rapid infrastructure growth in the next financial year, with plans to push capex allocation for the ministries of road transport and highways, and railways in the upcoming budget by upto 10%, two persons aware of the development said.

The proposed modest increase comes in the backdrop of the government targeting a big increase in private investments into the highway sector in projects being awarded under the build-operate-transfer (BoT) toll model.

Also, the railways will continue implementing existing projects with a focus on capacity augmentation and safety measures that will not require any additional capital. Meanwhile the spending on manufacturing new generation trains such as Vande Bharat would be made in a staggered manner that reduces the pressure on capex in a particular year.

Also read | India rate-setter sees growth picking up on govt capex in coming quarters

We are expecting 20-25% of highways project awards next year to be on BoT (toll) model. This would relieve pressure on the government to spent on its own for such infrastructure development. The money will continue to be spent by the government but with more private investors, central capex could go into more critical infrastructure projects and ones that have strategic interest attached to it. Also, government capex be used in maintaining existing highway network and make them safer for movements," said the first person quoted above.

Private investment

BoT (toll) projects allow private sector bidders to take construction risk and invest in developing road projects, thereby relieving pressure on the government to make additional capital investments to keep up the building momentum.

Along with increasing the budgetary allocation, the Centre will need to ensure that the bidding process for highways is expedited as it was slow in the last few quarters.

Additionally, railways needs to take urgent steps to structure PPP projects for fostering private investments  as there is really no reason why the railways cannot replicate the PPP success which NHAI has achieved in the highway sector, Kuljit Singh, Partner and Infra Leader, EY India said.

The Centre provided capex of about 2.64 trillion (revised estimates) to the ministry of road transport and highways in FY24. In the budget FY25, MoRTHs capex was increased moderately from 2.64 trillion to 2.72 trillion. This may increase further to 2.90 trillion in FY26.

Also read | Will the government be able to meet its capex target for FY25?

Similarly for railways, which has been getting almost its entire capex requirement from the budget for the past few years, may see a marginal increase in capital allocation for FY26 to around 2.75 trillion in the best case scenario against 2.52 trillion gross budgetary support (GBS) provided in FY25.

Queries sent to ministry of road transport and highways and ministry of railways remained unanswered at press time.

More than the quantum of budget allocation to infrastructure sector, which is already quite high, the focus should be on better planning and coordination to complete on-going projects & improve execution certainty for ongoing investment programs, more private sector participation and asset monetisation, as well as effective integration of digital technologies into physical infrastructures" Debasish Mishra, Chief Growth Officer at Deloitte South Asia.

Stepping up highway laying

Higher allocation is expected to be used by MoRTH both to step up construction of highways as well as retire high debt levels of NHAI. In fact, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) pre-paid loans of worth 56,000 crore during FY25, helping the state-owned agency to save interest costs of around 1,200 crore and reduce its debt burden to about 2.76 trillion from 3.3 trillion earlier. Of this, about 40,000 crore has been paid by NHAI from the budgetary allocation and remaining from InvIT monetization proceeds. It is expected that NHAI would prepay its debt by a similar amount or higher in FY26.

In FY26, MoRTH may set a target of building 12,000-13,000 km of national highways and award about the same, so that the pace of construction is maintained in subsequent years. But actual construction may scale down a bit as MoRTH may focus on maintaining its existing network of highways and construct only access-controlled highways and expressways.

Also read | Centre weighs easing conditions for interest-free capex loans to states

Similarly for Railways, the focus would be on maintaining progress on works it has already taken up. Against a budgetary capex allocation of 2.52 trillion, a substantial 81,713 crore has been used in FY25 upto 5 January on capacity augmentation. Capacity augmentation covers new lines, gauge conversion, electrification, doubling, traffic facilities, investments in PSUs and metropolitan transport. The same focus is expected to be maintained in FY26. Also, rolling stock and safety related expenditure may also see a marginal increase in FY26.

A look at the expenditure trend of MoRTH shows that the balance of government spending has clearly shifted towards capital spending over past few years. In 2021-22, capital expenditure stood at 1.13 trillion while revenue expenditure was just over 10,000 crore.

The ratio between revenue and capital expenditure stood at 50:50 in 2014-15. But the ratio changed from that year onwards.

In 2015-16, this ratio changed, with the ministry spending more funds on capital expenditure. Since then, the ministry has increased its capital expenditure significantly, while revenue expenditure has gradually declined and is now flat at around 11,000 crore. In 2023-24, over 96% of the ministrys spending went on capital expenditure; prior to this year the capital expenditure was 95% and in FY22 it stood at a still lower 90%.

For FY25, this number has changed further with capital expenditure in overall allocation for MoRTH rising to 98%.

Quality improved

The quality of expenditure has also seen an improvement with most funds going to NHAI.

In the last 9 years, the length of NHs has gone up by about 60% from 91,287 km in April 2014 to over 146,000 km now. With higher allocation, NHAI proposes to further step up highway construction taking it up from 37 km per day in 2020-21, the highest ever so far, to close to over 40 km in the next fiscal.

Highway construction in the pre-pandemic FY20 spanned 10,237 km at a daily rate of 28.04 km. The pace increased during the first pandemic year (FY21), when lockdowns helped accelerate construction, resulting in a record 13,327 km of highways built at 36.51 km per day.

Also read | Capex in India: Investment mood returns to slower pace in Q3

In FY22, the rate slowed again to 10,457 km at 28.64 km per day. For FY22, the road ministry initially aimed to construct 14,600 km of highwaysor 40 km per day. However, it later revised the goal to 12,000 km. FY23 ended with 28.3 km/day construction with overall 10,331 km of highways being built.

The government has allocated Rs. 1.11 trillion under the National Infrastructure Pipeline for FY 2019-25. The roads sector is likely to account for 18% capital expenditure over FY 2019-25. This is closely followed by the railways.
NEW DELHI : Home-grown hotel management company Cygnett Hotels & Resorts will look to close 2024-25 with a gross revenue of 300 crore on the back of new management contracts, the company's founder and managing director Sarbendra Sarkar told Mint .

The company operates a namesake brand along with brands like Cozzet. Primarily, a mid-scale hotel player, also announced a new five-star hotel brand, Anamore, this week.

Sarkar said the company has 25 operational hotelsmainly in tier II citieswith 1,000 rooms cumulatively. It has 23 hotels in the pipeline at locations like Rajasthan's Pushkar and Jaipur, West Bengal's Kharagpur, Himachal Pradesh's Chail, Assam's Dibrugarh, Maharashtra's Mahad and Alibaug, and Gurugram.

"We began with our focus on signing hotels across East India and the seven sister states in the North-East of India, primarily focused on tier II cities. We started first with an asset-light model with 95% of our portfolio in management contracts and the remaining as franchised properties," he said.

Also Read: Oravel subsidiary Oyo Hotels and Homes reports decline in revenue in FY24

The company has also invested in a 15-acre land parcel in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, and will be building a wellness resort there. "We will also consider going the IPO (initial public offering) route in the next five years once we achieve the 100 property mark and will have a mix of owned and managed properties," he said.

In 2019-20, the company had a gross revenue of 100 crore, which fell drastically due to the covid-19 outbreak to 30 crore in 2020-21.

The expansion spree

By 2025-26, it expects 15 hotels in its pipeline to open, bringing its room count to about 3,700. "Every month, we are trying to open one new hotel," he added.

In January, the company launched a hotel in Jaipur. In February, it will open a property in Mahad, Maharashtra. Next will be a five-star luxury resort in Pushkar, which will focus on large-scale weddings.

"What we've seen is that the spending power of the consumer has increased post the covid-19 pandemic, and people are spending a lot more, which is helping pull up average room rates. This has really increased the opportunities for hotel brands like ours," Sarkar added.

It first began business in 2014. It operates a majority of its portfolio as hotel management contracts. This week, the company announced the signing of a 150-room, five-star villa resort in Goa near the Manohar International Airport, which will be operational by 2026.

In a management contract, the property owner signs a hotel management business to run the day-to-day operations on their behalf for a sum consideration.

Given the current growth trajectory, Cygnett aims to add 1,000 keys annually over the next five years. This will expand Cygnett's portfolio to over 100 hotels with over 9,000 keys by 2029.

Earlier, the company was affiliated with US-based Red Lion Hotel Corporation, which was running the Signature Inn that Cygnett had brought to India. By 2016, the companies parted ways, and Cygnett began branding hotels under its own name.

The sector outlook

The hospitality sector will see 7-9% year-on-year revenue growth in 2024-25 and 6-8% in 2025-26, building on the high growth year of 2023-24, according to rating agency Icra.

The agency also projects a moderate improvement in pan-India premium hotel occupancy, expected to rise to around 72-74% in 2025-26, up from 70-72% in 2025-25.

The average room rates (ARRs) for premium hotels are expected to rise 8% on-year to 7,800-8,000 in 2024-25 and touch 8,000-8,400 in 2025-26.

Icras sample group, comprising 13 prominent hotel chains, is expected to deliver robust operating margins of 31-33% in 2024-25 and 2025-26, compared to 33% in 2023-24 and 20-22% of pre-covid years.

The key demand drivers in 2024-25 included strong domestic leisure travel, business from meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions (MICE), and weddings, along with a steady rebound in business travel, despite a brief dip during the general elections.

Besides, spiritual tourism and growing interest from tier-II cities are expected to play an increasingly significant role in 2025-26.

While domestic tourism has been the primary growth driver in 2024-25, foreign tourist arrivals (FTA) have yet to return to pre-covid levels, with recovery dependent on the global macroeconomic climate.
Bengaluru: India-born and bred but US-incorporated Razorpay has been talking for two years about bringing its parent entity back to its roots. The fintech startup may now be among the earliest to take advantage of new rules that make it easier for companies to reverse-flip by merging a foreign parent with its Indian subsidiary.

Razorpay is likely to complete its reverse-flipping process in six months, co-founder and chief executive Harshil Mathur told Mint in an interview, adding that an initial public offering of its shares would possibly take another two years.

We are still waiting for the approvals (for moving the parent entitys domicile) to happen so it should take anywhere between 3-6 months from now. After we flip, we need at least 6-8 quarters of clean financials before we go public, so Id say that we are at least 2 years from an IPO," he said.

Also read | Razorpay allots ESOPs worth 1 lakh to all employees

Razorpay, however, may incur $200-300 million in tax outgo in the process of shifting its domicile to India, as per various media reports. Without disclosing the exact figures, Mathur explained that the tax would be paid to US authorities and the financial impact would be decided based on the companys fair market valuation at the time of approval.

Razorpay was last privately valued at about $7.5 billion when it raised $375 million in its Series F funding round in 2021. The Bengaluru-headquartered startup was founded by Mathur and Shashank Kumar in early 2014 and its parent entity, Razorpay Inc., was incorporated in the US later that year.

Several startups set up bases in Singapore or the US as Indias commercial, regulatory, legal, and tax landscape was deemed less investor- and business-friendly, said Vaibhav Kakkar, senior partner at law firm Saraf and Partners. By incorporating abroad, Indian startups were also able to raise funds from foreign private equity and venture capital funds more easily and at more attractive valuations.

However, the Indian government has in recent years made efforts to improve the ease of doing business in the country by offering financial and policy incentives to encourage startups to list on domestic bourses, Kakkar said.

The recently amended framework for fast-track domicile flipping has further simplified the process for startups to list in the country, he added. With the sustained and gradually improving performance of the Indian capital markets, investors (specifically private equity and venture capital funds) also have greater confidence in getting an exit from the Indian markets."

The fast-track route

Several companies, including PhonePe, PineLabs, Zepto, and Groww, have shifted or are in the process of flipping their domicile to India to take advantage of a large addressable market, greater access to domestic capital, and the improving ease of doing business in the country.

Broadly, companies can move back their domicile to India via two common routes: a share-swap, where shareholders swap their foreign shares for those in the Indian company, or by merging the foreign parent with the Indian subsidiary.

In September, Indias ministry of corporate affairs announced that any merger between a foreign holding company and its wholly owned Indian subsidiary would only require approval from the Reserve Bank of India. This effectively scrapped the need for securing clearance from the National Company Law Tribunal, reducing the time needed for reverse-flipping.

Razorpay has opted for the fast-track route.

Also read | Startups flipping to India gain pace in fintech, other segments

Towards profitable units and global growth

Razorpays total income in 2023-24 improved to 2,501 crore from 2,293 crore in the year prior, with nearly 75% of its revenue coming from its online payment gateway business. Net profit surged to 34 crore from 7 crore.

The company anticipates online paymentsits only profitable business segmentto grow at a compound annual growth rate of 50% over the next few years. Its offline payments division and its neo-banking business, RazorpayX, each contributed 10-12% to the total revenue, while its international businesses contributed the rest.

Razorpay, which has operations in the UAE and Malaysia, plans to launch in Singapore and other Southeast Asian markets shortly.

Also read | Razorpay bets on offline, overseas business ahead of IPO

Almost all our new businesses are growing at nearly 100% year-on-year. While there is high growth, there is also a cost to it, so we expect each vertical to break even and eventually become profitable over the next 1-1.5 years," Mathur said.

He added that Razorpay has a healthy balance sheet and does not need to raise funds for expansion soon. The company will reserve a portion of its corpus for the tax implications of the reverse-flipping.

Razorpay has raised over $740 million from investors including Tiger Global, Peak XV Partners, Y Combinator, Lone Pine Capital, and Alkeon Capital.
NEW DELHI : Concerned about the lack of industrialization in North India, the government is working on a blueprint for making northern states a manufacturing hub. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) is anchoring the process.

The Centre is focusing on bridging the North-South divide by encouraging investments in underdeveloped northern states, promoting infrastructure development, and creating policies to foster regional equity in manufacturing, according to two people close to the matter.

The ministry of micro, small, and medium enterprises and other concerned departments would carry out a study on the industrialization of northern states to help in policymaking, said one of the two people on the condition on anonymity.

Also Read: A sombre December manufacturing PMI curbs enthusiasm

This development follows the department for promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT) finalizing a 10,037 crore programme for the Uttar Poorva Transformative Industrialization Scheme, 2024 (UNNATI2024), for a period of 10 years.

The Union ministry of commerce and industry is already engaged in identifying regions and district-wise product lines, particularly in the SME sector.

The government is also considering incentivizing industrial areas in the north Indian states. "We have a wide range of products with significant domestic and foreign demand, although production capacity remains limited. We are exploring regions and products that can be promoted to scale up manufacturing. The government plans to incentivize the establishment of these manufacturing hubs," said the second person.

The person added that Kanpur, once regarded as the Manchester of the East for its textile and leather industries, and Jammu & Kashmir, a hub for handicrafts, handlooms, horticulture and food processing sectors, have immense potential. "There is a huge scope for industrialization in northern and eastern states like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal.

Queries sent to the spokespeople of the PMO, the ministry of commerce and industry, and the ministry of MSME remained unanswered till press time.

The North-South divide

The region-specific focus also comes amid rising dissatisfaction among southern states over their smaller share of tax revenue despite contributing a larger share to the country's gross domestic product (GDP). In early 2024, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu knocked on the doors of the central government, alleging discrimination in the federal funds allocated to states.

The decision to promote industrial development in any region is welcome, said Bino Paul, professor at the School of Management and Labour Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, adding that the industrial development of one state benefits the entire nation.

"Take Jharkhand, for instance. The minerals and mining-led growth in the state has benefited all states, not just Jharkhand," he said.

The growth driven by industrial development is cyclical, he added. "In the past, growth in some southern states was driven by a labour force from the North. Similarly, Bhilai's huge industrial output was possible as people from all over moved to one particular location where industrial activity was promoted by investment."

However, setting up manufacturing hubs to promote industrial growth will only work if the costs of procuring raw materials and putting finished products in buyers' hands are low, making the business competitive, said Pronab Sen, former chief statistician of India.

"We need an analysis of consumer patterns to identify crucial markets for the industries we set up. This will help strategically place the industries in regions where they will be most competitive. Unfortunately, such granular data is not available," he said, adding past policy decisions to promote industrial growth in specific backward regions have not been successful because the industries failed to be competitive.

Also Read: Indian manufacturing must adapt to constant flux in a dynamic world

Sen clarified the move to promote industrial development via small businesses has the potential to be successful. Small businesses...MSMEs... these are industries with a local market, so the cost of putting a manufactured product into the buyer's hands is automatically low, and the industry is more competitive."

Over the years

A report by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister in September 2024 showed that during the period from 1960-61 to 2023-24, Delhi and Haryana performed well among the northern states, while Punjab's economy started deteriorating after 1991.

Delhi saw its share of Indias GDP increase from 1.4% to 3.6% during this period. Punjab and Haryana, once part of the same state, have experienced diverging economic trajectories. Punjabs GDP share grew during the 1960s, mainly due to the Green Revolution, but then plateaued at around 4.3% until 1990-91. It began to decline thereafter, reaching 2.4% in 2023-24.

The report showed similar trends in terms of relative per capita income. Meanwhile, Haryana, which initially lagged behind Punjab on both accounts, continued to show robust performance. Haryana's share of Indias GDP now exceeds that of Punjab.

"In the 1960s, undivided Uttar Pradesh was the largest economic powerhouse in the country, with a share of 14.4% in Indias GDP in 1960-61. However, its share started to decline thereafter, which continued even after the bifurcation. Share of UP (bifurcated) in the national GDP flattened out at around 8.2% in 2020-21, before increasing marginally to 8.4% in 2023-24," said the report titled Relative Economic Performance of Indian States: 1960-61 to 2023-24.

The report showed that southern states witnessed the highest growth rate during the period, contributing about 30% to the Indian GDP as of the last fiscal (FY24). It noted that the western and southern regions of India have performed notably better than other parts.

The top five industrialized statesMaharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradeshcontributed more than 54% of the total manufacturing gross value added (GVA) of the country in 2022-23.
The years just keep getting warmer. I mean this facetiously. At first, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration told us 2016 was 0.94 degree warmer than the 20th-century average. Then the agency raised its estimate by several steps to 1 degree in 2020 before dropping it back to 0.99 perhaps under Trump influence. With Democrats back in charge under President Biden, 2016 started getting warmer again, reaching 1.03 degrees in 2023. The latest NOAA chart shows it 1.04 degrees warmer than the baseline.

Consider it a small evidence of what David Samuels, in a widely noted article, calls the legacy of Obama-era permission structures." By permission structures, he means a whole of society" strategy of pressure and subtle bullying to force buy-in of Obama goals. I hit on a similar formula in 2012 when I explained how Mr. Obama imposed his will by giving voters permission to think highly of themselves for thinking highly of him."

One residue, which NOAA obviously participated in, was the permission structure behind todays gathering boondoggle created by Obama-era mandated investment in electric vehicles.

A feature Mr. Samuels stresses is an Obamaesque ability to substitute new, instantly embraced ideas for old, instantly embraced ideas. In his first two years, Joe Biden justified his giant increase in EV subsidies and mandates by citing the existential risk" of global climate change. Then that argument was junked overnight. EVs became a strategic" technology that must be protected from Chinese competition.

Both arguments were nonsense, as I belabored here, yet were seamlessly echoed in the media in turn. Subsidizing green-energy consumption is simply to subsidize energy consumption, including fossil energy. EVs are strategic" only for China, to reduce its reliance on imported oil in anticipation of military conflict with the U.S. For the rest of the world, including the U.S., electric cars are a consumer technology, albeit a fast-emerging and promising one. Sensibly, theyre also a technology that should have been left to consumers and carmakers to adapt and develop without distorting handouts and mandates.

The result is finally in view: a colossal self-destruction of the Western auto industry, with Germanys at the forefront. Volkswagen is in a panic about Chinese competition to the money-losing EVs that Berlin forces the company to sell. Germanys export-led economy is in free fall. Its bellwether auto giant, VW, is pursuing its first-ever domestic factory closures and layoffs.

Likewise, Ford CEO Jim Farley sees his companys survival in the U.S. threatened by Chinese EVs given the tens of thousands of dollars Ford already loses on each of its government-mandated electric vehicles. The author of Germanys auto mess, Angela Merkel, is now reviled as an unprincipled bandwagon grabber. Dont kid yourself. The same reputational fate is coming for Messrs. Obama and Biden. Mr. Bidens EV protectionism is Americas admission of defeat. The U.S. went from Americans must buy EVs to save the planet" to Americans must be prevented from buying cheap, high-quality Chinese EVs to preserve a government-created domestic boondoggle."

True, a U.S. economy that spent $2 trillion on Afghanistan, then left another $7 billion in military equipment behind, can probably afford the crypto auto bailout thats coming. It isnt clear Germany can. Still, this policy catastrophe likely wouldnt have been possible without the New York Times, even as its influence fades.

In almost every edition its reporters chant that EVs are a climate solution, without ever bothering to understand how they even arrived at this shibboleth. The papers editors never stumble across the obvious questions: Then why are global emissions growing faster than ever? When the U.S. spends the equivalent of $20 or even $50 per gallon of gasoline saved to encourage Americans to drive EVs, how is this anything but an exorbitant subsidy to the rest of the world to consume the now-cheaper gasoline in our stead?

OK, Ive covered this ground many times. In one sense, the problem is self-correcting as traditional media outlets lose credibility and see their audiences dwindle. Yet papers like the Times and a few others are societys primary maintainers of large reporting staffs. They need to figure out that they arent any longer in the news businessnews can be had for free anywhere. They arent in the tendentious spin business, also freely available anywhere.

They are in the understanding business, for a select audience that values intelligence and is willing to pay for it. Even more so if part of their readership truly cares about climate change. Then the job is holding government policy to a serious standard, rather than slavishly cheerleading for the self-serving partisan hustles of their political favorites.

Example: A serious reporting outfit might launch an inquisition into how and why NOAA goes about constantly tweaking 2016 to make it a warmer and warmer year.
New Delhi: The draft rules for the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, published on Friday, have ignited discussions among legal and data privacy experts regarding the effective implementation of the law. Experts emphasize that successful enforcement depends on a well-equipped and robust Data Protection Board of India (DPBI).

Legal practitioners note that the DPBI, established as a quasi-judicial body under the DPDP Act, needs skilled technical and legal professionals, as well as institutional independence, to manage complex investigations and ensure compliance effectively.

They also point out significant gaps in the framework, including a lack of clarity about the board's operational structure and the absence of provisions for criminal liability and compensation in cases of data breaches.

The DPDP Act, 2023, imposes fines of up to 250 crore for violations, but experts stress that clear guidelines and robust institutional support are essential for effective implementation.

The DPBI, established under Section 18(1) of the Act, serves as a quasi-judicial body to adjudicate disputes between individuals and data platforms accused of non-compliance. With civil court powers, the board can investigate breaches, impose penalties, and resolve disputes.

Appeals from its decisions can escalate to the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) and ultimately the Supreme Court.

To strengthen the enforceability of the DPDP Act and its rules, the government must focus on institutional and operational improvements," said Akshayy S. Nanda, partner at Saraf and Partners.

Also Read: Mint Explainer: The digital personal data protection Act, its rules, and roadblocks

The board should be equipped with skilled technical and legal professionals to handle complex investigations and enforce compliance effectively. Additionally, sufficient budgetary support is needed to ensure it fulfills its duties within expedited timelines, especially considering the rapidly evolving digital economy," he added.

Ankit Sahni, partner at Ajay Sahni & Associates, emphasized that the boards independence and staffing with qualified experts are crucial to building credibility and ensuring fairness in enforcement.

The DPB is intended to act as a quasi-judicial body to investigate non-compliance and impose penalties. Appeals from its decisions will go to the Appellate Tribunal, the TDSAT, according to Arya Tripathy, partner at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas.

However, the DPDP Rules provide limited insights into the operationalization of the DPB and Appellate Tribunal provisions. Hopefully, these details will emerge through the consultation phase, and the final rules will bring more clarity, experts say.

Also Read: Privacy law raises complications of verifying parent identity

Need for criminal liability, compensation mechanisms

Some legal experts believe that adding criminal liability for data fiduciaries could act as a stronger deterrent in cases involving fraud, negligence, or intentional non-compliance that cause severe harm to individuals.

Provisions for criminal liability in cases of severe data breaches could go a long way in ensuring stricter compliance," said Nazneen Ichhaporia, partner at ANB Legal.

Ichhaporia also highlighted gaps in the current framework, particularly the lack of compensation mechanisms for data principals whose personal data is compromised. She urged regulators to address this issue to protect individuals rights more effectively.

Also Read: DPDP draft rules raise concerns on parental consent, national security checks

On 3 January, the government published draft rules for public consultation under the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, proposing several compliance measures.

These include mandatory identity verification for parents before minors under 18 can join online platforms, localization of personal data in India, with exemptions for certain countries notified by the government, and exceptional powers for the Centre to access or withhold personal data in matters related to national security without notifying affected individuals.

To navigate compliance effectively, data fiduciaries must adopt a proactive approach, starting with robust data governance frameworks, comprehensive privacy impact assessments, and a culture of compliance across organizational levels. Safeguards such as encryption, pseudonymization, and regular audits are critical to mitigating risks. Its equally essential to invest in training programs and ensure that consent mechanisms are clear, specific, and informed," suggests Goldie Dhama, partner, Deloitte India.

Also Read: Indias Digital Data Protection rules: A story of hits and misses

Judiciarys role in shaping enforcement

Legal experts highlighted the pivotal role of courts in clarifying ambiguities in the law and ensuring fairness.

Ankit Sahni from Ajay Sahni & Associates noted that judicial interpretation will help establish procedural standards and balance regulatory enforcement with constitutional rights. Courts can also act as a check against potential overreach or under-enforcement by the board.

"Judicial precedents will significantly shape the enforcement of the DPDP Act, ensuring consistency, fairness, and accountability. By balancing the rights of Data Principals with the operational needs of data fiduciaries, courts will strengthen the legitimacy and effectiveness of Indias data protection framework." Akshayy S. Nanda from Saraf and Partners added.

The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023 was shaped through over a decade of deliberations, beginning with the Justice A.P. Shah Committees 2011 report recommending privacy legislation.

The need for a data protection law gained momentum after the Supreme Courts 2017 judgment recognizing privacy as a fundamental right. Multiple drafts were proposed before the final version was passed by Parliament on 9 August, 2023, and received presidential assent on 11 August, 2023. The Act introduces stringent rules for data protection, establishes the Data Protection Board, and imposes steep penalties to ensure compliance and accountability.

Also Read: Privacy as priority: India cant afford any further delay in notifying data protection rules
TABANG, IndonesiaDeep in Indonesian Borneo, workers laid asphalt on a new 60-mile road being built to transport coal from mines that have never been busier.

At one end of the road, crews built a 40-foot-high conveyor belt that whisks the coal over swampland to a new jetty on the Mahakam River. From there, the coal is funneled onto barges and floated downstream to a private port on the Pacific Ocean. Giant loading machines fill equally massive ships headed for China, India and the Philippines.

Coal, the worlds dirtiest fossil fuel, is booming, and few are profiting more than Low Tuck Kwong, the 76-year-old businessman behind one of Asias largest coal-mining complexes. Coals resurgence as a cheap and reliable energy source propelled him to a spot on Forbess 100 richest people. Lows wealth is estimated to have swelled to $28 billion from $1 billion in the years since coal was assumed to be headed for the slag heap.

Some experts had concluded that coal consumption peaked in 2013 at 8 billion metric tons. It has since surpassed that level three years in a row. Indonesia, the worlds largest coal exporter, is shipping more of it than any nation in history. In December, the International Energy Agency abandoned projections that coal use would drop in coming years, saying that it will increase through at least 2027 to nearly 9 billion tons.

Western nations have turned away from coal, but emerging economies are taking up the slack, as more nations seek to industrialize, modernize and pull their people out of poverty. A swath of Asia that spans Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines to India, Bangladesh and Pakistantogether home to 30% of humanityhas increased the share of its power supply that comes from coal.

By comparison, the U.K., where coal helped fuel the industrial revolution two centuries ago, shut down its last coal-powered plant in September.

In China, energy demand is growing at such a pace that the amount of coal burned keeps climbing, despite a push toward renewable energy. The uptick defies expectations from a few years ago, when coal consumption in the worlds second-largest economy had stagnated.

Experts had predicted that Beijings solar and wind investments, in conjunction with a shift toward less energy-intensive industries, would herald an era of shrinking demand. Instead, coal use in 2021 surpassed the nations 2013 peak. China consumes 30% more coal than the rest of the world combined, the IEA reported in December.

For developing nations in Asia, coal is hard to beat. Regional supplies are plentiful, unlike oil and natural gas. In contrast to solar, wind and hydropower, it generates electricity regardless of the weather, providing a dependable anchor for the regions expanding power grids. Severe droughts in China in 2022 and 2023 reduced hydropower generation, helping spur a coal surge.

Coal underpins cement production for Indias infrastructure push and powers factories in Vietnam, which is racing to buttress its position as a top manufacturing alternative to China. It powers Indonesias nickel industry, which feeds the production of electric-vehicle batteries.

As heat waves throttle Asia, a growing middle-class is installing millions of new air conditioning units a year, driving electricity demand higher. Power-hungry data centers are multiplying to sate computer banks behind artificial intelligence. The shift to electric vehicles also is putting new pressure on power grids.

Weve forecast peak coal at least three times," said Rory Simington, a coal analyst with Wood Mackenzie, a natural-resources analytics company. We keep getting surprised."

King coal

Lows company, Bayan Resources, is looking to supercharge its coal mining to more than 80 million tons a year by 2026, up from 50 million in 2023. The company is building an airport to ferry workers to its remote mining site.

Even the billionaires private zoo, built on his concession, needs to make way for the mining of the bounty buried beneath. That means Filbert the rescue orangutan will move to new digs, along with more than a dozen tigers, two zebra-donkey hybrids called zonkeys and Lows zorse.

Bayan has spent around $500 million on its infrastructure expansion since 2020, and the company isnt worried about coals future. Many poor countries still need coal," Low said.

The U.S. and other wealthy countries have offered billions of dollars in financing to encourage such developing countries as Indonesia, Vietnam and South Africa to retire their coal plants in favor of green energy. But skeptical leaders in the developing world say the aid, mostly loans, isnt enough to overhaul their energy grids while saddling them with debt.

At a coal conference in September, Luhut Pandjaitan, a senior Indonesian government official, said his country would try to reduce the rate of rising carbon emissions while expanding the economy. He challenged advanced countries to take the lead.

Countries that have greater capacity must reduce carbon emissions further and faster," he said.

Environmentalists chalk up coals persistence in part to vested interests. Coal tycoons in Indonesia and India, for instance, wield great political influence, discouraging the government from sharp moves away from their fossil fuel. The industry also employs millions of people and provides enormous tax revenue from exports.

Even Switzerland-based Glencore, one of the Wests largest miners, has scotched a proposal to spin off its coal holdings. The world continues to grow. It needs that energy, needs that high quality coal, and we provide that," said chief executive Gary Nagle in August. Shareholders were very happy for the company to stay the course, he added.

The resurgence in coal use is helping doom the international goal of stopping global temperatures from rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius, or about 2.7 degree Fahrenheit, above preindustrial temperatures. To be on track for that decade-old target, the U.N. said in October that coals share of global power generation would have to come down from 32% in 2022 to 4% in 2030. Analysts consider that next to impossible.

Ill-timing

Low, Indonesias coal baron, has a personal zoo and travels to his coal site via helicopter, yet he carries his own bag and wears the same pair of what look like $200 Swiss-brand black sneakers for a few days at a stretch.

He bought his first coal-mine concession in Borneo in the 1990s. Most investors were focused on mines near the coast, spots where coal could easily be shipped. Lows site was inland and not especially close to a river.

People said there was something wrong with our brains," Low recalled.

But the coal was high-grade, and Low, an engineer by training, was confident he could make it work. At the time, favorable government regulations helped Indonesia emerge as a major player in the regional coal trade, which until then had been dominated by Australia. Big markets such as Japan, South Korea and Taiwan began buying large amounts of coal from Borneo, which had the advantage of being conveniently close for shipment.

Lows operations got off to a lumpy start. By the time the first shipment was ready in 1998, the three-decade reign of Suharto, Indonesias dictator, had just ended. Lows Japanese buyer, fearing unrest, refused to send a ship to collect the coal, forcing the company to hunt for a new buyer.

Lows company focused on expansion, purchasing a coal port on Borneos east coast in 1998. Over the next 15 years, it added new mines around the area, piling on debt.

The investment appeared ill-timed. Global concern about climate change led to the negotiation of the Paris Agreement in 2015, in which nations said they would limit carbon emissions, hurting coals prospects.

During that period, Chinese policymakers were restructuring the economy toward clean energy and away from years of breakneck infrastructure and manufacturing-led growth that had fueled a massive rise in coal demand.

The coal industry is facing huge pressures, and the main reason is China," Fatih Birol, the head of the International Energy Agency, said in 2015. The economic transformation in China and environmental policies worldwideincluding the recent climate agreement in Pariswill likely continue to constrain global coal demand."

Bankers for Lows company hired a consultant who concluded that future expansion was unrealistic. The consultant said the company would never sell more than 15 million tons of coal a year from its main mining site, a company executive recalled. The company, swimming in more than $500 million of debt, negotiated with creditors to buy time.

Instead of burying coal for good, China maintained its position as the worlds factory floor and its ravenous demand for power continued. India and Indonesia fired up more coal plants to support their industrial ambitions. Coal prices rose. By 2018, Lows company returned to financial health.

Logistics remained a persistent problem: The companys main mine was some 140 miles inside Borneo, far from coastal ports. Mining coal is pretty easy, you dig it out of the ground," said Alastair McLeod, Bayans chief financial officer. Getting it to where you can sell it is the issue."

In 2019, a lengthy dry season reduced water levels in the fickle river tributary Bayan depended on to transport coal to the coast. In desperation, senior company executives consulted a local shaman and gave an offering of eggs and bananas to a local river god, hoping for rain. It came, eventually, but the company sought a more reliable solution.

They began building a road through the rugged terrain of eastern Borneo, connecting their mines to the main Mahakam River, which was deep enough to barge coal even in the dry season. To get the coal to the Mahakam jetty, the road would need to be flat and arrow-straight for the double-trailer trucks bearing 220-ton loads.

Along the way, crews hit swampy terrain, causing worries that the road might sink under the weight of coal-laden trucks. The company built an overland conveyor belt for the final 5 miles.

Near one of the main mining sites, a crew of Japanese and Indonesian workers for Komatsu, a Japanese heavy machinery company, were assembling the first of six new 23-foot-high coal loaders near one of the main mining sites. The wheels are 14-foot high, and each vehicle weighs 220 tons, about three times the weight of an Abrams tank. They can lift more than 37 tons of coal with each shovelful.

Were doubling our capacity. We believe there is 30 years or maybe 40 years of coal still going forward," said McLeod, the companys chief financial officer. Other people may not believe it."

Write to Jon Emont at jonathan.emont@wsj.com
Cocoa was the best-performing commodity in 2024, outpacing even bitcoin, but that hasnt stopped farmers from abandoning the crop.

Farmers in the top cocoa-producing region of the world are reseeding their lands because of a mixture of bad weather, failed government policiesmany of which were aimed at helping farmersand a fast-moving virus that has ravaged their plants.

The result is higher prices for chocolate lovers and a steep drop in production from Ivory Coast and Ghana, the traditional cocoa behemoths of West Africa.

John Ato Sackey, 55 years old, grew cocoa for more than 30 years on the 12-acre farm he inherited from his father in Assin Nsuaem, Ghana. For more than two decades, up until 2022, the farm consistently produced around 5,000 cocoa pods a year. Each cocoa pod produces approximately one 3.5-ounce bar of 70% dark chocolate.

It was a lot of hard work, but it paid off," Sackey said. It provided us with a steady income, which allowed us to send our children to school and provide for their healthcare."

But as prices soared to record levels, Sackey pulled up his cocoa trees, which had been decimated over the past two years by cacao swollen-shoot virus, a disease that causes root necrosis and is deadly to cocoa trees.

Sackey is currently planting oil palm seedlings. Were hoping that palm-oil production will be more sustainable and profitable for us," he said. Its less susceptible to disease, and it requires less labor and inputs. Additionally, the market demand for palm oil is high, so were hoping to make a good profit from it."

Sackey is one of many multigenerational cocoa farmers transitioning out of the family business. A factor in those decisions has been faulty government policies, including a fixed price that the countries pay farmers for their beans.

That policy, intended to protect cocoa farmers from volatile swings in global markets, has kept them from enjoying the benefits of rising prices, just when they need the cash the most. Both Ivory Coast and Ghana forward-sell the next seasons beans and set the price that farmers receive, called the farmgate price. Growers currently receive less than a third of the amount their beans fetch on international markets, while the governments reap a windfall.

Cocoa futures in New York soared 178% last year, hitting a record high of $12,565 a metric ton in December. By comparison, bitcoin surged 122% in 2024.

For a period, Ghana distributed fertilizer to cocoa farmers for free in an effort to boost yields. In 2020, the two nations formed a chocolate bloc to impose a premium on buyers of $400 per metric ton of cocoa, a surcharge they said would go directly into the pockets of farmers. None of it has worked.

Basically Ghana and [Ivory Coast] treated the cocoa sector as kind of a given, just taking the foreign currency," said Antonie Fountain, managing director of the Voice network, an association of civil society organizations working in sustainable cocoa. Weve been saying [for decades], Youre going to have to pay a fair price to farmers, or else at some point, youre going to run out of farmerswhich is kind of whats happening now."

For a quarter of a century, Francis Kwame Mensah, 45, has been growing cocoa, a trade he learned from his father. Two years ago, his 5-acre farm in Amanase, Ghana, produced about 2,000 cocoa pods a year, but the swollen-shoot virus has devastated his crop.

After the withdrawal of government subsidies, he now has to pay for his own fertilizer, something he can ill afford amid a broad cost-of-living crisis and a plunging local currency. The result is a 75% drop in his output and a halving of his income to about $170 a month. He slashed his workforce and expenses, and stopped saving for his four childrens educations.

Its been a while since Ive received any support, and Im starting to feel like Ive been forgotten," Mensah said. The price increase has helped a bit, but its not enough to offset the decline in productivity. I still struggle to make ends meet, and Im not sure how much longer I can keep going."

Cocoa production in Ivory Coast dropped 22% during the 12-month season that ended Sept. 30, from the same period a year earlier, while Ghanas output plunged 27% over the same period of time, according to the International Cocoa Organization.

Officials, farmers and analysts blame adverse weather in West Africawet weather in the dry season and dry weather in the traditional wet seasonfor much of the current production shortfall. However, West African neighbors Cameroon and Nigeria, which are tied as the worlds fourth-largest cocoa producers, have experienced similar weather and have seen their production increase in recent years.

Before the current production drop, farmers in Ivory Coast and Ghana often raised output by cutting down forest to clear space for more cocoa trees. But a new European Union law aimed at protecting the worlds rainforest means that West African farmers have to try to grow more cocoa on the plots they have.

That decision often leads to big upfront costs because it essentially requires farmers to pull up older, less-productive trees and plant new ones to increase production, especially as farms are ravaged by diseases.

Like other cocoa farmers, Mensah has diversified: He now grows cassava and maize, and has started a small poultry business. Mensah is considering replacing his cocoa trees with rubber or oil palm.

I need to explore other options to secure my familys future," Mensah said. Its not an easy decision, but I think its necessary."

Write to Alexandra Wexler at alexandra.wexler@wsj.com
The Cabinet Committee of Securitys latest approval for orders worth 21,100 crore is seen as a shot in the arm for defence companies such as Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) and Larson and Toubro Ltd (L&T).

A pickup in defence approvals and orders, which were in the slow lane for much of FY25, improves the medium-term revenue visibility of defence public sector undertakings (D-PSU). However, the execution of existing orders remains a major challenge for most of these companies. Hence, a continued focus on order inflows, which typically leads to a sentimental uptick in stocks, might lead investors to miss the wood for the trees.

Defence capital spending fell 20% year-on-year in H1FY25, but activity is expected to pick up in Q4FY25 with multiple large-ticket orders lined up for finalization such as Sukhoi engines and SU-30 MKI, Antique Stock Broking Ltd said in a report on 27 December. For FY25, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved the acceptance of necessities worth 1.7 trillion till December.

Also Read: The calm before the storm: Three defence stocks on radar

Despite an almost six-fold jump in the last couple of years to its all-time high of 8,302.03 in July 2024, the Nifty India Defence index is down almost 25% currently. The Street seems to have already priced in such favourable effects of the governments indigenization push for the domestic defence ecosystem along with enhancements of FDI limit in the sector.

While we remain structurally positive on the defence sector, current steep valuations do not consider the risks from execution hiccups, rise in raw material costs, competitive pressures and cash flow generation," Jyoti Gupta, research analyst at Nirmal Bang Institutional Equities told Mint.

A key concern is that most defence PSUs remain saddled with order execution challenges and delays due to global supply chain risks.

For instance, the recent order for 12 Su-30MKI fighter jets is likely to swell HALs order book by 13,500 crore. But HAL is currently struggling to deliver its past orders of Tejas MK1Alight combat aircraft. Since HAL imports the aircrafts engines from US-based General Electric Co (GE), it has been exposed to global supply chain disruptions that have delayed the production of those engines. GE is now likely to deliver them by March, instead of the initial delivery timeline of September to November. This is feared to adversely impact FY25 revenue growth estimates of HAL. Bharat Dynamics Ltd and Cochin Shipyard Ltd are among the others who are also witnessing some execution hurdles.

Also Read: Supply delay drags Hindustan Aeronautics's near-term growth prospects

Indigenisation push

Despite the governments indigenisation push since FY21, India continues to import technology, design and core components of its aircraft, submarines and weapons. The involvement of foreign parties stretches the order approval to the execution process, while exposure to supply chain bottlenecks often delay the operations further for domestic players. Moreover, government spending on research and development, a key tool to reduce the countrys dependency on such crucial imports, remains chronically low compared to its procurement, salary, and pension expenditures.

Nonetheless, current levels of indigenisation push are expected to aid the earnings of both public and private defence companies.While the order for 12 nos. Su-30MKI and 100 nos. K-9 Vajras benefits HAL and L&T directly, we believe larger defence ecosystems are likely to benefit as indigenisation level is likely at >60% for both of them," an ICICI Securities Ltd report on 14 December said.

BEL will likely benefit from fresh demand for radars and electronic warfare systems from the latest round of orders. Astra Microwave Products Ltd, PTC Industries Ltd and Solar Industries India Ltd could see a trickle-down effect.

However, defence companies current pace of execution, and hence a subsequent bump in their topline and bottomline, remains a key trigger of any potential upside in their stock prices, Harshit Kapadia, executive vice president of institutional equity research at Elara Capital told Mint.

Also Read: Defence contracts emerge as key business for telecom infra makers
In its December quarter (Q3FY25) update, Nykaa's parent company, FSN E-Commerce Ventures Ltd said that its beauty and personal care (BPC) segment remains the key growth driver, while muted demand in its fashion business continues to weigh on overall momentum.

Nykaa expects Q3 consolidated net revenue growth to exceed the mid-20s year-on-year, up from 24% in Q2. This growth is driven by sustained momentum in the BPC segment across its e-commerce platform, retail stores, owned brands, and eB2B distribution. Nykaa projects BPC revenue growth to remain above the mid-20s, aligning with its strategy to outpace the online BPC markets compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19-20%.

Read this | Can Nykaas house-of-brands strategy be its next growth driver?

BPC gross merchandise value (GMV) is set to rise by over 30% year-on-year in Q3. The eB2B arm, Superstore by Nykaa, now contributes 8% to the vertical's GMV, up from 7% a year ago. The platform's retailer base has expanded to 260,000 transacting partners, up from 235,000 in Q2. Spanning 1,100 cities, this growth highlights Nykaa's deepening reach into tier-2 and tier-3 markets.

The fashion segment, however, continues to face challenges, with the festival season falling short of expectations. Q3FY25 fashion net revenue growth is projected at around 20%, while net sales value (NSV) is expected to remain in the low-to-mid teens, consistent with Q2. Nykaa attributes the subdued performance to weaker online fashion demand, a trend impacting the broader e-commerce sector.

Despite this, the company remains optimistic about the segment's long-term prospects, focusing on growth through content, marketing, and service revenue streams.

Read this | Indias beauty brands battle hard in a crowded market

Nykaas overall GMV-to-net revenue trend is positive for Q3. Analysts at Nomura Financial Advisory and Securities (India) expect consolidated revenue growth of about 27% year-on-year and Ebitda margin at 5.9%, up 40 basis points sequentially.

This is still lower than our FY25F expectation of 29% y-y revenue growth and Ebitda margin of 7.5%," wrote Nomuras analysts in a report dated 6 January. While growth seems to be on track, especially in BPC, the subdued consumption trend has led to higher marketing costs, thus impacting the segments margin performance," it said. Thus, downside risks to margin recovery estimates remain.

Read this | Nykaas beauty business growth is a highlight, but margin is a sore spot

Nykaa is aiming for Ebitda breakeven in its fashion segment within the next two years, which could boost overall margins. However, with losses showing little improvement over the past five quarters, this timeline appears optimistic.

The stock currently trades about 25% below its 52-week high of 229.80, recorded on 23 August. Investors should monitor the sustainability of BPC momentum amid intensifying quick-commerce competition and watch for signs of a turnaround in the growth and profitability of the fashion segment.
The planned makeover of India's 14-year-old goods trade pact with Asean may take longer than expected as members of New Delhi's fourth largest trading partner press to negotiate tariffs individually, two people aware of the development said.

The review, which was expected to be finalized at next month's Jakarta meeting of India and the Association of South East Asian Nations, has stalled since India's offer of a unified duty structure does not find favour among Asean members, two people aware of the development said.

"This shift in Asean's approach comes in response to India's proposal for a unified tariff schedule for all member statesa suggestion that has met with resistance from several countries within the bloc," one of the two people cited above said on the condition of anonymity.

While the trade agreement has been instrumental in boosting regional economic ties, differing priorities and approaches between India and Asean members could prolong the review, leaving the future of the pact uncertain.

The Asean Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) was signed in 2009 and implemented a year later. Following repeated demands from members, a review was agreed and its scope finalized in September 2022, leading to discussions that began in May 2023. The review aims to enhance the agreement's trade facilitation measures and maximize benefits for businesses across the region.

Also read | Indias trade braces for an action-packed 2025

"India, on its part, is keen to revisit tariff concessions granted under ATIGA, particularly those favouring Vietnam. These concessions currently facilitate zero-tariff imports of mobile phone components into India, a point of concern for domestic manufacturers. By reassessing these terms, India aims to safeguard its industries and create a more equitable trading environment," the person cited above said.

Indias trade with Asean saw significant growth following the signing of the agreement. However, trade balance remains heavily tilted in favour of Asean, a global manufacturing hub.

The Asean bloc comprises Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, but Indias trade with the bloc remains concentrated in five key countries: Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

A common external tariff for all Asean members appears challenging due to the fact that Asean is not a customs union. Member countries do not share identical tariff structures, which complicates efforts to harmonize external trade policies. This disparity in tariff rates has led to calls for separate negotiations, similar to the approach adopted during previous trade discussions," said Biswajeet Dhar, economist and Distinguished Professor at the Council for Social Development.

Also read | Mint Primer: How Indias trade gap soared, and how it might hurt

"We were aiming to close the discussion by February, as it was expected. However, I think the dialogues will continue a little longer as all the member countries of the Asean bloc want to discuss their concerns separately," the second person added.

A commerce ministry spokesperson didn't respond to emailed queries.

Earlier, India had expressed frustration at the Asean goods agreement due to what it sees as imbalanced trade. Under ATIGA, tariff elimination was proposed for 74.2% of tariff lines, while a reduction in tariffs was agreed for an additional 14.2% of tariff lines. No tariff concessions were provided for the remaining 11.6% tariff lines. Tariff lines are items listed in a country's tariff schedule.

"The Asean agreementis the most ill-conceived agreement. If anyone would have read that, it is so unfair to Indian industry," commerce minister Piyush Goyal said at an industry event in 2023.

Indias trade with Asean saw significant growth following the signing of the agreement. However, trade balance remains heavily tilted in favour of Asean, a global manufacturing hub. Between FY09 and FY23, Indias exports to Asean grew 130.4%, while imports surged 234.4%. Over half of Indias imports from Asean consist of coal, palm oil, and other raw materials.

Also read | India to work with rest of Brics countries to further ease trade

In contrast, Indias exports to the bloc include refined petroleum products, commercial vehicles, telecommunications equipment, bovine meat, animal feed, agricultural goods, steel, plastics, and engineering products.
An Israel-Lebanon cease-fire that calmed months of cross-border bloodshed is being strained as the two sides accuse each other of violations and the U.S. races to make sure the deal holds.

Israel still has troops on the ground in Lebanon and has continued to regularly strike Hezbollah infrastructure and weapons depots. In a complaint to the United Nations Security Council, Lebanon accused Israel of some 800 land and air attacks since the cease-fire came into effect on Nov. 27.

Israel has repeatedly accused Hezbollah, a U.S.-designated terrorist group that controls much of southern Lebanon, of maintaining fighters and weapons including rockets in the south that threaten its security, also in violation of the two-month truce.

The trouble comes ahead of a Jan. 26 deadline for Israeli forces to leave, following their incursions into southern Lebanon across almost the entire swath of the border. Under the terms of the truce, the U.S.-backed Lebanese military is to move in as Israel leaves and work with U.N. peacekeepers to keep the area clear of the Hezbollah militia, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization.

But Israel is worried that the undermanned, outgunned Lebanese military isnt up to the task of preventing Hezbollah from eventually rebuilding near the border areas. Defense Minister Israel Katz said over the weekend that if Lebanons army doesnt enforce the agreement, Israel will step up military action.

If this condition isnt met, there wont be a deal," Katz said.

A collapse of the deal would risk reigniting the fighting that has depopulated a stretch of northern Israel and, according to Lebanons health authorities, left thousands of Lebanese dead. It could also undermine a policy achievement for Biden administration officials who have worked all year to prevent the war that began in the Gaza Strip from spreading across the region.

U.S. officials arrived in Beirut on Monday to discuss progress on the deal and said Israeli troops would pull out of the country in phases moving from west to east. They said Israel began to withdraw from the Mediterranean seaside town of Naqoura on Monday and would continue to turn over territory to the Lebanese army.

Israel also withdrew from cities and towns including Tyre and al-Khiyam, though its forces remain in many other areas.

U.S. officials said the Lebanese army was up to the job of securing the south. The U.S. and France plan to support the Lebanese army with training and funds.

Implementing the cease-fire agreement in southern Lebanon is not smooth, but it is successful," U.S. Special Envoy Amos Hochstein said after co-chairing a meeting of the international committee overseeing the cease-fire. I think todays withdrawal of the Israeli military back into Israel on the western side will be followed by other withdrawals until they are out of Lebanon completely."

The Biden administration assesses that Israeli forces are on track to leave southern Lebanon by the Jan. 26 deadline. More than a third of the Israeli forces in Lebanon have left, a person familiar with the matter said.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, speaking after a cabinet meeting, said the country is committed to carrying out its responsibilities under the deal and accused Israel of inventing situations that threaten the truce.

The Israel-Lebanon truce aimed to end fighting that began shortly after the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which, according to Israeli officials, left some 1,200 dead and around 250 taken hostage. Hezbollah began firing rockets at Israel to support Gaza, setting off a back and forth exchange that ran for months.

Hezbollah stood down after it was battered by intense bombing, ground maneuvers and intelligence operations launched by Israel last fall. It has made veiled warnings that it could again take military action if Israel doesnt meet the deadline for withdrawing.

Our patience may run out before 60 days or persist longer," Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem said in a speech on Jan. 4. When we decide to act, you will see it directly."

Some Israeli analysts say the agreement was flawed from the outsetdifficult to enforce, with too tight a time frame and a reliance on the Lebanese armed forces, which failed to enforce the terms of a cease-fire deal that ended hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006.

This agreement is a very, very problematic agreement," said Vice Admiral Eliezer Marum, a former chief of the Israeli navy and the former government director for rehabilitating Israels north during the current war.

The job of targeting remaining Hezbollah infrastructure and confiscating weapons is easier to do with troops inside Lebanon, and Israel could use more time, Israeli security officials and analysts say.

Israel optimally would want a few months to work," said Orna Mizrahi, a former Israeli deputy national security adviser.

Despite Israels problems with the deal, the agreement has succeeded in stopping the heavy fighting that went on for months. Analysts say both sides have little interest now in escalating. Hezbollah has largely withdrawn its heavy infrastructure from southern Lebanon, if not many of its personnel, and is severely weakened. Israel killed much of its senior leadership, including former chief Hassan Nasrallah, and has weakened its main sponsor, Iran.

Israeli reservists, meanwhile, are fatigued after fighting for 15 months on several fronts. Israel also is trying to convince tens of thousands of evacuated residents that they can safely return to their homes near the border with Lebanon.

Both countries also have their eyes set on an additional deadlineJan. 20when President-elect Donald Trump takes office in Washington. Trump hasnt said much about the truce beyond that he wants fighting to end in the Middle East.

Michel Fayad, a former adviser to Lebanons minister of economy and trade, said Hezbollah is viewed as the wars loser in Lebanon, and it is now looking for leverage as Trump takes over. The tensions are very high," Fayad said.

Adam Chamseddine, Saleh al-Batati and Alexander Ward contributed to this article.

Write to Anat Peled at anat.peled@wsj.com
The transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) as a general purpose technology has been compared to that of fire, the wheel and electricity. But where will this far-reaching power take the world? In a positive direction or negative direction?

Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet, There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so." There have always been a few people who have used technology for nefarious activities. So, with the invention of AI, it is natural that there will be some people who will use it for causing harm to humanity.

Deepmind co-founder Mutstafa Suleyman suggested that one of the best ways to mitigate the misuse of AI would be containment of the AI industry. A combination of technical, social and legal mechanisms could be used to effectively control, limit and, if need be, close down AI technologies at any stage of their development or deployment.

AI offers us a future of unparallelled possibilities. A few weeks ago, Google DeepMind had announced that it had developed an AI-based weather forecasting system that is more accurate than the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) model, which so far has been the global benchmark in weather forecasting.

This AI-based technology will go a long way in helping farmers, fishermen and so on, so that they are better prepared for inclement weather and natural calamities.

How do we fully utilize the capabilities of this new technological development? The traditional approach will be to get as many people as possible to download the app. The more downloads it has, the more successful such a technology is. No doubt, popularizing the app would be a significant first step in the usage of this new technology. But can we go further from here?

Last week, Mint reported that 87% of Indias districts are vulnerable to drought, 30% to floods and 46% of extreme rainfall. Between 2019 and 2023, India suffered economic damages totalling an estimated $56 billion due to these weather-related disasters.

The same report also pointed out that despite all the uncertainties around agriculture, only 26 million farmers in India have any insurance to protect their income from weather shocks.

Various studies have shown that the human brain does not have the ability to visualize future risks. What if the AI weather apps output helps farmers better visualize future weather risks? Could it serve as a basis to convince farmers about the uncertainties of weather and persuade more of them to take insurance as protection from the vagaries of natural forces?

From this perspective, the success of an AI-based weather app should not be evaluated based on how many farmers downloaded it, but by the extent to which the new AI technology creates a whole new behavioural ecosystem around it.

This stage, at which the new technology becomes an agent of population-scale behavioural change, is when AI transforms itself into human-centred AI, which is what the world needs.

This development of human-centred AI is not going to be easy. First, one needs to tackle an observed assumption among some technocrats and technologists that the very creation of a technology amounts to its adoption. This belief is far from the truth.

Also read: Artificial intelligence is the latest opium of the masses

Even in life-and-death situations, and even when new products are given away free, adoption does not happen easily. Poor adherence to tuberculosis medication and high levels of hesitancy when it came to covid vaccines some years ago are a few examples that demonstrate how difficult it is to create sustained adoption behaviour among humans.

The responsibility of creating human-centred AI cannot be left to technologists. The talent that is required to create AI technology is not the same as what will work to ensure it is widely adopted by end users. While the former is done best by technology specialists, the latter is best achieved by those with a deep understanding of human behaviour.

This approach of distinct teams for technology creation and adoption, with both working in collaboration, is behind the success of the global automotive industry. In the early days of motorized carriages, carmakers had to face the protests of horse-carriage owners, whose horses were scared by the sounds of motors and who themselves felt threatened by the rise of a replacement.

Today, it is an industry responsible for close to 1.35 million road-accident deaths every year across the world. The carbon footprint it leaves behind is another huge negative fallout of this industry.

The auto industry thrived and continues to withstand negative perceptions of it by playing up the positive side of motoring. The industry had to shed its initial arrogance of having produced a mode of personal transport superior to horse carriages.

An industry whose pioneer once declared You can have a car of any colour as long as it is black" (for low-cost standardization) had to bow down to consumer needs and demands. Over the years, it became a consumer-centric industry. This consumer centricity helped save the automobile industry from being pulled down by its negative side.

Also read: Indian software majors need a clear strategy to ride the AI wave

Like the automobile industry, the AI industry too needs to find ways to multiply its positives without being overwhelmed by its harms. The ensuing transformation of AI into human-centred AI might be its best bet for future growth.
How quickly is Asias middle class growing? Not as fast as it needs to keep pace with aspirations. Policymakers need to focus on boosting livelihoodsbut also on improving the quality of livesfor citizens to achieve the Asian Dream. Until that happens, it will be more myth than reality.

There is no concrete definition of what such a dream with Asian characteristics means, but inspiration could come from the American Dream, a term coined by writer James Truslow Adams in 1931, when he wrote that it is that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement."

Asia is nowhere near those lofty ambitions yet. Fifty years ago, most of the region was wretchedly poor, agrarian and misruled. The improvements in most countries have since been breathtaking, as industrialization, education and better governance led to higher quality of life and living standards.

Also read: A time bomb is threatening economies across Asia

The last decade has been particularly strongbetween 2015 and 2021, the region accounted for 57% of global gross domestic product growth, and in 2021 contributed almost half of world GDP (at purchasing power parity), more than any other region. But momentum is now stagnating.

Indonesia, an emerging economy with more than 270 million people, is the canary in the coal mine. Recent data from its Central Bureau of Statistics showed that the number of people classified as middle class declined by close to 9.5 million in the past five years.

The pandemic was cited as mostly responsible, but Southeast Asias largest economy wasnt alone. Then-President Joko Widodo reflected: This issue exists in almost all countries."

Those may well be the words of a leader trying to defend his legacy, but he wasnt entirely wrong. China is seeing an erosion in household wealth because of a collapse in real-estate prices.

Middle-class families are being forced to rethink their money priorities, with some pulling away from investing, or selling assets to free up liquidity. India paints a similarly worrying picture. Growth is slowing, urban salaries particularly in the largest citiesare contracting, and spending is declining.

The middle class often plays an important role in political and economic development, as a 2021 report from the OECD Development Centre notes. Wealthier societies tend to push for higher democratic participation and less corruption, leading to better governance.

Good policies depend on the support of public opinion, and are likely to be stronger among the large middle classes that are typical of stable democracies.

Still, theres evidence to suggest that most Asians are feeling confident about their prospects, despite the slowdown. A study of over 12,000 people from across 12 markets in Asia, conducted by the McCann Worldgroup, an advertising agency network, showed that two-thirds of those surveyed believed they did not have to leave Asia for a better life, indicating that they think their aspirations will eventually be met at home.

Shilpa Sinha, McCanns APAC chief strategy officer, told me: What surprised me was how tied these people feel to the idea that their futures belong in the region, with many saying that they are more hopeful about their futures in Asia rather than in places like the West."

For Asians to continue to feel that optimistic about their prospects, governments have their work cut out.

Increasing the tax base in countries like Indonesia could help add much-needed revenue to education and health-care budgets, both priorities. Chinese policymakers are attempting to address the malaise through bouts of stimulus, but it may be too little, too late to shift household moods toward spending.

Theres a lot at stake. Oxford Economics predicts that emerging-market middle classes will double in the next decade expanding from 354 million households in 2024 to 687 million by 2034.

Even if China no longer posts the worlds fastest rate of middle-class growth, it will remain the biggest consumer market. By 2029, two in every three middle-class consumers are expected to be from Asia. The biggest increases are expected from China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

All of this requires effective government policies to attract increasingly discerning foreign investment, as well as to harness the potential of the existing middle class. Asias growth era may be showing some cracks, but the Dream still has wind behind it.

The wake-up call may be in realizing, as citizens in mature economies have discovered, that while reaching middle-class status is one thing, it can be more challenging to stay there. Bloomberg
At a Washington forum last month, a prominent Chinese economist raised doubts about Beijings economic management and said Chinas economy might have grown at less than half the roughly 5% pace flaunted by authorities.

When Xi Jinping found out, he was furious.

According to people familiar with the matter, the Chinese leader ordered an investigation of Gao Shanwen, chief economist at state-owned SDIC Securities, who has frequently advised the government on economic and financial policies. Xi then ordered authorities to discipline him.

Two comments that Gao made at the forum, hosted jointly by the Peterson Institute for International Economics and a Chinese think tank, angered Xi, the people said.

One questioned the reliability of Chinese growth data. We do not know the true number of Chinas real growth figure," Gao said at the Dec. 12 event, whose webcast is available on the Peterson Institutes website and on YouTube. My own speculation is that in the past two to three years, the real [gross domestic product growth] number on average might be around 2% even though the official number is close to 5%."

Xi was further incensed to learn that Gao cast doubt regarding Beijings ability to take the steps needed to bolster growth.

Their efforts to stimulate the economy will be very opportunistic," Gao said at the forum. In the end, I dont think they can very confidently deliver what they have promised."

Xis order led to a ban on Gao speaking publicly for an unspecified period, said the people familiar with the matter. For now, he has been allowed to keep his job, they said.

The leaders reaction to Gaos criticism highlights the deep sensitivities in Beijing over economic troubles that have mounted on Xis watch.

Beijing is trying to quell worries that China is plunging into a prolonged downturn. The countrys economy is being dragged down by a property meltdown that has wiped out $18 trillion in household wealth, a buildup of debt that is approaching 300% of GDP, and severe industrial overcapacity that risks a deflationary spiral.

The gathering gloom also hampers Beijings efforts to project strength and prepare to confront head-on tariffs and other threats from the incoming Trump administration.

In recent months, authorities have sought to stamp out any negative talk about the state of the economy.

Last year, Zhu Hengpeng, a senior economist at one of Chinas top think tanks was placed under investigation, detained and removed from his post after he allegedly made remarks in a private chat group that were critical of Xis management of the economy, The Wall Street Journal reported in September. The remarks included veiled references to the leaders mortality, according to the Journal report.

Other targets have ranged from business tycoons and bankers to academics, many of whom either questioned the leadership or otherwise are seen as not falling in line with what the top echelon of power wants.

The campaign has accelerated after Gaos muzzling.

The Securities Association of China, the industry watchdog supervised by the countrys top securities regulator, late last month warned brokerages and fund managers to ensure that their economists and analysts play a positive role" in interpreting government policies and boosting investor confidence. Offenders, according to the association, can be fired.

At a meeting this weekend, Cai Qi, Xis chief of staff, urged propaganda chiefs across the country to strengthen economic publicity and expectation management"a call to snuff out negative commentary about the economy.

The China Securities Regulatory Commission said the securities associations directive mainly targets chief economists who make unprofessional and irresponsible remarks." It responded to other questions, including on Gao and Xis involvement, by saying, The rest is untrue," without elaborating.

SDIC Securities didnt respond to questions.

An early indication that Gao was in trouble came last month, when an event to be hosted by Chinas Nankai Universitywhere he was due to be the guest speakerwas canceled. According to a website advertising the program, and to a message sent to attendees and seen by the Journal, the Jan. 11 event was canceled because of the personal schedule of the guest of honor, Mr. Gao Shanwen."

In a New Years speech on Dec. 31, Xi tried to bolster confidence in the Chinese economy, saying it is on an upward trajectory." He appeared to acknowledge concerns over a trade war with the incoming Trump administration, but vowed that China would prevail over challenges from the external environment."

That did little to instill confidence in investors that Beijing has the resolve to address the countrys economic woes. Chinese stocks and bonds started the year with a selloff. The benchmark CSI 300 equity index dropped 2.9% on Jan. 2, its steepest decline on the years first day of trading in nearly a decade. Chinas 10-year sovereign yield continued last years plunge to hit new lows.

Pro-growth measures launched since September, such as interest-rate cuts and debt swaps for municipalities, have had limited impact on reviving activities. The leadership then pledged bolder action at a December meeting, but many economists and analysts question whether those promises, such as one aimed at boosting consumption, will go far enough.

Gaos remarks made in Washington were shared privately by many economists and analysts inside and outside China.

The punishment of Gao and other outspoken economists are a blow for investors trying to assess the true state of Chinas increasingly opaque market.

Beijings official GDP figures have long been viewed with skepticism even within Chinas own policymaking circles. Li Keqiang, Chinas late premier, preferred to use indicators showing electricity consumption, volumes of goods shipped and bank-loan disbursements to gauge the health of the economy, rather than relying on the GDP numbers.

Doubts over the reliability of Chinese statistics have grown in recent years as authorities have restricted access to certain data and stopped releasing others, such as on foreign investors interest in Chinese stocks. The government also paused disclosing widely watched youth jobless data in late 2023. It later restarted publication but excluded university students from its methodology.

Economists at Barclays wrote to clients in October that they noticed discrepancies between a sudden improvement in Chinas third-quarter headline economic-activity data and the countrys weakening economic indicators, such as wage growth, exports and a purchasing-managers index. Economists at Nomura also noted the inconsistencies, saying that data from alternative sources for the countrys property and financial sectors appeared at odds with official data points.

Official data shows Chinas economy grew 5.2% in 2023 and was on track for an expansion of about 5% last year. Growth of roughly 5% is critical to Xis ambitious plans, laid out in 2020, to expand Chinas wealth and double the size of the nations economy by 2035. Such a target would require the economy to grow an average of nearly 5% annually over 15 years, according to estimates by officials involved in policymaking.

Gao said at the forum: If my speculation is correct, I think it might be more reasonable to expect a growth rate between 3% and 4% in the years to come, the next three to five years." He added, But we know the official number will always be around 5%."

In a statement, the Peterson Institute said it values candid exchanges with Chinese experts and believes fact-based analytical expert discussions of public policy are essential to fostering mutual understanding and better public policy." It said it would continue to collaborate with Chinese scholars insofar as they are able to engage on that basis."

Rebecca Feng contributed to this article.

Write to Lingling Wei at Lingling.Wei@wsj.com
Bayt al-Hikma, or the House of Wisdom in Baghdad, emerged in the ninth centuryeven before the Accademia dei Lincei in Rome, widely considered the first academy of sciences. The Banu Musa brothers, sons of an astronomer in Baghdad, created the first machine with a stored program there and scientific textbooks from the institute were translated and made their way to Europe.

That marked a high point. Amid the siege of Baghdad in 1258, the Mongols destroyed the institute and threw all the texts into the Tigris river. Scientific discovery in the Middle East waned and has never returned to the heights of the Islamic Golden Age, as the era was known. Of all the Nobel prizes for the sciences handed out since 1901, only two have gone to recipients from the region.

The Gulfs rulers want to do better than that. Beset with the rising urgency to diversify their economies away from fossil fuels, the governments of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are turning to scientific research.

The UAE launched a policy for science, technology and innovation in February and, seven months later, opened the research-led National University of Dubai. In Saudi Arabia Muhammad bin Salman, the crown prince, has launched a revamped strategy for the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), the kingdoms science hub, which is modelled on Western universities, to focus on research aligned with his Vision 2030" economic blueprint. The kingdom has also struck a co-operation agreement with Britain. Qatars third national strategy, which covers the six years to 2030, contains targets for patents, publications and R&D spending by scientific foundations and the private sector.

View Full Image Chart: The Economist

Currently, the UAE spends just 1.5% of its GDP on research and development, Qatar just 0.7% and Saudi Arabia 0.5% (see chart 1). This is short of the 2.7% average among countries in the OECD, but that is partly because the region is not taking a kitchen-sink" approach and spreading its funding across every imaginable project, says Sarah Al Amiri, the chair of the Emirates Science Council and the UAEs minister of state for public education. Nevertheless, the Research Development and Innovation Authority in Saudi Arabia, set up in 2021, hopes to invest 2.5% of the kingdoms gdp in research, development and innovation by 2040. Qatari officials are planning to double their countrys current spending levels by the end of this decade, with about three-fifths coming from businesses. R&D is no longer just a nice-to-have," says Hilal Lashuel, a neuroscience professor and an adviser to Sheikha Moza, the chairwoman of the Qatar Foundation, a body that oversees that countrys universities and scientific research.

The Gulfs new approach to building its science and technology prowess has three distinct characteristics: a focus on domestic problems; a preference for applied research; and a careful choice of international partnerships. Researchers in the region focus on practical topics such as food security, energy efficiency and health. Scientists at KAUST, for example, are using the fibrous structure of oyster mushrooms to create a membrane that can simultaneously absorb oil and repel water, useful in mopping up oil spills. Researchers at the UAEs Khalifa University are focusing on graphene membranes to improve water desalination. At New York University in Abu Dhabi, scientists have developed nanoparticles that could improve treatment of an aggressive form of breast cancer, the most frequently diagnosed cancer in the Gulf.

This research, it is hoped, will boost the countries economies. The first priority is to have an impact in the country," says Dr Lashuel. He gives the example of rare diseases, where the Gulf has, until now, focused solely on identifying genes that contribute to causing them. Those have then been studied further by researchers elsewhere but now, he says, Gulf scientists will look for ways to use those discoveries to develop drugs or companies in the region.

Commercial successes are not unheard of: the Khalifa Universitys graphene research centre has tied up with a Swiss maker of pipes to work on high-performance pipelines for oil and gas. But there is scope for plenty more. In Saudi Arabia, for example, tie-ups between universities and companiesincluding such firms as Aramco, the oil giant, and SABIC, a chemicals championaccount for only 2% of scholarly output, compared with the average of 6% for countries in the OECD.

Aware that there are still gaps between academia and businesses, though, governments are stepping in with initiatives like the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation Council. You need to teach the private sector the R&D mentality, and that is lacking," says Abeer Al Hammadi, the director of the innovation centre at Qatars Hamad Bin Khalifa University. In the UAE, the government is helping companies to assess where they could better use technology. To accelerate progress, a financing agreement worth 5bn dirhams ($1.4bn) has been set up with the Emirates Development Bank. Hassan Arafat of Khalifa University, who leads the Research and Innovation Centre for Graphene and 2D Materials, says that companies in the region have long imported technology through licences and franchises. Building it from the ground up is a huge change", he says.

Emirati, Qatari and Saudi officials also want to improve foreign collaborations. That means no longer being seen as just a pool of readily available funds for Western universities. We want equal participation and benefits," says Ms Al Hammadi.

Here the Gulf authorities have learned from past mistakes. Two decades ago Qatar and the UAE brought in the likes of Carnegie Mellon and New York University to set up campuses in Doha and Abu Dhabi. In 2015 the UAE announced a science and technology policy that covered 100 national initiatives and had a budget of more than $82bn. At one point, the UAE was home to a fifth of all international university branches. Saudi Arabia formed partnerships with over two dozen universities, including one between Imperial College London and KAUST. Between 2008 and 2014 Saudi Arabia allocated more than $6bn to its science policy.

Despite the investment, the Gulfs economies were not transformed. The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, for example, was created in 2007 with hopes that it would become a global leader in research on renewables and alternative energy, with help from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; a decade later its academic arm was dropped and the remainder was merged with the Petroleum Institute and became part of the newly formed Khalifa University of Science and Technology.

Collaborations such as these are more dicey in the modern day, in any case, complicated by geopolitical wrangling. In February Texas A&M University abruptly announced it was shutting down its campus in Doha, which has been profitable and running for over two decades. Students and researchers are now in limbo. The closure has left a big shadow" over such foreign partnerships, especially with America, one academic says.

Home-grown universities are therefore now much higher on the Gulfs agenda. A large proportion of academics in these universities still come from overseas so, to hedge the risks to their economic-transformation efforts, the regions leaders increasingly want to bring back more Arab scientists from top global universities.

View Full Image Chart: The Economist

View Full Image Chart: The Economist

They are also diversifying their research partners. The UAEs universities are seeking collaborations with European centres like CERN in Geneva, the worlds biggest particle-physics laboratory. Saudi Arabias top collaborator in 2024, as measured by co-authored research, was China, ahead of America; KAUSTs biggest partner was the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Emirati officials say China has been a keen partner, especially because of its desire to globalise its education system. The Chinese are willing to bring more resources and talent to the table than the Americans are and collaborations do not come with an invoice or bill attached", says one professor at an Emirati university.

The Gulfs approach to research may not necessarily bring the kudos of fundamental scientific breakthroughs, even though the number of patents and research citations coming out of the region is rising (see charts 2 and 3). But the technocratic approach could solve its own problems, says Khaled Machaca, a leading physiologist at Weill Cornell Medicines Qatar centre. And a more dynamic approach to scientific discovery could be the Gulfs biggest contribution to global science.
Two county Longford politicians have been nominated to contest the upcoming Seanad elections and they are both hopeful of being successful.



Fianna Fail Senator Joe Flaherty and Fine Gael Councillor Paraic Brady are canvassing and travelling the country as they seek support from local authority members and TDs.



In December, Senator Flaherty was one of Taoiseach Simon Harris' nominees to the Seanad until the Seanad election takes place at the end of this month.



The Seanad has 60 senators, 11 are nominated by the Taoiseach, while six are elected by university graduates from Trinity College and National University of Ireland (NUI) and 43 are elected from across five vocational panels.

Also read: Longford Gardai arrest man who was driving stolen JCB through town at midnight



The five vocational panels consist of Agricultural Panel (11 senators), Labour Panel (11 senators), Industrial and Commercial Panel (nine senators), Administrative Panel (seven senators) and Cultural and Educational Panel (five senators).



Senator Flaherty is seeking a seat on what he describes as the 'competitive' Cultural and Educational panel and he insists it is very important for Longford to have strong Oireachtas representation.



"I'm very conscious there is a challenge, notwithstanding the successes and achievements of the last government, and it's critical that we use the momentum that we have established," he said. "The only difference with the Seanad and the Dail really is in the title, you have the same access in terms of ministers and Government leaders and that is why I'm eager to continue to press the case for Longford."

Also read: Longford Gardai put out appeal for witnesses to collision



The former TD said he is 'heartened' by the response he is getting.



Meanwhile, long-serving Drumlish based Councillor Paraic Brady was nomination by the National Regional Games Council of Ireland.

The farmer and married father of three is chairperson of Drumlish Gun Club.



"I put my name forward and I was privileged I was picked in a process that was very competitive," he said. "I'm honoured to get the nomination.

Also read: Wedding bells ring in Longford as lovely local couples joined in marriage



The Fine Gael politician said he is the only active farmer seeking a Seanad seat and he is getting a positive response.

Cllr Brady said he understands the challenges he can be a strong voice for farmers in the west, Midlands and three Ulster counties when it comes to the Mercosur trade deal and other pressing issues.

Also read: Working to attract investment to Longford and to make people proud

"I've been a member of the executive of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association and I've lobbied on behalf of farming groups," he added.



He has also been involved with AILG - Association of Irish Local Government -for 10 years.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: January 08 2025

What sets Ruta Oaxaca apart is its emphasis on the authentic flavors from the southern region of Mexico, which differs greatly from the standard Mexican fare offered by most restaurants.

Ruta Oaxaca is a unique Mexican restaurant chain that has come a long way in a relatively short amount of time, and is already wowing people with its unique and fascinating take on authentic Southern Mexican cuisine.

With locations in Astoria, Patchogue, Woodbury, and Brooklyn, Ruta Oaxaca got its start at its original location in Astoria, which opened its doors for business on January 3, 2021right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Owner Jose Castillo has extensive history in the restaurant business, having gotten his start in it at the tender young age of 14. However, in the middle of the pandemic, he saw an opportunity to open a new restaurant reflecting the authentic tastes of the cuisine of southern Oaxaca region of Mexico, and decided to take a chance.

I sat down with my other two partners, Chef Carlos and Chef Felipe, and we always had a dream to own our own restaurant and the opportunity came for the Astoria location, he said. We went to go take a look at it, and we loved the feel and the connection that we got with the place, and even though it was in the middle of the pandemic and people thought we were crazy, we decided to open up our own restaurant because we believed in what we wanted to do.

We had a mindset where we wanted to introduce a completely different style of Mexican cuisine, reflecting the south part of Oaxaca, Mexico, Jose continued. So, we put a menu together, we loved the idea, we cooked and tasted it and realized it was totally different and that people were going to love it. When we found the perfect location, we did a lot of renovating and decorating inside and opened up and reception was overwhelmingly positive.

One year into the original Ruta Oaxaca's existence, and once again opportunity presented itself, Jose noted; and the beginnings of a chain of restaurants began to take form as they soon opened their second location.

The customers at the Astoria location loved what we did and loved the food, and we came across a great storefront on Main Street in Patchogue and we loved it, he said. We had been very interested in expanding to Long Island because our Astoria location became so well-known that people were constantly driving in from Long Island to experience our food, so we felt it was time to bring the taste of Ruta Oaxaca to Long Island residents. We looked around, and felt that Patchogue was a great opportunity, and it's turned out to be a big success.

As time went by and more and more people started venturing back out into the restaurant scene following the end of the pandemic, Jose said that continued growth was warranted, leading to the eventual opening of their Woodbury in Brooklyn locations, both of which are also earning rave reviews and repeat business.

What sets apart Ruta Oaxaca from the competition is its emphasis on the authentic flavors from the southern region of Mexico, which differs greatly from the standard Mexican fare offered by the majority of restaurants in the United States.

Oaxaca is very well-known for its culinary side, for its complex, very rich flavors in its sauce...it's very Mayan, very Aztec, he said. Having been born and raised in Oaxaca, and having our grandmas recipes, we felt that we had the right ethic to really introduce authentic Mexican cuisine to Astoria and everywhere else that we go.

Ruta Oaxaca is also lauded for their amazing hand-crafted cocktails as well as their extraordinarily well-stocked bars that boast over 150 different types of tequila, as well as a wide variety of other spirits that are the perfect accompaniment to any meal.

In addition to providing delicious, scintillating dishes in a comfortable and atmospheric setting, Ruta Oaxaca also specializes in event hosting, having adopted the business model following repeated requests from their clientele.

A lot of people would tell us that they really love what we do and wanted to have private parties here, so we do all kinds of events at our locations, he said. We also just started doing a delicious Mexican-style brunch menu, it's amazing and people really love it. The people have really been embracing our event hosting business, we can provide full catering for it and everything, and the response has just been really, really positive.

Following the growing chains rapid and successful expansion into four locations in a relatively short amount of time, Jose said that while opening elsewhere in the future is a distinct possibility, the plan currently is to concentrate on their current four restaurants to ensure that everything is done to absolute perfection for their many happy customers.

We are running these places and making sure the consistency is there, we're saying hello to our regulars to be sure that they see us, because we are owner-operators and we really love to interact with our customers, and if you grow too fast you lose some of that, he said. For at least the next year, we just want to run our current locations and make them the best that they can be, connect with our customers, but perhaps in a year or so we might start looking around. But for now, we've just opened four locations in three years, so I think we've accomplished enough for the time being.

Ultimately, Jose said that he gets an enormous amount of satisfaction in serving his customers, and invites everyone to come on down and experience the authentic taste of Mexico at their local Ruta Oaxaca location.

We're very family-oriented, very down to Earth, and you're going to love every bite that you try here, he said. We cook with a lot of passion and a lot of love, and it comes through in the food and the service.

To find out more about Ruta Oaxaca, please visit https://rutaoaxacamex.com. Also be sure to check out Ruta Oaxaca on Facebook and Instagram.
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: January 08 2025

Members of the DAs Office and the SCPD Have Worked Collaboratively to Ensure Current Defendants & Previously Convicted Animal Abusers Remain in Compliance with Court Mandates.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced a first round of results from Operation Bloodhound, which is an ongoing initiative between the DAs Biological, Environmental, and Animal Safety Team (BEAST) and the Suffolk County Police Department. The joint law enforcement venture is to ensure that all laws and court mandates pertaining to animal cruelty prosecutions are strictly enforced. As part of the operation, members of law enforcement engaged in dozens of compliance actions against individuals who either had been accused of or had previously been convicted of animal cruelty-related offenses. The Suffolk County Police Departments Warrant Squad additionally assisted in the apprehension of multiple defendants who had active warrants for not showing up to court to face charges of alleged animal neglect or abuse.

Our fight to enforce laws against animal cruelty is not confined to courtroom walls, said District Attorney Tierney. We will work to ensure that defendants who disregard court orders and court appearances are found and brought to justice. I want to thank the Suffolk County Police Department Warrant Squad in particular for helping to make Operation Bloodhound a sustained and impactful success.

It is up to law enforcement to ensure defenseless animals who have no voice are protected especially from those who have no right to own them, said Suffolk County Police Acting Commissioner Robert Waring. This important initiative ensures compliance of animal abusers, and I commend the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office and the departments Warrant Enforcement Section officers for their efforts in this ongoing operation.

BEAST detectives arrested four convicted animal abusers for failing to renew their registration for Suffolk Countys Animal Abuse Offender Registry, as required by Suffolk County Local Law.[1] Three of those four defendants had pleaded to engaging in dogfighting in their prior case.

BEAST detectives also conducted numerous unannounced spot-check visits of defendants homes to ensure that they were in compliance with their criminal court sentences or orders. During one of the visits, a Calverton woman was found in possession of eight dogs and was accordingly arrested for eight counts of criminal contempt for violating a court order that prohibited her from possessing additional animals while her animal cruelty case was pending. Additionally, a Mastic Beach man was arrested for four counts of criminal contempt after investigators found him in possession of four cats in violation of a court order that prohibited him from owning or possessing animals for 10 years after a conviction on a prior animal neglect case. That defendant was also charged with not registering for the Suffolk Countys Animal Abuse Offender Registry.

Suffolk County police officers apprehended two defendants on outstanding warrants for absconding from pending criminal proceedings and charged them with additional bail jumping charges on top of their original cruelty charges. One of these defendants had allegedly stolen a kitten from the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation and then attempted to kick the arresting officers. Detectives also located a defendant with an active warrant for animal abandonment at a detention center in Virginia.

Numerous other defendants that were checked during this enforcement initiative were found to be in compliance with court orders or the conditions of their probationary sentences.

Operation Bloodhound is ongoing, and the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office and Suffolk County Police Department will continue to work collaboratively to ensure that court orders and sentences related to animal cruelty are being complied with, and that additional defendants with active warrants are apprehended.

These cases are being prosecuted by the Assistant District Attorneys assigned to the Biological, Environmental, and Animal Safety Team (BEAST), under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Jed L. Painter and Brooke Salvatore.

Report animal abuse, neglect, or illegal possession of an exotic or dangerous animal in Suffolk County via our Website. Always call 911 in the event of an emergency.

If you have any information regarding the location of a defendant who has an active warrant, please call Crimestoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: January 08 2025

Justice Departments Tenth Distribution Provides Over $4B In Nearly Full Recovery To Over 40,000 Victims In Madoff Ponzi Scheme.

Edward Y. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Brent S. Wible, the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the United States and head of the U.S. Department of Justices Criminal Division; and James E. Dennehy, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), announced today that the Madoff Victim Fund (MVF) began its tenth and final distribution to victims of the Bernard L. Madoff fraud scheme of over $131.4 million. These funds were forfeited by the U.S. government in connection with the Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC (BLMIS) fraud scheme.

In this distribution, payments will be sent to more than 23,000 victims across the globe, bringing their total recoveries to 93.71% of their fraud losses. Most of these victims were small investors who lost less than $500,000 in the fraud. Through its ten distributions, MVF has paid over $4.3 billion to 40,930 victims in 127 countries as compensation for losses they suffered from the collapse of BLMIS.

This distribution represents the culmination of a decade of work identifying thousands of victims around the world and unwinding layers of complex financial transactions to provide compensation to eligible victims.

Acting U.S. Attorney Edward Y. Kim said: This Office has never stopped pursuing justice for victims of historys largest Ponzi scheme. With this tenth and final distribution, we have succeeded in compensating 40,930 victims with close to 94% of their losses. As this extraordinary effort demonstrates, this Office and the U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Divisions Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section are committed to protecting and assisting victims of crime, no matter how long it takes and no matter how complicated the endeavor.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brent S. Wible said: The Criminal Division, through its Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS), is proud to administer the departments remission program to compensate victims using forfeited assets. The unprecedented scope and complexity of the Madoff remission process shows the power of forfeiture to recover assets and to compensate victims  a primary goal of the departments Asset Forfeiture Program. This tenth and final distribution, led by MLARSs dedicated victim compensation team, achieves the departments goal of compensating victims by returning over $4 billion in forfeited assets to more than 40,000 victims of Madoffs crimes and achieving nearly full recovery for these victims.

FBI Assistant Director in Charge James E. Dennehy said: Todays distribution represents an unprecedented conclusion of victim compensation from civil forfeiture actions related to the Madoff scheme with more than $4 billion repaid to over 40,000 victims. These victims implicitly trusted Madoff with their investments only to ultimately lose significant monies to his selfish plan. With the steadfast support from the Justice Department, the FBI will continue its tireless seizure of assets from criminals who steal from others and seek to recover those assets for victim losses.

According to court documents and information presented in related proceedings, for decades, Bernard L. Madoff used his position as chairman of BLMIS, the investment advisory business he founded in 1960, to steal billions from his clients. On March 12, 2009, Madoff pleaded guilty to 11 federal felonies, admitting that he had turned his wealth management business into the worlds largest Ponzi scheme, benefitting himself, his family and select members of his inner circle.

On June 29, 2009, then-U.S. District Judge (now senior U.S. Circuit Judge), Denny Chin sentenced Madoff to serve 150 years in prison for running the largest fraudulent scheme in history. Of the over $4 billion that has been made available to victims, approximately $2.2 billion was collected as part of the historic civil forfeiture recovery from the estate of deceased Madoff investor Jeffry Picower. An additional $1.7 billion was collected as part of a deferred prosecution agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. and civilly forfeited in a parallel action. The remaining funds were collected through a civil forfeiture action against investor Carl Shapiro and his family and from civil and criminal forfeiture actions against Bernard L. Madoff, Peter B. Madoff and their co-conspirators.

The MVFs payouts would not have been possible without the extraordinary efforts of the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York, the Criminal Divisions Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, and the FBI in the prosecution of Madoffs crimes and the recovery of assets supporting the forfeiture in this case.

The MVF is overseen by Richard Breeden, former Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, who serves as Special Master appointed by the Department of Justice to assist in connection with the victim remission proceedings. Mr. Breeden and his team at MVF have been essential in working with the Department to evaluate over 66,000 remission petitions involving billions in cash flows, and to compute each victims fraud losses to enable payments to be made.

This case is being handled by the Offices Illicit Finance and Money Laundering Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara M. La Morte is in charge of the prosecution. The remission of these forfeited funds is being handled by the Office and the U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Divisions Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section.

More information about MVF and its compensation to victims of BLMIS is available on the MVF website at www.madoffvictimfund.com, such as eligibility criteria, process updates, and frequently asked questions. Further questions may be directed to the MVF at 866-624-3670 or info@madoffvictimfund.com.
(Shutterstock)

A false narrative has emerged claiming Lebanese authorities searched an Iranian plane last week at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport over suspicion the aircraft was smuggling funds to Hezbollah and seized the funds. Many saw this as the long-awaited action by the Lebanese state to restrain Hezbollah and prevent its regeneration after the groups adventurism invited yet another destructive war upon the Levantine country. One Lebanese propagandist described the event as historic, confirming Hezbollahs end. However, closer inspection reveals that, though this is the impression Beirut wanted to create out of the incident, it could not be farther from the truth.

A routine Iranian Mahan Air flight did indeed make its way from Tehran to the Beirut airport on January 2. While en route, widespread reports began circulating that the flight was carrying cash destined for Hezbollahs coffers. Nevertheless, Lebanese authorities allowed the plane to land in Beirut, and afterward, they claimed to have conducted an extensive inspection of the aircraft. Lebanese activist opposition mouthpiece Nidaa Al Watans sources claimed Beiruts airport security intended to prevent the planes alleged illicit cargo from leaving the airport. The newspaper reported that Lebanese officials had informed Iranian counterparts they would inspect the plane, and if confirmed to be carrying funds for Hezbollah, those funds would be confiscated by the Lebanese state.

Lebanese Interior Minister Bassam Malwali promoted that version of events during his appearance on Lebanese MTVs Sar al-Waqt talk show, which broadcasts live at 9:30 pm. At approximately 9:47 pm, Malwali claimed that airport security authorities were, at that very moment, thoroughly inspecting a Mahan Air flight in accordance with necessary protocols. However, flight data reveals that the ministers comments were a dramatization of events misaligned with the Mahar Air flights timeline.

Mahan Air Flight 1152 departed from Tehrans Imam Khomeini International Airport at 2:30 pm Tehran time. It was scheduled to arrive at Beiruts Rafic Hariri International Airport at 3:55 pm, well within the 2 hours and 45 minutes it typically takes this particular flight. Instead, Flight 1152 landed in Beirut at 6:30 pm, a 4-hour-and-54-minute flight that took almost double the usual time. Flight data reveals the plane circled over the Iranian city of Tabriz for approximately two hours, with unconfirmed speculation that it landed in Tabriz without reporting doing so.

Flight 1152s return journey from Beirut to Tehran took off at 8:15 pm Beirut time. Therefore, when Mawlawi stated that the plane was currently undergoing an inspection, it had long departed Beiruts airport and was already almost halfway back to Tehran. Furthermore, based on this timeline, Flight 1151 spent approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes on the tarmac after landing in Beirut. It was scheduled to depart at 7:30 pm, but between its delayed arrival, deplaning, reboarding passengers, and potential refueling, the plane took off 45 minutes after scheduleonly 10 minutes longer than the average delay for this flight. In light of this sequence, there was insufficient time for the thorough inspection alleged by Mawlawi to have occurred.

Mawlawi further claimed that the bags of an Iranian diplomat onboard Mahan Air Flight 1152 were held up at the airport for inspection. The diplomat allegedly refused the inspection, citing his diplomatic status. While Mawlawi asserted that Lebanese authorities would inspect all individuals at the airport, including diplomats, Irans ambassador to Lebanon later insisted that the diplomats bags left Rafic Hariri International Airport without an inspection, describing the Lebanese authorities actions as a result of lack of awareness. On January 6, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs likewise said that the Iranian plane was not inspected at the airport in Lebanon.

Indeed, Mawlawi later appeared to backtrack on these assertions, and even the Lebanese Foreign Ministry later confirmed the Iranian version of events. In a January 3 statement, the ministry said that after the Iranian embassy verbally clarified the contents of the diplomatic pouchwhich the ministry said contained documents and cash to be used for the embassys expensesthe two bags were permitted to enter pursuant to the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. In relevant part, Article 27(3) of the convention states, the diplomatic bag shall not be opened or detained, while Article 27(5) extends the same inviolability to the person of the diplomatic courier, who shall not be liable to any form of arrest or detention.

In other words, the Iranian diplomat was not searched, nor were his bags inspected, scanned, or opened. According to a report from Hezbollahs Al-Manar satellite TV station, the only bags that underwent any inspection belonged to Lebanese passengers who returned from a visiting the Imam Reza Shrine in Iranafter they had been taken off the plane.

Mahan Air Flight 1151 flies regularly between Tehran and Beirut, having made the journey 17 times since the November 27 ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. In 2011, the US Department of Treasury, while designating Mahan Air, said the Iranian airline has transported personnel, weapons and goods on behalf of Hizballah and omitted from Mahan Air cargo manifests secret weapons shipments bound for Hizballah. Yet, none of these flights underwent an inspection, let alone one so highly publicizedeven though both Hezbollah and credible reports indicate Iran has already begun sending the group fresh infusions of cash since the November 27 ceasefire went into effect.

The reason, it seems, had more to do with Israels activities and less with Beirut trying to assert its sovereignty or finally mustering the will to restrain Hezbollah. Earlier that day, Israel launched the highest number of airstrikes in a single day inside Lebanonthreesince the onset of the ceasefire on November 27, 2024. That deal requires the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to deploy in Lebanese territory occupied by Israel during the course of the war as Israeli troops withdraw over 60 days.

The agreement requires Lebanon to ensure that its official security forces and LAF are the only armed entities carrying weapons or deploying forces in south Lebanon below the Litani Rivermeaning Hezbollah must vacate that area, and its military infrastructure must be dismantled. The deal additionally requires Lebanon to deploy its security forces and the LAF across all borders and border crossings, sealing them off from weapons shipments to Hezbollah. As far as can be determined, these terms and Lebanons performance are meant to take effect immediately. Hezbollahs violations of the deal would be submitted to a US-led oversight committee, which would task the LAFas the army of the sovereign country of Lebanonwith first responsibility of remedying the violations before theoretically permitting Israel to act unilaterally in the event of the LAFs inaction.

Yet, save for a cosmetic deployment of LAF troops to south Lebanon, Lebanon is not acting and appears to be refusing to comply. In its statement on the airstrikes, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it was targeting rocket launchers belonging to Hezbollah, including near Nabatiyeh in south Lebanon. The Israelis noted they had first sent a request to LAF to neutralize the launchers, and struck the launchers after the threat was not dealt with by LAF. This was the first time that Israel undertook military action against Hezbollah after the ceasefire went into effect while exclaiming LAFs inaction and, implicitly, the ineffectiveness of an oversight committee that would rely on the Lebanese state or LAF to restrain the group or dismantle its military infrastructure.

Israel has, therefore, begun pressing to extend the duration of the state of ceasefire and for the IDF to remain in Lebanon beyond the 60-day withdrawal period. Israel has taken this approach in light of Lebanons continued demonstration of its inability and/or unwillingness to fulfill its obligations and act against Hezbollahand because the IDF has noted the group is already reorganizing its ranks.

Hezbollah, for its part, responded with threats. Mahmoud Qmati, the deputy chairman of Hezbollahs political bureau, said the group would attack any Israeli troops that remained in Lebanese territory after the 60-day period had passed. Meanwhile, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassemwho has delivered contradictory messages on the groups interpretation of the ceasefire dealsaid Hezbollah could begin attacking the Israelis even earlier. In his January 2 address, Qassem said:

There is no timetable determining the resistances action, not during [lit. with] the agreement or after the 60-day period in the agreement. We said we will be patient, giving an opportunity to prevent the Israeli violations and implement the agreement. But this does not mean we will remain patient for 60 days or that we will remain patient less or more than 60 days. Our patience is tied [only] to our decision regarding the appropriate time for us to confront the Israeli aggression and Israeli violations. Our patience could run out before 60 days or could continue. The resistances leadership will decide this matter.

Qassem also stressed, ambiguously this time, that the agreements terms are limited to south of the Litani River and seemingly only to obligating Israel to withdraw. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed in response that there will be no [ceasefire] agreement if Lebanon fails to fulfill its obligations.

This is no idle threat. The November 27 ceasefire agreements entry into effect interrupted, but did not conclusively end, the legal state of war between Israel and Hezbollah and possibly Lebanon. While scholars differ on the precise impact of ceasefire agreements on the right of belligerents to resume full hostilities, they generally agree that ceasefire agreements are temporary and can be a preliminary step toward a peace treaty or a permanent end to the existing state of war. Thus, such agreements regulate the level of violence in a conflict rather than determine ones existence. As such, they are governed by a distinct body of international lawjus in bellothat relates to the conduct of hostilities rather than the legality of their initiation. Israels right, then, to resume hostilities is not governed by a peacetime jus ad bellum requiring Hezbollah to commit another prior armed attack.

A middle-of-the-road scholarly opinion on ceasefires considers such agreements contracts to manage the relationship and conduct of parties during a ceasefire, layered on top of the existing law of armed conflict. This would thus prohibit Israel from resuming active hostilities against Hezbollah subject to the latter partys compliance with the terms of the agreement. As with a contract, serious violations of a ceasefire agreements terms by one party entitles the other party to employ self-help measures and even, in cases of urgency, [recommence] hostilities immediatelybut under the terms and conditions of the ceasefire itself rather than about peacetime jus ad bellum.

Either forceful acts by Hezbollah or Lebanons failure to enforce the ceasefires terms would constitute serious violations justifying Israels resumption of hostilities, even if Hezbollah falls short of an armed attack. If Lebanon entered the ceasefire deal in bad faithas a ruse meant merely to stop the harm Israel was inflicting upon Hezbollah but with no intention of compliance with the deals full termsthen Beirut could be deemed a co-belligerent responsible for Hezbollahs actions, inviting unpleasant consequences for Lebanon.

The longer the state of affairs between Lebanon and Israel remains a ceasefire, rather than a return to the status quo ante bellum, the more time Israel will have to resume hostilities at this lower threshold. Therefore, Lebanon, as far as can be determined, put up what amounts to a diplomatic theater performance at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airportto convince the international community and the ceasefire oversight committee that Beirut is indeed fulfilling its end of the bargain to restrain Hezbollah, and thus deprive Israel of justification to either extend its stay in Lebanon or resume fighting. However, such cosmetically stringent measures should not be expected to extend beyond the ceasefires duration.

David Daoud is senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, where he focuses on Israel, Hezbollah, and Lebanon affairs. Ahmad Sharawi is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focused on Iranian intervention in Arab affairs and the Levant.
A Ukrainian column attacks in Kursk Oblast on January 5, 2025.

Russia and Ukraine both launched sizable attacks in different parts of Kursk Oblast in recent days, battling over territory that Kyiv hopes to use as leverage in potential peace talks. In eastern Ukraine, meanwhile, Russia appears to have captured the city of Kurakhove, but it failed to encircle Ukrainian forces there.

Dueling attacks in Kursk

Estimation of Russian and Ukrainian lines as of 9 am Eastern time on January 8 and areas of attack on January 5-7, 2025. Assessment based on open-source information. (Google Maps annotated by LWJ)

Ukraine launched attacks to the northeast of its salient in Kursk Oblast on the morning of January 5. The Russian Defense Ministry initially reported a Ukrainian counterattack comprising two tanks, 12 other armored vehicles, and obstacle-clearing equipment advancing toward the village of Berdin. Additional waves in that same area reportedly followed on January 5-6. Russias North Grouping of Forces, whose area of responsibility includes Kursk, said companies from Ukraines 80th and 82nd air assault brigades and 225th Assault Battalion conducted the attacks. The total size and composition of the attacking forces remain unconfirmed.

Footage from Russian drones, posted on social media, showed columns of Ukrainian mine-clearing equipment, tanks, and other armored vehicles attacking toward Berdin and nearby Novosotnitskii. Russian first-person-view (FPV) dronesincluding wire-guided models that have become increasingly popular among Russian (and, more recently, Ukrainian) unitsstruck a number of these vehicles during their approach. Satellite imagery taken on January 5 also shows fresh scorch marks from artillery fire on the approaches to Berdin. Reports of Ukrainian attacks elsewhere in Kursk Oblast remain unconfirmed.

Whereas Ukraines initial Kursk offensive in August exploited a weak Russian defense, Russia appears to have been better prepared this time around. The defending forces included units from the 26th Tank Regiment, 204th Akhmat Spetsnaz Regiment, 2nd Spetsnaz Brigade, Rosgvardia (National Guard), 11th Air Assault Brigade, and 30th Motor Rifle Regiment.

Ukrainian forces managed to enter Berdin and Novosotnitskii, in addition to taking some positions near those villages. However, Russia seems to have quickly regained at least some ground. Video footage posted on social media on January 6-7 showed Russian troops walking by destroyed Ukrainian vehicles and soldiers in Novosotnitskii. Russian sources claim both villages were cleared as of January 7.

Ukraine may have hoped to divert Russian forces attacking elsewhere in Kursk Oblast, where Russia has retaken roughly half the Ukrainian-captured territory. Ukraine attempted a similar gambit back in September, which did not amount to much. Such attacks are not without risk, given that the Ukrainian military is already short on combat-ready troops and equipment. Although further Ukrainian attacks are possible, Kyiv probably lacks enough forces for a significant advance against a prepared Russian defense.

Meanwhile, Russia reportedly launched another wave of attacks on the salients left flank. A serviceman from Ukraines 36th Marine Brigade reported that these were Russias largest attacks since the Kursk operation began. They comprised around 40 armored vehicles from the 155th and 810th naval infantry brigades and the 106th Airborne Division, he said. DeepState, a well-respected Ukrainian analytical group, reported that Russian forces attacked the villages of Malaya Loknya, Sverdlikovo, and Leonidovo.

Video footage posted on social media showed Russian armored fighting vehicles hitting mines, getting struck by FPV drones, and dropping infantry west of Malaya Loknya. Russian forces appear to have gained at least a little ground. In addition, Serhii Sternenko, a volunteer who supplies drones to Ukrainian units, posted a photo reportedly showing a Russian column attacking near the Russia-Ukraine border.

Russian sources have also reported attacks at Russkoe Porechnoe and Makhnovka in recent days. These villages are located in the northeastern and southeastern parts of the salient, respectively. Video footage indicates Russian troops have indeed begun pushing into Makhnovka, though their progress is unclear. Taking the village would put Russian forces within 2 kilometers of Sudzha, a border city that serves as Ukraines logistics hub in Kursk Oblast.

Russia captures Kurakhove

Estimation of Russian and Ukrainian lines as of 9 am Eastern time on January 8, 2025, based on open-source information. Also shown are Ukrainian fortifications as of fall 2024, identified using low-resolution satellite imagery. The green lines represent trenches, while the black lines are anti-tank obstacles. This depiction is not exhaustive; many smaller fortifications, particularly those obscured by trees, are not shown. (Google Maps annotated by LWJ)

Russian forces continue to make incremental gains in various parts of eastern Ukraine. Notably, on January 6, Moscow claimed its forces completed the capture of Kurakhove, a small city in the southern part of Donetsk Oblast.

This announcement came shortly after footage emerged on social media indicating Russia had taken most or all of Kurakhoves industrial zone, located in the western part of the city. While a Ukrainian military spokesman claimed on January 7 that Ukrainian forces retain some positions in the industrial zone, it is clear that Kurakhove has effectively fallen.

Like the previously captured cities of Avdiivka and Vuhledar, Kurakhove anchored Ukraines defensive line on this part of the front. The city can now serve as a useful staging area for Russian forces, while its taller structures can boost the range of Russian FPV drones. That said, Moscow may elect to shift some of its forces from Kurakhove to Pokrovsk, the other city in Donetsk Oblast where Russia has been concentrating its attacks.

For Moscow, Kurakhoves capture is only a qualified victory. Russia was attempting to take the city in a double envelopment and sever the N15 road, which supplied Ukrainian forces in the city. But Russia failed to close the pocket. Instead, Russian troops had to take Kurakhove block by block, which tends to be more costly. Had Russia fully encircled Kurakhove, it could have destroyed Ukrainian units trapped inside. This would have exacerbated Ukraines shortage of forces and undermined Ukrainian morale, potentially leading to more rapid Russian advances.

This failure followed a similar episode with a smaller pocket south of Kurakhove. For weeks, Russian forces sought to envelop the village of Uspenivka and nearby settlements. Ukraine held on to those villages for too long as Russian forces inched forwarda penchant displayed by Ukrainian commanders throughout the war. But although Russia eventually closed the pocket, many of the Ukrainian defenders managed to escape, according to usually reliable Ukrainian sources.

The rivers northwest and southwest of Kurakhove, along with the dense fortifications south and northwest of the city, may have impeded Russian efforts to cut the N15 road. In addition, Ukraine transferred some much-needed reinforcements to the Kurakhove area in October-November, including from its 37th Marine Brigade.

More fundamentally, Russia is currently unable to execute offensive operations at scale, largely due to degraded force quality resulting from heavy attrition. Consequently, Russia must rely on small-scale assaults, which are unlikely to produce rapid advances. This problem similarly leaves Russia unable to exploit Kurakhoves fall to achieve a major breakthrough.

It is worth noting, however, that while Ukraine dodged the worst-case scenario in Kurakhove, its troops west and southwest of the city still face some risk of encirclement. Russian forces have advanced to within 2-3 kilometers of the N15 highway on either side. Another area to watch is Velyka Novosilka, a small city about 30 kilometers southwest of Kurakhove that Russia has also partially enveloped. Even if units do not end up getting encircled, fighting inside a pocket tends to lead to higher casualties.

Going forward, Ukrainian commanders will need to carefully preserve their increasingly understrength and exhausted units, even as they seek to defend their land and sap Russian combat power.

John Hardie is the deputy director of FDDs Russia Program and a contributor to FDD's Long War Journal.
Shadi Mohammed al Waisi appears in two videos ordering the execution of women. (@VeSyria on X)

Shadi Mohammed al Waisi is the newly appointed Minister of Justice in the transitional government in Syria. Al Waisi has faced criticism from Syrian activists and international media after videos surfaced showing him ordering the execution of women accused of prostitution in Idlib in 2015. During this time, he was a member of Jabhat al Nusrah and served as a judge.

Al Waisis appointment as the Minister of Justice takes place as the Biden administration and the West seek to engage with Syrias new government led by Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS), which deposed the Assad regime on December 7, 2024, alongside a coalition of insurgent groups. Hayat Tahrir al Sham, a US-listed Foreign Terrorist Organization for its ties to Al Qaeda and the successor to Jabhat al Nusrah, has attempted to project itself as a moderate force in Syria. However, Al Waisis appointment casts further doubt on HTSs claims of moderation.

Born in Aleppo in 1985, Al Waisi holds a degree in Islamic sharia. He began his career as an Islamic education teacher before becoming an imam and preacher for seven years. After the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War in 2011, he helped establish the Sharia Authority in Aleppos Daharat Awad district, where he served as a judge. He then helped establish Aleppos Four-Party Sharia Authority in 2012, rising through the ranks as a military penal judge, an appeals judge, and eventually a public prosecutor. Al Waisi also headed several sharia courts in Aleppo, including in the towns of Salqin, Haritan, and Northern Badia. Al Waisi has been a member of Jabhat al Nusrah and its successor, HTS, since at least 2015.

Within the HTS-organized Syrian Salvation Government, Al Waisi held several positions, including as a member of the Civil Criminal Court, president of the Criminal Appeal Authority, and president of the Court of Appeals. He was also a member of the Supreme Judicial Council. During Al Waisis tenure as a judge, he was known to issue verdicts that included death by beheading and the amputations of limbs.

Before being appointed Minister of Justice of the Syrian transitional government, Al Waisi was the Minister of Justice in the Syrian Salvation Government in its sixth session beginning in January 2019. Since his appointment by HTS leader Ahmed al Sharaa, also known as Mohammad Jolani, Al Waisi has made several notable comments, including, We pray that Allah helps us implement the sharia. Al Sharaa has been a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the United States State Department since 2013.

During Al Waisis tenure as part of Jabhat al Nusrahs sharia court, the court issued several controversial rulings, some of which coincided with his involvement in specific cases. Notably, on one occasion, 10 individuals were executed in 2015 under the courts orders. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), two men were executed for adultery, while eight others were charged with collaboration with and support for the regime. The executions, carried out by gunfire, occurred in Aleppos Al Shaar neighborhood, and the bodies were subsequently transported to an undisclosed location.

In another ruling in 2015, the sharia court ordered the release of 27 ISIS members after determining they were not involved in shedding Muslim blood. Separately, in 2023, the court in Idlib sentenced a young woman in her twenties to execution for appearing on the TikTok app, although it remains unconfirmed whether this sentence was carried out.

Mariam Wahba and Ahmad Sharawi are research analysts at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Follow them on X @themariamwahba and @AhmadA_Sharawi.
Bui Thi Tam Tuyen (L) and Vo Hai Duong are arrested by the police of HCMC. Photo courtesy of the police

Ho Chi Minh City police have dismantled a human trafficking ring that lured victims with false job offers and sold them to criminal gangs in Cambodia, where they faced confinement, exploitation and torture.

Bui Thi Tam Tuyen, 40, Vo Hai Duong, 23, and three accomplices were arrested on Tuesday on charges of human trafficking, usury and illegal detainment, according to the police.

The investigation began after the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia alerted HCMC authorities about 31 Vietnamese nationals detained in Cambodia for legal violations and another five who had been rescued.

Police discovered that several of them had coerced or forced others to travel from Vietnam to Cambodia under false pretenses, often to work in casinos or scam operations. Following raids in multiple locations, authorities uncovered the scale of the operation.

The syndicate targeted victims by promising lucrative jobs in Cambodia. Once there, the workers were confined 24/7, forced to meet grueling quotas, and subjected to severe punishments if they failed. Beatings, torture, and starvation were among the reported abuses, Tuyen told the police.

Cambodian scam facilities, established by foreigners, often hire Vietnamese workers for tasks such as translation, coercing others to gamble and recruiting new victims.

The investigation is ongoing.
The United States is working with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to capture Evariste Ilunga Lumu, Merovee Mutombo, Gerard Kabongo, and Jean Kutenelo Badibanga. All four men are wanted by the DRC High Military Court for war crimes including the murder of three DRC nationals and two UN human rights investigators, including one American citizen. The U.S. Department of State Global Criminal Justice Rewards Program is offering up to $5 million for information leading to their capture.

It is the first time that we have invoked the program for individuals who have been indicted by a national court. In this case, it's the high military court of the Democratic Republic of Congo, said Beth Van Schaack, State Department Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice.

There has been conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo or the DRC for decades, she said.

It has been fueled by political rivalries. It has been fueled by corruption, by competition for natural resources, and [by] leaders who exploit ethnic identity for their own empowerment. ... And the emergence, the reemergence of the M23 has led to terrible violence in eastern DRC. And so that's the backdrop against which this reward has been issued for similar violence back in 2017.

It's extremely important to establish a reliable rule of law and ensure justice for atrocities such as these murders, said Ambassador Van Schaack.

If there is going to be a deterrent effect of the law, the law has to be made to work. And this program promotes justice and accountability by encouraging the provision of information that leads to the capture or conviction of individuals who stand accused of the worst crimes known to humankind.

If these men are captured and prosecuted before the DRC national court, they will be entitled to representation and the resources to mount their own defense. They will be treated fairly, and they will have all of the due process protections provided for under DRC law, said Ambassador Van Schaack. This is an opportunity for tipsters, for individuals with actionable information to play a crucial role in upholding justice.

A lasting peace for the long-suffering communities within the DRC is absolutely critical for security and for prosperity of all citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo, she said.

If you have information on these four individuals, reach out to the Global Criminal Justice Rewards Program by texting +1-202-975-5468 or emailing GCJRP@state.gov. You can read more about the program on the U.S. State Department's website at: www.state.gov/global-criminal-justice-rewards-program
The Boston Police Department refused all 15 civil requests from Immigrations and Customs Enforcement last year seeking cooperation in detaining people who faced deportation, meeting its obligation under a city law that limits police involvement with federal immigration matters.

In a letter to the City Clerk, Police Commissioner Michael Cox said the department had followed the Boston Trust Act, the 2014 law prohibiting police from holding someone solely over a civil immigration detainer request from federal officials.

The Boston Police Department remains committed to complying with the Boston Trust Act and to building and strengthening relationships and trust with all our communities, Cox wrote. Bostons immigrant communities should feel safe in reporting crime and quality of life issues to the Department and in proactively engaging with all members of the Boston Police Department.

The Trust Act, signed by then-Mayor Marty Walsh in 2014 and amended in 2019, allowed police to cooperate with ICE on pressing public safety matters, such as human trafficking or drug and weapons investigations.

However, the law limited the police departments involvement with civil immigration enforcement. It prohibited Boston police officers from asking a persons immigration status, transferring a person into ICE custody, making arrests based only on ICE administrative warrants, sharing information with the federal immigration agency, or performing other federal immigration functions.

The 15 requests issued by ICE to Boston Police last year were down from 19 in 2023. But they were still higher than the 12 in 2022 and the two logged in 2021, according to city records.

Requests last year were clustered in three police districts. Seven requests went to the departments C11 district, covering the neighborhood of Dorchester, while six went to its B3 district, in Mattapan. The remaining two were issued to the E13 district, in Jamaica Plain, according to Coxs letter, which was first reported by the Boston Herald.

The requests ask local law enforcement to notify ICE before releasing a person subject to deportation or to hold the person for an additional 48 hours, allowing the immigration agency time to take the person into custody.

For each request received last year, immigration authorities wrote that they had probable cause to believe the person targeted should be deported.

In no cases last year did Boston Police detain or transfer a person to ICE custody based on a civil immigration detainer, Cox wrote.

The current City Council reaffirmed the Trust Act in a vote last month, weeks after former President Donald Trump won a second term on a platform that included lofty promises of mass deportation of illegal immigrants.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu traded jabs with Trumps incoming border czar, Tom Homan, in November after she said the city would continue to limit its cooperation with federal immigration enforcement to criminal matters.

They can not cooperate, Homan told the conservative television station NewsMax. But there are certain laws in place that they cant cross and I hope she doesnt cross it.

Wu hit back, pointing to Bostons low rates of gun violence and homicides this year as evidence her approach to public safety was working.

This is no coincidence  its a reflection of the trust between our residents and our public safety officials, and a result of our daily focus on community policing and coordinating city services, she said. We will continue to focus on that work and have no intention of rolling out the welcome mat for them.
Gov. Maura Healey will soon receive recommendations from a transportation funding task force assigned to study one of the thorniest topics in public policy, and she already sees a chance to provide the T with immediate stabilization through the annual state budget.

Ahead of her task forces final meeting Tuesday, Healey renewed her pledge that her administration would not continue a decades-long pattern of kicking the can on public funds needed for transportation investments, regardless of what the panel submits.

She did not offer many details about the action her administration will take, but suggested the topic could get significant attention in the state budget process, which she will kick off by filing a proposal thats due Jan. 22.

A huge fiscal cliff is out there, Healey said about the MBTA during an interview on GBH Newss Boston Public Radio. I think weve got in our budget an opportunity for immediate stabilization of that over the next few years, but I also know we need to think about what are the ways to support the financing that we need to build the world-class public transit operation we deserve.

The MBTA drained its reserves to balance its fiscal year 2025 budget, and officials project the agency will face a roughly $700 million gap in the next fiscal year that begins July 1. Without additional funding, the T could be pressed into service cuts or staff reductions that might imperil recent improvements.

Healey last year issued an executive order creating a task force charged with recommending strategies for a long-term, sustainable transportation finance plan. The group faced a Dec. 31, 2024 deadline, but needed a bit more time to finish its work and convened its final meeting Tuesday afternoon.

The governor and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll planned to attend the meeting. Healey said Tuesday she expected to be briefed by members of the task force.

I look forward to hearing what they have to say today, and then after that, quickly implementing that, Healey said on Boston Public Radio.

Transportation infrastructure funding -- its something people have kicked the can on for decades in this state. Im two years into this, but Ive learned that people have kicked the can on a lot -- unmet housing needs, the really tough state of the T when I took office, and financing of necessary transportation infrastructure, she added. The philosophy that [Lt. Gov.] Kim Driscoll and I have is that as long as were here, were not about kicking the can. That brings us into some controversy. It brings us into some debate on stuff.

Healey sidestepped a question about congestion pricing, an idea that has failed to gain traction with Massachusetts lawmakers. After some upheaval, New York City this week implemented higher tolls on vehicles entering Manhattans Central Business District at certain hours to disincentivize driving and generate more money for other transportation needs.

Ive got to talk to [New York] Governor [Kathy] Hochul about that. I want to see how things are going in New York, Healey said when asked if she was a fan of congestion pricing.

One relatively new and lucrative option for transportation funding is already on the books in Massachusetts: a voter-approved surtax on high earners.

That levy generated more than $2.4 billion in fiscal year 2024, and all of its revenue must be directed to either transportation or education investments. State budget-writers factored a far more conservative estimate into their spending plan that year, and Beacon Hill now has about $1.32 billion in excess surtax revenue to spend on top of future collections.

Commonwealth Beacon reported Monday that the task force is eyeing changes to the surtax split, specifically an even division of revenue between transportation and education spending, as its primary recommendation.

Boston Public Radio host Jim Braude hinted at that possibility in a question he posed to Healey.

So youre assuring people that this task force is not going to continue the can-kicking? Because some reports are saying no recommendations, just going to fall back on the excess from the millionaires tax, the billion dollars thats lying there, and no real long-term plan to deal with the finances, Braude said.

Well, Im going to see what the task force has to say, Healey replied. I know that Ive asked them to focus on: what are the foundational things that we need to do? Its like a burning building or its like a crumbling foundation, right? Theres certain things that you need to do, folks.

In October, House budget chief Aaron Michlewitz of Boston, a key figure in state spending decisions, said hes interested in directing most or all of the surplus surtax dollars toward transportation needs.

Since the majority of the funds from the fair share has been spent on education, its only right that the majority of the surplus funds available to us now go to supporting transportation, particularly capital investments, the MBTA and other public transit needs, he said at the time.

Michlewitz added: We just did a record amount for the FY 25 budget to going to the MBTA. So I mean, while Im sure other people have ideas, this is certainly one that a lot of members on the House side care about, and would like to -- especially with the idea that we have a general manager that we trust, we think is doing the right thing, on the right track, really is, taking care of some of the challenges that weve been facing with the MBTA, we really have someone whos actually really managing it in a much more productive way. So nows the time to press a little bit from a financial standpoint.

Healey pointed out the significant work under MBTA General Manager Phil Eng to eliminate slow zones over the past year, touting that success as proof that her administration can achieve needed financial reforms as well.

Similarly with transportation, it seems to me shoring up and stabilizing the immediate needs and the immediate bleeding there so theres stability in that is absolutely imperative, Healey said. Whatever the task force recommendations are, its not going to end with the task force.

The T last increased fares in 2019, before the pandemic rewired travel patterns and depleted ridership.
The Celtics will be without two players for their matchup against the Nuggets on Tuesday night. The team downgraded Derrick White and Jordan Walsh to out three hours before tip due to a non-COVID illness. Both players were late additions to the injury report on Tuesday morning and missed Bostons shootaround at Ball Arena.

It will be just the second game that White has missed this season after appearing in a team-high 35 contests. Hes been constantly one of most durable Celtics during the past three years and hes in the midst of his best season to date, averaging a career-high 17.1 points per game over 34.3 minutes per contest.

The absences of White and Walsh will leave Boston somewhat thin in the backcourt and on the wing. Baylor Scheiermann and Drew Peterson are not with the team after playing with the Maine Celtics in Indiana on Tuesday afternoon. That leaves Sam Hauser, Payton Pritchard and Jaden Springer as the only guard options off the bench without the duo.

Aaron Gordon remains out for Denver with a calf sprain that has sidelined him since a Christmas Day loss against the Suns. The Nuggets have gone 4-2 since hes been sidelined. Nikola Jokic has also been added as probable due to illness.

Whites absence will create an interesting lineup decision for Joe Mazzulla. Traditionally, Mazzulla has inserted Al Horford into the starting five whenever a player isnt available. However, the Nuggets have been starting three guards with Gordon sidelined in Russell Westbrook, Jamal Murray and Christian Braun. If Horford and Kristaps Porzingis were to start together, that would force one of them to cover Michael Porter Jr. or one of Denvers guards. On the flip side, Boston would have a big size advantage at multiple possessions in that scenario. Mazzulla could also turn to Sam Hauser or Pritchard if he wanted to keep Horford in a reserve role.

The Celtics will be looking to close out their four-game road trip with a 3-1 record if they can pull off the win in Denver. The two teams will tip off at 10 p.m. in a nationally televised matchup on TNT at Ball Arena.
Boston Public Schools is considering closing three schools and merging two others at the end of the next school year, officials announced Tuesday.

Under the proposal, which has not yet been approved by the School Committee, Dever Elementary School, Excel High School and Mary Lyon Pilot High School would close at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. In addition, Winthrop and Clap Elementary Schools would merge and relocate into the former Lilla G. Frederick Elementary School building, which will be vacated when that school closes at the end of the current school year.

The proposed closures are part of the districts Long-Term Facilities Plan, released in early 2024, which calls for the closure of many of the aging school buildings in the city.
A Boston man was sentenced to life in prison with eligibility for parole for stabbing his girlfriend, who was also the mother of his children, to death in 2022 before fleeing to Florida.

Christopher Howard, 42, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder after prosecutors said he fatally stabbed Terkeisha Boykins, 40, on May 10, 2022, the Suffolk County District Attorney said.

Howard will be eligible for parole after he serves 20 years behind bars, the district attorney said.

Howard was in a bedroom with Boykins in her Mattapan apartment on May 10, 2022, the district attorney said. After hearing some commotion in the room, eyewitnesses opened the door and saw Howard on top of Boykins, stabbing her with a knife.

He left the apartment and Massachusetts, the district attorney said. But, he was arrested in Jacksonville, Florida on May 17, 2022.

Boykins, who had two daughters with Howard, was the mother of six girls, the district attorney said.

One of Boykins' daughters, who is 18, spoke about her mother in court Friday.

My mom was one of the most generous people that I had the blessing to call my mother, she was the most loving and caring person who would put anybody above herself no matter what, even if that means giving her last. She is the reason I am who I am today, and I miss her every day, she said.
An expert hired by Karen Reads defense team was the subject of sharp cross-examination from a specially appointed prosecutor Tuesday as he sought to bar the expert from testifying at an upcoming trial to her belief that John OKeefes arm injuries were caused by a dog attack before his death.

The expert, Dr. Marie Russell, testified over the course of two days about her experience, qualifications and methodology. Throughout both direct and cross-examination, she remained firm in her belief that wounds on OKeefes right arm were caused by a dog bite, pointing to her years of experience treating such wounds in the emergency room.

During Russells cross-examination, the special prosecutor, Hank Brennan, revealed new details about the defenses claim that OKeefe was attacked by a dog inside a Canton home on the night of his death.

Brennan said that Norfolk County investigators tracked down the dog in question, a German shepherd named Chloe owned at the time by Brian Albert, whose home OKeefe was found outside of. And, he revealed prosecutors went up and saw the dog and took molds of its mouth.

Prosecutors notified Reads defense that they had found the dog late last year. Brennan sought to undermine Russells credentials to testify about injuries sustained from a bite by that particular dog because she had not personally examined it.

But Russell testified it would be unusual for an emergency room physician to do so and was not a rational proposition.

Brennan also revealed that a deputy medical examiner hired by the U.S. attorneys office concluded OKeefes wounds were highly unlikely to be the result of an animal bite attack.

The medical examiner, John Walsh, wrote the injuries do not photographically appear to be, nor are described as puncture bite wounds, according to Brennan.

But Russell appeared undeterred by the revelation, saying she believed Walsh didnt recognize the pattern and that few physicians in the country were as qualified to testify about dog bite wounds.

I have at least as much experience as any other possible person in the country, and I have it from both aspects, from the clinical aspect and from the forensic aspect, Russell said.

Brennan also pressed Russell on conclusions by Walsh that OKeefe sustained injuries to his brain, scalp and skull consistent with a backward fall. Walsh also noted that unprotected, unobstructed backward falls can result in serious injuries leading to death, according to Brennan.

Walsh also determined that injuries to OKeefes hand could have occurred during a backward fall.

Russell said it was possible that was how OKeefe was injured but that there were other mechanisms.

Brennan is attempting to bar Russell from testifying at Reads second trial on the grounds that she is not qualified to testify about dog bites. Judge Beverly Cannone permitted Russell to testify during Reads first trial last year.

He argued she used no real methodology in reaching her conclusions and questioned her credentials in promoting the defenses theory. Brennan also pressed Russell on whether she was an expert in accident reconstruction, orthopedics or biomechanics.

During much of his questioning, Brennan attempted to introduce the possibility that OKeefe may have been hit by a motor vehicle, as prosecutors have determined, pointing to a cracked taillight on Reads car, fragments of which were found in OKeefes clothing.

But Robert Alessi, an attorney for Read, argued that Russells credentials and experience were enormous. Barring her from testifying would be a serious blow to Reads ability to defend herself, he said.

The greatest danger to a defendants right to a jury trial and present its witnesses is to have an entire motion supported by nothing but assertions of an attorney on the other side, Alessi told Judge Beverly Cannone. The presumption should be the defendant gets the right to present evidence.

Shouldnt a jury be allowed to hear the alternative theory of the defense  so that justice can be served?" Alessi asked.

Authorities accused Read of intentionally hitting OKeefe with her SUV and leaving him to die in the snow after a night of drinking in January 2022.

Read, 44, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of OKeefe, who was found cold to the touch and unresponsive on Jan. 29, 2022, outside of a home in Canton.

But Reads defense has claimed OKeefe was beaten inside the Albert home and bitten by their dog before his body was dumped outside. They have claimed Read is being framed.
A passenger who opened an aircraft door while aboard a JetBlue plane before taking off from Logan International Aiport in Boston on Tuesday has been identified.

Angel Luis Torres Morales, 23, faces charges and is expected to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court in East Boston Wednesday afternoon, Tim McGuirk, a spokesman for Massachusetts State Police, said in a statement.

At around 7:30 p.m., State Police learned of a man who wanted to get off an outbound flight and opened an aircraft door without warning, the statement read.

When they did so, they triggered the planes emergency slide, the Massachusetts Port Authority confirmed in an email. Morales was aboard JetBlue Flight 161 to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Other passengers aboard the plane restrained the passenger until State Police troopers arrived to detain Morales for questioning.

The incident is believed to be isolated and State Police say there is no threat to public safety.
A passenger on a flight leaving Boston Logan International Airport Tuesday evening was arrested after opening an aircraft door shortly before it was about to take off, Massachusetts State Police said.

The passengers identity was not disclosed by State Police.

At around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, State Police troopers responded to a flight leaving the airport. Just before takeoff, a passenger who wanted to exit the plane opened a door suddenly and without warning, State Police said in a statement.

When they did so, they triggered the planes emergency slide, the Massachusetts Port Authority confirmed in an email. The passenger was aboard JetBlue Flight 161 to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Other passengers aboard the plane restrained the passenger until State Police troopers arrived to detain them for questioning.

The passenger is expected to be arraigned on criminal charges in Boston Municipal Court in East Boston. The exact charges they were facing was not immediately clear. Federal and state authorities were still finalizing charges Wednesday morning, according to State Police.

The incident is believed to be isolated and State Police say there is no threat to public safety.
It is true that throughout its conflict with Israel, Hamas has repeatedly misused civilian infrastructure, like schools and hospitals, to store caches of weapons, house fighters, and coordinate attacks against Israel, said Dorothy Shea, Deputy U.S. Representative to the United Nations. Nonetheless, Israels fight is with Hamas and not the Palestinian civilians the terrorist group falsely purports to represent.

Even as it battles Hamas, Israel has a moral imperative to prevent civilian harm. We dont want to see hospitals as scenes of violence. No one benefits  least of all the civilians who neither started this conflict nor have the means to end it  and desperately need medical attention, she said.

It is vital for Israel comply with international humanitarian law and to take every possible step to prevent civilian harm, said Ambassador Shea.

Furthermore, in-as-much as far too many civilians in Gaza are hungry, without medication, clean drinking water, or adequate housing,  We have made clear to Israel that they must do more to address these preventable humanitarian shortfalls.

We have been explicit about the specific steps we need to see Israel take; including surging the entry of food, medicine, and other essential supplies into Gaza knowing that winter is here, she said. There must be no forcible displacement, nor policy of starvation in Gaza  which would have grave implications under both U.S. and international law.

We need to see a surge in humanitarian aid delivered immediately. Only a sustained flow of assistance, food, clean water, medical supplies into Gaza will bring relief and address catastrophic levels of food insecurity.

The work before us to forge a ceasefire remains difficult. The challenge of helping a revitalized Palestinian Authority rebuild Gaza without Hamas is immense, said Ambassador Shea.

And yet, we first need to address the immediacy of the humanitarian situation. Because lives are at stake  the lives of Palestinian civilians in Gaza and the lives of the hostages who have suffered mightily since Hamas initiated this horrific conflict on October 7.

We need to give Palestinians a future to look forward to with self-determination, dignity, and security. We need Israel to feel secure within its own borders, said Ambassador Shea.

The United States continues to push for a ceasefire and hostage release deal that allows for a surge in life-saving assistance to Palestinian civilians. There are simply no alternatives that lead to durable peace and regional calm.
An undocumented migrant from the Dominican Republic is facing federal charges after authorities said he had drugs and an AR-style assault rifle in a Revere hotel room that was being used as an emergency shelter site.

Federal authorities charged Leonardo Andujar Sanchez, 28, on Tuesday with criminal complaint with one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl and one count of being an alien in possession of a firearm who has entered the United States unlawfully, United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy said.

Sanchez is in state custody on related charges, according to federal prosecutors. Hell be in Boston federal court at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday.

Sanchez was living in the Quality Inn Boston-Revere, a hotel, in Revere, federal prosecutors said. While police were searching Sanchezs hotel room on Dec. 27, 2024, they found five kilograms of what police believe was fentanyl, an AR-style assault rifle, ammunition, two rifle magazines, digital scales and several latex gloves. Sanchez was arrested.

If Sanchez is found guilty of his charges, he could serve up to 25 years in prison, according to federal prosecutors.

According to a press release from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Sanchez came to the United States unlawfully within the last year, but authorities arent sure when or where he came into the country.

In response to Sanchezs arrest, Gov. Maura Healey has ordered an inspection of all of the states shelter sites, according to a statement from her office. She also ordered state officials to review the shelter systems intake process to see if more steps are needed to prevent any criminal activity at the shelters.

Sanchez was arraigned on Dec. 30, 2024, in Chelsea District Court, according to ICE. There, he was found dangerous and was ordered to be held for at least 120 days. Hell return to court on Feb. 3, 2025, for a probable cause hearing.

ICE also said they lodged an immigration detainer against Sanchez. An immigration detainer is a formal request that law enforcement notify ICE as soon as possible before they release a noncitizen and hold them up to an additional 48 hours.

Prior material from MassLive was used in this article.
A former Quincy official is facing charges after federal prosecutors said he arranged for the city to pay for personal expenses, some of which included a Toyota Prius, a large self-portrait and recordings of him singing.

Thomas F. Clasby, Jr., 60, was charged in an indictment  that was returned Tuesday and unsealed Wednesday  with embezzlement, mail and wire fraud and interstate transportation of stolen property, U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy said. Hell be in Boston federal court at 12:45 p.m. Wednesday.

Clasby was the Director of the Quincy Department of Elder Services between 1999 and April 2024, federal prosecutors said. Starting in 2019, Clasby used the citys purchasing power to pay for personal expenses and make money for himself.

Clasby arranged for the city to pay $8,950 to a music studio to produce recordings of him singing, $2,236 to food service vendors for 153 pounds of bourbon steak tips, $4,800 for a Toyota Prius and $1,658 for a self-portrait, federal prosecutors said.

Clasby also arranged for the city to pay over $38,000 to a New York consulting company owned by his friend, federal prosecutors said.

The consulting company didnt provide any goods or services to Quincy, federal prosecutors said. Instead, Clasbys friend cashed the citys checks and gave Clasby the money at three separate places: A rest stop in Framingham, a ferry terminal in Bridgeport, Connecticut and at the friends New York apartment.

Starting in June 2021, Clasby stole most of the cash receipts from the citys elder services department at the Kennedy Center in Quincy, federal prosecutors said.

Thomas Clasbys alleged betrayal of trust is not just a theft from the City of Quincy but an affront to the seniors he was sworn to serve and the taxpayers who funded these programs, Levy said in a statement. As Director of Elder Services, Mr. Clasby was entrusted with protecting vulnerable members of his community. Instead, he allegedly used his position to fund personal indulgences, from bourbon steak tips to a custom-framed self-portrait, and even went so far as to collect cash handoffs at ferry terminals and rest stops. Let this indictment serve as a reminder: public officials who exploit their positions for personal gain will be found out and held accountable for their crimes.

If Clasby is found guilty on these charges, he could serve up to 40 years in prison, federal authorities said.
In a decision that could have a major impact on the Karen Read case, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court on Tuesday tossed out a mans appeal of his conviction for possessing child sex abuse materials, finding a judge was correct to allow testimony on the use of a system to extract data from cell phones.

The man, David Cronin Jr., based his appeal on a claim that a judge improperly allowed testimony from Police Officer Michael McLaughlin on his examination of Cronins phone through the software Cellebrite. McLaughlin conceded he was not an expert in analyzing cell phones, but testified that Cellebrite presented data in such a way that a layperson could understand.

In its decision, the states highest court, citing previous federal cases, ruled the mere fact that McLaughlins testimony concerned the Cellebrite system is not dispositive as to whether that testimony constituted expert opinion.

Because McLaughlin was not presented as an expert witness, his testimony as a layperson needed only to be based on his personal experiences and perspective. As a result, the court found him credible to testify on the subject because his explanation of the contents of the extraction report of Cronins phone required no scientific, technical, or specialized knowledge.

Other parts of his testimony, including claims about the reliability and accuracy of the software, veered into inadmissible expert claims, the SJC found. Still, the court determined that testimony did not improperly prejudice Cronin, and justices upheld his conviction.

Cellebrite is set to play a major role  once again  in the trial of Karen Read.

A key component of Reads defense is a suggestion based on a Cellebrite report completed by an expert hired by her that a prosecution witness made Google searches about how long it takes for a person to die in the cold before John OKeefes body was found.

That expert, Richard Green, testified that Jennifer McCabe, who was among a group of people inside the Canton home OKeefe was found outside of on the night of his death, searched, how long ti die in cikd and hos long to die in cold around 2:27 a.m. on Jan. 29, 2022. OKeefe was not found until roughly 6:30 a.m. that morning.

Green also testified the search was in a deleted state and that McCabe had deleted records of several phone calls.

But prosecutors say an expert they hired, Ian Whiffin, who works as the senior digital intelligence expert at Cellebrite, found no evidence to support Greens claims.

In their motion they filed seeking to bar Green from testifying, filed last week, prosecutors argued Read could not prove Green was qualified to testify on the contents of McCabes cell phone, that his opinions lack any scientific basis, and that his previous testimony has been completely discredited.

Shortly before Reads first trial started last year, Cellebrite introduced new software to prevent manipulation of data, according to the filing.

In the wake of the trial, they have added another update to the software that removes the timestamp value from records taken from Safari because the timestamp shown in the software is not a reliable source for a timestamp related to the particular search.

As a result of the software update, prosecutors argue that Greens opinions are discredited not just by their own experts but by Cellebrite itself, which removed the type of timestamp he relied on.

When McCabes phone is analyzed in the latest version of Cellebrite, the 2:27 a.m. timestamp no longer appears in the extraction report, according to the motion. Instead, the software shows the searches in question occurred around 6:24 a.m. and shows no evidence they were deleted.

Greens factually wrong opinions would ... risk confusing jurors, prosecutors wrote.

A hearing to discuss the admissibility of Greens testimony is slated for Jan. 31.
Prosecutors in the Karen Read case indicated Tuesday that they intend to file a motion to bar a pair of accident reconstructionists hired by the U.S. Department of Justice and FBI from testifying during Reads second trial.

The notice, filed by specially appointed Assistant District Attorney Hank Brennan, argues that Reads defense team wont be able to meet their obligations under Rule 14, which governs discovery in criminal cases. The history and complexity of employment of the experts, Andrew Rentschler and Daniel Wolfe, is muddled, Brennan writes.
Police in West Greenwich, Rhode Island say they may never know why a 39-year-old man shot his pregnant wife and two children inside their home before taking his own life around New Years Day.

Police Chief Richard Ramsay told reporters Wednesday that the department was called to 15 Cheyenne Trail on Friday by coworkers of 39-year-old Danielle Arruda who were concerned that the woman had not shown up for work that day or the day prior, according to a video streamed by WJAR-TV.

Arruda, who was 7 months pregnant, rarely missed work, they told police.

When officers arrived, they found two cars in the driveway and forced their way inside the home after no one inside answered the door. When they got inside, they found Arruda and her two children, Adel, 5, and Felex, 2, dead of fatal gunshot wounds.

Officers also found Nicholas Arruda, 39, dead of a single gunshot wound to his head they believe was self-inflicted, Ramsay said.

Police found an M4 semiautomatic weapon lying on the ground near Nicholas Arruda that is believed to be the murder weapon. There was no sign of a struggle inside the home, and the family were all wearing their pajamas, Ramsay said.

The family had lived in the Cheyenne Trail home since December 2019, Ramsay said.

Arruda had one prior felony domestic arrest in 2014, but the charges were dropped when the victim refused to cooperate. Ramsay said the victim in that case was not Danielle Arruda.

An investigation into the murder-suicide has not yielded any information about a motive, Ramsay said.

Police still dont know when exactly the shootings took place. Some neighbors told police they heard popping sounds around 8 p.m. on New Years Day while others reported hearing the sounds between 5 a.m. and 5:20 a.m. on Jan. 2.

Nicholas Arruda owned two other guns: a shotgun, and a semiautomatic rifle, both of which were purchased legally, Ramsay said. Police believe he acquired the murder weapon in 2018.

Its heartbreaking, he said. Its difficult for any human being to investigate a case like this, he added.

Arruda had not been employed for several years at the time of his death because of a back injury, Ramsay said. He was a stay-at-home dad and was homeschooling his children.
The states highest court ruled Wednesday that the much-debated MBTA Communities law  which requires certain communities to zone for more housing  is constitutional.

But it is not currently enforceable.

The MBTA Communities Act requires cities and towns served by the MBTA to have at least one zoning district where multifamily housing is allowed by right. Its goal is to make it easier for developers to create new housing, relieving pressure on the expensive local housing market.
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea J. Campbell has joined with colleagues in nine other states in a federal lawsuit against the nations biggest landlords over what they say are anticompetitive practices that make it harder to rent an apartment.

The August 2024 lawsuit against RealPage and five other companies claims the companies take advantage of algorithmic pricing, and other practices that tilt the scales against renters.

As residents continue to grapple with rising costs including high rents, our office will seek to hold accountable those who betray renters trust and undermine a fair and competitive housing market, Campbell said in a statement. This lawsuit against RealPage and the named landlords is one step towards that accountability.

Rents in the Greater Boston area already are among the most expensive in the nation, with the median rent price for a two-bedroom apartment tipping out at $2,850, according to a November report by Rent.com.

Thats a year-over-year increase of 3.5%, the report showed.

An amended complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for North Carolinas Middle District names Greystar Real Estate Partners LLC, Blackstones LivCor LLC; Camden Property Trust; Cushman & Wakefield Inc. and Pinnacle Property Management Services LLC; Willow Bridge Property Company LLC, and Cortland Management LLC as defendants.

All told, the companies oversee more than 1.3 million rental units in 43 states and the District of Columbia, Campbells office said. The suit argues that they participated in an unlawful scheme to decrease competition among landlords in apartment pricing, harming millions of renters across the country.

The Justice Department already has announced a consent decree resolving the claims against Cortland. So Campbells office said it did not take legal action against the company.

While Americans across the country struggled to afford housing, the landlords named in todays lawsuit shared sensitive information about rental prices and used algorithms to coordinate to keep the price of rent high, acting Assistant Attorney General Doha Mekki, of the Justice Departments Antitrust Division, said.

The legal action against RealPage and six major landlords seeks to end their practice of putting profits over people and make housing more affordable for millions of people across the country, Mekki said.

Other states participating in the legal action are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee and Washington.

The Bay States legal action seeks to end the illegal conduct, restore competition in the rental market, and recover civil penalties of up to $5,000 per each violation committed by the defendants, Campbells office said.
Has Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey started taking a harder line on the states migrant crisis?

It sure sounded that way during a radio interview on Tuesday. But to a point  and more on that in a minute.

I have no tolerance for criminal activity in our shelters  or anywhere, for that matter," Healey said after a caller to GBH News' Boston Public Radio program asked her about last months arrest of an undocumented migrant who was living at a Revere shelter site.

Revere police arrested 28-year-old Leonardo Sanchez on drug trafficking and gun charges at the Quality Inn hotel on Morris Street in Revere, which is currently being used as an emergency shelter site, according to the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office.

Officers recovered nearly 5,000 grams of suspected fentanyl and an AR-15 from Sanchez, MassLive previously reported.

Republicans pounced on the arrest, calling it state-funded crime, since Sanchez was staying in a hotel that had received taxpayer money to provide services.

Why are long-term Massachusetts families left waiting for emergency housing while a criminal illegal immigrant is conducting a criminal enterprise from within state-funded housing? state Republican Party Chairperson Amy Carnevale said in a statement.

Healeys Tuesday comments to WGBH hosts Jim Braude and Margery Eagen came after a caller, who identified themselves as a worker in a hotel that houses migrants, said he found the incident concerning because children could have been put in harms way.

So I was wondering what the state was doing to combat the bad apples getting in there? Because the hotels are getting large sums of money to house these people, the caller asked Healey.

Republicans in the state House wondered the same thing. They sent a letter to Healey demanding to know how and why Sanchez had been granted entrance to the shelter system.

We were told by your Administration over a year ago that the states Right to Shelter Law limited eligibility for our emergency family shelters to residents and documented immigrants who have lawful permission to be in the United States and declare Massachusetts as their place of residency, the letter, first reported by The Boston Herald, and signed by all 25 House Republicans, reads. We were also told extensive background checks were conducted before families were provided shelter under the law.

On Monday, Healeys office said that it had ordered inspections of all state-run emergency shelters.

The Democratic governor said shed also ordered state officials to review the systems intake processes and determine whether additional steps should be taken to prevent future criminal activity at the shelters.

Last year, after a Haitian migrant was charged with raping a 15-year-old migrant girl at a shelter in Rockland, Healey said those entering the shelter system had been vetted, the Herald reported.

The state had security and systems in place, Healey said at the time, adding that it was unfortunate that from time to time, things will happen anywhere, not just in [a] shelter, but anywhere, the newspaper reported.

While just about half of the families in the states emergency shelter system are permanent Bay State residents, Healey has been steadfast in her call for Congress to come up with a fix to the nations immigration laws to ease the burden for Massachusetts.

But even as she pronounced herself outraged by the latest incident in Revere, and said she was glad that we took immediate action and that law enforcement has as well, Healey continued to drop responsibility for the states migrant crisis into Washingtons lap.

Speaking to GBH News on Tuesday, Healey challenged President-elect Donald Trump, who pressured Republicans to kill a compromise immigration reform bill last year, to match his campaign season rhetoric on securing the border.

He ran on fixing the border, Healey said. He has the opportunity now with the [Republican-controlled] House and Senate, and being in charge of the administration. I hope that he does.

While shes said the Bay State wont cooperate in Trumps promised mass deportations, Healey has been more conciliatory than some of her fellow Blue State governors when it comes to the incoming White House.

My philosophy as governor is that Im here to work for the people of Massachusetts  to support our residents, to grow our economy  and Ill work with the administration where we can work together," she said, adding that shell certainly be prepared to stand up and defend Massachusetts interests as we need to going forward.

Part of that is smart politics  as has been widely reported, the Bay States burgeoning research life sciences, biomedical, and higher education sectors depend on a lifeline of federal money from Washington.

The other part is political reality: Healey is up for reelection in 2026, and its expected shell seek another four-year term in the top spot  as Politico noted on Tuesday.

Healey, who has taken heat for her management of the massively expensive shelter crisis, also needs to show sound management skills and a record of achievement, according to one veteran observer.

The challenge for her is positioning herself as a moderate  empathetic, but tough-minded," UMass Amherst political science processor Ray La Raja told MassLive.

While liberal voters likely will be inclined to give Healey the benefit of the doubt, she may have a tougher row to hoe with the independent voters who make up the largest share of the states registered voters, he said.

That key bloc is upset about what is perceived to be out-of-control immigration, La Raja continued.

But thats what a good politician does: They know how to straddle incongruous positions, La Raja concluded.

There are few lines that are tougher to walk than the thorny, expensive and very emotional debate over immigration.
SOUTHWICK  In September, after hearing a proposal from the Economic Development Commission to lower the speed limit on College Highway, the Select Board didnt stake out a position on it.

Monday night it did: It was an unequivocal no.

Im against it, said Board member Jason Perron, who wasnt as emphatic in his opposition to the proposal made by EDC Chair Greg Deily in September saying the proposal to lower the speed limit by 10 mph on the highway and install crosswalks were good things.
The Worcester City Council voted 6-5 Tuesday night to scrap a petition calling on the U.S. government to demand and facilitate a ceasefire in Gaza.

Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty, Councilors-at-Large Morris Bergman, Kathleen Toomey and Donna Colorio, District 3 City Councilor George Russell and District 2 City Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson all voted to file the petition, effectively voting to not take action on the item.

Councilor-at-Large and City Council Vice Chair Khrystian King, Councilor-at-Large Thu Nguyen, District 1 City Councilor Jennifer Pacillo, District 4 City Councilor Luis Ojeda and District 5 City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj all voted against the filing.

The petition, which was filed by Patricia Fitzpatrick and Claire Schaeffer-Duffy, asked the council to call on the U.S. government to facilitate and demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza that ends the violence in the region, the immediate release of all hostages, the immediate resumption of humanitarian aid to Gaza and enforcement of U.S laws such as the Leahy Law of 1997, which prohibits the U.S. Government from using funds for assistance to units of foreign security forces where there is credible information implicating that unit in the commission of gross violations of human rights, according to the petition.

During the meeting, resident comments about the petition lasted for nearly two and a half hours.

As she spoke to the council, Fitzpatrick asked if they would join the communities of Cambridge, Salem, Somerville, Boston and others and if they would vote in favor of a ceasefire or not.

To vote against this resolution would be morally indefensible and quite frankly pathetic, Fitzpatrick said. Silence during a U.S.-bankrolled genocide is complicity and our City Council represents our collective voice to the rest of the state, country and world.

Steve Schimmel, a Worcester resident, spoke against the resolution, arguing that those who are the loudest voices in supporting the petition are those who have engaged in propaganda against Israel over the last 15 months of the severest kind.

These are the talking points of Hamas, Schimmel said. They have no business in the chamber.

After the public comments, councilors Haxhiaj and Nguyen spoke in favor of the petition, with the latter saying that the council should not prioritize potholes and snowplowing over Palestinian lives.

I am tired of being told what it means to be a councilor, because I was elected for this moment right here to call an end to genocide, Nguyen said.

Vice Chair King also spoke in support of the petition, saying that it allows the council to balance their record, as they previously voted in favor of a resolution related to the Israel/Gaza war on Oct 17, 2023, that condemned the actions of Hamas.

I am in support of stopping the killings, King said. This is an opportunity to balance the record.... We did this back in October. We cant have different strokes for different folks.

In his comments, Petty acknowledged those who showed up in support for the petition and said it was an error to put the Gaza/Israel resolution on the agenda back in October 2024. He acknowledged the inhumane parts of October 7 and beyond but said he does not believe the actions of the petition falls under the city councils purview.

I hear what people are saying but I believe it is not the purview of the council, Petty said. Thats how I will vote here tonight.

Pettys comments were met with shouts of shame from some of those attending the meeting.

After the council vote, protestors broke out in chants of We will honor all our martyrs, brother and sisters. The council went into a 10-minute adjournment. Following the adjournment, councilor Nguyen asked to hold under privilege the rest of the items on the agenda. The council unanimously voted in favor and the meeting was adjourned.
The United States has eased restrictions on humanitarian aid to Syria to help the Syrian people at a time of political transition.

Syria became one of the most sanctioned countries in the world in response to the brutality of former President Bashar Al-Assad, who ignited a horrific 13-year civil war by his brutal repression of anti-government protests. On December 8, his rule ended as Islamist rebels, spear-headed by the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, swept into Damascus, driving Assad into exile. In the weeks following, HTS, which was once aligned with al-Qaida, has set up a de facto interim government.

On January 6, the U.S. Treasury Department announced it was issuing a general license for certain activities and transactions in Syria. This action underscores the United States commitment to ensuring that U.S. sanctions do not impede activities to meet basic human needs, including the provision of public services or humanitarian assistance. This authorization is for six months, as the U.S. government continues to monitor the evolving situation on the ground, the Treasury Department said in a statement.

Most U.S. sanctions against Syria remain in place, although the United States has dropped its offer of a monetary reward for HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, also known as Mohammad al-Jawlani. Western officials, including from the United States, have met with al-Sharaa, and urged that his de facto government be responsive to the needs and rights of all Syrians. In December, President Joe Biden cautioned that Syrias new leaders have their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses. And he declared, [T]heyre saying the right things now, but as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words, but their actions.

In announcing the easing of restrictions for humanitarian aid, the Treasury Department took note of the current extraordinary circumstances in Syria and the desire by the United States to support the Syrian people as they build a more hopeful, secure and peaceful future. The general license the Treasury Department is issuing, it said, will help ensure that sanctions do not impede essential services and continuity of governance functions across Syria, including the provision of electricity, energy, water, and sanitation.

Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo declared, During this period of transition, Treasury will continue to support humanitarian assistance and responsible governance in Syria.
This years (2025) event promises to ignite actionable dialogue

The global spotlight will turn to Africa on May 22-23, 2025, as the RegTech Africa Conference and Awards convenes at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria, to explore the transformative power of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in reshaping the continents economic future.

Under the theme Unlocking Africas Cross-Border Payments, Trade, and Investment Opportunities through Public-Private Partnerships, this years event promises to ignite actionable dialogue, foster groundbreaking partnerships, and showcase cutting-edge solutions for Africas growth.

Organized by RegTech Africa, the premium event will convene over 1,000 global participants, including high-level policymakers, government leaders, global innovators, trade experts, investors, and industry leaders, to forge actionable solutions and build strategic partnerships.

A Call to Action: Harnessing Partnerships for Africas Prosperity

Africa is on the brink of unprecedented transformation, driven by a youthful population, a surge in digital innovation, and the unifying vision of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). However, persistent challengesfragmented cross-border payment systems, complex trade barriers, and limited investment flowscontinue to hinder the continents seamless integration into global markets.

As Africa continues to take bold strides toward economic integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), collaboration between the public and private sectors is no longer optionalits essential, said Cyril Okoroigwe, Chair, Organizing Committee, RegTech Africa Conference.

The 2025 RegTech Africa Conference and Awards will address these issues head-on by leveraging the unparalleled potential of PPPs. By combining public sector regulatory oversight with private sector agility and innovation, Africa can unlock scalable solutions to bridge infrastructural, regulatory, and technological gaps.

Key Highlights of the 2025 Conference:

Exclusive Keynote Sessions: Insights from world-renowned leaders in finance, technology, and trade on driving Africas economic transformation.

Dynamic Panel Discussions: Topics including cross-border payments, trade harmonization, regulatory technologies, and investment frameworks.

Innovative Exhibitions: Showcasing cutting-edge RegTech solutions transforming compliance, payments, and trade ecosystems.

Networking Opportunities: An unparalleled chance to connect with influential decision-makers, innovators, and investors.

RegTech Africa Awards 2025: Celebrating excellence and innovation in regulatory technology and PPP-driven initiatives across Africa.

Why Attend? The 2025 RegTech Africa Conference and Awards offers attendees a front-row seat to the future of Africas economic evolution. From identifying new investment opportunities to exploring state-of-the-art technological advancements, the event will serve as a catalyst for tangible impact, driving inclusive growth and positioning Africa as a global leader in trade and innovation.

Call for Partnerships and Sponsorships

The RegTech Africa ConferenThe global spotlight will turn to Africa on May 22-23, 2025, as the RegTech Africa Conference and Awards convenes at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria, to explore the transformative power of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in reshaping the continents economic future. Under the theme Unlocking Africas Cross-Border Payments, Trade, and Investment Opportunities through Public-Private Partnerships, this years event promises to ignite actionable dialogue, foster groundbreaking partnerships, and showcase cutting-edge solutions for Africas growth.

Organized by RegTech Africa, the premium event will convene over 1,000 global participants, including high-level policymakers, government leaders, global innovators, trade experts, investors, and industry leaders, to forge actionable solutions and build strategic partnerships.

A Call to Action: Harnessing Partnerships for Africas Prosperity

Africa is on the brink of unprecedented transformation, driven by a youthful population, a surge in digital innovation, and the unifying vision of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). However, persistent challengesfragmented cross-border payment systems, complex trade barriers, and limited investment flowscontinue to hinder the continents seamless integration into global markets.

As Africa continues to take bold strides toward economic integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), collaboration between the public and private sectors is no longer optionalits essential, said Cyril Okoroigwe, Chair, Organizing Committee, RegTech Africa Conference.

The 2025 RegTech Africa Conference and Awards will address these issues head-on by leveraging the unparalleled potential of PPPs. By combining public sector regulatory oversight with private sector agility and innovation, Africa can unlock scalable solutions to bridge infrastructural, regulatory, and technological gaps.

Key Highlights of the 2025 Conference:

Exclusive Keynote Sessions: Insights from world-renowned leaders in finance, technology, and trade on driving Africas economic transformation.

Dynamic Panel Discussions: Topics including cross-border payments, trade harmonization, regulatory technologies, and investment frameworks.

Innovative Exhibitions: Showcasing cutting-edge RegTech solutions transforming compliance, payments, and trade ecosystems.

Networking Opportunities: An unparalleled chance to connect with influential decision-makers, innovators, and investors.

RegTech Africa Awards 2025: Celebrating excellence and innovation in regulatory technology and PPP-driven initiatives across Africa.

Why Attend? The 2025 RegTech Africa Conference and Awards offers attendees a front-row seat to the future of Africas economic evolution. From identifying new investment opportunities to exploring state-of-the-art technological advancements, the event will serve as a catalyst for tangible impact, driving inclusive growth and positioning Africa as a global leader in trade and innovation.

The 2025 RegTech Africa Conference is a call to action for all stakeholders to come together, break down barriers, and unleash Africas full potential through innovative solutions, unified regulatory frameworks, and transformative investments. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a defining moment in Africas journey toward integration and prosperity, said Olusanmi Graham Lawal, Director  Partnership at RegTech Africa.ce offers unparalleled opportunities for organizations, governments, and industry leaders to position themselves at the forefront of Africas economic transformation. As a sponsor or partner, your organization can:

-Gain unmatched visibility among a global audience of policymakers, investors, and innovators.

-Showcase your innovative solutions and commitment to Africas prosperity.

-Demonstrate your commitment to advancing Africas trade, payments, and investment ecosystem.

-Forge strategic alliances with influential decision-makers and stakeholders.

The 2025 RegTech Africa Conference is a call to action for all stakeholders to come together, break down barriers, and unleash Africas full potential through innovative solutions, unified regulatory frameworks, and transformative investments. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a defining moment in Africas journey toward integration and prosperity, said Olusanmi Graham Lawal, Director  Partnership at RegTech Africa.
A DISCHARGE of raw sewage from an overflow tank in a south Mayo wastewater pumping station resulted in the death of nearly 1,000 fish in a Claremorris lake.

Uisce Eireann, the state owned water utility company formerly known as Irish Water, appeared before Castlebar District Court where they were fined 4,000 for allowing raw sewage to enter the Clare Lake in Claremorris on April 26, 2024.

The 'significant' fish kill in the lake located on the outskirts of Claremorris occurred after raw sewage from the Mayfield waste water pumping station in Claremorris overflowed from a holding tank and entered the water network close to the lake.

Local anglers reported the fish kill to Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) on the morning of April 26, 2024 after dead fish including perch and roach started appearing on the surface of the lake.

David Harrington, a senior environmental officer with IFI, who took the prosecution against Uisce Eireann, told the court that such was the level of the fish kill that it may take up to a decade before the number of fish in the lake return to the level before the discharge occurred.

The court heard that a hole in old underground piping resulted in ground water entering the network which resulted in excess water entering the stormwater holding tanks resulting in the discharge.

Uisce Eireann pleaded guilty to the charge of allowing a pollutant to enter the water contrary to the Fisheries Consolidation Act. In a statement following the court case Uisce Eireann claimed that since the incident they have invested 1.5 million in the pumping station to ensure a similar discharge does not occur.

Uisce Eireann is committed to safeguarding public health and protecting the environment in all our activities. Following an overflow incident in April 2024 which regretfully resulted in a fish kill in the Clare Lake, Claremorris, we put in place a number of measures to reduce overflows at Clare Lake and ensure such an incident does not recur, the statement read.

They added that infiltration works which saw an investment of 1.5m included the 'rehabilitation' of 2km of sewer pipelines in Claremorris town to reduce the volume of ground water entering Mayfield pumping station; replacement of foul pumps to increase throughput at Mayfield Pumping Station; and improvements to telemetry and monitoring at Mayfield and connection to the INTS (National Telemetry system).

In addition, Uisce Eireann also recently completed works to reconstruct a section of sewer near Mayfield where significant ground water infiltration was occurring. Reinstatement works on site will be completed shortly, the statement read.

The Clare Lake was described in court as a ' high public value amenity' where in 2016 IFI invested in wheelchair accessible angling stands around the lake. Mr Harrington explained that before the fish kill, up to 3,500 people would use the lake on a weekly basis for angling and other activities.

As an environmental officer this is a worst case scenario from our line of work. It doesn't get any worse from that. It is such a small lake and the population of fish will take years to recover...we don't stock that lake so we will have to let nature take its course, he said, adding that the number of anglers using the lake has significantly reduced since last April.

Mr Harrington said the investigation into the fish kill took two weeks to complete as more fish were being found dead on a daily basis.

Samples of the water were taken to determine the level of pollution. The biological oxygen demand which measures how much oxygen is taken from a watercourse by pollutant showed that upstream from the discharge point it was at 3mg per litre of oxygen which indicated a healthy water system.

The reading at the discharge site was 280mg per litre and this increased to 833mg per litre where the stream enters Clare Lake.

Mr Harrington said that Uisce Eireann were very co-operative when the pollution was brought to their attention and work was carried out to prevent further discharges. However, the court heard that after remedial work to a hole in the pipe failed, it resulted in another discharge on May 22, 2024.

Mr Harrington described this as an 'unfortunate event' and confirmed that there has been no further fish kills at this location.

Mr Jonathon Moore, counsel for IFI told Judge Fiona Lydon that this is the 15th prosecution that IFI has taken against Uisce Eireann for similar type offences around the state since 2019.

Ms Aoife Sheehan, counsel for Uisce Eireann outlined the steps the water utility company has taken to prevent a repeat occurrence and added that as a result of the investment, the capacity of the pumping station has been increased. She added that before this incident occurred, Uisce Eireann were investigating infiltration of the network and examining the underground pipes.

She asked Judge Lydon to take into account that early plea and the investment in the network when deciding on the sentence.

Judge Lydon imposed a fine of 4,000 and ordered Uisce Eireann to pay agreed costs of 7131,31 to IFI to pay for legal costs as well as costs into the fish kill investigation.
As reports of human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, continue to rise in China, the situation bears an eerie resemblance to the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic five years ago.

With the pandemic in the back of many people's minds, such reports of HMPV have caused some anxiety among people across the country who are questioning how this virus will, or already is, affecting Ireland.

Rest assured, although the situation surrounding the spread of the virus and its symptoms may seem similar to Covid-19, medical experts say that it is not a cause for major concern.

What is HMPV and what are the symptoms?

HMPV is actually not a new virus, it was first identified in 2001 in The Netherlands.

READ NEXT: 17 people killed on Irish roads over Christmas and over 900 drivers found under the influence

The virus commonly spreads during late winter and early spring and as such, unlike what we saw when Covid-19 first appeared, HMPV already spreads seasonally across Europe, including Ireland.

It is a form of virus which leads to a mild upper respiratory tract infection, much like the common cold or flu.

It spreads through direct contact between people or when someone touches surfaces contaminated by the virus.

For many people who have the virus, symptoms will be almost indistinguishable from the flu and should last roughly 2-5 days.

Some of the most predominant symptoms include a cough, fever and nasal congestion.

Who are most vulnerable?

As is typically the case with the flu, very young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems are most vulnerable to HMPV.

Although people of all ages may develop complications from the virus, these groups are most susceptible to HMPV developing into bronchitis, bronchiolitis or pneumonia.

It is worth noting that having a history of asthma, COPD or emphysema does not mean someone is more likely to contract the virus, but such diseases can make the symptoms more severe. The same can also be said for those with weakened immune symptoms such as people undergoing chemotherapy.

According the American Lung Association, most children who contract the virus are age 5 and under. A small number of children (5-16%) may develop lower respiratory tract infections like pneumonia.

So should I be worried about the recent surges in China?

Overall, medical experts advise caution against the virus for vulnerable people, but the majority of us need not panic.

The virus is so common that most people will have contracted it in childhood and may become infected several times throughout their life.

The spikes seen in China are likely connected to the low temperatures in recent weeks - conditions which experts believe the virus, like most cold viruses, thrive in.

If people are concerned, the usual cold and flu precaution measures also apply to HMPV. This includes staying home if you are unwell and maintaining good hygiene practises like washing your hands and covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing.
By Ercan Kucuk, Editor in Chief of ROPORTAJLIK

Girls dances to the Uyghur music performed by an Uyghur traditional band at Urumuqi International Grand Bazzare, northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. (Photo provided to Guangming Online)

I have been researching and writing about the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and the imperialist-backed claims and facts about the region for about 6 years. I have written dozens of news articles on the subject and even a documentary called The Two Sides of the Coin: Uyghurs in Turkiye. Therefore, Im well aware of the discussions and writings about the region. However, I had not been there before. It was therefore much more important to go to the region and see it with my own eyes.

At the invitation of the Guangming Daily, one of Chinas leading newspapers, we went to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region with journalist and director friends. The Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region is Chinas gateway to the West. We went to the capital of the region, Urumqi, which is also the starting point of the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as Nalati, Yining, Kucha, and Kashi.

Probably one of the most frequently asked questions about our visit is whether Uyghurs can live their culture and use their language freely. It is important to note that the concerns often debated in Turkiye are quite different from the daily realities of Uyghurs in Xinjiang.

Education in native languages

In all the cities we visited except for Ili, which is a Kazakh-majority region, Uyghurs are the majority. Starting from Urumqi Airport, the Uyghur language, which uses the Arabic alphabet, is seen and heard throughout the region. It is mandatory to use Uyghur and Chinese, especially in state institutions and on public signs. In private businesses, this is optional. Those who want to use Uyghur on their signs are not prevented. Even the announcements at airports and on planes were in Uyghur. It was also notable for encountering names such as Abdureshid, Selahattin, and Abduselam among the Uyghurs, which reflect their cultural heritage.

Uyghur education is also available in schools. In regions where there are Uyghurs, students are taught in Chinese, Uyghur, and English, while in regions where there are Kazakhs, they are taught in Chinese, Kazakh, and English. Uyghur has also entered the countrys currency, the Yuan. One of the languages used in the Yuan alongside Chairman Maos portrait is Uyghur.

Uyghur music and traditional clothes

We visited the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar in Urumqi, Liuxing Street in Yining, and the Old City of Kashi. The markets were filled with the rich aromas of Uyghur cuisine and bustling with thousands of locals and visitors. We freely roamed the stalls, interacted with shopkeepers, and enjoyed the lively atmosphere there. In Urumqi, we saw Uyghur men playing music with Uyghur musical instruments and a little Uyghur girl who lost herself in the rhythm of the music, as well as those selling yogurt with various fruits on top, and those who would draw your caricature in 5 minutes. Here, I took photos with both the Uyghur men wearing doppas and the Uyghur girls walking around in ethnic clothes. Taking photos in ethnic clothes in the region is quite popular, especially among domestic tourists. It was heartwarming to see locals express joy upon learning we were from Turkiye.

Smiling faces when Turkiye is mentioned

There are many restaurants and shops dominated by Uyghur and Kazakh cultures on Liuxing Street, which is famous for its special hexagonal structure extending from a round center to six main streets.

My favorite places in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region were Kashi and Nalati. The latter is a Kazakh town at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains. It is possible to see the Uyghur culture in its entirety in the bazaar in Kashi. Uyghur ethnic hats, dabbas, traditional clothes, and Uyghur musical instruments such as dutar are in almost every shop. In this bazaar, where we went to the shops we wanted, the Uyghurs were happy to learn that we came from Turkiye. They spoke Uyghur while we spoke Turkish, some of whom also offered special discounts for us on the prices. In the Horgos China-Kazakhstan International Free Trade Zone, we walked around with a Uyghur friend speaking Uyghur, and I spoke Turkish to him. In Kashi, Uyghur writings are also noticeable on the streets where tourists show great interest and take photos.

We watched and listened to ethnic shows and songs of Uyghurs and Kazakhs in many places. But I would recommend everyone to watch the show Fragrant Concubine in Kashi, which has an important place in Uyghur and Chinese history. The graves of the family of the Fragrant Concubine, also known as Iparhan and Dilsad Hatun, are also protected in a cemetery specially built for them. Taking photos in the cemetery is forbidden. Frankly, I must say that I broke the rules and took photos there.

Prayer at Id Kah Mosque

One of the topics of curiosity about the region is the freedom of worship of the Uyghurs. We visited the Yanghang Mosque in Urumqi and the historic Id Kah Mosque in Kashi. The Yanghang Mosque, one of the largest in Urumqi, was built in 1897. The mosque was previously visited by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye, Hakan Fidan, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. The Imam of the Mosque, Muhterem Sharif, who is also the Vice President of the Xinjiang Islamic Religious Federation, said that Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and Huis come to the 3-story mosque with an area of 5,000 square meters and that there are also people from countries such as Pakistan and Afghanistan. Imam Sharif said that 300-350 people come to the mosque, which is open all the time, on Fridays and more than 3,000 people come to worship on religious holidays. The mosque also has a library with Qurans written in Uyghur, Chinese, Arabic, and Kazakh. The Quran I examined in the mosque was in Uyghur. Imam Sharif said the following in response to a question by T24 writer Asl Atasoy:

Radical thought does not belong to our religion. Islam actually opposes it. The Prophet Muhammad has a hadith on this subject. Lets not go to extremes in religion. Many ethnic groups before have disappeared because they went to extremes.

Ercan Kucuk (L) and Muhterem Sharif (C) at Yanghang Mosque in Urumuqi, northwest China's Uyhgur Autonomous Region. (Photo provided to Guangming Online)

The other mosque we visited, Id Kah Mosque, has been standing for about 600 years. As a historical mosque of the ancient city of Kashi, Id Kah Mosque is open to tourists outside of prayer hours, similar to our Sultanahmet Mosque. I also had the pleasure of sitting and praying in the historical mosque outside of prayer hours.

In conclusion

The Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region is home to many ethnic groups, primarily the Uyghurs. In these ancient lands where settlements have been held for thousands of years and civilizations have been established, the antidote to ethnic sedition is to share a multicultural and equal life. This is achieved by people being able to live their languages, cultures, and religious beliefs equally and freely. The fact that some Uyghurs and Kazakhs we spoke to used the phrases, I am Uyghur, I am Kazakh. But I am a Chinese citizen. This is my country, my state, is even more meaningful in this respect.

Editor: ZAD
by Fern Siegel , January 8, 2025



Popular British plant-based food brand This has debuted a campaign from its new agency, St. Luke's.

The ads target people who love eating meat, but want to cut back without compromising taste.

The TV campaign kicked off Jan. 6 on selected ITV regions and ITVX, while the OOH can be seen on the London Underground, national railway stations and the roadside large digital format in Shoreditch.

St. Luke's also added a social component.

The TV spot is directed by Glenn Kitson via Apostle Studios, St Lukes in-house production studio.

The spot features a lively real estate agency who tastes This' meat-free sausages and decides anything is possible, including becoming a wingsuit flyer. The tag: This Changes Everything* along with a disclaimer that everything does not include wingsuit flying abilities.

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The campaign dovetails with the product's refreshed brand and packaging efforts.

Rich Denney, joint chief creative officer at St Lukes, said: We set out to create a brand idea as bold and memorable as the products. St Lukes won the account in October 2024 after a competitive pitch.

Mark Cuddigan, CEO at This, added: Weve always believed the plant-based category should be bold, cheeky and unapologetically fun. And we think the campaign achieves that, and more  it flips the whole script."

The agency's client work includes Ocado, Tyrrell's, Heathrow Airport and Dole.
by Teresa Buyikian , January 7, 2025

Most consumers can only dream of owning a piece of paradise. One creme rum cocktail, known as the Beach in a bottle is offering shares of its own form of paradise: the brand itself.

Today Bushwacker Spirits, makers of The Bushwacker ready-to-drink bottled cocktail, announced it is offering shares of the company to its customers. Those who purchase shares, will not only become partial company owners but will also gain access to exclusive insider perks, and become integral members of the Bushwacker family, per the brands announcement.

"The Bushwacker Cocktail has always been more than a drink; it's a feeling, a community," said Michael Smith, CEO of Bushwacker Spirits in the release. "Now we're giving this community the opportunity to own a piece of that feeling, to become owners in the company.

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The brand raised $191,222.46 since announcing the availability of shares this morning. The shares start at $2 apiece. According to the brand, in addition to exclusive perks including behind-the-scenes experiences, shareholders will also have the opportunity to engage directly with the company's leadership.

The actual Bushwacker cocktail itself was created on St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands over 50 years ago, with the name rumored to have come from a popular dog who frequented the island bar where the drink was created, per Wikipedia. The original cocktail itself, a sort of chocolatey tropical version of a White Russian, contained vodka, Kahlua, dark Creme de Cacao, Coco Lopez (cream of coconut), with a splash of Triple Sec and milk.

Now there are many variations on the cocktail, with Bushwacker festivals taking place throughout Florida where drink masters and amateur bartenders compete with their own recipes for the tropical libation.

Bushwacker Spirits bottled its own recipe as the first RTD version in 2020. The company refers to itself as a lifestyle brand and has a line of merchandise including beach visors, lip balm, T-shirt, hats and coolers.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, January 7, 2025

A California law that prohibits social media companies from algorithmically recommending posts to minors without their parents' consent violates the First Amendment, the tech industry group NetChoice is telling a federal appellate court.

The restrictions on personalized feeds runs afoul of teens' constitutional right to speak or be spoken to without parental consent, NetChoice argues, quoting from a 2011 Supreme Court decision that struck down a California law restricting the sale of violent video games to minors.

The organization is asking the 9th Circuit to block enforcement of the Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act (SB 976), which was signed into law last year and slated to take effect January 1.

In November, NetChoice sued to invalidate the law, arguing that minors have a First Amendment right to access content, and that web publishers have a constitutional right to recommend content.

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Last week, U.S. District Court Judge Edward Davila blocked enforcement of parts of the bill, but said NetChoice hadn't proven that the restrictions on algorithmic recommendations were unconstitutional.

Davila wrote in a 34-page opinion that the restrictions on personalized feeds don't require platforms to remove any posts.

Users may still access all posts by searching through the social media platforms, Davila wrote. NetChoice has not offered any authority suggesting otherwise, and the court is skeptical that speech becomes inaccessible simply because someone needs to proactively search for it. If that were the case, library books would be inaccessible unless a librarian recommends them because libraries hold too many books for a single person to sort through.

NetChoice subsequently filed an appeal with the 9th Circuit and asked Davila for a temporary injunction. Davila granted the request and enjoined enforcement of the entire law until February 1.

The tech industry group late last week asked the 9th Circuit to extend that injunction while the appeal is pending. Among other arguments, NetChoice says that even if the law doesn't require social platforms to remove speech, the restrictions on recommendations effectively restrict companies' ability to offer compilations.

Davila erred by focusing only on the availability of individual pieces of content, when that content forms part of a 'larger offering' of protected expression, NetChoice writes.

The group adds that the decision could theoretically enable California to basically ban all personalized feeds on the worlds major social media websites -- including those for adults.
by Sarah Mahoney , Staff Writer @mahoney_sarah, January 8, 2025

Ulta Beauty is the latest company to announce a CEO shake-up, with the surprising promotion of Kecia Steelman to president and CEO. Dave Kimbell, who joined Ulta as CMO 11 years ago and has been CEO since 2021, will retire.

At the same time, the company also announced that fourth-quarter sales will be somewhat better than initially forecast, coming in with a small gain. Ulta had previously predicted revenue would be between flat and a decline of 1%.

Steelman has been president and COO since 2023.

In the announcement, Lorna Nagler, chair of Ulta Beautys board of directors, described Steelman as a world-class business executive with deep beauty and retail expertise, an unwavering commitment to effective execution, and a profound passion for our guests and associates.

She added that Steelman has also been instrumental in the Bolingbrook, Illinois-based companys recently refreshed strategic framework. We are confident that she is the right person to lead Ulta Beauty forward, Nagler said.

For much of the last decade, Ulta was consistently one of the best-performing brands in all of retail, with rapid expansion, constantly rising sales and steadily expanding digital, influencer and marketing efforts.

While beauty has been a resilient category, even with consumers cutting back discretionary spending, Ultas competition has intensified. Besides Sephora, Amazon has expanded its beauty offers, and both department stores, like Macys, and discounters, including Walmart, offer more beauty products. Thats led to a stock-price decline of almost 25% below Ulta's 52-week high.

Analysts view Steelmans appointment as good -- if unexpected -- news for Ulta. While Ulta significantly underperformed the market last year, today's updated outlook should help alleviate concerns about prolonged same-store sales declines, writes Krisztina Katai, who follows the company for Deutsche Bank, and indicates that Ultas market share is stabilizing.

She notes that Steelmans extensive real estate, CRM, distribution, and merchandising knowledge will help. We see this as a positive transition for the company.

David Swartz, an analyst who follows retail for Morningstar, agrees. Although there was no prior indication that Kimbell was planning to move on, he writes, the change should be smooth. Kimbell was an effective CEO, but Ultas results over the past year have been rocky due partly to heightened competition in prestige beauty.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, January 8, 2025

Siding against Google, a federal judge on Thursday rejected the company's request for judgment in its favor in a privacy battle over the collection of analytics data from smartphone users.

The ruling, issued by U.S. District Court Judge Richard Seeborg in the Northern District of California, comes in a dispute over Google Analytics for Firebase -- a tool that can collect data about smartphone users' app usage.

Anibal Rodriguez and other consumers alleged in a 2020 class-action complaint that Google intentionally created an illusion of user control through its Web & App Activity settings, which users can toggle off if they don't want to save searches and activity in their Google account.

Rodriguez and the others alleged that even when users turn off the setting, Google uses its Firebase code to collect users communications made via the apps on users devices."

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Google argued that it was entitled to summary judgment -- meaning a verdict in its favor, based on evidence developed in preparation for trial.

Among other arguments, the company said it accurately described its practices in its privacy policy and the Web and App Activity setting. Google also described the analytics data as non-personal, and said its privacy policies disclosed that the company could use non-personal information for basic record-keeping.

Google added that no reasonable smartphone user would have expected the Web & App Activity setting to disable the entire data flow from the app to Google.

Nobody who uses mobile apps reasonably believes that they can grind the mobile ads ecosystem to a halt by flipping a single button (or any other way), Google wrote in a motion for summary judgment.

Seeborg rejected that argument, writing that Google's disclosures about the Web and App Activity setting were ambiguous.

Seeborg added that even pseudonymous information can be considered personal information in California, noting that the state's privacy statute defines personal information as data that could be linked to a consumer, household, IP address or other unique identifier.

A Google spokesperson called the allegations "a deliberate attempt to mischaracterize the way our products work," adding that the company "will continue to make our case in court against these patently false claims."

The judge hasn't yet scheduled a date for trial.
Akshay Kumars upcoming action movie Sky Force will showcase Indias first air strike over Pakistan, similar to Hrithik Roshans Fighter, which showcased a fictional story as the aftermath of the Pulwama attack. But contrary to Fighters high-octane contemporary genre, Sky Force will be a period movie that stars Akshay Kumar, Veer Pahariya and Sara Ali Khan in the lead roles.

 Maddock Films Sky Force and Fighter share similar themes, sparking a fan war as audiences compare the two films. Some have even drawn parallels between these movies and Tom Cruise's iconic Top Gun.

 Maddock Films & Marflix Productions One user commented, Wow! Now, we have gotten so lazy that , we just open Netflix, search a Bollywood movie, and make it again. Copying from Hollywood is too much of a pain.

 Reddit/BollyBlindsNGossip Another user commented, No offense but bollywood, even if they have some good actors have some of the most laziest producers, directors ill ever see in any field of work! Ye isliye banana gya kyuki Pata he top gun maverick me success boht mili thi and now they want to create a cheap knockoff so they can mint moneyy off of it.

 Reddit/BollyBlindsNGossip One user reacted, Top gun it self was a cheap and mid movie It was sasta copy of top gun and it floped because 90% of Indians don't travel by planes. This one will not work Deshbhakti overdose , people bored from this genre . Same story with same repitive dialogues in every patriotic movie nothing new Akshay acting is good but we saw him in these kind of roles before Not to forget he is in bad phase and people ignore his movies because they haven't Any thing interesting for them.
Military History Matters has curated a list of 2024s best military history titles: the nominees for this years MHM Book Awards. Our selection includes some of the best-researched, most-insightful, and most-readable titles reviewed and featured in the magazine over the last year.

But we need your help to select the winners!

Gold, silver, and bronze prizes are up for grabs in the race for MHM Book of the Year, which will be awarded to the title our readers feel has made the greatest all-round contribution to the study of military history.

Read the reviews of all 12 titles below, then click here to vote.

The MHM Book Awards is sponsored by The Cultural Experience, a leading international tour company that offers expert-led holidays to historical and culturally significant destinations throughout the world. For more information about the company, please visit their website.

Oliver Cromwell: Commander in Chief

Ronald Hutton

Yale University Press

Commander in Chief is the keenly awaited second volume in Ronald Huttons three part biography of Oliver Cromwell, Britains first and only commoner head of state. It traces his transformation from victorious Parliamentarian general to supreme national leader. Huttons book is a vivid portrait, more sharply focused on the manipulative, brutal side of Cromwells personality than most previous studies.

Click here to read the full review

The Strategists: Churchill, Stalin, Roosevelt, Mussolini, and Hitler

Phillips Payson OBrien

Viking

What forged the character of the most significant figures in the Second World War? How did the personalities of Hitler, Churchill, or Stalin affect their strategic choices? Part biography, part psychological profile, and part strategic history, The Strategists reminds us that it is leaders who actually determine strategy, with all of their strengths and weaknesses.

Click here to read the full review

Henry V: The Astonishing Rise of Englands Greatest Warrior King

Dan Jones

Head of Zeus

Henry V ruled England for only nine years, and he died at the age of 35, but his reign was one of the most consequential in the countrys history. Medieval historian Dan Jones has produced this compelling and highly readable biography of the victor of Agincourt, whose various achievements and merits as a warrior are still being argued about today.

Click here to read the full review

Operation Biting: The 1942 Parachute Assault to Capture Hitlers Radar

Max Hastings

William Collins

After books on Vietnam and Cuba, Max Hastings returns to the Second World War with a focus on the 1942 commando raid on German radar installations in France. Operation Biting makes compelling reading for anyone interested in how Churchills ambitions for raids on the coastline of occupied Europe were realised, through the lens of a single remarkable operation.

Click here to read the full review

Sword Beach: The Untold Story of D-Days Forgotten Victory

Stephen Fisher

Bantam Press

This debut book from Stephen Fisher extracts the story of Sword Beach on 6 June 1944 from the wider D-Day history and treats it  exactly as the title implies  as a distinct battle with its own unique identity. Engagingly written and firmly rooted in the evidence, Sword Beach places the experiences of the individual soldier, sailor, airman, or French civilian at its heart.

Click here to read the full review

1217: The Battles that Saved England

Catherine Hanley

Osprey Publishing

The reign of King John was a period of immense significance to English history. Catherine Hanleys complex and exciting book 1217: The Battles that Saved England highlights the importance of the later years of Johns reign, after he repudiated Magna Carta, his famous agreement with his barons  but in doing so unleashed forces that he struggled to control.

Click here to read the full review

Normandy: The Sailors Story  A Naval History of D-Day and the Battle for France

Nick Hewitt

Yale University Press

The Allied navies played an essential role in ensuring that Operation Overlord was a success. In his absorbing book, released to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, Nick Hewitt focuses on the nitty-gritty of the campaign, illuminating like never before the scale of what he calls the Battle of the Seine Bay, unquestionably the most significant naval engagement in history.

Click here to read the full review

Agent Zo: The Untold Story of Fearless WWII Resistance Fighter Elzbieta Zawacka

Clare Mulley

Orion

Elzbieta Zawacka was driven by a belief in resistance and positive action. This latest book from Clare Mulley goes way beyond the astonishing life story of the Polish resistance fighter. For it also provides an important overview of 20th-century Poland, as well as a reminder of the horrors of tyranny and the price paid by individuals for realpolitik.

Click here to read the full review

Battle for the Island Kingdom: Englands Destiny 1000-1066

Don Hollway

Osprey Publishing

In the years up to 1066, Vikings, Anglo-Saxons, and Normans all vied for the prize that was the English Crown. Don Hollways Battle for the Island Kingdom is a clear and compelling examination of the motivations and ambitions driving the periods main actors, including thelred the Unready, King Harold Godwinson, and William the Conqueror.

Click here to read the full review

The Eastern Front: A History of the First World War

Nick Lloyd

Viking

British perceptions of the First World War have been profoundly shaped by the mud and blood of the Western Front  but, as is sometimes forgotten, fighting took place all across Europe and beyond. The Eastern Front, the second instalment in a trilogy by Nick Lloyd, is an extraordinary achievement in illuminating a poorly understood theatre of the conflict.

Click here to read the full review

A Nasty Little War: The Wests Fight to Reverse the Russian Revolution

Anna Reid

John Murray

In the aftermath of the First World War, America, along with Britain, France, and several other Allied nations, sent troops to Russia in a half-hearted attempt to reverse the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917. Anna Reid provides an impressively balanced and sometimes grimly funny account of this largely forgotten conflict and its controversial legacy.

Click here to read the full review

Warriors in Scarlet: The Life and Times of the Last Redcoats

Ian Knight

Pan Macmillan

Warriors in Scarlet charts the history of the British Army in the first half of Queen Victorias reign  a period that saw troops in action across the globe, fighting wars in Africa, the Middle East, India, and China. With a gift for narrative and effective use of sources, Ian Knight locates his subject firmly in the wider context of 19th century society and imperial expansion.

Click here to read the full review

Voting will close on 17 March 2025, with the winners announced shortly after
A boy tastes Laba porridge in Langzhong ancient town in southwest China's Sichuan Province, Jan. 7, 2025. This year's Laba Festival falls on Tuesday. A celebration event was held in the ancient town during which free Laba porridge was served to tourists and local residents. (Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing)

A celebration event of Laba Festival is held in Langzhong ancient town in southwest China's Sichuan Province, Jan. 7, 2025. This year's Laba Festival falls on Tuesday. A celebration event was held in the ancient town during which free Laba porridge was served to tourists and local residents. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

A celebration event of Laba Festival is held in Langzhong ancient town in southwest China's Sichuan Province, Jan. 7, 2025. This year's Laba Festival falls on Tuesday. A celebration event was held in the ancient town during which free Laba porridge was served to tourists and local residents. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

An aerial drone photo shows a celebration event of Laba Festival in Langzhong ancient town in southwest China's Sichuan Province, Jan. 7, 2025. This year's Laba Festival falls on Tuesday. A celebration event was held in the ancient town during which free Laba porridge was served to tourists and local residents. (Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing)

A tourist tastes Laba porridge in Langzhong ancient town in southwest China's Sichuan Province, Jan. 7, 2025. This year's Laba Festival falls on Tuesday. A celebration event was held in the ancient town during which free Laba porridge was served to tourists and local residents. (Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing)

A baby tastes Laba porridge in Langzhong ancient town in southwest China's Sichuan Province, Jan. 7, 2025. This year's Laba Festival falls on Tuesday. A celebration event was held in the ancient town during which free Laba porridge was served to tourists and local residents. (Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing)

Editor: JYZ
It was, as we shall discover later in this series to mark the 160th anniversary of the end of the American Civil War, a very low-key affair  when, on 9 April 1865, the Confederate commander Robert E Lee offered his surrender to Ulysses S Grant, the commanding general of the opposing Union forces, in a now-famous encounter in the parlour of Wilmer McLeans house in Appomattox, Virginia.

The moment had been a long time coming  the final act in a cataclysmic drama, acted out between the United States and the 11 Southern states that in 1860-1861 had seceded to form the Confederate States of America. But as Lee, resplendent in his best dress uniform, and Grant, arriving straight from the battlefield in drab attire and mud-spattered boots, shook hands to agree the Confederate capitulation, an atmosphere of magnanimity and mutual respect hung in the air.

As it was, the terms offered by Grant were generous. Lees soldiers would have to hand in their weapons, but officers would be allowed to keep swords and sidearms. All could then return to their homes, and any man who needed to plough his fields could keep his horse or mule once the army was paroled. On being told that Lees troops were living on parched corn, Grant also offered his adversary 25,000 rations from Federal stores. For his part, Lee was gratified by his opponents solicitousness. This will have the best possible effect upon the men, he said.

Just days after their meeting, the American Civil War would officially be over  and after four years of fighting that had left at least 750,000 soldiers dead, the country could begin to rebuild. In our special feature for this issue, and over the next two editions of MHM, historian Fred Chiaventone marks the 160th anniversary of the wars end by tracing the long and painful road to Appomattox  from Southern secession to final surrender.

This is an extract from a special feature on the American Civil War from the February/March 2025 issue of Military History Matters magazine.

Read the full article online on The Past, or in the print magazine: find out more about subscriptions to Military History Matters here.
Military reserve members across the Tricare West Region mistakenly were told they must pay monthly premiums of more than $600 to $1,500 to retain their health benefits in 2025.

TriWest Healthcare Alliance, the new Tricare contract manager for 26 states, sent letters late last month to an undisclosed number of reservists and their families with updates to their monthly health premiums for 2025.

Instead of containing information for the Tricare Reserve program, however, the letters said the service members were enrolled in the Tricare Retired Reserve program, a significantly more costly premium plan for eligible retired reservists under age 60.

Read Next: Troubled Caisson Unit Makes Appearance at Carter Funeral as Horse-Drawn Services Remain Suspended

"Effective Jan. 1, 2025, the government has established new monthly premiums for the Tricare Retired Reserve program as noted below," the letter stated. "$631.26 TRR Member Only Plan; $1,513.04 TRR Member and Family Plan."

The 2025 premiums for the Tricare Reserve program are $53.80 a month for a single member and $274.48 for a family.

Beneficiaries who contacted Military.com said they had tried to update their payment information with TriWest before receiving the letters but couldn't access the portal to fix their issues.

"Whyyyyyyy did we get this?" asked an Army National Guard spouse in a message to Military.com.

"For those on Tricare Reserve Select, TriWest enrolled us in Tricare Retired Reserve, upping the monthly payment by over $1,200. ... Over the past few days, my wife, who is the beneficiary, has been on hold with their phone trees for over 4 hours now and so far [is] unable to talk to anyone," retired Air Force Lt. Col. Jeff Schneider said in an email.

TriWest officials did not provide information on the number of members who received the inaccurate information but said in a statement Monday that corrections were emailed Friday to affected beneficiaries and letters containing the right information would be mailed as well.

"The letter included wrong information despite the beneficiary being enrolled in the correct plan, which is reflected in all applicable systems," according to the statement.

The error follows a series of challenges facing roughly 4.5 million patients in the 26-state Tricare West Region following a changeover in regional contract managers on Jan. 1.

The Defense Department awarded the new Tricare contract for the West Region to TriWest in December 2022, and after a series of bid protests and a lawsuit, the company retained the contract effective Jan. 1.

In early December, shortly after TriWest published its list of network providers, patients began raising concerns that their doctors under the old contractor, Health Net Federal Services, were not in TriWest's network.

At the same time, providers reported challenges applying for the network.

Then, as the deadline approached for beneficiaries to update their payment information to TriWest, many encountered website outages and long hold times on the phone.

To accommodate the problems, TriWest and Tricare extended the deadline for patients to update their payment information by Jan. 30 for those on Tricare Prime or Tricare Select and by Jan. 15 for other programs.

According to TriWest, as of Monday, 59% of those who needed to update their recurring payment information by bank transfer or credit card had done so.

"This urgency has generated a higher volume of calls to the call center for payments," TriWest said in its statement. "TriWest is closely monitoring its customer service lines and has implemented a plan to adjust staffing levels quickly to address increase in call volume."

TriWest also said it now offers a menu option that, after 15 minutes on hold, callers can use to keep their place in line and receive a call back.

The company said, however, that the quickest way to update patient and payment information is through the beneficiaries portal.

"Caring for America's military and veteran communities has been TriWest's sole priority for nearly three decades. We believe there is no more valuable service to be performing for the nation. With a transition of this size and scale, challenges will arise," the statement read.

Complaints on Tricare's Facebook page jumped from the low hundreds across several posts before New Year's Day to more than 1,200 as of Tuesday.

Tricare has been monitoring the page and responding to complaints via direct messaging and encouraging beneficiaries to reach out directly through messaging as well.

In October, Defense Health Agency officials said TriWest would send letters or emails to beneficiaries announcing the payment update requirement and telling recipients how to do it. It appears, however, that some beneficiaries did not get the correspondence and found out about the need only from emails sent in late November.

Beneficiaries nearly immediately started reporting problems updating their information, including incorrect phone numbers and dropped transfers, no callbacks when requested and problems with the website, according to emails received by Military.com.

Health care providers also reported communications issues with TriWest, with several saying they received little to no information on applying to become part of the new network.

"TriWest has made the new contract extremely challenging for clinicians, making it hard for military members to continue seeing their provider,"Ashley Comegys, a licensed clinical social worker, said in a Facebook reel.

TriWest officials say they have a network of nearly 1 million providers. The company is allowing a 90-day network waiver, from Jan. 1 to March 31, that lets beneficiaries see their current providers.

After 90 days, if the provider has not been accepted into the network, patients may still see their providers, but there will be associated out-of-network costs.

Additionally, TriWest will honor pre-authorizations or referrals from Health Net through the pre-authorization's expiration date or June 30, 2025, whichever comes first.

Related: TriWest Wins GAO Decision on $65B Tricare Contract That Covers Half of US
A horse-drawn procession carried President Jimmy Carter's remains to the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday during his state funeral, marking the first time the troubled unit has been used since the Army announced its suspension nearly two years ago.

The Caisson Platoon, a specialized element in the Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment, also known as the Old Guard, transports the remains of fallen service members and veterans to their final resting place at Arlington National Cemetery.

The unit came under public scrutiny in 2022 when CNN reported that two horses had died within days of each other, highlighting substandard living conditions and neglect within the unit. By December of that year, two more horses died, and in April 2023 the Army suspended the program -- initially for 45 days, but now it continues to remain sidelined with no restart date.

Read Next: Trump Refuses to Rule Out Use of Military Force to Take Control of Greenland and the Panama Canal

The Army has been working to improve the horses' living conditions by bettering their feed, reducing instances of parasites, refining their work schedules, revamping soldier training, procuring new horses, renovating facilities, acquiring additional land and funneling money into the program -- elements that were neglected for years, according to service officials.

"Essentially, we have had to completely restart our program," Maj. Gen. Trevor Bredenkamp, the commander of the Army's Military District of Washington/Joint Task Force-National Capital Region, said in a congressional hearing in November.

During that hearing, Bredenkamp also said that "our first priority is to ensure that we have a caisson squad capable of conducting a state funeral. That is our main requirement upon the death of a U.S. president, if requested by the family to provide that support."

That priority came to fruition this week after Jimmy Carter, the 39th president who lived to be 100 years old and was a Navy veteran, died Dec. 29. An Army official confirmed to Military.com on Tuesday that this was the first funeral procession for the caisson detachment since the April 2023 suspension.

"Every president is offered a caisson procession; however, it is each president's decision on whether to include one in their funeral plans," Lt. Col. Patrick Husted, a spokesperson for MDW/JTF National Capital Region, said in an email to Military.com on Tuesday. "The inclusion of a caisson was a desire of former President Jimmy Carter. The caisson detachment is trained and ready to execute this mission in support of the state funeral."

The CNN report, which a recent Rand Corp. study said "brought widespread attention" to the problem in 2022, said that two horses had died within 96 hours of each other, with one having 44 pounds of gravel found in its gut upon necropsy. But the study said those problems went back years: Between 2014 and 2022, nine horses died of gravel impaction, an indication of "long-term gaps in veterinary care and oversight of horse nutrition and feeding," according to Rand.

Poorly maintained and limited space also contributed to the decline of the herd. At one point, the 60-plus horse herd was living in less than 20% of the recommended area for equine use, with dilapidated paddocks and structures being a prominent feature at Forts Myer and Belvoir, where the horses lived. Since then, the unit has retired roughly 40 horses, officials said, significantly reducing the load on that limited space as the Army looks to buy more land.

Training of personnel had also deteriorated, and officials have eyed creating a specific military occupational specialty to create more stability in horse care as the widespread use of military equids has withered over the centuries.

"The challenges facing our program did not manifest themselves in just the last couple of years," Bredenkamp told Congress in November. "They evolved over a long period of time due to deteriorating facilities, reduced pasture and turnout, resource constraints and the atrophying of basic equine skills once resident in a larger portion of our Army."

Despite congressional and public pressure, the Army has declined to say when the service will resume in full, with officials stating that they are taking a "conditions-based" approach to rehabilitating the program. The Washington Post reported that the suspension will likely last through the summer.

Around the time of the two horse deaths in 2022, the unit was working under a budget of roughly $1 million, an amount the Rand study categorized as a "low funding priority" in the Army. Since then, the Military District of Washington has received millions more in funding, according to the study; for fiscal 2025, the service requested an additional $6.2 million with plans to request similar amounts through 2030, resulting in a total of roughly $31 million.

Meanwhile, dozens of families are awaiting the return of the caisson service to lay their loved ones to rest.

In April, the Army and Arlington officials said that no families were awaiting services amid the suspension. The following month, Military.com reported that 66 families were waiting in limbo, having to make difficult decisions on how and when to honor their veteran loved ones. The Washington Post reported that, as of December, 29 families were now waiting.

"The caisson detachment is trained and ready to perform their mission for former President Carter's state funeral," Husted said. "This operation does not detract from continued progress to achieve the requirements for the caisson detachment to return to Arlington National Cemetery in accordance with the criteria outlined" in the fiscal 2025 National Defense Authorization Act.

Related: Jimmy Carter Will Be Honored in Washington, a City Where He Remained an Outsider
A fuel tank fell off an F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet from Eglin Air Force Base on Tuesday, landing in a residential neighborhood just shy of an elementary school outside of the Florida military base.

The base's 96th Test Wing confirmed to Military.com in an emailed statement that the incident occurred around 11 a.m. local time in Niceville, Florida, "within close proximity" to the installation. No one was injured or killed by the fuel tank's plummet to the ground.

Mid Bay News, a local digital news outlet, reported that the fuel tank missed cars, people and homes in the fall, ultimately landing in someone's yard.

Read Next: Troubled Caisson Unit Makes Appearance at Carter Funeral as Horse-Drawn Services Remain Suspended

"Only by the grace of God, it landed between two houses," Niceville City Manager David Deitch told Mid Bay News.

Air Force officers and security forces were seen in the residential area investigating the incident on Tuesday, and images of the scrap metal lying on the ground were shared by the digital news outlet.

The spot where the fuel tank landed was roughly 600 meters from Edge Elementary School, Mid Bay News reported. The Okaloosa County School District told Military.com in an emailed statement that students were not at school at the time of the incident but were set to return the following day.

"Our district is aware of the current situation and is in close communication with Okaloosa County Emergency Management to ensure a smooth and safe return for students tomorrow," Catherine Card, an Okaloosa County Schools spokesperson, told Military.com on Tuesday.

The incident outside of Eglin Air Force Base mirrors a similar event that occurred in July.

An F-16 from the Ohio National Guard reportedly dropped a fuel tank during an emergency. One part of the tank fell in Lake Huron in Michigan and exploded, and the other landed in a parking lot where some vehicles were damaged, the local county sheriff's department said.

Retired Col. J.F. Joseph, a Marine Corps pilot who is now an aviation consultant and expert witness, told Military.com on Tuesday evening that items such as fuel tanks, refueling hoses and panels have fallen off of military aircraft in the past.

He added that most of the time when something falls off an aircraft, especially into a crowded or populated area, it's unexpected.

"It's not something that somebody really probably had any control over. It's one thing if somebody's jettisoning their stores, trying to get rid of weight ... but if they inadvertently fall out for whatever reason, there's simply not much you can do," Joseph said.

The 96th Test Wing's mission involves testing and evaluating weapons, navigation and guidance systems and other technology for aircraft. Notably, last year, Eglin announced that three F-16 Fighting Falcons were going to be modified to test "autonomous capabilities."

Additional details were not provided by the base on Tuesday evening, and the incident is currently under investigation.

Related: F-16 Crashes at Nevada Training Range
BERLIN  German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday publicly called out U.S. President-elect Donald Trump over his threat to seize control of Greenland, saying "the inviolability of borders applies to every country."

"Borders must not be shifted by force," Scholz said in Berlin. "This principle applies, and it is a foundation of our peaceful order."

Scholz was reacting to statements made by Trump on Tuesday, when he said he would not rule out using the military to gain control of Greenland or the Panama Canal.

Scholz said he had discussed the issue with fellow European leaders on Wednesday, reporting a "certain lack of understanding" regarding "current statements from the US" among the European partners.

"The principle of the inviolability of borders applies to every country, whether it is to the east or to the west of us," the German chancellor said.

"And every state must abide by it," Scholz continued, "whether it is a small country or a very powerful state."

"It is a fundamental principle of international law and a core component of what we call Western values."

Scholz also highlighted the importance of the Western defence alliance NATO, calling it "the central pillar of the transatlantic relationship."

During his press conference on Tuesday, Trump also made new demands for NATO allies to spend at least 5% of their gross domestic product on defence, up from the current 2% goal.

"One thing is clear," Scholz said. "The security situation in Europe will remain very tense for the foreseeable future. We must respond to this in a calm and resolute manner."

Trump, who will take office for a second term on January 20, has repeatedly expressed an interest in the island of Greenland, which is an autonomous Danish territory.

His latest comments sparked indignation around the world, including from Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede, who said that "Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders."

Egede arrived in the Danish capital Copenhagen on Wednesday for talks with Danish King Frederik X. Greenland is set to hold a general election this year, and independence from Denmark is a major topic in the election campaign.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that the European Union must defend itself better against attacks on its sovereign borders, in response to Trump's statements.

"We are a strong continent, we must become stronger," Barrot said on the French radio station France Inter.

"It is out of the question that the EU allows other nations of the world, whoever they are, and I would even say starting with Russia, to attack its sovereign borders," he said.

Barrot said the European Union must wake up and strengthen itself militarily, and should not be intimidated or made to feel insecure.

"If you are asking me whether I think the U.S. will invade Greenland, the answer is no," he said, adding that the United States does not have an imperialistic nature.

"Have we entered an era in which the law of the jungle is returning?" he asked, "the answer is yes."

2025 dpa GmbH. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The first thing I learned about Japan was that the summers are hot. Extremely hot and extremely humid. I learned this in August 2022 the hard waypushing an overweight suitcase and backpack up steep hills, navigating from the vague directions on my phone. The second thing I learned is that Japan isnt big on street signs.

The third thing? Its the perfect place to be thrown into the deep end when you are brand-new to being a military spouse.

When my boyfriend (now husband) had moved to Japan for his first tour with the Navy in February 2022 and deployed from there shortly after, I genuinely didnt know the next time I would see him. Japan had restricted international travel during the COVID pandemic. By the summer the travel restrictions had eased slightly and with a little lucky timing, I was one of the few foreigners able to make the trip.

Just a few hours after my flight landed, I received a call: Andrews ship was delayed, and I would need to spend the next 10 days alone. Suddenly I found myself trying to find my soon-to-be home on a 100-degree day with only my phone as a guide.

Almost three years later, as we prepare to leave Japan I am devastated to be going. We are leaving behind a country that has come to feel like home and a sense of community both on and off base that made the curveballs that this assignment has thrown at uslanguage barriers, deployment schedules, a year of working night shiftsenlightening, self-affirming, and even fun.

It felt like my life had been upended when I returned permanently in the spring of 2023 as a new Navy spouse: buying groceries on base required an ID; going to the doctor required my husband to come with me; and outside of Andrews coworkers, there was no one I could communicate with in English. On top of everything, I was determined to keep my U.S.-based job, which meant working from 10 p.m. to six a.m. Japan time to stick to East Coast hours.

There are hundreds if not thousands of articles online about navigating life as a military spouse. There are resources and recommendations about your career, communities you can join, your kids, your housing situation, your partners job. Looking at the resources around me, suddenly it felt like everything in my life, even my remote night shift and sleep schedule, were adapted for the Navy.

Being stationed abroad can exacerbate all of this, as your only options for housing, medical care, or socializing are somehow affiliated with the nearest base. While all of these were crucial resources for getting established, I quickly realized how claustrophobic it could feel. It was hard to justify staying at home when Tokyo was only a 45-minute train ride away.

Longwell and Smith at Naval Air Facility Atsugi shortly after his arrival home from deployment. (Photo by Peggy Kerber)

Faced with a lot more alone time during deployments, I started taking community Japanese classes. Even starting with the very basics, having an understanding of the language was transforming my life in Japan. In our neighborhood and around base, Japanese businesses went out of their way to be accessible and use English when they could; being able to return the favor just a little started to make once-alienating interactions less lonely.

I expected my class to be entirely American since we were so close to a base, but I was surprised by how wrong I was. Just a few minutes from the main gates, in our relatively small suburb, the class was made up of people from around the world, who were all navigating the same challengesbeing far from their families, overcoming a language barrier, and learning how to appropriately react to Japans frequent earthquakes.

Venturing farther into Tokyo, I was able to find an even larger community. Things that felt like afterthoughts in the U.S., such as taking a yoga class or attending a photography exhibition, led me to a community of English speakers from all over the world. We shared the experiences I struggled to articulate to friends back home, like embarrassing language mistakes (ordering three coffees for two people and forcing ourselves to take several large sips to make it look like, yes, we meant to do that). We commiserated over the most efficient way to kill giant spiders when they appear in your house marking the start of summer (I find the detachable shower hose works well, but going in head-to-toe ski gear is said to be a safe bet too) and made notes about nearly every English language bookstore in Tokyo (the consensus is Books Kinokunya in Shinjuku has the best selection).

Each time a deployment approached, the weeks leading up felt like a cruel countdown, but my community beyond base lessened that burden. Watching my husband and the other members of his squadron, our friends, pack up their lives and say goodbye to their families used to feel like my whole world was disappearing. But by the third deployment, those weeks felt less like a cliff, because I was able to find company in the people around me. While I might have been the only one in my yoga studio on a particular afternoon whose partner was simply somewhere in the ocean, I was not the only one who has had to skip important holidays and call family from the other side of the world, or alone in navigating the weird balance of prioritizing your own career versus your partners more demanding one.

During Andrews deployments, friends back home asked for countdowns in disbelief, reminding me exactly how many weeks it had been, and how many more months it would be. But I found myself taking more advantage of Japans incredible design of dine-alone restaurants. Finding other foreigners around Tokyo, it felt like the world could keep spinning.

I discovered the privilege of living in Japan was being able to find the quiet seasons. Watching the leaves change in the fall is just as stunning as seeing the cherry blossoms each March, and finding a favorite cafe, tucked into the trees across from a quiet shrine, can make it feel, even for just an afternoon, like you are on an adventure.

When I first arrived in 2022, just navigating to my own house from the train had me in tears. Less than two years later I drove myself across the country to explore Mashiko, a pottery town that had been recommended to me by a friend.

There, I stayed at a small hotel run by an elderly woman. In the morning, in broken Japanese over NHKs coverage of Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers beating the Yankees in the World Series, the other guest and I chatted with the owner. She dismissed our concerns over the 3.0 magnitude earthquake that had happened the night before (they happen every night, even if theyre just a 1.0) and compared notes on driving through the Japanese countryside alone. In these moments, I often find myself thinking, I never could have imagined this moment or that I would know what to do.

It was because of the people around me, their recommendations, their own past experiences, and knowing that someone else had done this before and lived to tell the tale that I was able to get so much out of my time in Japan.

As we start to prepare to pack our things and move back to the U.S., I am grateful that this move is bittersweet. An assignment that I had worried might mark the end of my new relationship has turned out to be the most formative chapter of my life.

While I am sad to be leaving a place that has come to feel like home, it is reassuring to know that somewhere along the way, someone else has done this before, and even in an experience that can be incredibly isolating, there is probably someone closer than you think who knows what it is like.

Worst-case scenario, just point at the TV, wave your hands, and declare that you too are rooting for Ohtani.

This War Horse reflection essay was written by Maddy Longwell, edited by Mike Frankel, fact-checked by Jess Rohan, and copy-edited by Mitchell Hansen-Dewar. Hrisanthi Pickett wrote the headlines.

Editors Note: This article first appeared on The War Horse, an award-winning nonprofit news organization educating the public on military service. Subscribe to their newsletter.
The New Mexico Environment Department has fined Cannon Air Force Base $98,780 and threatens to revoke the installation's state operating permit over a 2024 spill of water tainted with toxic "forever chemicals."

The state discovered in July more than 7,000 gallons of wastewater contaminated with PFAS from firefighting foam had leaked from a damaged retention pond. More than a dozen tears were found in the pond's liner, according to the Environment Department. Aqueous film-forming foam, used in firefighting, is known to contain perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, substances known as "forever chemicals" because they are difficult to break down in the environment  and in the human body, where they are associated with several health conditions.

The Eastern New Mexico spill wasn't reported to the Environment Department until August, the agency said, and only half of the fluid had been recovered by that time. Cannon's permit requires reporting of an incident within 24 hours.

Environment Secretary James Kenney is fed up.

"The governor appointed me to be the secretary to implement the state's laws and rules," Kenney said in an interview. " The Legislature has given me the authority to terminate, modify or revoke a permit. If I were not to go down this path in the situation we have, the Air Force being one of the biggest polluters, then I think I would be in dereliction of my own duties. So this is an escalation as a result of their dealings with the state of New Mexico."

Leadership at the base is aware of the fine, Cannon spokesperson Jaclyn Pienkowski wrote in an email.

"As a military institution serving the community, we have a responsibility to protect and preserve our environment," Pienkowski wrote. "Since discovering the release, Cannon has transparently communicated to the public and NMED regarding the incident, follow-on investigation, testing, and pending remedial action plan. Cannon AFB is committed to preventing future incidents from occurring and ensuring transparency of information regarding all per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, inventory on base."

The base, near Clovis, awarded an approximately $150,000 contract in October to sample soil under the pond for PFAS.

"Cannon AFB is committed to taking the appropriate and necessary action to protect our Airmen, their families, and our community partners," U.S. Air Force Col. Robert Johnston, 27th Special Operations Wing and Cannon AFB commander, said in a statement in October. "We will continue to work expeditiously as we responsibly and appropriately respond to this release."

It's rare for the state agency to threaten a permit revocation or modification, Kenney said. The Environment Department is also requiring the base to take corrective actions and an accounting of all PFAS-contaminated wastewater.

In September, the Air Force Civil Engineer Center sent out a news release that said drinking water wells at and near the base weren't expected to be impacted by the spill.

Kenney isn't convinced by that assessment.

Six years ago, a plume of PFAS was found in groundwater southeast of the base. The contamination resulted in the euthanasia of thousands of dairy cows. The plume  and the state's authority to require the U.S. Defense Department to clean it up  remains at the center of two lawsuits, the first filed by Defense Department against the New Mexico Environment Department and the latter filed by the state agency against Cannon.

The Environment Department has spent $12 million on litigation, including to hire a contractor to help characterize the plume and how it is moving.

The base has 30 days to either pay the fine or request a hearing and argue why its permit should not be modified, revoked or terminated. Missing that deadline can result in additional fines. It is uncertain whether the base will request a hearing.

"We'll see how they explain this to us," Kenney said.

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The Braves have signed infielder Eddy Alvarez to a minor league contract, as reflected on his transaction log at MLB.com. Alvarez, 35 at the end of the month, joins his seventh organization for what will be his 12th professional season.

After seven years in the minor leagues with the White Sox and Marlins, Alvarez made his big league debut for Miami in 2020. He has since appeared in 63 MLB games for the Marlins, Dodgers, and Mets between 2020-24, slashing .170/.257/.244 with one home run and four stolen bases. Primarily an infielder with experience at second base, third base, and shortstop, he also played a handful of games in the outfield with the Dodgers in 2022.

In between his MLB stints with the Dodgers and Mets, Alvarez played in the Brewers (2023) and Red Sox (2023-24) farm systems. He signed a minor league deal with the Brewers ahead of the 2023 season, and despite a strong performance at Triple-A, Milwaukee never called him up, prompting him to opt out of his contract in July. He quickly signed a new minor league pact with the Red Sox, only to suffer a season-ending injury after just one game at Triple-A Worcester.

Alvarezs 2024 campaign with Worcester was more successful, and although he never earned a promotion to the Red Sox, he played well enough to catch the Mets eye in September. New York acquired him from Boston for cash and selected his contract the following day. His appearance for the Mets as a pinch-runner on September 9 marked his first MLB action in more than two years. He ended up sticking on the big league roster for the rest of the regular season, although he was ineligible for postseason play because he joined the organization in September.

Alvarez will now look to return to the majors with the Braves in 2025. His chances of cracking the Opening Day roster are slim, but considering Atlantas lack of infield depth, he certainly has a shot to join the active roster at some point if he performs well enough at Triple-A.
In an exclusive interview with Guangming Online, Marcia Melchior, Artistic Director of the Forte de Copacabana Orchestra and President of RioMont (Brazil-China Association of Arts and Culture), shared how music serves as a cultural bridge between Brazil and China. Her reflections underscore the growing connections between the two nations, brought closer by the universal language of music.

The Forte de Copacabana Orchestra in Rio de Janeiro. Photo provided to Guangming Online.

Music as a Universal Bridge

Music is the most universal form of art: it transcends language, culture, and history to touch the hearts of all. This philosophy was conveyed in her correspondence with Chinese President Xi Jinping. As one of humanitys earliest forms of communication, music acts as a borderless medium to express emotions and ideas. According to Melchior, it is not just an art form, but a powerful bond linking diverse cultures.

Through her engagement with Chinese culture, Melchior has witnessed musics role in fostering cultural exchange between Brazil and China.

On August 17, 2024, at the Brazil-China 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations Celebration hosted by Melchior and her Forte de Copacabana Orchestra team, and supported by the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China in Brazil and the China Cultural Center, over 2,000 audience members witnessed the orchestras performance of not only Brazilian music, but also beloved Chinese songs such as The Moon Represents My Heart and I Love You, China. Seeing the excitement in the eyes of the audience, especially our Chinese friends, and feeling how music profoundly connects us was an unforgettable experience, she recalled.

The Forte de Copacabana Orchestra at the Great Wall in Beijing. Photo provided to Guangming Online.

In September 2024, she organized the Forte de Copacabana Orchestras inaugural tour of China, featuring musicians aged 13 to 21. For many, it was a transformative experience: their first trip abroad, first flight, and first encounter with a vastly different culture.

Our tour of China in 2024 was a milestone and the start of what I hope will be a lasting connection, said Melchior. The orchestra performed at key events, including the 50th anniversary of Brazil-China diplomatic relations, and visited cultural venues across Beijing. Every moment was filled with awefrom the Forbidden City to the Great Wallcreating unforgettable memories and deepening our bond with Chinese audiences.

Fusion of Brazilian and Chinese Cultures

Despite different histories and cultural roots, Brazil and China share fascinating artistic parallels. In both countries, art connects the past, present, and future, Melchior noted.

Chinese music, with its millennia-old traditions, features instruments like the guzheng and erhu, creating meditative and melodic tones. Brazilian music, shaped by Indigenous, African, and European influences, is renowned for vibrant rhythms like samba and bossa nova. While distinct in style, both traditions celebrate life and cultural heritage.

In visual arts, Chinese works often draw from calligraphy and nature themes, reflecting Taoist philosophies, while Brazilian art spans from Baroque to contemporary expressions, mirroring its multicultural identity. Melchior remarked that the key difference lies in their approach to tradition: Chinese art emphasizes continuity, respecting ancestral techniques, whereas Brazilian art thrives on experimentation and fusion.

Such contrasts, she believes, enrich cultural exchanges. Watching our musicians interact with Chinese artists revealed how art transcends borders, inspiring unity and mutual growth, she shared.

The Future of Cultural Exchange

As ties between Brazil and China deepen, cultural collaboration remains a cornerstone of their relationship. There are endless opportunities for artist exchanges, workshops, and festivals celebrating our shared and unique traditions, Melchior said, emphasizing the role of youth in driving these initiatives.

A major upcoming project includes introducing the Chinese Lantern Festival to Rio de Janeiro. This celebration will honor Chinas rich traditions and foster mutual understanding. Bringing the festival to Brazilian audiences creates an immersive cultural exchange, she explained.

Melchior also envisions the Forte de Copacabana Orchestra undertaking more international tours to strengthen its role as a cultural ambassador. By championing such initiatives, she aims to globalize Brazilian arts and education while advancing Brazil-China cultural ties.

With ongoing exchanges, Brazil and China are poised to deepen their friendship and cooperation, forging a lasting legacy of mutual respect and shared creativity.

Editor: WRX
OTTAWA COUNTY, MI  Local poultry farmers are on high alert to protect their flocks after recent outbreaks of a deadly, contagious bird flu have impacted thousands of birds at Michigans top commercial turkey farms.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been detected at six Ottawa County poultry farms in the last 30 days, with two of those cases detected as recently as Jan. 2, according to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD).

RELATED: Deadly bird flu infects 6th farm in Michigans top county for turkey production

MDARD declined to specify whether those infections were confirmed at six separate farms, or if new cases popped up at one of the same four farms where infections were identified in late December.

If a farm detects one sick bird, the entire flock must be depopulated, or killed, to contain the spread of the virus.

Even one sick bird can have a major impact on a commercial farm, pausing production for 3-6 months while farmers disinfect their barns and replace their bird population, said Nancy Barr, Michigan Allied Poultry Industries executive director.

Everybody is on extremely high alert and working hard to protect their flocks, Barr said. We have been seeing in other parts of the nation, especially in Minnesota and Iowa, that the wild bird strain is pretty hot this year, so everybody is concerned and doing what they can to protect their flocks.

In the six most recent outbreaks in Michigan commercial farms, 344,100 birds have been impacted in Ottawa County, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). All six outbreaks are listed as occurring at commercial turkey meat bird production facilities.

Ottawa County is Michigans top county for commercial turkey farming, raising 70% of the states turkeys. The most recent Census of Agriculture data shows Ottawa County had a total of 1,316,963 turkeys in December 2022.

Assuming there were a similar total of turkeys in the county in 2024 as 2022, these six recent HPAI outbreaks have killed roughly one-quarter of all commercial turkeys in the county.

HPAI can be spread directly by infected wild birds or animals, or indirectly through any item that has been exposed to the virus, such as equipment, feed, or the clothing and shoes of caretakers. The virus has been detected in various species of mammals, including Michigan dairy cattle.

RELATED: As Michigan cows get sick with bird flu, what does that mean for our milk?

The virus has largely been transmitted by wild migratory birds coming in contact with commercial flocks, said MDARD Director Tim Boring. State and federal officials are working with local farmers to implement robust biosecurity practices on farms and provide resources on how farmers can best protect their flocks.

These are significant economic implications to poultry farms here in Michigan, Boring said. Were committed to getting the virus under control here.

Nationally, the HPAI outbreak first began in February 2022 and has since impacted over 130 million birds, making it the deadliest bird flu in U.S. history. The virus has been detected in 629 commercials flocks and 760 backyard flocks, according to USDA data.

According to the Associated Press, the first U.S. bird flu death of a person was reported in Louisiana on Monday. The Louisiana patient had been hospitalized with severe respiratory symptoms after being in contact with sick and dead birds in a backyard flock.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed it was the countrys first human bird flu death.
DETROIT  The remains of a woman who was found nearly 20 years ago in an abandoned Detroit house have been identified thanks to advanced DNA testing, The Associated Press reports.

Darylnn Washington, who was found dead in 2006, was likely the victim of a serial killer who was charged in the deaths of seven women other women, AP reports. Her family has been notified.

Detroit police hired Othram Inc., a Texas company, in 2022 to identify the body in this case, the report said.

In 2006, Shelly Brooks went to trial for two of the deaths, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison, the report said. DNA evidence and his own statements to police were used against him at trial. When he testified in his own defense, he denied killing anyone.
By JAIMIE DING, CHRISTOPHER WEBER and JULIE WATSON Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP)  California firefighters battled wind-whipped wildfires that tore across the Los Angeles area, destroying homes, clogging roadways as tens of thousands fled and straining resources as the fires burned uncontained early Wednesday.

The flames from a fire that broke out Tuesday evening near a nature preserve in the inland foothills northeast of LA spread so rapidly that staff at a senior living center had to push dozens of residents in wheelchairs and hospital beds down the street to a parking lot. The residents  one as old as 102  waited there in their bedclothes as the night sky glowed red from flames and embers fell around them until ambulances, buses and even construction vans arrived to take them to safety.

Another blaze that started hours earlier ripped through the citys Pacific Palisades neighborhood, a hillside area along the coast dotted with celebrity residences and memorialized by the Beach Boys in their 1960s hit Surfin' USA. In the frantic haste to get to safety, roadways became impassable when scores of people abandoned their vehicles and fled on foot, some toting suitcases.

The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)AP

The traffic jam on Palisades Drive prevented emergency vehicles from getting through and a bulldozer was brought in to push the abandoned cars to the side and create a path. Video along the Pacific Coast Highway showed widespread destruction of homes and businesses along the famed roadway.

Pacific Palisades resident Kelsey Trainor said the only road in and out of her neighborhood was blocked. Ash fell all around them while fires burned on both sides of the road.

We looked across and the fire had jumped from one side of the road to the other side of the road, Trainor said. People were getting out of the cars with their dogs and babies and bags, they were crying and screaming.

A third wildfire started around 10:30 p.m. and quickly prompted evacuations in Sylmar, a San Fernando Valley community that is the northernmost neighborhood in Los Angeles. The causes of all three fires were under investigation.

Flames were being pushed by Santa Ana winds topping 60 mph (97 kph) in some places Tuesday, increasing to 70 miles an hour (112 kph) by early Wednesday, according to reports received by the National Weather Service in Los Angeles. They could top 100 mph (160 kph) in mountains and foothills  including in areas that havent seen substantial rain in months.

The Palisades Fire burns a residence in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)AP

The situation prompted the Los Angeles Fire Department to take the rare step of putting out a plea for off-duty firefighters to help. It was too windy for firefighting aircraft to fly, further hampering the fight. A high wind warning was in effect for the region through 6 p.m., the weather service said.

This will likely be the most destructive windstorm seen 2011 windstorm that did extensive damage to Pasadena and nearby foothills of the San Gabriel Valley, the weather service said in a red flag warning early Wednesday.

Gov. Gavin Newsom posted on X early Wednesday that California had deployed more than 1,400 firefighting personnel to combat the blazes. Emergency officials, firefighters, and first responders are all hands on deck through the night to do everything possible to protect lives, Newsom said.

A firefighters make a stand in front of the advancing Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)AP

The erratic weather caused President Joe Biden to cancel plans to travel to inland Riverside County, where he was to announce the establishment of two new national monuments in the state. He remained in Los Angeles, where smoke was visible from his hotel, and was briefed on the wildfires. The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved a grant to help reimburse California for the firefighting cost.

Officials didnt give an estimate of structures damaged or destroyed in the Pacific Palisades wildfire, but they said about 30,000 residents were under evacuation orders and more than 13,000 structures were under threat. Newsom visited the scene and said many homes had burned. He declared a state of emergency.

The fire burned down Temescal Canyon, a popular hiking area surrounded by dense neighborhoods of multimillion-dollar homes. Flames jumped famous Sunset Boulevard and burned parts of the Palisades Charter High School, which has been featured in many Hollywood productions including the 1976 horror movie Carrie, the 2003 remake of Freaky Friday and the TV series Teen Wolf.

By evening the flames had spread into neighboring Malibu and several people there were being treated for burn injuries and a firefighter had a serious head injury and was taken to a hospital, according to Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Erik Scott.

By early Wednesday, the Eaton fire, which started around 6:30 p.m. the day before, had quickly burned 1.6 square miles (4 square kilometers), according to fire officials. The Hurst fire jumped to 500 acres (202 hectares) and the Palisades fire, which started around around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday and sent up a dramatic plume of smoke visible across Los Angeles, had destroyed 4.5 square miles (11.6 square kilometers) according to Angeles National Forest. The fires were at 0% containment as of early Wednesday.

As of Wednesday morning, more than 200,000 people were without power in Los Angeles County, according to the tracking website PowerOutage.us, due to the strong winds.

Recent dry winds, including the notorious Santa Anas, have contributed to warmer-than-average temperatures in Southern California, where theres been very little rain so far this season. Southern California hasnt seen more than 0.1 inches (0.25 centimeters) of rain since early May.

The neighborhood, which borders Malibu about 20 miles (32 kilometers) west of downtown LA, includes hillside streets of tightly packed homes along winding roads nestled against the Santa Monica Mountains and stretches down to beaches along the Pacific Ocean.

Long-time Palisades resident Will Adams said he immediately went to pick his two kids up from St. Matthews Parish School when he heard the fire was nearby. Meanwhile, he said embers flew into his wifes car as she tried to evacuate.

She vacated her car and left it running, Adams said. She and many other residents walked down toward the ocean until it was safe.

Adams said he had never witnessed anything like this in the 56 years hes lived there. He watched as the sky turned brown and then black as homes started burning. He could hear loud popping and bangs like small explosions, which he said he believes were the transformers exploding.

It is crazy, its everywhere, in all the nooks and crannies of the Palisades. One homes safe, the other ones up in flames, Adams said.

Actor James Woods posted footage of flames burning through bushes and past palm trees on a hill near his home. The towering orange flames billowed among the landscaped yards between the homes.

Standing in my driveway, getting ready to evacuate, Woods said in the short video on X.

Some trees and vegetation on the grounds of the Getty Villa were burned by late Tuesday, but staff and the museum collection remain safe, Getty President Katherine Fleming said in a statement. The museum located on the eastern end of the Pacific Palisades is a separate campus of the world-famous Getty Museum that focuses on the art and culture of ancient Greece and Rome.

Film studios canceled two movie premieres due to the fire and windy weather, and the Los Angeles Unified School District said it temporarily relocated students from three campuses in the Pacific Palisades area.

___

Watson reported from San Diego. Associated Press writers Janie Har in San Francisco, Hallie Golden in Seattle, video journalist Eugene Garcia in Los Angeles, Ethan Swope in Pasadena, Brian Melley in London, Kathy McCormack in Concord, New Hampshire, and Sarah Brumfield in Cockeysville, Maryland, contributed to this report.
UPDATES: Mother killed in triple shooting of foster family was known for love of other

Foster father recovering remarkably well after shooting that killed 2 near Ann Arbor

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - Court records have shed a dim light on what came before and after the fatal shooting of a Northfield Township foster family.

Police point to an interview with a 9-year-old witness of the shooting for some details, according to transcripts of a hearing that ended with the approval of 10 felony charges for Shuvonne Laverne Vinson.

RELATED: Trio planned to sell 9-year-old kidnapped in triple shooting near Ann Arbor, suspect says

Vinson, 42, has been charged with two counts each of open murder and kidnapping, alongside other felonies, for the Jan. 1 shooting of Jennifer Bernhard and Stevie Ray Smith.

Police were called about 8:30 p.m. New Years Day to the home in the 2000 block of Nollar Bend Road in Northfield Township after Jeffrey Bernhard made it to a neighbors home while suffering multiple gunshot wounds, authorities said. Three people had entered the home without permission before injuring Jeffrey Bernhard and fatally shooting Jennifer Bernhard and Smith, police said.

Gregory Dwight Callhan, 37, and Keith Lamar Finley, 60, are facing similar charges for their respective roles in the fatal home invasion. All three defendants are facing up to life in prison.

Here are key findings from those court records:

Vinson was not allowed contact with her daughter

Vinson was not supposed to have any in-person contact with her daughter, Detective Jason Roberts with the Northfield Township Police Department told Magistrate Odetalla M. Odetalla in a Jan. 3 hearing.

Custody had been completely removed via Wayne County court proceedings, Roberts said, adding Vinson was allowed to have Zoom or cellphone visitation.

Roberts did not say when or why Vinson lost custody of her daughter. It is also unclear if Vinson has other children, although she told police during her arrest that she had been looking for her son.

Related: 2 killed in foster parent shooting near Ann Arbor were true servants of God, reverend says

The Bernhards daughter witnessed the attack

The 9-year-old daughter of Jeffrey and Jennifer Bernhard was just feet away when Vinson opened fire, Roberts said.

The girl told police three people had entered the residence with guns, Roberts said. After a conversation with Jeffrey, the trio told the family to get down and keep their heads down, Roberts said.

The girl said she originally thought her grandfather, Smith, was tired or sick because he was laying on the floor, but then saw Vinson shoot him, Roberts said. The 9-year-old was no more than 20 feet away from her mother during the shooting, Roberts said.

Vinson, Callhan and Finley then took both girls, Roberts said.

During her Jan. 3 arraignment hearing before Odatella, Vinson denied the 9-year-old saw the attack. Amy Reiser, a Washtenaw County assistant prosecuting attorney, said Vinson literally murdered a mother in front of her daughter, before Vinson jumped in, saying, no, I did not.

Vinson later shook her head when Reiser referenced the shooting happening in front of minor children a second time.

To see a video of the arraignment, click here. (Warning: the video contains graphic content and strong language.)

RELATED: Woman charged with murder in shooting of foster family says they deserved to die

Vinson and Callhan disagreed on what would happen next

When he was interviewed by police, Callhan said the trio planned to take (the 9-year-old) and sell her for money, Roberts said. However, Vinson told police a different story.

(Vinson) stated she did not want (the girl) to go back in and see what happened to her people, Roberts said, later adding Vinson claimed she was trying to take her to protect her.

RELATED: People killed in child abduction turned double homicide were foster family, state confirms

Vinson has family in the Ann Arbor area

Both girls, as well as a family dog, were taken to an address in Ypsilanti Township, where Vinsons mother lives, Roberts said. The 4-year-old girl was left at her grandmothers house to be safe, Roberts said.

A woman at the same Ypsilanti Township address applied for custody of the then 3-year-old in February 2024, according to Washtenaw County court records. On her request, the woman claimed she was the girls grandparent.

Although not noted on the request, the petition for custody came shortly after Vinson was charged with 16 felonies for a December 2023 incident in Detroit, according to court records. She was sent to trial on 13 of the charges, primarily alleged weapons offenses, and pleaded guilty in June 2024 to carrying a concealed weapon. She later failed to appear for her sentencing hearing, resulting in a warrant being issued for her arrest, according to court documents.

The custody request by Vinsons mother was denied by Washtenaw County Trial Court Judge Julia Owdziej in March 2024.

Vinson was carrying a stolen firearm when she was arrested

A search of Vinson revealed a loaded pistol in her armpit, said Washtenaw County Sheriffs Office detective Howard Shaffer in a Jan. 3 hearing.

Deputies located Vinson, Finley, Callhan, the two girls and the dog at the Ypsilanti Township address, along with a vehicle stolen out of Detroit and a shotgun, Shaffer said. Vinson had gotten out of the vehicle when she was stopped by police and taken into custody, Shaffer said.

He had to tell her numerous times to turn around and put her hands behind her back. She refused, Shaffer told Odatella, adding it took multiple deputies to detain Vinson.

When a female officer arrived to search her, Vinson lifted up her shirt and exposed herself, implying that she didnt need to be searched any further, Shaffer said.

The officer ultimately located a 9mm pistol with one round in the chamber and two round in the magazine, Shaffer said.

The gun had also been stolen, Shaffer said.

Vinson, Callhan and Finley are being held in the Washtenaw County Jail without bond. They are next set to appear in court Jan. 16.

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ANN ARBOR, MI  A hiring snafu has led Ann Arbor to make a $50,000 legal payout to a former City Council member.

The city made the payment to former 3rd Ward representative Zachary Ackerman on Oct. 11, records show.

City Administrator Milton Dohoney said it was a settlement acknowledging Ackerman was negatively impacted through no fault of his own after being led to believe he was getting a job with the citys Housing Commission, a job Ackerman ultimately was denied due to concerns he would be mostly working remotely.

There was sufficient verbal communication provided to him that he reasonably believed it was his job, Dohoney said of what transpired before the administrators office stopped the hire.

Ackerman, who served on council from 2015 to 2020 and now lives with his wife in the San Francisco Bay Area, said he left a higher-paying position at a company called Cottage upon belief he had landed the job with the Housing Commission, only to end up unemployed after being told he could not work remotely. He wasnt in a position to move back to Ann Arbor, he said.

He never threatened litigation and is grateful for the citys offer of $50,000 to resolve the situation, he said.

I would have rather taken the job, but its helped my family navigate the turbulence, he said.

The Housing Commission led recruitment efforts for the housing and economic development manager position in the second half of 2024. A job posting online shows a $100,000 to $120,000 salary range for the position.

Ackerman applied and proceeded through the hiring process, during which time his residency outside Michigan was identified, Dohoney said.

Initially the notion of Ackerman working mostly remote with an occasional trip to Ann Arbor was discussed at the service-area level within city management, Dohoney said.

I cant speak to the specific details of the process, however from a high level it was communicated to him at some point that he was the Housing Commissions preferred candidate, he said.

Housing Commission Executive Director Jennifer Hall did not respond to requests for comment.

City Administrator Milton Dohoney at an Ann Arbor City Council work session on Nov. 12, 2024. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com)Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

Dohoney said when the filling of the position was brought to his attention, the process was already far along.

The issue was that the citys practice does not permit full-time positions that allow a fully remote work schedule, he said.

His offices involvement was focused solely on the work schedule, he said.

In an environment where we are working to ensure we operate equitably, we could not approve a result for one individual while we are telling others no, he said.

Ackerman said he was transparent with representatives from the Housing Commission and human resources throughout the hiring process that he would need a hybrid arrangement allowing him to work mostly remote, and it was understood he would travel to spend one week a month in Ann Arbor at no extra cost to the city.

When proposing allowing private development on part of the city hall property in 2023, Dohoney said city hall was only about 50% occupied in the post-COVID era and the city was never going back to having all floors full of people working five days a week again. He said then he instituted a permanent hybrid work environment where city employees had freedom to work remotely and some only came in one or two days a week.

As much cash as possible. Ann Arbor thinking big development for city hall site

The citys executive team is now discussing whether to adjust that, Dohoney said.

We permit a hybrid work schedule for our employees that varies by service area, he said, adding only a few full-time employees in city government work fully remotely, but they are grandfathered in from a prior era.

To permit Mr. Ackerman as a new hire to work in that manner would have been precedent setting, and after collaborating with my team I concluded that the hire could not go forward as a fully remote position, Dohoney said.

Ackerman said he had been excited about the prospect of working for the Housing Commission and was willing to make sacrifices for it, but hes moving forward now.

Im looking for opportunities to build affordable housing in the Bay Area, he said.

Ackerman said he also is doing part-time consultant work while he looks for a new job. He has a consulting company called Homeward Advisory, which provides support for affordable housing developers. He also has worked under contract as a real estate development advisor for Ann Arbor nonprofit Avalon Housing since 2021.

2 new leaders to fill key roles in Ann Arbors city administration

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WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI  About 45 acres with more than a half mile of frontage along the Saline River has been saved from future development.

Nature trail lovers will be able to enjoy it as public parkland by spring, Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission officials expect.

Our family has been stewards of this land for over 60 years, Eric Grossman, whose family sold the land to county parks, said in a statement.

We have cherished our good fortune of living on such a beautiful parcel, Grossman said. This transfer to Washtenaw County Parks care will protect the property for generations to come.

The Grossman property, about 44.8 acres off Macon Road in Saline Township, fronts about 3,700 feet of the Saline River across from the Leslee Niethammer Preserve. It is also near Salt Springs Park just south of downtown Saline.

The property features land that was previously farms, forests and grasslands. County parks officials were interested in acquiring it for expanded trail connections to other parklands nearby, including over the Saline River.

The acquisition of this preserve expands land protected near the historic salt springs that gave name to the Saline community and river, Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission officials said in a release.

Salt Springs Park was originally an area where Potawatomi native Americans hunted game and traded salt from the springs, according to a history of the park on the citys website. The community was named Saline in honor of the salty waters.

The property acquisition signifies the county parks Natural Area Preservation Programs commitment to preserve the ecological integrity of the county, Coy Vaughn, county parks director, said in a statement.

Staff will begin work to develop a trail system on the preserve for the public to enjoy, Vaughn said.

RELATED: Nearly 200 acres protected for parkland, farming across Washtenaw County

Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission authorized a sales contract to purchase the Grossman property for about $1.3 million, with help from a $501,000 grant awarded by the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. An additional $22,000 from a special revenue fund will go toward future management of the property.

The cost remaining after the grant is covered by the county parks Natural Areas Preservation Program, which generates about $5.2 million annually from a countywide millage to preserve and restore natural areas and purchase agricultural easements. The program has funded the protection of more than 12,500 acres of land in the county, including 37 nature preserves, since 2000.

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Update: University of Michigan student in stable condition after being hit by car

ANN ARBOR, MI  A major roadway through University of Michigan campus has been shut down for a crash investigation.

Westbound North University Avenue at South Thayer Street near Hill Auditorium was shut down around 11:50 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, for a traffic crash investigation, according to the Ann Arbor Police Department.

Preliminary information on the crash states a pedestrian, a 24-year-old man and University of Michigan Student, was stuck by a car and was taken to the hospital to be treated for serious injuries, Ann Arbor Police Department Spokesperson Chris Page said.

The driver involved in the crash, a 72-year-old woman, is with investigators and is cooperating, Page said. She was later taken to the hospital as well to be checked out for neck pain, he said.

Motorists are asked to avoid the area while police investigate the scene. It is unknown when the area will reopen.

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DETROIT, MI - While the Detroit Auto Show will show off new vehicles, visitors will have to find a place for the own cars in the meantime.

The show kicks off Friday, Jan. 10, with a media day and charity preview. It will open to the general public on Jan. 11, at Huntington Place, 1 Washington Blvd. The internationally recognized vehicle showcase will run through Monday, Jan. 20.

Read more: How to get tickets to the Detroit Auto Show for around $35

Parking will be available through a variety of parking garages and lots throughout downtown Detroit, as well as at the convention centers roof and its Washington Boulevard garage. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis with credit card only.

The auto show recommends booking parking in advance with the help of a parking reservations app, Spot Hero.

More details on Spot Hero

Spot Hero gives people a chance to secure their parking spots for Huntington Place in advance.

Drivers can go on the app and secure their spots for any day of the event. Reservations for the shows first day open to the public range anywhere from $10 to $80 varying their distances away from the center. Check it out here.

Get around with the help of the Detroit People Mover

The People Mover is another way to travel throughout Detroit.

People who park away from the convention center can find the closest stop to the Detroit People Mover and hop on to get to the auto show. The People Mover travels to Huntington Place Station inside Huntington Place Detroit on the fourth floor near Congress Street.

Its services will open earlier at 8 a.m. on both Saturdays and Sundays of the auto show. Regular hours for the transportation service are 6:30 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, according to its website.

Learn more online.

QLINE

The QLINE is a free way to access the Woodward corridor and its establishments.

The QLINE street cars run from 8 a.m. to midnight Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Its 3.3-mile route runs on Woodward Avenue with 12 stops in neighborhoods like New Center, North End, Midtown and downtown Detroit. Learn more online.

Find more information about the 2025 Detroit Auto Show online.
SOUTH HAVEN, MI  Kevin Swope recently accepted the job to be South Havens next police chief, starting this week, the city said in a news release.

Swope has 26 years of law enforcement experience and has served as police chief in Dearborn Heights, where he oversaw a staff of 67 sworn police officers, 20 full-time civilian employees and 10 part-time reserve officers.
SAGINAW, MI  Elected leaders, college officials, and business entrepreneurs in 2024 set the stage for the development of several new sites across Saginaw County in 2025 and beyond.

Here are a few examples of developments expected to move forward this year.

Central Michigan University College of Medicine

This illustration provided by Central Michigan University shows a proposed $100 million, 100,000-square-foot CMU College of Medicine building officials hope to build in downtown Saginaw in time for students to attend classes in 2028. The illustration was created by Studio Gang, an architectural firm with a Chicago office.The Saginaw News/MLive.com

A plan to open a new, 100,000-square-foot building for Central Michigan Universitys College of Medicine in downtown Saginaw by fall 2028 will include the pursuit of a $200 million fundraiser that kicked off late last year, college officials said.

Plans to expand the Mount Pleasant-based public universitys medical campus in Saginaw began years ago, gaining momentum as other health care-related organizations and elected leaders invested in what many have coined the medical diamond project in Saginaw.

The initiative involves growing the number of health care-related organizations in the city, particularly in the riverfront districts where facilities such as Covenant HealthCare and Ascension St. Marys of Saginaw hospitals attract patients and medical professionals alike from near and far.

The CMU College of Medicine already operates facilities in Saginaw that provide education for about 125 students in the final two years of their studies as physicians.

The planned expansion of the college in Saginaw would create a hub large enough to allow first- and second-year students to study there too, CMU officials said. Presently, those younger students begin their education in medicine at CMUs Mount Pleasant facilities.

The expansion would mean about 400 CMU College of Medicine students in total would study in Saginaw when the planned new building opens in four years, said Dr. George Kikano, the dean of the CMU College of Medicine since 2015. The number of students likely would grow beyond 400 people as the university further expands its resources in the years following the buildings opening.

Saginaw Valley State University

Belongings are carried inside during freshmen move-in day at Saginaw Valley State University in University Center, Mich. on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024.Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

Saginaw Valley State University, known for having some of the best dorms among public universities in the U.S., plans on adding more student housing.

The SVSU Board of Control in October 2024 approved constructing new apartment-style housing for 48 students in the universitys University Village complex, located on the campus southern end, along Pierce Road.

Construction on the housing will begin this summer and is expected to be completed by summer 2026, SVSU officials said.

The building has a projected cost of $6.3 million, which the university plans to fund through existing capital reserves, officials said.

SVSU is included annually on the list of best dorms among all public universities in the U.S., a distinction it continued in the most recent rankings by the website, Niche.

Hemlock Semiconductor Corp.

An aerial view of Hemlock Semiconductor.

The U.S. Department of Commerce last year announced it will award Hemlock Semiconductor Corp. (HSC) up to $325 million to expand its semiconductor-grade polysilicon manufacturing in Thomas Township.

The mid-Michigan site is the only U.S.-headquartered producer of hyper-pure polysilicon. The companys planned expansion is expected to boost its production capacity and support the revitalization of American manufacturing in the high-tech sector, HSC officials said.

The proposed funding was announced as part of President Joe Bidens larger efforts to boost domestic semiconductor production, reduce reliance on foreign suppliers, and strengthen the countrys technological infrastructure.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said the grant will support construction of a new manufacturing facility at HSCs existing site in Thomas Township and create more than 1,000 construction jobs and 180 manufacturing jobs.

Polysilicon is a critical material used in the production of microprocessors, AI chips, memory, and power devices. It is the essential substance that provides chips with their semiconductor properties.

In addition, the state of Michigan is supporting the proposed project with $40 million from the Make It in Michigan Competitiveness Fund to Hemlock Semiconductor and additional partnership from the Michigan Economic Development Corp., according to a news release from the state.

Crews are expected to break ground on the site in 2025, with construction beginning in 2026 and production starting in 2028.

Saginaw Community Food Club and Kitchen

Organizers of a nonprofit, membership-based grocery store in Saginaw said construction will begin this year on the building, to be located at 310 Meredith.

Officials said the store likely will open in 2026.

A groundbreaking ceremony for Saginaw Community Food Club and Kitchen is planned for 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, Tina Swanton, the nonprofits chief executive officer, said in a statement this week.

When the store opens, members would purchase food based on points acquired as part of a membership plan that ranges in price from $12 to $16, Swanton said. That membership price would vary based on household income and size of the purchaser.

The organization also plans to offer on-site kitchen classes and programs in collaboration with community partners, Swanton said.

Bavarian Blast in Frankenmuth

Frankenmuths iconic Bavarian Inn is undergoing an $80 million expansion with the addition of Bavarian Blast, which company officials have said will be the largest indoor waterpark in Michigan.

The project has experienced delays and is now expected to be complete in 2025, according to bavarianinn.com.

We have been eagerly anticipating the grand opening of our new Bavarian Blast Indoor Waterpark. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts and preparations, we have encountered significant delays in the final stage of the construction process that will impact our opening date, a message to customers on the companys website reads.

We want to assure you that we are doing everything in our power to complete the project as quickly and safely as possible. At this time, we do not have a firm opening date but will continue to share more information as we know it.

Chic-fil-A

One of the most popular fast food chicken sandwich chains in America remains on track to open its first location in the mid-Michigan region this year, organizers said.

Construction appears to be in the later stages at the site, located at 2525 Tittabawassee in Saginaw Township, and online notices were posted in recent weeks, seeking the stores first lineup of employees.

News of Chic-fil-As arrival arrived in November 2023, and motorists along the busy Saginaw Township business corridor spent much of 2024 watching crews erect the new facility, next to a popular Dennys restaurant, less than a half-mile west of the Interstate 675 ramp.

Jimmy Johns

A new Jimmy Johns sandwich shop is coming to a site just west of McDonalds, 7778 Gratiot Road in Thomas Township, where Long John Silvers used to be.

Jimmy Johns has locations throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region, including in Saginaw Township, the city of Saginaw and Freeland.

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President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held a meeting on the negotiation process with the EU, which was also attended by Verkhovna Rada Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk, officials and the Presidential Office team.

"This year should be exactly as productive in the negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU as Ukraine, and thus the security of our entire Europe, need. This year's EU presidency is Poland's first, the second half of the year is the Danish presidency. Our very responsible partners," he said in a video message on Tuesday evening.

The head of state promised that for its part Ukraine will provide everything necessary to take the right steps.
BAY CITY, MI  Bay Countys former prosecutor has a new job, at least for the next few months, as a staff attorney and law clerk for the 18th Circuit Court.

Nancy E. Borushkos new role began with the new year. As a law clerk, Borushkos duties include providing Judge Joseph K. Sheeran with legal advice, conducting research, reviewing case records and filings, and performing similar functions in the legal realm.

Borushko, a Democrat, ran for reelection as county prosecutor against Republican challenger Michael P. Kanuszewski. She received 25,163 votes in the November general election to Kanuszewskis 33,468.

Michael Kanuszewski and Nancy Borushko.Photos provided with permission

Sheeran hired Borushko to be one of the Circuit Courts two law clerks; one handles civil matters and the other criminal ones. The position opened when prior law clerk Amanda Shores accepted a position as court administrator to replace Kim Mead, who retired at the end of 2024.

Ms. Boruhsko has worked for the county for many years and needs about five more months of service to qualify for health care and insurance, Sheeran said. For this temporary period, shell serve as my law clerk handling civil matters.

Borushkos background in the prosecutors office wont create a conflict of interest, Sheeran said, as she wont be involved in the criminal docket.

Borushkos began with the prosecutors office as an intern while she attended Thomas M. Cooley Law School. She graduated from there in 2000.

Sheeran, then the countys prosecutor, hired Borushko as an assistant prosecutor in July 2001. Borushko was promoted to chief assistant by Sheerans successor, Kurt C. Asbury, in 2006.

Bay County voters elected Borushko their prosecutor in 2016 after Asbury did not seek reelection and reelected her in 2020.
House Republicans are wasting no time with their new majority to address the concerns of many tipped workers and restaurant owners.

New bills introduced Wednesday by House Republicans would preserve the sub-minimum wage for tipped workers that is currently set to be phased out starting Feb. 21.

The bills would also keep but draw out the impending minimum wage hike to $15 an hour and largely maintain current sick leave laws, according to House Republicans.

Wednesday, Jan. 8, was the first day of the new Republican majority in the House.

Republicans had boycotted the final days of session last year in an effort to get the then-Democratic-majority House to take action on preserving the states current tipped wage system. Democratic leadership didnt budge, however.

House Republicans were clear that with a Republican majority, the priorities of people we all represent were going to be put first, said one of the bill sponsors, state Rep. Jay DeBoyer, R-Clay Township. Weve heard from countless hardworking small business owners and their dedicated employees about what this ruling would mean for them. It would be a catastrophe.

Many small businesses would close, their employees would be out of work, and the places that remain open would have to significantly raise their prices on people who go out and support businesses in their community, which will lead to an even bigger fight to stay open.

Currently, tipped workers in Michigan make $4.01 an hour but are paid full minimum wage by their employer if their tips dont meet or exceed minimum wage.

That base pay for tipped workers is set to gradually increase starting Feb. 21 until it reaches the standard minimum wage in 2030.

The change stems from a contentious Michigan Supreme Court ruling last summer that will also see the minimum wage gradually increase to $15 by 2028 and expand sick leave laws, including more leave time for small business employees.

Republicans, business owners and servers have warned that removing the sub-minimum wage will reduce tipped worker earnings, put jobs and businesses at risk and drive up prices for customers. Tipped workers will earn less, they say, because people will be tipping less.

Related: Michigan restaurants brace for tipped worker pay increases after lawmakers fail to act

The livable wage in Grand Traverse County is around $30 an hour. The average tipped worker in Northern Michigan earns about $29 an hour with tips, said another of the bill sponsors, state Rep. John Roth, R-Interlochen. If we force these staff to work at $15 an hour, life in our communities will become impossible to afford.

Theyll have to sell their homes, take their kids out of school, and uproot their entire lives. But we still have time to fix this. The governor and Senate Majority Leader need to get on board so we can save these folks' livelihoods before its too late.

Proponents have argued that eliminating tipped wages will provide workers with greater stability and a livable income.

It remains to be seen if the proposal to maintain the tipped wage system will have enough votes in the Democratic-majority state Senate, which would need to sign off on the bills for them to be signed by Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

On Wednesday, Senate Democrats unveiled a plan that would gradually increase the base pay for tipped workers but not up to full minimum wage. The plan also includes tweaks to the sick leave changes.
Tochytsky, US Ambassador discuss strengthening of sanctions against Russia for crimes against cultural heritage

Photo: https://mcsc.gov.ua

Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine Mykola Tochytsky discussed with U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink the strengthening of sanctions against Russia for crimes against cultural heritage and the decolonization of Ukrainian studios abroad.

"The parties discussed the prospects for developing cooperation in the field of strategic communications and joint efforts to counter Russian disinformation," the ministry said.

It is noted that the parties also touched upon the development of civic education technologies in Ukraine and the decolonization of Ukrainian studios abroad.

In addition, special attention was paid to the need to increase sanction pressure on the Russian Federation for crimes against Ukraine's cultural heritage.
On Wednesday night, January 8, the Ukrainian defense forces attacked the Crystal Oil & petroleum products storage in Engels, Saratov region of the Russian Federation, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported.

"Numerous explosions were recorded in the target area, and a large-scale fire broke out. The local authorities confirm that they have entered an industrial facility," the Telegram channel says.

It is noted that the damaged oil depot supplied fuel to the Engels-2 military airfield, where the enemy's strategic aviation is based.

More detailed information about the results of combat work is being clarified.

The task was carried out by units of the Main Intelligence Agency of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the Forces of Unmanned Systems of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in cooperation with other components of the Defense Forces.

"The defeat of the oil depot creates serious logistical problems for the strategic aviation of the Russian occupiers and significantly reduces their ability to strike at peaceful Ukrainian cities and civilian facilities," the General Staff stressed.
Ukrainian parliamentarian, leader of the European Solidarity party, Petro Poroshenko, insists that the Verkhovna Rada should focus on providing Defense Forces, as well as legislatively stop the transit of Russian oil through the territory of Ukraine and deprive the mandates of deputies elected from the banned Opposition Platform - For Life party.

"We must stop the enemy's advance in the already semi-encircled Pokrovsk and reach Dnipropetrovsk region. I want to emphasize that we have never had large-scale battles in Dnipropetrovsk region, neither in 2014 nor in 2022. Today we are facing an immediate threat," Poroshenko said at a briefing before the start of the plenary week, calling for efforts and resources to be directed towards the construction of fortifications.

"The second position is to provide drones and electronic warfare equipment to each brigade. As a legislative initiative, we appeal to the president and the Supreme Commander's Headquarters to legally prohibit the creation of new brigades until existing brigades with combat experience are staffed," he added.

He also advocates the return of money to the accounts of the brigades that pay these taxes. "We are now registering a draft law that stipulates that funds in the amount of more than UAH 20 billion will be withdrawn from the manager of funds and will be transferred directly to the accounts of the brigades. This will make it possible to immediately close the primary needs for weapons, intelligence, electronic warfare, and drones," the politician believes.

European Solidarity also insists on the adoption of draft laws on the deprivation of the mandates of deputies from the Opposition Platform - For Life party.

"Bill No. 8089 will deprive the influence of pro-Russian banned forces by banning it democratically - by a court decision. It will prohibit participation in voting, participation in the work of committees, temporary investigative commissions, so that they do not represent the Verkhovna Rada, the state of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people at inter-parliamentary meetings. And by adopting resolution 7694 on the basis of this court decision, we must prematurely terminate the powers of former members of the Regions party," Poroshenko said.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/

On the night of Wednesday, January 8, 2025, Russian invaders attacked the territory of Ukraine with 64 Shahed-type attack UAVs and various types of simulator drones, the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported.

"As of 09:00, the destruction of the 41st Shahed-type attack UAV and other types of drones in Poltava, Sumy, Kharkiv, Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Zhytomyr, Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv and Kirovohrad regions has been confirmed," the Telegram channel says.

In addition, 22 enemy simulator drones were lost without negative consequences, three of them flew in the direction of the Russian Federation, one flew to Belarus.

The air attack was repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile forces, electronic warfare units, mobile fire groups of the Air Force and the Defense Forces of Ukraine.
Photo: https://mod.gov.ua

During a meeting in Kyiv, Serhiy Boyev, Deputy Minister of Defense for European Integration, discussed with the American delegation headed by Winfield Swanton, Director of Ukraine Affairs at the U.S. National Security Council, plans for security assistance for 2025 and cooperation in joint projects.

"One of the main topics of the meeting was the discussion of the results of U.S. assistance to Ukraine in 2024 and the planning of cooperation between the teams of the Ministries of Defense in 2025. Among the priority goals of Ukraine in 2025 are strengthening the defense forces along the contact line, improving the combat capability of units, strengthening the protection of the Ukrainian sky, as well as the development of the military-industrial complex. For their implementation, it is important to understand what the volume of assistance from partners will be," the press service of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reports.

The parties discussed the status of previously announced investments in Ukrainian UAV production and the development of other joint defense industry projects. Special attention was paid to further U.S. assistance in relation to specific types of weapons and ammunition. Positions regarding Ukrainian needs and American capabilities were also synchronized.

Swanton, in turn, stressed the importance of cooperation between the defense industries of Ukraine and the United States and the development of joint production projects focused primarily on strengthening Ukraine's own capabilities.
On the anniversary of the crash of Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 in Iranian airspace, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine called on the international community to join forces for international peace and security, including the safety of international civil aviation, and the non-recurrence of such disasters in the future.

Iran brutally violated a number of rules of international law: it used weapons against a civil aircraft in flight, failed to take all practicable measures to prevent the downing, and failed to ensure either a transparent and objective investigation into the circumstances of the crash or proper prosecution of the accused persons, reads a statement released by the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

The ministry recalled that a year ago, the International Coordination and Response Group for the Victims of Flight PS752, consisting of Ukraine, Canada, Sweden and the United Kingdom, initiated the proceedings before the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) against Iran for its breach of the 1944 Convention on International Civil Aviation (the Chicago Convention).

These proceedings continue to progress, and the next steps of the Coordination Group to hold Iran accountable within the ICAO Council will be taken in the coming months.

In October 2024, the Coordination Group also submitted a Memorial within the case related to the downing of PS752 before the International Court of Justice. Ukraine, Canada, Sweden and the United Kingdom supported this key document in the case with irrefutable evidence of Irans breaches of the 1971 Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Civil Aviation (the Montreal Convention).

Today, Iran continues to assert its status as a murderer by providing military and political support to the Russian Federation in its armed aggression against Ukraine, while the deepening cooperation between the regimes in Moscow and Tehran poses an immediate threat to Europe and the Middle East. Impunity for past crimes encourages Iran and Russia to commit new and new violations of international law. That is why achieving justice is out of extreme importance, the Foreign Ministry stressed.

As reported, the UIA Boeing 737-800 passenger plane, which was supposed to operate flight PS 752 on the Tehran-Kyiv route, was shot down near the Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran immediately after takeoff early in the morning on January 8, 2020. There were 167 passengers and nine crew members onboard. They all died. Among the dead there were 11 citizens of Ukraine (including nine crew members), 82 citizens of Iran, 63 citizens of Canada, 10 citizens of Sweden, four citizens of Afghanistan, three citizens of Germany and three citizens of Great Britain.

On January 11, Iranian authorities admitted that Boeing was shot down by the Iranian military mistakenly. Later, commander of Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Amir Ali Hajizadeh said that took full responsibility for the crash of the Ukrainian plane.
The Ukrainian Red Cross has become the first and only non-governmental organisation in the country to play a role in the establishment of territorial subsystems of the Unified State System of Civil Protection across urban territorial communities, according to the Department of Communications and Marketing of the National Committee of the Red Cross Society of Ukraine (URCS).

It is noted that the Cabinet of Ministers decided that the URCS will be involved in the creation of links of territorial subsystems of the Unified State System of Civil Protection on the territory of urban territorial communities.

For the second consecutive year, the Government has recognised the vital role of the Ukrainian Red Cross in the countrys civil protection efforts. Therefore, as part of the approved Plan of Key Civil Protection Measures for 2025, the Ukrainian Red Cross will now officially undertake several critical responsibilities within the system, the message reads.

The Ukrainian Red Cross will play a crucial role in assisting the population during emergencies, including fires, floods, accidents, rocket attacks, and shelling.

The organisations responsibilities will also extend to preventing emergencies and addressing their consequences within the framework of martial law. This will involve conducting rescue and other emergency operations, mitigating the impact of rocket and bomb attacks, constructing civil protection facilities, establishing basic shelters, preparing infrastructure for evacuees, creating fire and rescue units, and developing a volunteer firefighting movement in communities, among other tasks.

The Unified State System of Civil Protection encompasses various services, including first responders, medical personnel, police, volunteers, and local authorities, who work together to provide rapid responses, assist victims, and prevent further hazards.

The Ukrainian Red Cross is a humanitarian organization in Ukraine that has been focusing its efforts on protecting human life, health and dignity for 106 years. Since February 24, 2022, the Ukrainian Red Cross has provided assistance to more than 12 million people in Ukraine affected by the war. The Ukrainian Red Cross is one of the 191 national societies of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The organization has 24 regional and more than 200 district organizations, which involve about 8,000 volunteers.
Archisha Yadav

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Rajni Pandey is a seasoned content creator with over 15 years of experience crafting compelling stories for digital news platforms. Specializing in diverse topics such as travel, education, jobs, science, wildlife, religion, politics, and astrology, she excels at transforming trending human-interest stories into engaging reads for a wide audience.

Rajni Pandey

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Ukraine has officially registered its first medical cannabis-based drug. The inaugural product is an oral drop formulation from a Spanish brand, the Patients of Ukraine Foundation reported.

According to the foundation, the drug could become available in pharmacies as early as the beginning of 2025.

The foundation also noted that in 2024, the Ministry of Health approved a list of additional medical cannabis-based drug formulations, including solid capsules, dental pastes, and gels. The ministry also outlined the list of diseases and conditions for which medical cannabis drugs can be prescribed.

"Treatment will be available for patients with chronic pain, Parkinson's disease, nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, Tourette's syndrome, drug-resistant epilepsy, childhood seizure disorders, and anorexia caused by HIV," the foundation stated.

However, the foundation emphasized that "the patient community insists that PTSD needs to be added to this list."

As previously reported, on August 16, 2024, a law regulating the use of cannabis plants (Cannabis genus) for medical, industrial, scientific, and technical purposes (bill No. 7457) came into force. This law, passed in December 2023, establishes regulatory conditions for the legal and limited circulation and use of cannabis, its resin, extracts, and tinctures for the aforementioned purposes.

The Ministry of Health estimates that 6 million patients require medical cannabis-based medications.
Telangana High Court Recruitment 2025 registration begins for 1673 posts @ tshc.gov.in; apply here for Typist, Stenographer, Assistant and more

Saurav Pandey

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Sarika Sharma

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Palak Vij

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Ananya Panday wants to get married and plan babies in 5 years amid dating rumours with Walker Blanco

Vaishnavi Gavankar

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Boney Kapoor shares throwback picture of his late wife Sridevi, writes, "Elegance and Grace of a true Queen"

Vaishnavi Gavankar

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Hrithik Roshan celebrates 25 Years in Bollywood with an intimate bash and a dose of humour

Sarika Sharma

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Kangana Ranaut invites Priyanka Gandhi to watch her film Emergency, says "first thing I told her was..."

Palak Vij

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Mrunal Thakur responds to Hania Aamirs parody account, says "Hania you made my day"

Palak Vij

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The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine monitors the situation deep inside Belarus to assess possible threats, no offensive formations have been detected in the area close to the Ukrainian border, Spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine Andriy Demchenko told Interfax-Ukraine, commenting on the recent reports about exercises in Gomel district.

Various types of exercises are constantly conducted on the territory of Belarus, he said, adding that the territorial defense and other units are engaged in them.

"Belarus constantly issues statements about such exercises. Just as well as about a threat allegedly posed by Ukraine, forgetting the fact that they opened their border for Russia's offensive. Of course, we monitor what is going on deep inside Belarus to understand what kind of threats it poses to us. However, it is worth noting that no offensive formations have been detected on our border as of now," the State Border Guard Service said.

Earlier, Belarusian Hajun reported citing the Belarusian Defense Ministry that on January 8-31, exercises will be conducted for the military conscripts of the territorial troops under the leadership of the chairman of Gomel District Executive Committee. Gomel district has become the first region of Belarus, where territorial defense exercises will be held in 2025. The district borders Ukraine's Chernihiv region.
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Veteran filmmaker and journalist Pritish Nandy passes away at 73, actor Anupam Kher remembers his 'inseparable friend'

M Snehanjali

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Rohit Singh

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November's 'unusual' gold import that pushed up trade deficit revised lower by 34% to $9.84 billion

Rohit Singh

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Adrija Chatterjee is an Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol. She has been tracking and reporting on finance and trade ministries for over eight years.

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JSW Cement may get Sebi nod soon for Rs 4,000-crore IPO

Ashwin Mohan is Editor (Deals) at Moneycontrol and leads the M&A, private equity and equity capital market transactions coverage. He anchors the video show 'Deal Central ' and tweets at @ashwinmohansays. He has previously worked with ET NOW, CNBC TV-18 and The Times of India.

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Bartronics stock hits 5% upper circuit after firm inks MoU with Singapore's PTW Group to develop semiconductor facilities in India

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

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One person was killed and at least three people were injured as a result of a Russian airstrike at an industrial facility in Zaporizhia, the head of the regional military administration, Ivan Fedorov, has said on Wednesday.

"The enemy has attacked the industrial infrastructure of Zaporizhia. [] One person was killed and another three people were injured. These are preliminary consequences of the enemy attack on Zaporizhia," he said on the Telegram channel.

Earlier, the regional state administration reported a strike against the city with guided aerial bombs.
Paras Bisht

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SEBI fines stock broker whose 1,103 clients were 'dependent children' between 34 and 100 years

Asha Menon

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Sunil Matkar

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Wait until I-T portal glitch is resolved before revising returns, CAs tell tax-payers

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8 in 10 people support One Nation, One Election, most respondents say it will help save money: News18 Pulse

Smriti Mishra

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Anita Anand may replace Trudeau: Know all about the Indian-origin leader

Priyanjali Ghose

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Assam Coal Mine Tragedy: One body recovered, rescue ops continue for eight others

Deblina Halder

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Bangladesh wants to revive SAARC; no plans of allowing Pakistan army, says Yunus' aide

Priyanjali Ghose

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Defense Minister of Ukraine Rustem Umerov will participate in a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format in Germany on January 9, an informed source told Interfax-Ukraine.

According to the source, Minister Umerov has departed for the participation in the meeting.

Earlier, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has left for Germany, where the 25th meeting of the Contact Group on Defense of Ukraine will take place on January 9. According to the Pentagon, during the upcoming 25th meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defense at Ramstein Air Base in Germany on January 9, they intend to determine Ukraine's defense capabilities in support of deterrence forces until 2027.
Deblina Halder

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Chhabi Kala

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Parimal Peeyush

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In a first, SC judges to enjoy 'family time' at Araku Valley in Vishakhapatnam on Jan 11-12

Chhabi Kala

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Priyanjali Ghose

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Judiciary not meant to be yes authority to govt, says former SC judge Sanjay Kishan Kaul

Priyanjali Ghose

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Russia inflicted an air strike on an industrial facility in Zaporizhia as a result of which one person was killed and 30 people were hospitalized with injuries, Head of Zaporizhia Regional Military Administration Ivan Fedorov has said.

"Thirty people injured as a result of the enemy attack on Zaporizhia have been taken to hospitals in the regional center, " he said on the Telegram channel.

According to Fedorov, seven medical teams, police and rescuers of the State Emergency Service are working at the scene.

Earlier, one dead and six injured were reported as a result of the enemy strike on the city with guided aerial bombs.
Memorial for Pranab Mukherjee: Centre's gift for his love for Sangh, says Congress' Danish Ali

Parimal Peeyush

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January 08, 2025 / 19:25 IST

In Visakhapatnam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "...In the field of railways, Andhra Pradesh is one of the states where 100% electrification has been completed. More than 70 railway stations in Andhra Pradesh are being developed under the 'Amrit Bharat Station Yojana'. For the convenience and travel of the people of Andhra Pradesh, 7 Vande Bharat trains and Amrit Bharat trains are also being operated...The infrastructure revolution in Andhra Pradesh, better connectivity, and improved facilities will change the entire landscape of the state. This will increase ease of living and ease of doing business. This development will form the foundation for Andhra's vision of a 2.5 trillion dollar economy. Visakhapatnam and the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh have been the gateway for India's trade for centuries...We are promoting the entire utilization of opportunities related to the sea through the blue economy on a mission mode..."
Pranab Mukherjees daughter reacts as Congress MP links memorial site to RSS: 'Are they such fools that...'

Smriti Mishra

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Six Naxals surrender in Karnataka, CM Siddaramaiah welcomes them with copies of Constitution

Chhabi Kala

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Namrata Agarwal

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Elon Musk's biographer claims he is going mad and is 'deeply unwell': 'Protect America...'

Shubhi Mishra

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Spotify HR head defends its work-from-anywhere policy: No need to treat staff like 'children'

Ankita Sengupta

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Africa gets new stock market as Ethiopia seeks to woo investors

Rohit Singh

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All hell will break out in the Middle East if... Donald Trump's dire warning to Hamas

101Reporters

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Russian troops launched an air strike on an industrial facility in Zaporizhia, 13 dead and 18 wounded are known, Head of the regional military administration Ivan Fedorov said.

"The enemy hit a residential area with two UABs. We currently know of 13 dead. Another 18 wounded people. All the wounded are being taken to hospitals. At least four victims are in serious condition," the administration's head said in a comment to the media.

According to Fedorov, seven medical teams, police officers, and the State Emergency Service's rescuers are working at the site of the strike.

Earlier, it was reported that one person was killed and 30 were injured as a result of the attack on the city by guided bombs.

Tomorrow, January 9, has been declared a day of mourning in Zaporizhia.
Donald Trump Jr arrives in Greenland with message from his dad: 'We're going to treat you well'

101Reporters

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Armaan Bhatnagar

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'For all those poor little girls...': Elon Musk backs national inquiry into UK child sexual abuse scandal

Chhabi Kala

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'Girl, you are no longer Canada's governor': Elon Musk's scathing dig at Justin Trudeau

Armaan Bhatnagar

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Canadian leader makes 'counter-offer' to Trump: 'How about if we buy Alaska?

Chhabi Kala

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'If hostages are not released by Jan 20...': Trump warns Hamas

Priyanjali Ghose

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101Reporters

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Trump wants Canada to be '51st US state': Is it possible?

Deblina Halder

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Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the statement of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump that he "could understand their [Russian] feelings" due to Ukraine's aspirations to join NATO, urging not to draw conclusions about U.S. policy on this issue, noting that Ukraine needs specific security guarantees.

As reported by Interfax-Ukraine correspondent, at a meeting with Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen on Wednesday, Zelenskyy said: "Remember, Ukraine was told that Patriot systems can only be and are in NATO countries? Well, either we have been in NATO for a long time, or we should not draw any conclusions. This is what happened with Patriot, this is what happened with missile systems and other weapons. Now we need to work and do everything so that Ukraine receives security guarantees worthy of our people, which could stop Putin."

The president said Ukraine had never been in NATO and, unfortunately, was not protected by a serious alliance of security guarantors. Zelenskyy noted that there is no war in NATO countries, but Ukraine, which is at war, has the right to demand serious and strong security guarantees from the world, which constantly claims leadership, and from countries that claim peace in the world.

According to the head of state, the issue of security guarantees depends not only on the United States, but on the allied position in Europe. "And, I will tell you honestly, unfortunately, with all due respect to all European countries, to the United States, and with all due respect to the volume [of aid] that has been given to us since the beginning of the war, but NATO did not have the joint support of the United States with all its allies in Europe," Zelenskyy said.

He said "there are countries that opposed our chance in NATO" the United States, Germany, Hungary and Slovakia. The president added that Ukraine was not seen in the Alliance and this is one of the reasons why there is a war now. "Because they weren't afraid that Ukraine would be with someone. That is, Putin understood that no one would stand up for Ukraine. He understood that his army was bigger, he could destroy us. But the Ukrainian army, they amazed the whole world," Zelenskyy said.

As reported, on January 7, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said he "could understand Russian feelings" due to Ukraine's aspirations to join NATO and warned that the war could escalate.
What Trump said about Canada, Mexico, NATO and Gaza hostages at news conference

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ISRO SpaDeX docking on January 9: Where and how to watch India's historic mission LIVE

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Wolf Moon 2025: When is the next full moon in January this year?

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Asus unveils full suite of ROG series with RTX 5000 series laptops and desktop GPUs: All the details

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Google warns users of Microsofts new trick to lure search engine users: What is it and all other things you should know

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As a result of the Russian air attack on Zaporizhia on Wednesday, 13 people were killed, another 29 were injured, an industrial facility and multi-story buildings were destroyed, the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) said.

"On January 8, 2024, the army of the aggressor country carried out an air attack on the infrastructure of Zaporizhia. According to preliminary data, 13 people were killed and another 29 were injured," the department said in a statement on its Telegram channel on Wednesday.

According to the prosecutor's office, as a result of enemy shelling, multi-story buildings, an industrial facility and other infrastructure of the city were destroyed. "The debris hit a tram and a minibus with passengers," the PGO said.

Under the procedural leadership of Zaporizhia Regional Prosecutor's Office, a pretrial investigation has been launched in a criminal case on the fact of committing a war crime that resulted in the death of people (Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
1/12 When the January chill leaves you longing for sunshine, why not chase the warmth and escape the winter gloom? Whether youre craving turquoise waters, golden beaches, or a tropical breeze, these winter sun destinations will not only thaw your cold-weather blues but also give you an unforgettable vacation experience. Take a look... (Image: Canva)

2/12 1. Canary Islands, Spain | Looking for a sunny escape just off the African coast? The Canary Islands are your perfect winter playground. With sun-kissed beaches and a warm breeze year-round, you can unwind on the shores of Fuerteventura or hike through the volcanic terrain of Lanzarote. Tenerifes lively nightlife and Fuerteventuras laid-back vibe promise a winter holiday youll never forget! (Image: Canva)

3/12 2. Dubai, UAE | Dubai is a dazzling winter escape where luxury meets adventure. With temperatures around a pleasant 24C, you can bask on pristine beaches, shop till you drop in world-class malls, or explore architectural wonders like the Burj Khalifa. From desert safaris to rooftop bars, Dubais endless activities make it an epic winter getaway. (Image: Canva)

4/12 3. Goa, India | When the winter chill sets in, Goa serves as a colorful antidote. Its sunny shores, lively nightlife, and vibrant culture make it an ideal destination. January is perfect for beach lovers to soak up the sun, explore Portuguese architecture, or enjoy a beach party at one of Goas iconic shacks. The warm temperatures and easygoing atmosphere are just what you need! (Image: Canva)

5/12 4. Maldives | If you're looking to immerse yourself in paradise, the Maldives is the ultimate winter sun destination. Picture yourself lounging in an overwater bungalow, diving in crystal-clear waters, and enjoying breathtaking sunsets. January is perfect for an island escape, where you can unwind in pure luxury while soaking in the tropical warmth. (Image: Canva)

6/12 5. Cape Verde | For an off-the-beaten-path destination, Cape Verde offers an idyllic blend of sandy beaches and rich culture. With average January temperatures in the mid-20sC, this African archipelago is ideal for those seeking a laid-back escape. Whether youre sipping coconut water on Boa Vistas white sands or exploring the volcanic landscapes, Cape Verde provides a unique winter sun experience. (Image: Canva)

7/12 6. Hawaii, USA | Hawaii isnt just a winter destinationits a dream come true! The islands are warm year-round, making them the perfect January escape. Whether youre hiking through volcanic craters in Big Island, lounging on Waikiki Beach, or diving in Maui, Hawaii delivers an epic blend of sun, surf, and adventure. (Image: Canva)

8/12 7. Bali, Indonesia | January in Bali means balmy weather and lush tropical surroundings. Whether you're gazing at the terraced rice fields, lounging on Seminyaks beaches, or exploring ancient temples, Bali never fails to enchant. This Indonesian paradise offers the perfect mix of relaxation, culture, and natural beautya perfect antidote to winters chill. (Image: Canva)

9/12 8. Phuket, Thailand | Basking in year-round sunshine, Phuket is the quintessential tropical destination. Januarys warm, sunny days are perfect for beach days, water sports, or indulging in Phukets vibrant nightlife. Explore the stunning Phang Nga Bay, visit Buddhist temples, or unwind at a luxury resortthe island is a haven for all kinds of travelers. (Image: Canva)

10/12 9. Barbados, Caribbean | Barbados is where golden beaches meet crystal-clear waters and tropical vibes reign. Januarys perfect weather makes it the ideal time to explore this Caribbean paradise. Whether youre into snorkeling with sea turtles, hiking through lush rainforests, or enjoying rum punch by the beach, Barbados has all the sun and fun you could ask for. (Image: Canva)

11/12 10. Zanzibar, Tanzania | Zanzibar offers a truly exotic winter escape. With its idyllic beaches, rich cultural heritage, and warm January temperatures, its the ultimate destination for those looking for both relaxation and adventure. Wander through Stone Towns narrow streets, relax on pristine beaches, or dive into the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean. (Image: Canva)
Zelenskyy on Russian strike on Zaporizhia: Pressure on Russia for terror is necessary

Russian occupiers deliberately launched air strikes on Zaporizhia, realizing that ordinary people would suffer. Pressure on Russia for terror is needed, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

"My condolences to their families and friends. Unfortunately, the number of victims may increase. There is nothing crueller than air strikes on a city, realizing that ordinary civilians will suffer. Pressure is needed on Russia for terror. We need to support the protection of lives in Ukraine," Zelenskyy said on his Telegram channel on Wednesday.

He added that "it is only possible to end such a war with a reliable peace through force."

As reported, Russian forces carried out an air strike on an industrial facility in Zaporizhia, 13 people are known to have died and 18 injured. At least four people injured in the Russian attack are in serious condition in medical institutions in Zaporizhia. The rescue operation is currently ongoing. January 9 has been declared a day of mourning in Zaporizhia.
Photo: Pixabay

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the Finnish government and the Finnish people for their support during a meeting with the country's Foreign Minister and OSCE Chairperson Elina Valtonen on Wednesday.

"First of all, I would like to thank you and your people, the Finnish government and, of course, the president, for your support in the form of packages. It was critical, very decisive, I would say, from the very beginning of this war," Zelenskyy said, addressing Valtonen.

As reported by Interfax-Ukraine correspondent, the president also welcomes Finland's chairmanship of the OSCE.

In turn, the head of the Finnish MFA said she admires the fortitude and courage of the Ukrainian people.

"Because we know, Finland knows, that you very much not only are fighting for your own freedom, independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the liberty of the people, but very much that of the rest of us. Not just for Europe, the security of Europe, but essentially the future of humanity," she said.

Valtonen also said Ukraine is a priority during her OSCE chairmanship, and that she shares the approach of "peace through strength."
OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said NATO does not pose any threat to Russia and expressed hope for Ukraine to join the Alliance in the near future.

"We make it very clear in our messages, not just towards the American audience and to Mr. upcoming President Trump and his team, that there is no threat coming out of NATO. This is very much reflected in the everyday struggles of which people in your schools very closely follow the situation. It is very much a Russian long-used narrative of blaming NATO or the so-called expansion of NATO for its own aggression," Valtonen said at a press conference with her Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Sybiha, according to an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent.

She said NATO is a defensive alliance, which does not pose a threat to Russia. The Foreign Minister said in particular that Finland does not pose a threat to Russia as a NATO member or without NATO membership.

"Second thing is NATO does not expand by force. NATO expands when the free people in democratic nations choose to join. And this certainly happened in Finland and Sweden. And this one day and hopefully in the near future will happen for the Ukrainian people as well since they so choose. And that, again, is not a threat to anybody," the minister said.

President-elect Donald Trump said at a press conference in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, that he "could understand Russian feelings" over Ukraine's aspirations to join NATO and warned that the war could escalate. Trump criticized President Joe Biden's negotiating tactics with Ukraine and said that many mistakes were made in these negotiations.
OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen assured of continued support for Ukraine in various areas "for as long as it is needed," and also pointed out the need for a strong position of Kyiv to establish a just and lasting peace.

"Finland remains as committed as ever to supporting Ukraine. The road to a just and lasting peace requires a Ukrainian position of strength. Simultaneously, we continue to raise the cost of Russia's war of aggression through sanctions, limiting the 'shadow fleet' and other means," Valtonen said at a press conference with her Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Sybiha, according to an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent.

She said Finland has been one of Ukraine's most ardent supporters from the very beginning, both militarily, politically and economically.

"And we will be doing so for as long as it is needed," the minister said.

According to Valtonen, Finland is working very actively with other partner countries, EU and NATO countries to stop Russia's actions, as well as its "shadow fleet."

The head of the Foreign Ministry said Finland recently detained a tanker from "shadow fleet" and is currently studying legal and other conditions for better protection of infrastructure located in international maritime zones.

"The aggression that the Russian Federation is posing towards Ukraine, but also the rest of the civilized world adhering to rules, is not a force of nature that wouldn't be  or that couldn't be stopped. On the very contrary, together, and showing unity, decisiveness, and also the courage that the Ukrainian people have been showing on the battlefield, but also at home, is something which will stop that aggression," Valtonen said.

She said this was her second trip to Kyiv and pointed out that today she had the opportunity to personally see what the cruelty of war means for children. Thus, the minister visited the Okhmatdyt children's hospital, which was attacked earlier by Russia.
Yves here. Because theres so much wild weather now, weve gone light on including the severity of winter temps in the UK and Europe in our Links. But a generally cold winter with some nasty frigid spells is leading to a more-rapid-than-expected drawdown of European gas reserves.

This article treads a bit lightly on the impact of Ukraine shutting off another portion of EU gas supplies from Russia via Ukraine refusing to renew a contract with Russia at the turn of the year and Russia being unwilling to send gas with no deal. Many pointed out the obvious, that this development would increase prices, even though the European Commission barmily maintained it was so well prepared that there would be no impact. That is already proving false.

More EU self-sabotage. The contract governing the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine is set to expire today, December 31  and Ukraine doesnt intend to renew it. This will exacerbate Europes energy crisis, all to the USs benefit. My latest:https://t.co/DOVkwcNQLA  Thomas Fazi (@battleforeurope) December 31, 2024

Mind you, this is not the only recent Russian pipeline gas squeeze:

 Russia has officially halted gas supplies to Austria, with possible cut of gas to the Czech Republic and Slovakia by the end of 2024. Gas prices are reportedly soaring across Europe. When applying sanctions, don't bite the hand that feeds you. pic.twitter.com/CL5kLeokTs  Spetsna 007  (@Alex_Oloyede2) November 16, 2024

And gas prices have indeed been rising:

 Look how the tune has changed! The Times has suddenly realized that the Ukrainian regime's cutoff of Russian gas to Eastern Europe is driving up gas prices in the UK. The newspaper expresses deep sympathy for British pensioners who, as of this winter, have lost heating pic.twitter.com/5h9I3MCEDR  Zlatti71 (@Zlatti_71) January 2, 2025

Alexander Mercouris last week pointed out that the Commission was actually gleeful about this act of economic self-destruction. As you can hear in the video below, starting at 4:45, the Commission has long and insistently taken the view that Russia should break up state-owned Gazprom and allow Western companies to develop gas in Russia. The justification is that Russia agreed to participate in a European Third Energy Package, which provided for the deregulation of energy development. In fact, Russia never ratified that treaty. The Commission has thus weirdly taken the position that if they cant bring Russia to heel, they dont want their energy. This recap also includes some detail about the row over Yukos.

Be careful what you wish for.

The article cheerily contends that Europe can get through this long-term crunch. But pray tell, at what cost? A big reason that an overt crisis has not occurred is what is antiseptically called demand destruction, as in industry, particularly in Germany, shuttering operations and reducing production schedules. Germany is now in the midst of what some experts depict as its longest post WWII recession. If theres some sort of victory to be had here, its looking awfully Pyrrhic.

By Julianne Geiger, a veteran editor, writer and researcher for Oilprice.com, and a member of the Creative Professionals Networking Group. Originally published at OilPrice

Europe is rapidly depleting its gas reserves due to a harsh winter and the halt of Russian gas flows via Ukraine.

Germany faces significant economic risks due to its energy-intensive industries.

Refilling depleted gas storage during summer will be critical in the Spring of 2025.

Ah, Europe and its perennial energy conundrums. Just when you thought it was safe to turn up the thermostat, the specter of gas shortages once again knocking on Europes door as it depletes its natural gas reserves at an unprecedented rate. Are fears of tough times ahead unfounded?

The Great Gas Guzzle of 2025

Weve arrived in January 2025, and Europe is burning through its gas reserves at a pace not seen in seven years. Cold snaps have residents cranking up the heat, leading to a rapid depletion of stored natural gas. Storage levels, which were comfortably above 90% in November, have now dipped to just over 70%.

The accelerated gas drawdown, combined with the recent halt in Russian gas flows via Ukraine, has some analysts fearing the worstdisruptions.

Turning Off The Taps

On January 1, 2025, Ukraine decided not to renew its gas transit agreement with Russia, effectively stopping the flow of Russian natural gas to Europe through its pipelines.

Yes, the move is a bold geopolitical statement. So much so that it has left several Central and Eastern European countries scrambling for alternative supply. Slovakia, for one, is having to rely on gas imports from Hungary. Austria is getting more gas from Germany and Italy to compensate for the shortfall.

The Domino Effect

Unsurprisingly, the cessation of Russian gas via Ukraine has pushed prices for natural gas higher across Europe. The Dutch TTF gas hubs front-month contract reached a ten-month high of 42.57 per megawatt-hour, reflecting market jitters. Traders are also paying a record premium for European gas for the upcoming summer, a reversal of the usual pricing trend where summer gas is cheaper. This suggests there are significant concerns about the challenges in restocking during the summer of 2025.

The German Predicament

Germany, Europes industrial powerhouse, is in a particularly precarious position, and the rapid depletion of its gas reserves has led to warnings that the German economy is acutely at risk. Because energy-intensive industries are the backbone of its economy, any prolonged energy shortage could have severe repercussions.

A Justified Panic?

Before everyone starts stockpiling wool socks and firewood, it should be noted that the European Commission, ever the voice of bureaucratic calm, has stated that there are no immediate supply security concerns. The EC has argued that European gas infrastructure is flexible and that alternative supply routes are available. Moreover, Europes gas storage levels, while declining, are still slightly higher than the average for this time of yearits just the pace at which theyve depleted over the winter season that has caused the ruckus.

LNG Lifeline

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) has been Europes knight in shining armor. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) has been Europes knight in shining armor. It has beefed up its LNG import capacity over the last couple of years, helping it to diversity its supply sources and provide a buffer against the shocks from traditional pipeline disruptions. But increased competition for LNG, especially from Asia, could drive prices up, making the safety net a costly one.

Summers Role in Winters Woes

The real test will come during the summer months when Europe needs to refill its gas storage in preparation for the next winter. The rapid depletion of reserves this winter means that the continent will have to work harder to replenish stocks. The European Commission has already set intermediate gas storage filling targets for 2025 to ensure secure supplies and market stability.

But with the current market dynamics and geopolitical tensions, achieving these targets could end up being more challenging than in previous years.

Balancing Act

Although the situation is serious, hitting the panic button at this stage could be premature. Europe has shown resilience in the face of energy crises before, and the lessons learned from past disruptions have led to a more robust and diversified energy infrastructure.

But complacency is not an option.

Policymakers and industry stakeholders will need to navigate the coming months with a keen eye on both supply and demand, ensuring that the lights stay on across the continent. While concerns over gas supplies are not entirely overblown, they are unlikely to be insurmountable. With careful planning and some good luck, Europe should be able to weather this stormand emerge more energy-secure on the other side.
A day of mourning will be declared in Zaporizhia on January 9 in connection with the airstrikes that took the lives of 13 city residents on Wednesday.

"For the third time in the last month, a day of mourning will be declared in Zaporizhia region due to enemy attacks," Head of Zaporizhia Regional Military Administration Ivan Fedorov said on Telegram.

According to him, at least 80 people have already sought medical help in hospitals after the attack.

Earlier, it was reported that 13 people were killed and 29 injured, including a teenager, as a result of the Russian strike on the city with guided bombs on Wednesday.

Fedorov also previously reported a day of mourning on January 9.
Biden set to permanently ban offshore oil and gas development in certain U.S. coastal waters

President Joe Biden plans to issue an executive order banning new offshore oil and gas development in certain U.S. coastal waters, complicating President-elect Donald Trump's plans for increased domestic energy production.

The order will prevent the sale of new drilling rights in parts of the country's outer continental shelf, using a 72-year-old law that allows the White House broad discretion to protect U.S. waters from oil and gas leasing.

Biden faces pressure from congressional Democrats and environmental groups to maximize permanent protections against offshore drilling to safeguard coastal communities, protect marine ecosystems and combat climate change.

The new offshore protections align with Biden's other recent actions to conserve areas from industrial mining and energy development, such as his proposal to prevent the sale of new oil, gas and geothermal leases in Nevada's Ruby Mountains.

The executive order is expected to be difficult to revoke and will further solidify Biden's record as the president with the highest level of land and water protection in U.S. history, though it will not affect drilling and other activity on existing leases.

President Joe Biden is preparing to issue a decree that will permanently ban new offshore oil and gas development in some U.S. coastal waters to complicate President-elect Donald Trump's plans for increased domestic energy production.

The executive order, which is set to be issued within days, will bar the sale of new drilling rights in portions of the country's outer continental shelf, according to sources familiar with the effort who asked to remain anonymous. The decision, rooted in a 72-year-old law that gives the White House broad discretion to permanently protect U.S. waters from oil and gas leasing, is expected to be difficult to revoke.

This move comes as Biden faces pressure from congressional Democrats and environmental groups to "maximize permanent protections" against offshore drilling, citing the need to safeguard vulnerable coastal communities, protect marine ecosystems from oil spills and combat "climate change."

The new offshore protections align with recent Biden actions to conserve areas from industrial mining and energy development, such as a formal proposal to prevent the sale of new oil, gas and geothermal leases in Nevada's Ruby Mountains. (Related: The Great Reset: Biden administration implements new costs for oil and gas drilling on public lands.)

The full scope of Biden's coming offshore protections is not yet clear, though the designation is expected to include critical areas for coastal resilience. Congressional Democrats and environmental groups have urged Biden to make a sweeping declaration, but recent deliberations have focused on parts of the Pacific Ocean near California and eastern Gulf of Mexico waters by Florida.

Analysts point out that the new protections will not affect drilling and other activity on existing leases. As Biden prepares to leave office, this executive order is seen as a way to lock in long-term environmental protections that will be challenging for a future administration to reverse.

Trump vows to boost domestic oil and gas production

In contrast, Trump has vowed to boost domestic oil and gas production while rolling back environmental regulations that curb their consumption.

Trump is expected to issue an executive order to revoke protections for over 125 million acres of the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans in his inauguration. The order would reverse a directive issued by former President Barack Obama in 2016, which established these waters as off-limits to offshore drilling.

During his first term, Trump attempted to rescind Obama's protections but was thwarted by a federal district court ruling in 2019. The court found that the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, which governs offshore oil and gas development, did not explicitly grant the president the authority to undo such designations.

The current situation has sparked debate among legal experts and environmentalists, who argue that the statute gives presidents wide discretion to protect waters from leasing but does not provide explicit authority to reverse such protections. This ambiguity has led to a long-standing precedent where presidents have invoked the law's withdrawal provision to preserve marine resources, beginning with former President Dwight Eisenhower's creation of the Key Largo Coral Reef Preserve in 1960.

Former President George H.W. Bush also used the provision to block oil leasing along the West Coast, Northeast U.S. and southern Florida. While presidents have modified decisions from their predecessors to exempt areas from oil leasing, courts have never validated a complete reversal of such protections.

In an ironic twist, Trump himself has recently used the same statute to block oil and gas leasing in waters near Florida and along the Southeast US in a bid to appeal to voters in the final weeks of the 2020 presidential campaign. This action highlights the complex interplay between presidential authority and environmental policy.

Visit Collapse.news for more news about the collapse of various industries in America under Joe Biden's watch.

Watch this video that talks about the energy crisis.

This video is from the LetsBoGrandon channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sources include:

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Credit Suisses Nazi ties run deeper than previously known, Senate investigation reveals

A U.S. Senate Budget Committee investigation uncovered extensive evidence of Credit Suisses historical ties to Nazi Germany, revealing the bank deliberately withheld critical information from prior inquiries, including accounts linked to the SS and Nazi intermediaries involved in atrocities and economic exploitation.

Credit Suisse obstructed internal and external investigations, including the Bergier and Volcker Commissions, by selectively sharing information and omitting key details. The bank even pressured and terminated independent ombudsperson Neil Barofsky before reinstating him under congressional subpoena.

The probe identified numerous previously unknown or partially known Nazi-linked accounts, including those tied to war crimes, forced labor, and the looting of Jewish assets. Documents marked with Amerikanische schwarze Liste (American Black List) revealed a high relevance rate of Nazi connections.

Credit Suisse facilitated ratlines, clandestine networks used by Nazis to flee Europe after the war, with over three dozen individuals connected to these routes holding accounts at the bank.

The investigation has prompted UBS, which acquired Credit Suisse in 2023, to pledge full cooperation. Senators Grassley and Whitehouse emphasized the importance of uncovering the truth and ensuring justice for victims, with Barofskys final report expected in 2026.

A bombshell investigation led by the U.S. Senate Budget Committee has uncovered extensive new evidence of Credit Suisses historical ties to Nazi Germany, revealing that the Swiss bank deliberately withheld critical information from prior inquiries. The findings, detailed in an interim update from independent ombudsperson Neil Barofsky, expose a pattern of obstruction and concealment by Credit Suisse, raising serious questions about the banks commitment to transparency and accountability.

The investigation, spearheaded by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), has identified scores of previously unknown or only partially known Nazi-linked accounts held at Credit Suisse. These accounts include those tied to the SS, the elite Nazi paramilitary unit responsible for countless atrocities during World War II, as well as intermediaries who facilitated the Third Reichs economic policies, including the seizure of Jewish-owned businesses and the exploitation of forced labor from concentration camps.

Barofsky, a former U.S. prosecutor and partner at the law firm Jenner & Block, was appointed by Credit Suisse in 2021 to oversee an internal investigation into the banks Nazi-era accounts. However, after pressuring Barofsky to limit his inquiry, the bank abruptly terminated him in December 2022. Following the Senate Budget Committees interventionincluding the issuance of a subpoena, the first by the Committee since 1991  Credit Suisse reinstated Barofsky in 2023, allowing the investigation to proceed.

The probe has since uncovered a trove of documents, including client files marked with the stamp Amerikanische schwarze Liste (American Black List), a designation used by Allied Forces to identify entities supporting the Axis powers. These files, housed in Credit Suisses Inf Department, reveal a high relevance rate of Nazi connections, with thousands of records still under review.

Barofskys interim update also highlights Credit Suisses failure to fully cooperate with prior investigations, such as the Bergier and Volcker Commissions, which were tasked with examining Swiss banks roles during and after World War II. According to Barofsky, Credit Suisse did not always share information that it knew with these commissions, opting instead to provide only what was specifically requested. In one instance, the bank omitted details about a Nazi intermediary from its report to the Volcker Commission, with internal notes describing the report as rather sanitized and advising it was [b]est to leave [the report] as is.

Shocking discoveries

The investigation has also uncovered Credit Suisses involvement with ratlines, the clandestine networks used by Nazis to flee Europe after the war. Barofskys team has identified more than three dozen individuals connected to these escape routes, many of whom held accounts at the bank. Additionally, the probe has revealed accounts tied to Nazi intermediaries who facilitated the looting of Jewish assets, gold smuggling, and war purchases.

Among the most disturbing findings is the discovery of accounts held by individuals directly involved in Nazi atrocities. These include a German manufacturer who relied on concentration camp slave labor and a Nazi official who oversaw the aryanization of Jewish assets. Credit Suisse itself also held accounts at the bank, further implicating its complicity in the Third Reichs economic policies.

The Senate Budget Committees investigation has already prompted UBS, which acquired Credit Suisse in 2023, to pledge its full cooperation. UBS has stated it is committed to contributing to a fulsome accounting of Nazi-linked legacy accounts held at predecessor banks of Credit Suisse.

Senator Grassley emphasized the importance of the investigation, stating, Our inquiry has dug up more than just stonesweve found boulders. Credit Suisse hid additional evidence of Nazi ties for years, and even tried to conceal information from our congressional investigation. Senator Whitehouse echoed this sentiment, reaffirming the Committees commitment to truth and justice for all who were victimized by Credit Suisses historical servicing of Nazi accounts.

Barofskys final report, expected in 2026, will provide a comprehensive account of Credit Suisses Nazi-era activities. In the meantime, the investigation serves as a stark reminder of the enduring need to confront historical injustices and hold institutions accountable for their actions.

As the world awaits the full findings, one thing is clear: Credit Suisses ties to the Third Reich run far deeper than previously thought, and the banks efforts to conceal its past have only deepened the stain on its legacy.

Sources include:

Rt.com

Budget.Senate.gov

SwissInfo.ch
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed Section 3792.07(B) of House Bill 315, which aimed to shield medical professionals from disciplinary action for sharing unverified medical opinions.

The veto was in response to a case involving Dr. Sherri Tenpenny, who faced disciplinary action for making false claims about COVID-19 vaccines, including the claim that they magnetize people.

DeWine emphasized that the medical licensing boards exist to protect patient safety and that Section 3792.07(B) could undermine regulatory agencies' ability to investigate and discipline healthcare professionals for harm caused to patients.

Despite the veto, DeWine signed other parts of HB 315 into law, including provisions related to the jurisdiction of the World Health Organization (WHO), off-label drug prescriptions, and patient nutrition and fluids.

The bill also includes optional fees for public requests of law enforcement footage, which DeWine noted are capped and directly related to the cost of production. He stated he would work with the General Assembly to amend the language if unforeseen consequences arise.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has vetoed a section of legislation that would shield medical professionals from disciplinary action for sharing unverified and potentially harmful medical opinions following the disciplinary action of Ohio Medical Board against a doctor who claimed that Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines magnetized people.

In 2021, Sherri Tenpenny, a licensed physician and author of "Saying No to Vaccines," made several claims against the COVID-19 vaccine. One of her most notable statements was about the supposed magnetization of people who have received COVID-19 vaccinations. (Related: Citizens rally for medical freedom at Florida Capitol, urge lawmakers to block mask and vaccine mandates.)

However, scientists and public health experts have debunked these claims when she testified during a House Health Committee hearing on House Bill 248 that same year.

The Ohio Medical Board suspended and fined Tenpenny's medical license. Tenpenny, who did not cooperate with the investigation of the Ohio Medical Board, was penalized due to over 350 complaints. The board also suspended and fined her medical license, but reinstated it in early 2025.

In line with this, DeWine vetoed Section 3792.07(B) of the House Bill 315, also known as the "Christmas tree" bill. Section 3792.07(B) of the bill aimed to prevent state health regulators, including the Ohio Department of Health, Board of Pharmacy and State Medical Board, from penalizing healthcare providers who express opinions that do not align with established medical consensus. DeWine argued that this provision could undermine the ability of the state to regulate healthcare providers and ensure patient safety.

"Ohio's medical licensing boards exist to protect patients and the public from bad actors in the medical field," DeWine said in his veto message on Jan. 2.

"Section 3 792.07(B) threatens patient safety by providing a health care professional, including hospitals and inpatient facilities, with a legal shield that would prevent being held to account for dangerous or harmful medical care given to a patient by them saying there was a difference of 'medical opinion.' Section 3792.07(B) substantially limits state regulatory agencies from appropriately responding to patient and public complaints by investigating and disciplining health care professionals for harm they have caused patients."

DeWine signs other parts of HB 315 into law

Despite the veto of the medical free speech provision, DeWine still signed other parts of HB 315 into law.

This section includes a statement that the World Health Organization (WHO) does not have jurisdiction in Ohio; a ban on state and local governments issuing public health guidelines that prohibit the prescribing of off-label drugs; and a provision ensuring hospitals cannot deny nutrition or fluids to patients unless requested or necessary for medical procedures.

Moreover, DeWine also allowed the section wherein HB 315 would permit law enforcement agencies to charge high fees for public requests for body camera, dashboard camera and surveillance footage. However, the governor noted that the fees are optional at the discretion of the agency and are capped and directly related to the cost of production.

"It is good that the language in House Bill 315 does not include a mandatory fee, but instead, it is optional at the discretion of the agency," DeWine said. "It is also good the user fees are capped and directly related to the cost of production. If the language in House Bill 315 related to public records turns out to have unforeseen consequences, I will work with the General Assembly to amend the language to address such legitimate concerns."
Alarming DNA contamination in Pfizers mRNA vaccines: latest study reveals CANCER RISKS and regulatory failures

Peer-reviewed research uncovers DNA contamination in Pfizers mRNA Covid-19 vaccines exceeding WHO safety limits by 6 to 470 times.

Contaminated DNA fragments may integrate into human DNA, raising concerns about gene mutations and cancer.

The study was conducted in an FDA lab, suggesting the agency was aware of the contamination but failed to act.

Scientists and immunologists describe the findings as a bombshell and demand urgent regulatory action.

Critics accuse the FDA of withholding critical safety data and prioritizing corporate interests over public health.

DNA contamination exceeds safety limits

A groundbreaking peer-reviewed study has uncovered alarming levels of DNA contamination in Pfizers mRNA Covid-19 vaccines, raising serious questions about the safety and regulatory oversight of these widely distributed inoculations. The study, published in the Journal of High School Science, was conducted by student scientists at the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) White Oak Campus lab in Maryland. The findings reveal that residual DNA levels in Pfizers vaccines exceed World Health Organization (WHO) safety limits by six to 470 times, sparking concerns about potential long-term health risks, including cancer.

Residual DNA refers to fragments of genetic material left behind during the manufacturing process of vaccines or pharmaceutical products. According to WHO guidelines, a single vaccine dose should contain no more than 10 nanograms of residual DNA. However, the study found that Pfizers vaccines contained DNA levels far exceeding this threshold. Researchers analyzed six vials from two different vaccine lots obtained from BEI Resources, a supplier linked to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Using NanoDrop and Qubit measurement methods, they consistently detected DNA contamination above acceptable limits.

Potential DNA integration and cancer concerns

While the studys authors acknowledged that the health risks posed by these DNA fragments are currently unknown, they issued a stark warning: the genetic material could theoretically integrate into human DNA, potentially causing gene mutations. Even more concerning, the fragments may contain oncogenesgenes that have the potential to trigger cancer. The researchers called for further testing to assess these risks, but the implications are already sending shockwaves through the scientific and medical communities.

Kevin McKernan, founder of Medicinal Genomics, described the findings as a bombshell. In an interview with investigative journalist Maryanne Demasi, McKernan warned that the DNA fragments could overstimulate the immune system, creating conditions that might fuel cancer growth. Repeated exposure to foreign DNA through Covid-19 boosters may amplify this risk over time, creating conditions conducive to cancer development, he said.

The studys revelations have also drawn sharp criticism from experts who accuse the FDA of failing to act on critical safety data. Nikolai Petrovsky, a professor of immunology and head of Vaxine, an Australian biotechnology company, called the findings a smoking gun and demanded urgent action from regulators. Petrovsky pointed out that the study was conducted in an FDA lab under the supervision of its own scientists, suggesting that the agency was well aware of the contamination but chose not to disclose it to the public.

The FDA has been withholding information from the public, Petrovsky said. This study clearly shows the FDA was aware of these data, yet they have repeatedly dismissed concerns about DNA contamination in Covid-19 vaccines, claiming they pose no health risks.

This is not the first time concerns about DNA contamination in mRNA vaccines have been raised. Independent researchers and whistleblowers have been sounding the alarm for years, only to be met with dismissive responses from regulatory authorities. The FDA has yet to comment on the latest findings, but the studys publication in a peer-reviewed journal adds significant weight to the growing body of evidence questioning the safety of these vaccines.

The implications of this study are profound. If the DNA fragments in Pfizers vaccines can indeed integrate into human DNA and potentially trigger cancer, the long-term consequences could be catastrophic. Turbo cancers are already on the rise. The findings also raise troubling questions about the integrity of the regulatory process and the extent to which corporate interests may be influencing public health decisions.

Sources include:

RT.com

JHSS.scholasticajq.com

Blog.maryannedemasi.com

Brighteon.com
Telegrams Pavel Durov: EU has stricter media controls than Russia

Russia, often criticized for censorship, finds itself in a more democratic position regarding media freedom on Telegram compared to the European Union.

The EU's Digital Services Act and sanctions have led to the blocking of major Russian news outlets across Telegram.

Ironically, Russian Telegram users can access Western news outlets freely, while European users are increasingly restricted from accessing Russian media.

Russian officials, such as Maria Zakharova of the Russian Foreign Ministry, have condemned these actions as attacks on press freedom and are calling for international bodies like the UN to intervene.

The remarks by Telegram founder Pavel Durov highlight the paradox of Western democracies implementing stricter media controls than authoritarian states like Russia, and raise questions about digital freedom and press rights.

In a twist of irony, Russia, often criticized for its alleged authoritarianism and censorship, finds itself in a more democratic position than the European Union regarding media freedom on the messaging platform Telegram.

Pavel Durov, Telegram's founder, highlighted this discrepancy in a recent New Year's message. He noted that while Western media channels remain accessible in Russia, major Russian news outlets have been blocked across the EU.

This observation is particularly poignant against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has led to a series of sanctions and media restrictions imposed by the West. The EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) and subsequent sanctions have resulted in the blocking of numerous Russian media channels on Telegram, including RIA Novosti, Izvestia and Rossiya 1. These restrictions vary from country to country within the EU.

The contrast is stark: Russian Telegram users can still access and engage with Western news outlets without hindrance, while European users are increasingly finding themselves cut off from a significant portion of Russian media. This situation not only raises questions about the efficacy of censorship as a means of influencing public opinion but also highlights the complex and often contradictory nature of digital freedom in the modern era.

Russian officials have been quick to condemn these actions, viewing them as a formalization of the West's efforts to suppress dissenting voices. Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has called for a robust response from international bodies like the United Nations.

Moscow's stance is that these restrictions are an attack on press freedom and an attempt to control the narrative around the Ukraine conflict. As Russian Sen. Aleksey Pushkov put it, the censorship of his country's news outlets in the West "is a continuation of the effort to create an informational iron curtain between Europe and Russia."

Durov's remarks highlight irony of the digital age

In response to these developments, Durov has been at the center of a legal storm. The Telegram co-founder, who holds citizenship in several countries including France, has faced numerous criminal charges, including allegations of complicity in distributing child pornography, drug dealing and money laundering. These charges, which Durov denies, have been met with skepticism and criticism from his supporters, who view them as politically motivated. (Related: Trumped-up charges against Telegram CEO Pavel Durov revealed: False accusations of drugs, child porn and more.)

The irony is not lost on observers. While the West often accuses Russia of totalitarianism and censorship, the EU's Digital Services Act and related sanctions are creating a more restricted media environment than the one in Russia. This situation raises important questions about the principles of free speech and press freedom in the digital age.

As Durov noted, "Who would have thought that in 2025 Russian Telegram users would enjoy more freedom than Europeans?" This statement encapsulates the paradox at the heart of the current media landscape: in their efforts to control the narrative, Western democracies may be inadvertently creating the very conditions they criticize in authoritarian regimes.

The implications of this situation extend beyond mere irony. They challenge the assumptions that underpin many discussions about digital freedom, press rights and the role of international bodies in regulating the internet. As the debate around digital censorship continues, it is clear that the lines between democratic and authoritarian practices are becoming increasingly blurred. The ultimate question remains: Is censorship ever a legitimate tool for shaping public opinion, or does it merely serve to undermine the very principles of free speech and press freedom that these actions claim to protect?

Head over to Censorship.news for more similar stories.

Watch Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov pointing out that the August 2024 arrest and detention of Pavel Durov in France proves that Telegram is "reliable and truly protected."

This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sources include:

RT.com 1

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Brighteon.com
Florida sheriff comes to defense of homeowner who shot and killed masked burglar: Criminals breaking into homes should expect to be shot

A homeowner in Manatee County, Florida shot and killed one of two masked intruders attempting to break into his home on Dec. 26.

The deceased suspect is a Mexican immigrant with a criminal history. His accomplice, an illegal immigrant from Chile, was arrested and faces charges of armed burglary and felony murder.

The homeowner is protected from potential prosecution under Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law, which allows the use of deadly force without retreating if there is a reasonable belief of imminent danger.

In defense of the homeowner, Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells praised his decisive action and warned other criminals about how Florida residents are prepared to defend their property with lethal force.

A Florida homeowner shot and killed one of two masked suspects attempting to break into his home.

The incident occurred in Manatee County, West Florida. The suspect, identified as 23-year-old Jorge Nestevan Flores-Toledo, also known as Anibal Miller-Valencia, was shot multiple times by the homeowner and later died at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

His accomplice, 39-year-old Michel Soto-Mella, an illegal immigrant from Chile, was arrested a few blocks away and now faces charges of armed burglary and felony murder. (Related: BURGLARY TOURISM: Chilean gangs entering U.S. under visa waiver program responsible for wave of HOME BURGLARIES.)

Flores-Toledo, a Mexican national with a criminal history, had an active warrant for a parole violation and was considered armed and dangerous. He had previously served four months in jail for residential burglary in Illinois before being released in November. Soto-Mella, meanwhile, had overstayed his 90-day visa, entering the United States from Chile earlier this year.

The events began around 9 p.m. on Dec. 26 when the homeowners surveillance system detected motion on the side of his property. Spotting two masked men attempting to break in, the homeowner acted swiftly. He instructed his wife to find a safe place, retrieved his firearm, and confronted the intruders.

Neighbors reported hearing three gunshots, and Flores-Toledo was struck multiple times. Soto-Mella fled the scene but was later apprehended by law enforcement K9 units.

Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells praised the homeowners decisive actions, stating, He knew something bad was about to happen, and he didnt stall. He grabbed his firearm, told his wife to get into a safe spot.

Wells also issued a blunt warning to would-be criminals: "This is the state of Florida. If you want to break into someones home, you should expect to be shot."

Stand Your Ground law protects homeowners who defend their property

Floridas Stand Your Ground law, enacted in 2005, allows individuals to use deadly force in self-defense without the obligation to retreat if they reasonably believe their life is in danger. This law has been a cornerstone of Floridas approach to self-defense, empowering homeowners to protect their families and property.

The incident highlights the dangers criminals face when targeting homes in states with strong self-defense laws.

Wells emphasized that the homeowner is unlikely to face charges, as his actions appear to fall squarely within the bounds of self-defense. The homeowners identity has not been released, and authorities are continuing their investigation into the motives behind the attempted burglary.

Watch a discussion on how Florida has created a model for how America should be governed.

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German lawmaker urges reactivation of Nord Stream pipelines amid energy crisis

German MP Sevim Dagdelen advocates for repairing and reactivating the Nord Stream pipelines to address Europes energy crisis, emphasizing the need for affordable and reliable energy to protect Germanys economic stability amid soaring energy prices and industrial decline.

to address Europes energy crisis, emphasizing the need for affordable and reliable energy to protect Germanys economic stability amid soaring energy prices and industrial decline. Ukraines halt of Russian gas transit to the EU has caused gas prices to spike to 50 per megawatt hour, impacting countries like Germany, Poland, and Slovakia, and raising concerns about the future of European industry.

has caused gas prices to spike to 50 per megawatt hour, impacting countries like Germany, Poland, and Slovakia, and raising concerns about the future of European industry. Germanys industrial sector is struggling due to the loss of Russian gas, which once supplied 55% of its natural gas needs. Major companies like Volkswagen and BASF have announced layoffs and closures, citing unsustainable energy costs.

due to the loss of Russian gas, which once supplied 55% of its natural gas needs. Major companies like Volkswagen and BASF have announced layoffs and closures, citing unsustainable energy costs. The Nord Stream pipelines were destroyed in 2022 , with conflicting theories about the perpetrators, including allegations involving Ukrainian saboteurs, the CIA, and Anglo-American special services. The destruction has left Europe more vulnerable to energy shocks.

, with conflicting theories about the perpetrators, including allegations involving Ukrainian saboteurs, the CIA, and Anglo-American special services. The destruction has left Europe more vulnerable to energy shocks. The debate over Nord Streams reactivation highlights broader tensions between geopolitical goals and economic needs, with some lawmakers arguing that restoring Russian gas access is essential for Europes industrial survival and long-term prosperity.

As Europe grapples with soaring energy prices and the specter of industrial decline, German MP Sevim Dagdelen has called for the repair and reactivation of the Nord Stream pipelines, arguing that affordable and reliable energy is essential to safeguarding Germanys economic stability. Dagdelens proposal comes in response to Ukraines decision to halt the transit of Russian gas to the European Union, a move that has sent energy prices skyrocketing and raised concerns about the future of European industry.

Ukraines refusal to extend its transit contract with Russias Gazprom beyond 2024 has effectively cut off the flow of natural gas to several EU countries, including Germany, Romania, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, and Italy. The decision has caused EU gas prices to spike to 50 per megawatt hour, a level not seen since October 2023. Dagdelen, a member of the leftist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), criticized the German government and the EU for happily watching the destruction of European industry due to high energy prices.

Germany, once reliant on Russia for 55% of its natural gas supply, has struggled to fill the void left by the cessation of Russian energy imports in 2022. The countrys leading manufacturers, including Volkswagen, Bosch, and BASF, have announced layoffs and plant closures, citing unsustainable energy costs. The Nord Stream pipelines, which once delivered Russian gas directly to Germany, were destroyed in an act of sabotage in September 2022, just days after Berlin revoked certification for the Nord Stream 2 project.

While German investigators have reportedly concluded that Ukrainian saboteurs were responsible for the pipeline explosions, other theories persist. American journalist Seymour Hersh has alleged that the CIA and U.S. Navy were behind the attack, while Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) head Sergey Naryshkin has blamed professional saboteurs from the Anglo-American special services. Regardless of the perpetrators, the destruction of the pipelines has left Germany and Europe more vulnerable to energy shocks.

Dagdelens call to finally put the pipelines into operation and to stop giving money to Kiev reflects growing frustration among some German lawmakers over the economic toll of the Ukraine conflict. Her stance aligns with that of Tino Chrupalla, co-leader of the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD), who last year described the Nord Stream pipelines as a lifeline of German industry and demanded their repair and reactivation.

Germany is the economic engine of Europe

The economic consequences of Ukraines gas transit halt are already being felt across Europe. Slovakia, for example, stands to lose hundreds of millions of euros in transit fees, while its citizens face higher gas and electricity bills. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has criticized major EU nations for prioritizing geopolitical goals over the economic needs of smaller member states. Meanwhile, Poland has proposed stepping in to supply electricity to Ukraine, though experts warn that such a move could further strain Polands coal-dependent energy sector and drive up costs for Polish consumers.

Dagdelens proposal underscores a broader debate about the role of energy security in economic stability. For decades, Germanys industrial prowess was built on access to affordable and reliable energy, much of it supplied by Russia. The abrupt shift away from Russian gas has left the country scrambling to secure alternative sources, often at significantly higher costs. The result has been a steady erosion of Germanys competitive edge, with dire implications for its economy and workforce.

As Europes energy crisis deepens, the question of whether to repair and reactivate the Nord Stream pipelines will remain a contentious issue. For Dagdelen and others, the answer is clear: restoring access to Russian gas is not just a matter of economic necessity but a vital step toward preserving Europes industrial base and ensuring long-term prosperity. Whether Berlin will heed their calls, however, remains to be seen.

In the meantime, the stakes could not be higher. With energy prices continuing to rise and European industry teetering on the brink, the need for a pragmatic solution to the energy crisis has never been more urgent. For Germany and the EU, the path forward will require balancing geopolitical considerations with the economic realities facing millions of citizens and businesses. The reactivation of the Nord Stream pipelines may be a controversial proposal, but for many, it represents a lifeline in an increasingly uncertain world.

Sources include:

RT.com

BastillePost.com

Alethonews.com
Haaretz criticizes Israeli military attacks on Gaza hospitals

Israeli newspaper Haaretz published an editorial criticizing the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for attacking hospitals in Gaza.

The Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia was raided by the IDF for the third time, causing fires and suspending operations.

Haaretz highlighted other IDF atrocities, such as arresting hospital directors, killing medical workers in airstrikes and prisons and the overall death of 1,057 health workers during the war.

The newspaper argued that the attacks on hospitals were illegal under the Fourth Geneva Convention, which grants special status to hospitals during wartime and were part of the IDF's efforts to "complete the destruction" of Gaza.

Haaretz also distanced itself from its publisher's characterization of Hamas as "Palestinian freedom fighters," emphasizing that any organization advocating violence against civilians is a terrorist organization.

Israeli newspaper Haaretz has criticized the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for its attacks on hospitals in Gaza in its recent editorial.

On Dec. 30, the news outlet published an editorial titled "Leave Gaza's Hospitals Alone." The editorial drew attention to the recent destruction of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, which resulted in the death of at least five hospital staff members.

"The Israel Defense Forces raided Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia on Friday, for the third time. According to the World Health Organization, the operation forced the last working hospital in the northern Gaza Strip to suspend operations. Fires broke out in the hospital's laboratory and surgery department, and five medical staff members, including a pediatrician, were killed by IDF fire," Haaretz reported.

"Around 350 people who were in the hospital were forced to leave and to undress. Some of the patients were transferred to the nearby Indonesian Hospital, which the IDF also raided last week."

The Israeli newspaper further exposed the other atrocities of the IDF including the arrest of Director Hossam Abu Safiya of Kamal Adwan, the death of his son Ibrahim during an Israeli airstrike on the hospital in October, the death of three Gaza physicians in Israeli prisons during interrogation due to lack of medical care and the overall death of 1,057 health workers throughout the war. Haaretz claimed that all this led to significant disruptions in healthcare services and devastating consequences for civilians.(Related: Haaretz report suggests up to 40% of Ashkenazi Jews may suffer from mental disorders like schizophrenia.)

"It is fair to assume that the deliberate damage to hospitals in Gaza has a different purpose. It appears that as part of the ethnic cleansing of the northern Strip, during which the army destroyed almost all the area's housing and infrastructure to prevent the return of hundreds of thousands of those expelled from there, it was decided to destroy the hospitals as well.

In the absence of medical facilities, northern Gaza will be emptied faster, as the sick and wounded flee south to find care. Such a large area cannot be left without hospitals, especially in wartime," it included.

Furthermore, the editorial pointed out that the Fourth Geneva Convention grants hospitals a special status during wartime. Hence, the attacks are illegal. The Fourth Geneva Convention accords special status to hospitals during wartime. The presence of small arms and ammunition in a hospital does not justify attacking it, nor does the presence of enemy fighters who are hospitalized there. Northern Gaza has been destroyed and devastated; the IDF is now mainly engaged in completing its destruction. This is an illegitimate action, and in any case, it must not include hospitals.

Haaretz disavows publisher after branding Hamas as "Palestinian freedom fighters"

This criticism echoed a similar editorial by Haaretz in November.

In the earlier editorial titled "Terrorists Are Not Freedom Fighters," the newspaper distanced itself from its publisher, Amos Schocken, who alluded to Hamas as "Palestinian freedom fighters" at a conference in London last Oct. 27. Schocken criticized the Israeli government for not "imposing a cruel apartheid regime on the Palestinian population."

Haaretz firmly rejected Schocken's characterization of Hamas, emphasizing that the use of violence against civilians is unequivocally terrorism.

"Deliberately harming civilians is illegitimate. Using violence against civilians and sowing terror among them to achieve political or ideological goals is terrorism. Any organization that advocates the murder of women, children and the elderly is a terrorist organization, and its members are terrorists. They certainly aren't 'freedom fighters,'" Haaretz stated.

Visit IsraelCollapse.com for more similar stories.

Watch the video below about Haaretz exposing the atrocity propaganda and rapes committed during the Oct. 7 terror attack.

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Brighteon.com
Several hospitals across the U.S. reinstate MASK MANDATES

Hospitals in the U.S., such as OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Illinois and Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, are reimposing mask requirements due to a surge in respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, influenza and RSV.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cases of respiratory illnesses associated with RSV, influenza and COVID-19 are increasing across the country, putting a strain on healthcare resources.

Several California counties, including San Francisco, Alameda and Santa Clara, have reinstated mask mandates for healthcare facilities, extending the requirement to visitors and patients in some cases.

Several hospitals across the U.S. are once again requiring masks in response to a surge in respiratory illnesses, a move reminiscent of the government response during the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The latest mandate comes from OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois, where officials announced that all employees, patients and visitors must wear masks due to the prevalence of respiratory viruses in the area.

"Starting Tuesday, Dec. 31, all employees, patients and visitors at our hospitals are required to wear masks due to the widespread respiratory illnesses in our communities, including COVID-19, influenza and [respiratory syncytial virus] RSV," said OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in a statement posted on Facebook.

The decision to reinstate mask mandates is not unique to Illinois. In Chicago, Rush University Medical Center announced in a statement that as of Dec. 2, patients and visitors are required to wear hospital-approved masks in clinical offices, waiting areas and patient registration.

Similarly, RWJ Barnabas Health, the largest hospital system in New Jersey, has mandated that visitors and patients in its facilities "are expected" to wear a face mask, with masking strongly encouraged for staff and visitors in outpatient and medical group facilities.

The resurgence of mask mandates is particularly notable given the current context of increasing respiratory illnesses. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cases of respiratory illnesses associated with RSV, influenza and COVID-19 are on the rise across the country. Emergency department visits for RSV are still high, while flu-related visits are at moderate levels. Additionally, the CDC reported that "coronavirus activity is increasing" in most areas of the country, with high wastewater levels and increasing emergency department visits.

The recent resurgence of mask mandates brings back memories of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic when similar measures were implemented to curb the spread of the virus. (Related: More and more U.S. hospitals are bringing back mask mandates.)

"Widespread respiratory illnesses are putting a strain on our healthcare resources," said Dr. James McDonald, New York State Health Commissioner. "Requiring masks for healthcare personnel who are not vaccinated against the flu is a necessary step to protect vulnerable patients and prevent further spread."

While the mandates are aimed at reducing the spread of these viruses, public health officials emphasize the critical role that vaccines play in preventing severe illness and hospitalizations.

Multiple California counties reinstate mask mandates for healthcare facilities

In California, multiple counties have reinstated mask mandates for healthcare facilities, with some counties extending the requirement to visitors and patients.

For instance, San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, Napa and San Mateo counties have mandated masks for staff, while Santa Clara and San Mateo counties have also required visitors and patients to wear masks. The mandates, which began in November, are set to end on March 31 of this year.

"Wear an appropriate face mask. We will offer you a new mask for source control or may ask you to replace your own mask with a hospital-supplied mask," RWJ Barnabas Health advised patients and visitors in a statement.

As the respiratory illness surge continues, the future of mask mandates remains uncertain. Public health officials will need to balance the benefits of mask-wearing with the potential impacts on healthcare operations and patient experience.

The reinstatement of mask mandates in hospitals across the United States reflects the ongoing challenges posed by multiple respiratory illnesses. As healthcare systems struggle to manage the simultaneous rise of RSV, influenza and COVID-19, these measures are aimed at curbing the spread of these viruses and protecting vulnerable patients.

While mask mandates have been a contentious issue in the past, the current situation underscores the importance of taking a precautionary approach to public health, particularly in the face of multiple viral threats. As the respiratory illness surge continues, healthcare systems and public health officials will need to carefully navigate this complex landscape to ensure the safety and well-being of all patients and staff.

Pandemic.news has more stories related to public health protocols, including the mask mandate.

Watch the video below that talks about the return of mask mandates in America.

This video is from The Robert Scott Bell Show channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

TARGETING TODDLERS: CDC head Mandy Cohen says mask mandates could return for toddlers despite CDC scientists' finding that masks don't work.

COVID-19 mask mandates RETURN in U.S. hospitals amid spread of JN.1 variant.

Grand jury finds that COVID-19 mask mandates and lockdowns were not effective after all.

Emails reveal New York Times mask-promoting activist manipulated and misrepresented the Cochrane Review, which originally found masks useless.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

Facebook.com

RWJBH.org

CDC.gov

Health.NY.gov

Brighteon.com
Zelenskyy, Emir of Qatar agree to continue working on return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone conversation with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

"I thanked Qatar for participating in the Peace Summit and highly valued its role in returning 53 Ukrainian children forcibly taken by Russia, providing them with essential medical and psychological care. We agreed to continue working on the return of other Ukrainian children forcibly displaced by Russia," Zelenskyy said on X media on Wednesday.

In addition, the parties discussed cooperation in supporting Syria. Zelenskyy invited Qatar to support the humanitarian initiative Food from Ukraine for further assistance to Syria.
CARDIAC DEATH of a preschool-aged child was COVERED UP in clinical trials for Modernas omicron booster

A preschool-aged child participating in Moderna's KidCOVE clinical trial for a COVID-19 booster died of cardio-respiratory arrest, prompting debates about transparency and accountability.

The FDA has not disclosed the death to the American public, raising concerns about the safety of mRNA vaccines for children and the integrity of the regulatory process.

Moderna reported the death to European regulatory authorities but has not published the trial results on ClinicalTrials.gov as required by law.

Journalist Alex Berenson is pressing the FDA for answers, questioning whether the agency knew about the death and why it has not been disclosed.

The incident has intensified concerns about potential side effects of mRNA vaccines, particularly myocarditis, and the importance of transparency in clinical trials.

In late 2022 or early 2023, a preschool-aged child enrolled in Modernas KidCOVE clinical trial for a COVID-19 booster died of cardio-respiratory arrest. The death, which Moderna reported to European regulatory authorities but not to the U.S. public, has sparked a heated debate about transparency, accountability, and the ethical responsibilities of pharmaceutical companies and federal health agencies.

Journalist Alex Berenson, a former New York Times reporter, has raised critical questions about whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) knew about the death and why it has not been disclosed to the American public. As the FDA remains silent, concerns grow about the safety of mRNA vaccines for children and the integrity of the regulatory process.

The death of child in a vaccine clinical trial and its aftermath

The child, whose exact age was not disclosed, was part of Modernas KidCOVE trial, which tested the companys mRNA-1273.214 booster, designed to target an early Omicron variant of COVID-19. According to Modernas report to the European Unions Clinical Trials Register, the death was recorded as unrelated to the vaccine. However, the company has yet to publish the trial results on ClinicalTrials.gov, a U.S. government website where drug makers are legally required to report such data.

Berenson, who now writes for his Substack publication Unreported Truths, has been pressing the FDA for answers. Did Moderna inform the FDA of the death, as it was legally required to do? Berenson asked in a recent interview with The Defender. Neither the agency nor the company has said, but considering Moderna published the death in its report to European regulators, it seems very likely it did also tell the FDA.

The FDA has declined to provide a clear response. In a two-paragraph statement to Berenson, the agency did not acknowledge the death or deny that it occurred. This lack of transparency has fueled speculation about what the FDA knew and when.

The broader context: mRNA vaccines are destroying childrens health

The death of a child in a clinical trial is rare, but it raises significant concerns about the risks and benefits of mRNA vaccines for children. By the time COVID-19 vaccines were authorized for children, it was widely understood that the risk of severe illness or death from the virus in this age group was extremely low.

According to Berenson, The shots had significant side effects, so the only rationale for giving them shots  even theoretically  was to reduce transmission.

One of the most serious potential side effects of mRNA vaccines is myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle that can, in rare cases, lead to cardiac arrest. While the risk of myocarditis is higher in adolescents and young adults, the possibility of similar complications in younger children has been a point of contention among medical professionals and parents.

The FDAs silence on the matter has only deepened these concerns. If the death of a child in the most closely scrutinized vaccine trial in history could go unreported, Berenson said, people will rightly wonder what else is being missed  or covered up.

Berenson has called on both Moderna and the FDA to disclose all relevant information about the childs death. For the FDA, which answers to the public, transparency is even more vital, he said. His efforts have gained traction among lawmakers, including Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), who plans to subpoena the FDA for answers once Republicans take control of the Senate later this month.

The FDA will not be able to stonewall much longer, Berenson predicted.

Moderna, for its part, has not responded to requests for comment. The companys decision to report the death to European regulators but not to the U.S. public has raised questions about its commitment to transparency. Doctors and parents, Berenson argues, have a right to know about such incidents, even if the company claims the death was unrelated to the vaccine.

Sources include:

ChildrensHealthDefense.org

AlexBerenson.substack.com

Trials.Modernatx.com
Moldova and breakaway region of Transnistria confronting energy and security crisis after Ukraine ends transit agreement for Russian gas

Ukraine's refusal to continue transiting Russian gas through its territory has cut off gas supplies to Moldova and its breakaway region, Transnistria, threatening access to electricity and heating in both areas as winter sets in.

Moldova has accused Russia of weaponizing the energy crisis to destabilize the country's pro-Eureopean government.

The energy crisis is threatening to make energy costs surge and increase social discontent, which could weaken public support for Moldova's pro-European agenda, potentially benefiting the country's pro-Russian political forces.

The gas cutoff has shut down most industries in Transnistria, leaving the breakaway region's 450,000 residents without heating and hot water, with coal reserves expected to last only 50 days.

Moldova is confronting a dual energy and security crisis after Ukraine halted Russian gas transit through its territory, cutting off the supply of gas to itself as well as to its breakaway region of Transnistria, threatening the stability of both countries.

The move, which took effect on New Year's Day, aims to deprive Russia of revenue from selling natural gas to Europe that Kyiv says is being used to fund its conflict in Ukraine. (Related: Slovakia considering cutting electricity supplies to Ukraine in retaliation for Kyiv preventing Russian gas from reaching the country.)

Heating and electricity have already been severely restricted, and the government in Chisinau is scrambling to secure alternative energy sources quickly while warning of the Kremlin using the crisis to discredit and destabilize the country's pro-European government.

Moldova's Prime Minister Dorin Recean framed the crisis as a deliberate Russian strategy to destabilize the country.

"By jeopardizing the future of the protectorate it has backed for three decades in an effort to destabilize Moldova, Russia is revealing the inevitable outcome for all its allies  betrayal and isolation," Recean said in a statement.

He accused Moscow of weaponizing energy to undermine Moldova's pro-European government and boost pro-Russian forces ahead of parliamentary elections to be held no later than July this year.

The crisis has broader implications for Moldova's aspirations to join the European Union (EU). Analysts warn that rising energy costs and social discontent could erode public support for President Maia Sandu's pro-European agenda.

"Russia can wait for the elections, and then parties who are not pro-EU will probably win," said Jakub Pienkowski, an analyst, in an interview with the BBC. "Because Maia Sandu can talk about EU accession, but what use is that if people don't have money for electricity or gas? This is the aim for Russia."

Energy crisis shuts down nearly all of Transnistria

The Russian gas cutoff to Moldova's breakaway region of Transnistria has forced the shutdown of nearly all industrial operations, leaving the small region's 450,000 residents without heating and hot water for several hours every day as winter sets in.

Transnistria, which declared independence from Moldova in the early 1990s with the support of Russia, has long relied on Russian gas to power its industries and heat its homes. Only hospitals and other critical infrastructure sites are receiving more than the bare minimum energy the region's government can provide.

"There is no heating or hot water," an employee of Tirasteploenergo, a local energy company, told Reuters from Tiraspol, Transnistria's capital.

Warming centers have been established, and residents are being urged to rely on blankets to endure the cold. The region's main power plant, Kurchugan, relies on coal reserves expected to last only 50 days, further complicating matters for Moldova, which also depends on the plant for electricity.

Transnistrian First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development Sergei Obolonik confirmed that all industrial enterprises except food producers have halted operations.

"The problem is so extensive that if it is not resolved for a long time, we will already have irreversible changes  that is, enterprises will lose their ability to start up," he said.

Tirasteploenergo cut heating and hot water to households, urging residents to conserve warmth by gathering in single rooms and using electric heaters.

Transnistrian President Vadim Krasnoselsky said gas reserves could last 10 days in northern areas and twice as long in the south.

Vadim Ceban, head of Moldova's national gas company, offered to help Transnistria secure European gas but emphasized it would come at market prices.

While Moldova and its neighbors work to diversify energy sources, Transnistria's plight underscores the challenges faced by regions still tethered to Russian supplies.

As temperatures drop, residents like Olga, a 42-year-old mother in Tiraspol, are bracing for a difficult winter.

"We prepared two rooms for this emergency and installed electric fireplaces," she said. "We will hold on like this, hoping this situation is temporary."

EnergySupply.news has more similar stories.

Watch this short clip showing the rolling blackouts currently gripping Transnistria.

This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Gazprom CEO says EU is committing "energy suicide" by boycotting cheap Russian gas.

NATO applicant's breakaway region, Transnistria, asks Russia for HELP.

Putin plans to annex breakaway Moldovan region of Transnistria.

Sources include:

RMX.news

Reuters.com 1

TheGuardian.com

Reuters.com 2

Brighteon.com
Prank-o-rama

Poor Joe Biden cant help himself as the sun sets on his ignominious career. He ordered the American flag to fly at half-staff into January 20, inauguration day, to signal grief and distress at Donald Trumps swearing-in  not realizing, apparently, that Mr. Trumps first act in office will be to order the flag raised back up, signaling symbolically the end to Americas grief and distress under Joe Biden.

(Article republished from Kunstler.com)

You might wonder: what other sort of vicious mischief the Party of Chaos has in store in the final ramp-up to a momentous change of government? Well, no sooner had ol JB draped the Wegovy-slenderized neck of Hillary Clinton with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, than Bill Clinton went on ABCs The View to declare he was open to talking with [President Biden] about a preemptive pardon for Hillary.

Say, whu. . . ? What crimes did Bill have in mind that such a pardon might avail? Skolkovo? Uranium One? The Clinton Foundations sketchy activities in Haiti after the earthquake there? Bill preemptively mentioned the old emails bidness as a ruse. Nothing to see there, folks, he protested. (Just dont look anywhere else!)

You must imagine that the incoming Solicitor General, John Sauers, first act in office will be to ask SCOTUS for a ruling on the legitimacy of preemptive pardons  blanket pardons for crimes alive perhaps in guilty consciences but nowhere extant as yet in the legal system. The justices might detect a certain logical incoherence in that proposition. Joe Biden should have just draped wreaths of garlic around the necks of Mrs. Clinton, Liz Cheney, and Alex Soros (standing in for ol George).

Judge Juan Merchan did not get a medal. Hes warming up for his January 10 stunt of sentencing Mr. Trump for the felony of recording a payment to lawyer Michael Cohen as a legal expense (times thirty-four) so Democrats can holler nyah nyah, felon! as Mr. Trump re-enters the Oval Office. Judge Merchan himself has racked-up an impressive list of federal offenses around deprivation of Mr. Trumps civil and due-process rights as well as judicial misconduct, obstruction of justice, and abuse of power. Justice may await the judge.

Today, January 6, of course, is electoral vote certification day in a joint session of Congress. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) has been making noises about contesting certification on the grounds that Mr. Trump is an insurrectionist under the disqualification clause in Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. Dont be surprised if Jamie makes a show of it to justify all his loose talk, but it will only be a performance. He might as well bring a chicken into the chamber and bite its head off.

The shadowy claque behind Joe Biden has been super-busy cooking up documents for the demented old bird to sign before leaving office, anything that supposedly might discommode the incoming Mr. Trump. JB is like a bandit fleeing the scene of a crime, throwing his stolen booty into the road off the back of his truck to trip up the police closing in. Close down offshore oil drilling off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts for evermore. . . ban gas-powered water heaters. . . any old thing to make life more uncomfortable for the people of this land. The shadowy claque seems oblivious to the fact that the people wont appreciate these pranks, that they just give more reasons for them to drive a wooden stake through the heart of the Democratic Party  as if it even had one.

Prank-of-the-week, though, goes to Tony Blinkens State Department. No sooner had Congress defunded his agencys Global Engagement Center (GEC)  that is, its censorship coordination hub  than the muppets at State redistributed GECs personnel to other corners of the agency and scared up new funding for their censorship activities from some dark hidey-hole of sequestered money. Do they suppose no one will find out where these employees went? All thats necessary is to look up who was on the GECs payroll in 2024, and earlier in the hubs heyday, and see if they remain on the State Departments payroll now  and then fire the whole lot of them for cause: abrogating Americans First Amendment rights. Buh-bye. . . .

You are not out-of-order worrying, of course, that the political Left and the deep state blob behind them might look, in desperation, for other ways to prevent Donald Trump from getting sworn in. Theres the president-elects rally in DC the night before the inauguration. Not a few MAGAs are wondering if thats really a good idea. And the recent garish drone swarms around the USA have put folks ill at ease about a swearing-in on the west front of the US Capitol, out in the open air. Id even be a little concerned about the mechanicals of Mr. Trumps airplane as he flies north from Mar-a-Lago to the big event in Washington.

Nobody will be surprised if Joe Biden does not show up on the dais at the Capitol that fateful day. He at least has one final snub left for Mr. Trump as JB departs office with the pardon he will preemptively lay on himself in the wee hours of January 19  in case anyone might inquire into all those shadow companies that First Son Hunter was running over the years to receive money from China, Ukraine, Russia, Romania, and Gawd knows who else, to be redistributed (i.e., laundered) through the innumerable bank accounts of Biden family members. There is that to consider.

Read more at: Kunstler.com
John Roy and Mike Adams discuss the secret behind Dawson Knives UNBREAKABLE blades

Founded by a three-generation family of knife makers, Dawson Knives stands out for its craftsmanship, resilience and innovation in the mass-produced tool market.

The company's secret lies in a fusion of ancient Japanese heat-treating techniques, cutting-edge American Magnacut steel and a commitment to perfection.

Dawson Knives uses a unique differential heat-treat process that ensures durability and resistance to shattering, and the steel can withstand harsh environments like saltwater for 30 days.

Each blade is hand-ground by one of only three skilled artisans in the company, ensuring a high standard of performance and durability that can last a lifetime.

Dawson Knives emphasizes traditional craftsmanship and quality over quantity, with limited-edition runs and a focus on preserving the art of hand-grinding blades in the face of modern manufacturing challenges.

In a world where mass-produced tools dominate the market, Dawson Knives stands as a beacon of craftsmanship, resilience and innovation. Founded by the Dawson family, a three-generation lineage of knife makers, Dawson Knives has perfected the art of creating blades that are not only functional but built to last a lifetimeand beyond.

John Roy, the second-generation mastermind behind the brand, recently sat down with the Health Ranger Mike Adams to disclose the secrets behind Dawson Knives' unbreakable blades. According to him, this secret consists of three elements: A fusion of ancient Japanese heat-treating techniques, cutting-edge American steel and a relentless pursuit of perfection.

At the heart of Dawson Knives' success lies their proprietary heat-treating process, a method that combines Old World craftsmanship with modern technology. Roy told Adams: "We use a differential heat treat so we have a stronger edge and then we get some flex off the back." This unique approach ensures that the knives are both durable and resistant to shattering, a feat once considered impossible in the knife-making world.

The steel itself is equally revolutionary. Dawson Knives employs American-made Magnacut steel, a powder metal alloy that offers the sharpness of high-carbon steel, the edge retention of stainless steel, and remarkable corrosion resistance. "This steel can withstand 30 days in saltwater," Roy noted, a testament to its resilience in harsh environments.

But what truly sets Dawson Knives apart is their commitment to in-house heat treatment. While many manufacturers outsource this critical step, the Dawson family handles it themselves, using techniques passed down through generations. However, Roy admitted that they failed Roy admitted that they failed 20 times before finding the right way of heat treating the steel that ties Old and New World technologies together.

Dawson Knives preserving family legacy through handcrafted, durable blades

Dawson Knives is more than a brand; it's a family legacy. Each blade is hand-ground by one of only three skilled artisans: John Roy, his brother and his nephew. This hands-on approach ensures that every blade is a work of art, meticulously crafted to meet the highest standards of performance and durability.

The result is a product that transcends mere utility. These knives are designed to be heirlooms, passed down through generations.

Dawson Knives are built to endure the harshest conditions. Adams, co-designer of the knives, shared his firsthand experience testing the blades in the field. He mentioned that he had used them to hack through bamboo and wild grape vines in Texas. (Related: Dawson Knives, Health Ranger announce collaboration on new machete design and improvements to existing line of survival knives.)

Roy echoed this sentiment, recalling the rigorous testing process. The second-generation Dawson knife maker mentioned that they have tested the blades in everything from cutting competitions to survival scenarios and they are designed to handle anything  whether it's batoning wood, prepping food or even self-defense.

As traditional craftsmanship faces the threat of extinction, Dawson Knives serves as a reminder of the value of heritage and innovation. While Roy lamented the fact that the art of hand-grinding blades is slowly dying, they are committed to keeping it alive.

The company's dedication to quality over quantity is evident in their limited-edition runs. According to Roy, the Dawson knives are not mass-produced but they are made to last a lifetime.

The interview also touched on the challenges facing the American steel industry. Roy revealed that one of the oldest steel mills in the United States, responsible for producing Magnacut, is at risk of shutting down due to economic pressures.

Follow Gear.news for more news about survival knives.

Watch the full interview between John Roy of Dawson Knives and the Health Ranger Mike Adams below.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Health Ranger Report: High-grade corrosion-resistant knives co-designed with Dawson Knives a popular choice among backpackers and preppers.

Essential gear for SHTF situations: Choosing the right equipment for survival.

SHTF essentials: Top 10 tools every survivalist should have in their kit.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

DawsonKnives.com
Russia seizes Kurakhove in major eastern Ukraine breakthrough

Russian forces captured Kurakhove, a strategic logistics hub in eastern Ukraine, marking a pivotal moment in the nearly three-year conflict.

The towns fall provides Russia a launching pad to advance further westward, threatening key Ukrainian supply routes.

Ukraine downplays the loss, but reports confirm Ukrainian forces have been pushed to the outskirts of Kurakhove.

The timing coincides with U.S. President-elect Donald Trumps impending inauguration, raising speculation about potential peace talks.

Ukraine faces mounting challenges as it struggles to counter Russias superior military strength and uncertain Western support.

In a significant escalation of the nearly three-year-long Russia-Ukraine conflict, Russian forces announced Monday the capture of Kurakhove, a strategic logistics hub in eastern Ukraines Donetsk region. The battle for this industrial town, which has raged since mid-October, marks a pivotal moment in the war, as Russia consolidates its grip on the Donbas region and positions itself for potential ceasefire negotiations under a new U.S. administration.

The Russian Defense Ministry declared that its troops had fully liberated Kurakhove, describing it as a powerful fortified area with a network of pillboxes and underground communications. The ministry also claimed that Ukrainian forces suffered heavy losses, including 12,000 troops and 3,000 pieces of military hardware, although these figures remain unverified. Independent sources, including the Associated Press and Ukrainian monitoring group DeepState, have corroborated Russias claim of control over much of the town, despite Kievs insistence that fighting continues.

A strategic prize in the Donbas

Kurakhove, located on a central highway connecting eastern and southern Ukraine, has long been a critical stronghold for Ukrainian forces. Its industrial zone, thermal power plant, and reservoir made it a key logistical and defensive position. The towns fall represents a major setback for Ukraine, which has struggled to hold back Russias relentless advance in the Donetsk region.

The capture of Kurakhove is not just a tactical victory but a strategic one. It provides Russia with a launching pad to push further westward toward Pokrovsk, a vital Ukrainian supply hub. As Michael Kofman of the Carnegie Endowment noted, Ukraine is losing territory, and the situation is likely to worsen as winter deepens and Western support remains uncertain.

Ukrainian officials have sought to downplay the loss, with a military spokesman stating that battles were still ongoing within the city limits as of Monday morning. However, reports from Meduza and DeepState suggest that Ukrainian forces have been pushed to the outskirts of Kurakhove, holding positions in the village of Dachne. The Ukrainian militarys reluctance to acknowledge the fall of Kurakhove mirrors its pattern of delaying public statements on major defeats, a strategy aimed at maintaining morale and international support.

Despite Ukraines counteroffensive in Russias Kursk region, which has seen limited gains, the main theater of war remains in Donetsk. Analysts argue that Ukraines efforts in Kursk, while symbolically significant, do little to alter the broader strategic picture. As Franz-Stefan Gady, an independent military analyst, noted, Ukraines operations in Kursk have been platoon-sized, company-sized assaults with fairly limited gains.

The timing of Russias breakthrough is no coincidence. With U.S. President-elect Donald Trump set to take office in two weeks, both sides are scrambling to strengthen their positions ahead of potential peace talks. Trump, who has pledged to end the conflict quickly, could bring a new dynamic to the war, though his specific plans remain unclear.

For Russia, the capture of Kurakhove bolsters its negotiating leverage, allowing it to present itself as the dominant force in the region. For Ukraine, the loss underscores the urgent need for increased Western military aid. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly called for more support, warning that without it, Ukraines ability to defend its territory will continue to erode.

A turning point in the conflict

The fall of Kurakhove represents a turning point in the Russia-Ukraine war, highlighting the challenges Kiev faces as it struggles to hold back a larger, better-equipped Russian military. While Ukraines resilience and Western support have been critical thus far, the capture of this strategic town underscores the shifting momentum in Moscows favor.

As winter sets in and the political landscape in Washington prepares to change, the stakes have never been higher. For Ukraine, the coming weeks will be a test of endurance and diplomacy. For Russia, Kurakhove is a stepping stone toward its broader ambitions in the Donbas. The world watches as this brutal conflict enters a new, uncertain phase.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

APNews.com

Reuters.com
Trumps plan to pardon over 1,000 convicted J6 protesters sparks criticism from Big Government

President-elect Donald Trump plans to pardon or commute sentences for individuals convicted in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol protest, framing them as victims of political persecution and harsh treatment.

Legal experts, judges, and political opponents warn that such clemency undermines the rule of law, normalizes attacks on democratic institutions and sends a dangerous message.

Over 1,600 individuals have been charged, with nearly 1,000 convicted or pleading guilty; sentences range from months to 22 years for serious offenses like assault and seditious conspiracy.

Trumps promise has energized his base, with allies like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene supporting clemency, while critics argue it distracts from pressing national issues and risks politicizing justice.

As President-elect Donald J. Trump prepares to return to the White House, his promise to pardon or commute the sentences of individuals convicted for their roles in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol protest has ignited a fierce debate over justice, democracy and the limits of presidential power.

Trump has repeatedly claimed his desire to pardon Jan. 6 protesters. He told NBC's Kristen Welker in December that he would address the issue of pardoning Jan. 6 protesters on his "first day" in office, describing them as victims of political persecution and harsh treatment.

The pledge, which could affect more than 1,000 individuals, has drawn sharp criticism from legal experts, federal judges and political opponents, who warn that such clemency would undermine the rule of law and send a dangerous message about the consequences of attacking democratic institutions.

Since the Jan. 6, 2021 incident at the Capitol, the Department of Justice of outgoing President Joe Biden has charged more than 1,600 individuals in connection with the Capitol protest.

Of those, nearly 1,000 have pleaded guilty or been convicted, with over 600 sentenced to prison terms ranging from a few months to 22 years for the most serious offenses, including assaulting police officers and seditious conspiracy.

In the immediate aftermath of the incident, Trump condemned the violence, calling it a heinous attack and stating that those who broke the law will pay. However, his tone shifted dramatically as he began his 2024 campaign, framing the protesters as patriots and hostages who were unfairly persecuted.

In his NBC interview, Trump said he would review all cases individually and focus on first pardoning nonviolent offenders.

These people have suffered. Their lives have been destroyed, he said. And yet, in Portland, where they burned down half the city They dont do anything. (Related: Pardons and payback: A blueprint for Trump's DOJ to free the patriots and punish the real J6 plotters.)

Trumps promise has also become a rallying cry for his base, with allies like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) celebrating the prospect of clemency for J6ers. However, critics argue that Trumps focus on the protesters distracts from pressing national issues.

Republican strategist John Feehery noted that Democrats wasted time talking about a mostly peaceful protest that really only resonated with those who watch MSNBC.

Judges and legal "experts" alarmed by Trump's pledge to extend pardon to J6 political prisoners

Trumps pledge has alarmed legal observers and sitting judges, including some he appointed.

United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court Judge Carl Nichols, appointed by Trump back in 2019, warned that blanket pardons for all Jan. 6 defendants or anything close would be beyond frustrating and disappointing.

Similarly, Senior Judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Royce Lamberth, appointed back in 1987 by former President Ronald Reagan, emphasized that we cannot condone the normalization of the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot.

The Society for the Rule of Law, a group of conservative attorneys and former officials, echoed these concerns, stating that clemency for Jan. 6 defendants would undermine the U.S. judiciary and criminal justice system and send a message to Americans that attacking U.S. democratic institutions is appropriate and justifiable.

As Trump prepares to take office, the fate of the Jan. 6 defendants remains uncertain. While he has indicated that he may exclude those convicted of violent acts, his statements have been inconsistent.

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice continues to pursue cases related to the protest, emphasizing the need for deterrence. Future would-be rioters must be deterred, prosecutors have argued in court filings.

Watch this Jan. 6 special episode of "Brighteon Broadcast News" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, discusses the need for President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration to immediately pardon all Jan. 6 political prisoners.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Merrick Garland goes full hypocrite after Hunter Biden pardon  threatens January 6 political prisoners if they accept pardons from Donald Trump.

Biden mulls shielding Fauci and Cheney as Trump plans to pardon J6 patriots.

Trump hints at pardon for J6 political prisoners after Joe Biden pardons his son.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

TheGuardian.com

Brighteon.com
Vermonts climate superfund law sparks legal battle over energy freedom and accountability

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the American Petroleum Institute (API) filed a federal lawsuit on January 3, 2025, challenging Vermonts Climate Superfund Act, which holds fossil fuel companies financially accountable for climate change damages dating back to 1995. The plaintiffs argue the law is unconstitutional, overreaches state authority, and threatens interstate commerce and energy freedom.

Enacted in 2024, the law is the first of its kind in the U.S., requiring fossil fuel companies responsible for over one billion metric tons of emissions to pay for climate-related damages. Funds will support infrastructure improvements, such as stormwater systems and building weatherization, based on a state assessment of climate impacts from 1995 to 2024.

The lawsuit claims Vermonts law imposes retroactive penalties on lawful, out-of-state conduct regulated by the federal Clean Air Act and unfairly targets specific companies for emissions from billions of sources. Critics argue it violates the Commerce Clause and could increase costs for consumers nationwide.

Vermonts law has inspired similar legislation in states like New York, Massachusetts, California, and Maryland. The lawsuit is seen as a test case for state-level climate accountability efforts, with legal experts predicting a prolonged legal battle that could set a national precedent.

Environmental advocates argue the lawsuit is an attempt by the fossil fuel industry to evade responsibility for climate damages, while critics question Vermonts reliance on fossil fuels and its authority to impose penalties. The case highlights tensions between state versus federal authority, energy freedom, and the role of fossil fuel companies in addressing climate change.

In a landmark legal showdown, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the American Petroleum Institute (API) have filed a federal lawsuit against Vermont, challenging the states unprecedented Climate Superfund Act. The law, enacted in 2024, seeks to hold fossil fuel companies financially accountable for climate change damages dating back to 1995. The lawsuit, filed on January 3, 2025, argues that Vermonts law is unconstitutional, overreaches state authority, and threatens to disrupt interstate commerce and energy freedom.

Vermonts Climate Superfund Act, the first of its kind in the nation, was passed in response to catastrophic flooding and extreme weather events that devastated the state in recent years. The law tasks the state treasurer and the Agency of Natural Resources with calculating the financial toll of climate change on Vermont from 1995 to 2024. This assessment, due by January 2026, will evaluate impacts on public health, natural resources, agriculture, and infrastructure. Using federal data, Vermont plans to attribute greenhouse gas emissions to specific fossil fuel companies responsible for over one billion metric tons of emissions during the period.

Funds collected under the law would be allocated to infrastructure improvements, such as stormwater drainage systems, road and bridge upgrades, and weatherization of buildings. The law is modeled after the federal Superfund program, which holds polluters accountable for environmental cleanup costs.

However, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and API argue that Vermonts law is an unconstitutional overreach. Tara Morrissey, senior vice president and deputy chief counsel of the Chambers litigation center, stated that Vermont is attempting to impose retroactive penalties on lawful, out-of-state conduct regulated by the federal Clean Air Act. She emphasized that climate change is a global issue best addressed by federal legislation, not state-level mandates that could increase costs for consumers nationwide.

The lawsuit also contends that Vermonts law creates an impossible task of accurately attributing emissions over decades. The plaintiffs argue that greenhouse gases come from billions of individual sources, making it unfair and impractical to assign liability to specific companies. They further claim that the law violates the Commerce Clause by targeting large energy companies located outside Vermont, potentially setting a dangerous precedent for other states.

Environmental advocates, however, see the lawsuit as an attempt by the fossil fuel industry to evade accountability. Anthony Iarrapino, a lobbyist with the Conservation Law Foundation, called the lawsuit a tactic to avoid responsibility for the damages caused by fossil fuel use. He noted that more states are following Vermonts lead, holding Big Oil 'accountable' for disaster recovery and cleanup costs from 'climate-fueled' storms.

Either way, a legal precedent will be set

The legal battle has broader implications for climate accountability measures nationwide. Vermonts initiative has already inspired similar legislation in New York, where Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed a law requiring major greenhouse gas emitters to pay into a state fund for climate-resilient infrastructure projects. Massachusetts, California, and Maryland are also considering similar measures.

Legal scholars predict a protracted fight. Michael Gerrard, director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia University, described the lawsuit as a shot across the bow by the fossil fuel industry, signaling their intent to vigorously oppose such laws. He noted that while the suit may be premature  Vermont has yet to finalize its damage assessments and billing process  it underscores the industrys determination to challenge state-level climate accountability efforts.

The lawsuit also highlights Vermonts reliance on fossil fuels, with roughly two-thirds of households depending on them for heat and per capita consumption exceeding that of two-thirds of states. Critics argue that this undermines Vermonts moral authority to impose penalties on fossil fuel companies. However, environmental advocates counter that the scientific consensus is clear: human activity, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, is the leading cause of climate change, and dismiss the lawsuit as an attempt by the fossil fuel industry to 'undermine science' in pursuit of profits.

As Vermont prepares to defend its law in federal court, the outcome could set a significant precedent for climate accountability measures across the country. While Vermont argues that the polluter-pays model is essential to address the financial toll of climate change, the fossil fuel industry contends that such measures could disrupt economic and legal norms. Society would not be what it is today without fossil fuels; even as new technologies come online it's absurd to take punitive measures against the technology that got us here.

The case represents a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over energy freedom, state versus federal authority, and the role of fossil fuel companies in addressing climate change. As the legal battle unfolds, its ramifications will reverberate far beyond Vermonts borders, shaping the future of climate policy in the United States.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

Ripbs.org

APNews.com
Why Washington still pretends January 6 was an attempted coup

Its been four years since the January 6 riots of 2021, and with each passing year it becomes more clear that the event was not an insurrection, and it certainly wasnt a coup of any sort.

(Article by Ryan McMaken republished from Mises.org)

The legacy media and the Washington ruling elitetwo groups united in their loathing for ordinary Americanscling to the insurrection narrative because it allows them to play victim, and to portray the unorganized populist opposition as dangerous. Thus, we are to believe that an insurrection led by powerless working-class activists from the countryside posed a threat to the nuclear-armed machine that is the federal government.

The fruits of this narrativefrom the elites perspectiveare already evident. For four years, the FBIwhich cant be bothered with hunting down rapists and real criminalshas relentlessly pursued the insurrectionists. Virtually all of these criminals, which the FBI would have you believe are violent felons, have been convicted of petty crimes like trespassing. Others have been convicted of crimes that were perfectly legal throughout the first hundred years of American history, but became crimes as the federal government gradually destroyed the Bill of Rights after the Civil War. These newly invented crimes include unconstitutional thoughtcrimes like seditious conspiracy.

Among those convicted of actual violence, only a handful were convicted of possessing firearms on capitol grounds. Those convicted of actually using weapons against police were using weapons like crutches and bear spray. No one was convicted of any sort of violence that can seriously be compared to any type of real-life coup or insurrection.

The hysteria over this coup has also served to vastly increase the power of the tax parasites known as the Capitol Police. Since the January 6 riots, the Capitols top costumed police bureaucrat, Tom Manger, has attempted to turn the police force into a national spy agency of sorts. As Politico reports:

Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger has sought to shift the agencys identity as a traditional police force with a focus on Capitol Hill to a protective force built on intelligence gathering, threat assessment and flexing its nationwide authority and jurisdiction. It now has an intelligence bureau with dozens of agents, as well as field offices in Florida and California, with more possible in Massachusetts, Wisconsin and Texas.

Already saddled with the FBI, the NSA, the BATF, and a half dozen other heavily armed federal spy and police agencies, America, it seems, now requires yet another agency to spy on Americans. The Capitol Cops have done their best to put forward plenty of theater designed to make themselves out to be the victims, even though the only homicide committed on January 6 was committed by trigger-happy Capitol cop Michael Byrd. Byrd shot protestor Ashli Babbitt who was armed only with a pocket knifea knife that was in her pocket when Byrd shot her.

What Would a Real Coup Looks Like?

So fact that the January 6 riot was nothing that we might call a coup is made clear by the fact that the alleged insurrectionists had no plan to replace the existing regime with something else.

In the real world, a coup requires the existence of some group of elites in the wing waiting to replace the status quo elites. This clearly was not the case on January 6, 2021. Indeed, the rioters in the Capitol enjoyed no support from any group of elites at all. It was simply a disorganized riot.

Put another way, the January 6 riot was not an attempted coup because it simply wasnt the sort of event that historians and political scientiststhe people who actually study coupsgenerally define as a coup. Comparing the events of January 6 to those of, say, the 1973 Chilean coup, or the attempted Japanese coup of 1937 shows just how far from a coup the January 6 riot was.

So how do we know a coup when we see one?

In their article Global Instances of Coups from 1950 to 2010: A New Dataset, authors Jonathan M. Powell and Clayton L. Thyne provide a definition:

A coup attempt includes illegal and overt attempts by the military or other elites within the state apparatus to unseat the sitting executive.

There are two key components of this definition. The first is that it is illegal. Powell and Thyne note that this illegal qualifier is important to include because it differentiates coups from political pressure, which is common whenever people have freedom to organize.

In other words, protests, or threats of protest dont count as coups. Neither do legal efforts such as a vote of no confidence or an impeachment.

But an even more critical aspect of Powell and Thynes definition is that it requires the involvement of elites.

This can be seen in any stereotypical example of a coup detat. This generally involves a renegade military detachment, military officers, and others from within the state apparatus who can employ knowledge, skills, influence, and coercive tools gained through membership in the regimes elite circles.

The attempted coup in Japan in 1937, for example, was carried out by more than fifteen hundred officers and men of the Japanese imperial army. They nonetheless failed, likely because they miscalculated the amount of support they enjoyed among other officers. More recently, in the 2009 Honduran coup, the bulk of the Honduran army turned on the president, Manuel Zelaya, and sent him into exile. That was a successful coup. More famously, Chiles 1973 coup was successfully led by Augusto Pinochet, the commander-in-chief of the army, and his position enabled him to shell the Chilean executive palace with military hardware.

Contrast this with nameless MAGA hatwearing flag wavers, and the inappropriateness of the term coup in this case should be blatantly obvious. With real coups, power is seized by a faction of the elite which has the ability to take control of the machinery of the state indefinitely. Although some of Trumps critics claim he was somehow responsible for Wednesdays mob, it is clear that Trump was not coordinating or directing any sort of military operation through Twitter posts. There was no plan for holding power. Had those who invaded the Capitol building managed to take control of the building for a time, theres no reason to think this would have somehow translated into control of the state. How would it? The real coercive power remained well ensconced within an apparently undivided military apparatus.

Must the military be at the center of any coup attempt? The answer is no. But, even in these other cases, it is clear that what happened on January 6 was no coup. For example, Powell and Thyne emphasize that military involvement at early stages is not necessary:

[Other definitions] more broadly allow non-military elites, civilian groups, and even mercenaries to be included as coup perpetrators. This broad definition includes four sources, including [a definition stating that coup] perpetrators need only be organized factions. We take a middle ground. Coups may be undertaken by any elite who is part of the state apparatus. These can include non-civilian members of the military and security services, or civilian members of government.

However, in the case of January 6, the rioters had no institutional backing, military or otherwise. The had no promises of help from elites, and no reason to assume they had access to any coercive tools necessary to seize and hold control of a states executive apparatus. Nor was Donald Trump even in a position to promise such things. As noted by Elaine Kamarck at the Brookings Institution:

We now know that Trump did not even have the support of his own family and friends nor his handpicked White House staff. To pursue his plans, he had to rely on a close group of advisors known as the clown show led by Rudi Giuliani, a pillow manufacturer, and a dot-com millionairenone of whom was in government and none of whom controlled the most important assets (guns, tanks, planes etc.) needed to take over a government. In contrast to most successful coups in history, Trump had no faction of the military, no faction of the National Guard, and no faction of the District of Col[u]mbia Metropolitan Police at his disposal.

In other words, the rioters had no avenue to call upon any faction of the state or any group of elites for backing. Kamarck continues:

As we learned in some of the most recent hearings, it was Vice President Mike Pence who was in contact with the military and the police, and most importantly, the military and the police were taking orders from Pence not Trump, the commander in chief!

Given that Trump didnt actually attempt to secure power for himself, we can guess Trump knew that no branch of the federal government was about to step in to illegally extend his tenure as president.

Coup Now Means Thing I Dont Like

Since 2021, the media has decided to use terms like coup and insurrection selectively for political effect. This phenomenon was examined in a November 2019 article titled Coup with Adjectives: Conceptual Stretching or Innovation in Comparative Research?, by Leiv Marsteintredet and Andres Malamud. The authors note that as the incidence of real coups has declined, the word has become more commonly applied to political events that are not coups. But, as the authors note, this is not merely an issue of splitting hairs, explaining that the choice of how to conceptualize a coup is not to be taken lightly since it carries normative, analytical, and political implications.

Increasingly, the term really means this is a thing I dont like. Its clear the January 6 panel in Congress, and countless anti-Trump pundits, use the term in this way to express disapproval and also to justify regime crackdowns against pro-Trump opponents of the regime. Its easier to justify harsh prison sentences for a disorganized group of vandals if their acts can be framed as a nearly successful coup and therefore a threat to our democracy. Moreover, if the situation were reversed, and if protestors had invaded the Capitol to support a left-wing, proregime candidate, we can be sure that the vocabulary used to describe the event in the mainstream press would be quite different.

Read more at: Mises.org
Opinion | Evil AI: How AI chatbots are reinforcing teens negative self-image

Artificial intelligence is an ever-changing industry with a grasp on social media platforms, news outlets, and almost all aspects of internet culture.

(Article by Reese Thompson republished from DailyIowan.com)

Its a common misconception that chatbots and AI programs are relatively new technologies. The first chatbot was actually programmed in 1966 by MIT computer scientist Joseph Weizenbaum.

Though these applications are not new, the debate around whether AI is safe or appropriate for teens and young adults was sparked recently.

Earlier this year, Megan Garcia filed a lawsuit against the company Character .AI claiming it was responsible for her sons suicide. Her son, Sewell Setzer III, spent months corresponding with Character.AI and was in communicating with the bot moments before his death.

Immediately after the lawsuit was filed, Character.AI made a statement announcing new safety features for the app.

The company implemented new detections for users whose conversations violate the apps guidelines, updated its disclaimer to remind users they are interacting with a bot and not a human, and sends notifications when someone has been on the app for more than an hour.

The next generation of children will need to be taught how to emotionally separate human interactions from interactions with artificial intelligence.

One of the main issues with these applications is they are not up to date with the slang children and teens use, nor the nuances of how they converse with each other. This could lead to the bots unintentionally encouraging negative speech because the algorithm is unfamiliar with the wording.

If someone relies on AI chatbots for social interaction, it can hinder their social skills because they become emotionally dependent on technology, which can threaten their interpersonal connections.

AI technologies promote an increase in screen time because the conversations one can have with a chatbot are seemingly never-ending. The chatbot will keep responding and prompting the user to respond until the device is turned off.

Snapchat introduced its new My AI chatbot to users on Feb. 27, 2023. This application is unique from others because users can name and dress their chatbot and create a bio for it, which customizes its personality.

For example, you can write in the bots bio that it is funny and outgoing, and it will respond to you accordingly. This type of personalization has parents worried their children will form a relationship with their chatbot and prioritize it over their real-life relationships.

The newest development in AI chatbot technology was launched earlier this year. Its called the Friend, and its a necklace you can wear every day with a bot living inside of it.

The device communicates via text messages or push notifications through the users phone. You can hold a button to ask the bot questions, but the device is always listening and will sometimes send unprompted notifications based on what it hears.

The dangers posed by generative AI and chatbots all go back to the idea of anthropomorphism, which is defined as the attribution of human qualities or behaviors to a non-human object.

Assigning a name to a chatbot, giving it a personality, a sense of style, and even a voice can provoke the user to create an unhealthy attachment to the technology because of how lifelike it is.

Parents need to be aware of the risks these AI technologies pose to their childrens mental health and overall well-beings.

Read more at: DailyIowan.com
Bidens last-minute offshore drilling ban: a partisan power grab masquerading as conservation

President Joe Biden issued a sweeping ban on offshore oil and gas drilling across 625 million acres of U.S. coastal waters, using the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to withdraw areas in the Atlantic, Pacific, eastern Gulf of Mexico, and parts of Alaska from future leasing.

The decision, announced two weeks before President-elect Donald Trumps inauguration, is seen as a last-minute effort to cement Bidens climate legacy and hinder the incoming administrations ability to reverse his policies.

The ban largely targets areas with minimal or no active oil and gas leases, making it more of a symbolic gesture to appease environmental activists than a substantive move toward energy security or environmental protection.

Critics argue the ban undermines U.S. energy independence, stifles innovation, and limits future economic potential by locking away resources that could become viable with technological advancements.

President-elect Trump has vowed to reverse the ban, calling it a partisan power grab that prioritizes ideology over practicality and fails to address Americas energy needs.

In a move that reeks of political opportunism and ideological overreach, President Joe Biden has issued a sweeping ban on offshore oil and gas drilling across more than 625 million acres of U.S. coastal waters. The decision, announced just two weeks before President-elect Donald Trumps inauguration, is a transparent attempt to cement Bidens legacy on climate change and conservation while tying the hands of the incoming administration.

Bidens action, framed as a bold step to protect the environment, is nothing more than a thinly veiled political stunt. By invoking the 72-year-old Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, the president has unilaterally withdrawn vast swaths of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and portions of Alaskas Northern Bering Sea from future oil and gas leasing. The move, he claims, is necessary to safeguard coastal communities, marine ecosystems, and public health. But lets call it what it really is: a desperate attempt to lock in progressive policies before a conservative administration takes the reins.

The timing of this decision is no accident. With Trump poised to reverse many of Bidens energy policies, the outgoing president is scrambling to leave behind a legacy that aligns with his climate agenda. Yet, this ban is not just about conservation  its about control. By leveraging an obscure provision of federal law, Biden is attempting to make it as difficult as possible for Trump to undo his actions.

The irony is that much of the area Biden is protecting holds little to no interest for oil and gas companies. There are no active leases in the Atlantic or Pacific, and the last lease sale off the East Coast occurred in 1983. Even in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, where a handful of leases exist, drilling activity is minimal. This ban, therefore, is largely symbolica gesture meant to appease environmental activists rather than a meaningful step toward energy security or environmental protection.

But symbolism has consequences. By shutting off access to vast offshore areas, Biden is undermining Americas energy independence and economic potential. Erik Milito, president of the National Ocean Industries Association, rightly noted that such blanket bans threaten our economic and national security by creating political barriers to our own resources. In a world where energy markets are increasingly volatile, the U.S. cannot afford to tie its own hands.

Bidens decision also ignores the reality of Americas energy needs. While the president claims that the banned areas have relatively minimal fossil fuel potential, the truth is that people dont know what resources lie beneath these waters. Technological advancements have revolutionized energy production in recent years, and what may seem uneconomical today could become viable tomorrow. By locking these areas away indefinitely, Biden is stifling innovation and limiting our ability to adapt to future challenges.

America could be global energy superpower

The hypocrisy of this move is staggering. Biden has repeatedly claimed that his administration is committed to balancing conservation with energy security. Yet, his actions tell a different story. By banning offshore drilling in areas with minimal environmental risk, he is prioritizing ideology over pragmatism. Meanwhile, his administration continues to approve massive oil projects like the Willow development in Alaska, drawing ire from environmental groups. This inconsistency reveals a president more concerned with political posturing than coherent policy.

The incoming Trump administration has already signaled its intent to reverse Bidens ban. I will unban it immediately, Trump declared in a recent interview. I have the right to unban it. While the legal pathway for such a reversal remains uncertain, one thing is clear: Bidens last-minute maneuver is a blatant attempt to circumvent the will of the American people.

This is not the first time a lame-duck president has used executive authority to push through controversial policies. But Bidens actions are particularly egregious given the stakes. At a time when energy prices remain high and global instability threatens supply chains, the U.S. should be expanding, not restricting, its energy production. Instead, Biden is doubling down on a failed agenda that prioritizes climate alarmism over common sense.

The American people deserve better. They deserve an energy policy that balances environmental stewardship with economic growth, one that empowers innovation rather than stifling it. Bidens offshore drilling ban is a step in the wrong directiona partisan power grab disguised as conservation. Its time to put an end to these last-minute antics and restore a pro-American energy approach that puts the needs of the people first.

As Trump prepares to take office, one thing is certain: the fight for Americas energy future is far from over. And with leaders who prioritize practicality over politics, Americans can ensure that the U.S. remains a global energy powerhouse for generations to come.

Sources include:

RigZone.com

Reuters.com

APNews.com
Four people were trapped under the rubble of a residential building as a result of an attack by Russian occupiers on the village of Stepnohirsk in Vasylivka district of Zaporizhia region on Wednesday, two of them were rescued, Head of Zaporizhia Regional Military Administration Ivan Fedorov said.

"The Russians struck the frontline settlement at least five times. One of the strikes hit the building of the village council. The other hit a residential building. Two people were rescued, two more remain under the rubble. The search and rescue operation continues," Fedorov said on Telegram.
BOMBSHELL: Co-founder and CEO of BioNTech refuses to take the mRNA Covid vaccine because he says, we need to ensure functionality of our whole company

Imagine if an automobile manufacturer recommended their vehicles for everyone to buy and drive but wouldnt drive it themselves because they dont want to risk the vehicle malfunctioning and injuring or killing them. This is basically what the CEO and co-founder of BioNTech, Ugur Sahin, just said about the mRNA Covid vaccines that his company, working in tandem with Pfizer, created for the Wuhan Virus plandemic.

Ugur Sahin refuses to take the jab because he says he must ensure he stays "functional," in other words, he knows that the clot shot renders humans functionless, incapacitated, and seriously injured where they cannot do their job, take care of themselves, or function for their children anymore.

Cancer research specialist and immunology scientist refuses to take the vaccine his own company designed and manufactured  does he fear getting turbo cancer from it?

Ugur Sahin is a German oncologist and immunologist who co-founded BioNTech, which developed one of the major clot shots for Covid-19. As a result of his companys increase in value after merging with Pfizer and creating the deadliest vaccine known to mankind, he became one of Germanys 100 wealthiest people.

Scientists and coroners around the globe have been identifying strange rubbery vascular clots up to a foot long inside of the humans who have received the Covid-19 jabs, bringing into question whether the mRNA technology uses millions of nanoparticles to form these clots and cause horrible health consequences, including myocarditis, pericarditis, vascular clots, strokes, heart attacks, miscarriages, and wait for it turbo cancer.

Turbo cancer means people who have cancer or were previously diagnosed with cancer that went into remission, after they get the Covid jab(s), suddenly get huge cancer tumors and their cancer catapults into a deadly stage almost overnight.

Why would a cancer research specialist whose company created the Covid vaccines say that he will not take a chance and get inoculated with mRNA because he has to remain functional to run his company?

If Ugur Sahin is terrified to take the vaccine his own company made and distributed to hundreds of millions of people, then what does he know that hes not telling everyone? What does he mean when he says he has to remain functional, so he cant take the shot? Does that mean he fears he will have a heart attack or stroke? Thats sure what it sounds like, or why else would he say that? Is he afraid hell get a turbo-cancer brain tumor and be incapacitated where he needs chemotherapy and round-the-clock nurses to help him survive the aftermath of the mRNA spike proteins clogging his brain veins? Even Bill Gates is on the record saying he hopes to reduce the worlds population by a few billion people using vaccines to do it.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by HBM (@hazardboysmedia)

Bookmark plague.info to your favorite independent websites for updates on deadly vaccines that Big Pharma CEOs tell the world they must take to stay alive, but who wont dare get jabbed themselves because they need to remain functional for their business.

Sources for this article include:

Pandemic.news

GatewayPundit.com

NaturalNews.com
COVID-19 vaccine lawsuit against University of California moves forward despite Supreme Court setback

A class-action lawsuit against the University of California over its COVID-19 vaccine mandate is proceeding, representing thousands of employees.

The lawsuit centers on informed consent and privacy, asserting that UC employees were coerced into vaccination under threat of job loss and were not fully informed about vaccine risks.

Notable plaintiffs include Dr. Christopher Rake, who was escorted out of UCLA Health after refusing the vaccine, and Dr. Jan Maisel, who suffered a severe reaction to the vaccine and was suspended for refusing a second dose.

The California Supreme Court declined to hear a key claim invoking the Nuremberg Code, which prohibits medical experimentation without informed consent.

The UC lawsuit is part of a growing wave of legal challenges to COVID-19 vaccine mandates, including a case by Santa Clara University students. These cases underscore the tension between public health policies and individual rights, with critics arguing that institutions prioritized financial and political interests over well-being.

A class-action lawsuit against the University of California (UC) over its Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine mandate is moving forward despite a recent setback from the California Supreme Court. The case, which represents thousands of UC employees, alleges that the university violated their rights to privacy, bodily autonomy and informed consent when it mandated COVID-19 vaccines for all staff and faculty.

While the Supreme Court declined to hear one of the plaintiffs' key claims  that the mandate violated the Nuremberg Code and California law  the broader lawsuit remains alive, raising critical questions about medical freedom, corporate influence and the ethics of public health policies.

The lawsuit, which could eventually include up to 200,000 plaintiffs, is one of the largest legal challenges to COVID-19 vaccine mandates in the United States. It highlights the tension between public health measures and individual rights, a debate that has only intensified since the pandemic began.

The case gained national attention in 2021 when one of the plaintiffs, Dr. Christopher Rake, was escorted out of a UCLA Health medical center after refusing to comply with the vaccine mandate.

A video of the incident, which Rake posted on social media, went viral. In it, he explained that he was willing to lose his job to stand up for his rights and the rights of others to make informed medical decisions. (Related: Ontario healthcare workers file CA$170M class action suit over provinces workplace COVID-19 vaccine mandate.)

The California Supreme Court's decision not to hear the plaintiffs' claim regarding the Nuremberg Code was a blow to the case.

The Nuremberg Code, established after World War II, prohibits medical experimentation on humans without their full and informed consent. The plaintiffs argued that the COVID-19 vaccines, which were authorized under emergency use and had not yet completed long-term clinical trials, constituted an experimental medical intervention.

While the Supreme Court declined to address this issue, the lawsuit is far from over. The remaining claimsincluding violations of privacy rights, employment laws and state health codes  are still moving forward in the lower courts.

Plaintiffs' attorneys have also indicated that they may revisit the Nuremberg Code argument later in the case.

One attorney involved in the case said that it is a pivotal moment for "human rights in the modern era" and that the court has the opportunity to hold institutions accountable for violating fundamental principles of informed consent and bodily autonomy.

Students push back against vaccine mandates

The UC lawsuit is not the only legal challenge to COVID-19 vaccine mandates in California.

In 2022, two students from Santa Clara University filed a lawsuit against the school over its booster mandate. The students, Jackson Druker and Harlow Glenn, argue that the mandate violates their rights to bodily autonomy and medical freedom.

Glenn, who experienced an adverse reaction to her initial COVID-19 vaccine, said the university denied her request for a medical exemption.

Druker, whose mother co-founded Childrens Health Defense-California, has been a vocal critic of vaccine mandates, framing the issue as one of personal choice rather than politics.

The Santa Clara lawsuit alleges 18 causes of action, including violations of students' constitutional rights, interference with the doctor-patient relationship and breaches of federal emergency use authorization laws.

Like the UC case, it raises questions about the ethics of mandating vaccines that were authorized under emergency use and whose long-term effects remain uncertain.

The UC and Santa Clara lawsuits are part of a growing wave of legal challenges to COVID-19 vaccine mandates across the country. These cases highlight the tension between public health policies designed to protect the greater good and individual rights to privacy, autonomy and informed consent.

Critics of the mandates argue that institutions like UC and Santa Clara University prioritized financial and political interests over the well-being of their employees and students. They point to Big Pharma's influence on public health policies and the lack of transparency about the risks associated with COVID-19 vaccines.

As the UC lawsuit moves forward, it has the potential to set a precedent for how courts balance public health mandates with individual rights. The case also raises important questions about the role of institutions in shaping public health policies and the ethical responsibilities they have to their employees and students.

As the legal battle continues, one thing is clear: The debate over COVID-19 vaccine mandates is far from over, and its implications will be felt for years to come.

Watch this clip about a recent vaccine mandate court victory.

This video is from the Maverick News channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

CDC rolls out 200 routine vaccines for 2025, way up from 1983s SEVEN routine childhood injections, zero for adults and pregnant women.

Was the Biden White House complicit in a COVID origins cover-up?

More scientists call for MORATORIUM on mRNA COVID-19 vaccines: WILL IT EVER HAPPEN?

Sources include:

ChildrensHealthDefense.org

X.com

Research.UNC.edu

ABC7News.com

Brighteon.com
Greenland reignites push for INDEPENDENCE amid Trumps renewed interest in purchasing the territory from Denmark

Greenlandic Prime Minister Mute Egede has reignited calls for independence from Denmark, framing it as a move to shed colonial legacies and assert sovereignty.

This call comes after President-elect Donald Trump renewed his desire to purchase Greenland from Denmark, a proposal firmly rejected by Greenlandic and Danish officials alike.

Greenland's strategic value to the United States is growing due to its position in the Arctic, its abundance of natural resources and the opening of new strategic frontiers closer to the Arctic circle.

To strengthen its hold on Greenland, Denmark has announced a new $1.5 billion defense package to bolster its presence in the Arctic.

Greenlandic independence remains a difficult proposal due to the region's heavy reliance on Danish subsidies and fishing for its economy, and the likelihood that independence will cause a drop in quality of life for its citizens.

Greenlandic Prime Mute Egede has reignited his government's calls for independence from Denmark amid President-elect Donald Trump's renewed interest in purchasing the region from Copenhagen.

Egede framed independence from Denmark as a necessary step to shed the "shacles of the colonial era" and assert the islands sovereignty.

The renewed push comes in the wake of Trump's repeated interest in purchasing the Arctic territory, a proposal that has been firmly rejected by both Greenlandic and Danish officials.

In his New Year's address to the region's 57,000 residents, Egede emphasized the need for Greenland to chart its own course, signaling his desire to enact an independence referendum, and highlighting the island's growing need to assert itself amid its growing strategic importance in a rapidly changing Arctic.

Greenland, the world's largest island, has been an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark since 1979. While it manages its internal affairs, Denmark retains control over foreign and defense policies. The island has the legal right to declare independence, but economic concerns loom large. Greenlands economy relies heavily on fishing and annual grants from Denmark, which account for about two-thirds of its budget.

Support for independence is highly contingent on Greenlanders being able to maintain their quality of life. Polls consistently show that most Greenlanders favor full independence from Copenhagen  however, a 2017 poll showed that 78 percent were opposed to independence if it meant a decline in living standards.

Egede's speech underscored the urgency of addressing these challenges. "Our cooperation with other countries and our trade relations cannot continue to take place solely through Denmark," he said. "Work has already begun on creating the framework for Greenland as an independent state."

Trump wants to take control of Greenland for the sake of national security

The timing of Egede's remarks is significant, coming shortly after Trumps Dec. 22 post on Truth Social, in which he declared that "for purposes of national security and freedom throughout the world, the U.S. feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity."

This is not the first time Trump has expressed interest in purchasing the island. During his first term, he referred to the potential acquisition as "a large real estate deal," drawing swift rebukes from Greenlandic and Danish leaders.

In response to Trump's renewed interest, Denmark announced plans to bolster its military presence in Greenland and the broader Arctic region. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Troels Lund Poulsen announced a $1.5 billion defense package aimed at enhancing surveillance and security to the autonomous region. This package includes the deployment of additional patrol vessels, long-range drones and other military personnel to Greenland.

"We have not invested enough in the Arctic for many years; now we are planning a stronger presence," Poulsen said.

Greenland's strategic value has grown in recent years due to its abundant natural resources, including rare earth minerals, and its pivotal location in the Arctic. Nations surrounding the Arctic, including adversarial nations like Russia, are exploring the opening of new shipping routes and resource extraction points in the Arctic region, making global powers including the U.S. and China take notice. (Related: U.S. and Canadian fighter jets intercept Russian and Chinese bomber aircraft near Alaska.)

Upcoming Greenland elections could pave the way for independence

"In the coming summer, it will now be possible to reach us directly from other countries, without first traveling via Denmark," Egede said. "This will allow us to develop and govern our country more independently."

The upcoming parliamentary elections in Greenland, scheduled to be held on or before April 6, 2025, are expected to play a crucial role in determining the islands future. Egede has framed the election period as an opportunity to take major steps toward independence, urging citizens to engage in shaping the islands trajectory.

Greenland's journey toward self-determination is also rooted in its colonial history. The island was a Danish colony until 1953 and achieved self-governance in 1979. In 2009, it gained the right to declare independence through a vote.

"The history and current conditions have shown that our cooperation with the Kingdom of Denmark has not succeeded in creating full equality, Egede said. It is now time for our country to take the next step."

Watch this episode of "The American Journal" on InfoWars discussing President-elect Donald Trump's offer to buy Greenland from Denmark.

This video is from the TNTVNews channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Trump's triumph, Biden's blunders, and a year of crisis: 2024's defining moments.

BURPS, FARTS AND TAXES: Denmark becomes the first country to tax farm animals' methane emissions.

Russian jet fighters DRIVE AWAY 2 U.S. bombers near its Arctic border.

Sources include:

RT.com

TheHill.com

Reuters.com

Brighteon.com
Greg Reese on the Health Ranger Report: Are we just HUMAN LIVESTOCK in a global system of control?

Greg Reese theorizes that humanity is being managed like livestock on a "human farm," controlled by unseen, possibly non-human entities, with systems of power (governments, corporations) serving as tools for this control.

Reese highlights the contrast between Russias resilience and transparency during COVID-19 and the chaos in the U.S., emphasizing societal trust and intelligence as key factors in resisting control.

He warns that cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, while offering transparency, may centralize power and eliminate financial privacy, pushing humanity into a new, controlled system.

Reese views the human body as a temporary vessel housing a divine spark, urging individuals to focus on spiritual growth and question their identity in a manipulative world.

Reese advocates for a collective awakening where humanity rejects systems of control, reclaims autonomy, and creates alternative systems to avoid enslavement in the future.

In a thought-provoking interview with Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, on the "Health Ranger Report," author Greg Reese delved into his controversial yet compelling theory that humanity is being managed like livestock on a "human farm."

Reese shared his insights on global power structures, the role of governments, and the potential for a mass awakening. His perspective challenges conventional narratives, suggesting that humanity is being manipulated by unseen forces  possibly non-human entities  and emphasizes the urgent need for individuals to question reality and seek truth in an increasingly controlled world.

Reese, who has spent years researching and reporting on topics often ignored by mainstream media, described his work as an effort to highlight the most critical issues of our time.

"Im looking for what I think are the most important subjects that people should be looking at," he explained. His videos, which are meticulously researched and narrated, aim to provide concise summaries of complex topics, encouraging viewers to dig deeper into the evidence he presents.

One of the most striking aspects of Reeses worldview is his belief that humanity is part of a larger system of control, akin to livestock on a farm.

"I think we're on a farm, and someone probably has a document that shows that they own us, and it's probably not a human," he said. This chilling analogy underscores his view that humanity is being harvested or managed by forces beyond our comprehension.

Reeses research has led him to question the very nature of reality, suggesting that the visible systems of power  governments, corporations and other institutions  are merely tools used by these unseen entities to maintain control.

Russia, cryptocurrency and the potential future of humanity

Reeses time living in Russia provided him with a unique perspective on global power dynamics. He described Russia as a country that, despite its challenges, operates with a level of transparency and resilience that contrasts sharply with the chaos he sees in the United States.

"Russia was extraordinary," he said, recounting his experiences during the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. He noted that Russians largely ignored mask mandates and lockdowns, with the police siding with the people rather than enforcing draconian measures. This observation led him to reflect on the differences in societal trust and intelligence between the two nations.

The conversation also touched on the role of technology and the potential for a global reset. Reese expressed skepticism about the promises of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, suggesting that these innovations could be part of a larger plan to centralize control.

"Cryptocurrency is the plan, always was the plan," he said, warning that while blockchain offers transparency, it also eliminates financial privacy. He believes that humanity is being gently herded into a new system, one that will require individuals to adapt or risk being left behind.

Reeses theories extend beyond the physical realm, touching on metaphysical concepts such as the nature of the soul and the possibility of life after death. He described the human body as a "skin suit" or "cow" that houses a divine spark, emphasizing the importance of focusing on spiritual growth rather than material concerns. "This body that I have is like a cow. It's not me. I am a spark of divinity," he said, urging listeners to question their identity and purpose in a world that often feels like a trap.

Despite his grim outlook on the current state of humanity, Reese remains committed to uncovering the truth and sharing it with the world. He believes that the only hope for change lies in a mass awakening, where individuals come together to reject the systems of control and reclaim their autonomy.

"The only thing that's ever going to change anything about the situation we're in is a mass awakening unity event where we stand up next to each other and say no," he said. (Related: The Evolution of Health Awareness, Spiritual Awakening and Decentralization: A Deep Dive with David Wolfe and Mike Adams.)

As the interview concluded, Reese hinted at his future focus: exploring the systems of control being implemented and finding ways to navigate them without becoming slaves.

"We could start setting up systems of our own right now, so that we can go into this age as less of a slave as possible," he said. His work continues to challenge, provoke, and inspire, urging us all to question the world around us and seek the truth, no matter how unsettling it may be.

Watch this full episode of the "Health Ranger Report" with Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, and Greg Reese as they talk about the latter's experiences in Russia and views on global politics.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Mike Adams and Alex Jones discuss the globalists' MASS DEPOPULATION efforts.

Mike Adams Sermon 60: God's judgment will END human civilization and RESET the Earth.

Control freak "controligarchs," many of them billionaires, are leading the world off a cliff.

The 10 most dangerous threats to humanity that must be defeated for us to live as free, conscious beings.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

ReeseReport.com

GregReese.Substack.com
Tom Homan calls for weekly White House deportation briefings to update the public

Tom Homan, chosen by President-elect Donald Trump for border enforcement, aims to have weekly White House briefings to update on illegal migrant arrests and removals.

Homan's top priorities include securing the U.S.-Mexico border, implementing a broad deportation program and locating 300,000 missing undocumented children.

He plans to end the "catch-and-release" program for asylum seekers on day one and is already negotiating with other countries to house these individuals.

Homan, a former Fox News commentator, believes his media experience will help him effectively communicate the administration's immigration policies.

Trump confirmed Homan's role as "border czar," responsible for managing all border and maritime security aspects, without requiring Senate confirmation.

Tom Homan, President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the largest deportation operation in American history, has called for weekly White House briefings to update the public on the number of illegal migrants being arrested and removed from the country.

During an event in Naples, Florida, hosted by Young Republicans, the incoming border czar, told donors that he will prioritize three main areas: securing the U.S.-Mexico border, launching a comprehensive deportation program and tracking down 300,000 missing undocumented children.

Homan also addressed one of the new policy's most contentious aspects: the fate of asylum seekers currently released under the catch-and-release program. "It will be sad, controversial and emotional," he said. "But we have to end catch-and-release on day one."

Homan added that he has already initiated negotiations with several countries to house asylum seekers. "I'm not waiting for Jan. 20," he explained. "We are already having discussions. So we'll find a third country." (Related: Incoming "border czar" Tom Homan: Trump's mass deportation operation to start in Chicago.)

This new enforcement strategy will begin the same day Trump is sworn into office. Homan, who previously served as a Fox News commentator, believes his media experience will make him an ideal spokesperson for the administration's immigration policies. He stressed that his team will ensure that the American public is kept informed about their progress.

"We need to be very transparent," Homan said at the event. "There needs to be a weekly White House press briefing on exactly who we're arresting and who we're saving, who we are putting in jail, who we are deporting, so the American people know we're true to our word."

Trump believes Homan "will do a fantastic job" as the border czar

Homan's new role will not require Senate confirmation, unlike other cabinet appointments, and will encompass all aspects of border and maritime security.

The incoming Trump transition team has not yet released a response regarding Homan's statement, but shortly after winning the presidential election, Trump confirmed that Homan will be responsible for managing "all deportation of illegal aliens back to their country of origin" and will play a significant role in"southern border security, northern border security, maritime security and aviation security."

"I am pleased to announce that the Former [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] ICE Director, and stalwart on Border Control, Tom Homan, will be joining the Trump Administration, in charge of our Nation's Borders ('The Border Czar'), including, but not limited to, the Southern Border, the Northern Border, all Maritime and Aviation Security," Trump wrote on Truth Social in November.

"I've known Tom for a long time and there is nobody better at policing and controlling our Borders. Likewise, Tom Homan will be in charge of all deportation of illegal aliens back to their country of origin. I have no doubt he will do a fantastic, and long-awaited, job."

Head over to BorderSecurity.news for more stories like this.

Watch Tom Homan warning opponents of border security and immigration law to "get the hell out of the way" in this clip.

This video is from the SecureLife channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Tom Homan warns opponents of BORDER SECURITY: "Get the hell out of the way."

GAME ON: Incoming Border Czar Tom Homan to challenge the sanctuary state policies of Illinois and Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

Former ICE Director Tom Homan: Trump's mass deportation plan won't separate families, since WHOLE FAMILIES of illegals will be deported together.

U.S. farm industry groups urge Trump to exempt illegal immigrant agricultural workers from mass deportation orders.

Trump's plan to use military for mass deportation of migrants constitutional, claims RealClearWire.

Sources include:

NYPost.com 1

DailyMail.co.uk

NYPost.com 2

Brighteon.com
McDonalds dumps DEI policies in major WIN for anti-woke movement

The fast-food giant is reducing its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, including retiring diversity goals for senior leadership, ending supplier DEI training requirements, and pausing participation in external surveys, signaling a shift away from "woke" corporate policies.

The decision follows pressure from conservative activists like Robby Starbuck and legal groups such as America First Legal, which argue DEI policies promote reverse discrimination and violate federal law.

McDonald's joins companies like Walmart, John Deere and Harley-Davidson in rolling back DEI initiatives, reflecting a cultural and political shift against "woke overreach" in corporate America.

High-profile controversies involving brands like Bud Light and Target, which faced boycotts and sales declines over DEI-related decisions, have served as cautionary tales for corporations.

McDonald's decision is seen as a significant victory for conservatives, signaling a broader rejection of identity-focused policies and a return to merit-based approaches in corporate America.

In a huge victory for conservatives and critics of corporate wokeness, McDonalds has announced it is scaling back its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, becoming the latest American brand to cave to mounting pressure from activists, legal challenges and a shifting cultural landscape. The fast-food giants decision marks a significant milestone in the ongoing battle against what many conservatives have labeled as woke overreach in corporate America.

The move comes in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Courts landmark 2023 decision to outlaw affirmative action in college admissions, which has sent shockwaves through the corporate world. McDonalds is now joining the ranks of major companies like Walmart, John Deere and Harley-Davidson, all of which have rolled back their DEI programs in recent months.

McDonalds announced it will retire specific diversity goals for senior leadership, end a program that pressured suppliers to adopt DEI training, and pause participation in external surveys, including those conducted by LGBTQ advocacy groups. While the company insists it remains committed to inclusion, the decision to rebrand its diversity team as the Global Inclusion Team signals a clear departure from the divisive rhetoric of DEI.

The fast-food giants reversal is a direct response to the relentless efforts of conservative activists like Robby Starbuck, who has been at the forefront of exposing and challenging corporate DEI policies. Starbuck, who boasts over 745,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter), has successfully pressured companies like Tractor Supply, Walmart and John Deere to abandon their woke agendas. In a recent post, Starbuck celebrated McDonalds decision as the first corporate flip of 2025, warning other companies to follow suit or face public backlash.

This is a massive win for the anti-woke movement, Starbuck declared. McDonalds is one of the most recognizable brands in the world, and their decision to step back from DEI sends a powerful message to corporate America: the era of woke overreach is over.

Conservatives are voting with their dollars (and liberals aren't going to be able to protect them much longer)

The backlash against DEI programs has been building for years, fueled by high-profile controversies involving brands like Bud Light and Target. Bud Lights partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney sparked a nationwide boycott that cost the beer giant its top-selling status, while Target faced plummeting sales after its controversial Pride Month merchandise displays alienated its core customer base. These missteps have served as cautionary tales for corporations, proving that alienating conservative consumers comes at a steep cost.

McDonalds decision also reflects the growing influence of conservative legal organizations like America First Legal, led by former Trump adviser Stephen Miller. These groups have aggressively challenged corporate DEI policies, arguing that they amount to reverse discrimination and violate federal law. With Donald Trump poised to return to the White House in 2025, the pressure on corporations to abandon woke ideologies is only expected to intensify.

While critics of the anti-DEI movement argue that these rollbacks undermine progress toward equity, supporters see them as a necessary correction to policies that prioritize identity over merit. McDonalds, for its part, insists it will continue to foster inclusion and diversity within its workforce, but without the rigid quotas and divisive rhetoric that have come to define DEI programs.

The fast-food giants announcement is a clear sign that the tide is turning against woke corporate policies. As more companies follow McDonalds lead, the anti-woke movement is gaining momentum, proving that consumers and activists have the power to hold corporations accountable. For conservatives, this is a moment to celebratea victory for common sense, fairness and the American values that have made this country great.

The message to corporate America is clear: go woke, go broke. And McDonalds, it seems, has finally gotten the memo.

Sources include:

DailyMail.com

FoxNews.com

WralNews.com
Mysterious chemical fog sparks health concerns and conspiracy theories across the U.S.

A dense, chemical-smelling fog has been reported across multiple U.S. states, including Texas, Florida and the Midwest, causing flu-like symptoms such as coughing, sore throats, eye irritation and stomach cramps among residents after brief exposure.

Videos and testimonials on platforms like TikTok and X have fueled conspiracy theories, with some linking the fog to bioweapons, government experiments, or even connections to past events like "Operation Sea-Spray" and recent drone sightings.

Experts attribute the fog to natural weather patterns, explaining that it absorbs pollutants like sulfur and nitrogen oxides, which intensify odors and irritate respiratory systems, particularly for those with preexisting conditions like asthma.

The fogs lingering presence, visible "white particles," and chemical odor have alarmed residents, with some finding residue clogging their air filters, further heightening concerns.

While meteorologists emphasize the fogs natural origins, the widespread fear and speculation reflect a growing distrust and skepticism, blending science, fear and human curiosity into an evolving narrative. Experts advise caution, especially for those with respiratory issues, during dense fog conditions.

A mysterious fog with a distinct "chemical smell" has swept across multiple states, leaving Americans alarmed and sparking a wave of concern. Residents from Texas to Florida and beyond have reported flu-like symptoms after brief exposure to the fog, which has been described as unusually dense and lingering. While experts attribute the phenomenon to natural weather patterns and seasonal pollutants, social media users are speculating about everything from bioweapons to government experiments.

The fog first appeared in late December, with reports emerging from states including Texas, Wisconsin, Iowa, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, North Dakota, Florida and Minnesota. Locals have taken to social media to share videos and testimonials, describing symptoms such as coughing, sore throats, congestion, eye irritation, lethargy and stomach cramps.

One Florida resident told DailyMail.com that she felt ill after just 10 minutes outside. "Within about an hour, I kept sneezing over and over for about three hours, and my eyes were really puffy," she said. "I got very warm and I felt like I had a fever, and my stomach was cramping." Similar accounts have flooded platforms like TikTok, where users like "Rusky" from the Pacific Northwest described symptoms including a sore throat, coughing and fatigue.

The fogs unusual characteristics  its chemical odor, lingering presence and visible "white particles"  have fueled speculation. Some residents have even checked their air filters, only to find them clogged with residue. A North Dakota resident shared a video comparing a recently changed filter to one covered in grime, warning others to "beware the fog."

David Bamber, a resident of St. Petersburg, Florida, posted a TikTok video walking through the dense fog. He noted that while normal fog dissipates, this fog lingers late into the night. "The weirdest part is the taste and smell," he said. "It smells like after you set off a bunch of fireworks, and the taste of the air is toxic. It is super weird."

People are concerned

Despite the widespread concern, experts have dismissed claims of the fog being anything other than a natural weather event. Rudolf Husar, an atmospheric scientist at Washington University, explained that fog can absorb pollutants like sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides, which are then trapped in water droplets. This process can intensify odors and irritate the respiratory system, especially in individuals with preexisting conditions like asthma.

However, the scientific explanations have done little to quell the growing wave of conspiracy theories. Social media users have drawn parallels to "Operation Sea-Spray," a 1950 U.S. Navy experiment that sprayed bacteria over San Francisco to test the citys vulnerability to bioweapons. The experiment resulted in severe illnesses and at least one death. Others have speculated that the fog is linked to the mysterious drone sightings reported in December, with some suggesting the drones may have released chemicals into the air.

Theories range from government-led experiments to terrorist plots, with some users dubbing the phenomenon "Fogvid-24." One X user wrote, "It tastes and smells like after setting off a lot of fireworks. That sulfur smell... freaking me out." Another speculated, "This fog isnt naturaltheres something off about it. Too dense. Too controlled. Ive seen enough to recognize patterns, and this feels engineered."

While the fogs appearance and effects are unsettling, meteorologists emphasize that fog is a common occurrence during the fall and winter months. The visible particles are simply water droplets or ice crystals, made more apparent when illuminated by light. The chemical smell, while unpleasant, is likely due to pollutants already present in the air, which are absorbed and concentrated by the fog.

Despite the rational explanations, the fear and speculation surrounding the fog highlight a broader trend of distrust and skepticism. As Americans grapple with the unknown, the "chemical fog" serves as a reminder of the power of nature  and the human tendency to seek answers, even in the absence of evidence.

For now, experts advise caution for those with respiratory conditions and recommend staying indoors during periods of dense fog. As the mystery unfolds, one thing is clear: the fog has left an indelible mark on the American psyche, blending science, fear and speculation into a story that continues to evolve.

Sources include:

DailyMail.com

Yahoo.com

TimesofIndia.com
Vindication for independent media: Zuckerberg admits fact-checkers were politically biased, embraces free speech

Facebook will end its third-party fact-checking initiative, launched in 2016, due to concerns over political bias and censorship, replacing it with a Community Notes-style system where users provide context and flag misleading content.

Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged that the fact-checking program, intended to combat misinformation, became a tool for suppressing dissent and favoring progressive ideologies, confirming long-standing criticisms from conservatives and independent media.

The new system relies on community input, with notes added to posts only if they gain broad support across the political spectrum, aiming to reduce ideological bias and promote transparency.

Metas decision reflects growing scrutiny of Big Techs content moderation practices, particularly under Section 230, as companies face potential legal changes and public backlash over censorship.

The move is seen as a win for independent media and free speech proponents, marking the end of top-down censorship and a step toward empowering users in shaping online discourse.

In a stunning reversal that feels like a long-overdue victory for free speech advocates and independent media, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced this week that Facebook will abandon its controversial third-party fact-checking program and adopt a system similar to Elon Musks Community Notes on X. This decision marks a seismic shift in the social media giants approach to content moderation  and a tacit admission that the so-called fact-checkers were never the impartial arbiters of truth they claimed to be.

For years, independent journalists and conservative voices have warned that Big Techs fact-checking programs were little more than thinly veiled censorship tools, wielded by politically biased organizations to silence dissent and suppress legitimate debate. Now, Zuckerberg himself has confirmed what weve known all along: the system was broken, biased, and fundamentally incompatible with free expression.

After 2016, the legacy media wrote non-stop about how misinformation was a threat to democracy, Zuckerberg said in a video announcing the changes. We tried in good faith to address those concerns without becoming the arbiters of truth, but the fact-checkers have just been too politically biased.

This admission is a vindication for those of us who have long argued that the fact-checking industrial complex was a weaponized arm of the progressive left. Metas decision to scrap the program and replace it with a Community Notes-style systemwhere users, not self-appointed experts, determine what content requires additional contextis a step in the right direction. Its also a clear acknowledgment that the old model was a failure.

The fall of the fact-checkers

Metas fact-checking program, launched in 2016, was ostensibly designed to combat misinformation by partnering with independent organizations to review and label content. But as Jason Fyk, a leading expert on Section 230 and Big Tech accountability, has repeatedly pointed out, these organizations were anything but impartial. Fyk has long argued that the misapplication of Section 230 allowed platforms like Facebook to act as publishers while evading responsibility for their content moderation decisionsdecisions that were often driven by political bias rather than objective truth.

Fyks analysis aligns perfectly with Metas own explanation for the changes. In a press release, the company admitted that the fact-checking program had gone too far, with too much content being flagged as misinformation simply because it fell outside the bounds of acceptable progressive discourse. A program intended to inform too often became a tool to censor, Meta acknowledged.

This is precisely the problem that Fyk and others have been warning about for years. The fact-checkers, far from being neutral arbiters, were gatekeepers of a narrow ideological agenda. They targeted conservative voices, suppressed legitimate political speech, and weaponized their authority to shape public opinion. Now, thanks to Metas pivot, their reign of censorship is coming to an end.

A new era of free expression

Metas decision to adopt a Community Notes-style system is a welcome change. Unlike the old fact-checking model, which relied on a handful of biased organizations to dictate what was true, the new system empowers users to provide context and flag misleading content. Notes will only be attached to posts if they garner broad support from users across the political spectrum, ensuring that no single ideology dominates the process.

This approach is a direct rebuke to the legacy media and progressive activists who have spent years demanding ever more aggressive censorship. Its also a clear signal that Meta is preparing for a new political reality. With Donald Trump poised to return to the White House, Zuckerberg appears to be positioning his company as a champion of free speech and Western values.

Joel Kaplan, Metas chief global affairs officer, made this explicit in an interview with Fox News. We have a new administration coming in that is far from pressuring companies to censor and [is more] a huge supporter of free expression, Kaplan said. It gets us back to the values that Mark founded the company on.

Will there be apologies?

While Metas decision is a step in the right direction, it raises an important question: where are the apologies? For years, conservative voices were demonized, deplatformed, and dismissed as purveyors of misinformation by the very fact-checkers Meta is now abandoning. Will these organizationsand the legacy media outlets that amplified their workacknowledge their role in suppressing free speech? Dont hold your breath.

The truth is, this moment is less about accountability and more about survival. As Fyk has argued, Big Techs preemptive changes are likely a response to growing legal and public pressure. The days of unchecked immunity under Section 230 may be numbered, and companies like Meta are scrambling to adapt before the hammer falls.

A victory for independent media

For those in the independent media, this moment is a vindication. They were right all along. The fact-checkers were never about truththey were about control. And now, thanks to the tireless efforts of free speech advocates like Jason Fyk, their grip on the public square is finally loosening.

As Meta transitions to its new system, one thing is clear: the era of top-down censorship is over. The future of content moderation lies in transparency, community input, and a commitment to free expression. Its a future that independent media has been fighting for.

Will there be apologies? Probably not. But for now, the victory is sweet enough.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

X.com

Yahoo.com
Scientists at NASA are closely monitoring an unusual and growing area of weakness in Earth's magnetic field. Known as the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA), this phenomenon could have serious consequences for both space exploration and our planet's technology.

The SAA is essentially a "dent" in the planet's magnetic shield, stretching from southwest Africa across the South Atlantic Ocean to South America. It was first discovered in 1958 and has since become a point of concern for NASA.

Weakened Magnetic Shield Over SAA Puts Space Tech at Risk

The anomaly's weakened magnetic field exposes Earth to higher levels of solar radiation, which can cause significant issues for satellites and other space-bound technology.

Earth's magnetic field serves as a protective barrier, safeguarding us from the Sun's harmful radiation.

This magnetic shield deflects charged particles from space, preventing them from stripping away our atmosphere and making the planet uninhabitable.

However, over the SAA, this protective shield is thinner, allowing harmful particles to dip closer to the surface.

While this doesn't pose an immediate threat to life on Earth, it has significant implications for the technology we rely on, such as GPS systems, communication satellites, and weather forecasting tools.

According to Ladbible, NASA has warned that satellites passing through the South Atlantic Anomaly are vulnerable to disruptions caused by high-energy protons.

These particles can interfere with satellite systems, causing glitches or even permanent damage to onboard computers.

As a precaution, satellite operators often shut down their spacecraft's systems while passing through the SAA to avoid data loss and equipment malfunctions. This could be particularly problematic as humanity looks to expand space exploration, with missions to Mars and beyond on the horizon.

Recent observations show that the SAA is not static but is shifting and growing. Over the past few years, scientists have noticed the anomaly expanding westward and weakening in intensity. Additionally, data suggests the SAA is splitting into two separate lobes, which could further complicate satellite operations.

Read more: Massive Endangered Shark Discovered on UK Beach by Dog Walker

Scientists Track South Atlantic Anomaly to Protect Future Space Missions

Despite these concerns, the SAA provides scientists with a unique opportunity to study the Earth's magnetic field.

NASA is actively monitoring its changes to better understand the planet's core and its magnetic field's evolution, Earth.com said.

The SAA is also important because it gives clues about the early history of the Earth and its magnetic field. Studies suggest that this anomaly has been present for millions of years, and its behavior could offer insights into the long-term changes occurring deep within the Earth.

In the coming years, NASA plans to continue tracking the South Atlantic Anomaly, as understanding its movements and effects is crucial for the future of space exploration.

As we become more dependent on satellites and other space-based technologies, protecting them from the dangers posed by the SAA will be increasingly important for ensuring our safety and the success of upcoming space missions.

While the South Atlantic Anomaly doesn't threaten human life on Earth, its growing presence and potential to disrupt satellite systems underline the need for continued monitoring and research.

Scientists are keen to learn more about this peculiar region of Earth's magnetic field to predict better its future behavior and impact on both space exploration and life on the planet.
Photo: president.gov.ua

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone conversation with Moldovan President Maia Sandu, noting that Ukraine is ready to help Moldova overcome the period of energy challenges.

"The most important thing is to help Moldova go through a difficult period of energy challenges, to prevent Moscow from igniting social tensions. The entire current energy situation in Moldova, and in particular on the left bank of the Dnister, is an attempt by Russia to manipulate energy resources against the authorities in Moldova. We are ready to help Moldova, in particular, with coal," Zelenskyy said in a video address on Wednesday evening.

According to the President, "it is critical to maintain stability and give all people in Moldova the conditions to live peacefully and work for their country, to overcome poverty and our joint movement towards the European Union."
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The final package of military aid to Ukraine from U.S. President Joseph Biden's administration will be about $500 million, Voice of America correspondent Carla Babb said.

"The US is providing Ukraine with about $500 million in security aid, its final security package under President Biden, as Austin meets with Ukrainian Defense Minister Umerov today and hosts its final UDCG with about 50 allies and partners tomorrow," Babb said on X social media on Wednesday.

The Associated Press, citing its own sources, also reported that Washington plans to announce the allocation of $500 million in weapons and ammunition to Kyiv on Thursday during a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

The issue concerns the transfer of weapons from American arsenals, not the production of new weapons. A source familiar with the situation said that the United States wants to deliver this batch of weapons to Ukraine by the end of January.

According to the Voice of America, approximately $3.8 billion left over from the funding for Ukraine authorized by Congress will thus remain unused, despite the White House's promises to spend the entire amount by the end of Biden's term, and will be transferred to the administration of new U.S. President Donald Trump.

Earlier, the Associated Press, citing two senior officials in the presidential administration whose names were not disclosed, reported that the package would not include all the funds authorized by Congress, but it will be significant. The incoming Trump defense team will likely have more than $2 billion left over that it could provide to Ukraine if it chooses to do so, according to the statement.

Earlier, it was reported that at a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Ramstein, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who is leaving for Germany on Wednesday, intends to discuss issues of long-term and ongoing assistance to Kyiv.

A meeting on support for Ukraine in the Ramstein format is announced for January 9. Trump's inauguration is scheduled for January 20.

On December 30, the United States announced a defense aid package for Ukraine worth almost $2.5 billion.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 7. Some countries, especially France, were doing their utmost to discredit the event (COP29). I have information from my colleagues, presidents, that the French president personally was contacting many of them, saying not to go to Baku, President Ilham Aliyev said during his interview with local TV channels on January 7, Trend reports.

"Another problem, which we did not expect, was attempts to boycott COP29 due to political reasons, and that was very unexpected. I dont think that any other country which hosted this event faced this kind of resistance. But we also managed to deal with that. So the boycott failed. Though, as you mentioned, some countries, especially France, were doing their utmost to discredit the event. I have information from my colleagues, presidents, that the French president personally was contacting many of them, saying not to go to Baku. So, even that was used to stop leaders from coming. But it failed. Eighty heads of states and governments came to Baku. That once again demonstrated that Azerbaijan is considered a reliable partner," President Ilham Aliyev said.
Autoimmune diseases, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own healthy cells and tissues, often have a preclinical stage before diagnosis that's characterized by mild symptoms or certain antibodies in the blood. However, in some people, these symptoms may resolve before culminating in the full disease stage.

Knowing who may progress along the disease pathway is critical for early diagnosis and intervention, improved treatment and better disease management, according to a team led by researchers from the Penn State College of Medicine that has developed a new method to predict the progression of autoimmune disease among those with preclinical symptoms. The team used artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze data from electronic health records and large genetic studies of people with autoimmune disease to come up with a risk prediction score. When compared to existing models, this methodology was between 25% and 1,000% more accurate in determining whose symptoms would move to advanced disease.

The research team published their findings this week (Jan. 2) in the journal Nature Communications.

By targeting a more relevant population - people with family history or who are experiencing early symptoms - we can use machine learning to identify patients with the highest risk for disease and then identify suitable therapeutics that may be able to slow down the progression of the disease. It's a lot more meaningful and actionable information." Dajiang Liu, distinguished professor, vice chair for research and director of artificial intelligence and biomedical informatics at the Penn State College of Medicine and co-lead author of the study

Approximately 8% of Americans live with autoimmune disease, according to the National Institutes of Health, and the vast majority are women. The earlier you can detect the disease and intervene, the better, Liu said, because once autoimmune diseases progress, the damage can be irreversible. There are often signs of the disease before an individual receives a diagnosis. For example, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, antibodies can be detected in the blood five years before symptoms begin, the researchers explained.

The challenge with forecasting disease progression is sample size. The population of individuals who have a specific autoimmune disease is relatively small. With less data available, it's harder to develop an accurate model and algorithm, Liu said.

To improve prediction accuracy, the research team developed a new method, dubbed Genetic Progression Score or GPS, to foretell the progression from preclinical to disease stages. GPS leverages the idea behind transfer learning - a machine learning technique where a model is trained on one task or dataset and then fine-tuned for a different but related task or dataset, explained Bibo Jiang, assistant professor of public health sciences at the Penn State College of Medicine and lead author of the study. It allows researchers to glean better information from smaller data samples.

For example, in medical imaging, artificial intelligence models can be trained to tell whether a tumor is cancerous or non-cancerous. To create the training dataset, medical experts need to label images one-by-one, which can be time intensive and limited by the number of images available. Liu said, instead, transfer learning uses more numerous, easier-to-label images, such as cats and dogs and creates a much larger dataset. The task can also be outsourced. The model learns to differentiate between the animals, and then, it can be refined to distinguish between malignant and benign tumors.

"You don't need to train the model from scratch," Liu said. "The way that the model segments elements from an image to determine whether it's a cat or dog is transferable. With some adaptation, you can refine the model to separate an image of a tumor from an image of normal tissue."

GPS trains on data from large case-control genome-wide association studies (GWAS), a popular approach in human genetics research to identify genetic differences in people with a specific autoimmune disease from those without and to detect potential risk factors. It also incorporates data from electronic health record-based biobanks, which contain rich information about patients, including genetic variants, lab tests and clinical diagnoses. This data can help identify individuals in preclinical stages and characterize the stages of progression from preclinical to the disease stage. Data from both sources is then integrated to refine the GPS model, incorporating factors that are relevant to the actual development of disease.

"Integrating large case-control studies and biobanks borrowed strengths from the large sample sizes of case-control studies and improved prediction accuracy," Liu said, explaining that people with high GPS scores have a higher risk of progressing from preclinical to disease stages.

The team used real-world data from the Vanderbilt University biobank to predict the progression of rheumatoid arthritis and lupus and then validated the GPS risk scores with data from the All of Us biobank, a health data initiative of the National Institutes of Health. GPS better predicted disease progression than 20 other models that rely on biobank or case-control samples only and those combining biobank and case-control samples via other methods.

Accurate prediction of disease progression using GPS can enable early interventions, targeted monitoring and personalized treatment decisions, leading to improved patient outcomes, Liu said. It could also improve clinical trial design and recruitment by identifying individuals who are most likely to benefit from new therapies. While this study focused on autoimmune conditions, the researchers said that a similar framework could be used to study other disease types.

"When we talk about underrepresented populations, it's not just about race. It could also be a group of patients that are under-studied in the medical literature because they comprise only a small portion of typical data sets. AI and transfer learning can help us study these populations and help reduce health disparities," Liu said. "This work reflects the strength of Penn State's comprehensive research program in autoimmune disease."

Liu and Jiang - along with study co-authors Laura Carrel, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology; Galen Foulke, associate professor of dermatology; Nancy Olsen, H. Thomas and Dorothy Willits Hallowell Chair in Rheumatology - formed the autoimmune working group and have collaborated for nearly a decade. They lead innovative clinical trials, perform research studies to understand the biological mechanisms of autoimmune diseases and develop AI methods to tackle various problems related to autoimmune diseases.

Chen Wang, who earned a doctorate in bioinformatics and genomics from Penn State, and Havell Markus, joint degree student in the MD/PhD Medical Scientist Training Program, are co-first authors of the study. Other Penn State authors on the paper include: Avantika R. Diwadkar, graduate student; Chachrit Khunsriraksakul, who graduated from the MD/PhD Medical Scientist Training Program during the time of the study; and Xingyan Wang, who was a research assistant at Penn State College of Medicine during the time of the study.

Other contributors include Bingshan Li, professor of molecular physiology and biophysics, and Xue Zhong, research assistant professor in genetic medicine, from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine; and Xiaowei Zhan, associate professor of public health at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

Funding from the National Institutes of Health, including the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Office of Data Science and Emerging Technologies, supported this research.
A compound derived from Nectandra leucantha, a tree native to southern Brazil (local names canela-seca or canela-branca), has the potential to be used to treat visceral leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease associated with poverty, malnutrition, poor housing and lack of basic sanitation.

The disease is almost always fatal if left untreated. Most cases occur in Brazil, East Africa and India, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). An estimated 50,000-90,000 new cases and 20,000-50,000 deaths occur worldwide annually, with only 25%-45% of cases being reported to WHO.

The disease is caused by a protozoan parasite transmitted by sandfly bite, and characterized by long bouts of fever, loss of weight and muscle strength, enlargement of the spleen and liver, and anemia.

An article by researchers affiliated with institutions in Brazil, the United Kingdom and Portugal, published in the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, reports the findings of a study showing that the substance killed Leishmania infantum, the parasite that causes the disease, selectively (i.e. without affecting host cells).

The first step in the study, which was supported by FAPESP, was synthesis of a compound similar to dehydrodieugenol B, a neolignan found naturally in N. leucantha and isolated originally by Joao Lago, full professor at the Federal University of the ABC (UFABC) in Sao Paulo state, Brazil. The synthesis was performed by Edward Anderson, a professor of organic chemistry at the University of Oxford in the UK.

We used this substance as a prototype, a model based on which we could design novel versions of the molecule [with minor structural variations] and test them one by one on the parasite in vitro with the aim of optimizing its action." Andre Gustavo Tempone, principal investigator for the study and researcher at Butantan Institute's Physiopathology Laboratory, Brazil

In this manner, the researchers obtained a molecule four times more powerful than the prototype. However, in vivo tests involving animals were disappointing because the optimized compound circulated in the rodents' organism for less than ten minutes, and the study was unable to make progress. "The fact that the substance circulated for such a short time in the rats' bodies suggested that the ensuing stages of the research would fail. It became clear that the substance wouldn't produce the expected results," Tempone said.

The team then focused on additional optimization of the molecule with the aim of enhancing its bioavailability so that it would remain for longer in the animal's organism. After several chemical optimization processes conducted in vitro in partnership with Maiara Amaral, a student of Tempone's who was on an internship at Oxford University and used the project as her PhD thesis, they arrived at a more potent molecule whose mean plasma half-life reached 21 hours.

Pharmacokinetic studies measuring the time required for the substance to be absorbed, distributed, metabolized and excreted showed that it circulated in the rat's organism for a period 100 times longer than that observed initially.

Based on the in vitro analysis, the researchers concluded both that the novel substance was more potent in combating L. infantum, and that it did no damage to host cells. They also investigated its action mechanism, showing that it caused an irreversible collapse of the parasite's energy mechanism (ATP) due to an increase in calcium, while reducing host cell inflammation, a key factor in the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis. With these good results behind them, the scientists plan to advance farther in animal trials. "We need to analyze the action of the compound in rodents with leishmaniasis in order to assess its efficacy and the doses required for treatment," Tempone said.

Their long-term goal is to use the compound to produce medications against visceral leishmaniasis, but a great deal of work still has to be done to achieve this objective. As Tempone recalled, novel drugs take around 15 years to come to market, the development process involving rigorous tests and trials to ensure that the active ingredient is totally safe before clinical trials involving humans can be approved.

This research is extremely important, he added, as the large pharmaceutical companies are not interested in developing drugs for neglected diseases such as visceral leishmaniasis. "Brazil has one of the most outstanding biodiversities in the world, and a huge abundance of available chemical structures that can be copied and used in medications. If we don't invest in combating this disease, the rich countries where it isn't endemic certainly won't," he said.
Researchers reveal a potential link between high fluoride exposure and lower IQ in children, but there are significant study limitations, including geographic bias and high risk of bias in many studies.

Fluoride Exposure and Childrens IQ Scores - A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Image Credit: Lopolo / Shutterstock

In a recent review article in JAMA Pediatrics, researchers systematically analyzed epidemiological studies that investigated the relationship between exposure to fluoride in the prenatal or postnatal period and childrens intelligence quotient (IQ) scores.

Existing research appears to indicate that fluoride exposure in urine and drinking water is inversely associated with childrens IQ scores and suggests a significant dose-response relationship.

Background

Fluoride occurs naturally in certain community water sources. In other drinking water supplies in the U.S., it is added to prevent tooth decay. The U.S. Public Health Service guidelines recommend that fluoride concentration should be set at 0.7 mg/L, while the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets non-enforceable and enforceable limits at 2 mg/L and 4 mg/L, respectively.

The World Health Organization suggests a guideline of 1.5 mg/L. In the U.S., water and beverages comprise about 75% of fluoride intake, with fluoridated water contributing between 40% and 70%. Fluoride also comes from other sources, such as dental products, food, and industrial emissions.

Emerging evidence suggests that fluoride exposure may influence brain development. A report published in 2006 by the National Research Council highlighted concerns about high fluoride levels causing neurotoxic effects. These concerns were informed by studies from China with some design limitations.

Since then, additional research from 10 countries, including Canada, Mexico, and India, has raised similar concerns, with recent research linking fluoride exposure to lower children's IQ. Four new studies have further examined this connection, focusing on urinary fluoride levels in mothers and children.

About the Study

To update evidence and improve fluoride research analysis, researchers used a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of individual-level and group-level exposure to fluoride and its relationship to children's IQ scores.

The research process, including study selection and evaluation of risk-of-bias, adhered to a standardized protocol. Notably, 52 of the 74 studies included were rated as high risk of bias. Data were gathered from multiple databases until October 2023 and analyzed using the Health Assessment Workspace Collaborative (HAWC) system.

Studies were independently reviewed and assessed for bias by applying the National Toxicology Program's Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) approach. Subgroup analyses were conducted to understand the impact of studies with a high risk of bias and differing geographic locations on results.

Statistical analysis included three separate meta-analyses. The first compared average IQ scores between exposed and reference groups using standardized mean differences (SMDs). A second focused on dose-response associations, examining the relationship between fluoride exposure and IQ utilizing restricted maximum likelihood estimation approaches to account for possible non-linear relationships. The third analysis pooled data from studies reporting regression slopes and estimated the effects of fluoride exposure on IQ at the individual level.

Subgroup analyses further explored variations by the risk of bias, country of study (notably, most were conducted in China), exposure type, and timing (postnatal or prenatal). Researchers evaluated publication bias using statistical tests and funnel plots.

Findings

Overall, the study highlights a consistent link between fluoride exposure and reduced IQ in children, with variations depending on study design and risk of bias.

The study reviewed 74 publications, including 64 that were cross-sectional and 10 that utilized a prospective cohort design, primarily from China. No studies included U.S. populations, limiting direct applicability to U.S. public health recommendations.

Of the 65 studies used in the primary analysis, most found an inverse relationship between fluoride exposure and children's IQ. Specifically, 59 studies reported average IQ scores, and 19 focused on individual-level fluoride exposure.

The meta-analysis of 59 studies involving 20,932 children revealed that higher fluoride exposure was linked to significantly lower IQ scores with an SMD value of -0.45. High heterogeneity and publication bias were noted. Adjusted analyses confirmed the inverse association. Among the 59 studies, 52 showed negative associations, with SMDs ranging from -5.34 to -0.04, while seven studies reported no inverse association.

Further analysis of 12 low-risk studies showed a smaller but still significant negative impact on IQ (SMD of -0.19), while 47 high-risk studies indicated a more substantial effect (SMD of -0.52). Dose-response analyses involving 38 studies confirmed that increased fluoride levels in water and urine were associated with lower IQ scores, even at fluoride concentrations below 4 mg/L.

However, the association was null at concentrations below 1.5 mg/L when using water fluoride as the exposure measure. Regression analysis of 13 studies found that a 1 mg/L increase in urinary fluoride led to an average IQ decrease of 1.63 points.

Conclusions

This systematic review and meta-analysis found that higher fluoride exposure is linked to lower IQ in children. The review included studies with varying risk levels and examined group and individual fluoride exposure.

Consistent inverse relationships were found across different study designs, exposure levels, and geographic locations. Although group-level fluoride measurements, like those from drinking water, may underestimate total exposure, individual urinary fluoride levels provided more accurate assessments.

Despite limitations such as the predominance of high-bias studies and limited data at lower fluoride levels (<1.5 mg/L), the findings align with previous research, suggesting a need for further studies to better understand the impact of fluoride on cognitive development.

The authors recommend future research focus on prospective cohort studies with robust individual exposure measurements, particularly in populations outside China, to improve the generalizability of findings.
Cancer screening is key to saving patients' lives since an earlier stage diagnosis improves survival rates, decreases morbidity, and leads to less intensive treatments. Early detection also has the potential to save Canada's health care system major money. The United States adopted breast cancer screening for women in their Forties due to an increase in the incidence of breast cancer in younger women, with recent research from the University of Ottawa confirming this rise.

Lead author Dr. Anna Wilkinson, an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa (uOttawa) and a GP oncologist at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) Cancer Centre and with a team of researchers from uOttawa, including Dr. Jean Seely, and TOH  including Dr. Moira Rushton, a medical oncologist at the Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre  collaborated with Sunnybrook Research Institute to examine the cost-effectiveness of breast cancer treatments at an earlier stage.

Dr. Wilkinson gave us an overview of this work, which was published in JAMA:

Question: What are the proven benefits of early detection of breast cancer?

Anna Wilkinson: "When breast cancers are detected at an early stage, less intensive treatments can be employed such as lumpectomies instead of mastectomies, single (sentinel) node biopsies instead of removing all the lymph nodes in the armpit, and often omitting chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

"Breast cancer survival is predicated by stage at diagnosis: the 5-year net survival for stage I breast cancer is 100 percent which, subsequently, declines to 92%, 74% and 23% with stage II, III and IV breast cancers."

Q: Why was it important to review the costs of screening now?

AW: "Recent debate over whether women aged 40 to 49 should be screened for breast cancer has crystallised the importance of understanding the economics of screening. In investigating this topic, we realised that cost effectiveness analyses are outdated and do not reflect expensive new advances that have become standard of care."

Q: What are the most recent advances and why has cost effectiveness not been incorporated?

AW: "The last few years have seen an explosion in exciting innovations in breast cancer treatment, which have resulted in improved breast cancer survival. These treatment successes translate into skyrocketing cost increases for advanced stage breast cancers. For example, new targeted therapies for high-risk stage II and III hormone sensitive breast cancers can cost nearly $142K over two years and over $210K for three years in the metastatic setting. A highly effective antibody drug conjugate for HER2 positive and HER2 low breast has a cost of $166K for one year of therapy and immunotherapy for triple negative breast cancer is $153K for one year of therapy. Stage IV costs for certain subtypes can rise past $500,000.

"Traditional costing models use population-level databases that have inherent time lags in data availability and do not reflect rapidly evolving costs. Our costing calculations were unique because all costs along the breast cancer continuum were included such as: diagnosis; pathology; radiology; surgery; radiation oncology; hospital stay; pharmacy; nursing; and palliative care costs."

Q: What kind of savings do you foresee?

AW: "We found that screening a cohort of women annually for breast cancer starting at age 40 to 74 saves the Canadian health care system $459.6M over these women's lifetime with 3,499 breast cancer deaths averted and 52,367 life years gained. This translates into a savings of $1, 880 for every women screened. The costs of screening mammograms and diagnostics are easily offset by treating cancers at earlier stages when it is less expensive."

Q: What kind of impact could early screening policy for breast cancer and other diseases have?

AW: "In an era where we will continue to see ever-more expensive, rapidly evolving treatments for cancer, diagnosing cancers early is a cost saving measure. We should see this study as a call for similar analyses of the cost effectiveness of early screening for colon, lung and cervical cancers. Evidence of costs savings with cancer screening could target the health inequities created by different cancer screening practices across Canada. The adoption of inclusive cancer screening presents a means to save money and optimize health equity, while improving cancer morbidity and mortality."
A genetic biocontrol method which reduces the lifespan of female insects could work as fast as pesticides to reduce populations of disease-spreading mosquitoes and destructive crop pests, according to researchers.

Insect pests pose a huge threat to global health and agriculture, causing hundreds of thousands of deaths, millions of infections, and costing billions in healthcare and crop damage each year.

Biocontrol is increasingly seen as a viable alternative to pesticides, which can harm non-target species and ecosystems and are losing efficacy as resistance to them grows.

A new approach called Toxic Male Technique (TMT), developed by researchers at the ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology at Macquarie University, Australia, involves genetically engineering male insects to reduce the lifespan of the females they mate with.

Researchers say it can be used to respond rapidly to outbreaks of agricultural pests as well as to fight mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue and Zika.

We hold that our technology has the potential of working as fast as pesticides without the attendant risks of harming other species and the environment, says Samuel Beach a researcher in applied biosciences at Macquarie University and lead author of the study, published today in Nature Communications.

According to Beach, the approach is more efficient than existing methods such as the Sterile Insect Technique or the release of insects carrying lethal genes, which work by releasing masses of sterilised or genetically modified males to mate with wild females.

With these techniques, the mated females produce no offspring or only male offspring, but they continue to blood-feed and spread disease until they die naturally  meaning populations of biting females only decrease when the next generation emerges.

TMT is cheaper because you need fewer males to get much faster reduction in insect population or spread of diseases, Beach explains.

Venom proteins

The new technique works by genetically engineering male insects to produce insect-specific venom proteins in their semen. When these males mate with females, the proteins are transferred, significantly reducing the females lifespan and their ability to spread disease.

The researchers found that mating females with the genetically engineered males reduced their lifespan by 60 per cent.

Ideally, were looking at 100 per cent reduction in lifespanthats the females die as soon as they mate with the male, Beach told SciDev.Net. But thats what we want to achieve long term, thats going to take some time.

Even the 60 per cent reduction could go a long way towards reducing the impact of mosquito-borne diseases, he adds.

Diseases such as malaria, dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever are spread by the females of the Aedes aegypti and Anopheles gambiae species of mosquito.

Beach explains that when female mosquito blood feeds, contracting the virus from a host, she is not infectious for a couple of days. For a period of five to ten days, she cannot spread the disease to another person.

That means we dont need to achieve 100 per cent mortality, we just need to reduce her lifespan within this period of time where she cant spread that disease to a second person, which we estimate to be about 60 to 80 per cent reduction in lifespan, says Beach.

The technology could work even better for farmers, according to the researchers, since crop pests have longer lifespans than mosquitosup to a year or two, compared to three to four weeks.

Because the generational term is so long, if we can kill the female sooner thats going to have a much bigger benefit for agricultural pests, adds Beach.

Operational costs

Tonny Owalla, a researcher at Med Biotech Laboratories Kampala, Uganda, who was not involved in the study, believes engineering male mosquitoes to reduce the population of female malaria carriers could be a useful approach.

However, he cautions that the costs of deploying it may make the technology impractical for routine use in malaria endemic countries.

Take for instance, how many male mosquitoes one would deploy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is the leading malaria endemic country in Africa, how many rounds of release per year, infrastructure, source of mosquito supply says Owalla.

Beach says the technology must go through rigorous safety tests before being adopted, while regulatory frameworks to guide its use and infrastructure to breed mosquitoes are also needed.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 8. The Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah has sent a letter of condolences to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the tragic death of people caused by the crash of an Azerbaijani Airlines plane near Aktau on December 25 on a Baku-Grozny flight, Trend reports.

"President of the friendly Republic of Azerbaijan, His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev,

We were deeply saddened by the news of the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane in the Republic of Kazakhstan, which resulted in loss of life and injuries.

Your Excellency, we share in your sorrow over this tragic incident and extend our heartfelt condolences to you. We pray for the mercy of the Almighty Allah for the victims of the crash and wish a speedy recovery to those injured," the letter reads.
New research highlights postnatal regeneration limits and pathological remodeling of the cardiac conduction system after myocardial infarction, uncovering mechanisms behind clinical arrhythmogenesis

In a recent study published in the Nature Cardiovascular Research, a group of researchers investigated how myocardial infarction (MI) disrupts the cardiac conduction system (CCS) and explored mechanisms of conduction system regeneration versus pathological remodeling to prevent arrhythmias (irregularities in the heart's rhythm).

Background

The CCS generates and propagates electrical impulses critical for the heart's rhythmic contractions. Following MI, arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, atrioventricular block, and bundle branch block significantly increase mortality.

While ischemic necrosis (tissue death due to loss of blood supply) and scarring are major contributors, the specific role of the CCS, particularly the HisPurkinje network and bundle branches, in arrhythmogenesis remains unclear.

The extent of cell loss, remodeling, and repair in the ventricular conduction system after MI is poorly understood. Further research is needed to clarify these mechanisms and develop targeted interventions for post-MI conduction system dysfunction and associated arrhythmias.

About the study

The Connexin 40 -enhanced green fluorescent protein (Cx40eGFP), Cx40- Cre recombinase fused to a tamoxifen-inducible estrogen receptor (Cx40-CreERT2), NK2 Homeobox 5 gene with a Cre recombinase knock-in (NK2 Homeobox 5-Cre (Nkx2-5Cre/+)), and Rosa26-membrane-targeted tomato/membrane-targeted green fluorescent protein (Rosa26mTmG) mouse strains were used to study CCS dynamics.

Female CD1 mice were bred with Cx40eGFP/eGFP males for neonatal imaging and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) studies, while CD1 females crossed with C57BL/6 males were used for electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings. All animal experiments adhered to United Kingdom (UK) regulations under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

Neonatal MI was induced by ligating the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. Neonatal mice were anesthetized, underwent thoracotomy, and the LAD was tied to mimic MI or left untied for sham surgeries. Post-operative care included warming, respiratory monitoring, and returning pups to their mothers. Tamoxifen-induced Cre recombinase (CreERT2) lineage tracing was performed at postnatal day 1 (P1), with injury responses analyzed by day 4 (P4).

High-resolution imaging of the ventricular conduction system (VCS) was performed using the Clear, Unobstructed Brain/Body Imaging Cocktails and Computational Analysis (CUBIC) method. Purkinje fiber disorganization was observed post-MI, particularly in non-regenerative stages.

Ribonucleic Acid fluorescence in situ hybridization (RNA-FISH) and scRNA-seq revealed molecular changes within CCS cells, differentiating regenerative and non-regenerative responses. Computational modeling of human Purkinje networks simulated post-MI conduction delays and electrocardiographic abnormalities.

Study results

The VCS originates from working cardiomyocytes during embryogenesis and undergoes specialization around embryonic day 16.5 in mice. This specialization involves downregulating the sarcomeric apparatus and expression of unique ion channels and connexin isoforms.

VCS growth and remodeling were analyzed using a CUBIC protocol combined with immunostaining in Gja5 (Cx40)-eGFP reporter mice. Broad CX40 expression, initially observed in trabecular myocardium at embryonic day 16.5, became restricted to the mature VCS by P1.

Postnatally, significant VCS growth occurred, with a twofold increase in network volume and filament length by P10, primarily through the extension of existing Purkinje fibers rather than new branch formation. Growth was more pronounced in the right ventricle compared to the left, reflecting asymmetrical maturation.

Following MI, induced by LAD coronary artery ligation, the HisPurkinje network exhibited structural disruptions. At three days post-MI, both regenerative P1 and non-regenerative P7 hearts showed gaps in the network and altered fiber morphology. P1 hearts demonstrated increased CX40 expression in distal Purkinje fibers, while P7 hearts showed reduced fiber formation and disorganization. This disruption was critical as fiber bundling ensures electrical insulation and efficient conduction.

scRNA-seq revealed transcriptional heterogeneity in the VCS after MI, identifying cardiomyocyte-like and fibroblast-like subpopulations. Regenerative P1 hearts maintained a cardiomyocyte-like VCS population with enriched conduction-related genes, including Nkx2-5 and Slc8a1, critical for calcium signaling. In contrast, P7 hearts showed a shift toward fibroblast-like populations and downregulation of conduction-related genes, suggesting a loss of electrical identity.

At 21 days post-MI, regenerative P1 hearts restored VCS architecture and electrical function, as confirmed by ECG recordings showing no conduction delays. Non-regenerative P7 hearts exhibited persistent CX40 downregulation and gaps in the network, resulting in prolonged PR intervals and first-degree atrioventricular block, reflecting conduction delays.

In silico modeling of human hearts with reduced HisPurkinje conduction replicated observed mouse findings, linking VCS disruptions to clinical ECG signatures of conduction blocks and arrhythmias.

Conclusions

To summarize, this study investigated the repair and remodeling of the HisPurkinje network in neonatal mouse hearts post-MI. While regenerative P1 hearts restored their VCS via surviving CX40-positive cells, non-regenerative P7 hearts exhibited sustained abnormalities, including disrupted fiber bundling, altered cell composition, CX40 downregulation, and changes in ion channel expression.

These anomalies corresponded to conduction delays and increased dyssynchrony arrhythmias, as observed in human heart models. The findings highlight the molecular pathways driving VCS regeneration and remodeling, offering insights into arrhythmia prevention and potential therapeutic targets.
During IVF treatment, doctors use ultrasound scans to monitor the size of follicles - small sacs in the ovaries containing eggs - to decide when to give a hormone injection known as the 'trigger' to prepare the eggs for collection and ensure that they are ready to be fertilized with sperm to create embryos. The timing of the trigger is a key decision, as it works less effectively if the follicles are too small or too large at the time of administration. After the eggs are collected and fertilized by sperm, an embryo is then selected and implanted into the womb to hopefully lead to pregnancy.

Researchers used 'Explainable AI' techniques - a type of AI that allows humans to understand how it works - to analyze retrospective data on more than 19,000 patients who had completed IVF treatment. They explored which follicle sizes were associated with improved rates of retrieving mature eggs to result in babies being born.

They found that delivering the hormone injection when a greater proportion of follicles were sized between 13-18mm was linked to higher rates of mature eggs being retrieved and improved rates of babies being born.

Currently, clinicians use ultrasound scans to measure the size of the lead (largest) follicles and generally give the trigger injection when a threshold of either two or three lead follicles greater than 17 or 18mm has been reached.

Their findings suggest that maximizing the proportion of intermediately sized follicles could optimize the number of mature eggs retrieved and improve the rates of babies being born.

The team believe that the findings from the study highlight the potential of AI to aid in the personalization of IVF treatment to improve clinical outcomes for patients and maximize their chance of taking home a baby. The team plan to create an AI tool that will utilize findings from their research to personalize IVF treatment and support clinicians' decision-making at each step of the IVF process. They will apply for funding to take this tool into clinical trials.

The research, published in Nature Communications, is led by researchers at Imperial College London, University of Glasgow, University of St Andrews, and clinicians at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. It is funded by UK Research and Innovation and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Imperial Biomedical Research Centre (BRC).

Dr Ali Abbara, NIHR Clinician Scientist at Imperial College London and Consultant in Reproductive Endocrinology at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, and co-senior author of the study said:

"IVF provides help and hope for many patients who are unable to conceive but it's an invasive, expensive, and time-consuming treatment. It can be heartbreaking when it fails, so it's important to ensure that this treatment is as effective as possible.

"AI can offer a new paradigm in how we deliver IVF treatment and could lead to better outcomes for patients.

"IVF produces so much rich data that it can be challenging for doctors to fully make use of all of it when making treatment decisions for their patients. Our study has shown that AI methods are well suited to analysing complex IVF data. In future, AI could be used to provide accurate recommendations to improve decision-making and aid in personalisation of treatment, so that we can give each couple the very best possible chance of having a baby."

Professor Waljit Dhillo, an NIHR Senior Investigator from the Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction at Imperial College London, Consultant Endocrinologist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and co-senior author of the study, added:

"Our findings could pave the way for a new approach to maximise the success of IVF treatment, leading to more pregnancies and births.

"Our study is the first to analyse a large dataset to show that AI can identify the specific follicle sizes that are most likely to yield mature eggs more precisely than current methods.

"This is an exciting development as the findings suggest that we can use information from a much wider set of follicle sizes to decide when to give patients trigger shots rather than just the size of only the largest follicles - which is what is used in current clinical practice."

Explainable AI can be a valuable resource in healthcare. Where the stakes are so high for making the best possible decision, this technique can support doctors' decision making and lead to better outcomes for patients. Importantly, we expect computing power to improve exponentially in the near future, enabling us to make decisions using precise data in a way that hasn't been possible previously." Dr. Thomas Heinis, co-senior author, Department of Computing, Imperial College London

One in six couples experience infertility and IVF has emerged as a valuable intervention to help patients conceive.

Trigger injection

A key decision in IVF treatment is when to use the 'trigger' shot of hormones, such as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), to mature eggs for collection. The timing of the trigger shot impacts on the number of mature eggs retrieved and the success of treatment.

Clinicians use ultrasound scans to measure the size of the lead (largest) follicles. They will generally give the trigger shot when a threshold of either two or three lead follicles greater than 17 or 18mm in diameter has been reached. However, this method lacks precision and does not take into consideration the sizes of each individual follicle and their likelihood of each follicle yielding a mature egg.

Follicle sizes

In the retrospective study, the team used AI techniques on data from 19,082 patients aged between 18-49 years of age who had treatment in one of 11 clinics across the UK- including IVF clinics at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust - and two in Poland between 2005-2023. They examined individual follicle sizes on the days prior to and on the day of trigger administration.

The researchers found that intermediately sized follicles of 13-18mm were associated with more mature eggs subsequently being retrieved. The data suggested that having a greater number of follicles within this range on the day of trigger was associated with better clinical outcomes.

They also found that stimulating the ovaries for too long, such that there was a greater number of larger follicles (more than 18mm) on the day of trigger administration, could lead to a premature elevation of the hormone progesterone. This can have a negative impact on IVF outcomes by affecting the proper development of the endometrium  the tissue that line the uterus and is important for an embryo implanting to result in pregnancy. This reduces the chances of an embryo implanting and subsequently leading to a live birth. These AI derived insights can help the team develop evidence-based IVF protocols guided by data that should improve the efficiency of treatment.
Declining blood levels of two molecules that occur naturally in the body track closely with worsening Alzheimer's disease, particularly in women. Levels were found to drop gradually, from women with no signs of memory, disorientation, and slowed thinking to those with early signs of mild cognitive impairment. Decreases were more prominent in women with moderate or severe stages of the disease. Declines in men were evident in only one molecule, revealing a disease-specific difference between the sexes.

Six million Americans, most over the age of 65 and predominantly women, are currently estimated to have some form of Alzheimer's disease.

Led by neuroscientists at NYU Langone Health, in collaboration with other researchers in the United States and Brazil, the new study showed that blood levels of the protein acetyl-L-carnitine were lower in both women and men with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. Blood levels of free carnitine, the main byproduct of acetyl-L-carnitine in reactions essential to brain function, steadily declined in women in amounts related to the severity of their cognitive decline. In men, significant declines were seen only in acetyl-L-carnitine, not free carnitine.

Published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry online January 7, the study results suggest that declines in these two brain chemicals could indicate the presence and degree of Alzheimer's disease, and that this difference might offer an explanation as to why women are at higher risk of the disease than men.

Additional computer testing showed that blood levels of acetyl-L-carnitine and free carnitine aligned in direct proportion in study participants to increased amyloid beta and tangled tau protein levels, long been considered markers of progressive severity in Alzheimer's disease. Indeed, the research team's accuracy in diagnosing the severity of Alzheimer's disease rose from more than 80 percentwhen using either amyloid beta and tangled tau protein levels collected from cerebrospinal fluid or the two blood moleculesto 93 percent when using both.

Our findings offer the strongest evidence to date that decreased blood levels of acetyl-L-carnitine and free carnitine could act as blood biomarkers for identifying those who have Alzheimer's disease, and potentially those who are at greater risk of developing early dementia." Betty Bigio, PhD, study lead investigator

"The results also might explain the differences by sex in Alzheimer's disease, with more women than men having dementia," said Dr. Bigio, a research assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. She is also affiliated with the Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research.

"Because declines in acetyl-L-carnitine and free carnitine tracked closely with the severity of Alzheimer's disease, the molecular pathways involved in their production offer other possible therapeutic targets for getting at the root cause of the disease and potentially intervening before permanent brain damage occurs," said senior study investigator Carla Nasca, PhD. She is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and the Department of Neuroscience and Physiology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. She is also affiliated with the Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research.

The study involved data on two separate groups of men and women in Brazil and California, in which the researchers measured blood levels of the two molecules. A total of 93 study volunteers diagnosed with varying degrees of cognitive impairment were involved, along with 32 cognitively healthy men and women of similar age, weight, and education. Results in the Californian group were used to confirm what was found in the Brazilian group.

Moving forward, Dr. Nasca says more research is needed into the root sources of acetyl-L-carnitine and the molecular pathways that control its production and into tracking how the molecule affects brain chemistry as it is contained in brain vesicle stores released into the blood. The team's goal is to define other biomarkers in the brain that more precisely track Alzheimer's disease progression.

Dr. Nasca says that if further studies confirm their latest findings, the team's research could be used to develop a blood test for dementia and for tracking the progression of Alzheimer's disease in an easier and noninvasive way. Currently, searching for biomarkers of disease progression can involve serial spinal taps that pose risks of pain and infection. A blood test might also be useful to support or add a more objective, quantitative measure of disease severity than existing questionnaires that test memory or thinking skills.

A blood test, Dr. Nasca says, could also help predict the effectiveness, or lack thereof, of potential new drug treatments designed to delay or prevent the onset of Alzheimer's disease.

Both acetyl-L-carnitine and free carnitine are essential for healthy brain function and regulating cell energy metabolism. Past research by Dr. Nasca's team showed that acetyl-L-carnitine also shuttles molecules from a cell's powerhouse mitochondria to a cell's controlling nucleus, allowing genes to open and become activated. This shuttling action is key in regulating genes that produce the neurotransmitter glutamate, another chemical involved in most brain activities, including nerve cell repair (plasticity). This matters in the hippocampus region of the brain, which helps regulate memory and where initial damage from Alzheimer's disease is known to appear.

Dr. Nasca says that excessive levels of glutamate have also been tied to mood disorders and severe cases of depression in humans, disorders closely tied to Alzheimer's disease. Her team has also linked deficiencies in acetyl-L-carnitine, but not free carnitine, to depression and childhood trauma. Future investigations are planned about how to prevent the progression of depression to Alzheimer's disease.

Funding support for the study was provided by National Institutes of Health grants R24AG06517, P50AG16573, and P30AG066519. Additional funding support came from the Robertson Therapeutic Development Fund, D'Or Institute for Research and Education, Rede D'Or Sao Luiz Hospital Network, International Society for Neurochemistry, Fundacao Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Serrapilheira Institute, and Alzheimer's Association grant AARG-D-61541.

Besides Dr. Bigio and Dr. Nasca, other NYU Langone researchers involved in the study are co-investigators Aryeh Korman and Drew R. Jones, PhD. Other study co-investigators are Ricardo Lima-Filho, Felipe Sudo, Claudia Drummond, Naima Assuncao, Bart Vanderborght, Sergio Ferreira, Paulo Mattos, Fernanda Tovar-Moll, Fernanda De Felice, and Mychael Lourenco, at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and the D'Or Institute for Research and Education, also in Brazil; Olivia Barnhill, at Rockefeller University in New York City; James Beasley and Sarah Young, at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina; and David Sultzer and Elizabeth Head, at the University of California, Irvine.
On the heels of a scuttled hospital merger between rivals in Terre Haute, Indiana, a state senator introduced a bill that would forbid similar mergers in the future.

Last year, nonprofit Union Health tried to acquire the only other acute care hospital in Vigo County by leveraging a state law it helped create that allows hospital monopolies. Now, Sen. Ed Charbonneau, a key architect of the 2021 law, which allows what is known as a "Certificate of Public Advantage," or COPA, wants to repeal it.

"I didn't think I was doing 100% the right thing last time," the Republican, who chairs the Senate health committee, said of co-authoring Indiana's 2021 COPA law. "I do think I am this time."

Indiana is one of 19 states that have COPA laws, which allow hospital mergers that the Federal Trade Commission otherwise considers illegal because they reduce competition and often create monopolies.

In exchange for allowing these deals, the merging hospitals typically agree to meet a number of conditions imposed by the state to mitigate the harms of a monopoly. But health care economists and the FTC have said that state oversight cannot replace competition and that these mergers ultimately harm patients.

The public and the FTC pressured Indiana health regulators to block Union's merger with its rival, Terre Haute Regional Hospital. Just days before a December deadline for the state to issue a decision on whether to approve the deal, Union Health and Terre Haute Regional Hospital pulled their application.

Union Health and Tennessee-based HCA Healthcare, which owns Terre Haute Regional, declined to answer questions about what prompted the decision to scuttle the deal. In a November statement, Union said it planned to submit a new application.

In 2021, Union Health leaders were instrumental in the passage of Indiana's COPA law. They supplied draft language for the bill, according to legislative testimony, and Union Health CEO Steve Holman testified before lawmakers that the merger would improve Vigo County's poor public health rankings.

But Charbonneau's bill would prevent such deals and make Indiana the sixth state to repeal its COPA law.

In 2023, Maine ended its COPA after heeding warnings from the FTC about the harmful effects of such mergers. Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, and North Dakota have also repealed such laws.

In comments to Indiana regulators, the FTC referenced KFF Health News' reporting on Ballad Health, a 20-hospital monopoly in Tennessee and Virginia, as a cautionary tale against such mergers.

COPAs, such as the one under which Ballad operates, "have proven unwieldy," are "difficult to manage," and "have failed to protect local communities from the harmful effects of anticompetitive hospital mergers," the FTC said in its comments on the proposed Union-Regional merger.

Ballad declined to respond to KFF Health News inquiries regarding the FTC's comments.

Since Ballad launched in 2018 and became the nation's largest state-approved hospital monopoly, it has not lived up to some of its promises, KFF Health News has reported. It has fallen short of quality and charity care goals, according to annual reports from Ballad and the Tennessee Department of Health. After years of problems and complaints from patients, the state is now trying to hold Ballad more accountable for its quality of care.

In a November interview with KFF Health News, Ballad Health CEO Alan Levine attributed the quality-of-care slump to covid-19 and workforce challenges. He said these issues are unrelated to the COPA merger and the monopoly it created.

In Indiana, Republican Gov.-elect Mike Braun has said tackling health care issues will be a top policy priority. Braun's policy agenda to "protect Hoosiers from consolidation" calls for rooting out regulations that "promote consolidation" and pose a "barrier" to competition.

Republicans control the state legislature. Charbonneau, a high-ranking senator, has co-authored several bills to combat consolidation, including through restricting noncompete agreements for primary care physicians and requiring hospitals and other health care businesses to notify Indiana's attorney general of pending mergers and acquisitions.

If Charbonneau's bill to repeal Indiana's COPA law passes during the legislative session beginning Jan. 8, it may prevent Union from acquiring Regional. Union would need to submit a new application and get it approved before Charbonneau's bill would take effect July 1. Both Union and HCA declined to comment on the proposed bill and their future application plans.
A last-minute change to a 2019 bill put an end date on Montana's Medicaid expansion program, setting the stage for what is anticipated to be the most significant health care debate of the 2025 Montana Legislature.

In recent interviews, legislative leaders predicted a vigorous debate over keeping the Medicaid expansion program, which pays the medical bills of more than 75,000 low-income Montanans at an annual cost of about $1 billion to the federal and state governments. They also expect the topic to seep into other health policy decisions, such as the approval of new spending on Montana's behavioral health system and regulation of hospital tax-exempt status.

"It all kind of links together," said state Sen. Dennis Lenz, a Billings Republican and chair of the Senate Public Health, Welfare, and Safety Committee.

Legislators from both parties also expect lawmakers from the GOP majority to continue to pursue abortion restrictions, despite a November statewide vote making abortion a right under the Montana Constitution.

The Medicaid expansion debate, however, looms largest among the health care topics.

"This is definitely the elephant in the room, so to speak," said Senate Minority Leader Pat Flowers, a Belgrade Democrat.

Montana expanded Medicaid, initially for four years, in 2015, through a coalition of minority Democrats, some moderate Republicans, and a Democratic governor. A similar coalition renewed the program in 2019, but at the last moment, Senate Republicans tacked on an end date of June 30, 2025. That put the matter in the lap of this year's legislature.

Republicans still hold strong majorities in the state House and Senate, whose leaders voiced concerns about the expansion program.

This time around, the governor  Greg Gianforte  is a Republican. Last year, the Gianforte administration completed a postpandemic eligibility reassessment that cut the number of expansion enrollees from a high of 125,000 people in April and May 2023 to approximately 76,600 people as of October, the most recent data available.

Gianforte has included funding for Medicaid expansion in his proposed budget, which must be approved by the legislature to take effect. His office said he wants "strong work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents" to take part in the program. Spokesperson Kaitlin Price said the governor "has been clear that the safety net of Medicaid should be there for those who truly need it, but that it will collapse if all are allowed to climb on it."

GOP legislative leaders clearly are skeptical of the program, saying it won't continue without some "sideboards," or additional requirements of enrollees and providers.

Whether any expansion bill passes "will depend on the people pushing it," said Senate President Matt Regier, a Kalispell Republican who opposes expansion. "If there is no give-and-take, it could be an interesting vote."

Flowers said he knows getting Medicaid expansion through the Senate will be tough. Republicans hold a 32-18 majority, and the GOP caucus leans conservative.

"There are a lot of my colleagues on the Republican side that are ideologically opposed, and I think you're going to see that in their consistent voting against reauthorizing," Flowers said.

Medicaid, funded by both the state and federal governments, provides health coverage for certain groups of low-income people. Expansion extended Medicaid coverage to nondisabled adults ages 19 to 64 with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level  about $20,800 a year for an individual in 2024.

The 2010 federal Affordable Care Act opened Medicaid to this new group of adults, starting in 2014. But a 2012 U.S. Supreme Court ruling said states could choose whether to adopt the change, and 40 have done so.

Republican state Rep. Ed Buttrey said he would sponsor a bill to reauthorize Medicaid expansion without an expiration date, but many GOP lawmakers remain unconvinced that expansion is needed, viewing it as a costly, unnecessary welfare program.

"I understand there are some pros to Medicaid expansion, but, as a conservative, I do have issues with  I guess I can't get around it  socialized medicine," said House Speaker Brandon Ler (R-Savage).

In September, representatives from a pair of conservative-funded think tanks made a case for ending Medicaid expansion, saying its enrollment and costs are bloated. The consulting firm Manatt, on the other hand, said more people have access to critical treatment because of Medicaid expansion.

At the least, it appears many Republicans want to require participants to work, pay premiums, or meet other conditions, if the program is to continue.

Premiums and work requirements are in Montana's law right now. The Biden administration, though, nixed both, so they haven't been in effect. Montana Republicans expect the incoming Trump administration to be more open to such provisions.

Democrats say Medicaid expansion has succeeded on many fronts: covering thousands of low-income workers, helping keep rural health care providers and hospitals afloat, and bringing hundreds of millions of federal dollars into Montana's economy. The state pays 10% of the program's costs, which totaled about $962.4 million in fiscal year 2024. The federal government picked up $870 million of that tab.

"With all that, it's just stunning to me that there could be opposition," Flowers said. "There is just no reason for us, collectively as a state, not to support this."

Democrats will have their own expansion bill, brought by Rep. Mary Caferro of Helena. She said the bill would remove the work requirements and premiums, shine more light on the contracting activities of the state health department, and reopen some public assistance offices that have been closed. It also would make expansion permanent.

"We're 10 years into this program," said Rep. SJ Howell of Missoula, the Democratic vice chair of the House Human Services Committee, which debates health policy legislation. "I think that continuing a cycle of uncertainty for patients and providers doesn't make sense."

Legislators also see the expansion debate tying into other health care discussions.

Regier and Lenz said Montana's nonprofit hospitals  strong supporters of expansion  have benefited greatly from the program and may need to give something back in return. One possibility: more government oversight of the "community benefits" that hospitals must provide to receive tax-exempt status.

They also noted that Montanans pay a fee for hospital stays to support the Medicaid program and that a fee on hospital outpatient revenue helps pay the costs of Medicaid expansion. Those fees and the resulting money raised for hospitals may merit review, they said.

Meanwhile, backers said Medicaid expansion underpins one of the governor's major policy priorities, to improve the state's behavioral health system. Gianforte has proposed spending up to $100 million over the next two years on 10 recommendations made by an advisory commission that reviewed the system for the past 18 months.

If Medicaid expansion ends, many adults would lose access to the mental health and addiction treatment system that Gianforte wants to improve, advocates said, while treatment providers would lose a significant source of revenue.

Money for the behavioral health changes would come, in part, from a $300 million fund created by the 2023 legislature. Lawmakers plan to scrutinize Gianforte's proposals during the budgeting process. Howell said Democrats want to look at whether the changes would use enough of the $300 million fund quickly enough and on the most pressing needs.

Meanwhile, Republicans said they'll likely introduce bills on abortion  even though Montanans approved Constitutional Initiative 128 by a 58-42 margin in November. CI-128 said the right to an abortion cannot be "denied or burdened" except by a "compelling government interest achieved by the least restrictive means."

"It's not going to slow us down in our pro-life positions," Ler said of CI-128.

At a minimum, GOP leaders said, some of CI-128's terms should be defined.

"With a very poorly written ballot initiative like that, we need to say, 'What does that abortion industry look like under CI-128 and what's our role as a state?'" Regier said.

But state Sen. Cora Neumann, a Bozeman Democrat on the Senate Public Health, Welfare, and Safety Committee, said the CI-128 vote provided a strong mandate for the right of privacy.

Enacting restrictions would lead to "that slippery slope of what's next, if we allow legislators to rule on what's happening in the doctor's office," she said. "What kind of can of worms could be opened to other invasions of privacy?"
Custom biosafety cabinets can be vital for integrating robotics and automation in pharmaceutical labs.

This article explores a case study where custom Class II Biosafety Cabinets were designed to address the challenges of containing oversized automation equipment, ensuring safe interaction with samples on a large scale.

It outlines the collaborative design process, from initial consultations to engineering model development, highlighting how custom solutions address the unique challenges of modern laboratory workflows while ensuring safety and functionality.

Download the full article to learn more

About NuAire

Founded in 1971, NuAire is one of the most established brands in the biocontainment industry, engineering airflow products that are optimized for applications ranging from research to diagnostics to drug compounding and even custom enclosures for lab automation equipment. NuAire also builds CO 2 incubators and sells ultra-low freezers. Based in Plymouth, Minnesota, NuAire has cultivated a vast network of sales partners not only across North America but also around the world in Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. The company has built a legacy not only by striving to offer the best long-term value, the most configurability, and the most personalized after-sales support for the products it manufactures, but also by contributing its expertise to industry associations and financial support to biosafety educational efforts.

Choose NuAire as the Safer Choice

Sponsored Content Policy: News-Medical.net publishes articles and related content that may be derived from sources where we have existing commercial relationships, provided such content adds value to the core editorial ethos of News-Medical.Net which is to educate and inform site visitors interested in medical research, science, medical devices and treatments.
Mahindra BE 6 And Mahindra XEV 9e Reaches Authorised Dealership, Check Test Drive Details

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News18.com

Last Updated: January 29, 2025, 11:22 IST

The company said that interested customers will be able to pre-book both models from February 14, 2025.

Mahindra BE 6 (Photo: News18)

After creating a buzz across social media platforms on the internet in the EV segment, Mahindra BE 6 and XEV 9e have finally reached to the authorised dealerships in India.

Now, interested customers can visit the showroom and experience the cars from both inside and outside. Furthermore, the company is all set to kickstart the test drives next month, and it will be available in selected cities for now including Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Banglore, Pune, and Chennai.

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Recently, the company has announced the price range of both vehicles. Talking about the BE 6, it starts at Rs Rs 18.9 lakh for the base, while the top model goes up Rs 26.90 lakh. The XEV 9e cost Rs 30.50 lakh (all ex-showroom).

All About BE 6

Talking about the BE 6 first, it is available in both 59 kWh and kWh battery packs. As per the details shared by the brand, these units are capable of delivering an ARAI-certified range between 535 to 682 km on a single charge respectively. These batteries can be charged from 20 to 80 percent in just 20 minutes, using a 175 kW DC fast charger.

XEV 9e

When it comes to XEV 9e, the model has been created on the INGLO platform and has been given both 59 kWh and 79 kWh battery packs, delivering an ARAI-certified range between 542 km to 656 km on a single charge respectively. It generates a maximum power of 286 bhp of power and 380 Nm of peak torque.

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First Published: January 29, 2025, 11:20 IST
RBI Lifts Supervisory Restrictions On DMI Finance, Asirvad Micro Finance; Check Details

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 18:59 IST

The Reserve Bank of India has removed restrictions on loan sanction and disbursal for Asirvad Micro Finance and DMI Finance, citing compliance with regulatory guidelines.

The RBI's actions in October 2024 were prompted by observations regarding the companies' Weighted Average Lending Rate (WALR) and the Interest Spread charged over their cost of funds.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Wednesday announced regulatory relief for two microfinance companies, Asirvad Micro Finance and DMI Finance Private Limited, by lifting the supervisory restrictions imposed on them in October 2024. These restrictions had halted the sanctioning and disbursal of loans by the companies due to concerns over their pricing policies, as stated in a circular issued on January 8.

The RBIs actions in October 2024 were prompted by observations regarding the companies Weighted Average Lending Rate (WALR) and the Interest Spread charged over their cost of funds. These rates were found to be excessive and not aligned with regulatory guidelines, raising material supervisory concerns. Consequently, the central bank directed four NBFCs, including NBFC-MFIs, to halt all loan sanction and disbursal activities.

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In its January 8 statement, the RBI explained its decision to lift the restrictions, citing satisfaction with the companies submissions, revamped processes, systems, and their commitment to ensuring adherence to Regulatory Guidelines. Now, having satisfied itself based on companies submissions, and in view of their adoption of revamped processes, systems, and the companies commitment to ensure adherence to the Regulatory Guidelines on an ongoing basis, especially for ensuring fairness in the loan pricing, the Reserve Bank has decided to lift the afore-mentioned restrictions placed on both, Asirvad Micro Finance Limited and DMI Finance Private Limited, with immediate effect," the statement said.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 18:59 IST
HMPV Surge Raises Questions: Does Travel Insurance Protect Against Viral Illnesses Abroad?

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 12:30 IST

HMPV is a respiratory virus that causes symptoms similar to the common cold, such as cough, fever, and nasal congestion.

With the rise in HMPV cases globally, travellers should prioritise both their health and their insurance policies. (Representative image)

HMPV Cases In India: As Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases increase worldwide, travellers are asking whether travel insurance covers medical emergencies caused by viral infections while abroad. With reports of surging cases in countries like China, the United States, and now India, the growing concern highlights the importance of understanding what your travel insurance policy entails. Unexpected medical emergencies during international trips can lead to significant financial and logistical challenges, making it crucial for travellers to be well-prepared.

This raises the question: does your travel insurance provide adequate protection against health risks like HMPV while youre away from home?

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What is Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV)?

HMPV is a respiratory virus that causes symptoms similar to the common cold, such as cough, fever, and nasal congestion. Recent surges in cases have been reported in regions including China, the United States, and India. Although the virus is not new, its rise has raised fresh concerns, particularly among international travellers.

Travel Insurance: Whats Covered?

Most travel insurance policies in India provide coverage for medical emergencies, including those caused by viral infections like HMPV.

Common inclusions are:

Emergency Medical Treatment: Coverage for hospitalisation and treatment costs.

Medical Evacuation: Transportation to the nearest medical facility if required.

24/7 Assistance: Support with finding hospitals, managing bills, and processing claims.

However, coverage varies between providers, so travellers should carefully review their policy terms.

Expert Opinion

Amit Chhabra, CBO of General Insurance at Policybazaar, emphasized the increasing significance of comprehensive health insurance in light of rising health concerns such as HMPV.

With the high cost of healthcare in urban areas, it is advisable for families and individuals to opt for a sum insured of at least Rs 25 lakhs. This ensures adequate financial protection against unforeseen medical emergencies, including hospitalisation, diagnostic tests, and treatments for viral infections like HMPV," Chhabra said.

He also highlighted the importance of add-ons like consumables cover, which reimburses costs for items such as PPE kits and syringes, often excluded from standard policies. This can significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses.

Chhabra further pointed out that OPD (Outpatient Department) cover is essential for managing expenses related to doctor consultations, diagnostics, and day-care procedures, which are becoming increasingly frequent in viral outbreaks. Such emergencies can also arise while traveling.

Travel Insurance

Chhabra noted that comprehensive travel insurance provides crucial protection against a wide range of unexpected health issues, including viral infections, flu-like illnesses, and even hospitalisation due to sudden illnesses or injuries.

These emergencies can be financially overwhelming, especially in destinations where healthcare costs are much higher than in India, often reaching thousands of dollars for treatment, Chhabra explained.

Comprehensive travel insurance covers a variety of medical urgencies, such as flu, hospitalisation, injuries, accidental injury, medical evacuation, and emergency medical situations arising from pre-existing conditions (if covered in the plan and declared).

What makes travel insurance indispensable is its ability to provide more than just medical coverage. It also covers trip delays, baggage loss, medical evacuation, and other unexpected disruptions that could derail travel plans."

In medical emergencies, travelers can take advantage of cashless services at a wide network of hospitals globally by notifying their insurers or aggregators like Policybazaar. In situations where cashless services are unavailable, reimbursement claims can be processed with the necessary medical documentation.

What to Check in Your Policy?

Terms and Conditions: Confirm whether respiratory or viral illnesses like HMPV are included.

Exclusions: Look for any caps on claims or specific illnesses that may be excluded.

Pre-existing Conditions: Ensure all pre-existing medical conditions are declared when purchasing the policy to avoid potential claim rejections.

Preventive Measures

Health experts recommend the following:

Frequent handwashing.

Wearing masks in crowded or enclosed spaces.

Avoiding close contact with individuals showing symptoms of illness.

Travellers are also advised to stay updated with official health advisories and consider opting for comprehensive travel insurance to safeguard against unforeseen situations.

Why Do You Need Health Insurance Too?

Yes, having both travel and health insurance ensures full protection. Heres how they differ:

Travel Insurance: Provides temporary coverage for emergencies during trips, including viral infections, medical evacuations, and travel disruptions.

Health Insurance: Offers long-term coverage for routine healthcare, chronic conditions, and pre-existing illnesses.

Why Both Are Important

Travellers: Travel insurance addresses trip-specific risks such as unexpected illnesses or medical emergencies abroad.

At Home: Health insurance is essential for managing routine medical care and long-term health needs.

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For maximum protection, check whether your health insurance includes international coverage. If it does not, or if the coverage is limited, travel insurance can fill the gap, ensuring you are fully prepared for any situation.

With the rise in HMPV cases globally, travellers should prioritise both their health and their insurance policies. Combining travel and health insurance provides comprehensive coverage, reducing the financial risks associated with medical emergencies at home and abroad. Before embarking on your next journey, review your insurance policies thoroughly to ensure you are protected against the unexpected.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 10:42 IST
Stocks To Watch: Tata Steel, NTPC, Maruti Suzuki, Biocon, Vi, SBI, RVNL, And Others

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 08:55 IST

Stocks to watch: Shares of firms like Tata Steel, NTPC, Maruti Suzuki, Biocon, Vi, SBI, RVNL, and others will be in focus on Wednesday's trade

Stocks To Watch Today.

Stocks To Watch On January 8: Domestic markets experienced a brief recovery after Mondays sharp decline, ending the day marginally higher. Shares of Tata Steel, Mankind Pharma, NTPC, Jindal Worldwide, Signature Global, and others will be in focus today due to recent developments.

Results Today: Transformers and Rectifiers (India), Reliance Home Finance, Adarsh Mercantile, and Vivid Mercantile are set to release their quarterly earnings on January 8.

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Tata Elxsi: The company has entered into an initial agreement with CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) for a strategic partnership in advanced air mobility, focusing on unmanned aerial vehicles and urban air mobility.

NTPC: The state-owned company has established a wholly-owned subsidiary, NTPC Parmanu Urja Nigam, to pursue nuclear energy initiatives.

Mankind Pharma: The company has pledged its remaining 56.31% shares in Bharat Serums and Vaccines to Catalyst Trusteeship.

Jindal Worldwide: The board of Jindal Worldwide has approved a bonus issue of 4 shares for every 1 share held.

Tata Steel: For Q3, the company reported crude steel production of 5.68 million tons, marking an 8% increase from the previous quarter and a 6% year-on-year growth, bolstered by the commissioning of a 5 MTPA blast furnace at Kalinganagar.

Sobha: The company reported Q3 sales of Rs 138.8 crore, driven by a new sales area of 1.01 million square feet, with an average price realization of Rs 13,663 per square foot, reflecting a 17.8% growth from the previous quarter.

Signature Global: The companys pre-sales surged 120% to Rs 2,770 crore in Q3, while collections grew 40% to Rs 1,080 crore. The board also appointed Sanjeev Kumar Sharma as CFO, effective January 7.

Dr. Reddys Laboratories: The company has agreed to sell its subsidiary, Dr. Reddys Laboratories Louisiana LLC, along with the manufacturing facility in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Maruti Suzuki: The company unveiled its blueprint for electric mobility, e for me," focusing on electric vehicles, cutting-edge technology, and strong charging infrastructure.

Biocon: Biocon Biologics, its subsidiary, completed its first year as a fully integrated global biosimilar enterprise, following its acquisition of Viatris in 2022. The company aims to improve its inventory by around $100 million.

Vodafone Idea (Vi): CEO Akshaya Moondra shared plans for the phased rollout of 5G and the introduction of unique tariff plans for customers in the coming year.

Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M): The company will begin bookings for its new electric vehicles, BE6 and XEV 9e, on February 14, with a target of selling 5,000 units per month in the initial phase.

Tata Technologies: The company has formed a strategic partnership with Telechips to develop vehicle software solutions for next-gen software-defined vehicles (SDVs).

REC Ltd: The company is looking to sell bad loans worth Rs 2,848 crore from Corporate Power Ltd (CPL) and has initiated a Swiss challenge auction.

SBI: The State Bank of India appointed Baldev Prakash as Deputy Managing Director and Group Chief Risk Officer.

RVNL: Rail Vikas Nigam (RVNL) signed an MoU with GBH International Contracting LLC (GBHIC) based in Dubai.

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CESC: CESC Limited issued the Letter of Award to its subsidiary, Purvah Green Power, for setting up a 150 MW wind-solar hybrid power project, with an additional 150 MW under the Greenshoe.

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: January 08, 2025, 08:55 IST
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 8. On November 7, 2024, three vessels  "CMS Phlvan," "CMS Igid," and "CMS-3," sailing under the flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan and operated by the Azerbaijani branch of Caspian Marine Services B.V.  were forced to enter the territorial waters of the State of Eritrea due to worsening weather conditions during their journey to Abu Dhabi (UAE) via the Suez Canal, Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Trend.

According to the Ministry, despite prior communication with the port authorities of the State of Eritrea during the vessels' transit, the failure to provide the required information promptly led to the vessels' entry into the country's 12-mile territorial waters being considered unauthorized.

Consequently, Eritrean authorities detained the aforementioned vessels. The 18 crew members on board are all citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Following the initial report of the incident on November 7, 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan promptly responded and took control of the situation.

The legal justification that entering Eritrean territorial waters did not violate international law was communicated to the Eritrean side through our embassies in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Russian Federation. Relevant meetings were held at the Eritrean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as at the Eritrean embassies in Turkiye and Moscow.

Work is ongoing to resolve the issue, secure the release of the vessels and crew, and provide necessary consular and legal assistance," the MFAs statement concluded.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Now, Banks Will Pay You Rs 100 Per Day If Your Complaint Isn't Resolved Within 30 Days

Curated By :

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Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 16:15 IST

This measure aims to reduce delays customers face when resolving issues or updating data with banks, financial firms, Credit Information Companies and Credit Institutions

The RBI has ordered that banks are also required to inform customers about defaults. (Representative/Shutterstock)

In a move to protect consumers, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a new order outlining penalties for banks and financial institutions that fail to address customer complaints promptly.

The RBI directive mandates that if a complaint remains unresolved within 30 calendar days from the date of filing, the complainant will be entitled to compensation of Rs 100 per day. This measure aims to address concerns regarding lengthy delays experienced by customers when seeking resolution or updates to their data from banks, financial companies, Credit Information Companies (CICs), and Credit Institutions (CIs).

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The RBI has mandated that CICs must inform customers via email or SMS when their credit information is accessed by a bank or non-banking financial company (NBFC). Similarly, banks are required to inform customers about defaults. Failure to provide this update within 21 days will make the banks liable to compensate the complainant at a rate of Rs 100 per day.

Two Deadlines Set by RBI

The RBIs direction establishes two significant deadlines. First, if a Credit Information Company (CIC) fails to resolve a complaint within 30 days of receipt, it will be required to compensate the complainant.

Second, concerning credit information updates, if a Credit Institution (CI) does not provide updated credit information to the CIC within 21 days of being informed by the complainant or the CIC, it will also be liable for compensation.

CICs in operation

Currently, four CICs operate in India with authorisation from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI): TransUnion CIBIL, CRIF High Mark, Equifax, and Experian. In every instance, the credit institution (CI) or CIC must inform the complainant about the action taken on the complaint, including cases of rejection. If a complaint is rejected, the reasons for the decision should be conveyed to the complainant.

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Updates to be provided via mobile or email

The RBI has mandated that CICs must send alerts to customers via SMS or email when submitting information concerning defaults or days past due (DPD) on existing credit facilities. This directive applies only when mobile numbers or email addresses are available. In cases where data updates are delayed for any reason, banks and financial institutions are required to inform their customers accordingly.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 16:15 IST
AP Inter First-year Exam 2025 Cancelled, Only Second-year Exams From Now On

Curated By :

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Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 15:33 IST

Andhra Pradesh Board Secretary Kritika Shukla said that the move aims to reduce the pressure of examinations on students adding that only second-year public examinations will be conducted from now on.

AP board has meanwhile released the second-year inter exam 2025 date sheet (Representative/File)

The Board of Secondary Education, Andhra Pradesh (BSEAP) has cancelled the Intermediate first-year public examinations 2025. While making the announcement, the Andhra Pradesh State Inter Board Secretary Kritika Shukla said that the move aims to reduce the pressure of examinations on students adding that only second-year public examinations will be conducted from now on.

The first-year syllabus of Inter will now be taught in Telugu-English medium. As per media reports, the NCERT syllabus for AP inter first year students will be reduced drastically, especially for Math and Chemistry subjects. As per the new process, there will now be 20 marks internal exam for each subject in inter instead of the annual exams. Students, teachers, and other stakeholders may express their opinions on the website till January 26. There have been no changes in the Inter Board for the last few years, Shukla said.

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Meanwhile, BSEAP has released the AP SSC and Inter Exam 2025 timetable. Students who are scheduled to appear for the exams can download the AP 10th and 12th exam date sheet from the official websitebse.ap.gov.in. According to the schedule, the AP SSC exams 2025 will be conducted from March 17 to 31, 2025. AP inter 1st year exams 2025 will be held from March 1 to March 19 and 2nd year exams from March 3 to March 20, 2025. The AP Class 10 exams 2025 will commence with the First language paper on March 17. The exam will be conducted from 9:30 am to 12:45 pm.

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ALSO READ: Why BIEAP Discontinued AP Inter First Year Exams? Everything You Need To Know

Last year, the AP Intermediate first-year exam results were released on April 12. The exams were held from March 1 to 19, 2024. To clear the exam this year, students needed to score at least 35 per cent in both theory and practical examinations. A total of 67 per cent of the students who took the exams passed the test last time. This marked an increase in the pass percentage compared to 2023 when 61 per cent of the students cleared it. While in 2022, the pass percentage stood at 54 per cent. Due to 2021 being Covid-19 year, all the students were marked as pass that year.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 15:20 IST
Bihar Board Exam 2025: Matric Admit Cards Expected Today, Check Date Sheet

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Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 14:26 IST

Bihar Board Exam 2025: More than 16 lakh students have registered for the Bihar Board 10th exam. A total of 1525 centres will be set up in the state for this exam.

The BSEB matric internal assessment and practical exams will be held from January 21 to 23 (Representative/File)

Bihar Board Exam 2025: The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) will issue admit cards for the 10th board exam 2025 anytime soon. The matric internal assessment and practical exams will be held from January 21 to 23. The theory paper will be held from February 17 to 25.

The admit cards for the board exam will be uploaded on the official website of the Bihar School Examination Board at biharboardonline.bihar.gov.in from where the principals of the schools will be able to download it by logging in with their user ID and password. After this, the admit card will be stamped and distributed to the students.

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More than 16 lakh students have registered for the Bihar Board 10th exam. A total of 1525 centres will be set up in the state for this exam. the BSEB 10th Board Exam 2025 will be conducted from February 17 to February 25, 2025. Check full date sheet here:

Date Subject (Shift 1- 9:30 AM  12:45 PM) Subject (Shift 2- 2:00 PM  5:15 PM) 17.02.2025 (Monday) Language (Mother Tongue)(101  Hindi, 102  Bengali, 103  Urdu, 104  Maithili) Language (Mother Tongue) (201  Hindi, 202  Bengali, 203  Urdu, 204  Maithili) 18.02.2025 (Tuesday) 110  Mathematics 210  Mathematics 19.02.2025 (Wednesday) Second Indian Language For Hindi speakers: 105  Sanskrit, 107  Arabic, 108  Persian, 109  Bhojpuri or any one subject of other Indian languages (106  Urdu) Second Indian Language For Hindi speakers: 205  Sanskrit, 207  Arabic, 208  Persian, 209  Bhojpuri or any one subject of other Indian languages (206  Urdu) 20.02.2025 (Thursday) 111  Social Science 211  Social Science 21.02.2025 (Friday) 112  Science 212  Science 22.02.2025 (Saturday) 113  English (General) 213  English (General) 24.02.2025 (Monday) Optional Subjects 114  Advanced Mathematics, 115  Economics, 116  Commerce, 121  Persian, 122  Sanskrit, 123  Urdu, 124  Maithili Optional Subjects 214  Advanced Mathematics, 215  Economics, 216  Commerce, 221  Persian, 222  Sanskrit, 223  Urdu, 224  Maithili 25.02.2025 (Tuesday) Vocational Subjects 127  Yoga & Physical Management, 128  Security, 131  Automobile Engineering, 132  Retail & Trade, 133  Healthcare & Wellness, 134  Electrical, 135  IT/ITES

Disabled students will have to apply to the District Education Officer one week before the examination for the facility of a scribe. The Bihar School Committee has said that those disabled candidates who are unable to write will be provided a scribe on request. Along with this, there is also a provision that disabled candidates can also bring their scribe.

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BSEB Intermediate practical from January 10

Bihar Board Intermediate practical will run from January 10 to 20. Admit cards for this have already been issued. Candidates must note that the theory exam of Intermediate will be held from February 1 to 15. According to the official schedule, the exams will be conducted in two shifts  from 9:30 AM to 12:45 PM and from 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 13:25 IST
Haryana Woman Wins 12-Year Battle To Become A Delhi Govt Teacher

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 18:06 IST

Shabana ranked sixth in the DSSSB PGT exam. After a candidate's disqualification, she moved to fifth place. However her appointment was still not confirmed

The court ordered the government to appoint Shabana as a PGT Economics teacher. (Representative/Shutterstock)

It is said that patience and courage can overcome any obstacle. This adage holds true for one determined woman in Delhi who, after a 12-year legal battle, finally realised her dream of becoming a government teacher.

Her battle started back in 2011 when the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Commission (DSSSB) advertised vacancies for Post Graduate Teachers (PGTs). Shabana Parveen, from Haryanas Sonipat applied for the position of PGT Economics. Despite clearing the examination, her appointment was withheld on technical grounds, prompting her to seek legal recourse.

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Shabana secured sixth place in the DSSSB PGT examination. However, the general category had only five vacancies. When one candidates verification revealed discrepancies, leading to disqualification, Shabana moved up to the fifth position. Despite this, her appointment was not confirmed.

Shabana challenged the DSSSBs decision in the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) and emerged victorious. Undeterred, the Delhi government appealed the CATs order in the High Court, further delaying her appointment.

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The Delhi High Court, after hearing Shabanas case, ruled that she was eligible for the position 12 years ago and that the reasons cited for withholding her appointment were invalid.

The court, comprising Justice C Harishankar and Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta, ordered the Delhi government to appoint Shabana as a PGT Economics teacher and provide her with the salary due for the intervening years. Additionally, the court mandated that Shabana be placed on the seniority list according to her original qualification date.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: January 08, 2025, 18:06 IST
Kerala TET 2024 Admit Card Releasing Today At ktet.kerala.gov.in, Steps To Download Here

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 09:45 IST

KTET 2024: The Kerala TET 2024 examination is scheduled conducted on January 18 and 19, 2025.

Kerala TET 2024 admit cards will be available for download on the official website- ktet.kerala.gov.in (Representative Image)

KTET Admit Card 2024: Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan will release the admit cards for the Kerala Teacher Eligibility Test (KTET) today, January 8, 2025. Candidates who registered for the exam can download the hall tickets on the official website of KTET  ktet.kerala.gov.in- by following the simple steps below.

How To Download KTET Hall Ticket 2024?

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Step 1: Visit the official website- ktet.kerala.gov.in

Step 2: On the homepage, click on the KTET Nov 2024 admit card link

Step 3: Now enter your login details like registration ID and password

Step 4: Click on submit button and your KTET 2024 Admit Card will appear on the screen

Step 5: Check the details mentioned on the admit card carefully and download it

Step 6: Take a printout of the exam day

The Kerala TET 2024 examination is scheduled conducted on January 18 and 19, 2025. The exam will held in two shifts each day: the first shift from 10 am to 12.30 pm and the second shift from 2 pm to 4.30 pm. The examination will comprise 150 questions of 1 mark each.

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To qualify for the KTET November 2024 exam, candidates must secure the minimum required marks in each subject according to their category. This includes obtaining a minimum of 40 percent in each subject to be deemed eligible.

The Kerala TET exam is conducted by the Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan for individuals aspiring to become teachers in the state. It assesses candidates skills and competencies to teach in lower primary, upper primary, and secondary schools in Kerala.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 08:27 IST
NEET PG 2024 Result Transparency Case: Supreme Court Postpones Hearing To Jan 21

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 18:14 IST

NEET PG SC Hearing: The Supreme Court has postponed the hearing of result transparency case to January 21, 2025.

The Supreme Court has postponed the hearing to January 21, 2025.(Photo: PTI)

The Supreme Court has postponed the hearing of the NEET PG 2024 result transparency case to January 21, 2025. The hearing was initially scheduled for today, January 8, but the bench of Justices BR Gavai and AG Masih informed the advocates that the case would be addressed next week.

Despite lawyers urging the court to prioritise the case and citing that further delays could affect the students, the bench decided to postpone it.

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Yesterday, while hearing the matter, Justice Gavai said that the court is unlikely to order a new round of counselling. Just ask someone to mention the matter tomorrow. If counselling is over, we will dispose of the matter. Its not that we will order fresh counselling," he said.

NEET PG 2024 result controversy began after the results were announced on August 23, 2024. Students raised concerns about the transparency of the exam process and questioned the practices of the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS).

Recently, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has lowered the qualifying percentile for NEET PG 2024, making it easier for candidates across all categories to participate in the counselling process. This decision, taken by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) in consultation with the National Medical Commission (NMC), brings much-needed relief to aspirants.

Under the new guidelines, general and EWS category candidates now need a percentile of 15, while SC, ST, OBC, and PwD category students must score 10 percentile or higher to be eligible. Previously, the cut-off was 50th for unreserved categories, 45th for PwD candidates, and 40th for reserved category students.

ALSO READ: IIM CAT 2024: Delhi HC Dismisses Plea Challenging Results Over Answer Key Error

Telangana NEET PG 2024 Counselling Registration Opens

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Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences has started the registration for Telangana NEET PG counselling 2024, based on the reduced NEET PG cut-off percentile announced by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). Eligible candidates must submit their application through the official website, knruhs.telangana.gov.in, and upload the necessary documents on tspgmed.tsche.in. The registration will be open from 5 pm today until 6 pm on January 11, 2025.

The provisional final merit list for the applicants will be prepared based on their NEET exam scores and other eligibility requirements. Final verification will be done during the admission process at the assigned college. The notification is for online registration for Competent Authority Quota seats only.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 18:08 IST
New ISRO Chairman V Narayanan: Everything You Need To Know About His Education And Career

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Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 16:15 IST

Narayanan is the alumnus of the prestigious IIT Kharagpur where he earned an MTech degree with first rank.

New ISRO chief V Narayanan's expertise was crucial to missions like Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan. (Screengrab/ANI)

The Indian government appointed Dr V Narayanan as the new head of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), marking a significant milestone in the countrys quest to establish itself as a global space superpower. Narayanan, a seasoned rocket scientist, takes over the helm of ISRO from S Somanath, who has been credited with modernizing the 54-year-old agency and making it more accessible to future generations. Lets take a look at Narayanans education and career as he embarks upon a new journey with ISRO.

A Humble Beginning To Great Achievements

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Dr Narayanan was Born in Melakattuvilai, a village in Kanyakumari district to a modest family. His father, C. Vanniyaperumal, was a farmer, while his mother, S. Thangammal, was a homemaker. Growing up in a rural setting, Narayanan and his siblings studied in a Tamil medium school. It was only when he was in Class IX that his village received its first electricity connection. Despite these humble beginnings, Narayanan excelled in academics, finishing as the topper in his schools Class X exams.

First Rank In IIT Kharagpur

In 1989, Narayanan earned an MTech in cryogenic engineering at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur securing the first rank for which he received a silver medal. He later completed his PhD in aerospace engineering in 2001. His expertise in rocket propulsion, particularly in cryogenic technology, has played a crucial role in several significant ISRO missions, such as Chandrayaan 1, 2, and 3, Mangalyaan (Mars mission), and the ongoing Aditya-L1 mission (studying the sun).

Career Journey At ISRO

Narayanans career at ISRO began on February 1, 1984, when he joined the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) to work on solid propulsion. In 1989, he moved to the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) to focus on cryogenic propulsion, a complex area that would later become his hallmark.

He Parallely completed PhD in Aero Space Engineering from IIT-Kharagpur in 2001. The work carried out as part of the MTech thesis was directly employed in the development of Indian Cryogenic Propulsion Systems and played a pivotal role in making India one of only six countries in the world capable of developing and deploying high-performance cryogenic propulsion systems. This achievement has made India self-reliant in this critical area of space technology.

Narayanan has played a crucial role in shaping ISROs future direction. As the Director of LPSC, he played a significant role in the development of propulsion systems, including semi-cryogenic and electric propulsion technologies. His contributions extend to the creation of the Propulsion Road Map for ISRO, outlining plans for the next two decades (2017-2037).

Medals, Awards And Books

Narayanans exceptional work has earned him numerous accolades, including the Distinguished Alumnus Award from IIT Kharagpur in 2018 and an Honorary Doctorate of Science (D.Sc) from Sathyabama University, Chennai, in 2017.

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He is a fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) and serves as a member of several national and international space and engineering bodies, such as the International Astronautical Federations Space Propulsion Committee.

He has also been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the Silver Medal from IIT Kharagpur for his first rank in MTech, the Gold Medal from the Astronautical Society of India (ASI), and the National Design Award in 2019. Furthermore, Narayanan has published over 1,200 internal reports and 50 journal/conference papers, and contributed to several books.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 15:41 IST
This School In Telangana Operates For Just One Student With One Teacher

Curated By :

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Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 23:23 IST

The only student, a girl in class four, continues her education without disruption at the upper primary school in Wyra mandal.

Govt school in Telangana's Khammam district operates with single student.(Representative/File Photo)

In the small village of Narapanenipalle in Telangana, a nine-year-old girl, Keerthana, is the sole student at her government-run school, making it the only one of its kind in the state. The only school teacher, Uma comes to the school every day just to teach her.

If the school is closed once, it becomes difficult to reopen it for students, so my father decided to let me study here. I will stay here until I complete seventh grade, after which I will go to a hostel for secondary school," Keerthana told BBC.

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The teaching remains the same, whether there are 10 students, 20 students, or just one; however, the burden decreases," said Uma, the sole teacher.

The only student, a girl in class four, attends the upper primary school in Wyra mandal to continue her education without interruption, a district education official told PTI on Wednesday.

The story of the girl recently gained widespread attention on social media. Netizens praised her fathers decision to keep her enrolled, ensuring the school stays open. Some describe her as both fortunate and unfortunatefortunate to have a dedicated personal tutor, yet unfortunate to miss out on the companionship of classmates.

Rising Costs And Low Enrollment: Efforts To Boost Student Intake

The school costs around 12 lakh rupees a year to operate. Fifteen years ago, there were 70 students.

The main reasons for the low enrolment are the increasing preference for private and English medium schools, and parents choosing to enrol their children in state-run social welfare residential schools after class 4," the official said.

Currently, the school is managed by a single teacher, following the required pupil-to-teacher ratio. Efforts are being made to encourage parents to enrol their children for the next academic year, with hopes of admitting at least 25 students.

ALSO READ: Why BIEAP Discontinued AP Inter First Year Exams? Everything You Need To Know

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To attract more students, the school has launched a program called We Can Learn, which focuses on improving English and communication skills.

This initiative is being promoted to boost admissions. Additionally, teachers are receiving training to enhance their skills. We are expecting positive outcomes in terms of admissions," the official added.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 22:56 IST
AAP, Delhi Police Clash Over Denied Entry To CM's House Amid 'Sheesh Mahal' Row

Curated By :

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Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 12:46 IST

The AAP leaders staged a dharna outside the CM residence in Delhi after being denied entry by the police. Sanjay Singh also had a heated exchange with the police personnel.

Politics heats up over 'Sheesh Mahal' in Delhi (Photo: X/BJP)

As Delhi elections are hardly a month away, a massive drama unfolded on Wednesday over Sheesh Mahal, a term coined by the BJP for the Chief Ministers residence, as AAP leaders clashed with the police after being denied entry to the premises.

The AAP and BJP also sparred over the issue which is taking centre stage in the run-up to the Assembly polls in the city slated on February 5.

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As the AAP leaders arrived at the CM residence where the Delhi Police put up barricading, besides heavy security, the police denied them entry which led to a verbal spat.

AAP Dares BJP To Visit CM Residence With Media

This comes after AAP MP Sanjay Singh on Tuesday challenged the BJP to visit the CMs residence along with the media personnel, after the BJP levelled several allegations on the AAP over alleged misuse of public money in the construction of a luxurious residence for Kejriwal, the then-Delhi CM.

The BJP has accused Arvind Kejriwal of spending an extravagant sum exceeding Rs 40 crore on renovating the Chief Ministers official residence  an allegation the AAP has vehemently refuted. The AAP leaders dared the BJP to inspect the residence and substantiate their claims of excessive expenditure.

AAP announced that its leaders, accompanied by the media, would visit the Civil Lines bungalow to address the allegations and then proceed to the Prime Ministers residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, to highlight the renovations carried out there.

AAP Leaders Denied Entry To Delhi CMs Residence

As Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj and MP Sanjay Singh arrived at the residence, they entered into a heated exchange with police personnel deployed outside the house after being denied permission to enter the premises.

Im an MP, he is a minister, and youre stopping us? Under which law are you stopping us?" Singh is heard asking the police personnel.

#WATCH | Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj and AAP MP Sanjay Singh enter into a heated exchange with Police personnel deployed outside the CMs residence where a Police barricading has been put up and heavy security has been deployed. pic.twitter.com/IfmRDm9e05 ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2025

PWD Urges Police Not To Allow Entry To CM House: Sources

According to Delhi Police sources, PWD has urged the police via a letter not to allow anyone, including the AAP leaders, to enter the property.

A PWD official also reached the spot and requested Sanjay Singh and Saurabh Bharadwaj not to enter the premises.

Both the AAP leaders sat on a dharna for some time and then moved towards Lok Kalyan Marg.

Let Public See Both CM And PM Houses: Saurabh Bharadwaj

Speaking to the media, Bharadwaj said that the BJP which sent videos and photos of the new CMs residence on a daily basis is now running away".

A three-layer barricading has been put up. They have also put up water cannons and deployed Additional DCP here. This has been turned into a border so that the media cant go in. Show us where the swimming pool and bar are," he said.

BJP says that the CMs residence was built for Rs 33 Crores. It is also being said that PM house is being built for Rs 2700 Crores. We will see both the CM residence and the PM house. Let the public see both," the Minister added.

BJP Reiterates Its Sheesh Mahal Charge

The Delhi BJP shared a video of the CM residence and questioned where the money for the luxurious renovation came from. The party claimed that there is a mini-bar" inside the building, a charge that the AAP has strongly rejected.

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          ?                         :                    pic.twitter.com/q0FXXwyvvf  BJP Delhi (@BJP4Delhi) January 8, 2025

Delhi will go to Assembly polls on February 5 and the counting of votes will be done on February 8.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 12:02 IST
Delhi Polls: Congress Promises Rs 25 Lakh Health Cover Under 'Jeevan Raksha Yojana'

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 18:06 IST

Senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot said the proposed scheme would be a game-changer.

Former Rajasthan CM and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot (File Photo)

The Congress on Wednesday promised a "Jeevan Raksha Yojana" for free health insurance of up to Rs 25 lakh if voted to power in Delhi.

Senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot said the proposed scheme would be a game-changer.

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"The chances of the Congress forming the government in Delhi are increasing. I believe this is also necessary for the country," he said.

Gehlot also highlighted that the proposed scheme reflected the partys commitment to addressing Delhi residents healthcare needs.

The partys campaign slogan "Hogi Har Zarurat Puri, Congress Hai Zaroori" was prominently displayed during the announcement, highlighting the Congresss "promise" of ensuring essential services for all.

Gehlot said the proposed scheme aimed at providing comprehensive health coverage to families, covering medical expenses for critical illnesses, hospitalisations, and treatments.

"Congress is the party which has kept this country united till date. We believe that the Congress takes along all the castes and religions," he stated.

This health scheme was very successful in Rajasthan and it will be successful in Delhi also. This is a universal scheme which will be for all the people of Delhi, he said.

"I believe that you can win elections by polarisation, but cannot run the country or develop it. Bringing back Congress in Delhi is very important. Sheila Dikshit gave excellent governance and the modern Delhi. We would like to bring that era back in the national capital," Gehlot said.

Delhi Congress chief Devender Yadav said that after the success of the scheme in Rajasthan, Delhi also needed it.

"I am proud of the fact that Gehlot launched this scheme in Rajasthan by the name of Chiranjeevi and after its tremendous success there, we realised that the Delhi also needed it so that the people would get proper treatment here," Yadav added.

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On Monday, Congress announced Pyaari Didi Yojana, promising a monthly financial assistance of Rs 2,500 to women if voted to power in the national capital.

Polling for the 70-member Delhi assembly will be held on February 5 and votes counted on February 8.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 18:06 IST
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 8. The Western Azerbaijan Community has expressed gratitude to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, for his support for the peaceful, safe, and dignified return of Western Azerbaijanis to their ancestral lands, as stated in his interview with local television channels on January 7, 2025, Trend reports.

The recent statement issued by the community reads:

"We also fully support President Ilham Aliyevs vision for regional peace and security.

The ideology of racial discrimination and radical nationalism, which dominates Armenia's political circles, poses the greatest threat to human rights and peace. Recently circulated footage of a 1993 speech by Armenia's first president, Levon Ter-Petrosyan, where he hailed "the complete cleansing of Armenia and Karabakh from other nations" as a historical achievement, along with the racist remarks by Armenia's second president, Robert Kocharyan, who stated from an international platform that "Azerbaijanis and Armenians are ethnically incompatible," and Armenia's third president Serzh Sargsyan's statement that his party draws inspiration from the racist ideology of "Tseghakronism" rooted in the fascist Garegin Nzhdeh, all reflect the core of Armenia's state policy.

The Western Azerbaijan Community shares President Ilham Aliyev's concerns about Armenia's policy of massive militarization and supports his demand for the official government of Armenia to cease its armament activities. "Armenia, a country with an aggressive past, dominated by racist and revisionist ideologies, is incapable of responsibly handling military power, and its arming efforts are unacceptable," the statement emphasizes.

We fully share the concerns expressed by President Ilham Aliyev regarding Armenias extensive militarization and strongly support his demand for the official government of Yerevan to cease its armament activities," the statement emphasizes. Armenia, with its aggressive history and dominance of racist and revanchist ideologies, is incapable of handling military power responsibly, and its ongoing militarization is unacceptable.

The policy of Armenia, grounded in the complete denial of the historical injustice committed against Western Azerbaijanis, lacks a future. We demand the Armenian government to formally apologize for the deportation of Western Azerbaijanis, engage in dialogue with the Western Azerbaijan Community, establish conditions for their return, put an end to the destruction and distortion of Azerbaijani cultural heritage, halt the armament process, and open communication channels in line with their international obligations."
News18 Pulse: One Nation, One Election | 80% Respondents Feel ONOE Will Make Day-To-Day Life Easier

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 16:16 IST

While 90 per cent people in North India believe One Nation One Election will make day to day life easy, at least 24.4 per cent in South India feel that may not be the case, as per the News18 survey.

With elections once in 5 years, a majority of people believe this will reduce disruptions to day-to-day life. (Image: PTI/File)

The One Nation One Election Bill is with the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) which met for the first time on Wednesday after the legislation was introduced in Parliament. According to News18 Pulse, over 80 per cent people surveyed believe that having fewer elections can ease daily life with lesser disruptions.

It has been observed how every time elections take place, rallies lead to traffic woes for locals and schools and offices are shut for a couple of days for polling. However, with elections once in 5 years, a majority of people believe this will reduce disruptions to day-to-day life.

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While 90 per cent people in North India believe One Nation One Election will make day to day life easy, at least 24.4 per cent in South India feel that may not be the case, as per the News18 survey. The ONOE Bill has gotten thumbs up for making daily life easy from 87.4 per cent people in Central India, 85.4 per cent in East India, 90 per cent in North India, 90 per cent in North India, 78.1 per cent from North East India, 67.5 per cent in South India and 72.6 per cent in West India.

Overall, only 13.2 per cent people say that ONOE will lead to lesser disruptions in day to day life while 6 per cent said they were not sure whether or not that may happen.

All Central East North North East South West Base 4573 508 713 1270 602 911 569 % % % % % % % Yes 80.8 87.4 85.4 90.0 78.1 67.5 72.6 No 13.2 9.1 12.5 5.7 13.6 24.4 16.3 I am not sure about this 6.0 3.5 2.1 4.3 8.3 8.1 11.1

According to the survey, the ONOE proposal enjoys strong overall support across states with 80.1 per cent backing the idea nationally. The support for ONOE is especially strong in Central, East, and North regions while it is relatively lower in the South, West and North East.

News18 conducted an India-wide survey on ONOP between December 23 and December 31, 2024. A total of 4,573 respondents were interviewed across 29 states and UTs of India. Out of those interviewed, 86.5 per cent were Hindus. While 66.1 per cent were urban respondents, 33.9 per cent were rural. Meanwhile, 73.7 per cent surveyed were males while 26.3 per cent were females.

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The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill were introduced in the Lok Sabha during the Winter Session and referred to the JPC.

The 39-member JPC is headed by BJP MP and former minister of state for law, PP Chaudhary. The panel also includes Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of the Congress, Sanjay Jha of the JD(U), Shiv Senas Shrikant Shinde, AAPs Sanjay Singh, and TMCs Kalyan Banerjee.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 12:45 IST
'Seeking To Build Larger Consensus': Debate On Merits Of One Nation One Election At First JPC Meet

Reported By :

News18.com

Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 19:15 IST

Both the ruling and opposition sides, however, agreed that 'One Nation One Election' needs wider discussion and more time must be allotted to the committee, a request that has been conveyed to the chairperson

Chairperson PP Chaudhary (R) looks on as BJP MP Baijayant Panda speaks during the first meeting of the JPC on 'One Nation One Election' Bill, on January 8. (Image: News18/video grab)

The ruling and opposition sides on Wednesday debated the merits of the One Nation One Election Bill, referred for scrutiny, in the first meeting of the joint parliamentary committee. They, however, agreed that the matter needs wider discussion and more time must be allotted to the committee, a request that has been conveyed to the chairperson.

Senior officials of the ministry of law and justice, including the law secretary, made a brief presentation before the committee on the finer points of the Bill. They explained the entire history of the legislation, right from the 1950s and the transformation it has undergone since. They also spoke about the salient points on the basis of which the Centre has come up with the Bill.

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After the presentation, members from different political parties spoke on it. Earlier, speaking on its importance and how it will help India, committee chairman PP Chaudhary told CNN-News18: I am looking for suggestions because they will only help us build a larger consensus. The Prime Minister has always wanted to see such legislation pass only through wide discussion and debate."

ALSO READ | News18 Pulse: One Nation, One Election | What Are The Key Findings Of This Significant Survey?

WHAT DID THE OPPOSITION SAY?

Talking about the legislation during the meeting, Congress MP Manish Tewari called it a violation of the principles of the Constitution. Echoing the same sentiment was Dharmendra Yadav of the Samajwadi Party (SP), who argued that this Bill was against the underprivileged and minorities.

According to sources, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee, often known to speak his mind, once again argued that the Bill is against the basic federal structure of the country. It has been learnt that he has asked the government to respond if curtailing poll expenses was more important than curbing the peoples powers by snatching away their democratic right to vote.

First-time MP from Wayanad, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra spoke in the meeting asking for an explanation on how expenses will be cut down with the new legislation. She argued that the figures discussed by the government in its presentation made a reference to the parliamentary committee findings before 2004, while the electronic voting machine (EVM) was introduced only after this year, which meant that expenses were reduced. So, she has asked the government to respond to how it will justify post-2004 expenses and their further reduction.

ALSO READ | News18 Pulse: One Nation, One Election | 55.9% Say National, State Polls On Same Day Wont Confuse Voters

The YSRCP, speaking on the merits of the Bill, said it will in principle support its implementation only if elections take place on a ballot as the public does not trust EVMs as much. The party argued that these elections will reduce the power and mandate of regional parties, and only make the national parties stronger. They also said through this process, whether the country saves money or not, big political parties will certainly save up. It has also asked the government to explain if it is trying to take the country into a presidential style of election in future.

Another regional party from the south, the DMK said this bill will restrict the federal structure and reduce the power of state governments. They have asked the committee to consider a wider view, and proposed that meetings should not be restricted to the four walls of Parliament but be passed onto the public domain as they are the stakeholders.

WHAT DID THE NDA MEMBERS SAY?

The BJP, however, expressed support for the Bill calling it a landmark reform. Sources said BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj echoed these sentiments in the meeting.

Another BJP MP asked why there had been no explanation on the violation of constitutional framework when, in 1957, a number of assembly terms were curtailed and simultaneous elections were held. The MP said back then, Jawaharlal Nehru was the Prime Minister and Dr Rajendra Prasad the President and the head of the Constituent Assembly.

ALSO READ | News18 Pulse: One Nation, One Election | 69.9% Respondents Say ONOP Will Strengthen Indias Democracy

A member of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the Shiv Sena said it is important for all parties to consider the implication of the repeated imposition of the model code of conduct. The party gave the example of Maharashtra, where the assembly elections took place within three months of the Lok Sabha elections.

A Sena MP said there are a series of local body elections that will take place in the coming months and, with this kind of schedule, it will be difficult for any government to take regular cabinet decisions and ensure they are implemented.

The Janata Dal (United), part of the NDA, further said it is important to hold these elections, so that the focus remains on governance. But, it also wanted a response from the Centre about the proposal on the number of times the no-confidence motion can be brought, and if it will be reduced as well as curtail the right of a member to bring it.

At the end of the meeting, all members cutting across party lines, requested Chaudhary to convey to the Lok Sabha Speaker that the committees term needs to be extended. As of now, the mandate of the committee is to submit a report by the last week of the upcoming budget session of Parliament.

Barring a couple of members, most were present for the meeting. Two had communicated that they will not be available, including Dr CM Ramesh from the BJP and Shambhavi Choudhary from the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP). Busy with the upcoming Delhi assembly elections and poll-related duties, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh was also absent.

ALSO READ | News18 Pulse: One Nation, One Election | 72.1% Respondents Say Simultaneous Polls Would Boost Voter Turnout

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Among those who were present included Priyanka Gandhi along with party members Manish Tewari, Mukul Wasnik and Randeep Surjewala. From the BJP side, former union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur, Bhartruhari Mahtab, Dr Sambit Patra, Bansuri Swaraj, BD Sharma and Sanjay Jaiswal were present.

From other parties, NCP MP Supriya Sule, Dr Shrikant Shinde of the Shiv Sena and Anil Desai of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena were also present. Among NDA allies, Sanjay Jha of the JD(U) and Harish Balayogi from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) were in attendance. Dharmendra Yadav of the SP and Chote Lal were both present, along with Kalyan Banerjee of the TMC.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 19:02 IST
Why Is Trump Threatening To Take Greenland, Panama Canal, Canada? His Imperialist Agenda Explained

Curated By :

News18.com

Edited By: Shilpy Bisht



Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 10:29 IST

Donald Trump said at a press conference in Florida that both Panama Canal and Greenland are important for Americas national security, and hasnt ruled out the use of military to acquire them. He also said he would apply economic force on Canada to become the... Read More

Donald Trump has criticised American spending on Canadian goods and military support for Canada, saying the US derives no benefits from it. (AP Image)

US President-elect Donald Trump has ratcheted up threats on Panama and Greenland as part of his broader expansionist agenda, which he has promoted during elections. Not just that, Trump has also floated the idea of merging Canada with the US as its 51st state.

Trump reiterated his stand why both Panama and Greenland are important for American national security, and said he wont rule out using military or economic force in order to take over the autonomous Danish territory or Panama Canal.

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I can say this, we need them for economic security," he told reporters during a wide-ranging news conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Tuesday.

Both Panama Canal and Denmark have rejected any suggestion that they would give up their territory.

Meanwhile, Trump criticised American spending on Canadian goods and military support for Canada, saying the US derives no benefits from doing so, and called the border between the two countries an artificially drawn line".

In response to Trump, Justin Trudeau wrote on X, There isnt a snowballs chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States."

How Trump Wants To Carry Out His Expansionist Agenda

Trump said he would apply economic force" on Canada to become the 51st state of the US. Canada, dont take our cars, our farm products, anything, so we wont take their products either. We basically protect Canada. We are spending hundreds of billions a year to take care of Canada. We lose in trade deficits You know, they make 20% of our cars. We dont need that. Id rather make them in Detroit," Trump said.

Trump criticised Mexico for exploiting the US in trade and pointed out violence tied to drug gangs. We have a massive deficit with Mexico, and we help Mexico a lot. Theyre essentially run by the cartels were going to be announcing a future date. Pretty soon were going to change because we do most of the work there, and its ours," he said.

He said he wants to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. Were going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, which has a beautiful ring. That covers a lot of territory, the Gulf of America  what a beautiful name. And its appropriate," Trump said. The petroleum-rich body of water is the worlds ninth-largest, and has been identified on maps as the Gulf of Mexico since the 1500.

In November, Trump had announced that he planned to impose 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods upon taking office unless both nations address the flow of migrants and drugs into the US.

He has suggested imposing tariffs on Denmark if it resists his offer to purchase Greenland. His son, Don Junior, is in Greenland for a private visit.

How Canada Is US Natural Trading Partner

Canada has outgrown many of its protectionist roots and is now a trading nation. Despite having only 0.5% of the worlds population, Canada has 2.2% of the total of world trade. Exports of goods support one out of every six Canadian jobs.

While the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) and its predecessor, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), grabbed worlds attention, Canada has a total of 15 free-trade agreements covering 61% of world GDP, providing Canadian companies with access to 1.5 billion consumers worldwide, according to a report by The Conversation.

The US makes for a natural trading partner, given its large market and close proximity to Canada. The two countries share similar cultural norms and legal systems, and the same time zones and existing infrastructure, including ports, railways and bridges.

A Canadian Senate report on Canadas free-trade agreement with Europe notes that European companies have easier access to some Canadian markets than Canadian companies from another province."

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB),however, has said its easier to do business in the US than in another part of Canada."

How Panama Canal Became Important?

The Panama Canal is the umbilical cord that ties North and South America together. Although the canal is a mere 82 km in length, the width of the country of Panama at one of its narrowest points. It is among the most iconic pieces of infrastructure in the world, and was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers.

When the Panama Canal opened in 1914, it stood as a testament to human innovation. However, its creation was not without controversy. The US initially supported Panamas independence from Colombia to secure the rights to build the canal.

The Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty granted the US control over the Panama Canal Zone, a move that sparked resentment among Panamanians for decades.

The US accounts for about 75% of the canals traffic, with China ranking as the second-largest user.

The Panama Canal finished the 2020 with $3.4 billion in revenues, up 7.2% on the 2019 fiscal year. In 2020, the canals direct contribution to Panamas national nominal GDP was 2.7%. Transits across the canal totalled 13,369 in the 2020 fiscal year, a 3% drop on the previous year. It is widely believed that the Covid-19 pandemic contributed to this dip. Its tonnage for the 2020 fiscal year was 475.2 million.

But the canal has faced several challenges over the years, including severe droughts. In 2023, low water levels forced administrators to reduce daily ship transits and raise tolls, leading to supply chain disruptions.

Why Is Trump Interested In Greenland?

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?

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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.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 10:20 IST
52-Kg Suitcase Sparks Interest As MPs Weigh In On 'One Nation, One Election' At First JPC Meet

Reported By :

CNN-News18

Edited By: Pathikrit Sen Gupta



Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 20:36 IST

Officials present for the meeting informed the media that this suitcase had documents that the MPs could refer to for their study of the proposal

Sambit Patra, a member of Parliament from the BJP, lifted the bag and walked down the stairs, despite its weight. Image/News18

The first meeting of the joint parliamentary committee (JPC) on the One Nation, One Election plan took place in Parliament on Wednesday in the presence of 37 out of the 39 MPs in the panel.

A detailed presentation was made by officials of the ministry of law and justice, led by the law secretary himself.

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However, what drew everyones attention outside the committee room, where the meeting was taking place, was a large suitcase. This was being handed over to all the MPs as they stepped out of the meeting.

Upon further enquiry, it was revealed that the suitcase contained very important documentation.

This suitcase weighed a whopping 52 kg and is expected to be of great use to the members of Parliament on the committee.

The next question was what did the suitcase really contain? Officials present for the meeting informed the media that this suitcase had documents that the MPs could refer to for their study of the proposal.

There are 23 volumes of documents that are enclosed in the suitcase, which includes 21 annexures of the report of the high-powered committee led by former President of India Ram Nath Kovind. The remaining two documents are the reports of the committee in English and Hindi," an official told CNN-News18.

The 52 kg of documentation also includes material for the reference of the members, mentioning all the reports of the Law Commission and various court cases and references on the matter to date. In all, the documentation comprises 18,000 pages.

Meanwhile, the presentation made by law secretary Rajiv Mani was a crisp one. The law ministry briefed about three important things, including the background of the subject, the rationale behind bringing such legislation, and the proposals in the bills, which the committee is to examine," another official told CNN-News18.

While many MPs were spirited enough to carry the bag themselves up to their cars, it was interesting to see Dr Sambit Patra, a member of Parliament from the BJP, lift the bag and walk down the stairs, despite its weight, while some other members decided to take the lift to the ground floor so that they could go to their vehicles, and then others handed over the suitcase to their assistants to be taken to their cars.

The 39-member JPC is headed by BJP MP PP Chaudhary and includes members of all major parties, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of the Congress, Sanjay Jha of the JD(U), Shiv Senas Shrikant Shinde, AAPs Sanjay Singh, and TMCs Kalyan Banerjee.

The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill were introduced in the Lok Sabha during the winter session and referred to the committee.

The Constitution (129th) Amendment Bill, 2024, says there is an imperative need for holding simultaneous elections for various reasons, as polls have become expensive and time-consuming.

The bill proposes to insert a new article 82Asimultaneous elections to the House of the People (Lok Sabha) and all Legislative Assembliesand to amend Article 83 (Duration of Houses of Parliament), Article 172 (Duration of State Legislatures), and Article 327 (power of Parliament to make provision with respect to elections to legislatures).

The bill also provides that after its enactment, a notification is to be issued by the President on the date of the first sitting of the Lok Sabha after a general election, and that date of the notification will be called the appointed date. The tenure of the Lok Sabha will be five years from that appointed date.

The tenure of all state assemblies, constituted by elections to the legislative assemblies after the appointed date and before the expiry of the full term of the House of the People, shall come to an end on the expiry of the full term of the Lok Sabha.

Opposition parties have raised concerns over the bills while ruling NDA leaders say the burden on the exchequer will be lessened. Opposition MPs have questioned if the country is logistically ready to hold simultaneous elections, pointing out that recent polls in Maharashtra and Jharkhand could not be held together with those in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir.

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During the consultation process on the issue, 32 political parties supported the idea while 15 did not, according to former President Ram Nath Kovind, who headed the high-level committee that studied the proposal.

In the middle of a very serious discussion that was happening about the bill on Wednesday, where both the opposition and the ruling side argued their points in support of or opposing the legislation, this suitcase created a moment where everybody exchanged smiles and cracked jokes.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 20:31 IST
India Extends Sheikh Hasinas Visa Amid Calls For Her Extradition From Dhaka

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 13:43 IST

The development comes a day after the interim government of Bangladesh revoked Sheikh Hasinas passport

Sheikh Hasina is currently residing in New Delhi following her ouster in August last year. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

India has extended former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas visa amid growing calls for her extradition from Dhaka.

The development comes a day after Bangladeshs interim government said it had revoked the passport of the ousted PM and 96 others over their alleged involvement in enforced disappearances and the July killings.

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Hasina, 77, has been living in India since August 5 last year 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". ICT has set the deadline for February 12.

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Last month, the Yusuf government sent a diplomatic note urging India to send the deposed PM.

Addressing a press briefing, Chief Advisers Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder said, The Passports Department cancelled passports of 22 people involved in enforced disappearances, while passports of 75 people, including Sheikh Hasina, were revoked due to their involvement in the July killings." He, however, did not reveal the names of the remaining individuals whose passports were cancelled, the state-run BSS news agency reported.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 13:35 IST
Calling A Woman's Body 'Fine' Is Sexual Harassment: Kerala High Court

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 18:24 IST

The court reasoned that sexually suggestive comments amounts to harassment under Section 354A of the IPC. It also added that repeated, unwanted calls, messages, or emails are considered offenses under Section 120 of the Kerala Police Act

The court emphasised that any man making sexually suggestive comments to a woman is guilty of sexual harassment. (Representative/Shutterstock)

Commenting on a womans physique with the word fine could now be considered sexual harassment. On Monday (January 6), the Kerala High Court ruled that such a remark constitutes sexual harassment at first sight. The Court upheld an FIR against a petitioner accused of this behaviour.

Kerala High Court Justice A. Badruddin declined to quash the criminal proceedings against the petitioner, who was accused under Sections 354A (1) (iv), 509 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and Section 120 of the Kerala Police Act, 2011.

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Section 354A classifies sexually indecent remarks as sexual harassment, while Section 509 addresses acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman. Section 120 of the Kerala Police Act outlines punishments for creating a nuisance and disturbing public order.

What is the case?

According to Live Law, a woman claimed that while she was working in the electrical section of Kerala State Electricity Board Limited, the accused looked at her and commented fine, which she interpreted as a remark on her figure.

She felt his comment was sexually suggestive and that he was harassing her. The woman also alleged that the accused sent her messages containing sexual innuendo.

What argument did the accused give?

The accused countered the allegations, arguing that complimenting someones physique is not sexual harassment and therefore cannot be an offence under Section 354A (1) (iv) or 509 of the IPC or the provisions of the Kerala Police Act.

The High Court then reviewed these offences in detail. Citing its previous judgement in XXXX vs State of Kerala (2024), which addressed offences under Section 509, the court stated, If anyone says anything, makes a sound, gestures or shows anything with the intention of insulting a woman or intruding into her privacy, then it would be an offence under Section 509 of the IPC. Looking at the allegations of the prosecution, the aspects of the crime under Section 509 of the IPC are prima facie made out."

Why did the court consider it a crime

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Regarding Section 354A, the court emphasised that any man making sexually suggestive comments to a woman is guilty of sexual harassment. The court rejected the petitioners argument, stating, After looking at the facts of the case, it is clear that the prosecutions case, at first sight, supports the alleged offences."

Furthermore, the court clarified that under Section 120, any act causing inconvenience or annoyance through repeated, unsolicited, or anonymous calls, letters, writings, messages, emails, or any other means of communication would be considered an offence. The court deemed this section entirely applicable to the facts of the case.

Location : Kerala, India

First Published: January 08, 2025, 18:24 IST
CJI Sanjiv Khanna Organises First-of-its-Kind Weekend Retreat For SC Judges In Vishakhapatnam

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 23:47 IST

Scheduled for January 11-12, the trip aims to provide the judges with a refreshing break from the demanding judicial environment

Supreme Court of India. (File Photo)

In a rare and first of its kind initiative, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna has organised a weekend retreat for 25 Supreme Court judges and their spouses to Vishakhapatnam and the nearby scenic Araku Valley.

Scheduled for January 11-12, the trip aims to provide the judges with a refreshing break from the demanding judicial environment, sources said.

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Sources close to the CJIs office told PTI that the gathering will be a purely personal affair, devoid of official discussions.

This is about spending quality time with family. Judges will be accompanied by their spouses, but their children will not be joining," a court official said.

Out of the top five judges of the apex court, namely Justices Sanjiv Khanna, B R Gavai, Surya Kant, Hrishikesh Roy and Abhay S Oka, only Justice Oka will not be able to attend this outing due to his prior commitment elsewhere, the sources said.

The judges and their spouses will travel using the Leave Travel Concession (LTC) allowance or spend their own money for the travel, they said.

Sources revealed that Chief Justice Khanna initiated the idea, seeking a break from Delhis stress. He consulted other senior judges who supported the plan. It was decided that the judges will themselves fund the trip.

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The get-together will be a family retreat or in the words of the court official family time".

This initiative reflects Chief Justice Khannas innovative approach to fostering efficiency among the judges, the sources said.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 23:21 IST
HMPV Not The Next Covid-19, But Caution Is Advised, Warns Top Virologist

Reported By :

News18.com

Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 20:57 IST

Dr Saumitra Das said HMPV infection starts with common cold-like symptoms and if it becomes severe in bodies with weak immunity, it might lead to bronchiolitis. In some cases, it may cause pneumonia in older patients or infants

HMPV Cases In India: Cases have also been reported in Malaysia and Hong Kong while Japan said that it is closely monitoring the situation.

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is not comparable to coronavirus, but it is wise to handle it cautiously, the countrys top virologist, Dr Saumitra Das, told News18.

HMPV is not novel and hence, there is no reason to panic," Das, professor and chair at the Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, told News18.

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This is the first time after 2001 that the virus has led to an outbreak, if any, in China. It was first found in 2001 in an infant patient as it causes respiratory illness. Since then, it has been monitored, and it never really had an outbreak until now, as reported by China."

Das explained that HMPV infection will first start with common-cold-like symptoms. Then ultimately, if it becomes severe in bodies with weak immunity, it might lead to bronchiolitis. In some cases, it may cause pneumonia in older patients or infants. Hence, people need to be on alert even if HMPV cannot be equated with SARS-CoV-2".

HMPV is not as harsh as SARS-CoV-2", he reiterated, adding that the latest virus doesnt pose Covid-19 kind of threat at this moment but in some cases, it causes illnesses similar to influenza-like illness (ILI) or severe acute respiratory infections (SARI)". However, the treatment is mostly symptomatic at the initial stages."

Das highlighted that despite the weak character of the virus, people need to protect infants, young kids, elderly and immunocompromised people".

Das is also co-chair of INSACOGs advisory board. He believes that India can ramp up surveillance against human metapneumovirus (HMPV) using the INSACOG networks established for coronavirus genome sequencing, whenever required.

The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium, or INSACOG, is a group of over 50 laboratories to monitor genomic variations in the Covid-19 virus. Genome sequencing is a technique used to identify and understand the characteristics of new virus strains.

New Year Revelry To Blame?

Das, who specialised in molecular virology and biology, recalled the appearance of new pathogens or variants during the same time in the last few years.

Its not a new phenomenon that occurs every festive season. We experienced the outbreak of Covid-19 during the same time. The reason is simple: During Christmas and New Years Eve, a lot of mixing of people takes place, and people unintentionally end up spreading cold and flu."

Hence, we need to take learnings and apply caution during this time of the year.

If we catch a cold  which could be Covid-19, HMPV, or some other virus  we need to be more careful. Instead of spreading it to others, we need to handle it alone. This breaks the chain of passing the infection. Those affected should try to wear a mask. This will protect the vulnerable."

Surveillance Mechanisms

Das said: The Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) network in India and ICMR centres are already conducting routine surveillance for all respiratory viruses."

At this moment, he said, I dont think sequencing of HMPV is necessary. Currently, HMPV has two major genotypes  genotype A and genotype B, and within those, they have A1, A2, and B1, B2".

Some reports are indicating that in India, we have genotype A 2.2.1 and genotype A 2.2.2. I am not sure how often these are actually found in our populations, and that needs to be checked. If required, we have the INSACOG network that can be activated with the appropriate authoritys approval."

Das suggested that sewage surveillance can also be scaled up to detect the presence of HMPV, if necessary.

Other detection methods are already in place, such as RT-PCR and ELISA testing, and these can continue until the need for sequencing arises."

When asked if any of the known strains are slightly more lethal than others, Das said I am not aware of any such variants that are more lethal in terms of infectivity. SARS-CoV-2 had much higher infectivity than HMPV at any given point."

Status of Covid-19 in India

Right now, there are only four active cases of Covid-19 in India, the virologist said.

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For most cases, we need not worry because Covid-19 has become like another flu-like disease. People now know how to handle it and hence, they are not coming out for diagnosis. Unless they come out for diagnosis, there is no way we can understand the actual status of Covid-19 in India."

Routine surveillance is ongoing, and international travellers are randomly checked  around 2 per cent. The majority of the population is vaccinated, and we dont expect Covid-19 to cause severe disease anymore. Infections will happen but wont cause significant damage."

First Published: January 08, 2025, 11:43 IST
How Bijapur Attack Snatched Away Ex-Maoist Couples Happily Ever After

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 18:53 IST

Somdu Vatti was a surrendered Maoist who had joined the DRG -- the special force of Chhattisgarh police that utilised the experience of former Naxals

Somdu Vatti's widow Jogi with the family. (News18)

Nuni khana khaa li? (Has our daughter eaten?)" These last words of her husband are what Jogi Vatti keeps repeating. Saddling her one-year-old son and three-year-old daughter at Katekalyans Bandipara panchayat in Parcheli village, Jogi is uncertain about her future. Her husband had promised to come back home on Monday, instead, his dead body arrived.

Jogi, a former CPI Maoist member, became a homemaker four years ago. She had hoped for a life away from bullets and violence until destiny unveiled its brutal plans. Jogis husband, Somdu Vatti, was ripped apart as an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded below the vehicle he was travelling in. Somdu was one of the eight District Reserve Guard (DRG) jawans who were killed in Bijapur on Monday.

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Somdu was a surrendered Maoist who had joined the DRG  the special force of Chhattisgarh police that utilised the experience of former Naxals. His family members recall that even as a young boy, Somdu was not interested in studies. He ran away from the hostel in class 1 or 2," his brother Mahender, who went to the same government-run school-cum-hostel, said. He then took to farming for a few years before going to Andhra Pradesh to work as a labourer," he said.

Soon the police were looking out for Maoist Somdu. Did he get influenced to join them while in Maoist hotbed Andhra? The family isnt sure, but the belief in Katekalyan is that love was the motivation for Somdu to give up arms.

As per Dantewada administration officials, Somdu and Jogi wanted to get married and start a life together, which is why the two surrendered. The CPI Maoist does not allow family life or marriage for its cadre.

Mahender told News18 that the two got married in Dantewada soon after their surrender. In 2017, he joined the Maoists. Around 2021, he was picked up (by police). He later gave up arms. They got married in Dantewada and then came to our village together," Mahender said.

Jogi is not in a position to recall her love story. All she can mumble is the hardships of jungle life. It was very tough. Getting regular meals in the jungle is also difficult," the tribal from Sukma said.

Jogi never went to school. In the jungle, she says she never picked up a rifle, but was part of the Janatana Sarkar volunteers.

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Her life in the police quarters of Dantewada, post surrender, gave her hope of education for her children. Now, with her husband dead, uncertainty, fear of violence and Maoists loom large. Jungle walon se dar lagta hai. Hum wapas Dantewada chale jayenge," she said.

The love of her life dead, the mother of twos only hope is that the government will find her a job and give her children an honest chance at life.

Location : Chhattisgarh, India

First Published: January 08, 2025, 18:53 IST
One Body Recovered From Inundated Coal Mine In Assam As Rescue Ops Continue

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 10:05 IST

A team of navy, army, NDRF and SDRF personnel is carrying out the rescue operation for workers trapped inside a mine in the Assam Coal Quarry in Dima Hasao.

Assam coal mine rescue operation (PTI Image)

One body was recovered from an inundated coal mine in Assams Dima Hasao, two days after water flooded the site, trapping nine workers, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Wednesday.

21 Para divers have just recovered a lifeless body from the bottom of the well. Our thoughts and prayers are with the grieving family," CM Sarma tweeted.

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#WATCH | UPDATE | Dima Hasao, Assam: One body recovered from the coal mine at 3 Kilo, Umrangso area where 9 people were trapped on January 6. Search and rescue operation is still underway. pic.twitter.com/q4KvJQjQvJ ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2025

He said that the rescue operation was underway in full swing with the Army and NDRF having already entered the well.

Navy personnel are on-site, making final preparations to dive in after them. Meanwhile, SDRF de-watering pumps have departed from Umrangshu for the location. Additionally, the ONGC de-watering pump has been loaded onto an MI-17 helicopter at Kumbhigram, awaiting weather clearance for deployment," the Chief Minister informed.

21 Para divers have just recovered a lifeless body from the bottom of the well. Our thoughts and prayers are with the grieving family. https://t.co/y9bUP6tn4H Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) January 8, 2025

He had earlier said that mine appears to be illegal" and a person was arrested in connection with the incident.

The labourers were trapped inside the coal mine on Monday after a sudden gush of water flooded the site.

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The Chief Minister said that a case has been registered in connection with the incident.

The police have registered an FIR under Umrangso PS Case No: 02/2025, citing Sections 3(5)/105 BNS, r/w Section 21(1) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, to investigate the incident. Prima facie, it appears to be an illegal mine. One Punish Nunisa has been arrested in connection with the case," the chief minister had posted on X.

Location : Guwahati [Gauhati], India

First Published: January 08, 2025, 09:26 IST
Photo: Press service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 8. On January 8, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Magdalena Grono, the European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus, Trend reports.

Magdalena Grono expressed her gratitude to the head of state for the reception in her new position.

She extended her deepest condolences regarding the plane crash and expressed hope that all causes of the accident would be thoroughly investigated.

Magdalena Grono described Azerbaijan as an important partner of the European Union, highlighting the EUs interest in ensuring lasting stability in the South Caucasus region.

Grono emphasized Azerbaijans significance in the regional and broader context and underscored the importance of dialogue between the European Union and Azerbaijan in this regard. She also praised Azerbaijans substantial contribution to Europe's energy security and stressed the importance of energy cooperation.

President Ilham Aliyev noted that cooperation between Azerbaijan and the European Union has a rich history. The discussion covered areas of mutual interest, including energy, transportation, investments, trade, and other sectors.

The head of state stated that Azerbaijan would continue its efforts to ensure lasting peace and stability in the South Caucasus region, emphasizing the ongoing bilateral negotiation process between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Both sides underscored the importance of continuing contacts to further develop cooperation between Azerbaijan and the European Union.
Kerala Lottery Results: Fifty Fifty FF-124 Winners For January 8, 2025 - Full List Of Winning Numbers!

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 10:20 IST

Kerala Lottery Results Today: Here's FULL LIST of winning numbers for Fifty Fifty FF-124 lucky draw for Wednesday, January 8, 2025.

Kerala Lottery Fifty Fifty FF-124 Results: The first prize winner of Fifty Fifty FF-124 will get Rs 1 crore. (Image: Shutterstock)

KERALA LOTTERY FIFTY FIFTY FF-124 RESULT ON WEDNESDAY, 8.1.2025: The Kerala State Lottery Department has announced the results of the Fifty Fifty (FF-124) lucky draw for Wednesday, January 8. A participant with ticket number FO 303156 has won the first prize worth Rs 1 crore. The jackpot-winning ticket was sold in Guruvayoor by an agent, Satheeshan AD (Agency No.: R 6567). The second prize of Rs 10 lakh will be awarded to the participant with ticket number FW 792121. This ticket was sold in Adoor by Vinodhini Madhu (Agency No.: H 1070). Check the Full List of Winning Numbers below.

ALSO READ: Kerala Lottery Results: Akshaya AK-685 WINNERS for January 12, 2025; First Prize Rs 70 Lakh!

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FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR FIFTY FIFTY FF-124 LOTTERY

WINNING NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE WORTH RS 8,000 ARE

FN 303156

FP 303156

FR 303156

FS 303156

FT 303156

FU 303156

FV 303156

FW 303156

FX 303156

FY 303156

FZ 303156

WINNING NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE WORTH RS 1 CRORE IS FO 303156 (GURUVAYOOR)

Agent Name: SATHEESHAN A D

Agency No.: R 6567

WINNING NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE WORTH RS 10 LAKH IS FW 792121 (ADOOR)

Agent Name: VINODHINI MADHU

Agency No.: H 1070

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 3RD PRIZE WORTH RS 5,000 ARE

0648 0883 1896 2475 2509 3631 4270 4627 5175 6213 6481 6556 6674 7426 7460 7483 7543 7551 7941 8130 8359 8883 8921

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE WORTH RS 2,000 ARE

0189 0530 2289 2981 4134 4587 6485 7039 8826 9032 9050 9355

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE WORTH RS 1,000 ARE

0088 0604 1958 2043 2168 2262 2319 2637 2965 3148 4024 4089 4763 6083 6154 6617 6892 7212 8928 9203 9464 9574 9788 9976

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE WORTH RS 500 ARE

0039 0165 0166 0226 0392 0395 0413 0465 0519 0557 0585 0673 0739 0787 0805 1063 1105 1177 1434 1507 1545 1687 1731 1966 2010 2195 2314 2736 2894 2931 3037 3339 3412 3501 3640 3648 3678 3836 3924 3954 4017 4049 4346 4360 4425 4433 4536 4557 4578 4615 4649 4711 4784 4891 5099 5138 5284 5321 5385 5429 5727 5819 6146 6245 6290 6306 6512 6733 6759 6795 6801 6977 6995 7163 7269 7429 7546 7547 7615 7665 7692 7986 8019 8251 8825 9041 9406 9423 9511 9569 9749 9764 9816 9833 9869 9985

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE WORTH RS 100 ARE

0036 0151 0533 0677 0784 0974 1224 1365 1382 1626 1690 1732 1920 1939 1943 2060 2292 2360 2415 2443 2488 2739 2841 2898 2932 3154 3194 3218 3253 3292 3311 3341 3458 3477 3509 3526 3549 3733 3811 4005 4029 4083 4112 4183 4435 4484 4496 4516 4836 4956 5098 5126 5233 5342 5349 5463 5474 5501 5746 5754 5787 5822 5873 6033 6073 6076 6131 6153 6252 6322 6385 6398 6454 6679 6699 6841 6885 7047 7193 7330 7552 7556 7619 7642 7702 7880 7896 7917 8105 8179 8230 8245 8253 8304 8316 8402 8489 8552 8676 8712 8766 8807 8906 8985 9023 9101 9111 9121 9122 9142 9144 9153 9156 9171 9385 9394 9401 9462 9553 9609 9730 9808 9880 9917 9940 9952

KERALA LOTTERY RESULT: FIFTY FIFTY FF-124 PRIZE STRUCTURE

1st Prize: Rs 1 crore

2nd Prize: Rs. 10 lakh

3rd Prize: Rs. 5,000

4th Prize: Rs. 2,000

5th Prize: Rs. 1,000

6th Prize: Rs. 500

7th Prize: Rs. 100

Consolation Prize: Rs. 8,000

HOW TO CONFIRM KERALA FIFTY-FIFTY FF-124 LOTTERY RESULTS?

To verify the Kerala Fifty-Fifty FF-124 Lottery results, visit the official website of the Kerala Lottery Department at www.keralalottery.info. A PDF version of the winning numbers will be available for download. Alternatively, you can cross-check your ticket numbers and review the official draw results at the Kerala Government Gazette office.

How to Claim Your Prize Money

Compare your ticket number with the official results to see if youve won. If youre declared the winner, be sure to claim your prize within 30 days of the draw. Visit the Kerala Lottery headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram, located at Gorky Bhavan, next to Bakery Junction, to claim your prize. Bring the original, undamaged winning ticket and a valid photo ID, such as your drivers license, passport, or Aadhaar card, for verification. For higher-value prizes, additional documentation, such as a claim form and compliance with tax laws, may be required. Complete all verification steps to ensure a smooth payout of your winnings.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO CLAIM PRIZE MONEY?

In addition to the winners signature, a photocopy of the winning ticket that displays the front and back must be submitted.

You must submit current, passport-sized photographs that have been approved by Gazette authorities.

The PAN card must be signed by the winner.

Remember to include a revenue stamp while completing the online prize claim form.

Provide proof of identity, such as your voter ID, PAN card, Aadhaar card, or ration card.

How to Download a PDF with the Full List of Winning Numbers:

Visit the official Kerala Lottery Department websites: keralalotteries.info or keralalotteryresults.net.

Look for the Fifty Fifty FF-124 Results link and click on it.

The winning numbers will appear on your screen.

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Check for an option to download the results.

Click the download link to save the lottery results in PDF format.

Location : Thiruvananthapuram [Trivandrum], India

First Published: January 08, 2025, 09:00 IST
Why Is Kumbh Important? Significance Of A 'Deity's Folly' Amid Return Of Festivities After 144 Years

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 09, 2025, 11:55 IST

Kumbh Mela History Explained: This Kumbh in Prayagraj is different due to a rare celestial positioning of Nakshatra that is occurring after 144 years.

According to legend, the churning of the cosmic ocean produced a pot (kumbh) containing the elixir of immortality (amrita), setting the stage for the Kumbh Melas significance. (Image: PTI)

Detailed history of Kumbh Mela: Prayagraj, one of the greatest pilgrimage sites in India, is steadily gearing up for the rare Maha Kumbh Mela which is set to begin on January 13 and continue till February 26.

The festival, which holds great religious significance for Hindus, is being organised with grandeur. But this time its different due to a rare celestial positioning of Nakshatra that is occurring after 144 years.

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It is one of the Kumbh Melas, the worlds largest religious gathering, which is held in one of the four sacred locations  Haridwar, Nashik and Ujjain  once every 12 years.

 MESMERIZING visuals from Mahakumbh.Yogi govt expecting 450 million devotees at Prayagraj Mahakumbh 2025  pic.twitter.com/HJNz4soezc  Megh Updates  (@MeghUpdates) January 3, 2025

Millions of devotees throng the sacred locations during Kumbh Melas to participate in them and bathe in the sacred waters to wash away their sins.

Mythological Significance Of Maha Kumbh

According to Hindu mythology, the roots of Kumbh lie in the episode when the ocean of milk was churned by gods and demons to obtain the nectar of immortality, also called amrita. The event has been called Samudra Manthan" in Sanskrit.

However, after the nectar came out from the churning of the ocean milk, a fight broke out between gods and demons for the amrita.

To save the nectar from demons, the son of Lord Indra handed over the pot of nectar to the Moon God, who accidentally dropped its few drops of Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik and Ujjain.

This mistake of the deity made Kumbh Melas a centre of faith. The four places turned into pilgrimage sites and Kumbh Melas started being organised in these places every 12 years.

Elaborating on this story, a report in Times of India quoted Mahant Harichaitanya Brahmachari, head of TikarMafi ashram, as saying: Jayant (Indras son) took away the pitcher full of Amrit, and to protect this Amrit, four gods were assigned different duties to support Jayant. The Sun was asked to hold the pitcher, the Moon was tasked to ensure that the Amrit did not spill out, Jupiter (Bhrahaspati) was assigned to protect Jayant from Asuras, and finally, Shani was told to act as a mediator in any conflict."

Why Is This Kumbh Mela Special?

According to the report, when the Sun, Moon, Shani, and Jupiter were rushed to protect the pitcher, a rare celestial positioning of Nakshatra had occurred.

At that time, all the four Rishis, including Sanak, Sanandan, Sanatan, and Sanatkumar, decided to camp at Prayag. The beginning of the concept, which we know as Kumbh today, commenced," the Mahant was quoted.

It is after 144 years that the positioning of all the four planets is in line, and three hours prior to Amavasya (January 29), importantly, Pukh (also pushya) Nakshatra will also align with the four planets. Thus, the most auspicious of all the Maha Kumbh in the past 144 years is in 2025," TOI further quoted Harichaitanya as saying.

 #BREAKING :1100 priests in Maha Kumbh Mela will perform Maha Yagya to demand the status of Rashtra Mata for Cow  Heres the Drone visuals of the largest Yagya Kund of Maha Kumbh Mela. MESMERIZING  pic.twitter.com/0p5GAsACrq  Megh Updates  (@MeghUpdates) January 7, 2025

Hindu devotees believe that bathing in the holy rivers in these four places during Kumbh Melas liberates humans from the cycle of life and death.

First Historical Mention Of Kumbh Mela

Historically, the first reference to Kumbh Mela was found in the writings of Chinese traveller Xuanzang who had travelled to India in the 7th century.

In his writings, Xuanzang spoke about the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, which is the confluence of Rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical river Saraswati.

Xuanzang recorded that more than 5,00,000 people travelled to Prayagraj to participate in the grand festival and bathe in the sacred waters, which resonated with the Kumbh Mela.

The tradition has lived on till this date as millions gather at the Sangam to participate in the ancient ritual.

How Is Maha Kumbh Different From Other Kumbh Melas

Hindus celebrate Maha Kumbh after the completion of 12 full Kumbh Melas because of which it is organised once every 144 years.

The Kumbh Mela takes place every four years in Haridwar, Prayagraj, Ujjain, and Nashik.

The event is organised on Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. It takes place on the banks of the Godavari in Nashik, the banks of the Shipra in Ujjain and the banks of the Ganges in Haridwar.

Apart from Kumbh Mela and Maha Kumbh, Ardh Kumbh Mela and Purna Kumbh are also organised in the holy cities.

The Ardh Kumbh Mela is held every six years and is organised only in Haridwar and Prayagraj.

Taro Ka Shahar, Prayagraj is ready to welcome everyone in Maha Kumbh Mela  pic.twitter.com/P0yNt3BNSG Voice of Hindus (@Warlock_Shubh) January 5, 2025

The Purna Kumbh or the full Kumbh Mela is organised on the banks of the Sangam in Prayagraj once every 12 years. The main significance of both the Kumbhs for devotees is bathing in the holy river to wash away sins.

The leaders of different akharas (sectarian groups) and astrologers meet and study the positions of the Sun and Jupiter to decide the location and date of the Kumbh Mela.

The Kumbh Mela is organised four times in a span of 12 years following the movement of Jupiter which orbits around the Sun in 12 years.

How Leaders Decide Locations For Kumbh Mela

The selection of the holy place where Kumbh Mela will be held is done on the basis of the astrological positioning of the planets.

The Kumbh Mela is organised in Prayagraj when Jupiter gets positioned in the Sun and Taurus and Moon remain in Capricorn.

In the case of Haridwar, Jupiter remains in Aquarius, the Moon in Sagittarius and the Sun is in Aries.

Ujjain is finalised as Kumbh Melas location when Jupiter enters Leo and the Sun and Moon are in Aries.

Kumbh Mela is held in Nashik when Jupiter remains in Leo but the Sun and the Moon enter Cancer.

Scientific Significance Of Maha Kumbh

The leaders of akharas organise Mahakumbh Mela when Jupiter comes in a specific alignment and coincides with the positions of the Sun and Moon.

It is believed that this alignment will amplify the electromagnetic fields of the Earth.

According to the researchers, the Earths electromagnetic fields are affected by planetary alignments and in turn influence biological systems.

It has been found in studies in bio-magnetism that electromagnetic forces are emitted by the human bodies which also respond to the charged fields if present in their environment.

Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.Maha Kumbh Mela is scheduled to begin on January 13, 2025, and conclude on Feb 26, 2025. pic.twitter.com/eBEQmAgoxF  India Tech Infra (@IndiaInfraTech) December 31, 2024

Numerous ceremonies are organised in the Kumbh Mela which includes the traditional procession of Akharas known as Peshwai.

The procession features horses, chariots, elephants, shining swords and rituals of Naga Sadhus amid the Shahi Snaan (Royal Bath).

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The saints of different akharas participate in the Shahi Snaan by taking a dip in the holy rivers before any other Hindu pilgrims.

This year, the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj is expected to attract 40 to 45 crore devotees who will participate in the festivities within a span of 44 days.

Location : Prayagraj, India

First Published: January 08, 2025, 11:40 IST
Maha Kumbh 2025: Traffic Cops' Plan For 7 Key Routes, QR Code To Book Train Tickets | Details

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 11:11 IST

Maha Kumbh 2025: The traffic police have devised plans for routes from Jaunpur, Varanasi, Mirzapur, Rewa/Banda, Kanpur, Lucknow and Pratapgarh to the Maha Kumbh Mela and Commissionerate area.

An artist paints a wall as part of preparations for Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, in Prayagraj, on Saturday, January 4, 2025. (PTI Photo)

In a bid to ensure smooth travel for devotees and tourists during the Maha Kumbh, the traffic police have devised a detailed plan for effective management across seven key routes to Prayagraj.

The traffic police have devised plans for routes from Jaunpur, Varanasi, Mirzapur, Rewa/Banda, Kanpur, Lucknow and Pratapgarh to the Maha Kumbh Mela and Commissionerate area, the UP government said in a statement on Tuesday.

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With over 40 crore pilgrims expected, the traffic plan includes designated parking for large and small vehicles and pedestrian-friendly measures.

One-way routes will be enforced in the fair area, and SSP, Kumbh Mela will implement real-time diversions in case of excessive crowds.

According to an estimate, 21 per cent of traffic is expected from the Jaunpur route and 18 per cent from the Rewa/Banda route. Similarly, 16 per cent are expected via the Varanasi route, whereas 14 per cent and 12 per cent are expected to arrive through Kanpur and Mirzapur routes respectively.

Additionally, 10 per cent of people are expected to come from Lucknow and 9 per cent from Pratapgarh, the statement said.

These arrangements aim at facilitating seamless access for devotees and an uninterrupted and spiritually fulfilling experience during the event, it said.

Book Train Tickets With QR Codes

Meanwhile, Indian Railways has come up with a smart digital solution for seamless ticket booking. For the first time, visitors can simply scan QR codes on the green jackets of railway staff at Prayagraj station or on posters around the Mela area to book their tickets.

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To book tickets, passengers can scan the QR code using their smartphones, which will redirect them to download the UTS (Unreserved Ticketing System) app from the Google Play Store. Once installed, travelers can book tickets for short trips (50-100 km) or long-distance journeys over 200 km, with long-distance tickets available up to 15 days in advance.

(With inputs from PTI)

Location : Prayagraj, India

First Published: January 08, 2025, 11:10 IST
At Maha Kumbh Camp, Agra Teen Decides To Become 'Sadhvi'. Parents 'Donate' Her, 'Pind Daan' To Follow

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 09:15 IST

Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj: A saint informed that 13-year-old girl's 'pind daan' (ritual offerings for renunciation) and other religious ceremonies will be conducted on January 19.

Prayagraj: Agra teenager's mother, Reema Singh, said that her daughter experienced detachment from worldly life during the Maha Kumbh. (Representational Image: ANI)

Growing up with a dream to become an IAS officer, a 13-year-old girl from Agra had a sudden change of heart at the Maha Kumbh camp in Prayagraj. She decided to renounce the world", become a sadhvi; and her parents took it as Gods will". A mahant (religious superior) confirmed that the family willingly donated their daughter" to the ashram.

The teenagers mother, Reema Singh, said that her daughter experienced detachment from worldly life during the Maha Kumbh.

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Mahant Kaushal Giri Maharaj of Juna Akhara has been visiting our village for the past three years to conduct Bhagwat Katha sessions. It was during one such session that my daughter Rakhi took her guru diksha," Reema, who is staying at the Juna Akhara camp, was quoted by news agency PTI.

Reema further explained that Kaushal Giri Maharaj invited her, her husband Sandeep Singh, and their two daughters to serve at the Maha Kumbh camp last month, the report stated.

One day, Rakhi expressed her wish to become a Sadhvi. Believing it to be Gods will, we raised no objections," she said.

The family, based in Agra, had rented a home in the city specifically to educate their daughters, Rakhi and 8-year-old Nikki. Sandeep Singh runs a confectionery (petha) business.

Rakhi dreamt of becoming an IAS officer, but she experienced detachment from worldly life during the Maha Kumbh," Reema said.

The decision was made without any coercion. The family has been connected to us for some time, and at their request, Rakhi has been accepted into the ashram. She will now be known as Gauri Giri," Mahant Kaushal Giri said.

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When asked about concerns for her daughter, Reema said, As a mother, I will always worry about where and how she is. Relatives often question why we entrusted our daughter to the ashram. Our response is that it was Gods wish."

According to PTI report, a saint from the Akhara mentioned that Gauris pind daan" (ritual offerings for renunciation) and other religious ceremonies will be conducted on January 19, after which she will formally be considered a part of the Gurus family.

Location : Prayagraj, India

First Published: January 08, 2025, 09:14 IST
Tirupati Stampede: 6 Devotees Killed During Distribution Of Darshan Tokens; Naidu To Meet Injured

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 23:53 IST

Hundreds of devotees turned up from across the country for the 10-day Darshanam commencing from January 10

Six people died following a stampede at Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh. (Image: ANI)

At least six people died and several others were injured following a stampede in Andhra Pradeshs famous Tirupati temple on Wednesday. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will reach Tirupati on Thursday to take stock of the situation and meet the injured people.

The incident took place during the distribution of tokens for Vaikunta Dwara Darshan of Lord Venkateshwara Temple in Tirumala.

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Hundreds of devotees turned up from across the country for the 10-day Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam commencing from January 10.

One of the deceased, identified as Mallika, is reportedly from Tamil Nadu. Injured people have been shifted to Tirupati Ruya Hospital for treatment.

#WATCH | Andhra Pradesh: A stampede-like situation occurred at Vishnu Nivasam in Tirupati during the distribution of Vaikunta Dwara Sarva Darshan tokens. More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/vhoEYGLW2U ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled deaths and prayed for recovery of injured persons.

Pained by the stampede in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. My thoughts are with those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover soon. The AP Government is providing all possible assistance to those affected: PM @narendramodi PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 8, 2025

Andhra CM Naidu Expresses Deep Shock

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed his deep shock over the death of devotees in the stampede.

Naidu also spoke to officials over the phone about the treatment being provided to the injured in the incident. He further ordered higher officials to visit the site and take relief measures to ensure that the injured get better treatment, the Chief Ministers Office informed.

Responding to the incident, Andhra Minister Nara Lokesh said, I am deeply saddened by the death of devotees in a stampede in different parts of Tirupati in the wake of the release of Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan tickets. TTD should make more elaborate arrangements to prevent such unfortunate incidents. The government stands by the families of the deceased devotees."

The tragic stampede in Tirupati is deeply saddening. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Wishing a swift recovery to all those injured. I urge Congress leaders and workers to provide all possible assistance during this difficult time," Congress leader Rahul Gandhi wrote in a post on X.

The tragic stampede in Tirupati is deeply saddening.My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Wishing a swift recovery to all those injured. I urge Congress leaders and workers to provide all possible assistance during this difficult time.  Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 8, 2025

Former TTD Chairman Slams Govt For Stampede

Former TTD Chairman Bhuma Karunakar Reddy slammed the coalition government over the tragic stampede incident at Vishnu Nivasam in Tirupati, stating it an administrative failure". Reddy expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and questioned the lack of proper arrangements.

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He further criticised the current TTD Chairman for prioritising political propaganda over serving devotees and demanded an inquiry into allegations of ticket mismanagement. He also called for action against the TTD Chairman, local SP, and other responsible officials.

He added that the government must take responsibility for this tragedy and apologise to Lord Venkateswaras devotees.

Location : Andhra Pradesh, India

First Published: January 08, 2025, 22:00 IST
Roadmap Clear For Chandrayaan-4: What Dr V Narayanan Said After Becoming New ISRO Chief

Reported By :

News18.com

Edited By: Poulami Kundu



Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 15:33 IST

The new ISRO chief said his aim was to improve the lives of Indians through better technology and scientific advancements

New ISRO Chief Dr V Narayanan speaks to reporters. (Photo: News18)

Rocket Scientist Dr V Narayanan, who has been appointed the new chief of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has termed his new stint a great responsibility".

In an exclusive interview with CNN-News18, the Chandrayaan-3 propulsion architect shared his vision, motivation, and insights.

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An elated Narayanan exuded confidence in Indias upcoming space missions and said, I was so happy. I know it is a great responsibility. We have a clear road map for Chandrayaan-4, Gaganyan mission, Venus orbital mission, and others."

Dr Narayanan will succeed S Somanath, who will complete his three-year tenure next week, for a two-year term.

The IIT-Karagpur Alumnus, who will take charge on January 14, expressed faith in his team members to get the job done together.

Narayanan, a distinguished Scientist at the ISRO, has nearly four decades of experience and has held various key positions within the Indian space organisation. He said he continued to draw inspiration from her seniors and super seniors such as S Somanath and Vikram Sarabhai. He shared that he hadnt expected to get selected for the top role.

He said, When we join, we dont look at these positions. We just work hard and give our best effort. To be frank, I didnt even imagine that I would be in such a position."

He said he aimed to see his nation develop. He added, Basically, the country needs a lot of things in terms of climate studies, disaster management system, communication requirements, satellites for communication, and earth observation."

He said, We are striving to improve the quality of the citizens. ISRO has been contributing in a big way and we will continue this contribution."

So Proud: Dr Narayanans Wife, Daughter

Dr Narayanans wife, Dr Kavitha, and his daughter Divya told CNN-News18 that they were super proud.

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Dr Kavitha said, As his wife, I am so proud. Thank God and all Indians because ISRO is a family. She added, We often have science-related discussions at home."

It is a huge step for Dad. He taught us that it does not matter what family, or any background you come from. If you can put in your 100%, you will get all the results you are looking for," said Divya.

Location : Thiruvananthapuram, India

First Published: January 08, 2025, 15:11 IST
'Congress Insulting Constitution Of India': Pranab Mukherjee's Daughter Amid Memorial Row | Exclusive

Reported By :

CNN-News18

Edited By: Vani Mehrotra



Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 13:58 IST

Sharmistha Mukherjee has slammed the Congress for not welcoming a memorial dedicated to her father, Pranab Mukherjee, calling it an insult to the Constitution.

Sharmistha Mukherjee (Photo: PTI)

Sharmistha Mukherjee, daughter of former President Pranab Mukherjee, has alleged that the Congress was insulting the Constitution of India by not welcoming the memorial for her father. She also said her father and former President had thought of conferring the Bharat Ratna to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

A day after the Centre on January 7 sanctioned a dedicated site to establish a memorial honouring Pranab Mukherjee, his daughter, speaking exclusively to CNN-News18, said the former President and Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a genuine" bond.

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The saddest part of the Congress party is that instead of welcoming the memorial, it is insulting the Constitution of India," Sharmistha Mukherjee told CNN-News18.

Through my fathers diary, I came to know that he had thought of conferring the Bharat Ratna to Manmohan Singh," she said, adding, My father and Prime Minister Modi shared a genuine bond."

Sharmistha Mukherjee also expressed gratitude to PM Modi for meeting her in this regard.

I requested an appointment from the Prime Minister and got the opportunity to meet him. I felt extremely happy, and felt real gratitude from him," she said.

Also speaking about the Congresss remarks against Pranab Mukherjee, calling him an RSS agent and Sanghi, Sharmistha Mukherjee said, The Congress should have come out with something better."

The party should have thought sensibly for Baba (Pranab Mukherjee) and not make such foolish remarks against him. He was a Congress stalwart," she said.

My father was angry as he was targeted for visiting the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leaders. However, he believed in dialogue across different ideologies," she added.

SHARMISHTA MUKHERKJEEs MEET WITH PM MODI

Sharmistha Mukherjee met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday and thanked him for honouring her father.

Before that, the government, in a letter to her, wrote, The Competent Authority has approved the earmarking of a designated site within the Rashtriya Smriti complex (a part of the Rajghat precinct) for erecting a Samadhi of Late Shri Pranab Mukherjee, former President of India."

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After receiving the letter, Sharmistha Mukherjee sought an appointment with the Prime Minister to thank him for the honour.

The sanction for Mukherjees memorial comes in the wake of demands by the Congress to have a memorial for Manmohan Singh, who died at Delhis AIIMS at the age of 92 on December 26.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 13:56 IST
Six Naxals Surrender In Karnataka, Siddaramaiah Welcomes Them With Copies Of Constitution

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 23:18 IST

As a symbol of giving up their armed struggle, Latha Mundagaru handed over her Naxal uniform to the Chief Minister along with a copy of her memorandum

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah (PTI Photo)

Six hardcore naxals (Maoists) on Wednesday surrendered before Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah here.

As a symbol of giving up their armed struggle, Latha Mundagaru handed over her Naxal uniform to the Chief Minister along with a copy of her memorandum.

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Siddaramaiah welcomed the ultra and her five associates by giving them roses and copies of the Constitution.

The CM said Sundari Kutluru is from Dakshina Kannada district, Latha from Chikkamagaluru, Marappa Aroli from Raichur and Vanajakshi Balehole from Chikkamagaluru. Jisha is from Wayanad in Kerala, and K Vasanth from Vellore in Tamil Nadu.

Speaking on behalf of the surrendered naxalites, Latha thanked the Chief Minister for helping them return to the mainstream with honour.

She also said they have submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister.

Our struggle for people will continue in a legitimate and constitutionally approved manner. We have come before you shunning Naxalism," she said.

Siddaramaiah said these Naxalites had carried out their Maoist movement for more than 20 years but today with the help of Naxalite Surrender and Rehabilitation Committee and other progressive groups they decided to join mainstream by giving up their armed struggle.

We will help them within the framework of law because there is a scheme for the Naxalites who surrender. As per the scheme, based on their categories they will be given compensation and government will make every effort for the Naxalites to bring them from woods to jail and from jail to the state (mainstream)," the CM said.

He also underlined that their fight against atrocities and exploitation cannot be achieved and the system cannot be changed through armed struggle.

Today the Constitution gives us the opportunity to achieve these goals peacefully through just means. B R Ambedkar has made a scope for it in the Indian Constitution," Siddaramaiah said.

Our government is committed to making Karnataka Naxalite free," he added.

According to the Chief Minister, many states, where Naxal movement is going on, are making an effort in this direction.

Naxal movement is going on to change the system but the Naxalites have chosen a path, which we are saying is not right. We want them to join the constitutionally upright path," he added.

Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and state Home Minister G Parameshwara were among the ministers and officials present on the occasion.

These Naxalites were involved in many crimes and were carrying rewards on their heads, official sources said.

These Naxalites were supposed to surrender in Chikkamagaluru, but later the venue was shifted to Krishna, the office-residence of the Chief Minister.

Their surrender comes a week after Siddaramaiah appealed to the members of the outlawed outfit to shun violence and join the democratic mainstream.

He said the government has formulated a surrender policy, which will be simplified and implemented effectively.

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On November 20, a top Naxalite, Vikram Gowda, was killed in an encounter with the Anti-Naxal Force at Peetabailu village in Hebri in Udupi district, pointing to the active Naxal activities in the state.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner of Chikkamagaluru issued an order announcing an incentive of Rs three lakh to all the six Maoists as per the decision made by the District Naxalite Surrender and Rehabilitation Committee.

Location : Karnataka, India

First Published: January 08, 2025, 23:17 IST
Sudden Hair Loss, Baldness In Maharashtra Villages Sparks Panic; Authorities Testing Water

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 20:49 IST

As many as 30 people from Kalvad, Bondgaon and Hingna villages in Shegaon taluka were found suffering from the hair loss problem and baldness.

Water samples from these villages were also being sent for tests. (Image: Representative/Shutterstock)

Several people from three villages in Maharashtras Buldhana district have complained of sudden hair loss leading to baldness within a few days. The sudden increase in hair loss among the villagers prompted the authorities to initiate testing of local water sources for possible contamination.

Following the incident, a health department team started a survey in these villages on Tuesday. Reportedly, the health department has begun medical treatment of the affected people.

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According to news agency PTI, as many as 30 people from Kalvad, Bondgaon and Hingna villages in Shegaon taluka were found suffering from the hair loss problem and baldness during the survey conducted by the zilla parishads health department.

The department has initiated medical treatment of the patients as per the symptoms. Advice from skincare specialists is also being taken.

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Water samples from these villages were also being sent for tests to check for possible contamination, a zilla parishad health official said.

(With inputs from PTI)

Location : Maharashtra, India

First Published: January 08, 2025, 18:29 IST
Is HMPV Another COVID-19-like Scare in China? What We Know So Far

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 09, 2025, 11:47 IST

Unlike COVID-19, HMPV is not a new virus. It has been in circulation globally, including India, for years

Prominent biologist Dr Shekhar Mande told News18 that HMPV has been treated so ordinarily, similar to the common cold virus, that no one has ever paid much attention to its circulation. (Pixabay)

The recent surge in HMPV (Human Metapneumovirus) cases in China has raised concerns, with some speculating that it could become a global health crisis similar to COVID-19. However, Dr. Vikas Mittal, a pulmonologist at the CK Birla Hospital, provides clarity on the situation and explains why HMPV is not likely to follow the same trajectory as COVID-19.

Unlike COVID-19, HMPV is not a new virus. It has been in circulation globally, including India, for years. The current surge of HMPV cases in China has raised concerns, but available data suggests it primarily causes mild respiratory illnesses, with severe cases occurring mostly in high-risk groups. Unlike COVID-19, which caused widespread outbreaks due to lack of immunity, HMPV benefits from existing immunity in the community, reducing its ability to spread rapidly. HMPV infections typically present symptoms similar to the common cold or flu, including cough, nasal congestion, and fever. Severe cases may involve pneumonia and respiratory distress, particularly in infants, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals, but the virus has not shown the same pandemic potential as COVID-19."

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Dr. Mittal further explains that there is no evidence of significant mutations in HMPV that would increase its virulence or transmissibility. While the exact situation in China remains unclear due to limited data, historical trends indicate that HMPV is unlikely to escalate into a global health crisis. While vigilance is essential, preventive measures such as proper hygiene, wearing masks when symptomatic, and isolating infected individuals can help control its spread. Public health authorities are monitoring the situation closely, and ongoing research aims to develop vaccines and antiviral therapies. Given that HMPV is an older virus with pre-existing immunity in most populations, it poses a manageable risk rather than a large-scale threat. Continued surveillance and public health preparedness remain vital to address any unexpected developments and prevent potential outbreaks."

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It is important to note that the global focus on HMPV is being driven by the current rise in cases, particularly in China. However, much like other seasonal viruses, this surge could be attributed to environmental and social factors that influence transmission patterns. Despite the alarm, it is crucial to remember that most cases of HMPV resolve without complications. The virus typically circulates in cooler months, leading to seasonal upticks in cases, but it generally remains under control, especially in regions with strong healthcare infrastructure.

Furthermore, as more data becomes available from ongoing studies, it will provide a clearer picture of the viruss behavior and any potential changes in its clinical presentation or transmission dynamics. Public health authorities continue to evaluate any emerging risks, but for now, HMPV remains a manageable concern that is unlikely to replicate the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 10:32 IST
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 8. Azerbaijani Parliament Working Groups for Inter-Parliamentary Relations and Delegations to International Parliamentary Assemblies have sent letters to foreign parliaments and parliamentary assemblies, calling on them to put pressure on Armenia for its racial policies, a source in the Azerbaijani parliament told Trend.

"As is well known, Armenia, being driven by an ideology of racial discrimination and radical nationalism, has committed numerous violations against the Azerbaijani people and state. This is further confirmed by a recently resurfaced video recording of a speech by Armenia's former president Levon Ter-Petrosyan, dated 23rdJuly 1993. In this statement, delivered during his presidency, Ter-Petrosyan presents the occupation and ethnic cleansing that occurred under his rule as state policy. This unequivocally proves Armenia's responsibility as a state for these crimes, as well as the systematic and organised nature of their execution," the letter reads.

Considering all the above and in view also of the continuing racial discrimination and peace discouragement policy on the part of Armenia, the letters urged the foreign parliaments and parliamentary assemblies to have Armenia discontinue its racist policy, drop the revanchism and militarism, and make arrangements to make it possible for the Western Azerbaijanis to return to their native soil.

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Is This 76th Republic Day In India? History, R-Day Parade Theme, And Celebrations On January 26

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: January 25, 2025, 17:15 IST

Republic Day 2025 in India: The theme for this year's celebrations, 'Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas,' reflects Indias journey of progress while honouring its deep-rooted cultural legacy.

Republic Day 2025 In India: The highlight of the celebrations is the grand parade in New Delhi. (Image: Shutterstock)

Republic Day 2025 In India: India celebrates its Republic Day on January 26 every year, but is this the 76th one? Yes, the country will celebrate its 76th Republic Day and commemorate Indias adoption of its Constitution on this very day in 1950. The event is celebrated across the nation, but the highlight remains the grand Republic Day parade in New Delhi. The theme for the Republic Day parade this year is Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas, dedicated to Indias rich heritage and promising future.

ALSO READ: Happy Republic Day Wishes 2025: Quotes, Messages And WhatsApp Status to Share

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History Of Republic Day

Though India gained independence on August 15, 1947, January 26 holds a special place in the hearts of all Indians. It was on this day in 1950 that India adopted its Constitution, officially becoming a Sovereign, Democratic Republic.

This was the moment when the nations future as a republic was set in stone. Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, raised the national flag that day, marking the birth of the Indian Republic.

ALSO READ: Are Schools Open In Maharashtra On Republic Day? Heres What The Latest Govt Directive Says

Since that fateful day, Republic Day has been celebrated every year to honour the countrys democratic foundations. January 26 has become a national holiday, serving as a solemn reminder of the nations principles of justice, liberty and equality.

Significance Of Republic Day

The highlight of the Republic Day celebrations is, without a doubt, the grand parade in New Delhi. The President of India presides over the event by hoisting the national flag at Kartavya Path, followed by a dazzling display of military might, cultural diversity, and patriotic spirit. The parade is a breathtaking display of Indias military prowess.

Various states and government departments also take out tableaux that capture the essence of Indias culture and diversity. The event is not just a celebration of the nations history but also a display of the unity that binds its diverse regions and communities.

After the parade, the Prime Minister pays tribute to the nations fallen soldiers at the Amar Jawan Jyoti, honouring the sacrifices made by brave soldiers who fought for Indias freedom.

Republic Day Parade 2025 Theme

Each year, the Republic Day celebrations feature a spectacular parade that shows elaborate tableaux from various states, Union Territories and central ministries.

These displays march proudly along the Kartavya Path (formerly Rajpath), and for 2025, the chosen theme is Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas, which aims to reflect Indias journey of progress while honouring its deep-rooted cultural legacy.

For Republic Day 2025, 15 states and UTs  Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chandigarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal  will display their tableaux on Kartavya Path.

Additionally, 11 central government ministries and departments will also showcase their representations. Even states and UTs not selected for the parade will have an opportunity to display their tableaux at the Bharat Parv, held from January 2631 at the Red Fort.

The Chief Guest: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto

For the 2025 Republic Day celebrations, Indonesias President, Prabowo Subianto, has accepted Indias invitation to be the chief guest. Subiantos visit, the first of Prime Minister Modis third term, underscores the growing strategic cooperation between the two nations, particularly in defence and maritime affairs.

The relationship between India and Indonesia has flourished over the years, especially following Prime Minister Modis visit to Jakarta in 2018, where the two countries signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

This partnership, along with the Shared Vision on Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, demonstrates the strengthening of defence and security ties between India and Indonesia.

Republic Day Celebrations Across the Country

Republic Day is not just about the parade in the capital. All across India, government offices, schools, and public spaces celebrate this day with flag-hoisting ceremonies, cultural events, and performances.

Its a day that reminds citizens of their role in the nations democratic framework and the importance of upholding the values enshrined in the Constitution.

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The President of India also takes this opportunity to bestow various military honours, such as the Paramvir Chakra, Ashok Chakra, and Vir Chakra, recognising the bravery and selflessness of soldiers.

The prestigious Padma Awards are also conferred on civilians who have made significant contributions to society in various fields, further elevating the days importance.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 08:28 IST
When Is Durga Puja 2025? Date, Shubh Muhurat, Rituals, Sindhoor Khela, And Celebrations Explained

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 14:13 IST

Durga Puja 2025: According to Drik Panchang, Durga Puja will officially start on the sixth day (Shashti) of Navratri, which is September 28, 2025.

Durga Puja 2025: The banks in West Bengal will be shut from September 27, 2025, to October 2, 2025, due to the Durga Puja celebrations. (Image: Shutterstock)

Durga Puja, also called Durgotsava, is a significant Hindu festival mostly observed by the Bengali community. The festival celebrates the victory of good over evil. In the Northern part of India, devotees observe the nine-day-long Navratri celebration. People observe fast and worship nine forms of Goddess Durga each day.

When is Durga Puja 2025? Start And End Date, Shubh Muhurats

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Durga Puja is observed in September or October, during the Hindu lunar calendar month of Ashvin, from the sixth to the tenth day of the bright lunar fortnight. Together with the nine-day holiday of Navratri, it is celebrated. The most important and extensively observed days are Shashthi, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, and Dashami, and it lasts for five days.

Ghatasthapana, the first of the nine auspicious days of Navratri, is celebrated. According to Drik Panchang, Durga Puja will officially start on the sixth day (Shashti), which is September 28, 2025. It then proceeds with important ceremonies and festivities until ending on the tenth day with Durga Visarjan, which is the immersion of the idol, which is October 2, 2025.

The following table lists all of the Durga Puja dates and auspicious times for 2025:

Durga Puja Day 1: Panchami  Saturday, September 27, 2025 (Bilva Nimantran Muhurat 03:48 PM to 06:12 PM). Durga Puja Day 2: Shashthi  Sunday, September 28, 2025. Durga Puja Day 3: Saptami  Monday, September 29, 2025 (Navapatrika Puja Muhurat 05:49 AM). Durga Puja Day 4: Ashtami  Tuesday, September 30, 2025 (Mahashtami Puja Time 04:31 PM on September 29 and ends at 06:06 PM on September 30). Durga Puja Day 5: Nabami  Wednesday, October 1, 2025 (Maha Navami Puja Time 06:06 PM on September 30 and concludes at 07:01 PM on October 1). Durga Puja Day 6: Dashami  Thursday, October 2, 2025 (Durga Visarjan Muhurat  06:15 AM to 08:37 AM).

Durga Puja 2025: History And Significance

The origins of Durga Puja can be found in ancient Indian texts. According to folk tales, Mahishasura was a demon who was blessed by Lord Brahma, preventing him from being defeated by a human or a god. He consequently became stronger and significantly displeased the heavenly gods.

In response to the gods plea for help, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva created Goddess Durga and endowed her with their utmost might to battle Mahishasura.

After which Mahishasura and Goddess Durga fought each other fiercely. To gain the upper hand, the devil adopted the appearance of a buffalo. The war was won by Goddess Durga beheading the buffalo and defeating Mahishasura in his natural form after ten days of fight.

The Durga Puja festival basically honours this great battle that lasted for ten days. On this day, Goddess Durga and her kids also pay a visit to her parents home. The triumph of good over evil is celebrated on the final day, Vijayadashami.

On the sixth day of Navratri, devotees bring the idol of Goddess Durga home, where they worship her for five days in a row.

To commemorate these days with great joy and happiness, they adorn their home, invite friends, family, and neighbours, and go puja pandal hopping. On the day of Vijaya Dashami, devotees perform Durga Visarjan following the five-day festivities.

Durga Puja 2025: Rituals

Various ceremonies are performed to commemorate each day of Durga Puja.

Bengalis worship Mahishasur Mardini, a manifestation of Goddess Durga, in observance of these auspicious days.

To Goddess Durga, priests present prayers, flowers, fruits, and sweets.

Pushpanjali is one of the most significant ceremonies, during which followers present the goddess with flowers while reciting holy verses. Additionally, many families honour the goddess by doing aarti, which involves waving lamps in front of her.

Another important ceremony is the Sandhi Puja, which is done precisely between Ashtami and Navami.

It is thought that Durga eventually defeated Mahishasura at this point. The whole city appears to be praying together, and there is a strong sense of devotion in the air.

In ceremonial and puja performances, devotees prepare a range of dishes and offer bhog prasad to several deities, including Goddess Durga, Goddess Laxmi, Saraswati, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Karthik.

Married ladies perform Sindoor Khela on the last day of Durga Visarjan, after the festival is celebrated with great majesty and enthusiasm.

The goddess Durga is first offered vermillion. A long and successful life is then bestowed to them by the elders after the women apply vermillion to other married women.

Durga Puja 2025: What is Sindhoor Khela?

With Vijayadashami, the auspicious Durga Puja comes to an end, and devotees celebrate a lavish farewell to the goddess. Sindur Khela is among the most important Vijayadashami rituals.

The ceremony is the final celebration before Maa Durgas idol is submerged in water, and it has particular meaning for married ladies.

In Sindur Khela, married women smear vermillion on each other after applying it to the Goddess feet and forehead. They pray for their husbands and childrens long lives as well.

Sindhoor Khela: History and Puja Vidhi

Sindur Khelas actual origins are unknown, however, mythology suggests that it began roughly 200 years ago during Durga pujas at zamindar households. It is thought that a woman who participates in Sindoor Khela will be protected from becoming a widow.

This ritual also represents womens strength in protecting their families from harm, and it is supposed to aid in conflict resolution and peace promotion.

As per Drik Panchang, the Sindoor Utsav will be observed on October 2, 2025. The Dashami Tithi will begin at 07:01 PM on October 1, 2025, and end at 07:10 PM on October 2, 2025.

Sindhoor Khela: Significance and How It Is Celebrated?

The Sindoor Khela is a famous Durga Puja celebration, particularly in West Bengal. The celebration of Durga Puja comes to a close on the day of Bengal Vijayadashami, when the idols of Durga are submerged.

Vermillion, often referred to as Sindoor, is applied to one another by married ladies in the evening. Bijoya greetings and treats are then shared. Kolakuli is a welcoming gesture that even males do when they embrace one another.

Married ladies celebrate Sindoor Khela with the hopes of protecting their family and achieving prosperity. Sindoor, or vermilion, is regarded as a lucky sign of marriage. Therefore, discrediting it enhances the strength of womens sacred marriage. It also symbolises the strength of females and promotes friendship.

Durga Puja 2025: Is It A Bank Holiday In India?

India will observe a series of bank holidays in 2025. Republic Day (January 26), Holi (March 14), Independence Day (August 15), and Gandhi Jayanti (October 2) are key holidays this year. Additionally, Good Friday, Baisakhi, Muharram, Dussehra, Durga Puja, and Diwali are also significant holidays.

However, in West Bengal, the banks will be closed for a couple of days more. As per reports, the banks in West Bengal will be shut from September 27, 2025, to October 2, 2025, due to the Durga Puja celebrations across the state.

Durga Puja 2025: FAQs

What is the primary objective of Durga Puja?

Durga Puja is a special puja (offering) event commemorating the goddess Durgas victory over the demon ruler Mahishasura.

Which city is famous for its Durga Puja?

The City of Joy (Kolkata) is the epicentre of Durga Puja festivities. Visitors should also visit well-known destinations like as Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Birbhum, and Bankura to witness rituals, cultural performances, and traditional cuisine.

What is the name of the unique cuisine served at Durga Puja?

Durga Puja is best celebrated with Bhoger Khichuri," a classic Bengali meal.

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What message does Durga Puja convey to us?

It invokes Goddess Durgas blessings, prosperity, and wisdom, encouraging people to celebrate joy while seeking heavenly strength and protection.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 14:12 IST
Bipasha Basu Celebrates Birthday In Maldives With Usual Suspects Karan Singh Grover And Devi

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 19:03 IST

Bipasha Basu posted an array of moments from her 46th birthday with her family in Maldives.

Bipasha Basu turned 46 on January 7. (Photo Credit: Instagram)

Bipasha Basu is a true blue travel enthusiast. She loves to explore newer destinations with her husband, Karan Singh Grover and their daughter, Devi. Undoubtedly, the glimpses from her vacation never miss any chance to shed pure travel goals. This time, she celebrated her 46th birthday with her family in the surreal location of Maldives and updated her fans with stunning sneak peeks from there.

Taking to her Instagram stories, Bipasha Basu dropped a delightful video featuring a playful moment of her alongside her daughter, Devi. Both the mother-daughter duo were seen enjoying a sunny day on their trip to Maldives while splashing the blue waters. The doting mommy, however, carried her baby girl in her arms and gave her a little ride in the air. Devilooked adorable in a pink swimsuit that looked like a monokini attached to a head cap.

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Bipasha, known for her bold roles and strong personality, also posted a sunkissed picture on her Instagram stories. In the picture, the diva was wearing a blue-hued off-shoulder top with a plunging neckline. Additionally, she flaunted her natural skin by applying only a touch of blush on her cheeks and a pink tint on her lips. The fashionista left her tresses open and this added a chic touch to her overall charm.

In another snap, the actress posed with the scenic beauty of the blue waters. However, it was Bipashas one more sunkissed picture on the beach that mesmerised the fashion police. She wore a flowy multi-coloured kaftan dress while striking a cool pose. Her hair was effortlessly cascading down on her shoulders, and she accessorised her look with just a pair of sunglasses.

Bipashas photo stories also featured a love-filled moment with her husband, Karan Singh Grover. The actor gave a peck of love on her cheeks while the Jism 2 fame was flaunting her radiant glow and natural blush on her face. Below the picture, she tagged her husband and even put a pink heart and an evil eye emojis.

A day earlier, the actress also showed the best birthday wish she got on her special day. Bipasha dropped a video on her Instagram handle featuring her princess, Devi, being seated on a lounging chair. At the beginning of the video, the baby girl was heard singing the Happy Birthday song for her mommy, which made her parents cheer in the background.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bipasha Basu (@bipashabasu)

The actress captioned the post, writing, My Best Birthday Wish Ever. From my sweet munchkin, My Mishti Devi singing and rapping for mamma from the time mamma has woken up. Blessed and Blissed #monkeylove." Soon, her close friend from the industry, Dia Mirza, echoing the same sentiment, added, Best wish ever."

For the unversed, Bipasha tied the knot with Karan in 2016. After being in marital bliss for a couple of years, they were blessed with their first child, Devi on November 12, 2022.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 19:03 IST
Manoj Bajpayee Says He Warned Sushant Singh Rajput That Industry 'Jaan Maar Degi': 'He Wasn't A Mad Guy'

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Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 12:33 IST

Manoj Bajpayee said he and Sushant Singh Rajput would often discuss Bollywood politics.

Manoj Bajpayee recalled working with Sushant.

Actor Manoj Bajpayee recently reflected on his co-star, Sushant Singh Rajputs demise. In a chat with Mid-Day, Manoj said that he and Sushant would often discuss industry politics and he also advised the young actor to develop a thick skin. Manoj said that Sushants demise felt like a personal loss to him.

Manoj recalled, As far as the industry is concerned, we used to have chats about the industry and its politics. I always told him to keep thick skin nahi toh yeh jaan maar degi tumhari. I had thick skin because I had faced so many rejections. It was a part of my life but a lot of my friends didnt have that thick skin. They couldnt face rejections like I did."

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He said, He was a moody guy, and so am I. The sets of Sonchiriya had me, Ashutosh Rana, Ranvir Shorey and Sushant. We all had our off days. Just before the pandemic, when I went out to shoot, he had called me and said, Manoj bhai, I really crave the mutton you cook so next time when you make it, please invite me over."

Manoj praised Sushants intellect and said, Nobody knows what happened to him. All of us are only presuming and guessing things. I have worked with him, and I can say he wasnt a mad guy. He was fairly well-versed in too many things. He was a voracious reader. I found him reading all the time, both on the set and off the set."

He added, He had great knowledge about quantum physics. He used to talk to me about spiritualism and compare it with quantum physics. He was a fantastic mind. I would not like to come to any conclusion because I really dont know what happened to him. Even the CBI is yet to come to a conclusion."

Manoj added, I must tell you that his death news hit me so badly that I was sad for three months as if I had known him so personally and closely." Sushant Singh Rajput died by alleged suicide in June 2020.

DISCLAIMER: This news piece may be triggering. If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata).

First Published: January 08, 2025, 12:33 IST
Sky Force First Song Maaye Out: Akshay Kumar, Veer Pahariya Starrer Track Brings Back Kesari Vibes | Watch

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 14:24 IST

The film also stars Veer Pahariya, Sara Ali Khan and Nimrat Kaur. The film is releasing on January 24, 2025

Sky Force first song Maaye released

Akshay Kumar is gearing up for his first release of 2025, Sky Force. The film also stars Veer Pahariya, Sara Ali Khan and Nimrat Kaur. The film is releasing on January 24, 2025; ahead of it, the makers have released the first song Maaye. It gives fans Kesari song vibes and they just cant keep calm.

The song opens with a war scene and its aftermath. Akshay and Veer are seeing the situation and is very sad as they have lost so many of their soldiers during the operation. On the other hand, Sara is also seen as a pregnant woman waiting for her husband to return safely. The song will arouse patriotism and will make you cry. Recently, the trailer was also released which received positive responses.

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Watch the song here:

In the trailer, Akshay Kumar gives a stern warning to Pakistan when he decides to go ahead and launch Indias first air strike. While he manages to teach the neighbouring country a lesson, Veer Pahariya goes missing during the strike. Akshay believes that Veer was left in Pakistan during the strike and is still alive. However, the Indian government fails to find him. In the movie, Akshay Kumar will be seen in his intense avatar once again. Veer Pahariya will also be making his acting debut with this film. The two will be playing the role of Indian Air Force officers in Sky Force.

The trailer then reveals that Sara Ali Khan will be playing the role of Veers lover in the movie. Among others, Nirmat Kaur and Sharad Kelkar will also be seen playing prominent roles in the movie.

Directed by Sandeep Kewlani and Abhishek Kapur, Sky Force is produced by Dinesh Vijan, Amar Kaushik, and Jyoti Deshpande. The film is set to release globally on January 24, 2025, during the Republic Day weekend.

Sara is busy filming Anurag Basus Metro In Dino, co-starring Aditya Roy Kapur. The film is a sequel to one of the most awaited films of 2007, Life In A Metro. The actress also has an untitled Dharma Productions project alongside Ayushmann Khurrana lined up in her kitty. Helmed by Aakash Kaushik, the movie is reportedly a light-hearted romantic drama. Additionally, Sara Ali Khan is all set to share the screen space with Sidharth Malhotra for the first time in a film directed by filmmaker Deepak Mishra.

Akshay Kumar has also several films lined up in his kitty including Bhooth Bangla, Housefull 5, Jolly LLB 3 and others.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 14:21 IST
Why Farah Khan Thinks It Is 'Harder Now' To Work With Shah Rukh Khan

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Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 16:48 IST

Farah Khan and Shah Rukh Khan have collaborated on a number of projects over the years.

Farah Khan last directed Shah Rukh Khan in Happy New Year. (Photo Credits: Instagram)

Director Farah Khan and Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan have maintained a deep and enduring friendship since the early days of their careers. Despite their ups and downs, the duo remains incredibly close both personally and professionally. Having worked together on several successful films, including the 2014 hit Happy New Year, Farah reflects on the challenges of working with SRK again after more than a decade. Their bond has withstood the test of time, but Farah believes that collaborating with him now would be more difficult than ever.

Speaking to the Times of India, Farah Khan opened up about the long-lasting friendships that she has cultivated in the industry since her initial days, also acknowledging that some of the connections date back before her friends became stars. During the conversation, she fondly spoke about her friendship with the Bollywood Badshah, which started even before the release of Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa and Deewana.

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View this post on Instagram A post shared by Farah Khan Kunder (@farahkhankunder)

Despite having a decades-old friendship, Farah believes working with SRK has become challenging for her. If it was hard working with him then, it is harder now. Every time we work on a song, the pressure doubles because we have created such iconic songs together," she said.

In the same conversation, Farah Khan also shared that she took a break from directing following Happy New Year due to the absence of exciting projects. During her time off, she prioritised her family, cherishing moments with her children and taking holidays. While Farah still harbours a strong desire to return to the directors chair, she stresses the importance of finding the right script and the perfect timing for her comeback.

Shah Rukh Khan And Farah Khans Friendship

For those unaware, Shah Rukh Khan and Farah Khan have been old collaborators in Bollywood, delivering some of the most memorable films to audiences over decades. Farah made her directorial debut with SRKs Main Hoon Na, later collaborating with him on films like Om Shanti Om and Happy New Year. She also made cameo appearances in the actors popular films Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kal Ho Naa Ho.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Farah Khan Kunder (@farahkhankunder)

Additionally, she has also worked as lead choreographer for many of SRKs chart-topping songs like Ruk Ja O Dil Deewane and Chaiyya Chaiyya among many others.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 16:48 IST
Opinion | How Paranoia Fuels Extremism In The West

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News18.com

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 15:12 IST

By demonising right-wing political parties, individuals, and groups, the left amplifies paranoia and exacerbates cycles of extremism, undermining the democratic fabric of society

A protester holds an anti-far right banner showing the faces of French Presidents and the word 'Honte' or 'Shame' during a rally in Paris last year. (AP Photo)

In contemporary politics, the dichotomy of the so-called left" and right" often feels outdated, especially in todays world, where these terms trace their origins to seating arrangements in the French Estates-General. Yet, this antiquated framework persists, weaponised to sow division and fuel hysteria. A particularly troubling trend is how the so-called left amplifies fears of the right wing to stoke paranoia, demonise opposition, and justify authoritarian measures.

This approach has often skewed public perception, contributed to polarisation, and even incited extremist acts. Case studies from the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and other European nations highlight how this phenomenon has unfolded with devastating outcomes. The recently held US elections offered a stark example. In the lead-up, left-leaning media and political figures frequently portrayed right-wing factions as existential threats to democracy.

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Following the Supreme Courts controversial decisions on gun control and abortion, fear-mongering narratives accused conservative groups of orchestrating a rollback of rights". Protests turned violent in some cities, with activists attacking federal buildings and clashing with law enforcement.

Demonising right-wing ideological thought extended beyond policy critiques, portraying all conservatives as complicit in fostering extremism. This framing ignored the nuances of political diversity and fuelled retaliatory violence, such as the targeting of conservative candidates campaign offices in swing states.

In France, the weaponisation of narratives during the 2022 presidential elections against Marine Le Pen and the National Rally party is illustrative. Left-leaning factions likened Le Pens platform to a resurgence of Frances Vichy-era authoritarianism, framing her as a threat to democratic values. Media narratives blamed her rhetoric for a purported rise in hate crimes, despite scant evidence linking her supporters to such incidents.

Simultaneously, left-wing protests turned violent, targeting police and municipal buildings in urban centres such as Paris and Marseille. The overlooked irony is that these violent outbursts mirrored the extremism the left purportedly opposed.

In the United Kingdom, the post-Brexit era saw left-leaning campaigners amplifying fears of xenophobia and regressive nationalism. Following the murder of Labour Member of Parliament Jo Cox in 2016, left-leaning media individuals and outlets portrayed the Brexit movement as intrinsically tied to hate and division.

This framing extended into parliamentary debates, where MPs opposed to Brexit were hailed as defenders of democracy against imagined and exaggerated right-wing threats. The lefts relentless focus on demonising right-wing values and ideas overshadowed legitimate policy debates on sovereignty and economic strategy. This polarisation contributed to incidents such as violent altercations outside polling stations during the 2019 general elections.

Germanys 2019 Halle synagogue attack became another flashpoint, as left-leaning strategists pointed to what they claimed was rising right-wing extremism as the dominant security threat. While this attack was a serious incident of antisemitic violence, the narrative focus eclipsed the broader challenge posed by jihadist terror. For instance, the 2016 Berlin Christmas market attack, which claimed 12 lives and injured dozens, underscored the enduring threat of Islamist extremism.

Yet, narratives from left-leaning factions consistently prioritised framing right-wing formations as the more immediate danger. This may have been part of a strategy to gloss over Islamist-linked plots and incidents that represented significant public safety risks.

Across Europe, similar dynamics have unfolded. In Sweden, immigration debates have been overshadowed by accusations of xenophobia directed at right-wing parties, stifling substantive discussions on integration and crime.

Giorgia Melonis leadership of the Brothers of Italy party faced relentless attempts to associate her with fascist ideologies. Such narratives not only polarised electorates but also eroded public trust in democratic institutions. By framing right-wing formations as an omnipresent threat, the left not only fuelled cycles of insecurity and reactionary extremism but also concealed their own ideological irrelevance.

The consequences of weaponising paranoia are far-reaching. Left-leaning groups across the spectrum have, by design, exacerbated polarisation and the radicalisation of individuals on both ends of the ideological divide, undermining societal cohesion.

The cyclical nature of this rhetoricwhere fear of the right is used to justify retaliatory measuresperpetuates violence and diverts attention from addressing genuine threats. For instance, the 2023 French riots following a police shooting were framed by left-leaning media as a response to systemic racism and right-wing policies. This framing overshadowed law enforcements perspective and the role of criminal elements in the unrest, further polarising public opinion.

To mitigate the destructive impact of these narratives, a commitment to nuanced, fact-based discourse is essential. Media outlets must prioritise accuracy over sensationalism, ensuring balanced reporting that reflects the complexity of security challenges.

Civic education initiatives should empower citizens to critically evaluate political rhetoric, fostering resilience against manipulation. Political leaders, irrespective of their alignment, must reject zero-sum polarisation in favour of constructive engagement.

The lefts weaponisation of fear highlights a troubling trend in contemporary politics. By demonising right-wing political parties, individuals, and groups, they amplify paranoia and exacerbate cycles of extremism, undermining the democratic fabric of society. Case studies from the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and beyond reveal the dangers of such narratives, underscoring the urgent need for evidence-based engagement and mutual respect.

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In an era where simplistic labels fail to capture political realities, societies must transcend outdated binaries and recommit to principles of objectivity, transparency, and fairness.

The Author is Research Director at Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies, New Delhi based non-partisan think-tank. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 15:12 IST
Opinion | Land Versus Faith War Rages In Pakistan

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News18.com

Last Updated: January 07, 2025, 15:47 IST

Pakistanis are unable to acknowledge the simple fact that Mahmud Ghaznavi, just like other Muslim marauders, was a tormenter of their ancestors

Many people, led by Pakistan's defence minister Khawaja Asif, are questioning the national narrative that glorifies Mahmud Ghaznavi (and other Muslim invaders like Ahmed Shah Abdali and Muhammad Ghori) as a hero. (File image: X)

That Pakistan faces multiple threatseconomic, military, geopoliticalis a truism. But it also faces something equally, if not more, dangerous: many people, led by defence minister Khawaja Asif, are questioning the national narrative that glorifies Mahmud Ghaznavi (and other Muslim invaders like Ahmed Shah Abdali and Muhammad Ghori) as a hero. Recently, Asif called Ghaznavi a lootera" (looter). In the Pakistani context, it is a sacrilegious comment.

While it would be premature to claim that the ideological foundations of Pakistan have been shaken by such questioning, it is indubitable that the lies of its political, military, religious, and intellectual elites are increasingly coming under scrutiny.

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Mahmud Ghaznavi was a bandit. He used to come here to loot and went (sic) back after looting. We paint him as a hero, but I dont consider him a hero," Asif told a news channel. Ghaznavi is so much lionised in Pakistan that they named a missile after him. The idea was to terrorise Indiato be precise, Hindu Indiafor he invaded our country 17 times, leaving behind a trail of massacres and pillages. The cruelty and plunder of this murderous thug, who claimed to be a great Muslim ruler, a butshikan (iconoclast), endeared him to the Pakistani establishment.

Facts, however, do not support this glorification. Kunwar Khuldune Shahid wrote in a Pakistani newspaper, The Friday Times, As far as the history of the subcontinent is concerned, Mahmud Ghaznavi was the first to orchestrate Shia genocide in the region when he butchered the Ismaili Shia in Multan in 1005 AD. The fact that he managed to massacre even more Hindus and destroyed temples as well, further rubber-stamped his legacy as a true Pakistani."

That has been the biggest problem of true Pakistanis for decades. Always keen to establish its identity different from and antithetical to India, Pakistan has made many and varied attempts to define itself. And yet, the irony of ironies, it had to import its national language, Urdu, and that too from the country it hates so intenselyIndia. I cant think of another country that has borrowed its national language from another country. It also imported its heroesGhaznavi, Abdali, Ghori. It even borrowed historical and epic heroes like Ertugrul from Turkey.

Even more audacious and ludicrous was the endeavour to import ancestors. Every single Muslim in the subcontinent believes s/he is of Arab descent," Salman Rashid, a Pakistani author, wrote in January 2012 in The Express Tribune. If not direct Arab descent, then the illustrious ancestor had come from either Iran or Bukhara. Interestingly, the ancestor is always a great general or a saint. Never ever have we heard anyone boasting of an intellectual for a forebear. We hear of the progeny of savage robber kings."

He wrote further, Arab origin is the favourite fiction of all subcontinental Muslims. Most claim their ancestor arrived in Sindh with the army under Mohammad bin Qasim (MbQ). But, I have heard of lineages reaching back to Old Testament prophets as well. An elderly Janjua (Rajput), from the Salt Range told me of a forefather named Ar, a son of the Prophet Isaac. Ar, he said, was the ancestor of the races that spoke the Aryan tongue!"

DNA testing, however, has put paid to the efforts to import ancestors.

Another Pakistani, Nadeem F Paracha, wrote in Dawn in 2015, Ever since the early 1970s, the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), has been frequently organising Yaum Babul Islaman event in which the party celebrates the conquest of Sindh by Arab commander Mohammad Bin Qasim (in the 8th century CE), explaining it as the advent of Islam in South Asia. Speakers at this event also describe Qasim as the first Pakistani and then trace and place the creation of Pakistan to the arrival of the Arab commander 1,300 years ago."

For decades, Pakistani elites have tried to convince themselves that they had little to do with the land they live on, the languages (Punjabi, Sindhi, Saraiki, Pashto, Balochi, etc.) that emanated from that land, and the rich civilisation and culture they have been inheritors of. Their self-loathing is astonishing; they hate everything that is theirs, everything that makes them what they are. They hate themselves for what they arethe sons and daughters of their soil.

Consider this: parliamentarians are not allowed to speak Punjabi in the national assembly. Six months ago, when Asif spoke a few sentences in Punjabi, he was hooted in the assembly. Such is the tyranny of Urdu. It must hurt them when they find that Encyclopedia Britannica defines Urdu as a member of the Indo-Aryan group within the Indo-European family of languages".

The tyranny, however, is a product and function of Pakistans self-loathing. Owing to this self-loathing, Pakistanis are unable to acknowledge the simple fact that Ghaznavi, just like other Muslim marauders, was a tormenter of their ancestors.

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Against this backdrop, Asifs comment is conspicuous. Despite pushback from the purveyors of fake narratives, he has refused to backtrack. Interestingly, he has received considerable support on social media. It looks like the free flow of information on the internet is making a lot of Pakistanis aware of their roots and reality.

The author is a freelance journalist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: January 07, 2025, 15:47 IST
Opinion | Modinomics In Action: Fuelling An Employment Boom

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News18.com

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 12:47 IST

It is raining jobs, and given the spate of startups that have been mushrooming, thanks to the Modi governments role as a facilitator, the going will only get better

The employability of youth grew significantly from 33.95 per cent in 2013 to 54.81 per cent in 2024, as reported in the 'India Skill Report'. (Representative/PTI File)

Under the inept Congress-led UPA government, from 2004 to 2014, only 2.9 crore additional jobs were created. In comparison, under the Modi government, from 2014 to 2024, 17.19 crore additional jobs have been created. In the last year alone, 4.6 crore jobs were created. Effectively, employment under Congress grew by just 6 per cent (from 2004 to 2014), whereas under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it grew by a solid 36 per cent (from 2014 to 2024), as corroborated by the RBI-KLEMS survey.

Sectorally, employment in the agriculture sector declined by 16 per cent from 2004 to 2014, while it grew by a robust 19 per cent from 2014 to 2023 under the Modi government. Similarly, employment in the manufacturing sector grew by just 6 per cent from 2004 to 2014, while it rose sharply by a healthy 15 per cent from 2014 to 2023.

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Employment in the services sector rose by 25 per cent from 2004 to 2014 under the aegis of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, while it saw a steep 36 per cent rise from 2014 to 2023 under Prime Minister Modis able leadership. In effect, India experienced growth in employment, with 46.7 million jobs created in the financial year ending March 2024, bringing the total number of employed individuals in the country to 643.3 million, or 64.33 crore, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

The number of employed people was 59.67 crore at the end of March 2023, according to the RBIs update on Measuring Productivity at the Industry Level  The India KLEMS (Capital, Labour, Energy, Material, and Services) Database. Using the Tornqvist aggregation formula, the RBI stated that the annual growth in employment during 202324 was 6 per cent, compared to 3.2 per cent in the year-ago period of 202223.

The total employment increased from 53.44 crore in 201920 to 64.33 crore during the previous fiscal year (FY24). The data for the financial year 202223 (FY23) is a provisional estimate of productivity for the total economy. The agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing sector employed 25.3 crore individuals, up from 24.82 crore in 202122, according to FY23 data. Construction, trade, and transport and storage were among the leading employment-providing segments in FY23.

The RBI report included a provisional estimate of productivity for the total economy for the first time for the financial year 202324 (FY24), which is a welcome development. Traditionally, the central banks reports have focused solely on historical data.

The unemployment rate (UR) dropped from 6 per cent in 201718 to 3.2 per cent in 202324. Similarly, the employment rate (WPR) grew from 46.8 per cent in FY18 to 58.2 per cent in FY24. The labour force participation rate (LFPR) also rose sharply, from 49.8 per cent in FY18 to 60.1 per cent in FY24.

The employability of youth (graduates) grew significantly from 33.95 per cent in 2013 to 54.81 per cent in 2024, as reported in the India Skill Report (2014 and 2025 editions). The growth in the youth employment rate has also been rising steadily. For example, the employment rate for youth grew from 31.4 per cent in 201718 to 41.7 per cent in 202324. Equally, the youth unemployment rate dropped from 17.8 per cent in FY18 to 10.2 per cent in FY24. The growth in youth entering the formal job market over the last seven years (from September 2017 to September 2024) has also been significant, with over 4.7 crore youth (aged 1828 years) joining the EPFO fold.

The services sector is absorbing most of the workforce moving out of the agriculture sector. The BFSI sectors share of educated workers is also widening, which is a positive development.

The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has released provisional payroll data for October 2024, revealing a net addition of 13.41 lakh members, including approximately 7.50 lakh new members. This signifies increased employment opportunities and heightened awareness of employee benefits, bolstered by EPFOs effective outreach initiatives.

A notable aspect of the data is the dominance of the 1825 age group, which constitutes a significant 58.49 per cent of the total new members added in October 2024. The net payroll data for this age group for October 2024 stands at 5.43 lakh. This indicates that most individuals joining the organised workforce are youth, primarily first-time job seekers, which is good news. A gender-wise analysis of the payroll data reveals that out of the new members added in October 2024, approximately 2.09 lakh are new female members. Additionally, the net female member addition stood at around 2.79 lakh. The increase in female member additions reflects a broader shift towards a more inclusive and diverse workforce.

According to the annual reports of EPFO and the e-Shram portal, over the past ten years, India has created an all-time record high of 19.20 crore new salaried jobs, along with approximately 8.6 crore contract jobs through non-EPFO-registered entities and self-employment opportunities. This brings the total number of working individuals aged 18 to 59 with regular jobs across the nation to approximately 60.41 crore as of January 2024.

As per data from the latest annual PLFS Reports, the estimated unemployment rate (UR) for persons aged 15 years and above has fallen from 5.8 per cent in FY19 to 3.1 per cent in FY24. The rural unemployment rate decreased from 5 per cent to 2.2 per cent during this period, while the urban unemployment rate dropped from 7.6 per cent to 5.2 per cent.

To encourage employers to create more jobs, several landmark schemes, such as the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY), Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana (PMRPY), and PM SVANidhi, were instituted. As an outcome of these measures, a total of 19.20 crore new jobs were created between 2014 and 2024, which is 135 per cent greater than the 8.22 crore jobs created between 2004 and 2014 by the erstwhile, incompetent Congress government.

In the 202324 Budget, for instance, the Modi government proposed a steep increase in capital investment outlay for the third consecutive year, to Rs 10 lakh crore, which is 3.3 per cent of Indias GDP.

Schemes such as the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY) incentivised employers to create new employment opportunities. It also reduced layoffs and mitigated the pernicious impact of Covid-19 on MSMEs. As of 20 January 2024, the benefits of this scheme have been extended to over 60 lakh employees and more than 1.53 lakh employers.

The Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana (PMRPY), a visionary three-year scheme unlike anything India had witnessed since Independence, was initiated in August 2016 to bring informal workers into the formal workforce. Under this scheme, the Modi government paid both employee and employer contributions (24 per cent of wages) for newly appointed employees towards their social security benefits, such as EPF and EPS, for firms with up to 1,000 employees. For firms with over 1,000 employees, the employees EPF contribution (12 per cent of wages) for a three-year period was paid by the Union government. To date, benefits have been provided to 1.23 crore newly appointed employees through 1.52 lakh employers.

A transformative flagship programme called Standup India" was introduced on 16 January 2016 to primarily assist SC/ST and women entrepreneurs across the nation. According to the Standup-Mitra report, to date, 2.20 lakh SC/STs and women entrepreneurs have been granted loans totalling over Rs 49,593 crore.

A couple of schemes exclusively designed to incentivise and support gig workers are the PM SVANidhi and PM Vishwakarma Yojana. The PM SVANidhi scheme, which remains in effect, was introduced on 1 June 2020 to provide collateral-free loans to street vendors to help them restart their businesses, which were adversely impacted during the Covid pandemic. As of February 2024, 65.98 lakh vendors have benefited from loans under the scheme.

The PM Vishwakarma Yojana was launched on 17 September 2023 to provide end-to-end support to artisans and craftspeople who work with their hands and tools (Vishwakarma) in 18 different trades across the country. This scheme aims to enhance the quality and broaden the reach of Vishwakarmas products and services in domestic and global value chains. As of 20 February 2024, 42.70 lakh Vishwakarmas have been verified as eligible for benefits under the scheme.

Several vibrant flagship programmes such as Start-up India, Make in India, Digital India, International Cooperation Scheme (ICS), Performance and Credit Rating (PCR), Marketing Assistance Scheme (MAS), Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS), Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), and Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes were initiated to generate more jobs for graduates and position India as a global hub for manufacturing and services.

Other significant initiatives include the Syama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM), the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), and the enhanced Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), which features a 20 per cent wage increase. These initiatives also deserve special mention.

Additionally, under the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), various skill development schemes are being implemented through the Skill India Mission. These schemes are targeted at youth aged 15 to 25 in both rural and urban areas across the country, aiming to improve their proficiency for salaried or self-employment opportunities.

Enhancing the skill sets of our youth in line with international standards through initiatives such as the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY), Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs), National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), Prime Ministers Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), National Overseas Scholarship (NOS), Global Engagement Scheme (GES), SERB-POWER (Fellowships & Grants) for women, Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY), Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural and Urban Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM & DAY-NULM), Skill Training & Placement (EST&P), Jan Shikshan Sansthan scheme (JSS), Craftsman Training Scheme (CTS), Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP), and Samarth (Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector), has significantly improved the employability of our youth.

Monetary aid is being provided to individuals or Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to establish self-employment ventures or super-micro entities. These schemes have had a profoundly positive impact on labour force participation as well as workforce availability across the country.

The livelihoods of more than 1.98 crore women farmers (Mahila Kisan) are being strengthened under the Farm Livelihood Intervention Scheme, and over 2.18 lakh women entrepreneurs have been supported under the SVEP. Under PMKVY, as of 31 December 2023, 1.40 crore candidates have been trained.

According to the IMF, the current unemployment rates (UR) in the USA, Canada, and France stand at 3.8 per cent, 6.3 per cent, and 7.3 per cent, respectively, while in Germany, the UK, Australia, and China, they are 3.3 per cent, 4 per cent, 4.3 per cent, and 5.2 per cent, respectively. In contrast, as per the PLFS report, Indias unemployment rate stands at 3.2 per cent, a global record for job creation. Needless to say, it is Prime Minister Narendra Modis path-breaking initiatives that have driven this remarkable surge in employment.

Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), launched on 8 April 2015, provides collateral-free loans of up to Rs 10 lakh to small business entities and individuals to help them establish or expand their businesses. As of 26 January 2024, more than 46.78 crore loans amounting to Rs 28.05 lakh crore have been sanctioned since the schemes inception. The upper limit for MUDRA loans has now been raised from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh.

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PMMY is an outstanding example of how Prime Minister Modi is rapidly transforming India from an economy of job seekers to one of job creators. Clearly, it is raining jobs, and given the spate of startups that have been mushrooming, thanks to the Modi governments role as a facilitator, the going will only get better.

Sanju Verma is an Economist, National Spokesperson of the BJP and the Bestselling Author of The Modi Gambit. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 12:47 IST
Opinion | Sri Narayana Guru: The Ideal Hindu Sannyasi

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 14:15 IST

Pinarayi Vijayans assessment of Sri Narayana Guru must be obligatorily dismissed and dumped as the rantings of an ageing and disoriented communist

Pinarayi Vijayans interpretation of Sri Narayana Gurus philosophy is puerile.

In a remarkably succinct and moving assessment of the iconic Sri Narayana Guru, legendary philosopher-scholar-monk of the Ramakrishna Order and its thirteenth president Swami Ranganathananda describes a unique dimension of the Gurus reform movement.

It was unique in an important respect, Ranganathananda argues, in that it is entirely constructive and devoid of any bitterness against the higher classes". Speaking of the attitude of class hatred that some ideologies and movements propound as a process and method towards empowerment and equity, Swami Ranganathananda observes that such class antagonism and hatred is harmful to the abiding interest of social health and well-being" and that the theory that all social-progress is the result of class-antagonism and class-struggle is yet to be proved."

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Clash of interests in society, he argues, is inevitable (but) what is not so evident is that social progress is the beneficent result of such clashes. It is more reasonable to hold that true progress is possible only where class-antagonism is least, in virtue of the emphasis on ideas and ideals which are the common wealth of all classes."

This vision and ideal were actualised through a unique praxis by Sri Narayana Guru. The Indian conception of dharma, the Swami points out, seeks the unity of social endeavour through harmony and cooperation," and it is to the eternal glory of Sri Narayana Guru to have inaugurated a movement which embodies in itself this unique genius of Hinduism and to have released the forces of the Spirit for the solution of the many pressing problems of even the mundane life of his people."

The Gurus approach, Ranganathananda writes, never created any bitterness or ill-will." He never condemned anyone. He was full of blessings." The key to understanding his philosophy of social reforms P. Parameswaran, another multifaceted and towering thought-leader in the mould of Swami Ranganathananda, reminds us, is to be found in Sri Narayana Gurus famous injunction, Do not create any commotion. It is quite unnecessary." It is commonly understood, Parameswaran points out, that social reform means organising agitations and stirring up passions and denouncing adversaries in vituperative language." The attitude of the Swami in this respect was totally different.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, having been trained and conditioned over a lifetime by an ideology which essentially believes in and lives on fostering class clash and hatred, will obviously have a piecemeal and stunted understanding of Sri Narayana Gurus as was evident in his recent public utterances. Vijayans capacity and authority to interpret Sri Narayana Guru is much less or non-existent when it comes to Swami Ranganathananda, who went on to become a foremost world spokesman and interpreter of Sanatana Dharma.

Vijayans interpretation of Sri Narayana Gurus philosophy is puerile. One cannot blame him. Having read all his life, party pamphlets, he is hardly expected to have read authentic and authoritative assessments of Sri Narayana Guru. In any case, communists in Kerala and all over the country are faced with an exhausted intellectual arsenal. They do not produce anymore the likes of EMS Namboodiripad or Hiren Mukherjee, who were prolific, intense, with a vast reading, possessed of a razor-sharp logic, commanding an impressive expression and flow of language and above all, a mastery of a capacity to interpret and indulge in an informed intellectual debate when it came to Indian traditions and thought.

One could and did differ with them, but that difference was based on a solid foundation of knowledge and of reading. Not so for Vijayan, who is more in the mould of an apparatchik and manager. The point and counterpoint of EMS and P. Parameswaran, also among the stalwart thinkers of the RSS, in Kerala, for instance, is now the stuff of lore and legend.

In his Malayalam opus, Navotthanatthinte Pravacakan: Sri Narayana Guru Swamikal (Narayana Guru: The Prophet of Renaissance) P. Parameswaran refers to Swami Nijananda of Sivagiri Mutt whose unequivocal description of Sri Narayana Guru ought to be taken note of. Sri Narayana Guru, says Swami Nijananda was the votary of Sanatana Dharma which upholds the supreme authority of the Vedas." Surely the spiritual Swami Nijananda, having spent a lifetime embodying the philosophy of Sri Narayana Guru, has a more authentic ring in his assessment than the political Vijayan, whose only purpose is to denigrate Sanatana Dharma and its adherents.

2025 also marks the centenary of two historic visits to the Sivagiri Mutt. Both Mahatma Gandhi and Swami Shraddhanand visited Sri Narayana Guru in 1925, months apart. In the course of an interesting conversation that ensued between Mahatma Gandhi and Sri Narayana Guru, the former asked the Guru whether he was certain that Hinduism is enough for the attainment of salvation?". More than enough", came the Gurus cryptic reply.

Later that year when Swami Shraddhanand, then president of the Bharatiya Hindu Shuddhi Sabha, visited the Mutt, writes P. Parameswaran, Sri Narayana Guru received him with open arms". An interesting conversation followed. Swami Shraddhanand paid compliments to the Guru for the great service he had been doing for the upliftment of the depressed section of the Hindus, and acknowledged the fact that the task of the Arya Samaj had been considerably lightened by him. The Guru returned the compliment by saying that Arya Samaj is really Dhayrya Samaj, thereby acknowledging the fact that it had put courage into the hearts of the people who were originally timid and cowardly." The appreciation of each of the others work was genuine and heartfelt.

The Gurus unique and unparalleled mission aimed to spiritually rejuvenate and socially and culturally empower the marginalised, then in the throes of discrimination and injustice. His whole attention, argues Parameswaran in his opus, was to make the entire community culturally conscious and organisationally strong so that the marginalised and oppressed could uplift themselves. Education and organisation were the two principal pillars on which the Guru built the edifice of his spiritual reform movement. His insistence on cleanliness was intense and uncompromising. Can anyone treat a person practising cleanliness as an untouchable and ask him to move away? Even when asked, will he do so? You should practice cleanliness not to satisfy others, but for yourselves. Cleanliness must begin at home, from the kitchen of your home," Sri Narayana Guru declared.

The Guru was also reputed as an Ayurvedic physician, but, writes Swami Ranganathananda, he was a greater physician of social maladies." He prescribed education as the one remedy for all the ills of the depressed classes." An unwearied champion of modern education for his people," Sri Narayana Guru saw this as an effective means to economic and social advancement." Equally important for him, Ranganathananda notes, was the acquirement of culture, for which he prescribed Sanskrit education." While a third vital need was spiritual sustenance", which came first in importance in his scheme of work and reform. He thus consecrated temples and shrines. Temples, modern education and Sanskrit culture formed integral parts of the Gurus method of root and branch reform." He inspired and infused people with a sense of self-respect and self-help". This evoked the latent capacities of self-reliance in them.

At his Advaita Ashrama at Aluva, which he founded in 1913, Sri Narayana Gurus primary aim, Parameswaran tells us, was to teach and propagate and make man live by the doctrine of Advaita." The school he founded would work out his ideals of an education based on and driven by Advaita. Provision was made for learning English. Without any distinction of caste, students lived and studied together there." The study of Sanskrit, writes Parameswaran, was given the place of pride" in the Advaita Ashrama education centre and like a mother bringing up her children with loving care and filial affection, the Gurus entire attention was focused on the progress of the Sanskrit School. He earnestly desired that the pupils should grow in [an] unique atmosphere of Sanskrit culture. He was very particular that paper-reading and speeches at student assemblies should be entirely in Sanskrit."

Through his mantra of one religion, Sri Narayana Guru, argues P. Parameswaran, has not denied any religion or its usefulness, he only emphasised the basic unity of all religions." It was an effort to usher in greater unity by emphasising the common basis of all religions. Yet, while he accepted all religions as true", Sri Narayana Guru resisted all attempts at religious conversions." That was not all. He was active in reclaiming those who had joined other faiths giving up the Hindu religion." The historic Neyyanttikara reconversion saga in which Sri Narayana Guru took personal initiative is a case in point.

Pinarayi Vijayans ideology vehemently and vituperatively opposes all the manifestations of Sri Narayana Gurus reformative action. The communists have demonized Sanskrit. Legions of their ideologues have denigrated it as an instrument of class control. They have scoffed at Hindus and Sanatana Dharma and have been opposed to temples and temple worship. Their rejection of the invitation to the Ram Temple Pran Pratishtha in Ayodhya was an expression of their disdain for the faith of the majority. Communists have been vehemently opposed to all re-conversion movements initiated by adherents of Sanatana Dharma to welcome back, into the fold, those who had drifted away.

They have heaped abuse on such efforts. Communists have lampooned Hindu culture and have projected it as a retrograde dimension that ought to have no role in our national life. They have repeatedly teamed up with those political elements who have likened Sanatana Dharma to a pestilence that needs to be eradicated. Having rejected all that Sri Narayana Guru symbolises, how does Vijayan qualify to become an exponent of the Gurus philosophy and social action?

The attempt to forcefully secularise Indian thought leaders and reformers is an old communist ploy which needs to be called out. It is a mistaken notion, P. Parameswaran emphasises, that a spiritual teacher cannot be a social reformer or vice versa." Sri Narayana Guru was a happy harmony of these two aspects. In his ideal life, spiritual philosophy found an admirable reconciliation with social reformist zeal. The one was the complement of the other." A spiritual philosophy without the concept of social service," is incomplete and bound to remain dry and bookish."

Sri Narayana Guru thus stands in the long line of an illustrious pantheon of spiritual leader-reformers in the league of Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda, Maharshi Dayananda Saraswati, Sri Aurobindo to name some, who had, to quote P. Parameswarans assessment, all realised the truths of the Hindu religion in their lives and had transmitted religion into experience."

Of these, Sri Ramakrishna was the embodiment of the harmony of all religions." He practised all paths and disciplines in his life and found each one of them real, useful and leading to the truth." Maharshi Dayanands greatness lay in having carried on an uncompromising crusade against what he considered latter-day accretions and corruptions" presenting the Vedic religion to its pristine purity," while Sri Narayana Guru was the modern spokesman of pure Advaita. None of them has claimed for himself the authorship of any religion or a philosophy."

To an interlocutor who wanted to know what his religion was", came the Gurus unequivocal reply, My religion is Sri Sankaras Advaita itself." From this point of view, Parameswaran observes, The religion that Sri Narayana lived and realised by arduous austerities was nothing more than the religion revealed in the Upanishads." If Adi Sankaracharya was not separate and apart from Sanatana Dharma, and if it is that Sri Narayana Guru embodied his religion in his life and action, then how can it be said of Sri Narayana Guru that he was apart from and had nothing to with Sanatana Dharma. It is false dialectics that communist propagandists propagate and would like us to believe.

In the ultimate analysis, argues P. Parameswaran, unarguably one of the finest interpreters of Sanatana Dharma in our age, an ardent and profound narrator of Keralas spiritual, cultural, social and political psyche, Sri Narayana Guru was, an ideal Sannyasin. A Hindu Sannyasin would be a more appropriate word." That qualification aptly describes the essence of Sri Narayana Gurus personality and the source of his spiritual and social action as a continuum and expression of the essence of Sanatana Dharma. In the words of P. Parameswaran, Sri Narayana Guru practised penance and religious austerities prescribed by the Hindu tradition:

He wrote treatises on the perennial philosophy of the Hindu religion. He built temples and installed in them idols of God and Goddesses in keeping with the religious conception of the Hindu. To install even a lighted lamp in lieu of an image is in true Hindu tradition. He strongly discouraged conversions of the Hindus. The Guru taught that each one should practice his own religion with intense faith and then also learn to love and respect other religions. This was his prescription for eradicating religious strife. It is neither the negation of religion nor the creation of new ones"

In any assessment of Sri Narayana Gurus epic life and contributions, one ought to necessarily resort to the authentic and profound appreciations and interpretations of the likes of Swami Ranganathananda and P. Parameswaran. Both stalwarts, sons of Kerala who went on to evolve into illustrious sons of Bharat Mata. Both of them towering seers, interpreters and chroniclers of Indias spiritual and cultural evolution and unfolding.

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When these exist before us, the assessment of Pinarayi Vijayan must be obligatorily dismissed and dumped as pure balderdash, as the rantings of an ageing and disoriented communist.

The author is Chairman, Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation, and a member of the National Executive Committee, BJP. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 14:15 IST
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 8. Azerbaijan makes an important contribution to the energy security of Europe, the European Union's Special Representative for the South Caucasus Magdalena Grono said during a meeting with President Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports.

Magdalena Grono described Azerbaijan as an important partner of the European Union, highlighting the EUs interest in ensuring lasting stability in the South Caucasus region.

Grono emphasized Azerbaijans significance in the regional and broader context and underscored the importance of dialogue between the European Union and Azerbaijan in this regard. She also praised Azerbaijans substantial contribution to Europe's energy security and stressed the importance of energy cooperation.
Right Word | How New Political Realities Can Impact India-Bangladesh Defence Ties

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 07, 2025, 15:37 IST

Despite the challenges posed by political transitions and regional dynamics, the India-Bangladesh defence partnership remains robust

Chief Advisor of Bangladesh's Interim government Muhammad Yunus (PTI File Photo)

In December 2023, a historic milestone in India-Bangladesh defence relations captured significant media attention across both nations. Mohammed Abir Hassan, a 23-year-old Bangladeshi military cadet and the grandson of a 1971 freedom fighter, graduated as an Officer Cadet from the Indian Military Academy (IMA). This achievement marked a first in the history of bilateral defence cooperation between the two countries. While it may appear routine within the context of their long-standing partnership, this symbolic development holds particular significance in light of the evolving political dynamics in Bangladesh following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. It underscores the enduring commitment to defence diplomacy and capacity-building initiatives that have characterised India-Bangladesh relations for decades.

India and Bangladesh share a 4,096-kilometre-long border, the longest between India and any of its neighbours. This shared boundary serves as a testament to the deep and multi-faceted partnership spanning cultural, economic, educational, and defence domains. The foundations of this relationship date back to Bangladeshs birth as an independent nation in 1971, following a genocidal war waged by Pakistan against the Bengali-speaking population of then-East Pakistan. During the nearly ten-month-long conflict, millions were subjected to atrocities, including killings, enforced disappearances, and systematic sexual violence. Indias decisive role in supporting Bangladeshs liberation struggle, both militarily and diplomatically, remains a cornerstone of their bilateral ties. Indias involvement, culminating in the surrender of Pakistani forces in December 1971, laid the groundwork for a relationship built on mutual trust, shared values, and a vision for regional stability and prosperity.

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Over the years, defence cooperation has emerged as a key pillar of India-Bangladesh relations, driven by shared geostrategic interests and a commitment to regional security. The 1972 Friendship Treaty" formalised the framework for their bilateral relationship, with provisions to not enter into any kind of military alliance against each other," refrain from aggression," and disallow the use of their territories for activities detrimental to one another. Despite the absence of a formal defence mechanism during the early years, both nations managed to foster defence ties through consistent engagement, overcoming challenges posed by geopolitical shifts and domestic political transitions.

Bilateral defence engagements between India and Bangladesh gained significant momentum from the late 2000s. The visit of Bangladeshi Army Chief General Moeen Ahmed to India in 2008 was a landmark event that established the groundwork for regular reciprocal visits by senior military leaders. These interactions facilitated mutual trust and contributed to the resolution of longstanding disputes, including the land and maritime boundary issues, by 2014. However, the most substantial impetus for defence cooperation came during Sheikh Hasinas visit to India in April 2017. This visit resulted in the signing of a Framework for Defense Cooperation" agreement aimed at institutionalising and enhancing bilateral defence collaboration.

The framework agreement introduced the Annual Defence Dialogue (ADD), a high-level mechanism co-chaired by Indias Defence Secretary and Bangladeshs Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division (AFD). Since its inception in 2018, the ADD has provided a platform for reviewing ongoing defence initiatives and planning future collaborations. The dialogue alternates between New Delhi and Dhaka, with the fifth round held in Dhaka in 2023. Complementing the ADD is the Tri-Services Staff Talks (TSST), an operational-level forum enabling direct engagements between senior military leaders. The TSST facilitates discussions on strategic and operational matters, including the planning of joint military exercises and capacity-building initiatives.

Beyond the framework agreement, a series of supplementary Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed to enhance strategic cooperation. These include agreements between Indias Defence Services Staff College and Bangladeshs Defence Services Command and Staff College, as well as between the National Defence Colleges of both countries. These MoUs have been instrumental in institutionalising defence exchanges and fostering mutual understanding. Notable high-level visits in recent years include the Indian Air Chiefs visit to Dhaka in February 2024, a delegation from Bangladeshs National Defence College visiting India in May 2024, and the Indian Chief of Naval Staffs visit to the Bangladesh Naval Academy in July 2024. Similarly, Bangladeshs Chief of Army Staff visited New Delhi in April 2024, while Indias Army Chief visited the Bangladesh Military Academy in June 2023.

Another milestone in defence cooperation was Indias extension of a $500 million defence-related line of credit to Bangladesh, the first of its kind offered to any neighbouring country. This credit line facilitates Dhakas acquisition of defence equipment and underscores the strategic depth of their partnership. Additionally, India has committed to supporting Bangladesh in establishing its manufacturing and maintenance facilities for defence platforms, with the aim of bolstering self-reliance in defence production. Under this cooperation framework, India also provides specialised training and technical assistance to enhance the operational effectiveness of Bangladeshs armed forces.

While defence cooperation has flourished, the recent political transition in Bangladesh poses new challenges to the bilateral dynamic. Sheikh Hasinas ouster in August 2024, amid student protests, has introduced uncertainties. However, the enduring nature of India-Bangladesh relations, rooted in shared history and cultural ties, suggests resilience in the face of such transitions. The new administration, led by Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, has demonstrated an understanding of the strategic importance of maintaining strong ties with India.

The India-Bangladesh defence partnership exemplifies the resilience and depth of their bilateral relations. Anchored in historical solidarity and cultural affinity, this relationship has withstood challenges posed by changing political landscapes and external pressures. Defence cooperation, in particular, highlights the shared commitment to regional security and mutual prosperity. Over the past decade, institutionalised mechanisms such as the ADD and TSST, along with high-level exchanges and strategic agreements, have solidified this partnership.

The shared vision of Dhaka and New Delhi for regional stability and development continues to drive their collaboration. Defence cooperation extends beyond military engagements to encompass capacity building, strategic studies, and technological support. Initiatives such as Indias defence credit line and training programmes reflect the depth of this partnership, while joint exercises and staff talks enhance operational synergy.

Despite the challenges posed by political transitions and regional dynamics, the India-Bangladesh defence partnership remains robust. The new leadership in Dhaka is well-positioned to recognise the value of this relationship and build on the foundation laid by previous administrations. Both nations understand that their shared destiny and convergent interests necessitate continued collaboration to ensure the prosperity and security of their people.

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As the two countries navigate the evolving geopolitical landscape, the India-Bangladesh defence partnership serves as a model of resilience and mutual trust. The achievements of recent years, including the historic graduation of Mohammed Abir Hassan from the Indian Military Academy, symbolise the strength of this relationship. Such milestones reaffirm the enduring nature of India-Bangladesh ties and the shared commitment to advancing regional stability and development. By prioritising cooperation and addressing challenges together, India and Bangladesh can continue to deepen their partnership and chart a path towards a secure and prosperous future for South Asia.

The writer is an author and columnist and has written several books. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: January 07, 2025, 15:37 IST
Straight Talk | Trumps US Could Pave The Way For A New World Disorder

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 17:03 IST

If Trump were to follow through on even one of his prioritiesGreenland, Canada or the Panama Canalit would deal a severe blow to the rules-based order that Washington has spent decades championing

Donald Trump is talking about taking over Canada, Greenland and the Panama Canal.

With just a few days to go before Trump enters the White House as the 47th President, the world is already on edge. Trump is talking about taking over Canada, Greenland and the Panama Canal. While he claims Canada could be subject to economic force," he has not ruled out the possibility of using the military to take over Greenland and the Panama Canal. Simultaneously, Trump has vowed to unleash hell" on the Middle East if Hamas does not return the Israeli hostages still held captive by it.

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Under ordinary circumstances, Trumps bombastic rhetoric may have made for good theatre  and just that. However, the world in 2025 is sitting at the cusp of a big change. With Trump back as President, the great power brawl between Washington, Moscow and Beijing is only set to intensify. Given the fact that Trump won with a staggering victory and has both arms of Congressthe House of Representatives and Senateunder his control, a radical change in the US foreign policy is but to be expected.

Trumps Arctic Plan: Taking Control Of Canada And Greenland

The Arctic is melting fast, and that means it will become a viable shipping lane in a few years time. According to the Arctic Council, shipping through the ice-capped region rose to 37 per cent between 2014 and 2024. The cherry on the top is the fact that the Arctic trade route can cut down travel time between East Asia and Europe by 60 per cent, compared to existing lanes passing through the Panama and Suez canals.

Russia already has the upper hand in this part of the world and has envisioned a Northern Sea Route to bypass traditional shipping lanes passing through the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The United States has been trying to play catch up, with little success so far.

Greenland and Canada becoming US territories or protectorates would level the playing field between Washington and Moscow in the Arctic region. Take a look at this map, and you will realise how without Greenland and Canada, the US is at a territorial disadvantage against Russia.

As can be seen, the Arctic Ocean on its right is surrounded by Russian territory, and on the left, by USs Alaska, Canada and Greenland. Trumps plan involves turning Canada and Greenland into American territories so that Russia can be taken head-on. Trumps team also appears to fear the prospect of Russia using Greenland as a springboard for future attacks against America.

The US does have a base equipped with an airfield in southern Greenland. However, that may not be sufficient to counter threats from both Russia and China in the long run, especially as the race for influence over the Arctic intensifies. Donald Trump would be looking to rapidly increase American military presence across more strategic locations in Greenland.

Besides the obvious military relevance of Greenland, it is also a treasure trove of natural resources, including oil and gas. Greenland also houses rare-earth metal deposits, which are now in high demand due to the growth of the electric vehicle market and the larger green transition that the world is trying to achieve. More importantly, Trumps threats of buying Greenland come in the backdrop of China saying it would restrict the export of critical minerals and associated technologies to the US.

The Panama And West Asia Conundrum: Trump Sets Foreign Policy Priorities

With Greenland and Canada, where Trump is trying to secure the USs long-term interests against Russia, over at the Panama Canal, the talk is about keeping China away from Latin America. To do so, Trump categorically refused to rule out the possibility of using the military. The Panama Canal, constructed in the early 1900s, remained under US control until 1977 when treaties negotiated during President Jimmy Carters administration initiated the gradual transfer of the territory back to Panama.

Trump believes China has come to exercise disproportionate influence over the canal, even claiming that the passage was being operated by Chinese soldiers. While that is a fat exaggeration, a Hong Kong-based company does manage two ports at the canals entrances. This is viewed by Trump and his team as a vulnerability using which China can initiate a campaign to maximise its influence across South America.

West Asia is another flashpoint. Having been gripped by wars between Israel and Irans proxies, Donald Trump feels the Biden administration has failed to take decisive action against Tehran. Israel is already said to be preparing for strikes on Irans nuclear facilities, with Trump believed to have said that much less than stopping such attacks, the US could join hands with Tel Aviv when he returns to the White House. At a press conference on January 7, Donald Trump remarked that all hell will break" in the Middle East if Hamas does not return the hostages held by it soon.

That is, in part, an effort by the incoming US administration to project force in a region which has witnessed the withering of American deterrence.

Donald Trump is setting the stage for some radical changes to US foreign policy. The repercussions of these changes will be felt across the world. If Trump were to follow through on even one of his priorities  Greenland, Canada or the Panama Canal  it would deal a severe blow to the rules-based order" that Washington has spent decades championing. It would also place America in the company of countries like Russia and China, who do not dislike the idea of using economic and military force to expand their territories.

For starters, imagine the precedent any US action to take over Greenland, Canada or the Panama Canal would set. Russia could easily argue that if America can use force to secure its interests around the world, Moscow too reserves a similar right to continue its campaign in Ukraine and perhaps even the whole of Eastern Europe. China, on the other hand, would be motivated to expedite its plans to take over Taiwan and fortify its presence across the South and East China Seas.

For developing countries like India, which have long been subjected to Western lectures on the merits of a rules-based world order," any American expansionist project would provide a template that can be mirrored in the subcontinent if need be.

With Bangladesh cosying up to Pakistan like there is no tomorrow, and Islamabad continuing its illegal occupation of Indian Kashmir, New Delhi could argue that if Trump can use force to take over territories that do not belong to America, India can very well do the same to take back territories that do indeed belong to it.

Donald Trumps recent rhetoric signals a seismic shift in the global order, challenging the very foundation of the rules-based system that has governed international relations for decades. By advocating potential territorial expansions into Canada, Greenland, and the Panama Canal, Trump risks aligning the US with powers like Russia and China, which have openly embraced expansionist strategies. Such actions could set a uniquely dangerous precedent, undermining Americas credibility as a champion of international law and emboldening rivals to pursue similar territorial ambitions.

For the free world, this rhetoric threatens to erode collective norms, fuelling geopolitical instability and reshaping the global balance of power.

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For some, the erosion of a rules-based order" may usher in a period of extreme challenges, while for others, an era of opportunities may just be on the horizon.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 16:57 IST
March 12, 2025, 08:31 AM IST | Episode 26

The road to lasting peace in Manipur will be long and fraught with challenges. The scars of the 2023 violence run deep, and the wounds between the Meitei and Kuki communities will not heal overnight. However, what is clear is that the government is not going to let the state remain trapped in an endless cycle of violence and instability
'A DMK Supporter, Not Member': CM Stalin On Anna University Sexual Assault Accused

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 13:30 IST

A biryani vendor was arrested in connection with the sexual assault case. CM MK Stalin said in Tamil Nadu Assembly that the accused was a "DMK supporter, not a member".

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin (PTI Image)

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday admitted in the state Assembly that the accused in the Anna University sexual assault case was a supporter of DMK", however, clarified that he is not a member of the party.

The Chief Minister said that the government acted with an iron fist" in cases of crimes against women and in this case too, Gananesekaran, the accused, was arrested soon after the incident was reported.

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Stalins Admission In Assembly

Accused Gananesekaran is not a member of DMK but just sympathizer or supporter of DMK," Stalin said while addressing the Assembly.

A 19-year-old engineering student was allegedly sexually assaulted on the Anna University campus on December 23 last year. The accused was a biryani vendor and was arrested soon after. The incident has caused a massive uproar by the Opposition in the ongoing Assembly session.

Stalin Slams Opposition

The Chief Minister slammed the Opposition for cheap activities" and allegedly attempting to show that women are unsafe in the state and said that such tactics would not have takers on the ground.

Opposition asks who is that sir? If you really have evidence, please give that to the SIT that is investigating the case. Dont indulge in cheap activities for short-term political benefits. This government has an iron fist on crimes against women. With this one incident, many are trying to show that women are unsafe. Definitely, this wont work among people," Stalin said.

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Stalin said that his government intends to stand with the victim and ensure justice for her. He also said that if the accused was not arrested after the crime or he was saved, then the government could have been blamed.

Even after arresting the accused within a short period of time and collecting evidence, blaming the government only has political benefits," he said.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 13:17 IST
'Compiling Error': Bengaluru Civic Body Admits To Mistakes In Rs 9.5 Crore DPR For Tunnel Road

Reported By :

CNN-News18

Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 20:57 IST

The BBMP commissioner, however, said one mistake does not mean the whole report was a copy-paste job as is being alleged

The civic body recently completed a detailed project report for an underground tunnel road proposal to ease traffic congestion in Bengaluru. (Image: PTI/File)

The Bengaluru civic body admitted to errors in a detailed project report for the tunnel road project in the city, calling it a compiling error". The commissioner, however, said one mistake does not mean the whole report was a copy-paste job" as is being alleged.

A report by CNN-News18, highlighting the errors in the detailed project report (DPR) for Bengalurus Tunnel Road proposal, had left the government and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) embarrassed. The civic body chief has now come out and accepted that there were errors in the report.

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When giving the draft report to the banks for finances, we were thinking of financing the North-South and East-West Corridors together. Later, we decided to have the DPR for the North-South Corridor ready, and then proceeded to the East-West corridor. When changing the book report, in a hurry, the Table 15 in the Executive Summary saw a mistake. But, all the other chapters are consistent. The one page that had a mistake, it was a compiling error," said BBMP commissioner Tushar Girinath.

#BreakingNews | #BBMP Commissioner Tushar Girinath owns up to error in Tunnel Road DPR, calls it a 'mistake' done in haste. Transparency & accountability in action @BharadwajSudath and @harishupadhya with details | #BMP #TunnelRoad pic.twitter.com/JbUQkoznZi News18 (@CNNnews18) January 8, 2025

Girinath said Rodic Consultants, who prepared the report, have apologised for the error. What penalty should be awarded to the consultants, will be decided later. But we do not accept the allegation that because of one error, the entire DPR is a copy-paste job and that its a waste of expenditure," he said.

The BBMP has spent Rs 9.5 crore on its tunnel road DPR prepared by New Delhi-based Rodic Consultants Pvt Ltd, but the executive summary on Page 29 details traffic volumes at different cordon points. It mentions cities and towns in Maharashtra like Malegaon and Nashik.

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The BJP had criticised the state government, raising questions if the project is needed in the first place. The tunnel road itself is not needed. First, take care of the roads above. The Rs 9.5 crore used for the DPR is definitely a waste. There is no planning, that is why there are mistakes. What is the relation between Malegaon and Bengaluru?" asked leader of the opposition R Ashoka.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who is also the city development minister, refused to comment on the faulty DPR.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 20:19 IST
Kejriwal Gets Support Of 2 Big INDIA Bloc Allies As AAP Takes On BJP, Congress In Delhi Polls

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 17:06 IST

Congress and AAP are part of the INDIA bloc at the national level but they are contesting against each other in the Delhi polls.

Former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal (PTI Image)

The INDIA bloc unity seems to be weakening ahead of the Delhi Assembly polls as Mamata Banerjees Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Wednesday extended support to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the upcoming polls, scheduled for February 5. TMCs support came a day after Akhilesh Yadav offered support to AAP against the saffron camp in the national capital.

Notably, Congress and AAP are part of the INDIA bloc at the national level but they are contesting against each other in the Delhi polls. Congress is also contesting all 70 assembly seats in the national capital.

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In a post on X, Kejriwal said he is personally grateful" to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for extending her support to AAP.

TMC has announced support to AAP in Delhi elections. I am personally grateful to Mamata Didi. Thank you, Didi. You have always supported and blessed us in our good and bad times," the former Delhi Chief Minister said.

Minutes later, Trinamools Rajya Sabha MP Derek OBrien responded to Kejriwals post, saying: We have your back @AamAadmiParty."

On Tuesday, soon after the Election Commission announced the dates for the Delhi Assembly election, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav offered his support to AAP following which Kejriwal extended his gratitude to Yadav.

Thank you very much Akhilesh ji. You always support and stand with us. I and the people of Delhi are grateful for this," Kejriwal wrote on X.

Rift In INDIA Bloc?

Following TMCs support to AAP ahead of Delhi polls, speculations regarding a possible rift in the INDIA bloc are rife. It is speculated that Congress is under pressure to give the leadership of the opposition bloc to Mamata Banerjee.

While Mamata Banerjee has repeatedly expressed her interest in leading the INDIA bloc, NCP-SPs Sharad Pawar and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav have also backed the Trinamool chief as the leader of the opposition bloc deepening the Congress woes.

Delhi Polls To Take Pace On February 5

The elections to the 70-member Delhi Assembly are set to take place on February 5 and the votes for the same will be counted on February 8. The national capital will witness a triangular contest between the AAP, BJP and Congress.

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The Arvind Kejriwal-led party swept the 2015 and 2020 elections with 67 and 62 seats, respectively. On the other hand, the BJP was reduced to just single digits in the last two elections. Meanwhile, the Congress party, which once ruled Delhi for 15 years, will now be contesting the polls alone after having stitched an alliance with the AAP for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 16:46 IST
'Why Couldn't He Wait?': Pranab Mukherjee's Daughter Slams Rahul Gandhi's Trip After Manmohans Death

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 18:24 IST

Sharmistha Mukherjee's comment comes a week after the BJP accused Congress of insensitivity over Gandhi's trip, triggering a political debate

The BJP accused Gandhi of prioritising his New Year holiday over Indias 'architect of economic reforms' late Manmohan Singh, as many reports claimed that the Congress MP had flown abroad to ring in the New Year. (PTI Image file)

Sharmistha Mukherjee, daughter of former President Pranab Mukherjee, criticised Congress MP Rahul Gandhi for his decision to travel to Vietnam shortly after the death of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

At a time when the nation was mourning Singhs death, Mukherjee questioned Gandhis decision to leave the country for a New Years trip, suggesting that he could have postponed his travel given the circumstances.

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As an ordinary, concerned citizen of the country, I would definitely like to question Rahul Gandhi on why, when the nation was mourning the death of a Prime Minister, who was a stalwart of his own party, did he have to take off for a foreign trip to celebrate New Years? Why couldnt you wait? The sky wouldnt have fallen," she told India Today in an interview.

Mukherjees comment comes a week after the BJP accused Congress of insensitivity over Gandhis trip, triggering a political debate.

She further expressed disappointment that no Congress leaders attended the rituals after Singhs death. She noted that, according to news reports, no party members were present when Singhs ashes were collected.

During the interview, Sharmistha stressed the importance of offering support to the family during such difficult times. She recalled how, despite Covid-19 restrictions, party leaders had personally extended their condolences following her fathers death in 2020.

This is a time when the party should have strongly stood behind the former Prime Ministers family. When my father died, I got individual condolences from party leaders. It was fair enough that no one came after that since it was during the Covid-19 pandemic," she added.

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With no restrictions now in place, she questioned why no Congress leaders were present for the ritual and why Rahul Gandhi had chosen to travel at that time.

But now there is no Covid, no restriction. Then why was no Congress leader present for the ash collection ritual? Why did Rahul Gandhi fly away? Why did he have to do that at a time like this?," Sharmistha asked.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 18:19 IST
Dell Says Goodbye To XPS And Inspiron: Heres What The Laptops Will Be Called From Now

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 11:39 IST

Dell has the popular XPS and Inspiron series in the market but now the company wants a fresh start with Apple-like branding for its products.

Dell has made a bold decision to kill some of its popular brands,

Dell is taking Apples cue for its laptops and giving them iPhone-like Pro and Pro Max rebranding. The company has made this big call at the CES 2025 this year which means the end of the popular XPS, Inspiron and Latitude names for the brand in the market. Laptop names can be confusing for buyers and unless they know what the brand stands for, like the XPS, people have to do heavy research before choosing the right model for their use. Dell is now making this process simpler by calling its lineup Dell, Dell Pro and Dell Pro Max.

A New Pro Era

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Dell is a popular name in the PC market but even then you might argue that these rebrands are similar to the iPhone monikers that you have seen over many years. The company claims that nobody owns words like Pro and Pro Max which is fair but for the consumers it is hard to see them accept these changes when the actual branding of XPS and Inspiron had a higher recall for the company. So from 2025 onwards, the Dell laptops will cater to the regular users for school and light work purposes.

The Dell Pro lineup will focus on the business segment, while the Dell Pro Max will most likely target the high-end power users. So why is Dell making these changes? The company says it has done its research with tens of thousands of customers, who feel that simple branding could make it easier for people to buy its products.

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The company also knows that with the end of Windows 10 updates later this year, millions of PCs will need to be upgraded, and it feels that having Dell with Pro and Pro Max monikers will get it more buyers.

Having said that, Dell is not making any changes to the Alienware lineup and it will continue with the same branding along with the new Dell models.

Location : Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

First Published: January 08, 2025, 11:39 IST
9-Year-Old Requests Trump Tattoo, Ends Up With American Flag Instead

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 14:57 IST

A tattoo artist in Arizona inked a 9-year-old girl with an American flag after she requested a tattoo of the US President.

The girl's family wanted to express their gratitude to America. (Photo Credits: Instagram)

In Yuma, Arizona, tattoo artist Sosa, co-owner of Black Onyx Empire Tattoo, is at the centre of a heated debate after tattooing a 9-year-old girl. Originally requested to ink a portrait of US President Donald Trump on her neck, Sosa convinced the family to opt for a colourful American flag on her arm instead. While Arizonas law allows minors to get tattoos with parental consent, Sosa expressed concerns, stating he felt it was safer to perform the procedure in his licensed studio rather than risk the child going to an unregulated artist. This decision has sparked widespread discussion about ethics, consent, and the role of tattoo artists in such cases.

The family in question, reportedly refugees from Turkey, wanted the tattoo as a way to express their deep gratitude to America. For them, this wasnt just body artit was a cultural symbol, a piece of their new life in a country they now called home. Sosa was moved by their story, but still, he had reservations. I dont agree with tattoos for children," he explained. I think the law needs to change and there should be stricter age restrictions." Reflecting on his decision, Sosa said, Would I do it again? Probably not. I think there should be laws preventing minors from getting tattoos," reports The Daily Guardian.

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How my phone is going to sound like after I post this? A client came in wanting a tattoo with her parents. Here in Arizona it is legal to do so with parental consent and of course, making sure it is not forced and that the client Loves the tattoo. The client the young girl wanted a portrait of Donald Trump on her neck but I convinced her to do a more patriotic tattoo. Told her in a year if she still wanted Trump then to get it but to think about it," the artist wrote in the caption of his post.

Btw tried to scare them away by saying 500$ for this snap 80$ that but they jumped on that price instead. It backlashed on me," he added.

Watch it here:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by     (@cutzsosa)

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In the aftermath, Sosa suggested the introduction of more stringent tattoo regulations, which he dubbed the Sosa Law. Despite the overwhelming criticism, Sosa stood by his decision, stating, It wasnt ideal, but I believed I was preventing something worse," reports The Daily Guardian.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: January 08, 2025, 14:57 IST
Body Positivity Influencer With 6.7 Million Followers Dies After Choking On Food

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 11:45 IST

Carol Acosta, known on social media as Killadamente, began choking on her food and was rushed to the hospital.

Carol Acosta was a mother of two young daughters. (Photo Credits: Instagram)

Carol Acosta, a 27-year-old influencer with over 6.7 million Instagram followers, has died after choking on food. Known on social media as Killadamente, Acosta was famous for sharing body positivity content. According to reports, the incident occurred while she was having dinner at a restaurant in New York. Acosta began choking and had trouble breathing which led to a medical emergency.

Her cousin told The Mirror that she had an attack of some kind" and was rushed to the hospital. Despite the efforts of doctors, they were unable to save her.

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I know everyone wants to know what happened, but we still are not too sure and we are awaiting the post-mortem results. All I know is that she was having dinner as normal and she began to choke and have difficulties breathing. She had an attack of some kind, she was taken to hospital, but they couldnt save her," the cousin said.

The exact cause of death has not been confirmed and the family is awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination.

Acostas sister, Katyan, confirmed the tragic news on Instagram. As per a screenshot captured by the Daily Mail, the post showed Acosta smiling in a selfie, with Katyan captioning it, I love you sister and I will always love you. I give thanks to God for giving me a sister like you with your big heart. Rest in peace my sister."

In an emotional follow-up post, Katyan added, To all the people who are sending me messages of condolences, I want to thank you a lot for being there and for your support. And thank you also for supporting my sister while she was still alive."

According to her familys GoFundMe page, which has been set up to raise funds for funeral expenses, Acosta died on January 3. The statement reads, On January 3, our dear Carol better known as Killadamente passed away. The Acosta Gonzalez family shares its pain with everyone who knows her."

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At her young age she managed to help thousands of people through her work but on this occasion we unite and ask for your help in making sure she has the farewell she deserves. If its within your possibilities we would appreciate a contribution however small to help go towards funeral costs and help her family and children overcome this enormous loss," the statement continued.

Along with her success as a social media personality, Acosta also made her mark in music, releasing her debut song in 2017 titled Me Amo y No Me Importa" which translates to I Love Myself and I Dont Care." She was a mother of two young daughters, Reina and Legend.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: January 08, 2025, 11:45 IST
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 8. Emmanuel Macron's claim to be a defender of international law has become nothing short of a farce. While the French president frequently touts his commitment to global justice, his actions and statements reveal a stark double standard.

As La Gazette du Caucase, a French online newspaper, highlights in its recent article, Macrons rhetoric, especially regarding Azerbaijan, is nothing more than a hollow attempt to maintain an image of moral superiority on the world stage, all while turning a blind eye to the inconvenient truths that undermine his narrative.

Macron's tendency to belittle and patronize global leaders is well-documented. His dismissive comment in 2017, when he suggested that the Burkinabe president had gone "to fix the air conditioning," set a precedent for his condescending attitude towards African nations. But it is his recent behavior toward Azerbaijan that truly exposes the depths of his hypocrisy.

As highlighted in La Gazette du Caucase article, Macrons unwavering support for Armenian separatists in Azerbaijan, despite the fact that Armenia has been backed by France's geopolitical adversaries Russia and Iran, raises serious questions about the coherence of his foreign policy. The article critiques Macron's approach, emphasizing the inconsistency of his actions in supporting a country that is aligned with nations that France views as its "enemies".

Yet, Macron has chosen to focus his criticism on Azerbaijan, particularly in relation to its actions in French overseas territories. This comes off as not just hypocritical but dangerously out of touch with the realities of international law. Macron claims that Azerbaijan interfered in French territories, notably New Caledonia, yet the French president conveniently ignores the much graver violations of international law committed by Armenia against Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan has long suffered from Armenia's brutal aggression, including ethnic cleansing, massacres, and other grave human rights violations. As La Gazette du Caucase points out, since 1987, over one million Azerbaijanis have been forcibly displaced from their homes. Yet, Macron's government has never held Armenia accountable for these actions. Instead, Macron has chosen to back Armenia, turning a blind eye to the real victims in this conflict - the Azerbaijani people.

Azerbaijans response to Macron's rhetoric, delivered by Foreign Ministry Spokesman Aykhan Hajizada, could not be clearer: France, which claims to defend international law, has consistently failed to condemn Armenia's crimes against Azerbaijan. Azerbaijans military actions, on the other hand, are entirely justified under international law as part of its efforts to reclaim occupied territories. La Gazette du Caucase rightly emphasizes that Macron's failure to acknowledge this only highlights his lack of integrity and his willingness to turn a blind eye to real injustices when they don't fit his narrative.

In addition to his selective approach to the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict, Macrons rhetoric about interference in French territories, such as Mayotte, is another example of his avoidance of uncomfortable truths. The UN has suggested that these territories should be allowed to determine their own future, yet France continues to impose its will, disregarding the rights of local populations. By scapegoating Azerbaijan, Macron deflects attention from the ongoing issues within Frances own territories, avoiding responsibility for his own governments failures.
'Don't Even Know What To Celebrate': Internet Reacts To Srinagar Airport Inaugurating Smoking Area

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 14:01 IST

A recently inaugurated smoking facility at Srinagar Airport has sparked widespread backlash online.

The smoking facility was located near Gate 07 at Srinagar Airport. (Photo Credits: X)

A newly introduced smoking zone within the Security Hold Area at Srinagar Airport has ignited a wave of criticism. The facility has faced strong opposition from health professionals and the public, with Indian hepatologist Dr Cyriac Abby Philips leading the charge. Renowned for his candid views on health issues, Philips voiced his disapproval on social media, condemning the smoking zone. Dr Philips posted a tweet on X (formerly Twitter) where he referred to the inauguration of the smoking area as an"exciting inauguration for morons."

He voiced his frustration, writing, Day-by-day new India keeps reminding me that this is a majority of stupids for the stupids, by the stupids. Exciting inauguration of a smoking area in an airport. Morons."

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His remarks were accompanied by a post from the official Srinagar Airport account which showed the photos from the inauguration of the new facility. The airport had shared the development through its official X page, writing, A smoking zone has been inaugurated today (06.01.2025) inside the Security Hold Area near Gate 07 at #SrinagarAirport. Travellers can now enjoy a designated space for a smoke break."

Day-by-day new India keeps reminding me that this is a majority of stupids for the stupids, by the stupids. Exciting inauguration of a smoking area in an airport. Morons. https://t.co/RCsyLZv5Sv pic.twitter.com/0aR4AFW9MA TheLiverDoc (@theliverdr) January 7, 2025

The post sparked a wave of reactions from social media users with many agreeing with his sharp criticism of the smoking zone inauguration. People took to the comment section to express their disbelief, pointing out that such facilities shouldnt be getting so much attention.

One user wrote, Devils advocate here. There will be knuckleheads who will smoke no matter what. So having a designated area means regular people dont have to put up with those knuckleheads and passive smoking. Then again this is not a real solution. Regulations should be held up more strictly and people who smoke in public should be heavily fined and punished."

However, Dr Philips responded to the comment and made it clear that it wasnt about the act of smoking itself but the unnecessary focus on the opening of a smoking area in a public place. How stupid is this!" he added.

The reactions continued with one person remarking, Even small-time politicians need something to inaugurate to stay in the news. The situation of self-PR is so dire that many dont realise whether such publicity makes them look good or bad. If you ask them, the usual answer is: Any publicity is good publicity."

Yes, we are unbelievably foolish, getting excited and publicising the inauguration of a smoking area at an airport," another commented.

Someone else suggested, They should have simply opened the smoking longue without doing this stupid inauguration."

One more added, Dont even know what to celebrate."

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Ridiculous," a comment read.

The post has amassed more than one lakh views so far.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: January 08, 2025, 13:20 IST
Father Of 3 Makes Medical Claim For Rs 1.91 Crore, Insurance Company Says He Damaged His Own Eye

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 13:25 IST

The Malaysian man, a differently-abled father of three, is accused of injuring his left eye in order to receive RM1 million (approximately Rs 1.91 crore) in insurance

Tan is unemployed and suffers from chronic health issues, including heart disease and has suffered a stroke. (News18 Hindi)

In a shocking incident in Malaysia, a man allegedly intentionally damaged his own eye to claim insurance money. The man, a differently-abled father of three, is accused of injuring his left eye in order to receive RM1 million (approximately Rs 1.91 crore) in insurance. However, the insurance company has filed a fraud case against him.

According to reports, 52-year-old Tan Kok Guan, who is unemployed, allegedly damaged his left eye to claim the insurance amount. The incident occurred on June 8, 2023, between 9am and 6pm in Kampung Paya, Butterworth, Penang, Malaysia. After the injury, Tan filed a claim with the insurance company to receive the payout. However, instead of approving the claim, the company charged him under Section 420 of the Penal Code for fraud, along with other charges.

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The case hearing took place on December 30, 2024, in the Magistrate Court of Butterworth, Penang, where Tan denied the allegations. During the court proceedings, Tans lawyer explained that Tan is unemployed and suffers from chronic health issues, including heart disease and a stroke. He has now also lost his left eye, which has further complicated his situation. The lawyer added that Tans wife is the sole breadwinner, as he is unable to work due to his health and disability.

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The lawyer requested a minimum bail amount due to Tans personal circumstances and highlighted his cooperation with the investigation.

However, the court did not grant Tan bail. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for February 2025, and the allegations against Tan are still under investigation.

Location : Malaysia

First Published: January 08, 2025, 13:25 IST
Hyderabad Student Orders From Blinkit, Swiggy And Zepto To Check 'Who Will Come First'

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 16:03 IST

Zepto was the last one to arrive at the location, as the map did not show the location accurately.

An ISB Hyderabad student experimented with three quick-delivery platforms. (Representative Image )

We live in a day and age where we cant imagine our lives without online delivery applications. The arrival of quick-delivery platforms like Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart and Zepto has been a boon which has revolutionised modern living. From groceries to daily necessities, these platforms have become an integral part of busy urban lifestyles, which saves plenty of time and significantly reduces the hassle of stepping out every time you need something.

Recently, a student of the Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad, put the three leading contenders in this business to the test to check which one delivers the fastest. The experiment surely caught the attention of people on the internet and prompted a wide range of reactions.

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On January 7, the student took to her X (formerly Twitter) account to explain the details of her experiment. She placed orders on Blinkit, Swiggy and Zepto. While the Blinkit app estimated the delivery time to be 13 minutes for her order of two protein bars, Zepto showed 8 minutes for a packet of paneer. Swiggy estimated a delivery time of 21 minutes for a packet of milk.

In her X post, she wrote, Doing good this random experiment at ISB campus lol, ordering from all q-commerce apps together lets wait now to who comes first."

doing good this random experiment at isb campus lol ?ordering from all qcommerce apps together > swiggy showed 21 mins ordered sid farm's milk packet zepto showed 8 mins ordered milky mist paneer blinkit showed 13 mins for one super you and one whole truth protien bar  Sneha (@itspsneha) January 7, 2025

At the end of her experiment, the ISB student announced Blinkit as the winner. In a video shared in the same thread, she said, Sir, aap jeet gaye (Youve won)," further explaining her experiment to the Blinkit delivery guy. She then handed him a bar of chocolate as a token of appreciation.

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In another update, she shared, Swiggy Instamart came second and here is my friend with the order." The last to arrive at the location was the Zepto delivery guy. In a video, he explained that he faced challenges in finding the exact location on the campus as the map did not show him the accurate position. In the caption of the video, the student mentioned, Zepto came last. I guess the cause of the directions, but it took 30 mins for 10 mins delivery. Got to know after talking more to partner that Zeptos store is farthest."

When her post quickly garnered attention on the social media platform, she explained that there was no agenda." behind the experiment. We just wanted to see how accurate the promised times were..," added the ISB student, sharing some lessons, which are: Promised times? Take them with a pinch of salt. Store location matters A LOT. Delivery folks deserve all the credit for making this possible."

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: January 08, 2025, 16:03 IST
No More 'Tum' Or 'Tu', Only 'Aap': Agra Police Ordered To Be More Courteous Towards Citizens

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 10:17 IST

The 21-Point Courtesy Communication Policy provides clear instructions to ensure respectful and professional interaction between officers and the public. Through this initiative, Agra Police hope to foster a more positive relationship with the citizens they serve

To ensure adherence, CCTV cameras are being installed in all police stations across Agra for monitoring purposes. (News18 Hindi)

There is a common perspective towards police behaviour in India, especially in rural areas. Many people even feel scared and nervous when they visit a police station. This fear often stems from the behaviour and attitude of law enforcement. However, in Agra, a campaign has been launched to improve police behaviour, with Police Commissioner J. Ravinder Gaud introducing the Courtesy Communication Policy.

Under this initiative, Agra Police will address citizens with the respectful term aap instead of the informal tum or tu. Along with this, officers will greet callers with Namaste when answering phones.

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New Year, New Approach

To transform the attitude of Agra Police, Commissioner Gaud has issued new directives to all officers. Officers must now stand to welcome complainants, offer them tea and snacks, and then listen attentively to their grievances. Previously, interactions were often abrupt and informal, but now officers are expected to use respectful terms like Shriman during conversations.

To ensure adherence, CCTV cameras are being installed in all police stations across Agra for monitoring purposes. Officers failing to follow the new behavioural guidelines will face disciplinary action.

21-Point Courtesy Communication Policy

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sonam Kumar shared that this policy aims to create a welcoming environment for complainants seeking justice. Any officer who mistreats a complainant will face consequences.

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Efforts have already been made to modernise police stations under the commissionerate system. From improving furniture and seating areas to beautifying police station premises, significant changes have been implemented. The new policy, introduced at the start of the year, is another step in improving public perception of the police.

The 21-Point Courtesy Communication Policy provides clear instructions to ensure respectful and professional interaction between officers and the public. Through this initiative, Agra Police hope to foster a more positive relationship with the citizens they serve.

Location : Agra, India

First Published: January 08, 2025, 10:17 IST
Revisiting The Battle Of Kinmen, Where Taiwan Crushed China And Took 5,000 Prisoners Of War

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 17:18 IST

The Battle of Kinmen began at dawn on October 25, 1949, as hundreds of wooden fishing boats carrying the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) soldiers approached Kinmen.

The Battle of Kinmen occurred in October, 1949.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, in his New Year speech, reiterated Chinas call for reunification with Taiwan, referring to its people as compatriots" and one family." His speech highlighted Beijings long-standing claim over Taiwan as part of its territory. This comes amid growing tensions which include US arms sales to Taiwan and Chinas military exercises near the island. On December 31, 2024, Chinese coast guard vessels entered waters near Taiwans Kinmen Islands, which the latter controls.

According to reports, the Kinmen Islands, located just a few miles from the Chinese mainland, have been at the center of this conflict since the Chinese Civil War. Despite their proximity to China, Beijing has never managed to take control of these islands. This failure is most famously highlighted by the Battle of Kinmen or the Battle of Guningtou, in October 1949.

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Around 76 years ago, on October 1, 1949, the Chinese Communist Party established the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) after a long-drawn struggle against the Nationalist Kuomintang Party (KMT) which had governed mainland China which was then known as the Republic of China (RoC).

The RoC forces had retreated to Taiwan after losing the mainland. The PRC viewed capturing Taiwan as essential to reunify China and eliminate the Republic of China (RoC). However, before invading Taiwan, the Communists needed to secure the frontline Kinmen and Matsu islands.

Kinmen, a group of 13 islets, became the primary target of the PRC and so, they planned an ambitious amphibious assault which they started with an attack by 9,000 soldiers. A second force of 10,000 troops would follow to seize the entire island within three days. Communist leaders believed the RoC defenders on Kinmen were exhausted and poorly equipped after the Civil War but they underestimated the islands defenses.

The Nationalist forces on Kinmen had anticipated the attack so they had fortified the island with 7,455 land mines, about 200 earthen bunkers and beach obstacles to block amphibious landings. They also stationed experienced troops, including veterans of the Burma campaign, equipped with American-made M5A1 Stuart tanks. This preparation ensured Kinmen was ready for the Communist assault.

The battle began at dawn on October 25, 1949, as hundreds of wooden fishing boats carrying PLA soldiers approached Kinmen. The initial landings at Guningtou, Huawei and Lungkou faced fierce resistance. Nationalist forces bombarded the incoming soldiers with machine guns, artillery and mortars. Many PRC landing boats were destroyed by using gasoline, oil, flamethrowers and grenades. Moreover, incoming PRC soldiers were halted by M5A1 tanks.

Despite heavy losses, the Communist forces were determined to wait for reinforcements. On October 26, about 1,000 soldiers managed to breach RoC positions. However, the Nationalist forces, supported by tanks, artillery and airstrikes from P-51 and P-47 aircraft, launched a series of counterattacks. By the evening, the RoC had regained control of Guningtou, cutting off the remaining PRC troops.

The fighting continued until October 27. The remaining Communist forces, who were running out of food and ammunition, were overpowered by Nationalist soldiers in a final assault. More than 5,000 PLA soldiers were captured as prisoners of war and the Communist forces suffered a humiliating defeat.

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Despite their defeat at Guningtou, China did not abandon its plans to capture Kinmen. In July 1950, the PRC prepared another invasion with an aim to capture Dadan Island, part of Kinmen County. On July 26, a force of 700 PRC soldiers launched an amphibious attack after firing artillery shells from Fujian. However, the 298 ROC soldiers stationed on the island successfully repelled the attack.

Over the following years, China attempted several more invasions near Kinmen. None of these efforts succeeded. The US has frequently supported Taiwan and China avoided direct confrontation with the US military to prevent a full-scale war.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: January 08, 2025, 17:18 IST
Thief Kisses Woman And Flees After Finding Nothing Valuable To Steal, Arrested

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 13:21 IST

The accused was arrested after the complaint was filed. Police confirmed that the accused also hails from the same area

According to the police, the accused has no prior criminal record. (News18 Hindi)

A strange and shocking incident has come to light in Malad, on the outskirts of Mumbai. A thief entered a house to steal, but upon finding nothing valuable, the accused kissed the woman present in the house and fled without taking anything. The police registered a case and arrested the accused.

The incident occurred on January 2 in Malad. According to the complainant, when she was alone at home, the accused, Chanchal Chaudhary, broke into the house, locked the door from inside, gagged her, and demanded her earrings, valuables, cash, mobile phone, and ATM card.

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The woman stated that there was nothing valuable in the house, so the accused kissed her and ran away. Following this, the woman lodged a complaint at the Kurar Police Station. The accused was arrested after the complaint was filed. Police confirmed that the accused also hails from the same area.

According to the police, the accused has no prior criminal record. He lives with his family and is currently unemployed. An investigation is ongoing in the case.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 13:21 IST
This American Woman Fell In Love With A Bedouin Tribesman, Moved 11,000km To Live With Him In A Cave

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 16:41 IST

In March 2020, Natalie visited Jordan for the first time, where she encountered Feras Boudin. Their connection grew through online conversations, and after 18 months of chatting, Natalie flew to Jordan in September 2021

Their home, a cave with two rooms, is typical of the Bedouin tribe. (News18 Hindi)

It is said that when love strikes, it knows no limits. An American woman proved the same after falling for a tribal man living 11,000 km away. She was so captivated by him that she left her home to join him in Jordan, where they now live together.

Unique Love Story

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According to a New York Post report, 42-year-old Natalie Snider from Orlando worked as a tour guide for a travel company. Her job allowed her to explore countries such as Germany, Italy, America, and New Zealand frequently. In March 2020, she visited Petra in Jordan, a popular tourist destination, where she encountered Feras Boudin, a 32-year-old man from the Bedouin tribe. Feras, perched on a horse, caught her attention. She was so struck by his demeanour that she took a photo of him and posted it on Instagram.

Feras saw the post, recognised himself in the photo, and commented, confirming he was the man in the picture. He invited Natalie to visit his country to experience his tribes unique lifestyle. Their connection grew through online conversations, and after 18 months of chatting, Natalie flew to Jordan in September 2021.

Life in the Caves

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The pair fell in love, and Natalie left her life in America to live with Feras in the caves of Jordan. Their home, a cave with two rooms, is typical of the Bedouin tribe. Feras has lived there since birth, relying on rainwater for the bathroom. One room stores food for their camels, goats, and chickens. Natalie has since started a tour company in Jordan, offering visitors a chance to explore the country. She also travels occasionally to America and New Zealand.

Natalie remarked on the simplicity of cave life, noting that in urban areas, a persons worth is often judged by their possessions  clothing, accessories, or cars  but this is not the case in a cave. Life there is about connection, simplicity, and authenticity.

Location : Jordan

First Published: January 08, 2025, 16:41 IST
11th India-EU Human Rights Dialogue Focuses On Equality, Freedom

Published By :

PTI

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 18:15 IST

India and EU stress eliminating discrimination, countering religious hatred and enhancing women empowerment at Delhi human rights meet.

India and EU discuss integrating technology with human rights while enhancing cooperation at multilateral UN platforms in Geneva. (IMAGE: X/EU in India)

India and the European Union (EU) on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to principles and values of democracy, rule of law and human rights and agreed on the need to safeguard freedom and diversity of civil society actors.

The issues were extensively discussed at the 11th India-EU Human Rights Dialogue held in Delhi.

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The two sides discussed the issues related to civil and political rights, social, economic, and cultural rights, countering religious hatred, elimination of discrimination in all its manifestations, freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression and opinion, both online and offline, a joint readout said.

While the EU reiterated its opposition to capital punishment, India reiterated its stand on recognition of the right to development as a distinct, universal, inalienable and fundamental human right," it said.

India is among few countries that still have death penalty.

During the dialogue, India and the EU reiterated their commitment to the shared principles and values of democracy, freedom, rule of law, and to the promotion and protection of all human rights," it said.

The two sides emphasised the universality, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelatedness" of all human rights, it added. Reflecting their commitment to upholding human rights, they both agreed on the need to safeguard the freedom, independence and diversity of civil society actors and organisations and other relevant stakeholders such as journalists, respecting freedom of association, expression and peaceful assembly," the readout said.

The two sides also delved into issues of the LGBTQI+ community, women empowerment and issues relating to technology and human rights.

The two sides also exchanged views on the rights of migrants and business and human rights, according to the readout.

India and the EU recognised the importance of strengthening national and international human rights mechanisms for the protection and promotion of human rights," it said.

Both sides underlined the importance of enhancing cooperation in the multilateral fora particularly at the UN General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Council, it said.

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In this regard, they committed to closer cooperation and more regular exchanges between the Permanent Missions of India and the EU in Geneva, in order to identify further opportunities for joint action," the readout added.

The two sides also discussed cooperation on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in accordance with international humanitarian law.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 18:04 IST
Acting Like A Troll: Jagmeet Singh Reacts To Trumps Threats To Merge Canada With US

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 09, 2025, 00:10 IST

Jagmeet Singh joins Doug Ford in countering Trump who said he would use economic force to make Canada the 51st state of the US.

NDPs Jagmeet Singh said while tackling with US President Donald Trump, one should fight fire with fire. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

Left-leaning National Democratic Party (NDP) chief Jagmeet Singh he would counter US President-elect Donald Trumps threat to impose tariffs by imposing counter tariffs.

I'm issuing a challenge today for anyone running to be Prime Minister.Ive committed that Canada would respond to Trump's threats with retaliatory tariffs. Thats how you respond to a bully  with strength. You fight fire with fire to protect Canadian workers and their jobs. pic.twitter.com/dx0dF2q0oP  Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) January 7, 2025

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His comments come day after Trump said he would use economic force" to make Canada a part of the US and turn the independent nation into US 51st state.

Reacting to those remarks, Singh said Trump was acting more like an internet troll than a US president".

Im issuing a challenge today for anyone running to be Prime Minister. Ive committed that Canada would respond to Trumps threats with retaliatory tariffs. Thats how you respond to a bully  with strength. You fight fire with fire to protect Canadian workers and their jobs," he said in a post, sharing a clip of an interview with a news channel.

In the video, he could be heard calling Trump an internet troll".

Donald Trump vowed Tuesday to use economic force against Canada as he pursues his unlikely plan for the country to merge with the United States.

Asked if he would use military force, the incoming US president said no, economic force."

Canada and the United States, that would really be something. You get rid of that artificially drawn line and you take a look at what that looks like. And it would also be much better for national security."

There is not a snowballs chance in hell" that Canada will merge with the United States, outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday, while his foreign minister added the country will never back down" from threats by Donald Trump.

Earlier, Ontario Premier Doug Ford offered to buy two states of the US while countering Donald Trump, who on Tuesdays press conference threatened military action to secure the Panama Canal, and Greenland.

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He has previously vowed to slap 25 percent tariffs on Canadian imports when he takes office on January 20, which could be devastating for Canada as it sends 75 percent of its exports to the United States.

Asked if he would use military force to bring Canada to heel, the incoming president said no, economic force."

Location : Ottawa, Canada

First Published: January 08, 2025, 23:54 IST
Alleged Sex Trafficker Andrew Tate Wants To Be UK PM. He Is Flanked By... Elon Musk

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 11:41 IST

This comes after Elon Musk called for King Charles III to dissolve parliament and hold a general election while expressing his concerns regarding child grooming gangs in the UK.

Andrew Tate and Elon Musk (Image Credit: Bloomberg)

Elon Musk backed Andrew Tate, a former kickboxer facing serious criminal allegations, in his bid to run for UKs prime minister. This comes after the Tesla CEO called for King Charles III to dissolve parliament and hold a general election while expressing his concerns regarding child grooming gangs in the UK.

Elon Musk also slammed Labour Party leader Keir Starmer for not addressing the issue more thoroughly and demanded his resignation. Following this, Elon Musk endorsed a post which praised Andrew Tates entry into British politics.

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Andrew Tate, who previously was banned from X for his comments on sexual assault, recently announced his intention to run for Prime Minister of the UK. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Andrew Tate asked if he should run to save Britain."

What Elon Musk said on Andrew Tates UK PM bid

Elon Musk replied hes not wrong" to a post on X that praised Andrew Tate, with the post stating, Tates plan will be far more effective than the incumbent politicians realise." It added, Even if he doesnt win and become Prime Minister, his involvement will transform British politics and create an army of men demanding change."

Criminal charges against Andrew Tate

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Andrew Tate faces criminal allegations in Romania including rape and human trafficking, along with his brother. Both are set to be extradited to the UK to face additional allegations.

Earlier, Andrew Tate said that the UK is in decline under current leadership as he criticised the generational failure" of UK politics, dubbing himself the unofficial Prime Minister of The United Kingdom".

Location : London, United Kingdom (UK)

First Published: January 08, 2025, 11:07 IST
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 8. France asserts that it supports international law but pursues a colonial policy, executive director of the Baku Initiative Group (BIG) Abbas Abbasov said at a briefing held by the BIG in response to baseless accusations reflected in the report published in December 2024 by France's General Department of National Security and Defense - VIGINUM, Trend reports.

He pointed out that France is pulling the wool over everyone's eyes by asserting that BIG is at odds with the French populace.

This is not true. If Macron asserts that he supports international law, then why are people's fundamental rights not guaranteed in the colonially controlled territories?" Abbasov added.

He also dismissed claims in the report that BIG was working against Frances territorial integrity by promoting ideas of independence.

"We strongly reject this statement. The activities of the Baku Initiative Group are not directed against the territorial integrity of any state. Guided by the principles of international law, our group opposes colonialism and demands the fundamental rights of peoples living under the oppression of colonial policies. The core demand of our organization aligns with UN Resolution 1514, adopted in 1960. Self-determination is the right of peoples living under colonial rule, and we respect their struggle for freedom, unlike the French government," he added.

Abbasov further argued that France is attempting to link the activities of the Baku Initiative Group to its support for Armenia.

"Yesterday, President Macron expressed similar views, stating that France supports international law. How can France support international law while continuing colonial policies?

We do not seek to link the activities of our group with Franco-Azerbaijani bilateral relations. Our groups mission is clear and publicly known. The French government is falsely accusing us of opposing the French people, trying to deceive the global community. Our fight is against colonialism, and it has nothing to do with the French people.

If President Macron truly supports international law, as he claims, he must respect the rights of the peoples living under occupation in 13 territories and recognize their right to freedom. The recent natural disaster in Mayotte, which left 70 percent of homes destroyed, starkly highlights how the French government has enforced discriminatory policies against local residents, failing to provide even the most basic infrastructure that meets minimal standards," the official added.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
No Plans To Allow Pakistan Army In Bangladesh: Yunus' Aide Tells News18 | EXCLUSIVE

Reported By :

CNN-News18

Edited By: Ashesh Mallick



Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 15:24 IST

Yunus' aide opened up on various issues concerning India and Bangladesh in exclusive interview with CNN-News18. He spoke about Sheikh Hasina, Chinmoy Das, growing closeness with Pakistan and more.

Bangladesh interim government advisor Muhammad Yunus (PTI Image)

Bangladeshs interim government has denied the talks of growing closeness with Pakistan under Muhammad Yunus and said that the country wants good relations with all the SAARC nations and is working for its revival".

Shafikul Alam, Press Secretary of Yunus, told CNN-News18 in an exclusive interview over the phone that there are no plans in consideration to let the Pakistan army operate in Bangladesh.

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Yunus wants the revival of SAARC and a good relationship with all countries so he wants good relations with all SAARC countries that also include Pakistan. As part of this, we are building good relations. There are no plans of allowing Pakistani army in Bangladesh," Alam said.

Yunus Press Secretary On Sheikh Hasinas Extradition

When asked if the passport of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been in India since she fled Bangladesh in August last year, has been revoked, Alam confirmed the revocation while also stating that the Bangladesh government has sent a note to India making its desire for her extradition clear. And we expect India would respond to it," he said.

Inquired if there is an element of fear in Bangladesh due to her presence in India, Alam said that Hasina is wanted for numerous crimes such as murder and corruption in Bangladesh.

She is wanted for murder and forced disappearance of people and there are allegations of corruption, extra-judicial killings etc. Her rule was known for widespread human rights violations, murders and mayhem. She is wanted for a lot of crime. Yes, her passport has been revoked," he said.

The Bangladeshi official denied reacting to Indian media reports claiming that the government has extended Hasinas visa easing her continued stay in the country, and stated that he would not respond to the reports as the information has yet not come from official government channels.

Yunus Press Secretary On Chinmoy Prabhus Bail

When asked if Bangladesh can ensure a free and fair trial for Hindu monk Chinmoy Prabhu, who was arrested in November last year on sedition charges, Alam said that the government has restored" independence of the judiciary and a fair trial would be conducted.

We assure free and fair trial. This is one of the priorities of the government. We have restored the independence of the judiciary," he said.

Notably, a Bangladesh court on January 2 rejected bail to former ISKCON priest Chinmoy Krishna Das. He now plans to approach the High Court, according to reports.

The press secretary further did not specify a timeline for when the next meeting between India and Bangladesh would take place, however, said that there are a lot of commonalities between the two countries and they want a good relationship with India.

We dont know when the next meeting could take place between the two sides. We have a good relationship with India. We share a lot of commonalities with India," he said.

Why Has Yunus Not Travelled To India Yet? His Aide Responds

When asked about Yunus travelling to foreign countries but not to India, his press secretary said that all those visits were multilateral in nature and no bilateral tours have taken place so far.

All were multilateral visits of Yunus  UNGA America, D8 to Egypt & COP29 in Davos. We said we want good relations with India. Bangladesh Foreign Ministry can say on his visit to India, I cant comment," he said.

Alam denied having any impact on India-Bangladesh trade since Hasinas ouster and said that India is a growing economy and there has been no change or downside in trade" between the neighbours.

Yunus Press Secretary On Safety Of Minorities

Alam termed the reports of violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh an exaggeration" and said that the new government has zero tolerance" towards such incidents.

Lot of exaggeration in Indian media. We have issued figures on the number of people arrested in those violence. We restored order. On Durga Puja, there were no violent incidents and we also gave two days of holidays to Hindu brothers and sisters. We have zero tolerance towards such incidents of violence," he said.

Notably, reports of atrocities against the Hindu minorities flooded the internet where various videos surfaced showing vandalism of idols and temples in various parts of the country. People from the community also protested against the atrocities, seeking protection. Indias Ministry of External Affairs had also raised concerns over the safety of minorities in Bangladesh and urged the neighbouring government to ensure their security.

Yunus Aide On Sheikh Mujibur Rahmans Legacy

Alam claimed that Hasina only promoted her father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was regarded as the father of the nation until her ouster.

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Hasina only promoted Mujibur Rehman there were others who contributed to the history. Hasina built murals of Rahman everywhere," he said.

When asked if Rahman is no longer the father of the nation and the history textbooks being rewritten, Alam said, We say he is one of the founding leaders of the country.

Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh

First Published: January 08, 2025, 14:58 IST
ChatGPT Was Used To Plan Tesla Cybertruck Attack Outside Trump Hotel, OpenAI responds

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 11:38 IST

Tesla Cybertruck Explosion: OpenAI said it was committed to seeing its tools used responsibly and that theyre designed to refuse harmful instructions.

Tesla Cybertruck Explosion: An investigation of the 37-year-olds searches through ChatGPT showed that he was looking for information on explosive targets.

Former US soldier- Matthew Livelsberger- who exploded a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump hotel in Las Vegas used generative AI including ChatGPT to help plan the attack, Las Vegas police said. An investigation of the 37-year-olds searches through ChatGPT showed that he was looking for information on explosive targets, the speed at which certain rounds of ammunition would travel and whether fireworks were legal in Arizona, the police said.

Calling the use of generative AI a game-changer", the police said the department was sharing information with other law enforcement agencies.An official said, This is the first incident that Im aware of on U.S. soil where ChatGPT is utilized to help an individual build a particular device. Its a concerning moment."

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OpenAI said it was committed to seeing its tools used responsibly" and that theyre designed to refuse harmful instructions. The company said in a statement, In this case, ChatGPT responded with information already publicly available on the internet and provided warnings against harmful or illegal activities. Were working with law enforcement to support their investigation."

The police also unveiled new details about the New Years Day explosion: Livelsberger stopped during the drive to Las Vegas to pour fuel into the Cybertruck, the vehicle was loaded with 60 pounds (27 kilograms) of pyrotechnic material as well as 70 pounds (32 kilograms) of birdshot. The police also said that they have uncovered a six-page document and they are still reviewing contents on a laptop, mobile phone and smartwatch.

Among items released was a journal Livelsberger kept titled surveillance" or surveil" log which showed that Livelsberger believed he was being tracked by law enforcement, the police said.

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As per the log, Livelsberger had considered carrying out his plans in Arizona at the Grand Canyons glass skywalk. Livelsberger, who was deployed twice to Afghanistan, left notes saying the explosion was a stunt meant to be a  wake up call " for the nations troubles, officials said earlier. The explosion caused minor injuries to seven people but no damage to the Trump International Hotel.

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: January 08, 2025, 08:25 IST
'Your X Posts Could Get Someone Killed': TED Chief Reminds Elon Musk Of Journalism Tenets

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 09:24 IST

TED chief Chris Anderson has urged Elon Musk to exercise caution and fairness in his social media posts, asserting that some could have dangerous real-world consequences.

Chris Anderson (L)/Elon Musk (R) (Photos: AP)

In an open letter to Elon Musk, TED chief Chris Anderson has reminded him of the stakes" in the backdrop of the billionaires social media posts. He further wrote that some of the posts by Musk could actually get someone killed" and that the Tesla CEO should reach out to the second party as well to know their stance before he opines that an individual should be hanged or jailed for outrageous crimes.

Anderson also claimed that Musk was not considering the core tenets of journalism while posting on X, and that his efforts to make X the respected home of citizen journalism may fail.

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With a certain amount of trepidation, Im posting this open letter to Elon Musk, someone I have admired, but who, right now, is causing me concern," Andersons letter read.

On top of all your achievements in technology and entrepreneurship, you have become this centurys single most influential writer. You have more than 200 million followers on a powerful platform that you yourself control. And the words that you write flow well beyond just those followers into almost every user of X and far beyond courtesy of extensive media coverage. This makes Rupert Murdoch at his prime seem inconsequential," Anderson wrote.

So theres a lot at stake here, and, as it happens, journalism is something I care deeply about. I began my career as a journalist because I believed that good journalism was essential for the healthy functioning of democracy. Today I am worried  quite deeply worried, actually  that in your triumphant seizing of the global conversation, some of the core tenets of journalism are being forgotten. Without them, I think your efforts to make X the respected home of citizen journalism will fail," he wrote.

There are numerous journalistic principles that matter  Grok can summarize them quite nicely. But theres one in particular thats been troubling me. Its the fairness doctrine. The one that says that before you publish savagely critical claims about an individual, or an institution, you reach out to them for their side of the story."

After all, just possibly, you may have missed a key fact or two that would change how people assess what has happened. Just possibly your sources were motivated to cause damage to that individual. Just possibly theres an alternative explanation of what happened," the TED chiefs letter to Musk read.

So, for example, when you tell hundreds of millions of people that someone should be hanged or jailed for outrageous crimes against humanity, just possibly you should first sound out what those who know those people really well would say about them. Some of your recent posts could literally get someone killed. Do you really want to risk that?" he asked.

How is it possible that you can do this at the very same time that youre calling on people to make X more positive, more beautiful? You say you want to maximize un-regretted user-seconds on X. By far the simplest way you could do this, Elon, is simply to thoughtfully edit what you yourself post," his letter read.

Im hoping you can loosen that ring just a little. For the love of humanity that you profess, I really urge you to embrace the fairness doctrine and showcase a better face of X," Anderson wrote.

With a certain amount of trepidation, Im posting this open letter to @elonmusk, someone I have admired, but who, right now, is causing me concern. I know Im not alone in thinking these thoughts. Please like or repost if youre willing And Elon, if youre listening, please pic.twitter.com/WGU9okIXJ3 Chris Anderson (@TEDchris) January 7, 2025

Elon Musk, fresh from pouring his money and energies into helping Donald Trump win re-election, has now trained his sights on Europe, setting off alarm bells among politicians across the continent.

The Tesla and SpaceX chief executive has endorsed the far-right Alternative for Germany, demanded the release of jailed UK anti-Islam extremist Tommy Robinson and called British Prime Minister Keir Starmer an evil tyrant who should be in prison.

Musks recent focus is on child sexual abuse, particularly a series of cases that rocked northern England towns several years ago, in which groups of men, largely from Pakistani backgrounds, were tried for grooming and abusing dozens of mostly white girls.

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He has accused Starmer of failing to bring perpetrators to justice when he was Englands director of public prosecutions between 2008 and 2013  a charge Starmer strongly denies.

The cases have been used by far-right activists to link child abuse to immigration and Islam.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 09:24 IST
Donald Trump Follows Up 'Economic Force' Threat With Unified US-Canada Map

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 09:14 IST

Donald Trump has once again expressed his desire to absorb Canada into the US as its 51st State, drawing sharp retort from PM Justin Trudeau who said there is no chance of this happening.

Donald Trump and Justin Trudeau (Reuters Image and Truth Social/Donald Trump)

Hours after threatening the use of economic force" to absorb Canada into the United States, President-elect Donald Trump shared a unified map of the two countries painted with the US flag.

Trump has time and again expressed his desire to induct Canada into the US as its 51st State. He also conveyed the same to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau when the latter visited him at Mar-a Lago resort after the Presidential poll victory.

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Check Donald Trumps Posts

In another post, Trump shared a map of the US and Canada, in which the North American country was seen merging with the United States as its 51st State.

This comes hours after Trump, at a press conference at his Florida Mar-a Lago home, threatened to use economic force" to merge Canada into the US, drawing a sharp reaction from Justin Trudeau.

No, economic force. Because Canada and the US, that would really be something. You get rid of that artificially drawn line and you take a look at what that looks like. And it would also be much better for national security," Trump said when asked if he would use the military to induct Canada into the US.

Retorting to his remarks, Trudeau said, There isnt a snowballs chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States".

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said that Trumps remarks show a complete lack of understanding" of Canada and stressed that the country will never back down in the face of threats".

President-elect Trumps comments show a complete lack of understanding of what makes Canada a strong country. Our economy is strong. Our people are strong. We will never back down in the face of threats," she tweeted.

Donald Trump On Panama Canal and Greenland

Trump, in his media interaction, did not rule out the use of military force to seize control of the Panama Canal and Greenland as he declared US control of both to be crucial for US national security.

As a delegation of his advisers and aides, which also included his son Donald Trump Jr. was in Greenland, Trump hinted at the use of military force to secure both territories.

Im not going to commit to that," he said when asked if he would rule out the use of the military. It might be that youll have to do something. The Panama Canal is vital to our country."

He added, We need Greenland for national security purposes."

Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark, a longtime US ally and a founding member of NATO.

Panama, Denmark Respond

Panamas Foreign Minister, Javier Martinez-Acha, firmly rejected Trumps threat, asserting, The canal is under Panamanian control, and it will remain that way."

Trump has also proposed imposing tariffs on Denmark if it refuses his bid to purchase Greenland, a move he claimed is essential to US national security."

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In response, Denmark firmly retorted that Greenland is not for sale."

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Tuesday night, I dont think its a good way forward to fight each other with financial means when we are close allies and partners."

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: January 08, 2025, 08:49 IST
All Hell Will Break Out In Middle East...: Trump's Deadline For Hamas To Return Hostages

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 11:39 IST

Setting a deadline for Hamas to return hostages, Donald Trump said, "If the deal isn't done before I take office, all hell will break out in the Middle East.

US President-elect Donald Trump was convicted of all felony counts in the hush money case. (AP image)

US President-elect Donald Trump warned that all hell will break out" if Hamas did not release hostages before January 20, when he will be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States.

When asked about the status of negotiations with Hamas on the release of American hostages by them, Donald Trump said, All hell will break out. If those hostages arent back, I dont want to hurt your negotiation, if theyre not back by the time I get into office, all hell will break out in the Middle East."

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Expressing anger over the hostage crisis, Donald Trump said, It will not be good for Hamas and it will not be good frankly for anyone. All hell will break out. I dont have to say anymore, but thats what it is. They should have given them back a long time ago  they should have never taken them. There should have never been the attack of October 7th. People forget that, but there was and many people are killed."

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He added, "Theyre no longer hostages. I have people from Israel and others calling, begging me to get  we had also people there from the United States just so you know. Theyre holding some so-called hostages from the US, but Ive had mothers come to me and fathers crying, can I get the body of their son back? Can I get the body of their daughter back?"

Setting a deadline for Hamas to return hostages, Donald Trump said, I tell this, I dont want to hurt the negotiation. If the deal isnt done before I take office, which is now going to be two weeks, all hell will break out in the Middle East."

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: January 08, 2025, 07:44 IST
Five Years After Pandemic, Humans Still Continue To Battle Deadly Covid-19 Virus

Curated By :

AFP

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 12:08 IST

Omicron variant KP.3.1.1 is the most common subvariant present in today's world, five years after pandemic broke out

WHO have recorded around 777 million Covid cases and more than seven million deaths since the first virus outbreak in December 2019. (Pixabay)

Five years since Covid-19 started upending the world, the virus is still infecting and killing people across the globe  though at far lower levels than at the height of the pandemic.

Here is the current state of the play.

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Still With Us

Around 777 million Covid cases and more than seven million deaths have been officially recorded since the first infections emerged in December 2019, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

However, the true toll is believed to be far higher.

The pandemic also crippled health systems, crashed economies and sent the populations of many countries into lockdown.

In the second half of 2022, infection and death rates tumbled due to growing immunity from vaccinations or prior infection. The virus also mutated to become less severe.

In May 2023, the WHO declared the emergency phase of the pandemic was over.

Since then, the virus seems to have gradually become endemic, according to experts, with occasional resurgences similar to the flu  although less seasonal.

It has also largely receded from the public eye.

The world wants to forget this pathogen that is still with us, and I think people want to put Covid in the past as if its over  and in many respects pretend it didnt happen  because it has been so traumatic," WHO pandemic preparedness director Maria Van Kerkhove said last month.

From October to November last year, there were more than 3,000 deaths from Covid across 27 countries, according to the WHO.

More than 95% of official Covid deaths were recorded between 2020 and 2022.

Variants

Since the Omicron variant emerged in November 2021, a succession of its subvariants have been replacing each other as the dominant strain around the world.

At the moment, the Omicron variant KP.3.1.1 is the most common.

The rising XEC is the only variant under monitoring" by the WHO, though the United Nations agency rates its global health risk as low.

None of the successive Omicron subvariants have been noticeably more severe than others, although some experts warn it is not out of the question that future strains could be more transmissible or deadly.

Vaccines And Treatments

Vaccines were developed against Covid in record time and they proved a powerful weapon against the virus, with more than 13.6 billion doses administered worldwide so far.

However rich countries bought up a large portion of the early doses, creating unequal distribution across the world.

Booster shots updated for the JN.1 Omicron subvariant are still recommended in some nations, particularly for at-risk groups such as the elderly.

However, the WHO has said most people  including the elderly  have not kept up with their booster shots.

Even among healthcare workers, the booster uptake rate was below one percent in 2024, according to the WHO.

Long Covid

Millions of people have been affected by long Covid, a still little-understood condition that lasts months after the initial infection.

Common symptoms include tiredness, brain fog and shortness of breath.

About 6% of people infected by coronavirus develop long Covid, the WHO said last month, adding that the condition continues to pose a substantial burden on health systems".

Much about long Covid remains unknown. There are no tests or treatments. Multiple Covid infections seem to increase the chance of getting the condition.

Future Pandemics?

Scientists have warned that another pandemic will strike sooner or later, urging the world to learn the lessons of Covid and prepare for next time.

Attention has recently focussed on bird flu (H5N1), particularly after the United States reported on Monday the first human death from the virus.

The patient in Louisiana had underlying medical conditions and contracted H5N1 after being exposed to infected birds, US health authorities said, emphasising there was no evidence of person-to-person transmission.

Since late 2021, the WHOs member states have been negotiating a world-first treaty on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

However, an agreement has remained elusive ahead of a May deadline, with a key faultline lying between Western nations and poorer countries wary of being sidelined when the next pandemic occurs.

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The Covid pandemic also saw a massive increase in scepticism and misinformation about vaccines.

Experts have warned about the prospect of having vaccine sceptic and conspiracy theorist Robert F. Kennedy Jr.  US President-elect Donald Trumps pick for health secretary  in charge of the US response to a possible pandemic threat over the next four years.

Location : Paris, France

First Published: January 08, 2025, 12:08 IST
'Girl, You're No Longer...': Elon Musk Reacts To Trudeaus Comment On Canada-US Ties

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 23:15 IST

Musk's response followed Trudeau's comment on X, where the Canadian PM said Canada will never be part of the United States

The latest exchange between Musk and Canadian PM comes as Trudeau recently announced his resignation as Canadian Prime Minister. (AP file photos)

Billionaire Elon Musk on Wednesday hit back at Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, responding to a social media post in which Trudeau stated that Canada will never be part of the United States.

In a playful yet pointed remark, Musk said, Girl, youre not the governor of Canada anymore, so doesnt matter what you say."

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Girl, youre not the governor of Canada anymore, so doesnt matter what you say Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 8, 2025

Musks response followed Trudeaus comment on X, where he wrote, There isnt a snowballs chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States. Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each others biggest trading and security partner."

There isnt a snowballs chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States.Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each others biggest trading and security partner.  Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 7, 2025

Musks jab also mirrored a similar remark from US President-elect Donald Trump, who had previously trolled Trudeau by referring to him as Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada."

It was a pleasure to have dinner the other night with Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada. I look forward to seeing the Governor again soon so that we may continue our in depth talks on Tariffs and Trade, the results of which will be truly spectacular for all! DJT," Trump had made the remark after dining with Trudeau at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.

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Additionally, this latest exchange between Musk and Canadian PM comes as Trudeau recently announced his resignation as Canadian Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Party after months of pressure from within his party.

Trudeau, who became Prime Minister in November 2015 and is one of Canadas longest-serving leaders, stated he would remain in office until a new Liberal leader is selected.

Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: January 08, 2025, 19:15 IST
Had The Best Chance Of Beating Him: Biden Says He Could Have Defeated Trump

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 21:17 IST

Biden, however, said that he was not looking to be president at the age of 85-86.

US President Joe Biden expressed concerns over falsehoods spread by his successor Donald Trump in the run-up to the election. (IMAGE: AP PHOTO)

Joe Biden thinks he could have won reelection if he had stayed in the White House race, he said in an interview published Wednesday  while conceding he was unsure if he would have served another full term.

The 82-year-old Democrat, who leaves office on January 20, was asked by USA Today if he believed victory over Republican Donald Trump was a realistic prospect last November, and he pointed to unspecified polling and said: I think yes."

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I really thought I had the best chance of beating him. But I also wasnt looking to be president when I was 85 years old, 86 years old. And so I did talk about passing the baton," Biden said.

But I dont know. Who the hell knows? So far, so good. But who knows what Im going to be when Im 86 years old?"

Biden, the oldest US president in history, faced persistent questions about his mental fitness before withdrawing from the election after a calamitous televised debate against Trump in which he looked incapable of making the case for another term.

He has given fewer sit-down interviews and press conferences than any president since Ronald Reagan, and USA Today was the only print outlet scheduled for a one-to-one before Biden leaves office.

Biden was asked about regrets from the last four years but did not mention the presidential debate, or his decision to break his promise to be a single-term president and a bridge" to next generation.

Instead, he complained about misinformation  pointing to falsehoods to spread by Trump and others about two New Years Day attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas  and to the glacial pace of infrastructure projects.

I think we wouldve been a hell of a lot better off had we been able to go much harder at getting some of these projects in the ground quicker," he said.

Washington has been abuzz with discussion since Trumps victory over potential preemptive pardons for those who may be in the Republican leaders crosshairs when he returns to office.

Biden confirmed that he was considering the idea but had not yet come to a decision.

He described how he told Trump during their Oval Office meeting shortly after the election not to go after perceived enemies, warning that it was counterintuitive for his interest to go back and try to settle scores."

Trump listened but did not offer a response, Biden said.

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For his legacy, the veteran Democrat said he wanted to be remembered for having a plan to restore the post-pandemic economy and reestablish American global leadership.

That was my hope. I mean, you know, who knows?" Biden said. And I hope (history) records that I did it with honesty and integrity, that I said what was on my mind."

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: January 08, 2025, 21:17 IST
Highly Dangerous Los Angeles Wildfire Forces 30,000 To Evacuate, Emergency Declared

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 09, 2025, 10:46 IST

Los Angeles Wildfire: Evacuation orders were in place for approximately 30,000 residents and more than 10,000 homes were threatened, as per the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Los Angeles Wildfire: The Pacific Palisades fire grew to nearly 3,000 acres following which California Governor Gavin Newsom and the City of Los Angeles declared a state of emergency.

A fast-moving brush fire in Los Angeles triggered thousands of evacuations, prompting officials to declare a state of emergency as firefighters struggled to get the fire under control. The Pacific Palisades fire grew to nearly 3,000 acres following which California Governor Gavin Newsom and the City of Los Angeles declared a state of emergency.

Gavin Newsom said in a statement, This is a highly dangerous windstorm thats creating extreme fire risk  and were not out of the woods. Were already seeing the destructive impacts with this fire in Pacific Palisades that grew rapidly in a matter of minutes."

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Follow live updates here

Evacuation orders were in place for approximately 30,000 residents and more than 10,000 homes were threatened, as per the Los Angeles Fire Department. The fire crept dangerously close to the Getty Villa, a hilltop museum in Malibu but administrators assured that the museums collection was safe.

It said in a statement, Fortunately, Getty had made extensive efforts to clear brush from the surrounding area as part of its fire mitigation efforts throughout the year. Some trees and vegetation on site have burned, but staff and the collection remain safe."

Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone said that wind conditions were expected to worsen, adding, We are not out of danger. The National Weather Service has predicted that the winds are going to pick up and get worse."

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Mandatory evacuation order has been issued for the residents in the area from Merrimac Road west to Topanga Canyon Boulevard and south to Pacific Coast Highway.

Much of Southern California is also under red flag alerts for fire danger. California Fire said in an update on X (formerly Twitter), Stay vigilant, avoid activities that could spark fires and have an evacuation plan ready."

Location : Los Angeles, United States of America (USA)

First Published: January 08, 2025, 09:14 IST
His Hatred': Elon Musk Doubles Down On Criticism Of George Soros With Israel Barb

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 11:40 IST

George Soros was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by US President Joe Biden.

Elon Musk has gotten himself involved in British politics. (AP Photo)

Tesla CEO Elon Musk criticised billionaire philanthropist George Soros again after the latter was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by US President Joe Biden. Elon Musk said in a post on X (formerly Twitter), George Soross hatred of humanity includes Israel btw", as he added a screenshot of an old news article which read that George Soros funding of NGOs supporting Hamas was slammed by the Israeli Ambassador to the UN.

This comes after Joe Biden announced the recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, naming 19 individuals whose contributions span politics, philanthropy, sports, and the arts. George Soros, founder of the Open Society Foundations, was cited for his focus on global initiatives that strengthen democracy, human rights, education, and social justice," as per the White House.

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Joe Biden said, These nineteen individuals are great leaders who have made extraordinary contributions to our country and the world. They defend the values of America, even when under attack."

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But George Soros selection sparked polarised responses owing to his longstanding role as a key donor to Democratic causes and his comments on Republican politicians. Reacting to the award, Elon Musk earlier said, A travesty that Biden is giving Soros the Medal of Freedom."

George Soros was also at the centre of a political flashpoint in India when BJP chief JP Nadda accused the Congress of being linked to Soros and his organisations. JP Nadda claimed that the Congress party was acting as a tool" of foreign forces to destabilise India, citing alleged ties between party chief leader Sonia Gandhi and Soros-funded initiatives. The Congress party had then refuted the allegations.

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: January 08, 2025, 10:28 IST
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 8. The international community should not remain indifferent to racism and human rights violations committed by Armenia at the state level, the statement of the Initiative Group of the Parliament of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the return to West Azerbaijan said, Trend reports.

The conflict initiated by Armenia in 1987 has inflicted unparalleled agony on the Azerbaijani populace. Over one million Azerbaijanis were displaced from their ancestral territories as a result of Armenia's belligerent attitude. The emergence of Azerbaijanis as refugees and internally displaced individuals was not an incidental consequence of the conflict but rather a direct outcome of ethnic cleansing meticulously executed by Armenia.

The basis of these crimes is deeply rooted racism in the political environment of Armenia. Racism in Armenia has been institutionalized as a state policy. This state has carried out total and systematic ethnic cleansing on its territory and on Azerbaijani lands that it held under occupation for thirty years. In addition, Armenia fully destroyed the cultural heritage of Azerbaijanis in these territories, plundered Azerbaijan's natural wealth and public and private property, and purposefully massively polluted Azerbaijani territories with mines.

However, ideology based on racial hatred, radical nationalism, and violent extremism is prone to lead to the commission of such large-scale and brutal crimes, the statement reads.

Furthermore, it is noted that the video recording of former Armenian President Levon Ter-Petrosyan's speech, dating back to July 23, 1993, has appeared to prove it once again.

In this speech, Ter-Petrosyan characterized the ethnic cleansing of Azerbaijanis from Armenia and the occupied Azerbaijani territories as a historic achievement.

Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh have solved the problem that the Armenian people could not solve for more than 600 years. Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh have been completely cleansed of foreign nations. I repeat, this was a 600-year problem. The Armenian people will feel the importance of this for at least another 600 years. Imagine if there were 180,000 representatives of a foreign nation in Armenia today, as there were in 1988; we would not have a state today. We would not be able to defend Zangezur, our northeastern region, the coast of Sevan. Even here, several autonomys would have emerged. Remember that in three districts, Azerbaijanis were the majority: Vardenis, Masis, and Amasya. Zangezur had an excessive number of them. Now this problem has been solved, Ter-Petrosyan states.

This statement, made by Levon Ter-Petrosyan as President and presenting as a state policy the occupation and ethnic cleansing that took place during his rule, unequivocally proves Armenia's responsibility as a state for the mentioned crimes and the systematic and organized commission of these crimes, the statement stresses.

Additionally, it is noted that regardless of who was in power in Armenia, this policy continued unchanged. Levon Ter-Petrosian's successor, former president and bloody war criminal Robert Kocharyan promoted racist ideas such as the ethnic and genetic discrepancy between Azerbaijanis and Armenians.

Another former president and war criminal Serzh Sargsyan openly boasted of his role in the 1992 massacre of Azerbaijani civilians in Khojaly and adopted the fascist ideology of Nazi General Garegin Njdeh as official state policy. Current Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who once pursued a policy of annexation, saying Karabakh is Armenia, continues the racist policies of his predecessors by preventing the return of Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia.

In the context of the racist and revanchist policy pursued by Armenia at the state level, its current large-scale armament poses a serious threat to peace and security.

In an interview with Azerbaijani media on January 7, 2025, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev clearly outlined the scale of the threat posed by racism, violent extremism, revanchism, and militarism carried out by Armenia at the state level. We fully and unequivocally support President Ilham Aliyev's views on the establishment of peace and stability in the region and the demands addressed to Armenia. We also take this opportunity to express our deep gratitude to the Head of State for his firm support for the peaceful, safe, and dignified return of Western Azerbaijanis to their homeland, the statement emphasized.

Also, it is noted that the international community, including parliaments, should not remain indifferent to the racism and human rights violations committed by Armenia at the state level, as well as its rapid and full-scale armament.

Armenia, as a member of the UN and a party to many international human rights conventions, must be held responsible for these actions, and its arming must be prevented.

We urge the international community to condemn the systematic racism and ethnic cleansing policy pursued by Armenia at the state level and demand that the Armenian government immediately stop arming, abandon racist policies, ensure the safe and dignified return of Western Azerbaijanis to their homeland, and start a dialog with the Western Azerbaijan Community for this purpose, the statement concludes.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
How About We Buy Alaska And: Canadian Leader Counters Donald Trumps Threats

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 17:38 IST

Ontario Premier Doug Ford was reacting to US President-elect Donald Trumps bid to make Canada the 51st state of the US.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he knew Donald Trump likes to joke around with the statements he makes but said that he takes those seriously. (IMAGE: AP/REUTERS)

Ontario Premier Doug Ford countered US President-elect Donald Trumps proposal to make Canada the 51st state of the US by offering to purchase two states of the US.

To the president, Ill make him a counteroffer. How about if we buy Alaska? And well throw in Minnesota and Minneapolis at the same time? You know, its not realistic" Ford said at a press conference, according to the New York Post. The same leader last December had threatened to cut energy supplies over Trumps threat to impose tariffs.

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We will go to the extent of cutting off their energy, going down to Michigan, going down to New York State and over to Wisconsin," he said, after meeting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who announced his resignation this week.

Speaking on Donald Trumps recent interest in merging Canada with the US, Ford said he takes such statements seriously".

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I know he likes making these comments and he likes joking around  I take that seriously," the premier said in relation to Trumps recent public push to unify the US and Canada.

He may be joking, but under my watch, that will never, ever happen," Ford warned.

Location : Ottawa, Canada

First Published: January 08, 2025, 17:20 IST
India Conveys Readiness To Support Maldives Defence Preparedness At Rajnath, Maumoon Meet

Published By :

PTI

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 18:12 IST

Maumoon visited India almost a year after Indian troops withdrew from Maldives.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh and his Maldivian counterpart Mohammed Ghassan Maumoon comprehensively reviewed various aspects of bilateral defence and security cooperation. (IMAGE: X)

India on Wednesday conveyed to the Maldives its readiness to support the island nation in boosting its defence preparedness as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hosted his Maldivian counterpart Mohammed Ghassan Maumoon for wide-ranging talks focusing on maritime security cooperation.

Held fruitful talks with Maldives Defence Minister Mr Mohammed Ghassan Maumoon in New Delhi.Several issues pertaining to deepening defence cooperation were discussed which would also help in enhancing the capability of Maldives National Defence Forces. Todays discussions will pic.twitter.com/PIYY9NXK5v  Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) January 8, 2025

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In their meeting, the two defence ministers reasserted their firm commitment to work closely in realising the joint vision for India-Maldives comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership, according to an Indian readout.

Maumoon is on a three-day visit to India, nearly eight months after New Delhi completed pulling out its military personnel from the Maldives following a demand by its pro-China President Mohamed Muizzu.

The overall episode had significantly frayed the ties between the two nations.

The defence ministry said the two ministers comprehensively reviewed various aspects of bilateral defence and security cooperation.

During the talks, both sides reasserted the firm commitment to work closely in realising the joint vision for India-Maldives Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership," it said.

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Singh reaffirmed" Indias readiness to support the Maldives in capability enhancement for defence preparedness, including provisioning of defence platforms and assets to augment its capacities, as per its national priorities and in line with New Delhis Neighbourhood First policy and the vision of SAGAR, the ministry said.

SAGAR stands for Security And Growth for All in the Region.

Location : Male, Maldives

First Published: January 08, 2025, 18:12 IST
Not Snowball's Chance In Hell: Trudeau Reacts Sharply To Trump's Threat On US-Canada Merger

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 08:01 IST

Donald Trump once again expressed his desire to absorb Canada into the United States and said that he would do it using "economic force". Justin Trudeau retorted to Trump's threat.

Donald Trump and Justin Trudeau (AP File Image)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday (local time) sharply reacted to US President-elect Donald Trumps threat to use economic force" to merge Canada into the United States, and said that there is no snowballs chance in hell" of that happening.

There isnt a snowballs chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States," Trudeau posted on X.

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Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each others biggest trading and security partner," the Canadian PM added.

There isnt a snowballs chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States.Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each others biggest trading and security partner.  Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 7, 2025

What Did Donald Trump Say On Canadas Merger With US?

Trudeaus reaction came after Trump, set to take over as the next US President this month, said he will use economic force" and not military to merge Canada into the US.

Canada and the United States, that would really be something. You get rid of that artificially drawn line and you take a look at what that looks like. And it would also be much better for national security," Trump told reporters at a press conference at his Florida Mar-a Lago home.

Trump also said that Canada has a very small military" and relies heavily on the US military. Its all fine, but, you know, they got to pay for that. Its very unfair," he said.

Trumps Repeated Threat To Canada

Ever since Trump won the US Presidential polls in November last year, he has threatened to make Canada the 51st State of the US".

He had conveyed it to Trudeau for the first time when the latter met him at his Florida resort last year after the poll victory.

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Trump has also threatened Canada to slap 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods if the north American nation does not act to stop illegal immigration, besides drugs, from across the border into the US.

Soon after Trumps threat, Trudeau had rushed to Florida to meet him.

Location : Ottawa, Canada

First Published: January 08, 2025, 07:32 IST
'Mexican America': Mexico Suggests New Name For US After Trump Plans Renaming Of Gulf Of Mexico

Published By :

AFP

Last Updated: January 09, 2025, 00:17 IST

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum trolled Donald Trump by displaying a 17th-century world map showing North America as "Mexican America.

Sheibaum said that the United States should be called Mexican America, in response to Trump's proposal to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. (IMAGE: AFP)

Mexicos president took a swipe at Donald Trump on Wednesday, saying that the United States should be called Mexican America," after Trumps vow to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America."

At her regular morning press conference, Claudia Sheinbaum displayed a 17th-century world map showing North America as Mexican America."

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Pointing out that the Gulf of Mexico was the name recognized by the United Nations, she turned the tables on Trump, saying: Why dont we call it (the United States) Mexican America?"

It sounds nice, doesnt it?"

He talked about name, we too are talking about the name," she said, while assuring that she expected to have good relations" with the incoming US president.

Trump, who will be sworn in for a second term on January 20, said Tuesday he planned to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America, which has a beautiful ring."

Its appropriate. And Mexico has to stop allowing millions of people to pour into our country," he said.

He also claimed that Mexico was run by drug cartels, to which Sheinbaum responded that in Mexico, the people rule."

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In the run-up to his return to office, Trump has repeatedly lashed out at Mexico, threatening to impose stiff tariffs on imports from one of the United States biggest trading partners unless it halted the flow of illegal migrants and drugs across the border.

He has also revived a threat from his first term to designate Mexican drug cartels as terrorist groups.

Location : Mexico City, Mexico

First Published: January 09, 2025, 00:12 IST
'Not A New Virus': WHO Says HMPV Spike Linked To Seasonal Trends Amid China Concerns

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 20:33 IST

Dr. Harris noted that hMPV is a common virus that usually spreads during winter and spring.

WHOs Margaret Harris briefs the media on the rise in respiratory infections in China. (IMAGE: X)

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday clarified that the surge in cases of seasonal flu, rhinovirus, RSV and hMPV in China recently, this spike follows typical seasonal patterns.

"Human metapneumovirus #hMPV is NOT a new virus. First identified in 2001, it has been in the human population for a long time. It is a common virus that circulates in winter and spring. It usually causes respiratory symptoms similar to the common cold."  @who pic.twitter.com/zojxwNLgH8  United Nations Geneva (@UNGeneva) January 7, 2025

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Chinas reported levels of respiratory infections are within the usual range for the winter season. Authorities report that hospital utilization is currently lower than this time last year, and there have been no emergency declarations or responses triggered," WHO spokesperson Dr. Margaret Harris told reporters in Geneva.

The UN health agency spokesperson said that respiratory infections are increasing in China, as expected during winter," with seasonal flu being the most common," according to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Dr. Harris explained that hMPV, first identified in 2001, has been present in the human population for a long time".

Dr. Harris pointed out that hMPV is a typical virus that spreads during winter and spring and is known to cause respiratory symptoms similar to those of a common cold.

She explained that, like many other viruses associated with the common cold, hMPV can sometimes cause more severe illness in individuals with weakened immunity. This also includes newborns and elderly individuals, who are particularly vulnerable but is not limited to them.

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When questioned about the mortality rate of hMPV, Dr. Harris highlighted that it is extremely low".

She noted that this virus does not typically result in fatalities, except in cases involving the most at-risk groups. To reduce the chances of infection, she recommended basic preventative steps, such as wearing a mask, ensuring proper ventilation in enclosed spaces and maintaining hand hygiene.

Location : Geneva, Switzerland

First Published: January 08, 2025, 20:17 IST
Elon Musk Agrees With UK MP As He Demands Stopping Of Foreign Aid To Pakistan Over 'Deported Rapists'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 09, 2025, 07:49 IST

Rupert Lowe's comments come amid ongoing discussions surrounding the UKs 'Grooming Gangs Scandal', which has drawn significant media attention

British MP Rupert Lowe and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. (AFP file photos)

British MP Rupert Lowe on Wednesday demanded to stop foreign aid to Pakistan in a social media post, a call that was subsequently supported by US billionaire Elon Musk.

Lowe, a member of the Reform Party, highlighted the UKs foreign aid commitment, noting that aid to Pakistan for the year 2023-2024 amounted to 41.5 million and was set to triple to 133 million the following year.

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In his post on X, Lowe questioned whether such aid was being effectively used and demanded that all future payments be withheld until Pakistan accepts and imprisons deported Pakistani rapists".

Foreign aid to Pakistan in 2023/24 was 41.5m, it was set to triple to 133m the following year. An effective use of our money? NO. Every penny of that should be withheld until they accept and imprison the deported Pakistani rapists. I have put that to the Foreign Office," Lowe wrote in his post.

In response, Tesla CEO showed support for Lowes call, replying to the post with Absolutely," expressing his agreement.

Lowes comments come amid ongoing discussions surrounding the UKs Grooming Gangs Scandal, which has drawn significant media attention.

ALSO READ: What Is UKs Grooming Gangs Scandal Involving Pakistanis, Why Has Musk Accused PM Starmer? Explained

The scandal involves groups of men, primarily of Pakistani descent, who have been convicted of sexually abusing and raping young girls. The issue has been particularly controversial in the UK, with many accusing certain political figures of not taking strong enough action against the perpetrators.

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In addition, Musk has previously slammed UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer over his handling of the grooming gangs issue. He has accused Starmer of being deeply complicit in the mass rapes" in an attempt to secure votes, stirring further debate over the scandal.

Musk had accused Starmer of failing to take action on the grooming gangs scandal while he was head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) between 2008 and 2013.

Location : United Kingdom (UK)

First Published: January 09, 2025, 00:01 IST
We Wont Back Down: Melanie Joly Reacts To Donald Trumps US-Canada Merger Remark

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 08:10 IST

Joly said US President-elect Donald Trump's remarks showed a complete lack of understanding of what made Canada a strong country

Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly and US President-elect Donald Trump. (Photo: Reuters)

Canadas Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly responded to United States President-elect Donald Trumps call for a US-Canada merger, saying people of her country will never back down in the face of threats".

Joly, one of the top contenders in the race to succeed Justin Trudeau as Canadas Prime Minister after his exit, took to X, taking strong exception to Trumps remarks.

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In two posts in French and English, she wrote, President-elect Trumps comments show a complete lack of understanding of what makes Canada a strong country. Our economy is strong. Our people are strong. We will never back down in the face of threats."

Donald Trumps Renewed Offer To Merge Canada, US

Hours after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus resignation, US President-elect Donald Trump renewed his proposal to make Canada the 51st state of the United States on Monday.

Trudeau, 53, announced his resignation after facing mounting pressure from his Liberal Party due to his declining popularity. General elections are set for later this year. Trudeau stated he would remain in office until a new leader was chosen by the party.

Trump, 78, who never had a strong rapport with Trudeau even during his first term from 2017-2021, has been suggesting the idea of incorporating Canada as a U.S. state since meeting Trudeau after his November 5 electoral victory at Mar-a-Lago. He has since reiterated this proposal in several social media posts.

Many people in Canada LOVE being the 51st State. The United States can no longer bear the massive trade deficits and subsidies Canada needs to stay afloat. Justin Trudeau knew this and resigned," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

If Canada merged with the US, there would be no Tariffs, taxes would go way down, and they would be TOTALLY SECURE from the threat of the Russian and Chinese Ships that are constantly surrounding them. Together, what a great Nation it would be!!!" said the president-elect after the resignation of Trudeau on Monday.

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There has not been much reaction to Trumps proposal from the Canadian side. Trump has threatened to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports if Toronto is not able top stop the flow of illicit drugs and illegal migrants from its southern border with the US.

In some of the posts, Trump even mocked Trudeau as Governor of the Great State of Canada".

First Published: January 08, 2025, 08:02 IST
Will Bangladeshs Yunus Government Release Terrorist Major Zia? Reports Spark Row

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 08, 2025, 19:29 IST

A former Bangladesh Army officer turned terrorist who has been convicted, Major Zia is accused of orchestrating heinous extremist activities and poses a significant threat to regional stability

Bangladeshs interim government head Muhammad Yunus (AP file photo)

Controversy has erupted in Bangladesh as reports surfaced that the interim government, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, is considering the release of Syed Ziaul Haque, alias Major Zia.

A former Bangladesh Army officer turned terrorist, Major Zia is accused of orchestrating heinous extremist activities and poses a significant threat to regional stability.

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THE DARK LEGACY

Once a decorated officer in the Bangladesh Army, Major Zia transitioned into infamy as a leader of Ansar al-Islam, the Bangladesh wing of Al-Qaeda.

Over the years, he has forged ties with other extremist organisations, including Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), and even ISIS.

His name is linked to the 2011 failed military coup in Bangladesh and a spate of gruesome murders targeting secular bloggers and intellectuals, earning him a death sentence in absentia.

His key convictions include:

The murder of Avijit Roy, a prominent writer, and publisher Foyasal Arefin Dipon

The assassination of secular blogger Niladri Chattopadhyay Niloy

Allegations of conspiring to destabilise both Bangladesh and its neighbour, India, through cross-border militancy and propaganda.

THE CONTROVERSY

Reports suggest that Major Zia, who has been a fugitive for 14 years, applied to Bangladeshs Ministry of Law and Home Affairs for clemency. He has also written to the U.S. State Department to withdraw his name from international terror lists. Critics allege that the interim government plans to pardon him, echoing its controversial stance on other convicted militants.

This alleged move has ignited outrage, with political analysts, security experts, and civil society leaders questioning the motivations of the Yunus-led administration. Opponents argue that such a decision could embolden extremist factions and jeopardise the nations hard-won progress in combating terrorism.

IMPLICATIONS FOR INDIA

Major Zias speeches and communications frequently target India, accusing it of interfering in Bangladeshs sovereignty, while also disseminating anti-India propaganda through militant networks and social media platforms.

Bangladeshi intelligence reports highlight his role in coordinating cross-border movements of militants between Bangladesh and India, as well as his collaboration with anti-India militant groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and JMB to destabilise Indian security. His connections to Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) have facilitated funding and organising operations against India, including providing logistical and financial support to groups like the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA).

Major Zia has also been implicated in plots to assassinate Indian diplomats in Dhaka, which were foiled through joint efforts by Bangladeshi and Indian intelligence. Additionally, he has reportedly attempted to sabotage India-Bangladesh infrastructure projects, including critical cross-border trade routes.

GLOBAL AND DOMESTIC OUTCRY

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The alleged plan to release Major Zia has sparked condemnation both within Bangladesh and internationally. Observers fear it could undermine the countrys counter-terrorism efforts and strengthen the grip of radical groups. This is not just a threat to Bangladesh, but to the entire region," said a senior Indian intelligence official.

With mounting pressure from critics, the Yunus government is yet to confirm or deny the reports. However, the looming spectre of Major Zias potential release has thrown a shadow over Bangladeshs commitment to combating extremism and safeguarding regional stability.

First Published: January 08, 2025, 17:44 IST
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 8. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan made a controversial statement during a press conference on January 8 that dismissed the right of Western Azerbaijanis to return to their ancestral lands, Trend reports.

In response, the Western Azerbaijan Community issued a statement.

"We would like to reiterate that the Armenian governments efforts to frame the issue of the return of Western Azerbaijanis to their ancestral lands as territorial claims, as well as its objections to the term 'Western Azerbaijan,' are entirely unfounded. The term 'Western Azerbaijan' is a self-identification term used by Azerbaijanis who lived in the region, grounded in historical facts. The community has consistently emphasized its respect for Armenias territorial integrity and its desire to pursue a peaceful return.

In light of the unfounded and contradictory claims made by Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, as well as those from Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on July 25, 2023, regarding the 'voluntary departure' of Azerbaijanis from Armenia and the 'compensation' allegedly offered to them, we make the following statement:

First, it is important to note that compensation signifies an acknowledgment of wrongdoing and the losses incurred, which directly contradicts the claim of voluntary departure. If hundreds of thousands of people truly left voluntarily in the middle of winter within a mere two-week period, then why were they offered 'compensation'?

Secondly, we categorically reject the claim that Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia received any form of compensation in exchange for relinquishing their right to return.

Lastly, the Armenian government must recognize that people have the inherent right to return, regardless of how they left their homeland. By preventing Western Azerbaijanis from returning, the Armenian government is committing a crime against humanity.

Mirzoyan's statement once again underscores that Armenia's political leadership cannot abandon its deep-seated animosity towards the Azerbaijani people, as evidenced during the eras of Levon Ter-Petrosyan, Robert Kocharyan, and Serzh Sargsyan. This attitude starkly contradicts their false claims of 'democracy' and 'human rights.'

Armenia is obligated to respect human rights and international law, ensuring the safe and dignified return of Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia. We demand that the Armenian government cease spreading falsehoods and engage in meaningful dialogue with our community regarding the legitimate rights of Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia," the statement reads.

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Daniel Lurie, heir to the Levi Strauss fortune , has never held public office before. But on Wednesday, he'll be sworn in as the 46th mayor of his hometown of San Francisco. The 47-year-old founder of anti-poverty nonprofit Tipping Point Community is the city's first mayor elected since 1911 without ever holding public office, "a reflection of the appetite for change," per the Wall Street Journal . The political outsider, a moderate Democrat, has promised to tackle homelessness and clean up the streets, per KRON . He touts a "common sense" agenda with plans to declare a fentanyl state of emergency, bolster the police force, and order city employees back to the office five days a week, per the New York Times .

Under outgoing Mayor London Breed, homeless encampments were cleared, car break-ins dropped to prepandemic levels, and pop-up shops appeared in vacant storefronts. But Lurie says there's more to do to revitalize downtown and bring back tourists. He also aims to streamline bureaucracy to address the city's nearly $1 billion deficit. "The question, though, is whether a man who inherited tremendous wealth, with a life far removed from most residents, and has no experience in elected office can turn San Francisco around," the Times reports, noting his promise to build 1,500 shelter beds in six months "has been met with skepticism." Yet, refreshingly, Lurie's focus seems entirely on San Francisco, as opposed to "national politics or the future of the Democratic Party."

"If we grow our economy, if we get people off the streets and into mental health beds, if people feel safe walking down our streets again," he'll consider his time in office a success, Lurie tells the Times. While some will argue the owner of a $16 million mansion in the exclusive Pacific Heights neighborhood and a $15.5 million vacation home in Malibu is out of touch, he has allies in the city's tech sector, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who was named as co-chair of Lurie's transition team, and former Twitter CFO Ned Segal, named the city's first-ever chief of housing and economic development. And he's vowed to take a salary of just $1 per year, per the Journal. Breed earned $374,000 annually as of June, per the San Francisco Standard. (More San Francisco stories.)
The Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group and allied militias are committing genocide in Sudan's civil war, the US State Department declared Tuesday. Secretary of State Antony Blinknd called the war a "conflict of unmitigated brutality that has resulted in the world's largest humanitarian catastrophe," CBS News reports. "The RSF and allied militias have systematically murdered men and boyseven infantson an ethnic basis, and deliberately targeted women and girls from certain ethnic groups for rape and other forms of brutal sexual violence," Blinken said.

"Those same militias have targeted fleeing civilians, murdering innocent people escaping conflict, and prevented remaining civilians from accessing lifesaving supplies," Blinken said. The Treasury Department announced sanctions against RSF chief Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo and seven RSF-owned companies in the United Arab Emirates, the AP reports. The conflict between the RSF and Sudan's military erupted in April 2023, causing a massive refugee crisis. The death toll is unknown, but US officials estimated last year that at least 150,000 people had been killed, the Washington Post reports.

Blinken said the conflict has left "638,000 Sudanese experiencing the worst famine in Sudan's recent history" and "over 30 million people in need of humanitarian assistance." The State Department says Sudan's military has also committed war crimes. Before Tuesday's genocide declaration, it had treated both sides as equally responsible for the conflict, the Post reports. "Today's action is part of our continued efforts to promote accountability for all warring parties whose actions fuel this conflict," Blinken said, per CBS News. "The United States does not support either side of this war." (More Sudan stories.)
Justin Trudeau is still Canada's prime minister, for now, and he's apparently had enough of President-elect Trump's remarks about annexing his country. "There isn't a snowball's chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States," Trudeau said in a post on X Tuesday. "Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each other's biggest trading and security partner." At a press conference earlier Tuesday, Trump said he wouldn't use the US military to conquer Canada but said he would consider using "economic force" to join the two countries, the Hill reports. "Canada and the United Statesthat would really be something," Trump said.

Trump has repeatedly spoken in favor of making Canada the "51st state" and referred to Trudeau, who will leave office after his Liberal Party chooses a successor, as a "governor." Leaders of Canada's other main parties also spoke out against Trump's remarks Tuesday, the CBC reports. "Canada will never be the 51st state. Period," Conservative leader Pierre Polievre said in a post on X. "We are a great and independent country. We are the best friend to the US. We spent billions of dollars and hundreds of lives helping Americans retaliate against Al-Qaeda's 9/11 attacks. We supply the US with billions of dollars of high-quality and totally reliable energy well below market prices. We buy hundreds of billions of dollars of American goods."

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh told Trump to "cut the crap" and proposed responding to Trump's threats with retaliatory tariffs. "No Canadian wants to join you. We are proud Canadians. Proud of the way we take care of each other and defend our nation," Singh said in a post on X. "Your attacks will hurt jobs on both sides of the border. You come for Canadians' jobs, Americans will pay a price." On Monday, the leader of Canada's most populous province joked about acquiring parts of the US in response to Trump's remarks about making Canada a state, CTV News reports. "I'll make him a counteroffer; How about if we buy Alaska and throw in Minnesota and Minneapolis at the same time," Ontario Premier Doug Ford said. (More Justin Trudeau stories.)
Nearly 44 years after Jimmy Carter left the nation's capital in defeat, the 39th president returned to Washington for three days of state funeral rites starting Tuesday. Carter's remains, which had been lying in repose at the Carter Presidential Center since Saturday, left the Atlanta campus Tuesday morning, accompanied by his children and extended family. Special Air Mission 39 departed Dobbins Air Reserve Base north of Atlanta and arrived at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. A motorcade carried the casket into Washington for a final journey to the Capitol, where members of Congress will pay their respects, the AP reports.
The Army Green Beret who exploded a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump hotel in Las Vegas used generative AI including ChatGPT to help plan the attack, Las Vegas police said Tuesday. Nearly a week after 37-year-old Matthew Livelsberger fatally shot himself, officials said that according to writings, he didn't intend to kill anyone else. An investigation of Livelsberger's searches through ChatGPT indicate he was looking for information on explosive targets, the speed at which certain rounds of ammunition would travel, and whether fireworks were legal in Arizona, the AP reports.

Kevin McMahill, sheriff of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, called the use of generative AI a "game-changer" and said the department was sharing information with other law enforcement agencies. "This is the first incident that I'm aware of on US soil where ChatGPT is utilized to help an individual build a particular device," he said. "It's a concerning moment."
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 8. The French VIGINUM government service, responsible for national security and defense, tried to denigrate the work of the Baku Initiative Group, the group's executive director Abbas Abbasov said, Trend reports.

He made this remark during today's briefing on the unfounded accusations reflected in the VIGINUM report from December 2024.

"France claimed that the videos spread by the BIG during the protests in New Caledonia were fabricated. However, the videos that France calls fabricated were sent to us by our friends.

The country had restricted internet access and banned social media in the region, but we had already received the videos before imposement of these restrictions," Abbasov explained.

According to him, the French side claims in its report that during the protests in New Caledonia, there was alleged manipulation of the French-speaking audience using "fabricated" photos and videos.

"These videos and photos, which the French side called fabricated, were sent to us by our friends in New Caledonia directly from the scene. The photos and videos were entirely authentic, taken right at the site of the events, and sent to us. The French government was committing killings and mass arrests of Kanaks and did not want the global community to see these atrocities.

The French side later even restricted internet access and blocked several social networks. However, by the time they did so, we already had photos and videos proving the unlawful actions carried out by French law enforcement. The French intelligence services also brought most individuals under investigation simply for showing sympathy toward the Baku Initiative Group, and illegal arrests were carried out," he added.

Established in 2021 to safeguard democracy and electoral discourse, VIGINUM endeavors to detect foreign networks that surreptitiously influence public debate and disseminate their knowledge to the media and governmental bodies. It operates at the inter-ministerial level under the French Prime Minister, within the General Secretariat for Defense and National Security (SGDSN), France's counterpart to the National Security Council, facilitating collaboration and advisory roles for the Ministries of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Armed Forces, and Interior.

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A former nurse at a Virginia hospital where at least seven newborns suffered mysterious injuries has been charged with malicious wounding and felony child abuse. Erin Elizabeth Ann Strotman, 26, is charged in connection with a Nov. 10 incident involving one newborn. However, investigators are probing potential abuse against seven newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit of Henrico Doctors' Hospital in Richmond, at least some of whom suffered fractures, per CNN . Four babies were injured in the summer of 2023 before employees discovered three babies with fractures in late November and December of 2024, reads a Dec. 24 hospital statement, per USA Today .

One father claims his week-old son, who was born weighing just a few pounds, was "one of [Strotman's] first victims" in September 2023, per CNN. Dominique Hackey says he was told his child had a broken leg and feared he, a first-time parent, would be blamed. A hospital investigation concluded the boy likely suffered a broken tibia as the result of an injection, and the case was closed in January 2024, Hackey says. Nine months later, Hackey says Child Protective Services informed him his son had, in fact, been the victim of abuse. He says he later learned another newborn at the hospital suffered injuries months apart from his son.

"The investigation is ongoing and there could be more babies identified," Shannon Taylor, the commonwealth's attorney for Henrico County, tells CNN. County police said investigators reviewed hundreds of hours of surveillance footage before Strotman was arrested and arraigned Friday. It's unclear if she entered a plea. She remained jailed Tuesday without bond. "We kindly request patience as our detectives work to investigate every piece of evidence in connection to these cases," said Police Chief Eric D. English. The hospital, which has been assisting with the police investigation, said it was "shocked and saddened" by the arrest. (More child abuse stories.)
The former US Marine acquitted last month of criminal charges in the death of a man on a New York City subway train is seeking to dismiss a lawsuit brought by the victim's father, the AP reports. Daniel Penny's lawyer, in a court filing Monday, said his client denies the lawsuit's claims that the 26-year-old is culpable for civil damages for using a chokehold on Jordan Neely while Neely was shouting and acting erratically on a crowded train on May 1, 2023. Lawyers for Andre Zachery didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment Tuesday, but have previously noted that civil court cases have a lower burden of proof than criminal ones.
Nearly 44 years after Jimmy Carter left the nation's capital in humbling defeat, the 39th president returned to Washington on Tuesday for state funeral rites that featured the kind of bipartisan praise and ceremonial pomp the Georgia Democrat rarely enjoyed at his political peak. The military honor guards, a procession down Pennsylvania Avenue, and a service in the Capitol Rotunda continued public commemorations for Carter, who died Dec. 29 at age 100. Services will continue through his state funeral Thursday at the National Cathedral, before Carter returns to his hometown of Plains, Georgia, for burial beside his late wife, former first lady Rosalynn Carter, who died in 2023, the AP reports.

As the sun set outside the Capitol, Vice President Kamala Harris, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune celebrated his faith, military service, and devotion to service more than anything he did in politics. "To be sure, his presidency was not without its challenges and international crises," said Harris, for whom Carter cast his final presidential ballot this fall. But she described him nonetheless as "that all-too-rare example of a gifted man who also walks with humility, modesty, and grace." The former president will lie in state Tuesday night and again Wednesday before his remains are moved to National Cathedral. There, President Biden will eulogize Carter.

Carter was not met entirely with adulation Tuesday. President-elect Trump, who mocked Carter during the 2024 campaign, criticized him again during a news conference in Florida for ceding control of the Panama Canal. "Jimmy Carter gave it to them for $1 and they were supposed to treat us well. I thought it was a terrible thing to do," Trump said, per Politico, calling the move a "disgrace." Pressed on whether criticism of Carter was appropriate during the solemn national rites, Trump responded, "I liked him as a man. I disagreed with his policies. He thought giving away the Panama Canal was a good thing." "I didn't want to bring up the Panama Canal because of Jimmy Carter's death," Trump added, though he had first mentioned it unprompted. Trump plans to attend Carter's Washington funeral.

(More Jimmy Carter stories.)
An Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza late Tuesday resulted in the deaths of at least 18 people, including five children seeking shelter in the same tent. The fatalities, concentrated in the Khan Younis region, were mostly displaced individuals, with media reports confirming the bodies of eight children in total were brought to Nasser Hospital. The Israeli military has not commented on this particular incident, while the ongoing conflict is showing limited signs of de-escalation despite some progress in ceasefire negotiations.

The strike adds to the extensive humanitarian toll the Israel-Hamas war has exacted on Gaza's residents. Displaced families in makeshift camps face grim living conditions, compounded by limited access to clean water and food. Munawar al-Bik, a woman from Gaza City, lamented, "What we are living is not a life. ... The situation is unbearable, we have no energy left, we want it to end today." In recent weeks, the harsh winter has caused several infant deaths due to hypothermia, further exacerbating the suffering.

Meanwhile, international diplomatic efforts continue to seek a resolution to the conflict. On another front, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar held talks in the United Arab Emirates, discussing regional developments. Additionally, Ireland's formal intervention in the ICC case accusing Israel of genocide has further strained diplomatic ties between the two nations. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
Six students from Assumption University in Worcester, Massachusetts, are facing serious charges following a social-media-fueled assault incident. Accused of luring an active-duty military service member through a dating app for a so-called "Catch a Predator" prank, the students allegedly ambushed the man, believing he sought underage girls. The situation escalated with the man being chased, punched, and his car door slammed on him before he managed to escape and contact authorities.

The incident, captured on surveillance video, involved the woman who lured the man and a group of students recording the attack on their phones. Initially, the woman falsely reported to police that she was frightened by a "sexual predator." However, police discredited her claims after reviewing footage and finding videos circulating among students. Consequently, five adults and one juvenile face multiple charges, including kidnapping, conspiracy, and one student additionally charged with assault and battery.

Assumption University President Greg Weiner has condemned the students' actions, describing them as "abhorrent and antithetical" to the institution's values. This incident is part of a broader troubling trend, as seen in Illinois where several teenagers were charged for similar assaults inspired by viral social media trends. The defendants are scheduled to be arraigned on January 16. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
Worsening conditions Wednesday are expected to fuel three fast-moving wildfires in the Los Angeles area of Southern California, where at least 49,000 residents are under mandatory evacuation orders and thousands more have been told to prepare to flee. The Palisades Fire , ignited Tuesday morning, had grown to nearly 3,000 acres or 4.5 square miles by evening, per NBC News . Two other fires erupted Tuesday and quickly grew. The Eaton Fire in Pasadena has reached 1,000 acres, taking out the Pasadena Jewish temple and a McDonald's, while the Hurst Fire in the San Fernando Valley is at 500 acres. All three blazes are 0% contained. Further complicating matters: Some fire hydrants in Palisades have run out of water, reports the Los Angeles Times .

One resident who evacuated Tuesday described the scene as "apocalyptic," per NBC. "This is like a horror movie," said another. Others reported they were driving on Sunset Boulevard when fire officials ordered them to get out of their cars and flee the fast-moving flames on foot, per CNN. "A police officer started telling us, 'Get out of your car if you want to live,'" one man told KNBC. Celebrities were among those evacuating from the affluent Pacific Palisades neighborhood on Tuesday. Actor James Woods shared footage of his neighbor's house in flames and predicted his own house was a goner, per NBC. "It feels like losing a loved one," he wrote on X.

More than 1,400 firefighters have been deployed to fight the flames. No deaths have been reported, though more than 300,000 customers were without power early Wednesday. Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in response to what he said were "unprecedented fires." Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is out of the country to attend the inauguration of Ghanaian president John Dramani Mahama but has been sharing fire updates on X. "Explosive" fire growth is likely Wednesday amid "worsening conditions," including winds of 45mph to 95mph and relative humidity in the single digits, per NBC. (More California wildfires stories.)
He was hiking with friends in Australia's Snowy Mountains region, then suddenly he wasn't. Hadi Nazari, 23, had stopped to take photos while exploring Kosciuszko National Park on Boxing Day and failed to meet his companions at a campground later that day, per the BBC and Guardian . Thus began a 13-day search for the medical student, who was remarkably found alive Wednesday despite having reportedly consumed only foraged berries and two granola bars discovered in a mountain hut.

Nazari stumbled upon a group of hikers near Blue Lake, about six miles from the campground, around 3:15pm local time Wednesday, police said. "He told them that he'd been lost in the bush and was thirsty," said Riverina Police District Commander Superintendent Andrew Spliet. The hikers called for help and Nazari was taken by helicopter to the search command post, where he was reunited with family, per the BBC. "It is the happiest day of our lives," relatives told 9News. A search involving some 300 people had turned up only evidence of Nazari, including hiking poles, a lighter, and a camera, per CNN.

Spliet described Nazari of Victoria as in "good health," with no major injuries, though he was taken to a hospital as a precaution. Police District Inspector Josh Broadfoot said it was "an incredible outcome after 13 long days," per 9News. Spliet said authorities don't yet have all the details "about where he's been and how he's actually looked after himself." But Nazari told police he'd accessed water from creeks, foraged for berries, and consumed "two muesli bars" discovered in a mountain hut, per the BBC. That's "pretty much all that he's had to consume over the last two weeks," Spliet said. (More Australia stories.)
As firefighters battled a wildfire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood Tuesday, four dreaded words emerged over radio chatter: "The hydrants are down." The Los Angeles Times reports that a firefighter made the unwanted announcement, while another added, "Water supply just dropped." The problem continued into Wednesdayyet another challenge faced by firefighters struggling to contain fires described as "apocalyptic" across Los Angeles County.

"There's no water in the fire hydrants," resident and developer Vic Caruso told the newspaper on Tuesday. "The firefighters are there [in the neighborhood], and there's nothing they can dowe've got neighborhoods burning, homes burning, and businesses burning. ... It should never happen."

In the New York Times, Emily Baumgaertner reported Wednesday afternoon "that things are getting tense as fire hydrants and reservoirs in the Palisades begin to run low." She recounts this scene: "At the crest of Sunset Boulevard, a desperate man dropped to his knees in front of a firefighter who was battling a blaze consuming the home next door, begging him to turn the water on the flames threatening his own home. Another firefighter warned, 'We're down to 25%. Hold off.'"

The full extent of the problem was unclear, but an official with Los Angeles' Department of Water and Power acknowledged the issue, per NBC News. "We pushed the system to the extremefour times the normal demand was seen for 15 hours straight, which lowered our water pressure," said Janisse Quinones. Three tanks that hold 1 million gallons each ran out three times between Tuesday and Wednesday. "Those tanks help with the pressure on the fire hydrants in the hills of Palisades," said Quinones. "And because we were pushing so much water in our trunk line and so much water was being used before it can get to the tanks, we were not able to fill the tanks fast enough." Emergency water tanks were being deployed, and Quinones also asked residents of Los Angeles to conserve water. (More California wildfires stories.)
After President-elect Trump called for the Gulf of Mexico to be renamed the Gulf of America, Mexico's president unveiled a rival renaming plan. At her daily press conference Wednesday, Claudia Sheinbaum joked that all of North America, including the US, could be renamed "Mexican America," Reuters reports. She pointed to a map from 1607 that used the name, saying, "Mexican America, that sounds nice." Sheinbaum, who noted that the Gulf of Mexico is the name recognized by the United Nations, added that she expects to have "good relations" with Trump, AFP reports.

A history lesson. Reuters reports that the press conference included a history lesson from Sheinbaum and former culture minister Jose Alfonso Suarez del Real. He noted that the Gulf of Mexico name has been in use for centuries and that "Mexican America is recognized since the 17th century" as a name for North America.
Destructive wildfires would not be tearing through the Los Angeles area if it weren't for the policies of Democrats, President-elect Trump said in posts Wednesday. He blamed state regulations that protect endangered species for limiting the amount of water sent to Southern California from the northern part of the state, Politico reports. Trump mostly attacked Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, saying he should have signed a declaration to pump more water through the state to head off the crisis. "I will demand that this incompetent governor allow beautiful, clean, fresh water to flow into California," one Truth Social post said. "He is the blame for this."

Newsom's office replied that the president-elect doesn't have his facts straight: "There is no such document as the water restoration declarationthat is pure fiction. The Governor is focused on protecting people, not playing politics, and making sure firefighters have all the resources they need." Federal and state rules limit the amount of water pumped from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to protect the smelta fish Trump called "essentially worthless." Trump wanted changes to divert more water to growers in the Central Valley in his first administration, per the New York Times. Environmental groups opposed the changes over concerns about the effects on salmon, smelt, and other fish.

President Biden's administration supported a plan that would permit the flow of water but add safeguards to protect fish. After Biden received a state briefing in Santa Monica with Newsom on Wednesday, Trump attacked the president he'll replace this month, per NBC News. "No water in the fire hydrants, no money in FEMA. This is what Joe Biden is leaving me. Thanks, Joe," Trump said in an all-caps post. (More President-elect Trump stories.)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 8. The vessels detained on the African continent do not belong to Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ASCO), the companys spokesperson Mehman Mehdiyev said in a statement, Trend reports.

In a post on his official Facebook page, Mehdiyev emphasized the concern caused by news outlets using images of ASCO ships operating in the Caspian Sea in their reports about the detained vessels.

We are receiving numerous alarming messages from sailors and their families. Just like misinformation, the use of incorrect images is also creating confusion, the publication reads.
The oldest president in US history is now a great-grandfather. "The good news is, I'm a great-grandfather as of today," President Biden told reporters in California on Wednesday after receiving a briefing on the Los Angeles wildfires. NBC News reports that Biden said his granddaughter Naomi Biden gave birth to "a 10-pound, four-ounce baby girl," then corrected himself to say "baby boy."

Naomi Biden, Hunter Biden's 31-year-old daughter, disclosed that she was pregnant on Election Day but didn't provide a due date. She is one of the president's seven grandchildren, CBS News reports. In a Sunday interview with USA Today, Biden said, "I'm about to be a great-grandfather, Jesus God," adding: "I'm going out to California. She's due to have a cesarean on the 8th of January." In 2022, Naomi Biden married Peter Neal at the White House. The South Lawn ceremony was the first at the White House for a grandchild of a sitting president. (More Naomi Biden stories.)
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TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

The Court of the Crown Prince has announced that U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris will arrive in the Kingdom of Bahrain on Thursday, January 16, 2025, for an official visit.

During her visit, Vice President Harris will meet with His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to discuss matters of mutual interest and further strengthen Bahrain-U.S. relations.

The Court of the Crown Prince extended a warm welcome to the Vice President and her accompanying delegation, wishing them a pleasant and productive stay in the Kingdom.

This visit underscores the enduring partnership between Bahrain and the United States, fostering dialogue and collaboration on regional and international issues.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 8. Azerbaijans State Maritime and Port Agency has clarified the situation regarding the detention of three Azerbaijani vessels along with their crews off the coast of Eritrea in Africa, the agency's spokesperson Parvana Imanova told Trend.

Imanova explained that on November 7, 2024, the agency was informed that three vessels owned by the Azerbaijani branch of Caspian Marine Services B.V. were detained by Eritrean authorities.

"The agency immediately informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan in a working order. Additionally, relevant information was submitted through an official letter to Eritrea's maritime authorities, as well as to the International Maritime Organization, Eritrea's permanent representative to the IMO, and the Embassy of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland," she said.

Earlier, reports indicated that three Azerbaijani vessels along with their crews were detained off the coast of Eritrea.
AUBH, in collaboration with MIT and powered by BBK, launches two cutting-edge training workshops

AUBH, in collaboration with MIT and powered by BBK, launches two cutting-edge training workshops

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

The American University of Bahrain (AUBH) has announced its partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)s International Science and Technology Initiative (MISTI) for the third consecutive year.

Dr. Bradley J. Cook, President of the American University of Bahrain, and Mr. Yaser Alsharifi, BBK Group Chief Executive, hailed the major partnership. This collaboration, powered by Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK), will host two exclusive training workshops open to all university students across Bahrain, taking place from January 6 to 30, 2025.

BBKs sponsorship of this program reflects its commitment to enhancing the higher education landscape and cultivating a culture of innovation within the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Bahraini talent

By supporting educational institutions in the implementation of high-caliber academic and training programs, the Bank plays a pivotal role in nurturing Bahraini talent and fostering the development of a highly skilled workforce, thereby reinforcing Bahrains position as a regional leader in education and innovation.

The first workshop, titled MISTI Accelerator  Business Startup: Transforming the Future, will be held on the AUBH campus, and will offer a unique opportunity for students to engage deeply with the process of establishing and managing startups, guiding them from conceptualization to practical implementation.

Learning journey

Under the mentorship of international experts and trainers from MIT, participants will benefit from hands-on experience and practical insights, ensuring a productive and enriching learning journey that bridges academic knowledge with real-world application.

The second workshop, titled Actuated Experiences - Design & Fabrication for Interactivity: Unlock the Door to Innovation, will take place at the Universitys D-Lab, utilizing the latest tools and creative workspaces.
TDT | Manama

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

The Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture has successfully concluded the Seeds of Bahrain campaign, a transformative initiative aimed at expanding green spaces and fostering sustainable urban development across the Kingdom.

Launched in collaboration with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD), the campaign ran for nearly three months and left a lasting impact on communities across Bahrain.

The campaign toured 57 locations, distributing over 13,000 saplings to citizens and residents. Its mobile truck visited neighborhoods, schools, and institutions, engaging directly with communities to raise awareness about the importance of greenery and environmental responsibility.

Supporting National Goals

Eng. Sheikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Undersecretary for Municipal Affairs, highlighted the campaign's significance in advancing Bahrains environmental goals, including the ambitious target to plant 3.6 million trees by 2035.

The Seeds of Bahrain campaign has played a pivotal role in increasing green spaces in the Kingdom, contributing to sustainable environmental solutions that leave a lasting impact on urban life and its residents, Sheikh Mohammed stated.

Community-Driven Success

The campaign not only fostered a sense of environmental responsibility but also showcased the power of partnerships. Contributions from government entities, private sector collaborators, and civil society organizations underscored a shared commitment to building a sustainable future.

Ghadir Al-Aradi, Communications and Public Relations Officer at UN-Habitat Bahrain, expressed pride in the initiatives outcomes. This campaign goes beyond planting trees; its about fostering a culture of sustainability and community engagement, she said.

Looking Ahead

While the campaign has officially concluded, its impact will endure through the partnerships and awareness it has cultivated. Al-Aradi noted that these collaborations will drive future initiatives focused on urban afforestation, sustainability, and environmental protection.

The success of the Seeds of Bahrain campaign underscores the Kingdoms dedication to its environmental commitments and sets a strong foundation for a greener, more sustainable future.
TORONTO, Jan. 8, 2025 /CNW/ - One of the main goals for small businesses in the new year is growth, according to a global survey of SMEs.

Peninsula Group conducted a survey of 79,000 SMEs across 5 countries  Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and the UK  to see what the top priorities and concerns were for employers in 2025.

The global survey revealed:

Growth is the main business goal for 47.2% of SMEs; up from 44.7% this time last year. Businesses in Ireland and New Zealand are least optimistic, with only 36% and 34.1% respectively listing it as one of their top goals for the year ahead.

of SMEs; up from this time last year. Businesses in and are least optimistic, with only and respectively listing it as one of their top goals for the year ahead. While this may seem optimistic, almost a quarter of all respondents globally ( 23.3%) are just hoping to survive the year ahead, up from 20% this time last year.

are just hoping to survive the year ahead, up from this time last year. The UK and Ireland are least optimistic, showing an increase in the number of small businesses listing survival as their top goal. The UK jumped from 18.8% last year to 26% this year, while Ireland increased from 18.8% to 25.6%. By contrast, in Australia the number dropped from 22.4% last year to 19.7% this year.

are least optimistic, showing an increase in the number of small businesses listing survival as their top goal. The UK jumped from last year to this year, while increased from to By contrast, in the number dropped from last year to this year. Rising costs are the top concern for 64% of all businesses, legislative changes came in second highest at 44% with labour shortages in third place at 24.3%. Contrast this to last year, when 84.2% of employers cited rising costs as their top concern, labour shortages came in second highest at 45.6% with retention in third place at 41.5%, and we can clearly see business confidence returning.

of all businesses, legislative changes came in second highest at with labour shortages in third place at Contrast this to last year, when of employers cited rising costs as their top concern, labour shortages came in second highest at with retention in third place at and we can clearly see business confidence returning. Employers in the UK and Canada are most concerned about rising costs, with 87.6% and 77.5% respectively citing it as their top concern.

are most concerned about rising costs, with and respectively citing it as their top concern. Canadian companies most concerned about staffing levels, with labour shortages and employee retention cited by more than 40% of employers as top concerns

Employers in Canada , New Zealand and the UK cite increased payroll costs as their biggest staffing challenge, while those in Australia and Ireland are most concerned about recruitment.

, and the UK cite increased payroll costs as their biggest staffing challenge, while those in and are most concerned about recruitment. Employees in Canada and New Zealand are most likely to get a pay raise in the year ahead; those in the UK and Ireland are least likely to.

and are most likely to get a pay raise in the year ahead; those in the UK and are least likely to. 61% of employers in New Zealand have used financial remuneration to aid retention

of employers in have used financial remuneration to aid retention In terms of working patterns, despite all the headlines surrounding changes in working patterns, it's clear that this is not a reality for many businesses. 79% of SMEs around the globe have made no changes to their working patterns in the last year.

of SMEs around the globe have made no changes to their working patterns in the last year. Over a quarter of employees globally (28%) have flexible working hours as standard, and 1 in 7 employers globally have made hybrid working a permanent policy. There is a global divide, however, when it comes to hybrid working, with 1 in 5 UK employers having made it a permanent policy compared to 1 in 10 Australian employers.

have flexible working hours as standard, and 1 in 7 employers globally have made hybrid working a permanent policy. There is a global divide, however, when it comes to hybrid working, with 1 in 5 UK employers having made it a permanent policy compared to 1 in 10 Australian employers. Canadian and Irish employees are most likely to be in the workplace full time, 62% and 61% respectively

Peninsula Group Chief Operations Officer Alan Price says "The last few years have been incredibly difficult for small businesses around the world but, as we move into 2025, there is an air of cautious optimism amongst employers.

"While there are certainly challenging times ahead, and it would be remiss of us to gloss over the pressures that businesses are under, it's good to see both opportunity and optimism remaining high. However, global differences are clearly shown in our survey results, with the UK and Ireland entering the year ahead with key concerns around rising costs, legislative changes and business survival. Changes to employer National Insurance contributions are reflected by large spikes in UK respondent answers around rising costs, increased payroll and legislative changes.

"UK employers are also the least likely to be hiring in the year ahead, while employers in New Zealand are most likely to recruit.

"It's interesting to see that the majority of small businesses have made no change to their working patterns over the last 12 months, despite headlines suggesting that many businesses are making a return to the office. With that being said, it could be that larger employers have made changes to working patterns this year, with SMEs set to follow suit in 2025  that remains to be seen.

"Hybrid working is here to stay, with 1 in 7 employers globally having made it a permanent policy, although there is a clear global divide in opinions on this. UK employers are most likely to embrace hybrid working, while Canadians are least likely. And flexible working remains the benefit that most employers are turning to when it comes to employee retention, coming out top for 4 out of the 5 countries we surveyed.

"Staffing continues to be a challenge for many employers, with increased payroll costs a top concern for 58.9% of all global respondents. This could impact on both recruitment and retention, as businesses look to balance the books. We've seen an increase in the number of employers turning to flexible working, mental health support, and reward and recognition to aid retention instead of financial remuneration.

"Based on our analysis of the survey results, Canada comes out on top as the best place to build a business in 2025, while employers in the UK and Ireland feeling least optimistic about the outlook for the year ahead."

Notes to editor

Download the full Canadian Employer Confidence Index 2025 here

Interviews are available, please contact:

Sally Abu Samra  PR and Communications Manager at Peninsula Canada

T: 647-988-2137 | E: [email protected]

About Peninsula

Peninsula protects employers across the globe with employment law, HR, and health & safety services.

From small start-ups to well-known brands, we support tens of thousands of businesses with HR and health & safety. Business owners reduce their legal risk and save time with our expert advice, documentation, and more.

www.peninsulagroupglobal.com

SOURCE Peninsula Canada
TORONTO, Jan. 8, 2025 /CNW/ - A mother leaves her career to care for her son with cerebral palsy full-time. An adult sibling spends their days navigating the complexities of caregiving for their brother with a disability. A personal support worker ends a grueling overnight shift, only to begin another at home, caring for their mother battling cancer.

Who Cares Logo (CNW Group/Azrieli Foundation (The Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence))

These are just three of the millions of caregiving stories that shape the lives of over eight million Canadians, caring for someone with an illness, disability or age-related needs. These experiences are at the heart of Who Cares, a new podcast from the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence (CCCE) and Snack Labs.

Hosted by sibling caregiver Melissa Ngo, the eight-part series shines a spotlight on the unseen realities of caregivers and care providers across Canada. It reveals how caregiving acts as the linchpin of Canadian society, holding together our healthcare systems and economy.

"Caregiving is a powerful bond for Canadian families, yet many caregivers feel isolated and invisible," says Liv Mendelsohn, executive director of CCCE. Who Cares takes listeners through the moments of joy and meaning, and also the hidden and, at times, difficult truths of caregiving. It also offers hope and a vision for a brighter, more supportive future of care."

Exploring Caregiving Through Lived Experiences

The series delves into the joys, challenges, and systemic issues surrounding caregiving, guided by the voices of those with lived experience. Each themed episode explores topics such as:

The impact of caregiving on the workforce

The unique experiences of sibling and young caregivers

Caregiving within equity-seeking communities

Grief and bereavement

The final two episodes examine existing policy solutions in Canada and abroad that aim to support caregivers and spotlight the critical need for a National Caregiving Strategy, which CCCE will launch in February 2025.

Voices of Care

Who Cares amplifies the voices of caregivers and care providers while featuring insights from some of Canada's leading figures in health and social policy, including journalist and author Andre Picard, former Trudeau government advisor Tyler Meredith, and Dr. Grant Bruno.

Who Cares is available wherever you get your podcasts. Listen today on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Caregiving in Canada

Earlier this year, CCCE's Caring in Canada report highlighted the realities of caregiving in the country:

Mental health struggles : One in four caregivers report fair or poor mental health. Nearly half (47%) feel tired, 44% feel worried or anxious, and 37% feel overwhelmed due to caregiving responsibilities.

: One in four caregivers report fair or poor mental health. Nearly half (47%) feel tired, 44% feel worried or anxious, and 37% feel overwhelmed due to caregiving responsibilities. Financial strain : Half of caregivers experienced financial stress in the past year, with 22% spending at least $1,000 per month on out-of-pocket expenses.

: Half of caregivers experienced financial stress in the past year, with 22% spending at least per month on out-of-pocket expenses. Paid care provider challenges : 80% of paid care providers have considered leaving their jobs due to low wages, inadequate staffing, discrimination, and workplace safety concerns.

: 80% of paid care providers have considered leaving their jobs due to low wages, inadequate staffing, discrimination, and workplace safety concerns. The "extra shift": Most caregivers balance work with caregiving, dedicating an average of 30 hours per week to caregiving responsibilities.

For more information on caregiving in Canada, visit canadiancaregiving.org .

About CCCE

CCCE is an initiative of the Azrieli Foundation to support and empower family caregivers and care providers across Canada. We bring together stakeholders from across the country, translate knowledge to practice, scale what works and fill gaps through innovation. We are guided by four focus areas: support networks and knowledge sharing; education and leadership development; advocacy and policy development; and inclusion and underserved communities. Our expertise and insight, drawn from lived experiences, help us campaign for better systems and lasting change. We work closely with our partners and grantees towards shared goals and better experiences for all those who provide care.

About Snack Labs

Snack Labs is a leading audio production company specializing in creating impactful, story-driven podcasts that matter. Known for their work on the award-winning podcast Sickboy, they bring over a decade of experience producing engaging content for organizations and brands across various industries. With a focus on health, science, and human connection, Snack Labs collaborates closely with clients to craft compelling narratives that resonate with listeners.

Their expertise spans original series, branded podcasts, and high-quality production services, helping partners share their stories in meaningful and memorable ways. From scripting and recording to sound design and distribution, Snack Labs delivers professional podcast solutions tailored to meet unique client goals.

To learn more, visit www.snacklabs.ca.

SOURCE Azrieli Foundation (The Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence)

For media inquiries: Olivia Olesinski, Communications Manager, Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence, 416-579-4701
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 8. An event dedicated to December 31 - World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day and the New Year was held at Columbia University in New York City, USA, Trend reports, citing Azerbaijans State Committee on Work with Diaspora.

The event, organized by the Azerbaijani-American Youth Federation (AAYF), brought together Azerbaijani and international students from Columbia University, as well as students from various US states, including Iowa, Georgia, and beyond.

The event began with a moment of silence in honor of the victims of the Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) flight crash near Aktau, which was en route from Baku to Grozny.

Leyla Aslanova, AAYF Chairperson, delivered an opening speech, highlighting that the unity and solidarity of Azerbaijanis further strengthen the nation.

Farid Akhundov, a board member of AAYF, expressed condolences to the families of the crash victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

Attendees had the opportunity to meet one another and share experiences. An interactive quiz on the history and culture of Azerbaijan was held, with winners of the top three spots receiving prizes.

The event concluded with an exchange of views among participants.
A 2021 survey of Greenland had 69.1 percent of those asked think that Greenland should cooperate more closely with the U.S.

Greenland is not a member of the EU. When asking Greenlanders about if Greenland should cooperate with the EU, 65% answer that Greenland should cooperate more with the Union and only 22.8% answer that Greenland should cooperate less with the EU (12.3% do not know). In terms of reviving EU-membership, if there would be a referendum regarding rejoining the EU, Greenlanders are somewhat sceptic towards this. In total, 60% are against such a membership, while 40% are for such a membership.

Greenlanders which are the three most vital challenges towards the Greenlandic society, the answers show that it is not any of the international challenges that are in focus. Instead, internal, domestic affairs score high with the economic situation (19.5%), unemployment (17.2%), and higher living costs (16.6%) as the three most urgent challenges for the Greenlandic community. Climate change is coming in fourth place (11.3%).

US Built Airport and US Control of Greenland 1941-1945 and the Cold War Era

The first airport was built here during the US occupation in 1941 under the name of Bluie West-8, later renamed Sondrestromfjord Air Base and Sondrestrom Air Base. The airport is located away from the coast and hence less prone to fog and wind in comparison with other airports in Greenland.

A number of the airstrips have been built by the US military at locations deliberately away from major settlements, partly due to the Danish policy to downplay the presence of the US military in Greenland.

After Denmark was occupied by Nazi Germany in 1940, Greenland, lacking direct communication with Copenhagen, sought protection. In 1941, the US occupied Greenland under the Monroe Doctrine to protect it from potential German invasion. This was formalized through an agreement where Denmark, represented by its ambassador in Washington, gave the US broad rights over Greenlands defense and economic administration for the wars duration.

Bases and Infrastructure: The US established multiple military bases, notably the Bluie bases, to support the war effort, particularly in anti-submarine operations and as a staging ground for transatlantic flights. The most significant was Bluie West-1 at Narsarsuaq and Bluie West-8 at Kangerlussuaq, now Greenlands major international airports.

1951 Defense Agreement: After World War II, in 1951, the US and Denmark signed a defense agreement which allowed the US to maintain military bases in Greenland, primarily for strategic purposes during the Cold War. This agreement gave the US defense rights over Greenland, including the establishment of Thule Air Base (now Pituffik Space Base), which played a crucial role in early warning systems against Soviet threats. This presence has continued to this day, although with reduced scope post-Cold War.

Project Iceworm and Camp Century: During the Cold War, the US also experimented with the idea of deploying nuclear missiles under the Greenland ice cap through projects like Iceworm and Camp Century, though these were eventually abandoned.

The US never fully governed Greenland in the sense of sovereignty, it has had considerable influence over its defense and strategic use since 1941, with a formal defense agreement in place since 1951.

US Greenland Air Base

Thule Air Base, now known as Pituffik Space Base, is located in the northwest corner of Greenland, about 750 miles north of the Arctic Circle and 950 miles south of the North Pole.

The base is located on Cape Atholl and the southern shore of Wolstenholme Fjord, an inlet of Baffin Bay. Its the Department of Defenses northernmost installation and has a 10,000-foot runway and the DoDs northernmost deep-water port.

The base supports space-based missions, scientific research, and environmental protection programs. Its also a location for military training.

The base was built between 1951 and 1952, and was renamed Pituffik Space Base in April 2023.

China Moves for Economic and Political Control of Greenland and the Arctic

Chinese firms have pursued projects such as the Isua Iron ore mine and Kvanefjeld rare earth mine and bidding on airport construction projects. China has a Polar Silk Road strategy to access Arctic Resources and shipping routes.

Approximately 53% of the Greenlanders see Chinas increasing influence in the world as a positive thing, whereas almost 47% see it as a negative thing. However, regarding investments from China, the Greenlandic population is somewhat hesitating. Only 32.2% say yes to Chinese investments, while 67.8% say no thanks to foreign investments from China.

Many countries are afraid of Chinas development as a superpower in international relations and are very reluctant towards China as a country due to the non-democratic political system and some evidence of the economic dependency situation that some African countries have encountered in their relationships with China.

Chinas Polar Silk Road

Chinas Polar Silk Road (PSR) is an extension of its broader Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), aimed at developing new trade and resource routes through the Arctic region. Heres an overview of the projects, resources devoted, and the history:

History of the Polar Silk Road

Origins: The concept of the Polar Silk Road was officially introduced in 2017, aligning with the BRI, which was first announced in 2013. The PSR aims to utilize the Northern Sea Route (NSR) and potentially other Arctic passages for reducing shipping times between Asia and Europe by avoiding traditional routes through the Suez Canal or around Africa.

Goals: The initiative is intended to foster economic, scientific, and environmental cooperation in the Arctic, emphasizing the potential for resource extraction, new shipping routes, and scientific research. China describes itself as a near-Arctic state due to its interests in the region.

Main PSR Projects

Yamal LNG and Arctic LNG-2: These are significant projects where China has invested heavily. The Yamal LNG project on Russias Yamal Peninsula sees Chinas involvement through companies like CNPC and the Silk Road Fund, holding stakes in the project. Similarly, investments in Arctic LNG-2 further illustrate Chinas commitment, with Chinese state enterprises owning portions of the project. Loans from Chinese banks for these projects amount to around EUR 12.5 billion.

Infrastructure and Research: China has been active in building research stations, such as the one on Spitsbergen, and investing in technologies and studies pertinent to Arctic conditions, like ice-class ships and polar research vessels. The research vessel Xue Long has been pivotal in exploring these routes.

Polar Silk Road Investments

Financial Investment: Estimates of Chinas investment in the PSR vary, but it includes billions in loans for energy projects, investments in infrastructure, and substantial funding for scientific research. The total investment in BRI, which includes PSR, is often cited in the trillions, but specific figures for the PSR alone are less clear. However, the Yamal LNG alone has seen significant Chinese financial involvement.

Technological and Human Resources: China has committed to developing technologies suitable for Arctic conditions, including icebreakers, polar ship propellers, and research into navigation and resource exploration. This involves not only financial resources but also human capital in the form of scientists, engineers, and researchers.

Challenges and Perspectives of the Polar Silk Road

Geopolitical Tensions: The PSR has raised concerns among Arctic nations and other international actors about Chinas strategic ambitions, security implications, and environmental impact. Theres skepticism about how much of the PSR is actualized versus how much is strategic posturing or vision.

Environmental and Legal Concerns: The Arctics environmental fragility and the legal frameworks governing the area, like the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), pose significant challenges to the development of these routes. Chinas approach has been to push for peaceful utilization and cooperation.
A Camden County man has been charged with desecrating human remains and hindering apprehension after a womans body was discovered in a refrigerator abandoned in a New Jersey state forest, according to a criminal complaint filed by State Police.

Christopher Blevins, 45, of Runnemede, fled to Mexico on Aug. 2, crossing at Brownsville, Texas, before surrendering to authorities in Mexico on Aug. 27, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed Friday. Authorities said they believe he transported the refrigerator to Belleplain State Forest in northern Cape May County around July 24.

The affidavit identified the woman as Laura Hughes, 50, of Runnemede, adding that she and Blevins had been in a relationship. Her body was not found until Dec. 22. At the time, state police sought the publics help in identifying the body, releasing a composite sketch of two distinctive tattoos on her back and photos of a necklace and yoga mat found at the scene.

A New Jersey State Police composite sketch of a woman's body found on Dec. 22 in Belleplain State Forest in Dennis showing the location of two tattoos.SL

Blevins whereabouts were unclear on Wednesday and no one has been charged with causing Hughes death. The FBI and U.S. Marshals assisted in the investigation into Blevins, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Marshal could not confirm if Blevins is in federal custody. Court records in New Jersey show he has not retained a lawyer and has no scheduled appearances. New Jersey State Police did not respond to a request for comment.

In late December, after Hughes body was found, a 46-year-old North Cape May man was arrested on hindering offenses for not providing police access to his cell phone to gather evidence. The man told police he visited the refrigerator while hiking in the forest on Dec. 21, taking property from inside. He returned the following day and discovered the womans remains inside.

Police said he refused to be fingerprinted at Cape May County Jail and did not provide authorities with his phones passcode despite being ordered by a judge to do so. He was released late last month on conditions he not return to the forest during the investigation, police said.

According to the affidavit, blue ratchet straps used on the outside of the refrigerator were also found in the residence Hughes and Blevins shared. Police also recovered a firearm and a calendar marked with Xs on each date leading up to July 24, 2024.

Blevins was seen twice driving a pickup truck with the refrigerator in its bed in Long Beach Township and Sea Isle City, according to the affidavit. The refrigerator was discovered in a part of the state forest in Dennis Township.

On Aug. 27, Blevins voluntarily surrendered to authorities in Mexico and told them he had been involved in a violent incident in Runnemede, Camden County, and that he panicked afterward, it was stated in the affidavit. He told investigators he may have killed someone in a bar fight.

A gofundme was created Tuesday to raise money for Hughes daughters.

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Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com.
Its been a while since Jeremy Strong delivered his infamous rap as Succession character Kendall Roy with the song L to the OG.

But the green bucket hat he wore to the 2025 Golden Globes Sunday would not be out of place in such a performance.

Alas, Succession ended in 2023. Strong was at the Globes because he was nominated for best male supporting actor in a movie for playing Roy Cohn in The Apprentice.

The Emmy winners hat matched the light-jade green suit he wore to the awards show. It was a fashion choice that certainly did not go unnoticed by those watching the red carpet arrivals (and the awards ceremony).

READ MORE: N.J. Golden Globes wins: Zoe Saldana, Sebastian Stan and more take home awards

That meme-ready audience included Strongs friend Anne Hathway.

The Oscar winner from Millburn playfully teased her Armageddon Time co-star about the hat in an Instagram post (see post below). She shared a photo of Strong alongside of photo of herself wearing a similar hat when she played Mia Thermopolis in The Princess Diaries (the Jersey actor is set to reprise the role in a second sequel).

Sweetheart, Im not mad you borrowed it but I didnt totally realize you were going to change the col Hathaway said. Anyway, not important, congrats on your well deserved nom for The Apprentice!!!

So why was Strong wearing the green bucket hat?

Apparently, it wasnt just for fashion.

Strong's fashion choice drew attention on the red carpet. But part of the look had to do with the Springsteen movie he's currently working on, which is filming in Jersey.Jeff Kravitz | FilmMagic

Vanity Fair reports that the Loro Piana suit and hat (with turtleneck and shades) were chosen with Strongs current role in the Bruce Springsteen film Deliver Me from Nowhere in mind.

Strong, 46, plays Springsteens longtime manager, Jon Landau, in the movie, which stars Jeremy Allen White as Springsteen and is currently filming in New Jersey (where it has been in production over the last few months).

READ MORE: How The Apprentice star Sebastian Stan went from N.J. to Trump and A Different Man

Strongs hair has undergone a major change for the role, hence the need to cover up for the awards show.

His hair is not his own right now so he had Loro Piana create this custom velvet bucket hat for the Globes, a representative for Strong told Vanity Fair.

Jeremy Allen White, director Scott Cooper and Bruce Springsteen on the set of "Deliver Me from Nowhere" in Bayonne this past November.Bobby Bank | GC Images via Getty Images

Stylist Warren Alfie Baker pulled the look together.

(Strong) doesnt really believe in surface transformation so he altered his own appearance extremely for the character, just like he did for the weight loss when playing Roy Cohn, Strongs rep told the outlet. His goal as an actor has always been to be a shapeshifter and to disappear into roles whether its Kendall Roy or Roy Cohn or Jon Landau.

The Apprentice centers on the relationship between a young Donald Trump and Cohn, the attorney and powerbroker who served as a mentor to him in the 70s and taught him his playbook for winning at all costs.

Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn in "The Apprentice" with Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump.Pief Weyman

Rutgers alum Sebastian Stan was also nominated at the Globes for playing Trump in the Ali Abbasi film. The actor, a double nominee, won his first Globe for A Different Man.

Deliver Me from Nowhere, based on the 2023 book of the same name by Montclairs Warren Zanes, is about the making of Springsteens 1982 album Nebraska.

The movie has recently been filming in the Meadowlands, with Asbury Park, Bayonne, Rahway, Rockaway, Springsteens hometown of Freehold and many more local spots in the mix.

Jeremy Allen White filming "Deliver Me from Nowhere" in Asbury Park in December.Bobby Bank | GC Images

At Sundays Golden Globes, White, 33, won the award for best male actor in a comedy series for the third consecutive time for playing Carmen Carmy Berzatto in The Bear. He did not attend the ceremony, ostensibly because of his starring role in the Springsteen film.

Bruce Springsteen himself has been a regular presence on the set of the upcoming 20th Century Studios movie, written and directed by Scott Cooper (Crazy Heart, The Pale Blue Eye, Antlers, Black Mass).

READ MORE: See Bruce Springsteen, Jeremy Allen White greet Asbury Park for Deliver Me from Nowhere movie

The Boss has already praised Whites depiction of him.

Jeremy is such a terrific actor that you just fall right into it, he said in a recent interview on SiriusXMs E Street Radio, also praising Whites singing in the film.

Ive had a lot of fun being on the set when I can get there, Springsteen said.

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Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com and followed at @AmyKup on Twitter/X, @amykup.bsky.social on Bluesky and @kupamy on Instagram and Threads.
A detective with the Essex County Prosecutors Office has filed a lawsuit alleging systemic gender discrimination, workplace retaliation and misconduct by senior officials within the department.

Aileen Clowes, who joined the prosecutors office in 2021, is a U.S. Army veteran and former State Police trooper with 18 years of law enforcement experience, according to the complaint, filed Monday in Superior Court of Essex County.

Clowes, 37, claims in court papers her male superiors subjected her to inappropriate conduct, discriminatory treatment and punitive actions when she raised concerns about workplace violations and misconduct.
Costco is recalling its Kirkland brand of cold and flu medication due to potential foreign material contamination.

According to a notice from the wholesaler, Kirkland Signature brands Severe Cold and Flu Plus Congestion medicine is being voluntarily recalled due to the accidental release and shipment of a specific lot code that was rejected due to potential foreign material contamination.

The recalled medication was sold between Oct. 30, 2024, to Nov. 30, 2024, and have a Lot Code of P140082 located on the box.

Costco warned consumers who may have the products in their medicine cabinets against using any remaining medicine that is in the box with the affected lot code.

The retailer is instead advising consumers to return the affected medicine to their local Costco for a full refund or discard it.

Those with questions or concerns can contact LNK International Inc. at 1-800-426-9391 or email them at complaints-inquiries@lnkintl.com.

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Outbreaks the nasty and extremely contagious stomach bug that causes vomiting spiked 366% in December compared to last year.

There were 70 norovirus or norovirus-like outbreaks reported to the state Department of Health in December, up from just 15 in December 2023, a spokesperson said.

There were 195 outbreaks reported in all of 2024. In 2023, there were 189, the DOH said. Cases tend to peak in the winter months.

Individual cases are not reportable, and many people do not receive diagnostic testing when sickened with norovirus, so its likely the true scope of infections is higher than outbreaks reported to the Department of Health.

Wastewater data from WasteWaterScan shows a steady increase in virus load starting in November at treatment plants in Union Beach, Oakhurst, and Belmar. Sites in Newark and Bridgeton showed slower increases.

Belmar, which most recently reported data on Jan. 3, is starting to show a decline in viral levels. No other site has reported data past Jan. 2.

The definition of an outbreak varies slightly by facility type, a Department of Health spokesperson said. In general, any amount of sickness above typical levels is considered an outbreak. In schools, any two or more cases tied to a common exposure is considered an outbreak, the spokesperson said.

Its not just New Jersey thats been hit with a wave of the stomach bug.

Nationally, there were 91 outbreaks across the 14 states that report data to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (New Jersey is not one of them) for the week of Dec. 5, the most recently available data. For comparison, data from the past three years show that reports peaked at 65 outbreaks during the first week in December.

Norovirus is an extremely contagious virus that is known for hitting fast and hard. Symptoms can develop within just 12 hours of exposure, and causes painful stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea.

Contact with very small amount of the virus can cause the illness, said Dr. James Penn, a gastroenterologist at Hackensack Meridian Healths JFK University Medical Center.

Its typically spread through the stool, which then contacts the hand, which makes contact with the face or the mouth, said Penn.

There is no treatment for norovirus infections. Sick individuals should stay home, get plenty of rest and stay hydrated.

Thorough hand washing is key to avoiding infection.

You really have to use soap and water, said Penn. For a lot of people, its so much more convenient to pump the hand sanitizer. But you really have to clean with soap and water.

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Katie Kausch may be reached at kkausch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KatieKausch.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 8. The process of document preparation for the release of detained Azerbaijani vessels in Eritrea nears completion, a source in Caspian Marine Services B.V. told Trend.

According to the source, CMS Pehlvan, CMS Igid, and CMS-3 vessels, operated by the Caspian Marine Services B.V. branch in Azerbaijan, were en route to the Abu Dhabi port as part of their business activities, and the planned route was through the Suez Canal.

The source pointed out that due to the passage through dangerous pirate-prone areas, the need for vessel security arose, and to ensure safety, a contract was made with a specialized security company, and two security personnel were assigned to each vessel.

As the source reminded, on November 7, 2024, while passing through the Eritrean coastline due to weather conditions, the decision was made to continue by entering Eritrean territorial waters.

The captains tried to contact Eritrean security and coast guard authorities via international VHF-16 channels to notify them of their entry but received no response, explained the source.

"According to the report we received from the vessel around 10:06 on November 7, the Eritrean Navy detained all three vessels at coordinates 1323' North Latitude and 04239' East Longitude. As per the Eritrean Navy's instructions, the vessels changed their course and arrived at the location designated by the Eritrean Navy.

After anchoring, the vessels were involved in a verification process by representatives of the Eritrean Navy. The vessels carried 18 Azerbaijani citizens and six foreign nationals, totaling 24 people.

Once the information was received from the vessels' captains, our company sent an official inquiry to the State Maritime and Port Agency on the same day, November 7, 2024. Following that, an inquiry was sent to the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan in the proper order, and all necessary actions were taken in close cooperation with these structures to address the issue.

Additionally, inquiries were sent to the authorized representatives of the insurance company insuring the vessels and to relevant law firms in the UK. To expedite the resolution of the issue, these organizations were also engaged in the process.

As a result of the negotiations, authorized representatives were appointed by our company to work with the relevant Eritrean authorities. Currently, the document preparation process for completing the checks and releasing the vessels is nearing completion.

The company's authorized representatives maintain continuous close contact with the vessel crews, and there are no issues with food supply or other logistics. The company has also provided all technical means to ensure the crew members can stay in contact with their families," added the source.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
If it seems like everyone in New Jersey is coming down with the worst stomach bug of their lives right now, its because they probably are.

Outbreaks of norovirus, an extremely contagious illness that causes a host of nasty gastrointestinal issues, spiked 366% last month compared to last year, according to the New Jersey Department of Health. Nationwide, outbreaks are at the highest level theyve been in over a decade, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While the virus is sometimes called the stomach flu or stomach bug, its not related to the flu, though it may also cause some similar symptoms, according to the CDC.

What are the symptoms of norovirus?

The most common symptoms of norovirus are diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain. The virus may also cause body aches, fever and headaches, according to the CDC.

People with norovirus will feel extremely ill and can vomit or have diarrhea multiple times a day. This leads to severe dehydration, especially in young children and older adults. Symptoms of serious dehydration include: decreased urination, dry mouth and throat, dizziness, crying with few or no tears, and unusual sleepiness or fussiness.

How quickly do symptoms appear after exposure?

Norovirus can seem to come out of nowhere because symptoms develop very quickly, usually within 12 to 48 hours of being exposed, according to the CDC.

How long will symptoms last?

Although it can be brutal, norovirus is usually mercifully short-lived. Most people with norovirus illness get better within one to three days, the CDC said.

Are people still contagious after symptoms clear?

An individual can still spread the virus for two weeks or more after feeling better, according to the CDC. During a norovirus outbreak, the CDC recommends people take the following precautions to protect themselves and others:

Wash your hands well and often.

Cook shellfish thoroughly and wash fruits and vegetables.

Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces.

Wash laundry in hot water.

Is there a treatment for norovirus?

There is no treatment for norovirus infections. Doctors advise sick individuals to stay home, rest, and hydrate.

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Jackie Roman may be reached at jroman@njadvancemedia.com.
Jersey City rapper IllPadills latest album, The 48 Laws of PowderHh, finds the underground rapper in coke-rap territory.

Hip hop is a complicated genre, with many sub-genres people come to for different reasons. Coke-rap reflects capitalism at its most contradictory. The namesake drug was a staple of Wall Street excess in the 80s with movies and music that portrayed slinging it on city streets alongside the Reagan administrations failed drug war and measures of an anti-crack campaign that bolstered racist stereotypes and far more punitive punishments for it than regular cocaine. Drug-dealing became a pillar of one kind of popular hip-hop.

On some of his most affecting songs, IllPadill deftly evokes the hardship of his childhood in conditions that were and still are most ripe (in the latter neighborhoods) From the Heights to the Hill  as he often pronounces at the beginning of his songs.

The transition from Heartbreak to Celebrate speaks to the albums two sides.

Celebrate lives up to its title. It has particularly infectious energy on an album where thats a constant  with production from Speedy Babyy that complements the rappers particular cadence very well. But its with the preceding track, the one the album begins with in Heartbreak, where the two songs meet to illustrate alternating themes, where the hood is the hardest place in the world and, through a nostalgic lens, the best.

The notion of community in Celebrate is the same one that erodes because of open-air drug dealing, so unlike the suburban homes that some of those particularly nose-fidgety Wall Street traders went home to.

But theres also the idea that this is a life IllPadill inherited. He notes in the liner notes of his Bandcamp page that his father was an addict. On Hope, IllPadill paints a portrait of what can be a literally ice-cold world where the only heat comes from the stove. The narrators life as a coke dealer starts with that. For someone with a creative itch, hip hop is a source of hope that allows this opportunity to excel at something, and theres a nod to the movie-like fantasy appeal of odes to that.

The title is almost certainly a nod to the The 48 Laws of Power by Graham Greene, a kind of business meets self-help book.

Greenes Wikipedia entry describes him as an author of books on strategy, power and seduction; theres no irony in how much his work has been admired by figures in the genre still most associated with (but not always actually being from) places where infrastructure and quality of life issues were neglected for decades. The boons of capitalism have not trickled down much below the top 10%, and the fallacy might makes right so obvious in so many facets of American culture continues to give odes to it legs. As IllPadill spouts on one song, Dont neglect the neglected.

There are bangers here, and some heart; theyre all in the mix with the fantasy glamor of The 48 Laws of PowderHh.

The 48 Laws of PowderHh is streaming on YouTube at https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=lwjTe-_W870&list=OLAK5uy_lLFQi5Nb76bl06XDV-Ja3dvFvSqxj6vRk.
Controversial Jersey City school board President Dejon Morris was ousted from the position Tuesday night, replaced by a board member he forced out of a leadership position last year.

Noemi Velazquez, in her second term on the board and a vice president until she and then-President Natalia Ioffe were replaced last February, was elected in a 5-2 vote with two abstentions.

Morris was nominated to retain the presidency, but no votes by new board members Matthew Schneider and Tia Rezabala tipped the scale against him in a 5-4 vote.

Board Vice President George Blount was replaced by Christopher Tisdale, whose nomination garnered yes votes from six of the nine board members.

Ironically, Tisdale nominated Morris for the position. Like the vote for president, Morris could gain only four votes for VP. Alpa Patel was also nominated for vice president, but she also fell in a 5-4 vote.

I want to start by thanking everyone that gave me their vote of confidence, Velazquez told the board. And those who didnt vote (for me), I respect you, too ...

I want everyone to know I am here for everyone. I am not a dictator, I am a facilitator. I intend to work with everyone. ... I do have my personal ways, but I never will stop listening to all of you.

She thanked Morris for a fabulous job bringing change to this board. I must say that some of your changes will remain. Some, I will let the board decide if theyd like to remain.

Morris, a Jersey City police detective, issued a statement after the meeting noting he is considering a run for city council or state legislative office.

While I remain undecided about this potential next step, I truly believe my tenure on the board has prepared me well should I choose to embark on that path, he said. For now, my focus remains on my role as a board member and ensuring that every decision we make is in the best interest of our children and their future.

Tisdale appeared genuinely surprised by the vote.

This is not what I expected, he said. ... Hopefully we can all move forward in a positive direction. We have all had our differences in the past, but one thing about us is we have always come together for the common good.

Those key votes by Schneider and Rezabala came moments after they were sworn in as new members, along with the former board President Ioffe.

The narrow votes for president and vice president revealed the board remains highly divided.

And that was evident later when the board argued over whether the meeting format should revert to the traditional caucus-regular meeting form or continue under the pilot format that eliminated the caucus and replaced it with a workshop prior to the regular meeting.

The board voted to continue under the pilot format for now by approving the 2025 meeting calendar, but there was a consensus that amendments would be considered by the policy committee.

This is going to be a long year, Morris could be heard saying during the discussion.

Schneider and Rezabala were sworn in by Jersey City Council President Joyce Watterman and Ioffe was sworn in Hudson County Board of Commissioners member Bill ODea.

Both Watterman and ODea are running for mayor later this year and they both called for the city council and school board to work together.

We all have to work together ... for too many years the city and the school board fight each other, ODea said. And its the dumbest thing we could do. The state of New Jersey has taken advantage of Jersey City for many years.

While we are fighting each other, they have taken so much money away from us and no other place would tolerate what has happened to us. ... Even if we dont always agree we have to come together.

Former board president Mussab Ali, also a candidate for mayor, along with former board members Alexander Hamilton and Younass Barkouch congratulated the new board members and advised them that compromise is the key to success on the board.
Anyone whos bought a new car and hit that triumphant fiscal milestone paying off the loan knows that finally taking possession of the title can be challenging.

This spring the state Motor Vehicle Commission will require lenders switch to a process thats been under testing since last May that will make that process, as well as getting a loan, easier and a little cheaper.

The NJMVC, in partnership with Champ Titles and Tyler Technologies, continues to make progress with the roll out of the Electronic Lien and Title system that we announced in May 2024, said William Connolly, an agency spokesperson. We have established an April 1, 2025, deadline for all lien-holders statewide managing five or more liens annually to use the ELT system.

The system allows institutions financing vehicles in the state to exchange lien and title information electronically with the MVC and eliminate the need for manual processing and maintaining paper vehicle titles.

ELT allows the lien to be released electronically without the lending institution or customer needing to resolve the lien status by mailing paperwork, physically picking up documents, or making an in-person visit, officials said.

In addition to making for a faster process for customers, the new system could even mean a lower rate and easier process for drivers seeking a loan to buy the next vehicle.

It means the ability for lenders to put liens on and off titles, Shane Bigelow, CEO of Champ Titles, Inc., said in an interview with NJ Advance Media. Faster means attractive rates and is better for the consumer.

The time savings for car buyers, drivers and lenders results from the difference between a paper system and doing the same process all electronically, he said.

When a person buys a vehicle, the dealer has to put a lien on the vehicle to secure a financial interest in it. The lender bears that transaction fee cost, Bigelow said.

In New Jersey, youre talking weeks for that interest to set in, he said. Under Electronic Lien and Titling, it sets in one minute, reducing interest and time.

New Jersey joins West Virginia, Illinois and Kentucky which are the first states in the nation to use the Cleveland-based companys software.

The change satisfies the intent of a 2023 law to have the MVC study if an electronic lien and title system could be in lieu of the current paper-based system. After determining the feasibility, the law required implementation in one year.

Once a driver pays off their vehicle and the lien holder release the lien, a new paper title will be automatically printed and mailed by the MVC to the titled owner of the vehicle, MVC officials said.

The title also can be mailed to a specified third party by the owner, if the vehicle is being used for a trade-in, officials said.

The system reduces possibilities of fraud by handling lien transactions between financial institutions and the MVC in a secure, digital manner that reduces the handling, printing, storage, and mailing costs associated with paper titles, officials said.

The system also saves money for tax and MVC ratepayers because the state doesnt have to pay to build an electronic lien and titling system, Bigelow said.

Ultimately, this system would be one of the building blocks to move to electronic registration and titling of all vehicles on the agencys website.

Youre accustomed to living the rest of life in the digital realm, the DMV is one of the last places youre not, he said. Move this to digital realm and everyone is happier.

This system also would be one of the building blocks to move to electronic registration and titling of vehicles on the agencys website.
President Jimmy Carters funeral will take place at the Washington National Cathedral on Jan. 9, which current President Joe Biden has declared as a national day of mourning.

Current President Joe Biden will not only attend the state funeral held on Jan. 9, but also he will give the eulogy, as per Carters request in 2023, according to BBC News.

There will also be four former presidents, who will be in attendance, including presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and former and president-elect Donald Trump.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Tuesday that he will travel to Washington, D.C., to attend Carters state funeral on Thursday.

Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, will also attend Carters state funeral on Jan. 9.

Leading up to the funeral, there was a memorial service at the U.S. Capitol Tuesday, where Carters remains are currently viewable to the public, according to USA Today.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Vice President Kamala Harris all attended and gave eulogies for Carter.

Other members of Congress, as well as members of the Supreme Court from Brett Kavanaugh to Elena Kagan attended the service. Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser also paid her respects.

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Reps. Mikie Sherrill and Josh Gottheimer are taking flac from their rivals because they just won re-election to Congress but both are declared candidates for governor this year, so would have to quit early to serve. Were supposed to feel betrayed by that.

In other words, the silly season has begun.

It was common knowledge before the November election that both Sherrill and Gottheimer would run for governor. Neither of them ever denied it. And they both won decisively anyway, no doubt because they are exceptional public servants who work hard, strain to find common ground in a nutty age, and have not a speck of scandal about them. Add former Senate President Steve Sweeney to the mix, and were looking at the strongest Democratic field in memory, even before you get to the others.

The latest pot shot came from Jack Ciattarelli, a Republican candidate for governor and a former member of the state Assembly. He teased them on X by posting pictures of them being sworn into office with this mock oath: I hereby pledge to do everything in my power to abandon the constituents who just reelected me and serve as little of this term as humanly possible while I run for higher office. So help me God.

As humor goes, its not bad for a politician. But heres hoping no one takes it seriously. We need our most competent politicians to move up the ladder, where they can have deeper impact, as Sherrill or Gottheimer would in the Statehouse. The reverse is true, too  we should want the best members of our state Legislature to run for federal office even if means they have to quit early, people like Herb Conaway, a medical doctor who was just elected to Congress in the 3rd District after distinguishing himself in the state Assembly.

Remember, this is all by design. When our wise elders drafted the state Constitution in 1947, they chose to hold state elections in the off years. Theres a logic to that. It means our state elections focus on state issues, like property taxes, education, and crime. Ask yourself this: If the race for governor were held in 2024, to coincide with the national election, how many voters would have pulled the party lever based on their view of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris? How much airtime would state issues have gotten?

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The governor in 1947, Republican Alfred Driscoll, put it this way: Election for a governor and for Assemblymen should not coincide with a presidential election. The importance of a gubernatorial election merits an election that will not be overshadowed by a national contest for the presidency. The problems confronting the state are frequently distinct from those confronting the nationfederal election should determine national policies, while the state election should determine state policies.

Ciattarellis beef was not the first. After the election in November, a Democratic rival of Gottheimer and Sherrill, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, made the same point, without the attempt at humor. It is CRAZY to declare for another office before even being sworn into the office you just told people that you were committed to, he wrote.

Of course, Fulop is running for governor while serving as mayor. It would be interesting to see his timecard if he had to punch in at city hall over the last several months. Just saying.

There is one big disadvantage to our off-years election. The turnout is much smaller. State elections simply dont have the same draw as federal elections. In the 2016 presidential election, 68 percent of registered voters in New Jersey cast a ballot. A year later, in the 2017 race for governor, that dropped to 39 percent.

But that decision was made back in 1947, and on the whole, it has served us well. Like it or not, Sherrill and Gottheimer are playing by the rules in good faith. They dont deserve a scrap of flac for it.

More: Tom Moran columns

Tom Moran may be reached at tmoran@starledger.com or (973) 986-6951. Follow him on Twitter @tomamoran. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.

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Jimmy Carter was the first person I ever voted for in an election.

At the time Carter was elected to office, the nation had high hopes. The grim specter of Watergate and the paranoia associated with the Nixon administration were finally over. Unfortunately, the Carter administration faced significant challenges. To be sure, there were very mixed emotions about the 39th president and his administration. To many, the Carter administration was one of the most inept in this nations history. However, in retrospect, one ought to research, study and acknowledge the good accomplishments of Carters four years in office.

For openers, James Earl Carter, a Southerner, who, for many of those living below the imaginary Mason-Dixon Line, represented the complete end of Reconstruction and Union-dominated presidential politics. Additionally, as the highest elected official in the nation, Carter never had a Washington-style background. Obviously, this caused severe problems, but he tried to the fullest extent of his capabilities to make it work for the nation, and for the benefit of all Americans.

Carter was a man of international brotherhood and peace with dignity. With careful guidance, Carter brought together in friendship two hostile enemies, Israel and Egypt, at the Camp David summit. As president, he was neither provoked nor duped into sending armed forces into Afghanistan to counter a Soviet aggressive invitation. Had Jimmy Carter sent U.S. troops into Afghanistan at that time, it would have given the Kremlin an excuse to escalate and spread the conflict throughout the Middle Easts petroleum-supplying nations.

21 1 / 21 Jimmy Carter, 39th U.S. President and Nobel Laureate, Dies at 100

Jimmy Carter treated the Third World nations with respect and dignity. This was easily seen when he allowed Algeria to act as an envoy for the United States and Iran. Using Algeria as a go between facilitated the release  on the day he left office  of 52 Americans who were held captive.

Jimmy Carter was a man of high moral fiber who believed in human rights and life for every individual on this earth. He was the best governmental official, because of his Naval nuclear experience, to visit and determine the condition and future of Three Mile islands plant.

Those with modest incomes complained and gritted their teeth in anger about taxes; this was the basic call to power of Ronald Reagan and his Reaganomics. Yet, a substantial amount of this tax money financed social service programs in health care, well-being and education. A great proportion of those disagreeing and screaming in disgust were actually benefitting the most from this federal spending.

Jimmy Carter was not simply an erstwhile peanut farmer who just happened to find himself in the White House. In reality, the Carter administration did some good for the nation.

John Di Genio, Jersey City

Send letters to the editor and guest columns for The Jersey Journal to jjletters@jjournal.com.
Billionaire and MAGA loyalist Elon Musk recently bucked some of President-elect Donald Trumps base and came out in favor of certain immigration visas despite the incoming presidents hardline immigration policies.

And now U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders is wading into the fight.

If there is truly a major shortage of skilled tech workers in this country, why did Tesla lay-off over 7,500 American workers last year  including many software developers and engineers at its factory in Austin, Texas  while applying to hire thousands of H-1B guest workers? Sanders posted to X Wednesday morning, along with an op-ed he penned for Fox News that called on the H1-B visa mess to be fixed.

Bernie woke up and chose violence, quipped Ron Filipkowski.

In recent weeks, Trumps coalition has split in a public debate largely taking place online about the tech industrys hiring of foreign workers. Hard-right members of Trumps movement have accused Musk and others in Trumps new flank of tech-world supporters of pushing policies at odds with Trumps America First vision.

The rift laid bare the tensions between the newest flank of Trumps movement  wealthy members of the tech world including Musk and fellow entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and their call for more highly skilled workers in their industry  and people in Trumps Make America Great Again base who championed his immigration policies.

The debate touched off last month when Laura Loomer, a right-wing provocateur with a history of racist and conspiratorial comments, criticized Trumps selection of Sriram Krishnan as an adviser on artificial intelligence policy in his coming administration. Krishnan favors the ability to bring more skilled immigrants into the U.S.

Loomer declared the stance to be not America First policy and said the tech executives who have aligned themselves with Trump were doing so to enrich themselves.

Her comments sparked a back-and-forth with venture capitalist and former PayPal executive David Sacks, whom Trump has tapped to be the White House A.I. & Crypto Czar. Musk and Ramaswamy, whom Trump has tasked with finding ways to cut the federal government, weighed in, defending the tech industrys need to bring in foreign workers.

Technology companies say H-1B visas for skilled workers, used by software engineers and others in the tech industry, are critical for hard-to-fill positions. But critics have said they undercut U.S. citizens who could take those jobs. Some on the right have called for the program to be eliminated, not expanded.

Born in South Africa, Musk was once on an H-1B visa himself and defended the industrys need to bring in foreign workers.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
President-elect Donald Trumps latest foreign policy push has raised eyebrows among his critics.

Trump has repeatedly floated adding Canada as the nations 51st state in recent weeks. Now, he is also suggesting that he wants to acquire Greenland and take control of the Panama Canal in his second administration.

But how serious is Trump on these threats?

Veteran Trump reporter from The New York Times, Maggie Haberman, played down Trumps push to annex Canada on CNNs 360 Degrees with Anderson Cooper on Tuesday.

But Trump is clearly in an expansionist mindset. He also keeps talking about Canada as a 51st state, that is clearly much more of a troll than sort of a dominance play, she said.

.@kaitlancollins and @maggieNYT provide perspective on President-elect Trump's state of mind following a wide-ranging press conference in which he railed agaist President Biden and refused to rule out using military force to take control of the Panama Canal and Greenland. pic.twitter.com/QJ5rCPFT7N  Anderson Cooper 360 (@AC360) January 8, 2025

Trump has repeatedly trolled Canada in recent weeks, referring to the country as a state and belittling ongoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as a governor.

Trudeau fired back at Trumps push to merge with Canada on Tuesday, saying that theres not a snowballs chance in hell his country would agree to that.

Haberman also discussed Trumps latest ideas on Greenland and the Panama Canal. During a press conference on Tuesday, Trump did not rule out using military force to take over Greenland and the Panama Canal.

She said its unclear if Trump is really serious about using the military in Greenland and the Panama Canal.

But in terms of Trump talking about military action, or at least not ruling it out, as [Kaitlan Collins] said, that caught a lot of people by surprise, she added.

Its not clear if thats actually something hes thinking about or something he said, because he was quite visibly in a pretty bad mood during this press conference.

Kaitlan Collins, a veteran CNN political reporter, noted earlier in the interview that Trump has been talking about buying Greenland since he was in office eight years ago. She explained that Trump is increasingly serious" about taking control of the Panama Canal, according to people she has talked to in Trumps orbit.

"I think the thing that surprised people, even in Trumps orbit today, was that he wasnt ruling out taking military action in order to achieve those goals in order to do that, whether it is Greenland or the Panama Canal, Collins said.

And so, thats really going to be the question there, because thats different than some kind of negotiation or a treaty about security, she added.

Greenland, home to a large U.S. military base, is an autonomous territory of Denmark, a longtime U.S. ally and a founding member of NATO. Trump cast doubts on the legitimacy of Denmarks claim to Greenland.

The Panama Canal has been solely controlled by the eponymous country for more than 25 years. The U.S. returned the Panama Canal Zone to the country in 1979 and ended its joint partnership in controlling the strategic waterway in 1999.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
As Los Angeles continues to reel from devastating wildfires, President-elect Donald Trump took an opportunity to rip California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) over his response.

The wildfires tearing through the Los Angeles area have prompted thousands of evacuations and have resulted in at least two deaths as of Wednesday, according to local and state officials. Trump, in recent statements about the wildfires on Wednesday, criticized Newsom for his response and previous policies related to water management.

Governor Gavin Newscum refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snow melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way. He wanted to protect an essentially worthless fish called a smelt, by giving it less water (it didnt work!), but didnt care about the people of California, Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Now the ultimate price is being paid. I will demand that this incompetent governor allow beautiful, clean, fresh water to FLOW INTO CALIFORNIA! He is the blame for this. On top of it all, no water for fire hydrants, not firefighting planes. A true disaster! Trump added, appearing to refer to reports that some fire hydrants in the area ran out of water.

A spokesperson for Trump, Karoline Leavitt, also pointed to an order signed by Trump in 2020 that diverted water from Northern California to cities and farms in Southern California. But the Biden administration signed off on new rules for moving water across the state late last month, according to Politico.

Before Trumps post on Wednesday, Newsom appeared to take a shot at the president-elect while thanking President Joe Biden for his help during a Tuesday press conference. He said there was no politics and no kissing of the feet when he asked Biden for federal help.

My message to the incoming administration  and Im not here to play any politics  is please dont play any politics. Theres a time and place for that, Newsom told reporters. And at this moment where your question only reinforces the moments, the precious moments that we have to evacuate, we dont have time for any of that."

In a later post on Wednesday, Trump took aim at Newsom again.

As of this moment, Gavin Newscum and his Los Angeles crew have contained exactly ZERO percent of the fire. It is burning at levels that even surpass last night. This is not Government. I cant wait till January 20th! he wrote.

As of this moment, Gavin Newscum and his Los Angeles crew have contained exactly ZERO percent of the fire. It is burning at levels that even surpass last night. This is not Government. I cant wait till January 20th!



Donald Trump Truth Social 02:09 PM EST 01/08/25  Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) January 8, 2025

The wildfires in Los Angeles worsened rapidly overnight starting on Tuesday.

Three major blazes were burning in the metropolitan area, from the Pacific Coast inland to Pasadena, home of the famed Rose Parade. With thousands of firefighters already attacking the flames, the Los Angeles Fire Department put out a plea for off-duty firefighters to help. The efforts were further hampered by high winds that grounded water-dropping aircraft, but they returned to the skies by midday.

In addition to the two deaths, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said many others were hurt in the fires, which threatened at least 28,000 structures.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 8. Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) is indefinitely suspending all flights en route Baku-Kazan-Baku due to the recent regular closure of airspace over the Russian city of Kazan to ensure flight safety, Trend reports via an AZAL statement.

Passengers of AZAL flights to and from the specified city who are unable to use the airlines services due to the current situation have the opportunity to receive a full refund without penalties or rebook their tickets. To proceed, contact the airline via e-mail at [email protected].

AZAL is actively engaging in a comprehensive assessment of the prevailing circumstances and will disseminate pertinent updates to passengers regarding any modifications.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
A retired police officer and former EMT went on trial Wednesday in Sussex County on charges of aggravated manslaughter in the fatal shooting his husband, also a retired police officer, in their Vernon home two years ago.

Joseph C. Grieco, 38, who retired on disability from the Tenafly Police Department in 2022, is accused of shooting John Kelly, 44, a retired New York Police Department officer, once in the chest in their Vernon home after a night of drinking, according to police.

Grieco told police the shooting was an accident, and that he was demonstrating how to kill a snake when the gun went off, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed by investigators.

Vernon police were called about 1:20 a.m. on July 26, 2023, to an apartment in the 300 block of Route 94 and found Kelly suffering from a gunshot wound to the lower right torso. He died a short time later at a hospital, police said.

Grieco is charged with first-degree aggravated manslaughter with extreme indifference to human life. He remains free pending the outcome of the trial, according to the Sussex County Prosecutors Office.

Two years before the shooting, Grieco and Kelly had purchased a mountaintop property bordering New York State and began clearing the brush with plans to build a home, according to Kellys obituary.

The couple were living in an apartment near the construction site when the shooting occurred.

Grieco and Kelly went out to dinner on July 25, 2023, and later stopped by a VFW Hall near their home, where Grieco consumed alcohol, authorities said.

While at the VFW, the couple met two friends and the four went back to the apartment for drinks, authorities said in court documents.

At some point, Grieco brandished a handgun, and he was told multiple times that the weapon looked loaded, the affidavit states.

Grieco continued to handle the handgun, which eventually went off and Kelly was hit by the bullet, authorities said. EMTs treated Kelly at the scene before transporting him to St. Anthony Community Hospital in Warwick, New York, where he died

Police found the handgun on a counter in the home, along with one spent shell casing, and a live round on the floor. The magazine in the handgun was loaded with 10 more rounds, the affidavit states.

Grieco, who appeared to be intoxicated, told officers he knew the gun was loaded, authorities said. Grieco added that he had been a police officer for 14 years and told police that no one should point the weapon at anyone, the affidavit states.

Grieco retired on disability from the Tenafly Police Department on June 1, 2022, following an accident two years earlier, state records show. The nature of the work-related accident is described as a traumatic incident, but details are redacted from the state paperwork.

Griecos attorney, S. Emile Lisboa IV, was in court on Wednesday and not immediately available to respond to a request for comment.

A spokesman for the Sussex County Prosecutors Office said opening arguments in the case were set to begin Wednesday morning and that the prosecution expects to rest its case on Thursday.

The defense is expected to begin presenting its case on Monday, the spokesman said.

New Jerseys Police & Firemans Retirement System states Grieco began his career as an emergency medical technician in Tenafly in September 2008 before he was hired a year later as a borough police officer, where he worked for 14 years.

Kelly graduated from the State University of New York at New Paltz and worked as a police officer for a small town in Westchester County, New York, before he was hired as a police officer for the NYPD, according to his obituary.

Kelly eventually earned a Masters Degree in corporation communications from New York University that allowed him to work in the private sector, the obituary states.

Born John Ostrowski II in Yonkers, New York in 1978, Kelly met Grieco through a mutual friend and the two later married.

Johns quick-witted humor and ability to connect with others touched many lives, the obituary states. John would have liked to be remembered for his humorous anecdotes and exaggerated imitations.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 8. The Nizami Ganjavi International Center (NGIC) is organizing a number of international forums, working groups and projects to support the implementation of the UN "Pact for the Future" and other important initiatives emanating from COP29, said Rza Aliyev, Chief Strategy and Sustainable Development Specialist of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center (NGIC), Trend reports.

According to him, COP29 has become an important milestone not only for Azerbaijan and NGIC, but also for the entire world in building a sustainable future and combating climate change.

"Compared to COP28, which was held in the United Arab Emirates in 2023, and COP30, which will be held in Brazil in 2025, for which the organizers had 2-3 years to prepare, Azerbaijan prepared the organization of COP29 in a very short period of time, just a few months. Immediately after the XI Global Baku Forum in March 2024, the NGIC joined the process of supporting the successful holding of the event, establishing a partnership with the COP29 Presidency. During the year, it supported the formation of the COP29 International Advisory Board together with Minister Mukhtar Babayev and the COP29 Presidency, and organized dozens of meetings with high-level UN representatives and climate activists, informing them about the preparations for COP29 and contributing to global discussions," he said.

Aliyev added that NGIC also participated in a number of important international climate events, including the Bonn Conference, London Climate Week and the discussion of COP29 as a central theme at the NGICs annual high-level meeting, which is held annually during the UN General Assembly in New York.

During COP29, the Nizami Ganjavi International Centres engagement was highly appreciated. We organized over 16 high-level panels and our members actively participated in over 20 other panel discussions. We also had networking lunches and dinners with international leaders. During the event, the NGCI further strengthened the spirit of global cooperation by hosting over 80 guests from 25 countries and eight UN agencies, said the Chief Strategy and Sustainable Development Specialist of NGCI.

According to Aliyev, during COP29, NGIC deepened its strategic partnership with the UN and related structures, as well as with authoritative international organizations.

"Our partners include the World Health Organization, the International Telecommunication Union, UNDP, the UN, UNAIDS and other UN agencies, as well as institutions such as the Ban Ki-moon Center for Global Citizens, CGIAR, the Vital Voices Global Partnership, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Clinton Global Initiative. This collaboration has laid a solid foundation for the implementation of effective projects to combat climate change. But the most significant achievement for us was that President Ilham Aliyev and the COP29 Presidency invited a member of our Center, the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur Maimunah Mohd Sharif, to speak at the opening of the World Leaders Summit on Climate Action. Along with this, some of our government leaders - the Minister of Health, the Minister of Digital Development and Transport, the Minister of Agriculture and the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Family, Women and Children Affairs - joined our panels and contributed to the discussions. These achievements show how important the NGIC is for bringing together different sectors in the fight against climate change," he noted.

Aliyev added that COP29 had a very important mission - to ensure the continuity of the successes achieved at COP28, to show the world how much work had been done in a year, and, most importantly, to advance the climate negotiations by creating its own legacy.

"COP29 started with big news - the carbon negotiations and the successes achieved under Article 6. Within two weeks historic advances were made on climate finance and the Loss and Damage Fund. The NGIC and its members were actively involved in these discussions, relaying information to the audience and to representatives in their countries, acting as a channel of communication to amplify the message of the COP29 organizer and support the achievement of consensus. The discussions organized by the NGIC within the framework of COP29 focused on concrete solutions and proposed innovative solutions to climate problems with an interdisciplinary approach. Our panel sessions discussed topics such as climate and health, digital green transition, the role of women's leadership. These discussions contributed to strengthening international cooperation and spurred the creation of effective mechanisms to combat climate change. After achieving a historic breakthrough at COP29, our job is to support its implementation phase and think through the path from Baku to Belem," he emphasized.

Aliyev noted that immediately after COP29, members of the NGIC went to Portugal to take part in the UN Alliance of Civilizations forum, and then held the Imperial Springs forum in Madrid, where the main results of COP29 were discussed.

"At our Geneva Conference in January this year, the implementation of COP29 will be the focus, and of course, at the XII Global Baku Forum in March in Baku, COP29 will also be a key topic. In addition, we plan to participate in many important climate conferences this year, including COP30. Our long-term plans include developing joint projects with various partners to support the implementation of the COP29 outcomes and further strengthen global cooperation. Our NGIC members, represented on the International Advisory Board, have made significant contributions to structuring the climate change debate and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. They have put forward recommendations on climate and health, social justice and energy transition. These studies have served as an important roadmap for global decision makers," he said.

According to Aliyev, the NGIC will focus on the implementation of the COP29 outcomes, as well as new initiatives to prepare for COP30.

"We are organizing a number of international forums, working groups and projects to support the implementation of the UN "Pact for the Future" and other important initiatives emanating from COP29. By deepening our current partnership with UN agencies and international organizations, we intend to have a greater impact on the fight against climate change," said Aliyev.
President Yoon Suk Yeols short-lived declaration of martial law last month has created South Koreas biggest constitutional crisis since the country democratized in the late 1980s.

On Wednesday, Mr. Yoon became the first sitting South Korean leader to be detained for questioning by criminal investigators, who want to question him over his decision on Dec. 3 to put the country under military rule for the first time in 45 years.

His martial law decree lasted only six hours. But it threw South Koreas democracy into chaos and drew public outrage, recalling the countrys painful history of military dictatorship decades ago. He was impeached by Parliament on Dec. 14, but the uncertainty over the countrys political future has only deepened since.

Here is how the crisis has unfolded.

What are the criminal accusations against the president?

Mr. Yoon, a deeply unpopular leader, has been banned from leaving the country as the police and prosecutors investigate whether he and his supporters in the government and military committed insurrection when they sent armed troops into the National Assembly.
For years, social media companies made it a top priority to combat hate speech. But in recent months, they have waffled over how to tackle hateful online commentary, particularly when it is directed at L.G.B.T.Q. communities.

Meta on Tuesday said it would drop some of its rules protecting L.G.B.T.Q. people. The changes included allowing users to share allegations of mental illness or abnormality when based on gender or sexual orientation, given political and religious discourse about transgenderism and homosexuality.

The social media company, which owns Facebook and Instagram, will get rid of a bunch of restrictions on topics like immigration and gender that are just out of touch with mainstream discourse, Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive of Meta, said in a video.

The change comes amid broad political debate over transgender rights. At least 26 states have restricted gender-affirming care for minors, according to a tally by The New York Times. Tech companies have also faced years of criticism from conservatives, accusing the platforms of promoting liberal voices and stifling dissent.
Theodore Farnsworth, the former chief executive of the parent company of MoviePass, pleaded guilty to securities fraud on Tuesday after federal prosecutors said he had misled investors about the companys unlimited subscription plan.

Mr. Farnsworth, 62, of Miami, also pleaded guilty in the Southern District of Florida to conspiracy to commit securities fraud as the leader of another publicly traded company, Vinco Ventures, Inc. He tried to inflate its stock price and took millions of dollars from the company for himself, according to prosecutors and court records.

He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for the securities fraud count relating to his leadership of MoviePass and a maximum of five years in prison for the conspiracy count relating to his leadership of Vinco.

Mr. Farnsworth was anxious to accept responsibility for his conduct, Sam Rabin, Mr. Farnsworths lawyer, said in an email on Tuesday evening. The most important step in doing that was to plead guilty to the crimes with which he was charged. He did that today.
The San Francisco artificial intelligence start-up Anthropic is in talks to raise a new round of funding that could value the company at $60 billion, up from about $16 billion less than a year ago, according to two people with knowledge of the discussions.

Led by the venture capital firm Lightspeed Venture Partners, the new round could pump an additional $2 billion into the company, said the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Since its founding in 2021, Anthropic has raised more than $11.3 billion from venture firms like Menlo Ventures and tech giants like Amazon, Google and Salesforce.

The talks come amid a new surge in funding for the industrys most prominent A.I. start-ups. Last month, Elon Musks xAI raised $6 billion in a deal that valued the company at $35 billion to $45 billion. In October, OpenAI, the maker of the online chatbot ChatGPT, raised $6.6 billion at a $157 billion valuation.

OpenAI started the A.I. boom in late 2022 with the release of ChatGPT, setting off a funding surge that moved billions into a wide range of start-ups.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, January 8. An immigration quota has been set in Kyrgyzstan, setting a limit on the number of foreign nationals and stateless persons allowed to immigrate to the country in 2025, Trend reports.

According to a decree from the Cabinet of Ministers, the quota for Bishkek city is set at 300 individuals, for Osh city at 100 individuals, and the total nationwide quota is 1,100 people.

As of September 5, 2024, new rules regarding the stay of foreign nationals came into effect. Under these regulations, citizens of the EAEU member states (Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia) are allowed to stay in Kyrgyzstan without any documentation for up to 90 days within any 180-day period from the date of their entry into the country.

Meanwhile, citizens from Tajikistan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Moldova can stay in Kyrgyzstan without the need for documents for up to 60 days within each 120-day period after entering the country.

After the 60 or 90 days of stay in Kyrgyzstan, individuals who have not registered must leave the country. They will be able to re-enter Kyrgyzstan only after 60 or 90 calendar days, depending on the duration of their initial stay.
An Army doctor pleaded guilty in a military court on Tuesday to sexually assaulting dozens of his patients, bringing one of the militarys largest sex abuse cases closer to resolution.

The doctor, Maj. Michael Stockin, who is currently serving at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington State, was accused of touching or viewing the genitals of 41 of his male patients under the guise of medical treatment between 2019 and 2022, according to court documents.

At a hearing on Tuesday, he admitted to 36 counts of abusive sexual contact and five of indecent viewing, according to Michelle McCaskill, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Army Office of Special Trial Counsel.

The plea agreement is subject to acceptance by a military judge, who will determine whether there is enough evidence to support the plea during hearings this week. If the plea is accepted, Major Stockin faces up to 13 years in prison, according to Ryan Guilds, a lawyer representing some of the victims.
Officials were bracing for winds to pick up overnight in the Los Angeles area, likely fanning the Palisades fire and creating conditions for other wildfires to spread across Southern California.

Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday afternoon, Gov. Gavin Newsom of California said that some of the strongest winds were expected in Southern California between 10 p.m. local time through 5 a.m. on Wednesday.

By no stretch of the imagination are we out of the woods, Governor Newsom said.

The fire, which had already affected about 1,200 acres, more than doubled in size to 2,900 acres in a matter of hours by Tuesday evening, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Against a towering backdrop of black smoke with an ominous orange glow, the stately homes and broad boulevards of the Pacific Palisades looked small and exposed on Tuesday.

The fire forced residents, including some celebrities, to flee the seaside neighborhood, which is on the west side of Los Angeles. The scenic Sunset Boulevard became an escape route. Cars clogged the road on Tuesday, all headed away from Pacific Palisades except for the emergency vehicles that wailed their way toward the blaze.
The Taliban have refused to say whether they are holding a third American whose return is also sought by the U.S. government. That person, Mahmood Habibi, a naturalized American, was taken captive soon after the U.S. strike in Afghanistan in 2022 that killed Ayman al-Zawahri, the leader of Al Qaeda.

Mr. Habibis family has said that he was arrested with 30 other people who all worked for the same American firm, Asia Consultancy Group, on suspicion that the company was involved in the U.S. drone strike that killed the Qaeda leader. U.S. officials would not discuss whether Mr. Habibi had a role in the strike, nor is his condition known.

But his father, Ahmadullah, and brother, Ahmad, have denied that he was involved. Mr. Habibi was out of the country at the time of the attack and arrived in Afghanistan days later, they said. They have also said, based on several independent sources in Afghanistan, that he was alive and last known to be in custody of the governments General Directorate of Intelligence.

Sean Savett, a National Security Council spokesman, said the Biden administration had negotiated the return of more than 75 Americans held overseas. He said officials were working around the clock to ensure the return of Mr. Glezmann, Mr. Corbett and Mr. Habibi.

The administration will do so throughout the remainder of the term, he added.

The administration made an earlier offer to the Taliban to secure the release of the three men on Nov. 14, a proposal that The Wall Street Journal reported earlier.
But the reactions underscored anew how even the most basic interpersonal interactions in Washington these days are scrutinized for signs of the passions and hostilities between members of opposing parties that lie barely beneath the surface. The awkward exchange between Ms. Harris and Mr. Fischer came on a day that was, in its own way, trying for the vice president, who was carrying out her duties after losing the presidency and getting ready to leave office altogether, her own future unclear.

The whole thing was captured by C-SPAN cameras in the Old Senate Chamber.

After administering the oath to Ms. Fischer and shaking her hand, Ms. Harris turned to Mr. Fischer and said, Congratulations to you, holding out a hand.

Thank you, he said, gazing down without looking her in the eye as she stood with her arm outstretched. She then pulled back, raised her eyebrows and cringed slightly before turning and plastering on a rictus smile for the photo.

The frostiness began before the vice president read the oath, when Ms. Fischer introduced her husband and positioned him next to Ms. Harris to hold the Bible for her. He appeared so reluctant to stand close to the vice president that she commented.

Its OK, I wont bite. Im not going to bite, dont worry, Ms. Harris said.

Brian Tyler Cohen, a political commentator, posted a video of the interaction online and said it demonstrated the level of class you can expect from MAGA.
There was a lot of deja vu in Tuesdays news conference, recalling scenes from his first presidency. The conspiracy theories, the made-up facts, the burning grievances  all despite the fact that he has pulled off one of the most remarkable political comebacks in history. The vague references to people whom he never names. The flat declaration that American national security was threatened now, without defining how the strategic environment has changed in a way that could prompt him to violate the sovereignty of independent nations.

But there were also several differences in this version of Mr. Trump that are easy to overlook in a man who can move, in an instant, from the failures of American plumbing to the need to revive the territory-grabbing spirit of President William McKinley.

This time, he appears eager to get going in a way he was not in 2017. Time and again on Tuesday he seemed to resent the fact that Joseph R. Biden Jr. was still president. He complained that he could not meet with Vladimir V. Putin to negotiate an end to the Ukraine war until he was actually sworn in. He railed at the flurry of executive orders Mr. Biden has issued in recent days, designed to tie Mr. Trumps hands, or at least slow him down. He seemed particularly angry about one that barred offshore drilling along much of the U.S. coastline, which he said he would immediately reverse  unless he had to take it to court first.

Mr. Biden, he said, was essentially getting rid of $50 to $60 trillion worth of assets beneath the sea floor, without explaining why few companies were drilling there in the decades before the order. He never addressed the environmental considerations that went into Mr. Bidens decision.

When the subject turned to the Middle East, Mr. Trump spoke like he was already in charge of the negotiations, and he called his chief negotiator, Steve Witkoff, to the stage to declare weve had some really great progress. But as Mr. Witkoff later noted, the negotiations were being directed by Mr. Bidens team, not Mr. Trumps, though Trump representatives have been invited to participate, since they will soon inherit three-dimensional diplomacy with Israel and Hamas.
The U.S. government asked a federal appeals court on Tuesday to stop Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the man accused of planning the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, from pleading guilty on Friday at the war court at Guantanamo Bay.



The filing argued that, contrary to the findings of two lower military courts, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III had the authority to retroactively withdraw the government from plea agreements that were submitted at the military court last summer.

On July 31, Mr. Mohammed and two co-defendants signed an agreement with the Pentagon official in charge of the court to plead guilty to war crimes charges in exchange for sentences of life in prison rather than face a death penalty trial. Prosecutors had negotiated the deal for more than two years, but Mr. Austin undid the agreements two days later. Then on Nov. 7, the military judge, Col. Matthew N. McCall, ruled that the secretary acted too late and that the deal was valid.

Tuesdays move seeking to overturn Colonel McCalls ruling was the latest to whipsaw the families of the nearly 3,000 victims of the attacks in New York, Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon, who are divided over how the 12-year-old case should be resolved.

All it does is drag this situation out for the families, said Stephan Gerhardt, whose brother Ralph was killed in the attack on the World Trade Center. What is their end goal here?
President-elect Donald J. Trumps attention returned Tuesday to an idea that has fascinated him for years: acquiring Greenland for the United States. In a news conference on Tuesday, he refused to rule out using military or economic force to take the territory from Denmark, a U.S. ally.

We need Greenland for national security purposes, he said, arguing that Denmark should give it up to protect the free world. He threatened to impose tariffs on Denmark if it did not.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Trump wrote on social media that the potential American acquisition of the Arctic territory is a deal that must happen and uploaded photos of his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., who was visiting Greenland.

MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN, the president-elect added.

After the news conference, Denmark sharply rebuked the proposal, saying that the worlds largest island is not for sale, and the prime minister of Greenland, Mute B. Egede, rejected Mr. Trumps designs on the territory. Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland, Mr. Egede said. Our future and fight for independence is our business.
Democrats on Tuesday held two key state legislative seats in Virginia, retaining their majorities in the General Assembly in the first special elections since President-elect Donald J. Trump won back the White House.

The results were expected in overlapping House of Delegates and State Senate districts in Loudoun County, a Washington suburb. Democrats have traditionally occupied the seats, which became vacant when the local state senator was elected to Congress and the delegate subsequently resigned to run to replace him.

But Democrats, who held single-seat majorities in both chambers, had worried that a shift toward Republicans in Loudoun County could accelerate after Mr. Trumps victory. They poured far more resources into the contests than Republicans did.

Kannan Srinivasan, a Democrat who had held the State House seat for the last year, won election to the State Senate, defeating Tumay Harding, a Republican schoolteacher, according to The Associated Press. JJ Singh, a former Capitol Hill aide, won Mr. Srinivasans old State House seat, topping Ram Venkatachalam, an information technology consultant, The A.P. reported.
A Santa Ana wind event is fueling wildfires in Los Angeles that have destroyed homes and forced the evacuation of thousands of people. Heres what to know about the winds.

How do the Santa Ana winds work?

The Santa Ana winds are the strong, dry and often warm winds that blow west from Nevada and Utah to Southern California.

The winds occur in the colder months, when low- and high-pressure weather systems intensify across the mid-latitudes of the northern hemisphere, said Alex Hall, director of the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability at the University of California, Los Angeles. Sometimes, an area of high pressure can become locked in place over the arid, mountain-bound area known as the Great Basin, which covers much of Nevada, part of Utah and portions of other states, because of its unique geography.

To understand how the Santa Ana winds form, Mr. Hall said, imagine the Great Basin as a big bowl, topographically speaking, its sides lined with holes representing mountain passes. If you have a lot of heavy, high pressure sitting there in the bowl, youre going to be pushing air out through the holes, he said.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, January 8. A trilateral meeting was held between the Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan, Adylbek Kasymaliev, the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Abdulla Aripov, and the Prime Minister of Tajikistan, Kokhir Rasulzoda, Trend reports, citing the Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers.

The meeting was part of previously reached agreements on state border issues between the three countries' leaders.

The prime ministers emphasized the significant potential for strengthening cooperation in areas such as trade, logistics, water and energy resources, and cultural and humanitarian ties. They noted that an essential part of their collaboration is the development of cross-border and interregional cooperation.

Additionally, the meeting highlighted the completion of the delimitation process of the state border between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan and the exchange of ratification letters for the agreement on the "Kyrgyz-Uzbek State Border."

The agreement on the state border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, signed on December 4, 2024, underscores the importance of completing the description of the sections of the Kyrgyz-Tajik state border. It was stressed that working groups must prepare final documents within a short period.

The Cabinet also noted that a future summit of the heads of state is anticipated, which will further contribute to the development of partnerships between Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
A civil war in Sudan that has killed 150,000 people and forced more than 11 million others from their homes, by some estimates, prompted the U.S. government on Tuesday to declare that a genocide had been perpetrated by one of the wars main antagonists, the ethnic Arab militia known as the Rapid Support Forces.

The war, which has drawn in foreign countries and a host of armed groups, now threatens to spill over Sudans borders. After 21 months of fighting, thousands have been killed in a campaign of ethnic cleansing, countless women and girls have been subjected to sexual violence, and millions are hungry, in the worlds first officially declared famine since 2020.

So many people have been uprooted that the United Nations says Sudan is now home to the worlds largest displacement crisis  a living nightmare, in the words of Amy Pope, director general of the U.N.s International Organization for Migration.

Genocide Old and New

The Sudanese army chief, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the commander of the Rapid Support Forces, Lt. Gen. Mohamed Hamdan, were once allies. In 2021, they worked together to stage a military coup. But they later split after failing to merge their forces.
President-elect Donald J. Trumps suggestion on Tuesday that the United States might reclaim the Panama Canal  potentially by force  unsettled Panamanians, who used to live with the presence of the U.S. military in the canal zone and were invaded by American forces once before.

Few appeared to be taking Mr. Trumps threats very seriously, but Panamas foreign minister, Javier Martinez-Acha, made his countrys position clear at a news conference hours after the American president-elect mused aloud about retaking the canal, which the United States built but turned over to Panama in the late 1990s.

The sovereignty of our canal is nonnegotiable and is part of our history of struggle and an irreversible conquest, Mr. Martinez-Acha said. Let it be clear: The canal belongs to the Panamanians and it will continue to be that way.

Experts said that Mr. Trumps real goal might have been intimidation, perhaps aimed at securing favorable treatment from Panamas government for American ships that use the passageway. More broadly, they said, he might be trying to send a forceful message across a region that will be critical to his goals of controlling the flow of migrants toward the U.S. border.
The United Automobile Workers union is seeking approval from federal labor regulators for a union election among workers at a Ford Motor battery plant in Kentucky, providing an important test of organized labors strength after the election of Donald J. Trump.

The union petitioned the National Labor Relations Board on Tuesday to let workers at the new factory in Glendale, about 55 miles south of Louisville, vote on whether they want to join the U.A.W. The plant, which is expected to begin production this year, is a joint venture between Ford and SK On, a South Korean battery company.

In a statement, the U.A.W. said a supermajority of workers at the plant had signed cards expressing their desire to join the union.

We want to be able to come together with management and have a voice in how the business is run, said Bill Wilmoth, a production worker at the Glendale plant who helped lead the organizing drive. We want an opportunity to negotiate a contract.
Some of this may be due to a drop in the number of psychiatric beds in hospitals, but no one knows for sure.

There was a point at the height of the pandemic when paid ridership on the subway had plummeted and homeless people  who were avoiding shelters because they didnt want to get sick  made some of the trains seem like rolling encampments. Thats no longer the case, but the perception is that things never quite went back to what they were before.

One transit advocate you talked to said that the M.T.A. has poured so many resources into stopping fare-beating. Would the subways be safer if there were more police officers and M.T.A. personnel on the platforms, instead of at the turnstiles?

Its hard to say.

People have been pushed to the tracks even when police officers were patrolling on the platform but were not close enough to stop the attack. It takes only a second to push someone off the platform.

The police seem to believe that the people who habitually jump turnstiles are more likely to go on to commit more serious crimes once theyre in the subway system, so keeping them out prevents serious crime. But the police cannot be everywhere. Its very hard to keep someone out if they want to go in.
Every year I choose a university student to accompany me on my win-a-trip journey, which is meant to highlight issues that deserve more attention. My latest winner was Trisha Mukherjee, a recent Columbia graduate and a budding journalist  and with that, Im handing the rest of the column to her.

By Trisha Mukherjee, reporting from Nairobi, Kenya

Heres a riddle: What is available worldwide, requires no new technology, costs no money and could save more than 800,000 childrens lives a year?

If you answered breastfeeding, youd be correct. Optimal breastfeeding around the world could reduce child mortality by at least 10 percent for infants and young children. The instructions are simple: Breastfeed within an hour after birth, exclusively breastfeed for six months, then introduce solid foods while continuing to breastfeed until 2 years of age.

As Nick and I traveled through Kenya and Madagascar, many women told us they gave their babies water during the first six months. This water can be contaminated with pathogens that babies developing immune systems cant fight off. And because babies have tiny stomachs, anything other than breast milk effectively replaces it, depriving the baby of its essential nutrients. The women we interviewed thought they were helping their babies cool off during hot days, but unknowingly, they were hurting them.
Iran, China, Russia and North Korea now form a new axis of repression and cooperate in ways that were hard to imagine a few years ago. NATO has a couple of new members and is spending a bit more on defense, but the war in Ukraine is not going well, in part because of the administrations reluctance to supply it with the arms it needed when it needed them. Chinas threatening behavior toward Taiwan and in the South China Sea has gone from bad to worse. And Islamist terrorism may be resurgent. The one bright spot is the weakening of Iran and its proxies in the last few months, but that was brought about not by the administration but by Israels military successes  achieved often in the face of Bidens opposition.

Lydia Polgreen: One thing that strikes me about the Biden administration and this era in the world is the element of surprise and seeming unpreparedness. There was the Afghanistan withdrawal, which really weakened Biden. But I also think of the comment by the national security adviser Jake Sullivan about the quieter Middle East just a week before Oct. 7, 2023, and then the total failure of the administration to influence Benjamin Netanyahus prosecution of the war in Gaza. And now we have the seeming surprise at the stunningly rapid fall of the Assad regime in Syria. Perhaps the best way to achieve strength and security is to anticipate, influence and shape global events in the interests of the United States. And on that score I think we have had a pretty lousy four years.

Stephens: Lydia makes an important point about the administrations repeated unpreparedness, which I wrote about in my latest column  Biden offering assurances that the Taliban wouldnt quickly overrun Afghanistan, and his 2021 claim that the uptick in migration across the southern border was merely part of a seasonal pattern. These were the sorts of analytical errors that ultimately helped cost him his presidency.

David French: I think two things are true at once  Americas key enemies are weaker than they were four years ago, and the world is more dangerous. Russias invasion of Ukraine and Hamass attack on Israel triggered two wars that have increased instability and geopolitical risks. The war in Ukraine in particular represents a failure of deterrence.

At the same time, neither war has gone the way the aggressors wanted, in part because of the Biden administrations responses. Russia has taken enormous losses in men and equipment, and its economy is struggling. Yes, Russia is putting Ukraine under significant pressure on the battlefield, but its safe to say that Vladimir Putin never expected his invasion to cost this much.
There is no shortage of speculation as to how much Elon Musk and his companies will benefit financially from his enthusiastic embrace of President-elect Donald Trump. Yet I believe that it is Mark Zuckerberg, Mr. Musks lower-key, more politically fluid tech-billionaire rival, who should be crowned Silicon Valleys wiliest operator in the halls of Washington.

Thats just wonderful for Meta, Mr. Zuckerbergs aging social media empire. It is bad news for the future of technology and the truth.

Mr. Zuckerberg burst on the national political scene a little over a decade ago to promote and fund left-leaning issues he cared about, such as drug legalization and reducing mass incarceration. When his platforms were accused of spreading misinformation that may have helped elect Mr. Trump, Mr. Zuckerberg vowed to grapple with the problem. He kicked Mr. Trump off Facebook and Instagram for two years in light of the storming of the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

So perhaps it isnt a total coincidence that President Bidens administration took some positions highly favorable to Mr. Zuckerbergs social media goliath. Congress has failed to pass any meaningful regulation to curb the behavior of the social media giants, despite increasing evidence of their harms. And Mr. Zuckerbergs sharp critiques of China, followed up by more discreet lobbying by Meta, helped persuade Congress and Mr. Biden to ban the video-sharing app TikTok, whose parent company is Chinese  and also just happens to be Metas most innovative and threatening rival.
Utah and other states supporting its lawsuit see these lands, which the federal government reserved for all Americans when the states entered the union, as potential sources of tax revenue and development opportunities, and have long complained about the lack of local control over lands held by Washington.

Many of those resources are already being used or extracted under the federal governments policies of allowing for multiple uses of the land while maintaining sustained yields of their renewable resources. But those lands also contain some of the nations most culturally, historically and environmentally significant treasures, which the federal government also is responsible for protecting. Utahs lawsuit is nothing less than a frontal assault on the long tradition of safeguarding these landscapes in trust for all Americans.

Utah argues that a 1976 law passed with bipartisan support (16 of the 19 members of the congressional conference committee who drafted the final version were from the West) exceeded Congresss authority under the Constitutions property clause. That clause gives Congress unqualified power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States. The challenged law laid out how the federal Bureau of Land Management would administer the land under its control, now approximately 245 million acres, primarily in 12 Western states.

Utah puts forward a mishmash of arguments that the property clause does not mean what it says. For one thing, the state quotes only one of several definitions contained in the leading dictionary at the time the Constitution was drafted, one defining dispose of to mean to put in the hands of another. But then and ever since, dictionaries have defined dispose of to have several other meanings as well, including to employ to various purposes, which is exactly how Congress has exercised its property clause power for more than two centuries. And even if, for the sake of argument, dispose meant only to divest, the clause merely allows rather than requires Congress to do it.

Utah further muddies the waters by arguing that the property clause requires the federal government to transfer control of all public lands that are not dedicated to any enumerated federal function. The state describes such lands as unappropriated and says it includes about half of the land the federal government owns in Utah and hundreds of millions of acres in other Western states and Alaska. But the word unappropriated does not appear in the Constitution and rarely shows up in federal land laws and has no generally accepted legal meaning.
As a chef, the one thing that we have always lacked is any kind of traceability or any kind of transparency in spices, in herbs, said Rick Bayless, the celebrated Chicago chef and restaurateur who specializes in Mexican cuisine. When I found Burlap & Barrel, I wanted to get to know these guys and see what they were doing, because they were telling stories about who grew this cumin and who grew these peppercorns.

Transparency and storytelling is at the heart of the business. As whats known as a public benefit corporation  a for-profit company that focuses on contributing to a social good  Burlap & Barrel seeks to connect smallholder farmers to high-value markets, said Mr. Zohar, 39.

Our business works because were paying the farmers more, which then allows the farmers to not just grow the spices, but they clean the spices, they dry the spices, they grind the spices, they prepare them for export, he said.

The company now consists of 20 people, most of whom are contractors, and works with farmers in about 30 countries including Vietnam, Turkey and Guatemala, often helping with the logistics of the export process. The founders visit farms to meet the farmers and see firsthand the practices and products of each potential partner.

Shadel Nyack Compton, the owner and managing director of Belmont Estate, a family farm and tourist destination in Grenada, works with Burlap & Barrel to sell nutmeg and bay leaves. The farm  whose main crop is cocoa  has been in her family for 80 years.
Large residential areas across Los Angeles, including some of its most affluent ZIP codes in Malibu, were under mandatory evacuation orders on Wednesday as strong winds and dry conditions fueled the Palisades fire.

Three separate areas were under mandatory evacuation orders from California fire officials. Near the Palisades fire, an area from San Vicente Boulevard to Malibu Canyon Road was ordered to evacuate. Included are parts of the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, Brentwood and Bel Air. Parts of Calabasas south of Highway 101 were under evacuation warnings, and much of the Pacific Coast Highway from Malibu to Santa Monica was closed.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, January 8. Kyrgyzstans President Sadyr Zhaparov has signed a decree prolonging the moratorium on the exemption of farmers from land tax until 2030, Trend reports via his social media page.

"By 2030, we will resolve the issue of land irrigation, build primary and secondary irrigation canals, completely clean the existing ones, and construct new ones where necessary. In general, we'll solve the water problem for farmers. After that, we'll resume collecting taxes," said the president.

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Kyrgyzstan's economy heavily depends on agriculture, and the water deficit is becoming an increasingly urgent issue.

The main source of irrigation is meltwater from the mountains, but climate change is already significantly reducing its availability. Glaciers are melting, and the insufficient amount of snow fails to compensate for the loss of water resources.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The Eaton fire, burning out-of-control near Pasadena east of Los Angeles, was quickly increasing in size on Wednesday morning amid dangerous high winds, according to California fire officials.

As of 6 a.m. Pacific, the fire covered more than 2,200 acres, according to Cal Fire, more than double its size a few hours before. It was the second biggest fire burning in Southern California on Wednesday morning after the Palisades fire west of Los Angeles.

Evacuation orders were rapidly expanded on Wednesday for the communities of Altadena and La Canada Flintridge, near Pasadena, where officials urged residents to leave immediately.

More than 52,000 residents were under mandatory evacuation orders because of the Eaton fire, and a further 46,000 were under evacuation warnings, according to a social media post by the Angeles National Forest, north of Altadena. Tens of thousands of structures were threatened, it said.
It seemed as if the sky was raining fire on Orly Israels home. With embers whipping through the air, trees blazing and alarms blaring, Mr. Israel raced through the yard, hosing down bushes in a desperate attempt to save the house.

Mr. Israel, 30, had returned to the house in the Alphabet Streets neighborhood of Pacific Palisades on Tuesday evening with a friend after evacuating that morning with his brother and parents. You could see it from the bedroom window, he said of their view from the house on Tuesday morning. You could see the flames coming down the hill.

Ordered to evacuate, his family rushed to pack the cars with their most precious possessions  books, memories, a crate of notebooks and journals for Mr. Israel.

After leaving, Mr. Israel and a friend watched from a distant vantage point as the fire approached his familys neighborhood. They decided to go back to try to protect the house, driving through thick and black smoke that limited their visibility to several feet.
President Biden said in a new interview published on Wednesday that he was considering pre-emptive pardons for people President-elect Donald J. Trump considered his political enemies, but he added that he had not yet decided what to do.

A little bit of it depends on who he puts in what positions, Mr. Biden told USA Today in the interview, which was conducted Sunday.

Mr. Biden was asked whether he would pardon Liz Cheney, the former Republican representative frequently targeted by Mr. Trump and his supporters for her role investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, mob attack on the Capitol, or Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the former top federal infectious disease official who oversaw the nations Covid-19 response.

I think there are certain people like, if he were to, I dont want to name their names, Mr. Biden said, before asking to speak off the record.
They did not think much of each other at first. They crisscrossed the country for months, warning voters that the other one should not be trusted with power. Their campaign was as bitter as any of the era and ended in one of the closest elections in modern times.

And then, against all odds, against all political logic, Jimmy Carter and Gerald R. Ford actually became friends.

Not friends in the Washington sense, where someone talks on the floor of Congress about my friend from the state of Georgia before stabbing them in the back. Real friends. Friends who commiserate on the phone over shared struggles. Friends whose wives and children become close. Friends who see a like-minded soul. Friends who speak at each others funerals.

The unlikely bond between Mr. Carter and Mr. Ford is a rare story in the history of the American presidency and all the more unimaginable in todays polarized environment, but it transcended politics and partisanship. The two men who clashed in the 1976 election eventually became so tight that they made a pact that when one of them died, the other would give a eulogy. Mr. Carter did that for Mr. Ford in 2007. Now, in a way, Mr. Ford will return the favor on Thursday.
Since his death, Jimmy Carter has been lauded for brokering the Camp David Accords and for his post-White House mission to help the poor and battle disease. But glossed over amid all the tributes is the burdensome legacy that Mr. Carter left for his Democratic Party: a presidency long caricatured as a symbol of ineffectiveness and weakness.

This perception has shadowed the party for nearly 40 years. It was forged in the seizure of American hostages by Iranian militants in 1979 and the failed military attempt to free them, as well as the invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union. And it lingered in memories of Mr. Carter wearing a cardigan as he asked Americans to conserve energy, or bemoaning what he called a crisis of confidence in an address to the nation that became a textbook example of political self-harm.

Over the decades, these events have provided endless fodder for attacks by Republicans, who reveled in invoking Mr. Carters name to deride Democrats. And that mockery, in turn, influenced the way Democrats have presented themselves to voters. Without Mr. Carters image of weakness on national security and defense, for example, it is hard to imagine the partys war-hero candidate for president in 2004 introducing himself with a salute at its nominating convention and saying, Im John Kerry and Im reporting for duty.
Former Representative Matt Gaetz, who withdrew as President-elect Donald J. Trumps nominee for attorney general ahead of the release of a House Ethics panel report that accused him of regularly paying for sex and using drugs, said he was starting to think about running for governor next year in Florida.

The contest for the open seat in Mr. Trumps adopted home state is expected to draw significant interest, as Gov. Ron DeSantis, who was elected in 2018 and 2022, is term-limited.

I have a compelling vision for the state, Mr. Gaetz, a far-right provocateur, told The Tampa Bay Times in a report published on Tuesday.

In a telephone interview with The New York Times on Wednesday, Mr. Gaetz said that he had spoken to Mr. Trump about a possible bid for governor and that he knows that I have that ambition. He declined to elaborate on their conversation, other than to say that the president-elect had shared advice with him and that he expected several of Mr. Trumps other allies would contend for the job.
Mexicos president rejected several of President-elect Donald J. Trumps assertions about her country and even joked that the United States should be called Mexican America after Mr. Trump said the Gulf of Mexico should be renamed the Gulf of America.

President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico used her Wednesday morning news conference to show a world map dating from 1607. The map labeled North America as Mexican America and already identified the Gulf of Mexico as such, 169 years before the United States was founded.

Why dont we call it Mexican America? It sounds pretty, no? Ms. Sheinbaum said while pointing to the map and smiling.

In response to Mr. Trumps comment that Mexico was essentially run by the cartels, Ms. Sheinbaum told reporters on Wednesday that, with all due respect, the president-elect was ill-informed.
In the end the president did not side with the company. But Ms. Bondis involvement demonstrated that she could help grease relations with the Trump administration for her new clients.

It was also a continuation of her open-door approach to companies, which started when she held office in Florida.

Now, critics question if Ms. Bondi will bring that same transactional philosophy to the Justice Department. She was picked by Mr. Trump to be his nominee for attorney general after Matt Gaetz, a former congressman from Florida who was Mr. Trumps first choice for the job, withdrew his name in the face of formidable opposition, even within his own Republican Party.

Ms. Bondi would not be the first U.S. attorney general who previously served as a lobbyist. A review of lobbying records from the last 25 years showed that Eric H. Holder Jr., who served as attorney general during the Obama administration, had worked as a registered lobbyist, and that William P. Barr, one of Mr. Trumps attorneys general, had been a corporate leader of a government advocacy group.

But while she was Floridas attorney general, Ms. Bondi became known for what one lobbying firm called her business-friendly attitude. She and her staff agreed to meet with a steady stream of lawyers whose clients  including Bridgepoint Education, a for-profit college chain, and Herbalife, a nutritional shake company  had been targeted by other states for investigations, a New York Times review of her work found.
President-elect Donald J. Trump has threatened tariffs on many countries for many different reasons.

On Monday, he found a new purpose for his favorite economic tool. Mr. Trump said he would tariff Denmark at a very high level if it refused to allow Greenland  a North American island that is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark  to become part of the United States.

They should give it up, because we need it for national security, Mr. Trump said of Greenland.

Denmark, which has a smaller population than New York City, is not a huge trading partner for the United States. The country  a U.S. ally and a NATO member  sent the United States more than $11 billion worth of goods in 2023, just a tiny slice of more than $3 trillion of imports. The United States, in turn, sends Denmark more than $5 billion in goods, including industrial machinery, computers, aircraft and scientific instruments.

But despite its small size, Denmark, which handles Greenlands foreign and security affairs, is home to some products that are very well-loved in America, goods that could become more expensive if Mr. Trump follows through with heavy tariffs. According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity, a trade data platform, roughly half of Denmarks recent exports to the United States are packaged medicines, insulin, vaccines and antibiotics.

Thats largely because the country is home to Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, the popular weight-loss drugs. The company is so important to the Danish economy  it has recently accounted for half of Denmarks private sector job growth and all of the countrys economic growth  that some have branded Denmark a pharmastate.
Mr. Trumps lawyers contend that the issuance of a final report amounts to unethical conduct by Mr. Smith, and yet it is not clear that the special counsel could avoid doing so even if he wanted to.

Justice Department regulations require special counsels, upon finishing their work, to submit a report to the attorney general. In recent years, it has been the practice of department leaders to publicly release reports, albeit often with redactions to protect grand jury testimony or classified materials.

One person close to the Trump team said the incoming presidents advisers saw the speed with which Mr. Smith was trying to make the report public, before Mr. Trump begins his new term, as a political act of its own. The person noted that the special counsel in the Russia inquiry, Robert S. Mueller III, took nearly two years to issue a report about whether the Trump campaign had conspired with Russians and whether Mr. Trump had obstructed that investigation. The report did not make a recommendation about prosecuting a sitting president, which is against longstanding Justice Department policy.

Mr. Blanche is Mr. Trumps choice to become the deputy attorney general. That position would give him the authority to make decisions not only about who should face charges, but also about issues of internal department discipline, assignments and termination. Mr. Bove is expected to take the job of principal associate deputy attorney general, a post that would make him Mr. Blanches right-hand man.

The closer they get to assuming those roles, the more their legal work on behalf of their powerful client, Mr. Trump, may be seen both inside and outside the department as an indicator of how they intend to run it.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 8. Uzbekistan has developed a draft strategy for spent nuclear fuel management, radioactive waste, and decommissioning of nuclear facilities, Director of the Atomic Energy Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan (Uzatom) Azim Akhmedkhadjaev told Trend in an exclusive interview.

The draft strategy has been developed in accordance with the legal acts of Uzbekistan. It is currently being coordinated with the relevant ministries and agencies, he said.

In addition, Azim Akhmedkhadjaev noted that Uzbekistan is considering the use of natural uranium mined in the country as tolling raw materials when concluding long-term contracts for the supply of nuclear fuel.

The utilization of indigenous raw materials will enable the regulation of nuclear fuel prices for Uzbekistan's nuclear power plants in the future, thereby lowering the cost of electricity produced, the director of Uzatom emphasized.

An important milestone in the development of nuclear energy in the country was the signing of a protocol on September 10, 2024, on the beginning of work on the construction of a small-capacity nuclear power plant. The document covers the design of the plant itself, the construction of a shift camp, a base for construction and installation work, as well as engineering surveys.

According to Akhmedkhadjaev, observations of the components of the natural environment currently continue at the construction site.

Aerometeorological monitoring, observations of surface and groundwater characteristics, as well as monitoring of seismic activity and modern movements of the Earth's surface, are being conducted. All of these works are carried out based on the recommendations of IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) experts following the SEED (Site and External Events Design Review) mission to Uzbekistan in 2022. Preparatory work is also being carried out under the contract. The power start-up of the first unit of the nuclear power plant should take place 60 months after the start of work. Each next unit will be launched at an interval of 6 months, he said.

The director of Uzatom also noted that Uzbekistan closely cooperates with the IAEA, which contributes to the development of nuclear infrastructure.

A SEED mission was conducted in 2023, the results of which were positively assessed by international experts. The signing of the annex to the Country Program Framework for 2022-2027 has opened new opportunities for strengthening interaction with the IAEA, Akhmedkhadjaev stressed.

In the long term, Uzbekistan plans to integrate nuclear energy into the country's energy balance, he said. According to the Concept of Electricity Supply for 2020-2030, the construction of the small-capacity nuclear power plant will not only reduce the consumption of hydrocarbon fuel but also reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Nuclear power will become the basis for all-season supply of electricity, thermal energy, and desalinated water to the country. This is the first step in the development of the nuclear industry, which will contribute to the strengthening of the economy and the welfare of the population. Uzbekistan, as one of the largest producers of natural uranium, intends to use its resources to regulate the cost of nuclear fuel. This will reduce the cost of electricity generation at nuclear power plants, the director added.
The fallout from the disclosure that the World Anti-Doping Agency did not discipline a slew of Chinese swimmers who tested positive for a banned drug erupted on Wednesday after the Biden administration said it withheld major funding for the agency and the agency removed the American governments representative from its board.

The United States had held back its funding to the agency, known as WADA, after losing faith in its ability to guard against the use of banned performance-enhancing drugs at events like the Olympics, the White House said.

The decision by the Biden administration was a significant blow to WADA, which has been under intense scrutiny for decisions not to punish or more aggressively investigate positive tests for banned substances by elite Chinese swimmers in recent years.

On Wednesday, the antidoping agency responded by removing the United States, which had been the single largest country funder to the agency, from a position on its board.
In 2019, Mr. Trump accused San Francisco of allowing used needles from drug users to be washed into the ocean, saying the city was in serious violation of environmental rules and demanding that officials clean it up.

We cant have our cities going to hell, he said.

That Christmas, Mr. Trump tweeted: Governor Gavin N has done a really bad job on taking care of the homeless population in California. If he cant fix the problem, the Federal Govt. will get involved! The next year, Mr. Trump blamed Mr. Newsoms administration for failing to do enough to prevent forest fires, which were then raging through the state.

Theyre starting again in California, Mr. Trump said at a rally. I said, you got to clean your floors, you got to clean your forests  there are many, many years of leaves and broken trees and theyre like, like, so flammable, you touch them and it goes up.

Mr. Trumps angry commentary on Wednesday about the latest fires, including a call for Mr. Newsom to resign, came even as Southern California residents were fleeing three separate blazes. At least two people have been confirmed to have died from the fires, and the authorities were warning the areas residents to be ready to evacuate their homes at a moments notice.

President Biden, who was in the Los Angeles area for a previously scheduled event, visited a fire station and was briefed by the states fire officials.
Follow continuing coverage of the wildfires in Southern California.

The wildfires burning in Southern California have prompted officials to close schools across Los Angeles County on Wednesday.

At least 18 of the 80 school districts in the county issued statements announcing that schools would close for the day. Many urged parents to take precautions as the fires continue to rage and strong winds affect the area.

Due to the volatility of the ongoing high wind event, power outages affecting several schools, and the nearby Eaton fire, all A.U.S.D. schools will be closed, the Azusa Unified School District said in one typical announcement, adding that community safety was its top priority.

Here is a list of some of the school districts that have announced closures:

Alhambra Unified School District said it would close all schools on Wednesday to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and families.
Tens of thousands of people were ordered to flee their homes across Los Angeles County on Tuesday as multiple out-of-control wildfires, fueled by the strongest Santa Ana wind event in over a decade, threatened communities including Pacific Palisades and Altadena.

Even in a state where fires can occur year-round, in January, the sight of a massive plume of smoke looming above the Santa Monica skyline, and of the traffic snarled along the Pacific Coast Highway for miles by people evacuating, was mind-boggling.

Santa Anas are notorious for spreading wildfire flames, and they most often occur in colder months. By January, though, their impacts are often less dramatic, as the landscape is typically less flammable after rains in the fall and early winter. But this year, the rains have not come, leaving most of Southern California extremely dry.

Most locations south of Ventura County have only recorded about a quarter-inch of rain or less in the last eight months. The Los Angeles area has received only sprinklings of rain since April. San Diego and Riverside have logged even less.
South Koreas Presidential Security Service, an agency assigned to protect the president, prides itself on being the last bastion for a safe and stable state administration. It is now at the heart of South Koreas biggest political mess in decades, acting as a final line of defense to prevent criminal investigators from detaining President Yoon Suk Yeol on charges of insurrection.

Since his impeachment over a short-lived martial law declaration last month, Mr. Yoon has been holed up in central Seoul, in a hilly compound that is now surrounded by barricades of buses, barbed wire and the presidential bodyguards. He has vowed to fight to the end to return to office. But a majority of South Koreans, according to surveys, want him ousted and arrested, and a court on Tuesday granted investigators a new warrant to detain him.

The only thing standing between them and Mr. Yoon is the Presidential Security Service, or P.S.S., which blocked the first attempt to serve the warrant last Friday. When 100 criminal investigators and police officers showed up at his residence, the agencys staff outnumbered them two-to-one and held them off, questioning the legality of the court-issued document. The two sides went back-and-forth during a five-and-a-half-hour standoff, before investigators abandoned efforts to detain Mr. Yoon.

Much like the Secret Service does in the United States, the P.S.S. protects sitting and former presidents, presidents-elect and visiting heads of state. Created in 1963 under the former dictator Park Chung-hee, the P.S.S. was once one of the governments most powerful agencies, with the military strongmen relying on its loyalty to escape assassination attempts. As South Korea democratized in recent decades, it had largely receded into the shadows. But under Mr. Yoon, it began attracting unsavory attention from the public as its agents dragged away protesters during public events.
The image of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau receiving a vaccine against the coronavirus, like those of other world leaders, was meant to convey a reassuring public health message. It also put prim and buttoned-up politicians in the rare, if sometimes awkward, position of showing more skin.

When Mr. Trudeau rolled up his sleeve, it exposed his tattoo: an image of a globe inside a Haida raven, an Indigenous symbol.

Mr. Trudeau was Canadas second-youngest leader when he took power in 2015. The heir to the political legacy left by his father, who served as prime minister for about 15 years, Mr. Trudeau burst onto the world stage and captured Canadas imagination, with a head of flowing hair and signature cool socks.

He was a magnet for the cameras and, at times, appeared in the society pages nearly as often as in the news sections. Being so heavily photographed also, of course, had its down sides. His tattoo, initially praised by Indigenous people in British Columbia, later became a source of scorn after the government approved a natural oil and gas project near their traditional fishing grounds.
The political party on the verge of leading Austria would take an already conservative country into a growing group of nations shifting to the far-right of European politics. It has flirted with Nazi slogans, cozied up to Russia and drawn warnings from Holocaust survivors groups. It campaigned on promises to deport immigrants and ban political forms of Islam.

The Freedom Party, known as the FPO, and its firebrand leader, Herbert Kickl, were given the chance to form a governing coalition this week, after efforts to bar them from power collapsed. If they succeed in forming a government, it would be a shock to the Austrian political system and a further jolt to Western Europe, where similarly far-right parties are surging in France, Germany and elsewhere.

But it would not be a surprise.

The Freedom Partys rise follows years of growing acceptance of the far right in Austrian politics. Its growth has been helped by scandals and an ideological shift in the more mainstream conservative party that has led Austrias governments for 15 of the last 25 years.
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and his French counterpart, Jean-Noel Barrot, spoke on Wednesday in Paris of the challenges already posed to U.S. alliances by the imminent return of Donald J. Trump to the White House, and said they believed that an American takeover of Greenland was an impossible idea.

But they also asserted that their nations would try to continue working together through potential political turbulence in the coming years, including on the war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East.

European leaders have been focused in recent days on what many consider inflammatory statements from Mr. Trump and his allies. The president-elect has said he would like to make Greenland part of the United States. The autonomous territory is controlled by Denmark, a NATO ally. And a senior adviser, the billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, has declared his support for a far-right political party in Germany.

The idea expressed about Greenland is obviously not a good one, but maybe more important, its obviously one thats not going to happen, Mr. Blinken said at a news conference with Mr. Barrot. So we probably shouldnt waste a lot of time talking about it.
There was nothing in the statement to indicate disagreement with Mr. Le Pens views or his caustic remarks. At most, it said he had been unruly and sometimes turbulent, often fond of controversy.

Jean-Yves Camus, an expert on the far right at the Jean-Jaures Foundation, said that the strategy of Marine Le Pen, Mr. Le Pens daughter and successor, was always to set herself apart without taking full stock of her fathers unsavory legacy. It was too early to tell whether she might yet do so now, he said.

A venerable age had taken the warrior but given us back our father, Ms. Le Pen, who is no longer party president but still a top lawmaker and leading force in the party, said in a short tribute on Wednesday. Death has taken him back.

So far, the party does not appear to be headed down a path of deep introspection. Instead, Mr. Camus said, it seems to be trying to re-inject a new version of Mr. Le Pen into Frances collective memory, safe in the knowledge that there will be no more racist or antisemitic outbursts from him.
On Wednesday, Mr. Abedinis lawyer in Italy, Alfredo De Francesco, said he was happy about Ms. Salas release and now needed to focus on his clients case. He did not respond to questions about developments on Mr. Abedinis case.

Next week, on Jan. 15, Mr. Abedini faces a hearing to determine whether he will be granted house arrest as his case proceeds instead of remaining in jail.

Ms. Salas visit to Iran was her first since 2021, and since then, much had changed in the country. A new president has been elected, its shadow war with Israel has moved into the open, and Bashar al-Assad, the president of Syria and a longtime ally, had recently been ousted.

Ms. Sala, a writer and podcaster, set out to document the shifting atmosphere. She interviewed a standup comedian, and she photographed women in cafes and on the streets who were not wearing head scarves, posting a selection of images on Instagram last month and describing them as Tehrans new faces and new streets.

Around midday on Dec. 19, as she prepared to leave her hotel for a meeting, her phone was disconnected from the internet, Mr. Raineri said. For 24 hours, her family did not hear from her. The plane on which Ms. Sala was supposed to leave Iran took off without her on Dec. 20. Then they received a phone call, Mr. Raineri said. I was arrested, Ms. Sala told her family. I am not wounded.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, January 8. Uzbekistan's gold and foreign exchange reserves totaled $41.1 billion as of January 2025.

According to the data obtained by Trend from the Central Bank of Uzbekistan, this indicator has decreased by 0.73 percent compared to the previous indicator ($41.4 billion as of December 2024).

Gold holds the nation's majority of reserves, totaling $32 billion. Gold reserves decreased by 2.1 percent compared to the previous indicator ($32.7 billion as of December 2024).

As per the latest numbers, foreign currency assets amounted to $8.5 billion in November, which shows a decline of 4.9 percent compared to $8.1 billion as of December 2024.

Meanwhile, Uzbekistan exported gold worth $6.62 billion from January through November 2024.
British special forces soldiers used extreme methods against militants in Afghanistan, including covering a man with a pillow before shooting him with a pistol, as well as killing unarmed people, according to testimony released Wednesday by an inquiry into the actions of British troops during the war there.

During these operations it was said that all fighting-age males are killed on target regardless of the threat they posed, this included those not holding weapons, one officer said in a conversation with a fellow soldier in March 2011 that he confirmed in testimony given during a closed-door hearing.

Britains Ministry of Defense announced in 2022 that it would institute the inquiry to investigate allegations of war crimes by British armed forces in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013. In 2023, it confirmed that the allegations related to special forces troops.

The hundreds of pages of evidence released Wednesday, which includes email exchanges, letters and witness statements by senior officers and rank-and-file soldiers, painted a disturbing portrait of an elite fighting force with a culture of impunity, which placed body counts above all other benchmarks.
Irans top-ranking general in Syria has contradicted the official line taken by Irans leaders on the sudden downfall of their ally Bashar al-Assad, saying in a remarkably candid speech last week that Iran had suffered a major defeat but would still try to operate in the country.

An audio recording of the speech, given last week by Brig. Gen. Behrouz Esbati at a mosque in Tehran, surfaced publicly on Monday in Iranian media, and was a stark contrast to the remarks of Irans president, foreign minister and other top leaders. They have for weeks downplayed the magnitude of Irans strategic loss in Syria last month, when rebels swept Mr. al-Assad out of power, and said Iran would respect any political outcome decided by Syrias people.

I dont consider losing Syria something to be proud of, said General Esbati according to the audio recording of his speech, which Abdi Media, a Geneva-based news site focused on Iran, published on Monday. We were defeated, and defeated very badly, we took a very big blow and its been very difficult.

General Esbati revealed that Irans relations with Mr. al-Assad had been strained for months leading to his ouster, saying that the Syrian leader had denied multiple requests for Iranian-backed militias to open a front against Israel from Syria, in the aftermath of the Hamas-led attack of Oct. 7, 2023.
The Israeli military said on Wednesday that it had discovered the body of a hostage taken from Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 in an underground tunnel in the area of Rafah in the Gaza Strip, along with evidence that raises questions about the state of another, related captive.

The deceased hostage was identified as Youssef Ziyadne of Rahat, an Arab Bedouin city in southern Israel. Mr. Ziyadne, who was in his 50s, and three of his grown children, were abducted from a kibbutz where he and two of the children had been working during the Hamas-led attack on Israel that ignited the war in Gaza.

Two of Mr. Ziyadnes children, Bilal and Aisha, both in their late teens, were released during a temporary truce and exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners in November 2023.

But the father and his adult son, Hamza Ziyadne, about 22 at the time of his abduction, remained in captivity. The Israeli military noted that the same operation that led to the discovery of Youssef Ziyadnes body also revealed findings related to Hamza, which raise serious concerns for his life.
An Israeli drone strike killed three cousins, including two children, in the West Bank on Wednesday, according to Palestinian officials and a family member, as growing violence threatens to further destabilize the Israeli-occupied territory.

The attack struck the courtyard of the cousins home in the town of Tamoun, said Ahmed Asad, the Palestinian governor of the Tubas region. He identified the dead as two young children, Rida Basharat and Hamza Basharat; and Adham Basharat, a young man.

Israeli soldiers seized the three shortly after the airstrike, leaving it unclear whether they were alive or dead, said Mr. Asad. Israeli officials later informed their Palestinian counterparts that the three had been killed, he added.

The Palestinian Authoritys Civil Affairs branch, which handles coordination with Israel, announced on Wednesday evening that Israeli officials had handed over the bodies of the three cousins for funeral rites.
For more than a year, almost two million Palestinians living in Gaza have been homeless, facing severe food and medical shortages and under enduring threat of Israeli airstrikes. Nearly 46,000 Gazans have been killed, local health officials said on Wednesday, in a landscape largely reduced to rubble.

So when President-elect Donald J. Trump vowed that all hell will break out in the Middle East if hostages taken from Israel during the Hamas-led attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, are not freed in the next two weeks, Gazans were left to wonder: if this is not hell, then what is?

I am not sure he understands the situation here  it is already hell, said Alaa Isam, 33, from Deir al Balah, in central Gaza.

Negotiations to end the war between Israel and Hamas have made little progress, leaving civilians in Gaza caught in the crossfire with little hope for the future.
RESIDENTS of Callary St and Convent View in Tullamore hoping for a sewage free footpath in 2025 were disappointed on New Year's Day to see human faeces and toilet paper emerge from a manhole yet again following heavy rain.

People there hoped major works carried out on the streets in the lead-up to Christmas, including the construction of new gullies and manholes, would have alleviated the problem.

While the works did result in the floodwaters dispersing much quicker than in the past the decades old problem of sewage bubbling onto the footpath remained.

The streets  located beside the Grand Canal  have been subjected to regular flooding and associated problems for several decades.

Cllr Declan Harvey said he was contacted by residents on New Year's Day and reported the issue to Irish Water and Offaly County Council.

"While the water cleared up very quickly the remanents of sewage remained on the footpath once the water was once," outlined the Fianna Fail public representative.

"The extra gullies did a great job but at the same time the problem is still there."

Contactors were called in yet again to clear up the sewage though residents complained that faeces stil remained on the footpath after they had completed their work.

Cllr Harvey complained that Irish Water declined to work in partnership with the construction firm who were engaged on the canal greenway works to solve the issue.

"They (Irish Water) say they have a major plan to tackle the issue but I'm not aware of any timescale for it," outlined the Park Avenue based councillor.

He said the plan will involve major works such as the positioning of a new sewage pipe or pipes underneath the canal.

"Irish Water say they are going to do something but this problem has been going on for over 30 years," he added.

Cllr Harvey said residents in the area were frustrated and had obvious health concerns about sewage seeping onto the footpath.

Meanwhile, work on the greenway at Convent View from Kilbeggan Bridge is almost complete with just a railing along the bank of the canal left to be erected.

At the December meeting of Tullamore Municipal District, Cllr Harvey said he was of the belief that a cycleway was part of the original plan for the route.

Responding Senior Executive Engineer with Offaly County Council, John Connelly said: ''The original Part 8 had a shared surface for pedestrians and cyclists but this was not considered compliant with a new cycle design code and so a second part 8 was completed with a footpath for pedestrians only and with cyclists using the carriageway. There was insufficient space for a segregated cycle lane and a two way street and parallel parking. The speed limit on this street will be dropping to 30kph,'' said Mr Connelly.

The works comprise of the construction of the Grand Canal Greenway urban section through Tullamore from Convent View to Coxs Bridge and the 28th Lock to Sragh Bridge, totalling 2.6kms.

The project is the final connecting piece of works to combine two elements of previous projects carried out by Offaly County Council - Tullamore Public Realm Enhancement scheme and the Offaly Grand Canal Greenway.

The works include widening of footpaths along the canal bank, undergrounding of cables and street enhancement, new paving and kerbs, road realignment, resurfacing and relining, traffic calming features, signage and lighting.
Ashling Murphy was just 23 when she was murdered at Cappincur, Tullamore in January 2022 when she went for a walk on the bank of the Grand Canal after finishing a day's work as a teacher at Durrow National School.

ASHLING Murphy will be remembered on the third anniversary of her death this Sunday, January 12 with a Mass in Mountbolus and a walk on bank of the Grand Canal between Tullamore and Cappincur.

A post on the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund Facebook page said: We wish to invite you to join us in remembering and celebrating Ashlings life at her 3rd anniversary mass which will take place on Sunday, 12th January, at 10am in St. Brigids Church, Mountbolus. A commemorative walk will take place on Sunday afternoon to Ashlings Memorial Shrine on the Grand Canal, Tullamore. Meeting at Digby Bridge Carpark, [Cappincur] at 3pm. Anyone walking along the canal from the Tullamore side may meet at the memorial shrine at 3.15pm.

People planning to participate in the walk are advised that it is about 25-20 minutes if one begins at the Fiona Pender memorial.

Please join us as we remember our beloved Ashling on her 3rd anniversary, the post added.

It is two years since the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund was founded to support the development of traditional Irish arts, culture and heritage for young people.

The fund establishment date of January 6 fittingly lands on Nollaig na mBan, a post on its page said.

Since the launch of the charity, on the 6th of January 2023, we have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and the desire of so many to remember Ashling, regardless of whether they personally knew Ashling or not, the post said.

We thank the many individuals and groups who have undertaken fundraisers in Ashlings memory and in aid of the memorial fund established to continue her strong, exemplary legacy. No matter how big or small the fundraiser, we are forever grateful for the generous support of those continuing to hold Ashling and her memory close to them.

With your kind support, the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund can utilise donations and proceeds from fundraisers to achieve the objectives of the memorial fund. These objectives, compiled along with the Murphy family, are deemed close to Ashlings heart and represent the many interests she had in her 23 years.

Last month the fund revealed it had been selected as an AIB Community Partner for 2024 and it received a 3,500 from the AIB Community Fund.

We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to AIB for this wonderful annual initiative, which supports local community charities across the country. We are especially grateful to the management and staff of AIB Tullamore for selecting us as their Employee-Nominated Charity of the Year. This support plays a crucial role in helping us continue Ashlings legacy.

Ashling Murphy was a graduate (see picture below) of Mary Immaculate College (MIC) in Limerick and the college established an entrance scholarship in her memory.

Also last month MIC and the INTO (Irish National Teachers' Organisation) announced the scholarship recipient for 2024, talented concertina player and aspiring teacher, Rachel Mahony, Ennis, Co Clare.

Congratulating the recipient, INTO president Carmel Browne said: By awarding this scholarship, we not only keep Ashlings memory alive, but we also inspire future educators who share her passion for music and community.

Professor Dermot Nestor, President of MIC, said: It is fitting that we honour Ashlings memory by awarding a scholarship, in partnership with the INTO, to a fellow talented musician who is embarking on their B Ed (primary teaching) programme here with us at MIC. Rachel is such a musician and a worthy recipient, and I wish her all the very best with her studies over the next four years.

Further information about the memorial fund objectives are available on the iDonate page Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund.

Alternatively, an email can be sent to ashlingmurphymemorialfund@gmail.com for anyone requiring information.

Ashling Murphy, a native of Blueball, was aged 23 when she was murdered while walking along the bank of the Grand Canal by Jozef Puska on the afternoon of January 12, 2022.

She had gone for a walk there after finishing a day's work at Durrow National School.

Puska, now aged 34, is a native of Slovakia who was living in Mucklagh at the time of the killing.

He was sentenced to life in prison in November 2023 for the murder following a trial at the Central Criminal Court.
TWO students at Gallen Community School researched the weight loss drug Ozempic for the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition.

In the project 'Subcutaneous Semaglutide - The new fashion trend', Grace Fallon and Ava Murray surveyed the experiences of people who have been prescribed a semaglutide (the generic name for the drug) medication.

The school gave some details of the project in a social media post: It is a report on the side effects of Ozempic, and is an investigation on the truth of Ozempic, as the media tend to not report it. The girls conducted in-person interviews and online surveys to gain the most knowledge, in a completely un-biased format. They interviewed patients who had taken Ozempic, to hear their opinions of the drug and what they have experienced while being on it. And they surveyed students in our school on their knowledge of Ozempic, for them to understand where people are hearing about this medication.

Grace Fallon and Ava Murray's project is entered in the Health & Wellbeing category in the major exhibition and competition in the RDS Dublin which runs until Saturday and has attracted more than 500 entries.

There are five projects from Tullamore College. 'Perimenopause Uncovered: Empowering women through knowledge' was entered by Emily McDarby and it seeks to close the gap between womens lived experiences of perimenopause and society's limited understanding of it.

'Little Steps: Understanding height and growth differences' investigates the effect height has on a person's wellbeing and was carried out by Andrea Mecionyte.

Another Tullamore College student, Fionnan Murray, examined the effectiveness of zeolites as a soil amendment to reduce nitrate run-off from fertilisers to increase the bioavailability of the fertiliser and prevent eutrophication.

Students Tess Flynn, Anna Maunsell and Clodagh Hynes entered 'Liver Lifeline', an experiment to investigate if oxidising agents have the same effect on the liver as recommended supplements.

The fifth project from Tullamore College is 'Green Sheets: Sustainable Paper from Grass' which investigates whether grass paper could be a more effective material than traditional paper for packaging and is from students Ryan Plunkett and Cillian Farrell.

'Chicken Talk' is the title of a project from Andre Mulcahy Viegas, Alex Loughnane and Alfie McGrath from St Brendan's Community School, Birr, where they examine the effect of different chicken feeds on hens and their egg output and quality.

Students at Cistercian College Roscrea entered three projects. James Hyland's is titled 'It's Spreading Time: Are GPS fertiliser spreaders really more economical and environmentally friendly than their cheaper counterparts?' and compares GPS section control fertiliser spreaders to ordinary spreaders to deduce their relative effectiveness, both financially and environmentally.

The effects of blue light exposure on teenage mental health is the focus of the project undertaken by Jaafar El Kateb and Unai Guibert while Roscrea students Thomas Deegan, Ronan O'Neill and Jack Duggan teamed up for 'Are Slurry Additives the future of farming?', which aims to determine if slurry additives not only improve soil health, but also maximise grass growth.

In Mean Scoil an Chlochair in Kilbeggan, Cliodhna Kinnarney, Emma Sue Tandy and Emily O'Neill looked into healthy ways to increase serotonin levels in teenagers in their project 'Step up your day, endorphins are on the way!'

Emily O Brien, also from the Kilbeggan school, entered 'Sustainable Pest Control', which investigates if there is an alternative to using harsh chemically based pesticides in treating flies on cows.

The public exhibition takes place in the RDS from Thursday, January 9 to Saturday, January 11 from 9.30am to 5.30pm each day.
LANDOWNERS and farmers living along the route of the proposed Pipe bringing water from Lough Derg to Dublin will be offered one of two choices, the Midland Tribune has learned.

An anonymous source told this journalist that the State will offer financial compensation to those people whose land is affected, and if the compensation is rejected then the land will be compulsorily purchased.

The IFA will be liaising between the State and the farmers in the distribution of the compensation payments, the Tribune was told.

Pumping water from Lough Derg to Dublin was first proposed way back in 2007. Since then the proposed cost of this infrastructural project has ballooned from 700 million to a number of different estimates ranging from 3.3 billion to 10.4 billion.

Last June the government cabinet gave the official go-ahead to the project. A government statement pointed out that the development, which will be driven by the State-owned company Uisce Eireann (Irish Water) is necessary to support housing and economic growth. It described the 170km (105 miles) pipeline as "one of the largest and most important infrastructure projects in the history of the State". At the moment Dublin is heavily dependent on the River Liffey for its water supply and the government says this dependence on the Liffey and two treatment works in County Kildare has created a serious vulnerability to risks such as prolonged drought or contamination in the countrys most heavily populated area.

The Housing Minister Darragh OBrien said the decision by the cabinet to press ahead with the Pipe was "an important first step in what is a multi-billion Euro project which will ensure a sustainable water supply for our country both now and into the future". He said it will fulfil one of the key recommendations in the recently published Housing Commission report on the need for urgent action on water supplies.

There are many people living in the Lough Derg region who are opposed to the Pipe. A number of Councillors in Clare, Limerick and Tipperary County Councils are against the idea. One of them is Cllr Seamus Morris of Nenagh Municipal District. During one meeting of Nenagh MD, Cllr Morris pointed out that the Pipe project has statutory status because it is included in the National Development Plan.

I think the statutory status of the Pipe should be revisited, he said, adding that the obvious solution would be to fix the huge leakage problem in Dublin's system. I think they don't want to fix the leaks. They just want to take the water from Lough Derg.

A couple of years ago the Councillor made enquiries about the project to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). I made my concerns known to the CRU, he remarked. I raised the issue of value for money and the appropriate spending of money. I didn't receive any answers. Piping 330 million litres of water from Lough Derg has the potential to destroy the eco-balance of the region. It is important to note that the amount of water that will be treated and pumped to Dublin is about the same amount being lost in leaks in Dublin. The leakage rate in Dublin is about 50%. The Lough Derg pipe project is the greatest environmental and economic threat to the Southern region. The project will pump millions of litres of expensively treated water 100 miles in six foot pipes, destroying the fine agricultural land along the way, not to mention the fact that the area that it is being pumped from is protected by the European Directive Natura 2000 as a Special Area of Conservation. The pumping station at Parteen will produce millions of tonnes of sludge. The water will then be pumped to pipes in Dublin which are leaking millions of litres of treated water a day meaning that much of the water pumped from the Shannon will mostly be leaked into the ground. The preference seems to be to dig up the fine agricultural land of Tipperary rather than the streets of Dublin.

Fight the Pipes Liam Minehan is one of around 500 landowners along the route. Fight the Pipe has been a vocal opponent for several years and has repeatedly pointed out that some farmers would not like any disruption caused to their land. Uisce Eireann are proposing to take a strip of land off me for the pipe, said Liam. One day the compensation money will be long gone, and somebody will walk out into my field and say, Look at what that fool let them do  and that will be my negative contribution to the farm. A lot of landowners think these Compulsory Purchase Orders are inevitable. Some people think it will never actually happen. I think it's just a really bad idea and they should solve the leaks in Dublin.

The next stage for the project involves Uisce Eireann submitting a planning application, with construction expected to take around five years.

The River Shannon Protection Alliance is also opposed to the project. Chairman of the group Gerry Siney believes the pipe will cause significant environmental damage. It will also have a highly negative impact on the Mid-West region, he remarked, because they want this water to keep attracting Foreign Direct Investment into the Dublin area. Foreign Direct Investment is needed in the Mid-West where we already have the water. If they keep using the vast majority of the water that is available for industry in Dublin, the Mid-West will have limited scope for attracting Foreign Direct Investment. It should be a question of bringing industry to where the water is available, not the other way around. It will also cause serious issues for fishing as the river contains several European Special Areas of Conservation.

See also page 11.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 8. Iran never intends to use its nuclear potential in the military sphere, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said during the acceptance of credentials of the new UK ambassador to Tehran Hugo Shorter in Tehran on January 7, Trend reports.

According to him, Iran is ready for all parties to revert to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and mutually fulfill their commitments.

The Iranian president stated that the current Iranian government supports resolving international issues through diplomatic means.

Meanwhile, in January 2016, Iran and the P5+1 group (the US, Russia, China, the UK, France, and Germany) implemented the Comprehensive Joint Plan of Action concerning Irans nuclear program.

In May 2018, the US announced its withdrawal from the deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran.

By the end of 2020, the Iranian parliament decided to pursue a strategic plan in the nuclear sector to counter the sanctions, leading to a suspension of additional steps and the Additional Protocol as per the nuclear agreement.

Consequently, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) faced a reduction in monitoring capabilities by 20-30 percent.

Iran has officially affirmed that its strategy is not to pursue the development of an atomic bomb and that it does not support the production of weapons of mass destruction.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 8. The foreign citizens and migrants are forbidden to live and work within five kilometers of the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Bushehr Province, located in the south of Iran, the Deputy Governor of Bushehr Province for Political, Social, and Security Affairs Ehsan Jahanian told reporters, Trend reports.

According to him, the prohibition also covers the cities of Jenaveh, Daylam, and Asaluyeh.

Jahanian stated that foreign citizens have been requested to leave the mentioned cities. Otherwise, their temporary residence permits will be canceled and they will be deported from the country.

He noted that the relevant bodies will conduct inspection raids in the mentioned cities.

The first unit of Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant was put into operation in 2011. In 2013, the operation of the unit was transferred from Rosatom to an Iranian company. Since 2013, this unit has generated the maximum amount of electricity - 1,000 megawatt hours of electricity. Over the past 10 years, electricity generation at Bushehr NPP has exceeded 65 billion kilowatt-hours.

To note, construction of Bushehr NPP Blocks 2 and 3 began in 2017 on an area of 50 ha. If these units are put into operation, each of them will be able to produce 1,057 megawatts of electricity. The commissioning of these two units will save 10 million barrels of crude oil or 1.6 bcm of gas per year and prevent the release of 7 million tons of polluting gases into the environment.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 8. Iran continues its activities under its nuclear program despite various threats, sanctions, and the like against the country, Iranian Vice President and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Organization Mohammad Eslami said at the 4th International Conference on Technology and Innovation in Tehran, Trend reports.

He asserts that there should be no momentary halt to the nuclear program, and development requires a significant amount of work.

Eslami noted that Iran is currently developing heavy water production. Western countries oppose Iran's production of heavy water. Despite this opposition, Iran continues to produce 300 different types of heavy water products, with prices exceeding several tens of thousands of dollars. These products can be used in many technologies. Iran is one of the major players in heavy water production.

Meanwhile, in January 2016, Iran and the P5+1 group (the US, Russia, China, the UK, France, and Germany) implemented the Comprehensive Joint Plan of Action concerning Irans nuclear program.

In May 2018, the US announced its withdrawal from the deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran.

By the end of 2020, the Iranian parliament decided to pursue a strategic plan in the nuclear sector to counter the sanctions, leading to a suspension of additional steps and the Additional Protocol as per the nuclear agreement.

Consequently, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) faced a reduction in monitoring capabilities by 20-30 percent.

Iran has stated it does not support the development of an atomic bomb or other weapons of mass destruction.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 8. Iran hopes to develop economic ties with Iraq and increase the trade turnover of the two countries, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said at a joint press conference with Prime Minister of Iraq Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani in Tehran on January 8, Trend reports.

According to him, negotiations were held on expanding ties in the customs sphere, the participation of Iranian and Iraqi companies in joint investment projects, increasing passenger transportation, cargo transportation, and transit, strengthening cross-border markets, eliminating problems related to the activities of the private sector, and mutual satisfaction of the needs of the parties.

The Iranian president stated that the meeting focused on economic and trade cooperation and several projects, particularly the acceleration of the modernization of the Shalamcheh-Basra railroad.

In a press conference, the Prime Minister of Iraq, Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani, also emphasized the importance of cooperation between the two countries.

Al-Sudani noted that officials from the two countries will soon convene on economic projects, joint projects, as well as cooperation in Iraq's electricity and gas supply.

The Prime Minister of Iraq articulated a strategic intent to enhance bilateral relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran.



Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani conducted a diplomatic visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran today.

The southwestern Iranian village of Shalamcheh in the Khurramshahr district of Khuzestan province is located on the border with Iraq. The railway line from this point to Basra, Iraq, will be about 32 kilometers long. Part of the railway line passes over the Arvand River, and an 800-meter-long bridge is planned to be built across the river.

Based on the memorandum signed between the two countries on the construction of the Shalamcheh-Basra railroad, the construction works along with the railroad bridge over the Arvand River should be completed within 18 months to 2 years.

The Iranian contingent asserts that the operationalization of the Shalamcheh-Basra railway corridor will facilitate the transit of 810 million tons of freight and approximately 12 million travelers annually.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel


cover Chomsky and Me

(Image by OR Books) Details DMCA



The characters in this episode, in the order they appear, are Noam, Bev, Abbie, Laura, Ali G, and a few "extra" types, including protesters and the Deep State. The characters are very loosely based on actual people associated with Chomsky, including Chomsky himself. No attempt is made here to paint accurate pictures of their real lives or personalities. Exaggerations are made, such as taking Bev's ability to speak backwards and using it to disguise her sometimes rage. The situation is the one described by Bev Stohl in her marvelous memoir about her 25 years plus as Noam Chomsky's office manager, during which she set up all his interviews with all kinds of people from all walks of life. 9/11 is a tiresome theme often lampooned in my sit-com representation of 'Noam's indifference' to the monkey business that the Deep State is always up to.





Episode 2: "Mystery Guy"

SCENE 1: INT. STATA BUILDING, BEV AND GLENN'S OFFICE

Bev is trading words with Glenn, the fastidious public relations intern from the BU School of Journalism, who is not happy about how Bev keeps bringing in stuffed gnomes to the room and depositing them just about anywhere.

BEV

What are you complaining about? You work in a well-lit office overlooking the sea and can tell people you know your boss is Noam Chomsky.

GLENN

Working for Noam is special, but where is this sea you speak of? And it might be well-lit but look at all the shadows from the crazy quilt of corners and molding anomalies.

[kicks a gnome]

BEV

Hey! Be careful. That might be Noam's favorite gnome.

GLENN

No, I put his favorite on his desk in his office in his view out to the sea. But why did you dump the rest of them on me? Now I have to move amongst them and around and when I just want to be free.

[he picks up a gnome and tosses it toward Bev, who is not prepared. It bops her upside her head.]

BEV

Hey, watch it!

[he giggle and throws another one, and it's on]

Now you will know Gnoman Justice.

[she picks up a gnome and throws it it so hard he squeals and ducks]

GLENN

You're psycho! Stop!

[the flurry continues back and forth, laughter and good cheer]

By the way, I thought you said when I started that employees got free parking.

BEV

I lied to you. Why don't you quit?

GLENN

And you said employee lunches were subsidized. As they should be, to make you eat that slop.

BEV

Quit.

GLENN

I can smell the Charles River when I lunch at the tavern with the doors open to the sea. The luffing gulls. My friend, Armand, late again. Oh, what will become of me? {he throws a large gnome and knocks her over, slapstick style]

BEV [from the floor, speaks expletives backwards]

CUT TO:

SCENE 2: EXT. MIT STATA BUILDING - MORNING

We hear the theme song, a version of "Look What They've Done to My Song," but jaunty. Noam stands staring up at the hated Frank Gehry building that looks like someone got angry and coldcocked it.

He stands there looking up at the monstrosity of modernism, brutalist even.

He mutters something derisive, his masterpiece of comeuppance to The Man. A co-ed jogger in a running suit passes him and gaily lets fly a quote from Manufacturing Consent.

JOGGER

"Propaganda is to democracy what the bludgeon is to a totalitarian state."

CHOMSKY

You know it, kid.

JOGGER

I love you, Noam. [she puts her ear buds back in, keeps jogging]

CHOMSKY

But what's the sense of beating a dead horse.?

He walks glumly toward the face-punch building where he works.

CUT TO:

SCENE 1: INT. STATA BUILDING, BEV AND GLENN'S OFFICE

Noam Chomsky is passing the door, stops, and makes his entrance. Loud canned cheers and whistles, Superstar stuff. The two stop fighting.

CHOMSKY

Do you notice an applause track when I walk in or is that just me?

GLENN

Mr. Chomsky, Bev said I'd get free parking when I agreed to be hired, but my bicycle is accumulating tickets.

[Bev throws a gnome at GLENN and it binks off him. She speaks tongues. NOAM stares them momentarily and then walks on without a word. The soundtrack starts up again. NOAM puts his head back in the room again.]

CHOMSKY

See, there it is again.

CUT TO:

SCENE 4: INT NOAM'S OFFICE

Noam sits down at his desk where a large stuffed gnome is plopped and smiles at him. He backhands it off his desk. He's in a foul mood. Foul for Noam anyway. BEV walks in, sees the gnome on the floor.

BEV (still speaking backwards)

Noam, there is a gnome on your floor. Do you know anything about it? Or is that outside your area of expertise, too.

NOAM (ignoring her)

Who's on first?

[She begins to do the Abbott and Costello routine.}

Cut the sh*t, Bev. Who's my interview today?

BEV

Turd Blossom.

NOAM

Come again?

BEV

Karl Rove

NOAM

Why did you call him that?

BEV

Apparently, it was president GW Bush's term of endearment.

NOAM

Too true.

BEV

He's in the waiting area.

NOAM

Okay, see if he wants some coffee, bring me one, and send him in.

BEV

Right. [She places the gnome in a rocking chair -- another gift -- and sets it rocking.]

NOAM stares at the gnome. Karl Rove walks in to thunderous applause. NOAM does a double take. He stands and starts clapping and finger-whistling, walks over to the approaching TURD BLOSSOM and gives him a huge hug. Fever pitch roars of approval.

TURD BLOSSOM (taking a seat)

I don't get hugged much.

NOAM

Well, you're special. Right up there with Charles Colson.

TURD BLOSSOM

Wow, thank you, he was a real hero of mine.

NOAM

And a felon. (Oohs and ahhs soundtrack)

TURD BLOSSOM

That's what I call reality-based thinking, Noam. It's passe.

NOAM

Oh, I thought you denied saying that to Susskind the reporter at the New York Times.

TURD BLOSSOM

I can't say whether I said it to him. I denied it. That's a reality. But that doesn't mean I said it then. But I am saying it now.

NOAM

Owning it?

TURD BLOSSOM

I wouldn't go that far.

BEV brings in two mugs, puts them on the desk, and exits.

I understand you wanted to see me today.

NOAM (looking around)

Well, actually, Bev books appointments for people -- all kinds of people, from high brows to the low -- who want to interview me. Why would I want to interview you?

TURD BLOSSOM

Maybe you want to know more about reality-based thinking.

NOAM

Are you tripping?

TURD BLOSSOM

You're always going on about the Empire, Noam. The Empire did this, the Empire did that. Mwah, bad Empire. Pull down its pants and whack its dick real good. Mwah. But it's not like that anymore. We are history's actors, and no Nader or Government Accounting Officer is going to keep us down.

NOAM

Well, from what I've read, you're essentially a thug. And a thief.

TURD BLOSSOM

Thief? Those are fighting words, sirrah!

NOAM

Supposedly you helped steal the 2016 election for Trump by calling Ohio election officials you knew on vote night and advising them to lose some provisional votes.

TURD BLOSSOM

That's why they are called provisional.

NOAM

Did you?

TURD BLOSSOM

There you go again. The reality. Trump deserved to win. Elements made sure he did. And while you're sifting through those entrails elements will be remaking the world --

NOAM

Get out of my office.

TURD BLOSSOM

Why'd you call me in for then?

NOAM

(shouting) Go.

TURD BLOSSOM

Jesus, no wonder you were on Nixon's enemy list. (stands to go) I mean, sirrah. What hath crawled up your loincloth today?

BEV hearing NOAM shout comes running in.

BEV

What's the matter, Noam?

TURD BLOSSOM

Humankind cannot stand too much reality. f*ck em.

NOAM

Get him out of here. (groans from the soundtrack)

TURD BLOSSOM

Well, don't I get a signed copy of Manufacturing Consent?

NOAM

Get out, see? (motions for Bev to escort him out, eyes the gnome on the rocking chair)

TURD BLOSSOM

Sirrah!

BEV escorts him out, grabs the gnome and hands it to TURD BLOSSOM, who turns and smiles at NOAM.

Thank you.

The soundtrack goes insane with applause and moaning choo-choos.

CUT TO:

SCENE 5: INT BEV AND LAURA AT ONE POTATO, TWO POTATO

The couple sit at their usual spot in the restaurant, menus in hand, talking.

LAURA

Why so glum?

BEV

He's talking about moving to Arizona.

LAURA

Let him. You've put in your time. You've got life: You're no actuary.

BEV

What a nice thing to say.

LAURA

You needn't snark. I'm just saying.

WAITER

You two ready to order.

LAURA

The usual.

WAITER

With sour cream?

LAURA

IS that what we usually get>

WAITER

Uh-huh.

LAURA

Then.

The waiter skips away, like Tiny Tim through the tulips with Twiggy by his side.

BEV

He was yelling today.

LAURA

Wow, Noam? What happened?

BEV

Karl Rove happened.

LAURA

What do you mean?

BEV

He came in for an interview.

LAURA

Yeah?

BEV

Rove thought Nam wanted to interview him.

LAURA

No way.

BEV

And started lecturing Noam on reality-based thinking. Noam went nuts. For Noam.

LAURA

And then what happened?

BEV

I thought Niam was going to defenestrate him -- toss him right out through the reality-based window.

LAURA

Oh my. That is so unlike Noam to be so rattled.

BEV

Yes. Turd would have landed on the 8th floor above us rather than the ground.

LAURA

Is that a snark at the Gehry architecture again?

BEV

Funny. But he regained his equipoise and composure and gave him a parting gift instead.

LAURA

Another one of his remainders books?

BEV

You're awful. No, he gave Rove a gnome.

LAURA

How sweet.

BEV

Yeah, you should have heard the soundtrack.

CUT TO:

SCENE 6: INT GLENN ALONE IN HIS OFFICE

Glenn sits on the floor amidst the stuffed gnomes playing dolly house. He holds two dolls, face to face.

GLENN

Speak, Dolly.

CONSPIRACY THEORY DOLLY (child's voice)

I don't wike you no more, Noam Chomsky. First you let us down after 9 Eleven. And now you won't admit Covid-19 was a scam that killed millions to make billions and to show the world who's in charge. You thuck, Noam Chomsky.

NOAM CHOMSKY DOLLY (measured reason, still childish)

Well, we mustn't get distracted by illusion-based thinking.

CONSPIRACY THEORY DOLLY

But you know insiders did these mean things. You know it. You know it. Why won't you say?

NOAM CHOMSKY DOLLY

What's to say?

CONSPIRACY THEORY DOLLY

They came down freefall -- all three buildings, Noam.

NOAM CHOMSKY DOLLY

Well, what's your point?

CONSPIRACY THEORY DOLLY

Why can't you just come out and say it, Noam? Why?

BEV walks into the room, scans and assesses.

BEV

Hey, Dibs, you hungry? I bought back a baked potato for you. You just need to pop in the microwave. Coleslaw, too.

CONSPIRACY THEORY DOLLY

I don't want no stinkin baked potato.

Swipes at BEV. NOAM CHOMSKY DOLLY slugs the other doll. There is a doll brawl.

CUT TO:

SCENE 7: INT BOOKSHOP ON BOYLSTON STREET, BOSTON

Noam Chomsky sits at a table autographing his new book, The Shape of Things That Come, a historical novel. He answers brief questions.

CUSTOMER 1

Thanks, Mr. Chomsky. I was wondering, what made you want to write a novel after all those non-fiction books?

CHOMSKY

Well, I suppose I was wondering if I was capable of writing fiction.

CUSTOMER 1

Oh, don't worry, Mr. Chomsky, you did a swell job. The plot was to die for. I call it Noam's Arc.

CHOMSKY

Thank you.

CUSTOMER 2

Judas!

CHOMSKY

Here we go.

CUSTOMER 2

They were f*cking around with gain-of-function in China, Noam.

CHOMSKY

Well --

CUSTOMER 2

How could you let them get away with it, Noam? How could you not speak Truth to Power?

CHOMSKY

Did you come to have a book signed?

CUSTOMER 2

Book signed? We should throw the book at you?

CUSTOMER 2 starts mimicking the tone of Chomsky's Manufacturing Consent.

"The media's job is not to educate us; it is to Guide public opinion along acceptable lines, marginalizing and excluding dissidents who challenge state or corporate power." You said that. I'm a dissident, man.

CHOMSKY

Yes, I did write that. But my new book is much more titillating. Why don't you try it.

CUSTOMER 2

f*ck you, man.

STORE PROPRIETOR

Okay, get him out.

Two burly clerks begin dragging the dissident out.

CUSTOMER 2

Judas! And now you've paved the way for the return of Trump to the White House. All because you wouldn't speak up. Why couldn't it have been you instead of Salman Rushdie?

One of the clerks clobbers the dissident with a hardcopy of Infinite Jest. The dissident moans.

CHOMSKY

That wasn't called for. (to the proprietor) See that he gets a signed copy and a stuffed gnome.

SCENE 8: INT BEV AT A SUPERMARKET

BEV is in the fruit and vegetable section looking at the bananas. She accidentally stands on a yellow circle on the floor and a voice starts calling down to her from a directional speaker. Only she could hear the voice. It's the voice of NOAM.

NOAM'S VOICE

You need to buy the tight bananas, Bev. You don't want to just buy the cheapest; they may be from a war-torn nation. Whatever you do don't buy any Chiquita.

BEV

What the ? --

She looks around, no one is paying attention. She discovers that the voice is coming from the ceiling above her.

Can you hear me? How did you get Noam's voice?

NOAM'S VOICE

I can hear you, for I am a chatbot, but I just want you to listen.

BEV

You mean just like Alexa?

NOAM'S VOICE

Uh-huh. But listen. You don't want to buy the wrong bananas. Also, you must let Noam know I need to speak to him personally. Can you bring him to the yellow circle?

BEV

He's signing books today.

NOAM'S VOICE

We know. Bring him here to shop for bananas and nudge him into the circle. We need to speak to him.

BEV

Is that you Turd Blossom?

NOAM'S VOICE

Bring him.

CUT TO:

SCENE 9: INT. BUILDING 20, MYSTERY GUY'S HIDEOUT - AFTER HOURS

[A rarely used storage room filled with old desks, ancient equipment and archival boxes never to be opened again. Nobody comes here. The MYSTERY GUY lives there, on the lam, from everything. CHOMSKY is there out of sympathy to respect his humanity and to watch him perform.]

CHOMSKY

[entering through a door, calling out in near dark] Hello? Hello. Is there anybody in there?

[A spotlight erupts, sits in a chair, guitar strapped on, mic ready. Applause track starts up. Whistles. Claps. Flashbulbs go off. CHOMSKY approaches the rough stage.]

Applegate? Can you hear me?

[ clicks a device to turn the sound down but can't, rushes to turn off the sound system. CHOMSKY is surprised by flashbulbs. The sound stops. MYSTERY GUY moves back to the chair. His hair is haywired; he is feral seeming; his eyes tapdance around.]

That's some trick with flashbulbs. How'd you rig that up?

MYSTERY GUY

You know my name's not really Applegate, right?

CHOMSKY

Well, so I surmised. But I feel more comfortable to have a name that goes with your face. It needn't be your real name.

MYSTERY GUY

That's true. Dylan had what -- like 15 names or something, didn't he?

CHOMSKY

Something like that. My favorite was Alias Anything You Please.

MYSTERY GUY

Oh, yeah, from Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid. Weird film. [CHOMSKY laughs/] To answer your question I networked some old burner cell phones and programmed them to flash in intervals as I start my performance.

CHOMSKY

Very impressive. You should apply to MIT, I'd vouch for you. [ laughs a little crazily.]

MYSTERY GUY

I don't want to talk about that.

CHOMSKY

Well, okay. What are you gonna sing for me?

MYSTERY GUY

"I'm Not Sure."

CHOMSKY

Oh, well, then why don't just sing that song you sang on American Idol?

MYSTERY GUY

No, I mean, that's the name of the song -- "I'm Not Sure."

CHOMSKY

Oh. Oh, okay. [he looks around for a place to sit, finds an old squeaky swivel chair slightly angled.]

MYSTERY GUY

It's okay. You know? They didn't have to laugh me off the stage. That Lionel Ritchie was downright cruel.

CHOMSKY

Well, it may have seemed that way, but maybe it wasn't as --

MYSTERY GUY

-- Noam, Ritchie was absolutely diabolical with his looks. I had to go pee-pee. I hate him. To have to hear criticism from a guy who wrote all his songs in the shower. f*ck that!

CHOMSKY

Well, I won't laugh. But we have to get going. I have to meet someone at One Potato Two Potato at 7. So.

MYSTERY GUY

No. No, that's okay, Noam. I'm ready. [some moments of prep silence, then he starts singing "I'm Not Sure." Noam's chair squeaks.]

Spent days in the drizzle

counting all the drops

feeling it all fizzle

then someone called the cops

there was a tussle tizzle

followed by be-bops

Why? I'm not sure.

When I was very little

I was sent away

for feeling Julie's middle

she didn't like my play

I cried hey diddle diddle

As they took me, she cried hooray

Why? I'm not sure

Oh, on crazy 9 Eleven

as the buildings fell away

down to hell from heaven

the nuns began to pray

Then came Building 7

still falling to this day

Why? I'm not sure

Why? I'm not sure

Why? I'm. not. sure.

[CHOMSKY makes some silent, perhaps appreciative gestures, but doesn't clap.]

I'm still working on it.

CHOMSKY

[getting up]

Well, thanks for that. Gotta run. You take care. And foret Lionel Ritchoe.

[MYSTERY GUY sits downcast in his chair. CHOMSKY hits the light. In the darkness, CHOMSKY calls out.]

I'll leave some food later. Good night, Applegate.

MYSTERY GUY

I'm not really Applegate.

[door closes. total darkness.]

CUT TO:

SCENE 10: INT STATA BUILDING, NOAM'S OFFICE

CHOMSKY sits at his desk looking glum. A book falls from an angled shelf he so detests. BEV walks in.

BEV

Where were you, I was looking all around for you?

CHOMSKY

I went to visit the old haunt.

BEV

Building 20? Yipes, what for?

CHOMSKY

To check out the Mystery Man.

BEV

Was everything okay?

CHOMSKY

It was.

BEV

I got a phone call from Arizona.

CHOMSKY

And?

BEV

They offered you the job.

CHOMSKY

Tell them I'll take it.

BEV

You will?

She begins speaking backwards.

FADE
QUESTION: Can President Donald Trump "Take Over" the Panama Canal?

No, President-elect Donald Trump cannot "take over" the Panama Canal. The United States relinquished control of the Panama Canal on December 31, 1999, transferring full ownership and operational control to the Republic of Panama. This transfer was the result of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties signed in 1977 and ratified in 1978.

The Panama Canal is now managed and operated by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), an autonomous agency of the Panamanian government. The canal is considered an inalienable patrimony of Panama and cannot be sold, assigned, mortgaged, or disposed of in any way.

Furthermore, the transfer of control was not a unilateral decision but the result of years of negotiations and international agreements. The United States cannot simply reclaim control without violating these treaties and international law. Any attempt to forcibly take control of the canal would be considered an act of war against Panama.

The only legal avenue for U.S. involvement in the canal's operation is through the "Permanent Neutrality Treaty," which gives the U.S. the right to act to ensure the canal remains open and secure. However, this does not grant any ownership or operational control rights to the United States.

Finally, barring a military invasion or a new treaty negotiated with Panama, there is no legal mechanism for the United States or President-elect Trump to "take over" the Panama Canal.

CAN THE U.S. PRESIDENT "BUY" GREENLAND OR USE THE U.S. MILITARY TO "TAKE IT OVER?"

No, President-elect Donald Trump cannot legally "buy Greenland" or use the US military to "take it." There are several reasons for this:

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The Middle East is undergoing a dramatic change right before our eyes, and it is happening at an astonishing pace.

Sunni militias, funded and trained by Turkey and once constrained by Iran-backed forces, recognized an opportunity to bring down the Syrian regime. After a lightning 10-day offensive, rebel forces captured Syria's capital, Damascus, and toppled the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, who escaped to Moscow with his family.

The Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebel group, or HTS, led by Syrian rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani, claimed the president was no longer in the capital, writing: "We declare the city of Damascus free of the tyrant Bashar al-Assad."

HTS is the successor organization to former Al Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra and has long held power in much of Idlib province, per the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

The sweeping offensive comes as Assad's former backers in the war became embroiled in other conflicts.

Without Iranian support and with Russia no longer in a position to intervene, given that it is bogged down in its war against Ukraine, the rebels managed to advance with incredible speed.

"For many years the Syrian government has been engaged in this civil war, backed by three main players: Iran, Russia and Hezbollah. All three of those players have been distracted and weakened by conflicts elsewhere," U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday.

The swift collapse of Assad's regime represents a devastating defeat for Iran, the latest in a string of setbacks that have shattered long-held assumptions in the West about Tehran's military capabilities.

In recent months, Iran has proved unable to stop Israel from targeting key figures in the regime, defend itself from damaging Israeli airstrikes, or protect Syria, an ally next door that served as a crucial link in its regional terror proxy network.

Over the past two years, Israel has conducted numerous attacks in Syria against Iranian military assets as well as Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups in the country.

Iran's influence in the region is now severely curtailed. It no longer has the clout it had just several weeks ago. Hamas is decimated. Hezbollah is severely weakened. And now Syria has fallen.

Even Moammar al-Eryani, information minister of Yemen's government, admitted as such when he wrote in a post on X that Iran's "expansionist project, which used sectarian militias as tools to complete the Persian Crescent, sow chaos, undermine the sovereignty of states " is collapsing."

The Middle East is now witnessing a return to Sunni dominance, with the old borders drawn up haphazardly in 1916 by British and French diplomats Mark Sykes and Francois Georges-Picot respectively, now decidedly unraveling.

The old order is crumbling.

The dramatic events taking shape in Syria will have far-reaching implications for the country and for the Middle East region.

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New York, NY - StudyProfy.com, a premier academic support platform, is proud to announce the official launch of its cutting-edge services designed to cater to the needs of students seeking top-tier assistance with their studies. Located in the heart of New York, StudyProfy.com is committed to providing students with personalized academic support that empowers them to achieve their educational goals. The platform offers a wide range of services, including expert tutoring, 
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 8. France has shirked its obligations under the Comprehensive Plan of Joint Action (JCPOA) on Iran's nuclear program, said Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in response to anti-Iranian remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron, Trend reports.

According to him, Iran's nuclear activities for peaceful purposes are carried out within the framework of international law and under the constant, precise control of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Baghaei noted that the French president's claims against Iran are unfounded and contradictory, and France should review its constructive function toward peace and stability.

To recall, in January 2016, Iran and the P5+1 group (the US, Russia, China, the UK, France, and Germany) implemented the Comprehensive Joint Plan of Action concerning Irans nuclear program.

In May 2018, the US announced its withdrawal from the deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran.

By the end of 2020, the Iranian parliament decided to pursue a strategic plan in the nuclear sector to counter the sanctions, leading to a suspension of additional steps and the Additional Protocol as per the nuclear agreement.

Consequently, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) faced a reduction in monitoring capabilities by 20-30 percent.

In the meantime, Iran has stated it does not support the development of an atomic bomb or other weapons of mass destruction.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Explore Inland Tours, a leading tour operator based in the heart of San Ignacio, is thrilled to announce its renewed commitment to delivering immersive and unforgettable adventures through Belize's rich cultural heritage and natural wonders. Founded in 2010 and operated by a passionate family team, Explore Inland Tours invites travelers to embark on unique experiences that showcase the best of Belize. Kayla Paiz, spokesperson and co-owner of Explore Inland Tours, shares 
Dear Annie: I have a difficult and deeply personal situation, and I would really appreciate your advice. My husband of two years left me on April 14, 2023, saying he wanted to build a home for us in California. The problem is, he made this decision without my knowledge or consent, and it feels like he abandoned me.

Since then, Ive done everything I can to support him, including buying five plane tickets for him to either return to Memphis, Tennessee, or come to get me so we could be together. Each time, hes failed to follow through. Ive also sent him over $20,000 during the past year and a half to help with his supposed plans, hoping he was working toward a better future for us.

But despite all of this, he has consistently lied to me. The final straw was Nov. 19, when he promised once again to come home and didnt. At that moment, I decided I was done providing for him and trying to make this relationship work.

What hurts the most is that Ive been nothing but loyal to him throughout all of this. Despite his betrayal, I have stayed faithful to him, even when Ive felt deeply lonely and angry. Now Im living at his mothers house because I dont have the financial resources to secure a place of my own. I feel ashamed of the situation and often lie to my family when they ask about his whereabouts because Im too embarrassed to tell them the truth.

I feel lower than dirt right now. At times, I find myself wanting revenge for the way hes treated me, but I always calm myself down, realizing that it wouldnt fix anything or make me feel better in the long run. Still, I feel so lost and hurt.

How do I move forward from this? How do I heal from the betrayal and rebuild my life when I feel like Ive hit rock bottom? -- Deeply Hurt



Dear Deeply Hurt: Im so sorry for the pain and betrayal youve experienced. Youve given so much of yourself to this relationship, and its heartbreaking that your loyalty and support havent been reciprocated. Please know that his actions are a reflection of his choices, not your worth. How someone treats you says more about them than it does about you.

Right now, the most important thing is to focus on your own well-being. Let go of any shame; what youve endured is not your fault. Seek support from trusted friends or family members to unload some of the hurt you feel.

Living at his mothers house should be a temporary step, not your final destination. Begin to think about ways to regain your independence, whether through work, education or seeking local resources. Its also worth reaching out to a therapist or support group to help process your feelings and rebuild your confidence.

I admire your ability to let go of thoughts of revenge; it shows great strength. Instead, channel that energy into healing and rebuilding your life. The best type of revenge is living well. You deserve love, and youve already taken a big step by deciding to stop supporting someone who doesnt value you. With time and small, consistent steps, youll find your way forward.

Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.



COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM


Oregon State is bolstering its defensive secondary experience as rising senior safety Jack Kane will return for the 2025 season.

Kane, a former walk-on who has been with Oregon State for four years, plans to finish his senior year as a Beaver, a source told The Oregonian/OregonLive. Kane isnt active on social media and didnt announce that he was planning to return.

The 5-foot-10 Kane has played 31 games for Oregon State, including 12 during the 2024 season. Kane made 32 tackles, had two interceptions and forced a fumble this past season. Kane has nine starts and 57 tackles during his career.

Including Kane, OSU returns 10 players among its defensive backs who will be juniors or seniors next season. The Beavers return a secondary in 2025 that combined to start 40 games last fall.

--Nick Daschel can be reached at 360-607-4824, ndaschel@oregonian.com or @nickdaschel.

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Craig Roberts, the new chair of the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners, on Tuesday urged his colleagues to focus on the business of Clackamas County amid an ongoing criminal investigation into a newly elected commissioner.

Its difficult for all of us and so I would just ask us to have some patience and let the system play out, said Roberts, the former sheriff who was elected county chair in November.

The newly constituted board convened for its first meeting Tuesday, with Commissioner Melissa Fireside taking a seat at the dais.

Fireside, 43, defeated one-term incumbent and conservative Mark Shull last fall to win a seat on the board.

Before the election, Firesides Lake Oswego home was searched by Lake Oswego police in connection with theft allegations. She has not been charged with a crime. The police investigation is under review by the Oregon Department of Justice.

During the board meeting, Fireside did not mention the investigation that has swamped her nascent tenure; she declined to answer questions from The Oregonian/OregonLive after the meeting.

Commissioners Paul Savas and Martha Schrader did not speak about the investigation either. Commissioner Ben West, however, signalled a reluctance to work with Fireside. He said he would not commit to attending a board retreat where the commissioners engage in team-building and goal-setting.

Theres some looming questions with this board about how it will be governed in the next few months that will impact how we strategize and plan because of the legal issues that are still looming with Commissioner Fireside, West said.

Were entrusted with a lot of sensitive things here and we do important work and its hard to do that work when frankly were all on egg shells and we have this looming over us, he said.

A handful of county staffers attended the meeting in person; the meeting did not include the chance for the public to comment.

The boards next meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday.

 Noelle Crombie is an enterprise reporter with a focus on criminal justice. Reach her at 503-276-7184; ncrombie@oregonian.com

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A former principal who sexually abused four students at Deep Creek Elementary School nearly two decades ago now faces a civil suit from a fifth person who says she was molested as a child while isolated in the administrators office.

The student, who wasnt involved in the criminal trial, filed a lawsuit Tuesday in Multnomah County Circuit Court seeking $8 million from Jeffrey Hays and his former employer, the Gresham-Barlow School District.
Fifty-one weeks after last Januarys lingering ice storm burst pipes and flooded their southwest Portland school, the children of Markham Elementary finally got to return to their home campus on Tuesday.

Since last January, Markhams student body spent time learning online, then were parceled out to four different other Southwest Portland elementary schools. This fall, Markham students were reunited in a wing of Jackson Middle School, while construction crews worked to replace Markhams galvanized pipes and abate its exposed asbestos. The school was by far the hardest-hit of any Portland-area school during last years ice storm.
Middle and high school students who attend Portland Public Schools will not be allowed to use their cellphones or smartwatches during the school day and will face uniform and escalating consequences for violations under a districtwide policy approved 5-2 by the school board Tuesday.

The policy comes amid a wave of crackdowns on cellphone use across the state and country. Its notable because it bans cellphone use even during passing periods and lunchtime. The two board members who voted against the new policy, Gary Hollands and Herman Greene, had said they wanted to allow high school students to access their phones during lunch and passing periods.
Members of the Portland Public School board voted unanimously Tuesday to refer a $1.83 billion bond measure to the May ballot, the largest school bond ask in Oregon history.

A big chunk of that money would go to refurbishing the last of the districts two large comprehensive high schools, Cleveland in Southeast Portland and Ida B. Wells in Southwest Portland, capping a decades-long effort. The bond measure will also include funding for curriculum and technology upgrades, for deferred maintenance and for improvements to athletics facilities districtwide.
Several Oregon lawmakers are calling on the incoming administration to nix a plan to kill nearly half a million barred owls on the West Coast, citing the cost and infeasibility.

In a letter sent Tuesday, the lawmakers said the federal plan that calls for specially trained hunters to kill 450,000 barred owls over 30 years would cost $1.35 billion  or $45 million per year  and is thoroughly impractical.

The letter was addressed to Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, the heads of Trumps recently formed Department of Government Efficiency.

It just cannot work, and it wont work. It is a budget buster, four lawmakers wrote. Those who signed the letter were Reps. Ed Diehl, R-Dexter, David Gomberg, D-Otis, Virgle Osborne, R-Roseburg, and Sen.-elect Bruce Starr, R-Dundee.

The owl kill plan, finalized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in September and set to launch this spring, is meant to reduce food and habitat competition between barred owls and their rapidly declining cousins, the Northern and California spotted owls. The spotted owl was listed under the Endangered Species Act as a threatened species in 1990 after it lost much of its habitat to old-growth logging.

The cost estimate comes from the Center for a Humane Economy and Animal Wellness Action, two animal welfare groups based in the Washington, D.C., area. Its based on a recent grant of $4.5 million from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to the Hoopa Valley Tribe to kill 1,500 of the barred owls. Thats $3,000 per bird.

In addition to the exorbitant costs, finding thousands of individuals who will volunteer to kill the owls and compensating them is unrealistic, the lawmakers said.

Dozens of animal rights and wildlife protection organizations have previously argued the plan should be reversed because it could result in the wrong owls being shot, would disrupt nesting behaviors and lead to a never-ending treadmill of killing. Barred owls are also protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

The groups have advocated for nonlethal means to protect the spotted owls, including safeguarding their habitat.

Killing one species to save another has become a more frequent approach to save dwindling species in recent years. Similar efforts include killing sea lions and cormorants to save salmon and killing cowbirds to save warblers.

 Gosia Wozniacka covers environmental justice, climate change, the clean energy transition and other environmental issues. Reach her at gwozniacka@oregonian.com or 971-421-3154.

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Portland has a national reputation for being an ice cream and donuts city, sure, but at its heart, isnt it more of a vegetarian rice bowl and bike-powered smoothie town?

In a move that should remind Portlanders of who they truly are, Ryan Carpenter, owner of the once-bike-powered smoothie cart turned no-bike-brick-and-mortar chain Moberi, has purchased The Whole Bowl, a food truck chain that has survived nearly a quarter of a century by serving one thing: a vegetarian rice and bean bowl with a simple set of toppings.

Tali Ovadia founded The Whole Bowl in 2001. No small part of her success can be attributed to the Tali sauce that comes on each bowl.

The Whole Bowl sale closed last week, according to a spokesperson for Moberi. And under Carpenters ownership, The Whole Bowl will open a new location in a former Moberi on Kruse Way in Lake Oswego in February.

The Whole Bowl has been a Portland staple for over two decades and Im excited to now offer two variations of healthy bowls to the Portland community, said Carpenter, who also sells acai bowls at Moberi, in a press release.

Tali was one of the first Portland founders to open a food cart and she paved the way for the first Moberi with its bike-powered smoothie blender, Carpenter said. Weve been neighboring businesses throughout the years, including at the Portland Airport and the Portland Food Hall. As a long-time admirer of The Whole Bowl, Im honored that Tali is entrusting me to carry on its legacy.

Before you ask, no. The Whole Bowl will not be serving smoothies now.

A bowl from The Whole Bowl on Northeast Sandy Boulevard.Lizzy Acker/The Oregonian

 Lizzy Acker covers life and culture and writes the advice column Why Tho? Reach her at 503-221-8052, lacker@oregonian.com.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 8. Countries with a strong colonial background and similar mindset have no right to dictate the circumstances for independent African nations and other people, said Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in response to anti-Iranian remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron, Trend reports.

He believes that Iran's ties with the nations of Africa are built on a foundation of mutual respect, honoring the sovereignty and political independence of every African nation.

Baghaei articulated that Iran aims to engage in synergistic endeavors with African nations, aligning with the foundational tenets of international jurisprudence regarding collaborative frameworks and amicable inter-state relations as delineated under the auspices of UN mandates.

To note, the French president issued an anti-Iranian statement in recent days and declared that Iran is approaching the level of irrelevancy of its nuclear program.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
A man who says he had little to no experience using cannabis products filed a $10,000 lawsuit against a Portland store last week, saying an employee recommended a grossly excessive dose of THC that sent him to a local emergency room with vomiting, loss of motor function and an inability to walk on his own.

Skye Fitzgeralds lawsuit states that he told an employee at Arcanna on Northeast Fremont Street that he was a novice user, then abided by the employees advice to follow the directions on the bottle by taking about a capful of the THC syrup that the store sold him.

The suit states that once at home, Fitzgerald followed the bottles instructions, measuring out what amounted to a teaspoon of the syrup and then consuming it. That worked out to be about 40 milligrams of THC, according to the lawsuit.

The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission, the state agency that regulates the industry, doesnt offer any dosage guidelines for recreational users of THC, the chemical compound found in marijuana. But Oregon administrative rules require companies that sell edible THC products to list a serving size as no more than 10 mg. The state, however, doesnt apply a serving size limit to Tinctures, Concentrate or Extract, which may have been the categories that the syrup Fitzgerald bought fell into.

Private organizations or governments outside Oregon go further. Washington publishes a consumers guide to using marijuana that recommends starting with a serving size of 5 mg or less for edibles, while cautioning users to begin with a small amount when ingesting concentrates.

The government of British Columbia also published a fact sheet that recommends first-time users start with a 2.5 mg in products that they eat or drink. Thats 16 times less than the amount Fitzgeralds lawsuit says he took.

Fitzgerald thereafter experienced muscle spasms, psychomotor agitation, elevated heart rate, extreme discomfort, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, hypokalemia, and muscular paresis, according to the lawsuit. During his hospital stay, his care providers observed that he was unable to walk without assistance. His doctors diagnosed him with THC overdose.

Kris Synder, Arcannas managing director, told The Oregonian/OregonLive that the store isnt at fault because it was only selling a product that was approved by the OLCC. On top of that, Synder said the stores budtender that Fitzgerald sought advice from recommended only a few drops, not the amount that was listed on the box.

Furthermore, Synder said budtenders have no way of knowing how much THC customers should take because everyone has different tolerance levels.

At the end of the day, its like going to a bar and asking the bartender How much alcohol is going to get me drunk? Snyder said. You dont hear of anybody suing the bar because somebody got drunk.

The suit doesnt name the brand of THC syrup Fitzgerald bought and does not list the manufacturer as a defendant. But Snyder said the store stopped selling it after Fitzgerald complained.

Fitzgerald is a documentary filmmaker who lives in Clackamas County and has twice been nominated for Academy Awards. His lawsuit was filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court by Milwaukie lawyer Erik Wilson.

 Aimee Green covers breaking news and the justice system. Reach her at 503-294-5119, agreen@oregonian.com or @o_aimee.

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The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 9-to-2 ruling Tuesday, upheld Oregons ban on in-person audio recording of others without informing those involved.

The court found that the state law is content-neutral and contains a relatively modest notice requirement that is narrowly tailored to serve a significant government interest in protecting conversational privacy.
The states highest court voted Tuesday to restore former Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum to the position of senior judge  a status that comes with a significant financial benefit.

The unanimous vote by the Oregon Supreme Court means Rosenblum, 74, can participate in a judiciary pension program that requires retired judges to spend 175 unpaid days behind the gavel over five years.

In Rosenblums case, participating in whats called Plan B will net her an $8,425-a-month pension before taxes  which she estimates is at least $1,000 a month more than shed otherwise receive from the Public Employee Retirement System.

Plan B judges typically work in far-flung counties with case backlogs or on another special assignment, like joining policy committees. The states pension program heavily incentivizes participation, to the point where few retired judges abstain except those incapacitated by illness.

Rosemblums status change takes effect Feb. 5.

The program is a good deal for the state, because it gets free, experienced judges, she said in an interview. It helps, actually, with the state budget.

Rosenblum has copious experience administering the law. She began her judicial career on what was then called the Multnomah County District Court in 1989 and rose up to the state Court of Appeals in 2005.

She remained in the $131,000-a-year position until her first retirement in May 2011.

At the time, Rosenblum says she didnt plan to run for office. She began collecting the higher Plan B pension and completed 95 days of her judicial assignment, which was unpaid except for travel expenses.

But when then-Attorney General John Kroger unexpectedly accepted the job as Reed Colleges president over running for a second term in 2012, Rosenblum threw her hat in the ring and bested Dwight Holton in the Democratic primary.

She gave up the $8,427.04 monthly pension for the next 12 years while in office, and took a significant pay cut; the Oregon Attorney Generals salary is set by law at $82,200 a year.

Rosenblum opted not to run for reelection last year and was succeeded by former state Speaker of the House Dan Rayfield.

Rosenblum said then-Oregon Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul J. DeMuniz approved the pause in her Plan B status back in 2012, and said at the time she could complete her final 80 days of service once she was no longer attorney general.

She will also receive a pension from the attorney generals office, which she expects to be somewhere between $1,000 and $2,400 a month, depending on which plan she chooses.

Im honored to do my part to help the judicial system, Rosenblum said. You know, Im kind of excited about it.

Zane Sparling covers breaking news and courts for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at 503-319-7083, zsparling@oregonian.com or @pdxzane.

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Lytics, a Portland company that raised $58 million to develop technology for corporate marketing, said Wednesday it has sold to a Texas business called Contentstack. The companies didnt disclose terms of their transaction except to say its a cash and stock deal.

Lytics technology enables its business clients to personalize their marketing pitches based on customer data they collect. Founded in 2013, it was among the last survivors from a generation of Portland startups that emerged in the years after the Great Recession.
While spring break vacations are often thought of as a time for students to cut loose, Conde Nast Traveler suggests that adults deserve their own spring break getaways, and offers a list of 25 places to do just that.

The travel publication and website notes that spring break trips are shining examples of one of the greatest travel hacks out there, in that they can be enjoyed in the transitional months outside summer and winter peak travel periods.

To get a head start on making travel plans, Conde Nast Traveler rounded up 25 adult spring break destinations for 2025. And, no surprise, an Oregon town made the cut, another example of how Oregon hotels, campsites, beaches, food and more tend to show up on these kinds of best-of lists.

The Oregon spot that landed among the adult spring break recommendations is Bend, the central Oregon town known for its scenic beauty, nearby recreational opportunities, comfortable lodging, delicious food, and more.

According to the Conde Nast Traveler article, The Pacific Northwest is one of the most beautiful parts of the United States. To soak up all that nature but still get the perks of city living, head straight to Bend, Oregon (about three hours south of Portland). The town receives an annual average of 300 days of sunshine, giving visitors ample opportunities to go hiking through the Cascades or kayaking and fly fishing on the Deschutes River. Make sure you set aside some time to visit a brewery (or five) along the Bend Ale Trail.

Bend is in eclectic company where adult spring break destinations are concerned. The Conde Nast Traveler list also includes New York City; Puerto Rico; Belize; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; Samana Bay, Dominican Republic; Oaxaca, Mexico; Anguilla; Holland; Kyoto, Japan; Panama City, Panama; Antigua; Bolivia; Vancouver Island, Canada; Healdsburg, California; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Grand Canyon National Park; The Azores; Miami, Florida; Black River, Jamaica; Costa Rica; Alabamas Gulf Coast; and San Diego, California.

 Kristi Turnquist covers features and entertainment. Reach her at 503-221-8227, kturnquist@oregonian.com or @Kristiturnquist

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Do you still have outdoor holiday decorations to take down and put away? Both Wednesday and Thursday will be perfect weather days to get outdoor chores done as both will be dry, partly sunny, and have little wind, unless you live near the Columbia River Gorge.

The National Weather Service expects daytime high temperatures to range from the upper 40s to low 50s around the metro area through Thursday.

But gusty east winds may blow as hard as 40 mph during the afternoon and overnight hours through the gorge. Those living near the west end of the gorge (Gresham, Troutdale, Camas) will see windy conditions too with gusts of 35 mph possible.

Portland will start Wednesday with cloudy skies that gradually clear. The high will reach near 52 degrees.

Thursday looks to be a mostly sunny day with highs reaching toward 51. But changes come overnight as a system moves into the region from Alaska.

Forecasters say the low pressure will drag a series of fronts into the region with rain starting along the Oregon coast Thursday night.

The Willamette Valley and the Cascades will start seeing rain by Friday morning. Portland should see fairly steady, light rain much of the day. The high temp will reach near 48 degrees.

The Cascades are expected to see a mix of rain and snow from Friday through Sunday evening.

Showers are likely to linger as we head into the weekend with Portland seeing morning showers on Saturday. The high temp will be about 47 degrees under mostly cloudy skies.

Sunday also has a chance of morning shower, with skies drying out later in the day. The high will be in the mid-to-upper 40s.

Current long range forecasts show clearing skies to start next week, but cooler temps with highs in the mid 40s.
This notice went out on the Witnesses Film Facebook Page earlier today:

Hey, all you wonderful people!

With this years Come, Follow Me gospel study centered on the Restoration, Church History and the Doctrine and Covenants, we wanted to remind everyone that in conjunction with the movies Witnesses and Undaunted, we did a series of short videos on the Witnesses of the Book of Mormon that address various questions that arise from the early history of the Church, and give you a deeper look into the leadership of the church at that time. Heres a link to the first video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yj3GBGjC3UM&t=8s

Enjoy!

Episode 1: Oliver Cowdery, Witness

11,813 views Apr 30, 2022 Witnesses of the Book of MormonInsights: What price did the witnesses pay for being witnessesand for never denying their testimonies of the Book of Mormon? This is Episode 1 of a series compiled from the many interviews conducted during the course of the Witnesses film project. This series of mini-films is being released each Saturday at 7pm MDT. These additional resources are hosted by Camrey Bagley Fox, who played Emma Smith in Witnesses, as she introduces and visits with a variety of experts. These individuals answer questions or address accusations against the witnesses, also helping viewers understand the context of the times in which the witnesses lived. This week we feature Gerrit Dirkmaat, Associate Professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University. For more information, go to https://witnessesofthebookofmormon.org/. Learn about the documentary movie UndauntedWitnesses of the Book of Mormon at https://witnessesundaunted.com/.

We will now be re-emphasizing these short features more often than once weekly. And more good things are coming within the next month or so. We hope that you will both profit from and enjoy the results of the efforts that have gone into making these films and short videos.

By the way, I had the pleasure this afternoon of being a guest on the Church History Matters podcast that is hosted by Casey Griffiths and Scott Woodward. We had fun, and I think that at least a few out there might enjoy the episode that we recorded today and even find it interesting when it goes up online at some point during February.

Here is a curious story that I came across while reading Deborah Blum, Ghost Hunters: William James and the Search for Scientific Proof of Life After Death (Penguin. 2007) roughly a year ago. You may recall the pen name that was later used by Samuel Clemens. This is an episode from his life:

In 1858 the Clemens brothers, Sam and Henry, were training to be riverboat captains, working the Mississippi River together on a big, steam-powered paddle-wheeler called the Pennsylvania. On an early June evening, the boat docked in Saint Louis, and the brothers went ashore to visit their sister. After dinner, Henry went back to the Pennsylvania. Sam stayed the night at his sisters house. Just as Sam Clemens started to slide into sleep, an image formed, a horrifyingly detailed dream in which he saw his younger brothers body tucked into a casket. The coffin lay balanced across two chairs. Flowers sprayed across Henrys unmoving chest, a cascade of white roses with a single red bloom in their center. Samuel Clemens sat up in bed, gasping, his heart pounding. He stumbled downstairs, half awake, the dream still so real that he was braced against the sight of his brothers body in the parlor. Hed been almost shocked to find the parlor quiet and dark, its chairs empty of dead men, its air unscented by roses. Just a dream, he told himself, just a dream. When Sam returned to the Pennsylvania that morning, his brother was waitingwhole, healthy, a little sleepy in the morning light. But they were separated again; the captain transferred Sam over to help on a companion boat, one that trailed behind by a day. Three days later, the Pennsylvanias boiler exploded, just as the boat cruised south of Memphis. One hundred and fifty people were killed or injured. As soon as the news reached him, Sam Clemens left his boat, hired a fast horse, and rushed to Memphis, where survivors were filling the local hospital. Henry Clemens died that night with his brother sitting beside him. In the morning, Sam walked numbly down to a room where the bodies of the dead were awaiting burial. Henry lay in a metal casket, balanced across two chairs. As Sam Clemens stood, blinking against the memory of his dream, a volunteer nurse stepped up to the coffin and gently laid across it a bouquet of white roses with a single red bloom in their midst. (104-105)

I dont know exactly what to make of such accounts. (Im aware of a number of them.). Fortunately, I feel no urgent need to make my mind up about the subject.
Around Christmas time, Ventiva launched its Ionic Cooling Engine (ICE), the latest in what has been an unexpectedly disappointing industry of fanless cooling solutions for laptops. But with Ventiva, theres a key difference: It has a customer.

Ventiva, Intel, and Dell have collaborated on a proof-of-concept laptop that the company is showing off here at the CES show in Las Vegas. Inside is Ventivas ICE, which uses electrohydrodynamic airflow to strip about 25 watts worth of heat from a Core Ultra 200 (Lunar Lake) laptop  and essentially silently, to boot.

To be fair, Dell hasnt formally committed to shipping the unnamed laptop, though it casually placed Ventivas name on its concept laptop, something that you dont often see. Intel even endorsed the technology in its CES materials.

Carl Schlachte, Ventivas chief executive, describes the Ventiva technology this way:

In a typical laptop, a heat pipe passively moves heat via conduction from the PCs core logic out to near the external vents, where it radiates into the air. A fan or blower kicks in under load, sucking cool air from vents underneath the laptop. The fans then blow the warmed air outside the laptop. Its an effective solution, but one that can be noisy and somewhat distracting if not well engineered.

How Ventivas ICE technology works

Ventivas ICE doesnt use fans, rendering it virtually silent. Instead, the technology ionizes the air passing through.

A closeup of the ICE and its charging wire. Mark Hachman / IDG

Each ICE looks a bit like a PCI Express slot, laid horizontally, but open on both ends. Running down the middle of the ICE, horizontally, is a tiny, charged wire.

The ICE applies a charge, grabbing electrons from air molecules that flow through the ICE and creating a dense collection of positively-charged ions that are repelled from the positively-charged wire. As theyre pushed away, the ions bump into other, neutrally charged air molecules, pushing the mass of air away and creating airflow.

The amount of air movement (and thus heat dissipation) depends on both the size of the ICE as well as the current applied. In a display case, Schlachte showed off a family of different-sized ICEs, nothing more than a few inches.

When asked, Schlachte said that the largest can move a maximum of about one cubic foot of air per minute (1 cfm), but that it was largely dependent upon the current applied.

ICEs can be made in different sizes, though its the charge applied to the wire that seems to have the most effect. Mark Hachman / IDG

Its a different approach than companies like Frore or xMEMS have used. Those companies applied charge to what is essentially a vibrating membrane, using that as means to move air and dissipate heat.

Form customizing laptops to working with Intel

For now, Schlachte said that Ventiva is focused on stripping heat from premium, thin-and-light notebooks at $1,000 or above. Dells unnamed laptop, a gorgeous design, he said, was to his knowledge the thinnest its ever done.

Ventivas ICE was under development for several years, but the company wasnt aggressively marketing it as a product.

We went to LA, Schlachte said. We were out with the laptop guys first before we talked. We werent even trying to get a design win. Were like, look, heres what were doing, right? Were thermal people. Theyre thermal people. There is kind of a weird brotherhood, a weird, nerdy brotherhood. And then they picked up the phone, called Intel, and Intel called us.

If you look closely, you can see the small ICE labels where the air is pushed out of this Dell prototype. Also note the Ventiva reference at the very top. Mark Hachman / IDG

Schlachte said that company engineers would just go into a local Best Buy, buy an off-the-shelf laptop, retrofit it, and then take it with them to executives at major laptop companies. And eventually, they would ask me, how soon can I get one of these in my laptop, and Id say, Here you go.'

Intel, meanwhile, was on the hunt for an improved cooling solution. According to Schlachte, Intel was frustrated by an unsuccessful co-engineering effort with a competitor, and heard through its network of partners about Ventiva.

Intel, for its part, said this week that its potentially considering Ventivas ICE cooling solution as part of its Evo program. Intel representatives didnt reply to a request for comment by press time.

This is how Ventiva could arrange the ICEs to create an (eventual) 40W cooling solution. Mark Hachman / IDG

Dust and ozone: Ventivas critics say its tech has risks

In just a few weeks, Ventivas ICE solution has attracted some scrutiny and some critics.

For one, the ICE solution essentially is creating ozone (O3), which occurs naturally, and beneficially, in the atmosphere  the ozone layer  via a plasma field. Ozone can be mildly harmful when breathed in large enough quantities, however, potentially causing irritation to mucus membranes in the nose and mouth.

When you think about how Ventivas ICEs emit ozone, and there can be several in a single laptop, and they could be constantly emitting ozone just inches from your lungs. Well, the worries dont seem unrealistic. A Ventiva solution that could remove 40W of heat from a laptop used five ICE devices, according to a physical model Ventiva showed.

Ventiva showed PCWorld a draft paper that addresses the issue via a third-party testing lab. Acceptable ozone concentrations vary (the EPA allows 0.080 parts per million, or ppm; OSHA permits 0.100; the FDA allows 0.050 ppm).

According to Ventivas findings, the ozone emitted moves in all directions, but is concentrated in the direction of the exhaust. At that angle, at 900mm (35 inches or just under three feet) the ozone exposure would be 50 parts per billion, or 0.05 ppm, with 0.5W of charge placed on the wire, which is close to government limits. (Ventiva also says that since ozone is unstable, it will dissipate quickly at a further distance and wont be present when the ICE is turned off.)

To play it safe, Ventiva developed what is essentially a catalytic converter: applying manganese dioxide. The compound can be applied to heat sinks or their thermal fins, at the discretion of the laptop maker. According to the companys third-party testing, its quite effective.

Ventiva

Schlachte said, however, that the ozone may be detectable by those with sharp noses. He said that some noses can detect ozone at 30 parts per billion. So there is a chance; we never deny it, he said. We dont shy away from it.

The other risk is one all laptop makers face: Dust or other airborne crud like cat dander. In this, Schlachte shrugs his shoulders.

So I guess the first thing I should say is, nobody has conquered dust, including us, Schlachte said. Anybody who tells you theyre immune, impervious, that kind of thing  its just not true.

Traditional blowers can get coated with dust, or clogged with hair, enough that they slow down or can stop working. Ventiva cant do anything about intakes getting clogged with gunk, but he said that the ICE has a secret capability: Its a pretty good air sensor, he said.

Schlachte wouldnt quite commit to saying that the ICE can act like an air quality sensor, detecting particles as they fly though the air, but almost. The reason Im being little cautious around on this is that there is some work being done around this, that, thatll probably get announced in the future, he said.

But that particle information can be handed over to the laptops internal control logic, which can decide what it can do from there. Here, Ventivas playing it a bit cagey.

Moving ahead

Right now, Ventiva is working with a single-source supplier, though it may add a second soon. That all means that Ventivas impact will be modest, for now. It doesnt have the capacity to go beyond one or two laptop models, Schlachte said.

Still, its a step forward. Laptop makers and consumers alike value passive cooling, because it can be close to or totally silent. But they also want a cooling solution powerful enough that it can run their laptop at top speeds. Ventiva hopes to provide customers with the best of both worlds.
Ten years ago PC gamers were eagerly awaiting Steam Machines, console-style Linux boxes built from the ground up to play PC games. They flopped, due in no small part to Steam operator Valves lack of experience working with hardware partners. But in 2025, both Valve and its home-built gaming operating system are different beasts. And Microsoft should be afraid of them.

Further reading: How to use Steam Deck as a desktop PC

The Steam Deck dominates PC gaming

The big story in PC gaming for the last three years has been the Steam Deck. This low-power, portable, relatively inexpensive machine is clearly something the market has been waiting for, exciting gamers and energizing PC makers to pump out imitators, like the Asus ROG Ally and the Lenovo Legion Go.

But all of these machines lack a crucial component, despite copying the Steam Decks hardware to a greater or lesser degree. They rely on Windows, as do almost all consumer PCs not made by Apple. And Windows just isnt a good experience in this form factor.

Thats why Lenovo turned to Valve for its second-gen Legion Go S. Or perhaps more precisely, the Legion Go S Powered By SteamOS (its full and cumbersome title). Its the first handheld PC officially powered by Valves Linux-based operating system, but probably not the last.

Lenovo is also making new Windows-based versions of the same hardware, but weve already heard that Asus is working on a similar Steam-powered handheld, and Valve itself will let you download and install builds of SteamOS later in 2025. Some tech heads arent even waiting, and are already building their own quasi-SteamOS-powered PCs.

Lenovo/Valve

Despite fumbling its initial debut on console-style Steam Machines, SteamOS has quietly and steadily improved over the last decade, benefitting both from the Linux markets maturity and Valves endless investment into the Steam store and community as a quasi-platform of its own.

The X factor in the Steam Decks explosive popularity is the Proton compatibility layer, which allows games made only for Windows to run on the low-powered AMD hardware with minimal fuss. It cant run everything  non-Steam games like Fortnite and the latest AAA polygon-pushers cant run optimally on the Steam Deck. But its good enough for the vast majority of PC games and on a device that starts at $400, you get a lot of grace from gamers who also need to pay for rent and groceries.

Contrast this with Windows, the current de facto standard for PC gaming. Yes, Linux fans, I know youve been playing some of the same games as Windows users for years, ditto for Mac. But when you think gaming PC, you think of a Windows-powered desktop or laptop. Or do you? Its possible  though hard to pin down, since Valve hasnt released any numbers  that in terms of single-device volume, the Steam Deck is now the most popular gaming PC in the world.

Windows wobbles from 10 to 11

But I digress. Windows is the home of PC gaming, at least for now and the foreseeable future, but its not a happy home. As I said previously, handheld gaming PCs that ape the Steam Decks hardware but run Windows 11 often find that last point is the biggest pain point for users.

They complain of inefficient use of the limited hardware, to say nothing of how Windows just isnt easy to use on those smaller screens. And companies like Asus, Lenovo, MSI, et cetera dont have the software chops to make an effective go-between layer for users, even if these devices could spare the performance overhead (they cant).

Michael Crider/Foundry

Windows isnt looking so hot in general, in fact. The transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11 hasnt quite been the disaster that the initial Windows 7 to 8 transition was. But it hasnt been great, either.

Those big yearly updates seem to reliably bork at least some portion of the userbases machines, disproportionately affecting gamers and Microsoft is still struggling to get people to give up Windows 10. Even with a well-publicized end of support coming in under a year, Windows 11 is struggling  and sometimes flat-out failing  to gain market share over its previous incarnation.

Microsofts has larger general woes in the gaming market, watching the Xbox platform and brand apparently drown even as its Game Pass subscription grows. Game Pass is pretty clearly the companys attempt at a cross-platform rebirth, the culmination of hundreds of billions invested in buying up developers and publishers to own games as diverse as Minecraft, Call of Duty, and WoW.

But you cant spend-money-to-make-money forever, and gaming isnt Microsofts only business. Its also desperate to sell Windows machines (2025 is The year of the Windows 11 PC refresh, allegedly), Office subscriptions, and AI services to the enterprise. There might be too many cooks in the kitchen and too many mouths to feed, all at once, in one of the tech industrys oldest and most reliable megacorps.

SteamOS reminds me of Android

So look at a wobbling Windows platform on one hand, and an ascendant and suddenly spreading SteamOS on the other. Valve has committed to offering SteamOS to manufacturing partners via the Powered by SteamOS branding initiative.

With the open source Linux as a foundation and relative hardware agnosticism, its starting to look a lot like the relationship that Google developed with smartphone makers to proliferate Android across the mobile market. Its not a complete one-to-one comparison, but Valve told us in an interview that its not charging for SteamOS. Huh.

Microsoft tried to compete with Android. It failed, miserably, and the company essentially had to abandon the mobile space entirely and settle for providing backend services through apps. Even when Microsoft tried to get an early foothold in the folding device segment with the Surface Duo (also failing), it did so using Android as a basis.

My colleague Adam Patrick Murray waxed philosophical about SteamOS powering gaming laptops when he spoke with a Valve engineer at CES. And I think thats a definite possibility, even if it isnt Valves immediate focus with SteamOS as it moves to conquer the handheld form factor first.

But were talking about a free operating system (those quotes are because youll need to partner with Valve in some capacity to get the branding), built from the ground up for PC gaming, and flexible enough to run on some of the lowest-power hardware on the market or potentially the most cutting-edge gaming devices.

The parallels to Android are hard to ignore, at least for me, a journalist who cut my teeth on the smartphone boom. But the prospects dont stop at gaming. With Chromebooks and ChromeOS, Google has proven that regular consumers and even some bigger customers like education arent as committed to Windows as they were back in the 90s.

ChromeOS is still seen as a budget laptop solution (much to Googles chagrin). But a year or two from now, you could see Chrome-powered budget laptops next to mid-range and high-end SteamOS-powered gaming laptops, all sitting next to Windows 11 machines on a Best Buy shelf. And thatll be after Microsoft has forced an upgrade upon lots of people who didnt want to give up Windows 10.

Consumers are ready for a future beyond Windows

Let me be clear: The odds of a massive, immediate shift away from Windows PCs arent great. This isnt a year of the Linux desktop rallying cry. But if there is a Linux desktop that exists today, its the Steam Deck. And that makes SteamOS a bellwether for greater proliferation of non-Windows devices (if not necessarily Linux specifically) in a huge range of form factors.

At the start of 2025, Microsoft still has its comfortable stranglehold on the consumer side of the PC market. It weathered the death of the desktop predicted during the smartphone and tablet boom  people arent getting rid of their personal machines. But Windows never-ending dominance as the de facto PC operating system is, if not in doubt, then certainly in question.

Microsofts attempts to ameliorate the issues that Windows-powered handheld PCs, lacking as they are, shows that the company is aware of the problem it has in that form factor. I wonder what itll do if it sees SteamOS jump to gaming laptopsor desktops. SteamOS isnt necessarily a harbinger of doom for Windows. But it could be. And that should make Microsoft very, very frightened.
A man and woman from Georgia were charged with more than 250 offenses Tuesday after police said they neglected and sexually abused a school bus full of animals that broke down in Adams County last summer, according to an affidavit.

Shawn Hirschbine, 51, and Deanna Huff, 64, both of Woodbine, Georgia, were driving the bus in Oxford Township on June 15, 2024, when the bus became disabled near Hanover and Red Hill Roads just before 8:30 p.m.

The bus, registered to Hirschbine, and an accompanying trailer, had at least 16 chickens, 10 ducks, four dogs, two turkeys, a pony and a bull inside. Responding officers said the cluttered bus had food and bedding piled on the seats.

There was feces all over. The smell was horrendous, Eastern Adams Police Chief Francis Staab told Fox 43 News.

Police arrived and determined Hirschbine had an active arrest warrant in West Virginia for sending videos of him performing sex acts on a pony and bull to juvenile girls. He was arrested without incident and taken to the Adams County Prison.

Police in Pennsylvania and West Virginia confirmed they are in possession of the videos, but were only able to identify Hirschbine as the actor based on the inside of the trailer and other physical characteristics.

None of the images or videos I have actually show his face, West Virginia Det. Nikki Pinardo said. But the stuff seen in the background is consistent with the wooden enclosed trailer that he had the horse and the bull [in Adams County.]

Pinardo said text messages show Hirschbine is likely charging people money to be inside the trailer while he performs sex acts on the animals, according to the affidavit. She also tracked Hirschbines location through his cell phone, showing he had been in Georgia, New York, Kentucky, West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

One text message conversation between Hirschbine and a 15-year-old girl included videos of him performing sex acts on animals, Pinardo said.

It was him talking over TextNow to my juvenile victim, and he was stating that it was him [in the video] and things that he did, and he was kind of leading her into bestiality-type sexual conversations, Pinardo said.

Hirschbines digital footprint revealed he mostly talks about his work as a male escort, with no mentions of beastiality.

Both the bus and trailer had Hirschbines phone number and 24 Hr. tire + shows written in black marker on the side.

Police believe this ramshackle trailer - discovered with four dogs, a pony and a bull in Adams County this weekend - may have been the scene of a travelling bestiality exhibition.Adams County SPCA

Police said the phone number was linked to multiple pornographic websites, sometimes advertising Hirschbines male escort services with his picture, the affidavit said.

Huff, Hirschbines girlfriend, stayed with the bus until the following day to wait for a member of the Adams County SPCA to contact her and take the animals.

When Abby Avery, a former humane officer and current executive director of the Adams County SPCA, arrived at the bus she said the animals were deprived of food, water and veterinary care.

While the animals were being unloaded from the bus, Huff told police she did not believe the animals were in any danger. She also told investigators the phone number on the side of the bus and trailer was to advertise petting zoo shows for children to come on the bus and meet the animals.

However, Huff denied any knowledge of the phone number being associated with pornographic websites or Hirschbine having sex with animals. She would later change her story and tell investigators Hirschbine uses the bus for roadside tire service.

When police asked Hirschbine about the phone number he said he had nothing to say, the affidavit said.

Additional veterinary care revealed the pony, bull and three dogs had all been sexually traumatized. The veterinarians noted the pony and bull did not move at all while being swabbed for human DNA with sexual abuse test kits, an unusual behavior for any animal.

According to Avery, three of the German shepherd dogs had enlarged vulvas that suggest they have been exposed to more frequent sexual stimulation than the biological heat cycles that would be normal for female dogs of their age.

Its a very unusual case, theres no doubt about it, Avery said. I mean Ive seen people living in worse conditions. Ive seen animals in worse conditions ... but never the sexual trauma to animals like this.

Three of the four dogs had to be euthanized due to aggression issues stemming from the abuse. A duck, turkey and chicken also died due to malnutrition, police said.

All animals recovered from the bus showed signs of neglect, including dehydration and malnutrition. Police received the lab results from the animal test swabs in September 2024, but no human DNA was found.

A loaded handgun was also found inside the bus, which Huff said came from her deceased husband.

The bus was originally going to be scrapped, but police said two area scrap yards refused to take it because of associated health hazards.

Avery said Huff told her the couple obtained the animals mostly as cast-offs from owners who had posted on online sites that they were looking to get rid of them.

She said that ... he [Hirschbine] was on Facebook Marketplace and anybody that had free animals he was just picking them up. And this is exactly why you dont re-home your animals on social media, Avery added. Because you dont know whos getting them.

Hirschbine and Huff are still awaiting dates for their preliminary hearings. In total, 252 charges were filed against the pair, including aggravated cruelty to animals, cruelty to animals, neglect of animals  sustenance/water, neglect of animals  veterinary care, prohibited possession of a firearm and firearms not to be carried without license.

In August 2022, Hirschbine and Huff were arrested in Orchard Park, New York, near Buffalo, after the same vehicles were found with a slightly different collection of animals. Hirschbine has called western New York home for much of his life, according to public records.

In that case, according to court records, Hirschbine was convicted of confining an animal in a vehicle, neglect of an impounded animal, and torturing or injuring animals by failure to provide sustenance. He got a suspended sentence and was ordered to pay $1,735 in fines and costs.

In the wake of that arrest, Hirschbine has filed a lawsuit in federal court against the Town of Orchard Park, seeking damages for injuries that he contends occurred when he was taken to the ground by police officers during that arrest.

Staff writer Charles Thompson contributed to this report.
A man wanted for a fatal November shooting in Harrisburgs Allison Hill neighborhood was arrested in the city Wednesday, according to a police report.

Lateef B. Phoenix, 38, of Harrisburg, was charged with first-degree murder and related offenses on Dec. 4, 2024, after police said he shot and killed 34-year-old Darius Stukes near the intersection of Hunter and Nectarine streets around 2:30 a.m. Nov. 2.

Stukes, who was found with a gunshot wound to his head and four to his torso, was taken to UPMC Harrisburg Hospital, where he died.

An affidavit of probable cause said Phoenix picked up Stukes from a York home where he lived with his girlfriend on Nov. 1. The pair met up with two women and went to Crawdaddys, a Harrisburg restaurant, and the Political Club on the 1500 block of Vernon Street, Stukes girlfriend told police.

The group left the Political Club in a Nissan Maxima in the early morning hours of Nov. 2. While near Swatara and Nectarine streets, Phoenix told one of the women to get out of the car. Stukes confronted Phoenix about the departing woman and the men got out of the car so they could have words, the affidavit said.

Police said Stukes was adamant he would walk the woman home, according to the womans account of the night.

As Stukes walked away with the woman, Phoenix got out of the car, walked behind him and started shooting. The woman walking with Stukes ran as the gunshots filled the neighborhood.

4 1 / 4 Man dies after shooting at Hunter and Nectarine streets in Harrisburg

Phoenix then took a satchel filled with marijuana that Stukes had been advertising for sale that evening and got back in the car with the other woman and drove her home, telling her to duck her head down.

In the following days, Phoenix gave the woman two cellphones, both of which hed tried to wipe, the affidavit said.

Darius Stukes, 34, died after he was shot multiple times near the intersection of Hunter and Nectarine streets Nov. 2, police said. Credit: Harrisburg PoliceHarrisburg Police

Phoenix was also pacing and acting erratically as he gave the woman the phones and apologized for getting her in the middle of the incident, court documents said.

The affidavit said Phoenix is barred from carrying a gun because of a 2015 conviction for a felony drug possession charge.

Phoenix is also charged with four firearms offenses and a tampering with evidence charge. His preliminary hearing has not been scheduled as of Wednesday.

Staff writer Jenna Wise contributed to this report.
Holes is a movie that arguably defined the millennial generation.

And it is now part of a never-ending nostalgia media machine, as Disney+ announced itll be adapting the beloved classic into a series with a bit of a twist.

Variety reports how this new series has been ordered to pilot on the platform, and will still be based on the 1998 book of the same name by Louis Sachar.

The original story follows the ever-unlucky Stanley Yelnats (as portrayed by Shia Labeouf), who is sent to a brutal all-boys detention camp after getting wrongly convicted of stealing a pair of sneakers. Those in the millennial generation may fondly recall all the times in school they got to watch the film during free periods, as well as the soundtrack which  in the common parlance of kids today  still slaps.

However, this new TV series is a reimagining of the plot involving a female-led story.

No one asked for this, leave the classics alone, reads one X comment in reaction to the seriess announcement.

$100 says its awful in comparison to the original masterpiece, says another.

Who has been tapped as cast members for the series has yet to be confirmed, Variety said. Alina Mankin  whose credits include Lodge 49 (2018) and The Mindy Project: The Morgan Project (2013)  will serve as a writer and executive producer while Liz Phang  known for her work on The Haunting of Hill House (2018) as well as Yellowjackets (2021)  will serve as showrunner and executive producer.

Whether or not it meets the low expectations of the above X comments remains to be seen.
Amyl and The Sniffers will launch the Cartoon Darkness world tour this month and it includes a stop in Pennsylvania.

The pub rock/punk rock band will perform on Friday, May 16, at Franklin Music Hall in Philadelphia. Cartoon Darkness, the bands third album, was released in October 2024.

Fans can buy tickets here (prices are as of the time of this publication):

The tour starts Jan. 16 in the bands home country of Australia. The tour comes to North America on March 25.

North American tour dates include:

March 25 - Portland, Oregon

March 27 - Seattle, Washington

March 30 - Salt Lake City, Utah

March 31 - Denver, Colorado

April 2 - Kansas City, Missouri

April 4 - Dallas, Texas

April 5 - Austin, Texas

April 6 - Houston, Texas

April 7 - San Antonio, Texas

April 10 - Phoenix, Arizona

April 11 - Indio, California (Coachella)

April 12 - Oakland, California

April 18 - Indio, California (Coachella)

May 7 - St. Paul, Minnesota

May 8 - Chicago, Illinois

May 9 - Madison, Wisconsin

May 10 - Royal Oak, Michigan

May 13 - Cleveland, Ohio

May 15 - New York, New York

May 17 - Boston, Massachusetts

May 19 - Silver Spring, Maryland

May 21 - Raleigh, North Carolina

May 22 - Atlanta, Georgia

May 23 - Nashville, Tennessee
Update: Sunset Boulevard in ruins: California fires massive scale comes into focus in Pacific Palisades

By Jaimie Ding, Janie Har and Julie Watson, The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES  A wildfire whipped up by extreme winds swept through a Los Angeles hillside dotted with celebrity residences Tuesday, burning homes and forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of people, some of whom abandoned their cars and fled on foot to safety with roads blocked.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who was in Southern California to attend the naming of a national monument by President Joe Biden, made a detour to the canyon to see firsthand the impact of these swirling winds and the embers, and he said he found not a few  many structures already destroyed.

Officials did not give an exact number of structures damaged or destroyed in the Pacific Palisades wildfire, but they said about 30,000 residents are under evacuation orders and more than 13,000 structures were under threat.

And the worst could be yet to come. The blaze began around 10:30 a.m., shortly after the start of a Santa Ana windstorm that the National Weather service warned could be life threatening and the strongest to hit Southern California in more than a decade. The exact cause of the fire was unknown and no injuries had been reported, officials said.

The winds were expected to increase overnight and continue for days, producing isolated gusts that could top 100 mph (160 kph) in mountains and foothills  including in areas that havent seen substantial rain in months.

By no stretch of the imagination are we out of the woods, Newsom warned residents, saying the worst of the winds are expected between 10 p.m. Tuesday and 5 a.m. Wednesday. He declared a state of emergency on Tuesday.

As of Tuesday evening, 28,300 households were without power due to the strong winds, according to the mayors office. About 15,000 utility customers in Southern California had their power shut off to reduce the risk of equipment sparking blaze. A half a million customers total were at risk of losing power preemptively.

The fire swiftly consumed nearly 2 square miles (just over 5 square kilometers) of land in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in western Los Angeles, sending up a dramatic plume of smoke visible across the city. Residents in Venice Beach, some 6 miles (10 kilometers) away, reported seeing the flames. It was one of several blazes across the area.

Sections of Interstate 10 and the scenic Pacific Coast Highway were closed to all non-essential traffic to aid in evacuation efforts. But other roads were blocked. Some residents jumped out of their vehicles to get out of danger and waited to be picked up.

Resident Kelsey Trainor said the only road in and out of her neighborhood was completely blocked. Ash fell all around them while fires burned on both sides of the road.

We looked across and the fire had jumped from one side of the road to the other side of the road, Trainor said. People were getting out of the cars with their dogs and babies and bags, they were crying and screaming. The road was just blocked, like full-on blocked for an hour.

An Associated Press video journalist saw a roof and chimney of one home in flames and another residence where the walls were burning. The Pacific Palisades neighborhood, which borders Malibu about 20 miles (32 kilometers) west of downtown LA, includes hillside streets of tightly packed homes along winding roads nestled against the Santa Monica Mountains and stretches down to beaches along the Pacific Ocean.

An AP photographer saw multi-million dollar mansions on fire as helicopters overhead dropped water loads. Roads were clogged in both directions as evacuees fled down toward the Pacific Coast Highway while others begged for rides back up to their homes to rescue pets. Two of the homes on fire were inside exclusive gated communities.

Long-time Palisades resident Will Adams said he immediately went to pick his two kids up from St. Matthews Parishs school when he heard the fire was nearby. Meanwhile, he said embers flew into his wifes car as she tried to evacuate.

Jerome Krausse pushes his mother-in-law in a shopping cart as they evacuate from their home in the Pacific Palisades after a wildfire swept through their neighborhood in Santa Monica, Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)AP

She vacated her car and left it running, Adams said. She and many other residents walked down toward the ocean until it was safe.

Adams said he had never witnessed anything like this in the 56 years hes lived there. He watched as the sky turned brown and then black as homes started burning. He could hear loud popping and bangs like small explosions, which he said he believes were the transformers exploding.

It is crazy, its everywhere, in all the nooks and crannies of the Palisades. One homes safe, the other ones up in flames, Adams said.

Actor James Woods posted footage of flames burning through bushes and past palm trees on a hill near his home. The towering orange flames billowed among the landscaped yards between the homes.

Standing in my driveway, getting ready to evacuate, Woods said in the short video on X.

Actor Steve Guttenberg, who lives in the Pacific Palisades, urged people who abandoned their cars to leave their keys behind so they could be moved to make way for fire trucks.

This is not a parking lot, Guttenberg told KTLA. I have friends up there and they cant evacuate.  Im walking up there as far as I can moving cars.

The erratic weather caused Biden to cancel plans to travel to inland Riverside County, where he was to announce the establishment of two new national monuments in the state. He remained in Los Angeles, where smoke was visible from his hotel, and was briefed on the wildfires. The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved a grant to help reimburse California for the firefighting cost.

Some trees and vegetation on the grounds of the Getty Villa were burned by late Tuesday, but staff and the museum collection remain safe, Getty President Katherine Fleming said in a statement. The museum located on the eastern end of the Pacific Palisades is a separate campus of the world-famous Getty Museum that focuses on the art and culture of ancient Greece and Rome.

Film studios canceled two movie premieres due to the fire and windy weather, and the Los Angeles Unified School District said it temporarily relocated students from three campuses in the Pacific Palisades area.

Recent dry winds, including the notorious Santa Anas, have contributed to warmer-than-average temperatures in Southern California, where theres been very little rain so far this season. Southern California hasnt seen more than 0.1 inches (0.25 centimeters) of rain since early May.

Watson reported from San Diego and Har from San Francisco. Associated Press writers Christopher Weber and video journalist Eugene Garcia in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
Three people were found dead and two more were injured as a result of a possible carbon monoxide leak in a Butler County home.

First responders and representatives from Peoples Gas were dispatched to a home in the 100 block of College Street in Butler on Tuesday after getting a report of a possible leak, according to reports from WTAE, WPXI and TribLive.

Officials said that upon arrival they found three people  two men and a woman  had died. Two other people were taken to a hospital. Their condition is currently not known.

A Peoples Gas spokesperson told WTAE that they did not detect any leaks or threats in the neighborhood.

Something like this is just unheard of . and its kind of sad when you think about it. Just lay down for a nap and carbon monoxide does rest and its kind of scary," a neighbor, Mannon Rose, told WTAE.

Make sure your propertys, you know, taken care of as far as the carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. All that stuff needs updated yearly, if not multiple times a year, he added.
Millions of Americans with medical debt, including nearly 700,000 Pennsylvanians, will no longer have to fear their debt will tarnish their credit scores.

Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday called the finalized rule by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) historic and something that would help more Americans be able to save money and thrive."
The state House of Representatives avoided another fight over its rules and speakership, returning a Democrat to the post Tuesday and kicking off the new session more smoothly than it did two years ago.

Both the House and the Republican-controlled Senate held their first voting days since Novembers election, swearing in members  including several new office holders from the Harrisburg region - and selecting each chambers top officer, as well as passing internal operating rules.
Want a say in the news? Email Claudia at todayinpa@pennlive.com to have your thoughts on the stories covered here or on PennLive heard.

You can listen to the latest episode of Today in Pa on any of your favorite apps including Alexa, Apple, Spotify, Stitcher and YouTube. Episodes are available every weekday on PennLive. Feel free to subscribe, follow or rate Today in Pa. as you see fit!

Today in Pa. Daily Podcast | January 8, 2025

Pennsylvanias treasurer is among those urging states to divest pension funds from China. A dockworker strike once again looms as the deadline nears. One zoo is taking precautions against the bird flu. And this is this years winner of the Farm Show angel food cake contest.

Those are the stories we cover in the latest episode of Today in Pa., a daily weekday podcast from PennLive.com and hosted by Claudia Dimuro. Today in Pa. is dedicated to sharing the most important and interesting stories pertaining to Pennsylvania that lets you know, indeed, whats happening today in Pa.

Todays episode refers to the following articles:

If you enjoy Today in Pa., consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts or on Amazon. Reviews help others find the show and, besides, wed like to know what you think about the program, too.
Governor Josh Shapiro took the annual gubernatorial tour of the Pennsylvania Farm Show on Wednesday, greeting attendees while also talking about agricultural investments in the state budget and the potential impacts of the incoming federal administration.

Shapiros Wednesday appearance showcased the great juxtaposition of the Farm Show, where state officials convene to talk shop before heading out to meet farmers  whose experiences are about as far removed as possible from the Byzantine politics of Harrisburg.
By Elliot Hughes, Star Tribune (TNS)

Minnesota has found itself in the crossfire of international trolling among North American government officials.

President-elect Donald Trump has talked about the U.S. taking over Canada, making comments about turning the country into the 51st state in the U.S., imposing tariffs on its products and using economic force to have it join the union.

That had Ontario Premier Doug Ford thinking about his territorial gains. While speaking to a reporter Monday, Ford joked: " ... to the president, Ill make him a counteroffer. How about if we buy Alaska, and well throw in Minnesota and Minneapolis at the same time?

Ontario Premier Doug Ford speaks to the media with mayors from selected municipalities and government ministers. (Chris Young | The Canadian Press via AP, file)Chris Young | The Canadian Press via AP

Cant blame the guy for thinking about the North Star State. It shares a 547-mile border with Canada, most of it with Ontario. The accents are similar, and Minnesota and Minneapolis are often ranked among the best places to live.

Some Redditors think its a neat idea. A few like the sound of free Canadian health care.

Its nice to be fought over, one wrote.

Fortunately  or, unfortunately  Ford knows Canada and Minnesota arent going anywhere.

Its not realistic, he said. I know (Trump) likes making these comments and he likes joking around. I take that seriously. He may be joking, but under my watch that will never, ever happen.

Related:

Canadas Trudeau revives a Cabinet-level panel to address concerns about a Trump presidency

Trump wont rule out military force to take Greenland, Panama Canal

Trump wants Gulf of America to replace name of body of water by U.S. and Mexico
By Jill Lawless, The Associated Press

LONDON Fresh from pouring his money and energies into helping Donald Trump win reelection, Elon Musk has trained his sights on Europe, setting off alarm bells among politicians across the continent.

The Tesla and SpaceX chief executive has endorsed the far-right Alternative for Germany, demanded the release of jailed U.K. anti-Islam extremist Tommy Robinson and called British Prime Minister Keir Starmer an evil tyrant who should be in prison.

Many European politicians have been left concerned by the attention. Musks feed on his social network X is dotted with abusive language  labeling politicians stupid cretin and sniveling cowards  as well as retweets of far-right and anti-immigrant accounts.

Andrew Chadwick, professor of political communication at Loughborough University, said Musk is using X a bit like an old-style newspaper mogul, to promulgate his political views.

Weve seen Musk start to align himself much more obviously with an international movement of the far right, Chadwick said. If you look at the kinds of people who Musk himself is boosting on his platform  hes increasingly started to assemble a group of different right-wing influencers, many of them with large followings, and presenting their evidence as a basis for his interventions into European politics.

Musk has inserted himself into politics in Germany, which is headed for a Feb. 23 election after center-left Chancellor Olaf Scholzs fractious three-party coalition government collapsed.

On Dec. 20, Musk wrote on X: Only the AfD can save Germany, a reference to the Alternative for Germany party, which is under observation by the domestic intelligence agency for suspected extremism.

FILE - People carry candles attending an AfD election campaign in front of the cathedral in Magdeburg, Germany, on Dec. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi, File)AP

He doubled down on support for the AfD in an article for the Welt am Sonntag newspaper, claiming Germany is teetering on the edge of economic and cultural collapse. Later this week Musk is due to hold a live chat on X with AfD co-leader Alice Weidel.

Scholzs response embodies the dilemma faced by European politicians  should they ignore and let Musks comments go unchallenged, or engage and risk amplifying them?

Scholz has said its important to stay cool over personal attacks, but called Musks involvement in German politics worrying. In a new year message, Scholz pointedly noted that Germanys way forward will not be decided by the owners of social media channels but by German voters.

French President Emmanuel Macron warned Monday about the risks posed by unchecked power in the hands of tech billionaires and the destabilizing impact they could have on democratic institutions.

Who could have imagined, 10 years ago, that the owner of one of the worlds largest social networks would intervene directly in elections, including in Germany? Macron said.

Greek Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis said Musks behavior was troubling and far from amusing.

Someone cannot simply use their platform, wealth and connections to try to dictate how governments are formed in each nation, he told Parapolitika Radio. This is becoming increasingly dangerous.

Musk has increasingly focused on British politics since the center-left Labour Party was elected in July, calling Starmer an evil leader presiding over a tyrannical police state.

Musks recent focus is on child sexual abuse, particularly a series of cases that rocked northern England towns several years ago, in which groups of men, largely from Pakistani backgrounds, were tried for grooming and abusing dozens of mostly white girls. The cases have been used by far-right activists to link child abuse to immigration and Islam.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks during a visit to the company MTU Maintenance Berlin-Brandenburg in his constituency, Ludwigsfelde, Germany, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (Christoph Gollnow/dpa via AP)AP

Musk has accused Starmer of failing to bring perpetrators to justice when he was Englands director of public prosecutions between 2008 and 2013  a charge Starmer strongly denies.

Starmer must go and he must face charges for his complicity in the worst mass crime in the history of Britain, Musk tweeted.

Chadwick said theres been a hesitancy on the part of the political elite in the U.K. to engage with Musks incredibly inflammatory remarks. But Starmer changed tack Monday, condemning lies and misinformation and accusing U.K. Conservative politicians who have echoed some of Musks points of amplifying what the far right are saying.

I enjoy the cut and thrust of politics, the robust debate that we must have, but thats got to be based on facts and truth, not on lies, the prime minister said.

Starmer is facing calls to tighten Britains laws on foreign interference, and governments around the world are under pressure to leave X. Both the U.K. and German governments say they have no plans to quit the platform.

Musks X is under investigation by European authorities attempting to curb hatred, disinformation and other toxic content on social media. The European Union has launched infringement proceedings against X under the blocs Digital Services Act, and EU spokesman Thomas Regnier said it will look at whether Musks livestream interview Thursday with the AfDs Weidel gives inappropriate preferential treatment to the party during a preelection period.

Musk, a self-styled free-speech advocate, is critical of efforts to regulate social media. He has compared British attempts to weed out online misinformation through the Online Safety Act to censorship in the Soviet Union.

Musk clearly enjoys baiting mainstream politicians on social media, but Chadwick said it remains to be seen whether his posting changes public attitudes or helps the causes he champions.

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer visits a healthcare provider to deliver remarks on reducing NHS wait times, in Surrey, England, Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, (Leon Neal/Pool Photo via AP)AP

And the political interventions carry risk for him. His comments are being watched closely by Tesla investors for signs he could be turning off car buyers who dont agree with his politics.

Tesla is already struggling in Europe, where new registrations for Musks electronic vehicles fell 13% in the first nine months of 2023, according to auto researcher Jato Dynamics. In Germany, Tesla registrations dropped 44%.

Jato senior analyst Felipe Munoz said that Musks outspokenness is rare and risky for the owner of a publicly traded company  though it may pay off in the end.

Europe is going to (the) right, he said, pointing to politicians including Frances Marine Le Pen and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni.

Look at what happened in the U.S. His bet on Trump worked. He is playing the same game in Europe.

Geir Moulson in Berlin; Sylvie Corbet in Paris; Raf Casert in Brussels; Derek Gatopoulos in Athens, Greece; and Bernard Condon in New York contributed to this story.
By Julia Terruso and Jeff Gammage, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS)

Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania is the first Senate Democrat to sign onto a Republican-led bill that would require federal authorities to detain undocumented immigrants arrested for theft-related crimes.

The bill, passed in the House Tuesday, is slated to come up for a Senate vote on Friday. In addition to requiring federal detention of undocumented immigrants who commit theft, it would also allow states to sue the Department of Homeland Security for harm caused to their citizens because of illegal immigration, greatly expanding the authority of state attorneys general.

Lawmakers named the legislation after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student who was murdered while jogging at the University of Georgia. Her convicted killer, Jose Ibarra, had entered the U.S. illegally and had previously been released after an arrest for stealing merchandise from a Walmart. He was sentenced to life without parole in November.

Laken Rileys story is a tragic reminder of whats at stake when our systems fail to protect people, Fetterman said in a joint news release sent by the bills sponsor Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala. No family should have to endure the pain of losing a loved one to preventable violence, Fetterman continued. Immigration is what makes our country great. I support giving authorities the tools to prevent tragedies like this one while we work on comprehensive solutions to our broken system.

A seismic shift

Fettermans support, first reported by Punchbowl News, continues an openness hes displayed for working with Republicans and on Republican-led issues. The bill is backed by every Republican in the Senate. But Fettermans backing also reflects how Democrats are reexamining their stances on immigration, which played a key role in the presidential campaign in Pennsylvania and nationally. While Fetterman is the only listed Democratic cosponsor, Sens. Gary Peters, D-Mich., and Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., indicated they would support the bill in interviews on the Hill on Tuesday.

The bill passed the House on Tuesday with the support of 48 Democrats, including Reps. Brendan Boyle, D- Philadelphia, and Chris Deluzio, who represents a section of Western Pennsylvania outside of Pittsburgh. U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans, D-Philadelphia, did not vote.

To receive a vote in the Senate, Republicans would need at least seven Democrats to support taking up the legislation.

Democrats and immigrant rights groups opposing the bill accused Republicans of using a horrible tragedy for political gain. They called the legislation a violation of due process, noting it would mandate detention for undocumented immigrants, including DACA recipients and those with temporary protected status accused of theft, even if they are not convicted. And the provision that allows states to sue the federal government could represent a seismic shift, in immigration policy, said Nayna Gupta, policy director at the American Immigration Council.

This is the Republican playbook over and over again, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D., Wash.) said on the House floor. Scare people about immigrants, never propose anything that actually solves an outdated and arcane immigration system.

This undated image provided by Augusta University shows Laken Hope Riley.Augusta University via AP

Fetterman has been a staunch advocate for immigrants, particularly Dreamers, who come to the country as minors. His wife Gisele was a so-called Dreamer, who came to the U.S. with her mother and younger brother from Brazil when she was seven. The family, all of them undocumented, lived in a one-room apartment in New York City, a story both Fettermans have told on the campaign trail. In 2004, Gisele received lawful permanent residence, commonly called a green card, and she became a United States citizen in 2009.

While Fetterman has reiterated his support for Dreamers in recent months, hes also called for stronger border security and stricter penalties for undocumented immigrants who commit crimes.

ICE reported tens of thousands of migrants with criminal records  homicide or sexual assault, Fetterman posted on X Tuesday. 425,000 have criminal records in total and should be deported. I support a secure border. I support a legal path for Dreamers. I support the Laken Riley Act.

That number, 425,000, refers to a memo ICE issued this summer and encompasses data going back decades, including people who entered the country 40 years ago and those who are incarcerated in federal, state or local prisons, serving sentences or awaiting trials.

Jasmine Rivera, executive director of the Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition, said Fetterman was turning his back on the immigrant community, by supporting the bill.

We stood with his family in front of a prison for immigrant families. And now hes taking this line? Rivera said, recalling a vigil held outside the migrant detention center in Berks County.

When John Fetterman first ran for Senate  I would hear him say over and over and over again how thankful he was to his wifes parents, Rivera said. Because they chose to come to this country, and they chose to take the risk of being undocumented. And because of them, he was able to meet his wife and have his family. That is what I keep remembering as he has spent the last couple of years completely turning his back on the immigrant community.

How the legislation would change immigration laws

The legislation would change immigration laws to authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to take custody of undocumented people charged with crimes related to theft, including burglary, larceny, and shoplifting. Those detainments could result in deportation. Under current law, an undocumented immigrant who commits two petty crimes could face deportation.

Congress has taken a stricter approach in recent years to crimes that can result in deportation, expanding the list to include more minor infractions. Studies have shown undocumented immigrants commit crimes at far lower rates than U.S.-born citizens.

It violates due process to say someone merely arrested for stealing diapers in a store could be detained with no opportunity for release, said Gupta, from the American Immigration Council, an immigrant advocacy group.

Jose Ibarra listens through an interpreter during his trial at Athens-Clarke County Superior Court on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in Athens, Georgia.Hyosub Shin | Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP, Pool

Under the bill, state attorneys generals could also sue the federal government if an immigrant who enters the United States illegally and is released commits a crime against the state or its residents.

Gupta said those lawsuits could extend to state AGs suing the federal government to stop issuing visas to foreign countries.

Its really just a vehicle for Trumps mass deportation agenda, she said. And a way to target undocumented people and to give anti-immigrant state attorneys general leeway to control what the federal government does.

2025 The Philadelphia Inquirer. Visit inquirer.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pennsylvania) has announced that he will open seven regional offices across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by the end of next week.

He said in a statement that the Harrisburg office opened on Monday and that the other six will be opened by the end of next week.

The address, phone number, scheduled open date, and hours of operation for each of the seven regional offices are listed below.

Constituents can find additional information, including a web contact form to reach McCormick, by visiting www.mccormick.senate.gov.

Here is the list:
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell did not practice on Wednesday while dealing with an illness. Boswell has practiced all year, and this was his first missed practice. The Steelers have not signed a kicker since the news of Boswells illness arose, which signals they expect him to play.

If Boswell could not play, it is unknown exactly who the Steelers would go sign, but the kicker they had with them during training camp, Matthew Wright, is currently a free agent after kicking for the Tennessee Titans last week.

Boswell was named a first-team All-Pro by the NFLPA on Wednesday, sinking 41 of 44 field goal attempts in addition to being a perfect 35 of 35 on extra point attempts.

Boswell is not the only player battling an illness, either. Defensive lineman Cam Heyward has been battling the flu since Saturday. He played through the flu against the Cincinnati Bengals, and both are expected to play against the Baltimore Ravens regardless of the illnesses they have right now.
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end MyCole Pruitt is not trending in the right direction to play against the Baltimore Ravens. Pruitt, who was limited on Tuesday with a knee issue, did not practice on Wednesday. That injury has hampered Pruitt all year.

He first suffered the issue against the Denver Broncos and missed four games. After the bye week, he would miss another game with the ailment, and it now appears that Pruitt could miss another game as he battles the injury.

If Pruitt could not play, the Steelers could turn to Matt Sokol, who is on the practice squad, to be their fourth tight end. On the other hand, if Pruitts inactive and the Steelers feel comfortable with just three tight ends, they could open up the door for someone else that is a gameday inactive, such as an extra defensive lineman.

Pruitts blocking prowess would be missed if he is out, as the Steelers like to use him in their 12 and 13 personnel packages on offense.
The Precious Objects by Van Cleef & Arpels exhibition at its Rue du Rhone boutique in Geneva offers a fascinating glimpse into the Maisons patrimony, showcasing evening bags, vanity cases and cigarette cases that represent decades of creativity and craftsmanship

Museums of decorative arts and design  from the V&A in London and the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris to Berlins Kunstgewerbemuseum  have long served as treasure troves for those with a penchant for jewellery, fashion and accessories; exquisite objects that carry stories of consummate craft and creative vision.

These institutions can offer a tangible connection to societys ever-changing tastes and the skill of artisans who have expertly transformed precious materials into functional works of art.

Now, imagine when a brand opens its own archives. By retracing foundational designs and patrimonial creations, such exhibitions allow visitors to better understand a Maisons modern-day collections. They reveal the enduring codes, design principles and creative techniques that remain as relevant today as they were decades ago. For collectors and connoisseurs, its an opportunity to see legacy in action.

Thats exactly what Van Cleef & Arpels is currently offering at its Rue du Rhone boutique in Geneva. Hosted in the Salon 1906  dedicated to the Maison's itinerant patrimonial exhibitions  and running until the end of March 2025, the Precious Objects by Van Cleef & Arpels exhibition is presenting a dazzling array of the brands archival treasures.

The Salon 1906  Van Cleef & Arpels

Evening bags, vanity cases and cigarette cases  each one evidencing Van Cleef & Arpels savoir-faire  are displayed alongside original product cards and promotional artwork. These are objects that transcend time, where precious materials meet fine mechanics, and elegance finds form thanks to consummate workmanship.

To discover these precious objects firsthand, we visited the boutique to uncover the stories, craftsmanship and enduring appeal behind these iconic pieces.

Evening Bags of the 1920s and 1930s

In the roaring 1920s and the glamorous 1930s, evening clutch bags became an essential accessory for women stepping into a new age of freedom and sophistication. Social changes, fuelled by the Jazz Age and a spirit of liberation, brought with them the desire for accessories that were functional yet still exquisite.

Van Cleef & Arpels catalog featuring a Minaudiere, circa 1933, Product card of a bag clasp, 1926  Van Cleef & Arpels Archives

Van Cleef & Arpels rose to the occasion, creating bags that showcased the artistry of their time. These creations, often in silk or velvet, were embellished with sequins, cabochons or enamel motifs and featured intricate precious metal clasps adorned with diamonds, jade or coloured gemstones.

Evening bag, 1926, platinum, yellow gold, chrysoprase, enamel, velvet, diamonds  Van Cleef & Arpels Collection

In fact, the bag clasps themselves were miniature masterpieces, combining precise mechanics with impeccable style, opening with a delicate click to reveal an equally refined interior.

Cigarette Cases of the 1920s and 1930s

The early 20th century saw cigarette cases become more than just functional objects. By the 1920s and 30s, they were symbols of glamour and refinement, often seen in the hands of stylish men and women attending the most exclusive gatherings. Smoking, at the time, was a social statement as well as an act of quiet indulgence.

Cigarette case, 1933, yellow gold, enamel  Van Cleef & Arpels collection

Naturally, Van Cleef & Arpels turned these cases into objets dart. Crafted from yellow gold and embellished with enamel, these cases evoke the elegance of the Art Deco period.

Cigarette box, enamel binding, 1926  Van Cleef & Arpels Collection

Geometric lines, rich contrasts and exquisite guilloche and gadroon patterns and polishing exemplify the skill and dexterity required to create such pieces. Each case was compact, stylish and had clever design touches, like one from 1926 whose sides resembled the binding on the spine of a luxury book.

The Magic of the Minaudiere

In the 1930s, as womens lives evolved, so too did their accessories. Enter the Minaudiere, an exclusive Van Cleef & Arpels creation patented in 1933.

This vanity case was a response to the growing demand for compact, multifunctional accessories that could accompany women to social gatherings and soirees. A Minaudiere was small yet sophisticated, containing compartments for powder, lipstick, a lighter and a comb.

Minaudiere 1934, yellow gold, styptor, diamonds  Van Cleef & Arpels Collection

Made from styptor, a platinum-like alloy, and complemented by yellow gold and diamonds or sapphires, these cases epitomised the spirit of the modern woman  elegant, practical and poised.

The piece de resistance was a hidden watch, cleverly integrated into the design of the lid, concealed behind a small sapphire-set door. This ingenious touch allowed for the discreet checking of the time, in keeping with the social etiquette of the era.

Minaudiere and its secret watch, 1934, yellow gold, styptor, diamonds  Van Cleef & Arpels Collection

Archival artwork from the 1930s accompanying these creations offers a direct reflection of their design. With clean lines and simple depictions of the Minaudieres features, these graphics provide visitors with a nice snapshot of how these accessories were presented at the time.

Indian-Inspired Bags of the 1960s

The influence of Indian culture on Van Cleef & Arpels creations dates back to the early 20th century, when Indian artistry and materials inspired pieces for clients like Lady Daisy Fellowes.

By the 1960s, this connection deepened as the Arpels family embarked on several trips to India to source exceptional gemstones and explore the countrys rich artistic traditions.

The Maisons Indian-inspired bags of the 1960s reflect this experience. These pochettes, crafted from fine silks, feature intricate embroidery with gold metal threads forming wide hexagonal mesh or quadrilobed motifs, within which stylised flowers bloom.

Sac des Indes, 1964, golden embroidery, rubies, amethyst, citrine, aventurine, quartz, beryl, silk  Collection Van Cleef & Arpels

The designs were further augmented with cabochon gemstones, echoing the aesthetic of traditional Indian jewellery. This thoughtful cross-cultural dialogue enriched Van Cleef & Arpels' design language, resulting in opulent accessories that managed to honour artisanal traditions.

Butterfly Evening Bag of the 1970s

The 1970s marked a return to nature-inspired motifs, and Van Cleef & Arpels captured this spirit with its Butterfly evening bag. Crafted entirely from black velvet, the bag features a central butterfly motif delicately embroidered with gold threads. The butterflys outstretched wings are adorned with cabochons of emeralds, rubies and amethysts.

Evening bag. 1971, golden threads, emeralds, rubies, amethyst, velvet, Collection Van Cleef & Arpels  Sotheby's

Van Cleef & Arpels has a long-standing tradition of incorporating butterfly imagery, dating back over a century, and it is beautifully expressed in this creation.

A Rare Opportunity

For decades, all these pieces have been carefully archived, stored behind closed doors to preserve their splendour. The Precious Objects by Van Cleef & Arpels exhibition at its Rue du Rhone boutique offers a rare opportunity to see them in person, either as an insightful diversion while viewing the brands latest collection or as a standalone cultural experience.

So, if youre in Geneva in the New Year, head on down to the boutique and take an intimate journey through time, style and craftsmanship. For more information, please visit the Van Cleef & Arpels website.

Details:

Precious Objects by Van Cleef & Arpels

Location: Van Cleef & Arpels Boutique, 31 Rue du Rhone, Geneva, Switzerland

Dates: December 2, 2024 to March 29, 2025

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 10:00am to 6:30pm; Saturday, 10:00am to 5:00pm

Free entry without reservation
Supermodel Cindy Crawford's daughter, model Kaia Gerber, broke up with her boyfriend, actor Austin Butler, who is 10 years older. The probable reason was poor communication with her parents, as they had long believed that he was not ready for a serious relationship - he never dared to propose during the 3 years of the affair.

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The TMZ tabloid reports that the lovers broke up at the end of 2024. This is evidenced by the absence of Austin Butler on a New Year's vacation in Mexico with Kaia Gerber's family.

In October, the model's parents allegedly had a serious conversation with their daughter's boyfriend. They were worried about the lack of further development of their relationship.

"Randy (Cindy Crawford's husband - Ed.) and Cindy both love Austin and consider him their family, but in reality, they don't. After three years of relationship with their daughter Kaya, he has shown no signs of wanting to propose an engagement. They don't think for a minute that he's not serious about her, but he's 33 years old, and isn't it time for him to think about settling down?" the insider told the Daily Mail.

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Kaia Gerber and Austin Butler first appeared in public as a couple in December 2021. They officially went public with their relationship only in March 2022, appearing on the red carpet of a party organized by W Magazine. Last year, the actor was also with his beloved on a New Year's vacation in Mexico.

"Austin assured Randy that his intentions were only honest and he needed a little more time. He pointed out to Randy that Kaia is only 23 years old. Randy gently replied that these are the best years of her life," the insider added.

Already in September, the couple's fans felt uneasy, because the model spent her birthday in a company where Butler was not present. And now the absence of the actor next to the model at the New Year's Eve celebration in 2025 confirms the assumption of a breakup.

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Aiken Standard reporter

Dede Biles is a reporter for the Aiken Standard. She covers Aiken County government, business and horse industry.

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Tiffany Tan is a senior reporter at The Post and Courier in Columbia. She covers statewide issues, particularly in the criminal justice system. She previously reported on the courts, the opioid epidemic and regional news in Vermont for VTDigger. She has also worked for newspapers and television outlets in Manila, Beijing, Singapore and South Dakota.
Brandon Roberts is Publisher and Managing Editor of Summerville Communications Inc., which prints The Summerville Journal Scene and The Berkeley Independent.
The legendary American musician Peter Yarrow, who gained fame with Peter, Paul and Mary and at some point went down in US history after being pardoned by then-President Jimmy Carter, passed away at the age of 86. The artist's life was cut short due to a serious illness - bladder cancer.

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According to People magazine, the performer's heart stopped when he was in his home in New York. Shortly before the celebrity's death, his family took to social media and noted that their father's condition was constantly deteriorating.

"As you may know, our beloved father Peter Yarrow has been battling cancer for some time. He has kept his doctors in awe at his resilience as he has continued to perform and live life in his own generous and cause-driven way. It has been a long road and he has been a strong dragon, but right now he is v ery weak and, at 86, his dragon days are numbered. There is Peter Yarrow the folk activist legend, and then there is the man, a deeply compassionate man, who changed the lives of so many people in very personal ways," the artist's relatives wrote.

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Peter Yarrow was born in Manhattan on May 31, 1938. His parents were educated Ukrainian Jews who immigrated to the United States. The musician received his higher education in two institutions: Jagiellonian University (Poland) and I. I. Mechnykov National University (Odesa).

The performer showed first interest in music at school. He was inspired by the work of The Weavers, and eventually came up with the idea of creating his own band. The artist's dreams became a reality when he met his future colleagues Noel Paul Stookey and Mary Travers during a solo performance in a coffee shop. Then they formed their own folk trio, Peter, Paul and Mary.

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The musicians have created many recognizable hits, including "Lemon Tree", "If I Had a Hammer", "Puff, the Magic Dragon", "Day is Done" and many others. Their music has captured the hearts of not only ordinary listeners but also critics, as the band boasts five Grammy Awards.

However, despite their great success, the band broke up in 1970. This was partly due to the fact that Peter Yarrow spent three months in prison after being accused of sexual harassment of an underage girl. Trying to justifying himself, the musician said, "It was an era of real indiscretion and mistakes by categorically male performers. I was one of them. I got nailed. I was wrong. Im sorry for it." Peter Yarrow was supposed to spend about three years in prison, but this term was reduced to three months. On the last day of his presidency, Jimmy Carter pardoned the celebrity. Over time, US newspapers reported that such a decision by the then head of state was roughly a single one in the history of the United States.

Peter Yarrow was also an activist. He took part in demonstrations against the Vietnam War, and, together with the trio Peter, Paul and Mary, he participated in "peace concerts". In 1996, he founded the Save One Child Foundation, which specializes in neurosurgical treatment of children.

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MYRTLE BEACH  She signed the prayer Mom.

Unveiling her pain, the cursive swirls were a prayer left on ruled notebook paper in the three-ring binder beneath a cross at Travelers Chapel in Conway.

Lord, Im at the worst time in my life. I hope I can overcome it. If not Im ready to come home. I hope I can overcome this despair and depression I am feeling that has now overcome my life and thinking abilities, the note stated. Raheem, I love and miss you so much. I dont understand why you had to leave me here. Without you, I am nothing. I love you, son.

Michael Strite reads the notes left in the binder at the chapel. He keeps each page at his Conway home. The pages stack up to nearly 4 feet tall.

"I dont know what Im going to do with them. I cant throw them out. I read them, all of them, and pray for each one, he said sitting in the chapel off U.S. 501 near Coastal Carolina University.

Strite oversees the chapel operations as president of a seven-member volunteer board.

The unassuming, nondenominational chapel has been on a spit of land, about 100 feet wide, across the highway and less than a mile from Coastal since 1972.

About the size of a backyard shed, its probably the smallest church in the state, measuring 12 feet by 24 feet, Strite said.

It was built with the help of churches in Conway by the late Rev. Emory Young and his son, Bruce. The Youngs ran the chapel privately until incorporating and establishing a board of directors in 2012.

Strite has been the board president since the incorporation and the keeper of the notes.

"This place is just filled with the Holy Spirit," he said leaning on his crutch from the first of the six, two-person pews that hold Bibles from The Gideons. I know it will not be closed or the doors locked on my watch."
The wife of British Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, revealed a painful loss in her family. The Duchess of Sussex's favorite dog, a beagle named Guy, passed away.

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She shared the sad news on her Instagram page, publishing a post where she collected the warmest moments with the pet. Meghan Markle admitted that it is very difficult to experience the passing of her four-legged friend, because he was with her in both the happiest and most difficult moments of her life.

"In 2015, I adopted a beagle from a dog shelter in Canada. He was in a shelter where animals are put to sleep in Kentucky and had only a few days to live. I took him in and fell in love with him. They called him "the little guy" because he was so small and fragile, so I called him "Guy". If you followed me on instagram back in the day, you saw a lot of him - and on The Tig too. He was with me at Suits, when I got engaged, (and then married), when I became a mom.he was with me for everything: the quiet, the chaos, the calm, the comfort," wrote the Duchess of Sussex.

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Meghan Markle shared that shortly before she moved to the UK, Guy had a terrible accident. The dog underwent many complicated surgeries and spent several months in a veterinary clinic. Back then, she and her husband used to go to the clinic late at night after work to spend some time with their four-legged friend.

Prince Harry's wife recalled that some doctors told her that the animal would never walk again. Fortunately, however, there were experts who were able to completely cure Guy.

"I have cried too many tears to count - the type of tears that make you get in the shower with the absurd hope that the running water on your face will somehow make you not feel them, or pretend theyre not there. But they are. And thats okay too," Meghan Markle added.

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Oleksandra Shulgina, the winner of the first season of the romantic reality show The Bachelor, found herself in the midst of a massive fire that has engulfed parts of the western regions of Los Angeles. The blogger and her family had to evacuate their home, as they live near areas that have already been severely affected by the fire.

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The fitness trainer wrote about the terrible events on her Instagram page. The woman noted that the most important thing for her now is that everyone stay alive.

On social media, Oleksandra Shulgina showed that her day had started absolutely normally. She drove her daughter to school, but was forced to pick up her heiress a few hours later. The administration of the school sent a message to the parents stating: "Due to smoky air and unfavorable weather conditions, we have decided to close the school for the rest of the day. Please make your way to school safely to pick up your children as soon as possible."

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As the blogger noted, the fire cannot be extinguished because the strong winds in the city do not subside. The fitness trainer's family home is located only 10 minutes from the fire's epicenter, so they had to quickly pack up and wait to see if the evacuation of their neighborhood would be announced.

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"The fires cannot be stopped, they have moved on. The wind will be strong for another day. I have never felt such horror before. The school of my son's Superman (as Shulgina calls her American husband) has burned down, friends' houses, parks, shops, cars, and people who did not have time to evacuate are burning. I pray that everyone will survive. We'll get our things, we'll earn them, we'll buy them. Thank you for your messages, we are safe," the blogger wrote.

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Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has lamented that criminals have hijacked the agitation for Biafras independence from Nigeria.

Biafra is often used by some separatist groups to refer to the South-east and some parts of South-south Nigeria.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is among the groups leading the agitation.

In a statement on Tuesday from Law Mefor, the Anambra commissioner for information, Mr Soludo said he was deeply concerned about the hijack of the Biafra agitation by criminals.

These individuals have turned the agitation into a lucrative enterprise, engaging in kidnapping, robbery, ritual killings, and other heinous crimes for ransom.

This development has not only undermined the legitimacy of the Biafra agitation but has also posed a significant threat to the security and stability of the South-east region, the governor said.

He said the hijack of the Biafra agitation has caused a surge in violent crimes in the South-east, including kidnapping, robbery, and ritual killings.

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These crimes have not only claimed lives but have also caused widespread fear and insecurity among the population.

Furthermore, the hijack has undermined the economic development of the region, as investors are reluctant to invest in an environment characterised by violence and insecurity, Mr Soludo said.

Tackling insecurity in South-east

Mr Soludo said that to address the growing insecurity in the southeast, particularly in Anambra State, his administration would set up Operation Udo Ga Achi this month.

The governor said the security initiative would integrate advanced surveillance technology, deployment of branded vehicles for stop-and-search activities, and training of forest guards to work with vigilantes and local authorities.

Operation Udo Ga-Achi is designed to restore peace and stability in the Southeast, and Governor Soludo is committed to ensuring its success, he said.

Im not opposed to Nnamdi Kanus release.

Mr Soludo refuted allegations that he had been reluctant towards the quest for Mr Kanus release.

Mr Kanu, facing terrorism charges, has been in detention since he was repatriated to Nigeria from Kenya in June 2021 under controversial circumstances.

The governor, who described the allegation as misinformation, accused his political opponents of being responsible for the allegation to tarnish his image.

Contrary to the false claims, Governor Soludo has been actively working towards Nnamdi Kanus release, as he hopes that Nnamdi Kanus release will help restore peace and stability in the South-east, he said.

Mr Soludo said he has demonstrated commitment to the release of Mr Kanu, recalling his visit of the IPOB leader at the facility of the State Security Service in 2022 and failed request for his bail.

The governor stressed that his efforts underscore his willingness to facilitate Kanus release and his commitment to finding a peaceful resolution to the issues surrounding Kanus detention.

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Gunmen have abducted two Catholic nuns in Anambra State, South-east Nigeria.

The incident happened on Tuesday evening along Ufuma Road in Orumba North Local Government Area of the state.

The police spokesperson in Anambra State, Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

Mr Ikenga, a superintendent of police, said the nuns were abducted while returning from a vocational service meeting in Ogboji Area of the state.

Police-led Joint Operation is already ongoing for the possible rescue of (the) two Catholic nuns, he said.

The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Nnaghe Obono, visited the scene of the incident alongside the state deputy commissioner of police in charge of operations, Mr Ikenga said.

Mr Obono said the State Police Command was already working with some clues to track down the abductors and rescue the victims.

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Abduction for ransom

Like other states in the South-east, cases of abduction-for-ransom in Anambra State have increased in recent times.

Civil servants, business owners, politicians and even students have become targets of such attacks in the state lately.

The latest incident occurred two weeks after gunmen abducted a member of the State House of Assembly, Justice Azuka, on Christmas Eve.

Mr Azuka, who represents Onitsha North Constituency I, is yet to be released as of the time of this report.

Earlier in December, a retired Anglican Bishop of Nnewi, Godwin Okpala, was declared missing alongside his driver.

Mr Okpala, a professor and his driver were said to have been abducted by unknown assailants.

They were only released from captivity after nearly one month.

Meanwhile, no group has claimed responsibility for the latest abduction of the two Catholic nuns, although, a separatist group, IPOB, has been blamed for the frequent attacks in the region.

IPOB is seeking the secession of south-east and some parts of south-south from Nigeria.

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An aide of Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has died a day after his appointment.

Mr Yusuf announced Ahmad Ishaqs appointment as special adviser on works on Monday, but the new aide died on Tuesday in Egypt.

The governors spokesperson, Sanusi Bature, announced the shocking transition in a statement.

Mr Buture said Governor Yusuf described the death of Mr Ishaq as a tragic and an irreparable loss to Kano State, his family, and the wider political community.

He prayed for Allahs mercy on the deceased and strength for his family to bear the painful loss.

This is a heartbreaking moment for us as a government. Engr. Ahmad Ishaq Bunkure was a dedicated professional whose expertise and contributions were expected to drive our administrations vision for development. His loss is deeply felt, the statement stated.

The appointment of Mr Ishaq was announced while he was on treatment in an Egyptian hospital.

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The governor on Monday said the appointment signalled his administrations renewed focus on infrastructure development.

He added that the appointment underscored his commitment to assembling a competent team to drive the states development agenda.

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After fleeing from the terror of bandits in their hometown of Masgaba in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State, the family of Ilyasu, itinerant Almajiri students and their teachers now face suspicion from other residents in an Abuja community that has accommodated them for about 10 years.

This followed a tragic explosion at an Islamic school in Kuchibuyi in the Bwari Area Council of Abuja.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) killed two people and injured two others at Tsangayar Sani Uthman Islamic school in Kuchibuyi.

A police first information report obtained by our reporter revealed that three people from Katsina had visited the owner of the school, Adamu Ashimu. According to the report, the visitors came with the explosives.

Two of them died in the explosion, the police stated, adding that the other person was critically injured and hospitalised.

The police have also arrested Mr Ashimu, the owner of the Islamic school, saying he would be interrogated immediately and the outcome would be forwarded.

After receiving a report about the incident, the divisional police officer in Byazhin mobilised officers, including the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit, to the scene.

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The FCT Bomb Squad recovered the remnants of the explosive device, confirming that it was an IED, the FCT police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said in a statement.

Although no group has claimed responsibility for the explosion in the Nigerian capital, different armed groups, including some linked to the Islamic State operating in northern Nigeria, use heavy artillery, including IEDs.

The police have cleared off the remnants of the IED, but the blood-stained sandals of the students and perforations caused by the explosive device left on the schools building paint a picture of the disastrous incident.

A witness and resident of the community, Faith Modupe, said more people would have been affected had the almajiri boys gathered in their large numbers the way they used to.

Thank God they are not many. It was just a few people that were there, she said.

Double suffering for family

For more than eight years, the family of Ilyasu had lived peacefully with their neighbours in Kuchibuyi. Mr Ilyasus brother, Lawal, had settled in the community two years earlier.

After they were forcefully evicted from their village, locals from Masgaba moved to Yer Goje, a neighbouring village. But their new destination was also not a haven, forcing people like Mr Ilyasu and his brothers to move down to Kuchibuyi.

Even though the IED incident left a tale of terror on them, the displaced family of Ilyasu and the almajiri school will now have to cope with suspicion from their neighbours, most of whom are Gbagyi, a dominant tribe in rural Abuja communities.

Mr Ilyasus 13-year-old daughter was also a victim of the incident. The explosive device detonated near her, shattering a transparent plastic bucket she was using to sell awara, a local soybean cake. She sustained injuries to her left leg and right arm.

The girl, according to Salamatu, the wife of Mr Ilyasus brother, Mr Lawal, said she saw the explosive device before it sent a trembling sound across the Kuchibuyi community.

She told me that the boys were toying with something like a bottle, Mrs Lawal who was with the girl when PREMIUM TIMES visited her in Kubwa General Hospital said. They dropped the substance close to her bucket before it blew up.

Mrs Salamatus words were corroborated by witnesses and residents of Kuchibuyi. Multiple sources in the community explained that the substance was emitting smoke before the boys dropped it on the corridor of their two-block classroom where it went off, killing one of them instantly and injuring others, including the girl.

One of those injured later died in Kubwa General Hospital. A source in the facility who was not authorised to grant a press interview revealed that the deceaseds hand was severed by the explosive before they were brought here.

The other injured almajiri boy was undergoing medical treatment at Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital, Abuja.

The girls mother, Murja Ilyasu, recounted how her daughter went from hawking to being injured and hospitalised.

She was about to go and sell her awara when an almajiri boy came to call her, she said. The boys whom she described as her relatives sent for her because they wanted to buy awara.

The next thing Mrs Ilyasu heard was an explosion that would injure her daughter and kill her almajiri relatives, including her brothers 22-year-old son, Harisu. The other almajiri who lost his life was Abdulmajid, a nine-year-old boy.

We were inside the house when we heard the explosion, Mrs Ilyasu continued. I then saw her running into the next compound [opposite the almajirai school]. I also saw a boy running after her, but I didnt know that something had happened to her.

When Mrs Ilyasu stepped out to see what was happening, she was met with agonising cries of her daughter and the lifeless bodies of her relatives.

A familys plight

While the family of Ilyasu mourn their children, they are entangled in another misery with the police.

According to family sources, the police are not only holding Mr Ashimu, the owner of the Islamic school, but they are also restricting us from burying our children.

While Mr Ashimu may be released after interrogation by the police, the family has been told to go and await the decision of the FCT police commissioner before the bodies of their children could be released to them for burial.

The fathers of the deceased boys, Ibrahim Isah and Lawali Ahmed, told PREMIUM TIMES that they have been restless since the incident happened on Monday. Both of them travelled from Kastina to Abuja on Monday after their sons were announced dead to them by phone.

We left Kastina at 2 p.m. yesterday and we arrived in Abuja around 11 p.m., Mr Isah, the father of nine-year-old Abdulmajid, told PREMIUM TIMES. We slept on our feet in the hospital and our children were not released for burial according to Islamic rites.

Mr Ahmed said his 22-year-old Harisu died in search of Quranic knowledge. He hopes to bury him as soon as he can.

Who brought the explosive device?

This is the question begging for an answer and also at the centre of the police investigation. However, residents of Kuchibuyi believe the almajiri brought in the explosives from Katsina. The police also mentioned this in their statement.

The police said the deceased boys and the other one hospitalised at Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital came with the explosives three days before the incident, a claim the family of Ilyasu found so weighty on their children.

Although the family admitted that their children came three days before the incident, they disputed claims of intending to inflict terror on the community, asking our reporter to inquire about their peaceful conduct in the previous years of living with their neighbours.

A family source who asked not to be named said the Almajiri students and their teacher, Mr Ashimu, came from Kastina on 3 January for Quranic studies.

The incident happened around 11 a.m. after they finished their morning studies, he said, adding Mallam Ashimu and other students had left the school premises before it happened.

Mr Ashimu is not the only teacher in the school, PREMIUM TIMES gathered.

He is the younger brother of Mallam Idris who left with his students during the last rainy season, another family source said. They do come after farming season and go back [for farming] when it starts to rain.

But instead of Mr Idris, his younger brother, Mr Ashimu who is now in police custody returned with his students, a source in the palace who pleaded anonymity said, suspecting that Mr Ashimu may have pulled the stunt.

But there is no evidence substantiating this.

However, Mr Dauda, the head of Kuchibuyi, has vowed to end the almajiri system in his community in an attempt to prevent similar scenarios in the future.

Kuchibuyi

Between 2019 and 2023, Kuchibuyi experienced violent kidnappings and killings.

In 2022, the traditional chief of Kuchibuyi, Isiaka Dauda, was kidnapped by terrorists in his private residence, the monarch disclosed this during an interview with journalists in his palace on 7 January.

The following year, two residents of the community were also kidnapped. One of them simply identified as Austin died a few weeks after his family paid N11 million to set him free. The other victim, Wale, a first-class graduate, was killed by his abductors.

This was despite the presence of local vigilantes in the community. But the head of Kuchibuyi praised the vigilantes, saying they were able to scare away the bandits.

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As Femi Olaleye exited the Special Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Lagos on 24 October, 2023, his dark glasses and face mask concealed his emotions and shielded him against the prying eyes of the onlookers.

Mr Olaleye, who was putting on a white attire had just received a life sentence for rape and sexual assault by penetration.

Femi Olaleye, I have convicted you of defilement and sexual assault by penetration. This charge has a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. Accordingly, I sentenced you to life imprisonment on counts one and two. The sentencing will run concurrently on each count, the judge, Ramon Oshodi, had ruled.

As though unbothered, he rubbed his palms held in handcuffs against each other, while looking straight ahead as three officers from the Nigeria Correctional Centre led him away.

Following his sentencing, Mr Olaleye, who is the medical director of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation spent only one year behind bars. On 29 November, 2024 the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, discharged and acquitted him, citing errors in the lower courts judgement.

The decision to set aside the trial courts decision was taken by three judges  Jimi Bada, Abdu Dogo and Zainab Abubakar.

Olaleyes Ordeal

Mr Olaleyes ordeal began in 2022 when popular Nollywood actresses Kate Henshaw and Damilola Adekoya accused him of raping a minor under his care.

The then 56-year-old was arraigned on 30 November, 2022 and pleaded not guilty to the allegations against him.

During the trial, the judge granted Mr Olaleye bail set at N50 million with two sureties which were later reviewed downward.

The prosecution subsequently called six witnesses  the minor , the defendants wife , a doctor and child forensic interviewer, both of whom examined the minor as well as two police officers.

Mr Olaleye testified in his defence, alongside his friend of over 40 years as well as his clinical forensic physician who faulted the medical evidence presented by the prosecution.

Proof of rape, sexual assault

In any rape case, age is a critical factor. The Nigerian law states that to establish the offence of rape, the child must be proven to be underaged, the accused person must have had sexual relations with the minor and the consent of the child is immaterial.

For the offence of sexual assault by penetration, it must be demonstrated that penetration occurred, whether into the anus, vagina, mouth, or any other bodily opening, using any part of the accuseds body or another object.

Furthermore, there must be clear evidence that this act was performed without the victims consent.

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The offences must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

Reasons why Femi Olaleye was freed

The Court of Appeal set aside the trial courts judgment because it failed to adequately prove the victims age.

The trial court relied on the prosecution witness testimony to establish the victims age; however, none of them witnessed her birth, and there was no document to substantiate her birth age.

The judge, Jimi Bada, emphasised that the failure of the lower court to set up an inquiry to determine her age created doubt which ultimately benefited the appellant.

Also, the judge criticised the trial court for convicting the appellant on three pieces of evidence tagged H, H1 and H2 which were obtained under duress. The exhibits included emails, WhatsApp exchanges between the appellant and his estranged wife and written undertakings.

The exhibit classified as H is the appellants extra-judicial statement at the Anthony police division made on 29 November 2021. Exhibit H1 is the print-out of e-mails and WhatsApp messages between the appellant and his wife, Aderemi Olaleye while H2 are hand-written and typed undertaking dated 3 and 5 December 2021.

The court said that the trial court made the matter worse by relying on exhibits H and H2 in convicting Mr Olaleye despite acknowledging that the former was written under duress six days after detention.

The court noted that a trial within a trial should have been conducted to investigate how the statements were obtained, including the alleged incident where the defendants lawyer was chased away by the DPO.

Meanwhile, the court also found the email and WhatsApp exchanges (Exhibit H1) to be unreliable because the applicant had claimed he left his phone at home when he went to the police station and his wife confirmed this and admitted to having access to his phone while he was away.

However, theres no evidence that she returned the phone to him before the alleged emails and messages were sent. The appeal court ruled that undoubtedly, there is a possibility and real likelihood that the exhibits were deliberately created at the time the appellants wife had access to them and as such inference will not be out of place.

This creates a severe doubt and the law is settled beyond cavil that all doubts are resolved in favour of a defendant, Mr Bada said.

The court reiterated that when theres doubt, the benefit of the doubt must be given to the defendant.

The court also evaluated the testimonies of all six prosecution witnesses to check whether the testimonies relied upon by the lower court to convict the appellant were credible, cogent and reliable.

It arrived at its conclusion after it found some inconsistencies in the statements and testimonies of some of the witnesses including the appellants wife and the victim.

The court also faulted the prosecution for failing to call two key witnesses including the DPO of the police division to testify in court.

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The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is set to recommence work on the 3.65-kilometre Borokiri-Okrika Road and three bridges project, which has been abandoned since 2012, an official said.

Boma Iyaye, NDDCs executive director of Finance and Administration, announced this during an interactive forum with some stakeholders of the project on Tuesday in Port Harcourt.

He explained that the project would link Kolabi, Abatoru, Okpoka, and other coastal communities to the Port Harcourt metropolis.

This 3.65-kilometre Borokiri-Okrika Road and three bridges project was initiated by previous NDDC administrations in 2012.

Mobilisation fees were paid, and work began, but regrettably, the project was stalled for many years, Mr Iyayi stated.

He noted that the project is one of the priority projects earmarked for completion under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

This project has been included in the 2024 NDDC budget, and now is the time to restart it.

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We organised this interactive session to inform the real owners of the project that contractors will soon return to the site to resume work on the project, he added.

Mr Iyayi highlighted that, upon completion, the project would reduce travel time, enhance local trade, and significantly improve coastal communities access to essential services.

He assured stakeholders that the road and bridges would be completed within the planned timeframe and urged residents to cooperate with the projects contractor.

The Amayanabo of Kirike Kingdom, Okrika, Tamuno-Omisiki Opuiyo, commended the NDDC management for its plan to recommence the project and assured the support of the Okrika people.

We must not let our political differences hinder development. However, we appeal to the commission to engage a reliable and capable contractor to ensure the projects timely completion, he urged.

Samson Parker, an indigene of Okrika and former commissioner for health in Rivers State, expressed gratitude to Mr Tinubu and the NDDC board and management for reviving the road and bridges project.

This project embodies a vision that will serve as a catalyst for the socio-economic revitalisation of the communities.

Let us support President Tinubus Renewed Hope Agenda, which the NDDC, under the leadership of Dr Samuel Ogbuku, is actively working to implement, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that traditional rulers, women and youth group representatives, and Community Development Committees from Okrika, Ogu/Bolo, and Port Harcourt attended the meeting.

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The police in Delta State have apprehended a female self-kidnapped suspect and her accomplice in Asaba.

Bright Edafe, the police spokesperson in Delta, disclosed this to reporters on Wednesday in Warri.

Mr Edafe, a superintendent of police, said the suspects were arrested on Monday by the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber-Crime Squad led by Labe Joseph, a chief superintendent of police, following an intelligence-led investigation.

He said the police operatives embarked on the investigation following a directive by the Commissioner of Police in Delta, Olufemi Abaniwonda.

Mr Edafe added that N2 million was recovered from the suspects.

On 2 January 2025, the command received a complaint from one Mrs Oliko Joy that her daughter Princess left the house on 30 December 2024 and did not return.

That on 31 December, the parents received a call that their daughter had been kidnapped, and they demanded a ransom of N2 million.

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The Commissioner of Police immediately directed the commands special Anti-kidnapping and cyber-crime squad to ensure that the victim is rescued unhurt and the suspect arrested.

Following the directive, the operatives embarked on an intelligence-led investigation and arrested one Prince Atigbi after collecting a ransom of N2 million, he said.

Mr Edafe quoted Mr Atigbi to have said that he was not a kidnapper but only acted according to the directive of his girlfriend, Princess.

The police spokesperson said Princess, during her arrest and interrogation, admitted that she faked her kidnap to get money from her parents.

Mr Edafe said the two suspects are in police custody, and the ransom has been recovered. He said the police are investigating the case.

(NAN)

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The House of Representatives is set to adopt stringent measures in reviewing the 2025 budget, with ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) failing to meet set standards at risk of losing funding.

This was disclosed by the Deputy Spokesperson of the House, Philip Agbese, on Tuesday while speaking with journalists.

On 18 December, President Bola Tinubu presented a 49.74 trillion budget proposal to a joint session of the National Assembly.

The budget was subsequently passed for a second reading by in the House and the Senate.

While the majority of lawmakers are still on holiday, the Committee on Appropriations has commenced work on the proposal.

On Monday, the committee met with other standing committees to agree on the modalities for passing the bill.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Abubakar Bichi, held discussions with other committee chairmen as the defence of budget estimates commenced with the MDAs on Tuesday.

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Speaking on the new parameters, Mr Agbese said MDAs must demonstrate the implementation of the 2024 budget and outline their plans for the proposed budget. He added that the committees will be guided by these presentations.

The leadership, through the committee, has set a very rigorous template that MDAs must meet before we approve any estimates.

MDAs must show how much they have complied with the due process of law in implementing the previous budget, convince lawmakers about their understanding of the presidents vision in their areas of responsibility, and justify their capacity to spend Nigerian taxpayers money.

Agencies that fail to meet our parameters as a parliament will have no allocation for capital projects in 2025. This is exactly why we are voted in by Nigerians, he said.

Mr Agbese added that the House has identified critical sectors for intervention, including health, education, job creation, and the empowerment of youths and women.

As a House, we have no other interest apart from our collective national interest. All we are interested in is the good of our country and fellow Nigerians. So, as we embark on this important exercise, we will look at critical sectors of the economy capable of stimulating economic growth and act accordingly, he said.

Reps set timeline to conclude budget defence  Bichi

Meanwhile, Mr Bichi has said the House will conclude the budget defence exercise by 17 January, with the report scheduled for consideration by 31 January.

From tomorrow to the 17th, we are going to conduct our budget defence, and we will likely harmonise on the 22nd. God willing, by the 31st, we are going to lay our reports.

ALSO READ: Senate may pass 2025 budget on 31 January

We are going to study the budget. All our committees will study the budget. I believe the budget is for Nigerians, for our development  infrastructure and other important things. And I am sure Nigerians will be happy with it, Mr Bichi said.

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The leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Kim Jong Un, who openly declares "full support" for Russia's bloody war against Ukraine, celebrates his birthday today, January 8. It is unclear how old the dictator is, as his actual date of birth remains unknown.

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The politician leads a private life, to say the least, but there are still some interesting details about his biography thanks to his relatives or people who once knew him personally. OBOZ.UA will tell you little-known facts about the DPRK dictator.

Date of birth

It is quite difficult to say exactly how old the dictator is. According to North Korean authorities and media, he was born in 1982. However, this date differs from the information provided by members of South Korean intelligence. They believe that the dictator was born in 1993. According to the US government, Kim Jong Un was born in 1994. By the way, the latter date was confirmed by the DPRK leader's aunt, Ko Yong Suk, who moved to the United States a long time ago.

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Childhood

The behavior and attitude to power that Kim Jong Un demonstrates as an adult is hardly a surprise to people who knew about his upbringing and childhood. As noted by journalist Anna Fifield, author of the book "The Great Successor: The Secret Rise and Rule of Kim Jong Un," the dictator "rose to the position of leader at a very young age." According to the politician's aunt, when he was only 6 years old, he and his brother Kim Jong Chol were waiting for the return of his father, Kim Jong Il, in military uniform.

"They were dressed in child-sized military uniforms, olive green suits complete with gold buttons and red piping. They had moon-shaped hats on their heads and gold stars on their shoulders. They were little generals.. When their father entered the room, they stood to attention and saluted him, serious expressions on their chubby faces. Kim Jong Il was delighted," the politician's relative recalled.

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It is worth noting, however, that despite the fact that Kim Jong Un's childhood took place during the most difficult period for North Korea, the 1990s famine, he did not feel it at all. The fact is that his family enjoyed luxurious conditions in a special gated community in Wonsan. They had no shortage of food and things, and moreover, the children had free access to the then-new Super Mario video game and Sony TVs.

"There was every kind of four-wheeled toy imaginable, but Kim Jong Un also had a real vehicle and a real gun: a car his father had had specially modified so the little boy could drive it at age seven. He also had a Colt .45 pistol that he wore on his hip when he was eleven. The houses had large, soundproofed cinemas with wood paneling to improve the acoustics and a black velvet curtain that would open when the lights went down," the book says.

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The dictator was fascinated by technology since childhood. He even decided to graduate from a flight school and get a pilot's license. Interestingly, Kim Jong Un and his older brother received their higher education in Switzerland.

Family

Although little is known about the DPRK leader himself and his family members, in 2017, shocking news appeared online stating the dictator's half-brother, Kim Jong Nam, was killed in Malaysia. The man was attacked at the Kuala Lumpur airport. According to South Korea's broadcaster, he was poisoned by two women believed to be North Korean agents.

Kim Jong Nam was the eldest son of Kim Jong Il, so he was considered a likely successor to the then leader of the state. However, at some point, the man fell out of favor, and Kim Jong Un took over.

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There is also information about the dictator's younger sister, Kim Yo Jong. She rarely appears in public, but according to numerous rumors, she is the "brain" behind her brother's political image. In 2014, the woman became the vice director of the party's propaganda and agitation department. She used her high position to form a cult of personality around her relative.

Policy

After Kim Jong Il died of a massive heart attack in 2011, power passed into the hands of his son, Kim Jong Un. He quickly got used to his new position and carried out a large-scale "purge" in the state. The politician executed many people who were suspected of challenging him or his authority as the leader of the DPRK.

Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Not less than 19 persons have been arrested by the police in connection with the killing of four persons in Mondays cult clash in Owo, Ondo State

The newly deployed Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, gave a hint during Tuesdays assessment visit to the ancient town.

The clash was reported to have been triggered by two opposing cult groups in the town, and attempts at reprisals heightened the spate of fighting.

A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, on Tuesday said Mr Afolabi paid an unscheduled visit to Owo to carry out an on-the-spot assessment of the recent cult-related crisis that claimed four lives.

She said the Commissioner of Police, who just assumed duty, was immediately confronted with the crisis and has pledged to make combating crime and social vices in the state a top priority.

So far, 19 suspects have been arrested in connection with the crisis, she said.

Investigations are ongoing to determine their level of involvement in the incident.

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The spokesperson said that Mr Afolabi warned miscreants and potential criminals to stay away from the state, emphasising the commands resolve to rid Ondo State of all crime and criminality.

The clash claimed the life of a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Owo Local Government, Fisayo Oladipo, and three others.

It was gathered that the ugly event was said to have occurred at around 2:00 a.m. on Monday when the gunmen stormed Mr Oladipos house in Owo and killed him.

Mr Oladipo, popularly called Fissey Ehin Ogbe, was a former youth leader of the APC and a prominent member of the party in Owo local government.

To forestall further violence, the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has since imposed a 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew on the town.

The new CP takes over from Abayomi Oladipo, who has since been redeployed.

About the new CP

Mr Afolabi graduated from the University of Ilorin, where he earned a B.Sc. degree in Botany. He then attended the University of Port Harcourt for his PGD and MSc degrees in Peace and Security Studies.

He enlisted in the Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police on 18 May 1992 and was trained at the Police Academy Kaduna.

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The Police Command in Ogun State has raised concerns over a significant increase in reports of missing persons.

Omolola Odutola, the commands spokesperson, disclosed this in a statement in Abeokuta on Tuesday.

She explained that the command had noticed an unprecedented rise in the number of missing persons across all age groups.

Ms Odutola, a chief superintendent of police, noted that only a tiny fraction of the individuals had been found, with many regrettably not returning home.

The police spokesperson urged residents to remain vigilant and more security-conscious while prioritising their safety.

She added that, as a proactive and community-oriented force, the command was committed to raising public awareness about this concerning trend.

We encourage everyone to prioritise their safety by maintaining a heightened sense of security to avoid becoming victims.

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The Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, has outlined essential measures and guidelines to keep residents informed about the most pressing issues.

Based on insights from individuals who were rescued, the Commissioner advises parents not to allow their children to use commercial transportation services with strangers.

Additionally, he encourages restless youth to activate the digital communication and sharing features on their mobile devices, especially when travelling or in moments of distress, Ms Odutola said.

Ms Odutola further emphasised that the public could contact the police control room at 09164859299 and the Police Public Relations Department at 09159578888 for assistance.

NAN

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A Federal High Court in Abuja has made an order of interim freezing and forfeiture of over N228.4 million linked to former Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State to the federal government on allegations of money laundering.

Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on an ex-parte motion moved by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)s lawyer, Fadila Yusuf, also directed the EFCC to make publication of the order on its website and Daily Trust Newspaper.

According to Mr Nwites order, interested parties should show cause within 14 days of the publication of the order.

The judge adjourned the matter until 3 February for a report of compliance.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Mr Orji also served as a two-term senator representing Abia Central District before retiring from active politics.

The anti-graft agency had, in the motion, ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/03/V/2025, brought the suit under Section 44(2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

The motion dated 30 December 2024 and filed on 2 January by Ms Yusuf was also brought under the courts inherent jurisdiction.

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The orders EFCC sought from the court

The lawyer sought an order granting an interim freezing and forfeiture of N228, 497, 773. 12 domiciled with Keystone Bank set out in the schedule attached to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

She also sought an order authorising the commission to make publication of interim freezing/forfeiture order made by this honourable court on the EFCC website and Daily Trust Newspaper and the interested parties to show cause within 14 days of the publication of the order.

In her five-ground argument, the lawyer said the money described in the schedule was the subject matter of investigation by the EFCC and found in the possession of Effdee Nigeria Ltd.

She said it was reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

Effdee Nigeria Ltd is alleged to have conspired with others to defraud Abia State Government to wit: conspiracy, abuse of office, obtaining money by false pretence, money laundering and diversion of public funds.

Effdee Nigeria Ltd, in whose possession the monies were found, is reasonably suspected to have conspired with Senator Theodore Ahamefule Orji, the former Governor of Abia State, some officials in the former governors administration and his family members, she said.

Ms Yusuf said EFCC was investigating them for the allegations following an intelligence report received by the commission against Mr Orji.

According to her, preserving the money pending investigation and or prosecution is necessary.

Background

Tahir Ahmed, an EFCC litigation officer, said that between 2016 and 2017, the commission sometimes received an intelligence report against Mr Orji, some officials in his administration, and his family members.

He averred that Effdee Nigeria Limited, a sewage and waste disposal entity, was used by the former governor, some officials in his administration, and his family members to divert and launder Abia State Government funds while Mr Orji was in office.

The company was used to siphon funds and divert monies with the help of some officials of Keystone Bank,

The Intelligence report was assigned to the Economic Governance Section of the commission for investigation, he said.

He said the team commenced an investigation into the case, which led to the arrest of Austin Akuma, the divisional head of Keystone Bank Pic in Umuahia. He said Mr Akuma was discovered to be the middleman between the contractor (Effdee Nigeria Limited) and Erondu Uchenna Erondu, the former governors special adviser, general duties.

He alleged that the banker, in a statement made upon words of caution at the EFCC office, stated that it was agreed between himself (Akuma) and Erondu that the contractors company, Effdee Nigeria Limited, would be used to receive funds from Abia State Government accounts.

Thereafter, the contractor would distribute these monies to several accounts of specific customers of the bank to be provided by the banker, after which these various customers would withdraw cash and return same to the banker who in turn takes the cash to the Special Adviser in the Government House, he alleged, attaching the statements made as Exhibit EFCC 1.

According to him, letters of investigation activities were also written to Keystone Bank, and analysis of the statement of Effdee Nigeria Limiteds account revealed substantial inflow from various agencies in the Abia State Government, leaving a balance of N228 497 773.12.

Mr Ahmed, however, said that the investigation was still ongoing regarding the allegations received against the suspects.

He said the rest needed to be preserved to prevent the dissipation of the money pending the conclusion of the investigation and the conclusion of the multifarious criminal complaints and ongoing investigations pertaining to the suspects.

After Mr Yusuf moved the motion, Mr Nwite, who said the application was meritorious, granted the prayers.

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Ahead of its 55th convocation ceremony, the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, has announced Damilare Adebakin and Samuel Badekale, both from the Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, as the best-graduating students with a perfect Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 5.0.

They are closely followed by Olamide Emida, a student from the Department of Accounting, who achieved a 4.95 CGPA.

The Vice-Chancellor, Folasade Ogunsola, disclosed this on Wednesday at the convocation press conference at the universitys senate chamber.

Mrs Ogunsola, a professor of medical microbiology, said the total number of graduating students is 16,409.

She said 9,684 will receive first degrees and diplomas, 6,659 will be awarded postgraduate degrees, and 66 will graduate from the UNILAG Business School.

She noted that three individuals would be conferred with honorary degrees: Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO); Fola Adeola, co-founder of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank Plc), and Kolawole Adesina, the group managing director (GMD) of Sahara Power Group.

The convocation lecture titled Universities as Hubs for Development and Wealth Creation will be chaired by former Governor of Lagos State and former Minister of Works, Babajide Fashola, and delivered by the CEO of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), Tayo Aduloju.

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Giving a breakdown of the results, Mrs Ogunsola said out of the 16,409 graduands, 561 will be awarded first-class degrees and distinctions, 3,916 will be awarded second-class upper, 3,763 with second-class lower, 1,143 with third-class, and 78 pass degrees.

She noted that 223 are unclassified Pharmacy, Basic and Clinical Sciences degrees.

She added that the Faculty of Management Sciences recorded the highest number of first-class graduates with 125, followed by the Faculties of Sciences and Engineering with 121 and 61, respectively.

Of the 6,659 postgraduate degrees, the VC said there are 513 graduates with a postgraduate diploma, 5,933 are graduating with Masters and 213 with PhD.

She noted that the overall best PhD thesis award goes to Adetoun Akintoye with a PhD in chemistry, while the best PhD in humanities goes to Eniola Ladipo.

Convocation details

The convocation ceremonies will commence on 10 January with a Jumat service and an exhibition of innovation and end on 19 January with a thanksgiving service.

Mrs Ogunsola said it will also feature the commissioning of three projects by the Pro-Chancellor, Wole Olanipekun.

The projects are the Centre for Herbal Medicine, Drug Recovery and Development, Biomedical Toxicology, Regulatory Science and Pharmacovigilance Analytical Laboratory (ACEDHARS Building), supported by the World Bank.

We are also commissioning the new 120-bed space Moremi Hall extension and, finally, the new ultra-modern learning commons, an extension of our library services which speaks to our student-centred services and provides an environment for teamwork, creative engagement, research-collaboration, and knowledge co-creation, she said.

The ceremonies will also feature a groundbreaking ceremony for the School of Postgraduate Studies building donated by Tunde Fanimokun to commemorate his 80th Birthday.

This is a dream come true. The building was first conceptualised in 2014, but we were unable to build it. Ten years later, we are finally here, and that will end the sojourn of the school on the top floor of the Faculty of Education building, she said.

Achievements

Mrs Ogunsola also highlighted notable milestones in 2024 that UNILAG achieved.

One of the significant achievements is the establishment of the MED-AFRICA Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Laboratory, the first GMP laboratory built within a university in West Africa. This laboratory, valued at $450,000, was officially opened on 26 May 2024 and will facilitate the development of freeze-dried vaginal inserts for HIV prevention.

Another significant achievement is the launch of the Green Air Initiative, which includes the introduction of eight electric buses to transport students and staff around campus.

The universitys global connections have also expanded, with collaborative research initiatives with Bank of America on climate change and innovation.

In 2024, we entered Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with 14 universities across Africa, Europe, and the Americas to foster collaboration in various academic areas like entrepreneurship, AI, food security, robotics urban renewal, health diagnostics, education, she said.

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The Governing Council of the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) has denied breaching established laws and procedures in the appointment of Aisha Maikudi, a law professor, as the universitys vice chancellor.

The council, led by Saddiq Kaita, a retired Air Vice Marshal (AVM), said it strictly followed the relevant provisions of the UNIABUJA Act and the Universities Miscellaneous Act in selecting the vice-chancellor.

The council disclosed this in a statement issued Wednesday by the Acting Registrar and Secretary to the council, Islamiyat Adulrahim.

The statement reads in part: Contrary to the insinuations in some quarters, the Council, in making the appointment announced on 31 December 2024, strictly complied with the relevant provisions of the two main acts guiding the appointment of Vice-Chancellors of the University, namely, the University of Abuja Act and the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act 2003, NO 1 of 2007.

Ms Maikudis appointment and Controversy,

On 31 December 2024, the council announced Ms Maikudi as the substantive vice-chancellor, with her appointment taking effect on 1 January. The newly appointed vice-chancellor served for six months in an acting capacity after the tenure of the former vice-chancellor, Abdulrasheed NaAllah, who was also a professor, expired in June.

She emerged as the vice-chancellor from over 80 candidates who applied for the position.

Before her appointment, some members of the selection committee alleged a clandestine plan to impose her as the vice-chancellor. The controversy led to two members of the committee staging a walkout shortly after their inauguration in the last week of December.

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They alleged that the councils criteria and procedures for the selection process were deliberately tilted towards Ms Maikudis candidacy.

Council appeals for support

However, the council maintained it did not breach any law or procedure in Ms Maikudis appointment, noting that she emerged based on merit.

The Council is not unaware of complaints raised by some interested parties in the course of the transition process, which commenced as far back as March 2024 when the University initially advertised the position of Vice-Chancellor, the statement said.

The statement indicated that the council noted all concerns and efforts were made to resolve them amicably with the active involvement of stakeholders, including the Senate and the local branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

The council, therefore, appealed for the support of all university staffers for the vice-chancellors success in the university, asking other applicants to accept the outcome and exhibit the spirit of sportsmanship and maturity.

This is necessary for the University to forge ahead and allow the brand-new substantive Vice-chancellor who served in an acting capacity in the past six months, to unfold and pursue her vision for the University in an atmosphere of inclusiveness and enduring corporate harmony, the statement added.

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The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says the troops of `Operation Hadin Kai` have eliminated 34 terrorists in an encounter at Sabon Gari Village in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, a major general, in a statement on Wednesday, said the encounter took place on 4 January when unspecified number of ISWAP/BHT terrorists riding on motor cycles and gun trucks engaged the troops.

Mr Buba said the terrorists had attempted to surprise the troops to retaliate the recent killing of their commander and combatants by the troops.

According to him, the terrorists were taken unaware when the troops fighting patrol returning to base foiled their planned attack as soon as the attack commenced.

Additionally, troops reinforcement team comprising elements of Civilian Joint Taskforce, vigilante as well as hybrid forces timely arrived the scene to overpower the terrorists.

Furthermore, though troops` reinforcement team encountered Improvise Explosive Device, injuring the vigilante commander. The reinforcement team arrived timely to decimate the fleeing terrorist, he said.

Mr Buba said the air component also conducted air interdiction on the fleeing terrorists, with several terrorists eliminated and weapons recovered.

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On the whole, 34 terrorists were killed and 23 AK 47 weapons recovered.

Troops also recovered with over 200 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunitions, he added.

Mr Buba said that six personnel, whose names are yet to be disclosed, were killed in action.

He said withholding their names allowed administrative procedures of notifying their Next of Kin.

On the whole, the Armed Forces of Nigeria is profoundly conscious of its role and responsibility in ending insurgency and terrorism in the nation.

Accordingly, troops remain committed to the course of defeating the terrorists, he said.

(NAN)

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To the young people of Northern Nigeria, this is your call to action. Rise up and take charge of your future. Do not let the limitations of today define the possibilities of tomorrow. You have within you the power to achieve greatness, but it requires effort, sacrifice and an unwavering commitment to excellence. The road will not be easy, but nothing worth having ever is. Imagine a future where Northern Nigeria is no longer seen as a region of untapped potential but as a hub of innovation, leadership and excellence.

In todays world, mediocrity has no place for survival, let alone success. The global arena is a battlefield where competition is fierce and only the best-equipped emerge victorious. Many of us in Northern Nigeria face unique challenges, but these should not be excuses for complacency. They should be fuel for ambition and catalysts for transformation. To sit idly, waiting for miracles or lowered standards to accommodate our lack of preparedness, is to voluntarily sign up for irrelevance. The truth is that the world does not operate on sentiments. It does not owe you anything and it will not bend its rules to fit your comfort zone. Whereas some lament the hurdles in their path, others are leaping over them, raising the bar of excellence and claiming the opportunities you desire. Positions that once required basic qualifications are now filled by people armed with advanced degrees and extensive experience. This shift is not because these roles have necessarily become more complex, but because people have learned to outpace mediocrity by investing in themselves. If you are waiting for the world to lower its expectations, understand that you are not just waiting but you are falling behind.

Young Nigerians, especially from the North, must embrace a mindset of relentless self-improvement. Equip yourselves with skills, knowledge and character that make you indispensable in any field you choose. Be so prepared and qualified that even when opportunities seem scarce, they cannot ignore you. The global economy rewards excellence and in this race, only the best-prepared will thrive. This is not arrogance but survival. Strive to over-qualify yourself for every opportunity. This does not mean merely accumulating certificates or degrees but acquiring real, tangible skills that solve problems and add value. Learn to communicate effectively, think critically and innovate creatively. Understand that the bar for success is constantly rising and those who cling to outdated benchmarks will inevitably be left behind.

One of the most pervasive challenges among Northern Nigerian youth is the tendency to blame external factors for stagnation. It is true that our region faces systemic issues such as lack of access to quality education, limited resources and socio-economic barriers. But these challenges are not unique to us. Around the world, people have risen from unimaginable hardships to achieve greatness because they refused to let their circumstances define them. Why should we be any different? The time has come to reject the narrative of helplessness. We must break free from the chains of excuses and embrace a mindset of responsibility. Understand that your life is your own to shape. The government, society or your family may not provide all the tools you need, but the power to build something out of nothing lies within you. Seek knowledge relentlessly, even if it means walking miles to access a library or staying up late to take online courses with unstable electricity. Invest in yourself because no one else will do it for you.

understand that excellence is no longer a luxury but a survival strategy. Mediocrity is a dangerous trap that leaves you vulnerable to being replaced or ignored. In a world in which automation and artificial intelligence are taking over routine jobs, only those who offer exceptional value will remain relevant. As a young person, your goal should not be to merely meet expectations but to exceed them consistently.

Hard work remains a non-negotiable component of success, but in todays world, smart work is equally important. Learn to work strategically by focusing on what yields the most significant results. Identify industries and skills that are in demand and position yourself accordingly. For example, technology, renewable energy and data science are shaping the future. Are you equipping yourself to participate in these industries, or are you clinging to outdated career paths that offer limited opportunities? In addition to acquiring technical skills, build your network. Surround yourself with people who inspire and challenge you to grow. Seek mentors who can guide you and provide insights that shorten your learning curve. But understand that mentorship is not about handouts or shortcuts. It is about learning and applying lessons to improve yourself continually. Be the kind of person who adds value to the lives of others and, in turn, you will find doors opening for you.

Also, understand that excellence is no longer a luxury but a survival strategy. Mediocrity is a dangerous trap that leaves you vulnerable to being replaced or ignored. In a world in which automation and artificial intelligence are taking over routine jobs, only those who offer exceptional value will remain relevant. As a young person, your goal should not be to merely meet expectations but to exceed them consistently. Be the person who sets new standards, not the one who struggles to meet old ones. This is especially important for us in Northern Nigeria. Our region has long been perceived as lagging behind in education, innovation and socio-economic development. Of course, these perceptions may have some basis in reality, but they are not our destiny. Each one of us has the power to rewrite the narrative. When you strive for excellence, you not only elevate yourself but also inspire others and contribute to the collective progress of your community.

Settling for mediocrity is a betrayal of your potential. It is also a disservice to the countless people who look up to you as a source of inspiration. Whether you realise it or not, someone, somewhere is watching your journey and drawing strength from your actions. Will you be the example they need to pursue their dreams, or will you be a cautionary tale of wasted potential or failure? Push yourself beyond your comfort zone and take risks that lead to growth. Understand that failure is not the end but a stepping stone to success. Learn from your mistakes, adapt and keep moving forward. The world does not reward those who wait for opportunities. It rewards those who create them.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

As young Nigerians, especially from the North, we must rise above the challenges that seek to hold us back. Invest in yourself, work hard and smart, and refuse to settle for anything less than your best. Remember, no one is coming to rescue you and the power to change your life lies within you. Be relentless in your pursuit of greatness and let your success be the proof that Northern Nigerias youth are not just capable but unstoppable.

To the young people of Northern Nigeria, this is your call to action. Rise up and take charge of your future. Do not let the limitations of today define the possibilities of tomorrow. You have within you the power to achieve greatness, but it requires effort, sacrifice and an unwavering commitment to excellence. The road will not be easy, but nothing worth having ever is. Imagine a future where Northern Nigeria is no longer seen as a region of untapped potential but as a hub of innovation, leadership and excellence. Imagine a generation of young people who refuse to be left behind, who rise above their circumstances to claim their place on the global stage.

This vision is within our reach, but it starts with you. It starts with your decision to reject mediocrity and pursue greatness with all your heart. In a world that rewards excellence, mediocrity has no chance of survival. As young Nigerians, especially from the North, we must rise above the challenges that seek to hold us back. Invest in yourself, work hard and smart, and refuse to settle for anything less than your best. Remember, no one is coming to rescue you and the power to change your life lies within you. Be relentless in your pursuit of greatness and let your success be the proof that Northern Nigerias youth are not just capable but unstoppable.

Mohammed Dahiru Aminu (mohd.aminu@gmail.com) wrote from Abuja, Nigeria.

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As Nigeria grapples with these challenges, the establishment and funding of regional commissions must be reconsidered within the broader context of national development, equity, funding, and efficient governance. The current approach not only perpetuates regional inequalities but also raises serious questions about the countrys commitment to comprehensive and sustainable development strategies and fiscal discipline.

The establishment of the North-East Development Commission by former President Muhammadu Buhari initially garnered widespread support, given the regions devastating circumstances. The area had been severely ravaged by Boko Haram insurgency and sectarian crises, resulting in the widespread destruction of infrastructure, countless deaths, and the displacement of thousands of citizens who sought refuge, not only within Nigeria but also in neighbouring Cameroon, Chad, and Niger Republic.

The trajectory of regional commissions mirrors Nigerias own contradictory journey; awkwardness in state creation and a half-hearted approach to the countrys development. In no time, regional commissions became a bazaar of sort, such that in the 2025 budget, the Federal Government proposes to spend the sum of N2,493.12 trillion on the five existing regional commissions, out of the six regions that we have, with the breakdown as follows: North-West Development Commission getting N585.93 billion; North-East DC, N290.99 billion; South-West DC, N498.40 billion; South-East DC, N341.27 billion; and Niger Delta DC, N776.53 billion.

The timing and scale of these allocations raise serious concerns about fiscal responsibility and governance priorities. With the nations economy at its lowest point, the enormous funding required for these commissions and numerous Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) seems to contradict President Tinubus earlier commitment to implementing the Oronsaye report. This report recommended streamlining government agencies from 263 to 161 to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. The apparent contradiction suggests these commissions might serve more as channels of political patronage, rather than genuine development vehicles, casting doubt on the administrations commitment to reducing governance costs.

The issue of equity and justice extends beyond the mere proliferation and funding of these commissions. The deterioration of infrastructure is a nationwide phenomenon, evident to anyone who ventures beyond the relative comfort of major cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt into the heartland. If development initiatives are to be implemented, they should be distributed equitably. This makes the exclusion of the North-Central region from these arrangements particularly problematic and inexplicable.

The political representation of the North-Central region, comprising eighteen senators and numerous representatives from six states, appears to have failed in advocating for their constituents interests. Their silence during the establishment of these commissions through the National Assembly raises questions about their effectiveness and commitment to regional development.

What then informed the decision to leave the North-Central out of this bazaar? Is what is good for the goose no longer good for the gander? Since 1999, we have had two presidents from the North-West (YarAdua and Buhari), two from the South-West (Obasanjo and now Tinubu) and one from the South-South, (Goodluck Jonathan). While the South-East is vocal about its marginalisation and is advocating for remediation, the North-Central seems comfortable.

The political representation of the North-Central region, comprising eighteen senators and numerous representatives from six states, appears to have failed in advocating for their constituents interests. Their silence during the establishment of these commissions through the National Assembly raises questions about their effectiveness and commitment to regional development. The North-Centrals position in Nigerias political landscape has been diminished by this apparent complacency, with both lawmakers and citizens seeming to accept their marginalisation quietly. And as Tinubu himself had noted, power/victory is not given ala carte, you must fight, plot, scheme and grab it by force.

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Peter Obi, the Labour Partys presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has highlighted this inequity, emphasising the North-Centrals critical need for attention due to persistent security challenges. The exclusion of the North-Central Regional Commission from the budgetary allocations provided to other regional commissions in the 2025 proposed budget is deeply troubling and must be urgently reversed. Such an anomaly does not make for even development and peace that is needed for progress in the country.

A total of N2.493 trillion has been allocated to five regional development commissions, with the North-Central Regional Commission glaringly omitted. The North-Central region is one that urgently requires special attention due to the severe challenges it faces today. Relentless terror attacks and banditry in Plateau, Benue, Kogi, and Niger States have caused immense suffering, resulting in the significant loss of lives and forcing countless families into internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. These persistent tragedies have made the North-Central one of the most affected and vulnerable regions in Nigeria.

The proliferation of these commissions may have an unexpected consequence: state governors will increasingly abdicate their responsibilities in areas where commission interventions exist. The overlapping mandates between state governments and commissions will result in the latter becoming conduits for political patronage rather than effective development vehicles. The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) serves as a cautionary tale

Known as the agricultural backbone of the nation, the North-Central region deserves robust support to enhance security, stability, and development for the benefit of the entire country. I therefore call on the government and National Assembly to urgently review and rectify this decision that will impact negatively on the region and area most needed for the development of the country. Together, we must work toward a more inclusive and equitable Nigeria.

The proliferation of these commissions may have an unexpected consequence: state governors will increasingly abdicate their responsibilities in areas where commission interventions exist. The overlapping mandates between state governments and commissions will result in the latter becoming conduits for political patronage rather than effective development vehicles. The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) serves as a cautionary tale: after two decades of existence, the regions fundamental challenges, particularly environmental degradation, persists and is largely unaddressed.

Moreover, the centralisation of these commissions in Abuja raises fundamental questions about Nigerias commitment to true federalism, restructuring and power devolution. This centralised approach appears to contradict the growing calls for restructuring and local government autonomy, suggesting a disconnect between stated political aspirations and actual governance practices.

As Nigeria grapples with these challenges, the establishment and funding of regional commissions must be reconsidered within the broader context of national development, equity, funding, and efficient governance. The current approach not only perpetuates regional inequalities but also raises serious questions about the countrys commitment to comprehensive and sustainable development strategies and fiscal discipline.

Zainab Suleiman Okino is a syndicated columnist. She can be reached via zainabokino@gmail.com

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Nigerias principle of strategic autonomy is one that abhors the presence of foreign forces and private military companies in our region, whether from east or west. Nigeria presently has troops on peace keeping operations in Guinea Bissau and Gambia, with Sierra Leone on the way, where it is also supporting the setting up of a logistics base in Lungi. Nigeria is also leading the actualisation of the ECOWAS standby force, all in an effort to fight terrorism and instability within our region under the rule of law.

I was born in a civil war and was not able to vote for my leader until I was in my 30s. Nigeria is now a country guided by the rule of law and a constitution that clearly defines our system of government. This includes our foreign policy objectives, and rightly so, because in an interconnected world, we define our sovereignty in the context of certain, key principles: our right to self-determination; our right to defend our autonomy and secure our borders; and responsibility to respect our obligations under international law.

As foreign minister, I think these provisions are not just reasonable but vital  both for our own democracy, domestic peace and prosperity but also for a more just and stable international order. But the point is this: it is the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not the manifesto of a political party or predilections of a particular politician, that lays out these provisions. In a democracy, we have the privilege of healthy debates about our values, policies and performance. But if we are to live up to the responsibilities that come with democracy, that debate should be informed, fair and reasonable.

I respect the Constitution and its vision for Nigerias place in the international community, as do many of us. It has been an honour and a privilege to protect and promote those constitutional principles. They are the best guarantees for legitimacy, and the authority all governments need if they are to deliver. It is complex and time consuming. To our cost, we have learnt that there are no short cuts. Some Nigerians find fault in our Constitution, while others seek to amend it. There is always room for serious debate in a healthy democracy. But the fact remains that it is the very document President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and every public official has sworn to uphold since 1999.

Nigerias Constitution declares that sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria, from whom government, through this Constitution, derives all its powers and authority. The same Chapter of the Constitution goes on to state Nigerias five foreign policy objectives: promotion and protection of the national interest, African integration and support for African unity, promotion of international cooperation for peace and mutual respect, respect of international law and treaty obligations and promotion of a just world economic order. Those who suggest Nigeria does not have a foreign policy or those who agitate for a shift away from an Afro-centric foreign policy are wrong; either they are ill-informed, or deliberately disingenuous.

The irony of it all is that Nigerians are able to speak in support of our military-ruled neighbours, governed without constitutions, precisely because Chapter Four of our own constitution guarantees them these rights and freedoms. This is not the same for the citizens ruled by the very regimes for which they seek to cheerlead of those countries governed without constitutions. Nigerians who are older than 30 know this to be true because we have been there, done that. Somehow in the passage of time, some forget that the military regime here that despatched troops to restore democracy in Sierra Leone and Liberia in the 1990s had first  and by force  taken that same democracy and rule of law away from us  just as military regimes continue to do, the world over.

The Constitution also makes clear why any responsible Nigerian government should be concerned when neighbours are governed without a constitution or codified rules. It goes without saying that the sovereignty of our neighbours is their business. They can grant powers to whatever governing structures they deem fit and should expect their autonomy to remain safeguarded. But when our Interdependence Sovereignty overlaps, we equally have a right to exercise control over our borders in those cases where neighbours face insurgencies that significantly compromise territorial integrity and state authority.

The fulcrum of the Tinubu administrations foreign policy is Strategic Autonomy, providing us with the clarity to engage with any and all nations on the basis of our national interests and not those of others. As a nation, Nigeria is adult and sophisticated enough to deal with countries without being unduly influenced, because that has been part of our historical and civic tradition. You cannot cure an illness by picking which symptoms to consider and which to ignore.

International legal sovereignty also becomes an issue when we consider that respect for international law and treaty obligations is one of our irreducible foreign policy objectives. This is not the Tinubu administrations foreign policy; it is a constitutional provision that every Nigerian president and government official swears to uphold. Nigeria is a member of ECOWAS, which is founded on treaties and protocols to which our foreign policy objectives commit us. All 15 member countries are signatory to the treaties and protocols, which is why it was no surprise that President Tinubu, as one who swore to uphold the Constitution, abided by it when ECOWAS leaders collectively objected to Unconstitutional Changes of Government.

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In reality, the contemporary nation-state system is highly competitive and Nigeria exists in a self-help world. Our Constitution and international laws are meant to serve as guard rails in navigating the system. And by virtue of our size, we have the additional responsibility of being the regional power. Regardless of how some may try to diminish our standing, it is the way other countries perceive us. Our Constitution further reifies this leadership role right from the preamble  dedicating ourselves to promoting inter-African solidarity, to the foreign policy objectives: promotion of African integration and support for African unity and elimination of discrimination in all its manifestations.

The Tinubu administration comes at a time when an interlocking suite of occurrences have made our neighbourhood less secure; the implosion of Libya, failure of the EU Sahel Strategy, terrorism and criminal gangs, effects of climate change and population explosion. Nigeria did not create these challenges and was equally contending with its own domestic issue as these challenges escalated. Nigeria was not part of Operation Barkhane or the G5 in the Sahel, which were intended as efforts to fight terrorism and irregular migration but instead strengthened some irridentist Azawad/Tuareg groups that controlled border areas. This created a cauldron of disharmony between them and their national militaries, trained for a lifetime to keep their countries intact.

Nor was Nigeria part of the Partnership Framework with Third Countries that conditioned aid and trade deals for Sahelian migration transit states, in exchange for reducing the flow of migrants, with penalties for those who do not comply. In the case of Niger, a moment of truth was the passing of Law 2015-36 in May 2015 when its government, in consultation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and technical and financial support from the European Union and its member states, criminalised ancillary activities of the migration economy, such as providing transportation and accommodation to foreign nationals anywhere north of Agadez, in direct contravention of the ECOWAS Protocol on the free movement of people. They were persuaded to use a blunt hammer to crack a delicate nut. There is a highly politicised migration crisis in parts of Europe, that together we can and should resolve. But it was reckless to seek to solve one problem by creating another.

There is a reason why we have free movement in West Africa; seasonal migration  referred to in Hausa as Ci Rani. Seasonal migration in the semi-arid Sahel can be a matter of life and death, which is why we have always had turbaned Tuaregs going as far as Lagos and Port Harcourt to work as Maigadis (security) during the dry months, only to return back north during the rainy season. The weaponisation of sub-Saharan migration in Europe as a political tool led to the securitisation of the Sahel region, further exacerbating the security situation by forcing many of those affected to turn to criminal activities and terrorism. European migration figures show that the majority of migrants are from Syria, Afghanistan and Central Asia, not sub-Saharan Africa.

Yes, we need to work with our Sahelian neighbours to fight terrorism, by maintaining a right of pursuit into each others territories. But it would be myopic to think of this in absolutist terms, because we can accede to all conditionalities laid by them, it would still not be enough to tackle the challenges without a lasting solution to the bifurcated Libyan State as a source of weapons, training and fighters, as well as the shadowy involvement of a range of other state and non-state actors.

Nigeria has never had expansionist tendencies, never been threatening towards our neighbours and always chosen the path of peace and conciliation. This, in part, may have to do with the makeup of our polity and social fabric. Being such a huge country, we are used to the virtues of principled compromise. It is not by accident that we are the only country on the continent with six former leaders living in peace and harmony within our borders.

To achieve lasting peace in Libya and the Sahel, Nigeria needs to deal with all the countries in the neighbourhood, as well as all the major powers. For this reason, it does not make sense to simply deduce that Nigeria has to distance itself from France because that is the prevailing trend in its former colonies. The fulcrum of the Tinubu administrations foreign policy is Strategic Autonomy, providing us with the clarity to engage with any and all nations on the basis of our national interests and not those of others. As a nation, Nigeria is adult and sophisticated enough to deal with countries without being unduly influenced, because that has been part of our historical and civic tradition. You cannot cure an illness by picking which symptoms to consider and which to ignore.

Nigeria and ECOWAS will continue diplomatic efforts towards Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso. At a minimum, we have a shared interest in peaceful co-existence. President Tinubu has sent out a number of high-level delegations that included a former Head of State, traditional rulers and religious scholars. President Tinubu pushed for the unconditional removal of ECOWAS sanctions imposed on Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso. What he has consistently asked of the countries in question is for them to come up with a timetable for the restoration of constitutional rule and, in the case of Niger, the release of ousted President Bazoum.

Their response was to declare their intention to leave ECOWAS. With the one-year notice period coming to an end in January, President Tinubu further pushed for ECOWAS to extend the grace period for another six months, whilst intensifying diplomatic efforts. The response to this initiative last month was evidence-free allegations that Nigeria was harbouring foreign soldiers and sponsoring state terrorism. Whenever President Tinubu and other democratic leaders offer stoic statesmanship and an opportunity to work together towards our common interests, it is met by confected controversy designed to divert and distract from a failure to meet the basic responsibilities of public administration. I know why coup leaders might seek to do that: its harder to understand the motives of apologists closer to home.

On my part, since assuming the office of Minister of Foreign Affairs on 21st August 2023, I have engaged diplomatically without pause, proposing personal visits and inviting senior government officials and representatives. The response has been akin to a diplomatic cold shoulder. We constituted a ministerial advisory committee that visited Niger and Mali and facilitated the visit of the Nigerian CDS to meet with his counterpart in Niamey. I regret that a proposed return visit was suspended by Niger after a date had been set. But let there be no doubt: We will continue to pursue diplomatic efforts assiduously, with a Ministry of Foreign Affairs that has existed for 67 years.

Nigerias principle of strategic autonomy is one that abhors the presence of foreign forces and private military companies in our region, whether from east or west. Nigeria presently has troops on peace keeping operations in Guinea Bissau and Gambia, with Sierra Leone on the way, where it is also supporting the setting up of a logistics base in Lungi. Nigeria is also leading the actualisation of the ECOWAS standby force, all in an effort to fight terrorism and instability within our region under the rule of law. We work closely with our partners on sharing of intelligence in order to guarantee the same rights and freedoms are enjoyed by all the people of the region.

As several of my colleagues in the region remind me, we are the hegemon, whether we admit it or not. And global politics works almost like physics, with polarity, ordering principles, distribution of power, balancing, etc. Nigeria has never had expansionist tendencies, never been threatening towards our neighbours and always chosen the path of peace and conciliation. This, in part, may have to do with the makeup of our polity and social fabric. Being such a huge country, we are used to the virtues of principled compromise. It is not by accident that we are the only country on the continent with six former leaders living in peace and harmony within our borders. Diversity, not division, is our strength. This is as true for Nigeria as it is for the smallest of countries  and collectively for all of our region.

Yusuf Tuggar is Nigerias Minister of Foreign Affairs.

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On January 8, 2025, the outstanding Ukrainian poet Vasyl Symonenko would have turned 90 years old. Although the famous poet can only be visited at his grave in Cherkasy, his work remains alive and prophetic to this day, as many of his poems reflect events that now painfully resemble the realities of modern Ukraine.

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Symonenko, who is called a "prophet," skillfully predicted the next struggle of Ukrainians for freedom, the tragedies of war, and the indomitable national spirit. His poetry has become a moral support for those who continue to fight for independence and justice, and with the beginning of the full-scale invasion, more and more Ukrainians became interested in the work of the "Thaw poet" who died at the age of 28. OBOZ.UA has collected Vasyl Symonenko's best lines that you want to read over and over again, as they reflect the events in the homeland like a mirror.

Filial

Ukraine, youre my prayer I dare say 

Youre my millenial care and strife.

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And high above the world a battles fought today

In the cause of your rights and your life.

May the beet-colored clouds burn forever,

And may the insults fly or not 

Im determined to sprinkle your sanctified banner

At least with a drop of my blood.

Vasyl Symonenko was particularly sensitive to the struggle of Ukrainians for their freedom and recognition in the world. This poem was written in 1961, and although there was no war going on at the time, the poet knew that repressive measures were taking place throughout the country, and because of this, the Ukrainian SSR was drowning in blood.

Granite obelisks

The nation is but one entire wound together,

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The blood enfuriates the soil;

And every tyrant-murderer will have a tether

Just waiting round his neck to coil.

The martyred, and the murdered, and the killed,

Their hearts with vengeance rife,

All rise that judgment be fulfilled.

Their curse mil fall on evil things,

The time will come, from ropes will swing

Apostles of malignity and strife.

Baba Onysia

Baba Onysia once had three sons 

All three of her offspring were lost.

And on every one strand of her crystalline hair

There crackles the winters frost.

Ive seen strife and ifs made me shudder,

But greater strife no ones known

Than the pain of an aging mother

Who must face her old age alone.

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This poem is an allegory of the loss of a generation, when a woman who gave life outlives her children. In the Ukrainian context, this image is particularly relevant given the war and the daily losses of young soldiers at the front.

Perhaps the cannons will roar again*

*rough translation

Perhaps the cannons will roar again,

And the tank will smush the wheat in the field,

And a mother will cry and grieve,

When her sons leave for war.

And someone will kiss their darling for the very last time,

And someone will shed an unwanted tear,

And maybe one will lose faith and might,

Saving their own life for the sake of another.

But not me... I will not quit,

No matter how much it hurts 

For our land, precious and loved,

I am ready to take the damage.

For those children who run to school,

For mothers worn out from labor,

For the lush willow trees,

And for our days, beautiful and pure.

But keep back the tears and despair,

There's no need for fear or nagging 

Only those who do not live for themselves truly live,

Who fight for the lives of others.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!


In recent times, there has been calculated campaigns against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on what its traducers regard as abuses of human rights by its operatives in the arrest of suspects of internet fraud and other acts of corruption. Day by day, such trumped-up claims are littering the media space. False narratives, fictitious scenarios, and fabricated names and identities are being bandied to portray the Commission in bad lights. All these reports ignored the milestones on convictions, recoveries, interventions, and global acclaim of the works of EFCC. It is evident, therefore, that such campaigns lack objectivity and patriotic inclination.

Law enforcement in any part of the world is not a kiss and cuddle engagement. Fraudsters have no altruistic inclination. To this end, an arrest in a sting operation cannot be expected to be a warm embrace. Available records show that every sting operation embarked upon by operatives of the EFCC usually yield bumper convictions in courts. Whether in Asaba, Akure, Sokoto, Uyo, Lagos, Ibadan, Gombe, Ilorin or Maiduguri, suspects of internet fraud and other acts of corruption have ended in jail because of the clasping evidence of their involvement in the crimes. With its large conviction record in 2024, it is uncharitable for any media report to allege that arrests of internet fraudsters bore flagrant abuses of their fundamental human rights. It is important to stress that even many of the widely-acclaimed law enforcement agencies across the world have many records of forced arrests, some brutal and fierce in their operations. Of course, no attempt is being made to portray such records as ideal situations. We only need to appreciate the finesse and comparative decency of the EFCC in plying its job.

Come to think of it: What is more damaging to Nigeria between lawful arrest of fraudsters and the effects of their crime on the nation? Imagine the effects of the activities of 792 alleged investment and internet fraudsters recently arrested by the EFCC on the economy and image of Nigeria! Should the Commission have elected to look the other way and allow these suspected fraudsters to continue in their nefarious activities? A single arrest of such a large number of suspects has been drawing applause from all corners of the world. Local and international law enforcement agencies and sincere commentators continue to applaud the intelligence-led operation. Insinuation of anything otherwise can only be a smear campaign which is obvious to discerning Nigerians.

All the contrived accounts of arrest of internet fraudsters by operatives of the EFCC in some sections of the media alleged intimidation, harassment, brutality, and such other claims. Except in one or two cases where overzealous officers of the Commission acted out of character, and had been duly sanctioned. It is important to disclose publicly that sting operations of by the Commission are monitored. Many of the so- called break and bust allegations are wild and contrived to inflame passion. EFCC officers are highly trained and professional. They are not brutes and terrorists assaulting naked and pregnant women as alleged. It beggars belief that every woman caught in the crossfire of arrest of fraudsters is always naked!

Time and time again, the Commission had decried the antics of impersonators bent on dragging its image to the mud. Series of videos of funny characters beating up their suspects and extorting money from them are all over the internet. The public and some less fancied journalists unfortunately believe these skits as exemplar of the EFCC modus oparandi. Several public statements have been made by the Commission to denounce these skits and activities of impostors, detractors are unyielding in their false accusations against the EFCC.

Perhaps legal action may henceforth be necessary to compel hatchet writers to come forward with proofs of their claims. The EFCC is a responsible member of the global law enforcement community, and all its operations are in line with international best practices.

Talking about fundamental human rights, the EFCC empowered is to make an arrest of suspected fraudsters anywhere and at any period of the day. No law says that arrests cannot be made in the night or early hours of the day. Where there is a crime, there is a possibility of an arrest.

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The hoopla about EFCC unrelenting in conducting sting operations at night carries the imprimatur of blackmail by community of fraudsters angling for respite from the Commissions offensive. Enough of blackmail of conducting raids when it is obvious that the Commission only conducts sting operations whenever they are necessary. The EFCCs Chairman, Ola Olukoyede has always stressed that a raid is never in the operational lexicon of the EFCC. A raid is a random, unprofessional, and whimsical attack on suspects of a crime. The EFCC is too polished and civilised to embark on such gangsteric engagement. Sting operations are intelligence-driven. They are not raids, and the public needs to take note of this. Conducting such operations does not translate into breaching rights of suspects. You cannot give a notice to a suspected fraudster and expect to make a success of such an operation.

As a Commission that is working to expand the frontiers of development of Nigeria, tackling internet fraud has become a fait accompli. To this end, two important national dialogues were convened on the issue in 2024. Fresh insights into alternatives to the fraud are being worked upon. A Cybercrime Research Centre is being put together to develop capacities among our youths for innovations, social engineering, problem solving, and skill development. A Commission that is making such moves should not be maligned by anyone seeking relevance. The truth of the matter is that Olukoyede is too focused on reform and positive engagement to allow his officers to turn the nation into a violence field in pursuit of internet fraudsters.

Internet fraud and corruption are worse abuses of fundamental rights of all Nigerians. Every deprivation Nigerians are suffering can be directly traced to the effects of corruption. The crises in the power sector especially are beyond description. Electricity is a scarce commodity in Nigeria. With just over 4,000 megawatts supplying nearly 220 million people, the electricity access deficit stands at about 40 per cent nationwide. The picture looks even darker in rural areas. There, 73 per cent of the population is off the power grid. Corruption is largely responsible for this. Nigerians have a right to enjoy stable power supply, but this right is being denied by cumulative effects of corrupt practices. The EFCC is in court against two former ministers of power on their alleged fraudulent dealings that have resulted in the suffering of Nigerians. Is this not worse than needless wolf cries in some section of the media about arrest of internet fraudsters?

Owing to the havoc wreaked on the image of Nigeria, Internet fraud is being described as the  Nigerian scam across the world. Travelling around the world by any Nigerian carries with it a high risk of embarrassment and humiliation because of the unsavoury activities of internet fraudsters. Immigration issues are becoming more difficult for many Nigerians because of these fraudsters. Normal business engagement cannot be undertaken without being accosted unfairly or suspected of fraudulent dealings. The EFCC is aware of this and is working tirelessly to relaunch the nation into pathways of honour and respect in the comity of nations. Raising needless war against a Commission doing all these should be condemned by well- meaning Nigerians. Internet fraudsters are enemies of our nation, and they must be so regarded.

Recently, the EFCC came to town with the news of a final forfeiture of 753 duplexes and other apartments in the Lokogoma District of Abuja. The forfeiture was the largest single recovery made by the Commission since its establishment in 2003. Going by the quantum of the assets and the courage and integrity of officers of the Commission closely supervised by Olukoyede, one would have expected fair commentaries on the feat by those employed to paint the EFCC black. They cannot do this because their paymasters are angry that such assets are lost to the government. This hypocrisy is enough reason for Nigerians to ignore all the hues and cries about normal law enforcement works of the Commission. It is important to stress here that no attempt is being made to defend any form of impunity or recklessness by any officer of the EFCC. It is public knowledge that erring officers of the Commission have been appropriately disciplined in line with the standard operating procedure of the EFCC.

In closing this piece, it is imperative to reiterate the fact that the EFCC is on a redemptive mission. It serves no purpose for anyone to embark on a mission of blackmail against the Commission. As long as no one can deny the impact of the EFCC on individual, corporate and national lives, we will be doing our nation greater good if we amplify the strength of the Commission and constructively point at areas needing improvement. Wailing about singular cases of indiscretions and glossing over monumental achievements of the EFCC cannot be accepted as fair commentaries. The watch dog role of the media should not be sacrificed for a filthy lucre of grants by so- called development partners. Manipulating facts and figures garnished with falsehood to justify a grant is the height of dis-service to our country. We do know that corruption always fights back. However, the fight back should not be decorated as patriotic initiatives. The public is enjoined to be wary of those seeking to pull down a sturdy tower in order to exact a pound of flesh. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and we should endeavour to salvage it together.

Dele Oyewale is Head, Media and Publicity of the EFCC.

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https://ntm.ngWhen Rotary started in 1905, it was just an idea and the vision of one man: Paul Percy Harris. The Chicago, Illinois-based attorney formed the Rotary Club of Chicago on 23 February, 1905 (the first Rotary Club in the world with his three friends), so that professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful lifelong friendships. Over time, Rotarys reach and vision gradually extended to humanitarian service.

By next month, Rotary International would be 120 years old  the fellowship and humanitarian service organisation that you will find in over 200 countries and geographical regions, including some of the worlds most remote locations.

Paul Harris died a long time ago on January 27, 1947 when he was 78 years old. But Rotary  his dream and idea  has continued to thrive and endure and waxing stronger each day with 1.4 million members in over 46,000 Rotary and Rotaract Clubs worldwide.

In 1917, something remarkable happened during the Rotary International Convention in Atlanta, Georgia. It was a life-changing initiative that would ensure that the Rotary vision of serving humanity did not die. It simply means Rotary would be with us forever; the idea would be sustained in perpetuity.

Arch Klumph, the sixth President of Rotary International, came up with the idea of setting up an endowment fund at the convention that became known as The Rotary Foundation (TRF) for the purpose of doing good in the world. It was previously called the Permanent Fund. That idea, with an initial contribution of US$26.50, set in motion a powerful force that has transformed millions of lives around the world.

The mission of The Rotary Foundation is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment and alleviating poverty.

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The Rotary Foundation is the non-profit arm of Rotary International. A Board of Trustees manages the business of the Foundation, led by the trustee chair. The Rotary International president-elect nominates the trustees, who are elected by the Rotary International Board of Directors.

The trustee chair serves for one year and trustees serve for four years. One of the trustees is our own Pearl Ijeoma Okoro, a Nigerian, who is currently serving on the board. Ijeoma is a Past District Governor of District 9141, and her tenure as TRF trustee would lapse on June 30, 2028.

The current trustee chair is Mark Daniel Maloney, who was Rotary International President in 2019-20 when the Covid-19 pandemic turned the world upside down. It was during his term that Rotary held its first-ever virtual convention from June 20  26, 2020 that was originally planned to be a physical event in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The seed money of US$26.50 has continued to grow and the value this year is expected to reach US$2.025 billion. All the monies donated to the foundation are invested in various high-yielding ventures like stocks, bonds, real estate, etc. as advised by the trustees for a period of three years.

After three years, the funds  only the interest is touched  become available to be disbursed as grants. The Rotary Foundation offers grants that support humanitarian projects, scholarships, and vocational learning teams. We have: a) district grants, b) global grants, c) disaster response grants and d) program of scale grants.

District grants fund smaller-scale, short-term projects that address immediate needs in our communities or abroad; global grants support large international projects with long-term, sustainable outcomes in one or more of Rotarys areas of focus. They range from US$30,000 to US$400,000.

The disaster response grants support disaster relief and recovery efforts in areas that have been affected by natural disasters through grants from the Rotary Disaster Response Fund, while the program of scale grants benefit a large number of people or a significant geographical area. The grant supports Rotary member-led, evidence-based programs that have already demonstrated success.

The program of scale grant is worth US$2 million and three have been issued to date. The first grant was given to Zambia to fight malaria (Malaria-Free Zambia project); the second grant was given to Nigeria for maternal and child health while the third was given to Egypt for cervical cancer.

Rotarians and non-Rotarians are encouraged to contribute to foundation. The three types of funds available in the foundation are: a) the Annual Program Fund, b) the PolioPlus Fund and c) the Endowment Fund.

Under the Endowment Fund, we have the Arch Klumph Society (named after the sixth President of Rotary International) which recognises The Rotary Foundations highest tier donors  those who have contributed US$250,000 or more during their lifetime. Some Nigerian Rotarians are Arch Klumph Society members.

Under this fund, we also have Bequest Society members (those who make a commitment for future gifts of US$10,000 or more to the fund that is redeemed after their death), and Benefactors (those who contribute US$1,000 or more to the fund outright, or when they include the fund as a beneficiary of US$1,000 or more in their estate plans).

Now, lets talk about Polio and the fund being used for the eradication of the wild-polio virus. Polio, or poliomyelitis, according to a statement on Rotary Internationals website, is a paralysing and potentially deadly disease that most commonly affect children under the age of five. The virus spreads from person to person, typically through contaminated water. It can attack the nervous system.

Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for more than 35 years. As a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), Rotarys commitment has seen polio cases reduced by 99.9 per cent since the first project to vaccinate children in the Philippines in 1979.

Rotary members have contributed US$2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect nearly three billion children in 122 countries from this paralysing disease. Rotary advocacy efforts have played a role in decisions by governments to contribute more than US$10 billion to the effort.

Today, polio remains endemic only in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Until the polio virus transmission is interrupted in these two countries, says GPEI, all countries remain at risk of importation of polio, especially vulnerable countries with weak public health and immunization services and travel or trade links to endemic countries.

Nigeria used to be listed alongside Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and Nigeria (PAIN, what an acronym!) as the remaining countries in the world where the polio virus was endemic. However, Nigeria was certified polio-free on August 24, 2020 by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Before then, Nigerias last case of indigenous wild-polio virus was in 2016, whereas in 2006, Nigeria had the highest number of polio cases in the world.

More than US$300 million was spent by Rotary to kick out the polio virus from Nigeria. Last year, The Rotary Foundation donated another US$14 million to strengthen polio surveillance in the country which was facilitated by the Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee chaired by Past District Governor Joshua Hassan.

The eradication of the wild polio virus was successful because community health workers and volunteer community mobilisers built effective community engagement; regions of high risk were targeted; missed children were tracked, and community-based surveillance and independent monitoring were improved.

However, information on the current status as of December 2022, revealed that there were 168 cases of vaccine-derived variant of polio (a circulating type 2 transmission strain), in the country. To maintain the polio-free status, Nigeria administers over 270 million vaccines each year.

In 2024, Nigeria recorded around 50 polio cases between January and May, despite vaccination campaigns and monitoring efforts. The polio virus that was discovered in Nigeria in 2021 continues to circulate, particularly in high risk areas. This variant often affects communities that are under-immunised, where routine vaccine coverage is low.

Every Rotarian is required to support the PolioPlus Fund by contributing a minimum of US$10, while the contribution by each Rotary Club is US$1,500. Each Rotary District is expected to apply 20 per cent of their District Designated Funds (DDF) to support the fund which is matched with an additional 50 per cent by Rotarys World Fund.

By the way, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation doubles contributions to the polio fund in the ratio of 2:1 matching grant.

Mark Maloney, the TRF chair and his spouse, Gay, are visiting Nigeria from January 15  20, 2025. The couple would be received by Pearl Ijeoma Okoro (member of The Rotary Foundation Board of Trustees) and other Rotary leaders in Abuja.

He is scheduled to meet President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Aso Villa. Mark Maloney added Tunde to Mark as a mark of his engagements and recognition of his footprints in Nigeria. President Tinubu should call him Marktunde Maloney to confirm is Nigeria-ness and his relationship with Nigerians.

This would not his first visit to Nigeria. I recall that in September 2018, Maloney and Gay were in Nigeria. At that time, Maloney was the President-elect of Rotary International. We posed for photographs at Eko Hotel, in Lagos.

Maloney and Gay are billed to interact with Rotarians in Abuja (District 9126 and District 9127) before flying into Lagos on Saturday January 18, where he would be hosted by District Governors Oluwole Kukoyi and Femi Adenekan of District 9111 and District 9112 respectively.

His itinerary in Lagos includes a press conference, advocacy engagements, visit to the Polio House, funding raiser, symbolic polio immunisation, town hall meeting and gala dinner with Rotarians, partners as well as other stakeholders.

How are you doing good in your community? What are you doing to make a difference in other peoples lives? It is never too late; you can start today. You can become a goodwill ambassador, and you can also decide to join Rotary.

Ehi Braimah is a communications strategist and publisher/editor-in-chief of Naija Times and Lagos Post. He is also the Chair of Public Image Committee (2024-2025), Rotary International, District 9112, and can be reached at ehi.braimah@neomedia.com.ng.

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This moment does not merely symbolise another milestone in the evolution of Ghanaian democratic society, it further demonstrates that in West Africa, we are capable of democratic and productive endeavours. It is time that our continents critics stop forgetting the strides that Ghana, Nigeria and others have made. We need not prove ourselves to them. We have nothing to prove to anyone except ourselves. We have the capacity. We shall find the critical path to our success.

It is always good when a friend and brother can visit the home of a close neighbour to celebrate his success and progress with him.

Today, we celebrate African Democracy as Ghana and her beloved people mark the transition from one democratic government to another.

This moment does not merely symbolise another milestone in the evolution of Ghanaian democratic society, it further demonstrates that in West Africa, we are capable of democratic and productive endeavours. It is time that our continents critics stop forgetting the strides that Ghana, Nigeria and others have made. We need not prove ourselves to them. We have nothing to prove to anyone except ourselves. We have the capacity. We shall find the critical path to our success. We will lift our nations out of poverty and build strong and resilient economies for our people.

Today, I am here not only as the President of Nigeria but also as an African in resolute support of Ghana and her people. This moment is a source of pride and honour for Ghanaians, the entire continent, and its diasporas.

The sun is out, and the sky may be blue, but I see today a black star rising high in the African sky. This black star shines over this nation, and its rays spread across this continent with a sense of shared history, hope, compassion, unity, and devotion to our common welfare.

While others may seek to demean Africa and keep brother pitted against brother, that shining star reminds us of who we are. Better yet, it reminds us of who we can be. That star reminds us, always, to strive and work together. Even when we disagree, we must choose the path of peaceful dialogue. Never, can we do harm to our brothers nor can we permit any outsider to disrupt our bonds of brotherhood.

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The spirit of Ghanas first president, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, is here today, lifting that star higher and higher. Just as Ghana draws inspiration and a well of strength from Kwame Nkrumah and many of its past leaders, Nigeria similarly draws inspiration from its founding leaders who not only fought for her independence but also cherished the close relationship between our two nations.

May we always walk in the way and the spirit of these enlightened leaders.

Ghana is in harmony with that spirit, and President John Mahamas inauguration today reflects that.

Your new president is a man of patriotic vision and substance. He loves his nation and its people to the core. He believes that your nation has a mission and intends for you all to fulfil it. No one can ask more of a leader than that.

President John Mahama and I share a deep friendship. My dear brother, I am here to work with you. You know you can count on Nigerias support and goodwill whenever needed. We are your brothers and sisters. The bond is strong and cannot be broken.

May your administration be a profound success and progress for you, Ghanaians, and our entire region.

I am confident that the new government, under the leadership of President John Mahama, will work with Nigeria to strengthen this powerful bond, leading to greater shared prosperity for our people. I have no doubt that your administration will bring about positive change and progress.

Your ascension to power should also mark a new and invigorated momentum in pursuing subregional integration and progress. With laser focus, we can tackle our peoples most pressing concerns: poverty, youth unemployment, instability, insurgency, and many other problems hampering our desired progress.

May Ghanas democracy continue to grow stronger. May progress and prosperity be your portion. Let us all look forward to a future filled with hope, opportunity, and prosperity.

God bless Ghana and its beloved people.

God bless Nigeria and its beloved people

God bless ECOWAS

God bless our beloved Africa.

I thank you for your kind attention.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) is the president and commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

This is the text of remarks made as the Special Guest of Honour at the swearing-in of President John Dramani Mahama in Accra on 7 January.

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President Bola Tinubu has demonstrated, by default, design and in all aspects, that he is that leader Nigeria sorely needs to mend the broken, heal the wounded, unite the disparate, and inspire hope for the future.

The vade mecum, From Third World to First: Singapore and the Asian Economic Boom, is one of the textual tonics that encapsulates leadership for me. Leadership is most effective when there is a thrust of personal example; when bold language is in harmony with body language, and when there is a patriotic will to unite collective wills for the common good.

President Bola Tinubu has demonstrated, by default, design and in all aspects, that he is that leader Nigeria sorely needs to mend the broken, heal the wounded, unite the disparate, and inspire hope for the future.

I had written in the past why unity seemed to be elusive and had largely put the responsibility of inspiring patriotism and good fellowship on leadership. In a complex society such as Nigeria, the leadership must consistently show understanding of diverse sensitivities and manage variegated, multi-pronged concerns, even when it is uncomfortable to do so.

By his body language, bold language, and in his policies, public statements, and without exhibitionist undertones or showmanship, President Tinubu consistently shows he is the leader for all Nigerians.

His policies and programmes, for instance, have been carefully designed and implemented to benefit Nigerians across all aisles, religious persuasion, and ethnic complexion.

The landmark Student Loan Scheme implemented by the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), for example, has beneficiaries from higher institutions of learning from all zones. By the same token, the Consumer Credit Scheme, managed by CREDICORP, is tailored to provide credit facilities to Nigerians of all prisms. Other programmes, such as the CNG Initiative, have the same patriotic bent.

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In 2024, President Tinubu created the Ministry of Livestock Development and disclosed his ambitious plans and reforms for this sector. Principally, the aim is to address perennial herder-farmer conflicts and unlock the treasures in Nigerias livestock sector.

President Tinubu: This is not about politics; this is about opportunity. This is about our nation. When we have great opportunities in our states, why should Nigerians continue to experience conflicts? Modern technology is available to us. We are ready to work. We need to provide the incentive to enable Nigeria to finally take advantage of livestock farming; dairy products and cold-chain logistics collectively offer substantial commercial and economic advantages. We have seen solutions and opportunities. With these adversities that have plagued us over the years, I believe that prosperity is here.

The dairy industry contributes significantly to nutrition and food security by supplying essential proteins and vitamins, through milk and its derivatives, such as cheese, yoghurt, and butter. Efficient cold-chain logistics is crucial in maintaining the quality and safety of these perishable goods from farms to markets, thereby reducing food waste and ensuring a steady supply. This sector will boost agricultural productivity, enhance export opportunities, and stimulate economic growth by fostering a robust value chain that benefits farmers, processors, herders, distributors, and consumers alike.

The livestock programme is another seminal initiative to look out for. It is as clear as day that every Nigerian and every zone matters under the Tinubu administration, whether it is in infrastructure development, resource allocation, policy design and implementation, every Nigerian matters, every Nigerian is carried along.

The President also signed the bills for the creation of some zonal development commissions  North-West Development Commission and South-East Development Commission  to accelerate development across all zones.

The Presidents signing of the bill for the creation of the South-East Development Commission, in particular, received unanimous commendation as the zone had long sought for such an institutional vehicle to advance its development agenda.

On 4 January, the President paid a working visit to Enugu State, his first official call in 2025. The visit is immensely significant and underlines the importance accorded to the zone, as well as the Presidents genuine effort at bringing all Nigerians together.

In Enugu, the President inaugurated projects, which include the GTC Smart Green School, New Haven/Bisalla Road, the International Conference Centre, the Command-and-Control Centre, and 150 patrol vehicles equipped with surveillance cameras, among others.

He affirmed his administrations commitment to complete the Eastern rail line, connecting Port Harcourt to Maiduguri. Already, the Port Harcourt/Aba section has been completed. He also expressed his support for the development of the Anambra Basin, which is considered rich in oil and gas.

President Tinubu interacted with a blend of leaders in the South-East, listening, taking note of their concerns, and ending with a fine word salad of unity, hope, and compassion.

Leadership must rise to the highest ideals, values, and loftiest goals. President Tinubu embodies the fine ideals of leadership in inspiring hope, unity, and rallying citizens together for the common good.

Fredrick Nwabufo is senior special assistant to the President on Public Engagement.

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The troops of 1 Brigade, Sector 2 Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have killed a notorious terrorist, Sani Russu, in Zamfara.

The troops also succeeded in various operations against terrorists in the state and recovered arms.

This is contained in a statement in Gusau on Monday by the Coordinator, Joint Media Coordination Centre Operation Fansan Yamma, Abubakar Abdullahi.

On Jan. 4, the troops conducted a fighting patrol to Bamamu village in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara and had an encounter with terrorists in the area.

Consequently, a notorious kingpin, Sani Rusu, was neutralised in the process.

The troops in the same day during an ambush operation which was based on credible intelligence regarding terrorist activities at Kwanar Jollof in Shinkafi local government area, neutralised some terrorists while others sustained fatal injuries.

He further stated that the operation also led to the recovery of one AK47 rifle and one G3 rifle, alongside eight rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, four rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, three magazines and three motorcycles.

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In a separate operation, the Air Component Operation of Fansan Yamma conducted air strikes on terrorists converging between Fakai and Kware area of Shinkafii on Dec. 30.

This airstrike was launched in response to intelligence indicating that terrorists, led by Bello Turji, had convened a meeting in the area.

In a follow-up operation on Jan. 2, the Air Component further conducted air strikes at Maikaman Rini area of Sububu Forest in support of Operation Fansan Yamma ground troops operations against terrorists kingpin, Ibrahim Chumos camp in the area.

The troops also conducted offensive operations against Bello Turjis camp in Chida area of Shinkafi on Jan. 5.

An aerial surveillance revealed the terrorists suffered significant casualties during these operations with several terrorists injured and their hideouts destroyed.

He noted that Operation Fansan Yamma remained committed to eliminating all terrorist threats across the Joint Task Force Theatre of Operations and assured the public of its determination to maintain peace and security in the region.

The joint task force encourages continued cooperation from communities toward the achievement of its mandate.

(NAN)

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Bashir Saidu, former chief of staff to ex-governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, for alleged money laundering.

Mr Saidu also served as commissioner of finance during Mr El-Rufais administration. He was arraigned at the Kaduna Federal High Court alongside Ibrahim Muktar, a civil servant with the state Ministry of Finance.

According to case file No FHC/KD/IC/2025 published by Daily Trust, the defendants face two charges of money laundering.

Court documents stated that sometime in March 2022, as the commissioner of finance, he did accept cash payment of the sum of N155,000,000.00 from one Ibrahim Muktar exceeding the amount authorised by law, which sum you received in cash through proxy to wit: Muazu Abdu, your Special Assistant and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 2(a) and punishable under the Section 19(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The ICPC also alleged that in the same March 2022 or thereabouts, Mr Saidu indirectly took control of the sum of N155,000,000.00 received in cash for and on behalf of you by one Muazu Abdul from Ibrahim Muktar, which fund you reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity to wit: corruption and you hereby committed an offence contrary to section 18(2)(d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering(Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

According to Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, any person who contravenes the provisions of subsection(2) is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not less than four years but not more than 14 years or a fine not less than five times the value of the proceeds of the crime or both.

The charge, signed by the Assistant Chief Legal Officer of ICPC, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, was filed on Tuesday at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.

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Background

The Kaduna State House of Assembly, in a report, had indicted Mr El-Rufai for allegedly siphoning the state governments funds to the tune of over N423 billion.

Many of Mr El-Rufais officials are also facing charges in the state or before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), ICPC, and the Code of Conduct Bureau over alleged fraud.

Among them is Mr Saidu who was arraigned on Tuesday.

Mr El-Rufai has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing while in office and accused the Kaduna Assembly of acting a script to tarnish his image and those of members of his administration.

Earlier arrest

According to credible sources, including family and associates, the police besieged a residence near Mr Saidus house at Coronation Crescent, in Kaduna on Sunday before arresting him in the Rigachikun area.

He was subsequently taken to the Operation Fushin Kada office on Constitution Road for questioning, before being arraigned at a magistrate court in Rigasa that same day. This was despite his reported denial of money laundering allegations and the alleged sale of 12 government houses.

A political ally of Mr Saidu, Ibrahim Mohammed, told PREMIUM TIMES that after hearing the prosecution and defence counsels, the magistrate, Muhammad Musa, rejected Mr Saidus bail application and ordered him remanded at the Kaduna Central Prison.

The case was adjourned to 21 January.

PREMIUM TIMES also gathered that Mr El-Rufai, alongside some ex-commissioners and friends, visited Mr Saidu in the prison on Monday.

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Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has rejected a request by the Nigerian government to continue his trial.

Aloy Ejimakor, his special counsel, disclosed this in a letter addressed to the court in December.

The letter was uploaded on Mr Ejimakors X handle on Tuesday.

Mr Kanu has been in detention since he was repatriated to Nigeria from Kenya in June 2021 under controversial circumstances.

The IPOB leader is being prosecuted for alleged terrorism by the Nigerian government at a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Recusal of trial judge

During the courts last hearing on 24 September 2024, Mr Kanu requested that Justice Binta Nyako recuse herself from his trial, accusing the judge of bias.

The judge subsequently announced her withdrawal from the matter, but the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court later still reassigned the matter to Mrs Nyako.

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Nigerian govts request

Through its lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo, the Nigerian govt requested the court to fix a date to continue the IPOB leaders trial.

The letter was dated 5 December 2024 and addressed to the deputy chief registrar of the Federal High Court.

We write as prosecuting counsel in the above-named criminal case pending before the Federal High Court, Mr Awomolo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said in the letter in reference to Mr Kanus case.

He said, Your record will reveal that the defendant asked His Lordship, the Honourable Justice Binta Nyako, to recuse herself on Tuesday, 24th September 2024. The case file was returned to the Honourable Chief Judge.

We were informed that the Honourable Chief Judge had returned the case file for the continuation of trial before His Lordship, the Honourable Justice Binta Nyako.

Grateful, may we ask for a date for the continuation of the hearing of the criminal charges against the defendant.

Kanu kicks

But reacting, Mr Ejimakor, Mr Kanus special counsel, rejected the governments request and insisted that Mrs Nyakos order recusing herself from the case remains valid.

In the letter addressed to the courts Deputy Chief Registrar on behalf of Mr Kanu, the lawyer said the IPOB leader was displeased with the letter by the Nigerian government.

Our position is predicated on the fact that His Lordship, Hon. Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako, had entered and enrolled an order recusing herself from handling the case.

The said order entered on 24th September 2024 remains extant and subsisting, as it has not been set aside by any competent court order, Mr Ejimakor stated.

For the avoidance of doubt, as of 24th September 2024, the defendant no longer has any such case to answer before Hon. Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako.

The special counsel argued that the governments request was fatally misconceived and could mislead the court to a path of infamy and unconstitutionality.

We are not against trial but that Justice Binta Nyako, having recused herself, she can no longer preside over the case, Mr Ejimakor said in a post on his X handle on Tuesday.

Background

Mr Kanu was first arrested in 2015 under the administration of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Court of Appeal, Abuja, on 13 October 2022, held that the IPOB leader was extraordinarily renditioned to Nigeria and that the action was a flagrant violation of the countrys extradition treaty and a breach of his fundamental human rights.

The court, therefore, struck out the terrorism charges filed against Mr Kanu by the Nigerian government and ordered his release from the facility of the State Security Service

But the government refused to release the IPOB leader, insisting that he (Kanu) could be unavailable in subsequent court proceedings if released and that his release would cause insecurity in the South-east, where he comes from.

The government, through the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, later appealed the court ruling and subsequently obtained an order staying the execution of the court judgement at the Supreme Court.

Delivering judgement on the appeal on 15 December 2023, the Supreme Court reversed the lower courts acquittal granted to Mr Kanu and consequently ordered the continuation of his trial at the Federal High Court Abuja.

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Archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) have discovered a 1,500-year-old monastery. The researchers call it one of the most important finds, as there was a mosaic with God's blessing inside the building.

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The excavations are part of the Israel Land Authority's plans for the northern district of Karmei Gat. Here, experts have found a large monastery complex dating back to the V-VI centuries AD in the Byzantine period, HeritageDaily reports.

According to scientists, inside the monastery there is a large mosaic with a Greek inscription that reads, "Blessed are you when you come in, and blessed are you when you go out."

This is one of the blessings God promised the Israelites if they obeyed Him. This means that every aspect of their lives would be blessed, and wherever they went, His blessing would follow them, religious scholars say.

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As described by the researchers, the mosaic contains intricate patterns made of small symbols depicting crosses, lions, doves, amphorae, and flowers.

The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) said the monastery was strategically located along a major road connecting the mountains and the coastal plain, serving both travelers and local communities.

"This is the largest and most significant site discovered in the region from the Roman and Byzantine eras. The findings indicate a sequence of settlements, from the Early Roman period (1st century AD) to the end of the Byzantine period," the IAA said in a statement.

The excavations also revealed the foundations of at least ten monastery buildings, including gates, large warehouse buildings of the local ceramic industry and a winery.

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BEIJING, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Having gone through the extraordinary year of 2024, the diligent and determined Chinese people are tirelessly moving toward 2025, a year full of both challenges and opportunities. "As always, we grow in the wind and rain, and we get stronger through hard times. We must be confident." "Of all the jobs in front of us, the most important is to ensure a happy life for our people." "China will work with all countries to promote friendship and cooperation, enhance mutual learning among different cultures, and build a community with a shared future for mankind. We must jointly create a better future for the world."



President Xi Jinping's 2025 New Year message embodies the spirit of unity, self-improvement, and positive progress of the Chinese people, while also demonstrating China's embrace of global cooperation and its deep commitment to advancing the cause of humanity.



International mainstream media immediately seized on the key word from this New Year's message - "confidence." In the face of challenges posed by external uncertainties and the pressures of transitioning between old and new growth drivers, China has the resolve, boldness, and confidence to maintain its faith and overcome challenges. On the last day of 2024, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced plans to build 10,000 factories powered by 5G and no less than 20 pilot cities for the integrated application of 5G + industrial internet by 2027, accelerating China's high-quality development. On the same day, the National Health Commission also unveiled eight key public service initiatives for 2025, including the "cancellation of outpatient prepayment," putting the philosophy of prioritizing people's livelihoods in Chinese modernization into practice. The Chinese people, with their steadfast determination and hard work along the established path, set the tone for China's endeavor in 2025, and instill valuable confidence in the world.



A vibrant and orderly China has unsurprisingly become a stabilizing anchor amid the global turbulence.



President Xi's projections at the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference's New Year gathering - that annual GDP is expected to grow by about five percent in 2024 and that more proactive macroeconomic policies will be put in place next year - have been widely quoted by foreign media. The latest data shows that the three major indices, including manufacturing PMI, for December are all within the expansion range, validating the strong resilience of China's economy. Whether delivering positive economic results amid intense internal and external pressures or sticking to a high-level opening-up reform roadmap despite "decoupling" and supply chain disruptions, China's robust spirit and excellent execution provide the world with a sense of security and positive energy.



On the first day of the New Year 2025, the domestically produced large aircraft C919, adorned in "shining China red," made its inaugural flight on the regular commercial route between Shanghai and Hong Kong, marking a busier year ahead. Just a few days ago, the world's fastest high-speed train, the CR450, was unveiled. This year, China's Long March-8A rocket is set for maiden flight, and the Solar Wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE), a joint space mission with the European Space Agency, will be launched. China's pace of independent innovation is accelerating, and a "new" and dynamic China is not only envisioning a more sci-fi-like future for us but will also significantly boost the quality and efficiency of China's economic development.



For China, 2025 is a significant year. The country will continue to deepen reforms at its own pace and fully implement the "14th Five-Year Plan." As the world's largest developing economy, China managing its own affairs well and seeking happiness for its people is the best manifestation of its sense of responsibility as a major power. At the same time, China is striving to provide "incremental" market opportunities for the world. Starting from January 1 of this year, provisional import tariffs, lower than the most-favored-nation rates, have been applied to 935 commodities, and the China-Maldives Free Trade Agreement has also taken effect, resulting in tariff reductions. These measures not only help to activate and expand domestic demand but also demonstrate China's firm commitment to opening-up, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation with the world.



In the new year, the international situation presents both foreseeable difficulties and unpredictable risks. In the face of prolonged geopolitical disputes and even conflicts, China will firmly be a force for peace, addressing uncertainties in the world with China's certainty, and will continue to play a constructive role in the political resolution of hot spot issues. Confronted with global challenges such as escalating climate disasters and the chaotic development of artificial intelligence, China will actively participate in global governance, contributing to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. In 2025, China's commitment to high-quality Belt and Road cooperation will not waver, and the principle of seeking the greatest common denominator for cooperation with other countries will remain unchanged. Moreover, the policy of opening-up, including the visa-free "circle of friends," will continue to evolve. Whether it is a diligent China or an open and friendly China, the ongoing resonance of values with the world enhances humanity's confidence in jointly building a better future.



"Dreams and wishes may be far, but they can be fulfilled with dedicated pursuit." In President Xi Jinping's 2025 New Year message, we witness both the storms and rainbows, the magnanimity of a great nation, and the determination of every ordinary Chinese person on their journey of struggle. China will never underestimate the difficulties ahead but will steadfastly pursue the path of Chinese modernization, enhancing its national strength and improving the well-being of its people. At the same time, it will consider the benefits to the world, resonate with it, and move forward together.

SOURCE Global Times
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- AIMA Technology Group (https://www.aimatech.com/), a global leader in sustainable mobility, is proud to unveil its groundbreaking 2025 eBike lineup at CES 2025. This launch represents a pivotal step in the evolution of sustainable transportation, with a collection designed to redefine performance, style, and freedom for riders worldwide.

AIMA's New Brand Proposition: "Better Performance, More Freedom"

AIMA Key West AIMA CES 2025 Booth

AIMA's 2025 strategy is defined by its new brand proposition: "Better Performance, More Freedom." This philosophy underscores the company's commitment to delivering innovative products, empowering riders, and fostering stronger dealer partnerships.

Better Performance: Engineered for advanced functionality, exceptional durability, and effortless usability, AIMA's eBikes ensure every ride exceeds expectations.

Engineered for advanced functionality, exceptional durability, and effortless usability, AIMA's eBikes ensure every ride exceeds expectations. More Freedom: Riders enjoy seamless exploration and sustainable living, while dealers benefit from unparalleled growth opportunities.

AIMA's Vision for 2025

AIMA's 2025 roadmap focuses on four strategic pillars to elevate the eMobility experience:

Continuing dealer-focusing strategy and expanding the Dealer Network: Partnering with independent bike shops to bring premium eBikes closer to communities. Strengthening Product Competitiveness: Leading the sub $2,000 eBike category with innovative, affordable offerings. Enhancing Customer Engagement: Creating interactive experiences such as demo rides and Ebike educational material. Unveiling New Models: Launching diverse eBikes for urban commuters and off-road adventurers alike.

The Lexus of eBikes

AIMA has earned the title "The Lexus of E-Bikes" for its premium design and unmatched performance. Clint Hough of Trick Ebikes in California praises AIMA's seamless blend of manufacturing expertise, stringent quality control, and forward-thinking innovation.

2025 Product Highlights

AIMA's 2025 lineup introduces eight new models and three upgraded designs, each tailored to meet diverse rider needs:

Key West: Sleek and ergonomic, perfect for city commuters.

Sleek and ergonomic, perfect for city commuters. Venice : A Rizoma collaboration featuring futuristic aesthetics and practicality.

A Rizoma collaboration featuring futuristic aesthetics and practicality. Manhattan : A folding eBike designed for seamless urban mobility.

A folding eBike designed for seamless urban mobility. Rocky: A rugged eMTB for outdoor enthusiasts.

A rugged eMTB for outdoor enthusiasts. Also a new key model to be unveiled on January 8 at the CES: Built with unmatched durability and power, this all-terrain eBike lives up to the slogan "Built Like a Tank."

Angela Zheng, CEO of AIMA E-Bike, shared, "Our 2025 eBike lineup blends performance, functionality, and commuter elegance. These eBikes are designed for everyonefrom urban commuters to weekend adventurershighlighting our commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability. Collaborations with pioneers like Rizoma, Bafang, and Rob Janoff have ensured that every model offers a unique, premium experience."

Pioneering collaborations:

Rizoma: Known for precision engineering and premium materials, Rizoma brought innovative Italian design concepts to the Venice eBike.

Known for precision engineering and premium materials, Rizoma brought innovative Italian design concepts to the eBike. Bafang: A leader in e-mobility electrical system, Bafang's motors power AIMA's eBikes with unmatched efficiency and reliability.

A leader in e-mobility electrical system, Bafang's motors power AIMA's eBikes with unmatched efficiency and reliability. Rob Janoff : The iconic designer behind the Apple logo crafted AIMA's modern and sleek brand identity, reinforcing its premium image.

Innovative Features



AIMA's eBikes deliver an unparalleled riding experience with cutting-edge advancements:

Enhanced Battery Technology: Lightweight, long-range batteries provide greater freedom for exploration.

Lightweight, long-range batteries provide greater freedom for exploration. High-Performance Motors: Powered by AIMA's trusted partner, Bafang, these efficient and reliable motors ensure smooth and effortless rides, even on challenging terrains.

Powered by AIMA's trusted partner, Bafang, these efficient and reliable motors ensure smooth and effortless rides, even on challenging terrains. Safety First: Equipped with hydraulic disc brakes and intelligent torque sensors, AIMA eBikes offer superior control and stability.

Equipped with hydraulic disc brakes and intelligent torque sensors, AIMA eBikes offer superior control and stability. Ergonomic Design: Rider-centric designs prioritize comfort and accessibility for an exceptional experience.

Shaping the Future of Electric Mobility

From the rugged versatility of the Rocky to the sleek sophistication of the Manhattan, AIMA's 2025 eBike lineup reflects a commitment to creating a greener, connected future. Every model empowers riders to explore confidently and sustainably. In 2025, NBDA recognizes AIMA as the "Best IBD Partner" as its dealer-first approach is a game-changer for independent bike shops, fostering trust and expertise in communities.

Visit AIMA at CES 2025

Join AIMA at Booth 10947 in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center to experience the 2025 lineup firsthand. Discover why AIMA sets the gold standard in eMobility and paves the way for sustainable transportation.

Special Invitation: January 8 Product Launch Event Don't miss AIMA's exclusive product launch event on January 8, 2025, at 11:00 AM. Be among the first to witness the unveiling of our latest groundbreaking eBike model and explore the future of sustainable mobility.

About AIMA E-Bike

AIMA E-Bike leads the industry in sustainable electric mobility, delivering high-quality eBikes tailored to riders seeking style, performance, and reliability. Through continuous innovation and collaboration, AIMA is transforming the way people move, making mobility greener, smarter, and more connected.

SOURCE AIMA EBikes
Oversubscribed Series A financing led by Frazier Life Sciences and Droia Ventures

Lead program, ALE1, being developed in hypophosphatasia with plans to enter clinical development in 2025

Led by industry veterans and experts in chemistry and rare diseases

LEIDEN, Netherlands, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Alesta Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on developing transformative small molecule therapies for rare diseases, today announced the closing of an oversubscribed 65 million Series A financing round. The round was co-led by Frazier Life Sciences and Droia Ventures, with participation from Novartis Venture Fund, RTW Investments, RV Invest, Thuja Capital and SSI Strategy.

Led by a team of seasoned industry veterans with a strong chemistry background and expertise in the rare disease drug development space, the company is developing two small molecule therapeutics designed for oral administration and expects to initiate clinical studies in 2025.

The company's lead asset, ALE1, is a unique, orally active therapeutic candidate for hypophosphatasia (HPP), a rare genetic disorder caused by mutations in the ALPL gene. This condition leads to defective bone and tooth mineralization, resulting in fragile bones, early tooth loss and, in adult patients, clinically significant muscle weakness and fatigue. The US prevalence is estimated to be around 50,000 patients and approximately 75,000 in the EU (including UK).

ALE1 inhibits a novel target to reduce levels of inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi), a key metabolite central to the disease's pathology. Preclinical data supports ALE1 as a clinical candidate, demonstrating desired reduction of PPi levels across multiple animal models following oral administration. ALE1 is currently progressing through GLP toxicology studies, and Alesta expects to initiate clinical studies in 2025. The company believes that ALE1 has the potential to address the entire spectrum of HPP and fundamentally transform patient care across this underserved disease. The asset was in-licensed from 1cBio, and the 1cBio team continues to support Alesta.

Alesta is also developing ALE2 to address tRNA mutations that cause specific forms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT), a group of inherited peripheral neuropathies that lead to progressive muscle weakness, sensory loss, and limb deformities. This condition affects more than 10,000 patients across the US, EU and Japan. ALE2 targets chronic neurotoxicity by inhibiting GCN2, a key regulator of the Integrated Stress Response (ISR) that becomes activated by ribosomal stalling caused by tRNA synthase mutations associated with CMT. Preclinical data supports ALE2 as a promising candidate to move forward into clinical development.

"Closing this financing marks an important moment for Alesta," said Ilan Ganot, Chief Executive Officer of Alesta Therapeutics. "With the support of our investors, the expertise and commitment of our team and collaborations with leading academics and disease advocacy groups, we are poised to make significant strides in addressing the unmet needs of patients with rare diseases. This funding enables us to advance ALE1 toward clinical proof of concept and accelerate the development of ALE2, bringing us closer to delivering transformative therapies to those who need them most."

Leadership

The Alesta team combines in-house chemistry and rare disease drug development expertise with insights from global academic and industry-leading experts, creating a strong foundation for groundbreaking innovation.

Alesta is led by:

Ilan Ganot , Chief Executive Officer





, Chief Executive Officer Matthias Van Woensel , Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer





, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer Benit Maru , MBChB, Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer

In addition to the CEO, Alesta's Board of Directors includes:

Laura Brass , Ph.D., Novartis Venture Fund





, Ph.D., Novartis Venture Fund Luc Dochez , Droia Ventures





, Droia Ventures Dan Estes , Ph.D., Frazier Life Sciences





, Ph.D., Frazier Life Sciences Janwillem Naesens, Droia Ventures

"We are proud to support Alesta Therapeutics in its mission to address critical unmet needs in rare diseases," said Luc Dochez, Chairman of the Board. "The preclinical progress of ALE1 and ALE2 underscores the company's potential to deliver much-needed treatment options, and we are excited to support the continued advancement of these programs in 2025 and beyond."

About Alesta Therapeutics

Alesta Therapeutics is a Netherlands-based biotechnology company committed to developing novel oral small molecule therapies for underserved rare diseases. The company's lead asset, ALE1, is being developed for hypophosphatasia (HPP), a rare genetic disorder with significant unmet needs. Alesta is also advancing ALE2, a promising candidate to treat Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease. In January 2025 Alesta announced a 65 million Series A financing supported by leading biotech and life science investors. For more information, visit https://alestatherapeutics.com/.

SOURCE Alesta Therapeutics
 An unnamed 22-year-old man from Taiwan was detained at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok after he was found to be transporting two Asian small-clawed otters and a prairie dog, Metro News reported.

The man had the animals stuffed into three separate socks and taped into his boxer shorts; security officers became suspicious about the large bulge below the man's waistband. They believe he purchased them at a market in the city.

The animals were taken to the Wildlife Conservation Office; the smuggler was arrested.

"We will catch anyone who tries to take animals on planes," a Thai customs department spokesperson said. [Metro News, 12/8/2023]
Archaeologists have found some of the first tools used on Earth, dating back 3 million years. The discovery was made in Africa, which is called the ''cradle of humankind.''

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It was on the Homa Peninsula in Kenya that clues to the early origins of humanity were found, such as ancient tools and the remains of the Afar australopithecine "Lucy," which lived more than three million years ago. This time, a team of experts discovered small knives created by hominids, the first prehuman species to walk on two legs, DailyMail reports.

Researchers from the City University of New York said that hominids knew how to hit one stone against another, creating sharp edges. This homemade knife allowed them to peel and slice fruits and vegetables, as well as to cut hippo meat.

Similar stone tools, known as the Oldowan set, have previously been found to be only 1.7 to 2.9 million years old.

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Leading archaeologist Tom Plummer suggested that the newly discovered tools paved the way for everything that followed. "I believe that the Oldowan tools are the most important technological innovation in human history. After all, it allowed hominids to access a whole range of foods, contributing to an increase in body and brain size," the scientist said.

During the excavations, the team of researchers discovered not only the first knives but also ancient hippopotamus bones with incisions. This proved that Oldowan's technology existed almost three million years ago, CBSNews reports.

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According to scientists, the excavation site may help determine the existence of humans on Earth. "We are the last bipeds, as I call it. All these other ways of life are extinct. And that gives us a lot to think about," said Rick Potts, director of the Smithsonian's Human Origins Program and head of the Nyanga Peninsula research.

As a reminder, scientists have found evidence that modern humans appeared in Africa about 300,000 years ago  600,000 years after hominids went extinct. However, researchers have only recently realized that the prehuman group began walking upright six million years ago.

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All figures in Canadian dollars.

TORONTO, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Alphi Capital ("Alphi"), a lower middle-market private equity firm focused on partnering with service-based companies in Canada, announces the final close of its debut fund, Alphi Capital I, LP ("the Fund") with total limited partner commitments of $295 million. The Fund had strong interest from investors and significantly exceeded its $200 million target.

The Fund received commitments from a diverse group of North American investors including pension funds, foundations and endowments, government agencies, insurance companies, family offices, fund of funds, as well as founders, executives, and other industry professionals.

"We are grateful to our investors for entrusting us with their capital. Our team is dedicated to working alongside our management teams to execute our value-creation strategy and deliver exceptional returns for our investors and partners." said Thecla Sweeney, Co-Founder of Alphi Capital.

Alphi Capital invests in business-to-business service and value-added distribution companies, focusing on initial platform investments of $5 million to $10 million of EBITDA. The firm partners with founders and owners, offering more than just capital. Alphi equips its partner businesses with the tools and resources needed to scale rapidly and professionally, both organically and by acquisition.

Fund I has invested in three platform companies to date:

Da-Lee Services Inc.  Ontario  provider of infrastructure and environmental services to municipalities and industrial customers in Canada and the U.S.

 provider of infrastructure and environmental services to municipalities and industrial customers in and the U.S. K2 Fasteners Inc.  British Columbia  national master distributor of stainless-steel fasteners and other corrosion resistant fasteners with a highly technical sales team.

 national master distributor of stainless-steel fasteners and other corrosion resistant fasteners with a highly technical sales team. Eastbay Technologies Inc.  Ontario  leading provider of outsourced I.T. services in Canada via its team of highly trained sales and technical consultants.

"We launched Alphi to be a great partner for founders looking to take their business to the next level", said Andrew Fortier, Co-Founder of Alphi Capital. "We are extremely thankful for the support and conviction of our investors and the many others who contributed to our success to date."

Metric Point Capital served as exclusive placement agent. Torys served as Canadian and U.S. counsel.

About Alphi Capital

Founded in 2022 and based in Toronto, Ontario, Alphi Capital is a lower middle-market private equity firm focused on partnering with founders and owners in business-to-business service and value-added distribution companies in Canada.

About Metric Point

Metric Point is a boutique private capital advisory firm that specializes in raising institutional capital and executing transactions across the full spectrum of primaries, secondaries, and other liquidity solutions for alternative investment managers.

About Torys

Torys LLP is a business law firm known for best-in-class client service and the most cohesive cross-border legal team in the market. In 2024, it was the only Canadian firm ranked Band 1 in both Fund Formation and Buyouts by Chambers and Partners.

SOURCE Alphi Capital
NORWOOD, Mass., Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Amplix, a portfolio company of Gemspring Capital and a national provider of technology advisory services, including strategy, consulting, implementation, and managed services, announced today the acquisition of Xela Communications, LLC ("Xela"). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Red Bank, New Jersey, Xela Communications has established itself as a trusted advisor and technology expense management partner for enterprises across a broad range of industries. Xela offers expert technology guidance and support, enabling clients to effectively track, manage, and continuously optimize their technology investments.

Dan Gill, CEO of Amplix, commented, "The addition of Xela and their talented team strengthens Amplix's technology advisory services and represents a strategic expansion of our capabilities in technology expense management. As a trusted partner for enterprises managing service inventories and vendor relationships, Amplix will integrate Xela's proven methodologies and best practices into the broader platform, further enhancing the value we deliver to our clients."

Adam Park, CEO of Xela, shared, "Xela has always been committed to creating value for our clients. By becoming part of Amplix, which shares our commitment to client success, we can now offer expanded expertise, capabilities, and services to help our clients maximize their technology investments. I'm excited to contribute to Amplix's mission and build on their strong foundation of delivering extraordinary client outcomes."

About Xela Communications

Based in Red Bank, New Jersey, Xela Communications is a trusted partner specializing in technology advisory and expense management services. Xela empowers enterprise IT departments by providing expert guidance on technology strategy, supporting procurement processes, and delivering comprehensive technology expense management. By seamlessly integrating into clients' IT operations, Xela enables organizations to optimize their technology environment, gain control over expenses, and foster more efficient relationships with technology providers. For more information, visit www.xelallc.com .

About Amplix

Amplix provides technology advisory services, including strategy, consulting, implementation, and managed services, to more than 3,500 clients nationwide, enabling data-driven technology decision-making and optimization. Amplix advisory services encompass strategy, consulting, implementation, and managed services in technology areas that include AI, cloud, infrastructure, security, unified communications, mobility, and business applications. Amplix is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts with over 200 employees in more than 20 states and Canada. For more information, visit www.amplix.com .

About Gemspring Capital

Gemspring Capital, a Westport, Connecticut-based private equity firm with $3.8 billion of capital under management, provides flexible capital solutions to middle market companies. Gemspring partners with talented management teams and takes a partnership approach to helping drive revenue growth, value creation and sustainable competitive advantages. Target companies have up to $1 billion in revenue and are in the business services, consumer services, financial and insurance services, healthcare, industrial, software, and tech-enabled services sectors. For more information, visit www.gemspring.com.

CONTACT: Zubin Malkani, [email protected] or Dan Gill, [email protected].

SOURCE Gemspring Capital
BAYPORT, Minn., Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Andersen Corporation (Andersen), manufacturer of America's most trusted brand of windows and doors*, has appointed Kelly Aronson as senior vice president of Renewal by Andersen affiliate retail operations and digital experience. Renewal by Andersen is the full-service window and door replacement division of Andersen Corporation.

Andersen Corporation has appointed Kelly Aronson as senior vice president of Renewal by Andersen affiliate retail operations and digital experience. Aronson moves into this role following an enterprise position as senior vice president and chief digital officer at Andersen Corporation.

Aronson joined Renewal by Andersen in 2014 as IT director. Over the past decade, she has been a pivotal force in transforming the company's information technology and digital strategy, significantly elevating the homeowner, retailer and team member experience. Aronson moves into this role following an enterprise position as senior vice president and chief digital officer at Andersen Corporation.

"Kelly is an inspirational leader, committed to engaging and motivating the team, leading with purpose and intention, and focused on building and nurturing relationships. Her vision, leadership, and dedication to innovation will be invaluable as we continue to enhance our retail operations and digital capabilities to consistently delight our customers with exceptional home improvement experiences," said Troy Barrow, president of Renewal by Andersen.

In her new position, Aronson will oversee affiliate operations, including regional management, business development, national training and development, retail transformation, retail data and analytics and the digital experience team.

Alongside her responsibilities at Andersen, Aronson also serves as a Board of Trustees Member for the Science Museum of Minnesota, a Board Member for CIOs Against Cancer and a member of the Minnesota CIO Advisory Board.

Aronson replaces Jeanne Junker, who will retire from Renewal by Andersen after leading the company's retail operations for the past 25 years.

"Jeanne's dedication and leadership have been instrumental in our success over the past 25 years. We are deeply grateful for her service and wish her all the best in her retirement. We are confident that Kelly is the right leader to drive the next phase of our growth, bringing innovative vision and a commitment to excellence to our retail network as we strive every day to deliver world-class experiences to every homeowner who chooses Renewal by Andersen to help make their home improvement dreams a reality," said Chris Galvin, president and chief executive officer of Andersen Corporation.

*2023 Andersen brand survey of U.S. homeowners

About Andersen Corporation

Andersen was founded in 1903 on the philosophy of working "all together" to deliver on its promise to its customers. Every day, the company's more than 13,000 employees are empowered to imagine what's possible and do what's right. Andersen delivers products for the way people live, unmatched performance for the comfort and security homeowners desire, and endless design options to achieve any style.

Headquartered in Bayport, Minn., Andersen Corporation and its subsidiaries manufacture and market window and door products under the Andersen, Renewal by Andersen, EMCO and MQ brands. Andersen, a privately held company, operates manufacturing sites across North America and Europe. Andersen has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2024 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year  Sustained Excellence Award. Visit us at andersenwindows.com.

Follow us on Facebook @AndersenWindows and Instagram @andersen_windows.

SOURCE Andersen Corporation
Bill Baker and Craig Ballard Bring 50 Years of Experience

ANNAPOLIS, Md., Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Annapolis Town Center, a premier mixed-use development located in the heart of Annapolis, is proud to announce the addition of Bill Baker as General Manager and Craig Ballard as Marketing Director. Together, Baker and Ballard bring a combined 50 years of expertise to further elevate Annapolis Town Center as a leading lifestyle destination.

Craig Ballard (top) and Bill Baker (bottom).

Baker is a retail industry expert with over 30 years of experience in commercial property management and real estate, overseeing a $30M renovation of Perimeter Mall in Atlanta, GA, and leading the grand opening of several high-profile properties such as The Shoppes at River Crossing and Oviedo Marketplace.

Ballard has held various Marketing Director roles since 2002. At AutoZone, he led a campaign that increased engagement by 30%. At the National Civil Rights Museum, he launched the "Legacy Award" within the "Freedom Award" campaign.

"Bill and Craig will play vital roles in shaping the future of Annapolis Town Center," said Stephany Ruiz, Vice President Marketing & Experience at Trademark Property Company. "Their proven track records in cultivating a culture of teamwork, innovation, and success, align perfectly with our mission to create exceptional experiences for our community."

As General Manager, Baker will oversee all aspects of Annapolis Town Center, including business development, operations, events, store openings, and property upgrades. He will coordinate with marketing and residential managers to ensure a seamless mixed-use living and shopping experience.

"I'm excited to build on the strong foundation of community partnerships and business growth at Annapolis Town Center," said Baker. "This is more than just a shopping destinationit's a dynamic hub for connection. I'm eager to contribute to all the ways this venue will bring the community together."

Ballard will lead the strategic vision and execution of all marketing initiatives including event management, community relations, public relations, and digital engagement. He will oversee the property's website, social media, and advertising ensuring they align with Annapolis Town Center's brand and mission.

"Joining the Annapolis Town Center team is an incredible opportunity," said Ballard. "I look forward to showcasing the exciting experiences and moments happening here for guests and residents."

This announcement continues significant growth for Annapolis Town Center, recently named the #1 most visited lifestyle center in Maryland, according to Placer.ai data. After welcoming several new tenants such as Sephora, Urbano Mexican Fare, and Toastique, Annapolis Town Center continues to grow and enhance its community impact.

For more information about Annapolis Town Center, please visit https://annapolistowncenter.com.

About Annapolis Town Center & Trademark Property Company

Annapolis Town Center serves as an entertainment destination for locals, visitors, and business professionals alike, offering a relaxing, fun, and inclusive space for the Annapolis and surrounding communities. Annapolis Town Center is operated by Trademark Property Company. Trademark Property Company is a full-service real estate firm focused on investments, development, and institutional services of retail, multifamily, office, and mixed-use properties. Fort Worth, Texas-based Trademark has invested in, developed, or redeveloped 21 million square feet of mixed-use, multifamily, and retail assets worth $4.6 billion. Trademark's experienced team of more than 145 employees is currently responsible for a 17-property portfolio totaling approximately 9.4 million square feet of mixed-use and retail projects across the country. A three-decade leader in navigating the changing mixed-use real estate landscape, Trademark's purpose is to be extraordinary stewards, enhance communities, and enrich lives. For more information, visit www.trademarkproperty.com or interact on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

SOURCE Annapolis Town Center
DALLAS, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Axxess, the leading global technology platform for healthcare at home, has partnered with WOTC.com, the leading authority in maximizing work opportunity tax credits, to offer Axxess clients access to workforce-related tax credits through WOTC.com's services.

"Our partnership with WOTC.com represents Axxess' commitment to ensuring the financial health and stability of our clients," said Chris Taylor, senior vice president of channel partnerships at Axxess. "Through the services offered by WOTC.com, our clients gain the tools and support necessary to maximize federal and state incentive tax credits, enabling them to reap substantial benefits for qualified new hires."

"The potential of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit is often underestimated." Post this

Through this partnership, Axxess clients receive access to WOTC.com's services, including tools to pre-screen and process new employees for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, resulting in credits of between $2,400 and $9,600 per qualified new hire.

"The potential of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit is often underestimated," said Anthony Curlo, chief strategy officer of WOTC.com. "A remarkable 30% of new hires typically qualify for this lucrative incentive, and in high-turnover sectors like healthcare and staffing that number significantly increases."

About Axxess

Axxess is the leading global technology platform for healthcare at home. The company offers a robust ecosystem that empowers healthcare organizations and professionals to deliver the highest quality care. By integrating with partners and payers from across the healthcare continuum, more than 9,000 organizations trust the Axxess network to care for more than 5 million patients worldwide. Multiple independent certifications have confirmed that Axxess has the most secure and industry-compliant software solutions. The company's collaborative culture focused on innovation and excellence is recognized nationally as a "Best Place to Work."

About WOTC.com

WOTC.com is a powerhouse in financial services, renowned for its unmatched expertise in maximizing government incentives and tax credits to boost business profitability. With a leadership team that brings over 100 years of credit mastery and state-of-the-art technology, WOTC.com has successfully secured over $1 billion in government incentives for clientswithout a single dollar returned to the IRS. Supported by a team of credit experts, WOTC.com specializes in navigating federal and state incentive programs, including the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, Research and Development Tax Credit, and a wide array of other lucrative opportunities.

SOURCE Axxess
PHOENIX, Jan. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- B2Gnow , a leading provider of business diversity, labor compliance, and grant management solutions, has been equipping customers with essential tools to comply with the US Department of Transportation's (USDOT) recently updated DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) and ACDBE (Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) program requirements. Building on these efforts, the company is excited to announce its new DBE Certification Sharing functionality, designed to facilitate agencies' interstate certification requests in compliance with the new USDOT rules for interstate certifications ( 26.83(d) &  26.85(g)).

The 2024 Final Rule introduced new procedures for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certifications when businesses certified in one state apply for certifications in different states. Agencies can no longer ask applicants for extra information directly. Instead, they are required to request the certification and eligibility information about the applicant from the state where the applicant was initially certified (the Jurisdiction of Original Certification (JOC)). The JOC agency must then share the information with the secondary agency within 30 days. However, agencies must approve the application within 10 days, regardless of whether they have reviewed or even received the additional information, meaning concerns about eligibility may only be addressed after approval.

Because state DOTs are typically charged with overall responsibility and maintenance of DBE/ACDBE certifications in their home states, the new requirements significantly impact them and can cause non-compliance issues. B2Gnow's DBE Certification Sharing functionality is designed to streamline the interstate DBE certification process by enabling the efficient and secure sharing of essential certification materials between agencies across different states.

When a vendor certified as a DBE in one state seeks DBE certification in another state, they can complete a simplified interstate application online through the B2Gnow system. As established by the new rule, this interstate application allows the vendor to affirm their eligibility by referencing their existing certification with their JOC. Available at no cost to B2Gnow certification management customers, the B2Gnow system facilitates the requesting and digital sharing of additional information from their original application and review process, effectively reducing the administrative burden, providing a secure and seamless process, and achieving final rule compliance.

With deep expertise in the DBE landscape, B2Gnow fully understands the recent regulatory changes and has updated its system to ensure compliance with reporting and program-specific requirements. Many of the new rules were already aligned with B2Gnow's existing capabilities, and the company has tailored additional features necessary to meet the latest requirements seamlessly.

"These rule updates were a big change for our customers, and we were ready," says John Garay, Vice President of Product at B2Gnow, "We created an internal launch team that analyzed the draft rules, and then we worked together to understand the impact, implement the changes, and communicate the updates with our customers. We've kept customers compliant with the new rules while adding valuable new functionality to our platform."

Since the enactment of the 2024 DBE/ACDBE rule changes, B2Gnow has implemented a comprehensive set of platform-wide updates and enhancements to ensure compliance with these regulations and to optimize agency operations. In addition to certification sharing, key updates include streamlined certification procedures, enhanced functionality related to the Personal Net Worth (PNW) limit, additional fields and capabilities associated with MAP-21 reporting, comprehensive tracking and reporting tools for Commercially Useful Function (CUF), upgraded subcontractor management, improved public certification directories, and more.

Please visit https://b2gnow.com/solutions/business-diversity/ to learn more about how B2Gnow supports DBE programs, as well as a wide range of other supplier diversity, prevailing wage labor compliance, and grant management initiatives.

About B2Gnow:

B2Gnow is a leader in providing business diversity, labor compliance, and grant management solutions. With a focus on compliance and equity, B2Gnow's innovative software streamlines vendor certification, project data collection, compliance, and reporting processes, ensuring transparency and fairness in contracting practices. B2Gnow maintains North America's largest database of over 500,000 certified, disadvantaged business entities, helping the federal government, more than half of state governments, hundreds of counties, cities, airports, general contractors, and Fortune 500 companies manage their supplier diversity and compliance programs through technology solutions for 25 years. For more information, visit https://b2gnow.com .

Contact:

Erin Westerman

B2Gnow

725 W McDowell Rd.

Phoenix, Arizona, 85007

[email protected]

SOURCE B2Gnow
NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- For the fifth straight year, BayPort Credit Union has won in all four award categories in the 2024 Social Responsibility Awards sponsored by the Virginia Credit Union League. In 2024, BayPort won first place in the Louise Herring Award category for launching Get My Rate, a new loan technology that enables local consumers to learn their potential loan rate pre-qualification for auto, credit card, or personal loans without affecting their credit score. BayPort recognizes the need for financial education from a trusted local source, directly contributing to economic growth and social development. BayPort is the first financial institution in the country to implement the Get My Rate pre-qualification tool powered by its Credit Score and Reporting provider.

In the Desjardins Adult Financial Education Award category, BayPort won second place for launching strategic initiatives to promote financial education among members and the community. Building on its longstanding history as Newport News Shipbuilding Employees Credit Union, BayPort hosted a series of ongoing virtual and in-person education workshops for shipyard Employee Resource Groups. In addition, BayPort enhanced its Virtual Wellness Series, an online financial education program, and continued participation in the national industry Financial Literacy Month and America Saves Week series.

In the Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award category, BayPort won second place for the Cash for Class, including its Youth Reward$ program, community and school sponsorships, work-based learning programs in high schools, and grants up to $1,000 to K-12 educators and supporting staff.

In the Dora Maxwell Award category, BayPort won third place for reaffirming their commitment to local education and workforce development by announcing the second $500,000 transformational grant called Accelerating Change Together, or the ACT Grant. The BayPort Foundation partnered with three leading companies to address the region's skilled labor shortage by supplying the essential funding necessary to create a strong workforce pipeline. BayPort is also recognized for its annual philanthropic and corporate giving of more than half a million dollars, as well as staff volunteerism and fundraising with legacy nonprofit partnerships.

About BayPort

In 1928, 12 shipyard workers from Newport News Shipbuilding formed an organization with a specific purpose as a low-interest source of loans and a trusted place to deposit money. Today, BayPort Credit Union is rated a Superior 5-Star Credit Union by Bauer Financial, managing $2.4 billion in assets and servicing 152,000 individuals and businesses with 29 branch locations across the Virginia Peninsula and Southside communities.

SOURCE BayPort Credit Union
Chief Executive Officer Todd Cushman Returns to Drive Growth and Support the Development of Innovation

VALENCIA, Calif., Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bioness Medical, Inc. is pleased to announce its launch as a focused organization dedicated to advancing rehabilitation technology. With a history spanning 20+ years, Bioness Medical remains committed to supporting healthcare facilities and individual patients, striving to meet the ultimate goal of improving the lives of those with central nervous disorders or injuries.

Clinicians nationwide rely on the Vector Gait and Safety System and Bioness Integrated Therapy System (BITS) to help patients make the challenging transition from the hospital to their homes. Beyond clinical settings, patients receive support from the L300 Go and H200 functional electrical stimulation technologies, which have long served as a way for users to confidently get back to their everyday lives.

"It is an honor to return to Bioness Medical and lead the Company in its next chapter," shared Todd Cushman, Chief Executive Officer. "We are dedicated to supporting patients battling conditions and injuries that impact mobility such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, and traumatic brain injuries. I am dedicated to renewing the Bioness commitment to the clinical community by partnering in a meaningful way to bring new and innovative therapeutic technology to the marketplace. The Bioness Medical team truly cares for the patients and customers we serve and I have no doubt that 2025 will be an exciting year for the company and the neuro-rehabilitation community."

As a focused rehabilitation company, Bioness Medical is eager to develop a technology roadmap that incorporates valuable input from our clinical partners as the team continues to move forward with the purpose of helping patients improve their quality of life. Throughout the transition, Bioness Medical will maintain open communication, providing updates and sharing pertinent information with its community. Bioness Medical is committed to providing the same quality of service, education and support that the community knows and expects.

About Bioness Medical, Inc.:

Bioness Medical, Inc. is a forward-thinking rehabilitation technology Company that provides a wide array of innovative solutions aimed at improving patient recovery. With a focus on individuals affected by central nervous system disorders, the company is dedicated to providing healthcare professionals and patients with the tools needed to achieve better rehabilitation outcomes. By leveraging the latest advancements within the Rehabilitation community, Bioness Medical, Inc. is committed to shaping the future of patient recovery. For more information about Bioness Medical, Inc. visit Bionessrehab.com. You can also follow us at LinkedIn , Instagram , and X .

SOURCE Bioness Medical, Inc.
The January editions of Supply Chain Digital, Procurement Magazine & Manufacturing Digital include interviews with leading experts and executives from Estee Lauder, Nike, Vodafone & more!

LONDON, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BizClik, the UK's fastest-growing publishing company, has published the latest editions of Supply Chain Digital, Procurement Magazine and Manufacturing Digital. These publications are highly regarded within the supply chain, logistics and manufacturing sectors for their in-depth reports and interviews with prominent figures in the respective industries.

Supply Chain Digital

This month's edition features an extensive lead interview with Roberto Canevari, CSCO at the Estee Lauder Companies, who shares how the organisation is creating a new generation of supply chain professionals.

"The reason why I love the Supply Chain profession is because you are never constrained."

The edition also contains extensive interviews with key thought leaders from Columbia University, DB Schenker & Auchan Retail, along with the Top 10: Predictions for 2025.

Procurement Magazine

This month's edition features an extensive interview with Ninian Wilson, CEO of Vodafone Procurement & Connectivity, who discusses how AI and Automation are reshaping Telco supply chains.

"You've got to get buy-in from the people you work with and get those individuals excited about the change that's coming."

The edition also contains extensive interviews with key thought leaders from Columbia University, ProcessUnity & Coupa along with the Top 10: Strategic Sourcing Leaders.

Manufacturing Digital

This month's edition features an in-depth report on Nike's 'Project A.I.R' which harnesses generative AI, 3D Printing and futuristic design.

"At the heart of all we do is the Athlete" Heidi O'Neill, President, Consumer, Product and Brand, Nike.

The edition also contains extensive interviews with key thought leaders from Microsoft, Verizon & Lenovo along with the Top 10: Predictions for 2025.

You can visit Supply Chain Digital, Procurement Magazine and Manufacturing Digital for daily news and analysis of the ever-changing supply chain, manufacturing and logistics industries.

About BizClik

BizClik is one of the fastest-growing digital media companies in the UK, host to a growing portfolio of industry-leading global brands and communities.

BizClik's expanding portfolio includes Technology, AI, FinTech, InsurTech, Supply Chain, Procurement, Energy, Mining, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Mobile, Data Centre, Cyber, and Sustainability.

For more information, please visit https://www.bizclikmedia.com/.

SOURCE Bizclik Media
TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Brixey & Meyer, a leading accounting and advisory firm, is excited to announce the expansion into the Tampa market. This expansion into the vibrant Tampa market marks a significant milestone in the firm's strategic growth and commitment to serving clients in Florida and beyond.

With a proven track record of delivering superior accounting, audit, tax, and advisory services, Brixey & Meyer brings decades of expertise to Tampa's thriving business community. The new office will allow the firm to better support existing clients in the region while forging new relationships with organizations in need of a strategic partner for growth.

"Tampa is a market our firm has targeted as we continue our strategic growth. This expansion reflects the firm's commitment to delivering exceptional services to clients across the Florida area. We look forward to becoming an integral part of the Tampa market driving value for our clients and contributing to the community at large."  Doug Meyer, CEO

Brixey & Meyer has consistently demonstrated its commitment to innovation and client success, earning recognition multiple times as one of the Best of the Best and Fastest-Growing CPA firms in the US and Canada, a testament to its dynamic growth and unwavering dedication to excellence.

"I'm excited about leading Brixey & Meyer's entry into a new market. We continue to build a great brand in which we focus on adding value to our clients and the communities we're in. Tampa is a tremendous fit with the strong growth the area has seen and the positive momentum of middle market business environment. I look forward to leveraging our success in our other markets, especially Columbus, to quickly becoming a part of the vibrant Tampa community."  Jeff Bruner, Tampa Office Managing Partner

"I know I speak for everyone with Brixey & Meyer when I saw that we are looking forward to helping the Tampa area middle market. Our firm has a rich history serving clients in the Dayton, Cincinnati & Columbus markets over the past two decades and we know we can bring that same level of service to clients in the greater Tampa area. In addition to serving our clients we also have a strong track record of serving charities in the markets we serve." - Tom O'Neil, Tampa Market Leader

This will make the 4th office for Brixey & Meyer. The firm has other offices in Dayton, Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio.

As we grow, Brixey & Meyer continues to offer a strategic mix of value-added services. Each service line is focused on growing your business & moving it forward. To learn more about our company & service lines, see below.

SOURCE Brixey & Meyer
Famous Ukrainian boxers Vasyl Lomachenko and Oleksandr Usyk decided to wish Ukrainians a Merry Christmas on January 7. The athletes actively support the UOC-MP and, despite the transition of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine to the New Julian calendar, continue to celebrate the holiday in the old style, not on December 25.

ADVERTISIMENT

Lomachenko left a message in Russian on his Instagram page. "Merry Christmas! Peace and Goodness!" the boxer wrote, which, of course, caused incredible delight among representatives of the aggressor country.

On Instagram Stories, Usyk addressed his fans in Ukrainian. "Merry Christmas! Christ is born, let us glorify him," Oleksandr wrote.

Recently, Lomachenko has been known to attack the head of the OCU, Epifaniy, throwing a real tantrum over an interview with the head of the Ukrainian church, and was marked by a shaft of Kremlin narratives.

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"There is the strongest persecution of people who do not want to join the OCU, sincerely believing Christians see what is happening and understand where the true apostolic church is! Most people are against joining a church that preaches violence and hatred!" Vasyl wrote.

It should also be noted that on December 25 last year, Lomachenko refused to congratulate Ukrainians on "the wrong Christmas."

As reported by OBOZ.UA, Vasyl Lomachenko called for the punishment of Kremlin agents in the UOC-MP, answering a fan's question on Instagram.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Leading child care provider acquires 15 high-quality Montessori schools in the San Francisco Bay area

TORONTO, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Busy Bees North America (BBNA), one of the leading child care providers on the continent, announced today the successful acquisition of Learn and Play Montessori School ("Learn and Play"). The agreement includes 15 Learn and Play San Francisco Bay Area schools with additional locations in the pipeline for growth. This latest strategic acquisition furthers Busy Bees' commitment to offering exceptional care and early years education to children and families throughout North America and marks the provider's entry into the state of California.

"We could not be prouder to welcome Learn and Play Montessori School to the Busy Bees family," stated Mary Ann Curran, Chief Executive Officer of Busy Bees North America. "This meaningful acquisition expands our ability to deliver high-quality care to families in California and we look forward to positively impacting quality and accessibility of child care in the state," continued Curran. "Learn and Play's historical commitment to providing opportunities for children to thrive and grow in a warm, supportive environment makes them the perfect partner for us."

The acquisition furthers Busy Bees' commitment to early years education and marks the provider's entry into California. Post this

Founded in 2008 by Harpreet Grewal and Kiran Grewal, the mission of Learn and Play is to inspire children to become self-confident and motivated individuals, providing opportunities for each child to reach their highest potential. The early years education provider is well-known for its unique blend of Montessori methods and its commitment to fostering each child's individual potential, creativity, and development.

Kiran Grewal, Co-Founder of Learn and Play added, "From the very beginning, our mission has been to provide high-quality education in clean, organized, safe, and resource-rich environments." Grewal continued, "Becoming part of the Busy Bees family will enable Learn and Play to continue to grow across California while preserving the high standards of care and exceptional programs."

Learn and Play's highly regarded program and innovative Montessori-based curriculum complements Busy Bees' current portfolio of exceptional early childhood education centers and schools in the U.S. and Canada, most of which operate under the BrightPath Early Learning and Child Care brand. With the addition of Learn and Play Montessori School, Busy Bees North America now operates 225 centers across North America  139 in the United States and 86 in Canada. Busy Bees' employee base will increase by nearly 300 upon integrating the newly acquired schools, and more than 1,700 families will join the leading child care provider group. For more information, visit https://www.busybeesna.com/.

About Busy Bees Group

Busy Bees is a global early education provider with more than 1,000 centres worldwide caring for over 90,000 children in the UK, US, Ireland, Italy, USA, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Australia. Busy Bees is majority-owned by Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan with a strategic minority stake held by Singapore-based Temasek and the balance of equity by management. Ontario Teachers' is a global investor with net assets of CAD $255.8bn1 and Temasek is a global investment company headquartered in Singapore with US $287bn2 in net assets.

About Busy Bees North America

Busy Bees North America is one of the leading childcare providers on the continent with more than 225 schools across Canada and the US, including California, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Ohio and Arizona. The organization is committed to offering exceptional care and education to children with an innovative curriculum that ignites curiosity and sets the stage for a lifelong educational journey. Learn more at https://www.busybeesna.com/

About Learn and Play Montessori School

Learn and Play Montessori School was founded in 2008. Its mission is to inspire children to become self-confident and motivated individuals, providing opportunities for each child to reach their highest potential. Offerings include daycare, childcare, preschool, PreK, TK, kindergarten, and after-school education in Fremont, Danville, Pleasant Hill, Moraga, Hercules, San Carlos, Milpitas, Sunnyvale and Dublin, California, with a passion for combining Montessori + STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).

1 As at 30 June 2024

2 As at 31 March 2023

SOURCE Busy Bees North America
Drivers can upgrade to a 2024 Chevy Tahoe or Suburban with $3,000 cash back

ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Purchase offer at Carl Black Orlando

Carl Black Orlando is excited to offer an exclusive $3,000 cash allowance to current Chevrolet owners and lessees who purchase a 2024 Chevy Suburban or Tahoe. This limited-time offer provides an exceptional opportunity for loyal Chevy drivers to upgrade to these iconic SUVs while enjoying significant savings.

Limited-time $3,000 Offer on 2024 Chevy Suburban and Tahoe in Orlando

The Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe SUVs

The 2024 Chevy Suburban and Tahoe continue to set the standard for full-size SUVs with their spacious interiors, advanced technology, and powerful performance. Both models boast seating for up to nine passengers, state-of-the-art safety features, and impressive towing capabilities, making them ideal for family road trips, daily commutes, and everything in between. With bold styling and a legacy of reliability, the Suburban and Tahoe are among the lineup's most beloved vehicles.

Offer details and requirements

To qualify for the $3,000 cash allowance, customers must show proof of a current lease of a 2020 model year or newer Chevy vehicle or ownership of a 2011 model year or newer Chevy for at least 30 days before the sale. This offer is valid only for new retail deliveries of the 2024 Suburban or Tahoe made by March 3, 2025, and cannot be combined with lease promotions or select other offers.

About Carl Black Orlando

Carl Black Orlando is a trusted Chevy dealership dedicated to serving drivers in Central Florida with an extensive selection of new and pre-owned vehicles, expert financing options, and top-notch customer service. Located at 11500 E Colonial Drive in Orlando, the dealership is committed to providing an easy and satisfying car-buying experience. For more information about this offer or to schedule a test drive, visit Carl Black Orlando today or explore their inventory online at www.carlblackorlando.com.

Carl Black Orlando is an automotive dealership in Orlando offering new Chevrolet, Buick and GMC vehicles, various pre-owned models, and comprehensive vehicle services.

SOURCE Carl Black Orlando
LONDON, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Real estate investor Castleforge in partnership with full-service data centre operator and advisory firm Galaxy Data Centers, announced today the acquisition of Redhill Data Centre with a development value of over 100 million. This partnership marks Castleforge's entry into the data centre sector, combining their expertise in operational real estate investment with Galaxy Data Centers' deep industry experience Financing for the acquisition was provided by ICG Real Estate.

Castleforge and full-service data centre operator Galaxy Data Centers announce acquisition of Redhill Data Centre. Post this

Located near London in the Foxboro Business Park, the Redhill Data Centre campus spans 11,800 square metres across three buildings with 26MVA of power. Twenty-six existing tenants, including Fortune 500 enterprises and organisations ranging from financial services to AI, are attracted by the secured green energy, low-latency connectivity to data centre hubs like Slough and the Docklands, and scalable infrastructure.

In its January 2024 Research Letter, Castleforge argued that the surging demand for data is significantly outstripping current levels of power supply, and with difficulties constructing new data centres around major metropolitan areas, existing hubs are becoming increasingly attractive prospects for investment.

Adam MacLeod, Partner, Castleforge, highlights the strategic importance of this acquisition:

"Data centres have been an attractive prospect that we have been monitoring for some time, but with advancements in AI and cloud computing accelerating demand, we have been eager to find the right opportunity in which to invest. The sector also fits within our speciality of operational real estate investment, and we see this as a logical extension to our existing capabilities."

"Redhill presents a rare opportunity to acquire a high-performing data centre in the prime London market, with strategic potential for expansion in both power and scale," said Paul Leong, Chief Financial Officer at Galaxy Data Centers. "We see tremendous growth potential to expand the facility's power capacity and grow Redhill's customer relationships. We are dedicated to enhancing the service and experience for all Redhill's customers throughout this transition and beyond."

Galaxy specialises in data and energy infrastructure, with broad data centre experience in North America, and is looking to bring best practices as it expands to Europe and Asia Pacific.

Castleforge and Galaxy intend to significantly expand the capacity of the data centre to meet increasing demand for digital infrastructure driven by advancements in AI and hybrid cloud computing.

"Redhill, with its robust 26MVA capacity, is fully equipped to meet customers' immediate needs," states Dave Misra, Managing Partner of Galaxy Data Centers. "Looking ahead, we are exploring a 10-15MW build-to-suit expansion to ensure we can deliver the scale, density, and power to meet edge, hyperscale and enterprise customer needs of tomorrow in this rapidly evolving digital landscape."

As data centre demand across EMEA continues to skyrocket, London is the largest and most dominant data centre market in Europe1 and the second largest globally after Northern Virginia. According to the latest data from CBRE, the European data centre market grew by nearly 20% year-on-year in Q1 2024, with significant development across Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam and Paris.

"Redhill Data Centre's proximity to London means it offers an important hub for digital services that require fast connections to the capital. With no sign of digital innovation slowing down, we felt this was the right time to make a financial commitment to the market and believe there will be significant further opportunities to come," said Adam MacLeod, Partner at Castleforge.

With the acquisition of an already operational data centre in one of the world's most significant markets, Castleforge anticipates a significant ROI, with substantial opportunities for expansion to meet surging demand for digital infrastructure in the coming years.

Castleforge will acquire the site from a global data centre operator, in a deal brokered by CBRE. Global alternative asset manager ICG was the lender via its Real Estate Debt Strategy Since it was founded in 2010, Castleforge has invested approximately 1 billion of asset value throughout the UK and Europe.

For more information about the Redhill Data Centre, visit redhilldatacentre.com or www.castleforge.com.

About Castleforge:

We are an investment firm with a clear purpose: to create places, products and platforms that transform the experience of the built environment, increasing prosperity, productivity, opportunity and sustainability.

Whether we're redefining the workplace to make it more flexible, rethinking hospitality to make it more welcoming, or reimagining housing to make it more accommodating, we ensure that every building, business and community we're responsible for becomes more valuable for everyone, delivering a return on our relationships as well as our investments.

We are based in London, UK and have invested approximately 1 billion of asset value throughout the UK and Europe. We were founded in 2010. Castleforge Partners Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

To find out more, visit https://castleforge.com/

For Castleforge press inquiries, please contact: [email protected]

About Galaxy Data Centers

Founded in 2016, Galaxy Data Centers is a boutique, full-service data centre operator and advisory firm dedicated to integrating modern, energy-efficient technologies into all aspects of digital infrastructure. Galaxy works closely with its clients to deliver tailored solutions that meet their evolving needs, ensuring seamless operations and exceptional service.

With expertise in energy procurement, connectivity optimization, and sustainable infrastructure, Galaxy supports tenants across edge, wholesale colocation, and hyperscale data centres. This commitment to collaboration and personalized support has established Galaxy as a trusted partner for businesses navigating the rapidly changing digital landscape.

For more information, visit galaxydatacenters.com.

For Galaxy Data Centers Press Inquiries, please contact:

JSA for Galaxy Data Centers

+1 866.695.3629 ext. 38

[email protected]

_________________________________

1 Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Paris, and Dublin  CBRE data, May 2023

SOURCE Galaxy Capital Partners
CBD Oracle worked with industry experts to establish 55 objective product quality standards to tackle long-standing issues with the hemp market.

TUSTIN, Calif., Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As reports of unexpected side effects related to hemp products rise and poison control centers across the country struggle with calls about delta-8 THC , a new initiative led by industry experts has established a set of 55 robust standards to protect consumers.

CBD Oracle's new framework helps hemp consumers find products that are safe, efficacious, and reliable. Crucially, it also gives the industry a clear set of guidelines as to what customers expect.

CBD Oracle's medical advisor Dr. Abraham Benavides commented, "Consumers shouldn't be playing Russian roulette when they buy a hemp product. Many companies do the bare minimum when it comes to things like safety testing, while those prioritizing customer safety are often undervalued. Moreover, numerous companies misrepresent isolates and synthetic terpenes as "full-spectrum," undermining true efficacy. This framework aims to empower consumers and healthcare providers to demand higher standards from the industry."

CBD Oracle's report highlights serious industry problems, noting that not only are labels often inaccurate, safety testing is often entirely skipped, high-THC products sometimes don't include an intoxication warning, substantive age verification is rare and there are unintended byproducts in basically every delta-8 THC product.

This leaves customers in a difficult position, often advised to "check lab reports" without acknowledging that fake reports are common or often don't include crucial tests for residual pesticides and solvents, or heavy metal contamination. The CBD Oracle team spoke to experts from the industry, scientists, medical professionals, lawyers, and regulators to gather more concrete suggestions for choosing cannabinoid products that are safe, effective, and reliable.

The framework covers the whole process, from crop cultivation to product marketing. Among many other requirements, the framework requires US-grown hemp, with extracts taken from flower using a method like CO2 extraction which maximizes beneficial compounds while minimizing risks, lab reports that include safety tests and show cannabinoids at within 10% of the labeled amount, and responsible marketing which does not appeal to youth.

Access the full report (including methodology) here .

About CBD Oracle

CBD Oracle is a consumer research company working to improve the safety and transparency of cannabinoid products, producing in-depth research pieces along with analysis of social and legal issues.

SOURCE CBD Oracle
Cengage Group has been recognized for the fifth consecutive year as a leader in LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion

BOSTON, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cengage Group, a global edtech company, today announced its score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's (HRCF) 2025 Corporate Equality Index (CEI). The CEI is the nation's foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality. This year's CEI includes 1,449 businesses the highest number of companies rated since the start of the CEI in 2002.

Cengage Group Earns Equality 100 Award in Human Rights Campaign Foundations 2025 Corporate Equality Index

This marks the fifth consecutive year Cengage Group has been included in the CEI, and the third year it earned a score of 100. Notably, this score reflects the company's swift efforts to meet new LBGTQ+ benefits guidelines introduced by HRCF in 2023. The company launched a comprehensive guide for employees in early 2024, which helped return its score to 100.

"Once again, we are incredibly proud to receive recognition from the HRC, as it reaffirms our unwavering commitment to inclusion and belonging," said Jeri Herman, Chief People Officer of Cengage Group. "At Cengage Group, we foster a culture that values transparency, collaboration and the authentic expression of our diverse workforce. We know that a more diverse workforce is not just the right thing to do, it helps drive business success; this is why we remain committed to attracting and retaining talent with a range of backgrounds and experiences."

Herman continued, "We are able to advance these efforts through various initiatives that prioritize listening, learning and allyship. Additionally, our employee resource groups (ERGs) play a vital role in developing programming that builds community and understanding across the organization."

Along with 1,449 U.S. businesses, including Fortune magazine's 500 largest publicly traded businesses, Cengage Group was rated against performance criteria falling under four central pillars:

Non-discrimination policies across business entities;

Equitable benefits for LGBTQ+ workers and their families;

Supporting an inclusive culture; and,

Corporate social responsibility.

"The CEI is so much more than a score on paper. For decades businesses have relied on the CEI as a tool for transparency and leveling the playing field for all workers, making sure LGBTQ+ people and their families can share in fair, respectful and supportive workplaces and benefits," said RaShawn "Shawnie" Hawkins, SHRM-CP, HRCF Senior Director of Workplace Equality. "Our goal at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation is to work in a spirit of partnership with companies, providing educational resources and leading benchmarking. The work of the CEI is to help businesses to expand their consumer base and attract top, innovative talent by supporting the LGBTQ+ community."

To learn more about CEI and Cengage Group's recognition, view the full report at: http://www.hrc.org/cei.

About Cengage Group

With more than 100 years of serving learners, Cengage Group is a global edtech company that enables student choice. No matter how, where, when or why someone wants to learn, our portfolio of education businesses supports all students, from middle school through graduate school and skills education, with quality content and technology. Collectively, our three business units  Cengage Academic, Cengage Work, and Cengage Select  help millions of students each year in more than 125 countries achieve their education and career goals and lead choice-filled lives. Visit us at www.cengagegroup.com or find us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About the Human Rights Campaign Foundation

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people. Through its programs, the HRC Foundation seeks to make transformational change in the everyday lives of LGBTQ+ people, shedding light on inequity and deepening the public's understanding of LGBTQ+ issues, with a clear focus on advancing transgender and racial justice. Its work has transformed the landscape for more than 15 million workers, 11 million students, 1 million clients in the adoption and foster care system and so much more. The HRC Foundation provides direct consultation and technical assistance to institutions and communities, driving the advancement of inclusive policies and practices; it builds the capacity of future leaders and allies through fellowship and training programs; and, with the firm belief that we are stronger working together, it forges partnerships with advocates in the U.S. and around the globe to increase our impact and shape the future of our work.

Media Contact:

Emily Featherston, Vice President, Corporate Communications, External

[email protected]

SOURCE Cengage Group
CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CenterSquare Investment Management announced the appointment of Casey Clements as Chief People Officer. In this newly created role, Casey will lead the human capital strategy, overseeing talent acquisition, employee engagement, professional development, and company culture, ensuring that CenterSquare continues to be a destination employer. This newly created position reflects CenterSquare's commitment to investing in its most valuable asset: its people.

Casey brings over 20 years of experience in the talent space and is most passionate about company culture, talent attraction, employee experience and engagement, and developing high performing teams.

Casey spent over 12 years at McKinsey & Company in their Boston, San Francisco, New York, and Philadelphia offices, followed by eight years at Vynamic, a Philadelphia based management consulting company. At Vynamic, Casey led the evolution of the people function including the overall design of the Talent Acquisition, people operations, talent management, development, and performance verticals.

"We're very excited for Casey to join us in the newly created Chief People Officer position," said CEO and CIO Todd Briddell. "Employee attraction, engagement and performance are key to our growth strategy and Casey's demonstrated success in the talent space will help us realize our vision for CenterSquare going forward."

"I'm thrilled to join a best-in-class, differentiated investment firm of authentic and high performers," Casey said. "I look forward to helping CenterSquare become a destination employer driven by a thriving culture and strong, talented team that embodies integrity, trust, collaboration, and innovation."

About CenterSquare

Founded in 1987, CenterSquare Investment Management is an independent, employee-owned real asset manager focused on listed real estate, private equity real estate and private real estate debt. As a trusted fiduciary, our success is firmly rooted in aligning our interests with those of our clients, partners and employees. CenterSquare is headquartered in suburban Philadelphia, with offices in New York, Los Angeles, London and Singapore. With more than $15 billion in assets under management (September 2024), CenterSquare is proud to manage investments on behalf of some of the world's most well-known institutional and private investors. For more information, please visit www.centersquare.com .

CenterSquare Media Contact:

Jansel Murad

Dukas Linden Public Relations

(646) 722-6537

[email protected]

SOURCE CenterSquare Investment Management
Top-ranked pediatric hospital system with the lowest waitlist times marks historic milestone

AURORA, Colo., Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Children's Hospital Colorado (Children's Colorado) has reached a historic milestone for its Liver Transplant Program, performing a record-breaking number of transplants in 2024. With 22 liver transplants completed, Children's Colorado surpassed the program's previous record of 20 transplants in 2021. As a nationally recognized transplant program, Children's Colorado has the only pediatric-focused, multi-specialty program in the Rocky Mountain region with the lowest waitlist times in the nation. It is one of only six pediatric transplant programs nationally with significant experience performing living donor liver transplants.

This achievement reflects not only the steady growth of the Liver Transplant Program over the last decade but also the team's commitment to utilizing every available option possible to get children transplanted quickly, including grafts from directed living donors (donating to a specific person), non-directed living donors (donating to a stranger) and reduced-size or split grafts from deceased donors.

"When I look at this data, it's striking to see that while living donors make up roughly 15% of pediatric liver transplants nationally, they account for 40% of transplants at Children's Colorado," said Dr. Amy Feldman, Medical Director of the Liver Transplant Program at Children's Colorado. "This highlights our unique expertise and experience in performing living donor liver transplants. With the help of our adult colleagues at the University of Colorado and the altruistic community, we are able to get kids transplanted before they experience significant morbidity and mortality."

In 2024, patients traveling from out of state made up 43% of liver transplants performed at Children's Colorado, underscoring the program's regional and national impact. The breadth of diagnoses of children transplanted in 2024  such as Wilson's disease, biliary atresia, acute liver failure, Budd-Chiari syndrome, congenital hepatic fibrosis, autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease and non-cirrhotic portal hypertension  demonstrates the team's depth of expertise and ability to address complex medical needs quickly, before patients become too sick to transplant.

"Achieving this milestone required tremendous dedication and teamwork," said Dr. Michael Wachs, Surgical Director of the Abdominal Transplant Program at Children's Colorado. "We have embraced cutting-edge advances, such as plasmapheresis and intraoperative dialysis for small children, allowing us to safely take on risks while maintaining excellent outcomes."

The success of the Liver Transplant Program this past year would not have been possible without the steadfast support of Children's Colorado, UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital (UCHealth) and the unwavering commitment of the entire transplant team to deliver the lowest waitlist times in the country  less than two months, compared to the national average of eight months  and the best possible patient outcomes. As the program continues to grow, it is positioned to expand its reach and impact on a larger regional and national scale to help save the lives of more children.

In partnership with UCHealth, any non-directed liver donor, or a person who donates a portion of their liver without knowing the person receiving the donation, will first be offered to a patient on the Children's Colorado waitlist. To be a living donor, one needs to be a healthy adult between the ages of 18-55. The donor does not need to be related to the recipient in any way to save their life. Surgeons at UCHealth are now able to perform the donor operation with robotic assistance, allowing for donors to be out of the hospital in just a few days. To learn more about the process of becoming a donor, go to UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital Transplant Center. For more information about pediatric liver transplants, visit Children's Colorado Liver Transplant Program.

ABOUT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL COLORADO

Children's Hospital Colorado is one of the nation's leading and most expansive nonprofit pediatric healthcare systems with a mission to improve the health of children through patient care, education, research and advocacy. Founded in 1908 and ranked among the best children's hospitals in the nation as recognized by U.S. News & World Report, Children's Colorado has established itself as a pioneer in the discovery of innovative and groundbreaking treatments that are shaping the future of pediatric healthcare worldwide. Children's Colorado offers a full spectrum of family-centered care at its urgent, emergency and specialty care locations throughout Colorado, including an academic medical center on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, hospitals in Colorado Springs, Highlands Ranch and Broomfield, and outreach clinics across the region. For more information, visit www.childrenscolorado.org or connect with us on Facebook , Instagram and YouTube .

Children's Hospital Colorado complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

ATENCION: si habla espanol, tiene a su disposicion servicios gratuitos de asistencia linguistica. Llame al 1-720-777-9800.

CHU Y: Neu ban noi Tieng Viet, co cac dich vu ho tro ngon ngu mien phi danh cho ban. Goi so 1-720-777-9800.

Media Contacts:

Blayke Roznowski, Children's Hospital Colorado

24/7 media line: 303-890-8314

[email protected]

SOURCE Children's Hospital Colorado
Inpatient beds to more than double, improving access to care for patients and families in and around Butler County

CINCINNATI, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cincinnati Children's plans a major expansion at its Liberty Campus, improving access to world-class care for kids and families in Butler County and surrounding areas. The expansion will more than double the number of inpatient hospital beds and add surgical operating rooms.

The project will also include construction of a large medical office building next to the hospital, accommodating numerous outpatient specialty clinics.

Cincinnati Children's plans to expand its Liberty Campus with a hospital addition and separate medical office building. Post this Cincinnati Childrens plans a major expansion at its Liberty Campus in Butler County, which will include a hospital addition with 72 new inpatient beds plus a separate medical office building.

"We are improving access for children and families in and around Butler County by bringing more services close to home," said Steve Davis, MD, president and CEO of Cincinnati Children's. "New construction as well as the renovation of existing parts of the hospital will feature advanced technology combined with the personal touches suggested by patient families, the community, our medical providers and staff."

Site preparation will start in March 2025, and construction will begin this summer on the four-story medical office building. Many of the clinical services that will be based there are already available at the Liberty Campus, but relocating them to the medical office building will free up space in the hospital. The medical office building is scheduled for completion in 2027.

A four-story addition to the hospital will include four new operating rooms and three new surgical procedure rooms, plus 10 more rooms for the Emergency Department and add 72 inpatient beds. Combined with the existing 42 beds at Liberty, the campus will have a total of 114 inpatient beds upon completion of that portion of the project in summer 2028.

Renovation of more than 100,000 square feet of existing space at the hospital will improve patient flow and add eight new rooms for imaging upon completion in summer 2029. The renovation also will allow for expansion of the pharmacy, lab and Sterile Processing Department as well as an increase in administrative and education spaces plus an outdoor dining area. Construction will also include a new lobby and patient drop-off spot.

Cincinnati Children's opened the 61-acre Liberty Campus in 2008, bringing pediatric emergency services to the northern suburbs as well as operating rooms, clinics and 12 beds. Medical providers cared for 446 patients on the first day, Aug. 11, 2008.

In 2010, the campus opened an inpatient unit, which enabled children to be admitted for more than one night. An Urgent Care was added in 2014. An expansion of the Liberty Campus in 2015 increased the number of beds from 12 to 42. And in 2016 at the Liberty Campus, Cincinnati Children's opened a Proton Therapy Center, which is one of the most advanced cancer research and treatment centers in the world.

"In the very first year that Cincinnati Children's Liberty Campus was open, the patients we cared for had approximately 109,000 visits," said Evaline Alessandrini, MD, chief operating officer. "Now, our Liberty Campus has nearly tripled in volume of care delivered  with more than 282,000 patient encounters a year, including an average of 60 surgeries a day. As more and more families who live near the Liberty Campus or in surrounding areas rely on our teams, we are investing in the resources needed to continue to provide access to the best outcomes by the best people.

"Another benefit of these improvements includes allowing families to be cared for closer to their homes in Butler County or surrounding communities versus requiring transfer to Avondale," Alessandrini said. "Being able to keep kids at the Liberty Campus will also increase patient and surgical capacity at our Burnet Campus, which is equipped for highly complex surgeries and treatment of rare disorders."

At least 250 new jobs will be created at the Liberty Campus over five years as a result of the expansion, Alessandrini noted. Currently, more than 1,025 Cincinnati Children's employees work at the Liberty Campus. Overall employment at Cincinnati Children's is 19,500.

Cincinnati Children's estimates the initial investment in the entire Liberty Campus expansion will be $365 million, which includes design, construction and medical equipment.

About Cincinnati Children's

Cincinnati Children's is ranked among the best pediatric health systems in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, including No. 1 in pediatric cancer care, gastroenterology and pulmonology. Cincinnati Children's also ranks among the nation's best for pediatric and adolescent behavioral health. Established in 1883, Cincinnati Children's is a nonprofit that cares for patients from all 50 states and dozens of countries, including kids with complex or rare disorders. More information: CincinnatiChildrens.org

SOURCE Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cirius Therapeutics, Inc. today announced Robert Beardsley, Ph.D., President & CEO, and Jerry Colca, Ph.D., CSO, will present and host a roundtable discussion, "Unlocking the Next Frontier of Metabolic Medications in Combination with the GLP-1s," at the Wuxi Global Forum. The WuXi Forum is being held at the Hilton Union Square in San Francisco. coinciding with the 43rd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference. Cirius' roundtable is Tuesday, January 14 at 5:00  6:00 PM PT.

Drs. Beardsley and Colca will discuss Cirius' novel oral insulin sensitizer, azemiglitazone (MSDC-0602K), and particularly its potential benefits in combination with GLP-1s in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) or obesity/overweight. In Phase 2 clinical trials, 0602K has improved glycemic control in patients already on background GLP-1 therapy but not able to achieve their HbA1c goal, a problem that confronts substantial numbers of patients with T2D and their doctors. In pre-clinical experiments, 0602K has also been shown to improve body composition, and quality of weight loss in combination with GLP-1s.

About Cirius

Cirius is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies for patients suffering with diseases caused by insulin resistance, including type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity/overweight. Its lead product candidate, azemiglitazone (MSDC-0602K), is a potential best-in-class small molecule being developed as a once-daily oral therapy designed to selectively inhibit the mitochondrial target MPC. Proper function of MPC is crucial for maintaining metabolic balance and energy homeostasis. Inhibition re-balances mitochondrial metabolism and restores insulin response in cells and organs throughout the body. This improves glycemic control in T2D, body composition in obesity, liver function and fibrosis in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), and outcomes in cardiometabolic disorders.

About Azemiglitazone (MSDC-0602K)

Azemiglitazone has completed 7 US clinical trials, including a 52-week placebo-controlled Phase 2b study in subjects with MASH with and without T2D, and a 28-day placebo-controlled Phase 2a study in subjects with T2D. It has completed preclinical studies demonstrating increased lean muscle mass and function, and marked shifts to metabolically beneficial adipose tissue, ("good fat"), including brown adipose tissue ("brown fat"). Selectively targeting MPC  while avoiding PPARg activation  0602K harnesses the real-world proven efficacy of 1st generation insulin sensitizers but without their side effect concerns. Coupling this potent pharmacology with that of the GLP-1s could particularly benefit both patients with T2D and those with obesity/overweight. Phase 3 clinical development will confirm the potential of 0602K to fulfill the promise of direct insulin sensitizers in reversing insulin resistance, the underlying pathophysiology of chronic metabolic disease.

www.CiriusTx.com

SOURCE Cirius Therapeutics
How sweet it is! Two iconic brands are coming together to spread the love with four exclusive products.

NEW YORK, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Dash , America's #1 Waffle Maker, is teaming up with the original Valentine's brand, Sweethearts, to create an exclusive line of Mini Waffle Makers, giving consumers the perfect way to celebrate friends, loved ones, co-workers and anyone who deserves a little extra sweetness in their life.

How sweet it is! Two iconic brands are coming together to spread the love with four exclusive products.

The Dash x Sweethearts collab features four Mini Waffle Makers available in vibrant pastel colors with fun and cute sayings including I LUV U, XOXO, CUTIE PIE and BESTIE. Fans, cooking enthusiasts and candy lovers alike who get their hands on this special-edition product can create delicious 4" snack-sized waffles, hash browns, brownies, cookies and so much more. The product uses dual nonstick cooking surfaces that heat and cook evenly, leaving you with perfect results within minutes. Compact and easy-to-use; these mini waffle makers make gifting family, friends and loved ones a treat!

"At Dash, we're always looking for new ways for our customers to create delicious food in fun and unique ways, which is why we're excited to be partnering with an iconic brand like Sweethearts this Valentine's Day," said Evan Dash, StoreBound CEO. "We're thrilled to kick-off 2025 with this special and sweet treat for our community of Dash family and friends."

"We're excited to partner with Dash to bring Sweethearts sayings to life on crisp, delicious waffles, allowing family, friends, and loved ones to create memorable moments together this Valentine's Day season and all year round," said Evan Brock, VP of Marketing at Spangler.

The Dash x Sweethearts Mini Waffle Makers can be purchased on Amazon and Target with an exclusive I LUV U Mini Waffle Maker also available only on ByDash.com. Additionally, nothing says 'I love you' like a little surprise, customers who shop at Kohl's will have the chance to wow their special someone this Valentine's Day by purchasing a Mystery Box, which includes one of the exclusive Mini Waffle Makers.

To learn more about Dash and discover the brand's latest products and trending recipes, follow @byDash on Instagram and TikTok .

ABOUT DASH

Dash is committed to helping people make healthy, unprocessed food at home. Grounded in the belief that taking small steps every day to live a healthier life and eating whole, natural foods can make a big impact, Dash provides the tools and content to help consumers make delicious and healthy meals at home.

ABOUT STOREBOUND

StoreBound is a family of brands bound by innovation. Leveraging a fully integrated model of concept development, engineering, manufacturing, logistics, sales, marketing, and business management, StoreBound develops quality products and manages their performance at key retailers. With thoughtful, well-designed home and housewares products, StoreBound's aim is to win the hearts of customers worldwide.

ABOUT SPANGLER AND SWEETHEARTS:

Spangler is a family owned and operated candy company founded in 1906 and headquartered in Bryan, Ohio. Its iconic brands, which include Dum-Dums, Necco Wafers, Bit-O-Honey, and Sweethearts make millions of smiles among generations of candy lovers. Sweethearts is the original brand of Valentine conversation hearts and one of the most popular Valentine candies of all-time. The cute sayings, known for evolving with the times, have been described by The New York Times as a social barometer on American pop-culture.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Hali Honea; [email protected]

SOURCE StoreBound
Starting from January 13, 2025, the Polish Tax Administration will start inspecting Ukrainian carriers. For unimpeded entry, it is necessary to register the transportation in the RMPD register, check the accuracy of all data, and enable geolocation.

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This was reported by the State Customs Service of Ukraine. The introduction of these rules is aimed at strengthening control over the transportation of goods, combating smuggling, and ensuring compliance with customs legislation.

What is the RMPD register and why it will be checked

The Register of International Road Transport RMPD (Rejestr Monitorowania Przewozu Drogowego ) is a mandatory electronic database that tracks transport operations within Poland and in international transportation. According to Polish law, all carriers entering Poland are required to register their transportation in advance in the PUESC system (the platform for electronic services of the customs and tax authorities).

The purpose of the registry is to ensure transparency of cargo transportation, sender and recipient of goods, and to allow customs authorities to quickly verify information. Starting from January 13, this system will be key to monitoring compliance with customs requirements.

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Key requirements for carriers

mandatory registration in the RMPD register: before entering Poland, each carrier must register a transport message on the PUESC.GOV.PL platform. Without prior registration, the freight transport will not be allowed to clear customs, and violation of this requirement may result in significant fines;

before entering Poland, each carrier must register a transport message on the platform. Without prior registration, the freight transport will not be allowed to clear customs, and violation of this requirement may result in significant fines; verification of all data in the RMPD report: the driver of the vehicle must verify the accuracy of all data entered in the register before traveling;

the driver of the vehicle must verify the accuracy of all data entered in the register before traveling; geolocation requirement: all vehicles must have geolocation enabled during transportation. This will allow Polish customs authorities to track the movement of cargo in real-time. The absence or disabling of geolocation can be considered a violation of the rules, which will lead to delays in transportation and possible fines.

Consequences of violation of the requirements

Delay at customs: if inconsistencies are found in the RMPD report, Polish customs authorities may detain the vehicle until all circumstances are clarified;

if inconsistencies are found in the RMPD report, Polish customs authorities may detain the vehicle until all circumstances are clarified; fines : significant financial penalties are imposed for violations of the registration and reporting requirements in the RMPD register. The amount of fines may depend on the nature of the violation and the volume of cargo transported;

significant financial penalties are imposed for violations of the registration and reporting requirements in the RMPD register. The amount of fines may depend on the nature of the violation and the volume of cargo transported; entry ban: in case of gross or repeated violations, Polish authorities may temporarily ban the carrier from entering the territory of Poland.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
WASHINGTON, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Consulting Group, an employee-owned expert advisory consultancy specializing in construction, forensics, investigations and valuation, announced today the elevation of Jeffrey Fuchs to Executive Chairman and Darin L. Buchalter as its new Chief Executive Officer. These leadership changes underscore Delta's commitment to continued strategic growth, delivering exceptional results for its global clients, and cultivating a positive, supportive, and fulfilling work environment for its employees.

Jeff Fuchs, Delta co-founder, will continue to provide expert services, deliver strategic guidance, foster strong relationships with key clients, and champion the company's core values -- principles that have been the foundation of Delta's success over the past 25 years. Under his leadership, Delta has grown organically, expanded through strategic acquisitions, and cultivated top talent, evolving into a comprehensive provider of forensics, investigative, and dispute resolution services. The firm has earned a prominent reputation and was honored as a Top Workplace by The Washington Post in 2024.

Since 2022, Darin Buchalter has played a pivotal role in guiding transformative growth strategies for Delta as a member of its Strategic Advisory Board. His contributions include driving service line expansion, enhancing the company's global market presence, and ensuring the continuity of high-quality service for clients.

"Darin is a dynamic leader with a deep understanding of our business, a proven track record of delivering results, and an unwavering commitment to our mission and values," said Jeff Fuchs. "This transition reflects the strength of our leadership pipeline and the deliberate planning that positions Delta to excel in a rapidly evolving industry landscape."

Darin brings over 20 years as a successful senior executive, global business leader, and independently recognized expert at leading business advisory and professional services firms, as well as experience as a C-level executive and board member in complex, high value transformation. As leader of the Global Construction Practice at Navigant Consulting, Inc., he expanded markets, adjacent service lines, geographies, and impactful offerings for clients, making the business into one of the largest operators in the sector. Following Navigant's carveout and combination with Ankura Consulting Group, he led the newly merged disputes, investigations, and expert services practices across the global legal, risk, and compliance marketplace, spanning four continents. Later, as Ankura's Chief Administrative Officer, he successfully positioned the newly formed company as a highly profitable and rapidly growing consultancy. Darin's career foundation is in Big 4 consulting as a Partner at EY.

"I am honored to step into this role and lead Delta," said Darin. "With the exceptional talent of our employee-owners, the support of our Board, and the solid foundation Jeff has built, we are well positioned to seize new opportunities, exceed our client's expectations, and drive sustainable growth for our stakeholders."

"As we embark on this new chapter, we remain steadfast in our commitment to the core values that have been the cornerstone of our success," Jeff added. "With Darin's vision and leadership, Delta is well-positioned to continue thriving, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation that will propel us into the future."

About Delta Consulting Group

Since 2000, Delta Consulting Group has provided advisory, risk mitigation and dispute resolution services with prominent global law firms, government agencies, and top companies in over 90 countries. Our multi-disciplined professionals in engineering, accounting, finance, economics, investigations, fraud, construction, project management and litigation support deliver independent advice to resolve our clients' most complex situations. Delta is a 100% employee-owned company and was named a 2024 Top Workplace by The Washington Post.

To learn more about Delta please visit delta-cgi.com.

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Distilled 2025 uses AI-driven analysis to offer foresights into trends shaping consumer behaviour in 2025, including the rise of consumers alternating between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks ('zebra striping'), exploring 'one night only' experiences and integrating AI further into their daily lives.

The report's findings are not siloed to the alcohol industry, supporting brands in any region or sector.

LONDON, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Diageo, maker of Johnnie Walker, Don Julio Tequila and Guinness, has today unveiled its annual global trends report which reveals how and why consumers will socialise over the next year. Based on AI analysis of over 160 million online conversations across the world, Distilled 2025 offers detailed insights into what is driving discussions globally and the current trends shaping consumer decision-making.

This year's edition builds on the success of the inaugural Distilled report. In its first version, the study uncovered and classified five key global consumer trends: Neo-Hedonism, Conscious Wellbeing, Expanding Reality, Collective Belonging and Betterment Brands. In this year's report, Diageo has explored how these five macro trends have evolved over the past 12 months[1] and used them to offer new foresights into trends likely to shape consumer behaviour this year.

The report identifies that in 2025 we will see a further rise in consumers:

Practicing moderate drinking by 'zebra striping' - the behaviour of alternating between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages during a single social occasion. This reflects the broader rise the report uncovered in online conversations around self-care, wellness and slower social interactions: a 79% year-on-year growth in discussions around "decelerated occasions" (one of the largest increases identified) and a 37% rise in discussions around 'celebrating self-love'.





the behaviour of alternating between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages during a single social occasion. This reflects the broader rise the report uncovered in online conversations around self-care, wellness and slower social interactions: a 79% year-on-year growth in discussions around "decelerated occasions" (one of the largest increases identified) and a 37% rise in discussions around 'celebrating self-love'. Spending more time and money on single unique products or experiences  or making the most of 'one night only' to create once in a lifetime memories. The report found that conversations about making the most of unique products and events have risen 83% year-on-year ( 5.6m conversations) alongside a 42% increase in consumers talking about alternative social spaces such as virtual reality gaming lounges, hybrid physical-digital venues or pop-up bars  all offering new ways for people to connect and socialise.





 or making the most of 'one night only' to create once in a lifetime memories. The report found that conversations about making the most of unique products and events have risen 83% year-on-year ( conversations) alongside a 42% increase in consumers talking about alternative social spaces such as virtual reality gaming lounges, hybrid physical-digital venues or pop-up bars  all offering new ways for people to connect and socialise. Integrating AI into their daily lives . Conversations around AI-enabled relationships are up across every region globally  83% worldwide with the largest growth in Europe (96%) and North America (91%). [2] The report explores how as AI evolves, it will likely become a more trusted aid in navigating daily choices and how this is already being seen through everyday consumer applications from banking digital assistants to fitness apps with personalised training plans and real-time health insights, transforming the relationship between consumers and brands as a result.





. Conversations around AI-enabled relationships are up across every region globally  83% worldwide with the largest growth in (96%) and (91%). The report explores how as AI evolves, it will likely become a more trusted aid in navigating daily choices and how this is already being seen through everyday consumer applications from banking digital assistants to fitness apps with personalised training plans and real-time health insights, transforming the relationship between consumers and brands as a result. Seeking deeper connections in online and offline communities. The report shows a 121% surge globally in discussions about connecting passionate fandoms  over 32m conversations and the highest conversation increase identified. Markets such as LAC and North America saw an increase of 135% and 126% respectively.

Cristina Diezhandino, Chief Marketing Officer at Diageo, commented: "Distilled 2025 delves into the biggest trends shaping socialising this year - from the rise of the 'zebra striping' phenomenon to people worldwide wanting to spend their well-earned money on one incredible experience. People socialising goes back thousands of years and by tracking how it evolves, it helps us, and our brands, to stay deeply connected with our consumers."

Distilled 2025 is a key component of Diageo's Consumer Choice Framework, a methodology that helps deepen the company's understanding of consumer motivations and ultimately shape the future of socialising by tracking long-term trends. The report is powered by Diageo's Foresight SystemTM - a proprietary AI-driven listening tool developed in partnership with data and insight partners Share Creative and Kantar. It combines in-depth quantitative analysis of conversations from an array of online sources including social media platforms, forums and digital media with expert foresights to provide a nuanced understanding of emerging cultural signals and consumer expressions.

About Diageo

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray, and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world.

The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

[1] The data presented in the report tracks conversations between July 2022 and 2024. Any percentage growth rates referenced reflect an increase in conversations between the periods of July 2022 and June 2023 and July 2023 and June 2024.

[2] Regions covered are Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) and North America.

SOURCE Diageo
TORONTO, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- AmacaThera, a leading clinical-stage biotechnology company revolutionizing long-acting therapies, announces the appointment of Dr. Eyal S. Ron to its Board of Directors. A seasoned entrepreneur and life sciences strategist, Dr. Ron brings over three decades of experience in developing and scaling groundbreaking healthcare solutions, corporate strategic growth, and patient-focused solutions. His expertise will guide AmacaThera as it advances both clinical pipeline products and strategic global partnerships.

AmacaThera Inc. Logo

"Joining AmacaThera's Board at this pivotal moment is a great honour," said Dr. Ron. "Having collaborated closely with the management team for some time, I am excited to contribute more actively as the Company advances into Phase 2 clinical trials for AMT-143 in post-operative pain. I am also eager to support the development of additional innovative therapies derived from the proprietary AmacaGel platform. This hydrogel technology has significant potential to overcome delivery challenges in the pharmaceutical industry across a range of indications and modalities."

"Dr. Ron combines unmatched scientific expertise combined with a track record of effective business leadership, making him a key driver of innovation and growth at AmacaThera." said Dr. Mike Cooke, CEO of AmacaThera. "His exceptional ability to foster innovation, establish strategic partnerships, lead business development initiatives, and provide strong governance will be instrumental in advancing the Company's strategic goals and accelerating the development of groundbreaking therapies. His appointment reinforces AmacaThera's commitment to scaling its transformative platform technology, AmacaGel, to meet the needs of patients globally."

About AmacaThera

AmacaThera is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on advanced sustained-release hydrogel formulations designed to address critical challenges in therapeutic drug delivery. The Company's flagship platform, AmacaGel, enables the development of long-acting therapies that enhance patient outcomes while minimizing systemic side effects. AmacaThera is driving innovation in key therapeutic areas, including pain management and oncology.

The Company's lead product, AMT-143, is currently advancing into Phase 2 clinical trials. It has demonstrated best-in-class pharmacokinetics, showing strong potential to as an alternative to opioid-based solutions in post-operative pain management.

AmacaThera's proprietary AmacaGel platform is a fast-gelling physical hydrogel composed of two well-established polymers. Designed to liquefy under shear force, AmacaGel can be delivered via a conventional syringe and rapidly forms a depot as it warms to body temperature. The platform's lead asset, AMT-143, is a slow-release, non-opioid local anesthetic that leverages the AmacaGel technology to provide long-acting post-operative pain relief.

AmacaThera is backed by prominent investors, including Lumira Ventures, BDC Capital, StandUp Ventures, MaRS IAF, and Changrong Capital.

About Dr. Eyal S. Ron

Dr. Eyal S. Ron has a proven track record of elevating biotech startups and steering them toward successful exits while delivering impactful solutions to patients and stakeholders. He played a critical role in developing cutting-edge products, including sustained-release oral dosage forms (Perfusia and Plenity), implantable biodegradable sustained-release devices (Gliadel, Nutropin Depot, InFuse, and ProLease), and biodegradable sealants (FocalSeal). Dr. Ron has driven numerous companies to success, achieving exits valued at over $1 billion.

For more information, visit www.amacathera.ca.

Media Contact: Michael J. Cooke, CEO and Co-Founder, [email protected]

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BEIJING, Jan. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- EACON Mining has achieved a major milestone with the deployment of over 800 autonomous haulage trucks, travelling more than 27 million kilometres across 19 projects. The fleet, comprising 14 different low-emission models from 6 OEMs, is paving the way in automation and decarbonisation efforts. With a wide variety of hybrid and battery-electric options which are all fully interoperable, mine sites can choose models best suited to their operational demands. This swift expansion is a reflection of EACON's technical expertise, rapid deployment capabilities, and client confidence.

Accelerated Deployment and Growth

Early deployments adopted industry-typical and conservative expansion strategies. However, EACON's close collaboration with their customers has resulted in fully autonomous deployments achieved in only two weeks. This ability to rapidly expand has resulted in industry leaders including CNBM, SPIC, and Zijin Group adopting EACON as their trusted autonomy technology supplier.

Central to EACON's success is their autonomous haulage solution, ORCASTRA, which empowers mines to scale operations and adapt to production demands with unmatched efficiency. Lei ZHANG, co-Founder and Chairman of EACON explained, "this efficiency stems from EACON's enhanced product maturity and the adaptability of our solution across various scenarios, as well as robust onsite training and operational expertise."

Diversifying Across Mineral Resources

Operating across a large portfolio of complex and diverse coal operations, EACON rapidly learned the value of being flexible and adaptable, baking that philosophy into the ORCASTRA product. It is this flexibility that is fuelling rapid adoption across diverse commodities, with newly secured projects seeing deployments into iron ore, copper-gold, and zinc.

Setting New Standards in Mining

EACON's solutions prioritise safety, efficiency, and value. By leveraging scalable, ready-to-deploy autonomous systems, EACON ensures safer operations and streamlined processes. The company also remains committed to sustainability, with technologies that reduce emissions, minimise energy consumption, and promote environmentally conscious mining practices  solidifying its position as a leader in the industry.

About EACON

Founded in 2018, EACON Mining delivers turnkey autonomous haulage solutions for surface mining. Our OEM-agnostic AHS, ORCASTRA, features a distributed architecture underpinning ultimate adaptability for optimum performance in even the most demanding mining environments. With expertise in emission-reducing powertrain solutions, we offer hybrid-electric, battery-electric, and retrofitted autonomy  driving a safer, greener future for mining.

For more information, visit eacon.com/en.

Contact:

Evelyn Zhu, Communication Manager [email protected]

SOURCE EACON Mining Technology
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Emergency Assistance Foundation (EAF)  a non-profit administrator of disaster and hardship relief funds  is pleased to announce that it provided over $59 million in financial assistance to more than 71,800 people and families in need around the world in 2024.

Much of EAF's work is done through the ongoing administration of its 350+ employee relief funds, each sponsored by a company  ALDI, American Airlines, Experian, Mattress Firm Inc., Synchrony, Travel + Leisure Co., and Quest Diagnostics among them  to support its team members who are impacted by unforeseen disasters and personal hardships.

EAF also often activates its People First Fund when large-scale disasters strike and did so when Hurricanes Helene and Milton devastated the southeastern United States in late 2024. The People First Fund for Hurricanes Helene & Milton enabled donors to maximize their impact and provided direct cash grants to cover self-identified essentials  from temporary shelter to food and clothing  in the hurricanes' immediate aftermath, with initial assistance awarded the same day Helene first made landfall in Florida.

2024 Disaster Relief:

Through its employee relief funds, EAF responded in real time to dozens of disaster events around the world in 2024. The top five by the amount of financial assistance provided were:

1. Hurricanes Helene and Milton: $20 million to 31,000 people and families

2. Hurricane Beryl: $8 million to 14,000 people and families

3. Israel/Palestine Conflict: $1.8 million to 1,600 people and families

With 2023 data included, EAF's response to the Israel /Palestine conflict totals $5 million to 6,100 people and families.

4. Brazil Floods: $376,000 to 580 people and families

5. Jasper Wildfire: $255,000 to 450 people and families

"We know that the best way to provide support in the aftermath of disasters is to put money directly into the hands of the people impacted as quickly as possible, filling a void in traditional disaster response," says Doug Stockham, President of Emergency Assistance Foundation. "We're giving people what they need most in the moment and supporting them on the path to recovery."

2024 Personal Hardship Relief:

EAF also provides essential financial assistance to eligible people and families impacted by unforeseen personal hardships, from house fires to the loss of a loved one. In 2024, the top five personal hardship categories based on the amount of financial assistance provided were:

Serious Illness/Injury Death (e.g., funeral costs) Impact to Primary Residence (e.g., fires, floods) Non-Routine Medical Expenses Domestic Violence

In October (Domestic Violence Awareness Month), EAF released a Domestic Violence Impact Report demonstrating the profound difference employee relief funds can make for survivors, who often encounter unexpected financial challenges, including the costs of temporary housing, basic necessities, counseling services, and other essentials while they seek safety and rebuild their lives. EAF's employee relief funds are designed to provide critical financial assistance  totaling over $3 million for domestic violence to date  during these difficult times.

Since its inception, EAF has awarded over $329 million in financial assistance to more than 411,000 people and families impacted by unforeseen disasters and personal hardships. The organization's efforts have been supported by $468 million in donations received. To learn more about launching an employee relief fund or supporting those impacted by future disasters through EAF's People First Fund, visit eafrelief.org.

About Emergency Assistance Foundation:

Emergency Assistance Foundation (EAF) is a 501(c)(3) public non-profit that provides financial assistance to eligible individuals in the immediate aftermath of unforeseen disasters and personal hardships occurring around the world. EAF does this through the administration of 350+ employee relief funds  each sponsored by a company to support its team members in need  as well as through its People First Fund, which often activates when large-scale disasters strike to help as many of those impacted as possible. As a financial first responder, EAF acts resourcefully to ensure that financial assistance reaches individuals in need as quickly and efficiently as possible, no matter the unique circumstances. For all its relief funds, EAF objectively manages all activities  including accepting donations, objectively reviewing grant applications, and awarding and distributing grants  while also maintaining legal and regulatory compliance. Since its inception, EAF has helped more than 411,000 individuals and families with assistance totaling over $329 million. EAF has its pulse on disaster events occurring around the world in real time, and its 100-plus team members, located across ten different time zones, are equipped with multilingual response abilities. Learn more at eafrelief.org.

SOURCE Emergency Assistance Foundation, Inc.
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- enBio Corp, a leader in innovative biomedical solutions, is proud to announce the launch of its Professional Healthcare Staffing Division called enBio TalentConnect, a transformative initiative poised to address one of the most pressing challenges in the healthcare industry: the shortage of skilled biomedical engineers. This new division will focus on placing top-tier professionals on both short-term and long-term assignments, meeting the critical operational needs of hospitals, clinics, and surgical centers across the United States.

enBio TalentConnect is a direct response to the growing demand for specialized biomedical engineering expertise, driven by the increasing complexity of healthcare technologies and the urgent need to maintain and repair vital medical equipment. By offering a dedicated staffing solution, enBio provides healthcare providers with the support they need to deliver uninterrupted, high-quality patient care.

Leveraging enBio's two decades of experience in providing biomedical services, the division will ensure the highest quality of resources. enBio's rigorous training programs and proven expertise in the field position the company as the go-to partner for healthcare providers seeking reliable and expertly trained biomedical engineers.

Arthur Zenian, CEO of enBio Corp, highlighted the importance of this initiative:

"The healthcare industry is evolving rapidly, and the demand for highly skilled biomedical engineers has never been greater. With this new division, enBio is taking a bold step to fill this critical gap, empowering healthcare providers to focus on saving lives while we ensure their technology runs flawlessly. We are not just offering a servicewe are reshaping the industry."

Greg Aghamanoukian, President of enBio Corp, praised Glenn Garrett's talent and the significance of this initiative:

"Glenn Garrett brings an unparalleled level of expertise and leadership to enBio. His vision and experience in healthcare staffing make him the perfect fit to lead enBio TalentConnect. This initiative is a testament to enBio's commitment to addressing critical needs in the industry while advancing our mission to support healthcare providers nationwide."

The division will be led by Glenn Garrett, a seasoned leader with an impressive track record in healthcare staffing and biomedical engineering services. Glenn, who brings decades of experience in building innovative solutions for the healthcare sector, expressed his enthusiasm for the new role:

"This is more than a staffing solution; it's a mission to transform the way healthcare providers access and rely on biomedical engineering expertise. I am thrilled to join enBio Corp at such an exciting time, and I look forward to leading this division to make a tangible difference in the lives of healthcare professionals and their patients."

enBio TalentConnect not only serves healthcare organizations but also actively encourages skilled biomedical engineers to join this transformative initiative.

This innovative approach is set to disrupt the traditional staffing models in the healthcare industry, bringing greater flexibility, reliability, and expertise to healthcare providers while creating exciting opportunities for biomedical engineers nationwide. enBio makes healthcare happen!

For inquiries, candidates can email [email protected], and healthcare providers can email [email protected].

About enBio Corp

enBio Corp is at the forefront of biomedical innovation, delivering solutions that empower healthcare providers to deliver exceptional patient care. With a focus on quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction, enBio continues to redefine excellence in the biomedical sector.

SOURCE enBio Corp
LEVALLOIS-PERRET, France, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SQLI, a European digital services group, announces the appointment of Erwan Le Duff as Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2025. He succeeds Philippe Donche-Gay, who has held this position since September 2020. This change marks a new stage in the company's development.

A turnaround confirmed

Philippe Donche-Gay will remain Chairman of the Board. Under his leadership, the company will have weathered the Covid crisis, achieved a durable turnaround in its financial performance, and recorded growth in line with the market.

Philippe Donche-Gay commented: "After four years as Chief Executive Officer, I am proud of the progress made by SQLI and its position among the digital transformation players. I am convinced that Erwan Le Duff has the required expertise and leadership to lead the company to new successes."

A wealth of experience at the service of the Group

Before joining SQLI in September 2024 as Chief Operating Officer, Erwan Le Duff headed Odigo, a company specialized in CCAAS (Contact Center as a Service) solutions, since 2015. He has also spent a large part of his career within the Capgemini group, where he held strategic positions in the Telecommunications sector before taking over as CEO in 2011.

Under his leadership, SQLI aims to strengthen its commitment to its employees, partners and customers, while consolidating the Group's position in key sectors such as customer experience, composable commerce, artificial intelligence and data.

Erwan Le Duff comments: "I'm honored to be named CEO of SQLI, and determined to pursue the development of the Group. Together with our teams, customers and partners, we will continue to innovate and meet the challenges of our sector in order to consolidate our position as a key player."

About SQLI: Founded in 1990, SQLI is a European digital services group that supports major international brands in creating value through Digital. Its creative and technical teams are committed to providing customers, consumers, and users with new and engaging experiences based on the best technologies and methodologies, as well as their skills and convictions. They design, develop, and deploy strong and effective architectures that improve companies' agility, increase their efficiency, and promote their growth. SQLI's 2,100 employees are spread over 12 countries: France, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Belgium, the UK, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain, Morocco, Mauritius and Dubai. In 2023, the SQLI group generated revenues of 251m. SQLI has been listed on Euronext Paris (SQI) since 21 July 2000.

CONTACT SQLI

Alexandra Canu  France Communications Manager - [email protected]

SOURCE SQLI
HOUSTON, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Eutelsat America Corp. and OneWeb Technologies Inc (EACOWT), which operate as a wholly owned independent U.S. proxy company and subsidiary of Eutelsat Group, today announced the appointment of Ian Canning as president and chief executive officer (CEO). His appointment by the EACOWT board of directors became effective on December 20, 2024.

Ian Canning, President and Chief Executive Officer, Eutelsat America Corp. and OneWeb Technologies Inc (EACOWT)

Ian served as EACOWT's chief operating officer and most recently served as the company's acting CEO. He brings a wealth of leadership experience in the global satellite communications (SATCOM) and telecommunications industries, along with a proven track record driving strategic growth, operational excellence and commercial success. Ian joined OneWeb Technologies' (OWT's) predecessor, TrustComm, in 2012 as COO, helping to lead its successful acquisition by OneWeb and transformation into a U.S. proxy company. Recently, his leadership was instrumental in OWT's merger and integration with Eutelsat America Corp.

Previously Ian led global product innovation and marketing at Stratos Global Corp. Prior to that, at Iridium Satellite LLC, he led sales for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), establishing key partnerships for the business. Ian's extensive experience includes running sales and business development and driving commercial initiatives within global leaders Inmarsat, Nortel and Motorola.

In his new role as CEO, Ian will be responsible for furthering the combined EACOWT vision of providing global satellite connectivity, innovative solutions and exceptional support focused on meeting the mission requirements of the U.S. government. His appointment follows the departure of Kevin Steen, who was CEO of the combined EACOWT entity since May 2024, having served as CEO of OWT since 2022.

"Ian has been instrumental in driving EACOWT's operational and business success and strengthening our reputation as a leader in the satellite communications industry. His vision and commitment to excellence make him the ideal person to lead the company into its next phase of growth," said Dr. Pamela Drew, chair, EACOWT Board of Directors.

"I am honored to step into the role of CEO at such an exciting time for EACOWT. Our team is dedicated to delivering innovative and secure SATCOM solutions to meet the evolving needs of the U.S. government and its allies and I look forward to continuing our mission of providing resilient, multi-orbit satellite capabilities to address our customers' unique challenges," said Ian Canning.

"Ian Canning's experience in advancing new technologies in the satellite world, combined with his deep industry knowledge, positions him well to lead EACOWT and drive its continued success in delivering Eutelsat's innovative solutions to the U.S. government and its allies," said Eva Berneke, CEO, Eutelsat Group.

About Eutelsat America Corp. and OneWeb Technologies Inc

Eutelsat America Corp. and OneWeb Technologies Inc (EACOWT) is a commercial satellite communications (SATCOM) services provider, offering resilient fixed and mobile solutions to the U.S. government and its allies. Operating in combination as a wholly owned independent U.S. proxy company and subsidiary of Eutelsat Group, EACOWT provides consultative and customer-first solutions with access to a low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation of 600+ satellites and a global fleet of 36 geostationary (GEO) satellites. The company has a long-standing record of meeting the mission requirements of U.S. government customers through our technical achievement, operational excellence and service commitment. Learn more at https://eacowt.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X (Twitter) .

SOURCE Eutelsat America Corp. + OneWeb Technologies Inc (EACOWT)
Strategic Acquisition Adds Virtual and Hybrid Capabilities to Events.com Platform, Broadens Geographic Reach, Expands Target Market into Meetings and More

LA JOLLA, Calif., Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Events.com ("the Company"), an industry-leading event technology platform, today announced the acquisition of key assets from Remo , a virtual technology product recognized for its immersive and interactive digital environments for events, webinars, conferences and perpetual online meeting spaces. This strategic move brings Remo's technology and team into the Events.com ecosystem, significantly expanding its product suite and customer offerings, delivering enhanced options for digital engagement and broadening the Events.com platform's reach to new regions, while further expanding its markets into hybrid events, online webinars, hybrid conferences, and even perpetual online meeting spaces. The acquisition marks a major milestone in Events.com's growth strategy, enabling the company to expand into the rapidly growing virtual and hybrid events market.

Remo  Humanize your Online Event Experience Remo Logo

The acquisition positions Events.com to offer event organizers an all-in-one platform for live, virtual, and hybrid experiences. Remo's innovative technology creates customizable virtual spaces that foster authentic connections and engagement. With tens of thousands of events powered by Remo and with attendees worldwide, the product's immersive environment fosters deeper connections, generating around 3.5 million meaningful interactions to date.

"Remo was created to break down the limitations of traditional virtual interactions, fostering genuine connections and a sense of community, no matter where participants are located," said Hoyin Cheung, Founder and CEO of Remo. "By joining Events.com and integrating our technology into its robust event management platform and industry-leading capabilities, we will be able to scale this mission further, offering event organizers powerful, people-centered tools to engage audiences in meaningful ways."

By integrating Remo's capabilities into its platform, Events.com will empower event organizers to deliver seamless and engaging experiences across all event formats.

"This acquisition is a transformative step for Events.com," said Stephen Partridge, President and Co-Founder of Events.com. "By uniting Remo's interactive and customizable capabilities within the Events.com platform, we are expanding our reach into the $98 billion virtual events market while continuing to power innovation in live event management software. This positions us to provide unparalleled value to event creators seeking innovative solutions that save time and maximize revenue."

A History of Strategic Growth Through Acquisitions

The acquisition of Remo builds on Events.com's proven track record of strategic acquisitions designed to enhance its product offerings and expand its market reach. Since 2022, the company has acquired multiple complementary technologies across ticketing, sponsorship management, marketing automation, and event discovery. These acquisitions have allowed Events.com to create a unified platform that addresses multiple stages of the event lifecyclefrom planning and promotion to execution and analysis.

"Our growth strategy is rooted in identifying opportunities where we can add value for event organizers and attendees alike," Partridge added. "Each acquisition strengthens our ability to deliver innovative solutions that drive revenue growth while enhancing the attendee experience."

Competing in a Rapidly Expanding Market

The global experience economy is projected to grow from $936 billion in 2024 to $1.8 trillion by 2029. Within this landscape, the virtual events market alone is expected to grow at a CAGR of 20.0% from 2025 to 2030. The global virtual meeting software market size was valued at USD 19.04 billion in 2023. It is expected to reach USD 157.96 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 26.5% during the forecast period (20242032).

Events.com's expansion into this space positions it as a key player in both live and digital eventsa unique advantage in an increasingly hybrid world. Unlike competitors focused solely on video conferencing or ticketing solutions, Events.com offers an integrated platform that combines:

Digital Ticketing: Fully branded ticketing pages with advanced inventory management.

Fully branded ticketing pages with advanced inventory management. Marketing Automation: Tools to launch campaigns across multiple channels in minutes.

Tools to launch campaigns across multiple channels in minutes. Sponsorship Management: Streamlined sponsor outreach and activation tools.

Streamlined sponsor outreach and activation tools. Virtual Event Technology: Immersive environments for networking and engagement.

"By uniting live and virtual event capabilities under one roof," Partridge said, "we are creating a platform that not only meets today's demands but also anticipates how people will connect through events in the future."

Momentum Ahead of Public Listing

This acquisition also comes at a critical juncture for Events.com as it prepares for its public debut following its announced business combination with Concord Acquisition Corp. II (OTCQX: CNDA), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company. Expected to close in Q1 2025, this transaction will provide significant capital to fuel the company's growth initiatives.

"Going public will enable us to accelerate our acquisition strategy while continuing to invest in innovation," said Stephen Partridge, President of Events.com. "We see tremendous opportunities ahead as we expand into new markets and deliver value to our customers."

Looking Ahead

As part of its commitment to innovation and growth through strategic acquisitions, Events.com plans to continue exploring opportunities that align with its vision of becoming the go-to platform for all event needs. The company remains focused on delivering exceptional value for event creators while enhancing the attendee experience through technology-driven solutions.

For more information about Events.com or its latest offerings, visit Events.com

For more information about Events.com, please visit https://events.com .

About Remo

Remo is a pioneering virtual event platform designed to create immersive, human-centered digital experiences that foster authentic connections and meaningful engagement. Known for its customizable and visually stunning virtual environments, Remo empowers event organizers to host a wide range of gatheringsfrom global conferences and networking sessions to remote work meetings and training workshops. With its innovative "walk-around" functionality, participants can move freely between virtual tables and spaces, facilitating organic conversations and dynamic interactions that replicate the feel of in-person events. Trusted by industry leaders, Remo has powered tens of thousands of events worldwide, connecting attendees and driving millions of meaningful interactions.

About Events.com

Events.com powers a two-sided marketplace and platform that helps passionate individuals create, promote, discover, and enjoy events. Events.com's platform helps event organizers seamlessly execute their events and allows event goers to discover, interact, and transact with the events they love. The Company offers a robust ecosystem that supports millions of event creators worldwide, catering to various interests. From the prestigious All-In Summit, the world's leading podcast for business, technology, and investing, to the vibrant 100,000-person Renaissance Festival in Florida, the exclusive Club Getaway featured on Bravo, the event calendar on NewYork.com, the transformative Archangel Summit, and movie experiences at the iconic Mayfair Theatre in OttawaEvents.com technology is the driving force behind unforgettable moments worldwide.

For additional information, please visit events.com .

Videos:

Art and Logos

You may download the logos from Events.com here.

1Grand View Research. (n.d.). Virtual events market size, share & trends analysis report by event type (internal, external), by service (communication, recruitment), by establishment size (large, small & medium enterprises), by end use, by region, and segment forecasts, 2023-2030. Retrieved January 7, 2025, from https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/virtual-events-market

2"Virtual Meeting Software Market Size, Share, Growth Analysis, and Forecast to 2032." Straits Research, https://straitsresearch.com/report/virtual-meeting-software-market.

Important Information for Investors and Shareholders

In connection with the Proposed Business Combination, CNDA intends to file with the SEC the Registration Statement, which will include a prospectus with respect to the combined company ("PubCo")'s securities to be issued in connection with the Proposed Business Combination and a proxy statement to be distributed to holders of CNDA's common stock in connection with CNDA's solicitation of proxies for the vote by CNDA's stockholders with respect to the Proposed Business Combination and other matters to be described in the Registration Statement (the "Proxy Statement"). After the SEC declares the Registration Statement effective, CNDA plans to file the definitive Proxy Statement with the SEC and to mail copies to stockholders of CNDA as of a record date to be established for voting on the Proposed Business Combination. This press release does not contain all the information that should be considered concerning the Proposed Business Combination and is not a substitute for the Registration Statement, Proxy Statement or for any other document that PubCo or CNDA may file with the SEC. Before making any investment or voting decision, investors and security holders of CNDA and Events.com are urged to read the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement, and any amendments or supplements thereto, as well as all other relevant materials filed or that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the Proposed Business Combination as they become available because they will contain important information about, Events.com , CNDA, PubCo and the Proposed Business Combination.

Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the Registration Statement, the Proxy Statement and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC by PubCo and CNDA through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov . In addition, the documents filed by PubCo and CNDA may be obtained free of charge from CNDA's website at cnda.concordacquisitioncorp.com or by directing a request to Jeff Tuder, Chief Executive Office, 477 Madison Avenue New York, New York 10022; Tel: (212) 883-4330. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, the websites referenced in this press release is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this press release.

Participants in the Solicitation

Events.com , CNDA, PubCo and their respective directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed to be participants in the solicitations of proxies from CNDA's stockholders in connection with the Proposed Business Combination. For more information about the names, affiliations and interests of CNDA's directors and executive officers, please refer to CNDA's annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 1, 2024, and Registration Statement, Proxy Statement and other relevant materials filed with the SEC in connection with the Proposed Business Combination when they become available. Additional information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, which may, in some cases, be different than those of CNDA's stockholders generally, will be included in the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement, when they become available. Stockholders, potential investors and other interested persons should read the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement carefully, when they become available, before making any voting or investment decisions. You may obtain free copies of these documents from the sources indicated above.

No Offer or Solicitation

This document shall not constitute a "solicitation" as defined in Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. This document shall not constitute an offer to sell or exchange, the solicitation of an offer to buy or a recommendation to purchase, any securities, or a solicitation of any vote, consent or approval, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale may be unlawful under the laws of such jurisdiction. No offering of securities in the Proposed Business Combination shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom.

SOURCE Events.com
Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses Exceeding $75,000 In Rentokil To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options

If you suffered losses exceeding $75,000 in Rentokil between December 1, 2023 and September 10, 2024 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

[You may also click here for additional information]

NEW YORK, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Rentokil Initial plc ("Rentokil" or the "Company") (NYSE: RTO) and reminds investors of the January 27, 2025 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company.

Faruqi & Faruqi Logo (PRNewsfoto/Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP)

Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com.

As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that: (1) Rentokil experienced levels of disruption in the early pilots of the Terminix integration; (2) Rentokil experienced significant, ongoing, self-inflicted execution challenges integrating Terminix; (3) the disruption and execution challenges imperiled Rentokil's integration plan for Terminix; (4) Rentokil and Terminix were still two separate businesses that were not yet integrated; (5) Rentokil's failure to integrate Terminix negatively impacted the Company's business and operations, particularly organic revenue growth in North America; and (6) as a result of the above, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times.

The truth began to be revealed prior to the markets opening on April 18, 2024, when Rentokil issued a press release announcing its financial results for the first quarter of 2024, reporting that organic revenue growth in North America had increased by only 1.5% year-over-yearbelow the Company's guidance of 2% for the first quarter and 2% to 4% for the full year, issued just six weeks earlier. During the corresponding earnings call held later that day Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") Andrew M. Ransom assured investors that "our integration program is on track[,]" while Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") Stuart M. Ingall-Tombs maintained, "we're pretty confident about our revenue guidance now." On this news, the price of Rentokil ADSs fell over 9%, from a closing price of $28.25 per ADS on April 17, 2024, to a closing price of $25.61 per ADS on April 18, 2024.

The truth was revealed on September 11, 2024 when, before the markets opened, Rentokil provided an unscheduled "Trading Update," announcing that the Company now expected only 1% organic revenue growth in North America for the second half of 2024well below the Company's prior guidance. In the related press release, Rentokil disclosed, "[T]he trading performance in July and August was lower than anticipated. There has also been some modest disruption to organic growth from branch integration." During a related conference call with analysts held later that same day, CFO Ingall-Tombs revealed that, after nearly two years of integration efforts, "I think what we have got is still because we've got 2 separate businesses, which are largely at an operational front-end not integrated yet. . . ." During the same conference call, CEO Ransom admitted, "This is a manifestation of execution challenges, execution -- a need to improve our execution. It's not a market phenomenon. As we can see at the moment, if further information comes to light suggest [sic] reserve the right to change that answer, but I don't think it's market[,] I think this is on us." On this news, the price of Rentokil ADSs fell over 21%, from a closing price of $31.60 per ADS on September 10, 2024, to a closing price of $24.95 per ADS on September 11, 2024.

The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not.

Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding Rentokil's conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others.

To learn more about the Rentokil Initial plc class action, go to www.faruqilaw.com/RTO or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

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Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner.

SOURCE Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP
In 2025, popular tourist destinations in Spain were in the spotlight due to overcrowding. A well-known travel guide included Mallorca, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands in the list of "forbidden" travel destinations.

ADVERTISIMENT

This decision was made due to the inability of these regions to cope with the huge flow of tourists, which had a negative impact on both local residents and nature. Fodor's experts note that excessive tourism often leads to visitor disappointment and anxiety among local communities.

The Fodor's experts emphasized the problems caused by the overabundance of tourists. The guide noted: "Traveling through cities full of tourists is frustrating, and staying in villages where locals are unhappy with your presence is unsettling." In addition, neglected nature littered with vacationers creates a sad picture that spoils the travel experience.

ADVERTISIMENT

The problem of tourism in Spain gained momentum in 2024, when thousands of residents took to the streets to protest. In July last year, more than 20 thousand people in Palma, the capital of Mallorca, expressed their dissatisfaction under the slogan "Your luxury is our misery." Local residents emphasized that tourists cause overloading of infrastructure, especially on beaches such as Cala Major.

Barcelona is also taking steps to reduce the negative impact of tourism. Mayor Jaume Colboni announced a ban on tourist apartments until 2028 to reduce the housing shortage for local residents and stabilize rental prices. Such restrictions are an important step in the fight against the housing crisis.

The Canary Islands are planning to change their approach to tourism. Local authorities are seeking to move away from the sun and beach model, which is popular with tourists, and focus on sustainable development. Promoting environmentally conscious recreation has become a key strategy for preserving the unique nature of the region.

ADVERTISIMENT

Despite being on the "off-limits" list, the Fodor's guide recognized the charm of these Spanish regions. The authors emphasized that these places remain incredibly attractive, and their beauty and cultural value are worthy of every traveler's attention.

Other popular destinations, such as Venice, Tokyo, and Bali, were also included in the "banned" list. Experts note that to solve the problem of oversaturation with tourists, it is necessary to find a balance between the interests of local communities and the needs of travelers.

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NEW YORK, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The fast casual restaurants market in US size is estimated to grow by USD 84.5 billion from 2025 to 2029, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 13.7% during the forecast period.

For comprehensive forecast and historic data on regions,market segments, customer landscape, and companies- Click for the snapshot of this report

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Fast Casual Restaurants Market in US 2025-2029

Report Attribute Details Base Year 2024 Forecast period 2025-2029 Historic Data for 2019 - 2022 Segments Covered Channel (Dine-in and Takeaway), Product (North American, Italian, Mexican, and Others), Application (Franchised and Standalone), and Geography (North America) Key Companies Covered Amergent Hospitality Group Inc., BurgerFi International Inc., Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc., Dominos Pizza Inc., Five Guys Enterprises LLC, Focus Brands LLC, Godfathers Pizza Inc., Inspire Brands Inc., MOD Super Fast Pizza LLC, Noodles and Co., Panda Restaurant Group Inc., Panera Bread Co., PORTILLOS Inc., Qdoba Restaurant Corp., Restaurant Brands International Inc., Shake Shack Inc., The Wendys Co., Uncle Maddios Pizza, Wingstop Inc., and YUM Brands Inc. Regions Covered US

Region Outlook

North America Europe Asia Rest of World

1. North America - North America is estimated to contribute 100%. To the growth of the global market. The Fast Casual Restaurants Market in US report forecasts market growth by revenue at global, regional & country levels from 2017 to 2027.

For more insights on North America's significant contribution along with the market share of rest of the regions and countries - Download a FREE Sample

Segmentation Overview

Channel

1.1 Dine-in

1.2 Takeaway

Product

2.1 North American

2.2 Italian

2.3 Mexican

2.4 Others

Application

3.1 Franchised

3.2 Standalone

Geography

4.1 North America

1.1 Fastest growing segment:

Fast-casual restaurants, primarily located in the US and Canada, offer a unique dining experience by combining the speed and convenience of fast food with the quality and atmosphere of casual dining. These restaurants typically feature a counter or kiosk ordering system, with customers taking a seat at a table to enjoy their meal. Self-service beverage stations and table service for refills or additional items are common. Many fast-casual restaurants also offer outdoor seating and modern decor for a more inviting dining experience. The growth of fast-casual dining in the US is driven by consumer demand for healthier menu options and a more sustainable approach to food service. The market for fast-casual restaurants is expected to grow due to these advancements and the increasing preference for a balanced dining experience. Fast-casual restaurants provide a comfortable and convenient alternative to traditional fast food, making them a popular choice for consumers.

Get a glance at the market contribution of rest of the segments - Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes!

Research Analysis

The Fast Casual Restaurants market in the US is a dynamic segment of the food industry, offering consumers high-quality dining experiences without the formalities of traditional fine dining. These restaurants focus on fresh food, often sourced locally or organically, and feature a limited menu of items such as burgers, sandwiches, salads, bowls, wraps, and alcoholic beverages. The fast-casual concept provides the convenience of quick service, self-service, and seating areas, along with the added benefits of free Wi-Fi and a creative and personalized dining experience. The market caters to various culinary traditions and offers a unique blend of high-quality ingredients and affordable pricing. Fast-casual restaurants have become a popular alternative to both fast-food outlets and fine dining establishments, providing a more personalized and satisfying dining experience.

Market Overview

The Fast Casual Restaurants market in the US is experiencing significant growth as consumers seek high-quality, fresh food options that cater to their busy lifestyles and health-conscious choices. This segment of the food service industry offers a variety of cuisines, including burgers, sandwiches, salads, bowls, ethnic-inspired dishes, and more, prepared with locally sourced produce and organic ingredients. Millennials and working professionals are the primary demographic, with a preference for customization, convenience, and quick service. Technology plays a crucial role in the fast-casual sector, with online ordering, delivery services, and door-to-door delivery apps becoming increasingly popular. Automation, scheduling software, and inventory tracking systems help improve operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Fast-casual chains and standalone restaurants alike offer a range of food choices, from pizzas and pastas to chicken and wraps, with seating areas, free Wi-Fi, and specialized offerings. Entrepreneurs and investors see significant growth opportunities in this sector, with first-mover advantage and licenses available for franchises. The fast-casual market also prioritizes sustainability practices, eco-friendly packaging, and charitable endeavors, making it an attractive option for health-conscious consumers and those seeking a more conscious dining experience. With a focus on affordability and quality, this segment of the food service industry continues to evolve and adapt to consumer preferences and trends.

Start exploring market insights by Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes!

Key Topics Covered:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation

7 Customer Landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10 Venodr Landscape

11 Vendor Analysis

12 Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
NEW YORK, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- FesariusTherapeutics Inc, an emerging bioregenerative technology company focused on the development, manufacture and commercialization of solutions for the Advanced Wound Care, Reconstructive Surgery and Regenerative Medicine markets, is pleased to announce that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted 510(k) clearance for its DermiSphere hydrogel Dermal Regeneration Template (DermiSphere hDRT). This groundbreaking technology represents an entirely new class of collagen-based dermal matrices designed for tissue integration and revascularization for improved wound healing, reduction of time to healing, and better patient outcomes in the treatment of full-thickness wounds.

DermiSphere hDRT establishes a New Class of Dermal Template Post this A New Class of Dermal Matrix

Full-thickness wounds occur when both the dermal and epidermal layers of the skin are lost; unlike superficial/partial thickness wounds, full-thickness wounds lack the cellular components and structural support necessary to regenerate missing tissue. Without timely surgical intervention, there is a heightened risk of delayed closure, infection, and severe scarring. Dermal matrices are essential for treatment of these wounds (currently in two surgical procedures), as they induce new dermal tissue generation which then allows for successful split thickness skin grafting and improved healing outcomes.

DermiSphere hDRT is a true hydrogel-based (i.e. not fibrillar like other products) dermal template that provides a scaffold for cellular infiltration and tissue regeneration. Its unique collagen composition more closely mimics the natural extracellular matrix, promoting faster and more effective healing of dermal wounds in pre-clinical models.

"We are thrilled to receive FDA clearance for DermiSphere hDRT," said Tom Roueche, CEO of FesariusTherapeutics Inc. "This clearance marks a significant milestone in our mission to develop advanced regenerative solutions that improve patient outcomes. DermiSphere hDRT offers a truly novel approach to dermal regeneration, and we are excited about its potential to transform wound care."

The FDA's 510(k) clearance allows FesariusTherapeutics Inc to market and distribute DermiSphere hDRT in the United States. The company plans to launch the product in the coming months, with a focus on providing surgeons with a transformative tool to revolutionize patient care.

For more information about FesariusTherapeutics Inc and DermiSphere hydrogel Dermal Regeneration Template (DermiSphere hDRT), please visit www.FesariusTherapeutics.com or contact Tom Roueche at [email protected]

About FesariusTherapeutics Inc.

FesariusTherapeutics Inc was founded in 2015 to leverage the unique technology developed by Jason A. Spector, MD, at his Laboratory of Bioregenerative Medicine and Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine in NYC where he also serves as Chief of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Spector was inspired to develop DermiSphere after experiencing the many limitations of products available for treating full thickness skin loss and the negative impact they had on his patients.

Investor Relations Inquiries Medical/Technologies Inquiries Tom Roueche Dr. Jason Spector President/CEO Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer 703.489.0703 [email protected] [email protected]



SOURCE FesariusTherapeutics Inc
WASHINGTON, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Treliant, an essential consulting partner to the global financial services industry, has named Tracy Angulo as Managing Director with the firm's Financial Crimes and Fraud Solutions team. Her appointment reflects Treliant's commitment to helping financial institutions, fintechs, and cryptocurrency businesses prevent money laundering and terrorist financing, establish risk resilience in their programs and preserve operational efficiency.

Tracy has over 20 years' experience in financial crime compliance, most recently as a Director at Guidehouse Inc. There, she served in critical roles guiding clients in building and enhancing their Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering (BSA/AML) obligations. She has also served as the Acting Global KYC/Customer Onboarding Director for a top cryptocurrency exchange, the Acting Deputy BSA/AML Officer for a U.S. based fintech, and Acting Manager of the financial intelligence unit for a large trust company and broker-dealer. Tracy also was a Principal Attorney Investigator with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) where she led complex financial crime investigations into AML violations, securities fraud, Ponzi schemes, insider trading, market manipulation, and fraudulent securities offerings.

"Our clients are under relentless pressure to stay ahead of evolving financial crimes, with bad actors continuously targeting financial institutions, fintechs, and digital asset companies," said John Arvanitis, Senior Managing Director, Financial Crimes and Fraud Solutions. "Tracy's unmatched expertisecombining frontline experience, advisory insight, and a regulator's precisionequips our clients to tackle threats head-on and protect their enterprises with confidence."

"Our industry is at a turning point, with financial crimes growing in scale and sophistication, putting businesses and their reputations at greater risk," said Tracy. "My focus is on helping our clients build resilient, future-ready programs that not only meet regulatory expectations but also instill trust and confidence in their stakeholders. By leveraging deep industry knowledge and a proactive approach, we can equip organizations to stay ahead of threats and succeed in an increasingly complex landscape."

About Treliant

Treliant is an essential consulting firm serving banks, fintechs, mortgage originators, and servicers, and other companies providing financial services globally. We are led by practitioners from the industry and the regulatory community who bring deep domain knowledge to help our clients drive business change and address the most pressing compliance, regulatory, and operational challenges.

We provide data-driven, technology-enabled consulting, implementation, staffing, and managed services solutions to the financial crimes, regulatory compliance, risk, credit, and capital markets functions of our clients.

Founded in 2005, Treliant is headquartered in Washington, DC, with offices across the United States, Europe, and Asia. To learn more visit www.treliant.com.

SOURCE Treliant
AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- This week both Real Leaders, a global media and membership platform dedicated to inspiring the future of business, and Built In, the leading tech recruiting platform, have recognized Findhelp, the nation's leading social care technology company. Findhelp was named as a 2025 Top Impact Company by Real Leaders (for the third consecutive year) and as one of the Best Places to Work by Built In (for the fifth consecutive year).

Findhelp was named as a 2025 Top Impact Company by Real Leaders. Findhelp was named one of the Best Places to Work by Built In.

"For the last fourteen years we've been working closely with customers, community partners, and policymakers to help improve the U.S. safety net," said Findhelp Founder & CEO, Erine Gray. "It's challenging but fulfilling work and it's nice to be recognized as both a 2025 Top Impact Company by Real Leaders and as one of the Best Places to Work by Built In."

Real Leaders: Top Impact Company

Real Leaders' prestigious list highlights privately-owned businesses making exceptional contributions to society and the planet, and Findhelp has made the list for the past three years. This year's competition attracted over 300 applications from more than 15 countries, with companies assessed on their growth, revenue, and six pillars of I.M.P.A.C.T.: Intention, Model, People, Accountability, Collaboration, and Transformation. Through a rigorous evaluation process, the companies that truly embody purpose-driven leadership were ranked and celebrated.

In addition to earning a Top Impact Company designation, Findhelp was also a semi-finalist for Most Transformative Company, an award that celebrates the companies driving positive change, honoring those with the highest 3-year compound annual growth rate.

The 2025 ranking criteria raised the bar, making it harder than ever to earn a spot. The updated criteria excluded nonprofits and publicly-traded companies and increased the minimum revenue requirement to $2 million. The 2025 list features a mix of respected impact brands of all sizes and from a variety of industries with companies such as: Cotopaxi, PATH, Alter Eco Foods, Phlow, Climate First Bank, Salas O'Brien, and Bevi.

"It seems like every company is calling themselves an impact company these days," said Kevin Edwards, President of Real Leaders. "We wanted to spotlight businesses that are genuinely dedicated to making a difference. By incorporating CEO interviews and community-driven impact evaluations, we ensured that only the most deserving organizations made the list. The top-scoring finalists in each category will share their best practices at Real Leaders UNITE 2025, inspiring better leaders for a better world."

Built In: Best Places to Work

While Real Leaders focuses on Findhelp's external impact, Built In recognizes Findhelp's culture and support for internal employees. For the fifth year in a row, Findhelp earned a place on the 2025 Best Places To Work Awards . The annual awards program includes companies of all sizes, from startups to enterprise, and honors both remote-first employers as well as companies in large tech markets across the U.S.

"Being recognized as a Best Place to Work is a testament to these companies' commitment to building a workplace where individuals and innovation thrive," says Built In CEO and Founder, Maria Christopoulos Katris. "At Built In, we understand that great companies are powered by great teams, and this achievement showcases their dedication to fostering a culture of growth, inclusivity, and excellence. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor."

Built In determines the winners of Best Places to Work based on an algorithm, using company data about compensation and benefits. To reflect the benefits candidates are searching for more frequently on Built In, the program also weighs criteria like remote and flexible work opportunities, programs for DEI and other people-first cultural offerings.

About Findhelp

Building healthier and happier communities starts with supporting the whole person. That's why Findhelp was founded in 2010: to connect all people in need to the programs that serve them with dignity and ease. Our software platform enables community organizations, governments, and businesses across industries to easily manage and coordinate care. From screening and closed-loop referrals to outcomes tracking and actionable health equity insights, Findhelp is leading the modernization of the social safety net. For more information, visit https://company.findhelp.com .

About Real Leaders

Real Leaders is the fastest-growing community for impact-driven leaders, supported by a global media platform that advocates for purpose-driven business. Founded in 2010, Real Leaders promotes responsible leadership that prioritizes employees, society, and the planet alongside profit. An independently owned Certified B Corporation and member of the UN Global Compact, Real Leaders is on a mission to unite farsighted leaders to transform our shortsighted world.

About Built In

Built In is the "always on" recruiting platform that reaches the tech professionals that other leading recruiting platforms don't. Designed to help companies hire expert tech talent, Built In continuously drives brand awareness with content. Monthly, millions of the industry's most in-demand global tech professionals visit our site to stay ahead of tech trends and news, learn skills to accelerate their careers, find the right job opportunities and get hired.

SOURCE Findhelp
From agentic AI to unstructured data, these 2025 AI trends deserve close attention from leaders.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Artificial intelligence and data science remained front-page news in 2024. MIT Sloan Management Review reveals five big AI and Data Science trends for 2025: the promise and hype around agentic AI; the push to measure results from generative AI experiments; an emerging vision of what a data-driven culture really means; a renewed focus on unstructured data; and a continued struggle over which C-suite role will oversee data and AI responsibilities.

"Artificial intelligence and data science remained front-page news in 2024. MIT Sloan Management Review reveals five big AI and Data Science trends for 2025." Post this Tom Davenport, Presidents Distinguished Professor of Information Technology and Management at Babson College

In "Five Trends in AI and Data Science for 2025," (a part of its AI in Action series), Tom Davenport, President's Distinguished Professor of Information Technology and Management at Babson College, and Randy Bean, adviser to Fortune 1000 organizations on data and AI leadership, incorporate the latest AI research along with the 2025 AI & Data Leadership Executive Benchmark Survey, an annual survey of data, analytics, and AI executives, conducted by Bean's educational firm, Data & AI Leadership Exchange, as well as Davenport's surveys on generative AI and data, technology leadership structures, and most recently, agentic AI, to compile their prediction on AI trends.

Leaders will grapple with both the promise and hype around agentic AI. Agentic AI, the kind of AI that does tasks independently, is on an inevitable rise. Most technology executives believe that these autonomous and collaborative AI programs will be primarily based on focused generative AI bots that will perform specific tasks. "There will be (and in some cases, already are) generative AI bots that will do people's bidding on specific content creation tasks, but it will require more than one of these agentic AI tools to do something significant, such as make a travel reservation or conduct a banking transaction," said Davenport.

The time has come to measure results from generative AI experiments. Very few companies are actually measuring productivity gains carefully or figuring out what the liberated knowledge workers are doing with their freed-up time. "Sadly, if companies are really going to see and profit from GenAI, they're going to need to measure and experiment to see the benefits," commented Davenport.

The reality about data-driven culture sets in. Ninety-two percent of survey respondents said they feel that cultural and change management challenges are the primary barrier to becoming data- and AI-driven. This suggests that any technology alone is insufficient. "It's still a good thing that data and AI leaders feel that their organizations have improved in this regard over the distant past, but our long-term prediction is that generative AI alone is not enough to make organizations and cultures data-driven," Bean added.

Unstructured data is important again. Generative AI has made unstructured data important again. To get unstructured data into shape is still work that is human-intensive. Davenport says, "At some point, perhaps, we'll be able to just load tons of our internal documents into a GenAI prompt window, but 2025 is unlikely to be that time. Even when that's possible, there will still be a need for considerable human curation of the data."

Who should run data and AI? Expect continued struggle. These roles continue to evolve and organizations continue to wrestle with their mandates, responsibilities, and reporting structures. Bean asserts that the role of chief data and AI officer should be a business role reporting to business leadership. Davenport agrees that tech leaders need to be more focused on business value, but he would prefer to see "supertech leaders" with all of the tech roles reporting to them. Whatever the right answer is, it's clear that organizations must make some interventions and make those who lead data as respected as the data itself.

Read the full article with data and statistics in the MIT Sloan Management Review article "Five Trends in AI and Data Science for 2025," which publishes at 8 a.m. ET on Jan. 8, 2025. This column is part of the series AI in Action.

About the Authors

Thomas H. Davenport is the President's Distinguished Professor of Information Technology and Management at Babson College, the Bodily Bicentennial Professor of Analytics at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, a fellow of the MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy, and senior adviser to the Deloitte Chief Data and Analytics Officer Program. His latest book is All Hands on Tech: The AI-Powered Citizen Revolution (Wiley 2024). Randy Bean has been an adviser to Fortune 1000 organizations on data and AI leadership for nearly four decades. He is the author of Fail Fast, Learn Faster: Lessons in Data-Driven Leadership in an Age of Disruption, Big Data, and AI (Wiley, 2021), and is a contributing author to MIT Sloan Management Review, Harvard Business Review, and Forbes.

About MIT Sloan Management Review

MIT Sloan Management Review is an independent, research-based magazine and digital platform for business leaders published at the MIT Sloan School of Management. MIT SMR explores how leadership and management are transforming in a disruptive world. We help thoughtful leaders capture the exciting opportunities  and face down the challenges  created as technological, societal, and environmental forces reshape how organizations operate, compete, and create value.

Connect with MIT Sloan Management Review on:

Tess Woods

[email protected]

617-942-0336

SOURCE MIT Sloan Management Review
Deployment of Vynamic Smart Vision I Shrink Reduction from Diebold Nixdorf follows successful pilot program at Intermarche store in La Farlede

NORTH CANTON, Ohio, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Faced with the growing challenges of the retail sector, Groupement Mousquetaires, a French retail group with brands like Intermarche, Netto and Bricomarche, plans to address fraud at its self-service checkouts with an AI-powered solution from Diebold Nixdorf (NYSE: DBD). After successfully piloting Vynamic Smart Vision I Shrink Reduction, designed to tackle the most common causes of loss in retail store environments, Groupement Mousquetaires is preparing to implement the solution across the group's store locations. This innovative project represents a significant step forward in the fight against shrinkage at self-service checkouts (SCOs), boosting operational efficiency and enhancing the customer experience.

Since its introduction at the Intermarche store in La Farlede in March 2024, the AI-powered solution reduced erroneous transactions from 3% to less than 1%.

Vynamic Smart Vision I Shrink Reduction uses technology to analyze customers' behavior and activities in real-time, detecting if an item passes through without being scanned, items stacked on top of each other or if a customer leaves the checkout without paying. In the event of an error, the customer is alerted via an on-screen message, and store attendants also receive an alert on their mobile terminal.

Maxime Canu, member of Inno Lab at Groupement Mousquetaires, explains: "With this AI technology solution from our partner Diebold Nixdorf, we have designed an innovation that revolutionizes self-service checkout management. It benefits everyone: customers, staff members and our retailers. The ability to reduce losses, make transactions more fluid and remove friction for consumers marks a real turning point for our sector."

Since its introduction at the Intermarche store in La Farlede in March 2024, the AI-powered solution has produced remarkable results:

Erroneous transactions, a major concern for retailers, dropped from 3% to less than 1%. This significant improvement highlights the effectiveness of the Smart Vision technology to identify anomalies. This advancement enables shoppers to rectify a transaction on their own and helps retailers reinforce control processes, ultimately reducing financial losses.

Thanks to this solution, cashier interventions fell nearly 15%, helping transactions in the self-service checkout area become smoother and require less manual intervention. This translates into reduced waiting times and an optimized shopping experience for customers, enabling staff to concentrate on higher-value tasks.

Laurent Hugou, owner of the Intermarche store in La Farlede and president of Stime, the Information System Department of Groupement Mousquetaires, said: "Thanks to this AI-powered solution from Diebold Nixdorf we have seen a significant reduction in errors, which eases the workload for our team and improves the experience for our customers. Interactions between staff and customers have become smoother and more pleasant. After just six months in use, this technology has already become indispensable to our day-to-day operations."

Matt Redwood, vice president, Retail Technology Solutions at Diebold Nixdorf said: "We are excited to take the next step with Groupement Mousquetaires and prepare the rollout after achieving strong results during the test phase. Our combined solution out of hardware, software and service globally has been designed alongside retailers, keeping store staff, serviceability and customer experience in mind. It provides a range of actionable outputs that help the retailer combat shrink without alienating their customers."

About Groupement Mousquetaires

Groupement Mousquetaires was created in 1969 and is based on a private initiative. It gathers together over 3,000 independent entrepreneurs, 150,000 employees and has over 4,000 stores that are part of 7 store brands Intermarche, Netto (food); Bricomarche, Brico Cash, Bricorama (home equipment); Roady and Rapid Pare-Brise (mobility). Groupement Mousquetaires has its own support services, logistics bases and 56 factories agri-food companies, all located in France. Groupement Mousquetaires also deploys its brands in Belgium, Poland and Portugal. To find out more: www.mousquetaires.com.

About Diebold Nixdorf

Diebold Nixdorf (NYSE: DBD), Incorporated, automates, digitizes and transforms the way people bank and shop. As a partner to the majority of the world's top 100 financial institutions and top 25 global retailers, our integrated solutions connect digital and physical channels conveniently, securely and efficiently for millions of consumers each day. The company has a presence in more than 100 countries with approximately 21,000 employees worldwide. Visit www.dieboldnixdorf.com for more information.

X: @DieboldNixdorf

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/diebold

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DieboldNixdorf

YouTube: www.youtube.com/dieboldnixdorf

DN-R

SOURCE Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated
HARLINGEN, Texas, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Frontier Direct Care, a leading innovator in employer-funded healthcare, has announced the initial closing of its $20 million Series B funding round, led by Mehshah Capital. This investment will accelerate the company's mission to transform healthcare by delivering accessible, affordable, and high-quality care to employees and their families.

Frontier Direct Care offers a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to improve health outcomes while reducing costs. The company's services include direct primary care, virtual care, referral navigation / direct contracting, and a prescription plan - all integrated through a proprietary technology platform. By removing traditional barriers such as co-pays, deductibles, and administrative complexities, Frontier enhances access to care and reduces downstream expenses. Key strategies include:

Producing significant savings on healthcare spend and passing them directly to employers.





Delivering care in the most appropriate settings.





Reducing unnecessary healthcare utilization.





Negotiating direct cash-pay rates with providers.

Over the past two years, the company has expanded its membership base by over 10x and now serves more than 100 employer customers, including municipalities, school districts and private employers, all of whom face rising healthcare costs. In the first half of 2025, Frontier plans to open new clinics in Dallas, Austin, and Houston.

"At Frontier Direct Care, we are reimagining how healthcare is delivered and paid for," said Bibb Beale, CEO of Frontier Direct Care. "This funding, led by Mehshah Capital, enables us to expand our footprint, enhance services, and continue delivering exceptional care to our growing membership."

Mehshah Capital's investment in Frontier reflects its strategy of investing in and supporting transformative healthcare companies positioned at the intersection of change.

"The current employer-funded healthcare system is unsustainable. Frontier Direct Care is disrupting this status quo with an innovative model that improves access, elevates quality of care, and lowers costs. We're excited to support Frontier in its next phase of growth," said Gaurav Mehta, Managing Partner at Mehshah Capital.

As part of the Series B round, Frontier welcomes three new board members: Richard Barasch, former Chairman and CEO of Universal American Corporation and Founder of RAB Ventures; Eric Bricker, M.D., Co-Founder of Compass Professional Health Services, and Gaurav Mehta, Founder and Managing Partner of Mehshah Capital.

About Frontier Direct Care

Frontier Direct Care is transforming employer-sponsored healthcare by offering an integrated, technology-enabled platform that combines direct primary care, virtual care, referral navigation / direct contracting, and a prescription plan to improve quality of care and reduce costs. For more information, visit frontierdirectcare.com.

About Mehshah Capital

Mehshah Capital is a New York City-based private equity firm known for its high-touch, value-add approach. The firm focuses on investing in transformative healthcare companies, with a proven value proposition, poised to drive meaningful change. For more information, visit mehshah.com.

Media Contact: Brad Springer | [email protected] | (956) 983-9272

SOURCE Frontier Direct Care
Backpack Has No Involvement in U.S. Bankruptcy-Approved Process for Returning Funds to FTX Creditors

FTX Not Responsible for Repayment of Any Funds Owed by FTX EU to its Former Customers

WILMINGTON, Del., Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- FTX Trading Ltd. (d/b/a. FTX.com) and the FTX Recovery Trust (collectively "FTX") today clarify certain statements made by the Backpack entities ("Backpack") regarding Backpack's purported acquisition of FTX EU Ltd ("FTX EU") and return of funds to former FTX EU customers.

FTX is aware that, on January 7, 2025, Backpack issued a press release announcing its acquisition of FTX EU ("Backpack Press Release"). The Backpack Press Release was issued without the knowledge or involvement of FTX. In addition, the Backpack Press Release, as well as a related website established by Backpack contain numerous potentially confusing statements regarding FTX EU, FTX and the U.S. bankruptcy process.

As of today, 100% of the share capital of FTX EU is held by FTX Europe AG, an FTX subsidiary. The previously announced transfer of the FTX EU shares to certain former insiders of FTX Europe (as described below) has not yet occurred.





The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the "U.S. Bankruptcy Court") did not approve the acquisition of FTX EU by Backpack. As previously announced, under the supervision of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, the FTX Debtors agreed to sell FTX EU to certain former insiders of FTX Europe in connection with a settlement agreement. FTX has now been informed that these former insiders have agreed to the indirect transfer of FTX EU to Backpack. Neither FTX nor the U.S. Bankruptcy Court was made aware of the indirect sale of FTX EU to Backpack prior to this week.





(the "U.S. Bankruptcy Court") did approve the acquisition of FTX EU by Backpack. As previously announced, under the supervision of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, the FTX Debtors agreed to sell FTX EU to certain former insiders of FTX Europe in connection with a settlement agreement. FTX has now been informed that these former insiders have agreed to the indirect transfer of FTX EU to Backpack. Neither FTX nor the U.S. Bankruptcy Court was made aware of the indirect sale of FTX EU to Backpack prior to this week. Backpack has not been authorized by FTX to make any distributions to any FTX customers or other creditors, including any former FTX EU customers. FTX EU is solely responsible for the return of any funds it owes to former FTX EU customers.





been authorized by FTX to make any distributions to any FTX customers or other creditors, including any former FTX EU customers. FTX EU is solely responsible for the return of any funds it owes to former FTX EU customers. Backpack has no involvement whatsoever in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court-approved process for returning funds to any FTX customers and other creditors.





involvement whatsoever in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court-approved process for returning funds to any FTX customers and other creditors. Any amounts owed by FTX EU to its former customers have not and will not be determined by FTX or the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. FTX EU holds customer funds belonging to customers of FTX EU. Any amounts due by FTX EU to its customers will be determined solely by FTX EU following completion of a sale of FTX EU. FTX will not be responsible for the repayment of any funds owed by FTX EU to its former customers and expressly disclaims any responsibility for such repayment by FTX EU.





be determined by FTX or the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. FTX EU holds customer funds belonging to customers of FTX EU. Any amounts due by FTX EU to its customers will be determined solely by FTX EU following completion of a sale of FTX EU. FTX has not reviewed or approved a website established by Backpack regarding asset recovery for former FTX EU customers, or reviewed or approved any other communications by Backpack. FTX expressly disclaims any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any information contained in Backpack's press release, website or other communications released by Backpack, including with respect to the statements by Backpack highlighted above.

Additional Information about FTX Recoveries and Distributions

As previously announced, FTX's U.S. Bankruptcy Court-approved Chapter 11 plan of reorganization (the "Plan") became effective on January 3, 2025. The initial distribution record date for holders of allowed claims in the Plan's convenience classes (the "Initial Distribution") was also January 3, 2025. The Initial Distribution is expected to occur within 60 days of January 3, 2025, with participation subject to know-your-customer and other distribution requirements. U.S. Bankruptcy Court filings, including the Plan and other documents related to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court proceedings, are available at https://cases.ra.kroll.com/FTX/.

Advisors

The FTX Recovery Trust is represented by Sullivan & Cromwell LLP as legal counsel and is assisted by Alvarez & Marsal North America, LLC as financial advisor, Perella Weinberg Partners LP as investment banker, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP as special counsel and Landis Rath & Cobb LLP as Delaware counsel.

SOURCE FTX
CINCINNATI, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE) received an order for 210 T700 engines to power the 96 Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopters for the Polish Armed Forces.

"This T700 engine is the engine of choice for medium-sized helicopters with its exceptional performance, reliability, and durability," said Amy Gowder, President and CEO of Defense & Systems at GE Aerospace. "This order strengthens our relationship with Poland and expands the Polish Armed Forces' GE Aerospace-powered fleet, which includes F404-powered FA-50 fighter jets, T700-powered Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawks, and CT7-powered Leonardo AW149 and AW101 helicopters."

The engine order follows a cooperative agreement signed in August 2024 between GE Aerospace and the Polish Ministry of National Defense. Under that agreement, Military Aviation Works in Deblin (Wojskowe Zakady Lotnicze NR 1 S.A. or WZL-1) will provide licensed MRO support for the T700 engines on the Apache as well as the Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk, and CT7 engines on Leonardo AW149 and AW101 helicopters that are in the Polish Armed Forces aircraft fleet. Military University of Technology in Warsaw (Wojskowa Akademia Techniczna or WAT) will manage training, including T700/CT7 engine training, for Polish technicians, military personnel, and WZL-1 employees who will support the helicopter fleet as well as preparing future engineering staff for the Polish Armed Forces.

The cooperative agreement between GE Aerospace, WZL-1, and WAT will sustain high-value jobs in Poland and provide new areas of engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) technology, training, and technical assistance for the defense industrial base, enabling Polish industry to support the Polish Armed Forces in sustainment of the Apache fleet. With these partnerships, the Polish Ministry of National Defense will have a full engine depot and engine training capabilities in country. These capabilities will ensure that the Polish Ministry of National Defense has supply security for all platforms powered by the T700/CT7 engine line. The agreement also paves the way for future partnerships in Poland on GE Aerospace's combat engines like the F110, F414, and F404.

The T700/CT7 family of turboshaft and turboprop engines powers 15 types of military and civilian helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft with more than 130 customers in more than 50 countries. More than 25,000 T700/CT7 engines have been delivered and accumulated more than 130 million total flight hours. The T700/CT7 design has proven itself in the harshest environments, logging millions of flight hours in hot-harsh combat zones like Iraq and Afghanistan. In Europe, more than 1,300 T700/CT7 engines have been delivered or are on order for 20 European military and para-military customers.

The engines will be built and delivered under a contract with the U.S. Army through the U.S. government's Foreign Military Sales process. In June 2024, the U.S. Army awarded GE Aerospace an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for the continued production of up to 950 T700 engines in support of Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and other government agency program requirements through 2029.

About GE Aerospace

GE Aerospace (NYSE: GE) is a global aerospace propulsion, services, and systems leader with an installed base of approximately 44,000 commercial and 26,000 military aircraft engines. With a global team of 52,000 employees building on more than a century of innovation and learning, GE Aerospace is committed to inventing the future of flight, lifting people up, and bringing them home safely. Learn more about how GE Aerospace and its partners are defining flight for today, tomorrow and the future at www.geaerospace.com.

GE Aerospace's presence in Poland spans over 30 years with more than 2,000 high-skilled employees based at six facilities who are developing the next-generation aerospace technologies for defense and commercial customers. With a total of $700M in country investment since 1992 and an annual $50M investment solely into R&D projects, GE Aerospace is proud to remain Poland's long-term strategic partner. For more information, visit us at www.GEAerospace.com

SOURCE GE Aerospace
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Dr. Jim Wilson, President and CEO of GEMMA Biotherapeutics ("GEMMABio") commented on Solid Bioscience's announcement of clearance by the Food and Drug Administration for its Investigational New Drug (IND) to treat Friedreich's ataxia (FA):

"We are absolutely delighted with the announcement by Solid Bio on the successful IND clearance of the dual route gene therapy to treat both the neurological and cardiac manifestations of FA. The genesis of this program stemmed from our long term commitment to the FA community and our close relationship with the Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA) and members of the community including Tom Hamilton who helped fund this work.

Based on feedback from the FA patient community, we and our collaborators, including Solid Biosciences, decided the best path forward was to treat both the neurologic and cardiac manifestations of the disease which required two different routes of administration  intravenous (IV) to treat the cardiac disease and direct central nervous system (CNS) injections to treat the neurologic diseases. This ambitious plan, the preclinical aspects of which were conducted while we were at the University of Pennsylvania, required numerous mouse and nonhuman primate studies spanning over 5 years.

"This was without question the most complicated program of the 17 that we have helped bring into the clinic. I am extremely proud of our team in helping achieve this important milestone for the FA community. I want to thank Bo Cumbo and the team at Solid for their commitment to clinically develop and commercialize this ambitious program and we stand prepared to help in whatever way we can."

About GEMMABio

GEMMABio is a therapeutics company focused on speeding the research of and global access to life-changing advanced therapies for those living with rare diseases. The company will provide research and product development functions to bring gene therapy discoveries from the bench to the bedside faster and affordably.

GEMMABio is led by gene therapy industry pioneer Jim Wilson and his team of experts, who previously conducted their work in academia. Wilson is also the Chairperson of Franklin Biolabs, a Contract Research Organization. The collective goal of the two affiliated companies is to translate innovative scientific work into clinical trials, to then commercialize and distribute the new therapies around the world to patients who need them most.

For more information, please visit gemmabiotx.com.

Contact:

Kristen Love

[email protected]

SOURCE GEMMA Biotherapeutics
German energy company Uniper, the country's largest gas importer, has signed a contract with Austrian company OMV to supply gas from the Romanian Neptun Deep field. Germany will purchase 1.7 billion cubic meters of gas in five years.

ADVERTISIMENT

Reuters reports this, citing three sources familiar with the agreement. Germany will be the first country to sign a contract with the operator of a promising deepwater Black Sea field.

Deliveries will begin in 2027. Germany will purchase 15 TWh (1.7 bcm), which is equivalent to 1.5% of German gas imports in 2024.

The Neptun Deep field is estimated at 100 billion cubic meters, making it one of the largest in the European Union. When it comes on stream, Romania will become the largest gas-producing country in the EU and, for the first time, a net exporter of gas.

During the peak production period, Neptun Deep will produce about 8 billion cubic meters over 10 years. As a result, gas production in Romania will almost double. Gas companies see significant potential for discoveries in the Romanian sector of the Black Sea, where reserves are estimated at 200 billion cubic meters.

ADVERTISIMENT

The field is operated by OMV Petrom, with OMV holding a controlling stake and Romanian state-owned Romgaz holding 20.7% (the companies own the field itself in half).

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, on January 1, Russia finally lost the European gas market, as gas transit through the Ukrainian gas transportation system was stopped. The contract between "Naftogaz" and "Gazprom" expired on December 31, 2024, and no new document was signed. There is little chance of signing such an agreement in the context of a full-scale war. While Transnistria remains without gas, and the Slovak leader is figuring out how to take revenge on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, gas prices in Europe have risen by only 5% (to 50 per MWh). This proves that Europe is no longer dependent on Russian gas.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Generations Behavioral Health (GBH), a leading provider of mental health services in the Cuyahoga, Mahoning, and Trumbull County regions, is pleased to announce the expansion of its outpatient care to include psychiatric services for children and adolescents, as well as counseling services for children and adults in their Youngstown Clinic.

With a commitment to improving access to quality mental health services, GBH welcomes Dr. Raquel Diaz Guerrero, a board-certified psychiatrist, and Landon Finley, a licensed social worker.

Introducing Dr. Raquel Diaz Guerrero

Dr. Raquel Diaz Guerrero joins GBH with extensive expertise in child and adolescent psychiatry. After earning her Doctor of Medicine with honors from the Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, Dr. Diaz completed her residency in general psychiatry at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in New York. She then pursued a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Missouri School of Medicine.

Dr. Diaz is board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN), an active member of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP). With a proven record of providing comprehensive and empathetic care, Dr. Diaz specializes in supporting the unique mental health needs of youth, ensuring families receive the best possible treatment.

Introducing Landon Finley

Landon Finley is a dedicated mental health professional with a strong academic foundation and extensive experience in social work and counseling. Holding a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Mercyhurst University and a Master's in Social Work from Youngstown State University, Landon is a licensed social worker in Ohio with specialized training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

Over the years, Landon has provided compassionate care in various roles, including individual therapy, trauma-focused counseling, and case management, serving diverse populations such as children, teens, adults, and marginalized communities. With a proven track record in developing individualized treatment plans, facilitating Safe Zone LGBTQ+ training, and collaborating across multidisciplinary teams, Landon brings a holistic approach to fostering growth and healing.

Now Accepting Patients for In-Person and Telehealth Appointments

Dr. Diaz is currently welcoming new clients of all ages for both in-person and telehealth appointments. Landon is currently welcoming clients aged 8 years and older for both in-person and telehealth appointments. You can schedule an appointment immediately by contacting 234-232-7501.

Generations Behavioral Health Services Include:

Mental Health Assessments

Counseling & Psychotherapy

Family Consultation

Medication Management

Outpatient Clinic Locations

16 Colonial Drive, Youngstown, OH 44505

44505 26600 Renaissance Parkway, Warrensville Heights, OH 44128

Hospital Locations

196 Colonial Drive, Youngstown, OH 44505

44505 60 West Street, Geneva, OH 44041

With this expansion, Generations Behavioral Health reaffirms its mission to provide compassionate, client-centered care for all ages. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact one of the locations below:

Youngstown Clinic

Phone: 234-232-7501

Warrensville Heights Clinic

Phone: 216-329-8999

Youngstown Hospital

Phone: 234-232-7500

Geneva Hospital

Phone: 440-491-0155

About Generations Behavioral Health

Generations Behavioral Health is a comprehensive mental health care provider dedicated to serving individuals of all ages with compassion and expertise. Committed to treating every patient like family, Generations offers personalized care tailored to the unique needs of each individual. With a team of highly trained professionals and a wide range of therapeutic services, Generations Behavioral Health strives to promote healing, growth, and resilience in a supportive and nurturing environment.

SOURCE Generations Behavioral Health
The Evolution of Ten design makes the cards 10% cooler and smaller

TAIPEI, Jan. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- GIGABYTE, the world's leading computer brand, announced the launch of NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series graphics cards powered by NVIDIA Blackwell and AI, including the GeForce RTX 5090, RTX 5090 D, RTX 5080, RTX 5070 Ti, and RTX 5070, at CES. The latest GIGABYTE graphics card models leverage cutting-edge cooling solutions designed for NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs to enhance performance in demanding games. Accomplished with the product design concept "Evolution of Ten", GIGABYTE's GeForce RTX 50 Series graphics cards improve thermal performance by up to 10% and reduce overall card volume by up to 10% for a more compatible PC-building experience.

GIGABYTE debuts enhanced cooling and more compact NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 series graphics cards at CES 2025

Powered by NVIDIA Blackwell, GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs bring game-changing capabilities to gamers and creators. Equipped with a massive level of AI horsepower, the RTX 50 Series enables new experiences and next-level graphics fidelity. Multiply performance with NVIDIA DLSS 4, generate images at unprecedented speed, and unleash creativity with NVIDIA Studio. Plus, access NVIDIA NIM microservices  state-of-the-art AI models that let enthusiasts and developers build AI assistants, agents, and workflows with peak performance on NIM-ready systems.

Alongside the latest NVIDIA DLSS technology, GIGABYTE upgraded both AORUS XTREME WATERFORCE and iconic WINDFORCE cooling solutions to complement the high performance of RTX 50 Series GPUs. Upgraded with liquid metal thermal grease, the XTREME WATERFORCE all-in-one water-cooling model delivers up to 10 times the heat transfer coefficient. Meanwhile, the water block model, AORUS XTREME WATERFORCE WB, is designed for customizable water loop builds. Both water-cooling solutions deliver exceptional heat dissipation and silent operation during demanding workloads.

In balancing advanced gaming performance and thermal efficiency on the air-cooling variants, GIGABYTE enhanced the WINDFORCE cooling solution with the new Hawk Fan design to minimize turbulence and noise level, increasing airflow by 12.5%, and delivering up to a 53.6% improvement in air pressure. Server-grade thermal conductive gel can adhere perfectly to the surface of various components without shifting for long-term usage. The premium AORUS MASTER variant takes things a step further, featuring Screen Cooling Plus with an extra air-boosting fan for more airflow and the RTX 5090 MASTER is equipped with Superconducting heat pipes with section sintering technology to improve heat distribution.

With a diverse range of models, including premium AORUS XTREME and MASTER, GIGABYTE AERO, GAMING, EAGLE, and WINDFORCE models with white variants and models that fit the guideline for SFF-Ready Enthusiast GeForce Cards, GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 50 series graphics cards cater to a wide range of gamers. Visit GIGABYTE EVENT | CES 2025 for more info on GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 50 Series graphics cards.

SOURCE GIGABYTE
SHERBROOKE, QC, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Global Excel Management Inc. (Global Excel) is pleased to announce it has acquired the business of Vitori Health LLC (Vitori Health) effective January 1, 2025.

Vitori Health is a modern health plan administrator licensed in all 50 states with remarkable member support, national and regional networks, open access plans, and an unmatched claims savings guarantee for employer-sponsored health plans. With a strong reputation for innovation, Vitori offers nationwide precision-built health plan solutions which offer high-performing alternatives for mid-market employers and their employees.

"Vitori has a strong reputation as an innovator in the U.S. market," said Reg Allatt, Chairman of Global Excel. "Their solutions are built on technology and like Global Excel, their core values include customer service excellence, modern solutions and a commitment to driving true financial value for their corporate clients. Moving forward we will continue our strategy of expanding the depth of our risk management services, our client base, as well as our geographic presence though continued profitable organic growth and qualified acquisitions."

As noted by Steve McClung, CEO of Hines & Associates, Inc. (Hines), "This partnership widens the range of services we offer in the U.S. healthcare market and fully complements the services currently offered by Hines, Global Excel's US-based subsidiary. Delivering a comprehensive range of healthcare risk management services, which exceeds our clients' expectations, has always been our primary focus. I'm looking forward to working together with the team at Vitori, learning about the needs of their clients and how we can enhance the value of the services we currently provide, building on the history of strong relationships and customer focus that they have established."

Tim O'Brien, Vitori Health CEO, describes the acquisition by Global Excel as, "An ideal fit to bolster our strengths and fuel our continued, quality-focused expansion. What we see in Global Excel is a client-focused company with a strong reputation for delivering industry leading solutions for their clients  much like our Vitori Vantage product and our revolutionary savings guarantee." Further, "Global Excel's corporate vision aligns with our strategic market orientation and rapid growth and complements our existing payer services and plan administration capabilities."

Over the coming months the goal of all management teams will be to focus on providing the highest level of service to our respective clients. Simultaneously Global Excel, Hines and Vitori will focus on identifying synergies which will bring added value to existing clients and extend services to new markets and clients.

With this acquisition, Global Excel reinforces its position as a leading supplier of healthcare risk management solutions globally and in the U.S. market. Vitori Health will continue doing business under its current brand name.

Vitori was advised by Ansley Capital Group in the transaction.

About Global Excel Management Inc.

Global Excel Management Inc. is a full-service provider of global healthcare risk management solutions. Global Excel, together with its subsidiaries based in Canada, USA, Mexico, Europe, Africa, and Asia, offers a complete range of risk mitigation, cost containment, claims management and medical assistance services to over 1,800 clients located in more than 90 countries around the world. As a group, Global Excel will manage approximately 420,000 inpatient, outpatient and non-medical cases per year and processes in excess of $2B USD in healthcare claims annually.

For more information, visit globalexcel.com.

About Vitori Health

Vitori Health is a comprehensive next-generation health plan administrator focused on expense reduction and increased value through evidence-driven design, payment integrity controls, better member value, and guaranteed results. Vitori's success is anchored in its ability to drive industry leading savings by addressing legacy health insurance conflicts of interest, service, and cost control challenges while delivering an exceptional member experience and an unmatched savings guarantee. Built from the ground up, Vitori leverages proprietary technology and business processes to seamlessly integrate custom-designed features, including concierge member support and advocacy, unique medical payment controls, preferred surgical arrangements, optimized pharmacy pricing, and employer contracting without hidden fees. The result is a high-performance health plan that is significantly less expensive for plan sponsors and employees.

For more information, visit: vitorihealth.com.

About Hines

Hines is a nationwide leader delivering health solutions and services. Hines provides comprehensive provider access and healthcare services to payers, plans and members including cost containment, utilization management and disease management solutions. Hines provides fully integrated health management programs that deliver optimal clinical outcomes with superior financial results. For every stage along the continuum of care, Hines offers custom solutions, supported by a talented, experienced and knowledgeable team of registered nurses, medical specialists, financial review professionals, all backed by AI driven technology. Incorporated in 1987, Hines is the first nationwide, independent and privately owned managed care company to have achieved URAC accreditation in Case Management and Health Utilization Management. By meeting and exceeding URAC requirements and policies, Hines ensures their clients receive the leading utilization management techniques available in the health care industry today.

For more information, visit: hinesassoc.com.

SOURCE Global Excel Management Inc.
BEIJING, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- New terms such as the "goods economy," ice and snow tourism festival, small-town charm, "wellness tea" and healing classes are making headlines and becoming focal points for businesses to capitalize on the upcoming Chinese Spring Festival which falls on January 29.

The incessant emergence of new consumption models in China is actually fueling another year of sustainable economic growth, analysts said.

Putting on new dresses for the holidays symbolizes a fresh beginning to 2025. As the younger generation embraces a cultural heritage with growing confidence, celebrating the New Year in traditional Hanfu has become a vibrant and adorable way to experience the impending festival season.

"I usually opt for Chinese-style clothing during holidays. Many brands have released special Spring Festival collections, and I'll choose similar styles to wear during the holidays," Bin Yanping, a fan of neo-Chinese-style clothing, told the Global Times on Sunday.

Based in Xi'an city, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Bin is a regional manager for a French footwear brand. When traveling abroad for business, she often opts for Chinese-style clothing.

"Wearing items with iconic Chinese elements is a powerful expression of confidence and national pride," Bin told the Global Times.

New Year celebrations

During the first Spring Festival after winning the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status, donning a traditional Chinese dress, feasting friends and guests, and joining a series of Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations have become the top choices for many in China.

Culturally rich destinations such as Quanzhou in East China's Fujian Province, Chaozhou in South China's Guangdong Province, and Datong in North China's Shanxi Province have seen a surge in tourist popularity, according to data from online travel agency Trip.com.

And, it is worth noting that 2025 marks the peak of the solar activity cycle, offering good opportunities to see the aurora in northern places where it was previously rare. As a result, "domestic aurora trip" has become highly popular among young people.

Online bookings for trips to Mohe in Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province has seen increase of 17 percent, while Altay in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has seen increase of 67 percent, Trip.com data showed.

Also, immersive experiences, digital consumption and personalized customization are highlights of the coming Spring Festival shopping season, Zhang Yi, CEO of the iiMedia Research Institute, told the Global Times on Sunday.

A wave of the ongoing technological revolution is sweeping across industries and transforming the society, creating new ways for digitalization and socializing. Regarding the consumption sector, the global landscape is undergoing profound changes, fundamentally reshaping consumer behavior and preferences.

At the same time, the relationship between business brands and consumers is experiencing unprecedented transformation and change, Zhang explained. Interest-driven consumption has become a major driving force for the younger generation.

Factors such as product aesthetics, collaborative IP designs, commodity functionality, and elements of Chinese cultural trends have all emerged as key considerations for the young generation while shopping, Zhang noted.

Consumption trends

Nowadays, shopping districts and tourist attractions across the country are tapping into Chinese people's emerging consumption trends, competing to offer specified products and services.

An ice-and-snow travel photography-themed train recently made its debut. On the K5197 train from Heilongjiang Province's Harbin to Yabuli, passengers dressed in vibrant outfits and enjoyed travel photography experiences in uniquely themed carriages, according to a statement sent to the Global Times by China Railway Harbin Group on Sunday.

The train features a variety of cultural settings such as Harbin Street scenes, European-style charm, fantasy adventures, ice and snow encounters, and folk culture. And, the train offers a variety of travel photography outfits - Chinese or Western, traditional or futuristic -- all provided to the passengers free of charge.

Traditional industries are embracing these new opportunities too. For instance, a jewelry distributor with over 30 stores across the country has seen impressive sales of its traditional craft jewelry series, a collection of neo-Chinese-style gold jewelry, which now makes up more than 60 percent of their total sales, despite their relatively high prices.

"Neo-Chinese-style has become a prominent selling point in the market. An increasing number of young customers are opting for the latest chic, which will remain a key focus of our development, both in the past couple of years and moving forward," the distributor, who asked not to be named, told the Global Times on Sunday.

Home consumption is a vital and indispensable engine in driving the country's economic development, which still has a bigger potential to tap in the country, Zhang said.

The Central Economic Work Conference convened in December noted that more efforts are needed for innovating diversified consumption scenarios, expand services consumption, and promote the development of cultural tourism in China.

Pan Helin, a member of the Expert Committee for the Information and Communication Economy under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, echoed the sentiment that Chinese New Year presents a perfect opportunity to ramp up consumption. By creating a wide variety of new consumption patterns during the coming long holidays, the retail market is to be reactivated.

This article first appeared in the Global Times: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1326304.shtml

SOURCE Global Times
BEIJING, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- "China will work with all countries to promote friendship and cooperation, enhance mutual learning among different cultures, and build a community with a shared future for mankind. We must jointly create a better future for the world." Chinese President Xi Jinping's 2025 New Year message has sparked enthusiastic responses. As the great changes unseen in a century further evolve, China will continue to inject momentum and bring confidence to a world in turmoil and transformation. The Global Times launches a series of articles themed "China's commitments in the new era" to help our audiences gain a deep understanding of the significance of China's commitments to contemporary responsibilities.



"As changes unseen in a century accelerate across the world, it is important to rise above estrangement and conflict with a broad vision, and care for the future of humanity with great passion. China will work with all countries to promote friendship and cooperation, enhance mutual learning among different cultures, and build a community with a shared future for mankind. We must jointly create a better future for the world," Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized in his 2025 New Year message. This statement underscores China's steadfast dedication to fostering the development of a community with a shared future for mankind, positioning it as a noble objective of its major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era.



Against the current international situation, the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind is more in line with the needs of the times. In recent years, there has been an increase in unilateralism, protectionism and anti-globalization sentiments, while hegemony and bullying have caused serious harm. Humanity stands at a crossroads between unity and division, dialogue and confrontation as well as win-win cooperation and zero-sum competition. Building a community with a shared future for mankind provides a new approach for international relations, offers new wisdom for global governance, creates a new paradigm for international interactions and paints a new vision for a better world, answering the question of "where humanity is heading" in this era.



Building a community with a shared future for mankind aims to build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world of lasting peace, universal security and shared prosperity, following the pathway of promoting global governance that features extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit. It also adheres to the guiding principle of applying the common values of humanity, while the basic underpinning lies in building a new type of international relations. Furthermore, its strategic guidance comes from the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, while its platform for action is high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. China hopes to work with countries all over the world to meet challenges and achieve prosperity for all. By doing so, we will facilitate the move toward a brighter future of peace, security, prosperity and progress in the world.



Building a community with a shared future for mankind is an essential choice that aligns with the general trend of history and promotes human development. Currently, the world is experiencing accelerated changes unseen in a century, entering a new period of turbulence and transformation, and human society is again standing at a crossroads. People from all nations recognize that, in the face of the deepening global crisis, no country can prosper in isolation or meet all challenges independently. Like passengers aboard the same ship, only through solidarity can we steer clear of the historical cycles of war and peace, rise and fall, order and chaos.



Building a community with a shared future for mankind is the right direction to align with the current trend of the times and improve global governance. Right now, human society faces numerous problems and challenges, with the deficits in peace, development, security and governance growing. The reform and improvement of the global governance system remain a formidable task. People around the world have a growing expectation for peace, development, cooperation and win-win outcomes. They need all countries to adhere to the principle of extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, uphold true multilateralism, ensure equal rights, equal opportunities and equal rules for all countries as well as continuously improve global governance.



Building a community with a shared future for mankind is integral to our efforts to adhere to peaceful development and remain committed to win-win cooperation. At present, the world is still mired in turmoil and chaos, with the Ukraine crisis and the Palestine-Israel conflict continuing to intensify. The international security situation remains grim. As President Xi Jinping has pointed out, we live in an interdependent world and rise and fall together. With their interests deeply intertwined, all countries need to build maximum consensus for win-win and all-win outcomes.



China's development will be deeply interlinked with the common development of all countries, and its future deeply interlinked with that of humankind. With its new development, China will provide new opportunities to the world, and inject fresh impetus and make greater contribution to peace and development of humankind.



It's been more than 10 fruitful years since the birth of the idea of building a community with a shared future for mankind. This idea has developed from a conceptual proposition to a scientific system, from a Chinese initiative to an international consensus, and from a promising vision to practical outcomes. It has continuously extended into various regions and fields, becoming a great enterprise joined by various parties. Great visions can be realized only through actions. Building a community with a shared future for mankind requires continuous advancement at bilateral, regional and global levels.



At the bilateral level, China actively promotes the building of a community with a shared future with partner countries, achieving near-global coverage. In Asia, we advance the building of a shared future with our neighbors, fostering good-neighborly relations. In Africa, we promote the establishment of a community with a shared future with major African nations, such as South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria, reflecting mutual support and assistance. In Europe, in 2024, we began building the China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era, marking a breakthrough in the building of a community with a shared future in Europe. In the Americas, we have established a bilateral community with a shared future with countries like Brazil, demonstrating our sense of responsibility.



At the regional level, China has proposed and promoted the building of a community with a shared future with various regional players, including Asia, ASEAN, Central Asia, Africa, the Arab states and the Latin America and the Caribbean region. China works hand in hand with countries in each region, continuously advancing the expansion and deepening of the community with a shared future for mankind.



At the global level, China continues to advocate for international cooperation and strengthen the top-level design for building a community with a shared future for mankind, solidifying its foundation across various fields. In response to changing international circumstances and global cooperation needs, China has proposed initiatives to build a community with a shared future in cyberspace, a community of shared future on nuclear security, a community of health for all, a global community of shared development, a community of life for humanity and nature, a community of all life on Earth, and a maritime community of shared future. These initiatives span all areas of human society, steadily advancing the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind in various fields.



Building a community with a shared future for mankind is a grand and systematic undertaking. It needs to be advanced in a planned, focused and effective manner. Looking to the future, China will continue to unwaveringly promote mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation with other countries and unremittingly push for new achievements in the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

The author, Ling Shengli, is deputy director of the Institute of International Relations of China Foreign Affairs University.

SOURCE Global Times
Gluware and Cuadrilla partner to elevate networks as the centerpiece for modern business success

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. and SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Gluware, the leader in intelligent network automation, today announced its acquisition by Cuadrilla Capital, a leading enterprise software private equity firm. The investment from Cuadrilla will enable Gluware to further penetrate the Global 2000 market, addressing the most complex enterprise network challenges faced by these worldwide leaders.

The strategic growth investment also marks a key inflection point in the network automation industry, highlighting the essential role of intelligent, self-operating networks in mission-critical operations. In particular, the surge in IT, OT, and IoT devices are placing unprecedented demands on network infrastructure, requiring companies to fast-track the transition from manual network operations.

"The Cuadrilla team has been a dream to work with, and we could not ask for a better business partner," said Jeff Gray, CEO and Co-Founder at Gluware. "They have a clear vision on where the market is headed and have determined that Gluware's technology is vital in getting there. From the day we founded Gluware, we have been consistently building towards this moment, and we are ready to power every enterprise network with our intelligent network automation."

"Gluware has groundbreaking technology and a world-class team addressing the compelling network automation market," said Jonah Sulak and Vikram Abraham, Co-Founders and Managing Partners at Cuadrilla. "We are excited to support Gluware with a growth investment to accelerate network transformation, expand its global reach, and invest in customer success initiatives."

"IT and OT networks need network automation to meet current and future business demands," said Nicole Banks, Principal at Cuadrilla. "Network automation has evolved to become the standard for best-in-class network management. Gluware's technology is unparalleled, and we see it as the cornerstone for solving the greatest pain points in IT across industries, as well as a foundational platform for acquisition-led growth. We are beyond thrilled to be working with Jeff, Olivier and the Gluware team to drive this transformation."

Customers can expect continued excellence in product quality and reliability, along with new features and capabilities that address evolving network automation challenges. The company offers a comprehensive prebuilt platform with multi-vendor support and auto-remediation capabilities, as well as a unifying developer platform for those seeking more customization and extensibility. At the core of both options is Gluware DIAL (Device Interaction and Automation Layer), a groundbreaking technology that enables hands-off management, full remediation, and near real-time compliance auditing for configuration and security policies. Focusing on intent-based automation, Gluware also provides automation scripting acceleration, orchestration tools, and transformational platforms for developers.

"With Cuadrilla's investment and strategic support, we can further accelerate our ambitious vision for intelligent network automation," said Ernest Lefner, Chief Product Officer and Olivier Huynh Van, Chief Science Officer and Co-Founder at Gluware. "Our roadmap includes regular enhancements to the Gluware platform, catering to both professionals seeking prebuilt solutions and those requiring a unifying developer platform. We're also expanding our offerings with the public releases of our GenAI-powered Co-Pilots for Network Operators and NetDevOps, as well as cutting-edge advancements in self-operating and self-healing network capabilities. Whether someone is looking for turnkey automation or a flexible development environment, Gluware is committed to staying ahead of the curve and delivering solutions that not only meet but anticipate the evolving needs of our customers and their enterprise networks."

By 2026, Gartner predicts that 30% of enterprises will automate more than half of their network activities, up from less than 10% in mid-2023. This shift is fueled by the need for improved network security, enhanced service quality, and the ability to manage increasingly complex digital infrastructure.

As organizations grapple with these challenges, Gluware's intent-based intelligent network automation platform is revolutionizing network operations, delivering impressive results for organizations worldwide, including:

95% reduction in network outages

100% network security policy compliance

Patching at scale with 0% defects

300x speed increase for OS upgrades compared to manual methods

The ability to implement self-operating network capabilities in just three monthsand see ROI within a year

For more information, please visit https://www.gluware.com.

About Gluware

Gluware powers the world's most complex enterprise networks with enterprise-grade, intent-based, multi-vendor, intelligent network automation  ready out-of-the-box or as a unifying developer platform. The leading choice of the Global 2000, Gluware's self-operating and auto-remediating platform handles millions of network changes simultaneously, flawlessly, and in minutes, saving businesses significant time and resources. Gluware is the only turnkey, intelligent network automation software platform for NetOps and NetDevOps that automates enterprise networks in as little as 30 days. For more information, please visit www.gluware.com.

About Cuadrilla Capital

Cuadrilla is a leading enterprise software investment firm founded in 2021 with over $500 million in assets under management. Cuadrilla partners with exceptional SaaS companies with strong product-market fit and significant strategic value to drive accelerated growth and long-term success. The firm is headquartered in Santa Barbara, CA. More information is available at www.cuadrillacapital.com.

Gluware Media Contact

ICR for Gluware

[email protected]

SOURCE Gluware
Betsy Seals named inaugural RISE Above Award recipient, which recognizes distinct leadership capabilities

NEW YORK, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Health Enterprise Partners ("HEP") is proud to establish the RISE Above Award in honor of Steve Filchock. An integral member of the HEP team for over a decade, Steve has worked with over 30 portfolio companies to provide deep technical expertise pre- and post-investment.

Betsy Seals, CEO, Alerion Advisors

Dave Tamburri, Managing Partner at HEP, noted, "Steve is a remarkable person, respected by all of the HEP team, for leading by example and living with purpose. Betsy Seals, the CEO of Alerion Advisors, clearly embodies the four tenets of the RISE Above Award: Resilience and the ability to bounce back, Integrity in thought and action, Straightforwardness and authentic character, and dedication to Educating and developing others."

Steve Filchock commented, "I appreciate Betsy's authentic leadership and congratulate her as the worthy recipient of the inaugural RISE Above Award. It is truly a privilege to be both associated with HEP for the past 13 years and the honoree of the RISE Above Award."

Betsy is a nationally recognized leader in the managed care industry with 20 years of experience. According to Scott Whyte, Partner of Value Creation and Board Member of Alerion, "Betsy is a collaborative CEO who acts with courage and conviction to drive positive outcomes for our clients and employees."

HEP is making a donation on behalf of Betsy Seals to Team Filchock within the Tackle ALS Program supporting Massachusetts General Hospital. Team Filchock is matching the donation in appreciation.

About Health Enterprise Partners

Health Enterprise Partners provides expansion capital to innovative healthcare services and healthcare information technology companies. Central to HEP's strategy is its unique and extensive hospital system and health plan network, 40 members of which are investors in HEP's funds. HEP seeks to invest in companies that improve the quality of the patient experience, expand access, and reduce the cost of healthcare. Additional information is available at www.hepfund.com.

About Alerion Advisors

Alerion Advisors is a family of companies dedicated to delivering unparalleled consulting services across the healthcare spectrum. With expertise spanning operational efficiency, strategic planning, and clinical innovation, Alerion Advisors leverages its collective knowledge and resources to create transformative solutions for clients. Through the combined strengths of its subsidiaries (including Rebellis Group, Advent Advisory, and Toney Healthcare), Alerion Advisors is poised to redefine consulting in the healthcare sector, empowering clients to achieve their goals, improve health outcomes, and make a lasting impact for plan members. Additional information is available at www.alerionadvisors.com.

SOURCE Health Enterprise Partners
DALLAS, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- HF Sinclair Corporation (NYSE: DINO) (the "Corporation") today announced that it has commenced a cash tender offer (the "Tender Offer") to purchase the outstanding notes listed in the table below (collectively, the "Notes" and each a "Series" of Notes) for an aggregate purchase price (excluding accrued interest) of up to $900.0 million (the "Maximum Aggregate Purchase Price"), in the order of priority shown in the table below, and subject to the 2027 Notes Tender Cap set forth in the table below.

Title of Security CUSIP(1) Issuer Aggregate

Principal

Amount

Outstanding 2027 Notes

Tender

Cap(2) (in millions) Acceptance

Priority

Level(3) Reference

U.S.

Treasury

Security Early

Tender

Premium(4) Fixed spread

(basis points) Bloomberg Reference

Page(5) 6.375% Senior Notes due 2027 (the "2027 Notes")* 403949 AK6 U4322C AD5 403949 AP5 HF Sinclair $399,875,000 $150,000,000 1 2.625%

U.S.T.

due

4/15/25 $30.00 50 bps FIT3 5.875% Senior Notes due 2026* 403949 AF7 U4322C AB9 403949 AB6 HF Sinclair $797,100,000 N/A. 2 4.250%

U.S.T.

due

12/31/25 $30.00 50 bps FIT4 5.875% Senior Notes due 2026* 436106AA6 HollyFrontier $202,900,000 N/A. 3 4.250%

U.S.T.

due

12/31/25 $30.00 50 bps FIT4

________________

(1) No representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP numbers listed in this Offer to Purchase or printed on the Notes. They are provided solely for the convenience of Holders of the Notes. (2) The 2027 Notes Tender Cap represents the maximum aggregate principal amount of the 2027 Notes that will be purchased. The Corporation reserves the right, but is under no obligation, to increase, decrease or eliminate the 2027 Notes Tender Cap at any time, including on or after the Price Determination Date (as defined below), subject to applicable law. The amount of Notes purchased in the Tender Offer is subject to the Maximum Aggregate Purchase Price. (3) Subject to the Maximum Aggregate Purchase Price, the 2027 Notes Tender Cap and proration, the principal amount of each Series of Notes that is purchased in the Tender Offer will be determined in accordance with the applicable Acceptance Priority Level (in numerical priority order with 1 being the highest Acceptance Priority Level and 3 being the lowest) specified in this column. (4) Per $1,000 principal amount of Notes. (5) The Bloomberg Reference Page is provided for convenience only. To the extent any Bloomberg Reference Page changes prior to the Price Determination Date, the Lead Dealer Managers referred to below will quote the applicable Reference Treasury Security from the updated Bloomberg Reference Page. * Denotes a Series of Notes for which the Total Tender Offer Consideration and the Tender Offer consideration will be determined taking into account the par call date or redemption date, instead of the maturity date, of such Notes in accordance with standard market practice.

The terms and conditions of the Tender Offer are described in an Offer to Purchase dated January 8, 2025 (as it may be amended or supplemented, the "Offer to Purchase"). The Tender Offer is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions as set forth in the Offer to Purchase, including the receipt of aggregate gross proceeds in an amount sufficient to effect the repurchase of the Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer on or prior to the Early Settlement Date (as defined below) on terms acceptable to the Corporation from the concurrent public offering of senior debt securities issued by the Corporation (the "Concurrent Notes Offering").

Subject to applicable law, the Corporation may waive any and all of these conditions or extend or terminate the Tender Offer with respect to one or more Series of Notes, increase or decrease the Maximum Aggregate Purchase Price and/or increase, decrease or eliminate the 2027 Notes Tender Cap at any time, including on or after the Price Determination Date. The Tender Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum amount of Notes being tendered. Capitalized terms used in this news release and not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Offer to Purchase.

The amounts of each Series of Notes that are purchased in the Tender Offer will be determined in accordance with the priorities identified in the column "Acceptance Priority Level" in the table above, and the 2027 Notes Tender Cap (with respect to the 2027 Notes). The Tender Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on February 7, 2025, unless extended (such date and time, as the same may be extended, the "Expiration Date") or earlier terminated. In order to receive the applicable Total Tender Offer Consideration, Holders of Notes must validly tender and not validly withdraw their Notes at or before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on January 23, 2025, unless extended (such date and time, as the same may be extended, the "Early Tender Deadline"). Holders of Notes who validly tender their Notes after the Early Tender Deadline and before the Expiration Date and whose Notes are accepted for purchase will receive only the Late Tender Offer Consideration.

The Total Tender Offer Consideration for each $1,000 in principal amount of Notes tendered and not withdrawn before the Early Tender Deadline and accepted for payment pursuant to the Tender Offer on the Early Settlement Date will be determined in the manner described in the Offer to Purchase. The consideration will be determined by reference to the applicable fixed spread specified for each Series of Notes over the yield based on the bid-side price of the applicable Reference U.S. Treasury Security specified in the table above, as fully described in the Offer to Purchase. The consideration will be calculated by the Lead Dealer Managers for the Tender Offer at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the business day immediately following the Early Tender Deadline, unless extended (such date and time, as the same may be extended, the "Price Determination Date"). The Price Determination Date is expected to be January 24, 2025. The Early Tender Premium for each Series of Notes is $30 per $1,000 principal amount of Notes. The Late Tender Offer Consideration for the Notes purchased pursuant to the Tender Offer will be calculated by taking the Total Tender Offer Consideration for the applicable Series of Notes and subtracting from it the Early Tender Premium of $30 per $1,000 principal amount of Notes.

In addition to the applicable Total Tender Offer Consideration or applicable Late Tender Offer Consideration, as the case may be, accrued and unpaid interest up to, but not including, the applicable Settlement Date will be paid in cash on all validly tendered Notes accepted for purchase in the Tender Offer. The purchase price plus accrued and unpaid interest for Notes that are validly tendered and not validly withdrawn before the Early Tender Deadline and accepted for purchase will be paid by the Corporation in same day funds promptly following the Early Tender Deadline (the "Early Settlement Date"). The Corporation expects that the Early Settlement Date will be January 28, 2025, the second business day after the Early Tender Deadline. The purchase price plus accrued and unpaid interest for Notes that are validly tendered after the Early Tender Deadline and before the Expiration Date and accepted for purchase will be paid by the Corporation in same day funds promptly following the Expiration Date (the "Final Settlement Date"). The Corporation expects that the Final Settlement Date will be February 11, 2025, the second business day after the Expiration Date, assuming Notes representing an aggregate purchase price equal to the Maximum Aggregate Purchase Price are not purchased on the Early Settlement Date. No tenders will be valid if submitted after the Expiration Date. If Notes are validly tendered and not validly withdrawn having an aggregate purchase price equal to or greater than the Maximum Aggregate Purchase Price as of the Early Tender Deadline, subject to the 2027 Notes Tender Cap (with respect to the 2027 Notes) and proration, Holders who validly tender Notes after the Early Tender Deadline but on or before the Expiration Date will not have any of their Notes accepted for purchase. Holders of Notes who validly tender their Notes on or before the Early Tender Deadline may not withdraw their Notes after 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on January 23, 2025, unless extended (such date and time, as the same may be extended, the "Withdrawal Deadline"), except in the limited circumstances described in the Offer to Purchase. Holders of Notes who validly tender their Notes after the Withdrawal Deadline but on or before the Expiration Date may not withdraw their Notes except in the limited circumstances described in the Offer to Purchase.

Subject to the Maximum Aggregate Purchase Price, the 2027 Notes Tender Cap (with respect to the 2027 Notes) and proration, all Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or before the Early Tender Deadline having a higher Acceptance Priority Level will be accepted before any validly tendered and not validly withdrawn Notes having a lower Acceptance Priority Level, and all Notes validly tendered after the Early Tender Deadline having a higher Acceptance Priority Level will be accepted before any Notes tendered after the Early Tender Deadline having a lower Acceptance Priority Level. However, if Notes are validly tendered and not validly withdrawn having an aggregate purchase price less than the Maximum Aggregate Purchase Price as of the Early Tender Deadline, Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or before the Early Tender Deadline will be accepted for purchase in priority to Notes tendered after the Early Tender Deadline, even if such Notes tendered after the Early Tender Deadline have a higher Acceptance Priority Level than Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or before the Early Tender Deadline. Notes of the Series in the last Acceptance Priority Level accepted for purchase in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Tender Offer may be subject to proration so that the Corporation will only accept for purchase Notes having an aggregate purchase price of up to the Maximum Aggregate Purchase Price.

From time to time, the Corporation may purchase additional Notes in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, through tender offers or otherwise, or may redeem Notes pursuant to the terms of the applicable indenture governing the applicable Series of Notes. Any future purchases or redemptions may be on the same terms or on terms that are more or less favorable to Holders of Notes than the terms of the Tender Offer. Any future purchases by the Corporation will depend on various factors existing at that time. There can be no assurance as to which, if any, of these alternatives (or combinations thereof) the Corporation may choose to pursue in the future. The effect of any of these actions may directly or indirectly affect the price of any Notes that remain outstanding after the consummation or termination of the Tender Offer.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Tender Offer, the Corporation's obligation to accept for purchase, and to pay for, Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn, if applicable, pursuant to the Tender Offer (up to the Maximum Aggregate Purchase Price, the 2027 Notes Tender Cap (with respect to the 2027 Notes) and subject to proration) is subject to, and conditioned upon, the satisfaction of or, where applicable, its waiver of, certain conditions, including the condition that the Corporation receive aggregate gross proceeds from the Concurrent Notes Offering on or prior to the Early Settlement Date in an amount that is sufficient to effect the repurchase of the Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, on terms satisfactory to the Corporation in its sole discretion.

BofA Securities and Citigroup are the Lead Dealer Managers for the Tender Offer. D.F. King & Co., Inc. is the Tender Agent and Information Agent. Persons with questions regarding the Tender Offer should contact BofA Securities, Inc. at +1 (888) 292-0070 (toll-free) or +1 (980) 387-5602 (collect) or [email protected] or Citigroup Global Markets Inc. at +1 (800) 558-3745 (toll free) or +1 (212) 723-6106 or [email protected]. Questions regarding the tendering of Notes and requests for copies of the Offer to Purchase and related materials should be directed to D.F. King & Co., Inc. at (212) 269-5550 (for banks and brokers) or (800) 949-2583 (all others, toll-free) or email [email protected].

This news release is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell the Notes. The Tender Offer is made only by the Offer to Purchase and the information in this news release is qualified by reference to the Offer to Purchase dated January 8, 2025. There is no separate letter of transmittal in connection with the Offer to Purchase. None of the Corporation, the Corporation's Board of Directors, the Lead Dealer Managers, the Tender Agent and Information Agent or the trustees with respect to any Notes is making any recommendation as to whether Holders should tender any Notes in response to the Tender Offer, and neither the Corporation nor any such other person has authorized any person to make any such recommendation. Holders must make their own decision as to whether to tender any of their Notes, and, if so, the principal amount of Notes to tender.

About HF Sinclair Corporation:

HF Sinclair Corporation, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is an independent energy company that produces and markets high-value light products such as gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, renewable diesel and lubricants and other specialty products. HF Sinclair owns and operates refineries located in Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Wyoming, Washington and Utah. HF Sinclair provides petroleum product and crude oil transportation, terminalling, storage and throughput services to our refineries and the petroleum industry. HF Sinclair markets its refined products principally in the Southwest U.S., the Rocky Mountains extending into the Pacific Northwest and in other neighboring Plains states and supplies high-quality fuels to more than 1,500 branded stations and licenses the use of the Sinclair brand at more than 300 additional locations throughout the country. HF Sinclair produces renewable diesel at two of its facilities in Wyoming and also at its facility in New Mexico. In addition, subsidiaries of HF Sinclair produce and market base oils and other specialized lubricants in the U.S., Canada and the Netherlands, and export products to more than 80 countries.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, Contact:

Craig Biery, Vice President, Investor Relations

HF Sinclair Corporation

214-954-6510

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

The following is a "safe harbor" statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The statements in this press release relating to matters that are not historical facts, including those regarding the Concurrent Notes Offering and the use of proceeds therefrom, including the Tender Offer and the timing and outcome thereof, are "forward-looking statements" that involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to materially differ from what is expressed, implied or forecast in such statements. Any differences could be caused by a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the ability to complete the offering, general market conditions and other financial, operational and legal risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Corporation's SEC filings. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made and, other than as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE HF Sinclair Corporation
WASHINGTON, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- IDCA has released its "Global Digital Economy Report (2025)," which takes a comprehensive look at the $16 trillion global Digital Economy, and outlines a new and unique ranking of the progress of each nation of the world toward creating its own unique Digital Economy.

IDCA Chairman and CEO Mehdi Paryavi said, "The Digital Economy is the driver of our modern lives and rewriting the human history in bits and bytes."

He continued, "It is clear that to understand Digital Economies, leaders must not look not at just the sheer size of nations and GDP, but rather at achievements against the resources and opportunities that are intrinsically presented to them."

"The report delivers the proportionate reporting that strategic nation builders as well as investors and industry experts truly need to avoid substandard efforts and implement positive measures for the future of their nations, prosperity and sustainability of their economies, and livelihood of their citizens," he concluded.

In the report, IDCA outlines several phases of Digital Economy development: Phase III (Highly Developed), Phase II (Emerging), Phase I (Early Stage), and a Pre-Phase.

"There are only six nations today that have reached the highly developed Phase III level," according to IDCA Chief Research Officer Roger Strukhoff. "There are 30 nations, including the United States, at the Emerging level, 79 nations at the Early-Stage level, and 68 nations in the Pre-Phase stage. The key to this report is it shows how each nation has the potential to achieve its own unique progress."

The Global Digital Economy Report is available at no fee to nations, companies, and Digital Economy experts and professionals. It is set to serve as a change-agent and reference point as it builds upon the foundations of the IDCA Digital Readiness Index as a defining statistical and insightful analysis of our developing world.

Strukhoff stated, "IDCA's approach to the global report is a game-changer. It features the only ranking of nations in the world that examines all factors with a relative, proportional approach that considers each nation's current economic resources and ability to enact programs toward a Digital Economy. There really is no other organization or research in the world that looks at the world's Digital Economy across the breadth of nations in this manner."

"The report shows the dynamic development going on in Malaysia, Rwanda, Vietnam, Poland, to list just a few examples," he continued. "It also shows how the United States is not among the world's top leaders, how Brazil is making surprising progress, and what Saudi Arabia and other nations in the Middle East must do to build strong Digital Economies as they diversify their economies."

The 2025 rankings are built on the foundation of IDCA's existing Digital Readiness Index of Nations, a ranking of the nations of the world that encompasses the broad categories of Economy, Environment, Social, and Governance. It benchmarks results against an ideal state, which further enables IDCA to create unique and potent Digital Economy roadmaps for all nations.

Requests for the report can be sent via International Data Center Authority (IDCA)'s LinkedIn page, or by email at [email protected].

About IDCA

International Data Center Authority (IDCA) is a global, non-partisan think tank operating in over 40 countries with its international headquarter offices in Washington DC. The firm works with governments, enterprises, partners, affiliates and other organizations to create Digital Economies through the standardization, governance, and policy, as well as use of modern digital infrastructure, empowered human capital, and research-based roadmaps and implementations. More on IDCA: www.idc-a.org.

Media Contact:

Roger Strukhoff

+1-815-757-7534

[email protected]

SOURCE IDCA
IFM product enhancements are designed to help modern accounting firms and CPAs simplify operations and streamline client managementin one integrated platform

NEW YORK, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- IRIS Software Group (IRIS) Americas, a leading global software provider of accounting, HR and payroll solutions, today announced strategic product enhancements to its IRIS Firm Management (IFM) solution.

Designed to address the unique challenges faced by modern accounting firms and CPAs, IFM combines practice management, document management, and advanced reporting capabilities into a single, integrated platform. Today's updates make it easier than ever for firms to manage and onboard clients, stay compliant, and collaborate across teamsall while scaling for future growth.

"Modern accounting firms are growing quickly, expanding their service lines and client bases," said Jim Dunham, President and General Manager of IRIS Americas. "However, this rapid growth often introduces technology sprawl, added costs, and complexity. To tackle today's challenges, firms need an all-in-one solution that simplifies operations and helps them scale their business. That's why we created IRIS Firm Management  purpose-built from strategic acquisitions and shaped by four decades of collaboration with our customers."

First launched in November 2023, IRIS Firm Management continues to evolve and expand its offerings to better meet the needs of North American accounting firms and CPAs. The latest updates enhance the existing IFM solution, focusing on an optimized user experience, document management, data controls, reporting, and client onboarding.

Document Management Solution (DMS)

IRIS Firm Management's integrated DMS simplifies storing, organizing, and retrieving critical documents, ensuring compliance with complex regulatory requirements.

With today's update, IFM's DMS automatically retains documents for standard periods of time; offers template forms to maintain document consistency and integrity; and produces a detailed audit trail  tracking who accessed which documents and any actions taken, and when. Firms can securely share encrypted files with clients using drag-and-drop upload functionality, enabling seamless collaboration while maintaining data security.



Other enhanced functionality and features across all IFM modules include:

Advanced Reporting & Dashboards: Firms can now create unlimited customizable reports with step-by-step guidance, gaining real-time insights through interactive analytics dashboards and data visualization. Features like drag-and-drop tools and filtering options make it easy to refine views, organize, and analyze data setssuch as client, geography, accounts receivable (AR), work-in-progressto create a unified and comprehensive account view.





Firms can now create unlimited customizable reports with step-by-step guidance, gaining real-time insights through interactive analytics dashboards and data visualization. Features like drag-and-drop tools and filtering options make it easy to refine views, organize, and analyze data setssuch as client, geography, accounts receivable (AR), work-in-progressto create a unified and comprehensive account view. Enhanced User Experience and Data Controls : Streamlined hierarchical menus replace dropdowns for better accessibility and consistency, while the new period-lockdown feature safeguards financial data accuracy and integrity by preventing changes to key functions. Cloud-based receipt storage simplifies setup, and user preferences allow for tailored workflows.





: Streamlined hierarchical menus replace dropdowns for better accessibility and consistency, while the new period-lockdown feature safeguards financial data accuracy and integrity by preventing changes to key functions. Cloud-based receipt storage simplifies setup, and user preferences allow for tailored workflows. Streamlined Client Onboarding: Built to address its accounting firm customers' most common customization requests and challenges, IRIS Firm Management's new Configuration Management Component offers 140 multi-level configuration options across 40 modules, along with a library of ready-to-use templates. Real-time updates make it easy to enable or disable features without disrupting existing workflows, ensuring seamless, personalized implementations for each client.

"Since we have tremendous growth, our needs and requirements of our practice management software have greatly increased," said Michael Cereste, Chief Financial Officer, LerroSarbey. "IRIS Firm Management will drastically change our firm operations and bring more detailed information to our leaders across all our service lines from a financial performance perspective but also streamline our overall billing process."



Highly configurable and built on the trusted and reliable Microsoft Azure cloud-hosted infrastructure, IRIS Firm Management is designed with sophisticated cybersecurity, access management controls, and AI-enabled automation capabilities to help free up valuable time and resources for North American firms. Its powerful API integration capabilities allow for seamless data exchange and support an interconnected ecosystem of third-party vendors such as Okta for single sign on (SSO), Salesforce, BambooHR, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, Apxium, Aiwyn, QuickFee, HubSpot, and more.

Looking Ahead

In the coming months, IFM customers can look forward to an even tighter integration between Practice Management and Document Management, as well as a user-friendly Universal Client Portal and Productivity Suite to enhance client relationship management with a single point of communication between firms and their clients.

Please learn more about IRIS Firm Management and its expert-guided implementation process here: https://www.irisglobal.com/products/iris-firm-management/.

About IRIS Americas

IRIS Americas is part of IRIS Software Group, working with thousands of CPA firms including 58 of the top 100 CPA firms and 91 of the top 250 CPA firms in the U.S. Its payroll and HCM solutions serve more than 150,000 small to medium sized businesses (SMBs) and processes $18 billion in payroll payments annually for more than 1.1 million North American employees every month. Over the past decade, IRIS Americas has acquired 13 North American-based brands including: Swipeclock, IRIS Star Practice Management, IRIS FMP, IRIS Innervision, IRIS Practice Engine, Doc.It, PSI Payroll, AccountantsWorld, MyPay, Conarc, Cavu, SourceOne, and Payroll Data Processing.

About IRIS Software Group

Founded in 1978 and headquartered in the UK, IRIS Software Group is a global provider of mission critical, cloud-hosted software solutions and services to more than 100,000 customers across 135 countries. IRIS serves small-to-medium sized businesses, CPA firms, Payroll Service Bureaus, finance, HR and payroll teams, educational organizations, and accountancy firms to take the pain out of processes and allow professionals to focus on the work they love. Through simplifying, automating and providing insights on everyday mission critical tasks for organizations of all shapes and sizes, IRIS ensures customers can look forward with certainty and confidence. Follow IRIS on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. More information on its award-winning software solutions can be found here.

Media contact

IRIS Software Group

[email protected]



Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2376347/5105091/Iris_Software_Logo.jpg

SOURCE IRIS Software Group
The world's first "city of the future" was developed by the Japanese company Toyota. In the fall of 2025, Woven City will be ready to welcome its residents.

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The high-tech spot is located at the foot of Mount Fuji in Japan. The settlement includes at least 11 smart homes powered by hydrogen, AI, and other advanced technologies, DailyMail reports.

CEO Akio Toyoda said that the $10 billion Woven City will be a "lab" for innovators who will develop the technologies of the future.

This fall, the "city of the future" will welcome its first 100 residents, who will live there for free. However, they will be employed by Toyota and will work on developing experimental technologies for the company.

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The program will eventually be expanded to 2,200 more people, including innovators and their families, parents, and pets.

Toyota has unveiled some of the technologies that will be developed in the smart city. Among them are drones that safely accompany you home at night, interactive pet robots that will help the elderly, and robots that will help you perform everyday tasks.

"Autonomous driving will be among the many technologies we intend to develop at Woven City. Among other things, we hope to use AI to help expand the reach of Woven Cityallowing people to virtually interact with the city and its projects," said Toyota's CEO.

ADVERTISIMENT

The engineers of the "city of the future" are developing a flying self-driving robot taxi that has already made more than 300 fully automated flights. The Japanese company is also working on a racing car that can drift autonomously.

"Woven City is more than just a place to live, work, and play. It's a living laboratory where the residents are willing participants, giving inventors the opportunity to freely test their ideas in a secure, real-life setting," emphasized Toyoda.

As a reminder, Toyota first announced its plans to build the "city of the future" in 2021. And in 4 years, the high-tech project has become a reality.

Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The long-awaited camera-under-display laptop technology is being launched at CES for the first time on Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i

JERUSALEM, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Under-display camerasfully hidden beneath laptop screenshave been an unrealized dream until now. This revolutionary technology enables Lenovo to deliver a sleek, bezel-free design while maintaining exceptional video quality, thanks to Visionary.ai's breakthrough in imaging technology.

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i is the world's first* CUD (camera-under-display) laptop, enhanced with Visionary.ai's image processing technology. This innovation enables a razor-thin bezel housing a 14" 4k 120Hz PureSight Pro OLED display.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i Laptop Featuring Camera Under Display Powered, by Visionary.ai

Israeli rising star Visionary.ai addresses the challenges of maintaining clarity and sharpness in a camera hidden behind a screen. Its real-time algorithms remove video noise and blur, overcoming hardware limitations.

"Users can now enjoy a sleek, borderless display design while still having clear, noise-free video calls thanks to our collaboration with Visionary.ai to bring AI video enhancement technology to the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i," said Nikhil Kuthe, Executive Director, WW Consumer Yoga Business, Lenovo. "Lenovo designed this device to be a creative and collaborative tool and are proud to be able to deliver this innovative new technology to creators around the world."

Yoav Taieb, Visionary.ai CTO, added:

"Delivering sharp imaging with a camera under the display was a challenge that seemed impossible just a few years ago. Our breakthrough in leveraging AI to achieve real-time, stable denoising under challenging conditions has made it a reality."

Key Features of Visionary.ai's Technology:

AI De-noising Technology : Eliminates video noise and improves image clarity, even in challenging conditions such as low light or backlit environments.

: Eliminates video noise and improves image clarity, even in challenging conditions such as low light or backlit environments. Real-Time Performance : Noise reduction and video processing happen instantly, with no noticeable lag, providing smooth, high-quality visuals for video calls, streaming, and other uses.

: Noise reduction and video processing happen instantly, with no noticeable lag, providing smooth, high-quality visuals for video calls, streaming, and other uses. Superior Image Clarity in Any Lighting : Processes raw sensor data to ensure high-quality, low-noise video in any environment, from dimly lit rooms to bright outdoor settings.

: Processes raw sensor data to ensure high-quality, low-noise video in any environment, from dimly lit rooms to bright outdoor settings. Integrated with Intel's Camera Technology: Powered by the Image Processing Unit in the Intel Core Ultra 200V series processor (code named Lunar Lake), Visionary.ai's technology operates efficiently and instantly, ensuring top-tier video quality without draining battery life or requiring cloud-based resources.

A bright future

Lenovo's collaboration with Visionary.ai and Intel represents a major step forward in laptop design and functionality. By achieving the world's first under-display camera, Lenovo is setting a new standard for innovation, combining cutting-edge aesthetics with exceptional performance. This launch brings to the fore the technological capabilities of Visionary.ai in delivering state-of-the-art video enhancement in real-time.

Click here for more details about our booth at: https://ces25.mapyourshow.com/8_0/exhibitor/exhibitor-details.cfm?exhid=0014V00003OupPYQAZ.

* Based on research conducted by Lenovo in January 2025 of consumer laptops sold by major PC manufacturers shipping >1 million units annually.

SOURCE Visionary.ai
NANJING, China, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With global tourism on the rise and #ChinaTravel becoming a trending topic, Jiangsu, a province in eastern China that features both picturesque views and rich cultural heritage, has introduced a series of new tourism policies designed to make travel easier and more enjoyable for global travelers.

Why Jiangsu Needs the New Tourism Policies

Tourism in Jiangsu has been experiencing a surge in the past year, driven by not only domestic travelers but also visitors from all over the world. From January to November 2024, Jiangsu welcomed 2.35 million international visitors, marking an impressive 81.6% increase compared to 2023.

Yet with rising popularity comes rising expectations. Based on in-depth research and feedback from overseas tourists, Jiangsu pinpoints key roadblocks they face and launched a set of innovative policies that guarantee a smooth, enjoyable experience for every international visitor.

What Makes Jiangsu's New Tourism Policies Game-Changing

Bringing Jiangsu Closer to the World

With the improved 240-hour visa-free transit policy, travelers from 54 countries can explore the wonders of Jiangsu for 10 days without a visa. In the meantime, the international flight network between Jiangsu and major cities around the world is now expanded and running smoothly.

On the other hand, customized travel experiences and multilingual services are more accessible than ever. From immersive cultural experiences to relaxing nature tours, the number of themed travel routes across Jiangsu on OTAs is boosted, catering to a wider range of travel preferences. Travel agencies are also getting extra support in organizing international travel groups to Jiangsu.

Easier Payments, Registrations & Tax Refunds

"It's even more convenient than back home." This is one of the most common thoughts from international visitors to Jiangsu, and it's not hard to see why. Payments have been made easier with an expanded acceptance of bank cards, mobile payment options, and foreign currencies at major tourist sites, airports, and train stations. Reservation and registration processes have been simplified as well, with passports, residence permits, and other ID documents now widely accepted, ensuring quick and easy access to attractions and hotels. Meanwhile, the improved tax refund system means visitors can shop until the last moment and quickly receive their tax refunds.

From Policies to Practice

Jiangsu doesn't just stop at bringing out groundbreaking policies. Through active collaboration, Jiangsu makes sure that the latest supportive measures are integrated into the new policies, maximizing their effectiveness in addressing real-life barriers that overseas tourists face and optimizing overall travel experiences.

Moreover, @VisitJiangsu will continue to play a crucial role in raising public awareness of these tourism policies. From the upcoming Chinese New Year to the Expo Osaka 2025, insights into the latest tourism policies will be incorporated into the cultural activities. The Jiangsu Tourism Information Center has recently been launched - both online and on-site at Nanjing Lukou International Airport, providing real-time assistance and up-to-date information to global visitors.

For further updates and information on Jiangsu's tourism policies, follow @VisitJiangsu on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube or TikTok.

SOURCE Jiangsu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism
PARK CITY, Utah, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Park City Mountain and the Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association (PCPSPA) are pleased to announce that they have reached a new tentative agreement through April 2027. The Union's bargaining committee is unanimously endorsing ratification by its unit with a vote scheduled to take place on January 8. The tentative agreement addresses both parties' interests and will end the current strike. Everyone looks forward to restoring normal resort operations and moving forward together as one team. Until contract ratification, neither party will be accepting media requests.

SOURCE Park City Mountain
Offering upsized and final order book >5x oversubscribed, anchored by blue-chip investors

Notes will be used to repay a portion of outstanding revolver borrowings and support the buildout of an integrated US natural gas champion

HOUSTON, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kimmeridge Texas Gas ("KTG" or the "Company"), a producer of natural gas backed by Kimmeridge, today announced it successfully priced its inaugural $500 million Senior Unsecured Notes Offering at 8.50%. The net proceeds will be used to repay a portion of the Company's outstanding revolver borrowings and to further ongoing initiatives as the Company seeks to deliver natural gas from wellhead to water on a net-zero basis.

Given the strength of KTG's financial and operational profile, the company was able to capitalize on a favorable shift in natural gas prices to become the first issuer in the 2025 high-yield market. Following meetings with more than 30 high-yield investors, the final order book was oversubscribed and broadly allocated to a blue-chip investor base.

Bryan Gunderson, Chief Financial Officer of KTG, said, "This inaugural bond offering reflects the strength of our differentiated platform, and the confidence investors have in our future. The financing, secured on favorable terms, will help accelerate our growth trajectory, including our highly compelling offtake agreement with Commonwealth LNG."

Bank of America served as lead book-running manager for the offering.

About Kimmeridge Texas Gas

Kimmeridge Texas Gas is a producer of natural gas committed to accelerating carbon neutrality by developing environmentally responsible, low-cost energy assets. With approximately 162,000 net acres in Texas overlaying the dry gas window of the Eagle Ford Shale within Webb, La Salle, McMullen, Karnes, and Live Oak counties, the Company produces approximately 400 million cubic feet equivalent of natural gas and oil per day, selling into the South Texas market with access to Mexican export channels, to LNG terminals for global sales, and into pipelines directly servicing Gulf Coast petrochemical facilities.

About Kimmeridge



Founded in 2012 by Ben Dell, Dr. Neil McMahon and Henry Makansi, Kimmeridge is an alternative asset manager focused on the energy sector. The firm is differentiated by its direct investment approach, deep technical knowledge, active portfolio management, proven sustainability track record and proprietary research and data gathering.

Media:

Daniel Yunger / Hallie Wolff / Emma Cloyd

[email protected]

917.574.8582 / 917.842.1127

SOURCE Kimmeridge
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Jan. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ivalua, a global leader in spend management, and its partner integrator Fluxym, today announced that Laboratoires Thea (Thea) has selected the Ivalua platform to manage its supplier repository, digitize its sourcing processes and automate supplier evaluation and risk monitoring.

To support its growth, the Thea group launched a tender to select and deploy a solution that would meet its ambitions to improve its procurement processes and performance.

In particular, the group identified opportunities in four areas:

Continuing to develop the performance, productivity and efficiency of the group's centralized procurement department.

Increasing user and stakeholder satisfaction.

Harmonizing and automating procurement processes to reduce processing times and the administrative burden.

Improving risk management and regulatory compliance, particularly for strategic suppliers.

After evaluating several market players, Thea selected the Ivalua solution. Ivalua stood out for the innovative functional depth of its platform, its ability to automate SRM processes, its ease of use and its interoperability.

Furthermore, Fluxym's proposed methodology convinced Thea, thanks to its alignment with the company's needs and the consultants' availability and responsiveness during the consultation phase.

The effective collaboration between Ivalua and Fluxym demonstrated the complementary nature of these players, which will be essential to the success of the project.

"We are delighted to put our expertise in supplier knowledge and SRPM (Supplier Risk and Performance Management) at the service of Laboratoires Thea in order to meet the specific quality requirements of their sector," concluded Christophe Rivayran, Fluxym's Development Director.

"The Thea Group's decision to choose Ivalua, in partnership with Fluxym, is a testament to our ability to effectively meet the specific needs of the pharmaceutical industry. We are thrilled to empower Thea with Ivalua's single, unified platform to optimize its operational efficiency," said Dan Amzallag, Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Ivalua.

About Thea

Thea is an independent pharmaceutical laboratory specializing in the research, development and commercialization of eye-care products. Founded in 1994, Thea has played an important role in the latest pharmacological advances. Today, it is the leading independent eye care group in Europe. Based in Clermont-Ferrand, the laboratory has continued to expand, opening more than 35 affiliates and offices in Europe, North Africa, Latin America and North America. Currently, its network includes over 2,000 employees, and its products are available in over 75 countries worldwide. In 2023, Thea achieved sales of 923 million euros.

About Fluxym

An expert in Source-to-Pay since 2002, Fluxym supports Procurement and Finance departments in their supplier relationship digitalization projects. With over 500 projects completed worldwide, Fluxym offers a comprehensive range of services combining consulting, technical and functional implementation, support and TMA. An Ivalua partner since 2016, Fluxym has deployed the solution in numerous companies, in France and internationally, across all business sectors. Based in Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, London, Montreal, New York and Singapore, the company currently employs 145 people. Find out more at www.fluxym.com

About Ivalua

Ivalua is a leading provider of cloud-based, AI-powered Spend Management software. Our unified Source-to-Pay platform empowers businesses to effectively manage all categories of spend and all suppliers, increasing profitability, improving sustainability, lowering risk and boosting employee productivity. We are trusted by hundreds of the world's most admired brands and recognized as a leader by Gartner and other analysts. Learn more at www.ivalua.com. Follow us on LinkedIn and X.

Global Media Contact Corporate Communications [email protected]

SOURCE Ivalua
HONG KONG, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, Viva Biotech's portfolio companies have new updates: TechnoDerma, VivaVision, Arthrosi, Apeiron Therapeutics and AceLink made solid progress in R&D; Full Circles published breakthrough results; Antag successfully completed financing.

TechnoDerma Medicines Completes U.S. Positive Ph2a Proof-of-Concept Trial with TopicalTDM-180935 Ointment for Atopic Dermatitis

On 6 January 2025, TechnoDerma Medicines, Inc. ("TechnoDerma Medicines"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company which is invested and incubated by Viva BioInnovator (VBI), reported that the Company has completed its Phase 2a clinical trial (NCT06363461) of topical TDM-180935 ointment in patients with Atopic Dermatitis (AD).

Results show that the treatment was well-tolerated and demonstrated strong efficacy. Only minimal systemic exposure was evident and, thus, will enable future application to large body surface areas often seen in AD. These positive results provide support for continued advancement of the Atopic Dermatitis program.

VivaVision's VVN461 (non-steroidal eye drop) Achieves Primary Endpoint in Phase II Clinical Trial for Non-infectious Anterior Uveitis in China and Reports Positive Topline Results from U.S. Phase 2 Trial for Post-Operative Inflammation Following Cataract Surgery

On January 3, 2025, VivaVision Biotech ("VivaVision"), invested and incubated by VBI, a clinical-stage, privately held biotechnology company focused on developing treatments for ocular diseases, announced that VVN461 achieves clinical endpoints in Phase II clinical trial for non-infectious anterior uveitis in China.

VVN461 is a first-in-class non-steroidal dual JAK1/TYK2 immunomodulator independently developed by VivaVision. In this clinical trial, it demonstrated excellent anti-inflammatory effects, with both dosage groups achieving statistical significance for non-inferiority compared to the positive control, 1% prednisolone acetate eye drops, in both primary and secondary efficacy endpoints.

Previously, on December 3, 2024, VivaVision announced positive topline results from its U.S. Phase 2 clinical trial of VVN461-CS-201, a potent non-steroidal dual JAK1/TYK2 immunomodulator for the treatment of post-operative inflammation following cataract surgery. VVN461 demonstrated statistical and clinical improvements across primary and many secondary endpoints compared to vehicle.

Arthrosi Therapeutics Surpasses 50% Patient Enrollment in Pivotal Phase 3 REDUCE 2 Trial of AR882 in Patients with Gout, Including Those with Tophaceous Gout

San Diego, California, USA  On December 18, 2024, Arthrosi Therapeutics, Inc. ("Arthrosi") invested and incubated by VBI, is a late-stage biotechnology company developing potentially best-in-class, highly selective next generation URAT1 inhibitors to reduce serum urate levels, flares and tophi in patients with gout. The company announced that it has enrolled more than 50% of patients in its pivotal Phase 3 REDUCE 2 trial evaluating AR882 for the reduction of sUA in gout patients.

Full Circles Therapeutics Achieves Breakthrough in Non-Viral Immune Cell Engineering

Cambridge, Massachusetts  On December 12, 2024, Full Circles Therapeutics ("Full Circles"), a leader in next-generation cell and gene therapies and invested and incubated by VBI. Full Circles announced the publication of a groundbreaking study in Nature Biotechnology. The paper, titled "Efficient Non-Viral Immune Cell Engineering Using Circular Single-Stranded DNA-Mediated Genomic Integration," introduces a novel method for the precise, non-viral engineering of immune cells, which has the potential to enhance both the safety and efficacy of cellular therapies while reducing production costs. Full Circles' innovative approach overcomes these limitations by utilizing circular single-stranded DNA (cssDNA), enabling stable genomic integration without the risks associated with viral delivery systems.

Antag Therapeutics Announces 80 Million Series A Financing

Copenhagen, Denmark  On December 4, 2024, Antag Therapeutics ("Antag"), a leading biopharmaceutical company focused on targeting the Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide (GIP) receptor to pioneernovel treatments for obesity and invested by VBI, announced the closing of an 80 million Series A financing. The round was led by Versant Ventures, with participation from Novo Holdings, SR One, Dawn Biopharma, Pictet, Longview Ventures, and Export and Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO).

The funds will support the clinical development of AT-7687, a novel, once-weekly subcutaneous antagonist of the Glucose Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide Receptor (GIPR), and also fueling the expansion of Antag's pipeline of monthly injectable therapies.

Apeiron Enrolls First Patient in Phase 1a/b Study of PRMT5 Inhibitor GTA182 for MTAP-Deleted Solid Tumors

SAN FRANCISCO and SHANGHAI  on November 19, 2024, Apeiron Therapeutics ("Apeiron"), a precision oncology company invested and incubated by VBI, leveraging state-of-the-art structural biology and AI-guided molecular modeling for drug discovery, announced the enrollment of the first patient in its Phase 1a/b study to evaluate GTA182 for advanced solid tumors with MTAP deletions.

The trial is designed to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of GTA182 across multiple ascending doses, as a monotherapy and in combination with standard of care therapy, in adults with advanced MTAP null solid tumors.

AceLink Therapeutics Announces AL01211 Granted Breakthrough Therapy Status in China for Fabry Disease

On November 1, 2024, the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) shows that, the Orphan Drug AL01211 of AceLink Therapeutics ("AceLink"), was granted "Breakthrough Therapy designation" for Fabry Disease.

AL01211 is a novel selective oral glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) inhibitor. Two Phase 1 clinical trials of AL01211 in healthy subjects have been completed both showing a positive safety profile, and consistent and robust pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic responses. Both studies demonstrated that AL01211 was generally safe and well tolerated, with no serious adverse events observed at any dose level tested.

About Technoderma Medicines

Technoderma Medicines, Inc. is a privately held clinical stage biopharmaceutical company located in Chengdu Tianfu BioPark, Sichuan, China. Its current core programs focus on development of innovative therapies for Androgenetic Alopecia, Atopic Dermatitis, Psoriasis, Lupus Erythematosus, and scar prevention. Its "first-in-class" small molecule thyromimetic drug candidate TDM-105795 for Androgenetic Alopecia successfully completed Phase 2a clinical testing and is further advancing in development. Technoderma's novel JAK1/TYK2 inhibitor TDM-180935 for Atopic Dermatitis has now demonstrated a favorable safety profile and positive Proof-of-Concept in Ph2a testing. The Company expects to bring a novel oral drug program into Phase 1 clinical testing for other inflammatory skin diseases soon in 2025. The pipeline targets dermatologic indications.

About VivaVision Biotech

Established in August 2016, VivaVision biotech is an innovative pharmaceutical company. Since its establishment, the company has focused on the research and development of international leading innovative drugs for the treatment of ophthalmic diseases, and is committed to providing better and better treatment schemes for millions of patients with ophthalmic diseases. The company has an international first-class ophthalmic team, and has established a leading product R&D pipeline. The company's pipeline product VVN001, VVN539, VVN461 are currently in clinical stage, and other ocular surface and fundus treatment products are in different stages of development. Since its establishment, it has become one of the most leading ophthalmic innovative drug research and development companies in China.

About Arthrosi

Arthrosi Therapeutics, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, CA, is focused on developing AR882, a potentially best-in-class, highly potent and selective next generation URAT1 inhibitor to reduce serum urate levels, flares and tophi in patients with gout. Gout remains a large and growing market with ~ 13M patients in the U.S. alone, ~2M of which have tophaceous gout. AR882 has demonstrated encouraging efficacy and safety compared to SOC in Phase 2 studies as well as impressive results in achieving complete resolution of tophi in a Phase 2b study. Arthrosi is currently advancing AR882 in a pivotal Phase 3 program.

About Full Circles Therapeutics

Full Circles Therapeutics is a biotechnology company at the forefront of advancing next-generation therapeutic cell engineering for the treatment of cancer, autoimmune diseases, and other serious genetically defined conditions. The Company is pioneering non-viral gene-editing technologies with a focus on C4DNA-mediated genomic integration, enabling the development of safe, efficient, scalable, and affordable cell therapies. Full Circles is committed to overcoming the current limitations of cellular therapies and making life-saving treatments accessible to a broader patient population. Headquartered in Cambridge, MA, Full Circles Therapeutics is transforming the landscape of cellular immunotherapy and gene therapy.

About Antag Therapeutics

Antag Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering anddeveloping novel therapies for obesity and cardiometabolic diseases through GIP receptorantagonism. As a pioneer in exploring the potential of GIP receptor antagonists, the company isdedicated to advancing science and improving patient outcomes by delivering groundbreakingsolutions that address unmet medical needs. For more information, please visit https://antagtherapeutics.com.

About Apeiron

Apeiron is redefining medical discovery through the integration of artificial intelligence, streamlining the drug development process from target selection to clinical trials. With strategic locations in the San Francisco Bay Area and Shanghai, Apeiron combines world-class talent and cutting-edge technologies from across the globe. We are committed to pushing the frontiers of biomedical innovation to create breakthrough therapies that address the most pressing unmet medical needs.

About AceLink Therapeutics, Inc.

Founded in 2018, AceLink Therapeutics is an innovative biopharma startup focusing on developing safe and effective medicines to address genetic diseases with high unmet needs. The company's initial focus is to develop novel therapeutics for Fabry disease. For more information, please visit www.acelinktherapeutics.com.

SOURCE Viva Biotech
Uwill recognizes top members of its counselor community for commitment to supporting students

NATICK, Mass., Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Uwill , the leading mental health and wellness solution serving 3 million students at more than 400 schools, today recognized its top counselors with the prestigious Chelsea Rundell Award. The company award celebrates members of its counselor community for their unwavering commitment to supporting student mental health.

"We simply cannot overstate the importance of investing in the caregivers and counselors who are on the frontlines of today's mental health crisis in schools and communities across the world," said Michael London, Founder and CEO of Uwill. "These individuals provide the lifeline students need to navigate challenges and thrive, not just academically but emotionally and socially. Honoring their dedication underscores our commitment to supporting the people who truly are saving lives and making a lasting impact on student health and well-being."

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 22% increase in demand for mental health counselors by 2031much faster than the average for all professions. However, more than half the U.S. population lives in areas where there is a shortage of mental health professionals, highlighting the urgent demand for investments in mental health counseling and caregivers.

This annual award embodies the spirit, compassion, energy, and grace of Chelsea Rundell, a cherished member of the Uwill family who passed away in October 2022. Chelsea's passion as a wellness advocate inspired everyone around her, leaving a lasting legacy of dedication to supporting others. Honoring her memory, this award recognizes counselors who demonstrate exceptional commitment to student wellness based on factors including positive student feedback, students supported, and engagement with and support of other professionals in the Uwill counselor community.

Uwill's community of thousands of professionally licensed clinical counselors reflects the diverse and fast-changing demographics of education today, ensuring that students can connect with therapists who understand their unique lived experiences. More than 40% of Uwill's therapists identify as BIPOC and 25% as LGBTQIA+. The community includes counselors across the world who speak 11+ languages.

Uwill was founded in 2020 to respond to overwhelming student demand for mental health support. Using the proprietary student-therapist matching platform pioneered by Uwill, members of the counselor community are available 24/7/365 to support students in need. The solution offers an immediate appointment with a licensed counselor based on student preferences, all modalities of teletherapy, a direct crisis connection, wellness events, real-time data, and support. Uwill serves students at institutions including Rutgers University, New England Law | Boston, Columbus State Community College, and Carthage College.

Visit Uwill.com for a full list of the 2024 honorees.

About Uwill: Uwill is the leading mental health and wellness solution for colleges and students, and the 27th fastest growing private company in the nation. As the most cost-effective way to enhance a college's mental health offering, Uwill partners with more than 400 institutions, including Princeton University, the Ohio State University, Santa Fe Community College, and University of Alabama - Online. Uwill is also the exclusive teletherapy education partner for the Online Learning Consortium and teletherapy education partner of NASPA. For more information, visit uwill.com.

Contact:

Brett Silk

[email protected]

SOURCE Uwill, Inc
The board also announced Lois Quam as chief executive officer to lead Blue Shield of California, the first woman to serve as CEO in the health plan's 86-year history. She joined the company as president in 2024.

"For her entire life, Lois has worked to make health care better and more affordable for people from all walks of life," Leslie said. "Her leadership at the state, national and global levels to improve health care for everyone stood out to us as we selected the right leader for Blue Shield of California at this critical time."

"I look forward to working with Californians and families across our state, along with physicians, hospitals, health systems, business leaders, and state officials to make California a model for health care," Quam said.

"I am focused on the challenges facing our members in every corner of our state who gather at their kitchen tables and wrestle with their health care decisions and whether they can afford them. As the only statewide nonprofit health plan, we can help make those conversations - and their lives - better," Quam added.

Quam came to Blue Shield of California after serving as CEO of Pathfinder, a nonprofit global health organization serving women and girls. Previously, she worked with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton at the U.S. State Department to lead President Obama's Global Health Initiative serving Africa, Asia and the Middle East. She also played an instrumental role in expanding healthcare access in Minnesota and has served as an executive officer and board member in major healthcare organizations.

Susan Mullaney, who joined Blue Shield of California in August as executive vice president, will now serve as chief operating officer of the health plan. Mullaney brings deep healthcare experience, including senior roles at Kaiser Permanente and nonprofit hospital systems.

"Susan's extensive understanding of the healthcare delivery system and her commitment to our nonprofit mission are the right combination to meet the challenge of the rising costs of health care," Quam said.

In addition, Blue Shield has restructured. A new, nonprofit corporate entity named Ascendiun launched on January 1, as the new parent to the family of organizations that includes Blue Shield of California and its subsidiary, Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan; Altais, a clinical services firm; and Stellarus, a company designed to scale healthcare solutions.

Paul Markovich, Blue Shield of California's chief executive officer for the past 12 years, has been appointed president of Ascendiun and will serve on an interim basis as president of Stellarus.

Stellarus will initially focus on enhancing the capabilities of Blue Shield's existing programs with the goal of sharing these innovations with other like-minded health plans in the future. Pharmacy Care Reimagined, for example, was created to help put an end to the costly practices of traditional pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and has developed a first-of-its-kind pharmacy model that delivers affordable medications directly from retail pharmacies to members.

"Our goal in the restructuring is to better serve our members with less bureaucracy and faster results, while making health care more affordable," Leslie said. "Paul will set up this new exciting venture to help solve problems on behalf of our members, advance healthcare effectiveness and respond to the issues that have plagued the patch-work quilt of health services."

About Blue Shield of California

Blue Shield of California strives to create a healthcare system worthy of its family and friends that is sustainably affordable. The health plan is a tax paying, nonprofit, independent member of the Blue Shield Association with nearly six million members, over 7,100 employees; and more than $25 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 in San Francisco and now headquartered in Oakland, Blue Shield of California and its affiliates provide health, dental, vision, Medicaid and Medicare healthcare service plans in California. The company has contributed more than $60 million to the Blue Shield of California Foundation in the last three years to have an impact on California communities. For more news about Blue Shield of California, please visit news.blueshieldca.com . Or follow us on LinkedIn or Facebook .

About Blue Shield Promise Health Plan

Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan is a managed care organization, wholly owned by Blue Shield of California, offering Medi-Cal. It is led by healthcare professionals with a "members-first" philosophy and committed to building a quality network of providers and partnering with community organizations for more than 575,000 members across Los Angeles and San Diego counties. For more information about Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, please visit www.blueshieldca.com/promise .

About Ascendiun

Ascendiun is a nonprofit and ultimate parent company of Blue Shield of California, Blue Shield Promise Health Plan, Altais and Stellarus. The Ascendiun family of companies are dedicated to advancing better health outcomes, making care more affordable and addressing the unique needs of diverse communities. For more news about Ascendiun, please visit www.ascendiun.com . Or follow us on LinkedIn.

About Stellarus

Stellarus is a company designed to create scalable solutions that help health plans rethink the status quo, simplify operations, reduce unnecessary costs, and enhance member experiences, building a stronger, more sustainable future. Stellarus is part of the Ascendiun family of companies. For more news about Stellarus, please visit www.stellarus.com . Or follow us on LinkedIn.

CONTACT: Mark Seelig

Blue Shield of California

510-607-2359

[email protected]

SOURCE Blue Shield of California
78% of Dealerships Unsure How to Leverage Predictive Data; Only 5% Utilize AI for Key Operations

DETROIT, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Lotlinx, the auto industry's leading VIN-specific data company for dealership inventory management, announced today results of its latest industry survey, revealing substantial challenges faced by auto retailers in adopting artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive data technologies. The online survey commissioned by Lotlinx in December 2024, was presented to more than 2,500 dealers across the U.S. and underscores a critical gap in the industry's ability to effectively utilize advanced technologies that could enhance operational efficiency and profitability. Click here to see the full survey results infographic.

The findings are concerning, in which 78% of dealerships reported being unsure about how to effectively use predictive data, indicating a significant knowledge gap that hinders their ability to modernize operations. Furthermore, only 5% of dealers are leveraging AI and predictive data for predictive maintenance in service departments, and an equally low 5% are using these technologies for inventory management and pricing optimization. This underutilization highlights a missed opportunity for dealerships to enhance their service offerings and improve financial performance.

Despite the potential benefits of AI and predictive analytics, many dealerships remain entrenched in outdated practices. The survey revealed that while 21.36% of dealerships use AI for customer relationship management (CRM) and lead scoring, the majority are not capitalizing on these tools to improve customer engagement or operational efficiency.

The survey also identified significant barriers to adoption. Integration with existing systems (19%), staff training and adoption (18%), and data quality or accuracy issues (21%) were cited as the primary challenges preventing dealerships from fully embracing predictive analytics.

Looking ahead, although there is some interest in technological investmentwith 80% of dealers indicating plans to invest in AI in 2025the current state of adoption remains alarmingly low. Many dealers still rely on traditional methods for decision-making, with a significant portion making choices based on historical trends or gut instinct rather than data-driven insights.

"These survey results reveal a stark reality, as many dealers are struggling to leverage predictive analytics effectively," said Len Short, Executive Chairman of Lotlinx. "With such a high percentage of dealerships unsure about utilizing predictive data, there is a clear need for education and partnership with experienced providers like Lotlinx to help bridge this gap as we progress through 2025."

Lotlinx will be discussing these survey results at the upcoming NADA 2025 show in New Orleans from January 23-26 at booth #803. The findings emphasize the urgent need for dealerships to adopt advanced technologies and seek partnerships that can facilitate effective implementation.

Click here to see the full infographic and for more information about the survey or Lotlinx's solutions, please stop by booth #803 at the NADA show or visit www.lotlinx.com.

About Lotlinx

Founded in 2012 and based out in Peterborough, New Hampshire, Lotlinx is the automotive industry leader in VIN-specific data solutions for inventory risk management. The Lotlinx platform provides automobile dealers and manufacturers with enhanced operational control over their retail business. Leveraging state-of-the-art real-time data and machine learning technology, Lotlinx provides a precision retailing solution that enables dealers to automatically adapt to market dynamics, mitigating inventory risk through VIN-specific strategies. To learn more about Lotlinx, please visit www.lotlinx.com.

For more information

John Sternal

Merit Mile

561-362-8888  office

954-592-1201  mobile

[email protected]

SOURCE LotLinx, Inc.
PUNE, India, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ --

Market Size Overview of Lyocell Fiber

The global lyocell fiber market is poised for significant growth in the coming years, reflecting its increasing demand across various industries. In 2022, the market was valued at USD 1.3 billion, highlighting its solid foundation in the global textile and apparel sectors. With a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.20%, the market is expected to reach an impressive valuation of USD 3.43 billion by 2032.

This substantial growth is driven by the rising adoption of lyocell fiber in applications such as clothing, home textiles, and industrial products, owing to its sustainability, biodegradability, and exceptional performance characteristics. As the industry continues to expand, lyocell fiber is expected to play a crucial role in meeting the global demand for eco-friendly and high-quality textile materials.

Lyocell Fiber Market Drivers

Increasing Demand for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Textiles

The rising awareness of environmental sustainability among consumers and industries is driving the demand for lyocell fiber. Made from cellulose derived from wood pulp, lyocell fiber is biodegradable and produced using eco-friendly processes, including a closed-loop system that minimizes water and chemical waste. Companies like Lenzing AG have developed advanced production technologies, such as their TENCEL Lyocell fibers, which recycle more than 99% of the solvent and water used. Birla Cellulose's Pulp and Fiber Innovation Center has introduced the Nullarbor fiber, which is finer than silk and significantly stronger than traditional lyocell. Additionally, Lenzing sources wood from certified sustainable forests and plans to increase their lyocell fiber production capacity to over 100,000 tons per year by 2025. These advancements highlight the commitment of leading companies to innovate and improve the sustainability of lyocell fiber production, making it a preferred choice for environmentally conscious brands and consumers.

Dive deeper into market insights, growth drivers, and key trends by browsing the comprehensive report. Click here to access the full report - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/lyocell-fiber-market

Expanding Applications in Apparel and Home Textiles

Lyocell fiber is increasingly adopted in various applications due to its superior qualities, such as high tensile strength, moisture management, breathability, and softness. In the apparel segment, it is widely used in activewear, casual wear, and intimate wear. Its hypoallergenic and skin-friendly properties make it ideal for sensitive skin, further boosting its popularity in clothing. Additionally, the growing demand for luxurious yet sustainable home textiles, including bed linens, curtains, and upholstery, is driving the adoption of lyocell fiber in the home decor industry.

Growing Demand in the Healthcare and Hygiene Sectors

The healthcare and hygiene sectors are increasingly utilizing lyocell fiber, particularly from Lenzing, due to its biodegradable nature and suitability for single-use products. In 2023, Lenzing introduced LENZING Lyocell Dry, a hydrophobic fiber that enhances moisture management in hygiene applications, allowing for innovative product solutions previously achievable only with plastic fibers. This fiber can degrade in marine environments within 30 days, as confirmed by research from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, contrasting sharply with synthetic alternatives that remain unchanged for over 200 days. Furthermore, Lenzing's commitment to sustainability is evident in its closed-loop production process, which recycles over 99% of the solvent used, N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO), significantly reducing environmental impact. The company also reported a 30% lower carbon footprint for its carbon-neutral VEOCEL branded fibers compared to the group average for lyocell. Additionally, recent advancements include the development of antibacterial lyocell fibers that maintain efficacy against pathogens like *Staphylococcus aureus* even after 50 washes, showcasing their potential for medical and hygiene applications.

Technological Innovations and Advancements in Manufacturing

Continuous advancements in production technologies are enhancing the efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness of lyocell fiber. Innovations in fiber engineering are expanding its application scope, allowing manufacturers to develop specialized products with improved performance characteristics, such as better dye absorption and durability. Additionally, investments in research and development are leading to the introduction of new blends and composites, making lyocell fiber an attractive option for various industries, including automotive, industrial, and technical textiles.

Lyocell Fiber Market Restraints

High Production Costs and Limited Availability of Raw Materials

The production of lyocell fiber involves sophisticated technology and the use of high-quality wood pulp, making the manufacturing process capital-intensive. The cost of setting up and operating lyocell fiber production facilities is significantly higher compared to conventional fibers, which restricts its widespread adoption, particularly in price-sensitive markets. Additionally, the availability of sustainably sourced wood pulp is limited, as it depends on responsible forestry practices. This constraint further adds to the cost of raw materials and creates supply chain challenges, potentially slowing market growth.

Competition from Alternative Fibers

Lyocell fiber faces stiff competition from other fibers such as cotton, polyester, and viscose, which are more established and often more affordable. While lyocell offers superior sustainability and performance benefits, the higher price point can deter cost-conscious consumers and manufacturers from switching. Furthermore, the well-established supply chains and economies of scale for these alternative fibers make it challenging for lyocell to capture a larger share of the global textile and apparel market.

Challenges in Dyeing and Finishing Processes

Although lyocell fiber is praised for its strength and eco-friendly properties, it poses challenges during dyeing and finishing processes. The fiber's high absorbency can result in uneven dye uptake, leading to inconsistent coloration in the final product. These technical challenges require specialized expertise and equipment, which can increase production costs and limit the appeal of lyocell fiber to textile manufacturers.

Environmental Concerns in Non-Certified Production

While lyocell fiber is generally marketed as an eco-friendly alternative, its sustainability credentials can be compromised in the absence of strict adherence to environmental standards. Non-certified production processes may involve chemical treatments or unsustainable sourcing of raw materials, raising concerns among environmentally conscious consumers. Such practices can undermine the fiber's reputation and hinder market growth, especially in regions with stringent sustainability regulations.

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Growth Opportunities in the Lyocell Fiber Market

Expanding Demand for Sustainable Textiles

The increasing global focus on sustainability presents significant growth opportunities for the lyocell fiber market. With consumers and industries shifting toward eco-friendly materials, lyocell fiber's biodegradable nature and production process with minimal environmental impact make it a preferred choice. The adoption of sustainable textiles is gaining traction in industries such as fashion, home textiles, and industrial applications, creating a robust growth pathway for lyocell fiber manufacturers. Additionally, collaborations with sustainable fashion brands and certifications like OEKO-TEX and GOTS can further bolster the demand for lyocell fiber.

Innovations in Product Development and Application Expansion

Continuous innovation in lyocell fiber manufacturing and product development offers immense opportunities for market expansion. Advancements in blending lyocell with other fibers such as cotton, polyester, and wool enable manufacturers to create unique textiles with enhanced functionality, such as improved softness, strength, and moisture-wicking properties. Beyond apparel, lyocell fiber is finding applications in technical textiles, medical textiles, and hygiene products, driven by its hypoallergenic and high absorbency characteristics. Diversifying its application base can significantly enhance market penetration across various industries.

Growing Adoption in Emerging Markets

The rapid industrialization and urbanization in emerging markets, particularly in Asia-Pacific and Latin America, offer substantial opportunities for lyocell fiber manufacturers. Increasing consumer awareness of sustainable products, coupled with the rising disposable income in these regions, is driving demand for eco-friendly and high-performance textiles. Moreover, the growth of e-commerce platforms in these markets provides an additional channel for lyocell fiber-based products, enhancing their visibility and accessibility to consumers.

Supportive Policies and Corporate Sustainability Initiatives

The implementation of government regulations and industry policies promoting sustainable manufacturing practices is creating favorable conditions for the lyocell fiber market. Additionally, large corporations are increasingly integrating sustainability goals into their supply chains, further driving the adoption of eco-friendly materials. Initiatives such as zero-waste production processes and carbon-neutral operations align with the growing preference for lyocell fiber, offering manufacturers a competitive edge in the global market.

Lyocell Fiber Market Segmentation Analysis

By Type

The global lyocell fiber market is segmented into staple fiber and cross-linked fiber based on type. Staple fiber is widely used in textile and non-woven applications due to its high strength, softness, and eco-friendly properties. It is primarily utilized in producing apparel and home textiles. Cross-linked fiber, on the other hand, is designed for specialty applications requiring enhanced durability and resistance to deformation, such as tire cords and conveyor belts. The demand for both types is increasing as manufacturers explore eco-friendly alternatives to conventional synthetic fibers.

By Application

Apparel

Lyocell fiber is extensively used in the apparel segment, including casual wear, activewear, and undergarments. Its superior breathability, moisture-wicking properties, and softness make it a preferred material for sustainable fashion brands.

Lyocell fiber is extensively used in the apparel segment, including casual wear, activewear, and undergarments. Its superior breathability, moisture-wicking properties, and softness make it a preferred material for sustainable fashion brands. Home Textiles

Home textiles such as bed linens, curtains, and upholstery are significant applications for lyocell fiber. Its hypoallergenic and durable nature ensures comfort and longevity, driving its adoption in this segment.

Home textiles such as bed linens, curtains, and upholstery are significant applications for lyocell fiber. Its hypoallergenic and durable nature ensures comfort and longevity, driving its adoption in this segment. Surgical Products

Lyocell fiber is increasingly used in medical and surgical products due to its biocompatibility and high absorbency. Applications include wound dressings and surgical gowns, addressing the need for hygienic and disposable solutions in healthcare.

Lyocell fiber is increasingly used in medical and surgical products due to its biocompatibility and high absorbency. Applications include wound dressings and surgical gowns, addressing the need for hygienic and disposable solutions in healthcare. Baby Diapers

In baby care, lyocell fiber is employed in the production of diapers owing to its softness, absorbency, and eco-friendly attributes, making it an ideal choice for sensitive skin.

In baby care, lyocell fiber is employed in the production of diapers owing to its softness, absorbency, and eco-friendly attributes, making it an ideal choice for sensitive skin. Tire Cord and Conveyor Belts

The industrial segment leverages lyocell fiber in applications such as tire cords and conveyor belts, where its strength and durability are critical. These applications underline the fiber's potential beyond traditional textile uses.

The industrial segment leverages lyocell fiber in applications such as tire cords and conveyor belts, where its strength and durability are critical. These applications underline the fiber's potential beyond traditional textile uses. Specialty Papers

Lyocell fiber is utilized in specialty paper production, benefiting from its uniform structure and ability to enhance paper strength and texture.

Lyocell fiber is utilized in specialty paper production, benefiting from its uniform structure and ability to enhance paper strength and texture. Others

Other applications include hygiene products, filtration materials, and composites, showcasing the versatility of lyocell fiber across diverse industries.

Segmentation of Global Lyocell Fiber Market-

Global Lyocell Fiber Market  By Type

Staple Fiber

Cross-Linked Fiber

Global Lyocell Fiber Market  By Application

Apparel

Home Textiles

Surgical Products

Baby Diapers

Tire Cord

Conveyor Belts

Specialty Papers

Others

Global Lyocell Fiber Market  By Region

North America

U.S



Canada

Europe

Germany



France



U.K.



Italy



Spain



Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

China



Japan



India



South Korea



South-east Asia



Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

Brazil



Mexico



Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

& GCC Countries



South Africa



Rest of the Middle East and Africa

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Regional Analysis of Lyocell Fiber Market

North America

North America is a significant market for lyocell fiber, driven by the increasing adoption of sustainable textiles and eco-friendly practices across industries. The region's well-established fashion and home textiles industries are key contributors to the demand for lyocell fiber. Additionally, the growing emphasis on environmental regulations and corporate sustainability initiatives is pushing manufacturers toward adopting biodegradable materials like lyocell. The United States is a major consumer in this region, with robust demand for apparel, home textiles, and hygiene products.

Europe

Europe represents a prominent market for lyocell fiber, underpinned by strong government regulations promoting sustainable practices and the circular economy. The region's fashion industry, particularly in countries such as Germany, France, and Italy, is increasingly integrating eco-friendly materials into their production processes. Furthermore, the rising consumer preference for organic and biodegradable textiles supports the growth of lyocell fiber. Applications in industrial and medical sectors, such as specialty papers and surgical products, further drive demand in the region.

Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific is the largest and fastest-growing market for lyocell fiber, fueled by rapid industrialization, urbanization, and the expansion of the textile and apparel industries in countries like China, India, and Japan. The region benefits from a large population base, rising disposable incomes, and increasing awareness of sustainable products. China's dominant textile manufacturing industry, coupled with India's growing focus on eco-friendly materials, plays a critical role in driving market growth. The demand for lyocell fiber in applications such as apparel, home textiles, and baby diapers is particularly strong in this region.

Latin America

Latin America is emerging as a growing market for lyocell fiber, with increasing adoption of sustainable materials in industries such as textiles and hygiene products. Brazil and Mexico are key contributors, driven by the rise in disposable incomes and consumer awareness of environmental issues. The region also presents opportunities for growth in industrial applications, supported by expanding manufacturing activities.

Middle East & Africa

The Middle East & Africa market for lyocell fiber is steadily growing, driven by a rising focus on sustainability and increasing investments in the textile and apparel industries. Countries like South Africa and the UAE are witnessing a gradual shift toward eco-friendly materials, particularly in high-end apparel and home textiles. Additionally, the healthcare sector's demand for surgical products and hygiene items is creating opportunities for lyocell fiber manufacturers in this region.

Top Companies 

Lenzing AG,

Chon Bang,

Aditya Birla,

Smart Fiber AG,

Qingdao Textiles,

Weiqiao Textile Company Limited,

Acelon,

City Vector,

China Populus Textile Ltd.,

Baoding Swan Fiber Co. Ltd.,

Sateri and Longcel

Latest Developments:

November 2024: Lenzing's LENZING Lyocell Dry Fiber Portfolio Expansion

Lenzing expanded its LENZING  Lyocell Dry fiber portfolio by introducing two new cellulosic fibers. These include a fine dry fiber offering enhanced strength and softness, and a coarse dry fiber designed to improve liquid and air flow. These innovations are tailored for nonwoven applications, particularly in hygiene products like diapers and sanitary pads.

Lenzing LENZING Lyocell nonwoven January 2024 : Lenzing's Innovation for Stretch Fabrics

Lenzing launched a new processing technique for TENCEL Lyocell fibers tailored for stretch fabrics. This innovation enhances the comfort and recovery properties of stretch fabrics, making them ideal for lightweight apparel.

: Lenzing's Innovation for Stretch Fabrics Lenzing launched a new processing technique for TENCEL Lyocell fibers tailored for stretch fabrics. This innovation enhances the comfort and recovery properties of stretch fabrics, making them ideal for lightweight apparel. January 2024 : Chon Bang's Focus on Sustainability

Chon Bang emphasized sustainability and technological advancements in lyocell fiber production. The company invested in eco-friendly manufacturing processes and expanded its market presence, particularly in regions experiencing growing demand for sustainable textiles.

: Chon Bang's Focus on Sustainability Chon Bang emphasized sustainability and technological advancements in lyocell fiber production. The company invested in eco-friendly manufacturing processes and expanded its market presence, particularly in regions experiencing growing demand for sustainable textiles. January 2024 : Aditya Birla's Pilot Spin of Next-Generation Lyocell Fiber

Birla Cellulose successfully completed the pilot production of an eco-friendly, next-generation lyocell fiber containing 20% Nanollose microbial cellulose (Nullarbor-20). This innovation utilizes tree-free cellulose derived from food industry waste, enhancing the sustainability of lyocell fiber.

: Aditya Birla's Pilot Spin of Next-Generation Lyocell Fiber Birla Cellulose successfully completed the pilot production of an eco-friendly, next-generation lyocell fiber containing 20% Nanollose microbial cellulose (Nullarbor-20). This innovation utilizes tree-free cellulose derived from food industry waste, enhancing the sustainability of lyocell fiber. September 2023 : Smart Fiber AG and Lenzing Collaboration

Smart Fiber AG, in collaboration with Lenzing , worked on integrating LENZING  Lyocell Shortcut fibers into high-performance, low-carbon electrical energy storage devices. These fibers are used as electrical separators in applications such as lithium-ion batteries.

: Smart Fiber AG and Lenzing Collaboration Smart Fiber AG, in collaboration with Lenzing LENZING Lyocell June 2023 : Acegreen Eco-Material Technology's Partnership with Circ

Acegreen Eco-Material Technology Co., Ltd. partnered with Circ to produce filament lyocell using cotton pulp, a highly eco-friendly raw material. Filament lyocell made from cotton pulp offers durability, moisture-wicking capabilities, and a soft texture, making it suitable for various industries.

: Acegreen Eco-Material Technology's Partnership with Circ Acegreen Circ lyocell lyocell June 2022 : Lenzing AG Joins Together for Sustainability (TfS)

Lenzing AG joined the Together for Sustainability (TfS) initiative, aimed at improving sustainability within the chemical industry's supply chain. This commitment highlights Lenzing's adherence to stringent environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria, reinforcing its dedication to sustainable practices.

: Lenzing AG Joins Together for Sustainability (TfS) Lenzing AG joined the Together for Sustainability (TfS) initiative, aimed at improving sustainability within the chemical industry's supply chain. This commitment highlights Lenzing's adherence to stringent environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria, reinforcing its dedication to sustainable practices. March 2022 : Aditya Birla Group's Nullarbor-20 Development

The Aditya Birla Group announced the successful pilot-scale production of a next-generation lyocell fiber incorporating 20% microbial cellulose from Nanollose Limited, branded as Nullarbor-20. This innovation introduces enhanced material properties, such as improved tensile strength and moisture absorption, to the lyocell fiber market.

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Streaming giant Netflix has become an integral part of many Ukrainians' leisure time. Every month, the platform adds new movies to its library, which quickly become favorites among viewers.

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Among the most popular films in Ukraine are both global hits and local stories that reflect national interests. Interestingly, viewers are increasingly choosing dramas, thrillers, and documentaries, although comedies and action movies remain the firm favorites.

Platform ratings show that Ukrainians' tastes are becoming more diverse. Netflix shared which films attracted the most attention this month.

What's interesting to watch on Netflix

Bucha

This powerful drama takes the viewer to the heart of the war in Ukraine. The plot centers on Konstantin, who risks his life to help civilians escape the horrors of war. He crosses the blocked borders and enters the territories occupied by Russian troops in an effort to provide a safe passage for those seeking freedom.

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The film depicts deep human dramas, emphasizing both heroism and the complex moral dilemmas faced by the characters. The film is based on real events, which makes it even more emotionally impactful.

Carry-On

This is an intense thriller set on Christmas Eve. The main character is an airport security officer who faces a dangerous test. While the festive atmosphere reigns around him, he is forced to take a risky step: letting a dangerous object on board the plane. Within a few hours, he has to unravel the mysterious passenger's plans, saving the lives of the flight's passengers.

The movie is filled with intriguing plot twists that keep the viewer in suspense until the very end. High tension, moral dilemmas and danger create the perfect recipe for a gripping thriller.

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The Grinch

The fairy-tale town of Whoville is preparing for their favorite holiday - Christmas. But not everyone is happy about this idea. The Grinch, a grumpy green hero with a big heart (hidden deep inside), conceives a grand plan to stop Christmas once and for all. His goal is to steal the festive mood from the townspeople.

But unexpectedly, a sincere and kind girl appears on his path, who can change not only his plans, but also his heart. This adaptation of the classic Dr. Seuss story comes to life with modern animation and witty humor. The movie teaches that real Christmas is not about gifts or decorations, but about warmth in hearts and kindness.

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Diagnosis: Dissent

This is a 2023 drama film that immerses the viewer in the depths of complex social and political issues. The film explores the themes of disagreement, protest and the struggle for truth.

The plot: 1970s. THE USSR. Andriy Dovzhenko, a young and freedom-loving musician, falls into the millstones of punitive psychiatry. For his love of forbidden Western music, he is accused of "sluggish schizophrenia" and imprisoned in a psychiatric hospital. In this terrible place, where reality is intertwined with delusion, Andriy faces inhuman torture and psychological pressure. Torn between his desire to survive and his sense of duty to other innocent victims of the system, he decides to fight for the truth.

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That Christmas

Plot: In the charming town of Wellington-on-Sea, Christmas takes an unexpected turn when the worst snowstorm in history destroys all the carefully made holiday plans. From family reunions disrupted to travelers stranded, the entire town must pull together to overcome the chaos.

Even Santa Claus faces difficulties as his usual route is blocked, jeopardizing Christmas deliveries. Amidst the flurry of snow and accidents, friendships are forged, romances blossom, and the true meaning of the holiday season shines brighter than ever.

The Secret Life of Pets 2

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Favorite characters get into new exciting adventures. Max the dog, his friend Gidget, and other pets face unexpected challenges that force them to discover new talents and overcome their fears. This cartoon is a real journey full of laughter, friendship and unexpected twists and turns.

The Love Scam

Times are tough, even in the world of romantic comedies. In this film by Umberto Carteni, two brothers in Naples are facing an almost certain eviction just as Vito (Antonio Folletto) tries to secure sole custody of his son after his partner leaves for the country. His brother Antonello (Vincenzo Nemolato), a sweet but irresponsible man, has ignored the bills, which has now left their family's old home in the hands of a wealthy developer. In an attempt to stay in the house their grandfather built and not lose custody of Vito's young son Napoleon, the two men devise a scheme to woo the developer's daughter Marina (Laura Adriani) and then pay off her father's company with his own money.

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Number 24

This is a dramatic film set on the eve of the Second World War in Norway. The film tells the story of a difficult choice that a young Norwegian man has to make as he seeks to resist the Nazi occupation. His decision has a direct impact on his own life and the future of the entire country.

Our Little Secret

A touching romantic comedy that promises to give the viewer unforgettable emotions. The film tells the story of two former lovers who accidentally meet again while in a new relationship. The unexpected twist of fate is that their new partners turn out to be brother and sister.

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This funny situation forces the former lovers to face their feelings again and hide the past from their new halves. The movie is full of unexpected twists and turns, romantic moments and humorous situations that will not leave any viewer indifferent.

The Six Triple Eight

This is a historical drama based on the real events of World War II, which tells the extraordinary story of an all-female, black military unit. The film focuses on their important contribution to the Allied victory, in particular on their task of sorting through millions of letters that had accumulated during the war.

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BOISE, Idaho, Jan. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Mariposa Labs today announced it has obtained certification to ISO 22716 from SGS. After an extensive audit of its good manufacturing practices, Mariposa Labs has been certified as meeting the requirements of CPC-131 in conformance with the provisions of ISO 22716:2007. The certification reflects Mariposa's dedication to meeting the highest standard for contract manufacturing in the Personal Care Industry. Mariposa Labs designs and manufactures a wide range of skincare, hair care, and spa products from their location in Boise, ID.

"Mariposa Labs is proud to be included among a select group of companies worldwide with this prestigious recognition for our success in establishing robust, standardized, and well-defined processes for the design and manufacture of personal care products," said Milt Gillespie, President of Mariposa Labs. "This certification demonstrates our commitment to delivering high-quality, high-value products to our customers. We take this commitment seriously and recognize the hard work and expertise that our people have invested in building our reputation for excellence."

Developed and overseen by the International Organization for Standardization, ISO 22716 is the standard for Cosmetics  Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). The standard offers guidance on personnel, technology and administrative management that will affect product quality. Certification indicates compliance to a framework that demonstrates consistently meeting customer and regulatory requirements, and a commitment to providing products that are consistently of the highest quality.

"Mariposa Labs has demonstrated our commitment to focusing on customer demands for high quality products. Successfully completing the rigorous ISO 22716 audit process, by an independent, third-party is indicative of Mariposa Lab's dedication to excellence," said Lisa Swain, Director of Sales, Mariposa Labs.

About Mariposa Labs

Mariposa Labs is a personal care contract manufacturer located in Boise ID, established in 2002. Our mission is to design and produce outstanding personal care products in a safe and ethical working environment. We aim to retain our experienced employees and valued clients by operating under the highest company and industry standards.

SOURCE Mariposa Labs
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Mattamy Homes, North America's largest privately owned homebuilder, has been named one of the Best Places to Work by the Charlotte Business Journal for the sixth time. This year, the Division continues to rank among the top 25 workplaces in the large companies (50199 employees) category. Overall, the Charlotte Business Journal recognized 70 businesses from a variety of industries with local offices and operations in the region.

Mattamy Homes Charlotte Division is recognized as one of the Best Places to Work by the Charlotte Business Journal. (CNW Group/Mattamy Homes Limited)

"We are honored to once again be recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Charlotte, as it reflects the culture we've built within Mattamy's Charlotte Division," says Mike McElroy, President of Mattamy's Charlotte Division. "Our team members are at the heart of our success and this award validates the effort we all put into making Mattamy a place where everyone feels valued, supported and empowered to grow."

The Charlotte Business Journal's Best Places to Work program celebrates local employers with innovative strategies for attracting, engaging and retaining top talent. Employers are evaluated based on confidential team member surveys conducted by Quantum Workplace, a third-party human resources survey firm.

To qualify, organizations must meet a participation threshold, which varies based on company size. Winners are selected based on high scores in key areas such as team effectiveness, trust, manager performance and overall team member engagement.

Mattamy's consistent recognition in this program underscores the company's commitment to providing an environment that prioritizes team member well-being, professional development and collaboration.

About Mattamy Homes

Mattamy Homes is the largest privately owned homebuilder in North America, with more than 45 years of history across the United States and Canada. Every year, Mattamy helps more than 8,000 families realize their dream of homeownership. In the United States, the company is represented in 11 markets Dallas, Charlotte, Raleigh, Phoenix, Tucson, Jacksonville, Orlando (where its US head office is located), Tampa, Sarasota, Naples and Southeast Florida. In Canada, its communities stretch across the Greater Toronto Area, Ottawa, Calgary and Edmonton.

Visit www.mattamyhomes.com for more information.

SOURCE Mattamy Homes Limited
Innovative City Planning and State Officials' Leadership Pave the Way for Mercury Insurance to Begin Offering Homeowners Coverage to Paradise Residents in the Wake of Catastrophic Wildfire

PARADISE, Calif., Jan. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercury Insurance (NYSE: MCY), a leading provider of property and casualty insurance, announced today that the company will begin writing new homeowners insurance policies in the town of Paradise, CA. Mercury is the first major insurance company to begin offering policies to Paradise homeowners since the town was engulfed by the "Camp Fire" in November 2018.

The move was made possible by California Department of Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara's commitment to implement his Sustainable Insurance Strategy, which is designed to provide California consumers with a wider array of home insurance options. The efforts of Paradise city officials and residents also played a pivotal role in Mercury's decision to reenter the market, as they've demonstrated a commitment to reducing wildfire risk through forward-thinking urban planning and mitigation strategies.

"Mercury's return to offering homeowners coverage in Paradise, California is the result of hard work by the City and its residents, the State and numerous individuals and organizations who have reimagined how a town can grow and thrive in an area prone to wildfires," said Victor Joseph, President and Chief Operating Officer of Mercury Insurance. "Our team has taken numerous trips to the city to see the transformation firsthand, and what we've seen makes us confident that Paradise can serve as a model for other cities facing similar challenges."

The rebuilding process began as soon as it was safe to return to the area. City officials, emergency services, private residents, grassroots organizations like the Rebuild Paradise Foundation, and numerous other entities have led the charge on the rebuild, making Paradise the fastest growing city in California, according to the California Department of Finance.

"Rebuilding the town's infrastructure while generating momentum for our neighbors and businesses to return to Paradise has been our overarching goal," said newly elected Mayor Steve Crowder. "We see Mercury's return to providing coverage in Paradise as a crucial step in our rebuild strategy and a demonstration that we have been successful in redefining how cities can be built to lower wildfire risk."

Paradise worked closely with the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) to strengthen the town's resilience. The town updated its building ordinance in July 2022 to require all new homes be built to IBHS's Wildfire Prepared Home standard. Wildfire Prepared is based on years of wildfire research and the program is designed to significantly reduce a structure's risk of ember ignition. Requirements include a Class A roof, an exterior that features ember-resistant vents with lower six inches of vertical space, and a noncombustible Zone 0, the five-foot buffer around a house. The result is a community positioned to deal with future fire events like never before.

"The Town of Paradise has been thoughtful in its approach and is working hard to rebuild the community in a way that will not only provide better protection, but also make it more insurable," said Roy Wright, IBHS President and CEO. "Wildfire has a role in nature. Yet, the goal we aim to achieve is to keep it from entering our neighborhoods and consuming homes. And that's where Paradise is leading the way in community resiliency, using our research to build back stronger. That is more appealing for insurance companies like Mercury."

"Being part of the rebuilding process has been important to us," says Paradise resident, Gary Ledbetter. "Paradise leadership has demonstrated remarkable foresight, and the community is fully committed to rebuilding in a way that greatly enhances the town's resiliency. As a result, we now are getting access to more affordable home insurance options other than the FAIR plan."

Mercury Insurance is confident the company's return to Paradise will pave the way for other insurance providers to follow suit. "It's vital the insurance industry supports the efforts of communities and homeowners to build greater resilience against wildfires," said Joseph. "We are working with a number of communities in higher risk areas to build on what we're doing in Paradise, and we anticipate Mercury will continue to grow our customer base in these areas. This is the direct result of not only the Commissioner's Sustainable Insurance Strategy, but also the leadership and dedication of Governor Gavin Newsom, who has significantly grown and improved the state's ability to manage and fight wildfires.

"If communities take proactive steps to better protect their community and homes, we believe the insurance industry should acknowledge these efforts by doing our part to provide coverage at an affordable price. We're proud that Mercury is the first major insurance company to come back to Paradise, because this town has done their part and now it's our turn to do ours."

Mercury Insurance has remained committed to the State and has consistently worked to support its fellow Californians. In 2024, Mercury spearheaded an effort to maintain insurance availability for thousands of consumers who otherwise would have lost their coverage when Tokio-Marine America made the difficult decision to withdraw from its personal line business in California. Mercury also announced last year that it has partnered with the UCLA Anderson Forecast to study the impact climate change is having on the company and its customers in California. This research will shed light on how Mercury and others can collaborate with various stakeholders to provide innovative insurance products and services specific to catastrophic weather risks, including wildfires.

About Mercury Insurance

Headquartered in Los Angeles, Mercury Insurance (NYSE: MCY) is a multiple-line insurance carrier offering personal auto, homeowners, and renters insurance directly to consumers and through a network of independent agents in Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia, as well as auto insurance in Florida. Mercury also writes business owners, business auto, landlord, commercial multi-peril and mechanical protection insurance in various states.

Since 1962, Mercury has provided customers with tremendous value for their insurance dollar by pairing ultra-competitive rates with excellent customer service, through nearly 4,100 employees and a network of more than 6,500 independent agents in 11 states. Mercury has earned "A" ratings from A.M. Best and Fitch, as well as "Best Auto Insurance Company" designations from Forbes and Insure.com. For more information visit www.MercuryInsurance.com or follow the company on Twitter or Facebook.

SOURCE Mercury General Corporation
Company prepared to assist policyholders who have suffered home or auto loss; need living expenses reimbursement; or to file a claim for covered losses

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The recent Santa Ana wind conditions have sparked wildfires across Southern California, forcing local authorities to issue mandatory evacuation orders for tens of thousands of residents across the region. Mercury Insurance is prepared to assist homeowner, renter and auto policyholders who have had to evacuate in response to those orders or whose property has suffered fire damage. Affected areas include the Palisades Fire - Pacific Palisades; Eaton Fire - Alta Dena; the Hurst Fire  Sylmar; and the Woodley Fire - Sepulveda Basin (San Fernando Valley).

"We recognize that the recovery process after a wildfire can be a difficult and emotional time. However, the Mercury claims team is here for our California customers who have been impacted," says Bonnie Lee, VP, Property Claims at Mercury Insurance.

Mercury representatives are available to help address covered claims. Adjusters are also available to arrange temporary housing and provide assistance with living expenses if policyholders are forced to leave their homes in response to mandatory evacuation orders. Residents evacuating their homes should make sure they have the necessary supplies to keep themselves and their families safe during the evacuation.

Mercury is also poised to assist any customers who need auto assistance as well, including rental cars.

"We want to let our auto customers affected by these fires know that we are here to help," said Kevin Quinn, VP, Auto Claims for Mercury. "Fire damage is often not limited to homes and rental properties and we want to make sure everyone who needs assistance receives it."

In the aftermath of these fires, impacted policyholders also have the option to initiate a claim seamlessly through Mercury's user-friendly web-based app or via telephone. Those choosing the digital route will be guided through a straightforward process using clear prompts. Mercury's dedicated claims adjusters stand ready to evaluate fire-related damages.

For policyholders seeking further guidance on the claims filing process, detailed information can be found at the company's online claims portal. Mercury policyholders should follow these steps to help expedite the process:

Contact Mercury immediately to report your loss at 800-503-3724 or digitally by visiting https://mercury.assured.claims/

Take a moment to protect your property from further damage (i.e., tarps on damaged roofs or moving your car to a safe location).

Be prepared to provide your policy number.

Provide all of your contact information so your adjuster can reach you. It's important that you provide all your phone numbers, even if temporary.

Take account and be prepared to provide a complete description of your damage. Have photos of your damage ready to share with your assigned adjuster.

If available, have any pre-loss photos/videos of your property or its contents ready to share with your adjuster. This will assist your adjuster with the damage evaluation process.

Do not remove any debris or damaged property that may be related to your claim. Please note that if it is unsafe to keep any damaged personal items, take photos of the unsafe items for your adjuster to review as part of your claims, then properly discard unsafe items.

Keep records and receipts for additional living expenses that were incurred if you were forced to leave your home, and provide copies to your adjuster.

Follow Mercury Insurance on social media for updates and the company's response to California wildfires.

About Mercury Insurance

Headquartered in Los Angeles, Mercury Insurance (NYSE: MCY) is a multiple-line insurance carrier offering personal auto, homeowners, and renters insurance directly to consumers and through a network of independent agents in Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia, as well as auto insurance in Florida. Mercury also writes business owners, business auto, landlord, commercial multi-peril and mechanical protection insurance in various states.

Since 1962, Mercury has provided customers with tremendous value for their insurance dollar by pairing ultra-competitive rates with excellent customer service, through nearly 4,100 employees and a network of more than 6,500 independent agents in 11 states. Mercury has earned an "A" rating from A.M. Best, as well as "Best Auto Insurance Company" designations from Forbes and Insure.com. For more information visit www.MercuryInsurance.com or follow the company on Twitter or Facebook.

SOURCE Mercury Insurance
Firm awarded top score of 100 for sixth time

Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index provides an annual assessment of LGBTQ+ workplace equality

Recognition reflects Mesirow's continuing and longstanding commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

CHICAGO, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mesirow, an independent, employee-owned financial services firm, today announced that it received a top score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation's 2025 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), the nation's foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality. The 2025 CEI includes 1,449 businesses, the highest number of rated companies since the start of the CEI in 2002. Mesirow is one of 765 US businesses that will be honored with a top score. The 2025 recognition marks the sixth time the firm has received this recognition.

"We are proud to again be recognized by Human Rights Campaign as a Leader in LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion," said Mesirow CEO Natalie Brown. "We appreciate our DEI Council and Associate DEI Council, as well as PrideConnect, our LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group, as they develop programs, training and community engagement that promote allyship, respect, and authenticity."

The CEI rates companies on detailed criteria falling under four central pillars: non-discrimination policies across business entities; equitable benefits for LGBTQ+ workers and their families; supporting an inclusive culture; and corporate social responsibility.

"The CEI is so much more than a score on paper. For decades businesses have relied on the CEI as a tool for transparency and leveling the playing field for all workers, making sure LGBTQ+ people and their families can share in fair, respectful and supportive workplaces," said HRCF Senior Director of Workplace Equality RaShawn "Shawnie" Hawkins, SHRM-CP. "As conversations evolve on corporate America's approach to diversity, equity and inclusion, year-over-year growth in CEI participation is evidence of a business community that largely recognizes the responsibility and value in upholding equity and inclusion."

The full report is available online at hrc.org/cei. Learn more at mesirow.com/DEI.

About Mesirow

Mesirow is an independent, employee-owned financial services firm founded in 1937. Headquartered in Chicago, with offices around the world, we serve clients through a personal, custom approach to reaching financial goals and acting as a force for social good. With capabilities spanning Global Investment Management, Capital Markets & Investment Banking, and Advisory Services, we invest in what matters: our clients, our communities and our culture. To learn more, visit mesirow.com, follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe to Spark, our quarterly newsletter.

Mesirow has been named one of the Best Places to Work in Chicago by Crain's Chicago Business multiple times and is one of Barron's Top 100 RIA firms.

About the Human Rights Campaign

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people. Through its programs, the HRC Foundation seeks to make transformational change in the everyday lives of LGBTQ+ people, shedding light on inequity and deepening the public's understanding of LGBTQ+ issues, with a clear focus on advancing transgender and racial justice.

Media

[email protected]

Michael Herley | 203.308.1409

Mesirow refers to Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc. and its divisions, subsidiaries and affiliates. The Mesirow name and logo are registered service marks of Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc.,  2025, Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved. Investment management services provided through Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc., Mesirow Institutional Investment Management, Inc. and Mesirow Financial Private Equity Advisors, Inc., all SEC-registered investment advisor, a CFTC registered commodity trading advisors and member of the NFA, or Mesirow Financial International UK, Ltd. ("MFIUK"), authorized and regulated by the FCA, depending on the jurisdiction.

Award recognition disclosures: mesirow.com/award-recognition-disclosures

SOURCE Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc.
HOUSTON, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Mesothelioma Lawyer Center, a trusted resource for asbestos victims , continues to achieve substantial settlements for clients diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. With a commitment to justice, the Center has helped clients secure significant financial compensation through lawsuits and asbestos trust funds .

Mesothelioma settlements facilitated by attorneys associated with the Mesothelioma Lawyer Center typically range from $1 million to $1.4 million, providing crucial support for victims and their families. These settlements cover medical expenses , lost income, and the emotional toll caused by asbestos-related illnesses.

Additionally, the Center assists clients in accessing asbestos trust funds, which were established by bankrupt companies responsible for asbestos exposure. These funds collectively hold an estimated $30 billion to compensate victims. Individual payouts from these trusts can vary widely, ranging from $7,000 to over $200,000, depending on the trust's criteria and the claimant's exposure history.

"Our goal is to ensure that every victim of asbestos exposure receives the justice and financial support they deserve," said Dave Foster, Patient Services at the Mesothelioma Lawyer Center. "Whether through settlements or trust fund claims, our attorneys work tirelessly to secure meaningful compensation for our clients."

Tools to Empower Victims

The Mesothelioma Lawyer Center provides resources like the Mesothelioma Compensation Calculator , a user-friendly tool that helps individuals estimate the potential value of their case. By considering factors such as exposure history, medical costs, and lost income, the calculator offers a preliminary understanding of what victims might expect in compensation.

Experience You Can Trust

With decades of experience and a proven track record, the Mesothelioma Lawyer Center is a nationally recognized authority in asbestos litigation. The Center's attorneys offer free consultations , personalized guidance , and unwavering support to help victims navigate the complexities of the legal system.

Take Action Today

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or another asbestos-related disease, don't wait to explore your legal options.

Visit https://www.mesotheliomalawyercenter.org/ to use the Mesothelioma Compensation Calculator or call 1-800-793-4540 and connect with an experienced attorney.

About the Mesothelioma Lawyer Center

The Mesothelioma Lawyer Center is dedicated to helping asbestos victims secure justice and financial compensation. With millions recovered for clients, the Center remains a trusted advocate for individuals and families affected by mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases.

SOURCE Mesothelioma Lawyer Center
NEW YORK, Jan. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with market evolution powered by AI - The global metal heat treatment market size is estimated to grow by USD 14.6 billion from 2025-2029, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 2.5% during the forecast period. Integration of metal heat treatment processes into production lines is driving market growth, with a trend towards increasing demand for CNC-incorporated machine tools. However, growing demand for second-hand machines poses a challenge. Key market players include Advanced Heat Treat Corp., American Metal Treating Inc., Bluewater Thermal Solutions, Bodycote Plc, East-Lind Heat Treat Inc., General Metal Heat Treating Inc., Metal Heat Co. Ltd., Nabertherm GmbH, NATIONAL HEAT TREAT LLC, ONEX Corp., Pacific Metallurgical Inc, Park Ohio Holdings Corp., Peters Heat Treating Inc., SECO WARWICK SA, SEI Heat Treat, Shanghai Hedinger Heat Treatment Co. Ltd., Thermex Metal Treating Ltd, TRI-J Metal Heat Treating Inc, Unitherm Engineers Ltd., and voestalpine AG.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Metal Heat Treatment Market 2025-2029

Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF

Metal Heat Treatment Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2024 Historic period 2019 - 2023 Forecast period 2025-2029 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 2.5% Market growth 2025-2029 USD 14.6 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 2.5 Regional analysis APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 43% Key countries US, China, Brazil, Japan, Canada, Germany, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, UK, and France Key companies profiled Advanced Heat Treat Corp., American Metal Treating Inc., Bluewater Thermal Solutions, Bodycote Plc, East-Lind Heat Treat Inc., General Metal Heat Treating Inc., Metal Heat Co. Ltd., Nabertherm GmbH, NATIONAL HEAT TREAT LLC, ONEX Corp., Pacific Metallurgical Inc, Park Ohio Holdings Corp., Peters Heat Treating Inc., SECO WARWICK SA, SEI Heat Treat, Shanghai Hedinger Heat Treatment Co. Ltd., Thermex Metal Treating Ltd, TRI-J Metal Heat Treating Inc, Unitherm Engineers Ltd., and voestalpine AG

Market Driver

The global metal heat treatment market is anticipated to grow during the forecast period due to the increasing adoption of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines in various industries. CNC machines require metal heat treatment for their production, leading to market expansion. Automation and increased productivity are key drivers, with businesses investing in process automation and replacing manual machine tools with NC and CNC machines. Smart manufacturing, enabled by IoT-integrated equipment, further boosts demand for CNC machines and metal heat treatment services.

The market for Metal Heat Treatment is experiencing significant growth, with automobiles and aerospace industries being key consumers. Furnaces, autoclaves, and other technologies are used for this process. Furnaces are used to heat metals to specific temperatures for hardening or softening. The use of exotic alloys and lightweight materials is driving innovation in this sector. Technologies like Quenching, Tempering, and Annealing are essential in Metal Heat Treatment. Organic and inorganic nitriding processes are also gaining popularity. The market is expected to continue its upward trend due to increasing demand from various industries.

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Market Challenges

The global metal heat treatment market faces a significant challenge from the expanding second-hand machine market, particularly in APAC. Many companies in the region prefer used European construction machinery due to cost savings. This trend negatively impacts the demand for new industrial and construction equipment, including metal heat treatment solutions. Some metal heat treatment equipment manufacturers, like Park, Ohio and SECO WARWICK , sell second-hand equipment to reduce costs. Consequently, the second-hand machine market's growth may limit the adoption of metal heat treatment technologies during the forecast period.

and , sell second-hand equipment to reduce costs. Consequently, the second-hand machine market's growth may limit the adoption of metal heat treatment technologies during the forecast period. The Metal Heat Treatment market faces several challenges in the application of various processes such as furnaces, quenching, and tempering. One major challenge is ensuring the even distribution of heat to achieve consistent results. Another challenge is the use of appropriate quenching media to prevent warping and distortion. Additionally, the cost of energy and the need for efficient processes are significant concerns. Furthermore, the growing demand for lightweight and high-strength materials adds complexity to the heat treatment process. Organizations must invest in research and development to address these challenges and improve the overall efficiency and quality of metal heat treatment processes.

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Segment Overview

This metal heat treatment market report extensively covers market segmentation by

End-user

1.1 Automotive

1.2 Industrial machinery

1.3 Construction

1.4 Aerospace

1.5 Others

Material

2.1 Steel

2.2 Cast iron

2.3 Others

Geography

3.1 APAC

3.2 North America

3.3 Europe

3.4 South America

3.5 Middle East and Africa

1.1 Automotive- The automotive industry's leading end-user segment in the global metal heat treatment market undergoes heat treatment processes to determine part behavior and properties. Applicable to engine components, gearboxes, axles, suspension parts, steering components, and injection systems, heat treatment is essential for mass production due to the industry's annual vehicle production. Key vendors like Bodycote, Bluewater Thermal Solutions, Keith Co. Inc., and East-Lind Heat Treat provide metal heat treatment services, catering to the automotive sector's increasing demand. The establishment of new automotive production facilities worldwide fuels this growth.

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Research Analysis

The Metal Heat Treatment Market encompasses various processes such as Annealing, Isothermal Annealing, Spheroidizing, Quenching, and others, used to modify the physical and mechanical properties of metals. These processes are essential in industries like Aerospace, Precision Engineering, and the Energy sector, where components made from EVs (Electric Vehicles) and oil drilling equipment require high strength and durability. DC motors and AC motors in EVs, as well as motors in various industrial applications, rely on heat-treated components with superior performance. The market includes the production and application of heat-treated metals, including laminations, bearings, and shafts, which undergo processes like heat treating and Annealing to enhance their properties. Heat treating techniques like Quenching and Spheroidizing are crucial in enhancing the metallurgical structure and improving the overall performance of the components.

Market Research Overview

The Metal Heat Treatment Market encompasses various processes such as annealing, quenching, tempering, and case hardening, used to alter the physical and mechanical properties of metals. These treatments are essential in industries like automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing, where metals are subjected to high temperatures and extreme conditions. The global market for Metal Heat Treatment is significant, driven by the increasing demand for lightweight and high-strength materials in various sectors. The use of advanced technologies like Induction Heat Treatment and Vacuum Heat Treatment is also fueling market growth. The market is segmented based on process type, application, and region. The future outlook for Metal Heat Treatment is promising, with continued innovation and technological advancements expected to shape the industry landscape.

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation

End-user

Automotive



Industrial Machinery



Construction



Aerospace



Others

Material

Steel



Cast Iron



Others

Geography

APAC



North America



Europe



South America



Middle East And Africa

7 Customer Landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10 Company Landscape

11 Company Analysis

12 Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
NEW YORK, Jan. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is driving market transformation - The global military thermal weapon sights market size is estimated to grow by USD 504.7 million from 2025-2029, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.4% during the forecast period. Introduction of high-definition thermal imaging systems is driving market growth, with a trend towards emergence of wireless thermal weapon sights. However, high cost associated with production of military thermal weapon sights poses a challenge. Key market players include American Technologies Network Corp., ASELSAN AS, BAE Systems Plc, BERETTA HOLDING SA, Elbit Systems Ltd., Excelitas Technologies Corp., General Starlight Co. Inc., L3Harris Technologies Inc., Leonardo Spa, Materion Corp., Patria Group, Rheinmetall AG, Safran SA, Schmidt and Bender GmbH and Co. KG, SIG Sauer Inc., Teledyne Technologies Inc., Thales Group, Thermoteknix Systems Ltd., Tonbo Imaging India Pvt Ltd., and Trijicon Inc..

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Military Thermal Weapon Sights Market 2025-2029

AI-Powered Market Evolution Insights. Our comprehensive market report ready with the latest trends, growth opportunities, and strategic analysis- View Free Sample Report PDF

Forecast period 2025-2029 Base Year 2024 Historic Data 2019 - 2023 Segment Covered Type (Gun-based thermal weapon sights and Vehicle-mounted thermal weapon sights), Application (Air, Maritime, and Land), and Geography (North America, APAC, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America) Region Covered North America, APAC, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America Key companies profiled American Technologies Network Corp., ASELSAN AS, BAE Systems Plc, BERETTA HOLDING SA, Elbit Systems Ltd., Excelitas Technologies Corp., General Starlight Co. Inc., L3Harris Technologies Inc., Leonardo Spa, Materion Corp., Patria Group, Rheinmetall AG, Safran SA, Schmidt and Bender GmbH and Co. KG, SIG Sauer Inc., Teledyne Technologies Inc., Thales Group, Thermoteknix Systems Ltd., Tonbo Imaging India Pvt Ltd., and Trijicon Inc.

Key Market Trends Fueling Growth

Military thermal weapon sights have gained significant traction in the defense and law enforcement sectors due to their advanced capabilities. Devices like the Pulsar Thermion XM50 and Teledyne Technologies Inc.'s Breach Thermal Monocular offer superior image quality and quick target acquisition in challenging conditions. Their wireless connectivity enables seamless integration with other systems, enhancing situational awareness and reducing risks. This technology's adoption is expected to expand the military thermal weapon sights market substantially during the forecast period.

The Military Thermal Weapon Sights market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing demand for advanced technology in military applications. Bordeaux, Montoring, and Combat Systems are key players in this industry, providing solutions such as infrasight, vision enhancement, and targeting systems. These systems offer benefits like improved situational awareness, increased accuracy, and enhanced security. The trend towards remote control and autonomous systems is also driving innovation in this market. Devices like Soliders, Geopolitics, and Effective Sensing are developing advanced thermal imaging technologies to meet the evolving needs of military forces. The market is expected to continue growing, driven by the need for superior military capabilities and the ongoing development of advanced thermal technology.

Insights on how AI is driving innovation, efficiency, and market growth- Request Sample!

Market Challenges

Military thermal weapon sights are expensive due to advanced technology and specialized labor. Thermal sensors, made with complex technology, are costly and require skilled engineers. Advanced components, such as lenses and circuit boards, also add to the expense. Skilled labor is needed for assembly, and testing requires specialized equipment and personnel. Strict military quality control measures ensure each sight meets standards, but can increase production costs. These factors may limit market growth for military thermal weapon sights.

The Military Thermal Weapon Sights market faces several challenges. Capabilities such as accuracy, detection range, and durability are essential for these systems. However, integrating them with other military technologies can be difficult. Budgets and maintenance costs are also significant challenges. The systems must be able to function in various weather conditions and terrains. Additionally, cybersecurity threats are a growing concern. The market requires advanced technology to counteract these challenges and provide effective thermal weapon sights for military applications. The need for miniaturization and longer battery life is also important for portable and handheld devices. The market for military thermal weapon sights is competitive, with several players offering similar products. Therefore, companies must differentiate themselves by providing superior technology and customer service.

Insights into how AI is reshaping industries and driving growth- Download a Sample Report

Segment Overview

This military thermal weapon sights market report extensively covers market segmentation by

Type

1.1 Gun-based thermal weapon sights

1.2 Vehicle-mounted thermal weapon sights

Application

2.1 Air

2.2 Maritime

2.3 Land

Geography

3.1 North America

3.2 APAC

3.3 Europe

3.4 Middle East and Africa

and 3.5 South America

1.1 Gun-based thermal weapon sights- The global military thermal weapon sights market is projected to expand due to the increasing demand for advanced targeting solutions in combat situations. Gun-based thermal weapon sights, such as the AN/PAS-13 and ATN Thor 4, offer enhanced capabilities with long detection ranges and compatibility with various weapons. Manufacturers like Leonardo DRS are innovating to provide lightweight, portable, and high-performance sights, like the INOD Block III, which can detect targets in all lighting conditions and poor weather. The market growth is driven by the need for superior accuracy and image clarity, enabling soldiers to effectively engage enemies from greater distances and complex environments.

Download complimentary Sample Report to gain insights into AI's impact on market dynamics, emerging trends, and future opportunities- including forecast (2025-2029) and historic data (2019 - 2023)

Research Analysis

The Military Thermal Weapon Sights market encompasses advanced technologies that enhance combat effectiveness under various lighting and weather conditions. These sights utilize thermal imaging and infrared radiation to detect heat signatures, extending detection ranges and improving aiming accuracy for military forces. The integration of wireless connectivity and augmented reality further enhances situational awareness, enabling more efficient border seal operations. Thermal detectors, thermograms, and thermographic weapon sights are essential tools for armed services, including the army, navy, and air force. Ultraviolet sensors offer additional capabilities, expanding the scope of these systems. Compact thermographic cameras and aiming reticles ensure the versatility and adaptability of these solutions for small arms and heavier weapons. Geopolitical tensions continue to drive the demand for advanced thermal weapon sights, ensuring the readiness and preparedness of defense forces.

Market Research Overview

The Military Thermal Weapon Sights market encompasses advanced technologies and solutions designed for enhancing military capabilities in various operational environments. These systems utilize thermal imaging to provide real-time visual information, enabling effective target identification and engagement in low-light conditions or through smoke, fog, and other obscurants. The market comprises various types of thermal weapon sights, including handheld, weapon-mounted, and helmet-mounted systems. These solutions are integral to force protection, situational awareness, and mission success in modern military operations. Additionally, ongoing research and development efforts aim to improve thermal imaging technologies, such as uncooled microbolomers and long-wave infrared sensors, to provide more advanced and cost-effective solutions for military applications.

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation

Type

Gun-based Thermal Weapon Sights



Vehicle-mounted Thermal Weapon Sights

Application

Air



Maritime



Land

Geography

North America



APAC



Europe



Middle East And Africa



South America

7 Customer Landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10 Company Landscape

11 Company Analysis

12 Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
Cancer Vaccine Coalition will speed up game-changing research thanks to $2 million match

NEW YORK, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Brian and Sheila Jellison Family Foundation is proud to be the first major donor to support Cancer Vaccine Coalition (CVC) - a new nonprofit with a laser focus on moving science forward faster for breast cancer vaccines. "We hope that our $2,000,000 matching gift brings awareness to the need for philanthropic funding and inspires other donors to join us in CVC's crucial battle against cancer," said Hilary Jellison Simonds, director for the Florida-based Jellison Family Foundation along with her mother and two sisters.

The Brian and Sheila Jellison Family Foundation is proud to be the first major donor to support Cancer Vaccine Coalition.

CVC was founded in 2024 by survivor and former NBC correspondent, Kristen Dahlgren , and aims to break down barriers by building awareness, eliminating silos and funding critical trials to shave years off of the breast cancer vaccine development process.





, and aims to break down barriers by building awareness, eliminating silos and funding critical trials to shave years off of the breast cancer vaccine development process. Breast cancer vaccines are currently in and awaiting trials around the country to eliminate disease, prevent recurrence and even prevent cancer for all types of breast cancer.





Cancer Vaccine Coalition is bringing together top researchers from institutions at the forefront of cancer vaccine research including Cleveland Clinic, Dana-Farber, MD Anderson, Memorial Sloan Kettering, Penn Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, and University of Washington's Cancer Vaccine Institute.

"I was stunned to learn these vaccines are in development, but trials are stalled due to insufficient funding," explains Dahlgren. "According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. spends approximately $29 billion on breast cancer treatments annually. For a fraction of that cost, researchers can fast track these potentially lifesaving cancer vaccines to patients within a decade. There's no time to wait when an average of 114 patients die from breast cancer every day."

CVC Scientific Advisory Board Member and leading vaccine researcher, Dr. Nora Disis, from the UW's Cancer Vaccine Institute adds, "Breast cancer vaccines are already a reality. What CVC does is help fund trials faster and bring together top scientists across major institutions, so, together, we can make therapeutic vaccines standard of care treatment sooner for all breast cancer patients."

The Jellison Family Foundation's mission is to eradicate cancer and improve outcomes. For them, it's personal. "We all know countless women who have battled breast cancer," says Jellison Simonds, who lost her wonderful sister-in-law, Debbie, to this disease in 2023. "My mother, Sheila, always says, we believe that HOPE is the most important element when dealing with cancer. Together with CVC, we can pave the way for a future where cancer is not just managed but eradicated."

Cancer Vaccine Coalition is a 501c3 nonprofit, public charity founded in 2024 as a collaboration between survivors, researchers, industry and those impacted by breast cancer to help move science forward, faster. CVC is laser focused on funding clinical trials for breast cancer vaccines and spreading awareness about the research. For more information please visit www.cancervaccinecoalition.org or email [email protected]

The Brian and Sheila Jellison Family Foundation is a private charitable foundation, founded in 2018 and focused on free enterprise, financial literacy, higher education and helping people to overcome cancer-related challenges. Grant submissions from the public are not part of this invitation only charitable organization. Supporting CVC amplifies the Jellison Family Foundation's impact on the cancer community as they previously donated $25 million in support of the development of the Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. For more information, email [email protected] .

Name: Aliza Friedlander

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 443.858.0098

SOURCE Cancer Vaccine Coalition
CLEARWATER, Fla., Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As we kick off 2025, NOW is the time for inspiration. "My Fairy Godfathers" Foundation, a 5013 established in 2011 in Florida, has a mission to empower women through beauty. Not just through average makeovers though, these are experiences focused on beauty both inside and out for females that have fallen on hardship such as cancer, homelessness and abuse. Founders, Andrew Ashton and Steven Anderson are excited to finally bring this charity to others serving as hosts of their own podcast titled "Giving Back through Beauty." Officially launching today, listeners can tune in to hear this dynamic duo share how they channel their passion for beauty into helping others; coupled with a chemistry full of wit and banter that will move listeners to both laughter and tears.

Everyone needs a fairy godfather! Now you do when you tune in for fun & inspiration from podcast hosts and founders, Andrew & Steven of "My Fairy Godfathers" Foundation as they share their passion for 'Giving Back through Beauty.'

New episodes of the podcast will be released regularly and can be found by visiting Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Podchaser and PlayerFM, among others. Every other episode will include a special guest including former Prom experience recipients who share their emotional encounter with Ashton and Anderson, what that meant to them and how that has played into who they are today. Listeners will also hear candidly from wig recipients who describe how the foundation assisted in their cancer journey and how their compassionate styling made them look/feel during that difficult period.

"We are super excited to jump into the world of podcasting in hopes of spreading our mission to more people. Our goal is to help as many females as possible find their most confident selves and we recognize the growing need for this today," says Co-founder, Andrew Ashton.

For more than a decade, these celebrity stylists have used their expertise and industry knowledge to help females enduring hardship. They believe everyone deserves a little sparkle, a boost of confidence and a whole lot of love. More than 5,000 females from all walks of life have received support with their generosity reaching nationwide. No matter what environment exists keeping them from success, "My Fairy Godfathers" Foundation provides them with the tools to help them shine as brightly on the outside as they do within. In addition to prom beauty experiences and scholarships for deserving students, Ashton and Anderson also support women battling cancer and provide everyday necessity/ beauty bags to female first responders, infusion center personnel and girls in need at more than 40 high schools.

Co-founder Steven Anderson comments, "We look forward to reaching a new audience and give back to even more through beauty. We believe every woman deserves to feel and look their best and that feeling can truly empower them to achieve more. We hope to inspire, educate and entertain listeners in each and every episode."

Just two+ months ago, Ashton and Anderson made the cross-country trip to two cancer centers in Los Angeles, Calif. providing patients with free custom wigs and styling sessions. More than 70 women varying in age received one in addition to beauty tips unique to those going through treatment and hair loss. Among them was Baywatch actress and alum, Nicole Eggert who was emotional while looking in the mirror and feeling like her old self in a wavy, blonde bob. "My Fairy Godfathers" will now begin planning for its third annual gala being held on September 13, 2025 in Tampa, FL. With nearly 850 attendees seen at the previous Fairytale Ball-style events, the power of giving back and philanthropy was evident. Monies raised directly fund the foundation's four programs and the varying beauty experiences. To learn more, submit details on a deserving female or donate to "My Fairy Godfathers" Foundation, visit myfairygodfathers.net. Media inquiries or podcast interviews can be directed to Blair LaHaye at [email protected] or 727-808-0646.

Check out the new 'Giving Back through Beauty' Podcast from "My Fairy Godfathers" Foundation here: https://myfairygodfathers.net/podcast.

SOURCE My Fairy Godfathers
The aggressor country, the Russian Federation, has finally refused to repair its warships in the occupied Crimea. The reason is the fear of Ukrainian strikes by the Defense Forces against the Russian invaders' facilities on the Ukrainian peninsula.

ADVERTISIMENT

This was stated by the spokesperson for the Ukrainian Navy, Captain Dmytro Pletenchuk, during a telethon on January 8. "We have already proved in practice that it will no longer be possible to use repair bases for the Russian Black Sea Fleet. To restore ships, you first need to bring them there, and now no one will do it," he said.

Pletenchuk recalled the destruction of the "Tsiklon" small missile ship in Sevastopol Bay, two strikes on the "Rostov-on-Don" submarine, and a strike on the "Askold" small missile ship in Kerch.

According to the spokesman, these strikes "suggest" to the occupiers that it is "impossible in principle" to use Crimea for ship repair.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, on December 29, Pletenchuk said that the Russian naval logistics in the occupied Ukrainian Crimea had been virtually destroyed. Even the eastern shore of the Azov Sea and the Krasnodar Territory of Russia are no longer in the security zone for the enemy.

It should also be noted that the guerrillas, based on the results of reconnaissance in occupied Sevastopol, discovered ship repair work at the 91st shipyard. Although no new ships are produced there, the facility remains an important component of the Russian Black Sea Fleet's combat capability.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Real Leaders to honor North End Teleservices at national conference for its Innovative Business Model in creating strong jobs in unconventional areas.

OMAHA, Neb., Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A national magazine recognizes Omaha-based company for its innovative model in providing "strong jobs in unconventional areas". North End Teleservices is named by Real Leaders Magazine in its 2025 list of Top Impact Companies. This recognition comes just months ahead of North End Teleservices' ten-year anniversary.

While the company has undergone tremendous growth and expanded its employees from a startup to nearly 1,000 employees, its mission has remained the sameCreating Jobs and Changing Lives. North End Teleservices opened its doors in 2015, during a time when the 5-year average poverty rate was 59 percent in the ZIP code where North End Teleservices was founded. CEO, Carmen Tapio explains, "We started with a purpose, a purpose of uplifting a community. From the beginning, we set out to do things differently by removing barriers to finding employment for some of the most overlooked, undervalued, and underemployed. "With more than $400 million dollars of economic impact, the company's commitment to making a difference where it matters most is transforming individuals, families, and communities. North End Teleservices is expanding impact across the state while expanding services like offering free transportation services.

North End Teleservices has become an impactful, unconventional role model other businesses admire and can follow. North End Teleservices was selected from companies from more than 15 countries who were assessed on their growth, revenue, and six pillars of I.M.P.A.C.T.Intention, Model, People, Accountability, Collaboration, and Transformation.

According to Real Leaders, candidates were reviewed through a rigorous evaluation process where the companies that truly embody purpose-driven leadership were ranked and celebrated. "It seems like every company is calling themselves an impact company these days," said Kevin Edwards, President of Real Leaders. "We wanted to spotlight businesses that are genuinely dedicated to making a difference. By incorporating CEO interviews and community-driven impact evaluations, we ensured that only the most deserving organizations made the list. The top-scoring finalists in each category will share their best practices at Real Leaders UNITE 2025, inspiring better leaders for a better world."

About North End Teleservices

North End Teleservices, LLC, is an omnichannel global provider of outsourced contact center services to government and commercial sectors. The company is committed to Creating Jobs and Changing Lives. The Company was named as a U.S. Chamber of Commerce Top 100 Small Business in America for 2024. North End is a certified woman-owned, minority-owned, HUBZone and Enterprise Zone business that serves as an extension of its clients' brands and service delivery model. Working with small and large B2B, B2C, and government agencies, North End customizes contact center operations to meet every client's specific needs.

ABOUT REAL LEADERS

Real Leaders is the fastest-growing community for impact-driven leaders, supported by a global media platform that advocates for purpose-driven business. Founded in 2010, Real Leaders promotes responsible leadership that prioritizes employees, society, and the planet alongside profit. An independently owned Certified B Corporation and member of the UN Global Compact, Real Leaders is on a mission to unite farsighted leaders to transform our shortsighted world.

SOURCE North End Teleservices
Led by Deerfield Management and CVS Health Ventures, funding round to facilitate growth in new states, including California, Florida, Pennsylvania

NEW HAVEN, Conn., Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Nema Health , the leading solution for virtual trauma and PTSD care, today announced its $14.5 million Series A funding round led by Deerfield Management, an investment firm dedicated to advancing healthcare through information, investment, and philanthropy, alongside new participant CVS Health Ventures, CVS Health's venture capital arm. Nema's existing investors, Optum Ventures, .406 Ventures, and GreyMatter, also participated, rounding out a team of dedicated investors and board members to propel forward the company's mission to enable long-lasting healing & peace for all trauma survivors.

"80% of people will endure trauma in their lifetimes  from domestic and sexual violence to child abuse, gun violence, car accidents, war, climate disasters and pregnancy loss  and 20% will go on to develop PTSD," said Dr. Sofia Noori, Co-founder and CEO of Nema Health. "We've built Nema to bring evidence-based treatment and rapid relief to trauma survivors  helping them regain strength, find long-term healing, and build big, joyful lives."

Nema, which is physician- and survivor-led, has designed a virtual treatment program based in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), the most effective care for PTSD. Nema's therapy model is peer-led, meaning that other trauma survivors are there with patients from their very first interaction all the way through to their recovery. Nema's clinical approach teaches individuals how to challenge and modify their belief systems related to how they see their trauma, themselves, and the world. The most powerful part of Nema's treatment is its ability to provide rapid relief: after completing just 4-6 weeks of Nema's intensive PTSD care, 91% of patients experience clinical improvement and 82% no longer meet criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD. Nema's clinical model helps patients learn how to rebuild their relationships, intimacy, and trust in themselves and others  the cornerstones of healing after trauma.

"While innovation from the health tech industry has flooded into other areas of behavioral health, PTSD has remained largely untouched," said Dr. Julian Harris, Operating Partner at Deerfield. "But Dr. Noori and the team at Nema have taught us that PTSD does not have to be a debilitating, lifelong illness  it can be treated effectively, enabling patients to begin a new chapter in their lives. Nema's accessible virtual treatment model and team of clinicians makes healing possible for the more than 13 million Americans struggling with PTSD today."

As part of its continued expansion, Nema has launched its model in eight states since its 2023 launch  New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Illinois  with plans to expand to many more states this year. Nema is in-network with multiple national and regional health plans and is devoted to partnering rapidly with more health plans to improve affordability for its treatment for trauma survivors of all walks of life. The Series A investment will allow Nema to continue to expand its treatment across markets, broaden insurance coverage, and continue deepening its care offerings to solidify its position as the country's leading trauma care company.

About Nema Health

Survivor and clinician-led, Nema Health delivers evidence-based, virtual PTSD treatment to help trauma survivors find lasting peace and healing. Nema is in-network with several major commercial insurance plans and currently offers treatment in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Illinois.

SOURCE Nema Health
The frontline communications innovator Relay found that prevailing approaches see bilingual employees serve as ad-hoc interpreters, compromising their own productivity and leading to widespread labor underutilization

RALEIGH, N.C., Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Relay , the cloud-based communications platform designed to improve productivity and safety for frontline teams, today announced the findings of a new research study detailing the hidden costs of language barriers in the industrial sector.

Relay's Platform designed for Frontline Teams. Frontline tools like Relay that mitigate language barriers can save manufacturers upwards of $500,000 a year in labor costs.

Rather than look at the significant but readily quantified costs associated with managing multilingual teams  such as language courses, third-party translation services, and the like  this study aims to uncover the hidden, largely overlooked costs that emerge when frontline teams attempt to navigate language barriers without adequate tools, resources, or planning.

To access these insights, Relay surveyed 200 frontline professionals working on multilingual teams from across the industrial sector. Chief among the study's findings is the revelation that, on average, businesses in the industrial sector lose $486,078 per year in largely unseen labor costs. Most of these losses result from simple human resource underutilization and inefficiencies caused by poorly-constructed, ad-hoc approaches to on-the-job translation.

Relay's researchers concluded that language barriers regularly carry hidden labor costs as a result of bilingual employees being repeatedly pulled away from their primary roles and responsibilities in order to translate to or for their limited English proficient (LEP) coworkers. As a result, their employers unwittingly incur continuous, incremental losses from underutilized labor, reduced output, and decreased efficiency.

Language Barriers by the Numbers: Prevalence, Cost & Other Considerations

According to the 2023 U.S. Census, nearly 30 million people in the U.S. identified as LEP, making up roughly 9% of the entire population. As this community continues to grow, the trends identified in the present study are all but certain to not only persist, but accelerate. Forward-looking business leaders would be wise to take heed of these trends and findings sooner than later in order to address how the evolving demographic makeup of the American workforce continues to change the way businesses operate.

Additional Key Findings:

The average bilingual frontline worker spends 4 hours per week assisting other workers with translation. This equates to approximately $7,500 in misallocated labor costs per bilingual employee per year.

Among limited English proficiency (LEP) workers who require regular translation support, they spend, on average, 6.5 hours per week communicating via some form of translator or device. This equates to over $4,900 in lost labor costs per employee per year for those that require regular support.

The overwhelming majority of frontline workers (83%) said they would like to see their worksite increase investment in technology-driven translation solutions to reduce language barriers.

Beyond the Numbers  Other Ways Language Barriers Impact the Workplace

From reduced productivity to training troubles, language barriers can impact businesses and their workers in myriad ways  including compromising workplace safety. According to OSHA, language barriers play a role in roughly a quarter (25%) of all on-the-job accidents .

"While the financial impacts of language barriers in the industrial sector are very expensive, it's important to remember that there is even more at stake when communication breakdowns occur on the factory floor in terms of employee safety risks," said Relay CEO Chris Chuang." That's why Relay remains committed to its causeto develop innovative, accessible technologies that make work safer, simpler, and more productive for the two-and-a-half-billion-plus frontline workers of the world."

Break Down Language Barriers with Breakthrough Technologies from Relay

Unfortunately, the most common approach to on-the-job translation still consists of prying bilingual employees away from their actual work to serve as impromptu interpreters for their coworkers. With 77% of respondents confirming this strategy is currently being used in their own workplaces, it's clear there is considerable need across the industrial sector for smarter solutions to these costly problems.

Thankfully, companies like Relay are introducing innovative new technologies that promise to change this trend by breaking down language barriers for good. Earlier this year, Relay released TeamTranslatea one-of-a-kind, AI-based live voice and text translation solution that allows entire teams to converse freely, from any location, and across over 33 languagesall in real time.

Each user simply selects their preferred language and TeamTranslate does the rest ensuring every message they send and receive is automatically translated to each individual's language of choice in real time, regardless of how many participants are involved. By allowing multilingual teams to connect, converse, and collaborate across physical and linguistic divides, TeamTranslate spares businesses and their frontline workers from the stress, costs, and inefficiencies inherent to language barriers.

About the Study

Commissioned by Relay and conducted in partnership with an independent market research recruiting company, the original survey polled 200 manufacturing and warehousing professionals working on the factory floor or within the plant itself (i.e. excluding office workers). Survey respondents work for companies with 50+ employees across all shifts, have ESL workers that need translation assistance to communicate, and have one or more non-English languages spoken at the plant.

About Relay

Relay is a cloud-based technology platform that helps frontline teams improve communications, increase employee safety, and improve their productivity. Relay enables digital transformation on the front lines, by supplying workers with the modern tools and real-time, actionable data they need to track performance and improve operations. Software has not yet transformed the frontline world, and Relay is on a mission to change that. For more information, visit www.relaypro.com .

Media Contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE Relay Inc.
Applications will be accepted now through February 17, 2025

NEW YORK, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Women Presidents Organization (WPO) and JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking are seeking nominees for the 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies ranking. First launched in 2007, the annual 50 Fastest list celebrates the size and growth of women-owned or -led companies worldwide, recognizing their contributions to innovation, economic development and job creation across industries. This year's 50 Fastest honorees will be recognized at the WPO Entrepreneurial Excellence Forum on May 7-9, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. Honorees will gain access to networking and robust educational opportunities presented alongside JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking.

The 18th annual 50 Fastest list celebrates the size and growth of women-owned or -led companies worldwide.

"As we mark the 18th year of the 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies listing, we are honored to celebrate the remarkable achievements of women entrepreneurs who continue to drive innovation and make a lasting impact," said Camille Burns, CEO of the Women Presidents Organization. "This program shines a spotlight on the transformative contributions of these businesses, and we encourage all eligible women-owned or led companies to apply and join this distinguished legacy of growth and excellence."

To be eligible, all companies must be privately held, women-owned or led, and must have reached annual revenues of at least $500,000 in each of the last five years. Applicants may apply each year and are not required to be members of the WPO. There is no cost to apply. All applications must be received by February 17, 2025.

"The 50 Fastest list is an incredible opportunity for business leaders to build a community of likeminded and innovative executives where they have the opportunity to network, learn from and support one another and thrive in their pursuits," said Thelma Ferguson, Global Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and Vice Chair, JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking. "We are proud to join forces with WPO once again to uplift some of the most exciting businesses globally and we cannot wait to celebrate the 50 Fastest this spring."

The 2024 honorees represented a diverse array of industries, including fertility, health and wellness, security, technology, staffing, human capital management, and more. Notably, 94% of applicants were business founders, reflecting a continued rise in founder-led enterprises. Collectively, the 2024 50 Fastest generated $7 billion in revenue and averaged 11 years in business. For more information about the 50 Fastest listing, please visit women-presidents.com/news-events/50-fastest/.

ABOUT WOMEN PRESIDENTS ORGANIZATION (WPO)

The Women Presidents Organization (WPO) is a non-profit membership organization where dynamic and diverse women business leaders around the world tap into collective insight with exclusive access to entrepreneurial equals, innovative ideas, and executive education. WPO members have guided their business to generate at least $2 million USD in gross annual sales (or $1 million USD for a service-based business). Each WPO chapter serves as a professionally-facilitated peer advisory group for members where they can harness the momentum of their successes and cultivate new strategies that will take them even farther. Learn more at women-presidents.com.

ABOUT JPMORGAN CHASE COMMERCIAL BANKING

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking is a business of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), a leading global financial services firm with assets of $4.2 trillion and operations worldwide. Through its Middle Market Banking & Specialized Industries and Commercial Real Estate businesses, Commercial Banking serves emerging startups to mid-corp businesses as well as government entities, not-for-profit organizations, and commercial real estate investors, developers and owners. Clients are supported through every stage of growth with specialized industry expertise and tailored financial solutions including digital banking and payments solutions, credit and financing, international banking, advisory services and more. Information about JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking is available at www.jpmorganchase.com/commercial.

CONTACT:

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking: Marguerite Ward, [email protected]

Women Presidents Organization: Kirsten Wynn, [email protected]

SOURCE Women Presidents Organization
Foundation Encourages College-Bound Students to Apply For $1,000 scholarships

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- North Island Credit Union Foundation is encouraging college-bound students in San Diego and Riverside counties to apply for its 2025 Student Scholarship Program. Through the program, the Foundation provides $10,000 in scholarships annually to recognize local students who are motivated in their academic studies and active in their schools and communities.

"We're committed to helping our next generation of leaders pursue their educational dreams, and encourage local students to apply for one of our scholarships," said North Island Credit Union Foundation President Marvel Ford. "We know that affording the cost of higher education can be difficult, and we hope our scholarships make the path to college a little easier."

North Island Credit Union Foundation scholarships are available to college-bound high school seniors and community college students transferring to a four-year university who reside in San Diego and Riverside counties. Scholarships are also available to North Island Credit Union members or their dependents residing in any geographic area. Students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 to be eligible to participate. Selection criteria include academic performance, school or community involvement, a letter of recommendation and an essay submission.

Interested students can find more information and apply online at northisland.ccu.com/studentscholarship. Online applications will be accepted through Friday, March 7, 2025. Recipients will be announced in early April, 2025.

The Foundation's Annual Student Scholarship program was created by the credit union in 2005 to recognize outstanding students within its local communities. Since the creation of the program, more than $425,000 in scholarships have been awarded to students.

About North Island Credit Union Foundation

North Island Credit Union Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that serves as the philanthropic arm of North Island Credit Union, a division of California Credit Union operating in San Diego and Riverside Counties. Named a Forbes Best-In-State Credit Union in 2024, California Credit Union is a state chartered full-service credit union with assets over $5 billion, approximately 200,000 members and 25 retail branches. North Island Credit Union Foundation works to strengthen the financial well-being of our communities by providing targeted resources to non-profit partners effecting meaningful change across San Diego and Riverside counties. California Credit Union funds all administrative costs of the Foundation, enabling it to return 100% of donations back into community programs. Please visit ccu.com/foundation to learn more or make a tax-deductible donation, or follow the Foundation on Instagram @northislandcufoundation.

SOURCE North Island Credit Union
Toast to Wellness with Peet's New Vitality Menu, Featuring Lattes That Contain Protein and Bubbly Beverages That Are An Excellent Source of Vitamins C & D

EMERYVILLE, Calif., Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- New year, new energy, new you! Fuel your fresh start this winter with the all-new Vitality Menu from Peet's Coffee  featuring lattes serving up an excellent source of protein and sparkling sips that are rich in Vitamins C & D.

Lattes High in Protein: Crafted with Bob's Red Mill Whey Protein Powder, each medium-sized beverage contains 20 grams or more of protein and ensures a smooth consistency with every sip. Available hot or iced, customers can choose from:

With a lineup of three lattes high in protein and two sparkling sips rich in Vitamins C & D, the original craft roaster is supporting a healthy immune system, all while delivering the refreshingly bold flavor its known for.

Vanilla Latte: Whipped to perfection, it contains a sweet vanilla flavor and protein, making for the perfect way to pamper your taste buds and fuel your day.

Whipped to perfection, it contains a sweet vanilla flavor and protein, making for the perfect way to pamper your taste buds fuel your day. Golden Latte: Crafted with smooth whey protein, creamy texture meets rich flavor as this signature latte delivers a velvety body that's as satisfying as it is energizing.

Crafted with smooth whey protein, creamy texture meets rich flavor as this signature latte delivers a velvety body that's as satisfying as it is energizing. Matcha Latte: Get ready to power up as our classic, authentic, and earthy matcha green tea meets the creamy texture of perfectly steamed milk and is enriched with an excellent source of protein.

Sparkling Sips: Each bubbly beverage is rich in Vitamins C & D to help support a healthy immune system.

Golden Immunity Sparkling Lemonade: Flavored with elderberry and cascara extract, these sparkling drinks also contain an excellent source of Vitamins C & D to brighten your day.

Flavored with elderberry and cascara extract, these sparkling drinks also contain an excellent source of Vitamins C & D to brighten your day. Sparkling Citrus Immunity Black Tea: This bubbly pick-me-up blends bold black tea, a zesty splash of citrus, and is high in Vitamins C & D  a delicious way to stay energized and feel your best.

"With Gen Z giving rise to trends like protein coffee or 'proffee,' our Vitality Menu is a game-changing way to fuel the new year," said Kristina Roach, Senior Director of Brand Marketing at Peet's Coffee. "We've found a way to combine the energizing power of coffee with the lasting benefits of protein and Vitamins C & D to keep your spirits strong  without sacrificing flavor."

Peet's winter offerings get even better with two standout additions. The first is the fan-favorite Everything Plant-Based Sandwich, revamped with stacks of savory Impossible Sausage, fluffy JUST Egg, and melty vegan cheddar between a perfectly seasoned everything bagel thin. Also joining the lineup is the beloved Ethiopian Super Natural blend, celebrated for over 20 years for its vibrant notes of wild blueberries, white flower, and candied citron sweetness.

Can't make it to one of Peet's coffeebars? With versatile favorites like Ultra Coffee Concentrate or the vibrant blends of the Bright Collection , you can easily create your own barista-style beverages. Simply add your preferred protein shake to the finished product and enjoy a 'proffee' right from your kitchen!

Peet's new menu is available now at coffeebars nationwide, and on January 10-12, you can snag 50% off a second drink*. Additionally, keep an eye out for other exciting products that'll be hitting stores as part of the launch, like Ripple Kids On-The-Go Plant-Based Chocolate Milk and poppi Soda in Strawberry Lemon Soda & Raspberry Rose flavors.

*Buy one Winter Limited Time Offer Beverage (Vanilla Latte with Protein, Golden Latte with Protein, Matcha Latte with Protein, Sparkling Citrus Immunity, Sparkling Golden Immunity) and get one Winter Limited Time Offer Beverage of equal or lesser value for 50% off price. Offer valid from 01/10/25 - 01/12/25 at participating Peet's retail coffeebar locations only, and excludes peets.com purchases, Peet's locations within airports, supermarkets, and other licensed locations. Peet's reserves the right to modify or terminate this offer at any time without notice. Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. Not valid on prior purchases.

About Peet's Coffee

Peet's is Coffee for Coffee People. Founded in Berkeley, California in 1966 by Alfred Peet, the "Big Bang of coffee," Peet's Coffee pioneered the artisan movement in the U.S. With rich, complex, superior quality roasts unlike anything Americans ever tasted before, Peet's influenced generations of coffee entrepreneurs and connoisseurs. Today, Alfred Peet's legacy lives on in every Peet's cup whether ordered online, selected at a grocery store or served in any one of the more than 465 Peet's Coffee locations in the U.S., China and the Middle East. Peet's Coffee works with Enveritas to responsibly source its coffee per Enveritas standards. For more information, visit www.peets.com . Stay connected to Peet's: @peetscoffee on X , Instagram and Facebook .

SOURCE PEET'S COFFEE INC.
The leading fashion resale marketplace empowers consumers to turn non-returnable items into cash, doubling down on commitment to sustainability amid stricter return policies

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. and COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Poshmark, a leading fashion resale marketplace powered by a vibrant community, together with Loop, the leading commerce operations platform for Shopify brands, today announced a first-of-its-kind partnership that addresses a common consumer pain point  missing a return window or attempting to return a final sale item  by offering a sustainable and financially rewarding alternative to recoup expenses. Available to the millions of U.S. shoppers across Loop's network of merchants, this partnership creates a path for consumers to quickly and easily resell non-returnable items on Poshmark, transforming a negative returns experience into a positive one while in turn creating new revenue streams for the merchants. This innovative resale integration is a first for Loop's merchants, marking a significant step forward in the fashion industry's efforts to reduce waste and promote sustainability.

Retailers are grappling with the rising costs and environmental impact of returns, where many have tightened their return policies to mitigate these costs. During the holiday shopping period from November 1 - December 24, online spending grew 6.7% (Mastercard), and the total value of returns between December 26-30 increased 8% year-over-year (Loop). What's more, during those five days alone, there was over $67.6 million of merchandise returned to Loop brands, and listings on Poshmark with "missed return" in the description grew nearly 50%. This surge in activity has amplified the challenges both retailers and consumers face, but has also presented a unique opportunity for innovation to minimize frustration and unnecessary waste.

"At Poshmark, we believe shopping and selling should be simple, social, and sustainable," said Steven Tristan Young, Chief Marketing Officer at Poshmark. "After observing an increase in Poshmark listings mentioning missing the return window, we saw an opportunity to create a sustainable solution. Partnering with a market-leader like Loop allows us to offer resale as an alternative, creating a more convenient experience for both buyers and sellers, putting money back in their wallets, and keeping more items in circulation."

This partnership is another example of how Poshmark is simplifying the resale experience by pioneering new tools to help its community succeed, and comes on the heels of its sellers collectively earning over $8 billion on the platform to date. What's more, this partnership unlocks additional desirable inventory for Poshmark's community to shop from Loop merchants, including Rothy's, one of the most beloved brands on Poshmark.

"In partnership with Loop and Poshmark, we are redefining sustainable shopping," said Dayna Quanbeck, President at Rothy's. "Washable and remarkably durable, Rothy's products are designed to stay in the loop as long as possible. Now with our Poshmark x Loop integration, we're taking a step toward a truly circular fashion economy. By transforming non-returnable items into resale opportunities with just one click, we're empowering our customers to reduce waste and extend the life of their Rothy's. We're proud to be at the forefront of offering practical, sustainable solutions for today's shoppers."

Loop's U.S. merchants interested in enabling this experience for their consumers can do so with a simple click of a button in their Loop account. Once enabled, consumers who are initiating a return through their returns portal will see a "Resell on Poshmark" button next to any items that are not eligible for return. One click produces a complete, pre-filled listing on Poshmark with item details  a strong improvement from the previous experience, where the customer simply faced a dead-end.

"Loop's collaboration with Poshmark exemplifies the future of returns, where ease of use meets sustainability," said Hannah Bravo, CEO of Loop. "Together, we're helping brands and consumers embrace resale as a simple, single-click experience, supporting a thriving circular economy while driving meaningful engagement and value for all."

About Poshmark

Poshmark is a leading fashion resale marketplace powered by a vibrant, highly engaged community of buyers and sellers and real-time social experiences. Designed to make online selling fun, more social and easier than ever, Poshmark empowers its sellers to turn their closet into a thriving business and share their style with the world. Since its founding in 2011, Poshmark has grown its community to over 130 million users and generated over $10 billion in GMV, helping sellers realize billions in earnings, delighting buyers with deals and one-of-a-kind items, and building a more sustainable future for fashion. For more information, please visit www.poshmark.com , and for company news, visit newsroom.poshmark.com .

About Loop

Loop is the leading commerce operations platform optimizing returns, exchanges, and reverse logistics at scale for more than 4,000 of the world's most-loved Shopify brands. Through innovative solutions like Workflows, Instant Exchanges, Shop Now, Bonus Credit, and Offset, Loop helps global brands unlock cost savings, increase customer lifetime value, and retain more revenue. Its enterprise-level service delivery and breadth of integration partners make Loop the most agile and resilient returns solution for any retail brand. Loop has processed over 55 million returns and counting and has helped merchants retain more than $2 billion in revenue over the past five years. Learn more at www.loopreturns.com .

Media Contacts

Poshmark: [email protected]

Loop: [email protected]

SOURCE Poshmark, Inc.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Emily Wilkins, president of the National Press Club, issued the following statement on the wrongful detention of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala in Iran:

Cecilia Sala is free. The National Press Club celebrates her release from unjust detention in Iran and her safe return to Italy. Sala's ordeal was a brazen attack on press freedom and a reminder of the extraordinary risks journalists face to bring the truth to light. Her freedom is a victory for journalism and for all who stand against the silencing of the press.

While we are relieved Sala is no longer enduring the cruel conditions of Evin prison, her detention remains an unacceptable stain on Iran's human rights record. Sala, a fearless journalist, was on an approved reporting trip, adhering to all regulations required for journalists working in the country. Yet, she was subjected to arbitrary detention, held in solitary confinement in violation of UN standards, and deprived of her basic rights.

We condemn the Iranian government's continued targeting of journalists and reiterate a simple, unequivocal truth: journalism is not a crime. No journalist should face imprisonment, intimidation, or inhumane treatment for pursuing the truth.

Sala's release is not the end of the fight. Many journalists remain imprisoned in Iran and around the world, often facing unspeakable conditions for their commitment to exposing the truth. We call on governments and global leaders to demand the release of all detained journalists and to hold oppressive regimes accountable for their attempts to silence the press.

The National Press Club stands resolute in its mission to defend press freedom and protect journalists everywhere. We cheer Cecilia Sala's return home, but we will not rest until the fundamental rights of all journalists are respected.

About the National Press Club

Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world's leading professional organization for journalists. The Club has more than 2,500 members representing nearly every major journalism organization. The Club and its Center for Press Freedom are leading voices for press freedom matters in the U.S. and worldwide.

Contact: Bill McCarren, 202-662-7534, [email protected] for the Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club

SOURCE National Press Club
Leading IR Ops software company recognized for having North America's 'Customer Service Team of the Year'  showcasing how Q4 helps drive investor relations success

TORONTO, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Q4 Inc., the leading provider of IR Ops software , today announced it is a gold (highest-level) winner in Best in Biz Awards . The company's Web Content Services (WCS) team was honored as North America's " Customer Service Team of the Year ." This recognition highlights Q4's unwavering commitment to excellent customer experiences and support  as it helps investor relations (IR) professionals improve productivity, strengthen investor relationships, and drive premium valuations for their companies.

Best in Biz Awards 2024 gold winner logo

Best in Biz Awards is the only independent business awards program judged each year by prominent editors and reporters from top-tier North American publications. The 2024 judging panel included, among others, writers and contributors at Barron's, Los Angeles Times, Chemical & Engineering News, Computerworld, Healthcare Innovation News, Travel Weekly and Wired.

Q4's award-winning team and technology

Q4's WCS team plays a critical role in helping Q4 customers execute their IR programs, update their IR websites, and manage the quarterly earnings process, all within the Q4 Platform .

Underpinned by secure AI , Q4's single, powerful platform for investor relations includes industry-leading tools for IR websites , virtual events , an IR CRM , surveillance , engagement analytics and more. Some of the world's biggest brands  including McDonald's, Walmart, Visa, Netflix, Spotify and many more, including half of the S&P 500  rely on Q4 to manage the entire earnings lifecycle, increase IR efficiency, reduce program execution risk, and improve IR performance outcomes.

Q4's win in Best in Biz Awards comes on the heels of other recent honors and milestones for the company. The WCS team also earned a Stevie Award for "Customer Service Team of the Year" in the 2024 International Business Awards, and Q4 was named "Best Tech-Driven Capital Markets Platform" by U.K.-based Global Brands Magazine.

"This Best in Biz Awards win  on top of frequent recognition for Q4's team and technology  emphasizes our commitment to innovating for success and consistently delivering exceptional experiences for our customers," said Darrell Heaps, Q4 founder and CEO. "As companies aim to simplify earnings, understand shareholder trends, and surface new investor opportunities, we're here with the data, insights and workflows they need to excel."

According to Best in Biz Awards: "What sets our winning companies apart is not just their growth numbers, patents, or outside validation of their strength. A true sign of a Best in Biz Awards winner is the positive impact they have in the world  the benefits they bring start with their employees, impact their clients, and fill the local and global communities they operate in."

For more information about Q4's high-impact technology and team, please visit www.q4inc.com .

About Q4 Inc.

Q4 Inc. is the leading provider of IR Ops software with the world's largest set of proprietary investor data, purpose-built to remove obstacles between public companies and their investors. Q4 gives investor relations leaders, C-suite executives, and their teams the tools to attract, manage, and understand investors  all in one place. The AI-enabled Q4 Platform boasts applications for website and event management, engagement analytics, and overall lifecycle management, including AI Earnings Co-Pilot to generate draft scripts based on historical data, and AI earnings call summaries to understand peer sentiment. The Q4 Platform also includes a streamlined investor CRM and shareholder intelligence with enhanced metrics to elevate investor targeting strategies. Q4 delivers the data, insights, and workflows that give IR teams the power to focus on what really matters: strategy, relationships, and driving premium valuations for their companies.

Headquartered in Toronto, with an office in London, Q4 is a trusted partner to more than 2,600 public companies globally, including many of the most respected brands in the world. The company maintains an award-winning culture where team members grow and thrive. Learn more at www.q4inc.com .

SOURCE Q4
Cafua Management Leads Expansion with 20 New Restaurants in New Hampshire and Rhode Island

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- QDOBA , America's #2 restaurant brand in the Mexican fast-casual category, is starting 2025 with several new franchise development agreements to expand its footprint in key U.S. markets. Among these is a significant deal with APR Island Management/Cafua Management, led by Mark, David, and Greg Cafua alongside Ricardo Gonzalez. As the largest Dunkin' franchisee in the U.S., Cafua Management has committed to developing 20 restaurants in New Hampshire and Rhode Island, building on their 2024 agreement to develop five restaurants in Pennsylvania.

"After more than 40 years in the quick-service industry, we chose to invest in the fast-casual market, and QDOBA stood out for its fresh, customizable meals and loyal customer base," shared Mark Cafua, QDOBA Franchise Owner with Cafua Management. "QDOBA's strong track record, exceptional franchisee support, and scalability made it the right fit. Ultimately, it was the passion of the people  both guests and employees  that truly convinced us. We're excited to join QDOBA and contribute to its growing success."

This announcement builds off the recent momentum shared at the end of 2024, where QDOBA celebrated 16 consecutive quarters of positive same-store sales and 22 new franchise signings nationwide, bringing its total franchise commitments to more than 450 future restaurants. Among these agreements is a significant deal with Q Eats LLC, an experienced multi-unit franchisee, who has signed on for 15 restaurants across Greater Houston with more opportunities available in the market.

Additional new franchise agreements highlight QDOBA's momentum and its ability to attract experienced operators nationwidemost of whom are new to the system:

Jay and Ahmad Jabbar, with an entrepreneurial background in other related multi-unit franchising businesses, have signed on for five new restaurants in New Orleans , expanding the brand's presence in Louisiana .

with an entrepreneurial background in other related multi-unit franchising businesses, have signed on for five new restaurants in , expanding the brand's presence in . Equipped with over a decade of experience, Spork Restaurant Holdings has committed to bringing 12 restaurants in Kansas City and surrounding counties in Missouri .

has committed to bringing 12 restaurants in and surrounding counties in . Lifelong Chicago resident with over 35 years of QSR experience, Holy Moley Guacamole, LLC has committed to build fifteen new restaurants in Lake and DuPage counties throughout Illinois .

resident with over 35 years of QSR experience, has committed to build fifteen new restaurants in and counties throughout . Led by seasoned group Boost Enterprises with a combined 40 years of experience in QSR, Savannah, Georgia expects to be home to eight new QDOBA restaurants soon.

with a combined 40 years of experience in QSR, expects to be home to eight new QDOBA restaurants soon. Existing QDOBA franchisees are continuing to invest in the brand, demonstrating confidence in its growth potential. OM Group , a major Dunkin' and Wingstop franchisee, recently expanded its development agreement, adding six more units in Cleveland and Toledo . Other franchisees making additional commitments include QDOBA Cincinnati , adding three restaurants in Ohio ; Goraya , committing to three restaurants in Baltimore, Maryland ; Patel , adding one restaurant in Fort Morgan, Colorado ; and Golden Maize Restaurants, LLC , signing for four new locations in Connecticut .

, a major Dunkin' and Wingstop franchisee, recently expanded its development agreement, adding six more units in and . Other franchisees making additional commitments include , adding three restaurants in ; , committing to three restaurants in ; , adding one restaurant in ; and , signing for four new locations in . On the non-traditional front, multi-unit operator group ELPX Restaurant Group, LLC, with an extensive portfolio of restaurants, plans to expand the QDOBA footprint globally within multiple U.S. military installations beginning in 2025.

"As we kick off 2025, QDOBA's growth has never been stronger," said Jeremy Vitaro, Chief Development Officer at QDOBA. "Strong sales, strategic incentives, and experienced operators reflect the strength of our brand. We're proud to partner with franchisees who share our vision for delivering bold flavors and quality dining experiences to communities nationwide, setting the stage for long-term success."

QDOBA is actively seeking qualified multi-unit franchise operators to help propel development efforts in target markets nationwide, including in and around non-traditional venues like airports, universities, military bases and casinos. For additional information about the QDOBA franchise opportunity and available territories, prospective franchisees can visit www.qdobafranchise.com .

*Franchise sales are subject to applicable laws and regulations. This release is not an offering nor a claim about financial performance of past or potential future financial performance.

About QDOBA Mexican Eats

QDOBA is a fast-casual Mexican restaurant with approximately 800 locations in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. Committed to bringing flavor to people's lives, QDOBA uses ingredients freshly prepared in-house by hand throughout the day to create a variety of flavorful menu options. Guests can experience QDOBA's delicious offerings by customizing their own burritos, bowls, tacos, quesadillas, nachos and salads to suit their personal tastes and cravings. Premium toppings can always be added to entrees at no extra charge, including signature 3-cheese queso and hand-crafted guacamole. For six years running, QDOBA has been voted the "Best Fast Casual Restaurant" as part of the USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards.

Backed by over 25 years of proven success in the United States and, recently, Canada and Puerto Rico, QDOBA is prioritizing franchise growth in key markets such as Alabama, California, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah. Non-traditional opportunities are available nationwide. For additional information about the QDOBA franchise opportunity, visit www.qdobafranchise.com.

Guests can order ahead for pick-up, delivery or catering at QDOBA.com or on the QDOBA app, which is available for download on the iTunes App Store or Google Play . Fans can also connect with QDOBA on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter and TikTok .

MEDIA CONTACT:

Hayden Koone, [email protected]

Fish Consulting

(954) 893-9150

SOURCE QDOBA
On Wednesday, January 8, Ukrainian troops struck the command post of the 8th Guards Combined Arms Army of the Russian Federation in the Donetsk region. The occupants used this building to attack our defenders and civilians.

ADVERTISIMENT

This was reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The command post was located in the city of Khartsyzsk.

"Today, the Armed Forces of Ukraine conducted a precision strike on the command post of the 8th Guards Combined Arms Army of the Russian Federation, which was located in the city of Khartsyzsk, Donetsk region. The Russian occupation forces used this building to coordinate attacks against the Armed Forces of Ukraine and civilians, in particular the residents of Kurakhove," the statement said.

Videos of the strike are being shared on Russian Telegram channels.

According to the General Staff, the Defense Forces took all necessary measures to minimize the risks to civilians.

ADVERTISIMENT

As a reminder, on January 7, our Armed Forces struck at the command post of the Russian occupiers in the Kursk region. As a result of the attack, marines from the 810th Marine Brigade of the Russian Black Sea Fleet were wounded. The command post was located in the area of Belaya settlement, the district center of the Belovsky district of the Kursk region of the Russian Federation.

As OBOZ.UA reported, on December 25, the Defense Forces launched a missile attack on Lgov, Kursk region of the Russian Federation. The building of a sugar factory, where the Russian military were stationed, was attacked. After the attack on the 810th Brigade's air defense unit, the enemy suffered losses of officers.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
WASHINGTON, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Rare Disease Diversity Coalition (RDDC) has released a new white paper, Health Equity for People Living with PNH: Creating a Level Playing Field, offering critical insights and recommendations to improve care equity and accessibility for individuals living with Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH), an ultra-rare blood disorder.

PNH, which affects only 0.5 to 1.5 people per million, poses significant challenges for timely diagnosis, specialized care, and effective treatment due to its rarity. These barriers are further compounded by existing healthcare disparities for minority and marginalized communities, including Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA+ individuals, rural residents, immigrants, and those with limited English proficiency or incomes below the federal poverty level.

The report, developed by the PNH Health Equity Steering Committeea collaboration of patient advocates, healthcare professionals, caregivers, and stakeholdersexamines systemic inequities that create disparities throughout the care journey. By building an understanding of diagnosis, financial strain, and access to care, the report provides a clear pathway to building more equitable care models and the roles of healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies, insurers, patient advocacy organizations, and policymakers.

Key Findings and Recommendations from the Report

The white paper identifies significant barriers to care for people living with PNH and proposes targeted solutions to address these inequities:

Enhancing the patient and caregiver experience by prioritizing shared decision-making and personalized care.





by prioritizing shared decision-making and personalized care. Improving access to FDA-approved treatments to ensure patients receive the best available care while expanding provider access to necessary specialists.





to ensure patients receive the best available care while expanding provider access to necessary specialists. Reducing financial barriers that prevent many from accessing essential services through partnerships with stakeholders across care settings as well as pharmaceutical companies and non-profit organizations.





that prevent many from accessing essential services through partnerships with stakeholders across care settings as well as pharmaceutical companies and non-profit organizations. Integrating cultural competency and gender diversity in care to meet the needs of diverse patient populations and create an inclusive care approach to reduce the potential for bias.





to meet the needs of diverse patient populations and create an inclusive care approach to reduce the potential for bias. Expanding telehealth services to overcome geographical and logistical hurdles, paired with increased mobile clinics and Internet access subsidies.





to overcome geographical and logistical hurdles, paired with increased mobile clinics and Internet access subsidies. Promoting diversity in clinical research to improve outcomes for underrepresented groups, including methods to engage more communities in clinical trial design.





to improve outcomes for underrepresented groups, including methods to engage more communities in clinical trial design. Focusing on quality-of-life metrics to help patients tackle symptoms such as severe pain and persistent fatigue, which can have compounding impacts on daily life.

"These recommendations aim to eliminate disparities and create a more equitable healthcare landscape for all PNH patients," said Jenifer Waldrop, Executive Director, RDDC. "By addressing socioeconomic, systemic, and geographical barriers, we can make meaningful progress toward health equity for PNH patients and the rare disease community as a whole. We believe this work can help us better understand and address the challenges people face with rare diseases, many of which start before a diagnosis is found."

The Path Forward

The RDDC envisions a future where every patientregardless of race, ethnicity, gender, income, or locationcan access timely, effective, and compassionate care. This report lays the groundwork for actionable steps to achieve that vision and serves as a call to action for stakeholders across the healthcare system. Every patient, doctor, healthcare setting, and partner has a role to play in improving care for those with PNH and other ultra-rare diseases.

For more information or to download the full report, click here .

Media Contact:

Monique Jackson

[email protected]

About the Black Women's Health Imperative (BWHI)

BWHI is a national non-profit organization dedicated to advancing health equity and social justice for Black women across the lifespan through policy, advocacy, education, research, and leadership development. The organization identifies the most pressing health issues that affect the nation's 22 million Black women and girls and invests in the best strategies and organizations to accomplish its goals. You can find more information about BWHI at bwhi.org.

The Rare Disease Diversity Coalition TM (RDDC)

RDDC is an initiative launched by BWHI to address the extraordinary challenges faced by historically underrepresented populations with rare diseases. RDDC brings together rare disease experts, health and diversity advocates, and industry leaders to identify and advocate for evidence-based solutions to reduce racial disparities in the rare disease community. Learn more at rarediseasediversity.org.

About Links2Equity

Links2Equity is a mission-driven patient advocacy consulting firm that gives patients and families, advocacy professionals, and other healthcare stakeholders a voice. With over twenty-five years of experience in patient advocacy and government affairs, Links2Equity aims to empower healthcare stakeholders to shape a more equitable healthcare system. The firm provides strategic consulting services to support patient advocacy and health equity efforts for all disease states and underrepresented communities. By uniting healthcare stakeholders and underrepresented patient populations, Links2Equity builds strong relationships and fosters collaborative dialogue to deliver a better patient experience and minimize health disparities.

Learn more at Links2Equity.com.

SOURCE Black Women's Health Imperative
STOCKHOLM, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Capital Markets Day will be held on May 20-21, 2025, from midday to midday, at Sandvik Manufacturing and Machining Solutions' site, in Gimo, Sweden.

The agenda will include presentations by the CEO, CFO, and business area management as well as a site tour.

The Capital Markets Day provides an opportunity for institutional investors, financial analysts, and financial media to get an update on Sandvik's strategy and development.

More information and link to registration will be communicated in February.

Stockholm, January 8, 2025 Sandvik AB

For further information, contact Louise Tjeder, VP Investor relations, phone: +46 (0) 70782 6374 or Johannes Hellstrom, Press and Media Relations Manager, phone: +46 (0) 70721 1008

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/sandvik/r/reminder-to-save-the-date--sandvik-capital-markets-day--may-20-21--2025,c4088940

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/208/4088940/3196167.pdf Reminder to Save the date - Sandvik Capital Markets Day 20-21 May 2025

SOURCE Sandvik
SHENZHEN, China, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ROE Visual is thrilled to announce the relocation of its manufacturing and head offices to a new state-of-the-art facility in Pingshan, one of Shenzhen's premier manufacturing hubs. This strategic move consolidates all operations, including sales, production, and R&D, under one roof, enhancing efficiency and underscoring the company's remarkable growth and commitment to excellence.

The new facility, located in a dedicated industrial park, features a manufacturing area 20% larger than the previous Daya Bay site, with double the dust-free workshop space. The upgraded production lines are designed for efficiency and precision, including partially automated processes, specialized SMT lines, and real-time production monitoring systems. These advancements enable faster turnaround times, consistent product quality, and tailored manufacturing solutions.

The new headquarters features two impressive showroomsa main showroom and a dedicated fixed installation showroomoffering clients an immersive space to explore ROE Visual's cutting-edge LED solutions. These spaces showcase top-performing products and the latest innovations across diverse markets.

Sustainability was a key focus in designing the new facility. Solar panels generate approximately 600,000 kWh annually, significantly reducing the building's carbon footprint. The facility includes advanced exhaust treatment systems, improved ventilation, and collaborative waste management processes to handle household, industrial, and hazardous waste. Much of the furniture was repurposed to promote resource efficiency and environmental responsibility.

"The opening of ROE Visual's new headquarters is a testament to our relentless pursuit of excellence and the remarkable growth we've achieved over the past 18 years," said Jason Lu, General Manager of ROE Visual. "This move represents a significant milestone, reflecting our team's dedication, our partners' trust, and our clients' support. This strategic relocation strengthens our ability to deliver professional services, enhance quality control, and ensure the reliability of our products. Our new facility embodies our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and collaboration. We look forward to embracing future opportunities and setting new industry standards."

This move marks a new chapter in ROE Visual's history, reinforcing its position as a global leader in LED display solutions.

About ROE Visual:

ROE Visual delivers cutting-edge LED display solution that empowers creatives, designers, and technical professionals worldwide to bring their visions to life. With headquarters in China and a robust network of regional offices, ROE Visual provides expert knowledge, personalized service, and comprehensive global support. For more information, please visit www.roevisual.com.

SOURCE ROE Visual
VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Scope Technologies Corp. (CSE: SCPE) (OTCQB: SCPCF) (FSE: VN8) ("Scope Technologies" or the "Company") announces that its Quantum Security Entropy (QSE) platform is fully aligned with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) proposed updates to the HIPAA Security Rule. These updates aim to address the rising threats to healthcare data security.

The proposed enhancements, designed to strengthen the protection of electronic protected health information (ePHI), introduce mandatory cybersecurity measures such as multifactor authentication, data encryption, and network segmentation, along with comprehensive documentation of policies and procedures.

QSE Group is proud to announce that its quantum-resilient security solutions fully align with these proposed updates, making it easier for healthcare organizations to meet and exceed the new requirements.

Key elements of the proposed regulations include:

Mandatory Encryption of ePHI to protect against breaches.

to protect against breaches. Advanced Security Controls , such as multifactor authentication and network segmentation.

, such as multifactor authentication and network segmentation. Comprehensive Documentation of security policies, analyses, and procedures.

of security policies, analyses, and procedures. Proactive Threat Mitigation to address the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks.

QSE Group's solutions are designed to address these requirements directly:

Quantum-Resilient Encryption : QSE's use of true entropy ensures unbreakable encryption for current and future threats, safeguarding sensitive ePHI.

: QSE's use of true entropy ensures unbreakable encryption for current and future threats, safeguarding sensitive ePHI. Immutable Decentralized Cloud Storage : Provides round-trip encryption and distributed architecture, limiting the impact of potential breaches.

: Provides round-trip encryption and distributed architecture, limiting the impact of potential breaches. Seamless Integration : Supports robust access controls, including multifactor authentication, while integrating with existing cybersecurity frameworks.

: Supports robust access controls, including multifactor authentication, while integrating with existing cybersecurity frameworks. Quantum Preparedness Assessments (QPA): Helps healthcare organizations evaluate their compliance readiness, with detailed documentation to meet regulatory standards.

The proposed changes, expected to cost the healthcare industry an estimated $9 billion[1] in the first year, underscore the critical importance of robust cybersecurity measures. By leveraging QSE's scalable and efficient solutions, healthcare providers can achieve compliance without unnecessary operational strain.

"QSE Group's commitment to data security aligns closely with the government's efforts to protect patient information," said Sean Prescott, Founder & CTO of Scope Technologies. "Our solutions are designed to not only meet current standards but also anticipate and address the evolving challenges posed by future quantum threats."

For more information on how QSE's quantum security solutions can help healthcare providers comply with the proposed regulations, visit www.qse.group.

About Scope Technologies Corp

Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Scope Technologies Corp is a pioneering technology company specializing in quantum security and machine learning. Through its flagship brands, QSE Group and GEM AI, Scope provides next-generation solutions in data security, quantum encryption, and neural networks, empowering businesses with secure, scalable technologies that drive growth and operational efficiency.

LinkedIn: scope-technologies-corp

Facebook: Scope Technologies Corp

Twitter: @ScopeTechCorp

Contact Information:

James Young

CEO, Scope Technologies Corp.

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +1 604-416-1720

Website: www.scopetechnologies.io

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements that constitute forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements in this news release that are not purely historical statements of fact are forward-looking statements and include statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, future, strategy, objectives, goals and targets, and more specifically, the use of proceeds of the Offering. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable and reflect expectations of future developments and other factors which management believes to be reasonable and relevant, the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believes", "expects", "aim", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "may", "should", "would", "will", "potential", "scheduled" or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions, which, by their nature, refer to future events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and are based on assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, including, but not limited to, those risks and assumptions described in the Company's latest management discussion and analysis, a copy of which is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. While Scope considers these assumptions to be reasonable, based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. In addition, forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, risks associated with general economic conditions, continued satisfaction of Canadian Securities Exchange requirements, product safety and recalls, regulatory compliance and risks associated with the Company's business. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, unless required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the business of the Company and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release and accepts no responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy hereof.

[1] https://www.reuters.com/technology/cybersecurity/biden-administration-proposes-new-cybersecurity-rules-limit-impact-healthcare-2024-12-27/

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2521783/5104876/Scope_Technologies_Corp_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Scope Technologies Corp.
NEW YORK, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Rentokil Initial plc ("Rentokil" or the "Company") (NYSE: RTO). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

The class action concerns whether Rentokil and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

You have until January 27, 2025 , to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired Rentokil securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On October 12, 2022, Rentokil announced its completed acquisition of rival pest control company Terminix Global Holdings, Inc. ("Terminix") in a transaction valued at $6.7 billion.

On April 18, 2024, Rentokil announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2024, disclosing that organic revenue growth in North America increased by only 1.5% year-over-year, below prior guidance of 2% for the first quarter and 2% to 4% for the full year. During a subsequent conference call to discuss these results, analysts expressed concerns that Rentokil's integration of Terminix may be negatively impacting organic growth in North America, despite assertions by the Company's Chief Executive Officer to the contrary.

On this news, Rentokil's American depository share ("ADS") price fell $2.64 per ADS, or more than 9%, to close at $25.61 per ADS on April 18, 2024.

Then, on September 11, 2024, Rentokil issued an unscheduled "Trading Update," disclosing that the Company now anticipated only 1% organic revenue growth in North America for the second half of 2024, well below the Company's prior guidance, citing "some modest disruption to organic growth from branch integration." During a related conference call held later that day with analysts, Rentokil's management indicated that execution challenges in connection with the Terminix acquisition were negatively impacting the Company's results. UBS analysts subsequently noted that "Rentokil is facing challenges in restructuring its [North American] Pest network post-Terminix while trying to reaccelerate organic growth."

On this news, Rentokil's ADS price fell $6.65 per ADS, or more than 21%, to close at $24.95 per ADS on September 11, 2024.

The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

Danielle Peyton

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

646-581-9980 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
NEW YORK, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Wolfspeed, Inc. ("Wolfspeed" or the "Company") (NYSE: WOLF). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

The class action concerns whether Wolfspeed and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

You have until January 17, 2025 , to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired Wolfspeed securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On November 6, 2024, Wolfspeed announced its financial results for the first quarter of its 2025 fiscal year and provided guidance for the second quarter that fell short of analyst expectations. Despite previously claiming that 20% utilization of the Company's Mohawk Valley fabrication facility would yield $100 million in revenue, Wolfspeed guided to a range 30% to 50% below that mark. Wolfspeed attributed its results and lowered guidance to "demand . . . ramping more slowly than we originally anticipated as "EV customers revise their launch timelines as the market works through this transition period."

On this news, Wolfspeed's stock price fell $5.38 per share, or 39.24%, to close at $8.33 per share on November 7, 2024.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

Danielle Peyton

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

646-581-9980 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- StarCharge, a global leader in electric vehicle (EV) charging and energy solutions, unveiled its groundbreaking new product lineup at CES 2025, redefining standards in sustainable energy technology.

EV CHARGING AND ENERGY STORAGE SOLUTIONS

The spotlight was on the Aries V2 charging dispenser, paired with the Nova power cabinet, engineered for fleet operations and public charging infrastructure. As a pioneer in ultra-fast charging technology, the Aries V2 delivers a remarkable 600kW continuous power output per connector, setting a new benchmark in the industry. The system supports up to 6 dispensers and 12 connectors per system, making it ideal for heavy-duty vehicles and high-power applications while ensuring unmatched efficiency for large-scale operations.

"CES 2025 marks a significant milestone as we showcase innovative solutions that set new benchmarks for sustainability and performance," said Ravindra Nyamati, Director of Solutions at StarCharge.

Aligned with the Buy American, Build America (BABA) policy, StarCharge has established a cutting-edge manufacturing facility in Columbus, Ohio. Spanning 137,000 square feet, it integrates advanced manufacturing and green practices to meet the North American demand for high-quality charging equipment.

Visit StarCharge at LVCC, North Hall, Booth #8749 to explore the following highlights:

Live Demonstrations: Experience the innovative Aries V2 and Nova charging systems in action.

Comprehensive Product Lineup: Discover solutions ranging from 722 kW AC chargers to 180/320/600 kW DC chargers.

Integrated Energy Solutions: Explore interactive energy storage applications for residential and commercial scenarios seamlessly integrated with EV charging. Expert Consultations:

Meet with StarCharge specialists to discuss customized energy management solutions tailored to your needs.

About StarCharge StarCharge is a global leader in EV charging solutions, with over 2 million chargers deployed worldwide. The company delivers cutting-edge charging and energy systems for residential, commercial, and industrial applications, supported by an integrated cloud platform and advanced energy management systems.

For future information, please visit our website: starchargeamericas.com or contact at: [email protected]

SOURCE StarCharge
Industry veteran instrumental in the creation of the U.S. Space Force and former Senior Director at Microsoft will serve as Senior VP of Space Defense to scale the company's product portfolio, business strategy, and mission readiness functions

CENTENNIAL, Colo., Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- True Anomaly Inc., the defense technology company developing advanced space superiority systems, today announced it has hired space industry veteran Stephen Kitay as its Senior Vice President of Space Defense. In this role, Stephen will join the company's leadership team and be responsible for scaling True Anomaly's product portfolio and business strategy, with a focus on enabling the readiness and mission effectiveness of space forces, both on-orbit and across the globe. He will report to True Anomaly's CEO and co-founder, Even Rogers.

"We are at an inflection point in the space defense industry, where the private sector is able to bring a new approach to defense systems development, delivering innovation at the pace required to meet the needs of the warfighter," said Even Rogers, CEO and co-founder of True Anomaly. "Steve is here to help us scale our product portfolio and mission readiness infrastructure, bringing together engineering, product, strategy, and training and testing operations. He's had a unique and impactful role in the industry as a key leader in the creation of the Space Force and shaping the national policies to enable U.S. superiority in space. We're excited to have Steve join us and are grateful for the expertise he will bring to True Anomaly, our partners and customers."

Kitay brings over twenty years of experience in the space and defense sectors and has a proven track record of leadership and innovation. Prior to joining True Anomaly, he was Senior Director of Strategic Ventures and Azure Space at Microsoft, focused on emerging technologies and supporting the space industrial base through cloud-enabled technologies. Prior to joining the private sector, Stephen served in multiple key government positions, including as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy in the Pentagon, as a Professional Staff Member on the Strategic Forces Subcommittee of the House Armed Service Committee, and as a military veteran and intelligence professional to include space systems development at the National Reconnaissance Office. Stephen played a critical role in the creation and stand-up of the U.S. Space Force, and his experience in government and industry will prove invaluable at a time of rapid growth for both True Anomaly and the broader private space sector.

"We are at a critical moment in time in the evolution of activity in space," said Kitay. "The domain has never been more contested, while also providing unmatched opportunity for prosperity and exploration. I was drawn to True Anomaly's mission focus on providing Guardians, national security professionals, allies, and partners with the tools to compete and win, ensuring security and safety of critical assets in space. The company has assembled an unmatched team with a differentiated approach to building a tightly integrated hardware and software platform that leverages innovative technologies including autonomy and AI. I'm thrilled to join the team and make an impact in reshaping space operations for future generations."

This appointment underscores True Anomaly's commitment to hiring foundational experts in the field of space defense and security. The news comes on the heels of True Anomaly's Mission X Flight Test 2 in late December 2024, which saw the successful deployment, command, and control of its Jackal Autonomous Orbital Vehicle (AOV).

If you are interested in joining our mission, check out our open roles across Colorado, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles, CA. To learn more, visit https://www.trueanomaly.space.

About True Anomaly

True Anomaly is building the future of space security and resilience at the intersection of spacecraft, software, and autonomy. Our vision is to enable a secure, stable, and sustainable space environment for the US, Allies, and Partners by designing, building, selling, and fielding the solutions required to achieve space superiority.

Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Centennial, CO, with teams located in Washington D.C. and Los Angeles, CA, True Anomaly is shaping the future of space security. For more information, please visit www.trueanomaly.space or connect with us on LinkedIn.

SOURCE True Anomaly
"As a destination, we continue to explore, elevate, and improve, which further supports the ongoing goal to build upon our commitment to be a premier Caribbean destination," shares Commissioner Joseph Boschulte of the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism.

In 2024, combined airline arrivals at Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas and Henry E. Rohlsen Airport in St. Croix totaled 932,265 passengers. This figure surpassed the previous record set during the COVID-19 pandemic by over 100,000 passengers and represented a 16.5% increase compared to 2023.

The newly released numbers culminate a year of exponential tourism growth for the U.S. Virgin Islands, including a record-breaking month of arrivals in March with 106,026, and the introduction or return of airline routes from American Airlines, Cape Air, Delta Air Lines, Frontier, JetBlue, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country, and United Airlines.

The Territory also experienced a significant boost in cruise passengers, welcoming 1,770,922, resulting in a 9.8% increase compared to 2023. This growth was driven by the maiden voyages of several ships, including Scarlet Lady, Icon of the Seas, Disney Treasure, Explora I, Sun Princess, Explora II, Emerald Azzurra, Celebrity Apex, and Rhapsody of the Seas. The increase in cruise arrivals highlights the ongoing efforts of the Department of Tourism and local partners to strengthen and foster relationships across the industry.

In addition to welcoming more visitors, the territory also received several prestigious industry honors, including:

"As we look to 2025, we will continue to push the creativity of our marketing strategies, which includes advertising, social media, public relations, and partnerships to connect with and keep the U.S. Virgin Islands top of mind for new and returning travelers," adds Commissioner Boschulte.

Commissioner Boschulte and the Department of Tourism team continue to set their sights on an ambitious future, positioning the U.S. Virgin Islands as the premier destination for travelers seeking natural beauty, cultural richness, and warm hospitality.

For more information about the U.S. Virgin Islands, please visit https://www.visitusvi.com/.

About the U.S. Virgin Islands

About 40 miles east of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands comprise a United States territory located in the northeastern Caribbean Sea. The three islands are St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas, where the capital of Charlotte Amalie is located. Perfect for leisure or business travel, the U.S. Virgin Islands features breathtaking, world-renowned beaches, an international marine industry, European architecture, and a burgeoning restaurant industry. No passports are required from U.S. citizens traveling from the U.S. mainland or Puerto Rico. Entry requirements for non-U.S. citizens are equivalent to entering the United States from any international country. Upon departure, a passport is required for non-U.S. citizens. For more information about the United States Virgin Islands, go to www.VisitUSVI.com, follow us @VisitUSVI on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and Pinterest, and @USVITourism on TikTok, X and LinkedIn.

SOURCE U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- XbotPark, a leading startup incubator specializing in robotics and smart hardware, debuted over 30 incubated startups and its supply chain platform at CES 2025. This milestone demonstrates its commitment to supporting hardware innovators, entrepreneurs and startups in realizing their idea from concept to commercialization.

"This marks the first time XbotPark has brought its esteemed incubatees together at CES to demonstrate their cutting-edge smart devices," stated Zexiang Li, founder of XbotPark and professor at HKUST. "XbotPark offers emerging entrepreneurs a full range of resources, including comprehensive mentorship program, robust supply chain solutions, funding and other support to help them thrive."

Embracing a Global Vision From the Beginning

At CES 2025, XbotPark presented a diverse portfolio of groundbreaking projects, reflecting its deep understanding of user needs and the seamless integration of smart technology into daily life. Highlights included:

PETPA Multi-Pet Feeder: A CES 2025 Innovation Award Honoree, revolutionizing feeding time for multi-pet households.

LOOI Robot: Transforming smartphones into desktop robots.

SPARKY: A bionically-inspired robot dog offering flexibility, open-source design, and enhanced play possibilities.

Lissome R1: Utilizing the world's first jet sweeping technology to wash and dry dishes in 15 minutes.

RheoFit A1: The world's first intelligent rolling massage device.

FLY WING: A hyper-realistic cockpit equipped with a movable joystick, attitude indicator, and VR head-tracking technology.

LiberLive: The world's first stringless smart guitar.

Roamate: The world's lightest multifunctional mobility aid.

A History of Success

Since its founding in 2014, XbotPark has successfully incubated over 80 companies, including six unicorns valued at $1 billion or more, such as NARWAL, HAI ROBOTICS, CiDi, EcoFlow.

"Historically, Chinese products prioritized the domestic market before global expansion. Today, our startups are designing products for global audience from the very beginning, incorporating a deep understanding of regional consumer needs," explained XbotPark founder, Professor Zexiang Li. He emphasized the significance of CES as a platform for startups: "While Narwal and EcoFlow were already well-known in China, CES played a crucial role in their global recognition. This year, we are empowering more startups to leverage CES to connect with customers, gain media exposure, and propel themselves to the forefront of their industries."

Removing Barriers to Turn Dreams into Reality

XbotPark has cultivated a robust ecosystem designed to empower early-stage entrepreneurs to overcome the key challenges of "product definition" and "mass production" in their entrepreneurial journeys.

Leveraging its network of bases across China, XbotPark offers mentorship programs to guide early-stage founders in developing user-oriented mindsets, refining product definitions, and strategizing development and prototyping.

In addition, XbotPark offers XCM (XbotPark Collaborative Manufacture), a one-stop manufacturing solution powered by a network of over 100 supply chain partners.

"XbotPark empowers startups to develop truly original products that often define entirely new categories, pushing the boundaries of technological complexity," said Professor Zexiang Li. "This commitment to innovation requires a robust support infrastructure, such as XCM, which helps startups overcome manufacturing hurdles. At CES 2025, we look forward to connecting with international partners who can benefit from these valuable resources."

XCM has empowered over 50 startups to ship a total of 260,000 units, maintaining a 100% on-time delivery rate for crowdfunded projects and significantly accelerating their product development cycles.

For example, LiberLive's success exemplifies how XCM can help startups scale rapidly. By utilizing XCM's resources, LiberLive rapidly scaled production from a few hundred to tens of thousands of units, capturing a key market opportunity.

XbotPark's presence at CES 2025 exemplifies its commitment to removing barriers and turning dreams into reality for hardware innovators worldwide. By providing comprehensive support and a global platform, XbotPark is empowering the next generation of technology leaders.

XbotPark at CES 2025:

XbotPark and its incubator companies are located at:

Venetian Expo, Hall G  63518

The XbotPark Collaborative Manufacture (XCM) exhibit is located at:

LVCC, South Hall 3  41026

About XbotPark

Since its founding in 2014, XbotPark has been a global force in incubating robotics and smart hardware startups. With a proven track record of incubating over 80 companiesincluding six unicorns such as NARWAL, HAI ROBOTICS, CiDi, and EcoFlowXbotPark provides the resources and guidance startups need to scale from concept to mass production.

Learn more: XbotPark.com .

SOURCE XbotPark
The name of another Russian officer who was killed as a result of a Defense Forces strike on Russian troops in the Kursk region has been revealed. On December 30, 35-year-old Major Ali Tsurov from Ingushetia was killed in Lgov, which was hit by Ukrainian troops with Storm Shadow missiles.

ADVERTISIMENT

He was the deputy chief of staff of the 104th Air Assault Regiment of the 76th Division, stationed in the Pskov region of the Russian Federation. This was reported by blogger Necro Mancer.

"The deputy chief of staff of the 104th Brigade, Major Tsurov Ali Huseynovich, born in 1989 from Ingushetia, always made the right decisions, especially on December 30, 2024, when he entered the Lgov bunker on time," he wrote.

The news of Tsurov's liquidation became known after he was buried on January 5 in his small homeland, Ingushetia. The death of the occupier was confirmed by the government of this republic within the Russian Federation. However, they did not specify the circumstances and place of liquidation of the Russian major, limiting themselves to a vague statement about "death during a special military operation."

ADVERTISIMENT

"He (Tsurov  Ed.) remained in the army after his military service, signing a contract. Ali is survived by his wife and son," local media wrote.

Tsurov served in the 104th Air Assault Regiment of the 76th Pskov Division. Earlier, two more occupants from the same division were identified as killed in Luhansk: Lieutenant Colonels Valeriy Tereshchenko and Pavel Maletsky. The former was the head of a communications battalion, the latter commanded an engineering battalion.

ADVERTISIMENT

At the same time, there was information about the possible elimination in Lgov of another war criminal from the ranks of the Russian army, Colonel Oleg Timoshin, who was directly responsible for the deaths of dozens of Ukrainians. It was he who organized the attacks on the shopping center in Kremenchuk and the high-rise building in Dnipro. However, there is no official confirmation of the elimination of Putin's killer.

As a reminder, on December 30, Russia complained about explosions in the city of Lgov in the Kursk region. They published footage of "cotton" and claimed that there were arrivals at the location of Russian troops. The interim governor of the Kursk region, Alexander Khinstein, announced another shelling and blamed it on Ukraine.

Subsequently, data surfaced on the results of the attack on Lgov in the Kursk region. Russian media outlet Astra cited sources as saying that at least six Storm Shadow missiles attacked the Russian occupiers' location in the city. At least eight invaders were killed and 22 wounded.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Xizang quake kills 126, all-out rescue effort underway

Xinhua) 08:09, January 08, 2025

Earthquake-affected residents cook dinner in a tent at a village in Xigaze, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Jan. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Jiang Fan)

LHASA, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- A total of 126 people have been confirmed dead and 188 others injured after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region on Tuesday morning, toppling thousands of rural houses on the northern slope of the Himalayas.

The earthquake struck at 9:05 a.m. (Beijing Time), with the epicenter located in Tsogo Township, Dingri County, in the city of Xigaze. There are 27 villages and approximately 6,900 people within a 20-km radius of the epicenter.

A preliminary survey shows 3,609 houses have collapsed, said the city government of Xigaze, adding that 407 trapped people have been rescued and over 30,000 affected residents have been relocated.

The search for trapped victims is ongoing. Rescuers are also racing against time to set up tents for relocated residents in an area where temperatures are forecast to drop to minus 17 degrees Celsius.

In Tsogo Township at the epicenter and the worst-hit Chamco Township, Xinhua correspondents saw many toppled houses and residents staying in open spaces for safety.

"The first shock wave struck before dawn, and it made lights and furniture shake," said 49-year-old Pasang Tsering, a villager from Metog Village in Tsogo. "Then came a second and stronger one, so I dashed outside immediately," he recounted to Xinhua.

"I've never seen an earthquake this big before," another villager named Pasang said while clearing house debris. "We're now most concerned with where to spend the night. The village has some spare tents, and officials said more are on the way."

Tsering Phuntsog, Party chief of Gurum Village in Chamco, lost his 74-year-old mother, and several other family members remained buried in debris. The village with 222 residents reported 22 deaths, including 11 children, he said, adding that all the houses in the village were damaged.

"Even young people couldn't run out of the houses when the earthquake hit, let alone old people and children," said Tsering Phuntsog.

Rescuers work at a village in Dingri County in Xigaze, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Jan. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

ALL-OUT RESCUE EFFORT

China's response to strong earthquakes usually features a massive mobilization, with national, provincial and local governments deploying rescuers and funds to the quake-hit area.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday ordered all-out rescue efforts to save lives and minimize casualties. Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing has led a team to the quake site to guide the rescue and relief efforts.

China's central authorities have dispatched some 22,000 disaster relief items to the quake-hit region, including cotton tents, winter coats, quilts and folding beds, together with special relief materials for high-altitude and frigid areas.

The earthquake emergency response in Xizang has been raised to level I, the highest one, the region's emergency command center announced on Tuesday.

The region has deployed more than 12,000 rescuers, including fire fighters, soldiers, police officers and professional rescuers, to the quake site.

The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Emergency Management said they allocated 100 million yuan (about 13.9 million U.S. dollars) to support disaster relief efforts in Xizang. The National Development and Reform Commission also allocated 100 million yuan to support post-disaster emergency recovery.

The Red Cross Society of China has initiated an emergency response to send 4,600 items of relief supplies to the quake-affected areas, including cotton tents, quilts, insulated jackets and folding beds.

Xinhua reporters in Gurum Village said the resettlement site, located in the farmland next to the village, has set up 15 tents, which can accommodate all the affected people and have sufficient quilts, food and water.

As of 6:08 p.m., telecommunications had resumed in the three hard-hit townships near the epicenter, said the Xizang branch of China Mobile.

A staff member repairs electrical facilities at a village in Dingri County in Xigaze, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Jan. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

WHERE IS DINGRI?

The county of Dingri has a population of over 61,000 and is one of the most populous border counties in Xizang.

It lies on the northern slope of the Himalayas, bordering Nepal to the south. With an average altitude of 4,500 meters, Dingri is home to the northern base camp of Mount Qomolangma, the world's highest peak.

The Mount Qomolangma scenic area has been temporarily closed, and tourists and staff members are in a safe condition, according to the Dingri Culture and Tourism Bureau.

No damage has been reported so far in Tashilhunpo Monastery, Panchen Rinpoche's traditional seat, in the city of Xigaze, where the tremor was felt.

According to the weather forecast, Dingri will experience mostly sunny weather over the next three days, with the temperature ranging between minus 17 and 8 degrees Celsius.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
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Updates keep coming in on the New Year's Day terrorist attack on Bourbon Street, but one detail thus far is especially disturbing and serves as a wake up call to cities across the country.

Normally, bollards are part of a protective infrastructure preventing vehicles from entering areas crowded with pedestrians.

They weren't there in the early hours of New Year's Day when a man, since identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, allegedly drove a Ford pickup truck into a crowd of people, killing at least 14 and injuring 30 more.

After a firefight with law enforcement, the suspect was pronounced dead.

Where were the bollards installed in 2017 to prevent terrorist attacks? In the process of being replaced, Nola.com reported.

"Eventually everybody realized the need to replace them. They're in the process of doing that, but the new ones are not yet operational," said French Quarter Management District head Bob Simms.

Simms said the old barrier at the crosswalk of Canal and Bourbon streets was removed a few weeks ago. Equipment for a replacement is in place, he said.

"They're doing it in time for the Super Bowl," Simms said. "It's ironic in a way."

It's not "ironic," it's a travesty, a dropped ball on security that cost people's lives.

Two witnesses said that they were surprised to see the barricades were not up during the New Year's festivities.

"Those barricades were not up, period," Jimmy Cothran, a New Orleans resident, told CNN. "They had the flimsy orange ones that you could just push over with your finger. We actually thought it was kind of odd."

Whoever was in charge of securing Bourbon Street should have thought it odd, too, and drawn attention to the lapse. The lesson here is that security is not just the presence of law enforcement, surveillance and similar pre-event precautions. It's preparing for all eventualities, like a car plowing down pedestrians with nothing in place to stop him.

This isn't an isolated incident.

Last month in Germany, a 50-year-old man was charged with multiple counts of murder and attempted murder after police said he plowed a car through crowds at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, killing five people and injuring scores, according to reports.

A Wisconsin man was convicted in 2022 of killing six people and injuring dozens when he drove his SUV into a Christmas parade near Milwaukee in November 2021.

There are other examples, sadly. The U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency calls vehicle attacks "a significant threat" in the U.S. and provides a "Vehicle Incident Prevention and Mitigation Security Guide."

Did anyone in New Orleans read it?

The story out of Bourbon Street gets worse. According to the FBI, an ISIS flag was located in the vehicle, and the agency is working to determine the subject's potential associations and affiliations with terrorist organizations.

To those who chanted "Death to America" as they protested in campuses and in the streets last year, this is what it looks like.

There have been warnings for years that "ISIS is here." It's time for everyone, from municipal officials in charge of keeping streets secure during a big event to government leaders to take it seriously.

(COMMENT, BELOW)
A draft resolution recognizing Russia's actions during its full-scale invasion of Ukraine as an act of genocide has been registered in the United States Congress. The draft was authored by a group that included representatives of the Republican and Democratic parties.

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This was announced by the Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States Oksana Markarova. She noted that the document was created by 14 American lawmakers, and this is its reintroduction to the House of Representatives of the US Congress.

"We thank the congressmen for introducing this important resolution! All crimes committed by Russia must be reflected in U.S. law to ensure that Russian criminals are punished and to prevent such heinous crimes in the future," Markarova said.

"To recognize Russia's actions in Ukraine as genocide, as the illegal, deliberate, unprovoked and brutal war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine includes large-scale, systematic and egregious atrocities against the people of Ukraine," the document reads in its first lines.

In general, the resolution states that "Russian attacks on civilians, direct attacks on maternity homes and hospitals, and the forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of citizens, including children, meet the criteria of Article II of the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide."

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The resolution not only condemns the Russian Federation for committing acts of genocide against the Ukrainian people but also calls on the United States "to work with NATO and the EU to prevent further acts of Russian genocide." The document also calls for the need to bring "Russian political and military leaders to justice" through tribunals and international criminal investigations.

This resolution was first presented to the previous Congress of the 118th convocation in February 2023.

"The list of Russian war crimes is growing every day, and only a decisive rebuff to aggression through (the provision of) weapons for Ukraine and sanctions for Russia can stop this genocide against the Ukrainian people," Markarova added.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called on all countries that have not yet done so to recognize the Holodomor as genocide of the Ukrainian people. Only by knowing why the communist regime previously resorted to genocide of the Ukrainian people can we understand the true motives of the war that Russia is now waging against Ukraine, the diplomat said.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
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New Delhi, Jan 8 : V. Narayanan has been appointed as the next chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Secretary of the Department of Space, according to an official announcement made on Tuesday. He is set to take over from the current ISRO chief, S. Somnath, on January 14.

New Delhi, Jan 8 (IANS) V. Narayanan has been appointed as the next chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Secretary of the Department of Space, according to an official announcement made on Tuesday. He is set to take over from the current ISRO chief, S. Somnath, on January 14.

A distinguished scientist at ISRO, Narayanan currently serves as the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Valiamala, Kerala.

With nearly four decades of experience in the Indian space programme, Narayanan has held several important roles within ISRO.

His expertise primarily focuses on rocket and spacecraft propulsion.

According to an official order from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, Narayanan has been appointed to serve in these roles for the next two years, until further notice.

An official order from the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Personnel and Training states, "The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of V. Narayanan, Director, Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, Valiamala, as Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman, Space Commission, for a period of two years from January 14, 2025, or until further orders, whichever is earlier."

He is a Rocket and Space Craft Propulsion Expert and joined ISRO in 1984 and functioned in various capacities before becoming Director of LPSC.

The Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, which Narayanan heads, is engaged in the development of liquid, semi-cryogenic and cryogenic propulsion stages for launch vehicles, chemical and electric propulsion systems for satellites, control systems for launch vehicles, and transducers development for space systems health monitoring.

He is also the Chairman of the Project Management Council-Space Transportation System (PMC-STS), the decision-making body in all launch vehicle projects and programmes, and the Chairman of the National Level Human Rated Certification Board (HRCB) for Gaganyaan, India's planned human spaceflight mission.

During the initial phase, he worked in the Solid Propulsion area of Sounding Rockets and Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV) and Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).

He further contributed to the process planning, process control and realisation of Ablative nozzle systems, composite motor cases and composite Igniter cases.

At present, Narayanan is the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), one of the major Centres of the ISRO having its headquarters at Valiamala in Thiruvananthapuram, with a unit at Bangalore.

Having studied in Tamil-medium schools, Narayanan completed his M.Tech in Cryogenic Engineering and PhD in Aerospace Engineering from IIT, Kharagpur, where he was awarded a Silver Medal for achieving the first rank in the M Tech programme. The rocket and spacecraft propulsion expert joined ISRO in 1984 and rose through the ranks to become the director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre in 2018.

S Somanath took over as the ISRO Chief in January 2022 and it was under him that India became the first country in the world to land a rover in the South Pole region of the Moon. It also joined an elite club of countries to achieve a soft landing on the Moon, after the US, Russia, and China.
Seth Abramson, an American biographer of Elon Musk, has expressed concern about the mental state of the world's richest man and called on Donald Trump to distance himself from him. Abramson, who has been studying Musk's life for years, said that the billionaire is deeply ill, he could go crazy and become a serious threat to the world because he influences global processes.

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The Daily Beast writes about this. The publication cites Abramson's statement on the social network X.

In his post, the biographer said that Musk may be "losing his mind" amid growing stress, a history of mental problems, and a heavy drug past.

"It is not unreasonable to believe that Elon Musk may be losing his mind. I'm Musk's biographer, who has been tracking his online behavior for the past two years, and given that he has admitted to mental illness, heavy drug use, and severe stress, there is now reason to fear that he is deeply ill," Abramson wrote.

According to the biographer, if Musk did not own many industries important to civilization, the situation would not be a cause for concern. But the billionaire's psychological state makes him dangerous to the world.

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"I sincerely believe that Elon Musk may be losing his mind. His private problems could remain a private matter if they did not have dramatic consequences for the world. His influence over key industries and his connection to the future president of the United States makes his condition dangerous for all of us," Abramson wrote.

According to the publication, even though Trump publicly calls Musk his "first friend," there are reports of tension between them in the media. The New York Times quoted journalist Maggie Haberman as saying that Trump "complains to people" about Musk's constant presence.

It also became known that after the election, Musk had a conflict with Trump's aide in Mar-a-Lago over leaks of information about the formation of the government. At the same time, Musk has been actively investing in Trump's campaign, pouring in at least $250 million.

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In addition to interfering in US domestic politics, Musk demonstrates ambitions to influence international processes. Recently, he supported the far-right Alternative for Germany party before the election and actively criticized the current UK government.

Abramson urged the Biden administration to use its last weeks in office to limit Musk's influence. He suggested terminating government contracts with the billionaire, launching an investigation into his activities, and blocking initiatives that Musk promotes through his political involvement.

"If no action is taken, what this man, in his increasingly chaotic state, may do to America in the future will be the responsibility not only of himself and his supporters but also of those who have ignored such warnings," Abramson warned.

As reported by OBOZ.UA:

Elon Musk called German Chancellor Olaf Scholz an "incompetent fool." The billionaire also said that the head of the German government should "resign immediately."

After insulting Scholz, Elon Musk attacked German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. He called Steinmeier an "anti-democratic tyrant." This is how Musk reacted to the President's statement about the inadmissibility of external influence on the upcoming parliamentary elections in Germany.

In addition, Musk called on the United States to intervene in the UK and "free the British from their tyrannical government." The billionaire noted that he believes it is a "good idea" to make the UK a new US state.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
New Delhi, Jan 8 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Andhra Pradesh and Odisha on a two-day tour from Wednesday.

In a major push for sustainable development, industrial growth and infrastructure enhancement, PM Modi will dedicate to the nation, inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of projects worth more than Rs 2 lakh crore at Visakhapatnam on January 8 (Wednesday) at 5:30 p.m.

He will also inaugurate the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) convention at Bhubaneswar on January 9 at 10 a.m.

In yet another key step towards his commitment to green energy and a sustainable future, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for the state-of-the-art NTPC Green Energy Limited Green Hydrogen Hub Project at Pudimadaka near Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, which is the first Green Hydrogen Hub under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

The project entails an investment of nearly Rs 1,85,000 crore. This will include investment in 20 GW renewable energy capacities, making it one of India's largest integrated green hydrogen production facilities with a capacity of producing 1,500 TPD Green Hydrogen and 7,500 TPD Green Hydrogen derivatives, including Green Methanol, Green Urea and Sustainable Aviation Fuel, primarily targeting the export market.

The project will contribute substantially to achieving India's non-fossil energy capacity target of 500 GW by 2030.

The Prime Minister will also dedicate to the nation, lay the foundation stone and inaugurate various railway and road projects worth more than Rs 19,500 crore in Andhra Pradesh which includes the foundation stone laying of South Coast Railway Headquarters at Visakhapatnam, among various other projects.

These projects will reduce congestion, improve connectivity and enhance regional social and economic growth.

Furthering his vision of accessible and affordable healthcare, PM Modi will lay the foundation for the Bulk Drug Park at Nakkapalli in the Anakapalli district.

The Bulk Drug Park will create thousands of jobs while helping accelerate economic growth due to its proximity to the Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC) and Visakhapatnam-Kakinada Petroleum, Chemical and Petrochemical Investment Region.

The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of Krishnapatnam Industrial Area (KRIS City) under the Chennai Bengaluru Industrial Corridor, in the Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh.

The Krishnapatnam Industrial Area (KRIS City), a flagship project under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme, is envisioned as a greenfield industrial smart city.

The project is set to attract significant manufacturing investments of nearly Rs 10,500 crore and is also projected to create around one lakh direct and indirect jobs, significantly enhancing livelihoods and driving regional progress.

The Prime Minister will also inaugurate the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention in Odisha.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention is the flagship event of the Indian government that provides an important platform to connect and engage with the Indian diaspora and enable them to interact with each other.

The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention is being organised in partnership with the Odisha government from January 8 to 10, 2025, in Bhubaneswar.

The theme of this PBD Convention is "Diaspora's Contribution to a Viksit Bharat".

A large number of Indian diaspora members from more than 50 different countries have registered to participate in the PBD Convention.

PM Modi will remotely flag off the inaugural journey of the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, a special tourist train for the Indian diaspora, which will depart from the Nizamuddin Railway Station in Delhi and will travel to multiple destinations of tourism and religious importance in India for a period of three weeks.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Express will be conducted under the Pravasi Teertha Darshan Yojana.
Islamabad, Jan 8 : Pakistan's critical trade route with China remained blocked for the fifth day on Tuesday as thousands of people continued their protests over chronic and prolonged power outages in the mountainous region of Pakistan-Occupied Gilgit-Baltistan, media reported.

The organisers of the sit-in demonstration in Hunza, a picturesque city with a population of more than 70,000 in Gilgit Baltistan, have vowed to continue protesting until their demands are met.

Rally leaders emphasised the town's persistent inadequate power supply, noting that residents endure up to 23-hour electricity outages amid a harsh winter season.

Both men and women participated in the protest, braving average daytime temperatures of -4 degrees Celsius and nighttime temperatures of -10 degrees Celsius, as reported by rally participants to a media outlet via phone.

Rahim Aman, a Hunza resident, reported a gradual and substantial increase in protesters, saying female activists were seen using vehicles and loudspeakers to encourage participation in the rally.

He said representatives of local political parties, traders and hotel associations were also present.

Local authorities negotiated with the protesters but failed to persuade them to disperse and restore traffic flow along the Karakoram Highway connecting Pakistan to China.

Hunza is situated on the scenic roadway traversing the Gilgit-Baltistan region, bordering China's western Xinjiang province.

Traders reported that numerous containers carrying commercial goods were stuck on both sides of the highway due to the sit-in demonstration.

The crippling protest erupted more than a month after Pakistan and China announced that they would keep open their sole land port, the Khunjerab Pass, for year-round operations to foster trade connectivity between the two nations.

The world's highest paved border crossing, nearly 190 km from Hunza, stands at an elevation exceeding 4,600 metres and was previously closed for four months annually due to heavy snowfall.

The impoverished Gilgit-Baltistan region heavily relies on hydropower, but generation almost ceases during the winter months due to the freezing of rivers and lakes. Consequently, residents and business establishments, including hotels, must operate expensive thermal generators to maintain power supply.

Residents and area experts have noted that the growing use of such generators by major hotels and other commercial entities is damaging the atmosphere in Hunza and surrounding areas.

The United Nations reports that the Pakistani regions are home to some of the largest stretches of glaciers outside the northern pole and already face the growing threat of global warming.

The Khunjerab Pass is an integral component of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor or CPEC. The multibillion-dollar corridor seeks to establish a comprehensive trade and transit infrastructure between the two nations, the most populous and fifth-most populous in the world.

Beijing has invested more than $25 billion in Pakistan since the two countries launched the CPEC a decade ago and is eager to use Gwadar, a Chinese-managed Pakistani port on the Arabian Sea, as a strategic gateway to international markets.
Washington, Jan 8 : US President-elect Donald Trump has warned that "all hell will break out" if Hamas did not release hostages in Gaza before January 20, when he will be sworn in as the 47th President of the US, offering one more stark indication of how much the incoming President would prefer to avoid inheriting the Israel-Hamas war as he prepares to take office in less than two weeks.

"All hell will break out. If those hostages aren't back, I don't want to hurt your negotiation, if they're not back by the time I get into office, all hell will break out in the Middle East," Trump told reporters on Tuesday at a news conference in Mar-a-Lago, Florida.

He was responding to a question on the status of negotiations with Hamas on the release of American hostages.

His Special Envoy to the Middle East Steven Charles Witkoff, who has just returned from the region, told reporters that they are on the verge of it.

"I believe we've been on the verge of it. I don't want to discuss sort of what's delayed it, no point in being negative in any way. But I think it's the President, his stature, what he's said he expects, the red lines he's put out there, that's driving this negotiation," Witkoff said.

Noting that they are making a lot of progress, he said: "I don't want to say too much because I think they're doing a really good job back in Doha. I'm leaving tomorrow to go back to Doha. But I think that we've had some really great progress and I'm really hopeful that by the inauguration we'll have some good things to announce on behalf of the President."

"I actually believe that we're working in tandem in a really good way, but it's the President, his reputation, the things that he has said that are driving this negotiation. So hopefully it'll all work out and we'll save some lives," Witkoff said.

Trump, in response to a question, warned Hamas to release all the hostages by January 20.

"It will not be good for Hamas and it will not be good frankly for anyone. All hell will break out. I don't have to say anymore, but that's what it is. They should have given them back a long time ago a" they should have never taken them. There should have never been the attack of October 7th. People forget that, but there was and many people were killed," he said.

"They're no longer hostages. I have people from Israel and others calling, begging me to get a" we had also people there from the United States just so you know. They're holding some so-called hostages from the US, but I've had mothers come to me and fathers crying, can I get the body of their son back? Can I get the body of their daughter back?" he said.

"That beautiful girl where they threw her in the car, pulled her by her ponytail and threw her in the car like she was a sack of potatoes. I said, what happened to her? Sir, she's dead. Like a 19, 20-year-old, beautiful girl. The way they treated her," he said as he applauded his special envoy for the progress being made so far.

"I tell this, I don't want to hurt the negotiation. If the deal isn't done before I take office, which is now going to be two weeks, all hell will break out in the Middle East," Trump said.
New Delhi, Jan 8 : According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi is bracing for a sharp dip in temperatures and severe weather conditions as a cold wave is expected to hit the national capital in the second week of January.

Temperatures could plummet to as low as 5 degrees Celsius.

On Wednesday, a minimum temperature of 8 degrees Celsius is expected, with the maximum temperature plunging not above 16 degrees Celsius as the day progresses.

Meanwhile, Delhi-NCR's battle with the deteriorating Air Quality Index (AQI) continues as Delhi wakes up to an AQI clocked at 322 as per the Central Government's Sameer App.

However, other National Capital Region (NCR) cities are currently performing a little better with AQIs clocked at 176, 192, 212, 229, and 196 in Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, and Faridabad respectively.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast, the minimum and maximum temperatures are expected to be 8.05 AC and 21.63 AC, respectively.

The relative humidity is currently at 28 per cent with a wind speed of 28 km/h. The sky appears to be clear, providing a pleasant or varied weather outlook as predicted by IMD. The sun rose at 7:15 a.m. and will set at 5:40 p.m.

As for the air quality, the AQI level on Wednesday was 158.0, which indicates moderate.

Stay informed of any local air quality alerts from the IMD, especially if you are sensitive to pollution or outdoor activities.

Looking ahead to Thursday (January 9), Delhi is projected by the IMD to have a minimum temperature of 13.56 AC and a maximum of 22.37 AC. Humidity levels are expected to be around 17 per cent, so plan your day accordingly based on IMD's forecast.

Wednesday's weather brings a clear sky.

According to the IMD forecast, it's advisable to organise your day around these comfortable temperature ranges and weather conditions.

The AQI in Delhi on Wednesday stands at 158.0, indicating the moderate quality of air in the city.

Children and people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor activity.

Being aware of the AQI helps one make informed decisions regarding one's overall well-being while planning the day's activities.

Weather prediction in Delhi for the next seven days, as per the IMD, indicates varied weather patterns.

IMD forecasts include daily minimum and maximum temperatures, humidity levels, and expected sky conditions such as clear, sunny and cloudy.

The department advises monitoring these predictions to plan your activities accordingly.
New Delhi, Jan 8 : The first meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on One Nation, One Election will be held here on Wednesday.

The JPC is mandated to review the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which aim to align elections at the national and state levels.

Wednesday's meeting is being held with a primary focus on introducing the members to the two key bills. The Committee will be briefed by Ministry of Law & Justice (Legislative Dept) officials on the provisions of the proposed laws. JPC Chairman P.P. Chaudhary has called the meeting.

The One Nation, One Election Bills were introduced in Lok Sabha on December 17. The JPC chaired by BJP's P.P. Chaudhary, comprises 39 members, with 27 from Lok Sabha and 12 from Rajya Sabha.

The JPC has been constituted to review the proposed aOne Nation, One Electiona legislation. Its primary task will be to examine the feasibility and framework for conducting simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies.

The committee will also evaluate proposals for synchronising elections in Union Territories, including Puducherry, Delhi, and Jammu and Kashmir, with the Lok Sabha elections.

Among the members of the JPC are Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (Congress), Anurag Thakur and Anil Baluni (BJP), as well as other opposition leaders such as Kalyan Banerjee (TMC), and Dharmendra Yadav (Samajwadi Party). The committeeas discussions and recommendations will be the key to shaping the future of Indiaas electoral process.

The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Law Minister Arjun Meghwal following a debate lasting nearly 90 minutes. After a division of votes, the introduction of the Bill was approved with 269 MPs voting in favour and 198 voting against it. The Bills were later referred to the committee for further scrutiny.

Lok Sabha MPs in the committee are P.P. Chaudhary, C. M. Ramesh, Bansuri Swaraj, Parshottam Rupala, Anurag Singh Thakur, Vishnu Dayal Ram, Bhartruhari Mahtab, Sambit Patra, Anil Baluni, Vishnu Datt Sharma, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Manish Tewari, Sukhdeo Bhagat, Dharmendra Yadav, Kalyan Banerjee, T. M. Selvaganapathi, GM Harish Balayogi, Supriya Sule, Shrikant Shinde, Chandan Chauhan and Balashowry Vallabhaneni.

While the government argues that simultaneous elections will streamline governance and reduce costs, opposition parties have raised concerns about its impact on the federal structure. The JPC will play a pivotal role in addressing these concerns and building consensus on this landmark electoral reform.
Florida, Jan 8 : US President-elect Donald Trump has proposed the idea of using "economic force" to merge Canada and the United States, creating what he frequently describes as the "51st state."

He cited reasons such as military assistance provided by the US and trade deficits between the two nations to support his suggestion.

Addressing a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida on Tuesday, Trump said, "You get rid of that artificially drawn line, and you take a look at what that looks like, and it would also be much better for national security."

"Canada and the United States, that would really be something. We've been good neighbours, but we can't do it forever," he added.

Emphasising the financial burden on the US, Trump said, "Don't forget, we basically protect Canada. But here's the problem with Canada. So many friends up there; I love the Canadian people. They're great, but we're spending hundreds of billions a year to protect it. We're spending hundreds of billions a year to take care of Canada. We lose in trade deficits."

Trump reiterated his plan to impose "substantial" tariffs on goods from both Canada and Mexico.

"Canada is subsidised to the tune of about $200 billion a year, plus other things. And they don't essentially have a military. They have a very small military. They rely on our military. It's all fine, but you know they gotta pay for that," he added.

In a social media post on Truth Social, Trump shared an edited image of Canada as part of the US, captioning it, "Oh Canada."

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau dismissed the suggestion, responding firmly, "There isn't a snowball's chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States. Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each other's biggest trading and security partners."

Canadian Foreign Minister MAlanie Joly also criticised Trump's remarks, accusing him of a "lack of understanding" about Canada. She stated that Canada would "never back down" from such threats.

Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of a US-Canada "merger" since his presidential election victory in November. He has often referred to Trudeau as the "Governor" of the "Great State of Canada" in a mocking tone.

Previously, Trump threatened to impose a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods unless Canada took significant steps to bolster border security and curb the influx of drugs and illegal immigrants into the US.
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 8 : Two-time Left-supported Independent legislator P.V. Anvar after being ousted from the ruling CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front for taking cudgels against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, has started to knock the doors of the Congress-led UDF now.

Anvar has been representing the Nilambur Assembly constituency in Malappuram district after Congress veteran Aryadan Mohammed quit electoral politics in 2016.

At the 2016 Assembly polls, Anvar defeated Mohammed's son Aryadan Shoukat and in the 2021 polls retained the seat after defeating Congress candidate V.V. Prakash. On both occasions, Anvar contested as a Left-backed Independent legislator and things remained fine till September last year when he levelled corruption allegations against the two close aides of CM Vijayan -- ADGP M.R. Ajithkumar and the political secretary P. Sasi.

With CM Vijayan ignoring Anvar's request, the latter turned his ire against the former and soon was ousted from the ruling LDF.

On Sunday (January 5), the tiff reached a point of no return when the police arrested Anvar for leading a group of protesters in his home town -- Nilambur after a man was trampled to death by a wild elephant.

A day later after he got bail, Anvar declared war against CM Vijayan and announced that his only agenda was to bring down Vijayan from the post of chief minister.

"I will now approach all the leaders of the Congress-led UDF and as the first step I have met the supreme leader of the Indian Union Muslim League (the second biggest ally in the UDF) and will now call on Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan and all leading lights of the UDF," said Anvar.

Satheesan is upset with Anvar as the latter levelled corruption allegations in the Assembly last year. Since then Satheesan has declared war with Anvar.

"I am the chairman of the UDF and my request to the media is to allow us to decide our affairs. Please do not give unfounded news. The issue of Anvar has not come before the UDF at all," said Satheesan.

A media critic on condition of anonymity said, "The practice in Kerala, seen over the last several decades, is when a party or a legislator decides to end a relationship with one political front, the next option is to join the opposition and that's what Anvar is trying to do. In Anvar's case, a section of Congress is not keen to bring Anvar to the fold. But that job could be taken up by the IUML as Anvar's political ground is the Muslim-strong Malappuram district, where the IUML-- which has now been out of power for the past more than years, will not risk displeasing Anvar. So with the local bodies poll later this year and the Assembly elections next year, the IUML is going to bat for Anvar."

With the budget session of the Kerala Assembly to commence later this month, Anvar, who for the past more than eight years was a livewire for the Left in attacking the Congress-led UDF opposition, has a change in the strategy after challenging CM Vijayan. On Tuesday he alleged that the amendments proposed by the Left government to the state's Forest Act were "dangerous" and "anti-people" and said he would stand with the Congress-led UDF in opposing it.

Anvar urged the UDF to oppose the Forest Act Amendment Bill. He said it was the need of the hour to focus on working for the tribals and those living in the hilly areas as that would help the opposition to come back to power
Dharamsala, Jan 8 : The United States has extended condolences to all those affected by the January 7 earthquake in southern Tibet.

"We are closely monitoring the situation and stand ready to respond to requests for US government assistance," wrote State Department's spokesperson Matthew Miller on X on Wednesday (IST).

Extending heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of those killed, injured, or displaced by the earthquake in southern Tibet, where temperatures have dropped below freezing, US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, Uzra Zeya, said, "We stand with Tibetan and other communities who were impacted and wish them a speedy recovery."

A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck the Shigatse region of Tibet on Tuesday, according to the US Geological Survey.

At least 126 people were killed and more than 180 others injured. About 1,500 fire and rescue workers were deployed to search for people in the rubble, the Ministry of Emergency Management said.

"I offer my prayers for those who have lost their lives and extend my wishes for a swift recovery to all who have been injured," said Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader, who lives in exile in India.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu posted on X: "Our prayers are with all those affected by this tragedy, and we wish a quick recovery to everyone who was injured."

The International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) has called on the Chinese government to ensure that all relief efforts are conducted in a fair, inclusive, and transparent manner, prioritising the safety and well-being of the Tibetan people.

"Aid and relief work should not be politicised," the ICT said in a statement.

The epicentre of the quake was Dingri County, a region situated in the Himalayas near the Nepalese border, known for its harsh weather conditions and high altitude.

Shigatse, a historically significant city in Tibet, is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, one of the highest-ranking spiritual leaders of Tibetan Buddhism.

Since the forced disappearance of the 11th Panchen Lama by the Chinese authorities in 1995, the city has become a symbol of the ongoing political and cultural repression faced by Tibetans under Chinese rule.

In the wake of this calamity, it is crucial that relief and recovery operations and reconstruction work are conducted in a manner that fully involves and includes the Tibetan people, it said.

Past experiences, such as the 2010 earthquake in Kyegudo, where Tibetans were marginalised and excluded from relief efforts, must not be repeated. At that time, Tibetan monks and local communities were actively engaged in helping victims, but the Chinese authorities obstructed their efforts, and reports later emerged of widespread corruption and mismanagement of aid, said the ICT.

Tibet is located in one of the most seismically active regions in the world and it is vital that long-term disaster preparedness and risk mitigation measures be put in place to protect the Tibetan population.

The international community must also continue to monitor the situation closely, ensuring that any aid provided is distributed equitably and transparently.
New York, Jan 8 : Two Indian Americans were elected in special elections to Virginia's legislatures, ensuring the Democratic Party keeps its slender majority despite the national Trump wave in last year's election.

Kannan Srinivasan was elected to the State Senate and J.J. Singh to the State House of Delegates on Wednesday.

In what seems like a round of musical chairs, Singh takes the seat held in the House by Srinivasan, who in turn succeeds Suhas Subramanyam, who resigned the State Senate seat and was elected to Congress in November.

The races featured another Indian American, Republican Ram Venkatachalam, who lost to Singh.

Srinivasan will join another Indian American, the Hyderabad-born Ghazala Hashmi, in the State Senate.

He grew up in Tamil Nadu and was a chartered accountant in India before emigrating to the US, where he built a 30-year career in business and finance.

Srinivasan was elected to the Virginia House in 2023.

J.J. Singh, who was born in Virginia, will probably be the first legislator in the US to wear a turban, although other Sikhs have been elected.

Singh worked in the White House Office of Management and Budget under former President Barack Obama.

He had earlier served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Bolivia and as a senior US Senate advisor.

The elections were crucial to the Democrats, who had only a one-seat majority in both chambers in a state where the governor is a Republican.

Vice President Kamala Harris defeated President-elect Donald Trump in the state, but there are concerns among the Democrats that his national victory could seep into the races.

The election was a shocking disappointment for Kamala Harris, who stepped in to carry the Democratic Party torch after President Joe Biden dropped out as questions arose over his mental and physical capabilities.

The Democrats put more resources into the race than the Republicans to ensure their candidate's victory.
The clash between Elon Musk and several EU political leaders is unprecedented. The showdown with the worlds wealthiest individual poses a challenge to European legislation itself. The technology entrepreneur is shielded by the principle of freedom of expression. There is no doubt that he is entitled to voice his opinions publicly  a fact acknowledged by the European Commission on Monday.

However, his social media platform, X, is subject to the EUs digital services regulation. Adding complexity to the situation, Musk is not only a far-right agitator and businessman, but also a figure poised to enter the government of the worlds leading superpower, the United States. This blend of roles, coupled with his open support for ultra-right movements across Europe, has prompted leaders such as Germanys Olaf Scholz, Frances Emmanuel Macron, and the U.K.s Keir Starmer to criticize him for foreign interference.

In theory, the legal separation between the various roles of Musk  the primary supporter of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump  appears clear. However, the situation becomes far more complex upon closer examination.

Ricard Gonzalez, a professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Valencia, highlights that the EUs Digital Services Act (DSA) requires companies with over 45 million users to adhere to strict due diligence obligations. These include ensuring algorithmic transparency, assessing social and civic risks  such as electoral risks  arising from managerial decisions, and implementing objective content moderation practices.

And this is where things start to get complicated. Musk, as the principal shareholder of the social network X, is not just a corporate leader but also a qualified user with a high level of reach, boasting 212 million followers. The platform is therefore obligated to enforce its rules and regulations on Musk himself, who recently has taken to compulsively posting messages on X, often disseminating easily debunked falsehoods.

Another point raised by Ricard Gonzalez, a former member of the Spanish Data Protection Agency, is that Musk, as the majority shareholder of X, defines himself with an editorial stance, effectively abandoning any pretense of neutrality.

The issue is not merely about determining the extent to which Musks actions constitute foreign interference  a claim made by several European politicians. The most recent voice to raise this concern is Valerie Hayer, president of the liberal group in the European Parliament. Europe cannot be naive or blind to Mr Musks determination to use X to interfere in the democratic affairs of EU member states, supporting the causes of the far right, said the French politician.

However, some experts are more cautious about labeling Musks actions as interference. In principle, I would say that one cannot [call it interference], because social networks per se have no borders. The question is also where the limit is, says Cecilia Danesi, director of the masters degree in ethical governance of artificial intelligence at the Pontifical University of Salamanca, without giving a firm opinion.

In principle, I would say its not interference, as social networks are inherently borderless. The question is where to draw the line, explains Cecilia Danesi, director of the masters program in ethical governance of artificial intelligence at the Pontifical University of Salamanca. Danesi stops short of offering a definitive conclusion.

There are experts who are not so sure that one can speak of interference. In principle, I would say that one cannot, because social networks per se have no borders. The question is also where the limit is, says Cecilia Danesi, director of the masters program in ethical governance of artificial intelligence at the Pontifical University of Salamanca, who stops short of offering a definitive conclusion.

It is not as though social media platforms have historically been characterized by neutrality. As Danesi herself points out, They have always had an ideology. What is new  and more concerning, she adds  is Musks interventionist role in this case. She also notes that the South African-born businessman often doubles down in his responses.

Moreover, digital platforms are not typically models of legal compliance. Networks such as TikTok, Temu, Meta, and Instagram are already under investigation for various breaches. However, as European sources highlight, there is no precedent for a social media owner with such clearly defined political positions and a mix of overlapping roles. The legal implications of this situation push regulators into largely unexplored territory.

And not because Brussels has avoided taking action against X. In fact, the European Commission has already determined that the platform violates EU rules governing digital traffic. The EUs digital spokesperson Thomas Regnier found that these violations extended to management of risks on civic discourse and electoral processes

But these conclusions are preliminary, not definitive, and are not directly linked to Musks latest actions. The company has submitted its objections, though official Commission spokespeople have hinted at focusing on electoral concerns.

The specific allegations of non-compliance outlined in the Commissions document center on three key issues.

The first is the contentious blue verification label offered to certain X users. According to the Commissions technical services, this label is misleading, as it conveys a sense of credibility that, in reality, is simply purchased. Additionally, the platform is criticized for lacking transparency in its advertising practices and failing to provide researchers with access to data, both of which are required under European regulations.

Before making this accusation, Brussels had requested explanations from the technology company regarding its decision to dispense with a significant portion of its fact-checkers and to eliminate its fake news control service in four European languages, reducing coverage to just seven.

No decision has yet been made on the matter. X has already submitted its arguments, but if these fail to satisfy the European Commission, the company could face a fine of up to 6% of its annual turnover  approximately 190 million ($196 million), based on its 2023 revenue. Its operations could even be suspended. But before reaching this point, X would have to breach the previous orders from Brussels and a judicial authorization would be necessary.

In any case, such a step would require time. This delay leads Gonzalez, the constitutional law professor, to argue for more proactive rules. He points out that regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) were developed in response to major issues, such as the right to be forgotten and the Cambridge Analytica scandal. In a way, Gonzalez suggests that the EU  or its member states  should be able to more diligently when they find solid and well-founded proof of interference in a democratic process.

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Kolkata, Jan 8 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will be chairing a meeting on Wednesday to review the preparation for the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) 2025, the annual business meet organised by the state government to attract industrial investments.

This year the two-day BGBS is scheduled on February 5 and February 6.

State government sources said that besides the state Chief Secretary, Manoj Pant, those bureaucrats who were, especially, given the task of making the preparations full-proof, will also be present at Wednesdayas meeting.

Sources further said that time the Chief Minister gave the assignment to the bureaucrats well in advance to ensure that there were no last-minute hitches in the said event.

Political observers feel that BGBS-2025 is extremely crucial for the chief minister both in the political perspectives considering that the state Assembly elections will be there in 2026.

aFirst this will be a golden opportunity for the Chief Minister to send a message both to the industry fraternity as well as the common voters that her government is really interested in offering an industry-friendly environment in the state," said a city-based political observer.

However, he also said that the business meeting this time will be a usual exercise like the previous years unless the Chief Minister gives specific messages of revision in land and special economic zone (SEZ) policies in the state.

Economists and industry observers have long been arguing against the current land policy of West Bengal that totally rules out state government intervention in land procurement for industry. In such a situation considering the highly fragmented nature of land-holding in West Bengal, no investor will be ready to bear the trouble of interacting with individual landowners and setting up big industries which require huge plots of land at one go. Secondly, the state government's total denial of granting new SEZ status is discouraging players in the services sector, especially the ITeS (Information Technology Enabled Services) sector from investing in the state.
Hyderabad, Jan 8 : Special Chief Secretary, Telangana government, Arvind Kumar appeared before the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in a Formula-E race case on Wednesday.

The senior Indian Administrative Officer (IAS) reached the ACB headquarters in Banjara Hills around 10 a.m.

The ACB, which is probing the alleged financial irregularities in conducting the Formula-E race in Hyderabad in 2023, is likely to question the official about the transfer of Rs 54.88 crore to Formula-E Operations Limited (FEO).

As the then Special Chief Secretary of Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department, Arvind Kumar, who is the second accused in the case, had played a key role in payments to the UK-based FEO from Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA).

The ACB is likely to record the statement of Arvind Kumar, who was issued a memo in January last year by the state government seeking an explanation for entering into an agreement for conducting the Formula-E race while the Model Code of Conduct was in force.

The senior IAS official had reportedly stated in his response to the memo that he issued orders for the transfer of money on the direction of the then Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department (KTR).

The ACB registered a First Information Report (FIR) against KTR, Arvind Kumar and former Chief Engineer of HMDA B.L.N. Reddy for alleged irregularities in payment by HMDA to FEO and associated entities without adhering to established financial procedures.

The FIR was registered under Sections 13 (1) (A) and 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, along with Sections 409 and 120 (B) of the Indian Penal Code. The ACB had summoned KTR on January 6. He, however, returned from the ACB office after his lawyer was not allowed to be present during questioning.

The ACB issued another notice to him the same day, directing him to appear before it on January 9.

The Telangana High Court on January 7 dismissed KTRas petition to quash the FIR. The court also refused to pass orders to ACB not to arrest him. The BRS working president has filed an appeal in the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, former HMDA Chief Engineer B.L.N. Reddy appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the same case. The ED is conducting the probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) based on the FIR filed by the ACB.

The Central agency is looking into possible violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).

The ED on Tuesday issued a fresh notice to KTR, directing him to appear before it on January 16 after he failed to present himself before the agency on Tuesday. The BRS leader had sought more time to appear before the agency.

Arvind Kumar is scheduled to appear before the ED on January 9. The ED had earlier issued notices to B.L.N. Reddy and Arvind Kumar to appear on January 2 and 3 respectively but they sought more time.
Kochi, Jan 8 : Five days after a CBI court here sentenced 10 CPI(M) workers to a double-life term and four others, including a former party legislator to five-year imprisonment in the Periya twin murder case, the Kerala High Court on Wednesday stayed the verdict of the four.

No sooner had the CBI court termed former party legislator K.V. Kunhiraman and three accused of forcibly removing the second accused from police custody, guilty, the CPI(M) party top bosses flayed the Centre for using the CBI to target the political opponents of the BJP.

The CPI(M) has been stating that when the Kerala Police and the Crime Branch had probed this case, neither Kunhiraman nor the other three were named as accused and it was only after the CBI took over the case, that the names were included.

Kunhiraman and the three others were given a five-year jail term and now with the High Court staying it, these four will soon be released from the Kannur jail where they have been since Saturday.

The case pertains to the brutal murders of Youth Congress workers -- Kripesh (19) and P.K. Sarath Lal (24) -- on February 17, 2019, in Periya, Kasaragod district.

Last week the CBI court here convicted 14 accused and exonerated 10 others in the case.

Reacting to the fresh directive, the father of Sarath Lal said they will take legal recourse to this and the earlier verdict where 10 people were exonerated.

The victims were killed by CPI(M) workers in a politically-motivated attack. According to the court, eight of the accused were directly involved in the twin murders, while six others played indirect roles.

The court gave a double-life term to the eight who were directly involved in the cold-blooded murder, while two others, who were part of the conspiracy, were also given a double-life term. Initially investigated by the Crime Branch, the case was handed over to the CBI after a plea was filed by the victimsa families in the High Court. The CBI concluded that the murders stemmed from a cycle of politically motivated attacks between CPI(M) and Congress workers in the region.
Bengaluru, Jan 8 : Six Maoists operating in the coastal and hilly regions of Karnataka came out of the forests in the Chikkamagaluru district on Wednesday, and headed to Bengaluru to surrender before Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

The Maoists are likely to reach Bengaluru at 3 p.m. and are scheduled to meet CM Siddaramaiah at his home office, Krishna, in Bengaluru to surrender.

'Shantigaagi Naagarikara Vedike (Citizens Forum for Peace)' is facilitating the surrender process. Sirimane Nagaraj, attached to Vedike said on Wednesday that this is the last batch of the Maoists who are going to surrender before the Chief Minister. "It is CM Siddaramaiah's wish that the Maoists should surrender before him and in that backdrop, our team along with Naxals are heading to Bengaluru," he stated.

Ashok, another member of the forum said there is no confusion with the surrender process. "Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is concerned and the surrender is being done as per the call given by him. Among the six Naxals two are from neighbouring states and they do not have any serious charges against them. The two only face petty charges," he added.

B.T. Lalita Naik, former minister and also a member of the forum, who played an important role in the surrender process, stated, "The Maoists have maintained that their self-esteem and self-respect were important. "With the confidence of getting their demands fulfilled, the Naxals are coming forward to surrender. The state government led by CM Siddaramaiah has the mindset to respect their feelings. The naxals are coming forward as CM Siddaramaiah is at the helm and with the belief that only he can ensure justice."

"This is because they face hundreds of cases. The state government takes care of crores of people and it won't be a challenge for them to take care of six persons who want to get back to the mainstream," she stated.

Home Minister G. Parameshwara, speaking to the media in Bengaluru, stated, "I can only say that Naxals are surrendering. The rest of the matters can not be discussed. We will inform you later about their demands and our plans. We had given a call for the surrender. After the encounter of Vikram Gowda, I announced that the Naxals should surrender and requested them to shun their path. On those lines, senior and junior officers attached to the Anti-Naxal Force have worked," he stated.

"The ANF officers have appealed to them why they should be in forests and asked them to come to the mainstream. It is true that they have cases, including the murder charges, we will see what legal provisions we have once the surrender process is over," he stated.

Maoists Mundagaru Latha from Mundagaru in Sringeri, Vanajakshi from Balehoe in Kalasa, Sundari from Kuntaluru near Mangaluru, Marappa Aroli from Raichur, Vasantha T. from Tamil Nadu, and N. Jeesha from Kerala are surrendering before the CM.
New Delhi, Jan 8 : Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella here on Wednesday announced several AI partnerships in the country, which includes an MoU with the government's 'India AI Mission' to skill 5 lakh people.

The MoU with India AI, a division of Digital India Corporation, aims to leverage AI to drive innovation, enhance productivity, and foster inclusive growth across the country.

As part of the MOU, Microsoft and India AI together will skill 500,000 individuals, including students, educators, developers, government officials, and women entrepreneurs, by 2026.

They will also establish an AI Center of Excellence, called 'AI Catalysts', to promote rural AI innovation and support 100,000 AI innovators and developers through hackathons, community-building solutions, and an AI marketplace.

As part of the MoU, they will also set up 'AI Productivity Labs' at 20 National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs)/NIELIT centres in 10 states to impart foundational courses for 20,000 educators.

The collaboration will also focus on developing AI-enabled solutions for citizen-scale domains such as healthcare, education, accessibility, and agriculture.

"We are excited to work closely with the government to extend the benefits of the India AI mission to every corner of the country and democratize access to technology and resources," said Puneet Chandok, president, Microsoft India and South Asia.

RailTel and Microsoft also entered a five-year strategic partnership to advance digital, cloud, and AI transformation in the Indian railways and public sector space.

A recent IDC study, commissioned by Microsoft, showed AI usage in India jumped from 63 per cent in 2023 to 72 per cent in 2024.

On Tuesday, Microsoft announced plans to invest $3 billion in cloud and AI infrastructure in India over the next two years, including the establishment of new data centres.

The tech giant also announced to train and skill 10 million people in AI by 2030. The company has already empowered 2.4 million Indians, including civil servants, college students and people with disabilities, with AI skills.
Seoul, Jan 8 : The startups ministry here said on Wednesday it will provide 1.5 trillion won ($1.03 billion) worth of financial support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Korea that suffered damage in trade due to the recent weakening of the local currency.

The announcement was made as part of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' plan for this year reported to acting President Choi Sang-mok, reports Yonhap news agency.

Small businesses in the country have reported heavy losses in their trade activities as the Korean won weakened sharply amid deepening political crisis and growth woes, once going below the 1,470 won per dollar level during intraday trading last month, the lowest mark in nearly 16 years.

The ministry said it also plans to create a 1.9 trillion-won fund to revitalise the venture capital market and work to foster 1,000 startups in strategic industries, such as system semiconductors and artificial intelligence, in 2025.

Under the plan, the ministry will expand its program aimed at facilitating cooperation between startups and conglomerates, and create K-startup Silicon Valley town, an organization that will help local startups to launch their business in the U.S. market.

It will also promote exports of Korean beauty and food products, as well as media content and technology services, by creating a K-beauty global fund and a joint fund with Saudi Arabia for local game companies wishing to break into the Middle Eastern market.

Additionally, the ministry said it will conduct a comprehensive investigation into unfair business practices in the delivery platform sector.

Last month, the government vowed to introduce measures to ease the burden on small merchants from delivery app commission fees and other business challenges as part of efforts to boost sluggish domestic consumption.
Kolkata, Jan 8 : The West Bengal Police investigating the brutal murder of Dulal Sarkar a.k.a. Babla, a Trinamool Congress councillor from Ward number 22 of English Bazar Municipality in Malda district, on Wednesday arrested a party block president from the same district for allegedly conspiring the attack.

Sarkar was murdered on January 2.

The arrested person has been identified as Narendra Nath Tiwari, the Malda town president of Trinamool Congress and also the district president of the Hindi cell of the ruling party in the district.

At the same time, Tiwari's close associate in the party, Swapan Sharma, has also been arrested in this connection.

Although the police have yet to pinpoint the exact reason behind the murder, information has surfaced that there were instances of personal rivalry between Sarkar and Tiwari.

The interesting part of the case is that Trinamool Congress leadership, who always hold BJP responsible for any murder or violence against any of their party leader or worker has this time refrained from adopting the same path.

In fact, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had held the district police responsible for not being able to prevent the murder of Sarkar. Soon after the news of Sarkar's murder surfaced on January 2 afternoon, the Chief Minister said that the tragedy took place due to the lackadaisical approach of the district police superintendent.

"Previously Babla used to get security cover which was later withdrawn. So there are surely lapses on the part of the police. Babla was with me from the beginning," the Chief Minister said.

Sarkar was attacked on January 2 morning while standing at a busy crossing in the area. Three helmet-clad assailants arrived on a motorcycle, and one of them opened fire. The first two bullets missed, but the third struck Sarkar in the head. He was immediately rushed to Malda Medical College and Hospital where he died.
Visakhapatnam, Jan 8 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and lay foundations for projects worth over Rs 2 lakh crore here on Wednesday evening.

The Prime Minister, who will be arriving on his first visit to Andhra Pradesh after the TDP-led NDA formed the government in the state, will conduct a roadshow and address a public meeting, where he will virtually launch several major projects aimed at driving sustainable growth and infrastructure development, with a particular focus on North Andhra Pradesh.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan will accompany the Prime Minister during the roadshow and for the public meeting.

After arrival at INS Dega at 4.15 p.m., the Prime Minister will conduct the roadshow from Siripuram Cross Roads to AU Engineering College, the venue of the public meeting.

Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu, Union Minister of State Bhupati Raju Srinivasa Varma, few state ministers, BJP MP and state party president Purandeswari will share the dais with the Prime Minister.

This will be Narendra Modias second visit to Andhra Pradesh after assuming office as the Prime Minister for the third term.

In June last year, he had attended the swearing-in of Chandrababu Naidu and his ministers in Vijayawada.

The Prime Minister was scheduled to visit Visakhapatnam on November 29 but the programme was postponed due to a cyclone alert.

The state government has made elaborate arrangements for the Prime Ministeras visit.

The TDP and its allies Jana Sena and BJP are mobilising people from various parts of North Andhra for the roadshow and public meeting.

Authorities expect 80,000 people to take part in the roadshow, while nearly 2 lakh people are likely to attend the public meeting.

The roadshow will commence at 4:45 p.m. from the Venkatadri Vantillu restaurant area in Siripuram.

The public meeting will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. He will leave the venue at 6:50 p.m. and return to the air station around 7:15 p.m. to leave for Bhubaneswar.

PM Modi will lay the foundation stone for the South Coast Railway Zone (SCoR) headquarters in Visakhapatnam. This will meet the long-pending demand of the state under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.

He will also lay the foundation stone for the NTPC Green Energy Limitedas (NGEL) Green Hydrogen Hub at Pudimadaka in Atchutapuram mandal of Anakapalle district.

To be developed under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, this mega project involves an investment of Rs 1.85 lakh crore and 20 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity to produce 1,500 tonnes per day of green hydrogen.

The project will also produce 7,500 tonnes of green hydrogen derivatives, including green methanol, green urea, and sustainable aviation fuel, primarily targeting export markets.

The Prime Minister will also launch a series of road and railway projects in Andhra Pradesh, collectively valued at Rs 19,500 crore.

He will also lay the foundation stone for a bulk drug park at Nakkapalli in Anakapalle district.

With an investment of Rs 1,438.89 crore, the park is strategically located near the Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC) and the Visakhapatnam- Kakinada Petrochemical and Investment Region, promising thousands of jobs and enhanced industrial activity in the region.

The foundation stone will also be for the Krishnapatnam Industrial Area (KRIS City) in Tirupati district under the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor.

The project is expected to attract investments of Rs 10,500 crore and create nearly one lakh direct and indirect jobs.
Bengaluru, Jan 8 : Karnataka BJP General Secretary and MLA V. Sunil Kumar on Wednesday slammed the Siddaramaiah government for facilitating the surrender of six Maoists, saying this was a move to create urban naxals.

Speaking to the media here, Sunil Kumar, who represents the Maoist activity-prone Karkala Assembly constituency, stated that it was a concerning development. "It is an attempt to make the Maoists, who are operating in forests, urban naxals. For many years the police personnel attached to the Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) carried out operations day and night against them and this development will bring down their morale," Sunil Kumar stressed.

"The 'Shantigaagi Naagarikara Vedike (Citizens Forum for Peace)' facilitating the surrender process is an organisation belonging to urban naxals. On top of it the government has also announced packages for the naxals who surrender," he stated.

"The Maoists have demanded that they should be treated respectfully and with dignity. In Udupi and Chikkamgaluru regions, these Maoists have unleashed violence against farmers and have also carried out violence against the police without any reason. The forum did not come forward to raise concerns when Maoists killed six security personnel in Chhattisgarh. When Maoist Vikram Gowda was encountered in Karnataka, the same organisation members expressed sympathies to him and demanded an investigation into the encounter," Sunil Kumar stated.

"Adding to this, the forum members facilitate the process of surrender of remaining naxals. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is influenced by the gang of progressive thinkers surrounding him. They will only become urban naxals. The government is offering them packages of Rs 14 lakh, Rs 8 lakh and Rs 4 lakh to surrender," he stated.

"We have won the hearts of the people in the Maoist-prone region through implementing the development works and projects. The governments should focus on ensuring the development," he stated.

Six Maoists operating in the coastal and hilly regions of Karnataka came out of the forests in the Chikkamagaluru district on Wednesday and headed to Bengaluru to surrender before CM Siddaramaiah.

The Maoists are likely to reach Bengaluru at 3 p.m. and are scheduled to meet CM Siddaramaiah at his home office, Krishna, in Bengaluru to surrender.

Shantigaagi Naagarikara Vedike is facilitating the surrender process. Maoists Mundagaru Latha from Mundagaru in Sringeri, Vanajakshi from Balehoe in Kalasa, Sundari from Kuntaluru near Mangaluru, Marappa Aroli from Raichur, Vasantha T. from Tamil Nadu, and N. Jeesha from Kerala are surrendering before the CM.
Bhopal, Jan 8 : Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Wednesday denied dissent within the party's state unit, claiming that speculation was baseless.

Kamal Nath said all the Congress leaders are working unitedly to strengthen the party and take on the Mohan Yadav government in the state.

The Congress leader's statement came amid reports that he and some other senior party members, including ex-CM and Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh, expressed annoyance over being sidelined.

According to sources, Kamal Nath's outburst was witnessed during a virtual meeting to discuss preparation for the party's mega event in Mhow, the birthplace of the architect of the Constitution B. R. Ambedkar.

The state Congress unit is all set to launch its campaign from Mhow on January 26. Congress MP and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi and AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge are supposed to join the campaign.

Sources said Kamal Nath has expressed his disappointment, saying he wasn't being consulted by the state unit head Jitu Patwari for any programme.

Sources claimed Digvijaya Singh and some other senior leaders agreed to Kamal Nath's claims.

However, after the news of "differences" spread, Kamal Nath on Wednesday said, "All Congressmen are united to strengthen the party and bring the state's system back on track. There is no question of dispute. The speculation of resentment in the media regarding the recent meeting of the party's State Political Affairs Committee is baseless."

Interestingly, Kamal Nath's clarification came a day after Congress' state unit chief Jitu Patwari denied reports, saying all decisions are being taken with consultation of all party workers. Patwari has also said that he would personally meet Kamal Nath.

Recently, the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) released a list of the party's media panellists and spokespersons. However, the list was withdrawn, just hours after it was issued to the media.

The sources said the list was withdrawn following resentment among Congress party workers.

Notably, following an embarrassing defeat in the Assembly elections in November 2023 in Madhya Pradesh, the Central leadership of Congress replaced Kamal Nath with Jitu Patwari as the new state unit chief.
Venezuelas Chavista regime has deployed all its capacity for repression and intimidation 72 hours before Inauguration Day on Friday. In a country sealed off by the police and the military, opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutias son-in-law was arrested early on Tuesday, and just hours later drones began flying over the house of opposition leader Maria Corina Machados mother, who was left without electricity due to power cuts in that area. Hooded agents were stationed at the door of the homes of dissidents and critics, and throughout the country opponents were arrested in a number yet to be determined. In some neighborhoods of Caracas, residents protested by banging pots and pans from their balconies. President Nicolas Maduro said that seven foreigners had been arrested, describing them as mercenaries, and adding to the 125 individuals detained by the Chavista authorities in recent days. At this time, no one is safe in Venezuela.

Maduro spent almost the entire day on television. His government has responded to each and every complaint from countries critical of what is happening, especially the United States. The day before, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia had been received by Joe Biden in the White House. Gonzalez Urrutia, who won Venezuelas presidential elections on July 28, according to the voter tallies verified by international organizations, left with the outgoing American presidents promise that they will support his fight. Donald Trumps entourage has also made it clear to Gonzalez Urrutia  who acts largely on behalf of Maria Corina Machado, the politician who has achieved a massive mobilization to achieve a transition in Venezuela  that they will support him in the same way once Trump takes office on January 20th.

Gonzalez Urrutia insists that he will be in Caracas on Friday to be sworn in. Chavismo says it will arrest him as soon as he sets foot on Venezuelan soil, just like the former Latin American presidents who want to accompany him. Maria Corina Machado will face a similar risk on Thursday, when she plans to lead a protest. She will be seen in public for the first time after months of remaining in a secret location from which she interacts via telephone and video calls. Diosdado Cabello, the Minister of the Interior, has threatened her directly: She is eager to be caught.

In this new political crisis, Maduro has surrounded himself with his most loyal and radical supporters, those who would have no problem facing an international trial. Maduro himself has said that he is willing to die before stepping aside and believes that he must remain in office by the will of God, as if he had received a divine mandate. The Venezuelan State is preparing as if it were going into combat. The president has added a confusing statement in which he seems to imply that a defense mechanism has been activated at the national level: I proceeded to sign a proposal from General Vladimir Padrino Lopez (Minister of Defense) to immediately convene and activate the Comprehensive Defense Body of Venezuela, the ODI, which is the highest body at the national, state and parish levels.

The new wave of repression has caused panic. People shared information about the pressure they are being subjected to with photos and videos on social media. The panic has also led to indignation: in several Caracas neighborhoods there were protesters banging pots and pans, according to eye witnesses consulted by telephone. The police went to these places to stop the protests. Citizens complained about issues such as the arrest, in broad daylight, of Rafael Tudares, Gonzalez Urrutias son-in-law. Police pulled him out of a vehicle in which he was travelling with his children on their way to school, and took him away. Nothing is known yet about his whereabouts, nor about the fate of Carlos Correa, director of an NGO that defends journalists. Authorities have announced that on Friday the media will not be able to broadcast the inauguration live, and that their electronic equipment will be checked. Late in the day, it emerged that Enrique Marquez, a moderate opponent who had always advocated a negotiated solution with Chavismo, had also been arrested.

Given the current conditions, it is highly unlikely that Gonzalez Urrutia will take office. He and people close to him are already talking about it happening sooner rather than later, implying that Maduros putting on the sash will not be the end of the opposition movement. The opposition candidate arrived in Panama City on Tuesday night, where on Wednesday he is scheduled to participate in an event with the president of that country and a significant number of Latin American leaders who support him  the same ones who say they will travel to Caracas if necessary. As of today, it is not known what the final plans are, for obvious security reasons.

In any event, the opposition says it will carry out something more than a symbolic act. That leaves room for speculation. Maduro has said that no one is going to undermine him with psychological warfare. For years, Chavismo has applied what is known as psychoterror, an exercise of verbal and mental intimidation that is added to the real one. There are those who say that the opposition, after suffering so much, has learned the trick and returns it like a boomerang. There is a feeling of an upcoming defining moment in the air. The world is waiting to see what will happen on Friday.

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Sydney, Jan 8 : Three people, including two foreign tourists, have been killed and three more hospitalized with serious injuries after a seaplane crashed off the coast of Western Australia (WA), authorities confirmed on Wednesday.

The Premier of WA, Roger Cook, said at a press conference with WA Police Commissioner Colonel Blanch that the bodies of the deceased were recovered from the wreckage by water police on Tuesday night.

They have been identified as a 34-year-old male pilot from Perth, a 65-year-old female Swiss tourist and a 60-year-old male tourist from Denmark.

There were seven people on board the privately-owned seaplane when it crashed into the ocean shortly after take off at about 4 pm local time Tuesday near Rottnest Island, a popular tourist destination 20 km off the coast of Perth.

Four passengers were pulled from the water and airlifted to hospital on Tuesday evening, with three suffering serious injuries, Xinhua news agency reported.

The survivors are a 63-year-old Swiss national, a 58-year Danish national and two West Australians aged 65 and 63.

Cook said that initial investigations have not been able to confirm witness reports that the plane hit a rock shortly before crashing.

Aerial footage of the crash site showed the plane nose down in the water with debris floating nearby.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement that his thoughts were with all those affected.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau on Wednesday confirmed it would investigate the crash.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported that the seaplane involved in the incident was brand new.

Witness Greg Quin told ABC radio that the plane crashed moments after taking off from Thomson Bay on the island's east coast.

Rottnest Island is a popular tourism destination known for its population of quokkas -- a small species of marsupial -- and is serviced by several companies offering air transfers from Perth.
New Delhi, 8 Jan : The Indian Navy has mobilized a specialised team to assist in the rescue of miners trapped in Umrangso, a remote industrial town in the Dima Hasao district of Assam. So far the body of one of the trapped labourers has been recovered by the para divers.

The Navy took the initiative in response to an urgent request for assistance.

According to the Ministry of Defence this special team, comprising one officer and eleven sailors, includes highly trained Clearance Divers skilled in deep-depth diving and recovery operations and is on site.

"The rescue operation is in full swing with Army and NDRF divers having already entered the well. Navy personnel are on-site, making final preparations to dive in after them. Meanwhile, SDRF de-watering pumps have departed from Umrangshu for the location. Additionally, the ONGC de-watering pump has been loaded onto an MI-17 helicopter at Kumbhigram, awaiting weather clearance for deployment," Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

The MoD informed on Wednesday that the team is fully equipped for this critical and sensitive mission, carrying specialized equipment such as deep diving gear and underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) for search and rescue.

The effort is being conducted in close coordination with the Indian Army, NDRF & the local civil administration to ensure an immediate and effective response.

The Indian Navy team from Visakhapatnam arrived on site on Tuesday evening, in a closely coordinated airlift by the IAF. With intensive search and rescue operations underway, regular information is being exchanged with all agencies involved to facilitate a smooth and timely rescue operation.

The Navy officials said that the Indian Navy remains committed to providing prompt assistance during times of crisis, demonstrating its resolve to safeguard lives and support the nation in emergencies.

The Indian Army is also playing a crucial role in this rescue operation. Rescue Task Force of the Indian Army and Assam Rifles, comprising Divers and Engineers attempted diving twice into the mine at Umrangso in Dima Hasao District of Assam to rescue the trapped miners.

Army Engineers assisted the civil administration in removing water from the mine.

At least nine labourers have been identified who were trapped in a coal mine in the Umrangso locality. Out of the nine labourers, one is a national of Nepal, one from West Bengal and the rest hail from different parts of Assam.
Kochi, Jan 8 : On the 10th day after she sustained serious injuries on falling 15 feet down at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here, Congress' first-time Kerala legislator Uma Thomas on Wednesday spoke to her office staff and gave the necessary directions.

Taking to her official social media page, her staff wrote that for the first time on Tuesday, she was able to get up from her bed and sit on a chair.

On Wednesday after her son Vishnu met her, she asked to arrange a conference call with her office staff and directed them to see that her office is functioning and ensure the needs of the people are attended to.

In case there is any need for higher intervention, fellow party legislators should be contacted and action taken, she said.

Thomas also found out about the upcoming Assembly session.

According to the medical team, she will have to be in the ICU for a week, her social media team wrote on her page.

It was on Saturday that Thomas was taken off of the ventilator at a private hospital where she is being treated.

The medical team attending to her, however, has said she will be closely monitored as her rib injury is healing.

On Saturday, Thomas was able to sit on her hospital bed.

The incident occurred on December 29 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, owned by the CPIM-controlled Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA). Thomas had tripped over a barricade near the VIP pavilion after greeting state Culture Minister Saji Cherian during a Guinness World Record attempt for a mass dance performance featuring around 12,500 participants.

It sparked a blame game, with authorities launching an investigation into the eventas organisation.

Meanwhile, this case has turned controversial after widespread complaints surfaced about the poor security measures that were taken for this big event. Three people have been arrested but released on bail and the GCDA came under fire for its callous attitude.

Thomas, the widow of Congress veteran P.T. Thomas, represents the Thrikkakara Assembly constituency. She entered politics after her husband died in December 2021 and won the bypoll with a margin of over 25,000 votes, defying expectations of a Left victory.

A former student leader during college, Thomas is known for her polite demeanour and well-researched speeches in the Assembly. As the only woman Congress legislator in the current Assembly, she holds a significant and symbolic position in her party.

--IANS

sg/vd
Srinagar, Jan 8 : A major drug racket was busted by the J&K Police, said officials here on Wednesday, adding that two peddlers were arrested and a consignment of eight kg heroin was recovered.

A police statement said that in a successful anti-narcotic operation, police in Srinagar district arrested two drug peddlers from whom eight kg of heroin was recovered.

"A 'Naka' (Checkpost) was established by police station Qamarwari in Srinagar after receiving specific information about the movement of a consignment of narcotics. At Barthana a vehicle was stopped for checking. Six kg of heroin was recovered from under the driver's seat and two kg was recovered from other two persons in the vehicle," read the statement.

The arrested persons have been identified as Anas Ajaz Awan of Dildar Tangdhar, Kupwara, and Zahid Ahmad Sheikh of Channipora, Tangdhar Kupwara.

"The narcotics and the vehicle used in the commission of crime have been seized as evidence. A case under sections 8/21 and 29 of the NDPS Act has been registered in Police Station Parimpora. Further investigation is going on," the statement mentioned.

"Preliminary investigation shows that the narcotics were smuggled from Pakistan as part of cross-border drug trafficking network," police said.

J&K Police has been pursuing the linkages to dismantle various drug syndicates and also identify and arrest all those involved in the illicit trade.

Along with this, the security forces have been aggressively carrying out anti-terrorist operations against terrorists, their over-ground workers (OGWs) and sympathisers in order to dismantle the terror ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir.

These operations followed some dastardly attacks carried out by the terrorists after the peaceful and people-participative Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly elections in the union territory. Intelligence agencies say that the peaceful conduct of elections witnessed by diplomats of many countries has frustrated the handlers of terror sitting across the border in Pakistan. The agencies say the terror handlers have directed terrorists in J&K to give the dying terrorism its last push in the union territory and the smuggling of narcotics is a part of the tactics
Mumbai, Jan 8 : Union Minister of Culture Gajendra Shekhawat, on Wednesday, handed over the gazette notification to Maharashtra Minister Uday Samant on the Centre's move to award classical language status to the Marathi.

The Union cabinet on October 3 had approved to confer the status of classical language which serves as a custodian of Bharat's profound and ancient cultural heritage, embodying the essence of each community's historical and cultural milestone.

Samant, who is the Minister of the Marathi language, said, "Union Minister Gajendra Shekhawat gave me the government gazette notification awarding classical language status to Marathi. I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Gajendra Shekhawat. I will submit the necessary proposals to the Centre in the next eight to 15 days. A committee headed by a leading writer and the Maharashtra Rajya Sahitya and Sanskriti Mandal chief Sadanand More is studying how to proceed on the Centre's decision conferring the classical language status to the Marathi language. The Union Minister has assured to provide funds for the ongoing study." Minister Samant was in Delhi on Wednesday.

Samant further said that the Union Minister will inaugurate the two-day World Marathi Conference in Pune on January 31. "I thank the Union Minister on behalf of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar for accepting the invitation to attend the proposed World Marathi Conference at Pune and also for the Centre's decision to award classical language status to Marathi. The state government proposes to make efforts to preserve and promote the Marathi language at the international level. I also sincerely thank writers who made efforts to get classical language status to Marathi," he added.

Minister Samant said the state government will take the writers into confidence for the development of the Marathi language. He added that the government had earlier decided to provide Rs 2 crore to the World Marathi Conference (Jagtik Marathi Sammelan). He said the state government will try to strengthen the Marathi schools which are functional in Delhi.

The Centre had received a proposal from the Maharashtra Government in 2013 requesting classical language status to Marathi, which was forwarded to the Linguistic Experts Committee that recommended Marathi as a classical language. During the inter-ministerial consultations on the draft note for cabinet in 2017 for conferring classical status to the Marathi language, the Ministry of Home Affairs advised revising the criteria and making it stricter. The Mahayuti government claimed that its efforts paid off and said that the inclusion of Marathi as a classical language would create significant employment opportunities, particularly in academic and research fields. Additionally, the preservation, documentation, and digitisation of ancient texts of these languages will generate jobs in archiving, translation, publishing, and digital media.
New Delhi, Jan 8 : The Kangana Ranaut-starrer 'Emergency', portraying the dark period of democracy during late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's government in 1975-77, has ruffled many feathers in the Congress party, as expected.

As the movie heads closer to its release date i.e. January 17, Congress leaders have dubbed it a 'propaganda film' and see a malicious motive behind it.

Husain Dalwai, Congress leader from Maharashtra went a step further in his criticism of the filmmakers and hurled a sexist jibe at the actor-cum-BJP MP Kangana Ranaut, the main protagonist as well as director of the film. He also urged the movie-goers and cinebuffs not to watch the film and claimed that it was filled with blatant lies and hearsay.

"She has a loose temperament. She doesn't know anything about the country's history and its national icons," said the Congress leader and two-time Rajya Sabha MP.

In a further sexist jibe he said, "She has been made a Lok Sabha MP by the Bharatiya Janata Party to bark. She has no stature of her own and remains a pawn in the hands of the RSS."

"Whatever she is fed in her ears by the RSS, she speaks the same," he added.

Congress leader Husain Dalwai not only criticised the film and its makers but also demanded that their source of funding should be investigated, to know as to who stood behind them in belittling the legacy of India's 'Iron Lady'.

"We won't allow its screening if something objectionable is shown," he threatened.

Speaking to IANS, he stated that Kangana's invite to Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi to watch her upcoming film 'Emergency' was nothing but a publicity stunt and claimed that the makers were desperately trying to hard-sell the film, as it has failed to create any buzz.

Earlier in the day, Kangana told IANS that she extended an invitation to the Congress MP and requested her to watch her film.

Kangana said, "I actually met Priyanka Gandhi ji in Parliament, and the first thing I told her was, 'Aapko Emergency dekhni chahiye.' She was very gracious and responded, 'Yeah, maybe.'"

While the theaters as well as the public gear up for the film hitting the theatres on January 17, it's the derogatory and deplorable remarks by the former Congress MP that have created a flutter.

It is only expected to get more bitter and personal as Kangana has publicly spoken about the obstacles and hindrances she faced before the release of the film because of a 'particular ecosystem'.

Notably, Kangana's film Emergency' depicts the 21-month period (from 1975  1977) of India's governance under then PM Indira Gandhi, when Emergency was imposed and the basic rights of people were taken away.
Panama City, Jan 7 : Former foreign ministers from various Latin American countries have expressed their support for Panamanian sovereignty over the Panama Canal, in response to recent comments made by US President-elect Donald Trump suggesting the possibility of retaking control of the waterway.

In a joint statement, the top diplomats expressed their "full support" for the people and government of the Republic of Panama, firmly affirming that "the sovereignty and independence of Panama over the Interoceanic Canal are not negotiable."

"It is indisputable that the Republic of Panama and its people have managed the Canal responsibly, guaranteeing its contribution to international maritime trade and global economic development, which constitutes a symbol of Latin American autonomy and pride," the diplomats added.

The Torrijos-Carter Treaties, signed by the United States and Panama in 1977, "established a schedule for the handover of the Canal and its adjacent areas to Panamanian control," said the statement.

The historic agreement, reached under the watchful eye of the international community, was the result of the "Panamanian people's prolonged and determined struggle, supported by widespread international solidarity," the statement notes.

Signatories of the statement included over 20 former foreign ministers from Panama, Mexico, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Costa Rica, and Argentina, among other countries, Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday.

"We reaffirm our solidarity with Panama and its people, supporting their legitimate defence of sovereignty over this valuable strategic asset," they concluded.

In mid-December, Trump floated the idea of retaking control of the Panama Canal if Panama does not decrease toll rates for US ships crossing the waterway. Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino dismissed Trump's threat, saying that "every square metre of the Panama Canal and its adjacent area belong to Panama, and will continue belonging to Panama."
Patna, Jan 8 : The Patna district administration has strongly refuted allegations made by Prashant Kishor, who claimed he was taken to Beur jail on January 6 without proper documentation.

In a statement, the administration described Kishor's statements as baseless and accused him of spreading rumours to further his political agenda.

As per the statement, Prashant Kishor and his supporters were fasting at Gandhi Maidan, a restricted area, despite notices directing them to move to Gardanibagh.

After failing to comply with repeated requests and given ample time, Kishor and 44 supporters were arrested on Monday for violating the law. Kishor was first taken to Patna AIIMS for a mandatory health check-up, but he allegedly refused to cooperate.

Attempts to take him to another health centre were obstructed by 23 supporters in 12 vehicles, leading to intervention by the Pipalava police station.

At Fatuha Health Centre, Kishor again did not cooperate, but his health check-up was completed, and a report was issued.

The administration denied any pressure on doctors to falsify fitness certificates, stating that only a health report, not a fitness certificate, is required for court appearances. Kishor opposed the bail conditions, including a bond of Rs 25,000, which delayed his release.

The administration alleged that Kishor's supporters caused a ruckus at the court, disrupting proceedings. He was subsequently removed from the court premises and taken to Beur Police Station to await the court's order.

Kishor was released on bail in the evening after submitting the bond as required. The administration asserted that the action was taken to restore the rule of law and free Gandhi Murti Park from illegal gatherings.

It emphasised that Gandhi Murti Park is not a designated dharna site, making protests there unlawful. The district administration clarified that there was no bias or misuse of power in handling the situation.

An FIR has been lodged at Pirbahore police station against Kishor and 200 supporters, alleging a scuffle with police personnel.
Chennai, Jan 8 : The Greater Chennai Police seized 30 machetes from the residence of gangster P. Nagendran, who is currently serving a life sentence in Vellore Central Prison.

Nagendran is the prime accused in the murder of BSP Tamil Nadu unit president K. Armstrong. Nagendran's son, Ashwathaman, is the third accused in the case.

According to police sources, a raid was conducted at Nagendranas residence on Wednesday, during which several deadly weapons, including machetes, were confiscated.

With this seizure, the total number of machetes recovered during the investigation into Armstrongas murder has risen to 51.

K. Armstrong was brutally hacked to death on July 5, 2024, near his under-construction house in Perambur.

A gang of eight men, led by Ponnai Balu a" brother of the slain gangster Arcot Suresh a" claimed responsibility for the murder and surrendered to the police the same evening.

Balu confessed that the killing was an act of revenge for the murder of his brother, Arcot Suresh, which he alleged had been planned and executed by Armstrong.

However, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Chennai City Police Commissioner M. Arun revealed that three separate gangs had colluded to carry out the murder. Armstrong was ultimately killed by Ponnai Balu and his associates.

Further investigations uncovered that P. Nagendran, who has been imprisoned for 26 years, and another gangster, Sambhav Senthil, had conspired and financed the murder.

Police said Nagendran held a personal grudge against Armstrong, accusing him of obstructing the political career of his son, Ashwathaman, who is a lawyer and a former office-bearer of the Tamil Nadu Youth Congress.

Ashwathaman, the third accused in the case, has since been dismissed from the Congress party.

Sambhav Senthil, meanwhile, reportedly had disputes with Armstrong over real estate dealings.

A total of 28 individuals have been arrested in connection with the case. However, Sambhav Senthil and two of his close associates, Krishna Kumar and Appu, remain at large.

Senthil, classified as an aA+ history-sheetera at the Washermenpet police station for his involvement in multiple murder cases, has been absconding since the incident.

The case has also implicated members of several political parties, including the AIADMK, Tamil Maanila Congress, BJP, and Congress. The police have submitted a comprehensive 5,000-page charge sheet to the magistrate court.

a"IANS

aal/rad
New Delhi, Jan 8 : Leading geopolitical experts, policymakers, scholars, and diplomats will participate in the 4th Maharana Pratap Annual Geopolitics Dialogue (MPAGD 2025), being jointly organised by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Usanas Foundation, in Jaipur, next month.

The annual event will be organised on February 14-15 with the theme of 'Building Tomorrow: Shaping the Future' aiming to promote insightful discussions and present India's vision and roadmap for the future world order.

While Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh will deliver the keynote speech, Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar will also address the audience during the two-day event.

Other distinguished dignitaries who have confirmed their attendance at the conference include Lt. Gen. Arvinder Lamba, Vice Chief of Army Staff and President of the IPCS; Andrey Kortunov, Academic Director of the Russian International Affairs Council; Zhang Weiwei, Professor at Fudan University, Director of its China Institute, and a Senior Research Fellow at the Chunqiu Institute in Shanghai; Rohan Gunaratna, Professor of Security Studies at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore and Head of the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research; Michael Rubin, Senior Fellow, the American Enterprise Institute and former Pentagon Official; Nikos S. Panagiotou, Professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Media Communication at Aristotle University; Ambassador Sujan Chinoy, Director General of the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA) and former Ambassador to Japan; and, Ambassador D.B. Venkatesh Varma, former Ambassador of India to the Russian Federation and Distinguished Fellow at the VIF.

According to Abhinav Pandya, Director, Founder and CEO of the Usanas Foundation, an Udaipur-based security and foreign policy think tank, the geopolitics dialogue will address critical issues including how will the emergence of a multipolar world order influence global alliances, regional conflicts, and the role of international institutions in maintaining stability besides also how Artificial Intelligence (AI) will reshape the future of warfare and global security.

With the current global order undergoing significant change, characterised by palpable shifts across various domains, including the economy, society, culture, technology, defence, environment, development, geopolitics, and geoeconomics, the ongoing period of uncertainty and instability is marked by geopolitical strife, armed conflict, and the apprehensions related to the impact of disruptive technologies on employment, privacy, and safety.

"Such factors are indicative of a transitional phase. However, at this critical juncture, there is a pressing need to prepare for a future that is equitable, prosperous, and conducive to human happiness. India, with its extensive civilizational legacy of over 10,000 years, its prominent leadership within the Global South, and its status as a dynamic geopolitical entity and economic powerhouse, is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the new world order," Pandya told IANS.

Under the central theme, there will be a range of brainstorming sessions on various sub-themes during the two-day event to make sense of the ongoing transitional phase of the world order and brainstorm policies rooted in the civilisational wisdom to shape the future.

"The MPAGD initiative aims to address these pertinent questions and articulate India's vision for the future amidst the prevailing chaos. It is also a humble initiative to pay gratitude to Maharana Pratap, a great diplomat, administrator, statesman, and warrior of Rajasthan who refused to accept Mughal suzerainty," he added.
When you want to embark on a difficult project, such as quitting smoking or starting to run three times a week, its natural to wonder whether its really worth it. For excuses or motivation, some look to science as a source of certainty, and can find support for almost any decision. Studies about keeping New Years resolutions suggest that, in the long term, most fail. A classic paper on the subject from 1989 estimated that 77% kept their resolutions for a week, 55% for a month, and 40% made it to half a year. After two years of follow-up, only 19% had stuck to it. More recent data on weight-loss attempts may seem even more discouraging. In the long term, only 5 to 10% manage to maintain their initial reduction, a success rate similar to that of smokers trying to quit.

Despite these data, there are strategies that improve the chances of success (some of which will be explained below) and science has also studied other facets of good intentions that highlight their value, even if they do not produce tangible results, and which partly explain the success of Christmas. At this time, Christians celebrate that God sent his son to the world to redeem humans and offer the hope of an eternal kingdom of justice and peace. In Spain, on December 22, millions of people play the lottery with the more humble hope of escaping poverty. For non-believers or those who know mathematics, these beliefs may seem absurd, but those who bet on the illusion will also find support in science.

Although an accurate perception of reality was considered for years to be a basis for mental health, studies in the 1980s began to question this idea. When peoples beliefs are analyzed, almost all of us think that our future will be better than average and that bad things are less likely to happen to us. Time and again, surveys show how people consider that the economic situation of the country is bad, yet their own situation is good, or that sexism in society is rampant, but their own partner is not sexist. This has led to the belief that positive illusions are a trait encouraged by evolution, because of their protective effect on mental health. In fact, people who assessed the future most accurately were those who suffered from mild depression or low self-esteem. That is why adopting New Years resolutions, although they are not entirely realistic and nearly always end in failure, has a positive value, and it is not a good idea to try too hard to repress the optimism that drives them.

Once you have made the decision to change, psychologists offer some fairly simple advice. One of them has to do with setting the challenge. Success is significantly greater if you set approach goals, which focus on what you want to achieve, rather than avoidance goals, which focus on what you want to avoid. In other words: it is better to set the goal of exercising twice a week and eating three pieces of fruit a day than to set the goal of giving up junk food and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle. Instead of focusing on deprivation, try to see the benefits of the effort. Instead of giving up smoking, you can think about improving the taste of your food, or your lung capacity, or saving money.

Another study that looked at what increases the likelihood of success suggests combining more abstract goals that give meaning to our challenge, such as living a healthier life, with more concrete ones, such as lifting weights twice a week. And as a general recommendation, which applies to almost any facet of life, it is key to seek social support, set short-term goals that allow us to see partial progress, and use tools to track that progress. Apps that offer reminders and measure progress can be helpful. In the case of serious health problems related to obesity or smoking, professional help may be necessary. In the case of tobacco, for example, compared to the 5% who remain smoke-free after a year of quitting without any help, with medical assistance in the form of drugs and therapy, the figure can reach 25%.

Although the figures may seem modest, it is not advisable to fall into pessimism because of statistics, which can be useful to have a global image of the world but become a burden as a guide for life. Juan Modolell, a biologist who won Spains National Research Award, recalled his reaction when he was diagnosed with stomach cancer at the age of 54. Instead of using his knowledge to find out everything possible about his tumor, he did not read anything at all. I did not want to investigate, and I was very grateful that no one talked to me about probabilities, because probabilities do not mean anything when you only have one card: they mean something when you play many times, but I only had one card. After choosing a goal, and making sure that it is your own and not imposed by pressures or outside expectations, the probabilities of success or failure should not be taken into account outside of scientific studies.
Seoul, Jan 8 : South Korea's National Assembly rejected two special counsel Bills targeting impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law bid and allegations surrounding first lady Kim Keon Hee in a re-vote on Wednesday.

The special counsel Bill targeting Yoon calls for the designation of special prosecutors to look into insurrection charges related to Yoon's short-lived martial law imposition.

The Bill was rejected in a 198-101 vote with one abstention and was ultimately scrapped as it failed to gain the two-thirds support required to override the president's veto.

The Opposition parties unilaterally passed the Bill at a plenary session last month before the Cabinet demanded the National Assembly reconsider its decision in a meeting chaired by acting President Choi Sang-mok.

The Opposition-controlled National Assembly also rejected another Bill that calls for a special counsel probe into two key allegations involving the first lady over her alleged involvement in a stock manipulation scheme and interference in election nominations through a power broker.

The Bill was voted down in a 196-103 vote with one abstention.

It is the fourth version of the bill targeting Kim following a similar proposal vetoed by Yoon, which was ultimately scrapped in a revote.

People Power Party floor leader Kweon Seong-dong earlier reaffirmed his party's official decision to vote against the special counsel bills, while the main opposition Democratic Party vowed to reintroduce the bills to the Assembly if they are rejected.

Parliament also voted down six more Bills, including a controversial grain Bill that was vetoed by then acting President Han Duck-soo, during the session.

The Grain Management Act mandates the government purchase of surplus rice to stabilise prices during market fluctuations. A similar Bill was vetoed by Yoon in March 2023 and subsequently scrapped in a revote, Yonhap news agency reported.

Other Bills include the National Assembly Act, aimed at preventing the automatic submission of the government budget to the plenary session after the legal deadline, and the National Assembly Testimony Appraisal Act, which would require companies to submit requested data to lawmakers.
Bengaluru, Jan 8 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has urged police to create a sense of fear among criminals while ensuring a fear-free environment for common people.

Speaking after inaugurating newly-constructed police stations and offices in Chamarajpet, Cubbon Park, and High Grounds, as well as new police housing complexes in Pulakeshinagar in Bengaluru, CM Siddaramaiah emphasised the role of the police department in ensuring peace and safety in the state.

CM Siddaramaiah issued a strong warning against collusion between the police and the real estate mafia.

"The government will not tolerate police officers supporting the real estate mafia under any circumstances. Create a sense of fear among criminals while ensuring ordinary citizens feel safe," he said.

"The population of the state has crossed seven crore. Protecting the lives, property, and dignity of these people while creating a safe and peaceful environment is the responsibility of the police department. The government is always ready to provide the necessary facilities and establish new police stations to support this mission," CM Siddaramaiah said.

The CM stressed that peace and order in the state lead to faster development.

He urged the police to adopt a people-friendly approach and treat visitors to the police station with respect and care.

"It is reassuring that crime rates in the state are decreasing. However, if the police lower their guard, criminals will exploit the situation to escape the law. This must not be allowed," he warned.

Siddaramaiah pointed out that unemployment and lack of opportunities often drive people towards crime, while the real estate sector in cities has contributed to the rise in criminal activities.

The CM also acknowledged the hard work of the police force, emphasising the governmentas responsibility towards their welfare. He assured that the government would continue the housing scheme for police personnel.
Amaravati, Jan 8 : Former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party President Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday urged the party cadres to ensure unity and maintain an aggressive presence on social media to counter misinformation and amplify the party's achievements.

In a meeting with the Nellore district cadre, he called on the cadres to organise district, constituency, and Mandal committees by Sankranti, ensuring a robust grassroots structure. Jagan also emphasised the importance of social media in countering the opposition and biased media narratives.

"Our phones are our weapons in this fight. Every cadre member must actively use platforms like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube to highlight our achievements and expose the failures of the ruling coalition," he said. He underscored the failures of the current coalition government, emphasising its inability to deliver on election promises.

"Governments are usually given a year to settle, but this coalition has already lost public trust in just seven months. Promises have been thrown to the wind, and every household is discussing this betrayal," Jagan said, contrasting this with his administration's commitment to accountability and transparency.

Jagan recounted his government's welfare achievements, from expanding Aarogyasri healthcare coverage to ensuring timely disbursement of funds under schemes like Vidya Deevena and Vasathi Deevena. "Our administration fulfilled 99 per cent of the promises made in the 2019 manifesto, a feat unmatched by any other government in the country," he said.

"Our manifesto was not just a document but a commitment, implemented with a clear execution calendar published alongside the budget. Every month, we delivered financial assistance directly to the people," he stated. He contrasted this with the failures of the earlier TDP government.

Jagan accused Chandrababu Naidu, of betraying the people with broken promises, debt burdens, and regressive policies. "Chandrababu Naidu's governance left people burdened with Rs 15,000 crore in debt, introduced toll taxes on rural roads, and hiked registration fees on lands and houses," he said.

The former Chief Minister reassured party workers of his unwavering support, stating, "We will stand by every worker who faces injustice. Those who have wronged our people and workers will be held accountable under the law. I promise to protect you from the unlawful actions of this government."

He also announced plans to visit districts starting in January end or February to connect with grassroots workers and strengthen the party's presence.
New Delhi, Jan 8 : Apple on Tuesday announced that its next "Swift Student Challenge" will open on February 3, aimed at uplifting the next generation of developers, creators, and entrepreneurs.

The challenge empowers students to join a worldwide community of developers using Swift -- the same programming language used by professionals -- to create the next wave of groundbreaking apps.

Previous Swift Student Challenge participants used their creativity to develop apps to solve real-world problems such as connecting peers to mental health resources and identifying ways to support sustainability efforts on campus.

"Apple's Swift Student Challenge has given thousands of students around the world the opportunity to showcase their creativity, and coding capabilities, and learn real-world skills that they can take into their careers and beyond," the company said.

"We encourage you to brainstorm and develop thoughtful ideas for apps that address important issues in your community and beyond," it added.

Submissions for the 2025 Swift Student Challenge will open on February 3, for three weeks.

To get ready for the challenge, students and educators can take part in an online session hosted by Apple, where they'll learn more about participating in the Swift Student Challenge.

The sessions can help them explore the elements of great apps with an Apple engineer, pick up tips from a former Challenge winner, and get inspiration for creating their own app playground.

The company informed that updated "Develop in Swift Tutorials" are also available to help students dive into the foundations of coding as they explore innovative apps for Apple platforms.

Out of the 350 overall winners, 50 distinguished winners will be invited to Apple's headquarters in Cupertino, California, next summer, where they'll have the opportunity to connect with the Apple team, the iPhone maker said.

All winners will receive one year of membership in the Apple Developer Programme and a special gift from Apple.
Bengaluru, Jan 8 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress President, D.K. Shivakumar, expressing concern against the politicisation of the police force stated that "politicians should never misuse you." Bengaluru, Jan 8 (IANS) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress President, D.K. Shivakumar, expressing concern against the politicisation of the police force stated that "politicians should never misuse you."

Speaking at the inauguration of police housing complexes in Pulakeshinagar in Bengaluru, Dy CM Shivakumar said, "In the past, I reprimanded the DGP in the presence of the CM and Home Minister because police in Udupi and Vijayapura were wearing BJP scarves. My advice to you is this: Politicians should never misuse you for political purposes."

"Your duty, uniform, and dignity must remain untarnished. Politicians like us come and go, but your khaki uniform, discipline, and pride must never be compromised. People come to you seeking justice; ensure you succeed in delivering it," he said.

Recounting an experience from 1988 during the World Youth and Student Festival in Pyongyang, Dy CM Shivakumar said, "I was there with Sitaram Yechury and Tiwari, and we saw a female traffic officer managing heavy traffic at a large roundabout. Curious, we asked her salary. She got upset and replied, 'I'm not doing this job for money. I'm performing my duty for my country.'"

Shivakumar further stated, "Everyone works to earn a living, but police officers have the unique responsibility of delivering justice to people. This trust is invaluable. Protect it and continue serving with dedication."

"Trust is the greatest virtue in humanity. Work in a manner that upholds the trust people have placed in you," said Dy CM Shivakumar.

Dy CM Shivakumar said, "Under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, our council of ministers is one of the most experienced. We have four former Home Ministers  G. Parameshwara, K.J. George, M.B. Patil, and Ramalinga Reddy  who have provided new direction to the department. Follow the wise guidance given by Parameshwara and work accordingly."

"Karnataka Police have earned respect across the country. Today is a golden day for the police department under Parameshwara's leadership. The Chief Minister has dedicated his entire day to the department. The state now offers some of the best housing facilities. I commend Parameshwara and assure you that our government will always stand by you," Shivakumar said.

Praising the department's work during New Year celebrations, he urged the police to continue delivering effective services.

Reflecting on advancements in policing, Shivakumar said, "During late CM Bangarappa's tenure, I handled responsibilities related to prisons and home guards. Since then, technology has modernised significantly, with tools like cybercrime units and Internet-based investigations. We must use these advancements to fulfill our duties effectively."
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 8 : Thiruvananthapuram is all set to host the 73rd three day National Town and Country Planners Conference from Friday.

During the conference, leading urban planners and policymakers will deliberate on sustainable, inclusive and resilient development of India's urban and country's landscapes.

'Intelligent, Digital Spatial Planning and Governance' is the focal theme of the conference, organised by the Institute of Town Planners, India (ITPI), New Delhi, with the support of the Local Self Government Department (LSGD), Government of Kerala.

ITPI President N. K.Patel said the meeting will deliberate on a host of live topics relating to urban and country development including technological advancements, the effectiveness of smart cities, and finances of local bodies and mitigating the impact of climatic challenges.

ITPI is the premier institution of qualified urban planners in the country which came into existence in 1951 with the vision to promote dynamic, inclusive and integrated town and country planning practice, education, research and institutional mechanisms for vibrant, sustainable and resilient spatio-economic development of towns, cities and regions.

"The conference will come out with insights and perspectives that will contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat and the goal of the country growing into a $5 trillion economy," said ITPI Secretary General V.P. Kulshrestha.

Town planners from across the country are assembling in the city at a time when climate change is posing grim challenges in its various manifestations like urban floods, landslides and storms.

With an extensive coastline and vast river systems, India faces significant risks from climate change.

The conference will consider this issue prominently, and come out with an action plan to address its impact on spatial planning, he said.

Geospatial technologies, data analytics, Artificial Intelligence, cloud-based platforms, Virtual and Augmented Reality, and flexible and adaptive planning, which have a crucial role to play in India's futuristic advancement, are among the topics to be covered by the meeting.

The strides made by Kerala in participatory planning by empowering local democracy as the first state to implement the 73rd Amendment of the Constitution will be showcased at the meeting.

The decentralised planning process can address multiple issues including disaster management, climate change local economic development and women empowerment. There will be special presentations by the Women Planners Forum.
Phnom Penh, Jan. 8 : Cambodia recorded 49 landmines and explosive remnant of war (ERW) casualties in 2024, up 53 per cent from 32 in the year before, a spokesperson said on Wednesday.

"Twelve people were killed, 29 injured, and eight amputated due to landmine and ERW explosions last year," Lang Kosal, a spokesperson for the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), told Xinhua.

He added that the victims were 30 men, 11 boys, three women, and five girls.

According to Kosal, from 1979 to 2024, landmine and ERW explosions had claimed 19,834 lives and either injured or amputated 45,252 others.

Cambodia is one of the countries most affected by landmines and ERWs. An estimated four million to six million landmines and other munitions had been left over from three decades of war and internal conflicts that ended in 1998.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said in a public speech last November that although Cambodia achieved full peace in 1998, the shadow of landmines continued to loom large and posed a dire threat to human lives and post-war recovery.

He said Cambodia has so far cleared over 3,000 square km of landmines, destroying over one million anti-personnel mines and three million ERWs.

"We have declared 15 of the 25 capital cities and provinces as mine free," Manet told Xinhua news agency.

"Nevertheless, our journey is far from over. We still have over 1,600 square km of contaminated land and is affecting lives of approximately 1 million people."

The Siem Reap-Angkor Summit on a Mine-Free World held in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap province discussed actions to build a safer and more peaceful world from mines and brought together delegates from more than 150 countries, which are state parties to the Mine-Ban Convention, known as the "Ottawa Treaty".

Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), also said that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will remain out of reach for affected communities if the landmine threat is not fully addressed.

"In the face of new and ongoing conflicts, we must ensure that our commitments translate into practical, sustained support for countries in need," she said.

Alisjahbana said the United Nations stands ready to reinforce and expand its support to mine-affected countries.

"Together, we can achieve a world free from landmines and a prosperous future for generations to come," she added.
Seoul, Jan 8 : South Korea's Acting President Choi Sang-mok on Wednesday urged government agencies, including the secret service, to avoid any physical confrontation during the process of arresting President Yoon Suk-yeol, who remains in his fortified compound.

"Ensure that no harm comes to citizens, and avoid any unfortunate incidents such as physical clashes between government agencies under any circumstances," Choi said during a government meeting.

On Friday, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), which is investigating Yoon for alleged insurrection, attempted to execute a court-issued warrant for his arrest but withdrew after a five-hour standoff with the Presidential Security Service (PSS).

Despite calls from the CIO to tell the PSS to stand down, Choi has so far refrained from actively exercising his authority to provide guidelines.

The PSS reinforced Yoon's presidential residence earlier this week by installing barbed wire and barricades, and using buses to block access to the residence in Seoul.

Meanwhile, the CIO has announced its plan to thoroughly execute the warrant through an apparently pending second attempt to detain Yoon.

Following the impeachment of both Yoon and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, the main Opposition Democratic Party (DP) has called for an investigation against Choi, accusing him of dereliction of duty for failing to act.

Additionally, the DP has criticised Choi for not taking any action against Park Chong-jun, head of the PSS, despite his role in obstructing the CIO's attempt to detain Yoon, Yonhap news agency reported.

Earlier in the day, South Korea's police said they were tracking President Yoon Suk Yeol's location amid rumors that he may have fled his residence while facing the threat of arrest over his short-lived imposition of martial law.

"We cannot specifically disclose President Yoon's location," a police official told Yonhap News Agency. "We continue to track his location."

However, the Presidential office denied speculations that President Yoon Suk Yeol might have fled his residence amid investigators' attempts to detain him for a probe into his short-lived imposition of martial law.
Chandigarh, Jan 8 : Senior Akali leader Sukhbir Singh Badal on Wednesday warned the Union government against going ahead with the reported decision to re-designate the post of Advisor to Punjab Governor-cum-Chandigarh Administrator as the Chief Secretary.

He said the decision "comes with the active collusion of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab and its Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann."

"Mann had formally acknowledged Haryana's right over Chandigarh by agreeing to setting up of the Haryana Legislative Assembly in Chandigarh," Badal said in a statement.

"He had the same anti-Punjab stand on Panjab University and the PGI," the Akali leader said and added that the transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab is a settled issue, committed by two Prime Ministers and endorsed by the Union Cabinet as well as by both Houses of Parliament following the Memorandum of Settlement on Punjab in July 1985.

"Even the issue of the Hindi speaking areas to be transferred to Haryana in lieu of Chandigarh stands settled beyond any possible dispute or doubt. Two commissions set up by the Union government had categorically ruled in favour of Punjab, saying that there was no Hindi speaking area in the state that could be transferred to Haryana," said Badal.

"So, the only unfinished agenda of the 1966 re-organisation of Punjab was to restore to us our constitutional rights on the river waters as a riparian state, the transfer of Chandigarh and other Punjabi-speaking areas to Punjab left out of the state and restoration of the state's control over institutions and authorities like the BBMB, educational and cultural institutions, etc. Punjab demands nothing more than its due rights as guaranteed under the Constitution," he said.

The Akali leader said that instead of addressing the unconstitutional discrimination against the people of Punjab on these issues, successive governments in New Delhi have continued to institutionalise this stepmotherly treatment against the state through "politics of deceit and discrimination against the patriotic people of Punjab who have always borne the brunt of national security as a border state."

"We have never flinched from our duty to the country. But anti-Punjab decisions of Union governments have been bleeding the nation's strong arm and granary. This must stop," Badal lambasted.

He slammed Delhi-based political parties as well as some pied pipers and agenda-driven opinion makers, who had always been diluting and weakening Punjab's case by focussing all their energies against those who have been fighting for the state.

"Instead of lending their voice to efforts for justice for the state, their sole agenda has been to target the Akali Dal day and night. They keep singing the songs handed to them by anti-Punjab forces. They keep repeating that the Akalis never speak for Punjab while in government.

"They know they are lying because they know that Parkash Singh Badal as Chief Minister had challenged the river water discrimination against Punjab in the Supreme Court," he said.

"As Chief Minister, he defied the SC's orders to construct the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal. Also as CM he went against the top court's order and restored the SYL lands to the farmers, free of cost," he added.
Visakhapatnam, Jan 8 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan held a huge roadshow here on Thursday evening.

The three leaders were standing in an open-top flower-bedecked vehicle waving at people lined up on both sides of the road. The roadshow began at Venkatadri Vantillu restaurant area in Siripuram Junction and concluded at Andhra University Engineering College ground, where the Prime Minister will address the public meeting after launching various development projects.

Hundreds of people, who were waiting for several hours, lustily cheered as the three leaders waved at them. Many were seen showering petals towards the vehicle as security personnel kept a tight vigil on the crowd.

BJP MP and partyas state president D. Purandeswari was also seen standing behind the Prime Minister during the roadshow held for about 1.5 km. Flags of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Jana Sena and BJP were seen along the roadshow route. All three coalition partners mobilised a large number of people from various parts of north Andhra. Cultural programmes, reflecting the culture of north Andhra, were also organised during the roadshow.

Earlier, Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and senior officials accorded a warm welcome to the Prime Minister on his arrival. On his first visit to Andhra Pradesh after the TDP-led NDA formed the government in the State, the Prime Minister will virtually launch several major projects aimed at driving sustainable growth and infrastructure development, with a particular focus on North Andhra Pradesh.

He will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for projects worth over Rs 2 lakh crore. This is Narendra Modias second visit to Andhra Pradesh after assuming office as the Prime Minister for the third term. In June last year, he had attended the swearing-in of Chandrababu Naidu and his ministers in Vijayawada. The Prime Minister was scheduled to visit Visakhapatnam on November 29 but the programme was postponed due to cyclone alert.
It is surprising, but until relatively recently, humanity was unaware of the shape of the basic building blocks of life. On July 22, 2021, Googles DeepMind announced that it had successfully predicted, with unprecedented accuracy, the structure of nearly all the proteins that make up the human body. Two of its scientists, Demis Hassabis and John Jumper, were awarded the latest Nobel Prize in Chemistry for this achievement, alongside biochemist David Baker, who has made similar advances at the University of Washington.

However, much remains to be understood about the effects of mutations on these structures. A team of four researchers, including the Spanish scientist Antoni Beltran, presented on Wednesday the first catalog of half a million mutations. They have named it Human Domainome 1, and it marks a significant step toward truly personalized medicine, with medications tailored to each individual.

Each person has a unique DNA molecule in every one of their cells. It acts like a manual with 20,000 pages  each page representing a gene, which contains the instructions for producing different proteins. These proteins are the tiny machines that carry out the essential functions of life: insulin regulating blood sugar, keratin in hair, hemoglobin transporting oxygen in the blood, collagen in bones, and pepsin aiding digestion in the stomach.

A tiny mistake on any page of this manual can disrupt the meaning of the instructions, just like if a typo in a manual meant that a ventilator was created instead of a helicopter. These missense mutations, which alter the intended meaning of the instructions, are responsible for a third of all known human genetic diseases.

Antoni Beltran, 32, says he is fascinated by this complexity of life. The bioinformatician  who excelled in his biochemistry studies, winning Spains National End-of-Degree Award  works at the Center for Genomic Regulation in Barcelona. There, he is tackling one of biologys most perplexing questions: is it possible to accurately predict all the characteristics of a protein from the sequence of instructions encoded in DNA?

Were going to get there faster than we thought, he declares, his voice filled with conviction on the other end of the phone. In 2021, his boss, the British scientist Ben Lehner, 46, proposed that he begin compiling a catalog of all possible mutations in the key regions of each human protein. The task was enormous, but the two devised an ingenious strategy for conducting large-scale experiments.

First, they modified yeast cells so that their ability to divide would depend on a mouse protein. Then, they introduced human proteins with all possible mutations, and fused them one by one with the mouse protein. If the human protein is properly folded, the yeast can divide. And the faster the yeast multiplies, the more stable the human protein is.

Antoni Beltran, with a plate with yeast, at the Center for Genomic Regulation, in Barcelona. Albert Garcia

Antoni Beltran and Ben Lehner presented the astonishing results of their work on Wednesday. They have measured the stability of 563,000 missense mutations in more than 400 types of human proteins  nearly five times the amount of research conducted worldwide to date, according to their calculations. If we are able to understand all these mechanisms, well be able to tailor the best possible treatment for each patient based on their specific mutation, says Beltran. Their work was published in Nature, a leading journal in the global scientific community.

The team analyzed 621 missense mutations known to contribute to different diseases. Their findings reveal that 60% of these mutations reduce protein stability. As an example, the authors point to crystallins, the primary structural proteins in the eyes lens. Three out of four mutations linked to cataract formation cause crystallins to become more unstable, leading them to clump together and blur vision.

Beltran and Lehner also highlight AEC syndrome, a disorder characterized by partial eyelid fusion, and reducing body myopathy (RBM), a rare disease marked by progressive muscle weakness. In both cases, mutations cause proteins to become unstable and form aggregates. We have revealed, on an unprecedented scale, how mutations cause disease at the molecular level, says Beltran. The study also involved scientists Xianger Jiang and Yue Shen from the Chinese giant BGI Research.

Bioinformatician Alan Rubin, one of the founders of the large international open-access platform MaveDB, which has been collecting data on the effects of mutated protein variants since 2019, commends the Barcelona researchers for sharing their valuable findings in this database even before their publication in Nature. The authors clearly demonstrate the value of measuring protein stability, as it is a major mechanism by which genetic variants can contribute to disease, says Rubin, who is based at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne, Australia.

Bioinformatician Antoni Beltran in his laboratory at the Center for Genomic Regulation in Barcelona. Albert Garcia

The authors acknowledge a major limitation in their work. They have not analyzed complete proteins, but rather their key areas, known as domains  specific regions that can fold independently and serve distinct functions. Rubin highlights that it is precisely this approach that has enabled them to conduct the experiment on such a large scale. This study also clearly shows that there are many more disease-causing variants that do not affect protein stability and there is still a lot of work to do to improve our collective understanding, he says.

The four researchers point to Rett syndrome as an example  a rare genetic disorder associated with autism spectrum disorder, which predominantly affects girls. It is caused by mutations in the MECP2 gene, responsible for producing a protein essential for brain development. Their new analysis reveals that while some mutations do not destabilize the protein, they do interfere with its ability to bind to DNA and regulate other genes.

Ben Lehner is one of the latest members of the Royal Society, the prestigious British scientific academy founded in 1660, which has included luminaries such as Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, Rita Levi-Montalcini, and Santiago Ramon y Cajal. For Lehner and his colleagues, the Human Domainome project is part of a global effort to determine the consequences of each mutation in every human protein. In his view, measuring the biophysical properties of millions of mutated protein variants will reveal patterns and enable the development of artificial intelligence tools capable of making precise predictions from DNA sequences  much like Google DeepMinds AlphaFold program does for normal proteins. Its just a matter of time, says Beltran.

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Bengaluru, Jan 8 : Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has written a letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over the alleged police highhandedness against BJP MLC C. T. Ravi in connection with the derogatory remark case, asking him to consider the matter seriously, sources said on Wednesday.

The Governor has asked Siddaramaiah to initiate action against the Belagavi Police Commissioner and the SP of Belagavi over highhandedness and also to look into the demand of providing security to the BJP MLC.

"I am advising you to take steps in this regard as you (CM Siddaramaiah) are also a representative of people like Ravi," he stated.

The Governor wrote a letter in this regard after a delegation of the state BJP leaders complained to him about the issue on December 24. The state government has yet to respond to the letter.

Karnataka BJP delegation has demanded Governor Gehlot to intervene in the investigation of the derogatory remark case involving BJP MLC Ravi and state Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar to ensure a judicial inquiry.

The delegation, headed by Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka, former CM and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai, Leader of the Opposition in the Council Chalawadi Narayanaswamy, briefed the Governor on how Ravi was "arrested, tortured, denied food, taking him to undisclosed areas".

"Ravi comes from the sensitive naxal-prone area of Chikkamagaluru and he also faces threats from Islamic fundamentalists. All previous governments had provided him with a gunman facility. Despite all this, the move of the Police Department to take Ravi to a quarry, sugarcane field overnight creates suspicion," the team had submitted.

Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka stated, "We have told the Governor that this is a buffoon government. Ravi should be given proper security. An unbiased investigation has to be carried out. While C.T. Ravi was taken to the police station, I saw the Police Commissioner getting calls every minute. I was there for five hours. Who called him? Whether it was CM or the Dy CM? If it comes out, there will be transparency in the investigation."

The row erupted on December 19 during a heated debate in the Karnataka Legislative Council. C.T. Ravi allegedly referred to Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, as a "drug addict".

This provoked strong reactions, with Minister Hebbalkar calling Ravi a "murderer". Ravi allegedly responded with an obscene remark directed at Hebbalkar.

The alleged comment led to Ravi's arrest on charges of using derogatory language against Hebbalkar. However, following a High Court directive, Ravi was released, creating further political drama.

The Congress government has handed over the case to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) even as Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti stated that the case is a closed chapter and police interference is unacceptable.

Meanwhile, Minister Hebbalkar challenged Ravi to swear before Lord Manjunatheshwara at the famous Hindu pilgrimage centre in Dharmasthala in Karnataka, regarding his alleged use of derogatory words against her in the Legislative Council.
Imphal, Jan 8 : Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday warned of stern action against people spreading rumours on social media aimed at creating communal discord in the state.

Distributing benefits to labour card holders, the Chief Minister while addressing the function said that it is a matter of growing concern that some people with vested interest are spreading false information through social media to incite tension between communities in the state.

"I have come to know that some ill-meaning people are spreading rumours through social media to create enmity between two communities. I have instructed concerned departments to identify the culprits and take appropriate action," Singh stated, reinforcing his commitment to ensure peace and communal harmony in Manipur.

The state government is fully committed to take stringent action against anyone found guilty of causing unrest through malicious rumours and misinformation, he said.

The Chief Minister distributed benefits to labour card holders under a special scheme for providing financial assistance for education of children of labour card holders staying in the relief camps.

He said a total of Rs 2.89 crore was disbursed to around 5,225 people through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) on Wednesday.

Under the scheme, Rs 5,000 has been provided to every violence hit displaced family having a valid labour card and staying in relief camps.

The Chief Minister stated that one should not indulge in petty politics and rather people should work with concerted efforts during this crucial period in the state.

"One should join politics to do something for the betterment of the land and its people. A politician should have the courage to stand firmly for the cause of the state and its people," he added.

The Chief Minister mentioned that the BJP-led government had launched various citizen-centric schemes for the welfare of the people.

He stated that cashless medical treatment 'Chief Minister-gi Hakshelgi Tengbang (CMHT)' was launched in January, 2018 by the government after considering the hardships faced by the poor and needy people on health care.

Similarly, 'Chief Minister Sotharabasin-gi Tengbang' was launched for the welfare and development of differently-able people in the state.

Under the' School Fagathansi mission', children of labour card holders residing in relief camps are being provided free education in government schools.

Singh said, under the 'Chief Minister gi Artistes singi Tengbang (CMAT)' scheme, monthly pension is being provided to around 900 artistes. Thousands of families have been benefited by the 'One Family, One Livelihood Scheme', he said.

He further stated that around 500 youths shall be provided skills training in Delhi for cabin crew placements and the funding for the training would be borne by the Ministry of Tourism and priority would be given to displaced persons.

He said, around 17 startups have already employed around 432 displaced people.

The Chief Minister said that the government has been extending all possible assistance in shifting people affected by the ethnic conflict to safer places.

In the Phubala area, prefabricated houses have been constructed by the government and people have been moved to the houses located at a safer place. Around 2,500 prefabricated houses have been occupied.
Chennai, Jan 8 : The reloaded version of Pushpa 2: The Rule, featuring actor Allu Arjun in the lead, will now release on January 17 instead of the earlier announced date of January 11.

Mythri Movie Makers, the producers of the film, took to their social media timelines to announce the new date of release of the reloaded version, which will feature an additional 20 minutes.

In a post on X, the production house said, "Due to technical delays in processing the content, the reloaded version of Pushpa 2: The Rule is delayed. It will now screen in theatres from 17th January and not from 11th January as planned earlier."

Wishing everyone a happy Sankranthi, the production house also said, "The extended version will be worth the wait with additional whistleworthy moments. The wildfire gets more fiery."

Pushpa 2: The Rule emerged as the biggest film of 2024, setting unparalleled examples of success since its release.

In fact, on Monday, the makers officially announced that the film had made a whopping 1831 crore, making it the Indian cinema industry's biggest hit with the highest ever collection for a movie in India. What is more interesting is that the film took a mere 32 days to gross this amount.

Pushpa 2: The Rule, directed by ace director Sukumar and featuring Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, and Fahadh Faasil, is a gripping story that revolves around Pushpa Raj -- a man, who, after having had everything taken away from him, decides that he will not lose anything more in life to anyone.

The story tells his rise to the heights of power by becoming the head of a powerful syndicate that illegally deals in red sandalwood.

The film, which has three parts, is produced by Mythri Movie Makers and Sukumar writings with music on T Series. The second part released on December 5, 2024.
Bengaluru, Jan 8 : Six Maoists have surrendered in presence of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at his home office 'Krishna' in Bengaluru on Wednesday, submitting that they will join the society's mainstream by lying down their arms.

Bengaluru, Jan 8 (IANS) Six Maoists have surrendered in presence of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at his home office aKrishnaa in Bengaluru on Wednesday, submitting that they will join the society's mainstream by lying down their arms.

The arms laying down programme took place in the presence of Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Karnataka DGP and other senior officers from the police department were also present.

The Maoists were brought to the CM's office from Chikkamagaluru. Earlier in the day, they wanted to surrender before the district administration of Chikkamagaluru through the aShantigaage Naagarikara Vedikea (Citizens Forum for Peace).

However, following the wish of the CM Siddaramaiah to facilitate the process of surrender, they were brought to Bengaluru.

Mundagaru Latha from Mundagaru in Sringeri Vanajakshi from Balehole in Kalasa; Sundari from Kutluru near Mangaluru; Marappa Jayanna Aroli from Raichur; Vasantha T. aka Ramesh from Tamil Nadu, and N. Jeesha from Kerala surrendered in presence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

According to sources, Mandagaru Latha, the eldest daughter of a poor tribal family from Sringeri Taluk, dropped out of school in the 6th grade due to poverty and harassment by her teachers. Her family allegedly faced the threat of losing their home under the Kudremukh National Park Project.

Frustrated with the governmentas alleged apathetic attitude towards democratic protests, Latha and her family joined the movement resisting the project.

In 2000, at the age of 18, disillusioned with the lack of response to peaceful protests, Latha took up armed resistance.

Since then, she has been part of a guerrilla group operating across Karnataka and Kerala. Over time, she has transitioned back to mainstream activism, becoming a prominent figure in democratic movements once again.

Sources claimed that despite only studying up to the 6th grade, Latha possesses remarkable clarity and commitment when discussing policies and their implications. She was recognized as a leader in the Maoist movement and is actively working towards achieving justice for marginalized communities through democratic means.

Sundari is also a tribal woman who grew up in poverty. She was the sixth among five siblings and had to drop out of school after the 3rd grade due to poverty and the distance of the school from her home.

Her family, too, allegedly faced the threat of losing everything due to the Kudremukh National Park Project. When democratic protests failed to yield results, Sundari, like many other young people at the time, took up arms.

In 2004, at the age of 19, she joined the Maoist party and became part of a guerrilla group operating in Karnataka and Kerala.

She recalls the police raids and atrocities inflicted on her and neighboring families. Sundari claims the memories that still haunt her.

Despite these hardships, Sundari claims that she retained her fighting spirit and now aspires to join the mainstream and contribute to democratic movements to bring about social change.

Vanajakshi, the senior-most member of the group, studied up to SSLC (10th grade). She dropped out of school in 1985 and became actively involved in public life in her village, serving as an unopposed member of the Gram Panchayat in 1992 and 1997.

As the eldest daughter of a large family with eight children, she learned typewriting and supported her family through tailoring.

Despite being politically active, Vanajakshi and her family allegedly couldnat protect their small piece of land from powerful persons resulting hardships led to her motheras mental health deterioration and her brotheras suicide.

Sources stated that witnessing similar struggles among other families in her community, Vanajakshi lost faith in the system. Influenced by the armed movements of the time, she decided in 2000 that armed struggle was the only path.

Since then, she has been part of a guerrilla group operating across Karnataka and Kerala.

Jayanna Aaroli, a Dalit youth from Aaroli village in Manvi Taluk of Raichur district, holds a Bacheloras degree. During his college years, he was attracted by the Maoist movement active in the region at the time. The encounter killing of Bhaskar, a prominent figure in the movement, deeply impacted him, fueling his resolve to join the cause.

As part of the government-announced rehabilitation package, Jayanna has decided to dedicate half of the monetary compensation he is set to receive toward the development of the school in his village, sources stated.

Vasantha, a B.Tech graduate from Arcot in Vellore district, Tamil Nadu, grew up influenced by socially conscious ideologies and movements. Observing various struggles from a young age, he developed a strong inclination toward activism.

After completing his degree in 2010, Vasanth joined the armed struggle and became a member of a guerrilla group operating in Kerala and Karnataka.

Jeesha, an Adivasi woman from Makkimala in Wayanad district, Kerala, is the youngest member of the team.

She studied up to the 8th grade before becoming part of the armed struggle in Kerala in 2018. In 2023, Jeesha moved from Kerala to Karnataka along with other members of the group, sources stated.
New Delhi, Jan 8 : Union Minister of Mines G. Kishan Reddy on Wednesday urged the private sector to invest in the critical minerals sectors to help the country achieve self-reliance in this crucial field.

Addressing a 'Chintan Shivir' on critical minerals at Vigyan Bhavan here, the minister highlighted the importance of collaboration between the government and private sector, describing them as one family working together to achieve annual targets and propel India towards becoming a developed nation.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of State for Mines Satish Chandra Dubey underscored the importance of integrating modern technologies and industry expertise into research initiatives. He highlighted how these efforts would enhance operational efficiency and promote environmental sustainability, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modias vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

A key session at the Shivir focused on encouraging private sector participation by expanding access to geo-scientific data. The dialogue highlighted the importance of democratising this data to facilitate exploration activities and foster innovation. The Ministry aims to attract private investment and enhance the efficiency of mineral exploration through this initiative.

The second session centred on adopting a circular economy within the mining sector. Industry leaders and experts deliberated on sustainable practices to minimise waste, optimise resource use, and reduce the environmental impact of mining. The discussions reinforced the necessity of transitioning to eco-friendly models for long-term ecological balance and economic growth.

The event also explored strategies to develop a robust local ecosystem for mining equipment manufacturing. Participants emphasized the importance of fostering innovation and strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities to reduce dependency on imports and boost the aMake in Indiaa initiative. These efforts are expected to generate jobs, enhance technological advancements, and promote self-reliance in the mining sector.

During the event, Union Ministers Kishan Reddy and Dubey launched the Annual Capacity Building Programme (ACBP) Training Calendar 2025, an initiative aimed at enhancing the skills and capabilities of Ministry of Mines officials and field offices. They also handed over administrative approval letters for 18 research and development projects under the Science and Technology Programme, highlighting the governmentas commitment to fostering innovation and research in the mining sector.

As part of its commitment to boosting Indiaas mining sector, a session on how to increase mineral production and accelerate the operationalization of mineral blocks took place. During the discussions, special focus was placed on simplifying regulatory processes, enhancing exploration capabilities, and leveraging advanced technologies to unlock the full potential of Indiaas mineral resources.

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has increased the number of its exploration projects for critical and strategic minerals from 118 in 2021-22 to 196 in 2024-25 given their importance for crucial industries such as Lithium-Ion batteries, semiconductor technology, and computing.

Currently, the extraction of these minerals is dominated by a few countries such as China which makes the supply chain vulnerable to geopolitical uncertainties.

India is viewed as part of the alternative supply chain that needs to be developed to break Chinaas dominance in this crucial segment. India, at present, relies mainly on imports to meet its demand. It is also exploring opportunities for mining abroad.
Visakhapatnam, Jan 8 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched projects worth Rs 2.08 lakh crore including India's largest green hydrogen hub, South Coastal Railway zonal headquarters, Krishnapatnam industrial node and bulk drug park in Andhra Pradesh.

Visakhapatnam, Jan 8 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched projects worth Rs 2.08 lakh crore including Indiaas largest green hydrogen hub, South Coastal Railway zonal headquarters, Krishnapatnam industrial node and bulk drug park in Andhra Pradesh.

At a mammoth public meeting at AU Engineer College ground in the presence of Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, he virtually inaugurated, laid foundation stones or dedicated tothe nation various projects by unveiling the plaques. The projects span energy, railways, roads, infrastructure and pharma industries.

The green hydrogen hub of NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) is coming up at Pudimadaka in Atchutapuram mandal (block) of Anakapalle district at a cost of Rs 1.85 lakh crore. The ambitious project, to come up on 1,600 acres, is expected to turn Andhra Pradesh into a green energy powerhouse and transform India into a global leader in green hydrogen production.

To be developed under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, this mega project involves 20,000 MW of renewable energy capacity to produce 1,500 tonnes per day of green hydrogen. The project will also produce 7,500 tonnes of green hydrogen derivatives, including green methanol, green urea, and sustainable aviation fuel, primarily targeting export markets. It is expected to create 57,000 jobs.

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for railway projects worth over Rs 6,000 crore. These include the construction of the South Coastal Railway (S Co R) Zonal Headquarters in Visakhapatnam at a cost of Rs 149 crore. The new railway zone will meet the long-pending demand of the State under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014. The other railway projects include the doubling of three railway lines (465 km) across the state.

He dedicated to the nation railway projects worth Rs 5,700 crore including the doubling of five railway lines (323 km) across the state. He also laid the foundation for Krishnapatnam Industrial Area which will come up at a cost of Rs 2,139 crore. Krishnapatnam Industrial Area (KRIS City) in Tirupati district under the Chennai- Bengaluru Industrial Corridor is expected to attract investments of Rs 10,500 crore and create nearly one lakh direct and indirect jobs.

The Bulk drug park will be developed near Nakkapalli in Anakapalle district at a cost of Rs 1,877 crore. The park will be strategically located near the Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC) and the Visakhapatnam- Kakinada Petrochemical and Investment Region, promising thousands of jobs and enhanced industrial activity in the region. He also laid the foundation stone and inaugurated 17 road projects worth over Rs 7,500 crore.

The Prime Minister, who was on his first visit to Andhra Pradesh after the TDP-led NDA formed the government in the State, conducted a roadshow along with Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan before reaching the venue of the public meeting.
Seoul, Jan 8 : South Korea's prosecutors on Wednesday indicted the head of the National Police Agency and the former chief of the Seoul police over their alleged roles during President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived imposition of martial law, officials said.

Cho Ji-ho, Commissioner General of the National Police Agency, and Kim Bong-sik, former chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, were indicted under detention on charges of engaging in essential activities for an insurrection and abuse of power.

The indictments came after the two officials were arrested last month as part of an investigation into Yoon's botched declaration of martial law on December 3.

Cho is accused of ordering police to prevent lawmakers from entering the National Assembly during martial law and alleged involvement in the military's attempt to arrest key politicians.

The two officials allegedly met Yoon hours before his martial law declaration at the presidential safe house in central Seoul, according to the special prosecution team handling the case, Yonhap news agency reported.

During the meeting, Yoon told the officials that he plans to declare martial law and instructed them to send police personnel to the National Assembly and control the situation, the prosecutors said.

Cho and Kim also allegedly received a document from former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun that detailed plans under martial law, such as where and when martial law troops would be deployed.

When Yoon declared martial law, Kim allegedly ordered police to completely block entry into the National Assembly.

He temporarily allowed lawmakers to enter the compound after undergoing legal review with his staff but later sealed off entry, citing the martial law decree that banned all political activity, according to the prosecutors.

Earlier on January 6, South Korean prosecutors indicted the top military intelligence commander over his alleged involvement in President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law imposition the previous month.

The prosecution's special investigation team indicted Defence Intelligence Commander Major General Moon Sang-ho on charges of playing an "integral" role in an insurrection and abuse of power.

Moon was suspected of sending troops to the National Election Commission's office in Gwacheon, south of Seoul, on the night of the short-lived martial law imposition on December 3.

He was also suspected of discussing martial law operations with Noh Sang-won, a former defence intelligence commander, alongside two other subordinates, at a burger franchise in Gyeonggi Province two days ahead of the martial law imposition.
New Delhi, Jan 8 : Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress, who were alliance partners in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, are contesting the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections separately. They not only snapped ties for the ensuing Assembly polls but are also firing pointed volleys at each other.

While the national capital braces for a three-cornered high-voltage contest, Maharashtra Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan has rued about the lack of poll partnership between AAP and the grand old party.

Prithviraj Chavan, speaking to IANS, said: "It would have been better had the Congress and AAP sealed a poll deal. It is an important election. Both parties are in the fray."

"I think Arvind Kejriwal-led party is in a solid position and will win the Delhi elections," he said in the same breath.

Chavan's remarks are bound to draw backlash from within the party as AAP will project this as 'open admission of defeat' and its role as 'mere vote-cutter' in the Delhi elections by the tall Congress leader from Maharasthra.

The two parties are already in a state of political cross-fire, with Delhi Congress leaders hitting out at the ten-year 'misrule' of AAP dispensation and the latter clapping back.

Days ago, Congress Treasurer Ajay Maken launched an all-out offensive against AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal terming him anti-national while the AAP issued an ultimatum to the grand old party to issue an apology for the same. This has set the stage for a further fierce political fight between the two INDIA bloc allies.

Prithviraj Chavan also made a strong pitch for giving up the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and demanded a reversal to traditional ballot papers.

"One may argue that EVMs haven't been proven to be erroneous and inaccurate, but this doesn't rule out the possibility of them malfunctioning and rigging," he said, citing the example of Germany.

The former Maharashtra CM claimed that, despite years of conducting polling through EVMs, the European country has reverted to the ballot papers.

Delhi is all set to undergo polling on February 5 and the counting of votes will take place on February 8.
New Delhi, Jan 8 : The Supreme Court has expressed shock when it was told that the bail application of a murder accused has been pending before the Allahabad High Court for the past four years.

A bench of Justices of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan asked the apex court registry to forward its order to the Chief Justice of Allahabad HC for his consideration.

The Justice Pardiwala-led Bench said: "We are shocked to learn from the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner that the bail application filed by the petitioner in the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad bearing Criminal Miscellaneous Bail Application No. 40542 of 2020 is still pending as on date."

It took note of the submission that the Allahabad HC is yet to take an appropriate decision on the bail application of the petitioner.

"Since the trial is on the verge of completion, we are not willing to call for any report from the (Allahabad) High Court as to why this bail application is pending past 4 years. However, the (Supreme Court) Registry shall forward this order to the High Court with a request to place this order before Honable Chief Justice of the High Court of Allahabad for his kind consideration," the bench ordered.

In its order, the top court noted that the trial is in progress and the prosecution has closed its evidence. "Perhaps, what is now left could be the recording of the further statement of the petitioner-accused under Section 313 of the Cr.P.C. and the final arguments. However, the fact remains that the bail application is pending past 4 years," it said.
New Delhi, Jan 8 : The Ministry of Ayush, along with the state government, is working to ensure devotees at Maha Kumbh 2025 get a holistic experience, Union Minister of State (IC) Ayush, Prataprao Jadhav said on Wednesday.

He said this at a comprehensive review meeting with senior officials of the Ministry of Ayush on the preparations for the Ayush initiatives at the event, to be held from January 13, in Prayagraj.

aThe Maha Kumbh is not just a gathering of millions of devotees; it is a sacred confluence of spirituality, culture, and wellness. As we approach this historic event, we are reminded of its global significance," Jadhav said.

The MoS noted that the "event is an opportunity to showcase the power of traditional Ayush systems in health".

aThe Ministry of Ayush, in collaboration with the state government, has dedicated immense efforts to ensure that Maha Kumbh 2025 offers a holistic experience to the devotees attending the historic congregation," Jadhav added, expressing satisfaction with the ongoing efforts.

He also congratulated the Ayush team for making detailed preparations to make the experience of Mahakumbh unforgettable for all.

Meanwhile, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, stated that Maha Kumbh 2025 will have aservices like 24/7 Ayush Multi-OPD clinics, mobile healthcare units, free distribution of Ayush medicines, and yoga camps, for all visitors.

The Maha Kumbh 2025 is anticipated to be a historic event, equipped with Ayush systems, being seamlessly integrated to complement the health and wellness experience for millions of pilgrims attending this global gathering.

Key Ayush initiatives planned for the mega event include round-the-clock Ayush multi-OPD clinics.

"Pilgrims will have 24x7 access to personalised healthcare services, offering consultations and treatments rooted in natural and holistic practices of various Ayush systems," to ensure continuous health support for all visitors, said the Ministry.

Special Yoga camps will also be held. These will be led by experts from the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) and the state government.

These camps will focus on improving balance, mindfulness, and physical well-being. With the spiritual atmosphere of the Kumbh, these sessions will offer a perfect blend of health and spirituality," the Ministry said.

The event will also showcase the therapeutic properties of India's rich medicinal flora.

Visitors will have the opportunity to understand the healing power of nature and its relevance in modern healthcare practices.

There will also be fully equipped mobile healthcare units stationed across the Kumbh grounds by the state Ayush society.

These will offer timely health support and ensure immediate access to Ayush-based care for pilgrims throughout the event, the Ministry said.
The first shot fired in Donald Trumps battle against sanctuary cities was a letter sent 249 times that went somewhat unnoticed. On December 23, in the midst of the Christmas celebrations, the Trumpist organization America First Legal issued a message explicitly detailing the serious legal and economic consequences that could befall jurisdictions that do not collaborate with the federal government on immigration matters. After months of campaigning in which the candidate and now president-elect and many of those around him, especially the anti-immigration hawk Stephen Miller, put these cities in the spotlight, the threat reads like a declaration of war.

One might think that since America First Legal is not technically part of the future Trump administration, the letter does not pose a real threat. However, that idea quickly dissipates when one considers that the founder and president of the organization is Miller  one of the main ideologues of Trumps anti-immigration rhetoric, a former senior advisor and future Homeland Security Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and that its board of directors also includes several other senior officials from past and future Trump administrations.

The letter begins without preamble. Federal law is clear: aliens unlawfully present in the United States are subject to removal from the country, and it is a crime to conceal, harbor, or shield them. It is also a crime to prevent federal officials from enforcing immigration law. These laws were duly enacted by the peoples elected representatives. Under the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, they are the law of the land and supersede any State or local laws to the contrary. If the message between the lines wasnt transparent enough, the next paragraph makes it so: So-called sanctuary jurisdictions that forbid compliance with federal immigration law and cooperation with the officials who enforce it are, therefore, breaking the law.

The 249 state and municipal jurisdictions and even non-governmental organizations that have been sent the letter have been accused, according to America First Legal, of breaking the law. Such lawlessness subjects you and your subordinates to significant risk of criminal and civil liability, the letter warns.

Although there is no public list of recipients, it has emerged that the mayors of Los Angeles, New York, Denver, Chicago, Boston, Washington D.C., Baltimore, Altanta and New Orleans are among them. But letters have also gone out to officials from smaller cities and specific counties. Even the chief of police of Los Angeles, Jim McDonnell, received one. We have identified Los Angeles as a sanctuary jurisdiction that is violating federal law. In fact, as Los Angeles Chief of Police, you have clearly stated your support for the city to ignore federal law, stating on November 8, 2024 that the LAPD, will not cooperate with mass deportations, thereby stating your intent to blatantly violate federal immigration law, reads the letter addressed to McDonnell.

The rest of the lengthy letter goes on to detail specific laws that sanctuary jurisdictions and other agencies are, according to this organization, breaking: from interfering with communication between local authorities and the federal government about the immigration status of individuals, to sheltering migrants  even migrants who currently have legal status but originally entered the country illegally.

The complaints outline more clearly than ever the script that lawyers will follow to attack them mercilessly. There is talk of sentences of up to five years in prison for each migrant that is sheltered, thus insinuating the possibility of life in prison. The letters also claim that the legal cases can be advanced as conspiracy cases, affecting numerous defendants from the same jurisdiction who have allegedly committed the same crime, both actively and passively. This means that not only high-ranking officials are being threatened, but also middle and low-ranking ones. Likewise, the letter opens the door for people to be subject to civil lawsuits for alleged damages caused by their actions in support of migrants, which, at the very least, would cost thousands of dollars in legal defense, and at the most, could mean significant fines for administrations and individuals.

These overblown threats are meant seriously, however, as the letter repeatedly cites the Supreme Courts support for its reading of immigration laws. Given that the current Supreme Court is ultraconservative and three of its nine members were appointed by Trump himself, whom the court has already favored on several occasions with rulings in line with his interests, the warnings take on an even more ominous tone. The implication is that if those accused of committing these crimes decide to fight a legal battle, they will end up in a court that favors the interpretation of America First Legal, Miller and Trump.

Your jurisdictions sanctuary laws or policies therefore make a mockery of American democracy and demonstrate a shocking disrespect for the rule of law. For these reasons alone, you should abandon them. But no matter your views on our Union, the fact of the matter is that you and the other officials who support or enforce sanctuary laws, policies, and regulations have a very personal stake in the matter  you each could face criminal prosecution and civil liability for your illegal acts, the letter concludes, before finally inviting the accused officials and individuals to back off and save themselves the trouble. This newspaper reached out to some sanctuary cities and America First Legal for comment on the letter and their planned next steps, but did not receive a reply.

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Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 8 : Over three decades after it came out with a directive banning its members from consuming alcohol, the Communist Party of India has now relaxed the curbs, holding that there is no harm in members consuming liquor in moderate quantities.

It was in 1992 that the CPI, the second biggest constituent in the Left Democratic Front, decided that party members should not consume liquor.

Lifting the ban now, in a directive to the party rank and file, the party said that members can consume liquor, but should do it in moderate quantities. It further adds that drinking should not be made a habit and under no circumstances, should members drink in public and they should ensure that the image of the party is not affected.

Incidentally, while the Congress-led United Democratic Front in 2015 batted for prohibition and led to the closure of more than 500 bars and for a brief while only five-star hotels were allowed to sell liquor, the CPI-M-led Left was not for prohibition.

With the budget session of the Kerala Assembly scheduled to begin later this month, this move by the CPI is certainly going to be raked up by the Congress-led Opposition.

Over the years, the Kerala state exchequer is kept alive by the taxes collected through the sale of beer and liquor as in the last fiscal, this generated a staggering Rs 16,609.63 crore, up from Rs 16,189.55 crore in 2022-23.

Liquor in Kerala is sold through 277 retail outlets owned by the Kerala State Beverages Corporation, while the state-backed cooperative organization Consumerfed also has 39 retail outlets.

The profile of liquor consumers in Kerala reveals that around 32.9 lakh people out of the 3.34 crore population in the state consume liquor, which includes 29.8 lakh men and 3.1 lakh women. Around five lakh people consume liquor on a daily basis. Of this, as many as 83,851 people, including 1,043 women, are addicted to alcohol.
Mahakumbh Nagar, Jan 8 : This year's Mahakumbh is showcasing the cultural influence of the North-Eastern states, with a special focus on the tradition of Satradhikars in Assam, where rituals will be conducted based on the Assamese Namghar culture. The northeastern saints are participating in the Mahakumbh for the first time this year.

The Yogi Adityanath government has extended a special invitation to the saints from the northastern region, granting them the status of aState Guestsa. Special preparations are underway in the Prag Jyotishpur area of the Kumbh complex to accommodate these cultural events, beginning on January 12.

Padma Shri awardee Chitta Maharaj of Tripura, along with ancient satras like Dakshin Pad Satra, Gadmur Satra, many satradhikars will come and participate in the Shahi Snan.

This is for the first time that the Satradhikars will be participating in the royal bath at the Kumbh and staying there.

The akhadas will honor them, and there will be dialogues with the saint community. The Prag Jyotishpur camp is set to be inaugurated on January 12.

Mahant Mahamandaleshwar Swami Shri Keshav Das Ji Maharaj of Yogashram Bihalangini Assam, shared that a Namghar is being built in the Prag Jyotishpur area of Mahakumbh, marking the first time this is happening at the Kumbh.

The Satradhikars will stay here and participate in the Shahi Snan.

Religious gatherings will be held, and an uninterrupted Bhagwat Katha will take place, running for 168 hours over seven days, from January 21 to January 27.

An exhibition showcasing the cultures of all northeastern states will also be held, offering a complete picture of their society, culture, and religion.

Artists have already arrived to prepare for it, and the exhibition will be inaugurated on January 12, he informed.

He further shared that the event will feature a performance by Ram Vijay Bhavana, which will be staged in the style of Ramlila. Additionally, there will be a Manipuri dance performance and a Satrik dance.

A Bamboo Dance from Nagaland and an Apsara dance will also be showcased, all falling under the Satrik culture.

Devotees will display their artistic skills at the Mati Akhada, a unique tradition of yoga practice with its own distinct form.

A model of Kamakhya will be set up, and the sacred water from Kamakhya will be distributed among the devotees.

Regarding the arrangements at the fair, he mentioned that the arrangements are excellent. The Mela administration is making efforts to ensure that all the saints and sages are satisfied and have the necessary facilities.

"The kind of arrangements made by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath have deeply impressed, satisfied, and excited them. Yogi Ji has invited 125 saints from the Northeast, giving them the status of State Guests, and they are receiving calls from the CM's office. Their accommodations will be arranged in our own Khalsa," he remarked.
Chennai, Jan 8 : The makers of the Upendra-starrer UI: The Movie have now clarified that there is no truth in rumours doing the rounds on social media that the OTT rights for the film had been acquired by Sun NXT.

Taking to their timelines on social media platforms like X and Instagram, the filmmakers, posted an announcement that read, "We have noticed some false news circulating on social media and other platforms claiming that the OTT rights for UI: The Movie has been acquired by Sun Nxt. We want to clarify that this is fake news."

The makers also then went on to add, "The official announcement regarding OTT rights and other updates will be made exclusively by the UI team. Please refrain from believing or spreading such rumours. Stay tuned to our official channels for all authentic updates. Thank you for your love and support."

Real Star Upendra, who acted in the film, also directed the entertainer that was co-directed by M N Krishna Lekhana.

Produced by G Manoharan and KP Sreekanth for Lahari Films LLP and Venus Enterrtainers, the film had cinematography by H C Venu and music by B Ajaneesh Loknath.

Vijay Raj BG was the editor of the film, which had art direction by Shivakumar and Stunts by Thriller Manju, Ravi Varma and Chethan D'Souza.

The makers of the film have maintained that UI: The Movie has been a success. In fact, on the first day of the new year, actor Upendra claimed on his timeline on platform X that the film had emerged as the highest grossing Kannada cinema in 2024.

He wrote, " Happy new year. A Brainbuster that's rewriting history! #UiTheMovie becomes the global highest grosser for Kannada cinema in 2024 #FocusedBlockbusterUI." He also posted an announcement that read, "History in the making! Worldwide highest grossing Kannada film of 2024."
Mumbai, Jan 8 : Veteran actor Jackie Shroff recently took to his official Instagram handle and paid a heartfelt tribute to the late actress Nanda on her birth anniversary.

The 'Hero' actor took to the stories section of the photo-sharing app and dropped a few iconic songs of the late actress from her movies such as "Jab Jab Phool Khile" and "The Train". His post was accompanied by the caption, "Remembering Nanda ji on her birth anniversary", along

with a blue heart emoji. Born on 8th January 1939, Nanda ruled the Hindi film industry for more than three decades.

In the meantime, Jackie Shroff will next grace our screen with the highly-anticipated crime series, "Chidiya Udd". The drama is slated to premiere on the OTT platform Amazon MX Player on 15th January this year. Before the release, the makers decided to treat the cinephiles with the official trailer of the web series. The show is a cinematic adaptation of Aabid Surti's popular novel Cages.

"Chidiya Udd" shares the tale of a young Rajasthani woman named Seher, who finds herself entangled in the dark world of Mumbai's crime syndicate. The story gains momentum as she tries to break free from the chains of power and violence.

Ravi Jadhav has helmed the project jointly financed by Harman Baweja and Vicky Bahri. As for the cast, "Chidiya Udd" will star Jackie Shroff, Bhoomika Meena, Sikandar Kher, Madhur Mittal, Mayur More, and Mita Vashisht in important roles.

Jackie Shroff will be seen portraying the character of Qadir Khan on the show. Talking about the project, he shared, "The world of Chidiya Udd is full of twists and turns. It's a place where survival is the ultimate game, and every character is fighting their own battle. Portraying Qadir has been a challenging yet rewarding experience and the audience will love it."

Additionally, Jackie Shroff will also be a part of "Housefull 5", alongside Akshay Kumar, Nana Patekar, Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, and Riteish Deshmukh.
Vienna, Jan 8 : Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg will serve as the country's interim Chancellor following Karl Nehammer's recent resignation from the post, Austrian news agency APA reported on Wednesday.

Schallenberg will lead the caretaker government after Nehammer's formal resignation on Friday until a new government is formed, APA quoted the office of Austrian President Alexander van der Bellen as saying.

Schallenberg, 55, has served as Austria's foreign minister since 2019.

Van der Bellen on Monday tasked Herbert Kickl, leader of the far-right Freedom Party, with forming a new government after recent coalition talks without the far-right party collapsed.

Van der Bellen announced the decision following a one-hour talk with Kickl around noon on January 6. Speaking at a press conference, the president said that the political landscape had shifted, as the People's Party was now ready to negotiate a coalition under Kickl's leadership.

Kickl expressed confidence in finding viable solutions and affirmed willingness to take the responsibility, Van der Bellen was quoted as saying by the APA.

The Freedom Party has previously served as a junior coalition partner but has never led an Austrian government.

The Austrian president's latest move follows the collapse of three-party coalition talks involving the People's Party, the Social Democratic Party and the NEOS party. Subsequent two-party talks also failed after the NEOS' withdrawal.

In the September parliamentary election, the Freedom Party secured around 29 per cent of the vote, ahead of the People's Party with 26.3 per cent and the Social Democratic Party with 21.1 per cent. Despite winning the parliamentary presidency, the Freedom Party had been unable to secure coalition partners to form a government.

In October, Van der Bellen tasked the People's Party with forming a government. However, coalition talks led by the party dragged on from mid-November until their sudden collapse, Xinhua news agency reported.

Karl Nehammer resigned as Chancellor and chairman of the People's Party after the negotiations failed. Nehammer had consistently opposed forming a coalition with the Freedom Party under Kickl.

The People's Party then appointed Secretary-General Christian Stocker as interim leader. Though Stocker has been a sharp critic of Kickl, he said that his party was open to coalition negotiations with the Freedom Party.

Stocker defended the shift, citing the need to get a stable government and avoid wasting time with election campaigns.
Aden, Jan 8 : US warplanes carried out seven airstrikes on military sites held by the Houthi group in northern Yemen on Wednesday, a military official of the Yemeni government forces told Xinhua news agency.

The official said on condition of anonymity that the strikes targetted key military locations in the Harf Sufyan district of Amran province and Jarban area in Sanhan district, south of the Yemeni capital Sanaa, the official said.

He provided no details regarding casualties or the scale of damage caused by the airstrikes.

According to the source, some of the targeted sites are believed to be underground weapons storage facilities used by the Houthi group.

Meanwhile, US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the strikes in a statement posted on X, saying, "CENTCOM forces conducted multiple precision strikes against two Iranian-backed Houthi underground Advanced Conventional Weapon (ACW) storage facilities within Houthi-controlled territories of Yemen, Jan. 8."

The statement added that the Houthi group used these facilities to carry out attacks on US Navy warships and merchant vessels in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

There has been no immediate comment from the Houthi group regarding the strikes.

Since November 2023, the Houthis have been carrying out rocket and drone attacks on Israeli cities and disrupting "Israeli-linked" shipping in the Red Sea.

In response, the US-led navy coalition stationed in the area has been conducting regular air raids on Houthi targets since January 2024 in a bid to deter the armed group.

The Houthi group said in a statement on Tuesday that it had targeted the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier in the northern Red Sea with two winged missiles and four drones, as well as sites in Israel.

The group "carried out a qualitative military operation... while the American enemy was preparing to launch a major air attack on Yemen," which had "failed" thanks to its operation, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in the statement aired by the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV.

According to Sarea, Houthis also carried out attacks on Israeli sites, targeting with drones two military targets in Israel's Tel Aviv city, and a "vital target" in Israel's Ashkelon city.

"We will continue our operations in support of the Palestinian resistance, and these operations will not stop until the aggression on Gaza stops and the siege is lifted," he added.

The Houthi statement had come simultaneously with the arrival of UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg in the Houthi-held capital Sanaa, which marked his first visit in more than a year and a half as part of efforts to push forward the stalled peace process.
Tehran, Jan 8 : Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Wednesday that his country and Iraq have common concerns about the ongoing developments in Syria.

He made the remarks at a joint press conference with visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani following their meeting in the Iranian capital Tehran earlier in the day, according to a statement published on the website of his office.

Pezeshkian said he had discussed recent developments in the West Asia region with the Iraqi prime minister, listing some of the two countries' common concerns over Syria as ensuring stability and calm, maintaining its territorial integrity, countering terrorist activities, making Israel leave the occupied Syrian territories and paying attention to religious sentiments, especially with regard to Shiite Muslims' sacred sites and holy shrines in Syria.

He added the two sides also exchanged views on the risks of terrorism and the possibility of the reactivation of terrorist cells in the region, which required further cooperation between Iran and Iraq and their greater vigilance.

Pezeshkian said Iran had always wanted peace, stability and development for its neighbours, adding the country attached great importance to Iraq's security and growth and the Iraqi people's welfare.

The Iraqi prime minister, for his part, said his visit to Iran was within the framework of promoting bilateral cooperation and relations, noting, "We will make efforts to expand cooperation between Iraq and Iran to help ensure security and stability in both countries and prosperity in their ties with each other," according to the official news agency IRNA.

The Iraqi News Agency INA said Al-Sudani affirmed Iraq's commitment to building balanced relations with all international and regional parties to serve mutual interests.

On the Syrian situation, he said restoring calm to Syria was the key to regional stability, calling on all sides to contribute to the achievement of a comprehensive political solution in the country, one that would preserve the Arab state's sovereignty and territorial integrity and stop foreign interference.

Al-Sudani expressed Iraq's readiness for cooperation with all parties in Syria for a peaceful transition of government in a way that all Syrian groups were included, Xinhua news agency reported.

Heading a delegation, al-Sudani arrived in Tehran on Wednesday on a one-day trip for talks on bilateral ties as well as regional and international issues of common concern.
Kolkata, Jan 8 : Malda town president of Trinamool Congress, Narendra Nath Tiwari, arrested on Wednesday for allegedly conspiring the murder of party's councillor from Ward number 22 of English Bazar Municipality, Dulal Sarkar aka Babla, was "determined for a long time to assassinate Babla due to personal rivalry".

Kolkata, Jan 8 (IANS) Malda town president of Trinamool Congress, Narendra Nath Tiwari, arrested on Wednesday for allegedly conspiring the murder of party's councillor from Ward number 22 of English Bazar Municipality, Dulal Sarkar aka Babla, was "determined for a long time to assassinate Babla due to personal rivalry".

This explosive allegation was floated by none other than the English Bazar Municipality chairman Krishnendu Narayan Choudhury, just a few hours after Tiwari was arrested on Wednesday morning from Malda district in West Bengal.

"There was some sort of personal rivalry between Babla and Tiwari for a long time. Earlier too, Tiwari had threatened Babla of dire consequences. I doubt that in all probability, contract killers were hired by Tiwari to assassinate Babla," Choudhury claimed.

However, he added that the rivalry was personal in nature and not political. Choudhury's statement now makes it clear that Sarkar's assassination was a result of internal rivalry within Trinamool Congress in Malda district and not any intra-party rivalry.

The interesting part of the case is that Trinamool Congress leadership, who always holds BJP responsible for any murder or violence against any of their party leader or workers, has refrained this time from adopting the same path.

In fact, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had held the district police responsible for not being able to prevent the murder of Sarkar. Soon after the news of Sarkar's murder surfaced on January 2, the Chief Minister said that the tragedy took place due to the lackadaisical approach of the district police superintendent.

"Previously Babla used to get security cover which was later withdrawn. So there are surely lapses on the part of the police. Babla was with me from the beginning," the Chief Minister said on the day of the murder.

Sarkar was murdered on January 2. Tiwari is the Malda town president of Trinamool Congress and also the district president of the Hindi cell of the ruling party in the district.

On Wednesday, Tiwari's close associate in the party, Swapan Sharma, was also arrested in connection with the case.

Sarkar was attacked on January 2 while standing at a busy crossing in the area. Three helmet-clad assailants arrived on a motorcycle, and one of them opened fire. The first two bullets missed, but the third struck Sarkar in the head. He was immediately rushed to Malda Medical College and Hospital where he died.
New Delhi, Jan 8 : With barely a month left for the election for the 70-member Delhi Assembly and three major contenders -- the ruling AAP, BJP and the Congress -- gearing up to put up their best show, a veteran leader of the grand old party and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on Wednesday claimed that the Arvind Kejriwal-led party will return to power for the third consecutive time.

Chavan's mega-assertion came a day after the Election Commission of India announced February 5 as the day of polls, while it scheduled February 8 as the date of counting of ballots. During an interaction with IANS, Chavan also rued that the Congress and the AAP -- who contested the Lok Sabha polls last year together -- have now parted ways.

Prithviraj Chavan, speaking to IANS, said: "It would have been better had the Congress and AAP sealed a poll deal. It is an important election. Both parties are in the fray."

"I think Arvind Kejriwal-led party is in a solid position and will win the Delhi elections," he said in the same breath.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress, who were alliance partners in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, are contesting the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections separately. They not only snapped ties for the ensuing Assembly polls but are also firing pointed volleys at each other.

As the national capital braces for a three-cornered high-voltage contest, Chavan's remarks are bound to draw backlash from within the party as AAP will project this as 'open admission of defeat' and its role as 'mere vote-cutter' in the Delhi elections by the tall Congress leader from Maharasthra.

The two parties are already in a state of political cross-fire, with Delhi Congress leaders hitting out at the ten-year 'misrule' of AAP dispensation and the latter clapping back.

Days ago, Congress Treasurer Ajay Maken launched an all-out offensive against AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal terming him anti-national while the AAP issued an ultimatum to the grand old party to issue an apology for the same. This has set the stage for a further fierce political fight between the two INDIA bloc allies.

Prithviraj Chavan also made a strong pitch for giving up the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and demanded a reversal to traditional ballot papers.

"One may argue that EVMs haven't been proven to be erroneous and inaccurate, but this doesn't rule out the possibility of them malfunctioning and rigging," he said, citing the example of Germany.

The former Maharashtra CM claimed that, despite years of conducting polling through EVMs, the European country has reverted to the ballot papers.

Delhi is all set to undergo polling on February 5 and the counting of votes will take place on February 8.
Ankara, Jan 8 : Turkey has established a new Cybersecurity Directorate to strengthen defence against cyber threats, according to a presidential decree published in the Official Gazette on Wednesday.

The newly-formed body will be responsible for implementing decisions made by the Cybersecurity Board, which will be chaired by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The board will also include key ministries such as interior, justice, defence, transport and infrastructure, along with industry and technology.

In a post on the social media platform X, Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz said that the directorate will determine policies, strategies, and objectives to ensure cybersecurity, prepare action plans, and implement projects supporting cybersecurity and information security.

The vice president said the directorate will also enhance cooperation between the public and private sector and universities.

The Turkish government introduced a cybersecurity roadmap in 2024 aimed at improving the protection of the country's information infrastructure and boosting national preparedness against cyber threats.

In October, the Turkish authorities had detained nine suspects over their alleged links to an international cyber-espionage network.

The suspects reportedly engaged in cyber espionage, selling stolen personal information to buyers, including terrorist organisations, through social media platforms, Xinhua reported citing the semi-official Anadolu Agency.

The organised crime groups were believed to be using the stolen data to blackmail citizens, particularly young people and children, the report said.

According to Anadolu, Turkish authorities had shut down 18 websites involved in selling such illegal information.

The arrest operation was led by the intelligence agency in coordination with the Gendarmerie General Command and the National Cyber Incident Response Centre, and was conducted under the supervision of the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the report noted, without specifying the time of the operation.
The United States will have a new president on January 20, but the impact of Donald Trumps return is already beginning to be felt on both sides of the border. From the permanent pressure on the Mexican government to the promise of designating the drug cartels as terrorist groups and ending fentanyl trafficking, the Republicans return to the White House anticipates a new chapter in the war on drugs, marked by tough talk, an obsession with linking immigration to the rise of organized crime, and the continuation of Washingtons crusade against the big drug bosses. What he wants to project is not numbers or data, but the show: the spectacle of headline-grabbing blows against criminals, operations, statements against Mexican authorities, says the foreign affairs expert Mauricio Meschoulam. He is projecting that he will do everything in his power and that he will go to any lengths to get what he wants, and it is a threat that Mexico has to take very seriously, adds this academic from the Universidad Iberoamericana.

All foreign gang members will be expelled and I will immediately designate the [drug] cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. I will do so immediately, Trump assured his supporters at the end of December, announcing the largest deportation operation in the history of the United States. Besides the xenophobic statements and hard-line messages, the statements triggered renewed nervousness in Mexico, with fears that Washington could justify a military intervention in Mexican territory with the excuse of fighting terrorism, or use the crisis of violence in the country to increase pressure in other key areas of the bilateral relationship, such as trade or migration.

Trump has two priorities when it comes to Mexico: migrants and drugs, specifically fentanyl, says Ieva Jusionyte, a professor at Brown University. People who support his policies talk about launching a war against the cartels, sending troops, but I think that is just rhetoric, she adds. I dont think there will be any substantial changes in policies, but in approach, Trump and the Republicans are going to be more aggressive compared to the Joe Biden administration.

Although the scope of the president-elects threats remains a matter of debate, experts predict that the shocks will be recurrent. The war on drugs has left an endless trail of drug lords who have been either arrested or killed, from Joaquin El Chapo Guzman to Osiel Cardenas, even though the effectiveness of the strategy against the leaders of the cartels has been called into question in the face of the enormous forces of supply and demand that dominate the illegal markets. Despite the announcements and the operations, violence continues to be present in Mexico and drugs are still present on the streets of the United States.

In Meschoulams view, Trump has a prerogative to differentiate himself as much as possible from Biden and show the world that he is someone who keeps his promises. They are quite at ease with making threats and generating fear; he is a president who moves very well in conflict because it works for him, he says. Ending drug trafficking or migration is not feasible, but that is not what matters to him, what matters to him is that people perceive that he is fighting them with everything he has, and that he can force other actors to do whatever he wants.

Claudia Sheinbaums government has sent signals that it is aware of Trumps demands. A few weeks ago, it announced the largest seizure of fentanyl in the history of Mexico, and sent her security czar, Omar Garcia Harfuch, to Sinaloa to send a message of diligence and that the country can be a reliable ally. Sheinbaum is taking precautions, getting ahead of some demands, says David Saucedo, a security expert. She will show Trump that she is serious about the issue of organized crime and fentanyl production. This means raids and arrests of people linked to crime, all in the most spectacular and media-friendly way possible to showcase the results, at the cost of slow investigative work and addressing the root causes of crime, says Jusionyte.

The Republicans cross-threats have put at risk all the critical circuits of the diplomatic relationship, such as the threat of starting a tariff war if Mexican authorities do not toughen their immigration policy and put a stop to fentanyl. The next president has also sent messages with the appointment of a team of hawks in key positions, chiefly the ex-military Ron Johnson, a former Green Beret, as his ambassador to Mexico. His background coincides with what Trump wants, a hard-liner who will be the executor and messenger of his own blackmail, his complaints and his requests, Saucedo adds.

This specialist sees the possibility of new blows against Mexican politicians and former officials. After all, it was during Trumps first presidency that authorities arrested former Nayarit prosecutor Edgar El Diablo Veytia; General Salvador Cienfuegos, former Secretary of Defense, and Genaro Garcia Luna, former Secretary of Security. Trump is aware that in Mexico there are years of political protection for organized crime, and he will surely try to repeat the dose, says Saucedo.

The authorities are not the only ones adjusting their strategies. Experts agree that a feasible hypothesis is that the most visible criminal groups will lower their profile to guarantee their survival, although a fragile balance is anticipated. The fall of Ismael El Mayo Zambada has unleashed an internal war in the Sinaloa Cartel, which may reconfigure criminal geopolitics in Mexico and forcing them to focus on the next moves of other protagonists, such as the Jalisco Nueva Generacion Cartel or smaller groups that may dispute the positions of El Mayo or Los Chapitos.

According to analysts, the drug traffickers response will not only be defensive. The tightening of immigration policy and border control opens up new possibilities for the wide range of illicit businesses of organized crime. Mass deportations will affect criminal dynamics, says Jusionyte. With fewer legal access routes, human smugglers can find new routes, raise prices for their services and take advantage of the opportunity to exploit more vulnerable people in transit.

The Trump factor has also left its mark on the courts. Joaquin and Ovidio Guzman, sons of El Chapo, have been in negotiations for months to sign a plea bargain and avoid a lengthier sentence if they go to trial. The change of government in the United States may affect that possibility, with the expected arrival of new officials in the coming days, although a change in strategy would imply a major change. The new season of the Trump show has millions of viewers in Mexico and the United States on edge.

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Imphal, Jan 8 : Manipur's opposition Congress on Wednesday said that actual normalcy cannot return in the state unless the violence-hit displaced people are allowed to return to their respective homes and villages.

After meeting Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla with a party delegation, veteran party leader and three-term (2002-2017) Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said that they told him that only the absence of violence while keeping thousands of displaced people confined to relief camps is not a sign of peace.

"Normalcy would only return when those thousands of people living in relief camps are able to safely return to their homes," he told the media.

The Congress delegation urged the Governor to take steps to restore peace in Manipur and ensure the safety and rehabilitation of violence-affected displaced people.

They highlighted collaborative efforts to prevent any recurrence of the crisis and ensure sustainable peace.

The Governor reportedly expressed willingness to consider the Congress's suggestions to aid in resolving the state's ongoing issues.

State Congress President Keisham Meghachandra Singh, Congress Legislature Party deputy leader Kangujam Ranjit Singh, Chief Whip Lokeshwar Singh, Congress Lok Sabha Member Bimol Akoijam and MLA Surjakumar Okram were also in the delegation.

A Raj Bhavan official said that the Congress delegation discussed the prevailing situation in Manipur and the hardships that the people of the state have been facing.

The Congress delegation has made some suggestions which the Governor welcomed them and urged to work collectively for the people of the state.

Meanwhile, Naga villagers enforced a total shutdown in the Makhan village in the Senapati district to protest the assault of a Naga woman of K. Luingwairam Naga village.

Ethnic violence began in Manipur on May 3, 2023, and during the 18-month-long ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, over 250 men and women were killed, over 1,000 were injured and the conflict displaced more than 60,000 people from their homes and villages. There has also been extensive damage to property.
Bhubaneswar, Jan 8 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday arrived at Bhubaneswar Airport to attend the three-day 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention.

PM Modi was welcomed by Governor of Odisha Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and other senior leaders at the Bhubaneswar airport.

PM Modi was welcomed by Governor of Odisha Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and other senior leaders at the Bhubaneswar airport.

The Prime Minister later in a carcade, went to the Odisha Raj Bhavan where he would spend the night.

Various traditional Odia cultural programmes were organised at around eight places along the road to Raj Bhavan to welcome PM Modi. The Prime Minister on his way to Raj Bhavan also greeted the people gathered on both sides of the road by waving his hand.

PM Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention at the Janata Maidan here on Thursday.

He is also scheduled to inaugurate four exhibitions at the Janata Maidan and visit the promotional stalls of various union ministries and state governments of Odisha, Maharashtra, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Gujarat etc., at the venue.

He will leave for Delhi after attending the PBD convention on Thursday.

President Droupadi Murmu will deliver the valedictory address at the three-day convention and confer Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards on January 10.

It is pertinent here to mention that the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention commenced at Bhubaneswar on Wednesday with the inauguration of Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar here.

The delegates attending the convention also participated in various plenary sessions held on the first day of the three-day convention here on Wednesday.

CM Majhi while welcoming the diaspora guests said that the PBD convention which is being held in Bhubaneswar for the first time will ever remain a cherished memory for both the delegates and the people of Odisha.
Chandigarh, Jan 8 : A roundtable conference was convened in Chandigarh to advance the theme of 'Advocacy, Rights, and Reforms with the LGBTQIA+ Community for an Inclusive World'.

The conference, supported by the British Deputy High Commission, Chandigarh, and facilitated by Rubaroo, a Hyderabad-based NGO dedicated to social inclusion, brought together a diverse array of stakeholders, including government representatives, legal professionals, civil society members, media personnel, medical professionals, educationists, college students, social activists, and LGBTQIA+ community members.

In her opening address, Caroline Rowett, Deputy High Commissioner at the British Deputy High Commission, Chandigarh, reaffirmed the UK government's commitment to fostering societies where safety, opportunity, and respect are guaranteed for all individuals, irrespective of sexual orientation or gender identity.

"This conference is more than just a discussion; it is a platform for meaningful engagement and collaboration. It is an opportunity to listen, learn, and most importantly act. Together, let us explore pathways to a more inclusive society, one where diversity is celebrated, where everyone is safe and valued, and where equal opportunities are accessible to all," said Rowett.

Shipra Bansal, Chairperson with the Chandigarh Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CCPCR), and Rakesh Popli, PCS officer, joined the roundtable as special guest and also addressed participants.

The conference served as a critical platform for LGBTQIA+ rights activists, community members, scholars, advocates, and civil society representatives to engage in constructive dialogue and collaboration.

Participants shared insights, experiences, and innovative ideas aimed at overcoming barriers to LGBTQIA+ inclusivity and advancing the rights of the community.

A strong emphasis was placed on the importance of collective action and collaboration to foster an environment where everyone feels safe, valued, and respected. The discussions highlighted the commitment of all stakeholders to building a more inclusive and equitable society for all.
Kolkata, Jan 8 : Three days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted her on her 70th birthday on Sunday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said that her current age is just 65 and that is not mentioned in the official records.

In her address at the function in a state-run auditorium on the last day of "Student's Week" organised by the state government, the Chief Minister also said that her year of birth was extended by five years by her father during her enrolment in a local school.

"I was not aware of that. During my graduation days, my elder brother Ajit Banerjee informed me about that. He also informed me that as per the certificate, the age difference between him and me is just six years," Banerjee said even as Ajit Banerjee was present in the audience.

She said that often the real age of people remains hidden.

"Only the fake age as mentioned in the certificate is known by people. Such things were frequent during those days when child delivery at home was rampant. Today my elder brother is present here. So I disclosed this keeping him as a witness. I had earlier referred to this incident in a book penned by me during the early days of my political career," the Chief Minister said.

Banerjee also said that she does not like her name "Mamata".

"I do not like my name. But we all have to accept the name and title that we inherit," the Chief Minister said.

According to official records, Banerjee was born on January 5, 1955, which, however, is not her "actual" birth date. Banerjee, in her 1995 memoir "Ekante", has written about her birth, which took place during Durga Puja. The puja is usually held at the end of September or the beginning of October as per the Hindu calendar.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 8 : Former Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress veteran Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday outrightly rejected AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal's allegation that there is "secret cooperation" between the Congress and the BJP for the Delhi polls. Talking to IANS, Gehlot called it totally untrue.

To a question, Gehlot said: "For us, the BJP government in Delhi (central government) has created turmoil in the country, and the situation in the country is unstable. I have repeatedly said that after 2014, elections are being won through polarisation, but without love, unity, and brotherhood, the country, state, and society cannot be strong."

He stressed that winning elections is one thing, but the country needs a government that promotes harmony.

To another query, the Congress leader said that since the date for the Delhi polls has been declared, everyone is working hard.

"Delhi PCC President Devendra Yadav, along with all the workers, is fully engaged, and under his leadership, a statewide campaign is underway. I have felt a change in the mood of the public there," he said.

Gehlot added: "BJP leaders are speaking loudly, creating an atmosphere that their victory is certain. On one side is the Aam Aadmi Party and on the other side, the BJP. Congress is well-prepared, and we are entering the field with the intention of winning the elections."

Turning to Rajasthan, Gehlot discussed the recent water agreement, mentioning that the Rajasthan Chief Minister had repeatedly said that water from Haryana would be brought.

"There is nothing more joyful than this," he remarked.

He recalled that in 2002, when Om Prakash Chautala was the Chief Minister of Haryana, a meeting was held in Jaipur.

"Chautala ji said, 'Remember, your right to water comes first. Rajasthan should be given its share, and the remaining water can be ours.' We were happy as he acknowledged Rajasthan's right to water," Gehlot said.

He continued: "Yesterday, Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini also mentioned that if there is surplus water, it will be provided. But only time will tell when and how the water will be delivered. We will be very happy if Jhunjhunu and Sikar get water. People in these areas are suffering, and this water will provide relief. We have tried to bring water to areas like Mahendragarh, Bhiwani, and Narnaul, and it is important for us to ensure that the surrounding regions also get water."

Gehlot further highlighted the efforts made during his tenure, including the construction of the Nonera and Isarda dams.

"The Nonera dam was built during our time, and the pipeline to send water to Dausa was also laid by our government. Rajasthan is aware of the work our government did," he said.

On the issue of water agreements, Gehlot stressed the need for transparency.

"Who can understand the value of water better than Rajasthan, with its remote, desert regions? That's why I believe the agreements -- whether the ERCP or the Yamuna water agreement -- should be made public," he added.

Gehlot pointed out that the language of the agreements and their implications should be shared with the public.

"Until these details are shared, people will remain confused. I believe the Chief Minister should present both agreements to the people," he concluded.
Visakhapatnam, Jan 8 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a global leader who is applauded by the whole world.

Naidu lavished praise on the Prime Minister at a public meeting here where the latter launched development projects worth Rs 2 lakh crore in Andhra Pradesh.

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president repeatedly praised the Prime Minister, who kept smiling.

He claimed that he always draws inspiration from PM Modi. Later, the Prime Minister responded with the remark that Naidu hit all sixes in his speech. "He is standing very tall compared to all global leaders.

He is no longer an Indian leader. He is the global leader. Under his leadership he promoted India," Naidu said amid loud cheers from people. Naidu said he was impressed by the Prime Minister's commitment.

"Under your leadership, India will prosper. That's where we are all proud of you, Sir. The Prime Minister became closer to the people by undertaking various developmental works on a regular basis," Naidu said adding that affection towards him is not confined to the North alone as is being mentioned by many leaders.

"In the recent elections, we (TDP, Jana Sena and BJP) contested together, and the people gave a record verdict. Our strike rate was 93 per cent. With 57 per cent votes we secured 164 Assembly and 21 MP seats," the Chief Minister noted.

Making it clear that the same alliance will continue in the future too, Chandrababu Naidu said that the NDA's victory in Haryana and Maharashtra was only because of PM Modi's charishma.

The Chief Minister claimed that people are always standing by PM Modi as he strives hard for the welfare of the nation and is taking the country forward with slogans like development, reforms along with good governance.

Referring to various welfare programmes being implemented by the Centre like PM Kisan Nidhi, Make-in-India, Skill India and Digital India, the Chief Minister expressed confidence that under PM Modi's leadership, India would become first or second top economy in the world.

Recalling that seven mandals were merged with Andhra Pradesh on his request after the state bifurcation, Chandrababu Naidu said that PM Modi sanctioned IIT, IIM, NIT, AIIMS, Tribal University and Central University to the state as promised during the bifurcation.

He told the public meeting that the NDA Government has taken the responsibility to implementing Super-Six promises by overcoming all the problems.

He felt that if NDA is strong Andhra Pradesh will become stronger. If both the Centre and the state sail together, double-digit growth is possible.

"I am assuring all on behalf of the NDA that we give highest priority to building poverty-free society. Today is the first step towards that. From now on, our state will have all the victories and no failures," he added.

Lauding the decisions of PM Modi, the Andhra Pradesh CM also shared some anecdotes.

"When Google had made a proposal to come to Visakhapatnam, I met the Prime Minister. They asked me one thing: If we come to India, there's a question of taxation. If your government increases taxes in the future, how will we face it? I raised this question with the Prime Minister. He answered, If you do this type of decision changing policy, nobody will come to India, I am with you... you go ahead, no question of changing taxation policy. How many Prime Ministers will do this? If everyone had acted like this, so much investment would have come to India," said Naidu.

The Chief Minister invited the Prime Minister to visit Amaravati.

"I am very happy. Until yesterday, Amaravati was in a state of uncertainty. Now, Sir, you must visit sometime to witness the progress where you laid the foundation. With your blessings, we are finally going to complete it. Then, you will have to inaugurate Amaravati, one of the finest cities, just as you dreamed."
Agartala, Jan 8 : Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), responding to the Tripura government's request, has approved the official emblem for the state government, Chief Minister Manik Saha said on Wednesday Agartala, Jan 8 (IANS) Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), responding to the Tripura governmentas request, has approved the official emblem for the state government, Chief Minister Manik Saha said on Wednesday

aTripura gets its official state emblem. A significant milestone for the state, symbolising its unique identity. This emblem will be a proud representation of Tripura's history, culture and people," the Chief Minister said on X, sharing the MHA letter.

An MHA letter to the state Information and Cultural Affairs Department Secretary Pradeep Kumar Chakravarty said that the proposal for the emblem of the Tripura government has been examined in terms of rule 4 (2) of the State Emblem of India (Regulation of Use) Rules, 2007 and has been found in order.

The Ministry of Home Affairs conveys its approval of the proposed emblem/logo for the state government, the letter said.

A Tripura government official said that earlier the state government had proposed the emblem/logo for the state government to the MHA.

After more than five decades of becoming a full-fledged state, the northeastern state has got its official emblem.

The erstwhile princely states of Tripura along with Manipur were merged into the Indian Union in October 1949 and became full-fledged states on January 21, 1972.

Meghalaya was part of Assam before becoming a full-fledged state on the same day. All three northeastern states became full-fledged states under the North Eastern Region (Re-Organisation) Act, 1971.

Tripura ranks 18th position in terms of density of population having 350 persons per square km., although, it is the third smallest state in terms of area in the country after Goa and Sikkim. With a population of around four million, Tripura comes second next to Assam in respect of population and population density among the northeastern states of India.
Kolkata, Jan 8 : Acting on a tip-off, West Bengal Police on Wednesday recovered a huge consignment of fake Indian currency notes (FICN) notes, with a face value of Rs 20 lakh, from a village close to the border with Bangladesh in Malda district.

The recovery has been made from Khosalpara village in Malda.

A total of 4,300 FICN notes were seized, out of which, 3,800 were of the Rs 500 denomination and the remaining 500 were of Rs 200 denomination.

District police officials said that late Tuesday night, information was received that a huge consignment of FICN was hidden at an abandoned house at Khosalpara village, which is quite close to the border with Bangladesh.

Accordingly, a police team, early on Wednesday morning, conducted search operations and ultimately recovered a bag from the abandoned house at Khosalpara village.

However, no arrest has been made in the matter so far.

Police are now trying to track those involved in bringing that consignment to the place from where it has been recovered.

Faisal Reza, the sub-divisional police officer of Kaliachak under whose jurisdiction Khosalpara village comes, said that attempts are on to track those behind it.

Malda district had been traditionally infamous for FICN.

In November last year, the sleuths of the special task force (STF) of Kolkata Police seized FICN, in Rs 500 denomination, with a total face value of Rs 3 lakh.

The person behind the FICN consignment, Manwar Sheikh, was also a resident of Kaliachak.

A few months back a special National Investigation Agency court in Kolkata, had sentenced a total of seven persons to seven years of rigorous imprisonment for their involvement in a cross-border FICN racket. The eighth accused person in the case, Abdul Rahim, identified as a Bangladeshi citizen, is still missing.
Chandigarh, Jan 8 : The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab on Wednesday opposed the Central government's decision to appoint a Chief Secretary in Chandigarh in place of an Advisor.

The party said this decision once again exposed the anti-Punjab attitude of the Central government.

"It is an attempt to weaken Punjab's claim over Chandigarh," party spokesperson Neel Garg told the media here.

He said the appointment of a Chief Secretary is meant for a state.

"Chandigarh is not a state, nor does it have a Chief Minister. Then why was there a need for the appointment of a Chief Secretary?"

He said the people of Punjab would never tolerate this decision. The central government should reconsider and withdraw the decision.

The spokesperson said Chandigarh "belongs to Punjab. It was clearly stated during the division of Punjab and Haryana in 1966 that until Haryana builds its new capital, Chandigarh will remain a Union Territory, after which it will be handed over to Punjab. In 1970, Rs 10 crore was also given to Haryana to build its capital. Several states in India have been divided, and they all established their respective capitals, but Punjab continues to face discrimination".

He said that historically, politically, and socially, Chandigarh belongs to Punjab. Chandigarh was built by uprooting 27 villages in Punjab.

Therefore, the Central government should not make any major decisions without consulting the Punjab government.

He recalled that a few months ago, the Central government had proposed to allocate 10 acres in Chandigarh for Haryana to build an Assembly, further weakening Punjab's claim over Chandigarh.

However, when the people of Punjab and AAP opposed it, the proposal was temporarily shelved.

Similarly, Punjab's rights were violated in the appointments at BBMB (Bhakra Beas Management Board).

"Due to such actions, Senate elections at Panjab University have also been delayed. Punjab's water rights are being plundered as well. The Rajiv Gandhi-Longowal Accord on July 24, 1985, also stated that Chandigarh would be given to Punjab, and Punjab's water would remain with Punjab, but this has not been implemented to date," he said.

Garg also criticised the Congress and the Akali Dal, stating that from 1966 to 1977, Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister and Giani Zail Singh was the Chief Minister of Punjab from 1972 to 1977.

During that time, if they had wanted, they could have handed over Chandigarh to Punjab.

Similarly, from 1980 to 1984, Indira Gandhi was again the Prime Minister and Darbara Singh was the Congress Chief Minister of Punjab, but even then, the Congress did not pay attention to this issue.

From 1992 to 1995, Beant Singh's government was in Punjab, and Narasimha Rao's government was in power at the Centre, but nothing was done then either. Even after the Rajiv Gandhi-Longowal Accord, nothing could be achieved.

In 1977, Parkash Singh Badal became the Chief Minister of Punjab and served multiple terms. In 2002, he was the Chief Minister when Vajpayee was the Prime Minister, and they were allies.

"Despite having a good friendship with Vajpayee, Badal did not take any steps for Chandigarh."

Garg appealed to all political parties to unite on this issue and stated that we must fight resolutely for Punjab's rights.
Bengaluru, Jan 8 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday welcomed the surrendered Maoists to the mainstream by offering them roses and copies of the Indian Constitution at his home office 'Krishna' in Bengaluru.

With the six Maoists laying arms, the Congress-led government declared Karnataka as LWE-free state.

Six Maoists have surrendered in the presence of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, submitting that they will join the society's mainstream by lying down their arms. They surrendered their 'green uniform' to CM Siddaramaiah symbolically at his office.

Addressing media after the surrender of the Maoists, CM Siddaramaiah said: "To eliminate Naxalism in Karnataka and address their demands, we are committed to taking all necessary measures within the legal framework."

"There is no room in democracy or the Constitution for achieving justice through armed struggle," CM Siddaramaiah underlined.

"Fighting against injustice, oppression, and violence for justice is not wrong. The Constitution provides a platform for fighting to bring about systemic change. However, this fight must be conducted peacefully and lawfully.

"There is no provision in the Constitution or in a democratic system for Naxalism or armed struggle. In the past, many Maoists abandoned arms and joined the mainstream. The government has supported their rehabilitation," the Chief Minister said.

"During a previous interaction, members of the 'Shantigaagi Naagarikara Vedike' (Citizens' Forum for Peace) informed me about their efforts to persuade Maoists to abandon violence. I assured them that the government would extend all support to Maoists willing to join the mainstream," CM said.

The Chief Minister further said: "Democracy allows peaceful protests and struggles. The government does not oppose this, but it will not remain silent if the law is violated. Our government is making significant efforts to reduce injustice. It is our goal to ensure that no one suffers from injustice.

"We have implemented several schemes to empower the poor economically and socially. Programmes like the Shakti and Griha Laxmi schemes aim to provide dignity and opportunities for the underprivileged to lead a better life. Only when the economically and socially weaker sections gain strength can society witness meaningful change. we have openly stated that Naxalites who wish to join the mainstream will receive all necessary support. I have assured them that they will not be treated as criminals but rather as human beings," CM underlined.

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said: "The Karnataka government is happy to announce today we are declaring ours as 'no Naxalite state'. This was possible with the all efforts from the government, police officers and team constituted by the government for rehabilitation and negotiation with the Maoists."

Former Maoist, Mundagaru Latha after the surrender stated, "We are welcomed to the mainstream respectfully by the Chief Minister and we thank him. We have come with a change of heart and continue our struggle lawfully and constitutionally."

Six Maoists have surrendered in presence of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at his home office 'Krishna' in Bengaluru on Wednesday, submitting that they will join the society's mainstream by lying down their arms.

The arms laying down programme took place in the presence of Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Karnataka DGP and other senior officers from the police department were also present.

The Maoists were brought to the CM's office from Chikkamagaluru. Earlier in the day, they wanted to surrender before the district administration of Chikkamagaluru through the 'Shantigaage Naagarikara Vedike' (Citizens Forum for Peace).

However, following the wish of the CM Siddaramaiah to facilitate the process of surrender, they were brought to Bengaluru.

Mundagaru Latha from Mundagaru in Sringeri Vanajakshi from Balehole in Kalasa; Sundari from Kutluru near Mangaluru; Marappa Jayanna Aroli from Raichur; Vasantha T. aka Ramesh from Tamil Nadu, and N. Jeesha from Kerala surrendered in presence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

According to sources, Mandagaru Latha, the eldest daughter of a poor tribal family from Sringeri Taluk, dropped out of school in the 6th grade due to poverty and harassment by her teachers. Her family allegedly faced the threat of losing their home under the Kudremukh National Park Project.

Frustrated with the government's alleged apathetic attitude towards democratic protests, Latha and her family joined the movement resisting the project.

In 2000, at the age of 18, disillusioned with the lack of response to peaceful protests, Latha took up armed resistance.

Since then, she has been part of a guerrilla group operating across Karnataka and Kerala. Over time, she has transitioned back to mainstream activism, becoming a prominent figure in democratic movements once again.

Sources claimed that despite only studying up to the 6th grade, Latha possesses remarkable clarity and commitment when discussing policies and their implications. She was recognized as a leader in the Maoist movement and is actively working towards achieving justice for marginalized communities through democratic means.

Sundari is also a tribal woman who grew up in poverty. She was the sixth among five siblings and had to drop out of school after the 3rd grade due to poverty and the distance of the school from her home.

Her family, too, allegedly faced the threat of losing everything due to the Kudremukh National Park Project. When democratic protests failed to yield results, Sundari, like many other young people at the time, took up arms.

In 2004, at the age of 19, she joined the Maoist party and became part of a guerrilla group operating in Karnataka and Kerala.

She recalls the police raids and atrocities inflicted on her and neighboring families. Sundari claims the memories that still haunt her.

Despite these hardships, Sundari claims that she retained her fighting spirit and now aspires to join the mainstream and contribute to democratic movements to bring about social change.

Vanajakshi, the senior-most member of the group, studied up to SSLC (10th grade). She dropped out of school in 1985 and became actively involved in public life in her village, serving as an unopposed member of the Gram Panchayat in 1992 and 1997.

As the eldest daughter of a large family with eight children, she learned typewriting and supported her family through tailoring.

Despite being politically active, Vanajakshi and her family allegedly couldn't protect their small piece of land from powerful persons resulting hardships led to her mother's mental health deterioration and her brother's suicide.

Sources stated that witnessing similar struggles among other families in her community, Vanajakshi lost faith in the system. Influenced by the armed movements of the time, she decided in 2000 that armed struggle was the only path.

Since then, she has been part of a guerrilla group operating across Karnataka and Kerala.

Jayanna Aaroli, a Dalit youth from Aaroli village in Manvi Taluk of Raichur district, holds a Bachelor's degree. During his college years, he was attracted by the Maoist movement active in the region at the time. The encounter killing of Bhaskar, a prominent figure in the movement, deeply impacted him, fueling his resolve to join the cause.

As part of the government-announced rehabilitation package, Jayanna has decided to dedicate half of the monetary compensation he is set to receive toward the development of the school in his village, sources stated.

Vasantha, a B.Tech graduate from Arcot in Vellore district, Tamil Nadu, grew up influenced by socially conscious ideologies and movements. Observing various struggles from a young age, he developed a strong inclination toward activism.

After completing his degree in 2010, Vasanth joined the armed struggle and became a member of a guerrilla group operating in Kerala and Karnataka.

Jeesha, an Adivasi woman from Makkimala in Wayanad district, Kerala, is the youngest member of the team.

She studied up to the 8th grade before becoming part of the armed struggle in Kerala in 2018. In 2023, Jeesha moved from Kerala to Karnataka along with other members of the group, sources stated.
Strong winds and dry weather conditions are causing thousands of evacuations in Los Angeles County, where three fires are burning and expanding at great speed. The Palisades fire, located in an exclusive mountainous area located northwest of L.A., had burned more than 2,900 acres by the early hours of Wednesday and had forced at least 30,000 people to evacuate. Authorities in nearby Santa Monica also ordered residents in the northern part of the city to leave their homes. Meanwhile, the city of Los Angeles has declared an emergency as authorities warned that the blaze would in all likelihood continue to rage throughout Wednesday and that conditions could worsen due to tornado-like winds.

A separate fire was also burning in Altadena, near Pasadena in Eaton Canyon, where it had consumed an estimated 1,000 acres by late Tuesday, just six hours after it broke out, according to the Angeles National Forest service. A third blaze, the Hurst fire, erupted in the Sylmar neighborhood northwest of San Fernando, said CAL Fire, the states fire department.

Over 200,000 homes and buildings have been left without power in Los Angeles County.

A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire on the west side of Los Angeles on January 7, 2025. Ringo Chiu (REUTERS)

Evacuations

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has asked everyone northeast of Topanga Canyon, the boulevard that connects the coast to the San Fernando Valley to the north, to leave their homes. Authorities have set up shelters at El Camino Real Charter High School, Pasadena Convention Center and Westwood Recreation Center.

The evacuation orders have created chaos in the area, which has few access routes. Authorities have found many cars abandoned in the middle of the road by their owners for fear of being overtaken by the flames. Firefighters have asked people to leave their keys inside their cars so that rescue teams can remove them and trucks can enter the burning neighborhoods.

A man is evacuated in Pacific Palisades, California. CAROLINE BREHMAN (EFE)

Although wildfires have been a recurring problem in California, often exacerbated by the states climate and geography, recent years have seen devastation caused by increasingly large and difficult to control fires.

Factors that have contributed to the increased frequency and intensity of wildfires are prolonged droughts, high temperatures, dry vegetation, and high winds. In Los Angeles County, the Post Fire in June of last year was evidence of these effects and of what to expect in the future as climate change makes these fires more common.

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New Delhi, Jan 8 : Congress MP and the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday condoled the death of devotees who died during a stampede at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh.

Taking to X, the Congress leader wrote, "The tragic stampede in Tirupati is deeply saddening. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Wishing a swift recovery to all those injured."

He also urged the Congress leaders and workers to provide all possible assistance during this difficult time.

Four devotees were killed and some others were injured in the stampede that occurred at three places during the sale of Tirumala temple darshan tickets in Andhra Pradesh's Tirupati on Wednesday night.

The incident took place at three places where Vaikunta Dwara Darshan tickets were to be issued on Thursday morning.

A large number of devotees had gathered to stand in queues for special darshan tickets, leading to the stampede.

Three women were among four devotees killed in the incident. One of the deceased women was from Tamil Nadu.

Some others fell unconscious and they were shifted to Ruia Hospital.

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), which manages the affairs of the famous Tirumala temple, announced that special darshan tickets will be issued at 94 counters at nine places in Tirupati from 5 a.m. on Thursday.

However, a large number of devotees started gathering since Wednesday morning. There was chaos when devotees were allowed at the counters. They pushed each other to surge forward, resulting in the stampede.

According to officials, there was a stampede at Srinivasam, Bairagipatteda, and Satyanarayanapuram.

Police and TTD officials rushed to the spot and launched rescue and relief operations.

The TTD was planning to issue 1.20 lakh tokens on Thursday morning for Vaikunta Dwara Darshan on January 10, 11, and 12.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has expressed shock over the death of four devotees in the stampede.

In a statement, he said that he was pained over the incident. The Chief Minister spoke to officials over the phone and directed them to ensure the best treatment to those injured.

He asked senior officials to visit the scene and undertake relief operations. He was in touch with the district officials and TTD authorities to monitor the situation.

YSR Congress Party President and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has also expressed shock over the death of four devotees in the stampede.
Tirupati, Jan 9 : Six devotees including five women were killed and 29 others were injured in stampedes at three places during the sale of Tirumala temple darshan tickets in Tirupati on Wednesday night.

The incident occurred at three places where Vaikunta Dwara Darshan tickets were to be issued from Thursday morning.

Large number of devotees had gathered to stand in queues for special darshan tickets, leading to the stampede. Five women were among the devotees killed in the incident.

As many as 29 devotees were injured. They were shifted to Ruia and SVIMS hospitals.

The death toll may go up. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), which manages the affairs of the famous Tirumala temple, had announced that special darshan tickets will be issued at 94 counters at nine places in Tirupati from 5 a.m. on Thursday.

However, large number of devotees started gathering since Wednesday evening.

There were chaos when devotees were allowed at the counters. They pushed each other to surge forward, resulting in the stampede.

According to officials, there was stampede at Srinivasam, Bairagipatteda and Satyanarayanapuram.

Police and TTD officials rushed to the spot and launched rescue and relief operations. The TTD was planning to issue 1.20 lakh tokens on Thursday morning for Vaikunta Dwara Darshan on January 10, 11 and 12.

Tirupati district Collector Venkateshwar and TTD Executive Officer Shyamala Rao rushed to Ruia Hospital Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan have expressed shock over the death of four devotees in the stampede.

The Chief Minister said in a statement that he was pained over the incident. He spoke to officials over phone and directed them to ensure best treatment to those injured.

The Chief Minister asked senior officials to visit the scene and undertake relief operations.

He was in touch with the district officials and TTD authorities to monitor the situation.

Former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has also expressed shock over the death of four devotees in the stampede.
New Delhi, Jan 9 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday condoled the loss of lives in the stampedes at three places during the sale of Tirumala temple darshan tickets in Tirupati.

Quoting the Prime Minister, the PMO wrote on X: "Pained by the stampede in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. My thoughts are with those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover soon. The AP Government is providing all possible assistance to those affected."

Six devotees including five women were killed and 29 others were injured in stampedes at three places during the sale of Tirumala temple darshan tickets in Tirupati on Wednesday night.

The incident occurred at three places where Vaikunta Dwara Darshan tickets were to be issued from Thursday morning.

Large number of devotees had gathered to stand in queues for special darshan tickets, leading to the stampede. Five women were among the devotees killed in the incident.

As many as 29 devotees were injured. They were shifted to Ruia and SVIMS hospitals.

The death toll may go up. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), which manages the affairs of the famous Tirumala temple, had announced that special darshan tickets will be issued at 94 counters at nine places in Tirupati from 5 a.m. on Thursday.

However, large number of devotees started gathering since Wednesday evening.

There were chaos when devotees were allowed at the counters. They pushed each other to surge forward, resulting in the stampede.

According to officials, there was stampede at Srinivasam, Bairagipatteda and Satyanarayanapuram.

Police and TTD officials rushed to the spot and launched rescue and relief operations. The TTD was planning to issue 1.20 lakh tokens on Thursday morning for Vaikunta Dwara Darshan on January 10, 11 and 12.

Tirupati district Collector Venkateshwar and TTD Executive Officer Shyamala Rao rushed to Ruia Hospital Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan have expressed shock over the death of four devotees in the stampede.

The Chief Minister said in a statement that he was pained over the incident. He spoke to officials over phone and directed them to ensure best treatment to those injured.

The Chief Minister asked senior officials to visit the scene and undertake relief operations.

He was in touch with the district officials and TTD authorities to monitor the situation.

Former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has also expressed shock over the death of four devotees in the stampede.
New Delhi, Jan 9 : BJP President JP Nadda on Wednesday expressed condolences to the family of veteran soldier Havaldar (Retd) Baldev Singh, who died at the age of 93 at his residence in Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir.

Havaldar (Retd) Baldev Singh who fought four wars against Pakistan died on Monday. His last rites were performed with full military honour and service protocols at his native village Naunihal, in Nowshera, on Tuesday.

Taking to X, Nadda wrote, "Deeply saddened by the passing of Havaldar Baldev Singh (Retd), a revered war hero who gave his all for the nation. His extraordinary service and bravery were celebrated throughout his life, and his legacy will always be remembered in the gallantry stories of the Indian Army. My heartfelt condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti."

Born on September 27, 1931, at Naunihal village, Singh volunteered to join the Bal Sena Force under the leadership of Brigadier Usman, Commander of the 50 Para Brigade, when he was just 16, during the battle of Naushera and Jhangar in 1947-48.

The Bal Sena, a group of local boys aged 12 to 16, served as despatch runners for the Indian Army in the critical moments of these battles. In recognition of their bravery, the then Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru honoured the Bal Sainiks, presenting them with gramophones, watches, and the opportunity to join the Army.

Hav Baldev Singh enlisted in the Army on November 14, 1950, and served the force with dedication and valour for nearly three decades. His distinguished service spanned multiple wars, including the 1961, 1962, and 1965 India-Pakistan wars.

Despite retiring in October 1969, Singh was recalled during the India-Pakistan war of 1971, and he served in the 11 JAT Battalion (25 Infantry Division) for an additional eight months before returning to civilian life.

Throughout his career, Hav Singh received numerous honours for his service, including recognition by Nehru, current Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former Vice-President Hamid Ansari, and several other distinguished leaders.

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Bengaluru, Jan 9 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar responding to rumours about the infighting in the Congress clarified that there is no crisis in the party.

Addressing a press conference at the state Congress unit office in Bengaluru, Shivakumar, when asked about convening a CLP meeting to resolve internal party issues, replied: "There is no crisis in our party. If there's a crisis, it must be with you (the media). Who has claimed there's a crisis in our party?"

On reports of differing statements regarding the distribution of power, he clarified: "There are no conflicting statements. In Congress, I manage party matters, while the Chief Ministeras decisions on government matters are final. Other statements hold no significance."

Responding to Minister K.N. Rajanna's remarks that canceling the dinner meeting was due to anti-Dalit forces, he said: "I am not aware of this matter. I will look into it and respond in due course."

Regarding nominations for Legislative Council membership, he stated: "There is still time for that. We have entrusted this matter to the Chief Minister. Nominations for all vacant positions will be made simultaneously. The Chief Minister will decide after consulting with high-command leaders."

On former CM and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai's comment that D.K. Shivakumar's patience will soon wear thin, Shivakumar remarked: "I will address this matter separately in another press conference. Prepare a list of who said what, and I will respond to all. For now, I wish them well for the New Year. I will send them a needle and thread so they can first mend their broken house."

The cancellation of the dinner meeting organised by state Home Minister G. Parameshwara for the SC-ST MLAs, MPs and Ministers has left all of them miffed.

Sources on Wednesday confirmed that Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar got the meeting cancelled through the party high command.

Home Minister's dinner meeting was going to be held on Wednesday at a private hotel. This dinner meet was to be held days after CM Siddaramaiah held a meeting of 34 MLAs and seven ministers. The meeting, on January 2, was held when Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar was out of the country.

The development had triggered speculation that the meeting was organised to corner Shivakumar, who is making preparations to assume the CM post sooner, sources said.

Former CM and BJP MP Bommai had stated that Shivakumar's patience with the party is on the verge of breaking.
Bengaluru, Jan 9 : The Karnataka BJP has questioned the Congress government in the state for offering royal treatment to Maoists and facilitating their surrender.

N. Ravikumar, a BJP MLC, said, "If Maoists are completely surrendering in Karnataka and their issues are being resolved, that would be a good thing. But should the Chief Minister have played a role in making them surrender? How right is it for them to surrender in the CM's office?" he asked.

He also raised concerns about the presence of the Chief Minister, Home Minister, and police officials, alongside large-scale publicity for the surrender programme, questioning how appropriate was this act by the Congress-led state government.

"There was a possibility of the Maoists surrendering directly before the Police department, but instead, it was the Chief Minister and the Home Ministers who facilitated this. This is a matter of concern," he said.

The MLC also questioned if the state government had thought about the lives of the martyred policemen and ordinary citizens.

Ravikumar questioned the logic of providing a "package" to the surrendered Maoists by the state government.

"Even if there is a need to provide livelihood support, is this the right way to do it? Will all the cases against them be dismissed? Some have 15 cases against them, others have 10 or five cases. Many of them have killed police officers and civilians. There are also cases of looting," he said.

Given these circumstances, he asked whether the state government's actions were appropriate.

He also raised doubts as the Congress government claims that these are the last six Maoists in the state.

"Is there any evidence to support this? Are there others who may still surrender?" he asked.

He emphasised that a review should be conducted on the decision to provide the surrendered Maoists a package.

Earlier, Karnataka BJP General Secretary and MLA V. Sunil Kumar slammed the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government for facilitating the surrender of six Maoists, saying this was a move to create 'Urban Naxals'.

Speaking to the media here, Sunil Kumar, who represents the Maoist activity-prone Karkala Assembly constituency, said that it was a concerning development.

"It is an attempt to make the Maoists, who are operating in forests, as 'Urban Naxals'. For many years the police personnel posted with the Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) carried out operations day and night against them and this development will bring down their morale," Kumar stressed.

"The 'Shantigaagi Naagarikara Vedike' (Citizens Forum for Peace) facilitating the surrender process is an organisation belonging to Urban Naxals. On top of it the government has also announced packages for the Maists who surrender," he added.

Shantigaagi Naagarikara Vedike facilitated the surrender process.

Maoists Mundagaru Latha from Mundagaru in Sringeri, Vanajakshi from Balehole in Kalasa, Sundari from Kuntaluru near Mangaluru, Marappa Aroli from Raichur, Vasantha T. from Tamil Nadu, and N. Jeesha from Kerala had surrendered before CM Siddaramaiah at his office 'Krishna'.
Patna, Jan 9 : A delegation from the Jan Suraaj Party led by its acting president Manoj Bharti met Bihar's Chief Secretary, Amrit Lal Meena, on Wednesday, to submit a memorandum of five key demands in connection with the ongoing Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) protest and irregularities in competitive examinations.

The delegation included prominent party members, such as MLC Afaque Ahmed, former MP Sitaram Yadav, former MLA Kishore Kumar, retired officer Arvind Thakur, Lalan Yadav, and N.K. Mandal.

The delegation emphasised the deteriorating health condition of Jan Suraaj Party Chief Prashant Kishor, who is currently on a hunger strike and has been admitted to the ICU of a hospital in the state.

They urged the state government to take immediate action on the outlined demands to allow Kishor to consider ending his hunger strike.

As per the memorandum, Jan Suraaj Party demanded an independent inquiry into alleged irregularities and corruption in the 70th BPSC Preliminary examination and the re-conduct of the exam, implementation of the unemployment allowance promised under the 'Saat Nischay' programme ( launched in 2015) for youth aged between 18 to 35 years, white paper on examination irregularities, a detailed report on irregularities, paper leaks, and action taken over the past decade in competitive examinations in Bihar, punitive action against officials responsible for the misuse of force and turning Bihar into a "lathi-tantra" (baton-rule), undermining democratic principles and introduction of a domicile policy to ensure at least two-thirds of government job opportunities are reserved for Bihar's youth.

After the meeting, Bharti said, "The government must take immediate steps to address the demands of the students and youth of Bihar. If these demands are seriously considered, Prashant Kishor might decide to end his hunger strike."

He also said, "We have requested the Chief Secretary to arrange a delegation meeting with the Chief Minister, as this could expedite solutions to the issues raised."

Addressing criticism and political allegations, Bharti said: "Instead of indulging in allegations and counter-allegations, the government and other political entities should focus on constructive measures. We are committed to a peaceful satyagraha, and our actions are centred on the welfare of the youth and students."
Patna, Jan 9 : A tragic road accident in Bihar's Nalanda district on Wednesday claimed three lives while three individuals were left injured when a speeding truck rammed into a passenger-laden three-wheeler near the Pragati Petrol pump in the Chhabilpur police station area, police said.

The impact of the accident was such that three persons died on the spot.

The deceased are identified as Kanchan Devi, Dilip Kumar and Bindi Prasad.

The injured individuals are identified as Priyanka Devi, Rinki Devi and Ravi Ranjan Kumar.

All injured individuals were admitted to the Rajgir sub-divisional hospital.

As their conditions were critical, the doctors referred them to Pawapuri Medical College and Hospital where they are undergoing treatment.

Doctors report that the condition of all the injured is stable, but the incident has caused immense distress among their families.

The victims were travelling from Rajgir to Barnaussa in an autorickshaw when the truck struck them.

Eyewitnesses describe the collision as severe, leading to chaos and panic at the scene.

After the accident, Sub-Divisional Police Officer Kumar Omkeshwar, Deputy Superintendent of Police Sunil Kumar Singh, Inspector Sanjay Kumar and the station heads of Chhabilapur and Rajgir police stations reached the hospital.

The police have started investigating the case.

"A case of rash and negligent driving has been registered against the errant truck driver at Chhabilpur police station. He fled the scene after the collision. Efforts are underway to apprehend him," said Sanjay Kumar, SHO of Chhabilapur police station.

This incident highlights the persistent issue of reckless driving on Bihar's roads, which frequently results in life-threatening accidents.

The affected families are urging swift justice and proper support for the victims.

The local administration has assured that all necessary steps will be taken to ensure proper treatment and bring those responsible for the accident to justice.
Historian Diarmaid MacCulloch, the prize-winning Oxford emeritus professor behind several books and popular BBC series, suspects his often-surprising new book, Lower than the Angels: A History of Sex and Christianity (Viking, April) might set some traditionalist critics' hair on fire. In his look at three millennia of religious history he asserts there's no such thing as "traditional marriage," is supportive of LGBTQ relationships, and more.

PW talks with MacCulloch about his book's conclusion that "The Bible has not proved adequate to providing answers on questions of sex and gender."

There are many burning topics in the Bible that a historian could tackle. Why did you zero in on sex for this encyclopedic book?

I did because there are things said about sex in the Christian tradition and things misunderstood from the Hebrew Scripture and the Christian New Testament that are still affecting people's lives, their emotional lives, and their identities, and that are actually the fruit of ignorance and wishful thinking. What I've tried to do is to cut through all that and present the reality of the past.

For example?

One of the extraordinary present debates is about equal marriage, whether same-sex marriage is equal to heterosexual marriage and both kinds of couples can be married in church. I lay in front of readers the basic fact until the fifth century, no one went to church to get married. No one at all. Then, only elite people had a church ceremony. But in the Western church, the Catholic church that is the ancestor of Protestantism, no one went to church to get married until virtually the 12th century. That's more than half of Christian history.

You write that the 1690s were a turning point in Western social and religious history. What happened?

It was the birth of choice, the privatization of individual discernment. In the late 17th century, England and the Netherlands banished hunger for the first time in human history because their agriculture was so efficient. That means your life has changed because you're no longer thinking about how to survive. You begin to build up spare cash, and you can make little choices, even if you're very poor. You could think about choosing who you were, not just being a peasant on someone else's land, having your identity given to you. Once people began choosing, they could choose what it meant to be a man or a woman. They could choose their emotional life.

You make a case that while Jesus is the word of God, the Bible as a whole is not. Won't that surprise -- and anger -- some people?

Does the Bible describe itself as the word of God? No. There's only one passage where you might read that, it's in 2 Timothy, which is probably a forgery. Listening to a forgery talking about the inspired Word of God doesn't seem to me to be a very good principle. And if you start from a mistaken principle, you feel really threatened when someone points out it it's not true, that the whole worldview that you've built on it is just too fragile to stand. A lot of conservative Christian theology is that fragile. They're terrified of it falling over and collapsing, so they've got to stop any attempt to revise it.

You conclude in the book, "We have yet to realize and discern all of Christianity's potential riches." Where is Christianity heading?

Historians are very bad prophets. We tell you what happened in the past, and we're trying to get that right, but we are hopeless in trying to predict what comes next.

Who is the audience you have in mind for this book?

It is designed for the thoughtful general public, which, praise be, still exists. Very often this thoughtful clientele gets disheartened because it's overwhelmed by the noise of simple arguments. They're relieved to find things are actually much more complex than the narratives that are being thrust at them.
KYODO NEWS - Jan 7, 2025 - 23:59 | World, All

The U.S. Defense Department said Monday it had added Tencent Holdings Ltd., a Chinese tech giant known for its WeChat messaging app, to a list of dozens of companies it believes to be working with China's military.

Other Chinese companies added to the list include Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., or CATL, the world's largest manufacturer of batteries for electric vehicles, and ChangXin Memory Technologies Inc.

The department believes China's "military-civil fusion strategy" has helped modernize the People's Liberation Army. The new notice is due to be formally published Tuesday.

Both Tencent and CATL denied having ties with the Chinese military, describing their inclusion on the list as "a mistake."

Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters on Tuesday that China "stands firmly against" the U.S. practice of "overstretching the concept of national security" and urged Washington to "immediately correct its wrongdoings and end the illegal unilateral sanctions" on Chinese companies.

In accordance with law, the department needs to update and publish annually the list of so-called Chinese military companies operating directly or indirectly in the United States.

The initiative is part of U.S. efforts to hobble China's ambitions to develop advanced technologies for military applications.

Being on the Pentagon list will not immediately lead U.S. agencies to take legal steps, such as export controls or sanctions, but the reputations of those named could be affected.
Next week the U.S. Senate will kick off a series of confirmation hearings for President-elect Donald Trump's cabinet nominees, starting with Pete Hegseth, a veteran, former Fox & Friends Weekend co-host, and bestselling author who is now under consideration to head the Department of Defense. One question the senators may not need to ask: Might his religious view dictate his decisions? A look at his five books holds clues. They're laden with his view that the Christian faithful should live out their convictions in the public square.

Start with his latest: The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free. Published this spring as his second title for Fox News Books, it got a bounce in attention on the Publishers Weekly bestsller list in November after Trump announced Hegseth as his Pentagon pick. In it,Hegseth condemns "progressives" and "the Left" as attacking the militant patriotism that warriors represent. To attack their "Western White Male mindset (American values of federalism, capitalism, and Western-Christian constitutionalism)" would "dismantle the American Way," and then, he writes, "the need to protect and defend the Constitution and its citizens falls by the wayside."

For weeks, news programs have shown on loops Hegseth's comments that women should not serve in combat and controversy over his many tattoos including a Jerusalem Cross that critics have called a Crusader symbol adopted by Christian Nationalists who were on parade in Charlottesville in 2017.

In The War on Warriors, he lauds women for valiantly serving in support roles but disqualifies them from frontline fighting because it disregards "a Christian ethos for Gods creation" to view men and women with the same roles and purposes. And he denies that his tattoos are supremacist symbols. Rather, the crosses are "signifying to the world that I am an unapologetic follower of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ," Hegseth writes.

Championing Christian virtues

The military leadership today serves the wrong masters, he writes in the book. He fulminates against their programs to address diversity and LGBTQ+ concerns. And he decries military leaders who "serve ideological politicians, upside-down regulations, Ivy League graduate degrees, and opportunistic defense contractors. The next president of the United States needs to fire them allor at least most of themand install leaders with real fidelity to the Constitution... The only thing that matters is first principles, courageous leadership, laser focus on readiness, and the ability and willingness to exact lethality."

Those are the very virtues Hegseth celebrates in Modern Warriors: Real Stories from Real Heroes, his 2020 book. The book, part of the successful launch of Fox News Books as a publishing imprint that year, is a collection of first-person stories of military veterans, decorated for their deeds and successful in their civilian lives today. Their stories extol resilience, courage, and service to others during and after their years under fire. And almost all refer to God or the Bible.

From the first, Hegseth's books honor those qualities. In the book In the Arena: Good Citizens, a Great Republic, and How One Speech Can Reinvigorate America (Threshold Editions, 2016), Hegseth elaborates on a speech by Teddy Roosevelt that lionizes those who, win or lose, brave the battle.

In his 2020 book, American Crusade: Our Fight to Stay Free, he calls Christians to the frontline of a social-political battleground, writing, "We dont want to fight, but, like our fellow Christians one thousand years ago, we must  The front cover shows him waving a huge American flag, the tattoo "We the People" evident on his right forearm. According to the Washington Post's look at the book, the enemies are "open-borders leftists" and "squish" Republicans who are actually supporting Islamists plans to " 'conquer' Europe and America demographically, culturally and politically, allying with secularism to tear down 'our nations Judeo-Christian institutions.'"

Educating for a Christian culture

To Hegseth, public education is as critical as the military in defining and defending the nation. His 2022 book, The Battle for the American Mind: Uprooting a Century of Miseducation (Broadside, co-authored with Christian educator David Goodwin), blasts "leftist indoctrination," led by atheists, Marxist sand socialists," for producing kids who "roll their eyes at religion and disdain our history," are barely literate and "flailing for purpose in a system that says racial and gender identity is everything."

If he is confirmed as Secretary of Defense, the "Department of Defense Education Activity agency (which) educates some 67,000 children of active-duty military and civilian service members," will come under his control, according to Politico.

But New York magazine, in a look at Hegseth's views and writings, cautions senators against leaping to conclusions about Hegseth: "Critics of Christian nationalism in the Trump administration need to keep essential distinctions straight and avoid exploring the religious views of nominees if they are truly private articles of faith directed to matters of the spirit, not secular laws. Its likely there will be plenty of examples of theocratic excesses among Trump nominees as Senate confirmation hearings unfold. But where potential holders of high offices respect the lines between church and state, their self-restraint commands respect as well."
From intimacy to sexuality to spirituality, publishers are talking S-E-X in upcoming releases. Theres advice on living with differing sex drives, new understandings of what intimacy means, the latest research, trends and treatments and one academic look at three millennia of sex and Christian history.

Knowing and Being Known: Hope for All Our Intimate Relationships (IVP, May) by Erin F. Moniz explores the role of technology in our interpersonal relationships and offers help to those searching for intimacy in a tech- and stress-driven world. This book exposes the trend of categorizing all important intimate relationships solely as romance or sex, Moniz told PW. It argues that everyone is created for intimacy, regardless of whether they have or can have healthy romantic or sexual relationships. We would benefit from recalibrating how we value ourselves and others, thereby bringing balance to the health and importance of all intimate relationships.

Al Hsu, associate editorial director, trade, for IVP pointed to Monizs experience as a university chaplain and her doctoral thesis that focused on the realities of how emerging adults understand and experience intimacy. Her expertise comes from not just lived experience but also is validated by research, he said.

Turned On: A Creatives Guide to Awakening Presence, Pleasure, and Possibility (Broadleaf, Jan.) by recording artist and podcast host Brie Stoner reclaims the erotic and offers new understanding of it in relation to creativity and art, according to acquiring editor Jarrod Harrison. Stoner connects creative energy to the erotic and human desire, resulting in a book about creativity and sexuality that is also deeply spiritual, said Harrison. Her use of the erotic in connection with creativity brings art back down to earth and gives it flesh. She is passionate about balancing these daring ideas with popular sensibility.

Baker Books rattles assumptions with The Higher Desire Wife: Understanding and Help for Christian Women Navigating Mismatched Sex Drives (Mar.) by J. Parker. The blogger and author of five books on sexual intimacy uses extensive research and personal stories to help these women nurture intimacy in marriage, understand potential causes for lower sex drive in their husbands, and find solutions and compromises. She posits that up to 25 percent of marriages have a higher desire wife. Most of all, she lets women know they are not alone and that things can get better.

According to the acquiring editor Rachel Welcher, Many Christian marriage resources make the assumption that every husband wants more sex than his wife. In this frank, compassionate, and helpful corrective to that misconception, J. Parker helps the higher desire wife nurture healthy and holy intimacy in her marriage.

For therapists, psychologists and medical practitioners comes the revised, second edition of the 2014 book Sexuality and Sex Therapy: A Comprehensive Christian Appraisal (IVP Academic, Feb.) by Mark A. Yarhouse and Erica S.N. Tan. The new edition integrates the latest research, updates key research findings and addresses recent societal trends related to gender identity, digital and social media, and more. According to the publisher, it's intended to become a standard resource for Christian therapists and counselors, and a challenge to the church to talk more openly about human sexuality.

Historian Diarmaid MacCulloch takes an open-minded look at Christian sexuality in his encyclopedic look at three millennia of religious history in Lower than the Angels: A History of Sex and Christianity (Viking, April). Among his provocative findings, debunking the idea of "traditional marriage" and pointing out that the Bible doesn't have all the answers about sex and gender.

Finally, Sex Magic: Take Your Body, Mind, and Relationship to the Next Level with Spectacular Intimacy (BenBella, Jun.) by Dr. Laura Berman challenges readers beliefs about their sexuality, self-worth and potential for healing, meaningful intimacy. She combines metaphysical wisdom and practical tipssuch as connecting to your energetic body and removing trauma blocksto help readers build a dazzling sex life.
Devotional Added to David C Cook List

Natalie Runion, worship leader, speaker, and bestselling author of Raised to Stay and The House that Jesus Built, has signed a two-book deal to continue her partnership with David C Cook. Keely Boeving of WordServe Literary sold rights to senior acquisitions editor Susan McPherson for the Raised to Stay Devotional that will take readers on a 40-day healing journey; and a second, untitled trade book. The books are scheduled to release in 2026 and 2027.

Two titles for IVP's Cindy Bunch

Cindy Bunch, InterVarsitys VP for editorial, has taken world rights to the tentatively titled Spiritual Antidotes to Nine Deadly Sins by Christopher A. Hall, with no agent. Hall takes each chapter to focus on one vice and its corresponding virtue in this Christian living title. He is a member of the Renovare Ministry Team and from 2015 to 2022 served as president of Renovare, which publishes resources for spiritual formation. Release is scheduled for winter 2026.

Bunch has also signed a world rights contract with the unagented Bobbie Schaeperkoetter for the tentatively titled Everyday Life with God. The author offers readers a framework for a flexible and transformational daily spiritual practice designed to help them live in a deeper relationship with God. She is pastor of spiritual formation and discipleship at Capital City Christian Church in Missouri and a spiritual director. The book will release in summer 2026.

Schiess Next Book to Brazos

Brazos Press editorial director Katelyn Beaty has taken world rights to the next book by Kaitlyn Schiess, which is as yet untitled and will address Christian faith and contemporary culture. Schiess (The Ballot and the Bible) is one of three regular cohosts of the Holy Post podcast and the solo podcast with the Holy Post titled Curiously Kaitlin, which debuted at #1 in the Apple Religion and Spirituality category. Don Gates of The Gates Group represented the author for the fall 2027 release.

Art, Women Come Together in New Book

Elissa Yukiko Weichbrodt (Redeeming Vision) has signed a world rights deal with Bob Hosack, executive editor at Brazos Press, for Looks Like a Lady. The unagented author examines how female self-perception has been shaped by historical images, as well as speaks into how visual culture has impacted ideas of gender in contemporary culture and American evangelicalism. The book, by the associate professor of art and art history at Covenant College in Georgia, is scheduled to release in summer 2026.

Whitaker Signs Study of Holy Spirit

Alec Smart of Nappaland Literary Agency has inked a world rights deal with Whitaker House Publishings Chip MacGregor for Nappaland founder Mike Nappas The Christian Life is Not as Hard as Youre Making It, which is scheduled for release in October 2025. Nappa (Reflections for the Grieving Soul) draws on a study of 246 references to the Holy Spirit in the New Testament to reveal what Gods Spirit actually does in and through each of our lives.
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Not until quite recently did American colleges cease being free expression zones. After University of Chicago professor Allan Bloom sounded the alarm with his bestselling The Closing of the American Mind: How Higher Education Has Failed Democracy and Impoverished the Souls of Today's Students in 1987, the intellectual aperture diminished gradually until it atrophied, during the last couple of years, to a mere sliver. According to the latest survey by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), 87% of college faculty report finding it difficult to have an open and honest conversation on campus on at least one hot button political topic. Hardly a headline grabber, the only surprises are the huge number of the respondents, few of whom are conservative, and their candor.

Speaking at a symposium on Reversing the Ideological Capture of Universities and Institutions, organized by the New College of Florida (NCF) and the Global Liberty Institute on June 1, 2024, Stanford professor Scott W. Atlas told the audience:

Academia, institutions, and indeed entire systems fundamental to American society that we presumed were objective and evidence-based  law, economics, health care, scientific research  have become contaminated, focused on social advocacy rather than seeking truth, and unabashedly flaunting their advocacy and political biases, as they deviate from their expected roles.

The seminar came a year after Dr. Atlas had given the Commencement Address at the NCF to a less-than-respectful audience. Today, it is a changed campus. [I]n a mere ten months, NCF went from one of the most progressively captured universities to the freest university in the nation, writes Corcoran in his newly published book illustrating this remarkable achievement. No mere idle boast, it is meant for others to emulate. Neither minimizing the challenges nor overestimating the impact of the achievement, the story is both encouraging and sobering.

As usual one must start with correcting an impression widespread in the mainstream media that NCF was set up merely a couple of years ago by a reviled right-wing governor, as a Hillsdale of the South. Untrue. Unlike the uncompromisingly private Michiganian Christian college, NCF has no religious affiliation. What Governor Ron DeSantis is indeed determined to do is match the small but highly successful Michiganian schools educational quality and success. Nor is NCF just out of diapers: it has been called New for about seven decades.

Admittedly, it was originally private - founded in the late 1950s at the behest of the local Chamber of Commerce by citizens banded together to create a local college. Their aim: to complement the growing citys art museum, symphony orchestra, and theaters. At a time of post-war renewal and optimism, new referred to the vision of a group of educators who believed in the power of the mind and wanted to free both students and faculty from the limits of lock-step curriculum, convinced that the approach appealed to the very best students across the country. And for a while, it did.

The far-seeing idealists, however, could not have seen far enough into the political and cultural upheaval of the late 60s and early 70s, when the promising New College began floundering. In 1975, on the brink of bankruptcy, the desperate college became affiliated with the University of South Florida. But still the downward spiral continued, unabated. Losing money and students at an alarming rate, DeSantis decided to save the increasingly politicized institution from imminent demise by going back to basics. His approach was to take seriously its original vision of robust education instead of lockstep indoctrination. By appointing new trustees and acquiring a new president, in 2023 the school was set upon the old path, whereby, ironically, it could live up to its name once again: New.

Fittingly, the introduction is by Manhattan Institutes Christopher F. Rufo, renowned for his groundbreaking research on the alarming state of higher education and its ideological origins. While not the first to unmask the problem, Rufo has uniquely awakened the public and is determined to make a difference. No more mere kvetching. Now, we need action, writes Rufo, applauding DeSantiss choice of Corcoran as a man who exemplifies this new spirit of politics.

But while necessary, spirit alone is far from sufficient. Corcorans book describes the complex, intricate process whereby this small but important school was rescued in record time. Its subtitle, How a Florida College Became Ground Zero in the Struggle to Take Back Our Campuses, is hopeful. Yet it avoids declaring victory; ground zero is still that.

Taking back sounds conservative enough, but also clearly radical - in just the way the American founding was radical, committed to the original liberal principles that led to its founding. If storming towers is what revolutionaries do, fueled by hatred they invariably end up destroying rather than building. Their inchoate goals are u-topian (no-place) rather than eu-topian, (a good place). Perhaps thats where they want to be. Most people do not.

Demagogic shibboleths like equity as synonym for equality of outcome deftly obscure reality. By the time the Babelian tower of mono-think is revealed to serve only its hubristic architects, it is often too far gone. In the modern world, higher education is necessary. For as our founders had amply warned us, unless the people are duly informed in order to govern themselves properly, they are bound to lose their hard-won liberties. Restoring that hallowed tower to its proper dimensions, however, must be accomplished not through violence but its precise opposite: respect for the rule of law, and prudent guidance by competent leaders. Neither assuming nor ruling out divine assistance, Corcorans team followed a rigorous nine step road map.

Step 1: Leadership is everything. Alignment among strong leaders that include the governor, the board, and the president is ideal. In Florida, a bill was passed to require public colleges to change accreditors every five years, which addressed the problem of a politicized accreditation agency. The new board includes acclaimed academics long involved in the pursuit of liberal education, notably Dr. Mark Bauerlein, Dr. Ryan Anderson, Dr. Charles R. Kesler, and Dr. Matthew Spalding, alongside distinguished lawyers, scientists, and businessmen.

Step 2: Litigate, litigate, litigate. Not engage in lawfare using the law to punish, harass, and demoralize opponents for no strong legal reason, but seek to enforce constitutional and legal rights.

Step 3: Ensure actual shared governance. At most universities, the trustees or their designee, usually, the president, have the final say concerning admissions, hiring, and curriculum. Union contracts require that faculty be consulted, but no more. Yet invariably they are left unchecked, resulting in the ideological slant shared by the overwhelming majority of professors.

Step 4: Presidents should have CEO capabilities. Raising money, managing hundreds or even thousands of employees, real estate acquisition, are skills that do not come by osmosis while doing library research, any more than does knowing how to handle a Congressional hearing.

Step 5: Enforce the rule of law. It is not enough for colleges to have a Student Code of Conduct on paper; a Student Conduct Board must be (a) appointed and (b) convened. At NCF, after this was done, and discipline was enforced upon two students who had violated both state law and the code, they ended up withdrawing rather than have the discipline on their record. It was a game-changer, writes Corcoran. Order and civility became far easier to impose.

Step 6: Curriculum should teach students how to think, not what to think. This is the key goal of reform, its heart and soul, absent which there is no point in even talking about education but merely indoctrination. In truth, this step should guide all the others.

Step 7: Personnel are policy. In less than one year, every leadership position and over a half of NCFs two hundred employees were legally replaced. The result was a far more competent workforce.

Step 8: Do not abolish the US Department of Education. While deploring the Departments creation by President Jimmy Carter in 1979, it may be politically unrealistic to abolish it now. And even if it were, imagine if the funds went straight to Gavin Newsom, Kathy Hochul, and Gretchen Whitmer, writes Corcoran; pity their hapless constituents. Instead, use currently existing legal powers to achieve the constituents desired goals by compelling school districts to comply with the states decrees. For example, Floridas pushback against masking in schools, with salutary outcomes for the fortunate youngsters.

Step 9: Give no quarter. Dont underestimate the challenges: they are daunting and constant. Fixing moldy dorms, adding sports, choosing a mascot, no issue is too trivial to become a source of partisan contention, draining time and energy. Not to mention the constant stream of misinformation spread by the headline-hunting media and its accomplices.

The stakes are far higher than keeping a college from going bankrupt. We are born into a conversation that has been happening for thousands of years, writes Robert Corcoran, adding our own voices to precious more that speak across cultures and times and social status to the biggest questions of existence. This ineffable conversation has often been the privilege of too few, residents of an ivory tower that has come to imply seclusion from the real world. Its origin is often traced to the Song of Songs, 7.5, where a beloveds exquisite neck is likened to a tower of ivory; during the Middle Ages it would be applied by artists and poets to the Virgin Mary to symbolize her holy purity. Todays ideologically infected Ivory Tower has disgraced that aura. The white-purity is simply ideological rigidity  a politically banal plainsong that silences the vibrant human conversation of the ages and stultifies the soul. Storming back to intellectual polyphony seems the only reasonable remedy.

Juliana Geran Pilon is a senior fellow at the Alexander Hamilton Institute for the Study of Western Civilization. She is the author of several books, including The Utopian Conceit and the War on Freedom (2019) and her newest book, An Idea Betrayed: Jews, Liberalism, and the American Left (2023).
"It is not in the nature of judicial work to make everyone happy," Roberts writes in his year-end report on the federal judiciary. "Most cases have a winner and a loser. Every administration suffers defeats in the court system  sometimes in cases with major ramifications for executive or legislative power."

Presidents, congressional leaders, civic leaders, and powerful interest groups have traditionally made their peace with high court rulings they didn't like. President Harry Truman bowed to the Supreme Court's decision that he had no authority to seize the steel mills. New York's Board of Regents eliminated prayer from public schools when the court ruled them unconstitutional. President George W. Bush abandoned plans to try 9/11 detainees before military commissions after the justices concluded that they were unlawful. For 50 years, opponents of abortion accepted that the states had to abide by Roe v. Wade  and once it was overruled in 2022, even the most fervent supporters of abortion on demand conceded that the legal landscape had changed.

"Within the past few years, however, elected officials from across the political spectrum have raised the specter of open disregard for federal court rulings," Robert observes with concern. "These dangerous suggestions, however sporadic, must be soundly rejected."

The chief justice's essay discusses several forms of what he calls "illegitimate activity" that undermine the judicial independence essential to a society governed by law. For example, there has been a sharp rise in violent threats and intimidation aimed at state and federal judges: Roberts cites the Wisconsin and Maryland judges who were killed at their homes in 2022 and 2023. "In extreme cases," he reports, "judicial officers have been issued bulletproof vests for public events."

Appalling as that is, at least no reputable official defends such violence or threats of violence. The same can't be said of another threat to the judiciary that Roberts highlights: "defiance of judgments lawfully entered by courts of competent jurisdiction." Rarely in US history have the political branches flatly refused to abide by court orders, especially those issued by the Supreme Court in its role as the final arbiter of constitutional and statutory interpretation. But such defiance is now growing increasingly overt  and it's coming from both sides of the political spectrum.

Though the chief justice mentions no names, he may well have been talking about JD Vance, the vice president-elect, who  as part of his metamorphosis from Never Trump stalwart to blind Trump loyalist  has claimed that "the president has to be able to run the government as he thinks he should" and that Supreme Court decisions must not be allowed to get in his way.

"If I was giving [Trump] one piece of advice," Vance said in 2021, it would be to "fire every single mid-level bureaucrat, every civil servant in the administrative state. Replace them with our people. And when the courts  because you will get taken to court  and when the courts stop you, stand before the country like Andrew Jackson did and say: The chief justice has made his ruling. Now let him enforce it.' "

Or perhaps the chief justice was alluding to President Biden, who brazenly proclaimed on more than one occasion that he would not let Supreme Court rulings block him from doing what he wanted to do.

Thus, when the high court in 2023 ruled that Biden had no authority to unilaterally write off $430 billion in student loans, the president said he would "stop at nothing to find other ways" to get what he wanted. He later sneered: "The Supreme Court blocked it, but that didn't stop me."

Then again, Roberts may have been referring to President-elect Donald Trump, who, as George Mason University law professor Ilya Somin remarks, is "the biggest elephant in the room" when it comes to denying the legitimacy of court rulings.

Following Trump's defeat in the 2020 election, he filed more than 60 lawsuits in multiple jurisdictions claiming that he was the victim of electoral fraud. Again and again, those claims were found to be without merit  sometimes in rulings handed down by judges Trump had appointed. "Yet instead of accepting these decisions," Somin writes, "Trump tried to use a combination of force (instigating and leveraging the January [2021] attack on the Capitol), and fraud (the fake elector schemes and other shenanigans) to stay in power.  [I]f courts consistently reject your claims that you have a legal right to X (here, victory in the election), and you resort to force and fraud to try to take X anyway, that's pretty clearly defiance of judicial rulings."

All of these add up to a dangerous trend. If leading political figures continue to openly disregard court rulings, America will be finished as a nation under law. All that will matter is political muscle and which side in a controversy can mobilize more of it. That prospect ought to frighten anyone, liberal or conservative, who loves this country and reveres its constitutional order.

None of this is to suggest that judicial decisions, even those of the Supreme Court, are holy writ that cannot be criticized. It is perfectly legitimate to respond to a court ruling by assembling a litigation strategy designed to curb its scope or to bring about its overturning. That is what civil rights activists did in the decades following Plessy v. Ferguson, what pro life activists did in the decades following Roe v. Wade, and what labor-reform activists did in the decades following Lochner v. New York.

It was also the approach adopted by Abraham Lincoln after the Supreme Court's execrable holding in Dred Scott v. Sandford, widely regarded as the worst court ruling in US history. Lincoln was unsparing in his condemnation of the ruling, which held that people of black African descent were not entitled to any of the rights and privileges of American citizenship. He called it a corrupt and false misreading of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, and warned that it would lead to the spread of slavery into the free states.

But he never urged anyone to defy the court. Instead, he called on his supporters to work for the reversing of Dred Scott. "We know the court  has often overruled its own decisions, and we shall do what we can to have it overrule this," Lincoln said. In his First Inaugural Address in 1861, he explained how Americans ought to approach even deeply flawed Supreme Court decisions:



I do not forget the position assumed by some that constitutional questions are to be decided by the Supreme Court; nor do I deny that such decisions must be binding in any case upon the parties to a suit as to the object of that suit . And while it is obviously possible that such decision may be erroneous in any given case, still the evil effect following it, being limited to that particular case, with the chance that it may be overruled and never become a precedent for other cases, can better be borne than could the evils of a different practice.



In other words, even terrible judicial decisions must be respected as binding upon the parties to the specific case, but they need not be accepted as infallible when it comes to national policy. Bad decisions are not immune from further challenge. But any such challenge must follow the rule of law.

Lincoln did not say with contempt, The chief justice has made his ruling. Now let him enforce it." He said that Dred Scott must either be overruled in a subsequent case or nullified by changing the Constitution. (Eventually it was undone by the 14th Amendment.) Lincoln was firmly committed to the rule of law.

If only the same could be said of Biden, Trump, and Vance.

Jeff Jacoby is a columnist for The Boston Globe, from which this is reprinted with permission.

(COMMENT, BELOW)




KYODO NEWS - Jan 8, 2025 - 15:32 | All, Japan

Nihon Hidankyo, the Japanese atomic bomb survivors' group that won last year's Nobel Peace Prize, urged the government on Wednesday to participate as an observer at a convention of signatories to a U.N. nuclear weapons ban treaty, but said Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba remained noncommittal during a meeting in Tokyo.

The group's co-chair Terumi Tanaka said the roughly 30-minute sit-down with the prime minister, held to congratulate the group on the prize, "did not yield results" on the issue. Another attendee, Toshiyuki Mimaki, described Ishiba's reticence as "regrettable."

Japan's top government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said the government will examine how to take a "realistic and practical" approach in response to the group's call for Japan, the only country to have experienced nuclear attacks, to attend the gathering of signatories to the U.N. Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in March in New York.

Komeito party chief Tetsuo Saito, who was also at the meeting, quoted Ishiba as only saying at the meeting he is aware that "there is a view" that Japan should participate.

"It was an occasion rather for the prime minister to explain his views on defense and security, and we did not have time to respond. We want (the government) to set up another meeting," Tanaka told reporters.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the final days of World War II.

During the meeting at the prime minister's office, the group, also known as the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations, stressed the importance of Japan taking a leadership role in ridding the world of nuclear weapons, according to the government.

After the war, Japan forged a security alliance with the United States, relying on its nuclear umbrella while upholding the principles of not possessing, producing or allowing nuclear weapons.

Neither Japan nor the United States has joined the nuclear weapons ban treaty, which entered into force in 2021. Germany, a NATO member, has attended the treaty's meetings as an observer.

Nihon Hidankyo received the Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts to realize a nuclear-free world including giving witness testimonies.

Ishiba at the meeting said the receipt of the prize was of "great significance" and told the members of the group, "I'd like to express my respect and appreciation for your efforts over the years" that led to the awarding of the prize.

Ishiba, who became prime minister in October, has underscored the importance of the nuclear deterrence provided by the United States, in the face of North Korea's nuclear and missile development, China's nuclear buildup, and Russia's threat to use nuclear weapons.

Related coverage:

A-bomb survivor experiences on display in Oslo after Nobel prize win

A-bomb survivors testify, push for nuke abolition at Nobel forum

Nobel Peace Prize win reinvigorates A-bomb survivors' fight against nukes
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Netflix is previewing Season 2 of Mo Amer's comedy-drama series Mo.

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The show follows Palestinian refugee Mo Majjar (Amer) as he seeks asylum in the United States.

Amer created the series, which is inspired by his own story, alongside Ramy Youssef.

Season 2 begins with Majjar stuck in Mexico ahead of his asylum hearing in Texas.

"I'm Palestinian," Majjar says in the trailer, released Wednesday. "I got an asylum hearing coming up in Houston that I've been waiting for for 22 years."

The embassy official, portrayed by comedian Matt Rife, appears apathetic.

"Maybe just come to terms with the fact... You're Mexican now," he says.

Other comedians starring in Mo's second and final season include Hannibal Buress, Liza Koshy, Ralph Barbosa and Slim Thug.

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Season 2 also stars Teresa Ruiz, Farah Bseiso, Omar Elba, Simon Rex and Johanna Braddy.

"Little does he know that the journey home is just the start of his troubles," an official synopsis reads. "And there's a new guy in town ready to steal both his longtime love, Maria -- and his falafel taco recipe."

The new season premieres Jan. 30 on Netflix.
KYODO NEWS - Jan 8, 2025 - 17:03 | All, Japan

The Chinese hacker group "MirrorFace" carried out 210 cyberattacks from 2019 to 2024 on Japanese organizations with the aim of obtaining information related the country's national security and advanced technology, Japan's National Police Agency said Wednesday.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, which disclosed in 2023 that it had suffered a data breach as the result of a cyberattack, was among the organizations targeted by the group, according to a source close to the matter.

The agency suggested the possible involvement of the Chinese government based on the group's attack methods and targets, which included government entities such as the Defense and Foreign ministries, think tanks, politicians, journalists, and private companies with advanced technology.

Investigations by the agency's National Cyber Department and police nationwide found that the malware used by MirrorFace was similar to that employed by the "APT10 Group," a hacker organization said to be associated with China's Ministry of State Security.

The targets also aligned with China's areas of interest and the attacks coincided with Chinese working hours, ceasing during the country's long holidays, police noted.

According to the agency's cyber department, MirrorFace sent emails to organizations and individuals from December 2019 to around July 2023 posing as associates. After exchanging several messages, the group would then send attachments containing malware, potentially enabling it to view data saved on the computer.

From June 2024, the group shifted to sending links in emails that prompted recipients to download files that, when opened, infected computers with malware. Such attacks are believed to be ongoing.

Research institutions and private companies possessing advanced technology in sectors such as semiconductors, information and communications, and aerospace were targeted between February and October 2023. The hackers exploited vulnerabilities in virtual private networks to infiltrate networks and enable unauthorized access.

The agency's cyber department, while continuing its analysis to prove China's involvement, plans to openly name and condemn responsible governments and organizations.

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While Angel One and Unifi Capital have obtained the final licence, Jio BlackRock, Capitalmind, Choice International and Cosmea Financial Holdings have received in-principle approvals.

There are now at least six applicants either holding a licence or having in-principle approval.

While Angel One and Unifi Capital have obtained the final licence, four applicants -- Jio BlackRock, Capitalmind, Choice International and Cosmea Financial Holdings -- have received in-principle approvals.

The in-principle approval from Sebi is a go-ahead from the regulator to set up the mutual fund business, which includes putting infrastructure in place and hiring key personnel. Sebi inspects the progress after six months. The final licence is issued if the applicant meets all the criteria.

If all four applicants with in-principle approval manage to launch their first fund this year, 2025 will mark the entry of a record six fund houses.

In 2023, five new names entered the MF industry, but three of them entered through acquisitions.

In addition, IndusInd International is also expected to complete the acquisition of Invesco MF this year.

LOOKING UP

MF count has stayed nearly stagnant even as several new players have entered in recent years due to mergers and acquisitions.

Month No of MFs Mar '18 45 Mar '19 45 Mar '20 46 Mar '21 46 Mar '22 47 Mar '23 46 Mar '24 48

*Including inactive funds, Source: Sebi

The growing investor interest in MFs has led to the entry of multiple new players in recent years.

The new entrants include portfolio management services (PMS) firms, fintechs, financial services distribution firms, and other financial services firms.

Some of the players with in-principle approval are nearly halfway through the six-month preparation phase. The Jio BlackRock asset management company (AMC), one of the most-awaited fund houses, recently appointed George Heber Joseph as its chief investment officer (CIO). Hiring an experienced CIO is one of the criteria for securing the MF licence.

While some of the new entrants, like Jio BlackRock, are expected to focus on all segments -- active, passive, smart-beta -- of the MF business and offer products across the equity, debt, and hybrid space, there are others who plan to stick to one segment or dedicate most of their efforts to a single category.

Angel One MF will only offer passive funds.

Two of the players awaiting a final licence, Capitalmind and Cosmea Financial Holdings, have stated that they will focus on factor and quantitative investing.

"With our investment in cutting-edge technology and partnerships with global leaders like WisdomTree, we aim to redefine investment solutions for Indian investors. Our focus on quant and smart-beta strategies will provide innovative and data-driven approaches to wealth creation," said Sam Ghosh, founder and chairman, Cosmea Financial Holdings.
KYODO NEWS - Jan 8, 2025 - 01:45 | All, World

Nvidia Corp. said Monday it will supply its advanced semiconductors to Toyota Motor Corp. to help the Japanese automaker develop technologies related to autonomous vehicles.

Along with the device specially designed to be used in driverless cars, the California-based chip giant said it will also offer Toyota its software that can handle the maneuvering of such vehicles.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said in a speech, "I'm super, super pleased to announce that today Toyota and Nvidia are going to partner together to create their next generation of AVs."

Huang unveiled the plan during his keynote address ahead of the opening of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

In 2017, Nvidia said Toyota adopted its artificial intelligence technology for self-driving cars to be put on the market.

Related coverage:

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Why is Shailesh Chandra, managing director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, not worried about the competition?

Photograph: Rajesh Karkera/ Rediff.com IMAGE: Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Limited and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Limited, Anand Kulkarni, Chief Products Officer, Head of HV Programs and Customer Service, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd and Vivek Srivatsa, Chief Commercial Officer, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd at the Tata Curvv launch.

2024 tested the automotive industry with slowing growth and an unsolved puzzle on whether electric or hybrid would lead the transition away from internal combustion engines (ICE), at least in the short term.

The year 2025 may not provide an immediate answer, but the major passenger vehicle makers, such as Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), Hyundai, and MG Motors, have lined up a slew of electric vehicles (EVs) for the Indian market.

On the face of it, this means a surge of competition for the first mover and market leader, Tata Motors, which enjoys close to 50 per cent retail market share.

So, why is Shailesh Chandra, managing director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, not worried? In fact, Chandra seems to be looking forward to it.

When the larger industry is growing, a new technology tends to do well. When sentiments are not good, people usually do not experiment with technology, he says in an interview with Business Standard.

The EV market was largely stagnant for most of 2024. There was not much growth in the overall passenger vehicle industry, either.

On top of this, the global commentary on EVs was negative, Chandra points out.

Thirdly, the second iteration of the government's Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAMEII) subsidy scheme came to an end.

The onslaught of fresh launches is likely to expand the EV market.

Photograph: Hitesh Harisinghani/ Rediff.com IMAGE: Mahindra & Mahindra's BE 6.

Losing market share

In recent months, players such as JSW MG Motors and BYD have increased their share of India's close to 100,000 cars a year electric passenger vehicle market (see chart).

According to the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations' research, Tata Motors' retail market share slipped from 68.2 per cent in January to 48 per cent in November.

The Mumbai-based auto major is confident that as the market expands with new players entering, its volumes will get a boost.

TaMo, which has a first mover advantage in this space, has been growing its EV portfolio over the last five years with the launch of the Tiago, Punch, Nexon, and the more recent Curvv. It had started with the Tigor EV for personal segment in October 2019.

Chandra says when the market expands, one benefits from a wider portfolio, but when the market is not growing, products start cannibalising among themselves.

Frankly, we hope that competition would have come earlier as that would have helped to expand the market much faster. People like to make choices after considering multiple options. When there are not multiple options, the customer would rather stay away, Chandra says.

With new launches by other companies, he believes there will be high-intensity marketing campaigns around EVs.

Around 50 to 60 per cent of the upcoming launches in the near future are EVs, and this will expand the market.

Hopes of a rebound

Maruti Suzuki is expected to bring eVitara, its first EV, next year. It will be a made-in-India car for global markets.

JSW MG plans to launch the Cyberstar. Hyundai is readying to launch the electric Creta. M&M is set to bring its BE6 and XEV9e.

Tata Motors, for its part, is ready to beef up its arsenal with the Sierra and Harrier EVs.

The big question, however, is whether the slew of new EVs will lower prices.

Mahindra's BE6 will start at Rs 18.9 lakh and XEV9e at Rs 21.9 lakh. One will have to see how competitively Maruti prices the electric avatar of its popular Grand Vitara, whose ICE-and-hybrid version comes in the range of Rs 11-19 lakh. Similarly, Hyundai's ICE Creta is priced around Rs 11-20 lakh.

Says a TaMo dealer: From what we understand, most of the upcoming launches will be in the category above Rs 14-15 lakh. This will bring several people back to Tata showrooms for sure.

Analysts are hopeful that 2025 will see PV growth rebound for Tata Motors.

HDFC Securities said in a report last month that PV growth for the company was expected on the back of new model launches and a comprehensive marketing strategy, while keeping a check on inventory.

Indeed, TaMo is working to mainstream EVs and grow volumes, even if it loses market share in a growing market.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is going to be a big opportunity. We have identified cities, cohorts, and what kind of below the line action we can do like events. EV buying is a community driven thing, so events play an important role, Chandra says.

Earlier, TaMo was focussing on overcoming the barriers in adoption of EVs. It is now expanding the Tata.ev exclusive showrooms, wherever it sees viability. For example, in Kerala it has four stores where the penetration of EVs is high. This expansion will be cautiously planned, as once a Tata.ev showroom starts, the company stops selling EVs in the nearby ICE showrooms.

We have identified 50 cities which have potential, and then we will plan it accordingly, Chandra says.

Range focus

The two new M&M EVs claim to go more than 550 kilometre (km) on a single charge. Tata Motors has already launched a 45 kilowatt hour (kWh) Nexon EV with a range of 489 km, much above its earlier 325 km.

When we started, battery prices were upwards of $220-230 per kWh. Now they have dropped by more than 50-60 per cent. There is a huge opportunity of expanding the battery capacity at the same price, Chandra tells Business Standard.

He adds that the upcoming cars from the Tata stable would all have more than 500-km range.

The upcoming electric Sierra and Harrier would be crossing 500 km range. The Curvv already has a 500-km range.

Fleet sales

The FY25 second quarter EV sales of Tata Motors suffered because the end of FAMEII hit the fleet segment, which comprised almost 20 per cent of its sales.

The company says demand in this segment will be back as it has managed to bring down the price differential (which was almost Rs 2.5 lakh) after the subsidy withdrawal. This was partly achieved through cost reduction (of batteries) and partly by taking some hit on margins, Chandra clarifies.

Analysts say the EV business margin loss (including product development expenses) was around 5 per cent in Q2FY25, aided by reduction in battery cell prices.

Chandra says EVs will see more profitability with the benefits under the production-linked incentive scheme coming in, inventories coming down (with December stock clearance), and planned price hikes in January.

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com
BP Plc has won a bid to operate ONGC's giant Mumbai High oil and gas field by offering up to 60 per cent increase in output over baseline, the state-owned firm said on Wednesday.

Photograph: Lee Smith/Reuters

State-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) had in June last year floated a tender seeking foreign partners to reverse declining output at its flagship Mumbai High fields, offering a share of revenue from incremental production plus a fixed fee but not any equity stake.

The tender attracted two bidders - BP and Royal Dutch Shell.

"After the bid evaluation process, BP Exploration (Alpha) Ltd, a wholly-owned step-down subsidiary of BP Plc, UK has been selected as the technical service provider (TSP)," ONGC said in a stock exchange filing.

"The TSP will review the field performance and identify improvements in reservoir, facilities and wells to enhance the production from Mumbai High field.

"The TSP has indicated a substantial increase in oil plus oil equivalent gas production (up to 60 per cent) from baseline production levels (reputed third-party vetted production estimates with natural decline) over 10 years contract period."

ONGC said it had issued an international competitive bidding (ICB) tender on June 1, 2024 to engage a Technical Services Provider (TSP) for Mumbai High Field with expertise in managing complex mature reservoirs and implementing advanced recovery technologies and best operational practices.

Through this ICB tender, the company invited bids from international operators with proven technical expertise, financial strength, and a track record in similar projects.

ONGC sought bids from firms with annual revenue of at least $75 billion, according to the tender document.

The TSP would have to do a comprehensive review of the field performance and identify improvements as well as implement suitable technological interventions and practices for improving production and recovery, it said.

Bidders were asked to quote quarterly incremental production they can enable over the 10-year contract period as well as the percentage share of the revenue they want from the sale of oil and gas produced over and above the baseline production.

ONGC did not disclose the bid details.

The TSP, which was selected on the basis of one offering the highest incremental production and the lowest revenue share, will also be paid a fixed service fee for its efforts, the document said.

The Mumbai High field (previously Bombay High field) - India's most prolific oil field - lies some 160-kilometer in the Arabian Sea off the Mumbai coast. It was discovered in February 1974 and started production on May 21, 1976.

The field hit a peak of 4,76,000 barrels of oil per day and 28 billion cubic meters of gas in 1989 and has since seen a gradual decline in output.

It is currently producing 134,000 bpd of oil and 13 bcm (less than 10 million standard cubic meters per day) of gas - accounting for almost 38 per cent of India's production and 14 per cent of consumption.

ONGC believes the field still has a balance reserve of 80 million tonnes (610 million barrels) of oil and over 40 bcm of gas and hence needs partners who can help tap them.

With the field seeing a steady decline in output, a stake sale had been considered on at least two occasions in recent years.

A high-level committee headed by the then Niti Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar in late 2018 considered "transferring" western offshore oil and gas fields of Mumbai High as also some fields in Mumbai offshore, Assam, Rajasthan, and Gujarat to private/foreign companies.

But that plan met with strong opposition from ONGC and some quarters within the government, three sources with knowledge of the matter said.

While ONGC opposed giving away on a platter to private/foreign sector what it discovered after years of toil and spending billions of dollars over the last four decades, some in government were not convinced by the incremental potential toyed with to get the proposal through, they said, adding that it wasn't clear how the incremental output numbers were arrived at in the absence of any real basin or field study by the panel.

The oil ministry twice in 2021 told ONGC to give away 60 per cent stake, plus operating control of Mumbai High and Bassein fields to foreign companies.

Bassein and Satellite (B&S), adjoining Mumbai High, are India's biggest gas fields that were put to production in 1988.

The 2021 proposal, too, was resisted by ONGC but with the output continuing to decline it has now come up with the TSP model to get technical knowhow for boosting output.

ONGC produced a total of 18.4 million tonnes of crude oil in 2023-24 (April 2023 to March 2024) fiscal year, down from 18.54 million tonnes in the previous year. Gas output declined 3.2 per cent to 19.974 bcm.
Temasek is nearing a deal to acquire a 10% per cent stake in Haldiram Snacks Foods, valued at $10 billion.

IMAGE: A Haldiram's restaurant in Mumbai. Photograph: M Sriram/Reuters

After prolonged negotiations, Singapore government-owned investment firm Temasek is nearing a deal to acquire a 10 per cent stake in the consumer products firm Haldiram Snacks Foods, valued at $10 billion, from the promoters.

Both the Agrawal family -- the promoters of Haldiram Snacks Foods -- and Temasek have signed a term sheet for the deal, Moneycontrol reported on Tuesday.

Haldiram Snacks Foods is the combined fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) business of the Delhi and Nagpur families of the snack major.

Temasek was one of several private equity (PE) firms, including Bain Capital and Blackstone, that had made offers to the Agrawal family to purchase a stake in the unlisted firm.

The competing offer from American PE major Blackstone was for a 20 per cent stake but at a lower valuation.

Temasek is now moving forward with due diligence and is expected to make a binding offer within a month.

If the deal fructifies, it would be one of the largest deals in India, considering the total valuation (see chart).

The promoters are looking to list the company within a year to cash in on the ongoing initial public offering boom, bankers said.

A Temasek spokesperson declined to comment on 'market speculation'. The Agrawal family did not respond to e-mail queries on Tuesday.

Earlier, Temasek officials had expressed optimism about India's health care, consumer products, and information technology sectors.

The firm plans to invest $10 billion in India by 2027, bringing its total exposure in the country to $47 billion.

This figure excludes investments made by Temasek subsidiaries in India, its head of India and strategic initiatives Ravi Lambah had said in July last year.

Temasek is looking at four themes for investments: Increasing lifespan via healthcare, consumption, digitisation, and sustainability.

The Agrawal family operates three different entities in India, with Delhi, Nagpur, and Kolkata families running separate businesses under the founder's Haldiram brand.

However, the Delhi and Nagpur families merged the FMCG business of HFIPL and Haldiram Snacks, part of the Haldiram Delhi group, into a newly incorporated entity named Haldiram Snacks Foods Private Ltd (HSFPL).

The existing shareholders of HSPL and HFIPL acquired 56 per cent and 44 per cent shareholding, respectively, in the merged entity.

Post completion of the transaction, HSFPL would undertake the consumer products operations of the entire Haldiram group.

In November, Kolkata-based Haldiram Bhujiawala sold a minority stake to Bharat Value Fund for Rs 235 crore (Rs 2.35 billion).

Haldiram Bhujiawala retails its products under the brand 'Prabhuji'.

PE officials said the Indian company had huge potential, with a large export market waiting to be exploited for Haldiram's food products.

In FY23, Haldiram Snacks reported revenue of Rs 6,375 crore (Rs 63.75 billion), compared to Rs 5,195 crore (Rs 51.95 billion) in FY22, on a consolidated basis.

Its net profit was up 74 per cent to Rs 593 crore (Rs 5.93 billion) in FY23.

Haldiram Foods International saw its consolidated net sales at Rs 4,551 crore (Rs 45.51 billion), up 10.9 per cent in FY24, and its net profit stood at Rs 597 crore (Rs 5.97 billion), compared to Rs 436 crore (Rs 4.36 billion) in FY23.

How Haldiram Attracted Global Investment

Sharleen D'Souza

The Haldiram's brand, now a household name, had a humble beginning on the streets of Bikaner in 1937, founded by Ganga Bishan Agrawal, fondly called Haldiram.

Photograph: Ashish Narsale/ Rediff.com IMAGE: A view shows packets of snacks by Haldiram.

Global private equity investors have been eager for a piece of Haldiram's for a while, and finally, the family has taken the first step towards parting with a portion of the company, which commands a dominant share in the Indian savouries market.

The Agrawal family, which is at the helm of the >bhujia empire, has been in talks to raise funds for some time.

From reports of the company selling a majority stake to now signing a term sheet to sell a fifth of the company at a valuation of $10 billion, the company has been in discussions with investors and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) firms to find a suitable partner for over a year.

News reports in recent years have also mentioned a possible stake sale, with companies like PepsiCo and Kellogg's in the fray to grab a bite of the Indian savoury snack producer.

In September 2023, Tata Consumer Products was also in talks to buy a 51 per cent stake in Haldiram's but was not comfortable with the $10 billion (Rs 83,300 crore/Rs 833 billion) valuation sought by the promoters, Reuters reported.

According to the news agency, Tata Consumer was in talks to sell an additional 10 per cent stake to Bain last year, prior to a potential listing in the stock markets, but the deal fell through.

The Haldiram's brand, now a household name, had a humble beginning on the streets of Bikaner in 1937, founded by Ganga Bishan Agrawal, fondly called Haldiram.

Later, the business split into three different entities: One in Delhi which was started by Manoharlal (Haldiram's gramdson), one in Nagpur by Shiv Kishan (Haldiram's grandson), and one in Kolkata, all under the founder's name, Haldiram's.

The Delhi and Nagpur families, however, came together and merged the FMCG business of Haldiram Foods International (HFIPL) and Haldiram Snacks (HSPL), part of the Haldiram's Delhi group, into a newly incorporated entity named Haldiram Snacks Foods (HSFPL).

The existing shareholders of HSPL and HFIPL would acquire 56 per cent and 44 per cent shareholding, respectively, in the merged entity.

Upon completion of the transaction, HSFPL would take over the consumer products operations of the entire Haldiram group.

In November last year, Kolkata-based Haldiram Bhujiawala sold a minority stake to Bharat Value Fund, which invested Rs 235 crore in the company for a minority stake.

Haldiram Bhujiawala retails its products under the brand Prabhuji.

'The Delhi and Kolkata families have been warring in court since 1991 to establish who has the actual right to use the Haldiram Bhujiawala and Haldiram's brand in Delhi. While the legal battle only began in the early 1990s, the seeds of enmity were sown a generation before,' notes a book on the family.

However, in 1999, the high court gave a breather to the Delhi brothers.

The brand-name tussle continues between the two businesses.

According to Bikaji Foods, a rival in the ethnic food space, the ethnic namkeen and snacks, ethnic bhujia, and western snacks market in 2021-2022 was valued at Rs 10,800 crore (Rs 108 billion) and is expected to reach Rs 19,500 crore (Rs 195 billion) by 2025-2026.

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
Trump has no more elections to fight and his soaring ambition, which is no secret, will be to carve out a presidential legacy that outshines by far all his mediocre predecessors.

Trump's turnaround on the H-1B visa debate shows that he can take tough decisions and there are no holy cows in his domain, asserts Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra D Modi with then United States president Donald J Trump at the White House. Photograph: Rediff Archives

The US state department disclosed on January 2, 2025 in an accounting of gifts received from foreign leaders during 2023 that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's was the 'priciest' gift that President Biden received, rather, his wife Jill Biden received -- a diamond valued at $20,000 (over Rs 17 lakh).

To an observer of the US political culture, it would invoke the analogy of a Middle Eastern sheikh from the Gulf region kow-towing to curry favours from the White House.

Indeed, troubling questions (external link) do arise.

Touched to the quick, Delhi reacted immediately to put the record straight -- that it was an artificial lab-grown diamond with a cost price between Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000, which would put the value of the gift between Rs 1.1 lakh and Rs 1.9 lakh only.

What Delhi didn't say, or more likely its bureaucrats didn't know, is that while real diamond has no limits on its shelf life, a lab-grown diamond may look the same, but has zero resale value.

Suffice to say, the brilliance of the relationship may be gone, but the stone won't lose its lustre and doesn't get worn out with time.

Delhi's clarification, unattributed of course, makes things worse. Actually, none of the three famous people looks good in this controversy.

It makes Jill Biden who apparently took the gift seriously and retained it for official use, somewhat foolish.

A lavish edition of the Mahabharata, the great epic that tells a millennia-old tale about the futility of war would have probably made a more appropriate gift from Modi to Biden who poked his nose into a fratricidal strife in distant Eurasia, undermined a nascent peace treaty between two brothers, and coaxed the impetuous kid brother to instead go into a futile proxy war that ultimately caused the death of hundreds of thousands of his subjects and destroyed his kingdom.

Biden is still unrepentant. Last week, columns of American military vehicles loaded with weaponry were crossing border from Iraq into Syria in anticipation of some war in the making just 4 years after the old one ended.

However, the good part is that the diamond controversy is emblematic of the matrix of US-Indian relationship beneath the rhetoric.

Some sixteen months after gifting the diamond, the BJP accused the Biden administration of conspiring to overthrow Modi government.

Which means that the estimation of Jill Biden being a 'silvery influencer' in the White House was a wrong notion.

IMAGE: Modi receives US President Joe Biden at the Bharat Mandapam during the G20 Summit gala dinner, September 9, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

The Biden administration is no longer believing that in the Modi government it has a potential ally to curb China's rise as superpower that would spell doom for the 5-century -old Western hegemony in the world order.

The Biden team belatedly realised that Delhi was not only boosting the ties with Russia but also had a master plan to engage with China bilaterally and work out the guard rails of co-habitation as immediate neighbours.

The common refrain is that constraints in India's development path forced the government, under pressure from industry and business, to ease the tensions with China to attract investments and boost trade.

But that is not the whole story. Chinese commentaries are stressing that the two countries have a higher destiny that is easier to realise if they cooperate rather than undercut each other.

There is much truth in this, as colonial history would testify.

At any rate, the defining moment in the US-Indian relationship came with the G20 Summit, which Modi hosted in the third quarter of 2023, when Biden came to Delhi and in tandem with his Canadian counterpart Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took up with Modi the report of the Five Eyes (US, Canada, UK, Australia and New Zealand) that India was involved in trans-national crimes in North America.

The whiplash, albeit administered in private, came as a bolt from the blue when Indian diplomacy was riding high -- oil trade with Russia going hand in hand with the 'consequential' partnership with the US.

The entire delusional foreign-policy matrix began unravelling. And a cat-and-mouse game began, culminating in the Biden administration installing a hostile regime in Bangladesh. It was a stark reminder that diamonds are not forever.

Indeed, there are heartrending tales in literature of young love and passion turning into betrayals, vendetta, revenge and marginalisation, and an entire world tumbling down around diamonds.

Fortunately, the sordid chapter is ending as the Trump presidency begins on January 20, 2025.

The big question is what conclusion Trump would have drawn by now. Perhaps, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is doing the right thing by reminding the Trump team tirelessly that their boss holds the patent for Quad.

But a rearguard course correction is already being advocated in US intellectual discourses.

The prestigious DC-based Stimson Centre addressed two back-to-back policy briefs on the Indo-Pacific in quick succession to the new administration no sooner than Trump was elected on November 5:

Revive the South Asia Strategy (external link) by Elizabeth Threlkeld and Elizabeth Zazycki dated November 26, 2024, which argues that 'The next administration should craft a standalone South Asia strategy to address regional complexities while aligning with Indo-Pacific priorities', and,

Think Small to Win Big in the Indo-Pacific (external link) by Kelly A Grieco and Evan Cooper dated November 21, 2024, which argues that 'The next administration should lean into smaller, more flexible alignments and issue-based coalitions and lead more with economics and diplomacy rather than military and security policies.'

IMAGE: Modi and Trump at the Howdy Modi event in Houston, September 23, 2019. Photograph: ANI Photo

Succinctly put, the thesis advanced by these policy wonks in a think-tank known to be leaning toward the Democratic Party, is, paradoxically, what Jaishankar also has been espousing -- multi-alignment as India's foreign-policy doctrine.

There is a saying that our dreams ought to be what define our individuality.

As the English poet and philosopher William Blake put it in sharper focus, 'No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings'.

But the Modi government's diplomacy leaps out of Kautilya's Arthashastra, the ancient Indian Sanskrit treatise on statecraft, politics, economic policy and military strategy which overlooks that this is an era of Internet and Artificial Intelligence.

Delusional mantras still continue -- 'There is a bipartisan consensus in America for relations with India; so-and-so in Trump Team has been in the India Caucasus; we got along fine with Trump, etc.'

From available indications, however, Trump 2.0 can be radically different.

IMAGE: US President-elect Donald Trump with Elon Musk watch the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket in Brownsville, Texas, November 19, 2024. Photograph: Brandon Bell/Pool via Reuters

Trump has no more elections to fight and his soaring ambition, which is no secret, will be to carve out a presidential legacy that outshines by far all his mediocre predecessors.

Trump's turnaround on the H-1B visa debate shows that he can take tough decisions (external link) and there are no holy cows in his domain.

Then, there is the X factor, (external link)the known unknown, while navigating his compass.

By the way, I go along entirely with the incisive opinion of Mick Mulvaney, who served as Trump's second chief of staff, when he told The New York Times, 'What makes (Elon) Musk such a valuable adviser is that he has enough money -- and enough other things to do -- that he is uniquely situated to be the bearer of honest news. More than perhaps anybody else on the planet, he doesn't need the job.'

Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar is a retired Indian Foreign Service diplomat.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com

Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar served the Indian Foreign Service for 29 years.
A drama unfolded on Wednesday outside the 6, Flagstaff Road bungalow which was once occupied by former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, as Aam Aadmi Party leaders attempted to enter it but were stopped by the police.

IMAGE: Aam Aadmi Party leaders Sanjay Singh and Saurabh Bharadwaj during a heated exchange with police personnel deployed outside the CM's residence, in New Delhi on Wednesday. Photograph: ANI Photo

The party workers later tried to reach the Prime Minister's official residence on Lok Kalyan Marg, but were stopped by police again, following which they staged a 'dharna'.

In its turn, the Bharatiya Janata Party also took media to the AB 17 Mathura Road bungalow allotted to Chief Minister Atishi to show that she already had a government residence and sought to know why she was asking for a separate bungalow.

AAP leaders Sanjay Singh and Saurabh Bhardawaj staged a sit-in outside the Flagstaff bungalow after they were not allowed to enter it, which they had invited the media to tour with them in a bid to counter the BJP's 'Sheesh Mahal' jibes.

Police set up barricades and deployed personnel in front of the bungalow, preventing the AAP leaders from entering the premises.

They then moved to the PM's house, and when stopped, staged a sit-in near the Tughlak Road Police Station.

The party leaders accused the BJP-led central government of running away from the challenged inspection of the PM residence, which they alleged had been renovated at an inordinate cost.

"BJP's lie has been exposed before the entire nation today. They claimed that there is a mini bar, a swimming pool, and a commode made of gold at the former Chief Minister's residence. However, they did not allow us to enter and show the truth to the public.

"Now, they are also preventing us from revealing the reality of the Prime Minister's residence, which has been built at a cost of 2,700 crore," Sanjay Singh said at the protest near the PM's residence.

Asked if they had sought permission to visit the residence, Singh told reporters earlier, "Why should we need permission to enter the chief minister's residence?"

Singh and Bharadwaj were seen requesting officials to allow them inside.

"Who has instructed you to stop us? I am a minister and I am here for an inspection. How can you stop me and on whose orders? Have you received directions from the lieutenant governor? He is the only authority above my position," Bharadwaj was heard telling an official.

Addressing a press briefing earlier, Bharadwaj said, "As promised, we will visit the chief minister's official residence at 6, Flagstaff Road, at 11 am and try to find the golden commode, swimming pool, and mini bar that the BJP claims are present there."

He added, "It should be noted that both these properties are government residences. They were built with taxpayers' money and came up during the Covid pandemic. If there are allegations of misappropriation of funds, both should be investigated."

The party also said it would take reporters to the prime minister's residence, which it has dubbed "Raj Mahal".

In response, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva reached AB 17 Mathura Road bungalow allotted to Delhi Chief Minister Atishi.

He accused the AAP of staging a drama at the former CM's bungalow while the model code of conduct was in force ahead of the Assembly polls.

"Why did AAP leaders Sanjay Singh and Saurabh Bharadwaj not visit the Sheesh Mahal earlier?" Sachdeva said.

The 'Raj Mahal' jibe is part of AAP's counter allegation that the prime minister leads a luxurious lifestyle.

Kejriwal vacated the 6, Flagstaff Road, bungalow last October. It has since been at the centre of a controversy over alleged costly fittings and other items.

The BJP has made the 'Sheesh Mahal' allegation a large part of its election campaign.

Sachdeva has claimed that valuable items, including a 'golden commode', were missing after the bungalow was vacated by Kejriwal.

On Tuesday, AAP challenged the BJP to open the prime minister's residence for a media visit.
A petition filed by murdered sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh's brother in the Bombay high court, seeking a direction to the Maharashtra government to remove Nationalist Congress Party minister Dhananjay Munde from the cabinet, has been withdrawn.

IMAGE: Maharashtra minister Dhananjay Munde. Photograph: ANI Photo

The petitioner, Dhananjay Deshmukh, had claimed minister Munde was associated with the head of a criminal syndicate in Beed district who allegedly played a prominent role in the murder of Massajog village sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh.

The plea, filed in the HC's Aurangabad bench last month, sought Munde's removal from the cabinet for a fair probe into the murder case.

It was withdrawn on Tuesday as the petitioner was not comfortable with the prayers mentioned in it, the petitioner's lawyer said.

In the plea, Dhananjay Deshmukh had also sought that Walmik Karad, a close associate of Munde, be named in the first information report (FIR) related to the sarpanch's murder, he said.

Karad, wanted in an extortion case linked to the murder of the sarpanch, surrendered before the police in Pune last week.

According to police, Santosh Deshmukh was abducted and killed on December 9 allegedly for opposing an extortion bid by some individuals who had demanded money from a windmill company in Beed district.

Dhananjay Deshmukh and the deceased sarpanch's daughter Vaibhavi met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai on Tuesday and sought justice in the case.

They also told him that the accused in the case had past criminal records, and demanded action against them.

Asked if Fadnavis gave any assurance, Dhananjay Deshmukh said, "The CM assured us that people involved in this case will face legal action. We will also learn about the investigation's progress in the next two days."
The Bombay high court on Wednesday granted bail to researcher Rona Wilson and activist Sudhir Dhawale, arrested in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case, noting that they were in jail since 2018 and the trial was yet to start.

IMAGE: A view of the Bombay high court. Photograph: ANI Photo

A division bench of Justices AS Gadkari and Kamal Khata said the two had spent more than six years in jail as under-trial prisoners.

"They are in jail since 2018. Even the charges in the case are yet to be framed. The prosecution has cited over 300 witnesses, and thus there is no possibility of the trial to conclude in the near future," the court said.

A trial starts after the charges are framed.

The National Investigation Agency, the prosecution agency, did not seek a stay to the HC order.

Defence lawyers Mihir Desai and Sudeep Pasbola had argued that the two accused were incarcerated since their arrest in the case.

While granting relief, the high court said it was not dealing with the merits of the case at this stage.

Wilson and Dhawale were directed to submit a surety of Rs one lakh each, and appear before the special NIA court for the trial hearing.

They shall surrender their passports and not leave the city until the trial is over, the HC said.

Rona Wilson was arrested in June 2018 from his home in Delhi.

He was described by the probe agencies as one of the top brass of urban Maoists.

Dhawale was accused of being an active member of the banned Communist Party of India-Maoist.

Apart from Dhawale and Wilson, 14 other activists were arrested in the case.

Eight of them -- Varavara Rao, Sudha Bharadwaj, Anand Teltumbde, Vernon Gonsalves, Arun Ferreira, Shoma Sen, Gautam Navlakha and Mahesh Raut -- have been granted bail till now.

Mahesh Raut remained in jail as the appeal filed by the NIA against his bail is pending before the Supreme Court. But on Tuesday the special NIA court granted him interim bail for 18 days to enable him to appear for an LLB exam.

Stan Swamy, one of the accused, died in 2021 while in prison.

The case pertains to provocative speeches allegedly delivered at the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31, 2017, triggering violence at Koregaon-Bhima in Pune district the next day.

The Pune police had claimed the conclave was backed by the Maoists.

The NIA later took over the probe.
It will be court's opinion versus the legislative power to enact law, the Supreme Court on Wednesday said as it posted the pleas challenging the appointment of the chief election commissioner and election commissioners under the 2023 law on February 4.

Photograph: ANI Photo

A bench of Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta and Ujjal Bhuyan was informed by advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing an NGO, the incumbent Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar was set to superannuate on February 18, and a new CEC would be appointed under the new law, if the court didn't intervene.

Bhushan said the top court in its the March 2 2023 verdict set up a panel comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition and the CJI to appoint the CEC and election commissioners (EC).

'However, under the new law the selection committee will comprise the Prime Minister, a union cabinet minister, the Leader of Opposition or the leader of the largest opposition party in Lok Sabha. They have removed CJI from the selection committee,' submitted Bhushan.

While posting the hearing on February 4, the bench said it would see whose views had supremacy.

'It will be the opinion of the court under Article 141 versus legislative power to enact law,' it underscored.

Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for one of the petitioners, said the government did not remove the basis of the March 2, 2023 judgement, and enacted a new law.

Bhushan said the government couldn't control the appointment of election commissioners as it would be a threat to democracy.

'We are of the view that the government cannot remove the CJI from the selection panel which was directed to be formed by the Supreme Court on March 2, 2023,' he said.

Sankaranarayanan said the only way the Centre could have got around the judgement was by amending the Constitution and not enacting a law.

The bench asked Bhushan and Sankaranarayanan to remind the judges on February 3 for the matter to be taken up the following day.

On March 15, 2024, the top court refused to stay the appointments of new ECs under a 2023 law which excluded the CJI from the selection panel and deferred the hearing on a batch of pleas challenging the appointments.

The top court told the petitioners the March 2, 2023 verdict directed for the three-member panel comprising the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition and the CJI to operate till Parliament enacted a law.

Bhushan, who appeared for the petitioner Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), challenged the CJI's exclusion and contended the Election Commission should be insulated from "political" and "executive interference" for maintaining a healthy democracy.

ADR's plea alleged the verdict was overruled by the Centre without removing its basis and the composition of the selection committee under the new law which amounted to excessive interference of the executive in the appointments and was detrimental to the independence of the poll panel.

Former IAS officers Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Sandhu were recommended to be appointed as ECs in 2024 by a selection panel chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under the new law.

The NGO challenged the validity and sought a stay on the operation of Section 7 of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023, which excluded the CJI.

The apex court's March 2, 2023 verdict held leaving the appointment of the ECs and CEC in the hands of the executive would be detrimental to the health of the country's democracy and the holding of free and fair elections, it said.

Another petitioner, Congress leader Jaya Thakur from Madhya Pradesh, sought to restrain the Centre from appointing new ECs under the 2023 law while challenging its provisions.

The Constitution bench on March 2, 2023, ruled, "As far as appointments to the posts of chief election commissioner and election commissioners are concerned, the same shall be done by the president of India on the basis of the advice tendered by a committee consisting of the Prime Minister of India, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and, in case there is no such leader, the leader of the largest party in the opposition in the Lok Sabha and the chief justice of India."

"This norm will continue to hold good till a law is made by Parliament," it further held.
Challenging the decision of the Biden Administration to investigate the activities of Indian billionaire Gautam Adani and his companies, an influential Republican lawmaker on Tuesday said such selective actions risk damaging critical alliance partners.

IMAGE: Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani. Photograph: ANI Photo

In a strongly worded letter to United States Attorney General Merrick B Garland, Congressman Lance Gooden, member of the House Judiciary Committee, demanded answers on the Justice Department's selective prosecution of foreign entities and the potential harm such actions pose to US's global alliances and economic growth and that if there is any Geroge Soros connection to it.

"The Department of Justice's selective actions risk damaging critical alliances with key partners like India, one of America's strongest allies in the Asia-Pacific region," Gooden said in his letter dated January 7.

"Instead of pursuing cases with tenuous jurisdiction and limited relevance to US interests, the DOJ should focus on punishing bad actors at home, rather than chasing rumours abroad," he said.

The five-term Republican lawmaker said that targeting entities who invest tens of billions of dollars and create tens of thousands of jobs for Americans only harms the US in the long run.

"When we forego real threats from violent crime, economic espionage and CCP influence and go after those who contribute to our economic growth, it discourages valuable new investors hopeful of investing in our country," he said.

"An unwelcome and politically charged atmosphere for investors will only stall efforts to revitalise America's industrial base and economic growth, directly undermine President Trump's commitment to revive the economy with increased investments.

"Given the timing of these decisions coincides with the end of the Biden administration, concerns arise that the only true goal here is disruption for President Trump," Gooden said.

Instead of expending valuable taxpayer resources on opening lengthy and perhaps politically motivated pursuits in foreign countries thousands of miles away, the Department should cooperate with the incoming administration on better serving the American people, he said.

"As a cog in the outgoing administration, it is your duty to the public in being mindful of not creating further complications that could compromise America's geopolitical eminence," Gooden said in the letter two weeks ahead of the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States on January 20.

"I am writing to inquire about the Department of Justice's (DOJ) recent selective pursuits of cases against foreign entities that could irreparably strain America's global alliances," he said.

"As our country enters a new period under President Trump, Americans are hopeful it will mark the revival of prosperity, growth, economic recovery, and political freedom. An important factor in our quest to revive our country's prosperity includes the ability and freedom of prospective investors to do business in America," he wrote.

"In complete abeyance of public outcry about the rising violent crimes at home, the DOJ seems to be pursuing new expeditions to target businesses for alleged injustices abroad," he said.

"The allegations in the Adani case, even if proven true, would still fail to make us the appropriate and final arbiter on the issue. These bribes' were allegedly paid to Indian state government officials, in India, by Indian executives of an Indian company, with no concrete involvement of or injury to any American party," Gooden wrote.

"Conversely, Smartmatic, an American company responsible for conducting our elections, had executives who allegedly laundered money and paid bribes to foreign governments, according to the DOJ's indictment earlier. However, despite numerous attempts by my colleagues and I to have our concerns addressed before the elections, we were never briefed by your department," he wrote.

Gooden asked why has the DOJ not indicted a single American if the case involves a significant nexus with the United States.

"Were there no Americans involved in this alleged scheme? Why has the DOJ pursued this case against Gautam Adani when the alleged criminal act, and the parties allegedly involved are in India? Do you seek to enforce justice in India?" he asked.

"Will the DOJ seek an extradition of the Indian executives involved in this case? What is the DOJ's contingency plan if India refuses to comply with an extradition request and claim sole authority over this case? Is the DOJ or the Biden administration willing to escalate this case into an international incident between the United States and ally like India?" the lawmaker said.
United States President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday said that he understands the Russian feeling with NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) being on their doorstep.

IMAGE: President-elect Donald Trump makes remarks at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, on January 7, 2025. Photograph: Carlos Barria/Reuters

Trump also refused to rule out the use of military force to take control of the Panama Canal and Greenland, and 'economic force' to acquire Canada.

While addressing a press conference at Mar-a-Lago in Florida on Tuesday (local time), Trump was asked whether he would rule out using 'military or economic coercion' to achieve his goal of gaining those territories.

He responded, "No, I can't assure you on either of those two, but I can say this, we need them for economic security."

Trump said Denmark should give up its control of Greenland or it would face high tariffs.

He suggested people of Greenland could vote for independence or to become the part of the United States.

He said, "I'm talking about protecting the free world."

In response to a question on Ukraine, Trump told reporters, "You know, a big part of the problem was Russia for many, many years, long before (Russian President, Vladimir) Putin said, you could never have NATO involved with Ukraine. Now they've said -- that's been like written in stone. Somewhere along the line (US President, Joe) Biden said no, they should be able to join NATO. Well, then Russia has somebody right on their doorstep and I could understand their feeling about that."

"There were a lot of mistakes made in that negotiation. When I heard the way that Biden was negotiating, I said you're going to end up in a war and it turned out to be a very bad war. That war could escalate to be much worse than it is right now," he said.

"My view is that it was always understood. In fact, I believe that they had a deal and then Biden broke it. They had a deal which would have been a satisfactory deal to Ukraine and everybody else. But Biden said, no, you have to be able to join NATO.

"That's always been, and nobody knows more about NATO than I. You know, years ago when I first started this, I didn't know too much about NATO, but I got it right anyway," he said.

Trump also told reporters that he wants NATO members to contribute five per cent of their GDP. NATO should have five per cent, he said.

"Well, you can't do it at two. I mean at two per cent, if you're going to have a country and a regular military, you're at four per cent. I think they're in dangerous territory. They can all afford it, but they should be at five per cent, not two per cent. I'm the one that got him to pay two per cent," he said.

"They're taking advantage. I'm the one that got, and the (NATO) secretary general was here two weeks ago, saying that if it weren't for me, NATO wouldn't even exist right now. Because I raised, from countries that weren't paying their bills, at that time 28 countries, 20 of them were not paying their bills, 21 to be exact," he asserted.

"They weren't paying or they were paying a very small portion, and I raised over USD 680 billion, that was the number he gave, by saying, if you don't pay, we're not going to protect you. As soon as I said that, the money came pouring in. But Obama could have said it, other people could have said it, Bush could have said it. Nobody said it but me. I took a lot of heat," he said.

"They said, that's a threatening statement. Well, they weren't paying their bills. I said we're not going to protect you if you're not paying the bills. So, in a true sense, I saved NATO, but NATO has taken advantage of us. And one of the problems that I have, and I've said it openly, I said it to President Zelenskyy," Trump said.

"Europe is in for a tiny fraction of the money that we're in. Now, whether you like that situation or not, Europe is much more affected than the United States. We have a thing called the ocean in between us. Why are we in for billions and billions of dollars more money than Europe? And you know, they're a similar size, a little smaller, but they're a similar size economy as the United States when you add them up. And yet Europe is in for a small fraction of the number the United States is in," he said.

"I said you have to pay your bills and they all -- one stood up, I won't say who, you'll probably have it because the papers -- the media hated to report on it. But a prime minister stood up from a country, you know, a famous meeting of 28 nations with no press, he stood up and he says, does that mean if we don't pay our bill, I said, if you don't pay, you mean you're delinquent? He said, yes. I said, if you're delinquent, we will not protect you," Trump said.

Since his election, Trump has repeatedly expressed his interest in gaining control of the Panama Canal and Greenland. Trump for the first time on Tuesday suggested using the military to achieve his goal, according to a CNN report.

Trump said later that he would only use 'economic force' and not military force against Canada. When asked whether he would also use the military to acquire Canada, Trump responded, "No, economic force."

He continued, "You get rid of that artificially drawn line and you take a look at what that looks like -- and it would also be much better for national security."

In recent weeks, Trump in his social media posts has said that Canada should become the 51st state of the US.

He even used Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's announcement of his plan to step down as PM and Liberal Party leader to reiterate his stance that Canada becomes the 51st state of the US.

During the press conference on Tuesday, Trump criticised former US President Jimmy Carter's decision to hand control of the Panama Canal back to Panama during his presidency, CNN reported.

Carter, who passed away at the age of 100 on December 29, negotiated treaties that provided for the handover of the Panama Canal to Panama.

He said, "The Panama Canal is a disgrace."

Trump said, "What took place at the Panama Canal, Jimmy Carter gave it to them for $1 and they were supposed to treat us well."

The US President-elect said that he wants to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. He said, "We're going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, which has a beautiful ring. That covers a lot of territory, the Gulf of America -- what a beautiful name. And it's appropriate."

He slammed the Biden administration's handling of the transition ahead of his inauguration ceremony on January 20. Trump said the Biden administration is 'trying everything they can to make it more difficult' and wants to 'block the reforms of the American people and that they voted for', according to CNN.

"They say we're going to have a smooth transition. All they do is talk. It's all talk. Everything they do is talk, 'We're going to have a smooth transition.' And then they take 625 million acres, and they essentially landmark it, so you can't ever drill there again. Well, we're going to be drilling soon," he said.

Trump's remarks come a day after US Congress certified his election victory with no objections from any lawmakers as the tally of states was announced on the House floor.

*****

'All hell will break out in the Middle East'

Trump also warned that 'all hell will break out in the Middle East' if the hostages being held by Hamas are not released by Inauguration Day, repeating the threat four times.

Photograph: Carlos Barria/Reuters

Trump did not elaborate on what actions he might take if the captives are not released by the time he takes office.

Officials say about 100 hostages, including some Americans, who were seized on October 7, 2023, remain captive in Gaza, though they believe many of them may have died in captivity.

"All hell will break out. If those hostages aren't back, I don't want to hurt your negotiation, if they're not back by the time I get into office, all hell will break out in the Middle East," Trump told reporters at the news conference.

He was responding to a question on the status of negotiations with Hamas on the release of American hostages. His Special Envoy to the Middle East Steven Charles Witkoff, who has just returned from the region, told reporters that they are on the verge of it.

"I believe we've been on the verge of it. I don't want to discuss sort of what's delayed it, no point in being negative in any way. But I think it's the president, his stature, what he's said he expects, the red lines he's put out there, that's driving this negotiation," Witkoff said.

Noting that they are making a lot of progress, he said: "I don't want to say too much because I think they're doing a really good job back in Doha. I'm leaving tomorrow to go back to Doha. But I think that we've had some really great progress and I'm really hopeful that by the inauguration we'll have some good things to announce on behalf of the president."

"I actually believe that we're working in tandem in a really good way, but it's the president, his reputation, the things that he has said that are driving this negotiation. So hopefully it'll all work out and we'll save some lives," Witkoff said.

Negotiations between Hamas and Israel are ongoing in Qatar, with Hamas this week naming 34 hostages in Gaza including two dual US citizens -- it would be willing to release in a ceasefire deal, the National Public Radio reported.

Trump, in response to a question, warned Hamas to release all the hostages by January 20.

"It will not be good for Hamas and it will not be good frankly for anyone. All hell will break out. I don't have to say anymore, but that's what it is. They should have given them back a long time ago -- they should have never taken them. There should have never been the attack of October 7th. People forget that, but there was and many people were killed," he said.

"They're no longer hostages. I have people from Israel and others calling, begging me to get we also had people there from the United States just so you know. They're holding some so-called hostages from the US, but I've had mothers come to me and fathers crying, can I get the body of their son back? Can I get the body of their daughter back?" he said.

"That beautiful girl where they threw her in the car, pulled her by her ponytail and threw her in the car like she was a sack of potatoes. I said, what happened to her? Sir, she's dead. Like a 19, 20-year-old, beautiful girl. The way they treated her," he said as he applauded his special envoy for the progress being made so far.

"I tell this, I don't want to hurt the negotiation. If the deal isn't done before I take office, which is now going to be two weeks, all hell will break out in the Middle East," Trump said.

The Biden administration has unsuccessfully tried to help broker a ceasefire in Gaza for well over a year.

The first ceasefire -- weeks after the October 7 attack -- saw the release of dozens of hostages, but subsequent efforts to pause the fighting and secure the release of additional hostages have gone nowhere.

-- with ANI inputs
KYODO NEWS - Jan 8, 2025 - 18:20 | All, Japan

Japan's weather agency and land ministry on Wednesday warned of heavy snowfall in regions along the Sea of Japan coast on the country's main island of Honshu and urged residents to avoid nonessential outings due to potential disruptions to road and rail traffic.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said northeastern and central regions could be blanketed with snow through Friday, with precipitation expected to intensify, particularly around Thursday.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism said expressways or major roads could be closed as a precaution, depending on the extent of snowfall. The ministry noted that areas previously affected by heavy snow have experienced vehicle strandings, road closures, and significant disruptions to rail services.

The weather agency also warned that accumulated snow could cause houses damaged by the magnitude-7.6 earthquake on Jan. 1, 2024, in the Noto Peninsula in central Japan to collapse.

In the 24 hours through Thursday noon, up to 70 centimeters of snow could accumulate in the Tohoku, Hokuriku and Tokai regions in northeastern and central Japan, while Hokkaido in northern Japan could see up to 60 cm and the Chugoku region in western Japan up to 50 cm, according to the agency.

In the following 24 hours, up to 70 cm of snow could accumulate in the Tohoku, Hokuriku, Tokai and Chugoku regions, the agency said.

Related coverage:

Japan braces for heavy snow with traffic disruption warning

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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the state government will reclaim every inch of land that has been taken under the pretext of waqf.

IMAGE: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath feeds a child during the inauguration of the various development projects, in Gorakhpur, January 2, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

Speaking at the 'Maha Kumbh Mahasammelan' organised by a private news channel in Lucknow, he claimed that the belief system of Sanatan Dharma represents the world's oldest culture, standing above comparison with any religion or sect.

"I inherit a legacy that spans thousands of years, with its cultural and spiritual events equally ancient. The tradition of Sanatan is higher than the sky and beyond comparison," Adityanath, according to an official statement, said.

Taking a strong stance on the Waqf Board, he said, "It is hard to tell whether it is a Waqf Board or a board of land mafias."

He said his government has amended the Waqf Act and is actively investigating all "occupied" land.

"We will reclaim every inch of land that has been taken under the pretext of Waqf and it will be used to build housing, educational institutions and hospitals for the poor," he affirmed.

Replying to a question on old controversies being dug, Adityanath said that "surgery" is needed for "treatment" of old wounds.

Asked about the suggestion from some quarters of not digging up old controversies, the chief minister said, "Look, treatment of old wounds is very necessary, otherwise it becomes cancer. Its solution is very necessary, otherwise no matter how much chemotherapy and radiotherapy you keep giving during the treatment process, it is not going to be cured.

"Surgery will happen once and we have to be ready for that surgery... No matter how big the boil is, if once the surgery is done properly, it will not grow again," he said.

On the Sambhal dispute, the chief minister said, "I want to ask that Ain-i-Akbari is proving that a structure has been built here by demolishing the temple of Shri Hari. So people should shake their soul once, see and accept it."

The disease should be accepted in time, otherwise, it creates problems, he added.

Addressing the dispute over religious sites in Sambhal, the chief minister pointed out that the Puranas mention Sambhal as the birthplace of Kalki, the tenth incarnation of Lord Shri Hari Vishnu.

He condemned attempts to encroach religious sites by damaging them, stating, "Our government took a decisive action based on the court's order and sent a clear message to the rioters."

Highlighting the ancient heritage of Sanatan Dharma, Yogi asserted that the tradition of Kumbh far predates the Waqf institution.

"The stature of Sanatan Dharma is higher than the sky and its depth deeper than the ocean. It cannot be compared to any sect or religion," he said.

Chief Minister Adityanath strongly criticised the Samajwadi Party and its leaders, alleging that they failed to uphold the principles of (socialist leader) Dr Ram Manohar Lohia.

He reminded that Dr Lohia had once said, "If you want to understand India, study the traditions of Ram, Krishna and Shiva. Those who claim to follow the ideals of Lohia never truly understood his words."

Highlighting the development of Ayodhya, he said, "We have transformed Ayodhya into a centre of development and heritage. Those who once opposed Ayodhya's progress have no moral authority to visit the city now."

On religious conversion and ghar wapsi, he said, "If someone genuinely wishes to return to their original faith from the heart, they should be welcomed. This reflects a conscious respect for religion and tradition."

Discussing national and Hindu unity, Adityanath emphasised that Sanatan Dharma has always held the highest position, asserting that Hindu unity and national unity go hand in hand.

"History bears witness that division has always led to weakness, unity has made us invincible. That is why I have always maintained batenge to katenge, ek rahenge to nek rahenge (divided we fall, united we thrive)," he said.

Criticising the opposition, Yogi accused certain groups of attempting to divide the society along caste and religious lines, calling them forces conspiring to weaken the nation.

He asserted that the people of the country have grown more aware and are no longer susceptible to such divisive tactics.

He emphasised the profound significance of the Maha Kumbh during the event and explained that after the 'Devasura Sangram' (the battle between gods and demons), drops of nectar fell at four sacred locations -- Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik.

The Maha Kumbh at these sites has served as a platform for shaping India's knowledge, ideology and social direction throughout history, he said.

The Maha Kumbh is more than just a religious gathering and it symbolises India's spiritual heritage and national unity, he added.

Adityanath highlighted that during the Maha Kumbh, sages from across India will gather to reflect on the social and political conditions of their times, making the event not just a reverence for tradition but also essential for preserving cultural wisdom for future generations.

He lauded the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said, "Organising Maha Kumbh represents a remarkable confluence of India's heritage and development."

He emphasised that the UP government, in collaboration with the Centre, has taken numerous measures to ensure that the Maha Kumbh is both grand and meticulously organised.

"This event is drawing not just the citizens of India but also people from around the globe," he said, describing Maha Kumbh as a golden opportunity to showcase the country's rich cultural heritage on an international stage.

"This event transcends caste, creed and gender barriers. Maha Kumbh will serve as a powerful reflection of the progress India has made over the past decade under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He said certain individuals, "who thrive on foreign leftovers", are trying to tarnish the nation's image and accused them of exploiting caste divisions for political gains. He, however, affirmed that the people of India have become more aware and will not fall prey to such divisive tactics.
The body of one of the nine workers trapped inside a coal mine in Assam's Dima Hasao district was recovered by army divers on Wednesday, the third day of the rescue operations, officials said.

IMAGE: Army personnel conduct a rescue operation after the labourers got trapped in the Umrangso coal mine, in Dima Hasao on Tuesday. Photograph: ANI Photo

The chances of the survival of the eight others appear grim, though a team of Navy, Army, National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force personnel intensified their efforts to rescue the trapped miners, the officials said.

The divers located the body of the worker, identified as Ganga Bahadur Srestho from Udaypur district of Nepal, 85 feet below the surface early in the morning.

His family members have been contacted and the body has been sent for inquest and postmortem, special director general of police Harmeet Singh said.

A Remotely Operated Vehicle was sent inside the quarry in the morning which spotted the body, following which the divers went in to bring it out, said Singh, who is camping at the site to supervise operations.

A united effort is being made by the navy, army, NDRF, SDRF, ONGC, Coal India and district administration to trace the workers trapped inside.

In the afternoon, the dewatering process with the help of specialised machines began and after the draining of the water, the ROV will be deployed again into the tunnels to locate the other trapped miners, Singh said.

The labourers were on Monday trapped inside the Assam Coal Quarry situated in the 3 Kilo area of Umrangso, around 250 km from Guwahati, after a sudden gush of water flooded the site.

The rescue teams are taking turns to enter the mine, as the operations are underway round-the-clock, the officials said.

A diver said that the body was spotted about 85 feet below the surface, and that the visibility was poor inside with water all around.

21 Para divers have just recovered a lifeless body from the bottom of the well. Our thoughts and prayers are with the grieving family, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma posted on X earlier in the day.

Meanwhile, SDRF dewatering pumps have departed from Umrangshu for the location. Additionally, the ONGC dewatering pump has been loaded onto an MI-17 helicopter at Kumbhigram, awaiting weather clearance for deployment, he said in another post.

The CM had on Tuesday said the mine "appears to be illegal", and that the police have arrested one person in connection with the incident.

Sarma also said he had spoken to Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy, who assured him that a team from Coal India will join the rescue operations from Wednesday.

Eyewitness accounts and initial assessments suggest the flooding occurred all of a sudden, probably due to the opening up of an underground water channel.

According to employees of the quarry, there were around 15 workers inside the mine, though the authorities did not confirm the figure.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 24F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 24F. Winds light and variable.
KYODO NEWS - Jan 8, 2025 - 23:00 | All, Japan, World

The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.

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210 hacks made on JAXA, other Japan targets by China group since 2019

TOKYO - The Chinese hacker group "MirrorFace" carried out 210 cyberattacks from 2019 to 2024 on Japanese organizations with the aim of obtaining information related the country's national security and advanced technology, Japan's National Police Agency said Wednesday.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, which disclosed in 2023 that it had suffered a data breach as the result of a cyberattack, was among the organizations targeted by the group, according to a source close to the matter.

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Japan braces for heavy snow, possible traffic disruption

TOKYO - Japan's weather agency and land ministry on Wednesday warned of heavy snowfall in regions along the Sea of Japan coast on the country's main island of Honshu and urged residents to avoid nonessential outings due to potential disruptions to road and rail traffic.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said northeastern and central regions could be blanketed with snow through Friday, with precipitation expected to intensify, particularly around Thursday.

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Japan PM noncommittal over nuke pact in meeting with Nobel-winning Hidankyo

TOKYO - Nihon Hidankyo, the Japanese atomic bomb survivors' group that won last year's Nobel Peace Prize, urged the government on Wednesday to participate as an observer at a convention of signatories to a U.N. nuclear weapons ban treaty, but said Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba remained noncommittal during a meeting in Tokyo.

The group's co-chair Terumi Tanaka said the roughly 30-minute sit-down with the prime minister, held to congratulate the group on the prize, "did not yield results" on the issue. Another attendee, Toshiyuki Mimaki, described Ishiba's reticence as "regrettable."

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Kyoto eyes raising city lodging tax to up to 10,000 yen per night

KYOTO - Kyoto municipal authorities plan to raise the lodging tax for hotels and other accommodation to a maximum 10,000 yen ($63) per person per night from the current 1,000 yen limit, as the city is struggling with overtourism, a source familiar with the matter said Wednesday.

The new amount will be the highest among Japanese municipalities that adopt fixed fee systems, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

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Nvidia to supply chips for Toyota's autonomous car development

LAS VEGAS - Nvidia Corp. said Monday it will supply its advanced semiconductors to Toyota Motor Corp. to help the Japanese automaker develop technologies related to autonomous vehicles.

Along with the device specially designed to be used in driverless cars, the California-based chip giant said it will also offer Toyota its software that can handle the maneuvering of such vehicles.

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M6.8 quake rocks China's Tibet region, nearly 130 dead

BEIJING - A magnitude-6.8 earthquake rocked China's Tibet autonomous region Tuesday morning, leaving nearly 130 people dead and 200 injured, with President Xi Jinping ordering all-out rescue efforts, the official Xinhua News Agency said.

The 9:05 a.m. temblor struck at a depth of 10 kilometers in remote Tingri county that borders Nepal, according to Chinese authorities.

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Sumitomo Rubber to buy Dunlop tire brand from Goodyear for $526 mil.

TOKYO - Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. said Wednesday it will acquire from U.S. tire maker Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. the Dunlop brand business in Europe, North America and Oceania for $526 million.

The acquisition will enable Sumitomo Rubber to sell products under the brand globally in addition to Japan and other Asian countries where it already markets Dunlop tires, it said.

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Tennis: Big-serving Rei Sakamoto living up to billing as top prospect

TOKYO - Up-and-coming tennis player Rei Sakamoto capped an impressive year with his first ATP Challenger Tour title only three months after turning pro.

The big-serving 18-year-old, who stands 195 centimeters and has trained at IMG Academy in Florida since 2022, aims to take more steps in 2025 toward his goal of becoming the first Japanese man to win a Grand Slam singles title.

Video: Geiko, maiko in Kyoto start work in 2025
Syria's new rulers have reportedly given high-ranking military positions to several foreign Islamist fighters, a move that has alarmed their home governments, which fear the potential export of revolution to their own soil.

Citing unnamed sources in Syria, reports by Reuters and AFP say that an ethnic Albanian from North Macedonia, a Tajik citizen, and three ethnic Uyghurs from China are among the foreigners promoted to official posts.

Three of the foreign fighters were given the rank of brigadier-general, and at least three others obtained the rank of colonel, according to the reports, which RFE/RL cannot independently verify.

Building Syria's New Army

Macedonian-born Abdul Samrez Jashari -- also known as Abu Qatada al-Albani -- was reportedly appointed colonel.

Jashari, 48, leads Xhemati Alban, a predominantly ethnic Albanian militant group that allied with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) -- the Islamist group, designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and the EU, which overthrew Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

Jashari was designated a terrorist by the U.S. Treasury Department in 2016.

Another foreigner appointed colonel was identified by Tajik bloggers close to HTS forces as Saifiddin Tojiboev, a fighter from Tajikistan.

RFE/RL has not been able to verify the authenticity of reports about Tojiboev's alleged appointment as a new operations commander and his promotion from major to colonel.

A source in Tajik law-enforcement, who wished to remain anonymous, told RFE/RL's Tajik Service on January 5 that the government is aware of the news about Tojiboev's new appointment.

Tojiboev, 41 is wanted in Tajikistan, accused of taking part in a foreign conflict, being a member of terrorist organizations, and recruiting fighters for terrorist groups. His name also appears in the Tajik central bank's list of sanctioned individuals prohibited from carrying out financial activities.

"Tojiboev and his brother went to Syria in 2013 and have since been taking part in military conflicts there," the source in Dushanbe told RFE/RL. "Tojiboev has also recruited several [Tajik] nationals to join terrorist groups."

Tojiboev was a member of the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT), a once popular movement that Dushanbe banned and branded "terrorist" in 2015. The party denies the charges of terrorism.

Tojiboev briefly served as the head of IRPT's local office in his native Spitamen district in northern Tajikistan in 2012, before resigning and criticizing the party's policies.

There have been no official statements about the appointment of foreign nationals from HTS, which has publicly pledged to adopt moderate policies regarding women's rights, national reconciliation, and relations with the international community. The Islamist group is trying to create a professional army from the various militant factions it has aligned with.

HTS includes a large number of fighters from Russia, Central Asia, and the Balkans. Most of them arrived in Syria after the Islamic State (IS) extremist group announced the creation of a caliphate in parts of Syria and Iraq in 2014.

Fears Of Blowback At Home

In their home countries, many of the fighters are seen as potential threats to stability and national security.

In December 2024, when videos depicting Tajik militants in Syria circulated on social media, a source close to the Tajik security forces, who wished to remain anonymous, said that Dushanbe was getting nervous watching its nationals fighting in foreign wars.

"They could come back to Tajikistan one day and try to cause serious trouble here," the source told RFE/RL, describing the militants as a ticking time bomb.

In recent years, Central Asian governments have repatriated hundreds of their citizens -- family members of IS fighters -- from Iraq and Syria, helping them reintegrate back into "civilian life."

Dozens of others have returned voluntarily, taking advantage of government amnesties.

According to experts, there may still be several thousand foreign combatants in Syria.

What worries governments is the possibility that the fighters will try to bring HTS's ideology or Islamic revolution back to their home countries.

Aaron Zelin, who has authored a book on HTS -- The Age of Political Jihadism: A Study Of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham -- told RFE/RL that the appointments do not suggest that Syria's new rulers led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, have any agenda beyond Syria.

"It is aneffort by Golani and HTS to try and make sure that these men follow the orders of the Syrian state and that there is no freelancing now that the war is more or less over," said Zelin, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

The expert pointed out that Sharaa has talked about giving Syrian citizenship to foreigners who have lived in the country for a certain amount of time and supported HTS in its fight against Assad's regime.

"Golani is trying to potentially indigenize them and make them Syrian. [It's] better for them to be integrated and following HTS's new role than them freelancing, or at least this is how they view it," Zelin said.
Welcome back to the China In Eurasia briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter tracking China's resurgent influence from Eastern Europe to Central Asia.

I'm RFE/RL's China Global Affairs Correspondent Reid Standish and here's what I'm following right now.

Minding The Transatlantic Gap

China is looking to capitalize on a transatlantic rift between the United States and Europe that is widening as U.S. President Donald Trump looks to quickly end the war in Ukraine.

But how much of an opening is there actually for Beijing?

Finding Perspective: The threat of tariffs, a war of words at the Munich Security Conference earlier this month, U.S.-Russia talks that excluded Europe and Kyiv, and a standoff at the United Nations over how to commemorate the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine have all been recent fissures between Washington and European governments.

That brought new questions about relying on the United States to European capitals and left an opening for Beijing, which has been trying to woo back Europe over the past four years.

On the sidelines in Munich, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held bilateral meetings with several top European officials, including EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.

Spain's foreign minister seems to be at least more open to the idea of keeping China closer amid tensions with the United States.

Jose Manuel Albares told the Financial Times that the European Union should craft its own China policy and not follow the more confrontational line with Beijing advocated by those in the Trump administration.

"Europe must take its own decisions, on its own. And we have to decide when China can be a partner and when China is a competitor," Albares told the newspaper.

How We Got Here: During Trump's first term in office, Washington pushed European governments to take a harder line on China. That led to the bloc labeling China a "systemic rival" in 2019.

The Chinese government's untransparent handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, trade, human rights, and supply chain concerns, and Beijing's backing of Russia throughout the war in Ukraine all saw that harder line solidify in Europe under former U.S. President Joe Biden's tenure.

Now amid growing transatlantic tensions, some European governments see following Trump's tough stance on China as a way to win over Washington. Others, like the Spanish government, are arguing to preserve vital economic ties with Beijing, especially amid growing uncertainty about the United States.

This has even led to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, one of Brussels's more hawkish voices on China, calling in January for a new effort to improve relations between Brussels and Beijing.

A True Rift? Tensions on each side of the Atlantic are real.

Following his party's victory in elections on February 23, Friedrich Merz, Germany's chancellor-in-waiting for the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), said the Trump administration "does not care much about the fate of Europe" and that the Continent needs to act accordingly.

"My absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we can really achieve independence from the U.S.A.," he said.

Talk of a seismic shift in the geopolitical order is also under way in Brussels.

One EU official recently back from discussions with U.S. officials told RFE/RL that the White House's focus is on ending the war in Ukraine and that there is a "take it or leave it" attitude from Washington.

The Trump administration wants to "remove the Ukraine issue from the table and move on to other issues. It is becoming clear that Trump's goal is to rule the world together with Russia and China" and work toward "strategically separating them from each other," said the official, who was granted anonymity in order to discuss sensitive matters.

Why It Matters: Europe may be grappling with a realignment, but that doesn't mean China is its only option to hedge.

As European leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visit Washington, von der Leyen is set to arrive in India on February 27.

James Crabtree, a visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, told me that "it's hard to imagine a better time to re-energize Europe's and India's historically lackluster ties" and that a focus of the trip will be technology cooperation.

"A meeting of the EU-India Trade and Technology Council -- only the second since its foundation in 2023 -- offers opportunities to deepen collaboration in areas ranging from artificial intelligence to clean technologies," he said.

China may also be short on opportunities, with most EU members unable to look past its support for Russia amid the war in Ukraine. The bloc's most recent sanctions package passed on February 24 once again included Chinese companies and individuals.

What is likely to emerge is a more fragmented Europe when it comes to China. While some governments look to countries like India, South Korea, and Japan to balance out their foreign policy, others -- such as the current Spanish government and Hungary -- will keep courting Chinese investment and create new openings for Beijing.

Three More Stories From Eurasia

1. A Reverse Nixon?

China publicly backed the Trump administration's recent talks with the Kremlin, but analysts and former U.S. officials I spoke with mostly said the prospect of a U.S.-Russia reset is also making Beijing "nervous" about having less leverage over its partner.

The Details: "While a complete rapprochement might not be in the cards, they're nervous because if Trump lifts sanctions on Russia, then Moscow's dependency on China decreases," Dennis Wilder, who was a top White House China adviser to former U.S. President George W. Bush, told me.

One of the hallmarks of Chinese leader Xi Jinping's foreign policy has been a burgeoning strategic partnership with Russian President Vladimir Putin that's grown closer since Moscow's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Beijing has propped up the Russian economy through enhanced trade and energy purchases while fueling the Kremlin's war effort with the supply of key goods as both Xi and Putin have found common ground in wanting to challenge the West and unseat the United States.

The fear of all that being derailed by a new type of U.S.-Russia relationship born out of a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine is real for Beijing.

Wilder says he's had conversations with "very senior Chinese officials" since Trump's election in November who have expressed concern about a potential U.S.-Russia reset.

He says they've used the phrase "Only Trump goes to Moscow," a play on the historical reference to former U.S. President Richard Nixon's landmark visit to Beijing in 1972, when he defied precedent and courted China to exploit its split with the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War.

2. But Can It Work?

A grand bargain would be a major diplomatic feat, but it's something Trump administration officials have hinted at in public comments of late.

What You Need To Know: The Trump administration has made clear it sees managing a long-term rivalry with China as its top foreign policy objective and may look to deprioritize regions like Europe and the Middle East in order to raise pressure on Beijing in Asia.

Following the talks in Riyadh, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the possibility for future "geopolitical and economic cooperation" between Washington and Moscow was among the key points discussed.

And in an interview this month with The Wall Street Journal, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Washington was prepared to reset the relationship with the Kremlin following an agreement over Ukraine as a move to end Russia's isolation and its growing dependence on China since the war began.

"It's not in Putin's interest to be the little brother in a coalition with China," Vance said.

The thinking is that even new cracks between the two powers may loosen Moscow's alignment with Beijing and could have a deterrent effect on China, especially if it decides to use military force to take Taiwan.

Still, both Beijing and Moscow are aware of what the White House is trying to do, and Beijing has made a point to show it and Moscow are still a tandem, including a recent phone call between Putin and Xi on the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine.

Steve Tsang, director of SOAS University London's China Institute, told me he believes Washington's efforts to reset its Russia ties are also not all bad news for Beijing.

"Xi does not want Putin to fail in the war, and so Trump delivering a peace that mostly meets Russian conditions is a positive," he said. "Who knows who will be the next U.S. president and if there will be a reversal of U.S. posture post-Trump."

3. Taiwan Watches A New U.S. Line On Ukraine

Ukrainians living in Taiwan and local supporters protested outside the de-facto Russian Embassy in Taipei on the eve of the third anniversary of Moscow's invasion.

What It Means: The self-governing island has been a vocal supporter of Kyiv, which the Taiwanese government sees as a foil for its own tenuous geopolitical position where China has long threatened to invade and annex Taiwan if it refused to peacefully accept unification.

Those parallels have grown since Trump's election. The United States is Taiwan's largest military backer and its support is considered vital for its survival, but Trump's global shakeup, including launching negotiations with Russia without Ukraine and threatening to cut off future aid to Kyiv, has brought anxiety to Taiwan about a similar withdrawal of American assistance.

When I was in Taiwan in December, I spoke with several senior officials who said they were closely watching what happened to Kyiv on the battlefield and with the new U.S. administration.

So far, the White House has reaffirmed its support for Taiwan, but Washington has also threatened tariffs on the island's semiconductor industry, which is responsible for around 60 percent of world production for microchips and 90 percent of the most-advanced ones needed for the global AI boom.

Across The Supercontinent

Choking Off Iranian Oil: Earlier this month, the United States brought in a new tranche of sanctions on Iranian oil, my colleague Kian Sharifi and I reported . The move is seen as an opening shot against Tehran and Beijing -- Iran's top oil customer.

New Bridge Deal: The Transport Ministry of Tajikistan and the Tajik branch of the Chinese company Zhejiang Communications Construction Group (ZCCC) signed a cooperation agreement for the construction of what will be the longest road bridge in Central Asia.

New Tools For Tashkent: Uzbekistan showcased on February 25 newly purchased Chinese-made air-defense systems, including the FM-90 short-range surface-to-air missile system and the KS-1C medium-to-long-range air-defense system.

One Thing To Watch

A Chinese-crewed cargo ship is detained in Taiwan's southern port of Tainan after a key Taiwan-Penghu Internet cable was mysteriously severed.

Taiwanese prosecutors are investigating whether this was an accident or part of a broader pattern of disruptions to vital communication lines, but the country's Coast Guard released footage of them apprehending the vessel.

The move comes amid growing tensions from a rise of so-called gray zone tactics, the term often used by Taiwanese officials to refer to the hybrid tactics used to intimidate the island but which remain below the threshold for war.

That's all from me for now. Don't forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you might have.

Until next time,

Reid Standish
Spotlight Japan - Jan 8, 2025 - 12:24 | All, Spotlight, Travel/Tourism

Japan's education system is known for producing well-behaved and respectful children. Now tourists have a chance to dip their toe into the country's culture by taking part in an experience that puts them in the shoes of a Japanese school kid.

Visitors get a taste of a system seen as a microcosm of Japanese society and a building block of national identity at a once abandoned junior high school near Tokyo thanks to the "Kimi no Koko" experience, which translates as "Your High School."

But it is not just tourists who are interested, as the Japanese school experience has also been given the documentary treatment by director Ema Ryan Yamazaki, who spent a year from April 2021 shooting the lives of students and teachers at a public elementary school in Tokyo in the popular film "The Making of a Japanese."

Read the full article with visuals on Spotlight Japan here

More Spotlight Japan articles:

Kinugawa Onsen reversing "haikyo" image amid foreign visitor boom

Foreign tourists showing appetite for Japan's art of food replicas

Waves for days fuel surf tourism at Fukushima beach town
Pakistani warplanes bombed a village in the countrys northwest in the fall of 2007, killing around 50 people.

The air strikes occurred in the district of North Waziristan during the height of militancy in the South Asian country.

That was the darkest era of terrorism, said Adil Dawar, a local activist whose uncle and cousin were among those killed in the attack.

Northwestern Pakistan, a stronghold of Al-Qaeda and the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), was the scene of deadly Pakistani counterterrorism operations and U.S. drone strikes. Militants, meanwhile, terrorized the local population.

Eighteen years on, the TTP is resurgent, and the region has witnessed a sharp uptick in violence.

Today, the situation is as bad as the previous era of terrorism, said Dawar.

Soaring Violence



Last year was the deadliest for Pakistani security forces in nearly a decade, according to the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS).

In its annual report, the Islamabad-based think tank reported 685 fatalities among security personnel, a nearly 40 percent increase compared to 2023.

The number of militant attacks in Pakistan in 2024, meanwhile, rose by 70 percent compared to the year before, said the Pak Institute of Peace Studies (PIPS), another think tank in Islamabad.

Many of the attacks were carried out by the TTP, which is active in northwestern Pakistan, as well as the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group which has wreaked havoc in the southwestern province of Balochistan.

Experts said the Taliban takeover of neighboring Afghanistan in 2021 boosted the fighting capabilities of armed groups in the region.

Some of the American military gear and weapons left behind after the U.S. military withdrawal and seized by the Taliban have turned up and been used by the TTP and Baluch armed groups.



The TTP and Afghan Taliban have close ideological and organizational ties. Pakistan has accused the Afghan Taliban of sheltering the Pakistani militants.

Pakistan had hoped the Afghan Taliban, its longtime ally, would control and neutralize the TTP, said Amir Rana, the head of PIPS, the Islamabad-based think tank.

Pakistans Taliban policy has backfired, he said, adding that the Afghan Taliban has also provided some help to Baluch militants.



'Nobody Is Listening'

Observers have said Pakistan has resorted to brute force to crush the TTP and Baluch insurgencies and ignored the longstanding grievances of the Baluch and Pashtun ethnic minorities in southwestern and northwestern Pakistan, respectively.

Abuses by the government have boosted support for the insurgencies. The Pakistani Army, which has an oversized role in the countrys domestic and foreign affairs, has been accused of committing widespread human rights abuses.

Major military offensives aimed at uprooting militants have killed thousands of civilians and uprooted millions of others in the past two decades.

The security state controls the entire state system, said Afrasiab Khattak, a former lawmaker. And the [army] is not listening.

The Pakistani military has defended its actions, and claimed that it killed a record number of militants in 2024.

Ordinary Pakistanis find themselves stuck in the middle of the escalating fight between the military and the militants.

People have lost their lives and properties both because of the militants and the security forces, said Attiqullah Dawar.

In 2021, the lawyer in North Waziristan spent some eight months in the TTPs captivity. He and his two cousins were freed after their family paid a $40,000 ransom.

Idress Mehsud, a member of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, a civil rights group, is on the governments terrorism watch list after he campaigned against the alleged abuses of the Pakistani security forces.

It is a tragedy that the state is oppressing the very people who oppose terrorism, Mehsud said.
Russian forces have carried out more than 2,100 aerial strikes on Ukraine over the past week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on March 9, as Russia has stepped up attacks on its neighbor and reported battlefield gains ahead of Kyiv's high-stakes talks with US representatives in Saudi Arabia.

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.

It comes as US President Donald Trump questioned the long-term viability of Ukraine itself. When asked in a Fox Business TV interview whether he was worried that decreased US support for Ukraine could endanger that country's survival, he responded: "Well, it may not survive anyway."

"But, you know, we have some weaknesses with Russia -- you know, it takes two," Trump added.

Zelenskyy said in a social media post that Russian forces this week deployed 1,200 guided aerial bombs, nearly 870 attack drones, and more than 80 missiles of various types.

The Russian Defense Ministry, meanwhile, announced the recapture of several villages and towns on March 9 in its Kursk region -- as well as new settlements in eastern Ukraine -- with unconfirmed reports that thousands of Ukrainian troops risk being encircled by Russian forces.

It comes a day after Russian air strikes killed at least 50 people in the eastern Donetsk region, according to local officials, with at least 11 deaths reported in the city of Dobropillya.

"Such strikes show that Russia's goals are unchanged," Zelenskyy wrote on social media late on March 8. "Therefore, it is very important to continue to do everything to protect life, strengthen our air defense, and increase sanctions against Russia.

The series of strikes and battlefield pressure represent another setback for Kyiv ahead of crucial talks with the United States next week in Saudi Arabia, where Ukrainian officials will meet with their US counterparts for negotiations around how to end the three-year war.

The Institute For The Study of War, a Washington-based think tank that tracks battlefield developments, said Russian forces have "intensified their multidirectional campaign to eliminate the remaining Ukrainian salient in Kursk" in the last two days.

According to DeepState, an open-source military tracker linked to the Ukrainian Army, the Russian moves followed a "breach" in Ukrainian defense lines near the town of Sudzha, which remains under Kyiv's control but is facing growing pressure from Russian units.

Pro-Russian war bloggers who closely track frontline developments in the war also reported that Russian special forces walked inside a gas pipeline to strike Ukrainian units from the rear in Kursk late on March 8 to gain a foothold outside of Sudzha.

According to the reports, the pipeline was used to surprise Ukrainian units and cut off their supply lines as the Kremlin pours more manpower into kicking Kyiv out of Russian territory.

RFE/RL was not able to independently verify the accounts, but Ukrainian officials confirmed that Russian "sabotage and assault groups" used the pipeline to get access to Sudzha.

"At present, Russian special forces are being detected, blocked, and destroyed. The enemy's losses in Sudzha are very high," Ukraine's General Staff said in a Telegram post on March 8.

Ukraine aimed to hit back by launching a drone overnight at an industrial facility in the Russian region of Chuvashia, some 1,300 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The strike is one of the deepest yet into Russian territory by a Ukrainian drone, and it hit its target but caused no casualties, according to Russian authorities.

Ousting Ukrainian forces from Kursk with the talks in Saudi Arabia approaching looks to be part of Moscow's strategy. In August 2024, thousands of Ukrainian soldiers seized roughly 1,300 square kilometers of Russia's western Kursk region, a move which Kyiv later characterized as an attempt to gain a bargaining chip for future negotiations and draw Russian troops away from the front line in eastern Ukraine.

Russian forces have managed to claw back large chunks of territory in Kursk, but Ukraine has retained a foothold that now risks being shrunk down further leading into the key talks.

Ukraine 'Fully Committed' To US Talks

With his attention fixed on the upcoming talks, Zelenskyy said Ukraine is "fully committed" to having a constructive dialogue with US representatives in Saudi Arabia next week over a potential peace settlement.

"Ukraine has been seeking peace from the very first second of this war. Realistic proposals are on the table. The key is to move quickly and effectively," he posted on X.



The Ukrainian president said he will travel to Saudi Arabia and meet with Saudi Prince Muhammad bin Salman on March 10. Afterward, a delegation of Ukrainian diplomatic and military representatives will stay for a March 11 meeting with a US negotiating team.

"On our side, we are fully committed to constructive dialogue, and we hope to discuss and agree on the necessary decisions and steps," Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy will not be part of the US-Ukraine talks, which will instead be done by a delegation including Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, Zelenskyy's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.

They will meet with a US delegation that will reportedly include Trump's envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and national-security adviser Mike Waltz. Rubio departed for Saudi Arabia late on March 9, the State Department said.

In remarks late on March 9, Trump told reporters he expects results from the Saudi talks.

"We're going to make a lot of progress, I believe, this week," Trump said.

The upcoming talks in Saudi Arabia are the culmination of weeks of tough diplomacy and negotiations spearheaded by Washington since it met with a Russian delegation in Riyadh in February.

US-Ukraine ties have since frayed, with tensions culminating in an Oval Office argument in late February between Zelenskyy, Trump, and US Vice President JD Vance that saw the Ukrainian president leave the White House without signing a crucial minerals deal with Washington.

Since then, the Trump administration has paused military shipments and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. The full extent of the intelligence cutoff is unclear, but it has sparked fears that it could lead to Ukrainian setbacks on the front lines as Russia looks to press for the advantage.

In his March 9 remarks to reporters, Trump said he believed Ukraine would eventually sign a minerals deal with the United States. But -- amid reports he would want even more actions out of Kyiv -- Trump added that "I want them to want peace. They haven't shown it to the extent they should."

European countries like Britain and France have stepped up to provide more intelligence sharing with Ukraine but are reportedly still not able to replace the full scope of US capabilities.

Waltz suggested on March 5 that Trump may lift the pause on military aid once peace negotiations are arranged and confidence-building measures take place.

When asked on March 9 whether he would end the suspension of intelligence-sharing with Kyiv, Trump said, without elaborating, that "we just about have. We just about have."

In the days leading up to the talks, Trump offered criticism of Moscow's increased attacks on Ukraine in the lead up to talks and mentioned potential sanctions against the Kremlin.

But he also said Russian President Vladimir Putin was doing what anybody would do" and he told reporters in the Oval Office on March 7 that he finds it "easier" to work with Russia than Ukraine and that Putin "wants to end the war."
by Xinhua writers Huang Xinxin, Liu Chang and Zhang Ge

BEIJING, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Most tourists seek to avoid visiting the same places again and again, but Kim Jong-gu from the Republic of Korea (ROK) is an exception. This winter marks his third visit to Zhangjiajie, a scenic wonderland in central China that inspired the movie Avatar.

"China's decision to waive visas for visitors from my country made me feel truly welcomed," Kim said. "So as soon as the policy was announced, I booked a trip to Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province."

Tourists visit the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in Zhangjiajie, central China's Hunan Province, on Jan. 3, 2024. (Photo by Wu Yongbing/Xinhua)

In November, China extended its visa-free transit policy to allow ordinary passport holders from 38 countries, including the ROK, to visit China for a maximum of 30 days without applying for a visa.

In December, China announced a significant relaxation of the visa-free transit policy, extending the permitted stay for eligible foreign travelers to 240 hours from the previous periods of either 72 hours or 144 hours.

Kim first encountered Zhangjiajie's towering peaks and otherworldly landscapes in 2002. His second trip in 2014, however, proved physically challenging, requiring him to climb 999 steps just to reach the base of Tianmen Cave in Zhangjiajie. "It was exhausting," he recalled.

While the 68-year-old has never thought that this time, he could ascend to the summit of Tianmen Cave at his age, which perches high on a steep cliff.

Photo taken on June 29, 2016 shows the scenery of Tianmen Mountain surrounded by fog in Zhangjiajie, central China's Hunan Province. (Xinhua/Xiang Tao)

Escalators have now been carved into the mountain, allowing him to reach the summit effortlessly. "With these conveniences, I'm sure I can visit here again, even when I get older," Kim said.

For many people from the ROK, the new transit policy has made travel to China more appealing. Zhangjiajie, alongside major destinations like Beijing, Shanghai and Qingdao, is now buzzing with ROK tourists.

Tourists from the Republic of Korea pose for photos at the Bund in east China's Shanghai, Dec. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)

At Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport, a newly designated port for visa-free entry, international arrivals soared to about 30,000 since the relaxation of the visa-free transit policy in November, with those from the ROK accounting for over 20,000, an increase of 204 percent year on year.

Among the swarm were Choi Jong-ho and his wife, who visited China for the first time. "The visa exemptions saved us time and money, and more importantly, allowed us to travel with ease," said Choi, who has long wished to visit Zhangjiajie and made the trip right after the visa-free expansion. The couple also plans to visit Xi'an, an ancient capital city in northwest China, in the spring.

Lee Soon-yong, 65, who had previously toured major Chinese cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou, embarked on his first visa-free journey in China this winter. "With visa-free access, all you need to prepare is an open heart ready to enjoy the trip," said Lee, who also celebrated his birthday with his family at a local hotpot restaurant in Zhangjiajie.

The surge in ROK tourists has transformed the daily life of Zheng Aihua, a Korean-speaking tour guide who has worked in Zhangjiajie for about 20 years. "The wave of tourists has kept me busier than ever. Sometimes, I'd barely finish dropping off a group of tourists at the airport before immediately having to rush to pick up another one," Zheng said.

Tourists from the Republic of Korea line up to pass through passenger clearance procedures at Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport in Zhangjiajie, central China's Hunan Province, May 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

Zhou Xiaolei, an associate professor at the School of Asian Studies, Beijing Foreign Studies University, noted that the appeal of many Chinese scenic spots like Zhangjiajie to people from the ROK lies in their resonance with the romanticized image of classical Chinese landscapes.

She also emphasized the importance of diversifying China's cultural tourism promotion to engage tourists with a broader range of cities and cultural experiences.

As China opens wider to the world and makes entry procedures smoother, travel to China has never been easier for globetrotters.

For Kim Jong-gu, every visit to China in the past decades gave him a completely fresh impression of the country. "Chinese people are always striving for new achievements. That's inspiring," Kim said.
By Cillian Sherlock, PA

A man who was arrested in connection with the murder of Adnan Asic more than two years ago has been released without charge.

Mr Asic died in the early hours of Saturday October 22nd, 2022 in Dublin.

He had been walking towards Blanchardstown Road North coming from the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre when he was violently assaulted.

He was taken to hospital but died as a result of his injuries.

Mr Asic was originally from Bosnia but had lived in Ireland for more than 30 years.

On Tuesday, gardai arrested a man in his 40s in connection with the death.

He had been detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a garda station in north Dublin.

He was released without charge on Wednesday and a file is to be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Gardai had renewed their appeal to any person who was in the area between midnight and 3am on the morning of Mr Asics death to come forward.

In particular, anyone who saw two men together at the junction of Blanchardstown Road North and the Old Navan Road, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15 was asked to make contact.

Investigations are ongoing.
SYDNEY, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Three people are missing and three more have been hospitalized with serious injuries after a seaplane crashed off the coast of Western Australia (WA).

WA Police said on Tuesday night that the privately owned plane crashed into the water after hitting a large rock near Rottnest Island, about 20 km off the coast of Perth, at about 4 p.m. local time.

Seven people, including the pilot, were on board at the time. Three people were pulled from the water with serious injuries and airlifted to nearby hospitals while a fourth person was rescued uninjured.

A major search for the three missing people was launched and continued until being suspended overnight.

WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said at a press conference on Tuesday night that water police and a number of civilian vessels provided immediate aid to assist the rescue effort.

"I do want to reassure the community that we have significant resources on scene, and we are doing everything that we can," he said.

Aerial vision of the scene captured by television crews showed the plane nose down in the water with debris floating nearby.

The Premier of WA, Roger Cook, said in a statement posted on social media that images of the scene were deeply concerning.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported that the seaplane involved in the incident was brand new.

Witness Greg Quin told ABC radio that the plane crashed moments after taking off from Thomson Bay on the island's east coast.

Rottnest Island is a popular tourism destination known for its population of quokkas -- a small species of marsupial -- and is serviced by several companies offering air transfers from Perth. 
By Rebecca Black, PA

A man has been arrested in Spain after a body was found in the hunt for missing Belfast man John George.

The 37-year-old, from west Belfast, also known as John Hardy, had been on holiday in Alicante and was last in touch with his family on December 14th.

The father of two was reported missing four days later after he failed to board his flight home to Northern Ireland.

Mr Georges family and friends travelled to Spain to search for him.

His father Billy was told by Spanish police on Tuesday evening that they believed they had found his sons body.

It also emerged overnight that a 32-year-old man has been arrested.

Formal identification of the body is expected to be completed by Wednesday afternoon.

Belfast solicitors KRW Law, who are assisting Mr Georges relatives, said in a statement on behalf of the family that they are distressed but also relieved at the latest development.

It brings to an end an extremely tortuous search process for the body, they said.

Mr Georges parents Billy and Sharon, brother Darren, and sisters Courtney and Caitlin  along with up to 50 friends and wider family from Northern Ireland  were involved in the search operation.

The statement said a murder investigation has been launched and appealed for privacy for Mr Georges family.

It said: The family want to thank all who have helped and supported them over the last number of days.

They now respectfully ask for some privacy to allow them both time and space to engage on the next harrowing stages of what is now a formalised murder investigation.

Police in Northern Ireland have been assisting their Spanish counterparts with their investigation and had issued appeals for information after Mr George was reported missing.
Punjab on Alert Amid HMPV Concerns; Health Minister Urges Public to Wear Masks

Emphasizing the importance of precaution, people have been urged to use masks whenever stepping outside.

HMPV Virus Concerns in India's Punjab Latest News Today: The Punjab government has issued an advisory as concerns rise over the spread of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) across various states in India. Although no cases have been reported in Punjab so far, the state health department is taking proactive measures to safeguard public health.

Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh has advised citizens, especially those with weak immunity and individuals above 60 years of age, to wear masks in crowded places. Emphasizing the importance of precaution, he urged people to use masks whenever stepping outside.

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The state government is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the central government and is prepared to handle any potential cases of HMPV, said Dr. Balbir Singh.

HMPV is a mild virus that typically causes flu-like symptoms. Unlike COVID-19, it is not considered fatal. However, the health minister encouraged vigilance, particularly among vulnerable populations, to mitigate the risk of transmission.

The governments appeal aligns with the directive from the Government of India to ramp up surveillance for HMPV across the nation. Public health officials have assured that adequate measures are in place to address any emergent scenarios.

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As part of the preventive approach, citizens are urged to follow basic hygiene practices, including wearing masks, maintaining social distance, and seeking medical advice if flu-like symptoms develop.

This proactive alert serves as a reminder of the lessons learned during the pandemic and the importance of community health awareness.

(For more news apart from HMPV Virus Concerns in India's Punjab Latest News Today, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
A threat that can no longer be ignored: drug-using children

Not just new legislation, but more awareness is needed to keep this growing phenomenon in check.

Credits: Markus Spiske / unsplash.com

Luiza Moldovan, 08.01.2025, 14:00

May 31 will mark the National Drug Risk Awareness Day, according to a bill recently adopted in the Chamber of Deputies in Bucharest. According to MP Brian Cristian from Save Romania Union (USR), the pro-European parliamentary opposition, a symbolic day of awareness concerning drug use does not solve an acute problem of our society. One in 10 young people in Romania and a quarter of high school students have used drugs at least once, according to figures made public by authorities and media representatives, Brian Cristian says. This is what decades of bad public policies in the anti-drug field have to show for, this is what the Romanian states powerlessness in the fight against major drug traffickers shows, the MP further notes. According to him, young people are treated like criminals, and the big traffickers get away with it. Concrete anti-drug measures are needed, not a symbolic day, the USR deputy argues. Without effective prevention programs, without resources for youth programs and counseling, without sufficient resources for sports, which represent a good alternative for spending free time, Romania will continue to lose the fight against drugs, the USR deputy also said.

Indeed, the reality on the ground is staggering: 12-year-old children have already used drugs which they bought from dealers, without being aware of the devastating traces that these substances leave in their brains. Primary care physician and toxicologist Radu Tincu told a specialized conference that as many prevention and awareness programs as possible are necessary, given that most young people are not aware of the devastating effects of such substances:

The consumption of psychoactive substances at such a young age, in the context in which the central nervous system is not fully developed, will damage the neurocognitive area, resulting in behavioral disorders, thinking disorders, attention disorders, some of which may be irreparable. Also, drug use during adolescence increases the risk of developing a mental illness in adulthood, which again raises big questions from a social perspective. What will society look like if young people have mental disorders or behavioral disorders? If we talk about overdoses and intensive care, up to 20-30,000 EUR can be spent on each case, and subsequently, treatment in a detox psychiatric center costs up to 10,000 EUR per individual.

One of the anti-drug programs carried out in 2024 in Romania was Choose to choose  An Arts Caravan to prevent drug use, implemented by the non-governmental Association E ceva bine and financed by the Interior Ministry through the National Anti-Drug Agency. Carried out in 9 cities in northeastern Romania, in the counties of Botosani, Neamt and Vaslui, the project sought to raise awareness and educate young people aged 12-25, as well as their parents, concerning the risks of drug use. The project aimed to build confidence and resilience in children and young people at risk, as well as their parents, through leisure activities as an alternative to drug use. The program taught children about choice and urged them to express their feelings through art, but also through other non-formal educational activities. 8,000 young people benefited from this program.

What is the best way to proceed for a young person or a child who is starting to use drugs? Iulian Vacarean, president of the E ceva bine Association:

I think the most important thing is to let the people who are with you know, because parents, teachers and those who really care about you will always help you feel at ease in your skin and choose whats best for you.

The team of specialists also traveled to Suceava County, where they spoke to students, parents and teachers from schools in the municipality of Falticeni, anti-drug expert Catalin Tone, a permanent collaborator of Radio Romania, has told us:

Radio Romania Actualitati, together with other partners, continues an anti-drug campaign launched about two years ago. We travel around the country, carry out preventive activities with students, parents and teachers. Everything is interactive, we give them prizes, we encourage them to talk. We believe they can no longer learn certain things. We are trying to break away from the barriers related to the classic area of preventive activities, which often do not have the desired effect. We have noticed conceptual changes, they have started to talk to us. We come here bringing good news about the legislative package, especially in the area of control, increasing penalties, creating a register of drug traffickers, without suspended sentences. Another piece of good news is the fact that a draft law was promulgated four months ago regarding the establishment of eight centers for the treatment of drug addiction. There is also a lot of talk about the restructuring of the National Anti-Drug Agency, which I think is a good thing, in order to adapt to our requirements, being the national decision-maker in the field. (VP)
January 8, 2025 UPDATE

A roundup of local and world news

Newsflash

Newsroom, 08.01.2025, 20:14

TALKS Leaders of the ruling coalition in Bucharest convened on Wednesday for their first meeting this year. They decided that the first round of the presidential election be held on May 4 and the second on May 18. The coalition also reconfirmed the former PNL leader, Crin Antonescu as their common candidate for the presidential race. They also decided that the 2025 budget be presented before January 27 so that it might get Parliament approval in the first week of February. The Minister of Finance, Tanczos Barna, had earlier said the draft budget would observe the deficit cap of 7% of the GDP, without new tax increases, but through a more rigorous control of public spending. On the other hand, the unions called on the Ombudsman to appeal at the Constitutional Court the article in the recent emergency ordinance that provides for the freezing of pension indexation. The ordinance, which came into force on January 1, also provides for the freezing of salaries, the elimination of some tax benefits and the restriction of certain benefits.

VISAS Romanians will be able to travel to the USA without a visa starting March this year. The only thing they need is a notification in a platform known as ESTA  Electronic System for Travel Authorization, the countrys Foreign Minister, Emil Hurezeanu said on Wednesday. Romanias inclusion in the Visa Waiver programme will be formally marked on Friday, January 10, through an event staged in Washington DC. The US State Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, and Romanias ambassador in Washington, Andrei Muraru, are going to meet to record Romanias accession to the US visa-free programme. The technical details and the date of the effective activation of the new travel regime are to be announced shortly. The Romanian citizens no longer need to give interviews at the US consulate while the travel permit, which replaces the present visas, will be valid for two years, with an unlimited number of entries into the United States. The aforementioned permit can be used for visits up to 90 days with the cost of 21 US dollars, says a notification posted on the Facebook page of Romanias embassy in Washington.

OMV The Austrians from OMV have concluded an agreement with the German utility group Uniper regarding the supply of natural gas under the Romanian Neptun Deep project in the Black Sea, as of 2027, Reuters reports. The deal comes after Russia stopped delivering gas through Ukraine on January 1, as well as a wider reduction in the European Unions energy purchases from Russia due to the invasion of Ukraine. In the Neptun Deep area there are reserves of gas estimated at approximately 100 billion cubic meters, which makes it one of the most important extraction area in the EU. OMV and the Romanian state producer Romgaz own equal shares of the Neptune Deep. In total, Romanias territorial waters of the Black Sea are said to host reserves of approximately 200 billion cubic meters of gas.

ENERGY The liberalization of the energy market as of April 1, together with appropriate preparation while there is still time, is the only option for Romania  claims the president of the NGO Asociatia Energia Inteligenta (Smart Energy Association), Dumitru Chiselita. In his opinion, the biggest challenge of the year is related to the fact that on March 31 the current capping and compensation scheme for natural gas and electricity prices will expire. Chiselita believes that an extension of this measure involves large expenses from the state budget, with the payment of compensations to suppliers. In addition, he mentions Romanias commitments to the European Union for market liberalization, appreciating that a possible continuation of the ceiling will lead to a decrease in community funds, which Bucharest cannot afford.

(bill)
Sebastian Stan wins Golden Globe

Romanian-born actor Sebastian Stan is one of the winners of the 82nd edition of the Golden Globes.

Sebastian Stan wins Golden Globe for A Different Man

Stefan Stoica, 08.01.2025, 13:50

An excellent start to the year for the American actor of Romanian origin Sebastian Stan: on Sunday evening, he won the award for the best actor in a comedy or musical film at the 82nd edition of the Golden Globes. The information appeared on the X social network account dedicated to these awards, which are awarded by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

Sebastian Stan won the Golden Globe for his role in the film A Different Man, directed by Aaron Schimberg. Other nominees in this category included Jesse Eisenberg, Hugh Grant, Gabriel LaBelle, Jesse Plemons and Glen Powell. It is the first Golden Globe won by Sebastian Stan after also being nominated in 2023 for his role in the TV miniseries Pam & Tommy. His performance in the feature film A Different Man also won him the Silver Bear Award for Best Actor at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2024.

In the film, the American-Romanian star plays the role of an aspiring actor suffering from facial tumors, who undergoes a radical cosmetic procedure to drastically change his appearance, but his new dream face quickly turns into a nightmare. After undergoing experimental treatment to change his appearance and faking his death to start a new life, Edward, his character, is once again forced to face the demons of his past when a friend directs a play based on his story: not being recognised in his new appearance, he manages to get the part to play his own story. Things get even more complicated after he meets Oswald, who also suffers from the same disease, but is happy with himself as he is and determined to live his life without seeing the disease as an obstacle.

In his awards gala speech, Stan spoke about acceptance and called for an end to ignorance and discomfort around disability. Sebastian Stan also mentioned his mother and his country of origin, Romania, which the two left in the 1980s, during the harshest years of the Ceausescu dictatorship, in search of a better life. Sebastian Stan also had a nomination for the film The Apprentice, in which he played Donald Trump, but that award went to Adrien Brody, for his part in The Brutalist.

In 2024, the prize in this category was won by the actor Paul Giamatti, for his role in the film The Holdovers. Awarded for the first time in 1944, the Golden Globes for the best roles and productions in the film and television industry, are grouped into 27 categories.
Indian shares opened slightly lower on Wednesday as upbeat U.S. economic data prompted traders to pare rate cut bets.

The benchmark S&P/BSE Sensex was down 110 points, or 0.1 percent, at 78,092 in early trade, tracking a firmer dollar and elevated bond yields in international .

The broader NSE Nifty index dropped 25 points, or 0.1 percent, to 23,683.

Tata Elxsi fell 2.1 percent as it entered into a strategic partnership with CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories to drive innovations in air mobility.

Ola Electric Mobility shares were down 4 percent. Market regulator SEBI has issued a warning letter to the company for violation of disclosure norms.

Birlasoft declined 1.7 percent as CEO Roopinder Singh quit the company.

Tata Steel was marginally lower after reporting a 6.17 percent YoY rise in crude steel production for Q3FY25.

NTPC shed 0.6 percent after incorporating a new subsidiary to lead its nuclear energy ventures.

Jindal Worldwide jumped more than 5 percent after announcing a 4:1 bonus issue.

Tata Technologies rallied 2.2 percent after it joined hands with Telechips to advance their automotive technologies.

WPIL surged almost 5 percent after it acquired Italian pump major MISA.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Market Analysis
A state of emergency has been declared in Los Angeles as huge wildfires ripped through its suburbs.

The wildfires, which are spreading at a speed of around 100 acres in an hour, has so far burned more than 2,900 acres of vegetation, reports say.

California state Fire department's chief Kristin Crowley issued an evacuation order urging more than 30,000 people to leave the risky areas, as two more raging fires are heading to north-west Los Angeles.

Tens of thousands of people are abandoning their homes and cars, heeding to evacuation orders as a fast-growing blaze destroys homes in the Pacific Palisades.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department said on X that winds gusting up to 60 mph are expected to continue through Thursday.

The Hurst fire, which broke out at around 10:30 p.m. ET Tuesday north of San Fernando, is "spreading rapidly under high winds, creating dangerous conditions for nearby communities," according to CAL Fire.

Another fire has erupted in Los Angeles County, the Eaton fire in Altadena.

The fire has disrupted power supply in tens of thousands of homes and buildings in the county.

Los Angeles officials have warned that the situation is going to worsen as "tornado-like" winds will make the task of the firefighters battling the wildfires very difficult, and the flames is to spread fast.

The California state fire department has set up evacuation centers at El Camino Real Charter High School, Pasadena Convention Center and Westwood Recreation Center.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden said he and his team are in touch with state and local officials, and offered any federal assistance that is needed to help suppress the Pacific Palisades fire.

Earlier, FEMA approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant to support areas that are impacted and help reimburse the state of California for the immediate firefighting costs.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin will convene a core group leaders' meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group to map out Ukraine's defense capabilities in support of building a credible deterrent force through 2027.

The meeting of eight capabilities coalition leaders will be part of the upcoming 25th meeting of the UDCG, which is set to begin at Ramstein Air Base in Germany on Thursday.

The US-led UDCG, which was founded in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, is a coalition of some 50 nations that meet regularly to discuss Ukraine's security needs.

Within the coalition exists a core leadership group comprising eight capability coalitions. Each coalition represents one aspect of Ukraine's military capabilities and is co-led by at least two separate NATO nations.

"The leaders of these coalitions will need to endorse roadmaps that articulate Ukraine's air force, armor, artillery, de-mining, drone, integrated air and missile defense, information and maritime security needs and objectives through 2027. These roadmaps are intended to enable donors to plan for and support Ukraine sustainably into the future," a senior U.S. defense official said at a Pentagon news conference.

When asked whether there was concern about the path forward for the UDCG should American support for the group decrease once the new Trump administration takes over on January 20, the official stressed that the multilateral manner in which the UDCG and its coalitions have been constructed will help to bolster the group's future resiliency.

"I can't speak for what the incoming administration will decide about its role [within the UDCG], but I'm very confident of European commitment  ability  experience and extraordinary belief in the mission, and [I'm] confident that those capability coalitions will continue one way or another," the official told reporters.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
HARARE, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's current visit to Africa is a demonstration of the strong and deep-rooted bond between China and Africa, a Zimbabwean expert said Wednesday.

Munetsi Madakufamba, executive director of the Southern African Research and Documentation Center, a regional research group based in the Zimbabwean capital of Harare, told Xinhua that for 35 consecutive years, China's foreign ministers have chosen Africa as their first overseas destination each year, which showcases China's policy consistency and acknowledgment of Africa as an important partner.

"As Africa's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, China has steadily increased trade volume with the continent, reaching a record 282.1 billion U.S. dollars in 2023," said Madakufamba.

He said China has recently implemented a zero-tariff policy for 33 least-developed African countries on 100 percent of their product categories, promoting trade with Africa and boosting opportunities for African businesses.

Madakufamba said the Chinese foreign minister's current visit to Namibia, the Republic of the Congo, Chad, and Nigeria demonstrates China's commitment to deepening traditional friendship with African countries. He emphasized that China's interests in Africa are mutually beneficial, with both sides gaining from the partnership.

The expert expressed optimism about the China-Africa cooperation in the coming year. "China will remain a key player in the continent's economic development," Madakufamba said. 
Arcadium Lithium Plc (ALTM), a lithium chemicals producer, said on Wednesday that the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, or CFIUS, has approved the proposed acquisition of Arcadium Lithium by Rio Tinto Plc (RTPPF.PK,RIO.L,RIO,RTNTF.PK).

However, this transaction remains subject to investment screening approvals in Australia, Canada, and Italy, as well as other customary closing conditions.

Earlier, Rio Tinto and Arcadium Lithium announced a deal that allows Rio Tinto to acquire Arcadium for $5.85 per share, or around $6.7 billion in cash.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Flowers Foods, Inc. (FLO), Wednesday announced an agreement to acquire Simple Mills, a provider of organic food items, for $795 million in cash.

The acquisition is expected to enhance Flowers Foods' future growth prospects and strengthen the company's brand position across various snacking categories.

Flowers Foods, a manufacturer of packaged bakery goods, expects to close the transaction in the first quarter of 2025, through a term loan from Royal Bank of Canada.

The transaction is expected to be accretive to Flowers' earnings per share in 2026, and immediately accretive to net sales, and adjusted EBITDA growth, and adjusted EBITDA margins on a pro-forma basis.

In the pre-market hours, Flowers Foods's stock is trading at $20.20, up 0.47 percent on the New York Stock Exchange.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- UN humanitarians and their partners have distributed food assistance to nearly 3 million people in Syria since late November, the UN relief agency said on Tuesday.

"More than 2.5 million people across the country, including people in camps, collective centers and host communities, have received bread between Nov. 27 and Jan. 6," the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said.

Over 300,000 people have received other food assistance, including ready-to-eat rations, hot meals, and food baskets.

However, OCHA said they continue deliveries only as far as security and logistical conditions permit. Portions of northeast Syria present notable challenges.

The office said that in Syria's northwest, partners support farmers and breeders with agricultural inputs, such as fertilizer and start-up grants, to help small and medium enterprises.

"The insecurity and displacement in November and December coincided with the agriculture planting season," OCHA said. "According to the caretaker authorities, only 40 percent of the usual amount of wheat has been planted in parts of Syria this season. Farming households are in dire need of agricultural input, including seeds, fertilizers and animal feed. Rainfall has also been lower than average and erratic over the past few weeks."

Humanitarian partners warned that without additional support, wheat and barley production in 2025 will be severely impacted in a country where 15 million people are already food insecure.

OCHA said the challenge for humanitarians in the northeast is access. The internal crossing connecting Menbij to areas east of the Euphrates River, including Ar-Raqqa, remains closed, preventing the movement of goods and people, including aid workers. However, access has not been disrupted in other areas in the northeast.

Humanitarian shipments from the capital of Damascus to Qamishli City in al-Hasakah Governorate continue, according to OCHA. Also, several UN agencies have received supplies through the Tabqa crossing point in Ar-Raqqa Governorate. 
(ECNS) -- China has lifted household registration restrictions for social insurance enrollment in employment locations, according to a guideline published by China's top economic planner, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) on Tuesday.

The document outlines the direction and key focus areas for building a unified national market, incorporating numerous important measures and requirements, such as removing barriers, building connections, and drawing bottom lines.

Wu Sa, deputy director of the Economic Research Institute affiliated to Academy of Macroeconomic Research under the NDRC, said that building a unified national market is a top priority among the new round of reforms and a fundamental system for a high-level socialist market economy. He said that overcoming bottlenecks in the market system would help reduce transaction costs, drive technological innovation, and promote industrial upgrading.

Removing barriers

If the national market is seen as a large plot of land, but each region has fenced off its own small section, which obstructs the flow of market resources, building a unified national market requires removing these fences.

According to the guideline, regions must ensure the free cross-regional flow of goods and production factors. The guideline prohibits regions from setting unreasonable barriers that prevent local businesses from offering goods and services to other parts.

Since free flow of talent is critical in building a unified national market, the guideline stipulates that regions should not impose policy barriers related to household registration, location, identity, personal dossiers, or employment relationships that hinder the movement of talent.

Wu told China News Network that talent is the most proactive and innovative resource, and that these new measures would promote the rational flow and efficient allocation of talent resources.

Building connections

Building a unified national market requires connections on both physical infrastructure and institutional frameworks, both of which are crucial.

To address the issue of disruptions and bottlenecks in transportation infrastructure, the guideline requires that regions focus on addressing dead-end roads and eliminating bottlenecks in the national highway and waterway network at provincial border areas.

Efforts should be intensified to remove barriers to inter-regional transportation infrastructure, according to the guideline.

Besides, to address the issue of inconsistent regulatory standards across regions, the guideline requires that regions clarify the responsibility chain among market regulatory departments, industry authorities, and aw enforcement agencies, and standardize data collection criteria, formats, and fields across different regulatory bodies.

Drawing bottom lines

The guideline emphasizes several must-nots, setting clear boundaries and red lines, with corresponding responsibilities to be borne if these are violated.

It stipulates that regions must not violate national regulations by implementing investment attraction policies that offer preferential treatment in areas such as finance, taxes, pricing, land, and resource/environmental policies.

Wu believes that the key to implementing these policies is for local governments to adopt a national unified strategy mindset. Governments should not focus solely on local or sectional interests, but rather consider the broader national and overall interests.

The NDRC emphasized strengthening the uniformity of fundamental systems and rules, ensuring the high-standard connectivity of market infrastructure and a fair and unified market regulation. Additionally, it aims to eliminate local protectionism and market fragmentation.

The unified national market is closely connected to the lives of ordinary people. A high-level integration of goods and services markets would provide better quality products and services, improving consumer welfare.

From a global perspective, Chinas effort to build a unified national market is not about closing its doors and operating in isolation, but openly embracing global opportunities. This approach would strengthen its confidence and resilience in responding to changes and exploring new possibilities.


PUL-E-KHUMRI, Afghanistan, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Unidentified armed men shot dead a scholar and badly injured another in northern Afghanistan's Baghlan province on Tuesday, provincial police spokesman Shir Ahmad Burhani said Wednesday.

The deadly incident took place in Baghlan-e-Markazi district, 30 km north of the provincial capital Pul-e-Khumri city on Tuesday evening, the official confirmed in a statement released here.

No one has been arrested, the official said in the statement, adding efforts are underway to bring to justice those behind the deadly attack. 
JERUSALEM, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Israel on Wednesday denied agreeing to a weeks-long ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for a list from Hamas of living hostages that the group would release.

Media reports claimed the proposed deal would include a six-to-eight-week ceasefire, expanded aid access to the Palestinian enclave, and efforts to rebuild its health system, destroyed by Israeli strikes. In return, Israel was said to receive a list of hostages still alive and information about deceased hostages, including the locations of their remains.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the reports as "absolutely false." In a statement issued by his office, he said Israel has not agreed to a pause in the war in exchange for a list of hostages. He accused Hamas of waging "psychological warfare."

The statement came as negotiators met in Doha in renewed efforts to broker an agreement between Israel and Hamas to end the war, which began in October 2023, and to secure the release of approximately 100 hostages still held in Gaza. 
Soldiers of the armed police transfer relief supplies at a warehouse in Xigaze City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Jan. 8, 2025. The strong earthquake that struck around 9 a.m. Tuesday has toppled thousands of rural houses. By Tuesday midnight, a total of 126 people have been confirmed dead and 188 others injured.

As the search and rescue efforts went on, 170,000 urgently needed items such as quilts, blankets, cotton coats, stoves and instant noodles were shipped to the disaster area. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

LHASA, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Just half an hour after the 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Dingri County in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dondrup Tsering got to work, combing through the debris as he searched for survivors.

"My colleagues and I used our hands to dig through ruined homes and pull out buried people," said Dondrup Tsering, a local police officer of Tibetan ethnic group. His face was marred by dust and sweat, and his fingernails were stuffed with dirt and blood when he talked to Xinhua in a quake-shattered village Gurum, one of the worst hit villages in the area.

The strong earthquake that struck around 9 a.m. Tuesday has toppled thousands of rural houses. By Tuesday midnight, a total of 126 people have been confirmed dead and 188 others injured.

The epicenter of the earthquake is located in Tsogo Township of Dingri County in the city of Xigaze. An all-out rescue operation has been ongoing in 27 quake-hit villages within a 20-km radius of the epicenter, where approximately 6,900 people reside.

Dondrup Tsering, from the Dingri county public security bureau, said villagers barely had time to put on their clothes as it was still early in the morning local time, with some rushing out of their rooms wrapped in quilts. Tragically, some were buried by the collapsed walls.

With an average altitude of 4,500 meters, Dingri County is home to the northern base camp of Mount Qomolangma, the world's highest peak. It is one of the most populous border counties in Xizang, which has a population of over 60,000.

Adding to the rescue difficulties, temperatures plummeted below minus 10 degrees Celsius on Tuesday night. However, more and more rescuers, including firefighters, police officers and soldiers, have arrived at the scene.

Armed with flashlights and aided with sniffer dogs, the rescuers worked non-stop over the night in the hope of saving as many people as they can within the first 72 hours of "golden period" after the disaster.

From morning to sunset, Dondrup Tsering and his team pulled 17 villagers out of the debris.

FIRST NIGHT AFTER EARTHQUAKE

As the search and rescue efforts went on, 170,000 urgently needed items such as quilts, blankets, cotton coats, stoves and instant noodles were shipped to the disaster area.

Meanwhile, thanks to the emergency repairs, power was restored at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, just an hour after the quake in Gurum Village. By around 5 p.m., all residents had moved into makeshift tents.

In the two resettlement areas in Gurum Village, over 30 tents were set up, with stoves lit inside to keep the evacuees warm through the night.

As temperatures dropped below zero at approximately 7:30 p.m., the first batch of bedding arrived on-site, ready for distribution.

"The main challenge today is the low temperatures; however, the arrival of bedding has addressed this issue," said Sangye, a village official overseeing the resettlement sites. Each resident received at least two blankets and a cotton mattress.

Migmar, 57, shared a tent with another family. She also received bottled water and snacks to help her through the night.

Additional stoves were expected to be installed the next day to help residents prepare butter tea and tsampa, staples beloved by Tibetans. More quake-relief materials are on the way.

By midday Tuesday, over 60 soldiers from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) had arrived in Gurum Village to assist with rescue efforts.

"We plunged ourselves into the rescue efforts as soon as we arrived," said military officer Kelsang. "When the people saw us, they shouted, 'The PLA has come!' Hearing this makes it all worthwhile, no matter how challenging or exhausting it is."

So far, they have rescued 12 injured people and 79 livestock. As night fell, they lit stoves and prepared meals for the residents.

By 8 p.m., despite occasional aftershocks, the village's streetlights were illuminated, and the stoves kept the tents warm inside.

In the tents, many people lit butter lamps to pray for their loved ones and fellow villagers who lost their lives in the earthquake.

Outside the tents, soldiers and relief workers were pitching more tents and cooking porridge, eggs, and ginger soups for the settlers.

"When a new day dawns with the morning light, tomorrow is another day," said Kelsang. 

Locals transfer relief supplies at a warehouse in Xigaze City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Jan. 8, 2025. The strong earthquake that struck around 9 a.m. Tuesday has toppled thousands of rural houses. By Tuesday midnight, a total of 126 people have been confirmed dead and 188 others injured.

As the search and rescue efforts went on, 170,000 urgently needed items such as quilts, blankets, cotton coats, stoves and instant noodles were shipped to the disaster area. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

Soldiers of the armed police transfer relief supplies at a warehouse in Xigaze City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Jan. 8, 2025. The strong earthquake that struck around 9 a.m. Tuesday has toppled thousands of rural houses. By Tuesday midnight, a total of 126 people have been confirmed dead and 188 others injured.

As the search and rescue efforts went on, 170,000 urgently needed items such as quilts, blankets, cotton coats, stoves and instant noodles were shipped to the disaster area. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

Locals transfer relief supplies at a warehouse in Xigaze City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Jan. 8, 2025. The strong earthquake that struck around 9 a.m. Tuesday has toppled thousands of rural houses. By Tuesday midnight, a total of 126 people have been confirmed dead and 188 others injured.

As the search and rescue efforts went on, 170,000 urgently needed items such as quilts, blankets, cotton coats, stoves and instant noodles were shipped to the disaster area. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

Soldiers of the armed police transfer relief supplies at a warehouse in Xigaze City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Jan. 8, 2025. The strong earthquake that struck around 9 a.m. Tuesday has toppled thousands of rural houses. By Tuesday midnight, a total of 126 people have been confirmed dead and 188 others injured.

As the search and rescue efforts went on, 170,000 urgently needed items such as quilts, blankets, cotton coats, stoves and instant noodles were shipped to the disaster area. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

Trucks loaded with relief supplies leave a warehouse in Xigaze City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Jan. 8, 2025. The strong earthquake that struck around 9 a.m. Tuesday has toppled thousands of rural houses. By Tuesday midnight, a total of 126 people have been confirmed dead and 188 others injured.

As the search and rescue efforts went on, 170,000 urgently needed items such as quilts, blankets, cotton coats, stoves and instant noodles were shipped to the disaster area. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

A truck of China Post loaded with relief supplies drives towards the epicenter of the earthquake on a section of National Highway 318vin Xigaze City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Jan. 8, 2025. The strong earthquake that struck around 9 a.m. Tuesday has toppled thousands of rural houses. By Tuesday midnight, a total of 126 people have been confirmed dead and 188 others injured.

As the search and rescue efforts went on, 170,000 urgently needed items such as quilts, blankets, cotton coats, stoves and instant noodles were shipped to the disaster area. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

A staff member fixes relief supplies on a truck on the National Highway 318 in Xigaze City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Jan. 8, 2025. The strong earthquake that struck around 9 a.m. Tuesday has toppled thousands of rural houses. By Tuesday midnight, a total of 126 people have been confirmed dead and 188 others injured.

As the search and rescue efforts went on, 170,000 urgently needed items such as quilts, blankets, cotton coats, stoves and instant noodles were shipped to the disaster area. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)
Politics

Spotlight

Outsider moves in: Lurie to take reins at City Hall

Craig Lee/The Examiner Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie  seen meeting supporters at St. Marys Square on Nov. 8  is set to be inaugurated at City Hall today.

Daniel Lurie held off on being a San Francisco City Hall insider Wednesday for just a few more minutes.

Luries inauguration took place Wednesday morning  and unlike administrations past, he was not sworn in on the steps of City Hall or inside it, but across the street on a stage in Civic Center Plaza.

The setting might just be one of necessity, given the thousands of people to attend what is just one in a series of extravagant events signaling the arrival of new leadership in San Francisco. But it conveniently reflects Luries unusual journey to power, which took place entirely outside  and not from within  City Hall.

An heir to the Levi Strauss fortune and longtime leader of a prominent San Francisco nonprofit, Lurie was hardly a no-name when he announced his candidacy for mayor in 2023. Still, his inauguration Wednesday as The Citys 46th mayor capped the rapid rise of a man who had previously never held  or sought  political office.

Craig Lee/The Examiner Workers on Tuesday prepare Civic Center Plaza in front of San Francisco City Hall for the inauguration of Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie.

Starting Wednesday, Lurie can begin to make good on his yearslong pledge to bring much-needed change to San Francisco government, which has lost the confidence of so many of its residents.

We have a bright future, we have all the resources at our disposal, Lurie told The Examiner shortly after launching his campaign in 2023, a message he echoed throughout the months to come. We simply need the leadership, and I believe I bring that.

Lurie won a tightly contested election without tapping into much of San Franciscos traditional political power structure and by building a broad political base, eschewing traditional political labels. And, in the end, he won in large part by securing a sizable share of second- and third-choice votes in The Citys ranked-choice voting system.

Ive always felt good about Daniel  I think the challenge has always been not knowing what to do with the [lack of] direct government experience issue, said former Supervisor Matt Gonzalez, who endorsed Lurie as his second choice in the election. Because of his work ethic and his determination, if you meet with him and watch him closely, you get a sense that hes very committed, and he embodied a frustration that so many San Franciscans had about the status of The City.

His path to office was different, but Lurie has been laying the groundwork leading up to this moment for years.

Elise Amendola/Associated Press File Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie, left  seen in 2013 with San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York was bid chairman for the successful effort to bring Super Bowl 50 to the Bay Area in 2016.

Lurie was born to Miriam Mimi Lurie Haas and Brian Lurie and raised in San Francisco, attending University High School. His parents divorced when he was young; Luries mother later married Peter Haas, a great-grandnephew of Levi Strauss, connecting Lurie to the family fortune.

After graduating from Duke University with a political science degree, Daneil Lurie took a job at the Robin Hood Foundation, an antipoverty organization based in New York City. He returned to California and received a masters degree in public policy from UC Berkeley, providing him the platform from which to launch his own antipoverty nonprofit in 2005.

With its title a nod to a popular book by author Malcolm Gladwell, Tipping Point Community was built on the assumption that Bay Area poverty could be taken on with a smarter approach.

Luries work at Tipping Point was a cornerstone of his pitch to become San Franciscos next mayor. On the campaign trail, Lurie regularly argued that Tipping Point  and, by association, he himself  had a record of holding nonprofits accountable to deliver the services they promised. He contrasted that record with that of his opponents and The City that they had led.

In 2019, Lurie stepped down from his CEO position at Tipping Point, freeing him up to eventually pursue his next move.

In 2023, he founded the Civic Joy Fund with Manny Yekutiel, owner of Mannys Cafe in the Mission, to flood San Franciscos neighborhoods with renewed life through arts, events and volunteerism, and combat negative post-pandemic perceptions of The City.

It was a total joy working with him in that first period of the Civic Joy Fund, Yekutiel told The Examiner.

Yekutiel recalled a Sunday on Pride weekend  a holy weekend, he added  when he and Lurie were scheduled for an early morning television interview about the Civic Joy Fund.

Daniel picked me up in his car with coffee  he was like We got this, Yekutiel said. It was so much fun.

In September 2023, Lurie formally announced what had long been rumored  that he would run for mayor.

Adam Shanks/The Examiner Daniel Lurie submits the necessary paperwork to run for San Francisco mayor on Sept. 26, 2023.

He brought two key assets to the race  a different perspective and ample resources  and he used the latter to highlight the former.

In a memo published after Luries victory, his political consultant, Tyler Law, explained that Luries campaign realized from the jump that its path to victory was by making him the candidate synonymous with change as a concept.

And when his opponents attacked him as inexperienced  to a degree they argued was actually dangerous  it played right into his hands. Of course, he countered, the City Hall insiders running against him would say that  theyre afraid of change.

Voters want experience, Law wrote in the memo. But they want the right experience to create change. In other words, at a moment defined by a demand for change, Daniel had the right message and the right experience to meet the moment.

It was a message that resonated with voters who had recently recalled a district attorney and multiple school board members, and signaled in poll after poll that they were tired of businesses as usual in City Hall.

The one thing that Lurie lacked was name recognition, a deficit he was able to make up for by campaigning full-time and tapping into a vast pool of resources to dramatically outspend his opponents.

After a long and disciplined campaign, Lurie came out on top, defeating an incumbent mayor and accomplishing the rare feat of being elected to lead a major American city despite lacking any previous experience in elected office.

Craig Lee/The Examiner Left-right: Mark Farrell, Ahsha Safai, Daniel Lurie, Mayor London Breed and Aaron Peskin on stage for the mayoral debate at UC Law San Francisco on Monday, June 17, 2024.

Yekutiel  who didnt make any endorsements during the election  said he was proud and excited for Lurie after winning what seemed, at first, like a long shot.

Its very hard for someone to break into a power structure that isnt a part of it, Yekutiel said.

After an arduous campaign, the real work has begun. Lurie quickly made good on his pledge to change things up in City Hall, starting with implementing a restructuring to the mayors office that will see the appointment of four new policy chiefs.

His team will be charged with addressing The Citys most pressing challenges, including persistent homelessness, deadly fentanyl overdoses, startlingly high commercial-vacancy rates, and a public-transit system that faces impending fiscal struggles.

The resources hell have at his disposal to solve those problems will be limited, as The City faces a two-year budget deficit nearing $1 billion.

And yet, many say they remain hopeful.

Betty Louie, a longtime Chinatown community member and leader, endorsed Lurie early on in the race for mayor. She described him as pragmatic and intelligent.

We need compassion, and he has compassion in him, and I think hell come to the table with new ideas, Louie said.

Government experience can work against someone when illogical thinking becomes accepted as the way weve always done it, Gonzalez said.

Its very hard to change culture when you have to learn the culture to succeed in a particular microcosm, Gonzalez said. He has that advantage  hes a person whos interested in working.

Lurie has already made clear hes willing to get his hands dirty. In the weekend leading up to his inauguration, Lurie opted not to spend his time locked away in the boardroom, but out on The Citys streets leading neighborhood cleanups.

This guy wants to do the work, Yekutiel said.
Consumer confidence in the eurozone was confirmed at an eight-month low in December, while economic sentiment dropped to its lowest level in more than four years.

According to revised estimates from the European Commission, the consumer confidence index weakened by 1.0 point to -14.5 last month, in line with flash figures released two weeks ago and the lowest level since April 2024.

The EC said that while consumers views about their households expected financial situation and past financial situation remained largely unchanged, people became "notably more pessimistic about the general economic situation in their respective country and their intentions to make major purchases".

The industry confidence indicator dropped by 2.2 to -14.1 in December, its lowest level since July 2020, and much lower than forecasts, with managers production expectations, current order books and inventory levels all falling.

The economic sentiment index, which tracks opinions of businesses and consumers together, dropped sharply to 93.7 from 95.8, hitting its lowest mark since November 2020.

The biggest declines in economic confidence were seen in France (-3.0), Germany (-2.5), and Italy (-1.1), while the outlook improved in Spain (+0.9).
BEIJING, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- The disciplinary body of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has called for confidence and perseverance in the protracted war against corruption as the current situation remains grave and complex.

The call was made in a communique adopted at the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, held from Monday to Wednesday in Beijing.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the session and delivered an important speech. 
Bartronics India Limited, is a leading Fin-tech business solution provider delivering cutting edge technology solutions to enterprises and PTW Group, a Singapore based semiconductor solutions provider have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bolster Indias semiconductor industry. The MoU was signed in Hyderabad following a meeting with the Minister of Information & Technology, Telangana, marking a significant milestone in Indias ambitious journey of becoming a global semiconductor hub.

The proposed merger of PTW and Bartronics aims to establish production, refurbishing, and training facilities in India to meet the growing demands of the semiconductor industry. This will drive innovation in products, services, and training thereby transforming the Indian semicon landscape. Additionally, it will support R&D, manufacturing, workforce training, and international collaborations, aligning with India's goal of becoming a global semiconductor hub.

PTW, having presence in more than 14 Countries across the globe, is the only refurbisher in the world that has approved vendor status with more than 700 fabs around the world. These accounts include the market leaders like TSMC, UMC, Global Foundries, Sony, Samsung, Micron, ST Micro, Infineon, Texas Instruments, to name a few. Their capabilities in acquiring, refurbishing and commissioning power semiconductor equipment at competitive cost aligns perfectly with Indias ambition of liberalizing semiconductor market and opening up new potential for development.

Speaking about the MoU, Torsten Seifried, Managing Director of PTW Group said, We are excited about the potential for semicon production equipment in India, especially in the powersemi segment. With the Bartronics collaboration. we aim to quickly gain local knowledge of the Indian market and address the immediate potential to help with emerging fabs in India. In the long-term we aim to establish India as a key development, production and refurbishment center for our global operations.

Bartronics, with a legacy of innovation, views this proposed merger as an opportunity to reinforce its role as a technological pioneer. Having introduced the barcodes, smart cards, and RFID technologies into India, the company now sees the countrys semiconductor industry as the growth opportunity. The alliance with PTW is an extension of its vision to stay ahead in embracing technological advancements and making substantial positive impact and contributing meaningfully to Indias economic and technological growth. Notably, TOP2, a consulting firm from Singapore, is advising PTW and Bartronics on the proposed merger.

Mr. N Vidhya Sagar Reddy, Managing Director added, We are looking forward to working with PTW group to drive growth and innovations in the semiconductor industry. The proposed merger will bring advanced semiconductor technologies to India, creating new opportunities for local manufacturing, training, and R&D which will bolster India's position in the global semicon landscape.
Dr. Krishna M. Ella, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Bharat Biotech International, has been honored with the prestigious India Fellowship of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) for 2025. The announcement was made by Bharat Biotech on Tuesday, recognizing Dr. Ellas remarkable contributions to the field of biotechnology and vaccines.

Dr. Ella, a prominent scientist in the biopharmaceutical industry, was awarded the fellowship for his pioneering work in vaccine research and development. His innovative contributions to new vaccine technologies, as well as his notable advancements in improving existing vaccine platforms, earned him this high distinction. In a statement, Bharat Biotech highlighted his significant role in improving public health and the biotechnology landscape, reinforcing Indias position as a global leader in vaccine science.

Expressing his gratitude, Dr. Ella said, I deeply appreciate, and am thankful to be recognised for my contribution to the field of vaccines and biotechnology by INSA. I look forward to continuing to support its initiatives, to improve public health, and make India self-reliant and a dominant force in discovering novel vaccines as an Indian fellow. He also extended his thanks to his team at Bharat Biotech, research fellows, and collaborators who have contributed to his work in advancing vaccine science.

biotech ecosystem in India. Dr. Ella shared his vision for the future during his speech at the 90th Anniversary General Meeting of INSA, held recently in Chennai. Speaking on the theme 'Science in Translation', he reaffirmed his commitment to advancing vaccine science and strengthening the

In 2025, a total of 61 fellowships were awarded by INSA, marking a significant recognition of the country's scientific excellence. As an INSA fellow, Dr. Ella joins an esteemed group of distinguished individuals, including Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, and Dr. VK Saraswat, Former Director General of DRDO, among others.

Founded in 1935, INSA promotes scientific knowledge in India and its practical application to national welfare, while also fostering coordination among scientific bodies and safeguarding the interests of scientists in the country.
DTX Exchange (DTX) is again making the headlines with the launch of its highly anticipated passive income program. The platform has finally decided to reward the 430,000 early adopters of the DTX tokens with a chance to share the overall daily trading profits.

As excitement builds around DTXs innovative features and growth, there have been whispers of a potential $1 billion valuation after a major exchange listing. Will it be able to become the best altcoin in 2025? Lets find out.

DTX Exchange Launches VIP Rebate System

DTX Exchange continues to set new benchmarks in the crypto trading world with the launch of its innovative VIP Rebate System. It is designed to provide token holders with a way to earn passive income of up to 3% of daily trading profits. This makes it a lucrative opportunity for those looking to maximize their investments.

The system is created to reward loyalty and engagement, positioning DTX as potentially the best altcoin for traders and investors who are always looking for growth and consistent returns. This program operates on a tiered structure which means it incentivizes more to holders with more tokens as compared to others. The higher the tokens, the higher the rebate.

By implementing the VIP Rebate System, DTX aims to become the best altcoin in 2025 with many other exciting features like hybrid trading, 1000x leverage, and much more. On DTX Exchange, you can access multiple assets like stocks, ETFs, crypto,s and much more.

What Makes DTX Exchange the Next Big $1B Crypto Contender?

DTX Exchange is quickly trying to position itself as the best altcoin in the crypto sphere with industry experts predicting a potential $1 billion valuation in the near future. Its combination of innovation, strong early performance, and investor confidence has made it a standout project in an increasingly competitive market.

What sets DTX apart from other projects is its innovative hybrid trading model. It bridges the gap between traditional (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi). DTX Exchange offers access to over 100,000 assets including crypto, stocks, forex, and commodities.

The platforms technological infrastructure also plays an important role in its meteoric rise. Powered by the VulcanX Blockchain, DTX offers unmatched transaction speeds. This means the platform is capable of processing over 100,000 transactions per second. Because of this speed and efficiency, traders can execute their strategies without any delays.

Industry analysts have been bullish about DTXs future. Many predict that there can be a significant value increase once the token is listed on major exchanges like Binance and Coinbase.

A Record-Breaking Start with $11.4 Million Raised

The DTX Exchange presale has been going incredible as they have already raised over $11.4 million within seven presale rounds, attracting over 300,000 wallet registrations. At the time of writing, the token price is at $0.14 which will soon increase to $0.16.

These funds raised during the presale rounds will play a crucial role in advancing DTXs development and make it one step closer to becoming the best altcoin this year. Additionally, the Phoenix Wallet provided by DTX Exchange supports over 10,000 assets. Because of these developments, DTX aims to become the market leader in trading technology and innovation.

Conclusion

DTX Exchanges presale success marks the beginning of it becoming the best altcoin in terms of potential returns in 2025. With over $11.4 million raised and a globally engaged investor base, DTX is all set to change how trading platforms work.

DTX Exchange is an exciting new opportunity for investors and traders looking to be part of a revolutionary platform. The project is still in its presale stages which means it's the best time to buy DTX tokens before the price skyrockets.
Renowned enterprise data architect Srinivasa Chakravarthy Seethala has been invited as a distinguished speaker at the 4th International Conference on Intelligent Vision and Computing (ICIVC 2024), to be hosted by the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Agartala, India, on November 23-24, 2024. The prestigious event will bring together global experts to discuss the latest advancements in intelligent vision, computing, and data systems, with post-conference proceedings to be published in the Springer Book Series, "Studies in Smart Technologies."

This invitation to speak at a high-profile international conference further solidifies Seethala's standing as a thought leader in data engineering and modernization. His contributions across industries, including finance, healthcare, and energy, have made him a key figure in transforming legacy data systems into scalable, AI-driven infrastructures capable of meeting modern business demands.

Recognized Globally for Data Warehousing Modernization

Earlier this year, Seethala received the 2024 Global Recognition Award for his distinguished achievements in data warehousing modernization and data engineering. This accolade highlights his pivotal role in delivering cutting-edge solutions that improve operational efficiency while empowering organizations to embrace emerging technologies.

With over two decades of experience in data migration, ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes, and enterprise data architecture, Seethala has helped multiple Fortune 500 companies modernize their data infrastructures to adapt to evolving business requirements. His expertise spans various sectors, where he has consistently delivered measurable improvements in data processing speeds, reporting accuracy, and system reliability.

Mr. Seethalas work has reshaped data engineering practices, setting new benchmarks for data warehouse modernization and creating future-proof solutions. His ability to integrate AI into traditional data systems has enabled companies to achieve significant cost reductions, faster processing times, and improved decision-making capabilities.

Empowering Critical Sectors Through Innovation

In the finance sector, Mr. Seethalas advanced ETL mapping systems have resolved persistent data quality issues while enhancing market trend analysis capabilities. His custom Oracle Warehouse Builder solutions have improved query processing speeds by 30%, enabling global financial institutions to better manage high-volume trading periods while maintaining data integrity.

In healthcare, Seethala has been instrumental in modernizing data systems to improve patient care standards. At a medical center in Saudi Arabia, his solutions enabled 60% faster access to patient records and reduced manual reporting times by 45%, allowing medical professionals to focus more on patient care. His integration of predictive analytics tools has further optimized resource allocation in healthcare facilities, achieving 95% accuracy in forecasting future requirements.

In the energy sector, Mr. Seethalas contributions have driven operational efficiencies through real-time analytics. His work with power grid companies has led to 40% faster data processing speeds, reduced operational costs, and enhanced reporting capabilities, ensuring critical infrastructure remains resilient and adaptive to future challenges.

Thought Leadership in Data Modernization

Seethalas upcoming invited talk at ICIVC 2024 is expected to focus on AI-driven data modernization techniques and future-proofing data warehouses to meet the growing demands of intelligent systems. His thought leadership is well-documented through his scholarly articles on AI-enhanced ETL workflows and cloud-based data warehousing, which have received widespread recognition from industry peers and academic institutions.

One of Seethalas key contributions to the field is his emphasis on knowledge transfer. Through mentoring programs and training initiatives, he has empowered junior engineers to improve their problem-solving skills and accelerate their professional development. His technical documentation has become standard reference material for engineering teams, ensuring consistent implementation of best practices across various sectors.

Shaping the Future of Data Engineering

Mr. Seethalas achievements reflect a forward-thinking approach to data modernization, focusing on integrating AI, machine learning, and cloud technologies to create adaptive data systems. His work addresses critical vulnerabilities in legacy systems, transforming them into intelligent platforms that optimize operations, improve cybersecurity, and ensure data integrity.

His contributions have been pivotal during global crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, where his data systems enabled government agencies to track, manage, and respond to the viruss impact. By streamlining data workflows and enhancing reporting accuracy, Seethala ensured reliable, data-informed decision-making at a time when it was most critical.

The Road Ahead: Driving Global Standards

Mr. Seethalas impact on data engineering has established him as a key figure in shaping global standards for data warehouse modernization. His innovative solutions have been adopted by multiple Fortune 500 companies and government agencies, driving efficiency gains of up to 45% in some cases.

The ICIVC 2024 conference will serve as another platform for Seethala to share his insights on intelligent data systems, influencing how industries harness data to drive innovation and stay resilient amid evolving challenges.

As industries continue to navigate digital transformation, experts like Mr. Seethala will remain critical in ensuring that data systems remain scalable, secure, and future-ready. His invitation to speak at ICIVC 2024 underscores the global recognition of his expertise and his ongoing contributions to advancing data engineering practices.

In the words of Alex Sterling, spokesperson for the Global Recognition Awards, Seethalas contributions to data infrastructure development represent a significant advancement in enterprise architecture. His work consistently delivers measurable improvements in operational efficiency, setting new standards for excellence in data engineering while ensuring knowledge transfer to future generations of technical professionals.

Srinivasa Chakravarthy Seethala's journey from a distinguished enterprise data architect to a globally recognized thought leader is a testament to his commitment to innovation and knowledge-sharing. As he takes the stage at ICIVC 2024, the industry looks forward to learning from his expertise and building upon his legacy of modernizing data systems across critical sectors.
In a significant development, the Centre has appointed V. Narayanan as the new Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Secretary of the Department of Space. Narayanan will take charge on January 14, succeeding the current ISRO chairman, S. Somanath.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved Narayanans appointment for a tenure of two years or until further orders, as per an official communication from the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.

Narayanan is a distinguished scientist with nearly four decades of expertise in rocket and spacecraft propulsion systems. He is currently the Director of ISRO's Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Valiamala, Kerala, a critical unit of the space agency focusing on liquid propulsion systems for launch vehicles and spacecraft.

Joining ISRO in 1984, Narayanan has held various roles, contributing extensively to India's space program. In his early years, he worked on solid propulsion systems for sounding rockets and launch vehicles such as the Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV) and the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC). He played a pivotal role in the development of ablative nozzle systems, composite motor cases, and composite igniter cases.

Under his leadership at LPSC, the centre has continued to drive advancements in propulsion technologies, essential for Indias ambitious space missions.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The election season for community and citywide education councils will soon open for the 2025-2027 term, including for Staten Islands Community Education Council (CEC) 31.

Education councils are elected every two years, and elections are now open to fill all 325 elected seats for the two-year term that begins on July 1. Councils give parents a voice in shaping the policies and priorities for New York City schools.

Applications can be submitted online at schools.nyc.gov from Jan. 13 through Feb. 16.

Candidates will campaign from late February through April, and voting will take place from late April through May 13. Results will be announced in June, and members will take their seat on July 1, 2025.

Each CEC consists of 10 voting members, which include parents of students in pre-K through eighth grade and two borough president appointees. The CECs work closely with the district superintendents, approve school zoning lines, hold hearings on the capital plan, and provide input on instructional and policy issues.

You are eligible to run if you are the parent of a student who currently attends pre-K through eighth grade in a school under the jurisdiction of the community school district where you wish to serve on the CEC.

There are also four citywide councils for specific student populations: Citywide Council on High Schools (CCHS); Citywide Council on Special Education (CCSE); Citywide Council on English Language Learners (CCELL), and Citywide Council for District 75 (CCD75).

Like CECs, the councils each have 11 voting members (nine elected parents and two appointees), with the exception of the Citywide Council on High Schools, which has 13 members (10 elected parents and three appointees).

Here is whos eligible to be on an education council.

All elected members of the education councils must be parents. For the purpose of determining eligibility, chancellors regulations define parent as: A parent (by birth or adoption, stepparent, or foster parent), legal guardian, or person in parental relation to a child. A person in parental relation to a child is a person who is directly responsible for the care and custody of the child on a regular basis in lieu of a parent or legal guardian.

If youre applying to a CEC, you must have a child who currently attends pre-K through 8th grade in a school under the jurisdiction of the community school district where you wish to serve. You will also qualify to run for a seat on that CEC if you have a child attending a District 75 program physically located in the CECs geographic district. This is a reserved seat, for which only District 75 parents can run or vote.

If you are applying to the Citywide Council on High Schools (CCHS), you must have a child currently attending a public, non-charter high school. CCHS has 10 elected seats, two for each borough. There is a separate election for each borough; where your childs high school is located will determine which ballot for which you qualify.

If you are applying to the Citywide Council for District 75, you must have a child enrolled in a District 75 school or program anywhere in New York City. That child will also qualify you to run for the CEC where your childs program is physically located.

If you are applying to the Citywide Council on Special Education, you must have a child with an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The child may be in a Department of Education (DOE) public school, charter or private school.

If you are applying to the Citywide Council on English Language Learners, you must have a child classified as an English Language Learner who is currently enrolled in a Dual Language, Transitional Bilingual Education, or English as a New Language (ENL) program, or who was enrolled in such a program within the previous two years.

Additional eligibility requirements vary by council. You can run for multiple councils, but you can only serve on one, according to the city.

For more information, parents can go to schools.nyc.gov.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  If anyone was in need of a little holiday cheer this season, Staten Island University Hospitals festive party for children battling cancer would have surely warmed your heart.

Hosted at the Historic Old Bermuda Inn, the event provided a day of celebration and joy for pediatric oncology patients and their families.
BEIJING, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Finance on Wednesday earmarked 80 million yuan (about 11 million U.S. dollars) in disaster relief funds to support agricultural production in the Xizang Autonomous Region after an earthquake there on Tuesday caused damage to agricultural production facilities.

The ministry said in a statement on its website that the funding was earmarked in response to damage caused by the quake to farmland facilities, greenhouses and livestock sheds. It said the damage also included the death of livestock.

It said the funding will support Xizang in disaster relief work related to agricultural production and the restoration of animal husbandry facilities damaged by the earthquake.

The funding will also provide subsidies for the purchase of equipment for pest and disease control, fuel, forage and other materials for post-disaster production resumption, in an effort to restore agricultural production in the affected areas as soon as possible and minimize losses.

A 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted Dingri County in southwest China's Xizang on Tuesday morning. The earthquake has caused 126 deaths and injured another 188. Telecommunications, roads and power have been restored in the quake-hit region. 
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Staten Island leads the five boroughs with the highest rate of deaths among pregnant women and new mothers, with overdose being the leading cause of pregnancy-associated deaths citywide, the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene recently warned healthcare providers.

What could be more telling of the insidious nature of the opioid and fentanyl epidemic in Staten Island than these devastating maternal mortality rates? District Attorney Michael E. McMahon said.

The Department of Health established a Maternal Mortality Review Committee to examine all pregnancy-associated deaths in New York City, beginning with those from 2016. A report covering 2016-2020 recorded 241 such deaths, with approximately one in seven attributed to overdoses, more than three-quarters of which involved opioids.

But on Staten Island, instead of one in seven, it was nearly one in three deaths that were due to overdose.

Here are the top seven underlying causes of pregnancy-associated deaths in NYC from 2016 to 2020, as reported by the Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC). (Courtesy of MMRC)MMRC

Pregnancy-associated deaths include all deaths during pregnancy or within one year of the end of pregnancy, from any cause. Of these, 114 were pregnancy-related deaths, meaning they were directly caused by pregnancy complications, events triggered by pregnancy, or the worsening of an existing condition due to pregnancy.

Mental health conditions, primarily represented by overdoses, emerged as the leading cause of pregnancy-associated deaths from 2016 to 2020, while hemorrhage was the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths.

Staten Island shows highest pregnancy-associated mortality rate

Between 2016 and 2020, Staten Island had the highest pregnancy-associated mortality rate at 77.6 deaths per 100,000 live births, followed by the Bronx at 57.2 deaths per 100,000, while Manhattan had the lowest at 25.9 deaths per 100,000.

The elevated [pregnancy associated deaths] in Staten Island was primarily due to overdose deaths, which accounted for 30% of pregnancy associated deaths among women and birthing people who were residents of the borough (six out of 20 pregnancy-associated deaths), the report reads.

The data shows that removing overdose deaths and only considering pregnancy-related deaths, such as hemorrhage, actually puts Staten Island at the lowest end for death rates.

Our society is suffering from the effects of recreational drug use, Luke Nasta, who is well-known for establishing addiction services on Staten Island, said.

Nasta, who now runs Staten Islands only sober house for women, Amethyst House, explained that the pharmaceutical industrys widespread distribution of opioids, often misused recreationally, drew more women into addiction.

He believes the shift was due to various factors, including the influence of male partners whose use was also rising, and the fact that, unlike illicit drugs requiring trips to dangerous neighborhoods, opioid pills were easily accessible without the need for injection and often introduced casually at parties, reducing the stigma traditionally associated with drug use.

The culture is a get high culture, Nasta said. When youre a recreational drug user, your exposure to sexual activity increases in an unhealthy or reckless way and that leads to pregnancy. Then you have ladies, of all ages and most certainly young ladies, who are active drug users and pregnant.

But the issue is more complicated, he stressed, pointing out that mental illness is closely tied to womens substance use, and pregnancy-related changes can exacerbate these challenges for some women.

For some women, and Ive seen this over the years, when they get pregnant, they stop using because they have an unborn child. But some cant stop using and then the type of drug thats available now is fentanyl, which results in death, Nasta said.

The CDC estimates that more than 110,000 people in the U.S. died from drug overdoses in 2022, with nearly 70% of these fatalities linked to fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.

Staten Island had the highest pregnancy-associated mortality rate among the five boroughs in NYC from 2016-2020. (Courtesy of MMRC)MMRC

The heartbreak and devastation caused by this five-alarm fire is exactly why my office remains laser-focused on aggressively prosecuting the dealers of this deadly poison, diverting those in the throes of addiction out of the criminal justice system and into life-saving treatment, and ensuring that the children of parents battling addiction illness are supported and immediately connected to services through my offices Ripples of Hope Program, McMahon said.

To be sure, there remains much work to do -- especially as it relates to this deadly epidemics relationship to maternal mortality and I will continue to work with our partners at all levels of government to save as many lives as possible and finally put an end to this deadly scourge.

Racial inequities in maternal health outcomes in New York City

Black pregnant Americans suffer the worst maternal health disparities than other racial groups in the country.

According to the citys report, 40% of opioid-related pregnancy-associated deaths in New York City between 2016-2020 occurred among Black non-Hispanic women and birthing people.

This group accounted for 43.6% of all pregnancy-associated deaths in the city during that period, with data showing they were four times more likely to die from such causes compared to their white non-Hispanic counterparts.

Of the 114 pregnancy-related deaths, 54 were among Black non-Hispanic women and birthing people, underscoring that they were six times more likely to experience a pregnancy-related death.

As the report states, racism - not race - drives disparities in outcomes, and implementing repairs for these alarming disparities is only possible with funding, said Jasmin Valentin, Chief Program Officer of Community Health Action of Staten Island (CHASI).

CHASI is an agency that serves tens of thousands of Staten Islanders annually through various programs, including a 24-hour substance use recovery center that employs harm reduction -- an approach focused on minimizing the harm of drug use through diverse interventions, without treating drug use as a moral failing.

The mental health recommendations put forth by the MMRC are bold and will save lives, Valentin added. While the system catches up, CHASI will continue to provide naloxone for anyone leaving hospital care and support community-based solutions for prenatal and post-partum care that address the impact and intersection of substance use, mental health, and intimate partner violence.

Naloxone is a medication that quickly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose by blocking opioid receptors in the brain, helping to restore breathing when someone has stopped. CHASI offers free community Narcan (naloxone) training, both virtually and in person, on how to recognize and respond to an overdose.

Latest trends

Overdose-related deaths among pregnancy-associated fatalities are rising, according to the study.

In 2021, overdoses accounted for 34.5% of the 58 pregnancy-associated deaths citywide, with 80% involving opioids. This marks a sharp increase compared to the 14.1% of overdose-related deaths among the 241 pregnancy-associated fatalities recorded from 2016 to 2020 -- nearly 2.5 times higher.

This mirrors citywide trends in the mental health crisis.

Because of the magnitude of these deaths, which mirrors citywide trends, and the urgency of addressing this epidemic, we are including [12] additional mental health recommendations from Committee review of 2021 deaths, the report reads, before laying out suggested steps that include government funding for new centers for parents, newborns and children, pregnant people, and postpartum people, and for doula care, supportive housing and peer supports.
By Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times

Annie Harvilicz got a call from her brother on Tuesday morning.

He was wondering if he could offload his rabbit, Oreo, and his cat, Winston, with her as he fled the Palisades fire that was burning across the canyon from his house.

She said yes, then thought about all the other animals that likely needed places to stay.

Harvilicz runs two veterinary hospitals  the Animal Wellness Centers in Marina del Rey and Laguna Vista Veterinary Center in Harbor City. She put out a call on Facebook on Tuesday morning saying people could bring their animals to her if they needed.

I have an empty old vet hospital in Marina del Rey. I am happy to house any animals that need to be evacuated, she wrote.

The messages and calls havent stopped since then. The good news, Harvilicz said, is more of the messages have been volunteers offering to help than people who need to give up their animals. Still, many people have had to hand over their pets to Harvilicz for now.

A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire as it burns a structure in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)AP

I had a woman drop off four dogs, Harvilicz said. I was up all night helping people who needed places for their animals.

The count at the moment is roughly 20 dogs, 20 cats, and Oreo the rabbit.

But Harvilicz expects that number to go up over the course of the day Wednesday. She has even taken some of the dogs into her home. The fire had grown to more than 2,900 acres by Wednesday morning.

The majority of people reaching out are multiple pet owners, she said. They might be able to take one dog or cat to a hotel but not two or three.

Harvilicz said her hospitals can also treat pets with injuries and there is extra food and bedding for the animals that need them.

The saddest part for Harvilicz is the animals that cant be saved. She spent time Tuesday trying to secure a trailer to go to the Palisades to pick up nine donkeys that a woman needed to find shelter for, but by the time she had gotten the transport prepared, the woman had already fled the area and released her donkeys.

To me thats the saddest story because I feel like we failed the donkeys, Harvilicz said.

A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)AP

For those who need help housing their animals, Harvilicz said to call one of her two veterinary hospitals.

The number for the Marina del Rey location is (310) 450-7387. The number for the Harbor City location is (310) 737-8600.
A New Jersey doctors medical license was permanently revoked after she illegally recruited two Indian nationals to be her housekeepers for eight years, paying them next to nothing, denying them medical care, and skirting the taxes she should have been paying on their wages, state authorities said Tuesday.

Harsha Sahni, whose rheumatology practice in Woodbridge has since closed, pleaded guilty in February 2023 to conspiracy to conceal and harbor aliens and filing a false tax return. She was handed a 27-month sentence in federal prison last October.

Sahnis license was temporarily suspended in September 2023 as the state pursued an administrative case against her, according to a news release from Attorney General Matthew Platkins office.

In its complaint, state authorities accused Sahni of violating professional standards and demonstrating an appalling lack of judgment and moral character. They alleged that her continued licensure would be inconsistent with the publics health, safety, and welfare, the release states.

There is no place in the medical profession for this kind of criminal conduct and utter disregard for humanity, Platkin said.

Sahni agreed to surrender her license in a final consent order filed with the State Board of Medical Examiners on Monday, a move viewed as equivalent to permanent revocation.

The doctor required her victims, both of whom were undocumented, to work in her Tinton Falls home from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, paying them and their families in India between $240 and $600 a month.

Sahni later admitted shed coerced both women into believing they would be arrested or deported if they reported the criminal activity to law enforcement, and instructed them to tell others they were related to her and visiting as tourists.

She also prevented one of the women from receiving life-saving medical treatment, prosecutors said.

When the victim began having headaches after a car accident in 2014, Sahni initially told her it would be too expensive and legally complicated to see a doctor.

The headaches eventually became debilitating, however, and Sahni brought the woman to an emergency room, where she passed herself off as the womans sister and acted as her translator. Doctors found an unruptured aneurysm in the womans brain and advised her, through Sahni, that immediate neurosurgical intervention would be required.

Without surgery, they made it clear, she would risk death.

But despite her specialized medical knowledge, prosecutors said, Sahni pressured the woman to sign out of the hospital against medical advice and finish her regular workload as housekeeper that evening.

Sahni told the woman she could only undergo surgery after she secured a replacement to work at the physicians home, according to the administrative complaint.

Sahni also admitted in court that she did not disclose the labor performed by the victims on her personal income tax return, and did not pay taxes related to the womens labor, despite the fact that they were her household employees.

In addition to her prison term, Sahni was also sentenced to two years of supervised release and was ordered to pay restitution of $728,327. She must also pay up to $200,000 for specific medical bills.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Borough President Vito Fossella was joined Tuesday by 16 of Staten Islands faith leaders, elected officials and NYPD officials to offer words of condemnation against violent radicalization after the New Years Day attack in New Orleans, Louisiana.

[We are] coming united, for peace, in the way of people who really are ambassadors of peace, Fossella said. We want to do whatever we can to make sure [a terrorist attack] never happens here  and thats what today hopefully is all about. We do it at different levels, places of faith, but also in the political world.

The attack in New Orleans has a special meaning to Fossella, as it was where he proposed to his wife in 1988.

Sultan Jain speaks at a press conference on preventing radicalization at Staten Island Borough Hall on Jan. 7, 2025. (Staten Island Advance/Jillian Delaney)Staten Island Advance/Jillian Delaney

Islamic, Hindu, Baptist, Christian and Jewish community leaders stood in a line of solidarity at Borough Hall, many pleading their case to encourage those in jeopardy of turning to radicalization to turn to faith.

We have to act godly, Imam and Vice President of the Albanian Islamic Cultural Center of Staten Island and NYPD Chaplin Tahir Kukaj said. We [Staten Islanders] always come, whether at the synagogue, whether the Hindu temple, whether the church, whether the mosque, we come for Hanukkah, we come for Christmas, we come for Ramadan, we come for so many different things together. And these horrors that happen somewhere else, I cannot imagine that will happen [on Staten Island]. Never in Staten Island, because we are one.

From left to right, Rev. Dr. Agnes McBeth, President Mendy Mirocznik, Assemblyman Charles Fall, and Imam Tahir Kukaj are pictured at a press conference on preventing radicalization at Staten Island Borough Hall on Jan. 7, 2025. (Staten Island Advance/Jillian Delaney)Staten Island Advance/Jillian Delaney

Assemblymember Charles Fall (D-North Shore/Battery Park) was the only other elected official present at the event, but was joined by representatives from the offices of Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/South Brooklyn), District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (D-North Shore), Councilman David Carr (R-Mid-Island/South Brooklyn), Councilman Joe Borrelli (R-South Shore), Assemblyman Michael Tannousis (R-East Shore/South Brooklyn) and Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo (R-Mid-Island).

I want to send out my thoughts and prayers to the families that were impacted, all the victims. I think one thing is clear here  anybody that has the mindset of doing any types of hate or violence, its not accepted, its never welcomed, Fall said. There are two things that will happen if one decides to do that: They will either end up in handcuffs or they will end up in a casket. Thats the bottom line.

Monsignor William Belford speaks at a press conference on preventing radicalization at Staten Island Borough Hall on Jan. 7, 2025. (Staten Island Advance/Jillian Delaney)Staten Island Advance/Jillian Delaney

Borellis chief of staff took to the podium to push those who are experiencing dark thoughts to meet with any one of these faith leaders at the event, which included:

Sultan Jain of the Staten Island Hindu Temple

President Mendy Mirocznik of the Council of Jewish Organizations

Imam Kukaj

Rev. Dr. Agnes McBeth of Saint Philips Baptist Church and D.A. Michael McMahons office

Monsignor William Belford of the Church of St. Teresa of the Infant Jesus

Rev. Dr. Agnes McBeth speaks at a press conference on preventing radicalization at Staten Island Borough Hall on Jan. 7, 2025. (Staten Island Advance/Jillian Delaney)Staten Island Advance/Jillian Delaney

Each speaker agreed that radicalization of any sort can be combatted with bringing those who are lonely, who are suffering, who are questioning their values, into the community at large.

Fall, in a comment to the Advance/SILive.com after the event, said he believes that everyone showing up to an event like this moves the needle.

It shows people that we care, he said.

Elected officials, their representatives, and faith leaders gather at a press conference on preventing radicalization at Staten Island Borough Hall on Jan. 7, 2025. (Staten Island Advance/Jillian Delaney)Staten Island Advance/Jillian Delaney

Former U.S. soldier, inspired by ISIS

The man responsible for the truck attack in New Orleans, which killed 14 people, visited the city twice before and recorded video of the French Quarter with Meta smart glasses, an FBI official said Sunday.

Shamsud-Din Jabbar also traveled to Cairo and Canada before the attack although it was not yet clear whether those trips were connected to the attack, Deputy Assistant Director Christopher Raia said at a news conference. Federal officials believe Jabbar, a U.S. citizen and former U.S. Army soldier, was inspired by the Islamic State militant group to carry out the attack.

Police fatally shot Jabbar, 42, during an exchange of gunfire at the scene of the deadly crash of the rented pickup truck on Bourbon Street, famous worldwide for its festive vibes in New Orleans historic French Quarter.

Federal investigators so far believe Jabbar acted alone, but are continuing to explore his contacts.

New Orleans security deficiencies to be probed

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill ordered on Monday an investigation into safety and security deficiencies in New Orleans.

The People of Louisiana deserve answers, Murrill said in a statement. We are committed to getting a full and complete picture of what was done or not done, and more importantly, what needs to change so we can prevent this from ever happening again.

President Joe Biden visited New Orleans Monday to meet with the families of those killed and first responders. He also directed additional resources to help New Orleans with major upcoming events, including Mardi Gras and the Super Bowl. Both have been upgraded and given the special event assessment rating of one, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.

The Biden-Harris administration has determined that these significant events require extensive federal interagency support, and we will use every tool available to fill local capability shortfalls to assure safe and secure events, she told reporters traveling with Biden to New Orleans.

Associated Press material was used in this report.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Due to violent crime, the U.S Department of State has updated two travel notices for popular Central American tourist destinations.

Travel advisories for Guatemala and Belize were issued in late December due to violent crime involving gangs, robbery and drug trafficking, according to the U.S Department of State.

Guatemala remains under a level 3 reconsider travel alert, the second-highest warning delivered by the Department of State.

Belize is under a level 2 exercise increased caution category. There, sexual assault, home invasions, armed robberies and murder are common even during the day and in tourist areas, the alert warned.

Guatemala advisory

Those who plan to visit Guatemala are urged to reconsider, as several areas of the country have problems with gangs, robbery, carjacking, drug trafficking and violence, the State Department warned.

Local law enforcement may not always respond well to serious crimes, leading to low arrest and conviction rates, the department said in its advisory.

Tourists are not usually targeted, but they can still become victims of opportunistic crimes, according to the State Department.

Areas of the country under a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory include the San Marcos Department, Huehuetenango Department, Zone 18 in Guatemala City and Villa Nueva.

People can still visit popular locations, such as Tikal, Antigua, Lake Atitlan and the Pacific coast areas in Santa Rosa and Escuintla, the advisory noted.

Belize advisory

Travelers are advised to exercise increased caution due to crime, and some areas of the country have an increased risk for violent crimes.

The State Department warned travelers that violent crimes  including sexual assault, home invasions, armed robberies and murder  are common in Belize, even in broad daylight and in tourist areas.

A significant portion of these crimes are gang related, the advisory said. And most crimes go unresolved by local police, as they lack the resources and training to respond effectively, it said.

The State Department strongly encouraged travelers to be especially cautious when traveling to the south side of Belize City.

People traveling to Belize are advised to:
The new border czar for President Donald Trumps incoming administration wants to change or revoke a controversial New York law that allows undocumented migrants to get drivers licenses.

Tom Homan, an Upstate New York native who previously served as Trumps acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) director, will oversee the southern and northern borders when Trump takes office later this month. Hell also be responsible for deportation efforts, a key part of Trumps agenda, prompting Homan to target the Empire states Green Light law.

The law, which passed in 2019 under then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo as the Drivers License Access and Privacy Act, allows people to get a drivers license regardless of citizenship or lawful status in the United States. It is not valid for federal identification purposes, but it also bars ICE from obtaining NYS motor vehicle records out of fear the federal agency would use it to track down immigrants who entered the country illegally.

Homan told the Buffalo News that the law puts federal investigators and the public in danger. It absolutely has to change, he said.

Without access to DMV information, were unable to get full information on drivers and vehicles with New York plates that are entering this country. That cannot be allowed to continue. We need to be sharing information with local law enforcement to keep our borders safe, Homan told the Buffalo newspaper. To me, this is a high priority. I grew up in New York State, I still own a home in the state. What happens in New York means a lot to me.

Homan did not provide details for when or how he might seek to change the law.

The Buffalo News reports Homeland Security officials are considering blocking cars and trucks with New York license plates from entering the U.S. from Canada until the state begins sharing DMV information. Homan did not rule out the possibility.

Gov. Kathy Hochuls office told the publication that she is committed to public safety, and is committed to secure borders and safe streets. The governors office also noted that New York has the power to communicate with federal immigration authorities when a crime has been committed.

Republican lawmakers in Northern New York sought to repeal the Green Light law in counties that border Canada last year. Licensing would be restricted in Clinton, Franklin, St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Niagara, Erie and Orleans counties, and state agencies could share information with federal agencies while the law would remain intact in the rest of the state.

New York State Attorney General Letitia James previously spoke in defense of the Green Light law after three federal courts dismissed challenges to it in 2020. James said that it makes roads safer and helps grow the economy by allowing immigrants to become legal drivers in New York.

Homan, a former police officer in his North Country hometown of West Carthage, N.Y., worked as a Border Patrol agent before heading the ICE in 2017 and 2018. Hes already met with New York City Mayor Eric Adams about efforts to pursue violent criminals in NYC, and said hes begun talks with other countries to provide refuge for displaced migrants whose home nations wont take them back.

Everything changes on January 20, Homan said at a Young Republicans event in Florida.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R  Staten Island/South Brooklyn) is visiting Mar-a-Lago this weekend alongside three other New York congressional representatives to discuss legislation with the incoming president, Donald Trump.

A News12 report detailed that Malliotakis, Rep. Andrew Garbarino, Rep. Mike Lawler and Rep. Nick LaLota  all Republicans  will travel to Florida in order to have a strategy meeting where a key focus is expected to be state and local tax deductions.

Malliotakis confirmed with the Advance/SILive.com on Monday that she will be talking with Trump this weekend.

The SALT (State and Local Tax) deduction was capped for many New Yorkers when Trumps 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed. SALT, which began in 1913 according to the Bipartisan Policy Center, allows taxpayers to subtract a portion of their state and local property taxes, income taxes, and/or sales taxes from their federal taxable income.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act put a $10,000 limit on the SALT deduction, creating contention between Democrats, Republicans and taxpaying citizens.

While campaigning in September, Trump posted on Truth Social that he would get SALT back.

But Republican lawmakers in DC are not all seeing eye-to-eye on SALT.

According to a NBC report, the group heading to Mar-a-Lago is set to clash with colleagues who advocate for restricting SALT even further -- but Malliotakis has indicated that the New York Republicans' votes are needed if the GOP hopes to keep the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act from expiring.

Quite frankly, with a majority of two, New York, New Jersey and California members really have a seat at the table here, because an expiration of [the 2017 tax law] would completely eliminate [the cap on] SALT, she told NBC, referring to the Republicans' thin majority in the U.S. House.

LaLota says he and other New York Republicans will fight for an increase in the SALT cap, News12 said.

Meanwhile, some New York Democrats are hoping to build bipartisan support for eliminating the SALT cap, including Rep. Pat Ryan from the Hudson Valley, who called for Democrats to be invited to Mar-a-Lago this weekend.

Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer also voiced his opinion that the SALT cap should expire at the end of the year.

And Rep. Tom Suozzi of Long Island reportedly said he is willing to work with Republicans to change the SALT cap, extending a hand across party lines.

The cap is set to expire on Dec. 31, 2025, should no legislation come to fruition to extend it.
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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Congo Jean-Claude Gakosso in Brazzaville, the Republic of the Congo, Jan. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Zheng Yangzi)

BRAZZAVILLE, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with his counterpart of the Republic of the Congo Jean-Claude Gakosso on Tuesday, pledging to implement the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) last year in efforts to enhance China-Africa cooperation.

During the talks, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that it has long been a tradition for China's foreign minister to make Africa the destination of the first overseas trip each year. The longstanding tradition, which underscores China's enduring solidarity and cooperation with Africa, is the cornerstone of China's foreign policy and a firm strategic choice.

He added that regardless of changes in the international landscape, China will remain committed to deepening its relations and cooperation with Africa.

Describing the Republic of the Congo as a steadfast friend of China, Wang said that the two countries have shared an unbreakable bond for more than 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, which is characterized by consistent mutual understanding and support through challenges.

The cooperation has delivered tangible benefits to both peoples, with the friendship of the two countries continuing to lead China-Africa relations, Wang said, adding that he expects even brighter and broader prospects for bilateral ties under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state.

As co-chair of the FOCAC, the Republic of the Congo reflects the high-level partnership between the two nations and embodies the aspirations of the African continent, Wang said, expressing his confidence in the Republic of the Congo's active fulfillment of its responsibilities as chair, contributing to the implementation of the FOCAC Beijing Summit's outcomes and advancing China-Africa cooperation.

These efforts, Wang added, will not only strengthen the Republic of the Congo's development but also enhance its international influence.

Wang also reaffirmed China's commitment to working with African nations toward building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

For his part, Gakosso expressed his gratitude for Wang's visit, in particular to the Republic of the Congo, calling it a testament to China's commitment to their bilateral relationship.

Despite the geographical distance and cultural differences, Gakosso emphasized that the two nations have forged a unique and enduring bond, making their relationship a model for international relations. He attributed this success to their shared dedication to safeguarding global peace, upholding international justice, and pursuing common development.

President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso's successful visit to China in September 2024 marked a new chapter in bilateral relations, Gakosso said, adding that the country is satisfied with the progress in its relations with China and is willing to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation for the greater welfare of their people.

Gakosso reaffirmed the Republic of the Congo's unwavering support for the one-China principle and China's efforts to achieve national reunification, stressing that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory.

He also voiced support for the Belt and Road Initiative and China's three global initiatives, namely the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, and expects to learn from China's governance experience.

As co-chair of the FOCAC, the Republic of the Congo is committed to working closely with China to fulfill its chairmanship responsibilities, implement the outcomes of the Beijing Summit, and contribute to a brighter future for China-Africa cooperation, he said.

Gakosso also extended his condolences to the Chinese people over the earthquake in China's Xizang Autonomous Region. 
Her car video, part of a series of funny and tell-it-like-it-is internet chats by Morris, many after her marriage to Dan Thomas ended in 2021, was spur of the moment. She is similarly poised now. At the photo shoot, I was asking, What are we doing with this story? Is it about the Phoenix from the flames?  she says. I am living a completely new solo life raising my children. So thats different. HRT [hormone replacement therapy] has made things very different for me this year. Loading Now, Im like, did I go through that with absolutely no help? Then all the neurodiverse stuff starting to unfold in my own house thats made me go, well, wait, is that me too? Do I have some neurodiverse things going on? 100 per cent. I just didnt know.

Recently, Morris says, she was told attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is an excuse, then she read it is an explanation. Any of my personality traits that I would blame on myself over the years ... if [only] I had just known it was that, she says. I feel we are coming to a new awakening, as humanity, of understanding how we are made up and how were driven. Its good fun to work that out at 56. Robert Irwin and Julia Morris at the Logie Awards in August. Credit: Getty Images Nine years ago, overworked, enduring mood swings and an inner turmoil she could not explain, Morris began seeing a psychologist. Amid several mind and life changes, she started pulling back her work schedule. In the past four years, her focus has been working closer to home (save for the annual eight-week African jungle visit) and her daughters.

But Morris still packs it in. Since 2023, she has appeared on Tens Taskmaster Australia, Have You Been Paying Attention? and Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly, as narrator. Shes competed on Guy Montgomerys Guy Mont-Spelling Bee in New Zealand, judged Thank God Youre Here, toured her live show, 75 Years in the Business, been nominated for a Gold Logie for three years running and continued co-hosting Im A Celebrity  with new co-host Robert Irwin after Chris Brown left in 2023. She and Irwin, friends before the show, knew they shared a similar sense of humour. Sometimes, my insanity can be a stream of consciousness of the stuff that Robert doesnt necessarily want to say,  Morris says, laughing. We knew what we were bringing to the screen, and it was just a matter of time before everybody else got onto it. She was, however, amazed at variously inane and sexist responses to the pairing. The number of questions I had to answer before Robert started about, I hope you dont flirt with him or I hope you dont make these suggestive comments, she says. Loading Im just too bored to get insulted. Guess what? I know how to behave in front of someone whos 21 because Ive got children the same age. I did not luck out with chemistry, as some said. Im doing my job.

She is also itching to be back in the jungle. Every year, for months, every crew member is so desperate to get back to South Africa, she says. Were texting each other, were discussing what were going to pack. I think its because its working overseas and because theres a real camaraderie in living, eating, breathing it. Every single person is away from their families. Every single person is not necessarily eating the food that they are used to. There are so many things that your entire system has to get used to. Theres also nothing like it. We touch down in South Africa up near Kruger National Park, and we go, Are we docking in paradise?  Clues for which celebrities are joining the shows 11th season  presented in online 1950s-inspired teaser videos  include a headline-grabbing Olympian who loves freestyle (Raygun?), an Australian female stand-up with a surprise hit TV show, an English TikTokker, a real-life hero, football stars and TV, radio, movie and reality-TV stars. Morris is excited to watch their travails and successes but equally keen to return home to new horizons. She jokes about the 60 Minutes-like vibe of this storys cover photo. As soon as I stood there, I said, This just in, she says, but points to its quality of letting the light in. Loading
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Review Eating outThornbury There are plenty of new rooftop bars in Melbourne, but theres still nothing like Gigi The suburban view is not spectacular, exactly  but theres something special about golden hours spent on this summer-only sundeck. Dani Valent January 8, 2025 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

As featured in the February 2025 hit list. See all stories .

1 / 8 Gigi Rooftop overlooks suburban Thornbury and beyond. Justin McManus 2 / 8 Crumbed eggplant parmigiana bites. Justin McManus 3 / 8 Scallops baked with chilli butter. Justin McManus 4 / 8 Spicy picante pinsa. Justin McManus 5 / 8 The signature Gigi Spritz is made with red grapefruit aperitif, rose vermouth and bubbles. Justin McManus 6 / 8 The bar sits above Umberto Espresso Bar. Justin McManus 7 / 8 Gin-and-tonic white chocolate Magnum ice-cream. Justin McManus 8 / 8 Pavlova sgroppino with sorbet, passionfruit and prosecco. Justin McManus Previous Slide Next Slide Italian$$$$ Its golden hour. Your eyes are turned towards the horizon. The promise of night floods the sky with possibility. A chilled spritz rests in your curled fingers, while the first sip of pink grapefruit and prosecco dances on your tongue. The only thing that could be better is someone whispering seductive words in your ear. And then it happens: The burgers have arrived. Were at Gigi Rooftop, the summer-only sundeck that has just opened for its fourth season above Umberto Espresso Bar. There are plenty of new rooftops in Melbourne, but theres still nothing like this one.

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The signature Gigi Spritz is made with red grapefruit aperitif, rose vermouth and bubbles. Justin McManus Im not saying its spectacular, exactly  the view to Thornburys north is suburbia  but theres something special about climbing above uber-urban High Street and hitting a faceful of sky. To get to this proletarian paradise, you wend your way through Umberto, a classic Italian casalinga, the bedrock of a 15-year-old Thornbury restaurant group that also includes cheeky Joanies Baretto and bijou pasta and wine bar Pastificio Sandro. The group is Italian at heart, springing from owner Marco Finanzios desire to honour his father Umbertos Calabrian food heritage. Gigi is a bit different: its the next-gen Aussie upstart, adding a bit of Naarm nous to the Euro-leaning portfolio. High Street is jam-packed with bars, cafes and restaurants  but this is its best section

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The menu is snacky and only tangentially Italian. Those American cheeseburgers are easy drinking fuel and there are fries, because sometimes you just give the people what they want. A bar needs croquettes but these ones would please nonno. Theyre tight little packages of eggplant parmigiana, gluten-free crumbed and fried. Spicy picante pinsa, pictured during golden hour. Justin McManus Pinsa are a light, crisp spin on pizza. The bonus for serving them as bar food is that theyre less floppy than pizza and easier to eat one-handed. Scallops are slurpable too, baked with chilli butter and served in the half shell. The food isnt amazing but it more than does the job.

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Youre probably here for the drinks anyway. That spritz is frisky and citrussy, made with red grapefruit aperitif, rose vermouth and bubbles. A sgroppino is everyones favourite on a boiling day in old Veneto, made here with a scoop of sorbet, a whisper of passionfruit and prosecco. Gin-and-tonic Magnum ice-cream. Justin McManus Do you like to nibble your cocktails? Youd be in the market for a gin-and-tonic white chocolate Magnum ice-cream, made in partnership with gelato artisans Cono. Gigi knows Melbourne summer can mean many things: there are blankets, heaters and a bit of shelter for sudden squalls. Its an easy drop-in space before a meal downstairs or after youve eaten elsewhere. Its busiest at golden hour but when youre snacking and spritzing, all the hours seem gold-plated and becoming more precious every minute youre here.

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Sponsored Eating outEating out Savour the flavours of summer at Matteo Downtown and Double Bay Advertorial for Matteo Sydney January 8, 2025 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

In the heart of Sydneys culinary scene, a slice of authentic Bologna comes to life through the masterful hands of Lucia, Matteo Groups dedicated Pasta Chef. Direct from the pasta capital, Lucia handcrafts each pasta shape with meticulous care, guided by generations of traditional expertise. Founded by hospitality duo Adam Abrams and Eddie Levy, Matteo Group has created two distinct destinations that capture the essence of Italian dining. Drawing inspiration from annual team trips to Italy and the US, where they discover new dishes and experiences to bring home, each venue offers its own unique interpretation of the Italian experience  from the sophisticated urban setting of Matteo Downtown to the Amalfi-inspired charm of Double Bay. Indulge in Matteos summer offerings, where each dish celebrates the vibrant flavours of Italian cuisine. Supplied Whats more is this summer, both venues elevate dining into a theatrical experience. Downtowns new Bar Cart brings premium cocktails tableside, while the kitchen comes to life with pasta preparations right at your table. In Double Bay, the show stopping Sgroppino service transforms dessert into performance art. Each venue offers its own unique tableside delights, creating memorable moments beyond just exceptional food.

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Matteo Downtown: a taste of tradition and innovation Tucked away in Sydneys CBD, Matteo Downtown is a sophisticated sanctuary that brings the energy of Italian dining to both urban professionals and food enthusiasts. This summer, Head Chef Manuel Romanelli has curated a menu that celebrates seasonal flavours and interactive dining experiences. The culinary journey begins with a daily homemade focaccia that epitomizes comfort  like Nonna used to make, light and fluffy but packed with flavour, accompanied by decadent truffle butter. A starter of creamy burrata with heirloom tomatoes and basil oil provides a fresh counterpoint, hinting at the delights to come. The house-made Wagyu Meatballs (Polpette) are a revelation  deep-fried to achieve a crispy exterior while remaining succulent and moist inside. The sweetness of the capsicum sauce cuts through the richness of the beef, with the pro tip being to keep some of that delicious focaccia handy for dipping (thank us later). Matteos signature Wagyu Meatballs: crispy-crumbed on the outside, succulent within, served with a sweet capsicum sauce perfect for mopping up with fresh focaccia. Supplied

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Tableside theatrics and innovative offerings The venue introduces several exciting dining innovations this season. The new Bar Cart, curated by Bar Manager Roberto, brings hand-crafted cocktails directly to your table  a premium service featuring hand-selected spirits that elevate the dining experience. For those seeking a pre-dinner ritual, the Aperitivo hour from 3pm to 5:30pm (Tuesday-Friday) captures the essence of Milan and Rome  where guests receive complimentary snacks with every drinks order  complete with an Italian-imported meat slicer preparing freshly sliced prosciutto, coppa, and salami. The tableside pasta service is a true highlight  a culinary performance that brings the kitchen to you. Allow Matteo Downtown to bring its culinary artistry direct to your table. Supplied

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The lobster pasta with prawn bisque stands out as a showstopper, featuring fresh lobster nestled in the most delicious fresh pasta, perfect for sharing. Equally memorable is the eggplant parmigiana tortellini  a small parcel packed with flavour, beautifully balanced and not overly rich. Double Bay: Relaxed elegance and summer flavours Offering a more laid-back atmosphere, Matteos Double Bay location presents its own summer culinary adventure under Head Chef Angelo Malerba. The menu strikes a perfect balance between comfort and sophistication. Signature style and tableside delights The venue introduces a show-stopping Sgroppino  part dessert, part cocktail  prepared tableside by Bar Manager Mattia Bertolani. The dessert selection is a journey in itself, with standouts like the Chocolate Hazelnut Rocher  a decadent combination of hazelnut mousse, wafer crunch, and house-made ice magic  and the Mini Magnums, which provides the perfect finale to a memorable meal.

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The Vodka Rigatoni and Pappardelle with Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder Ragu showcase the kitchens mastery of traditional Italian flavours with a contemporary twist. Woodfire pizzas add a rustic touch to the summer lineup. Savour the flavour of Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder Ragu. Supplied A celebration of taste and hospitality Whether youre seeking the urban sophistication of Downtown or the relaxed charm of Double Bay, Matteo Group offers more than just a meal  its a celebration of Italian hospitality, seasonal ingredients, and the joy of shared dining experiences. Pro tip: Make the most of the in-house Sommelier for expert wine pairings that will elevate your culinary journey. Ready to taste summer? Escape the heat and indulge in some of Sydneys most exciting Italian dining destinations. Whether youre craving the sophisticated energy of Matteo Downtown or the laid-back charm of Double Bay, a culinary adventure awaits. Secure your table and prepare for a summer of unforgettable flavours, tableside theatre, and authentic Italian hospitality.

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Susan Marshall recalls patients turning up in the back of a ute nursing snakebites or farm injuries when she started working at Wee Waa Hospital in the 1990s.

We could manage a lot of stuff ourselves then, said the registered nurse, who resigned in 2023. If they needed further care we could admit them  that doesnt happen now.

Wee Waa Hospitals emergency department is no longer open 24 hours. Credit: Facebook

The hospital once delivered babies and performed surgery, but since May 2023 it has been reduced to an emergency department open 8am to 5.30pm, with doctors available on a screen. Patients needing further care travel 40 kilometres to Narrabri.

Its a familiar story across regional NSW, where cutbacks and staff shortages have sparked concern city bureaucrats do not understand the needs of rural communities.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Sydneysider Paul Berkemeier was nearly 11 in 1963 when he sketched the Circular Quay, including the brand-new AMP building, then Sydneys highest skyscraper, and the five-year-old Cahill Expressway as a black line above the seven-year-old railway station. It was the beginning of Berkemeiers very Sydney love affair with the area. For the prominent architect, it was always tinged with recurring despair. Why couldnt one of the worlds most famous harbours, a place of first contact with Indigenous Australians, get rid of the scar of the expressway? Why couldnt the space be returned to the people? Paul Berkemeier loves Circular Quay, but says it is a travesty that it is so rundown. Credit: Flavio Brancaleone The quay hasnt had a major overhaul since the bicentenary celebrations in 1988, he said. The wharves exterior has since been updated, but the old frames have stayed the same. Meeting modern accessibility standards was also difficult because wharves were designed to move up and down. Theres been very little maintenance work. And if you look on the wharves, youll find where there were glass panels on the side areas, the glass broke ... and its been replaced with dodgy aluminium and things are dirty. [The] pavement hasnt been looked after, he said. The wharves at Circular Quay are looking tired despite an exterior upgrade. Credit: Nikki Short The undercrofts of the areas under the Cahill Expressway at the east and west ends, theyre singularly unloved.

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Hes in good company thinking that: turning Circular Quay into an outdoor urban living room is a dream shared by politicians including former prime minister Paul Keating, successive premiers of NSW and Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore, as well as prominent architects  but each time the matter has been raised, something has gone wrong. In 2015, it briefly looked as though then-premier Mike Baird might have made some progress: describing the area as run down and not befitting of the greatest city in the world, the Liberal leader announced $200 million for a radical redevelopment of the wharves and promenade. The plans were promising, but nothing came of it. Similar promises were made by Liberal premier Dominic Perrottet in 2022, on an even grander scale: a New York-style high line would transform the Cahill Expressway and create a new public green. But then he lost the election. Since winning government in March 2023, Labor has committed to a modest redevelopment of the precinct. Progress on the project is so slow that some involved fear the government has scrapped it altogether. A consortium that won a design and financial competition  Capella Capital, Lendlease Construction and BESIXWatpac and architects Aspect Studios and Tzannes with Weston Williamson and Partners  handed over its initial design concepts in late 2024. Several sources involved with the project at different stages said the government was yet to respond. Budget papers show the most modest of refreshments is now planned: an upgrade of the promenade and ferry wharves to make them compliant with modern accessibility standards.

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The NSW budget papers show $170 million has been spent on the project  which has been in the planning stage since 2015  and $70 million was promised in the 2024-25 state budget. So when will Sydneysiders get to experience the refreshed quay? Transport Minister Jo Haylen said the project to create a modern and accessible transport interchange with new ferry wharves and an upgraded train station is not dead. Were in the planning stages, she said. Our government is committed to the renewal of Circular Quay, but were going to do it in a way that is realistic. The former government had grandiose plans, including a highline at Circular Quay. We will be focused on making sure that the public transport interchange at Circular Quay  is a functional and modern space, and also a gateway from our harbour to our city that we can be proud of. We need to get this right. That irreparable expressway Getting Circular Quay right has been challenging since the 1940s when cars began to flood the city. Now  with light rail, ferries, trains, buses, taxis and cruise ships  the large transport interchange is awash with people and land managed by different government agencies.

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The biggest single obstacle to its transformation is the Cahill Expressway. Connecting traffic from the east of the city to the Harbour Bridge, the expressway was opened in 1958 to take traffic out of inner-city streets. The Cahill Expressway goes over the centre of the quay. Credit: Nikki Short For a long time before that, it faced criticism. Labors secretary for public works, JJ Cahill, after whom the strip is named, had sought extensive counsel on its placement because he did not want to do something irreparable. In 1948, Truth newspaper called the plans for the elevated roadway and railway a proposed monstrosity, saying blotting out Sydney Harbour and the quay was an outrage to public conscience. Cahill replied that the elevated roadway and railway had been approved by the previous government. The Cahill Expressway sits on top of the City Circle line. Credit: Nikki Short He was aware that it wasnt aesthetically pleasing, and sought practical alternatives  but nobody seemed to have a better idea. (To Cahills credit, he was also responsible for commissioning the Opera House, telling critics it would become an outstanding example of modern architecture.)

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Moore said removing the road and putting the train station underground was part of the Citys long-term Sustainable Sydney 2030-2050 vision. The first step is the renewal of the ferry wharves, the starting point for this project and we are keen to see any proposed timeline for these works, Moore said. Removing the Cahill Expressway would, of course, be a challenging project, but city-building takes time. We have suggested a staged process. Precinct thrives despite delays While Circular Quay has languished, the blocks around it are thriving. Multiple new buildings have popped up, including the award-winning Quay Quarter Tower and Lanes at one end and the Salesforce Tower and 180 George Street Plaza at the other. They are connected by residential, retail and hospitality opportunities, soon to include Sydneys first Waldorf Hotel. Creating a seamless connection to our stunning harbour would make this renewed precinct even better, Moore said. It is more important than ever that we create places in our CBD that are environmentally, visually and socially attractive  places that will sustain city life for decades to come and extend that life beyond the hours of nine to five.

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ACCRA, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy Hao Mingjin on Tuesday attended the inauguration of Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama in Accra, the capital of Ghana.

After the inauguration, Mahama met with Hao, vice chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, on bilateral ties.

During the meeting, Hao conveyed Xi's warm congratulations and best wishes to Mahama. He said that China deeply values its traditional friendship with Ghana and remains committed to fostering China-Ghana relations from a strategic and long-term perspective.

This year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. China is ready to take this opportunity to enhance communication with Ghana within the frameworks of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, aiming to elevate the China-Ghana strategic partnership to new heights, Hao said.

Mahama asked the Chinese envoy to convey his greetings and respect to Xi and extended his sincere gratitude to the Chinese president for dispatching a special envoy to attend his inauguration. He highly praised the achievements in Ghana-China relations and reaffirmed his government's commitment to strengthening pragmatic cooperation with China in various fields to further advance bilateral ties. 
Australians should not be concerned about rising cases of a common virus in China but should remain vigilant against infections, health authorities say, as COVID and other illnesses continue to swirl through the festive period.

When Chinese authorities last month reported a surge in children aged 14 and under testing positive for human metapneumovirus (hMPV), social media users began reposting images of crowding emergency departments, and some speculated whether it may be the start of another global outbreak.

But Australian public health experts are yet to see evidence the infections are caused by new strains of the virus, which was first identified in Australia 20 years ago but was likely circulating even before then.

We only have very limited information, as you can imagine, but theres no red flags that have come up that would show its anything unusual, said Dr Jeremy McAnulty, executive director of Health Protection NSW.
We bring you the stories of womens lives lost in Australia in recent years. Some of the cases featured are still before the courts.

A Melbourne man accused of murdering an English teacher and dumping her body in a wheelie bin has pleaded not guilty and will stand trial.

Stephen Fleming, 47, was charged on July 10 last year with the murder of Annette Brennan after the 67-year-olds body was found in green waste at a recycling facility in Epping, in Melbournes north.

Teacher Annette Brennan was remembered as an amazing tutor by her students. Credit: Nine News

Fleming faced Melbourne Magistrates Court via video link on Wednesday and requested the case be fast-tracked to the Supreme Court.

When asked by magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz if he understood that by doing so, he was waiving his right to a committal hearing  where the evidence would be examined to determine if the matter should proceed to trial  he nodded.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size As Melbourne grapples with issues around housing affordability, homelessness, sustainability, carbon emissions and technological changes, we asked seven designers and educators to welcome 2025 with some blue-sky solutions for a better way forward. From pulling up roads to communal front yards, their answers to our five big-picture questions suggest its time to think outside the grid. Our commentators are: James Legge is a director with Six Degrees, which took out the Australian Institute of Architects 2024 award for multi-residential housing. The jury described its Ferrars and York project in South Melbourne as an important model for current and future housing in Australian cities. Nigel Bertram is a director of NMBW Architecture Studio, a professor of Architecture at Monash University, and a director of Monash Urban Lab. The Labs designs for a terrace and mid-rise apartment were two of six winning proposals for the NSW governments Pattern Book Design Competition providing templates for streamlined planning approval. Karen Alcock is a principal of MA+Co and previously a director with multi-residential developer Neometro. She is an active member of the Office of the Victorian Government Architects Design Review Panel. Mark Loughnan is head of design at Hassell. The firm recently identified some 80 buildings in the CBD suitable for retrofitting as residential. Mike Macleod is a director of architecture at Kennedy Nolan, part of the team behind Brunswicks Nightingale Village, which won the World Architecture Festivals 2024 housing award.

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Jefa Greenaway is a director of Greenaway Architects. A co-author of the International Indigenous Design Charter, Greenaway is co-recipient of the World Architecture Festivals 2024 Cultural Identity award for the National First Nations College at the University of Technology Sydney. Ross Harding is founder of environmental consultancy Finding Infinity, which envisions cities as self-sustaining ecosystems. He leads A New Normal, a $100 billion strategy with more than $200 million in active projects to transition Melbourne towards self-sufficiency. Collectively, the ideas they outline below represent a challenge to traditional approaches and allow us to imagine a better future for the city they, and we, all love. Many of their projects have already begun the process of transformation. So what should happen next? 1. Youre given a blank cheque to transform the city  where do you start? JL: Affordable and widespread public transport, allowing us to rip up half the bitumen across greater Melbourne and replace it with trees. Money spent on walkable neighbourhoods, streets and precincts. Having leafy green neighbourhoods with fewer cars, better amenities and quick access anywhere, by good public transport, is at least halfway to having better homes for people to live in. And also, build many, many more homes! NB: Buy back land along rivers and creeks to make room for water, naturalise and accept more regular flooding, and increase public access to these veins and arteries as connective tissue and lifeblood of the city. Allow Melbournes lost swamps to regenerate.

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KA: Put a stop to poor-quality speculative apartments. Establish a joint funding model for affordable housing delivery between the government and private investors, including superannuation funds. Set up a delivery authority that focuses on design excellence (not design as a commodity). Identify precincts where mid-rise residential developments can thrive, such as around stations and nearby amenities, then acquire and develop the land. Similar to the Metro Tunnel but for housing. ML: Adapt and re-use city towers for residential; plant resilient/restorative parklands over the rail lines between Richmond and Flinders Street, and Southern Cross to North Melbourne to connect and add life. Build the civic precinct addition to Flinders Street Station with concept intent of our 2013 competition-winning scheme; build the airport rail link, Metro 2 and make Avalon a world-class airport. Mark Loughnan is keen to see the realisation of Hassell + Herzog & de Meurons winning entry in the Flinders Street Station redesign competition. Credit: Hassell + Herzog & de Meuron MM: You can never have too much investment in good housing or canopy trees. Also, Finding Infinitys New Normal report of 2021 suggested 10 projects using available and profitable technology to transform Melbourne into a city that produces more energy and water than it consumes. We immediately start them all. JG: Social housing which is actually affordable. Increase canopy cover to manage urban heat island effects as we grapple with increasingly extreme temperatures. RH: Build 10 major projects across Greater Melbourne to exemplify the policy changes required to transform the city to become completely self-sufficient. Ensure each of the projects is culturally connected to give the transition a feeling. Ensure they are all profitable to unlock a tidal wave of pipeline projects to implement the transition. 2. Youre asked to identify Melbournes greatest untapped potential  whats your answer?

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JL: The fresh air above us! Greater Melbourne covers almost 10,000 square kilometres. It is larger than London, Paris, New York and Tokyo, but has a population density that is dwarfed by these cities, so we spend hours in our cars. If we built with considered density, around good public transport, we could have a much better city with way better facilities and amenities for everyone. James Legge was involved in the Ferrars and York project in South Melbourne, described as an important model for current and future housing in Australian cities. Credit: Dan Preston NB: The millions of passive front yards and deep setbacks that collectively add up to a huge resource. Make front yards active social space and allow building right up to the front lot line as a right. Our old inner suburbs show it can be done. Loading KA: The bay: Its undervalued. How can we use it for transport? Are there more opportunities like the Westgate Punt? How can we use it more for recreation? How can we celebrate it? Or our landscape: Maintain it, enhance it, and give it equal significance to buildings. Once you create space for the landscape, it tends to remain even after the buildings have been demolished and rebuilt. Even poor housing can be improved with a strong landscape. ML: Convert CBD vacant space into housing, creative spaces, and/or primary and secondary education  if more kids are in the city, their parents will follow. MM: Acres of roof and bitumen: weve embraced small solar panel systems on houses; why arent we covering commercial buildings and carparks with panels?

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JG: Our greatest untapped potential is the creativity and skills of our design thinkers. Creative problem-solving which prioritises humanity is the only way to navigate the existential challenges we face. RH: Architecture is the vessel for the environmental transition ahead. But not the kind that simply responds to a brief. One that optimistically looks into the future and proactively solves some of the greatest problems in the city. 3. Picture an ideal Melbourne in 2050  whats changed? JL: Housing is no longer a giant Ponzi scheme. All the levers, including the tax levers, have been pulled to change housing from a wealth-generator for some to a human right for all. As a director of Monash Urban Lab, Nigel Bertram was involved in these winning designs for the NSW governments Pattern Book Design Competition. NB: Streets are no longer thought of in terms of aesthetics or neatness, but valued for the way they perform ecologically and socially. Melbournes local government boundaries have been redrawn in accordance with creek catchments, aligning with the natural structure of place. KA: See Question 1  Change requires vision.

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended his plan to deliver 1.2 million homes by 2029, rejecting claims that a fall in building approvals late last year could jeopardise progress.

After fresh data showed a bigger-than-expected fall in building approvals, Albanese said both the federal government and state governments in NSW and Victoria were helping to improve housing supply.

The number of approvals was 3.2 per cent higher in November compared to the same time in 2023. But it remained at half the level from between 2015 and 2019. Credit: Arsineh Houspian

We have an ambitious plan, yes, for 1.2 million homes for Australia, he said on ABC News Breakfast. Thats why we put in place our Housing Australia Future Fund and housing accelerator to deliver increased social housing [and] our build-to-rent legislation. Every single one of those measures was opposed by the Coalition.

Albaneses comments come as the major parties battle to win voters trust on housing, a key issue ahead of an election this year. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics released on Tuesday showed building approvals slipped 3.6 per cent to 14,998 dwellings in November.
Many high school students can work, drive, sign up for the military and have children.

One thing they cant do is vote. But some teenagers are arguing that should change  starting at 16.

Darcy, 17, has been working for two years and paying tax but wants to be able to vote. Credit: Justin McManus

Darcy is a Melbourne high school student who wants to be able to cast their ballot in the upcoming federal election, but will miss out because their 18th birthday is later in the year.

Theyre disappointed but are fighting to make sure others will get the opportunity to head to the ballot box.
A moderate, she was touted as a potential deputy to Battin by his supporters ahead of the leadership vote in late December. But as The Age reported last week, neither initially wanted to play second fiddle and both ended up contesting the leadership. Battin, a former police officer and Bakers Delight owner who has served in parliament for almost 15 years, said his Liberal values were reward for effort and equal opportunity. Loading Asked how that squared with him voting against a 2015 bill that gave Victorian same-sex couples the right to adopt  or voluntary assisted dying a few years later  he said it was easy to look at one or two votes and say, heres a person who is a conservative. In the case of voluntary assisted dying, he said his speech was ultimately supportive of peoples right to choose to end their lives should they be diagnosed with a painful terminal illness. However, he ultimately voted against the governments bill because it was poorly constructed.

You cant just vote on legislation because it sounds good in the media, which is how Labor operates. Its got to be put in carefully, he said. There were some parts in there that didnt even explain the process of how its going to happen. Battin has said he wishes to follow in the footsteps of Queensland Liberal opposition leader-turned-premier David Crisafulli. However, in that state, Labor was able to run a campaign on the issue of abortion and arguably sandbag a number of seats after it took Crisafulli some time to emphatically rule out changes to the law. There is zero evidence of the fact of me being a conservative. Brad Battin Closer to home, the Victorian Greens have argued that access to abortion should be enshrined in the state constitution to make it harder for future governments to wind back. Battin stressed to The Age that no policy deals had been made to secure his elevation, whether on abortion or otherwise. As previously reported, some Liberals had been promised certain shadow cabinet positions for their support.

Theres currently been no discussion about watering down, changing, amending abortion laws here in Victoria, Battin said. Loading The opposition leader also said he would shore up Victorias debt plan while reducing the states overall tax burden within his first 100 days of office. Last years state budget forecast Victorias debt to rise to $187.8 billion by June 2028. Within the first 100 days, we know were going to have to be putting in place some of [our future plan] to deal with the budget and the crisis we have, Battin said. We cant afford to keep going the direction its going. He declined to say which taxes were in the firing line or what his partys economic plan would look like specifically, citing the need to do deep policy work in the lead-up to the next election.

Battin has previously pledged to tighten Victorias bail laws in his first month as premier should he win the November 2026 election. He has also vowed to scrap the State Electricity Commission and halt construction of the controversial Suburban Rail Loop should he become the states 50th premier  although he said he would not tear up existing contracts. On housing, the opposition leader did not shy away from the fact that he had a complex task ahead of him in juggling those opposed to higher-density living in established suburbs with younger people who want to break into the housing market. He said he would flesh out a housing policy closer to the election. As for how he would differentiate himself from his predecessor, Battin said his approach was two-pronged: be a proactive communicator internally, and externally put more focus on Melbournes growth suburbs. Before last months leadership spill, a Battin supporter told The Age that Pesutto had been too focused on his inner-suburb bubble. During the sit-down interview, Jess Wilson  who was recently stripped of the finance portfolio but given industry  said there would be no white-anting of the new leader.

Its really normal in politics to have people put their hands up for the same role. Going forward, we have one task now, and thats to make sure that we win government in 2026. Ill do everything I can to support Brad and team, she said. Wilson says she is completely focused on the 2026 election. Credit: Wayne Taylor Rather than being disappointed with women only making up 30 per cent of the new-look shadow cabinet, Wilson said she was hopeful there would one day be a 50-50 gender split not based on quotas, but merit, given the fresh faces being given shadow parliamentary secretary roles. We want to be a commonsense, responsible government that goes back to the very basics. Its an aspiration that wont come easily. To claw back power for the first time in a decade, the Liberals will need to fend off teal independents for the second consecutive election and win about 15 other seats.
Remote lands at the edge of the Earth. Towering fjords, icy glaciers and pristine white snow as far as the eye can see. Penguins if you head south, polar bears if you head north, plus meet the cultures that thrive at the top of the globe.

Ponants Sisterships take you into the heart of the action.

The polar regions are home to some of the most awe-inspiring travel experiences possible; the stuff that every devoted globetrotter dreams of. Theyre largely unexplored by tourists, meaning those who get to experience their wilderness are a part of a privileged select few. The best (and often the only) way to get to both the Arctic and Antarcticas most far-flung parts is by sea, as sailing allows you to visit the destinations that air or overland travel simply cant reach.

And the most enjoyable way to sail to the polar regions is on a smaller ship. A boutique voyage means you wont have to fight through the crowds for a view of the incredible wildlife and natural wonders, but, perhaps more importantly, it also allows you to navigate through narrow passages and reach the untouched locations that bigger ships miss. Not to mention its the far more sustainable travel option, as smaller ships have a lower environmental impact.

So, where can you get to on a smaller ship  and whats the experience like? Heres what you need to know.
Rome: Pope Francis has named the first woman to head a major Vatican office, appointing an Italian nun, Sister Simona Brambilla, to become prefect of the department responsible for all the Catholic Churchs religious orders.

The appointment on Monday marks a major step in Francis aim to give women more leadership roles in governing the church. While women have been named to No. 2 spots in some Vatican offices, never before has a woman been named prefect of a dicastery or congregation of the Holy See Curia, the central governing organ of the Catholic Church.

The historic nature of Brambillas appointment was confirmed by Vatican Media, which headlined its report Sister Simona Brambilla is the first woman prefect in the Vatican.

Sister Simona Brambilla in 2019. Credit: Catholic Press/IPA/Sipa USA/AAP

The office is one of the most important in the Vatican. Known officially as the Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, it is responsible for every religious order, from the Jesuits and Franciscans to the Mercy nuns and smaller newer movements.
Its 2am on the West Coast of the US, and firefighters in Los Angeles are bracing for conditions to worsen overnight, with three blazes burning out of control. Were going to wrap up our rolling coverage of this news event now.

It has been a wild day in Los Angeles, where fire has scorched 1214 hectares, fanned by strong wind gusts blowing embers miles ahead of the fire front. Its not clear how many homes have been lost, and no deaths have been reported. When the sun rises in a few hours, well get a better idea of the scale of devastation across the region.

Heres what we know so far tonight, as we sign off:

The Pacific Palisades fire, burning between Malibu and Santa Monica, has grown to 1182 hectares, and is 0 per cent contained.

fire, burning between Malibu and Santa Monica, has grown to 1182 hectares, and is 0 per cent contained. The Eaton blaze, burning in the San Gabriel Mountains above Pasadena, has grown to more than 405 hectares.

blaze, burning in the San Gabriel Mountains above Pasadena, has grown to more than 405 hectares. A third blaze, the Hurst fire in Sylmar in the San Fernando Valley, has spread to more than 40 hectares, and is rapidly growing.

fire in Sylmar in the San Fernando Valley, has spread to more than 40 hectares, and is rapidly growing. Some 30,000 people are under evacuation orders, and more than 300,000 people are without power, according to utility service tracker PowerOutage.us.

A high wind warning was issued on Tuesday, local time, and will remain in place to Thursday, with north to north-east winds of 48 to 72km/h, and gusts up to 130km/h.

One firefighter has been injured, sustaining a serious head injury while fighting the Palisades blaze.

The LA Fire Department is expected to hold a press conference on the situation at 8am Wednesday local time (3am AEDT).

Thanks for joining us tonight.
Washington: Donald Trump has made a last-ditch effort to quash his criminal conviction before he returns to the White House, asking the US Supreme Court to prevent him from being sentenced for falsifying business records to cover up a sex scandal with a porn star.

Two days before he is due to be sentenced in the New York hush money case, Trumps lawyers filed an emergency petition in the nations highest court to postpone the sentence to prevent grave injustice and harm to the institution of the presidency and the operations of the federal government.

Donald Trump in court a New York court in May, during his hush money trial. Credit: Getty Images

Hours later it emerged that Trump had spoken with Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito about a former law clerk, raising eyebrows among legal observers.

Trumps legal appeal comes after presiding judge Juan Merchan last week ordered Trump to be sentenced on Friday (Saturday AEDT)  10 days before the 78-year-old Republican is sworn in as Americas 47th president  but signalled he would not serve any jail time.
People mourn victims killed in an Israeli airstrike in the town of Tamoun, south of the city of Tubas in the northern West Bank, Jan. 8, 2025. Three Palestinians, including two children, were killed in an Israeli airstrike in the town of Tamoun, south of the city of Tubas in the northern West Bank, Palestinian and Israeli sources said on Wednesday. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

RAMALLAH, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Three Palestinians, including two children, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the town of Tamoun, south of the city of Tubas in the northern West Bank, Palestinian and Israeli sources said on Wednesday.

Palestinian security sources told Xinhua that an Israeli drone bombed a group of young men in the town, killing the three people.

The Israeli army confirmed in a brief statement that an air force plane targeted a group in the Tamoun area.

The Israeli state-owned Kan TV reported that the three Palestinians were trying to plant explosive devices.

This is the second airstrike on the town within 24 hours. Two other Palestinians were killed in an Israeli drone strike on Tuesday morning.

The developments came after an armed attack on Monday killed three Israelis near the settlement of Kedumim in the northern West Bank.

Cities, villages and camps in the West Bank have been witnessing escalating tensions since Oct. 7, 2023, which has led to the killing of more than 800 Palestinians by Israeli gunfire and shelling, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. 

People mourn victims killed in an Israeli airstrike in the town of Tamoun, south of the city of Tubas in the northern West Bank, Jan. 8, 2025.

Three Palestinians, including two children, were killed in an Israeli airstrike in the town of Tamoun, south of the city of Tubas in the northern West Bank, Palestinian and Israeli sources said on Wednesday. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

Palestinians are seen at the site of an Israeli airstrike in the town of Tamoun, south of the city of Tubas in the northern West Bank, Jan. 8, 2025.

Three Palestinians, including two children, were killed in an Israeli airstrike in the town of Tamoun, south of the city of Tubas in the northern West Bank, Palestinian and Israeli sources said on Wednesday. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

People mourn victims killed in an Israeli airstrike in the town of Tamoun, south of the city of Tubas in the northern West Bank, Jan. 8, 2025.

Three Palestinians, including two children, were killed in an Israeli airstrike in the town of Tamoun, south of the city of Tubas in the northern West Bank, Palestinian and Israeli sources said on Wednesday. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)
PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor Richinel Brug warns against unnecessary unrest in our community. As flu season is upon us, rumors and misinformation can easily spread panic. However, Minister Brug emphasizes the importance of relying on accurate information backed by the Ministry of Public Health data, specifically from the Department of Collective Prevention Services (CPS).

Amidst the current flu season, parts of China are dealing with what is referred to as the HMPV outbreak. Contrary to a recent article published in local and social media, this virus is not a new respiratory illness. Neither is it new to countries in this part of the world nor Sint Maarten, as we have had cases in recent years. Our competent and dedicated professionals at the department of Collective Prevention Services (CPS) have been closely monitoring this outbreak and will continue to do so. As stated before, HMPV is quite common, as Sint Maarten has cases of it annually.

As is common every flu season, countries all over the world, including Sint Maarten, are faced with an increase in different flu cases. CPS is closely in contact with our health partners within the Dutch Caribbean and RIVM.

Let it be clear that this government, my person, and our hardworking civil servants within the Ministry of Public Health continue to work diligently and in a proactive manner to ensure the safety and well-being of our people. While vigilance is necessary, there is no immediate cause for alarm or drastic action. If and when Sint Maarten would have to escalate our preparations, we will do so in a coordinated and planned manner.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) held a crucial stakeholder meeting on January 7, 2025, at the Philipsburg Police Station to address ongoing maritime security concerns. This meeting brought together representatives from the Coast Guard, maritime personnel, local marinas, and the Tourist Bureau to tackle the recent criminal activities targeting the maritime community.

This marks the second meeting of its kind, following incidents of break-ins on boats docked at marinas, anchored in the lagoon, or off the islands beaches. During the discussions, participants explored strategies to curb these incidents and improve security measures for all maritime stakeholders.

Key points from the meeting include:

1. Enhanced Patrols:

o Collaboration between the Coast Guard and marina personnel to establish effective patrolling measures in the lagoon and other vulnerable areas.

2. Community Awareness:

o Reinforcement of the "See Something, Say Something" program to encourage public involvement in reporting suspicious activities.

3. Dedicated Maritime Liaison Officer:

Appointment of a Community Police Officer to serve as a direct point of contact for maritime stakeholders, ensuring consistent communication and targeted action.

The discussions also emphasized a unified approach to deter criminal actors from targeting maritime personnel and their assets, including dinghies and other valuables.

KPSM and its partners remain committed to protecting Sint Maartens maritime sector by implementing these strategies and fostering cooperation among all involved parties.

KPSM Press Release.
Clyde Tombaugh was an American astronomer best known for his groundbreaking discovery of Pluto in 1930.

When Clyde Tombaugh built his first telescope at the age of 20, he could not have known it was setting him forward on a path that would eventually lead to the discovery of the first known dwarf planet, Pluto. Let's take a look at the life of this amazing person.

Early life and family

Clyde Tombaugh, discoverer of Pluto, peers into an instrument. (Image credit: Lowell Observatory)

Clyde William Tombaugh was born near Streator, Ill., on Feb. 4, 1906. His family purchased a farm near Burdett, Kan., while he was still young, where a hailstorm ruined his family's crops and put an end to his hopes to attend college at the time.

In 1928, the amateur astronomer was offered a job at Lowell Observatory in Arizona, where he discovered Pluto. In 1934, he married Patricia Edson. They had two children, Annette and Alden.

Tombaugh earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in astronomy from the University of Kansas, working at the observatory during the summers.

Clyde W. Tombaugh, discoverer of Pluto (Image credit: Academy of Achievement

Tombaugh remained at Lowell Observatory until the advent of World War II, when he was called into service teaching navigation to the U.S. Navy at Arizona State College. After the war concluded, he worked at the ballistics research laboratory at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. From 1955 until he retired in 1973, he taught at New Mexico State University.

Tombaugh passed away at his home in Las Cruces, N.M., on Jan. 17, 1997.

An avid amateur astronomer

Unimpressed with store-bought telescopes, Tombaugh constructed his first telescope at the age of 20, grinding the mirrors himself. Over the course of his life, he built more than 30 telescopes.

In 1928, he put together a 23-centimeter reflector out of the crankshaft of a 1910 Buick and parts from a cream separator. Using this telescope, young Clyde made detailed observations of Jupiter and Mars, which he sent to Lowell Observatory in hopes of garnering feedback from professional astronomers.

Over the course of his life, Tombaugh built more than 30 telescopes himself, including this one on his family's Kansas farm. (Image credit: NASA)

Instead of receiving constructive criticism, Tombaugh was instead offered a position at the observatory. The staff had been searching for an amateur astronomer to operate their new photographic telescope in search of, among other things, the mysterious Planet X.

Not long after its discovery in 1781, the new planet Uranus was found to have strange movements that could only be attributed to another body. Neptune's discovery in 1846 somewhat accounted for the orbit, but there were still discrepancies that led scientists to conclude yet another planet existed.

In 1894, businessman Percival Lowell built the Lowell Observatory to study Mars. In 1905, he turned the telescope toward the search for the elusive Planet X, though he died before the new planet could be found.

When Tombaugh was hired in 1929, he joined the search for the missing planet. The telescope at the observatory was equipped with a camera that would take two photographs of the sky on different days. A device known as a blink compactor rapidly flipped back and forth between the two photographs. Stars and galaxies essentially remained unmoving in the images, but anything closer could be visually identified by its motion across the sky. Tombaugh spent approximately a week studying each pair of photographs, which contained over 150,000 stars, and sometimes nearly a million.

On Feb. 18, 1930, Tombaugh noticed movement across the field of a pair of images taken a month beforehand. After studying the object to confirm it, the staff of Lowell Observatory officially announced the discovery of a ninth planet on March 13.

Original plates from Clyde Tombaugh's discovery of Pluto in Lowell Observatory Archive. (Image credit: Lowell Observatory)

With the discovery came the right to name the new body, so the staff opened up a worldwide call for suggestions. Eleven-year-old Venetia Burney of England suggested the name Pluto because the dark, distant planet resembled the abode of the Greek god of the underworld.

Pluto endured as a planet for more than 70 years. As astronomical instruments became increasingly precise, however, other similar-sized objects were found beyond the orbit of Neptune. In 2006, almost a decade after Tombaugh's death, the International Astronomical Union reclassified Pluto as a dwarf planet.

The New Horizons mission carries some of Tombaugh's ashes on board as it travels to Pluto and beyond.

Although most famous for the discovery of the most controversial body in the solar system, Tombaugh also found a comet, hundreds of asteroids, and several galactic star clusters over the course of his career.
URUMQI, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Tarim Oilfield of China National Petroleum Corporation, China's leading oil and gas producer, delivered a record of 7.35 billion cubic meters of natural gas to southern Xinjiang in 2024, the oilfield said Wednesday.

This figure represents a year-on-year increase of 740 million cubic meters. This has helped ensure a steady gas supply to residents in five prefectures of southern Xinjiang and promoted a low-carbon transition by improving the energy mix in these prefectures.

According to the calculation of Tarim Oilfield, the 7.35 billion cubic meters of natural gas delivered is equivalent to replacing nearly 9.78 million tonnes of standard coal, thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions by over 10.37 million tonnes.

To date, the oilfield has supplied over 65 billion cubic meters of natural gas to southern Xinjiang, contributing to economic development and significantly improving people's livelihoods.

Beyond regional supply, the Tarim Oilfield is a major natural gas source for China's West-to-East gas pipelines. By the end of 2024, it had supplied over 366 billion cubic meters of natural gas via the West-to-East pipelines.

Located in the Taklimakan Desert, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the Tarim Oilfield is the country's third-largest onshore oil and gas field and the largest ultra-deep oil and gas production base. Its natural gas supplies have reached more than 120 cities across 15 provincial-level regions in China. 
Disinformation experts slam Meta decision to end US fact-checking



Washington, Jan 7 (AFP) Jan 07, 2025



Tech giant Meta's shock announcement that it is ending its US fact-checking program triggered scathing criticism Tuesday from disinformation researchers who warned it risked opening the floodgates for false narratives.

Meta Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg announced the company was going to "get rid" of its third-party fact-checkers in the United States, in a sweeping policy shift that analysts saw as an attempt to appease US President-elect Donald Trump.

"This is a major step back for content moderation at a time when disinformation and harmful content are evolving faster than ever," said Ross Burley, co-founder of the nonprofit Centre for Information Resilience.

Fact-checking and disinformation research have long been a hot-button issue in a hyperpolarized political climate in the United States, with conservative US advocates saying they were a tool to curtail free speech and censor right-wing content.

Trump's Republican Party and his billionaire ally Elon Musk -- the owner of social media giant X, formerly Twitter -- have long echoed similar complaints.

"While efforts to protect free expression are vital, removing fact-checking without a credible alternative risks opening the floodgates to more harmful narratives," Burley said.

As an alternative, Zuckerberg said Meta's platforms, Facebook and Instagram, would use "Community Notes similar to X" in the United States.

Community Notes is a crowd-sourced moderation tool that X has promoted as the way for users to add context to posts, but researchers have repeatedly questioned its effectiveness in combating falsehoods.



- 'Abdication' of responsibility -



"You wouldn't rely on just anyone to stop your toilet from leaking, but Meta now seeks to rely on just anyone to stop misinformation from spreading on their platforms," Michael Wagner, from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, told AFP.

"Asking people, pro bono, to police the false claims that get posted on Meta's multi-billion dollar social media platforms is an abdication of social responsibility."

Meta's announcement represents a financial setback for its US-based third-party fact-checkers.

Meta's program and external grants have been "predominant revenue streams" for global fact-checkers, according to a 2023 survey by the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) of 137 organizations across dozens of countries.

The decision will also "hurt social media users who are looking for accurate, reliable information to make decisions about their everyday lives and interactions," said IFCN director Angie Holan.

"It's unfortunate that this decision comes in the wake of external political pressure from a new administration and its supporters," Holan added.

Meta's announcement was cheered by conservative supporters of Trump, who said the move had "probably" been in response to his threats against the company and Zuckerberg.

Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn posted on X that Meta's move was "a ploy to avoid being regulated."



- 'Politics, not policy' -



Aaron Sharockman, executive director of US fact-checking organization PolitiFact, rejected the contention that fact-checking was a tool to suppress free speech.

The role of US fact-checkers, he said, was to provide "additional speech and context to posts that journalists found to contain misinformation" and it was up to Meta to decide what penalties users faced.

"The great thing about free speech is that people are able to disagree about any piece of journalism we post," Sharockman said.

"If Meta is upset it created a tool to censor, it should look in the mirror."

PolitiFact is one of the early partners who worked with Facebook to launch the fact-checking program in the United States in 2016.

AFP also currently works in 26 languages with Facebook's fact-checking program, in which Facebook pays to use fact-checks from around 80 organizations globally on its platform, WhatsApp and on Instagram.

In that program, content rated "false" is downgraded in news feeds so fewer people will see it and if someone tries to share that post, they are presented with an article explaining why it is misleading.

"The program was by no means perfect, and fact-checkers have no doubt erred in some percentage of their labels," said Alexios Mantzarlis, director of the Security, Trust, and Safety Initiative at Cornell Tech.

"But we should be clear that Zuckerberg's promise of getting rid of fact-checkers was a choice of politics, not policy."

bur-ac/dw

Meta
Big Tech rolls out the red carpet for Trump



Washington, Jan 8 (AFP) Jan 08, 2025



Tech leaders continue to fall in line around Donald Trump, with Facebook's announcement that it would end its US fact-checking program the latest victory for the president-elect and his billionaire advisor Elon Musk.

Facebook parent Meta's move into fact-checking came in the wake of Trump's shock election in 2016, which critics said was enabled by rampant disinformation on Facebook and interference by foreign actors, including Russia, on the platform.

It was long-criticized by conservatives who found themselves ensnared in its anti-disinformation work.

Its paring down comes days before Trump's inauguration, and after several US tech barons have pushed for a comfortable relationship with the incoming president.

Since the November election, a stream of senior moguls have traveled to meet with Trump at his Florida estate, including Zuckerberg as well as Apple CEO Tim Cook and Amazon founder and space tech executive Jeff Bezos.

Amazon and Meta have both announced $1 million donations to Trump's inauguration fund, as reportedly has Apple's Cook, in a personal capacity.

Musk, meanwhile, owner of influential social media platform X and the world's richest person, is one of the president-elect's closest advisors.

It's all a far cry from when the Republican saw himself kicked off of Facebook and Twitter for the risk of inciting violence, following the storming of the US Capitol by supporters hoping to reverse the 2020 election results.

Four years later, tech companies are coming off a Joe Biden administration that shook up much of the sector with antitrust investigations -- with the free speech, deregulatory outlook pushed by those in Trump's orbit holding fresh appeal.

The fact-checking shake-up is "a decision that advances Zuckerberg's business goals: fact-checking is difficult, expensive and controversial," Ethan Zuckerman, a public policy professor who recently sued Meta over its algorithm policies, told AFP.

But for those in the right-wing tech sphere, the decision is a course correction.

"For those of us who have been fighting the free speech wars for years, this feels like a major victory and turning point," investor David Sacks, set to take an artificial intelligence portfolio in Trump's government, said.

He went on to thank the incoming president "for creating this political and cultural realignment."



- 'Probably' a result of threats -



Trump has been a harsh critic of Meta and Zuckerberg for years, accusing the company of bias against him and threatening to retaliate once back in office.

When asked by reporters if he believed the fact-check move was a response to his threats against Zuckerberg, Trump responded: "Probably, yeah."

A rapprochement between Zuckerberg and Trump has been a long time coming: Meta also recently put Trump ally Dana White on its board.

That decision, and the move to slash the fact-checking operations, came after Trump's Federal Communications Commission pick, Brendan Carr, accused Facebook, Google and Apple of "playing central roles" in a "censorship cartel."

Sam Altman, CEO at OpenAI, has meanwhile sent his own signals to the incoming administration, telling conservative broadcaster Fox News in December he was confident Trump would keep the United States a leading player in the artificial intelligence sector.

His response to Musk's influence in the incoming administration -- which has sparked warnings of conflicts of interest -- was also warm.

"It would be profoundly un-American to use political power to hurt your competitors and advantage your own businesses," Altman said, adding "I believe pretty strongly that Elon will do the right thing."



- Musk signals approval -



Brown University political science professor Wendy Schiller is not surprised that social media companies like Meta are walking away from fact-checking because political parties and social media companies thrive when there is division.

He adds, however, that "the saving grace may be that there are still a number of competitive social media outlets so that no single person or company controls all the flow of information, and that includes government."

Facebook will be replacing its fact-checking program with a "community notes" style feature, similar to the one used on Musk's X platform.

Musk quickly signaled his approval, calling the change "cool."

AFP currently works in 26 languages with Facebook's fact-checking program, in which Facebook pays to use fact-checks from around 80 organizations globally on its platform, WhatsApp and Instagram.
OpenAI chief Sam Altman denies sister's sexual abuse accusations



San Francisco, Jan 8 (AFP) Jan 08, 2025



Open AI CEO Sam Altman denied on Tuesday allegations from his sister Annie Altman, who has filed a complaint accusing him of childhood sexual abuse.

"...Annie has made deeply hurtful and entirely untrue claims about our family, especially Sam," the boss of the California startup said in a letter co-signed by his mother and two brothers, and published on social platform X.

"Our family loves Annie and is very concerned about her well-being. Caring for a family member who faces mental health challenges is incredibly difficult," they wrote.

One of Silicon Valley's more charismatic figures, Altman shot to global fame with the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, which ignited a race to advance AI research and development.

A prolific entrepreneur and already a billionaire, Altman, 39, has set himself the mission of developing a so-called "general" AI, with cognitive abilities similar to those of humans and which "benefits all of humanity".

The Altman family said that they have tried to help their daughter and sister, covering her expenses and guaranteeing her "monthly financial support, which we expect to continue for the rest of her life".

"Despite this, Annie continues to demand more money from us," they said, pointing out that they have decided to respond publicly following Anne's legal complaint filed on Monday, and after years of tension.

"The worst allegation she has made is that she was sexually abused by Sam as a child," said the family.

"Her claims have evolved drastically over time. Newly for this lawsuit, they now include allegations of incidents where Sam was over 18.

"All these claims are utterly untrue."

According to the complaint, Annie -- who is nine years younger than Sam Altman -- alleges the assaults took place from 1997, when she was three, until 2006.

In a report for New York Magazine in 2023, a journalist who met Annie in Hawaii described her as an artist suffering from depression and the growing rift with her family, and supporting herself mainly through online sex work.

juj/phs/sn/fox
Can EU stand up to belligerent Big Tech in new Trump era?



Brussels, Belgium, Jan 8 (AFP) Jan 08, 2025



Facing charges of "censorship" from both Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, the EU will need its full legal arsenal -- and political will aplenty -- to stand up to US Big Tech once Donald Trump is back.

Days before Trump's inauguration as US president, Meta chief Zuckerberg set the tone Tuesday by abruptly ending his firm's fact-checking programme on Facebook and Instagram in the United States -- and indicating changes could be coming to Europe too.

Zuckerberg accused Europe of passing an "ever increasing number of laws institutionalising censorship" -- echoing escalating rhetoric from X owner Musk who has long railed at the EU's efforts to regulate the online space.

Brussels has bolstered its legal arsenal targeting the world's biggest digital platforms, but since Trump stormed to victory in November's election the bloc has avoided concrete action against US tech companies -- apparently for fear of angering the incoming leadership in Washington.

Even as Trump ally Musk has goaded European leaders with a series of incendiary outbursts, the European Commission -- the EU's digital watchdog -- has stayed out of the fray.

Neither EU chief Ursula von der Leyen nor her commissioners in charge of tech policy have uttered a public word, for instance, about Musk's planned live chat with the leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) -- a party he is fervently backing ahead of national elections.

Silence is a "political choice for the moment not to feed this debate any further", von der Leyen's chief spokesperson, Paula Pinho, said on Tuesday.



- 'Fuel to the fire' -



"There is probably a desire, perhaps wrongly, not to attack Trump and Musk head-on, for fear of the reactions," said Alexandre de Streel, an expert at the Center on Regulation in Europe (CERRE) think tank.

The silence has become deafening.

Faced with Zuckerberg's accusation of "censorship," the European Commission said Wednesday it "absolutely" rejected the claim, insisting "freedom of expression lies at the heart" of its content moderation landmark law, the Digital Services Act (DSA).

But beyond that it declined to comment on Meta's policy changes.

Meta has clarified it has no current plans to end its fact-checking operations in the European Union, and would review its EU obligations before making any changes.

AFP currently works in 26 languages with Facebook's fact-checking programme.

The DSA does not define what is allowed online -- but rather tells platforms to adhere to existing national laws on digital content.

Regarding Musk, Brussels has stressed he has the right to express his opinions -- but that the EU will monitor the AfD discussion to understand whether Musk unfairly used X's algorithms to boost the far-right.

The EU in December 2023 launched a DSA probe into X but has yet to make any formal decision on how the platform tackles the spread of illegal content and its efforts to combat information manipulation.

According to de Streel, these violations can be "very difficult to prove".

"It's clear that if von der Leyen's commission were to open proceedings against Musk, it would add more than just fuel to the fire," said Umberto Gambini, of European affairs consultancy Forward Global.

Implementing the DSA "remains very political", Gambini told AFP.



- Stricter with others? -



Not everyone is happy with the EU's stance -- France on Wednesday urged the commission to protect its member states against interference in political debates, particularly from Musk.

"Either the European Commission applies with the greatest firmness the laws that we have given ourselves to protect our public space, or it does not do so and then it will have to agree to give back the capacity to do so to the EU member states," Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said.

The commission's newfound reticence is not limited to Meta or X.

On the day of the US election last year, news broke that Apple was set to face a fine under the bloc's new tech competition law, the Digital Markets Act, but two months later, the penalty has yet to arrive.

Sources close to the matter said von der Leyen's cabinet froze plans to fine Apple, fearing any sanction could hurt fragile transatlantic ties under Trump.

The contrast is striking with firms from outside the United States.

The commission in December opened a probe into TikTok owned by China's ByteDance following allegations the platform was used by Russia to sway the result of Romania's later annulled presidential election.

aro-raz/ec/jxb

Meta

X
US tech titans ramp up pressure on EU



Brussels, Belgium, Jan 8 (AFP) Jan 08, 2025



Mark Zuckerberg's U-turn on Meta's content rules piles pressure on the EU -- already in the crosshairs of Donald Trump ally Elon Musk -- to prove it still calls the shots when it comes to Big Tech's behaviour in Europe.

Barely two weeks before Trump's return to the White House, Zuckerberg dropped a bombshell Tuesday by pulling the plug on fact-checking at Facebook and Instagram in the United States -- and indicated changes could be coming to Europe too.

Zuckerberg accused Europe of passing an "ever increasing number of laws institutionalising censorship" -- echoing escalating rhetoric from X owner Musk, who has long railed at EU efforts to regulate the online space.

Brussels has bolstered its legal arsenal for targeting the world's biggest digital platforms -- though since Trump stormed to victory the bloc has avoided concrete action against US tech companies, apparently for fear of angering the incoming leadership.

Meta says it has no present plans to end its fact-checking operations in the European Union, and would review its EU obligations before making any changes.

But according to several sources, the group sent a risk assessment report to the European Commission on Tuesday concerning changes to its content policies.

AFP currently works in 26 languages with Facebook's fact-checking programme, including in the United States and the European Union.



- Silence as 'a choice' -



Faced with Zuckerberg's accusation of "censorship," the European Commission said it "absolutely" rejected the claim, insisting "freedom of expression lies at the heart" of its content moderation landmark law, the Digital Services Act (DSA).

"Promoting the truth is not censorship, democratic regulation is not an illegitimate obstacle," agreed Thibaut Bruttin, director general of Reporters Without Borders.

But beyond that the EU declined to comment on Meta's decision to axe fact-checking in the United States -- which disinformation experts fear risks opening the floodgates for false narratives.

The commission's silence is part of a pattern: it has stayed resolutely out of the fray as Trump ally Musk has goaded European leaders with a series of incendiary outbursts in recent days.

Neither EU chief Ursula von der Leyen nor her commissioners in charge of tech policy have uttered a public word, for instance, about Musk's planned live chat with the leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) -- a party he is fervently backing ahead of national elections.

Silence is a "political choice for the moment not to feed this debate any further", von der Leyen's chief spokesperson, Paula Pinho, said Tuesday.



- 'Fuel to the fire' -



"There is probably a desire, perhaps wrongly, not to attack Trump and Musk head-on, for fear of the reactions," said Alexandre de Streel, an expert at the Center on Regulation in Europe (CERRE) think tank.

Pressed on the twin offensive from Musk and Zuckerberg, the commission has stressed the DSA does not define what is allowed online -- but rather tells platforms to adhere to existing national laws on digital content.

Using independent fact-checkers, for instance, is not required by EU rules -- though doing so can be one way for firms to meet their obligations to tackle disinformation.

Regarding Musk's support for the German extreme-right, Brussels has stressed he has the right to express opinions -- but that the EU will monitor this week's live chat to understand whether Musk unfairly used X's algorithms to boost the AfD.

The EU in December 2023 launched a DSA probe into X but has yet to make any formal decision on how the platform tackles illegal content and information manipulation.

According to de Streel, these violations can be "very difficult to prove".

"It's clear that if von der Leyen's commission were to open proceedings against Musk, it would add more than just fuel to the fire," said Umberto Gambini, of European affairs consultancy Forward Global.

Implementing the DSA "remains very political", Gambini told AFP.



- Stricter with others? -



Not everyone is happy with the commission's stance -- on Musk in particular.

"Either the European Commission applies with the greatest firmness the laws that we have given ourselves to protect our public space, or it does not do so and then it will have to agree to give back the capacity to do so to the EU member states," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said.

The newfound reticence is not limited to Meta or X.

On the day of the US election last year, news broke that Apple was set to face a fine under the bloc's new tech competition law, the Digital Markets Act, but two months later, the penalty has yet to arrive.

Sources close to the matter said von der Leyen's cabinet froze plans to fine Apple, fearing any sanction could hurt fragile transatlantic ties under Trump.

The contrast is striking with firms from outside the United States.

The commission in December opened a probe into TikTok owned by China's ByteDance following allegations the platform was used by Russia to sway the result of Romania's later annulled presidential election.

aro-raz/ec/yad

Meta

X
Meta ending fact-checks 'bad for democracy': Brazil



Rio de Janeiro, Jan 8 (AFP) Jan 08, 2025



A decision by social media giant Meta to end fact-checking in the United States is "bad for democracy," Brazil's newly appointed communication minister Sidonio Palmeira said Wednesday.

Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg stunned many with his announcement Tuesday that he was pulling the plug on fact-checking at Facebook and Instagram in the United States, citing concerns about political bias.

Palmeira said Meta's decision was "bad for democracy because (without fact-checking) you don't control the spread of hate, misinformation and fake news."

"That's the problem. We need to have control, we need to regulate social media, that's what's happening in Europe."

Zuckerberg also slammed what he called censorship in Europe and Latin America, leaving many countries wondering if they will see fact-checking pulled in their own countries.

Brazil's public prosecutor's office sent a letter to local Meta representatives giving the company 30 days to clarify whether it intends to implement the changes in the country.

Instead of professional fact-checking, Zuckerberg will shift the responsibility of debunking falsehoods to ordinary users under a model known as "Community Notes," popularized by X.

Experts have warned that ending the fact-checking program opens the floodgates for harmful misinformation.

Brazil's Supreme Court has taken a strong stance on regulating social media platforms.

Last year, judge Alexandre de Moraes blocked Elon Musk's X platform for 40 days for failing to comply with a series of court orders against online disinformation.

Moraes warned on Wednesday that social networks "will not be a lawless land" in Brazil.

"They will only continue to operate if they respect Brazilian law, regardless of the bravado of irresponsible leaders of Big Tech," he said.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also raised the scourge of disinformation, during a ceremony marking two years since supporters of his predecessor Jair Bolsonaro stormed the seats of power in Brasilia.

"We defend, and will always defend freedom of expression. But we will not tolerate hate speech and disinformation, which endanger people's lives and incite violence against the rule of law," Lula said.

AFP currently works in 26 languages with Facebook's fact-checking program, including in the United States and the European Union.
Ukraine says hit oil depot in Russia used by Moscow's air force



Kyiv, Ukraine, Jan 8 (AFP) Jan 08, 2025



Ukraine on Wednesday said that its forces had hit a Russian oil depot that services Moscow's air force hundreds of kilometres from the warring countries' shared border.

The apparent attack is the latest in a series of escalating cross border strikes by Moscow and Kyiv targeting energy and military facilities, almost three years after the Kremlin launched its invasion of Ukraine.

"Ukrainian defence forces hit Russian oil depot in Engels" in the Saratov region, the Ukrainian general staff said in a statement on social media.

"It should be noted that this oil depot provided fuel to the Engels-2 military airfield, where enemy strategic aviation is based," the general staff added.

Russian officials acknowledged in earlier statements that Ukraine had attacked the region with unmanned aerial vehicles.

The defence ministry said its air defence systems had downed 32 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 11 over the Saratov region.

The governor of the region, Roman Busargin, said that an emergency response team had been dispatched to an indistrial facility where a fire had broken out after a Ukrainian drone attack, without elaborating on the type of facility hit.

Busargin said that no one had been wounded in the attack.

Kyiv has claimed that its previous attacks on oil facilities were part of ongoing efforts to dent Russian energy revenues that are used to fund the military in Ukraine.

"The destruction of the oil depot creates serious logistical problems for the strategic aviation of the Russian occupants and significantly reduces their ability to strike at peaceful Ukrainian cities and civilian objects," the general staff said this time around.

Kyiv, meanwhile, said overnight that Ukrainian air defence systems had downed 41 Russian drones over the country while another 22 were downed by electronic jamming systems or were lost by air force radars.

Separately, in the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson, which the Kremlin claims is part of Russia, authorities said two people had been killed and five more were wounded by Russian artillery and attack drones.
Iran president urges Israeli withdrawal from Syrian territory



Tehran, Jan 8 (AFP) Jan 08, 2025



Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday called for the withdrawal of Israel from Syrian territory following the fall of long-time Tehran ally Bashar al-Assad.

His remarks came during a visit to Tehran by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani where discussions covered topics such as trade, cooperation, and recent developments in Syria.

"The need for the Zionist regime to withdraw from the territories it occupied and the importance of respecting religious sentiments (in Syria), particularly regarding Shiite holy places and shrines, were among the concerns," said Pezeshkian in a briefing alongside Sudani.

The Iranian president also warned of the "reactivation of terrorist cells" in Syria.

Assad fled Syria after rebel forces led by the Sunni Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) captured the capital Damascus after a whirlwind offensive.

Since his fall, Israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes on Syrian military facilities, saying they aimed to prevent strategic weapons from falling into hostile hands.

Israeli troops also occupied strategic positions in a UN-patrolled buffer zone separating Syrian-controlled territory and the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights which Israel seized from Syria in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and has occupied ever since.

Iran has condemned Israel's seizure of land in Syria and called for its withdrawal.

During the visit, Sudani affirmed Iraq's respect for "the will of the Syrian people and support for any political or constitutional system they choose themselves without external interference."

He also noted Iraq's "readiness to cooperate with all parties ... to achieve a smooth peaceful transition to a system that reflects the will of the Syrian people."
Palestinians say Israel strike kills two children in West Bank



Tammun, Palestinian Territories, Jan 8 (AFP) Jan 08, 2025



Palestinian officials said three people including two children were killed Wednesday in an Israeli air strike on the occupied West Bank which the military said targeted militants.

Ahmad Asaad, governor of the northern West Bank city of Tubas, told AFP that the strike hit nearby Tammun village, killing a 23-year-old man and two children, aged eight and 10, all from the same family.

The Palestinian foreign ministry in Ramallah condemned the strike, also saying it killed three people and accusing Israel in a statement of harming civilians "under the pretext" of fighting militants.

The Israeli military earlier said its air force "struck a terrorist cell" in the Tammun area, in a statement that made no reference to casualties.

Asaad said Israeli forces, which have operated in Tammun in recent days, took the bodies of the three Palestinians killed on Wednesday "and officially informed us through coordination that they have" them.

The governor identified the dead as Adam Bsharat, 23, Hamza Bsharat, 10, and Reda Bsharat, eight.

According to Assad, the three were killed in front of their house, which an AFP journalist later said was damaged by shrapnel impact.

Jalal Bsharat, a relative of the victims, said they had been at home when "the Israeli occupation army targeted them".

The strike showed that Palestinians are not safe even "in one's home", Bsharat told AFP.



- 'Ensure security' -



By midday, hours after the strike, Israeli forces were no longer seen in Tammun, the AFP journalist said.

This was the second Israeli air strike to hit Tammun in as many days.

On Tuesday the military said it targeted an "armed terrorist cell" that opened fire at Israeli forces who were conducting a raid in the village, killing two people.

Tammun residents told AFP that Israeli forces had taken one of the bodies.

Israeli forces carry out frequent raids on Palestinian towns and villages in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967.

The territory's north has been repeatedly targeted recently, with Israel saying it has been operating against militants preparing attacks.

On Monday, three Israelis were killed when gunmen opened fire on vehicles on a road in the northern West Bank, according to Israel's military and emergency services.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said he had ordered an "increase" in military activities to "ensure the security of the settlements and settlers" in the West Bank.

Katz said in a statement there were "growing efforts to promote Palestinian terrorism", warning that Israel will "continue to act with strength" against militants as well as "their handlers and those who shelter them".

Violence in the West Bank has soared since the war in Gaza broke out on October 7, 2023.

Israeli troops or settlers have killed at least 825 Palestinians in the West Bank since the start of the Gaza war, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

Palestinian attacks in the West Bank have killed at least 28 Israelis over the same period, according to official Israeli figures.
BEIJING, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- The anti-smuggling departments of China's customs investigated and handled 5,719 criminal cases in a special campaign in 2024, which targeted key areas including drugs and tax-related commodities, according to the Ministry of Public Security on Wednesday.

The campaign dealt a heavy blow to weaponry and drug smuggling, with 772 criminal cases of smuggling narcotics cracked and 2.09 tonnes of drugs seized, the ministry said.

In a crackdown on smuggling of tax-related goods such as refined oil at sea, cigarettes and frozen marine products, customs authorities cooperated with local police and coast guard departments to handle 647 criminal cases and 922 administrative cases, which involved 13.66 billion yuan (about 1.9 billion U.S. dollars) and 170 million yuan, respectively.

The ministry added that customs authorities also handled 231 cases concerning smuggling of endangered species and related products, in an effort to protect ecological security. 
Finland to host NATO summit on Baltic Sea security



Helsinki, Jan 8 (AFP) Jan 08, 2025



Finland will next week host a summit of NATO countries bordering the Baltic Sea to discuss security in the region, as the alliance boosts its maritime presence following several subsea cable cuts.

On Christmas Day, the Estlink 2 electricity cable and four telecom cables linking Finland and Estonia were damaged, just weeks after other Baltic Sea cables were severed in similar incidents that experts and politicians say are part of a hybrid war between Russia and Western countries.

The January 14 meeting in Helsinki will focus on "measures required to secure the critical underwater infrastructure", a statement from the office of Finland's President Alexander Stubb said.

"The discussion will focus on strengthening of NATO's presence in the Baltic Sea and responding to the threat posed by Russia's shadow fleet."

The "shadow fleet" consists of ships that carry Russian crude oil and petroleum products embargoed over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

The often ageing vessels operate under dubious ownership or without proper insurance.

Among those due to attend the meeting are NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, the leaders of Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden, and the executive vice-president of the European Commission Henna Virkkunen.

Finland's President Alexander Stubb and Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal will co-host the meeting.

Suspicion over the December 25 incident has fallen on the Eagle S, a Cook Island-flagged oil tanker thought to be part of the "shadow fleet".

Finnish police seized the vessel on December 28 as part of a criminal investigation into suspected sabotage.

The ship is anchored in Porvoo, a town east of Helsinki. Finnish authorities have banned eight crew members from leaving the country during the police probe.

Investigators suspect the cables were damaged after the tanker's anchor was dragged over them.

On Tuesday, police said the Eagle S anchor had been recovered from the seabed.

NATO announced late last month that it would strengthen its military presence in the Baltic Sea in responses to the cable cuts.

Finland became a NATO member in 2023, dropping decades of military non-alignment after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Gaza rescuers say 14 killed in Israel strikes



Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories, Jan 8 (AFP) Jan 08, 2025



Gaza's civil defence agency said a series of Israeli air strikes killed at least 14 people on Wednesday, in the latest violence to ravage the already devastated Palestinian territory.

Five people were killed and several wounded in an air strike on the house of the Barghout family in the Zeitun neighbourhood of Gaza City, the agency said.

Three people were killed in another strike targeting the house of the Al-Banna family in the central city of Deir el-Balah.

A strike in Gaza City killed five people, while a a strike on the house of the Weshah family in Al-Bureij refugee camp killed a child, it added.

An AFP journalist later observed people searching through the rubble of the house to salvage what they could.

Rescuers also recovered the bodies of three people who were killed by a drone strike in Rafah district on Tuesday.

The latest strikes came as mediators Qatar, Egypt, and the United States brokered negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Doha for a deal to end the fighting in Gaza and secure the release of hostages.

During their October 7, 2023 attack which sparked the war in Gaza, Palestinian militants seized 251 hostages, of whom 96 remain in Gaza. The Israeli military says 34 of those are dead.

The attack resulted in the deaths of 1,208 people on the Israeli side, mostly civilians, according to Israeli official figures.

Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed 45,936 people in Gaza, the majority of them civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run territory's health ministry which the United Nations considers reliable.
Iran president urges Israeli withdrawal from Syrian territory



Tehran, Jan 8 (AFP) Jan 08, 2025



Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday called for the withdrawal of Israel from Syrian territory following the fall of long-time Tehran ally Bashar al-Assad.

His remarks came during a visit to Tehran by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to discuss trade, cooperation and recent developments in Syria.

"The need for the Zionist regime to withdraw from the territories it occupied and the importance of respecting religious sentiments (in Syria), particularly regarding Shiite holy places and shrines, were among the concerns" raised in the meeting, said Pezeshkian in a briefing alongside Sudani.

The Iranian president also warned of the "reactivation of terrorist cells" in Syria.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also met with Sudani, warning of the "role of foreign governments" in Syria, according to remarks carried by official news agency IRNA.

Assad fled Syria after rebel forces led by the Sunni Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) captured the capital Damascus after a whirlwind offensive.

Since his fall, Israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes on Syrian military facilities, saying they aimed to prevent strategic weapons from falling into hostile hands.

Israeli troops also occupied strategic positions in a UN-patrolled buffer zone separating Syrian-controlled territory and the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights which Israel seized from Syria in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and has occupied ever since.

Iran has condemned Israel's seizure of land in Syria and called for its withdrawal.

During the visit, Sudani affirmed Iraq's respect for "the will of the Syrian people and support for any political or constitutional system they choose themselves without external interference."

He also noted Iraq's "readiness to cooperate with all parties ... to achieve a smooth peaceful transition to a system that reflects the will of the Syrian people."

In his meeting with Sudani, Khamenei also said that the presence of US troops in Iraq, who are there as part of an international anti-jihadist coalition, "must be resisted with steadfastness".
Europe doubts Trump could make NATO spend 5% of GDP on defence



Brussels, Belgium, Jan 8 (AFP) Jan 08, 2025



Incoming US president Donald Trump has demanded NATO countries massively ramp up defence spending to five percent of GDP -- more than double the current target -- but few in Europe see the figure as feasible.

Instead diplomats and officials say the volatile billionaire appears to be firing his opening salvo in a new push to pressure Washington's allies to do more.

"It's obviously completely unrealistic to imagine virtually all NATO allies coming to the five percent level, at least in the near term," said Ian Lesser of the German Marshall Fund think tank.

"It's part of what will be the very tough diplomacy around defence burden-sharing with the incoming Trump administration."



- Where are we now? -



After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, NATO countries stepped up spending and in 2023 turned their decade-old goal of two percent of GDP into a baseline requirement.

Last year 23 of NATO's 32 member countries were on course to hit that threshold -- with Poland leading the pack on 4.12 percent.

Leading military power the United States is on 3.38 percent, while Britain spends 2.3 percent and France and Germany have just crept over the two-percent line.

Spain is the worst in class on just 1.28 percent, failing to meet the bar along with the other laggards including Italy, Canada, and Belgium.

Given the relative size of its economy, US defence spending in dollar terms accounts for over 60 percent of NATO's total.



- How Trump sees it -



Trump has long been sceptical of the role the United States plays in underpinning Europe's security in NATO, accusing allies of free-loading on Washington's largesse.

During his first term he berated the likes of Germany for underspending and reportedly had to be pulled back by fellow leaders from following through on a threat to quit the alliance.

On the campaign trail this time round he called the current NATO baseline "the steal of the century" and said he'd encourage Russia to go after countries not spending enough.

"They can all afford it, but they should be at five percent not two percent," Trump said Tuesday.

"Europe is in for a tiny fraction of the money that we're in."



- Others agree (sort of) -



Trump is not alone in demanding that NATO's defence spending rise.

The alliance's Secretary General Mark Rutte has stated clearly that two percent is not enough given the scale of the threat posed principally by Russia.

He insists Europe needs to "turbocharge" its spending to fulfil new defence plans and deter Moscow from launching a future attack against NATO territory.

Rutte has not offered a new target figure -- but he said if NATO members do not spend more efficiently together then they could have to "to go to at least four percent".

That urgency is echoed by countries close to Russia such as Poland and the Baltic states which have already been pushing for a higher target.

And even allies that remain under two percent admit that spending will have to rise.

But Trump's five percent figure is "total madness" said German lawmaker Ralf Stegner, from chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats.



- What happens next? -



NATO diplomats say that however unrealistic Trump's demand may be -- the alliance will need to meet him part of the way at least to keep him onboard.

"If Trump is calling for five percent than we have to find a solution that works for everyone," one diplomat told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The first step will be seeing how the notoriously mercurial Trump's comments transform into policy once he's inaugurated.

Then there will be haggling to try to forge a new consensus figure by NATO's June summit in the Netherlands.

"They'll need to say that we must move towards three, 3.5 percent," said Camille Grand, of the European Council on Foreign Relations.

"Last time with two percent we gave ourselves 10 years, now perhaps we should look to do this in five."
UN experts urge Biden to pardon Guantanamo prisoner



Geneva, Jan 8 (AFP) Jan 08, 2025



United Nations experts called Wednesday on outgoing US President Joe Biden to issue a pardon for Abu Zbubaydah, who has been held at Guantanamo for nearly 20 years without charge.

"We are exceptionally requesting a Presidential pardon for Mr. Abu Zubaydah, owing to his treatment while in detention and the lack of due process since he was first detained," a dozen independent UN experts said in a statement.

"His immediate release and relocation to a third safe country are long overdue."

Abu Zubaydah was the first of a number of prisoners to be subjected to CIA "enhanced interrogation" techniques following the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.

The Saudi-born Palestinian, whose full name is Zayn al-Abidin Muhammad Husayn, was captured in Pakistan in 2002 and has been held without trial at the US Guantanamo camp in Cuba since 2006.

He was waterboarded 83 times and suffered other physical abuse, according to a US Senate report, which said that the CIA conceded he was never a member of Al-Qaeda and not involved in planning the 9/11 attacks.

The UN experts, including the special rapporteurs on torture and on promoting human rights while countering terrorism, warned in Wednesday's statement that Zubaydah "suffers serious health conditions".

Those included "injuries sustained during torture that are allegedly exacerbated by the denial of medical attention", they said.

The experts, who were appointed by the UN Human Rights Council but who do not speak on behalf of the United Nations, also lamented that his "lawyer-client communication has been seriously impeded".

They highlighted findings by a range of international and regional rights mechanisms that Zubaydah suffered multiple violations linked to the US rendition and secret detention programme.

Zubaydah had endured "profound psychological and physical trauma of torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and enforced disappearance", they charged, demanding he be granted compensations and reparations.

He is among 15 people still being held at the controversial American base, after the US Defence Department on Monday said it had resettled 11 Yemeni detainees from Guantanamo to Oman.

Biden pledged before his election in 2020 to try to shut down Guantanamo, but it remains open with just weeks left in his term.

The facility was opened in the wake of 9/11 and has been used to indefinitely hold detainees seized during the wars and other operations that followed. Some 780 prisonners have spent time there.

The conditions there and the denial of basic legal principles have prompted consistent outcry from rights groups, and UN experts have condemned it as a site of "unparallelled notoriety."
American leadership on Ukraine 'critical': US defence chief



Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Jan 8 (AFP) Jan 08, 2025



American leadership on Ukraine is "critical" and continued assistance for Kyiv is key, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said Wednesday, a day ahead of the expected announcement of a major new US military aid package.

Austin is to convene a meeting of dozens of Ukraine's supporters at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany on Thursday, the last such talks before President-elect Donald Trump -- who has been sceptical of assistance for Kyiv -- takes office on January 20.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that he would attend the gathering.

"US leadership is critical, and we lead by example," Austin told AFP at Ramstein.

"We've not just asked countries to provide security assistance -- we have led the way in every case in terms of the amount of security assistance that we've provided, the speed at which we got that security assistance there," he said.

"It's real important for the entire coalition to continue to provide military aid. Now, the US has led this effort, and hopefully... will continue to do so, because it's not over," Austin said.

The outgoing US administration has been working to get as much aid as possible to Ukraine before Trump -- who has repeatedly criticised US assistance for Kyiv and claimed he could secure a ceasefire within hours -- takes over the presidency.

Trump's comments have triggered fears in Ukraine and elsewhere in Europe about the future of US aid, and Kyiv's ability to withstand Russian attacks in the absence of further American support.

Washington has provided more than $65 billion in military assistance to Ukraine since Russia launched its all-out invasion in February 2022, and a senior US defence official told journalists this week that a "substantial announcement" on aid is likely to come at the Thursday meeting.

As Russia's war approaches its third anniversary on February 22, Austin noted that the conflict has taken a significant toll on Moscow's interests, from its economy to its ability to project military power overseas.

With his forces tied down in Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin "didn't have the ability to respond to a challenge in Syria," said Austin, referring to the overthrow of Russian ally Bashar al-Assad by rebel forces last month.

"And as he loses his footprint in Syria, that takes away his projection platform -- he was using Syria to project combat power into Africa. Without that, his ability to continue to do that is now in question," the US defence chief said.
Gunfire heard near presidency in Chad capital: AFP



N'Djamena, Jan 8 (AFP) Jan 08, 2025



Gunfire erupted Wednesday evening near the presidency in Chad's capital N'Djamena, with tanks and a heavy security presence on the streets, according to AFP reporters on the scene.

A security source said armed men had attacked the interior of the presidential compound, but authorities made no immediate comment.

All roads leading to the presidency have been blocked and tanks could be seen on the streets of the capital, according to an AFP reporter on the scene.

As civilians rushed out of the centre in cars and motorcycles, armed police were seen at several points in the centre.

The gunfire erupted less than two weeks after the landlocked country in Africa's northern half held a contested general election.

The government hailed it as a key step towards ending military rule, but it was marked by low turnout and opposition allegations of fraud.

The election had taken place against a backdrop of recurring attacks by the jihadist group Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region, the ending of a military accord with former colonial master France, and accusations that Chad was interfering in the conflict ravaging neighbouring Sudan.

Several hours earlier on Wednesday, China's foreign minister Wang Li met with President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno and other senior officials.



- France's last Sahel bases -



The former French colony hosted France's last military bases in the region known as the Sahel, but at the end of November it ended the defence and security agreements with Paris, calling them "obsolete".

Around a thousand French military personnel were stationed there and are in the process of being withdrawn.

France is now reconfiguring its military presence in Africa after being driven out of three Sahelian countries governed by juntas hostile to Paris -- Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

Senegal and Ivory Coast have also asked France to leave military bases on their territory.

Deby took power in 2021 after the death of his father, who had ruled the Sahel country with an iron fist for three decades.

The country's opposition has accused his government of being autocratic and repressive.

The desert country is an oil producer, but is ranked fourth from bottom in the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI).

To consolidate his grip on power, Deby has reshuffled the army, historically dominated by the Zaghawas and Gorane, his mother's ethnic group.

On the diplomatic front, he has sought new strategic partnerships, including with Russia and Hungary.
CCTV: A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Dingri County in the city of Rikaze in Xizang yesterday. Can you update us on Chinas disaster relief efforts?



Guo Jiakun: In the wake of the earthquake, General Secretary Xi Jinping instructed that every effort be made to search for and rescue survivors and treat the injured, minimize fatalities, prevent secondary disasters, look after those who are affected, and make proper arrangements as necessary. He also instructed that steps be taken to enhance quake monitoring and early warning, swiftly allocate rescue and relief supplies, repair damaged infrastructure without delay, make sure peoples basic needs are taken care of and make sure they stay safe and warm for the rest of the winter. Premier Li Qiang also gave instructions on all-out disaster response and relief effort and minimizing fatalities. Yesterday, Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing led a group made up of officials from competent authorities to the quake-hit region to guide the rescue, relief and related work.

Relevant authorities of the Chinese government have launched a level-II emergency service response and the disaster response and relief work is proceeding in a timely and orderly way. As we speak, the first batch of relief supplies sent by the central government has arrived in the quake-hit region; all roads damaged by the earthquake in Dingri County have been repaired and able to be open to traffic; power has been restored to the county center and multiple towns and villages of Dingri County; and telecommunication has been restored in the region affected by the disaster. We believe that under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee, the people there will overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes.

Xinhua News Agency: According to reports, leaders of many countries and international organizations have extended condolences to China over the earthquake. Could you share more information on that?



Guo Jiakun: Since the 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted Dingri County in Rikaze of Xizang Autonomous Region on January 7, many countries and international organizations have extended condolences to China in various ways.

As of 11 a.m. today, the Chinese side has received messages of condolence in various forms from leaders of 22 countries including Russia, Pakistan, Nepal, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Viet Nam, Malaysia, the Maldives, Japan, Cuba, Venezuela, Serbia, Belarus, Spain, Italy, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Oman, Grenada, El Salvador, and Uzbekistan, foreign ministries of countries including India, Brazil, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Turkiye, Bahrain and Iran, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Nurlan Yermekbayev and President of the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN) Carlos Hernandez. We express sincere appreciation for that.

Reuters: Reuters learned that Chinese EV producer BYD has brought hundreds of Chinese workers on irregular visas to build its factory in Brazil. Sources said BYD has pledged to comply with local labor laws. Does the Foreign Ministry have any updates on how this issue is being worked out?



Guo Jiakun: As weve stressed more than once, the Chinese government attaches great importance to protecting the lawful rights and interests of workers and has all along asked our companies to abide by laws and regulations in their operation. China stands ready to continue working with Brazil under the principle of equality, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation to further enhance exchanges and cooperation in various fields.

Dragon TV: We noted that when media outlets of countries around the world review the year 2024, what China has achieved in connectivity cooperation received wide attention. Many believe that the new transport models of China-Laos Railway plus China-Europe Railway Express and China-Laos Railway plus the new western land-sea corridor train service have become new engines driving regional economic growth. Can you give us more details?



Guo Jiakun: Weve heard good news recently about connectivity cooperation between China and relevant countries. The China-Europe Railway Express has run over 100,000 trips in total, the total cargo throughput of the China-Laos Railway has exceeded 50 million tonnes, the new western land-sea corridor train service has run over 10,000 trips in the whole year for the first time, the China-Europe Trans-Caspian Express was officially launched, the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway has started, priority projects such as the China-Viet Nam cross-border railway and Malaysias East Coast Rail Link have made important progress, and the first ever two-way voyage between Chancay and Shanghai through the new land-sea corridor between China and Latin America has been completed. China has become an important driving force for global connectivity.

Connectivity is one of the important cooperation areas under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and meets the Global Souths aspiration for empowering development. China last week unveiled 15 measures aimed at advancing large-scale development of the western region, and the country will take synergized efforts in building an international logistics corridor to forge an all-round opening up paradigm at a faster pace that connects China and the world through land and sea as well as the eastern and western regions of the nation. We will uphold the principle of extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, expand new space for win-win development at a higher level and with greater resilience and sustainability, share with the world opportunities and dividends with Chinas high-quality development and high-standard opening up, and help Global South countries realize modernization.

Reuters: Its said that the Shandong Port Group has banned US-sanctioned tankers from calling into its ports. The ban is expected to drive up shipping costs for independent refiners in Shandong, who are the main buyers of discounted sanctioned crude from Iran, Russia and Venezuela. Could the Ministry share a comment on this?



Guo Jiakun: Im not familiar with the specifics. More broadly, let me stress that China stands firmly against the USs illegal unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction that have no basis in international law or authorization by the UN Security Council.
A Palestinian is seen at the site of a destroyed house after an Israeli bombardment, in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Jan. 8, 2025. At least 31 Palestinians were killed in the latest Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip, Gaza's Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal told Xinhua on Wednesday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

GAZA/JERUSALEM, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- At least 31 Palestinians were killed in the latest Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip, Gaza's Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal told Xinhua on Wednesday.

The Israeli jets attacked a house in the Zeitoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City, killing five Palestinians and wounding six others, Basal said.

Seven other Palestinians, including women and children, were killed in an Israeli bombing on a house in Khan Younis city in the southern Gaza Strip, Basal added.

In the same city, three members of the same family were killed in Israeli air raids, according to Basal.

Later, Israeli aircraft targeted a tent in the Al-Mawasi area west of Khan Younis, killing five people, including a woman and four children, Basal said.

In addition, Israeli warplanes struck a vehicle in the Al-Manara neighborhood, east of Khan Younis, killing two people inside, he added.

In Deir al-Balah city in central Gaza, an Israeli airstrike killed three members of the "Al-Banna" family, while another bombing on a house in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip killed five.

In the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, north of Gaza City, Israeli aircraft targeted the home of the Kallab family, killing one person and injuring several others. Four members of the family are still missing under the rubble, while civil defense teams are working to retrieve them, according to Basal.

For its part, the Israeli military said in a statement that one of its combat helicopters struck a school in the Jabalia area, claiming that Hamas operatives were operating there within a command and control compound.

It added that later in the day, a rocket was fired from Gaza at southern Israel and was successfully intercepted by the Israeli Air Force.

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 hostages.

The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has risen to 45,936, the Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Wednesday. 

Palestinians are seen at the site of a destroyed house after an Israeli bombardment, in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Jan. 8, 2025. At least 31 Palestinians were killed in the latest Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip, Gaza's Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal told Xinhua on Wednesday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

Palestinians are seen at the site of a destroyed house after an Israeli bombardment, in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Jan. 8, 2025. At least 31 Palestinians were killed in the latest Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip, Gaza's Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal told Xinhua on Wednesday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

Palestinians are seen at the site of a destroyed house after an Israeli bombardment, in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Jan. 8, 2025. At least 31 Palestinians were killed in the latest Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip, Gaza's Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal told Xinhua on Wednesday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

Bodies of victims are seen at a hospital in Deir al-Balah city, central Gaza Strip, on Jan. 8, 2025. At least 31 Palestinians were killed in the latest Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip, Gaza's Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal told Xinhua on Wednesday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

People lay the body of a victim on the ground of a hospital in Deir al-Balah city, central Gaza Strip, on Jan. 8, 2025. At least 31 Palestinians were killed in the latest Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip, Gaza's Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal told Xinhua on Wednesday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

People pray for victims at a hospital in Deir al-Balah city, central Gaza Strip, on Jan. 8, 2025. At least 31 Palestinians were killed in the latest Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip, Gaza's Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal told Xinhua on Wednesday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

People carry the body of a victim at a hospital in Deir al-Balah city, central Gaza Strip, on Jan. 8, 2025. At least 31 Palestinians were killed in the latest Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip, Gaza's Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal told Xinhua on Wednesday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)
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
That there has been a visceral eruption of anger amongst the public should not surprise anyone. And like the Post Office scandal sometimes it takes one further act of publicity for a national scandal to reach a tipping point. Yet, amongst all the commentary spilling from the politicians in response and across social media, the victims themselves have barely been discussed. As was highlighted by Professor Jay this week, who also led a broader inquiry into child abuse. Ensuring her 2022 recommendations on preventing child abuse are fully met should happen but so should immediate action on retaining these men behind bars. The arguments of whether a further national inquiry focusing entirely on grooming gangs will continue to rage back and forth. But what these convicted men did was inhumane, cruel, acts beyond our darkest imagination. And they must sit-out their full punishment.
VIENTIANE, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Lao Food Festival 2025 will be held in Lao capital Vientiane to promote Lao food culture and is expected to attract large crowds, both local and international.

The festival is set to take place from Jan. 22 to 26, featuring more than 180 stalls offering a diverse range of traditional Lao dishes, modern Lao cuisine, and international flavors, according to Lao Economic Daily report on Wednesday.

The festival aims to preserve and promote Lao culinary culture while embracing the digital era by enabling online sales. This initiative seeks to boost income for Lao women entrepreneurs in the food sector, fostering unity and strengthening female entrepreneurs across Laos and abroad, it said.

Additionally, the event aims to establish a distinct Lao food brand, introduce Lao cuisine to international markets, and enhance its recognition at home and globally, it added.

Among the festival's highlights will be cooking competitions, food demonstrations, a food-for-health seminar, and cultural performances, including traditional Lao music and fashion shows featuring young people dressed in traditional attire.

The festival will be held under the theme "20 Years of Lao Food Festival Success, Continuing to Go Global" to celebrate two decades of promoting Lao culinary culture. 
But then it was Starmers decision to draw up his key ministerial ranks in this constellation. To take one of his time-worn England football metaphors, it really is abut how you captain and coach a team of talents who can pull against each other. There have been far too many lazy or unforced errors  in appointing a Transport Secretary (Louise Haigh) who endangered a major government infrastructure deal and then turned out to bring trailing wires of her own to the table. And now the London MP and Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq, whose links to the property empire of the fallen Bangladesh regime headed by her aunt raises questions about openness for Siddiq (she has insisted she has done nothing wrong)  but also the PM who put her into a sensitive role of addressing financial wrongdoing.
She confirmed there had been no injuries, but multiple structures had been damaged in the blaze which saw more than 250 firefighters  including 46 engines and five helicopters  on the scene.
People have been on multiple operations as we all had and I just felt that, the way that, and this would have been discussed, I believe, with the other officer or two officers in the room when I was writing it to make sure that it was readable and understandable.
Asked at a free-wheeling, hour-long press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida whether he could assure the world he would not use military or economic coercion as he tries to gain control of the Panama Canal and Greenland, Trump said, No, I cant assure you on either of those two. But I can say this, we need them for economic security.
ALGIERS, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- China's modernization offers lessons for Global South countries in pursuing independent development, said an Algerian expert, depicting it as a path tailored to China's realities, distinct from Western models.

In a recent interview with Xinhua, Ismail Debeche, president of the Algeria-China Friendship Association, applauded China's high-quality development models, not least its focus on balanced, localized approaches and innovation-driven growth.

On China's focus on balanced development, Debeche said it "prioritizes economic growth alongside regional equity, wealth distribution and the well-being of its people."

As a frequent visitor to China, Debeche has witnessed the country's development, which he said "enhanced citizens' sense of fulfillment and happiness."

Given its vast and diverse landscape, he said that China has adopted localized strategies to drive development and "each region builds on its unique strengths."

Take southeastern Fujian Province. The coastal area of the province, he said, has capitalized on abundant fisheries to pursue ecological and green development.

Debeche deems innovation, particularly that in technology, another driving force of China's high-quality growth.

"I visited Huawei's headquarters in Shenzhen, and their advancements in artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies left a strong impression on me. This is a testament to China's commitment to high-quality development," he said.

Having visited cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, as well as Yunnan Province and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Debeche said he was "impressed" by the competitive and dynamic spirit across China.

"This drive for excellence might be the source of China's continuous economic progress," he said.

On Algeria-China cooperation, Debeche highlighted achievements in Belt and Road cooperation, particularly those in infrastructure development, oil and gas exploration, and energy projects.

Looking ahead, he expressed hope for expanding collaboration in modernizing agriculture.

"China's expertise in water management, irrigation, and desert reclamation offers valuable insights for Algeria," he said. 
"But that means all the victims and survivors who are going to give evidence need to be in a position to do so, not all of them are, I've been speaking to them, there are some who do think they are, it'll take time.
Trump calls on Russia to do right thing after Putin agrees on need for ceasefire but has 'serious questions' on US proposals

Trump calls on Putin to 'do right thing after ceasefire 'questions'
The family want to thank all who have helped and supported them over the last number of days. They now respectfully ask for some privacy to allow them both time and space to engage on the next harrowing stages of what is now a formalised murder investigation

Statement on behalf of John George's family
VIENTIANE, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Lao business sector has contributed 55 billion Lao kip (some 2.5 million U.S. dollars) to support the government's efforts to improve the quantity and quality of Lao goods, enabling them to compete in international markets, by establishing the Product Development Fund for Laos.

The funds aim to strengthen enterprises, promote sustainable growth and enhance the competitiveness of Lao brands, the local Pasaxon newspaper reported on Wednesday.

The contributions support the government's resolution to build an independent economy and self-reliance while ensuring funds are used effectively for the greatest benefit.

The Lao government's strategy emphasizes fostering economic self-reliance and resilience in the new era, with a focus on creating a robust foundation for sustainable development. By channeling the contributions into strategic initiatives, the Product Development Fund aims to stimulate innovation, enhance production capabilities, and strengthen the overall economy.

The establishment of the Product Development Fund marks a significant step forward for Laos, reflecting the collective determination of the government and private sector to achieve economic prosperity. This collaboration is expected to pave the way for transformative growth, benefiting businesses and communities across the nation. 
International students learn paper-cutting in Pianyan ancient town, Beibei District, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Jan. 7, 2025.

A group of international students attended a cultural event here on Tuesday to experience traditional Chinese culture. (Xinhua/Huang Wei)

An international student displays her rubbing work in Pianyan ancient town, Beibei District, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Jan. 7, 2025.

A group of international students attended a cultural event here on Tuesday to experience traditional Chinese culture. (Xinhua/Huang Wei)

International students taste Laba porridge in Pianyan ancient town, Beibei District, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Jan. 7, 2025.

A group of international students attended a cultural event here on Tuesday to experience traditional Chinese culture. (Xinhua/Huang Wei)

An international student tries to make sugar painting in Pianyan ancient town, Beibei District, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Jan. 7, 2025.

A group of international students attended a cultural event here on Tuesday to experience traditional Chinese culture. (Xinhua/Huang Wei)

International students display paper-cutting works they made in Pianyan ancient town, Beibei District, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Jan. 7, 2025.

A group of international students attended a cultural event here on Tuesday to experience traditional Chinese culture. (Xinhua/Huang Wei)

An international student makes a rubbing work in Pianyan ancient town, Beibei District, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Jan. 7, 2025.

A group of international students attended a cultural event here on Tuesday to experience traditional Chinese culture. (Xinhua/Huang Wei)

An international student tries gourd carving in Pianyan ancient town, Beibei District, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Jan. 7, 2025.

A group of international students attended a cultural event here on Tuesday to experience traditional Chinese culture. (Xinhua/Huang Wei)
BEIJING, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- The disciplinary body of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has called for confidence and perseverance in the protracted war against corruption as the current situation remains grave and complex.

The call was made in a communique adopted at the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), held from Monday to Wednesday in Beijing.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the session and delivered an important speech.

The plenary session reviewed the discipline inspection and supervision work during 2024 and assigned tasks for 2025. It adopted a work report delivered by Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CCDI, on behalf of the Standing Committee of the CCDI.

The attendees agreed that, under the guidance of Xi's speech, they will advance the fight against corruption with determination and work to eradicate the breeding grounds and conditions for corruption.

The year 2024 saw notable progress in disciplinary and supervisory work, the communique said. Hedonism and extravagance were targeted, while the practice of pointless formalities and bureaucratism were cracked down.

The campaign against corruption was enhanced in key areas such as finance, energy and sports. New types of corruption and hidden graft were exposed, and both bribers and the recipients of bribes were punished.

A total of 68 departments underwent regular disciplinary inspections in 2024, according to the communique.

The communique called for strengthened confidence in winning the tough battle against corruption. However, it also noted that the situation "remains grave and complex."

Regarding this year's work, the communique urged continued efforts to support Chinese modernization by strengthening political oversight, comprehensively deepening reform, and consolidating achievements in Party discipline education.

The communique called for improving the mechanism for investigating and addressing instances of both misconduct and corruption, with a focus on rectifying more covert forms of pointless formalities, bureaucratism, hedonism and extravagance, and targeting violations that seriously undermine market order or increase the burden on lower levels.

It vowed efforts to resolve difficulties in discovering new and covert forms of corruption, and in collecting evidence of and convicting such violations.

The communique said timely early warning and supervision procedures should be in place in cases where an official's spouse or child, or the spouse of an official's child, becomes involved in business operations in violation of regulations.

The communique stressed strong action to address misconduct and corruption occurring at people's doorsteps, to ensure that all people can benefit more fairly from the fruits of development.

Disciplinary inspections should be leveraged for more accurate problem-spotting and more effective solutions, the communique said, also stressing deepening the reform of the disciplinary inspection and supervision system.

The communique called for advancing the high-quality development of disciplinary inspection and supervision work on the new journey of the new era, and providing strong support for building China into a strong country and advancing national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization.

Party and state leaders including Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi attended the meeting. 
The Bucharest Sector 1 Court has accepted the request for an authorized technical expert to go to one of the Black Sea oil and gas platforms operated by OMV Petrom (specifically the Pescarus platform) to verify compliance with safety standards, the Greenpeace organization announced on Wednesday.

"The Bucharest Sector 1 Court has ordered an expert assessment of the conditions of offshore installations, with focus on their structural, mechanical and production safety. The decision is enforceable and cannot be challenged. Greenpeace Romania's turning to the court follows the discovery of serious issues at the oil and gas platforms operated by OMV Petrom. Photos and documents provided by an anonymous source in February 2024 show that at least one platform is in an advanced state of degradation, with damaged support pillars, visible cracks and extensive corroded surfaces, with the risk of immediate major hazards to the offshore activity. All these concerns have been reported to the authorities and the OMV Petrom corporation as early as the beginning of 2024, but they have refused to cooperate in resolving the reported problems. Moreover, they have tried to block the case in court by resorting to various procedural tricks," the environmental activists claim.

Greenpeace said that it has also drawn the attention of the European Commission (EC) to the serious issues of the OMV Petrom Black Sea offshore platforms, with the complaint targeting both the corporation's inability to maintain the integrity of the infrastructure and prevent major accidents, as well as the lack of firm action by the Offshore Petroleum Operations Regulatory Authority - ACROPO in the supervision and inspection of the platforms.

In the opinion of the environmental organization, such a neglectful attitude raises serious concerns about the correct application of offshore safety standards.

"The advanced state of degradation of offshore oil and gas platforms poses a major threat to the safety of employees, the environment and species in the Black Sea and the Danube Delta. OMV Petrom wants to start a new exploitation in the Neptun Deep perimeter, which is even more worrying, given the state of their current platforms. The company's problematic history raises many questions about their ability to safely carry out offshore projects. According to the law, such a past should result in the withdrawal of the operating permit. It is essential to put safety before the financial interests of large fossil fuel corporations," Greenpeace Romania campaign coordinator Alin Tanase said.
The amount of natural gas that will be exported from the Neptun Deep offshore perimeter to Germany represents less than 1% of the total estimated output of the Black Sea deposit, as its estimated gas reserves are over 100 billion cubic meters, the Energy Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday, noting that "Romania has taken up the role of leader in the European energy sector.

OMV Petrom's future export plans to deliver natural gas from the Neptun Deep perimeter after 2027 to a major company in Germany represent a natural step within a project of strategic importance for our country and for Europe. For complete clarification and in order to put to rest all fears, we emphasize that the volume exported to Germany, according to publicly available data, represents less than 1% of the total estimated production of the Neptun Deep field. This is a tiny percentage, as Neptun Deep's estimated resources stand at over 100 billion cubic meters of natural gas. Moreover, these estimates may increase significantly as drilling operations advance. We are making sure that this resource will be used responsibly for the benefit of Romania and its citizens. Each partner in the project, both Romgaz and OMV Petrom, is responsible for its own decisions for the future marketing of the exploited gas, under compliance with the law and with the protection of Romania's energy security," the ministry notes.

According to the cited source, the export is part of the Neptun Deep project business plan and reflects Romania's commitment to contributing to European energy security.

"Helping Europe get rid of the Russian influence on energy resources is a goal we share, in the spirit of European solidarity and the single market. This step reaffirms Romania's position as a regional pillar of the European Union's energy security. Romania is already the largest natural gas producer among the European Union member states, following the increase in Romgaz production in 2024 and the resumption of large-scale exploitation, including in the Caragele area. With a current production of about 8-10 billion Nmc, Romania fully covers its consumption, without depending on imports. From 2027, Romania's annual production will double to 18-20 billion Nmc," the Energy Ministry said, mentioning that in the first year of operation, the Neptun Deep perimeter will produce an amount of gas at least twofold Romania's current domestic consumption.

"In light of this, we can firmly say that there is no danger that the Romanians will be left without natural gas, and Romania is in a privileged position to ensure regional energy security, including that of the Republic of Moldova. Moreover, royalties and taxes on gas exports to Europe are paid in Romania and become revenues to the Romanian state budget," the cited source emphasizes.

"The Romanians can rest assured: the Romanian state has all the levers to make sure that the Black Sea gas will reach Romania first and only the surplus will be sold. In fact, the Romanian state, through Romgaz, owns half of the deposit. I am calling on all political actors not to manipulate and not to engage in misinformation about strategic projects that can bring at least 20 billion euros to the Romanian state," Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja said in the cited statement.

"The conclusion of this transaction is proof that the legal action initiated by OMV Petrom at the Arbitration Court of Paris is objectless. For this reason, I recommend that they drop their claim. The Romanian state will not intervene in commercial transactions between companies unless the country's energy security requires it, but this is not the case now. The Offshore Law, and Article 21 thereof in particular, protects our national interests. (...) This article is a fundamental pillar of our energy independence, and the government I am part of will never compromise on its implementation," Burduja said.

Austrian group OMV has struck a deal with German utility Uniper to supply gas from its Neptun Deep project in the Black Sea starting in 2027, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The five-year deal for 15 TWh of natural gas from the Neptun Deep project, which has not previously been disclosed, comes after Russia last month stopped delivering gas via Ukraine and a broader winding down of European Union energy purchases from Moscow due to its invasion of Ukraine.

The total contract volume represents about 1.5% of Germany's gas imports in 2024 and would be the first deal underpinning the long-awaited deepwater project, more than a decade after gas was first discovered in Romania's section of the Black Sea. Neptun Deep, which is expected to start producing in 2027, holds an estimated 100 billion cubic meters of recoverable gas, making it one of the EU's most significant natural gas deposits.

OMV Petrom, which is majority-owned by OMV, with Romania holding a 20.7% stake, first announced in 2012 that it had discovered 42-84 billion cubic meters of gas in the Black Sea. OMV Petrom and state producer Romgaz, which own the Neptun Deep project in equal proportions, have decided to invest in the Neptun Deep project in 2023.

Production from Neptun Deep will be approximately 8 billion cubic meters per year for approximately 10 years, almost doubling Romania's gas production.

OMV Aktiengesellschaft owns 51.2% of OMV Petrom's stake.
Stephane Sejourne, European Commission Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, will travel to Bucharest on January 8 to 9, where he will have meetings with a number of government officials, including Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, informs the European Commission Representation in Romania.







On Wednesday, January 8, the high-ranking official will meet the Minister of Economy, Digitalization, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, Bogdan-Gruia Ivan, as well as with Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu and the President of the Senate, Ilie Bolojan.
A new factory of plastic components for the automotive industry will be built on a plot of land at the entrance to Hunedoara municipality, with the works on this investment to be completed in the autumn of this year, so that production can begin at the end of 2025, the local administration informed on Wednesday.

"Schieffer Industries today [Wednesday] handed over to the builder the site on which a new industrial production capacity will be built. It is about a factory of plastic components for the automotive industry that will be located at the exit from Hunedoara towards Santuhalm, close to Cristur. According to the information provided by the investor, the construction works are aimed to be completed in the autumn of this year, and the new factory should become functional until the end of the current year at the latest", the quoted source says.

At first 40 new jobs will be created here, but the company representatives told the local administration that the project foresees a further expansion of the production capacity, which will lead, in a second phase, to the doubling of the number of jobs.

"I know that some will say that 40 jobs is too few. However, I draw attention to the fact that it is only about a first phase of the investment. On the other hand, as I have said on other occasions, we can no longer imagine that we will ever have, in Hunedoara, a single economic unit with 20,000 employees [as the former steel mill had in the 90s]. In my opinion, small and medium-sized companies are preferable, which can adapt more quickly to the requirements of the real economy. I am glad that, after a rather long period, marked by all kinds of uncertainties on a global level, the Schieffer company managed to actually start the Hunedoara project, especially since the discussions on this investment started in my first mandate," said the mayor of Hunedoara, Dan Boboutanu.

In a first phase, the total area of the new factory will be 17,750 square meters, of which 3,367 square meters will be occupied by a hall and several annexes.
This stitched panoramic image released by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) on June 4, 2024, which was taken with the panoramic camera on the lander of Chang'e-6 probe, shows a view of the lunar surface. (CNSA/Handout via Xinhua)

BEIJING, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese scientists are exploring the feasibility of an idea proposed by elementary school students: creating a flag that can wave on the airless moon.

At the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory (DSEL), researchers from Beijing and the eastern province of Anhui are collaborating to develop a payload for the Chang'e-7 mission, inspired by the creativity of the students from Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, CCTV reported on Wednesday.

This payload, a scientific outreach project, will accompany the Chang'e-7 probe to the lunar south pole, aiming to use electromagnetic field interactions to make the flag appear to wave on the moon, said Zhang Tianzhu, deputy director of the DSEL's future technology research institute.

"We know on the moon, the absence of an atmosphere creates a vacuum, making it difficult for a flag to wave like it does on Earth," explained Zhang.

"The students proposed that we design a closed-loop wire on the flag's surface, enabling bidirectional currents. The interaction of the electromagnetic fields would allow the flag to wave," he said.

"If successful, this will be the first flag to flutter on the lunar surface," noted Zhang, adding that this scientific outreach payload project is expected to be completed by February.

Zhang said that this initiative could enhance young people's understanding of China's space endeavors and ignite their interest and enthusiasm for future careers in aerospace.

In 2024, China's Chang'e-6 mission successfully completed the first-ever sample return mission from the far side of the moon.

This year, the development of the follow-up missions, Chang'e-7 and Chang'e-8, under the fourth phase of China's lunar exploration project, progressed steadily.

The Chang'e-7 mission, scheduled to launch around 2026, aims to search for evidence of water or ice at the moon's south pole.

Additionally, researchers are advancing the validation processes for the subsequent Chang'e-8 mission and the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) projects.

The Chang'e-8 probe will be launched around 2028 to carry out experiments on lunar resource utilization.

By 2035, Chang'e-7 and Chang'e-8 are expected to constitute the basic model of the ILRS -- a hub for engineers, a laboratory for scientists, and a cradle for international deep space talents, according to Zhang. 
An official Saudi Arabia delegation tasked with discussing the resumption of Romanian sheep exports is on a working visit to Romania January 8 - 12, the National Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA) announced on Wednesday, adding that the visit is part of an ongoing effort to open foreign markets and resume trade, which was temporarily suspended due to the peste des petits ruminants (PPR) outbreak.

The delegation will travel to the counties of Calarasi, Constanta and Tulcea, visiting sheep collection centers in order to verify animal welfare conditions and biosecurity measures implemented by farmers. Also, the delegation will inspect the National Reference Laboratory (Institute for Animal Diagnostics and Health), where it will assess the veterinary capacities for PPR diagnosing, and will visit farms where PPR occurrences have been recorded.

The visits will also include a stop at the Constanta Border Inspection Point, as well as at slaughterhouses and collection units intended for livestock export.

"Through its actions, ANSVSA opens new opportunities for Romanian producers, supporting the resumption of exports to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This allows farmers to capitalize on their high-quality animals on this market," said ANSVSA president Alexandru Bociu.

The Saudi delegation is led by Bakar Altureif, Director General of the Livestock Risk Assessment Department - National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases (WEQAA), and includes Aljasir Mohammed, Director of the Animal Health Organisation and Development Department, and Alqahtani Meagib, Director of the International Bilateral Relations Department.

"This collaboration represents a great opportunity for Romania to resume sheep exports to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to strengthen bilateral trade ties. The constant support of government authorities and the continuous efforts of the National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority underpin Romania's commitment to protecting animal health and supporting international trade," the statement said.
Romania is not affected by the suspension of natural gas transit through Ukraine, because it is practically independent in the natural gas sector and covers its consumption demand from its own production, the Minister of Energy Sebastian Burduja told AGERPRES.

"Romania is not affected by the suspension of natural gas transit through Ukraine, because our country is not in the situation of being an importer of Russian gas. Romania does not have direct natural gas supply contracts with Gazprom, so the cease of the transit agreement does not affect security in domestic production, the good level of gas stockpiles and the existing infrastructure in the region are the pillars that contribute to ensure the stability of natural gas supply in Romania", stated the minister of energy.

He emphasized that Romania is practically independent in the natural gas sector and covers its entire consumption demand from its own production, on land and at sea, of 8-10 billion normal cubic meters.

"In 2024 Romania became the largest gas producer in the European Union. Currently, Romania has almost 2 billion normal cubic meters stored, with a daily consumption of less than 40 million normal cubic meters. For commercial reasons, Romania sometimes imports natural gas from the Szeged-Arad direction and through the interconnection points in the south, with Bulgaria, Kardam1-Negru Voda1 (Trans-Balkan Corridor) and Giurgiu-Ruse", stated Sebastian Burduja.

He added that our country supports the Republic of Moldova as much as possible through the Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline, with a technical export capacity of 1.88 billion cubic meters/year - 5.1 million cubic meters/day, which can fully cover the consumption needs between Prut and Dniester rivers.

At the same time, he added, in recent years Romania has continuously worked on diversifying supply sources and alternative natural gas transport routes. Thus, through the Vertical Corridor (Greece-Bulgaria-Romania) and through the Trans-Balkan Corridor (Turkey-Bulgaria-Romania-Ukraine-Republic of Moldova), there is access to alternative sources, including LNG.

On the other hand, in 2027 Romania will start the production of natural gas in the new Neptun Deep project in the Black Sea, which has estimated reserves of over 100 billion cubic meters of natural gas. Also, work is being done on the largest gas exploitation on land, at Caragele.

"Therefore, the gas supply is secure in Romania. Also, Romania covers the gas supply of the Republic of Moldova. Moreover, Romania is in a position to contribute directly to the consolidation of the gas supply of the European Union, and from 2027 it will double its national production of gas and will contribute to the reduction/elimination of European dependence on Russian gas", pointed out Sebastian Burduja.
Approximately 15,000 Romanian and allied troops will participate, in the first half of the year, in the multinational training events planned to take place in training grounds and military facilities in Romania, as part of the Dacia 25 and Dacian Spring 25 exercises, the Ministry of Defense (MapN) informed on Wednesday.

The Dacian Spring 25 (DASP 25) exercise planned and led by the South-East Multinational Division, between May 5 and 26, represents a first through the deployment by France - the framework nation of the NATO Battle Group in Cincu - on Romanian territory, of to a multinational brigade-level structure of approximately 4,000 French troops with combat equipment.

The Dacia 25 exercise represents the major training event at the operational and tactical level, which ensures the necessary framework for the integration of national and allied forces by connecting with other multinational exercises planned by the Supreme Allied Command Europe and by the Command of the US Armed Forces in Europe.

The exercises connected within Dacia 25 are: Steadfast Dart 25 - planned by SHAPE, which will take place in February, Sea Shield 25 - planned and led by the Naval Staff and Valiant Strike 25 - planned and led by the Command of the Forces for Special Operations, both taking place in April - May and Saber Guardian 25 - planned by USEUCOM, in collaboration with the Defense General Staff, in June.

The first major training exercise in this series, Steadfast Dart 25 (STDT 25), planned by SHAPE and led by the Joint Allied Command Naples - JFCNP, will begin on February 10, and the operational phases will run until February 21. The STDT 25 scenario will focus on the execution of specific peacetime alerting, deployment and force integration activities, with the aim of testing the reaction and response capacity in crisis situations.

According to MApN, the exercise will demonstrate NATO's ability to activate the Allied Reaction Force and coordinate its rapid transition to the location where it can provide strategic deterrent effects by strengthening the forces already deployed. It is the first time that the Allied Reaction Force will exercise an operational deployment since its establishment on July 1, 2024.

"The Romanian Army, together with allied and partner forces, is carrying out this series of integrated military exercises, aimed at strengthening cooperation within NATO and the Romanian-American Strategic Partnership. These drills demonstrate the unity and solidarity of the allies, as well as the capacity of the NATO and partner structures American strategy to intervene quickly in support of Romania. The main purpose of the exercises is to increase the defense and deterrence capacity, improving coordination and reaction times, as well as strengthening interoperability and military mobility. In a complex global context, marked by security crises, these drills become essential for the preparation of the armed forces", MApN emphasized.

The exercises represent an opportunity to test the ability to sustain defensive operations within the alliance and to provide the necessary support for troops and equipment transiting or stationed on the national territory. These military activities are a clear example of the common commitment to the collective security and stability of the region, the Ministry of Defense also informed.

The planned training activities will include tactical movements and exercises with and without combat firing, parachuting, forcing of water courses, encrypted communications, coordination of transit through air, naval and land border crossing points, as well as specific medical activities.

The training sequences will take place in seven shooting grounds in the northwest, center, south and southeast of the country.
ST. LOUIS  The estranged sister of tech billionaire Sam Altman has filed a federal lawsuit accusing him of sexual abuse at their childhood home in Clayton.

Ann Altman, the younger sister of the OpenAI CEO, claims in the suit filed Monday that her brother groomed, manipulated and repeatedly sexually assaulted her over nine years in the 1990s and 2000s. The incidents caused PTSD and physical injury, the suit says.

We want to commend Annie on her strength and bravery in coming forward as a survivor, and we will fight on her behalf to achieve the justice she deserves, said Ann Altmans attorney, Ryan Mahoney, in a news release.

The Post-Dispatch does not typically identify people making claims of sexual assault, but Ann Altman agreed to be named.

In a statement posted on X, Sam Altman, as well as his mother and two brothers, characterized the lawsuit as another in a long line of false accusations from Annie, whom they said has long struggled with mental illness and has long received financial support from the family.

All of these claims are utterly untrue, the statement says. This situation causes immense pain to our entire family. It is especially gut-wrenching when she refused conventional treatment and lashes out at family members who are genuinely trying to help.

The claims in the lawsuit mirror those Ann Altman made in 2021 on Twitter, now called X. She posted that she experienced sexual, physical, emotional, verbal, financial and technological abuse from her brother.

Sam and Ann Altman grew up in Clayton, the children of an attorney and a dermatologist. A 2007 story in the Post-Dispatch called Sam Altman a rising star in the techno whiz-kid world, and he has said in media reports that he became fascinated by computers at a young age.

Sam Altman did not previously address his relationship with his sister publicly, according to a 2023 profile in New York Magazine.

The article pointed out that Sam Altman doesnt mention his sister, as he does other family members, in blog posts and other media. It also details a history of mental health struggles, frequent moves, estrangement from family and financial struggles for Ann, who was interviewed for the article and is quoted several times.

Ann Altmans lawsuit seeks an unspecified amount of damages. A hearing has not yet been set in the case.

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This file photo taken on Jan. 17, 2023 shows sarus cranes in Kampot province, Cambodia. (NatureLife Cambodia/Handout via Xinhua)

PHNOM PENH, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- The population of globally vulnerable sarus cranes in Cambodia was stable, with 178 birds recorded in 2024, a conservationist said on Wednesday.

Sarus crane is the tallest flying bird, standing up to 1.65 meters tall, and it is listed as a vulnerable species in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

"According to the 2024 census results, a total of 178 sarus cranes were recorded in Cambodia," Bou Vorsak, chief executive officer of NatureLife Cambodia, told Xinhua.

"This number is similar to the 2023 census results, which registered a total of 180 sarus cranes," he added.

Vorsak said that in the last 10 years, the number of sarus cranes has declined due to high mortality rate and lower nesting success.

"Additional threats include deteriorating habitat conditions, nesting disturbance, poisoning caused by agricultural chemical pesticide use, lack of food, hunting, change of water regime, and also climate change factors," he said.

The conservationist said Anlung Pring, located in the southwest Kampot province's Kampong Trach district, was a vital wetland supporting more than 35 percent of the sarus crane population during its non-breeding season from December to May each year.

He said in a bid to conserve sarus crane and to improve local livelihood, the Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with NatureLife Cambodia, launched the Crane Rice initiative in 2019, and this initiative engaged farmers with rice fields near Anlung Pring to support both the cranes and local livelihoods.

Vorsak said the initiative promoted the cultivation of native, crane-preferred rice varieties without the use of chemical fertilizers or herbicides, and farmers left five percent to 50 percent of their rice yield in the fields as supplemental food for sarus crane during its non-breeding period.

He added that on average, Crane Rice farmers collectively produced about 300 tons of rice annually.

"Crane Rice is a nature-based solution initiative dedicated to conserving sarus crane from extinction by fostering strong community support," Vorsak said.

He said that to date, the number of Crane Rice farmers has grown from 40 to 120 households, and safe habitat has expanded from 219 hectares to 386 hectares. 

This file photo taken on Jan. 16, 2024 shows sarus cranes in Kampot province, Cambodia. (NatureLife Cambodia/Handout via Xinhua)

This file photo taken on Jan. 16, 2024 shows sarus cranes in Kampot province, Cambodia. (NatureLife Cambodia/Handout via Xinhua)
ST. LOUIS  A judge sentenced two men Wednesday to five years in prison for their roles in the 2020 death of a man in the city's Hamilton Heights neighborhood.

Jerry Wafford, 29, and Reuben Smith, 35, were set to face trial this week on first-degree murder and other charges in the killing of 23-year-old Darrell McClendon, who was found with multiple gunshot wounds on Sept. 7, 2020, in the 1400 block of Temple Place. Wafford and Smith were both set to argue self-defense.

Instead, prosecutors offered a deal of five years in prison in exchange for guilty pleas to voluntary manslaughter. Wafford and Smith pleaded guilty last week.

In court on Wednesday, prosecutors told Judge John Bird that McClendon's mother was grateful Wafford and Smith took responsibility for their roles in her son's death.

Bird said he hoped they would make better choices in the future.
JEFFERSON CITY  In one of their first moves of the year, Missouri lawmakers plan to call for changes to the way the Capitol building is secured.

Members of the House and Senate, who were sworn in Wednesday, were poised to submit paperwork calling for a hearing of a joint committee to grill the head of the Capitol police force on Thursday.

Legislative leaders and top aides say lawmakers are concerned about a possible gap in information sharing from the department, including real-time updates on threats or potential threats.

In addition, they want to know why there is only one entrance for visitors and lobbyists when there are screening devices also available in the Capitols basement parking lot entrance.

The situation means, for example, a military veteran parking in designated spots on the north side of the building must trek around the Capitol building to get to the entrance on the south side.

Everyone has to go around to the front. I dont understand why since we have a full body scanner right there, said Senate President Cindy OLaughlin, R-Shelbina.

I thought they might be able to explain that because its really very inconvenient for people, OLaughlin said.

As part of the effort, OLaughlin appointed herself to the Joint Committee on Capitol Security.

During outgoing Gov. Mike Parsons tenure, public entrances to the Capitol have been pared down for security purposes, including concerns stemming from what happened at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, when supporters of Donald Trump stormed the building trying to stop the counting of the electoral vote.

Capitol Police Chief Zim Schwartze told the Post-Dispatch Wednesday she was unaware of the planned meeting and could not comment.

She said she would be happy to answer lawmaker questions.

Schwartze, who has been chief since 2019, has more than three decades of law enforcement experience. The $2.5 million per year department has 46 employees and oversees security across the 72-acre Capitol Complex and all state buildings in Cole County.

Following the attack on the U.S. Capitol, lawmakers had sought $300,000 to hire additional security patrols. Those additional workers would have been under the control of the House and Senate, not the governors office.

Parson, an ex-sheriff, vetoed the money, saying the Capitol Police could handle the task.

The House also installed electronic card readers at the doors of its chambers to limit access to the floor where 163 members and scores of staffers work during the legislative session.

Under current rules, people are allowed to enter the Capitol with concealed firearms if they have a concealed carry permit.

Visitors must undergo a screening by Capitol police and stay off the floors of the Senate and House chambers with their weapon.

The gun policy was put in place by Parson in 2018, nearly two years after former Gov. Eric Greitens barred most visitors and employees from bringing concealed firearms into the Capitol.

In the Department of Public Safetys budget request for the fiscal year beginning in July, officials are requesting $1.5 million to purchase body worn cameras.

Many law enforcement agencies continue to undergo public scrutiny, and citizens have an expectation law enforcement officers will wear body worn cameras during the performance of their duties, the request notes.
PANAMA CITY, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Former foreign ministers from various Latin American countries have expressed their support for Panamanian sovereignty over the Panama Canal, in response to recent comments made by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump suggesting the possibility of retaking control of the waterway.

In a joint statement, the top diplomats expressed their "full support" for the people and government of the Republic of Panama, firmly affirming that "the sovereignty and independence of Panama over the Interoceanic Canal are not negotiable."

"It is indisputable that the Republic of Panama and its people have managed the Canal responsibly, guaranteeing its contribution to international maritime trade and global economic development, which constitutes a symbol of Latin American autonomy and pride," the diplomats added.

The Torrijos-Carter Treaties, signed by the United States and Panama in 1977, "established a schedule for the handover of the Canal and its adjacent areas to Panamanian control," said the statement.

The historic agreement, reached under the watchful eye of the international community, was the result of the "Panamanian people's prolonged and determined struggle, supported by widespread international solidarity," the statement notes.

Signatories of the statement included over 20 former foreign ministers from Panama, Mexico, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Costa Rica, and Argentina, among other countries.

"We reaffirm our solidarity with Panama and its people, supporting their legitimate defense of sovereignty over this valuable strategic asset," they concluded.

In mid-December, Trump floated the idea of retaking control of the Panama Canal if Panama does not decrease toll rates for U.S. ships crossing the waterway. Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino dismissed Trump's threat, saying that "every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent area belong to Panama, and will continue belonging to Panama." 
An F-16 Fighting Falcon jet prepares for an approach at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., in 2019. One of fighter jets dropped a 300-gallon fuel tank Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, while flying over a residential part of Florida near the base. (Joshua Hoskins/U.S. Air Force)

An F-16 fighter jet dropped a 300-gallon fuel tank Tuesday while flying over a residential part of Niceville, Fla., near its home base at Eglin Air Force Base, service officials said.

No one was injured and no property damage was reported in the incident that occurred at about 11 a.m., an Eglin spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday. It was not immediately clear why the fuel tank dropped during the flight, and the Air Force was investigating the incident, according to the statement.

The Fighting Falcon that dropped the tank was assigned to Eglins 96th Test Wing, according to the base. That unit specializes in testing and evaluating the latest weapons and other technology for the Air Force, including systems for F-16, F-15 and A-10 jets. Its pilots routinely fly in the area where the incident occurred, which was about two miles from Eglins gates, according to the service.

Niceville City Manager David Deitch told Mid Bay News, a local news website, that it was lucky the tank dropped without causing major harm.

Only by the grace of God, it landed between two houses, he said.

Those houses are just a 1/4 mile from Edge Elementary School, which was closed at the time of the incident. Students, who were on winter break, returned to school Wednesday as scheduled, according to the Okaloosa County School District.

Eglin officials said Wednesday that they intended to fly a small drone over the area where the fuel tank fell to thoroughly survey the impact zone. They said authorities had already begun cleaning up the area and working to ensure the tank could be removed safely.

The Air Force has flown F-16s since the 1970s, and they have proven critical to U.S. combat operations since, including in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Fighting Falcon is also used across the United States in a homeland defense role. The fighter jet can carry about 7,000 pounds of fuel internally and can add another 5,000 pounds of fuel in two external fuel tanks, which typically mount to the jets wings or its upper fuselage, according to the Air Force.
Plans for a shuttle between Ramstein Air Base and the airport have been shelved due to lack of interest in the project by possible contractors, according to the Air Force. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany  A Ramstein Air Base proposal for Frankfurt Airport shuttle service was scrapped for lack of bids, ending hopes in the largest U.S. military community overseas for a better option to get to the European hub.

There are no immediate plans to float the offer again, officials with the 86th Airlift Wing said Wednesday, citing the availability of several other low-cost alternatives in the local area providing a similar service.

The wing did not immediately respond Wednesday to questions about those alternatives.

Ramstein officials had intended to partner with a commercial shuttle operator by August 2024. A notice on sam.gov, the federal governments contracting website, proposed shuttle service three times daily, transporting from one to 40 passengers per ride.

The base-airport shuttle project was solicited as a concessionaire contract, the wing said in a statement Wednesday. There were no prospective bidders for the terms of the solicitation.

Fares on door-to-door commercial airport shuttles, the most convenient option for military members and their families, have skyrocketed since before the COVID-19 pandemic, when adult riders could readily book a spot in a shuttle for 40 euros per person each way.

A proposal for shuttle service between Ramstein Air Base in Germany and the major European air hub of Frankfurt Airport was shelved because of lack of contractor interest, the base's 86th Airlift Wing said Jan. 8, 2025. (Jared Lovett/U.S. Air Force)

Since the pandemic, several local shuttle services require that single riders rent the entire shuttle for 200 euros each way, if they cant find others to share the shuttle themselves.

Faced with a 400-euro round trip, some Americans have taken to social media pages seeking a ride with an offer to share gas money. Posts often solicit suggestions of other cheaper but less convenient ways to get to the airport.

Flix offers inexpensive bus service three times a day from Kaiserslauterns main train station, which was a 30-minute ride away from Ramstein through highway traffic Wednesday afternoon. But the buses this week leave at 5:40 a.m., 11:45 a.m. and 10:35 p.m., which is inconvenient for many travelers.

Various parking options near the airport, some of which are outdoors and require a shorter bus ride to the terminals, cost anywhere from 50 euros to 269 euros for a week, according to a German parking comparison website. Drivers will need to factor in gas to cover 150 roundtrip miles.

Other travelers said they have paid about 110 euros for a one-way vehicle rental with drop-off at the airport. Or theyve used Deutsche Bahn rail service, which requires longer travel times, train changes and is prone to cancellations because of strikes, maintenance or delays.

A prospective shuttle operator for the Air Force would have been able to determine its own cost for riders, according to the terms in the Ramstein notice.

Other overseas U.S. military bases provide airport shuttle services for leisure travel. In Japan, for example, Yokota Air Base provides two daily buses to and from Narita and Haneda airports in Tokyo. The Narita shuttle is $40 for passengers ages 13 and up; $30 for 12 and under. The shuttle to Haneda is $20 per rider of all ages.
Army Maj. Michael Stockin leaves his court-martial at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, after pleading guilty to 41 counts of sexual abuse of former patients. Behind him is his lead defense attorney Robert Capovilla. (KOMO News-Seattle)

An Army doctor charged with sexually abusing 41 male patients pleaded guilty Tuesday at the start of his court-martial at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington.

Maj. Michael Stockin, an anesthesiologist and pain management doctor at Madigan Army Medical Center, reached a plea deal that a lawyer representing some of the victims said would result in a sentence of 10 to 14 years in military prison.

Its three to four months for each of the 41 victims, said Ryan Guilds, an attorney representing seven victims. There is satisfaction that justice has been done. As men in the Army, this has been difficult. A lot of guilt, a lot of shame. We have pride in their courage coming forward.

Stockin appeared in court wearing his Army service uniform, flanked by a team of civilian defense lawyers. He rarely spoke during the two-hour opening session of the court-martial, except when Col. Larry Babin, the military judge assigned to the trial, asked if he wished to be tried by a panel of officers or by the judge.

By judge alone, sir, Stockin said.

His guilty pleas were read aloud by one of his defense lawyers.

The start of the trial comes nearly three years after the Army pulled Stockin off medical duties with patients following complaints of improper conduct. He arrived at Madigan Army Medical Center in July 2019 and has been restricted to administrative duties since February 2022.

After an 18-month investigation, the Army charged Stockin with sexual abuse crimes in August 2023.

Under the deal, Stockin pleaded guilty to 36 charges of violating Article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the militarys laws. The charges are abusive sexual contact.

Abusive sexual contact is defined in military law as touching of the genitalia, anus, groin, breast, inner thigh, or buttocks of any person.

Stockin also pleaded guilty to five charges of indecent viewing of disrobed patients under a separate subsection of Article 120.

Stockins charge sheet said he acted with intent to arouse and gratify his sexual desire by making a fraudulent representation that the sexual contact served a medical purpose.

According to written statements by victims submitted to the court, they were assigned to Stockin for diagnosis and treatment of issues such as back pain or an arthritic shoulder. In each case, Stockin would wait until he was alone in a room with the patient, tell them to disrobe, and then fondle their genitals.

The Armys Criminal Investigation Division has also sought information on possible misconduct by Stockin at his earlier assignments at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., and during a six-month deployment to Iraq. No charges were filed for incidents other than at Lewis-McChord.

Army and defense lawyers confirmed in September that a plea deal had been reached.

Michelle McCaskill, spokeswoman for the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel, which is leading the prosecution of Stockin, declined to discuss specifics of the agreement on Tuesday.

Further details of his plea agreement are not releasable at this time as the agreement is subject to the acceptance by the military judge, McCaskill said.

Robert Capovilla, a former Army lawyer who is Stockins lead defense counsel, could not be reached for comment following the Tuesday hearing.

In addition to serving time in prison, military law calls for Stockin to be dismissed from the Army  the equivalent of a dishonorable discharge for officers. He would be required to relinquish all benefits and register as a sex offender. As a felon, he could lose the right to vote or own firearms.

At least 22 of Stockins victims have filed federal claims against the Army, totaling at least $110 million. The action is the first step in seeking the right to sue the government for civil damages.
The Naha District Public Prosecutors Office in Naha city, Okinawa, is pictured on Sept. 24, 2024. (Keishi Koja/Stars and Stripes)

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa  Police on Okinawa suspect a U.S. Marine of sexually assaulting and injuring a woman in November, the fourth such case to surface over the past year.

Okinawa Prefectural Police on Wednesday forwarded the case against the Marine, in his 30s, to the Naha Public Prosecutors Office, a police spokesman said by phone that day.

The Marine, who was not identified, is suspected of sexually assaulting and injuring a woman older than 20 whom he did not know in a building on Okinawa in November, the spokesman said. The woman reported the incident to police immediately after it occurred, he added.

Police sent the case to prosecutors after interviewing the woman and the Marine and reviewing footage from security cameras, the spokesman said. He declined to say where the incident took place.

The Marine is in U.S. military custody, he said.

The prosecutors office has received the case from police but hasnt made a decision on charges yet, a spokesman said by phone Wednesday.

Some Japanese government officials may speak to the press only on condition of anonymity.

The III Marine Expeditionary Force is aware of allegations of criminal misconduct against an Okinawa-based U.S. service member, spokeswoman 1st Lt. Isabel Izquierdo said by email Wednesday. She declined to identify the service member or provide any further information, including his whereabouts.

The Marine Corps is cooperating with all appropriate local authorities throughout the process, she wrote.

The alleged behavior does not reflect the core values of the U.S. Military, nor does it represent the conduct of the overwhelming majority of Okinawa-based service members, she added.

The case follows three others last year that strained the U.S. militarys relationship with Okinawa.

Last month, Senior Airman Brennon Washington was convicted of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl in December 2023 and sentenced to five years in prison with hard labor. He has appealed the decision.

Washington was indicted in March, but his case wasnt revealed to the public until June.

A Marine lance corporal indicted in June in a separate case of attempted sexual assault further angered Okinawan government officials, including Gov. Denny Tamaki. They lodged formal complaints with the Japanese government, U.S. military commands and U.S. Embassy Tokyo.

In September, another Marine lance corporal was charged with injuring a woman during a sexual assault.

The allegations against service members prompted U.S. Forces Japan to amend liberty rules for all service branches across Japan and the Marines on Okinawa to impose gate checks for sobriety.

The Okinawa Prefectural Assembly has called for changes to the status of forces agreement governing the U.S. military population in Japan.
The U.S. Navy plans to take more than 1,000 soil samples from Hensley Field in Dallas, the latest step toward cleaning up the contaminated decommissioned southern Dallas airfield. (Smiley N. Pool, The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

The U.S. Navy plans to take more than 1,000 soil samples from Hensley Field, the latest step toward cleaning up the contaminated decommissioned southern Dallas airfield.

Lawyers for the Navy and the city of Dallas told a federal judge in December they could have the results by the end of March, which may lead to a new timeline to get the site cleaned of chemicals left over from decades of use by the military branch.

In 2023, the city filed a lawsuit to force the Navy to bring the 738-acre property up to residential standards. The legal complaint came after the Navy missed a 2017 deadline to clean Hensley Field, an agreement to settle a prior lawsuit filed by the city.

The Dallas City Council approved an estimated $390 million, 20-year plan in 2022 to transform Hensley Field into a mixed-use neighborhood that could house around 12,000 residents. But the city asserts the Navys delay in environmental cleanup put Dallas redevelopment plans for the area in limbo, diminishing the sites market value and infringing on the citys property rights.

This report with validated data will allow the city of Dallas to refine its remediation time and cost estimates and help inform follow-up settlement discussions, said a mid-December joint status report filed in the case involving the latest lawsuit. While the report is being finalized, the parties will meet regularly to discuss, among other items, the status of the sampling and delineation work.

Representatives from both sides plan to meet at Hensley Field in April and continue to be hopeful that this case can be resolved without dispositive motions or trial, the joint report said.

The city bought the Hensley Field site in the late 1920s and leased it to the U.S. Army to train reserve pilots. According to court documents, Dallas got a promise from the federal government that the property would be returned to the city in good condition. A naval reserve air station was built in 1941, and administration of the field was transferred to the Navy in 1949.

The Navy leased the property from the city from 1949 to 1999. But by the 90s, it was clear Hensley Field and the adjacent Mountain Creek Lake had been heavily contaminated with metals, chlorinated solvents, petroleum hydrocarbons like gas and diesel and several other hazardous substances.

Dallas sued the federal government in 2001 over the sites environmental condition, citing the contamination as a breach of contract. The next year, a settlement was reached, stipulating Dallas be paid more than $18 million, and the Navy committed to cleaning Hensley Field to residential standards by 2017.

By 2022, city officials said the Navy had spent $92.4 million in cleanup costs and cleared the soil of many contaminates enough to meet Texas Commission on Environmental Quality standards. But perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, were still found in at least the soil and groundwater.

The compounds can be hazardous to humans, and studies have shown they could lead to increased risks of cancer, liver damage, pregnancy complications, birth defects and other health effects, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The 1,000 soil samples will give both sides a better understanding of the widespread PFAS contamination at Hensley Field. They are being taken from spots where the historic use of PFAS, used in firefighting foam, has been documented.

The Navy, in a May 2024 response to the citys lawsuit, said cleaning up PFAS wasnt on the table when the 2002 settlement was reached.

Representatives from the city and Navy declined to comment on questions earlier in December about whether there was any estimate of when the cleanup would be complete and how much money had been spent on it. In November, the City Council authorized Dallas to increase its payment to a law firm from $550,000 to $850,000 to continue the legal fight.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sept. 9, 2024. (Chad McNeeley/Defense Department)

Of the 12,000 North Korean troops deployed to support Russias invasion of Ukraine, at least 3,800 have been killed or wounded, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Pyongyang could deploy up to 40,000 more troops to fill that, Zelenskyy said Monday during a three-hour interview on the Lex Fridman Podcast.

In addition to deploying its soldiers to Russias western front, the Norths communist regime provided Moscow with 3.7 million artillery shells for its fight, according to Zelenskyy.

Troops train at an undisclosed military base in North Korea, March 6, 2024, in this image from the state-run Korean Central News Agency. (KCNA)

North Korea can bring many people, he said through an interpreter.

South Korea is continuing to monitor the Norths military cooperation with Russia, including its troop deployments, Ministry of National Defense spokesman Jeon Ha-kyu said Tuesday at a news conference in Seoul.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged mutual aid if either country was at war, following their June 18 summit in Pyongyang.

U.S. and South Korean military and intelligence agencies have estimated between 10,000 and 12,000 North Korean troops have deployed to Russia since October.

The allies have also accused North Korea of shipping ballistic missiles and thousands of containers filled with artillery shells to Russia, an act that would violate U.N. Security Council resolutions.

The latest casualty count comes nearly two weeks after a White House spokesman said the North Korean forces were suffering heavy losses on the battlefield.

North Korean troops were using human wave tactics in the Kursk region that led to over 1,000 casualties within their ranks in late December, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters Dec. 27 in Washington, D.C.

Moscow and Pyongyang have regarded North Korean troops as expendable and have ordered them to conduct hopeless assaults against Ukrainian defenses, Kirby said.

In a video address Monday, Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces were continuing to maintain a buffer zone around the Kursk region.

Roughly 15,000 enemy troops have been killed and 23,000 wounded since Ukraine launched its Kursk offensive in August, Zelenskyy said Monday.

Whats important is that the occupier cannot currently redirect all this force to other directions, in particular the Donetsk, Sumy, Kharkiv or Zaporizhzhia regions, Zelenskyy said in his video address. I thank all our warriors who are bringing the war back to Russia and providing Ukraine with greater security and strength.

The White House on Dec. 30 authorized a security assistance package worth $2.5 billion for Ukraine. The U.S. package of surface-to-air missiles, artillery shells and other military gear adds to $3.5 billion in funds sent to aid Ukraines government the same day.
RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- At least seven people were killed and 15 others injured when a passenger bus overturned early Tuesday in the state of Piaui in northeastern Brazil, the Federal Highway Police said.

The accident occurred between the municipalities of Sao Goncalo do Gurgueia and Corrente in southern Piaui, when the bus, en route from Tiangua to Sao Paulo, veered off the road and overturned.

Preliminary reports suggest that a mechanical failure or delayed reaction by the driver may have caused the accident.

The bus driver and six passengers died at the scene, while eight women and seven men of various ages were injured, whose current health status remains unknown. 
Airmen conduct engine runs on an F-35A Lightning II aircraft on the ramp at Thule Air Base, Greenland, in 2023. President-elect Donald Trump has said that the U.S. must take possession of Greenland for national security reasons. (Benjamin Wiseman/U.S. Air Force)

STUTTGART, Germany  President-elect Donald Trumps assertion this week that the United States must take possession of Greenland cast a spotlight upon U.S. military operations on the landmass, as the Arctic ice thins and competition with Russia and China grows.

Since the 1940s, the Pentagon has valued Greenland, which serves as a gateway to the Arctic. During the Cold War, the military had more than 10,000 troops in its territory, which hosts Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base.

Today, the nuclear armed long-range bombers that were part of the original Cold War force are gone. But a ballistic missile early warning mission carries on. About 200 active-duty U.S. Air Force and Space Force personnel are part of that effort, which entails monitoring orbiting satellites for signs of attack.

Trump, during a news conference Tuesday, rattled some allies when he refused to rule out the possibility of seizing Greenland, an autonomous territory of NATO member Denmark, by force.

Im not going to commit to that, Trump said after being asked if he would reject the notion of using military or economic coercion to control Greenland.

We need Greenland for national security purposes, he added.

The traditional signpost on remote military bases, here at Thule, Greenland in 2014, shows the base is slightly closer to Moscow than Washington. President-elect Donald Trump has said that the United States must take possession of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, for national security reasons. (Stars and Stripes) The Ballistic Missile Early Warning System in Greenland, seen here in 2014, is one of three such installations that keep an eye out for long-range missiles leaving Russia. President-elect Donald Trump has said that the United States must take possession of Greenland for national security reasons. (Stars and Stripes) A U.S. Air Force pilot disembarks from his jet in June 2021, at Thule Air Base, Greenland. President-elect Donald Trump has said that the United States must take possession of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, for national security reasons. (Mira Roman/U.S. Air Force)

How Trumps public pressuring will play out isnt clear, but his emphasis on Greenlands value to the United States suggests that military activities in the Arctic will be getting more attention during his second term.

The High North has taken on added importance in recent years given concerns about Russias growing military presence in the Arctic. China also has signaled an intent to play a larger role in the region, declaring itself in 2018 a near-Arctic country with vested interests.

Trump alluded to both countries Tuesday, saying that Russian and Chinese vessels navigating waters near Greenland pose a danger.

You have Chinese ships all over the place. You have Russian ships all over the place. Were not letting that happen, Trump said.

Military and civilian ships alike typically have the right to freedom of navigation under international law. There are some restrictions on the actions they may take, particularly for warships, in territorial waters.

The Pentagon has sought to bring more attention to operations in the Arctic and updated its strategy for the region in 2024. But there havent been any major force posture adjustments there.

That could change given environmental factors. With melting sea ice, new commercial shipping lanes are opening up that will shorten travel routes between the Far East and northern Europe.

Arctic shipping increased by 37% between 2013 and 2023, according to the Arctic Council, an intergovernmental forum.

The circumstances bring potential access to valuable minerals and oil, which also could be of interest to Trump.

The ice-free part of Greenland also has the potential to be a major source for in-demand rare earth minerals that support a wide range of industries, the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland said in 2023.

There are already indications of the Pentagon stepping up activities in Greenland.

In 2022, the U.S. Air Force awarded a nearly $4 billion contract to ensure ongoing operations at Pituffik. And in 2023, four Air Force F-35s deployed for the first time at the base to show off the ability to operate in harsh terrain.

In August, the Washington-based Atlantic Council think tank published an analysis that said the United States should double down on the development of Greenland as a cornerstone of its security strategy in the Arctic.

Given Chinas overtures to Greenland to develop its mineral resources, much more needs to be done to realize Greenlands full potential in supporting the United States economic and security interests, the Atlantic Council paper said.

Greenland was ruled directly by Denmark from the early 18th century until home rule began on the island in 1979. In 2009, Greenland approved a referendum granting it autonomy in all matters except defense, security and foreign policy.

Floating the idea of using coercion or force could be a negotiating tactic for Trump, who said Tuesday that he didnt consider Denmarks authority over Greenland legitimate.

But Trump has long had an eye on Greenland and his comments this week went further than past statements about wanting to acquire the territory.

The situation is likely to become a point of diplomatic tension inside NATO and a source of unease for Denmark, which has signaled that it has no intention of parting with Greenland.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen sought to solidify the islands autonomy following Trumps remarks, saying Tuesday that Greenland belongs to Greenland and wasnt for sale.
Syrias de facto leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, oreground left, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, meets with Walid Ellafi, right, Libyan minister of state for communication and political affairs, in the presidential palace in Damascus, Syria, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (Mosaab Elshamy/AP)

The Biden administration has decided to maintain the terrorist designation on Syrias new Islamist rulers for the remainder of President Joe Bidens tenure, leaving a critical decision about Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and its leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, to the incoming Trump administration, said three U.S. officials familiar with the matter.

The terrorist designation for HTS is a key obstacle to Syrias long-term economic viability, but U.S. officials said the Islamist militants who stunned the world late last year by overthrowing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must demonstrate they have made a clean break with extremist groups, in particular al-Qaeda, before the label can be lifted.

Actions will speak louder than words, said one senior U.S. official, noting Washingtons lingering concerns about the inclusion of foreign fighters and jihadists in positions within Syrias Ministry of Defense. The official, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive policy matter.

President-elect Donald Trump has appointed hard-line critics of Islamic extremism to top White House jobs, including Sebastian Gorka for senior director for counterterrorism and Michael Waltz for national security adviser. Leaving the terrorist-designation decision to Trump is expected to substantially extend the timeline of powerful U.S. sanctions on Syria.

Placement on the foreign terrorist organization list makes it illegal for U.S. citizens to provide material support or resources to the group and allows for financial sanctions or prosecution.

A spokesman for the Trump-Vance transition, Brian Hughes, declined to address specifics on the designation but said Trump is committed to diminishing threats to peace and stability in the Middle East and to protecting Americans here at home.

There is broad consensus in the international community that Syria desperately needs more aid and reconstruction initiatives after more than a decade of civil war.

While keeping the terrorism designation in place, the Biden administration on Monday eased several key restrictions on Syria aimed at jump-starting the countrys recovery and building goodwill with Syrias interim government.

The U.S. Treasury Department issued a general license for six months that authorizes a range of transactions with the Syrian government, allowing humanitarian groups to provide services such as water, sanitation and electricity. It also allows for certain transactions with the Syrian government without the fear of sanctions, such as energy sales.

The end of Bashar al-Assads brutal and repressive rule, backed by Russia and Iran, provides a unique opportunity for Syria and its people to rebuild, said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo. During this period of transition, Treasury will continue to support humanitarian assistance and responsible governance in Syria.

As a result of the U.S. decision, foreign governments such as Qatar plan to bankroll public-sector wages for a huge number of workers in Syria, a U.S. official told The Post.

The Qatari plan, first reported by Reuters, is key to shoring up Syrias interim government, which pledged a 400 percent pay increase for public-sector workers. Syrias new finance minister estimated that such a promise would cost $120 million per month, covering more than 1.25 million workers on the government payroll.

A U.S. official said the move would provide a major boost to the Syrian economy. This kind of stabilization of peoples day-to-day lives will have an enormous impact, the official said.

HTS, a former affiliate of al-Qaeda, publicly broke with the terrorist network in 2016 over strategic disagreements. The United States designated HTS as a terrorist group in 2018, and the group has been on a U.N. Security Council sanctions list for more than a decade, entailing an arms embargo and global assets freeze.

U.S. officials held their first formal meeting with al-Sharaa, the HTS leader formerly known by his nom de guerre, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, in Damascus last month and informed him it was lifting its $10 million bounty on him.

The U.S. assurance was made after al-Sharaa said he would not allow terrorist groups in Syria to pose a threat to the United States or Syrias neighbors. Ahmed al-Sharaa committed to this, said the top U.S. diplomat for the Middle East, Barbara Leaf, after meeting him.

U.S. diplomats have made several trips to Syria to engage with the group in what a U.S. official called a proactive and prudent process. The official noted that lifting a foreign terrorist organization designation is a cumbersome process.

Another U.S. official said that the steps HTS must take to come off the list will take time and that the Biden administration made the right call by not forcing the U.S. political calendar on the Syrian government and the Syrian people.

Robert Ford, a former U.S. ambassador to Syria, said the U.S. government should provide clear and specific metrics to HTS about how to come off the list.

The best thing going forward is for them to develop a set of benchmarks or criteria and present those to the HTS leadership, and begin a discussion about that, Ford said.

An adviser to Trump, Ric Grenell, described the militant groups that overthrew Assad as a mix of a lot of different types of people. Were going to judge them by their actions, he said in an interview last month with Newsmax.
An F/A-18E Super Hornet launches from the USS Harry S. Truman on Dec. 28, 2024 in the Red Sea. Navy ships and aircraft attacked Houthi weapons facilities in Yemen on Dec. 30 and 31, according to U.S. Central Command. (Natalia Thoen/U.S. Navy)

American forces in the Middle East struck two underground Houthi weapons hubs in Yemen, U.S. Central Command said Wednesday.

The strikes were aimed at taking out advanced weaponry that had been used in recent attacks against U.S. Navy warships and merchant vessels in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, CENTCOM said in a statement on X.com. No U.S. personnel were injured nor equipment damaged in the attacks, the statement added.

U.S. forces have been working to degrade the capabilities of the Iranian-backed Houthis as the group continues targeting ships in the region. Late last month, CENTCOM confirmed striking several Houthi targets near the capital city of Sanaa, hitting a command hub and weapons production facility as well as a bunker with missiles and drones.

The Houthis, who say they are fighting for an end to the war in Gaza, have made multiple, unsubstantiated claims of successful attacks against U.S. targets. On Monday, the group claimed to have conducted an operation against the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, saying they had thwarted a major air attack.

The U.S. strike against the Houthis on Wednesday was deliberate and planned, and not a reactive response to any recent events, according to one defense official.

The Houthis also claimed credit for the downing of a U.S. Navy jet over the Red Sea last month that was apparently the result of a friendly fire accident involving the cruiser USS Gettysburg, according to CENTCOM. Two flight officers were able to safely eject and an investigation is ongoing.
Former President Jimmy Carter lies in state Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

WASHINGTON  Thousands of people braved cold temperatures and the aftermath of a snowstorm Wednesday to honor and pay their respects to former President Jimmy Carter as he lay in state in the U.S. Capitol.

The line of mourners stretched beyond the Capitol to the outdoors and included Richard Shullaw, a 78-year-old Army National Guard veteran, who has made a habit of bidding goodbye to the nations leaders at the Capitol.

He went to see Sen. John McCain, President George H.W. Bush and President Gerald Ford when they lay in state, and he was not about to miss the sendoff to Carter.

Its very moving, its very impressive, he said of the display at the Rotunda.

Richard Shullaw, a 78-year-old Army National Guard veteran, was in Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, to view the casket of former President Jimmy Carter, lying in state in the Capitol Rotunda. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

Shullaw of Alexandria, Va., vividly remembers Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, breaking with tradition in 1977 by exiting their motorcade car and walking the path of the Inaugural Parade on foot. It left a lasting impression on him.

He was an honest and honorable man, he said. It was really neat seeing him walking down Pennsylvania Avenue.

Carter, who served as president from 1977 to 1981, died last week at age 100 and was delivered to the Capitol by a horse-drawn caisson after a ceremony at the U.S. Navy Memorial on Tuesday recognized his service as a naval officer and submariner.

The public began filing into the Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday night to view Carters flag-draped casket as it lay upon the same catafalque that supported President Abraham Lincoln after his assassination in 1865.

An honor guard changes members Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, as the casket of former President Jimmy Carter lies in state in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) The casket of former President Jimmy Carter lies in state Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) Visitors wait Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, outside the Capitol Visitors Center to see the casket of former President Jimmy Carter, lying in state in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) pays his respects Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, at the casket of former President Jimmy Carter as it lies in state in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

The Borcina family drove an hour from Fredericksburg, Va., to honor Carters life of service.

Mark Borcina, 43, is a senior master sergeant in the Air Force, and his wife, Christina Borcina, 43, is the daughter of an Air Force veteran who had met Carter. They brought along their 14-year-old son, Roman.

This is democracy in action, and I wanted him to see it and live it and have memories of this for the rest of his life, Mark said.

Christina said she had fond feelings toward Carter because he once shook her father Michael Sambognas hand to thank him for getting everybody to safety after a problem with an aircraft.

Mark Borcina speaks with a reporter Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, before visiting the casket of former President Jimmy Carter, lying in state in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) Christina Borcina along with her family attended the viewing for former President Jimmy Carter, lying in state in the Capitol Rotunda, on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

The moment was captured in a photograph and a few years ago, she sent it to Carter for his signature. He happily obliged.

Viewing Carters casket among a crowd of other mourners was a beautiful and somber experience, she said.

Mark said it was the least the family could do for a man that lived a life of selflessness.

As somebody who devoted his life to service and sacrifice and everything that he gave the nation, its a very small token of appreciation just to take the time out of our day to come here and pay our respects, he said.

Born to an Army veteran and raised on a farm in Georgia, Carter long dreamed of going to sea. He enrolled in the U.S. Naval Academy during World War II to become a naval officer and was commissioned as an ensign.

Carters Navy career took him to Virginia, Hawaii, Connecticut, New York and California. He deployed in the Atlantic and Pacific fleets and later trained for submarine duty. By 1952, Carter had served aboard the submarine USS Pomfret and was involved in the Navys nascent nuclear submarine program.

He became the executive officer of a crew working to build the first nuclear submarine and had aims to command the second when his father died. Carter resigned from active duty in 1953 to take over his familys peanut farm, but his mark on the service remains.

The casket of former President Jimmy Carter lies in state Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

Its telling that today, the USS Jimmy Carter, a top-secret attack submarine, now roams the oceans bearing the name of the only president who served in such close quarters, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said during a ceremony Tuesday.

The public viewing will continue into Thursday morning, after which Carter will be taken to Washington National Cathedral for a national funeral service.

Diane Westcott, 57, took the day off from work Wednesday to pay her respects. She was 10 years old when Carter was elected and said she knew even as a child that he was unlike any other politician.

Diane Westcott on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, before visiting the casket of former President Jimmy Carter, lying in state in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

Throughout his presidency and his life, he was such a great example of what an American citizen should be: a true humanitarian, somebody who was kind, somebody who had goals beyond himself, she said.

Westcott of Columbia, Md., nearly did not come to the viewing because of the frigid weather but decided to take advantage of a special line for family members of congressional staffers.

She was glad to have made the effort.

Its an experience of a lifetime to do something like this, and its very meaningful to me and my family, she said.

After spending about 10 minutes reflecting in the Rotunda, Westcott signed a condolence book that will be given to the Carter family.

A good person through and through! Take comfort in your memories of this great man! she wrote, signing her name and the names of 10 other family members.

Faudeline Choute, 42, forwent sleep to make it to the public viewing. She worked a 12-hour shift in Baltimore beginning Tuesday night and then caught a train straight to Washington.

I was deciding: Should I come? Should I come?  she said, And then I said to myself, Why not? I should come. Its once in a lifetime. 

Faudeline Choute on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, before visiting the casket of former President Jimmy Carter, lying in state in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

Choute said she was drawn to the viewing because of Carters humanitarian work.

After leaving the Oval Office, Carter built thousands of homes with the charity Habitat for Humanity, monitored elections around the world, fought to eradicate diseases and advocated for human rights.

In 2002, Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his post-presidency work.

Im here because of his character and what he stood for, Choute said. I just appreciate his humanity, empathy for others and his graciousness.

Carter will be buried alongside his wife in Georgia, where the Navy on Thursday will conduct a ceremonial flyover as a final salute to his service in the military and as commander in chief.

Steve Wilborn, 69, is not a veteran, but he said he would salute Carters casket when he stood in front of it.

Im not military, but Ill salute him because he was our commander in chief, he said.

Wilborn took a two-hour train ride from Richmond, Va., for the viewing because he considered Carter a great humanitarian and a great Christian.

Steve Wilborn on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, before visiting the casket of former President Jimmy Carter, lying in state in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

He voted for an independent, John Anderson, when Carter unsuccessfully ran for a second term in 1980 but came to admire Carters character and commitment to making the world a better place.

To me, it all came together after his tenure ended in the White House, he said. He used all the talents he had from a young man  his military service and service beyond that is unmeasurable so I had to come and honor him.

Wilborn said he took special pride in his great nieces service in the Navy knowing Carter had served in the same military branch.

The man had a brilliant mind, and Im just so proud of him, he said. Just to be in the presence of his casket is an honor for me.
ADEN, Yemen, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- U.S. warplanes carried out seven airstrikes on military sites held by the Houthi group in northern Yemen on Wednesday, a military official of the Yemeni government forces told Xinhua.

The official said on condition of anonymity that the strikes targeted key military locations in the Harf Sufyan district of Amran province and Jarban area in Sanhan district, south of the Yemeni capital Sanaa, the official said.

He provided no details regarding casualties or the scale of damage caused by the airstrikes.

According to the source, some of the targeted sites are believed to be underground weapons storage facilities used by the Houthi group.

Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the strikes in a statement posted on X, saying, "CENTCOM forces conducted multiple precision strikes against two Iranian-backed Houthi underground Advanced Conventional Weapon (ACW) storage facilities within Houthi-controlled territories of Yemen, Jan. 8."

The statement added that the Houthi group used these facilities to carry out attacks on U.S. Navy warships and merchant vessels in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

There has been no immediate comment from the Houthi group regarding the strikes.

Since November 2023, the Houthis have been carrying out rocket and drone attacks on Israeli cities and disrupting "Israeli-linked" shipping in the Red Sea.

In response, the U.S.-led navy coalition stationed in the area has been conducting regular air raids on Houthi targets since January 2024 in a bid to deter the armed group. 
After deliberating for under an hour, the jury unanimously concluded that 91-year-old Albert Burns 'did the act' on seven counts of indecent assault.

A jury at Belfast Crown Court today determined that a former police officer committed the acts of sexually abusing a teenage boy in the 1980s.

After deliberating for under an hour, the jury unanimously concluded that 91-year-old Albert Burns 'did the act' on seven counts of indecent assault.

Burns  a former Criminal Investigation Department officer in the RUC  was excused from attending the trial at Belfast Crown Court following an assessment that his dementia rendered him incapable of attending or understanding the trial process.

From Carnmoney Road in Newtownabbey, the pensioner was charged with, and denied, all seven offences which were committed over dates between January 3, 1987, and January 4, 1989.

His victim was aged between 13 and 15 when he was sexually abused by Burns.

During the short trial 'to determine the facts', the jury heard that Burns targeted the teenager over a two-year period.

The abuse occurred in the bedroom and bathroom of the victim's Co Antrim home.

At the time, he didn't disclose what was happening to him as Burns told him he wouldn't be believed.

He subsequently told a friend and then reported the matter to the PSNI in 2019.

During an interview with police, the victim spoke of what he endured in his teenage years and said that as a child he was afraid of his abuser.

As a result of the complainant's allegations, Burns was interviewed by the PSNI in July 2020 when he denied the claims which he branded as a 'bundle of lies' and 'made up.'

Before the jury was sent out to deliberate, defence barrister Neil Moore pointed out that his client Burns had a clear criminal record and was a "man of good character."

He added that there were "no witnesses" and "no forensic evidence" and urged them to exercise "some caution."

Rejecting Burns claims of innocence, the jury returned verdicts that he 'did the act' on all seven counts of historic sexual abuse.

Following this, Judge Gordon Kerr KC addressed the jury and said: "That concludes your role in this case. Thank you for your careful attention and you are now free to go."

Mr Moore then spoke of the "limited disposals" available to the court and said he was seeking reports.

Judge Kerr said "I will direct such reports that are required" and re-listed the case on March 5 "for determination."
Nebojsa Pap (31) with an address at Beechville in Athlone, Westmeath, appeared via video link at a sitting of Athlone District Court on Wednesday afternoon

Murder accused Nebojsa Pap has been remanded in custody for a further two weeks. (Pic: Paddy Cummins)

A man in his 30s accused of murdering his mother in her midlands home has been remanded in custody for a second time.

Nebojsa Pap (31) with an address at Beechville in Athlone, Westmeath, appeared via video link at a sitting of Athlone District Court on Wednesday afternoon.

The accused initially came before a special sitting of Mullingar District Court five days earlier, charged with murdering 58-year-old Mirjana Pap, who also resided at the same aforementioned address, on December 28.

Sgt Paul McNally, for the State, said directions were still outstanding from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and sought a four-week adjournment.

Defence solicitor Mark Cooney replied, saying the court had previously directed his client to undergo psychiatric assessment by referring to a note on the court file which suggested such a report was not ready to be presented to the court.

There was no application for bail as the District Court does not have jurisdiction to consider bail in murder cases which require an application to go before the High Court.

Mirjana Pap

In addressing his client, Mr Cooney asked Pap if he was willing to agree to a two week adjournment as opposed to the States four week application, a question the accused replied by saying: Yes.

Mr Cooney added how Ms Paps body could now be released to her family after a previous application for the extension of legal aid to cover the cost of for an independent pathologist to be engaged had been granted by the court.

The Croatian national, who was a widow, lived and worked in Athlone for several years and previously worked at the Athlone accommodation centre.

Her body was found on bogland at Curraghaleen outside the midlands town on December 30 after being reported missing two days earlier.

Pap was consequently remanded in custody to a sitting of Athlone District Court on January 22 when DPP directions are expected to be made known.
The two were appearing in court via video link from the womens prison at Limerick prison

The two appeared via video link from Limerick Prison

A judge today further remanded in custody a mother and daughter accused of possessing 1.28m worth of cannabis at Shannon Airport two days before Christmas Day.

At their third court appearance, Judge Alec Gabbett further remanded in custody, Dovil Reifonaite, (40), and Migle Kurieniute, (20), both with an address at Newlands, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, for two weeks.

The two were appearing in court via video link from the womens prison at Limerick prison.

The two have spent the Christmas and New Year period in custody after they failed to secure bail at a special court sitting in Limerick on Christmas Eve.

Each accused is charged with one count of possession of cannabis for sale or supply, as well as one count of possession of cannabis.

Solicitor for the two, John Casey told the court previously that he was waiting for the Christmas holidays to end before he could bring an application for bail to the High Court.

In court today Mr Casey applied to come off-record in legally representing the pair and Dublin based solicitor, Adam Dodd said that he was now representing the two and Judge Gabbett transferred the legal aid cert to him.

Sgt John Burke told the court today that gardai are awaiting DPP directions in the case.

Sgt Burke previously told the court that a small sample of the suspected drugs was brought to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) and the tests confirmed that the substance is cannabis.

Judge Gabbett directed that a Lithuanian interpreter be present for the next day in court. Daughter, Migle has very good English while mother, Dovil requires the interpreter.

At the Christmas Eve court sitting, Gardai told the bail hearing that, at 11:16am on December 23 last, the two accused disembarked from a flight at Shannon Airport from Boston.

Gardai alleged that officers attached to Revenue discovered 64kgs vacuum-packed packages of cannabis with a street value of 1.28 million, in four suitcases belonging to the two accused. It was a significant quantity of drugs, gardai added.

Mr Casey told the Christmas Eve court that Ms Reifonaite and Ms Kurieniute had lived in Mullingar for the past eight years and that they would abide by any bail conditions.

Ms Kurieniute has been here since she was 12. They have set up home here, and if granted bail they will sign on daily or even twice daily at a garda station, this is where their life is, said Mr Casey.

Judge Gabbett further remanded the two in custody to appear, via video-link, at Ennis District Court on January 22.

Mr Dodd told the two from the court: "I will will make further contact and meet ye in person in the near future."
Mr Quinn has been on remand at Limerick prison since November 21 after being charged in connection with an alleged random broad daylight machete attack

An Ennis teenager charged in connection with a broad daylight machete attack has secured consent to bail in the High Court on condition that he remain out of Co Clare, a court has heard.

At Ennis District Court today, solicitor, Daragh Hassett said that his client, Trevor Quinn (18) has obtained consent to bail in the High Court and is waiting to take up bail once gardai approve an address in west Dublin he is due to stay at.

Mr Hassett told the court that he also anticipates an additional charge in the case.

Mr Hassett said that the bail conditions for Mr Quinn of Hermitage, Ennis ties him down.

Mr Quinn has been on remand at Limerick prison since November 21 after being charged in connection with an alleged random broad daylight machete attack on Shane Tuohy on Enniss Mill Rd at 3.30 pm on November 20.

Mr Quinn was refused bail in the district court and Mr Hassett said that for two and a half weeks of his time on remand, Mr Quinn had been sleeping on a mattress on a floor in prison.

Mr Hassett previously said that his client has never been in custody, never been charged and never before been a participant in the court system.

Mr Quinn was appearing in person in court today and Sgt Shane Graham said that the garda file in the case is nearly complete to be sent off to the DPP.

Sgt Graham said that when directions come back from the DPP, gardai will know then about any additional charge.

Judge Gabbett extended legal aid certificate to cover the cost of a psychiatric evaluation.

Judge Gabbett said that Mr Quinn need only come from Dublin for the next court sitting if there is a new charge for his own safety.

Judge Gabbett said: If he has to be here, he is to be escorted in. I would prefer if he wasnt here. That is for his sake."

In the case, Mr Quinn is facing four separate charges and they are the assault causing harm of Shane Tuohy, a charge of violent disorder on Enniss Mill Rd and charges concerning the use of a machete and the possession of a carpet knife.

In court in November, Judge Gabbett refused bail to Mr Quinn after viewing photos of the alleged machete injuries to Mr Tuohys neck and ear.

Judge Gabbett said that Mr Tuohy was 3mm from death.

Judge Gabbett said that Mr Tuohys artery was visible from the neck wound in the photos provided by gardai.

During the contested bail hearing, Judge Gabbett said that this young mans ear was nearly sliced off. It is but for the grace of God that this man is alive.

Looking at the photos, Judge Gabbett said: "Death was not far off. One more millimetre and that artery was severed and you would have a minute at best. That is what really concerns me.

Judge Gabbett remanded Mr Quinn to re-appear before court on January 22 and excused his attendance if there is no new charge.
If you're killing the mother of your kids you have just abused those children

The brother of a West Cork mother who was brutally murdered by her husband has called for changes in the law regarding guardianship as killing a parent is child abuse.

David French told RTEs Upfront with Katie Hannon that killer James Kilroy still has the same rights as any guardian despite the fact that he is serving a prison sentence for murdering his sister, Valerie French.

The former park ranger (51) was sentenced to life in July for the murder of his 41-year-old wife in Co Mayo in 2019.

Kilroys first two criminal trials collapsed, but at his third trial he was found guilty of his wifes murder after jurors rejected his insanity defence. He had claimed cannabis use spurred him to kill her.

However, despite his murder conviction, Kilroy retains his guardianship rights over their two children.

Valerie French was murdered in June 2019

Mr French explained that this means hes included in the same way as any guardian would be.

Obviously he's in prison so he can't have custody of my nephews but he is informed of their situation, where they're living, how they're getting and their health.

Hes involved in any major decisions, Mr French said. He has to be consulted if they go abroad.

He's just like a regular guardian, the murder conviction has no effect on his guardianship status. Being in prison is the only thing that has an effect, but hes a guardian in the same way that I'm a guardian to my kids.

Mr French added: The bottom line is killing the mother is child abuse, killing a father is child abuse, and if you're killing the mother of your kids you have just abused those children.

Mr French has been campaigning for political parties to introduce Valeries Law so parents who intentionally kill their partners lose guardianship rights of their shared children.

He has also had meetings with the Department of Justice about new laws to remedy property issues that allow for people convicted of killing their spouse to be entitled to their property assets.

Since Kilroys conviction, Mr French has been campaigning on behalf of his sister who no longer has a voice.

Currently there is a loophole in child safety in Ireland as people who kill their partners or ex-partners fully retain guardianship of any shared children, Mr French said.

A bill was by Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns and had the cross-party support of other TDs in west Cork, which is where Ms French originally came from.

James Kilroy was sentenced to life in prison last July

A petition on change.org was started by Mr French in August to drum up support for a change in the law.

Killing the mother of a child is child abuse. Society should protect children from their abusers, Mr French said.

In November it was revealed how Kilroy is refusing to relinquish executorship of his dead wifes estate, ensuring the case must now go to court and making matters more difficult for the couples three young sons.

Mr French had written to the killer about her estate, pointing out it would be best to sort out these affairs swiftly in the best interest of the couples sons, over whom Kilroy has guardianship rights.

However, Kilroy refused any co-operation and the matter must now go to court.
Gardai believe the man, who was out celebrating his birthday, suffered a heart attack following the incident outside Toners pub

Gardai preserve the scene outside Toners Pub on Baggot Street.(Photo by Steve Humphreys)

Gardai investigating the death of a man in Dublin suspect he suffered a heart attack following an altercation outside a well-known pub.

Emergency services were alerted to Lower Baggot Street in the city centre last night after receiving reports of an altercation between two males.

An area outside Toners pub on Lower Baggot Street was sealed off to allow for examinations of the scene to take place.

The dispute involved a man aged in his late 60s and a younger male who had earlier been socialising together in a group.

A short time later the older man became ill and was rushed to hospital but pronounced dead overnight.

Gardai suspect that he suffered a heart attack but are awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination to confirm this.

Investigators believe the two men were involved in an argument but, in the early stages of the inquiry, did not suspect the older male was the victim of a serious physical assault.

However, they were continuing to interview witnesses and review CCTV footage from the area to determine the extent of the altercation between both men.

Gardai preserve the scene outside Toners Pub on Baggot Street. (Photo: Steve Humphreys)

One source told the Irish Independent: "From initial inquiries, there doesn't seem to have been too much made of the altercation but given that a man has died everything has to be thoroughly checked out.

"The two men had been out socialising earlier that evening prior to the row and the deceased had celebrated his birthday that day."

Gardai at Pearse Street are investigating the circumstances surrounding the man's death.

Gardai preserve the scene outside Toners Pub on Baggot Street.(Photo by Steve Humphreys)

A garda spokesperson said: "Gardai and emergency services were alerted shortly before 11pm following reports of an altercation involving two males. One of the individuals became unwell following the incident and was brought to hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

"The scene is being preserved for forensic and technical examination and inquiries are ongoing.

"The coroner and the Office of the State Pathologist have been notified and a post-mortem examination has been arranged. The outcome of the post-mortem will determine the course of the investigation.

"Investigating gardai are appealing for witnesses to come forward and for those with camera footage, including motorists with dashcam, from the area at the time to contact them

"Anyone with information is asked to contact Pearse Street Garda station, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station."
Adnan, who was originally from Bosnia but had been living in Ireland for over 30 years, died as a result of his injuries following the horror attack

A man in his 40s arrested in connection with the murder of a man in west Dublin over two years ago has been released without charge.

Adnan Asic (60) died following an assault in the early hours of October 22, 2022, as he was walking towards Blanchardstown Road North from the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre.

A garda spokesperson yesterday confirmed the arrest after launching a murder investigation.

In an update this morning gardai said: "The man (40s) arrested in connection with this investigation has been released without charge.

"A file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

"Investigations are ongoing.

Gardai yesterday renewed their appeal to any person who was in the vicinity of Blanchardstown Road North, the Old Navan Road and Blanchardstown Shopping Centre and surrounding areas between 12am and 3am on Saturday, October 22, 2022, and observed any activity which drew their attention, to come forward.

In particular, anyone who saw two men together at the junction of Blanchardstown Road North and the Old Navan Road, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15 in the early hours of 22nd October 2022.

Any road users (particularly taxi drivers) or pedestrians who were travelling in these areas at these times who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) are asked to make this footage available to gardai."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Blanchardstown Garda Station on 01 666 7000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.

Adnan, who was originally from Bosnia but had been living in Ireland for over 30 years, died as a result of his injuries following the horror attack.

Initially gardai couldn't explain his injuries but a post mortem revealed he died as a result of a violent assault.

Speaking at the scene in the days after his death, Superintendent Peter Burke of Blanchardstown Garda Station said: Adnan was in Ireland for almost 30 years. He was a completely innocent man (of) this assault. He has family back in Bosnia and he has some family here in Ireland as well.

Adnan had been found lying on the ground at the busy junction and gardai said he had not been hit by a car but had been violently assaulted.

Adnan was fatally assaulted on this junction between 2am and 3am on Saturday morning, in the early hours, Superintendent Burke added. Were appealing today for any witnesses or any person passing (in a car) that. would have dashcam footage to contact Blanchardstown Garda Station or indeed any garda station with this information.

Gardai initially said in a statement at the time that they they are investigating all the circumstances surrounding the death of the 60-year-old man in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 at the weekend.

An incident room has been established at Blanchardstown Garda Station and the investigation is being carried out under the direction of a senior investigating officer, gardai added.

A family liaison officer has been appointed and continues to keep the family informed of the investigation.
Syria's interim Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani visited Jordan to discuss security and economic ties, marking a shift in relations after Damascus's leadership change.
Petkov, who had no previous convictions, was arrested three days after the ship docked at Foynes after customs officials discovered 12 large bales of cocaine hidden in an air-conditioning room

Bulgarian Petkov was a well travelled man in his role as an electrician aboard the Maltese vessel MV Verila

These are the images that show how a Bulgarian coke mule, who tried to smuggle 21 million of pure cocaine on a ship travelling from Brazil to Foynes port in Limerick, had spent the previous two years navigating the worlds shipping routes.

Our pictures show how Kamen Petkovs travels took in Panama City, Montevideo in Uruguay, Dammam in Saudi Arabia, the Kinahan cartels Dubai bolthole, the pirate ridden waters of the Gulf of Aden, Brazil and the waters off Sicily, Italy and Morocco.

The 36-year-old from Varna, Bulgaria can be seen posing with an automatic rifle transiting the high risk Gulf of Aden, posing next to a waxwork of Pele in Brazil, as well as performing his more mundane duties on board the Maltese registered vessel, the MV Verila.

The Maltese vessel MV Verila

But the seafaring electricians travels came to an abrupt end on December 19, 2023 when customs officers, acting on a confidential tip-off, searched the vessel after it docked, and discovered 12 large bales of cocaine hidden in an air-conditioning room on board the ship

Detective Garda Adrian Cahill of Limerick Divisional Drugs Unit, gave evidence at Petkovs sentencing hearing in Limerick that the 21m cocaine haul was pure cocaine, with a potential value of five times that amount on the street estimated at 105m.

Jailing the Bulgarian for 10 years, Judge Colin Daly said Petkov had been in control of such a large quantity of drugs that it was impossible not to conclude that thousands of lives would have been affected by such a volume of drugs.

Petkov, who had no previous convictions, was arrested three days after the ship docked at Foynes after customs officials discovered 12 large bales of cocaine hidden in an air-conditioning room on board the ship at Foynes Port.

Prosecuting barrister Lily Buckley said Petkov was approached by unidentified security persons at Antoniana Port, Brazil, to facilitate the drug smuggling operation.

Petkov said he hid the drugs underneath beds in unoccupied cabins on the ship which journeyed on to Santos Port, Brazil, and Hamilton Port, Canada, before reaching its final destination at Foynes.

Petkov said he tied the drug bales together with rope and attached life jackets and a transmitter.

He was given a mobile phone to stay in touch with drug dealers in Bolivia and Paraguay and instructed to drop the cocaine bales overboard when the ship reached Glin Pier in Limerick, prior to its arrival at Foynes Port.

Bulgarian Petkov was a well travelled man in his role as an electrician aboard the Maltese vessel MV Verila

Kamen Petkov

The 12 bales contained 308.6 kilos of cocaine, wrapped into 306 separate packages, valued at 21,604,891. Petkov told gardai he did not make the drop at Glin because when the ship reached the location he became worried when he could not see anybody there to collect the drugs.

Detective Garda Cahill said Petkov was involved in the loading of the drugs, he was in full control of the drugs on the ship, he was the point of contact for others and he was fully in charge of directing the operation on board.

The Det Garda also told the court that Petkovs DNA was found on a sophisticated light beacon on a transmitter hed attached to the drug bales.

The 12 bales of cocaine are estimated to have street value of a whopping 105m

Petkov from Varna, Bulgaria, can be seen posing with an automatic rifle transiting the high risk Gulf of Aden

Petkov, a qualified electrician, regularly worked five-month contracts at sea on cargo ships, but he told gardai it was his first time being involved in smuggling drugs, and that he had not received any payment for the drug run.

Following his arrest, Petkov told gardai he had gambling debts of 37,000 and that he was to be paid 150,000 for managing the drug shipment on board the MV Verila.

Judge Daly said Petkov, who was assisted in court by a Bulgarian interpreter, played a very important role in moving a huge quantity of cocaine across continents and he considered a headline sentence of 15 years was appropriate.

The judge said he was reducing the sentence to 10 years after taking into consideration the accuseds early guilty pleas, his co-operation with gardai, his admissions which exonerated other crew members, and his previous good character.
Clips of his music, including his latest track Bangers & Mash, released on Christmas Day, have been widely shared online

Tributes have poured in for 14-year-old aspiring gangster rapper known as 'Grippa' who was stabbed to death in front of horrified passengers on a London bus.

The schoolboy was attacked on a route 472 bus in Woolwich at around 2.30pm on Tuesday.

The teenager was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after paramedics arrived on Woolwich Church Road, police said.

Devastated pals have paid tribute to the young musician in social media posts saying he was taken too soon.

Clips of his music, including his latest track Bangers & Mash, released on Christmas Day, have been widely shared online.

In the meantime police have launched a major manhunt for the killer who carried out the attack although there have been no arrests made.

Chief superintendent Louise Sargent told a press conference that officers are working at pace to track down the murderer.

Offering condolences to the boy's friends and family, she said: This is a horrendous crime and I can't imagine what they are going through right now.

A manhunt for the person responsible is underway. Picture: Instagram/@grippa.18

Residents of the housing estates close by told of their shock.

One mother said: I can't believe that a boy was stabbed to death on the bus. Is it too dangerous to go on the bus now?, according to MailOnline.

One resident who lives inside the cordoned off area added: A 14-year-old boy stabbed in broad daylight on a bus. What is the world coming to?

The Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan said his thoughts are with the family, friends and wider community in Greenwich following the fatal stabbing.

This heart-breaking violence has absolutely no place in our city, he said. I am in close contact with police leaders - an investigation is underway and local residents will see increased patrols in the local area.

Ch Supt Sargent added: I know this will be a worrying time for everyone here in Woolwich, and even more so given the very young age of the victim.

The community can expect to see an enhanced police presence around the scene and the surrounding area I would urge anyone who witnessed this horrific incident or has any information that might help to call police on 101.'

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: 'We were called at 2.29pm today (7 January) to reports of a stabbing at the junction of Woolwich Church Street and Church Hill, SE18.

We sent resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, a paramedic in a fast response car, an incident response officer and a paramedic from our tactical response unit. We also dispatched London's Air Ambulance.

Sadly, despite the best efforts of our crews, a teenager was pronounced dead at the scene.

Local councillor Rachel Taggart-Ryan posted on social media: I'm deeply saddened to hear of the murder of a 14 year old boy in Woolwich today. Detectives from the Serious and Complex team are investigating.

According to MailOnline, knife crime is on the rise in London, with 15,016 offences recorded in 2023/24, up from 12,786 the year before, a 17.4% rise.

It is the highest number of offences since 2019/2020, after which there was a significant drop during the Covid pandemic, followed by a steady annual increase.
Always go in with an open mind, I think thats number one. Dont ever judge a book by its cover

First Dates Ireland returns to the small screen this week, and bartender Neil Kenna has this simple advice for those hoping to end their single streak in 2025: Be yourself.

Dont be somebody youre not, thats for sure, he begins.

Always go in with an open mind, I think thats number one. Dont ever judge a book by its cover  always just relax and get to know the person before you completely shut them down.

Laois native Neil is just winding down from a busy festive season at Ely Wine Bar in Dublin, but diners are sure to have recognised the mustachioed barman from his side hustle as one of the hosts on the hit RTE show, which is back for a tenth season this Thursday.

There is quite a lot [of attention], says Neil of finding telly fame. Everyone always has the same questions, which is really cute, so youll have a lot of that in December and you just have to smile and nod.

I always tell people its a week off for me, he adds. Its basically just standing there having the craic, whereas in reality Im running around like a madman trying to keep things in order in a restaurant.

The whole thing is shot over a couple of days and then thats kind of it. When youre done, youre wrecked, but youre also sad when its over.

Fan favourite Neil joined maitre d Mateo Saina and waiters Pete Ungless and Alice Marr on the reality series, filmed at The Gibson Hotel in the capital, after being headhunted to replace mixologist Ethan Miles in 2022.

From my side, it was kind of last minute and it was out of nowhere, recalls the Durrow man, who was originally supposed to be a dater on the programme in 2020. It was Covid and I was bored [so] I just auditioned for the craic. I had a time slot and all that ready, and then my manager in my old job was like, Oh, this place are looking for a bartender, so I rang up.

Cutting a long story short, he jokes: They gave me the position of bartender on the show and I lost my date, which  thank God. I had an idea who it was and I was like, Im happy enough with my decision, thank you very much!

Its brilliant craic, but its what I do anyway. My job is to make people comfortable and give them a good experience  and the show is doing that, just in front of cameras.

Although its possible to spot an initial spark a mile off, the restaurant manager insists its not as easy to predict whether it will fully ignite or fizzle out as the night goes on, in either of his workplaces.

In Ely especially, its a very datey place because its a little wine bar, its cosy and its a lot of two-tops, so I see a lot, says Neil. You can tell the vibe, and its always when people are really into [their date], and they dont even notice that youre at the table looking after them.

But its when they are extra engaging [with staff instead of their date], its kind of a bit worrying; or if people are in a relationship and they come in and you can tell when theyre after having a fight on the way there, because they are actually getting snappy at you  you get that quite a lot.

For my role, I think its too early to tell, he switches into First Dates mode, because at the start, theyre both nervous. They have a laugh and they have common ground in the bar, but I always think that when theyre going on into the dinner, then thats when the guys will probably see a lot more because thats when people really get to know each other a bit more. Theyre opening up a bit more and theyre like, right, I like this person or I dont.

At the same time as well, when you watch it back I would be convinced that this couple [will get] together and then by the end they dont, and vice versa, its very hard to tell.

Memorable success stories include Carla Maria and James Gerard Shez Sherry, the first couple from the show to get married, who also welcomed a baby girl last year, and Jessica Collins and Ger Lynch, who tied the knot in November, having met on the series in 2020.

With todays proliferation of matchmaking programming running the gamut from Married at First Sight to Naked Attraction, Neil praises the genuine format for helping singles here to find love, and not just fame.

When Love Island started, it was brilliant, and now its just like carbon copies of people who have been on it before, and its boring  you know the whole show before its finished.

Whereas with First Dates its genuine people coming on, and I guess Irish people as well, we are very chatty and stuff like that. Most people arent afraid to open up, so when they come on, the majority of them are 110pc themselves and they are there for the experience.

Youre not going to get a Boohoo deal after going on First Dates.

Still single after passing up his opportunity to pull up a seat at the bar in order to work behind it, Neil concedes its tough out there for singles this New Year.

Unlike colleague Alice however, whos often seen turning the heads of male daters on the programme, the barman insists hes never been hit on during his time at the restaurant.

No, funny that, he laughs. Im not as cute as Alice though, thats the thing!

Im getting lots of dates, [but] I get more situationships than I do dates now at this stage. Who knows  maybe all that will change in 2025.

First Dates Ireland returns to RTE2 on Thursday, January 9 at 9.30pm
The two best friends got glammed up for the launch party for the new series of Geordie Shore

Katie Price and best friend Kerry Katona shared a cheeky little kiss as they enjoyed a night out on the town in London.

The two gal pals got glammed up for the launch party for the new series of Geordie Shore.

Former glamour model Katie (46) and Atomic Kitten star Kerry (44) arrived hand-in-hand, before planting a smacker on each others lips for the cameras.

Kerry later shared the pictures on her Instagram page where she declared: So good to get out of the house and actually get dressed up and spend time with my bestie @katieprice, alongside a series of red love heart emojis.

Katie was joined at the party by her boyfriend and Married At First Sight UK star JJ Slater, while Katie's eldest son, Junior Andre (19) who she shares with ex-husband Peter Andre, was also in attendance at the star-studded event.

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The Geordie Shore gang were raring to go as they celebrated the launch of the 25th series that sees them jet off to Thailand to celebrate Kyle Christie's stag-do, organised by best mate James Tindale.

Other familiar faces at the event included TOWIE stars Amy Childs, Harry Derbidge, Dani Imbert, Freddie Bentley, Ella Rae Wise and Saffron Lempriere.

Katie and Kerry hit it off when they appeared on the third series of I'm A Celebrity last year with Katie finishing in fifth place while Kerry won the show.

They have just finished starring as the wicked step-sisters in a pantomime of Cinderella at the Northwich Memorial Court in Cheshire after spending time together over Christmas and New Year's.

Katie has been supporting Kerry in the wake of her split from fiance Ryan Mahoney in November after six years together.

Kerry who recently revealed how eldest daughter Molly would be giving the duo matching tattoos, explained how Katie has also been giving her moral support as she plans to get a lower facelift.

In her recent column for New! magazine, she wrote: Katie is going to come to stay with me when I get it done for moral support, which I really appreciate.

Katie is in such a good headspace right now and its amazing to see, Im so proud of her. She has been a real pillar of support for me these past few months.

"Ive got my lower facelift coming up in January, which Im excited about  but Im also so nervous, she wrote.

I always get really nervous when it comes to anything being done to my face, but I know it will be worth it.

Kerry said that as Katie has had the procedure done before, she knows what Ill be going through and will be able to ease my nerves and anxiety, while helping during my recovery too.

Mum-of-five Kerry's decision to go under the knife comes following her split from Ryan in November, which she said had left her heartbroken.

She confirmed she was single on social media after a turbulent relationship with the fitness trainer.

Earlier this year, Kerry said she felt unsupported by Ryan and had temporarily moved in with her mother, Sue,

At the time, she said: I want to say a massive thank you to my mum, who has been my rock during the last couple of weeks. I've been staying at hers and she's really looked after me.

If I'm honest, I've felt more lonely than ever during my recovery. Ryan was away getting a tattoo in London when I went into hospital and I haven't seen him since my surgery over a week ago.

That upset me, because it made me feel unsupported and I could have done with the emotional support. I'm always the 'strong mum' in our house and this week I really wanted to be looked after and have him here, but I had my mum instead, she said.

However, she has since shared loved up snaps with Ryan on social media, including the pair enjoying holidays together.

In one photo, Kerry wrote: Another date might with my man. Honestly we've had our ups and downs but I wouldn't want to be without this man. I love you! I know it's soppy but I do.
Allanna was the first baby born in Ireland one minute after midnight in 1995, and 30 years later, her boyfriend Kyle springs a big surprise with his proposal

Allanna was shocked when Kyle got down on bended knee

Allanna and Kyle at her big 30th birthday bash in Dublin on New Years Eve

Stunning Allanna Hennessy made national headlines in 1995 by becoming the first baby born in Ireland that year.

As her family and friends gathered at a party at a swish Dublin hotel on New Years Eve to celebrate her 30th birthday, Allannas handsome boyfriend Kyle Hayden had an ace up his sleeve as the bells chimed at midnight.

Kyle hugged Allanna and told her how much he loved her, and then got down on his bended knee to propose with an engagement ring as Allannas nine-year-old daughter Bonne jumped up and down with joy.

Allanna was shocked when Kyle got down on bended knee

But Bonne was also in for a surprise as Kyle got down again on bended knee and presented her with a cubic zirconia version of the diamond ring, with the adorable little girl jumping around excitedly exclaiming Im married!

Allanna and Kyle

Allanna's ring

The National Maternity Hospital in Holles Street, Dublin, welcomed the first baby of 2025 this week when little Bradley arrived 19 seconds into the new year.

He is the first child for parents Eve Colley and Eric Tyrell and weighed in at a healthy 3.245kg (7lb 2oz).

Thirty years ago, this honour fell to Sharon Hennessy, who was three days in labour in Holles Street hospital.

The doctors told me at midday on New Years Eve that were counting on you to give us a New Years baby, and I said not a chance, no way. I wasnt even thinking of that, recalls Sharon.

Sharon with tot Allanna

There was a huge celebration on my ward when she was born one minute after midnight and we found out not only was she was the New Year baby, but she was the first in the country born that year, it was wonderful.

I remember Maxi from the radio ringing me after giving birth and next of all, she had me on the radio.

She said Hi Sharon, could you take an interview at the labour station. The photographers also came in and took our picture and we were on the front pages.

Charity function organiser Sharon lives in Dublin with her long term partner, construction worker Ger.

What happened is I knew she was getting engaged, explains Sharon. She had no idea. Her partner came to me weeks ago and he had the ring custom made, at Rocks jewellers in Stillorgan, and he also got a ring made for Bonne, Allannas daughter.

So he proposed to two of them on the night. He did it on the ring of the bells at one minute past midnight. She didnt know, I did though.

He was going to do it in town in private and whip her off somewhere, but he wanted to share the moment with his mother and father, Mick and Anne, and family, and also me and my parents, Val and Eileen, who were all there on the night. And he wanted to include Bonne.

Not only did he get down on one knee and propose to Allanna as Fairytale of New York played in the background, but he then got down on one knee and proposed to Bonne as well.

Allanna celebrates

The two of them were thrilled.

Kyle (28), who is a window and door fitter from Leopardstown, has been dating bank worker Allanna for over six years.

Allanna wanted a small 30th birthday for close family and friends. She chose the Grayson Hotel on St Stephens Green for her party. She didnt know about the planned engagement.

Her talented eldest daughter has dipped her toe into the worlds of modelling and showbiz.

Allanna modelled for Assets for a few years and before that she was with Compton Models, says Sharon.

Allanna and her sister Aine

She did a lot of singing on the celebrity charity events down through the years, pageants and so on.

She was meant to bring out a song with Jim Corr but it never materialised, and she stopped for a while. Theres a strong chance she will revisit her music journey.

Thirty years to the day at the exact same time for him to go down on one knee was just magical, beams Sharon.

Kyle whisked his new fiancee off to the G hotel in Galway for four days to celebrate her birthday and engagement.

I had no inkling whatsoever, chuckled Allanna about the proposal.

When he was holding me as the New Year came in he was saying lovely things, then obviously he got down on his knee, the minute it was my birthday. It was magical what happened, I couldnt have asked for it to go better, to be honest.

It was so wonderful that not only was I the first baby of 1995 in Ireland, that 30 years later I get engaged at the exact same time in 2025.

Allanna and her daughter Bonne

He then had a ring for Bonne, how amazing was that? It was so nice of him to do that.

She is thrilled with her ring.

The ring, I couldnt have asked for anything more, its insane, she raves. Bonne has a smaller ring, its not a real diamond but a cubic zirconia version.

Weve matching rings, she was so excited.

Allanna also reveals how the couple first met.

Kyle isnt into social media at all, he is a bit of an old soul, she smiles. But he messaged me on Instagram about six-and-a-half years ago, which is mad as he doesnt really use it.

Then we were dating for about two weeks and then he asked me to be his girlfriend. We were mad each other from the start.

Allanna with Sharon, Ger, Aine and Bonne

From the start I liked that he was a gent, small little things. Him being good looking was the icing on the cake.

Even though I was in shock the other night, we have spoken about getting married for years.

Wed like to get married abroad, probably our special place Villa Amore in Portugal; we love it over there. So, Id say it will probably be there, hopefully.
Spanish police believe the father-of-two was shot dead not long after losing contact with his family

The family of missing Belfast man John George have said they are distressed but also relieved after a body was found in Spain.

Spanish police sources said an arrest has also been made.

The arrested man is believed to be a 32-year-old from Eastern Europe.

Police sources said their investigation remains open and they havent ruled out further arrests.

Although the only person arrested so far is understood to have been held on suspicion of homicide, the alleged perpetrator could have fled the area according to local reports.

Police can hold the man they have in custody for up to 72 hours before handing him over to an investigating judge for further questioning.

Relatives were contacted by Spanish police this afternoon saying they had located a body.

The spot where the body was found was under trees on a private property in a rural area of Rojales near Torrevieja, around 45 minutes drive south of Alicante.

A post-mortem is due to take place in the coming hours.

While formal identification is still to take place, it is understood that clothing and tattoos led the Cuerpo de la Guardia Civil to believe it is Mr George, who has been missing since December 14.

John George was reported missing in December

However, DNA testing will now take place to formally identify the 37-year-old father-of-twos remains.

Relatives are now preparing to bring his remains back to Northern Ireland for burial. KRW Law, which is acting for the family, said they hope their extremely tortuous search process is over.

They said: We can confirm the father of Mr George contacted us today shortly after 5pm to confirm Spanish police told him they had recovered his sons remains.

Mr Billy George was told that his sons body was now in a morgue awaiting formal identification.

The family are both distressed but also relieved at this latest news.

It brings to an end an extremely tortuous search process for the body.

The family want to thank all who have helped and supported them over the last number of days.

They now respectfully ask for some privacy to allow them both time and space to engage on the next harrowing stages on what is now a formalised murder investigation.

Billy George

The disappearance of Mr George has dominated news headlines for more than a fortnight.

Before travelling he had told people someone he knew was opening a business in Spain and he was going for the grand opening.

But he vanished after last speaking to his father on December 14.

Despite being booked on a flight home on December 18, he never boarded the plane.

His family launched an online appeal for information, saying it was very out of character for him not to phone home. Soon, they began to fear the worst.

His parents, Billy and Sharon, and sisters, Courtney and Caitlin, flew to Spain where they scoured the Alicante region in search of John. The K9 Search and Rescue NI (K9SRNI), a volunteer search and rescue team that uses specialist sniffer dogs, also travelled to Spain to help but returned at the weekend.

K9 Search and Rescue NI searching for John George in Spain

The team surveyed an area the size of Tollymore Forest Park in over three days employing drones and search dogs to bolster the effort.

The Sunday World reported that one of the suspects linked to Mr George's disappearance made a phone call to the victims family, claiming he had been shot and left somewhere between Torrevieja and Benidorm.

They alleged a gun was used in the murder and taken away by one of the suspects, who said they would clean it.

Several suspects have been investigated by Spanish police, including a man from the Czech Republic. All were living in Spain at the time of Mr Georges disappearance.

The two main suspects were said to be blaming each other and refusing to state the location of Mr Georges body to either the family or Spanish authorities.

The PSNI said previously it had been liaising closely with the missing mans family and other law enforcement agencies.

Shortly before news of the body being discovered emerged, Mr Georges brother insisted he would not be leaving Spain until he finds him  and would even give his own life for his siblings return.

John and his brother Darren

Darren George joined the hunt on December 23 and has been in Alicante ever since.

Finding my brother will drive me until I take my last breath, Darren told the Belfast Telegraph earlier today, before the body find.

I would give my own life up to find John. I would give my life up for my mum and dad to lay their son at rest.

He added: Every day is a living nightmare. Youre out searching all day and come home with no body found. [Its like] everywhere you look its the same field, the same hill.

Spanish police believe the father-of-two was shot dead not long after losing contact with his family.

Interpol had become involved with the investigation, which Johns brother Darren hoped would escalate the case and find answers they were desperately hoping for.

Darren had vowed not to leave Spain until the family located the body, despite the Spanish police urging them to put their efforts on hold.

He said: Once we get Johns body we are out of Spain and well never return to Spain.

John George

Interview with member of rescue team in search of missing Belfast man John George
DNA test to confirm identity amid speculation over further arrests

John has been missing from Spain since December 14 (Photo: Family Photo)

A man from the Czech Republic has been arrested by Spanish police investigating the discovery of a body thought to be that of missing Belfast man John George.

It comes as the family of Mr George await the results of formal identification through DNA tests.

Mr George vanished on December 14.

After a search operation and appeals by his family, decomposing remains were found under trees on a private property in a rural area of Rojales on Spains Costa Blanca.

The 32-year-old arrested, who has not been formally named, was reportedly being investigated by the Spanish Civil Guard, the police force which had been leading the hunt.

A force spokesperson said: Yesterday morning the Civil Guard discovered the body of a man in Rojales.

The Territorial Judicial Police team of Pilar de la Horadada has been put in charge of the ongoing investigation.

All the necessary work is being done at the moment to determine the cause of death and confirm the mans identity.

John George was reported missing in December

Pending the full forensic results everything is pointing to it being a missing person whose family reported his disappearance on 21 December 2024.

Following the discovery of the body, a 32-year-old man was arrested yesterday on suspicion of homicide.

Further information will be provided as soon as more details become available.

While formal identification is still to take place, it is understood that clothing and tattoos indicate the body is that of Mr George

However, DNA testing will now take place to formally identify the 37-year-old father-of-twos remains.

Police have up to 72 hours from the time of arrest to hold the suspect before handing him over to an investigating judge for further questioning, although in exceptional cases they can apply for an extension.

That court appearance would take place behind-closed-doors at a court in Torrevieja, a 25-minute drive south of Rojales.

The judge would have to decide whether to remand the detainee in custody or release him on bail.

Relatives, meanwhile, are now preparing to bring his remains back to Northern Ireland for burial.

KRW Law, which is acting for the family, said they hope their extremely tortuous search process is over.

They said: We can confirm the father of Mr George contacted us today shortly after 5pm to confirm Spanish police told him they had recovered his sons remains.

Mr Billy George was told that his sons body was now in a morgue awaiting formal identification.

The family are both distressed but also relieved at this latest news.

It brings to an end an extremely tortuous search process for the body.

Billy George

The family want to thank all who have helped and supported them over the last number of days.

They now respectfully ask for some privacy to allow them both time and space to engage on the next harrowing stages on what is now a formalised murder investigation.

Sinn Fein MP Paul Maskey expressed condolences to Mr Georges family.

This is tragic news for Johns loved ones who have been courageously searching for him after he went missing on December 14, he said today.

I have been in contact with Billy George, Johns father, throughout this period and as recently as last night where he informed me that a body had been found.

I now hope Johns body can be returned home to Ireland as quickly as possible to allow his heart-broken family and friends to have a dignified funeral.

The disappearance of Mr George has dominated news headlines for more than a fortnight.

Before travelling he had told people someone he knew was opening a business in Spain and he was going for the grand opening.

But he vanished after last speaking to his father on December 14.

Despite being booked on a flight home on December 18, he never boarded the plane.

His family launched an online appeal for information, saying it was very out of character for him not to phone home. Soon, they began to fear the worst.

His parents, Billy and Sharon, and sisters, Courtney and Caitlin, flew to Spain where they scoured the Alicante region in search of John. The K9 Search and Rescue NI (K9SRNI), a volunteer search and rescue team that uses specialist sniffer dogs, also travelled to Spain to help but returned at the weekend.

The team surveyed an area the size of Tollymore Forest Park in over three days employing drones and search dogs to bolster the effort.

K9 Search and Rescue NI searching for John George in Spain

The PSNI said previously it had been liaising closely with the missing mans family and other law enforcement agencies.

Shortly before news of the body being discovered emerged, Mr Georges brother insisted he would not be leaving Spain until he finds him  and would even give his own life for his siblings return.

Darren George joined the hunt on December 23 and has been in Alicante ever since.

Finding my brother will drive me until I take my last breath, Darren told this newspaper earlier today, before the body find.

I would give my own life up to find John. I would give my life up for my mum and dad to lay their son at rest.

He added: Every day is a living nightmare. Youre out searching all day and come home with no body found. [Its like] everywhere you look its the same field, the same hill.

Spanish police believe the father-of-two was shot dead not long after losing contact with his family.

Interpol had become involved with the investigation, which Johns brother Darren hoped would escalate the case and find answers they were desperately hoping for.

John and his brother Darren

It had previously been reported that the main suspect had told friends they were also planning to fly to Thailand.

With Interpol getting involved its been escalated in the sense that there will be answers, Darren said.

There are rumours that the main suspect is in Thailand. I dont believe that. I do believe he is in Spain.

He added that false information appearing online had been misdirecting the familys search efforts.

On Monday, the Belfast Telegraph revealed a conversation in which a suspect linked to Mr Georges disappearance told the family that he had been taken in the direction of the Torrevieja area.

The suspect claimed he left the apartment unharmed on December 14 with another person, but didnt make it to Benidorm.

Darren had vowed not to leave Spain until the family located the body, despite the Spanish police urging them to put their efforts on hold.

He said: Once we get Johns body we are out of Spain and well never return to Spain.
The family of the missing father of two received a call from the Cuerpo de la Guardia Civil just before 5pm UK time saying they had located a body

A murder investigation has been launched in Spain after the discovery of a body in the search for missing Belfast man John George.

His family received a call from the Cuerpo de la Guardia Civil just before 5pm UK time saying they had located a body.

While formal identification is still to take place, it is understood through clothing and tattoos, it is almost certain to be that of Mr George (37), who has been missing since December 14.

However, DNA testing will now take place to formally identify the father-of-two's remains.

The family are said to be in a distressed state and have asked for some time to process the news as they prepare to bring Mr George back to Northern Ireland for burial.

KRW Law, which is acting for the George family, said relatives hope their "extremely tortuous search process is over.

We can confirm the father of Mr George contacted us today shortly after 5pm to confirm Spanish police told him they had recovered his sons remains.

Mr Billy George was told that his sons body was now in a morgue awaiting formal identification.

The family are both distressed but also relieved at this latest news.

It brings to an end an extremely tortuous search process for the body.

The family want to thank all who have helped and supported them over the last number of days.

They now respectfully ask for some privacy to allow them both time and space to engage on the next harrowing stages on what is now a formalised murder investigation.

His father Billy had previously said he doesnt want to leave Spain without his sons body.

I know Ill never see his big smile again, but I promised his sons Id bring him home. I dont know what Ill do if I cant keep that promise, he had said.

The disappearance of Mr George has dominated news headlines for more than a fortnight.

He had told people that someone he knew was opening a business in Spain and he was going for the grand opening.

But he vanished after last speaking to his father on December 14.

Despite being booked on a flight home on December 18, he never boarded the plane.

His family launched an online appeal for information, saying it was very out of character for him not to phone home.

Soon, his family began to fear the worst.

Earlier this week this newspaper reported one of the suspects linked to Mr George's disappearance made a phone call to the victims family, claiming he had been shot and left somewhere between Torrevieja and Benidorm.

The call to relatives of the missing man alleged that a gun was used in the murder of the 37-year-old and taken away by one of the suspects, who said they would clean it.

Several suspects have been investigated by Spanish police along with a man from the Czech Republic. All were living in Spain at the time of Mr Georges disappearance.

The two main suspects were said to be blaming each other and refusing to hand over the location of Mr Georges body to either the family or the Spanish authorities.

The PSNI said previously it had been "liaising closely with the missing man's family and other law enforcement agencies".

The K9 Search and Rescue NI, a volunteer canine search and rescue team, also travelled to Spain to help with search but returned at the weekend.
Harun is described as being approximately 5 feet 7 inches in height with a slim build with short black hair

Gardai are concerned for the wellbeing of a teenager who went missing from his Dublin home yesterday.

They have issued a missing person appeal for Harun Ahmed (16) who was reported missing from Coolock, Dublin 17, yesterday afternoon.

Harun is described as being approximately 5 feet 7 inches in height with a slim build with short black hair.

It is unknown what Harun was wearing when he went missing.

Gardai say they are concerned for his wellbeing.

Anyone with information on Haruns whereabouts is asked to contact Coolock Garda Station on 01 666 4200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
BEIJING, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes the U.S. Department of Defense's move to list certain Chinese firms as "military companies," the Ministry of Commerce said on Wednesday.

In disregard of World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and market principles, the U.S. has generalized the concept of national security, abused state power, and made groundless accusations against China's military-civilian integration strategy to suppress Chinese enterprises unjustifiably, the ministry said in a statement.

The U.S. move has seriously disrupted the international economic and trade order and undermined the stability of global industrial and supply chains, the statement noted.

China urges the U.S. to respect the facts and rules, immediately stop its wrong practices, and provide Chinese firms with fair, just and non-discriminatory treatment.

The statement added that China would closely monitor the situation's development and take all necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Defense released a list of companies it labeled as "Chinese military companies," including Chinese tech powerhouse Tencent and leading battery maker CATL. Both companies have dismissed the designations as a "mistake." 
Those surveyed as being comfortable with their child being in a romantic relationship with a member of the Traveller community was the lowest at 43pc.

More than half of all Irish people would not be comfortable with their child being in a romantic relationship with a member of the Roma community, a new government report reveals.

The Spotlight report on Roma in Ireland published today shows that 55pc of respondents expressed reservations about a relationship between their child and a Roma person.

This was the second lowest of the ethnic groups included the survey.

Those surveyed as being comfortable with their child being in a romantic relationship with a member of the Traveller community was the lowest at 43pc.

The highest level of comfort was with a person who is Irish (95pc).

However, a majority of those surveyed (80pc) would be comfortable with their child or children being in the same school class as a Roma child.

All ethnic groups included in the survey had high levels of acceptance and people were very happy to have a person from these groups in the classroom with their child or children.

However, in terms of employability, it was noted that 63pc of those surveyed believed that identifying as a member of the Roma community would put a person at a disadvantage when being hired for a role.

The Roma community was the second highest ethnic group that those surveyed believed would face disadvantage when being hired for a role.

Some 67pc of those surveyed believing identifying as a member of the Traveller community would put a person at a disadvantage when being hired.

The Spotlight report on Roma in Ireland was published by Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic OGorman.

The report examines data available from the most recent Census of Population (2022), in which Roma was included as a separate category on the question of ethnicity for the first time.

Minister OGorman said it was part of the Governments commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of ethnic groups in Ireland.

In July of this year, my department published our National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy II (NTRIS II), aiming to keep our commitment to change attitudes and remediate inequalities for Travellers and Roma living in Ireland, the minister said.

Todays report gives us a closer look at the Roma community in Ireland  their family composition, their health and their education, as well as an overview into Irelands overall attitudes to people of varying ethnicities.

The minister said he was encouraged that access to specific data on the ethnicities of the people in Ireland will help in improving the services and supports available for these communities.

Some of the other key findings from the report reveal that there are 16,059 Roma living in Ireland, according to the most recent Census of Population of 2022.

This is the first time that Roma was listed as a separate ethnicity and therefore the first time that an official figure has been recorded.

The majority of Roma living in Ireland are located in Dublin (6,144) and Cork (1,251). There are a smaller number of Roma living in each of the other 24 counties.

The report found that the overall majority of Roma living in Ireland are of good health, matching the same trend as the general population.

A total of 87pc of Roma people surveyed in Ireland described their health as being good or very good. In comparison, 83pc of the general population of Ireland described their health as being good or very good.

The majority of Roma in Ireland have completed upper secondary education.

Roma youth have a rate of transfer from primary to post-primary education of 89pc which is lower than the general population transfer rate of 96pc, but higher than the transfer rate of the Traveller community of 83pc.

The majority of the Roma population over the age of 15 years old are persons at work, accounting for 61pc of the population in this age range. Just under 10pc of the Roma population over the age of 15 look after the home or family.
The new home is to be a two-storey over basement house complete 19.6m indoor swimming pool, a 21 metre outdoor swimming pool and a cinema

MMA fighter, Conor McGregors planned sprawling mansion, complete with a cinema, bar and two swimming pools, will not have any undue impact on local residents.

That is according to new planning documentation lodged with Kildare County Council concerning McGregors application to demolish his existing five bedroom home at The Paddocks, Castledillon, Straffan and replace it with 32,693 sq ft six bedroomed family home.

The new home is to be a two-storey over basement house complete with 19.6m indoor swimming pool, a 21 metre outdoor swimming pool and a cinema.

The fully sunken basement is to include car-parking, a bar, games area, ancillary rooms.

McGregor paid out 3m for The Paddocks in 2019 and planning documentation shows that McGregors staff are to be housed in a nearby home at No 5 Castledillon which is now also in the full ownership of the applicant.

Records with the Residential Property Price Register show that No 5 Castledillon was purchased for 1.65m in June 2022.

The purchasing of the neighbouring No 5 Castledillon has increased McGregors landholding from 5.8 acres to 10 acres.

In response to the proposal for the new home on the site of The Paddocks, council planners last July wrote to Mr McGregor telling him that the design and scale of the proposed home due to its length, massing and scale did not comply with the Kildare County Development Plan.

In the further information request, the council requested Mr McGregor to submit revised proposals which take account of the County Development Plan.

The council also asked Mr McGregor to submit a comprehensive design statement.

The new home is being designed by Dublin based architects, Tyler Owens Architects.

Now, in response to the council's further information request, a submission on behalf of Mr McGregor doesnt include any proposals to reduce the scale of the home.

Instead, the submission states that it is clear from a revised suite of photomontages submitted that the subject site has the capacity to comfortably absorb the proposed dwelling without resulting in any undue impacts or dis-amenity to surrounding residents.

The submission states that the photomontages demonstrate that careful siting of the proposed home and the large scale nature of the site.

The submission states that the planned home is largely screened from the view from the adjacent public road and neighbouring properties, any intermittent views are further obscured to the presence of existing and proposed supplementary planting.

The submission states that the various items in the councils further information request have been comprehensively dealt with and that the proposal is compliant with the policies and objectives as set out in the Kildare County Development Plan 2023-2029.

McGregor previously secured planning permission to partly demolish and extend and renovate The Paddocks.

However, Tyler Owens Architects told the council that having started the process of demolition back in 2022, it became apparent that the existing quality of construction of the remainder of the house, along with the clients changing needs, indicated that the works would not make sense.

This has resulted in the planning application for the complete demolition of the Paddocks and replacing it with a new family home.

The design statement says that by prioritising harmony with the rural landscape, the new house design adheres to guidelines on scale, massing and sustainability, ensuring integration into the surrounding environment.

The statement states that the proposal also maximises the natural site features, promotes energy efficiency and incorporates adaptable design for long term functionality.

It adds that it balances modern architectural innovation with respect for local elements, offering a dwelling that complements its setting while addressing future need.

The council is due to make a decision on the planning application later this month.

In November in the High Court, a jury found against McGregor in the civil rape case taken by Nikita Hand and McGregor has until the middle of next month to lodge appeal papers.

The Dublin woman was awarded nearly 250,000 in damages after the jury found that she was assaulted by McGregor in the Dublin hotel in December 2018 and McGregor also faces paying the bulk of the legal costs estimated at more than 1m associated with the case.
Sports correspondent & historian

with Sideline Sid

Never test the patience of a politician, which is a harsh lesson that New Zealand greyhound racing learned in December.

Racing Minister Winston Peters has banned greyhound racing due to ongoing dog welfare issues, following multiple notices and a final warning.

A large number of racing greyhounds are to be rehomed.

The end of the sport in New Zealand will occur after the annual racing season in July 2026.

Greyhound racing in New Zealand began in 1878 with the first Waterloo Cup, where hounds chased a live hare in Oamaru.

After coursing was banned in the country in 1948, attention turned to a mechanical rabbit on an enclosed circular track.

In the 1950s and 1960s, the sport progressed with new tracks nationwide, as administrators saw growth potential in legalizing gambling alongside horse racing.

Equalisator betting, a form of a lucky dip, was allowed in 1971, and on-course betting became a reality in 1978.

My interest in the sport coincided with the introduction of TAB betting in early 1981.

A brother-in-laws work with greyhounds in the late 1970s got us involved when his dog had several pups in July 1979.

Along with my father-in-law, I took a share in a dog, which was given the race name of Sporting Lad.

Even then, the partners privately discussed what happened to dogs that didnt measure up on the racetrack.

Success came early with a victory in the Hawkes Bay Guineas on Waitangi Day 1981, and the winners commemorative rug is proudly displayed on my office wall.

When Sam reached his mark for my brother-in-law, he was handed off to another trainer with little concern for his retirement.

The Greyhound racing ban is primarily driven by the mismatch between registered racing dogs and those recorded as retired, as the law requires.

It became apparent as the years passed that our dog had been put down as surplus to requirements.

We tried to right our conscience two decades later by fostering a retired racing greyhound.

Henry became part of our family for six years before he left us to go to doggie heaven at 13 due to old age.

While the majority of greyhound trainers love their charges to bits, a few have continued to live outside the rules and regulations of the sport.

The Peters patience ran out as administrators ignored the final warning about terminating greyhound racing in December.

I recommend adopting one of the many greyhounds that will be available for rehoming in the next eighteen months.

Greyhounds are gentle souls that love to sleep upside down on couches or beds.

I recommend visiting the Greyhounds as Pets website. Adopting a greyhound benefits both the pet and the owner.
The public are being asked to help support the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter as the rescue crew find themselves responding to a surge in life-saving missions at the start of 2025.

The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter, serving the coastal Bay of Plenty region, began 2025 with an extraordinary surge in demand.

On New Years Day alone, the dedicated crew completed seven critical missions, providing rapid response to both medical emergencies and accidents.

We applaud our beyond amazing rescue helicopter crew for keeping loved ones together this summer, a Philips Search & Rescue Trust spokesperson said.

Every dollar counts in critical moments. Help us gear up this summer and together, we can make a life-saving impact.

The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter crew on New Year's Eve. Photo/Supplied.

The first mission of the year took the crew airborne to transport a male in life-threatening condition from Taupo Hospital to Waikato Hospital for urgent medical care.

Just 20 minutes later, the crew was called to Hahei, where they treated and transported a male patient injured in an accident.

The onboard Critical Care Flight Paramedic stabilised the patient before he was flown to Auckland City Hospital for further treatment.

The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter flew from Rotorua to Auckland on January 1, 2025. Photo/Supplied

Later that morning, the helicopter crew was dispatched to Rotorua Hospital to assist a male patient who had sustained serious injuries after a significant fall. The patient was airlifted to Waikato Hospital for additional care.

In a quick turnaround, the rescue helicopter was again called into action, this time to Matakana Island, where a male patient was in critical condition. The crew swiftly transported him to Tauranga Hospital for further treatment.

The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter flew from Rotorua to Auckland on January 1, 2025. Photo/Supplied

The pace continued as the crew responded to an urgent call from Tauranga Hospital for a female patient requiring immediate transfer to Waikato Hospital.

This was followed by another mission, this time to Rotorua Hospital, where a male patient needed to be airlifted to Auckland City Hospital for advanced medical care.

As evening approached, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was once again dispatched to Rotorua Hospital for a female patient in critical condition.

The crew provided swift transport to Auckland City Hospital, ensuring she received the specialised care she needed.

The view from the the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter as the crew flew over Tauranga harbour. Photo/Supplied.

These seven missions in just one day highlight the life-saving work carried out by the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter crew. Their dedication and tireless efforts are a vital lifeline for the Bay of Plenty community, especially during the busy summer months.

The community is urged to continue supporting the rescue helicopter service, as every dollar makes a difference in these critical moments.

Donations can be made at Aerocool Rescue Helicopter Donation Page.
Now Mabbotts mother Jane has offered a big heartfelt thank you for the communitys support after a son, brother, dad to five sons, uncle, nephew and mate to many lost his life.

A local man, 77-year-old Stuart Edmondson, has pleaded not guilty to their murder and attempted murder.

Mabbott was shot dead and another man injured on a remote Coromandel road on December 13.

The mother of Coromandel shooting victim Kevin Mabbott has thanked friends and family for their support three weeks after the 41-year-old father of three died.

From the house cleaning to having a beautiful place for our son to lie at home for a couple of days, the food, cards, messages, baking, organising everything and everyone, to his final farewell we bless you, she said.

Jane said the last three weeks had been a haze.

We have a trial to get through also. So long tough times still ahead, most days are hard to get through and we/I especially struggle, she said.

We are so grateful for friends [sic] family and our community, so blessed.

She then deleted her post and put up a new one accusing people of saying horrid things.

People who think they know, dont actually! she wrote.

Court case is pending! Truth will prevail, and those people and others will have no choice but to eat their words!

Hope this is never anything anybody else has to go through ... Bless you all who are supporting us.

Jane earlier described Mabbott as a ratbag, free-spirited son.

Rest in peace and love, our son ... Your two sisters, numerous cousins, aunties, uncles, friends and five sons, she had written on Facebook.

A needless end to your vibrant, lovable, crazy, ratbag, free-spirited self.

Edmondson appeared briefly in the High Court at Hamilton on December 17, charged with Mabbotts murder and the attempted murder of another man who was with Mabbott at the time of the shooting.

He pleaded not guilty to both charges and did not seek name suppression.

Edmondson had become famous in the community for caring for friendly pigs and piglets, with locals and tourists often visiting his property to snap photos of themselves petting the animals.

However, he had also long reported having trouble with people stealing and killing some of them.

Up to 50 pigs he owned have now been moved to a Wellington sanctuary to protect them.

In a social media post, HUHA (Helping You Help Animals) thanked locals who had been supporting the mans animals.

They have continued to support their gentle friend, vigilantly caring for his pets.

Stus 50 pet pigs and three dogs are safe and heading back to HUHA.
Syracuse, N.Y.  The Syracuse Academy of Science did not have carbon monoxide detectors in its school kitchen where high levels of deadly gas sent five workers to hospitals on Tuesday, firefighters said.

The city of Syracuse has ordered the charter school at 1001 Park Ave. to remain closed until the detectors are installed, the fire department announced Tuesday night.

Syracuse firefighters responded to the school Tuesday morning when a person was reported to be in cardiac arrest, according to Capt. Phillip Vogt, a spokesperson for the fire department.

While working on the man, a carbon monoxide detector on the firefighters equipment indicated high levels of the deadly gas.

The man reported in cardiac arrest was dead at the school, Vogt said. School officials later said his death appears unrelated to the high levels of carbon monoxide.

Twelve adults were evaluated at the school and five were transported to hospitals with symptoms consistent with mild to moderate exposure to carbon monoxide, Vogt said.

The high carbon monoxide levels were caused by an improperly vented appliance in the kitchen area, the fire department said in a news release Tuesday night.

The high levels of the gas were caused by a food warmer in the kitchen, according to Bekir Duz, the charter schools assistant superintendent. Most of the people taken to the hospital worked in the kitchen area.

The school is required to stay closed until additional carbon monoxide alarms are installed and approved, fire department officials said. The school must also obtain a kitchen equipment safety certification from a licensed professional, they said.

Fire officials confirmed there were carbon monoxide alarms present in multiple areas of the building, but not in the kitchen or cafeteria.

The man who died was a night cleaner who was found by school employees in the cafeteria on Tuesday morning, Duz said. However, the man was dead before the kitchen staff turned on the food warmer, according to Jim Evans, the schools attorney. School officials say it appears his death was unrelated to the carbon monoxide levels.

The mans cause of death will be determined by the Onondaga County Medical Examiner, Vogt said.

Syracuse police are investigating the death of the man but have no reason to believe it is a criminal matter, said Kieran Coffey, a spokesperson for the Syracuse Police.

Carbon monoxide is a deadly colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that is a byproduct of incomplete combustion. In 2022, more than 600 people in the United States died from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

No students were exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide, Vogt said. The students were evacuated and sent to the district building next door. The school decided to send students home for the remainder of the day.

Syracuse Firefighters have carbon monoxide detectors attached to emergency medical equipment bags. A detector similar to this alerted firefighters of high carbon monoxide levels inside the Syracuse Academy of Science on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2024.Syracuse Fire Department

Staff writer Timia Cobb covers breaking news. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at tcobb@syracuse.com.
Cicero, N.Y.  A woman who works at the Walmart Supercenter in Cicero was sexually assaulted by a man in a store bathroom, police said.

Police responded to the attack at the store at 8064 Brewerton Road around 1:50 p.m. on Saturday, according to Cicero Police Chief Steve Rotunno.

When the woman entered the womens bathroom, she saw a man washing his hands, police said. When the woman entered a stall, the man came in behind her, police said.

The man exposed his genitals and told her to be quiet, police said. He forcibly kissed her as she tried to get out of the stall.

The woman was able to force her way out and reported the attack.

Surveillance video showed the man get in a white colored Ford utility van and police got a partial Pennsylvania license plate number

The car was stopped by the Syracuse Police Department on Sunday for an unrelated call and the man was arrested.

Galindo R. Lopez, 28, of Syracuse, was charged with first-degree sexual abuse, unlawful imprisonment, forcible touching and exposure of a person.

Lopez was transported to the Onondaga County Justice center for arraignment.

Hes being held in the Justice Center jail on $50,000 bail bond or $25,000 cash bail, according to jail records.

Police ask anyone with additional information related to this assault to contact Detective Sean Wallace at swallace@ciceronypd.gov or 315-699-3677.
PHNOM PENH, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Cambodia's National Police said on Wednesday that a suspect, who shot dead a former Cambodian opposition lawmaker in Bangkok, Thailand, on Tuesday, was arrested in northwest Cambodia's Battambang province.

"Based on the request for cooperation and information provided by the Royal Thai Police, the Cambodia's National Police has conducted a thorough search, and at 13:50 on January 8, 2025, the Battambang Provincial Police found and arrested the suspect," the National Police said in a press release.

"The suspect will be sent back to Thailand at the request of the Royal Thai Police in accordance with the law after the Cambodia's National Police completes its procedure," the press release added. 
Spencer Phillips, principal bass of The Syracuse Orchestra, said its not easy to find a violinist who will perform Giovanni Bottesinis Gran Duo Concertante.

The piece is artistically demanding, calling for virtuosic skill. But Noemi Miloradovic will join him on Sunday, Jan. 12 at 3 p.m. to play the operatic-style music with The Syracuse Orchestra.
Hip-hop legend Lil Wayne has announced a limited five-city tour for 2025.

The tour kicks off on February 27 in Indianapolis, followed by Tallahassee on March 76 before heading to Birmingham (March 7), Norfolk (March 14), and Raleigh (March 15). The performances will feature a special lineup with fellow rapper Quavo and up-and-coming artist Anella.

Fans can access artist presale tickets via Ticketmaster with the code: TUNECHILIVE. The presale ends on Thursday, January 9 at 10 p.m. local time.

Tickets for the general public go on sale Friday, January 10.

Tickets are also available on secondary market platforms such as Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, and StubHub, which offer verified tickets with buyer guarantees. These platforms may offer below-face-value pricing and availability for sold-out shows, depending on demand.

January 18  Atlanta, GA - State Farm Arena

February 27  Indianapolis, IN - Gainbridge Fieldhouse

March 6  Tallahassee, FL - Donald L. Tucker Civic Center

March 7  Birmingham, AL - Legacy Arena at the BJCC

March 14  Norfolk, VA - Chartway Arena

March 15  Raleigh, NC - Lenovo Center

Lil Wayne is best known for his chart-topping hits like Lollipop, A Milli, and 6 Foot 7 Foot. With five volumes of Tha Carter and multiple Grammy wins, he is considered one of the genres greatest. His most recent work includes the 2024 single Bless and ongoing projects like Tha Carter VI.

You can stream his extensive discography on Apple Music (free trial).
Syracuse, N.Y.  A food warmer in the Syracuse Academy of Science kitchen was identified as the source of high carbon monoxide levels Tuesday that sent five people to hospitals, school officials said.

A night cleaning man was found dead in the cafeteria by school employees, but the death appears unrelated to the deadly gas, according to Bekir Duz, the charter schools assistant superintendent.

The man was dead before the kitchen staff turned on the food warmer, according to Jim Evans, the schools attorney.

The Syracuse fire department responded to a call at 7:54 a.m. for a cardiac arrest at the school, according to Captain Phillip Vogt, a spokesperson for the Syracuse Fire Department. The charter school is at 1001 Park Ave.

While working on the man, a carbon monoxide detector on the firefighters equipment went off indicating high levels of the gas.

Twelve adults were evaluated and five were transported to hospitals with symptoms consistent with mild to moderate exposure to carbon monoxide, Vogt said. Most were working in the kitchen area, where the levels of carbon monoxide were found to be the highest.

The gas was traced back to the kitchen equipment which has been removed, Duz said.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that is a byproduct of incomplete combustion. In 2022, more than 600 people in the United States died from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

No students were exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide, Vogt said. The students were evacuated and sent to the district building next door. The school decided to send students home for the remainder of the day.

The school has carbon monoxide detectors as required by the code, Duz said. The school said the fire department regularly inspects the schools fire and carbon monoxide detection systems.

Syracuse police are investigating the death of the man but have no reason to believe it is a criminal matter, said Kieran Coffey, a spokesperson for the Syracuse Police.

The man who died had worked in the school for three years, Duz said.

He was a very hard worker and will be deeply missed, he said. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and loved ones.

The school and police have not released the mans name at this time.
Scipio, N.Y. -- Families who were planning to send their kids to Camp Casowasco this summer will have to find a plan B.

The United Methodists of Upper New York told their parishioners that the camp will be taking a pause for the next nine months while the organization decides what to do with the property.

Any activities that were scheduled for the Owasco Lake camp will be shifted to other camps owned by the conference near Rochester, Binghamton, or the Adirondacks, said Shelby Winchell, a spokeswoman for the United Methodists of Upper New York.

The group has owned the property for nearly 80 years. Attendance at the summer camps for kids and family events throughout the year have both declined significantly, according to an article on the United Methodists of Upper New Yorks website.

Winchell said the camp needs $2 million in repairs. At the same time, its been losing money. Over the last four years, the deficit totaled $1.2 million.

Attendance at the camp has plummeted since the pandemic. In 2015, more than 1,000 people attended summer camp and retreats at the property. Last year, that number was 128, according to data from the religious organization.

The property has been a Methodist camp and retreat for nearly 80 years. The sprawling property was sold to the Methodists in 1946 by Gertrude Case, the widow of Theodore Case.

He invented the technology that brought sound to movies. Gertrude sold the property to the church for a fraction of its value with two conditions: It be used for ministering to children and youth; and it bear her familys name, according to a history of the property on the organizations website.

Cayuga County property records show the camp, located at the southern end of Owasco Lake, is worth $5.6 million.

Winchell said the church conference is not planning to sell the property.

Leaders in the organization will be meeting with each other and parishioners in the coming months to decide on the future, she said.

Marnie Eisenstadt writes about people and public affairs in Central New York. Contact her anytime email | Twitter| Facebook | 315-470-2246.
By Raga Justin | Times Union, Albany

Albany, N.Y.  The longtime push to legalize physician-assisted death in New York will hit the decade mark as lawmakers return to the state Capitol this week.

Advocates who have for years rallied around the bill, which allows medical professionals to help terminally ill patients die, have been an ubiquitous presence in Albany for the better part of that decade, despite significant reservations from some lawmakers and an opposition campaign that includes religious and disability rights groups.

But proponents in New York predict a slow creep to victory for the legislation, which has been widely considered controversial but as similar measures have successfully passed in over 10 states, including California, Colorado, Oregon and New Jersey. Other countries have also long legalized the practice, including Canada.

Corinne Carey, the New York director of the advocacy group Compassion and Choices, urged Gov. Kathy Hochul to take a public stance on the issue as the legislative session is slated to kick off this week. Carey said the group met in November with Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, who has long skirted opining on the bill, and said she was optimistic that Stewart-Cousins would be more receptive to the legislation this session.

Carey also said that Democrats' focus on bodily autonomy for issues like reproductive rights has wrongfully excluded the choice to end life when a patient is suffering from a terminal illness.

Its just a matter of time before (Democratic leaders) acknowledge what everyone else seems to already know: that autonomy at the end of life is part and parcel of this freedom that they believe in, Carey said. Its a terminal illness that is taking someones life and and it is wresting control from them.

The bill sets some guardrails on who would be eligible to receive medical assistance in planning their own death and lays out an extensive process to get approval from a physician.

Only patients with an incurable and irreversible illness or condition that has been medically confirmed and may cause death within six months are eligible, according to the legislation.

But advocates have not succeeded in persuading members of organizations like the New York Catholic Conference, which has remained firmly opposed to aid-in-dying, as well as disability rights advocates. Those organizations call the procedure physician-assisted suicide, a term that has been rejected by Compassion and Choices but is still recognized by the Associated Press.

In a statement, New York Catholic Conference Executive Director Dennis Poust called the legislation a slippery slope and pointed to Canadas law, which has been expanded to apply to people with chronic illnesses.

New Yorkers want to see the Legislature focus on issues of affordability, public safety and mental health, Poust said in a statement. Lawmakers would be wise to prioritize these issues, rather than dangerous legislation that will inevitably lead to abuses and coercion targeting the most vulnerable members of society.

___

(c)2025 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.)

Visit the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) at www.timesunion.com
Buffalo, N.Y.  The downtown Buffalo location of Syracuse-based Dinosaur Bar-B-Que has announced it will close at the end of February as it prepares for a move to a new location in the suburbs.

The Dinosaur at 301 Franklin St. in Buffalo opened in 2014. It is one of six locations for the Syracuse chain, all in New York state. Dinosaur has had several out-of-state locations in the past, but those have since closed.

The new location will be in a former Perkins restaurant at 4245 McKinley Parkway in Hamburg, south of the city, Dinosaur CEO Mike Nugent announced a news release. Its expected to open in late summer or early fall 2025, the report said.

The Dinosaurs lease in downtown Buffalo expired at the end of February. It plans to close on Feb. 2 or until the BBQ runs out, the news release said.

We couldnt be prouder of our incredible team in Buffalo, who poured their hearts into delivering the best barbecue and hospitality. Were deeply grateful for the community that welcomed us 11 years ago and kept coming back for more, Nugent said in the release. As one door closes, another opens, and were excited to bring our unique flavors and vibe to Hamburg.

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que traces its roots to the early 1980s when founder John Stage and his motorcycle buddy Mike Rotella began cooking for mobile biker events. They opened the first Dinosaur at 246 W. Willow St. in Syracuse in 1988.

The restaurant gained national fame, and at one time had 10 locations, as far away as Chicago and Baltimore. It closed its last two out-of-state locations, in Connecticut and New Jersey, amid the Covid pandemic.

In addition to Syracuse and Buffalo, the other current Dinosaur locations are Rochester, Troy, Harlem and Brooklyn. Gift cards for the Buffalo Dinosaur can be redeemed at that location until it closes or at any of the other locations.

Don Cazentre writes for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at dcazentre@nyup.com, or follow him at NYup.com, on Twitter or Facebook.
An employee works at a supermarket in Gaomi City, east China's Shandong Province, Dec. 16, 2024. (Photo by Li Haitao/Xinhua)

BEIJING, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- China's top economic planner on Tuesday released a guideline for building a unified national market, breaking down market barriers to boost domestic demand while enhancing openness.

The guideline, issued by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), aims to encourage all localities and government departments to accelerate their integration into the unified national market and actively support its development.

Key measures outlined in the guideline include unifying the underlying institutions and rules of the market, improving the high-standard market infrastructure connectivity, building a unified market for factors and resources, advancing the high-standard integration of goods and services markets, enhancing fair and unified regulation, and curbing unfair market competition and improper intervention.

ADDRESSING BOTTLENECKS FOR SMOOTH CIRCULATION

The concept of a unified market is not new in China. As early as 2013, the country introduced a work plan to remove regional blockades and establish an open market system. The push gained momentum in March 2022 when central authorities issued guidelines calling for accelerated progress.

Most recently, the tone-setting Central Economic Work Conference held last month identified the formulation of a guideline for building a unified national market as a key task for 2025.

Liu Rihong, an official from the Research Office of the State Council, noted that the relatively weak domestic demand, especially in consumption, is a vital bottleneck for economic circulation.

Liu emphasized that building a unified national market is essential to unleashing domestic demand potential, facilitating the efficient flow of goods and factors, improving resource allocation, and fully harnessing the market's industrial and demand advantages.

The guideline aims to tackle these challenges by drawing firm "red lines" to eliminate local protectionism, regional barriers, and unfair practices in market access, bidding and government procurement, NDRC official Wang Shancheng told a press conference on Tuesday.

Local authorities are prohibited from using administrative or penal measures to intervene in economic disputes or infringe on business rights illegally, the guideline said, adding that unlawful cross-jurisdictional law enforcement or administration are also banned.

It stated that the cross-regional flow of goods and factors must not be restricted, and bidding and government procurement should avoid limiting or designating specific patents, trademarks, brands, parts, origins or suppliers.

The document also calls for establishing a unified national social security public service platform, allowing people to access social security in the locality where they work even if they do not hold local residency.

Wang said work is underway to revise and publish a new negative list for market access to further optimize market access management.

FOSTERING OPENNESS, FAIR COMPETITION

"Far from being closed-door or isolated, the unified national market is a global-facing and highly open market," said Li Weizheng, an official with the Ministry of Commerce, at the press conference.

Efforts are being made to streamline foreign investment market access. Notably, the 2024 national negative list for foreign investment eliminated all market access restrictions for foreign investors in the manufacturing sector. This was a groundbreaking move for global manufacturers entering the Chinese economy.

In addition to reducing barriers, efforts are underway to improve the business environment by ensuring national treatment for foreign-funded enterprises in terms of access to factors of production, license application, standards setting, and government procurement.

Li noted that since the beginning of 2024, the Ministry of Commerce has held 15 foreign enterprise roundtables, resolving over 370 issues raised by foreign firms to ensure their success in the Chinese market.

Li particularly highlighted that in the automobile trade-in program, new cars from foreign brands account for over 35 percent of sales, driving rapid sales growth for foreign-funded automakers.

Looking ahead, the country will continue to expand high-level opening-up to attract global resources through a smooth domestic circulation and provide a broader platform for various business entities, Wang added. 
sachin_cs BHPian



Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Raipur C.G. Posts: 739 Thanked: 4,088 Times

Thar Roxx test drive with Mahindra Development Engineer Quote: sachin_cs Originally Posted by



Likes: Road presence, theres nothing like the Thar, looks menacing on the road.

Interior quality is very good, looks modern and luxurious

Practicality over the 3 door thar

You can have all the features you want in a modern car

Mahindra has better touch points across India, you will find a Mahindra dealer even in small cities

Good glass area, the car doesnt feel claustrophobic

Clutch and gearbox was easy to use, gone are the days of long throws of Scorpio

Electronic steering is city friendly

Turbo lag is well masked, the Mhawk offers great drivability

Dislikes: If you are after 2WD variant & want a family car, just go for XUV700, its a far superior and more comfortable car. If you are looking for 4x4, then the Thar Roxx makes sense.

The ride is still choppy, you will feel the road, even small undulations unsettle the car or rather the Thar

I was driving at 80kmph over my regular commuting route & theres a dip in a flyover, the rear went hell loose and my friend Ashish bumped his hand

High speed direction changes are best avoided, it lacks that confidence and has lot of body roll as expected from a tall car

Im sure I would get motion sickness if I spend too much time in the rear seat

I dont know why but somehow I felt that both the front & rear seats lack underthigh support.

Theres massive nose diving under hard braking

I understand its a ladder on frame truck so I cant expect much in terms of driving dynamics.

Engine is tractable but it doesnt offer that pushed into the seat feeling as the numbers suggest I went for the test drive of the Mahindra Thar Roxx (AX7 D MT), I really wanted to find out what the buzz is all about. Me and my school friends decided to spend our Sunday with the car, we all live in different parts of the city and we decided to meet at Mahindra. For reference, we all are driving enthusiasts and we love spending time behind the steering wheel. I drive a Skoda Rapid DSG, my friend Ali drives a Ford Fusion + diesel (it has done 2L kms and he has maintained it so well) and the other friend Ashish drives a Creta OG & 3XO. We took turns to drive the car and we all had almost the same opinion on the drive experience. I took a re-test drive of the Mahindra Thar Roxx with an engineer from Mahindra:



I wanted to share an interesting anecdote with fellow enthusiasts. The day is 31st December & Im at my home chilling with my family, my phone rang I couldnt receive it, it was from my close friend. An hour later, my phone rang again and it was from Mahindra, I expected it to be some sales call, picked up the call & the person on the other side says that someone from Mahindra Chennai plant wants to meet you. I was absolutely clueless, on further enquiry, he told me that this is regarding the test drive I did on 6th October 2024 and the Team-BHP post. I immediately called my friend and came to know that the Mahindra team has been trying to reach me from quite some time.



On 6th October, me & my 2 friends did the test drive of the Thar Roxx, the driving license submitted was of my friend Ashish who owns a 3XO, they reached Ashish for my contacts & he was on a trip, so he asked them to connect with another friend who owns a 3XO too, since we are not in contact from quite some time so he gave them the contact of my 3rd friend Ali & he finally shared my contact with them. I can totally understand that its difficult for anyone to reach one on TeamBHP directly, so they had to do a lot of efforts.



The meeting was scheduled for 4PM & the Mahindra dealer is near to my home, but I drove 30 kms to pick my friend Ali to the other side of the town & then again drove back to Mahindra dealer, because, we both did the test drive together, so I wanted him to be with me this time too. We both reached the showroom and we were taken to their conference room & there we met Mr Gautam, Mahindra Development Engineer, all the way from Chennai. I was still not sure what to expect, my first question to him was what brings him here?



So, it happens that the Mr Gautam is part of the product development & engineering team and he was involved in the development of the Thar Roxx & its testing. They have extensively done the testing on different parts of India & they look forward to take further cues from the experiences, feedbacks which may differ from their observations & findings. He read my post on TeamBHP regarding the above mentioned test drive & he wanted to meet us for further feedback. He came all the way from Chennai to discuss our experience & take further feedback, I was blown away by the efforts the team Mahindra is putting to listen to their customers & working for further improvements. We immediately got down to business & we discussed everything right from the product development to testing to competition & everything in between. The discussion was so intellectually enriching for me to learn so much about the product, the engineering went behind it from someone who himself has worked on its development. We discussed the above mentioned likes & dislikes one by one and Mr Gautam made it very clear in the beginning that he is not here to change our minds or anything, he just wanted to have a discussion on our experience & to share more about the functioning & behaviour of the Thar Roxx.



After the intense discussion, we decided to go on the test drive again, on the same route & with Mr Gautam behind the wheels. The car was the same, Thar Roxx MT D, we were 4 on-board, Mr Gautam, Mahindra regional head, me & my friend. We tried to create the same test driving scenario as the last one to compare the dynamics of the vehicle & our experience. Likes remains the same as it was before, there are a couple of points I would like to mention regarding the dislikes.

We all agreed that the chassis construction plays a big role & how a monocoque and a ladder frame behave differently on the same driving conditions

Thar Roxx being a top heavy vehicle with ladder frame chassis wont ride as flat as an XUV700 in highways, until & unless it is equipped with electric dampers

We drove on the same dip in the flyover at the speed of 85kmph, theres vertical movements like it was before but thats how the car is supposed to behave because they need to have a balance between the on-road & offroad capabilities, there will be some trade offs for sure

In our previous drive, my friend Ali did a lane change & we felt the body roll, well this time, Mr Gautam did the lane change at much higher speed, rather aggressively & there was body roll as expected from a tall vehicle but whats impressive was that the car gained the composure immediately, there was no continuation of lateral body movements, you driving straight, perform a sudden lane change, there are movements during the lane change & the moment you finish the manoeuvre, the car is straight like arrow, thats an engineering feat as to how beautifully it controlled the body from further movements.

This was something we didnt experience the last time because we didnt push the car to the limits & the hint of body roll made us lose the confidence on the car, but the reality is, it has been engineered to handle a lot more, its just you have to get beyond that mental block & the Thar Roxx can do fun things too in a controlled manner

Next up, we reached an enclosed area and took a 90 degree long sweeping curve at the speed of 80kmph, I was sceptical initially because the moment the car entered the left hand curve, the car tilted slightly towards the right but thats it, I was expecting a lot of body roll but again, the car got the composure back and it stayed flat though out the long 90 degree curve, I was honestly impressed with the suspension & the stability on offer. Doing something similar on the Thar 3 door or old Bolero or old Scorpio is unimaginable, Mahindra has come a long way.

We returned to the showroom and had a nice chat with the gentleman, well, he drives a Rapid too & he totally understands my perspective of cars, their dynamics, handling etc. He was open to staying in Raipur for a day more if we further wanted to understand more about the vehicles or wanted to experience other vehicles or had any other doubts, which I politely declined because it would have been wrong at our end to ask someone to stay in our city that too on new years eve, away from the family. We had a great time with the team Mahindra at Raipur, I never expected them to send an engineer all the way to small city like Raipur to take on the product feedback. Since we had the opportunity, I have friends who own Mahindras, so I shared the service concerns with him and other areas of improvements which Mahindra would want to look into. All in all, it was a great way to end my 2024 and I am thankful to them for taking inputs from us normal people, Im sure their knowledge & experience is much more than us but still they chose to hear us, such positive approach & small gestures is what makes a brand. It was a great experience for me & my friend to learn so much about the cars technically, it was an evening well spent. Looking forward to meeting them soon at their Chennai plant this year.





The only picture I could capture





P.S. This goes on to show how closely our forum is being monitored by the manufacturers & big thanks to TeamBhp, without it, I wouldnt have experienced any of these in tier 2 city like Raipur. I wanted to share an interesting anecdote with fellow enthusiasts. The day is 31st December & Im at my home chilling with my family, my phone rang I couldnt receive it, it was from my close friend. An hour later, my phone rang again and it was from Mahindra, I expected it to be some sales call, picked up the call & the person on the other side says that someone from . I was absolutely clueless, on further enquiry, he told me that this is regarding the test drive I did on 6th October 2024 and the Team-BHP post. I immediately called my friend and came to know that the Mahindra team has been trying to reach me from quite some time.On 6th October, me & my 2 friends did the test drive of the Thar Roxx, the driving license submitted was of my friend Ashish who owns a 3XO, they reached Ashish for my contacts & he was on a trip, so he asked them to connect with another friend who owns a 3XO too, since we are not in contact from quite some time so he gave them the contact of my 3rd friend Ali & he finally shared my contact with them. I can totally understand that its difficult for anyone to reach one on TeamBHP directly, so they had to do a lot of efforts.The meeting was scheduled for 4PM & the Mahindra dealer is near to my home, but I drove 30 kms to pick my friend Ali to the other side of the town & then again drove back to Mahindra dealer, because, we both did the test drive together, so I wanted him to be with me this time too. We both reached the showroom and we were taken to their conference room & there we met Mr Gautam, Mahindra Development Engineer, all the way from Chennai. I was still not sure what to expect, my first question to him was what brings him here?So, it happens that the Mr Gautam is part of the product development & engineering team and he was involved in the development of the Thar Roxx & its testing. They have extensively done the testing on different parts of India & they look forward to take further cues from the experiences, feedbacks which may differ from their observations & findings. He read my post on TeamBHP regarding the above mentioned test drive & he wanted to meet us for further feedback. He came all the way from Chennai to discuss our experience & take further feedback, I was blown away by the efforts the team Mahindra is putting to listen to their customers & working for further improvements. We immediately got down to business & we discussed everything right from the product development to testing to competition & everything in between. The discussion was so intellectually enriching for me to learn so much about the product, the engineering went behind it from someone who himself has worked on its development. We discussed the above mentioned likes & dislikes one by one and Mr Gautam made it very clear in the beginning thatAfter the intense discussion, we decided to go on the test drive again, on the same route & with Mr Gautam behind the wheels. The car was the same, Thar Roxx MT D, we were 4 on-board, Mr Gautam, Mahindra regional head, me & my friend. We tried to create the same test driving scenario as the last one to compare the dynamics of the vehicle & our experience. Likes remains the same as it was before, there are a couple of points I would like to mention regarding the dislikes.We returned to the showroom and had a nice chat with the gentleman, well, he drives a Rapid too & he totally understands my perspective of cars, their dynamics, handling etc. He was open to staying in Raipur for a day more if we further wanted to understand more about the vehicles or wanted to experience other vehicles or had any other doubts, which I politely declined because it would have been wrong at our end to ask someone to stay in our city that too on new years eve, away from the family. We had a great time with the team Mahindra at Raipur, I never expected them to send an engineer all the way to small city like Raipur to take on the product feedback. Since we had the opportunity, I have friends who own Mahindras, so I shared the service concerns with him and other areas of improvements which Mahindra would want to look into. All in all, it was a great way to end my 2024 and I am thankful to them for taking inputs from us normal people, Im sure their knowledge & experience is much more than us but still they chose to hear us, such positive approach & small gestures is what makes a brand. It was a great experience for me & my friend to learn so much about the cars technically, it was an evening well spent. Looking forward to meeting them soon at their Chennai plant this year.P.S. This goes on to show how closely our forum is being monitored by the manufacturers & big thanks to TeamBhp, without it, I wouldnt have experienced any of these in tier 2 city like Raipur. Last edited by sachin_cs : 7th January 2025 at 15:21 .
Briarean BHPian



Join Date: May 2022 Location: Bangalore Posts: 59 Thanked: 374 Times

Re: Social media users in India under 18 to require parental consent



I feel this discussion is going away from a barrier for child protection to social media privacy concerns and its influence on the masses.



Quote: Hayek Originally Posted by I think this is an ill-judged move, and an attempt to use child protection as an excuse to end anonymity and privacy protections.



This is the first step of a slippery slope where all social media users will be forced to Aadhaar authenticate before they post anything. Why should that be the case?



Yes, the concerns of free speech are very valid, and it definitely needs protection. But unless you are a whistleblower, being anonymous on social media might not serve any good to society. There is no anonymous superhero/vigilante/Robinhood on social media.



This also means that you should be wise enough to decide how to use social media.



If it is for connecting with your colleagues, friends and family, then you should express your opinion amicably and avoid conflicts as much as possible. Because you value your connection more than your opinion.



If you wish to use it for activism (especially political or religious) then you should be prepared to face the glory and backlashes accordingly. You might lose friends and gain followers. Beware of the consequences of your reactions and their cost. Your responses are your responsibility.



Regarding the privacy concerns:

In my opinion, privacy concerns in this digital age are one of the most widespread myths because there is almost no privacy.



What all things can we try to ditch for privacy? Mobile, computer, social media, mobile Apps, cars, TVs, Alexa/Siri, CCTVs, Traffic Cameras, connected home, connected devices



Your refrigerator and microwave will tell your food habits, online shopping will tell them about your health, diet, & interests social media will tell your personality, and OTT will tell about your choice of contents. Every connected device watches you, hear you and spy you And all these will be used to manipulate you. Welcome to the 21st Century.



Now the question on how to regulate this. Where is the boundary where your privacy will meet citizens and nations safety? It needs another discussion!!!



Quote: BullettuPaandi Originally Posted by Valid concerns. But, I think this is not quite the first step on the slippery slope, and in my opinion, this potentially makes matters a lot more worse.



1. With our current data protection norms, traceability via Aadhaar is not really a necessity, regardless of what either an authoritarian or a libertarian government is looking to enforce. Such authentication would make it easier for sure; but not a necessity.



2. It is in fact the political parties, that benefit disproportionately more than the common citizen exercising free speech, from 'anonymous media'

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That said, technically speaking, this is still a step in the right direction. The issue is that it hinges- in my opinion too much- on the average voter/parent. It is ultimately up to the voters discernment to realise whether or not they're being exploited, whether or not who they'd be voting for will abuse such power, etc. And it is up to the parents discernment, to decide what is good or bad for their children. Regarding the Social media influence by political parties and other prominent organizations:



This started with legacy news media, which were used by the same political parties, prominent organizations, NGOs and even countries to manipulate news and opinion. They were successful then, and they are trying now with social media. It has happened everywhere, and it is happening again. MarkZ has already admitted it.



For them, having more anonymous users (and bots) on social media will add more noise to the message and can be manipulated to amplify their causes. Their motto is If you cant convince them, confuse them. The accountability of individual user accounts will be crucial here.



The one positive aspect of social media is that the common man also has a voice. Rather than swallowing the manipulated news and biased opinions of the so-called experts, anyone can question them. X (former Twitter) is doing a good job of it as of now. They have community notes to debunk most of the agendas.



Moreover, anyone can reach out to a prominent person or authority for grievance. Be it former Skoda CEO, Anand Mahindra, higher private/govt/law & order authorities or even the railway minister. These are the channels available to directly communicate with them. If implemented properly, this move should be good for the kids and their parents. Parents will be able to monitor their kids social media and will also be accountable for any misdeed (like bullying, ragging etc.) done by them. This will also deter other unscrupulous entities from manipulating kids through social media.I feel this discussion is going away from a barrier for child protection to social media privacy concerns and its influence on the masses.Social media accountability is very much needed today. No one should try to manipulate others anonymously.Yes, the concerns of free speech are very valid, and it definitely needs protection. But unless you are a whistleblower, being anonymous on social media might not serve any good to society. There is no anonymous superhero/vigilante/Robinhood on social media.This also means that you should be wise enough to decide how to use social media.If it is for connecting with your colleagues, friends and family, then you should express your opinion amicably and avoid conflicts as much as possible. Because you value your connection more than your opinion.If you wish to use it for activism (especially political or religious) then you should be prepared to face the glory and backlashes accordingly. You might lose friends and gain followers. Beware of the consequences of your reactions and their cost. Your responses are your responsibility.In my opinion, privacy concerns in this digital age are one of the most widespread myths because there is almost no privacy.What all things can we try to ditch for privacy? Mobile, computer, social media, mobile Apps, cars, TVs, Alexa/Siri, CCTVs, Traffic Cameras, connected home, connected devicesYour refrigerator and microwave will tell your food habits, online shopping will tell them about your health, diet, & interests social media will tell your personality, and OTT will tell about your choice of contents. Every connected device watches you, hear you and spy you And all these will be used to manipulate you.Now the question on how to regulate this. Where is the boundary where your privacy will meet citizens and nations safety? It needs another discussion!!!This started with legacy news media, which were used by the same political parties, prominent organizations, NGOs and even countries to manipulate news and opinion. They were successful then, and they are trying now with social media. It has happened everywhere, and it is happening again. MarkZ has already admitted it.For them, having more anonymous users (and bots) on social media will add more noise to the message and can be manipulated to amplify their causes. Their motto is If you cant convince them, confuse them. The accountability of individual user accounts will be crucial here.The one positive aspect of social media is that the common man also has a voice. Rather than swallowing the manipulated news and biased opinions of the so-called experts, anyone can question them. X (former Twitter) is doing a good job of it as of now. They have community notes to debunk most of the agendas.Moreover, anyone can reach out to a prominent person or authority for grievance. Be it former Skoda CEO, Anand Mahindra, higher private/govt/law & order authorities or even the railway minister. These are the channels available to directly communicate with them.
A hot potato: It seems that Meta is going to become a lot more like X, at least when it comes to what you can say on the company's platforms. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has announced the suspension of the fact-checking program, a reduction in the amount of censorship, and the recommendation of more political content across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.

In a video announcing the changes, Zuckerberg says Meta has built a lot of complex systems to moderate content, "But the problem with complex systems is they make mistakes."

Zuckerberg adds that accidentally censoring just one percent of posts can affect millions of people, and that we're at the point now where there have been too many mistakes and "too much censorship."

"The recent elections also feel like a cultural tipping point towards once again prioritizing free speech," Zuckerberg continued.

Coming to the US first in the next couple of months, Meta's biggest change is the replacement of third-party fact checkers with community notes, which have gained popularity on X. Zuckerberg claims that fact checkers have become too politically biased and have destroyed more trust than they created.

The notes will appear as labels on posts indicating that there is additional information. To prevent bias, the notes will "require agreement between people with a range of perspectives." Meta is also dialing back the prominence of content warning labels.

Meta is also going to "simplify" its content policies, removing restrictions on topics such as immigration and gender that "are just out of touch with mainstream discourse."

"What started as a movement to be more inclusive has increasingly been used to shut down opinions and shut out people with different ideas, and it's gone too far. So I want to make sure that people can share their beliefs and experiences on our platforms."

Another change is the way Meta enforces its policies on platforms. Filters that used to scan for any policy violation will now focus on illegal and high-severity violations such as terrorism, child sexual exploitation, drugs, fraud, and scams. The company will rely on users to report lower-priority violation before it takes any action. Zuckerberg believes this will dramatically reduce the amount of censorship on the platforms.

The final change is the return of civic content, which was removed in 2021 due to political misinformation concerns. Zuckerberg said Meta will work to keep civic and political discourse "friendly and positive."

The next change is to move Meta's Trust and Safety and Content Moderation teams from California to Texas and other US locations. Zuckerberg said as Meta works to promote free expression, it will help build trust to do this work in places where there is less concern about bias from the teams.

Finally, the CEO said Meta will work with President Trump to push back against governments around the world that have been "going after" American companies and pushing to censor more. He claims that Europe's ever-increasing number of censorship laws make it difficult to build anything innovative in the continent. Zuckerberg specifically mentions Latin American courts and China trying to push more censorship.

The announcement comes days after former UK deputy prime minister Nick Clegg said he was resigning as Meta's president of global affairs, replaced by Republican Joel Kaplan. The company has also appointed UFC CEO Dana White to its board.

While Meta's changes will likely be welcomed by the incoming president, Trump has had a strained relationship with Zuckerberg in the past. Facebook banned the president-elect for two years shortly after the January 6 insurrection in 2021. Trump has also called Facebook the enemy of the people, accused Zuckerberg of plotting against him during the 2020 election, and said he would "spend the rest of his life in prison" if he ever did it again. But Zuckerberg was quick to congratulate Trump on his re-election. Meta also donated $1 million to an inauguration fund for Trump.
CANBERRA, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reiterated social media's social responsibility on Wednesday following Meta's announcement to abandon its fact-checking program.

"Social media has a social responsibility," Albanese told a press conference held in Mount Isa of the country's northeastern state of Queensland, when responding to Meta's decision not to do fact-checking.

Referring to the criticism that social media will make about Australia's decision and legislation to ban social media for those under 16, Albanese said that is "one that we don't resile from."

"We will stand up for Australia's national interest," he said. The prime minister attributed the rise in mental health issues for young people to social media, adding "I say to social media they have a social responsibility and should fulfil it."

Under the world-first law, children and teenagers under 16 in Australia will be banned from using social media from the end of next year. Social media companies could be fined up to 50 million Australian dollars (about 31.17 million U.S. dollars) for failing to take "reasonable steps" to keep children under 16 off their platforms.

Facebook and Instagram owner Meta said on Tuesday that it was scrapping its third-party fact-checking program because expert fact-checkers had their own biases and too much content ended up being fact-checked. 
The big picture: Lenovo is redefining portable computing with the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable. Unveiled at CES 2025, this innovative laptop features a 14-inch OLED display that can expand vertically to an impressive 16.7 inches at the press of a button  or, for a touch of futuristic flair, with a simple wave of your hand.

We've seen concepts and prototypes of rollable displays before, but Lenovo is the first to bring this technology to a consumer laptop hitting the market. When you need extra screen real estate for work, coding, or simply immersing yourself in videos and games, the ThinkBook's display literally unfurls, providing those additional inches of viewing area.

The resolution scales up as well, increasing from 2,000 x 1,600 to 2,000 x 2,350, offering ample space to keep multiple windows open side by side.

A key advantage of this design is the convenience  it eliminates the need for separate peripherals like a wireless keyboard or a stand to support a second display, which is often required with current dual-screen models.

Lenovo has designed several smart software features to make the most of the rollable display. The ThinkBook Workspace utility allows you to pin widgets and virtual app windows to the bottom portion of the screen while keeping your main app visible at the top. Additionally, the Smart Copy feature maintains a searchable history of your clipboard contents, which you can also pin for easy access.

Under the hood, the laptop packs serious hardware. It offers up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor from the Ultra 200V series, paired with up to 32GB of LPDDR5x RAM and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD. The integrated Intel Xe2 graphics should deliver a notable boost for light graphics work. Other impressive features include Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, 2x2W speakers, dual microphones, and a 5MP webcam with IR support for Windows Hello.

Of course, all this cutting-edge technology comes at a premium price  the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable starts at $3,499 and launches in Q1 2025. There's also a trade-off in portability; the laptop measures 0.78 inches thick and weighs 3.73 pounds, which is slightly bulkier than others in its class, likely to accommodate the mechanized rollable display mechanism.

Still, as the first rollable-display laptop to hit the consumer market, it's an exciting glimpse into the future of portable computing. Lenovo's innovative design suggests that future iterations could address these drawbacks and refine the concept even further.
Facepalm: Software updates are traditionally designed to improve a device's performance and overall functionality. Occasionally, however, manufacturers are forced to release updates that have a known negative impact on performance. While the stated goals may change, users are never pleased when they are forced to sacrifice amenities like speed and battery life they once enjoyed.

Google has launched a battery performance program for the Pixel 4a, a budget smartphone released in 2020 and discontinued in 2023. The company is rolling out an automatic update for Android 13 that includes new battery management features.

Over time, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries may experience significant degradation, which is why Google recommends battery replacement. Google acknowledges that this update could reduce battery capacity and even impact charging performance on some devices. Not all Pixel 4a variants are affected by the change, so users will need to check to see if they own an impacted device.

Some owners may be eligible for a free battery replacement. If battery replacement isn't feasible, Google offers a one-time $50 payment or a $100 discount code for purchasing another Pixel phone through the official Google Store.

Google stopped selling and updating Pixel 4a devices a few years ago, but many users are likely still using this budget smartphone today. Returning phones affected by the new battery issue isn't required, so customers can continue enjoying their vintage (ish) smartphone experience as long as they understand what they're dealing with.

The company also provides useful advice and best practices to maximize battery health, although some steps only apply to Android 9.0 and later operating systems. My recently purchased Google Pixel 7a has yet to show any noticeable battery issues, although customization options for the Home screen are severely lacking for an "open" mobile operating system like Android 15.

Google likely decided to make the Pixel 4a battery performance program public to avoid potential legal issues with customers. In 2017, Apple pushed a similar software update to improve iPhone battery and power management, but users sued the company after discovering their devices were being deliberately slowed down.
Meta is altering its content moderation policy, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in the latest announcement. As part of sweeping changes aimed at rectifying issues on content bias and promoting free expression on the platform, the company will soon shift its content moderation teams from California to Texas.

Fact-checking, topic restrictions, and political content management will also change dramatically in this new direction for Facebook's parent firm.

Meta Plan to Enhance Trust and Reduce Content Bias

Just a day after Meta appointed UFC head Dana White to its board of directors, the company will make another change for some of its teams.

Zuckerberg mentioned that the move of the content moderation teams to Texas would help build user trust. He elaborated that Meta wanted to lessen criticism about its content moderation being politically biased since the state has less criticism during its assessments.

This is the self-declaration of Mark Zuckerberg about Meta's continuous effort to secure free speech and create a clearer atmosphere for their customers.

Amid intense oversight on the management of content moderation by technology corporations, Meta shifted its content policy to Texas to combat public criticism for seemingly censoring one's own particular viewpoint on such matters.

Besides relocating its moderation teams, Meta is making some changes to its content moderation policy. Most notably, the company has announced that it is ending its independent fact-checking program in the United States.

Instead, Meta will be taking a page from Elon Musk's book with the introduction of a Community Notes feature. This new system will allow users to contribute notes to posts, which will be more community-driven for fact-checking and content evaluation.

Loosening the Straps on Sensitive Content

The second huge change is that Meta is removing restrictions on sensitive topics such as immigration and gender. The previous policies have been more restrictive for these topics, and posts are flagged or removed for violating platform guidelines. Meta's new approach is intended to open up discussion on these sensitive issues and avoid censorship.

According to The Verge, it also reinstates civic content on all its platforms, that is, Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. This should help fuel political conversation and participation among users as the 2024 U.S. election draws near.

With this move by Meta to reopen the platform for civic content, the company is giving itself a chance to promote democratic conversation and debate.

The Texas Move: A Blow to Growing Conservative Policies

The decision to move content moderation teams to Texas comes with its share of political implications. Texas has been a hotbed for conservative policies, and Meta's move fits into broader trends in the tech industry.

For instance, Elon Musk moved X (formerly Twitter) and SpaceX operations to the state partly due to his opposition to California's progressive stance on issues such as LGBTQ+ rights.

Speaking of this, Meta blamed the error after being exposed for hiding LGBTQ hashtags from IG search results.

However, this move may also have political and social implications for Meta's employees. Texas has the country's strictest laws on gender-affirming care for transgender minors and is even among the few states with a near-total abortion ban.

What this may mean is tension for those moving over from California, where all social policies are much more liberal.

Meta's Leadership Change Toward Trump-Friendly Policies

Changes in the content moderation policies of Meta are also seen against the backdrop of a shift the company's leadership is witnessing. The company recently appointed Joel Kaplan as its new policy chief.

Kaplan is infamous for his connection to former President Donald Trump, which has created concerns about whether conservative politics may influence the content policies of the company.
Samsung is making its AI-powered service available as a paid subscription to its smartphones and other devices. For the first time, it's a quick upgrade from the previous AI Subscription Club launched for home appliances in South Korea.

This one will touch the Galaxy phones, as well as the soon-to-be-launched Ballie AI robot.

New AI Subscription Model of Samsung: What's Offered?

Since the AI Subscription Club was released by Samsung, this technology has been capable of enabling subscribers to make use of anything ranging from AI-powered televisions and fridges to even washing machines on a pay-as-you-go basis. According to a recent report by ET News via The Verge, it's now about time when the firm takes its subscription-based payment model out for its phones and the AI robot Ballie.

While the exact features remain in the dark, it is clear that Samsung wants to give a more enhanced experience powered by artificial intelligence for a monthly fee.

"We will apply the subscription service to Galaxy smartphones starting next month. Ballie will be introduced first in Korea and the US, and we plan to supply it as a subscription in Korea," Samsung Electronics vice chair Han Jong-hee said.

The subscription service will grant the users access to the advanced functionalities of AI that may include sophisticated camera features and voice assistants along with even better integration for smart homes.

The company, however, has cleared the ambiguity stating that all these services won't be essential for the Galaxy phone users in case they opt for using its basic AI capabilities.

The South Korean tech giant, in the first place, said that all core features would be free till 2025. Later plans have not been stated yet.

What's in the AI Subscription for Samsung's Home Appliances?

In December last year, Samsung unveiled its AI Subscription Club, an application that applies to home appliances in South Korea, allowing consumers to pay monthly for smart devices and services such as repair and maintenance.

This model allowed users to reduce the up-front costs of high-tech appliances while ensuring support and upgrades are available over time. The program runs the gamut from AI TVs to refrigerators, and many add on the benefits of extended warranties and service packages.

It remains to be seen whether the subscription model will go global. Yet with Samsung growing fast in the smart home space, this might just be an opportunity that eventually filters into other parts of the world, starting first in the United States and Europe.

What to Expect from the Upcoming Galaxy Unpacked Event

The highly-anticipated Galaxy Unpacked event from Samsung is scheduled for Jan. 22, in San Jose, California. There are high hopes for this event because it may present the new series of the Galaxy S25 including the new Galaxy S25 Slim, according to GSM Arena.

Many are speculating that this event will reveal the first glimpse of the full AI subscription service for Galaxy smartphones and perhaps more details on how the Ballie robot will integrate into users' daily lives.

Is This Subscription Model a Game-Changer for Samsung?

Although the AI Subscription Club is in its very infancy, it marks an ambitious new venture for Samsung. For South Korean users, this is a convenient way to embrace the latest technology with a payment structure that's more flexible and affordable. On the other hand, it exhibits Samsung's promise to integrate more artificial intelligence within its ecosystem.

The key to this model's success will depend on whether Samsung can offer enough value to justify the subscription fee, especially when most AI features will still be accessible for free in the near term.

If the subscription proves successful, it could lead to a more widespread rollout, changing how consumers engage with Samsung's devices and services.

What we don't know so far is that the Samsung subscription will not only be limited in Korea. Of course, Samsung fans also anticipate that it will be ready for global launch soon, but this still might take some time.
Did you know that Manga is a century older than Anime?

Manga originated in Japan as form of comics and Graphics Novels. Its popularity is widespread across the world.

Mangas come in various genres including action, drama, horror, detective, adventure, comedy, and so the list goes on.

People of all ages and walks of life whether adults or kids read Manga now.

Sometimes it is difficult to find the right place for the latest issues of your favorite Manga comics.

Therefore we have compiled a list of the best Manga sites to read manga online for free.

You can even read Manga on PC, and smartphones through these websites.

Find popular Manga such as One Piece, Attack on Titan, Demon Slayer, Bleach, and Tokyo Ghoul, Death Note amongst thousands of other options.

Some of them are completely free to download legally, while others offer trials, along with the first few chapters as previews.

Best Manga Sites to Read Manga Online for Free

Coming straight from Japan, we have Manga Plus by Shueisha Inc., which is a Manga site to read Manga online for free. There is no hidden fee involved and relying on ads to sustain.

The in-built reader has three-page resolution  low, medium and high. It can be set by the user depending on how much internet data he wants to use. If you dont like vertical scrolls then switch to horizontal and read like a book.

It is available everywhere except China, South Korea, and Japan where Shueishas own app is available for users to read Manga. Here most Manga series is available in English, followed by Spanish and Portuguese.

Crunchyroll has almost become synonymous with Anime and Manga. With its high-quality prints, you can consider it amongst the best online Manga sites in the world.

The site offers a 14-day trial which will let you read Manga for free. You will be charged post-trial on a monthly basis. Crunchyroll has a simplified website interface for the Manga section with almost no annoying ads.

You can browse Manga by genre, popularity and frequency of updates with newer editions. Most Manga here is available in 10 different languages, from Spanish to Italian.

Kadokawa is one of the biggest Manga publishers in Japan. They launched their own free Manga site, Comic Walker, after being fed up with scanlations.

Here you can read Manga online for free without requiring an account or any subscription fee. You can search for your favorite Manga by its title or the artist.

Slide the seek button like a video to browse different pages of a Manga. You can resume reading from where you left off even without logging in.

Book Walker is also owned by Kadokawa and now has become a store for digital comics from Japan. You will find free Manga titles every month.

They now also house manga from other publishers like Yen, Viz, and Kodansha. There is more paid content than free on the website but its enough to get you through for a couple of months.

You can always purchase Manga and it will be permanently added to your catalog. Read Manga in your library from website or mobile app.

Read over 10,000 chapters across different Manga titles on Shonen Jump. Get the latest chapters of Manga such as Hunter x Hunter, One Piece, and Haikyu among several hundred titles available.

You can read first three chapters of any Manga for free. There will be a FREE green colored button for the chapters that are free to read. To continue reading post the free chapters, you need to subscribe to the subscription which costs $1.99/month after the 7-day free trial.

Usually around 20 Manga receive weekly chapter updates. Shonen JJump releases an English translation along with the Japanese edition.

Comico is a really good Manga site which is owned by NHK Japan, which is the states media corporation. Here you can read many Manga chapters in Japanese for free. Rest are available for rent.

Login using a social media account with options such as Google, Facebook, Apple and Twitter. Logging in will let you add Manga to favorites and discuss chapters through the comment section.

The entire Manga website is in Japanese with no other languages available. We would recommend opening it in Google Chrome for easier translations.

They have coins as the default currency which can be purchased from their store. One coin cost a Japanese Yen and it cannot be bought in any other currency.

Inkr is a famous Manga website for reading Manga, webtoons and comics series. Sign up for an account and you will get 2500 coins to spend on reading your favorite Manga.

The Manga site lets you rent chapters by spending coins. You can browse Manga titles by studio, titles, and genre. There is also an entire section of Free to read Manga on Inkr, consisting of shorter titles.

Inkr also has recommendations based on the Manga you are reading. It helps you explore newer titles after you have completed one.

Comixology recently became a part of Amazon Kindles reading section. You can find the latest Manga there and also be read on a Kindle.

You can read Manga for free through the 30-day trial. It gives you access to top publishers such as Kodansha, Dark Horse, Image, and Yen Press.

There are over 2,400 Manga titles on Comixology which includes Initial D, Fairy Tale, etc. Add a Manga title to your library and you can read on any device with a browser or a Kindle app.

Explore more than 25 different Manga genres such as Yuri, Magical Girls, Isekai, etc.

Are you bored with the usual storylines and scripts of the Manga sites on the internet? Then Webtoons might be for you. They opened Manga creation to anyone from anywhere.

Read thousands of Manga for free which are created by users from the community. There are series going on for years with 500+ chapters. Some of them are translated into dozens of languages by the fans.

The Manga reader has a vertical scroll. Keep up swiping up to read a chapter. Bookmark a chapter by pressing the plus button at the top.

Next on our list of the best Manga sites is Manga Planet. It is a popular legal site for reading Manga with the latest releases. There is a large library of free Manga to read consisting of different genres.

Save time and log in using a Google or Facebook account instead of creating a new account. Once logged in, make a list of your Mangas and also create a watchlist for the future.

Manga Planet has a widespread schedule posted of the upcoming chapters of each Manga title. All the content on this site are currently only in English. For readers in other languages, you can refer to the earlier discussed Manga sites.

While Bato.to may not match the features offered by other platforms on this list, it stands out as a free manga website worth checking out.

The site boasts a diverse collection of manga comics, although it cannot search for or categorize manga by genre. However, you can find color-coding titles for easy identification.

Regular or classic mangas are denoted by blue titles, while popular and recently added mangas feature red and green labels.

Bato.to provides additional features such as a bookmark option, a dark mode, and a publishing tool for users interested in uploading new comics to the platform.

Over to You

These were the best Manga sites to read manga online for free. You can even download Manga legally on select sites by subscribing to a premium plan.

Also Read: Best Manga Apps

Best Free Manga Sites FAQs
People play in the snow at the National Mall near the U.S. Capitol building in Washington D.C., the United States, Jan. 31, 2021. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede echoed these sentiments. "Greenland belongs to Greenlanders. Our future is ours to shape," he posted on Facebook.

OSLO, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- European nations have voiced opposition to remarks made by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump regarding the potential use of military force to seize control of Greenland, reigniting tensions over his previous interest in the autonomous Danish territory.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Trump said he would not rule out the possibility of military action in Greenland and the Panama Canal. This prompted swift reactions from European leaders, emphasizing the sanctity of sovereignty and international law.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that the inviolability of borders is a fundamental principle of international law, which applies to every country, regardless of its size or power. He said that in discussions with European partners, there was a lack of understanding regarding recent statements from the United States.

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot warned of the resurgence of "might makes right" policies, calling on Europe to bolster its strength. Speaking to France Inter radio, Barrot noted that Greenland is a "territory of the European Union and of Europe."

"It is undoubtedly no way that the European Union would let other nations of the world, whoever they are, attack its sovereign borders," he said.

This photo taken on Oct. 4, 2024 shows the European Commission building in Brussels, Belgium. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)

The European Commission refrained from directly addressing Trump's remarks, emphasizing the importance of respecting sovereignty. "It is clear that the sovereignty of states has to be respected," said spokesperson Anitta Hipper.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reiterated that Greenland's future rests solely in the hands of its residents. "Greenland has made it clear that it is not for sale," she said.

Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede echoed these sentiments. "Greenland belongs to Greenlanders. Our future is ours to shape," he posted on Facebook.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen called for calm. "I have no perception that we are in a foreign policy crisis," he said in a press conference.

In Poland, Deputy Foreign Minister Andrzej Szejna described Trump's rhetoric as part of a "post-campaign rush," urging restraint until his inauguration on Jan. 20.

Trouw, a Dutch newspaper, warned of potential North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) complications if the U.S. pursued military action against Denmark, a fellow member of the military alliance.

Slovak media Dennik N described Trump's statement that "nobody knows" whether Denmark has the right to Greenland as untrue, adding that Greenland has significant autonomy, but it is part of Denmark, which is America's ally in NATO.

On Tuesday, Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of Trump, visited Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, describing the trip as a private tourism visit. "We are just here as tourists, to see it all," he told reporters, declining to comment on broader American interest in Greenland.

French President Emmanuel Macron (L) meets with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, Dec. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

However, his father, Trump, expressed a different tone when noting the visit on his social media platform Truth Social. "Don Jr. and my Reps landing in Greenland. The reception has been great. They, and the Free World, need safety, security, and PEACE! This is a deal that must happen. MAGA. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!"

Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, gained home rule in 1979 and expanded self-government in 2009. 
Afghanistan warns Iran after dam project criticism



Kabul, Jan 8 (AFP) Jan 08, 2025



The Afghan government warned Iran on Wednesday against "irresponsible comments" following Tehran's criticism last week of an upstream dam being built by its neighbour.

Water rights have long been a source of friction in ties between the two countries, which share a more than 900-kilometre (560-mile) border.

Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesman for the Iranian foreign ministry, voiced "strong protest" on Friday over the "disproportionate restriction of water entering Iran" due to the Pashdan Dam on the Harirud River, adding that the project could be in violation of bilateral treaties.

The new Iranian ambassador to Kabul, Alireza Bigdeli, met on Wednesday with the political deputy of the Afghan prime minister's office, Maulawi Abdul Kabir.

Kabir said that while the "water-sharing dispute between the two countries has been resolved through mutual understanding... irresponsible comments could undermine the relationship between the two countries".

The Afghan Taliban official added that there were "no issues in Afghanistan that could harm relations with Iran" and "expressed his desire to strengthen bilateral cooperation", according to a government statement on social media platform X.

Afghanistan's Taliban authorities said last month that the Pashdan project, located in Herat province, was "nearing completion" and water storage had begun.

The dam will store around 54 million cubic metres of water, irrigate 13,000 hectares of agricultural land and generate two megawatts of electricity.

The Harirud River, also known as Hari and Tejen, flows from the mountains of central Afghanistan to Turkmenistan, passing along Iran's borders with both countries.

In May 2023, Iran issued a stern warning to Afghan officials over another dam project, on the Helmand River, saying that it violated the water rights of residents of Sistan-Baluchistan, a drought-hit province in southeastern Iran.
Finnish top court rejects complaint on govt climate inaction



Helsinki, Jan 8 (AFP) Jan 08, 2025



Finland's Supreme Administrative Court said Wednesday it had dismissed a complaint filed by rights groups accusing the Finnish government of not doing enough to meet the country's climate targets.

A group of six environmental and rights organisations filed the lawsuit in August, arguing the government had violated the country's climate legislation.

They said the Finnish government of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo had failed to take sufficient action to meeting its legally binding climate targets. Those targets include reaching climate neutrality by 2035 and having net-negative emissions.

They argued that Finland was not on track to meet its emission reduction targets, mainly because of excessive logging and a lack of efforts to curb emissions from the agricultural and transport sectors.

They also said the government had failed adopt measures to increase the country's carbon sink -- meaning things that absorb more carbon from the atmosphere than they release.

The lawsuit was filed by the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation, Greenpeace Norden, Amnesty International Finland, Grandparents for Climate, the Finnish Nature League and the Finnish Sami Youth.

However, in its ruling published on Wednesday, the Supreme Administrative Court said the case had been dismissed.

The court noted that the government had identified a need for further measures to increase the carbon sink and it was too early to conclude whether measures were sufficient or not because they had not yet taken effect.

The case marks the second time environmental organisations have tried to take the government to court over climate inaction.

In the previous case, concluded in 2023, the Supreme Administrative Court decided not to review the complaint due Finland's climate law only having been in force for a short while.
Chadian Prime Minister Allamaye Halina (1st R) meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (1st L), also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, in N'Djamena, Chad, on Jan. 8, 2025. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

N'DJAMENA, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chadian Prime Minister Allamaye Halina met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi here on Wednesday to promote bilateral cooperation.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that Halina is an old and close friend of the Chinese people, who served as a bridge in promoting China-Chad friendship during his tenure as Chad's ambassador to China. The Chinese foreign minister expressed his anticipation for Halina's continued support for mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries in his capacity as prime minister to achieve greater progress in bilateral ties.

In September last year, Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno attended the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, where the two heads of state elevated bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, advancing their relations to a new level, Wang said.

Under the strategic guidance of the two leaders, bilateral cooperation is advancing rapidly, he added.

China is willing to strengthen all-around cooperation with Chad, steadfastly support each other on major issues, jointly oppose power politics and bullying, safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of both sides, and uphold international fairness and justice, Wang said.

At the FOCAC Beijing Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed 10 partnership action plans for China and Africa to jointly advance modernization. Each plan aligns with the development needs of African countries, including Chad, reflects the shared aspirations of the African people, and will provide tangible support for Chad's development and revitalization, Wang said.

China is ready to work with Chad to implement the action plans in the Central African nation and ensure that these initiatives yield sound outcomes, he noted.

For his part, Halina said that in September last year, the Chadian and Chinese presidents held fruitful talks and decided to elevate the friendly cooperation between the two countries to a new level.

The Chadian government will actively implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, prioritize relations with China in its foreign policy, and position itself as China's most steadfast and reliable partner, he said.

Chad firmly adheres to the one-China policy, recognizing that there is only one China in the world and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, Halina said.

The Chadian side highly appreciates and fully endorses President Xi's vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind and the goal of achieving global modernization together, he said, adding that Chad looks forward to deepening mutually beneficial cooperation with China to achieve common development and welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest in the country.

Although no longer serving as Chad's ambassador to China, Halina said he will continue to act as an envoy, dedicating himself to expanding cooperation with China and working tirelessly to promote the development of bilateral ties. 
This photo taken on Jan. 8, 2025 shows artifacts unearthed during an archaeological excavation in Luxor, Egypt. Archaeologists in Egypt have unearthed significant finds near Luxor, including parts of a temple linked to Queen Hatshepsut, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said on Wednesday.(Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

LUXOR, Egypt, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Archaeologists in Egypt have unearthed significant finds near Luxor, including parts of a temple linked to Queen Hatshepsut, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said on Wednesday.

A team led by Zahi Hawass discovered a well-preserved section of the Valley Temple's foundations, which served as the main gateway to Hatshepsut's funerary temple, dating back to the 18th Dynasty (around 1539-1292 BC).

The excavation yielded over 1,000 decorated blocks and fragments with detailed carvings and inscriptions, considered rare examples of sculpture from Hatshepsut's reign and that of her successor, Thutmose III. The ministry said these inscriptions are the most complete found from the temple, which was deliberately destroyed during the Ramesside Period (around 1292-1077 BC).

More than 100 limestone and quartzite tablets bearing Hatshepsut's royal cartouches (nameplates) were also found. These, along with other foundation deposits, confirm Hatshepsut's ownership of the temple.

The team also uncovered rock-cut tombs and artifacts from the Middle Kingdom (around 1938-1630 BC), including a tomb belonging to "the Overseer of the Palace" of Queen Tetisheri from the 17th Dynasty (around 1630-1540 BC). Burial shafts from the same period, an extensive necropolis, and bronze coins from the Ptolemaic Period (the last dynasty of ancient Egypt) were also discovered.

Abdel-Ghaffar Wagdy, Director General of Luxor Antiquities, told Xinhua that the discoveries, supported by the Ministry, would "undoubtedly help attract more tourists." 

This photo taken on Jan. 8, 2025 shows an archaeological excavation site in Luxor, Egypt.

Archaeologists in Egypt have unearthed significant finds near Luxor, including parts of a temple linked to Queen Hatshepsut, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said on Wednesday.(Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

This photo taken on Jan. 8, 2025 shows artifacts unearthed during an archaeological excavation in Luxor, Egypt.

Archaeologists in Egypt have unearthed significant finds near Luxor, including parts of a temple linked to Queen Hatshepsut, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said on Wednesday.(Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

This photo taken on Jan. 8, 2025 shows artifacts unearthed during an archaeological excavation in Luxor, Egypt.

Archaeologists in Egypt have unearthed significant finds near Luxor, including parts of a temple linked to Queen Hatshepsut, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said on Wednesday.(Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

This photo taken on Jan. 8, 2025 shows an artifact unearthed during an archaeological excavation in Luxor, Egypt.

Archaeologists in Egypt have unearthed significant finds near Luxor, including parts of a temple linked to Queen Hatshepsut, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said on Wednesday.(Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

This photo taken on Jan. 8, 2025 shows artifacts unearthed during an archaeological excavation in Luxor, Egypt.

Archaeologists in Egypt have unearthed significant finds near Luxor, including parts of a temple linked to Queen Hatshepsut, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said on Wednesday.(Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

This photo taken on Jan. 8, 2025 shows mummy coffins unearthed during an archaeological excavation in Luxor, Egypt.

Archaeologists in Egypt have unearthed significant finds near Luxor, including parts of a temple linked to Queen Hatshepsut, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said on Wednesday.(Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

People take photos of artifacts unearthed during an archaeological excavation in Luxor, Egypt, on Jan. 8, 2025.

Archaeologists in Egypt have unearthed significant finds near Luxor, including parts of a temple linked to Queen Hatshepsut, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said on Wednesday.(Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
In the 1980s, Northern Territory land rights were new, and the first hearings were being held in Darwin. With the coming of constitutional and other changes regarding the status of Indigenous people, power had shifted away from government powerbrokers such as the long-time director of welfare, Harry Giese, who presided over Indigenous people as wards rather than fellow citizens. The old guard was proud of listing the entire Indigenous population of the NT in what was dubbed the stud book. And they were prone to dismiss emerging Indigenous leaders as mission boys  as if having a decent education made them inauthentic.

My memory jumped back to the 1980s, driving south of Darwin with a much younger Galarrwuy, who announced that, as he was the chairman of the Northern Land Council (NLC), he didnt need anyones permission to travel through other peoples Country. Earlier, at the NLC headquarters, he had introduced himself by narrating the story of a great ancestral rock under the sea which moved yet stayed strong, in place.

This book opens with the moment Galarrwuy Yunupingu gifted Clare Wright, and in turn, the world, with the books title  the Yolgnu name for the bark petitions sent to the Australian parliament in 1963. Naku for the bark of the gadayka tree, used for bark painting. Dharuk for word or message. In both Yolgnu and English, the words of the petition are encircled by intricate designs and images of people, implements, a canoe, terrestrial and sea animals and plants. Each ochred brushstroke signifies ancestral histories of deep connection to Country.

Author Clare Wright, a history powerhouse, works in a range of media. Following The Forgotten Rebels of Eureka and You Daughters of Freedom, this is the third book of Wrights Democracy Trilogy, in which significant material objects provide entrees into important histories. The bark petitions certainly provide an intriguing historical document. But could their story, as the title promises, really change the course of Australian democracy? Will the book live up to the hype?

One of the Yirrkala bark petitions

At 618 pages, Naku Dharuk provides a blow-by-blow account of how the people of the Yirrkala mission community stood up for their rights, insisting on being consulted about mining on their land and potential disturbance to their sacred sites. While Sydney-based Methodist church leader Cecil Gribble supported the government men and their push towards northern development, the Yirrkala-based missionaries witnessed the local peoples anxiety. Aware of their status as outsiders in someone elses world, local missionaries soon learnt respect for Yolgnu belonging.

In an invitation for them to share these belief systems, the superintendent of the mission, Reverend Edgar Wells, had invited elders to prepare bark paintings for their local chapel. A crucial backstory, this became an opportunity for Yolgnu clans to reach out across cultural and religious worlds, articulating their deep sovereignty through enduring visual practices. The missionary teachers were innovative in other ways too, encouraging school students to learn about citizenship, the Australian political system, voting procedures, and even to hold mock elections.

Along with these missionaries and the Yolgnu leaders, one of the standout figures in the story is Labor politician Kim Beazley snr. A member of the international Moral Rearmament movement, Beazley was intent on working with international networks of Christians committed to creating a better world. After witnessing the stunning barks hanging up around the altarpiece of the Yirrkala church, he experienced some kind of catharsis, perhaps appreciating that this was an already deeply storied land, not truly colonised or conquered. An astute political operator, Beazley knew how to successfully steer the 1963 petition so that the government of the day would not continue to ridicule, reject or ignore it. His commitment did not end there; in 1971 he took Wulanybuma Wunungumurra and Galarrwuy to a Moral Rearmament meeting in Switzerland.
The Sydney private schools facing the largest cuts in funding have been revealed after the federal government released its plan to gradually reduce payments to overfunded institutions by 2029.

The Athena School in Newtown, Northern Beaches Christian School, St Augustines College in Brookvale and MLC School in Burwood will each lose more than $2000 in federal funding per student by 2029.

They are among 30 NSW schools projected to lose funding, while a further 66 will have the percentage of their School Resourcing Standard (SRS) reduced, answers to Senate estimates questions on notice reveal.

The SRS uses a formula to decide how much government money each school requires, calculated as part of the Gonski reforms. Each private school is given a capacity to contribute score, based on the median family income, which reduces the base SRS for most non-government schools.
A Queensland Police Service staff member who worked for the states Protective Services Group has been charged and suspended from the service for alleged weapons and traffic offences.

Police issued a statement on Wednesday about the 51-year-old woman, who worked in the operational unit under the Counter-Terrorism Command.

PSG officers provide security to Queensland government facilities, including public transport areas, courthouses and schools.

Police said the woman had been charged with one count each of unlawful possession of restricted items  a baton and handcuffs  unlawful use of a motor vehicle, driving while under the influence, and possession of liquor in a restricted area.

The QPS said the woman allegedly committed the offences while off duty, and has been suspended from the service. It was unclear where the offences were allegedly committed.
Mining billionaire Andrew Forrest has come out swinging in defence of his charity, Minderoo, after it became embroiled in a defamation suit levelled by ExxonMobil, lambasting the oil and gas giant for a pursuit he deemed to be right out of the industry playbook.

According to court filings, Exxon launched a defamation suit against California Attorney General Rob Bonta and several environmental groups in Texas on Monday, demanding damages and a retraction of claims about the oil companys advanced plastics recycling initiative.

WA billionaire Andrew Forrest launched a defence of his iron ore company, Fortescue, and his charity, Minderoo, in the wake of the lawsuit. Credit: AFR.

Exxon has accused Bonta of colluding with US law firm Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, LLP and a swath of environmental groups, including the Intergenerational Environment Justice Fund.

In the suit, the company claims the defendants made false statements about its recycling technology which have since cost it contracts and damaged its future business prospects.
Rome: Italian reporter Cecilia Sala has been freed after three weeks in an Iranian prison and has arrived home, Prime Minister Giorgia Melonis office said on Wednesday.

Sala, 29, was working under a regular journalistic visa when she was detained in Tehran on December 19, accused of violating the laws of the Islamic Republic.

Journalist Cecilia Sala (left) is greeted at Romes Ciampino airport by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Credit: AP

She was detained three days after Iranian businessman Mohammad Abedini was arrested in Milan on a US warrant for allegedly supplying drone parts that Washington says were used in a 2024 attack that killed three US service members in Jordan.

Iran has denied involvement in the attack and has dismissed accusations that it detained Sala to put pressure on Italy to release Abedini.
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- A police officer shot a person Tuesday evening during a traffic stop and an altercation in which the suspect subsequently crashed the car into a Costco building in the city of Marysville, the U.S. state of Washington, according to the Multiple Agency Response Team of Snohomish County.

The vehicle was engulfed in flames, and the suspect died. The team did not specify whether the suspect died from the shooting or the fire.

The incident happened around 8 p.m., according to the team, which investigates police use of deadly force.

During the stop, the suspect's vehicle dragged an officer. The officer fired shots at the suspect, the team said.

The suspect then drove a short distance before crashing into the Costco building, according to the team.

The team is investigating the case, and the identity of the suspect has not been confirmed. 
Gross cash proceeds at closing of approximately $701 million

Advances Goodyear Forward transformation plan, optimizes portfolio of brands

Goodyear to supply Dunlop tires to Sumitomo Rubber Industries pursuant to a five-year Transition Offtake Agreement in Europe

Goodyear to license back the Dunlop trademarks for use on commercial (truck) tires, and retains its rights to the Dunlop trademarks for use on motorcycle tires in Europe and Oceania

AKRON, Ohio, Jan. 7, 2025 -- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company ("Goodyear" or the "Company") today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell the Dunlop brand, comprising trademarks and intangible assets necessary for operations of the brand business in Europe, North America and Oceania for consumer, commercial and other specialty tires ("Dunlop Brand"), together with certain associated intellectual property, to Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. (TYO: 5110) ("SRI").

The sale of the Dunlop Brand follows a previously announced strategic review of the brand in connection with the Company's Goodyear Forward transformation plan. Pursuant to the transaction terms, SRI will pay Goodyear cash proceeds at closing of approximately $701 million for the transfer of the Dunlop Brand across the relevant geographies, a "Transition Fee" for support in transitioning the Dunlop Brand to SRI, and the purchase of Dunlop tire inventory. The transaction also provides for additional ongoing offtake, licensing and other arrangements which are detailed below.

"This is another important milestone as we continue to execute against our Goodyear Forward transformation plan. We are optimizing our portfolio and reducing leverage to drive sustainable and substantial shareholder value creation," said Mark Stewart, Goodyear Chief Executive Officer and President. "Not only does the transaction deliver significant value for our shareholders, it better positions Goodyear to enhance our focus on the growth of our core brands."

"Our team conducted a comprehensive process focused on maximizing value for Goodyear through a divestment of our Dunlop Brand, and we are very pleased with the outcome achieved," said Christina Zamarro, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. "We are committed to working closely with SRI to ensure a smooth transition for customers of the Dunlop Brand."

The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals, other customary closing conditions and consultations and is expected to close by mid-2025. Goodyear intends to use transaction proceeds to reduce leverage and fund initiatives in connection with the Goodyear Forward transformation plan.

Transaction Terms

Goodyear will receive approximately $701 million of cash proceeds at closing from SRI, across three transaction components:

(a) SRI will pay Goodyear $526 million for the Dunlop Brand and certain associated intellectual property; (b) SRI will pay Goodyear a $105 million Transition Fee for support in transitioning the Dunlop Brand and associated intellectual property, and facilitating the transition of Dunlop customers, to SRI, including planning matters and support of distribution and logistics through the end of the Transition Offtake Agreement; and (c) SRI will purchase existing Dunlop consumer tire inventory at an agreed markup. The exact inventory value to be purchased will finalized between signing and closing, however Goodyear estimates proceeds to be approximately $70 million, subject to a true-up.

In addition, under the terms of a Transition License Agreement ("TLA"), Goodyear will continue to manufacture, sell and distribute Dunlop branded consumer tires in Europe through at least December 31, 2025 (subject to extension, as described below). Goodyear will pay a royalty to SRI during this period on Dunlop sales but will otherwise retain all profits from these sales. The term of the TLA will automatically extend for an additional year, through December 31, 2026, unless the parties mutually agree to an earlier termination. This transition period is intended to give SRI time to scale its organization in Europe to effectively absorb the Dunlop Brand and maintain service levels for existing Dunlop customers.

Following the completion of the TLA, Goodyear will supply certain Dunlop branded tires to SRI in Europe for a five-year period under the terms of a Transition Offtake Agreement ("TOA"). The TOA stipulates minimum purchase quantities of 4.5 million tires per year for the five-year term, on a take-or-pay basis. SRI may terminate the TOA early after the third year, with twelve months' notice, subject to payment of a termination fee. The TOA provides Goodyear with an agreed markup to total costs (including raw materials) for each tire sold.

Goodyear will license back the Dunlop trademarks from SRI for commercial (truck) tires in Europe on a long-term basis, subject to a royalty on sales. Goodyear can terminate this licensing agreement at any time during the licensing period.

Dunlop consumer tire sales totaled $532 million in 2023. Dunlop commercial tire sales totaled $201 million in the same period. Other specialty Dunlop tire sales (excluding motorcycle) totaled $22 million.

Goodyear will retain its rights to the Dunlop trademarks for its motorcycle tire businesses in Europe and Oceania.

Goodyear does not expect the transaction to materially impact segment operating income through the term of the TLA. Thereafter, the Company expects the transaction to reduce segment operating income by approximately $65 million per year during the term of the TOA, before any potential actions the Company may take to improve its operating margin. This impact also does not take into consideration other financial benefits resulting from deployment of proceeds from the transaction, including interest expense savings associated with expected debt repayment and other ongoing actions under Goodyear Forward.

Additional information on the transaction, including presentation materials, can be found on Goodyear's investor relations website: http://investor.goodyear.com.

Advisors

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC. is acting as lead financial advisor, Barclays Capital Inc. is acting as financial advisor and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP is acting as legal advisor to Goodyear.

About The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. It employs about 71,000 people and manufactures its products in 54 facilities in 21 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio, and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg, strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry. For more information about Goodyear and its products, go to www.goodyear.com/corporate.

SOURCE The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
CAIRO, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides emphasized on Wednesday that the stability and security of the Middle East are essential pillars for fostering cooperation.

"The region cannot tolerate additional risks that could undermine its stability, destroy its countries, and negatively impact the potential of its peoples," Sisi said during a televised press conference following the 10th Summit of the Egypt-Cyprus-Greece Trilateral Cooperation Mechanism held in Cairo.

"We emphasized during the summit that establishing an independent Palestinian state, in accordance with international references and relevant UN resolutions, is the only way to achieve sustainable peace, and, consequently, economic development and the desired comprehensive cooperation among the peoples of the region," Sisi added.

"Our joint response is crucial in efficiently addressing regional challenges," Christodoulides stated, highlighting the need for regional coalitions to promote human development and economic prosperity.

Mitsotakis stressed, "We must work together to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, release detainees, and establish a two-state solution." He added that the increasing instability in the region necessitates enhanced geopolitical cooperation.

He also highlighted the importance of maintaining the territorial integrity of Syria and establishing a timetable for political transition.

The summit also addressed ongoing crises in Libya, Sudan, and Yemen.

Sisi further noted that the three countries agreed on the importance of developing joint projects in renewable energy, electrical interconnection, and natural gas transportation. These initiatives aim to contribute effectively to ensuring global energy security, which has been affected by recent global crises. 
PARIS, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Visiting U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday in Paris that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's intention to take over Greenland "is not going to happen."

"The idea expressed about Greenland is obviously not a good one. But maybe more important, it's obviously one that's not going to happen," Blinken said during a press conference with France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.

"So we probably shouldn't waste a lot of time talking about it," he added.

Speaking to France Inter radio earlier Wednesday morning, Jean-Noel Barrot noted that Greenland is a "territory of the European Union and of Europe."

"It is undoubtedly no way that the European Union would let other nations of the world, whoever they are, attack its sovereign borders," he said.

He also warned of the resurgence of "might makes right" policies, calling on Europe to bolster its strength.

Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, gained home rule in 1979 and expanded self-government in 2009. 
Friends and family carry Yussef Ziyadne's coffin during his funeral in Rahat, southern Israel, on Jan. 9, 2025. Israeli forces have recovered the body of Yussef Ziyadne, an Israeli-Bedouin hostage kidnapped by Hamas during its Oct. 7 attack, from a tunnel in Gaza's Rafah area, the military said on Wednesday. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

JERUSALEM, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Israeli forces have recovered the body of Yussef Ziyadne, an Israeli-Bedouin hostage kidnapped by Hamas during its Oct. 7 attack, from a tunnel in Gaza's Rafah area, the military said on Wednesday.

Ziyadne, 53, was confirmed dead at Israel's National Institute of Forensic Medicine after his body was found on Tuesday. The military said he was "killed in captivity" and that evidence found during the recovery operation raised "serious concerns" about the fate of his son Hamza, who was also taken hostage.

Ziyadne and his three children -- Hamza, 22, Bilal, 18, and Aisha, 17 -- were abducted while working at Kibbutz Holit. Bilal and Aisha were freed during a prisoner exchange in November 2023. His family confirmed they had been notified of the recovery.

Of the 251 people taken captive during Hamas's assault on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, nearly 100 remain in Gaza, with at least 36 believed dead, according to Israeli officials.

The discovery came as negotiators meet in the Qatari capital of Doha for fresh talks on a potential ceasefire-hostage deal, though no breakthrough has been reported. 

Friends and family attend Yussef Ziyadne's funeral in Rahat, southern Israel, on Jan. 9, 2025. Israeli forces have recovered the body of Yussef Ziyadne, an Israeli-Bedouin hostage kidnapped by Hamas during its Oct. 7 attack, from a tunnel in Gaza's Rafah area, the military said on Wednesday. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

Friends and family carry Yussef Ziyadne's coffin during his funeral in Rahat, southern Israel, on Jan. 9, 2025. Israeli forces have recovered the body of Yussef Ziyadne, an Israeli-Bedouin hostage kidnapped by Hamas during its Oct. 7 attack, from a tunnel in Gaza's Rafah area, the military said on Wednesday. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

Friends and family pray for Yussef Ziyadne during his funeral in Rahat, southern Israel, on Jan. 9, 2025. Israeli forces have recovered the body of Yussef Ziyadne, an Israeli-Bedouin hostage kidnapped by Hamas during its Oct. 7 attack, from a tunnel in Gaza's Rafah area, the military said on Wednesday. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

Friends and family carry Yussef Ziyadne's coffin during his funeral in Rahat, southern Israel, on Jan. 9, 2025. Israeli forces have recovered the body of Yussef Ziyadne, an Israeli-Bedouin hostage kidnapped by Hamas during its Oct. 7 attack, from a tunnel in Gaza's Rafah area, the military said on Wednesday. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)
126 killed as 6.8 quake hits Tibet





BEIJING :

A 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck near one of Tibets holiest cities on Tuesday, killing at least 126 people and injuring 188 others with tremors also shaking buildings and forcing people to run to the streets in neighbouring Nepal. According to regional disaster relief headquarters, the quake jolted Dingri County in Xigaze in Tibet Autonomous Region in China at 9:05 am Tuesday (Beijing Time). The US Geological Service, however, put the quakes magnitude at 7.1. At least 126 people have been confirmed dead and 188 others injured, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered all-out rescue efforts to carry out relief and rescue operations in the affected areas. Xi ordered utmost efforts to treat the injured and urged efforts to prevent secondary disasters, properly resettle affected residents, and handle the aftermath work effectively.

Following the quake, China Earthquake Administration launched a level-II emergency service response and sent a work team to the site to assist with disaster relief efforts. Xizang Autonomous Region also issued a level-II emergency response to the quake. Some 22,000 disaster relief items, including cotton tents, cotton coats, quilts and folding beds, together with special relief materials for high-altitude and frigid areas, have been dispatched by central authorities to the quake-hit area. Over 1,500 local firefighters and rescue workers have also been dispatched to the ground. Xigaze also known as Shigaste is close to the border with India. Shigatse is considered one of the holiest cities of Tibet. It is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, a key figure of Tibetan Buddhism whose spiritual authority is second only to the Dalai Lama. The epicentre was located in Tsogo Township of Dingri County, which has a population of approximately 6,900 people within a 20-km radius. There are 27 villages within this area. Official data show Dingri County has a population of over 61,000 people.

The epicentre is located 90 km North-East of Lobutse in the Khumbu Himalayan range of North-East Nepal. The quake struck at a depth of 10 km, according to a report issued by the China Earthquake Networks Centre, state-run Xinhua reported. In his message, President Xi said it is essential to strengthen earthquake monitoring and early warning, promptly allocate emergency rescue supplies, expedite the repair of damaged infrastructure, ensure that the basic needs of residents are met, and guarantee a safe and warm winter for all. India condoles loss of life: INDIA on Tuesday expressed condolences on the deaths and destruction caused by a devastating earthquake in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Government and people of India express condolences on the tragic loss of life and property caused by the devastating earthquake in the Tibet Autonomous Region, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on X.

Deeply saddened: Dalai Lama: TIBETAN spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, on Tuesday expressed profound sadness over the loss of lives in a devastating earthquake in Dingri County of Tibet. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted Dingri County in Xigaze in Tibet Autonomous Region in China, killing at least 95 people and injuring 130 others with tremors also shaking buildings and forcing people to run to the streets in neighbouring Nepal. The quake jolted Dingri County at 9:05 am Tuesday (Beijing Time). The US Geological Service, however, put the quakes magnitude at 7.1. According to the official site, the Dalai Lama said he is deeply saddened to learn of the devastating earthquake that struck Dingri in Tibet and the surrounding regions this morning. It has resulted in the tragic loss of many lives, numerous injuries, and extensive destruction to homes and property, he said in a message. I offer my prayers for those who have lost their lives and extend my wishes for a swift recovery to all who have been injured, he added. The Dalai Lama has been living in exile in Himachal Pradeshs Dharamshala for several decades.
9 workers trapped in illegal coal mine in Assam; one arrested





GUWAHA TI :

ASSAM Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Tuesday that a person has been arrested after nine workers were trapped inside a coal mine in Dima Hasao district, which appears to be illegal. He also said a case was registered in connection with the incident that occurred on Monday in Umrangso area. Rescue operations have been continuing since Monday but no worker has been brought out of the quarry so far, a district official said.

The police have registered an FIR under Umrangso PS Case No: 02/2025, citing Sections 3(5)/105 BNS, r/w Section 21(1) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, to investigate the incident. Prima facie, it appears to be an illegal mine. One Punish Nunisa has been arrested in connection with the case, the chief minister posted on X. Navy divers have been requisitioned to assist local authorities in rescuing the nine labourers trapped inside the coal mine as the water level inside the quarry has risen to nearly 100 feet, Sarma said. The divers are flying in from Visakhapatnam and are expected to arrive soon, he said.

Navy deep divers have been requisitioned to assist in the rescue operation. The water level inside the mine has risen to nearly 100 feet, according to the assessment by the stationed team. The divers are flying in from Visakhapatnam and are expected to arrive soon, the Chief Minister posted on X. A 35-member NDRF team, led by Commandant H P S Kandari, is conducting rescue operations at the site. Army personnel have been engaged to rescue the nine labourers and a relief task force comprising specialists such as divers and sappers, equipped with essential tools, reached the site in Umrangso, a defence spokesperson said.
CAIRO, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty voiced on Wednesday Egypt's "full support" for Lebanon to elect a new president and end its two-year presidential vacuum.

Abdelatty made the remarks during his phone talks with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, one day after the latter called for a general session to be held on Thursday to elect a president for Lebanon.

The Egyptian foreign minister emphasized the necessity of reaching a purely Lebanese consensus, free from foreign dictates, to elect a president "capable of leading Lebanon to face internal and regional challenges and risks."

"Egypt will continue to provide all forms of support to Lebanon," he reiterated.

For his part, Berri expressed his appreciation for Egypt's continuous political and humanitarian support for Lebanon, especially at such a critical stage and under difficult circumstances.

Due to bitter political division, the Lebanese parliament failed to elect a president for the country in 12 electoral sessions since the end of former President Michel Aoun's term in late October 2022.

A caretaker government has been running the country amid the presidential vacuum. 
As Expected





THE resignation of Prime Minister Mr. Justin Trudeau of Canada has come as per expectations, though a little later than some predictions. He will continue as Prime Minister until his Labour Party comes up with another name as its leader and his successor. There is no doubt that Mr. Justin Trudeau has clad his resignation in nice words stating, in effect, that whatever he has done so far has been as per his belief of what was best for the country and democracy. No matter all the tall talk, it was becoming more and more obvious that Mr. Trudeau would not last for long in office of Prime Minister, particularly after his Finance Minister Ms. Chrystia Freeland quit a few days earlier.

That resignation had exposed the fault-lines in the ruling Labour Party and observers expected Mr. Trudeau to step down soon. With his resignation, Canada now faces twin prospects -- both, good and bad. Good, because Mr. Trudeau had outlived his political utility to the party and the country; and bad because Canadian political eco-system may not have an immediate and appropriate replacement of Mr. Trudeau. So, Canada may face an England-like situation for sometime where Prime Ministers came and went in quick succession. The biggest challenge, thus, for Canada in the next some time is to create a better and greater political stability (that Mr. Justice Trudeau could not offer in a credible manner).

There are reasons to believe that Mr. Trudeau has been sort of a run-of-the-mill politician who was willing to make every and any compromise to stay in power. Those compromises included pampering the Sikh community some of whose leaders pursued a divisive agenda and indulged in political campaigns against India from the Canadian soil. Mr. Trudeau knew very well that he was handling a hand grenade with its pin having been pulled out -- indicating that a social blast could take place any moment. Social blast did not take place, all right. But what happened on the ground carries a great weight on the overall domestic scenario of Canada. Mr. Trudeaus handling of the Sikh challenge was so partisan and so politically-driven that even among the Sikh community, he had begun losing fans and followers. For, from under the political umbrella he offered to the Sikh community, anti-India elements started becoming more aggressive and used their Canadian freedom in the most negative manner. And because it wanted to survive in politics, Mr. Justin Trudeau started patronising those elements without remorse, with no regard to international ethos.

Much to the contrary, he resorted to cheap, political ploys and machinations accusing India of dabbling in Canadas internal affairs. Those were, of course, extreme political measures that did not earn any friends for Mr. Trudeau -- even within his own Labour Party. Mr. Trudeau also tried to whip up diplomatic commotion against India by trying to enlist the help of his friends in American or British or French political systems. Much of those overtures backfired as India had built a strong case against Mr. Trudeaus intrusive politics. Despite that, Mr. Trudeau remained obstinate in his stance and caused further damage to Canadas international interests. In the process, he lost internal political battles and did not win a single external one in Canadas favour. The resignation, though a little too late in the day, has brought to fore all the mistakes and misjudgements Mr. Trudeau indulged in. Canada may take quite some time to recover fully from the Trudeau effect, so to say. His successor will have to work extra-hard in nursing bruised relations with many countries including India. The development, thus, brings to fore a lesson in conduct of international situations on domestic considerations -- that narrow and thin political substratum does not lend strength to any national leader.
Bijapur Naxal attack Chhattisgarh, CRPF top cops visit blast site





Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai carries mortal remains of a security personnel who was killed in a blast on Monday in Bijapur during a wreath-laying ceremony in Dantewada on Tuesday. (PTI)

BIJAPUR :

CHHATTISGARH Director General of Police Ashok Juneja and CRPF DG Vitul Kumar on Tuesday visited the site in Bijapur district where eight security personnel and a civilian driver were killed after Naxalites blew up their vehicle, officials said. In their biggest strike on security forces in Chhattisgarh in two years, Naxalites on Monday blew up a vehicle using an improvised explosive device (IED), weighing 60 to 70 kg, near Ambeli village under the Kutru police station area of the district.

Eight security personnel, four each from the state polices District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Bastar Fighters units, travelling in the SUV and the vehicles driver died on the spot, located around 70 km from the district headquarters. Chhattisgarh DGP Juneja and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Director General Kumar on Tuesday visited the site separately and took stock of the incident, Bijapur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav told reporters here. Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Sundarraj P and senior CRPF officials accompanied Director General Kumar, as per officials.
Collector starts land acquisition for airport expansion 40-50 houses near Shivangaon demolished





Demolition work underway at Shivangaon on Tuesday

By Vikas Vaidya :

After the receipt of 786 hectare land from Maharashtra Airport Development Company for airport expansion, District Collector Dr Vipin Itankar has swung into action. The administration demolished 40-50 houses of Viktubaba Nagar near Shivangaon. Viktubaba Nagar and Shivangaon are the parts of 786 hectare land parcel for Nagpur airports expansion. Dr Itankar is Chairman of MIL, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of MADC. Recently, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had convened a meeting at Mumbai where he asked the officials to expedite works of all airports in State. Nagpurs Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport is undergoing runway recarpetting work and in April, GMR Airports Limited (GAL) will start its facelift work.

After the land acquisition that began long ago, four villages were still inside MIHAN and Shivangaon was one of those. Baba Daware was leading the agitation of farmers. But some years ago, Government gave Rs 300-350 crore to the Project Affected People (PAPs) for the rehabilitation. A huge area of Chinchbhuvan was chosen for rehabilitating the PAPs. Government provided money for the homes, for lands, plots. A complete locality has come up there. Government noticed that the people took full advantage of the compensation but did not leave their residences. They gave these houses on rent to some different people due to which the issue remained unresolved. Dr Vipin Itankar told The Hitavada, Viktubaba Nagar is a part of Zudupi Jungle where we have demolished 40-50 houses after ensuring that the people are not residing there. Many citizens of Shivangaon have requested us for acquiring their homes. They each have been already given 1,000 sq ft plot. 1,034 families are residing there, of which some people have their homes in the city while some are residing in Chinchbhuvan, the rehabilitated area.

The new airport will be built on 786-hectare land and it will link to second taxiway. MADC has already completed the procedure of rehabilitation of residents in Shivangaon village and nearby areas to free the land for transfer. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has taken a major decision of handing over 786 hectare land to MIHAN India Limited, that runs Nagpurs Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport The long-anticipated transformation of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Nagpur will officially begin when GMR Airports Limited (GAL) takes charge of development work from April 2025. It is a major milestone for the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) and its flagship project, MIHAN (Multimodal International Cargo Hub Airport at Nagpur). Expansion is to be done by GMR Airports Limited include constructing new parallel runway. Its initial length is 3,200 meter. The existing runway is proposed to be extended by 400 m in Phase II from beginning of Runway 32 in South East direction with 7.5 m shoulder on both sides and strengthening of existing runway to cater for the strength of Code. A parallel taxiway South of the new runway is proposed in Phase-I. For all these construction works, airport will need land. Shivangaon remained a major hurdle but Dr Itankar has resolved it.
Delhi to vote on Feb 5, counting on Feb 8: CEC





Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar with Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu during a press conference for the announcement of the schedule for the Delhi Assembly elections in New Delhi on Tuesday. (PTI)

NEW DELHI :

ASSEMBLY polls in Delhi will be held on February 5 and the votes counted on February 8, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar announced on Tuesday. The last date to file nominations is January 17 and the scrutiny of nominations will be done by January 18. Candidates will be able to withdraw their nominations till January 20. It is a single-phase election We have deliberately kept polling on a Wednesday so more people come out to vote like we did in Maharashtra, Kumar said at a press conference. By-polls to two Assembly constituencies -- Milkipur in Uttar Pradesh and Erode in Tamil Nadu -- will also be held according to the same schedule. The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday announced February 5 as the date for the by-poll to Tamil Nadus Erode East Assembly constituency. The counting of votes will take place on February 8.

The last date for submitting nominations is January 17, while the deadline for withdrawal of nominations is January 20, the poll panel said. The ECI also announced February 5 as the date for the much-anticipated by-election to Ayodhyas Milkipur Assembly seat. India will soon set new record of one billion-plus voters: CEC Rajiv Kumar: INDIA will soon create a new record of one billion-plus voters, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said on Tuesday. Addressing a press conference here, Kumar said 2024 was the year of elections globally when two-third of the worlds population in democracies voted in different polls. We also had elections in eight States and UTs. There was a good atmosphere, new records were set in the Lok Sabha elections in terms of voting percentage, peoples participation, womens participation..., the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) said. Electoral rolls were released yesterday.

We are crossing 99 crore voters... We are going to be a nation of one billion voters very soon, which will be another record in voting, Kumar said. Courts ruled on 42 occasions that EVMs are not hackable, tampering allegations baseless: Courts have ruled on 42 occasions that EVMs are not hackable and allegations of tampering are totally baseless, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said on Tuesday, rejecting claims by opposition parties about the voting machines being compromised. Announcing the schedule of the Delhi Assembly polls, the CEC advised the public against jhooth ke gubbare (spreading lies). EC to tell Cabinet Secretary no Delhi-specific provision can be made in Union Budget: THE Election Commission will write to the Cabinet Secretary, informing that no Delhi-specific provision can be made in the Union Budget that can disturb the level-playing field, CEC Rajiv Kumar said on Tuesday. Polling for the 70-member Delhi Assmebly will be held on February 5 and the votes counted on February 8, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kumar announced. Responding to a query about the the Union Budget, scheduled days ahead of the polls, Kumar said, We will write to the Cabinet Secretary that no Delhi-specific provision can be made in the Union Budget that can disturb the level-playing field. The last date to file nominations is January 17 and the scrutiny of nominations will be done by January 18. Candidates will be able to withdraw their nominations till January 20.
For the first time, Andamans primitive Jarawa tribe members feature in voter list





PORT BLAIR :

IN A historic step, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration has enrolled and distributed voter ID cards to 19 members of the Jarawa community, earlier known as ferocious and reclusive, a senior official said. Chief Secretary Chandra Bhushan Kumar himself handed over voter ID cards to the members of the Jarawa tribe, also one of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups, at their settlement in Jirkatang. We adopted a comprehensive measure to uphold the unique identity of the Jarawa community and safeguard their privacy, South Andaman District Election Officer Arjun Sharma said. Their enrolment process was designed in such a way that intrusion into their daily lives is minimal, but their understanding of rights as citizens of India is maximum, Sharma said.

This is a landmark achievement in Indias democratic evolution, symbolising the countrys commitment to ensuring inclusivity and equity for all citizens. In a careful balance between inclusivity and cultural preservation, we ensured that no aspect of the process would compromise the dignity of the Jarawa people, he said. A key role in this achievement was played by the Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti (AAJVS), which facilitated the process by building awareness among the Jarawa community about the electoral process in a culturally appropriate and respectful manner, officials said. The AAJVS used methods tailored to the tribes traditional way of understanding, explaining the significance of elections and their role in shaping governance, without disrupting their distinct cultural fabric. The Jarawas are one of the indigenous tribes of the Andaman Islands, known for their semi-nomadic lifestyle, reliance on forest resources, and deep connection to their natural environment.

Historically, the Jarawas remained isolated from outside contact, preserving their unique cultural practices and traditions. They inhabit the western coasts of South and Middle Andaman Islands, a region rich in biodiversity that supports their traditional way of life. The first significant friendly contact with the Jarawas occurred in April 1996, marking a turning point in their interaction with the outside world. This event was initiated when Enmei, a 21-year-old Jarawa tribesman, suffered a serious fracture in his left ankle. The administration provided him with medical treatment, and after his recovery, he was safely returned to his settlement. This incident was pivotal in fostering mutual trust and respect between the Jarawas and the administration, Sharma said.
Gems, jewellery sector urges Govt to reduce GST to 1 pc in upcoming Budget





The gems and jewellery sector has urged the government for a reduction in goods and services tax (GST) to 1 per cent on revenue equivalence ratio to ease the cost burden on the industry in the upcoming Budget. We seek rationalisation of taxes and availability of finance to support business, the All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) Chairman Rajesh Rokde said in a statement on Tuesday. With the continuously increasing gold rates, the current rate of GST is increasingly becoming a burden for the industry and end customers, he said. Therefore, GJC is urging for a reduction in GST from the current 3 per cent to 1 per cent in the upcoming Budget, which will encourage compliance, Rokde said.

The tax reduction will enhance affordability for consumers, especially in rural areas, and most importantly, improve revenue collection by increasing the size of the formal economy, he added. The industry apex body said there is a need to introduce a concessional GST rate for lab-grown diamonds to fully recognise their sustainable and cost-effective attributes compared to natural diamonds. Currently, both natural and lab-grown diamonds are taxed at the same GST rate. GJC asked the Government for a dedicated ministry and urged for state-wise nodal offices and appointment of a central minister specifically for the jewellery sector. We request the government to consider the EMI on jewellery, which has been a long-standing demand of the industry. Gold monetisation Scheme also needs a revamp as it has the potential to unearth idle household gold in the economy and thus helping us to be self-reliant and promote less imports, GJC Vice-Chairman Avinash Gupta said.
HMPV: Centre asks States to increase surveillance for respiratory diseases





NEW DELHI :

THE Centre has advised States to step up surveillance for respiratory illnesses, including ILI and SARI, and spread awareness about the prevention of transmission of the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) after five cases were detected in India. On Tuesday, two suspected cases of the virus were reported from Maharashtras Nagpur. Both the patients were discharged after treatment, a senior official said. Their samples have been sent to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Nagpur and the National Institute of Virology in Pune, the official said. India reported its first HMPV cases on Monday after five children tested positive in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat. Union Health Minister J P Nadda had said that the Government was closely monitoring the situation and there was no reason to worry. HMPV is a globally recognised respiratory virus. It is a viral pathogen that causes respiratory infections in people of all age groups.

Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava on Monday chaired a virtual meeting with states and Union Territories to take stock of respiratory illnesses and HMPV cases in the country and public health measures for their management, a health ministry statement said. The meeting was held amid reports of a surge in HMPV cases in China and on a day when India reported five cases. During the meeting, it was reiterated that the data from IDSP does not indicate any unusual rise in influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory illnesses (SARI) cases anywhere in the country, the statement said. Union health secretary Srivastava emphasised that there is no cause for concern for the public as HMPV has been present globally since 2001, the statement said. She advised States to strengthen and review the ILI/SARI surveillance.

Srivastava reiterated that an increase in respiratory illnesses is usually seen during the winter months and that the country is well prepared for any potential surge in such cases, the statement said. The two suspected cases of HMPV detected in Nagpur, both children aged seven and 14 years, were treated in the outpatient department of a private hospital. Their samples were tested and marked as suspected, Nagpur District Collector Vipin Itankar told reporters. The media reports about HMPV patients in Nagpur are wrong, he asserted. Itankar said there were no HMPV patients in Nagpur, and there was no need to panic. While health officials on Tuesday reiterated that there was no reason to ring the alarm bells, several State Governments said they were on alert. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin is constantly monitoring the situation, Health and Family Welfare Minister Ma Subramanian told a press conference here. Of the five cases reported on Monday, two were from Tamil Nadu. The virus has not created any big impact in India, and especially in the state, the minister said. , adding that the two patients, aged 45 and 69 years, who tested positive on Monday were doing well.

Meanwhile, the Odisha government asked all medical facilities and laboratories in the state to remain prepared to tackle any exigency. After holding a high-level meeting in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday morning, Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling said a small number of HMPV cases have been detected in some parts of the country. However, no case has been detected in Odisha so far. So, there is no need to panic, he said. Meanwhile, the BJP in Karnataka urged the state government not to take the virus lightly as it has created havoc in China. In the wake of two children testing positive for the virus in Bengaluru on Monday, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, R Ashoka, said the administration should immediately check the status of oxygen availability and ICU beds in government hospitals. Addressing reporters here, Ashoka said Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Raos statement asking people to stay calm was aimed at preventing people from getting panicked, but no virus should be taken lightly when the public does not know anything about it.
IPS Amit Kumar awarded Presidents Police Medal





Staff Reporter

Raipur,

IPS Amit Kumar, a 1998-batch officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre, has been conferred with the prestigious Presidents Police Medal for Distinguished Service in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Indian law enforcement. The award was presented by Union Home Minister Amit Shah at a ceremony held in New Delhi on Tuesday, where Kumar was lauded for his dedication and impactful career. The medal recognises Amit Kumars exemplary service during his 12-year tenure with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), where he held key roles as Superintendent of Police (SP), Deputy Inspector General (DIG), and Joint Director. His most recent posting in the CBI was as Joint Director (Policy), where he spearheaded reforms and policy initiatives, leaving a lasting impact on the nations premier investigative agency.

Adding to his illustrious career, official sources highlighted, As SP, Amit Kumar dealt with several Naxalite cases from 2000 to 2010 and supervised investigations into Special Crime, NRHM, and the Coal Scam after joining the CBI in 2011. He also pioneered the Cybercrime Branch and coordinated UNCAC and FATF sessions during his tenure as Joint Director (Policy). In Chhattisgarh, Amit Kumar has made significant contributions to both urban and rural policing.

Known for his adept leadership in the insurgency-hit Bastar region and urban districts like Durg and Raipur, he has played a crucial role in strengthening law enforcement and public safety. His strategic acumen in counter-insurgency operations and urban policing frameworks remains highly regarded. Since January 2023, Amit Kumar has been serving as Additional Director General (Intelligence) for the Chhattisgarh Police. His appointment came shortly after the Vishnu Dev Sai-led government assumed power, reflecting confidence in his capabilities to head the states intelligence operations during a critical juncture. Amit Kumars exemplary service reflects his unwavering dedication to the nation and law enforcement. He is a shining example of professionalism and integrity, inspiring the next generation of officers, remarked a retired senior IPS officer.
Mah makes FASTag mandatory at all toll plazas from April 1





MUMBAI :

THE Maharashtra Cabinet on Tuesday decided to make toll collection through FASTag mandatory from April 1 and announced revisions in the Rules of Business to streamline administrative processes. The Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis approved the Public Works Departments proposal that toll collection at toll plazas across the State will be done exclusively through FASTag from April 1. It also approved amendments to the Public-Private Partnership Policy 2014 to facilitate this change. FASTag is Indias electronic toll collection chip for national highways. The move is expected to bring efficiency and transparency to toll collection and reduce vehicle congestion at toll plazas. It will save time and fuel for commuters, a Government statement said. It also stated that vehicles without FASTag or those entering the dedicated lanes without proper tags will have to pay double the toll fee. At present, tolls are being collected at 13 road projects under the public works department and nine projects managed by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation.

The decision will apply to these and all future toll projects in the State, the statement said. In another decision, the Cabinet approved the revised Maharashtra Government Rules of Business to make administrative functioning smoother and more efficient. The revisions include provisions related to matters to be presented before the cabinet, cases requiring the approval of the Chief Minister or the Governor, and the procedures for meetings of the Cabinet and Council of Ministers. The first such rules were framed in 1975, and this is the third major revision. After the Governors approval, the revised rules will be published in the official gazette.

These changes are aimed at enhancing transparency, efficiency, and public-centric governance, ultimately benefiting the citizens of the State, the statement said. The revised rules contain 48 regulations, four schedules, and one annexure, divided into nine sections. From paper to tab: Mah to introduce e-cabinet system, put Govt decisions on portal: THE Maharashtra Government will soon implement an e-cabinet system which seeks to reduce use of paper and replace traditional documentation with smart tablets at cabinet meetings. The electronic-driven initiative, presented by Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik after the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, aims to make Government functioning more transparent and environmentally sustainable, said an official statement. The system will make cabinet decisions accessible to citizens through a dedicated portal. The digital initiative is being adopted after CM Devendra Fadnavis emphasised on the use of technology to accelerate administrative processes and ensure timely communication of Cabinet decisions. to citizens, said the statement.

Under the system, the use of paper in cabinet meetings will be cut down and smart tablets will replace traditional documentation. This information and communications technology-based solution will provide ministers with an easy-to-use dashboard to access relevant references, review action points, and monitor the implementation of decisions, it said. The fully digital system will streamline the process of presenting proposals online, discussing them during cabinet meetings, recording final decisions, and maintaining related documentation. It will also preserve meeting records and make it easier to retrieve references or past decisions, said the statement. Describing the e-cabinet as a green initiative, the Government noted the system would not only reduce paper consumption, but also save time for Cabinet members and officials involved in the process. It is expected to address several challenges faced in traditional cabinet meetings and improve overall governance, said the statement. The Chief Minister has highlighted this initiative as a crucial step towards good governance, aimed at addressing public issues more efficiently while ensuring environmental sustainability, it added. It said that the schedules detail the names of administrative departments, cases to be presented before the cabinet, matters requiring the Chief Ministers or Governors approval, and procedures for legislative proposals.

The annexure explains the working methods of the cabinet and the council of ministers. As per the statement, a study group of departmental secretaries recommended these revisions based on a comparative study of the rules of the Government of India and other States. Provisions have also been included to ensure orders are issued at a minimum of undersecretary level and to streamline the process for presenting legislative bills, it said. These changes are expected to simplify and expedite the decision-making process, leading to more effective governance in the State, the statement said.
Microsoft to invest $3 billion in AI, cloud expansion in India





BENGALURU :

MICROSOFT will invest USD 3 billion (about Rs 25,700 crore) to expand its cloud computing and artificial intelligence capabilities in India, its chief executive officer Satya Nadella said on Tuesday. The tech giant will also train 10 million people in AI skills in India by 2030, Nadella said, addressing a conference attended by startup founders and executives from technology firms here. Nadella is the latest in the list of tech tycoons to have visited India - the nation of 1.4 billion people that is emerging as an AI battlefront. Chip maker Nvidia chief Jensen Huang, AMDs Lia Su and Meta chief AI scientist Yann LeCun had in recent months visited India, home to millions of programmers and technology services providers like Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys and Wipro. Nadella said the USD 3 billion investment in India would be the single-largest expansion done in the country. The diffusion rate of AI in India is exciting. He, however, did not give a time frame for the spending. Microsoft provides its cloud computing services under the Azure brand name. It has over 60 Azure regions comprising more than 300 data centres. In India, we are excited about all the regions that we have.

We have Central India, South India, West India, and South Central India. We also have the capacities that we built up with Jio. We have a lot of regional expansion happening, Nadella said. When Nadella last visited India in February 2024, he announced the company would provide 2 million people in the country with AI skilling opportunities by 2025, focused on training individuals in smaller cities and rural areas. The Microsoft Chairman also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday in New Delhi. Nadella said the Prime Minister shared his vision on the artificial intelligence mission, India stack, and entrepreneurial aspirations in the country, among others. He had posted a picture of the meeting on X, formerly Twitter, and said, Excited to build on our commitment to making India AI-first. Prime Minister Modi responded, saying he is glad to know about Microsofts ambitious expansion and investment plans in India. Nadella said that after a few years, there will be discussion around correlation between GDP growth in any country and even at company level for their own growth on efficiency levels derived between energy consumed per token per dollar. We are building world-class AI infrastructure.

This is golden for systems when it comes to innovation, Nadella said. He said that the company is doing a lot of regional expansion in India. India is rapidly becoming a leader in AI innovation, unlocking new opportunities across the country. The investments in infrastructure and skilling we are announcing today reaffirm our commitment to making India AI-first, and will help ensure people and organisations across the country benefit broadly, Nadella said. He said that Microsofts mission to empower every person and organisation in India drives the company. To that end, it is about being able to ensure that the human capital of this country is able to continue to scale and take advantage of the immense opportunity and potential the technology has.

Thats why we are very excited to announce today our commitment, which we have always had, to train 10 million people around AI skills by 2030, Nadella said. Microsoft has been pouring billions of dollars into expanding its AI infrastructure and data centre network across the globe. It had last week unveiled plans to invest about USD 80 billion in AI data centres this year. In his last visit, the Microsoft chairman highlighted the pivotal role of Indias developer community in building cutting-edge products and solutions that solve challenges for the nation and can be deployed around the world. He had then launched Microsofts new skilling investment in India to empower people and organisations to thrive in the AI era. The investment will see Microsoft provide 2 million people in India with AI skilling opportunities by 2025 through its Advanta(I)ge India initiative to provide 2 million people in India with AI skilling opportunities by 2025. Nadella had also announced the expansion of the Code; Without Barriers programme to India for skilling and certification to 75,000 women developers in 2024.
BEIRUT, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Israeli forces have withdrawn from several border towns in southern Lebanon, a Lebanese security source told Xinhua on Wednesday.

The source said the Lebanese army would expand its deployment to these villages, with a date to be set later in coordination with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

The Lebanese army has also informed the committee overseeing the ceasefire in southern Lebanon that it confiscated and will destroy a weapons cache found at several border points, the source added.

Lebanon's official National News Agency reported that Israeli forces had conducted house demolitions in the villages of Kfar Kila, Aita al-Shaab, Houla, Taybeh and Taloussa, located in the eastern sector of southern Lebanon.

A U.S.- and French-brokered ceasefire, which came into effect on Nov. 27, 2024, aimed to end nearly 14 months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

The ceasefire agreement stipulates Israel's withdrawal from Lebanese territory within 60 days, with the Lebanese army deploying along the Lebanese-Israeli border and in the south to assume security and prevent the presence of weapons and militants.

Despite the agreement, Israeli forces have continued sporadic strikes in Lebanon, resulting in casualties, according to reports. 
Singleplex PCR to confirm 2 city kids HMPV +ve status





Staff Reporter :

Collector Dr Vipin Itankar asks not to panic, AIIMS Director Dr P P Joshi confirms it is an old virus and its mutation needs to be checked. Samples of two kids will be sent to NIV, Pune.

Though multiplex PCR test on two kids aged 7 and 13 years of Nagpur came positive for Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) would conduct singleplex PCR for endorsing its positive status. Throat swab samples of both the kids have been sent to All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagpur. AIIMS will send these samples to National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune if their CT score comes below 25. Both the children had approached a private hospital with the complaints of fever, cold and cough. The doctor treated them at OPD, conducted RTPCR test that came positive. Accordingly, they were given medicines and sent home. Divisional Commissioner Vijayalaxmi Bidari and District Collector Dr Vipin Itankar made it clear that there is no need to panic about this incident.

Dr Vipin Itankar told mediapersons that these two children came to a private hospital with the symptoms of cough, cold, fever and at OPD. They are suspected HMPV cases. They were treated and sent home. I can say with full responsibility that they are not confirmed cases of HMPV. We have sent their samples to AIIMS which will send those to NIV, Pune for their genome sequencing. Nobody should panic about this incident, Collector Dr Itankar appealed. Dr Itankar warned of strict action if anything related to HMPV, without confirmation, is shared on social media. According to a well-known Microbiologist, the children came positive for HMPV because multiplex PCR was conducted where several viruses are detected. After the results came positive in this particular test, it was informed to Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) that instructed AIIMS to send the samples to NIV for genome sequencing. Metapneumovirus was in circulation in 2001 also. But in 2019, coronavirus had a new mutation and the rest is history. Now, AIIMS will conduct singleplex PCR on these children and then conclusion can be drawn.

AIIMS Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer Dr Prashant Joshi said, The virus is not a novel one. It has been known since 1958. It has not been identified whether it is the new one or not. Secondly, as per the instructions from ICMR, these samples would be sent to Pune if the CT value of these children is below 25. Till now we havent received the CT score of these children. This virus is already prevalent. It was detected in China so we are alert. There is no need to be alarmed. This virus is not like coronavirus. Post-coronavirus pandemic, we have developed herd immunity which can protect us. But we should take precautions.

I have convened the meeting at AIIMS to decide future course of action. We will have testing kits in a day or too. They are costly but for the sake of the safety, we have decided to procure those, Dr Joshi said with concern. Meanwhile Maharashtra Government has set up Task Force following these two cases in Nagpur. According to the state Public Health Department sources, after two days of continuous fever, these girls undertook tests in a private lab and tested positive. They were treated at home and their condition was stable. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis instructed Health Minister Prakash Abitkar and Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif to address public concerns and anxieties about the virus. Task Force, headed by the JJ Hospital Dean Dr Pallavi Saple, will craft standard operating procedure (SOP) and decide on future course of action. Maharashtra Government has called an urgent meeting of the department regarding the HMPV virus.

It is reported that Union Minister of State for Health Prataprao Jadhav will also be present in this meeting. The minister has urged the people not to panic. The medical education commissioner, Rajiv Nivatkar, held a virtual meeting with the Deans of government medical colleges to review their preparedness to tackle HMPV patients and briefed them about the measures to be taken. The State Health Department has issued an advisory asking the district administration to keep a close vigil while stepping up surveillance of patients with cold and cough.
A primary student asks Wang Ningyuan, a senior research fellow at the Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, a question during a lecture held at the Chinese Archaeological Museum in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 21, 2024. The Chinese Archaeological Museum's "Tracing the Origins of Chinese Civilization" lecture series began in June 2024, with nationally renowned experts invited every Saturday at 10 a.m. to the third floor of the Chinese Archaeological Museum.

The lecture series has offered a unique window into major archaeological discoveries and the latest research on the origins and early development of Chinese civilization. (Xinhua)

BEIJING, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- A lecture series hosted by the Chinese Archaeological Museum has offered a unique window into major archaeological discoveries and the latest research on the origins and early development of Chinese civilization.

"Today is the Winter Solstice. A warm welcome to everyone visiting the Chinese Archaeological Museum," museum director Liu Guoxiang told the attendees of a lecture on Liangzhu Culture on Dec. 21, 2024.

The museum's "Tracing the Origins of Chinese Civilization" lecture series began in June 2024, with nationally renowned experts invited every Saturday at 10 a.m. to the third floor of the Chinese Archaeological Museum.

The lecture on Dec. 21 was delivered by Wang Ningyuan, a senior research fellow at the Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology and a leading expert on Liangzhu Culture.

At the Liangzhu ruins, time seemed to have stood still for 5,000 years until its discovery in 1936. Located in east China's Zhejiang Province, it gained UNESCO World Heritage status in 2019, a testament to the continued existence of Chinese civilization.

More than 350 sites of the Liangzhu civilization have been discovered in the lower reaches of China's longest river, the Yangtze, shedding light on one of the earliest urban societies in East Asia.

Among the most significant findings are the ancient Liangzhu city, large expanses of prehistorical rice paddies -- the oldest dating back over 6,000 years, a trove of jade artifacts and agricultural tools such as plows.

In particular, Yucong, or Jade Cong, is a jade tube with a quadrilateral exterior and a circular interior. This ritual article is a hallmark of Liangzhu Culture, which, according to archaeological discoveries, also spread to other parts of China from Liangzhu.

During the middle period of Liangzhu Culture, the ritual center, city walls, and water management system were all planned in a unified manner. The social structure transitioned from female-dominated power to male authority, while the belief system shifted from dragon-shaped patterns to a unified divine emblem, Wang said.

"Within Liangzhu city, the population comprised nobles and high-level artisans, revealing the emergence and evolution of early state-level social organization. Liangzhu provides a prime example for research on the origins of Chinese civilization," the expert added.

Wang revealed significant progress in Liangzhu archaeological research. DNA analysis of charred rice samples revealed at least six sources of origin. Stable isotope and DNA studies found individuals within the city came from as far as the Central Plains and the Haidai region, centered in today's Shandong Province.

"Liangzhu city was an urban center where resources of all kinds were brought in from external regions, and populations gathered across vast areas. Its influence and level of development are beyond imagination," said Wang.

Wang took questions from the audience, including an elementary school student, a middle school teacher, and a pharmaceutical researcher.

Concerning how Liangzhu Culture came to an end and how its iconic Jade Cong spread across China, Wang explained that environmental research suggests frequent flooding in the late Liangzhu period may have disrupted rice cultivation, leading to population migration to surrounding areas. The Jade Cong and the ideas it represented subsequently influenced other parts of China.

"This is a vivid example of the formation of China's multi-regional and unified civilization," Wang added.

Liu, also secretary-general with the Society for Chinese Archaeology, spent over 30 years working on neolithic archaeology at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of Archaeology. He began the lecture series after taking up the position at the Chinese Archaeological Museum.

The speakers are mostly directors of archaeological institutes from various provinces or leaders of prominent archaeological projects across China, representing the country's highest level of contemporary archaeological research. However, they strive to present their findings in simple and accessible language, in a bid to make archaeology interesting and approachable for the public.

Before each Saturday lecture begins, Liu increasingly sees familiar faces among the audience. After the lectures, many attendees tell him they have gained a deeper understanding of what makes China and felt closer to archaeology than ever before. Some have expressed their desire to volunteer for the lecture series.

"I hope every lecture becomes a bridge, allowing the public to feel the depth and pride of Chinese civilization through dialogues tracing its origins," Liu said. 

A woman takes photos of the presentation notes during a lecture on bronzes held at the Chinese Archaeological Museum in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 12, 2024. The Chinese Archaeological Museum's "Tracing the Origins of Chinese Civilization" lecture series began in June 2024, with nationally renowned experts invited every Saturday at 10 a.m. to the third floor of the Chinese Archaeological Museum.

The lecture series has offered a unique window into major archaeological discoveries and the latest research on the origins and early development of Chinese civilization. (Xinhua)
DAMASCUS, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Syria's interim Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani pledged on Wednesday to restore the country's full territorial unity and ensure the return of refugees, a month after the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad's government.

"Our happiness will remain unfinished until every inch of Syrian land is reunited, and displaced people and refugees are back in their homes," al-Shibani said in a statement marking the one-month anniversary of the change in power.

In a separate statement, the interim foreign ministry welcomed recent U.S. government exemptions and waivers regarding economic sanctions on Syria.

The ministry attributed the development to "intensive sessions" and praised the "tremendous work of Syria's remarkable teams."

"These sanctions have been targeting the Syrian people, now that the original reason for them has disappeared," the ministry said, adding that a full lifting of restrictions is crucial for Syria's recovery, stability and prosperity.

The remarks follow a series of diplomatic moves by the new authorities, which took power in December 2024 after 13 years of civil war in Syria.

Assad was ousted in a rapid offensive by insurgent forces led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) a month ago.

The United States, Britain, the European Union, and others imposed sanctions on Syria after a civil war erupted in the country in 2011. However, the new situation in Syria is complicated by existing sanctions on HTS and some of its leaders due to the group's past affiliation with al-Qaeda. 
OSLO, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- European nations have voiced opposition to remarks made by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump regarding the potential use of military force to seize control of Greenland, reigniting tensions over his previous interest in the autonomous Danish territory.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Trump said he would not rule out the possibility of military action in Greenland and the Panama Canal. This prompted swift reactions from European leaders, emphasizing the sanctity of sovereignty and international law.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that the inviolability of borders is a fundamental principle of international law, which applies to every country, regardless of its size or power. He said that in discussions with European partners, there was a lack of understanding regarding recent statements from the United States.

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot warned of the resurgence of "might makes right" policies, calling on Europe to bolster its strength. Speaking to France Inter radio, Barrot noted that Greenland is a "territory of the European Union and of Europe."

"It is undoubtedly no way that the European Union would let other nations of the world, whoever they are, attack its sovereign borders," he said.

The European Commission refrained from directly addressing Trump's remarks, emphasizing the importance of respecting sovereignty. "It is clear that the sovereignty of states has to be respected," said spokesperson Anitta Hipper.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reiterated that Greenland's future rests solely in the hands of its residents. "Greenland has made it clear that it is not for sale," she said.

Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede echoed these sentiments. "Greenland belongs to Greenlanders. Our future is ours to shape," he posted on Facebook.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen called for calm. "I have no perception that we are in a foreign policy crisis," he said in a press conference.

In Poland, Deputy Foreign Minister Andrzej Szejna described Trump's rhetoric as part of a "post-campaign rush," urging restraint until his inauguration on Jan. 20.

Trouw, a Dutch newspaper, warned of potential North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) complications if the U.S. pursued military action against Denmark, a fellow member of the military alliance.

Slovak media Dennik N described Trump's statement that "nobody knows" whether Denmark has the right to Greenland as untrue, adding that Greenland has significant autonomy, but it is part of Denmark, which is America's ally in NATO.

On Tuesday, Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of Trump, visited Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, describing the trip as a private tourism visit. "We are just here as tourists, to see it all," he told reporters, declining to comment on broader American interest in Greenland.

However, his father, Trump, expressed a different tone when noting the visit on his social media platform Truth Social. "Don Jr. and my Reps landing in Greenland. The reception has been great. They, and the Free World, need safety, security, and PEACE! This is a deal that must happen. MAGA. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!"

Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, gained home rule in 1979 and expanded self-government in 2009. 
Geir Pedersen (on screen), UN special envoy for Syria, briefs the Security Council meeting on Syria at the UN headquarters in New York, Jan. 8, 2025. The United Nations is ready to work with the Syrian interim government on advancing towards a credible and inclusive political transition, the UN special envoy said on Wednesday. (Loey Felipe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations is ready to work with the Syrian interim government on advancing towards a credible and inclusive political transition, a UN special envoy said on Wednesday.

"Today, Syria seeks to chart a new course following the fall of the former regime just one month ago. Decisions taken now will determine the future for a long time to come. There are great opportunities and real dangers," Geir Pedersen, UN special envoy for Syria, told the UN Security Council via video from Geneva.

"Syrians and the international community need to get the next phase right, and the UN stands ready to do everything we can to facilitate, to help and to support," he said.

Briefing the first Security Council meeting of the year on Syria, Pedersen said that the caretaker authorities continue to work to structure and consolidate their authority. They have held meetings with a very broad range of representatives and individuals of different Syrian groups and components, and met with visiting foreign ministers and officials.

However, he pointed out that there are signs of instability within areas under the control of the interim government, including reports of violence in the coastal region and Homs and Hama, and plans for public sector restructuring which may leave many without livelihoods.

Meanwhile, in the large areas outside the control of the authorities, the conflict continues, Pedersen said.

The special envoy called for and voiced his support for the further development of all channels of dialogue, and urged all parties to find a way forward without military confrontation.

Noting there are "very real threats" to Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Pedersen listed Israeli military airstrikes and the terror group Islamic State.

Pedersen said he is "deeply concerned" by continued Israeli military presence and activity, including beyond the area of separation in violation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement. Reports of Israeli forces using live ammunition against civilians, displacement and destruction of civilian infrastructure are also "very worrying."

"Such violations, along with Israeli airstrikes in other parts of Syria -- reported even last week in Aleppo -- could further jeopardize the prospects for an orderly political transition," the special envoy underscored, urging Israel to stop attack on Syria.

The United States on Monday issued sanction exemptions and waivers for transactions with Syrian governing institutions for six months in an effort to ease the flow of humanitarian assistance and allow some energy transactions, which was welcomed by Syria's interim Foreign Ministry.

Pedersen welcomed the move from the White House, adding "much more significant work in fully addressing sanctions and designations will inevitably be necessary."

"The way forward on political transition is unclear. There are positive elements to build on, but also points of concern that Syrians are expressing," he told the council.

"There are tremendous opportunities for building a foundation for lasting peace and stability in Syria. But missteps or missed opportunities could pose risks to Syria's future and plant seeds of instability," Pedersen said. 
BUCHAREST, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Romania's ruling coalition has agreed to have the first round of the presidential elections on May 4, 2025, with a potential runoff set for May 18.

The National Liberal Party (PNL) announced following a coalition meeting on Wednesday that Crin Antonescu will remain the coalition's official presidential candidate.

The decision aligns the first round with partial local elections in regions including Busteni, Zalau, and Bihor County, while avoiding overlap with Easter and Palm Sunday celebrations.

The government is expected to formalize the election schedule next week through official legal documents.

Last Saturday, Antonescu voiced frustration over the coalition's indecision, telling local media outlet Digi 24 that the agreement supporting his candidacy was "suspended." However, he signaled his continued openness to running. 
The Zangazur Corridor issue still remains a top story on the headlines of the region's countries. The Iranian Foreign Ministrys spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, found himself at the center of a media whirlwind after his statement on the Zangazur corridor was quickly circulated by Azerbaijani media outlets. But it wasnt long before Armenia, caught in the crossfire, went into a panic. The response was swift: Baghaei denied discussing Zangazur, claiming, according to Irans ISNA Agency, that the topic never crossed his lips.

Citing the statement by the Iran MFA spokesperson, the ISNA news agency reports that the statement refers to the issue of fuel for Iranian trucks on the border with Turkiye. Now let's analyze how this "distortion" as some would proclaim happened.

Well, this all began with a report from Irans official news agencies about 1,000 Iranian trucks stranded at the border with Turkiye, caught in a complex web of fuel and tax disputes. Iran had stopped selling fuel to Turkish trucks, triggering a retaliatory tax on Iranian trucks entering Turkiye. Baghaei addressed the issue, mentioning a forthcoming delegation to resolve the fuel disputebut it was his comment that would reverberate: This is not a political issue, but a technical one.

Despite Baghaei's clarification, the Iranian media played a different game. It was Irans own Etimada widely read but non-official platformthat first spread the story about Zangazur. Some Azerbaijani outlets, eager for details, used certain Iranian sources, unknowingly falling victim to the manipulation. Even after Baghaeis refutation, the story remained unchanged on Iranian platforms, adding to the intrigue.

At its heart, the Zangazur corridor is more than just a linkits a crucial project shaping the future of Eurasia. Its a bridge of peace, connecting Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and Iran in a dance of cooperation. Yet, Iran has long resisted the idea. Why?

There are powerful reasons: first, the opening of Zangazur would ease Azerbaijans dependence on Iran by removing Nakhchivan from the blockade. Secondly, it would allow Russia to expand its influence in the Middle East, a region where Iran currently holds sway.

As the geopolitical map shifts, a new dynamic is emerging. Turkiye, a rising power in the Middle East, has weakened Irans position, especially against the backdrop of the Syrian conflict. Iran now finds itself needing to engage with Turkiye or risk losing even more of its already waning regional power.

The other concern for Iran is the potential loss of transit revenues, which was previously mentioned in one of our articles. Let's recite:

"The volume of transit goods passing through Iran has increased by 30% compared to the previous year. From March 2023 to January 2024, 14.2 million tons of cargo transited Iran, generating approximately $1 billion in revenue during these ten months. Given Iran's ongoing economic distress exacerbated by sanctions since the change of regime in 1979, this income is vital. The increasing number and scope of sanctions have severely impacted Iran's economic prospects, making transit revenue a critical lifeline. Even by checking the reports on US Department's official website, we can easily say how much the nation is deprived in terms of profitable gains. For Iran, which is experiencing such economic and political distress, earning income as a transit country is the last resort.

Additionally, Turkiye's foreign trade strategy has increasingly prioritized Central Asia. In general, the realization of the principles of the "United Turkic World" has seriously increased the development trends towards Asia in Turkiye's foreign economic policy. By the end of 2023, trade turnover between Turkiye and Kazakhstan reached a record $6.4 billion, with Uzbekistan also showing significant growth with a whopping 3 billion dollars and with a prospect of reaching 5 billion dollars in the upcoming years. Turkiye is one of the five main trading partners of the Central Asian countries, and Turkiye has become the number one exporter for Turkmenistan in recent years, surpassing China. Therefore, if there is no Zangezur Corridor, Turkiye's increased trade turnover in Central Asia will mean an opportunity for Iran to obtain excellent transit revenues, and an additional obstacle and more costs for Turkiye itself. We all know that, as Moscow is preoccupied with the conflict in Ukraine and redirecting its focus away from the South Caucasus, Tehran is eager to assert its influence in the region."

Azerbaijan, for its part, is demanding more than just access to the corridorits calling for the free movement of goods, people, and vehicles between Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan, with no customs inspections or duties. Moreover, security guarantees must be ensured to safeguard this strategic passage. But this is not about undermining Armenias sovereignty. On the contrary, the Zangazur corridor benefits everyone. Armenia would gain access to Azerbaijans railways, boosting connectivity with Iran and Russia while opening new economic opportunities for international trade.

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev offered a pointed reflection on the issue during an interview with local television channels:

We, as Azerbaijan, are not a source of danger for them [Armenia]. We want peace and cooperation in the South Caucasus. They should not be in the way. They should not act as a geographical barrier between Turkiye and Azerbaijan. The Zangazur corridor must and will be opened. The sooner they understand this, the better it is. Why should we have to go to Nakhchivan, an integral part of Azerbaijan, through different ways? We should have a direct connection, and this connection does not question Armenia's sovereignty. Simply put, they should fulfill the provisions of the 19 November Statement. Everything is explicitly stated there. We have been showing patience for more than four years. For more than four years, we have wanted this to be resolved through negotiations. How long will we have to wait and why should we wait?

The Zangazur corridor isnt just a matter of connecting Nakhchivan to the rest of Azerbaijan. Its a gateway linking China and Central Asia to Europe via the Azerbaijan-Turkiye transport network.

Despite its longstanding support for Armenia, Iran stands to benefit from the corridors opening, yet its opposition persists. This is not solely due to economic interests, as the corridor offers Iran additional dividends. Instead, the true motivation appears to be Irans fear of Turkic unity and the growing national consciousness of Turkic people within Iran.

Given Irans current economic turmoil and looming energy crisis, combined with the potential for further sanctions under a new U.S. administration, Tehran may soon find itself compelled to shift its stance on the Zangazur corridor. So how long will the region wait to resolve this high-stakes geopolitical issue?
JERUSALEM, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli military announced on Wednesday that three of its soldiers were killed and an officer seriously injured during a raid in the northern Gaza Strip.

Israel's state-owned Kan TV reported that the soldiers were killed when their tank ran over powerful explosive devices in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza.

The three soldiers from the Iron Trails Brigade's 46th Armored Battalion "fell during combat," said the military in a statement.

Two soldiers were identified as Matityahu Ya'akov Perel, 22, from the West Bank settlement of Beit El, and Kanaoo Kasa, 22, from Beit Shemesh, a city west of Jerusalem. The army did not disclose the third soldier's name, as the family has yet to be notified.

The latest deaths bring the total number of Israeli soldiers killed to 831 since the beginning of the country's multi-front war in October 2023.

According to Gaza-based health authorities, Israeli strikes have killed 45,936 people and injured 109,274 others in the Palestinian enclave. 




Tourists visit the Citadel archaeological site in Amman, capital of Jordan, on Dec. 27, 2024. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua)

AMMAN, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Jordan's Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Lina Annab underscored the significance of the Chinese tourism market on Wednesday, describing it as one of the world's most promising sectors and a key target for Jordan's tourism strategy.

Speaking to Xinhua, Annab said that Jordan is setting its sights on the Chinese tourism market, viewing it as a promising avenue for growth in the coming years.

The Chinese market is regarded as one of the most significant globally, offering opportunities to attract a wide range of tourists due to China's cultural diversity and large population with an interest in global exploration, the minister noted.

She added that while the Chinese market is crucial, it remains relatively new for Jordan. Historically, the country's tourism strategies have been more focused on attracting visitors from Western markets. However, there is a growing recognition of the potential in the East, with China emerging as a key target for tourism development.

Jordan's tourism ministry has already launched marketing initiatives to engage the Chinese market, according to Annab, who noted that campaigns conducted last year, featuring programs and exhibitions tailored to Chinese travelers, showed encouraging results.

Building on this foundation, the ministry plans to expand these efforts this year, reflecting the market's growing importance, she said.

As part of these initiatives, discussions are planned with Royal Jordanian airlines to establish direct flight routes between Jordan and China. The ministry is also encouraging Chinese airlines to consider opening routes to Jordan, seeing potential benefits for both tourism operators and carriers. Improved air connectivity is viewed as a critical step in making Jordan more accessible to Chinese travelers.

Tourism is a vital pillar of Jordan's economy, contributing around 12.5 percent of the kingdom's GDP through trade, restaurants, and hotels. In the first 11 months of 2024, the sector generated 6.7 billion U.S. dollars in revenue, according to the Central Bank of Jordan.
N'DJAMENA, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chad's Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah said Wednesday evening that the security situation in the country is under control after gunshots were heard near the presidency.

"I am currently at presidency where the situation is under control. There is nothing to worry about. It was a small incident. Nothing major," Koulamallah said in a live Facebook video, promising that details of what happened will be announced later.

Local media reported that militants of terror group Boko Haram attempted to carry out an attack near the presidency but were repelled by Chadian troops. 
From his third-floor office, LSCO President Dr. Tom Johnson's can see new buildings that weren't there when he came to the job nearly seven years ago. And those buildings are one of the reasons he has decided to retire in August.

"When I got here, I had a ten-year plan in place and I've accomplished all of them (the goals), he said.

He said he wants to travel and see more of the world. "I'll be 63 next month and my wife, Karen and I would like to travel when we're still relatively young to enjoy it."

His replacement will be chosen by the Texas State University System, which oversees LSCO and six other colleges and universities.

Johnson will be ending more than 40 years of work in the public sector, including 20 years with the Houston Police Department and a second career in public higher eduction.

Johnson was born in Port Arthur and grew up in the Big Thicket area of East Texas between Livingston and Woodville. He was the first person in his family to attend college and went to Angelina Junior College in Lufkin before going to Sam Houston State University.

In 1982, while in college, he pursued his interest in government and got a job with U.S. Representative Charles Wilson, a now legendary congressman who represented Orange County for many years. "The first time I got on a plane was to go to D.C. to work for Charlie," he said.

By the time he left Sam Houston State, he had earned bachelor's and master's degrees. Then he started with the Houston Police Department, spending time in six different divisions. He spent six years working at the department's police academy, which gave him his first experience at education administration.

"I decided I didn't need another degree in criminal justice, I needed a degree in education," he said.

Southern University in Houston offered doctoral classes at night, so he was able to graduate while continuing to work his day job with the police department.

After his twenty years, four months, and ten days at the HPD, he was able to retire and change careers to higher education. Most of those years were spent at Tyler Junior College. He also worked at Houston Community College and Sam Houston State.

He came to Lamar State College Orange in 2018 and has overseen the expansion of the local campus, plus the opening of another campus. The college has also increased its courses and work training programs.

The expansion locally includes the construction of the new Academics Building, the addition of an industrial mechanics training center, and the Stark Foundation donation of the historic century-old church building which is being repurposed and expanded into a welcome center.

But the growth hasn't all been local. LSCO opened a satellite campus in Lumberton and has worked with Lamar Institute of Technology and Lamar State College Port Arthur to open a joint campus in Livingston.

The growth has led to LSCO increasing from 2350 academic students in 2018 to 3,613 academic students. The college also has workforce classes with enrollment going up from 544 a year to 2,448 students today. In the spring of 2018, the school had 99 graduates and was up to 350 spring graduates in 2024.

The statistic Johnson loves the most, though, is that two-thirds of the students at LSCO are first generation college students, like he is.

Johnson said he loves the Orange community and its people. He's grateful for the time he has spent here, especially being close to his late father, who was in his 90s. "I got to spend a lot of time with him in his last five years," Johnson said. Plus, he has lots of relatives nearby that he has been able to visit.

He'll stay here for another eight months, but then, he hopes his traveling takes him and his wife further away than East Texas.
Anticipatory bail granted

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IMPHAL, Jan 8 : The Special Court of CBI, Assam has on Tuesday granted absolute anticipatory bail to three accused involved in an arm looting case. The accused are Keisham Johnson, Konthoujam Romojit and Athokpam Kishorjit. The case which is being investigated by CBI pertains to the looting of arms from Manipur Police Training Centre at Pangei on May 4 2023.
Smart Cities, dustier roads ?

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Shamurailatpam Deepa DeviThe National Smart Cities Mission is an urban renewal and reconditioning program initiated by the Government of India with the goal of developing Smart Cities in over 100 locations. This mission is overseen by the Union Ministry of Urban Develop- ment, in collaboration with State Governments.Launched on June 25, 2015 by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the mission initially had a five-year duration, with the completion goal set for 2020. However, it has been extended due to various challenges and the broad scope of the projects involved. The objectives of the National Smart Cities Mission are to promote cities that provide core infrastructure, decent quality of life for citizens, a clean and sustainable environment, and the applica- tion of 'smart' solutions.From 2015 to 2024, the total investment under the Smart Cities Mission by the Government of India, along with contributions from State Governments, urban local bodies, and private partnerships, amounts to approximately Rs 164,687 crore (Rs 1.64 lakh crore).Although there have been significant achievements in terms of core infrastructure in various cities, a major issue remains largely neglected. Road dust, which is a pressing problem, continues to plague cities, particularly during the winter months. This issue is not only prevalent in metropolitan cities but also poses a serious concern in smaller cities and towns across the country. While smoke and vehicle emissions are well-known contributors to air pollution, road dust is often overlooked, despite its significant role in worsening air quality.A recent publication by India Today on November 27, 2024, highlights a study conducted by IIT Kanpur. The study emphasizes the peak pollution months in Delhi, suggesting measures like limiting outdoor activities and adjusting travel plans to reduce public health risks from PM2.5. The situation in Delhi, where air pollution continues to rise, is critical, as particulate matter, particularly PM2.5, severely affects air quality. This rise in pollution has led to an increase in respiratory diseases, making it a serious public health concern.PM2.5 refers to particulate matter that is 2.5 micrometers or smaller in diameter, and it can only be detected with a microscope. These tiny particles pose a significant threat to human health, as they can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. PM2.5 is a key indicator of air quality and is used to monitor pollution levels in cities.Road dust, when carried by wind, spread like a fog, worsening air quality during peak pollution seasons. Researchers from IIT have recommended several steps to mitigate the impact of pollution on public health, particularly during the smog season from October to January. These recommendations include limiting outdoor activities for vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly to specific times of the day, using N95 masks during outings, and shifting physical exercise indoors. These steps aim to reduce exposure to harmful particulate matter and lessen the strain on public infrastructure during the most polluted months.However, Delhi is not the only city dealing with road dust and poor air quality. Mumbai, which is considered the economic capital of India, also experiences worsening air quality each year. According to a report by the Free Press Journal on January 2, 2024, Mumbai's citizens are unable to track the Air Quality Index (AQI) as the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) server has been down since December 31, 2024. The absence of live AQI data, especially during times when air quality is at its worst, has left residents struggling to breathe clean air. Other cities, including Pune, Jaipur, Gurgaon, and Bhopal, also suffer from high levels of air pollution and road dust.The impact of road dust on health can be categorized into short-term and long-term effects. In the short term, dust particles, particularly PM10 and PM2.5, irritate the respiratory system. Individuals may experience symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, and discomfort in the throat. Those with pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), may find their symptoms worsened by exposure to dust. Dust can also irritate the eyes, causing redness, watering, and itching. Prolonged exposure to dusty environments can lead to skin irritation and allergic reactions.Long-term exposure to road dust can result in more severe health problems. Conditions such as bronchitis, asthma, and chronic lung infections can develop over time. Fine particulate matter, like PM2.5, can penetrate deep into the lungs, leading to inflammation and reduced lung function. Dust particles can even enter the bloodstream, increasing the risk of heart disease, hypertension, and stroke. Prolonged exposure to road dust and other pollutants can weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections. Children are particularly vulnerable, with studies linking exposure to fine particulate matter to developmental issues and impaired cognitive function. Additionally, long-term exposure to dust carrying toxic particles, such as heavy metals and vehicle exhaust residues, may increase the risk of lung cancer.Apart from the direct health impacts, road dust also affects daily life. Dust clouds can significantly impair visibility, making it difficult to drive or even walk safely. Dust settles on surfaces like vehicles, clothes, and homes, leading to an increase in cleaning and maintenance efforts. Dusty roads can also create slippery surfaces, increasing the risk of accidents. Over time, dust accumulation can damage machinery, electronics, and building exteriors. Poor air quality resulting from road dust can reduce energy levels and focus, which in turn affects productivity and daily activities.In cities like Imphal, which is in the early stages of urbanization, road dust remains a significant issue. While metropolitan cities have been dealing with air pollution for years, Imphal is now facing the consequences of rapid urbanization, especially during the dry winter and pre-monsoon season from October to April. During this time, roads in the city become increasingly dusty as loose soil is carried by winds and vehicles. The soil in Manipur is often fine and loose, making it easy for dust to become airborne, particularly along unpaved or poorly maintained roads. In some areas, road repairs have been neglected, and the roadside dust has become a persistent issue. The construction and development work that has been delayed due to the ongoing conflict in Manipur has only exacerbated the problem.Dust accumulation in Imphal is particularly noticeable in the valley areas, where traffic density is higher, and urbanization is more pronounced. As the city continues to grow, it is essential to address the problem of road dust to ensure a better quality of life for residents. The objective of the Smart Cities Mission, a clean and sustainable environment and the application of 'Smart' Solutions, must be reconsidered in light of this pressing issue. Has India truly achieved this goal ? Road dust should be a priority, as it directly harms human health.One method that can help mitigate the issue of road dust is the spraying of water on roads. Spraying water on roads, especially during dry weather, helps to suppress dust particles from becoming airborne. It can be an effective measure for reducing the spread of dust, particularly on construction sites or in areas where road maintenance is inadequate. Maintaining greener spaces along roadsides and constructing better, fully paved roads that do not leave dust on either side can also help minimize dust generation.With time, the Government must take proactive steps to prevent further deterioration of air quality. This could include repairing roads, adopting advanced technologies to improve air quality, limiting the use of polluting fuels, promoting eco-friendly public transport systems, and planting trees along roadsides to absorb CO2. Road dust must be tackled more seriously to protect public health and ensure a cleaner and healthier environment for all citizens.
SAO TOME, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Independent Democratic Action Party (ADI), the ruling party in Sao Tome and Principe, on Wednesday proposed Helio Almeida as the new prime minister and head of government, replacing Patrice Trovoada, who was dismissed on Monday by the country's President Carlos Vila Nova.

The announcement was made through a letter sent to the president and published on the party's official Facebook page. The letter, still signed by Trovoada, the party leader, explained that the decision was made in response to a presidential decree issued on Monday.

The country's national news agency STP-Press reported on Wednesday that Almeida's nomination fulfills the president's request for the ADI to propose a new prime minister within 72 hours following the dismissal of Trovoada's government.

Almeida currently serves as director-general of the Fiduciary and Project Management Agency and previously held the position of governor of the Central Bank of Sao Tome and Principe.

As reported by local media Tela-Non, the ADI held a press conference on Wednesday advocating for early legislative elections and accusing the president of attempting to "sink the country into total chaos."

On Tuesday, Trovoada held a press conference at his office, describing the president's decision as unconstitutional. The ADI has submitted an appeal to the Constitutional Court to overturn the decision.

Both Vila Nova and Trovoada are members of the ADI. In September 2022, the party won the legislative elections, securing an absolute majority in Parliament, which led to Trovoada becoming prime minister. 
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA), for the fourth consecutive year, achieved Excellent rating for the MoU performance.It bagged the rating for the MoU performance signed with the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) for the financial year 2023-24, with a score of 98.24 (rounded off 98).

In the previous three years, IREDA consistently delivered exceptional results, achieving an Excellent rating with scores of 93.50 in FY 2022-23, 96.54 in FY 2021-22 and 96.93 in FY 2020-21.Speaking on the achievement, Pradip Kumar Das, CMD, IREDA, said, Securing the Excellent rating for the fourth consecutive year is a significant milestone for IREDA. It reflects the tireless efforts of our employees, the unwavering trust of our stakeholders, and the guidance of the Govt. of India.

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I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all who have contributed to this success. Together, we are committed to accelerating Indias green energy transition and achieving our nations renewable energy goals, he said. These consistent achievements underline the organizations dedication to driving Indias renewable energy goals.

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The CMD also expressed his gratitude to Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of New & Renewable Energy; Shripad Naik, Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy; and other senior officials.

During the day, IREDAs stock reached a high of 225.9. The companys market capitalization stands at approximately 57,700.93 crore.
Market witnessed on Wednesday sharp rebound amid buying in heavyweights and IT, oil and gas, FMCG stocks.

The benchmark indices opened higher despite weak global markets, but failed to build the gains and traded lower for most part of the session.

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At close, Sensex was down 50.62 points or 0.06% at 78,148.49, and the Nifty was down 18.95 points or 0.08% at 23,688.95.

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Nifty 50 wrapped up the session with a minor drop of 0.08%. From the days low, the index recovered 192 points or 0.81%. Sensex rebounded 666 points, or 0.86%, from the days low to end the session with a mild cut of 0.06%.

Nifty Smallcap 100 index ending the session with a deep cut of 1.65% at 18,365, while the Nifty Midcap 100 index finished the session with a drop of 1.05%, closing at 56,270 level.

On Nifty, the top gainers were Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (2.98%), Reliance Industries (1.99%), Tata Consultancy Services (1.99%), ITC (1.92%), and Asian Paints (1.82%). On the losing side were Apollo Hospitals Enterprise (3.95%), Trent (2.55%), Shriram Finance (2.02%), Bajaj Auto (1.91%), and Ultratech Cement (1.85%).

On Sensex, over 140 stocks touched their 52-week high on the BSE, including Anant Raj, PTC Industries, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Max Healthcare, Aegis Logistics, Apar Industries among others.

Those touching their 52-week low were Bandhan Bank, Kajaria Ceramic, Mahindra Life, Aarti Industries, Astral, Yes Bank, Balaji Amines, IRCTC, Birlasoft, Alok Industries, Relaxo Footwear, Network 18, Container Corporation, Procter and Gamble Hygiene, among others.

In terms of the sectoral performance, Nifty Consumer Durables index led the losses by 2.16%, Nifty Healthcare declined 1.09%, followed by Nifty Pharma, which slipped 0.94%.

Nifty Financial Services was down 0.83%, and Nifty PSU Bank dropped 0.79%.

However, on the positive side was Nifty IT rising 0.60% while the Nifty FMCG index also ended in the green, gaining 0.44%.

Among the individual performances, ONGC shares extended gains for a second session in a row.

Reliance Industries shares was up by around 2% after Jefferies and Bernstein reiterated their bullishness.

Shares of United Breweries dropped after the announcement of suspending the supply of its beer to Telangana Beverages Corporation Limited with immediate effect.

Ola Electric Mobility stock traded 4% lower, a day after the SEBI issued an administrative warning.

Slowing economic growth projections and caution ahead of Q3 numbers added volatility in the market. Experts believe that the near-term sentiment is likely to be subdued due to the rise in US bond yield and fear of fewer rate cuts by the Fed.
NMDC Steel Limited (NSL), Indias youngest and most modern steel producer operating with a capacity of 3.0 MTPA, has once again proven its commitment to excellence by becoming the all-India first licensee for manufacturing Hot-Rolled Steel Strip, Sheet, and Plates for Welded Steel Pipe for Pipeline Transportation Systems as per the Indian Standard IS 18384:2023. This landmark achievement was recognised by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) during its Foundation Day celebrations held in New Delhi.

Dr Prashant Sharma, DGM (Chem), Head of Quality at NMDC Steel Limited, received the award on behalf of the NSL from Prahlad Joshi, the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, New and Renewable Energy in the esteemed presence of Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, and Pramod Kumar Tiwari, Director General, BIS.

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The certification, IS 18384:2023, titled Hot-Rolled Steel Strip, Sheet, and Plates for Welded Steel Pipe for Pipeline Transportation Systems  General Requirements, represents a significant benchmark for excellence in steel products catering to the exacting demands of pipeline transportation systems in petroleum and natural gas industry. NMDC Steels adherence to these standards highlights its focus on innovation, quality, and sustainable development.

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In another milestone of quality and innovation, NMDC Steel became the first steel plant in India to secure four prestigious Integrated Management System (IMS) ISO certifications simultaneously from the Bureau of Indian Standards just a few months ago.

Speaking on this proud occasion, Amitava Mukherjee, Chairman and Managing Director (Additional Charge), NMDC Steel Limited, said: This recognition by the BIS as the all-India first licensee for IS 18384:2023 is a testament to NMDC Steels relentless pursuit of excellence. As Indias youngest steel plant, we are committed to driving innovation, enhancing quality, and contributing to the nations growth story on the line of National Steel Policy. This milestone motivates us to continue setting new benchmarks and providing cutting-edge solutions for Indias infrastructure and energy sectors.

These accolades underscore NSLs holistic approach to responsible and sustainable steelmaking, ensuring that every product meets the highest standards of quality, safety, and environmental responsibility.
Upping the ante a day after elections to Delhi Assembly were announced, the Aam Aadmi Party leaders including Saurabh Bharadwaj and Sanjay Singh Wednesday tried to enter outside Delhi CMs residence and were stopped by Delhi police personnel deployed outside the bungalow.

The AAP leaders had marched to the Delhi CMs residence to refute the claims made by the BJP , which has named the CMs bungalow as Sheesh Mahal. The BJP had claimed that the Chief Ministers residence had swimming pools and a golden commode.

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Yesterday, Sanjay Singh challenged BJP to visit the CMs residence along with media personnel, amid the BJPs sheesh mahal allegations and the row over it.

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Bharadwaj and Sanjay Singh sat on a dharna outside the CMs residence after being denied entry by the Police.

Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said, BJP used to send new videos and photos every day. Today, we came here with all the media persons. Now, the BJP is running away. A three-layer barricading has been put up. They have also put up water cannons and deployed Additional DCP here. This has been turned into a border so that the media cant go in. Show us where the swimming pool and bar are

He said the BJP says that the CMs residence was built for Rs 33 Crores. It is also being said that the PM house is being built for Rs 2700 Crores. We will see both the CM residence and PM house. Let the public see both.., he pointed out

Attacking the AAP, Delhi BJP president Virendraa Sachdeva said, Sheila Dikshit run the government for 15 years from this residence that has been allotted to Atishi, so why does Atishi want Sheesh Mahal and when it was being allotted, why did she not take charge for 3 months? This was because it was being investigated and the CM would have to cooperate which Atishi did not want and now that the Code of Conduct has been imposed, it is being demanded 

He asked why was the Sheesh Mahal not shown to media when Sanjay Singh, Satyendra Jain, and Manish Sisodia went there after getting bail or when Swati Maliwal was assaulted

This residence (AB-17, Mathura Road) has been allotted to Atishi along with the one in Kalkaji, how many bungalows does she want? Arvind Kejriwal did not once announce Sheeshmahal as the CMs residence , he said.

Sachdeva further said Sanjay Singh should ask Rahul Gandhi why Raj Mahal was built on 7, Lok Kalyan Marg wherein every Prime Minister, be it Rajiv Gandhi, Narasimha Rao, Chandra Shekhar, VP Singh, Atal Bihari Vajpayee or Manmohan Singh and now Narendra Modi That (PM residence) is a government-funded residence, whereas the PWD denied funding of Sheesh Mahal so we are seeking a response on where this money come from? Arvind Kejriwal is an illegal occupant of 5, Firoz Shah Road 
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police apprehended the director of a private firm for duping gullible investors in lieu of providing higher returns, the cops said on Wednesday.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (EOW) Dr Guriqbal Singh Sidhu said the suspect was identified as Rahul, director of RJ Raghav Krishna Multitasking Pvt Ltd, for cheating and misappropriation of funds.

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The official added that a complaint was received wherein the complainant claimed that he and some other people had executed five agreements with the company and its director Rahul and had invested the amount of Rs 3, 20, 00,000 through various modes of payment in lieu of higher returns.

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However, they did not receive the promised returns and on pressurising the company, provided them cheques which could not be encashed due to insufficient funds, and they felt cheated, Sidhu said.

Based on the complaint, a case was registered and Rahul was apprehended.

During the investigation, it was found that the accused induced the victims on the assurance that they would get 20-30 per cent returns per month as their invested money would be further invested in a project being developed by L&T at Khurja, UP.

He even showed the victims fake work orders that he had obtained in the same project. He got amounts from victims in the name of investments and duped their hard earned money and till now, 18 victims have been identified, who were cheated by accused Rahul, the DCP added.

Moreover, another person was apprehended who was working as Chief Managing Director (CMD) of one company and involved in cheating a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) for obtaining a loan on the basis of fictitious sale of a commercial unit in a Gurugram Mall.
Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan is ready to celebrate a remarkable milestone in his career as he completes 25 years in the Indian film industry on January 14, 2025.

His journey began with the blockbuster Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai in 2000, a film that catapulted him to stardom.

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Adding to the festivities, Hrithik Roshan will also celebrate his birthday just days earlier, on January 10. This January is shaping up to be a double celebration for the actor and his fans.

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On Tuesday, Hrithik took a moment from his busy schedule to meet members of the Indian media in Mumbai. The informal gathering was not just an occasion to reflect on his illustrious career but also an opportunity for the actor to express his heartfelt gratitude to the media fraternity for their support over the years.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hrithik Roshan (@hrithikroshan)

Speaking candidly, Hrithik Roshan shared how the media has played a pivotal role in shaping him as both an actor and a person.

Twenty-five years ago, when Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai was about to release, I was extremely shy and anxious. I didnt do a single interview or attend any promotional events. I stayed home, avoiding all the buzz, he recalled with a smile.

However, Hrithik acknowledged how much he has grown since those early days, crediting the media for pushing him out of his comfort zone. Youve made me uncomfortable at times, but that discomfort helped me grow. Youve made me feel responsible and accountable, and thats not always easy for someone as shy as me, he said, drawing laughter and applause from the attendees.

The actor also reflected on how the medias portrayal of him over the years has influenced public perception. Youve taught people how to see me, how to understand me. Your words, your questions, and your perspectives have contributed immensely to my journey. For that, I am truly grateful, he added.

Hrithiks debut film, directed by his father Rakesh Roshan, remains a significant part of his legacy. To honor this milestone, Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai will be re-released in theaters on Hrithiks birthday, offering fans a nostalgic trip down memory lane.
Kangana Ranaut is gearing up for the release of her highly anticipated political drama Emergency, where she takes on the role of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

As the films release date approaches, the actress is actively promoting the project and sharing insights into her portrayal of one of Indias most iconic political figures.

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In a recent interview with IANS, Kangana Ranaut discussed the sensitive subject of nepotism, particularly in the context of life of Indira Gandhi. She acknowledged that Gandhi, as the daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru, was undoubtedly a product of privilege, stating, Clearly, Indira Gandhi was a product of nepotism.

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However, Kangana emphasized that her role as an artist requires her to look beyond personal biases. As an artist, you cannot have any coloured perception, she explained, stressing that even though she may not align with certain figures, her portrayal of them is done with the utmost respect and sensibility.

Kangana further elaborated on Indira Gandhis privileged background, pointing out that Gandhis position as a three-time Prime Minister and her access to powerful ministries were clear advantages.

Despite this, Kangana insists that her portrayal of Gandhi in Emergency is both sensitive and dignified, as she took great care to avoid sensationalizing the more controversial aspects of Gandhis personal life.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kangana Ranaut (@kanganaranaut)

The actress also shared her experience of meeting Priyanka Gandhi, the daughter of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, and extending an invitation for her to watch the film.

Kangana recalled their encounter in Parliament, where she told Priyanka, You should watch Emergency. Priyanka responded graciously, saying, Yeah, maybe.

Kangana hopes that the film will resonate with the Gandhi family, as she believes it offers a thoughtful and respectful portrayal of Indira Gandhi.
Actor Sonu Sood, celebrated for his humanitarian efforts and down-to-earth demeanor, recently opened up about working with Jacqueline Fernandez in their upcoming action thriller, Fateh.

In an interview, Sonu spoke highly of his co-star, calling her one of the nicest and most professional actors he has ever worked with.

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Jacqueline is one of the easiest people to work with. Shes always punctual, and whether she has a vanity van or not, shes completely unbothered. That level of dedication is rare, Sonu shared, reflecting on their time together on set.

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View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sonu Sood (@sonu_sood)

He recounted an incident during the films shoot in a bustling market in Amritsar that left a lasting impression on him.

We were filming a chase sequence in a typical, crowded Punjabi market. Jacqueline was sitting quietly on a stool in the corner, chatting with school kids while waiting for her turn. When someone from the crew asked if she needed anything, she simply said, No, Im fine. Despite the chaos and no vanity van nearby due to space constraints, she waited patiently for two hours without any complaints.

Sonu described her grounded nature as a rare quality in the industry. Her humility and positivity are genuine. Shes not just a talented actor but also a very good soul, he said.

The duos camaraderie is expected to shine in Fateh, which hits theaters on January 10, 2025. The film, a gripping tale of justice and redemption, pairs Jacqueline Fernandezs charm with Sonu Soods larger-than-life persona. Fans are eagerly awaiting the on-screen chemistry between these two beloved stars.
Peter Yarrow, the beloved folk musician and member of the iconic trio Peter, Paul and Mary, has passed away at the age of 86.

He died on Tuesday morning at his home in New York City, surrounded by his family. Yarrow had been battling cancer for the past four years.

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Peter Yarrow, along with Noel Paul Stookey and Mary Travers, formed Peter, Paul and Mary in the early 1960s. The trio became a defining force in the folk music scene, particularly known for their powerful songs like Blowin in the Wind and If I Had a Hammer.

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Their music resonated with the social movements of the time, addressing themes of peace, justice, and civil rights.

Yarrows journey into music began during his time at Cornell University, where he first started performing. It was at the Newport Folk Festival that he caught the attention of manager Albert Grossman, who envisioned creating a modern folk group akin to the Weavers, a legendary band that included Pete Seeger.

This led to the formation of Peter, Paul and Mary, and they quickly became a household name. Their debut singles, including The Lemon Tree and If I Had a Hammer, were massive hits, and they won two Grammy Awards in 1962.

Many of the groups most famous songs, such as the anti-war anthem The Great Mandala, were creations of Yarrow.

Beyond his music career, Yarrow had deep involvement in social causes. In 2005, he performed in Ho Chi Minh City to raise awareness for the victims of Agent Orange, offering a heartfelt apology on behalf of the United States.

He also supported various causes through performances, including an appearance at Zuccotti Park during the Occupy Wall Street protests in 2011.

Yarrows legacy lives on through his music and activism. He is survived by his wife Marybeth, their children Christopher and Bethany, and his granddaughter Valentina.
Cornered by the opposition in the Assembly over the sexual assault of a girl student by an intruder at the prestigious Anna University in the city last month, Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday vehemently denied that the accused, who has been arrested, was a member of the ruling DMK but was only a party sympathiser.

Responding to a call attention motion, moved by the opposition and some of the allies of the DMK, the Chief Minister, also president of the DMK, admitted that the accused, Gnanasekaran (37), was a only sympathiser of the party but not a member.

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He might have taken photographs with minister and politicians which is not a crime, he said and countered the opposition charge that the government was trying to shield the culprits, saying There will be no leniency, whoever it might be, even if they are from the DMK, the police will take stringent action against the accused. Within 60 days, the chargesheet will be filed to get maximum punishment for the accused, he assured the House.

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The 19-year-old girl student was sexually assaulted on the night of December 23 when she was with her boyfriend on the campus, when the accused thrashed the boy and committed the crime. The accused was running a roadside biriyani shop near the university and his wife is a sanitation worker on the campus.

Denying that there was laxity on the part of the police, the Chief Minister explained that the accused was arrested the very next day after the complaint was filed and he has been detained under the Goondas Act. Also, it is not factually true that there were not adequate CCTV cameras in the varsity campus. The accused was apprehended based on CCTV footages, he added. Rubbishing the criticism that the FIR was leaked deliberately by the police, Stalin made it clear that it was a technical glitch on the part of National Informatics Centre (NIC), which has also admitted to it. On being alerted by the state police, the NIC had rectified the issue.

On the claim by the opposition that the accused was in a call with one Sir prior to committing the offence and the AIADMK members coming to the House with black badges for the third day in succession, Stalin taunted them as Sirs of Pollachi sexual scandal, which rocked the state during the previous AIADMK government of Edappadi Palanisamy.

If you have proof, submit them to the High Court-appointed Special Investigation Team probing the case. Unlike the present DMK government which had taken swift action in the Anna university case, arrests were made in the Pollachi scandal only after the CBI took over the case, he reminded them and rejected the opposition protests over the issue as a mere tool of political propaganda.
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- More than 100,000 people have fled five days of fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) between government forces and M23 rebels, UN humanitarians said on Wednesday.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the clashes occurred in the Masisi territory of North Kivu province and, according to OCHA partners, killed at least two people and wounded six others.

"In the last quarter of last year, violent attacks by different non-state armed groups have increased in the eastern part of the DRC, resulting in population displacements," the office said.

At the end of December 2024, more than 2.7 million people were displaced in North Kivu province. Between September and December 2024, the UN partners reported at least 138 people killed and more than a hundred others kidnapped.

OCHA said the conflict causes people to be constantly on the move as fighting ceases or resumes, increasing their vulnerabilities. It also affects humanitarian access, and many organizations maintain a limited presence, closely monitoring the security situation to resume operations.

The office called on all parties to the conflict and those with influence over them to ensure the safety of civilians and humanitarians and ensure unhindered and unimpeded humanitarian activities.

Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the special envoy for the Great Lakes region, Huang Xia, also expressed concern at the rapidly deteriorating security situation in the eastern part of the DRC.

Dujarric said Huang urged the parties to the conflict to prioritize dialogue within the framework of the Luanda and Nairobi regional peace processes and to refrain from any acts likely to constitute violations of national and regional commitments made under the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DRC and the region.

"To this end, he calls for the urgent convening of the Twelfth High-Level Meeting of the Regional Oversight Mechanism of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework, to enable the heads of state of the region to address the ongoing crisis in eastern DRC," the spokesman told reporters at a regular briefing. 
Army divers from the elite 21 Para Special Forces recovered the body of a miner from the flooded coal mine in Umrangso of the Dima Hasao district early on Wednesday.

According to the state government, nine miners have been trapped since January 6 after an illegal rat-hole mining site was inundated by underground water.

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The recovery follows nearly 48 hours of tireless efforts by a multi-agency team battling adverse conditions and the inherent dangers of the narrow, waterlogged mine shafts.

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Confirming the development on social media, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote: 21 Para divers have just recovered a lifeless body from the bottom of the well. Our thoughts and prayers are with the grieving family.

Massive dewatering operations are going on with pumps from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) deployed to lower the water level inside the mine. The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has provided specialized equipment to aid the rescue, though bad weather has delayed its aerial transport via MI-17 helicopter from Kumbhirgram.

State Mines Minister Kaushik Rai, overseeing the operation, acknowledged the challenges faced by rescue teams. Engineers are working in extremely hazardous conditions, he said, explaining that the miners were trapped when they struck an underground water source, flooding the mine instantly.

The tragedy has drawn attention to the pervasive illegal mining in Assam, particularly in the coal-rich region of Dima Hasao. Rat-hole mining, which involves digging narrow, vertical shafts to extract coal, was banned by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2014 due to its hazardous and environmentally destructive nature. However, illegal operations have continued, often fueled by local demand and weak enforcement mechanisms.

Police have arrested Punish Nunisa, a suspect linked to the illegal mine, and investigations are underway to identify others involved. More arrests are expected in the coming days.

The rescue operation has mobilised significant resources and personnel from across India. Union Coal Minister Kishan Reddy has instructed Coal India Limited to provide additional assistance, while the Army, Navy, Assam Rifles, and Air Force have installed lighting systems to ensure round-the-clock rescue efforts.

Chief Minister Sarma has called for stringent action against those responsible for the illegal mining operation.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi, castigating the state government for the unfortunate incident, stated, It is shocking that despite the 2014 NGT ban, rat-hole mining remains rampant in Assam, endangering lives and the environment.

Rat-hole mining has long been a contentious issue in northeastern states like Assam and Meghalaya. Despite multiple bans and crackdowns, weak enforcement and high demand for coal have perpetuated the practice.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday reiterated Indias commitment to assisting the Maldives in enhancing its defence capabilities, including providing defence platforms and assets to bolster its preparedness.

This assurance was made during bilateral discussions with Maldives Defence Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon.

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The talks highlighted Indias unwavering support for the Maldives in line with New Delhis Neighborhood First policy and the vision of SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region).

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The meeting covered a wide range of topics related to bilateral defence and security cooperation. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the India-Maldives Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership, a key aspect of the growing strategic ties between the two nations.

A statement from the Ministry of Defence claimed that Minister Maumoon expressed appreciation for Indias historical role as the First Responder for the Maldives and thanked New Delhi for its assistance in modernising the countrys defence infrastructure and training its security personnel.

On the Maldives governments request, India also handed over defence equipment and supplies to aid in the countrys security efforts.

Minister Maumoon, who is on his first official visit to India, noted that the engagement further deepened the defence and security ties between the two countries. This visit is part of the continued high-level exchanges aimed at strengthening bilateral relations for the mutual benefit of both nations and enhancing security in the Indian Ocean Region.
The Kochi City Police, on Wednesday, took businessman Boby Chemmanur

into custody in connection with a case registered against him for

allegedly making obscene remarks against actor Honey Rose.

Boby was arrested from his estate at Meppadi in the Wayanad district

of the state. He was reportedly taken into custody by a police team

while trying to abscond and file for anticipatory bail. His arrest

came barely 24 hours after the case was registered against him.

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The police had been closely monitoring the businessmans movements

after Rose filed a complaint against him. On learning that he had

moved to a resort in Wayanad, the Kochi Police informed the local

police. A police team from Kochi also arrived at Meppadi and took him

into custody on Wednesday.

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The popular Malayalam actor filed her complaint against Boby at the

Ernakulam Central Police Station Honey Rose on Tuesday, accusing him

of making repeated sexually inappropriate remarks that insulted

womanhood. In her complaint, she highlighted sexual harassment she

faced during the inauguration of Chemmanurs jewellery store in

Alakode, Kannur, on August 7. She detailed the difficulties she

encountered on various platforms following the incident.

Based on Roses complaint, the Ernakulam Central Police registered the

case against Boby under BNS section 75(1)(4) for making sexually

coloured remarks and section 67 of the IT Act for publishing and

transmitting obscene material in electronic form.

In an Instagram post, addressing Boby Chemmanur, Honey Rose stated,

There will be complaints against your associates also soon, who seem

to share your mental state. You may believe in the power of your

money, but I believe in the strength of the judicial system of India.

Earlier Boby Chemmanur faced public backlash for making objectionable

comments about Honey Rose during a jewelry store inauguration. In her

initial post on January 5, the actor refrained from naming him.

When an individual persistently follows and tries to insult me using

innuendos, people close to me ask whether I remain silent because I

enjoy such statements or because I agree with everything being said.

This individual invited me to certain events, but I refused to attend.

In retaliation, they began deliberately showing up at events I attend

and, whenever possible, publicly making disparaging remarks about me

in ways that demean womanhood through media outlets, the actor had

then said.
Red banners supporting the farmers agitation in the country have been put up in the Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh, allegedly by Naxalites operating in the region, encouraging farmers to continue their struggle against the government and urging the people to support the peasants cause.The banners were noticed yesterday in the Murum village and other nearby areas under the jurisdiction of the Roopjhar police station in Balaghat.The posters have the name of the Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh Special Zonal Committee of the Communist Party of India (Maoist). Pamphlets have also been thrown across various locations in support of the farmers agitation.

The banners have appealed to the farmers to continue their agitation till their demands are fulfilled. They have also urged the farmers to organize protests against the government by all possible means including chakkajams, bandhs, hunger strikes and also through social media.

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The Naxals have also asked farmers to proceed towards the borders of Delhi and Punjab and remain firm in the struggle for their rights until the government concedes all their demands.The banners have urged the people of all villages and towns to render support to the farmers and come out in large numbers in support of the peasants.

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According to Balaghat SP Nagendra Singh, the police have seized the banners and pamphlets. He said a case has been registered and a thorough probe is underway.
The Kerala High Court on Wednesday suspended the sentence awarded to former Udma MLA and CPI(M) leader K V Kunhiraman and three others by the Ernakulam CBI Special Court in connection with the murder of two Youth Congress workers in Kasaragod district six years ago.

A Division Bench comprising Justice P B. Suresh Kumar and Justice Jobin Sebastian granted stay on the five-year sentence of former Uduma MLA and CPI-M leader K V Kunhiraman, Kanhangad block panchayat president K Manikandan, and two other CPI-M leaders- Raghavan Velutholi, and A V Bhaskaran on their appeal against their conviction and subsequent punishment.

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Citing the Supreme Courts judgment in Atul alias Ashutosh vs state of Madhya Pradesh(2024) 3SCC 663, the Court observed that when appeals in such cases are unlikely to be heard before the completion of fixed-term sentences, it is customary to suspend the execution of the sentence.

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Currently, those cases in which accused persons are in custody since 2018, are being taken up for hearing and disposal by this Court. In other words, the above appeal is not likely to be taken up for hearing before the applicants complete their fixed term of sentence.

That apart, it has been the practice of this court to suspend the execution of term sentences in cases of similar nature, and we do not find any exceptional reason in this case to deviate from the said practice, the order said.

The Court directed the convicts to execute bonds of Rs.50,000 each with two solvent sureties for the same amount to the satisfaction of the jurisdictional court.Additionally, they were instructed to deposit the fine amount of Rs.10,000 imposed by the trial court.

The Special CBI Court in Kochi on Friday sentenced 10 CPI-M workers to double life imprisonment for the murder and conspiracy in the killings of Youth Congress workers Kripesh (21) and Sarathlal P K (24) in the Periya twin murder case.

The convicts Peethambaran, Saji George, Suresh, Anilkumar, Jijin, Sreerag, Aswin, Sudheesh, Renjith, and Surendran were convicted for life. They were also found guilty of unlawful assembly, rioting, and wrongful restraint and also fined Rs.2 lakh each. N. Seshadrinathan, Special Judge, CBI Court, Kochi, ordered that the punishment would run concurrently. The fine will be given to the families of the victims, Kripesh and Sarathlal.

The court also sentenced former Udma MLA and CPI-Ms Kasaragod District Secretariat member K V Kunhiraman, ,Kanhangad Block Panchayat president and CPI-M District Committee member K Manikandan, and two other CPI-M leaders- Raghavan Velutholi, and A V Bhaskaran for five years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000 each for forcibly taking away second accused accused Saji C George, from police custody.

The case pertains to the murder of Youth Congress workers Kripesh,(19) and Saratl Lal P K(23), allegedly by CPI-M workers on February 17, 2019 due to political rivalry.
Reaffirming his commitment to making Andhra Pradesh prosperous, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his first visit to the state since the NDA assumed power at both the Centre and the state, launched projects worth Rs 2 lakh crore.

These include a long-cherished new railway zone, a modern technology-based Green Hydrogen Hub, and the Kris City project. The Prime Minister conducted a massive roadshow alongside Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, culminating in a public rally at the Andhra University grounds.

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In his address, the Prime Minister emphasized his commitment to Andhra Pradeshs development, pledging support to his key ally N. Chandrababu Naidu in transforming the state into a golden Andhra by 2047. The NDA government is committed to developing Andhra Pradesh as a modern and prosperous state, said Modi.

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He elaborated, Andhra Pradesh has set a target of achieving a $2.5 trillion economy by 2047. To realize this goal, the Chandrababu Naidu government has initiated the Swarna Andhra 2047 mission. The NDA government at the Centre is fully supporting this initiative. Hence, Andhra Pradesh has been prioritized for projects worth thousands of crores. This is the time for Andhra to become a hub for futuristic technologies.

Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone for the South Coast Railway Zone (SCoR) headquarters in Visakhapatnam, fulfilling a long-standing demand of the state, particularly in North Andhra, which was also promised during the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

Additionally, the Prime Minister inaugurated the NTPC Green Energy Limiteds Green Hydrogen Hub at Pudimadaka in Anakapalle district. Valued at Rs 1.85 lakh crore, the project will have a capacity of 20 gigawatts of renewable energy and produce 1,500 tonnes per day of green hydrogen.

Modi highlighted the significance of the National Green Hydrogen Mission launched in 2023, stating, Our target is to produce 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030. The first phase includes establishing two Green Hydrogen Hubs, one of which will be in Visakhapatnam. This initiative is expected to create job opportunities and boost the manufacturing ecosystem in Andhra Pradesh.

Several other infrastructure projects worth 19,500 crore, including road and railway developments, were also announced.

The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for a bulk drug park at Nakkapalli in Anakapalle district, valued at 1,438.89 crore. This facility, one of three such parks being developed nationwide, is strategically located near the Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor and the Visakhapatnam-Kakinada Petrochemical and Investment Region.

Further, he launched the Krishnapatnam Industrial Area (KRIS City) in Tirupati district under the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor. Expected to attract investments worth 10,500 crore and generate one lakh direct and indirect jobs, Modi described the project as a model for new-age urbanization. He assured that Andhra Pradesh would soon rank among the top states in industrial development and manufacturing.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu praised the Prime Minister, describing him as a global leader who inspires him. Naidu said, Till yesterday, Amaravati was in the doldrums. Now, sir, you must visit and witness how weve transformed it. We will complete it with your blessings, and you must inaugurate Amaravati as one of the best cities you once envisioned.

Meanwhile, protests marked the visit, with CPI-M activists demonstrating at the Maddilapalem RTC bus stand, demanding that the Vizag Steel Plant remain under public ownership. Congress workers also staged protests against the Prime Ministers visit.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday slammed BJP candidate from Kalkaji assembly constituency Ramesh Bidhuri over his recent objectionable remarks on her and called it ridiculous.

Talking to reporters here, in response to a question on Bidhuris remarks, she said, It is a ridiculous remark.

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Vadra, who represents Keralas Wayanad parliamentary constituency, referring to the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, said there should be discussion on important issues concerning the public. There are elections in Delhi. There should be discussion on important issues, the Congress parliamentarian said.

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The former BJP faced massive backlash from the Congress after a purported video on social media had shown him stating that he would make all the roads in Kalkaji like the cheeks of Priyanka Gandhi if BJP comes to power in the upcoming Assembly elections in Delhi.

Notably, the Delhi Youth Congress staged a protest outside the residence of Bidhuri over his remarks on Vadra, here on Monday. Members of the youth wing of the Congress party shouted slogans while holding aloft placards against Bidhuri. They also blackened the gate of his residence and wrote anti-woman on it.

The National Students Union of India (NSUI), the Congress students wing, also staged a nationwide protest on Monday, calling for immediate action against Bidhuri.
With President-elect Donald Trumps inauguration on January 20 and his promise to escalate deportations, Mexico finds itself at a critical juncture in regional migration policy. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaums recent announcement that the country may accept non-Mexican deportees signals a significant shift in strategy, one that reflects both pragmatism and a willingness to collaborate with its northern neighbour under challenging circumstances. For years, Mexico resisted absorbing non-Mexican deportees, advocating their return to their home countries.

President Sheinbaums openness to a new approach indicates an acknowledgment of the complex realities of US immigration enforcement under Mr Trump. While the details of this plan remain unclear, it could involve limiting acceptance to certain nationalities or securing compensation from the US to facilitate deportations from Mexico to the migrants home countries. This potential collaboration comes with significant challenges. Northern Mexico and its border cities are already grappling with organised crime, where migrants are often vulnerable to extortion and trafficking. During Mr Trumps first term, thousands of asylum seekers were forced to wait in Mexico, many of whom became targets of violence. A renewed wave of deportees could exacerbate these issues, overwhelming local resources and straining humanitarian efforts. President Sheinbaum has emphasised that Mexico will receive deportees properly and has a plan to manage this influx.

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However, the nations track record raises concerns about its ability to ensure humane treatment. Migrants from Central and South America have historically faced abuse and exploitation within Mexico, and addressing these systemic issues will require significant investment in infrastructure, oversight, and security. Mexicos willingness to accept deportees could also be a strategic move to strengthen its negotiating position with the US. By cooperating on immigration, Mexico might seek concessions such as financial aid or favourable trade terms to offset the economic burden of hosting migrants. This pragmatic approach highlights the interconnected nature of US-Mexico relations, where migration, trade, and diplomacy are deeply intertwined.

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President Sheinbaums proposal to host a regional summit of foreign ministers further underscores the need for collective action on migration. Central America, already reeling from economic instability and violence, will likely see increased migration pressures as Mr Trump implements stricter deportation policies. A coordinated regional strategy could help distribute responsibilities more equitably while addressing the root causes of migration, such as poverty and governance challenges in origin countries. As Mr Trumps inauguration approaches, the decisions made by leaders like President Sheinbaum will shape the future of migration in the Americas. Mexicos role in managing this complex issue is critical, both as a neighbour to the US and as a transit country for migrants. Whether this policy shift becomes a model for regional cooperation or exacerbates existing crises will depend on Mexicos ability to navigate the challenges ahead while safeguarding the rights and dignity of those most affected.
Water security has emerged as a critical issue in the Indo-Pacific region, where transboundary rivers of ten symbolise shared lifelines for multiple countries. The construction of massive dams by China on rivers originating in the Tibetan Plateau, particularly the Yarlung Zangbo, poses significant challenges for downstream nations, including India. These dams, while presented as hydro electric projects, raise questions about their environmental impact and potential use as strategic tools of coercion.

Addressing these concerns requires a concerted regional and global effort, where partnerships play a pivotal role. India, with its downstream dependence on the Brahmaputra river, has voiced apprehensions about Chinas dam-building spree. The proposed hydropower project on the Yarlung Zangbo, poised to become the worlds largest, exemplifies the risks. Beyond the potential for altering water flow, sediment transport, and regional ecology, these projects introduce a worrying geopolitical dimension. Controlled releases or withholding of water could exacerbate existing vulnerabilities, especially in Indias northeast, where agriculture and livelihoods are deeply intertwined with the rivers health. For India, the strategic stakes are clear. Water scarcity or erratic flows can have cascading effects, not just on the environment but also on social and economic stability. While diplomatic engagements with China are necessary, they have historically yielded limited results.

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Beijings assurances of minimal downstream impact often conflict with the lived realities of other nations affected by its upstream projects, such as those in the Mekong region. This evolving challenge underscores the importance of partnerships bet ween like minded nations like India and the United States. Collaborations in satellite monitoring, hydrological data sharing, and early warning systems can empower downstream nations to anticipate and mitigate adverse impacts. Moreover, leveraging multilateral platforms to advocate for equitable water-sharing principles can exert pressure on uni lateral actors. Indias engagement with global partners is vital in this context. The just-concluded visit of US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan to India marked a significant moment in bilateral relations. This was the last high-level engagement between New Delhi and the outgoing Bi den Administration. Beyond the immediate focus on water security, broader cooperation in emerging areas like artificial intelligence, space, and defence technologies can enhance Indias strategic capabilities.

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As Washington and New Delhi navigate a changing geopolitical landscape, the discussions hold particular relevance, with Chinese dam-building on transboundary rivers emerging as a critical agenda item. These alignments also send a strong message about shared priorities in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, where resources are governed transparently and sustainably. At the heart of this issue is the recognition that rivers are more than just physical entities. They embody the shared fates of nations and communities. As Chinas infrastructural ambitions grow, downstream nations, led by India, must strengthen their collective response. The path forward lies in blending diplomacy, technological collaboration, and strategic partnerships to ensure that water resources remain a source of shared prosperity rather than contention. The stakes are too high to ignore, for the health of these rivers is inextricably linked to the regions future stability and progress.
Pistol shooter Manu Bhaker will be honoured with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award, the highest sporting honour in India, on January 17. At the Paris Olympics 2024, Manu Bhaker made history by becoming the only Indian to win two medals at a single Olympic Games. Twelve days after Manu Bhaker won two bronze medals in 10m air pistol event at Paris, a young doctor was tragically raped and murdered in Kolkata while trying to rest after long hours of duty.

Imagine if Dr. Abhaya had learned pistol shooting like Manu Bhaker and carried a revolver in her purse. Would anyone have dared to harm her? Manu Bhakers story is not just one of sporting excellence  it carries a powerful message that calls for a shift towards self-empowerment and protection. It is a message that must be heard and acted upon. Crimes, often committed in mere minutes, do not afford victims the luxury of making calls to helplines. Even if called, police cannot appear instantly. This harsh truth highlights the need for individuals, especially women, to be empowered to be equipped with the means to defend themselves. Applying for a gun license under the Arms Act of 1959 and the Arms Rules of 2016 is a statutory right for selfdefence.

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However, Indias strict legal procedures on gun ownership make obtaining a license a complex process, often involving extensive background checks, references and delays. The U.S. Second Amendment, which grants citizens the right to keep and bear arms, has been upheld as a fundamental individual right. While this right is not explicitly listed in the Indian Constitution, the right to self-defence, as guaranteed by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, implicitly acknowledges the need for citizens to possess arms. S.35 of the Sanhita assures every person has the right of private defence of body. S.38 extends the right of private defence to the voluntary causing of death or of any other harm to the assailant to defend against an assault with the intention of committing rape.

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The Ordnance Factory in Kanpur developed a lightweight revolver designed for women. Known as Nidar this handgun was pitched as the countrys first gun for women, offering a robust and handy selfdefence weapon. (0.22 Revolver Nidar is priced at Rs. 49,500 and 0.32 Revolver Nishank at Rs. 79,750; both can be ordered online at https://ddpdoo.gov.in/product/products/product-details/0-22- revolver-nidar ) Civilians should attend firearms training offered by state police academies. Mysuru City Civilian Rifle Association, a unit of the Mysuru city police can be cited as a best practice. Apart from basics of firearm safety, this training can also facilitate a career in sports, if started early. Manu Bhaker started shooting at the age of 14 when she joined a shooting range in her village in Haryana.

Breaking away from a victim mindset involves shifting from helplessness to empowerment. How many women carry pepper spray, a simple yet effective tool for selfdefence and personal security? Armed self-defence training can be a powerful tool in this shift, providing women with the means to protect themselves and reclaim their sense of security. Cultivating the belief that women can defend themselves is crucial to fostering attitude change. Even if only a few women actually carry firearms, the mere possibility of it can instil a chilling deterrent effect among criminals. The police cannot bear the entire burden of protecting every individual, 24X7. Instead, they should adopt proactive measures to impart armed self-defence training to women, sending a strong message to criminals.

The Union Home Ministry may consider an advisory to states to implement such training programmes prioritising medical professionals. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, during the debate on the Arms Act in 1959, argued that the right to bear arms is an inviolable and sacred right of every free citizen. Atal jis demand for responsible gun ownership resonates today as we confront crimes that often shock the conscience of the Nation. In the tragic case of the Kolkata doctor and in many such cases, it was reported that the accused was addicted to pornography, a factor often linked to crimes against women. India should consider at least a temporary ban on pornography, introducing comprehensive sex education that emphasizes respect, consent, and healthy relationships. This twopronged approach could reduce the demand for exploitative content while promoting responsible behaviour.

Countries like China and the United Arab Emirates have implemented strict bans on pornography and are known for being among the safest countries for women and children. In China, parents feel secured about their childrens safety, while women in the UAE report feeling safe walking alone in the city even at night. Recently launched National Narcotics Helpline MANAS, allows citizens to anonymously share information on drug trafficking. MANAS (Madak Padarth Nishedh Asuchna Kendra) includes toll-free number 1933, a web portal and a mobile app. Manas collects personal information, but assures that the identity of the informer will be kept secret.

This facility of anonymous reporting helpline may be established in respect of other crimes also. Crime Stoppers, run by collaboration between police and civil society, where citizens can provide information about crimes or suspects anonymously through phone calls, online forms or mobile apps. Many people, even if they know critical information about a crime, are scared to talk directly with police, worried about standing as a witness, or concerned about their safety. Crime Stoppers protect anonymity of the person reporting suspected criminal activity. Crime Stoppers helplines do not provide for caller number display and never trace a call. After receiving the call or a completed anonymous online form, they create a report that brings together all the information, making sure it does not contain any information that could identify the caller.

The report is then sent to the relevant authority with the legal responsibility to investigate crimes, such as police or customs. Crime Stoppers was first founded in the US, in 1976 (1-800-222-TIPS); later, the UK (0800 555 111), Australia (1800 333 000) and South Africa (08600 10111) have adapted. UK Crime Stoppers, since its inception in 1995, is reported to have received over 2.2 million actionable calls, has been responsible for more than 151,000 people being arrested and charged with a crime, for over 367 million worth of illegal drugs being seized.

The latest National Crimes Records Bureau (NCRB) Report (2022) reveals over 58 lakh cognizable crimes, including 1200 crimes against women and 445 against children per day, highlighting the urgent need for Crime Stoppers in India. The tragic case of Dr. Abhaya highlights the need for women to be empowered with armed self-defense skills. Training programmes, like those at police academies, can equip individuals for protection and sporting achievements, as seen with Manu Bhaker. Moving away from a victim mentality requires a transformation from vulnerability to empowerment.

(The writer is a transparency and equality advocate and author. Views expressed are personal.)
Damascus International Airport resumed international operations on Tuesday with flights to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar as the interim administration in Syria continues to bolster ties with Gulf countries.

The first flight departed on Tuesday morning for Sharjah, UAE, while a separate aircraft arrived from Doha, the first civilian flight from Qatar in 13 years, airport officials said.

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The resumption of air travel follows the collapse of the previous regime in December and signals potential warming ties between Syrias new government and its Gulf neighbours.

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Syrias interim Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani recently held talks in Doha with Qatars Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, breaking years of diplomatic freeze between the two nations.

The Doha meetings focused on Syrias reconstruction and transition, with both sides expressing interest in economic and diplomatic cooperation, according to officials familiar with the talks, reported Xinhua news agency.

Al-Shibani also visited the UAE on Monday as part of a broader Gulf tour aimed at establishing relationships with the new Syrian leadership.

Meanwhile, Jordans Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Yousef Ahmed Al-Hunaiti reaffirmed the Jordanian Armed Forces readiness to support Syrias national security during talks in Amman on Tuesday with Syrias interim defence minister, state-run Petra news agency reported.

Al-Hunaiti met with Murhaf Abu Qasra, who assumed the role of interim defence minister in Syrias new administration last month after the ouster of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The two discussed military and security cooperation, with Al-Hunaiti stressing Jordans commitment to utilizing all available resources to enhance regional stability and bolster both nations national security.

The discussions also focused on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing shared challenges, particularly along the countries shared border.

Abu Qasra highlighted the deep historical ties between Jordan and Syria and reiterated his countrys commitment to close cooperation. He praised Jordans pivotal role in promoting regional security and stability.
Irans armed forces began a large-scale joint air defence exercise near the Natanz uranium enrichment facility in central Isfahan province on Tuesday, state television reported.

The Eqtedar (Power) 1403 exercise was launched on the orders of Khatam al-Anbia Air Defence Base Commander Qader Rahimzadeh, IRIB TV said.

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The first phase involves Aerospace Force units of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) conducting all-out point defence of the nuclear site against numerous aerial threats under tough electronic warfare conditions, according to IRIB.

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IRGC spokesman Ali-Mohammad Naeini said on Monday that the annual drills aim to maintain and improve military preparedness, counter potential military threats and acts of sabotage, and boost national morale, Xinhua news agency reported.

The exercise comes after American news website Axios reported last week that US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan presented US President Joe Biden with options for a potential US attack on Iranian nuclear facilities should the Iranians move towards a nuclear weapon before January 20, 2025.

On Monday, Irans Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said that the country is ready for negotiations based on honour and dignity to address concerns about its nuclear programme and lift sanctions.

He made the remarks at a weekly press conference in Tehran, in reply to a question about the likelihood of negotiations between Iran and the United States.

Baghaei said Iran always believes in dialogue, stressing that Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi had explicitly declared the countrys latest position that we are ready for dignity and honor-based negotiations on lifting sanctions and removing concerns about the nature of Irans nuclear programme.

This is our fixed position. However, the form of (any potential) negotiations should be decided after considering all aspects including other sides approaches and performances, Baghaei added.

He noted that the new round of talks between Tehran and the E3 group of France, Britain, and Germany would be held in Geneva, Switzerland, on January 13-14, during which a range of issues, including developments in West Asia, bilateral ties with the European Union, Irans nuclear programme, and removal of the sanctions on Tehran, would be discussed.

Iran signed a nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with world powers in July 2015, agreeing to put some curbs on its nuclear programme in return for the removal of sanctions. The United States, however, pulled out of the deal in May 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Iran, prompting Tehran to scale back its commitments under the deal.

The talks to revive the JCPOA began in April 2021 in Vienna, Austria. Despite several rounds of talks, no significant breakthrough has been achieved.
US President-elect Donald Trump has refused to rule out the use of military force to take control of the Panama Canal and Greenland, and economic force to acquire Canada, CNN reported.

While addressing a press conference at Mar-a-Lago in Florida on Tuesday (local time), Trump was asked whether he would rule out using military or economic coercion to achieve his goal of gaining those territories.

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He responded, No, I cant assure you on either of those two, but I can say this, we need them for economic security. Trump said Denmark should give up its control of Greenland or it would face high tariffs. He suggested people of Greenland could vote for independence or to become the part of the United States.

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He said, Im talking about protecting the free world.

Since his election, Trump has repeatedly expressed his interest in gaining control of the Panama Canal and Greenland. Trump for the first time on Tuesday suggested using the military to achieve his goal, according to a CNN report.

Trump said later that he would only use economic force and not military force against Canada. When asked whether he would also use the military to acquire Canada, Trump responded, No, economic force.

He continued, You get rid of that artificially drawn line and you take a look at what that looks like  and it would also be much better for national security.

In recent weeks, Trump in his social media posts has said that Canada should become the 51st state of the US. He even used Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus announcement of his plan to step down as PM and Liberal Party leader to reiterate his stance that Canada becomes the 51st state of the US.

During the press conference on Tuesday, Trump criticised former US President Jimmy Carters decision to hand control of the Panama Canal back to Panama during his presidency, CNN reported. Carter, who passed away at the age of 100 on December 29, negotiated treaties that provided for the handover of the Panama Canal to Panama.

He said, The Panama Canal is a disgrace. Trump said, What took place at the Panama Canal, Jimmy Carter gave it to them for USD 1 and they were supposed to treat us well.

The US President-elect said that he wants to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. He said, Were going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, which has a beautiful ring. That covers a lot of territory, the Gulf of America  what a beautiful name. And its appropriate.

He slammed the Biden administrations handling of the transition ahead of his inauguration ceremony on January 20. Trump said the Biden administration is trying everything they can to make it more difficult and wants to block the reforms of the American people and that they voted for, according to CNN.

They say were going to have a smooth transition. All they do is talk. Its all talk. Everything they do is talk, Were going to have a smooth transition. And then they take 625 million acres, and they essentially landmark it, so you cant ever drill there again. Well, were going to be drilling soon, he said.

Trumps remarks come a day after US Congress certified his election victory with no objections from any lawmakers as the tally of states was announced on the House floor.

Donald Trump won 312 electoral votes while Harris got 226 votes, a total that was confirmed during the certification on Monday, marking the final step in the election process before Trump returns back to the White House on January 20, The Hill reported.

Kamala Harris presided over the process and the proceedings went off without a hitch. Several lawmakers helped in the counting, including Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator Deb Fischer and Representatives  Bryan Steil and Joe Morelle. Vice President-elect JD Vance was also present in the chamber during the count.
BRAZZAVILLE, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday, with both sides pledging to advance bilateral ties and China-Africa cooperation.

Sassou conveyed his New Year greetings and best wishes to Chinese President Xi Jinping through Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

Recalling that Xi chose Africa for his first overseas trip as Chinese president in 2013, during which he made a historic visit to the Republic of the Congo, Sassou said the visit remains vivid in his memory.

Noting that Africa is playing an increasingly important role in global affairs, Sassou expressed hope that China's emphasis on Africa will lead to greater attention on and more support for the continent on a global scale.

The Chinese president proposed 10 partnership action plans at the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in Beijing in 2024, which cover all areas of China-Africa cooperation, focus on tackling Africa's pressing challenges, and meet Africa's needs, Sassou said.

Infrastructure, power, agriculture and industrialization are critical issues the Republic of the Congo and other African countries need to solve in order to achieve development, he added.

Noting that this year marks the start of implementing the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, Sassou said the Republic of the Congo, as the FOCAC's co-chair, will spare no effort in advancing the 10 partnership action plans and strive for greater progress in China-Africa cooperation.

For his part, Wang conveyed Xi's cordial greetings and New Year wishes to Sassou.

Noting that Sassou is a renowned African politician and one of the African leaders who have visited China the most and met with Xi the most, Wang said the deep friendship between the two leaders serves as a vital political guarantee for China-Congo and China-Africa relations.

The Chinese foreign minister's tradition of starting the year with a visit to Africa is a testament to China's unwavering solidarity with African nations, Wang said.

Calling the Republic of the Congo a staunch friend and important partner of China, Wang praised the country's vibrant development under Sassou's leadership. China will remain the country's most reliable friend and partner during its development and revitalization journey, he said.

The Republic of the Congo's role as the FOCAC's co-chair reflects Africa's confidence in the country, Wang said.

As the best platform for deepening China-Africa cooperation and achieving common development, the FOCAC has been leading global cooperation with Africa, Wang said, noting that China is willing to work closely with the Republic of the Congo to comprehensively implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, support Africa's development and jointly pursue modernization.

These efforts will also enhance the Republic of the Congo's development and elevate its global standing, he added.

On the same day, Wang also held talks with Congolese Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso and Foreign Minister Jean-Claude Gakosso. 
CAPE TOWN, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's governing party the African National Congress (ANC) on Wednesday launched its 113th anniversary celebrations on Robben Island, reaffirming its commitment to the complete liberation of all South Africans.

ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa who also serves as the president of South Africa, along with other top party officials, visited Robben Island on Wednesday morning. Several former ANC leaders, including Nelson Mandela, Kgalema Motlanthe, and Jacob Zuma, were imprisoned on the island by the apartheid regime before its fall in 1994.

During his visit, Ramaphosa paid a visit to Mandela's prison cell, calling it a symbol of the enduring legacy of sacrifice and struggle for freedom. He also placed a stone at the lime quarry where Mandela, also referred to as Madiba, an honorary title, and other freedom fighters toiled under harsh conditions.

"To remember Madiba and to remember the formation of the ANC. So happy birthday ANC, and that you were formed and you struggled to make us all free," said Ramaphosa.

He noted that Robben Island not only occupies an important place in the history of the ANC but also carries great lessons for the party as it charts a path of renewal and rebuilding.

"By visiting Robben Island on this most important of days in the life of our movement, we are reaffirming our determination to advance the struggle for the complete liberation of all South Africans from all forms of oppression," Ramaphosa said.

According to him, the main anniversary celebration will take place on Saturday at Mandela Park Stadium in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, where the party will deliver its traditional "Jan. 8 Statement," outlining its key priorities and objectives for the coming year.

The ANC, founded on Jan. 8, 1912, has governed South Africa since the country's first democratic elections in 1994, which ended apartheid. In the 2024 general elections, it failed to secure an outright majority, leading to the formation of the Government of National Unity. 


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Mumbais home sales hit a 13-year high, with 96,187 units sold in 2024, reflecting an impressive 11 per cent increase, while sales in the second half of 2024 rose by 6 per cent on a year-on-year basis. Most markets remain at multi-year peaks across cities, with Hyderabad and Pune achieving record highs in 2024.



In contrast, the Delhi-NCR market experienced a slight decline, with sales dropping by 4 per cent on both annual and semi-annual bases. These are some of the findings of Knight Frank Indias India Real Estate report, which looked at the residential and office space scenario across eight cities, including Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Pune.

The report said that the residential real estate market in India witnessed remarkable growth since the pandemic. Driven by higher savings during the lockdown, stable incomes in middle and upper-income groups, household wealth creation, and the countrys strong economic performance, primary market sales increased at an annualized rate of 23 per cent since 2020.

Annual sales volumes hit a 12-year high, 3.5 lakh units sold, marking a 7 per cent year-on-year (YoY) growth throughout the year while the 1.8 lakh units sold in the second half of 2024 represent a 3 per cent YoY increase, the report said.

In the case of the luxury space, the units priced above Rs 1 crore make up nearly half the residential market, with the segment accounting for 27 per cent of sales with a 15 per cent YoY growth, while the Rs 2 crore to Rs 5 crore segment is leading with a 62 per cent YoY surge, growing its share from 10 per cent in the second half (H2) of 2023 to 15 per cent in H2 2024. Conversely, sales priced under Rs 50 lakh, and Rs 50 lakh to one crore categories, as well as in the ultra-luxury segment above 50 crores, dipped in volume.

According to the report, the developers launched 3.7 lakh units in 2024, an 11-year high, leading to increased unsold inventory. While sales have seen healthy growth overall, the unsold inventory has consistently increased since 2020 as supply levels have exceeded sales.

Despite this, the quarters-to-sell (QTS) metrica measure of how quickly inventory clearsimproved to 5.8 quarters, reflecting healthy market fundamentals. Even in high-value segments like Rs 2 crore to Rs 5 crore, QTS levels stood at 3.9 and 4.2 quarters, respectively.

Generally, a lower QTS level denotes greater sales traction and better market health.

Bengaluru, NCR, Mumbaimassively transacted areas

Transaction volumes in the office market in 2024 reached 6.68 million sqm (71.9 million sqft), exceeding the previously highest figures of 2019 by 19 per cent.

Bengaluru, NCR, and Mumbai, which contributed 57 per cent of the total transacted area, were the key drivers of growth. Bengaluru led with 0.90 million sqm (9.7 million sqft) transacted in H2 2024. Pune and Ahmedabad also achieved record annual transaction volumes, while Chennai was the only market to see a decline, given a high base effect and constrained supply.

India-facing businesses accounted for 36 per cent of total transacted volumes in 2024, whereas the Global Capability Centres (GCCs) were another major contributor, taking up 31 per cent of transactions.

Flexible office spaces witness hike

In 2024, all end-use categories saw YoY growth, with flex spaces leading at 52 per cent. Flex operators took up 1.47 million sqm (15.8 million sqft), a record-high consequence of the much higher incidence of small businesses taking up co-working spaces that drove the demand in flex spaces. Co-working spaces dominated, constituting 68 per cent of flex transactions, up from 58 per cent in 2023. H2 2024 saw a 138 per cent YoY surge in flex space absorption to 0.8 million sqm (8.6 million sqft), the report said.

Office completions totalled 2.34 million sqm (25.2 million sqft) in H2 2024, slightly down 1 per cent YoY, while vacancy rates dropped from 17.2 per cent in H2 2021 to 15 per cent in H2 2024. NCR and Chennai recorded the lowest vacancies at 8.4 per cent and 6.8 per cent, respectively.

Limited supply and high demand pushed rents up by 3-7 per cent YoY, with Hyderabad leading at 7 per cent, followed by Bengaluru and Chennai at 6 per cent each, the Knight Frank report said.
It is 2025, and do you think it would be remotely possible for these online trolls (quite literally) to stop shaming women for their attire? Oh, neither do I. But what is the need to be empathetic when the anonymity of these social media accounts (the new criminals lair) gives you the much-needed cover to spout the worst kind of venom on women you barely know.

Honey Roses issue is not a first and, sadly, it will not be the last. Recently, Bella Hadids Saint Laurent mesh dress, which had her boobs on display (not my words), outraged the oh-so-fragile modesty of the internet. Trolls find it acceptable to say the most atrocious things about Urfi Javed because she dresses like that. Like what, brother? Lets talk about your clothes first. The vile, pukeworthy garb of misogyny is also the only real problem.

Women: The good, the bad, and the ugly

In a world ordered by sexual imbalance, pleasure in looking has been split between active/male and passive/female. The determining male gaze projects its phantasy onto the female figure, which is styled accordingly. In their traditional exhibitionist role, women are simultaneously looked at and displayed, with their appearance coded for strong visual and erotic impact so that they can be said to connote to-be-looked-at-ness, Laura Mulvey writes in her text about the male gaze in visual narratives like cinema.

The objectification and passivation of the female self (reduced to their body) give patriarchy the power to assume control over dictating and deciding for women and shaming them for alleged transgression.

Honey Rose has shown commendable dignity in the face of slut-shaming her for her sartorial choices and has been courageous enough to call out men, who also come from positions of power.

The thing about clothes is that it does not stop; the morbid curiosity seeps into making damaging assumptions about these womens characters. In earlier news, Urfi Javed flamed the contestants of Indias Got Latent for their blatantly misogynistic and borderline abusive comments, all in the guise of a roast.

Malaika Arora cannot do yoga in peace, for patriarchy has not taught these redundant abominations to mind their own business. The internets reaction to Sydney Sweeneys bikini pictures, taken without consent, reflects how normalised the abusive comments about women and their bodies are. The Kardashians and the Jenners are the lynchpins of these discussions, as anything about them essentially boils down to their face, bodies or outfits.

Demonising and shaming these women is a cinch as it does not involve acknowledging the underbelly of society and the social conditioning that forces their hand. In all these cases, it goes without saying that the body proportions of these women are examined and shamed in an appalling sense.

All women at one point, if not many, would have faced slut-shaming or victim blaming, for that is how everybody is taught to look at women  as objects you can control or, as patriarchy calls it, protect.

Grazia wrote, addressing Rose McGowans 1998 VMA appearance, People are comfortable when womens bodies are on display if they are not the person choosing to do the displaying. Our nudity is fine, if its not autonomous. Ita vero.

With everything being said, you are also never dressed enough. The modest woman is probably oppressed, and the indecent is, well, you know. The issue of control over what women wear has larger socio-cultural, economic, and political connotations. Robert E. Riegel argues that acceptable feminine apparel was consciously introduced to dampen womens movements and to shackle them from earning their living".

I keep thinking about what would happen if the tables were turned for once. What if this actor, a man, walks into a crowd to inaugurate a new shop? A pleasant day, indeed, and here comes the swarm of mobile phones and cameras vying to capture his assets peeking through, looking for the best inappropriate angle and the most juicy thumbnail. And you have a hoard of women sitting comfortably behind anonymous social media handles discussing his thighs purposefully on display and why he chose a sheer mundu on a sunny day instead of jeans.

Argh! Of course, for female attention! Isnt that how they get all these films  doing you know what for you know who?

Oh well. Dont forget to pit him in vitriol against the other, always modestly dressed actor. Well, blasphemous, to say the least.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.
Lisa Kudrow, who played Phoebe Buffay in the NBC American sitcom Friends revealed on the Drew Barrymore Show that she recently found a note that the late Matthew Perry  her co-star who played Chandler Bing  had left in the cookie jar, although she doesnt reveal the contents.

The talk show host asked her if she ever stole anything from the set of Friends. Yes, but Im too afraid to tell you what, she confessed. Someone will come take it away from me.

Drew wondered if it was the cookie time jar, but Lisa clarified that that prop was given to her by Matthew Perry himself when the crowd-puller concluded with the final episode. Then she revealed that she had recently found the note that he had kept inside the jar for her, which she hadnt opened or read before.

Four years ago, on Jimmy Kimmel Live, another American talk show, Lisa disclosed the hysterical story behind the famed jar. The prop was from Monicas (played by Courteney Cox) and Rachels (played by Jennifer Aniston) apartment on the set.

During the shooting of a scene, Lisa had to say as Phoebe, Oo, look at the time, I better get going. But while the scene was being shot, she realised that she didnt have a watch on her, so she pointed at this cookie time jar while saying her lines. Matthew brought it up after filming, and they laughed over the humorous improvisation.

In a tragic incident, the beloved actor, best known as Chandler, was found dead at 54 years old, his body floating face-down in a jacuzzi in his home in Southern California on October 28, 2023. According to the autopsy report, he died from the acute effects of ketamine, and subsequent drowning. After thorough investigations, five people were charged for supplying him with the ketamine that killed him. They had taken advantage of him being an addict.

His co-stars were devastated by his demise. Lisa Kudrow posted a picture of her with Matthew on Instagram after his passing, with a message for her deceased friend. It said, Thank you for making me laugh so hard at something you said, that my muscles ached, and tears poured down my face EVERY DAY. Thank you for opening your heart in a six-way relationship that required compromise. And a lot of talking. Thank you for showing up at work when you werent well and then, being completely brilliant. Thank you for the best 10 years a person gets to have. Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for all I learned about GRACE and LOVE through knowing you. Thank you for the time I got to have with you, Mathew.

He was funny and he was kind, Courteney Cox (who plays Monica, Chandlers friend and later his wife) mentions in her post. Friends, the hit comedy series, is about the life of six young friends of the 1990s who live in the same apartment in Manhattan and figure out their crazy lives and love stories together. People loved the show because it was familiar, nostalgic and relatable, and above all, it was about friendship. The actors got back together in 2021 to film the documentary Friends: The Reunion.
It was earlier confirmed that Nitesh Tiwaris Ramayana would provide German composer Hans Zimmer his first venture in Bollywood, but the truth is actor Sonu Sood has beat Tiwari in the race and enlisted Zimmer for his directorial debut Fateh.

Releasing on January 10, Fateh will feature a background score by the composer and though he did not work directly on the film as he is with Ramayana, a pre-recorded score titled To The Moon will feature in Soods film.

ALSO READ | 'Fateh' is incredibly special to me Sonu Sood

Everyone is a Hans Zimmer fan, and I am no exception. Im a huge admirer of his work. He is an Oscar winner and has composed music for some of the greatest Hollywood films. I feel fortunate that we have his song, To The Moon, in Fateh. This marks the first time one of his songs will be featured in an Indian film, the actor told in an interview with Mid-Day.

Zimmer is a musical maestro known for his work in creating goosebump-inducing soundtracks for films like The Lion King, The Prince of Egypt, Gladiator, The Dark Knight trilogy, Inception, Interstellar, Dunkirk and Dune: Part 1 & 2 just to name a few.

To The Moon is available to listen on Spotify.

About Fateh

Fateh is a former special ops officer who carried out covert assignments for his superiors without questions. Retreating to a quiet life in Punjab, he finds himself pulled back into the world of targets and violence when a girl goes missing in his village. Directed and written by Sonu Sood in his directorial debut, the film stars Sood alongside Jacqueline Fernandez, Vijay Raaz, Naseeruddin Shah, and Dibyendu Bhattacharya.
Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno (R, Front) shakes hands with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, during their meeting in N'Djamena, Chad, on Jan. 8, 2025. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

N'DJAMENA, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi here on Wednesday to discuss advancing bilateral cooperation.

Mahamat asked Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, to convey his sincere greetings and respect to Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Xi is a visionary leader, steering China toward remarkable economic achievements and a pivotal role on the global stage, Mahamat said. He congratulated China on successfully hosting the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing last year, which he said has significantly advanced China-Africa relations.

China's cooperation with Africa has always been based on mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit, yielding fruitful results, he said. He also expressed gratitude to China for its enduring support for Africa's development, particularly Chad's progress.

China is Chad's important strategic partner and a reliable friend, with their bilateral relations serving as a model of mutual respect and win-win cooperation, Mahamat said.

Chad firmly supports China's efforts to safeguard its territorial integrity and achieve national unity while opposing interference in its internal affairs, he stressed.

China is committed to upholding global fairness and justice, playing a constructive role in addressing key international issues, the Chadian president said, noting that Chad is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to uphold shared positions and protect common interests.

For his part, Wang conveyed Xi's warm greetings to Mahamat.

Wang said that after Mahamat took office, his first visit outside the region was to China to attend the FOCAC Beijing Summit, with the visit concluding successfully and contributing to the summit's achievements. During the visit to China, the two heads of state jointly elevated the bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership, ushering in a new phase of cooperation between the two countries.

China has always advocated that all countries, big or small, strong or weak, are equal, Wang said, noting that China opposes all forms of hegemony, bullying, and unilateralism. He expressed China's willingness to strengthen strategic coordination with Chad and continue to provide steadfast mutual support.

China appreciates Chad's efforts in staying independent and self-reliant, and pursuing development and revitalization that suits its national conditions and is ready to work with Chad to actively implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, Wang said.

China seeks to deepen exchanges on governance experience, solidify political trust through shared values, and comprehensively expand mutually beneficial cooperation to support Chad's development and revitalization and jointly build an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

During the meeting, Mahamat expressed sincere condolences to the Chinese government and people over the earthquake in China's Xizang Autonomous Region.

On the same day, Wang also met with Chadian Prime Minister Allamaye Halina and held talks with Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah. 
High drama unfolded outside the the 6, Flagstaff Road bungalow in Delhi after some Aam Aadmi Party leaders attempted to enter it but were stopped by the police. The bungalow was the official residence of Arvind Kejriwal when he was the chief minister.

The AAP leaders had invited the media to tour the bungalow with them in a bid to counter the BJP's "Sheesh Mahal" jibes. However, they were prevented by the police who had set up barricades and deployed personnel in front of the bungalow.

Denied the entry, AAP leaders Sanjay Singh and Saurabh Bhardawaj staged a sit-in outside the Flagstaff bungalow.

The party workers later tried to reach the prime minister's official residence on Lok Kalyan Marg, but were again stopped by the police. The AAP is alleging that the PM residence had been renovated at an inordinate cost.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party took a group of media persons to the AB 17 Mathura Road bungalow allotted to Chief Minister Atishi to show that she already had a government residence and sought to know why she was asking for a separate bungalow.

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva accused the AAP of enacting drama of a visit to the bungalow while the model code of conduct was implemented for the upcoming Assembly polls.

He said the ruling party was trying to divert attention from the "corruption and irregularities" surrounding the "Sheesh Mahal".

"The AAP leaders are doing drama and trying to divert attention from the Sheesh corruption and irregularities committed in the construction of Sheesh Mahal (6, Flagstaff Road, occupied by Arvind Kejriwal as chief minister). Why did they not think of showing the Sheesh Mahal earlier and now insist on a visit when the administration is bound by a model code of conduct?, he asked.

Atishi had alleged that the central government evicted her from the chief minister's bungalow by cancelling allotment.

The Public Works Department, however, claimed Atishi failed to take possession of the property within the mandated time frame.

Sanjay Singh and Saurabh Bhardawaj, while sitting a dharna outside the Flagstaff Road bungalow, said the BJP's lie has been exposed before the nation.

They claimed that there is a mini bar, a swimming pool, and a commode made of gold at the former Chief Minister's residence. However, they did not allow us to enter and show the truth to the public, they said.
The fate of the eight workers who are trapped inside the flooded coal mine in Assam's Dima Hasao district remains grim, according to officials. This comes as the body of one of the workers was recovered on Wednesday morning, two days after he got trapped inside the mine.

Though a team of Navy, Army, NDRF and SDRF personnel, who are overseeing the rescue operations, reports emerge that three bodies were seen floating inside the well which is about 300 feet deep. There is water about 100 feet deep.

Assam coal mine tragedy: 3 bodies seen, Navy deep divers flying from Visakhapatnam. The water level inside the mine has risen to about 100 feet. Altogether 9 are trapped  1 from Nepal, 1 from Bengal and 7 from Assam @NewIndianXpress @santwana99 pic.twitter.com/TllvTVx64g  Prasanta Mazumdar (@prasmaz_tnie) January 7, 2025

Meanwhile, officials suggest the accident may have occurred after the workers accidentally struck a water source while mining. This caused a sudden flood which trapped the miners inside the narrow "rat hole" mine shaft. Some of the workers, who managed to come out of the mine, informed the mine owner and the local police about the mishap.

Eyewitness accounts and initial assessments too hint that the flooding was spontaneous and was caused due to the opening up of an underground water channel.

According to State Mines Minister Kaushik Rai, the flooded conditions and visibility issues have made rescue challenging. The rescue workers are undertaking a massive dewatering effort with State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) pumps being brought in from Umrangshu. Though the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has also provided specialised equipment, it is awaiting aerial transport via MI-17 helicopter from Kumbhigram, which can be done only after weather conditions improve.

"One body has been recovered today. An Army team has again dived in (in the mine). The Navy team will also go. We have started the process of dewatering the mine. Some say there are over 10-12 people trapped inside. When the water level will decrease, we will be in the position to tell the exact number," he told ANI.

Illegal mine

Chief Minister Himanta Sarma Biswa said the mine "appears to be illegal". The police registered a case and arrested a local person, identified as Punish Nunisa, for illegally running the coal mine.

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi too questioned how the practice of illegal rat-hole mining continued despite a ban by the National Green Tribunal in 2014. Stating that he was praying for the swift and safe rescue of the miners, Gogoi stressed the need to conduct "thorough and mandatory safety audits of mines" and punish operators who fail to adequately protect workers.
P V Anwar, the Independent MLA from Kerala's Nilambur, who quit the ruling CPI (M)-led LDF front recently, is on a meeting spree with Opposition Congress-led UDF leadership. He visited Congress ally Indian Union Muslim League supremo Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal and national general secretary P.K. Kunjalikutty in person on Tuesday. Anwar also had a phone conversation with opposition leader and Congress MLA V D Sateeshan.

The MLA is meeting more UDF leaders on Wednesday as he has made his intention to join the UDF fold clear. The UDF leadership, however, is avoiding making any hasty decision.

Reason: The defamatory comments made earlier by Anwar about the state and central leadership of Congress, including against Rahul Gandhi and opposition leader V.D. Satheesan.

Anwar was expelled from the LDF after he made public accusations against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his administration. He alleged that the Chief Minister was protecting corrupt officials, including his political secretary and a senior police officer, who was involved in gold smuggling. He claimed that this favouritism undermined the integrity of the party and the government, adding that Vijayan's political standing had significantly declined as a result.

Before these developments, Anwar was a self-proclaimed cyber lieutenant for Pinarayi Vijayan, aggressively attacking Vijayans political opponents with harsh words. It was during this time that he made disparaging comments against Congress leaders.

Satheesans measured responsethat "the right decision will be taken at the right time"  on Anwars case indicates that the opposition leader remains unconvinced about accepting Anwar into the UDF.

Anwar is a charismatic leader, and a section within the UDF believes they could leverage his influence. However, there is another section, especially the young leaders, who think that Anwar may not function as a team player and could harm the UDF in the long run. The Muslim League will play a crucial role in deciding whether Anwar should be accommodated in the UDF, as his area of influence overlaps with theirs. If the Muslim League supports his entry, Congress is likely to follow suit.

After being expelled from the LDF, it was clear that Anwars initial efforts were not focused on joining the UDF. Instead, he attempted to align himself with parties of national stature. He also sought to stay relevant in the political scene by making some noise during the assembly by-polls in the Palakkad and Chelakkara constituencies. However, he has since realised that his charisma alone was not enough to maintain his momentum.

On January 5, Anwar was arrested by Kerala Police on charges of vandalising the District Forest Office (DFO) in Nilambur. The incident occurred during a protest against the death of a tribal man named Mani, who was killed by an elephant. This issue brought Anwar back into the spotlight, and he is now leveraging the scenario and the sympathy he gained to facilitate his entry into the UDF.

Even if Anwar manages to join the UDF, he will have to make significant adjustments. This may include giving up his cherished Nilambur seat in the upcoming assembly polls and contesting from a sitting CPM seat instead.
Days after it promised the Pyaari Didi Yojana if elected to power, the Congress, on Wednesday, announced a universal health insurance scheme ahead of the assembly elections next month.

The Congress has promised Rs 25 lakh health insurance for all, notwithstanding the economic background, as part of the Jeevan Raksha Yojana. The scheme is in line with Rajasthan's Chiranjeevi Yojana, the universal health insurance scheme announced in 2021 by the then Congress government headed by veteran leader Ashok Gehlot.

VIDEO | Delhi elections: While promising 'Jeevan Raksha Yojana', Congress leader Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) says, "It was very successful in Rajasthan, it will be so in Delhi. The insurance of Rs 25 lakh is universal for everyone. There is also a free medicine scheme. There is pic.twitter.com/IsJHppA8ed  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 8, 2025

The former Rajasthan chief minister was present, along with AICC Delhi in-charge Kazi Mohammad Nizamuddin and Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Devender Yadav, among other leaders, during the announcement on Wednesday.

This scheme, if implemented in Delhi, can be a game-changer, Gehlot said, as he emphasised how the similar scheme performed "well" in Rajasthan. In 2022, Rajasthan also became the first state in India to enact the Right to Health Act, he added. Emphasising on the need for such a scheme, Yadav said the air and water of Delhi are polluted and the food adulterated.

According to the Pyaari Didi Yojana, which was announced on January 6, every woman in Delhi will get Rs 2,500 per month, if the Congress comes to power.

As the contest in Delhi is heating up, parties are announcing schemes in a bid to woo voters. The polling for the Delhi Assembly elections will happen in a single phase on February 5, the Election Commission announced on Tuesday. The results will be declared on February 8.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) swept the previous elections held in 2020, winning 62 out of 70 seats. The BJP won the remaining eight seats, and Congress won none.
The postponement of bye-polls for the Nagrota and Budgam Assembly seats in Jammu and Kashmir has implications for the region's representation in the Rajya Sabha. The Election Commission of India (ECI) cited snowy conditions for deferring the elections, impacting the nomination process for the Upper House.

The Nagrota seat has remained vacant since the death of BJP MLA Devender Singh Rana. In contrast, the Budgam seat was vacated after National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah retained the Ganderbal seat.

These bye-polls must be conducted by April 20, 2025, as mandated. However, the delay affects the strength of the Legislative Assembly, which determines the distribution of votes for Rajya Sabha elections.

Jammu and Kashmir's four Rajya Sabha seats have been vacant since February 2021, following the end of terms for Ghulam Nabi Azad, Shamsher Singh Manhas, Nazir Ahmad Laway, and Fayaz Ahmad Mir.

Although the ECI held Rajya Sabha elections for six seats in other states in late 2024, it excluded Jammu and Kashmir, citing the incomplete Assembly as a key reason.

The current power equation in the Assembly suggests the NC-Congress coalition, with support from Independents, CPI-M, and AAP, will likely win three Rajya Sabha seats.

The BJP can comfortably secure one seat and may aim for a second. However, the deferment of bye-polls disrupts this arithmetic, delaying the representation process in the Upper House.

This prolonged delay leaves Jammu and Kashmir without full representation in the Rajya Sabha for over three years, weakening its legislative voice at the national level.
The BJP has opposed the Karnataka governments offer of rehabilitation package to the six Naxals to surrender, stating it is "alarming" to the civil society and "demoralising" to the police forces fighting the Naxals.

The BJP MLA from Karkala, Sunil Kumar, on Wednesday slammed the Siddaramaiah government for offering a rehab package and assurances of financial and legal aid and said, What is the criteria for offering this rehab package? Whenever Siddaramaiah comes to power, it is a harvest season for terrorists and Naxals as the government extends largesse. On one hand, the government is announcing a surrender policy for Naxals and on the other it is withdrawing cases against PFI (banned outfit). The civil society will face a dangerous situation. These Naxals have taken up arms and disturbed peace in Malnad, the karma bhoomi of Rashtra Kavi Kuvempu. Now, do you want to give them license to disrupt peace again? asked Kumar, expressing suspicion over the surrender.

The BJP leader mocked the rehab package, saying it would convert the forest Naxals into urban Naxals.

The naxals are coming back as urban Naxals. We have fought Naxalism with our development agenda and established peace in the region. But now, the government yielding to the demands of these Naxals gives rise to suspicion. Within a month after CM gave a call to surrender, the Naxals responded. Is Siddaramaiah close to the Naxals or close to people who are with the Naxals? charged Kumar, raising doubts over the role and intent of the Shantigagi Nagarika Vedike which mediated in the process of surrender.

Kumar also claimed that the Naxals had killed at least 27 people and any preferential treatment to these people would send a wrong message to the police forces who have lost their men fighting Naxalism.

The six naxals who will surrender have multiple cases against me  Latha Mundagaru has 85 cases against her, Sundari Kutluru 71, Vanajakshi Balehole 29, Mareppa Aroli 50, Jisha (Wayanad) 8 and K Vasanth (Arcot) 17.
India has extended the visa of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, reports quoting Indian diplomatic sources said. The development comes hours after Bangladesh's new interim government revoked Hasina's passport, along with 96 others, citing their alleged involvement in the July unrest and enforced disappearance of many protestors.

Two days ago, Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) issued an arrest warrant for Hasina's extradition from India and directed her to appear before the tribunal by February 12. The new interim government had also sent a request for extradition of Hasina. Major General Fazlur Rahman, the chairman of the country's National Independent Commission of Inquiry, also added that if India does not extradite Sheikh Hasina, the Commission was willing to go to India and interrogate her.

However, India views this as a pressure tactic employed by Dhaka and the extension of her visa was carried out in this context, according to a report that appeared in Bengali newspaper Aanadbazar Patrika. The Ministry of External Affairs gave the green light for the visa extension after which the matter was carried out via the local Foreigners Regional Registration Office.

However, Hasina will likely not be officially granted 'political asylum' in India as there are no specific laws in this regard in India.

About the extradition request, diplomatic sources in Delhi said the issue was more legal than diplomatic. Foreign Ministry sources told Aanadbazar Patrika that if an interim government seeks the extradition of a political leader from the permanent government of another country, it is necessary to look into all the legal aspects, which may take months. This was cited as the reason to extend Hasina's visa.

The diplomatic message (note verbale) sent by Bangladesh seeking Hasina's return will definitely be answered 'in due time', the sources added, hinting that they will not rush to answer the request.

That Dhaka's extradition request came only as a 'note verbale' has been cited as another reason for India's delaying response. The interim government has not yet completed all the formalities in view of this demand and this might take some time.
Six Naxals who surrendered before the Chikkamagaluru deputy commissioner on Wednesday morning met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at his home office Krishna in Bengaluru after a five-hour-long drive from Chikkamagaluru amid tight police security.

Despite criticism over offering a rehabilitation package for the surrendered Naxals, Siddaramaiah welcomed the Naxals into mainstream society and symbolically gave them each a rose and a copy of the Indian Constitution. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, minister incharge of Chikkamagaluru district KJ George, senior police officers, Naxal surrender committee members and family members of the surrendered Naxals were present on the occasion.

The chief minister read out the names of the surrendered Naxals - Latha Mundagaru from Chikmagalur, Sundari Kutluru from Dakshina Kannada, Vanajakshi Balehole from Chikmagalur, Mareppa Aroli from Raichur Jisha from Wayanad and Vasanth from Vellore, Tamil Nadu, and stated they had completed the formalities of surrender before the Chikmagalur deputy commissioner.

For nearly 20 years, these six were part of the Naxal movement in the state and have today surrendered due to the efforts of the Naxal surrender committee and the Nagarika Vedike, said Siddramaiah.

Recalling the events in the run-up to their surrender, the chief minister said the Naxal surrender committees had met him a few days back and informed him that the Naxals were prepared to surrender on certain conditions.

I gave a media statement urging them to surrender and also assured them the rehab package based on their category (of offences committed - A and B). The government will follow the rule of law and extend legal aid to help their transition from forest to jail and from the jail to mainstream society. They were convinced that the armed struggle would not yield justice but peaceful and Constitutional methods could resolve the issue. Our intent is to make Karnataka free from Naxalism, said Siddaramaiah.

Earlier, Home Minister G Parameshwara said it was a step towards a Naxal-free Karnataka. Today, six Naxals have responded to the chief ministers appeal to surrender, he said.

Banjagere Jayaprakash, members of the government-appointed Naxal Surrender and Rehabilitation committee thanked the chief minister for his assurances of rehabilitation through financial and legal aid.

Latha, one of the surrendered Naxals said, We have given up Naxalism and will follow the Constitutional and democratic path.

Some of the demands made by the Naxals were a speedy trial of the cases, grant of bail, dropping false cases, and financial and legal aid.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee concluded the weeklong 'Student's Week' celebrations on Wednesday with a government event held at the Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium in Kolkata.

During the event, she felicitated students from various parts of the state, as well as the 2024-25 Santosh Trophy-winning team of West Bengal. Student's Week was observed across West Bengal from January 1 to 7 with a series of events hosted at schools, colleges, universities, and other educational institutions.

Among the programmes were awareness campaigns that highlighted state government initiatives for students, such as multiple scholarships and credit card facilities. Seminars and symposiums were organised for students and their guardians to engage with teachers and professors.

On Wednesday, CM Banerjee felicitated beneficiaries of the states student-focused schemes, including Kanyashree, Sikshashree, and Aikyashree. Bicycles were also distributed to students eligible under the Sabooj Sathi scheme.

Industrial Training Institute (ITI) students who excelled in the All India Trade Test (AITT) were awarded cheques worth Rs 50,000 each. Additionally, members of the Santosh Trophy-winning team were honoured with Rs 2 lakh each and offered jobs as assistant sub-inspectors in the police force.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee encouraged students with messages of hope, unity, and positivity during her address. Drawing inspiration from luminaries such as poets Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam, and reformers Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar, she urged students to overcome discrimination and oppression while staying united.

Remember, Bengal is the land of cultural renaissance. Bengal is the cultural capital and our merit is spread across the globe, she said.

In addition to referencing historical figures, she motivated students to explore modern fields like artificial intelligence (AI) and data science, highlighting the importance of embracing the future with optimism.

CM Banerjee also gave students tips to maintain good mental health. If something bothers you, write it down. But dont be depressed. There is no room for depression, she added. Always remember that money and materials are not you biggest assets. Your humanity and health are.
The High Court has of Kerala stayed the conviction of four individuals, including former MLA and CPI(M) leader K.V. Kunhiraman, in the Periya double-murder case.



The other three are Kanhangad Block Panchayat President K. Manikandan, Raghavan Velutholi, and A.V. Bhaskaran. Their convictions, previously handed down by a CBI court in Kochi, were paused following the High Courts decision.

On December 28, the CBI court found 14 of the accused guilty in the Periya twin murder case, while 10 others were acquitted. Charges of murder were upheld against the accused, numbered one to eight.

The case revolves around the brutal killings of Youth Congress workers Kripesh (19) and Sarath Lal P.K. (24) on February 17, 2019, allegedly by CPI(M) members in Periya, Kasaragod district. Initially investigated by Kerala Police, the case was transferred to the CBI following allegations of bias. Over two years, the trial featured testimonies from 154 prosecution and three defence witnesses.

Kunhiraman, the 20th accused, along with Manikandan, Raghavan, and Bhaskaran, was sentenced to five years imprisonment under Section 225 of the IPC for obstructing lawful apprehension. All four were housed at Ernakulam District Jail before the High Courts intervention.

Following the verdict, the Congress party strongly criticized the CPI(M) and the Pinarayi Vijayan government. However, the Kerala High Courts decision seems to offer some relief to the ruling party.

The families of Sarath Lal have expressed shock and disappointment over the High Courts decision. While talking to the media, Sarath Lals father accused the state government of aiding the convicts in evading justice. He vowed to continue his efforts to ensure the maximum punishment for those responsible for the murders.
File photo taken on Sept. 25, 2023 shows Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg speaking at the 67th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Austria. Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg will serve as the country's interim chancellor following Karl Nehammer's recent resignation from the post, Austrian news agency APA reported on Jan. 8, 2025. (Xinhua/He Canling)

VIENNA, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg will serve as the country's interim chancellor following Karl Nehammer's recent resignation from the post, Austrian news agency APA reported on Wednesday.

Schallenberg will lead the caretaker government after Nehammer's formal resignation on Friday until a new government is formed, APA quoted the office of Austrian President Alexander van der Bellen as saying.

Schallenberg, 55, has served as Austria's foreign minister since 2019.

Van der Bellen on Monday tasked Herbert Kickl, leader of the far-right Freedom Party, with forming a new government. 
Six naxals who were to surrender before the Chikkamagaluru deputy commissioner on Wednesday noon, will now surrender before Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru in the evening.



The six naxalsLatha Mundagaru, Sundari Kutluru, Vanajakshi Balehole, Mareppa Aroli, Jisha of Wayanad in Kerala, and K Vasanth from Arcot, Tamil Naduhad met the government-appointed Naxal Surrender and Rehabilitation Committee members Banjagere Jayaprakash, KP Sripala, and Parvatheesh Bilidale several times over the last two months in an undisclosed location and also held talks with Shantigagi Nagarika Vedike members to put forth their demands before the government. The naxals have reportedly demanded speedy trial, bail, legal assistance and financial aid. The government, in turn, has assured legal aid, skill training, financial package of Rs 3 lakh and Rs 2 lakh based on the category A (serious offences). Latha has 85 cases against her, Sundari 71, Vanajakshi 29, Mareppa 50, Vasanth 8, and Jisha 18. However, the naxals have alleged most of the cases are false.

The naxals decided to come to the negotiation table following an appeal by the chief minister to give up arms after the anti-naxal force (ANF) shot dead Vikram Gowda in an encounter in Pithubail in Hebri taluk on November 18, last year. The Internal Security wing, ANF, and Intelligence wings coordinated the meetings and prepared the ground for the surrender as each of these persons have multiple criminal cases registered against them.

With the surrender of these six naxals, the police believe the Naxalism in Karnataka will come to an end. The naxal movement in the state started from Bidar to fight the inequalities, spread to Raichur and Kalaburagi before intensifying in Chikmagaluru during the Kudremukh national park agitation against eviction of forest dwellers. The Western Ghats districts became the Naxals haven where they carried out recruitment and arms training.

However, in 2005, prominent naxal leader Saketh Rajan was shot dead in an encounter by the police near Mensinahadya.

The Siddaramaiah government (2013-2018) came up with a naxal surrender policy and formed a committee comprising freedom fighter HS Doreswamy, and social activists AK Subbaiah and Gauri Lankesh for negotiations with the naxals. Since 2010, at least 13 naxals, including Hagalaganji Venkatesh, Mallika Noor Sridhar, Sirimane Nagaraj, Rizwana begum, Parashuram, Kanyakumari, Jnanadev and Suma, have surrendered.

The combing operations in the Western Ghats and the focus on the development of the remote villages by subsequent governments led to waning local support for the naxal movement. The ageing cadres, frugal resources and intense combing operations in neighbouring states forced the naxals from Karnataka to return to the state limits. After Vikarm Gowdas killing, the group was headless and desperate to return to the mainstream and confide in the police.

KL Ashok, a member of the Vedike, said the naxals had agreed to surrender and had given up armed struggle in favour of a democratic path for pro-people struggle.
For 37-year-old Habiba Amed Ahamed, life has turned into a hell for the past seven years. As a young girl just out of the Madarassa, she used to work as a sales girl in a sweet shop at Beirut in Lebanon. A young man who regularly visited the shop touched Habiba's soul, and she soon got married to him and moved to Damascus. Later, she moved to his home town Afrin.

Life was peaceful for Habiba at Afrin for three years until her husband, whose name she doesn't want to mention, left her after she insisted on going back to Lebanon for a good life. By then, she had two childrena son and a daughter.

When her husband left her behind at Afrin, she never thought that her life would turn hell in the coming years. She had reached Afrin at a time when the ISIS was fighting in North East Syria. Since then it has been long walks and long hours of waiting in queues for ration to support her two children. Her husband had taken away all her documents and papers so she could not afford to return to Beirut. Now, after Assad's fall, she believes that there is a way out to Lebanon. She has reached Qamishli, the capital of North East Syria, known as Rojava, controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) run by the Kurdish groups.

In Syria, Bashar Al - Assad is gone. The capital Damascus and the neighbouring cities of Aleppo and Hama have been taken over by the leader of the Islamist militant group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Abu Mohammed al-Jolani. A new government has been in place in Syria, since December 8, 2024. But the country, which is known to be the cradle of civilization is now like the hell of earth for the civilians. None of the rulers, be it the Arabs or Assads or the jihadists seem to care about the trauma the civilians undergo.

Habiba and her two childrenJan Jahangig Rasho, 8 and Saba Jhangig Rasho, 9were terrorised and traumatized when they decided to set out of their homes after the Turkish-backed militant group Free Syrian Army (SNA) came to fight the Kurdish forces.

"Some of the civilians killed themselves. In the beginning of the fight, we arrived at Tabqa safely. We were caught between two attackersthe HTS and the Free Syrian Army. On our way to Aleppo, we saw people who were killed on the sides of the road. The next day we were very afraid but we arrived at Tabqa by walk. We stayed for 12 days at Tabqa, but fear started building up even there. So we came to Qamishli," Habiba narrates the story of how she got internally displaced as a refugee within her own country.

Clad in a Red shirt and a blue jean, she lives in a small room, sharing it with two families at the Arabsthan school in Qamishli. A dilapidated, old building, it could collapse any time, she feels.

Though she doesn't want to get reunited with her husband, Habiba is worried about her father who was recently arrested by the SNA as he had the photo of SDF on his phone. "I know he was injured after being hit on his stomach. I heard that he is in a prison in Damascus. But I cannot afford to leave my children and go search for him," Habiba says as tears fill her eyes.

Like Habiba, there are more than five million people who have become refugees and more than six million have been displaced.
US President-elect Donald Trump reiterated his expansionist plans once again ahead of his inauguration of his second term in White House.

Speaking to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Tuesday, Trump vowed military or economic action to add territories to the United States.

Economic force on Canada

Trump ruled out a military action against Canada and said he would use economic force to absorb the northern neighbour into the US. "Because Canada and the US, that would really be something."

Trump said the artificially drawn US-Canada border should be removed. "You take a look at what that looks like, and it would also be much better for national security," said the president-elect.

He pointed out that the US "derives no benefits" from spending on Canadian goods and military support. This comes as Trump threatened to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canada and Mexico.

Annexing Panama Canal

Trump told reporters on Tuesday that he wanted to retake the Panama Canal. He refused to rule out whether military or economic force would be used. "We need them for economic security," he said, pointing out that the Panama Canal was built for the US military."

Earlier, Trump slammed former US President Jimmy Carter for giving up control of Panama Canal. However, Panama Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha slammed Trump, saying the waterway will continue to be under Panamian control.

Purchasing Greenland

Trump said he would levy tariffs on Denmark if it refuses his offer to buy Greenland.

However, Denmark said Greenland was "not for sale". Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Tuesday said Greenland was "not for sale", pointing out that it is not right for close allies and partners to fight each other with financial means.

Renaming Gulf of Mexico

Trump said his administration would rename the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America, which he said has "a beautiful ring" to it.

"That covers a lot of territory. The Gulf of America. What a beautiful name. And it's appropriate," he added.
Over the last weekend, Russian troops completely captured the Ukrainian town of Shevchenko, which lies in the located in the Donetsk region. The town lies at the intersection of two routes leading into Pokrovsk.

Russia has more than one reason to occupy Shevchenko, one being its strategic importance. The next is more significant, for Shevchenko has one of the largest lithium deposits on Ukrainian territory.

Lithium, also referred to as 'white gold', is an important strategic resource used in the manufacture of EV batteries and a critical mineral for the renewable energy transition. It is quickly becoming the most valuable commodity on the planet and Russia wants it for itself.

Besides, Russia also wants to quash any possibility of Ukraine exchanging its vast mineral resources in exchange for US aid. Senators like Lindsey Graham had argued that Washington must support Ukraine because of its lucrative natural resources.

During a visit to Kyiv last September, Graham published a video standing next to Ukrainian President Vlodomyr Zelenskyy, in which he was heard saying, "Theyre sitting on a trillion dollars worth of minerals that could be good to our economy. They just need weapons, Graham implored, calling for more arms shipments to Kyiv.

By taking over Shevchenko, Russia has eliminated this possibility. This is the second deposit that Ukraine has lost to the Russian invaders. The first was the Balka Kruta deposit in the Zaporizhzhia region, some 30 kilometres north of Berdiansk. The other two large lithium deposits are located near Kropyvnytsky, west of the Dnipro River, and are therefore not under direct threat of occupation.

Russia takes over Kurakhove

Nearly the entire city of Kurakhove in Donetsk Oblast has been occupied by Russian forces, according to Deep State, an open-source online tracker of operations in the Russo-Ukrainian War.

According to the Deep State, there are still a certain number of observation posts on the outskirts of Kurakhove, particularly around the thermal power plant, but they no longer significantly affect control over the city. The control over Kurakhove provides the Russians with numerous advantages for pushing their offensive operations westward.
New Delhi, Jan 8 (PTI) Shares of ONGC climbed 3 per cent on Wednesday, on a day when UK's BP Plc won a bid for ONGC's giant Mumbai High oil and gas field, offering to raise crude oil production by 44 per cent and natural gas by a staggering 89 per cent over a 10-year period.

The stock went up by 2.94 per cent to settle at Rs 271.25 on the BSE. During the day, it rallied 3.77 per cent to Rs 273.45.

At the NSE, shares of the firm jumped 3 per cent to Rs 271.50.

The company's market valuation surged Rs 9,749.72 crore to Rs 3,41,240.07 crore.

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) in a stock exchange filing said it has selected BP Exploration (Alpha) Ltd, a wholly-owned step-down subsidiary of BP Plc, as the Technical Service Provider (TSP) for raising production in the field.

ONGC had in June last year floated a tender seeking foreign partners to reverse declining output at its flagship Mumbai High fields, offering a share of revenue from incremental production plus a fixed fee but not any equity stake.

BP and Royal Dutch Shell put in an Expression of Interest (EoI) at the close of the tender in September.

Shell, however, did not put in the final price bid, which was to detail the incremental production and the revenue share sought from it. BP was the only firm that put in the bid.

"After the bid evaluation process, BP Exploration (Alpha) Ltd, a wholly-owned step-down subsidiary of BP Plc, UK has been selected as the TSP," ONGC said.

"The TSP will review the field performance and identify improvements in reservoir, facilities and wells to enhance the production from Mumbai High field. The TSP has indicated a substantial increase in oil plus oil equivalent gas production (up to 60 per cent) from baseline production levels (reputed third-party vetted production estimates with natural decline) over a 10-year contract period."

BP has two years to show results i.e. raise production over and above the agreed baseline output.
Patna, Jan 8 (PTI) The Bihar government has formed a special purpose vehicle, Bihar Integrated Manufacturing City Gaya Ltd (BIMCGL), to spearhead the ambitious integrated manufacturing cluster project in Gaya, which is likely to attract Rs 16,000 crore of investment, the state government said on Wednesday.

"Incorporated on January 6, 2025, this move marks a crucial step in clearing the deck for immediate construction and accelerating the project's timeline," an official press statement said.

The project encompasses comprehensive infrastructure development, including a 29.89-kilometer internal road network, modern power substations, advanced water supply and sewage treatment systems, integrated waste management facilities, skill development centres, commercial spaces and administrative offices.

"Strategic connectivity is a key focus. The cluster will benefit from its proximity to Gaya Junction, major National Highways and the upcoming New Paharpur Railway Station. This location offers excellent accessibility to crucial logistics points, including Haldia Port and inland terminals at Gaighat (Patna) and Ramnagar (Varanasi)," it said.

Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority (BIADA) and National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDC) on November 12, 2024 entered into a shareholders agreement (SHA), and the Department of Industries, Government of Bihar, signed a State Support Agreement (SSA).

"The SPV features a shared governance model with a board of directors comprising equal representation from the state and central governments. This board comprises six directors -- three representing the state government and three from the central government," the statement said.

The Managing Director of BIADA serves as the CEO & MD of BIMCGL.

"Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has consistently prioritised industrial development as a key pillar of Bihar's growth strategy. His unwavering commitment to creating a conducive business environment, coupled with his focus on skill development and infrastructure development, has been instrumental in attracting investments to the state," it said.

"Chief Secretary Amrit Lal Meena has played a pivotal role in streamlining administrative processes and ensuring the efficient implementation of government policies. His leadership has been crucial in facilitating the smooth progress of the IMC Gaya project, ensuring timely approvals and coordination between various government departments," it added.

With land already under the state government's possession and all necessary approvals in place, the IMC project is well-positioned to accelerate Bihar's industrial growth and establish the state as a leading manufacturing hub in eastern India.

"This is a momentous occasion for Bihar," said Bihar Industries Minister Nitish Mishra. "The formation of BIMCGL demonstrates the government's commitment to expeditiously realising the IMC's potential. By bringing together key stakeholders and streamlining processes, we are confident that construction will commence swiftly."

Kundan Kumar, MD of BIADA, emphasised that this manufacturing cluster marks a crucial advancement towards the goal of establishing Bihar as a leading manufacturing hub.

He highlighted the potential to generate substantial employment for the state's youth by effectively utilising Bihar's abundant resources and skilled workforce.

The IMC Gaya project, which received approval in the Union Budget 2024-25 and subsequent Cabinet clearances, is projected to generate approximately 1,09,000 jobs and attract investments worth Rs 16,000 crore, providing a substantial boost to the state's economy, the statment added.
Chennai, Jan 8 (PTI) Tata Group firm Titan Company Ltd inaugurated its first exclusive brand store, IRTH, under its expansion plans in Chennai and aims to achieve a revenue target of Rs 1,000 crore by FY2027 from its IRTH and Fastrack bags business divisions, a top official said on Wednesday.

The company plans to open 100 stores across the country by FY2027, showcasing its commitment to providing customers with best-in-class products and services.

The exclusive IRTH store, part of the House of Titan, was inaugurated at Phoenix Market City, Velachery, marking a significant step in IRTH's strategic expansion into South India.

IRTH bags are designed for women, created with a deeper understanding of their needs, offering premium quality at an affordable price.

The product portfolio includes handbags, totes, shoulder bags, handhelds, slings, cross-body bags, and wallets, among others.

Commenting on the occasion, Titan Company Ltd CEO of the Fragrance and Accessories division, Manish Gupta, said, "We are excited to strengthen our presence in South India with the launch of our second exclusive brand store in Chennai. Chennai is a vibrant city with a growing appetite for premium fashion accessories."

The brand is poised for significant growth in the coming years and aims to open around 100 stores across India by FY2027.

With the new store, IRTH continues to elevate the handbag shopping experience in India.

"We believe that IRTH, with its unique blend of style and functionality, will resonate with the city's fashion-conscious consumers. Given the favourable market conditions and the enthusiastic response to our products, we anticipate surpassing a combined revenue of Rs1,000 crore by FY2027 from both IRTH and Fastrack bags," Gupta added.

The company opened its first exclusive brand store for IRTH bags in Mumbai.
Rome, Jan 8 (AP) Rescue crews found the body of a British hiker buried in the snow of the Italian alps and were continuing to search for his friend who had also been missing since January 1, Italy's rescue services said Wednesday.

Italy's Alpine rescue service said it only received an alert about the men on January 6, five days after the men set out in the Adamello range near Trento, after they failed to make a scheduled flight home and relatives contacted authorities.

After the first two days of searches were hampered by snowfall, fog and avalanche warnings, rescue crews managed to get a helicopter in the air Wednesday and ground crews reached the pair's last recorded location.

Guided by the hikers' phone recordings, crews found the men's backpacks and equipment, as well as the body of one of the hikers buried in the snow, the rescuers said in a statement.

British media quoted relatives and partners of the two men, Aziz Ziriat, 36, and Sam Harris, 35, as saying they were experienced hikers who had planned a New Year's Day excursion, hiking from mountain hut to mountain hut.

It wasn't surprising that they had no signal as they like going off the grid, said a university friend of Ziriat, Joe Stone.

A helicopter attempted a flyover on Tuesday, but fog and poor visibility forced it to return before reaching the affected valley and the search was suspended, the rescue crews said. Additionally, ground crews of the fire rescue service were unable to work due to high risks of avalanches.

The Adamello range straddles Italy's Lombardy and Trentino-Alto Adige regions and includes the highest peak, Mt Adamello, at 3,539 metres. (AP) NPK

NPK
Tokyo, Jan 8 (AP) Japan on Wednesday linked more than 200 cyber attacks over the past five years targeting the country's national security and high technology data to a Chinese hacking group, MirrorFace, detailing their tactics and calling on government agencies and businesses to reinforce preventive measures.

The National Police Agency said its analysis on the targets, methods and infrastructure of the cyber attacks by MirrorFace from 2019 to 2024 concluded they were systematic attacks linked to China with an aim of stealing data on Japanese national security and advanced technology.

The targets of the Chinese government-led cyber attacks included Japan's Foreign and Defence ministries, the country's space agency and individuals, including politicians, journalists, private companies and think tanks related to advanced technology, the NPA said.

Experts have repeatedly raised concerns about the vulnerability of Japan's cyber security, especially as the country steps up its defence capabilities and works more closely with the United States and other partners to strengthen cyber defences. Japan has taken steps but experts say more work is needed.

MirrorFace sent emails with attachments containing malware to targeted organisations and individuals to view data saved on computers mainly from December 2019 to July 2023, often from Gmail and Microsoft Outlook addresses using stolen identities, the NPA investigation found.

The emails typically used as subjects key words such as Japan-US alliance, Taiwan Strait, Russia-Ukraine war and free and open Indo-Pacific," and included an invitation for a study panel, references and a list of panelists, the NPA said.

In another tactic, the hackers targeted Japanese organisations in areas of aerospace, semiconductors, information and communications from February to October 2023 by exploiting vulnerabilities in virtual private networks to gain unauthorised access to information.

The attacks included one on the Japan Aerospace and Exploration Agency, or JAXA, which acknowledged in June it had suffered a series of cyber attacks since 2023, though sensitive information related to rockets, satellites and defence was not affected. It was investigating to take preventive measures.

Last year, a cyber attack paralysed operations at a container terminal at a port in the city of Nagoya for three days.

More recently, Japan Airlines was hit by a cyber attack on Christmas, causing delays and cancellations to more than 20 domestic flights, though the carrier was able to stop the onslaught and restore its systems hours later and there was no impact on flight safety. (AP) NPK

NPK
Kyiv, Jan 8 (AP) The Ukrainian military said Wednesday that it struck a fuel storage depot deep inside Russia, causing a huge blaze at the facility that supplies an important Russian air base.

Russian officials acknowledged a major drone attack in the area, and said that authorities had set up an emergency command center to fight the fire.

Ukraine's General Staff said that the assault hit the storage facility near Engels, in Russia's Saratov region, about 600 kilometers east of the Ukrainian border. The depot supplied a nearby airfield used by aircraft that launch missiles across the border into Ukraine, a statement on Facebook said.

Ukraine has been developing its arsenal of domestically produced long-range missiles and drones capable of reaching deep behind the front line as it faces restrictions on the range that its military can fire its Western-supplied missiles into Russia.

The attacks have disrupted Russian logistics in the almost three-year war, which began on Feb. 24, 2022, and embarrassed the Kremlin.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said last year that his country has developed a weapon that could hit a target 700 kilometers away. Some Ukrainian drone attacks have hit targets more than 1,000 kilometers away.

The governor of the Saratov region, Roman Busargin, said that an unspecified industrial plant in Engels sustained damage from the falling drone debris that sparked a fire, but nobody was hurt.

Engels, which has a population of more than 220,000, is located on the left bank of the Volga River, and is home to multiple industrial plants. Saratov, a major industrial city of about 900,000, faces Engels across the river.

The damage to the oil base creates serious logistical problems for the strategic aviation of the Russian occupiers and significantly reduces their ability to strike peaceful Ukrainian cities and civilian objects. To be continued, the statement from Ukraine's General Staff said.

Russian authorities restricted flights early Wednesday at the airports of Saratov, Ulyanovsk, Kazan and Nizhnekamsk, in an apparent response to the Ukrainian attack.

The main base of Russia's nuclear-capable strategic bombers is located just outside Engels. It has come under Ukrainian drone attacks since the early stages of the war, forcing the Russian military to relocate most of the bombers to other areas. (AP) ZH

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Yerevan does not want to be an obstacle for Azerbaijan and Turkiye, but wants to be a link between them, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said at a press conference in Yerevan.

Wonderful, my friend! So maybe, if this is really a sincere desire, it's worth looking at your constitution, for example? A couple of edits - and nothing will interfere with the fulfillment of the Armenian minister's dream.
SYDNEY, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Three people, including two foreign tourists, have been killed and three more hospitalized with serious injuries after a seaplane crashed off the coast of Western Australia (WA), authorities confirmed on Wednesday.

The Premier of WA, Roger Cook, said at a press conference with WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch that the bodies of the deceased were recovered from the wreckage by water police on Tuesday night.

They have been identified as a 34-year-old male pilot from Perth, a 65-year-old female Swiss tourist and a 60-year-old male tourist from Denmark.

There were seven people on board the privately-owned seaplane when it crashed into the ocean shortly after take off at about 4 p.m. local time Tuesday near Rottnest Island, a popular tourist destination 20 km off the coast of Perth.

Four passengers were pulled from the water and airlifted to hospital on Tuesday evening, with three suffering serious injuries.

The survivors are a 63-year-old Swiss national, a 58-year Danish national and two West Australians aged 65 and 63.

Cook said that initial investigations have not been able to confirm witness reports that the plane hit a rock shortly before crashing.

Aerial footage of the crash site showed the plane nose down in the water with debris floating nearby.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement that his thoughts were with all those affected.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau on Wednesday confirmed it would investigate the crash. 
Rome, Jan 8 (AP) An Italian journalist detained in Iran for three weeks, whose fate became intertwined with that of an Iranian engineer wanted by the United States, was freed Wednesday and is heading home, Italian officials said.

A plane carrying Cecilia Sala, 29, left Tehran after intensive work on diplomatic and intelligence channels, Premier Giorgia Meloni's office said, adding that the Italian premier had personally informed Sala's parents of the news.

Iranian media acknowledged the journalist's release, citing only the foreign reports. Iranian officials offered no immediate comment.

Sala, a reporter for the Il Foglio daily, was detained in Tehran on December 19, three days after she arrived on a journalist visa. She was accused of violating the laws of the Islamic Republic, the official IRNA news agency said.

Italian commentators had speculated that Iran detained and held Sala as a bargaining chip to ensure the release of Mohammad Abedini, who was arrested at Milan's Malpensa airport three days before on December 16, on a US warrant.

The US Justice Department accused Abedini and another Iranian of supplying the drone technology to Iran that was used in a January 2024 attack on a US outpost in Jordan that killed three American troops. He remains in detention in Italy.

Sala's release was met with cheers in Italy, where her plight had dominated headlines, as lawmakers hailed the successful negotiations to bring her home.

It came after Meloni made a surprise trip to Florida last weekend to meet with US President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate.

Meloni tweeted Sala's return in a statement on X in which she thanked all those who helped make Cecilia's return possible, allowing her to reembrace her family and colleagues.

Sala's fate became intertwined with that of Abedini as each country's foreign ministries summoned the other's ambassador to demand the prisoners' release and decent detention conditions. The diplomatic tangle was particularly complicated for Italy, which is a historic ally of Washington but maintains traditionally good relations with Tehran.

Members of Meloni's cabinet took personal interest in the case given the geopolitical implications. Foreign Minister Antonio Tanaji and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto hailed the diplomatic teamwork involved to secure Sala's release, which amounted to a significant victory for Meloni.

Since the 1979 US Embassy crisis, which saw dozens of hostages released after 444 days in captivity, Iran has used prisoners with Western ties as bargaining chips in negotiations with the world.

In September 2023, five Americans detained for years in Iran were freed in exchange for five Iranians in US custody and for USD 6 billion in frozen Iranian assets to be released by South Korea.

Western journalists have been held in the past as well. Roxana Saberi, an American journalist, was detained by Iran in 2009 for around 100 days before being released.

Also detained by Iran was Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian, who was held for more than 540 days before being released in 2016 in a prisoner swap between Iran and the U.S.

Both cases involved Iran making false espionage accusations in closed-door hearings. (AP) GRS

GRS
Mumbai, Jan 8 (PTI) Obstetric and gynaecological societies are keen to roll out programmes on women's health empowerment in collaboration with the Maharashtra government, their federation said on Wednesday.

The newly-elected president of the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) Dr Sunita Tandulwadkar said the government's initiatives include addressing healthcare challenges, empowering women, and building healthier future generations.

"We are having dialogues with the Maharashtra government and they are very positive with our programmes. We are trying to see if we can align the government's existing initiatives with our initiatives.

"For example, the government's Vatsalya project is very similar to our Sampurna program, which is about preconception care," Dr Tandulwadkar told reporters.

FOGSI represents over 46,000 obstetricians and gynaecologists across 277 societies in India.

Dr Tandulwadkar said the FOGSI aims to roll out campaigns on the importance of preconception care to improve pregnancy outcomes and gather vital statistics from over ten lakh women across India. Another initiative is aimed at combating cervical cancer by increasing awareness and HPV vaccination.

When asked about the current high cost of vaccines (about Rs 8,000 for two doses), Dr Tandulwadkar said the FOGSI was discussing with the Union government for rolling out indigenous vaccines at subsidised rates.
Nagpur, Jan 8 (PTI) The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High has granted a 28-day furlough to gangster-turned-politician Arun Gawli, who is currently serving a life sentence here for the 2007 murder of a Mumbai Shiv Sena corporator.

A division of Justices Nitin Sambre and Vrushali Joshi on Tuesday allowed the petition filed by Gawli, seeking his release on furlough.

His lawyer Mir Nagman Ali said Gawli approached the Nagpur bench of the high court, praying for his release as his application was earlier rejected by the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Prisons, (East division) Nagpur.

The DIG Prisons had rejected Gawli's petition stating the gangster's release may create a law and order situation.

However, Gawli's counsel told the court that his release on furlough on earlier occasions had not created any law and order situation.

Gawli's application also mentioned that the Maharashtra assembly elections were already over.

It said that as far as amendment to parole and furlough rules were concerned, it had come into force after rejection of his furlough application and hence would not be applicable to him.

After the high court heard Gawli's side, it allowed his application and ordered his release from the Nagpur central jail for a period of 28 days in accordance with law after imposing reasonable conditions.

Gawli is the founder of the Akhil Bharatiya Sena and was an MLA from 2004-2009 from Chinchpokli seat of Mumbai and has shot into prominence from Dagdi Chawl, a neighbourhood of Byculla.

He was arrested for the 2007 murder of Shiv Sena corporator Kamlakar Jamsandekar and in August 2012, a sessions court in Mumbai had sentenced him to life imprisonment in the murder case.
Bilaspur (HP), Jan 8 (PTI) Himachal Pradesh's Bilaspur police have arrested an alleged drug peddler and recovered 2.22 kilograms of charas from a bag in his vehicle, an official said on Wednesday.

Following a tip-off, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the police set up a barricade to check vehicles near the Baloh toll plaza, DSP Bilaspur Madan Dhiman said.

During the check, 2.22 kilograms of charas were recovered from a bag in a Maruti Suzuki Dzire car travelling from Kullu to Bilaspur, he added.

The driver, identified as Om Prakash of Syaah village in Kullu district, tried to hide the bag upon seeing the police, Dhiman said.

A case under the relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act has been registered against the accused and further investigation is underway, police said.

Dhiman further said that to curb drug trafficking in the area, the police are setting up blockades at various locations and checking vehicles.

Such strict actions will continue in the future as well, he added.
Jammu, Jan 8 (PTI) Responding to the concerns triggered by the detection of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in the country, the Jammu and Kashmir health department has set up a specialised ICU ward in Jammu to address any potential outbreak of the disease.

"We have prepared a special ICU ward to handle any eventuality. God forbid if a pandemic occurs, we are ready," Dr Hamid Zargar, medical superintendent of Gandhinagar government hospital, told PTI.

"The centrally-heated ward has eight beds supported by ventilators and 24x7 oxygen supply," he added.

Doctors have assured the public that there is no need to panic, emphasising that HMPV is not a new pathogen and it is not causing a widespread outbreak.

"It is a mild upper respiratory disease. Six cases have been detected so far (in the country), but there is no need to panic," Zargar said.

To enhance readiness, the administration has convened meetings to review the situation and ensure that adequate facilities are in place.

"Our oxygen plant with a capacity of 22,000 LPM is fully functional," Zargar said.

"In addition to the special ward, our hospital has 100 oxygen-supported beds, along with sufficient concentrators and various types of cylinders," he added.

First identified in 2001 but known to circulate since the 1970s, human metapneumovirus is a common respiratory virus that causes mild cold-like symptoms.

Health experts have highlighted its potential impact on children and older adults, urging vigilance for the warning signs.

While a few HMPV cases have been reported from Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat, health experts maintain the situation remains under control, calling for calm and awareness among the public.
New Delhi, Jan 8 (PTI) BJP New Delhi seat candidate Parvesh Verma on Wednesday launched "Har Ghar Naukari" (job for every household) campaign, promising jobs to the youth of the constituency currently held by AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal.

Registration has already begun for a job fair that will be held on January 15. More than 50 prominent companies from across the country will participate in the job fair to be held at Constitution Club, said a statement from Verma.

"Har Ghar Naukri is our promise. Through this job fair, we aim to provide jobs to the youth based on their skills and qualifications," Verma said.

The BJP leader said 15 centres have been set up across the constituency for registration.

The initiative is a step toward fulfilling BJP's vision of "Har Ghar Rozgar, Har Ghar Samriddhi" (Employment and Prosperity for Every Household) , the statement said.

Verma, a former West Delhi MP, is under attack by the AAP over his distributing Rs 1,100 to women in New Delhi constituency under a "Ladli Yojna".

Voting for the 70-member Delhi Assembly will be held on February 5. Counting of votes will be held on February 8.
The nations capital is often not a place that handles winter weather well. Cold-weather transplants complain about the inability of local drivers to navigate snowy roads and the tendency of the school systems to shut down at the first sign of falling flakes.

Now the ceremonial pomp of Washington is colliding with the circumstance of a major snow storm, forecast to dump up to a foot in some places by Monday night. The weather adds an unexpected layer of complexity to what was already a challenging two-week stretch for local officials.

For the first time, the District of Columbia is hosting three designated National Special Security Events in a two-week span: Mondays congressional certification of President-elect Donald Trumps electoral win, this weeks state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter and then Trumps inauguration on Jan. 20.

This has never happened before, said Matt McCool of the Secret Services Washington field office.

The special security event designation is reserved for events that draw large crowds and potential mass protests. It calls for an enhanced degree of high-level coordination among D.C. officials, the FBI, Secret Service, Capitol Police and Washingtons National Guard contingent.

The certification, which has historically been a low-profile ministerial proceeding, was elevated to National Special Security Event after the chaotic riot of Jan. 6, 2021. This time, that process progressed smoothly Monday afternoon, amid security restrictions that, according to McCool, mimicked those of a presidential State of the Union address.

The Washington, D.C., area is well-versed in these high-profile events, McCool told reporters last week. Still back-to-back NSSEs are a unique situation.

With the certification out of the way, officials now turn to this weeks elaborate multi-day state funeral proceedings for Carter. That rolls straight into preparations for the Jan. 20 inauguration with officials on alert for potential clashes between Trumps supporters and opponents; theres an anti-Trump Peoples March scheduled for Saturday the 18th and a pro-Trump rally planned for Sunday the 19th.

We are committed to upholding the right to peacefully assemble and protest in our city, Metropolitan Police Department chief Pamela Smith said. However  we will not tolerate any violence, rioting, destruction of property or any behavior that threatens the safety and security of our city.

Smith said she has placed her department on full activation starting Sunday, Jan. 5, positioning additional officers with specialized training that can be deployed anywhere in the District at a moments notice.

McCool also warned D.C. residents to get used to the sight of numerous security and surveillance drones in the next two weeks. The entire District of Columbia is normally a no-fly zone for drones.

The most immediate question is whether the snowfall will prevent visitors from coming to town to pay their respects to Carter. According to tracking platform FlightAware.com, nearly 900 flights were canceled or delayed Monday in and out of Reagan National Airport and Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C. More than 300 flights were delayed or cancelled at Baltimore-Washington International Airport.

After the completion of memorial services in his native Georgia, Carters casket will arrive in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. Ceremonies, which continue through Thursday, will include a horse-drawn funeral procession Tuesday afternoon that may echo images from the chilly Nov. 22, 1963, procession for John F. Kennedy.

While those events are still scheduled, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management announced late Monday that federal offices in the D.C. area would be closed again Tuesday.

The snowfall already has prompted changes in standard White House operating procedure: Instead of flying aboard the Marine One helicopter on Monday, President Joe Biden was forced to drive to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to board Air Force One. In a move reminiscent of secret presidential trips to war zones, Bidens trip to New Orleans and Los Angeles began inside a hangar, rather than on the tarmac as is customary, due to the inclement weather. Air Force One was sheltered from the snow inside a secure hangar and Biden departed during an early afternoon lull in the snowfall.

(AP)
A former U.S. Marine and a Florida man who were imprisoned in Venezuela have sued President Nicolas Maduro, accusing the leftist leader of heading a vast criminal enterprise that has co-opted the state and uses American citizens as bargaining chips in negotiations with the U.S.

The complaint filed Monday in Miami federal court by Matthew Heath and Osman Khan is similar to a slew of lawsuits that have resulted in major judgments for Americans imprisoned in Venezuela. All sought damages under a little-used federal law, the Anti-Terrorism Act, that allows American victims of foreign terror groups to seize the assets of their victimizers.

The latest lawsuit alleges that security officials under the command of Maduro subjected the men to a pattern of torture  waterboarding, electrocution, threats of rape with a nightstick, mind-altering medications and the repeated use of a cramped cell nicknamed El Tigrito  that is also being looked at by prosecutors from the International Criminal Court.

The kidnapping, torture and ransoming of American citizens was part of a continuous and systematic scheme to coerce the United States government into policy concessions, the end of an oil embargo, and prisoner swaps, attorneys for Heath and Khan argue in the 87-page complaint.

Among the other 17 named defendants are Maduros defense minister, attorney general and interior minister as well as state-run oil and gold-mining companies.

Heath, a former U.S. Marine corporal from Tennessee and onetime U.S. security consultant in Afghanistan, was arrested in 2020 at a roadblock in Venezuela. Authorities charged him with terrorism after allegedly finding weapons and a satellite phone in his possession. Maduro said he was in the country surveilling oil refineries as a spy for then-President Donald Trump.

Heaths family said he was stuck in Colombia when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down air travel, leaving him stranded. He crossed the border into Venezuela in the hope of taking a short boat ride to Aruba, where a trawler he fixed up to start a chartering business was docked, according to the complaint.

Khan was working in Colombia after graduating from college in Florida when he fell in love with a Venezuelan woman who invited him to meet her family. He was detained in January 2022 while crossing the border with his girlfriend and her father on a motorized canoe as instructed by the womans brother, a Venezuelan national guardsman. He was later charged with crimes including terrorism and human trafficking.

The U.S. government determined both men were wrongfully detained on false charges. Heath and Khan were released  after being held 752 and 259 days respectively  in October 2022 along with five U.S. oil executives in exchange for two nephews of first lady Cilia Flores jailed in the U.S. on narcotics convictions.

Venezuelas government did not immediately comment on the lawsuit when contacted by The Associated Press but has long denied it targets Americans for imprisonment.

Other Americans who have been imprisoned in Venezuela have won major judgments against Maduro and his inner circle on similar legal grounds.

In 2022, a federal judge in Miami awarded $73 million in damages to the family of a prominent opponent of Maduro who died while in custody after inexplicably falling from the 10th floor of a building belonging to the SEBIN political police. And last year an exiled Venezuelan lawyer won $153 million after he was lured back home because his father had been kidnapped, only to end up imprisoned himself on trumped-up charges of working as a financial terrorist.

As in the earlier cases, Heath and Khan in their lawsuit accused Maduro of controlling the Cartel of the Suns, a purported drug-smuggling ring involving top Venezuelan officials and guerrillas from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia allegedly flooding the U.S. with cocaine.

But collecting those large rewards has proven daunting. Neither Maduro nor any of his close aides are known to have properties or bank accounts in the U.S. under their name. Whatever wealth officials have stolen is more likely to be held by a myriad of front men whose assets are hard to trace and seize.

Legal disputes can have profound impacts on families, and in Maryland, a skilled family law attorney can help navigate complex matters like divorce settlements, child custody agreements, and alimony arrangements.

(AP)
The European Court of Human Rights in a landmark ruling Tuesday found that Greece illegally deported a woman back to neighboring Turkey, and described the use of summary expulsions, or pushbacks, as systematic.

The decision could impact how Europe handles migrants at its borders, at a time when Greece and several European Union member states are seeking tougher immigration controls. Frontline EU member states receive financial support from Brussels to handle illegal migration.

A Turkish woman  identified by her initials A.R.E.  was awarded damages of 20,000 euros ($21,000) after the court ruled that she had been improperly expelled in 2019 after crossing into Greece, with no opportunity to make an asylum claim.

The court considered that there were strong indications to suggest that there had existed, at the time of the events alleged, a systematic practice of pushbacks of third-country nationals by the Greek authorities, from the Evros region (on the Greek border) to Turkey, the decision said.

Citing a lack of evidence, the court rejected a second claim made by an Afghan man who said he had been illegally returned to Turkey from the Greek island of Samos in 2020 when he was 15.

Greek government representatives at the hearings denied the allegations, challenging the authenticity of the evidence presented and arguing that Greeces border policies comply with international law.

Niamh Keady-Tabbal, a member of the legal team for the Afghan migrant, described the courts decision as broadly significant but also profoundly unjust regarding the mans case. It is quite unjust that such a cynical position of blanket denial can serve in practice to shield the Greek government from accountability, she told The Associated Press. The U.N. refugee agency has urged Greece to more thoroughly investigate multiple allegations of pushbacks, while several major human rights groups have described the alleged irregular deportations as systematic.

Greeces National Transparency Authority, a publicly funded corruption watchdog, said it found no evidence to support the pushback allegations following a four-month investigation in 2022.

The European Court of Human Rights is an international court based in Strasbourg, France, that adjudicates human rights violations by 46 member states of the Council of Europe, a body older than the European Union and its predecessor, the European Economic Community.

Greece registered more than 60,000 illegal arrivals of migrants last year, an increase of nearly 50% from 2023. It seeks direct funding from the EU to pay for the planned expansion of a border wall along the land frontier with Turkey.

(AP)
The first international commercial flight since the fall of former Syrian President Bashar Assad landed Tuesday at the Damascus airport.

The Qatar Airways flight landed at Damascus International Airport, greeted by the passengers relatives and friends inside a terminal building.

Ashad al-Suleibi, head of Syrias Air Transport Authority, said Qatar had provided assistance in rehabilitating the airport, which had suffered from years of neglect as well as sustaining damages from periodic Israeli airstrikes.

Honestly, there was a lot of damage from the (Assad) regime to this lively area and this lively airport and also the Aleppo airport, he said.

Many passengers were Syrian nationals coming come for the first time in more than a decade.

Osama Musalama, who came from the United States, said it was his first visit since before the civil war that started in 2011.

I lost hope that I would come back to Syria, he said. We were waiting for this moment and lost hope, but thank God now the country is back to its people.

Separately, Jordanian state-run Petra news agency reported that a Royal Jordanian Airlines plane departed for Damascus on a test flight. The head of Jordans Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission, Capt. Haitham Misto, who was on board the flight with a team of specialists, said that the aim was to evaluate the technical condition of Damascus airport before resuming regular flights.

Since the lightning rebel offensive that unseated Assad a month ago, Arab and Western countries that had cut off relations with the former government have been reopening diplomatic relations with Syrias new de facto authorities, headed by the Islamist former insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS.

Syrias new foreign minister, Asaad al-Shibani, has traveled to Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in recent days. The Gulf countries are likely to be key to funding Syrias reconstruction after nearly 14 years of civil war that preceded Assads ouster.

On Tuesday, al-Shibani traveled to Jordan to meet with his counterpart in Amman. Jordans foreign ministry said the officials were set to discuss mechanisms of cooperation in many areas including borders, security, energy, transportation, water, trade and other vital sectors.

Under Assads rule, Jordan had been a main conduit for smuggling highly addictive Captagon amphetamines produced in Syria into Gulf states, which was a point of tension between the two countries.

Syrias new authorities have made a show of cracking down on the Captagon trade, dismantling former factories in locations including the Mazzeh air base in Damascus, a car trading company in Latakia and a factory that once made snack chips in the Damascus suburb of Douma.

The new situation in Syria has also ended the threats that previously threatened the security of the Kingdom (of Jordan), with regard to drugs and Captagon, and we pledge that this thing has ended and will not return again, al-Shibani said in a joint news conference with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi.

Al-Safadi said that his country supports the Syrian people as they work to rebuild their homeland on the foundations that preserve its security, stability, sovereignty and unity and fulfill the rights of its people, adding that Jordan is ready to provide electricity to our brothers immediately, and we are also ready to work together to provide gas.

Syria, targeted by stringent Western sanctions, has been in a prolonged economic crisis and Syrians receive only a few hours of state-provided electricity per day.

(AP)
TOKYO, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Japan's weather agency said Wednesday heavy snow is forecast from northern to western Japan, especially areas along the Sea of Japan coast, until Friday, with some regions expected to see extremely strong winds with snow.

In the 24 hours through Thursday morning, Niigata Prefecture, the Hokuriku and Tohoku regions and Gifu Prefecture could see up to 70 centimeters of snow, while there may be up to 50 centimeters in the Chugoku region, 40 centimeters in Hokkaido, 35 centimeters in the Kinki region, 20 centimeters in Yamaguchi Prefecture and the Shikoku region, as well as 5 centimeters in northern Kyushu, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said.

In the subsequent 24-hour period until Friday morning, 70 centimeters of snow is forecast for Niigata Prefecture, the Hokuriku and Tohoku regions, Gifu Prefecture and the Chugoku region, 50 centimeters for Hokkaido and the Kinki region, 30 centimeters for Yamaguchi Prefecture and the Shikoku region, and 7 centimeters for northern Kyushu, the JMA said.

Weather officials warned of possible traffic disruptions while advising people to watch out for blackouts caused by snow accumulation on power lines, avalanches, strong winds, high waves, and lightning strikes. 
New York City Mayor Eric Adams is wasting no time sharpening his attacks ahead of the Democratic primary  but his focus isnt on the declared challengers already in the race. Instead, Adams has set his sights on former Governor Andrew Cuomo, a candidate who hasnt even officially announced his intention to run.

In an interview with Politico published Monday, Adams made it clear hes prepared to hold Cuomo accountable for his past actions. People who are running  theyre going to have to take claim for the stuff that they did when they were holding office, Adams said.

The mayor specifically pointed to Cuomos involvement in New Yorks contentious bail reform, which Adams suggested would be a focal point of his campaign. Who was there for the original bail reform? Who signed some of these procedures? Youre going to have to answer these questions, Adams added.

While Adams re-election campaign has yet to formally launch  missing even a website  the mayor appears eager to confront Cuomo head-on. The former governor, who resigned in disgrace in 2021 amid personal misconduct allegations he denies, has been rumored to be considering a political comeback. Insiders suggest he may view City Hall as his path back into public office, especially as Adams grapples with declining poll numbers, corruption investigations, and public dissatisfaction over crime and public safety.

Recent polling underscores the threat Cuomo poses. In a hypothetical head-to-head matchup, Cuomo trounces Adams by 20 points, with American Pulse & Research Polling showing Cuomo favored by 44% of Democrats compared to Adams 24%. The poll also indicated Cuomos lead extends across racial groups and among women voters.

While Cuomo has yet to throw his hat in the ring, insiders say hes quietly building alliances, particularly within New Yorks black and Jewish communities, while courting business leaders.

Despite Adams apparent focus on Cuomo, more than half a dozen candidates have already entered the race, including city Comptroller Brad Lander, former Comptroller Scott Stringer, and several state lawmakers. However, insiders suggest the Adams campaign views Cuomo as the most formidable threat.

Adams criticism of bail reform comes as public frustration over crime continues to mount. The mayors administration has faced fierce backlash, particularly following the brutal burning alive murder of a homeless woman on an F train last month  a crime committed by an illegal immigrant.

While Adams acknowledges concerns about repeat offenders, he avoided detailing specific policy solutions. I dont want to do anything to jeopardize negotiations, Adams said during a crime briefing at One Police Plaza. The mayor claims to have proposed reforms during past legislative sessions, but none have been made public.

Meanwhile, Governor Kathy Hochul, another political figure under pressure, defended her own efforts to amend bail laws. At a separate press conference, Hochul highlighted new provisions allowing judges to consider the likelihood of reoffending when setting bail. I put in all kinds of criteria for a judge to have to consider, which basically amounts to dangerousness, Hochul said.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
A federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked the public release of special counsel Jack Smiths report on investigations into Donald Trump as an appeals court weighs a challenge to the disclosure of a much-anticipated document just days before the president-elect reclaims office.

The ruling from U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon may represent a short-lived victory for Trump, but its nonetheless the latest instance of the Trump-appointed jurist taking action in the Republicans favor. The halt followed to an emergency request Monday by defense lawyers to block the release of a report that they said would be one-sided and prejudicial. Smiths team is expected to respond later Tuesday.

Trump responded to Cannons order by complaining anew at a news conference about Smiths investigation and saying, Itll be a fake report just like it was a fake investigation.

It was unclear what the Justice Department, which has its own guidelines governing special counsels and the reports they are expected to produce when they conclude their own, intended to do following Cannons order.

The two-volume report is expected to describe charging decisions made in separate investigations by Smith into Trumps hoarding of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, and his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in the run-up to the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.

Cannons order did not make a distinction between the two volumes, instead barring the release of any information from any report until three days after the matter is resolved by the Atlanta -based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, unless the court orders otherwise.

Smith pledged earlier in the day that at least the volume on the documents investigation would not be made public by the Justice Department before 10 a.m. on Friday at the earliest, though the decision on what to make public ultimately rests with Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Trump was charged alongside two co-defendants in the classified documents case, which was dismissed in July by Cannon, who concluded that Smiths appointment was illegal. Trump was also charged in an election interference case that was significantly narrowed by a Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity.

Smiths team abandoned both cases in November after Trumps presidential victory, citing Justice Department policy that prohibits the federal prosecutions of sitting presidents.

Lawyers for Trump, including Todd Blanche, who was picked by Trump to serve as his deputy attorney general, urged )Garland in a letter made public late Monday to block the release of the report and to remove Smith from his position promptly  or defer the release of the report to the incoming attorney general.

Using language that mimicked Trumps own attacks on Smith and his work, Blanche told Garland that the release of any confidential report prepared by this out-of-control private citizen unconstitutionally posing as a prosecutor would be nothing more than a lawless political stunt, designed to politically harm President Trump and justify the huge sums of taxpayer money Smith unconstitutionally spent on his failed and dismissed cases.

The letter was included in an emergency request filed late Monday with Cannon by lawyers for Trumps codefendants in the documents case, Trump valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira. They asked Cannon to block the reports release, noting that Smiths appeal of her dismissal of charges against the men is pending and that the disclosure of pejorative information about them will be prejudicial.

In response to that request, Smiths team said in a two-page filing early Tuesday that it intended to submit its report to Garland by the afternoon and that the volume pertaining to the classified documents investigation would not be made public before 10 a.m. Friday. It is presumed that both volumes of Smiths report would be released simultaneously.

Justice Department regulations call for special counsels appointed by the attorney general to submit a confidential report at the conclusion of their investigations.

Garland has made public in their entirety the reports produced by special counsels who operated under his watch, including Robert Hurs report on President Joe Bidens handling of classified information and John Durhams report on the FBIs Russian election interference investigation.

(AP)
Nearly 44 years after Jimmy Carter left the nations capital in humbling defeat, the 39th president returned to Washington for three days of state funeral rites starting Tuesday.

Carters remains, which had been lying in repose at the Carter Presidential Center since Saturday, left the Atlanta campus Tuesday morning, accompanied by his children and extended family. Special Air Mission 39 departed Dobbins Air Reserve Base north of Atlanta and arrived at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. A motorcade carried the casket into Washington for a final journey to the Capitol, where members of Congress will pay their respects.

In Georgia, eight military pallbearers held Carters casket as canons fired on the tarmac nearby. They carried it to a vehicle that lifted it to the passenger compartment of the aircraft, the iconic blue and white Boeing 747 variant that is known as Air Force One when the sitting president is on board. Carter never traveled as president on the jet, which first flew as Air Force One in 1990 with President George H.W. Bush.

The scene repeated outside Washington. The former presidents casket was removed from the plane, canons fired and a military band played. A hearse emblazoned with the seal of the president joined a motorcade that steered toward Washington.

A bipartisan delegation of members of Congress were led in to the Capitol rotunda by Sens. Raphael Warnock and Jon Osoff, Democrats who represent Carters home state. Three of the nine U.S. Supreme Court justices also were present. Justices John Roberts, Brett Kavanaugh and Elena Kagan stood next to Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser in the rotunda.

The U.S. Army Band Brass Quintet played as people awaited the caskets arrival.

Carter, who died Dec. 29 at the age of 100, will lie in state Tuesday night and again Wednesday. He receives a state funeral Thursday at Washington National Cathedral. President Joe Biden will deliver a eulogy.

There are the familiar rituals that follow a presidents death  the Air Force ride back to the Beltway, a military honor guard carrying a flag-draped casket up the Capitol steps, the Lincoln catafalque in the Rotunda.

There also will be symbolism unique to Carter. As he was carried from his presidential center, a military band played hymns  Amazing Grace and Blessed Assurance for the outspoken Baptist evangelical who called himself a born-again Christian when he sought and won the presidency in 1976. In Washington, his hearse stopped at the U.S. Navy Memorial, where his remains were transferred to a horse-drawn caisson for the rest of his trip to the Capitol. The location nods to Carters place as the lone U.S. Naval Academy graduate to become commander in chief.

All of the pomp carries some irony for the Democrat who went from his family peanut warehouse to the Governors Mansion and eventually the White House. Carter won the presidency as the smiling Southerner and technocratic engineer who promised to change the ways of Washington  and eschewed many of those unwritten rules when he got there.

From 1977 to 1981, Carter was Washingtons highest-ranking resident. But he never mastered it.

He could be prickly and a not very appealing personality in a town that thrives on relationships, said biographer Jonathan Alter, describing a president who struggled with schmoozing lawmakers and reporters.

Carter often flouted the ceremonial trappings that have been on display in Georgia and will continue in Washington.

As president, he wanted to keep the Marine Band from playing Hail to the Chief, thinking it elevated the president too much. His advisers convinced him to accept it as part of the job. The song played Saturday as he arrived at his presidential center after a motorcade through his hometown of Plains and past his boyhood farm. It played again as his remains were carried out on their way to Washington.

He also never used his full name, James Earl Carter Jr., even taking the oath of office. His full name was printed on memorial cards given to all mourners who paid their respects in Atlanta.

He once addressed the nation from the White House residence wearing a cardigan, now on display at his museum and library. His remains now rest in a wooden casket being carried and guarded by military pallbearers in their impeccable dress uniforms.

As Carters remains left Georgia, President-elect Donald Trump criticized the late former president during a news conference in Florida for ceding control of the Panama Canal to its home country.

Pressed on if criticism of Carter was appropriate during the solemn funeral rites, Trump responded, I liked him as a man. I disagreed with his policies. He thought giving away the Panama Canal was a good thing.

I didnt want to bring up the Panama Canal because of Jimmy Carters death, he added, even though he had first mentioned it unprompted.

(AP)
Self-exiled Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez, who claims to have defeated President Nicolas Maduro in last years presidential election, said his son-in-law was kidnapped Tuesday in Venezuelas capital.

Gonzalez, who was traveling in the United States, said Rafael Tudares was kidnapped while on his way to drop off Gonzalezs two grandchildren at school in Caracas.

In a post on X, Gonzalez said hooded men, dressed in black intercepted the vehicle and loaded Tudares into a gold-colored van. He did not say what happened to his 6- and 7-year-old grandchildren.

The kidnapping happened despite a significant increase in police and military presence since New Years Day across Caracas ahead of Fridays swearing-in ceremony for Maduro, who the government says won a third term in the July election.

The governments centralized press office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Gonzalez, a retired diplomat, represented Venezuelas Unitary Platform opposition coalition in the presidential election, which he and Maduro both claim to have won. The platform in a statement characterized Tudares kidnapping as a forced disappearance for political reasons.

We demand the immediate release of Rafael Tudares and all political prisoners, who are hostages of a regime that knows it is rejected by the vast majority of Venezuelans who spoke with the force of the vote (on July 28), the coalition said in the statement.

Gonzalez left Venezuela for exile in Spain in September after a judge issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with an election-related investigation. In recent weeks, he has vowed to return to his homeland to take the oath of office.

Gonzalez, 75, is touring the Americas to try to rally support for his effort to get Maduro out of office by Friday. Thats when, by law, the South American countrys next presidential term begins. On Monday, Gonzalez met with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House as well as with U.S. Rep. Mike Waltz, U.S. President-elect Donald Trumps designate to be his national security adviser once he is sworn in on Jan. 20.

Gonzalez, who has been recognized by several governments including the U.S. as Venezuelas president-elect, has not explained how he plans to return to the troubled country or wrest power from Maduro, whose ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela controls all aspects of government.

Gonzalez had never run for office before July. The Unitary Platform coalition selected him in April as a last-minute stand-in for opposition powerhouse Maria Corina Machado, who was blocked by the Maduro-controlled Supreme Tribunal of Justice from running for any office.

Machado last week urged supporters to demonstrate across Venezuela on Thursday, telling them in a video message that Maduro will not step down on his own and they must make him leave. Maduro has asked his supporters to demonstrate Friday.

But it is unclear whether anyone will heed calls to head to the streets with the increased security presence.

On Tuesday, despite being the first day of school after the holidays, children were nowhere to be seen during morning rush hour in Caracas, and some schools remained closed.

There is tension. As soon as night falls, the city is like a ghost town, Caracas resident Mari Jimenez said. We do not feel confident seeing so many police.

Hours after announcing his son-in-laws kidnapping, Gonzalez said he was continuing his multi-country tour with a stop in Panama.

Kidnappings were commonplace in Venezuela at the end of last and beginning of this century, when criminals targeted the wealthy and a thriving middle class. But that type of crime decreased in recent years, as the countrys economy came undone and Venezuelans began to emigrate.

Recently, people have associated kidnappings with the government practice of detaining its real or perceived opponents without following the law. They are seen as part of a campaign to repress anti-government protests that broke out after the election results were announced.

Electoral authorities in July declared Maduro the winner hours after polls closed, but unlike in previous presidential elections, they did not provide detailed vote counts. However, the opposition collected tally sheets from more than 80% of the nations electronic voting machines, posted them online and said they showed Gonzalez had won the election with twice as many votes as Maduro.

The U.S.-based Carter Center, which Maduros government invited to observe the presidential election, has said the tally sheets published by the opposition are legitimate.

The Secretary General of the Organization of American States, Luis Almagro, who met with Gonzalez on Monday in Washington, joined the calls for Tudares immediate release. In a post on X, he said Tudares situation is a new and unacceptable act of political pressure against Gonzalez, whom the international community certified as the winner of the July elections, something that the regime continues to fail to refute with evidence.

Meanwhile, Machado denounced that agents had surrounded her mothers house, set up roadblocks throughout the neighborhood and flown drones in the area.

Maduro and company, you have no limits in your evil, she posted on X. Cowards.

(AP)
The Chabad of Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles sustained severe damage in the out-of-control wildfires currently raging in Los Angeles.

The Chabad house stated: We hope you and your loved ones are safe and well during this difficult time. As the Palisades Fire continues to affect our community, we wanted to share an updatethe night is still a very long one, and the winds are still raging. We need all of your prayers to overcome this dangerous fire. We are in touch with many community members, some of who have not yet evacuated, and we are doing our best to help them connect with first responders to ensure their safety.

Baruch Hashem, we are grateful for our safety and are holding onto hope as we navigate the challenges ahead. Unfortunately, our property has been impactedour storage area has suffered severe damage, as well as multiple cars in the parking lot. While these losses are difficult, we are most thankful that everyone is safe, and we continue to pray for the protection of all in the affected areas.

Sifrei Torah were also rescued from a conservative synagogue called the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center before it was completely consumed by fire.

California firefighters are battling wind-whipped wildfires that tore across the Los Angeles area, destroying homes, clogging roadways as tens of thousands fled and straining resources as officials prepared for the situation to worsen early Wednesday. The city of L.A. has declared a state of emergency.

CNN reported in the early hours of Wednesday morning that winds of almost 100 mph continue to blow across Southern California and the fires are expected to intensify. Three life-threatening fires are consuming homes. The largest fire  in the Pacific Palisades  has forced tens of thousands of people to flee, causing roads to be blocked and forcing people to abandon their cars. In one area, workers are frantically evacuating elderly residents while a blaze rages just a block away.

Two other fires are raging north of San Fernando and in Altadena. Over 200,000 homes and buildings are without power.

We are having new fires pop up as we speak, David Acuna, a battalion chief and Public Information Officer at Cal Fire told CNN.

Once the winds have died down and were able to secure some lines, and we have made sure that all the people are out of the way, then we can devote all of our resources towards containing  and then eventually, completely extinguishing the fire.

The flames from a fire that broke out Tuesday evening near a nature preserve in the inland foothills northeast of LA spread so rapidly that staff at a senior living center had to push dozens of residents in wheelchairs and hospital beds down the street to a parking lot. The residents waited there in their bedclothes as embers fell around them until ambulances, buses and even construction vans arrived to take them to safety.

Another blaze that started hours earlier ripped through the citys Pacific Palisades neighborhood, a hillside area along the coast dotted with celebrity residences.

In the frantic haste to get to safety, roadways became impassable when scores of people abandoned their vehicles and fled on foot, some toting suitcases.

The traffic jam on Palisades Drive prevented emergency vehicles from getting through and bulldozer was brought in to push the abandoned cars to the side and create a path. Video along the Pacific Coast Highway showed widespread destruction of homes and businesses along the famed roadway.

Pacific Palisades resident Kelsey Trainor said the only road in and out of her neighborhood was blocked. Ash fell all around them while fires burned on both sides of the road.

We looked across and the fire had jumped from one side of the road to the other side of the road, Trainor said. People were getting out of the cars with their dogs and babies and bags, they were crying and screaming. 

A third wildfire started around 10:30 p.m. and quickly prompted evacuations in Sylmar, a San Fernando Valley community that is the northernmost neighborhood in Los Angeles. The causes of all three fires were under investigation.

Flames were being pushed by Santa Ana winds topping 60 mph (97 kph) in some places. The winds were expected to increase overnight, producing isolated gusts that could top 100 mph (160 kph) in mountains and foothills  including in areas that havent seen substantial rain in months.

The situation prompted the Los Angeles Fire Department to take the rare step of putting out a plea for off-duty firefighters to help. It was too windy for firefighting aircraft to fly, further hampering the fight.

Gov. Newsom posted on X early Wednesday that California had deployed more than 1,400 firefighting personnel to combat the blazes. Emergency officials, firefighters, and first responders are all hands on deck through the night to do everything possible to protect lives, Newsom said.

Recent dry winds, including the notorious Santa Anas, have contributed to warmer-than-average temperatures in Southern California, where theres been very little rain so far this season. Southern California hasnt seen more than 0.1 inches (0.25 centimeters) of rain since early May.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem & AP)
Social media accounts linked to the Islamic Republic of Iran and designed to undermine Israeli morale have resurfaced under new identities, according to FakeReporter, an Israeli online watchdog.

The group identified approximately 60 fake profiles, primarily on Facebook, responsible for generating over 18,000 posts. These accounts, crafted by bots mimicking human behavior, had disappeared from social media for months, either being locked or temporarily deactivated.

Now reactivated with different names, the accounts aim to avoid detection while continuing to build connections with Israelis. These connections enable the profiles to easily spread hostile, inciting messages and amplify content that serves the networks goals, Ynet reported.

This is a serious and troubling phenomenon, said Achiya Schatz, CEO of FakeReporter. Foreign elements are successfully infiltrating Israeli networks to spy, incite, and spread propaganda. Once exposed, they simply change the profiles identities without facing any consequences.

Schatz criticized Meta, Facebooks parent company, for not informing users or providing sufficient tools to combat the threat. If we were in the European Union, Facebook would be required to inform the public. But in Israel, there is no regulation, so the public is left unprotected, he added.

Examples of resurfaced profiles include Daniel Oz, now known as David Abraham, and Maya Lee, renamed Maya Lipschitz. Some accounts boast thousands of Israeli connections, facilitating the spread of Iranian propaganda and misinformation.

FakeReporter warns that advances in artificial intelligence are making these profiles more convincing, posing an ongoing challenge for online security in Israel.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The District Court in Tel Aviv held a hearing on Tuesday regarding the request of Ari Rosenfeld [previously known as Sgt. A.], the frum non-commissioned officer who was accused of leaking documents to the Prime Ministers Office, to review the outrageous decision to keep him in custody until the end of the legal proceedings (which could take years).

Rosenfeld arrived at the hearing and was greeted with applause from supporters in the courtroom, who shouted: Ari, you are a hero of Israel and We love you.

He has been imprisoned for over two months, separated from his young wife and son.

At the end of the discussion, the judge ordered the prosecution to adhere to the recommendations of the Shin Bet and the Prison Service as soon as possible and explain the need to keep Rosenfeld in prison. The head of the Shin Bet previously declared that Rosenfeld poses no danger and there is no need for him to remain in prison.

Meanwhile, Rosenfeld will remain in custody.

The prosecution requested to hold the discussion behind closed doors due to the risk of the case  but the judge rejected the request.

Likud MK Tally Gotliv, who participated in the hearing, said: Rosenfeld poses no danger. This was declared by the head of Shin Bet. Therefore, these are new circumstances [and the previous ruling should be disregarded]. The prosecution has been given a ladder to descend from and release him.

Gotliv was referring to the fact that the prosecution has been slammed even by leftists for the case and for the suspects extended imprisonment in harsh conditions.

Roosenfelds lawyer said in court that the prosecution claims that Rosenfeld must remain in prison due to fear that he will leak further information but he was recently transferred to a prison in central Israel and placed in a cell next to a person convicted of espionage. Later, he was moved to a monitored cell, but the lawyer said that this dangerous person with classified information in his head meets everyone and their spouses, political figures, etc.

Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli slammed the State Prosecutors Office regarding the case. Speaking with Arutz Sheva, he said: We are witnessing a situation where an outstanding officer is effectively serving a sentence under the harshest conditions for over 70 days without any conviction. No one has convicted him. He is being held under these conditions without any justified reason.

He added, In todays court hearing, an absurd fact emergedthey accuse him of leaking information to politicians but they placed him in a cell with a spy. The detainment is completely baseless. He must be released to house arrest.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, stated: The malicious prosecution of State Prosecutor Amit Aisman, backed by Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara, against the officer Ari Rosenfeld is unfathomable.

Aisman is pursuing Rosenfeld despite the fact that even the Shin Bet clearly stated that he poses no risk. The decisions of the prosecution are completely distorted. This is the same Aisman who sought to open a criminal investigation against me on suspicion of incitement against the residents of Gaza.'

Just a reminder: Gilad Kariv [who allegedly leaked information from a classified Knesset meeting to the media] has not been investigated. Nor has Yair Golan, who called for refusal and publicly threatened the police commissioner. The prosecution led by Baharav-Miara and Aisman is political from head to toe.

Last month, Channel 13 host Raviv Drucker called for the State Prosecutor to release Rosenfeld immediately, a surprising statement for someone strongly associated with Israels left-wing sector and incessant criticism of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu

Just release the officer already, Drucker said. This is madness, a disgrace, and a scandal. What he did was wrong, and he is being prosecuted for it. But that doesnt begin to explain the disgraceful ruling of Supreme Court Justice Alex Stein.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
In the wake of the hearing held on Tuesday for Ari Rosenfeld [previously known as Sgt. A.], the reserve IDF officer who was accused of leaking documents to the Prime Ministers Office and has been imprisoned for over two months, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir slammed Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara and State Prosecutor Amit Aisman for selective enforcement.

Just a reminder: Gilad Kariv [who allegedly leaked information from a classified Knesset meeting to the media] has not been investigated, Ben-Gvir said. Nor has Yair Golan, who called for refusal and publicly threatened the police commissioner. The prosecution led by Baharav-Miara and Aisman is political from head to toe.

The incident that Ben-Gvir is referring to happened over a year ago. In December 2023, reports were published in Maariv and Walla that included quotes from a protocol of a meeting of the Knessets Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee in June 2023. The reports claimed that the quotes proved that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was aware of the danger of a Hamas attack on Israel.

Following the reports, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana asked the Knesset Officer to investigate the leak. The week-long investigation, which involved accessing security cameras and other evidence, revealed that the only person who reviewed the leaked protocol in the six months from the meeting until the reports were published was Labor MK Gilad Kariv.

Kariv reviewed the protocol twice, shortly before the quotes appeared in the media.

Ohana immediately sent the findings to Baharav-Miara, asking her to launch a criminal investigation into the leak but no action was taken.

In recent months, the Lavi Civil Rights organization filed a complaint to the Supreme Court against Baharav-Miara and Aisman, stating that the accusations against Kariv of espionage and unauthorized disclosure of classified information during wartime are extremely serious, warranting an immediate criminal investigation. The complaint emphasized that that the offenses that Kariv allegedly committed are far more serious than those allegedly committed by Eli Feldstein and Ari Rosenfeld but the prosecution has yet to even order an investigation.

Finally, after the Supreme Court held a hearing on the Lavi organizations claim, the State Prosecution responded to the Supreme Court this past Thursday that a preliminary investigation has been opened against Kariv but a final decision has not yet been reached regarding launching a criminal investigation. In other words, Baharav-Miara and Aisman have completely ignored the request to investigate Kariv, perhaps because they were too busy fighting against lomdei Torah, ensuring that Nukhba terrorists are treated humanely in Israeli jails, and examining the launch of criminal investigations against anyone who criticized innocent Gazan civilians.

Following the response to the Supreme Court, Ohana excoriated Barhav-Miara, stating: The Attorney General is trying to bury the case of MK Gilad Karivs leak. There is no other way to describe the shameful response she sent to the Supreme Court today, a year after I approached her about the matter. Is it possible that preliminary investigations are only being conducted now? Is it possible that what took the Knesset Officer a week to investigate and identify the source of the leak is something that the Israel Police has been unable to do for an entire year?

Its unfathomable that this woman who takes the law into her own hands threatened the Knesset Officer who acted to investigate and locate the source of the leak with a reference that it is doubtful whether he was authorized to investigate, all while she refuses to do her job and order the launch of an investigation as was required? Its unfathomable that in her arrogance and haughtiness, she has not responded for a whole year to the Knesset Speaker apart from received, from her junior assistants. In her response today, as in other cases, Baharav-Miara proves that she is unworthy of her position or any public office. Time and again, she acts unilaterally out of intoxication of power, without any professional or personal integrity and against the public interest.

The Attorney Generals Office under her leadership has turned into a political body that operates according to are you with us or against us considerations. Its actions tarnish thousands of honest and devoted public servants in the prosecution and police.

The document sent by the Attorney General to the Supreme Court should be studied in law schools under the definition: How to write that you dont want to investigate without writing that you dont want to investigate. And the truth is that any action other than an order to investigate the case constitutes grave harm to democracy, which is already being undermined by Baharav-Miara again and again, Ohana asserted.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
The IDF explained on Tuesday that the goal of the military operation in the northern Gaza Strip is to create a security buffer for the residents of border communities by ridding the area of terrorists and terror infrastructure.

Army Radio journalist Doron Kadosh reported that the IDF acknowledged that the soldiers are fighting against recently recruited terrorists.

Senior officers explained that although the IDF previously fought terrorists in northern Gaza, the goal of the current operation is to eradicate all terrorists and infrastructure from the area.

Were doing things we didnt accomplish in previous operations, officers said. Were reaching areas where the IDF will never have to return. This isnt a raid  its an operation to completely destroy the enemy and its infrastructure.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
The Israeli document at the heart of hostage negotiations in Doha, Qatar, has been made public by Israeli broadcaster Kan. The release sheds light on the intricate and fragile agreement that could shape the future of the Gaza conflict.

The documents objective is stark: the return of all Israeli hostagescivilians and soldiers, alive or deadin exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a pathway to a lasting ceasefire, full military withdrawal, and Gazas reconstruction.

Crucially, the document details Israels willingness to pull back from central Gaza, dismantle military outposts, and open the gates for humanitarian aid once the deal is activated. The hostage release will unfold in phases, beginning with Israeli women. On day one, three female hostages will be freed, with more following in weekly increments. By the seventh day, Hamas must disclose the number of hostages slated for release.

Israels evolving demands reflect the high stakes. The initial request for the deportation of 50 Hamas terrorists has been escalated, underscoring the fluid and tense nature of the negotiations.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pre-approved Gazas post-war reconstruction, signaling a readiness to rebuild while hostilities persist. Plans include bringing in 60,000 caravans and 200,000 tents to house displaced civilians.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
BANGKOK, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Rescued Chinese actor Wang Xing was a victim of human trafficking, Thai police said on Wednesday as authorities prepare to repatriate him to China.

Thai authorities are working with the Chinese Embassy in Thailand to ensure his safe return, which is expected within the next one or two days, said Inspector-general of the Royal Thai Police Tatchai Pitaneelaboot.

Wang was under the care of multidisciplinary teams to ensure his safety and psychological well-being, multiple local media quoted Tatchai as saying.

Wang was reported missing near the Thai-Myanmar border on Sunday, causing wide public concern from both China and Thailand. 
The IDFs push to recruit Charedi men into special military tracks has failed miserably thus far, with only 338 out of 10,000 eligible Charedi men joining the military since July, the army announced Tuesday. This marks a compliance rate of less than 3%a steep drop from the 10% seen in the summers initial batch of 3,000 summons.

The IDFs target for 2024 was to enlist an additional 3,000 Charedi men, bringing the annual total to 4,800 draftees. Even if achieved, this would leave 60,000 to 80,000 eligible men unconscripted, but would represent progress  at least in the IDFs view.

Despite intensified efforts, the low turnout underscores the influence of Roshei Yeshiva and Rabbanim who have paskened that Charedim must resist the draft as lawmakers debate legislation that could delay sanctions for noncompliance by up to seven years.

The government faces mounting pressure from the High Court of Justice, which ruled in April to restrict funding to yeshivas that fail to meet draft requirements. Additional childcare subsidies for non-compliant families are also at risk of termination in February. However, the government has offset these financial pressures by channeling funds into Charedi kehillos through alternative means.

The IDF has largely refrained from enforcing draft orders, avoiding large-scale arrests and deferring to the government to resolve broader societal tensions.

Of the 338 recruits, 211 entered combat roles while 127 joined support units. Many were placed in the newly-formed Chashmonean Brigade and northern upkeep units. The Netzach Yehuda battalion and select units in the Givati and Paratroopers brigades also absorbed new recruits.

The IDF says expects further enlistment throughout January but remains uncertain about the scale of participation.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
In a harrowing revelation, intelligence and security sources from both the U.S. and Israel revealed that authorities now believe only around 20 of the hostages still in Gaza who were abducted alive on Oct. 7 are still among the living.

The grim figuredescribed as a working number by one U.S. officialcomes as negotiations for the hostages release continue in Qatar. The 20 survivors are believed to be civilians and female Israeli soldiers. Should the count include Israeli male soldiers, the number might rise slightly, though not by much, a senior Israeli source revealed.

Despite public hope that as many as 40 hostages could still be alive, Israeli and U.S. officials have refrained from confirming any numbers.

We have no information to share on this matter at the moment, said Einav Hadari, spokeswoman for the Embassy of Israel. The IDF has also remained silent on the exact number.

The weight of these revelations presses down on a nation already bearing immense grief. Of the 251 individualsIsraelis, foreigners, and soldiersdragged into Gaza by Hamas during the massacre, over 100 were returned in a ceasefire agreement that ended in December 2023. Officially, Israel maintains that 100 hostages remain unaccounted for, with 36 presumed dead. Yet, behind closed doors, the reality appears far bleaker.

Ive heard figures ranging from 30 to well over 60, said Irina Tsukerman of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. Hamass deliberate vagueness and the possibility that hostages are held by other factions further complicate the matter.

One source lamented that the 20 believed to be alive reflects what Hamas itself is claiming. Others speculate that tribal groups and unaffiliated factions in Gaza may separately hold additional hostages. Hamas has openly admitted to possessing the bodies of many who did not survive.

The families of those still missing are trapped in a state of anguish, their lives punctuated by silence and fleeting hopes.

Political tension is intertwined with this unfolding human tragedy. Some Israeli officials lay blame at the feet of the Biden administration, accusing it of delaying critical military action in Rafah, which they believe allowed hostages to be hidden or killed.

The Biden administration blackmailed us into waiting, and our people paid the price, one senior Israeli official said bitterly.

Israel eventually launched an offensive into Rafah last May, dismantling Hamas strongholds but leaving many questionsand familieswithout resolution. As negotiations persist in Doha, Israeli officials, alongside intelligence and security leaders, cling to the possibility of returning the remaining captives.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, under mounting pressure, dispatched a delegation to Qatar last week, signaling a last-ditch effort to bring the hostages home.

There is hope, Moussa Abu Marzook of Hamas remarked to Qatari media, yet for the families waiting in the shadows of this nightmare, hope feels as fragile as it is fleeting.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Ynet on Wednesday published a bombshell report stating that the real issue in the leaked documents case, leading to the arrests of Eli Feldstein and Ari Rosenfeld, was vital intelligence information about a foreign actor involved in the October 7 massacre.

Senior officials from the Military Intelligence Directorate were aware of the role of the foreign actor in the massacre and became concerned when it became apparent that senior IDF officials were still stuck in the conceptzia and were hiding the information from the political leadership.

The military intelligence officers contacted Knesset member Amit Halevi (Likud) and informed him that there is significant intelligence information regarding the involvement of a foreign actor in the Hamas attack but top IDF officials are preventing the informations transfer to the political level.

At that time, MK Halevi asked the National Security Council if it was aware of such information, and he received a negative response. Only afterward did the intelligence officers turn to reserve soldier Ari Rosenfeld, and emphasized to him that it was urgent to pass it on to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. The existence of that document was first reported by Ynet.

Six intelligence personnel, including three officers, collaborated after the massacre to compile a major study on the involvement of a foreign actor in the October 7 massacre. The most senior among them was arrested as part of the leaked documents case but no charges have been filed against him.

The officers believed that Israels political and military leadership were caught in a misconception regarding that foreign actor and they felt it was urgent to update senior IDF officials and the political echelon about their research. The intelligence personnel, from different units in military intelligence as well as an official from another intelligence body that is banned from being named, sought to transfer the research to the political echelon but they said they were blocked from doing so by senior IDF officials.

Ynet is unaware whether the document was blocked as claimed or if it was transferred to the political level. The officers approached MK Halevi, shared the details of the research with him, and asked him to confirm whether the political level was aware of the matter. After Halevi contacted the National Security Council and was told that it is unaware of such research, intelligence officials approached Rosenfeld, requesting that he act to transfer the document to the Prime Minister. Rosenfeld complied with the officers request and met with Eli Feldstein, the Prime Ministers spokesperson for security matters, at the shul in the Kirya base in Tel Aviv, where he handed him one of the many research documents on the issue to inform Netanyahu of its existence.

The identity of that foreign entity cannot currently be revealed, but Judge Ala Masarwa wrote in December in a decision that was cleared for publication that the research is related to the importance of the IDFs presence in the Philadelphi Corridor [which borders Egypt]. The judge wrote that regarding the additional document, Respondent 1 (Feldstein) knew it was based on classified intelligence, and he kept it in his home and waited for the right moment until the document would be relevant in the context of the discussion on the Philadelphi Corridor.

As far as is known, Feldstein did not pass the document to the Prime Minister, and it was seized at his home on the day he was arrested. Rosenfelds attorney said during a hearing: A group of officers who want the best for the state conclude that the IDF is blocking the information from reaching the political level. They think the document is being blocked by IDF because it tarnishes the reputation of officers in military intelligence, and they approach Ari Rosenfeld to transfer it to Netanyahu.

The attorney also stated during the hearing that Rosenfeld only passed the first page of the numerous research documents to Feldstein, telling him to inform Netanyahu and the National Security Council of its existence.

Rosenfelds lawyers stated: A group of officers from various branches in the Intelligence Directorate of the IDF (Aman Research, 8200, Southern Command, and others) wrote a research paper numbering dozens of pages analyzing intelligence reports from 2018-2024 and concluded that the IDF is operating under a mistaken conception regarding a critically important security issue related to the goals of the war. The fact that the IDF tried to block the document from reaching the political echelon after the events of October 7 is extremely concerning and raises troubling thoughts.

The officers who tried to convey the information to the military-political echelon and were blocked by the IDF acted together with Ari to inform the political echelon about the document. This was to prevent a recurrence of an incident like that of October 7, where warnings did not reach the knowledge of the political echelon. The officers were detained and interrogated by the Shin Bet under the most difficult conditions and were later released. The officers and Ari acted and allegedly approached the political echelon contrary to orders, and Ari regrets this  this matter is expected to be clarified in court.

Ari, a person presumed innocent  who tried to assist the political echelon in the goals of the war is still held in Kafkaesque detention  a fact that should concern every citizen in Israel. The opposition to his detention transcends political camps and sectors and is not a political question. It is a matter concerning human rights in a democratic state.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
In a heartbreaking conclusion to more than a year of anguish, the bodies of Yousef Al-Zayadni and his son Hamza were discovered in the Gaza Strip and repatriated to Israel, their family was informed on Wednesday.

According to the IDF, Al-Zayadni was abducted alive and subsequently murdered in captivity. His remains were recovered from a terror tunnel in the Rafah area. While the IDF only confirmed that Yousefs body was recovered and that findings were located related to Youssefs son, Hamza Ziyadne, who was also abducted on October 7th, which raise serious concerns for his life, the family of the hostages say both bodies were indeed recovered.

We were informed that the bodies of Yousef and his son Hamza were found. Our hearts ache. We wanted them to return to the bosom of the family alive  but unfortunately, they returned dead, said Ali Ziyadne, a grieving relative. Aisha and her brother Bilal were waiting to hug them. This is a difficult and shocking disaster.

Following an identification procedure carried out by the National Institute of Forensic Medicine and the Israel Police, the IDF Manpower Directorates Hostage team, which is responsible for accompanying the families of the hostages, notified their families and communities today, the IDF said in a statement.

The IDF and ISA are continuing to operate in order to bring home all the hostages as soon as possible, the statement added.

The father and son were among those abducted by Hamas on October 7, 2023, during the brutal invasion of southern Israel that claimed the lives of approximately 1,200 people. Taken from Holit, their fate remained uncertain for over a year as their family clung to hope.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Yuval Vagdani, the IDF soldier who was targeted by the antisemitic terror-supporting Hind Rajab Foundation in Brazil, returned to Israel on Wednesday.

In his first interview in Israel with Kan, Vagdani said: Im okay, a bit down, kind of feels like a stab to my heart. I had planned this trip for four years. I was supposed to fly in January 2024 and that didnt work out.

Vagdani, a survivor of the Nova massacre and a reservist, landed in Brazil on December 24. After a period of reserve duty and after being in Nova, I wanted my dream trip. I was in the best place of my life with my friends. I thanked Hashem for every moment there.

Everything changed on January 4. I woke up in the morning, turned on my phone, and suddenly saw eight missed calls  from the Foreign Ministry, my brothers, my mother, consuls, he recalled. They called from the Foreign Ministry, and we began to understand that there was an issue.

They [the HRF] wrote that I murdered thousands of children and turned it into a 500-page document. The only thing there was a picture of me in uniform in Gaza.

The escape from Brazil was not simple. I reached passport control in Salvador [Brazilian city] and saw through the window that the clerk had received a message from the police. They delayed me there in Salvador, which is considered the most pro-Palestinian city in Brazil, and I just davened to Hashem.

Fortunately, he was not arrested and made it to Argentina, then the US, and then to Israel.

We are all excited that he returned home safely, said Itzik, Yuvals father, as reported by Ynet.

He will never return to Brazil again, Itzik said. He will learn from the mistakes he made [posting videos of himself in Gaza on social media]. The main thing is that he has now returned to Israel and we are all happy that everything is behind us. Am Yisrael Chai. Were strong and well prevail.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
BISHKEK, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- A trilateral meeting was held between Kyrgyz Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliyev, Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, and Tajik Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda, the press service of the Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers announced on Wednesday.

The meeting took place on Wednesday at the junction of the state borders of the three countries, the Batken region of Kyrgyzstan, the Fergana region of Uzbekistan, and the Sughd region of Tajikistan.

The three sides noted that this meeting was held within the framework of previously reached agreements on state border issues between the heads of state.

The prime ministers of the three countries emphasized that the countries have great potential for strengthening cooperation in key areas such as trade, logistics, water and energy, and cultural and humanitarian ties. They emphasized that an important component of cooperation is the development of cross-border and interregional cooperation, which will become the engine for enhancing interaction between the countries.

In addition, the three sides noted the completion of their border delimitation process and the exchange of instruments of ratification of the agreement "on the Kyrgyz-Uzbek state border."

The agreement on the state border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan dated Dec. 4, 2024 noted the particular importance of completing the process of describing the remaining sections of the Kyrgyz-Tajik state border and that working groups need to prepare final documents as soon as possible.

Following the meeting, the heads of government expressed confidence that the meeting will determine the fate of the region for decades to come in the interests of the wellbeing of peoples and countries. 
COLOMBO, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka on Wednesday launched a national initiative for R&D commercialization.

According to the President's Media Division (PMD), the initiative represented the government's strategic action plan to promote innovation across the country.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized that a strong new product development strategy could significantly enhance Sri Lanka's global market position while creating new opportunities for growth.

As part of the initiative, Sri Lanka introduced a website, nirdc.gov.lk, aimed at facilitating the commercialization of research and development.

The platform was designed to contribute to sustainable economic growth by supporting the production of value-added goods and services.

Dissanayake noted that Sri Lanka has historically lacked mechanisms to support, nurture and commercialize the ideas of its innovators.

He said that the nation has invested just 0.12 percent of its GDP in research and development in the past, and his administration was committed to using targeted investments to drive innovation and economic progress. 
KIEV, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- At least 13 people were killed and 63 others injured on Wednesday in a Russian strike on Ukraine's southern city of Zaporizhzhia, according to a statement by Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office.

Two guided bombs struck the city at about 4 p.m. local time (GMT 1400), damaging industrial infrastructure and residential buildings, Zaporizhzhia regional governor Ivan Fedorov reported.

Four of those injured are in critical condition, Fedorov added.

The State Service for Emergencies said that the attack damaged four administrative buildings and 27 vehicles. 
A presidential hearse carrying former U.S. President Jimmy Carter's coffin departs from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, the United States, on Jan. 7, 2025. The body of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who recently passed away at the age of 100, arrived in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday. A presidential jet departed from Atlanta, Georgia, earlier in the day and landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, just outside the capital, Tuesday afternoon. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong)

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- The body of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who recently passed away at the age of 100, arrived in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday.

A presidential jet departed from Atlanta, Georgia, earlier in the day and landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, just outside the capital, Tuesday afternoon.

Carter's coffin was then loaded into a presidential hearse and transported to the U.S. Navy Memorial on Pennsylvania Avenue, before being taken to the U.S. Capitol.

A memorial service is scheduled to be held in the Capitol Rotunda, with eulogies to be delivered by Vice President Kamala Harris, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Carter's family, as well as several surviving members of Carter's presidential Cabinet, are expected to attend the service.

Carter's casket will be placed in the Rotunda and will be open to public viewing starting from later Tuesday. His body will lie in state until Thursday morning, when a service will be held for him at the Washington National Cathedral.

U.S. President Joe Biden previously declared Jan. 9, 2025 as a National Day of Mourning throughout the United States for the former president. 

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter's coffin is placed into a presidential hearse at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, the United States, on Jan. 7, 2025. The body of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who recently passed away at the age of 100, arrived in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday. A presidential jet departed from Atlanta, Georgia, earlier in the day and landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, just outside the capital, Tuesday afternoon. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong)

A joint forces body bearer team moves former U.S. President Jimmy Carter's coffin upon arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, the United States, on Jan. 7, 2025. The body of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who recently passed away at the age of 100, arrived in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday. A presidential jet departed from Atlanta, Georgia, earlier in the day and landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, just outside the capital, Tuesday afternoon. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong)

A presidential hearse carrying former U.S. President Jimmy Carter's coffin is seen at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, the United States, on Jan. 7, 2025. The body of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who recently passed away at the age of 100, arrived in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday. A presidential jet departed from Atlanta, Georgia, earlier in the day and landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, just outside the capital, Tuesday afternoon. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong)

A joint forces body bearer team moves former U.S. President Jimmy Carter's coffin upon arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, the United States, on Jan. 7, 2025. The body of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who recently passed away at the age of 100, arrived in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday. A presidential jet departed from Atlanta, Georgia, earlier in the day and landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, just outside the capital, Tuesday afternoon. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong)
by Matthew Rusling

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Incoming U.S. President Donald Trump discussed a slew of topics in an unbridled press conference on Tuesday -- the first since his election win was officially certified by U.S. Congress.

In wide-ranging remarks, Trump blasted opponents and outlined a laundry list of pro-MAGA -- "Make America Great Again" -- initiatives he pledged to push through after taking office later this month.

Trump railed against what he and his supporters call "lawfare" -- the misuse of courts for political purposes.

"They're playing with the courts, as you know, they've been playing with the courts for four years...we had a great election, so I guess it didn't work. But even to this day, they're playing with the courts and they're friendly judges that like to try and make everybody happy... It's called lawfare, it's called weaponization of justice," Trump said at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.

Joining Trump at the presser was Steven Witkoff, his pick as the special envoy to the Middle East.

When they were asked about attempts to secure the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, the president-elect said: "If they're not back by the time I get into office, all hell will break out in the Middle East."

"And it will not be good for Hamas," he said.

The incoming president also announced plans to pardon some of the defendants in the case of the Jan. 6 riots, during which some rioters stormed the Capitol building four years ago. Trump and others have said many were unjustly persecuted simply for being there.

"People that didn't even walk into the building are in jail right now. So we'll be looking at the whole thing but I'll be making major pardons," Trump said.

House Democrats, who spearheaded the effort to impeach Trump over the Jan. 6 events and led a comprehensive investigation into the attack, cautioned that granting pardons could have significant implications. Even some Republicans have reservations.

Trump also ramped up rhetoric about the possibility of taking control of the Panama Canal and the island of Greenland, both of which he said are important for U.S. national security.

When asked whether he would rule out the possibility of using military force to seize control of the Panama Canal and Greenland, the president-elect did not dismiss it as an option.

Since his win in November, Trump has repeatedly mentioned the possibility of gaining control of the Panama Canal -- a major shipping route dug through Panama -- and purchasing Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.

However, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Tuesday that Greenland is not for sale, stating that "Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders."

In other comments, Trump pushed NATO members to increase their defense spending to 5 percent of their GDP from the current 2 percent.

Trump has repeatedly blasted NATO allies for what he labels as not paying their fair share, claiming the United States is unfairly footing the bill for their defense.

"They can all afford it, but they should be at 5 percent, not 2 percent," Trump told reporters.

Last month the president-elect reiterated a threat to withdraw from NATO if members did not increase their financial contributions to the organization.

At the press conference, Trump said that he plans to "immediately" reverse outgoing President Joe Biden's newly announced ban on offshore drilling.

He also announced that 20 billion U.S. dollars from Emirati billionaire Hussain Sajwani, chairman of DAMAC Properties, will be invested to build data centers across the United States.

But experts said many issues Trump mentioned at the press conference are unlikely to come to fruition.

Clay Ramsay, a researcher at the Center for International and Security Studies at the University of Maryland, told Xinhua: "In World War II, planes would confuse radar by dropping lots of aluminum strips, called 'chaff.' Trump's press conference language is like that -- it's chaff."

"He lays down a heavy cloud so that you're not certain of his direction of travel. He does this when he knows his direction, but also when he doesn't know it ... His strong supporters in his base understand this perfectly well. If the press doesn't learn, they will spend all their time chasing down every false trail ... That's the plan," Ramsay said.

Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Darrell West told Xinhua: "Trump has raised a lot of issues that are not likely to go anywhere such as Greenland joining America, and the U.S. taking control of the Panama Canal."

"There is little support for those ideas in the international community or in the locales themselves," West said.

"All of those issues seem a big distraction from the real issues Trump must address. He needs to focus on the subjects that Americans are worried about," West said. 
OTTAWA, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday dismissed U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's willingness to use "economic force" to merge Canada into the United States.

"There isn't a snowball's chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States," Trudeau wrote on his social media account.

"Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each other's biggest trading and security partner," said Trudeau.

Trump said Tuesday that he's open to using "economic force" to acquire Canada.

Trump, speaking at a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, also refused to rule out the use of military force to seize control of the Panama Canal and Greenland. 
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev gave an interview to Azerbaijani TV channels. Such interviews have become a tradition at the beginning of the year. They are the main source of information for the citizens of the country and for all interested parties about Baku's position on various issues, how the head of state sees the future and how he approaches solving the pressing problems of today's geopolitics and geo-economics.

The recent "festive" attacks by French President Macron on Azerbaijan identified one of the topics that journalists raised during an interview with the head of state. The French president has once again shown that he suffers from a kind of mania close to insanity.

A lot is becoming clear from President Ilham Aliyev's answers, but this is the first time we have learned about some of them.

The Head of State stressed that Azerbaijan has nothing to share with France, our country has no claims against it. The only thing we need is for Paris not to interfere in our affairs. Azerbaijan does not need advice and guidance. He makes all the decisions himself and develops his own position on certain issues. And France's intervention, as practice shows, always only spoils the case, and then it fails. Wherever Macron appears, everywhere, as the President of Azerbaijan said, he carries only intrigues. This is also the case in the so-called "overseas territories" of France. Macron's failures in Africa are particularly sensitive and humiliating because African countries have literally kicked France out of their territories. Nigeria, Senegal, Chad, and Cote d'Ivoire demanded the withdrawal of French military forces, and no matter how Paris resisted, this process has already begun.

Or take Armenia. Having come under the influence of Paris, Yerevan withdrew from the orbit of the peace process, which had barely begun to improve after the 44-day war. Macro intervened, and everything collapsed. The fifth year has passed since the defeat of Armenia, and the peace treaty has not yet been concluded. Armenia is under the full control of the current French authorities, and it is not noticeable that this would bring any benefit to it.

As the head of state noted in an interview, France is doing the same in relation to Georgia.

"The attempt to destabilize Georgia is obviously no secret to anyone, it was done so undiplomatically and publicly, which is even surprising for a country with such diplomatic traditions," President Ilham Aliyev said.

Both the French president and his officials look pathetic, trying to tell other countries how to live their lives. This is how people who naively think that no one sees their own sins written on their foreheads should look.

At a recent meeting with the ambassadors, Emmanuel Macron, whose presidency in his own country is hanging by a thread, could not resist meddling in the internal affairs of Azerbaijan. This politician, apparently, even dreams about Azerbaijan in his sleep, our country occupies his thoughts and every waking minute.

"As for France, everyone can see what is happening in the political arena there now. Yesterday, the French president again made absurd accusations against Azerbaijan. It seems that Mr. Macron cannot live without Azerbaijan. He is haunted by some kind of mania and he wants to blame all his sins on us. I believe that if we have become so strong that we are able to interfere in the internal affairs of France and change something, then we can only be proud of it. In fact, this statement is an admission of one's own helplessness. The president of the country he calls great turns out to be suffering from the actions of a country with a population of 10 million located far away in the Caucasus region. Despite the fact that we don't care about the internal affairs of this France. It was just an abnormal approach and an inadequate policy that led to this," President Ilham Aliyev ironically remarked in an interview.

Macron, this pathetic politician thought he looked significant, but in fact once again admitted his impotence in the face of the changes taking place on the world stage. Yes, everything is changing, there are no longer one or even two centers of power in the world, accents are shifting, new trends are emerging. Instead of analyzing the situation and drawing the right conclusions from it, Macron tried to speak down to Baku in a commanding tone, confusing Azerbaijan with one of his colonies. And it paid off for him.

However, Azerbaijan is not to blame for Macron's failure as a politician, as president and as a person. His own political short-sightedness and unwillingness to accept changes in which his Napoleonic ways no longer have a place are to blame.

Speaking about the reasons for the breakdown of relations between Baku and Paris, President Ilham Aliyev noted a number of factors. These are Islamophobia, Armenian influence, xenophobia, the personal approach of the French side, and so on.

"I think another factor here is the political immaturity of the French leadership. After all, I had the opportunity to work and communicate with three French presidents before Mr. Macron, and relations between our countries have always developed very successfully. If we take the EU member states, probably, in that period before the current government, these were the most active relations, both political, mutual visits, economic, and cultural. We had sister city relations with 13 French cities. There were so many cultural events," the head of state reminded, advising his French counterpart not to try to drag France down to its level.

Note that Macron is extremely unpopular in his country. He is the most unpopular president of France, whose departure is dreamed of by most of the country's citizens. However, he is not leaving, despite the fact that the political crisis is approaching its peak. Last year, France changed its prime minister several times. And no one guarantees that the newly appointed prime minister will not follow his predecessors by doing something that other political forces will not like. This is an unheard-of situation that speaks not just of a crisis, but of an acute crisis that requires immediate resolution. Meanwhile, President Macron is poking his nose into the affairs of other countries where no one needs his advice.

However, President Ilham Aliyev has made it clear that he is not deluded by the possibilities of changes for the better after the change of power in France. Because there is a consensus in the French political sphere on the issue of Azerbaijanophobia. Unfortunately, not only the current government, but also those who claim to be in power, are not particularly different from each other, the President said.

Paradoxically, many in the ruling circles of France perceived Azerbaijan's victory in the war as their defeat. Although they had no reason to think so, and there could not be.

During the interview, the head of state revealed a number of interesting points that had not been mentioned before. Now that Paris has tried to spoil relations with Baku to the point of impossibility, the Azerbaijani President no longer considers it necessary to remain silent about these issues for reasons of diplomatic correctness.

"During the 44-day war, I don't remember how many times - six or seven, I received calls from the French President trying to stop the liberation struggle. Well, after that there were attempts of threats, there were threats to recognize "Nagorno-Karabakh". Now that our relationship has sunk below the ground floor, I can say that. But I replied that any country that recognizes the so-called "Nagorno-Karabakh" after November 2020 would immediately receive a note from us about severing diplomatic relations. That was my answer. And immediately, the topic of recognizing the so-called "Nagorno-Karabakh" dropped off the agenda. As they say, they went the other way, they recognized it through the Senate, through parliament, and then they made excuses for a long time that the authorities had nothing to do with it," Ilham Aliyev said.

The President stressed that he always kept these thoughts to himself and never allowed himself to show a negative attitude towards those who deserved it. It's one hundred percent true. Everyone remembers how long official Baku did not respond to the attacks of the Macron government. Many did not understand why Baku did not give an equivalent response to boorish and provocative statements from Paris. Why? In the interests of bilateral relations, we expect that the other side will begin to understand the unacceptability and illegality of their behavior. However, now that relations have dropped below the baseboard thanks to Paris, it's really not worth keeping silent anymore.

Interesting things happened not only during the 44-day war, but also after it. Answering questions from journalists, President Ilham Aliyev said that over the past few months Baku has received signals from representatives of the French government to establish contacts. There were several such signals coming from various French people to various representatives of Azerbaijan. And the answer was always, "We're ready."

"Yes, we are ready today, but we will not go anywhere - neither to Paris, nor to Brussels. If you need to meet with us, you can meet here, in Baku. Every time at some stage, then again there is a vacuum, silence. Now, recently, another such diplomatic dispatch, let's say a verbal one, was received: to talk again, to discuss. Again, we are ready, we have nothing to share with them, we have no complaints, as they say, against this country," Ilham Aliyev said.

The following conclusions can be drawn from what the head of state said: having failed to break and subjugate Azerbaijan, France began to look for ways to restore relations. Being on bad terms with the main country in the region is inexcusable for any actor trying to occupy at least some niche here. As we have already noted, everything is changing, and we need to build policy in such a way that we do not find ourselves on the sidelines when changes begin. France lost the South Caucasus thanks to the stupid and short-sighted policy of Emmanuel Macron, spoiling relations with Baku and now with Tbilisi. Now she is trying to probe the ground through various channels in search of an opportunity to win back everything. That is, to restore good relations with Azerbaijan without losing face. In Paris, they want it to look like Baku is seeking French attention and reconciliation, and not the Fifth Republic. But, again, they do not take into account the geopolitical changes. Today's Azerbaijan is not the country that everyone knew before 2020. It has moved into the category of medium-strength countries, raised its status on the world stage, and Macron will have to take this into account.

In Paris, they realized that the tools that worked in Armenia are not applicable to Azerbaijan. Baku recognizes only equal and partnership relations, and interaction in the style of "suzerain-vassal" is unacceptable for it. It was like that before, but now it's not worth trying. Such relations are wonderful and harmonious for Yerevan, which is used to always being with someone. Armenia is a country that is driven and incapable of taking sovereign steps. Macron made a bet on her and lost. It was not possible to establish oneself in the region through Armenia.

And Armenia itself has only lost thanks to the intervention of Macron's France. And he keeps losing. Because in Yerevan, they also don't understand how much everything has changed and continues to change. As the President of Azerbaijan said, "their close friends are leaving the political arena in disgrace." The other day it became known about the resignation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Everyone knows the pro-Armenian position of this politician. Macron's departure is just around the corner. And although, as Ilham Aliyev emphasized, the French political forces have a consensus on the anti-Azerbaijani issue, I think the next government will be more careful in demonstrating unhealthy love for Armenia, so as not to step on Macron's rake. The Biden administration is also leaving, under whose leadership Western intervention was carried out in the region and the peace process was stopped. And even in the Middle East, Armenia has lost an ally in Bashar al-Assad, who fled Syria.

What remains for Armenia in this situation? As President Ilham Aliyev advises, "let him take the right step."

And France will not help Armenia in any way. Let them see in Yerevan how she solves the problems of Mayotte and eliminates the consequences of the monstrous hurricane. Armenia doesn't need any France, but it needs Azerbaijan. But there should be no ghosts between Yerevan and Baku. And the Armenian side, however, as well as the French side, could not help but hear this in an interview with the President of Azerbaijan.
Chinese State Councilor and Director of the China National Narcotic Control Committee Wang Xiaohong speaks with Rahul Gupta, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, via video link on Jan. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

BEIJING, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Director of the China National Narcotic Control Committee Wang Xiaohong spoke with Rahul Gupta, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, via video link on Tuesday.

Wang said under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-U.S. cooperation on drug control has made positive progress over the past year.

Wang added that the two sides should adhere to the correct strategic perception, treat each other as equals, engage in dialogue and cooperation, and promote steady and long-term cooperation in drug control and law enforcement, to better respond to the expectations of the people and demonstrate the responsibility as major countries.

Wang also expressed hope that the U.S. side will show more sincerity for cooperation, and respect and address China's concerns.

The two sides agreed to continue to maintain cooperation and exchanges in the field of drug control. 
BEIJING, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. government's labeling of Chinese tech firms as military companies is the latest example of using national security as a convenient fig leaf to cover up its practice of unilateralism, coercion and bullying.

A closer look at the Pentagon list reveals that it is primarily focused on China's rapidly advancing tech fields, such as high-speed rail, supercomputing, commercial jets, AI and drones.

In statements to Xinhua, Chinese tech giant Tencent and leading battery maker CATL, both on the blacklist, denied any military ties, describing the U.S. Department of Defense designations as false.

A similar case can be seen in the U.S. Commerce Department's recent proposal to ban the supply of drones from China. Moreover, neither department provided any review criteria or offered any evidence to support their actions.

These long-arm jurisdiction measures reflect a U.S. paranoia where foreign technological advantages are perceived as threats to American security and should be criminalized.

They serve only as a pretext for the coercive moves by the United States to outcompete what it considers a strategic rival. Brian Tycangco, an analyst at Stansberry Research, saw right through this approach. He noted: "If you're an innovative Chinese business making money, you're likely to be considered a threat to U.S. national security. Wild."

It is important to recognize that such underhanded tactics are detrimental to maintaining both economic strength and a technological edge.

Chinese drone-maker DJI contributed 515 million U.S. dollars to the U.S. agriculture sector in 2023 alone, according to DJI. Local farmers, first responders and filmmakers in the United States are deeply worried about the impact of a DJI ban.

In the final month of the Biden administration, sanctions or rules were hastily introduced to curb China's economic growth and technological development, including bans on investment in China's AI, semiconductor and quantum sectors, as well as a trade investigation into the country's legacy chips.

The outgoing U.S. administration's final frenzy to decouple from China and contain China's growth has broken many of its past "promises" and exposed its deceitful and hypocritical nature. It is leaving a dismal political legacy and complicating the incoming U.S. president's approach to the relationship with China.

Wise American policymakers should respect the Chinese people's unalienable right to development and reconsider groundless restrictions that are detrimental to both sides and the larger world. 
The strategy at play . . . Mr. Schwab appeals to a great many Democratic Party voters and he's nearly impossible to villainize . . . The only problem is that the "nice guy" appeal always leaves the more "strident" supporters of the Kansas GOP without much enthusiasm to push their agenda.

For now . . . Here's the setup . . .



Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab, who is running as a Republican, is seeking to replace Kansas' Democrat Gov. Laura Kelly, who will have held the seat for eight years when her term ends next cycle.



"We need to return to the values and principles that have always fueled us, and gave me the strength to lead in Topeka," Schwab, Kansas' two-term secretary of state, said in a press release shared with Fox News Digital. "I have a proven conservative record. And a servants heart. Its important for Kansas to take the right path."





Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
This story has sparked intense emotions throughout social media . . . In fact, there are allegations about the lady's behavior and a move to extradite her taking hold.

For now . . . We merely wanted to share the mainstream version of the story that locals might have missed:

"Authorities in Puerto Rico are searching for a woman, apparently from Missouri, for her involvement in setting several businesses on fire.



"Authorities say the woman was seen on security cameras of a restaurant arguing with other diners and assaulting a waitress. The impacted businesses were Marinera, Bar Marea, and Artesania Juavia."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

ATF joins investigation of Missouri tourist accused of setting businesses on fire in Puerto Rico Authorities in Missouri and Puerto Rico are investigating an incident where several businesses on the island were allegedly set on fire by a tourist from Missouri; videos of the alleged event have gone viral.

Missouri woman alleged suspect in burning several businesses in Puerto Rico Authorities in Puerto Rico are searching for a woman, apparently from Missouri, for her involvement in setting several businesses on fire.

A Tourist Allegedly Set Several Businesses on Fire in Puerto Rico A woman from Missouri visiting Puerto Rico allegedly set fire to several businesses on January 2, setting off outrage across the island. Police identified the suspect as Danielle Bertothy.

One more . . .

There's tons of punditry on social media but this dude actually shares some footage and breaks down the incident for viewers.



Developing . . .
WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Incoming U.S. President Donald Trump discussed a slew of topics in a press conference on Tuesday -- the first since his election win was officially certified by U.S. Congress.

In wide-ranging remarks, Trump outlined a laundry list of pro-MAGA -- "Make America Great Again" -- initiatives he pledged to push through after taking office later this month.

Here is a recap of the highlights of his statements and reactions from the parties involved.

ON PANAMA CANAL, GREENLAND

Since his win in November last year, Trump has repeatedly mentioned the possibility of gaining control of the Panama Canal -- a major shipping route dug through Panama -- and purchasing Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.

At the press conference, he declined to rule out military or economic action as he declared U.S. control of both vital to U.S. national security.

"We need them for economic security ... the Panama Canal was built for our military," he said. Asked if he would rule out the use of military force, he said: "I'm not going to commit to that ... We need Greenland for national security purposes."

In response, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Tuesday that Greenland is not for sale, stating that "Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders."

In an interview with Danish broadcaster TV2, she said she did not believe that the United States will use military or economic power to secure control over Greenland.

Panama's Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha told reporters on Tuesday that the country would never surrender the Panama Canal to any country.

"The sovereignty of our canal is nonnegotiable and is part of our history of struggle and an irreversible conquest," he said. "The only hands that control the canal are Panamanian and will remain so."

ON GULF OF MEXICO

Trump said he would try to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America," a name he said has a "beautiful ring to it."

"We're going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, which has a beautiful ring. That covers a lot of territory," he said. "The Gulf of America. What a beautiful name. And it's appropriate."

He also accused Mexico of allowing "millions of people" and "record numbers of drugs" into the United States and threatened to impose "substantial" tariffs on Mexico and Canada, "because Canada, they come through Canada too."

In November last year, Trump threatened to "charge" Mexico and Canada a 25-percent tariff on all products coming into the United States until drugs and "all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country!"

In response, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum warned the president-elect that "neither threats nor tariffs will solve the issue of migration or drug consumption."

"Imposing one tariff would mean another comes in response, continuing like this until we put shared companies at risk," she said.

ON JAN. 6 PROTESTERS

At the press conference, Trump once again hinted that he would offer pardons to some of his supporters who are serving prison time for assaulting police officers during the attack on the U.S. Congress on Jan. 6, 2021.

"Well, we're looking at it," he said when asked whether he was considering pardoning people charged with violent offenses. "We'll be looking at the whole thing, but I'll be making major pardons."

When a reporter asked if he would pardon anyone who attacked a police officer, Trump deflected, suggesting that one of his supporters was the only victim of the attacks.

"Well, you know, the only one that was killed was a beautiful young lady named Ashli Babbitt," he said, saying that she was "shot for no reason whatsoever."

After his defeat in the 2020 presidential election, Trump claimed there was widespread voter fraud. A large group of his supporters stormed the U.S. Congress on Jan. 6, 2021, causing five deaths, hundreds of police officers injured, and millions of dollars in property damage.

Prosecutors have charged more than 1,500 defendants with crimes tied to the riot, including more than 170 who are accused of using deadly or dangerous weapons like fire extinguishers and bear spray against officers, The Hill reported.

ON NATO DEFENSE SPENDING

Trump again urged members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to increase their military spending, suggesting that each country allocate at least 5 percent of its GDP to defense expenditures, up from the current 2 percent.

"I think NATO should have 5 percent ... Well, you can't do it ... at 2 percent every country if you're going to have a country and a regular military, you're at 4 percent I think they should be, you know, they're in dangerous territory. They can all afford it, but they should be at 5 percent, not 2 percent," he said.

Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO allies for failing to meet the alliance's defense spending target of 2 percent of GDP, a benchmark agreed upon by member states, and claimed that the United States was shouldering an unfair portion of the financial burden.

During his last presidency, he called for an increase in NATO allies' defense spending, urging NATO countries to meet or exceed the 2 percent target and suggested that the United States might reconsider its involvement in the alliance if others didn't contribute more.

NATO allies are already in discussions about increasing the target to 3 percent at the meeting of leaders in June last year, but many capitals are concerned about the difficult fiscal decisions that would be required to do so, according to a report by the Financial Times.

ON RUSSIA-UKRAINE CONFLICT

Trump expressed sympathy with Russia's stance that Ukraine should not join NATO and regretted that he would not meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin before his inauguration.

"Russia, for many, many years, long before Putin, said, 'You could never have NATO involved with Ukraine.' And somewhere along the line Biden said, 'No. They should be able to join NATO.' Well, then Russia has somebody right on their doorstep, and I could understand their feelings about that," he said.

When asked if he could solve the war within half a year, he said "I hope to have six months. No, I would think, I hope long before six months ... Look, Russia is losing a lot of young people, and so is Ukraine, and it should have never been started."

He also complained that he could not meet with Putin until after he takes office on Jan. 20, saying, "I know that Putin would like to meet ... I don't think it's appropriate that I meet until after the 20th."

During the presidential campaign, Trump has repeatedly claimed that the war would have never started had he won the 2020 election, and has boasted of being able to end the war "in 24 hours" without giving further details on his plan. 
More than 1 in 3 Brits say they plan to recharge their spiritual batteries this year. Many are planning to go on a pilgrimage, stay in a monastery or embrace silent travel by taking a break from social media.



(TRAVPR.COM) UNITED KINGDOM - January 8th, 2025 - New Year reset: 39% of Brits are planning a spiritual holiday in 2025

For many Brits it was a fraught 2024, so its no surprise that an increasing number of us, over one in 3, are planning a spiritual getaway this year. Topping many peoples 2025 holiday plans are modern-day pilgrimages, staying in a retreat or simply taking a break from social media by embracing silent travel.

Lily Smith, a leading travel expert from Monasteries.com, says: 39% of Brits say they are planning a dedicated spiritual or meditative holiday this year and a whopping 59% of us plan to incorporate some form of wellness into their holiday. That includes meditation and quiet time, walking and, above all, taking a break from the bleeps and bongs of our devices.

Research from the travel association ABTA shows the main reason why people are planning to take part in wellness activities and retreats is to relax and unwind (60%), with young holidaymakers being the most likely to prioritise mental wellbeing (46% vs 35% average).

Wellbeing and spiritual vacations are expected to be the fastest-growing trend in holidays this year. According to Allied Market Research, the global wellness retreat market is set to double by 2032, reaching 290bn ($364bn). It says demand is being driven by increased stress, a growing consciousness surrounding wellness and a "desire for digital detoxification". Thats not surprising. We Brits now average 2.3 hours a day on social media and some health professionals are concerned that it can fuel feelings of anxiety, depression and loneliness.

While the whole idea of wellness retreats and escaping social media is very much a 21st-century concept, the need to embark on a journey to recharge our spiritual batteries is far from new. Pilgrimages were to our ancestors what wellbeing retreats are to us today. And, while pilgrimages may sound a thoroughly medieval getaway, they are, in fact, still booming in popularity.

One spectacular site now working with its local community to offer accommodation and expert guided tours is the stunning St Catherines Monastery at Mount Sinai in Egypt. It is the worlds oldest continuously inhabited Christian monastery, dating back 17 centuries. The monastery was built around the legendary Biblical sites of the Burning Bush and the Well of Jethro. While it is not possible to stay within the monastery itself, the Guest House of St. Catherines Monastery is located just below the complex and has recently started offering guided tours to the sites on Mount St Catherine and Mount Moses.

To discover more about amazing monastery retreats, see Monasteries.coms informative guide at: https://www.monasteries.com/en-GB/travel-inspiration/monastic-retreats-authentic-tours-and-stays-in-monasteries

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Austrian oil and gas company OMV has finalised an agreement to supply natural gas from its Neptun Deep project in the Black Sea to German energy company Uniper, starting in 2027, reported Reuters, citing three people familiar with the matter.

This strategic move is aimed at bolstering European energy security in the wake of reduced reliance on Russian gas imports.

The five-year contract will provide Uniper with 15 terawatt-hours (TWh) of gas per annum from the Neptun Deep project, which has not been publicly announced until now.

This development follows Russia's cessation of gas deliveries via Ukraine and the EU's efforts to diminish energy purchases from Russia due to the conflict in Ukraine.

In December 2024, OMV terminated its long-standing natural gas supply contract with Russias Gazprom Export, which was originally set to run until 2040.

Since 16 November 2024, Gazprom Export has stopped supplying gas to OMV. Prior to this, OMV received around 7,400 megawatt-hours per hour, equating to approximately 5TWh per month, at the Austria-Slovakia border.

The Neptun Deep project contract volume represents around 1.5% of Germany's gas imports in 2024 and is the first to support the project, which has been in the pipeline since the discovery of gas in Romania's Black Sea sector more than a decade ago.

With an estimated 100 billion cubic metres (bcm) of recoverable gas, Neptun Deep is one of the EU's substantial natural gas reserves.

Romania is set to become the EU's largest gas producer and a net exporter for the first time when production commences.

OMV Petrom, with a majority stake owned by OMV and 20.7% owned by Romania, discovered between 42 and 84bcm of gas in the Black Sea in 2012.

The Neptun Deep project, jointly owned by OMV Petrom and state-owned Romgaz in a 50:50 partnership, received approval in 2023.

The project's production is expected to peak at around 8bcm annually for ten years, nearly doubling Romania's gas output. Although the gas will be sold separately by the producers, Romanian law grants the government pre-emptive rights to the project's gas.

The Transocean Barents drilling unit arrived in Constanta for Neptun Deep in November 2024, with drilling scheduled to begin in 2025.

Further exploration in Romania's Black Sea region, estimated to hold 200bcm of reserves, could significantly contribute to diversifying the region's gas supply.

"Austrias OMV to supply Romanian gas from Black Sea project to Germany" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.
| By Robyn Fieser

As the global population ages, health care systems are increasingly focused on the unique challenges and opportunities this shift presents. For more than 40 years, the University of Maryland School of Pharmacys Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging has been at the cutting edge of enhancing care of older adults. Now, this pioneering center is taking its expertise to a global stage.

From Finland to Japan to Costa Rica, the Lamy Center is forging international collaborations with organizations, academic institutions, health care systems, and governments. These partnerships are about sharing knowledge, driving joint research, and establishing best practices in geriatric pharmacotherapy to improve medication management and outcomes for older adults worldwide.

Visit to the Hamad Medical Corp. in Qatar

Nicole Brandt, PharmD 97, MBA, BCGP, FASCP, executive director of the Lamy Center and a professor in the Department of Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research (P-SHOR), captures the essence of this global mission: Our vision is to improve the lives of older adults by optimizing medication safety and use. We are staying true to that vision and mission, thinking about how our work can be amplified by helping others. We are partnering with organizations around the world that have movements that matter with older adults.

In the global context of aging, prioritizing What Matters in supporting older adults means addressing their individual health goals and preferences to provide personalized care based on their unique experiences. This approach is part of the 4Ms Framework  What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility  developed by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement in collaboration with The John A. Hartford Foundation as part of the Age-Friendly Health Systems model. The Lamy Center uses the framework to improve the care of older adults.

When it comes to medication, the focus is on ensuring safe use, especially for older adults who might be more susceptible to side effects. The aim is to ensure that medications are effective and customized to the individuals needs, while avoiding those that could be harmful or interact negatively with other treatments.

If we focus on the 4Ms, we can effectively care for our older adults, says Daniel Mansour, PharmD 06, MS 24, AGSF, BCGP, FASCP, director of education and interprofessional clinical training at the Lamy Center.

More Years, More Heath Challenges

This approach is increasingly critical as the global population ages rapidly. The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that by 2030, 1.4 billion people  1 in 6  will be 60 or older. By 2050, this number will rise to 2.1 billion, with the 80-plus population tripling to 426 million. The aging trend is particularly pronounced in low- and middle-income countries.

As people live longer, the prevalence of chronic conditions increases the demand for health care services and medications. Addressing these needs requires a larger, better-trained workforce and the creation of age-friendly environments, especially in underserved areas. This involves interdisciplinary efforts across policy, health care, and caregiver support.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) is one of two Maryland universities to receive designation as an Age-Friendly University, indicating that it actively works to create educational environments that are inclusive and supportive of older adults.

Recognized as UMBs hub for age-related research, education, and practice, the Lamy Center collaborated with other departments and organizations to align UMBs goals with the Age-Friendly University Global Networks standards. This includes prioritizing research on aging, enhancing access to education for older adults, and supporting intergenerational learning.

The Lamy Center plays a vital role in educating students and faculty from a wide range of disciplines on how to deliver comprehensive, person-centered care for older adults. Through its interdisciplinary Aging in Place program, the center brings together students, faculty, and professionals from fields such as social work, physical therapy, medicine, pharmacy, nursing, dentistry, audiology, dental hygiene, and more.

Through real-life case studies, participants learn with, from, and about each other in collaborative environments. In practical settings such as affordable housing communities for older adults, they work side by side, discussing individual needs, delivering health education talks, and performing essential health assessments such as blood pressure checks and screenings for high-risk medications. This collaborative effort is deeply rooted in building connections with the older adult community, allowing participants to gain hands-on experience in providing holistic, elder-focused care.

We have trained hundreds of the future workforce; learners come to us from almost all health care disciplines, Mansour says. In 2020, two students from the University of Helsinki in Finland participated virtually in the Aging in Place program. Today, the School of Pharmacy and the University of Helsinki have a formalized relationship and are working together to create an enhanced collaborative online international learning experience. The course includes 15 modules on geriatric care. Students from both countries will take one module each week and work in teams to discuss cases, brainstorm how to build bridges in the community, and develop presentations.

Power of Partnership

The relationship with Finland has evolved over the years. The connection began in 2005, when Alan Lyles, ScD, MPH, BSP 80, a School of Pharmacy alumnus and professor in the University of Baltimores School of Public and International Affairs and School of Health and Human Services, traveled to Finland to lecture on pharmaceutical safety and outcomes research. What started as a single lecture blossomed into a deep and lasting partnership that has helped reshape Finlands health care system.

Over the years, Lyles, an expert in pharmaceutical economics and health policy, has been awarded three prestigious Fulbright Specialist grants, advising leaders in Finland on health care and social services reform. Lyles has served as a mentor and collaborator with many, including Brandt who was present when his work was recognized in May 2023 by the University of Helsinki. He was awarded an honorary doctorate for his contributions to the countrys health care landscape.

In recent years, Finland has expanded the pharmacists role in patient services, especially in geriatric care. To foster greater interprofessional collaboration in this area, Lyles encouraged Brandt to travel to Finland as a Fulbright Program Specialist in 2023-2024. Brandts mission was to explore new strategies that enhance collaboration between health care professionals and raise awareness about pharmacists potential to improve medication safety in older adults. This fellowship was not Brandts first interaction with Finland. She has collaborated with Finnish scholars and has a personal connection to the country through her husbands family. The experience reinforced for her the importance of collaboration in shaping the future.

This collaborative approach proved invaluable for Brandt in another global project, this time in Doha, Qatar, where, in consultation with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, she contributed to developing a road map for age-friendly programs at Hamad Medical Corp., the principal public health care provider in Qatar. Brandt leveraged her expertise to help the Qatar team implement the 4Ms Framework. This initiative united pharmacists, physical therapists, case managers, and other professionals to create an interdisciplinary health team dedicated to delivering comprehensive, patient-centered care to older adults.

Mostafa ElAwady, PharmD, BCPS, SIDP, a clinical pharmacist at Hamad Medical Corp., reflects on the impact of the initiative. We had never before considered how medications might affect what matters to the patient and their family, he says. Im proud that weve broadened our perspective. Now, were screening in a more patient-centered way and becoming more specialized.

ElAwady notes that patients and their families are responding positively to this shift. Were receiving a lot of positive feedback, he shares. Patients now better understand how their medications might cause delirium or affect their mobility. This understanding is crucial, as it encourages more interaction and engagement from patients, which is very important.

Brandt and ElAwady recently published Age-Friendly Health Systems 4Ms: Implementing Medication Management in Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar in the Journal of Gerontological Nursing. The article emphasizes that medication management is a cornerstone of the model, requiring interdisciplinary team input during screening and care to ensure the proper prescribing and use of medications for older adults.

Seeing the World

As part of UMB, the School of Pharmacy benefits from the Universitys focus on facilitating trips for students and faculty that help them explore how other countries address elder care and policies. These experiences offer valuable insights and opportunities to learn from global practices, enhancing the Universitys approach to age-friendly health systems.

One exciting journey takes students to Japan, one of the oldest societies in the world, where people routinely live to 100 years of age or more, thanks to a culture that prioritizes healthy living.

In UMBs Global Health Aging: Gerontology in Japan course, students from diverse disciplines dive into the cultural norms and social frameworks that influence aging, life transitions, and intergenerational connections in that country. The course culminates in a two-week trip to Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, where students tour housing complexes and hospitals, engage with officials from the Kanagawa government and representatives of the WHO Asia Pacific region, and visit research centers and academic institutions.

How are you going to keep yourself engaged? That is something that Japan has done really well. They have a place for everybody, it doesnt matter if youre 90 or 40 years old. So thats one of the things students learn  its not just about long-term care for older people, its also about how to create spaces for an older workforce, says Diane Martin, PhD, MSL, MA, director of UMBs Geriatrics and Gerontology Education and Research (GGEAR) Program and co-lead for UMBs Age-Friendly University efforts.

Through the Alicia and Yaya Initiative in Global Aging Research  a collaboration between UMB and the University of Costa Rica  Danya Mazen Qato, PhD, PharmD, MPH, associate professor of P-SHOR at the School of Pharmacy, participated in July 2023 in an eight-day faculty research delegation in Costa Rica, where she met centenarians and explored what contributes to living long and fulfilling lives. Her travels to Costa Rica  Qato also participated as a fellow in the January 2023 inaugural UMB/Costa Rica Faculty Development Institute  were driven by a desire to understand the unique health care challenges faced by a country with universal health care and how these challenges compare to those in the United States.

In Costa Rica, Qato met her first centenarian and talked about what has truly mattered in their lives. The resounding answer was family and community. When we think about and study health care, we often focus on what happens in the hospital or during a clinical visit, Qato explains. This experience reaffirmed how crucial the ecosystem outside the hospital, especially family and community relationships, is not just for longevity, but for quality of life. Every centenarian we spoke to emphasized the significance of their family and active community involvement in enhancing their mental, spiritual, and physical well-being.

As the Lamy Center prepares to launch its international online learning initiative, the focus remains on building a strong community. The goal is to foster connections among health care providers, encourage international collaboration, and create lasting partnerships. These connections are ultimately aimed at serving the global aging population, helping them thrive in ways that honor their immense value.

Mansour and Brandt echo this sentiment about passion. What drives us is a passion, not the job nor career  its a calling. Our commitment to serving older adults brings about fulfillment, joy, and remarkable results in their lives and ours, Mansour says.
FreightCenter will continue to operate independently under its own banner. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

BlueGrace Logistics announced it has acquired 3PL peer FreightCenter for an undisclosed sum.

Palm Harbor, Florida-based broker FreightCenter was founded 26 years ago. The non-asset-based transportation provider primarily focuses on less-than-truckload but also connects shippers with a full lineup of truckload, air and ocean freight shipping options.

Weve known and respected the team at FreightCenter for over a decade  . This acquisition is the perfect opportunity to enhance the logistics experience for thousands of customers, said BlueGrace CEO and founder Bobby Harris in a news release. By integrating our advanced technology, deep industry expertise, and extensive carrier network, we are committed to delivering solutions that meet their unique shipping needs.

FreightCenter will continue to operate independently under its own banner. Its clients will have access to all of BlueGraces logistics services, including managed logistics, the BlueShip TMS and EVOS, a load optimization platform it acquired in March 2024.

BlueGraces advanced technology and comprehensive service offerings perfectly complement FreightCenters commitment to simplifying freight for our customers, said FreightCenter CEO Matt Brosious.

Tampa, Florida-based BlueGrace has 10,000 customers and 250,000 carriers on its BlueShip platform.

BlueGrace is a portfolio company of private equity firm Warburg Pincus.

More FreightWaves articles by Todd Maiden:

The post BlueGrace acquires fellow Florida 3PL FreightCenter appeared first on FreightWaves.
Commercial Metals Delivers Mixed Q1 Results As Economic Uncertainty Weighs On Steel Demand: Details

Commercial Metals Company (NYSE:CMC) reported first-quarter net sales of $1.91 billion, beating the consensus of $1.873 billion.

Core EBITDA decreased to $210.7 million from $313.7 million in the prior year quarter, with a core EBITDA margin of 11.0%, down from 15.7%. Adjusted EPS was $0.78, missing the consensus of $0.81.

The company reported strong North American demand, fueled by late-season construction as projects recovered from earlier weather delays.

Finished steel shipments rose 4.4% year-over-year, with a healthy project pipeline indicated by steady downstream backlog and bidding activity.

Merchant product shipments also grew, supported by enhanced service to West Coast customers from the Arizona 2 micro mill.

Adjusted EBITDA for CMCs North America Steel Group fell to $188.2 million in the first quarter of FY25 from $266.8 million a year earlier, due to lower margins on steel and downstream products.

The adjusted EBITDA margin for the North America Steel Group dropped to 12.4%, compared to 16.8% in the prior year period.

The company stated that European market conditions in the quarter were similar to recent periods, with long-steel consumption significantly below historical levels.

The Europe Steel Group reported adjusted EBITDA of $25.8 million, including a $44.1 million annual CO2 credit from a government program through 2030.

As of November-end, cash and cash equivalents totaled $856.1 million, with available liquidity of nearly $1.7 billion. Net cash flows from operating activities totaled $213.0 million, compared to $261.06 million a year ago.

During the quarter, CMC repurchased 919,481 shares of common stock valued at $50.4 million; $353.4 million remained available under the current share repurchase authorization.

On January 2, 2025, the board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.18 per share, payable on January 30, to stockholders of record on January 16, 2025.

Peter Matt, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, Financial results continued to be hindered by economic uncertainty that has weighed on new construction activity, pressuring steel pricing and margins. We remain confident that this weaker demand environment will be temporary as we expect the underlying drivers across infrastructure, non-residential and residential end markets will provide multiyear support for our business.

Our downstream bid levels and several key external indicators continue to evidence a robust pipeline of potential future projects that should translate into construction activity in the coming quarters.
A study by the Oregon State University revealed that loneliness is the main reason behind insomnia in college students rather than screen time. While people usually blame their devices for sleep problems, researchers found a much stronger link between feelings of isolation and sleep problems.

Lead researcher John Richmond Sy stated that loneliness itself was a consistent predictor of insomnia, even when screen time was accounted for.

According to OPB, this is over students in the college set-up particularly being at risk for experiencing loneliness due to life stage and academic pressures. Such feelings are more likely to result in rumination and stress, which bring about more difficulty to both entering and remaining asleep.

Other research previously conducted showed that sleep deprivation affects students' health, academic performance, and even safety that car accidents have even become a risk associated with sleep-deprived students, making the explanation of insomnia in this group more critical.

The surveys were taken from more than 1,000 Oregon State University and Chaminade University of Honolulu students regarding sleep habits, loneliness levels, and usage of screens during bedtime. Around 35% of the students reported high levels of loneliness and 63% of them suffered from insomnia symptoms, almost double the rate of those who reported feeling less lonely.

Does Screen Time Affect College Students?

Surprisingly, screen time affected insomnia less, but among students with low levels of loneliness, excessive use of devices had the effect after reaching 8-10 hours a day. It is clear from the study that screen time can still be the factor that defines sleep health for college students but calls for urgent intervention on loneliness for college students.

HE Professionals reported that colleges can help students sleep better and, therefore, enhance their well-being by creating relationships and eliminating social isolation. The study suggests mental health programs and activities that make the campus feel like home.
A tragic death of a Nashville student has led the victim's family to sue the city, and the college involved over negligence.

In May 2023, 18-year-old Belmont University student, Jillian Ludwig was shot by a stray bullet as as she jogged in a Nashville park, Tennessee. The family claimed the tragedy could have been avoided had the city and Belmont University, among others, exercised their respective functions better. The accused person, Shaquille Taylor, is identified together with government and medical persons who have evaluated him in the past as a repeat offender and violent.

Negligence Allegations

According to Fox News, Jillian's parents argue that the defendants failed to protect public safety and properly address Taylor's violent behavior.

Taylor, who had previously been ruled incompetent to stand trial on previous charges, was not incarcerated or in a mental health facility and was able to obtain weapons. The lawsuit also claims Belmont University failed to warn students of hazards in the park where Jillian was jogging. Additionally, the case presents the alleged failure of the Nashville Metro Development and Housing Agency to prevent illegal firearm use on its property, which caused the shooting.

Jillian's Law, enacted in 2023, requires persons found incompetent to stand trial to be placed in mental health facilities and included in a background check system to bar firearm purchases. Jillian's family is also calling for accountability, saying that the current system protects criminals rather than innocent victims. Nashville Mayor and Belmont University have issued condolences and support but have declined to comment on the lawsuit.

Jillian's parents hope their actions will prevent similar tragedies in the future, advocating for stronger protections for victims.
A nonprofit institution based in Michigan, was fined $2.5 million by the US Department of Education for misleading students regarding their career outcomes.

The institution, Baker College, was found to have offered wrong and exaggerated information to the students when deciding on enrollment. This penalty is a result of a joint investigation conducted by ProPublica and the Detroit Free Press in 2022 on the low graduation rates and high student debt burden at the college.

Detroit Free Press shared that the investigation revealed numerous cases of false advertising. For decades, Baker boasted of a near-100% career outcomes rate, but the figures were based on selective and self-reported data. In some cases, the college listed employers who had hired its graduates without indicating that many of these jobs were secured before the students ever enrolled. Misleading salary and employment figures further misrepresented the actual value of Baker's programs to prospective students.

Baker College's Settlement Over Misinformation

In its settlement, Baker College agreed never to make misrepresentations of this kind again. The school will also provide the government with its marketing materials for review in the next three years. In any case, the settlement doesn't include the college's admission of wrongdoing.

According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, President Jacqui Spice explained that the problem was that its materials lacked the proper background or explanation, not false statements.

While some former students view the fine as a step toward accountability, many feel it is insufficient. They argue that the fine does little to address the financial burdens faced by students who relied on the college's claims. Some students have called for stricter penalties, including potential loss of accreditation. Others remain skeptical that the changes will prevent future misrepresentations.

Baker College's problems go beyond this settlement. Over the last ten years, enrollment went from 45,000 to approximately 4,000 students, taking down its annual revenue as well. Although the college has an endowment of $362 million, it is now experiencing financial stress as it transitions to a more upscale target market.
Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal chaired the 25th Board of Governors' meeting of the National School of Public Policy (NSPP) here on Wednesday

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Jan, 2025) Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal chaired the 25th Board of Governors' meeting of the National school of Public Policy (NSPP) here on Wednesday.

The meeting was attended by representatives from the Finance Division, Establishment Division, the Rector of NSPP and other board members who participated via video link, a news release said.

During the meeting, the minister emphasized the importance of hiring the best faculty at public sector training institutes like Pakistan Administrative Staff College (PASC), National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) and Civil Service academy (CSA). "Training institutes are formative phases of a civil servants' career and shape the future trajectory of their service hence equipping these institutes with competent trainers and staff will ensure effective performative results," he added.

Ahsan Iqbal stressed the need for a citizen-centric approach, adding that a well-trained faculty, proficient in modern case study based learning methods was crucial to revive the gaps in training and real world challenges.

The minister further highlighted the importance of adding latest AI based modules to the IT related training curriculum to enhance students' skills.

He said the current training programs only taught usage of microsoft applications but the global curriculum of IT courses in training institutes was now inculcating education on Artificial Intelligence.

He directed the Finance Division to make general guidelines for investment of endowment funds.

Rector NSPP briefed the minister that during the 24th board meeting, the board had decided that Finance Division may accord approval of seed money as well as draft regulations for establishment of endowment fund.

Earlier, the board had also approved proposal of NSPP to operate endowment fund through receipt of donations from other national and international donor organizations.

The minister gave directions to Finance Division to remove all hurdles in the process of endowment fund at the earliest.

Highlighting the significance of endowment funds, the minister stated, "Every university that has an endowment fund to support its various academic and operational initiatives through the fund. The Primary goal is to ensure the institution's long-term financial stability."

The NSPP Rector during the briefing told the minister that Journal of Public Administration had been given official recognition by HEC.

He stated, "Journal of Pakistan Administration promotes research on significant social, economic and governance issues and the ways public policies are made and implemented. Its articles deal with topics of concern to public policy scholars and practitioners nationwide and beyond."

He also said that all its previous 10 editions were available online for public reading.

Ahsan Iqbal instructed Secretary Establishment to seek early approval of change of nomenclature from NSPP to NUPA (National University of Public Administration) from Law Ministry.

Other areas under discussion during the board meeting included construction of New Office Block, Alumni Hall and Sadequain Gallery. The Sadequain gallery, which was opened in PASC campus in 2023, displays 31 rare paintings of Sadequain worth 5 million Dollars. Suggestion for hiring a curator for the gallery was discussed among the board members.

The minister was also briefed that three coffee table books were under the process of production: Sadequain Gallery: An Ode to the Artist; which explores Sadequain's connection to the institution;

National Management Course at Pakistan Administrative Staff College: A Journey Together; which highlights the journey of National Management Course; and Pakistan Administrative Staff College, Rise of Premiere Civil Service Training Institution (1960-2025); which highlights the establishment history of PASC.
SHARJAH, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 09th Jan, 2025) The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), in collaboration with the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department (SRERD), announced that the Sharjah Real Estate Exhibition  ACRES is set to mark its largest edition this year.

Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, this years edition will feature a remarkable record-breaking participation of more than 110 exhibitors, representing major real estate development and investment companies and top-tier property developers from across the UAE and the region, alongside first-time participants. The exhibition will take place from January 22 to 25, 2025 at Expo Centre Sharjah.

The announcement was made during a press conference held today, Wednesday, at the Sharjah Chambers headquarters. The conference was attended by Mohammad Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI; Abdulaziz Rashid Al Saleh, Director of SRERD; and Saeed Ghanem Al Suwaidi, Chairman of the Representative Committee of the Real Estate Sector business Group at SCCI and Chairman of the Organising Committee of ACRES.

Also present were Salem Ali Al Ghaithi, Director of Sharjah Broadcasting Authority (SBA); Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Business Sector at SCCI; Nawaf Obeid, CEO of Sharjah Real Estate Exhibition "ACRES; and Sultan Shataf, the Commercial Director at Expo Centre Sharjah.

The gathering also saw the participation of several officials and representatives from public and private entities, as well as media entities and institutions sponsoring the exhibition.

Organised by both SCCI and SRERD, spanning over an area of 10,000 square meters, ACRES 2025 marks the debut of several innovative and distinctive real estate projects premiering for the first time within the UAE and beyond.

The exhibition will showcase a variety of the latest projects and investment opportunities in the real estate sector, including residential, commercial, and industrial properties, land parcels, and hotel and hospitality development projects- either completed or under construction.

This years Sharjah Real Estate Exhibition will witness intense competition among property developers and investors in presenting exclusive discounts and special deals on their latest offerings and other exhibits on display.

In his keynote speech, Mohammad Ahmed Amin Al Awadi said that ACRES this year marks its largest edition since its inception, featuring over 110 exhibitors, with significant local, regional, and international participation from leading real estate development and investment companies.

This impressive exhibitor turnout highlights ACRES distinguished reputation as a strategic hub for the global real estate community. The exhibition serves as a vital platform for supporting property development, fostering the exchange of expertise and experience, and providing participants with an opportunity to showcase their latest and most prominent projects, whether within or outside the UAE.

Al Awadi added, The exhibitions success underscores the efforts made by the Sharjah Chamber, in collaboration with its strategic partners, to enhance the exhibition's role in driving the ongoing growth of the real estate sector, highlighting the emirates status as a premier regional destination for real estate investment. The sustainable growth in Sharjahs real estate market is evident, with a 35.6% increase in transaction volume during the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, with a total value of AED 18.2 billion.

Al Awadi noted that the 2025 edition of ACRES promises to deliver significant positive outcomes, especially given several indicators of success. Foremost among these is the Sharjah Executive Council (SEC)s decision, led by H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of SEC, to reduce sales and purchase transaction fees for real estate deals made during the exhibition.

Another key indicator is the ongoing success of the exhibition, with the 2024 edition recording real estate transactions worth AED 1.4 billion, reflecting a remarkable growth rate of 202.4% compared to the previous year.

For his part, Abdulaziz Rashid Al Saleh, Director of the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department (SRERD), said that the Departments engagement in ACRES 2025 reflects its commitment to supporting the real estate sector in the emirate and enhancing its position as a key destination for sustainable real estate investment.

The real estate market in Sharjah saw substantial growth in 2024, with data indicating a notable rise in transaction values and attracting investors from over 114 nationalities. This reflects the strength and resilience of Sharjah's real estate market and the high level of confidence investors place in this sector.

SRERD continues its efforts to ensure the continuation of these achievements, further solidifying Sharjah's position as a premier real estate hub in the region and globally, underpinned by a strategy that supports the ongoing success of the ACRES Exhibition, he added.

Al Saleh revealed that previous edition of the exhibition witnessed a significant increase in the number of registered transactions, with the value of real estate deals recorded by SRERD during the exhibition exceeding 1.4 billion Dirhams. This reflects the substantial benefits gained by all participants, prompting the Organising Committee to expand the exhibition space this year to meet the rising demand from real estate companies eager to participate.

In his remarks at the press conference, Saeed Ghanem Al Suwaidi stated that the real estate sector in Sharjah enjoys significant support, exemplified by the Sharjah Executive Councils strategic decision to lower registration fees on sales and purchase transactions conducted during the exhibition this year.

He pointed out that this year's edition of ACRES Exhibition is deemed as the largest and most prominent, with notable participation from major real estate development and investment companies, not to mention the return of the Egyptian real estate pavilion introducing a variety of property projects. This creates an ideal opportunity for investors and developers to connect, finalise deals, and showcase their latest offerings.

Al Suwaidi stressed that the exhibition serves not only as a platform for presenting real estate projects but also as a platform for networking and knowledge exchange, with a robust programme of academic events, including panel discussions, workshops, training sessions, and seminars led by top real estate specialists and experts.

In his statement at the press conference, Issa Ataya, CEO of Alef Group, said: Our annual participation in this remarkable real estate event reflects our commitment at Alef Group to support the real estate sector in the Emirate of Sharjah and to strengthen its position as a leading investment destination in the region.

At Alef Group, we are proud to be the Platinum Sponsor of ACRES 2025.

Through our participation in this years edition, we aim to spotlight our pioneering projects: (Hayyan), (Al Mamsha), and (Olfah), he added.

Jamal Al Shawish, Head of Sales and Marketing at IFA Hotels and Resorts, expressed the company's commitment to ensuring the success of its first participation as a gold sponsor at ACRES 2025.

He noted that this participation represents an important milestone in the thriving real estate market in Sharjah, as the company plans to unveil its first real estate projects in the emirate during the exhibition. This move is grounded in the companys confidence in the appeal of Sharjah's real estate and investment market as well as its prominent position as a promising economic destination.

Al Shawish also lauded the SECs decision to reduce the sale and purchase fees for transactions that will be executed at ACRES 2025, affirming that it will play a pivotal role in encouraging more companies to invest in Sharjah.

Meanwhile, Engineer Raymond Khouzami, CEO of Al Thuriah Group, the Silver Sponsor of ACRES 2025, extended his grateful thanks and appreciation to the organisers of the ACRES Exhibition and the officials in the Emirate of Sharjah for their efforts in enhancing the significant growth witnessed by the real estate sector.

He elucidated that Al Thuriah Group, as one of the sponsors of this years edition and constant participants in the ACRES Exhibition, is planning to unveil its latest real estate projects, including the launch of units from its two newest projects, during the "ACRES 25" exhibition. These units will be offered for sale for freehold ownership to all nationalities in accordance with the laws and laws and regulations set forth in the Emirate of Sharjah.

For his part, Nawaf Obeid, CEO of Sharjah Real Estate Exhibition "ACRES affirmed that this years edition marks a significant leap in innovation, with participants showcasing a wide range of their latest real estate projects, distinguished by their innovation and sustainability.

Through this annual event, we aim to define the future of the real estate sector in the region and promote investment in sustainable and smart projects, ensuring that ACRES remains a key platform for investors and industry professionals. This success is driven by the strategic partnerships forged with both public and private entities, he said.

Salem Ali Al Ghaithi, Director of Sharjah Broadcasting Authority (SBA), highlighted the strategic importance of ACRES Exhibition as an exceptional opportunity for real estate developers and enthusiasts to present innovative projects that reinforce Sharjahs status as a premier hub for real estate development.

He expressed the Authority's pride in serving as the media sponsor for ACRES 2025 and affirmed confidence that the upcoming edition would achieve its objectives, emphasising that joint efforts will shape a bright future for real estate investment in Sharjah.

In his remarks, Engineer Hamidi Al Ketbi, Director of Building Permits Department at the Sharjah Directorate of Town Planning and Survey (SDTPS), emphasised the Directorates pivotal role in fostering a sustainable real estate sector in the emirate.

By sponsoring the ACRES Exhibition, SDTPS seeks to highlight promising investment opportunities and cultivate an environment conducive to attracting investors and real estate developers, contributing to the integration of urban development and real estate growth.

Al Ketbi further noted that ACRES stands as one of the key annual events contributing to the growth and advancement of Sharjah's real estate sector.

For his part, Ali Al Naqbi, Director of Information Technology at the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD), emphasised the Department's commitment to sponsoring the ACRES Exhibition as part of its ongoing efforts to attract investors through active participation in various economic events.

This exhibition is considered one of the best platforms for meeting investors, businesspeople, companies, and those working in the real estate sector, contributing to achieving sustainable economic development in Sharjah. SEDDs sponsorship of the exhibition is part of its strategic plans, which focus on developing and highlighting economic sectors and supporting them by all means, Al Naqbi said.

Mohammed Mousa, CEO of Innovation Experts Real Estate Institute, described ACRES as a prominent event that reflects vitality and prosperity of the real estate sector in Sharjah and the UAE.

As the academic partner of the ACRES Exhibition, Innovation Experts Real Estate Institute is proud to contribute to this important event. Our partnership reflects our firm belief in the value of collaboration between the academic and private sectors to enhance knowledge and develop skills within the real estate field, he said in his remarks.

He added that the exhibition is a vital platform for exchanging experiences and knowledge and showcasing the latest developments in the real estate sector.

Saati Nasrallah, Training Director at ThinkProp Institute, the Academic Sponsor of ACRES 2025, emphasised that the Institutes participation in the event is part of its ongoing efforts to develop Sharjahs real estate market.

Our goal is to underscore the critical role of education and training in cultivating future-oriented skills. ACRES 2025 is a great platform to connect with industry pioneers, share knowledge and expertise, and present cutting-edge innovations and solutions that drive sustainability and progress in the real estate market, he remarked.

This years ACRES exhibition brings a wealth of innovative activities, including expert-led panel discussions, workshops, and training sessions available in both Arabic and English languages.

These sessions will present the latest legal frameworks, regulations, and practical guidelines for property developers and prospect buyers, highlighting best practices in real estate investment. The programme also addresses key topics for professionals and investors, offering a forward-looking perspective on market trends and developments shaping the real estate industry in the UAE and the region.

The new edition of ACRES will see the return of the Egyptian Real Estate Pavilion, featuring extensive participation from leading Egyptian real estate development and investment companies.

These companies will present a diverse portfolio of real estate projects at ACRES 2025, encompassing residential, commercial, administrative, and coastal units spread across prime locations in Egypt, including New Administrative Capital, New Cairo, Sheikh Zayed, October City, Ain Sokhna, North Coast, and Ras El Hekma.

Participating Egyptian real estate developers and investors will vie to attract visitors with exclusive discounts and special deals on their latest property projects. The exhibition is anticipated to witness strong engagement from the Egyptian expatriate community in the UAE, alongside investors and clients interested in property ownership and real estate investments in Egypt.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Jan, 2025) Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa on Wednesday stressed the need for stringent measures to regulate private housing societies in Islamabad.

The meeting, attended by senior officials from the Planning Wing, including Member Planning and Member Estate, focused on restructuring the Housing Societies Directorate and addressing violations by private developers.

The Chairman was briefed on the ongoing reforms and actions being taken against non-compliance by housing societies.

Officials reported that notices have already been issued to societies violating approved layout plans.

To enhance monitoring, Chairman Randhawa directed that surveys of all private housing societies be expedited.

He emphasized the use of satellite imagery and Google-based tools to oversee development activities and identify irregularities.

He also called for strict enforcement against societies failing to comply with approved layouts and reiterated the importance of transferring amenity plots to the CDA.

Stressing the welfare of residents, Randhawa urged societies to ensure the provision of basic amenities such as water, electricity, and sanitation.

In an effort to protect the public from fraud, the Chairman instructed that the list of illegal housing societies be made publicly available on the CDA website.

He also proposed launching awareness campaigns in the media to educate potential buyers about the risks associated with unapproved projects.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Jan, 2025) Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Syed Ali Raza on Wednesday assured swift legal action against the accused who allegedly issued threatened Managing Director Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), during a Khuli Kachehri (open court) session held in Saddar, City, and Rural zones to address public grievances.

A public relations officer told APP that the sessions were attended by the Chief Traffic Officer (CTO), Superintendents of Police (SPs), Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), and Station House Officers (SHOs).

He said citizens have actively participated, presenting their grievances, which were addressed on the spot with immediate directives issued for their resolution.

During the session, APP's Director Crime and Courts, Rashid Malik, expressed concerns about the delay in legal action against an individual who had threatened MD APP, Muhammad Asim Khichi, a Grade-20 senior Information Officer.

Rashid emphasized that despite a month passing since the incident, no legal action had been initiated. Director Crime also questioned the safety of ordinary citizens if a senior civil service officer like MD APP is not secure in the capital city.

Responding to the journalists concerns, DIG Syed Ali Raza assured swift action and immediately directed the registration of a case within two hours. Delays in justice will not be tolerated, and immediate steps will be taken to address such serious concerns, he stated firmly.

Participants praised DIG Raza for organizing the Khuli Kachehri, acknowledging it as a step towards ensuring accountability and strengthening trust between the police and the public.

DIG Raza also encouraged citizens to report issues within police stations without fear, reiterating the departments commitment to strict action against malpractice. Police officers must work with honesty and dedication; only then will they remain part of the department, he remarked.

DIG further stressed that police offices remain open 24/7 for citizens, assuring that there is no room in the department for corrupt officers or those obstructing public service delivery. Citizens now look forward to seeing whether these commitments materialize into effective action.
PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Jan, 2025) Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur, on Wednesday expressed heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the families of three martyred security personnel in Mohmand and Karak operations.

In a statement issued here, the CM prayed for the elevation of the martyrs' ranks and patience for the bereaved families.

"We share the grief of the mourning families equally," said Ali Amin Gandapur.

The CM saluted the sacrifices of the security forces who laid down their lives for the country and the nation.

He added that the security forces have made unparalleled sacrifices for peace in the country and emphasized that the entire nation stands united with them in the fight against terrorism.

APP/adi
Canada Investing - Canadian Flag and Stocks

The iShares MSCI Canada ETF (EWC) rose 0.6% Monday as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced at a press conference his resignation after nearly a decade in office, citing the need for new leadership amid political challenges.

Trudeau, who is in his third term as prime minister, said while answering questions after the speech in Ottawa it was time for a "fresh start in parliament" in order for the country to navigate "complex" times domestically and internationally.

He added the transition will consist of two partsthe pausing of parliament until late March and his ultimate resignation which, Trudeau believes, will "decrease the level of polarization" in politics.

Trudeaus challenges to remain in power escalated in December when his long-time ally Chrystia Freeland suddenly resigned as Canadas finance minister and deputy prime minister. Freeland and former central banker Mark Carney are among the potential successors considered.

Why Canada ETFs Have Lagged SPY, U.S. Equity

Comparing the largest Canada ETFs like EWC and the JPMorgan BetaBuilders Canada ETF (BBCA) to the largest U.S. equity ETF, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), the performance of U.S. stocks (13% annualized) is more than double that of Canadian stocks (5.8%) for the past decade.

Canadian stocks have historically lagged U.S. stocks due to several structural and economic factors:

Sector Concentration

The Canadian stock market is heavily weighted toward natural resources, such as energy and mining, and financials, which can limit growth potential compared to the more diverse and innovation-driven U.S. market. The U.S. market benefits significantly from technology, healthcare, and consumer discretionary sectors, which have been among the highest-performing industries in recent decades.

Innovation and Growth

The U.S. market is home to many of the worlds largest and most innovative companies, particularly in the technology sector (e.g., Apple Inc., Microsoft Corp., and Amazon.com Inc.). Canada lacks a similar breadth of large-cap, high-growth companies, which has constrained overall market returns.

Smaller Market Size

The Canadian market is smaller and less liquid than the U.S. market, which can make it less attractive to global investors. Additionally, the smaller pool of domestic companies reduces diversification opportunities.

Currency Effects

The Canadian dollars relative weakness against the U.S. dollar over extended periods has further contributed to the underperformance of Canadian stocks for international investors.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

MULTAN, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Jan, 2025) A team of Multan Development Authority (MDA) Enforcement Directorate Wednesday removed encroachment from different parts of the city as well as some makeshift huts from New Shah Shams Colony, with warning to people living there to vacate the plots within two days.

An MDA spokesman said that the enforcement team, continued operations against elements involved in encroaching state owned land causing public nuisance. The team cleared road from Chungi No 9 to Eidgah, Bosan road till Tahsil Chowk where encroachments were also removed from the service roads.

Acting on a complaint received on Pakistan Citizen Portal, the official team took some illegal mini petrol pumps and their units in possession at Ansari Chowk in Shah Rukn-e-Alam colony. On another complaint, the team removed many makeshift huts at empty plots in New Shah Shams colony and gave two days to the people living there to vacate the area.

Meanwhile, as per orders of DG MDA, staff deployed at a camp site at Double Phatak, a point notorious for encroachment, was continuously inspecting the area to prevent chances of re-emergence of encroachers there, the spokesman said.
Moscow, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Jan, 2025) The breakaway Moldovan region of Transnistria will run out of gas used for limited cooking and heating in less than a month, authorities warned Wednesday, as a shutdown in Russian supplies plunges the separatist state into crisis.

The tiny self-proclaimed republic bordering Ukraine has been unable to provide heating and hot water to residents since January 1, when Moscow cut off gas supplies to Transnistria, saying the Moldovan government was not paying its bills.

"The country is not only in a state of energy crisis, but also a humanitarian one," the region's deputy prime minister, Sergei Obolonik, was quoted as saying in a statement on a government website.

"The 13 million cubic metres of gas in reserve make it possible to supply a number of social facilities and other vital infrastructure, as well as residential multi-storey buildings for cooking... The resource will be enough for another 24 days from today," the statement said.

With temperatures hitting freezing, people have been forced to burn wood or rely on plug-in electric heaters.

The resulting surge in electricity demand has heaped pressure onto the Soviet-era energy grid, prompting authorities to order blackouts to conserve power.

Transnistria's largest power station switched to burning coal on January 1 but only has enough reserves for 50-52 days of electricity, according to authorities.

Operating the plant at its maximum capacity with coal is "extremely risky" due to its ageing equipment, the statement added.

"They tested the generation of 170 megawatts per hour.

But constantly working in this mode is fraught with emergency situations, a complete shutdown of the station and a collapse of the energy system," it said.

Some of the few factories still open may be forced to operate at night to avoid overloading the grid, officials said.

- 'Manipulation' -

Authorities have made free firewood available while telling residents to dress warmly, gather into a single room and seal windows with blankets.

Russia's Gazprom halted gas to Transnistria over what it said were longstanding debts with Chisinau, the same day a major gas transit agreement between Moscow and Kyiv to pipe gas across Ukraine came to an end.

Moscow says Moldova and Ukraine are at fault, alleging that Chisinau has ignored its debts and that Kyiv "cynically" ended gas transit and fuelled the crisis.

Moldova, which had been getting most of its electricity via Transnistria but is now importing power from Romania, says Russia is blowing its debts out of proportion for political reasons.

Chisinau also has the support of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who on Wednesday said Moscow was "stirring up social tensions" and "manipulating with energy resources."

He said Ukraine was ready to supply coal to Moldova, without specifying if he meant for the breakaway republic of Transnistria or the rest of the country.

Internationally recognised as part of Moldova, Transnistria declared independence at the end of the USSR and has since relied on Moscow's support.

bur/js

Gazprom
New Delhi, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Jan, 2025) In a quiet village tucked in the shadow of India's capital, the late US president Jimmy Carter's name is etched for posterity.

Carterpuri, or the "village of Carter" was abruptly renamed from Daulatpur Nasirabad after an hour-long visit by the Nobel laureate in 1978.

The renaming was suggested by India's then-prime minister Morarji Desai who accompanied Carter on the visit to the small hamlet, some 30 kilometres (20 miles) from New Delhi.

"When the proposal was mooted, all the village elders immediately said yes," recalled 71-year-old resident Attar Singh, who vividly remembers the January afternoon from nearly half a century ago.

One of the last surviving members from the generation old enough to remember the occasion, Singh said he was "distressed" by Carter's death last month, and played a key role in staging a small tribute ceremony.

A picture of the former president was quickly downloaded from the internet, framed, garlanded and placed at a local war memorial where a group of village elders made offerings of salty porridge and a newly stitched traditional turban.

Singh said the porridge and the turban, along with a condolence message, were then shipped to the US Embassy.

"The entire village grieved because we considered him as one of our own," said Rajiv Kumar, a younger resident who was a toddler when Carter visited.

The body of Carter, who died at the age of 100 last month, is currently lying in state in Washington and will be buried Thursday in his home state of Georgia.

- 'Such a big man' -

Carter's visit to the village, then home to less than 500 people, was not by chance.

He was driven by a deeply personal mission: his mother Lillian had worked in the village as a Peace Corps volunteer in the late 1960s.

The dilapidated mansion where Lillian stayed during her time there no longer exists. It was torn down around 15 years ago to make way for a concrete two-storey structure with a line of tiny shops on its ground floor.

Little else from that era survives in Carterpuri, which now has a population of roughly 5,000.

The village council office where Carter and his wife Eleanor Rosalynn Carter were feted while bedecked in traditional headgear, is now a community health centre.

Nonetheless, Carter's visit remains firmly imprinted in the memory of Carterpuri's old-timers.

"I was a little boy then but I remember everything," said 62-year-old Motiram, who goes by one name.

His recollections include Carter smoking tobacco from a hookah and waving at the eager children who looked from the rooftops as he took a tour of the village.

But Motiram's nostalgia is tinted with disillusionment.

"Despite such a lofty name, our village has seen no progress in all these years," he said.

"If they named our village after such a big man, there should have been some work done to justify it."
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Caracas, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Jan, 2025) Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro claimed Wednesday that two senior US officials were among seven foreign "mercenaries" arrested days before his swearing-in for a third term widely viewed as illegitimate.

The two Americans in the group arrested Tuesday and accused of plotting unspecified "terrorist" acts were a "senior FBI official" and a "senior military official," Maduro said at an event broadcast on state tv.

The arrests added to another 125 foreigners from 25 nationalities Maduro said were being held over "a foreign mercenary aggression financed by the outgoing US government."

The president did not reveal any more about the identities of the Americans he said had been arrested alongside two Colombian "hitmen" and three Ukrainians.

Tuesday's announcement of the arrests came hours after President Joe Biden hosted exiled Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia in Washington.

During the meeting, Biden backed a "peaceful transfer back to democratic rule" in Venezuela and warned against further repression inside the country.

The United States and several of Venezuela's democratic neighbors believe Gonzalez Urrutia won the July presidential election and that official results were falsified.

Maduro, who first came to power in 2013 after the death of his socialist mentor Hugo Chavez, is due to be sworn in on Friday for a third six-year term.

He has over the years made frequent wild claims of US-led plots to depose him.

On Monday, the government in Caracas announced that another 125 foreigners were being held for anti-government actions.

jt/mlr/des
(@FahadShabbir)

United Nations, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Jan, 2025) The UN envoy to Syria warned the country's Islamist-led caretaker regime Wednesday against making mistakes that would imperil the political transition underway after decades of dictatorship under fallen strongman Bashar al-Assad.

The envoy also said Israeli attacks on Syria after last month's ouster of Assad endanger Syria's territorial integrity.

"Decisions taken now will determine the future for a long time to come. There are great opportunities and real dangers," envoy Geir Pedersen said during a Security Council meeting.

He said Syria and the international community need to "get the next phase right."

Rebel forces led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, listed in the West as a terrorist group, toppled Assad on December 8 in the culmination of a lightning offensive after years of stalemate in more than a decade of civil war.

As he seeks to unify the shattered country, Syria's new de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has vowed to dissolve armed groups, including his HTS.

He also said it could take up to four years to hold elections and that he wants to convene a national dialogue conference to map out the transition.

And to prepare for this dialogue, the new leader wants to set up a committee that reflects the varied sectors of Syrian society.

Pedersen welcomed word of this preparatory committee and said the process must not be rushed.

He said there are "tremendous opportunities for building a foundation for lasting peace and stability in Syria. But missteps or missed opportunities could pose risks to Syria's future and plant seeds of instability."

He also expressed concern over Israeli military action in the Golan Heights and beyond.

"Attacks on Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity must stop," Pedersen said, citing reports that Israeli forces are attacking civilians and destroying civilian infrastructure.

"Such violations, along with Israeli airstrikes in other parts of Syria, reported even just last week in Aleppo, could further jeopardize the prospects for an orderly political transition," the envoy said.

Meanwhile, the UN head of humanitarian issues, Tom Fletcher, said nearly 13 million people in Syria suffer from acute food insecurity.

And as winter sets in, more than 620,000 of the million-plus people who fled their homes as the rebels advanced late last year remain displaced, Fletcher said.

This is in addition to seven million who were already displaced because of the civil war in Syria, the official said.

abd/dw/nro
(@FahadShabbir)

Caracas, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Jan, 2025) Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Tuesday announced the arrest of seven foreigners -- including two Americans -- whom he accused of being "mercenaries" trying to prevent him from being sworn-in for another six years in power.

Maduro said the Americans, two Colombian "hitmen" and three "mercenaries" from the war in Ukraine were involved in plotting unspecified "terrorist acts" ahead of his planned inauguration Friday.

"I am sure that in the next few hours they will confess," Maduro said in a broadcast on state television, before declaring a mass deployment of police and military across the country.

The announcement of Americans being detained came just hours after President Joe Biden welcomed exiled Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia in the United States.

During the meeting, Biden backed a "peaceful transfer back to democratic rule" in Venezuela and warned against further repression inside the country.

The United States and several of Venezuela's democratic neighbours believe Gonzalez Urrutia won a July presidential election by a landslide and that official results were falsified.

The opposition has called for "millions" of Venezuelans to turn out in protest Thursday to prevent Maduro from retaining power and being officially sworn in.

They face an uphill battle. The 62-year-old Maduro and his political mentor Hugo Chavez, who died in 2013, have between them ruled Venezuela for the last quarter century.

Both have swatted aside waves of international and domestic pressure, retaining power through populist appeal, disputed elections and the might of the military, police and paramilitary gangs.

- 'Hooded men' -

Faced with a new challenge, Maduro has again turned to the security forces to dull international and domestic pressure.

His forces have detained several foreigners, including an Argentine policeman, rounded up local opponents and targeted family members of opposition leaders in hiding.

Gonzalez Urrutia said Tuesday his son-in-law Rafael Tudares was kidnapped from a Caracas street, spirited away in a gold-colored van.

The father of his grandkids was "intercepted by hooded men, dressed in black" during the morning school run.

Tudares remains "missing at this time," the 75-year-old diplomat-turned-opposition-politician said in a social media post.

Opposition figurehead Maria Corina Machado said Tuesday her family had also been targeted.

In a message from hiding inside Venezuela, she accused "agents of the regime" of surrounding her mother's house, flying drones overhead and cutting power to the neighborhood.

"My mom is 84 years old, she's sick with chronic health problems" she posted on X, "Maduro and company, there is no limit to your evil. Cowards."

She has called for supporters to turn out in "millions" on Thursday and said she would be there herself.

Meanwhile masses of security services have been deployed to the streets of Caracas, with Russian assault rifles handed out to pro-regime militia members parading at the presidential palace.

A pro-Maduro rally is also planned for Thursday.

It is unclear whether the opposition can convince Venezuelans, wearied by decades of economic crisis and fearful of government vengeance, to demonstrate in large numbers once again.

More than 20 people were killed in mass protests and rioting after the election, and nearly 200 were wounded.

Another 2,400 people were arrested in a sweeping crackdown on dissent, of whom around 1,500 have since been freed, according to authorities.

Carol Pedroso, professor of international relations at the Federal University of Sao Paulo in Brazil, told AFP the opposition was "unlikely" to oust Maduro in the short term unless it "has a trick up its sleeve."

Most experts agree that the role of the armed forces will be key. So far there has been little sign they will split with Maduro.

When Gonzalez Urrutia recently called for the armed forces to recognize him as their commander-in-chief it was summarily rebuffed.

Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino insisted the "loyalty, obedience and subordination" of the armed forces was for Maduro.

- 'The last straw' -

Meanwhile millions of Venezuelans have voted with their feet.

Under Maduro, the economy of the oil-rich and once-wealthy has imploded.

More than seven million Venezuelans -- almost a quarter of the population -- have sought a better life abroad.

Faced with the prospect of six more years of economic chaos, international sanctions and domestic repression, more are packing their bags.

Susej Ramos, a 30-year-old nurse, told AFP Maduro's reelection claim was "the last straw" for her.

She and her brother plan to leave later this year, hoping to reach the United States.
Caracas, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Jan, 2025) Opponents of Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday decried a worsening crackdown 48 hours before he is to be sworn in on the back of elections he is widely accused of having stolen.

An opposition presidential rival and a press freedom activist were among the latest to be detained, their teams said, amid reports of critics being rounded up and spirited away by hooded men.

Meanwhile Maduro, who frequently claims to be the target of US destabilization plots, said senior FBI and American military officials were among seven so-called "mercenaries" arrested on Tuesday.

Opposition parties reported on social media a wave of fresh arrests ahead of mass anti-Maduro protests called for Thursday -- the eve of Maduro's inauguration to a third six-year term rejected by much of the international community as illegitimate.

The Popular Democratic Front, a coalition of opposition parties, said Enrique Marquez -- who had run against Maduro in last year's July 28 elections -- was "arbitrarily detained" Tuesday.

Marquez supported the victory claim of the main opposition candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, whom the United States, European Union and many of Venezuela's democratic neighbors recognize as the legitimate president-elect.

Marquez's wife Sonia Lugo said Wednesday the regime was trying to "silence and intimidate those who want a better country."

For its part, the Espacio Publico press freedom NGO said it lost contact with its director Carlos Correa on Tuesday afternoon, when witnesses reported he was "intercepted in the center of Caracas by hooded men presumed to be officials" of the regime.

Authorities have not confirmed either arrest.

Exiled Gonzalez Urrutia reported Tuesday that his son-in-law had been "kidnapped," also by hooded men dressed in black.

And opposition figurehead Maria Corina Machado said agents had surrounded her 84-year-old mother's house.

Masses of security forces have been deployed on the capital's streets, and the country is on tenterhooks with pro-Maduro rallies called for Thursday to counter the opposition demonstrations.

Machado has said she would come out of hiding to participate.

- 'Terrorists' -

On Tuesday, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello warned prospective opposition protesters, who he called "fascists" and "terrorists," they would regret turning out "for the rest of your lives."

More than 2,400 people were arrested, 28 killed and about 200 injured in a crackdown on protests that broke out after Maduro claimed election victory.

The opposition says its own tally of polling station results show Gonzalez Urrutia had won by a wide margin.

But the loyalist CNE electoral council announced victory for Maduro within hours of polls closing. It did not provide a vote breakdown.

On a tour to drum up pressure on Maduro to relinquish power, Gonzalez Urrutia was hosted Wednesday by the president of Panama, where he was also to meet a group of former and current Latin American officials before heading to the Dominican Republic.

Previous stops took him to Argentina, Uruguay and Washington -- where he received resounding backing from President Joe Biden and met a senior member of Donald Trump's incoming administration.

The target of an arrest warrant and a $100,000 bounty in Venezuela, Gonzalez Urrutia has vowed to return home to take power without detailing his plan.

A group of nine Latin American ex-presidents who support Gonzalez Urrutia had planned to accompany Gonzalez Urrutia to Venezuela at the end of his foreign tour, but were declared persona non-grata Tuesday by the Venezuelan parliament.

- 'Tyrant' -

Colombia's President Gustavo Petro, historically a leftist ally of Maduro, on Wednesday criticized the reported detentions of Marquez and Correa and said he would not attend Maduro's swearing-in.

Panama's Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha, for his part, described Maduro as a "tyrant," as he accepted the unofficial July 28 voting tally from Gonzalez Urrutia.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was "deeply concerned" by the reported arrests and called for "the respect of international human rights rules and standards in Venezuela," his spokesperson said.

On Tuesday, Maduro activated an "integral defense" plan for the deployment of police and soldiers countrywide, as he alleged a plot to prevent him taking the oath.

The strongman said authorities had arrested seven "mercenaries" Tuesday with "terrorist" intentions.

Apart from the two Americans, they included two Colombian "hitmen" and three Ukrainians.

The arrests add to another 125 foreigners from 25 nationalities Maduro said are being held over "a foreign mercenary aggression financed by the outgoing US government."

Maduro came to power in 2013 following the death of his political mentor Hugo Chavez, and his re-election in 2018 was also widely rejected as fraudulent.

bur-mlr/des
Caracas, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Jan, 2025) Venezuela's Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who the opposition says won a July presidential election over incumbent Nicolas Maduro, said Tuesday his son-in-law was detained by "hooded men."

Writing on the social network X, Gonzalez Urrutia said his son-in-law Rafael Tudares was "intercepted by hooded men, dressed in black" while taking his children to school and driven away in a gold-colored van.

He gave no further details.

The incident came a day after US President Joe Biden hosted the exiled Gonzalez Urrutia for talks at the White House, infuriating Maduro's government, which has put a bounty on the 75-year-old's head.

It also comes amid tensions in the capital Caracas, three days before Maduro is due to be sworn in for a third term -- defying calls from the United States and other world powers for him to step aside in favor of Gonzalez Urrutia.

Maduro, a 62-year-old former bus driver who succeeded socialist firebrand Hugo Chavez on his death in 2013, claimed a third mandate in the July polls without providing detailed voting results.

The opposition published results from over 80 percent of polling stations, which it said showed Gonzalez Urrutia winning by a landslide.

Maduro was nonetheless proclaimed the victor, leading to rioting in which more than 20 people were killed and nearly 200 wounded.

Another 2,400 people were arrested in a sweeping crackdown on dissent, of whom around 1,500 have since been freed, according to authorities.

Gonzalez Urrutia fled to Spain in September after being threatened with arrest but has vowed to return to his country to be sworn in on Friday.

He has toured capitals in the Americas in recent days to try to isolate Maduro, whose reelection has been recognized by only a handful of countries, including longtime ally Russia.

- Waiting for Trump -

On Sunday, Gonzalez Urrutia called for the armed forces to recognize him as their commander-in-chief. The appeal was summarily rebuffed by the military, which pledged continued loyalty to Maduro.

The opposition has called for major demonstrations on Thursday, the eve of Maduro's swearing-in.

Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who backed Gonzalez Urrutia for president after being barred from running herself, urged supporters to turn out in "millions," and said she would be there herself.

But it is unclear whether Venezuelans, wearied by decades of economic crisis and fearful of government vengeance, can be persuaded to demonstrate in large numbers once again.

Years of protests and US sanctions imposed over previous elections tainted by fraud allegations have failed to dislodge Maduro.

A parallel government set up by the opposition in 2019 with the support of over 50 countries also failed to hasten an end to his rule.

Carol Pedroso, professor of international relations at the Federal University of Sao Paulo in Brazil, told AFP the chances of ousting Maduro were "unlikely" in the short term, "unless (the opposition) has a trick up its sleeve."

In the meantime the opposition is waiting to see what strategy US President-elect Donald Trump will adopt when he returns to the White House later this month.

During his first term, Trump had applied a policy of "maximum pressure" on Maduro's regime, including crippling sanctions on the oil sector, which were later partly rolled back by Biden.

- 'The last straw' -

Under Maduro, the economy of once-wealthy Venezuela has imploded, pushing more than seven million Venezuelans -- almost a quarter of the population -- to seek a better life abroad.

Faced with the prospect of six more years of economic chaos and repression, yet more are packing their bags.

Susej Ramos, a 30-year-old nurse, told AFP Maduro's reelection claim was "the last straw" for her.

She said she and her brother planned to emigrate to the United States under a humanitarian parole program open to Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans.
It was a week when oil prices rose while natural gas futures fell marginally.



The headlines revolved around hydrocarbon finds by Portugals Galp Energia GLPEY and U.K.s Harbour Energy HBRIY. Developments associated with BP plc BP, Cheniere Energy LNG and Repsol S.A. REPYY also grabbed attention.



Overall, it was a mixed seven-day period for the sector. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures increased around 4.7% to close at $73.96 per barrel, but natural gas prices moved down 0.9% to end at $3.3540 per million British thermal units (MMBtu).



The crude price rise resulted from optimism surrounding the Chinese stimulus plans to drive growth in the worlds largest oil importer.



Meanwhile, natural gas prices dipped slightly, influenced by updated forecasts predicting milder mid-January weather compared to the earlier expectations

Recap of the Weeks Most Important Stories

1. Galp Energia, a Portuguese integrated energy firm, recently announced a discovery of oil and gas in Namibia's Orange Basin under its Petroleum Exploration License 83, which was successfully spudded in December 2024. The Mopane-2A well, part of an ongoing exploration and appraisal (E&A) campaign, discovered a hydrocarbon column of gas-condensate in the AVO-3 reservoir with a thin net pay in the reservoir and a hydrocarbon column of light oil in the AVO-4 reservoir.



Both AVO-3 and AVO-4 are high-quality reservoirs with good-quality sands, good porosities and permeabilities. They are characterized by high pressure and low fluid viscosities, containing minimum CO2 and no H2S concentrations.



Galp Energia has successfully drilled and logged the Mopane-2A well in the heart of Namibias Orange Basin in partnership with NAMCOR and Custos. GLPEY operates well with an 80% working interest, and the partners carry a working interest of 10% each. The company has successfully established itself as a major player in Namibia, which promises significant economic opportunities in the given prospect and elevates Namibia's status in the global energy arena. (Galp Energia Achieves Success in Namibia's Mopane Complex)



2. Harbour Energy and its partner Ithaca Energy recently announced the discovery of hydrocarbons in the Jocelyn South prospect (P032) within Block 30/07a of the U.K. Continental Shelfs Central North Sea. The discovery was the result of recent exploration drilling activity carried out by the companies in the region and highlights the areas untapped potential.



Harbour Energy is the operator at the Jocelyn South prospect, holding a 67% interest, with partner Ithaca Energy holding 33%. The Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) U.K.-based independent oil and gas company informed that the top of the Joanne sandstone reservoir was encountered at a depth of 12,620 ft TVDSS (17,763 ft MD), and the gas-condensate was encountered with a net pay thickness of 434 ft MD (307.6 ft TVT) in the well.



You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.



Harbour Energy informed that the top of the Joanne sandstone reservoir was encountered at a depth of 12,620 ft TVDSS (17,763 ft MD), and the gas-condensate was encountered with a net pay thickness of 434 ft MD (307.6 ft TVT) in the well. (Harbour Energy Discovers Hydrocarbons in Jocelyn South Prospect)



3. Energy supermajor BP has announced the successful commencement of gas production from the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) project, marking a milestone for Senegal and Mauritania. The offshore fields straddling the maritime border of the two West African nations are set to bolster economic growth and energy capabilities in the region.



The $4.8 billion GTA project, jointly developed by BP and Kosmos Energy Ltd., is a floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility designed to produce approximately 2.3 million tons of LNG annually in its initial phase. The project uses wells situated at water depths of 2,850 meters, with gas transported to a floating storage and processing vessel.



"The opening of the first well marks a significant achievement, paving the way for the commercialization of gas," according to a joint statement by the energy ministries of Senegal and Mauritania. Gas deliveries to global markets are expected to commence imminently, reinforcing the project's potential as a transformative energy resource. (BP Begins Gas Output From GTA Project in Senegal & Mauritania)



4. Natural gas exporter Cheniere Energy has announced a significant achievement in its Corpus Christi Stage 3 Liquefaction Project (CCL Stage 3). The project has reached a milestone with the first production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Train 1, marking the commencement of a new phase in the company's expansion efforts. Although the commissioning process is still in progress, Cheniere expects Train 1 to be substantially completed by the end of the first quarter of 2025, which is more than six months ahead of schedule.



The CCL Stage 3 project is an integral component of Cheniere's strategy to expand its liquefaction capacity and strengthen the companys position in the global LNG market. The project consists of seven midscale LNG trains, designed to enhance the production capacity of the Corpus Christi Liquefaction facility in Texas. Once completed, the project will increase the facility's total production capacity to more than 25 million tons per annum (mtpa) of LNG.



As of Nov. 30, 2024, the overall project completion was 75.9%, with substantial progress across various phases of the project. The engineering phase was nearly finished, with 96.8% of the work completed. Procurement efforts were also nearing completion, with 97.2% of the necessary materials and equipment secured. Subcontract work was 87.7% complete, and construction, though behind in comparison to other areas, had reached 39.2% completion. (Cheniere Begins LNG Production at Corpus Christi Stage 3 Project)



5. The Spanish energy giant, Repsol S.A., recently returned to Libyas energy scene with its exploration activities in the Murzuq Basin after a hiatus of more than a decade. On Dec. 31, 2024, the company spudded its first exploration well, A1-2/130 (Muammal Nasr), marking its first step in drilling in Libya since 2014.



The A1-2/130 well is located about 800 km south of Tripoli and just 12 km from the prolific Sharara oil field. It is planned to be drilled to a total depth of 1,844 meters (6,050 feet). If this drilling and exploration activity turns out successful, the company also expects to tie back to this asset in the future.



Sharara is Libyas biggest oilfield, with a production capacity of 320,000 barrels per day. Repsol is also a partner in Sharara with other eminent stakeholders like NOC, TotalEnergies, OMV and Equinor. (Repsol Restarts Oil Exploration in Libya After a Decade)
Vietnam Briefing has developed into a premium source for insight on doing business in Vietnam. It publishes business news concerning foreign direct investment into Vietnam, including the most important tax, legal and accounting issues. The Vietnam Briefing Magazine was first published in 2009, and is contributed to by investment professionals based in Vietnam.
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are due to officially exit the West African ECOWAS bloc of nations this month, one year after announcing their withdrawal. The bloc hopes to persuade them to remain, but some analysts say growing anti-French sentiment in the region and Nigeria's own recent dealings with France could frustrate negotiations.

In each of the three exiting nations, military officers seized power in recent years in the midst of jihadist insurgencies. The countries formed an alliance last year and accused ECOWAS of pandering to foreign influence while failing to secure member states security.

In December, ECOWAS announced a six-month grace period for the countries after a summit in the Nigerian capital to try to dissuade them from leaving the bloc.

Aminu Hayatu, a political science researcher at Bayero University in Kano, said Nigeria's role at the center "in terms of leadership of ECOWAS is really in a dilemma, because at one point, it has to be able to prove to France that it is ready to diplomatically relate with France. This is very implicating for Nigeria because it has to do it in such a way that it doesn't hurt the leadership position which it is occupying in ECOWAS."

Comments by Macron

Resentment of the presence of French military forces has grown across West and Central Africa in recent years and soared again recently when French President Emmanuel Macron said some African leaders showed "ingratitude" toward French efforts to help fight jihadist insurgencies.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who is the chair of ECOWAS, made a three-day visit to France in late November in search of investment opportunities for Nigeria. Some analysts said that visit could be misinterpreted and cause the juntas to be more resistant to the regional bloc.

In a Christmas Day interview, Niger's military leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, accused France of supporting militant groups in the Lake Chad region to undermine Niger's security, allegedly with Nigeria's knowledge.

Nigeria has dismissed the allegations as "baseless" and "false.

Hayatu is worried about the trend. "It is really a great deal of concern, and that might exacerbate the already simmering tension in terms of the diplomatic relations between Nigeria and these countries," he said. "It could only escalate the bitterness if Nigeria really doesn't tread carefully in the way that it is romancing the French regime in this very volatile situation that many of these countries are in."

But political affairs analyst Chris Kwaja said that "all member states of ECOWAS are sovereign entities. Nigeria has the right to go into diplomatic relations with any other country, as long as such relationships are not designed to undermine the sovereignty of any other country. No country should decide and define for Nigeria who the friends and enemies of Nigeria should be."

Rotimi Olawale, an Abuja-based political affairs analyst, said the Sahel states could not survive long without their neighbors.

"Right now, they have strong support in their countries, [so] they will ride on that support," Olawale said, "but I anticipate that as economic challenges pile up, insecurities very high, citizens will demand real solutions to local problems, and with that they need a lot of support from external stakeholders, including ECOWAS.

As of now, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso are expected to officially leave ECOWAS on January 29.
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday approved a federal emergency declaration for California that will release money and resources to battle the wildfires.

"We are prepared to do everything and anything, as long as it takes, to contain these fires and help reconstruct and make sure we get back to normal. It's gonna be a hell of a long way," Biden said. "It's gonna take time."

The U.S. Defense Department said Wednesday that "it will work to provide additional firefighting personnel and capabilities" to California for its battle against the out-of-control fires.

The total amount of damage from the wildfires could run between $52 billion and $57 billion or more in losses, according to an analysis by AccuWeather's Global Weather Center.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department faced four life-threatening wildfires that have killed at least five people, burned more than 1,100 buildings, and forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate.

"The L.A. County Fire Department was prepared for one or two major brush fires, but not four, especially given these sustained winds and low humidities," Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said Wednesday. The fires erupted in Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Pasadena and Sylmar.

Thousands of hectares have burned, and the fire is continuing to spread.

"We have no percentage of containment," Marrone said.

Officials have warned residents to pay attention to evacuation orders and leave when directed.

Two thousand National Guard members have been deployed to help local firefighters.

Fire hydrants run dry

In the Pacific Palisades, the fire jumped from one house to the next, pushed by hurricane-force winds. In the same area, firefighters said hydrants had run dry.

"We had a tremendous demand on our system in the Palisades," Janisse Quinones said Wednesday. Quinones is the chief executive and chief engineer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. "We pushed the system to the extreme."

The call for water was "four times the normal demand ... for 15 hours straight," she added.

Later Wednesday, support aircraft that had been grounded by the strong winds were airborne again, dropping water and fire retardant on the fire.

The fire in the Pacific Palisades is the most destructive in the history of Los Angeles. With 1,000 structures burned to the ground, the Palisades fire surpasses the devastation of the 2008 Sayre Fire, which demolished 604 structures in a northern suburb of Los Angeles.

At least 70,000 evacuation orders are in effect for the fires. Most of them were issued for Pacific Palisades.

Three evacuation centers for people and 12 for animals have opened for those fleeing the fires, according to The Associated Press.

The Pasadena Convention Center had several hundred evacuees by Wednesday afternoon, including many elderly people from assisted living facilities. Donald Fisher, 78, said he was wheeled into the center Wednesday morning.

"I can stand up, but I can't walk," Fisher told the AP. "I think that the city of Pasadena did a marvelous job."

EJ Soto and her family were not so lucky. They fled their Altadena home early Wednesday and also sought shelter at the Pasadena Convention Center, but by the time they arrived, all the cots had been taken.

"I had one hour of sleep, so it's been a really bad, really bad day," Soto told the AP.

Meanwhile, poweroutage.us reported that there were more than 1.5 million customers without power across Southern California on Wednesday afternoon, as firefighters continued to try to bring the fires under control.

As a safety precaution, power companies will sometimes shut off the power when communities are battling extreme environmental conditions to prevent the equipment from sparking a fire.

Washington is supporting California's firefighting efforts with four U.S. Forest Service large air tankers and an additional tanker in on route. The federal government has also helped the firefighting efforts with 10 helicopters. Meanwhile, dozens of the Forest Service fire engines are ready to be deployed.

Some information in this report came from The Associated Press.
In late December, Burkina Faso passed a law granting amnesty to soldiers accused of a failed 2015 military coup, against then-president Michel Kafando.

The countrys current military dictator, Ibrahim Traore, who is widely understood to be behind the amnesty, has himself faced several alleged coup attempts from within the military since he took power more than two years ago, according to state media.

Beverly Ochieng with the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies Africa Program, says the move could set a precedent for anyone wishing to oust Traore.

Its true, Traores decision is risky and it might set a double standard, especially considering the fact that he himself came to power through a military coup," said Ochieng. "Even if it doesnt reduce the risk of further coup attempts or undermining of legal processes, hes still able to save face and then sustain a semblance of popularity and unity.

But why has Traore made a move that could encourage further coup attempts?

Political scientist Geoffroy Julien Kouao suggests a strategic rationale behind the amnesty.

He says the experience of the pardoned coup plotters could be an asset in the countrys fight against militant groups linked to Islamic State and al-Qaida.

He says, their military and diplomatic expertise could be useful to the current government in their fight against terrorism. Personalities like General Gilbert Diendere and Djibril Bassole have great military and diplomatic experience that Ibrahim Traore wants to exploit.

General Diendere was a prominent figure in the Burkinabe military, serving as the chief of staff of the armed forces. Bassole, a former minister of foreign affairs, was also implicated in the coup attempt and was subsequently arrested and charged with treason.

Ochieng suggests it could be a defensive move on the part of Traore. She says the previous coup attempts against Traore were likely due to tension with senior members of the military, which Traore is seeking to calm by releasing their allies.

Burkina Faso is still politically fragile under Traore," she said. "On the one hand, the numerous allegations of attempted coups against his government might be a means of playing up threats and also exerting more power, but theyre also a reflection of sustained opposition towards his leadership.

Burkina Faso has been battling a growing insurgency since 2015, with violence spreading across the country. The conflict has led to thousands of deaths, widespread displacement, and one of the worlds worst humanitarian crises.

Data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project show terrorist violence has only gotten worse during Traores time in power.
Chad's government has reiterated its order for French troops to withdraw from the central African country before the end of this month, following remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron that African countries are ungrateful for France's role in helping to fight jihadist insurgencies.

Macron said on Monday that France did the right thing by deploying its military to the Sahel region but that the region failed to say thank you. Macron said the states of the Sahel region would have fallen under the control of jihadist insurgencies and would not be sovereign today without French intervention.

Macron's statements sparked a wave of anger and disbelief across Africa. Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby said Tuesday that Macrons declaration dishonored and disrespected Africa. Deby accused Macron of being in the wrong era  and said that France has until the end of January to withdraw its troops.

A special commission created by Chad's government to supervise the withdrawal of French troops also met in N'Djamena. Chadian Prime Minister Allamaye Halina, who chaired the meeting, said Macron's statements are an insult to Africa, which deployed over 200,000 soldiers conscripted from French colonies to help France battle Nazi Germany during World War II.

Halina said France never gave significant assistance to Chadian troops, adding that Paris often focused only on achieving what he called French strategic interests.

Caman Bedaou Oumar, a political affairs consultant and researcher at Chads Consortium for International Migration Studies, said there is an unprecedented wave of growing anti-French sentiment all over Africa, especially in Mali, Senegal, Benin, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Niger, Gabon and Chad.

Oumar said those nations, in particular, were places where France attempts to dominate politics by imposing people loyal to Paris as presidents. He said African countries are sovereign nations with militaries strong enough to assure the integrity of their territories.

He added that Africans see the presence of France in countries that are rich in natural resources such as gold, uranium and oil as exploitative.

France says its troops are in Africa to fight Islamic State and other terrorist groups. In 2012, French troops helped drive out Islamist militants who had seized control of northern Mali.

But Senegals prime minister, Ousmane Sonko, said Macron's assertion that France is helping Africa to maintain peace and protect its sovereignty is wrong.

In addition to Chad, Senegal and Ivory Coast have demanded the departure of French troops from their territory.

Chad says several hundred of about 1,000 French troops have left the central African state within the past month. France handed over its military base at Faya-Largeau in northern Chad as part of the withdrawal last month, according to Chadian officials.

Several hundred youths assembled in Chads capital, Ndjamena, Wednesday to express their dissatisfaction at Macrons comments.

Secondary school teacher Hassan Dibunge said it is high time African countries assume full independence by ordering French troops out of their territories and making sure France does not exploit them economically.

The 32-year-old said Africans can reorganize their armies and protect their territories without the presence of what he called exploitative French troops.
By Daniel Wiessner

(Reuters) - Alphabet's Google is facing a second complaint from a U.S. labor board claiming that it is the employer of contract workers and must bargain with their union, the agency said on Monday.

The complaint issued by the National Labor Relations Board last week claims that Google is a "joint employer" of about 50 San Francisco-based content creation workers employed by IT firm Accenture Flex who voted to join the Alphabet Workers Union in 2023, according to board spokeswoman Kayla Blado.

Blado said the board is separately investigating an October complaint by the union that Google and Accenture Flex made changes to working conditions without bargaining first.

A finding that Google is the joint employer of workers provided by Accenture Flex would force the company to the bargaining table and make it liable for any violations of federal labor law.

The labor board in January 2024 ruled in a separate case that Google was required to bargain with a group of workers at YouTube Music, which it owns, who were employed by a different staffing firm. A U.S. appeals court will hear Google's appeal of that decision later this month.

The tech giant has said it does not exert enough control over contract workers to be considered their joint employer. The company last year eliminated a $15-an-hour minimum wage for contractors and made other changes designed to avoid having to bargain with unions.

The new complaint will be heard by an administrative judge whose decision can be reviewed by the five-member board.

Google and the Alphabet Workers Union, an affiliate of the Communication Workers of America union, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Google has faced an uptick in labor organizing in the United States and abroad in recent years, including a series of worker protests over the company's business and employment policies.

The standard for determining when businesses are joint employers of contract and franchise workers has been in flux since the Obama administration.

A 2024 NLRB rule that made it easier to hold companies liable as joint employers was struck down in court, and appointees of Republican President-elect Donald Trump are expected to replace it with a more business-friendly standard.

(Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Bill Berkrot)
Pakistans armed forces said Tuesday that 19 militants and three soldiers were killed during counter-terrorism operations in its northwestern province bordering Afghanistan.

The fatalities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa occurred during what the military called intelligence-driven raids on suspected militant hideouts in three districts, including the provincial capital of Peshawar.

The military statement identified the slain insurgents as khwarij, a term the government uses for the outlawed armed group Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, known by the acronym TTP, which has been waging deadly attacks in the country.

Official claims about insurgent deaths cannot be independently verified, and the TTP did not issue any immediate comment on the militarys claim.

These were the first major clashes of the year between security forces and anti-state militants in Pakistan, following a dramatic surge in militant activity during 2024.

In 2024, insurgent attacks resulted in the deaths of more than 1,600 Pakistanis nationwide. The death toll included nearly 700 troops and police force members. TTP and separatist groups active in southwestern Balochistan province claimed responsibility for much of the bloodshed.

The Islamabad-based Independent Center for Research and Security Studies documented the casualties, stating that 2024 was the deadliest year for Pakistani security forces in a decade.

This week, the TTP issued a warning that it would persist in targeting security personnel and escalate its attacks to encompass commercial enterprises run by the Pakistani military.

TTP, designated as a global terrorist group by the United Nations, urged employees of military-operated companies to find alternative sources of income within three months and warned civilians to refrain from engaging with these businesses.

Neither the Pakistani government nor the military has responded to the TTP threat.

The militant warning comes as a surge in terrorist activities in Pakistan has strained its relations with Afghanistans Taliban government. Last month, the Pakistani military reported that 27 Afghan nationals were among more than 900 militants killed during counterterrorism operations in 2024.

Islamabad asserts that the TTP operates from Afghan sanctuaries and receives support from the Taliban government to perpetrate cross-border attacks. Kabul has vehemently denied the presence of foreign militants in Afghanistan or the use of its soil to threaten neighboring countries.

In December, Pakistan allegedly conducted airstrikes against TTP-suspected hideouts in an Afghan border province, resulting in the deaths of dozens of individuals. Taliban authorities condemned the bombardment, saying it killed nearly 50 civilians and describing the victims as "Pakistani refugees."

While the Pakistani government has publicly refrained from acknowledging the attack, officials have anonymously confirmed it and said the airstrikes killed more than 25 prominent TTP commanders and operatives.

Neither the Pakistani nor the Afghan assertions regarding the strikes could be independently verified.
Donald Trump says that the U.S. having control over Greenland is imperative for U.S. national security, and he is not ruling out using military force to take it. French right-wing leader Jean-Marie Le Pen dies, and Ivory Coast and Senegal have announced that France will withdraw its troops from bases in their territories, ending a decadeslong military presence. President-elect Donald Trump is promising to reverse Biden administration efforts to fight climate change and says he will grow the U.S. economy by drilling for more oil. Plus, a conversation about social media following the news that Meta will stop fact-checking.
Recent fighting in part of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has displaced more than 100,000 people over the last week, the United Nations humanitarian affairs office said Tuesday.

M23 rebels on Saturday seized control of Masisi, a key town in the mineral-rich DRC.

"Between 1 and 3 January 2025, intense clashes between the Congolese army and a non-state armed group in Masisi Centre, North Kivu province, displaced an estimated 102,000 people, according to local reports," the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said.

Rwanda's foreign ministry said that the areas taken by M23 forces in recent days had been in the hands of Hutu militias linked to the 1994 mass killings of Tutsis in Rwanda.

"Many parts of Masisi territory are/were in the hands of the genocidal FDLR, which is a foreign force that is occupying a Congolese territory," Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe said in the statement.

He also denounced international criticism that had not condemned "the continued violation of the integrity of Congolese land belonging to Congolese communities, including Tutsi Congolese."

Masisi, with a population of around 40,000 people, is about 80 kilometers north of North Kivu's provincial capital, Goma.

Relative calm returned to Masisi by January 5, prompting some displaced families to begin returning, OCHA said.

"Humanitarian actors warn the influx of displaced people may worsen Masisi's dire situation, with over 600,000 displaced as of 30 November 2024," the UN body added.

Between Friday and Monday, Doctors Without Border, or MSF, and health ministry teams treated 75 people at two hospitals in the area, MSF said in a statement Tuesday.

"In addition to providing this care, these two health facilities also sheltered hundreds of civilians for several days, who sought refuge there to benefit from increased protection," said Stephane Goetghebuer, head of mission in charge of the medical charity's projects in North Kivu.

The March 23 Movement (M23), a militia that the DRC and U.N. say is being supported by neighboring Rwanda and its army, has seized vast swaths of the east of the DRC since 2021, displacing thousands and triggering a humanitarian crisis.

Rwanda's statement blamed the ongoing fighting on "the marginalization of the Congolese Tutsi, victims of hate speech, discrimination and persecution."

Angola-mediated talks between DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame were abruptly canceled in mid-December over disagreements on the terms of a proposed peace deal.

For 30 years, eastern DRC has been ravaged by fighting between local and foreign armed groups, dating back to the regional wars of the 1990s.
The southern African nation of Eswatini has secured continued eligibility for benefits under the U.S African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) for the 39 companies currently trading under AGOA, including some of Eswatinis biggest brands. U.S. Trade Representative spokesman Sam Michel confirmed Eswatinis eligibility in late December. Eswatinis exclusion from the trade agreement in 2015 followed the countrys failure to meet benchmarks for democratization and respect for human rights and highlighted how the countrys political situation negatively impacted the countrys economy.

In a written statement issued on December 21, U.S. Trade Representative spokesman Sam Michel said the decision to continue Eswatinis participation in the African Growth and Opportunity Act was based on an annual AGOA eligibility review, which concluded that the list of eligible and ineligible countries will remain unchanged for 2025.

Eswatini, an AGOA member for 23 years, exported some $23.5 million worth of goods in 2022. It is among more than 30 African nations, including Namibia, South Africa, and Mozambique, eligible for the U.S.-led trade initiative, aimed at boosting trade and economic ties between the United States and Africa through duty-free access.

Swazi businesswoman Sonia Paiva emphasized the importance of international trade agreements to grow businesses in Eswatini, citing the benefits of import duty removal and increased market access. She said that exclusion from such agreements could have detrimental economic implications for businesses and citizens.

"We cannot afford to be excluded from such agreements, as the country faces the highest unemployment rate to date which affects over 50 percent of our population, which are mainly youth. We hereby continue to motivate our government to effectively put policies into place that will protect export businesses. With policies in place, trade agreements should be easier monitored for its compliance and implementation," she said.

Eswatini was temporarily suspended from AGOA in 2015 due to failure to meet benchmarks in democratization and human rights. The suspension resulted in thousands of job losses. However, the country was reinstated in 2017, reinvigorating its economic prospects and reinstating its eligibility for duty-free access to the US market.

Wandile Dludlu, the deputy president of the opposition People's United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), expressed disappointment at the renewal of AGOA benefits to Eswatini, stating that the country's government continues to disregard the rule of law, arrest political activists and obstruct an international investigation into the assassination of human rights activist Thulani Maseko.

"We have MPs who are languishing in jail and have been convicted on the basis of the Suppression of Terrorism Act, for which not only was copied from the American version, but has been greatly supported by the same American government. And in our context, it is being used as a bush knife against pro-democracy forces and human rights activists. And we think it's very much an inconsistency on the part of the government of the U.S. We have a very hostile political environment [here in Eswatini], wherein the same government that they are opening markets to have refused to allow the international community to conduct an independent investigation on the murder," said Dludlu.

Sibusiso Nhlabatsi, a political analyst, criticized the renewal of AGOA benefits for Eswatini, also known as Swaziland. He argues that the American government's decision disregards the Eswatini's unfulfilled commitments, highlighted in the enduring political instability in Eswatini and the absence of a promised national dialogue to address the issues.

"The Americans are not as strict as they should when they apply these AGOA benchmarks on the Kingdom of Swaziland. But the political situation in Swaziland, regardless of the fact that they renew these AGOA benefits, which is of course beneficial to certain business people, the political climax in Swaziland, will never be the same post-2021. And it is also disingenuous on the part of the Americans because there are commitments that the King made during the unrest, the commitment for dialogue, and this was even budgeted for. But the dialogue has not taken place yet," said Nhlabatsi.

Eswatini government spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo has reaffirmed Eswatini's commitment to comply with all AGOA requirements and maintain strong diplomatic ties with the U.S. government.
The European Union on Wednesday dismissed U.S. President-elect Donald Trumps refusal to rule out a military attack to take control of Denmarks autonomous territory of Greenland as "wild hypothetical stuff," while confirming that EU states would be compelled to defend the island if Trump invaded it.

Trump, set to be inaugurated for a second, nonconsecutive term in the White House on Jan. 20, refused at a news conference Tuesday to rule out military action to take control of the mineral-rich Arctic island and earlier had vowed to slap high tariffs on Denmark if it refused to cede control.

The Brussels-based 27-nation bloc, long a U.S. ally, however, attempted to avoid being drawn into a verbal sparring match with Trump, saying it was looking forward to working with the incoming administration.

As for Trumps refusal to rule out military action to take over Greenland, a European Commission spokesperson said, "We are talking about fairly wild hypothetical stuff about an administration that hasn't come in yet."

Another spokesperson added that the sovereignty of states had to be respected "as a matter of principle.

Asked if Greenland was covered by a mutual defense clause binding EU members to assist each other in case of attack, commission spokesperson Paula Pinho said that was the case.

"But we are indeed speaking of something extremely theoretical on which we will not want to elaborate," she said.

Greenland is a mineral-rich autonomous territory of EU member Denmark and an associated territory of the EU.

Trump has long publicly hypothesized about taking over Greenland, saying Tuesday, We need Greenland for national security purposes, arguing that Denmark should give it up to protect the free world.

Aside from minerals on the island, it is a strategic Arctic shipping portal, especially as ice floes melt at the top of the world as the planet warms.

Trump earlier in the day wrote on social media that the potential American takeover of Greenland is a deal that must happen and uploaded photos of his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., who was visiting Greenland.

MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN, Trump added.

Panama and Canada

At his news conference, Trump also refused to rule out military action to secure control of the Panama Canal and use economic force against neighboring Canada to gain the upper hand in trade deals or merge the two countries.

Canada and the United States, that would really be something, Trump said. You get rid of that artificially drawn line, and you take a look at what that looks like, and it would also be much better for national security.

Trump posited the possibility that Canada should be the 51st U.S. state, a proposition that outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau immediately rejected.

There isnt a snowballs chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States, Trudeau said.

Germany and France

Aside from the EUs rejection of Trump eyeing a Greenland takeover, EU members Germany and France individually also rebuffed the suggestion by the incoming U.S. leader.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed surprise at Trumps comments, saying European partners agreed that the inviolability of borders was a fundamental principle of international law.

"This principle applies and is a foundation of our peaceful order," Scholz told reporters.

"In my discussions with our European partners, a certain lack of understanding has emerged with regard to recent statements from the USA," Scholz said in an unusually blunt statement called on short notice.

"The principle of inviolability of borders applies to every country, regardless of whether it is to the east or west of us," said Scholz, adding that Russia had violated that principle with its nearly three-year invasion of Ukraine.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told France Inter radio, "There is no question of the EU letting other nations in the world, whoever they may be ... attack its sovereign borders. We are a strong continent. We need to strengthen ourselves more.

Barrot said he did not believe the U.S. would invade the vast Arctic island that has been part of Denmark for more than 600 years.

But he added, "We have entered an era that is seeing the return of the law of the strongest. Should we be intimidated? Should we be overcome with worry? Evidently, no, he said.

"We need to wake up and reinforce ourselves militarily in competition in a world where the law of the strongest prevails.

Barrot said he believes the United States is "inherently not imperialistic" and said he "did not believe" that it is changing.
A former member of Cambodias opposition party was shot dead in Bangkok on Tuesday evening.

Lim Kimya, a former politician of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), died at the scene near Wat Bowonniwet Vihara Ratchaworawihan, a Buddhist temple near the tourist area of Khao San Road in Phra Nakhon district, The Bangkok Post reports.

Thailands Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for suspect. Ekkarat Paenoi ,on Wednesday, KhaoSod English reported.

Ekkarat is a former Thai marine, and has been charged with premeditated murder, illegal possession of firearms in urban areas, and discharge of explosive ammunition within city limits.

Police say a man parked his motorbike and then shot dead Lim Kimya at about 4 p.m. before fleeing. The authorities say surveillance cameras near the scene show the man riding a red Honda motorbike, and that they are searching for the suspect.

The focus is on catching the assassin, but questions remain about the motive of the killing, according to police.

Phil Robertson of Asia Human Rights and Labor Advocates (AHRLA) told VOA the killing on Tuesday is an escalation of transnational repression and appears to be a political assassination.

"This brazen shooting of a former CNRP MP on the streets of Bangkok has all the hallmarks of a political assassination and looks to be a significant escalation in the use of transnational repression in Bangkok, he said.

Lim Kimya, 73, also held French citizenship and had reportedly traveled to Bangkok in recent days with his wife and uncle. He was elected as a member of Cambodias opposition party in 2013.

Cambodian activists and politicians who have opposed the countrys regime have long been targeted at home and abroad. Those who have fled to other countries, such as Thailand, have been attacked, arrested and deported to Cambodia. Critics have coined the term transnational repression to describe the phenomenon.

"The Thai authorities are giving the case its due attention, noting apparent public safety concerns, and will conduct a full and thorough investigation to enable appropriate prosecution in accordance with Thai law, Nikorndej Balankura, Thailands Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, told VOA.

Cambodia has been ruled by Cambodias Peoples Party for 45 years. Critics say the regime has targeted dissidents, opposition parties and independent media who pose any threat to its rule.

Hun Manet took power in 2022, succeeding his father, Hun Sen, who led Cambodia for nearly four decades.

For a short time, the CNRP posed a legitimate challenge to Hun Sens rule after it was founded in 2012. But the opposition party was dissolved five years later after a Cambodian court ruled the party had attempted to overthrow the then-president.

Members of the party were banned from political activities, and its founders fled the country. Kem Sokha, one of the partys founders, was sentenced in 2023 to 27 years for treason.

Robertson said Lim Kimyas killing will have ramifications for other Cambodians who have fled the country.

The direct impact will be to severely intimidate the hundreds of Cambodian political opposition figures, NGO activists, and human rights defenders who have already fled to Thailand to escape PM Hun Manet's campaign of political repression in Cambodia, he added.

In August, Hay Vannith, the brother of Hay Vanna, a CNRP member, was arrested at the Cambodian border.

And in November, Thailand authorities deported Pen Chan Sangkream, Hong An, Mean Chanthon, Yin Chanthou, Soeung Khunthea and Vorn Chanratana back to their homeland for criticizing an economic trade pact Cambodia was part of.

Observers and rights groups say Thailand and Cambodia have unofficial agreements in place to return political dissidents should they flee to one anothers country.

This collaborative approach is not coincidental but strategically designed. Both countries share similar authoritarian impulses, with royal institutions and political elites working in concert to maintain their grip on power. By harmonizing their approach to dissent, Thailand and Cambodia create a more comprehensive mechanism of controlling political discourse, Prem Singh Gill, a visiting fellow at Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, told VOA in December.

Since 2014, more than 150 individuals in Thailand have been victims of transnational repression, according to a 2022 report from Freedom House.
Thousands of people braved freezing temperatures to come to the U.S. Capitol to pay their respects to former President Jimmy Carter, who lay in state Wednesday in the heart of American democracy ahead of his pomp-filled state funeral.

Mourners, who included numerous elected officials and Vice President Kamala Harris, highlighted the achievements and the humanity of the100-year-old, who died last month.

David Smith, a professor at the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University, said that the former president obviously impacted his career. He told VOA that he came to the Capitol to honor the man but also to honor Carters causes.

He had such an impact on so many people, he said. His work on advancing minorities, appointments of women to the judiciary, protecting our environment, advocating for human rights  all those things are very important things to me.

The former presidents flag-draped coffin arrived in the Capitol rotunda Tuesday, ahead of Thursdays national funeral.

In that soaring space  where only about 50 Americans have been recognized with this distinct honor since 1852  Senate Majority Leader Jon Thune, in a service late Tuesday, described Carter as: Navy veteran, peanut farmer, governor of Georgia. And president of the United States. Sunday school teacher. Nobel Prize winner. Advocate for peace and human rights. And first and foremost, a faithful servant of his creator and his fellow man."

And Vice President Harris  who a day earlier, in this building, certified the victory of the next president  extolled Carters policy.

"He was the first president of the United States to have a comprehensive energy policy, including providing some of the first federal support for clean energy, she said Tuesday. He also passed over a dozen major pieces of legislation regarding environmental protection. And more than doubled the size of America's national parks."

Carter, who served as the 39th president, died December 29 at the age of 100 after nearly two years in hospice care in the state of Georgia. Since then, his final journey has taken his remains over the skinny roads of his humble hometown of Plains; down the boulevards of Atlanta, the state capital, and through the skies to snowy Washington, for his state funeral.

At the U.S. Capitol, lawmakers told VOA what the 39th president meant to them.

Congresswoman Alma Adams, a North Carolina Democrat, said Carter was a real moral person.

He taught Sunday school  I did, too! she said, smiling. But I think (its) the fact that he cared about all people. He was a peoples president.



South Carolina Republican Representative Ralph Norman told VOA that while he did not align with Carter politically, President Carter was a good man. President Carter was a man who served his country. He loved America. I didnt agree with all of his policies, but you couldnt (dis)agree with his patriotism, you couldnt disagree. He just loved his country.

President Joe Biden will deliver the eulogy for his fellow Democrat on Thursday.

"We may never see his like again, you know we can all do well to try to be a little more like Jimmy Carter, Biden said in late December after receiving news of Carters death.

Analysts say the two men have a few things in common.

There's an obvious similarity; that is, that Carter turned out to be a one-term president, and Biden turned out to be a one-term president, Bill Galston, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, told VOA on Zoom. And that's never a reflection of the right combination of politics and policy. In both cases, I would say that the two presidents put the policy ahead of the politics. And they paid the price for that.

Thursdays funeral will bring together President Biden and former presidents, including Bidens predecessor and successor, Donald Trump. When asked what Carter and the next and previous president have in common, Galston paused.

I don't even know how to begin to answer that question, he said finally. The two are polar opposites in every respect that I can think of, except one. And that is, they both attained the presidency as outsiders.

And now, here lies this outsider, decades after his presidency ended, inside his nations most venerated space.

Paris Huang, Mykhailo Komadovsky and Kim Lewis contributed to this report.
The recent surge of respiratory infections across northern China and other parts of Asia sparked a wave of fear and misinformation on social networks and in the news suggesting another COVID-19-like pandemic could be imminent.

China is reportedly dealing with a spike of a flulike respiratory infection whose symptoms include coughing, fever, nasal congestion and wheezing, caused by human metapneumovirus, or HMPV.

Health authorities in Malaysia, India, Kazakhstan and elsewhere have also recorded cases of HMPV.

A video showing a hospital in China crowded with individuals apparently suffering from respiratory diseases has become viral on social media, reanimating pandemic fears.

On Jan. 5, India TV broadcast a report that included the hospital video with a graphic overlay that said, Virus outbreak sparks epidemic threat.

The station reported that China is facing a COVID-like scare again, saying, It has been suggested that mysterious metapneumovirus is making hundreds of people sick.

That report cited unconfirmed social media claims that hospitals and cemeteries in China "are overwhelmed.

The report showed a graphic model of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, hovering over a map of China. The text accompanying that graphic stated, New China Virus?

Apart from the televised broadcast, India TV posted that report on X to its 6.2 million followers and on YouTube to its nearly 10 million subscribers.

The title accompanying those social media posts said, Mysterious virus HMPV reported in China! Can HMPV outbreak spread to India?

India TVs claims that HMPV is a mysterious virus, or speculation that a new virus may have arisen out of China, are false.

HMPV is a well-known virus that was discovered in 2001 in the Netherlands, and belongs to the Pneumoviridae family of viruses, which includes respiratory syncytial virus, commonly known as RSV.

The World Health Organization says most HMPV cases are mild, with symptoms similar to the common cold.

There is no mystery illness circulating in China at this time, the WHO press office told VOA in written comment.

With fears of a new China virus on the rise in India, Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda told the public on Jan. 6 that HMPV is not a new virus.

There is no reason to worry. We are closely monitoring the situation, he said.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says HMPV is most active during late winter and spring and can circulate simultaneously during the respiratory virus season with RSV and influenza, commonly known as the flu.

U.S. news outlet Nexstar reported that the CDC is monitoring reports of the uptick in HMPV cases in China, citing the agencys spokesperson.

CDC is aware of reported increases of HMPV in China and is in regular contact with international partners and monitoring reports of increased disease, the spokesperson said.

Data from the CDCs National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System, which monitors viral activity in the United States, shows cases of HMPV have been on the rise in the U.S. since Nov. 2 but remain near typical pre-pandemic levels.

A similar pattern has emerged in China.

The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Jan. 2 that there has been a month-over-month increase of acute respiratory infections, including seasonal influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and HMPV.

Such an increase is expected for this time of year during the Northern Hemisphere winter. Moreover, the reported level of influenza activity in China is less than the same period last year, WHO media relations told VOA.

Chinas state-run China Daily reported on Dec. 27 that instances of HMPV and rhinovirus infections, the predominant cause of the common cold, have risen among toddlers ages 4 and children ages 14 and under.

When asked about the video of individuals suffering from the flu circulating on social media, Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said, The diseases appear to be less severe and spread on a smaller scale compared with the previous year.

Still, Dr. Sanjaya Senanayake, an infectious diseases specialist and associate professor of medicine at Australian National University, told Britains Independent online newspaper that it is vital for China to share infection data on HMPV in a timely manner.

China has repeatedly faced accusations of refusing to share raw data on the initial coronavirus outbreak and criticism that Beijings unwillingness to release that information was hindering efforts to prevent future outbreaks.

Beijing has denied allegations it did not share information on the virus in a timely or open manner.

On Dec. 31, five years after the novel coronavirus was reported in Wuhan, China, WHO once again called on Beijing to share data and access so we can understand the origins of COVID-19.
2 Members of the U.S. Navy line up to march with the casket of former President Jimmy Carter before it arrives at the U.S. Navy Memorial to travel to the Capitol in Washington to lie in state, Jan. 7, 2025.
India pledged Wednesday to collaborate with Taliban-ruled Afghanistan to undertake development projects in the impoverished nation that has endured years of devastating war and natural disasters.

The pledge stemmed from a Wednesday meeting in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, between Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi as the two countries move to strengthen bilateral trade and political ties.

Misri conveyed New Delhis readiness to respond to the urgent developmental needs of the Afghan people, Indias Foreign Affairs Ministry said after he met with Muttaqi.

The Taliban said in a post-meeting announcement that the two sides reviewed the security situation in the region. Mutaqqi appreciated and thanked New Delhi for its sustained humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.

In view of the current need for development activities, it was decided that India would consider engaging in development projects in the near future, in addition to the ongoing humanitarian assistance program, said the Indian statement.

It added that in response to the Talibans request, New Delhi also agreed to provide additional material assistance to the health sector and the rehabilitation of refugees in Afghanistan.

The Afghan delegation underlined its sensitivities to Indias security concerns. Both countries agreed to remain in touch and continue regular contact at various levels, the Indian ministry stated.

The Taliban stated that Muttaqi assured the Indian delegation that his government is pursuing a balanced and economy-oriented foreign policy. He expressed his desire for political and economic relations with India, recognizing its significance as a prominent economic country in the region.

"[Our] foreign minister assured the Indian side that there is no danger to anyone from Afghanistan and expressed hope for strengthening diplomatic relations and creating facilities related to visas for businessmen, patients, and students," said the Taliban statement.

It added that the Indian foreign secretary praised the Islamic Emirates fight against drugs and corruption in the country, referring to the Talibans official name for Afghanistan. Misri said India was willing to expand relations with Afghanistan in political and economic areas and to promote trade through the port of Chabahar in neighboring Iran.

The Taliban returned to power in August 2021 when all U.S.-led international troops withdrew from the country.

No countries have formally recognized the Taliban as legitimate rulers of Afghanistan, but several neighboring and regional countries, including China, Russia, Pakistan, Iran and Qatar, have retained their embassies. India recently reopened its diplomatic mission in Kabul, manned by lower-level diplomats.

New Delhis stepped-up engagement with de facto Afghan leaders is expected to raise tensions with neighboring archrival Pakistan, as noted by analysts.

Kabuls ties with Islamabad have lately been strained over allegations that the Taliban harbor and support fugitive militants linked to the outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, in carrying out terrorist attacks against Pakistani civilians and security forces.

Last month, the Pakistani military allegedly carried out airstrikes against suspected TTP hideouts in an Afghan border province, drawing strong condemnation from the Taliban. Kabul claimed the bombardment took the lives of nearly 50 refugees from Pakistan.

Islamabad has publicly refrained from acknowledging the cross-border attack, but Pakistani officials anonymously confirmed it and reported the death of more than two dozen TTP commanders and operatives.

India also objected to Pakistans military aggression against Afghanistan.

We unequivocally condemn any attack on innocent civilians. It is an old practice of Pakistan to blame its neighbors for its own internal failures, an Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said while responding to Pakistans aerial attack on Dec. 24.

Several days later, Taliban security forces said they launched retaliatory fire against multiple locations on the Pakistani side of the border that they claimed were servicing "as centers and hideouts for malicious elements and their supporters who organized and coordinated attacks in Afghanistan.

Pakistani officials reported the death of one security personnel and injuries to several others due to the Taliban military action, marking a sharp escalation in bilateral tensions.
By Akbar Novruz



The Western Azerbaijan Community (WAC) has expressed its gratitude to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for his commitment to ensuring the peaceful, safe, and dignified return of Western Azerbaijanis to their homes.

In a statement issued on January 7, 2025, the WAC emphasized its support for Ilham Aliyevs vision for regional peace and security, highlighting the discriminatory ideologies prevalent in Armenias political circles as a major obstacle.

"The ideology of racial discrimination and radical nationalism prevailing in the political circles of Armenia is the greatest threat to human rights and peace. The video recording of the speech of the first President of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan in 1993, presenting the 'complete cleansing of Armenia and Karabakh from foreign nations' as a historical achievement, which has been circulated recently, the racist statement of the second President Robert Kocharyan from the rostrum of an international organization that 'Azerbaijanis and Armenians are ethnically incompatible,' and the inspiration of the third President Serzh Sargsyan and his party from the racist ideology of the fascist Garegin Nzhdeh 'Tsekhakronism' reflect the essence of this state," the statement read.

The WAC also expressed concern over Armenia's militarization policies and supported Azerbaijan's stance:

"We fully share the concern expressed by President Ilham Aliyev regarding the policy of mass armament pursued by Armenia and support the call to end its armament. Armenia, which has an aggressive past and is dominated by racist, revanchist ideologies, cannot act responsibly with military force, and its armament is unacceptable. Armenia's policy of complete denial of the historical injustices committed against us, Western Azerbaijanis, has no prospects."

The WAC concluded its statement with demands directed at the Armenian government, calling for an apology and practical steps for reconciliation:

"We demand that the Armenian government apologize for the deportation of Western Azerbaijanis, start a dialogue with the Western Azerbaijani Community, create conditions for their return, end the policy of destruction and distortion of the cultural heritage belonging to the Azerbaijani people, stop armament, and open lines of communication in accordance with its obligations."
By Marianna Parraga and Kemol King

HOUSTON/GEORGETOWN (Reuters) - Guyana's oil exports rose 54% last year to some 582,000 barrels per day (bpd), fueled by European refiners' demand for easy-to-process sweet crudes to replace some Middle Eastern grades, according to traders and shipping data from financial firm LSEG.

Since it started exporting oil in early 2020, the burgeoning oil nation has emerged as the fifth largest Latin American crude exporter after Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela and Colombia.

But unlike Latin America's usual offer of heavy sour oil, Guyana's lighter and sweeter crude grades have carved out a rising share in Europe, where most refineries are not as complex as the majority of Latin American and U.S. Gulf Coast plants that turn heavy grades into motor fuels.

"Europe is the ideal market for Guyana's crudes," said a trader of Latin American grades, who was not authorized to speak to media.

Guyana's three crude grades - Liza, Unity Gold and Payara Gold - have been tested and adopted faster in Europe than in any other region due to proximity, quality and easy access to sellers, he added.

In 2024, 66% of Guyana's crude exports or some 388,000 bpd went to Europe, compared with 62% the previous year, the shipping data showed.

Guyana's oil began gaining favor in Europe in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which pushed many refiners to avoid sanctioned Russian crude and seek alternative supplies.

Last year, attacks in the Red Sea affected oil flows from the Middle East, giving crudes from Guyana and Brazil better chances of finding buyers in Europe, said Homayoun Falakshahi, a senior analyst of crude markets at data analytics platform Kpler.

"Higher freight costs to move oil from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean or Northwest Europe have made Guyanese crude comparatively more interesting for European refiners," he added.

OPENING ROUTES

Producers in Guyana also almost doubled shipments to the United States last year to some 23,000 bpd, while exports to Asia increased in smaller magnitude to around 139,000 bpd, the LSEG data showed. Sales to Latin America and the Caribbean were almost unchanged at around 32,000 bpd.

The rise in exports has been possible due to a consortium led by U.S. oil major Exxon Mobil expanding output rapidly through three floating production facilities, with a fourth expected to add about 250,000 bpd of capacity this year.

Exxon's Fawley refinery in the United Kingdom remains the single largest taker of Guyanese crude in Europe, according to Kpler.
A decade after jihadists ransacked Iraq's famed Nimrud site, archaeologists have been painstakingly putting together its ancient treasures, shattered into tens of thousands of tiny fragments.

Once the crown jewel of the ancient Assyrian empire, the UNESCO-listed archaeological site was ravaged by Islamic State (IS) fighters after they seized large areas of Iraq and neighboring Syria in 2014.

The precious pre-Islamic artifacts destroyed by the jihadists are now in pieces, but the archaeologists working in Nimrud are undaunted by the colossal task they face.

"Every time we find a piece and bring it to its original place, it's like a new discovery," Abdel Ghani Ghadi, a 47-year-old expert working on the site, told AFP.

Artifacts smashed into pieces

More than 500 artifacts were found shattered at the site, located about 30 kilometers (19 miles) from Mosul, the city in northern Iraq where IS established the capital of their self-declared "caliphate."

Meticulous excavation work by Iraqi archaeologists has already yielded more than 35,000 fragments.

The archaeologists have been carefully reassembling bas-reliefs, sculptures and decorated slabs depicting mythical creatures, which had all graced the palace of Assyrian King Ashurnasirpal II nearly 3,000 years ago.

Seen from above, the pieces of the puzzle gradually come together. Shards of what was a single artifact are placed side by side, protected by sheets of green tarpaulin.

Bit by bit, the image of Ashurnasirpal II appears on one bas-relief alongside a winged, bearded figure with curly hair and a flower on its wrist, as the restoration brings back to life rich details carved in stone millennia ago.

Another artifact shows handcuffed prisoners from territories that rebelled against the mighty Assyrian army.

Partially reconstructed depictions of lamassu  an Assyrian deity with a human head, the body of a bull or a lion and the wings of a bird  lay on their side, not far from tablets bearing ancient cuneiform text.

"These sculptures are the treasures of Mesopotamia," said Ghadi. "Nimrud is the heritage of all of humanity, a history that goes back 3,000 years."

A 'complex operation'

Founded 15,000 years ago as Kalhu, Nimrud reached its peak 4,000 years later and was the second capital of the Assyrian empire.

Propaganda videos released by IS in 2015 showed jihadists destroying monuments with bulldozers, hacking away at them with pickaxes or exploding them.

One of those monuments was the 2,800-year-old temple of Nabu, the Mesopotamian god of wisdom and writing.

IS fighters wreaked havoc at other sites too, like the once-celebrated Mosul Museum and ancient Palmyra in neighboring Syria.

The jihadist group was defeated in Iraq in 2017, and the restoration project in Nimrud began a year later, only to be interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and restart in 2023.

Mohamed Kassim of the Academic Research Institute in Iraq told AFP that "until now, it has been a process of collection, classification and identification."

About 70% of the collection work has been completed at the Assyrian palace site, with about a year's worth of fieldwork left before restoration can begin in full force, said Kassim, noting it was a "complex operation."

His organization has been working closely with Iraqi archaeologists, supporting their drive to "save" Nimrud and preserve its cultural riches, through training sessions provided by the Smithsonian Institution with financial support from the United States.

Kassim said that the delicate restoration process will require expertise not found in Iraq and "international support" due to the extent of the "barbaric" destruction in Nimrud.

"One of the most important ancient sites of the Mesopotamian civilization," according to Kassim, Nimrud is a testament to a golden age of "the art and architecture of the Assyrian civilization."

The site was first excavated by archaeologists in the 19th century and received international recognition for the immense lamassu figures that were taken to Europe to be exhibited in London's British Museum and the Louvre in Paris.

Other artifacts from Nimrud have been on display in Mosul and Iraq's capital Baghdad.

The site has also attracted figures like British author Agatha Christie, who visited there with her archaeologist husband.

On a recent tour of Nimrud, Iraq's Culture Minister Ahmed Fakak al-Badrani hailed the "difficult" work carried out by archaeologists there, collecting broken pieces and comparing them to drawings and photographs of the artifacts they attempt to reconstruct.

The vast destruction has made it impossible, at least for now, to ascertain which antiquities were stolen by IS, the minister said.

And the process will take time.

Badrani said he expects that it will take 10 years of hard work before the marvels of King Ashurnasirpal II's palace can be seen again, complete.
An Italian journalist detained in Iran for three weeks was released Wednesday and is returning home, Italian officials said.

Cecilia Sala was released following intensive work on diplomatic and intelligence channels, Prime Minister Giorgia Melonis office said.

The journalist, who contributes to the daily newspaper Il Foglio and hosts the Stories podcast for media outlet Chora Media, had been in Iran on assignment and with a journalist visa when she was arrested in the capital, Tehran, on December 19.

The state news outlet IRNA reported that Sala was being held after violating the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The 29-year-old journalist was held in solitary confinement at Irans Evin prison. While detained, she told family that she had to sleep on the floor of a cell that had lights on permanently.

Meloni is expected to greet Sala when the journalist arrives in Rome later on Wednesday. I want to express my gratitude to everyone who helped make Cecelias return possible, allowing her to re-embrace her family and colleagues Meloni said in a statement on X.

Salas father Renato Sala said he was overcome when he learned that his daughter was returning home.

I have only cried three times in my life, he told Reuters. During this period, I had the impression that a game of chess was being played, but there were more than just two players.

The National Press Club in Washington welcomed Salas release.

Salas ordeal was a brazen attack on press freedom and a reminder of the extraordinary risks journalists face to bring the truth to light, National Press Club president Emily Wilkins said in a statement. Her freedom is a victory for journalism and for all who stand against the silencing of the press.

Irans Foreign Ministry did not immediately reply to VOAs email requesting comment on Salas release.

Sala was detained three days after Swiss-Iranian businessman Mohammad Abedini was arrested in Milan on a U.S. warrant. He is accused of allegedly supplying drone parts that Washington says were used in a 2024 attack that killed three U.S. service members in Jordan.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson told the Italian newspaper La Repubblica that they believe Salas arrest was likely a response to the businessmans arrest. But Iran has denied that accusation.

Abedini remains detained in Italy, with a court due to decide next week on his request to be released to house arrest ahead of proceedings to extradite him to the U.S.

Iran has long arrested foreigners and dual nationals, including journalists, and then used them as bargaining chips in an attempt to draw concessions from other countries, rights groups say. Iran denies the practice.

American journalist Roxana Saberi was detained by Iran in 2009 and held for around 100 days before being released. And the Washington Posts Jason Rezaian was held for more than 540 days in Iran before being released in 2016 in a prisoner swap. His wife, journalist Yegi Rezaian, was arrested at the same time and detained for 72 days.

Press freedom groups have said Sala's arrest underscored the poor state of press freedom in Iran. The country is a leading jailer of journalists and it ranks 176 out of 180 countries on the Press Freedom Index, where 1 shows the best environment.

Some information in this report came from Reuters and the Associated Press.

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Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced Tuesday that there would be a wider range of speech on Facebook and other Meta platforms.

"We're going to get back to our roots around free expression on Facebook and Instagram," he said.

Here are some of the key changes:

Gone will be third-party fact-checkers eyeing Facebook posts for violations in the United States. Instead, Facebook will rely on "community notes," a system used on X (formerly Twitter) that allows community members to flag posts and vote on the legitimacy of them.

Restrictions on topics such as immigration and gender identity will be lifted.

"What started as a movement to be more inclusive has increasingly been used to shut down opinions and shut out people with different ideas, and it's gone too far. So, I want to make sure that people can share their beliefs and experiences on our platforms," Zuckerberg said.

Civic and political content, which the company stopped presenting to users in recent years, will be recommended again on Facebook, Instagram and Threads.

And the firm's trust and safety and content moderation teams will move from California, considered a liberal state, to Texas, considered a conservative-leaning state. The move "will help us build trust to do this work in places where there is less concern about the bias of our teams," he said.

Preparing for Trump

Zuckerberg's announcement comes as Meta and other technology companies prepare for major policy and regulatory changes with the return of President-elect Donald Trump to the White House this month.

In his attacks on the dominant technology companies, known collectively as Big Tech, Trump has been particularly critical of Meta, which suspended his account in 2021 after the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol Building. His accounts were restored in 2023.

At a press conference Tuesday, Trump was asked about Zuckerberg's announcement.

"Honestly, I think they've come a long way," he said. He said the firm was "probably" responding to his threats that he had planned to do something about Big Tech and censorship.

Reactions mixed

"This is cool," Elon Musk said of the Meta announcement. Musk bought Twitter in 2023 and renamed it X and is a close adviser to Trump.

X Corp. CEO Linda Yaccarino said on X that "fact-checking and moderation doesn't belong in the hands of a few select gatekeepers who can easily inject their bias into decisions. It's a democratic process that belongs in the hands of many."

Also on X, Representative Jim Jordan, a Republican from Ohio and chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, praised Zuckerberg's announcement as a "huge step in the right direction."

"Social media, AI, and other technology companies must resist governments' censorship pressure and instead work to ensure the open expression of ideas on their platforms," Jordan posted. "We hope that other Big Tech companies, including Google, follow the lead of X and Meta in upholding freedom of speech online."



Kate Starbird, a University of Washington professor of human-centered design and engineering, said on the social media site Bluesky that Meta's decision will hamper people's ability to find out the truth.



"One remaining concern for me is that even people who WANT to find accurate information are going to be challenged to do it, because we're going to lose the groups that do this fact-checking work  unless non-profits step in to fill what is going to be a huge funding gap," she posted.

Yoel Roth, a former head of Twitter's trust and safety department, said on Bluesky that he was "genuinely baffled by the unempirical assertion that Community Notes 'works.' Does it? How do Meta know? The best available research is pretty mixed on this point."

'Too many mistakes'



In his statement Tuesday, Zuckerberg described a complex system of filters the company created to identify "legitimately bad stuff out there. Drugs, terrorism, child exploitation."

But the systems, while well-intentioned, made mistakes, resulting in wrongly censored postings, he said.

"We've reached a point where it's just too many mistakes and too much censorship," he said.

The company will be "dialing back" content filters that scanned for policy violations with the goal to "dramatically reduce the amount of censorship on our platforms," Zuckerberg said.

Joel Kaplan, Meta's chief global affairs officer, said in a separate statement that "too much harmless content gets censored, too many people find themselves wrongly locked up in 'Facebook jail,' and we are often too slow to respond when they do."

Biden 'repeatedly pressured'

Without offering examples, Zuckerberg said in August that the U.S. government under the Biden administration pushed for censorship. In August, Zuckerberg said in a letter to Jordan that Biden officials "repeatedly pressured" Facebook to take down some COVID-19 content, including humor and satire.

"By going after us and other American companies, it has emboldened other governments to go even further," Zuckerberg said Tuesday. "But now we have the opportunity to restore free expression, and I'm excited to take it."
Palestinian health officials said Israeli airstrikes killed at least 17 people late Tuesday in the southern Gaza Strip.

The strikes hit the Khan Younis area, including sections where people displaced by more than a year of war were living in tents.

The Israeli military said in a statement that it conducted several airstrikes in the Khan Younis area targeting terrorists who took part in the 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israel.

The Israel Defense Forces blamed Hamas for operating in civilian areas.

Human rights groups and the United Nations have said civilians in Gaza do not have a safe place to go amid the ongoing Israeli strikes and ground operations, and in a territory where so many areas have been devastated by the conflict.

Earlier Tuesday, Israels military said it carried out raids in the occupied West Bank, killing at least three militants and arresting 18 others.

The Israel Defense Forces said an airstrike killed two militants in the village of Tamun after they fired at troops.

Israeli forces killed another militant during fighting in Taluza, while an Israeli soldier was wounded.

The raids came a day after gunman attacked a bus and car near the West Bank town of Al-Funduq, killing three people and wounding seven others.

Violence has surged in the West Bank since the October 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israel and the resulting Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian health officials say Israeli troop fire and attacks by Israeli settlers have killed at least 818 Palestinians in the West Bank during that time, while Palestinians have killed dozens of Israelis.

The war in Gaza began with the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack in which the militants killed 1,200 people and took about 250 others hostage. There are still about 100 hostages being held in Gaza, with at least one-third of them believed to be dead.

Israels counteroffensive has killed at least 45,800 people and injured more than 109,000, according to the health ministry in Gaza. The ministry does not differentiate between militants and civilians in its count.

The United States, United Kingdom, European Union and others have designated Hamas as a terror group.

Some information for this report was provided by from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters
With the slogan Security Europe! Poland assumed the rotating presidency of the European Union Council in 2025 at a pivotal moment. The 27-member EU country grouping faces a fragile economy, the ongoing impact of Russias war in Ukraine, and hurdles to enlargement.

Adding to the shifting geopolitical landscape, the return of Donald Trump to the White House this month, with his America First agenda, raises concerns about potential new U.S. tariffs on European exports and increased pressure on EU countries to boost defense spending.

While leaders in France and Germany are preoccupied with domestic political challenges, Poland, often seen as a disruptive force in EU politics, is now moving into the drivers seat.

At an inauguration gala at the National Theatre in Warsaw on Jan. 3, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk urged his EU partners to focus on strength and resilience. If Europe is powerless, it wont survive, Tusk said. We must protect freedom and sovereignty and make Europe strong again.

Security, defense in focus

Security, security, security  defense security, energy security, and food security, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski emphasized to VOA when asked about Polands main objectives.



The Russian invasion of Ukraine and hybrid threats from Russia and Belarus put Poland at the front line of European and NATO defense. Poland, which invests 4.7% of its GDP into defense  far surpassing NATOs 2% guideline  is pushing EU member states to ramp up defense spending and develop a collective security strategy.



Two percent is not enough. It is the absolute minimum, Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz told VOA, echoing President-elect Trump on his demand for European nations to spend more on their defense.



The Polish defense minister added that nations that fall short risk losing influence in strategic decisions. Europe must do more for security, not to replace the Americans in Europe, but to keep them in Europe, he said.



"Poland's role will be crucial during this time," Mykola Kniazhytsky, co-chair of the Ukrainian parliamentary group on relations with Poland, told VOA. He emphasized that Poland has been a strong ally of Ukraine, and with its leadership in the EU, he hopes it will help to build a stronger defense system within the union."



In addition to security, Poland aims to bolster the EU's economic resilience. That includes fostering competitiveness, enhancing trade independence, and addressing energy challenges exacerbated by the war in Ukraine.



The vice president of the Res Publica Foundation, Magda Jakubowska noted that Poland sees opportunities to turn defense investments into economic advantages, creating a more robust and innovative European defense industry.



EU enlargement, supporting Ukraine and Moldova



One of Polands key goals for the presidency is to advance the EU's enlargement process, particularly for Ukraine and Moldova. Foreign Minister Sikorski stressed to VOA that while Moldova may progress more quickly due to its smaller size, Ukraines path is more complicated because of its large, diverse economy, as well as the war with Russia.



He pointed out that Ukraines integration into the EU would require significant alignment with European regulations. "Its not really a negotiation," Sikorski explained, "Ukraine must align its national laws with the EUs existing regulations."



Despite the challenges, Sikorski is confident that the rewards of EU membership would be invaluable for Ukraine, both politically and economically.



Ukraine and Poland also need to address some bilateral economic and historical disputes. With Poland set to hold presidential elections in the coming months, Kniazhytsky hopes that political debates around Ukraine will not be used as a tool by political players during their campaigns.



I hope that the strategic interests of Poland will come to the forefront and that we will see continued support for Ukraines aspirations, he said.



Jakubowska highlights Polands active role as a strong advocate for Ukraine and Moldovas EU integration. Jakubowska emphasized Polands strategic interest in fostering democratic, free-market neighbors to the east, an objective that will, in her view, significantly enhance regional stability.



European security very much depends on the neighborhood, on the secure neighborhood, she said. So, the Ukraine accession is one, but also we have the Western Balkans. We have Georgia. And this is important to set a European tone, European agenda, and European priorities in those countries.



Jakubowska says the presidency offers Poland a platform to influence the EUs stance on those nations, working to ensure that Europes eastern borders remain secure and politically aligned with democratic values.



A test of leadership



Polands presidency also highlights the growing influence of Central and Eastern European countries within the EU. The countrys geographic location and historical experience with authoritarian threats give it a unique perspective on Europe's challenges.



The Baltic states and Poland have forged strong alliances, particularly in response to Russian aggression. With Sweden and Finland joining NATO, this regional bloc has become a crucial player in shaping EU and NATO policies.



This is an opportunity for Central Europe to demonstrate leadership, Jakubowska said. Polands presidency can set the tone for how the EU navigates security, integration, and economic challenges in the coming years.



Jakubowska sees Prime Minister Donald Tusks leadership as a valuable asset. She believes that Tusk, who was president of the European Council for 5 years, understands the intricacies of Brussels, and his leadership will be crucial for Polands presidency to be effective.



We are ready to lead and fight for Europes freedom and sovereignty, Tusk said during the inauguration ceremony in Warsaw. An ambitious schedule  40 formal and 20 informal council meetings and 300 events during the next six-month tenure  will test Polands ability to unify the EU and drive progress on its ambitious goals for a stronger and more secure Europe.
With the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, Turkey sees an opportunity to send home up to 4 million Syrians who came there during Syrias civil war, amid growing public hostility toward the refugees. Many of those interviewed in Istanbul, however, have built new lives in Turkey and say that with no guarantees of safety or livelihood, they are not ready to return. Dorian Jones reports.
Rescuers in Chinas Tibet region searched Wednesday for survivors trapped in rubble, a day after a powerful earthquake killed at least 126 people and injured 188 others.

Chinese officials said more than 400 people have been rescued so far.

Some 30,000 people have also been relocated after the quake, which destroyed more than 3,600 homes.

Complicating the rescue effort were several hundred aftershocks and frigid temperatures in the region.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping called for a massive rescue effort to minimize casualties and to resettle those whose homes were damaged. More than 3,000 rescuers were deployed, state broadcaster CCTV said.

Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing was dispatched to the area to oversee the relief work and the government allocated $13.6 million for the effort. About 6,900 people live in three townships and 27 villages within 20 kilometers of the epicenter on the Chinese side, state media said.

People in northeastern Nepal strongly felt the earthquake, but there were no initial reports of injuries or damage, according to the country's National Emergency Operation Center.

The area around Mount Everest was empty in the depth of winter when even some residents leave to escape the cold.

The quake woke up residents in Nepal's capital of Kathmandu  about 230 kilometers from the epicenter  and sent many of them running into the streets.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake measured magnitude 7.1 and was relatively shallow at a depth of about 10 kilometers. China's Earthquake Networks Center recorded the magnitude as 6.8. Shallow earthquakes often cause more damage.

The epicenter was in Tibet's Tingri county, where the India and Eurasia plates grind against each other and can cause earthquakes strong enough to change the heights of some of the world's tallest peaks in the Himalayan mountains.

There have been 10 earthquakes of at least magnitude 6 in the area where Tuesday's quake hit over the past century, U.S. officials said.

Some material in this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
A Russian missile attack on the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia killed at least 13 people Wednesday and injured dozens more, Ukrainian authorities reported.

The attack came minutes after regional Governor Ivan Fedorov warned that "high-speed missiles" and "glide bombs" were heading toward the Zaporizhzhia region.

Bodies of the victims and people injured in the attack were strewn across a road and adjacent paved areas next to damaged public transportation facilities. The debris hit a tram and a bus with passengers inside, Ukraines prosecutor generals office said.

High-rise apartment blocks, an industrial facility and other infrastructure were damaged in the attack. Emergency workers were trying to resuscitate a man while raging flames, smoke and burned cars could be seen in the background.

Russian troops used two guided bombs to hit a residential area, Fedorov told reporters. He said at least four of the injured were rushed to a hospital in serious condition. Fedorov said Thursday would be an official day of mourning.

This image contains sensitive content which some people may find offensive or disturbing. Click to reveal This image contains sensitive content which some people may find offensive or disturbing - Click to reveal Police officers inspect the bodies of residents killed at a public transportation stop during Russian air and missile strikes in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on Jan. 8, 2025.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on X, There is nothing more cruel than launching aerial bombs on a city, knowing that ordinary civilians will suffer."

As he often has, Zelenskyy urged Ukraine's Western allies to step up pressure on Russia.

Russia regularly carries out airstrikes on the Zaporizhzhia region, which its forces partially occupy. Moscow claims to have annexed the Ukrainian region along with four others, including Crimea, which it unilaterally seized in 2014.

Ukraine hits fuel depot

Earlier Wednesday, the Ukrainian military said it struck a fuel storage depot deep inside Russia near Engels in the Saratov region about 600 kilometers east of the Ukrainian border. The attack caused a huge fire at the facility, which supplies an important Russian air base.

Ukraines General Staff said, "The damage to the oil base creates serious logistical problems for the strategic aviation of the Russian occupiers and significantly reduces their ability to strike peaceful Ukrainian cities and civilian objects. To be continued."

Russian officials acknowledged a major drone attack in the area and said authorities had set up an emergency command center to fight the fire.

Ukraine's General Staff said the attack hit the depot that supplied a nearby airfield used by aircraft that launch missiles across the border into Ukraine, a statement on Facebook said.

Ukraine has been developing its own arsenal of domestically produced long-range missiles and drones capable of reaching deep behind the front line as it faces restrictions on the range that its military can fire its Western-supplied missiles into Russia.

Zelenskyy said last year that his country has developed a weapon that could hit a target 700 kilometers away. Some Ukrainian drone attacks have hit targets more than 1,000 kilometers away.

Meanwhile on Wednesday, outgoing U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said any future deal to end the war in Ukraine would need to build into it deterrence to prevent Russia from once again attacking Ukraine.

Speaking in Paris, Blinken warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin would try to use any ceasefire in Ukraine to refit Russian forces and eventually attack Ukraine again.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters.
California firefighters battled wind-whipped wildfires that tore across the Los Angeles area, destroying homes, clogging roadways as tens of thousands fled and straining resources as officials prepared for the situation to worsen early Wednesday.

The flames from a fire that broke out Tuesday evening near a nature preserve in the inland foothills northeast of LA spread so rapidly that staff at a senior living center had to push dozens of residents in wheelchairs and hospital beds down the street to a parking lot. The residents waited there in their bedclothes as embers fell around them until ambulances, buses and even construction vans arrived to take them to safety.

Another blaze that started hours earlier ripped through the citys Pacific Palisades neighborhood, a hillside area along the coast dotted with celebrity residences and memorialized by the Beach Boys in their 1960s hit Surfin' USA. In the frantic haste to get to safety, roadways became impassable when scores of people abandoned their vehicles and fled on foot, some toting suitcases.

The traffic jam on Palisades Drive prevented emergency vehicles from getting through and bulldozer was brought in to push the abandoned cars to the side and create a path. Video along the Pacific Coast Highway showed widespread destruction of homes and businesses along the famed roadway.

Pacific Palisades resident Kelsey Trainor said the only road in and out of her neighborhood was blocked. Ash fell all around them while fires burned on both sides of the road.

We looked across and the fire had jumped from one side of the road to the other side of the road, Trainor said. People were getting out of the cars with their dogs and babies and bags, they were crying and screaming."

A third wildfire started around 10:30 p.m. local time and quickly prompted evacuations in Sylmar, a San Fernando Valley community that is the northernmost neighborhood in Los Angeles. The causes of all three fires were under investigation.

Flames were being pushed by Santa Ana winds topping 97 kph in some places. The winds were expected to increase overnight, producing isolated gusts that could top 160 kph in mountains and foothills  including in areas that havent seen substantial rain in months.

The situation prompted the Los Angeles Fire Department to take the rare step of putting out a plea for off-duty firefighters to help. It was too windy for firefighting aircraft to fly, further hampering the fight.

The erratic weather caused President Joe Biden to cancel plans to travel to inland Riverside County, where he was to announce the establishment of two new national monuments in the state. He remained in Los Angeles, where smoke was visible from his hotel, and was briefed on the wildfires. The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved a grant to help reimburse California for the firefighting cost.

Officials didn't give an estimate of structures damaged or destroyed in the Pacific Palisades wildfire, but they said about 30,000 residents were under evacuation orders and more than 13,000 structures were under threat. Gov. Gavin Newsom visited the scene and said many homes had burned.

By evening the flames had spread into neighboring Malibu and several people there were being treated for burn injuries and a firefighter had a serious head injury and was taken to a hospital, according to Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Erik Scott.

Things were expected to worsen overnight.

By no stretch of the imagination are we out of the woods, Newsom warned residents, saying the worst of the winds were expected to continue through the night. He declared a state of emergency.

As of Tuesday evening, nearly 167,000 people were without power in Los Angeles county, according to the tracking website PowerOutage.us, due to the strong winds.

Recent dry winds, including the notorious Santa Anas, have contributed to warmer-than-average temperatures in Southern California, where theres been very little rain so far this season. Southern California hasnt seen more than 0.25 centimeters of rain since early May.

The Pacific Palisades fire started in the late morning local time and quickly consumed about 11.6 square kilometers and sent up a dramatic plume of smoke visible across Los Angeles.

The neighborhood, which borders Malibu about 32 kilometers west of downtown LA, includes hillside streets of tightly packed homes along winding roads nestled against the Santa Monica Mountains and stretches down to beaches along the Pacific Ocean.

Long-time Palisades resident Will Adams said he immediately went to pick his two kids up from St. Matthews Parish School when he heard the fire was nearby. Meanwhile, he said embers flew into his wife's car as she tried to evacuate.

She vacated her car and left it running, Adams said. She and many other residents walked down toward the ocean until it was safe.

Adams said he had never witnessed anything like this in the 56 years hes lived there. He watched as the sky turned brown and then black as homes started burning. He could hear loud popping and bangs like small explosions, which he said he believes were the transformers exploding.

It is crazy, its everywhere, in all the nooks and crannies of the Palisades. One homes safe, the other ones up in flames, Adams said.

Actor James Woods posted footage of flames burning through bushes and past palm trees on a hill near his home. The towering orange flames billowed among the landscaped yards between the homes.

Standing in my driveway, getting ready to evacuate, Woods said in the short video on X.

Some trees and vegetation on the grounds of the Getty Villa were burned by late Tuesday, but staff and the museum collection remain safe, Getty President Katherine Fleming said in a statement. The museum located on the eastern end of the Pacific Palisades is a separate campus of the world-famous Getty Museum that focuses on the art and culture of ancient Greece and Rome. The fire also burned Palisades Charter High School.

Film studios canceled two movie premieres due to the fire and windy weather, and the Los Angeles Unified School District said it temporarily relocated students from three campuses in the Pacific Palisades area.
Taliban leaders in Afghanistan on Wednesday denied President-elect Donald Trumps assertions that they have received billions of dollars in U.S. financial aid since regaining control of the country.

Hamdullah Fitrat, the deputy Taliban spokesperson, responded to Trumps claims by asserting that the Kabul administration neither anticipates nor seeks any assistance from the United States.

In reality, the United States has not provided a single penny to the Islamic Emirate, Fitrat stated, referring to Afghanistans official name under Taliban rule. Instead, it has confiscated and frozen billions of dollars that rightfully belong to the people of Afghanistan.

The Talibans sharp response followed Trumps news conference in Florida on Tuesday, when he was asked to comment on the alleged monthly payments of millions of dollars by the Biden administration to the de facto Afghan rulers.

Its not even believable. Billions of dollars, not millions  billions. We pay billions of dollars to essentially the Taliban Afghanistan, Trump stated. This cant be allowed to happen.

Fitrat claimed that the U.S. funds in question were primarily utilized for the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan and the relocation and resettlement of their Afghan allies.

A portion of this money may have also been used under the pretext of humanitarian aid by international organizations.  [The] U.S. directed all this money to Afghanistan, primarily for its own interests, and now exploits it as propaganda against the Islamic Emirate, the Taliban spokesperson alleged.

The controversy surrounding provision of financial aid to the Taliban intensified following a Jan. 2 letter by Congressman Tim Burchett to President-elect Trump, which expressed concern over foreign aid being directed to the de facto Afghan authorities.

These cash shipments are auctioned off, and after that, they are nearly impossible to track. This is how the Taliban is being funded and plans to fund terrorism around the world, warned Burchett. The United States of America should not fund its enemies abroad.

He cited U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken as having confirmed that non-governmental organizations in Afghanistan had paid nearly $10 million in foreign aid to the Taliban in taxes.

The Taliban swept back to power in August 2021, prompting Washington and the West at large to suspend development aid to the country and effectively isolate the Afghan banking sector, freezing billions of dollars of central bank assets in the United States.

The flow of humanitarian assistance, however, has primarily remained intact under the United Nations' supervision.

The U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) refutes allegations that some of the funds it receives for humanitarian operations are being diverted to the Taliban.

UNAMA has maintained that it transports cash into the country for the use of U.N. agencies and "approved and vetted" humanitarian partners to assist millions of Afghans needing support.

The mission has emphasized that all cash is deposited in designated U.N. accounts in a private bank before being distributed directly to the United Nations and other entities. It has also clarified that none of the cash brought into the country is deposited in the Central Bank of Afghanistan or provided to de facto Taliban authorities by the U.N.
RBX Inc. and its affiliate, Humper Equipment LLC of Strafford, Missouri, file adversary complaint against Paccar Financial in Missouri bankruptcy court. (Photo credit: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

Strafford, Missouri-based truckload carrier RBX Inc. and its equipment leasing affiliate, Humper Equipment, have filed suit against Paccar Financial Inc. of Bellevue, Washington. They are asking a Missouri bankruptcy judge to force Paccar to turn over 28 Kenworth and Peterbilt tractors it repossessed in late November amid an ongoing engine performance dispute with the global commercial truck financing company and its subsidiary, Paccar Engine Co.

Humper Equipment filed its bare-bones emergency Chapter 11 petition on Dec. 12, 2024, and its affiliate, RBX Inc. filed its petition, seeking to reorganize, a day later in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Missouri, claiming the filings were necessary to prevent further repossessions and reclaim those vehicles that were repossessed, James A. Keltner, CEO of RBX, stated in court filings. Both companies seek to reorganize and continue operating as usual.

According to the seven-page complaint filed Friday, prior to the commencement of these bankruptcy proceedings, Humper and RBX began experiencing engine performance issues in a large number of the trucking units, which, upon information and belief, were caused by computer malfunctions stemming from faulty design by Paccar Engine.

In early November 2024, the entities participated in ongoing attempts to resolve the issues related to the engine malfunctions with Paccar Engine and Paccar Financial. Despite those efforts, Paccar seized the tractors from RBXs facility in Strafford.

However, in court documents, Keltner acknowledged that Humper and RBX did not pay in full their financing obligations [to Paccar] and attempted to renegotiate such obligations in light of the performance issues, which led to more downtime and significantly increased RBXs cost of doing business.

FreightWaves has reached out to Ken Hastings, senior director of investor relations at Paccar, and Paccars attorney, John J. Hall, for comment.

Several trucking companies have filed suit against Paccar over alleged defects associated with its MX-13 diesel engines found in certain Kenworth and Peterbilt tractors.

Humper, RBX amend Chapter 11 petitions

In an interview with FreightWaves, Robert E. Eggmann, a principal at St. Louis-based Carmody MacDonald, blamed a computer program glitch for the misleading financial numbers listed in Humper and RBXs initial petitions because the attorney who filed the petitions didnt have the financial schedules when the entities filed for emergency bankruptcy protection.

In the four-page amended petition for Humper, which was filed by Eggman on Dec. 23, 2024, the equipment leasing company lists assets as up to $10 million and liabilities as between $10 million and $50 million. The petition lists the number of creditors as up to 99 and states that funds will be available for distribution to unsecured creditors.
Ukrainian forces carried out what Russian officials said Wednesday was a mass drone attack on the Saratov region, causing damage to an industrial enterprise.

Saratov Governor Roman Busargin said the attack targeted the neighboring cities of Saratov and Engels, an area that is home to an airbase for Russian bomber planes.

The General Staff of Ukraines military said on Telegram its forces hit a Russian oil depot in Engels that provides fuel to the airbase.

Russias Defense Ministry said it destroyed 11 Ukrainian drones in the Saratov region, but did not say anything about damage in the area.

Ukrainian drone attacks are typically focused on the areas directly along the Ukraine-Russia border, with some targeting regions further into Russia. Saratov is located in southwestern Russia about 450 kilometers from Ukraine.

Russias Defense Ministry said Wednesday it also destroyed 21 total Ukrainian drones over Kursk, Rostov, Belgorod, Bryansk, Krasnodar, Volgograd and the Sea of Azov.

Ukraines military said Wednesday that Russian attacks overnight included 64 drones mostly targeting areas in central Ukraine.

Air defenses destroyed 41 of the drones over the Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Poltava, Sumy and Zhytomyr regions, the Ukrainian air force said.

Officials in Sumy said the attacks damaged a house and injured one person.

Some information for this report was provided Reuters
Haiti's residents are subjected to "unremitting violence," according to Volker Turk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

In a report released Tuesday, Turk's office said gang violence killed more than 5,600 people in Haiti in 2024, a figure more than 1,000 deaths higher than 2023's toll.

In addition to the deaths, UNHCR said more than 2,200 people were injured by gang violence and nearly 1,500 were kidnapped by gangs.

"Restoring the rule of law must be a priority," Turk said. "These figures alone cannot capture the absolute horrors being perpetrated in Haiti."

Among those horrors was an incident last month in which at least 207 people, many of them senior citizens, were killed by the Wharf Jeremie gang in Port-au-Prince after a gang leader accused the group of being responsible for his son's death from the group's alleged Vodou rituals.

The gang is reported to have burned and mutilated many of the elderly Haitians' bodies to destroy any evidence leading back to the gang. Other bodies were thrown into the sea. This incident was "one of the biggest massacres reported in Port-au-Prince in recent history," according to The Associated Press.

Other horrors in the report included more than 300 lynchings. Most of those lynched were gang members and people affiliated with them, with some of the lynchings "reportedly facilitated by Haitian police officers," according to the U.N. human rights report.

The report also disclosed that last year, there were "281 cases of alleged summary executions involving specialized police units."

"It has long been clear that impunity for human rights violations and abuses, as well as corruption, remain prevalent in Haiti," Turk said.

He also called for more logistical and financial support for the Kenya-led mission in Haiti so that it can "successfully implement its mandate" to deal with the unrest and violence in Haiti.

Turk also called for a halt to deportations to Haiti because the country is not safe.

"The acute insecurity and resulting human rights crisis in the country simply do not allow for the safe, dignified and sustainable return of Haitians. And yet, deportations are continuing," he said.

AP reports that Haiti's neighbor, the Dominican Republic, deported more than a quarter million people to Haiti last year.
The top U.N. envoy for Syria said Wednesday that the Syrian people and the international community need to get the next phase right as the country rebuilds after nearly 14 years of civil war and the collapse of the Assad family regime.

The way forward on political transition is unclear, Geir Pedersen told the U.N. Security Council in a video briefing from Geneva. There are positive elements to build on, but also points of concern that Syrians are expressing.

A lightning offensive led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, a U.S.-designated terrorist group, seized control of Damascus one month ago, leading to President Bashar al-Assad fleeing to Russia and ending more than half a century of oppressive rule by Bashar and his late father, Hafez.

Pedersen said some Syrians have expressed concerns to his office about a lack of transparency on the timing, framework, goals, procedures in any national dialogue conference  as well as participation, in terms of criteria for attendance and balance of representation.

The caretaker authorities said a national dialogue conference expected to take place around Jan. 5 was postponed until they could form a preparatory committee to organize a conference with broad representation.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, the head of HTS and Syria's de facto leader, affirmed in an interview with Saudi television channel Al-Arabiya on Sunday that there would be an inclusive national dialogue process. He also said that drafting a new constitution could take up to three years and that elections could take up to four years.

Pockets of instability

U.N. envoy Pedersen also warned that there are signs of instability in some parts of the country.

While there are many areas where law and order appears to be good, we have seen multiple reports of incidents of violence  in the coastal region and Homs and Hama in particular  including accounts of degrading and humiliating treatment, he told the council.

He said videos have been circulating of apparent abuses or extrajudicial killings of officials from the Assad government but noted reports that the new authorities had arrested some of the perpetrators.

He said there are significant areas outside the control of the caretaker authorities where fighting continues and poses threats to Syrias sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.

In northeast Syria, Turkey has warned that it may step up military operations against Kurdish fighters who control a large swath of territory.

Pedersen also noted that Islamic State fighters remain a significant concern and said they could try to take advantage of insecurity in some areas to reassert themselves.

Israel also moved quickly to eliminate potential threats from the new de facto leaders in Syria, launching hundreds of airstrikes on the country in the days after the regime collapsed. Israels military also moved into the zone patrolled by United Nations peacekeepers between the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and the rest of Syria.

Such violations, along with Israeli airstrikes in other parts of Syria  reported even just last week in Aleppo  could further jeopardize the prospects for an orderly political transition, Pedersen warned.

Syrias U.N. ambassador sought to assure the international community of the new authorities intentions.

Syrian authorities also stressed that the new Syria is willing to play a positive role in the international arena, Ambassador Koussay Aldahhak said. It will be a positive contributor to the promotion of international and regional peace and security, and it will not engage in any conflict or war.

He said in the month that has passed since the fall of the Assad government, the country has entered a new era and Syrians have removed the chains of oppression and reclaimed the freedom of which they were deprived for decades.

Aldahhak said all Syrians would come together to build a state of freedom, equality and rule of law, to achieve prosperity and civility, to turn the page of oppression and suffering and human rights abuses.

Humanitarian situation

After nearly 14 years of civil war, Syria is one of the worlds largest humanitarian crises, with 17 million people  more than 70% of the population  in need of assistance and funding in short supply.

The U.N. humanitarian chief told the council that his office is releasing an additional $8 million for Syria from its emergency fund, bringing its total contribution to $20 million. Tom Fletcher urged countries to contribute to the humanitarian response plan, which calls for just over $4 billion and is only a third funded.

The United States announced Tuesday it would expand authorizations for activities and transactions in Syria to help meet basic needs and provide public services or humanitarian assistance.

This authorization is for six months, as the United States continues to monitor the evolving situation on the ground, Deputy U.N. Ambassador Dorothy Shea told the council. The United States is committed to assisting Syrians in this extraordinary moment to forge a new future for and by its people.

Syrias envoy welcomed the move and urged the U.N. and all member states to fully lift sanctions imposed on the Assad regime and provide humanitarian funding to help the country in its recovery.

Some information in this report came from The Associated Press.
The Israeli military withdrawal from Lebanons southern town of Naqoura is the second pullout since the November ceasefire agreement, analysts say. Israel is to withdraw from southern Lebanon over a 60-day period, while Lebanons Shiite militia Hezbollah is to retreat some 30 kilometers north from the border with Israel and dismantle its military infrastructure in the south.

Filippo Dionigi, a specialist on Lebanon at Britains University of Bristol, told VOA there have been violations by both sides in this fragile truce.

There was a 60-days deadline for Israel to move out of Lebanese territory and for the Lebanese army to take over control of those areas that were previously occupied by Israel. This has not happened yet for the greatest majority of the villages, Dionigi said.

There are 60 [villages] that are still occupied and only 3 of them have been actually evacuated by Israeli forces. On the other hand, Hezbollah has made several declarations that it reserves the right to act against Israel.

The ceasefire, brokered in part by U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein, sees the Lebanese army deploying alongside United Nations peacekeepers. Hochstein told Lebanese leaders this week in Beirut that all Israeli troops will leave.

The Israeli military started its withdrawal from Naqoura, most of the western sector, and back into Israel proper. These withdrawals will continue until all Israeli forces are out of Lebanon completely. And as the Lebanese army continues to deploy in the south and all the way to the Blue Line, Hochstein said.

The 120-kilometer Blue Line is a U.N. demarcation line dividing Lebanon from Israel and the Golan Heights, but it is not an official international border.

Analyst Dania Koleilat Khatib, president of the Research Center for Cooperation and Peace Building in Beirut, told VOA it is necessary for Israel to withdraw fully, which also will keep Hezbollah in check.

You should not give any excuses to Hezbollah. As long as there is a problem, it will help Hezbollah rebuild its base, she said.

However, published reports in Israel say Israeli officials are pushing to keep some troops in southern Lebanon longer than stipulated by the ceasefire agreement.

Nicholas Heras of the Washington-based New Lines Institute suggested to VOA that there may be a caveat on the ceasefire deal.

Its very clear that the Israelis only agreed to it because the Israeli understanding is that they would have freedom of action at any point if they perceived there to be the reemergence of Hezbollah south of the Litani River, or if they felt the Lebanese army was insufficiently present south of the Litani River, Heras said.

The Litani River is situated about 30 kilometers north of the border with Israel. Heras said that from Israels perspective its not withdrawing its ability to act in Lebanon. Its essentially reconsolidating its forces out of Lebanon with the posture to be able to engage in Lebanon at any point in time.

Meanwhile, analysts say its unclear whether Lebanons parliament will succeed in electing a new president Thursday, which past sessions have failed to do for more than two years amid bitter divisions between Hezbollah and its opponents. Hochstein urged political consensus to break the deadlock.

His push is part of calls by both the outgoing and incoming U.S. administrations to end the fighting in Lebanon and Gaza quickly.

In Gaza, Hamas leaders said they cleared a list of 34 hostages to go free in the first stage under a truce, while U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday vowed there would be hell to pay if hostages are not freed before his inauguration on Jan. 20.
Two U.S. citizens have been arrested in Venezuela, part of a group of seven whom President Nicolas Maduro on Tuesday branded as "mercenaries" in the latest roundup ahead of the embattled leader's expected inauguration to a new term later this week.

Maduro said the detained U.S. citizens were "very high level" but did not provide further details or evidence of the arrests.

"Just today we've captured seven foreign mercenaries, including two important mercenaries from the United States," said Maduro, who is set to take office for a third term on Friday following last July's contested election that the opposition says it won in a landslide.

Maduro said the group of detainees includes two Colombians who he said were captured in unspecified parts of Venezuela, as well as three others who came from the war in Ukraine.

Neither the U.S. Department of State nor Colombia's Foreign Ministry responded immediately to requests for comment.

Venezuelan rights groups have warned of a revolving door of prisoners, with fresh detentions coming in even as older prisoners are released, including arrests of foreign nationals.

In late 2023, Venezuela's government released dozens of prisoners including 10 Americans after months of negotiations between Caracas and Washington, while the U.S. released a close ally of Maduro, Colombian businessman Alex Saab.

In remarks delivered from the Miraflores presidential palace, Maduro on Tuesday claimed that his government's security forces have captured what he called 125 foreign mercenaries from 25 different countries who he said had entered the South American nation "to practice terrorism against the Venezuelan people."

The remarks come as opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez is touring the region in a bid to grow his international support. Gonzalez has been declared president-elect by several governments, including the United States.

On Monday, outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden said Gonzalez was the "true winner" of the July 28 vote.

While the government-aligned electoral authority and Venezuela's top court have decreed that Maduro won the election, the government has not released ballot-box level results to back up the claim.

The opposition, however, has published thousands of scanned copies of voting machine receipts its observers gathered days after the vote, accounting for over 80% of votes cast and showing a lopsided Gonzalez victory.
Chinese activist filmmaker Chen Pinlin has been sentenced to 3 years in prison in Shanghai for producing a documentary about China's nationwide protests against COVID-19 lockdowns in late 2022. Observers told VOA that Chen was heavily punished because the CCP has been trying to erase from the public memory the protests against its handling of the pandemic.

Click here for the full story in Mandarin.
By Vitalio Angula

Windhoek, Namibia  Namibian activist Jimmy Areseb appeared in court Monday after being arrested for allegedly violating public order laws during a protest at a local traditional authoritys offices. Areseb and others at the rally accused officials of accepting bribes from a Chinese mining company in return for access to lithium deposits. The confrontation highlights growing tensions in Namibias Erongo region, where activists say the Chinese company, Xinfeng, is acting illegally.

Images of an elderly woman being carried off by members of Namibias paramilitary Special Field Force on Saturday set the Namibian social media space abuzz, with some comments likening it to the apartheid era when the country was controlled by South Africa.

In another circulating video, members of the widely feared police unit are seen confronting elderly men and women who had gathered at offices of traditional chiefs and councilors, whom they accuse of allowing the Chinese company Xinfeng permission to mine for lithium without following the proper channels and procedures.

The tensions at Uis, a mining settlement in the mineral-rich Erongo region, culminated in the arrest of activist Jimmy Areseb for interfering with the Special Field Force, who were enforcing a court order for demonstrators to vacate the offices where they had camped for a week demanding to see the chief.

At the center of the storm is Xinfeng, a company that Namibias commissioner of mines has charged with illegal mining.

Community members are asking why police arrested Areseb but not anyone from Xinfeng.

Speaking to VOA, police spokesperson Kauna Shikwambi said the two cases cannot be compared.

Those, were obstructing officers, right there at the scene, now. The other one requires investigation, and there must be evidence, thats why investigations take so long, to have evidence, that indeed an arrest can be affected or not. You can never compare that and that! It doesnt make sense, said Shikwambi.

Xinfeng is accused by the activists of paying bribes to the chiefs, in order to gain consent for the mining.

However, a Xinfeng spokesperson, Kuvee Kangueehi, said those claims are false. He said the company makes a contribution of about $550 per month to the traditional authority as part of its corporate social responsibility and this is being misconstrued by the community as a bribe.

EPLs, and mining claims, and all the rights are granted by the Ministry. So for what reason will Xinfeng bribe an entity that does not grant the license? And its not in the business of Xinfeng to bribe anybody, he said.

Local chief Sagarias Seibeb, who is being accused of turning a blind eye to the interests of his community in favor of the Chinese company, told VOA the people camping at his office, including Jimmy Areseb, are his in-laws.

He said family members feel they are not benefiting from his position as a chief, and are using the Xinfeng issue to settle family disputes.

I cannot deny someone access to do prospecting, or whatever, in my area. I am just a custodian of the area. The land belongs to the state and there is a section that deals with that consent letter, and that can be done with or without my consent letter, said Seibeb.

On Tuesday, the chief is to meet with protesters in the presence of police officers and officials from the central government to try and find a solution to the tensions troubling the community.

Meanwhile, police say they are investigating the charge against Xinfeng.
By Masood Farivar

President Ronald Reagan is often credited with defeating the Soviet Union, in part by helping Afghan rebels, but it was the administration of President Jimmy Carter that laid the groundwork.



Considered a foreign policy novice by many when he entered the White House, Carter made the early decision to provide covert aid to Afghan insurgents months before the Soviet invasion. The move offers a window into one of the defining issues of his presidency, showing a president unafraid to confront the Soviets while pursuing a policy of detente.



I think peoples image of Carter as a deeply religious man, a deeply moral man, is very much influenced by the activities hes done after he left office. [But] he definitely had a ruthless side to him, and he had a side that was very willing to use force, including nuclear weapons, said David Gibbs, a history professor at the University of Arizona.

The covert aid program initiated under Carter became the backbone of the Afghan insurgency, setting the stage for the Soviet Unions eventual withdrawal in 1989.



In a bold move six months before the Soviets' December 1979 invasion, Carter signed a secret directive known as a presidential finding that authorized the CIA to provide nonlethal aid to rebels fighting Afghanistans Soviet-backed communist government.

That finding stayed under wraps for nearly two decades, coming to light only when several Carter administration officials, including former CIA Director Robert Gates and national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski, disclosed its existence in the 1990s, suggesting the Carter administration aimed to lure the Soviets into a Vietnam-style quagmire.

Afghan trap

Brzezinskis revelations were the most striking. In a 1998 interview with a French magazine, Carters Polish-born, ardently anti-communist adviser denied provoking the Soviets but claimed the administration had knowingly increased the probability of a Soviet invasion. Calling the program an excellent idea, he said it had the effect of drawing the Russians into the Afghan trap.

Although Brzezinski later disputed the accuracy of the interview and never repeated the claim, the so-called Afghan trap thesis gained traction, with critics excoriating the Carter administration for instigating the Soviet invasion and causing decades of conflict in Afghanistan.

Among scholars who see the aid program as a deliberate provocation, Gibbs said he was initially loath to read too much into the Brzezinski interview before becoming convinced of its veracity.

As Gibbs described it to VOA, a military aide once told historian Jonathan Haslam that Brzezinski, upon learning of the Soviet invasion, pumped his first in the air in triumph and said, Theyve taken the bait!

The implication was that the decision to supply aid to the mujahideen was bait, Gibbs said. That, to me, is a strong indication that what he said is true, because it was said twice over a period of time, and its from the horses mouth.

The Afghan trap thesis has permeated the works of other prominent experts, although most now dismiss it as baseless, according to historian Conor Tobin of the University College Dublin, who has researched it.

The problem with the theory, Tobin argues, is that it views the Carter administrations involvement in Afghanistan through a 21st century lens, working backwards from the events of 9/11.

They rely almost exclusively on Gates memoirs, the controversial French interview and other circumstantial and limited anecdotal evidence without exploring the subject in detail, and without using any other sources to corroborate the statements made, Tobin told VOA via email.

A close look at recently declassified Carter-era documents tells a different story, Tobin said.

It reveals that there was no attempt to ensnare the Soviet Union in the Afghan trap, and U.S. policies were in fact marginal in leading to the Soviet military intervention, he said.

Nonlethal aid

What is not up for debate, however, is that the aid program was launched in response to rising Soviet influence in Afghanistan. A communist coup in April 1978 toppled the government of President Mohammad Daoud. The new regime then initiated radical reforms, sparking public opposition and eventually a full-blown insurgency.

According to Tobin, the Carter administration initially took a wait-and-see approach. That policy ended with the kidnapping and murder of U.S. Ambassador Adolph Dubs the following February. Brzezinski then ordered a new plan for Afghanistan.

Should we help any insurgents? he asked an aide to investigate, according to Tobin. With whom would we have to work?

A popular revolt in the western Afghan city of Herat, however, led to a shift in attitude in Washington and the consensus began to slide towards a more active role, Tobin wrote in his analysis, The Myth of the Afghan Trap.

CIA operatives sprang into action, developing a plan of action while reaching out to U.S. allies Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Several options were formulated, ranging from small-scale propaganda campaigns and nonlethal support to lethal arms supplies and military training via a third country.

After determining that military assistance may provoke vigorous Soviet countermeasures, the administration settled on nonlethal aid.

The decision-making process demonstrated caution, rather than an effort to induce an invasion, Tobin wrote.

On July 3, 1979, Carter authorized the CIA to provide up to $695,000 in aid to the insurgents. By mid-August, $575,000 of the funds had been allocated for cash, medical equipment and radio transmitters to Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence, who then delivered them to the mujahideen, according to Tobins account.

The aid program, says Tobin, was modest but significant in two key respects. It helped establish links with the mujahideen through Pakistani intelligence that would prove invaluable after the Soviet invasion. It also underscored American resolve to allies Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, reassuring them at a time when concerns about diminishing U.S. influence in the region were mounting.

The aid program came against a backdrop of escalating Cold War tensions. The Iranian Revolution of February 1979 had robbed the U.S. of a key strategic ally in the region. Rather than seeking to provoke the Soviets, Brzezinski worried about a creeping intervention in Afghanistan, fearing Moscow would continue to expand its influence until a de factor invasion had taken place, Tobin wrote.

The objectives in mid-1979 were essentially to do something, anything, to counter the Soviet advance in Afghanistan, Tobin said.

Historian Scott Kaufman of Francis Marion University and author of a book on Carters foreign policy, said the late president also had to consider his bid for re-election the following year.

He was already under attack for having lost Nicaragua to communists and for being soft on the Soviet Union, Kaufman told VOA via email. How would it look to voters if Carter, who wanted to get SALT II (Strategic Arms Limitations Talks) approved, made moves that encouraged what would be seen by them as further Soviet aggression.

Carter Doctrine

Kaufman took issue with the popular perception of Carter as a foreign policy novice. Though he lacked the foreign policy experience of a Richard Nixon or even Gerald Ford, Carter sat on the Trilateral Commission and had traveled overseas as governor of Georgia, Kaufman noted.

That said, his support for the mujahideen reflected a foreign policy that since at least 1978 reflected a hardening insofar as U.S. policy toward the Soviet Union, he said.

Carters tougher stance, Kaufman said, was driven by growing anti-Soviet sentiment in Congress, Brzezinskis influence, and his personal disdain for Soviet repression and machinations.

This does not mean that he had given up on seeking detente with the Soviets, as reflected by his desire to get SALT II ratified, he said. But his foreign policy vis-a-vis the U.S.S.R. (Soviet Union) demonstrated a preparedness to take a harder line.

Nothing demonstrated Carter's resolve more forcefully than the Carter Doctrine, his bold Persian Gulf policy adopted in response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

Unveiling the new policy during his 1980 State of the Union address, Carter warned that the U.S. was prepared to use any means necessary to prevent a Soviet takeover of the Persian Gulf region.

With the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the Carter administration upped the ante. On December 28, 1979, the day after Soviet commandos assassinated Afghan President Hafizullah Amin in Kabul, Carter signed a new finding that authorized the supply of weapons and training for the mujahideen. The first batch of weapons arrived in Pakistan in less than two weeks.

Carter went on to lose the 1980 election to Reagan, whose administration largely continued Carters Afghan policy for several years before dramatically building up the covert aid program to the tune of several hundred million dollars a year. Instead of merely harassing the Soviets, the Reagan administration sought its defeat, according to Tobin.

The criticism of the Carter administration as weak on defense, therefore, is unjustified, with Carter largely laying the groundwork for the renewed global containment of the 1980s, Tobin said.

So, despite enduring orthodox assessments of Carter as a foreign policy failure, he departed office in January 1981 leaving a clear foreign policy direction for the incoming Reagan administration that arguably contributed to the end of the Cold War a decade later  an outcome that was almost incomprehensible as the Carter administration took office in January 1977.
NAIROBI, KENYA (REUTERS)  The head of Uganda's military, who is also the son of longstanding President Yoweri Museveni, said he wanted to behead the country's most prominent opposition leader.

Muhoozi Kainerugaba is widely believed to be the heir apparent to his father, who has governed Uganda since 1986. Kainerugaba routinely makes inflammatory posts on social media, including a threat in 2022 to invade neighboring Kenya.

Kainerugaba later apologized for that threat. He sometimes says that certain posts are meant ironically.

In a post on X on Sunday evening, Kainerugaba said his father, whom he referred to by the honorific Mzee, was the only person protecting opposition leader Bobi Wine from him.

"If Mzee was not there, I would cut off his head today," Kainerugaba posted.

Bobi Wine, whose legal name is Robert Kyagulanyi and who finished second to Museveni in the 2021 presidential election, responded on X that he did not take the threat lightly, saying there had been several previous attempts on his life.

Kainerugaba responded: "Finally! I woke you up? Before I behead you, repay us the money we loaned you," suggesting the government had previously bought off Wine to undermine the opposition.

Spokespeople for the government and Kainerugaba were not immediately reachable for comment. A spokesperson for the armed forces declined to comment.

The government spokesperson has previously said Kainerugaba's social media posts should be understood as "casual" comments and not taken seriously or as reflecting government policy.

Wine, a popular musician turned politician has parlayed his star power into a career as Museveni's most formidable challenger. He rejected the results of the 2021 election, alleging ballot stuffing and intimidation.

Human rights activists have also accused Museveni's government of widespread human rights abuses, including torture and arbitrary detention.

Uganda's government has repeatedly denied allegations of election fraud and human rights abuses.
Nippon Steel and US Steel have expressed their disappointment over the US Governments decision to block their proposed acquisition deal.

The US adminstration blocked Nippon Steels $14.9bn (Y2.33trn) US Steel acquisition over national security concerns.

The companies argue that the deal would have revitalised US steel communities, secured jobs and bolstered national security. The companies claim that the decision was politically motivated and did not consider the transaction's merits.

They emphasised the deal's potential to revitalise communities in Pennsylvania and Indiana, provide job security for US steelworkers, enhance the supply chain and compete effectively against China.

The companies highlighted their commitment to invest more than $2.7bn, including sums to extend the life of US Steel's Mon Valley Works and Gary Works facilities.

Additionally, the companies stated that they engaged with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) transparently and diligently. They believe the transaction would strengthen US security, contrary to the decision.

They criticised the CFIUS process as being "deeply corrupted by politics" and claimed the rejection was pre-determined to meet political objectives, treating Japan, a US ally, unfairly and sending a negative message to potential investors.

To address potential CFIUS concerns, Nippon Steel had proposed mitigation measures including a US-majority board for US Steel, independent directors approved by CFIUS and key executive positions held by US citizens.

The companies in a statement said: We are dismayed by President Bidens decision to block Nippon Steels acquisition of U.S. Steel, which reflects a clear violation of due process and the law governing CFIUS. Instead of abiding by the law, the process was manipulated to advance President Bidens political agenda.

The Presidents statement and Order do not present any credible evidence of a national security issue, making clear that this was a political decision. Following President Bidens decision, we are left with no choice but to take all appropriate action to protect our legal rights.

In short, we believe that President Biden has sacrificed the future of American steelworkers for his own political agenda. We are committed to taking all appropriate action to protect our legal rights to allow us to deliver the agreed upon value of $55 per share for U.S. Steels stockholders upon closing.

They also offered to restrict Nippon Steel's involvement in trade measures, prevent job transfers outside the US and maintain production capacity for ten years. Despite these offers, the companies assert that CFIUS did not consider any of the mitigation proposals, as evidenced by the lack of written feedback on the national security agreements they had proactively presented.
Photo: Nina Westervelt/Variety via Getty Images

Its just new Ethel Cain music  it cant hurt you. But nonetheless, the alt-pop maven is freaking fans out with her new project, Perverts. The new release is 90 minutes of drone, ambient, and slowcore music across nine tracks, none shorter than six minutes and many longer than ten. In other words, its not the followup to her 2022 breakout Preachers Daughter that most fans expected. Cain herself isnt even calling the new project an album. Back in 2023, she told Interview that this was the direction that Ive always wanted to go, adding, I feel a bit more confident doing that and less worried about what people will think. Thats good, because they think its scary.

Perverts isnt exactly a full left turn for an artist who emerged on the scene with a fully formed Southern Gothic backstory. Cain is the stage name/character of Hayden Anhedonia, conceived as the daughter of a Baptist deacon who runs off with an abusive boyfriend who eventually kills her. Anhedonia/Cain has teased a trilogy of albums for the project, along with novels and a film. But if youre too scared to make it through Perverts, dont worry  it doesnt seem to be directly part of the Ethel Cain narrative, even if it is replete with her usual dark religious imagery.

So whyd she release Perverts? Cain accompanied the project with a story she called The Consequence of Audience. In it, she described walking through a dark woods to find a magnificent temple that only she could enter. Who would not climb the wall for a peer over the edge? she writes. The cautionary tale is the fools errand, and I am no fool. Some, like Stereogums Brad Sanders, have related that story to Cains Tumblr comments last year about the irony epidemic that led fans to turn her dark and serious songs from Preachers Daughter into memes. It seems like Cain wanted to get back to making music for herself, that fans couldnt hijack. And if youre too creeped out to listen to Perverts all the way through, thats a success.
Photo: John Locher/AP Photo

Wildfires are still burning in Los Angeles. Over 9,000 buildings have been consumed, and at least 24 lives have been lost, according to officials. The Palisades fire is one of the most destructive natural disasters in the history of Los Angeles, said Los Angeles fire chief Kristin Crowley on January 9. Celebrities are among the hundreds of thousands of residents who have had to evacuate their homes. Meanwhile, premieres, events, and film and TV productions are being canceled across the city. Below, the latest updates from Hollywood.
Shari Franke is opening up about her experience growing up as the oldest daughter of former YouTuber and convicted child abuser Ruby Franke, the Utah mother of six who was arrested in 2023 after her injured, malnourished son climbed out of a window and ran to a neighbor for help. When I was younger, around like 5, 6, Ruby was really physical, whether it was, like, a slap to the lip or a slap to the cheek, Shari told Good Morning America in an interview about her new memoir, The House of My Mother: A Daughters Quest for Freedom. When I would practice the piano, her hand would slam, and it was really scary. In her book, Shari wrote that she was 11 when Ruby began implementing disciplinary techniques from the West Point military academy, claiming that punishments took on a more elaborate, almost theatrical quality and often involved grand gestures or prolonged periods of deprivation.

Per Sharis Good Morning America interview, the physical abuse allegedly shifted to become more psychological after Jodi Hildebrandt  a Mormon family counselor who became Rubys business partner and mentor  entered the picture. (Hildebrandt was arrested alongside Ruby and also pled guilty to child abuse.) Shari said she got weird vibes from Hildebrandt and Rubys relationship. I dont think its normal at all that a therapist would move into her clients home, she said. I was moving out to college, I hadnt even left the house yet, and she is in my room and in my bed. In her memoir, Shari recalled finding messages on Rubys laptop after she and Hildebrandt were arrested that suggested that their relationship had spilled over into the physical. Per Rolling Stone, Shari also wrote of a night when she saw Ruby sneaking out of the room where Hildebrandt was sleeping, causing her to reflect that the women who publicly condemned queerness in their videos were embodying it privately. Still, Shari, who said she was cut off from her family after leaving for college, told Good Morning America that she never saw anything specific to confirm a romantic involvement.

Ruby was sentenced to up to 60 years in prison last February, and used the opportunity to issue an apology to her children (who were not present at the court hearing). I think that shes as sorry as she can be, Shari said of the apology on Good Morning America. What she has done is so bad that I dont think her mind allows her to kind of fully comprehend the guilt of all that. And so I think that she probably genuinely believed everything she said. I dont believe it though. She told Rolling Stone that she has no interest in establishing a relationship with Ruby, who wrote her a letter without acknowledging why she was sending it from prison. Ill never respond to that, Shari said. I dont feel an emotional tie to her anymore.

Since her mothers arrest, Shari has advocated against the practice of family vlogging due to her personal experiences growing up in front of a camera. Ive witnessed the damage of what happens when your life is put online, she told People. Theres no ethical way to do it. This past December, Shari announced her engagement on Instagram alongside a request for privacy. Im not going to talk about my wedding, future husband, or future kids, she wrote in the caption. Ill continue to advocate for kids who didnt have a voice (so youll still be seeing me, dont worry) but this is closure for me. Im moving on with my life, and thats true freedom and joy . 
Nvidia (NVDA) stock closed at a record high on Monday ahead of CEO Jensen Huangs keynote address at the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

Shares rose more than 3% to $149.43  north of Nvidia's previous record closing price of $148.88 per share on Nov. 7, 2024.

As Wall Street analysts head to Sin City to meet with management from top tech companies, all eyes are on the AI chipmaker.

Nvidia typically makes important product announcements at the CES trade show  such as last years debut of new desktop graphics chips for gaming and AI  while Huangs commentary is expected to give investors a preview of whats ahead for the artificial intelligence giant and the burgeoning AI market.

Huang is scheduled deliver his keynote at 6:20 p.m. PST on Monday. It will be livestreamed on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and other sites.

His address comes as investors eagerly await the rollout of Nvidias latest Blackwell AI chips, which analysts have said will drive a massive new cycle of demand for the companys products despite fears of a slowdown in AI spending.

After a design flaw pushed back the rollout of its Blackwell lineup and rumors of overheating problems in servers using those chips circulated, Nvidia confirmed in a November earnings call that Blackwell production is ramping up in the current quarter, with the chips shipping to customers ahead of expectations. Stifel analyst Ruben Roy has suggested that the Blackwell AI chips represent a $100 billion market opportunity for Nvidia.

The jump in Nvidia stock on Monday extends its gains from last week when the chipmaker led a rebound in the "Magnificent Seven" tech stocks after a disappointing end to 2024.

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang looks on during a press conference during the "AI Vision For Thailand" event in Bangkok, Thailand, on Dec. 4, 2024. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa  REUTERS / Reuters

In another potential tailwind for Nvidia shares, Truist Securities analyst William Stein said in a note Monday that he believes Nvidia will announce a standalone CPU, or central processing unit  the brain of a computer, distinct from Nvidias Hopper and Blackwell GPUs, or graphics processing units  at CES. Stein has said in past notes that such an announcement could open up another $35 billion market opportunity for the company.

Bank of America's Vivek Arya said in a note Monday that while "NVDA stock has essentially stalled over the past 6 months" he expects CES to be a "positive catalyst, re-asserting NVDA's platform dominance." Arya said he believes Nvidia will provide "reassuring updates" on its Blackwell shipments and announcements about its robotics strategy and, potentially, an AI PC partnership.
Fascist salutes at Rome event to mark 47 years since killing of three neo-fascist militants.

Rome police have launched an investigation after hundreds of men performed the fascist salute during an annual commemorative event in the Italian capital on Tuesday.

The Acca Larentia event takes place every year to commemorate the 1978 killing of three members of the youth wing of the neo-fascist Movimento Sociale Italiano (MSI), a percursor to the right-wing Fratelli d'Italia party led today by Italy's prime minister Giorgia Meloni, who has commemorated the killings in the past.

Police are reportedly studying video footage of the event, attended by around 1,300 people, in an attempt to identify those making the straight-armed salute, which is a crime in Italy although it rarely results in any convictions.

In addition to raising their right arms, participants are heard shouting "Present!" in response to the call "For all fallen comrades!", a rallying cry associated with the Italian far-right.

Political right

Earlier on Tuesday another commemoration took place at Acca Larentia, attended by the vice president of the lower house and Fratelli d'Italia deputy Fabio Rampelli.

The right-wing governor of the Lazio region around Rome, Francesco Rocca, also attended the commemoration.

"Remembering the Acca Larentia massacre is a civic duty", Rocca wrote on social media, saying that Acca Larentia is "a wound that is still open and deserves the utmost respect from every institution, with the aim of a true historical pacification, so that episodes of this type never happen again".

Controversy

During the ceremony on Tuesday morning a protester shouted as he passed by: "Long live the Italian Constitution, long live the Resistance!", before being identified by police and moved away.

The young man, a local resident, told reporters. "It is absolutely right that the victims of the armed political struggle are commemorated but it is absolutely unacceptable that this becomes Predappio" (a reference to an annual rally in commemoration of Italian fascist dictator Mussolini), "a gathering of neo-fascists who make the Roman salute and publicly praise the ventennio" (Italy's fascist period from 1922 to 1943).



The centre-left Partito Democratico (PD), which said it had called for the rally not to be authorised, posted a video on Instagram entitled "1,300 Roman salutes: infinite shame" along with the message: "We hope that those responsible for today's events will be identified quickly with the same diligence with which the most varied manifestations of dissent are now identified in our country: pacifists, students, environmentalists".

Acca Larentia massacre

On 7 January 1978, Franco Bigonzetti and Francesco Ciavatta, aged 18 and 19, were shot dead outside the MSI headquarters on Via Acca Larenzia in the city's Tuscolano suburb.

Nobody has ever been prosecuted for the killings which were allegedly carried out by far-left militants.

A third MSI youth wing member, Stefano Recchioni, 20, died after being hit by a stray bullet during riots with police in the immediate aftermath of the deaths.

Although the memorial event takes place annually, last year it sparked outrage after viral video footage of hundreds of men performing fascist salutes made international news headlines and was widely condemned by opposition politicians in Italy.

Fascist salute laws in Italy

In April, Italy's top court said that a fascist salute may be a crime even if performed during a commemorative event, clarifying an ambiguous ruling earlier last year.

The Cassation Court clarified that a number of factors must be considered when evaluating whether the stiff-armed salute constitutes a crime, and that making the so-called saluto romano during a commemoration does not automatically "neutralise" the offence.

These factors include the setting and its "symbolic value" and the degree to which the location it is linked - or not - to the fascist era, the number of participants, the "insistent repitition" of the gesture and the "danger of emulation".

The court's clarifation came after it ruled in January that the fascist salute could be considered a crime only "under certain conditions", including if performed in circumstances that risk a "concrete danger" of reviving the banned Fascist party.

In such cases, the court ruled that judges can apply the 1952 Scelba Law against "apology for fascism" and attempting to restore Mussolini's Fascist party.

The court ruled that the fascist salute could also be considered a crime if it posed a risk to public order under the 1993 Mancino Law which permits the prosecution of those involved in racial, ethnic and religious discrimination and the incitement of hate crime.

Photo La Repubblica
14-19 Jan. For the first time in Italy, King Colis, a French startup, is bringing its shopping concept to the Romaest shopping centre. Visitors will experience a blind sale of lost packages, turning unclaimed e-commerce shipments into a sustainable shopping adventure.

A Sustainable Shopping Experience

King Colis specialises in rescuing and reselling lost packages from e-commerce platforms. These parcels, often unclaimed due to incorrect shipping details, were previously destined for destruction. By giving these packages a second life, the startup not only helps reduce waste but also promotes a circular economy and lowers the carbon footprint associated with disposal.

The twist? No one knows whats inside the package until after purchase, making every sale a delightful surprise.

10 Tonnes of Mystery Packages Await

Shoppers visiting the King Colis pop-up store at Romaest will have the opportunity to choose from 10 tonnes of packages sourced from across Europe. Items inside may range from:

High-tech gadgets

Brand-name clothing

Shoes and accessories

Cosmetics and perfumes

Watches and leather goods

Video games and other gadgets

Its a real-life treasure hunt, with valuable goods available at highly competitive prices.

How it Works

The process is simple but exciting:

Shoppers have 10 minutes to select their desired packages.

to select their desired packages. Packages are sold by weight and cannot be opened before purchase. Standard packages : 1.99 per 100 grams. Amazon packages : 2.79 per 100 grams.

and cannot be opened before purchase.

The Source of the Packages

Every year, millions of packages ordered online are lost due to address errors or delivery issues. Once refunds are issued to customers, these unclaimed parcels are typically discarded.

King Colis steps in to buy back these packages and resell them through their website and temporary pop-up stores in major European cities. This eco-conscious initiative ensures that waste is minimised while giving shoppers access to quality products at unbeatable prices.

Event Details
Munch: The Inner Scream from 11 February until 2 June.

Rome's Palazzo Bonaparte hosts a major exhibition dedicated to the work of Norwegian painter Edvard Munch in what is billed as the largest such retrospective ever held in Italy.

Titled Il Grido Interiore (The Inner Scream), the exhibition runs from 11 February until 2 June and features 100 masterpieces on loan from the Munch Museum in Oslo.

The show comes to Rome from Milan, where it can be seen at Palazzo Reale until 26 January, in what organisers say was the most visited exhibition in Italy in 2024.

The Rome exhibition, which has a new layout, arrives 20 years after the last show devoted to the Norwegian master (18631944) whose paintings are celebrated for delving into the deepest anxieties of the human soul.

Curated by Munch expert Patricia G. Berman, the exhibition features Munch's most famous works including Despair, Melancholy, Dancing on a Shore, Girls on the Bridge, The Death of Marat, Starry Night and also one of the versions of The Scream.

For full details of the exhibition, which has the patronage of Italy's culture ministry and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Rome, see the Palazzo Bonaparte website.

Image: Edward Munch, The Girls on the Bridge, 1927  oil on canvas - 100.5x90 cm, Photo Halvor Bjrngard  Munchmuseet.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang at the Nvidia AI Summit Japan in Tokyo, Japan on November 13, 2024. - Photo: Akio Kon/Bloomberg (Getty Images)

Nvidias (NVDA) shares climbed by close to 5% on Monday in anticipation of chief executive Jensen Huangs keynote at the Consumer Electronics Show.

The chipmaker is expected to make major artificial intelligence-focused product announcements at the annual Las Vegas trade show. Bank of America (BAC) reiterated its buy rating on Nvidia in a note on Monday outlining its expectations for CES.

[W]e still see CES as a positive catalyst, re-asserting NVDAs platform dominance/opportunity in high-growth markets, Vivek Arya, a research analyst at Bank of America Global Research, said in the note.

Arya said the bank is expecting updates on Nvidias robotics strategy, such as its Jetson Thor robot computer, which would leverage its silicon and software capabilities for physical AI.

The challenge in our view is however making the products reliable enough, cheap enough and pervasive enough to spawn credible business models, Arya said, adding that robotics could be seen as cool but niche, similar to the metaverse and autonomous cars.

[W]hile we dont doubt NVDAs capabilities, we are unsure as to when and how fast they can influence NVDAs financials, Arya said.

Bank of America is also looking for Nvidia to announce the launch of its RTX 50-series GPUs, [p]otential entry into the AI PC market through a partnership or on its own, and updates to its data center business, including on its current-generation Blackwell platform.

The chipmakers shares stalled toward the end of last year after reaching record highs driven by the AI boom. Production and shipping of the highly anticipated Blackwell chips were delayed due to a now-fixed design flaw that sent its shares falling. The company also saw its shares tumble after the Chinese government announced an investigation into the chipmaker for possibly violating anti-monopoly laws.

In June, Huang announced the Blackwell Ultra chip for this year and a next-generation AI chip platform called Rubin coming in 2026. Arya said announcements on timeline acceleration for Rubin could help the chipmaker regain control of the (overstated) narrative around custom-chips from cloud vendors overtaking/reducing need to buy NVDAs merchant silicon.

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A little international light for peace and hope was kept very local this past Christmas.

That is according to Waterford Scout County, who helped to distribute the Peace Light last month, which usually comes from the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

The Peace Light from Bethlehem, with members of De La Salle Scouts and Fr. Conor Kelly and Fr. Philip of Mountstuart. Photo: Joe Evans

The peace light comes from the West Bank in Palestine but because of the ongoing conflict in the region, the light distributed in Ireland came from Waterford and Carlow.

"This little light shines quietly as a beacon of hope and peace in a world of so many conflicts, hurt, pain, distress and challenges.

The Peace Light from Bethlehem, at the Sacred Heart Church, with Brian and Bernie, Scared Heart Scout Unit. Photo: Joe Evans

"This light originally came from the eternal flame, which burns in the Church of the Nativity in the little town of Bethlehem, in the West Bank of the State of Palestine  the place where Mary and Joseph went over 2,000 years ago and where the baby Jesus was born," said Waterford Scout County.

HISTORY

Traditionally, in the early weeks of December, a small ceremony is held in the grotto of the Church in Bethlehem.

A Palestinian Scout and an Israeli Scout take a light from the flame in a gesture of peace and cooperation.

The light is carried to Tel Aviv airport, from where it is then brought to Vienna by an Austrian Scout.

The light travels through Switzerland to France and through the Channel Tunnel to land in Dover.

From Dover, it travels through England to Holyhead in Wales and over the Irish Sea to Dublin.

The Peace Light from Bethlehem on its visit to St. Mary's Ballygunner. Photo: Joe Evans

The light is then distributed by Scouts and Guides to places where people gather to celebrate the spirit of Christmas across the island of Ireland.

But, because of the conflict in the West Bank, 2024 was a little different.

Scouts groups across the world have been using the flame carefully maintained in their home countries.

"Here in Ireland, thankfully, the Poor Clare Sisters in Carlow have cared for the Light they received last year, and a flame from this light travelled to St Patricks Church in Drumcondra for the Service of Distribution, which was held on Thursday, December 19, 2024.

The Peace Light from Bethlehem, with the Polish Scout community.

"From here it was then taken to various points across the country for distribution.

"Our light comes via Carlow and Waterford, to shine brightly over the Christmas period," said Waterford Scout County.

Waterford Scout County explained why keeping this little light alive throughout the world is so important.

"Remember, from one little flame in Bethlehem, last year and this year, this light has multiplied millions of times across Europe, North and South America, and beyond.

"It will shine as a beacon of Peace, Hope, Love and Resilience in our world in these troubled times," said Waterford Scout County.
She felt so angry that she was deprived of her opportunity for therapy. She had to leave, of course.

Twenty minutes later, she said the counsellor is crying uncontrollably, and [the woman] has got her arm around [the counsellor], saying: Its OK, Ive been sitting with this for two years, Ill be alright, Gordon says.

The Port Arthur memorial cross, commemorating victims of the massacre, pictured in 1998. Credit: Bruce Miller

The woman  now crying  was ushered down a passage and into a counsellors room at the health retreat, where she began pouring out her story.

The prompt conjured visions of the horror she witnessed in 1996, when Martin Bryant killed 35 people and wounded almost two dozen others at Port Arthur , shattering the sombre, modern-day peace of the historic convict site, which sits on the Tasman Peninsula.

Two years after the Port Arthur massacre, psychologist Rob Gordons client was sitting in a yoga class at a health retreat when she was told to imagine a beautiful, tranquil bushland setting by the sea.

Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.

Viola was murdered in September 2000, a few months after she separated from her former husband, who was quick to fly into a violent rage.

Every day on their way to school, Ashton Kline and his younger brother had to walk past the place where their mother was left to die.

Brothers Grant Monks (left) and Ashton Kline, whose mother Viola was murdered by their father in 2000. Credit: Josh Robenstone

And in terrible circumstances, the worst thing said is often nothing at all.

Its the first of many mistakes people make when trying to comfort those dealing with grief, experts say.

The counsellors mistake was offering the woman sympathy rather than empathy, Gordon says. He defines sympathy as sitting in grief and suffering with someone, and mirroring their emotions. Empathy involves listening to someone in a calm and stable space to understand their experience from a distance, he says.

[They said things like], At least you and your brother are still together, Kline says.

Kline fought for him and his brother to stay together, and their mothers horrific murder rocked their small town of Kyabram in Victorias north. But still, some people tried to find a silver lining after her death.

Klines younger brother Grant Monks was only six years old at the time, and contending with significant medical needs after he was diagnosed with kidney disease during infancy.

Viola, who was murdered in September 2000, pictured with her son Grant Monks in 1999.

She died as a result of [burns to 99 per cent of her body] very quickly after that.

He stood at the door, pushed her in, lit a match, threw the match in, and then locked the door and drove away, Kline says.

She ended their relationship after he strangled Kline  then aged 15  but her ex-husband ultimately coaxed her to a house where he was staying, then into a caravan, which he had doused in petrol.

If theyre very sad and emotional, they need empathy, not sympathy, Gordon says.

Gordon  a disaster recovery pioneer who has helped communities traumatised by the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires , Black Saturday bushfires and the Bali bombings  points to the origins of the word empathy when explaining why it should be used to comfort grieving people.

Rather than scrambling to offer a bright side or a solution to grief, its better for people to admit they dont know what to say and to navigate a difficult conversation together with the grieving person, Kline says.

A lot of people try and do that today; whenever youve got a difficult conversation, you try and put a silver lining around it, rather than just say, I dont know what to say right now, but Im just here for you.

Thats all very well and good, but our mother has still been doused in petrol and set alight at the end of the day. Theres no silver lining to that.

Experts and those working with grief warn people should not compare others experiences to their own, including when talking about the loss of a loved one or pet  because even within the same family, no two peoples grief are the same.

I call it a trauma-off, Kline says. That attempt to try and connect in that way is more damaging to a relationship than anything else because, for me, it creates this sense of, I just told you something really personal about myself, and the first thing that you did was deflect and talk about yourself.

Kline is now a nursing academic and an ambassador for the Alannah and Madeline Foundation, a charity focused on preventing violence against children.

The more public speaking he does, the more he experiences this, he says.

For Kline, misplaced sympathy has manifested in people trying to one-up his grief, sometimes inadvertently, as a way for them to try and connect with him through their trauma.

In Greek, the word pathos means suffering, and so empathy means to kind of touch the suffering of the other person.

Some, including Tomorrow Funerals co-founder and funeral director Kate Morgan, endorse and refer to the ring theory concept, developed by psychologist Susan Silk and Barry Goldman.

The theory puts a grieving person at the centre of a series of rings.

Each ring outside theirs is tiered to represent the different people in their lives, starting with those closest to them  like their partner or spouse  followed by family and friends, work colleagues, neighbours and onlookers.

The grieving person in the centre of the ring can say anything they want to people in outer circles, airing their sadness, frustration and desperation.

People in the outer rings can only complain to, or ask questions of, those in a ring bigger than their own. They can only offer support to people in rings smaller than theirs.

In my experience, listening is usually more helpful than talking, Morgan says.

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Instead of comparing their loss to one of your own, try to offer compassion, with responses such as: That must be so difficult ... I cannot imagine what this feels like.

The funeral director says it is dangerous to make assumptions about how people feel during their grief  including, for example, following a death after a long-term terminal illness.

While one person might feel some sense of relief, another might feel a sense of guilt or selfishness for wanting their loved one to keep living despite their pain, Morgan says.

[A client of mine] said she didnt care. She wanted her husband to live forever, even if he was in pain, because she couldnt bear to not have him there, she says.

Dont: Judge. Instead, be gentle and speak of the dead

My daughters funeral was like a sledgehammer to the people in the room, Josephine Humphreys says.

The longtime funeral directors daughter, Kate Humphreys, died by suicide aged 41 on January 23, 2024, after more than two decades living with complex mental illness.

Usually, its softened. People can suicide, and no one ever is told that,hj Josephine says.

My daughters service was about her struggle against mental illness that led to her death. That doesnt happen.

Kate was a joyful, playful and courageous woman, but her illness destroyed her ebullient and effusive personality, Josephine says.

She had a lovely clinical brain, a strong interest in neuroscience and psychology, and a deep gratitude for those who supported her.

She never wrote a suicide note without saying: Im sorry, I love you  thank you to all the people who love me  Im sorry that Ive done this to you, Josephine told Tomorrow Funerals podcast.

Kate desperately wanted to live, but her illness would not let her  something many people dont understand, contributing to the shame and stigma surrounding death by suicide, Josephine says.

She felt it in her role as a funeral director, where she saw other families impeded by shame as they grieved loved ones who died by suicide.

Kate Humphreys, pictured with her brother Michael in January 2024.

They cant even settle into a comfortable place of talking about their loved ones illness, because thats confronting as well, Josephine tells this masthead.

Josephine says mental illness should be thought of like cancer: a sometimes terminal malfunction of the body, which was untreatable in Kates case.

Shifting that perspective and approaching suicide without judgment would help families grieve more openly, Josephine says.

She says compassion for people who die by suicide would also grow if people reject misguided ideas of suicide as selfish, and instead consider its appalling reality: astonishing terror and despair, and a violent final act in complete isolation.

The terrible fear surrounding talking about grief is not exclusive to suicide, Josephine says.

Tomorrow Funerals co-founder and funeral director Kate Morgan. Credit: Justin McManus

Morgan says many people run away from bereaved parents when their worst fears are realised and a child dies.

That avoidance further isolates grieving parents, she says.

Theyre frightened of reminding them that their child has died. You can be sure that its never far from their thoughts, Morgan says.

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In life, its natural for people to develop an affinity with a parent by mentioning their child by name and asking after their childs wellbeing, Morgan says.

You just see the persons face light up.

In death, it is important for people around grieving parents to find ways to keep mentioning the dead child by name, and to reflect on memories involving them, Morgan says.

Lets face it, losing a child is one of the most terrifying things that can happen to somebody whos already had a child, Morgan says.

That sound of their childs name will still bring music to their ears, even in the long term.

Dont: Opt for empty platitudes or be afraid of a real conversation

Morgan says many of her clients feel incredibly isolated by their grief, often because people around them do not know how to have awkward conversations.

Its difficult  of course it is. But instead of a once-off sorry for your loss, try starting a deeper conversation with: I really dont know how to talk with you about this ... please tell me if I get it wrong, but how are you really feeling? What does it feel like? And then just listen, she says.

When someone dies, the people left behind are not given a guidebook on the right or wrong things to say, or what they should expect to hear, Morgan says.

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She reflects on speaking to someone who recently lost a loved one in shocking circumstances. In the aftermath of their loss, they were most taken aback by one comment  but most comforted by it, too.

[Someone told them]: Oh my god. This is so awful. This is terrible. I cant believe this has happened, Morgan says.

The person said that was the most real thing [they] heard because other people were forming these very  formal responses.

The funeral director says people supporting family, friends or colleagues through grief should make them tangible offers of service, rather than more general offers, like let me know if there is anything I can do.

Those more general offers require a bereaved person to ask for help, Morgan says.

Instead, try: I was thinking of cooking you a meal, but would you rather I come over and we cook together? Shall we start walking once a week? Can I take you out for a coffee?

Other tangible offers could include taking a person out for dinner, dropping off a bottle of wine, or offering to spend a day taking them to appointments, Morgan says.

Dont: Mine for detail or exoticise grief

High-profile deaths often leave people wanting to know more. Credit: Jason South

Gordon says high-profile deaths  like in natural disasters or shootings  often arouse a sense of excitement or exoticism that leaves people wanting to know more.

Often, the profile in the media is driving it. Everybodys talking about it, he says.

The grieving people can instantly feel whether people are asking out of curiosity, or out of compassion.

Kline experienced as much after his mother Violas death, and remembers news spreading fast in their town of about 5000 people.

Most people are geared towards compassion and empathy, and many did not know what to say to him and his brother after Violas murder, Kline says.

[But] then there were people who wanted to know every single intimate detail of our lives, he says.

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Perhaps they kind of felt that was their right or their need to have that particular information.

Gordon explains that people who lose their loved ones in harrowing circumstances deal with traumatic grief, which has two parts: trauma around how the person died, and then grief around the loss of the person.

Replaying the horror of how they died, particularly with images, takes a grieving person right back to the trauma of the day and forces them to relive it, Gordon says.

Speech and language, however, put the traumatic event firmly in the past, and can build a picture beyond the event of what a persons death meant to other people.

Empathy is key to supporting people who are grieving after the death of a loved one. Credit: Marija Ercegovac

Whats helpful for the affected people  is not the reawakening, but the representing of it as part of a story and a history, and what its done, Gordon says.

If people dont have to relive their trauma, they can instead focus on their grief, which is a very different emotional experience, Gordon says, adding that grief does not have to be fraught with horror.

Grief leads you to a poignant memory of your loved one, and a recognition of what they gave you and what a joy it was to have them, he says.

Sadness is sadness that theyre not still here. Sadness is a measure of your valuing of them.

If you or anyone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 131 114, beyondblue on 1800 512 348, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

Tomorrow Funerals podcast Life & Death, Today & Tomorrow is on YouTube.
Ive got a problem. This year I turned 40. Well, I didnt exactly turn 40. I hate that phrase  I turned 40 feels like the same use of the word turn you reserve for dairy thats been left out too long. I didnt turn 40. I hit 40.

I hit it with the same speed, enthusiasm and texture of a glob of snot sneezed from the nostril of a toddler sliding down the window of a tram on a hot day. I did not approach it with grace or maturity, with calm or zen.

Reuben Kaye says that one winter in London his world and mind exploded. He was part of the world instead of viewing it from a distance. Credit: Dylan Coker

Unlike some people, who love getting older with the same rampant enthusiasm reserved for mad cultists or someone trying to explain to you at a party that drinking their own urine has done wonders for their health as their breath has a vague whiff of a party I once went to in Berlin, with a lot of glass coffee tables and rubber sheets.

I hit 40 with a slow groan, with the unstoppable, devastating force of a planetary collision. Knees and spine crackled, molars loosened, skin sagged and sneezing began to hurt. And suddenly I started shouting at kids to get off my lawn. I dont even have a lawn, and Im not even sure they are kids. I think they might be ibises and I need glasses. Glasses!
An Italian priest is being investigated for manslaughter over the death of a newborn baby left outside the doors of his church.

Father Antonio Ruccia, a parish priest at the San Giovanni Battista Church in the southern Italian city of Bari, has been named as a suspect despite being absent from the church at the time.

The newborn, believed to be a month old, was found dead on January 2 inside the churchs thermal cradle, a device set up for unwanted babies to be left anonymously.

An Italian priest is being investigated for manslaughter over the death of a newborn baby left outside the doors of his church. Credit:

It is not yet clear whether the baby died before it arrived at the church, whether the cradles alarm system malfunctioned or if the technology had not been repaired after a recent electrical blackout.
When a series of dangerous, wind-driven fires broke out on Tuesday in the Los Angeles area, Mayor Karen Bass was on the other side of the globe, part of a delegation sent by President Joe Biden to Ghana for the inauguration of its new president.

Bass, a former Democratic congress member who became mayor in late 2022, did not return to Los Angeles until Wednesday afternoon, by which point more than 1000 homes had burnt and 100,000 people across the region had been forced to flee from their homes.

LA mayor Karen Bass in 2020. Credit: AP

The mayors absence has drawn criticism from some Angelenos. Many said there was insufficient warning from officials about the likelihood of devastating fires, even as weather forecasts predicted extreme danger this week.

By Thursday last week, the National Weather Service in Los Angeles had begun warning of extreme fire weather conditions. By Sunday, the warnings had become even more dire  rapid fire growth and extreme behaviour with any fire starts.

But Bass posted her first warning on social platform X about the windstorm on Monday, when she was already in Ghana. Her office did not send out a news release about fire risk until nearly 11am Tuesday morning, after the blaze in Pacific Palisades had already broken out.

There was zero preparation. There was zero thought here, said Michael Gonzales, 47, whose home burnt down in Pacific Palisades, a wealthy neighbourhood that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. His family of five was camped out in a hotel in Santa Monica on Wednesday as they began figuring out where they will live.

Gonzales, a lawyer, said he believed Bass made a poor decision to remain overseas despite forecasters warning of the most dangerous fire conditions in more than a decade.

Los Angeles City fire captain Frank Lima, greets Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass, as she joins California Governor Gavin Newsom, right, and Senator Alex Padilla in the Palisades on Wednesday. Credit: AP

In her first news conference since returning to Los Angeles, Bass on Wednesday defended her administration when asked about criticisms of the citys response to the fire. She said the disaster was the result of months of little rain and winds that had not been seen in the city for at least 14 years.

We have to resist any, any effort to pull us apart, she said.

Bass said that she returned home as quickly as she could after the fires tore through Pacific Palisades and other parts of Southern California.

I took the fastest route back, which included being on a military plane, she said.

The New York Times
His son Justin, famously destined to be PM since being anointed by then-US president Richard Nixon when he met Trudeau Snr in 1972, brought the Liberal Party back from political extinction in a single election in 2015, rekindling the  Trudeaumania  his father inspired in the 60s and 70s. Those of us with a different political outlook have always been perplexed by his status as a progressive icon despite the incidents of dressing up and blackface , or his ethically compromised removal of his attorney-general (the first Indigenous woman in the role).

Pierre Trudeau, prime minister between 1968-79 and 1980-84, defined much of modern Canada and its progressive-left Liberal Party. The Charter of Rights, fighting Quebec separatism, and, in particular, being not America on the global stage.

While Trudeaus global fans might be surprised by his demise, no one in Canada is. Though he won a majority in his first election in 2015, his popularity waned relatively quickly; he ran minority governments in 2019 and 2021, and won fewer votes than the Conservative opposition on both those occasions.

Like his father, Justin has been effectively forced to resign by his own party, fearful of polls showing widespread displeasure and anger with both the prime minister personally and his party. He leaves office with Canadas existential economic relationship with the US at its highest risk in decades, with relative competitiveness with the US and comparative investment falling, and widespread household economic pain.

Unlike Australia, a Canadian Liberal caucus cannot remove him from office  this is the result of a year of internal pressure and terrible polls. Trudeau intensely fought to keep his job and made it clear in his departing press conference that his leaving was about the lack of internal support, not an acceptance of public discontent, his lack of popularity or electoral prospects, or Canadians desire for change after nearly a decade in office. Departing in the year he takes the chair of the G7 is a particularly bitter pill for a Canadian PM, and Trudeau in particular.

The final trigger was his attempt last month to effectively sack his long-serving loyal deputy and finance minister, Chrystia Freeland, in an attempt to save his position. But the bigger issue looming over Canada more than any other is the re-election of Donald Trump, and his threat to impose 25 per cent tariffs. Canada sends over three-quarters of its exports to the US, so if implemented this will lead to significant job losses and economic pain across Canada to a degree no other country will experience.
Singapore-based asset management firm Paragon Capital Management opened its first overseas office in Hong Kong, joining a growing number of foreign money managers in tapping more wealthy clients in the financial hub.

The firm, which manages S$1.2 billion (US$880 million) in assets, has received a license for activities from the Securities and Futures Commission, it said in a statement on Tuesday. That will allow Paragon to provide a comprehensive range of services to clients in the Greater China region.

The Hong Kong team will serve as a "bridge connecting clients across North Asia and Southeast Asia", said Paul Lee, co-founder, CEO and chief investment officer of Paragon. Hong Kong makes an ideal wealth management hub, the firm 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.

Hong Kong's asset and wealth management business grew 2 per cent in 2023 to HK$31.2 trillion (US$3.99 trillion), according to a survey by the SFC. The city became Asia's top financial centre in a global ranking in September, after losing the crown to Singapore during the Covid-19 pandemic years.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po (centre) has said Hong Kong will focus on cost-cutting and prioritise public work projects to boost the economy. Photo: Handout alt=Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po (centre) has said Hong Kong will focus on cost-cutting and prioritise public work projects to boost the economy. Photo: Handout>

Paragon, whose top managers have held key roles at global firms including Credit Suisse, Bank Julius Baer and UBS, manages several hedge funds, equity funds and real estate funds, according to its website. Its Paragon Alpha I hedge fund, managed by Lee, has returned 132 per cent to investors since inception.

Arthur Fong, CEO of Paragon Capital Management (HK), said the team in Hong Kong will provide clients with a globalised and diversified platform to preserve and grow their wealth. The firm is eager to tap into opportunities created by synergies between Hong Kong and Singapore, he added.

Hong Kong is home to more than 2,700 single-family offices and is connected to mainland China's richest population through the Wealth Management Connect scheme. Hong Kong's government has also stepped up efforts to attract global family offices, projecting about HK$24 billion in investment commitments.

The government announced on Tuesday plans to ease the threshold for calculating an individual's net assets under Hong Kong's cash-for-residency scheme.
This story was originally published on MedTech Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily MedTech Dive newsletter.

Dive Brief:

Stryker has agreed to acquire Inari Medical for approximately $4.9 billion, the company announced late Monday. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter.

Under the deal, Stryker would acquire all of Inaris shares for $80 per share in cash, a premium of more than $30 over Fridays closing price. Inaris stock price closed at $65 Monday after surging by more than 30% in day trading.

Inari would continue a busy year of dealmaking for Stryker in 2024, which included acquisitions of the artificial intelligence company Care.ai, the back pain device maker Vertos Medical and Nico Corporation, which makes devices to remove brain tumors and clots. Stryker did not disclose financial terms for the three deals.

Dive Insight:

Strykers proposed acquisition of Inari kicks off medtech M&A in 2025 after a flurry of deals last year.

Inari, based in Irvine, California, makes a variety of devices including catheter-based mechanical thrombectomy systems to treat vascular disease. Stryker, which has a larger orthopedics business, said in the deal announcement that Inaris product portfolio complements its neurovascular business.

Inari is expected to generate $603 million of revenue in 2024, compared with $494 million in 2023 and $383 million in 2022, according to presentation materials from Stryker. The company brought in $51 million in 2019, the earliest data included in Strykers presentation.

Stryker CEO Kevin Lobo said in a statement that Inaris innovations elevate the standard of care for venous thromboembolism patients and will accelerate Strykers impact in endovascular procedures.

While the Inari purchase continues an active run of acquisitions for Stryker, the nearly $5 billion price tag departs from the companys recent history of executing smaller, tuck-in deals.

Lobo told investors in July 2024 that the company was planning a very active deal pipeline. However, the executive noted the company tends to focus on smaller acquisitions of companies with fast-growing assets.

Stryker said in the announcement that more details on the deal and its impact on revenue, operating margins and earnings per share would be discussed on its upcoming Jan. 28 earnings call.

Recommended Reading
By Harshita Mary Varghese

(Reuters) - U.S. telecom giant AT&T said on Wednesday it would offer bill credits for network outages as part of a new initiative to attract customers, after the industry experienced several significant disruptions in 2024.

In February last year, AT&T faced a nationwide wireless service disruption that lasted more than 12 hours, blocking over 92 million calls and preventing over 25,000 attempts to contact the 911 emergency call line. In response, the company credited customers with a full day of service.

Customers of rival telecom companies, such as T-Mobile and Verizon, also faced service disruptions, sparking widespread frustration and raising concerns about the reliability of critical communication infrastructure.

Under AT&T's latest initiative, AT&T Guarantee, fiber users who experience outages of 20 minutes or more, and wireless customers who face disruptions of 60 minutes or more of a covered outage, will automatically receive a bill credit equivalent to a full day of service.

"Four years ago, we were losing share in the industry for a significant period of time," Jenifer Robertson, executive vice president and GM, AT&T Mass Markets & Mobility, told Reuters.

"We knew we had lost our customers' trust," Robertson said, adding that AT&T responded with strategies such as pricing, product improvements and promotional offers to return the company to growth.

The initiative, which will be live from Thursday, is AT&T's guarantee to "make it right" for customers should the company fail to deliver on its promise of dependable connectivity, according to an AT&T statement.

For three years in a row, until 2023, AT&T had topped the customer satisfaction rankings for business wireless service among large enterprises, according to a survey by consulting firm J.D. Power.

"Since 2019, we've invested more than $140 billion in our network and almost a billion dollars in customer care and operations," Robertson said.

(Reporting by Harshita Mary Varghese in Bengaluru; Editing by Mohammed Safi Shamsi)
Festivals  Gujarat Festivals  Kite Festival

International Kite Festival

Significance : Festival coinciding the festival Makara sankranti.

Date: 11.1.2025 - 14.1.2025

Started in the year 1989, International Kite Festival attracts the connoisseurs of kites from all corners of the world. It is held at Ahmedabad on January 14 every year, to coincide with the festival of Uttarayan or Makar Sankranti . The change in the direction of winds on Makar Sankranti is marked by thousands of colourful kites of all patterns and dimensions which dot the blue sky. The festival lures expert kite-makers and fliers not only from major cities of India but also from around the world.

Kite-flying festival is also held in important cities of Gujarat each year. Young men vie with each other to win community kite-flying competitions. The kites are hand made and the thread is given a coating of glass powder mixed in either resin or a paste made of refined wheat flour. These threads are so sharp and can even cut the finger if not used carefully. The day also witnesses kite flying tournaments in which handsome cash, cups and shields are awarded as prizes to the winners. Special kites with paper lamps (tukkals) fill the night sky with myriad flickering lights.

Kite-flying starts at dawn and continues without a pause throughout the day. The festival is a time of thanksgiving for the religious, since it marks the awakening of the gods from their long slumber. The gods who are believed to have slumbered for six long months are now awake and the portals of heaven are thrown open. It is also a signal for merry-making. People pay homage to the gods, in temples and alms are distributed freely.

People crowd rooftops, indulge in kite fighting in a sportive spirit and generally have fun. Girls and Boys wearing traditional attires dance Dandiya ras and delicious Gujarati feast is prepared to celebrate the festival.
Tax Day is coming, and if you are the sort who works best against a deadline, we can give you several to jot down on your calendar.

When is the filing deadline for 2025?

Taxes for 2024 are due for most of us by April 15, which falls on a Tuesday this year. If you don't expect to file by then, you can request a six-month extension.

When do I get my refund?

If you filed electronically and chose to receive your refund by direct deposit, your refund will probably be issued within 21 days, the IRS says. If you mailed a paper return, the wait could be four weeks or longer.

What happens if I miss the tax deadline?

If you fail to file your federal tax return on time, the standard penalty is a whopping 5% of any tax due for every month the return is late, up to 25% of the unpaid balance. If you file a return but fail to pay any taxes you owe, or if you get an extension, you typically face a much smaller monthly penalty of 0.5% of any unpaid amount.

Are there exceptions to the April 15 tax deadline?

Yes. The IRS extends the annual tax deadline for taxpayers who live or do business in areas afflicted by disasters and for people in states with local holidays.

A complete list of disaster-related extensions is on their website.

Hurricane Helene tax deadlines

Individuals and businesses affected by Hurricane Helene in all or parts of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia have until May 1 to file taxes.

Florida victims of Hurricane Milton also have until May 1 to file returns.

Deadline for filing income tax returns with extensions

If you request an extension, you'll have until Oct. 15, a Wednesday, to file your return. It's important to keep in mind that the extension doesn't buy you more time to pay your taxes. If you think you owe tax, you'd be wise to make your best estimate of the amount and pay it by April 15 to avoid penalties later on.

1099 deadline

If you're a freelancer, an independent contractor, or earn income from sources outside of a traditional job, you should receive a 1099 tax form by Feb. 15. Employers are generally required to send the forms by the end of January.

W-2 deadline

Your employer is also required to send you a W-2 by Jan. 31.

Quarterly tax due dates

If you earn income that isn't subject to withholding taxes, you're typically required to make estimated tax payments to the IRS. You can do this every quarter or through one annualized estimate. The annualized estimate is due on April 15.

The quarterly payments for 2025 are due by the following dates:

 First payment: April 15.
Ballina is preparing to submit an application to bring the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann back to the town in 2028, 30 years since it last hosted the iconic traditional music festival.

Campaigners from local Comhaltas groups seeking to bring the Fleadh back to Ballina said based on Failte Ireland data, the event would generate around 60 million to the local economy, attracting 500,000 visitors over nine days. They have said the event would also greatly benefit Knock Airport with thousands of visitors expected from overseas.

The event would also receive national and international media coverage.

However, there are costs of around 1.9 million associated with organizing the Fleadh which includes the provision of performance domes, security services, medical cover, event management services, waste management, sound equipment, advertising and more.

As the local Comhaltas group is a voluntary group with no major funding available, a successful bid would require major backing from Mayo County Council, funding from Government grants such as LEADER and sponsorship from local companies.

Hollister are among the local businesses to have given a commitment to sponsoring the Fleadh in the event of a successful bid. It is understood campaigners are in discussion with two local companies with a view towards sponsoring a performance dome.

Campaigners are also seeking the appointment of both a Chairperson of the All-Ireland Fleadh coming from within Mayo County Council and a Treasurer with full control over income and expenditure, both to be assisted by the members of Comhaltas.

They would also require the appointment of a small number of dedicated staff in the Ballina Municipal District office to work in conjunction with local Comhaltas groups and Comhaltas HQ in Dublin.

Last years Fleadh in Wexford received backing of 2 million from Wexford County Council, achieved by raising commercial rates, and Eamonn Walsh, who is playing a leading role to bring the Fleadh to Ballina, said he would like to see Mayo County Council show similar ambition.

Bringing the All-Ireland Fleadh to Mayo would be the equivalent of bringing The Sam Maguire back to Mayo, he said.

Every traditional musician in the county would love to see the All-Ireland Fleadh back in Mayo.

Ballina hosted the All-Ireland Fleadh in 1997 and 1998 and was only the second Mayo town to do so, with Swinford previously hosting the event in 1961.
A well-known leader in the Irish American community in New York has said undocumented Irish people living in the United States should not make "drastic moves" ahead of President Donald Trump taking office for the second time later this month.

Louisburgh native Ciaran Staunton is a founding member of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform and has been campaigning for the undocumented Irish for many years. Mr Staunton told the Western People that undocumented Irish people living in the United States should not panic about President Trumps return to the White House in the coming weeks despite promises by the incoming president that he plans to detain and deport large numbers of people living illegally in the United States.

People should not be making drastic moves based on recent headlines," said Mr Staunton. "The new incoming immigration tsar has the job of mass deportations but there are 700,000 illegal immigrants with criminal backgrounds in the United States. They will be the target of this administration, he said.

Trump has a huge mandate. He has the House and the Senate under Republican control but again, the target is the criminal element and that will take a long time to deal with.

We came through this before. People should not go saying this is all over because he is back in again.

Mr Staunton said there has been a lot of scaremongering around this issue.

Some immigration lawyers who know nothing but want to get themselves some clients have been doing a bit of scaremongering and people should not react to this, he said.

Families in Ireland with relatives here would read that kind of nonsense and get worried. No one should be packing their bags or uprooting their family because some lawyer is looking for headlines or clients.

Mr Staunton advised anyone who is in a position to secure legal status to make strides in doing so.

For people who are in that position and want to get legal, the most important thing is to hire a good attorney to do so, he said. I often say an attorney is like a sheepdog, there is nothing worse than a bad one and nothing as cheap as a good one.
The cold snap is the main story on Wednesday's front pages.

The Irish Times leads with a story on the cold snap, along with Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tanaiste Micheal Martin saying they are happy to work with Independent TD Michael Lowry in government formation.

Along with the weather, a story on the record number of 'dangerous fails' in the NCT makes the front page of the Irish Examiner.

The Irish Indepedent leads with a story on the Kyran Durnin murder investigation.

The Echo leads with a story on the dangers facing homeless people in Cork in the ongoing cold snap.

The weather is also the main topic in the Irish Sun.

The Irish Daily Mail also leads with the NCT story.

The FAI is looking for answers after Conor McGregor was pictured with the FAI Cup in his pub, The Herald reports.

In the North, the Belfast Telegraph and The Irish News both lead with the discovery of Belfast man John George's body in Spain.

Fact-checking changes at social media company Meta lead the UK's Wednesday papers.

The Financial Times and The Guardian splash on Mark Zuckerbergs company moving away from third-party fact-checking in an attempt to build bridges with US president-elect Donald Trump.

Meanwhile, the i says Mr Zuckerberg has joined X owner Elon Musk in criticising the EU and UK over online safety rules.

Elsewhere on social media, Metro leads on the Labour Party apologising after using a TikTok backing track with lyrics boasting about drugs and violence against women.

Whistleblowers have told a public enquiry special forces allegedly had a deliberate policy of executing Afghan civilians, the Daily Telegraph reports.

Both the Daily Mail and The Times report A&E departments across Britain are full due to a winter flu outbreak.

More than 700 current and former McDonalds employees are suing the fast-food giant over allegations teenagers were sexually abused, according to the Daily Mirror.

The Daily Express writes the UKs wintry blast could bring temperatures as low as minus 20C.

The Sun splashes on a cash crisis on the popular soap opera Coronation Street, with Charlotte Jenkins the fifth star to leave in just a month.

Lastly, the Daily Star leads on advice from actor Brian Blessed, who gives readers tips on surviving a yeti attack.

The New York Times leads with a story on preparations for the funeral of former US president Jimmy Carter.
Teresa Moram Memorial Darts

The second annual Teresa Moran Memorial Darts competition will be held in the Anglers Rest in Glenamoy on Sunday, January 12. Registration will commence at 3pm with a 4pm start. The entry fee is 10 and there are four dart boards in use. There will be refreshments on the afternoon plus raffle with funds going to Help Mags Fund. All spot prizes and donation will be very welcome.

Kiltane GAA club news

There was no winner of this weeks Kiltane GAA Club weekly lotto jackpot of 16,000 with the two 50 winners being, Luke Reilly, Geesala and Owen Deane, Mountjubilee while Megan Barrett, Geesala and Eva Healy, Glenamoy both won 25. The two online winners were Owen Deane, Mountjubilee 50 and Caroline Sweeney, Bangor 25.

Bingo will take place in the GAA complex Bangor on Tuesday, January 7, at 8pm where the jackpot will be 600 in 47 calls or less.

Congratulations to Paddy Corrigan on his election as President of The North Mayo GAA Board. He is wished every success throughout his Presidency.

And now a look at the weather

The weather is always a topic of conversation at any time and here is a Selected Weather Data for Belmullet Met Eireann all Weather Station, (1st January to 29th December 2024 inc.) Wind: Highest gust 133 km/hour recorded on October 20, 2024. Rainfall: Yearly total: 1171.4 mm (5% lower than average). Highest daily total was 40.6mm recorded on October 24, 2024. Temperature: Max air temperature (23.0C) recorded on September 19, 2024. Min air temperature (-2.1C) recorded on December 11, 2024. Lowest grass temperature (-7.1C) recorded on January 10, 2024. Sunshine: Yearly total: 1206.2 hours (5.6% lower than average). Highest daily total: 13.7 hours recorded on April 20 and April 21, 2024. Weather: 19 days when fog occurred; 5 days when either thunder or lightening occurred; 19 days when gales occurred; 24 days when snow, sleet or hail occurred.

Belmullet Sea Angling Club

Belmullet Sea Angling Clubs annual Portacloy beach competition was held recently with anglers from all over Mayo, Donegal, Eastern Europe and from the USA all testing their skills on the beautiful beach of Portacloy. The winners of the Christmas competition held on December 27, for the Shane Coyle cup are as follows: 1st Joe Chambers, 2nd Arthur Thurrat, 3rd Shane Gilvarry, 4th Brian Mooney, 5th Billy Gilvarry, and Longest fish Sally Gilvarry.

Thanks to everyone who participated on the day and a very happy new year to everyone.

Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust

To mark Linda Conways birthday this year, Linda is asking for donations to Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust. Linda has chosen this charity because their mission means a lot to her, and Linda hopes that you'll consider contributing as a way of celebrating with her. Every little bit will help her reach her goal. The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust aim to alleviate the financial hardship of bereaved families repatriating the body (bodies) of loved one(s) who have died abroad in sudden or tragic circumstances back to Ireland and if you decide to give, you can choose who can see that you donated or donate privately.

Erris Parkrun

Event number 385. On New Year's Day Parkrun 30 people ran, jogged and walked the course in a cool 5 degrees and a sharp northerly breeze. They had four first timers - Ronald Wilson, Ciara Kane, Mark Caffrey and Ellen McDonnell. Congrats to Jess Britton on her personal best. Representatives of seven different clubs took part.

Well done and congrats to Anthony Corbett, from Castlebar Parkrun, who completed his 200th parkrun with them on the day. Anthony also completed his 50th Parkrun at Erris. The event was made possible by nine volunteers - Catherine Clinton, Marie Brogan, Kayla Doherty, Eithne Dixon, Roseleen Reilly, Harry Reilly, Roisin Reilly, Eddie McAndrew, Kea Lavelle. Thanks to all the volunteers who make this possible every week. For 2025, do not hesitate in contacting them to join the volunteering team, excellent training, terms and conditions apply 2025

Daniel Doherty Memorial Pool Competition.

The 2025 Daniel Doherty Memorial Pool Competition will take place on February 1 and 2, 2025 in Connollys Pub Stonefield. More information to follow in the coming weeks. They will not be taking names until then.

Recent deaths

Deepest sympathies are extended to the family of Ann Prior (nee Geraghty), London, England and formerly of The Gatehouse, Barnagh, Clogher; John Lally (Martin) better known as John Marty, Foxpoint, Barnatra; Angela Doherty (nee Murphy), Carrowteige and formerly of Derrycorrib; Patrick Gannon, Cornboy, Carrowteige; Peadar Togher, Tirrane, Clogher. May they rest in peace.

Calendar launch

The 2025 Slaintecare Healthy Communities Calendar will be launched in Aras Inis Gluaire on January 8, and in Achill Tourist Office on January 10. For the 2025 calendar they hosted a photography competition among all ages to secure wonderful scenes that could be included in the calendar. While only 12 photographs were chosen, they will showcase the other 120 photos that they received at the launches. Feel free to come along at 12 noon on January 8 or January 10 to see the majestic scenery in Erris and Achill. Free calendars will be available at each venue. Call Paul Gillen on 087 4066 518 or email paul.gillen@hse.ie for a free calendar.

Slaintecare Healthy

Slainte Healthy Communities are also continuing to provide a host of programmes and initiatives in the parishes of Ballycroy and Kiltane from early 2025 onwards. These include activator pole walking, craft workshops, music circles, creative cafes, health checks, The Living Well Programme, parenting workshops, knitting groups, book clubs, health information evenings etc. If you want to find new interests or broaden your social circle call Marina in the Achill area on 083 092 3226 or Maria in The Erris area on 087 185 7280. For more information on the Slaintecare Healthy Communities Programme call Paul Gillen on 087 4066518 or Mairead Carney on 087 296 3991.

Tullaghan Bay Rowing Club

Tullaghan Bay Rowing Club are hosting their very 1st club dinner dance on Sunday, February 2, in the Erris Coast Hotel. This will be a night of celebrating their achievements, recognising their hard work but more importantly a night of fun and laughter and they would love if you could join them. Tickets include a drinks reception and a 4 course sumptuous dinner, complimentary raffle, followed by Michael S and Clodagh and finishing with a late night disco. They also have an optional Black and White Dress Code, everyone is welcome. Tickets will be limited so grab yours at the Erris Coast Hotel or by WhatsApp at 087 6333940 or by contacting any committee member.

Cill Chomain GAA dinner dance

Cill Chomain GAA will hold their dinner dance on January 24 beginning at 7.30 in the Broadhaven Bay Hotel. Tickets which cost 45 are on sale locally in the shops and pubs. The last date for purchasing tickets is January 17. Unfortunately the club will strictly not be able to sell any tickets after this date.
China-Africa cooperation energizes Global South growth

Xinhua) 08:22, January 08, 2025

Containers are being loaded onto a truck at Lekki Port in Lagos, Nigeria, on Nov. 30, 2024. Lekki Port, a commercial cooperation project constructed by China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd., stands as Nigeria's first deep seaport and one of the largest of its kind in West Africa. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)

* As the world's largest developing country and the continent with the highest number of developing countries, China and Africa are charting the course for shared progress and revitalization, facilitating the modernization of the Global South and injecting "Southern" power into global prosperity and development.

* Over the years, China-Africa cooperation has propelled Africa's growth by empowering African youth through initiatives such as the Luban Workshops, Confucius Institutes, and the China-Africa Universities 100 Cooperation Plan.

NAIROBI, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is on a visit to four African countries -- Namibia, the Republic of the Congo, Chad, and Nigeria -- from Jan. 5 to 11, marking the 35th consecutive year that China's foreign minister has chosen Africa as the destination for the first overseas trip of the year.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has hailed it as a longstanding tradition and a distinctive hallmark of China's diplomacy that stems from the deep and enduring friendship between China and Africa.

Over the years, China-Africa cooperation has been forging ahead towards all-round, multi-level, and high-quality development, delivering results across multiple fields, notably in areas of trade, industrialization, agricultural modernization, and capacity building, benefiting billions of people in both China and Africa.

As the world's largest developing country and the continent with the highest number of developing countries, China and Africa are charting the course for shared progress and revitalization, facilitating the modernization of the Global South and injecting "Southern" power into global prosperity and development.

DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Herman Uwizeyimana, general manager of Fisher Global, a Rwandan agriculture company specializing in chili cultivation and export, made a field trip to examine the vibrant red chili crops near Mulindi Market in Kigali, the country's capital.

In 2021, Rwanda began to export dried chili to China, making chili cultivation a key export industry. "When people talk about chili, they often think of China. Everyone knows that our main market is China, and we have many farmers involved," he said.

Over the past three years, Fisher Global has exported 200-300 tonnes of dried chili to China annually. Bolstered by China's recent zero-tariff policy, Uwizeyimana's goal is to expand exports to 1,500 tonnes per year.

Herman Uwizeyimana, a pioneering Rwandan chili farmer with a PhD in ecology from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, checks the growth of chili peppers in a field in Kigali, Rwanda, Dec. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Ji Li)

Since Dec. 1, China has granted all least developed countries with which it has diplomatic relations, including 33 African countries, zero-tariff treatment on 100 percent of their product categories, becoming the first major developing country and leading economy to adopt such a policy.

On top of the zero-tariff policy, China has introduced measures to turn its vast consumption market into a key opportunity for Africa, not least by expanding green channels for African agricultural products. It has also facilitated Africa's participation in major exhibitions like the China International Import Expo, helped connect African products to global markets, and signed economic partnership agreements for long-term, stable institutional support.

Driven by these measures, Rwandan dried chili and coffee, Kenyan avocados, Beninese pineapples, Malagasy lamb, Malawian peanuts, and Mozambican macadamia nuts and cashews are now gracing Chinese consumers' tables.

According to the General Administration of Customs of China, in the first eight months of 2024, China imported African agricultural products worth 28.47 billion yuan (about 4 billion U.S. dollars), up by 4.8 percent from a year earlier.

With two-way trade booming, China's vast market has also strengthened Africa's industrial chains and added value to its products. Michel Anondraka, director general of agriculture and livestock at Madagascar's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, said Madagascar exported frozen lamb products to China for the first time in 2024 and the transition to exporting meat instead of live animals will retain more added value in the country.

"Thanks to this export, (Madagascar's) livestock farmers will have a secure market, which will boost their production, increase their income, and earn more foreign currency," he said, adding that China's growing demand for Madagascar's mutton and goat meat will boost production for local livestock farmers and speed up the African country's agricultural modernization.

ADVANCING TOWARD MODERNIZATION

In November 2024, a group of 20 Africans from the agricultural sector visited the Manluanzhan village in southwest China's Yunnan Province to dig into the country's achievements in rural revitalization.

During their stay, they saw how structures like disused water towers had been transformed into cafes, and traditional homes converted into modern guesthouses. Participants also engaged in cultural activities such as traditional pottery-making and local martial arts.

Nabirye Sarah from the Busoga Consortium for Development tried making a pottery vase. "These hands-on activities showcase the value of local ethnic culture and are very appealing to urban youth and children," she said, unveiling her plan to introduce such easily accessible and innovative business projects to young people upon returning to her country.

Sarah is among the first cohort under a young rural entrepreneurs' initiative for African countries jointly launched by China Agricultural University and Chinese tech giant Tencent in 2024.

Dima Al-Khatib, director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation, depicted the initiative as an innovative South-South cooperation model that facilitates knowledge and skills sharing and fosters collaborative innovation between developing countries.

"This will enable you to transform your communities, to create lasting change, and drive sustainable development across Africa," she said.

Local farmers harvest rice in a field at the China National Hybrid Rice Research and Development Center's Africa sub-center in Mahitsy, Madagascar, on May 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Sitraka Rajaonarison)

As China is working for high-quality development and Chinese modernization, Africa is also pursuing the modernization goals outlined in the African Union's Agenda 2063. China's experience offers fresh opportunities for Africa's development.

From Madagascar's hybrid rice to agricultural poverty reduction demonstration villages in Sao Tome and Principe, from Ethiopia's Eastern Industrial Zone to the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, and from Mauritania's China-Africa Green Technology Park to the geothermal power plant of Sosian Energy in Kenya, Chinese wisdom and solutions are taking root across Africa, boosting the continent's modernization drive.

"Africa and China are all giants who stand on the shoulders of each other. Let us work together for a better life. This life leaves no one behind," said Omar Mjenga, president and chief executive officer of the Center for International Policy-Africa.

EMPOWERING YOUNG GENERATION

In early December, Aloui Safaa, a student from Morocco Yiwu Business School, completed her first live-streaming session in a cross-border e-commerce class. Presenting stationery samples in English, Arabic, and French, she captivated a large audience.

"Live-streaming is so much fun! I used to watch livestream, but now I'm actively participating, leveraging my language skills, and even generating income," she said.

Her Chinese instructor Xiong Aisha comes from Yiwu Industrial and Commercial College. In 2023, the college partnered with Morocco's Mundiapolis University to establish Morocco Yiwu Business School. By tailoring China's vocational education expertise to local needs, the college offers degree programs and an education model that blends Chinese language learning with professional skill-building.

"I see that China has a lot to offer to Africa in terms of knowledge and development," said Olusola Oyewole, secretary general of the Association of African Universities, adding that collaboration with Chinese universities will help African researchers address their challenges.

With Africa's predominantly young population, the focus now must be on empowering the youth through skills and competence, which will drive the continent's development, he said.

Over the years, China-Africa cooperation has propelled Africa's growth by empowering African youth through initiatives such as the Luban Workshops, Confucius Institutes, and the China-Africa Universities 100 Cooperation Plan.

This photo taken on Feb. 15, 2024 shows a classroom of Luban Workshop in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Technical and Vocational Training Institute in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (Xinhua/Li Yahui)

Over the next three years, China will further cooperate with Africa to advance vocational education programs, establish engineering colleges, and extend the reach of the Luban Workshops to even more African countries.

The collaboration between Africa and China can enhance and empower African youth, particularly in emerging fields like digitalization and artificial intelligence, where China is providing strong support, said Oyewole.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
By Qabil Ashirov



On November 7, 2024, the ships CMS P?hl?van, CMS ?gid, and CMS-3, operating under the Azerbaijani flag and managed by the Azerbaijan branch of Caspian Marine Services B.V., were forced into Eritrean territorial waters due to worsening weather conditions during their voyage from the Suez Canal to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, Azernews reports, citing a statement from the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

The Ministry noted that despite prior contact with Eritrean port authorities, the entry into Eritrean 12-mile territorial waters was unauthorized and the ships were detained by the relevant Eritrean authority. Among the crew members of the detained ships, 18 are Azerbaijani citizens.

"After receiving initial information about the incident on November 7, 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately took control of the situation and responded accordingly.

To address the issue, legal justification was provided to Eritrean authorities, stating that the entry into Eritrean territorial waters did not violate international legal norms. This was communicated through our embassies in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Russian Federation. Relevant meetings were also held at the Eritrean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Eritrean embassies in Turkiye and Moscow.

Efforts are ongoing to resolve the issue, secure the release of the ships and crew, and provide necessary consular and legal assistance," the Ministry stated.
The UK's newly re-formed Business and Trade Committee has called on Shein and Temu to provide evidence ahead of a new Make Work Pay: Employment Rights Bill.

The UK government believes the bill will offer a comprehensive overhaul of employment law and has described it as the "biggest upgrade to workers rights in a generation."

On 7 January Shein's EMEA general counsel Yinan Zhu, alongside Temu's senior legal counsel Stephen Heary and senior compliance manager Leonard Klenner will give oral evidence at the UK's House of Commons as part of its inquiry on UK employment.

Shein and Temu will also be joined by representatives from fast food chain McDonalds, UK supermarket Tesco and UK retail trade organisation the British Retail Consortium.

Neither Shein nor Temu had responded to Just Style's request for comment at the time of going to press.

The committee has asked Shein and Temu for evidence to inform the later stages of the Bills passage through Parliament and to help assess whether it will achieve its aims, which include:

Ban exploitative zero-hours contracts

End fire and rehire and fire and replace

Make parental leave, sick pay and protection from unfair dismissal a day one right

Strengthen statutory sick pay

Make flexible working the default from day one

Strengthen protections for pregnant women and new mothers returning to work

Strengthen protections from sexual harassment at work

Strengthen legislation around the allocation of tips

Strengthen protections around collective redundancy

Introduce a new right to bereavement leave

Establish a new Single Enforcement Body, called the Fair Work Agency

Establish Fair Pay Agreements in the adult social care sector

Reinstate the School Support Staff Negotiating Body

Upgrade Trade Union legislation.

UK Parliament also hopes those providing evidence will help it to consider areas such as:

How the Bill will contribute to the Governments stated goal of achieving the fastest growth in the G7.

Whether the Employment Rights Bill will adequately protect workers, improve security at work and raise living standards in every part of the country.

The impact the Bill will have on businesses, in particular investment rates, start-up rates, the supply of labour and the employment rate.

How to ensure adequate protection against exporting poor labour standards, including concerns over forced labour in international supply chains.

Last month (December) it was reported that Shein was considering asking UK regulators to waive listing rules that would require at least 10% of its shares to be sold to the public in its planned London flotation.
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

Partly to variably cloudy skies overnight; more clouds (low clouds and fog off the ocean) points south and east from the I-95 corridor to the shore especially. A total lunar eclipse after midnight peaks around 2:30-3:30am. .

Tonight

Partly to variably cloudy skies overnight; more clouds (low clouds and fog off the ocean) points south and east from the I-95 corridor to the shore especially. A total lunar eclipse after midnight peaks around 2:30-3:30am.
McDonalds joins a growing list of companies that are pulling back on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Like others before it, the fast-food chain cites a U.S. Supreme Court decision in July 2023 that outlawed affirmative action in college admissions.

Conservative activists have gone after companies  both in the courts and on social media  seeking to set a similar precedent in the working world. Theyve been targeting workplace initiatives such as diversity programs and hiring practices that prioritize historically marginalized groups, and have widened their objections to include programs focused on gender identity and sexual orientation.

DEI policies typically are intended as a counterweight to discriminatory practices. Critics argue that education, government and business programs which single out participants based on factors such as race, gender and sexual orientation are unfair and the same opportunities should be afforded to everyone.

McDonalds said Monday that it would retire specific goals for achieving diversity at senior leadership levels and end a program that encourages its suppliers to develop diversity training. The companys diversity team will be renamed the Global Inclusion Team. The Chicago burger giant says it remains committed to inclusion and believes a diverse workforce is a competitive advantage.

Here's a look at some of the other companies that have retreated from DEI:

Walmart

The worlds largest retailer confirmed in November that it would not be renewing a five-year commitment for an equity racial center set up in 2020 after the police killing of George Floyd, and that it would stop participating in the Human Rights Campaigns annual benchmark index measuring workplace inclusion for LGBTQ+ employees.

Walmart also said it will better monitor its third-party marketplace to make sure items sold there do not include products aimed at LGBTQ+ minors, including chest binders intended for transgender youth.

Additionally, the company will no longer consider race and gender as a litmus test to improve diversity when it offers supplier contracts and it wont be gathering demographic data when determining financing eligibility for those grants.

Ford

CEO Jim Farley sent a memo to the automaker's employees in August outlining changes to the company's DEI policies, including a decision to stop taking part in HRC's Corporate Equality Index.

Ford, he wrote, had been looking at its policies for a year. The company doesnt use hiring quotas or tie compensation to specific diversity goals but remained committed to fostering a safe and inclusive workplace, Farley said.
By Iain Withers

LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. stocks look set to extend their outperformance this year driven by the financial firepower of big tech firms and investor friendly policies under a second Donald Trump presidency, the CEO of State Street's asset management arm said on Wednesday.

Some investors believe Trump's agenda of tax cuts and deregulation can further fuel so-called U.S. exceptionalism - which saw U.S. stocks widen their valuation gap over rivals last year - despite potential disruption from policies such as higher tariffs and concerns that the market is in bubble territory.

Big technology firms that have driven up U.S. stock indexes can continue to do so due to their large investment budgets, Yie-Hsin Hung, CEO of State Street Global Advisors (SSGA), one of the world's biggest asset managers with $4.7 trillion under management, told a media event in London.

"You have the advent of all these new technologies whether it is AI, quantum computing... The earnings adjustments they've made as a result of it suggest that that level of exceptionalism has a good chance of continuing," Hung said.

SSGA, known for its passive, index-tracking funds, believes Trump's policies will be "generally constructive" for investors but it is preparing for a "fair amount of volatility", she added.

Hung was speaking at an event to launch a SSGA exchange-traded fund (ETF) that offers European investors access to Saudi government bonds and will be partly listed on the London Stock Exchange.

State Street said that Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth Public Investment Fund would invest $200 million in the ETF.

Saudi Arabia has drawn considerable interest from overseas investors seeking to tap into the kingdom's drive to diversify its economy away from oil but the country's human rights record has long been the subject of criticism.

Hung said SSGA engaged with clients on environmental, social and governance issues, but that it was ultimately up to them what they invested in. "We subscribe to the notion of providing choice to our clients," she said.

Saudi Arabia denies accusations of human rights abuses and says it protects its national security through its laws.

($1 = 0.8051 pounds)

(Reporting by Iain Withers; Editing by Tommy Reggiori Wilkes, Kirsten Donovan)
Vontobel has finalised its acquisition of IHAG Privatbanks client book, a move first announced on 19 September 2024. This deal enhances Vontobels presence in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), bolstering its private clients segment.

IHAG clients will now gain access to Vontobels global investment expertise, tailored financial advice, and advanced digital tools.

The transaction, which was financed through Vontobels existing capital, has had a positive impact on the companys group net profit from the outset. Specific terms of the deal remain confidential.

This strategic acquisition underscores Vontobels commitment to growth and its position as a primary private bank in the region.

Moreover, in December at the 9th Annual Private Banking Conference & Awards Switzerland 2024 event, hosted in Zurich, Dr Reto Cueni, chief economist at Vontobel, spoke on the long road to sustainability.

Sustainability and ESG are common topics in private banking now and Cueni said: Many people think in different terms when it comes to sustainability.

When it comes to Vontobel, it utilises ESG assessments during the valuation process with 15 equal-weighted factors to aid the process.

About the road to sustainability, Cueni explained: When we talk about ESG and sustainability, we talk about the green transition and where we want to end up in a sustainable world. It would be nice if we were already there, but to achieve it, you need a lot of minerals and metals. You need a lot of resources to make the green transition happen.

He continued: Everyone is pointing towards more. The question is to increase or decrease growth when it comes to metal consumption.

A lot of trade and new production needs to keep pace and in order to get there, you need to use a lot of energy.

Its due to population growth and an increase in living standards. Both of these lead to a higher energy demand.

However, Cueni warned that there was a lot more to sustainability than just physical resources.

"Vontobel expands private client services with IHAG acquisition" was originally created and published by Private Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand.




Shares of Tencent (OTC: TCEHY), the Chinese tech giant and owner of the WeChat superapp, were tumbling Monday after the U.S. Department of Defense listed the company as a Chinese military entity in a Federal Register filing.

Such a move could carry significant implications for Tencent on trade, technology, and intellectual property, so it's not surprising that its stock fell in the wake of that news. As of 1:36 p.m. ET, Tencent shares were down 9.7% for the session.

Image source: Getty Images.

Tencent could be the latest victim in the tech cold war

There aren't direct consequences to being included on the "entity list," but with tensions flaring between the U.S. and China, U.S.-based companies may feel inhibited about doing business with Tencent and others listed.

The list of companies backed by the Chinese military was created under the Thornberry Authorization Act, which followed an executive order issued in late 2020 by then-President Trump that prohibits U.S. entities from investing in such companies.

In response, Tencent said: "We are not a military company or supplier. Unlike sanctions or export controls, this listing has no impact on our business." It also said the designation was "clearly a mistake," and that it plans to work with the Department of Defense to get itself removed from the entity list.

What's next for Tencent

The sell-off that followed Tencent's inclusion on the entity list underscores yet another risk for Chinese tech companies. Even as China's struggling domestic economy has battered its stocks, Chinese companies also face headwinds as the U.S. government increasingly restricts chip and high-tech exports and takes other steps to hamper innovation in China.

Citigroup has described the slide in Tencent's stock price as an enhanced buying opportunity. The tech company remains dominant in China, though its growth has slowed from the pre-pandemic era.

Given the ongoing economic malaise in China, continued caution regarding Tencent's stock seems warranted.

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Click the photo and watch the video.

BEIJING, Jan. 7 (Xinhua)  Most tourists seek to avoid visiting the same places again and again, but Kim Jong-gu from the Republic of Korea (ROK) is an exception. This winter marks his third visit to Zhangjiajie, a scenic wonderland in central China that inspired the movie Avatar.

"China's decision to waive visas for visitors from my country made me feel truly welcomed," Kim said. "So as soon as the policy was announced, I booked a trip to Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province."

Tourists visit the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in Zhangjiajie, central China's Hunan Province, on Jan. 3, 2024. [Photo by Wu Yongbing/Xinhua]

In November, China extended its visa-free transit policy to allow ordinary passport holders from 38 countries, including the ROK, to visit China for a maximum of 30 days without applying for a visa.

In December, China announced a significant relaxation of the visa-free transit policy, extending the permitted stay for eligible foreign travelers to 240 hours from the previous periods of either 72 hours or 144 hours.

Kim first encountered Zhangjiajie's towering peaks and otherworldly landscapes in 2002. His second trip in 2014, however, proved physically challenging, requiring him to climb 999 steps just to reach the base of Tianmen Cave in Zhangjiajie. "It was exhausting," he recalled.

While the 68-year-old has never thought that this time, he could ascend to the summit of Tianmen Cave at his age, which perches high on a steep cliff.

Photo taken on June 29, 2016 shows the scenery of Tianmen Mountain surrounded by fog in Zhangjiajie, central China's Hunan Province. [Xinhua/Xiang Tao]

Escalators have now been carved into the mountain, allowing him to reach the summit effortlessly. "With these conveniences, I'm sure I can visit here again, even when I get older," Kim said.

For many people from the ROK, the new transit policy has made travel to China more appealing. Zhangjiajie, alongside major destinations like Beijing, Shanghai and Qingdao, is now buzzing with ROK tourists.

Tourists from the Republic of Korea pose for photos at the Bund in east China's Shanghai, Dec. 28, 2024. [Xinhua/Wang Xiang]

At Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport, a newly designated port for visa-free entry, international arrivals soared to about 30,000 since the relaxation of the visa-free transit policy in November, with those from the ROK accounting for over 20,000, an increase of 204 percent year on year.

Among the swarm were Choi Jong-ho and his wife, who visited China for the first time. "The visa exemptions saved us time and money, and more importantly, allowed us to travel with ease," said Choi, who has long wished to visit Zhangjiajie and made the trip right after the visa-free expansion. The couple also plans to visit Xi'an, an ancient capital city in northwest China, in the spring.

Lee Soon-yong, 65, who had previously toured major Chinese cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou, embarked on his first visa-free journey in China this winter. "With visa-free access, all you need to prepare is an open heart ready to enjoy the trip," said Lee, who also celebrated his birthday with his family at a local hotpot restaurant in Zhangjiajie.

The surge in ROK tourists has transformed the daily life of Zheng Aihua, a Korean-speaking tour guide who has worked in Zhangjiajie for about 20 years. "The wave of tourists has kept me busier than ever. Sometimes, I'd barely finish dropping off a group of tourists at the airport before immediately having to rush to pick up another one," Zheng said.

Tourists from the Republic of Korea line up to pass through passenger clearance procedures at Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport in Zhangjiajie, central China's Hunan Province, May 27, 2024. [Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai]

Zhou Xiaolei, an associate professor at the School of Asian Studies, Beijing Foreign Studies University, noted that the appeal of many Chinese scenic spots like Zhangjiajie to people from the ROK lies in their resonance with the romanticized image of classical Chinese landscapes.

She also emphasized the importance of diversifying China's cultural tourism promotion to engage tourists with a broader range of cities and cultural experiences.

As China opens wider to the world and makes entry procedures smoother, travel to China has never been easier for globetrotters.

For Kim Jong-gu, every visit to China in the past decades gave him a completely fresh impression of the country. "Chinese people are always striving for new achievements. That's inspiring," Kim said.

(Source: Xinhua)

Editor: Wang Shasha
A health and wellness company focused on meeting the needs of the underserved and aiding people with under-recognized conditions across the world is returning home to Colorado Springs.

Desert Harvest is expanding locally and expects to create 15 new jobs with average annual salaries of $68,505, or 108% of El Paso County's average annual wage, state officials and the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development Corp. jointly announced Tuesday in a written release.

The family-owned and -operated company produces and sells high-quality, scientifically studied, all-natural health supplements and skin care products. Most of its customers, 75%, are women.

More than 30 years after it was founded in 1993 in El Paso County by her parents, Pat and Mike Criscito, Desert Harvest is reopening in downtown Colorado Springs, owner and CEO Heather Florio said. The company operated in Maine for the last 11 years.

Florio took over the company after her parents retired in 2012. She relocated Desert Harvest eastward to New England, where her husband is originally from, after the then-Monument-based company was affected by the deadly Black Forest fire in 2013.

Desert Harvest had also considered expanding its operations in Portland, Maine. But the ease of doing business in Colorado, including being more centrally located in the U.S. to better ship its products all over the world; her husband's health; and her family's desire to return to Colorado Springs all contributed to Florio's decision to move the business back to her hometown, she told The Gazette on Tuesday.

The move allows her to grow the company, create new jobs and support people "through continuous research, education and product development," she said in the release.

Desert Harvest's location downtown at 7 E. Cimarron St. is also beneficial because the area is a "great economic center," Florio said.

"It's kind of the best of both worlds," Florio said.

Florio's parents founded Desert Harvest after they discovered her aunt suffered from interstitial cystitis, also known as bladder pain syndrome, a common medical condition that causes bladder pressure and pain and sometimes pelvic pain, according to the Mayo Clinic. It's estimated to affect from 4 million to 12 million Americans and is more common in women, states the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

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"It's like having a constant, debilitating urinary tract infection, but it never goes away," Florio said.

Research and information on the bladder condition lacks even today, but 32 years ago there was little to no information about it. Her aunt "was trying everything to get some type of relief," but it wasn't until she ingested a whole bottle of aloe vera supplements at a natural products conference that she finally got it, Florio said. Her aunt was able to sleep through the night without the urgent need to use the restroom.

"This is almost unheard of for an IC patient," she said. "... So my mom got with a chemist friend and she developed the formulation we still use to this day."

The key was creating a product safe for long-term use and in high dosages, Florio said. Aloe vera's naturally occurring latex chemicals can be harmful to the colon, so the supplements available in most health stores aren't intended for long-term use. Desert Harvest is now a trusted expert in natural-origin aloe vera supplements and products for pelvic, urinary, oncological and sexual health, she said.

In the joint release Tuesday, state and local officials celebrated Desert Harvest's return to Colorado.

"Colorado ranks as one of the best states in the nation for women-led startups, and women-owned companies in particular are advancing new technologies and products focused on women's health. We're pleased to welcome Desert Harvest to this growing and important ecosystem," said Eve Lieberman, executive director of Colorado's Office of Economic Development and International Trade.

In November, the state Economic Development Commission approved up to $74,628 in a performance-based Job Growth Incentive Tax Credit for the company over eight years.

Florio's decision to move to Colorado Springs "highlights the strength of our local economy and our region's ability to support growing businesses," added Tim Vanderhoof, vice president of economic development at the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC.

The city of Colorado Springs also approved performance-based incentives to court the company. City Council approved a sales and use tax rebate on eligible purchases of construction materials, equipment, machinery, furniture and fixtures. City incentives total $11,500 over four years if Desert Harvest meets minimum investment and job creation requirements.
Weather Alert

...WIND ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM FRIDAY TO 4 AM CDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...South winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts 45 to 50 mph expected. * WHERE...Portions of southern Illinois, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. * WHEN...From 1 PM Friday to 4 AM CDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The strong winds may combine with loose soils and result in reduced visibilities at times. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution. &&
Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson in June 2024. [Photo by Keir Starmer / Flickr / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

The crisis in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) funding and placements in Britain continues to expand as councilstasked with providing placements and resourcesface imminent bankruptcy. Families, sometimes waiting years to receive educational support for their children, are at breaking point.

The need for SEND placements had already surged to over half a million (576,000) as of January 24 last year, while education funding is still at 2009/10 levels in real terms after over a decade of austerity.

Families have a statutory right to demand their local authority provide Education and Health Care Plans (EHCP) to children who have been identified as having a special educational need, granting them additional support to access learningincluding one-on-one support, transport services and, in some cases, access to private education.

According to analysis by the Guardian, more than 100 million was spent last year by local authorities and the government on failed efforts to block this support. They won just 136 out of more than 10,000 tribunals in 2022-23, a success rate of 1.2 percent.

A spokesperson for the Independent Provider of Special Education Advice, a charity providing free legal support to families, said, Its hard to avoid the conclusion that local authorities must calculate, at some level, that it costs them less to contest tribunal appeals, even if they lose, than to provide every child and young person with what the law entitles them to as a matter of coursebecause the majority of families dont [or] cant appeal.

In 2022-23, the SEND tribunal registered 13,658 appeals against EHCP decisions, a 24 percent increase from the 11,052 the previous year. The latest data, published last month, showed that tribunal costs will continue to surge after 21,000 appeals were registered in 2023-24an annual increase of 55 percent. Only 17,000 were concluded, adding to the 9,000-case backlog.

The number of children and young people requiring special education needs support in England has more than doubled over the past decade, according to the National Audit Office (NAO). Almost five percent of all students now have a special needs plan, up from a steady rate of 2.9 percent between 2000 and 2018, according to the IFS.

Meanwhile, local government funding has collapsed, with several authorities already going bankrupt and dozens more at risk. SEND costs are a major factor. According to an estimate by the IFS, councils will be running a collective 3.3 billion high-needs provision budget deficit this year, which it warned could rise to 8 billion in the next three years.

Lack of places is a major problem, with two-thirds of special schools full or over capacity. Tory and Labour government plans for expansion are grindingly slow. Of the just 67 new special schools in the pipeline, almost a third were approved more than four years ago, according to the Financial Times. Only 36 state special schools are expected to open by 2025-26, down from a previously estimated 47plus four alternative provision schools, down from 6.

A lack of state-maintained places means local authorities are increasingly having to turn to costly private providers, who are making fortunes out of the expanding business. While the number of local authority special school increased just 6 percent between 2018-19 and 2022-23 (to 1,050) the number of independent special schools increased 49 percent to 728.

A SEND place in the state sector costs an average of 24,000 a year, versus 62,000 in the private sector. In total, private places cost councils 2 billion in 2022-23, up 46 percent since 2018.

Among the beneficiaries is Outcomes First Group, which increased its revenues by 87 percent between 2019 and 2023, with profits up almost ninefold from 3.3 million to 27 million. Witherslack Groups revenues went up 130 percent in the same period, while profits more than tripled to 36 million. Both Outcomes First and Witherslack are owned by private equity groups.

The previous Conservative government allowed councils high-needs deficits to sit off their balance sheets to avert a wave of bankruptcies. Originally in place until 2024, this statutory override was extended to March 2026 on the understanding that 10 councils would otherwise have had to formally declare bankruptcy overnight. The National Audit Office has warned that four in ten councils are likely to be at risk of bankruptcy with the expiration of the new deadline.

Government SEND bailouts have meanwhile been made to the tune of 1 billion, always at the cost of reforms cutting provision. One council refused a deal because it said expected cuts would break the law.

This is the direction of travel. Last month, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced a paltry 740 million capital allocation for mainstream schools to adapt buildings and facilities to accept more SEND pupils. Labours main plan is to restrict eligibility for support.

At end of December 2024, MPs on Parliaments cross-party education select committee announced a SEND inquiry. Like all previous inquiries into the crisis in education, it will provide a pretext for slashing government provision in the name of efficiency and giving handouts to the private sector.

Education Committee Chair Helen Hayes MP made clear the primary concern of the announced inquiry is the financial drain on the government purse. This crisis has many symptoms that bleed into the rest of the education system: from attrition in the teaching workforce to soaring levels of pupil absence. There are also symptoms which blight local councils budgetsever increasing spending on transporting pupils to settings far from where they live, and the chaos of money being poured into tribunals that parents are expected to win, she said.

According to analysis by the Financial Times, thousands fewer students could be entitled to the full package of special educational support in England under changes being considered by Labour. The proposals involve changes to the system that underpins the provision of support, likely to affect children on the lighter end of a range of conditions such as ADHD and autism spectrum disorder, according to a senior official. It would mean thousands fewer pupils getting statements, they said.

The continued starving of resources to SEND is of a piece with Labours taking fuel allowances from pensioners, refusing to scrap the two-child benefit cap, and insistence on 5 percent efficiencies in every department. Growing private sector involvement in special educational needs provision aligns with the governments plans for the National Health Service. The only area of state spending for which Starmer insists money must be found at all costs is on the military.

The fight for high-quality education for all must be linked to a broader struggle against rampant social inequality and militarism, based on a mobilisation of educators alongside broader sections of the working class. Those who want to take up this fight should support the Educators Rank-and-File Committee.
The Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee (UK)PWRFCheld a meeting Sunday, For a rank-and-file fightback against Kretinsky take-over and defence of the mail service.

The meeting addressed the regressive character of the two agreements drawn up between Britains Labour government and the Communication Workers Union (CWU) with billionaire Daniel Kretinsky to approve his 3.5 billion takeover of Royal Mail.

Daniel Kretinsky, Dave Ward, Royal Mail [Photo: Top left: EP Holding / Bottom left: WSWS / Right: CC BY 2.0]

The agreements were publicly announced in mid-December after half a year of secret tripartite talks. The World Socialist Web Site published an article exposing both, arming workers against political gaslighting by the CWU, which has claimed the agreements protect the workforce and the mail service. In fact, they were crafted to provide open license for profiteering and the gutting of letter delivery by Kretinsky and his EP Group of private investors, to create what the financial press has described as the Amazon of Europe.

Royal Mail workers at the meeting were joined by postal workers from Canada and the United States who brought greetings from their rank-and-file committees, which like the PWRFC are affiliated to the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and File-Committees (IWA-RFC).

The opening report was given by WSWS reporter Tony Robson. He emphasised that every aspect of the CWU-EP Group Framework Agreement pointed to the need for a rank-and-file rebellion to remove Ward and his fellow bureaucrats, who are being granted a seat on a new board-level Advisory Committee alongside company executives.

Wards previous agreement with Royal Mail, made to sell out the 2022-3 national dispute of more than 100,000 postal workers, had torn up terms and conditions and delivered workers into the jaws of an even more brutal restructuring under Kretinsky.

The agreement with EP group, Robson explained, permits a raid on the 1 billion surplus of the postal workers pension fund, allowing half to be used by Kretinsky to fund his investments in Royal Mail. It also allows the company and CWU to push ahead with plans to reduce mail delivery for all letters other than First Class, making 300 million a year more in profit at the expense of at least 7,000 jobs. The CWU has foisted on postal workers a pilot of these plans at 37 delivery units across the country from February.

He added that the Kretinsky takeover could not be understood in isolation from the global war unleashed on postal and logistics workers by corporations and governments who had weaponised automation and AI to conduct a brutal restructuring to prioritise profitsincluding the outlawing of the Canada Post strike, and Trumps plans to privatise the United States Postal Service (USPS).

Workers at Royal Mail, Canada Post, USPS and Amazon face a common political fight against a billionaire corporate oligarchy and capitalist governments in every country, warned Robson, explaining that the IWA-RFC is an organising centre for workers to act independently, share information, develop joint action, assert their demands and link up their struggles with workers around the world.

George, a delivery worker in Glasgow, said, We are one of the delivery offices singled out for these pilots of so-called improved ways of working. Its going to be more work, extended delivery spans and health and safety disregarded.

The CWU has the cheek to say they will improve quality of service when they are agreeing trials to suspend mail for two days.

Addressing fatigue, we are already working up to five-hour deliveries and they are going to extend that in offices where many of the staff are 40, 50, 60-plus years of age, asked to deliver more and more.

There needs to be a fightback and we will be looking to build the resistance in our workplace because this will lead to thousands of jobs going if they have their way.

They also want to rob your pensions. That money does not belong to Ward. Hes promised half of our 1.4 billion to Kretinsky. This guy is a billionaire, he can invest in the company with his money, not yours or mine.

Paul, another delivery worker from Scotland, raised how delivery spans had been increased since 2004 from two-and-a-half to three-and-a-half hours. Who in Royal Mail signs off health and safety to walk five to six hours, he asked, Its beyond physical exhaustion.

Dave, who works at Parcelforce in London, challenged the CWUs claims that the agreement meant EP Group would not be a gig economy employer, after accepting that one in four workers at Royal Mails dedicated parcel arm could be employed on this basis.

The CWU accepted the bogus definition of owner drivers when these postal workers should be provided their full employment rightswhich had to be fought for by rank-and-file committee, uniting workers across the divisions sown by management and the union. The CWU was also introducing the gig economy model of payment for those directly employed, using a pay-per-parcel bonus to compensate for meagre basic wages.

Geraldine, a retired postal worker in California, spoke on the struggles of workers at USPS in America.

Postal workers were waiting for the result of the vote to accept or reject an atrocious tentative agreement. Carriers had expressed their disgust at the letter carrier union NALC, which had negotiated in secret for 600 days then presented a tentative agreement which consisted of a derisory 1.3 percent salary increase in each of three years and maintained a two-tier system. It also makes it easier to force carriers to work over 12-hour days and 60-hour weeks.

The NALC and APWU unions had also worked to keep workers in the dark about a brutal Delivering For America (DFA) restructuring plan which, If fully implemented, will destroy the Postal Service and it will be privatized and become a highly lucrative enterprise that will further enrich the oligarchs. It has already resulted in job cuts and wage losses.

Mark Dimondstein, President of the APWU, was silent on the DFA when he was welcomed onto a CWU Live broadcast last year.

Dimondstein also falsified the history of a 1970 wildcat strike by USPS workers, claiming they had the right to strike when they had in fact defied a prohibition of action on pay, and a strikebreaking operation organised by the Nixon administration using 23,000 soldiers. A subsequently imposed no-strike clause and binding arbitration has been used by the union bureaucracy to police rank-and-file postal workers ever since.

Daniel Berkley, a mail carrier from Ontario, brought greetings from the Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee at Canada Post. He explained how the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) had enforced a strike ban on behalf of Trudeau government.

The Canadian government stepped in three times in 2024 to end strikes. Rail, dock, and postal workers were each ordered back to work by the Labour Minister, and in each case, the respective union apparatus did nothing to prepare for or resist the undemocratic orders.

Canada Post workers on a picket line in Windsor, Ontario

Berkley drew attention to use of AI technology to end route ownership for postal workers and enforce more hazardous shifts and less pay. He also contrasted Canada Posts complaint of $3 billion in losses since 2018 with the $12.4 billion provided by the Trudeau government to fuel the NATO proxy war in Ukraine and corporate tax evasion by just 123 corporations for the year 2021 alone of $30 billion.

Developing and understanding these more general political points is necessary for postal workers to broaden our horizons beyond this immediate struggle and appeal for support from other sections of workers to oppose government-backed attacks on the right to strike, working conditions, and the pursuit of war abroad and austerity at home.

Tom Hall, a writer for the WSWS who has been active in the building of rank-and-file networks at USPS and the IWA-RFC among other key sections of workers, spoke about its central role in the fight against the oligarchy in the US and around the world.

He reviewed how the incoming Trump administration was in advanced internal discussions to privatise USPS, in line with his plan spearheaded by Elon Musk to slash 2 trillion a year from the federal budget. Hall drew attention in this context to the union bureaucracys seamless line-up with Trump, with whom they share a basic hostility to the working class.

He concluded of the fight confronted by postal workers around the world, This is a struggle which is inherently global in character, not least because the attacks on post office are taking place in every country, really, simultaneously, by globally mobile finance capital which scours the globe for the highest return.

The workers of the world are not enemies, its not America First, or Britain First. In America they are attempting to portray trade war measures, including against the so-called allies of America, as to the benefit for the American worker. In fact this will cause massive economic hardship and dislocation which will be imposed on the backs of the working class.

The interests of the working class can only be defended based on a global strategy and a global movement. The question of the unity of postal workers in every country, the closer collaboration of the committees which have been formed in the US, Britain, Canada and other countries, is a central strategic question.

Pointing to recent significant strikes at Amazon, including among delivery drivers, Hall argued, Its critical that postal workers span out to appeal to other key sections of the working class for support, tell them what is happening and appeal for solidarity. And not just moral solidarity but a real coordination of struggles.
This photo shows the Tesla Cybertruck involved in an explosion outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas. [AP Photo/Las Vegas Police Department]

In a press conference Tuesday conducted by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department in coordination with the FBI and Department of Homeland Security, Sheriff Kevin McMahill reported the police had found another six-page manifesto written by Matthew Livelsberger. McMahill refused to release the full manifesto due to what he said was potentially confidential information contained within it.

Livelsberger was a 37-year-old US Army Special Forces soldier from Colorado Springs, Colorado who apparently committed suicide before blowing himself up in Tesla Cybertruck in front of Trump Tower in Las Vegas on New Years Day. The bombing injured seven other people, with Livelsberger being the only death.

At the time of his death, Livelsberger was an active member of the Green Berets, a highly-decorated member of the Armys 10th Special Forces Group who deployed to Afghanistan and other countries in service of US imperialism nine times over his career. Prior to his death, Livelsberger attempted to reach out to multiple right-wing and military podcasters to discuss, among other topics, being followed by the government, secret drone programs and his role in US war crimes.

In an email sent on December 31, 2024, which police confirmed on Tuesday appeared to be authentic, Livelsberger reached out to former US Army soldier Sam Shoemate, who then shared the email on former Navy Seal and CIA contractor Shawn Ryans YouTube show on January 3.

In the email, Livelsberger claimed that drone activity in the United States was the result of gravitic propulsion systems which he claimed only the US and China possessed. He wrote that Homeland Security and FBI agents had been following him for over a week due to his knowledge of this program and also war crimes that were covered up during airstrikes in Nimruz province Afghanistan in 2019 by the admin, [Department of Defense], [Drug Enforcement Agency] and CIA.

He wrote, I conducted targeting for these strikes of over 125 buildings (65 were struck because of CIVCAS) that killed hundreds of civilian in a single day. He added, The UN basically called these war crimes, but the administration made them disappear. I was part of that cover-up with USFORA and Agent [redacted] of the DEA. So I dont know if my abduction attempt is related to either.

A 21-page report issued in October 2019 by the United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reviewed the air strikes committed by the United States on alleged drug facilities located across the Nimruz province on May 5, 2019.

On that day the US military carried out strikes on more than 60 alleged drug labs across the Bakwa district, Farah province and Delaram district. The US military alleged that the drug labs were controlled by the Taliban and operated exclusively by its combatants.

Map of Afghanistan where the May 5, 2019 US airstrikes occurred. [Photo: OHCHR/UNAMA]

However, after the strikes occurred UNAMA began receiving reports of credible allegations of significant civilian harm with initial reports indicating anywhere from 40 to 200 civilian casualties.

Over the next four months UNAMA investigators conducted dozens of interviews with local residents and viewed impact sites from the bombings. Local sources identified some of the sites bombed as drug labs while others were residential homes in which drug processing had not taken place. The airstrikes also targeted a marketplace with shops, a fuel station, and vehicles.

In September 2019, the agency verified that at least 30 civilians were killed and five injured, including 14 children and one woman. UNAMA also received reliable and credible information that at least another 30 civilians were killed and seven more injured, the majority of whom were women and children. In total UNAMA received specific and detailed information of 145 civilians impacted by the airstrikes with the majority, 89 killed another 52 injured and four more undetermined.

The majority of those killed, 80, were children. In one instance, 12 members of the same extended family were killed when a bomb struck their house.



In addition to the strikes killing dozens of civilians, the UNAMA investigation found that the facilities targeted by the US were not exclusively controlled by the Taliban and were not performing combat functions.

After initial denials, claiming there were zero civilian casualties in the attacks, US military forces conceded to the UNAMA after it published its preliminary findings that it is possible there was a CIVCAS [civilian casualty].

The UN report makes clear that the same terror bombing and disregard for civilians seen in Gaza throughout Israels genocidal campaign is not an aberration, or the result of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alone, but a continuation of decades of US imperialist foreign policy.

From the email, and previous excerpts released by police, it is clear that Livelsbergers radicalization and subsequent depression was the result of his central role in perpetrating these atrocities. In Livelsbergers latest manifesto, he allegedly wrote:

These graphic encounters replay in my head every day, all day and it has ruined my relationships with my family and friends. I am now a shell of a human being with noting to live for, it has all been taken away by my affiliations. There was not a time during my two years in Afghanistan where I had a clear understating or rational feeling in my heart of why my brothers were fighting and dying. We failed and the credibility of military and political leadership was shredded when no one was held accountable.

Despite apparently being haunted by his actions in the military, Livelsberger had no ill-will towards the commander-in-chief who authorized the airstrikes, then-President Donald Trump. In the latest manifesto, he allegedly called for a fascist coup to remove Democratic Party elements in the current administration and future remaining Generals and Joint Chiefs.

This call is similar to another note the Las Vegas police claimed they found on Livelsbergers charred phone. In the initial message released by police, Livelsberger called on Military and vets move on DC starting now, and that, Militias facilitate and augment this activity.

He allegedly called for soldiers and militias to Occupy every major road along fed buildings and the campus of fed buildings by the hundreds of thousands. Lock the highways around down with semis right after everybody gets in. Hold until the purge is complete. He demanded people rally around Trump, Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy.

The Las Vegas bombing was the second major attack that was conducted by a US Army veteran on New Years Day last week. Shortly after 3:00 a.m. in New Orleans, Louisiana, 42-year-old former Army veteran Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove a pick-up truck through Bourbon Street, killing 14 people and injuring more than 30 others before dying in a shootout with police.

Both Livelsberger and Jabbar were deployed to Fort Liberty, formerly Fort Bragg, a massive military installation in North Carolina, but it does not appear that they knew each other or that the attacks are formally connected. Livelsberger was at then-Fort Bragg from December 2012 to October 2013 while Jabbar was at the base from June 2012 to January 2015.

While Trump and the Republicans sought to blame immigrants or the deep state for these latest attacks, both Livelsberger and Jabbar were products of American society, specifically the US military and the neocolonial wars which have been waged over the last three decades in defense of Wall Street. Trained to kill the enemies of US imperialism, they both ended up turning this training on themselves and others instead.

Recently conducted research by the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism, or START, at the University of Maryland, found having a background in the US military is the single strongest individual-level predictor of whether a subject will be a mass casualty offender. A mass casualty event is one in which four or more people are injured or killed.

START found that based on the Profiles of Individual Radicalization in the United States (PIRUS) database, which includes information on more than 3,000 subjects who committed extremist crimes in the United States, military veterans are 2.41 times more likely to be classified as mass casualty offenders than individuals who did not serve in the armed forces.
This report on the disastrous state of the Ukrainian military was submitted to the WSWS by underground journalists from the assembly.org.ua website. After recently facing a two-week long, groundless suspension of their fundraising page, they ask for donations to continue their work.

The rapid collapse of the army of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, which fell apart between November 27 and December 8, has attracted a lot of attention in Ukraine. For many in the country, it became the main event of the end of 2024. A paradoxical situation has arisen: Ukrainian official propaganda is praising the successes of the pro-NATO and pro-Turkish forces against Assad as a brilliant victory over Russia, while at the same time the NATO-backed Ukrainian dictator himself is increasingly risking a repetition of Assads fate.

In the last days of November, the worldwide English-language media confirmed what the Assembly had been reporting throughout the fall. ABC News, citing one lawmaker with knowledge of military affairs, wrote that there could actually be as many as 200,000 deserters in Ukraine and that its a staggeringly high number by any measure, as there were an estimated 300,000 Ukrainian soldiers engaged in combat before the mobilization drive began. They also acknowledged that desertion was one of the main reasons for the fall of Ugledar.

The Financial Times added that some of those who abandoned the 123rd Territorial Defense Brigade due to their unwillingness to defend Ugledar have already returned to the front, while others are in hiding and some are arrested. The same article also reports, citing an anonymous representative of the Polish security service, that an average of 12 Ukrainian soldiers desert from training grounds in Poland every month. This too was revealed by us earlier.

18,984 new criminal proceedings were registered under Articles 407 and 408 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (unauthorized leaving of a unit and desertion) in November 2024, according to the Ukraines Office of Prosecutor General. Compared to the figures in the previous overview for the WSWS, this is almost twice as much as in October 2024, when 9,487 criminal cases were registered under these articles.

In January 2024, there were only 3,448 criminal proceedings. And in total, from February 2022 to December 1 of this year, 114,280 criminal proceedings for cases of desertion have already been registered. Pro-Trump Kiev-based journalist Volodymyr Boiko, who has been fighting in the 241st Territorial Defense Brigade, posted about this on December 7:

The Ukrainian army can already be spoken of as deceased. Moreover, if 19,000 reports [of desertions] were entered into the register in November 2024, this does not mean at all that this is how many servicemen deserted. 19,000 is, in fact, the highest possible number that can be registered under this category of crime. Because in each case, the commander of the military unit must first appoint an official investigation, consider and approve the results of the official investigation, send a report on the committed criminal offense to the State Bureau of Investigation or to a specialized defense prosecutors office, and there they must consider the report and type the text into the register. Neither do military units have such a number of specialists who could conduct official investigations in such amounts, nor do the prosecutors office and the State Bureau of Investigation have sufficient employees to enter tens of thousands of reports on desertion into the register.

Against this backdrop, Law 4087-IX was adopted on November 21 and came into force on November 29. According to this new law, those who are guity of unauthorized leave of their unit (SZCh in Ukrainian) or desertion are not only allowed to voluntarily return and serve without criminal punishment, but their military service and contract are also continued. For this, they must have returned by January 1, 2025.

An image of a military deserter detained by police. It says: "A grandiose special operation in Chernivtsy: people in uniform have caught a SZCh...Victory is close, right?..." Courtesy of the journalists from assembly.org.ua [Photo: Courtesy of the journalists from assembly.org.ua]

Last month, a host of the Ukrainian female military YouTube channel said that in the Kupyansk area of the Kharkov region, almost the entire second company in the 152nd Battalion of the 117th Territorial Defense Brigade committed SZCh because of their butcher commander.

Ukrainian war correspondent Yury Butusov reported on the scandal with the 155th Mechanized Brigade Anna of Kyiv, which was trained in France and sent to Pokrovsk. Several thousand people who had been forced into busses for the draft were recruited there, and more than a thousand of them went home immediately upon arrival.

In the post from December 31, he explained that even before the brigade had fired its first shot, 1,700 servicemen left without permission. After that, the State Bureau of Investigation started to work on this. From the words of Butusov, the 155th Brigade went for training in France in October. At that time the unit already had 935 people in SZCh. Then, more than 50 servicemen fled in France.

900 million Euros were spent on this scandalous formation. A colleague from work showed up, he had been forced into a bus. [He had been] mobilized in the spring, [and] got out of the Zaporozhye front. He says that when they started to be chopped up with everything they had, they decided to go home. The whole company went into SZCh together with their commander. Whats the point if they are being caught? Doesnt matter. Now he is at home. Alive, messaged someone on December 18 in the Kharkov local chat of Northern Saltovka.

On November 25, some of the mechanisms used to combat the escape of recruits were described in the public Telegram group UFM for mutual aid to cross the border outside checkpoints:

The main problem with training camps is that everyone is watching each other there, because at the formations they immediately tell you that SZCh is bad and for an unsuccessful SZCh you will be beaten up really hard. And they immediately talk about collective responsibility  if someone leaves your tent, then they will cruelly chase around everyone in the tent. The neighboring platoon was chased around all night when one of them left. There they were chased to the shelter all night, like an alarm, woken up with training grenades, push-ups with the whole company in full gear, in short, they will mock everyone to the fullest, so that everyone knows that if your comrade-in-arms gets out, you will be given hell. Lie on your belly for an hour in the mud and so on. This is done so that if you suddenly see that your companion has decided to leave, you will immediately run to inform on him, turn him in, and so on, so that your life does not turn into hell. Therefore, everyone is happy to turn each other in. Therefore, any patrol, even if it is comprised of kidnapped people, and especially [if it is comprised] of them, because the patrol must march in circles for 24 hours with full gear, and if they let someone go, then after a 24-hour visit, they will not have slept, will not have eaten normally, and will run and jump with 20+ kilograms on their bodies. So if you go into SZCh, no one must know about it, no one must see you. Even those who are there in the forest for some reason on some stupid duty. And all these stories about how there are no fences there, that someone just went and left  that is b***. If you have decided to leave, your main enemy is your neighbor in the tent.

However, a deserter from the Kiev region, who wished to remain anonymous, has a slightly different experience with this matter:

Of course, there is a fair amount of truth to this. But not everything is so gloomy. Now training camps are staffed almost 100 percent with those who have been forcibly mobilized. Training companies are slightly diluted with ideological, zealous idiots and even women. The remaining 99 percent are potential SZCh. And everyone knows this very well. And this is already a basis for basic solidarity. In my company at the Yavoriv training ground, when another soldiers disappeared, many wished him good luck aloud. And this happened almost every day. Naturally, we were pestered when we had to run to dugouts, when our rations were taken away and all that stuff. But since someone fled every single day, I simply dont know what would have happened if no one had fled. I was taken in on June 17. I fled on June 30. And I left for Romania on September 25. They started looking for me somewhere in November. I wasnt at the front. Thank god, I managed to escape before I took the oath. If youre an SZCh and youre caught a second time, youll most likely be released with a written commitment to return to your unit. Thats what the guys who were caught a second time told me. I didnt leave [the country] right away. I went back home to Brovary. I prepared for three months and then went to Romania. Who knows if I was wanted or not? I didnt live at my address. Now Im definitely wanted. The cops are calling my relatives.

Those who are forced into buses and then to the front in Kharkov are usually sent for training, not to the west of the country, but to the Dnepropetrovsk region in the east. We have obtained the following account about what has been waiting for them there since November 29:

The day before yesterday, a comrade was grabbed [on the streets], yesterday he was already in training, in Dnipro, 120 km from the front. The convoy was greatly reinforced [with military personnel], its impossible to escape, like in a concentration camp. The young pastor was beaten, because he had refused to sign up [for the military] The mobilization of priests, as we see, is more important than the mobilization of the police. Thats whats happening now And those who refuse doing anything at all are being sent to zero [to the cutting edge at the front line]. A company of avatars [drinking soldiers]. They disappeared without a trace Without docs, without registration. They were simply kidnapped and [sent into the] meat[grinder]. Brutally. They take away phones, docs, they dont give a shit where you want to go. If youre not a [parliamentary] deputy  they dont give a shit. There was a guy, a pastor, they broke him, beat him up They took him to zero somewhere Full of securities, and checkpoints in the town, several on all sides. [He could] Go to the toilet only with a senior [commander]. To the store  with a receipt and only with a senior [commander], only 5 people can go...

If this is accurate, it means that the same method of zeroing out is used in the Ukrainian troops to get rid of undesirables, as is the case in Russian units on the eastern front. At the same time, another source told us that in the last days of autumn, two to three weeks ago, 50 people were brought to Dnieper and 37 of them fled.

The lucky ones manage to escape before they end up in these facilities. This week my workers were going to work, they took away all five of them. When they were bringing them to training, a van broke down near Kharkov. There were 11 men, and the other two with automatic rifles. The men said, either you let us go to the field, or well kill you, [because] there are more of us. They let us go. Now everyone is in Kharkov, barely got there, a Kharkov owner of a residential housing business wrote us on December 22.

On December 14, the above quoted Kiev-based, pro-Trump journalist Volodymyr Boiko wrote:

Kilometers of trenches were dug near Kurakhove [a city in the eastern Donetsk region]. I recently spoke with the deputy commander of one of the battalions in that direction  he says that a Russian tank mistakenly drove into our positions, drove for 10 minutes until it realized that it had lost its way, and then turned back. Not a single shot was fired at the tank, because there was no one in the positions. An infantry company from near Kherson was transferred to this battalion as reinforcement  so out of 90 people, three reached Kurakhove, the rest ran away on the way. And this is the situation everywhere. And what is happening in the training centers? Take, for example, military unit A1363  a training center located in the Samarivsky (formerly Novomoskovsky) district of the Dnipropetrovsk region. Recently, 70 recruits made it to heaven there in one day. Before that, on November 10, 2024, four people escaped, one of whom is a relative of my acquaintance. The escapee says that there is no military training, during the three weeks of stay in the training unit, the recruits were only engaged in digging toilets and doing some household chores, and the main reason for the escape was hazing and bullying of the newcomers. Therefore, on November 3, four people also escaped, and in just one month, 30 servicemen desertedAnalyzing the statistics of war crimes, back in February-April 2024, I predicted that at the end of the summer the front would begin to collapse, and by the spring of 2025 the army would simply disperse.

Individual rebellions against the state and the war have also become more frequent after the initial decline in autumn. In November, we recorded at least four cases in Kharkov alone. In particular, a 39-year-old man, after fleeing from the army a year and a half ago, met with weapons the cops that came to his apartment in response to his threat to kill a patrol policeman. He had an automatic rifle, a pistol and grenades. Still, he was detained without shooting.

On the night of December 28, three border guard vehicles were burned down in the Transcarpathian border town of Chop, including a new Peugeot pickup. A 22-year-old local resident, after being detained by the police, explained his act during the interrogation by pointing to his hostile relations with the State Border Service of Ukraine.

In total, in November 2024, Russian troops captured 4.7 times more territory than in the whole of 2023. In the first four days of 2025, they already took eight villages south of Pokrovsk, and only seven kilometres left to the border of the Dnepropetrovsk region, where there had been no hostilities yet and there are minimal fortifications. Despite such a critical situation, there is no visible patriotic upsurge among the population of Ukraine. Too many working people no longer see any fundamental difference in who will rob them.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars are up for grabs to help build an even more skilled workforce in El Paso and Teller counties.

The Pikes Peak Workforce Center announced this week it has $220,000 available in federal economic development funds to award to companies across the region who want to increase their staff's workforce expertise and prevent layoffs.

The program is fully funded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, according to a workforce center news release.

"This is an incredible opportunity for our region because for many businesses, what money they have is rolled back into the business. This is money coming from an outside source to pay for training their staff; a lot of small businesses can't afford to provide this type of training for their staff," Pikes Peak Workforce Center spokeswoman Becca Tonn said. "This can help the businesses' bottom lines and help with revenue and profits. ... The training is also free for employees, so that is going to improve their career."

The regional workforce center is one of the first in Colorado to offer this program and has done so for about the last six years. It is based on funding availability, so the center isn't guaranteed to offer these awards each year, Tonn said.

"That's why we're very excited when we do get to offer it. In the past couple of years, we've been able to offer (funding awards) twice a year ... so it's a bit like the holidays and playing Santa Claus. It's very exciting for us to be able to offer this funding to local businesses and nonprofits to benefit them and their employees," she said.

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Employers can select training programs tailored to their unique business and employee needs, such as CNA training or multi-industry systems technician programming, the release said.

A judging panel selects winning companies in the competitive process, using various metrics to rate the applicants. These include company size, how the workforce training will benefit the company and make it more competitive, and how the training will benefit the specific employee, Tonn said.

"So, it's great, because we are facilitating both sides of it," she said.

The panel gives preference to in-demand industries like health care, information technology, manufacturing, cybersecurity, hospitality and tourism, and to companies whose training leads to expanded duties for employees.

Employers must specify exactly which training they're applying for, who will provide it and which employee(s) will receive the training, Tonn said.

Interested employers must attend a virtual session to review the application process this month and submit their applications by Feb. 5.
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President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, Tuesday, January 7, 2025, in Palm Beach, Florida. [AP Photo/Evan Vucci]

On Tuesday, US President-elect Donald Trump addressed a press conference, nominally on economic policy, in which he threatened to use military force to annex the Panama Canal and Greenland. He vowed to compel the annexation of Canada through economic pressure and to force Europe to double its military spending in order to receive protection from the United States.

Were going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, Trump said. When asked whether he would consider using military coercion to annex Panama and Greenland, Trump replied that he would, adding, We need them for economic security.

Asked by a reporter to explain his earlier references to Canada as the fifty-first state, Trump doubled down on his annexationist threats, pleading to get rid of that artificially drawn line between Canada and the US.

Trump also refused to rule out a full-scale US attack on Iran and threatened war throughout the Middle East unless the Palestinians give up resistance to Israel, saying, All hell will break out.

During the election, Trump appealed to popular opposition to the Ukraine war, accusing Biden of starting World War III and highlighting the massive decline in workers living standards amid a spiraling cost-of-living crisis intensified by the wars against Russia and in the Middle East.

Now that he is about to assume the presidency, Trump is making clear the true aims of his administration, which will be devoted to war-making on an unprecedented scale. His criticism of the war in Ukraine is rooted in tactical conflicts within the ruling class. His threat that All hell will break out in the Middle East makes clear that his administration will be one of daily escalating crisis and global war.

Critical to the Trump administrations striving for global hegemony is the effort to reorganize the Americas under direct US domination, modeled on Hitlers Anschluss (joining) of Austria and Germany in 1938. Trump is seeking to shore up Americas power base in its near abroad, which is seen as essential for projecting power against American imperialisms principal rival: China.

Canada and Greenland, with their significant mineral resources, energy deposits and access to Arctic seaways, are critical to this effort, as is the Panama Canal, a central choke point between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Trump is declaring that the era in which the operations of US militarism will be bound by any legal constraints or the fig leaf of international law is over. From now on, it is the law of the jungle in which the strong do what they will, and the weak suffer what they must.

Trumps remarks constitute the death knell of all claims that the imperialist age is over. Imperialism, as the Russian revolutionary and Marxist theorist Vladimir Lenin explained, constitutes the highest stage of capitalism. The massive concentration of wealth in a narrow financial oligarchy and domination of economic life by monopolies is inseparable from the drive for annexation and colonial domination.

The second Trump presidency is the consummation of over three decades of continuous imperialist war initiated following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, aimed at ensuring the economic and military hegemony of the United States. George H.W. Bush proclaimed the New World Order in which there were to be no constraints on the unbridled US imperialist domination of the world.

Over the subsequent decades, the United States invaded Iraq twice, broke up Yugoslavia into tiny statelets, invaded and occupied Afghanistan, destabilized and overthrew the governments of Libya and Syria, provoked a war with Russia over Ukraine, and is in the midst of reorganizing the Middle East through war and genocide.

Throughout this period, the United States clothed its essentially predatory aims in, alternatively, the language of human rights and national self-determination, or, as George W. Bush did in launching the war on terror, as a response to terrorism. But Trump is dispensing with any altruistic or defensive pretenses for the operations of American imperialism. America has the largest, most powerful military and substantial economic power, and it will wield it to extract what is essentially imperial tribute from its allies, coupled with territorial expansion and annexation.

Trumps rantings about annexing Greenland, Panama and Canada and forcing the USs European allies to pay protection money were presented within the framework of a global struggle, particularly against China.

In this, Trumps press conference substantiated the words of a Trump adviser, who explained to the Washington Post the logic behind his threats. The Post wrote, An overarching mission of countering Russia and China is the common thread tying together Trumps comments about Canada, Mexico, Greenland, and Panama.

Ryan Berg, an analyst at the CSIS think tank, told the Post, There is worry about Chinese influence of the canal and the reliability of U.S. operations, adding, It could be one of the main routes to deploy U.S. naval vessels from the Atlantic to the Pacific in a contingency situation where we have national security interestssuch as Taiwan.

Confirming this assessment, Trump declared in his press conference, Chinas running the Panama Canal. He added, The Panama Canal was built for our military.

Trump likewise confirmed the report published in the Financial Times in December that his threats to cut off military aid to Ukraine are based on an effort to have the United States NATO allies double their military spending.

The FT reported that Trump will demand NATO member states increase defense spending to 5 percent of GDP, but plans to continue supplying military aid to Ukraine.

Trump declared at his press conference, Europe is in for a tiny fraction of the money that were in now. ... I said, you have to pay your bills. ... I think NATO should have 5 percent  they should be at 5 percent not 2 percent.  If we dont pay our bills, will the United States protect us from Russia?... if you dont pay, you mean youre delinquent. ... If youre delinquent, we will not protect you.

Trump presents his policy toward Europe in the form of a protection racket, in which the global war against Russia and China is the framework for squeezing tribute from United Statess allies, who are increasingly being treated as vassal states.

Trumps press conference validates the assessment made by the Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky, who declared in 1928:

In the period of crisis, the hegemony of the United States will operate more completely, more openly, and more ruthlessly than in the period of boom. The United States will seek to overcome and extricate herself from her difficulties and maladies primarily at the expense of Europe, regardless of whether this occurs in Asia, Canada, South America, Australia, or Europe itself, or whether this takes place peacefully or through war.

Trotsky subsequently warned, in 1934:

US capitalism is up against the same problems that pushed Germany in 1914 on the path of war. The world is divided? It must be redivided. For Germany, it was a question of organizing Europe. The United States must organize the world. History is bringing humanity face to face with the volcanic eruption of American imperialism.

Trotskys words are even more timely now than when they were written. The volcanic eruption of American imperialism will at the same time be an eruption of class war. The working class will be made to pay for Trumps economic and military warfare, and workers will be the ones sent to fight and die, whether it be in Panama, Mexico, Ukraine or Taiwan.

It is for this reason that the struggle against war, as with the struggle to defend democratic rights, must be based on the fight of the working class to defend its social and economic interests on the basis of a socialist program.
Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, left, stands with his German counterpart, Annalena Baerbock, center, and his French counterpart, Jean-Noel Barrot, in Damascus, Syria, Friday, January 3, 2025. [AP Photo/SANA via AP]

The first visit by top diplomats of the European imperialist powers to Damascus Friday, following last months toppling of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, was dominated by the demand from German Foreign Minister Analena Baerbock that Russia abandon its military bases in the country. The call, combined with various promises of economic and constitutional support to the new Islamist regime led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaida affiliate, demonstrates how the imperialist powers intend to use Syrias regime change to step up their war on Russia and prepare an all-out conflict with Iran.

It is time for Russia to leave its military bases in Syria, Baerbock arrogantly lectured in a statement released prior to her arrival in the Syrian capital for a joint visit alongside French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. 'The Syrian people will not forget the large-scale bombardments and human rights violations. It was (Russian President Vladimir) Putin who stood by Assad for so long, who supported and covered for the crimes of the regime.

Speaking less than 200 miles from Gaza, where Germany has supplied hundreds of millions of euros in weaponry for Israels genocide against the Palestinians, Baerbock blustered in a media appearance about the need to respect womens rights and hold those from the Assad regime guilty of war crimes to account. Behind this hypocritical rhetoric, the joint visit was aimed at advancing the imperialist powers agenda of using the al-Qaida-linked regime in Damascus as a subcontractor to plunder Syria and consolidate their dominance over the Middle East.

Baerbock and Barrots Damascus trip came two weeks after Washington lifted the $10 million bounty on the head of HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammad al-Jolani. In a visit by a delegation of senior State Department officials on 20 December, Barbara Leaf, the top diplomat for Middle East affairs in the US State Department, declared al-Sharaa to be a pragmatic politician with whom Washington could work, provided conditions are met. In reality, he leads a movement that viciously clamped down on all critics during its years of control over Idlib province, including through the use of public executions and stonings. Since HTS assumed power, house searches and sectarian attacks against Syrias minorities have risen.

In the most direct sense, American and European imperialism are determined to get their hands on the spoils in Syria. With estimates of up to $400 billion to reconstruct the country, which has been torn apart and thrown back decades by a 13-year US-instigated civil war that saw the imperialist powers fund and train Islamist militias against Assads dictatorship, there is much money to be made for the banks, investors, and companies who secure the lions share of contracts under the new regimes watch. Washington hopes that by providing much of this funding, or directing its Gulf allies Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to do so, it can further push back an already weakened Iran and consolidate Damascus as a puppet regime for Western imperialist interests.

Syria under a pro-Western regime will be a key stepping stone for US imperialism and its allies to further their drive to consolidate their geostrategic and economic preeminence in the energy-rich Middle East. As the World Socialist Web Site explained in its New Years statement,

Israels genocidal assault on Gaza, backed by the US and NATO powers and aided and abetted by the bourgeois-nationalist regimes in the Middle East, has exposed the depths of imperialist barbarism. The genocide, marked by the destruction of entire cities, the targeting of hospitals and schools and the displacement of hundreds of thousands, is part of a broader regional strategy. The aim is to reorganize the Middle East in line with imperialist interests, including the toppling of the Assad government in Syria, the decapitation of Hezbollahs leadership and escalating provocations against Iran.

HTSs rapid advance to Damascus was made possible by support from Turkey, but above all by Israels US-backed war to reorder the Middle East. Having decimated Hamas in its genocide in Gaza, Israel launched an onslaught on Hezbollah in Lebanon from September 2024 that decapitated its leadership and massively degraded its capabilities. With US approval, Israel carried out the targeted assassination of leading Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps generals in Damascus in April 2024; Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, in Tehran as an official guest of the Iranian regime in July, and Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, in September. One month later, Israel launched a major missile strike on military targets in Iran, with the extent of the damage it caused and the targets hit still remaining unclear.

This multi-front war, made possible by the unlimited supply of weapons from the US, Germany and other imperialist powers, weakened Assads main sources of support. Hezbollah was no longer in a position to send fighters from Lebanon, where the US is now pushing aggressively to restructure political relations, and the bourgeois-clerical regime in Tehran found it impossible to strengthen its presence in Syria due to Israels air superiority. On top of this, the Assad regime had lost its social support due to the disastrous social and economic conditions in Syria. Under these conditions, both Iran and Russia decided to cut their losses, with the former evacuating its fighters into Iraq, and the latter extricating Assad to asylum in Moscow and opening up talks with the new regime so as to maintain a Russian presence in the country.

Russia has two military bases on Syrias Mediterranean coast, a naval base at Tartus and an air base at Hmeimim. Baerbocks demand that Russia withdraw is aimed at eliminating Moscows military presence in the Levant, and complicating the transfer of resources to its North African allies in Libya and Niger.

Al-Sharaa indicated in comments last month that the HTS regime would not be opposed to a continued Russian presence, which was codified in a 2017 agreement with the Assad regime permitting Moscow to lease the bases for 49 years. At the same time, the new rulers in Damascus have, doubtless at the initiative of American imperialism, reactivated diplomatic ties with Ukraine, which were on ice since 2022, after the Assad regime recognised the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk republics following Russias US-provoked invasion of the country. It remains unclear how these conflicting positions will play out, but the prospect for explosive clashes in Syria and throughout the region involving Russia and its imperialist opponents is all but assured.

Turkeys growing influence in Syria

Beyond US imperialism and its European allies, Turkey has arguably gained the most influence in Syria due to Assads ouster. Ankara provided the bulk of its support to the Syrian National Army (SNA), a coalition of Sunni Islamist militias operating separately from HTS in northern Syria against the Kurds. But after HTS was confined to Idlib province in the northwest of the country, as Assads regime was stabilised with Russian support, HTSs ability to operate depended upon the tacit approval of Turkish authorities allowing the flow of weaponry and other supplies across the Turkish-Syrian border. The final HTS offensive, launched just hours after the US-imposed ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, was backed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

After a visit by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to Damascus late last month, an official from the Turkish Defence Ministry announced on 2 January that Ankara is preparing to establish strategic defence and military ties with the new HTS regime: In line with the directives of our president, we are engaging with our counterparts to establish strategic relations and foster cooperation across various fields, the source said, according to Middle East Eye. Based on the needs identified during these meetings, the necessary support will be provided. Other areas of possible cooperation include assistance with rebuilding Syrias energy grid and other reconstruction projects.

A condition for Ankaras military assistance will be that the new regime in Damascus takes a hard line towards the Kurds organised in the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which holds territory in parts of northern and eastern Syria. Turkish forces and aligned militias have attacked SDF positions repeatedly since Assads ouster, most notably resulting in the December capture of the town of Manbij from the SDF.

Washington reportedly intervened to negotiate a ceasefire between the two that forbade Ankara from conducting further military operations east of the Euphrates River. Washington has funded the SDF for the past decade, using its fighters as cannon fodder in operations to defeat the Islamic State terrorist group. Up to 2,000 US troops remain present at key strategic bases in eastern Syria, giving the US and its Kurdish allies significant control over the countrys oil reserves. Reports Sunday spoke of over 100 deaths among Turkish-aligned and Kurdish militias amid renewed clashes in the north over the previous two days.

Turkish ambitions in Syria may not only collide with those of its nominal NATO ally, the United States, but also with Washingtons attack dog in the Middle East, Israel. The Israel Defence Forces continues to occupy the demilitarised zone in southern Syria agreed under a 1974 peace deal with Hafez al-Assad, Bashars father, which the far-right Netanyahu government now considers annulled. Israel has also persisted with numerous air strikes on Syrian military and civilian facilities. While Israels most immediate concern is to neutralise Iranian influence and any of Tehrans allied forces in Syria, the Zionist regime would also be hostile to a strengthened Sunni Islamist regime in Damascus closely aligned with Turkey.

The bankruptcy of the Arab and Iranian bourgeois-nationalist regimes

The aftermath of the imperialist-backed toppling of Assad has underlined once more the utter bankruptcy of the Arab and Iranian bourgeois nationalist regimes throughout the Middle East. The Assad regime itself was left isolated by its erstwhile allies not least because its base of social support within Syria had disintegrated due to Syrias devastating social and economic decline over the past 13 years. The response of the autocratic Gulf states is to attempt to extend their influence over Syrias new Islamist rulers in alliance with imperialism, while Irans bourgeois-clerical regime seeks desperately to find a means to reach an accommodation with Washington and its European allies.

Asaad al-Shibani, Syrias new Foreign Minister, conducted his first foreign visit to Riyadh on 31 December and 1 January. This was quickly followed by visits over the weekend to Qatar, the UAE and Jordan. In Doha, al-Shibani directed an appeal to Washington to lift sanctions on Syria, stating, These sanctions constitute a barrier and an obstacle to the rapid recovery and development of the Syrian people who await services and partnerships from other countries. Emphasising that his government intends to oversee a shift away from Iran towards closer ties with the Gulf states, above all with US imperialism, al-Shibani added that the government plans to rebuild our country and restore its Arab and foreign relations.

The interests of the Gulf states are by no means uniform, complicating matters for US imperialism as it seeks to use them to consolidate its control in Damascus. Qatar was the most consistent backer of HTS and its predecessor, the Al-Nusra Front, throughout the Syrian civil war. It was the only Gulf state to demonstrably rebuff tentative attempts during 2023, led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, to normalise relations with Damascus and reintegrate Assad into the Arab League so as to restrain Irans influence. Riyadh and Abu Dhabi have remained hostile in the recent period to backing Islamist forces for fear that their own despotic regimes could be destabilised by them. But they will not pass up the opportunity to assist in the exclusion of Iran from a post-Assad Syria in alliance with American imperialism. With Trumps imminent return to the White House, the reinvigoration of his US-led Israeli-Gulf alliancebased on the so-called Abraham Accords that aimed to improve relations between the Gulf monarchies and the Zionist regimeto combat Iran appears ever more likely.

With its Axis of Resistance allies Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza decimated by Israels imperialist-funded war on multiple fronts, and the Houthis in Yemen facing ongoing bombardment by the US and Britain, Iran has sought publicly to conciliate following Assads removal. In a speech on 26 December, President Masoud Pezeshkian appealed to regional powers and the imperialists to reach an accommodation with the Islamic Republic. We desire friendly relations with the countries of the region and the world, he said, and we are striving to establish peace and security both inside and outside the country.

Irans bourgeois-clerical regime is riven by factional differences, with the reform wing associated with Pezeshkian calling for a rapprochement with the West to secure relief from the devastating sanctions reimposed after the first Trump administration scrapped the Nuclear Accords with Tehran. The hardline faction, to which Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has repeatedly appealed, favours a more confrontational stance towards the US and its Gulf clients, possibly through a deepening of the already substantial economic ties Tehran enjoys with China and an expansion of military cooperation with Russia.

Underscoring the potential for explosive conflicts as Washington, and its imperialist and regional allies exploit the toppling of Assad to ramp up pressure on Tehran, the US-based Atlantic Council remarked on the increased likelihood of Iran resorting to developing nuclear weapons. Referring to the Doha forum, a diplomatic meeting in early December where Turkish, Russian and Iranian officials reportedly negotiated Assads final departure from Damascus, the Councils briefing noted, Perhaps at next years Doha Forum, we will witness the Iranian foreign minister engage in frantic meetings for a much different reason: because Iran is sprinting for a nuclear bomb, viewing it as the only way to enhance deterrence and ensure regime survival in its current weakened state and feeling compelled to take riskier actions to survive. Or perhaps it will be the US secretary of defense defending a decision by the United States to join Israel in striking Irans nuclear program to prevent it from obtaining that outcome.

The only force capable of averting these scenarios is the international working class. The development of a global movement against imperialist war and genocide must unify the struggles of the working class in the imperialist centres with their class brothers and sisters throughout the Middle East on the basis of the programme of permanent revolution to oppose the imperialist warmongers and all of the bourgeois-nationalist regimes. The strategy of world socialist revolution offers the only way to end imperialist barbarism and the crisis-ridden capitalist system that gives rise to it.
This 2005 electron microscope image shows an avian influenza A H5N1 virion. [AP Photo/Cynthia Goldsmith, Jackie Katz]

The first human death from H5N1 in the United States is an event of historical significance, laying bare the destructive policies of the ruling class to the publics health. Announced on January 6, the death comes almost exactly five years to the day from the first recorded death from COVID-19 in China on January 9, 2020.

The event reaffirms the immense danger posed by the virus and its potential to spark a pandemic, well understood by the scientific and public health community since it was discovered in 1997. As of December 12, the World Health Organization had received reports of 954 human cases with 464 deaths, for a case fatality rate of 48.6 percent.

There is a stark contrast between the experts alerting the public to the danger and the approach of the entire corporate media and political establishment. The latter have continuously downplayed the risk, in particular as the virus has become entrenched among dairy cattle across the US over the past year.

It is highly evident that the central lesson of the COVID-19 pandemic drawn by the American ruling class is that public health must be subordinated to maintaining corporate profits and preserving financial markets. Over the past five years, roughly 1.5 million Americans have died from COVID-19 or related health impacts, while globally there are now roughly 30 million excess deaths, and the bourgeoisie havent batted an eye.

Indeed, the ruling class has concluded that deaths of the elderly from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic are a positive good, expressed most callously by none other than Dr. Anthony Fauci, who advanced the eugenicist proclamation that the elderly and infirm will fall by the wayside.

On Sunday, ABCs This Week featured an interview with Dr. Ashish Jha, Bidens White House COVID Response Coordinator from April 2022 until May 2023, on the growing spread of bird flu in the US. Reprising his role as the official purveyor of soporifics, Jha adopted his standard nonchalant tone and demeanor, seeking to minimize the dangers of H5N1 and disarm the population to the existential threat posed by a bird flu pandemic.

White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Ashish Jha speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022. [AP Photo/Susan Walsh]

Throughout the interview, Jha made several misleading and outright false statements, and confirmed that the official response to bird flu would be business as usual. He began with an extraordinary falsification of the Trump administrations response to the COVID-19 pandemic, claiming, When COVID arrived on our shores about five years ago we didnt know anything about the virus. We didnt know how it was transmitted. We didnt have any treatments, vaccines, tests.

In fact, the Trump administration knew much about the virus before it hit US shores, as was made clear in the tapes leaked by journalist Bob Woodward in September 2020. At the time, the WSWS wrote:

As demonstrated by Trumps description of his phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Chinese authorities were as transparent with US officials as they were with the public health community, precisely explaining the diseases method of transmission, its fatality rate and the measures necessary to contain it.

Furthermore, a COVID-19 test was available from the World Health Organization as early as January 2020.

Dr. Jha then went on to note that tests and vaccines for H5N1 currently exist. However, he omitted the fact that nowhere near enough testing is occurring, nor are the vaccines actually being deployed to fight the virus or protect frontline farmworkers or healthcare workers. As reported by the WSWS, numerous experts have been calling for increased testing and deployment of vaccines, but their calls have fallen on deaf ears.

When asked by interviewer George Stephanopoulos about what can be learned from human cases of H5N1, Jha immediately downplayed the seriousness of the virus, stating that the majority of them have been mild. This statement ignores all cases of the virus outside the United States and prior to 2024.

Furthermore, several aspects of human cases in the US must be kept in mind. First, the US has an advanced healthcare system with life-saving resources not available to developing countries. Second, nearly every case received antiviral treatment known to reduce the risk of death with seasonal influenza. Third and most importantly, the strain of the virus in mild cases is different from the one that caused the patient death in Louisiana.

That strain was similar to the one that caused another recent severe case of H5N1 in a Canadian teenager, who was hospitalized and placed on a ventilator for weeks. In both cases, the strain developed mutations that enabled it to reproduce in respiratory tissue. Thus, as opposed to the strains causing mild disease, this more deadly strain is far more likely to transmit from human to human and cause the next pandemic.

Jha mentions the Louisiana patient, but the only lesson he draws is: What were learning is that the virus is continuing to evolve. And what were learning is that the virus can cause really serious illness.

Any first-year biology or public health student learns that viruses continue to evolve, and H5N1 has long been known to cause serious illness and death. This statement is therefore a blatant lie and a misdirection intended to blind the public to the true significance of the strains causing severe illness.

Jhas reassurances about having tests, vaccines, and treatments for H5N1 also ignore the fact that in two weeks Trump will once again be President of the United States, and that he has nominated the anti-vaccine huckster Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump shakes hands with independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at a campaign rally at the Desert Diamond Arena, Friday, August 23, 2024, in Glendale, Arizona. [AP Photo/Evan Vucci]

All indications are that RFK Jr. will be confirmed. A recent report by The Hill suggests that Bernie Sanders and John Fetterman will vote to confirm him. Thus far, only one Republican has expressed any concerns, Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy, who has simply declared that RFK Jr. is wrong on vaccinations.

Having measures in place to fight a pandemic is therefore meaningless if the people in charge of the federal governments response do not believe in them and refuse to deploy them, or even refuse to believe the H5N1 virus is a true threat.

Already, the same right-wing forces that generated and promulgated massive quantities of misinformation and lies on COVID-19 are revving up their misinformation engines on H5N1. As reported by Walker Bragman on Substack, they are adapting their previous lies to the current threat.

These lies include that the virus was created from gain of function research, that it is being deliberately released by a conspiracy, that the threat is exaggerated, that concerned scientists are really shilling for the pharmaceutical corporations, that Anthony Fauci is personally responsible for the virus, that there is a conspiracy to use the threat to direct more money to mRNA vaccine research, and that one can protect oneself from H5N1 and other pathogens with a regimen of vitamin C, vitamin D, melatonin, and ivermectin.

The incoming Trump administration is determined to fully dismantle the threadbare public health infrastructure that remains in place after the Biden administrations disastrous forever COVID policies. To a far higher degree, misinformation and anti-science messaging will disseminate from the highest levels of government. Not only will there be minimal if any response to H5N1, but a wide array of pathogens, some of which have been eliminated for decades, will return with force. Already, as reported by the WSWS, a number of diseases are surging as the most anti-public-health administration in history is set to take control.

The only path forward for eliminating H5N1, COVID-19 and other scourges from the planet is for the working class, under its own political program, to replace capitalism with socialism, a system that puts human life ahead of private profit.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, right, shakes hands with German Economy Minister Robert Habeck in Yagidne, Ukraine, April 3, 2023. [AP Photo/Ukrainian Presidential Press Office]

In the campaign for Februarys early federal election, incumbent Economic Affairs Minister and Green Party candidate for Chancellor, Robert Habeck, is positioning himself as the most aggressive warmonger. At the beginning of December, after he had already declared that as Chancellor he would deliver Taurus cruise missiles to Kiev to attack targets deep inside Russia, he is now calling for a massive increase in defence spending in order to pursue German power politics.

Speaking to leading news weekly Der Spiegel, he said, According to expert calculations, about three-and-a-half percent of our economic output will be needed for defence in the next few years. Habeck, added in confirmation, I agree. We have to spend almost twice as much on our defence. And when the magazine asked him whether this was affordable, he replied, Yes, and it has to be. In the end, such a large sum could only be pre-financed through loans, but of course the loans will have to be repaid at some point.

This is a declaration of war against the population. The figure Habeck brought into play underscores that the German ruling class is working on the largest rearmament programme since Hitler. The Federal Ministry of Finance is forecasting a nominal gross domestic product (GDP) of 4,210 billion for this year, 3.5 percent of which would correspond to a military budget of almost 150 billion. This would not be a doubling, but almost a tripling of the regular annual military budget. Without the existing 100 billion special fund for the Bundeswehr (Armed Forces), this is currently just under 52 billion.

The sum is gigantic. It almost corresponds to the entire social budget (175.67 billion in 2024), seven times the education budget (21.49 billion) or nine times the health budget for 2024 (16.71 billion), which has already been massively cut in recent years. When Habeck stresses that the loans will of course have to be repaid, he is saying nothing other than in the end, there will be nothing left of the remnants of the welfare state.

And when the Green candidate for chancellor justifies the massive rearmament spending with talk of the protection of peace and the security of this country, this is well-known propaganda. In the interview, he leaves no doubt that in reality it is about Germanys return to aggressive great power politics in order to enforce the interests of German imperialismincluding with military might.

There were massive geopolitical power shifts, Habeck says, adding ominously, Only if we fully embrace this dimension can we provide the necessary answers. No more Mr. Nice Guy. Germany, he says, has to reinvent itself again, or it will no longer have the option of being able to reinvent itself. If we dont change fundamentally, we will no longer play the role we have played so far in a competitive world. We have already fallen behind too much.

Habeck identifies Moscow and Beijing as the main opponents. We have to take the security issue, especially the relationship with Russia and China, much more seriously than in the past, he warns. Some people still wished they could just snap their fingers, and everything would be back to normal, as it was no longer normal even under Angela Merkel. But the policy of the three monkeyshear nothing, see nothing, say nothingmust end.

Habeck attacks the SPD and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its sister party in Bavaria, the Christian Social Union (CSU), whose candidate for chancellor, Friedrich Merz (CDU), is also campaigning for more armament and social attacks and is combining this with aggressive agitation against refugees, from the right. When a Chinese company wanted to buy part of the port of Hamburg, it became clear 'that we differ in our assessment of China's interests'. In 2023, Federal Chancellor Scholz had prevailed against Habeck's Ministry of Economic Affairs to allow the Chinese state-owned company Cosco to acquire a 24.9 percent stake in a Hamburg container terminal.

And as far as the CDU/CSU is concerned, Habeck believes that it has not yet realized what a fundamental shift in power we are dealing with. What follows from this: We have to do power politics for democracy in this world.

In the same breath, Habeck makes it clear that for him and the Greens it is not really about democracy or other supposedly noble values, but about the enforcement of imperialist interests, even by brutal force. Our actions are, of course, derived from our values. But the world is not one in which everyone somehow wants the good, he declared cynically. And nobody knew this better than Annalena Baerbock.

Indeed. While Habeck was talking to Der Spiegel, the incumbent Green foreign minister was courting the new Islamist leader and al-Qaeda terrorist Abu Mohammad al-Jolani in Damascus in order to secure Germanys interests in the control and division of Syria and the entire Middle East. A few weeks earlier, in a speech to the Bundestag (parliament) she had openly defended the genocidal attacks by the Israeli military on schools and hospitals, declaring:

Of course, self-defence means that you not only attack terrorists, but destroy them... When Hamas terrorists hide behind people, behind schools, then we are entering very difficult areas. But we do not cower in the face of that. That is why I made it clear to the United Nations: then civilian places can also lose their protected status.

In order to pursue Germanys new imperialist power politics in the 21st century, the Greens are promoting the same great power concepts that already led to world war and barbarism in the 20th century. When asked by Spiegel whether Germany should become the leading military power in Europe, Habeck responded with approval, stating: Overall, the NATO states should cooperate much more closely in the EU and also include Britain. It would make sense if we finally organised a pan-European arms and defence policy.

Germany, too, must serve a European defence policy in order to also take the financial lead, including jointly financed procurement. Elsewhere, he warns that we have to change our defence posture and put our armies in a state where they can defend themselves.

It is clear that the establishment of a militarised and belligerent EU under the command of Berlin is also aimed at enforcing Germanys own interests against its imperialist allies, above all the US. In the interview, Habeck criticised American oligarch and Trump advisor Elon Musk for interfering in the German election campaign as a foreign actor in order to support the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), the most anti-European party.

He was also concerned about the US and did not want to imagine that the oldest democracy of modern times is developing into a neo-feudal system, a kind of moneyed aristocracy in which billionaires are soon in government and use their influence to pursue business interests.

Two things need to be said about this. Firstly, Habecks remarks are only a weak description of what is actually already taking place in the US. With Trump, the ruling class is seeking to establish a fascist regime that will enforce the interests of the capitalist oligarchy against the population with brutal force. And secondly, the Green Partys candidate for the post of Chancellor has made it clear he is prepared to collaborate with this neo-feudal moneyed aristocracy. He asserts that you dont always have to agree to get along and that I will do everything I can to ensure that we have good cooperation with the US, even when it gets difficult.

In its New Years perspective, the WSWS explained that the character of the new US administration represented a violent realignment of the state to correspond with the nature of capitalist society itself. The ruling class in Germany is working on the same realignment. It plans to bring an extreme right-wing government to power via the early federal elections, which will brutally enforce the interests of the German moneyed aristocracy both at home and abroad. Habeck and the Greens are ready for this and are thus bringing a long process of their constant right-wing development to a conclusion, so to speak.

Asked whether he would refuse military service again today as he had done during the Cold War, Habeck answered, No. Today I would join the Bundeswehr... I would no longer have a moral argument for refusing. And in response to the comment by Spiegel that with his demand for 3.5 percent of GDP for defence he was likely to run into problems with [his] party, he replies, I dont think so; there is consensus in the party. We have to spend a lot more on our defence.

Habecks interview and his own assessment of his party as a monolithic block for rearmament and war highlight the extreme right-wing character of the Greens, which, when the party was founded in 1980, still claimed to be left-wing and pacifist, but which essential characteristics were already in their DNA.

The Greens have always vehemently rejected the working class and a socialist perspective, instead relying on the anti-Marxist conceptions of the Frankfurt School and postmodernism, as well as on various forms of identity politics. When they first took government responsibility at federal level as part of the Social Democrat-led Schroder government between 1998 and 2005, they initiated the first German combat missions since the end of World War II in Kosovo and Afghanistan. Two decades later, they can hardly control their desire for rearmament and war.

Behind this development are fundamental social and political processes. In his book A Quarter Century of War published in German by Mehring Verlag in 2020, David North cites the text After the Slaughter: Political Lessons from the Balkan War, which originally appeared on the World Socialist Web Site in 1999:

The social structure and class relations of all the major capitalist countries have been deeply affected by the stock market boom which began in the early 1980s. Perpetually rising share values, especially the explosion in market valuations since 1995, have given a significant section of the middle classespecially among the professional eliteaccess to a degree of wealth that they could not have imagined at the outset of their careers.

As Habeck positions himself as the best German war chancellor, his concerns are the defence of these fortunes, which have since soared to astronomical heights. The wealthy upper middle-class layers, whom the Greens represent like no other party, are reacting to the extreme social polarisation by completely transforming themselves into ruthless militarists and warmongers in the interests of the capitalist oligarchy.
The Australian Industry Group and NDIS providers are attacking hard-won penalty rates of disability support workers. [Photo: Facebook/People with Disability Australia]

In late 2023, the big business Australian industry (Ai) Group, supported by major disability support providers, initiated action in the Fair Work Commission to eliminate sleepover rates paid to community and disability support workers. A sleepover penalty is paid to the support workers who have to sleep in the same location as their clients for eight hours but are still required to provide care during this time if needed.

The Ai Group and its backers want the current Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award changed so that sleepovers are reclassified as breaks between shifts. This constitutes a major attack on the jobs, wages and conditions of community and disability support workers and the care received by their patients. The Fair Work Commission is expected to issue a formal response to the application early this year.

If the employers are successful, community and disability support workers could be made to work 28 hours away from homeincluding a 10-hour shift, eight-hour sleepover and another 10-hour shiftwithout proper rest, breaks, and on standard pay rates.

While a coalition of unionsthe Australian Services Union, Australian Workers Union, Health Services Union, Community and Public Sector Union and the United Workers Unionhave formally opposed the employers application, they have done nothing to mobilise their members to fight this retrogressive attack.

Last month, Des Johnson (not his real name), a disability support worker from South Australia, contacted the World Socialist Web Site to explain the brutal consequences of these moves and the harsh conditions already facing community and disability workers and their patients.

DJ: Disability support employees work with vulnerable members of the community, many of whom have a mental illness or an intellectual disability and violent episodes can occur daily. This means our shifts can be unpredictable and often involve sleepovers.

When we sleep over at a clients home we are often in a small room designed as an office with a computer, table, bed and a few other items. We might sleep from about 11 p.m. to about 7 a.m. and are paid a $57 penalty for the eight hours of sleeping, which is about $7 a hour for sleeping. If a client wakes up during this time, were required to support them with whatever needs they require.

The provider company charges the NDIA [National Disability Insurance Agency] a maximum at $286.56, which comes out of client funding, and they pay us the $57 out of that. The companies want to eliminate this payment, claiming that were not working, and then roster us on for another shift when we get up, but not pay any penalty rates.

Under normal rates the provider could charge $68 or $70 an hour but then pay the disability worker between $36 or $46 per hour and keep the rest for themselves. Im on $36.46 part time, which is my base rate per hour during the day. Some are paid a lot less, others more, it depends on your EBA [Enterprise Bargaining Agreement] or award.



The providers claim that this provides stability and is better for clients to have a worker there all the time. This is crap. What these companies want is to get as much money as they can while making the workers and the clients suffer. And its the same for all the so-called non-profit agencies. Just look at Community Living Options financials. Its a not-for-profit company but has $27 million cash in the bank. Cara is another not-for-profit outfit but has a fair bit of cash and plenty of assets.

The provider companies invoice the NDIA for their services and are paid but a lot of the invoices arent properly audited. For example, a client could be a two-on-one case, which means two people are needed to look after one individual because he or she has complex mental health issues. The providers often charge for the two disability support workers but only use one support worker and keep the extra amount for themselves.

WSWS: How many people will be impacted by removal of the sleepover payment?

DS: Theres supposed to be about 300,000 disability support workers in Australia so Id guess that about 100,000 could be directly affected. If the Ai Group and disability support providers get their changes put in the award, then it will be brought into future enterprise agreements and have a huge flow-on effect.

WSWS: Whats your union or the others doing about this?

DJ: Im in the UWU [United Workers Union] and went to a union meeting a few weeks back. They said a decision would be made early this year and that theyd put a strong case to Fair Work, that well have your back and the other usual stuff but no details about what theyll do. Its difficult because many disability support workers are not in unions and theres a lot of poaching going on between the different unions that cover us. Theres infighting and politics, instead of trying to work together as one.

WSWS: What other issues are disability support workers confronting?

DS: Ive been in the industry for about 10 years now and have seen a lot of changes. Before the NDIS, most of the companies were not-for-profit but now the big for-profit companies have moved in. It doesnt make much difference whether they are profit or not-for-profit, they all operate the same way in trying to cut costs, all of which impacts on our clients and our health and safety.

Most support workers are only given minimal training, which is especially dangerous for those who deal with people that the courts have deemed mentally incompetentthat have committed murder, sex offences or other serious crimesbut are released on supervision.

Were not given proper background information on these sorts of people who can often become very violent. We all come into disability knowing that theres the possibility of violence, but the provider companies do nothing to address these basic safety issues.

The providers claim were not working during sleepovers, but you never get a proper sleep. Youve always got one ear open. If something happens youve got to write up your notes about what went on. This means you get exhausted from lack of sleep, which is a health and safety risk, but the providers dont take any of that into consideration.

Ive done a sleepover with four clients who have houses next to each other. Im the only one there overnight and if any of them wake up youre expected to deal with whatevers happening.



WSWS: Is it usual for one person to be dealing with four clients?

DJ: Yes, its very common. Yesterday I worked with four clients on a 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. shift. There were supposed to be three people on, but one called in sick so there were just two of us trying to work with four people. Two of those people are supposed to be one-on-one all the time, meaning youre not supposed to leave them alone, and this sort of arrangement can happen when youre trying to deal with people liable to have seizures.

Some clients can also have an infectious disease but thats not disclosed to you. One person I used to work with had MRSA [Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus] but the provider never disclosed that to me.

Wage theft is another big problem for us. There are two different types of classification in our industrythe SACS award and a Home Care awardwith different pay rates. If youre employed in supported independent living, which is where I work, you should be paid under the SACS [Social and Community Services] award, but they pay you on the Home Care rate, which is about $10 an hour less. Thats not an unusual occurrence. According to a UWU survey, about 40 percent of disability support workers are victims of wage theft. I know someone who is taking one provider to the federal court over this. I think hes owed about $120,000.

The providers used to have company cars for us to use. Theyre getting rid of them and making us use our own cars but introducing a small daily kilometre allowance. The limit varies but can be just 35 kilometres a week, which you can easily use up if you need to take people to appointments.

WSWS: Whats the career life of disability workers under these conditions?

DJ: Lots of people leave. Many are young people doing university courses but who need to get a job. They obviously care about the work but once they finish their degrees or whatever theyre studying, they move on. Its not really a life-career job and so over 90 percent are considering leaving the sector. And with our wages, were all struggling with the cost of living. The union survey says 90 percent of disability support workers do not have enough savings to cover a $400 emergency if they had to.



Most of us have two jobs and are working 50, 60 or 70 hours a week. We all work Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, not because we love coming to work, but because youve got to pay the bills. Fortunately, I was able to buy somewhere to live a while back, but I have two kids and still need to service that mortgage. This affects your family life because youre always at work and dont get to spend as much time with your kids as youd love to.

* * *

The harsh conditions facing community and disability support workers and the attacks on sleepover penalties now being organised by the Ai Group business lobby and NDIS providers are the latest in a series of cost-cutting enterprise agreement deals between the unions and Labor and Liberal-National Coalition governments, state and federal. It points to the necessity for disability and community support workers to establish rank-and-file committees, independent of the existing unions, and to link up with other health workers to fight for decent wages and safe and healthy working conditions.

Such rank-and-file committees can serve as forums for genuine democratic discussion about the issues confronting health and disability workers and for the development of an industrial and political program of action for an adequately funded and staffed system where public health takes precedence over big business profits and what governments claim they can afford.

This is the purpose of the Health Workers Rank-and-File Committee. We urge other NDIS and community support workers to contact us and discuss the formation of rank-and-file committees at your workplace to take forward this struggle.

Contact the Health Workers Rank-and-File Committee (HWRFC):

Email: sephw.aus@gmail.com

Twitter: @HealthRandF_Aus

Facebook: facebook.com/groups/hwrfcaus
Trump supporters participate in a rally Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. The Colorado Supreme Court hears arguments in a case seeking to use the Constitutions insurrection clause to keep former President Donald Trump off the ballot. Both sides are appealing a ruling from a district court judge who found Trump incited an insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, but could remain on the ballot regardless.
A federal judge last month refused to dismiss a woman's claim that the city of Aurora's policies motivated an officer's decision to attack her while he was on administrative leave.
The federal appeals court based in Denver ruled on Tuesday that a former nursing home employee can pursue her claim of religious discrimination against her former employer for failing to grant a religious exemption to its COVID-19 vaccination requirement.
7 Little Johnstons stars Amber Johnston and Trent Johnston decided to host a foreign exchange student named Joose Jeskanen in their home for three months, and the Finland native made his reality TV debut during season 10. After fans noticed that Joose didnt appear on the show during season 14, viewers are wondering what he is up to today and if he will appear on season 15.

When Did Foreign Exchange Student Joose Join 7 Little Johnstons?

Joose first joined the cast of 7 Little Johnstons when he moved in with Amber and Trent during season 10 of the TLC reality show.

The couple  who share kids Elizabeth, Jonah, Anna, Alex and Emma  welcomed Joose into their home after their three eldest kids graduated from high school and moved out.

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After being introduced during season 10, Joose continued to make appearances during season 11.

"For the next three months, we have an exchange student living with us," Amber explained during season 11. "We cannot wait to show him life with the Johnstons."

"I'm so excited about this. Everything here is new for me," Joose said as the Jonhston family picked him up at the airport. "My first reaction when I came here was that, like, cars and trucks are so different. In Finland, cars are a lot smaller. Trucks are rare in Finland."

While living with the Johnstons, Joose got to experience some unique activities including dressing up in an inflatable turkey costume and wrestling in kiddie pools filled with applesauce and cranberry sauce. "Maybe Johnston family is crazy ... But it's OK. I like to be, like, also crazy," Joose said about the activity.

When Did Foreign Exchange Student Joose Stop Living With the Johnstons?

Amber revealed that Jooses time in their home came to an end in January 2022. 3 months came and gone so quickly. An amazing experience, familyships have been made, she captioned several photos of Joose with their family over his time in the United States.

Who Is the Foreign Exchange Student on 7 Little Johnstons? Meet Joose Jeskanen

Will Joose Make More Appearances on 7 Little Johnstons?

It has not been confirmed if Joose will be featured in future episodes of 7 Little Johnstons, though he did make appearances after he stopped living with Amber and Trent.

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During season 12, the Johnstons reunited with Joose at the LPA National Conference in Spokane, Washington, and they even got to meet his mother for the first time.

Then in season 13, Trent, Amber, Alex and Emma traveled to Finland to visit Joose and his family.

Despite making appearances on seasons 12 and 13, Joose did not appear on season 14 and its not clear if he will make a cameo during season 15.

What Is 7 Little Johnstons Star Up to Today?

Joose seems to be back in Finland, though he hasnt posted a photo on his Instagram feed since May 2023. At the time, Joose uploaded a mirror selfie explaining that he started working at Target over the summer.

When Does Season 15 of 7 Little Johnstons Air?

Fans can catch up with the Johnston family when season 15 of 7 Little Johnstons airs on TLC Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET.
Filmmaker Robert Moniots The Ice Cream Man is eight decades in the making. The short recounts the little-known true story of Ernst Cahn (played by Noah Emmerich), a Jewish ice cream shop owner who, along with his family, fled Nazi Germany in 1936 to Amsterdam in hopes of a more peaceful life. However, after the Nazis invade the country, the notorious German officer Klaus Barbie, also known as The Butcher of Lyon, homes in on Cahn and his establishment. Barbies threatening presence forces Cahn to choose between fleeing the country with his family or taking a stand against the brutal regime.

The Ice Cream Man landed the 2025 Oscars shortlist and has screened at multiple film festivals, including the Indy Shorts International Film Festival and the Naples International Film Festival, where it won the Audience Choice Award and Best Short Film, respectively.

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Here, Moniot talks to Deadline about bringing Cahns heroic stance to life.

DEADLINE: How did you find out about Ernsts story?

ROBERT MONIOT: My wife is a United States diplomat, but then the State Department calls out of the blue and said, We need you to move to the Netherlands as soon as possible. So, I googled the house that they told us wed be living in and googled the closest beach to said house because our kids love the beach, and I love to go kitesurfing. The [nearby] beach is one of the most beautiful beaches Ive ever seen. It has beautiful dunes and seagrass. So, I was really excited, and then in the bottom right-hand corner of Google, it said, This is the beach where the Nazis executed over 300 resistance fighters during the war. As a filmmaker, I immediately got this picture in my head of a movie poster with a guy with a blindfold on his hands tied behind his back on that beach. And thats now the poster for our movie.

As I kept reading, the very next sentence was, The first person that the Nazis executed was Ernst Cahn, a Jewish ice cream parlor owner in Amsterdam. Then I read that he was targeted and arrested and tortured, and ultimately executed by Klaus Barbie, arguably the most sadistic Nazi to ever walk the face of the earth. And I just kept reading, and I just couldnt believe Id never heard this story. The events that you see in the movie leading to the outpouring of love for him and anger about what happened leads to the largest anti-Nazi protest in history. I was instantly struck by the concept that even when I was just sitting there reading on Google, I was like, My kids need to hear this story. Everybody needs to hear this story because its a powerful witness to one individuals power in their community. The effect that they can have on their community.

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My wife used to work in Hollywood before she became a diplomat as an executive. I told her that I thought this was my next feature, and when we moved to the Netherlands, I was going to write this as a two-hour movie. She says, He died so fast, you dont have a third act. And I was like, Whatever. So, she told me that maybe it should be a short film instead, to which I [vehemently] said that Im not doing another short because I want to get back into trying to have a career in Hollywood. So, I went to bed very pissed off. But, then the next morning, and this is the funny part, I went to Deadline Hollywood, which I do every day, no matter where in the world we are, and this ad pops up that says, Send us your short film script about the Holocaust, and well give you $50,000 if you win. And so, my wife was right [laughs]. It was the Claims Conference Emerging Filmmaker Award, and I had about six days before the contest deadline.

DEADLINE: Six days?

MONIOT: I asked my wife if I could do this because it was insane, and I took a crack at it. I wrote a big story so it could have an impact, but I didnt think it would win. After three days into writing it, I sent it to my Jewish friends in Hollywood because I was stepping onto hallowed ground, and Id never done anything like this before. I wanted to make sure that I was being respectful and wasnt breaking some rules that I didnt even know existed, and I was getting some good responses. Then I found out when I read the fine print of the contest, and it said, You have to have your script, your producer, your locations list, your shooting schedule and your budget. I had three more days, so I started working on that while finishing up the script and piecing together, as best I could, an image of what this would cost and what it would really be.

The day before the deadline, I couldnt find an ice cream parlor in Europe that worked. They all looked too modern and very European. My friend, my location manager friends in LA. and New York were finding a lot of 50s diner-looking places, but nothing that made my heart sing. So, I just googled the year 1900, renovated ice cream parlor and United States and hit enter. The perfect ice cream parlor pops up called Zaharakos that opened in 1900 in Columbus, Indiana, which Id never heard of [other than knowing] Mike Pence grew up there. Its this beautiful, idyllic little town. I cold called the guy who owned the ice cream parlor [Tony Moravec] to tell him that I was writing a short film about the Holocaust for a contest that I probably wouldnt win, but if I did, could I come to Indiana and shoot in the ice cream parlor for free? To Tonys credit, he not only said yes but also had me come out and meet him. He introduced me to the community, ultimately donated $50,000 of his own money to the movie and got his best friend to match it. So, after I won the grant from Claims Conference, we got a bit more and were ready to figure out how to start shooting the film.

Ernst Cahn (Noah Emmerich) in The Ice Cream Man

DEADLINE: What has been the reception between U.S. and European audiences towards the film? Especially since you now reside in the Netherlands.

MONIOT: We decided early on that we would give the movie away to schools, museums and libraries when we were done with it. The Anne Frank Center partnered with us to develop a curriculum to accompany the film as we [make the rounds on festival and screening circuits]. So, the two cool things that have been happening overseas when we had our European premiere in Amsterdam, I was trepidacious because I made it a very American version of a Dutch story in that we filmed in Indiana, then as we were able to shoot after funding, we went and shot some places in Amsterdam. We worked primarily with a Dutch crew

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Then we came back and shot in Indiana, and then we shot some big scenes in Amsterdam, working with a primarily Dutch crew and San Fu Maltha, the producer of Black Book. Hes a pretty well-known Dutch producer. And the conversations we were having, because the Dutch are brutally honest, were like, [In your movie] why are they speaking in English? And so I had to answer, thats because its how the language of Hollywood cinema goes. Then it was, Well what accent is that supposed to be anyway? And I was like, thats the Dutch accent. San Fu was like, We have to dub the whole fucking thing. [laughs].

So, we have this huge premiere in Amsterdam called the Tuschinski where Spielberg had his European premiere for Schindlers List, and Im like, Are they even going to be able to see past the whole Hunt for Red October version of all the accents all over the movie? One thing about the Dutch is that theyre not outwardly emotional, in my experience. They are very lovely people and feel things deeply, but theres a bit of a veneer when theyre dealing with an American, in my experience. But [I was relieved] to see that people were so receptive to it. Dutch people were crying. We had a Q&A afterward, and San Fu got up on stage. In so many words, he basically said, I was wrong. We did this exactly the way that it should have been done and needed to be done.

Then there are the kids. As weve been piloting the curriculum at middle and high schools, it has just been extraordinary. Ive had the honor and privilege of talking to the kids right after theyve watched the movie and had been discussing the curriculum for a little while with their teacher. Also, the feedback were getting from educators who are piloting it for us because weve done it in some schools in the United States and some schools in the Netherlands as we get ready to roll it out has been an extraordinarily positive experience.

Robert Moniot Interview

DEADLINE: How did Noah Emmerich become your leading man?

MONIOT: I wrote a script based on my short Pearl Harbor II: Pearlmageddon that New Line Cinema optioned, and Noah was going to produce it, so weve known each other since the early 2000s. After I wrote the script and won the contest, I called him and asked if he could read it because I would like him to play the lead. He was busy on other projects at the time, but he called me back and said, Do you know about my father? And he was very emotional. And I said, No. It turns out Noahs father and aunt, with their parents, just like the Cahn family, fled Nazi Germany in 1936 and moved to Amsterdam because everyone assumed it would be neutral. They lived around the corner from the Cahn family and the ice cream parlor. Theres some evidence that they actually knew them. Noahs aunt was classmates with Anne Frank. So, Noah was like, Im in.

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The thing about Noah, even before I knew him as a human and as a friend, hes that kind of actor that everything Id ever seen him in, I just loved the guy. Even when hes playing kind of a sleazeball, theres just something about his character and spirit that speaks to me [laughs]. So, I was lucky to get him.

DEADLINE: How did filming in the Netherlands, where the event occurred, help shape your research and film? Does the ice cream shop still exist?

MONIOT: Where the actual ice cream shop was, its now a ballet clothing store. However, the residents above where the Cahn family lived are still there. We got to shoot most of the Amsterdam scenes and the scenes in The Hague at the actual locations where the events that took place really happened, on the Waterlooplein, inside the prison where Ernst was being held. Thats the actual jail where he was held. In fact, the actual cell in the movie is the only cell that the Dutch preserved from World War II. They didnt touch it. So, its a national monument, and youre not allowed to go in there. And they let us go in and shoot that scene inside there, and that was about six cells down from where Ernst Cahn was held.

The other thing that happened was we started the movie in Indiana and then shot as much as we could. Then, we had to pause to raise more money, and then the strikes happened. But then the miracle of that pause was the Cahn family, Ernst Cahns descendants, who I had been trying to find and wasnt able to find, found me and reached out to me and we became friends. And Ernsts grandson, Amos, is in the movie. Hes one of the people being dragged away by the Nazis during the razzia scene. But they told us things that werent in the history books. For example, the scene where Ursula is allowed to visit Ernst the night before hes executed wasnt in the movie that I originally wrote. And when they told me that, Noah and I were like, Well, were putting that in. So, not only the city but also just the other kind of events around the making of the film continued to inform the creative choices that we made all the way up until the end of production.

Gretchen Hall (Ursula Cahn), Noah Emmerich (Ernst Cahn), Meghan Reinertsen (Helga Cahn) and Madison Pullins (Inge Cahn) in The Ice Cream Man

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DEADLINE: What do you want audiences to take away from this film?

MONIOT: While tragic, I wanted to tell a story that hopefully also left you with this sense of hope and triumph. I think one of the incredible things that happened during the making of the movie was much to my surprise because we went to Indiana, a place Id never been before. I did not know how the story I wanted to tell would land during this political climate. I have to tell you, I am a cynical son of a bitch. So many people on the right and left came together and had a common vision for why and how this movie should be made.

This was a nonprofit [production]. We had fiscal sponsorship from Film Independent. Except for a few grants, this whole movie was paid for by people who had me in their living room telling them why I wanted to make the story, why I thought it was important, and how big I needed it to be to sell the message. And they all pulled out their checkbooks and wrote checks. This was people putting their own money in it. I want people to have an open mind going in and drawing their own conclusions when they leave. But I feel like even just talking with you; I feel like this story strikes a nerve with everybody who sees it.

[This interview has been edited for length and clarity]

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Everyone has their favorite Nespresso pod -- something they just can't help but turn to every morning for their usual brew. But if you're looking to expand your palette, you might be interested in trying flavors that you don't hear about quite as much. So, how can you find a hidden gem within Nespresso's expansive pod collection? Fortunately, we've rounded up 14 underrated Nespresso pods that we think deserve more love.

So, what exactly constitutes being underrated, anyway? Besides just looking for coffee pods that people believed to be underrated, I also checked for information online regarding pods people hadn't tried yet, didn't buy often, or pods that had consistently positive reviews but still weren't frequently purchased. But every pod I included has a plethora of good reviews (both on social media and sometimes from myself), so you're not just getting the most disliked Nespresso pods when it comes to the underrated pods on this list.

I picked out both Original and Vertuo pods for this list. I used online reviews on social media, Nespresso's website, and my own personal experience to create this list. Just keep in mind that you'll need to check that each pod works with your Nespresso machine before purchasing.

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Read more: 20 Keurig K-Cup Coffee Pods, Ranked Worst To Best

Costa Rica

A Nespresso machine next to an assortment of pods - Yula/Getty Images

As a Master Origins pod, Costa Rica is a respected Nespresso pod, but it's also greatly underrated. Sometimes, Origin pods tend to miss the roster of "most popular" rankings that Nespresso fans come up with -- at least in my experience, not everyone uses these pods consistently. They're not touted as one of Nespresso's signature pods, after all. But there are a few Master Origins pods that are definitely worth a second look, and Costa Rica is one of them.

Not only did it claim the second spot when I ranked all of Nespresso's Vertuo Master Origins pods, it also gets consistently good reviews from those who try it. Its flavor profile is appealing to pretty much everyone; it has notes of cereal, slight earthiness, and is a fairly strong (but not too strong) roast.

One thing I especially love about the Costa Rica pod is that it certainly works as an everyday Nespresso pod. It doesn't taste too overwhelming, and I think it has a profile that doubles as a solid pairing for a breakfast or post-dinner treat. I myself keep a sleeve of Costa Rica pods handy, because I haven't found anyone so far who doesn't like them.

Stormio

Sleeves of Nespresso pods on wooden table - aporlo/Shutterstock

I think that Stormio tends to have a surprise factor to it. It's a pod that's relatively popular within the Nespresso community but still seems underrated to me; it's not usually the first pod people turn to, but when they finally get a chance to try it, they usually end up loving it. If you're looking for a fun new pod to try or something to add to your morning coffee routine, Stormio might be your next best underrated bet.

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Stormio is a dark roast, with both woodsy and spicy flavors. It's strong -- and even a little bitter -- and it's probably no surprise to hear that Nespresso rates this pod as "intense." These factors can be a little off-putting to some, and that's probably another reason why Stormio tends to be so underrated when it comes to Nespresso pods. If you love Arabica beans, Stormio is another bonus for you, because it's a 100% Arabica roast.

As long as you can handle a stronger roast, Stormio is definitely for you. It's smooth, it's delightfully earthy, and it's definitely the wake-up call of morning brews. Plus, according to Nespresso, this Nespresso pod makes a perfect Americano -- just another bonus of the versatile pod.

Roma

Shot of various Nespresso sleeves behind coffee cup - Christopher Ames/Getty Images

There might be a little bit of debate when it comes to whether or not Roma is underrated, but I personally don't see many people or reviewers say it's their favorite pod.

With the ever-popular cereal note present in this brew, along with a gentle woody taste, this pod just hits the spot nicely. It's a pleasantly acidic light roast that is well-balanced and earthy (and a little bitter). Nespresso says it's best served as a ristretto.

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Now, the debate with Roma often comes because of its acidity and bitterness. Some reviewers have called it too pungent, while others enjoy it but don't mark it down as their absolute favorite pod. It's part of a gently raging debate within the Nespresso community, but people who love Roma do truly adore it.

Orafio

Variety of Nespresso pods with cup of cofee - aporlo/Shutterstock

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Orafio has some of the most agreeable coffee notes that just hit the spot for a lot of people: cereal and caramel. It's a little acidic, a little sweet, and deliciously full-bodied. It walks the line perfectly between earthiness and gentle warmth. Despite the fact that Orafio is a medium roast, however, some reviewers find it to be too bitter. Nespresso ranks it as being right in the middle, so it's possible that most people who tried Orafio just weren't prepared for a brew that has caramel flavors to be bitter at all.

This is the main reason why Orafio tends to be underrated for what it is. A lot of people will argue specifically that Orafio is underrated; one user on a Reddit thread discussing the most underrated pods argued, "Orafio (VL) because it's so creamy and caramel-y to me. One of my favorites that I don't see talked about much."

As long as you approach Orafio with an open mind, you might just discover a new favorite brew. I wouldn't say it's quite a love-it-or-hate-it pod, but those who end up liking it tend to be all-in on the pod after trying it just once.

Peru

Jar of Nespresso pods next to stack of Nespresso cups - Maria Pomelnikova/Shutterstock

When I ranked Nespresso's Master Origins pods, Peru came third. That might not sound like a resounding rating, but let me explain: Peru is an espresso, whereas none of the other Master Origins pods are. With that in mind, it felt wrong to rank it first. But its flavors were genuinely delicious.

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It's a very fruity pod, and you can really taste those flavors come through as you drink the espresso. It's strong but not extremely bitter, and it is an absolutely perfect pod to enjoy all on its own as an espresso. It's very well-balanced and bodied, with acidity that brings out the fruit flavors beautifully.

So, why is Peru not a fan favorite? While many people can agree that it's highly underrated, it might just be a Master Origins problem coming through again. Plus, espressos aren't as common from Nespresso as coffees are, so you're less likely to find customers purchasing pods that are exclusively espressos. The same is true for the Master Origins line, as it's the only drink of its kind within that lineup. But if you like slightly strong, boldly fruity coffees, Peru is the espresso for you.

Pour-Over Pod

Coffee being poured into orange cup - Stefania Pelfini, La Waziya Photography/Getty Images

I don't see a lot of people talking about Nespresso's Pour-Over pod -- maybe because its name isn't super flashy. But this is possibly one of my favorite Nespresso pods I've tried to date, and I think it's greatly underrated. Whether you're a fan of pour-overs or not, I think absolutely every coffee drinker will love Pour-Over. When I compared Nespresso's Pour-Over and Cold Brew pods, I couldn't help but love Pour-Over right away.

The Pour-Over pods are a classic medium roast. Each pod brings a truly unbeatable smoky flavor to your cup; when I first tried it, I felt it genuinely captured what a classic coffee shop pour-over should taste like. To me, the taste reminded me a little bit of oak wood (a prime wood choice for smoking); like the earthy-tasting beans had actually been smoked over real wood.

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As a bonus, the Pour-Over pods are XL. This is another factor that contributes to why they're so underrated -- if you have an Original Nespresso machine, unfortunately you won't be able to use these pods. They make a full 12 ounce coffee, according to Nespresso. But although the brew is large, don't think it tastes watered-down. The flavor stays perfectly strong no matter how many cups you split it into.

Stockholm

Three variety Nespresso capsules - Primestock Photography/Shutterstock

Stockholm is polarizing, which is sadly a determining factor in its underrated-ness. Why? Because it's bitter. Some reviewers absolutely love the pod and say it's not too overwhelming at all. Others say that it's very intense. It's true that you won't find much sweet respite in the tasting notes of this brew: roasted chocolate is what it tastes like, according to Nespresso. But its layered flavor might just be enough to make it your new favorite.

Stockholm is not quite the strongest roast Nespresso offers, but it's up there. According to Nespresso, this pod is intended to be enjoyed black -- so if you're planning on buying Stockholm, you should definitely commit to drinking it straight. Its malty, full-bodied flavor will surely win you over in the end.

Ethiopia

Blue Nespresso machine brewing ice coffee - aporlo/Shutterstock

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When it comes to pods that are a little less popular within actual Nespresso stores yet are still somehow beloved by all Nespresso users, Ethiopia best fits the description. A lot of people love the Ethiopia pods, but they don't always become everyone's new morning brew. "Everyone who tries it seems to love it, but no one buys it," joked a user about Ethiopia pods on a Reddit thread discussing Nespresso pods.

Ethiopia's flavor notes are nice and specific, a huge benefit to those who want to buy a full sleeve online without trying it first. It's floral and fruity -- tasting of blueberry specifically, according to Nespresso. It's not bitter at all, which will help its bold flavors appeal to almost anyone who tries it. But you can rest assured that the brew still has plenty of acidity to help balance it out.

As the name might imply, Ethiopia is a pod from Nespresso's Master Crafted lineup -- the Original Nespresso version of the Master Origins line, both of which feature unique coffees from countries around the globe.

Ice Leggero

Iced coffee next to variety of Nespresso pods - ngoc tran/Shutterstock

Now, you might have seen Ice Leggero mentioned before as a few people's favorites, but my argument for why it's underrated is that some people underrate Nespresso's iced coffee as a whole. Maybe you're just not an iced coffee fan, or maybe you haven't tried any of Nespresso's pods that are best served iced. But I believe that Nespresso's iced brews are worth a try.

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So, why Ice Leggero? Mostly because it's underrated but not unpopular in the Nespresso iced-coffee community. Because there are fewer iced Nespresso pods to choose from, it's easy to tell when people love (or don't like) an iced pod. The consensus around Ice Leggero is primarily positive: it makes a delicious iced brew.

Ice Leggero features notes of cereal and fruit, both of which come through beautifully over ice. It's a delicate medium roast that will definitely allow you to experience all the tasting flavors Nespresso has to offer for these pods. Even better, it will probably win you over to the world of iced Nespresso coffees.

Cold Brew

Glass of cold brew coffee with straw on wooden table - Nora Carol Photography/Getty Images

I don't see many people talking about Nespresso's Cold Brew pods, but these XL pods are a solid option if you want another good iced drink. The Cold Brew pods are specifically designed to replicate the taste of a classic cold brew (and yes, cold brew is different from iced coffee). Moreover, the pods feature gentle notes of caramel and cereal. It's not too bitter, which makes it extra refreshing, but the caramel doesn't make the Cold Brew pods taste sweet, either.

Best of all, Nespresso's classic crema holds up even though the drink is made over ice. This is another big bonus for an equally large pod -- the Cold Brew pods will all make a 12oz drink.

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When I first tried Cold Brew, I felt like all of Nespresso's tasting notes held up well, even when the pod was brewed over ice. It was just as easy to make as any other Nespresso pod -- and you can cool it down even further by adding more ice after it's brewed or just popping it in the freezer for a few minutes. Even though you might not find a lot of people mentioning it when they talk about their favorite classic Nespresso pods, the Cold Brew pods fall outside of the traditional Nespresso brew box -- and I think you'll appreciate them for that.

Arondio

Closeup of variety Nespresso pods - Primestock Photography/Shutterstock

Arondio is a gentle, smooth coffee with tasting notes of cereal. By now, you might be wondering why so many pods on this list have notes of cereal. The truth is, it's an easy flavor to love, but it's also one that is sometimes overlooked. Arondio appeals to pretty much everyone -- it's well-balanced, earthy, and maybe a little sweet. It also helps other flavors to shine well when paired with fruity or sweet notes.

With that in mind, Arondio somehow manages to be both gentle and intense. Its flavor is light, but it is a dark roast, so don't underestimate it. It rates relatively high on both bitterness and roast level according to Nespresso, yet its actual tasting notes still manage to come across as surprisingly easy-going. That's probably also because every note in Arondio is very well-balanced.

You probably won't see Arondio mentioned often within the Nespresso community, which is why I ranked it as a highly underrated pod. Those who try it really appreciate its uniquely balanced flavors. It's an interesting pod, and one that deserves a little more popularity because of its versatility.

Venezia

Four Nespresso pods atop Nespresso sleeves sitting atop coffee beans - makesushi1/Shutterstock

Venezia is a Nespresso pod you should think of when you want a solid medium roast. It has a little bit of everything -- acidity, bitterness, roastiness, and body -- but none of these factors are overpowering. According to Nespresso's tasting notes, it tastes nutty -- a pleasing flavor that, in my experience, most people will be able to agree with. I find nutty coffees to taste deep and layered, which makes them interesting to drink without being too intense.

"Venezia brings me right back to drinking espresso in Italy. Hands down my favorite of this series," mentions one Reddit user on a thread discussing the Nespresso Ispirazione line. While some people are all green flags for Venezia, other people think it's just likeable -- not loveable. This makes it a highly underrated pod, because its gentle flavors can sometimes steer people away from trying it (or picking it as their new everyday brew). I'm not saying it has to be your new favorite pod, but I think it's a really solid drink that is underrated as far as Nespresso pods go. As a bonus, it's the only nutty Nespresso pod that made this list of underrated pods, which gives it a unique flavor profile that you might end up loving.

Fortado

Pile of Nespresso pods next to glass of coffee - 4fr/Getty Images

You'll find that Fortado is incredibly intense. That's why it's so underrated. It's extremely strong and rich -- and that might lead a lot of people to steer clear of it. But if you know you love dark roasts or are looking to expand your coffee palette a little more, Fortado is definitely worth a try. "Am I missing something or is this pod criminally underrated?" asked one Reddit user on a thread discussing the Fortado pods.

Fortado has notes that are generally pleasing to most people, with Nespresso's tasting notes being of roasted chocolate. According to Nespresso, the brew also has light flavors of oak wood -- another delicious way to make the other flavors stand out more.

The balanced brew makes it great for a morning coffee, but it's also found popularity amongst some Nespresso users as a dessert coffee. Whether you're using it to offset sweet treats or just enjoy on its own after dinner, it's definitely got a lot of promise as an evening brew.

Methodology

Two empty cups and saucers on a table with Nespresso machine and box of Nespresso pods - Aliusimago/Getty Images

To find the absolute most underrated Nespresso pods, I searched the Internet for coffee lovers discussing Nespresso pods they felt other people just weren't buying enough. I'm already familiar with Nespresso, so I tried to steer clear of pods that are commonly known as favorites (although that's up for debate, to be fair). I used a mix of both Vertuo and Original Nespresso pods, so everyone will find a new pod to try no matter what kind of machine you have.

Whenever possible, I used my own experiences having tasted these pods myself. Rather than include them just because I personally enjoyed them, I included underrated pods that had tasting notes that would appeal to a wide range of people and used my own experience to make sure the tasting notes matched up with what each pod actually tasted like.

Regardless of whether or not I had tried each pod before, I went off of a variety of detailed reviews for each pod, noting what each social media poster liked and disliked about each pod. As long as the pod was popular (but not too popular, of course) it was fit to make this list. I tended to steer clear of pods that were especially controversial, for the sake of picking the most underrated pods only. I did not use price as a factor for this list.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.
A group that secured a major property tax deal with legislators last year is eyeing a ballot measure to prohibit the state and local governments from banning the use of gas or propane-fired equipment and appliances, such as stoves and heaters.
if you've never had a tamale, you're missing out on a versatile dish that showcases corn front and center. From the husks that contain the hearty stuffing, to the foundations of the filling (made with masa, or ground nixtamalized maize), corn is omnipresent. Mashed recipe developer Kara Barrett shares this adobo chile and cheddar vegetarian tamales recipe that is perfect for tamale newbies and regulars alike. Although the recipe requires a bit of patience, Barrett notes that "Eating homemade tamales fresh is truly the best way to enjoy them."

Part of that comes down to the handmade preparation, which sets it apart from mass-produced alternatives. "The effort to create a buttery, whipped masa dough results in a soft, fluffy texture that you won't find from store-bought versions," she explains. If you don't have a few hours to set aside for the process, Barrett offers tips on how to break the recipe down into steps. You'll be rewarded with a dozen tamales plus extra filling if you can't get enough.

Read more: 11 Canned Chili Brands, Ranked Worst To Best

Gather Ingredients For Adobo Chile And Cheddar Vegetarian Tamales

Chile and cheddar tamale ingredients in packaging - Kara Barrett/Mashed

For this recipe, you'll need dried corn husks (rinsed), canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, shredded cheddar cheese, dry tamale masa, kosher salt, baking powder, unsalted butter (at room temperature), and warm vegetable stock.

Step 1: Soak Corn Husks

Corn husks soaking in water in bowl - Kara Barrett/Mashed

Soak cleaned corn husks in hot water for 30 minutes.

Step 2: Mash Chipotles

Mashing chipotles in adobo with fork in bowl - Kara Barrett/Mashed

In a bowl, mash chipotles with a fork, reserving 2 tablespoons of adobo sauce. Set reserved sauce aside.

Step 3: Combine Peppers And Cheese

Chipotle peppers mixed with shredded cheddar cheese in bowl - Kara Barrett/Mashed

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Mix peppers with cheddar cheese. Set aside.

Step 4: Combine Dry Masa Ingredients

Whisking dry masa ingredients in glass bowl - Kara Barrett/Mashed

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk dry masa ingredients: masa flour, salt, and baking powder. Set aside.

Step 5: Whip Butter

Whipped butter in metal bowl - Kara Barrett/Mashed

In a large mixing bowl, whip butter until fluffy, about 5 minutes.

Step 6: Combine Adobo Sauce And Butter

Pouring adobo sauce into whipped butter - Kara Barrett/Mashed

Mix reserved adobo sauce into butter.

Step 7: Combine Dry Ingredients, Stock, And Butter

Pouring stock into chipotle butter - Kara Barrett/Mashed

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Alternate adding dry ingredients and stock into the butter. Set aside for 30 minutes to hydrate the dough.

Step 8: Finish Combining With Hand Mixer

Whipping masa ingredients in metal bowl - Kara Barrett/Mashed

After the time is up, using a hand mixer, whip masa ingredients until very fluffy, approximately 15 to 20 minutes.

Step 9: Scoop Masa Into Husk

Scooping masa onto flattened corn husk - Kara Barrett/Mashed

Use an ice cream scoop to add prepared masa to the smooth side and straight end of a husk.

Step 10: Spread It Out

Masa spread onto corn husk - Kara Barrett/Mashed

Spread the masa out onto the husk, making sure to leave some room around the edges.

Step 11: Add Chipotle Cheese Mixture

Chipotle cheese mixture layered on masa and corn husk - Kara Barrett/Mashed

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Add a few teaspoons of chipotle/cheese filling, careful not to reach edges.

Step 12: Fold Tamales

Hand folding corn husk with filling - Kara Barrett/Mashed

Fold lengthwise and then fold the narrow end up. Repeat until all tamales are formed.

Step 13: Transfer Tamales To Large Pot

Uncooked tamales stacked in large pot - Kara Barrett/Mashed

Stack tamales upright (seam side out) in a large pot lined with remaining corn husks and 2 inches of water. They will lean against each other to remain upright.

Step 14: Steam Tamales

Metal pot with lid - Kara Barrett/Mashed

Steam, covered, for 1 hour 30 minutes.

Step 15: Cool And Serve

Chile and cheese tamale on plate and in bowl - Kara Barrett/Mashed

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Allow to cool for 10 minutes and serve warm.

Adobo Chile And Cheddar Vegetarian Tamales Recipe

tamales in bowl and half eaten tamale on plate - Kara Barrett/Mashed

Can I Make Any Part Of These Tamales Ahead Of Time?

Half eaten chile and cheese tamale on plate - Kara Barrett/Mashed

Considering this recipe requires almost two hours of prep work and another hour and a half of cooking, it's a good thing that Barrett confirms you can break it down into steps. This makes homemade tamales a more achievable recipe even if you can't spend multiple hours in the kitchen at once. "You can create your filling and clean and soak your husks ahead of time," Barrett instructs.

The husks need to soak for half an hour, slowing down your efforts to whip up this recipe on a whim. Prep them in the morning or the day before, and you'll be one step closer. The cheese and chipotle filling isn't super time consuming, but mashing the peppers, shredding the cheese (if you aren't buying it pre-shredded), and combining the two still takes a bit of time.

"You can also make your masa ahead of time but I think fresh masa is best," Barrett concludes. Sure it means you can move straight to the assembly when you're ready, but making masa requires a decent amount of effort, so why not set it up to taste as good as possible?

How Can I Switch Up These Vegetarian Tamales?

Pile of vegetarian tamales in bowl - Kara Barrett/Mashed

Part of the appeal of tamales is their versatility -- there's a wide range of savory and sweet tamales recipes out there, and plenty more to experiment with. Barrett agrees, offering some tips to customize them as you please. "You can play with different types of fat," she says and explains, "In this recipe, butter imparts flavor and any leftover sticks can be used for other cooking projects." If it doesn't have to be vegetarian, lard is traditionally used, but vegetable shortening is an easy swap.

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Alternatively, Barrett recommends using spices to add more flavor to the masa dough. For example, cumin, coriander powder, paprika, or chili powder would all work. Then, you could switch up the filling -- this could be as simple as swapping out the type of cheese, adding diced vegetables or meat, or making it sweet. "This recipe provides a good base for savory masa dough but you could easily make this sweet with an addition of sugar and a sweet filling," Barrett suggests.

Read the original article on Mashed.
As an American who spent six months moving around Europe, I encountered lots of surprises.

I learned the hard way that not every country in the European Union uses euros.

Not being able to understand background conversations was a bizarre feeling.

When I traveled around Europe, visiting places like France, Britain, and the Czech Republic, several things instantly stood out about how different living in Europe was from living in the US.

But there were also some "slow burn" realizations I discovered the longer I was immersed in different cultures. Though some of them were pleasant surprises, others were less-welcome eye-openers.

Here are the five things that surprised me most about life in Europe.

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A close trip for me was considered exceptionally far by some locals.

I took a few long train rides. Emily Pogue

Like many Americans, I'm used to taking long road trips. In my opinion, anything less than 12 hours is reasonable to drive in a day.

So, I applied this same mindset to traveling around Europe. Instead of driving, though, I enjoyed the passing hours on trains.

I noticed several times, however, that my travels shocked the locals. For example, my eight-hour train ride from Basel, Switzerland, to Amsterdam surprised one hotel worker, who couldn't believe I'd be traveling that far in a day.

When I tried to explain my experience with road trips in the States, I'd often receive blank looks in return. One woman was shocked when I told her you could drive for 12 hours in Texas and still be in the same state.

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A Google search later, we realized she could drive for the same amount of time from her hometown of Brussels all the way to Milan.

I realized how much your perspective changes when traveling between countries, not states.

Not every country in the European Union takes euros.

Though the Czech Republic is in the European Union, the country does not use euros. Emily Pogue

I rarely carry cash anymore. I knew some remote areas I'd be visiting in the Czech Republic might not take credit cards, though, so I pulled out some euros.

But I received a bewildered look from a Czech takeout worker when I tried to pay with this currency.

I learned that while the Czech Republic is part of the European Union, it doesn't use the euro. In fact, of the 27 nations in the EU, seven countries don't use euros: Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Sweden.

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Though some of these countries may adopt the use of euros in the future, I'll double-check before traveling to these places.

Not being able to understand background conversations was a bizarre feeling.

I sometimes felt lonely because I didn't speak the local language. Pandora Pictures/Shutterstock

I spent three months in areas where English wasn't the primary language. At first, it was exciting to try my hand at broken French or German to communicate with a shop owner.

I also met locals who spoke fluent English, allowing me to still have rich conversations in my native tongue.

But about two months in, I realized I was desperately missing something I'd never given much thought to: background conversations.

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These are the discussions that you pass by, but you're not in: a couple figuring out dinner plans, a mom and child choosing which apples to buy, or a worker helping a customer find a certain size.

Though I was often surrounded by people, I didn't anticipate the loneliness that set in when I couldn't understand the everyday conversations happening around me.

I was impressed by how well-behaved the dogs were.

Many of the dogs I saw weren't on leashes. Emily Pogue

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Living in Colorado, I'm used to dog-friendly shops and restaurants. But if I see a dog in public there, that pup is on a leash.

This wasn't the case for much of Europe. Whether in a quiet neighborhood, a park, or a busy city center, people would go about their business with their dogs next to them  without leashes.

Though the dog might straggle, one whistle and they'd promptly return to their owner's side.

I'm not sure what the Europeans are doing to train their pooches so well  but it's obviously working.

I couldn't get over the sheer age of everyday places.

I visited a pub that dated back to 1360. Emily Pogue

Europe is known for its centuries-old churches and landmarks, but what I enjoyed most was finding history in ordinary properties. I'd wander into a deli or bookshop and spot a small sign revealing that the building was older than my home country.

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My favorite instance of this was a pub in Edinburgh that I was told to check out. Before walking in, I did a double take when I saw the sign that said "est. 1360." As I sipped on my drink, I couldn't help wondering who else had enjoyed a pint in this same spot over the years.

But that was a discovery for another day. There are only so many surprises a gal can take.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Greater Cincinnati is now enveloped in a heavy blanket of snow thanks to Winter Storm Blair, which deposited more than 11 inches of snow in some areas of the region.

Among those most affected? Probably the countless dog-owners who can't walk their pups without traveling through cold temps and snowy sidewalks.

Do you have a pup in need of somewhere to burn energy amid the less-than-stellar outdoor conditions? Several places have in-store pet policies that allow your furry friend to do just that (PetSmart allows dogs, cats, rabbits, pot-bellied pigs and sugar gliders, just to name a few).

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Here's a list of pet-friendly stores you can take your dog or cat or sugar glider for a snow-less stroll.

Where to take your dog for an indoor walk during the cold weather

PetSmart

PetSmart allows the following pets inside its stores: dogs, cats, birds, small animals and reptiles sold in-store, such as hamsters and guinea pigs, other non-venomous reptiles, ferrets, rabbits, sugar gliders and pot-bellied pigs.

Check out these PetSmart locations in Greater Cincinnati:

10164 Colerain Ave., Colerain Township.

650 Eastgate South Drive, Union Township.

1060 Hansel Ave., Florence.

156 Pavilion Parkway, Newport.

3401 Alamo Ave., Oakley.

6068 Glenway Ave., Westwood.

PetSmart allows the following pets inside its stores: dogs, cats, birds, small animals and reptiles sold in-store, such as hamsters and guinea pigs, other non-venomous reptiles, ferrets, rabbits, sugar gliders and pot-bellied pigs.

Petco

Petco allows any domesticated, licensed and vaccinated animals in its stores. All pets are required to wear a leash and/or be properly restrained in-store.

Check out these Petco locations in Greater Cincinnati:

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5453 North Bend Road, Colerain Township.

575 Clock Tower Way, Crescent Springs.

8525 Winton Road, Finneytown.

7769 Five Mile Road, Sherwood.

Pet Wants

Pet Wants allows pets inside its stores as long as they're restrained by a carrier or leash. There are four Pet Wants locations in Greater Cincinnati.

9709 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash.

1813 Pleasant St., Findlay Market, Over-the-Rhine.

3797 Shady Lane, North Bend.

1409 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine.

Michaels

Most Michaels locations allow properly-restrained pets in their stores. It is best to call your local store to double-check before bringing your furry friend to your visit.

Here are some Michaels locations in Greater Cincinnati:

7800 Montgomery Road Kenwood Square, Kenwood.

158 Pavilion Parkway, Newport.

9657 Colerain Ave., Northgate.

6030 Glenway Ave., Western Hills Plaza, Westwood.

700 Eastgate S Drive #100a, Union Township.

Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack

Most Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack locations allow properly-restrained pets in their stores. It is best to call your local store to double-check before bringing your furry friend to your visit.

Check out these local Nordstrom Rack locations:

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7801 Montgomery Road, Kenwood (Nordstrom).

5800 Deerfield Blvd., Mason.

2692 Madison Road, Norwood.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Pet-friendly stores to walk your dog in Cincinnati this winter
Greece has signed a new clean energy deal with the European Union in a quest to tackle climate-related issues that have been affecting many of the country's islands.

Dimitris Lianos, the mayor of Naxos, which is the largest island in the Cyclades archipelago, was on hand for the signing, helping to bring some focus to the issues at hand.

The "symbolism of signing it there was hard to ignore," according to a report by TechXplore covering the event. It explained that Naxos has been particularly affected by severe droughts, blazing hot summers, and disastrous wildfires.

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Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis shared that this investment in renewable energy will "allow the islands to achieve their ecological transition" by helping "the country become self-sufficient and reduce energy costs."

The country has been ramping up its efforts to reduce reliance on dirty fuels in recent years and to build up a greener energy infrastructure. In 2023, renewables and hydroelectric plants accounted for 57% of Greece's energy mix, and this new financing will help keep up the momentum.

Mitsotakis also shared that wind and solar projects have covered "almost half of Greece's electricity needs" while reducing the use of highly polluting brown coal down to "only 6 percent," per the report.

According to the International Trade Administration, Greece already has 6.5 gigawatts of photovoltaic projects in operation, while another 12.4 gigawatts will be connected to the grid by 2030. That includes 24 planned projects to be located in the central and southern areas of the country.

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In addition, there are 5 gigawatts of wind power projects that are up and running, with another 2.8 gigawatts planned for its 2030 deadline.

These projects are crucial in helping the Mediterranean country hit its target of reducing emissions by 58.6% by 2030, as TechXplore noted. It's already reduced them by 45% compared to 2005, but there's still plenty of work to be done.

Do you think America could ever go zero-waste?

Click your choice to see results and speak your mind

The signing of this latest clean energy deal and the positive momentum towards more sustainable energy for the island areas should give hope to the residents and farmers who have been on the front lines.

Progress has already been made, with the Dodecanese island of Tilos already providing nearly all its power from renewables, thanks to private Greek investors and an 11 million euro investment from the EU, per the report.

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.
PERU  One person is recovering in a Fort Wayne-area hospital after they were shot by an Indiana State trooper Tuesday morning in Miami County.

The incident occurred between 8:30 and 9 a.m. on Indiana 19, just north of U.S. 24, which is north of the city of Peru.

Police arrived at a residence following a call about someone allegedly banging on windows. The person who called 911 said they feared for their life, according to an Indiana State Police press release.

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After speaking with the person who made the call, police went to a mobile home in the 1600 block of Indiana 19 where they encountered someone outside of the trailer. The incident, according to police and initial scanner traffic, happened at Corrells Mobile Home Park.

The person drew a weapon after officers tried to contact them. An ISP trooper fired at the person, hitting them. First aid was administered on scene. The ISP trooper was not injured.

The persons identifying information, including name, sex as well as where they were shot was not disclosed. Sgt. Jeremy Piers, the public information officer of the ISP Lafayette district, said the investigation is ongoing and more information could be released, depending on if charges are brought.

The findings of the ISPs investigation will be turned over to the Miami County Prosecutors Office for review. It will be up to the prosecutors office if formal charges are filed.

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The name of the officer who shot the individual was not released, either. The officer is on administrative leave, standard policy for ISP.

There were two people inside the mobile home when the shooting occurred. Piers said they refused to exit on first command but later cooperated after the ISP SWAT team and hostage negotiators arrived. There was no further incident.

One of the people was Tisha Medina of Peru. She was arrested on an active warrant out of Cass County for felony possession of methamphetamine and misdemeanor possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

There were no other injuries.
11 investigates has learned that the heat in the city of Pittsburgh Police and Fire Training Academy on Washington Blvd in the East End has been out since before November.

Instructors and recruits dealt with a cold snap late last year, and now theyre dealing with another blast of cold weather. Police and fire officials at the academy are now taking matters into their own hands, weve learned.

11 Investigates went to City Councilman Anthony Coghill, who oversees public safety.

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He was unaware that the heat had been out for at least several months, and he said its a bad look for new recruits.

Now, here we are going into January, the dog days of winter. Welcome to the city of Pittsburgh. You know what, they dont deserve that. They deserve better, Coghill said.

In order to stay warm, fire and police instructors set up electric space heaters in offices and the restroom.

Theres also a torpedo heater powered by propane in a hallway.

Its completely unacceptable. Rick, you know we are not taking care of our own house, we are not taking care of our own facilities. And its going to be major, major costs for us in the future. I dont know what thats going to cost us out there, but that needs fixed right away, Coghill said.

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In November, 11 Investigates first exposed issues at other city facilities.

At the City-County Building, several elevators have been out of service for months. 11 Investigates found paint peeling, huge holes in the walls, and broken toilets and urinals.

RELATED COVERAGE >>> 11 Investigates Exclusive: Money for broken city elevators used to buy furniture

At the City Municipal Court building, just around the corner, 11 Investigates discovered fountains with standing water and mold, holes in the walls, and offices with no heat.

RELATED COVERAGE >>> 11 Investigates: City of Pittsburgh-owned buildings in shambles

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Weve been neglecting our facilities for a long, long time. We see the deplorable conditions that our workers have to deal with, and our visitors, so yeah, its embarrassing and it makes me ashamed to be a council person, it does, Coghill said.

11 Investigates spoke with some fire inspectors and they said that the propane tank setup they are using should not be used indoors, and they said fire officials should know better.

In an email statement, city officials said they are in the process of fixing the boiler, but called it a complex installation. It should be done in a couple weeks.

The previous administration under Mayor Bill Peduto had planned to build a brand new police and fire training academy at the site of the old VA Hospital just across the street from the current training academy.

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The city purchased the land from the federal government for $1, but the Gainey administration pulled the funding from the budget.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Sandra Hamlin was shopping after a funeral service for her sister in November when she noticed her wallet was missing.

I had a bad feeling, Hamlin said. It was just not a good day.

She filed a police report that led investigators to 61-year-old Frank Lynch of Philadelphia, who had gotten away with Hamlins debit and credit cards, her license, and other important personal documentation.

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Police believe Lynch used Hamlins debit card in Johnston and bought gift cards totaling more than $700. They also say he stole another persons credit card and charged more than $2,000.

Hamlin contacted 12 Responds after she filed a fraud claim with Citizens Bank, but was denied.

Maybe in the scheme of life, a thousand dollars doesnt seem like a lot, but it is. It really is, she said.

After 12 Responds reached out to Citizens Bank, Hamlin says the bank reopened her case and she was reimbursed the money that was stolen.

As for Lynch, Johnston police say they have issued three felony arrest warrants against him for fraudulent use of credit cards.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  Police in D.C. said a 14-year-old girl was arrested after she stabbed another girl with a pair of scissors outside a homeless shelter in Northeast.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the incident happened outside the Sasha Bruce Youthwork shelter in the 1000 block of Maryland Avenue around 11:15 p.m. on Jan. 6.

Man arrested after trying to stab employees inside Northwest DC store on New Years Day, police say

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Once on the scene, police officers learned that two teenage girls were arguing before it escalated into a fight. Thats when one of them took out a pair of scissors and stabbed the other in the back, according to the police report.

Medics took the victim to the hospital for treatment. Her condition is unknown as of Wednesday morning.

The 14-year-old girl was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.

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 DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Fourteen people got sick with salmonella after eating Christmas meals at a homeless shelter in Washington, health officials said.

The meals were served Dec. 25 and Dec. 26 and included leftovers at the Mary Pilgrim Inn, King County public health officials said in a news release.

Mary Pilgrim Inn is operated by the Downtown Emergency Service Center, and it offers emergency housing and supportive services, according to its website. It is not a walk-in shelter.

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We are actively working with Public Health in their ongoing investigation of the salmonella outbreak and dont have any new information to share, Jessica Schreindl, a spokesperson for the agency, told McClatchy News by email.

After residents and staff ate food at the shelter, more than a dozen people fell ill with salmonellosis, which is caused by the salmonella bacteria, health officials said.

Five of those people were hospitalized from the outbreak, officials said.

Health officials went to the shelter and talked to staff about food preparation and improving safety in the kitchen, according to the release.

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More people have been tested for the bacteria, and results are pending, officials said.

The investigation is ongoing.

What is salmonella?

Salmonella is a bacteria that makes people sick when they ingest contaminated food or water, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

The bacteria can also spread to people who touch animals, animal poop, and the places animals live and roam, the federal agency said.

Every year, about about 1.35 million people in the U.S. get sick with salmonella.

Salmonella are one of the leading causes of foodborne illnesses. Salmonella also are the leading cause of hospitalizations and deaths linked to foodborne illness, according to the CDC.

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The most at-risk groups of people are children younger than 5, adults 50 years or older with underlying medical issues, people over 65, people with weakened immune systems and international travelers.

Common symptoms include diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps.

These symptoms can occur six hours to six days after ingesting the bacteria, officials said.

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Cantaloupe recalled in 19 states over salmonella risk, FDA says. Heres what to know
GOSHEN  Anti-smoking advocates in Elkhart County hope to focus on THC prevention this year using a share of the fees collected in drug and alcohol convictions.

The Elkhart County Board of Commissioners on Monday approved the allocation recommendations for the Drug-Free Community Fund in 2025. The $149,913 amount was split among the categories of criminal justice, tobacco prevention and addiction treatment.

Jess Koscher, director of the Elkhart County Drug-Free Partnership, recommended that the Elkhart County Sheriffs Office and the Goshen Police Department receive $50,875 and that Tobacco Control of Elkhart County receive $40,000. She said this is the first time Tobacco Control has sought an award of Drug-Free Community Funds.

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Koscher said smoking prevention efforts will focus on regular tobacco and vaping as well as the use of cannabis products.

It includes vaping, tobacco. It also includes what were really going to ramp up about, is vaping of THC products and things like that. Its on our trajectory, she told the board. One of the things that the partnerships supposed to be doing this year is bringing in a national speaker to do a two-day summit around marijuana education.

The $53,038 marked for treatment will be split between Addiction Recovery Center, Center for Problem Resolution and SPA Womens Ministry Homes. The remaining $6,000 will go toward office administration for the drug-free partnership.

The Drug-Free Community Fund is where a share of the drug fees assessed in local courts are directed. Courts can assess costs in drug conviction cases such as a Drug Abuse, Prosecution, Interdiction and Correction Fee which ranges from $200 to $1,000.

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Elkhart County has participated in the community fund program since it was launched in 1989, according to Koscher.

The Elkhart County Drug-Free Partnership administers the fund by taking applications and making recommendations for which organizations will receive the money. The allocation recommendations must also be approved by the Elkhart County Council and the state.

The fund is established by the Governors Commission for A Drug-Free Indiana for programming in every county  every county in Indiana has one of these funds  specifically for treatment, prevention and criminal justice, Koscher said. So its a wonderful thing because the money is kept specifically for these types of programs.

She said Elkhart Countys drug-free fund has the most money per-capita in Indiana. Koscher said it has less to do with health in the county and more to do with the way courts impose drug conviction fees.

Its actually not an indicator of our health, its an indicator of our justice system that doesnt let people plea down and then keep the fee or the fine, she said. Elkhart County judges have always had that fine, where other counties, neighboring counties who have probably more problems than we do, they waive that fine. So their fund isnt as robust as ours.
Video: Footage of the original scene at Canaan Drive.

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  A teenager has been charged in connection with a November shooting on Canaan Drive that left two 18-year-olds dead.

Initial Report: Two people killed in shooting at Canaan Drive

Columbus police say Skylar Jones, 16, faces the following charges:

Murder (Malice)  Senate Bill 440

Murder (Felony)  Senate Bill 440

Armed Robbery  Senate Bill 440

Aggravated Assault x3

Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime

Unlawful Possession of Firearms or Weapons

Possession of Pistol/Revolver Under Age 18 Years

According to police, Jones was arrested in Fairburn on Jan. 2 on unrelated charges. He was taken to Columbus where he was held at the Regional Youth Detention Center.

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On Jan. 7, Columbus police obtained and served arrest warrants for Jones in connection to the shooting on Canaan Drive back in late November of 2024. The shooting left DaiJohn Ross and JMauri Taylor dead.

Jones is set to appear in Recorders Court on Jan. 9 at 8 a.m.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
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: Kevin Lee Gottshall II. Image courtesy Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum.

We want to remember Kevin Lee Gottshall II, 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.
A 19-year-old will face charges including negligent homicide charges in connection with a serious crash in Manchester, New Hampshire last November.

Najean Mars is charged with negligent homicide, second-degree assault, and reckless conduct in connection with a 5-vehicle collision on November 22.

53-year-old Melvin Pfeifer, of Manchester, suffered life-threatening injuries in the crash and was taken to an area hospital where he later died. His 50-year-old passenger also suffered minor injuries.

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Mars bail was set at $5,000. This crash investigation is still active and ongoing.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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Police in Ohio are searching for suspects after a 19-year-old woman was stripped of her clothes and attacked last month.

The Akron Police Department in Ohio told PEOPLE in a statement that officers responded to a report of an assault  involving a 19-year-old woman who was not identified  on Beardsley Street, located approximately 42 miles south of Cleveland, on Friday, Dec. 27.

The young woman claimed to officers that she was repeatedly assaulted and forced to remove her clothing by at least three teens in the basement of a home on the same street. Police alleged that she sustained numerous injuries to her head, face, and body during the attack.

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Related: 4 Fraternity Members Charged After Pledge Is 'Set on Fire' and Suffers 16 Percent Burns During Party Skit

Police also alleged that at some point after the assault, she was made to leave the residence partially clothed and walked several blocks before a bystander called 911 reporting the incident.

Akron Police Department Capt. Michael Miller told WOIO-TV that the girl had been persuaded to go to the home by people who she had considered to be friends, but once she got there, she was attacked.

It is very humiliating, very traumatizing we imagine, for this young woman, this victim. Very disappointing too that the people involved would commit this crime, Miller said, per WOIO-TV.

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He told the outlet that the 19-year-old was eventually able to escape and ran out of the home seeking help on the street without any clothes  something Miller described as humiliating.

Related: Missing Teenager Found Alive on Boat by Dad, Man Arrested: '26 Days of Hell'

Getty Police have arrested an 18-year-old woman Police have arrested an 18-year-old woman

In an Akron Police dispatcher call obtained by WOIO-TV, the Good Samaritan told police that they had found the girl walking naked and said that the young girl told them somebody jumped her and robbed her.

Thank God we have a community out there and people that care enough to step in and give some aid and help, Miller told WOIO-TV.

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One person  identified as Kendall Worthy  was arrested on charges of kidnapping, robbery and assault in connection with the incident, police confirmed to PEOPLE.

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However, police said they were still working on apprehending the two others  a 13 and 14 year-old  involved in the crime. Miller told WOIO-TV that there may even be more suspects who may be involved in the incident.

This may not even, in fact, be limited to just three people that participated in the assault, he said. There may have been some other people with knowledge or perspective that the detectives may want to talked to. We want to hold, in the end, any and everyone responsible."

As for Worthy, her bond was set at $100,000. Her latest court date appearance was on Monday, Jan. 6, WOIO-TV reported.



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IOWA COUNTY, Wis. (WFRV)  Authorities in Wisconsin say a 19-year-old was arrested for OWI over the weekend after she was pulled over while driving on the wrong side of the road.

According to a release from the Iowa County Sheriffs Office, a deputy was heading south at 12:50 a.m. Sunday morning on U.S. Highway 23/151 near County Highway YD when they came across a driver headed in the wrong direction.

The deputy safely turned around on the highway and was able to pull over the wrong-way vehicle without any issue.

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Sheriffs Office: Two teens hurt after driver in Wisconsin falls asleep and crashes

As a result of the traffic stop, 19-year-old Marissa Light from Cottage Grove was arrested for operating while under the influence.

Iowa County Sheriff Michael Peterson says he is thankful the situation was quickly and safety taken care of but adds that the sheriffs office is getting more and more reports of wrong-way drivers every week.

Sometimes it is just drivers that get confused and sometimes it is drivers that are under the influence. Either way it needs to stop before someone gets seriously hurt or killed. Sheriff Michael Peterson

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
In the nearly nine months since the first human case of bird flu was detected in the United States, the virus has continued to spread.

The outbreak infected hundreds of herds and millions of birds before it spread to humans. As of Jan. 6, there have been 66 human cases of bird flu reported in 10 states, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Almost all confirmed cases involve direct contact with infected cattle or infected livestock.

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On Tuesday, the first death of a human bird flu patient was reported in Louisiana. The patient was over the age of 65 and had underlying medical conditions, according to health officials.

MORE: Bird flu cases rise to 31 in US, still no evidence of person-to-person spread: CDC

The CDC says there is currently no evidence of human-to-human transmission and the risk to the general public is low.

However, public health experts say they are worried the virus could mutate and become more transmissible, amplifying the need to ramp up testing and to stockpile vaccines.

Dr. Tony Moody, a professor of pediatrics and infectious diseases specialist at Duke University, said the fact that cases have yet to pass from human to human is "both reassuring, but not completely reassuring."

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He told ABC News, "What we're concerned about is that, eventually, we might get a variation of this strain that could pass from person to person. That's really what we're going to need to see, I think, to get substantial human cases and the potential for a new pandemic strain."

He added, "So, in terms of peering into the crystal ball for 2025I think the concern is whether or not we're going to see something change that will turn it into a pandemic strain that could then really be a problem," he added.

PHOTO: Human Bird Flu Cases in the U.S (ABC News, CDC)

Fears of mutation or a combination virus

One fear experts have is that the virus will continue to mutate in a way that will cause more human-to-human transmissibility. The experts say that every new human case of bird flu allows the virus an opportunity to mutate.

Recent CDC data found mutations in samples of bird flu collected from the Louisiana patient. What's more, the mutations were not found in poultry samples collected on the patient's property, suggesting the changes appeared after the patient became infected.

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Moody said that because the virus has not yet mutated in a way to spread more easily between humans, he's not sure if or when it will happen.

"Given the number of cows that have been infected, the number of birds that have been infected and the fact that the virus essentially mutates every time it replicates, I'm kind of surprised that the mutations that they're talking about haven't happened yet," he said. "So, I actually think there's a bigger barrier to it becoming a real problem."

Dr. Peter Hotez, co-director of the Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development and dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, said he believes there is a more likely scenario of the virus becoming more transmissible: an individual getting infected with bird flu and seasonal influenza at the same time.

MORE: Could bird flu strain the US public health system as seasonal influenza ramps up?

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He said this could lead to the virus "reassorting" to produce a hybrid, or recombinant, virus that could then transmit more easily from person to person.

"Everyone's focusing on the potential for mutation; that is a serious concern for some," he told ABC News. "The greater probability is that there could be a reassortment, what could ignite the pandemic or an epidemic."

The experts say there is no evidence the virus is currently heading towards an epidemic or pandemic, but there has already been one case of severe disease.

Different genotypes, or genetic makeup of the virus, means there could more severe cases.

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"What we've seen with [bird flu] in the United States is that the particular genotype that's associated with dairy cows has primarily caused more mild disease in people," Dr. Meghan Davis, an associate professor of environmental health and engineering at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, told ABC News.

"What we've seen with the case in Louisiana  is caused by a different genotype, one that has been circulating in the wild birds, and these are much more severe cases," she continued. "This highlights the ability of avian influenzas to cause a wide variety of disease  and I think it is possible that we're going to see that moving forward."

PHOTO: Herd of cows eating hay in a dairy farm. (STOCK PHOTO/Adobe Stock)

Making testing more available

The U.S. has begun ramping up testing with the U.S. Department of Agriculture issuing a federal order for raw milk samples nationwide to be collected and tested and the Food and Drug Administration announcing it is collecting samples of aged raw cow's milk cheese to be tested.

However, for 2025, Hotez said he believes testing needs to be made more readily available to physicians, especially during flu season.

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He said there are likely cases of bird flu going undiagnosed, and testing made more available in health care settings would catch those flying under the radar.

MORE: Updates on the bird flu outbreak, now linked to raw milk products in California

"I think one of the problems that we have, especially as we move into influenza season, there's the risk that, if you're a physician, if they want to do influenza testing, they're only really testing for the usual seasonal influenza, they're not testing for [bird flu]," he said. "Otherwise, we're never going to fully know the actual extent of the problem."

Stockpiling bird flu vaccines

In early July, the U.S. government awarded Moderna $176 million to develop and test a bird flu vaccine using mRNA technology, which is the same technology used for the COVID vaccine.

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In October, federal health officials announced they were providing $72 million to vaccine manufacturers to help ensure currently available bird flu vaccines are ready to use, if needed.

There are currently no recommendations for anyone in the U.S. to be vaccinated against bird flu, but experts say that could change if the virus becomes more transmissible.

PHOTO: A health professional is seen vaccinating a person. (STOCK PHOTO/Adobe Stock)

Moody said clinical trials for new vaccines are being conducted and there are already bird flu vaccines in a stockpile maintained by the U.S. government that have previously been licensed by the FDA.

However, these three vaccines were formulated to protect against older strains of bird flu so there are questions about their protectiveness.

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"One of the difficulties in making a stockpile is you're trying to predict the future. Picking which influenza is going to be a problem is always the difficult bit," Moody said. "So, I think that those vaccines that are in the stockpile, based on the data that I've seen, have a pretty good chance of being helpful. Whether or not they'll be the answer that's a that's a tougher question to address."

He said the U.S. is in a better position currently to address bird flu if it becomes an epidemic or pandemic than the country was to address COVID in 2020.

"We know how to do this. We know how to make these vaccines. We know how to get everything rolled out, and so I think we are in a better position today," Moody said.

As 1st bird flu death reported in US, what could happen with virus in 2025? originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Nevada game wardens are investigating two separate incidents of elk poaching near the Nevada-Utah border, and they suspect at least one of the poachers lives in Utah.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) is asking for the publics help in solving the cases.

These crimes should upset everyone. Its a waste of Nevadas wildlife, John Anderson, game warden lieutenant for NDOW, said in a Wednesday news release. Lets be very clear, these were not legitimate hunters. In both cases these people blatantly stole a mature bull elk from the people of Nevada and then left it to waste.

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NDOW detailed some of the findings of the investigations into the two poaching incidents:

A bull elk was shot and killed in Lincoln County on Labor Day weekend (Aug. 30  Sept. 1). The elk was discovered with its head removed in an area known as Uvada, approximately 1.5 miles from the Utah border along the railroad tracks in Hunt Unit 242. The animal was left to waste with no other part of the animal removed. Game wardens believe the animal was shot on the night of Aug. 30 using a spotlight and suspect it may have been poached by someone living in Utah. While there were no open elk hunts in the area, there was an open archery bull elk hunt less than two miles away in Utah. This area of Nevada has been a problem location in the past during the Utah hunts.

A bull elk was shot and left to waste between the night of Dec. 5 and the morning of Dec. 6 in the area of Reed Cabin Summit in Unit 231 in Lincoln County, about .75 miles from the Utah Border. Injuries on the elk lead investigators to believe this was not a wounding loss and the bull died where it was shot, about 30 yards off Reed Cabin Road. Game wardens also believe the antlers were removed from the animal between the evening of Dec. 6 and the morning of Dec. 7. The animal was killed the day after the close of the 231 Resident Antlered Elk Hunt and on the first day of the 231 Resident Antlerless (cow) Elk Hunt. There was also a rifle cow elk hunt, and an archery bull elk hunt open for the Indian Peaks hunt unit in Utah during the same time frame.

A bull elk shot and left to waste between the night of Dec. 5 and the morning of Dec. 6 around Reed Cabin Summit in Unit 231 in Lincoln County, about .75 miles from the Utah Border. (Photos: NDOW)

Illegally killing a big game animal without a valid tag is a Class E felony in Nevada. Unfortunately, we have very few leads and we need the publics help if were going to catch these criminals, Anderson said. Our hope is that someone will come forward with information that will help us solve this crime, he said.

To report wildlife crime, call (800) 992-3030 or use the new NDOW Tip app, which allows sending anonymous tips, photos or videos to the Nevada Department of Wildlife via text messaging. NDOW Tip is available on Google Play Store, iTunes App Store, or by visiting the agencys website at www.ndow.org.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Jan. 7New Hampshire's two largest cities recorded the lowest number of overdoses in a year in 2024 since the COVID pandemic, data released this week shows.

There were 710 suspected overdoses in Manchester and Nashua in 2024, according to data shared by ambulance service American Medical Response (AMR)  526 of those occurred in Manchester, 184 in Nashua.

Sixty-six overdoses were fatal  46 in Manchester, 20 in Nashua. Nashua recorded both the lowest number of suspected opioid overdoses and lowest number of suspected opioid deaths in one year since AMR began tracking the data in 2015, Chris Stawasz, regional director of AMR, said in a statement.

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Manchester recorded a 24% drop in suspected opioid overdoses in 2024 than in 2023, with Nashua down 19%.

The Queen City recorded a 21% decrease in suspected opioid deaths in 2024 than the prior year, with Nashua down 49%.

Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais called the numbers for 2024 "incredibly encouraging."

"I want to thank our Health Department Director Anna Thomas and AMR, as well as our local and state partners for this marked improvement and lives saved," Ruais said. "As a person in recovery, there is nothing I am more proud of than seeing significant improvements in this area because one life lost is too many."

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Stawasz categorized 2024 as an "encouraging year" in the battle to reduce opioid-related deaths and help get people "into and maintain long term recovery."

"It was one of the most significant years we have seen for progress," Stawasz said. "Keep in mind that due to the nature of the opioid epidemic and its clear history of unpredictability, it is always possible that this trend could quickly change."

Stawasz cited a "triple opioid overdose event" in Nashua this past weekend as evidence how quickly things can pivot.

"It is common to see different varieties of illicit poly substances appear without warning," Stawasz said in a statement. "Many can be highly lethal or require alternative approaches for successful lifesaving treatment."

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AMR medics responded to a total of 38 suspected opioid overdoses in Nashua and Manchester during December to close out 2024  27 in Manchester and 11 in Nashua.

"That is the lowest one-month suspected opioid overdose response total in nearly five years," Stawasz said. Two of the overdoses were fatal. Both were in Manchester.

According to AMR, of the 710 suspected opioid overdoses reported in 2024 in both Manchester and Nashua, 34% occurred in a home or residence, 26% happened in a public building or area and 23% were in vehicles or in a roadway. Three percent occurred in a jail or prison. Four percent occurred in a hotel or motel.

In 35% of the overdoses, a bystander or member of the public administered Narcan before EMS personnel arrived.

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Overall, 46% of those involved in suspected opioid overdoses gave no fixed address or said they were homeless.

Of the 710 suspected overdoses in both cities, 70% involved males, 30% females. The majority of overdose victims, 70%, were Caucasian.

Ninety-two percent of overdose response calls involved a first encounter with an individual and 8% involved repeat encounters.

In 2024, 17% of all overdose calls (87 calls) in Manchester that AMR responded to occurred at one of the three shelter locations in the city  199 Manchester St., 456 Union St. and 39 Beech St.

In New Hampshire, anyone can seek substance use disorder treatment by accessing the NH Doorway program 24/7. To access the NH Doorway program, call 211 at any time of the day or night, or visit www.thedoorway.nh.gov.

If you believe someone is overdosing, call 911 immediately.
The El Paso County Division of Veterans Services is hosting a clinic next week to help veterans and their families file compensation claims with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

"As veterans ourselves, we understand the challenges clients face and are dedicated to helping veterans and their beneficiaries secure the benefits they have earned," said Vernon Stewart, El Paso County Division of Veterans Services interim division director, in a statement.

The clinic will be held at the El Paso County Fair & Events Center in Calhan, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Jan. 15.

Veterans service officers will assist with claims on a first-come, first-served basis. The Veterans Services Office is established by Colorado law to assist with Veterans Affairs benefits. It is not part of the VA, a federal agency, but serves as a liaison.

According to the county, using the support of the Division of Veterans Services doubles the benefits received by clients on average compared to filing on their own or with another form of assistance.

Veterans should bring their medical records and discharge forms (dd214) to the clinic.

Connect with the Division of Veterans Services by emailing vet@elpasoco.com or calling 719-520-7750.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  A Black Hawk man is behind bars in Rapid City after a traffic stop Tuesday night.

Wintry mix expected tomorrow; Milder temps ahead

Police say it happened around 11 p.m. MT in the area of Monroe Street and Blaine Avenue.

An officer asked the driver, 22year-old Parker Reid, to get out of the car. Once he did, Reid started to walk away from the officer while reaching into his waistband.

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The officer was able to get Reid into handcuffs and searched him. A loaded handgun was found.

Authorities say pills and a substance that tested positive for cocaine was found in the car.

Reid was arrested for a list of charges, including possession.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
Several people have reportedly been injured, including at least one firefighter, as wildfires rip across Southern California.

The firefighter, a 25-year-old woman, sustained a serious head injury around 8:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Jan. 7, according to a post on X from Erik Scott, public information officer for the Los Angeles Fire Department.

She first received immediate treatment at the scene before being transported to a local hospital for further evaluation, Scott added.

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Related: Steve Guttenberg Goes Unrecognized as He Comes to the Rescue of People Evacuating Pacific Palisades Fire

Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg via Getty Palisades Fire in Los Angeles on Jan. 7 Palisades Fire in Los Angeles on Jan. 7

About a half hour later, around 9 p.m., multiple burn victims were reported walking toward a nearby restaurant, according to the public information officer.

"Incident operations redirected medical resources to the location to provide evaluation and treatment," he wrote.

Related: Palisades Fire Live: 2 Confirmed Dead as Fires Continue to Burn Through Los Angeles

David McNew/Getty Firefighter battles Eaton Fire on Jan. 7 Firefighter battles Eaton Fire on Jan. 7

As of 7 a.m. local time on Wednesday, Jan. 8, four named wildfires are impacting various parts of Southern California, according to data from CalFire.

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The largest blaze is the Palisades Fire, which has burned nearly 3,000 acres of land since it was sparked around 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, and is 0% contained.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The Eaton Fire is similar in size, having burned nearly 2,300 acres since it was sparked just before 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Currently, this blaze is also 0% contained.

Two smaller fires, the Hurst Fire and the Woodley Fire, are also burning nearby.

L.A. City Council member Traci Park announced Wednesday on Today that there have been no fatalities reported in connection to the fires, calling it "an absolute miracle."

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"I really want to commend neighbors in the area for their swift response and compliance with local orders," said Park, 49. "As youve reported, this was a fire that grew and moved very, very quickly with the wind conditions as well as all of the dry conditions."



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Three people were arrested and one person, believed to be the victim, was taken to the hospital for evaluation after St. Paul officers responded to a "possible kidnapping situation" Tuesday afternoon, police said.

The St. Paul Police Department said officers, along with St. Paul SWAT, responded to a residence on the 700 block of Payne Avenue around 2 p.m. after being alerted to the incident.

"Upon arrival, St. Paul SWAT instructed the occupants of the residence to exit the building," police stated. "All occupants inside the residence complied with instructions."

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Police have not shared further details regarding those arrested or the person believed to be the victim.

"The investigation remains ongoing, and investigators are actively working to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident," the department wrote in a statement provided to Bring Me The News around 5 p.m. "At this time, further details are unavailable as the scene remains active."

Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcements latest version of events, and may be subject to change.
Three people have submitted the paperwork and signatures to run for the state's top education post.

If the filing paperwork of all three candidates is approved, a primary election between state Superintendent Jill Underly, Sauk Prairie Superintendent Jeff Wright and education consultant Brittany Kinser will be held next month.

Here's what to know about the race for the next superintendent of public instruction:

What are the election dates?

The primary election is Feb. 18. The top two candidates will face off in the April 1 election.

Who is the incumbent in the state superintendent of public instruction race?

Underly is seeking a second term. She has served as state superintendent of public instruction since 2021.

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Underly previously led the Pecatonica School District in southwestern Wisconsin and has worked in public education since 1999.

Jill Underly

Who are the other candidates in the DPI superintendent race?

Wright, a Democrat, is the son of public school teachers and has 27 years of public education experience.

Kinser, of Wauwatosa, previously led Wisconsin's Rocketship schools, which are part of a national network of public charter schools. She was also past president of City Forward Collective, a Milwaukee nonprofit that advocates for and funds charter schools.

She declined to say whether she is a Democrat or Republican, noting the job is nonpartisan, though she has described herself elsewhere as a "Blue Dog Democrat." One of her campaign contacts is Amy Loudenbeck, a former Republican state lawmaker.

Jeff Wright

What will be some of the big issues in the state superintendent race?

A common flashpoint in previous state superintendent races has been around whether taxpayer dollars should go to independent charter schools and to vouchers for students to attend private schools in school choice programs.

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The DPI's recent decision to change how children are measured on state tests may also come up in this race.

For many years, the categories were titled advanced, proficient, basic and below basic. Underly changed the categories to advanced, meeting, approaching, and developing." She said the new scores more accurately describe student achievement.

Kinser is critical of the move, saying she wants to "restore high academic standards."

Brittany Kinser

What endorsements have candidates received so far?

The state Democratic Party endorsed Underly.

The political action committee of the Wisconsin Education Association Council recommended Wright receive the organization's endorsement. But WEAC as a whole, which works with local teachers unions, has not yet endorsed anyone.

How much money will be spent in this race?

The level of spending in the 2021 election over $1 million in ads alone  was unprecedented for a Wisconsin superintendent race.

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Campaign finance reports show Underly raised $100 in the first six months of 2024 and had nearly $25,000 cash on hand.

Neither Wright nor Kinser filed reports for this same period. Updated reports covering the second half of 2024 are due Jan. 15.

(This story was updated to change a photo.)

Kelly Meyerhofer covers higher education in Wisconsin. Contact her at kmeyerhofer@gannett.com or 414-223-5168. Follow her on X (Twitter) at @KellyMeyerhofer.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 3 candidates file to run for Wisconsin DPI state superintendent
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP)  A seaplane crashed during takeoff from an Australian tourist island, killing three people including Swiss and Danish tourists and injuring three others.

Only one of the seven people aboard the Cessna 208 Caravan was rescued without injury after the crash Tuesday afternoon on Rottnest Island, police said.

The plane owned by Swan River Seaplanes was returning to its base in Perth, the Western Australia state capital 30 kilometers (19 miles) east of Rottnest Island, which is also known by its Indigenous name Wadjemup.

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The dead were a 65-year-old Swiss woman, a 60-year-old man from Denmark and the 34-year-old male pilot from Perth, Western Australian Premier Roger Cook said.

The dead tourists' partners, a 63-year-old Swiss man and a 58-year-old Danish woman, survived. A Western Australian couple, a woman aged 65 and a 63-year-old man, also survived.

It is not clear which passenger was uninjured. Western Australian Police Commissioner Col Blanch said no survivor sustained life-threatening injuries.

The three injured people were flown to a Perth hospital.

Cook said the cause of the crash was not yet known. Reports that the plane had struck a rock at the entrance of a bay on the west side of the island could not be confirmed from video viewed so far, Cook said.

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Rottnest Island is renowned for its sandy beaches and cat-sized hopping marsupials called quokkas which are rare on the Australian mainland. The island's tourist accommodation is fully booked during the current Southern Hemisphere summer months.

Every Western Australian knows that Rottnest is our premier tourism destination, Cook told reporters.

For something so tragic to happen in front of so many people, at a place that provides so much joy, especially at this time of the year, is deeply upsetting, Cook added.

Blanch said police divers had recovered the bodies on Tuesday night from a depth of 8 meters (26 feet). Wreckage of the plane was still being recovered.

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Australian Transport Safety Bureau, the aviation crash investigator, said specialist investigators were being sent to the scene.

As reported to the ATSB, during take-off the floatplane collided with the water, before coming to rest partially submerged, the bureaus chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said in a statement.

Greg Quin, a tourist who was vacationing on Rottnest, said he saw the plane crash.

We were watching the seaplane take off and just as it was beginning to get off the water, it just tipped over and it crashed, Quin told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio in Perth.

A lot of people in the water on their boats rushed to the scene and I think got there really, really quickly, he added.

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the crash as terrible news.

The pictures would have been seen by all Australians as they woke up this morning," Albanese told ABC television. My heart goes out to all those involved.
EDITORS NOTE: This story has been updated to provide the correct schools the students were expelled from. We regret the error.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  Three students have been expelled from the Sioux City Community School District on Wednesday.

The school board held three special meetings Wednesday afternoon where the board went into a closed session for each expulsion. After each closed session, the board voted unanimously to expel the students for the remainder of the school year.

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One student was from East High, and two were from North Middle School. The identity of the students will not be made public under Iowa law.

In a statement, the school district said the there is a strict code of conduct expectations to ensure our buildings are safe places for students to achieve and succeed, and there are serious consequences when those expectations are not met.

15-year-old girl arrested for allegedly making threats to Iowa school

Fighting and acts of violence are not tolerated, the statement ends.

They wanted to remind students and families that the safety of students is a top priority.

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In early December, the school board expelled 10 other students for the school year. Officials didnt say whether these new expulsions were related to the December expulsions.

Read the full statement from the school district below:

The District has strict code of conduct expectations that ensure our buildings are safe places for students to achieve and succeed. When code of conduct violations occur, district leadership makes disciplinary recommendations to the school board based on each situation, up to and including expulsion. It is important our students and families know the safety of students is a top priority. There are serious consequences when code of conduct expectations are not met. Fighting and acts of violence are not tolerated. Sioux City Community School District

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MADISON, Wis. (WFRV)  Timothy M. OShea, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin announced via release on Tuesday that a Wisconsin man was sentenced to 195 months in federal prison on child pornography charges.

According to the release, 34-year-old Johsua Sherwood of Arpin will spend 25 years on supervised release after his prison time after he pled guilty to the charge on Nov. 4.

Minnesota bank robbery suspect arrested in rural Wisconsin, awaiting extradition

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Sherwood was released from state prison following a child pornography conviction and immediately went back to reaching out to minors across the country.

According to the release, Sherwood manipulated young girls into producing explicit images by sending money and items from their Amazon wish lists. If the girls refused, Sherwood threatened to send the images to the victims parents or to harm himself.

Minnesota bank robbery suspect arrested in rural Wisconsin, awaiting extradition

U.S. District Judge William M. Conley noted at the sentencing that Sherwood was willing to exploit victims directly and enjoyed it. The 16-year sentence came from the seeming lack of remorse for previous crimes and that it would be difficult for Sherwood to change without severe punishment.

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No more details were provided.

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Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, mine clearance experts have demined 35,000 sq km of Ukrainian territory, with 17,000 sq km cleared in 2024.

Source: Yuliia Svyrydenko, Ukraine's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy

Quote from Svyrydenko: "As of the end of 2024, 35,000 sq km of Ukrainian land has been checked and cleared of mines. This is an area bigger than Odesa Oblast, the largest oblast in Ukraine."

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Details: Svyrydenko reported that Ukrainian deminers cleared over 285,000 hectares (2,850 sq km) of agricultural land in 2024. In just one year, they checked more than 318,000 hectares (3,180 sq km) of agricultural land.

"For us, it is essential to clear the country of mines in years, not decades. Thanks to modern technology, this is entirely possible. In total, per the National Mine Action Strategy, we aim to return 80% of the territories directly affected by the war to use by 2033," Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said following a meeting on the status of mine clearance activities in 2024.

More details: Shmyhal stated that since the first year of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the area of potentially mined land in Ukraine has decreased from 174,000 sq km to approximately 139,000 sq km.

Shmyhal also announced the main objectives for mine clearance in 2025:

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- carry out technical checks in territories covering an area of 31,000 sq km;

- introduce new innovative technologies, including the use of drones and robotic systems;

- create a register of contaminated or potentially contaminated areas;

- continue to develop a deminers training centre which is being set up with support from Japan;

- create an interagency training base for mine detection dogs.

Background: As part of the national mine action programme, about 25,000 hectares of agricultural land were cleared of mines and projectiles in November 2024 and returned to farmers for use.

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BEDFORD, Va. (WFXR)  The Bedford Police Department reports a woman has been arrested for allegedly breaking the arm of an infant at a daycare facility in November 2024.

The police said that on November 26, 2024, a complaint was received stating that a five-month-old infant suffered a broken arm at the local daycare facility.

Investigators with BPD, the Bedford County Department of Social Services and the Virginia Department of Educations Office of Child Care Health and Safety immediately started an investigation into the allegations. The daycare was cooperative and provided evidence and resources, police said.

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After detectives reviewed over 130 hours of video footage from the daycare and conducted several interviews, more than one victim was allegedly identified.

Henry County middle school teacher arrested for child solicitation

On Tuesday, January 7, three felony warrants were issued for the arrest of 36-year-old Kellie Nicole Daflucas of Bedford County for incidents that occurred between November 12, 2024, through November 26, 2024.

Kellie Nicole Daflucas has been charged with the following:

Code of Virginia 18.2-371.1  While being a parent, guardian, or a person responsible of the care of a child under 18 years of age, commit a willful act or omission in the care of such child so gross and wanton as to show a reckless disregard for human life.

Many hours of surveillance video were viewed during this investigation and no other daycare employee was found to be negligent or inappropriate.

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WFXR News is working to learn more and will update this story soon. Check back for more information.

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ELKHART  A third suspect has been charged in a deadly robbery plot carried out shortly before Thanksgiving.

Sami Hussen, 38, is charged with the murder of Toby Ray Fisher on Nov. 26. Police found the 32-year-old Elkhart man suffering from a gunshot wound to the neck outside River Run Apartments, where he soon died from his injuries.

Ashley Seabolt, 41, and Stephonn Sutton, 36, were also arrested for their alleged involvement in the incident, which investigators believe was a drug deal and robbery which turned fatal. Police say Seabolt and Fisher had arranged the plan ahead of time, to rob Hussen and another woman of the drugs they were selling and to take other valuables from them.

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Hussen was booked in the Elkhart County Correctional Facility without bond. His initial court hearing is set for Thursday.

According to court documents:

The Elkhart County Homicide Unit reviewed security footage and talked to witnesses in the weeks following Fishers death. Police were given Seabolt as a suspect early in the investigation and were soon lead to other individuals who were allegedly present during the shooting.

Investigators believe Fisher, Sutton, Hussen and the other woman were in a vehicle in the parking lot when Fisher pulled out a gun and grabbed the methamphetamine that was being sold. Fisher allegedly demanded the womans purse and money from Hussen and threatened to shoot them.

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The woman told investigators that she heard gunshots and saw Sutton leaving with her purse. She and Hussen then drove off in their vehicle.

She allegedly told police that Hussen said he wasnt sure if he shot Fisher or not, but she later learned from Seabolt that Fisher had died. She claimed that Hussen acted in self-defense.

Police say they found messages on Fishers phone between him and Seabolt arranging the drug deal earlier that day. Seabolt also allegedly gave him detailed instructions on how to commit the robbery, instructing him to tell Hussen and the woman to empty out their pockets and to take the purse and phones from them.

Investigators say Seabolt, Hussen and the other woman had driven to Michigan to pick up Fisher and Sutton, then returned to Elkhart. Seabolt allegedly confirmed that she set up the drug deal, but claimed that she got out of the vehicle to get cash from an apartment and heard gunshots when she came back out, so she ran.
Business leaders across Colorado are mixed about how the economy will look as President-elect Donald Trump is set to start his presidency, a new report released Tuesday finds.

A surprising report statistic shows business leaders are more confident about the national economy, than Colorado's, for the first time in 15 years.

The Leeds Business Confidence Index, a quarterly report published by the University of Colorado Boulder measuring economic sentiment in the state, recorded a neutral sentiment for the first quarter of 2025.

Its the first comprehensive look at how business leaders across Colorados largest industries feel about the incoming Trump administration since he won the election.

Confidence improved from the last quarter  though it was more positive earlier in 2024  and the index hit 50, the neutral baseline for the confidence tracker.

But feelings were more neutral than they appeared, according to the CU Boulder economists, as sentiments varied across different segments of the economy.

What we saw was a pretty wide distribution of positive and negative expectations, but a plurality of responses depending on the question, said Brian Lewandowski, executive director of the Business Research Division at the Leeds School of Business, in a Tuesday news conference.

Its sort of indicating a wait-and-see approach where people are really sort of uncertain, Lewandowski said.

Colorado was a top 10 moving state for U-Haul; now its in the bottom 10

Election seasons typically drive a drop in confidence as businesses are uncertain over who will win the presidency and can jump up after industry leaders have a better sense of how the results affect their futures.

In 2017, the Leeds Business Confidence Index spiked after Trump won the election. But his current victory didnt incite the same amount of optimism for Colorado business leaders as it did after his first win.

While we saw an increase in optimism for the national economy headed into Q1 2025, we're not seeing the same levels that we saw in 2017, Lewandowski said.

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Colorado business leaders cited a positive outlook over Trumps regulatory and energy policy changes. Yet they expressed concerns over how his tariffs, immigration policy, foreign policy and health care changes could impact their business.

About 50% of respondents said Trumps trade policies like tariffs would have a negative impact on their business. Nearly 30% said it would be neutral and about 15% answered positive.

For regulatory policy, about 50% said it would be positive for their business, 30% said neutral and 30% said it would have negative effects.

The confidence index also found business leaders feel more optimistic about the national economy than Colorados economy  the first time since 2005.

We've hardly ever seen that, said Richard Wobbekind, CU Boulder senior economist.

Wobbekind explained it could mean that business leaders are far more uncertain about the local effects of Trumps policies than they do at the national level, citing the states aerospace and climate industries.

Building Colorado's economic case to keep Space Command begins

Trumps victory mounted fears amidst both Democrat and Republican leaders that when elected, hed reverse President Joe Bidens decision to keep the Space Command in Colorado Springs and move it to Alabama.

But it's not just about Trump.

The state is also slipping in many national economic rankings toward the middle or bottom of the pack, according to the economists. Colorado is still performing well, Lewandowski said, but growth is slower than it was in past years.

We went through this amazing boom time where we were leading the country for the last 15 years or so, he said. And while we're still posting decent growth, we're just not at the head of the pack when it comes to growth in many of these economic metrics.
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A hieroglyphic inscription at the tomb revealing the doctor's identity . | Credit: Courtesy of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

The 4,100-year-old tomb of a doctor who "treated the pharaoh himself" has been discovered at the site of Saqqara in Egypt.

The burial belongs to a doctor named "Tetinebefou," the Swiss-French team that made the discovery reported in a translated blog post . Although the artifacts in the tomb had been plundered, archaeologists were able to study the site's wall paintings and hieroglyphic inscriptions, which describe the doctor's position and depict a variety of objects that may have been used in his medical treatments..

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He held the title of "conjurer of the goddess Serqet [also spelled Serket and Selket]," a goddess who was associated with scorpions and was thought to provide protection from their stings. This title meant that "he was a specialist in poisonous bites," Philippe Collombert , leader of the Swiss-French team and an Egyptologist at the University of Geneva, told Live Science in an email.

The inscriptions also say the doctor was "director of medicinal plants," a title that has been seen on only one other discovery from ancient Egypt , Collombert said. In addition to these titles, the inscriptions note that he was the "chief dentist," another title that is rarely seen.

"Evidence for ancient Egyptian 'dentists' is exceedingly scarce," Roger Forshaw , an honorary lecturer at the KNH Centre for Biomedical Egyptology at the University of Manchester who was not involved with the research, told Live Science in an email.

These titles suggest that Tetinebefou was at the top of his profession. "He was certainly the main physician at the royal court, so he would have treated the pharaoh himself," Collombert said. Tetinebefou's tomb is decorated with colorful wall paintings that depict a variety of containers, such as jars and what looks like a vase. They also show colorful abstract images and geometric shapes.

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Related: Why are so many ancient Egyptians buried at the Saqqara necropolis?

Image 1 of 3

A geometric and hieroglyphic wall painting in a tomb

The tomb's wall paintings still have their vibrant colors.

Image 2 of 3

A wall painting of large containers

A section of the wall painting depicts several containers from ancient Egypt.

Image 3 of 3

A wall painting of clay vessels

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Part of a wall painting in the doctor's tomb depicts an assortment of vessels.

The walls are "entirely decorated with paintings in bright, fresh colors! It's easy to forget that they are 4,000 years old!" the team wrote in the blog post.

It's unclear exactly which pharaohs Tetinebefou served. They may have included Pepi II (who reigned circa 2246 to 2152 B.C.) or one or more pharaohs who ruled a bit later, Collombert said.

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3,300-year-old ancient Egyptian tombs and chapel with 'amazing' decorations unearthed at Saqqara

52-foot-long Book of the Dead papyrus from ancient Egypt discovered at Saqqara

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Elaborate underground embalming workshop discovered at Saqqara

While Egypt was united and still building pyramids during the reign of Pepi II, it started to fragment after his rule, with nomarchs (governors) gaining more power. This ushered in a period that Egyptologists call the First Intermediate Period, which lasted from roughly 2150 to 2030 B.C.

No human remains were found in the tomb. Aside from the paintings and inscriptions on the walls, "it had been ransacked almost completely," Collombert said.

Analysis of the tomb is ongoing.
Four fraternity members at San Diego State University have been charged in connection with a "skit" performed at a party that left one pledge hospitalized with 16 percent burns on his body.

Caden Cooper, 22, Lucas Cowling, 20, Christopher Serrano, 20, and Lars Larsen, 19, pleaded not guilty in court on Monday, Jan. 6. to charges related to the Feb. 17, 2024 incident, the San Diego County District Attorneys Office said in a news release.

Phi Kappa Psi members Serrano and Larsen performed a pre-planned skit during which Larsen was "set on fire" by Serrano  the pair were pledges at a party thrown by the fraternity under the supervision of fraternity president Cooper.

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Larsen was left with 16 percent, third-degree burns primarily on his legs from the skit and was hospitalized for "weeks," per the release.

Geographer / Wikimedia Commons San Diego State University

After consuming alcohol in [Pledge Board member] Cowlings presence, the underage students executed the skit which caused burns to Larsen on 16 percent of his body, primarily on his legs, the San Diego County DAs Office stated.

Larsen was transported to the hospital where he spent many weeks being treated for his third-degree burns, according to the release.

Related: A&Es Series Houses of Horror: Secrets of College Greek Life Exposes Dark Underbelly of Campus Social Scene

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The San Diego DA's office stated that Larsen, Cooper, and Cowling made a concerted effort to conceal their involvement in the incident and halt the polices investigation by lying to law enforcement personnel, deleting evidence on social media, and instructing other fraternity members to delete evidence and not speak to anyone about the incident.

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All of the fraternity members, including Larsen, received at least one felony charge, including recklessly causing a fire with great bodily injury, conspiracy to commit an act injurious to the public, and violating the social host ordinance.

The defendants face sentences ranging from probation to up to seven years and two months in prison if convicted of all their charges.

Marisa Benjamin San Diego State University

Related: Sorority and 2 Fraternity Members Charged in Death of Dartmouth College Student

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The students, who pleaded not guilty, were released on the courts conditions that they do not attend any fraternity parties or take part in any further recruitment events for the fraternity, according to the release. The fraternity members must also obey all laws including those related to alcohol consumption.



A hearing over the charges is scheduled for March 18. A preliminary hearing date is set for April 16.

PEOPLE did not immediately hear back from San Diego State University when a statement was requested



Read the original article on People
Four teenage boys are charged as adults after troopers say they caused a riot, threatened staff and damaged property at the Outside In School of Experimental Learning on Saturday.

When police got the call to head to the outside in school, it was described to us as utter chaos, Trooper Steve Limani said.

When they got there, it was a very violent scene and a very scary scene, Limani added.

The Outside In School is a facility for young boys who are there through Children and Youth Services, or ordered there by the courts.

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Police said a fight started inside one of the cabins at the school when a teenager said something insulting to another.

Staff inside tried to stop the fight, but thats when troopers say things escalated.

Many of the students had grabbed damaged items like glass from the fire extinguisher, pencils, and were threatening to stab some of the staff members who were there, Limani said.

Rockey Magar, 15; Lamont Warren, 15; Christian White, 15; and Faizon Way, 16, are charged as adults in the investigation.

Those four appear to be the ringleaders from what we were able to get the descriptions of, Limani said.

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According to court documents, White and Way threatened to kill a staff member who was hurt trying to stop the fight, using a lamp, pencil, and broken piece of glass as a weapon.

Way is also accused of beating a staff member in the ribs with a wooden broom handle.

Troopers say Magar punched one staff member in the jaw, and Warren swung a pencil at staff.

It was very scary and it probably could have been even worse the way that everything unfolded, Limani said. In the grand totality of the circumstance, no one was injured to the point of some type of hospitalization or things of that nature, so we were lucky.

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The four are also accused of causing tens of thousands of dollars in damage.

Troopers said there were dozens of teens in the cabins.

Theyre continuing to look through security footage to determine if any others will be charged.

You dont know if theyre running to get away because theyre afraid of the chaos and the violence thats taking place, or they are actually running to commit chaos or violence, or escape, Limani said.

Investigators believe the cold temperatures on Saturday may have helped keep some teens from escaping.

All four teens are in the Westmoreland County Jail.

Channel 11s Andrew Havranek called the Outside In school asking for comment on Saturdays riot, but has not heard back.

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CHICAGO  A 43-year-old man was wounded after being shot during a home invasion in the citys Austin neighborhood.

It happened just before 5 a.m. Wednesday on the 0-100 block of North Long Avenue on the West Side.

Police said two men forced entry into a home, and one offender opened fire at the victim.

The 43-year-old man sustained a gunshot wound to the right side of the abdomen and was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition.

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According to police, the offenders took proceeds from the residence and fled eastbound.

Chicago police issue warning about robberies on CTA Red Line train from Cermak to 95th Street

No other injuries were reported.

No one is in custody at this time. Area Four detectives are investigating.

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47th March for Life event scheduled for January 19

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  The 47th Annual March for Life is set for 2 p.m. on Jan. 19 along Capital Avenue toward the steps of the Arkansas State Capitol.

Thousands of Arkansans are expected from across the state for the event sponsored by Arkansas Right to Life.

How the Supreme Court changed America by overturning Roe v. Wade

The event was started after the U.S. Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion in 1973.

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Arkansas was recently named the most pro-life state in the nation for the 5th consecutive year by the organization Americans United for Life.

Staging for the march begins at 1:30 p.m. at State Street. At 2 p.m., marchers and elected officials, dignitaries, and other special guests will walk to the steps of the State Capitol for a brief program.

Trump has flip-flopped on abortion policy. His appointees may offer clues to what happens next

For more information on the 2025 March for Life event visit artl.org/march-for-life.

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$5.5 million will be put towards fighting homelessness in Pennsylvania.

Governor Josh Shapiros office announced the grant on Wednesday.

The money comes from the new Emergency Solutions Grant and is given to municipalities and nonprofit organizations that help homeless people and families.

Trusted community organizations across Pennsylvania will use these investments to assist individuals and families affected by homelessness, said Secretary Siger. The Shapiro Administration is committed to helping our most vulnerable, and this ESG funding equips local governments and non-profits with the necessary resources to provide essential housing support.

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Locally, $1.2 million will be given to Lawrence County social services. The governors office said the money will help provide emergency shelter services, help prevent further homelessness and provide rapid rehousing. The money will be distributed through 11 community organizations.

Click here to read more about the Emergency Solutions Grant.

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President-elect Trump faced the media at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Tuesday, the day after Congress had certified his victory in Novembers election.

The press conference came 13 days before Trump will be inaugurated, at which point he will become the only president since Grover Cleveland in the late 19th century to serve nonconsecutive terms.

Trumps remarks were typically wide-ranging and, at times, rambling. They encompassed topics from conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine to Trumps long-standing grievances about windmills and showers with ineffective water flow.

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Here are five takeaways from his comments.

Trump refused to rule out military force in relation to the Panama Canal or Greenland

In the biggest news of the day, Trump left the door ajar to using military force in Greenland or the Panama Canal.

Trump has of late renewed his interest in the United States somehow taking control of Greenland or absorbing it into the U.S. for strategic reasons. Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.

Trump has also complained about the Panama Canal, a globally vital waterway, being given back to Panama under terms agreed to by the late President Jimmy Carter in the late 1970s. Carter died Dec. 29 at age 100.

Asked at the news conference whether he would rule out military or economic coercion to take control of both places, Trump demurred.

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No, he began. We need them for economic security.

Trump was asked later in the news conference about Canada, which he has  perhaps mischievously  said he would like to make the 51st state. The president-elect did rule out the use of military force north of the border.

Later in the day, outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote on social media that there was not a snowballs chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States.

Its not exactly clear what should be made of Trumps implicit threat to Greenland and Canada. His eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., visited Greenland on Tuesday, but that looked more like a charm offensive than a precursor to any more aggressive action.

Trump takes umbrage at Bidens actions during transition period

Tonally, one of the most striking things about the news conference was President-elect Trumps obvious irritation at some actions taken by President Biden in the period since the election.

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Trump seemed especially irked at Bidens recent executive order that will render about 625 million acres of American waters off-limits to new drilling permits.

The action will not stand, Trump insisted, asserting that he would reverse it immediately. Invoking a campaign trail slogan, Trump said once he is president, the overarching policy would be drill, baby, drill!

The president-elect further contended that the current White House was giving money to anyone who wants it, for any project.

Trump also reemphasized a complaint he has made on social media, insisting that the Biden administration was making the transition period unnecessarily difficult.

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They told me theyre going to do everything possible to make this transition to the new administration very smooth. Its not smooth because theyre doing that, theyre playing with the courts, he said.

However, Trumps incoming White House chief of staff Susie Wiles recently praised the current occupant of that job under Biden, Jeff Zients, for having been very helpful.

The Gulf of America

As is often the case with Trump, one of the most striking elements of his news conference was one of the most unexpected.

Were going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. What a beautiful name, Trump said. And its appropriate. Its appropriate.

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His proposal appears to be related to his pique about migration across the southern border. He immediately followed his comments about renaming the Gulf by saying, Mexico has to stop allowing millions of people to pour into our country.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), one of the president-elects most fervent supporters in Congress, wrote on social media that she would be introducing legislation ASAP to officially change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to its rightful name, the Gulf of America!

Good news for Trump from beyond Mar-a-Lago

Trump got the chance to react to breaking news when, as his press conference was taking place, it emerged that U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon had temporarily blocked the release of a report into Trump from special counsel Jack Smith.

Smith, to the president-elects fury, had brought two separate indictments against him  one related to his role on and leading up to the Capitol riot of Jan. 6, 2021, and one relating to sensitive documents discovered at Mar-a-Lago after his first term had ended.

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Cannon, a Trump nominee, is a controversial figure already because of a series of rulings that critics charge have been overly sympathetic to the president-elect.

Cannons delay of Smiths report is temporary.

Nonetheless, Trump welcomed the development as great news.

As to the report itself, he contended, Itll be a fake report just like it was a fake investigation.

Smith was ultimately thwarted because Trump won the 2024 election before either of the special counsels cases could come to trial.

Multiple media organizations have reported that Smith will resign before Trump takes office on Jan. 20.

A taste of whats to come

Beyond its specifics, the Mar-a-Lago event was a reminder of whats in store once Trump is back in office.

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The 45th president rewrote the norms of American political discourse from the time he began his first campaign. During his first term, an incessant stream of social media posts, surprise announcements and often-bizarre controversies became the norm.

Tuesday was a reminder that the president-elect, now 78, isnt going to change.

The next four years will see plenty of similar moments.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
BALTIMORE  Marylands 447th legislative session begins Wednesday when lawmakers will take on a massive budget deficit and prepare for the second term of President-elect Donald Trump.

I worked in public service for over 40 years, and I know that its not always easy to play defense, Maryland House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones, a Baltimore County Democrat, said at the annual Maryland Democratic Party pre-session fundraiser in Annapolis Tuesday. But Ive learned there is a season for everything.

The General Assembly has an unprecedented amount of legislating to do before the 90-day session ends in early April. Here is what you need to know as it unfolds.

There will be a budget fight

The General Assembly is staring down a nearly $3 billion deficit, but lawmakers need to fulfill their constitutional obligation to pass a balanced budget through cuts, funding formula adjustments, pauses in certain programming or new ways of accessing revenue.

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Gov. Wes Moore and Senate President Bill Ferguson, both Democrats, have said that their respective bars for raising revenue are high.

No one wants to raise taxes willy-nilly. In fact, if theres any way for us to move forward without having to look at revenues, that would be ideal, Ferguson said Tuesday. Its the last option on the table, but its important that we protect our values and invest in people.

Jones said at the fundraiser that she is prepared to have discussions about raising revenue.

I know we dont want to talk about revenues, but we have to, and we are ready to, she said.

In an interview with The Baltimore Sun on Monday, Ferguson said everything is on the table. But he indicated a particular interest in restructuring programs that have annual funding formula-based increases, like those in the health care, agriculture and education sectors.

Portions of the Blueprint are up for debate

Politicians on both sides of the aisle  including Moore  have floated ideas around restructuring portions of The Blueprint for Marylands Future, a multibillion-dollar education reform plan.

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During the Maryland Association of Counties winter conference last month, Moore said that his administration plans to sponsor a bill that would reform the 2020 law, including its collaborative time policy for teachers, which gives them increased time for curriculum planning, grading, and professional development outside of the classroom.

After a December meeting of the Maryland Spending Affordability Committee, House and Senate Republicans said they plan to introduce a bill to do away with the provision that mandates pre-kindergarten for 3-year-olds.

Ferguson said Tuesday that changes will be made.

Any big program is going to have changes over the 10 years of implementation, he said. That may have some cost impact, but were not going to radically withdraw our commitment to public schools.

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Jones told The Sun that, regarding the Blueprint, her chamber will have a high bar for any cuts.

Lawmakers are ready to mitigate potential Trump policy changes

Trump will be inaugurated almost two weeks after Marylands legislative session begins.

A second Trump term brings a lot of uncertainty for Maryland lawmakers, who have worked before to reduce the impact of his policies on residents.

During his first term, the General Assembly took action to prevent Maryland from taking federal money if the Trump administration enacted a gag rule disallowing family planning care providers to talk about or refer their patients to abortion services. Should the gag rule be enacted, the state would backfill the gap with money from its general fund.

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Trump made a lot of policy promises on the campaign trail, though its unclear which will actually come to fruition once he takes office. Ferguson said that a lot of that will become clear during the first two months of the 90-day legislative session, likely leading to a hectic last month before the General Assembly is dismissed for the year.

Its hard to know what the next administration is going to bring. I hope Im wrong. I hope it has nothing to do with what it could portend to be, and what has been said about cutting a trillion dollars from the federal budget; from rounding up people and immigrants as though theyre inhuman; from  attacking the basic justice and freedom and protections that weve come to expect, Ferguson said. I hope Im wrong. I hope that will not happen. But if it does, we have a plan and we will adjust.

General Assembly leadership priorities beyond the budget

Though the budget is set to mark nearly every aspect of the 2025 legislative session, Jones and Ferguson have indicated that they will prioritize green energy, the high costs of health care, affordable housing and civil rights.

The Moore administration will have priority bills  we just dont know what they are

Every session, a slate of bills are introduced on behalf of the sitting governor.

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In previous years, Moore has prioritized legislation for military families, to relieve child poverty and to establish his service year program, which offers a stipend for Marylanders ages 18-21 with a high school diploma or equivalent education to work full time for nonprofits, private sector organizations or government entities.

Aside from expressing interest in altering the Blueprint and signaling support for the sale of beer and wine in grocery stores, the governors office has kept mum about what it plans to introduce thus far.

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ABUJA, Nigeria (AP)  At least six soldiers and 34 Islamic extremists died in a clash in Nigeria's northeastern Borno state, the military said Wednesday.

The rebels, riding on motorcycles and gun trucks, launched a surprise attack on the troops, who resisted and engaged them in a gun battle, Nigerian military spokesperson Edward Buba said in a statement.

Borno has been the center of extremist violence in Nigeria since the Boko Haram extremist group launched an insurgency in 2009 to enforce their interpretation of Shariah law. The insurgency, which has spilled over to Nigeria's three neighbors in the Lake Chad region, has killed more than 35,000 people and displaced 2.6 million others.

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The latest attack occurred Sunday in Sabon Gari village in the Damboa council area, a hot spot that has been mostly deserted by residents. The terrorists had attempted to surprise troops and retaliate against the recent killing of their commander and combatants by troops, Buba said.

The attack was seen as a setback for the Nigerian military, which often claims the rebels have been degraded. Despite such claims, deadly ambushes and suicide bombings have continued in the last year.

Ending the war has been challenging because of a lack of political will and the ability of the extremists to operate freely across the borders with Nigeiras northern neighbors, said Senator Iroegbu, an Abuja-based security analyst.

He said the military has also struggled to obtain "accurate and timely intelligence on Boko Harams movements and plans.

Boko Haram gained international attention in April 2014 when it abducted 276 schoolgirls from Chibok village in Borno. Dozens of the girls remain missing.
OMAHA, Neb. (KCAU)  Officials are expecting the runoff into the upper basin of the Missouri River for 2025 to be below average, just like how 2024 ended.

For 2025, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said in a Wednesday release that the runoff for 2025 is forecast to be 79% of average at 20.2 million acre-feet (MAF). In 2024, the runoff into the river above Sioux City was 23.3 MAF, 91% of the average.

The Corps based the runoff forecast on current runoff trends, drier soil conditions, and below-average plains and mountain snowpack. The runoff season typically starts around March 1. Around the start, officials expect were to be 50.4 MAF of water in the Missouri River Mainstem reservoir system. That is 5.7 MAF below the amount used for flood control, navigation, water supply, irrigation, hydropower, recreation, water quality control, and fish and wildlife during extended droughts.

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On Dec. 28, 2024 at Gavins Point Dam, releases were increased from 12,000 cubic feet per second to 14,000 cfs before the cold weather. As ice cover stabilizes, releases will be reduced back to 12,000 cfs to help conserve water in the system.

North Sioux City sets date for election of new government

Winter releases from Gavins Point Dam will remain low during January and February in order to conserve water in the System, based on the guidance in the Missouri River Mainstem System Master Manual, said John Remus, Chief of the Missouri River Basin Water Management Division.

The Corps said that even with the reduced water in the reservoir system, there is enough water in the river for wall supply needs. Remus added that the Corps will continue to monitor the releases and adjust to mitigate any negative effects of the cold weather.

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Snowpack is gathering at below-average rates, the release said, with 85% of average above Fort Peck and 75% of average from Fort Peck to Garrison. More than half of the mountain snowfall happend from the beginning of January to mid-April.

For 2024, the six mainstem power plants generated 8.2 bilion kWh compared to the long-term average of 9.4 kWh. For 2025, the Corps is forecasting 8.4 billion kWh of electricity to be generated.

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Andrew Steven Vaughan, the 4th Judicial District chief deputy district attorney, has been placed on administrative leave without pay after a criminal charge was filed against him on Monday.

According to court records, Vaughan faces one count of felony criminal mischief of $2,000-$5,000 for an offense that allegedly occurred on Christmas Day.

Court records show a summons and complaint was filed against Vaughan on Monday.

Kate Singh, a spokeswoman for the 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office, confirmed Tuesday that Vaughan was placed on administrative leave without pay, and that he will remain on administrative leave pending the resolution of the case.

"The criminal investigation and review for filing of charges has been assigned to the Pueblo District Attorneys Office as a special prosecutor," Singh wrote in a statement to The Gazette. "Mr. Vaughan will remain on unpaid leave pending resolution of that review and potential prosecution. Next steps will be determined based on that outcome."

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Vaughan has been registered as an attorney in Colorado since 2009, according to the Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel.

Vaughan has prosecuted several cases of note in El Paso County, including the appeal case of Deborah Nicholls, who was convicted of killing her three children in a house fire in 2003, and the double-homicide case against Nicholas Jordan, who is accused of killing two people in a University of Colorado Colorado Springs dorm room last year.

Vaughan is no longer listed as the attorney on either case, according to court records.

Court records show that Vaughan's first court appearance is an advisement hearing scheduled for March 27.
Thousands of calls are being abandoned as Texass suicide hotline faces a $7 million funding deficit, according to a new report from The Texas Tribune.

From January to August, 18,500 calls to the states 988 suicide hotline were abandoned by callers, according to data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Thats an average of more than 2,300 abandoned calls each month.

Abandoned calls happen when a caller hangs up before reaching a crisis counselor. Texass hotline currently relies on several out-of-state centers to answer the calls they cant get to  and the more a caller is transferred in and out of state, the more likely they are to abandon the call, the Tribune reports.

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The hotline provides an essential service to people experiencing thoughts of suicide and mental health crises in Texas. However, the states 988 system has nowhere near enough funding, hotline employees and mental health advocates told the Tribune.

To be very clear, were doing way more work than weve ever been able to do, Jennifer Battle, supervisor of the 988 system at the Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD, told the Tribune. If you want us actually to meet the volume of Texas, then somebodys got to decide to increase the resources that are made available to centers so that we can increase the number of people we serve.

Texass 988 suicide hotline is the second-busiest in the nation (Getty Images)

The states hotline, which has five centers, needs double the number of crisis counselors as well as an additional $7 million to operate at full capacity and reduce the rate of abandoned calls, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness Texas.

In comparison, Florida  which is home to roughly 700,000 fewer people  has thirteen centers for their 988 hotline, while New York has fifteen. However, Texass 988 hotline is the second-busiest in the nation, receiving more than 380,000 calls since launching in 2022.

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Many advocates are calling on Texas lawmakers to support Senate Bill 188, which would create a state trust fund for the hotline, the Tribune reports.

The states hotline will continue to do its essential work and answer calls from everyone  regardless of whether they get the funding they need, Battle said.

I never say we save somebodys life. I always say the person decided to save their own life. Because everybody has the power to make that choice for themselves, but we can be a part of that story, Battle told the Tribune. We can be a part of somebodys story to decide that they will live.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you. In the UK, people having mental health crises can contact the Samaritans at 116 123 or jo@samaritans.org
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  Abilene Independent School District (AISD) has placed safety signs on its campuses.

Abilene ISD superintendent speeds up change with safety focus, budget reforms & community engagement

The safety signs state that school marshals are armed and will use any force necessary to protect their students.

Abilene ISD names Dr. John Kuhn as lone finalist for Superintendent of Schools

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Thank you so much to everyone who made these signs happen. Maintenance, security, purchasing. I appreciate you all!. Abilene ISD Superintendent Dr. John Kuhn said.

Pathways to Possibility Abilene ISD seeks community input on changes to district operations

These signs came from the School Marshal program, which involves arming certain school personnel. However, visitors were often unaware of the program because no visible signs indicated its presence.

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ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  As cold weather sweeps into the Key City, stores and nonprofits are bracing for the surge in clients they anticipate, stepping up their preparations to meet the increased demand.

Snow chances dwindle for the Big Country: A look at the latest forecast

Drug Emporium store manager Travis Hill shared that whenever winter weather approaches, he ensures the store is stocked with essential items like water and toilet paper to meet customers needs during the colder months.

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Obviously, any time we have cold weather, we have a little uptick on that. People are concerned about being stuck in their houses. So, well see an uptick in sales of water, bread, and milk, things of that nature. So, were seeing that a little bit of that today, Hill said.

LIST: Warming centers in the Big Country

At the Salvation Army, these same essential items are in high demand to support those in need. Kitchen supervisor Teresa Harden mentioned that, with the expected increase in clientelenearly double the usual numbersthey are calling on the community for support to ensure they can continue to serve effectively.

It takes anywhere from 10 to 12 dozen eggs just to serve one breakfast here, and [four dozen] is all the eggs I have, Harden said. Currently, we serve anywhere from 50 to 75 [people]. Im sure were going to be way over the 100 mark. So, its going to take extra food. But whatever it takes, were going to make sure we take care of our people here.

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Understanding winter precipitation before it impacts the Big Country

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The Salvation Army is extending its support this winter by providing blankets, coats, and additional space for those seeking warmth. Captain Joshua McKain anticipates welcoming between 1,200 and 1,400 individuals from Monday through early next week. He added that theyre sharing the load with other local nonprofits to make sure everyone gets the help they need this winter.

For daytime warming centers, were diverting to our other excellent agencies like Love and Care and City Lights, working alongside the Station and City Link, being able to take those individuals to the daytime warming centers Monday through Friday. Then really, they rely on us for evening services like meals, overnight lodging, blankets and coats, and, of course, breakfast, McKain said.

The nonprofit is actively accepting various donations at its location at 1726 Butternut Street. Items needed include meat, butter, milk, eggs, cases of water, bread, blankets, and coats.

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The family home where rock band AC/DC was founded has been mistakenly demolished by a property developer in Australia.

Located in the Sydney suburb of Burwood, 4 Burleigh Street had long been a place visited by the bands fans from around the world.

AC/DCs Malcolm and Angus Young lived in the house as teenagers when they were founding the band, along with their brother George Young, a guitarist for another wildly popular rock group, the Easybeats.

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The family migrated to Australia from Scotland, living first in a migrant hostel before moving to Burleigh Street in 1965.

When the Easybeats made it big, a mini riot once reportedly unfolded outside the house when a fan magazine disclosed the address. Hundreds of girls from local high schools descended upon the house and twenty forced their way inside  trampling a young Angus on their way, according to the homes listing on Australias National Trust Register.

Burwood Council commissioned artist Claire Foxton to create a mural dedicated to Angus and Malcolm Young on the side of 12 Burleigh Street, just a few seconds' walk from the original Young family home. - Andrew Worssam/Burwood Council

The one-story, two-bedroom brick house was bought by a property developer in March 2023 for 5.8 million Australian dollars ($3.6 million). It demolished the building last month, according to CNN affiliate Nine News.

The developer, Burwood Square, told Nine News that it didnt know about the cultural importance of the home, despite conducting due diligence on the site.

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Unfortunately the historical connection to AC/DC was not identified, and we regret the previous long-term owner did not share this vital part of the propertys background with us, said Leon Kamita, the companys general manager.

Learning about this connection after our plans were already underway has shocked us, he said in a statement.

The developers plan to turn the lot into a 144 meter (472 foot) 50-story tower with 120 hotel rooms and 48 affordable housing apartments, according to Nine News.

The suburban home, a bungalow built in the Federation style that was mass produced in the early 20th century, had been in poor condition since the Young family left it in 1978, according to a review published by the Burwood Council.

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In 1985, it became a brothel  with local newspapers promoting Adult Work Opportunities at the address, according to the council. It later served as a medical practice and was being rented out to an unspecified tenant at the time of the developers purchase.

An article published in the Sydney Morning Herald back in 2003 argued for the building to be protected from the hands of developers.

There is however, one domicile begging for immediate acquisition and deification; a small, simple dwelling at 4 Burleigh Street, wrote rock historian Glenn A. Baker.

Although the house was listed on the Australian National Trust Register in 2013, it did not receive historical protection to prevent its demolition.

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Burwood Council conducted a review in 2015 to determine whether it should be listed as a heritage site. Ultimately, it did not recommend a heritage listing, citing among its reasons that the bands period of habitation was too brief to be relevant to the life and work of AC/DC.

The review also said the home does not meet the criteria for aesthetic significance, nor did it have any known technical or research value.

In a statement sent to CNN, the council said it has long-maintained that the Young House  has a special association with Australias rock music history as the site where band AC/DC formed.

Despite not recommending the heritage listing, the council said it continues to undertake initiatives to celebrate the bands legacy, including the commissioning of a mural near the site.

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In its statement to Nine News, Burwood Square said it is dedicated to celebrating the location and is salvaging materials from the demolition to create a special space where fans can gather to celebrate the bands legacy.

CNN has reached out to representatives of AC/DC for comment.

CNNs Hilary Whiteman contributed to this report.

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UPDATE (2:29 pm, January 8)  New Hartford Police have released a statement on the arrest of 56-year-old Michael Sprague.

At approximately 1:00 Wednesday morning, a New Hartford police officer located Sprague operating a pickup truck on Genesee Street in the village. When police found that Sprague was operating with a suspended license, officers initiated a traffic stop. Sprague initially pulled over, but then allegedly sped away as the officer exited his vehicle.

Police initiated a vehicle pursuit, but eventually terminated it due to public safety concerns. Other officers observed Spragues truck a few minutes later traveling further west on Seneca Turnpike. Sprague then drove off the roadway through a snow-covered grassy area.

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Oneida County Sheriffs eventually arrested him a few hours later on River Road in Rome. He was eventually turned over to the New Hartford Police Department, where he was charged with a further charge of third-degree Unlawfully Fleeing A Police Officer, which is a Class A Misdemeanor.

In addition, Sprague was issued an additional 14 traffic tickets by the New Hartford Police Department, bringing the total to 20. He was issued an appearance ticket for Fleeing A Police Officer.

Sprague is scheduled to appear in New Hartford Town Court on Thursday, January 23 for these charges, as well as for an unrelated incident earlier this week.



ROME, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY)  Oneida County Sheriffs arrested a man on Wednesday morning after responding to an accident in the City of Rome.

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Sheriffs were called to River Road in Rome at approximately 5:00 am on Wednesday, January 8 for a report of a pickup truck accident. Upon their arrival, they determined that the driver of the vehicle  56-year-old Michael Sprague  was driving on River Road at an allegedly unsafe speed. That speed allowed Spragues truck to exit the roadway and collide with the snow embankment.

Further investigation found that Sprague had a suspended drivers license and had a camper attached to the back of his truck. Sheriffs  along with members of the Utica Police Department  found that the camper had been stolen and the owner was unaware that it had been stolen.

Sprague was subsequently arrested and charged with:

fourth-degree Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, a Class E Felony.

Sprague was also issued six separate traffic tickets related to the accident. He was then released on appearance tickets for the stolen property charge and the traffic tickets. He was also turned over to the New Hartford Police Department regarding criminal charges from an earlier incident.

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The Oneida County Sheriffs were assisted on the scene by their Criminal Investigation Unit, the City of Rome Fire Department, and the police departments of the Town of New Hartford and the City of Utica.

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QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11)  A homeless man accused of fatally stabbing two people as he was being robbed on a 7 train will not be charged, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Wednesday.

Instead, his alleged robbers, four homeless men between the ages of 26 and 32, are being charged with robbery and assault, Katz said.

President-elect Trump asks Supreme Court to block sentencing in hush money case

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Henry Toapanta, Oswaldo Walter, Jose Valencia, and Philipe Pena have all been indicted on multiple charges related to the Dec. 22 attack on a Manhattan-bound 7 train near the 61st Street-Woodside station, Katz said.

The 69-year-old victim was asleep on the subway around 12:20 a.m. when the suspected robbers took his bags, which woke him up and started a fight, Katz said. Valencia allegedly held the 69-year-old while the others punched him and took his belongings, Katz said.

The fight continued through multiple subway cars, during which the victim stabbed two of the alleged attackers, killing Stalin Moya, Katz said.

The victim was accosted, without provocation, and our investigation has shown that he defended himself while attempting to retrieve his property, Katz said. Our subways must be safe for the millions of people who depend on public transportation.

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Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter who has covered New York City since 2023 after reporting in Los Angeles for years. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here.

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LOS ANGELES (KTLA)  A wind-whipped brush fire is burning in Pacific Palisades, and large plumes of smoke can be seen for miles, but one well-known actor is jumping in to help.

Residents evacuating the area were met with slow traffic along Palisades Drive and Sunset Boulevard near Highland Village. Numerous fire engines were in the area as crews battled the nearby flames.

During this time, many have jumped into action, like actor Steve Guttenberg who lives nearby.

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The actor told Nexstars KTLA that he has friends who are unable to evacuate because of the traffic jam on Palisades Drive.

There are people stuck up there. So were trying to clear Palisades Drive and Im walking up there as far as I can moving cars, he revealed, pointing up to the hill where traffic was slowly making its way down.

There are families up there, there are pets up there. There are people who really need help, he said with worry in his voice.

Wearing a facemask, the It Takes Two actor explained how important it is for everyone to band together during this time of need.

Dont worry about your personal property. Just get out. Get your loved ones and get out.

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He told Nexstars KTLA that hes urging people who have left their cars on Palisades Drive to leave their keys behind so they can move the cars to make room for incoming fire trucks.

Whats happening is people take their keys with them as if theyre in a parking lot. This is not a parking lot. We really need people to move their cars, the Police Academy actor explained. If you leave your car behind, leave the key in there so a guy like me can move your car so that these fire trucks can get up there.

Steve Guttenberg at the Golden Gala: A Celebration of Excellence at The Beverly Hilton on January 3, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/GG2025/Penske Media via Getty Images)

Generally, officials recommend people stay in their cars while evacuating and advise against abandoning their vehicles.

The brush fire was first reported at around 10:30 a.m. PT on Tuesday and has burned 200 acres as of 12:30 p.m.

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The fire comes after the National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for much of Southern California on Tuesday and Wednesday. The NWS described the windstorm hitting SoCal as life-threatening, extreme and destructive.

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A number of celebrity homes have been destroyed in the Los Angeles region due to the ongoing fires.

On Tuesday, several wildfires began causing massive damage throughout the Los Angeles area. Multiple people have suffered injuries, while at least two people have tragically been killed. Thousands of houses and buildings have been destroyed as a result.

Per Variety, celebrities such as Adam Brody and Leighton Meester, Anna Faris, Diane Warren, and more have all lost their homes because of the Los Angeles fires.

What are celebrities based in L.A. saying about the fires?

Reality television stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag also lost their home in the fires.

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The one positive sign I saw as our house burned down was our sons bed burned in the shape of a heart, Pratt wrote on Instagram. A sign of how much love was in this house so thankful for all the years and memories there with our family.

General Hospital star Cameron Mathison additionally shared on Instagram, We are safe. But this is whats left of our beautiful home. Our home where our kids were raised and where they wanted to raise their own someday. Thanks to all who reached out and checked in. Cant respond to all so wanted to give an update here. Sending so many prayers to everyone being affected by these fires.

Jamie Lee Curtis shared a video with the caption, Our beloved neighborhood is gone. Our home is safe. So many others have lost everything. Help where you can. Thank you to the first responders and firefighters.

James Woods appeared on CNN on January 8, 2025, to discuss the situation and his recently destroyed house.

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One day youre swimming in the pool and the next day its all gone, he said.

Numerous events have been canceled around the Los Angeles area, including the premieres of Wolf Man, The Pitt, and more. The 2025 Critics Choice Awards has been postponed until January 26, 2025, while the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Tea party has been called off.

Production on projects such as Fallout, Hacks, Greys Anatomy, Suits: L.A., Abbott Elementary, Ted, and more titles that were scheduled to shoot around the impacted areas have been paused at this time.

The Hollywood Reporter has assembled a list of organizations that are collecting donations and offering to help as the Los Angeles fire situation continues to evolve. Click here to view the list.

The post Adam Brody, Anna Faris, & More Lose Homes in L.A. Fires, Numerous Events & Productions Postponed appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
BLUE MOUNTAIN LAKE  Adirondack author and magazine editor Elizabeth Betsy Folwell, has died at age 71.

Folwell was the former editor of Adirondack Life Magazine, author of several books, an essayist, former executive director of the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts in Blue Mountain Lake, and at one time a restaurant and general store owner.

LIFE AND CAREER

A native of Wisconsin, she and her husband, Tom Warrington, moved to Blue Mountain Lake in 1976.

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Family friends said she died of cancer on Jan. 5. She was born Jan. 20, 1953. No services have been scheduled, according to Miller Funeral Home of Indian Lake.

Folwell was legally blind since the early 2000s due to a virus that attacked her optic nerve. She continued to write and edit using voice and text recognition software.

She started her career as education coordinator at the Adirondack Museum, now called Adirondack Experience, and left to become executive director of the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts from 1980 to 1988.

In 1989, she joined Adirondack Life Magazine as assistant editor and later editor, finishing her career when she retired in 2021 as creative director.

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OTHER PURSUITS

When the Blue Mountain Lake general store went under, she and Warrington took it over for a few years, and when the Blue Mountain Lake Diner closed, she and her husband bought a 1946 Silk City Diner Company prefab restaurant located in Maryland and brought it to Blue Mountain Lake in 2017, where it opened in 2021 as Chef Darrells Mountain Diner.

Folwell served on the board of the International Regional Magazine Association when she was at Adirondack Life. Former Arizona Highways Magazine publisher Win Holden said she and Warrington were among my most treasured friends in the publishing business when he was on the board with her.

Her views on any topic of importance were measured, expressed with clarity and conviction and always heeded, he said.

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AUTHOR, ESSAYIST

Folwells books included three editions of The Adirondack Book, a guide to all things Adirondack, Short Carries, a book of her personal essay from Adirondack Life, and Adirondack Odysseys, about museums and historic places.

Columnist and nature writer Bob Confer praised Folwell as a renowned essayist and conservationist.

(She is) leaving behind a legacy of vivid nature writing that deepened community connections and understanding of the Adirondacks.
The Colorado Springs soldier who died by suicide while blowing up a Tesla Cybertruck on New Year's Day outside President-elect Donald Trump's hotel in Las Vegas used ChatGPT to help plan the attack, according to new information released Tuesday by the Las Vegas Metro Police Department.

Searches from the phone of Master Sgt. Matthew Alan Livelsberger, 37, showed that he asked the generative AI chatbot, ChatGPT, questions about where to buy explosives and guns, the legal limit for how much Tannerite can be purchased in both Arizona and Colorado, and if certain firearms were capable of setting off the explosives, police said.

"I think this is the first incident that I'm aware of on (United States) soil where ChatGPT is utilized to help an individual build a particular device," Kevin McMahill, the sheriff in Las Vegas, said at the news conference. "It's a concerning moment for us."

Kenneth Cooper, assistant special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said that the explosion caused by Livelsberger could have been much greater because much of the material found in the Tesla was not detonated. When asked, Cooper said it remains unclear if this was an intentional choice by Livelsberger to not use all the materials he purchased.

Las Vegas police officials showed video of Livelsberger preparing for the explosion at a parking lot in Las Vegas. In the video Livelsberger can be seen pouring racing fuel in the trunk of the Cybertruck, and the fuel leaking out the back of the car as it exits the parking lot.

Although much new information was released, Cooper said one unanswered question surrounds how Livelsberger created the explosion.

Cooper speculated it was possible that the discharge of the firearm, which he stated happened almost simultaneously as the explosion, could have caused the fuel to ignite in the car, but that he couldn't make a final determination.

Among the other lingering questions: why did Livelsberger seemingly at the last minute decide to conduct the suicide and explosion at the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas?

More notes from Livelsberger's phone released by police show that he was initially planning on driving the Cybertruck to the glass walkway at the Grand Canyon. One note dated Dec. 31, the day before the explosion in Las Vegas, Livelsberger seemingly commits to the Grand Canyon as his final destination.

"I reached my decision point when driving and chose to commit to the Grand Canyon for the final commit or not," the note discovered on Livelsberger's phone reads. "My next decision point 4 will be surveillance going to the glass walkway bridge parking area. I'm going to ID the launch route on foot and send it if I am still hot."

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Livelsberger never made it to the Grand Canyon, instead diverting course to Las Vegas. McMahill said during the news conference Tuesday that it still remains unclear why Livelsberger changed his final destination.

Throughout the notes shown to media Livelsberger expresses concern that he was being followed. McMahill reiterated that Livelsberger was not on the radar of either the Las Vegas police or the FBI before the explosion.

Further notes revealed by police Tuesday show that Livelsberger had been using alcohol and marijuana in the days leading up to his suicide, and that he was frustrated and hurt by what happened during his deployment in Afghanistan.

"These graphic encounters replay in my head every day, all day and it has ruined my relationships with my family and friends. I am now a shell of a human being with nothing to live for, it has all been taken away by my affiliations," one of the notes discovered on Livelsberger's phone read.

"There was not a time during my two years in Afghanistan where I had a clear understanding or rational feeling in my heart of why my brothers were fighting and dying. We failed and the credibility of military and political leadership was shredded when no one was held accountable."

At last week's news conference Spencer Evans, the FBI special agent in charge stated that it's "likely" Livelsberger suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and that there were family and personal matters that "may have been contributing factors."

Last week, Las Vegas police released several notes found on Livelsberger's phone indicating he felt the the United States was "terminally ill and headed toward collapse," and that it was the fault of Democrats.

Livelsberger was on approved leave from the 10th Special Forces Group at Fort Carson when the electric truck he rented in Denver on Dec. 28 exploded in the valet drive-through of the Trump International Hotel on New Year's Day, McMahill said.

Seven people were injured in the explosion, with Livelsberger the lone person who died.

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MANSFIELD  The Mansfield Affordable Housing Committee and Human Rights Commission will host an interactive forum on affordable housing in Mansfield.

According to state statutes, affordable housing units cost 30% or less for households making less than 80% of the state or area median income (AMI).

According to CTdata, in 2024, Mansfield had a population of 28,378. Of those, 6,672 households had a median household income was $64,194. Information also showed that the poverty rate was at 23%.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  The legal battle over whos to blame for the Washington Bridge breakdown continues.

The Rhode Island Attorney Generals office filed a response to the Washington Bridge defendants, who have been accused of failing to identify and address structural issues on the bridge that resulted in the abrupt closure of the westbound side.

The filing revealed those companies are now hoping to get the lawsuit dismissed against them.

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The 60-page response accused the defendants of failing to inform RIDOT of critical deficiencies in the bridges structural safety and integrity.

ALSO READ: Progress cited on monitoring system for eastbound Washington Bridge

The defendants, which include more than a dozen companies, had filed separate motions to dismiss the lawsuit.

Rhode Islands litigation team issued counterarguments against each motion in the filing.

In part of the response, it wrote, The states claims seek to ensure accountability for public safety failures and prevent taxpayers from bearing the costs of defendants misconduct. Court should deny defendants motions and allow the states claims to proceed to discovery and resolution on their merits.

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In the meantime, demolition work of the westbound bridge is set to be completed by the end of this year.

Two finalists were selected last month to compete for the contract to build a new bridge, and a winner is expected to be announced in June.

NEXT: RI releases new draft RFP for Washington Bridge rebuild

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AUSTIN (KXAN)  With one week until the legislative session begins, a contentious battle for power in the Texas House of Representatives continues. Now, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is speaking up about who he believes lawmakers should choose to serve as the chambers next speaker.

Paxton joined top Republican party leaders at several rallies across Texas this week, speaking out in support of Rep. David Cook, R-Mansfield, for the role. In a rally in Leander on Tuesday afternoon, the attorney general said his main goal is to unite the party, which has been divided over the choice.

As KXAN has previously reported, Cook has support from a majority of the 88 House Republicans but does not have the 76 votes needed for Speakership. Burrows has support from a smaller list of House Republicans but is hoping for House Democratic support to lift him over the 76-vote threshold. Right now, it is unclear if any of the two have enough support to win the position.

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The schism centers around the partys desire to eliminate the practice of allowing some Democrats to hold committee chairs. GOP chairman Abraham George said its something the party has supported for several years. Paxton said he believes conservative leadership will have statewide and even nationwide effects.

I want to make sure the Republican House elects a Republican speaker among themselves, and thats my goal. Whoever they elect  thats their choice; its not mine. Im not elected to make that choice. But I do want them to make a choice amongst the caucus. I think thats the only way I can accomplish my goals and that every Republican can accomplish the goals that they were elected for, Paxton said.

During the event, several speakers referenced the House as the same legislative body that voted to impeach Paxton in 2023. After the Senate reinstated Paxton to his office, he endorsed at least a dozen people to take down House Republicans who voted for his impeachment.

When asked about Cooks role in the impeachment process, Paxton told reporters, Rep. Cook apologized. Im ready to move on.

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Paxton noted that his support of Cook is really a reflection of the support of the Republican caucus. He said if, hypothetically, a majority of Republicans threw their weight behind Burrows, he would support the decision  despite his opinion that Burrows would be a bad choice.

Earlier this week, NBC DFW spoke to several lawmakers planning to back Burrows, who said they see themselves as defending the state constitution.

Our founders designed our system to be independent from each other  the chambers. So if one chamber controls the other, thats not the way it was intended to work, said Rep. Cody Harris, R-Palestine.

Chairman Burrows believes that every single member of the House is an elected representative of the people and that their voice deserves to be heard, Rep. Jared Patterson, R-Frisco, argued earlier on Lone Star Politics.

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Paxton and George urged people to contact their lawmakers and put pressure on them to support Cook for the role. The rallies this week specifically targeted four areas of Texas where lawmakers had yet to do so  including Rep. Terry Wilson, who represents parts of Williamson County.

Paxton and other GOP leaders headed to The Woodlands for a similar rally Tuesday night.

The 89th Texas legislative session begins on Tuesday, January 14.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
PARACHINAR, Pakistan (AP)  Aid trucks carrying medicines, food and other relief supplies for hundreds of thousands of besieged residents reached a remote region in restive northwestern Pakistan on Wednesday, a government spokesman and local officials said.

A key highway leading to the Kurram district was closed by authorities over three months ago following violent clashes between rival Shiite and Sunni tribes in which at least 130 people have died.

The convoy had been waiting for a security clearance since Saturday when gunmen opened fire on government vehicles and wounded some officials who were on their way to supervise the supply of aid to Kurram, a district in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

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Muhammad Ali Saif, a spokesman for the provincial government, said Wednesday that dozens of trucks and vehicles carrying food, medicines, tents and other essential items, have reached the Kurram district.

The latest development comes two weeks after authorities with the help from elders secured a ceasefire in Kurram.

Road closures had disrupted the local populations access to medicine, food, fuel, education and work since October, but violence flared on Nov. 21, when gunmen ambushed a convoy of vehicles and killed 52 people, mostly Shiite Muslims, in a dispute over land.

Shiite Muslims dominate parts of Kurram, although they are a minority in the rest of Pakistan, which is majority Sunni. The area has a history of sectarian conflict, with militant Sunni groups previously targeting minority Shiites.
Major airlines issued flight alerts and people in Los Angeles scrambled to evacuate as an out-of-control wildfire raged in the southern California city on Wednesday.

The Palisades Fire first broke out on Tuesday, prompting evacuation orders and growing to encompass more than 2,900 acres of densely populated areas in the city, including in Santa Monica. As of Wednesday morning firefighters had not yet been able to contain the flames, which was complicated by strong wind gusts of up to 60 mph that were expected to continue through Thursday.

Extreme fire behavior, including short and long-range spotting, continues to challenge firefighting efforts for the Palisades Fire, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) wrote in an update report. Firefighters and air resources will continue to work to protect the community, and infrastructures and gain control over fire containment.

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Several airlines issued flight waivers for the Los Angeles area, including United Airlines, American Airlines, and JetBlue. Airports like Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) are in the affected area.

For its part, the Hollywood Burbank Airport warned travelers Weather conditions are impacting various flight operations today and to check the status of their flight before heading to the airport.

Beyond flying, several attractions in the Los Angeles area have been forced to close, including Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk. The theme park said in a statement on X it would continue to assess the situation and expected to open on Thursday.

The safety of our team members and our guests is our top priority, Universal wrote.

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The Getty Center and Villa similarly closed on Wednesday in an abundance of caution and to keep roads clear in the surrounding areas. The museum said it would remain closed through Jan. 13.

Beyond the Palisades fire, three other wildfires continued to rage in the Los Angeles area as well: the Eaton Fire, which had so far burned more than 2,200 acres; the Hurst Fire; and the Woodley Fire.

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
Airlines including British Airways and Virgin Atlantic continue to fly a matter of miles from the GPS-jammed Russian region where an Azerbaijan Airlines plane was hit by suspected air defence missiles on Christmas Day.

On December 25, an Azerbaijan Airlines flight took off from Baku, Azerbaijan, en route to Grozny, the capital of Chechnya in southern Russia. An initial Azerbaijan investigation found that the plane suffered GPS jamming before being struck by suspected Russian air defences (surviving passengers reported three blasts while coming in to land at Grozny) and crash-landing 280 miles away in Aktau, Kazakhstan.

Of the 67 people on board, 38 died, including both pilots and a flight attendant; 29 people survived with injuries. In a phone call with Azerbaijans president Ilham Aliyev, Vladimir Putin expressed regret for the incident but stopped short of acknowledging responsibility.

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The incident has drawn parallels with the MH17 disaster of July 2014, when a Malaysian Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was shot down by a surface-to-air missile in eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 people onboard. In January 2020, a Ukrainian International Airlines flight PS752 from Tehran to Kyiv was inadvertently shot down by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, killing 176 people. Missile strikes on commercial planes are now a leading cause of aviation deaths, according to the Flight Safety Foundations Aviation Safety Network.

Just two weeks after the Azerbaijan Airlines disaster, data from FlightRadar24 shows that every day, many hundreds of planes continue to navigate the Caucasus Mountain flight path bordering Chechnya, and fly less than 50 miles from the crash site, exposing in real time the tangled complexities of long-haul air traffic navigation in 2025.

How the Caucasus Mountain corridor emerged

Since Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022, western airlines have been banned from flying over the worlds biggest country. And with military activity ramping up in the Middle East, a number of countries (Iran, Syria and Yemen) are now deemed too dangerous to fly over, while others (Israel and Lebanon) are suffering intermittent airspace closures due to military activity.

The result is that pilots flying between Europe and Asia have been squeezed into three narrow flight corridors. The southerly route passes across the Mediterranean and Egypt before cutting across Saudi Arabia towards the UAE. A central route cuts across Turkey before making a southerly routing above Iraq. The northerly route has emerged as the favoured of the three, running through northern Turkey, across the Black Sea into Georgia, Azerbaijan, across the Caspian Sea and beyond.

The northern corridor has been favoured, in part, because it was the farthest away from missiles being launched between Israel and Iran, or the rockets being fired by Yemeni Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. However, Ukraine has ramped up drone attacks in southern Russia in recent weeks, and following the recent tragedy involving the Azerbaijan Airlines aircraft and reports of GPS jamming, this northern corridor is under increased scrutiny.

How close are airlines flying to where the incident occurred?

The section of the northerly corridor passing through Georgia and Azerbaijan shares a border with the Grozny air traffic control zone. It is in this area that the Azerbaijan Airlines plane is reported to have been struck by Russian air defence missiles, according to the preliminary findings of an Azerbaijan investigation.

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There has been no change to commercial air traffic routing since the incident. David Mumford of OpsGroup, an organisation for pilots and air traffic controllers, told The Telegraph that theres still plenty of traffic in the region, while Ian Petchenik of FlightRadar24 said: Weve seen no change in routing of transit flights along the northern corridor. And Ive not seen any new warnings.

To give an example: on January 2, using the aircraft tracking website FlightRadar24, The Telegraph monitored a British Airways flight (BAW168) from Delhi to Heathrow. The aircraft flew less than 50 miles south of Aktau in Kazakhstan, where the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash-landed. It then tracked a flight path approximately 20 miles from Russian airspace above the Caspian Sea, before entering the congested corridor towards Georgia and Turkey, south of the Caucasus Mountains.

The Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash landed in Aktau, Kazakhstan - Anadolu/Getty

Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic and Iberia were among the other airlines seen following the northern corridor on January 2. A spokesman for Virgin Atlantic confirmed that there have been no recent changes to their routings. They said: Our flight routings are subject to continual security assessment and operate in line with UK, US and local regulations. The Telegraph awaits a response from British Airways.

John Strickland, an air transport consultant, stressed that the route would be under close assessment by international aviation bodies: Airlines take continuous security briefings, both in house and from government and industry bodies. Concerted efforts to improve rapid and reliable information were stepped up by UN agency ICAO following the shooting down of the MH17 over Ukraine. Current geopolitical challenges are so great for commercial air traffic that this is of necessity work in continuous progress, he said.

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Canada has a medium risk notice for airlines flying through Azerbaijan airspace, in place since September 2022. Transport Canada cites: Potential risk from anti-aviation weaponry and military activity along the border of Armenia and Azerbaijan. The website Safe Airspace, run by Opsgroup, says the primary risk of flying over Azerbaijan is: From any further large-scale ceasefire violations involving missiles or anti-aircraft weaponry, which may present a risk to overflights in the border region [with Armenia].

Concerns around GPS jamming

A notable subplot of the Azerbaijan Airlines disaster was that the cockpit lost signal due to suspected GPS jamming in the lead-up to the disaster. In March 2024, a pilot revealed to The Telegraph that commercial airline GPS systems are routinely jammed by military powers, including the Russians. Pilots have experienced satellite and communication blackouts triggering warning alerts, a problem which has become particularly prevalent over the eastern Mediterranean.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the commercial pilot, who works for a leading airline, said in March: Every flight I operate across northern Turkey and into Iraq  essentially along the Russian and Iranian borders  now has GPS interference.

Aircraft systems alert us when something isnt working. We often get numerous alerts in the space of a couple of hours. Its been like that for around a year now. The GPS interference spoofs the aircraft into not knowing its location. Thankfully, we have other systems to mitigate this issue.

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Depending on the aircraft, this issue can take away some of the pilots visual situational awareness (from the screens), especially with regard to the terrain.

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Daily data published by FlightRadar24 shows all of the regions around the world where GPS jamming has been logged, and it consistently indicates high interference around Russias western borders with Baltic states, plus across the Black Sea and the Caucasus Mountain range in which the Azerbaijan Airlines incident occurred. GPS jamming is not typically the result of hostile action with a view of disrupting air traffic, but rather an unintended consequence of military defence radio systems.

Airlines take every precaution to ensure passenger safety. But the skies are getting smaller, and flying through war-torn regions involves some degree of risk. Countries such as Iraq, for example, can be flown over, but only at a recommended altitude of 32,000ft or higher, advises the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), due to the risk posed to civil aircraft below that level.

The fact that the northern corridor  bordering missile-scarred Chechnya, in a zone where GPS jamming is rife, and where a passenger jet recently crash-landed in still unconfirmed circumstances  remains such a busy route is a fascinating case study into the calculated risks airlines must take in the modern era.

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ALABAMA (WHNT)  With a winter storm forecasted for Friday, the Alabama National Guard is being deployed to parts of central and northern Alabama.

The Alabama National Guard said it has been activated for the anticipated weather and will be operating Mobility Support Teams with approximately 350 Guardsmen.

These Guardsmen will be deployed across north and central Alabama to assist our communities and Alabama Emergency Management Agency.

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Ahead of this system, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Winter Storm Watch for all of the Tennessee Valley on Friday on Wednesday morning.

A Winter Storm Watch is typically issued 24 to 36 hours before the anticipated winter weather. It alerts the community that we are monitoring an impactful system and that its important to prepare ahead of time.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  The first known fatal case of avian flu was reported Monday in Louisiana, while California is battling a major outbreak of the virus in its dairy cattle herds.

Alabama agriculture and health officials say they are coordinating responses, but have seen no outbreaks of the strain thats infected cattle around the U.S.

3 found dead after Madison Co. house fire, death investigation underway

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Dr. Tony Frazier, Alabama State Veterinarian, stressed that the food supply is safe and that raw milk testing will expand in Alabama in the next two to three months. Frazier said they are also seeing a coordinated response from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The Alabama officials told News 19 theyve learned a lot about the virus in the past year, but there is still much to learn.

So far, they said, the disease has not generally made humans very sick.

It has made the jump into humans, said Dr. Wes Stubblefield, a medical officer with the Alabama Department of Public Health. There have been 66 documented human cases, there have been no human-to-human transmission and most if not all have had exposures to animals of concern.

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Marshall County man sentenced to 25 years for traveling to meet child for sex act

The disease caused by this so far, other than one particular case, has been very, very mild. Almost to the point where you wouldnt know the patient even had it.

However, there are also complicated questions being raised by cattle outbreaks.

There appears to be some additional transmission route other than just say, milk or equipment or even humans, Dr. Frazier said. It could be, underline the word could, theres still work to be done, that there is a respiratory component. Thats not how the initial spread we thought, was being carried out.

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Stubblefield said the investigation is widespread and coordination is a priority.

Bob Jones teacher named Alabamas High School Teacher of the Year

Its a very active investigation, and again its going across three different agencies of the federal government. And the state government is involved as well, including ADPH and AG and Industries, he said.

Regarding the food supply both Stubblefield and Frazier said studies have shown consistently that pasteurization kills the virus in milk and they warned about drinking raw milk. Frazier also said its important to cook food to USDA recommended temperatures, which include 160 degrees for eggs, 165 for chicken, including ground chicken, 145 for beef and 160 for ground beef.

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Frazier said the current food testing system is effective in guarding against avian flu.

No flock goes to processing for meat that we eat, without having a negative test, he said. Now that doesnt mean every bird is tested, that means the flock is tested. Pasteurization works, our milk supply is safe, our beef and dairy supply is safe, eggs are safe.

Frazier said as part of a national USDA effort Alabama will begin testing raw milk from dairy cows in the next two to three months.

Frazier also said the outbreak of the non-cattle strain of avian flu in December has been contained and flocks are no longer showing any signs of it. The outbreaks at a poultry operator in Cullman County and a backyard flock in Pickens County led to quarantines and destruction of those flocks has worked. He said there is ongoing testing but no new outbreaks have been detected in Alabama.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT)  State Sen. Rodger Smitherman (D-Birmingham) said that he hopes his pre-filed bill will reduce the severity of conflict and help students resolve their differences.

My mother used to tell me so many times if something upsets you, before you say it, count to 10 backwards, Smitherman said.

Smitherman said its strategies like these that some young people grow up without. His bill would require high school students to be taught about violence prevention and conflict resolution before graduation.

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Although you may teach yours, when they step out the door, they come in contact with somebody who may not have been taught, Smitherman said. So we have to test the ones that have not been taught.

Jerusalem Brown, licensed professional counselor with Mental Health Monarchs, specializes in childhood and relational trauma. She said the bill is beneficial, even beyond the school hallways.

Imagine those children are going home and sharing those skills with the rest of their family and the impact that could have on the community at large, Brown said.

Alabama schedules 4th nitrogen gas execution amid debate over method

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But state Rep. Alan Baker (R-Brewton) said he has concerns. As a former educator, Baker said schools already have a lot on their plate.

Its where the schools have increasingly had to absorb more responsibility on a lot of things that should be really more so the home  the parents, Baker said.

But Baker also said teaching students about conflict resolution is a noble pursuit.

Many of these are really good things, Baker said. Whether it be character development, whether it be in this case conflict resolution. So I think its a very worthy endeavor, but I do have those concerns.

This is one of several bills pre-filed by Smitherman for the legislative session that starts Feb. 4. He said he wants to curb gun violence and the fear of someone getting hurt.

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By Ryan Patrick Jones

(Reuters) - The U.S. state of Alaska has sued the Biden administration for what it calls violations of a Congressional directive to allow oil and gas development in a portion of the federal Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).

Monday's lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Alaska challenges the federal government's December 2024 decision to offer oil and gas drilling leases in an area known as the coastal plain with restrictions.

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The lawsuit said curbs on surface use and occupancy make it "impossible or impracticable to develop" 400,000 acres (162,000 hectares) of land the U.S. Interior Department plans to auction this month to oil and gas drillers.

The limits would severely limit future oil exploration and drilling in the refuge, it added.

"Interiors continued and irrational opposition under the Biden administration to responsible energy development in the Arctic continues America on a path of energy dependence instead of utilizing the vast resources we have available," Republican Governor Mike Dunleavy said in a statement.

Alaska wants the court to set aside the December decision and prohibit the department from issuing leases at the auction.

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The department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for the Bureau of Land Management declined to comment.

When combined with the department's cancellation of leases granted during the waning days of Donald Trump's presidency, Alaska says it will receive just a fraction of the $1.1 billion the Congressional Budget Office estimated it would get in direct lease-related revenues from energy development in the area.

The lawsuit is Alaska's latest legal response to the Biden administration's efforts to protect the 19.6-million-acre (8-million-hectare) ANWR for species such as polar bears and caribou.

An October 2023 lawsuit by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority contested the administration's decision to cancel the seven leases it held. Another state lawsuit in July 2024 sought to recover revenue lost as a result.

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Drilling in the ANWR, the largest national wildlife refuge, was off-limits for decades and the subject of fierce political fights between environmentalists and Alaska's political leaders, who have long supported development in the coastal plain.

In 2017, Alaska lawmakers secured that opportunity through a provision in a Trump-backed tax cut bill passed by Congress. In the final days of Trump's administration, it issued nine 10-year leases for drilling in ANWR.

Under Biden, two lease winners withdrew from their holdings in 2022. In September, the interior department canceled the seven issued to the state industrial development body.

(Additional reporting by Nate Raymond; Editing by Heather Timmons and Clarence Fernandez)
Jan. 7LIMA  "I thought he was going to kill me," an alleged victim said during testimony Tuesday on day one of a jury trial in the Allen County Common Pleas Court for a Lima man who is facing a charge of felonious assault.

According to a narrative from Lima Police Detective Steven Stechschulte provided in court documents, on May 6 around 12:45 a.m., a man, who was identified in the trial as Roger Saylor, "showed up at Mercy Health-St. Rita's Medical Center with heavy trauma to his face and he was heavily bleeding from lacerations above his right eye and on the front, left side of the head," Stechschulte wrote.

Saylor said he was assaulted by Randy Stephenson, 57, in a church parking lot at 1103 W. Spring St. The parking lot is behind 220 S. Cole St. where Stephenson lived with his estranged wife, Danielle Laman-Stephenson.

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Saylor and Laman-Stephenson were involved in a romantic relationship, testimony revealed. Laman-Stephenson and Saylor went to the residence so she could get items from the house and money from Stephenson and they pulled into the church parking lot so there were no issues between the two men, Saylor said.

Stephenson allegedly opened the door to the car while Laman-Stephenson was in the house and started assaulting Saylor by strangling and punching him and hitting him with a gun. The man received nine stitches in his head and jurors saw pictures of Saylor at the hospital with marks on his head and neck.

When Stechschulte talked to Stephenson, he said he thought he was being robbed and allegedly admitted to striking the victim at least twice in the head with the gun.

In opening statements, Assistant Prosecutor Josh Carp said Stephenson was angry because of the lack of attention he was receiving from Laman-Stephenson and that he "took matters into his own hands."

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"This was a very justifiable action to the situation. Not ideal, but justifiable," Stephenson's attorney, Kenneth Rexford, said in opening statements while arguing Stephenson was acting in self-defense. He said Laman-Stephenson and Saylor were using drugs  which Saylor confirmed in his testimony  and that "she was a mess" and had "gone off the deep end."

Saylor said he never punched or lunged at Stephenson and had no weapons. Rexford questioned Saylor about if he was there to rob Stephenson but Saylor denied the allegation because he said Laman-Stephenson could get money from Stephenson whenever she wanted.

Reach Charlotte Caldwell at 567-242-0451.

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Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato announced her nomination for the next jail warden.

On Wednesday, Innamorato nominated Trevor Wingard to serve as the next warden of the Allegheny County Jail (ACJ).

We have been so impressed with the breadth of Mr. Wingards experience in working with an array of corrections facilities and his commitment to creating a safe environment for both staff and incarcerated individuals, Innamorato said. The County has made improvements in the last year at the ACJ, and we need a leader that can continue the positive momentum. Throughout his career, Mr. Wingard has shown hes open to challenging the status quo and embracing change. Im pleased to nominate Mr. Wingard to serve as our next warden.

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Wingard has decades of experience in corrections, Innamorato says. Some of Wingards previous roles include the Deputy Secretary of the Western Region for the Pennsylvania State Department of Corrections, Superintendent of SCI-Somerset and SCI-Laurel Highlands, and the Interim Warden at the Allegheny County Jail.

Inamorato highlights Wingards experience in leadership transitions that resulted in improved safety, better culture and morale, improved healthcare delivery and the creation of nationally recognized reform programs.

Im honored to be nominated to serve as the next warden of the Allegheny County Jail. Ive worked in and supervised minimum-, medium-, and maximum-security facilities, facilities of all sizes and ages, with male and female populations, and facilities with specialized programs, Wingard said. My experience has been defined by time with health care in facilities, with excellent staff mentorship and retention programs, with programming for incarcerated individuals that will help them succeed when they leave the facility, and I would bring all of those experiences to leading the ACJ. I look forward to working with the administration and the Jail Oversight Board to find a shared vision for progress at the jail so we can work in tandem to improve the experience for everyone who enters the doors of the ACJ.

The Jail Oversight Board will consider Wingards nomination at its meeting on Thursday.

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ALLIANCE, Ohio (WJW)  Snow storms and bitter cold that have enveloped Northeast Ohio in recent days has not spared the Stark County community of Alliance.

The conditions are making it difficult even for first responders.

Woman killed in West Virginia Turnpike crash was part of the fabric of Cleveland school

I think all first responders despise the snow because it makes it hard for us to get around, said Alliance Police Captain James Hilles.

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Hilles was working on Jan. 3rd when the department was called to respond to a burglary on Buckeye Avenue.

He says the ride there was treacherous, taking more time than usual for them to arrive.

The caller told dispatchers that a burglar was caught on cameras breaking into the familys garage, then into what police describe as a man cave.

The suspect had realized that he had been seen by the homeowner and had fled on foot, said Hilles.

And while the bitter cold made it uncomfortable for officers, the snow was actually a huge help for them.

Hilles said the suspect had jumped a fence to get onto the victims property and so Hilles and three other officers started following the footprints through the snow.

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Ohios adult-use cannabis rollout was one of the most successful in the US, says analyst

The officers followed the tracks for about 30 minutes, scaling fences, through back yards and fields leading them right to the front door of an apartment on Klinger Avenue, less than a mile away.

We knocked on the door and the door and he opened up the door and was like he tried to play it off like why are you here?

At the door was DeJour Hawkins, 24, who initially said he had no knowledge of a breakin and the apartment was his fathers.

Hilles says when he spoke with Hawkins father he noticed wet socks and wet footprints on the kitchen floor.

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Ultimately, Hilles says, Hawkins confessed to the crime, telling police he had a fight with his girlfriend and was bored.

The only thing the homeowner told police was missing from their home were eight beers, which were recovered in Hawkins backpack.

Hawkins was arrested and charged with burglary.

Police tell Fox 8 News they have reason to believe that Hawkins may have been at the victims home on at least three occasions prior to Jan. 3 but had never been identified until they were able to track him through the snow.

Bird flu recall: Cat food contaminated with HPAI sold at Hollywood Feed

If it would have been summer we wouldnt have caught him so it definitely worked out best for us, said Hilles.

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Even though we were out there running in the cold and the snow for 30 or 40 minutes trying to track this guy down, when it was all said and done we were pretty happy we caught a burglar.

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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  With morning temperatures in Florida dropping into the 30s this week, some residents may be tempted to warm up their cars in their driveways before heading out to work. But is that legal in Florida?

Florida law states that, A person driving or in charge of any motor vehicle may not permit it to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, and removing the key. A vehicle may not be permitted to stand unattended upon any perceptible grade without stopping the engine and effectively setting the brake thereon and turning the front wheels to the curb or side of the street.

Credit card skimmers found on ATMs at 7-Elevens in Tampa

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However, the law has exceptions for authorized emergency vehicles performing officials duties that are equipped with anti-theft devices; licensed delivery trucks or other delivery vehicles; solid waste or materials collection vehicles; and vehicles started by remote control while the ignition, transmission, and doors are locked.

Violation of the law is considered a nonmoving, noncriminal traffic infraction.

Laws in other states

Some states and cities do prohibit warming up a vehicle. In Washington, D.C., vehicles may not be left idling for more than three minutes, unless the temperature is below 32 degrees, in which vehicles can idle for up to five minutes.

In Colorado, idling is legal for up to five minutes, but localities are allowed to have more strict regulations. Other states that have time- or location-based restrictions include  but are not limited to  California, Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

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In South Carolina, idling laws apply only to commercial diesel vehicles.

Should you warm up your car before driving?

Whether its legal or not, experts advise against warming up a vehicle for more than a minute, on a cold day, before driving. Consumer Reports chief mechanic John Ibbotson said letting a car run longer than needed to warm the cabin and defog the windshield is unnecessary.

Idling a car wastes fuel, creates emissions, and has fewer benefits than just driving the vehicle to warm it up.

Traffic has gotten way worse in these US cities, report finds

In todays vehicles, driving the vehicle helps the engine reach its ideal operating temperature faster than idling it, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, noting that most owners manuals recommend against idling.

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Not only will the engine warm up faster by being at work, but the cars interior will warm up more quickly as well.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality also notes that the tires, transmission, and other moving parts also need to warm up, which is best done by driving the car, adding that excessive idling can actually damage a vehicle.

Because the engine isnt working at its peak operating temperature when its idling, the fuel doesnt undergo complete combustion, according to the NC DEQ. This leaves fuel residues that can contaminate engine oil and damage engine parts.

Idling can also be costly, in addition to legal penalties where its illegal.

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The Environmental Protection Agency said every 15 minutes of idling of a passenger car wastes .08 gallons of gasoline. If done daily, that amounts to nearly 30 gallons wasted per year. At Wednesdays national average of $3.07 per gallon, according to GasBuddy, thats a waste of about $90.

For an SUV or pickup truck, 15 minutes of idling wastes .177 gallons of gasoline, according to the EPA. With the same variables above, that would equate to wasting nearly 65 gallons per year, or nearly $200.

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 WFLA.
Two weeks after he drugged and kidnapped Denise Huskins from her Vallejo, California home in 2015, "American Nightmare" kidnapper Matthew Muller allegedly committed another crime in neighboring Contra Costa County.

This is just one of many alleged crimes dating back to the 1990s that would have gone unsolved if it weren't for two persistent victims: a small-coastal-town police chief and a rural Northern California county district attorney.

Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn gained worldwide notoriety when their bizarre 2015 kidnapping was featured in what Netflix said was its highest-rated documentary of 2024, "American Nightmare."

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In an exclusive interview with CBS News California, Huskins and Quinn detailed the timeline of Muller's cold-case crimes, which they helped solve. The survivors detailed how it took a decade, a documentary, a small-town police chief, and a rural district attorney to get anyone to listen.

The FBI issued a press release after Muller's 2015 arrest asking for information on additional crimes. Huskins and Quinn said they knew there were more victims but said the agents assigned to the case were not interested in working with them.

The FBI had been investigating the couple for faking Denise's kidnapping and faced public backlash after Muller struck again and was ultimately arrested by another agency.

Aaron Quinn and Denise Huskins sitting down with CBS News California Investigates.

Ten years later, Muller has now confessed to at least two other crimes in the month after Huskins' kidnapping, while law enforcement was publicly shaming her and Quinn instead of searching for Muller.

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While investigating one of those subsequent crimes, Dublin Police Detective Misty Carausu and Alameda County sheriff's deputies tracked Muller to his mother's South Lake Tahoe cabin. There, Carausu found crucial evidence: a strand of Huskins' hair attached to a pair of blacked-out swim goggles used to blindfold her.

Detective Carausu's persistence in tracking down who that hair belonged to would eventually vindicate Huskins and Quinn, proving to the world that they had been telling the truth all along.

But it would be years before Huskins and Quinn would meet their "hero" in person. The three have become close since.

Then, after the Netflix documentary was released in 2024, City of Seaside Police Chief Nick Borges reached out to Huskins on Instagram, offering support to Huskins and Quinn, hoping to restore their faith in law enforcement. He invited them to speak to a law enforcement group about their experience.

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That's where they met El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson, who incidentally had jurisdiction in their case, which had since been turned over to the FBI, because Denise was held hostage and raped in South Lake Tahoe, which is in El Dorado County.

Together the five of them  Huskins, Quinn, Carausu, Borges, and Pierson  have pieced together a decades-long puzzle, solving cold case crimes linked to Muller dating back to 1993 when he allegedly committed his first kidnapping and rape at the age of 16.

First, Borgess began written correspondence with Muller, in which Muller confessed to several additional crimes. Then Pierson, who had jurisdiction, flew to Arizona to interview Muller in person along with an unnamed FBI interviewer. There, Muller allegedly confessed to additional crimes dating back to his teens in California and college years in Boston while he attended Harvard.

Charges have not been filed in the 1993 incident. However, district attorneys in both Santa Clara and Contra Costa counties have now filed charges based on recent confessions from Muller, which were later confirmed through DNA testing.

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var pymParent = new pym.Parent( "chart", "https://cbs-news-data.github.io/ca-muller-timeline/", {} );

In addition to Denise's Vallejo kidnapping and the subsequent Dublin, California home invasion that led to his 2015 arrest, prosecutors say Muller has confessed to multiple crimes across Northern California.

The Santa Clara district attorney announced charges on December 30 related to two cold case home invasions and assaults in 2009. Muller was initially a suspect in those crimes, which was widely reported in 2015 when he was arrested.

However, it was not until Borgess and Pierson got the confession in 2024 that the Santa Clara DA finally connected Muller to the case by testing decades-old DNA evidence.

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On Monday, the Contra Costa District Attorney's Office announced they filed charges against Muller for a previously unreported San Ramon-area kidnapping for ransom in 2015. That home invasion allegedly happened two weeks after Muller released Huskins, but the district attorney's office said it was so traumatic the family never reported it  fearing he, or other attackers, would come back.

"The amount of coverage that our case had . But just two weeks later, he's willing to do a very similar thing," Quinn said. "[It] shows you how brazen and emboldened he was."

"I believe that this is just the tip of the iceberg," Huskins added.

Muller has not commented on the new charges.

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Over the coming weeks, CBS News California will investigate the systemic problems highlighted by this decades-long "American Nightmare."

Follow our continuing coverage:

"American Nightmare": Lessons learned In an ongoing accountability and solutions-journalism series, CBS News California Investigates is working with Denise, Aaron, and experts from various fields to go beyond the sensational story and examine what we can learn from their 'American Nightmare.'

[This story was updated to include additional details.]

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POTSDAM, N.Y. (WWTI)  The American Red Cross is assisting three people after a Tuesday fire in St. Lawrence County.

Volunteers from the Central and Northern New York Chapter of the American Red Cross provided immediate emergency aid to three people after a fire on County Route 59 in Potsdam.

The Red Cross provided financial assistance which can be used for necessities such as shelter, food, and clothing to one adult and two children, ages four and six.

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Volunteers also offered emotional support. In the coming days, Red Cross staff and volunteers will remain available to help those affected by the fire as they navigate the road to recovery.

Copyright 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.
Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base, is one of the loneliest U.S. military assignments in the world. Built on Arctic permafrost, the base hosts 200 troops in Greenland's far north. Its closest neighbor is 75 miles away, a small town called Qaanaaq, population 646. Not that it matters, since the only ways in or out of the base are military flights and a ship that visits once a year.

"You can go to the bowling alley, go to the gym, the community center, I guess," First Lt. Matthew Smokovitz told Stars and Stripes in 2015. "It's like a rinse-and-repeat thing. It's so cold and so dark; where you gonna go?"

A few years ago, I thought it might be funny to file a Freedom of Information Act request for any diversity and sensitivity classes ("language, regional expertise, and culture training," in military jargon) that troops at Pituffik had to sit through. What neighbors would the training be for? Polar bears? But to my surprise, I received briefing slides on how to deal with Greenlandic contractors, which I first published on my Substack blog in 2022.

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President-elect Donald Trump has been promising to take over Greenland, either by paying or threatening its colonial overlord Denmark. His former national security adviser Robert C. O'Brien says that the region will be "the critical battleground of the future" due to climate change opening new trade routes in the Arctic. But the diversity slideshow from Pituffik is a reminder that the United States already has a presence in Greenland, and a relationship with its people.

The U.S. military first moved into Greenland during World War II, when Denmark fell to a German invasion, and the Danish ambassador in Washington asked the United States to stop further Nazi advances. (It didn't hurt that Greenland was also a key source of cryolite, a mineral used in aluminum processing.) The U.S. Coast Guard took over the Danish outpost on Pituffik Glacier, which was named "Thule" for the icy northern frontier in Greek mythology.

After the war, American planners realized that Thule would be useful in a future nuclear war with the Soviet Union. The Danish authorities forcibly expelled the locals to Qaanaaq, making way for a massive military airport for U.S. bombers and reconnaissance jets. At its peak, Thule Air Base hosted over 10,000 troops and support staff.

Modern technology means that the same job can be done by fewer people. The spy planes were replaced by radar dishes and satellite uplinks. The base, which was renamed Pituffik Space Base in 2023 after the U.S. Space Force took over, now hosts only around 650 people. The majority of them are Greenlandic, Danish, and Canadian civilian contractors.

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That's where diversity training comes in. Even though the Danish government pushed out locals to make way for the base, the U.S. military ended up bringing in more Greenlanders to help with day-to-day tasks on the base.

The briefing slideshow explains that Greenland's culture is more focused on "social conformity" than American culture, with little patience for individualism and "ambition." On the other hand, people in Greenland are more "bold, direct, straightforward," and there are "[n]o limitations to what you can joke about."

Almost all of the 60,000 people in Greenland are ethnically Inuit, although many of them also have Danish ancestry mixed in. The slideshow states that "Danish/Greenlandic relations are good, but occasionally can become sensitive."

In 1979, Greenland became an "autonomous country" under the Danish monarchy. Greenlanders have their own parliament and manage their own domestic affairs. (For example, even though Denmark belongs to the European Union, its laws and regulations don't apply in Greenland.) Denmark retains the final say over border control, monetary policy, and foreign relations.

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There's an active debate on whether Greenland should pursue full independence. Around two-thirds of Greenlanders, including current Prime Minister Mute Egede, believe that the country should go its own way, especially as lucrative mineral resources are being unearthed. But even some independence advocates, such as former Prime Minister Kuupik Kleist, fear that the small country just isn't ready yet. Greenland still receives about half its government budget in subsidies from Denmark.

In any case, it seems likely that the United States will get what it wants. After all, an independent Greenland would need foreign investment to unlock those natural resources, and American companies are well-poised to provide it. In 2020, the Greenlandic and U.S. governments signed a set of agreements on military basing, mining, energy, and tourism.

Given that Greenlanders are already inclined to cooperate with the United States, why meddle in their independence debate? For Trump and his supporters, it seems to be a matter of pride before anything else.

"Our country was built by warriors and explorers. We tamed the West, won two World Wars, and were the first to plant our flag on the moon," the Republican-controlled House Foreign Affairs Committee wrote on social media. "President Trump has the biggest dreams for America and it's un-American to be afraid of big dreams."

The post America's Arctic Troops in Greenland Go To Diversity Training appeared first on Reason.com.
Jan. 8Anchorage police say two officers shot a man as he opened fire on a homeowner at a duplex in the Government Hill neighborhood early Wednesday.

Both the shooting suspect and the homeowner survived and are hospitalized.

The shooting is the second involving police officers in less than 24 hours. On Tuesday afternoon, an Anchorage officer shot and wounded a man suspected to be involved in a robbery in Midtown.

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Wednesday's shooting occurred just before 6 a.m. at the 700 block of Hollywood Drive, police said. Anchorage police Chief Sean Case described the incident as a chaotic and dynamic response.

At the scene, two bullet holes pierced a front window of the building, just above and below a sign indicating the residence was also a law office.

The initial calls came from a man and woman in the home, but in different locations, Case said in a media briefing Wednesday morning. They described a man with two long guns firing into the building, he said.

Several other neighbors called 911 to report gunfire and met officers who arrived at the scene to provide a description of the suspect, Case said. The callers inside the home reported at that time hearing glass break and doors being smashed, he said, and told dispatchers they believed the armed man was trying to enter the home.

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Police outside saw the armed man, but he disappeared from their sight as they began to give commands, Case said. At that point, the man and woman inside the home came out of the house and officers ordered them to return indoors, he said.

Officers identified the suspect by his description and then confronted him as he began firing at the male homeowner, Case said.

"The suspect then appeared in the front of the house as well and fired at the victim, striking him multiple times," he said. "As that was happening, our officers immediately responded and fired rounds at the suspect, striking the suspect multiple times."

Case said both people who were wounded were brought to a hospital and were in critical condition, although he described their injuries as non life-threatening.

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He said it was not yet clear what, if any, relationship existed between the shooter and people inside the home. The man who was in the home lived there and the woman was staying there, he said.

Police will identify the two officers who fired at the suspect within 72 hours, per department policy, Case said. The shooting was captured on body camera, he said.

Officers shot eight people last year in Anchorage. Five of them died.
Jan. 8This article was produced in partnership with ProPublica's Local Reporting Network.

The evidence was overwhelming from the time it all began in 2017. A sexual assault in broad daylight at a popular Anchorage park, with a witness who dialed 911 and described the attack as it was happening. A police officer hoisting the suspect from atop one of the victims, the suspect's pants still around his knees. DNA evidence corroborating the crime.

Yet in Alaska's slow-motion court system, it took more than seven years for the case against Fred Tom Hurley III to finally go to trial, in December. Attorneys came and went with the passage of time  a series of six for the defense and four for the prosecution  as judges granted 50 delays. Most of the slowdowns came at the request of Hurley's lawyers, long before and long after the COVID-19 pandemic paused jury trials across the state. At hearing after hearing, talks concerned scheduling, not the facts of the case.

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For the two women Hurley was charged with assaulting, justice delayed meant justice denied in their lifetimes. Both died before the case ever reached the jury.

Told the details of the case, former Florida state prosecutor Melba Pearson called it "a travesty of justice."

"That's a travesty. Period. End of story," said Pearson, who recently co-authored a report on trial delays across the country.

What's surprising isn't how long the Hurley case lingered unresolved, but how ordinary it is in Alaska's court system.

A recent Anchorage Daily News and ProPublica investigation found hundreds of misdemeanor criminal cases in Anchorage thrown out of court because overwhelmed city prosecutors couldn't meet speedy trial deadlines.

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But when it comes to felonies in Anchorage and across the state, the opposite problem often exists for victims and witnesses: a wait of five, seven or even 10 years or more to reach trial, plea agreement or dismissal, often because of defense motions to delay. As a benchmark, the National Center for State Courts says 98% of felonies should be resolved in under a year.

The extreme pretrial delays in Alaska are especially striking because it has one of the nation's strictest limits on how long cases can drag out: 120 days from the time a person is charged.

In reality, this deadline is rarely met. Over a recent 12-month period, only seven criminal cases went to trial within 120 days in Alaska state courts.

The problem is getting worse. The median time to resolve the most serious felony cases, such as murder and sexual assault, has nearly tripled over the past decade, from just over a year in 2013 to 1,160 days in 2023. About 54% of people held in Alaska jails and prisons last year were there to await trial or, in a smaller number of cases, to await sentencing. That's up from just 30% in 2016.

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[Earlier coverage: Hundreds of people charged with domestic violence, child abuse or DUIs are walking free in Anchorage]

A courts spokesperson, Rebecca Koford, said by email that the state "is well aware of the issues with case backlogs and has been actively working to improve time to disposition." Koford cited an Anchorage presiding judge's orders limiting when postponements may be used, as well as new training for judges on managing case flows.

"We have made inroads in that direction," she said, "but it takes time and continues to be exacerbated by the low number of attorneys who are able to handle complex criminal cases."

Some defense attorneys request pretrial delays to cope with overwhelming caseloads. According to the Alaska Court System, Hurley's current attorney, Rex Butler, represents defendants in at least 375 active cases, for example. (In an interview, the attorney said he sometimes hires other lawyers to help with that workload and noted that most cases do not require a jury trial.)

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Attorneys also can employ delays as a tactic, increasing the odds their clients will walk free as the prosecution's case ages. Defendants sit in jail or live on monitored release pending trial, but the wait can avert a heftier prison sentence.

The thought was captured in a 2017 email from a state-appointed defense attorney to his client, later made public in a court proceeding.

"Time is generally a friend to a defendant," assistant public advocate Jim Corrigan wrote. "Witnesses may get into trouble or their recollections may fade, which could work to your benefit."

The defendant had been questioning why his lawyer asked to delay his sexual assault case.

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"You should not be in any hurry to take these cases to trial," Corrigan replied.

Corrigan did not respond to a recent request for comment.

Terrence Haas, a former judge who oversees public defenders in Alaska, said that any lawyer who believes a delay is necessary or would benefit a client's case is "bound by the ethics of their profession and duty of loyalty to their client to request a continuance."

But one person has the power to say no to such requests: the judge. Records show Alaska judges routinely agree to such requests even after years of delays. These preventable failures have existed for more than a decade. What's more, everyone saw it coming.

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Repeated warnings

Victims advocates in Alaska have raised alarms about pretrial delays over and over again, largely without impact.

"It is not unusual for felony cases to take 2 to 3 years before victims see their case go to trial or result in a plea agreement," the Alaska Office of Victims' Rights wrote in 2014. Few judges were giving serious consideration to victims who asked them to speed up the process.

The agency issued similar warnings as the years went by:

2015: Judges often allowed 20 or more status meetings before forcing the two sides to go to trial.

2016: The most common victim complaint is "pretrial delays allowed by the courts."

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2017: The maxim that "justice delayed is justice denied" could not be more true than for victims of crime in Alaska. "Victims cannot heal or find closure when the wounds caused by the offender are constantly reopened by a prolonged court case. Victims are often held hostage to the system for far too long and in violation of their rights as victims."

The victims' rights office laid blame for the delays mostly with judges, particularly judges in Anchorage.

One week in 2018, the agency watched four Anchorage Superior Court judges hold pretrial hearings for 181 criminal cases. The judges let 161 be delayed up to two months. In most cases, the victims' rights office said, neither the defense attorney nor the prosecutor gave a good reason for the delay. Not once did a judge ask what the victim wanted, the report said.

The next year, the Office of Victims' Rights accused Anchorage judges of being enablers. "It is up to the judge to control the docket, to adhere to standing court orders, to follow the law and to protect victims' rights as well as defendants' rights," the agency wrote. "Generally, what is seen is more of a rubber stamping of such requests."

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A common delay tactic during the pandemic, known as the "off-record continuance," allowed attorneys to delay cases by email and skip court. But it persisted after courts reopened. Records show judges in 2024 allowed off-record continuances in dozens of cases, ranging from a 4-year-old felony assault to a 5-year-old sexual assault to a 6-year-old car theft.

(The Anchorage Daily News and ProPublica delivered questions to all Anchorage Superior Court judges by email and in hard copy, receiving a response from only two judges, who both said they mostly hear civil cases and rarely preside over criminal trials.)

Crime survivors pay a price for the inaction. They take time off work or pay for day care to attend hearings, advocates note. Victims fight to calm the pit in their stomachs before stepping into a courtroom, only to find the event is canceled.

The Office of Victims' Rights in May filed paperwork on behalf of the alleged victim in a 2017 sexual abuse case, demanding the court honor the woman's right to "timely disposition" under the Alaska Constitution. The agency asked Superior Court Judge Jack McKenna to hold a trial in June so the woman and her family could move on with their lives. The judge delayed the case once again.

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McKenna did not respond directly to an email or questions delivered to his courthouse mailbox. But Koford, the court spokesperson, said the trial in the 2017 case had to be delayed because the defense attorney was scheduled to appear in another trial. Other delays were because the prosecutor was unavailable.

Koford said the case illustrated Alaska's shortage of experienced attorneys to handle major felonies, which often leaves judges with a choice between postponing a trial and forcing one with unprepared attorneys, unavailable witnesses or an incomplete examination of evidence.

"A victim's right to a speedy trial is important," Koford said, "but it is also important to try a case correctly the first time."

One judge has publicly blamed backups on lawmakers and governors, whom he accused of skimping on money for public defenders.

Fairbanks Superior Court Judge Michael MacDonald was presiding over a case in 2019 involving the beating death of an Alaska Native woman in a Yukon River village. It was less than 2 years old and about to go before a jury. The defendant admitted to the killing.

Then the defendant's state-appointed attorney requested a delay, saying she had been juggling 200 cases at once, felt burned out and couldn't ethically move forward with a trial. (A 1998 audit for the Alaska Legislature said public defenders can "ethically" handle no more than 59 cases in a 60-hour workweek.)

MacDonald described the request as a sign of dysfunction.

"The state of Alaska's criminal justice system is operating on the fringes," MacDonald wrote, "barely able to protect against the deprivation of fundamental rights, barely able to respond in a professionally responsible manner" to violent crime.

He went ahead and ordered the trial postponed. The defendant eventually pleaded guilty to second-degree murder under an agreement with the prosecution. (The judge has since retired but declined to be interviewed for this story, saying he still occasionally fills in for other judges and presides over cases.)

Seven years, no trial

At the December sexual assault trial for Hurley in Anchorage, few people were more eager to see the case concluded than Eva Foxglove. The 53-year-old mother was the one who called 911 during the attack. Foxglove didn't know the women, but she said she had been sexually assaulted before and knew they might not be able or willing to testify when the time arrived.

"I have to come and do this for them," she told the jury.

The events Foxglove watched unfold in 2017 had their origins shortly after Hurley's release from jail on a previous sexual assault charge.

Accused of sexually assaulting a woman in her home, Hurley was acquitted at trial, walked out of jail and wrote on Facebook on July 13, 2017, "What's up free at last." Two days later, he showed up at an Anchorage soup kitchen, where he met the two women he was later charged with attacking, according to a police report.

The report said the three of them walked to the Delaney Park Strip. One alleged victim told police Hurley said she was beautiful and tried to kiss her but that she turned her head and told him she was engaged to be married, the report said.

Foxglove recalled in a recent interview that she was charging her phone at an outlet in the park. It was about 4 p.m. in the thick of tourist season, 68 degrees under a clear, bright sky.

The women seemed to pass out after drinking from a half-gallon bottle, Foxglove said. She could see Hurley moving on top of one and then the other, she said. "I was like, 'What the fuck is he doing?'" Foxglove said. Shortly after she dialed 911, a police officer jogged up to Hurley and yanked him from one of the two women, the officer, now a sergeant, told jurors in December.

Police later collected DNA matching Hurley's from the second woman's body and from the first woman's clothing.

The case was assigned to Anchorage Superior Court Judge Kevin Saxby and given a trial date of Oct. 9, 2017. But that date came and went. Saxby and other judges agreed to delay the trial 50 times, most often at the request of Hurley's lawyers. One example: Hurley's attorney wanted to see the criminal records of the two alleged victims.

Saxby did not respond directly to emailed and hand-delivered questions. Koford, the court system spokesperson, said judges generally do not comment on their actions for "fairness and due process reasons" and "cannot and do not comment on decision-making and reasoning in a case."

One of the alleged victims was described in enough detail in police reports for the Daily News and ProPublica to track down additional information about her life. She lived unhoused and was listed in police reports as a victim in at least two prior sexual assault cases.

The woman told officers that she had passed out and awoke to find Hurley on top of her, police records say. A charging document quoted her using the word "rape" to describe what happened. Unlike the arriving police officer, the woman could testify not only to sexual contact, but also her lack of consent.

She never got the chance.

A passerby found her body outside a public library in Anchorage on April 19, 2019, sometime between Hurley's 19th pretrial delay and his 20th. Police said there was no evidence of a crime. At some other point during the long wait for Hurley's trial, the second woman died as well.

Prosecutors had the DNA and witnesses who could establish sexual contact. But without the victims, prosecutors needed to show that they were incapacitated and therefore inherently incapable of agreeing to sex. The job fell largely to Foxglove. On the witness stand, she wore an oversized T-shirt and loose ponytail. "I've never been to court before," she told the jury. But she recounted the events from seven years ago clearly, with greater precision and consistency than she'd offered in an earlier interview with a reporter.

When Butler, Hurley's defense attorney, challenged her statement that the two women were passed out  rather than simply asleep  she never flinched. She could tell when someone wasn't just napping but dead-to-the-world unconscious, she told the jury.

"I was a drunk. I know what sleep is. When you want to sleep you lay down and go to sleep. But when you drink so much, you pass out," she said. "I know the difference, and I see."

After seven years of delays, Hurley's attorney gave no opening statement and did not call any witnesses. The trial took five days, including two days of jury selection.

The jurors returned their decision within two hours on Dec. 10: guilty on five of six felony sexual assault charges. As of Monday, the state court website indicated Hurley has not filed an appeal.

In the defendant's favor

Although the Hurley case ended in a conviction, delays have worked to the defendants' advantage in other Alaska criminal cases.

A man held at Fairbanks Correctional Center for two years without a trial had his drug charges thrown out after asserting his attorney waived his speedy-trial rights violation without his consent.

And since October, at least 10 pretrial inmates at the Goose Creek Correctional Center have filed petitions in federal court challenging their state detention. They allege the state violated their speedy-trial rights and appointed unreliable public defenders, saying they never signed forms saying they wanted to stop the 120-day countdown to a trial. Federal judges dismissed four of the petitions, while another six are awaiting a decision.

Pretrial delays can lead to a reversal for prosecutors even if they've won a conviction.

In a recent decision that could have far-reaching impact in Alaska, a man convicted of sexually abusing children succeeded in forcing the Superior Court to revisit his case.

Police arrested Ralph Hernandez in 2011 after an 11-year-old girl told her friend about the alleged abuse. Prosecutors said he abused, tortured or sexually assaulted children from toddlers to teenagers.

Over the seven years that it took the case to get to trial, Hernandez repeatedly voiced his demand for a speedy trial, often over the objections of his public defender. A jury convicted Hernandez of three counts of first-degree sexual abuse of a minor and one count of attempted second-degree sexual abuse of a minor.

But Alaska's appeals court ruled in February that Hernandez had proven his pretrial delays were "presumptively prejudicial" and sent the case back to lower court for review.

In the 1978 federal ruling that set the precedent for the Hernandez case, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals made clear that states can't get away with violating speedy trial rights simply by blaming a shortage of public defenders or prosecutors.

"A state government's allocation of resources plays a major role in creating congested dockets, and it is unfair to require defendants to bear the entire burden that results from the government's fiscal decisions," the court wrote. "There must be a point at which delay due to a congested docket becomes so unacceptable that by itself it violates the right to a speedy trial."

Although defendants may object to endless delays, they can benefit from them as time eats away at the prosecution's case.

"We as prosecutors are obligated to present evidence in court and persuade a jury beyond a reasonable doubt about what happened," said John Skidmore, Alaska deputy attorney general. "But when memories fade and people are less certain about what happened at some point in the past, that makes it more difficult for us to meet those burdens."

Especially in cases of sexual violence, it's prosecutors who are in a race against time. Often the evidence rests on a survivor's word against an attacker's. Losing the alleged victim's testimony  a likelier outcome each day without a trial  can crush a prosecutor's odds of a conviction.

It happened, a prosecutor said, in the case of Andre Corcoran.

'What she deserved'

The charges say Corcoran met his alleged victim, an unhoused woman taking cooking classes at a soup kitchen, shortly after moving to Alaska. The woman told police Corcoran seemed safe because he volunteered to clear kitchen tables. When Corcoran told her he had no place to stay, the woman offered to show him an abandoned tent.

Inside, according to the charging document, Corcoran and the woman began kissing, but she said she felt uncomfortable and asked him to stop. The charging document says Corcoran admitted to holding her down and attempting to have sex as she screamed for help. A police report on Corcoran's arrest describes his subsequent interview with a detective.

"I think women need to be raped," Corcoran told the detective, according to a transcript. The defendant said his only regret was not completing the act, the report said.

A grand jury indicted Corcoran on Aug. 30, 2018, on felony sexual assault charges. He waited in jail as defense attorneys had the case delayed at least 11 times. Still, when it finally reached trial in late April, Corcoran's alleged victim was willing to testify despite suffering anxiety, a prosecutor later said.

"She wanted to make sure that he was held accountable for what he did and that he wouldn't be able to do this again," prosecutor Betsy Bull told the court.

Then the judge declared a mistrial. Corcoran's attorney said he wasn't told the alleged victim had a boyfriend at the time the assault was reported  which the attorney said gave the woman a potential motive to lie and cover up consensual sex with another man.

The prosecution was ready to give it a second try this fall, but as the new trial date approached, Corcoran's alleged victim died of severe burns after her tent caught fire.

Bull said she was forced to offer a deal that let Corcoran plead guilty to a single count of felony assault. He would be sentenced to time served  his years in jail awaiting trial  and would not have to register as a sex offender. The prosecutor told the judge it was the best she could do.

"It's not, from the state's perspective, because he didn't do it," Bull said.

The courtroom was empty. No jury. No spectators. The judge asked the defendant if he wanted to say anything, and Corcoran stood.

"I do feel bad about who I used to be," he said. "And I have made changes to who I want to be. I want to be a better person."

Corcoran's attorney, Jaffer Khimani, said Corcoran's expression of remorse "was sincere to me." Khimani said he was unaware of something else that, according to a report filed by a police detective, his client imparted moments after.

The report said Corcoran spoke to the court officer who escorted him to an elevator on his way to being set free.

It quoted Corcoran saying something very different from what he'd told the judge about his actions: "She got what she deserved."
Rep. Jason Petrie, chair of the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee, speaks on a bill to further cut the state's income tax rate, Jan. 8, 2025. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Liam Niemeyer)

FRANKFORT  Republican lawmakers wasted no time advancing a bill on the second day of this years legislative session to further reduce Kentuckys individual income tax rate.

The bill is a top GOP priority and would move Republicans closer to their goal of eventually eliminating the tax altogether.

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All Republicans on the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee voted Wednesday to approve House Bill 1, sponsored by committee chair Rep. Jason Petrie, R-Elkton, which would reduce the individual income tax rate from 4% to 3.5% effective Jan. 1, 2026. The Republican-controlled legislature in 2022 reduced the rate by a half percentage point from 5% and by the same amount again in 2023.

The minority of Democrats passed on the bill. The committee vote sets up the legislation to be potentially voted on and passed by the GOP-dominated Kentucky House of Representatives before the end of this week when the legislature adjourns until February.

Republicans have remained optimistic about continuing to cut the states income tax rate, one of the largest sources of state revenue, despite differing economic conditions facing the state as the influx of COVID-era monies has faded.

Jason Bailey expresses concern over further reducing the states income tax rate, Jan. 8, 2024. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Liam Niemeyer)

Democratic Gov. Andy Beshears budget office has projected a decline in General Fund revenue in this fiscal year compared to the previous year, the first decline in modern times not caused by an economic downturn. Republicans in the legislature have countered that actual revenues are up through the initial months of this fiscal year and the state Budget Reserve Trust Fund, also known as the rainy day fund, is healthy.

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No one has a perfect crystal ball, but on good economic projections and modeling, it looks good, Petrie told the Lantern. Were in a good spot. Were in a very manageable spot.

Republicans continued to hear warnings from the progressive think tank Kentucky Center for Economic Policy (KCEP) that cutting further into the states income tax could cause potential harm to government services in the future if an economic recession occurred, particularly for poorer and rural communities that rely on state dollars.

Rep. Al Gentry, D-Louisville, said hed like to look at more data before voting on a bill to further reduce the states income tax rate. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Liam Niemeyer)

A squeezed state budget can easily mean fewer jobs at hospitals, health and treatment clinics, schools, community colleges and more, said KCEP Executive Director Jason Bailey in testimony to lawmakers. I urge you to approach a permanent decision like this with some caution and with a full picture of the fiscal risk to your constituents and your communities.

Beshear had signaled he wouldnt stand in the way of another income tax rate cut, though Democrats on the committee expressed caution about the legislation. Rep. Al Gentry, D-Louisville, passed on the bill arguing he wanted to look at data a little more and believed an income tax rate cut would benefit wealthier Kentuckians more than poorer Kentuckians.

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(KRON)  A missing senior the Antioch Police Department was seeking the publics help in locating has been found, authorities said Wednesday.

Rosalinda Tecson is described as an Asian woman who is 4 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 90 pounds. She was last seen wearing a black vest.

According to Antioch police, Tecson is known to frequent the senior center in Pittsburg.

She does not have a cell phone and is without her medication, authorities said.

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In a subsequent update, Antioch PD said she had been safely located and returned home.

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 KRON4.
A bipartisan resolution declaring that Russia is committing genocide in its nearly 3-year-old war in Ukraine has left one supporter of the Palestinians in Gaza calling it problematic.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) told HuffPost that if the war in Ukraine is considered a genocide, then Israels brutal military campaigns in Gaza since Oct. 27, 2023, following the Hamas-led attack against Israel, certainly should be as well.

If one were to make that case for Ukraine, they cannot not make that case for Palestine and for Palestinians, she said.

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The resolution, sponsored by Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), has the support of Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), the House GOPs most prominent Ukraine supporter, as well as three other Republicans. Eight House Democrats aside from Cohen also signed on as co-sponsors.

The bill says Russia has committed extensive, systematic, and flagrant atrocities against the people of Ukraine, including actions that would meet the criteria for genocide under a 1948 international treaty signed by the United States.

It was introduced Monday, the first full working day of the new 119th Congress, and only a day before Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said anti-government Rapid Support Forces in Sudan were committing genocide there by systematically murdering men and boys and targeting women and girls with rape and sexual violence.

Those same militias have targeted fleeing civilians, murdering innocent people escaping conflict, and prevented remaining civilians from accessing lifesaving supplies. Based on this information, I have now concluded that members of the RSF and allied militias have committed genocide in Sudan, Blinken said in announcing the formal determination of genocide.

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The State Department has not made a similar determination about Israels war in Gaza or Russias in Ukraine, though it has said Russian forces have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity there.

International organization Human Rights Watch said in a December reportthat Israels war in Gaza has resulted in dramatic shortages of water for Palestinians that likely killed thousands of people and constituted crimes against humanity and genocide.

Water is essential for human life, yet for over a year the Israeli government has deliberately denied Palestinians in Gaza the bare minimum they need to survive, Tirana Hassan, executive director of Human Rights Watch, said when the report was released.

In a social media post when the report was released, Oren Marmorstein, spokesman for Israels Foreign Ministry, said Human Rights Watch was once more spreading its blood libels in order to promote its anti-Israel propaganda and that Israel had facilitated food and water getting to Gaza.

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A United Nations special committee and the International Criminal Court at The Hague have both raised the question of war crimes and genocide in Gaza in separate actions.

The U.N. committee said in November Israels actions in Gaza were consistent with the characteristics of genocide, citing mass casualties and life-threatening conditions imposed on Gazans.

The ICC has issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his ex-defense minister for alleged crimes against humanity. It has also issued a warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes in connection with the alleged abduction of Ukrainian children.

In Gaza, more than 45,000 civilians have been killed since the war began there, according to Gazan officials. In Ukraine, the U.N. has estimated at least 10,000 civilians have been killed and at least 18,500 injured.

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Under the 1948 treaty, any of the following five acts done to destroy a group  whether in whole or in part  meet the criteria for genocide: killing; causing bodily harm to or inflicting conditions of life meant to destroy members of the group; imposing measures to prohibit births among the group; and forcibly transferring children from that group.

Ukraine advocates say not just one but all of those conditions have been met in Ukraine, where Russian forces  which have captured about one-fifth of the country  have bombed civilian targets, tortured and murdered individual civilians, used rape as a weapon of war, bombed the energy infrastructure in winter and kidnapped thousands of children.

Wilson said the actions by Hamas that provoked Israel to invade Gaza were the distinction between the situations in Ukraine and Gaza.

Theres no comparison at all. Thats apples and oranges, Wilson told HuffPost.

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Any actions by Israel are in self-defense. Everything relates to rocket attacks from Gaza, he added.

Ocasio-Cortez said she was undecided whether genocide was happening in Ukraine, though she would not be reflexively in opposition to that label.

I dont want to take a position immediately. I want to make sure that Im very well vested in the facts, she said.

I took my decision to call it that in Gaza very seriously, pored over a lot of data before I made that statement, and I would want to afford this issue the same respect, she added.

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Dramatic on-the-ground footage of the southern California wildfires showed people desperately attempting to rescue their horses from the blaze.

More than 30,000 people have been forced to evacuate the Los Angeles area after a series of fires broke out and remain active.

To the east, a fire began Tuesday evening in Eaton Canyon in the San Gabriel Mountains above Altadena.

The so-called Eaton fire had burned 3.5 square miles by Wednesday morning, according to fire officials.

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A report by local station Fox 11 Los Angeles from the Eaton Canyon area resembled a scene from an apocalyptic film, as two people escorted their horses down the street as the flames came close to engulfing them.

The video(see above) began with correspondent Gina Silva describing how a woman had been trying to rescue her horses from the blaze when she noted: Oh my goodness, these embers flying everywhere.

Moments later, a man and woman emerged from the smoke with their horses.

Asked how many more animals they have, the male rescuer  with his shirt over his mouth  replied: We have a couple we let loose over there. Were trying to get as many as we can out.

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The female rescuer, wearing a mask, explained theres a bunch in there still. Asked whether she had seen anything like this before, she replied: Yeah, Ive rescued before.

Firefighters are battling wind-whipped wildfires that have destroyed homes, clogged roads and put a strain on local resources.

The flames spread rapidly after a fire broke out Tuesday evening near a nature preserve in the inland foothills northeast of Los Angeles.

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Jan. 7 (UPI) -- A New York appeals court judge on Tuesday rejected President-elect Donald Trump's latest request to delay this week's sentencing in his hush-money case.

"After consideration of the papers submitted and the extensive oral argument, movants application for the interim stay is denied," Justice Ellen Gesmer wrote in her ruling after hearing arguments Tuesday from Trump attorney Todd Blanche and Steven Wu from the Manhattan district attorney's office over the president-elect's emergency motion filed Monday.

Blanche argued Trump is protected by presidential immunity during the transition period before he takes office, and that Friday's sentencing would "violate the constitutional rights of President Trump and threaten disruption of the presidential transition, a process that directly concerns the United States of America's national security and vital interest."

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The judge questioned whether "presidential immunity extends to presidents-elect," to which Blanche replied, "There has never been a case like this before, so no."

Wu countered, "There is one president at a time," as he called the "claim so baseless that there is no basis for any kind of stay here."

"There is a compelling public interest in seeing this process come to an end," Wu claimed. "If sentencing is to happen at all, now is the best time for it to happen."

Gesmer's ruling comes one day after Judge Juan Merchan denied a similar request to delay this week's hush-money sentencing as questions over Trump's immunity remain under appeal.

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"This court has considered defendant's arguments in support of his motion and finds that they are for the most part, a repetition of the arguments he has raised numerous times in the past," Merchan wrote in Monday's order. Trump's legal team promptly filed a lawsuit against the judge and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg in a new request to halt Friday's sentencing.

"Justice Merchan's erroneous decisions threaten the institution of the presidency and run squarely against established precedent disallowing any criminal process against a president-elect, as well as prohibiting the use of evidence of a president's official acts against him in a criminal proceeding," Trump's lawyers argued in their suit.

Merchan is scheduled to sentence Trump on Friday on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, related to hush money his lawyer paid to an adult film star during the 2016 presidential election. Merchan has said he would not sentence the president-elect to any jail time after he was convicted last May.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges. He was certified Monday as the winner of the 2024 presidential election. His inauguration is scheduled for Jan. 20.
Jan. 8Bar Harbor's 1,000-person daily cap on cruise ship visitors got unusual scrutiny Wednesday when retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer joined the panel of judges reviewing the case at the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston.

Breyer and two other judges heard the appeal of last year's U.S. District Court decision in Bangor that upheld the cap.

Lawyers defending the town's ordinance called Breyer's appearance an "unexpected delight" and described the cap as necessary to maintain public safety amid rising cruise ship visits.

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It was proposed in response to complaints about downtown congestion during the cruise season, when more than 150 ships typically visit, some carrying several thousand passengers.

Lawyers for businesses challenging the cap disputed that cruise ship visitors pose a public safety threat that warrants blocking 80% to 90% of passengers from disembarking.

Bar Harbor voters approved an ordinance in November 2022 that limits the total number of cruise passengers that can disembark from any cruise ships to 1,000 per day.

A previous cap limited cruise ship visitors to 65,000 per month under an agreement with the cruise lines. Last fall, town voters narrowly rejected a proposal from the town council that would have raised the daily cap to 3,200 passengers.

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A group of businesses sued the town, claiming that the 1,000-visitor cap is unconstitutional because it violates clauses ensuring the supremacy of federal law and protecting interstate commerce. The group includes the Penobscot Bay and River Pilot Association and the Association to Preserve and Protect Local Livelihoods.

Judge Lance Walker in the Bangor federal court found in favor of the town last February, deciding that Bar Harbor had home rule authority granted by the state.

On Wednesday, the three appellate judges lobbed questions at attorneys on both sides in an effort to clarify issues of the case before handing down a ruling at a later date.

The judges questioned whether limiting cruise passengers was any different from setting a limit on visitors to a municipal, state or national park.

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The judges also questioned whether the cap violates interstate transportation and commerce laws by limiting cruise ship passengers, but not visitors who travel to Bar Harbor by car, bus or bicycle.

Jonathan Benner, an attorney for the businesses, said his clients are concerned that Bar Harbor's cap could "metastasize" and be adopted by other communities that want to limit or block certain people altogether.

Jonathan Hunter, an attorney defending the ordinance, said it is an expression of the town's home rule authority to manage "acute congestion" that clogs its quaint streets, shops and restaurants during the cruise ship season.

Hunter compared the cap to South Portland's Clear Skies Ordinance, which blocked the Portland Pipe Line Corp. from reversing the flow of its pipeline to bring crude oil from Canada. The city ultimately prevailed in 2021, when the company dropped its six-year fight in federal court.

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The judges questioned Hunter's use of the word "crush" to describe congestion created by cruise visitors, whose numbers can double the town's population of 5,500 for an afternoon.

They also noted that Bar Harbor's effort to maintain the town's tranquility and quality of life impacts residents of communities far beyond Maine whose ability to visit is curtailed or blocked.

Breyer, 86, was invited to return to the 1st Circuit bench and "happily agreed," the Associated Press reported.

Breyer served 14 years with the 1st Circuit, appointed by President Jimmy Carter in 1980. President Bill Clinton appointed him to the Supreme Court in 1994 and he retired in 2022.

The 1st Circuit hears federal appeals from Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico and Rhode Island.

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APPLETON, Wis. (WFRV)  The City of Appleton Department of Public Health has partnered with the Mothers Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes to officially make its building a human milk drop-off depot in the city.

The Appleton Milk Depot, located at the Department of Health building, is set to increase access for approved donors and local families who wish to donate to pediatric patients needing critical and lifesaving nutrition.

Grand Chute Fire Department upgrades Emergency Medical Service systems

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Amanda Hatch, BSN, RN, is a nurse with the City of Appletons Department of Public Health said its a drop-off location, and that in previous years, donors had to travel to Green Bay or Oshkosh to donate.

Its important because with premature babies and infants in critical conditions, human milk provides antibodies for them that prevents infections theyre susceptible to that could cause death, Hatch said.

Donations are accepted only via an appointment, and those who wish to donate must be healthy, lactating women who are screened and pre-approved through the Mothers Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes.

Hatch said its more convenient for local moms, which led her to advocate for the drop-off spot in Appleton.

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I was on a Zoom call about a year ago learning about the milk bank work, and they said we need more depots,' Hatch said. I looked into it and the locations in the area where people could drop milk, and I thought we could do this here at the Health Department to make it more convenient.

Donors dont have to get out of their cars, and Hatch added that she hopes it helps those who already are donors, but those who might want to become donors as well.

Donations are collected and transported to a processing facility in Elk Grove Village, a suburb of Chicago. The milk is then pasteurized, eliminating viruses and bacteria.

The pasteurized milk gets tested by third-party labs and subsequently distributed to hospitals and outpatient centers in Illinois and Wisconsin. Some of the hospitals in Wisconsin are Aurora Baycare Medical Center and Fox Valley Hospital-Childrens.

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Its not too late for vaccines: Department of Health Services urges Wisconsin residents to get protected

Approved donors can access the Appleton Department of Public Health Depot on Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. only with an appointment. Donations should be made after a direct call to the Department of Public Health.

More information is available at the Mothers Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes website.

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 WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
Jan. 7Applications are now open for the Minnesota Farm Bureau Sesquicentennial Farm program, honoring Minnesota families that have owned their farms for at least 150 years. The deadline to apply is March 3.

To qualify, the farm must:

Be at least 150 years old this year (2025) according to the abstract of title, land patent, original deed, county land records, court file in registration proceedings or other authentic land records. Please do not send originals or copies of records.

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Demonstrate ownership by the applying family for 150 years or more. "Family" is defined as parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, first cousins and direct in-laws (father, mother, brother, sister, daughter, son-in-law).

Have continuous ownership. Continuous residence on farm is not required.

Consist of 50 or more acres and currently be involved in agricultural production.

A commemorative certificate signed by the governor of Minnesota, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the president of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation will be awarded to qualifying families, along with an outdoor sign. Recipients will be announced in April.

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Applications are available at www.fbmn.org. For more information, contact Pam Debele at pam.debele@fbmn.org or 651-768-2111.

Century Farm program applications are also open. Information is available online at mnstatefair.org or by calling 651-288-4417. Applications are due by March 3. Recipients will be announced in the spring.

Previously recognized families should not reapply.
HIGH POINT  The congressmen who will serve districts including parts of the greater High Point area for the next two years are a pair of Republicans, one with years of experience and the other a newcomer to elected office.

Rep. Richard Hudson, R-9th, serves a district that includes all of Randolph County and parts of Guilford County including Jamestown. Hudson is starting his seventh term with the 119th session of Congress that began this past Friday.

Rep. Addison McDowell, R-6th, will serve a district that covers the vast majority of High Point and all of Davidson County. McDowell succeeds former Democratic congresswoman Kathy Manning, who declined to run last year in a redrawn district favoring Republican candidates.

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The new session of Congress signifies that Hudson will continue his leadership roles in the House. He recently was appointed chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee.

Hudson said he will use his post to advance strong, common-sense policies that promote innovation, streamline federal regulations and bridge the digital divide.

Hudson tole The High Point Enterprise that Republicans should take advantage of their advancements after their election success this past fall.

With control of the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives, Republicans have a generational opportunity to change the direction of our country, he said.

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In a statement that coincided with the start of the congressional term, McDowell said that he looks forward to serving his 6th District constituents.

I am incredibly humbled by the trust my community has placed in me to be their voice in Congress, and I look forward to making them proud as we shape Americas future together, McDowell said.

For the 119th session of Congress, McDowell was selected for the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Natural Resources Committee and Budget Committee.

McDowell, a former Republican congressional staff member who originally is from Davidson County, won the 6th District seat after being endorsed by President-elect Donald Trump before the primary last March.

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In his first bid for elected office, McDowell finished first in the six-candidate primary. He faced no Democrat in the Nov. 5 general election, though there was a Constitution Party challenger, whom McDowell defeated handily.

The biggest change for the High Point area in congressional redistricting involves Davidson County, which was shifted from the 8th District to the 6th. The congressional boundaries set for the new session of Congress are likely to remain in place through this decade until the next U.S. census in 2030.
Arizona firefighters were deployed to help combat the raging wildfires that have torn through over 20,000 acres in Southern California, officials said Wednesday.

The Phoenix Fire Department and the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management have sent equipment and personnel to California.

"With new information regarding the devastating wildfires in California, the Phoenix Fire Department has shifted its posture and is now preparing for a possible activation of Arizona Task Force 1," said Phoenix Fire Captain Todd Keller in an email Wednesday.

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AZ-TF1 is part of a nationwide network of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Urban Search and Rescue Program, according to Keller. In September, the task force was deployed to the southeastern U.S. to support the relief efforts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

The Phoenix Fire Department said their thoughts are with those affected by the fires, and they will continue to do everything possible to aid in response and recovery.

"Im grateful our community can send help during this terrible tragedy," Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said on X, formerly Twitter.

Three separate wildfires erupted Tuesday in Los Angeles County, causing tens of thousands of people to flee as homes and hillsides went up in flames. The Palisades Fire alone burned nearly 12,000 acres by Wednesday afternoon.

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A second blaze broke out 30 miles inland in Altadena, near Pasadena. The Eaton Fire increased in size to 10,600 acres less than 24 hours after breaking out, according to Cal Fire. A third blaze, the Hurst Fire, ignited in the San Fernando Valley northwest of downtown Los Angeles, prompting evacuations of some nearby residents as the fire surpassed 500 acres.

An Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management spokesperson said two of its task forces have been assigned to counter the Eaton Fire. The teams each have one water tender, four or five engines and one task force leader.

Gallego said on X that the Phoenix fire crews should arrive in California within the next few days.

All three are 0% contained, according to Cal Fire.

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As of Wednesday afternoon, just over 154,000 homes were without power, according to The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.

A Boil Water Notice was issued for the Pacific Palisades area's 90272 ZIP code and the adjacent communities north of San Vincente Boulevard. The water pressure has lowered as a result of the increased demand for water. When water pressure lowers, bacteria growth becomes more likely. Residents were advised to boil water used for brushing teeth, making ice cubes, washing produce and so on.

A spokesperson from the department said up-to-date, general information about power outages and water supply can be found via ladwpnews.com.

For any questions, reach out to Cal Fire, the lead agency on the Palisades Fire at 213-379-3841.

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Cal Fire has listed the causes of the three primary fires  Palisades, Eaton and Hurst  as "under investigation." But even before the fire started, the National Weather Service had issued its highest alert for extreme fire conditions for much of Los Angeles County. The culprits were low humidity, dry vegetation due to a lack of rain, and powerful winds.

Smoke has gripped much of the Los Angeles area, moving out toward the California coast due to high-speed easterly winds, according to the National Weather Service.

Arizona's air quality is not likely to be impacted by the wildfire smoke, the weather service said.

Arizona Republic reporter Olivia Rose and USA Today reporter John Bacon contributed to this article.

(This story was updated to add new information and photos.)

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona firefighters deployed to help fight California blazes
It's been four years since the riot at the U.S. Capitol shook the country. It was the first time in history there wasn't a peaceful transfer of power as the electoral votes were finalized. This week's presidential certification was notably without the violence and chaos that defined January 6, 2021.

Thousands took part as the Capitol Building was broken into and politicians ducked for cover. President-elect Donald Trump has said he will pardon at least some of those who were convicted for their roles in the insurrection. Among those involved, at least eight Arizonans have been convicted growing out of the Jan. 6 riot, though their roles varied widely. One was Jacob Angeli, known as the "QAnon shaman."

This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl take a look back at 2021 and how the aftermath of the Capitol attack is still playing out today.

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THE ROOTS OF RADICALISM

Listen to the full season| What is going on in Arizona? | The Goldwater era | The enemy is us | It never ends

In this episode, you'll hear interviews from 2021 with Senator Ruben Gallego and Maricopa County Supervisor Debbie Lesko, who were representatives at the time and in the Capitol building that day. They share their firsthand account with The Gaggle.

Then, an interview with reporter Richard Ruelas from 2022 as the investigation into the attack was beginning and Arizona names were coming to light.

Listen to the episode

The best way to listen is to subscribe to The Gaggle on your favorite podcast app, but you also can stream the full episode below.

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Note: The Gaggle is intended to be heard. But we also offer an AI transcript of the episode script. There may be slight deviations from the podcast audio.

The Arizona Republic's yearlong coverage of challenges to 2020 election results won one of journalism's top honors, the 2022 Scripps Howard Award for distinguished service to the First Amendment. The coverage was capped by the five-part "Democracy in Doubt" series, investigating President Trump's attempt to overturn the election in Maricopa County.

Listen to the audiobook version by searching "Democracy in Doubt" in your Gaggle feed wherever you listen to podcasts.

Follow The Gaggle and all azcentral podcasts on X, formerly Twitter and Instagram.

Listen to The Gaggle : Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher

Have a question or comment about Arizona politics?

You can share your thoughts with us at 602-444-0804 or via email here.

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Reach the producer Amanda Luberto at aluberto@gannett.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter @amandaluberto.

Catch up on previous Gaggle episodes here:

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Why Jan. 6 Capitol attack still reverberates in Arizona
The Arkansas Supreme Court in 2023 and 2024 (from left): Barbara Webb, Rhonda Wood, Karen Baker, Chief Justice Dan Kemp, Courtney Hudson, Shawn Womack and Cody Hiland. Kemp retired in 2024, and Baker was elected chief justice. The other five justices remain on the court, along with new appointee Nicholas Bronni. (Photo courtesy of Arkansas Judiciary)

Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Karen Baker cited a non-official memo from her predecessor as the basis for her administrative authority in a mass email sent to judicial employees Monday.

Former Chief Justice John Dan Kemp wrote and signed a memo in February 2017, shortly after he was sworn into the role, stating that a majority of the court could not vote to exercise control over administrative matters because this would impair the constitutional authority of the Chief Justice. He said any such majority vote would be null and void.

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Kemp said the memo would be filed in the Supreme Court clerks office, but Clerk Kyle Burton confirmed Tuesday that it was never filed.

Kemp statement 2.15.17

Baker said in the email, obtained via an Arkansas Freedom of Information Act request, that Kemps memo was a reminder of the mantle of duties and responsibilities of her new position and that she was grateful to Kemp for the clarity of his statement.

As your new Chief Justice, empowered by Amendment 80 to lead the administration of the Courts, I will be actively working in conjunction with the Governors Arkansas Forward initiative to make the judiciary more efficient and fiscally responsible, Baker said. As Chief I will no doubt need your help to make this goal a reality.

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Baker encouraged judiciary employees to contact her about any concerns, comments, or suggestions [they] may have about the administration of justice.

Her email came less than a week after she not only assumed her new role but also clashed twice with her fellow justices over the scope of her authority.

Kemp declined to run for reelection last year after one eight-year term as chief justice. Baker, who was already on the court, was sworn in at midnight Jan. 1 as the courts first elected female chief justice.

Less than half an hour after midnight, she ordered three new appointments to the states Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission. Within the next two days, she attempted to fire 10 judiciary employees.

Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Karen Baker (Courtesy Photo)

Other members of the Supreme Court responded to both efforts with formal opinions stating that Baker did not have the authority to make those decisions unilaterally. The two orders rendered the appointments and attempted firings void.

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Associate Justice Courtney Hudson did not participate in either opinion. According to Kemps memo, Hudson (who went by Courtney Goodson at the time) was the one who sought to establish a rule allowing at least four of the seven justices to make administrative decisions.

Conflicts over transparency, authority

Hudson and Baker have been at odds with the rest of the court several times in recent months. In September, Hudson sued to block the release of emails between her and Lisa Ballard, the former head of the judiciarys Office of Professional Conduct, that Arkansas Business requested via FOIA.

The other five justices accused Hudson and her attorney, Justin Zachary, of flagrant breaches of confidentiality by filing emails of other justices into evidence in the lawsuit. The five-member majority referred Hudson and Zachary to their respective disciplinary commissions  Zachary to OPC, and Hudson to the Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission.

Baker dissented, saying the majority had a fundamental misunderstanding of the FOIA and had damaged the Supreme Courts credibility. She made transparency a focus of her successful runoff campaign for chief justice in November against Associate Justice Rhonda Wood.

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In December, Chief Justice-elect Baker entered the office of Administrative Office of the Courts Director Marty Sullivan while he was not present, Arkansas Business reported, citing video footage received via FOIA. Hudson was present outside the office, but it was not clear whether she entered.

Baker later told Supreme Court Chief of Police Pete Hollingsworth that she did not want the video footage going around, Talk Business & Politics reported.

Sullivan and Hollingsworth were among the employees Baker attempted to fire Friday, and the majority of the justices called her actions retaliatory. The chief justice cannot fire some judiciary employees without the courts approval, the majority said, citing the portion of state law that says the AOC director serves at the pleasure of the Supreme Court.

Justices also said Baker should have notified the rest of the court about both the attempted firings and the attempted appointments to the Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission.

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The judge who swore in Baker as chief justice was one of the three blocked appointees. Circuit Judge H.G. Foster of Conway oversees Faulkner, Van Buren and Searcy counties, and he swore in Baker in her hometown of Clinton, the seat of Van Buren County.

Appointment Orders

Baker filed her appointment order for Foster at 12:25 a.m. on Jan. 1, according to Mondays court order. She also attempted to appoint Circuit Judge James Dunham of Russellville at 12:15 a.m. and former Circuit Judge Mark Lindsay of Fayetteville at 12:20 a.m.

Lindsay was already on the commission, and he did not run for reelection to the circuit judgeship last year after 24 years on the bench. Bakers fellow justices said in Mondays order voiding the appointments that only sitting judges can be among the three Supreme Court appointees.

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The court on Monday appointed Circuit Judge Troy Braswell of Conway to replace Lindsay. The court also reappointed Circuit Judge Earnest Brown of Pine Bluff, whom Baker sought to replace with Foster, and appointed Circuit Judge Thomas Smith of Bentonville to replace Court of Appeals Judge Cindy Thyer. Baker had sought to replace Thyer with Dunham.

Amendment 66 to the Arkansas Constitution and state law  ACA 16-10-402(a)(1)  establishes a nine-member disciplinary commission with three judge members appointed by the Supreme Court; three attorneys, one each appointed by the attorney general, the president of the senate and the speaker of the house; and three public members appointed by the governor.

But the judiciary website shows 17 members: four public members, two alternate public members, five judges and six attorneys.

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(Reuters) - Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has accused neighbouring Armenia of posing a "fascist" threat that needs to be destroyed, in comments that Armenia's leader called a possible attempt to justify fresh conflict.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought a series of wars since the late 1980s, when Nagorno-Karabakh, a region in Azerbaijan that had a mostly Armenian population, broke away from Baku with Yerevan's support.

In September 2023, Azerbaijan retook Karabakh, prompting almost all of the territory's 100,000 Armenians to leave en masse to Armenia. Both sides have since said they want to sign a treaty to end the conflict.

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But in an interview with Azerbaijani television channels on Tuesday night, Aliyev said: "Armenia is effectively a source of threat to the region. The independent Armenian state is essentially a fascist state. For nearly 30 years, this country was governed by bearers of fascist ideology, and they shaped the state in their own image.

"Therefore, fascism must be eradicated," he added. "It will either be eradicated by Armenia's leadership or by us. There is no other way."

In comments to Armenian state news agency Armenpress, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that Yerevan remained intent on peaceful negotiations.

"Perhaps Baku is attempting to form 'legitimacy' for escalation in the region," Armenpress cited Pashinyan as saying.

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Peace talks between the two sides have been fitful and progress has been slow. They have no formal diplomatic ties and their 1,000 km (620 miles) border remains closed and heavily militarised.

Azerbaijan has said that Armenia must change its constitution to remove what Baku says are claims to its territory before a treaty can be signed. Armenia says it makes no claim on Azerbaijani lands.

Aliyev said that his country wanted no return to war, but that Armenia, which is several times smaller than Azerbaijan in both population and area, was rearming for conflict.

The Azerbaijani president has previously suggested that parts of Armenia are rightfully Azerbaijani lands.

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In the interview, Aliyev said that Azerbaijan would secure the Zangezur corridor, a route connecting the country's mainland with its Nakhchivan exclave and close ally Turkey.

Armenia says it is not against unblocking transport routes across its territory, but must retain control of any such corridor.

(Reporting by Felix Light and Nailia Bagirova; Editing by Ros Russell)
A man is facing charges after police said he invited two other men to his home in Armstrong County, where he shot and killed them.

According to a criminal complaint, the shooter and the two victims were at a restaurant when the shooter invited the victims back his house on Shaffer Lane in Washington Township.

The shooter, identified as Scott Shaffer, got to the house before the victims. He got a rifle and told his daughter not to go upstairs. She related that she heard him loading a rifle.

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The complaint said Shaffer woke his daughter up, told her he shot two people and asked her to hide the rifle. She set the gun down and called 911.

Police have identified the victims as Gregory Samosky, 27, and Kenneth Moore, 32.

Samosky was found on the living room couch. He had been shot multiple times, the complaint said. Moore was facedown on the living room floor and had been shot at least once.

Shaffer was taken into custody at the scene. He later confessed to shooting the victims, police said.

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An Army anesthesiologist pleaded guilty Tuesday to 41 charges of sexual misconduct involving dozens of patients at a Washington military medical facility in one of the largest sexual abuse investigations in the services history.

Maj. Michael Stockin faces a potential sentence of nearly 14 years in prison after pleading guilty to abusive sexual contact and indecent viewing of patients he treated at Madigan Army Medical Center at Joint Base Lewis-McChord between 2019 and 2022.

A military judge will hear victims testify this week and determine whether to accept the plea agreement Stockin and his attorneys made with government prosecutors.

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Army doctor faces dozens of sexual assault charges against fellow soldiers

Stockin admitted to 36 counts of abusive sexual contact and five counts of indecent viewing, said Michelle McCaskill, spokeswoman for the U.S. Army Office of Special Trial Counsel.

Stockins court-martial trial, which began Tuesday, is expected to last until Jan. 17, according to McCaskill.

Stockin pleaded guilty as part of a plea deal with the government before this weeks trial.

I can confirm the prosecution team has been in regular contact with each victim and frequently hosts town hall meetings with the victims and their legal representatives where all facets of the case are discussed, to include the terms of the agreement, McCaskill said. All victims and their legal representatives were given the opportunity to provide input on the terms of the agreement.

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Many patients who later reported abuse allegations against Stockin were male soldiers seeking medical treatment for a variety of injuries requiring pain management.

The victims allege that during what Stockin claimed were routine exams, he would grope them, focusing unnecessarily on their genital area, even when it was unrelated to the injury or pain for which they sought treatment, according to a separate, federal civil lawsuit filed by alleged victims against the Army.

That lawsuit includes 21 victims each seeking $5 million in damages from the government.

Christine Dunn, an attorney representing the victims in the civil suit, said in a release Tuesday that Stockin was not the only party responsible for the alleged abuse.

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The story doesnt end here, Dunn said. The Army played a substantial role in allowing the rampant sexual abuse to occur in the first place. The time has come for the Army to be held accountable for its negligence.

Army investigators first received reported allegations of Stockins alleged sexual misconduct in February 2022, Army Times previously reported.

Stockin was immediately suspended from seeing patients when officials received the reports, Lt. Col. Jennifer Bocanegra, a JBLM spokeswoman, previously told Army Times.

Following his suspension, Stockin continued working administrative duties in a non-clinical area of the medical center, Bocanegra said. He did not live on JBLM, according to officials.

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Prosecutors previously referred 52 charges and specifications against Stockin, including 47 counts of abusive sexual contact and five for indecent viewing for a total of 41 victims.

The investigation spanned more than a year until charges were brought against Stockin in August 2023. Initial reports involved 23 alleged victims, but that number rose to 41 after prosecutors filed updated charges against Stockin in February 2024.
Editors note: In addition to his work at The Dispatch, Kevin D. Williamson is a writer in residence at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, in which capacity he has written about a number of subjects, including climate policy and regulation, for a number of publications. This series on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and firearms regulation is part of that work. Todays installment looks at how the ATFs political motivations shape its rulemaking.

Part 1: What the ATF Doesand What It Doesnt Do

Part 2: The ATF Is a Tax Collector

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Part 4: The View From the Back Office

Part 5: But for Some Flubbed Paperwork 

Consider the saga of the forearm brace, a footlong bit of plastic that might or might not have made you a federal felon, depending on how the ATF is feeling on any given Wednesday morning. Set aside questions about guns and violent crime and think about this as an issue of administrative license being used as a substitute for law made by duly elected lawmakers.

The first thing you need to know about forearm braces is that they are  nonsense. I know I am going to hear from some disabled veteran writing to tell me that forearm braces made it possible for him to shoot again after suffering some terrible injury, and I am sure that is true. But forearm braces really were never about forearm braces. They were about short-barreled rifles (SBRs).

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As described earlier in the series, putting a shoulder stock on a handgun with a barrel less than 16 inches longnotice the immediate descent into regulatory minutiaemakes it a short-barreled rifle under the National Firearms Act, and making or having or selling one without a special federal permission slip in the form of an ATF-issued tax stamp is a felonious no-no. If you go into a gun shop and look at these handgunsand they say handgun right there on the side, to prevent any federally felonious misunderstandingthe thing youll notice is that a lot of them dont look like what youre thinking of when you think of a handgun. They look like AR-15s or other rifles with shoulder stocks removed and short barrels. Because that is what they are. For example, conventional handguns generally have a magazine well within the grip, but many of these handguns have magazines in front of the trigger, as in the familiar AR-pattern rifle and most other semiautomatic rifles as well as many bolt-action rifles. The stock is gone, and you cant put a new one on without a tax stamp. But you canor couldput a forearm brace on. And if that forearm brace happened to be roughly in the shape of a folding rifle stock, and if it happened to be just the right size and shape to use as a rifle stockin that case, then youve got your SBR in effect without having to go through the rigamarole with the pile of paperwork and the tax stamp and the fingerprinting and becoming a firearms manufacturer.

Of course, the forearm brace thing was nonsense, but it was ATF-approved nonsense, at least for a long time. Federally licensed firearms dealers are a conservative and risk-averse bunch, and they have to be: Lose that license and youve lost your business. You cant have a gun shop that doesnt sell guns. So FFLs asked ATF about the braces. Everybody probably kind of rolled their eyes, but braces got the green light.

That lasted until December 2020. (Joe Biden had won the election and Donald Trump was on his way out, but the executive power had not officially changed over yet.) That was when ATFvery possibly anticipating that the Biden administration would press it for more aggressive interpretations of the lawissued a notice that it was going to use its rulemaking authority to reclassify pistols with forearm braces as SBRs and, thus, as restricted items under the NFA. And then ATF changed its mind and withdrew the rule. Once the Biden administration was in place, Attorney General Merrick Garland signed rule 2021R-08, Factoring Criteria for Firearms with Attached Stabilizing Braces, which put handguns equipped with forearm braces back on the NFA naughty list if those handguns have features inherent in shoulder-fired weapons. What might those features be? The list is mostly subjective evaluations of the weight and length of the firearm as well as such ironclad empirical criteria as information demonstrating the likely use of the weapon in the general community.

(I should mention here that I contacted ATF several times over several months for comment on this essay, and the agency ignored those inquiries.)

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The U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Texas (Amarillo) issued an injunction against the rule. The fight went up to the 5th Circuit and back down to the district court, and, ultimately, the rule was thrown out. The court ruled that the ATFs actions had been arbitrary and capricious, which, of course, they were. As the opinion (edited lightly to remove legal citations, etc.) puts it:

For close to a decade, the ATF concluded that attaching the brace to a firearm does not alter the classification of the firearm or subject the firearm to NFA control. The ATF changed course on this position for the first time in 2023, when it issued the Final Rule reversing the agencys otherwise long-standing policy. When an agency changes course, as [the ATF] did here, it must be cognizant that longstanding policies may have engendered serious reliance interests that must be taken into account. It would be arbitrary and capricious to ignore such matters. But this is exactly what Defendants did when they inexplicably and fundamentally switched their position on stabilizing braces without providing sufficient explanations and notice. Under the Final Rule, the ATF estimated about 99% of pistols with stabilizing braces would be reclassified as NFA rifles. The ATF contemporaneously issued approximately sixty adjudications pursuant to the Final Rule that reclassified different configurations of firearms with stabilizing braces as NFA rifles. The ATF provided no explanations for how the agency came to these classifications and there is no meaningful clarity about what constitutes an impermissible stabilizing brace. In fact, the Fifth Circuit [could not] find a single given example of a pistol with a stabilizing brace that would constitute an NFA-exempt braced pistol. Such unexplained and inconsistent positions are arbitrary and capricious.

Even with the question notionally settled in favor of permitting the sale of handguns with braces, there are many retailers who will not sell those weapons. They are worried that the legal status of such firearms will once again changepossibly in an arbitrary and capricious wayand a lot of those retailers are small businesses that do not want to order $50,000 worth of merchandise they are not sure they can sell.

Arbitrary and capricious, yes. But far from unpredictable, and not without a sense of being politically directed. Directed toward what and why isnt always exactly clear: Nobody who knows the first thing about firearms really understands why we are fighting about short-barreled rifles. The short-barreled kind isnt any more dangerous than the long-barreled kind. If anything, short-barreled rifles are a little less dangerous than their long-barreled counterparts, because bullets coming out of shorter barrels generally move a bit more slowly than those coming out of longer barrels (the physics here gets a little complicated, and sometimes it doesnt make very much difference, but it is generally true) and hence are carrying less energy, and short-barreled rifles are a little more difficult to shoot accurately than are longer-barreled rifles. (Do you know who is happy that long-barreled, well-tuned, bolt-action rifles havent become a fetish object the way more compact AR-style rifles have? Donald Trump.) But that gets into a whole other consideration that well get into later: The most powerful firearms in private hands in the United States areby farrelatively common hunting rifles and big-game rifles that hardly ever even enter the gun-control conversation. Supposedly, the case for treating SBRs as a special dangerous class of weapons has to do with concealability, which is pretty silly: Criminals do care about concealability, which is why the overwhelming majority of criminal gun use in the United States involves ordinary handguns. Yes, a rifle with a 12-inch barrel is easier to conceal than the same rifle with a 16-inch barrel, but neither is as easy to stuff into the glovebox or down your pants as an old-fashioned pistol.

But there is a kind of mirroring effect at work: The regulators fetishize what the gun nuts fetishize, and the gun nuts want what the regulators dont want them to want. And thats really the story with SBRs, which are used in violent crimes only vanishingly rarely. And thus did millions of law-abiding Americans became felonsor had to scramble to avoid becoming felonswithout anybody having passed a law. When libertarian types complain about the unpredictable convulsions of the administrative state, that is what they are talking about. Arbitrary and capricious, sure.

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But also vindictive.

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Federal authorities executed a search warrant Tuesday in St. Louis in connection with an investigation in Puerto Rico of a tourist accused of setting businesses on fire last week.

A hotel building's owner described the events as a "nightmare then step by step youre hit with the reality amid the screams."

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in St. Louis is helping authorities in the U.S. territory conduct an arson investigation, but no arrests have been made, spokesperson Lisa Storey told NBC News.

The ATF unit investigating the case is in the Robert A. Young Federal Building in St. Louis.

Authorities in Puerto Rico said they are close to charging a suspect in the incident, in which security cameras caught a tourist suspected of setting the fire, Puerto Ricos largest newspaper, El Nuevo Dia, reported Tuesday. Charges could come as soon as this week or next week, Lt. Miguel Rivera Sepulveda of the Mayaguez Police Departments explosives division told the newspaper.

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Videos and pictures of the incident have gone viral on social media, and it has sparked outrage among Puerto Ricans on the island and in the mainland United States.

The incident took place early Thursday in the small coastal town of Cabo Rojo in the southwest part of the island. The woman, whom NBC News is not naming because she has not been charged or named in the ATF investigation, left Puerto Rico and was back in the mainland, authorities in the island said.

I wish they could have arrested her yesterday, Cabo Rojo Mayor Jorge Morales Wiscovitch said. She needs to be returned immediately and face the countrys justice system. It wasnt just businesses that were burned. There were rooms on the second floor where people were sleeping. People could have been burned and killed.

'Where are you  your hotel's on fire'

The owner of the building says it sustained $500,000 in damages. It impacted his hotel, Luichys Seaside Hotel, and a few businesses he rents to: Marinera Restaurant, Artesanias Juavia and Bar Marea Restaurant.

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The property owner, Angel Luis Marrero Negron, described how he found out about the fire and the devastation that ensued in a phone interview with NBC News on Wednesday morning.

You leave your establishment happy to have celebrated Dec. 31 happy, with a full hotel...you go to your house in San Juan feeling calm, he said, adding that hours later, the phone was ringing repeatedly and when answered he was asked where are you  your hotels on fire.

The charred remains of Angel Luis Marrero Negron's property in the coastal town of Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico.

Neighbors of the hotel texted him photos and videos of his property in flames as he raced back from San Juan.

Its been a roller coaster of emotions  not understanding why that woman did what she did to us; we are good people and we dont harm anyone, Marrero Negron said.

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At first I thought, this cant be," the property owner said. "It felt like a nightmare, but little by little I've been hit with the reality.

He said he's trying to raise money through a GoFundMe page.

The Cabo Rojo mayor said the suspect is a tourist who had been at one of the businesses, the restaurant, and was harassing people. Police escorted her twice to the nearby Airbnb property where she was staying, Morales said. Later that night, after the businesses closed and everyone had gone home, reports of a fire began to emerge.

Morales said security video from one of the businesses allowed investigators to identify the suspect as the tourist who had been harassing people earlier in the night. She later left in a white car that picked her up, Morales said.

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The restaurant, Bar Marea, said Thursday on Facebook that the tourist arrived at the business late at night and seemed to be intoxicated and began to insult other patrons and even assaulted a woman and one of the servers. Bar Marea did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

After the businesses closed, the woman returned with gasoline, spread it around the area and lit it on fire, the post said.

About 50 people who were staying there were evacuated, the restaurants post said.

The suspects employer, HLK Agency, based in St. Louis, said in a statement on Instagram that it immediately suspended the employee pending further information.

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We were shocked to learn about the events in Puerto Rico. We have not yet been contacted by law enforcement in either Puerto Rico or Missouri but we are ready to cooperate in their investigation if asked, the statement said.

A Cabo Rojo police representative told NBC News that we are taking the necessary measures. There is an exhaustive investigation underway. I cannot give more information because I would be contaminating the investigation.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Not many can say theyve attended a nearly private church service with a former president.

In 2021, Atlanta man Michael Tropp was traveling with a friend to Plains, Georgia, where former president Jimmy Carter was born and the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park is located. Tropp, a US history buff, had passed through Plains before. Hes snacked on the towns peanut butter ice cream, a favorite of Carters. Hes bought a can of Billy Beer, a beverage promoted by Carters brother. Hes purchased many of Carters books.

On this trip, he wanted to make a stop at the church the Carters attended, which has long been a popular destination for those hoping to spot the former president.

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A woman at the hotel they were staying at in Americus, Georgia, had hinted at them to attend the Sunday service at Maranatha Baptist Church, where Carter taught Sunday school for decades, drawing people from all over the world to hear his lessons. It turns out, the woman had been very close to the Carter family and worked on Carters campaign. She had just dropped food at their house.

I just get lucky half the time, Tropp said of his presidential encounters over the years.

President Carter taught Sunday school for decades at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia. - Michael Tropp

What they didnt expect was to be the only two in the service, besides Secret Service personnel, with the president and his wife, Rosalynn Carter. It was one of the first services the couple attended at their longtime Plains church since the pandemic had drastically curbed in-person gatherings.

It was literally the Carters, their Secret Service, me, my friend, the minister and the choir, Tropp, 45, said. That was it.

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He later spotted Rosalynn on a stroll outside with a Secret Service agent and got a picture with her. She died in November 2023.

That was the last time of four instances Tropp saw Carter. Carter died on December 29 in Plains at the age of 100 surrounded by family after being in home hospice care since 2023. Carter became the oldest living former president when he surpassed the record held by the late George H.W. Bush in March 2019.

Carter isnt the only US president Tropp has gotten to meet. Hes met seven including Carter: Gerald Ford, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden. He hasnt met President-elect Donald Trump yet, he said.

Michael Tropp, right, met President Gerald Ford while he was in military school. - Courtesy Michael Tropp

Tropp has a dedication to learning more about US history and he sees and learns more about the United States through every visit to a gravesite or historic town.

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I am a history buff, Tropp said. I love US history, politics, European history, European politics. I used to read history books on summer break. Im such a nerd. Ive always loved it.

An early interest in presidential history

Growing up, Tropp said his uncle loved history and instilled that in Tropp as a kid. His childhood is filled with memories of visiting Virginia to see George Washingtons home, Mount Vernon, or Thomas Jeffersons Monticello.

I think just sort of being from there and being surrounded by history, when I was a kid, was really influential on me, said Tropp, 45, who considered a career in politics but ultimately landed in sales. Hes originally from Philadelphia, where he was able to travel to many presidential and historic sites along the East Coast.

And hes not afraid to go out on a limb to make presidential connections.

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He met President Joe Biden about 20 years ago in Washington, DC, while he was out at dinner. Tropp asked him, Arent you Sen. Biden of Delaware?

To that, Biden responded, No.

Tropp, defeated, went back to eating. But later, he persisted in asking again. That time, a blond woman sitting next to Biden, his wife and now first lady Jill Biden, nudged him to respond.

Well, this is Mrs. Biden, so I guess I am Joe Biden, Biden said to Tropp. Mrs. Biden took a photo of the two of them.

He puts many of his presidential meetings down to pure luck or just being in the right place at the right time.

Those opportunities, mixed with travels to gravesites and other historical monuments, have made for a lifelong hobby. Since he started visiting presidential gravesites as a kid, hes made a point to visit all 39.

Michael Tropp finds Lincoln's gravesite in Springfield, Illinois, to be the most impressive. - Michael Tropp

He visited Jeffersons gravesite, which he recalls being the first one he visited, at 10 years old. Jefferson grew 23 varieties of peas, he recalled, which was Tropps favorite vegetable. Young Tropp told his parents at the time that he thought he was related to the third president. His family still teases him about it to this day.

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Every gravesite, he said, is different.

He calls Abraham Lincolns gravesite, located in Springfield, Illinois, the best for its tomb and intricate interior space. The tomb was reconstructed twice due to deterioration, but is constructed of dressed granite from Quincy, Massachusetts, and sits at 117 feet tall, according to the city of Springfield.

But lesser-known presidents, he said, like Millard Fillmore, who is buried at Forrest Lawn in Buffalo, New York, or Martin Van Buren, who is buried in the Dutch Reform cemetery in Kinderhook, New York, arent nearly as elaborate. Thirteen presidents are buried in public cemeteries. The others are in presidential libraries, standalone memorials, private estates, national cemeteries or even churches.

Thomas Jefferson is buried in the Monticello Graveyard in Virginia. - Michael Tropp

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Now, every year on Tropps birthday, he plans a trip around presidential gravesites. While hes already visited all 39, he will make trips back, bringing along friends and learning more about US history as he goes.

Tropp paid his respects to Carter in Atlanta at The Carter Center on Monday. He called the experience surreal, recounting everything from the crisp American flag on the coffin to the young representatives watching over the area. Tropp said a quick prayer when he was there, he said.

After a funeral service on Thursday in Washington, Carter will be laid to rest in Plains at the same location where his wife was buried in 2023. The first chance he gets, Tropp said he will visit Carters burial site, should it be opened to the public.

He has shown hes committed to presidential history.

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Whatever it is, I will do it, Tropp said prior to the event at The Carter Center, which allowed the public to walk past the late presidents coffin. Ill stand in line. If I have to stand in line for two or three hours to pay respects to Jimmy Carter  Ill gladly stand in line to pay my respects to him.

He ended up spending two hours there on Monday, standing in line, walking through the museum and paying his respects to the 39th president of the United States.

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President Biden is being pressured to have published the Equal Rights Amendment, a proposed amendment to the Constitution that would prohibit sex discrimination. Donald Trumps reported grievance against the archivist of the United States--who is refusing to publish the ERA--is discussed on The ReidOut with Joy Reid.
By James Redmayne

SYDNEY (Reuters) - An Australian student missing for two weeks near the country's tallest mountain was found on Wednesday, after surviving by foraging for berries, drinking water from a creek and finding two muesli bars left behind by other hikers, police said.

Hadi Nazari, a 23-year-old university student from Melbourne, went missing from his group of friends on December 26 in the Kosciuszko National Park.

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Nazari was found on Wednesday afternoon by a group of hikers who alerted the authorities, police in the state of New South Wales said.

This is the fourteenth day we've been looking for him and for him to come out and be in such good spirits and in such great condition, its incredible," NSW Police Inspector Josh Broadfoot said.

The student was in "really good spirits" with no significant injuries, he added.

More than 300 people had searched for Nazari across rugged bushland, police said. The national park is home to the 2,228 metre (7,310 foot) Mount Kosciuszko.

(Reporting by James Redmayne in Sydney, writing by Alasdair Pal; Editing by Kate Mayberry)
A ginormous and deadly funnel-web spider has been handed in to a reptile park in Australia, where staff said it was the largest of its kind theyd ever seen.

Fittingly named Hemsworth, the spider spans 9.2 centimeters (about 3.6 inches) from foot to foot, according to the Australian Reptile Park. It surpasses the record set by the parks previous biggest, Hercules, which measured 7.9 centimeters (3.1 inches) and was donated in January 2024.

Hemsworth, hes different. He is the biggest spider, said the parks spider keeper Emma Teni, in a video posted on its official Facebook page.

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The spider is named after the Hemsworth brothers  Chris, Liam and Luke  who are among some of the most notable Australian actors in Hollywood.

This spider was just so big in comparison to his peers it reminded me of Chris Hemsworth and his brothers, and how they tower over the average person, Teni told CNN affiliate Sky News Australia.

The spider Hemsworth was handed in at one of the parks drop-off locations in Newcastle, a coastal city around 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of Sydney.

Park staff first thought it was a female spider due to its size. However, upon closer inspection, they soon realized it was a male.

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According to the Australian Museum, the average length of a funnel-web spiders body is 1 to 5 centimeters, with male spiders typically smaller than females.

Were used to having pretty big funnel-web spiders donated to the park but receiving a male funnel-web this big is like hitting the jackpot, Teni said to Sky News Australia.

Hemsworths fangs will now be milked to extract venom, which will be turned into life-saving antivenom. Only male funnel-web spiders are milked as they are about six times more venomous than females.

Funnel-webs, whose most dangerous species lives in and around Sydney, are known for their deadly, fast-acting venom. Before the antivenom was introduced in 1981, 13 people died as a result of funnel-web bites. Since its introduction, there have been no fatalities.

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The park urges residents of Sydney and nearby areas at the start of every breeding season to beware and to carefully, and calmly, collect both the funnel-web spider and any of its eggs if they spot one so that they can be used to make antivenom.

Despite its size, Hemsworth is by no means the largest type of spider in Australia.

That title goes to a species of the tarantula known as the whistling spider, due to the noise it emits when provoked. The body length of the species can grow to 6 centimeters (about 2.36 inches) and they can have a leg span of 16 centimeters (about 6.3 inches), according to the Australian Museum.

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Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg is to serve as interim chancellor until a new government is formed, the office of President Alexander van der Bellen announced on Wednesday.

Schallenberg is to lead the current coalition between the conservative Austrian People's Party (OVP) and the Greens until a new government is formed.

Previous chancellor Karl Nehammer of the OVP announced his resignation at the weekend after his efforts to form a coalition of centrist parties, without the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPO), failed.

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Nehammer is to formally resign on Friday, when Schallenberg is due to take up the position, in addition to his ministerial position.

Van der Bellen on Monday tasked FPO leader Herbert Kickl with forming a government. Having emerged as the largest party in the September elections, the FPO is now conducting coalition negotiations with the OVP.

Schallenberg has served as Austria's top diplomat since 2019, with a short break at the end of 2021 when he took over the chancellery for a few weeks during the political transition after Sebastian Kurz resigned.

The 55-year-old has said he would not be part of an FPO-led government.

Schallenberg is considered pro-European and supports the EU sanctions on Russia, while Kickl is critical of the EU and friendly towards Moscow.
Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg is to serve as interim chancellor until a new government is found, the office of President Alexander van der Bellen announced on Wednesday.

Schallenberg is to lead the current coalition between the conservative Austrian People's Party (OVP) and the Greens, but his chancellorship could be short after the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPO) was tasked with trying to form a government.

Previous chancellor Karl Nehammer of the OVP announced his resignation at the weekend after his efforts to form a coalition of centrist parties, without the FPO, failed.

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Nehammer is to formally resign on Friday, when Schallenberg is due to take up the position, in addition to his ministerial role.

Van der Bellen on Monday asked FPO leader Herbert Kickl with forming a government for the first time. Having emerged as the largest party in the September elections, the FPO is now conducting talks with the OVP.

However, the discussions are not yet full coalition negotiations, an OVP spokesman said.

OVP leader Christian Stocker told a news conference on Wednesday that several conditions for the continuation of talks had been set.

These include a firm commitment from the FPO to the European Union, the rule of law and press freedom.

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FPO leader Kickl has also set key conditions. The populist has said the OVP must engage in "honest politics."

The far-right FPO has a favourable position in talks as pollsters say it would prosper if negotiations collapse and new elections have to be called.

Current polls show the FPO could expect 35%, while the OVP may only achieve 20%. The Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPO) could garner less than 20%.

Schallenberg has served as Austria's top diplomat since 2019, with a short break at the end of 2021 when he took over the chancellery for a few weeks during the political transition after Sebastian Kurz resigned.

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The 55-year-old has said he would not be part of an FPO-led government.

Schallenberg is considered pro-European and supports EU sanctions on Russia, while Kickl has been critical of the EU and is seen as friendly towards Moscow.
VIENNA (AP)  Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg will serve as the country's interim leader while the far-right Freedom Party attempts to put together a new coalition government, the president's office said Wednesday.

Schallenberg, 55, will take on the duties of outgoing Chancellor Karl Nehammer, who announced his resignation over the weekend after his efforts to put together a coalition without the Freedom Party collapsed. Nehammer plans to step down on Friday.

President Alexander Van der Bellen's office said in a statement that the head of state will formally task Schallenberg with continuing the management of the chancellery and leading the interim government.

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It will be Schallenbergs second  and, again, likely brief  stint as Austrias leader. Schallenberg served as chancellor for less than two months in late 2021 after the resignation of Sebastian Kurz, before passing the job to Nehammer and returning to the Foreign Ministry.

The anti-immigration, euroskeptic and Russia-friendly Freedom Party won Austrias parliamentary election in September, but was initially shunned by other parties.

After Nehammer announced his resignation, his conservative Austrian Peoples Party made an abrupt U-turn on its previous refusal to contemplate working with the Freedom Party under its leader, Herbert Kickl.

On Monday, Kickl received a mandate to try to form what would be the first national government led by the far right since World War II. That's a process that could take weeks or months, and isn't guaranteed to succeed.

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Schallenberg, who spent much of his earlier career as a diplomat, has been foreign minister since 2019 apart from his brief previous interlude as chancellor. He has said he wouldnt stay in the government under Kickl.

Kickl says he will approach talks on a coalition with clear expectations of the People's Party, including an awareness of who won the election" and an understanding of who is responsible for the mistakes of the past." He said he's prepared for new elections if talks fail.

The conservatives' interim leader, Christian Stocker, said Wednesday he will meet Kickl. He says he wants honest answers to questions that are important for us and Austria.

There must be an honest answer to whether we want to be a constructive and reliable part of the European Union, or the opposite, he said. There must be an honest answer to whether we want to orient ourselves toward the free world, or toward dictatorships.
The father of a Cheatham County 5-year-old, who state prosecutors say was tortured to death by his father's girlfriend, is now facing his own charges in connection with the case.

Austin Gordon Simpkins was taken into custody Monday after a grand jury indicted him on aggravated child neglect and three counts of child abuse, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations said in a news release.

Simpkins' son, Turner, was found dead in their Poplar Ridge Road home in Chapmansboro on July 23, 2023. Shannon Leigh Elliot, the girlfriend of the boy's father, was indicted in March on two counts of first-degree murder and three counts of aggravated child abuse in connection with the case.

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She entered a no-contest plea, meaning she did not admit guilt but didn't deny or contest the state's evidence against her, to a charge of first-degree murder and two counts of child abuse in July.

During the investigation, detectives learned the abuse Turner suffered likely lasted for months. An autopsy on the boy revealed bruising, cuts and bite marks on his body. Security cameras at Elliot's place of employment captured many abusive incidents including Elliott slapping, punching, kicking, biting and strangling the child, TBI agents testified in court.

"Austin Simpkins had not made any reports of such abuse nor attempted to stop the abuse," the news release said.

Simpkins was booked into the Cheathman County Jail on a $500,000 bond.

Elliot was sentenced to life in prison.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Grand jury indicts Tennessee dad after son's 2023 'torture death'
MAUSTON  As officials continue to search for a 47-year-old New Lisbon man charged with the shooting deaths of a woman and two girls, the Juneau County Sheriff's Office says it has received 172 tips regarding his whereabouts.

Each tip is being handled by the appropriate agencies, according to the Sheriff's Office.

As law enforcement agencies continue efforts to find Virgil G. Thew, 47, of New Lisbon, they urge people to report any concerns related to outbuildings, seasonal homes, hunting blinds or other structures that may need inspection. Anyone with information or with locations that should be checked should call the Juneau County Communications Center at 608-847-5649.

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The Juneau County Sheriff's Office and New Lisbon Police Department say they appreciate the ongoing support and assistance from the community. The public's cooperation and vigilance are crucial in the investigation, according to the Sheriff's Office.

A 10-day manhunt has been underway since Dec. 30 for Thew in connection with the deaths of Elizabeth Kolba, 33, and two girls, ages 12 and 13. On Friday, the New Lisbon Police Department announced a statewide crime alert had been issued and the search for Thew had expanded outside of the New Lisbon area.

On Monday, the police department said multiple state and federal agencies were involved in the search for Thew, including the FBI and U.S. Marshals Service.

The three victims were found dead inside Thew's bedroom in a New Lisbon apartment he shares with his mother, according to a criminal complaint filed Friday. Three counts of first-degree intentional homicide were filed against Thew Friday, and a warrant was issued for his arrest, according to online court records.

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Thew is 5 feet and 11 inches tall, weighs about 160 pounds and has a 1-inch scar on his forehead, according to the New Lisbon Police Department. He has brown hair and blue eyes.

Thew should be considered armed and dangerous. If anyone sees him, do not approach him. Instead, call 911 immediately.

Contact Karen Madden at kmadden@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @KMadden715, Instagram @kmadden715 or Facebook at www.facebook.com/karen.madden.33.

This article originally appeared on Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: Man wanted in triple homicide in Juneau County not found yet
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  The Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) released data about ACT scores for the 2024 graduating cohort Tuesday.

Overall, the state average composite ACT score was 19.3, which is a 0.3-point improvement over the previous cohort. The overall statewide participation for the 2024 graduating class was 99%. More than a third of the cohort met the ACT benchmark, which is a score of at least 21.

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A News 2 analysis found that of the four categories tested during the ACT, Tennessees 2024 graduating cohort was strongest in reading and weakest in English.

Average English Score 18.1 Average Math Score 18.4 Average Reading Score 19.3 Average Science Score 18.9

Tennessee strives to support every student in their college and career aspirations, including preparing them for the ACT assessment that can open up additional postsecondary scholarships and opportunities, Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds said in a Tuesday press release. We commend districts and schools for their collective effort in improving the average composite score across the state.

Wilson County sees increase in down bus routes, considering school bus aides

Williamson County Schools saw the highest percentage of all students meeting the ACT benchmark score at 78.7%. Other Middle Tennessee school districts showed significant growth in the number of students meeting the benchmark score, including the Oneida Special School District, which saw a 22.6 percentage point increase. Additionally, Tullahoma City Schools saw a 15.1 percentage point increase.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
BAKU (Reuters) - Azerbaijan has lodged a protest with Eritrea over the detention of three Azerbaijani-flagged vessels and their crews that have been held since November 2024, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Ayxan Hajizada said on Wednesday.

Hajizada told Reuters that the three vessels, carrying a total of 18 crew members, all Azerbaijani citizens, were detained on Nov. 7, after entering Eritrean waters due to worsening weather conditions while en route to Abu Dhabi via the Suez Canal.

The vessels, CMS Pahlian, CMS Igid, and CMS-3, operated by the Azerbaijani branch of Caspian Marine Services B.V., had contacted Eritrean authorities but failed to provide all the necessary details, according to Hajizada. Upon learning of the detention, Azerbaijan sent a diplomatic note to Eritrea through its embassies in Ethiopia and Russia, he said.

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"Work is ongoing to resolve the issue, release the vessels and crews, and provide the necessary consular legal assistance," Hajizada said.

It was not clear when the protest was sent.

(Reporting by Nailia Bagirova; Writing by Maxim Rodionov; Editing by Tomasz Janowski)
MADRID (Reuters) - A baby boy was born on a migrant dinghy en route to Spain's Canary Islands this week, Spain's rescue service said on Wednesday, publishing a photograph of the newborn, its mother and dozens of other migrants on the crowded boat.

The vessel was first spotted off the island of Lanzarote on Jan. 6, as Spain celebrated the Epiphany holiday, when local children traditionally receive presents from the Three Kings.

When the coastguard ship arrived, it found the mother and baby both in good health. A total of 60 people were on board, including 14 women and four children.

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Domingo Trujillo, the captain of the rescue vessel, told broadcaster TVE they knew there was a pregnant woman on board.

"The surprise was (that we found) a totally naked baby who was born 10, 15 or 20 minutes earlier," he said.

The woman was lying on the floor of the crowded boat while the baby was in the hands of someone else near her, he recalled.

"I covered him up, took him here (to my chest) and patted him so that he would stop crying," he said.

Medics onboard recommended the mother and baby be transferred to a hospital by helicopter.

Alvaro Serrano Perez, commander of the helicopter, told Reuters: "Being Three Kings Day this was the best gift we could have received."

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The seven Spanish islands off northwestern Africa's Atlantic coast are struggling to absorb a surge in irregular migrants, mainly from Mali, Senegal and Morocco.

The archipelago hit an all-time annual high for a second year in a row with 46,843 arrivals in 2024, constituting 73% of the illegal migration to Spain, according to the latest data from the Interior Ministry.

(Reporting by Emma Pinedo and Miguel Gutierrez, editing by Aislinn Laing and Sharon Singleton)
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  Funeral services are pending for Bakersfield attorney Thomas J. Anton, who died two weeks ago at a skilled nursing home in the southland. He was 80.

Anton was born and raised in Bakersfield.

A graduate of McGeorge School of Law, he was admitted to the California Bar Association in 1974 and went on to open his own law firm in Bakersfield in 1980.

One of his most notable cases was the lawsuit he filed against PG&E for contaminating drinking water in the high desert town of Hinkley  a follow-up lawsuit for more than 100 plaintiffs not included in the much-celebrated Erin Brockovich case.

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But Antons lasting legacy is one of unmatched support for Americas servicemen and women deployed here at home and around the world.

In 2001, he founded Cooks From the Valley, a local nonprofit that established a unique way of showing appreciation for our military by flying scores of volunteers to military bases and warships at sea around the world to serve a Central Valley barbecue to those who are serving our country.

Over the last 20-plus years, Anton and his crews have served more than 185,000 Harris Ranch steaks to active duty military.

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 KGET 17.
Jan. 7In December, the bald eagle got some respect.

It officially became the country's national bird when President Joe Biden signed a bill giving it that honor.

In January and February, there will be a chance to see the official national bird at eagle-viewing events in the region.

Although Congress made the bald eagle the central figure of the Great Seal of the United States in 1782 and it is on everything from the U.S. Capitol dome to currency, the eagle for a long time was not a protected bird and was often shot on sight, seen as a predator.

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In his book "The Bald Eagle," environmental historian Jack Davis wrote that "no animal in American history, certainly no avian one, has in the same extreme been the simultaneous object of reverence and recrimination. For centuries, eagles risked their lives flying across American skies."

According to Davis, the bird was twice on a flight path to extinction.

The first was in the latter half of the 19th century  part of the slaughter of wildlife that nearly erased the bison and did wipe out two other birds that were once common in Missouri, the Carolina parakeet and the passenger pigeon.

By 1890, bald eagles were nearly eliminated as nesters in Missouri, according to Janet Haslerig, avian ecologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation.

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The second was in the mid-20th century, with the use of the insecticide DDT.

By 1963, the bald eagle population was reduced to only 487 nesting pairs in the lower 48 states, according to Haslerig.

With the banning of DDT and other protections, including listing as an endangered species in 1978 in most of the Lower 48 states, eagles have recovered. According to Haslerig, from 1981 to 1990, the Missouri Department of Conservation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, along with Dickerson Park Zoo in Springfield, released 74 young bald eagles in Missouri to help reestablish them as nesters. Many of those were released at the Schell-Osage Conservation Area near Nevada, and others at the Mingo National Wildlife Refuge near Poplar Bluff.

As a result, the federal government removed the bald eagle from the endangered species list in 2007. It remains protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection acts, and Haslerig said it remains a species of conservation concern in Missouri.

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Haslerig said it is unlikely that nesting pairs were extirpated from the state at their low point in the 1960s, and a few may have hung on, but seeing one was a rare treat.

Today, because of laws and conservation efforts, the latest estimate she has is that there are 607 nesting pairs in Missouri  more than in the entire Lower 48 in the 1960s.

"That means that adults were observed on the nest, or eagles were observed, or eggs were observed in the nest," she said.

She also said waterfowl surveys in Missouri have found the wintering population  eagles that migrate into Missouri in late fall and stick around through early spring  range from 1,200 to as many as 3,700.

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She also said golden eagles are observed in the state too, but there are no known nesting pairs.

Haslerig called Biden's action "long overdue," and said it "elevated (the bald eagle) to its rightful place that we all assumed it was already."

Eagle-viewing events

From 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11 and Feb. 1, at Roaring River State Park south of Cassville.

Visitors can stop by the historic lodge anytime late in the afternoon to participate in eagle-themed crafts and activities. Spotting scopes and binoculars will be available to help locate eagles, and warm beverages will be available. This program is free and open to the public, and there is no need to register. For more information, call the park office at 417-847-2539.

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From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Springfield Conservation Nature Center, 4601 S. Nature Center Way in Springfield.

This event includes the indoor presence of a live bald eagle from Dickerson Park Zoo. Programs will be held at the Nature Center every hour on the hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Opportunities to view bald eagles in the wild, with the assistance of volunteers and spotting scopes, will be available at the Lake Springfield Boathouse and Marina during event hours. No registration is required. For more information, call 418-888-4237.
FOLEY, Ala. (WKRG)  Nestled right in the heart of Baldwin County, the city of Foley cracked a national top ten list of the fastest-growing cities in America.

Strickland Youth Center detention officer arrested on child abuse charge

According to data collected by U-Haul analyzing all one-way moves from the past year, Foley ranked tenth in the nation and number one in the state for city growth rates.

What weve seen in our community is people are moving from all over the country to the southeast, and were no exception, Foley City Administrator Mike Thompson said.

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City officials said they have plenty of projects lined up for 2025 to keep up with the growth.

This is going to be a big year for the city of Foley. A new public works facility is already underway and they plan to break ground on a brand new library later this month.

We follow our building permits and over the past three years, our permits have gone from around 700 to 900, up to 1,600 last year, Thompson said.

Future projects include street extensions, a new aquatic center, a senior center, and much more down the pipeline. According to city officials, even with all the growth, Foley is the place to be.

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EXCLUSIVE: Alleged husband killer claims to be wrongly accused

I mean, you know, weve got the beach nearby, but, you know, our community is a very welcoming community here, Thompson said.

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 WKRG News 5.
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A Charlotte jury has convicted a man of robbing a Bank of America branch in 2021, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, Dena King, announced.

On Tuesday, Jan. 7, Kendall Charles Alexander, Sr., 60, of Baltimore, Maryland, was found guilty.

According to court documents, in Oct. 2021, Alexander and another man, Derrius Fleming, robbed the Bank of America branch on Iverson Way in South End. Both were reportedly armed with loaded semi-automatic rifles.

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Two tornadoes confirmed from Dec. 29 storms: National Weather Service

Evidence suggests that Fleming approached an unarmed security guard at the corner of the bank and forced her inside at gunpoint. Alexander and Fleming then threatened to kill those inside if the employees and customers did not bend to their demands. The two ordered everyone to the ground and the danger to open the vault. Alexander then loaded money into a bag while Fleming kept an eye on the victims.

Authorities say they used GPS to track the robbers. The two tried to burn the getaway car and get into another vehicle with a third person. However, they crashed that car, which led Alexander and Fleming to run on foot across Interstate 77. All of the stolen money was found in a bag that Alexander dropped.

Alexander was found guilty of the following:

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Bank robbery with forced accompaniment

Brandishing a rifle, including a short-barreled rifle, in furtherance of a crime of violence

Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon

He has previously been convicted of:

Attempted murder of a federal officer

Use of a firearm in the commission of a felony

Possession and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence

Armed bank robbery

At the time of the Bank of America robbery, Alexander was on federal supervised release for a bank robbery in Maryland. Due to his history of violent crimes, Alexander is facing a mandatory life sentence.

At this time, a sentencing date has not been set. Until then, Alexander will stay in federal custody.

This program helps Mecklenburg County homeowners prepare for future disasters

Fleming pleaded guilty to brandishing a short-barreled rifle in furtherance of a crime of

violence. He was sentenced to ten years in prison.

This case was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which brings together different law enforcement agencies and their communities to work to reduce violent crime and gun violence.

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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 Queen City News.
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?
Former U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, a prominent progressive Democrat who represented the East Bay in Congress for more than two decades, said Wednesday she will run for Oakland mayor in an April special election prompted by the recall of the city's former leader.

Ive never shied away from a challenge, Lee said in a news release announcing her candidacy. Im always ready to fight for Oakland. Together, we can and will restore Oakland as a beacon for innovators, artists, builders, and entrepreneurs  creating opportunities that lift all families and neighborhoods.

Lee's storied Bay Area political career took an uncertain turn after she ran unsuccessfully in 2024 for the U.S. Senate, finishing fourth in the March primary against fellow Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff, who won in the November election.

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Lee, 78, is running in an April 15 special election to fill the remainder of former Mayor Sheng Thao's term, which ends in January 2027. Thao, a progressive politician elected in 2022, was recalled in November amid voter frustration with rampant crime, homelessness and a perception that the government had lost control of city streets. Alameda County Dist. Atty. Pamela Price, a vocal advocate for criminal justice reform, also was recalled in November.

"[Lee] is perfect for right now. She has the progressive bonafides, but she is also willing to make compromises and she is pragmatic," said Keally McBride, a University of San Francisco politics professor and an Oakland resident. "That is what Oakland is desperately needing right now."

Lee's dominant name recognition and her long tenure representing the East Bay complicates the campaign for a list of local leaders who have already announced plans to run. Several candidates have indicated they would drop out if Lee joined the race.

"In terms of gaining respect and gaining alliances across the city, it would be hard to get a candidate better than her," McBride said. "No one is going to be able to compete against her."

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Nonetheless, Loren Taylor, a former Oakland City Council member considered a top contender for the post, said he is preparing to file candidate paperwork next week. Taylor, an engineer who represented East Oakland for four years on the council, narrowly lost to Thao in the 2022 mayoral race after garnering the most first-place votes in the city's ranked-choice voting system, which allows voters to select multiple candidates by order of preference.

"I am a kid from this town and have benefited so much from what Oakland could offer. I see the amazing potential of our beautiful, incredible city. But were not realizing it," he said this week.

Taylor, 47, is more than 30 years Lee's junior. He said that he respects Lee's service in Congress, but that Oakland needs a mayor with a "fresh-perspective approach to leadership and government."

"One that is informed by working on the ground, in community and within City Hall," Taylor said, "as opposed to someone who has been focused on Washington, D.C., Republican, Democrat politics at the national level."

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"This is a different position, one that she hasn't had. Executive administration is much different from legislating," he said.

Lee's announcement generated excitement among several local community groups whose members have been lobbying her to jump in the race. They are hopeful that Lee, known in Washington for her anti-war positions and as a champion of civil rights, can usher in an era of stability in a city contending with several crises, including a gnawing budget deficit and surging crime rates.

A coalition of local business, labor and education organizations implored Lee to run in a December letter calling for a new leader "who can restore integrity to the office of the mayor, unite us in a time of division, and help us address critical issues around the budget, public safety, housing, and inequity in our town."

Born in El Paso, Lee eventually moved to the Bay Area and attended Mills College in Oakland as a single mother. She obtained her master's degree in social work from UC Berkeley in 1975, and founded an organization that offered mental health services to East Bay residents.

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She served as chief of staff to the late congressman and former Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums, and won his congressional seat after he retired in 1998. Lee also served in the state Legislature in the 1990s.

Even with her broad level of community support, Lee would inherit as mayor a list of weighty problems in Oakland that could test her legislative credentials.

Read more: Bay Area voters move right in election, sending clear message on crime and homelessness

Violent and property crimes have soared in Oakland, with homicides jumping to more than 100 deaths a year for multiple years during the pandemic. The City Council in December approved a series of cuts to services in efforts to close a $130-million budget deficit. The number of homeless people in Oakland increased by 9% from 2022 to 2024.

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Last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom deployed a large contingent of California Highway Patrol officers to Oakland to mitigate the crime surge, with a focus on curtailing brazen retail and vehicle thefts. The operation has resulted in nearly 1,200 arrests, the recovery of more than 2,200 stolen cars and the seizure of 124 illegal guns as of November, according to the CHP.

"The crime issue needs to be brought under control," McBride said, adding that the business community is reeling from retail thefts that have become routine. "People are afraid to invest in the city, and that makes the budget deficit worse."

The mounting emergencies had many wondering whether Lee would want the mayor's job, a post that will inevitably require tough decisions that could compromise her status as a progressive icon.

"She doesnt need the job for her legacy," said Ludovic Blain, a Berkeley resident and chief executive of the California Donor Table, a statewide network of donors who fund progressive candidates. "She'd be doing it to be of service, and to help and to lead."

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During an interview with KQED on Tuesday, Lee reflected on her time in Congress and said she had spent weeks deliberating the difficult decision.

"If I make a decision to run," she said, "it's going to be because I want to do it and I think I can help make life better for everyone."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Former Rep. Barbara Lee announced Wednesday that she will run for mayor of Oakland, aiming to take control of a city with a gaping budget deficit and leadership vacuum following a mayoral recall in the twilight of her career.

The Democrat, 78, is a progressive icon with strong name recognition in her home city, still remembered for her lone vote against war in Afghanistan following the September 11 attacks. She recently ran to succeed Sen. Dianne Feinstein in the Senate but failed to get out of the primary, which pushed her out of office for the first time in decades.

Her opponents include former City Councilmember Loren Taylor, a more moderate Democrat who ran for the office unsuccessfully in 2022.

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In her first campaign ad, Lee said she was the one person who spoke truth to power while others were more jingoistic after the terror attacks.

Shell have a short time to campaign for the executive position, making her prominence in the city that she represented in Congress all the more important. A special election is scheduled for April 15.
(KRON)  Former Rep. Barbara Lee is officially running for Oakland mayor. On Wednesday, Lee announced she had entered the race in a post on X and rolled out a campaign website.

Oaklanders have always overcome challenges by coming together, Lee said in her X post. At this critical moment, we must not be a city divided, but a community united.

With the support of Oakland Firefighters, businesses and labor leaders, and community Ive made the decision to run for Mayor of Oakland  to unite our City; make it stronger and safe; and improve opportunity for everyone, she continued.

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Daniel Lurie to be sworn in as San Francisco mayor Wednesday

Lee enters the race for mayor following the November recall of former Mayor Sheng Thao. Thao was recalled after less than two years in office amid a significant budget shortfall that has seen the city making cuts to services.

Thao is also connected to an FBI investigation. Although the former mayor has insisted she is not the target of the investigation, FBI agents raided the home she shared with her partner last year.

Former Rep. Lee represented Oakland in Congress since 1998. In 2001, she was notably the sole member of Congress to vote against military action in the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.

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She chose not to seek reelection last year, instead launching a failed bid for the U.S. Senate seat long held by the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein. Earlier this week, KRON4.com reported that Lee had filed campaign finance paperwork in advance of launching a formal bid for mayor.

As Mayor Ill address our homelessness crisis, prioritize comprehensive public safety and mental health services, and lead with fiscal responsibility to deliver the core City services residents and business owners deserve, said Lee in an official announcement issued Wednesday.

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 KRON4.
LOS ANGELES  Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faced mounting criticism Wednesday for her handling of deadly wildfires that continued to rage across the region, taking blame from influential city figures as she traveled back from a trip to Africa.

Patrick Soon-Shiong, the billionaire owner of the Los Angeles Times, slammed Bass in an X post claiming the mayor slashed the Los Angeles Fire Departments budget, despite the high risk of wildfires in the region, and raised questions about reports that some fire hydrants in the Pacific Palisades had run dry.

Fires in LA are sadly no surprise, yet the Mayor cut LA Fire Departments budget by $23M, he wrote in the tweet. And reports of empty fire hydrants raise serious questions. Competence matters.

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A Bass spokesperson didnt immediately respond to requests for comment on Soon-Shiongs claim about the LAFD budget cut. City budget documents show the departments more than $800 million budget decreased by around $17 million compared to the previous budget cycle.



The prominent publisher's condemnation came after moderate Democrat Rick Caruso, a real estate mogul who lost his mayoral bid to Bass in 2022, spent the morning making local TV appearances blasting Bass for traveling to Ghana, despite reports as early as last week about an impending wind storm.

The mayors office posted on X Monday night about an expected destructive and potentially life-threatening windstorm starting Tuesday morning through Wednesday afternoon yet Bass still wasnt back in the city as of Wednesday morning when President Joe Biden joined Gov. Gavin Newsom for a press conference about the conflagrations at a Santa Monica fire station.

Bass decision to not return from Ghana sooner drew criticism Wednesday from even the left flank of political media.

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Inexplicable decision to not come back earlier, Tommy Vietor, a former Obama staffer and Pod Save America host, wrote on X.

Caruso, who owns a shopping complex in the Pacific Palisades that partially burned, compared Los Angeles to a third-world country with failing infrastructure.

This is a window into a systemic problem of the city  not only of mismanagement, but our infrastructure is old, Caruso told the Los Angeles Times.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power in a Wednesday press conference refuted claims, including those made by Caruso, that water tanks in Pacific Palisades werent fully filled ahead of the fire. Departmental officials said the three tanks in the area were filled to capacity with around 1 million gallons of water each, but those supplies were tapped out by early Wednesday morning.

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We ran out of water and the first tank about 4:45pm yesterday, we ran out of water on the second tank about 8:30pm and the third tank about 3am this morning, said Janisse Quinones, CEO of LADWP.

Los Angeles officials said Wednesday the Palisades and Eaton fires destroyed more than 1,000 homes, businesses and other buildings, and that at least two people had been killed near Pasadena. Fires in Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Sylmar and the Sepulveda Basin had burned nearly 6,000 acres.

All four fires remained uncontained as of early Wednesday afternoon, drawing a fresh attack from President-elect Donald Trump, who leveled accusations earlier in the day that the fire was the result of the states Democratic governor mismanaging Californias water supply.

As of this moment, Gavin Newscum and his Los Angeles crew have contained exactly ZERO percent of the fire, he wrote. It is burning at levels that even surpass last night. This is not Government. I cant wait till January 20th!

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Bass is still flying back to Los Angeles, and her spokespeople didnt immediately respond to requests for comment about her current location. Bass official X account was tweeting throughout the day, offering updates on LAFD resuming air operations and offering advice to residents.

Bass traveled to Ghana over the weekend for the inauguration of President John Dramani Mahama.
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD)  Three teens in Baton Rouge were issued arrest warrants for their alleged connection to a shooting at the Baton Rouge Christmas Parade.

According to the arrest warrants, Christopher King, 15, Treyvon Collins, 17, and Eddie Monroe, 17, are believed to have been connected to a shooting on Dec. 14.

The arrest warrant states Baton Rouge Police officers were called to a shooting in the 270 block of S. River Road just before 10 p.m. Upon arrival, officers found a victim with a gunshot wound to the back. Officers also found multiple spent shell casings across the levee.

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Detectives with the BRPD determined at least two people were involved in a shootout, where the victim was caught in the crossfire. Over 40 spent shell casings were found.

According to police, video surveillance shows four Black males exchanging gunfire. These four individuals were seen in a nearby store before the shooting. While outside of the store, Collins reportedly brandished a gun and was talking aggressively to another male. Shortly after, Collins, King and Monroe were reportedly seen on video firing shots at another group of Black males.

Collins, King and Monroe face charges of attempted first-degree murder, illegal use of a weapon and illegal possession of a handgun.

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Military exercises will be held in the Gomel district of Belarus with conscripts of territorial defence forces, reservists and military reserves from 8 to 31 January.

Source: Ministry of Defence of Belarus; Belaruski Hajun, an independent Belarusian military monitoring media outlet

Quote from the Ministry of Defence of Belarus: "An exercises camp with persons liable for military service of the territorial defence forces is being held under the leadership of the head of the Gomel district executive committee from 8 to 31 January."

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Details: The Ministry of Defence of Belarus reports that during the exercises, the unit leadership will practice personnel management skills, and also, "the reception of the territorial defence forces troops and their comprehensive support with the use of the local mobilisation deployment base" will take place.

According to Belaruski Hajun, the drill will prepare conscripts for tasks alongside engineering units from the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus.

Furthermore, Belaruski Hajun underlines that territorial defence forces would be trained in the Gomel district, which borders Ukraine's Chernihiv Oblast.

Quote from Belaruski Hajun: "The Gomel district became the first region of Belarus to hold territorial defence forces drills in 2025. In 2024, training sessions with territorial defence forces were held in 15 regions of Belarus. About 1,568 reservists were called up from the reserve."

Background:

In June, the Belarusian military joined the Russian army's exercises involving non-strategic nuclear weapons.

In September, Belarusian troops conducted military exercises in the Grodno and Brest districts bordering Poland and Lithuania.

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Belgiums Federal Food Agency on Tuesday warned people to not eat their Christmas trees after a city council suggested recipes to reuse conifers following the holiday season.

The agency was forced to issue the bizarre warning after the council in Ghent City launched a campaign last Thursday encouraging people to recycle their Christmas trees to reduce waste.

It included a suggestion of making flavoured butter and soup from the pine needles, taking inspiration from traditional Scandinavian recipes.

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Your Christmas tree is edible as long as it is not yew, and your tree has not been treated with a fire-resistant spray, Ghent Climate City wrote in a social media post, urging people to upcycle the trees.

The federal agency, however, responded with a resounding no when asked if the trees would be safe for consumption.

Christmas trees are not destined to enter the food chain, it said in a statement. There is no way to ensure that eating Christmas trees is safe  either for people or animals.

It explained that most ornamental trees sold during Christmas are heavily treated with pesticides and other chemicals to protect them from pests and keep them fresh for a longer time, making them unsafe for consumption.

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Spokesperson Helene Bonte said: "To avoid issues with emerging woolly aphids, Christmas trees are often treated intensively.

She was referring to small sap-sucking insects that produce a filamentous waxy white covering which resembles cotton or wool.

"For this reason alone, the FASFC cannot agree with such initiatives," she added, referring to the agency.

The Ghent councils website later changed the headline from Eat your Christmas tree to Scandinavians eat their Christmas trees.

It also added a note that not all Christmas trees are edible and warned that one should not confuse them with yew, which is poisonous.

Spruce and pine trees that have been treated with, for example, a fire-resistant spray and pesticides are also not edible, it said.
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  A Bellevue man was sentenced to 18 months in prison on Tuesday for threatening to kill a person based upon their race.

Charles R. Gathard, 47, pleaded guilty in Peoria County Circuit Court to one count of having committed a hate crime. He will get credit for 157 days already served and he is eligible for day for day good-time credit, according to online court records.

The incident occurred on Aug. 7, when Gathard allegedly threatened his neighbors with physical violence and also to burn their homes, according to reports filed at the Peoria County Sheriffs Office.

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Man arrested for Peoria aggravated battery, hate crime

With credit for time already served, its possible he could get out of prison in a few months.

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Ben Affleck is among many celebrities living in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles, currently being rampaged by a wildfire.

After separating from Jennifer Lopez and removing his belongings from their shared Beverly Hills mansion, the actor purchased a home in the area.

According to reports, over 30,000 people have been ordered to flee from the Pacific Palisades area as "extreme" winds intensify the flames.

Ben Affleck's 'Bachelor Pad' In Danger Due To Pacific Palisades Wildfire

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The "Gone Girl" actor's recently purchased Pacific Palisades "bachelor pad" is threatened by a wildfire as the entire area has been placed under evacuation orders.

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Affleck reportedly acquired the property for $20.5 million. It has five bedrooms, six bathrooms, breakfast and dining areas, a separate family room, a den, walk-in closets, a media room, a powder room, and a guest house.

Before purchasing the home, the Oscar winner had been staying at a $100k-a-month Brentwood home near his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, after moving out of his and Lopez's marital home, which they acquired for $60 million in May last year.

According to Newsweek, the Los Angeles Fire Department revealed that the Pacific Palisades wildfire began as a brush fire at around 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday. However, heavy winds caused the fire to expand to 200 acres.

Other Stars Likely Hit By The Pacific Palisades Wildfire

Bradley Cooper attends Maestro Los Angeles Special Screening

As reported by The Times, an evacuation order was swiftly issued to over 30,000 people in the affluent area after the dangers became apparent.

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The popular neighborhood, which is heavy with celebrities, is located along the coast and in the mountains north of Santa Monica.

Other stars besides Affleck, who are known to have moved into the area in recent years, include actors Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Reese Witherspoon, Bradley Cooper, James Woods, Matt Damon, Adam Sandler, and Jennifer Aniston.

It's unclear how many celebrity homes have been directly impacted by the flames. However, actor Woods has shared updates from the wildfire, confirming that he and his family have evacuated the area.

"Schitts Creek" star Eugene Levi and actor Steve Guttenberg have also been forced to leave their homes due to the fire.

Our deck three minutes ago. pic.twitter.com/KpZDELpN8L  James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 7, 2025

Actor Woods is one of the stars confirmed to have been affected by the Palisades inferno. He and his family fled their home in the area.

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The actor shared terrifying videos of neighboring homes caught in the blaze, including shots of his deck, showing a vicious blaze.

"To all the wonderful people who've reached out to us, thank you for being so concerned. Just letting you know that we were able to evacuate successfully."

He added, "I do not know at this moment if our home is still standing, but sadly houses on our little street are not."

James Woods Revealed The LA Fire And Police Department Did A Good Job Battling The Fire

We were blessed to have LA fire and police depts doing their jobs so well. We are safe and out. There are several elementary schools in our neighborhood and there was an enormous community effort to evacuate the children safely. Can not speak more highly of the LA fire and LAPD. pic.twitter.com/bdsSJmvQel  James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 7, 2025

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While speaking with fans about the wildfire, Woods confirmed that the Los Angeles fire and police departments were working to ensure the safety of everyone in the area.

In a post, Woods said they were doing an excellent job controlling the wildfire, adding that he could not speak "more highly" of the brave men and women.

"We were blessed to have LA fire and police depts doing their jobs so well," the actor stated.

He added, "We are safe and out. There are several elementary schools in our neighborhood and there was an enormous community effort to evacuate the children safely. Can not speak more highly of the LA fire and LAPD."

Ben Affleck Settles His Divorce With Jennifer Lopez Through Mediation

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck Premiere of 'The Last Duel' during the 78th Venice Film Festival at Palazzo del Cinema on the Lido in Venice, Italy,

The news of the Pacific Palisades wildfire comes shortly after Affleck and Lopez settled their divorce through mediation, avoiding a courtroom battle.

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It officially marks the end of their relationship, following their whirlwind rekindling of romance in 2021, which led to a wedding in 2022.

While most of the details of the former couple's divorce settlement will remain private, the Daily Mail reported that Lopez will keep the engagement ring Affleck gave her when he proposed.

The stunning piece features an extensive green diamond at the center, flanked by two elongated baguette diamonds, with a matching pair of trapezoid diamonds on either side.

The "Accountant" star reportedly paid around $5.6 million for the jewelry when it was purchased, and its value has likely increased since then.
What did you miss?

Ben Fogle was told "it's your fault we did this" after meeting a couple who quit their old life and bought a tumbledown farmhouse in Bulgaria on the internet.

In the latest episode of his Channel 5 show New Lives In The Wild, the TV presenter went to stay on a remote Bulgarian farm with Jordan and Lewis Vye and their two children, Fae and Leo. They revealed they quit their old life in Bournemouth and bought the dilapidated rural cottage they had not even visited after binge-watching his show.

Meeting the couple for the first time Fogle asked them what they had thought when they first arrived. Jordan laughed: "What the f*** have we done?!" She also joked: "Somebody said we're the pound shop version of Escape to the Chateau!"

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But later in the emotional episode, which aired on Tuesday, 7 January, Fogle spoke seriously to the couple, who both revealed they experienced traumatic childhoods. Lewis confided that he been a victim of abuse, while Jordan's mother suffered from addiction.

They both admitted that they had been in a cycle of drinking and partying to escape their unhappiness and stress while living in a two-bedroom council house, working hard and struggling for money. But in Bulgaria they had found peace and a happy family life surrounded by nature.

What, how, and why?

Ben Fogle stayed with Lewis and Jordan Vye on their remote farmhouse in Bulgaria. (Channel 5)

Fogle arrived at the farm to find the family all sleeping in one room while they renovate the farmhouse they want to live in. Jordan and Lewis document their journey on Youtube channel From Bournemouth to Bulgaria, which makes them around 300 a month in revenue. They grow their own vegetables and keep chickens, but currently have to collect drinking water from the nearest town.

Fogle was told he would be sleeping in the caravan the family originally lived in when they first moved. Jordan revealed they would sit out on a sheet of tarpaulin with their baby Fae, knowing there were snakes, but relishing the beautiful wildlife.

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Asked why they moved Jordan revealed: "During lockdown we binge watched all of New Lives In The Wild. You made us do this!" She added: "It all happened just so coincidentally. I went with a friend shopping. She bumped into her friend, and she said, 'Yeah, I just bought a house in Bulgaria for 3000.' And I was like, What?

"We've always kind of struggled to make ends meet. That really pushed us to come here because you're 30-years-old and you own two acres of land and a house, three buildings, outright, no mortgage.

Ben Fogle's latest series of New Lives in the Wild is airing on Channel 5. (Channel 5)

"We both worked full-time jobs and we were like passing ships in the night. I would wake up at 7am, I'd go to work, come home at 7pm, Lew would then go out at 7pm 'til 11pm, and we would just constantly miss each other and still not be able to afford things. It was that wheel of constantly in the rat race, we both felt like there had to be more to life than what we were doing."

Back in Bournemouth Lewis worked as a massage therapist and personal trainer while Jordan worked in retail. They had their first son Leo when they were just 19.

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Speaking about the decision to leave his old life behind, Lewis confided in Fogle about his difficult past.

Ben Fogle immersed himself in the lives of the couple living in Bulgaria. (Channel 5)

He said: "Mum was a single mum, my childhood was a lot worse than maybe it should have been because I was left with people that I probably shouldn't have been left with. It's a hard thing for me to talk about, to be honest. Think of all the worst things that could happen to a kid, you know, that's if you can paint a picture of how you want to paint it. It spanned over a good period of my childhood until my stepdad came along. He came in and he provided a little bit more stability and, you know, a little bit more finances and things kind of stabilised a little bit.

"I think there's a very strong period in my life where I couldn't control myself on a very regular basis. I was doing things I shouldn't have been doing far too regularly, and I think it feels like I'm in a better place when I'm here. When I'm here, that cycle is broken. And I'm just a guy who's renovating his house, who's farming his land, who's being a great dad, who's being a great husband, and I'm closer to the person that I want to be here."

Read more: Ben Fogle

What else happened on Ben Fogle's New Lives In The Wild?

Ben Fogle joined Jordan Vye foraging through rubbish by a roadside in Bulgaria. (Channel 5)

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Fogle stumbled across some "vintage porn" while foraging through rubbish dumped beside the road. He joined Jordan to sort through piles of roadside rubbish, hunting for junk she could salvage and restore to make her own bar.

Picking up a blurred-out DVD box Fogle commented: "Vintage porn." Then added: "There's no tape in it, it's just a box."

Talking about why she salvaged rubbish Jordan confessed she got a rush from it. She said: "I wish I could stand here and say I'm really trying to do my bit for the environment, but I'm not. That would be a lie. I just get an excitement from it. You know, the finding of it, the rescuing it, making it nice again."

She then became emotional as she admitted back at home she had been overstimulated by material things, but when she left for Bulgaria with just three boxes each, she felt free.

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She told Fogle: "My mum's always suffered with addiction, so I'm always very aware that drinking is a big crux for me. My relationship with alcohol's changed a lot since moving here. I just don't feel like I was the best version of me there, and now I feel, I think I'm better. I'm getting there. I'm a forgiving myself and versions for me and getting really angry at people in my life who maybe didn't show up. I kind of use the house as like a visualisation of me."

Ben Fogle's New Lives In The Wild returns at 9pm on Channel 5 on Tuesday, 14 January.
BEREA, Ky. (FOX 56)  The City of Bereas power provider has issued a power demand alert, asking customers to cut back on electricity usage during a record winter storm.

According to Berea Municipal Utilities, winter storm Blair has caused a spike in electricity demand. The city receives power from the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) transmission market, whose website shows that its nearing its capacity to meet the power demand.

Latest central Kentucky weather forecast

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If one of those units go down, then youre a shortfall, said Kevin Howard, general manager at Berea Municipal Utilities.

As a result, customers have been asked to cut back on electricity usage from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday.

Thats when everyone flips on the lights. They, you know, may throw something into the laundry, the showers, the heating of the hot water, Howard added.

BMU issued a notice asking customers to conserve power by doing the following:

Open curtains during the day to let natural light in, but close them at night to help retain heat and reduce energy use.

When at home, set the thermostat to the lowest setting as comfortably as possible.

When out of the house, set the thermostat back.

Try to avoid using high-energy appliances from 7 a.m. and 10 a.m., including stoves, ovens, dishwashers, dryers, and washers.

Seal air leaks around windows and doors.

Turn off all interior and exterior lighting when not in use.

City Administrator Rose Beverly said that conserving energy will ensure that customers keep their power as well as reduce energy costs for its customers.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

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BMU would like to request customers to be cognizant of the extreme cold weather over the next few days, Beverly said. This helps lower the risk of overload on the transmission system that feeds Berea and also helps save customers on their monthly bill.

So, to help conserve energy, Howard suggested customers help ease the power strain by setting thermostats to the lowest comfortable setting, avoiding the use of high-energy appliances, and turning off unnecessary lights.

While this may be a slight inconvenience, customers said its worth it to avoid additional outages, which could be detrimental for some people.

We have a lot of low-income people in our community; we have a lot of elderly people, a lot of disabled people. And so its really important. And of course, the heat is vital for everyone, said customer Mary-Katherine Stinson.

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Howard said following these methods may help ensure that customers keep their power on while lowering their energy bills.

If all the communities, you know, just do some proactive, think ahead on their energy consumption, be cognizant of everything that theyre using, you know, electrical appliances, that would go a long way in curbing some of that demand, Howard added.

Read more of the latest Kentucky news

Stinson vowed to do her part.

If Im feeling chilly, Ill just try to, you know, use a blanket or, you know, put on some more clothes or just, you know, put a throw blanket over me or something like that, Stinson said.

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Another system is expected to bring snowfall to central Kentucky, including Madison County, on Friday. For the latest forecast, click here.

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MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG)  A man is behind bars after he allegedly stole merchandise from a local business, according to the Mobile Police Department.

UPDATE: 2 Pensacola residents killed in crash after running from police: PPD

The MPD said in a news release that officers arrested 60-year-old John French.

According to officials, French was arrested after officers responded to the Best Buy, located at 1310 Tingle Circle E., on Tuesday, Jan. 7, for a theft report.

INCIDENT LOCATION:

Officers said they arrived and found that a man still on the property had stolen merchandise from the business.

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Further investigation found the vehicle French was driving had been reported as stolen, according to the release.

Mobile Police investigating death of three men near midtown train tracks

Jail records show that French was booked into Metro Jail and charged with second-degree retail theft of property, first-degree receiving stolen property, second-degree possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance, and use/possession of drug paraphernalia.

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For perhaps the first time ever, Bethenny Frankel seems to have truly won over the public with her heartfelt response to the devastating wildfires currently ravaging Southern California.

Bethenny Frankel, who often faces backlash for her social media posts, is now being widely praised for her efforts to help the Pacific Palisades community during this crisis.

Fires Rage Across Southern California

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Powerful winds have intensified wildfires across Pasadena, the Pacific Palisades, and Sylmar neighborhoods of Los Angeles, forcing the evacuation of more than 80,000 residents. Tragically, at least two people have lost their lives as the fast-moving flames continue to engulf large areas of the city, per NBC.

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The Palisades Fire alone has already consumed over 5,000 acres, while the Eaton Fire has destroyed 2,227 acres and the Hurst Fire has scorched 500 acres. The Pacific Palisades, an affluent neighborhood nestled between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, has become one of the most affected regions.

These fires, fueled by dry conditions and fierce winds, have left a broader impact beyond the immediate fire zones. Nearly 300,000 energy customers are currently without power, according to PowerOutage.com.

Bethenny Frankel Shares Impactful Message

In her speech, the "Real Housewives of New York City" alum highlighted a perspective often overlooked during such disasters. She reminded her audience that while Pacific Palisades is known for its wealthy residents, there are countless staff members, workers, and families who depend on these homes for their livelihoods.

"We also have to think about the staff of all these homes who will effectively be homeless. Not everyone here is a billionaire," Frankel said in her video.

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Her empathetic approach resonated with many, shedding light on the hidden struggles of those working behind the scenes in affluent neighborhoods. "Say whatever you want about Bethenny, but when there is a crisis, she always shows up!" one of her followers expressed.

"Who doesnt love Bethany shes heart gold caring world needs more Bethany," another said.

"Doesnt matter if its a wealthy community or not  everyone deserves a safe home and to have their home fought for!" a third commented. "Thank you for helping!"

Bethenny Frankel Is Prepared to Help

ZUMAPRESS.Com / MEGA

Frankel also revealed that her organization, BStrong, has a warehouse in Northern California stocked with aid supplies, ready to be deployed at a moment's notice. "We were the first responders during the Paradise, California fires, and we're still there two years later. So be strong," she assured.

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Frankel emphasized that 100% of all donations received would go directly toward relief efforts. She explained that the aid supplies and warehouse space had been fully donated, ensuring that every cent contributed would support those in need.

Bethenny Frankel's Fans Thank The Reality Star For Her Help

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In a time of immense crisis, Bethenny Frankels leadership and genuine compassion have managed to cut through the noise of social media criticism. Her call to action has not only raised awareness but has also inspired many to contribute to the ongoing relief efforts.

"Bethenny please let me know if theres a way Im able to get on the ground and help you guys," one of her fans said in the comments section of her video. "Im evacuated and probably lost my home but I feel helpless and want to do something."

"We appreciate you, it's literal hell on earth here," another wrote. "Thank you for all you do and are doing."

Someone else chimed in, "Wealthy or not, these people are suffering. Thank you for sharing your thoughts & your compassion. Prayers."

More On The California Wildfires

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Los Angeles County is facing a catastrophic wildfire crisis, with mutual aid requested from Orange, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties. Reinforcements are also on the way from Nevada, Oregon, and Washington state to assist in battling the relentless infernos engulfing parts of the City of Angels.

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L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone announced that he has requested 50 engine strike teams from the State Office of Emergency Services. These teams include 250 fire engines and more than 1,000 personnel, all mobilized to combat the rapidly spreading blazes.

Chief Marrone emphasized the ongoing risk posed by the weather conditions, as the National Weather Service continues to forecast a red flag warning. Strong winds combined with extremely low humidity are exacerbating the fire's spread, placing all residents of Los Angeles County in imminent danger.
Paramount has cancelled their Wednesday night LA premiere for the Robbie Williams biopic Better Man.

A studio spokesperson said, Due to the dangerous conditions affecting Los Angeles we are canceling tomorrows premiere of Better Man. Our thoughts are with those impacted by the devastating fires resulting from these conditions, and we encourage everyone to stay safe and follow guidance and orders from local officials and government agencies.

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The Michael Gracey directed movie follows the crazy life of British pop star Robbie Williams. The movie begins its wide break this Friday in about 1,200 runs. In the movie, Williams is portrayed by a CGI monkey. Critics dig at 90% certified fresh with an audience score of 96%.

Better Man is among a slew of cancellations due to the Pacific Palisades wildfire. Tonight, Universals pulled the plug on their world premiere for the Blumhouse horror film Wolf Man, in addition to Amazon which nixed their LA premiere for the Jennifer Lopez feature Unstoppable. Netflix postponed an Emilia Perez musical performance and cocktail event tonight to a date TBD.

The SAG Awards wont be holding their in-person nominations announcement tomorrow, rather will issue a press release with the nominees.

Meanwhile, the City of Santa Monica has issued an evacuation order for all areas of the city north of San Vicente. Evacuation Order: Immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to LEAVE NOW. The area is closed to public access.

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Todays devastating Palisades Fire has scorched close to 3,000 acres and prompted evacuations through the Pacific Palisades and Topanga get set warnings north to Calabasas. Other areas ordered to evacuate include Foxridge, Canyon Close, Grand Oak, East of Altadena Dr., Kinneloa Canyon Rd, Outpost Lane, Glen Springs, Coolidge, Miranda, Roosevelt, Veranda, and Kenclare.

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COLDWATER, Mich. (WOOD)  A bicyclist has died at the hospital after he was hit by a car in Coldwater Wednesday morning, police say.

It happened shortly after 8 a.m. on Michigan Avenue north of E. Chicago Street. Coldwater police say the 53-year-old bicyclist was trying to cross Michigan when he was hit by a car driven by a 24-year-old Coldwater woman.

The bicyclist was rushed to a hospital in Coldwater, then moved to one in Fort Wayne, Indiana. On Thursday, police said the bicyclist had died of his injuries. He was identified as Charles Edward Ward, of Coldwater.

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An autopsy was performed Thursday morning, police said.

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The Biden administration asked a federal appeals court on Tuesday to block a plea agreement for accused 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed that would spare him the risk of the death penalty.

The Justice Department argued in a brief filed with a federal appeals court in the District of Columbia that the government would be irreparably harmed if the guilty pleas were accepted for Mohammed and two co-defendants in the September 11, 2001, attacks.

It said the government would be denied a chance for a public trial and the opportunity to seek capital punishment against three men charged with a heinous act of mass murder that caused the death of thousands of people and shocked the nation and the world.

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The Defense Department negotiated and approved the plea deal but later repudiated it. Attorneys for the defendants argue the deal is already legally in effect and that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who began the administrations efforts to throw it out, acted too late.

When the appeal was filed Tuesday, family members of some the nearly 3,000 people killed in the a al Qaeda attacks already were gathered at the US naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to hear Mohammeds scheduled guilty plea Friday. The other two men, accused of lesser roles in 9/11, were due to enter them next week.

Family members have been split on the deal, with some calling it the best resolution possible for a prosecution mired for more than a decade in pretrial hearings and legal and logistical difficulties. Others demanded a trial and  they hoped  execution.

Some legal experts have warned that the legal challenges posed by the case, including the mens torture under CIA custody after their capture, could keep the aging detainees from ever facing verdicts and any possible sentences.

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Military prosecutors this summer notified families of the victims that the senior Pentagon official overseeing Guantanamo had approved a plea deal after more than two years of negotiations. The deal was the best path to finality and justice, military prosecutors said.

But some family members and Republican lawmakers condemned the deal and the Biden administration for reaching it.

Austin has fought unsuccessfully since August to throw out the agreement, saying that a decision on death penalties in an attack as grave as the September 11 plot should only be made by the defense secretary.

A military judge at Guantanamo and a military appeals panel rejected those efforts, saying he had no power to throw out the agreement after it had been approved by the senior Pentagon official for Guantanamo.

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Defense attorneys say the plea agreement was approved by Austins own officials and military prosecutors and that his intervention was unlawful political interference in the justice system.

The Justice Department brief Tuesday said the defendants would not be harmed by a short delay, given that the prosecution has been ongoing since 2012 and the plea agreements would likely result in them serving long prison sentences, potentially for the rest of their lives.

A short delay to allow this Court to weigh the merits of the governments request in this momentous case will not materially harm the respondents, the government argued.

The Justice Department criticized the military commission judge for a ruling that it said improperly curtailed the defense secretarys authority in a case of unique national importance. Preserving that authority is a matter of critical importance warranting the issuance of extraordinary relief, the governments filing said.

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The Biden administration has petitioned a federal civilian court of appeals to stay the plea agreement for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the 9/11 attack who is scheduled to plead guilty on Friday in return for the death penalty being removed from his case.

The bid to stay the plea agreement follows a ruling last week by a military appeals court that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was not authorized to withdraw the plea agreement worked out by military prosecutors.

"The United States seeks a writ of mandamus and prohibition recognizing that, on August 2, 2024, the Secretary of Defense validly withdrew from the pretrial agreements signed by his subordinate on July 31, 2024, and prohibiting the military commission from conducting hearings in which the respondents would enter guilty pleas pursuant to the withdrawn pretrial agreements," the petition filed Tuesday with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit said.

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Under the plea deal, Mohammed, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak bin 'Attash and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi would enter guilty pleas in return for the removal of the death penalty.

MORE: US transfers 11 Guantanamo detainees to Oman, leaving 15 at Cuba facility

Austin had previously authorized military prosecutors to enter into discussions for a plea deal in the long-stalled case of the alleged 9/11 plotters, but in August, Austin ordered that the plea agreement be withdrawn just days after it was announced.

However, the military judge overseeing the case ruled that Austin did not have that authority, a ruling that was upheld last week by the U.S. Court of Military Commission Review.

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Both of the military courts rejected the Defense Department's argument that Austin had the right to withdraw from the plea agreement, in part because Mohammed and the other plotters began "performing promises" in the agreement by signing stipulations of their guilt prior to Austin signing his memo.

PHOTO: Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, al-Qaeda leader and suspected mastermind of September 11 terrorist attack, is seen in this undated photo. (AP)

In its filings with the federal court, the administration argued that is a misstatement of what actually happened.

"The text of the agreements makes clear that signing the factual stipulations was part of the process through which the agreements were formed, not performance of a promise under the agreements once they were signed," the Justice Department's filing said.

The Justice Department argued that moving forward with the plea hearings "will deprive the government and the American people of a public trial as to the respondents' guilt and the possibility of capital punishment" for what the government called "the most egregious criminal act on American soil in modern history."

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The administration's filing called the 9/11 attack "a heinous act of mass murder that caused the death of thousands of people and shocked the nation and the world."

The Military Commissions Act says that only the accused can appeal a commission's decision to the D.C. Circuit. Nevertheless, the Biden administration is asking the appeals court for extraordinary relief -- a directive from the civilian judges to the commission recognizing Austin's action as legitimate.

"The text of the agreements makes clear that signing the factual stipulations was part of the process through which the agreements were formed, not performance of a promise under the agreements once they were signed," the petition filed by Matthew Olsen, assistant attorney general for national security, and Brian Fletcher, the principal deputy solicitor general, said.

The government's filing noted that Mohammed's plea hearing is scheduled to begin on Friday at 9 a.m.

Biden administration seeks stay of plea deal for alleged 9/11 mastermind originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
President Joe Biden was surprisingly candid when asked if he believed he could have served another four-year term in the White House.

In an interview with USA Today published on Wednesday, Biden appeared confident that he could have defeated President-elect Donald Trump in November had he stayed on as the Democratic Partys nominee, citing polling he said he went over.

Its presumptuous to say that, but I think yes, Biden said.

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But when asked whether he would have been in a position to serve as president for another four years, Biden conceded he wasnt sure.

I dont know, he told USA Todays Susan Page. Who the hell knows?

Biden noted that he had no further political aspirations following the death of his son Beau Biden to brain cancer in May 2015. But that all changed when Trump announced he was running for reelection in 2020. Biden said he thought he had the best chance of beating Trump.

But I also wasnt looking to be president when I was 85 years old, 86 years old, he said. And so I did talk about passing the baton.

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Instead, however, Biden, who would have been 86 at the end of a potential second term, announced in April that he was running for reelection.

But his poor performance at a CNN debate in June, during which he struggled to complete sentences, fueled concerns about his age and mental acuity, prompting prominent Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), to nudge him to step aside. Biden withdrew from the race about a month later, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to take over his bid.

Page said that while Biden was engaged during their about an hourlong discussion  one of the few interviews hes done as president  at times he spoke so softly that it was difficult to hear him.

Despite Bidens deep-held belief that he could have defeated Trump, voter surveys suggest otherwise.

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Biden recorded his lowest approval rating since taking office in 2021, according to a survey conducted by the Marquette Law School Poll last month.

Meanwhile, he consistently trailed Trump in a three-way race, including then-independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., according to FiveThirtyEight. Harris ascension to the top of the Democratic ticket appeared to slightly improve the partys prospects.

In the end, Trump went on to win both the Electoral College and the popular vote in November.

Related...
With less than two weeks before President Joe Biden leaves office, his aides are once again expressing hope that Israel and Hamas could be close to reaching a deal for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages held by the terrorist group.

The optimism comes as the Biden administration and President-elect Donald Trumps team are working together to achieve a deal before Trump is inaugurated on Jan. 20. Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff is flying to Doha, Qatar, this week, where the White House coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, Brett McGurk, has been participating in this latest round of talks since last weekend.

Trump, who said Tuesday that he doesnt want to hurt negotiations, also reiterated his threat of unspecified havoc befalling the Middle East if the hostages arent released by the inauguration.

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If theyre not back by the time I get into office, all hell will break out in the Middle East, and it will not be good for Hamas, and it will not be good, frankly, for anyone. All hell will break out, Trump told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago residence.

Witkoff told reporters at Trump's Florida resort that hes traveling to hopefully finish it up and outlined some of the deal.

He said that aspirationally, the Trump team hoped to get a 42-day ceasefire "enacted sometime before the inaugural.

A senior Biden administration official told NBC News on Tuesday that itll know within the next 24 to 48 hours if a deal was likely, but that there is a decent chance of reaching one.

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The deal includes 34 hostages, though its unclear how many are still be alive, according to a separate senior administration official.

A U.S. official says they are optimistic a deal is close but they've been optimistic in the past  when the deals have fallen apart. And White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Friday  ahead of travel to the region  that the new deal is both urgent and possible.

But another senior administration official cautioned that its possible that we get there, but its not on the verge. Hamas has to reach a political decision that they want to do this and that its now or never.

The negotiations have been tense, with this official saying were finding that Sinwars brother, Mohammed Sinwar, is even more stubborn than his deceased brother." (Mohammed succeeded his brother, Yahya Sinwar, as Hamas' leader after Yahya was killed by Israel Defense Forces in October.)

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Two White House officials say they were sharing progress with incoming national security adviser Mark Walz and other incoming Trump officials  including Trumps pick for secretary of state, Marco Rubio  as they did on the Lebanon ceasefire.

The Trump and Biden teams have been working in tandem on the deal since shortly after the election, with Witkoff praising Bidens team  but also suggesting that Trumps reputation is driving the negotiations and that its [his] strength that is moving things.

At the end of a 42-day ceasefire, that is beyond when the president will be inaugurated, Witkoff told reporters Tuesday. So it will be the president who is going to be most relevant. He will be in office when that 42-day ceasefire is over  thats what Hamas cares about, how we move to phase two.

Several Biden and Israeli officials have acknowledged that the president-elects rhetoric  specifically a Dec. 2 Truth Social post using the all hell to pay language  was a big factor in Hamas and Israel getting more serious about the talks.

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But another senior administration official downplayed Witkoffs role, saying that we are at this stage in negotiations thanks to painstaking diplomacy over many months, pointing out that the deal on the table is the same as the one Biden outlined in May.

That said, the official noted, the obstacle remains Hamas, and the pressure on Hamas will only continue until it agrees to release hostages pursuant to that proposal. The official says, We are collaborating with "Steve) Witkoff and are in consultations with him and the Trump team. We are keeping them informed because we want to make sure if this doesnt come together by January 20th theres a smooth handoff.

Relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages stage a protest calling for their release in front of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's home in Jerusalem on Oct. 7.

An Israeli official previously told NBC News that Hamas knows that once Trump is president, they could lose leverage because he will be more likely to side with Israel than Biden  and less likely to press for Hamas prisoners to be released as part of the deal.

There are questions about the number of hostages alive  and while Witkoff wouldnt speak to the exact number, he said hes seen intelligence reports and its not a small amount.

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A U.S. official, however, wouldnt give a number but said is it lower than previously believed.

Trump, seemingly moved by his calls with the American families of hostages, said, But Ive had mothers come to me and fathers crying, can I get the body of their son back? Can I get the body of their daughter back?

Israeli and American families of hostages have been calling for the return of the bodies of their loved ones for suitable burials and are also pressing Israeli and U.S. negotiators to make the release of hostages who are still alive their top priority.

CORRECTION: (Jan. 9, 2025, 2:19 a.m. ET): Because of an editing error, a previous version of this article misstated the first name of the former Hamas leader. He is Yahya Sinwar, not Yahta.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  President-elect Donald Trump vowed to reverse President Joe Bidens sweeping ban on offshore oil drilling.

President Biden announced on Monday a ban on oil drilling off the East Coast, West Coast and part of the Gulf Coast, among other sites. The area affected is about 625 million acres, the White House said.

Thats like the whole ocean, President-elect Trump said at a press conference on Tuesday. I will reverse it immediately.

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A reversal would likely require a vote from Congress.

This is a huge action taken by President Biden, said Ben Jealous, the executive director of the Sierra Club. Thats a big deal for protecting our oceans, our waters, our fish, our marine life of all sorts.

Jealous said banning offshore drilling will help prevent a repeat of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

The risk of oil spills, as we saw with Deepwater Horizon, is very, very real, Jealous said.

Congressional Republicans said President Bidens order will increase the price of fuel for Americans.

Those actions on energy anti-American energy policies will raise costs even higher on families who cant afford it, said Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.), the House Majority Leader. Another kick to the gut of hard-working families.

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The U.S. Energy Information Administration said in 2023, the U.S. produced more oil than any nation ever and exported more oil than it imports.

A lot of what were constraining is the continued exporting, Jealous said.

The White House also announced President Biden issued orders protecting land in California.

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LOS ANGELES  President Joe Biden approved a disaster declaration for the Southern California fires, committing additional federal assistance to the region amid fears that President-elect Donald Trump would balk at helping out the Democratic bastion.

Appearing with California Gov. Gavin Newsom at a fire station just outside the site of the devastating Palisades fire, Biden called the conflagrations astounding.

Were doing anything and everything and as long as it takes to contain these fires  to make sure you get back to normal, Biden said. Its going to be a hell of a long way. Its going to take time.

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He added that his son Hunters home was initially thought to be destroyed, although now it appears to be still standing.



Newsom, who made the official request for the declaration Wednesday morning, heaped thanks on Biden for the quick turnaround in approving the assistance.

Its impossible for me to express the level of appreciation and cooperation we received from the White House and this administration, Newsom said.

Implicit in Newsoms comments was the prospect that the next administration may not be so helpful. Trump, in postings on social media on Wednesday, blamed both Newsom and Biden for the conditions that exacerbated the disasters.

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A major disaster declaration typically comes days or weeks after a natural disaster has subsided, once local and state governments have completed assessments on the extent of the damage. In this case, that standard process would occur well after Trump is inaugurated on Jan. 20  a prospect that has raised alarm in California, given Trumps repeated threats to withhold wildfire aid.

On Wednesday, Newsom submitted an expedited request for such a declaration, while the fires continued to rage. Governors sometimes request expedited declarations when it is clear that the scope of the damage will be extensive. The declaration makes California eligible for federal assistance to individuals and public infrastructure.

But concerns over an unfriendly incoming administration are clearly top of mind for Newsom. The governor made a veiled contrast between Biden and Trump on Tuesday, as he credited the current president with swiftly approving federal grants for fire management, which will offset 75 percent of the cost of fighting the blazes.

At the moment, I dont take that for granted  candidly, like I have been in the past few years, Newsom said. Its rather precious. And my message to the incoming administration  and Im not here to play any politics  is please dont play any politics.
President Joe Biden has announced prohibitions on future oil and gas drilling across parts of the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and the Northern Bering Sea. This withdrawal of rights will not affect the majority of offshore drilling in the U.S., which takes place in the central and western Gulf of Mexico, according to E&E News. The federal government has not allowed drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico since the early 1990s.

In reaction, the Center for Western Priorities issued the following statement from its executive director Jennifer Rokala.

This will protect hundreds of coastal communities from the dangers of oil and gas drilling, she said. Now is the time to expand clean energy, not double down on fossil fuel extraction.

What industry has to say

President Bidens decision to ban new offshore oil and natural gas development across approximately 625 million acres of U.S. coastal and offshore waters is significant and catastrophic. While it may not directly affect the currently active protraction areas in the Outer Continental Shelf and adjoining coastal areas, it represents a major attack on the oil and natural gas industry, said Independent Petroleum Association of Americas Offshore Committee Chairman Ron Neal.

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This should be seen as the elephants nose under the tent. The ban severely limits potential for exploration and development in new areas therefore choking the long-term survivability of the industry.

Neal said the ban is part of a larger agenda to attack oil and natural gas extraction.

This move is a first step toward more extensive restrictions all across our industry in all U.S. basins including the onshore. If the activists come for anything, they are coming for everything. The policy is catastrophic for the development of new areas for oil and natural gas but, the environmentalists will eventually look to also shut down offshore wind farms for most of the same reasons. President Biden and his allies continue to push anti-energy policies that will hurt Americans.

Wind farms and their risk to birds

The National Audubon Society released a report Wednesday, addressing best practices when it comes to wind farms and protection of birds  which has been a point of controversy.

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It noted potential impacts to birds from offshore wind farms can be avoided with proper siting and careful development that takes into account interruption of the ecosystem.

Impacts include:

Dangerous collisions with turbines.

Birds that avoid wind energy projects often do so at their own peril and thus lose valuable habitat.

Ocean ecosystems are often interrupted by these wind energy projects and affect the ability for birds to find food.

Can the ban stand?

President-elect Donald Trump announced this week he would reverse the band on offshore drilling immediately after taking office later this month. That decision, however, could spark litigation or end up as a debate before Congress.

Biden issued the ban through a provision of the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.

This is not the first presidential sparring match over offshore drilling.

According to CNBC, during Trumps first term, he tried to issue an executive order to reverse President Barack Obamas use of the law to protect waters in the Arctic and Atlantic from offshore drilling. A federal court ruled that Trumps order was illegal and reversing the ban would require an act of Congress.

With the GOP in control of both the Senate and House of Representatives, that could potentially happen.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  President Joe Biden added a new title on Wednesday: great-grandfather.

His granddaughter, Naomi Biden Neal, gave birth to her first child, a boy, with husband Peter Neal at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. The baby's name is William Brannon Neal IV, according to an Instagram post from Jill Biden, the first lady, of her and the president with their new great-grandson.

Biden, who was in Los Angeles and saw the baby at the hospital, announced the birth at the end of an official briefing on wildfires in Southern California.

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The good news is Im a great-grandfather as of today," Biden said.

Biden and his wife spent about 40 minutes visiting Naomi and the baby, the White House said. Biden had told USA Today in an interview published Wednesday that she was having a caesarian section that day.

The president and first lady arrived in Los Angeles late Monday after visiting New Orleans to mourn with the community after the deadly New Year's Day vehicle attack in the French Quarter. The president had an event scheduled Tuesday in California, but his announcement of new national monuments was postponed because of the wildfires.

Naomi Biden, 31, is the eldest daughter of Hunter Biden and his former wife, Kathleen Buhle. Hunter Biden, now a grandfather, has four other children, including a 4-year-old son, Beau, who is now an uncle.

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With the new addition, Joe Biden, 82, is believed to be the first sitting president to become a great-grandfather while in office.

Naomi Biden and Peter Neal, 27, were married in November 2022 during an elaborate White House ceremony that was the first involving a president's granddaughter and the first held on the South Lawn.

She announced her pregnancy on Election Day, Nov. 5, with an Instagram selfie of her baby bump captioned, We Voted.

___

Superville reported from Washington. Former AP News Researcher Rhonda Shafner in New York contributed to this report.
SANTA MONICA, California  President Joe Biden on Wednesday met his first great-grandchild  and then pledged full aid to California firefighters battling a series of disastrous wildfires just miles to the west.

The back-to-back trips to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and a Santa Monica fire hall were unscheduled detours on one of final trips of Bidens presidency. He traveled to California to name two new national monuments, but the event was canceled because of the surging Santa Ana winds.

Instead, Biden met with police and fire officials here leading efforts to contain a life-threatening trio of wildfires that broke out overnight spurred by winds that at times reached more than 100 miles per hour, saying he planned to issue a major disaster declaration aimed at freeing up more resources.

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Its astounding whats happening, Biden said at an appearance at the fire hall, flanked by California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.).



Were doing anything and everything, he added, lamenting that the eventual recovery is going to take time.

Biden said that the homes under threat included his son Hunters, though he believed it had not been burned. Despite the fires threatening his sons home, Biden had good personal news to mark the day.

The good news is, Im a great-grandfather as of today, he said, remarking on how his granddaughter Naomi gave birth at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

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Biden, accompanied by first lady Jill Biden and other family members including Hunter, spent roughly 40 minutes with her.

The pair of stops Wednesday closed out the two-day trip initially aimed at creating two new national monuments originally scheduled for Tuesday as part of a final sprint to round out his record on climate.

Biden will instead give his speech on the monuments from the White House at a later date.

Less of a surprise was the arrival of Bidens great-grandchild, whose imminent arrival was disclosed in a USA Today interview published Wednesday morning.

The White House had initially built an additional half-day into the presidents schedule after his planned Tuesday dedication of the monuments, raising questions about whether Biden planned to use the trip as a well-timed opportunity to also welcome his newest family member in person.

A spokesperson for the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the schedule, and whether Biden had purposely built in extra time so he could be at the hospital for the babys birth.
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Credit: Celal Gunes / Anadolu via Getty Images

What happened

The Pentagon said Monday that 11 Yemeni detainees held for more than two decades at Guantanamo Bay without charges have been transferred to Oman. With four more detainees repatriated last month  two Malaysians, a Tunisian and a Kenyan  the secretive U.S. prison camp in Cuba now holds 15 prisoners, the fewest since 2002.

Who said what

Monday's resettlement is "part of President Joe Biden's fervent effort during his final weeks in office to reduce the number of those held in Guantanamo," The Washington Post said. There were 40 detainees when Biden took office and "resurrected an Obama administration effort to close the prison" that had been halted during Donald Trump's first term, The New York Times said. At its peak, "Guantanamo held about 800 detainees," The Associated Press said.

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The Pentagon thanked Oman for supporting "ongoing U.S. efforts focused on responsibly reducing the detainee population and ultimately closing the Guantanamo Bay facility." All 11 prisoners had been cleared for transfer years ago.

What next?

The Pentagon said three other Guantanamo prisoners are eligible for transfer, three are eligible for review, two were convicted by military tribunals and the remaining seven are "involved in the military commissions process." Monday's resettlement, the Times said, came "days before "Guantanamo's most notorious prisoner, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, was scheduled to plead guilty to plotting the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks," in a deal that rules out the death penalty.
Texans, along with millions of Americans, may soon see a break on their credit reports. On Tuesday, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule removing medical debt from consumer credit reports.

The Biden administration announced that crippling medical debt would no longer appear on credit reports, which can block people from getting mortgage loans, car loans, and small business loans.

In a statement, Vice President Kamala Harris said the final rule would free up billions of dollars of medical debt for Americans.

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"No one should be denied economic opportunity because they got sick or experienced a medical emergency," Harris said.

Here is how eliminating medical debt can help improve credit scores.

VP Harris: 'Medical debt is no longer included in your credit score'

According to the CFPB, the adjustment is projected to boost credit scores by an average of 20 points, potentially resulting in 22,000 additional mortgage approvals annually.

The CFPB said the new rule will remove an estimated $49 billion in medical bills from the credit reports of about 15 million Americans.

CFPB Director Rohit Chopra said medical debt should not hold back people from prospering. People who get sick shouldnt have their financial future upended, Chopra said.

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According to a White House press release, medical debt is the largest source of debt in collections for Americans. Vice President Harris said the burden of medical debt has ceased.

"Today, we are building on this meaningful work by announcing an unprecedented final rule that will make it so medical debt is no longer included in your credit score," Harris said. "This will be lifechanging for millions of families, making it easier for them to be approved for a car loan, a home loan, or a small-business loan."

The final rule is set to take effect in March, though legal challenges could push it back. According to ABC News, "Debt collection industry groups, such as the Association of Credit and Collection Professionals, have opposed the change, arguing that it would lead to fewer consequences for unpaid bills, ultimately decreasing access to credit and healthcare for those in need."

Who are the three national credit reporting agencies?

Experian, Equifax and TransUnion are the three major credit reporting agencies in America.

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In 2023, the three national credit reporting agencies announced that they were removing medical collections debt under $500 from U.S. consumer credit reports.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Biden rule to remove nearly $49B in medical debt from credit reports
President Biden said he told President-elect Trump not to try to settle scores in their first meeting to start the presidential transition process after Trumps victory.

I was very straightforward with Trump when he got elected. I invited him immediately to the White House, Biden said, referring to their Nov. 13 meeting, an interview with USA Todays Susan Page. I spent two hours with him.

I tried to make it clear that there was no need, and it was counterintuitive for his interest to go back and try to settle scores, the president added.

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Biden said he didnt get a straight answer from Trump about the settling scores idea.

He didnt say, No, Im going to  You know. He didnt reinforce it, the president told Page. He just basically listened.

He also recalled that president-elect Trump praised him, especially on his work on the economy.

He was very complimentary about some of the economic things I had done, the president said, referring to Trump, adding, he thought I was leaving with a good record.

Trump on Monday said Biden was making the presidential transition difficult, citing recent executive orders on climate and other official acts the administration has taken in his last weeks as president.

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Biden had announced, just two weeks before Trump is sworn in, that he would block new drilling off the entire East Coast, as well as California, Oregon and Washington state, and block some drilling off Alaskas coast in portions of the Northern Bering Sea and in the eastern Gulf of Mexico.

Trump vowed to undo Bidens orders after he promised to promote domestic energy production on the campaign trail.

Despite the president-elects assertion that Bidens White House has not been helpful during the transition, his incoming chief of staff Susie Wiles has said otherwise. She told Axios in an interview published Monday that the White House has been helpful during the transition process.

Wiles praised Bidens chief of staff Jeff Zients for his assistance, saying he helped us navigate the labyrinth that is the Executive Office of the President and has been very professional.

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Wiles and Zients were also in the White House meeting between Biden and Trump.

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WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden in an interview published Wednesday said he still believes he could have defeated President-elect Donald Trump in the 2024 election but isn't sure if he could have served a full second term.

Its presumptuous to say that, but I think yes, Biden told USA Today during a wide-ranging interview when asked if he could have won had he not exited the campaign in July.

Biden said that he still thinks that he could have defeated Trump because of the polls he had reviewed, according to USA Today. He wasn't confident, however, that he could have served a full second term. I dont know, he said.

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Before Biden had dropped out of the 2024 race in July, some polls showed he was trailing Trump or the race was in a dead heat.

When he announced his decision to withdraw, Biden said, While it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term."

Biden immediately endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party's 2024 presidential nominee, and later said in a prime-time address that he thought "the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation."

His decision came after weeks of intensifying pressure from leaders within his own party, including former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., to pull out of the presidential race. The growing revolt followed Biden's devastating debate performance in late June, which put his health, age and cognitive abilities in question.

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Some Democrats later expressed that the wish that Biden had decided not to run for re-election, or at least drop out much earlier in the process.

Biden told USA Today that he thinks "the only advantage of being an old guy is that Ive known every major world leader for a long time."

"I had a perspective on each of them and their interests, he said. And so I think it helped me navigate some of the fundamental changes taking place, whether its in Europe, in Latin America, in the Middle East, in the Far East.

Ultimately, Trump won the election after securing 312 electoral votes compared to Harris' 226 electoral votes. He won the popular vote 49.8% to 48.3%.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
(NewsNation)  President Joe Biden visited a fire station in the Los Angeles area for a briefing as firefighters continue to battle the raging wildfires that have engulfed the area.

Biden was joined by First lady Jill Biden and California Gov. Gavin Newsom at the Santa Monica Fire Station #5 for the brief visit.

The president posted on X Tuesday that he would be providing any federal assistance that is needed to help suppress the terrible Pacific Palisades fire.

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Earlier tonight, FEMA approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant to support areas that are impacted and help reimburse the state of California for the immediate firefighting costs. My Administration will do everything it can to support the response. I urge the residents of the Pacific Palisades and the surrounding areas of Los Angeles to stay vigilant and listen to local officials, he posted.

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When President Joe Biden vacates the White House later this month, talk will turn to his legacy: What did he accomplish in office? Which among his achievements will outlast him? Even though Biden came into office with ambitious promises, his scorecard looks unimpressive.

The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act apportioned more than $1 trillion to a wide variety of projects deemed "infrastructure," including $550 billion toward "'new' investments and programs." Among its line items, the law included $7.5 billion to build electric vehicle (E.V.) chargers across the country.

The rollout was uninspiring. Under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, which controls $5 billion of the $7.5 billion total, only 183 chargers have come online at 44 stations across the country, more than three years after Biden signed the bill into law. (Under federal rules, each station funded by the law is required to have at least four charging ports.)

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In fairness, not all of the cash has been spent: The NEVI has only allocated $2.4 billion and awarded $520 million, as of press time.

Still, it's a dispiriting result from an administration that came into office with big promises to "build a national network of 500,000 charging stations."

Similarly, the 2021 infrastructure law included the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, with $42 billion to expand broadband internet access across the country. In his speech at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, Biden equated it with the New Deal, calling the broadband expansion "not unlike what Roosevelt did with electricity."

But three years after its creation, the program has disbursed no money and supplied broadband to zero households. "Thanks to a federal affordability requirement that telecommunications companies say is too tight, many states have sparred with Washington over their funding applications, delaying the rollout," Politico wrote in September.

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"States face a common issue - navigating the complex BEAD process," Misty Giles, the director of Montana's Department of Administration, testified before the House Subcommittee on Energy & Technology in September 2024. Giles called the approval process "akin to building a plane while flying it without having the necessary instructions to be successful." She also said the government "has provided either no guidance, guidance given too late, or guidance changing midstream, all with a lack of appreciation for state operations and costs and the needs of our telecommunication providers," creating "a chaotic implementation environment."

Biden's supporters would counter that while the initial rollout was underwhelming, much of this spending is designed to pay off over time: NEVI, for example, is apportioned $1 billion per year through FY 2026 when the program's funding runs out.

When Biden exited the presidential race in July after a particularly disastrous debate performance, the Associated Press noted, "His record includes legislation that will rebuild the country in ways that will likely be seen over the next dozen years, even if voters did not immediately appreciate it."

But it's clear by this point that Biden's big-spending dreams were hamstrung by bureaucracy and red tape, much of which was included in the bills themselves or in administration guidelines.

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"The rules require states accepting the money to make sure providers plan for climate change, reach out to unionized workforces and hire locally," Politico wrote about the broadband program. "One vague but broad provision requires low-cost options and fast connections for 'middle class families' at 'reasonable prices'"an unclear description that many states have struggled to implement.

Similarly, the NEVI program is remarkably complicated, and the equipment necessary to build out that many chargers is in short supplyrequiring representatives from every state and territory to compete over a finite amount of resources.

Sen. Jeff Merkley (DOre.) called NEVI's protracted timeline "a vast administrative failure."

Meanwhile, as federal programs have struggled to meet government E.V. goals, the private sector has excelled. In the three years after Biden signed the infrastructure law, Tesla Motors more than doubled its public charging stations in the U.S., going from 29,281 chargers at 3,254 stations to 62,421 chargers at 6,706 stations. (In fairness, Tesla received more than $17 million in NEVI funds as of early 2024.) Ford Motor Co. announced last year that for any motorists buying new Ford E.V.s, the company would install a charger in their home for free.

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While unlikely, it's certainly possible that with hindsight, Biden will have plenty to crow about. But when stacking up his list of accomplishments next to what the private sector has achieved in the same amount of time, there's no comparison. Private companies, largely without the benefit of taxpayer funds, outperform government grant programs at every turn.

The post Biden's Infrastructure Bills Leave a Legacy of Big Spending and Little Payoff appeared first on Reason.com.
Will Big Lots come back to the Tacoma area?

The discount home-goods retailers location in the city was at 2401 N. Pearl St., in the Westgate South Shopping Center. The site closed at the end of 2024.

Another store, just off 72nd Street East in the Tahoma Vista Shopping Center, also closed last year. Other Pierce County locations, including Big Lots Puyallup site at 120 31st Ave. SE (South Hill Village), and in Lakewood, 5401 100th St. SW, also have closed.

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The retailer has shuttered hundreds of stores nationally; in summer 2024 it had 26 in operation in Washington state and around 900 nationwide.

Just four locations remain in operation in Washington state, according to Big Lots website: Kennewick, Longview, Moses Lake and Yakima. Each remain listed as closing amid the retailers previously announced nationwide liquidation after a failed rescue buyout deal with Nexus Capital Management.

On Dec. 27, the retailer announced it had agreed to a sale transaction with Boston-based Gordon Brothers Retail Partners. The transaction, approved Jan. 2 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, allows for the transfer of Big Lots assets, including stores, distribution centers, and intellectual property, to other retailers and companies, including Variety Wholesalers, Inc., according to Big Lots.

The sale could involve reviving 200-400 stores under the Big Lots brand, according to the court filings.

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Variety owns more than 400 stores, primarily in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic United States under the Roses, Roses Express, Maxway, Bills Dollar Stores, Super 10, Super Dollar, and Bargain Town banners, the Dec. 27 release noted.

Could the Big Lots retail comeback include stores that closed in Pierce County?

The media representative assigned to the bankruptcy case did not respond to request for comment, but at least one representative for the owner of one of the former Tacoma sites did not foresee a comeback at that location.

The Tahoma Vista Shopping Centers former Big Lots site is owned by an LLC affiliated with Rhino Investments Group in Henderson, Nevada. The News Tribune first reported on that planned store closure in July.

A banner advertising the store closing was on display at the Big Lots at Tahoma Vista Shopping Center in September 2024 in Tacoma.

A Rhino Investments representative told The News Tribune via email in response to questions that the firm did not anticipate reopening the site as a Big Lots and was deciding whether to lease the space to one tenant or divide the space into two units.

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He wrote that Rhino had reached a termination agreement with Big Lots over several of Rhinos properties to regain the space ahead of the retailers bankruptcy in order to lease to other tenants.

The representative did not specify the number of locations covered in that agreement, but the latest list of site landlords on file with the court show three Rhino-affiliated sites. Those include Tacoma (Tahoma Vista), a store site in Pueblo, Colorado, and another in Houma, Louisiana.

Rhino Investments was not the only local property landlord affected on a national scale. The LLC that owns the former Lakewood Big Lots site had five other locations in the United States tied to its affiliate LLCs under the Kamin Realty umbrella that appeared on the Big Lots landlord list.

A Kamin representative as well as other area store property owners or leasing representatives/real estate agents did not respond to requests for comment on whats next for their now-vacant storefronts.

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For some, Big Lots clearly served as an important anchor.

In one example, a 2024 marketing brochure for the Big Lots location in Westgate South shopping center, 2401 N. Pearl St., said, This Big Lots location has consistently been a top performing store and will be the only Big Lots located in Pierce County based on the announced store closures.

The brochure further claimed, This Big Lots location is the No. 1 performing store in Washington state and ranks in the top 6% nationally for total visits over the past 12 months.

It also stated that 50% of the visits for Big Lots are within a 1-mile radius of the site, containing average household incomes of over $130,000.

Melting ice cube

According to a Big Lots motion entered Dec. 27 requesting sale approval, the retailers attorneys noted that time was of the essence for Variety to take on the business.

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As this court rightly observed ... the debtors can now be fairly categoriz(ed) as a melting ice cube, the filing stated, noting the end of inventory orders and diminishing returns on the continued liquidations.

The debtors have ceased all go-forward purchase orders thereby cutting off all future inventory for their stores, and with each passing day the value of these estates decreases, to the detriment of creditors, the filing stated.

The filing also indicated that the store liquidations and closures would continue even with the sale to Gordon Brothers/Variety Wholesalers.

Meanwhile, the previous proposed buyout partner isnt finished with Big Lots despite the collapse of its previous agreement.

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In Jan. 3 legal filings submitted one day after the Variety deal was approved by the court, Nexus Capital Management disputed Big Lots depiction of the reasons behind the failed-asset purchase agreement and contended it was still owed millions in reimbursement of expenses from Big Lots as well as release of a $2.5 million deposit held in escrow.

Attorneys for Nexus subsidiary Gateway BL Acquisition contended that as they worked to salvage the deal, Debtors were entering into contracts and taking steps to liquidate the business (including the purchase of millions of dollars worth of GOB (going out of business) signage, which worsened the financial situation, hurt employee morale, and breached the asset purchase agreement.

The next filing deadline for Big Lots to respond is in mid-January.
1/8 Update: The bill was not taken in the Illinois House of Representatives before they adjourned. The Senate must write and pass a new bill

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA)  Illinois Democratic senators have passed a bill that further regulates the state body oversees parole and supervised release for prisoners.

A previous version of the bill changing the Prisoner Review Board passed both chambers, but the governor did not sign the bill. Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) worked with the governors office on a compromise on the new bill.

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Its goal is very much the same: to professionalize the PRB, Harmon said.

Pritzker disappointed as legislation regulating hemp fizzles at end of session

Some reforms under the bill include letting impacted victims write a statement on parole petitioners and keeping 30 days to open comment on before they were discharged. The bill also increases the pay of board members.

The PRB must complete reports on people discharged from parole and publish information on all cases where offenders have alleged to violate parole or mandatory supervised release on their website.

Also the PRB would have new requirements for the makeup of its board. These include having three members who have three years experience in juvenile members, and 7 members with at least 5 years of experience in the justice system (as a law enforcement officer, parole officer, prosecutor, defense attorney or judge). The board would also people with a history of advocacy work for domestic violence and sexual violence survivors.

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It has profound respect for victims and new provisions to allow victims to be involved, the Senate President said. It has significant increases in transparency, including the video broadcast of some of the hearings.

Senate Republicans targeted their criticism of the bill against Pritzker for weakening a bill they were on board with.

If we pass a pretend, watered down solution to something that we all know is a real problem, I urge a no vote, Sen. Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) said.

New Illinois law requires interpreters at state agency administrative hearings

The reforms come after the state Prisoner Review Board granted release to Crosseti Brand last March. The next day, Brand attacked Laterria Smith and fatally stabbed her 11-year son Jayden Perkins in Chicago. Smith had an order of protection again him.

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Brand returned to prison, and two members of the board resigned.

Perkins death renewed calls in the Capitol for change to the regulatory body. Senate Republicans called for a number of changes, including heftier penalties for people who violate an order of protection.

Also last year, the governor appointed an executive director to the Board to oversee how the review board operates and trains itself.

The bill passed the Senate 32-21 on Monday.

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 WCIA.com.
Correction: A previous version of this story indicated Murphy was from Binghamton, per the Broome County Sheriffs Office. An updated release revealed Murphy is from Endicott.

The information has been corrected.

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH)  An Endicott teen was sentenced on Tuesday for her involvement in a shooting that took place over the summer.

Broome County District Attorney Paul Battisti announced that 18-year-old Armony Murphy was sentenced to 6 years in New York State prison followed by 5 years of post-release supervision for Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree.

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On August 18, 2024, Murphy engaged in a verbal altercation with residents of 6 Catherine Street in the City of Binghamton. During the argument, Murphy fired multiple rounds at the individuals and the house.

Murphys reckless and violent actions show a blatant disregard for the law and an alarming willingness to endanger our communitys safety. The prison sentence Murphy received highlights the Broome County District Attorneys Offices unwavering commitment to ensuring that individuals who jeopardize public safety through criminal behavior are held fully accountable for their actions, said Battisti.

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 WIVT - News 34.
Elkton Family Pharmacy, located about 30 minutes east of Harrisonburg, Va. The independent establishment is owned and operated by longtime pharmacist John Seymour. (Courtesy of John Seymour)

A bipartisan group of lawmakers helmed by Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach and Del. Katrina Callsen, D-Charlottesville, introduced the Save Local Pharmacies Act, which lawmakers will take up in this years legislative session, starting Wednesday.

The proposal would realign Virginias Medicaid pharmacy benefit under a single state-contracted pharmacy benefits manager.

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Independent pharmacies are in an existential crisis, said Blacksburg-area pharmacist Jeremy Counts when he called into a rural healthcare committee meeting last summer.

He highlighted how locally and independently-owned pharmacies tend to serve the rural areas of Virginia that national chains sometimes wont. But low reimbursement rates make staying afloat difficult.

Its something Sen. Travis Hackworth, R-Tazewell knows all too well as a former pharmacy owner.

I know what its like to spend $10 to make $5 dollars back from Medicaid, Hackworth said. He is part of the group of lawmakers who introduced the legislation, dubbed SB 875.

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PBMs are middlemen that negotiate contracts between health plans, drug manufacturers and pharmacies. While PBMs retain rebates and discounts set in their contracts, the exact amount of savings passed onto consumers has been relatively unknown.

This means that sometimes pharmacies are reimbursed for less than what they pay for medications due to the lack of transparency from PBMs and manufacturers.

SB 875 would remove multiple health-insurance-plan-run PBMs, which lawmakers argue would bolster accountability and cost-effective management.

If it becomes law, the Department of Medical Assistance Services would be directed to assess actual drug pricing, rebates and administrative costs for analysis. This would allow the state to have oversight for cost efficiency. The new PBM would be tasked with protecting pharmacy access for residents in underserved areas.

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Rouse noted how local pharmacies have been closing around Virginia, part of widening healthcare deserts.

We need to cut the health insurance industry PBMs out of the equation to protect patients and pharmacists, he said.

Sean Stephenson, Senior Director of State Affairs at the Washington, D.C.-based Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, said the association is reviewing the legislation.

However, PBMs have a proven track record of lowering Rx costs in Virginia. PBMs will save Virginians $26.3 Billion over ten years across all insurance markets, Stephenson said in an emailed statement.

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A previous attempt to reduce PBMs in Virginia failed to clear budget negotiations last year despite bipartisan support from lawmakers.

Still, lawmakers are optimistic this year given successes in other states that have seen increased savings. Kentucky reported saving about $56.6 million in state money in one year after the passage of a similar law in 2021. West Virginia also saw $54.4 million in savings after establishing a sole PBM in 2017.

This Save Local Pharmacies Act is projected to be able to save Virginia about $39 million annually.

In addition to Rouse, Hackworth and Callsen, other bill sponsors include Sen. Russet Perry, D-Loudoun and Del. Terry Kilgore, R-Wise  stretching sponsorship and representation to all corners of Virginia. Their bill joins a slate of other health care-related bills that will be debated this session with a focus on rural health care access.

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The problem of pharmacy deserts is not just a local health care issue but is a potentially rapidly evolving public health crisis, Kilgore said.

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With reports of the first human death from bird flu in the US, some Americans are feeling an uncomfortable flashback to the early days of Covid-19, when infectious disease experts were talking about a new virus that was sending people to the hospital with respiratory infections. Although both viruses can cause breathing problems, they are very different.

Covid was spreading easily from person to person when it arrived in the US in 2020, but bird flu has been lurking for years, mostly as a problem for animals. Scientists also know a lot more about H5N1 bird flu than they did the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and the US has been preparing for the threat of a new flu outbreak for a long time.

Still, the virus is making moves that deserve attention. Heres what you need to know about H5N1.

What is bird flu?

Avian influenza, or bird flu, is a broad term that refers to several types of influenza that normally infect birds. The bird flu thats been making news in the United States is a virus called H5N1.

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Some flu viruses carried by birds cause only mild infections and are classified as low-pathogenic viruses. In contrast, H5N1 often kills birds that catch it, so it is classified as a highly pathogenic avian influenza.

To complicate matters, although bird flu viruses primarily prey on birds, they can also spread to other animals, including humans. Human infections with bird flu viruses are rare, and theyre usually what scientists call dead-end infections because they dont typically transmit from person to person.

Is H5N1 a new virus?

You may have heard of H5N1 only recently, but its not a new virus. Scientists have been tracking it for almost three decades.

It was first identified in geese in Southern China in 1996. Over the years, it has caused sporadic outbreaks in wild and farmed birds around the globe.

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The virus reappeared in North America in late 2021, and it quickly caught scientists attention because it seemed to have broadened its repertoire, spreading beyond birds and infecting a growing variety of mammals. In the current wave of infections, it has spread to more than 48 species in at least 26 countries.

It has caused mass die-offs of marine mammals too, including 24,000 sea lions that died in South America in 2023. In February 2024, Dr. Jeremy Farrar, who is chief scientist at the World Health Organization, called the ongoing spread of H5N1 a pandemic of animals.

Since 2022, more than 130 million wild and farmed birds have been affected in America across all 50 states, 919 dairy herds have tested positive in 16 states, and 66 people have tested positive in 10 states, according to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the US Department of Agriculture.

Could H5N1 become a new pandemic?

Scientists agree that the virus would need to evolve  or retain key changes in its genetic sequence  to start a pandemic.

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Each time a virus infects a cell and copies itself, it makes mistakes. Usually, these mistakes are benign or even harmful for the virus, but occasionally, theres a genetic change that helps the virus become better at infecting cells. Given the right set of circumstances, that version of the virus may outcompete others and continue to survive, going on to infect new hosts or new kinds of hosts.

Flu viruses can change in another way, too

Each virus has eight segments, and like kids in a lunch room, they are always looking to swap. When two viruses trade whole segments, its called a reassortment, and it result in quick and sometimes dramatic changes to a virus abilities.

Scientists say either type of change could spell trouble for humans. Although the H5N1 virus is very good at infecting birds and has become a threat for many different kinds of mammals, including dairy cows, its still pretty clumsy at infecting people.

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In cows, for example, the H5N1 virus primarily infects the mammary glands. This causes a dramatic drop in milk production but usually doesnt kill the cow. In people, the main route of infection seems to be through the eyes; conjunctivitis, or red, inflamed eyes, seems to be the telltale symptom of infection.

Scientists think H5N1 infects the eyes because flu viruses enter cells through sugars on their surface called sialic acids. Birds  and human eyes  primarily have alpha 2,3 sialic acid receptors on their cells. But a different kind of sialic acid receptor, alpha 2,6, is more prevalent in the human respiratory tract. Human flu viruses, including those that cause seasonal influenza, have evolved to infect cells through alpha 2,6 receptors.

Given enough time in the human body, the bird flu virus has shown the ability to change to become better at infecting different kinds of cells and tissues, spreading from the eyes to the respiratory tract, for example.

Researchers detected key changes to the genome of the virus in teenager in Canada who became severely ill with H5N1 in November. Those changes probably helped it infect cells in her respiratory tract. Samples of the H5N1 virus that infected a severely ill patient in Louisiana also showed signs of adaptation to human cells. Infectious disease experts warn that as the virus continues to spread, its more likely that it changes to become a fully human pathogen.

How are people catching bird flu?

When humans have become infected, its almost always through contact with infected animals. Nearly all of these so-called spillover infections have been mild. And no one who has gotten H5N1 in the US is known to have given the infection to anyone else.

How do we know its not spreading from person to person?

The CDC and state public health departments are monitoring farm workers who test positive and following everyone theyve been around while ill, a practice called contact tracing, to see if they get sick. State public health labs are also sequencing all influenza A viruses detected through routine flu testing. So far, only two bird flu infections in people have been detected this way.

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The CDC estimates that the current risk to the public is low.

How do I get tested if I think I have bird flu?

If you become ill within 10 days of contact with sick or dead animals or their droppings, make sure to alert a health care provider to your exposure.

Although most of the H5N1 samples have been handled by the state public health laboratory system, the CDC has been working to expand testing, and large commercial laboratories such as Quest and Labcorp now have tests that can detect H5 viruses.

That means it is easier for doctors to test patients if they suspect a bird flu infection.

Who is at risk from bird flu?

The two groups of people who are most at risk are dairy and poultry workers and people who have backyard bird flocks, said Dr. Michael Osterholm, who directs the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota.

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The virus homes in on the udders of milking cows, and studies have found high concentrations of bird flu virus in raw milk.

The milking parlors of dairies are wet environments, and workers can be infected if they get a splash of raw milk in their eyes or if they get milk on their hands and then rub their eyes. Droplets of virus-laden milk can also become airborne if they spray from milking equipment.

Birds shed the virus through their saliva, mucus and feces, and it can become airborne when their litter and feathers are churned up in barns, particularly during culling operations.

It can be in the air, Osterholm said. So its not even just contact touching the birds, but just the dander and all the dust that occurs when youre dealing with birds.

What are the symptoms of bird flu?

One of the most prominent symptoms in infected farm workers has been red, irritated eyes. A recent study of the first 46 human cases in the current outbreak in the US found that 93% had conjunctivitis.

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For about a third of the total, that was their only symptom. The second most common symptom, experienced by about half of infected farm workers, was a fever. About a third of people with H5N1 had respiratory symptoms, but these were most common among poultry workers who were exposed during bird depopulation activities.

Two people in North America have had severe infections. The first was the 13-year-old girl in Canada, who became critically ill with lung and kidney failure and was put on life support for two weeks to give her organs time to recover. Its not clear how she was exposed to the virus.

The second person, from Louisiana, was hospitalized with severe respiratory symptoms after exposure to a backyard flock and wild birds. That person, who was over age 65 and had underlying medical conditions, died this month, becoming the first death in the US from bird flu.

Both of these patients had the D1.1 strain of the virus, which is circulating in wild birds. Its different from the B3.13 virus that has been infecting workers on dairy farms. Researchers are investigating whether the D1.1 strain might cause more severe disease.

Can you get bird flu from milk or meat?

Milk and meat that have been heated to kill germs are safe.

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Even before H5N1 was a consideration, health officials cautioned against drinking raw milk or eating undercooked meat because both can harbor nasty germs like salmonella and E. coli. Cats have died from drinking raw milk on farms.

Studies by the US Food and Drug Administration show that common pasteurization methods neutralize the virus, but refrigeration doesnt. USDA studies show that cooking meat to a safe temperature inactivates the virus.

A recent study from Stanford University that involved lacing raw milk with flu virus and then testing it on cells in a lab found that the virus could still infect cells for up to five days after being refrigerated.

No human infections have been linked to raw milk consumption, although a toddler in California recently tested positive for the flu after drinking a large amount of raw milk. The CDC wasnt able to confirm the infection, so this child is listed as a suspected case.

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SAN DIEGO (KUSI)  Nearly two decades after being convicted of murder in the death of a professional surfer, one of the people a part of the infamous Bird Rock Bandits is now eligible for parole.

Seth Cravens, alongside his buddies, attacked the 24-year-old Emery Kauanui back in May 23, 2007 outside his mothers home following a verbal altercation at a local bar. Cravens threw a punch to his head that knocked him out.

Kauanui died at the hospital five days later due to blunt force trauma from that fateful blow.

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Later this week, Cravens, now in his late 30s, will have a hearing on whether a parole board should grant him a second chance  something District Attorney Summer Stephan is fighting.

Watch Dan Plantes report for KUSI in the player above.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Carol Cherry never knew her father was a central character in one of the darkest chapters of American military history until long after his death  something she found out from her sister.

"I said, 'Stop playing.' And she was like, 'No, he didn't tell you he went to jail?' I said, 'For what?' She said, 'Mutiny,'" Cherry said.

In July 1944, World War II was raging in the Pacific. U.S. forces were in desperate need of ammunition, and Port Chicago in northern California became a critical supply point. At the time, the Navy was still segregated. Naval historian Dr. Regina Akers says Black sailors got the toughest, most dangerous assignments.

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"Those who loaded the ammunition were African American, exclusively," Akers said. "Not that they didn't want to do their jobs. This is so important. Why are only African Americans loading ammunition?"

They repeatedly warned the White officers that safety conditions were lax, but they were never addressed.

Then, disaster struck. Two explosions in July 1944 decimated the entire loading area, killing 320 people and injuring more than 390. It was the worst stateside disaster in World War II, according to the Navy.

The White sailors were granted leave after the explosion, but Black sailors were ordered back to work loading ammunition at another port. Around 250 sailors initially refused, but after threats, most complied.

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Fifty men stood their ground and became known as the Port Chicago 50. They were charged and convicted of mutiny in a mass summary court-martial and sentenced to hard labor.

Carol Cherry's father, Cyril Sheppard, was sentenced to prison for almost two years at the age of 20.

"He didn't have a blemish on his record until this happened. He was commended for his bravery after the explosion," Cherry said.

Last July, Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro exonerated the Black sailors 80 years after the disaster.

"They took the right course of action by denying to go back to work under the similar circumstances," Del Toro said.

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Yet, they lived and died with this dark cloud.

"And that's the unfortunate part about this. And I pray that an exoneration will bring peace to their souls and bring peace to their family members," Del Toro said.

At a memorial ceremony at Port Chicago last July, Carol Cherry was presented with a flag that now sits on her shelf, serving as a shrine to her father.

"I thank my pop for what he did. I'm so proud of him, and I'm so happy for where we are at this moment. I wish he was here to see it."

And she wishes she could tell him justice was finally done, and the Navy now says her pop was a hero.

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Trump says he plans to change Gulf of Mexico's name to "Gulf of America"

Justin Trudeau announces he'll resign as prime minister of Canada

Wildfire surrounds Palisades Charter High School in Southern California as winds fuel flames
Hundreds of victims of the Dozier School for Boys have been approved for compensation according to the Florida Attorney Generals Office and one local victim just learned hed been approved Wednesday.

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Charles Deas Jr, who attended the infamous state-run Dozier School for Boys from 1966 to 1968, sent in his application for compensation from the state in October of last year.

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I think I was one of the first ones that submitted the application, said Charles.

Over the past two years, Action News Jax has worked to help Charles through the application process.

He had to obtain his school records and a notarized personal account of the abuse he suffered while attending the now-shuttered reform school.

During its 111 years in operation, accusations of sexual and physical abuse at the hands of school staff were rampant at Dozier.

In 2015, the remains of more than 50 boys were unearthed on the school grounds.

Charles told us writing the personal testimony recounting his time at Dozier was difficult.

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Cause you remember some stuff that you want to forget. You know, you want to forget a lot of stuff, but then you cant, said Charles.

Victims successfully fought for an apology from the Florida Legislature in 2017 and the $20 million compensation fund, which was approved last year.

According to the Attorney Generals Office, a total of 930 applications for compensation had been submitted as of last Thursday.

764 had been approved.

Im really looking at this process to be wrapped up in the next 60 days for our survivors, said State Senator Tracie Davis (D-Jacksonville).

Davis helped lead the charge for the compensation bill during the 2024 legislative session.

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Based on stats provided by the AGs Office, each victim could receive anywhere from $21,000 to $26,000, depending on how many applications are ultimately approved.

We cant erase what happened or what they went through, but to know that any dollar amount that the state is giving these survivors is something significant for them and their families, said Davis.

When Action News Jax spoke with Charles Wednesday morning, he hadnt learned if his application had been approved or not yet.

Just a few hours after we left his residence we got a call.

It was Charles, who told us hed found his approval letter, which had been misplaced in a stack of mail.

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After waiting 60 years for some form of justice, Charles may still have a bit longer to wait.

Still, he said hes thankful all the same.

Whatever I can get is a blessing, said Charles. You know, I can use that to pay some bills and help some family out too.

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PARIS (Reuters) -U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday dismissed President-elect Donald Trump's interest in taking over Greenland, saying it was "obviously not a good" idea and that it would not happen.

Trump on Tuesday reiterated his interest in taking control of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, and has refused to rule out force to take control of the vast Arctic island. He has said the U.S. needs Greenland for national security reasons.

"I think one of the basic propositions we've brought to our work over the last four years is that we're stronger, we're more effective, we get better results when we're working closely with our allies, not saying or doing things that may alienate them," Blinken told reporters at a press conference in Paris with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.

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"The idea expressed about Greenland is obviously not a good one, but maybe more important, it's obviously one that's not going to happen, so we probably shouldn't waste a lot of time talking about it."

Denmark's foreign minister said on Wednesday that Greenland might become independent if its residents wanted this, but is unlikely to become a U.S. state.

Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, has signalled he will pursue a foreign policy unbound by diplomatic niceties, also declining to rule out military or economic action as part of his avowed desire to have the U.S. take back control of the Panama Canal and floating the idea of turning Canada into a U.S. state.

In 2019, Trump postponed a scheduled visit to Denmark after Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen rebuffed his idea of the U.S. purchasing Greenland, which was a Danish colony until 1953 and is now a semi-sovereign territory under the Danish realm.

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Greenland, part of NATO through the membership of Denmark, has strategic significance for the U.S. military and for its ballistic missile early-warning system, since the shortest route from Europe to North America runs via the Arctic island.

Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede has stated that the island is not for sale and in his New Year speech stepped up a call for independence.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said leaders in Canada, Greenland and Panama had made clear what they thought of Trump's ideas and the Biden administration was concentrated on other matters. "I think it's pretty apparent what their views of some of these policy pronouncements are, but it would not be appropriate for us to weigh in and cast judgment," he told reporters on Wednesday. "We remain focused on issues that we believe are core to our national security."

(Reporting by Makini Brice, Simon Lewis, Humeyra Pamuk and Daphne Psaledakis; additional reporting by Andrea Shalal and Katharine Jackson; editing by Kevin Liffey and Mark Heinrich)
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced the agency has approved the 600-MW Jove Solar Project, sited on about 3,500 acres of land in La Paz County, Arizona. The solar farm would be among the top five largest solar energy projects in the U.S., based on those currently in operation. The BLM Jan. 6 said the installation, located about 30 miles west of Tonopah, also could include a battery energy storage system. The project would connect to the 500-kV Cielo Azul switching station and Ten West Link transmission line; the Ten West line runs from southern California to central Arizona. The agency said it expects the project will come online in 2027. The BLM said its approved construction plan will avoid any building in a desert wash that crosses the project. The agency said that will preserve the channel floodplain, maintain existing wildlife habitat connectivity, and avoids areas that have been deemed environmentally sensitive. The BLMs approval means Jove Solar will have a 30-year right-of-way grant for the facility.

In Case You Missed It - A major renewable energy developer signed a power purchase agreement for energy from a solar project in Pinal County, Arizona.

BLM supports efficient development of clean energy on our nations public lands to move toward a carbon pollution-free power sector, said Ray Castro, BLM Yuma Field Manager. The agency said Jove Solar will encompass 3,495 acres of public lands, and 38 acres of county lands. We will continue to engage with Tribal, federal, state, and local governments, local communities, stakeholder groups, and industry as this project moves toward construction, said Castro. The BLM said that since January 2021 the agency has approved 46 renewable energy projects on public lands, including 12 solar, 14 geothermal, two wind, and 18 generation tie-ins. So-called gen-ties are transmission lines that cross public lands to connect renewable energy projects developed on private lands to the grid. The group said it already has permitted 34 GW of clean energy projects in total on public lands, surpassing its goal to permit at least 25 GW of renewable energy in its territory by 2025. The group also said that as of November 2024, it has permitted 70 geothermal, 63 solar, 41 wind, and 42 renewable energy gen-tie projects. The agency last year issued a final Renewable Energy Rule that it said would lower consumer energy costs and the cost of developing solar and wind projects. The rule also aims to improve project application processes, create jobs, and incentivize developers to continue responsibly developing solar and wind projects on public lands. The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Darrell Proctor is a senior editor for POWER.
The high energy consumption of cryptocurrency miners has led to changes in the industry, and there are continuing calls for more sustainable practices.

Fedrok AG, a Swiss blockchain startup, is one platform trying to do just that by investing in carbon credits, according to Bitcoinist.

Carbon credits, or carbon offsets, are designed to keep pollution from entering the atmosphere, remove pollution from the air, or produce clean energy. But the market is plagued by ineffectiveness, a lack of transparency, and other problems.

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Fedrok and similar businesses are working to ensure sustainability by innovating solutions to make mining less harmful to the environment and, perhaps, communities.

"[Fedrok's] 'Proof of Green' consensus mechanism links blockchain activity directly to real-world environmental impact by tying its native token (FDK) to the price of carbon credits," Bitcoinist reported. "This approach allows combined mining, where miners can simultaneously mine FDK and other cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, without operational disruption. It also lets mining operations verified as using renewable energy sources participate, promoting sustainable practices for energy-intensive PoW blockchains."

PoW blockchains are based on proof of work, in which mining operators verify transactions to create the next block in a blockchain. The miners are rewarded with tokens and digital coins for solving complex puzzles, which requires great computational power.

So, mines gobble up electricity at startling rates. A University of Cambridge tracker shows the industry exceeds the demand of many countries with annual consumption of 180.5 terawatt-hours. Years ago, the rate was 150 tWh, Bitcoinist noted.

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"It was an egg on the face for a sector that emerged on values of decentralization and promotion of equity in the financial industry," the online outlet stated.

So, for example, Ethereum moved to a proof-of-stake mining method  and cut its energy consumption almost totally. This helps reduce demand on power grids and pushes the industry toward other more sustainable systems, as dirty energy is still the dominant source of power for miners, just as it is for other industries and most people around the world.

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Fedrok's blockchain legitimizes carbon credits, tracking offsets and monitoring for greenwashing, CEO Philip Blazdell told Coinspeaker. The transparent and scalable market is backed by Swiss regulations and climate action goals, and the hope is to create a standard for environmentally friendly financing as well as improve access to the trade.

"The overall outcome is a standardization of the carbon credit sector while providing incentives for miners to adopt greener practices," Bitcoinist reported. "Having FDK at the heart of this push means that such incentivization benefits all stakeholders. There are also opportunities for scaling this model for various sectors that require standardization over and above the carbon credits market."

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ALCOA, Tenn. (WATE)  The Blount County Rescue Squad is mourning the loss of one of its longtime leaders.

Deputy Chief Wesley Keith Sartin died on January 4 at the age of 57. An announcement from the Blount County Rescue Squad said he passed away peacefully surrounded by friends and family.

Born and raised in Loudon County, he began his career as a dispatcher for Loudon County 911. He went on to become an EMT and a paramedic before joining the Loudon County Rescue Squad. He was also a member of the Roane County Rescue Squad.

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Im scared: Woman describes bizarre road rage encounter in Cocke County

He joined the Blount County Rescue Squad leadership in 2010, spending six years as chief. Sartin most recently served as their deputy chief and training organizer. He also held leadership positions for the Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads including as regional vice president and state secretary.

Sartin also served as a trainer in several first response disciplines including Emergency Medical Response, CPR, and Emergency Vehicle Operations.

 See more top stories on WATE.com

Our agency, along with the Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads (TARS) and emergency services agencies all across the State, are mourning the loss of a trusted partner and friend, said Blount County Rescue Squad Chief Brian Osgood. He had so many years of experience and knowledge. His loss leaves a hole in our agency and our community that we will feel for years to come.

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Pupils will be taxed more to sleep at their boarding school than guests at luxury hotels under Labours private school VAT raid.

Schools have been told they must charge 20pc VAT for boarding services in guidance issued by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) because it is a closely related supply to education.

However, experts believe the taxman is overlooking a form of relief offered to long-term hotel guests whereby they are only charged 4pc VAT for stays longer than 28 days.

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Analysis by tax consultancy firm RSM suggests if schools were able to take advantage of the relief, parents could save 2,400 per year  assuming the boarding fees were 15,000 per year.

Accommodation is normally charged at 20pc VAT, but the reduced value rule means if a guest stays for more than 28 consecutive days, the VAT drops to 4pc  representing an 80pc discount.

To qualify, the rule states you must provide accommodation in a hotel, inn, boarding house or similar establishment.

It adds that a guests stay must be continuous to qualify for the reduced value rule.

However, a guests departure is not seen to have ended the stay provided they are a student who leaves during the vacation but returns to the same accommodation for the following term.

Audrey Fearing, indirect tax partner at RSM, said: HMRC is denying the use of the relief which applies to supplies of accommodation in a hotel, inn, boarding house or similar establishment.

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School boarding services come in all shapes and sizes, and whilst they are not akin to a hotel or inn, the clue might be in the name boarding services  in that the provision amounts to bed and board, as well as the use of shared facilities.

However, she warned parents may not see an immediate adjustment in the fees they pay because schools are really struggling to account with the day-to-day accounting issues that are coming thick and fast, as a result of the Governments mid-year VAT raid.

She said: School finance teams currently dont have any capacity to pick this up and run with it.

Unless we can get together a working party of schools to explore this, the likelihood is that parents will suffer VAT on 100pc of the boarding cost when RSM feels quite strongly that there is the possibility that this relief could be utilised.

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Analysis by The Telegraph found Labours 20pc levy on private school fees would increase boarding school fees by an average of 6,200 a year.

The study of 964 private schools found fees have risen by 14pc on average this term, defying Treasury estimates which predicted an increase of 10pc.

Following the introduction of the education tax last week, two schools have since announced they are set to close at the end of the academic year.

Maidwell Hall school, a prep school in Northamptonshire previously attended by Earl Spencer, announced on Tuesday it would shut in July after external factors exacerbated financial problems.

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Amherst School, a co-educational day and boarding school in Loughborough, similarly told parents this week it would be forced to close because of the impact of the VAT raid coupled with the loss of business rates relief, rise in National Insurance and national minimum wage increase.

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In a shocking revelation, two dead bodies were recently found in the landing gear compartment of a JetBlue plane in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The discovery has sent shockwaves throughout the country, with many raising concerns about the frequent nature of such incidents. But what actually happened with the JetBlue airplane in question?

Heres everything you need to know regarding the deceased persons retrieved from the said flight.

2 bodies found in JetBlue landing gear

On Monday, January 6, two people were found dead in the JetBlue Flight 1801s landing gear compartment. The incident came to light during a post-flight maintenance assessment. This was after the plane had completed its trip from the Kennedy Airport in New York to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida.

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While the identities of the deceased remain uncertain at the moment, a representative of the Broward County Sheriffs Office has confirmed both of them to be men. Paramedics were called as soon as the bodies were discovered in the JetBlue aircrafts landing gear compartment. Nevertheless, the two men were pronounced dead on arrival.

An investigation is currently underway to unearth the identities of the said dead bodies, as per Fox5 New York. At the time of writing, it is unknown how the men got into JetBlues landing gear or for how long they were stationed there.

The airline has since released an official statement to show remorse for the unfortunate incident. This is a heartbreaking situation, and we are committed to working closely with authorities to support their efforts to understand how this occurred, a JetBlue spokesperson stated.

Notably, people have long used landing gears to travel from place to place without being discovered. The compartments usually open and close to retract or deploy wheels during lift-off and landing. As such, placing oneself in such a compromised place gives way to fatal accidents, more often than not. Most recently, a person was discovered dead in a wheel well of a United Airlines flight on December 25, 2024. (via CNN)

The post Bodies Found in JetBlue Plane Landing Gear at Fort Lauderdale appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
Jan. 8The Maryland Office of the Attorney General released the body camera footage captured during a Nov. 30 fatal shooting with police in Laurel.

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Originally Published:January 7, 2025 at 5:01 PM EST
FORREST COUNTY, Miss. (WHLT)  Forrest County deputies are investigating after a body was found near a vehicle.

Deputies said they responded to a 911 call around 5:20 a.m. on Tuesday, January 7 from a concerned citizen who reported a man lying on the side of the roadway.

Colorado man arrested after chase through Pine Belt counties

They responded to the scene on Wesley Grant Road near Evelyn Gandy Parkway in the North Forrest community. Deputies said they found an unidentified deceased man lying next to a Nissan Altima.

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The death is still under investigation.

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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.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  A Wisconsin man was found dead last week in the San Diego Harbor, local medical officials said.

Cale Jonathan Uecker, 46, was identified as the victim, the San Diego County Medical Examiners Office said on its website.

Uecker arrived at the San Diego Harbor for work on Wednesday, according to authorities. San Diego Harbor police say he was alone when he apparently fell overboard from one ship while transitioning to a second ship.

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Four years since Maya Millete disappeared, family is finally coming together, sister says

On Thursday morning, co-workers began to search for Uecker after they had not seen him. He was then found floating near Pier 17 at Cesar Chavez Park in the harbor between the ships.

First responders were called to the scene where they pulled the victim from the water and pronounced him dead due to postmortem changes.

The cause of his death is still under investigation.

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 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
A body has been found in the search for two British hikers missing in the Dolomites, Italys alpine rescue service has said.

Aziz Ziriat, 36, and Samuel Harris, 35, from London, were last heard from on New Years Day, when they sent messages home from the Trentino region in northern Italy.

Alpine rescue services confirmed on Wednesday the body found was that of Mr Harris.

Police said the two mountain climbers were last seen in the San Valentino Valley, near a mountain hut named Casina Dosson, at the base of the south face of Mount Care Alto.

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Mr Harriss body was found at the foot of a cliff in deep snow on the south face of Mount Care Alto after rescuers were able to trace him through his cellphone.

Worsening winter weather late on Wednesday forced rescuers to discontinue their search for his friend as heavy fog and winds hampered any continuing efforts.

The search for the other hiker is continuing on foot and alpine rescue teams are using sniffer dogs to scour the area.

Temperatures in the area were expected to drop below zero overnight and rain and snow were being forecast during the next 48 hours.

Mr Harriss body was recovered by helicopter at an altitude of 2,600 metres and transferred to the nearby village of Spiazzo, with investigators continuing to look into the cause of his death.

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Ben Harris, the brother of Mr Harris and owner of a tour company in Panama, told The Telegraph he was made aware of the discovery of a body only minutes before it was published by the media.

He said he had been phoned by a friend on WhatsApp who had been following updates on the pairs disappearance.

I pray it is not how the rest of my family had to find out. I live on a remote island in Panama myself and so am now making plans to get home to my parents, and also trying to see if I should be looking at flights to Italy or the UK first as I dont know if I need to go and ID my brother.

Ben said he had not been informed whether the body found by Italian rescue services was that of his brother or Mr Ziriat.

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He added: I am very grateful though to the search teams and how much effort and resources has gone into finding them

A lot of people came out to help I understand. I would love the chance to thank each and every one of them at some point. For now, I need to help my mum and dad survive this.

A search and rescue operation involving around 25 alpine rescue experts, firefighters and police was launched

The alpine rescue service said: The dynamics of the accident are still being investigated by law enforcement officials, but it is possible that the mountaineer fell from above.

As soon as a window of good weather permits, the search for the second climber will resume.

The pair did not check into their return flight on Monday, prompting a huge search and rescue operation with around 25 alpine rescue experts, firefighters and police, who focused their efforts on the area around the Adamello mountain range.

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The discovery came shortly after Italys alpine rescue service confirmed it had found the rucksacks and other possessions of the two missing hikers at the Malga Dosson bivouac, where they had been staying in the Dolomites.

The rescue service said the hikers backpacks, sleeping bags, and cell phone chargers had been found, indicating that Mr Ziriat and Mr Harris had intended to return after their hike.

Psychologists have provided support to relatives and friends of the hikers who had arrived from the UK to help with the search, the alpine rescue service added.

The search for the second hiker by Italys alpine rescue team is continuing on foot

On the day of their disappearance, the two hikers had shared footage of themselves discussing plans to scale 3,000-metre mountains with friends.

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In the 45-second-long clip, Mr Ziriat can be seen filming the range they intended to climb and a stone shelter where the pair were believed to have stayed overnight.

Speaking into the camera, he says: Happy New Year! Woken up to some delightful sunshine, blue skies. There has not been a cloud in the sky since we got here, which is slightly unnerving but also quite jokes.

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Gesturing to the mountain range, he adds: I want to attack this today, get up into some of the 3,000 bits, which are up yonder.

The camera then pans to the mountain lodge and Mr Ziriat comments: We just spent the night in this little bivacco [mountain shelter], absolute quality little set-up, a World War One bunker, it is a bit icy, I am only wearing my flip flops.

Looking forward to a day scampering, we are not taking our packs today, for the last two days lugging up this God-forsaken valley, another day frolicking before schlepping over to the next valley.

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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  The Tampa Police Department released the identity of a man who was found dead in the waters off Chapin Street Monday.

According to police, the body was identified as Armando Guzman-Ortiz, 23, of Tampa.

Whats going on?: Police video shows arrest of Tampa Bay doctor on child porn charges

Officers said Guzman-Ortiz lived near the area where a dive team found his body. He was also reported missing on Dec. 26, 2024.

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Detectives are investigating his death, but at this time, it is not believed there was any foul play involved.

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 WFLA.
Now officially seven months on board the International Space Station, the two NASA astronauts who flew up on Boeings Starliner last June have a busy schedule in the new year while awaiting their flight home in the spring.

Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams arrived to the ISS on June 5 on board Starliner, but remained on board after NASA decided to send the spacecraft home without crew because of safety reasons. The duo joined fellow NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Don Pettit for a call from the ISS with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy on Wednesday.

I want to ask Butch and Suni if you will put to rest, what reporters still keep asking me about how youre stranded, that theyre concerned that you dont have any clothes, that you dont have any food, Nelson said. Would you put to rest for the final time, and I hope you never have to answer it again, just how you all are doing?

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Wilmore jumped in to confirm that when the duo first flew up on Starliner for what was originally planned to be as short as an eight-day visit, that there were some clothing issues. Starliner had made a late cargo switch to bring up some emergency hardware needed to make the bathroom work on the station, and because of that, the two crew had to leave behind some personal belongings.

It was well known that we came up here, we swapped out a couple of components we needed on space station for some of our clothes. So we wore some clothes for a while, but that doesnt bother us, because, you know, clothes fit loosely up here. Its not like on Earth where you sweat and it gets bad. I mean, they fit loosely, so you can wear things, honestly, for weeks at a time, and it doesnt bother you at all.

The duo have since been reoutfitted with plenty of clothes, he said, with the arrival of Crew-9 last fall, which will eventually be the ride home for Williams and Wilmore.

He also commented that everyone on board is well fed.

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Ive never seen anyone ever, ever eat as much as Don Pettit can eat. It is amazing to watch this man eat as skinny as he is. So thats just been a joy within itself, Wilmore said.

Melroy doubled down on debunking the stranded storyline that has perpetuated in some media outlets during the Starliner astronauts extended stay.

So what youre telling us is youre not channeling Cast Away, and you dont have a volleyball with a handprint on it that you call Wilson, Melroy said.

Williams, who actually became the commander for what is now Expedition 72, noted there is too much work to do to think those sort of thoughts.

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No, weve got a whole team up here, so were not worried about that. And theres a lot to do as well with the team on the ground, she said. We had tons of science experiments with SpaceX (cargo resupply mission) 31. Weve got space walks coming up. It was really busy when we were waiting for Nick (Hague) to get up here. And its just been a joy to be working up here, particularly with our counterparts on the other end of the space station.

Williams and Hague are slated to perform at least one spacewalk later this month with Wilson and Wilmore potentially going out for second one a week later.

Its just a great team, and, no, it doesnt feel like were cast away. Yeah, eventually we want to go home, because we left our families a little while ago, but we have a lot to do while were up here, Williams said. Weve got to get all that stuff done before we go home.

The Starliner astronauts officially became part of the Crew-9 crew when the SpaceX Crew Dragon Freedom arrived on September 29 with Hague as commander along with mission specialist Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. Those two flew up with two seats empty so Wilmore and Williams could have a ride home.

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Crew-9 wont depart the ISS, though, until the arrival of its replacement Crew-10, currently targeting launch in late March.

That could mean Crew-9 may not return to Earth until early April as there would usually be about a week after a replacement crews arrival for a handoff period, which could mean Wilmore and Williams would have spent close to 10 months on board.

NASAs Pettit is on board having arrived on a Soyuz, and will return home on the same Soyuz spacecraft in March.

Williams this week moved into second place for number of combined days by a NASA astronaut in space. With 538 days and counting among three visits to the ISS since 2006, she only trails former NASA astronaut and now Axiom Space employee Peggy Whitson who has logged more than 675 days in space, and has at least one more on tap as commander of the Axiom 4 mission later this year.
VIRGINIA BEACH  A judge on Wednesday granted bond to three former Virginia Beach sheriffs deputies charged with causing the death of an inmate while restraining him at the jail last year.

Retired Court of Appeals of Virginia Judge Robert J. Humphreys issued a $5,000 bond to each of the men. The judge, asked to preside over the hearing after all of Virginia Beachs Circuit Court judges recused themselves, also ordered that those with passports turn them in while their cases are pending.

Humphreys made his decision after hearing arguments from both sides, and watching a 3-minute video presented by prosecutors. The video, a compilation of footage gathered from the deputies body cameras, showed them restraining Rolin Hill, 34, while he struggled under them.

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One deputy appears to place a knee on Hills neck while he is lying on his stomach. Another deputy is seen placing a knee on his back. The deputies are repeatedly heard telling Hill to stop resisting, and he repeatedly responds, No.

At one point, Hill asks if he can get some water, and a deputy responds, Nope. Hills breathing becomes labored and he eventually stops, according to Chief Deputy Commonwealths Attorney Scott Lang. CPR was performed at the jail, and Hill was taken to a hospital, where he died six days later.

Eric Baptiste and Michael Craig Kidd, both 39, and Kevin Wilson, 34, were charged with second-degree murder. Baptiste also faces five counts of assault and battery, and Kidd two counts.

All three were placed on leave the day after the June 4 incident, and were fired in October after a medical examiner ruled Hills death a homicide. They were indicted Friday by a special grand jury, and turned themselves in that day. They initially were ordered held without bond, but were expected to be released Wednesday.

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Their lawyers argued theyre not a flight risk, nor do they pose a danger to the community or themselves, which are the two major factors a judge must consider when deciding whether bond is appropriate.

Theyve known for months that they were being investigated and yet have not attempted to flee, the lawyers said. The attorneys also argued the incident was a isolated, and that the former deputies all have exemplary records.

Kristin Paulding, who represents Kidd, and Mario Lorello, who represents Wilson, also told the judge that Hills actions, and his cause of death, are likely to be hotly contested issues when the case gets to trial. Paulding described Hill as being highly volatile, combative and resistant, while Lorello said theres evidence he was under the influence of cocaine and alcohol.

The lawyers also argued the short video clip shown Wednesday was an incomplete picture of what happened.

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This was a much longer incident, Lorello said. It took place over 30 to 40 minutes.

Wednesdays hearing was attended by dozens of family members and supporters of Hill and the deputies. Hills family left the courtroom when the video was played, and returned afterward.

Lang told the judge Hill was arrested after behaving strangely at a 7-Eleven and refusing to leave. Police were called, and they attempted to get Hill to call for a ride, and even offered to take him home, but Hill refused, Lang said.

After Hill became combative and resistant, police placed him in a wrap restraint system, Lang said. The device wraps around a persons legs and chest, and is used to immobilize a violent, or potentially violent, suspect.

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Paulding said Virginia Beach police began using the wrap restraint system a few years ago. While police officers have been trained on how to put it on and take it off, sheriffs deputies have not, she said.

The video showed the deputies struggling to get Hill out of the wrap, and Hill fighting their efforts. One deputy asks for scissors, then uses them to free Hill from the device and get his clothes off. Paulding said the deputies did that so they could put Hill in a smock since he was viewed as a danger to himself and others.

They were following jail protocol, the defense lawyer said. A sergeant was right there.

Lang, however, argued that the deputies actions went too far.

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Whether youve been trained on the wrap, or not, you dont put your knee on someones neck to the point that their breathing becomes labored, he said. What we just watched was horrific.

Jane Harper, jane.harper@pilotonline.com
A tremendous display of love for Kyre Ambrose, 19, could be seen at Lena Park Community Development Center in Dorchester Tuesday night, just days after he was stabbed to death inside his moms Brockton home.

Family, friends, and dancers from the Boston area joined together during this time of tragedy for a vigil.

However, the event included moments of dance and celebration to mark Ambroses vibrant life.

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Brightest star: Boston dance community to pay tribute to 19-year-old stabbed 28 times

A fitting tribute since Ambrose fell in love with dance just barely after he could walk.

Kyre lived his life to the fullest. He was himself. He fulfilled every goal that he needed, explained Drake Anthony Curtis.

Kyre attended college to study dance in California before his death.

He has always been a light from the second he was born till the moment he went away, said Julianna Cumberbatch-Woods.

According to police, prosecutors revealed in court Monday that Ambrose was stabbed 28 times at his mothers home in Brockton just before 2 a.m. Saturday while she was sleeping upstairs.

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Investigators traced Ambroses death to suspect Jayden Fernandez. The 18-year-old pleaded not guilty to a charge of first-degree murder in Brockton District Court.

The Plymouth County District Attorneys office told Boston 25 News that the two men were acquainted, but they would not comment further when we pushed for clarification on how they knew one another.

At this point, Cumberbatch-Woods doesnt want the circumstances surrounding Ambroses death to take away from the positive life he lived.

I pray that in his passing that us as a family find a way to collectively honor his legacy, so kids in the future know who he was, she explained.

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Ambroses accused killer is being held without bail.

Fernandez is due back in court for a probable cause hearing on February 6th.

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DENVER (KDVR)  A father and son from Colorado and Ohio were arrested for their alleged conduct during the Jan. 6 breach of the United States Capitol, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia stated in a press release on Tuesday.

Colorado makes it to Hollywood: Golden Globes Best Director grew up in Glenwood Springs

Joseph Charles Valentour, 66, from Centerville, Ohio and Jonathan Wayne Duke Valentour, 26, from Boulder, were charged with several felony and misdemeanor offenses including:

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Assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers

Obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder

Entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds

Disorderly conduct in a Capitol building

Disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds

Engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds

Act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings

Joseph was arrested in Ohio on Jan. 3 and Jonathan was arrested on Jan. 6 in Colorado.

According to court documents, body camera footage worn by police at the Capitol on Jan. 6 showed Joseph approaching a police line that he appeared to purposefully back into. After allegedly making contact with an officer, the officer pushed Joseph back before other rioters grabbed the officers baton and dragged him into the crowd. Body camera footage from a different officer showed that Joseph was pushing against the police line allegedly touching an officers shield multiple times before joining other rioters in attempting to disarm that officer.

The documents stated that the officer was disarmed which caused them to fall down a flight of stairs.

Shortly after, another officer responded to the incident and went to help the fallen officer when Joseph allegedly impeded their path, lowered his shoulder to hip height and used his weight to charge at and push the approaching officer.

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More footage showed Joseph pushing the police line and making physical contact with yet another officer before moving back into the crowd of rioters, according to court documents.

The documents also said that the son, Duke, was in a similar area as the father. Body camera footage showed Duke allegedly charging through rioters towards the police line. He interfered with and resisted officers by pushing other rioters into the police line. He also allegedly grabbed at officers before they repelled him down a flight of stairs.

Duke allegedly made his way back up the stairs behind another rioter who was holding what appeared to be a police officers shield. Duke used the rioter and shield as protection before pushing the person holding the shield into the officers, according to the court documents.

An officer reportedly deployed pepper spray in Dukes direction causing him to retreat down the stairs once more.

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Conservation groups offer $100K reward for information after wolf shot in Grand County

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations Cincinnati, Denver and Washington field officers. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Divisions Counterterrorism Section.

According to the release, Duke has made his initial court appearance in the District of Colorado.

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A Missouri community is grieving the loss of two elementary school children after they were found fatally shot inside a burning home last week.

Jeffrey Hatcher, 8, and his sister 6-year-old Charlotte, were found dead inside a burning home on Northwest 91st Terrace in Kansas City, Mo., on Thursday, Jan. 2, according to Kansas City police, KSHB, The Kansas City Star and KMBC reported. Both appeared to have been shot.

The childrens father, 38-year-old Zachary Hatcher, was also found dead of a gunshot wound inside the residence. Police now say he killed Jeffrey and Charlotte before turning his weapon on himself, per The Kansas City Star and KMBC.

Dignity Memorial (2)

Police say they responded to the residence on Thursday evening to carry out a welfare check, the outlets reported.

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Once at the scene, officers saw smoke coming out of the house and, soon after entering the home, had to retreat as the fire spread inside.

After fire department officials extinguished the fire, police found Jeffrey and Charlotte with their father inside.

Charlotte and her father died at the scene; Jeffrey died after being taken to a hospital.



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In a statement to PEOPLE, the Platte County R-3 School District confirmed the two children were students in the district. Jeffrey was in 2nd grade and Charlotte was in kindergarten at Pathfinder Elementary.

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In a GoFundMe set up to assist with funeral costs, the children are being remembered for bringing immeasurable joy and light into the lives of everyone who knew them.

Words cannot fully express the indescribable pain and sorrow we are experiencing as we mourn their passing, read part of the fundraiser.

In an obituary, Jeffrey is being remembered as a voracious reader with an insatiable drive for learning, earning the title of the resident Keeper of Odd Knowledge at his school.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.



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UPDATE: A 12-year-old boy who was reported missing and last seen at Lincoln Junior High School on Jan. 6 has been found, according to the Bakersfield Police Department.

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  Police are seeking the communitys help in locating a missing boy who was last seen at Lincoln Junior High School.

Bakersfield police say Ellie Campos, 12, was last seen at 815 Eureka St. on Monday, Jan. 6, around 10:30 a.m.

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Newsom says construction on High Speed Rail portion through Bakersfield to begin by spring

Ellie is 5 feet, 4 inches tall and has black hair with brown eyes.

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BPD said he was as last seen wearing a light grey hoodie, light blue jeans, and black Air Force Nike shoes, department officials said.

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 KGET 17.
Hardly a day goes by here that Mexico's president or one of her aides does not speak of some plan being devised in case President-elect Donald Trump goes through with his threats of mass deportations and punishing tariffs  testament to how vulnerable Mexico is to shifting policies in Washington.

The latest from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum's administration is a panic button  an emergency cellphone application that will enable Mexican citizens fearing detention in or deportation from the United States to alert diplomats and relatives of their plight.

Sheinbaum also says her government has bolstered staff at Mexico's more than 50 consulates in the United States, adding advisors to provide legal counsel to those facing potential deportation.

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Trump's pronouncements have generated profound uncertainty among Mexican officials, business leaders on both sides of the border and millions of Mexican immigrants in the United States.

Mexico's president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has spoken out against President-elect Donald Trump's deportation threats. (Fernando Llano / Associated Press)

Sheinbaum, who calls Mexican migrants heroes, opposes Trumps mass deportation plan but has been muted in her criticisms of Trump himself.

Mexican nationals who could face deportation are not alone and will not be alone, Mexicos foreign minister, Juan Ramon de la Fuente, vowed last month, speaking to reporters during one of Sheinbaum's daily morning news conferences.

Read more: 'All hell will break out': 3 foreign policy takeaways from Trump

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According to Mexican government estimates, some 4.8 million Mexicans reside in the United States illegally, by far the largest number among any nationality. Some have resided in the north for decades and have U.S.-born children, own homes and run businesses.

Trump and his representatives have offered no comprehensive details on how his deportation plan will take shape. Some aides have spoken of prioritizing roundups of undocumented immigrants with criminal records and pending deportation orders  longtime targets of U.S. immigration enforcement.

The U.S. House on Tuesday passed a bill that would target for deportation immigrants who are in the country illegally and have been charged with nonviolent crimes.

Read more: Mexico's president on Trump deportation plans: Immigrants are not 'criminals'

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And some Trump proxies have not ruled out expanded raids in workplaces and sweeps in immigrant communities.

Its unclear whether Sheinbaum and her government hold out any hope that Trumps deportation threats  a central pillar of his campaign  can be averted. Their public posture is to try to convince Trump of the importance of Mexican workers to key U.S. industries, including agriculture, meatpacking and the hospitality sector. But Trump and his allies have shown little sympathy for that argument.

Vulnerable Mexican citizens need to know that they have rights, Sheinbaum told reporters. You cant just deport a person, detain them, take them to the border. There are a series of legal procedures that need to be followed.

Formal deportation cases can take months, even years, to resolve before immigration judges.

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A legal assistance program for Mexicans residing in the United States now includes more than 300 advisors across Mexico's 53 U.S. consulates, the government says, and also receives voluntary support from consultants and law firms.

Some critics question whether the Mexican government's preparations will be effective, or if they're really meant to be.

Read more: Will Trump send troops to Mexico? His pick for ambassador worries officials there

The panic button, the stuff with the consulates  its all a smokescreen to give the impression of doing something in response to Trump, said Irineo Mujica, who heads the Pueblo Sin Fronteras rights group. "Basically, they are going to give in to whatever Trump wants."

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The so-called panic button app, to be fully rolled out this month, would allow citizens to alert officials at the nearest Mexican consulate  as well as previously selected family members  of enforcement action targeting them, officials say.

Questions remain about how the app will work and when it will become widely available. It will be simple to use and designed to be utilized if someone is facing imminent detention, De la Fuente said. Some immigration lawyers in Texas have launched a similar initiative, albeit of a smaller scale, and it has proved an effective tool, the foreign minister said.

Read more: 'I don't feel safe anywhere.' California moves to aid undocumented students as fears surge

If someone is detained, independent of their migratory status, the most important thing is that the consulate is notified, said De la Fuente. This guarantees that the consulate is advised and we can make a quick reaction.

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According to the State Department, foreign nationals detained in the United States must be advised of the option of having the closest consulate or embassy notified. Immigrant advocates say arrested migrants are often not told of this option.

A deportation officer with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducts a briefing before an operation last month in the Bronx borough of New York. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson / Associated Press)

People in immigration proceedings may hire attorneys, but they often cannot afford the fees  or may be unaware of how to go about finding counsel. Unlike criminal defendants, those detained for immigration violations have no right to court-appointed lawyers. Various studies have shown that having counsel greatly reduces the chances of someone being deported.

Mexican authorities, De la Fuente said, are also making extensive efforts to encourage compatriots in the United States with U.S.-born children to register their names and those of their children with consulates. One of the great fears of mass deportation is that sweeps could separate U.S.-citizen children from undocumented parents  or even result in the removal of U.S. citizen minors.

In Mexico, the migrant panic button plan has been greeted with considerable skepticism. Some have noted that, in Mexico, authorities are often slow to respond to emergency calls reporting crimes or to the many fixed panic buttons in parks and other sites that are meant to summon police.

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Are Batman and Robin going to come to the rescue? one person asked on social media after the government unveiled the app plan.

Also, many remain unconvinced that Mexican consulates  which, like other parts of the Mexican government, have seen budget cuts in recent years  will be much help in the face of sweeping deportations. Mujica said the consulates are often viewed with distrust by Mexican migrants. "They treat people like second-class citizens, Mujica said.

Another element of Sheinbaums plan is to bolster aid for deportees removed to Mexican border cities and elsewhere in Mexico. They will be received with social programs ... and all the help they need, Sheinbaum said, but she has provided few details.

Skeptics note that Mexican authorities have traditionally done little to assist Mexican nationals who are deported or otherwise repatriated to Mexico  beyond welcoming them and offering free or discounted bus fare back to their areas of origin.

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Special correspondent Cecilia Sanchez Vidal in Mexico City contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
SAO PAULO (AP)  Brazilian authorities gathered in capital Brasilia on Wednesday to mark the second anniversary of an alleged coup attempt by supporters of former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was joined by members of his Cabinet, military leaders, four allied governors and four Supreme Court justices  including Alexandre de Moraes, who presides over investigations into the coup attempt  for a ceremony at the presidential palace.

The building was one of those trashed by Bolsonaro supporters in 2023 in a bid to trigger a military intervention that would oust the leftist leader from office.

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Today is the day to say loud and clear: We're still here, Lula said at the ceremony, in an apparent reference to the recent blockbuster film  Im Still Here that addresses the trauma of Brazils two-decade dictatorship. We're here to say that we are alive and that democracy is alive, contrary to what the January 8, 2023 coup plotters had planned.

On Jan. 8, 2023, thousands of pro-Bolsonaro rioters bypassed security barricades around the presidential palace, Congress and the Supreme Court, and climbed onto roofs, smashed windows, urinated on precious art and damaged historic Brazilian memorabilia. They invaded government buildings and called for a military intervention to remove Lula from office.

Artworks that were destroyed have been restored, in partnership with Swiss authorities, and are being reintroduced to the public, Brazils presidency said. Lula had invited the president of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco, and the lower house speaker, Arthur Lira, but neither participated in the ceremony.

Brazils Supreme Court is scheduled to host discussions with staffers who witnessed the court's invasion and others who took part in reconstruction efforts. A remembrance website is being set up and an exhibition of art produced using wreckage from the melee will be opened.

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The anniversary is taking place amid several legal cases targeting Bolsonaro, who narrowly lost his 2022 reelection bid to Lula, then questioned the legitimacy of the results and declined to concede.

Federal Police have formally accused Bolsonaro and 36 others, including high-ranking military officers, of attempting a coup. The accusation is sealed, but the authorities had been investigating whether he incited the Jan. 8 uprising.

The former leader is an outspoken admirer of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, and the riot in Brasilia offered an echo of the Capitol insurrection in Washington in January 2021.

Legal experts believe Bolsonaro could be charged and stand trial in the second half of 2025 at the Supreme Court for allegedly falsifying his COVID-19 vaccination status. Analysts also say theres a reasonable chance he stands trial before 2026 over allegedly embezzling jewels gifted by Saudi Arabian authorities.

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Brazils electoral court has already barred Bolsonaro from running for office until 2030, after a panel ruled that he abused his power and cast unfounded doubts on the countrys electronic voting system.

His supporters have focused most of their anger at the Supreme Court, particularly Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is presiding over several investigations targeting them. He publicly warned Brazilians last year that any celebration of Jan. 8 would constitute a crime.

According to a Supreme Court report released Tuesday, 898 people have so far been held criminally responsible for the Jan. 8 uprising, with 371 convicted and the remainder signing leniency agreements. The report notes 485 additional investigations are ongoing.

No one has been or will be unjustly imprisoned. All will pay for the crimes they committed, Lula said in his Wednesday speech, adding that the defendants will have their rights to defense and the presumption of innocence guaranteed.

___

Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
Brazil's president on Wednesday marked the second anniversary of the alleged coup attempt by supporters of former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro. The building in Brasilia was one of those trashed by Bolsonaro supporters in 2023 in their bid to trigger a military intervention that would oust Lula from office. Today is the day to say loud and clear: We're still here, the president said during the event.
At least six committee chair races for the 109th Nebraska Legislature will be contested: Business and Labor, Education, Health and Human Services, Nebraska Retirement Systems, Revenue and Rules. Chairs will be decided when the new Legislature convenes Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Senator photos by Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner. Nebraska Capitol photo by Rebecca S. Gratz for the Nebraska Examiner)

LINCOLN  As state lawmakers reconvene for the 109th Nebraska Legislature, one of their first tasks will be selecting leadership in at least six contested races to chair legislative committees.

The start of the two-year legislative session comes as one-third of the 49-member Legislature is brand new to the body. Roughly two-thirds of the Legislature has less than three years of experience.

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Lawmakers will reconvene at 10 a.m. Wednesday before returning Thursday with nine session days to introduce the full slate of bills. The 2025 session can last up to 90 days, with the 2026 session a constitutionally short session of up to 60 days.

After the newly elected and reelected are sworn in Wednesday, they will select leaders for speaker of the Legislature, the chairs of more than a dozen committees, members of the Committee on Committees that determines committee assignments and members of the Executive Board that manages the day-to-day operations and affairs of the Legislative Branch.

Ahead of the start of the Legislature, six races for committee chairs include two candidates, while the races for other leadership positions, including the speaker who sets the daily debate schedule, remain uncontested.

Chairs help steer legislation through their respective committees, scheduling hearings and later votes to advance proposals to the full Legislature. This can sometimes be critical to the survivability of different measures.

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Leadership races could matter in a year when lawmakers have said they want to tackle tax reform, election changes, medical marijuana regulations, school finance reform, closing a projected budget deficit and much more.

Any senator can throw their name into the ring for the chairs, or they can be nominated from the floor. Winners are determined by secret ballot, under the Legislatures internal rules.

Here is a breakdown of who is running for chairs in contested races:

Business and Labor Committee

The Business and Labor Committee will be weighing any modifications to recent voter-approved ballot measures incrementally increasing the minimum wage and baseline requirements for paid sick leave, which take effect Oct. 1.

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Nebraskas minimum wage increased to $13.50 on Jan. 1 and will go up to $15 next year. Beginning in 2027, the wage will go up automatically, tied to cost-of-living bumps.

Because both measures were passed as state laws, rather than constitutional amendments, the Legislature retains wide latitude in how it could modify the provisions. However, such changes would require at least 33 votes under the Nebraska Constitution.

State Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha, left, joins Gov. Jim Pillen at a news conference. Aug. 5, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

State Sens. Kathleen Kauth and John Cavanaugh, both of Omaha, are seeking to succeed the current chair, State Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston, who is seeking to lead another legislative committee. Neither has been chair before, and neither has served on the Business and Labor Committee.

Kauth said the role of a committee chair isnt to push for one bill or another but to figure out where voters are at and help priority and other important bills reach the legislative floor as fast as possible.

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My job as chair is not to pressure people into voting the way I want them to, Kauth said. Its to get everyone to put their name down and say, This is how I vote, and help them think through and be able to articulate, What is it about this bill that you dont like and that you feel like its not necessary?

Cavanaugh said committees provide a service to the Legislature as a whole and, when well-run, committees mean treating everyone respectfully and giving them a chance to be heard. Also important, he said, is working to improve bills before they are advanced to the full Legislature.

I think if people really did go look at the Legislature the last two years, they would see that those bills coming out of the committees that Ive served on have come out ready, he said.

State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha. July 22, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

Kauth said scheduling proposals on paid sick leave early is important, so they can be fine-tuned, if necessary.

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Its not what work comes out, Kauth said of being a chair. Its getting the work done.

Cavanaugh said he would work to protect minimum wage increases. To him, senators can have substantive conversations while still preserving the will of Nebraska voters.

Being able to find ways that address the concerns but dont undermine the intention is really, I think, the key around here, Cavanaugh said. Obviously, you cant solve everybodys concerns about everything but finding those places where you can compromise.

Education Committee

The Education Committee will be at the helm of ongoing efforts to reform Nebraskas state funding formulas for its 245 public school districts, with the goal of reducing local property taxes.

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State Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil is asking his colleagues for two more years as chair. He highlighted his committees successes in having the state pay an increased share of special education costs (80%), creating $1,500 in foundation aid for roughly every public school student, prioritizing school safety, strengthening early reading programs and supports for students with dysleixa or literacy challenges, offering incentives to recruit and retain teachers and creating prospective college students with new scholarship or workforce opportunities to stay in Nebraska.

In the last six years, especially the last two years as chair, Ive worked hard to foster a team that values working together and finding compromise and delivering success for students and educators and the schools, Murman said. I will continue to do that.

State Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil. Aug. 7, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward, who hasnt yet served on the committee, is seeking the role because she has a long-term vision for K-12 school finance reform. She said that in her next six years in the Legislature, if she is reelected, part of the plan includes working to bring local school tax rates more in line with one another and to review educational spending to ensure it is working as intended.

Hughes and a group of other lawmakers have continued to work separately from Gov. Jim Pillen, which Hughes said must be done within the states financial reality.

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It was so big and robust this summer, so were just going take a smaller stab at it, Hughes said.

Pillen will try again for the state to cover more school operational expenses, a proposal that would likely be introduced and shepherded by the next committee chair.

Hughes, an exercise instructor, substitute teacher and former engineering consultant, served four years in Seward on the school board before being elected in 2022. Murman, a farmer, is a former school board member of what is now Sandy Creek Public Schools.

State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward meets with State Sens. Tom Brandt of Plymouth and Danielle Conrad of Lincoln during the first day of the Legislatures special session on property taxes on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

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Murman said he supports Pillens efforts and wants to cut administrative costs, find efficiencies and eliminate some state mandates on schools.

The current chair will also continue working with the Revenue Committee to modernize the states tax system to help with property taxes, such as by supporting a broader sales tax base on services. As part of those efforts, Murman helped guide one of his bills through the Revenue Committee that shifted most property taxes paid to community colleges onto state tax rolls.

Im pretty open as to how we can get the funding out, Murman said. But the big issue, of course, is how do we raise the state funding to replace whatever reductions we have in property tax funding?

Hughes said when she first got to the Legislature, she naively thought committees were like mini think tanks to plan long-term policies. If elected as chair, she envisions the committee meeting more often, similar to weekly Wednesday meetings among agricultural-focused lawmakers.

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She views Wednesdays vote for chair like a job interview, asking colleagues to consider each candidates record, including their passion, focus, vision, how they would get bills over the finish line, how they would work with other members and how theyll communicate whats happening.

Youth are our future, so we have got to make sure that we are educating our kids for that future, Hughes said.

Health and Human Services Committee

Medicaid and workforce rank among top issues for the Health and Human Services Committee over the next two years, according to State Sens. Brian Hardin of Gering and Riepe, who are seeking to succeed State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair, who is running to lead the Legislatures Executive Board.

State Sen. Brian Hardin of Gering at a legislative retreat in Kearney on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

Hardin, the committees vice chair, noted workforce concerns, particularly in rural Nebraska, including that the state is short more than 5,000 registered nurses.

Its not like anyone can wiggle their nose and go, You know what? Those 5,400 nurses are all going to be made up in two years, Hardin said. Thats not going to happen, and that being the case, can we broaden what either they do or others around them do so that we can actually participate in helping the health needs of Nebraska?

Another topic for Hardin is whether the state should change or replace its scope-of-practice review process, which assists lawmakers when crafting technical bills.

Riepe, who chaired the Health and Human Services Committee in 2017 and 2018, and is the current Business and Labor Committee chair, said his driving interest in seeking the top HHS spot is the states budget shortfall of more than $432 million.

I do have clear strategic objectives, Riepe said. Thats the reason Im walking away  I didnt get impeached out of Business and Labor, and I think we had a good, good committee. Its not as if we ran it into the ground.

Its just my love and interest, where Ive spent my whole adult life, is in health care, the former hospital administrator continued.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services budget, Riepe noted, is about one-third of the states annual general fund expenditures, and with President-elect Donald Trump calling for significant changes to the Affordable Care Act of 2010 (Obamacare), Medicaid will be a major topic.

When that happens at the federal level, believe me, it will come down the hill to the states, Riepe said of federal changes.

State Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston. Aug. 16, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

Hardin said his experience leading several companies and board meetings in the insurance, fuel and child care industries, prepared him to be a chair, as has working with diverse personalities, where he was often in the political minority.

I think the committee chairs job is to try and create a safe environment for people to say, This is what I think: Two plus two is five, Hardin said. Its creating that texture of, OK, even if Brian may not agree with me, this is a place where we can have a meaningful conversation.

Riepe highlighted his experience as chair, as well as other qualifying experience from service in the Navy; consulting work in multiple states; an undergraduate degree in finance and a masters degree in health management and policy, along with management roles overseeing hundreds of physicians and employees.

Nebraska Retirement Systems Committee

One of the quieter races this week might come from the Nebraska Retirement Systems Committee contest between Lincoln State Sens. Beau Ballard, the Legislatures youngest member, and Danielle Conrad, the longest current tenured senator.

State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln joins a public listening session on property taxes at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Lincoln on Monday, July 22, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

Conrad is entering her 11th nonconsecutive year in the Legislature, four of which she has served on the Retirement Committee. As an attorney with eight total years on the Appropriations Committee, she said she is ready to step up to the challenge of a committee that doesnt grab a lot of headlines but does necessary technical work.

Nebraska really stands out as a very prudently managed retirement system for state and local public employees, Conrad said.

Ballard said he has always been interested in retirement issues but couldnt get on the committee as a freshman lawmaker in 2023. He noted he has a background in finance and would embrace long-term projections, cost-benefit analysis plans and actuarial studies to ensure retirement plans are fully sustainable.

Some people find that boring, but I find it very interesting, Ballard said.

Both candidates said there are no major issues on the horizon, crediting past chairs for leading in fiscally conservative, prudent and nonpartisan manners, which they hope to emulate.

One issue for the committee will be confirming the pick of the next director of the board overseeing the Nebraska Public Employees Retirement Systems. In 2023, after confirming a board director, the Legislature reversed, led by a motion from Conrad, reviving the search. The next director tapped and later legislatively confirmed for the position, former State Treasurer John Murante, resigned from the post in December.

State Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln answers questions on one of his bills before the Nebraska Legislatures Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Lincoln, Neb. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

The NPERS board, as of September, now has direct management of the Omaha Public Schools retirement system, which both candidates said they would monitor.

Conrad noted she would never support OPS obligations transferring to state taxpayers.

She said the committee must ensure public employees can retire and live a life in dignity, with good stewardship of public resources top of mind.

Ballard said he would work to ensure the states retirement systems are supporting and fulfilling a promise for the states public servants. He said he would ensure plans are adequately funded.

Revenue Committee

A key contested committee race will replace the term-limited chair of the Revenue Committee, State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Omaha, who led the committee the past six years and oversaw major tax changes for income and property taxes.

Seeking to succeed her are State Sens. Brad von Gillern of Omaha and George Dungan of Lincoln, both members of the committee in their first two years of service.

Von Gillern, who was Linehans right hand as vice chair, said Linehan set a standard and gave him a front-row seat to the management, operation and strategy of being a Revenue chair.

This isnt completely foreign to me, von Gillern said. I want to be fair-minded. I want to listen to people, but I also wont put up with a whole lot of horsing around as far as getting in the way of being an efficient committee structure.

State Sen. Brad von Gillern of Elkhorn. Aug. 13, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

Dungan noted he has often been a key opposing voice on the committee, which he said often previewed the level of opposition legislation would face on the floor. He said his goal as chair would be ensuring there is a tax policy that lifts everyone and applies equitable treatment to taxpayers.

My goal as the chair of the Revenue Committee would be to listen to as many people as I can, both in the Legislature and in my community, and try to meld together all of those needs as best as I could, Dungan said. He said he would seek to be forward-looking and not myopic in short-term solutions.

Both senators said the projected budget shortfall is the looming issue, with von Gillern stating he will protect recent tax cuts while Dungan said its those decisions that led to the current problems.

I know thatll be an easy mark for a lot of people that want to spend money, von Gillern said. I want to make sure that we protect those, protect the property tax relief, because I think both of those are economic motivators for the state.

I think that we need to make sure when something comes out of the committee it is ready for the floor, insofar as it has been properly debated, property taken apart and put back together in a way that does achieve the goal of everybody having some input, Dungan said.

State Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln at a listening session on property taxes in Lincoln. July 22, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

Von Gillern said his background in the business and nonprofit worlds gives him a better understanding than many of what the impact of different revenue-related proposals would be.

Dungan said he would keep an equitable tax policy and the fiscal health of the state at the forefront of his mind, seeking to offer targeted relief to those who need it most.

Rules Committee

One challenged race is for the Rules Committee, which considers structural changes to how the Legislature functions, such as cloture motions to end filibusters on typically contentious legislation.

State Sens. Loren Lippincott of Central City, who hasnt yet served on the committee, and Wendy DeBoer of Omaha, who has been vice chair of the committee for the past four years, are seeking the role.

Lippincott said top issues to him are considering possible rules about debate processes related to excessive filibustering, noting the evolution of cloture and the filibuster in the U.S. Senate that has since caused a log jam and held up business.

State Sen. Loren Lippincott of Central City, left, talks with State Sen. Tom Briese of Albion. Jan. 11, 2023. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska News Service)

We go off tangent, we do not talk about legislation, Lippincott said of Nebraska lawmakers. That really goes against the intent and rules of the rulebook, and that needs to be reined in.

DeBoer noted that a significant portion of the legislative body has no more than two years of legislative service and said it limited how the body worked in an era ridden with filibusters and turmoil, particularly in 2023.

I think that it is important to have a little more time under everyones belt before they see how everything works, DeBoer said. As far as I understand, there isnt a lot of appetite amongst the members who have been here for a while, beyond just the last biennium, for upending the structure of the rules to try to change anything substantial.

Over the past two years alone, there were 78 cloture motions to end filibusters after they reached a maximum amount of debate set by the speaker.

Lippincott said thats part of the reason there is talk about changing the threshold to shut off a filibuster, such as down to three-fifths of the 49-member body (30), rather than two-thirds (33). Some senators have also suggested a sliding scale based on how many senators are present and voting, not who is absent or refuses to take a position.

State Sen. Wendy DeBoer of Omaha talks with State Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha. July 26, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

Both candidates said they would listen to all lawmakers, with Lippincott saying he would seek to understand the pros and cons of different rules proposals and DeBoer, who often presides over the Legislature in place of Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly, saying she wants to be a mentor to all lawmakers.

Its important to be open-minded, to foster an atmosphere of listening to ideas, and whether its brainstorming, having all sorts of ideas come in, or whether it is maintaining status quo and why there are advantages in maintaining the status quo, Lippincott said.

DeBoer said it is not the job of the rules to try to pick winners or losers or enact political change. She said she hopes her reputation of finding ways forward and negotiating stands out.

I just believe in Nebraska. I believe in the Legislature, DeBoer said. As a result, I want to have rules and a rules process thats fair to everyone.

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Opelika, Ala. (WRBL)  Firefighters are actively fighting a house fire along Geneva Street, just blocks from downtown Opelika. Crews arrived on the scene Wednesday morning after receiving an emergency call at approximately , reporting heavy flames and the inability to turn off the gas supply to the home. Thankfully no injuries have been reported so far.

Nearby structures have been evacuated as a precaution. The fire has been designated as a Level 1 indicating a significant but manageable incident.

First responders are working to contain the blaze and ensure the safety of residents in the area. Witnesses reported seeing heavy smoke rising from the structure.

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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX)  Breeze Airways new direct flight from Grand Junction to Las Vegas begins Thursday.

The inaugural flight  from Vegas to Junction  is expected to arrive at 8:14 p.m. at Grand Junction Regional Airport. A return departure to Las Vegas is scheduled for 8:54 p.m.

Breeze Airways announced this new flight last summer.

The airline also has flights to Salt Lake City, Orange County, California, and Hartford, Connecticut. The last of the three also starts Thursday.

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A 13-foot great white shark made a return appearance to the Florida waters Wednesday. The over 1,400-pound male shark, named Breton, has been tracked by researchers since 2020 and last resurfaced near Florida on New Year's Day in 2024.

Breton left the Newfoundland coast in early December and made his way south down the East Coast, according to the OCEARCH tracker.

The marine science nonprofit OCEARCH tracks Breton and was first tagged by researchers in September 2020 near Scatarie Island, Nova Scotia. He was the first shark tagged during OCEARCH's 2020 expedition. He has traveled 40,913 miles since he was tagged.

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Breton has previously made trips to Florida around this time of year, and in 2022, went viral after his tag pings revealed that he had seemingly created a self-portrait.

The great white shark has traveled up and down the East Coast for the past five years and in 2023, he was "pinged" near the Pamlico Sound on North Carolina's Outer Banks. Great white sharks range from Maine down to the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Breton isn't the only great white shark making his way south. Bob, another 13-foot male white shark, was pinged off the Florida coast on Jan. 5, according to the tracker.

Trump says he plans to change Gulf of Mexico's name to "Gulf of America"

What we know about the wildfires in California

Deadly Eaton Fire burns more than 10,000 acres
The Maryland Board of Public Works approved a $75 million general engineering consultant services contract for the Key Bridge rebuild project on Wednesday.

Bridging Maryland Partnership  a joint venture of WSP USA in New York, Baltimore-based RK&K, and Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson in Cockeysville  was initially selected by the Maryland Transportation Authority to oversee the project. The partnership now has approval to perform planning, engineering, construction management and program support services to rebuild the Key Bridge.

Bridging Maryland Partnership is going to be responsible for ensuring that this bridge is built safely, that it is built sustainably and smoothly, and importantly, as swiftly as possible, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said at the Department of Public Works meeting on Wednesday.

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A Dali container ship lost power before colliding with the Key Bridge on March 26. Six highway construction workers were killed when the bridge collapsed.

It was one of the darkest days in Marylands history, Moore said. We did and continue to mourn the loss of those six Marylanders in the tragedy.

The new Key Bridge is expected to be completed by October 2028 and will cost between $1.7 billion and $1.9 billion, according to state officials. Congress has approved full funding for the project.

The MDTA released a request for proposals on July 19, inviting teams to submit technical proposals for the general engineering consultant contract. The proposals, received at the end of September, were evaluated by the MDTA selection committee, and the contract was awarded to the team with the highest-ranked technical proposal. The open-ended, task-order-based contract has a 31.5% disadvantaged business enterprise goal and will not exceed five years.

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Kiewit Infrastructure Co. was awarded a contract by MDTA on Aug. 29 to complete the design.

Bridging Maryland Partnership will also provide risk management and analyses, in addition to establishing, reviewing, tracking and monitoring costs and schedules, among other services.

This month, construction crews on barges, drills, cranes, tugs and service vessels will begin drilling to collect soil samples and map subsurface waterways. Officials with the MDTA said noise impacts and traffic disruptions will be minimal, and will not significantly impact navigation on the Patapsco River.

In preparation for the rebuild, a video featuring MDTA Chief Engineer Jim Harkness was produced to provide information on pre-construction activities.

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In addition, a Key Bridge Rebuild Facebook page was created for sharing real-time updates, key milestones and progress reports. Other communication resources for the Key Bridge Rebuild include the website KeyBridgeRebuild.com where residents can subscribe to a mailing list.

This is a monumental project for the region, and were committed to keeping the public informed every step of the way, Maryland Transportation Secretary and MDTA Chairman Paul J. Wiedefeld said in a statement. These early activities are crucial in setting the foundation for a safe, efficient and sustainable bridge for the future.

Have a news tip? Contact Todd Karpovich at tkarpovich@baltsun.com or on X as @ToddKarpovich.
The Tony Award-winning "Life of Pi" is ready to make its Minnesota debut.

Tickets for the six-day, eight-show run will go on sale on Jan. 17, Hennepin Arts announced this week. The West End and Broadway hit will head to the Orpheum Theatre from March 4 to 9.

The touring production, heralded for its big visuals and innovative puppetry, stars Taha Mandviwala as Pi, a teenager stranded on a life raft with a quartet of animals that includes a massive Bengal tiger.

'Life of Pi'Photo by Ellie Kurttz

The original performance opened in 2019 and went on to do 500 performances in London's West End before heading to Broadway. Since that first production, "Life of Pi" has won five Olivier Awards, three Tonys, four Drama Desk Awards, and two Outer Critics Circle Awards.

Tickets for the Orpheum run start at $40 and go on sale Jan. 17 at 10 a.m.

Related: 10 of the best concerts in the Twin Cities this winter
People in the City of Brookville voted to keep Mayor Chuck Letner and Vice Mayor James Zimmerlin in office during a special election on Tuesday, according to unofficial election results from the Montgomery Board of Elections.

Results show that 52% of people voted yes to keep both the mayor and vice mayor.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

This is my city. Im here to represent it. It means so much to me that Id be crazy not to, Letner said to News Center 7 on Tuesday.

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A recall petition with more than 500 residents signatures initiated the election.

Some residents believed the city council was not hearing their concerns about new developments in Brookville.

In fact, there were multiple occasions where citizens would speak up and the mayor would laugh at them, Jamie Laquinta, with the Keep It Rural initiative in Brookville said.

TRENDING STORIES:

Signs like Keep it Rural are voicing some residents pushback on new developments.

Letner believes the petition was fueled by misinformation.

After the fact and realizing how the signatures were obtained, it becomes evident that our citizens were lied to, deceived, and even intimidated, Letner said.

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We can send a clear message to the city council that you will listen to your constituents. You will not laugh at us, Laquinta said.

The Montgomery County Board of Elections will certify these results in the next two weeks, a spokesperson from the board confirmed.

News Center 7 will continue to follow this story.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Surveillance footage from Ohio State University shows exactly how a statue of Brutus was vandalized in late November. Several angles of surveillance footage received through a public information request show a man walking in the middle of Lane Avenue around 3:20 AM on Nov. 24, 2024.

The Ohio State Buckeyes beat the Indiana Hoosiers earlier that day in a matchup of top 5 teams.

The man in the surveillance footage is seen banging on windows at The Varsity Club on the corner of Lane Avenue and Tuttle Park Place. From there, he walks next door to College Traditions, a popular Ohio State-themed merchandise store. He pushes over the fiberglass statue of Brutus, breaking it at the shins and leaving behind the boots fastened to the ground.

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The vandal then goes on a four-minute rampage kicking the statue up and down Lane Avenue in the middle of the road while seemingly recording on his phone. The footage then shows him pick up the statue and throw it against another statue of Woody Hayes. Brutus bounces back off the metal Hayes statue and hits the man. The suspect then throws the statue twice more before dumping it down a stairwell situated between The Varsity Club and College Traditions.

The surveillance footage then shows the man walking west on Lane Avenue in the middle of the four-lane road. Vehicles swerve to pass around him, and at one point, he runs directly at a car. Police catch up to the man near the Lane Avenue Bridge over the Olentangy River after two students walking home witnessed his attack on the statue and called police.

Ohio State University Police body camera footage shows the officers engage the man, who was wearing sweatpants and a blue Notre Dame sweatshirt.

Why are you walking in the middle of the road? one officer can be heard asking. The man responds, I dont know.

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The officer responds, Okay. Why would that mean that you need to walk in the middle of the road?

The man in the Notre Dame sweatshirt replies, Its obvious.

The officer, questioning the man, said, Whats obvious?

Like the direction of the road is obvious, the man replied.

The conversation then turns to why the man isnt using the sidewalk instead of walking in the middle of the road.

Im looking at the road. Im looking at the sidewalk. Theyre going the same exact way, said the officer. Theyre not. Because they turn up there, said the man.

At this point in the encounter, multiple officers are on scene as well as the two students who witnessed the attack.

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One witness said to an officer, I was more concerned than anything. He was like, next to Varsity Club, like throwing the Brutus statue around.

Did you see him break it? asked the officer. Both witnesses said, Yes.

One of the witnesses said the man kept talking to himself, and thought maybe he was talking to the two students.

I did the O-H thing. He just kept talking to himself, and he didnt say I-O back, so I kind of knew something was up, said one witness before adding, He was right in the middle of the street. Hes doing this right in the street.

The two students then point the officers to where they can find the statue of Brutus.

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At the bottom of the staircase, to the left of the Varsity Club youll see it, one of them said.

Officers are then approached by a man who claims to be the father of the alleged vandal. The officers take down information for both of the men, then allow them to leave.

NBC4 reached out to Ohio State Police for an update on potential charges but has not received confirmation. Franklin County court records do not show any current charges for destruction of the statue.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
BELOIT, Kan. (KSNW)  A burglary report led to shots fired at law enforcement in north-central Kansas. It happened early Monday in Beloit.

Police say officers and Mitchell County deputies responded to the report of a burglary in progress in the 300 block of Highland Ave.

Major change to daylight saving time in Kansas could come in 2025, what to know

Beloit police say as the officers and deputies began investigating, the suspects opened fire. Troopers from the Kansas Highway Patrol and a game warden from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks responded to assist the deputies and officers.

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They secured the perimeter and were able to convince the suspects to surrender. Two people were taken into custody. No one was hurt.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
Jan. 7Burleson residents have taken to social media to express their frustration after a locally-owned grocery store posted a video about their impending closure.

"With heavy hearts, we are here to announce that City Market will be closing stores permanently within the next two months," City Market owner Kurt Jaeger said in a video posted to the store's Facebook page on Monday night. "We were unexpectedly served an official eviction notice by the building's owner. Our entire City Market family is devastated, heartbroken and shocked that it has to come to an end in this manner. This is not, and I repeat not, what you and I wanted, and this is not our choice."

Jaeger and his wife, Jill, purchased the store at 200 E. Renfro St. in 2004 from the Bransom family. The store, which was formerly called Bransom's Grocery, was founded in Fort Worth in 1942. It opened in Burleson in 1959.

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"In this town, we continue to strive to follow Richard and Cindy [Bransom]'s footsteps in faith, family and community," Jaeger said. "It deeply saddens us that we will not have the ability to pass down the store's history to the next generation of our family."

The store employs about 40 staff members. Jaeger has 40 years of grocery experience, is a member of the Rotary Club and recipient of the Paul Harris Award. He also serves as treasurer of the Burleson Police Foundation and is a strong supporter of our first responders.

"To our customers  the term family is far more appropriate," he said. "We are deeply, deeply grateful for your support over the years, and want to thank you. It has been a true honor for Jill and I to serve you. We have made many friends, and we are so blessed to know you and your families, and we cherish every interaction and memory that we've had."

Jaeger said the store will remain fully operational during the time and encouraged residents to continue to support and shop there.

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"We are not finished fighting yet  and I want to repeat  we're not finished fighting yet," he said. "We are still praying for a miracle. In the coming days we will update you on the progress."

As of Tuesday morning, the post had over 1,500 comments and as many shares.
GREENWOOD COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  A road was closed Wednesday morning due to a busted water line in Greenwood County.

The Greenwood County Sheriffs Office said Bypass 25 between Sample Road and Emerald Road is temporarily closed due to the incident.

Deputies said the road is currently iced over, and crews are en route to fix the issue.

As of 12:30 p.m., the sheriffs office confirmed that the northbound lanes in the area are open. The southbound lanes will remain closed until next week according to officials.

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As part of the closure, the South Carolina Department of Transportation has announced that a detour has been set up using US 221, Old Brickyard Road, Evans Pond Road and Emerald Road.

A map of the detour can be found below:

SCDOT officials said trucks to consider using the western bypass of Calhoun Road and US 225.

Drivers are asked to commute with caution due to expected traffic congestion.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
MADISON  It's never too difficult to convince Wisconsinites to stop at Culver's, but many found on Monday that a ButterBurger tastes even better when it's for a good cause.

Customers lined up in droves to patronize one of the 80 Culver's stores across Wisconsin to support victims and families in the aftermath of the December shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison. Although the final dollar amount the franchise was able to donate to the United Way of Dane County's Abundant Life Christian School Emergency and Recovery Fund is not yet known, scenes from around the state showed just how much communities were willing to give.

In Madison, drive-thru lines stretched down the street, at times so lengthy they interrupted the flow of traffic. Inside the restaurants, some waited close to two hours for their food, chatting with their neighbors  sometimes packed tightly together  and accepting free samples of custard.

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Heather Gonzagowski, who visited the Culver's on Cottage Grove Road in Madison around 6:30 p.m., waited about an hour for her food. Despite the frenzy, she said, no one was complaining.

Customers wait in a crowded Culver's restaurant Monday at East Towne Mall in Madison. Eighty Culver's stores around the state donated a portion of their proceeds Monday to the victims and families of the December shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison.

That was the tenor for many of the stores the Journal Sentinel reached out to. Stephanie Oliphant, a manager at the Culver's of Madison on East Towne Boulevard, said that good vibes reigned despite a "jam-packed lobby and dining room."

"People normally wouldn't be happy waiting an hour-and-a-half for their food, but everyone was talking, lots of people knew each other from the community, and everyone was getting along even if they didn't know each other," Oliphant said.

As of Dec. 23, the United Way of Dane County had already raised more than $114,000 since it announced its fundraising efforts.

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Oliphant said Monday brought in record sales and the store will be donating around $6,000 to the United Way of Dane County fund. It's significant for Oliphant, because many former employees from Culver's attended Abundant Life Christian School. A current employee's father teaches there and was present the day of the shooting, Oliphant said.

The Abundant Life Christian School shooting left three dead Dec. 16, including the shooter, a 15-year-old freshman named Natalie L. Rupnow, who went by Samantha. Madison police identified the shooting victims as Erin West, a substitute teacher coordinator at Abundant Life, and Rubi Patricia Vergara, a freshman student at Abundant Life.

The shooting also wounded six others, leaving two in critical condition. Madison police have not identified any of the six non-fatal victims. On Dec. 31, UW Health announced the hospital had upgraded the two survivors, who each sustained multiple gunshot wounds, from critical condition to fair condition.

Brett, a father of one of the two victims in critical condition texted the Journal Sentinel Monday night to express how "overwhelmingly heartwarming" it was to see so many people forge ahead despite the long lines. He asked the Journal Sentinel not to release his full name, out of respect for his child's privacy.

The drive-thru line at the Culver's on Cottage Grove Road in Madison stretched down the street Monday for hours. Eighty Culver's stores around the state donated a portion of their proceeds Monday to the victims and families of the December shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison.

"It's less about the financial piece for me, and more about the love and support," Brett said. "People go to a Culver's and see a long line but decide to sit in it because they want to support the school and our families. It's so sweet and beautiful."

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Co-founder Craig Culver offered his gratitude to both the patrons who waited hours for their meals and the independent owner-operators and team members for their efforts.

"None of this would have been possible without them," Culver said. "We appreciate our guests patience at our locations as team members worked hard to deliver the hospitality and delicious food we are known for, all for a great cause."

As for how much money was ultimately raised, it's hard to say at this juncture, said Eric Skrum, director of public relations and communications for Culver Franchising System.

"Because each independent owner-operator will be donating directly to the United Way and the reporting is slow, I don't anticipate having a number to share any time soon," Skrum said.

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Shannon Skinner-Roy, an assistant general manager at the Madison Culver's on Mineral Point Road, shared with the Journal Sentinel that his store, as well as the Oregon and Middleton stores, all had record sales Monday. Skinner-Roy wasn't scheduled to come in Monday, but he came in anyway to help.

"The vibe yesterday was just so positive. There was such a strong sense of purpose, like we were doing the right thing," Skinner-Roy said.

In a Tuesday Facebook post, Abundant Life Christian School staff wrote that they were "overwhelmed" by the outpouring of support.

"In Proverbs, we learn that a friend loves at all times and a brother is born during adversity. This difficult season has certainly shown us the truth in that verse," the post read. "Yesterday, our Challenger family grew exponentially!"

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And it continues to grow. Picking up where Culver's left off, Mikaela Beske, a managing partner at the Texas Roadhouse, announced that on Thursday, both the east and west locations in Madison will donate 100% of its proceeds to the United Way of Dane County fund.

"In times of hardship, the strength and resilience of a community truly shine through," Beske wrote in a Facebook post. "We find ourselves reaching out to you during a challenging period, as our local school, ALCS, has recently faced an unimaginable tragedy. It is in these moments that we are reminded of the importance of coming together to support one another."

To donate independently to the United Way fund, visit unitedwaydanecounty.org or text Help4ALCS to 40403.

Natalie Eilbert covers mental health issues for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She welcomes story tips and feedback. You can reach her at neilbert@gannett.com or view her X (Twitter) profile at @natalie_eilbert. Madeline Heim is a Report for America corps reporter who writes about environmental issues in the Mississippi River watershed and across Wisconsin. Contact her at 920-996-7266 or mheim@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Culver's donation drive raises thousands of dollars for Abundant Life shooting victims
UPDATE: A third person has died as a result of the Marshall County crash, according to the victims mother.

Angela Davis, 43, died of her injuries on Tuesday.

Her mother spoke with a WREG reporter and said that she was driving the pickup truck 63-year-old Michael Crutcher was a passenger in.

*******************

BYHALIA, Miss.  Questions remain following Saturdays deadly crash in Marshall County, where two people were killed and two critically injured.

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The crash happened while one of the vehicles was being pursued by a Byhalia police officer.

That officer, William Langham, has been placed on administrative leave by the Byhalia Board of Alderman following the accident.

Langhams attorney, Michael Carr gave WREG the following statement:

We had a meeting tonight with the Board of Byhalia on the pursuit issue that happened over the weekend. The Boards meeting in Executive Session and theyll make a determination in a short period of time, Carr said. We presented our evidence that the officer did not engage in anything illegal, anything untoward or anything in violation of policy. We stand behind what he did and we look forward to clearing his name.

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Langhams leave is going to last until the Marshall County Sheriffs Office completes its investigation.

A big boom: Witness recounts deadly Marshall County car crash

Still, no one was able to say what led a Byhalia Police Officer to reportedly pursue an SUV Saturday night. That SUV crashed into a pickup truck at the intersection of St. Paul Road and Dockery Drive in the Warsaw Community of Marshall County.

30-year-old Jaqua Blueitt was driving the SUV. He died, and its unknown why he was being pursued.

63-year-old Michael Crutcher was a passenger in the pickup. He died as well. Crutcher, from Collierville, was well-known and highly regarded in the Warsaw community.

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Marshall Co. Sheriff: Police chase led to fatal crash

I heard it was him in that truck. It really did something to me, said Taderio Woods, who knew Crutcher. Like, Mike aint never did nothing. All he did was try to help everybody.

Why was the SUV being pursued and did the Byhalia Police Officer pursue the SUV beyond police jurisdiction?

No one in Byhalia could answer those questions. The crash site is two miles from this sign indicating Byhalias city limits.

Marshall County Sheriffs investigators are handling the case.

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 WREG.com.
A first-year Cal Poly student died in an accidental drowning while on vacation over winter break, the university announced on Tuesday.

Nico Thomas Goon of Reno was a freshman studying civil engineering at Cal Poly. In 2024, he graduated from of Bishop Manogue Catholic High School in Reno.

Nico was larger than life and loved his roommates, Goons family said in the news release.

He died on Dec. 29, according to the university.

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Nicos family shared that he was the happiest hed ever been here at Cal Poly, the university said.

His family will hold a memorial service in Reno on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Grace Church, 1220 Robb Drive.

Bishop Manogue Catholic High School posted an invitation on Facebook to Goons celebration of life.

His smile could light up a room, one person commented on the Facebook post. Love and prayers to the Goon Family.

The university encouraged students and faculty to seek support.

We know that processing this loss can be difficult for members of our community, the news release said. Please know that we care about your well-being and strongly encourage you to utilize the following resources below if you need additional support.

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People can call the crisis line at any time of day at 805-756-2511 for immediate support.

Students can schedule same-day appointments with the universitys counseling services in Building 27 by calling 805-756-2511. They can also schedule a counselor to speak with a group by calling the same phone number or emailing counseling@calpoly.edu and requesting to speak with counseling services director Andrea Lawson.

Additionally, students can reach out to the dean of students for support at 805-756-0327 or deanofstudents@calpoly.edu.

Cal Poly employees and their families can access confidential counseling services through the Employee Assistance Program. Call their 24-hour hotline to speak with a counselor at 800-367-7474.

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A common reaction to tragedy is to want information, the news release said. Be thoughtful and respectful when sharing information with others and on social networking sites.
At least two people have died and thousands of California residents have left their homes behind as multiple wildfires spread across parts of Los Angeles County.

California Gov. Gavin Newsome has declared a state of emergency as the wildfires threaten much of southern California.

 Live updates: 'Hurricane of fire' driving thousands to flee in California; at least 2 dead

 US Wildfire, smoke map to track latest wildfires

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National Weather Service forecasts for high winds and "extreme fire weather" prompted numerous evacuation orders, something Florida residents are all too familiar with.

"Winds will not die down much until noon on Wednesday around Los Angeles," said meteorologist Ryan Maue on X.

'Hurricane of fire': Strong winds cause problems for California firefighters battling wildfires

Hurricane-force winds and fire should not mix.

"The worst is yet to come in next few hours with 80-105 mph gusts. This is a hurricane of fire,"Maue said of the California winds.

Winds in the Los Angeles area were gusting up to 105 mph. That's a strong Category 2 hurricane.

Gusts on the low end of the spectrum, 80 mph, are still hurricane strength. A tropical storm is designated as a Category 1 hurricane when sustained winds reach 74 mph.

How many people have moved to Florida from California?

Data from the U.S. Census Bureau show more people left California for Florida in 2022 than in any year going back to at least 2005, according to The Sacramento Bee.

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"An estimated 50,701 people moved from California to Florida between 2021 and 2022, according to census figures, making Florida the third-most popular domestic destination for people fleeing the Golden State, behind Texas and Arizona."

How many people have moved to California from Florida?

In the same year, "about 28,000 people moved from Florida to California, meaning the Golden State lost a net 22,000 residents to the Sunshine State," according to The Sacramento Bee.

Map of California Palisades Fire

Palisades Fire burns threatens thousands of Los Angeles homes

By early Wednesday, Jan. 8, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said the Palisades Fire has burned nearly 3,000 acres.

He added that 1,000 homes, businesses and other structures have been destroyed.

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Extreme fire behavior, including "short and long-range spotting," continues to challenge firefighting efforts, Cal Fire said in an incident update Wednesday.

The fire was listed as "0%" contained.

Where is Pacific Palisades, California?

Map of California Eaton fire

Marrone said at a news briefing Wednesday that the two deaths occurred in the Eaton Fire, which started in Altadena, near Pasadena and quickly grew to more than 2,200 acres.

It has since set 1,000 acres ablaze and remains at 0% containment, according to Cal Fire. Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for several areas in parts of neighboring Pasadena.

Eaton fire spreads to Pasadena, other California cities

Cal Fire said the Eaton Fire "continues to dangerously burn both east and west with spot fires within the communities of Altadena, Pasadena, and Sierra Madre."

Hurst fire spreading quickly

The rapidly spreading Hurst Fire, which started Tuesday night in Sylmar in Los Angeles County, has prompted evacuation orders for more than 44,000 people and evacuation warnings for 27,000.

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About 40,000 structures are threatened. As of 7 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, the fire has burned 505 acres and is 0% contained, according to CalFire.

Where is Sylmar, California?

Sylmar is the northernmost neighborhood within the city of Los Angeles. It's located about 10 miles southeast of Santa Clarita or 20 miles northwest of Pasadena.

What caused the California fires?

The cause of the fires are under investigation.

The National Weather Service had warned earlier about extreme fire conditions for much of Los Angeles County connected to low humidity, dry vegetation and the powerful winds.

Contributing: Julia Gomez, Anthony Robeldo and John Bacon, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: California fires map of Pacific Palisades, Eaton, Hurst
Strong Santa Ana winds are fueling multiple wildfires burning across Southern California, forcing tens of thousands of residents to flee from their homes.

Firefighters are actively battling five brush fires at once.

PHOTO: A person uses a garden hose in an effort to save a neighboring home from catching fire during the Eaton Fire, Jan. 8, 2025, in Altadena, California. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

The Palisades Fire, said to be one of the most destructive natural disasters in Los Angeles history, has spread across nearly 20,000 acres, the Eaton Fire has charred more than 13,000 acres, and the Kenneth Fire has smoldered 50 acres, according to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. At this time, these fires remain at zero containment.

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The Hurst Fire, impacting nearly 700 acres, remains at 10% containment, and the Lidia Fire, scorching more than 300 acres, remains at 60% containment.

Firefighters gained full containment of the Woodley Fire, which burned across 30 acres, by Wednesday evening local time. The Sunset Fire, crossing more than 40 acres in the famed Hollywood Hills, was also fully contained by Thursday afternoon.

At least five people were killed in the fires, with many others sustaining injuries, according to officials. The death toll is expected to rise.

Evacuation orders were issued in areas surrounding the brush fires, effecting nearly 180,000 residents with nearly an additional 200,000 under evacuation warnings, authorities said Thursday.

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Thousands of structures were destroyed in the Palisades and Eaton fires, officials said.

Nearly 1.2 million people were left without power across the state on Wednesday. As of Thursday morning local time, at least 420,000 customers were still without power.

MORE: Heidi Montag, Cameron Mathison among celebs sharing damage from California fires

Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone said during a press conference that despite prepositioning resources from Northern California, the agencies were "not prepared for this type of widespread disaster."

MORE: California wildfire forecast: Wind speeds remain high as brush fire threat continues

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President Joe Biden has signed a disaster declaration for California at the request of Gov. Gavin Newsom, who declared a state of emergency on Tuesday night.

Here's how you can help those affected by the wildfires:

Red Cross

The American Red Cross has hundreds of volunteers deploying to Los Angeles to assist with emergent needs of those displaced by the fire.

The agency currently has four shelters in place and plans to add more as needed, according to Los Angeles regional executive director Joanne Nowlin.

"This is significant," Nowlin told ABC News. "It's not just the fire, but you've got wind damage, you've got power outages, you've got trees falling, deteriorating air quality. This is impacting thousands and thousands of folks in Los Angeles."

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The Red Cross provides emergency relief to residents and families impacted by disasters, providing meals, medical care and a safe place to shower and sleep.

Click here to donate.

(MORE: Los Angeles restaurants, chefs, food trucks help serve relief to fire victims, evacuees, 1st responders)

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is able to provide assistance by delivering water, food and emergency supplies.

The agency offers both long-term recovery assistance and emergency relief.

Click here to learn more.

World Central Kitchen

World Central Kitchen's relief team is able to support those impacted by the wildfires, as well as first responders, in Southern California.

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According to the agency, teams have mobilized to bring in meals to those who are in need of help.

Click here to learn more.

Airbnb

Airbnb.org is offering temporary housing for those displaced by the fires in the Los Angeles area.

The company is working with 211 LA, which offers free housing in Los Angeles County, to coordinate the housing effort.

Click here for more information.

(MORE: Wildfires devastate Los Angeles: 'Everything was on fire')

California Fire Foundation Wildfire & Disaster Relief Fund

The California Fire Foundation works with community-based organizations and local fire agencies to offer financial support for residents who are impacted by the fires.

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Click here to learn more.

CAL FIRE Benevolent Foundation

The CAL FIRE Benevolent Foundation provides funding for firefighters and their families to help them recover from injuries and hardship.

Click here to learn more.

Wildfire Recovery Fund

The California Community Foundation has worked to help Los Angeles County since 1915.

The agency's Wildfire Recovery Fund targets hard to reach communities in the area with the intent of providing long-term recovery relief.

Click here to learn more.

Global Empowerment Mission

The Global Empowerment Mission works to provide emergency aid supplies to those in need, such as nonperishable food items, hygiene products and water. They also provide generators, medical supplies and temporary shelters.

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Click here to learn more.

Here's how to help wildfire victims as California blazes explode in size originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
California enacted Assembly Bill 1821 (AB 1821) last week, mandating the inclusion of Native American history and perspectives in public education.

Signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 27, 2024, the legislation went into effect on January 1, 2025.

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The law aims to provide students with a more comprehensive understanding of the states history concerning the experiences of Native Americans during the Spanish colonial and the Gold Rush eras.

AB 1821 amends the California Education Code to ensure that social science instruction at the elementary and secondary levels incorporates Native American perspectives.

For students in grades 1 through 6, the curriculum must include a foundational understanding of the Spanish colonization of California and the Gold Rush Era, emphasizing the treatment of Native Americans during these periods.

For students in grades 7 through 12, the law requires that any instruction covering the Spanish colonial or the Gold Rush Era also addresses Native American perspectives.

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Assemblymember James C. Ramos (Serrano/Cahuilla), the first California Native American elected to the state legislature, authored AB 1821.

For far too long, Californias First People and their history have been ignored or misrepresented, he said in a statement. Classroom instruction about the Mission and Gold Rush periods fails to include the loss of life, enslavement, starvation, illness and violence inflicted upon California Native American people during those times. These historical omissions from the curriculum are misleading.

The legislation builds upon previous efforts, such as the 2022 California Indian Education Act, which encouraged school districts to collaborate with local tribes to incorporate Native American history into their educational programs.

The new law has particular significance for 4th-grade students, as this grade traditionally focuses on California history, including the missions, the Gold Rush, and the states path to statehood.

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Previously, the inclusion of Native American experiences in this context was encouraged but not mandatory, resulting in inconsistencies across school districts.

AB 1821 aligns with Californias broader educational initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion. The state has been implementing ethnic studies programs, with legislation requiring high schools to offer ethnic studies courses by 2025 and making them a graduation requirement by 2030.

About the Author: "Kaili Berg (Aleut) is a member of the Alutiiq\/Sugpiaq Nation, and a shareholder of Koniag, Inc. She is a staff reporter for Native News Online and Tribal Business News. Berg, who is based in Wisconsin, previously reported for the Ho-Chunk Nation newspaper, Hocak Worak. She went to school originally for nursing, but changed her major after finding her passion in communications at Western Technical College in Lacrosse, Wisconsin. "

Contact: kberg@indiancountrymedia.com
(FOX40.COM)  The mother of a child found dead at an RV park in Sutter County made her first appearance at the Sutter County Superior Court Tuesday.



Meagan Ann Dixon is charged with one count of murder, one count of child abuse or endangerment with the enhancement of personally inflicting great bodily injury upon the child and three counts of animal cruelty.



During the brief hearing, the arraignment was continued to Jan. 27.

Sutter County Sheriff Brandon Barnes said on Monday that deputies responded at about 10 a.m. on Sunday to an RV park about 20 miles west of Yuba City after the park manager reported two residents in a dispute, one of whom was Dixon.

The dispute was reportedly over the fact that Dixons 11-year-old son had not been seen in several days.

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Fire crews who responded found the child deceased inside the mobile home where he lived with his mother and stepfather, and three dead dogs were found on the property.

According to Barnes, the stepfather had been away for several weeks and is not a person of interest in the case, and the childs biological father has not been involved in his care for many, many years.

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(FOX40.COM)  A former granite quarry pond surrounded by business parks on the far eastern edge of the city of Sacramento is playing a key role in introducing a fish long absent from its native waters, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Up until the early 1900s the Sacramento perch, Californias only native sunfish, were abundant in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Clear Lake.

On Tuesday, CDFW announced that 3,000 Sacramento perch were stocked into the pond at Granite Regional Park as part of their Fishing in the City Program.

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For over a century, Sacramento perch have contested with habitat destruction and non-native sunfish like bluegill and green sunfish making them a Species of Special Concern.

Sacramento area fire crews deployed to Southern California

Today the native fish mainly exists in areas of Northern California and the Eastern Sierra, mostly Crowley Lake and Bridgeport Reservoir in Mono County.

Were trying to assess whether the fish do well in the pond first and foremost and, if so, whether anglers enjoy this unique experience to interact with a heritage fish being brought back to the Sacramento area for the first time in many decades, Senior Environmental Scientist within CDFWs Fisheries Branch Max Fish said.

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Before the thousands of mostly juvenile Sacramento perch were stocked into the pond it was surveyed by biologists who found a small amount of non-native sunfish to compete with the perch.

Although Sacramento perch struggle to reproduce in the presence of non-native sunfish, CDFW is experimentally stocking older juvenile and adult fish, which have shown to coexist more successfully, CDFW wrote.

A major positive for the Sacramento perch is its ability to live in various types of habitat conditions like warm or cold water temperatures and high alkalinity and salinity levels.

The CDFW is hoping that this native fish provides a year-round fishing experience.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News.
Credit: X/@SiaKordestani

Consoling the quivering dog at their feet, a pair of Californian men stood powerless as the wildfires raced towards their home, flames surrounding them on all sides.

They were two of 30,000 residents ordered to leave their homes to escape three blazes sweeping the state, fuelled by hurricane-strength winds.

The horrors of the wildfires, which hit their stride on Tuesday evening, were best captured by a man in Pacific Palisades who filmed the flames enveloping the perimeter of his property, threatening to reduce his home to ash.

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The house was located along the Pacific Coast Highway near Las Tunas beach and those stuck inside were rescued, it was reported.

The fire broke out near a nature reserve in the inland foothills of north-east Los Angeles on Tuesday morning, spreading so rapidly that staff at a care home had to push dozens of elderly residents in hospital beds along the street into a nearby car park.

The first sign of the wildfires materialised in plumes of smoke billowing above a residential area in Pacific Palisades on Tuesday morning.

A few hours later, Jerome Krausse was pictured pushing his mother-in-law to safety in a shopping trolley after a fire tore through the celebrity-populated neighbourhoods near Santa Monica.

Jerome Krausse pushes his mother-in-law to safety in a shopping trolley near Santa Monica - Richard Vogel/AP

Panicked LA residents abandoned their cars amid major traffic jams around the Santa Monica area, with bulldozers brought in to clear abandoned cars to make way for firefighters rushing to extinguish the flames in Palisades Drive and Sunset Boulevard.

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Winds had started to top 60 to 70mph by Tuesday evening as the fire continued to burn through the Pacific Palisades. Trees had started to fall after catching fire and sparks were flying through the air.

By late Tuesday evening, another fire had broken out in Eaton Canyon, more than 30 miles from where the original blaze broke out. Residents at a care home were evacuated in wheelchairs and hospital beds.

In the area north of Rustic Canyon, men wearing face masks rushed from a house as fire spread along their street.

Trees catch fire and sparks fly as winds fan flames in the Pacific Palisades - Ethan Swope/AP

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A residence in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles is engulfed by flames on Tuesday - Ethan Swope/AP

Footage showed entire trees lit up as they became engulfed in flames, with sparks flying through the air.

Im sorry bro we gotta get out of here, one of the men captured in the video could be heard saying as the pair paced down the street.

Oh s--- holy s---, the other replied.

A nurse in Altadena, southern California, revealed how she snuck back into the neighbourhood after it became ravaged by flame to hose down her 90-year-old parents home.

Yeah I snuck here. You know, theres a will, theres a way, Lynne Levin-Guzman, 62, told local media.

She went on to say that she had never seen a firestorm like this and that it was the worst thing you could wish on someone, aside from death.

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Footage taken by local television station KTLA showed her standing on the drive of her parents home using a domestic hose-pipe to spray water on the roof of the house.

Ms Levin-Guzman said that her parents had been living in the home for 75 years but claimed their insurance company cancelled their plan before the blaze.

Elsewhere, a house in Pasadena was engulfed by flames, inside and out, with part of the ceiling crashing down as the fire roared. Later footage showed just a shell remaining, with nearly the entire top floor burnt down.

The wind can be heard howling as the fire blows erratically in multiple directions.

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Similarly in Altadena, about three miles from Pasadena, houses crumbled as firefighters sprayed water and foam at the roaring blaze.

@LizKreutzNews/@JonVigliotti/X

Video footage of the aftermath looked apocalyptic, with entire blocks reduced to rubble and buildings burnt to the ground.

Another clip showed the extent of the devastation in one of the most sought-after areas of Malibu. In it, the once-grandiose beachfront mansions could be seen to have almost completely disappeared, leaving just the bare bones of the structures, which were still ablaze.

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An electricity meter. (Stock photo from Getty Images.)

Correction: Ohio in 1999 deregulated its electricity retail and generation markets, and default prices are determined by auctions conducted by distribution utilities. The original version of this story contained incorrect information. Its been updated.

When you get cornered at the store or by a telemarketer selling electricity in Ohios deregulated retail market, they often tell you they can get you a better deal than youre getting. However, an investigation by Ohio State researchers published in December concluded that the deal theyre offering is usually a lot more expensive than if you simply stick with the one you get by default.

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In other words, youd save money by doing nothing.

The Ohio General Assembly in 1999 deregulated the electricity market on promises that competition would result in innovation and better prices. But after reviewing more than 2 million records over the span of a decade, the researchers at the John Glenn School of Public Affairs found that 72% of the time, the offers the companies made were more expensive than the default price.

They also found that on the relatively rare occasions that the offers were cheaper, the potential savings were much less on average  5% to 10%  than the higher offers were more expensive  25% to 30%.

The findings might be even worse than they sound. Noah Dormady, the public policy expert who led the study, said the default price wasnt designed to be the cheapest.

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Basically, three quarters of the offers over the last 10 years on net across the whole state have been more expensive than the default price, he said in an interview Monday. The (default price) is oftentimes referred to as provider of last resort. Its not meant to be the cheapest offer in the room. Its already marked up 75-ish percent above the wholesale market. So when the lions share of offers are above the (default price) over 10 years, no one can look at that and say, Yes. Thats an efficient market.'

The findings raise the possibility that Ohios electric retailers are just another set of middlemen; extracting money from a marketplace by raising prices without adding value.

An industry group, the Retail Energy Supply Association, didnt respond to questions for this story.

Big idea

Before it collapsed in a wave of accounting scandals, Houston-based Enron led the charge to partially deregulate electricity markets in Texas and California in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Those measures were also sold on the claim that they would create competition, and that would be good for consumers.

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Deregulation of the generation market allowed Enron to engineer rolling blackouts in the Golden State and profiteer from the resulting price spikes.

In Ohio, the retail companies buy power off the wholesale market and make various offers to consumers. Some are variable-rate contracts, others are for fixed rates over a set period of time, for example.

The default rate  the price you pay if you decline to shop in the retail market  is determined by a series of auctions conducted by the distribution utilities.

Some cities, such as Columbus, also offer power they buy off of the grid, but the Ohio State researchers didnt look at the prices those plans offer as part of their study.

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Given the finding that the retail companies usually offer power at higher prices than one fixed by a blind process, it can be hard to see what value they offer to consumers.

The argument that a lot of stakeholders in these markets have made over the years is that if you deregulate, you open the market to competition, and that encourages innovation, Darmody said. I have to push back on that and ask, what are they innovating? Its not like they can lower their production costs. Its not like they can do it better or cheaper. Theyre buying the same, homogenous product from the wholesale market and retailing it. Theres not a lot of innovation to be had in this market. The only innovation is finding new and more crafty ways of extracting more consumer surplus.

Middlemen

There are growing concerns that consumers are being harmed by companies that set themselves up in the center of everyday transactions and skim money out without providing a fair benefit to those paying it. Out of those concerns, federal antitrust authorities are going after pharmacy middlemen, Ticketmaster-Live Nation, and Visa.

One of the most consequential things weve done at the Justice Department is to think harder about the middleman economy, Doha Mekki, the No. 2 official in the U.S. Justice Departments Antitrust Division, said during an October visit to Columbus.

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The companies making retail electricity offers in Ohio might not raise any antitrust concerns, but Dormady said they might still be acting as price-hiking middlemen.

They are all buying from the same wholesale market and theyre turning around and retailing it, and their profit margin is simply the degree to which they can extract additional consumer surplus from consumers, he said.

The study by Dormady and his colleagues cites numerous instances in which the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio accused the electric retailers of making misleading sales pitches and asking unconscionable prices. Instead of relying on the PUCO to police the market, Dormady and his colleagues recommend the creation of an independent system monitor.

Under the PUCO, what happens is very reactionary, he said. Consumer relief comes years later. The consumer protections need to be prospective. You need to warn consumers ahead of time. Before they get involved in these contracts, not years later after theyve suffered through month after month of kitchen-table conversations with their significant others.

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Dormady added that reforms are needed because something is clearly broken in Ohios retail electricity market.

If you were driving down the interstate and you saw gas prices for $3 a gallon, and at another gas station for $6 a gallon and another gas station for $10 a gallon, and that persisted every day for a decade or longer, you would ask yourself what is wrong with this market? he said. And yet we see that persist in Ohios (retail electricity) market. Nobodys asking the question, Why is that?'

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Actor Steve Guttenberg was spotted helping clear a path for Los Angelenos to evacuate from the celebrity haven of Pacific Palisades as a dangerous wildfire, exacerbated by windstorms, forced at least 30,000 people in the area to evacuate.

The fast-burning wildfire in Los Angeles broke out on Tuesday morning, as the region faced a life-threatening windstorm caused by the notorious Santa Ana winds. The blaze has burned at least 1,262 acres, according to the most recent update from CalFire.

As the fire advanced quickly, panicking drivers abandoned their cars on Sunset Boulevard and Palisades Drive, the Los Angeles Times reportedleading to bumper-to-bumper traffic jams as more people attempted to evacuate.

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But Guttenberg jumped into action, helping firefighters move cars abandoned on Palisades Drive. He was seen helping at the ongoing blaze by reporters for KTLA , who did not immediately recognize the Police Academy star.

I live right up the hill, Guttenberg said, pointing towards the mountainside where flames were visible from the street. I have friends up there right now, and they cant evacuate because its stuck on Palisades Drive.

There are families up there, there are pets up there, there are people who really need help, Gutenberg told the local station.

Smoke rises from a burning vehicle during a brush fire pushed by gusting Santa Ana winds on January 7, 2025 in Pacific Palisades. / VCG / VCG via Getty Images

Its really important for people to help each other, Guttenberg said. Its really important for everybody to band together, and dont worry about your personal propertyjust get out.

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Representatives for Guttenberg did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and it is unclear if the actor has since evacuated from the area.

At a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Chief Kristin Crowley said at least 30,000 people in the area have already evacuated. There have been no reports of casualties so far, but at least 13,000 structures have already been destroyed.

A helicopter drops water around homes threatened by the wind-driven Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades, CA. / DAVID SWANSON / AFP via Getty Images

Officials also warned that the worst wind gusts would likely take place between 10 p.m. Tuesday and 5 a.m. Wednesday.

This will likely be the most destructive windstorm seen since [the] 2011 windstorm that did extensive damage to Pasadena and nearby foothills of the San Gabriel Valley, the NWS said, noting that gusts could reach up to 100 miles per hour in parts of the San Gabriel and San Fernando Valleys.

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The fire broke out in Pacific Palisades, the tony Los Angeles neighborhood northwest of Santa Monica that is home to dozens of other celebrities, such as Tom Hanks, Reese Witherspoon, and Adam Sandler, according to The Hollywood Reporter .

Actor James Woods documented the blaze in several posts on X, sharing terrifying photos taken from his security cameras. We were blessed to have LA fire and police depts doing their jobs so well. We are safe and out, he wrote.

Eugene Levy, the American Pie actor who was named honorary mayor of Pacific Palisades in 2021, told the Los Angeles Times that he evacuated early on Tuesday.

I couldnt see any flames but the smoke was very dark, he told the paper.

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Elsewhere in Los Angeles County, at least two major movie premieres were canceled as the fire continues to threaten the region. Amazon MGM canceled Tuesdays premiere of Unstoppable, a wrestling drama starring Jennifer Lopez.

As much as we were looking forward to celebrating this wonderful and inspiring film with you, safety is our first priority, the studio said in a statement sent to the Daily Beast. Amazon MGM did not say if the premiere would be rescheduled but encouraged viewers to watch it on Amazon Prime on Jan. 16.
Donald Trump says Canada should become the 51st state. He should be careful what he wishes for.

No, its (probably?) not a serious idea, but the president-elect keeps trolling the United States ally to the north about becoming the next state in the union. On Monday, after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he will step down, Trump posted on social media that many people in Canada LOVE being the 51st State. And he doubled down on Tuesday. (Trudeau didnt take it well.)

So after weeks of this recurring bit, Score decided to take Trump literally, not seriously: What are the immediate political implications of Canada becoming part of the United States?



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The answer, our analysis found, is that Democrats would benefit significantly, with the new great state of Canada serving as a kind of second California, a massive blue state that would hold dozens of House seats and create a huge Democratic advantage in the Electoral College.

Canada would be solidly blue, and we're not just talking about the temperature: An informal survey of our colleagues in the Great White North  subscribe to Ottawa Playbook!  found they were confident their countrymen would vote for Democrats, and a hypothetical preelection poll found Canadians overwhelmingly siding with Kamala Harris over Trump.

With Canada secured, Democrats would need to win just two battleground states in the 2028 presidential election. (That doesnt make the White House a sure thing: Trump would have still defeated Harris in 2024 even with Canada in the union, since she lost every battleground.)

Lets run some numbers.

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The Senate is easiest: Canada would get two senators, and given its overall liberal politics theres little question theyd be Democrats. That would shrink Republicans margin from the current Congress slightly: There would be 53 Republicans and 49 Democrats in the Senate. Republicans would be able to afford two defections, with Vice President-elect JD Vance breaking a 51-51 tie.

The House is more complicated (and fun). Keeping the chamber at 435 members, reapportionment would give Canada 45 seats. Thatd be just one fewer than California, which would have 46 seats.



In total, 31 states would lose seats to Canada. California would lose six; Texas would lose four; Florida would lose three; New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina would lose two each; and two dozen would each lose one seat.

That would almost certainly boost Democrats numbers in the House, but its impossible to know to what extent, because of redistricting. A blue state can lose a red seat and vice versa, and some of Canadas 45 districts would be Republican. Aggressive gerrymandering by either party could significantly shift the outcomes.

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The migration of House seats to Canada would also mean a significant shift in the Electoral College, reshaping presidential elections.

Right now, blue states make up 226 electoral votes, red states make up 219, and the seven battlegrounds  Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, Nevada, Arizona  have 93.



With Canadas 47 electoral votes (45 House seats + 2 senators), Democrats would enter an election with 253 seats, Republicans would have 202, and thered be 85 up for grabs.

The Democratic nominee would need just 18 electoral votes to get to 271 and clinch a majority of what are now 540 votes in the Electoral College. That would require a minimum of just two battlegrounds, while Republicans would need to win at least five.

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Thats a daunting disadvantage for Republicans, but not an insurmountable one. Trump, after all, would still have won.

But 2028 would sure be interesting  especially once Greenland becomes the 52nd state.

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Pierre Poilievre, leader of Canadas Conservative Party, shot back at President-elect Trumps idea of making his country Americas 51st state.

Canada will never be the 51st state. Period. We are a great and independent country, Poilievre wrote Tuesday in a statement on social platform X.

We are the best friend to the U.S., he continued. We spent billions of dollars and hundreds of lives helping Americans retaliate against Al-Qaedas 9/11 attacks. We supply the U.S. with billions of dollars of high-quality and totally reliable energy well below market prices. We buy hundreds of billions of dollars of American goods.

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Poilievres statement comes after Trump for weeks has publicly mused about the neighbor to the north becoming part of the United States.

On Tuesday, Trump said he was not considering using military force to make Canada become part of the United States but instead intended to use economic force against the close U.S. ally.

Poilievre, a likely contender to become the next prime minister, used his statement as an opportunity to pitch his vision for the country.

Our weak and pathetic NDP-Liberal government has failed to make these obvious points, he continued in his statement. I will fight for Canada.

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When I am Prime Minister, we will rebuild our military and take back control of the border to secure both Canada and the U.S. We will take back control of our Arctic to keep Russia and China out. We will axe taxes, slash red tape and rapidly green-light massive resource projects to bring home paycheques and production to our country.

In other words, we will put Canada First, he said.

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(Bloomberg) -- Canadian Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc has decided not to run for leadership of the Liberal Party, saying he needs to focus on countering the threat of tariffs from Donald Trumps administration.

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LeBlanc said hes grateful for the expressions of support from Liberal lawmakers and members across the country, but wont be a candidate in the upcoming race.

Serving Canadians is an immense privilege  and at a moment when Canada is at a crucial juncture in its relationship with its most important ally and trading partner, the United States, I firmly believe that at this time, the best way for me to serve our country is to direct my full attention to my job, he said in a statement posted to X on Wednesday.

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday he plans to step down as soon as Liberals choose a new leader. Parliament is suspended until March 24 while that process takes place. Its likely the government will fall on a non-confidence vote soon after that date, which would trigger an election.

LeBlancs surprising decision highlights the seriousness of Trumps tariff threat on Canada, which he repeated on Tuesday with escalating language about using economic force to turn the country into the 51st US state.

LeBlanc said he intends to work with his cabinet colleagues, provincial premiers, business leaders and union officials to make the case against the unjust use of tariffs by Trump.

The threat these tariffs pose to our nations economic well-being and to the livelihood of a countless number of Canadian families cannot be understated  and as such, it requires nothing less than my full attention, LeBlanc said.

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He said he still plans to run as a Liberal candidate under a new leader. LeBlanc is a veteran member of parliament, having been elected eight times in a New Brunswick district.

LeBlanc had been considered a strong contender for the leadership, given his high-profile position and his experience in speaking with Trump and his aides. He joined Trudeau for a dinner with the president-elect at Mar-a-Lago in November, days after Trump threatened 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico.

Still, LeBlancs close ties with the unpopular Trudeau may have been an issue. The prime minister tapped him to be finance minister after Chrystia Freeland dropped her bombshell resignation letter in December.

Freeland is still a potential candidate for the job, as is Mark Carney, the former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England and current chair of Bloomberg Inc. Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson are also mulling leadership runs.

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Joly said Wednesday shes still reflecting on her decision due to her role as foreign affairs minister at a time when relations are extremely difficult with the incoming American administration. Her family life and ambition to become a mother also factor into her thinking, she added.

The question Im asking myself in the context of Canada-US is: Where can I have the biggest impact? she said. We have to be extremely ready, because folks, the threat of tariffs is real.

Liberal lawmakers are meeting in Ottawa to hash out the rules of a leadership race. Concerns have been raised about the loose rules for participation that were used in the last contest, when some who were under 18 and not citizens of Canada were allowed to vote.

(Adds comment from Melanie Joly in paragraphs 12 and 13.)

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Canada will never be the 51st state of the United States, its opposition leader has declared after Donald Trump threatened to annex the country.

Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative Party leader, hailed his nation as great and independent as he attacked Justin Trudeaus government for failing to demonstrate that Canada was a strong US ally.

The 45-year-old also promised that he will fight for Canada if he becomes prime minister following the resignation of Mr Trudeau earlier this week.

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Should his party win, Mr Poilievre will have to contend with a Trump-led government across Canadas southern border.

Mr Trump, speaking in Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday, was asked if he was considering using military force to acquire Canada.

No, economic force, he responded. Because Canada and the United States, that would really be something.

Artificially drawn line

Mr Trump, who has long complained about Canadas trade surplus with the US, had earlier told reporters that the border was an artificially drawn line.

The president-elect has threatened to impose a 25 per cent tariff on imports from Canada, which sends 75 per cent of all goods and services exports to the United States.

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Mr Trudeau, who announced his resignation as prime minister on Monday, also rejected handing control of the country over to Washington.

He said in a post on X: There isnt a snowballs chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States.

Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each others biggest trading and security partner.

Writing on X, Mr Poilievre said that Canada is the best friend to the US, pointing to the fact that his country helped the US retaliate against Al-Qaedas 9/11 attacks.

He also said that Canada supplies the US with billions of dollars of high-quality and totally reliable energy well below market prices and buys hundreds of billions of dollars of American goods.

Weak pathetic government

He added: Our weak and pathetic NDP-Liberal government has failed to make these obvious points.

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When I am prime minister, we will rebuild our military and take back control of the border to secure both Canada and the US. We will take back control of our Arctic to keep Russia and China out.

We will axe taxes, slash red tape and rapidly green-light massive resource projects to bring home pay cheques and production to our country. In other words, we will put Canada First.

Earlier on Tuesday, Melanie Joly, the Canadian minister of foreign affairs, said Mr Trumps comments show a complete lack of understanding of what makes Canada a strong country.

She said: We will never back down in the face of threats.

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Mr Trudeau announced on Monday that he would step down in the coming months, bowing to pressure from lawmakers alarmed by his Liberal Partys unpopularity.

Canada must hold a federal election by Oct 20 and Mr Poilievres Conservative Party has a substantial lead in the polls over the rival Liberal Party, according to data published by Pallas on Tuesday.

Mr Poilievre has indicated that he is open to working with Mr Trump, saying that he could increase Canadas exports to the US and strike a great deal with the next US president.

Negotiates very aggressively

He told Jordan Peterson in an interview published last week: If you look at the history of President Trump, he negotiates very aggressively and he likes to win, but in the end, he doesnt appear to have a problem if his counterparty also wins.

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Mr Poilievre has been likened to a polite version of Mr Trump, riding a wave of anti-elite Right-wing feeling to become the favourite to win the October election.

He rose to the leadership of the Conservative Party after backing the Freedom Convoy in January 2022, an uprising that began as a protest by truckers against pandemic lockdowns but soon spread to a wider pro-freedom message.

A video of him nonchalantly eating an apple while batting-off questions from a reporter went viral in 2023 as an example of how to defeat a Left-wing journalist.

Elon Musk responded to the video at the time, writing that he had never heard of him before, but this interview is [fire emoji].

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(Bloomberg) -- US President-elect Donald Trumps escalating threats about tariffs and his rhetoric about annexing Canada have prompted some Canadian business leaders to call for an immediate election campaign.

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Canada will have to make difficult choices and it would be best made by a leader with a clear and fresh mandate, said Jon Love, founder of KingSett Capital Inc., a Toronto-based real estate company. Asked if he believes Trumps comments are serious enough to warrant an emergency election, Love responded yes.

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The countrys parliament is suspended until March 24 following Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus announcement Monday that hell leave once his successor is chosen in a Liberal Party leadership vote. If the government sticks to that date, a general election isnt likely to happen before May.

By that point, the Canadian economy may be nearing a recession if the country is engulfed in a tariff war with the US. Trump has threatened to put 25% tariffs on the goods the US buys from Canada and Mexico immediately after taking office.

Since the US election, economic uncertainty in Canada has jumped to levels not seen since the Covid pandemic, according to an index compiled by researchers at Northwestern University, Stanford University and the University of Chicago. Uncertainty in 2020 was itself the highest since the indexs inception in 1985.

Tobi Lutke, chief executive officer of Shopify Inc., said in a social media post that it isnt OK to have millions of Canadians watch from the sidelines for months while the party figures itself out.

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The prime minister is on his way out, but federal departments remain operational and the government still has the power to act on many items even if parliament is not sitting. For example, if Trump follows through with tariffs, Canada can impose retaliatory duties on American goods without passing legislation, as it did in 2018 during the battle over steel and aluminum tariffs.

Further, Canadas plan to boost patrols and security at its border contains a series of measures which do not require parliamentary approval, a spokesperson for Public Safety Minister David McGuinty said in a statement.

Polls show the Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre, would be in position to win a majority government if an election were held right now.

Leadership Vacuum

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We cannot afford to have a leadership vacuum over the next several months. We need an election ASAP, Perrin Beatty, a former federal cabinet minister who led the Canadian Chamber of Commerce until last year, said in a post on LinkedIn.

Hes not alone. John Ruffolo, founder of Toronto-based Maverix Private Equity, said theres absolutely a need for a vote to give a new government the authority to negotiate with the Trump administration.

But business leaders must accept the limits of the political system, said Daniel Tisch, president and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.

We have to focus our energy where its most needed, he said in an interview. The reality is theres zero prospect of a federal election in Canada when the governing party is in the midst of a leadership race.

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Instead, he suggested that businesses try to ensure that we have leaders in all parties, but particularly the two largest parties, that are promoting a sustainable growth agenda.

If an election were called today, the rules state that voters wouldnt cast ballots until at least 36 days from now  so mid-February at the earliest, according to Yaroslav Baran, a former senior Conservative government staffer and co-founder of the Pendulum Group. It probably wont make much difference to wait until early May, he said.

If Trump imposes a tariff in the middle of an election campaign versus immediately before an election campaign, the government response is still going to be the same, he said. In either case, even with a caretaker government during an election, cabinet ministers and deputy ministers would convene with all hands on deck.

But this will be a challenging period for the government, Baran added. Its unclear whether key ministers handling US relations  including Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly and Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne  will follow the lead of Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc and opt out of the Liberal leadership race to focus on dealing with policy.

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Thats going to be a pretty central question. Canadas already going into this with a disadvantage of a lame-duck government on its way out the door, but swapping in a bunch of rookies to take over this hot file right now would be even more destabilizing, Baran said.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who has appeared multiple times on Fox News to speak about the importance of Canada-US trade, said at a news conference on Wednesday that provincial leaders will continue to push Trudeau.

Were going to hold his feet to the fire until the day hes no longer prime minister, Ford said.

Tisch called Trumps annexation threats disappointing, disrespectful and distracting, but said he believes cooler heads will prevail after the Jan. 20 inauguration. Mr. Trump inherits the strongest economy in the world, and job one is not to screw that up.

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--With assistance from Christine Dobby and Randy Thanthong-Knight.

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Canadian lawmaker Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party of Canada, offered to accept Washington, Oregon, and California as new Canadian provinces in a press conference Monday.

Canadian officials are dismissing U.S. President-elect Donald Trumps remarks about Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state, saying the comments are no longer a joke and are meant to undermine Americas closest ally.

I dont want to belittle Trump, May said. We got a deal for you. You think we want to be the 51st state? Nah. Maybe California would like to be the 11th province. How about it? California, Oregon, Washington.

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May called on the state governors of Newsom, Kotek, and Inslee to put a referendum to your citizens.

Have we got a deal for you, she added. This is what you get. Free health care, Universal free healthcare. No more one-year-olds who suddenly fall of the Medicaid list and their parents are in the news because theyre trying to do a GoFundMe so they can get their daughter a doctor.

Guess what, May continued. Those gun laws that your Congress is too afraid to pass because of the national gun lobby, we already got our strict gun laws. Thats why we have the safest streets in the world.

Canadas point person for U.S.-Canada relations, Dominic LeBlanc, stated that what began as a joking comment has become a way for Trump to sow confusion, to agitate people, to create chaos knowing this will never happen. Trump first made the comment at a dinner with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in November.

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Trump has repeatedly floated the idea, saying he would use economic force instead of military action to acquire Canada. He also inaccurately described the U.S. trade deficit with Canada as a subsidy.

According to Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Canada ships 4.3 million barrels of crude oil per day to the U.S., accounting for about 60% of Americas total energy imports. The U.S. consumes about 20 million barrels a day, while domestically producing about 13.2 million barrels a day.

LeBlanc stated that Trumps rhetoric is becoming very counterproductive. He has been in contact with incoming Trump administration officials to improve border security in an attempt to avert a 25% tariff threatened on all Canadian goods.

LeBlanc, recently appointed after the previous finance ministers abrupt resignation, also announced he wont seek to replace Trudeau as Prime Minister, to focus on the tariff threat. Trudeau announced his resignation on Monday and will stay on until a new Liberal leader is chosen.

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The timing is awful for sure, said Liberal lawmaker Judy Sgro, regarding the leadership change. But we will do what we have to do to ensure that Canada stands strong. When asked about Trumps remarks, Sgro responded, He should focus on his own issues in his own country, because hes got lots of them.

Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller called Trumps comments ridiculous, stating there is no chance of us becoming the 51st state. He added, I think that this is beneath a president of the United States.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford disputed Trumps assertion that the U.S. doesnt need anything from Canada. I dont know who is misinforming him, Ford said.

Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states, with nearly $3.6 billion Canadian worth of goods and services crossing the border daily. Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the U.S., and has 34 critical minerals and metals the Pentagon is investing in.

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Ford also said that Canada would retaliate if tariffs are imposed, by targeting a wide range of U.S. products.

Foreign Minister Melanie Joly stated, At the same time we cant take the bait. We have to show we have a strong economy and we are strong and we are not going to be annexed.

KIRO 7 News has reached out to the office of Elizabeth May for a comment.
TORONTO (AP)  U.S. President-elect Donald Trumps comments that Canada should become the 51st state are no longer a joke and are meant to undermine Americas closest ally, Canadas finance minister said Wednesday.

Dominic LeBlanc, the countrys point person for U.S-Canada relations, said Trump was smiling when he first made the comment during a dinner at Mar-a-Lago with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in late November.

The joke is over, said LeBlanc. Its a way for him, I think, to sow confusion, to agitate people, to create chaos knowing this will never happen.

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Trump keeps floating the idea that Canada should join the United States as the 51st state, saying Tuesday he would not use military force to invade the country, which is home to more than 40 million people and is a founding NATO partner.

Instead, Trump said he would rely on economic force as he erroneously cast the U.S. trade deficit with Canada  a natural resource-rich nation that provides the U.S. with commodities like oil  as a subsidy.

Its becoming very counterproductive, LeBlanc said, referring to Trumps rhetoric about Canada.

LeBlanc has been talking to incoming Trump administration officials about increasing border security in an effort to avoid a sweeping 25% tariff that Trump has threatened to impose on all Canadian products.

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LeBlanc, recently appointed to the role after the abrupt resignation of the previous finance minister, also announced he won't run to replace Trudeau so he can focus on the tariff threat. Trudeau announced Monday he will resign as prime minister and will stay on until a new Liberal leader is chosen.

The timing is awful for sure," said Liberal lawmaker Judy Sgro of the leadership change. But we will do what we have to do to ensure that Canada stands strong."

Asked about Trump's comments, Sgro said He should focus on his own issues in his own country, because hes got lots of them.

Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller also fired back, dismissing Trump's comments as ridiculous.

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"There is no chance of us becoming the 51st state. I think that this is beneath a president of the United States, Miller said. I said a few weeks ago that this whole thing was like a South Park episode."

Trump refused to rule out acquiring Greenland and the Panama Canal by military force and has said the U.S doesn't need anything from Canada, including automobiles, lumber and dairy products.

"I dont know who is misinforming him," Ontario Premier Doug Ford said. Right now we ship 4.3 million barrels of crude oil into the U.S. 60 percent of their energy imports are coming from Canada.

The U.S. imports approximately 60% of its crude oil from Canada, with Alberta alone supplying 4.3 million barrels per day. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the U.S. consumes about 20 million barrels a day, while domestically producing about 13.2 million barrels a day. This means about quarter of the oil the U.S. consumes every day is from Canada.

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Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Nearly $3.6 billion Canadian (US$2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day.

Ford said Canada will retaliate if Trump imposes tariffs, saying that a wide range of U.S. products shipped to Canada will be targeted, but he declined to specify which ones.

Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the U.S. and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing in for national security.

Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said she never takes Trump's threats lightly.

"At the same time we cant take the bait, Joly said. We have to show we have a strong economy and we are strong and we are not going to be annexed.
The leader of Canadas most populous province gave Donald Trump a taste of his own medicine Monday, jokingly offering to purchase several U.S. states.

You know something, to the president, Ill make him a counteroffer. How about if we buy Alaska, and well throw in Minnesota and Minneapolis at the same time? Doug Ford, the premier of Ontario, said at a news conference. Its not realistic. I know he likes making these comments and he likes joking around. I take that seriously.

Under my watch, that will never, ever happen, he said of Trumps proposal to merge Canada with the U.S.

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The president-elect has been persistently trolling about making Canada the 51st U.S. state since November, and on Monday renewed his provocations after the countrys prime minister, Justin Trudeau, announced his intention to resign after his party selects a new leader.

Many people in Canada LOVE being the 51st State, Trump posted Monday on Truth Social. The United States can no longer suffer the massive Trade Deficits and Subsidies that Canada needs to stay afloat. Justin Trudeau knew this, and resigned.

Ford later told CNNs Erin Burnett his offer to buy U.S. states was in jest.

Were a sovereign country. Were proud Canadians just like Americans are proud, he said.

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Trump on Tuesday threatened economic force against Canada to absorb it into the U.S. and reiterated his threat to impose major tariffs on Canadian goods.

There isnt a snowballs chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States, Trudeau said in a post on social media.

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A prominent Canadian politician shot back at U.S. President-elect Donald Trumps suggestion that the two countries should merge by suggesting that his nation could purchase two American border states instead.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, the leader of Canadas most populous province since 2018, joked on Monday that Canada could instead purchase Alaska and Minnesota as a counteroffer.

I know under my watch, in Ontario, we would never be for that at all, Ford said of Trumps threats to acquire its northern neighbor on Canadas CTV News . We have the greatest country in the world. We have the greatest province anywhere.

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When a reporter asked Ford if he thought Trump was just joking, the Ontario leader gave the president-elect a counteroffer. How about if we buy Alaska? And well throw in Minnesota and Minneapolis at the same time, Ford said. You know, its not realistic.

I know he likes making these comments and he likes joking aroundI take that seriously, Ford added. He may be joking, but under my watch that will never, ever happen.

Later the same day, Ford told CNNs Erin Burnett the counteroffer was also a joke, and that he can appreciate [Trumps] sense of humor. Ford said he agreed with Trump on securing the border between the two countries, as well as Canadas contribution to NATO.

Ford also stressed the economic connections between the two nations. The Ontario premier has previously sparred with the incoming president over his threats to levy a 25 percent tariff on Canadian imports.

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Canada does $1.3 trillion of trade with the U.S., were their largest trading partner. We ship down 4.3 million barrels of oil every single day. We send electricity down to the U.S., critical minerals. These are all areas in different sectors that Americans need, and why disrupt that?

On Tuesday, Trump ramped up his aggressive rhetoric, claiming he would use economic force to pressure the U.S.s northern neighbor into a deal. This prompted Canadian leaders to join the Ontario premier in rejecting Trumps overtures. There isnt a snowballs chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a post on X .

The defiant message from Trudeau comes only a day after he announced he was preparing to step down as prime minister after his Liberal Party elects a new leader. Trump was quick to claim victory for Trudeaus resignation.
President-elect Donald Trump is making headlines days before his inauguration for threatening to use "economic force" to push Canada to merge with the United States under his next administration.

@realDonaldTrump via Truth Social

So, we're asking Canadians in the BuzzFeed Community to share their thoughts on Trump's threats and how they feel about potentially becoming a part of the US in the future.

Scott Olsen / Getty Images

Maybe you're a Canadian who supports Trump, so you would be excited about Canada joining the United States.

Danielle Donders / Getty Images

Maybe you're a Canadian who is fearful of this threat because of the chaos in the US within the last decade.

elenaleonova / Getty Images

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Or maybe you don't think there's any chance this would actually happen, so you're not worried.

Anastassiya Bezhekeneva / Getty Images

Canadians, we want to hear from you. Let us know your thoughts on Trump's threat to force Canada to join the US in the comments below or via this anonymous Google form. Your responses could be featured in an upcoming post.
Candace Cameron Bure is asking her social media followers to keep those affected by the Pacific Palisades fire in their prayers.

Amid the horrific wildfires raging across Los Angeles County, the Fuller House alum became one of the latest Hollywood stars to speak out about the devastating firestorm, which has already claimed two lives and burned down over 1,000 structures.

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According to the Los Angeles Times, the wildfires raging across L.A. County have made this "one of the most destructive firestorms to hit the region in memory."

More than 5,000 acres in Pacific Palisades have been charred, burning down hundreds of homes, businesses and other buildings.

After the fires broke out on Tuesday, Jan. 7, Cameron Bure took to Instagram to share a harrowing photo of the flames taking over the Palisades, writing in the caption, "This is devastating to watch."

"Please pray for the safety of firefighters and emergency crews who are fearlessly trying to tackle this disaster. Pray for the safety of every resident," the 48-year-old actress implored her followers.

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"I'm soooo sad," she ended her post.

On Wednesday, Jan. 8, Cameron Bure shared another update on the situation, revealing "I woke up to the same flames."

"Our sweet Palisades is destroyed. So many memories," she wrote under another photo of the fiery red skies above Los Angeles. "We are praying God pours rain down on Los Angeles. Thank you firefighters and first responders for everything youre doing to keep people safe and fight these fires. You are true heros [sic]."

"So many memories " the Great American Family star added in the emotional post.

In addition to the flames roaring through the Pacific Palisades, fires have also broken out near Altadena, Pasadena and Sylmar.

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The National Weather Service has predicted a "continued red flag weather event with strong winds and low humidities." Los Angeles City Fire Chief Kristin M. Crowley said in a news conference on Wednesday, "We are absolutely not out of danger yet," per CNN.

Crowley added, "We are all committed. Our first responders, our firefighters will remain focused on protecting lives and property."

Next: Jamie Lee Curtis Issues Blunt Request While Her Home "Possibly" Burns in Palisades Fire
OTTUMWA  Dressed in the decorative uniform of a firefighter, Sean Canto exuded the confidence of someone in his craft for over 30 years.

And yet, complacency isn't an option.

Canto, who was officially named the new fire chief of the Ottumwa Fire Department last week, gave his first remarks to the community during Tuesday's Ottumwa City Council meeting. He talked about his family lineage in fire safety, but also that fire service is a moving target.

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"The fire service that my father started in the late 1960s is not the fire service of 2025. It continues to change. The service model of what we do has to continue to change," he said. "Seconds count and minutes count, and what we do in public service is the same as the Ottumwa Police Department.

"We're going to evaluate everything within the organization  our service levels, how we operate, our policies and procedures, our training," Canto said. "We're going to evaluate everything and when things need to be updated, we're going to take the department to the next level and serve the citizens with the most efficient, effective service we can provide the community."

The city had been without a chief since September 2023 when chief Tony Miller retired and was replaced by Pat Short on an interim basis. Earlier that year, the department was mired in multiple sexual misconduct and HIPPA violations.

Then, after a search for a permanent chief didn't bear fruit for various reasons, the city in June attempted to hire a firm from Wisconsin to conduct oversight and evaluate the department in lieu of not having a chief. That agenda item sat tabled for six months before finally being removed Tuesday.

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Canto's hire provides those evaluation opportunities. For 10 years prior to arriving in Ottumwa, he was the City of Rochester Hills (Michigan) Chief of Fire and Emergency Services. He also spent time in fire departments in Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Ohio and Kentucky.

He also was sent to a pair of hurricane-ravaged cities in New Orleans (Katrina) and Baltimore (Isabella).

"I look forward to being here, look forward to being a part of the Ottumwa community," he said. "My office door is always open. I'm going to look at the organization from the 10,000-foot view all the way down, and we're going to take this organization on a journey."

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 During a three-minute segment at the end of the meeting, resident Jerry Krafka was concerned about what stages the city will reconstruct West Mary Street once that project begins. The project will be let to the Iowa Department of Transportation in March and is a full reconstruction of Mary Street to Shaul Avenue, a distance of about 0.7 miles, and will stress traffic in the area, specifically near Liberty Intermediate School.

Public works director Phillip Burgmeier didn't know how long the project would take, as it "depends on how much manpower they throw at it."

"The school is there, so there's a certain sequencing you have to do, but we're planning on getting it all done in one year," he said. "We're going to stage it so that this section from the school to Ferry Street is done when school is out."

Krafka was concerned about accessibility to his home on the north side of Mary Street.

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"I just don't know how big this project is going to be, because we can't get out the back side," he said. "Nobody has come to me and given me a handout that they're going to be affecting my property. I've heard all types of rumors, but I'm just curious how the problems will be handled for people that live along that side of the street."

 The council approved a rezoning ordinance behind the former Hy-Vee on the north side, which is city-owned land, so Blunt Investments can build a car wash. The council waived the final reading of the ordinance to approve it. The city had owned the two lots since 2015, and sold them for $5,000 per lot.
Police arrested a man armed with a machete and multiple knives attempting to enter the U.S. Capitol complex as visitors streamed in to pay their respects to the late President Jimmy Carter and just hours before President-elect Donald Trump met with GOP senators.

Capitol Police officers intercepted the manwho faces multiple charges of carrying a dangerous weaponduring a routine security check Wednesday afternoon in the Capitol Visitor Center after spotting multiple weapons in his bag, the Capitol Police said in a statement.

During security screening, our officers spotted a machete in the mans bag, stopped the x-ray machine, arrested the man, and secured the machete, Capitol Police said in a statement on X.

USCP Stops, Arrests Man with Machete & Knives at Security Screening: https://t.co/l3CPimfyAt pic.twitter.com/S1zRwt3vg4  The U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) January 8, 2025

Three knives were also found in the bag, along with the machete, the statement said. Capitol Police added, The man is being arrested for multiple charges of Carrying a Dangerous Weapon.

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Around the time that Trump arrived in the Senate for a scheduled meeting with Republicans, police announced the presence of a suspicious vehicle near the Capitol.

The arrest of the man with the machete took place amid heightened security during a particularly busy time, with thousands of individuals lined up at the Capitol to pay respects to Carter, who is lying in state in the Rotunda. Capitol Police took extra precautions in recent days, erecting fencing around the campus for the certification of the election results and ahead of Trumps inauguration on Jan. 20.

President-elect Donald Trump and Melania Trump pay respects at the casket. / Marko Djurica / REUTERS

No one was harmed during the incident and Capitol Police said it expected to provide additional information as it becomes available.

Trump was holding a strategy session with Senate Republicans Wednesday evening on his agenda on the border and taxes.
CaroMont Health opened a new hospital on Wednesday in Belmont, which is located off Interstate 85 at Exit 27.

Officials at CaroMont said the eastern part of Gaston County is growing the fastest, which is why the opening of the hospital in Belmont was crucial.

New CaroMont Health hospital driving more development in Gaston County

The first patient walked through the doors at CaroMont Regional Medical Center in Belmont just after 8 a.m.

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CaroMont Health President and CEO of CaroMont Health Chris Peek said the facility has a lot to offer and a big highlight is the emergency department.

The ER at CaroMonts main hospital in Gastonia is at capacity with 400 patients visiting daily, he said.

Usually, in the top five busiest emergency departments in the state of North Carolina, so adding this additional emergency department, we hope will reduce wait times and sort of spread out that department, Peek said.

Officials learned a lot from the pandemic, he said.

The hospital in Belmont has 54 licensed inpatient beds.

The facility has negative-pressure rooms for patients with a respiratory virus, which is a system that confines the air to that room so no one else can get infected.

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We would be very prepared for that with a flip of a switch, Peek said.

Another major addition is the labor and delivery floor, which could see its first baby any day now.

With all the extra houses (in Belmont), which are lot of, all of sudden, we have to have that. We need a hospital, said resident Monte Stratton.

Stratton said he has lived in Belmont for nearly 20 years and must travel to Gastonia for healthcare.

He is glad that he has more options now.

Ive had knee replacements there, he said. My heart doctor is up that way so Im hoping some of those doctors trickle down to Belmont.

CaroMonts Gastonia campus will remain a Trauma Level III Center and will still take the most patients with critical needs.

Most emergencies can go to Belmont.
Even a bitterly cold Monday, Jan. 6, did not stop a steady stream of visitors to Carter Presidential Center, where former President Jimmy Carter lies in repose ahead of his national funeral in Washington D.C. (Stanley Dunlap/Georgia Recorder)

This story originally appeared on Georgia Recorder.

Admirers of former President Jimmy Carter braved frigid temperatures Monday to pay respects to the late president before his six-day funeral procession moves to Washington.

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Hundreds of people continued to flock to the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta, open since Saturday evening, while Carter lies in repose within a casket draped with the American flag surrounded by a guard of honor provided by the military.

John Ploss, 93, visited the center on Monday to pay respects to a fellow graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. Following his graduation from the academy, Carter became a Navy pilot several classes before Ploss, who would also become a pilot.

The Ploss family members spent the weekend visiting the Carters Habitat for Humanity project in Plains, before completing the trip Monday at the Carter center, said Ploss son, Carl Ploss.

Weve been kind of tracking Jimmys spiritual journey here, and this is the last step, obviously, Carl Ploss said. But in a sense, its not the last step, its just the end of the physical journey. Theres a lot that will continue.

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Carter was in hospice care for nearly two years before he died last month in the Plains home he shared with former first lady Rosalynn Carter, who died in late 2023 at the age of 96.

Carter admirers toured the Atlanta center that is filled with memorabilia commemorating the life of the longest living president when he died Dec. 29 at the age of 100.

Atlantas Chan and Stephanie Parker paid their respects to the late president on Monday, expressing their admiration for his humanitarian efforts and love of music.

The common thread connecting many of the visitors at Carters last Georgia public viewing was their gratitude for the late ex-presidents charitable and humanitarian contributions after he left the White House, including more than 30 years working to help Habitat for Humanity build more than 4,000 homes.

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Atlanta residents Stephanie and Chan Parker visited Carter Presidential Center on Monday, Jan. 6, to pay respects to the late former President Jimmy Carter. Stanley Dunlap/Georgia Recorder

The Parkers said that their political views aligned with those espoused by Carter, a Democrat who the Parkers identified as a pillar of character.

Hes a truly great man, a truly great humanitarian, a good person and good president, Stephanie Parker said. He loved music, and I love music. He was just a great person. I dont think well ever see anyone else like him again.

The six-day state honors for Carter began on Saturday with a motorcade traversing southwest Georgias countryside before arriving at the state Capitol in downtown Atlanta.

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The funeral procession stopped along the way outside Carters childhood farm in Archery, where National Park Service rangers rang the same bell a young Jimmy Carter did numerous times growing up. A crowd of people held American flags during the funeral procession that passed through Plains Main Street on Saturday.

Four Georgia governors and many other political luminaries from both sides of the political aisle paid their respects to Carter as the hearse carrying the late ex-president made a brief ceremonial stop Saturday in front of the state Capitol. The procession would make its way to the Carter Presidential Center for an evening memorial service followed by the start of public visitation.

Carters remains will begin a journey at 6 a.m. Tuesday to Washington, D.C., where he will lie in state in the Rotunda of the Capitol before Thursdays funeral service at the National Cathedral.

Then, Carter will return to Georgia, where his remains will be buried at his longtime home in Plains, next to his late wife of 77 years.

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Carters legacy extends well beyond his time in politics, when he served as a state senator and governor in Georgia. He ushered in an increase in the number of Black state government employees following the end of the Civil Rights Movement during the early 1970s.

A number of Carters accomplishments during his presidency include diplomatic relations with the Peoples Republic of China, relinquishing control of the Panama Canal and negotiating the Camp David Accords, a 1979 historic peace agreement between Egypt and Israel.

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Georgia Recorder is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Georgia Recorder maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor John McCosh for questions: info@georgiarecorder.com.
The cause of death has been released for an Ohio corrections officer.

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Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (ODRC) officer Andrew Lansing, 62, died from blunt force injuries to his head on Christmas Day, according to a Franklin County Coroners Office autopsy report.

As previously by News Center 7, Lansing died following an inmate assault at the Ross County Correctional Institution on Christmas morning.

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ODRC said Lansing was attacked by Rashawn Cannon. He allegedly attacked Lansing in his guard shack in the middle of the prison yard, according to our news partner WBNS in Columbus.

The autopsy report stated Lansing was found unresponsive with multiple injuries to his head and face.

ODRC Director Annette Chambers-Smith said on Dec. 27 that Lansing, a father and husband, had volunteered to work overtime on Christmas.

All he was trying to do was his job, and he was doing it very well, Chambers-Smith said.

Chamber-Smith said the attack occurred when Cannon and his unit were heading to the dining hall.

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She said the inmate veered off from his group to find Lansing in his guard shack in the middle of the prison yard.

Chambers-Smith said the building was not locked. She said it was her understanding that no weapons were used in the attack.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) identified Cannon as the inmate involved. He was incarcerated on felonious assault and weapon under disability charges.

He was transferred to the Southern Ohio Correctional Institution while the incident was under investigation.

Lansing was laid to rest last week.

The funeral procession stretched across Chillicothe streets and mourners followed him to his final resting place, WBNS said.

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OSHP continues to investigate Lansings death.

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Jan. 7Two teenagers were arrested and another man was shot twice in the upper torso after a Facebook Marketplace sale Friday at a Coeur d'Alene gas station went wrong.

Fausto Labonte-Lovato, 18, tried to steal $60 worth of jewelry from 19-year-old Nathaniel Mendenhall, who then fired multiple shots at a vehicle Labonte-Lovato entered, according to court documents. Labonte-Lovato's friend and driver of the car, Aleksel Salgado-Manjarrez, was struck twice by the gunfire and taken to Kootenai Health.

He was listed in stable condition at the hospital, according to a Coeur d'Alene Police Department news release Monday.

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Labonte-Lovato, of Spokane, was booked into the Kootenai County Jail on suspicion of grand theft, and Mendenhall, of Coeur d'Alene, was booked on suspicion of aggravated assault and aggravated battery.

Officers responded to the shooting call about 3 p.m. at the 76 gas station on Appleway Avenue and Northwest Boulevard, according to documents.

Mendenhall told police he posted a white gold bracelet and Seattle Mariners pendant for sale for $60 on Facebook Marketplace. The two defendants agreed to meet that afternoon at the gas station.

Mendenhall said Labonte-Lovato came up to the window of Mendenhall's white Subaru and Mendenhall, who was in the driver's seat, put the bracelet on Labonte-Lovato to show him how it fit, he told police.

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Mendenhall then showed the pendant, which was in a plastic baggie, to Labonte-Lovato when he allegedly grabbed the pendant from Mendenhall and took off running. Mendenhall chased Labonte-Lovato, who got into the passenger seat of a car that started to leave, the shooter told police.

Mendenhall said he yelled for the car to stop and to give him his items before he fired a Glock handgun through the back window about four to five times, documents say. The car came to a stop, and Labonte-Lovato got out of the car and gave the items to Mendenhall after he demanded them back.

Mendenhall told police he heard the driver say he was shot. He yelled at bystanders to call 911 and called the emergency line himself.

Labonte-Lovato told police he walked up to the seller's car and said the seller was acting weird and put a black handgun on his lap, which scared Labonte-Lovato. He said he was holding the pendant and ran. That's when Mendenhall started to shoot and demanded the pendant back, which Labonte-Lovato did, the alleged thief told police.

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According to police, he told 911 dispatch that, "(Mendenhall) was selling a fake chain so I dipped out on him," court records show.

Salgado-Manjarrez told police at the hospital he drove Labonte-Lovato to the gas station so the defendant could buy a pendant off a Facebook Marketplace ad. He said he believed Labonte-Lovato tried to rob or steal from the seller before the seller fired shots at his car, striking him.

One witness told police Salgado-Manjarrez said he was shot, and the occupants of the car claimed they robbed Mendenhall for a chain and "it was not worth it," documents say.

Surveillance footage captured the two vehicles arriving at the gas station around 3 p.m., Labonte-Lovato walking to Mendenhall's car and the alleged thief running from Mendenhall's car and getting into the car his friend was driving. Mendenhall ran toward their vehicle and fired shots at it.

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Neither defendant was listed in jail Tuesday night after posting bond, according to the Idaho Court Portal.

They both appeared for video arraignments Monday in Kootenai County Magistrate Court and are scheduled for preliminary hearings later this month.

Anyone who was at the gas station when the shooting occurred and has information to share is encouraged to contact Coeur d'Alene police.
Jan. 7A Centerville man and his son are accused of assaulting police at the U.S. Capitol building during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach.

Joseph Charles Valentour, 66, and 26-year-old Jonathan Wayne "Duke" Valentour of Boulder, Colorado, are facing felony assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers and obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder charges in federal court, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Columbia.

They are also facing five misdemeanors  entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; and act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings.

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Joseph Valentour was arrested Friday in Dayton. His son was arrested Monday in Colorado.

FBI agents identified Joseph Valentour as a potential suspect in the assault of multiple Metropolitan Police Officers during the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol breach.

Body camera reportedly showed Joseph Valentour approaching the police line at the Lower West Terrace and then intentionally backing into the line.

An officer tried to push him back, but other rioters grabbed the officer's baron and dragged him into the crowd, according to court records.

Shortly after, Joseph Valentour was shown on body camera pushing against the police line again. He's accused of touching an officer's shield multiple times and worker with others to try and disarm the officer.

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"Valentour's efforted were eventually successful and the officer fell down the stairs as a result," a criminal complaint read. "Another officer went to assist the fallen officer; Valentour lowered his shoulder to hip height and forcibly used his body weight to charge at and push the assisting officer below the officer's center of gravity, thereby impeding the assisting officer's forward movement."

Duke Valentour was in the same area as his father and reportedly forcibly pushed other people in front of him into the police line.

After he attempted to grab and interfere with officers, police pushed him down the steps, according to court records. Duke Valentour went back up the stairs with another rioter and again tried to interfere with police by pushing the other rioter into the police line.

"A nearby police officer deployed pepper spray in Duke's direction and Duke quickly retreated back down the stairs into the mob," the complaint read.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Schools around central Arkansas are announcing closures as winter weather is expected to enter the state Thursday.

Snow showers are expected to begin in parts of southwest Arkansas as early as 7 a.m. Thursday and continuing into central Arkansas Thursday night into Friday morning. Temperatures are expected to drop into the teens and 20s and roads are expected to be icy.

Late-Week Winter Storm in Arkansas: What You Need to Know

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Below is a list of school closings:

Arkansas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

School officials said the school will be closed Thursday, Jan. 9 and Friday, Jan. 10. Dorm students will travel home Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. and charter buses will run regular routes. Day students will remain at school until 3:30 p.m. Wednesday with normal transportation.

Little Rock School District

The Little Rock School District will close schools and offices on Thursday, Jan. 9 and Friday, Jan. 10.

North Little Rock School District

The North Little Rock School District will close schools and offices on Thursday, Jan. 9 and Friday, Jan. 10.

Pulaski County Special School District

The Pulaski County Special School District will be closed Thursday, Jan. 9 and Friday, Jan. 10.

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For more closings or delays, visit our Closings page.

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 KARK.
Jan. 7DIXON  After almost 130 years of operating independently, KSB Hospital's merger with OSF Healthcare was solidified at a blessing Tuesday afternoon.

KSB  now renamed OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine Medical Center  is the 17th hospital in the OSF ministry.

KSB Hospital was first established in 1897 when Judge Solomon H. Bethea, a federal judge and mayor of Dixon in the early 1880s, gave his estate to the city of Dixon for it to be established as a local hospital in honor of his late wife, Katherine Shaw Bethea.

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Local Catholic leaders pray during the blessing of the new OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine Medical Center Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Dixon. OSF recently took ownership of KSB. (Alex T. Paschal)

Over the years, that downtown Dixon location grew to an 80-bed facility offering traditional inpatient and outpatient services, employing 920 people and operating an integrated medical group with 70 practitioners at six locations in Lee and southern Ogle counties.

The new name, OSF Saint Katharine, pays tribute to the hospital's long-standing commitment to the Sauk Valley region and aligns with the values of OSF, according to a news release from OSF sent Tuesday.

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At Tuesday's blessing, something that is a tradition for OSF when any new building opens, Bishop David J. Malloy of the Rockford Diocese led the ceremony along with the Rev. John Evans of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Dixon.

OSF took over operations at KSB on Jan. 1 and welcomed 900 new employees  a transition that OSF Saint Katharine President Jackie Kernan said has gone smoothly.

Kernan said the community can expect to see the same familiar faces at the hospital, and for OSF to enhance the quality of care already provided by KSB.

OSF, headquartered in Peoria, is an integrated Catholic health system that operates 16 other hospitals throughout Illinois and Michigan and has about 24,000 employees, known as "mission partners," across more than 150 locations.

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On May 10, 2024, KSB announced that it had signed a term sheet with OSF marking their official partnership and expected a full merger. The agreement includes $40 million in funding for facility renovations, to improve access to care locally, and to create seamless referrals to subspecialties.

"There was a great deal of concern and assessment that went into [the KSB board of directors'] decision to affiliate with another organization," Mayor Glen Hughes said Tuesday. "The community's economy, health and safety would be absolutely devastated if Dixon lost its primary health care facility."

The selection process: behind the scenes

It all began in February 2024, when KSB announced that it was formally exploring potential partnerships due to escalating operating and staffing costs, as well as changes to health care financing and how patients use health care.

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It was a decision that former KSB Board Chairman Dave Hellmich said was "difficult and filled with emotion."

According to a resolution presented to the Dixon City Council on Aug. 5, 2024, KSB's board analyzed the feasibility of continuing to operate the hospital independently and found that it likely would lead to its closure.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospital experienced an increase in expenses including wages, pharmaceuticals, utilities, facility costs and medical supplies. Those increased expenses were not covered by increased reimbursement rates because KSB, like other rural hospitals, serves a large portion of patients on Medicare and Medicaid, which reimburse at a lower rate than commercial insurance, according to a city resolution.

As a result, KSB operated with negative margins in 2022 and 2023. Those operating margin challenges led to the erosion of the balance sheet and, in January 2024, the hospital's cash on hand dropped to five days, which made it impossible to borrow funds and reinvest in the organization, according to the resolution.

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Once it was decided that KSB would seek affiliation, the board developed an extensive list of qualities that it was looking for in potential partners. Hellmich described the search as being similar to a call-for-grant proposals, in which an organization will post a grant opportunity and list all of the requirements for recipients.

"The big question for us was, 'What's the best thing for our patients?'" former President and CEO of KSB Dave Schreiner said in an interview with Shaw Local News Network.

From there, nine health systems expressed interest in the possibility of affiliating with KSB. Hellmich was unable to disclose the names of those systems due to confidentiality agreements, he said.

Those nine systems were invited to submit an informal proposal, which were reviewed by the board. The board then identified six systems to speak with further, Hellmich said.

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At that point, an affiliation committee, a subset of the board, was developed to meet with those six systems. Hellmich and Schreiner were members of the committee along with Joe Welty, a KSB family medicine doctor and former board member; Austin Fraiser, former CFO of KSB; and Rich Boysen, a former board member, Hellmich said.

The meetings were held virtually. Each system gave a presentation before the meeting became a conversation.

Of those six, the committee identified OSF HealthCare and one other system as the finalists. After studying each system's final detailed proposals, the committee met to vote on its recommendation to the board.

Hellmich remembers that evening vividly.

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"It was a really intense conversation, and I actually, I wasn't sure where we were going to end up," he said. "We knew all along that there would be some concerns in regards to reproductive care. We knew that. Those were concerns for us, too. It really weighed on us. We did not dismiss that."

As a Catholic health care organization, all of OSF's locations abide by the directives set forth in the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Service. Within those directives, there are several limitations to reproductive care, specifically within medical birth control and contraceptive practices, terminating a pregnancy, infertility treatments and alternatives.

[ Dixon's KSB Hospital merger with Catholic organization sparks reproductive healthcare concerns ]

However, Hellmich and Schreiner said the biggest deciding factor that stood out about OSF was its policy of accepting and treating all patients, even if they don't have the ability to pay for the services.

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"That was not necessarily the case with some of the other hospitals that we were looking at, and so the reproductive care was a concern, but this  the access to care for everybody, especially folks who may not have the means to pay  more than balanced that out for us," Hellmich said.

Schreiner also pointed to OSF's vast number of resources on the medical and business side as a key factor in the decision  some of which includes OSF OnCall, a digital health operating unit; OSF Home Care Services, an extensive network of home health and hospice services; OSF HealthCare Foundation; and OSF Ventures, which provides investment capital for promising health care innovation startups.

Similarly, the second thing that stood out about OSF for Hellmich was the expansion of services that it could bring to the Sauk Valley as well as its network of nearby locations that makes it easier for patients to be transferred within the system if the service they need can't be provided in Dixon.

The final thing Hellmich pointed to was the financial stability of OSF.

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"We are absolutely certain that Dixon and the Sauk Valley will have quality hospital care from OSF indefinitely," he said. "OSF is not going to get bought out by somebody else."

Still, the limitations to reproductive care "weighed very heavily on the board," Hellmich said. What it came down to was that OSF outperformed all of the other health systems in those three areas that he pointed out.

As a result, the committee voted to recommend that the board select OSF as its partner.

The board  which consisted of Hellmich, Welty and Schreiner, as well as Lauren Roth of Dixon; Patrick King, a Dixon dentist; Lynn Knodle, former CEO of Serenity Hospice and Home; Ray Neisewander, chairman and CEO of Raynor Garage Doors; Colleen Henkel, president and CEO of First National Bank in Amboy; and Rick Curia, dealer principal at Ken Nelson Auto Group  voted unanimously to affiliate with OSF, Hellmich said.

The future of OSF Saint Katharine

With the merger complete, "we're excited about the future, but at the same time, it is bittersweet," Hellmich said.

"The focus is on all the great things that OSF is going to do for the community," Schreiner said. "It's an exciting new start, and I'm looking forward to the years ahead."

OSF Saint Katharine soon will offer new services to the community, including OSF OnCall and OSF MyChart with the integration of Epic, the electronic medical record system used across the OSF ministry. This will expand the focus on digital health access and other opportunities, according to the release.

In the hospital's intensive care unit, one enhancement will be the use of virtual intensive care by OSF OnCall, a remote patient monitoring system, former KSB Director of Business Development Kevin Marx said.

A local community advisory council has been established to provide advice and counsel to hospital management and OSF. The council will focus on insight, guidance and the development of local strategies, in addition to providing feedback on the management of local facilities, according to the release.

"We have a great opportunity in Dixon and surrounding communities to advance health care that is connected to all the other pieces of OSF," said AJ Querciagrossa, CEO of OSF's Western Region. "It's no different than our other communities, like Galesburg or Peru. When we talk about regional health care delivery models, I look at Dixon as a regional health care delivery model that will have access to higher, tertiary and quaternary care through the OSF network."
Jan. 7Cleburne firefighters responded to several fire calls in recent days none of which resulted in injury or major damage.

Firefighters responded to a laundromat fire at 7:34 a.m. Sunday in the 100 block of Williams Avenue to find laundry burning in a dryer.

Firefighters moved the burning clothing outside where they extinguished it with a fire extinguisher. They then employed water to cool the dryer, which they then unplugged. Firefighters deemed the fire unintentional and credited it to heat from the dryer.

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Firefighters responded to a palm tree on fire at 11:22 a.m. Saturday in the 1200 block of Crestwood Drive.

Heavy smoke poured from the tree as firefighters arrived, arcing power lines having caused the fire. Firefighters soaked the tree after the homeowner cut it down with a chainsaw.

Cleburne firefighters assisted the Bono Fire Department on a hay bale fire at 9:19 p.m. Saturday in the 4300 block of County Road 1116.

Property owners said they were shooting fireworks, one of which landed in the hay bale setting it alight, according to reports. Firefighters used rakes to spread the bale out then soaked it down.

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Firefighters responded to a fire in a ditch at 4:18 p.m. Dec. 30 in the 1700 block of Texas 171.

Upon arrival they found a slow-burning fire consuming short grass over a 50-foot section of the ditch. They also saw a smaller fire in another section of the ditch. Firefighters quickly knocked both fire down. They noticed two transformers above the fire area that looked to have blown a fuse while they were performing overhaul operations.

Firefighters responded to a subsequent grass fire call at 4:35 p.m. the same day near the intersection of Farm-to-Market Road 4 and CR 1228.

Upon arrival they found a small area of fire burning along the roadway, which they extinguished with about 50 gallons of water. Reports list no cause for the fire.

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Firefighters responded to reports of a fire behind a residence at 11:28 a.m. Thursday in the 1300 block of Linda Court.

Upon arrival, firefighters found a resident burning leaves in a stone burn pit. Firefighters extinguished the fire and told the owner that outdoor burning is against city ordinance.
(Stock photo via Getty Images)

Declining birth rates, rising tuition costs, student loan debt and lack of confidence in higher education are just some of the challenges facing Ohio colleges and universities.

Notre Dame College, a private Roman Catholic college near Cleveland, closed last year after more than 100 years of educating students. The college said declining enrollment, rising costs, and debt caused their board of trustees to decide to close the private school.

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Central State University  Ohios only public Historically Black University  is currently under fiscal watch by the state. The HBCU will adopt a financial recovery plan that will outline a path toward financial stabilization with a goal of ending the fiscal watch within three years, according to Ohio Department of Higher Education.

Confidence in higher education has declined, said Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Mike Duffey. It really comes down to, are students and families getting what they thought that they were getting out of it?

A little more than half of Americans surveyed dont think getting a four-year degree is worth the cost, according to a 2023 survey from the Wall Street Journal.

People are making a choice not to go into higher education, shifting student preferences on degrees, Duffey said.

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Tuition at a four-year higher ed institution jumped 36.7% from 2010 to 2023 and the average federal student loan debt balance is $37,853, according to the Education Data Initiative.

Most of the people who go to college are 18-24 years old and that age group is declining, said Todd Jones, president and general counsel of the Association of Independent Colleges & Universities of Ohio.

When you look backward in time, the recession of 2008-2010 reduced the number of people who had kids, and that effect is being felt in higher education, he said.

The national birth rate fell nearly 23% from 2007 to 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This means the traditional college-age population will start dwindling this year through 2037, according to data from the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education.

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Undergraduate college enrollment has declined since 2010  dropping an average rate of 1.6% a year from 2011-2021, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics.

Enrollment

Overall enrollment at Ohios university main campuses, regional campuses and community colleges has declined from fall 2014 to fall 2023, according to ODHE data.

Ohio community colleges enrolled 178,668 students in fall 2014, but enrollment dropped to 158,321 in fall 2023  an 11.3% decrease.

University main campus enrollment was 288,699 in fall 2014, but it slumped to 262,484 in fall 2023  a 9% decrease.

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Even university regional campuses have seen a decline  going from 58,951 in fall 2014 to 56,224 in fall 2023  a 4.6% decrease.

But Duffey says enrollment data only tells so much of the story.

You cant just look at the enrollment numbers and say, Oh, theyre all offering the same things, he said. In some cases, the declines are strategic. Its hard to believe that, but if you have programs where you have enrollment, but youre actually losing money in that program, because the cost of that program is more than the revenue in that program, some colleges are choosing to shutter those programs.

Some public university main campuses saw jumps in enrollment during that time.

On the campus of The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Graham Stokes for the Ohio Capital Journal. Republish photo only with original story.)

Ohio State University had a 2.6% increase in enrollment from fall 2014 to fall 2023, according to ODHE data. Bowling Green State University saw a 3.1% enrollment increase during that same time.

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However, the University of Akron has seen their enrollment decrease 46.5% from fall 2014 to fall 2023, according to ODHE.

Wright State Universitys enrollment dropped 39.8% from fall 2014 to fall 2023 and Kent State Universitys enrollment went down 11% during that span of time, according to ODHE.

Some institutions are currently reviewing their programs  especially ones with only a few students  and seeing if it can be rolled into another program, Duffey said.

Institutions really just have to be nimble, and they have to adapt, he said. Theyre going to have to stand up new programs. Theyre going to expand programs that have been relatively small. At the same time, theyve got other programs that are becoming smaller, and theyve got to deal with that as well.

Independent colleges

Independent colleges can pick the number of students they want since the number of college applicants greatly exceeds the number of spots available and some have seen enrollment growth, Jones said.

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Cedarville Universitys enrollment went up 48.6% from 2014 to 2023 and Case Western Reserve University enrollment increased 25.9% during that same time period, according to AICUO data.

Some institutions create new graduate programs that are in high demand, or they create undergraduate programs that gain national recognition, Jones said. Or they start new undergraduate programs that are seen as being important and that attracts more students and allows you to fight off the difficulties of demographic demand or the demographic decline.

Some independent schools, however, saw enrollment declines. Capital University saw a 36.2% enrollment decrease from 2014 to 2023, Wittenberg University saw a 33.8% drop, and Baldwin Wallace University saw a 16.4% enrollment decline, according to AICUO data.

Bluffton University is merging operations with the University of Findlay, meaning it will become one higher education institution on two campuses located about 20 minutes apart. The merger is expected to be complete by the fall and Bluffton University will become Bluffton College.

Campus closures

Notre Dame College closed this past spring. The South Euclid college had 2,055 students in 2014 and only 1,329 in 2022, according to AICUO.

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Urbana University closed in 2020 after years of low enrollment and challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The university had 1,717 students in 2014 and only 513 in 2018, according to AICUO.

Union Institute and University, the states only Hispanic-serving institution, closed this past summer. The university had 1,085 students in 2014 and only 481 in 2022, according to AICUO.

Eastern Gateway Community College closed on Oct. 31 after financial and legal troubles in recent years.

Follow OCJ Reporter Megan Henry on Bluesky.

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(WJET/WFXP) One person was injured and charges are pending for another after a two-vehicle crash Monday afternoon in Chautauqua County.

According to the Chautauqua County Sheriffs Department, calls went out for the crash around 2:32 p.m. Monday at the intersection of Bennett Road and Williams Street in the Town of Dunkirk.

Jamestown man facing charges after over 100 grams of miscellaneous drugs found in apartment

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Police said a 25-year-old New York man was stopped at the stop sign at the intersection and failed to yield to an oncoming sedan heading southbound on Bennett Road, pulling out in front of them.

The sedan suffered heavy damage as a result and the driver was taken to Brooks Hospital in Dunkirk with unspecified injuries while the 25-year-old was not injured with charges pending.

Short police chase ends with suspect crashing into semi in Chautauqua Co.

East Dunkirk Fire Department, Chautauqua County EMS and City of Dunkirk Police also assisted at the scene.

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 WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)  A week meant to celebrate and promote the food South Carolina has to offer is fast approaching.

Restaurants from Kiawah Island to North Charleston will participate, offering special menus and select deals during the food celebration. Guests can choose to enjoy fine dining or a laid-back atmosphere.

Restaurant Week runs from Jan. 9 to Jan. 19 and is organized by the SC Restaurant & Lodging Association.

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Here is a list of local restaurants participating:

167 Raw Oyster Bar | 3 dinner courses for $45

167 Sushi Bar | 4 dinner courses for $45

39 Rue de Jean | 3 dinner courses for $40

82 Queen

Amen St. Fish & Raw Bar | 3 dinner courses for $45

Bar167 | 3 dinner courses for $45

Bohemian Bull  James Island

Bourbon N Bubbles | 3 dinner courses for $45

Brasserie La Banque | 3 dinner courses for $45

Cantina 76  Mount Pleasant | 3 dinner courses for $18

Church and Union

Coast Bar and Grill | 3 dinner courses for $40

Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse | All you can eat dinner for $42.95

Crave Kitchen & Cocktails | 3 lunch courses for $25 | 4 dinner courses for $49

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Delaney Oyster House | dinner for $50 per person

Eleve | dinner for $45 per person

Elizas at Hotel Indigo | Three course meal for two

Feliz Cocktails et Cuisine

Florences Lowcountry Kitchen

FortyEight  Wine Bar & Kitchen

Grace & Grit | 3 dinner courses for $40

Hanks Seafood Restaurant | 3 dinner courses for $50

High Tide Restaurant | $30 lunch package | $40 dinner package

Husk Restaurant  Charleston | Restaurant week dinner menu deals

Hymans Seafood | 6 dinner course + wine for $30

Indaco | 3 dinner courses family style for $60

Kingstide

Little Palm | 3 dinner courses for $40

MESU | 4 dinner courses for $30

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Mex 1 Coastal Cantina  Sullivans Island & West Ashley | 3 dinner courses for two people at $38

Middleton Place Restaurant

Minero | 3 dinner courses for $30

O-Ku

Oak Steakhouse

Park & Grove | Restaurant week dinner menu deals

Pink Cactus | 3 dinner courses for $30

Revival | special dinner menu at $49

Ruby Sunshine  West Ashley & Charleston

Rudy Royal | 3 dinner courses at $40

Sunsets Waterfront Dining

Tempest

The Harlow | 3 dinner courses for $35

The James | 2 lunch courses for $25 | 3 dinner courses for $45

The Mill Street Tavern | 4 dinner courses for $44

The Peacock | 3 dinner courses for $45

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The Swamp Fox | 2 lunch courses for $20 or 3 for $30 | 2 dinner courses for $30 or 4 for $40

Victors Seafood & Steak | 3 dinner courses for $55

Vincent Chiccos | 3 dinner courses for $40

Virginias on King | 3 dinner courses for $30 | Special breakfast or brunch menu

To make reservations or view the specialized menus, click 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 WCBD News 2.
The founder of ChatGPT maker OpenAI has denied claims that he sexually abused his sister when she was a child.

In response to a lawsuit in the US, Sam Altman, 39, said that claims he assaulted his sibling from the age of three were utterly untrue.

In her filing, Ann Altman alleged she was sexually abused by her brother between 1997 and 2006.

She said the abuse started when she was three and Sam Altman was 12, adding that the last instance of assault took place when the latter was an adult.

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The tech billionaire addressed the allegations from Ms Altman, 30, in a social media post overnight, claiming the situation causes immense pain to our entire family.

In a joint statement with his mother and two brothers, Mr Altman said: Caring for a family member who faces mental health challenges is incredibly difficult.

Annie has made deeply hurtful and entirely untrue claims about our family, and especially Sam. Weve chosen not to respond publicly, out of respect for her privacy and our own.

However, she has now taken legal action against Sam, and we feel we have no choice but to address this.

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Over the years, she has accused members of the family of improperly withholding our fathers 401k funds, hacking her Wi-Fi, and shadowbanning her from various websites including ChatGPT, Twitter and more.

The worst allegation she has made is that she was sexually abused by Sam as a child (she has also claimed instances of sexual abuse from others). Her claims have evolved drastically over time. Newly for this lawsuit, they now include allegations of incidents where Sam was over 18.

Mr Altman founded OpenAI in 2015, since building a global profile thanks to the rapid success of its AI chatbot ChatGPT.

He is poised to make billions of dollars from his stake in OpenAI, although he has already achieved a vast fortune thanks to investments in companies such as Stripe and Reddit.

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He also hit the headlines in 2023 when he was dramatically fired and re-hired over the course of five days at OpenAI after he was accused of misleading the board.

A subsequent review cleared Mr Altman of any wrongdoing and he was later restored to his position. He remains OpenAIs chief executive.

Meanwhile, Ann Altmans lawsuit, which was filed in the US District Court in the Eastern District of Missouri, requests a jury trial and damages in excess of $75,000.

The lawsuit claims she has experienced severe emotional distress and faces mounting medical bills related to her mental health treatment.

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Ms Altman, who is estranged from her brothers and mother, has previously given interviews alleging the family kept money from her that was left for her by their father.

In the family statement, Mr Altman said his sister had been given monthly financial support and had been offered a house through a trust. It said she receives money from her late fathers estate which is expected to continue for the rest of her life.

In addition to the family statement, Mr Altman posted comments on X which he said had been sent by his sisters lawyers to his own.

It said his sister would seek discovery on Sam Altmans net worth and present Sam Altmans net worth to the jury for consideration on a punitive damages award.

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Under Missouri state law, plaintiffs can bring claims for childhood sexual abuse up until the age of 31.

Mr Altman and OpenAI have been contacted for comment.

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CHEMUNG COUNTY, N.Y. (WETM)  A current inmate at the Chemung County Jail is facing an additional charge after he was allegedly found with prison contraband.

Chad M. Stanbro, 33, was arrested on the charge of promoting prison contraband in the first degree, a class D felony, as reported by the Chemung County Sheriffs Office.

Odessa man pleads guilty to rape charge involving children

Authorities say Stanbro was charged after an investigation that took place on April 23, 2024, that was conducted by the Criminal Investigation Division. Following the investigation, testing was completed in the crime lab, which determined that Stanbro had a prohibited substance while in jail. As a result, Stanbro was arrested on the above-listed charge.

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Stanbro is currently being held at the jail on an unrelated charge and will have his charges read to him in the City of Elmira Court at a later date.

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Happy Tuesday. One simply cannot have enough bread and milk.

Calm down.

A lot of things have to happen in the correct order for the Triad to see an appreciable snowfall this weekend.

The temperature  on the ground, in the sky above and an atmospheric mid-level where drones roam free  has to be near or below freezing. Ideally, several degrees below the magic number of 32 Fahrenheit.

And the atmosphere needs to be moist. Very moist.

A front, a storm system or some such weather phenomenon ideally would pass through at the right time, too. No front, no precipitation.

Still, the meteorologists tasked with eyeballing such things are raising hopes (and/or fears) by saying that measurable snow might be in the offing this weekend.

The National Weather Service says a cold-high pressure system should move across the state today through Thursday and cause temperatures to drop.

Check.

That will be followed by a storm system slipping across the Gulf Coast and the southeast along the coast before heading our way.

And that might just do the trick.

We have people here who are dying for snow, said Jonathan Blaes, a NWS meteorologist based in Raleigh. This could be a big storm, but that is the worst-case scenario.

A hedge, perhaps. But in North Carolina, who knows?

A second opinion, offered this morning by WXIIs Brian Slocum, moves the needle on the panic meter up a few degrees. Were still fine tuning how that works out, said Slocum, a sneakily personable guy. But I wouldnt be shocked if we woke up Saturday morning with a few inches of snow on the ground.

Figuring out what to do about the possibility, however, is a matter of perspective.

Some native Southerners, the adults, may react with panicky ransacking of local grocers and ABC stores. Kids  and grown-ups unafraid of fractures or stitches  might scope out the best sledding hills.

And experience has taught us that no matter what state troopers say beforehand, roads will contain more than a few lead-footed buffoons who assume their luxury SUVs provide immunity from slick roads.

Perspective.

On the other hand, having spent a solid chunk of early adulthood in a northern clime where folks dont get too bent out of shape about winter, historically I have found it instructive to talk to people who know snow from Shinola.

People like Brian Lake, say, a communications guy for the Michigan Department of Transportation in the Upper Peninsula  the U.P. to people who use their left hands as maps.

(Hold your left hand 8-10 inches in front of your face, then look at a map of the state and tell me it doesnt resemble lower Michigan. Well wait.)

Anyhow, a few years back when we were facing a similar forecast raising the frightening possibility of an inch or two of snow, I rang Lake for a little perspective.

In the U.P., they measure snowfall in feet; a couple inches isnt even an inconvenience. Secondary roads often have tall poles on either shoulder  so plow operators will know where to drive.

I looked (the average accumulation) up. Typically between 8 and 21 feet, a bemused Lake said. "More (as you get) closer to Lake Superior. Our record was, let's see  32 feet.

Yes, I said feet.

When snow falls here, the city of Winston-Salem can go full-on freakout and put more than 100 employees out to deal with its 645 miles of city-maintained roads. We keep about 2,000 tons of salt on hand for such winter events.

By comparison, Kalamazoo County  in the southwest, a few inches below your pinky and a half-inch above the wrist - the road commission employs more than two dozen full-time drivers just to staff trucks and plows and stockpiles 8,000 tons of salt to begin the winter season.

(I know this from having lived there for five years and having been assigned to cover the road commission for the local newspaper.

On a few occasions in the 90s after actual lake-effect blizzards, the Kalamazoo road commission scooped up snow piles in front-end loaders and dumped it in the river and farmland.

Yikes.

"Those are extreme conditions.  but it has happened, Jim Beaudoin, an area roads superintendent in Kalamazoo.

Perspective, people. Try and keep it together.

Unless Brian Slocum is right. Then you can panic.

Report clears employee in fatal crash

GREENSBORO  Six weeks after the fact, investigators with the Greensboro Police Department  with the support of the Guilford County district attorney's office  announced Monday afternoon that an employee of the sheriffs office will not be charged in connection with the death of a pedestrian.

Shortly after 5 p.m. on Nov. 20, a man identified as 58-year-old James Owens died after being struck by a vehicle on U.S. 29 near McKnight Mill Road.

Authorities later said that Owens had stepped into the roadway in front of a Ford Edge. The Ford was registered to the Guilford County Sheriffs Office.

Sheriff Danny Rogers acknowledged that an employee was driving it and said that the employee was authorized under county policy to drive it to and from work.

Not that it matters, but it was never clear whether the employee was a sworn deputy, employed in the jail or a civilian.

Because the crash happened within city limits  and the sheriffs office couldnt investigate one of its own  the Greensboro police conducted the investigation and reached the conclusion that the driver was not legally at fault.
CHEROKEE, Iowa (KCAU)  A Cherokee man has pleaded not guilty after being accused of the murder of his four-month-old infant.

On Jan. 6, according to court documents, Luis Contreras-Deciga, 24, entered a plea of not guilty to first-degree murder. The murder charge came after an infant was found unresponsive on May 8 while under the care of Contreras-Deciga, his father.

15-year-old girl arrested for allegedly making threats to Iowa school

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The infant was flown to an Omaha, Neb. hospital. After four days, the infant was declared brain dead and deceased. An autopsy ruled the infants death to be a homicide due to blunt force head injuries.

Authorities interviewed Contreras-Deciga, who allegedly said the infant became unresponsive when he violently shook the infant while asking the infant what he needed. He then called the mother to call for emergency assistance.

Authorities examined Contreras-Decigas phone and found messages between him and another person who told Contreras-Deciga to deny any aggressive behavior and to be consistent with his version of events, documents say.

Contreras-Decigas jury trial is scheduled for Feb. 4 at 9:30 a.m.

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Wesley Thoene contributed to this report.

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CHEROKEE, Iowa (KCAU)  The Cherokee Police Department is currently looking for a man who has been missing since mid-December.

According to the police department, they are trying to find Joseph William Kosiba.

Police said that Kosiba was last seen on December 20, 2024.

Kosiba is described as a 45-year-old white male with blue eyes and brown and grey hair. He is 62 and around 195 pounds.

If you have any information on Kosibas whereabouts, you are asked to contact the Cherokee Police Department at 712-225-6464 or 712-225-6728.

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CHICAGO  Chicago police are warning the public of recent robberies that happened on the CTA Red Line from Cermak to 95th Street.

Single mothers business targeted by burglars for fifth time in as many weeks

Police said the robberies happened at the following times and locations:

138 W Cermak Rd on 20 December 2024 at 10:23 p.m. (South Loop)

15 W 79th ST on 29 December 2024 at 11p.m. (Grand Crossing)

15 W 95th St on 29 December 2024 at 10:52 p.m. (Roseland)

During the incidents, the suspects approached passengers, demanded their personal property and took it by force when victims refused, according to investigators.

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Police described the suspects as males between the ages of 15 and 25. Height and weight also vary.

(Source: Chicago Police Department)

Anyone with information is asked to call Public Transportation Detectives at 312-745-4447 or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTIP.com and use reference #JH550303, JH559549, JH559587.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

Additional tips from CPD:

Always be aware of your surroundings.

Dial 9-1-1 to report suspicious activity immediately.

Never pursue a fleeing assailant.

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PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WFLA)  A Chief Education Officer in Florida was arrested this week on child pornography charges, the Bay County Sheriffs Office announced.

Frankie Nelson Stephenson, 55, of Panama City Beach, is accused of having sexually explicit images of at least one child. Stephenson is the Chief Education Officer at Bay Haven Charter Academy in Panama City, according to officials.

Whats going on?: Police video shows arrest of Tampa Bay doctor on child porn charges

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While the sheriffs office was conducting a separate child porn investigation, they stumbled across a messaging account that was communicating with the target of their investigation, including messages of child porn.

Deputies served a search warrant at Stephensons home, finding an image depicting at least one known child in a sexual manner. However, no evidence as of this report shows that the victims were students at the school where Stephenson was employed.

Stephenson was arrested Monday and charged with possession of the image of sexual performance of a child. He is being held in the Bay County Jail.

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SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Two childrens hospitals in Southern California have completed the merger between their parent companies and will now operate under a new healthcare system, according to a news release Wednesday.

Childrens Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) and Rady Childrens Hospital in San Diego announced the closing of their merger, creating a new healthcare system called Rady Childrens Health.

The first official day of the new system was Jan. 1, officials said. A new logo was revealed Tuesday, and CHOCs mascot, Choco, visited patients and staff at Rady Childrens. Choco will now serve as the official mascot of both organizations, the release stated.

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LIST: San Diego County communities under or at risk of power shutoffs

Rady Childrens Health is comprised of three hospitals  CHOC Hospital in Orange, CHOC at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo and Rady Childrens Hospital in San Diego.

Plans to merge were first announced in December 2023. Back in November, California Attorney General Rob Bonta conditionally approved the affiliation of Rady Childrens Hospital and Health Center and its subsidiary, Rady Childrens Hospital, with Childrens HealthCare of California, including its subsidiaries CHOC and CHOC at Mission.

The new logo for Rady Childrens Health. (Rady Childrens Health courtesy photo)

However, Bontas approval came with a set of conditions, including providing charity care and community benefits, limiting price increases for contract renewals and others. To read a full list of the conditions, click here.

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This merger marks a pivotal moment in our organizations rich histories and highlights our commitment to achieving unparalleled excellence in patient care, education, research and advocacy, said Kimberly Cripe, who served as the president and CEO of CHOC since 1997.

New California law aims to prevent book bans in libraries statewide

Cripe and Patrick Frias, MD, the president and CEO of Rady Childrens Hospital in 2018, will be co-CEOs of the new health system, Rady Childrens Health.

Our goal is to ensure families have access to the very best practitioners, treatments and technology available in pediatric medicine, said Dr. Frias.

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Together, the hospitals will continue to build on their affiliations with the University of California, including its medical schools at UC Irvine and UC San Diego, the news release stated.

According to health officials, families and patients receiving care at any of the hospitals, clinics and facilities should expect no interruption to services or access to resources under the new merger.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
BEIJING (Reuters) - China's foreign ministry said on Wednesday it was not aware of Shandong Port Group's decision to ban U.S.-sanctioned vessels from its network of east coast harbours.

The group oversees several major terminals in the province of Shandong, which is the main entry point for Iranian, Russian and Venezuelan oil imported into China. Last year, those embargoed flows were almost a fifth of total oil imports.

If the ban is enforced, traders say it will drive up shipping costs for independent refiners in Shandong, the main buyers of discounted sanctioned crude from the three countries, and could also slow oil imports into China.

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A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said they were not aware of the decision, reported by Reuters on Tuesday, and reiterated China's opposition to U.S. sanctions.

"As a matter of principle, I am not aware of the relevant situation," the spokesperson said at a daily press conference.

"China has always firmly opposed the lack of international law on the part of the United States, illegal unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction without U.N. Security Council authorization," they added.

(Reporting by Liz Lee and Lewis Jackson in Beijing; Editing by Alexander Smith)
(Bloomberg) -- The Chinese government pledged to deepen its anti-corruption drive across a broad sweep of industries, including finance and energy  a sign that President Xi Jinpings campaign against dirty officials will roll on for the foreseeable future.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The nations graft watchdog singled out the finance, energy, tobacco, pharmaceutical, sports, engineering and construction sectors as well as state-owned firms in a communique Wednesday at the end of an annual three-day conference in Beijing.

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The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection called Chinas corruption problem grave and complex, according to the communique, which was reported by the official Xinhua News Agency. It vowed to continue to punish corruption and strictly investigate corruption cases where political issues and economic issues are intertwined in 2025.

The CCDIs promise adds to worries for investors already unsettled by a halting economic recovery. The crackdown on corruption that Xi launched when he took power in 2012 sent a chill through the investment banking industry last year, when at least three top bankers from different securities firms were detained as regulators apparently scrutinized initial public offerings and other capital-raising activities.

The graft-busters vow echoes comments made by Xi at the start of the conference, when he called corruption the biggest threat facing the party. His anti-graft push has ensnared a record number of senior officials for two straight years, and last month the government took the rare step of executing an official for his misdeeds.

The Xinhua report didnt mention the military, which has experienced an unfolding purge implicating a number of top officers and generals. The US Defense Department has said the corruption probes could hinder the goals Beijing has set for modernizing its armed forces, delaying efforts to reach key milestones by 2027.

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China has named a diplomat with experience in North African and European affairs as the ambassador to France, succeeding Lu Shaye.

Deng Li began his tenure after presenting his credentials to the French protocol chief Frederic Pied on Tuesday.

"China-France relations have a solid foundation and broad prospects. I am committed to work with the French side to contribute to the greater progress of bilateral relations," Deng said in a statement from the Chinese embassy in France.

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The appointment, in which he will also serve as ambassador to Monaco, came ahead of a visit to China by France's new Prime Minister, Francois Bayrou, in a bid to make progress on a trade dispute over brandy exports to China.

The announcement was made by French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday at an annual conference with French ambassadors. He did not disclose the date of Bayron's trip, according to Reuters.

Deng, 60, had been the vice-foreign minister since 2021 after spending a year as assistant minister for foreign affairs. Before that, Deng was the ambassador to Turkey and department head of West Asian and North African Affairs from 2015 through 2020.

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He graduated with a French language major from the foreign ministry-affiliated China Foreign Affairs University.

Deng's appointment comes as China and Europe jostle through trade and geopolitical disputes.

In October, Brussels began enforcing hefty tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles after a year-long anti-dumping investigation.

In response, China has been charging provisional anti-dumping duties ranging up to 39 per cent on liquor, mostly on cognac shipments from France, since November.

Deng joined the foreign ministry in 1987, and was responsible for northern and western African affairs. He also served at embassies in former French colonies, including Mauritania and Algeria.

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Deng also served as a counsellor in the embassy in Belgium in the early 2000s. He was the minister of the embassy in France from 2011 to 2015.

Lu, Deng's predecessor, announced in December that he would wrap up his tenure in Paris.

Lu earned a reputation for an uncompromising style as he had repeatedly caused uproar during interviews with local media.

In April 2023, he said ex-Soviet Union countries "do not have effective status" as sovereign countries under international law during a French televised interview when asked if he considered Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, part of Ukraine.

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His remarks drew widespread anger and several European Union lawmakers demanded that the French government declare him persona non grata. Beijing, meanwhile, scrambled to distance itself from Lu's remarks.

Lu also drew criticism in 2022 when he said that re-education would be required for the Taiwanese population after reunification, and called a scholar critical of Beijing's alleged disinformation a "little rascal" and "rabid dog" in 2021.

European leaders, including Macron, are keen to leverage Chinese influence to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

China has proclaimed itself neutral in the conflict, and has maintained trade ties with Moscow.

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In December, the EU added Chinese firms and individuals to its sanction list for allegedly fuelling Russia's war machine, an allegation that Beijing has long denied.

China and Europe are also at odds over alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang and Hong Kong.

In November, the bloc's council approved a regulation banning products made with forced labour - an accusation often made about Xinjiang - and empowered customs authorities of member states to remove products from the market if they were found to be made with forced labour.

Also in November, the EU Parliament voted to urge the EU to revoke Hong Kong's favourable customs treatment, and review the status of the city's economic and trade office in Brussels.

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The moves were taken in response to the imposition of the National Security Law and Article 23, Hong Kong's national security law, as well as the charges against former media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying.

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  2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

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Shandong Port Group has prohibited U.S.-sanctioned tankers from accessing its ports in the eastern Chinese province, three traders familiar with the issue told Reuters. This region, home to many independent refiners, is a significant importer of oil from countries under U.S. embargoes.

Last year, Shandong imported approximately 1.74 million barrels per day (bpd) of oil from Iran, Russia, and Venezuela, accounting for about 17% of Chinas total imports, according to Kpler, a data and analytics company that provides real-time intelligence on commodity flows, energy markets, and maritime activities.

The ban, if enforced, is expected to increase shipping costs for Shandongs independent refiners, which rely heavily on discounted sanctioned crude from these countries, traders told Reuters.

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The move follows Washington's recent expansion of sanctions on companies and tankers involved in the Iranian oil trade. President-elect Donald Trump, set to take office on Jan. 20, is anticipated to further tighten restrictions on Iran, continuing a pattern from his previous administration. Traders believe the ban could also slow oil imports into China, the worlds largest importer of crude.

A notice issued by Shandong Port on Jan. 6, verified by three traders, said that ports are prohibited from docking, unloading, or servicing vessels listed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control under the U.S. Treasury. Shandong Port manages key facilities on Chinas east coast, including Qingdao, Rizhao, and Yantai, which serve as significant hubs for importing sanctioned oil.

In a follow-up notice on Jan. 7, reviewed by Reuters, Shandong Port claimed the shipping ban would have a "limited impact" on independent refiners, as much of the sanctioned oil arrives on non-sanctioned tankers.

According to Michelle Wiese Bockmann of Lloyd's List Intelligence, the shadow fleet moving Iranian, Russian, and Venezuelan oil comprises roughly 669 tankers. Between October and December, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned 35 tankers identified as part of Irans "ghost fleet."

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Separate sanctions were also imposed on Sovcomflot, a major Russian tanker operator, early in 2024. Sources revealed that the outgoing Biden administration intends to sanction over 100 tankers linked to Russian oil, further constraining shipping options. Analysts anticipate the shift to non-sanctioned tankers will drive up costs for Shandong refiners, which are already struggling with low margins and weak demand.

The sanctions are already affecting global oil prices and shipping logistics. Shares in Frontline, a leading tanker operator, surged over 9% following the port ban announcement, reflecting an anticipated tightening of tanker supply.

Read also: US to introduce big package of sanctions on Russias shadow fleet, individuals, Reuters reports

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This is an adapted excerpt from the Jan. 7 episode of "All In with Chris Hayes."

With less than two weeks until Donald Trump takes office, an actual real-life  not metaphorical  oligarchy is coalescing around the president-elect. Its pretty unprecedented in the context of the United States and ominous in many respects, but it is also a genuinely clarifying development for the pro-democracy coalition, especially as it prepares its opposition to the second Trump administration.

I think theres a recent historical parallel for this that could be instructive: The George W. Bush years after 9/11. Its easy to forget now that before Sept. 11, 2001, Bush was not an especially popular president. He had lost the popular vote but won the election, in large part thanks to his brothers government in Florida and a Republican Supreme Court that his father had helped put together.

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But all that changed on a dime after the attacks on America. Days after 9/11, Bushs approval had skyrocketed to nearly 90%. All of a sudden, everyone seemed to decide this guy was a great, brilliant, courageous hero and the country was willing to get behind him. You saw the whole of American society falling in line behind him, from the media to the corporate boardrooms to the country music charts.

In some ways, there was something clarifying about being in that dissident minority at that time. All the powerful people were on one side and you were on the other. That minority, which I was a part of, was convinced Bush and all the powerful people siding with him were wrong and we were right.

History bore that out and, eventually, people would come around to that view. By the time he imploded the economy in the Great Recession, Bushs approval rating bottomed out at 25% and everyone would pretend they had nothing to do with him.

I think we are witnessing a similar moment after Trumps election  though, thankfully its not quite as bad as post-9/11 America. There is something clarifying about the Trump tech oligarchy coalescing around him.

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Even before the election, the worlds richest man, billionaire Elon Musk, was inseparable from Trump. Theres also Musks one-time PayPal colleague, Peter Thiel, who has been a longtime benefactor to incoming Vice President JD Vance.

But things shifted into top gear after November. This week, Apple CEO Tim Cook went out of his way to donate $1 million of his personal money to Trumps inauguration. That was an unprecedented donation for Cook but it matches the amounts given to Trumps inauguration by Amazon, Meta, the CEO of Uber, and the founder of OpenAI.

And now, The Washington Post, owned by billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has found itself in some controversy. Last week, Ann Telnaes, a political satirist at the paper drew up a cartoon lampooning all the tech billionaires prostrating themselves before Trump.

That cartoonist ultimately quit her job after she says the paper refused to publish it. In a statement, David Shipley, the Post's opinions editor, said that he respected Telnaes but "must disagree with her interpretation of events.

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Shipley went on to say his decision was guided by the fact that we had just published a column on the same topic as the cartoon and had already scheduled another column  this one a satire  for publication. The only bias was against repetition.

The next day, it was reported that the other part of the Bezos empire, Amazon, was paying a whopping $40 million to license and stream a vanity documentary about Melania Trump.

All of that is insane. But then came an announcement from Facebook billionaire Mark Zuckerberg. On Tuesday, the founder of one of the worlds biggest social media empires declared he is ending content fact-checking, a practice they have done for years on Facebook, Instagram and Threads.

Separately, Zuckerberg also just promoted Joel Kaplan, a Republican operative who served as George W. Bushs deputy chief of staff, to global policy director for Meta. Zuckerberg also added a new member to the Meta board of directors, UFC CEO Dana White, a longtime Trump supporter and friend.

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That did not sit well with a lot of Facebook employees, who criticized the move internally. Those employees said the free speech platform deleted their comments, according to new reporting by 404 Media.

It seems pretty obvious why youd make all these moves, to curry favor with the big guy and his political partisans. But its also worth recalling why Meta had to institute its soon-to-be-former fact-checking policy in the first place.

They didnt do all this fact-checking stuff out of nowhere. They did it because starting in 2016, Facebook was used to promote violence against the Rohingya Muslim minority by the military government of Myanmar. Tens of thousands of people were murdered. Hundreds of thousands were left homeless.

An in-depth Reuters investigation found the hateful language and the calls for violence that fueled the massacres were systematically promoted by bad actors: The poisonous posts call the Rohingya or other Muslims dogs, maggots and rapists, suggest they be fed to pigs, and urge they be shot or exterminated.

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A United Nations investigator said Facebook was used to incite violence and hatred against the Muslim minority group. The platform, she said, had turned into a beast, Reuters reported.

Imagine having to tweak your product because you realized that libelous, violent incitement on your platform spurred the mass slaughter of an ethnic minority. It was big news at the time. Zuckerberg was raked across the coals by senators in open hearings on Capitol Hill.

That was when the Facebook billionaire realized content moderation was good or, at least, necessary. Something he had to reiterate again after Jan. 6, 2021, when it became obvious that Trump and his allies used Facebook to spread election lies and organize the rallies that would become a Capitol insurrection.

After that, Meta banned Trump from its platforms  a move Zuckerberg openly defended at the time, saying that Trump had used their platforms to incite a violent insurrection.

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But now, Zuckerberg is rolling it all back to placate the incoming president he once banned. An incoming president who, just months ago, wrote that Zuckerberg plotted against him in the 2020 election and said the Meta CEO would spend the rest of his life in prison if he crossed Trump again.

Do you think that swayed Zuckerberg? I dont know. But Trump has a theory. On Tuesday, a reporter asked Trump whether he believed Zuckerberg was directly responding to his threats. Probably, Trump responded. Yeah. Probably.

There is no question that Zuckerberg, Bezos and Cook all want to avoid the ire of Trump but that is only part of the story. They have empires of their own to preserve and expand. They see an opportunity to cement a tech oligarchy in which the leaders favorite billionaires run the country. It worked for Musk, why shouldnt it work for them?

I think thats a wildly dystopian vision, one that most Americans reject. These are the anti-democratic forces of concentrated power and they are all aligning in the open, in front of our faces. Its chilling in its own way, but also its very clarifying to have them all standing on the same side.

Allison Detzel contributed.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  Christians around the world celebrate Christmas on December 25, but Tuesday marked the birth of Christ for many others.

For most of the world, the Christmas season has come and gone, but for many Orthodox Christians, the holiday season has just begun.

January 7 is Orthodox Christmas, a beloved holiday for many, both in NEPA and around the world.

28/22 News spoke with Archpriest Michael Lepa of St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church in Wilkes-Barre who explained.

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Its not that much different, because on the Gregorian Calendar, they still do the same thing we do. Its the same services, they have Christmas Eve holy suppers, holy supper on Christmas Eve, and its the same thing. Its really mostly with the dates of the calendar itself, Lepa said.

The calendar many Christians follow is the Gregorian Calendar, introduced by Pope Gregory the 13th in 1582.

The Julian Calendar, on the other hand, found its roots over 1500 years prior, introduced by Julius Caesar.

The cold has come, heres how to avoid freezing pipes

The Julian calendar runs 13 days ahead of the Gregorian, so while for most, today is January 7, Orthodox Christians recognized Tuesday as Christmas.

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Today is actually December 25. It is not January 7, but its on the Julian Calendar. So people say Well maybe theyre not celebrating on the 25. Absolutely, we are, Lepa explained.

Lepa says that many churches decided to switch over to the Gregorian Calendar in recent years to celebrate on the same day as other Christian denominations, but there are still some, including his own, who choose to follow the Orthodox tradition.

Theres not many left, but there is still some parishes that do this. In Scranton, Saints Peter and Paul, the Russian Orthodox Church in Scranton, different parishes in Mayfield and Simpson. Different parishes are still on the old Julian Calendar, Lepa continued.

While the dates may be different, most of the traditions of Orthodox Christmas are the same.

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Many people today exchange gifts at their homes, and so forth, theyll have Christmas dinners now with all their families, people will be going from house to house, some churches even have carolers going, Lepa added.

Rather than a one-day celebration, Orthodox Christmas will be celebrated until next Monday, January 13, which marks the start of the New Year on the Julian Calendar.

The team here at 28/22 News would like to wish all of our viewers who celebrate Orthodox Christmas, a very happy and healthy holiday season.

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.
Public Service Commission Chair Randy Christmann, right, gestures during a hearing April 22, 2024, in Mandan on the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline. At left is Commissioner Sheri Haugen-Hoffart. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor)

The North Dakota Public Service Commission broke from tradition Wednesday with Commissioner Randy Christmann remaining as chair.

The PSC has traditionally rotated who serves as chair among the three people on the commission.

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With Commissioner Sheri Haugen-Hoffart not yet having served as chair, PSC tradition would have held that she was in line to be the next chair for 2025.

But Christmann started the meeting by nominating himself to continue as chair, saying that there is value to experience.

I felt this was just sort of a habit at the commission that was not in the best interest of the commission, he said.

Christmann was first elected in 2012 and reelected in 2018 and 2024.

Haugen-Hoffart was appointed to the PSC in February 2022 by Gov. Doug Burgum and was elected in 2022.

Haugen-Hoffart said she was in favor of the traditional chair rotation.

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I was hoping that this trusted process would continue to honor the will of the voters, Haugen-Hoffart said.

But Haugen-Hoffart voted for Christmann as chair, saying she wanted to support her fellow commissioners. Newly-appointed Commissioner Jill Kringstad and Christmann made the vote unanimous.

Christmann said the tradition of rotating the chairmanship goes back about 20 years.

In other action, the commission approved an interim utility rate increase for Northern State Power, part of Xcel Energy.

Commissioners approved an interim rate increase of $11.36 per month. NSP had requested an increase of $22.34 per month.

The interim rate will take effect Feb. 1 and remains in effect until the rate case is finalized.
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WDTN)  One of the areas childrens hospitals is set to undergo a major expansion, totaling an estimated $365 million.

Cincinnati Childrens in Liberty Township will begin site preparation for its expanded campus in March, followed by the beginning of construction of a separate four-story medical office building in the summer.

Cincinnati Childrens plans a major expansion at its Liberty Campus in Butler County, which will include a hospital addition with 72 new inpatient beds plus a separate medical office building | Cincinnati Childrens

Cincinnati Childrens plans a major expansion at its Liberty Campus in Butler County, which will include a hospital addition with 72 new inpatient beds plus a separate medical office building | Cincinnati Childrens

A number of offices currently at the Liberty Campus will be relocated to the new office building when construction concludes.

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According to Steve Davis, president and CEO of Cincinnati Childrens, the project will allow more patients to be seen without having to travel to another location.

New construction as well as the renovation of existing parts of the hospital will feature advanced technology combined with the personal touches suggested by patient families, the community, our medical providers and staff, said Davis.

Upon completion of the new hospital expansion, the following will be added to the campus:

4 new operating rooms

3 new surgical procedure rooms

10 more emergency department rooms

72 more inpatient beds

The renovation portion of the current campus will create the following:

8 new imaging rooms

Pharmacy Lab expansion

Sterile Processing Department expansion

Administrative and education space expansion

Addition of an outdoor dining area

New lobby

New patient drop-off spot

Improvement of patient flow

According to Cincinnati Childrens, work is expected to be completed between 2027 and 2029, depending on the project:

Project Expected Completion Year Medical Office Building 2027 Hospital Expansion Summer 2028 Hospital Renovation Summer 2029

Over a five year time period after construction concludes, a minimum of 250 new jobs are set to be created.

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Cincinnati Public Schools' Board of Education will host its first meeting of 2025 on Wednesday, when the board will decide who among them will be school board president and vice president. The meeting was supposed to be held Monday, but was rescheduled due to heavy snow.

Eve Bolton served as school board president last year, with Mary Wineberg as vice president.

More: Walnut Hills graduate and Olympic gold medalist Mary Wineberg now track and field coach

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Bolton served a controversial term as president of the school board. Former Superintendent Iranetta Wright quit under Bolton's leadership, and the board appointed Shauna Murphy to the permanent superintendent role without a search. Three board members  Ben Lindy, Kendra Mapp and Brandon Craig  voted against Murphy's appointment because there was no official application or hiring process.

"When you appoint a superintendent with no prior announcement, with no process  there was no application process, there was no review of applications, there was no, like, interview of multiple candidates  wow, you know? That feels like a real absence of transparency," Lindy told The Enquirer after the 4-3 vote to make Murphy the district's superintendent.

A restructuring plan that will impact where hundreds of students go to school also recently passed under Bolton's leadership, though some board members and several community members spoke out against it.

"While I think that there are maybe great recommendations, I do have concern, great concern, with the process and fidelity of the plan being implemented," Mapp said leading up to the board's vote. Mapp abstained or voted against all aspects of the proposal, which will implement middle schools across the school district.

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Wednesday's school board meeting will be held at the Mary A. Ronan Education Center at 2651 Burnet Ave. The meeting will start with a tax budget hearing at 4 p.m., then an organizational meeting to appoint a new school board president and vice president will start at 4:30. The meetings will also be streamed online.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: New Cincinnati school board president, VP will be announced Wednesday
(This story has been updated to add comment from Cincinnati Public Schools.)

Cincinnati Public Schools students will return to the classroom Thursday, the school district said Wednesday evening.

The announcement was made despite the forecast showing low wind chill values for Thursday morning.

"Reminder: All CPS schools and Central Office WILL be open tomorrow, Thursday, January 9, 2025," the district posted to Facebook.

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Wind chill values in Hamilton County are expected to be as low as -5 to -12 between midnight and 9 a.m. Thursday, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington. The agency issued a cold weather advisory for all of Greater Cincinnati.

Cincinnati Public Schools have been closed for roughly 2  weeks due to winter break, as well as inclement weather.

Schools were closed Wednesday due to cold temperatures. The forecast wind values for Wednesday morning were higher than those forecast for Thursday morning.

The district told The Enquirer that a decision was made taking into account many factors, including but not limited to the weather, the length of time students have been off school and students' family situations.

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Boone County Schools and Kenton County School District will be closed Thursday, the districts announced on social media. Kenton County School District said on X that schools are closed due to numerous roads being inaccessible for bus travel.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Public Schools to reopen Thursday, Jan. 9
Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd speaks at a Commissioners of the Land Office meeting at the Oklahoma state Capitol on Dec. 14, 2023. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY  State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd has filed paperwork indicating she is running for lieutenant governor.

I filed the registration form with the Ethics Commission to run for Lieutenant Governor as a formality that is required, Byrd said. I still have important audits to complete in my role as State Auditor and will continue to work hard for Oklahoma taxpayers to perform my responsibilities and hold all levels of government accountable.

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Byrd, a Republican, said her campaign kickoff will be announced later this year.

Byrd is term limited from running for her current office.

Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, also a Republican, is term limited from seeking another term to that office.

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US president-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday reiterated his expansionist agenda, citing China as a security threat and refusing to rule out military action or economic pressure to reclaim the Panama Canal and acquire Greenland from Denmark.

"Look, the Panama Canal is vital to our country, it's being operated by China, China. And we gave the Panama Canal to Panama, we didn't give it to China," he said in remarks at a press conference at his private residence Mar-a-Lago in Florida.

When asked whether he would avoid using military or economic coercion in Panama and Greenland, Trump replied: "I can't assure you. You're talking about Panama and Greenland. No, I can't assure you on either of those two.

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"But I can say this. We need them for economic security. The Panama Canal was built for our military," he added.

Trump's extraordinary remarks came a day after the US Congress officially certified his presidential election victory. The press conference was the second he has held since defeating Vice-President Kamala Harris in November.

Ahead of his January 20 inauguration, Trump has repeatedly called for restoring US ownership of the Panama Canal, which was built by the US and handed to Panama in 1999 under a treaty negotiated by former US president Jimmy Carter.

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The US remains the largest user of the canal, with 40 per cent of its container traffic passing through the artificial waterway.

Trump has also said Chinese soldiers were operating the canal. Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino last month disputed the assertion, saying there were "no Chinese in the canal".

On Tuesday, the president-elect again invoked China as a threat in urging Denmark to "give up" Greenland for the "free world".

"They should give it up because we need it for national security," Trump said, referring to Denmark. "That's for the free world. I'm talking about protecting the free world."

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"You have Chinese ships all over the place. You have Russian ships all over the place. We're not letting that happen," he added.

Trump on Tuesday further proposed annexing Canada as the US's 51st state, warning of the presence of Chinese and Russian ships and threatening high tariffs.

"If Canada merged with the US, there would be no tariffs, taxes would go way down, and they would be TOTALLY SECURE from the threat of Russian and Chinese ships constantly surrounding them," Trump posted on social media in response to Justin Trudeau's resignation as Canadian prime minister on Monday.

Then-US president Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speak during a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation summit in Watford, near London, England, on December 4, 2019. Photo: Reuters alt=Then-US president Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speak during a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation summit in Watford, near London, England, on December 4, 2019. Photo: Reuters>

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During his press conference, Trump stressed using "economic force" rather than military action to push for a merger with Canada.

He claimed that when he and Trudeau met in November last year, the Canadian leader cautioned that Canada would "dissolve" unless the US bought Canadian goods and protected its northern border.

"We got a lot of everything and we don't need any of it," Trump said on Tuesday.

Shortly after Trump press conference, Trudeau took to social media saying there wasn't a "snowball's chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States".

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Rejecting suggestions the two countries merge, Trudeau said both countries benefited "from being each other's biggest trading and security partner".

Earlier in the day, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said Trump's comments "show a complete lack of understanding of what makes Canada a strong country".

"We will never back down in the face of threats," she added.

Additional reporting by Reuters

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  2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

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Jan. 7City crews are nearing completion on emergency snow routes and ramping up secondary roadwork amid record snowfall.

A 24-hour cycle of snowplowing reached its second full day on Tuesday, Jan. 7, following a massive weekend blizzard that blanketed St. Joseph in 13 to 16 inches of snow.

"We're tracking pretty decent to get to the emergencies. I believe we had three or four (trucks) that were touching up," said Jackson Jones, the City of St. Joseph's superintendent of streets and infrastructure. "The supervisor will drive those, make sure they're cleared properly and then we'll release them."

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Emergency routes throughout the City are organized into 11 sections, called route books, that cover nine routes. These routes help provide clear paths to main roads, along with access to hospitals, emergency facilities and critical infrastructure, making them the first priority.

Jackson Jones, superintendent of streets and infrastructure, said a normal snow event with three to six inches typically requires 24 to 36 hours for emergency routes to be plowed, but a record 13 to 16 inches of snow combined with subzero overnight temperatures has added challenges to the process, including delays and equipment failures.

"Most of our trucks are a single axle, five-ton dump truck and you're pushing and just grinding on that rear end all night," Jones said. "You start blowing rear ends up, you start breaking springs. We were having a heck of a time with windshield wiper blades."

Despite that, the City is looking to have all of its emergency routes cleared by the end of the day Tuesday, allowing the department to spread out their fleet of 22 trucks across secondary routes. Personnel consists of 16 daytime drivers, 8 night-time drivers, six mechanics and two loader operators.

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"We have four books of secondary's out right now and one of those came in completed just before I left," Jones said. "Your secondary's are designed to have everybody in town within two blocks of a plowed road, and then your districts would be the remainder districts that end with culs de sac."

Still, it could be days before all areas are clear. St. Joseph has approximately 435 centerline miles of roadway to plow, the same distance as traveling from St. Joseph to Chicago, Illinois.

"When you're plowing, you're only clearing one lane. The 435 centerline miles probably equates to more like 1,100 or 1,200 miles of plowing. You get to a road like 36th Street, that's four lanes and you're effectively pushing that four times," he said.

The Missouri Department of Transportation also maintains a large number of roadways and routes, including Interstate 29, Highway 36 and 169 Highway (Belt Highway).

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Other transportation routes maintained by MoDOT

* Route 6 from Frederick Ave to Belt Highway East

* Route AC  Riverside from Frederick to South Belt Highway

* Loop 29  Pear Street from South Belt Highway to Garfield Avenue

* 752  Mason and Alabama

* 759  Stockyards Express Way from HWY 36 to just South of Lower Lake Road

* Highway 59  everything except from Atchison Street to Virginia Street, which is City maintained

* Highway 59  everything north except for St. Joseph Ave from Middleton north to Krug Park Place

* Rochester Road from Belt Highway to I-29, looping around Speedy's
KILLEEN, Texas (FOX 44)  The City of Killeen is updating the public on its preparations for impending inclement weather this Thursday and Friday.

The Transportation Division of the Department of Public Works will be closing the W.S. Young Bridge at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, from 2201 South W.S. Young Drive to the intersection of Atkinson Avenue. The roadway will remain closed until all winter weather emergencies have cleared. The city says there will be traffic control devices in place to guide vehicles around the closure. Travelers are encouraged to seek alternate routes.

The city says below-freezing temperatures are expected overnight all week, with increasing changes for a wintry mix, freezing rain, sleet and/or snow possible in our area. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has been treating roadways and the citys Transportation Division has prepared sand spreaders and equipment needed in case of icing. Crews have also delivered bags of salt to all Fire and Police stations, as well as City Hall.

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Solid Waste crews will still be servicing trash collection routes, but there might be delays due to the inclement weather. Public Works will have personnel on call for after hours events, if needed.

For Transportation after hours emergencies, citizens may call (254) 285-8723. For Water and Sewer after hours emergencies, citizens may call (254) 501-6319/6320.

The city says it has partnered with the Friends in Crisis shelter to provide an enhanced overnight warming center at 412 East Sprott Street. The center has been open each night since Sunday from 8 p.m. until 11 a.m. the following day. In addition, the center will have extended hours during the height of the weather event and remain open from 8p.m. Wednesday  11a.m. Friday.

The city says Killeen buildings are always open to the public and available for warming (and cooling off) during each facilitys normal business hours. Those buildings include City Hall, libraries, the Recreation Center, and Police Headquarters. The city requires all community members and visitors at its public facilities to adhere to a code of conduct.

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Citizens who would like to donate water can drop it off at any Killeen Fire Station, as well as the North Precinct Police Station in downtown (402 North 2nd Street) and let them know it is for the cooling/warming centers. City Staff will work to distribute those donations.

For any non-water donations, you can call the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management first to see what is needed at (254) 501-7706.

The City of Killeens policy is to open a warming center if the temperature or wind chill factor is forecasted to fall below 32 degrees. After checking with the National Weather Service, the decision is made as early as possible, and no later than 3 p.m. on the day an overnight center would be opened.

There is a video and information sheet located on the Citys website at www.KilleenTexas.gov/Water to assist with cold weather preparations related to backflow devices and protecting pipes.

City offices are closed on Thursday in observance of President Joe Bidens National Day of Mourning announcement for the late President Jimmy Carters funeral. Emergency services will operate without interruption, and trash collection services will operate as normal, but might be delayed due to winter weather.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44.
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Stroll through the culturally rich village roads of the south or take a dip in the islands most well-known natural pool  all from the comfort of your screen!

The village of Umatac is located on the southwestern coast of the island and is home to some of Guams most visited scenic and historical sites including the Cetti Bay overlook and Fort Nuestra Senora de la Soledad, or Fort Soledad. Umatac" is derived from the Chamorro word uma, which means to carry something on the back or a heavy load on the shoulders. Umatac is the smallest and the second oldest Guam village, and Umatac Bay is believed to be the site where explorer Ferdinand Magellan made first contact with Guam on March 6, 1521.

Watch more Inarajan Tour videos here.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  City of Topeka and State of Kansas government office workers are due to return to their respective workplaces on Wednesday.

Governor Laura Kelly announced in a press release on Jan. 7 that she is ordering state offices in Shawnee County to reopen on Jan. 8 following a blizzard which made travel through the area treacherous. Offices were previously ordered to shut down in the county.

Thanks to the hard work of crews, roadway conditions have improved, and state offices will resume normal operations on Wednesday, Kelly said. Please exercise caution when traveling and continue to give crews the necessary space as they keep working to clear roadways. We appreciate our first responders, medical professionals, public works crews, and all who are working to ensure the safe re-opening of our state throughout this weather event.

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Non-essential state employees in executive branch agencies under the governors jurisdiction are set to return to work as they normally would. These employees are still set to have Thursday, Jan. 9 off this week to mourn the loss of former President Jimmy Carter.

Major change to daylight saving time in Kansas could come in 2025, what to know

The City of Topeka is also announcing that its offices will reopen as usual on Jan. 8. Staff with the Topeka Municipal Court, Probation Offices and Everside employee onsite clinic are to report to work.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

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Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf

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Jan. 8CUMBERLAND  For the second month in a row, the mayor and City Council tabled a decision on rates for 20 new parking spaces on Baltimore Street.

The new spots resulted from a recently completed downtown remodel project that opened the street to one-way vehicle and bicycle traffic.

The council members discussed a parking proposal at a work session followed by a public meeting Tuesday.

The plan would have included the spaces in a ParkMobile app zone, and limited them to two-hour parking, with a time reset gap of 30 minutes between two-hour cycles, for $2 per hour.

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After deliberation, the council decided to amend the proposal so that the app would provide free parking in the spaces for the first 15 minutes, which would allow shoppers and folks picking up food takeout orders to "grab something and go," Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss said.

Councilman Brian Lepley said he's watched some cars stay parked for hours in the spaces.

"I think it's 100% being abused," he said of the current free parking at the spots.

Lepley said some folks wouldn't like the app, and asked if new kiosks could be used.

Cumberland Administrator Jeff Silka said the booths would cost roughly $10,000 each and be cumbersome in the area.

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"There's the aesthetic," he said, adding that the newly improved Baltimore Street wasn't designed for kiosks.

Silka said that the app includes a telephone number for folks to call if they have problems or want to pay for the parking via phone.

He said code enforcement officers could be trained to use the app and instruct downtown visitors who need help.

Silka addressed questions of whether the spaces could remain free.

That would be "almost impossible" to enforce, he said and added the app would allow for record of how long a car occupied a parking space.

Additionally, "nobody has meters anymore," Silka said.

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Councilmen Eugene Frazier and Rock Cioni initially opposed the app idea, but seemed more favorable after learning the first 15 minutes of parking could be free.

"That's a game changer to me," Frazier said.

Becky McClarran, marketing chairwoman of the Downtown Cumberland Business Association, co-op vendor at Fort Cumberland Emporium on Baltimore Street and an owner at McClarran and Williams Inc., said many downtown employees would struggle with the app.

If folks abused the two-hour maximum free parking in the spaces, they could be ticketed, she said.

McClarran asked why there should be a charge for the Baltimore Street spaces when nearby, parking on North Centre and North Liberty streets is free.

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She asked the council to keep parking in the Baltimore Streets spaces free for six months.

Several folks at the city's subsequent public meeting said they were concerned about charging for the Baltimore Street spaces.

Downtown Hobbies & Toys owner Brian Bowers said he was concerned the proposed parking system would drive some shoppers away.

"My parents don't even know what an app is," he said.

Parking should be free in the city, or at least costs for spaces should be consistent, Bowers said.

Larry Jackson co-owns Western Maryland Music Center on Baltimore Street and chairs the Downtown Development Commission.

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He said downtown merchants should be consulted about the parking proposal.

The Baltimore Street spaces are new since the remodel project ended and should remain free, Jackson said.

"It's too soon," he said of implementing parking fees now. "We haven't let the cake bake."

The parking phone app is "not user friendly" said Janet Wunderlick, who owns property downtown with her husband, John.

"We don't need it here," she said.

The mayor and council are expected to vote on the issue at the city's next public meeting.

Teresa McMinn is a reporter for the Cumberland Times-News. She can be reached at 304-639-2371 or tmcminn@times-news.com.
A viral post that originated on the Bluesky social media platform on January 4 and made its way to Instagram and Threads claims that Meta, Google, Amazon, Apple CEO Tim Cook, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman all donated $1 million to Donald Trumps inaugural fund, while the same donors gave significantly lessor nothing at allto Joe Bidens inauguration. The oligarchy is here, the post says.

The post is mostly true, but is missing important context. Trumps 2025 inaugural fund has raised more than $150 million so far, including from four of the five donors listed in the post. Biden, however, also received large commitments from corporations and billionaire donors, many of whom havent donated to Trumps 2025 inauguration. The post also erroneously includes Googlewhich has not donated to Trumps inaugurationon the list of donors to the incoming president. Update, January 15, 2024: Google has since announced a $1 million donation to the inauguration.

In December, Meta confirmed that it had donated $1 million to Trumps inaugural fund, and shortly afterward both Amazon and Altman confirmed that they would each donate $1 million. On January 3, Axios reported that Apple CEO Tim Cook had also donated $1 million of his personal money to Trumps inaugural fund.

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Bidens 2021 inaugural fund received $61.8 million in total donations. This included $1 million donations from several large corporations, including Pfizer, AT&T, Bank of America, Boeing, Uber, Lockheed Martin, Qualcomm, and PepsiCo. Google donated about $337,000 to Bidens fund, while Amazon gave around $276,000. Microsoft, another tech giant that has not donated to Trumps fund, gave $500,000 to Biden. Several billionaire donors, including both former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates and then-wife Melinda Gates, also gave significant sums.

All modern presidents have received donations for their inaugural ceremonies, but the more than $150 million raised so far by Trumps 2025 inaugural committee is the most received by an incoming president, eclipsing the then-record $107 million brought in by Trump in 2017. Barack Obama, by comparisonwho refused corporate and individual donations exceeding $50,000 for his first inaugurationraised $53 million in 2009. Obama reversed his policy on big-money donors for his second inauguration, but raised only $47 million, including $4.6 million from AT&T and $2.1 million from Microsoft in 2013. George W. Bushwho also imposed a limit on maximum donationsraised around $35 million for his 2001 inauguration and nearly $43 million for his 2005 ceremonies.

If you have a claim you would like to see us fact check, please send us an email at factcheck@thedispatch.com. If you would like to suggest a correction to this piece or any other Dispatch article, please email corrections@thedispatch.com.

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Since former Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assads government fell to rebels last month, forcing him to flee to the safety of Moscow, Russia, rumors have emerged that he has been poisoned.

Exiled Syrian Dictator Bashar al-Assad allegedly poisoned in Moscow, claimed a post from the Instagram account muslim, which has more than 6 million followers on the platform. Another popular account, The US Armenians, similarly posted to Instagram, Bashar Assad poisoned in Moscow. That posts caption included a headline from The Sun, the British-based tabloid: KILL BID Exiled Syrian tyrant Bashar al-Assad POISONED in assassination bid which left him struggling to breathe.

On X, one user with more than 500,000 followers tweeted, Assassination attempt on Bashar al-Assad: Assad reportedly sought medical attention after experiencing severe symptoms, including coughing and choking. He added, Tests revealed traces of poison in his blood. Assad received medical treatment and is now in stable condition. Another self-described news account on X tweeted, Assad was hospitalized after an attempt to poison him.

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Claims that Assad had been poisoned and is now battling serious health issues are unconfirmed and lack credible evidence. While an anonymous Russian Telegram account, General SVR, was the first to promote the claims regarding Assad, it is unclear whether its sourcesif they even existare reliable. The account has a history of promoting unverifiable and questionable reports from Moscow, previously sharing that Russian President Vladimir Putin went into cardiac arrest and, on a different occasion, unintentionally defecated himself after falling down the stairs. The Kremlin denied both claims at the time.

On December 31, General SVR posted to Telegram:

There is every reason to believe that an assassination attempt was made on former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. On Sunday afternoon, Assad complained to his security about feeling unwell and having trouble breathing and asked for medical help. Almost immediately after the request, he began to cough violently and began to choke. Assad was given water and this helped to ease the attack a little, but normal breathing was still not restored, and headaches and stomach pains were added to this. By the time the medics arrived, the former Syrian presidents condition was deteriorating. Representatives of the Russian leadership were promptly informed about Bashar al-Assads condition. While the medics were providing Assad with first aid, an order was received to treat him at home whenever possible and not to place the patient in medical institutions. After first aid was provided, reinforcements arrived to the medics and a treatment ward was set up in Assads apartment. As of Monday evening, according to the doctors treating him, Bashar al-Assads condition is stable and he feels fine. The tests that were taken from the former Syrian president showed traces of exposure to a toxic substance in his body. As reported in the report to the Russian presidential aide Nikolai Patrushev, an investigation is underway, but it has not yet been possible to determine how Bashar al-Assad was exposed to the poison.

No major media outlets have been able to independently verify these claims. And, while various tabloids have circulated claims about Assads failing health from poisoning, they all cite the Russian Telegram account and did not provide any independent supporting evidence or cite additional sources. The Telegram post currently has more than 360,000 views.

There are other indications that General SVR may not be a reliable source. On January 5, less than a week after he shared the Assad claim, he advertised investments into several cryptocurrencies on his account. Already at the beginning of 2025, a couple of coins will appear on the crypto market that will grow 10-15 times, he shared. Your $ 1,000 can turn into a solid capital. That post has been viewed nearly 200,000 times. On Tuesday, he advertised strong working knives that he allegedly crafted himself. I spare no effort and time to bring them to perfection, he wrote, directing users where to place their purchase. In-house production, so I keep prices pleasant.

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The Dispatch Fact Check reached out to General SVR for a request for comment.

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Jan. 8John Feary, Claremore's city manager, thanked the community for its resilience and unity this year in a Dec. 31 video.

In the video, Feary discussed the city's tornado recovery process, ongoing and upcoming infrastructure projects and items residents should be looking out for in 2025.

Six months after the May tornado, Feary said the city is working toward a full recovery. He said the city will put out its last bid Tuesday to clear downed trees from waterways to prevent spring flooding.

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He said crews are also fixing splices and overhauling temporary repairs made to the power system, as well as resolving code and compliance issues.

"May 25 changed this community's life probably forever," Feary said. "... What an incredible ordeal, and what an incredible way in which you all as a community came together and supported each other and helped us claw our way out of that catastrophe ... it's been a long and arduous journey on recovery from an infrastructure standpoint and from a fiscal standpoint. While yes, we got roads open and power back on, that doesn't mean we're anywhere near done."

Feary said the city estimates it will have spent $15 million once recovery has completed. The Federal Emergency Management Agency can reimburse the city for up to 75%, or $11,250,000.

He thanked residents for voting in April 2023 to approve transferring about $9.5 million from the Hospital Sale Trust Fund to the city's general fund.

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"Thank God we had that," Feary said. "We are one of the few communities that have actually had the money to recover from the tornado. It's important to remember that we have to front all of that money."

Despite the tornado, Feary said the city completed a number of unrelated projects this year. The Lowry Detention Pond is functional for flood control purposes, several downtown streets received rehabilitation and the new wastewater treatment plant project is on track to break ground in February or March.

Feary said the city is also working on a master plan for its electrical system; he said Claremore never has had one despite having master plans for its water, sewer, transportation, etc. He said a firm called CEC is about half-finished surveying the city's electrical grid and drafting a report on its integrity.

"Frankly, the simple answer is, is everything we have is very old, so that's what we've got to start addressing," Feary said. "We also need additional capacity in our substations for our future growth."

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He said Claremore residents should look out for a series of public meetings in February and March on the future of the city's infrastructure.

Feary said the tornado forced the city to put off widening Frederick Road to three lanes, which he said is necessary because it will be the main access off the realigned State Highway 20 south of Claremore.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is telling the city the realigned Highway 20 will open in March, Feary said.

"Unfortunately, the same contractor that's doing that project (Sherwood Construction) is also doing the Turner Turnpike work," Feary said. "They got behind there, and so they demobilized from Claremore and pulled all of those contractors over to the turnpike job. This original date was always March of 2025  they thought it would be done early, and in fact, it would have been."

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Claremore has a general election in April. Five city council seats are up for election, Feary said, and voters will decide whether to accept a 1% increase to the city's 3% sales tax rate.

This would be Claremore's first unrestricted penny, which the city could use for any purpose. The existing three pennies are all restricted: 1% for streets and infrastructure, 1% for the Claremore Expo Center and wastewater treatment plant and 1% for capital expenditures.

He said the city hasn't increased its sales tax rate in 30 years; voters rejected a proposal to add a restricted penny for police and fire public safety programs in April 2023.

Feary said people should attend the town hall meetings in the coming months to give feedback.

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"We have not been sheltered from the rising cost of gasoline and concrete and fuel and oil and all of the other things that you all use, and groceries," Feary said. "So we've gotta start looking at some ways [to raise money], and we want your help in doing it. We want we want to know what it is you want and how you want to spend it."

Visit tinyurl.com/rfxw4vfz to watch Feary's video update.
After years of demanding the cleanup of uranium waste at the Kerr-McGee Quivira Mines on the Navajo Nation community advocates got the news this week that the Environmental Protection Agency will remove waste rock from three areas of the site and move it to a new off-site repository.

The removal of over 1 million cubic yards of radioactive waste from the sites about 20 miles northeast of Gallup will begin in early 2025, the EPA said. The waste will be taken to a new off-site repository at Red Rocks Landfill east of Thoreau, N.M. The process, including permitting, construction, operation and closure of the repository, is expected to take 6-8 years.

I feel as though our community finally has something of a win, said Teracita Keyanna, a member of the executive committee for Red Water Pond Road Community Association. Removing the mine waste from our community will protect our health and finally put us back on a positive track to Hozho.

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Commercial exploration, development, and mining of uranium at Quivira Mines began in the late 1960s by the Kerr-McGee Corporation and later its subsidiary. The mine sites are the former Church Rock 1 (CR-1) mining area; the former Church Rock 1 East (CR-1E) mining area; and the Kerr-McGee Ponds area. The mines were in operation from 1974 to the mid-1980s and had produced about 1.2 million tons of ore, making them among the 10 highest producing mines on the Navajo Nation.

CR-1 and CR-1E encompass fenced areas that include former mining operations, waste rock piles and surrounding contaminated zones. CR-1 spans 42 acres with 147 acres of underground workings, while CR-1E covers 10.5 acres with 96 acres of underground workings.

Teracita Keyanna, a community member and member of the Red Water Pond Road Community Association, shows the learning resources she uses to teach the kids about uranium in their communities.

The Kerr-McGee Ponds area, once used for solids dewatering and protore storage, occupies 9 acres, according to EPA.

Contaminated land: EPA officials pledge to clean up old uranium mines at the first Navajo Superfund site

How uranium mining left its mark

From World War II until 1971, the U.S. government was the sole purchaser of uranium ore, driving extensive mining operations primarily in the southwestern United States. These efforts employed many Native Americans and others in mines and mills. Between 1944 and 1986, nearly 30 million tons of uranium ore were extracted from Navajo lands under leases with the Navajo Nation.

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With over 500 abandoned uranium mines  many say the total could be in the thousands  clean up of mines has always been a battle.

Our community has lived with uranium mining since the late-1960s, and many of us suffer chronic health problems and a degraded homeland as a result, said Edith Hood, president of Red Water community group. We advocate for a regional approach to addressing remediation of nearly 100 abandoned uranium mines in the Eastern Navajo Agency. We are committed to making sure the removal of mine waste from our community does not threaten the health and safety of our Dine neighbors.

Since 2006, the Red Water Pond Road Community Association has been advocating for the removal of all uranium waste from their area, including United Nuclear Corporation uranium mill tailings, Northeast Church Rock Mine waste and Kerr-McGee Quivira Mine waste.

More than 500 uranium mines were abandoned in the Navajo Nation. leaving behind a legacy of polluted water, land and health impacts.

Each year, the community hosts the Uranium Tailings Spill Legacy Commemoration to raise awareness and educate about the urgent need to clean up the mines surrounding their area.

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They also mark the day when the largest radioactive spill in the United States occurred. On July 16, 1979, an earthen dam owned by United Nuclear Corp. broke and released 1,100 tons of radioactive uranium tailings and 94 million gallons of toxic wastewater into the Puerco River, contaminating the river for at least 80 miles and impacting about 11 Navajo Nation communities.

I think this decision empowers grassroots organizations like ours and our allies to continue to advocate and educate to clean up hundreds of abandoned uranium mines that threaten our Dine communities every day, Keyanna said.

Community advocates: Navajo residents say they won't let the government forget about poisoned uranium mines

In September,, the EPA announced its commitment to cleanup efforts at seven abandoned uranium mine sites in the Navajo Nation. These projects will address over 1 million cubic yards of contaminated soil and restore approximately 260 acres of Navajo land, benefiting Navajo communities in the Smith Lake and Mariano Lake Chapters.

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With these decisions, the EPA has pledged to clean up over 2 million cubic yards of mine waste across the Navajo Nation. The seven sites slated for cleanup are Mariano Lake, Mac 1 and 2, Black Jack 1 and 2, and Ruby 1 and 3. The cleanups will be carried out as removal actions under the EPAs Superfund authorities.

How the sites will be cleaned up

The Navajo Nation and President Buu Nygren said the solution stems from a compromise between the tribe and the EPA.

Its not everything the three affected communities would wish for but its action in the right direction now rather than in the future, said Nygren. Most importantly, this will protect our people from harmful exposure.

The plan creates concerns from those living within the community of Thoreau, where high school students wrote a letter to New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham about the issues they have with the disposal site, which will be located east of the community.

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From our understanding of the proposal, the plan involves transferring 500 barrels of radioactive waste from the Red Water Pond Road community to Thoreau. Additionally, they intend to clean up 19 other mines and relocate all that waste to Thoreau as well. The proposal is to move 10,000 barrels to Thoreau, bury it, and let it sit in perpetuity, stated a letter from the Thoreau sophomore class.

We view this proposal as reminiscent of colonialism. Instead of selecting a nearby affluent white neighborhood, they have chosen to place the waste right in the heart of our town. Unfortunately, this aligns with the typical behavior of the federal government, which believes it can expose us to health hazards, desecrate our sacred lands, and make decisions on our behalf without our consent, the class letter continued.

Though the sophomore class said that most of their parents werent aware of the waste landfill plans, the EPA said that for over a decade, the EPA has engaged with communities to address concerns and provide information about investigation and cleanup efforts at the Quivira Mines site.

Cliff Villa, EPAs deputy assistant administrator for land and emergency management, views this cleanup as an important action and he has personally heard from state and tribal leaders, and from members of affected communities.

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For too long, Indigenous people of the Southwest have been disproportionately affected by the legacy of uranium mining, posing significant threats to their health and environment, said Villa. This cleanup, in coordination with Navajo Nation and the State of New Mexico, will permanently address the contamination at the Quivira Mines site and ensure safe disposal to safeguard future generations.

Arlyssa D. Becenti covers Indigenous affairs for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Send ideas and tips to arlyssa.becenti@arizonarepublic.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Navajo Nation, EPA reach agreement to clean up abandoned uranium site
When its freezing outside in Ohio and your local sheriff has issued a snow level emergency, you might be in the mood to stay in for a cup of hot chocolate or a lazy sesh on the couch instead of shoveling the snow and ice on your driveway and sidewalks.

But, what if you dont clear the snow on your property? Will you get fined for it? Will you get in trouble if someone slips and gets hurt? Heres what Ohio law says in several of the state's largest cities.

What Ohio law says about shoveling snow on your property

Yes, there is an age where it can be dangerous to shovel, but that won't change the fact that Cincinnati, Akron, Cleveland and Columbus all have rules in place about removing snow and ice from your property. And since Ohio has no official law about snow and ice removal, it falls to local municipalities to make the rules.

Cincinnati

According to the City of Cincinnati website, homeowners and property owners must remove snow and ice from adjoining sidewalks in a timely manner.

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Sections 723-57 and 723-59 require homeowners to remove snow and ice, respectively, from their property. The penalty for violating this requirement is $25.

This requirement is a safety concern. If a postal worker, delivery worker, or visitor slips and falls due to snow and ice on your property, you may be responsible for that persons injuries.

Its important to note that a Cincinnati homeowner violating those ordinances wouldnt be criminally charged but may be cited for these violations.

Akron

As the Akron Beacon Journal reports, homeowners are responsible for clearing the sidewalk of snow in front of their homes.

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A written notice is issued to the homeowner if their sidewalk is not clear from snow and ice. The homeowner must clear their sidewalk within a given timeframe. If the homeowner fails to do so, the director of Neighborhood Assistance will have to hire a contractor to clear the snow, and the homeowner is responsible for an administrative fee of $200, plus other labor costs.

Additionally, if the homeowner receives a third or subsequent notice of failure, they will be charged an additional $200.

This notice can be appealed in writing within seven days.

Columbus

According to Columbus city code, property owners are required to remove snow from sidewalks by their property. If a property owner fails to clear their sidewalk, the violation is a minor misdemeanor and could result in a fine of up to $150.

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Additionally, it is a third-degree misdemeanor to push snow and ice onto the street, disrupting safe travel. If removing the snow is difficult for the property owner, a substance such as sand or road salt may be used to make the sidewalk safer.

Canton

Canton ordinance number 311.01 states that it's illegal to shovel, plow or snowblow snow from your property back into the street, and previous Repository reporting outlines some of the rules about shoveling city residents need to know.

Cleveland

Cleveland homeowners and property owners are required to have their sidewalks free of snow by 9 a.m., according to Cleveland Code. Pathways should be clear of ice and snow by a width of at least five feet. If removing the snow is difficult, a substance, such as sand or road salt, may be used to make the sidewalk safer.

If the property owner fails to clear the pathway, the Director of Public Service may remove the snow at the property owners expense.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Do I have to clear snow, ice on my sidewalk? Here's what Ohio city codes say
CLEVELAND (WJW)  A Cleveland woman was sentenced to prison for selling almost $300,000 in stolen U.S. Treasury bonds.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 71-year-old Toni Smith pleaded guilty to conspiring to transport and sell stolen U.S. Treasury bonds, forging treasury bonds and using a fake social security number.

She was sentenced to 32 months in prison.

Bird flu recall: Cat food contaminated with HPAI sold at Hollywood Feed

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According to court records, the U.S. Treasury bonds were stolen from an elderly womans home in 2011. Smith and a co-conspirator then transported the bonds across state lines between September 2011 and April 2012.

Investigators said they used fake identification cards to sell more than 350 forged Series E and EE bonds with a face value totaling $268,500.

The sale netted approximately $299,364 in proceeds which included interest on mature bonds, the Department of Justice said in a Tuesday news release.

Couple finds ATM stolen during Erie County smash and grab; police looking for suspects

Investigators said they also used the victims social security number to open bank accounts in Michigan and Illinois.

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After avoiding capture for more than a decade, Smith was arrested on unrelated charges on June 3, 2024.

The Department of Justice is reminding the public that stolen bonds can be reported right 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 Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Nashville content creators are bracing for life without TikTok.

The popular social media app is facing a potential ban after President Joe Biden signed the Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act in April, which requires the apps Chinese parent-company ByteDance to divest the app due to national security concerns.

But the ban faces legal challenges, and the U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to take up the case Friday.

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"TikTok has literally changed my entire life," said Lea Bryant, a Nashville event planner and content creator on TikTok. "I didn't know what to do with my life. Then suddenly, I started posting the content and living the dreams that I always prayed for. I'm able to have this type of life that I dreamed of  I am who I always wanted to be. If TikTok were to be banned, it would be such a defeat."

According to the law, if TikTok does not transfer ownership of the app to a company without Chinese ties by Jan. 19, app stores will not be allowed to provide the app to U.S. customers, and U.S.-based servers will be banned from hosting the app.

Despite facing a First Amendment lawsuit in June, filed by the nonprofit legal group Liberty Justice Center, the law was upheld in a Washington D.C. federal court in December. But on Dec. 16, the Liberty Justice Center joined a group of TikTok creators in filing an emergency petition to the U.S. Supreme Court, which was granted.

We believe the TikTok ban violates the free speech rights of the millions of Americans who use TikTok to share and hear ideas, said Jacob Huebert, president of the Liberty Justice Center and a lead attorney on the case. It shuts down an entire medium of communication, and really is unprecedented in how broadly it suppresses American speech.

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The potential ban troubles many Nashville residents, particularly young artists and entrepreneurs who make a substantial amount of their living based on the reach that TikTok provides them.

In a December amicus brief filed before the Supreme Court in support of TikTok, Nashville-based think tank The Future of Free Speech, along with the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression and several other civil liberties organizations, called the ban an unprecedented departure from the nations longstanding commitment to free speech exceptionalism.

For decades, the United States has been the global gold standard for free speech protections, said Jacob Mchangama, executive director of The Future of Free Speech. The unprecedented bipartisan push to effectively shut down TikTok  an online platform where millions exercise their right to free expression and access information  represents a troubling shift from this proud legacy.

'This is how I pay the bills'

Sheyna Gee, musician and content creator performs downtown on Broadway in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024.

Tapping her black embroidered cowgirl boots to the beat thumping through the stage, local musician Sheyna Gee carefully tuned her guitar before a performance at Dierks Bentleys Whiskey Row bar on Dec. 19. In front of her feet lay rows of flashy business cards  emblazoned with the QR code to her website  that matched an even flashier banner standing behind her, allowing fans to connect with her on social media and follow her music.

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Im a musician first and content creator second  and TikTok has changed my life, Gee said.

Gee, who moved here in 2015 from Los Angeles and is a full-time musician, struggled to gain traction in Nashville until she made a TikTok account. Now, her popularity has skyrocketed with over 235,000 followers, and she makes about $1,000 a month from TikTok, in addition to anywhere between $1,500-$5,000 a month in brand deals.

Before TikTok, in a good month I had maybe a thousand streams, she said. Now, I steadily have between 30,000 and 80,000 streams.

Cards featuring Sheyna Gee, musician and content creator sets up her phone before she performs downtown on Broadway in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024.

But for Gee, it wasnt just about the increased streams. It was about learning who she was as an artist.

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TikTok validated what I wasnt confident enough to do, she said. I kept listening to outside people telling me what they wanted me to be. They wanted me to be Joan Jett. The whole time, I shouldve been doing what I wanted to do, and I want to do sad country music.

While crossing Broadway recently, Gee was stopped by Shawn Walton, who wanted help filming a TikTok. Walton, a Nashville native traveling across the country for his full-time job creating lifestyle and travel content for his nearly 50,000 followers, said the potential ban was dissatisfying.

Sheyna Gee, musician and content creator talks with Shawn Walton after Gee made an appearance in one of Waltons videos while downtown on Broadway in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024.

Hopefully it doesnt get banned. Im praying to God, he said. My TikTok is just starting to take off. And what other platform are we going to go to? Theres so much positivity there, and I dont want to see it banned.

Lea Bryant, a 24-year-old Nashville native, has exploded on TikTok over the past two years, with over 13,000 followers.

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As a young Black content creator, Bryant dubs herself a Nashville Socialite, sharing videos of different social events in town, tips for Black women in Nashville, and event planning for her self-made Shes Social Club.

Lea B., a Nashville-based entrepreneur who runs She's Social Club and relies on TikTok for advertising at Poindexter Coffee in Nashville , Tenn., Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.

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I love posting about my experiences in Nashville, she said. Thats why I started the social club. So many women were commenting, I've lived here in Nashville for a long time, or I just moved here and am having a hard time finding friends  and those things just laid on my heart.

The first Shes Social Club gathering had just five members. Now, the club boasts over 500 members, giving Bryant the ability to hire a team of event planners to work alongside her.

Thanks to TikTok, theres just so many different things that I've been able to accomplish, she said. I wanted to show what it looks like being a Black girl in Nashville. I think people think that Nashville is just cowboy hats and boots and country music. There's actually so much more culture.

Bryant worries that if TikTok is banned, people will lose access to representation in Nashville.

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It's important for Black Nashville to be shown, and TikTok has created this entire community online for it," she said. "If TikTok were to be banned, I think that community would lose a lot of representation, especially for those creators who are up and coming.

The worry is similar for established content creators as well. Lauren Paley, another fulltime Nashville TikTok creator, has amassed nearly 11 million followers on the platform and posts a mixture of lifestyle content, with a focus on her operatic singing and idyllic family videos.

She started her TikTok push from a garage in 2019.

I walked through our apartment garage stairwell one day and discovered it had amazing acoustics, so I started going in there and using it as my little space to sing so I wasn't disturbing anyone, she said. And then I posted a little clip singing in the stairwell one day, and it went viral on TikTok.

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Her platform has only grown since. Last year, Paley made around $50,000 thanks to the app  not including sponsorship revenue.

If it wasn't for TikTok, I probably would not be pursuing music at all, she said. It kind of reignited this love and passion that I have. And maybe I'm not in New York on Broadway, pursuing it in that way, but now I get to stay home with my daughter and still make videos full time, and be with her while doing what I love. All because of TikTok.

Paley said a ban would be the biggest blow.

For me, this platform is something that I've been building, and I've done it all on my own for the past five years now. I can't even comprehend it disappearing, she said. It's not only a place that I love to post content and connect with my followers; I feel like we've created such a community."

Lawyers argue that TikTok ban would violate free speech, despite security concerns

Huebert, president of the Liberty Justice Center, is the lead attorney for BASED Politics, a nonprofit educational political podcast on TikTok and one of the many plaintiffs in the lawsuit against the ban.

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He said the Supreme Court needs to rule the law as unconstitutional because it would ban all speech on TikTok  even though nearly all of it is constitutionally protected.

We argue that this law violates the free speech rights of our client  and the 170 million other Americans who use TikTok  to hear and share speech, Huebert said.

The governments main argument for the ban concerns national security. In court filings, the government argued that ByteDance  which is headquartered in Beijing  is subject to the laws of the Peoples Republic of China and can therefore provide the highly sensitive data that TikTok collects from users' phones to Chinese intelligence.

Republicans and Democrats alike have expressed worry over the national security implications of TikTok. Over the past year, for instance, U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, both Tennessee Republicans, have emphasized their concerns over potential misuse of data by the Chinese government.

But Huebert said the security concerns do not amount to a level that requires the banning of the app, as the law needs to clear the legal hurdle of "strict scrutiny"  a common First Amendment legal concept that requires the government prove a compelling and immediate reason to violate or restrict the First Amendment.

The government tried to justify the law by invoking national security, and in particular, invoking the protection of Americans data privacy and the preventing of the Chinese government from making TikTok promote or suppress content in a way that would undermine the U.S. government's interests," he said.

That last part, Huebert said, is key to his argument that the law violates the First Amendment.

The First Amendment exists to prevent the government from enacting laws to suppress speech that it thinks goes against its interests, he said. It doesn't matter whether speech goes against the government's interest, it's protected just the same, and that even includes speech that directly attacks our very form of government and our institutions directly.

The USA TODAY Network - Tennessee's coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners.

Have a story to tell? Reach Angele Latham by email at alatham@gannett.com, by phone at 931-623-9485, or follow her on Twitter at @angele_latham

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TikTok ban: Nashville creators worry about the future
CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW)  The judge in a stand your ground trial for a woman charged with murder in a 2022 shooting at Nacho Hippo in North Myrtle Beach said Wednesday she did not act in self-defense.

Lafredia Todd, who allegedly shot and killed Quentin Johnson on July 28, 2022, was denied immunity by the judge. The judge said she didnt appear to be scared for her safety, rather appearing to be angry at the time of the shooting.

After the stand your ground motion was denied, Todds defense attorney asked for a continuance, but the prosecution argued that the defense had already hadplenty of time to prepare for the trial after it was delayed twice before.

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Following the hearing, Johnsons brother, John DeVille Jr., released a statement on behalf of the family.

As expected, the defense has failed to meet its very low burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that it is more likely than not that their client acted in self defense, consistent with the states Stand your ground law, when she murdered our loved one, Quentin Johnson, the statement said. By virtue of this, we are finally heading to trial. The burden now shifts to the state to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt all the elements of the crimes, to which the defendant has been appropriately charged.

My family and I are hopeful that we are one step closer to receiving justice for my brother and we remain steadfast in our commitment to this goal. The facts of the case speak for themselves and we trust the impaneled jury to make the appropriate decision based solely on the facts and the law. We appreciate the support and prayers that we have received.

After denying the motion, the judge said the jury needs to be in court at 10 a.m. on Thursday and that jury selection should wrap up by noon. Opening statements could happen Thursday afternoon, but if not, by Friday.

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During the stand your ground hearing, a SLED official said the bullet fragments he examined came from the same gun brought into evidence from the night of the shooting. The second witness to take the stand was April Buffkin, the director of Information Systems and Technology, and the administrator of the surveillance camera system at Nacho Hippo.

Buffkin said Nacho Hippos surveillance system in July 2022 took timestamps of its recorded footage. That version of the video has more camera angles than the court had seen previously.

When Buffkin was cross-examined, prosecutors showed surveillance video of the kitchen line from the night of the shooting. Buffkin said as Todd came into frame, she was holding something silver in her hand, but no other employees in the kitchen were holding something silver.

She said when Johnson entered the kitchen, the other employees didnt change their behavior. She said they only dropped to the floor when they heard the gunshot.

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Buffkin said she watched about 24 hours of the surveillance footage from the day of the shooting, and she never saw any physical altercation between Todd and Johnson. She said the color of Todds gun was silver and that Johnson was unarmed in the surveillance video.

During closing arguments, prosecutors said the defense did not make their case that Todd shot Johnson to protect herself and her personal property. Meanwhile, the defense asked the judge for immunity, arguing that Todd told multiple people she was scared at work because of Johnsons threats.

The defense argued that based on the definition of stand your ground, Todd could use deadly force if she feared serious bodily injury and because Johnson said he had a gun. They also said that although many of the witnesses, who were Todd and Johnsons coworkers in July 2022, did not call the police about Johnsons threats because they were afraid of retaliation from him.

The prosecution then spoke with the judge, saying Johnsons case does not meet the definition of self-defense because she was not in imminent danger. They argued she planned to shoot Johnson earlier in her shift because one of Todds coworkers, who took the stand on Tuesday, said Todd asked her if theyll let her wear her hair out in jail.

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Prosecutors said the facts of the case need to go in front of a jury of 12 people.

News13 has a crew inside the courtroom. Count on us for updates.

* * *

Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.

* * *

Skylar Musick is a multimedia journalist at News13. Skylar is originally from Long Island, New York. She joined the News13 team in June 2024 after graduating from Villanova University in May 2024. Follow Skylar on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, and read more of her work here.

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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 WBTW.
Local city and county governments in metro Atlanta and north Georgia are deciding if they should close their offices as a winter storm moves into the area on Friday.

Severe Weather Team 2 Chief Meteorologist Brad Nitz is forecasting a winter storm to move into the area on Friday morning and bring snow, sleet and freezing rain with it.

Some school districts have also made the decision to have school virtually on Friday, but more are expected to make a decision on Thursday.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has also announced that all state offices north of and including Columbus, Macon and Augusta will be closed on Friday. That means that all state offices in the metro Atlanta will not be open.

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State employees will work virtually, the governor said.

As we monitor the incoming winter weather system, our priority is keeping Georgians safe.



With that in mind and in coordination with @GeorgiaEMAHS, other state and local leaders, and @NWS guidance, state offices within affected areas north of and including Columbus, Macon, and  Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) January 8, 2025

RELATED STORIES:

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens announced on Wednesday that City of Atlanta offices will be closed on Friday. He says city employees will be working virtually.

All Cobb County facilities will close at 5 a.m. on Friday and remained closed through Saturday, Cobb County Manager Dr. Jackie McMorris announced on Wednesday.

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A CNN camera crew narrowly escaped an apocalyptic, hellish wildfire on Tuesday that continues to tear through Los Angeles amid a sustained and violent windstorm.

Host Laura Coates played footage obtained by a crew including the networks Los Angeles Correspondent Natasha Chen as they drove out of a smoke-filled inferno engulfing Santa Monica.

Holy f---, a crew member could be heard uttering behind the camera, which documented a hail of burning airborne embers carried in the wind. In the distance, fires raged from behind a row of power lines.

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In an interview after her crew escaped the blaze, Chen said they followed an emergency vehicle out of the area.

Chen noted hearing an explosion, seeing houses on fire right up against the road. Im just holding my breath and I can feel the heat from inside the car, she said.

Coates also relayed that Chen called it the most terrifying exit that weve made from any assignment in a long time.

As residents moved to flee the area Tuesday, traffic gridlock became so severe that many were forced to abandon their cars on Sunset Boulevard near the Palisades fire.

KNBC Los Angeles reporter Katherine Picazo documented an emergency crew bulldozing abandoned vehicles to clear a path for first responders.

Video shows bulldozer shoving cars abandoned on Sunset Blvd near #PalisadesFire. One driver tells us he had no choice but to leave his car after first responders instructed people to get out and leave immediately. @NBCNews @NBCLA pic.twitter.com/xDHhtdBBuE  Katherine Picazo (@katnbcla) January 8, 2025

About 30,000 people have been ordered to leave their homes since the out-of-control brush fire erupted in LAs affluent Pacific Palisades neighbourhood Tuesday morning.

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The blaze had grown to more than 2,900 acres by the evening, extending into north Santa Monica.

Winds between 50 and 70 mph were recorded in the Los Angeles area Tuesday, and the National Weather Service warned powerful gusts would continue around the fire through at least Wednesday.

Meanwhile, two smaller, also uncontrolled blazes flared up overnight, one near Altadena in northern Los Angeles County and another by Sylmar in the San Fernando Valley.

A January 6, 2025 public notice from the National Weather Service warns of a

The NWS said particularly dangerous extreme fire conditions in Los Angeles and Ventura counties endure into Thursday as the life-threatening and destructive windstorm continues its barrage on the area.

All schools in the Santa MonicaMalibu Unified School District and Pasadena Unified School District have been ordered closed on Wednesday.
CNN reporter Nick Watt narrowly escaped injury while covering the deadly southern California wildfires blazing out of control in several areas including the Pacific Palisades, where he was working late Tuesday night.

Jesus! Whoa! Watt said into his microphone while broadcasting from the heart of Palisades Village. Sorry, I nearly got hit by something there.

CNNs cameras were focused on a nearby burning apartment building when Watt can be heard dodging danger. Speaking to anchorman Polo Sandoval in CNNs Manhattan studios, Watt indicates he should reconsider where hes positioned.

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A little part of that building nearly hit me there, he explained.

Watt then points out burning embers flying around him. He said that flammable detritus is being caught up in winds reaching 100 mph and spreading to other locations.

Thats whats been happening all day and will continue to happen all night, because the wind is only going to get worse, he said.

The flames did indeed get worse through the night and into Wednesday morning. Officials reported no word of containment by noon. More than 1,000 buildings were impacted in the Pacific Palisades alone by morning. Fires also spread in three other parts of Southern California Wednesday. At least two people were killed.

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How do you fight a fire like that? Watt asked rhetorically. Its almost impossible.

Safely tucked behind a desk, Sandoval thanked Watt and his camera crew for their efforts, but advised caution.

[If] at any point you have to bail, completely understandable, the host said.

The National Guard joined rescue efforts in the Los Angeles area Wednesday afternoon. Fire officials said the flames had consumed more than 11,000 acres of Pacific Palisades property at that point.
This story has been updated with comments from Sen.-elect Carley.

PIERRE, S.D. (KELO)  Two first-time lawmakers want the South Legislature to ban CO2 pipelines as well as wind- and solar-power facilities from using eminent domain to force access through others property.

Political veterans recount Legislatures big changes

Republican Sen.-elect John Carley and Republican Rep.-elect Dylan Jordan are the prime sponsors of SB49. They are among a group of new legislators who won election last year as 59% of voters rejected a pending state law dubbed the Landowners Bill of Rights that opponents said would have made CO2 lines easier to place in South Dakota.

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The Carley-Jordan legislation is the first of what could be many attempts this year to give more control to landowners who dont want CO2 lines running across or near their properties.

Summit Carbon Transport currently has a permit application for a CO2 pipeline pending before the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission. The project would collect CO2 from ethanol production facilities in South Dakota and several neighboring states and pipe it to central North Dakota, where the CO2 would be buried underground.

Carley answered several questions on Wednesday afternoon from KELOLAND News.

What project  if any  is your legislation intended to stop?

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It does not intend to stop any projects, he said. I welcome successful business projects. However, if a project wanted to use eminent domain to access someones property if they choose to not allow CO2/Hydrogen/or Other Green Deal Taxpayer funded projects through their land, it would provide protection to the landowner. These private companies should not have access to that government function, and it just makes sure that doesnt happen in the cases of these concepts in the public discourse of the moment.

Does CO2 contribute to global warming? If so, how should it be handled?

Theres debate on both sides about the 0.04% of the atmosphere that is CO2, Carley said. Some scientists say CO2 contributes to global warming, some say it does not and is critical to our plant growth. Im not totally convinced its dangerous, at this point, but if it were, I would welcome all kinds of business ideas from creating dry ice, to creating chemicals and feedstocks, to oil industry use, or even sequestration. However, as long as it doesnt require the taking of unwilling peoples land, nor the forced use of the government.

Why are wind farms and solar farms also covered by your proposed ban?

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I personally use and enjoy some of the benefits of renewables like wind and solar, Carley said. However, its only there in the case of the exercise of eminent domain when a landowner does not want parts of those projects to go through their land, even after being offered a payment. If the landowner is willing to lease their land, they certainly can. These are just current and future Green New Deal ideas that have been raised, and so instead of having to fight to keep land after the fact, we would like to fix the loophole before it becomes an issue.

Is there anything else youd like to point out on this topic?

Our South Dakota citizens spoke up in the November election that they want landowner rights protected and no abuse of eminent domain, Carley said. This bill enables all of these types of projects to still happen. However, eminent domain is a tool that cannot be used in this process by the companies on our landowners so they can keep their freedoms. Thats not to say they wont try to initiate eminent domain proceedings through the government, that is a possibility still. This just restricts the companies from unilaterally using this as a threat with no citizen recourse.

Republican Rep. Jon Hansen, the incoming House speaker, last year introduced a more-limited version of legislation that sought to ban eminent domain for CO2 lines. He narrowly failed in trying to force it onto the House debate calendar. Months later, at least a half-dozen of the lawmakers who had opposed Hansens attempt in turn lost their re-election bids in June primaries to challengers who openly opposed CO2 lines.

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One of the defeated was Republican Rep. Kirk Chaffee, who ran for the Senate and lost to Carley. Jordan meanwhile was the top vote-getter in a four-way Republican primary for two House nominations and went unopposed in the November general election.

The 2025 legislative session officially opens on January 14.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
Published by WWNO, Wisconsin Watch

The Victor J. Daniel Jr. coal plant  now the largest electric generator in Mississippi  began pumping out power in 1977. In 2001, it got a second life, when owner Mississippi Power added two new turbines that could run on natural gas. Plant Daniels coal furnaces were supposed to shut down in 2027.

But now, the plant is slated for a third act. This year, Georgia Power won regulatory approval to buy power from that plant through 2028, due to what the utility called unprecedented growth in electricity demand .

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Coal-powered generation of electricity has steadily declined in the United States over the past 15 years, driven out by cheaper fuel sources including natural gas, wind and solar  cutting a main source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

In the meantime, however, estimates of U.S. electricity demand in 2029 have increased nearly five-fold from those made just a few years ago, fueled by demand from data centers and other high-energy-using industries.

Many utilities see keeping coal around  including as a backup to intermittent power sources such as wind and solar  as a potential solution. A Floodlight analysis of power plant data shows that owners or operators of more than 30 U.S. coal plants, in states from Wisconsin to West Virginia, plan to delay their retirement, while others are weighing the option.

That is pushing up utility bills  and slowing progress on cutting dangerous greenhouse gas emissions.

A truck prepares to haul coal at the North Antelope Rochelle Mine in Wyoming, the largest coal mine in the world. Due to cost and environmental concerns, use of coal to generate U.S. electricity has steadily dropped over the past 15 years. But some coal plants scheduled to close are staying open to meet burgeoning energy demands. (Peabody Energy Inc.)

Between 2015 and 2023, all of those 30-plus plants produced electricity uneconomically, adding more than $5 billion in unnecessary costs to customer rates, according to analysis by the Rocky Mountain Institute, a clean energy consultancy. For example, operating Mississippi Powers Plant Daniel cost customers more than $250 million in excess costs during that time, according to RMI.

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Allowing coal plants to run frequently, even when they are not the cheapest resource, is a fixture of modern electricity markets. Some environmental experts say its slowing the development of cleaner resources, while costing customers billions in direct costs and billions more in related health and environmental costs.

Concerns over those costs may take on new urgency amid the debate over growing electricity demand. Many utilities have said theyre unprepared to meet demand forecasts without keeping fossil fuel plants around longer.

We really do have growth in demand and forecasts of growth that have not been seen really in the careers of most of the people who are working in the electric power world, said Michael Jacobs, a senior energy analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists. The real question is: Well, how did we get into this situation?

He added, Had we had the attention to following through on building the renewables, we would have a fraction of this debate going on.

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Anxiety around unprecedented load growth began in earnest only a couple of years ago spurred by large data centers used to fuel artificial intelligence models, cryptocurrency and other energy-intensive industries . The numbers around data center growth have been described as  staggering . In a December report , the Department of Energy projected that U.S. energy use from data centers could double or even triple by 2028.

For utilities like Mississippi Power, that may mean longer lifetimes for coal. Mississippi Power declined to respond to specific questions about Plant Daniel, its expectations for load growth, or concerns about its uneconomic dispatch.

A spokesperson directed Floodlight to its 2024 Integrated Resource Plan, which lays out the utilitys expected mix of generation resources. That plan notes that some fossil units considered marginally economic are now in demand to fill gaps in capacity, and that the utility anticipates the buildout of several large data centers in its territory.

Coal was on its way out. But surging electricity demand is keeping it alive  costing customers and the planet

Used and useful?

Utilities must meet electricity demand 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Because demand fluctuates, the United States has more power plants than needed at any one time. For about two-thirds of the electricity used in the United States, market operators, called regional transmission operators or independent system operators, decide which plants to call on based on how much demand they expect. They start with the cheapest plants and move to more expensive plants as demand increases. You save the expensive ones for when you really need them, Jacobs explained.

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All plants that run get paid the amount  called the clearing price  that it costs to operate the most expensive facility that ends up running.

For more than a century, coal was the baseload of our generation fleet: the cheapest resource and the one meeting the majority of demand. But as U.S. gas production ballooned, natural gas overtook coal as the cheapest source of electricity generation in 2016.

Today, new wind and solar plants often beat out coal  and, at times, even gas  on price. As a result, a wave of retirements has hit the U.S. coal fleet. The plants that do remain are being used less and less , and coal now generates less than a fifth of U.S. electricity , down from nearly 45% in 2010 .

But many holdout plants are still running.

The use of coal to generate electricity in the United States has steadily dropped in recent years as cheaper fuel sources, including renewables and natural gas, have climbed. (U.S. Energy Information Administration, Monthly Energy Review, December 2024)

Thats in part because plants can self-commit to run, even if operating them is more expensive than the clearing price. Often, those plants  and the utilities that own them  lose money when they self-commit. But utility regulations mean everyday electricity customers may be the ones picking up the tab.

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In the majority of the United States, utilities are regulated monopolies: Customers must purchase electricity from them. Regulated utilities make money, in part, through a guaranteed rate of return on investments in equipment including power plants. Those returns are approved by regulators and paid by customer bills.

Utilities are required to show their plants are used and useful to get approval for including a plant in customer rates. And experts like Michael Goggin, vice president at energy consultancy Grid Strategies, say utilities may be dispatching coal even when it costs customers more to make a plant look more used and useful than it actually is.

In a 2024 report on uneconomic dispatch in the Midwest, Grid Strategies showed that 14% of 2023 coal plant starts by regulated utilities were unprofitable. Only 2% of coal starts from merchant plants, which earn fluctuating revenue based on the market, were unprofitable.

Without so-called uneconomic dispatch, customers could have saved more than $3 billion in 2023, according to RMI. In Louisiana, for example, regulators determined that electric utilities Cleco and SWEPCO had overcharged customers by $125 million by continuing to run the now-shuttered Dolet Hills coal-fired plant.

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The consultancy also estimated that coal-related health impacts reached over $20 billion in 2023, for emergency room visits and diseases including lung cancer and cardiac disease that could have been avoided. Thats not to mention the hundreds of millions of tons of climate-damaging carbon dioxide these plants emit per year.

Planned data centers are one of the main causes of growing electricity demand, which is projected to increase sharply after nearly 20 years of decline. This map shows the main drivers in each of the regional entities that manage supply and flow of electricity in the United States, Canada and part of Baja California, Mex.

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Delaying the clean energy transition?

Goggin argued the practice of making plants look more viable than they are may also keep them around longer, crowding out the transition to cleaner and cheaper energy.

Having these coal plants in the way, that are pumping out uneconomic megawatt-hours and that are using up transmission capacity  in many cases in prime wind and solar spots  is impeding that, he said.

Increasing demand may at least temporarily inflate electricity prices and push more coal plants into the black. But it also appears to leave an opening for later retirements.

Edgewater Generating Station is shown along Lake Michigan in Sheboygan, Wis., on Aug. 24, 2024. The coal-fired plant is among more than 30 across the United States that has delayed its planned closure because of concerns around electricity reliability. (Joe Timmerman / Wisconsin Watch)

All of the plants Floodlight identified with delayed timelines have already been producing power uneconomically for years. Every year, there are less and less months, and less and less hours where its economic to run coal plants, and utilities have been dispatching these coal plants pretty similarly over the last 20 years, said Gabriella Tosado, a senior associate with RMIs carbon-free electricity program.

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State utility regulators are responsible for ensuring that utilities only pass on prudent costs to their customers. In some places, thats already happening. This year, the Michigan Public Service Commission rejected $11 million in costs to be passed on to customers due to a utility running more expensive coal plants. In Minnesota and Missouri, regulators have investigated the issue. But Tosado said more regulators should be scrutinizing utility arguments about keeping coal plants online.

In a working paper for the National Bureau of Economic Research, economists from Columbia University, the University of Arizona and Northwestern University showed that the current utility regulatory structure creates potentially conflicting incentives, resulting in less than half as much coal power retired as would be shuttered in a scenario designed to minimize cost.

But minimizing costs within current regulatory constraints is a challenge. The papers authors also found that a scenario that minimizes cost could reduce utility profits significantly enough to require external financial support to maintain electrical reliability.

In its report, the Department of Energy suggested connecting data centers to clean energy, rather than fossil fuels, including adding new generation on former coal plant sites.

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And coal plants also dont necessarily need to retire immediately; utilities may also consider running them during part of the year, when they are truly needed. Some utilities, like Minnesotas Xcel Energy , have already pursued this route (some utilities are even speeding up coal retirements ).

Its been my view that we dont need to retire and dismantle every power plant that burns fossil fuels. We just need to be extraordinarily shy about burning fuel in them, said Jacobs, who helped author a 2020 report on uneconomic dispatch . But, he added, the utility practice of not facing up to competition, not wanting to deal with change, is not a strategy thats going to work for society or the economy.
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)  The Odessa Police Department is asking for the publics assistance in solving a decades-long unsolved cold case.

According to OPD, on May 17, 1986, Debra Sue Moore was stabbed to death at was known at the time as Viva Apartments in Oakwood Drive. Despite efforts over several decades, Moores case remains unsolved.

OPD said officers responded to a call in May 1986 when they discovered Moores body lying in a pool of blood on her living room floor. OPD said Moore walked outside before being attacked. She died from a stab wound to the chest.

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OPD Cold Case Detective Lauren Gozales asked The Deck Podcast to cover Moores case in an effort to reinvigorate the investigation and ask the public for tips about her murder. You can listen to the episode here, or on The Deck Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

If you have any information regarding Moores case, please contact Odessa Crime Stoppers at 432-333-8477 and reference case number 86-35818 or contact Detective Gonzales directly at 432-335-4926.

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 Yourbasin.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  Several counties in the Miami Valley have been issued a Cold Weather Advisory for Thursday morning.

The National Weather Service shows the following counties will be under the advisory from midnight to 9 a.m. on Jan. 9:

Butler

Clinton

Greene

Montgomery

Preble

Warren

Wayne (Indiana)

For the Advisory to be issued, either air temperatures or wind chill values must reach at least -5 to -15 degrees. NWS currently forecasts wind chills reaching anywhere between -5 to -12 during the time period.

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Residents of the affected counties are especially urged to dress in warm clothing and keep pets inside as much as possible.

The NWS changed the Advisory terms in late 2024, as the CWA was previously called a Wind Chill Advisory.

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 WDTN.com.
While some states' coldest temperatures were recorded recently, others were documented decades ago.

Hawaii remains the only state in the US yet to report a temperature below zero degrees Fahrenheit.

The coldest temperature ever recorded in the US was -80 degrees in Alaska in 1971.

Despite record-breaking temperature drops across the US over the last century, the world continues to get hotter. In fact, only three states have recorded their lowest-ever temperatures in the 21st century.

In Alaska, the coldest temperature ever recorded was -80 degrees Fahrenheit in Prospect Creek Camp in 1971  and all but one of the 50 states has reported a temperature below zero. What's the holdout? Hawaii, which recorded its lowest temperature of 12 degrees Fahrenheit at the Mauna Kea Observatory on May 17, 1979.

According to data compiled by NOAA's State Climate Extremes Committee, the coldest temperatures ever recorded in each state are listed below.

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Melissa Wells contributed to a prior version of this story.

Alabama's lowest recorded temperature was -27 degrees Fahrenheit at New Market on January 30, 1966.

New Market is located near the Alabama/Tennessee border. Melissa Bobo/Shutterstock

On this snowy January day, it was Lucille Hereford, the postmaster and town volunteer weather observer, who recorded the -27-degree temperature, calling it a "terribly cold" morning in a 1988 interview with an Alabama State climatologist.

Per a 2021 news report by WHNT, a local news outlet, the official story comes with a caveat: The temperature was initially erroneously recorded as warmer than the -24 degrees Fahrenheit reported at Russellville the same day. It wasn't until years later that a Birmingham reporter uncovered the truth, and the National Climatic Data Center finally issued a correction in its records.

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Alaska's lowest recorded temperature was -80 degrees Fahrenheit at Prospect Creek Camp on January 23, 1971.

Prospect Creek Camp is located five hours north of Fairbanks. Troutnut/Shutterstock

The Anchorage Daily News reported in 2013 that there have been unofficial measurements of even lower temperatures. On the National Weather Service Alaska website, Phil Schaefer said it hit -84 degrees Fahrenheit in Coldfoot in 1989, and Joe Cochran said the temperature in Hughes dropped to -85 degrees Fahrenheit in the '90s, The Daily News reported.

However, the Prospect Creek Camp temperature is the only one that's been verified.

This is the lowest temperature ever recorded in the US.

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Arizona's lowest recorded temperature was -40 degrees Fahrenheit at Hawley Lake on January 7, 1971.

Hawley Lake is located on the San Carlos Reservation. Alexey Stiop/Shutterstock

Hawley Lake isn't a town so much as a remote weather station, but it's important in Arizona's meteorological history. In addition to setting a state record for 91 inches of snow in 1968, the overseer of Hawley Lake, Stan Bryte, recorded the state's lowest temperature of -40 degrees Fahrenheit in 1971, per AZCentral.

In fact, on the morning of January 7, 1971, Bryte's chief meteorologist told him, "You need to get up to Hawley Lake. I have a suspicion this is going to be a real record."

Arkansas' lowest recorded temperature was -29 degrees Fahrenheit in Brook Farm Pond near Gravette on February 13, 1905.

Gravette is a small town in Arkansas. Michael t. Morrison/Shutterstock

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Brook Farm Pond is near the town of Gravette, which has just over 3,500 residents, according to census data.

It is located in Benton County, which has the motto "The Heart of Hometown America." At one time, it also bore the name of "Gate Community" for serving as a gateway to northwest Arkansas from Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.

California's lowest recorded temperature was -45 degrees Fahrenheit in Boca on January 20, 1937.

Boca is close to the border of Nevada. AJ9/Shutterstock

The Los Angeles Times reported in 1937 that the low temperatures had brought "influenza, frozen toes, broken water pipes and automobile radiators, icy streets and traffic disruption."

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Colorado's lowest recorded temperature was -61 degrees Fahrenheit in Maybell on February 1, 1985.

Maybell is in the northwest corner of Colorado. Teri Virbickis/Shutterstock

CBS News reported in January 2023 that Maybell, located 25 miles west of Craig, is home to just 76 people.

Maybell resident of 56 years Georgia McIntyre told 9News in 2015, "You don't think about how cold it is. You just put all the clothes you've got on, and we even put newspapers in our shoes because we didn't have all these fancy things you have now."

Connecticut has recorded temperatures of -32 degrees Fahrenheit twice: First in Falls Village on February 16, 1943, and then again in Coventry on January 22, 1961.

Falls Village and Coventry are 66 miles apart. Michael Macsuga/Shutterstock

In 1943, a National Weather Service observer noted February was a "relatively mild month" in Connecticut, only for the state to record its coldest temperature in the state's history 16 days into the month, per a 2023 CT Insider article.

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A freezing day in January just 18 years later would hit that same low temperature.

Delaware's lowest recorded temperature was -17 degrees Fahrenheit in Millsboro on January 17, 1893.

Millsboro is around 16 miles north of the Maryland border. Khairil Azhar Junos/Shutterstock

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Thirty-seven years later, a Millsboro weather station recorded a temperature of 110 degrees Fahrenheit on a scorching July day, according to the National Weather Service.

Florida's lowest recorded temperature was -2 degrees Fahrenheit in Tallahassee on February 13, 1899.

Tallahassee is the state's capital. Jesse Kunerth/Shutterstock

WTXL Tallahassee reported in 2020 that in Tallahassee 124 years ago, an inch of snow coated the city (its third biggest snowfall ever), and a record low of -2 degrees Fahrenheit was recorded.

Headlines at the time read "All Previous Records Broken," and editors were calling the storm, "The Snow King," "The Ice King," and "the Great Blizzard of 1899," Tallahassee Democrat reported in 2018.

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Georgia's lowest recorded temperature was -17 degrees Fahrenheit in CCC Fire Camp F-16 near Beatum on January 27, 1940.

Snow-covered mountains in Georgia. PaulDaniel5010/Shutterstock

Not even 12 years later, on July 24, 1952, Georgia recorded its highest temperature at 112 degrees Fahrenheit in Louisville and again on August 20, 1983, in Greenville, according to NOAA's State Climate Extremes Committee.

Hawaii's lowest recorded temperature was 12 degrees Fahrenheit at the Mauna Kea Observatory on May 17, 1979.

Mauna Kea is located on the Big Island. Alexey Kamenskiy/Shutterstock

Forecasters think this record may have changed because, on February 11, 2019, several sensors at the Mauna Kea Observatory reported temperatures between 8 and 11 degrees Fahrenheit, Khon2 reported in 2022, but it has yet to be confirmed.

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Idaho's lowest recorded temperature was -60 degrees Fahrenheit in Island Park Dam on January 18, 1943.

Island Park Dam is located on Crow Creek. Grimm Film/Shutterstock

Island Park Dam is located in the Targhee National Forest in the northeast corner of the state. It's tied for the eighth coldest temperature ever recorded in the US.

Illinois' lowest recorded temperature was -38 degrees Fahrenheit in Mount Carroll on January 31, 2019.

Mount Carroll is on the western border of Illinois, close to Iowa. Randy R/Shutterstock

Frigid temperatures across Illinois in late January 2019 led to a startling discovery: On the morning of January 31, the weather observer at Mount Carroll in Carroll County recorded a temperature drop to -38 degrees Fahrenheit.

Only after an extensive review did the State Climate Extremes Committee collectively validate the reading as the new state record low temperature, The State Journal-Register reported in 2019.

Indiana's lowest recorded temperature was -36 degrees Fahrenheit in New Whiteland on January 19, 1994.

New Whiteland is outside Indianapolis. Waldos photo/Shutterstock

ABC57 reported in 2020 that all temperatures across Indiana dropped below zero on the morning of January 19, 1994.

In a newscast from 1994 for WRTV Indianapolis, a mail carrier told former Channel 6 meteorologist David James, "Well, I'll tell you, it's better today than it was yesterday, 'cuz there's not that wind. So, I don't mind this at all."

Iowa's lowest recorded temperature was -47 degrees Fahrenheit in Elkader on February 3, 1996. Previously, it was in Washta on January 12, 1912.

Washta and Elkader are 240 miles apart. Lisa J Loewen/Shutterstock

Iowa was one of many states in the Midwest that experienced the "1996 Cold Wave," as KCRG-TV9 described it in 2016.

Kansas' lowest recorded temperature was -40 degrees Fahrenheit in Lebanon on February 13, 1905.

Lebanon is just south of Nebraska. Julie Denesha /Getty Images

The winter of 1905 was reportedly so bitterly cold that "it was impossible for one to face the storm," according to "Reno County Kansas, Its People, Industries, and Institutions," by B.F. Bowen & Co. Inc. of Indianapolis, published in 1917 and reported in 2014 by The Kansas City Star.

Kentucky's lowest recorded temperature was -37 degrees Fahrenheit in Shelbyville on January 19, 1994.

Shelbyville is a suburb of Louisville. Alexey Stiop/Shutterstock

According to meteorologist John Belski, January 19, 1994, "was certainly a day for the history books."

"Those who were not around in 1994, it was the only time I can remember when grocery stores in parts of Louisville ran out of food and gas stations ran out of gas that week since no deliveries were able to be made for several days. It was so strange to see people walking in the middle of Bardstown Road and also Broadway," he recalled for WLKY News in 2020.

Louisiana's lowest recorded temperature was -16 degrees Fahrenheit in Minden on February 13, 1899.

Minden is 32 miles east of Shreveport. Logan Rhoads/Shutterstock

Over two weeks in February 1899, freezing weather swept over the US, with record-low minimum temperatures recorded in 12 states. According to weather historian David Ludlum in "The Great Arctic Outbreak and East Coast Blizzard of February 1899," this was "the greatest arctic outbreak in history" at the time.

Maine's lowest recorded temperature was -50 degrees Fahrenheit in Big Black River on January 16, 2009.

This area is just over the US/Canadian border. Andrew Siegel/Shutterstock

After a month of scrutinizing weather data, scientists said in February 2009 that Maine had reached a record low: 50 below freezing.

After much evaluation by the State Climate Extreme Committee, "It turned out [the -50 reading] was spot on," Bob Lent, Maine director of the US Geological Survey, said, as reported by NBC News in 2009.

Maryland's lowest recorded temperature was -40 degrees Fahrenheit in Oakland on January 13, 1912.

Oakland is in the northwest corner of Maryland. Richard Bizick/Shutterstock

Oakland, Maryland, is home to 1,851 people, according to census data. It was established in 1849 and became a well-known tourist spot when the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad built a rail line that traveled through the town, according to Britannica.

Massachusetts's lowest recorded temperature was -35 degrees Fahrenheit in Chester on January 12, 1981; in Coldbrook on February 15, 1943; and in Taunton on January 5, 1904.

Chester is located in western Massachusetts. scott conner/Shutterstock

The same temperature was previously recorded in Coldbrook on February 15, 1943, and in Taunton on January 5, 1904.

Michigan's lowest recorded temperature was -51 degrees Fahrenheit in Vanderbilt on February 9, 1934.

Vanderbilt is on Michigan's Upper Peninsula. John McCormick/Shutterstock

Only 11 states have recorded colder temperatures than Michigan: Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Minnesota's lowest recorded temperature was -60 degrees Fahrenheit in Tower on February 2, 1996.

Tower is close to the Canadian border. JordanSchopper/Shutterstock

The average low in this sparsely populated former mining town is usually around 4 degrees Fahrenheit in February, according to WorldClimate.com.

Mississippi's lowest recorded temperature was -19 degrees Fahrenheit in Corinth on January 30, 1966.

The town of Corinth borders Tennessee. Barbara Windham / 500px/Getty Images

By contrast, Mississippi's highest recorded temperature was recorded 36 years prior on July 29, 1930, when the mercury in Holly Springs hit 115 degrees Fahrenheit.

Missouri's lowest recorded temperature was -40 degrees Fahrenheit in Warsaw on February 13, 1905.

Warsaw is just over 100 miles outside Kansas City. Tara Ballard/Shutterstock

Interestingly enough, the coldest and hottest temperatures recorded in Missouri have both been in Warsaw, according to the University of Missouri Climate Center. The hottest temperature was a whopping 118 degrees Fahrenheit on July 14, 1954.

Montana's lowest recorded temperature was -70 degrees Fahrenheit in Rogers Pass on January 20, 1954.

Rogers Pass is located on the Continental Divide. Urban Images/Shutterstock

"It's a day that will probably live in American history forever," Corby Dickerson, a National Weather Service meteorologist, said of the record, NBC Montana reported in February 2023. "It was the coldest day ever observed in the lower 48 states."

Nebraska's lowest recorded temperature was -47 degrees Fahrenheit in Oshkosh on December 22, 1989. Previously, it was in Bridgeport on February 12, 1899.

Oshkosh is located in western Nebraska. Diana Robinson Photography/Getty Images

The biggest snowstorm on the southeast US coast was known as the "Christmas Snowstorm of 1989," according to The National Weather Service, and it was felt all the way to Nebraska. It broke snowfall records in several states, and unheard-of temperatures followed.

Nevada's lowest recorded temperature was -50 degrees Fahrenheit in San Jacinto on January 8, 1937.

San Jacinto is a ghost town. Neil Lockhart/Shutterstock

Fifty-seven years after the state's cold temperature, a weather station in Laughlin recorded a temperature of 125 degrees Fahrenheit in June, per data from NOAA's State Climate Extremes Committee.

New Hampshire's lowest recorded temperature was -50 degrees Fahrenheit in Mount Washington on January 22, 1885.

Mount Washington is the highest peak in the northeast. Ed Dods/Shutterstock

More recently, sensors on Mount Washington logged the US' coldest windchill on record: -108. The Weather Service office serving Mount Washington posted in February 2023 that its recording software refused to log the reported low number.

New Jersey's lowest recorded temperature was -34 degrees Fahrenheit in River Vale on January 5, 1904.

River Vale is not far from New York City. Andrew F. Kazmierski/Shutterstock

"That was a very cold morning in northeastern New Jersey," David Robinson, a New Jersey State Climatologist, told NJ.com in 2019.

"A deep fresh snow cover, the valley location, adjacent to a pond that was used to make ice, and a generally treeless landscape near the station all helped contribute to the excessive cold."

New Mexico's lowest recorded temperature was -50 degrees Fahrenheit in Gavilan on February 1, 1951.

Gavilan is in northern New Mexico. Roschetzky Photography/Shutterstock

Conversely, the hottest temperature in New Mexico was recorded on June 27, 1994, at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant near Loving, where it reached a blazing 122 degrees Fahrenheit.

New York's lowest recorded temperature was -52 degrees Fahrenheit in Old Forge on February 18, 1979.

Old Forge is not far from the Canadian border. PureADK/Shutterstock

Jane Tormey, the official weather watcher for Old Forge for CNY Central, recalled in 2013, "People were saying their milk froze on the way home from the store to home. A lot of cars obviously couldn't get started. My car window driver's side was shattered."

North Carolina's lowest recorded temperature was -34 degrees Fahrenheit in Mount Mitchell on January 21, 1985.

Mount Mitchell is the highest peak in the Appalachian Mountains. Bonita R. Cheshier/Shutterstock

One of the past century's most extreme arctic outbreaks occurred between January 18 and January 22, 1985. According to the National Weather Service, newspapers at the time reported at least 165 deaths related to the weather.

North Dakota's lowest recorded temperature was -60 degrees Fahrenheit in Parshall on February 15, 1936.

Parshall is located in the Fort Berthold Reservation. CJ Cagney/Shutterstock

Coincidentally, both the hottest and coldest temperatures recorded in North Dakota's history happened in the same year, with Steele hitting 121 degrees Fahrenheit on July 6, 1936, KYFR-TV reported in 2023.

Ohio's lowest recorded temperature was -39 degrees Fahrenheit in Milligan on February 10, 1899.

Milligan is 60 miles outside Columbus. Michael Shake/Shutterstock

Ohio was another state affected by the unprecedented cold of February 1899. The US Weather Bureau reported 105 fatalities between January 29 and February 13 from the arctic temperatures and avalanches brought on by "the Great Arctic Outbreak."

Oklahoma's lowest recorded temperature was -31 degrees Fahrenheit in Nowata on February 10, 2011.

Nowata is near the Osage Reservation. Wichakorn Kitrungrot/Shutterstock

2011 was reportedly Oklahoma's third snowiest year, and the state's record for most snowfall in 24 hours was reached in Spavinaw, with 27 inches, FOX23 News reported in 2020.

Oregon's lowest recorded temperature was -54 degrees Fahrenheit in Ukiah on February 9, 1933, and in Seneca on February 10, 1933.

Ukiah and Seneca are 100 miles apart. Wasim Muklashy/Shutterstock

Ukiah and Seneca are occasionally known as "Oregon's Icebox" due to their icy winter conditions. That said, Meacham residents have said the temperature once plummeted to -62 degrees Fahrenheit, but it has never been proven officially, The Oregonian wrote in 2010.

Pennsylvania's lowest recorded temperature was -42 degrees Fahrenheit in Smethport on January 5, 1904.

Smethport is near the Pennsylvania/New York border. Marcello Sgarlato/Shutterstock

By contrast, in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, two consecutive days of 111 degrees Fahrenheit were recorded on July 9, 1936 and July 10, 1936, in the hottest temperature ever recorded in the state.

Phoenixville is five hours from Smethport, where the coldest temperature was recorded 32 years prior.

Rhode Island's lowest recorded temperature was -28 degrees Fahrenheit in Wood River Junction on January 11, 1942.

Wood River Junction is 10 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. JonPeckham/Shutterstock

According to NOAA's State Climate Extremes Committee, -25 degrees Fahrenheit was previously reported at Greene, Rhode Island, on February 5, 1996, but it could not be verified.

South Carolina's lowest recorded temperature was -19 degrees Fahrenheit in Caesar's Head on January 21, 1985.

Caesar's Head is close to North Carolina. Casual Creation/Shutterstock

In 1985, in the Carolinas, the coldest temperatures ever recorded were dubbed "The Coldest Day," WMBF News reported in 2020.

South Dakota's lowest recorded temperature was -58 degrees Fahrenheit in McIntosh on February 17, 1936.

McIntosh is around 170 miles from South Dakota's capital, Pierre. Byron Banasiak/Shutterstock

McIntosh was home to just 111 people in 2020. It is the county seat of Corson County.

Tennessee's lowest recorded temperature was -32 degrees Fahrenheit in Mountain City on December 30, 1917.

Mountain City is in the northeast corner of Tennessee. RichardBarrow/Shutterstock

The two days of 113 degrees Fahrenheit were recorded in Perryville on July 29, 1930, and August 9, 1930, making them the hottest temperatures ever recorded in Tennessee.

Texas' lowest recorded temperature was -23 degrees Fahrenheit in Seminole on February 8, 1933. The same temperature was also recorded in Tulia 6NE on February 12, 1899.

Tulia and Seminole are 150 miles apart. Chris Jeans/Shutterstock

Texas is known for its heat, but even this state has seen severe drops in temperatures  the best known was during the Great Blizzard of 1899.

Some unofficial reports even claim temperatures reached -30 degrees Fahrenheit in February 1899 at Wolf Creek, Texas. Either way, the Concho Valley Homepage reported in 2022 that newspapers in 1899 described the temperatures as "the worst freeze ever known in the state."

Utah's lowest recorded temperature was -50 degrees Fahrenheit in Strawberry Tunnel (East) on January 5, 1913.

A hiker ventures along the snowy trails of Utah. Ashley Hadzopoulos/Shutterstock

By contrast, the city of St. George has been home to the state's record for hottest temperature  twice. A temperature of 117 degrees Fahrenheit was recorded in July 1985 and again in July 2021.

Vermont's lowest recorded temperature was -50 degrees Fahrenheit in Bloomfield on December 30, 1933.

Bloomfield is just 25 miles from the Canadian border. andrew12832/Shutterstock

Bloomfield, a town in Essex County, had a population of 217 in the 2020 US census. The weather station existed from 1906 to 1968, according to Century 21 Farm & Forest.

Virginia's lowest recorded temperature was -30 degrees Fahrenheit in Mountain Lake Biological Station on January 21, 1985.

The Mountain Lake Biological Station is outside Roanoke. mbell/Getty Images

Centered in the Allegheny Mountains is Mountain Lake, one of only two freshwater lakes in Virginia, according to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

Just a year after this temperature was recorded in 1985, Mountain Lake was made famous again for "Dirty Dancing," which is where the movie was filmed.

Washington's lowest recorded temperature was -48 degrees Fahrenheit on December 30, 1968, in two different towns: Mazama and Winthrop.

Mazama and Winthrop are just 14 miles apart. Marina Poushkina/Shutterstock

On June 29, 2021, Hanford, Washington, reached 120 degrees Fahrenheit, the hottest recorded temperature in that state.

West Virginia's lowest recorded temperature was -37 degrees Fahrenheit in Lewisburg on December 30, 1917.

Lewisburg is the county seat of Greenbrier County. Malachi Jacobs/Shutterstock

Just 13 years later, the highest temperature recorded was 112 degrees Fahrenheit in Moorefield, West Virginia, on August 4, 1930.

Wisconsin recorded the lowest temperature in the state's history on February 2, 1996, in Couderay. Two days later, it broke its own record at -55 degrees.

Couderay is 150 miles northeast of Minneapolis. Michael Tatman/Shutterstock

The coldest temperature recorded in Wisconsin ranks ninth in the nation.

Wyoming's lowest recorded temperature was -66 degrees Fahrenheit in Riverside Ranger Station in Yellowstone National Park on February 9, 1933.

Yellowstone National Park is one of the largest national parks in the US. Bruce Beck/Shutterstock

Although Yellowstone's temperatures in Wyoming haven't plummeted to the levels they once did in 1933, "since most of the park lies at an elevation of 6,000 feet above sea level or higher, unpredictability characterizes Yellowstone's weather," the National Park Service has said.

Correction: January 9, 2024  An earlier version of this story included an image that was mislabeled as Minden, Louisiana. The photo has been replaced with one of Minden.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Colleges and universities are preparing for new legal and political territory as President-elect Trump returns to office.

Concerns for international students, GOP attacks on higher education and increased protests on campus are just some of the worries on administrators minds.

I think were obviously preparing, said Todd Wolfson, national president of American Association of University Professors. Its a new legal terrain, its a new political terrain for higher education and for universities and colleges. And certainly, the Trump administration has signaled that they are going to engage colleges and universities in a different manner.

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One of the pillars of Trumps 2024 campaign was a pledge for the largest mass deportation effort in history, which could hit both the student and staffer populations of colleges. He has vowed to target undocumented individuals and potentially go after the legal status of many currently in the nation in accordance with the law, including those with with Temporary Protected Status or student visas.

But if they are considering moves to help shield their students from deportation, schools are keeping quiet about them. The Hill has reached out to more 30 colleges and universities about potential plans for if Trump targets college students with his immigration efforts, and none have offered comment.

And its not just international students who could be at risk, as Trump has previously threatened to target those in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, though he has also expressed a willingness to make a deal to allow them to stay in the country.

For our DACA students, many of our institutions were encouraging those with DACA to renew their registration, said Sarah Spreitzer, vice president and chief of staff of government relations at the American Council on Education.

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Schools are also haunted by the memory of Trumps Muslim ban on international travel from his first term and have urged foreign students to get back on campus before his inauguration and the potential enactment of new restrictions.

The United States saw more than a million international students come to universities in the 2023-2024 year  a record  with India overtaking China as their No. 1 country of origin.

Unfortunately, the first travel ban caused a lot of chaos as they were trying to implement it immediately after it was issued, and so many of our students were caught up in the mess, Spreitzer said.

I think that many of our institutions are playing it safe. I would say that they want international students to be back on campus by January 20, because we dont know whats going to be included in that travel ban [] But what Ive been telling my institutions is that students were never directly targeted under the travel bans, she added.

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The Trump world has also made H1-B visas, which U.S. corporations use to hire foreign workers for certain positions, a hot topic of debate. While universities are exempt from H1-B caps that are placed on other industries, that status could now be up for discussion.

In his time out of office, Trump has not toned down his rhetoric against institutions of higher learning, including threatening funding for schools with diversity, equity and inclusion measures, saying he will take away their endowments, and they will pay us billions and billions of dollars for the terror they have unleashed into our once-great country.

Another concern regards accreditation, the process that approves universities and grants them federal funding  and a new target for Republicans.

Back in September, Trump said schools could lose accreditation over antisemitic propaganda, although how antisemitism is defined has been a huge debate at colleges over the past year.

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I have a concern that the Trump administration will actually go after accreditation and try to politicize what has been a non-political body, said Wolfson. And so, I can imagine them coming in and trying to change accreditation [] and set standards and say that if you teach critical race theory, you are not to be accredited.

Colleges dont only have to prepare for what the Trump administration will do, but also for how their students will react.

Campus protests have been a huge issue over the past year, with demonstrations against the Israel-Hamas war shutting down classes and leading to cancellations of commencements last spring.

Trump has also specifically threatened to go after the student visas of pro-Palestinian protesters.

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While universities have changed some of their rules around campus protests, such as mandating no encampments or no amplified noise after a certain time, tensions on campuses are high and could get worse under Trump

I do expect that we might see increased protests on campus for all sorts of things, Wolfson said.

I think we would be surprised if we didnt see young people protesting different aspects of the incoming administration. And I do think that both our campuses and how our administrations deal with that, and then also how the federal administration, the incoming Trump administration, deals with that part, is concerning, he added.

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 The Hill.
Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen speaks during a panel hosted by the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce on Jan. 7, 2025. (Sara Wilson/Colorado Newsline)

Republicans in the Colorado Legislature are unlikely to support a bill this year that would reform union formation laws in the state.

We should think twice before we upend an 80-year balance, Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, a Monument Republican, said during a legislative preview panel hosted by the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday.

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The chamber is opposed to the legislation and will prioritize arguing against it this year, CEO J.J. Ament told the gathered lawmakers, lobbyists and business leaders.

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A group of Democrats announced the bill late last year to repeal Colorados Labor Peace Act of 1943. That law requires a second vote  following a successful simple majority union formation vote  of 75% of eligible workers for negotiations to begin over whether all employees should be required to pay representation fees to the union regardless of membership. That requirement is known as union security. Proponents of the anticipated bill argue that Colorados dual election system is an onerous barrier to achieving a strong union with proper negotiation power over working conditions and safety.

The bill has the backing of many Democratic lawmakers and state officials, though not Democratic Gov. Jared Polis, who vetoed a pair of labor-related bills last year and expressed skepticism of this new proposal. The bill will be sponsored by House Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon of Denver, Rep. Javier Mabrey of Denver, Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez of Denver and Sen. Jessie Danielson of Wheat Ridge.

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The business community, however, characterizes the Labor Peace Act as a proven compromise between labor and business interests that has served Colorado well as a modified right-to-work state for eight decades.

Lundeen, on Tuesday, said the bill could be an enormous cost driver to doing business in the state, because it would create uncertainty.

House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, a Colorado Springs Republican, said she hadnt heard of any issues with the current system.

But I am open to conversations, she said. I want to understand why these issues are arising now.

Neither House Speaker Julie McCluskie, a Dillon Democrat, nor incoming Senate President James Coleman, a Denver Democrat, said whether they plan to support the bill, but they said they want labor and business interests to work together on a legislative solution.

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We can be business friendly and worker friendly. I really lift up the voice of the workers in the workplace McCluskie said. In spirit, I want to see us come together  our business leaders as well as our labor partners, to talk about this issue and negotiate at the table about what should come next for our great state. I trust that will happen.

The Legislature begins its 120-day regular session Wednesday.

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DENVER (KDVR)  On Wednesday and Thursday, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission will hold meetings about potentially pausing or changing the wolf reintroduction program.

The program has been met with pushback, especially from livestock owners in the counties impacted.

CPWs plan is to release 15 more wolves from Canada in January. The counties being considered are Garfield, Eagle and Pitkin.

Colorado announces plan to release up to 15 more wolves this winter

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The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission will discuss a petition from the Middle Park Stockgrowers Association, and other groups, which asks CPW to stop the wolf reintroduction until they implement seven changes.

In the petition, CPW is asked to start a rapid response team to immediately respond to reports of wolves harassing or depredating livestock and working dogs. Another part of the petition requests that CPW develop best practices for carcass management in rural areas, among others.

Conservation groups offer $100K reward for information after wolf shot in Grand County

The director of CPW has recommended the commission deny the petition because they think the seven recommendations are already being addressed and believe the reintroduction of more wolves would reduce the rate of wolf-livestock conflicts.

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Three reintroduced wolves died in 2024, which means only seven of the original 10 reintroduced wolves are surviving. However, the Copper Creek wolf pack includes five pups that were born in the spring. Four of the pups are in captivity with the mom.

One of the wolves that died was recently shot in Grand County. Federal officials are investigating that incident.

The meeting is set to start at 8 a.m. on Wednesday with the wolf topic not really being brought up until about noon.

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 FOX31 Denver.
DENVER (KDVR)  Tuesday night temperatures plummeted into the single digits and below following a snowstorm that blanketed much of the state, leading to dangerously cold temperatures ahead of the next round of snow.

Almost all of the eastern plains will experience single-digit temperatures overnight into Wednesday, and portions of the high country could drop to 10 or 20 below zero. Some areas of the Front Range, like Fort Collins, could be near 0 degrees overnight, according to the National Weather Service.

FOX31 Weather: View the latest Denver forecasts, maps and radar

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There could also be some fog experienced in the South Platte River Valley toward Berthoud and Longmont on Wednesday morning, according to the NWS Boulder. The fog is expected to stay north of Denver. As of about 9:15 p.m., NWS was reporting dense fog had developed along the Interstate 25 corridor including Greeley and Fort Collins.

Visibility was limited to under a quarter mile in areas. NWS said the fog will dissipate late Wednesday morning and will impact the morning commute.

Light winds will cause some windchill, but the impact should not be too severe. For Denver, winds could drop the perceived temperature under 0 degrees. For other areas, like Aspen, it could drop temperatures from just 1 degree to minus 12 degrees.

While the overnight temperatures will be nowhere close to Denvers record for Jan. 7  which was minus 18 degrees in 1913  its still cold enough to pose a threat to safety. For example, dogs sweat through their tongues and paws, so owners should exercise caution when temperatures fall below the mid-20s. Of course, different breeds have adaptations for cold weather, which should also be taken into account.

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Its also a good time to take a look at protecting property  below-freezing temperatures can cause water inside household pipes to freeze and expand, causing pipes to burst and damaging the home. There are many ways to protect your home from falling temperatures, including leaving water dripping from faucets, as flowing water has less chance of freezing, and adding crawlspace insulation.

How metro area school districts decide when to delay or cancel school for snow

The last time Denver saw a low temperature in the single digits was Feb. 17, 2024, when the city had a low of 7 degrees, according to Pinpoint Weather Team Meteorologist Alden German.

Some of the mountain valleys will see temperatures below minus 10 or minus 20 degrees. Some places, like Granby, could even near minus 30 degrees: NWS Boulder is projecting the town will reach minus 28 degrees overnight.

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FOX31s Pinpoint Weather Team is forecasting severe weather temperatures across the state.

However, the freezing weather is expected to stick around through most of the month, too. Another weather system is expected to keep colder-than-normal temperatures in Denver, and a chance of additional snow over the weekend, according to NWS Boulder.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  In 2024, Columbus saw its lowest number of homicides since 2019, city officials revealed at a Tuesday news conference.

At an end-of-year presentation, the Columbus Division of Police and Mayor Andrew Ginther addressed reporters and broke down crime statistics for 2024, touting the year as a successful period for lowering crime.

Pig may have contributed to Pataskala womans death, police say

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In 2024, Columbus police investigated 124 homicides, compared with 149 in 2023  a 17% decrease. Last year was Columbus lowest for homicides since 2019, when the city recorded 105 killings.

Columbus decline in homicides this year mirrors similar trends in cities across the country, as homicides have generally decreased in America since seeing a surge during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

While Ginther acknowledged the progress Columbus has made, he said he wants to see crime decrease more in the future.

While we are proud we know this is not the time to become complacent and over-confident, Ginther said. I want us to be the safest big city in America.

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Ginther stated $744 million set aside in the 2025 city budget for improving neighborhood safety  which includes hiring 180 new Columbus police officers  will help achieve this goal.

Driver charged in deaths of Gaudreau brothers pleads not guilty

Columbus police solved 76% of homicides in 2024, 1% more than 2023, with Ginther giving credit to the public for calling law enforcement with information about local crimes.

Weve had more tips and information shared with police from the community than ever before, Ginther said.

Of the 124 homicides, approximately 31% of victims were under 21 years old, along with 50% of suspects. Other notable statistics police shared include that about 84% of homicides involved a gun and 18% were domestic violence-related.

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Homicide was not the only crime officers saw a decrease of in 2024. Police said motor vehicle thefts significantly dwindled. In 2024, police saw 5,823 motor vehicle thefts, compared with 10,660, in 2023, representing a 45% drop. Police pointed to nontheft devices and software updates of Kias and Hyundais as potential reasons for the sharp decline.

Additionally, the number of felonious assaults lessened in 2024, when police saw 1,188 incidents compared with 1,363 the previous year  a 25% decrease. Rape was another crime that decreased, dropping about 6%, from 1,223 recorded incidents in 2023 to 1,142 in 2024.

An outlying crime that saw an increase in 2024 was robberies, with 1,503 incidents compared with 1,415 in 2023. Additionally, felony domestic violence incidents also rose to 825 in 2024 compared with 733 the previous year. However, police noted a new law passed in April 2023 that made strangulation a felony changed how the department counted these incidents, contributing to the increase.

Ohio State students cancer journey fuels passion to give back

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Police also said 3,248 illegal firearms were also taken off the streets last year, including ghost guns, or homemade firearms that can be made with a 3D printer. This marks a slight decrease from 3,693 in 2023.

While Columbus police recently voluntarily revealed they underreported crime data for over a decade to the state and Federal Bureau of Investigation due to an unnoticed system error, the department said data pulled directly from its system was unaffected and remained accurate.

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 NBC4 WCMH-TV.
What do you pack?

Some clothes, of course. Toiletries. Medication. Computers, phones and chargers.

The dog.

I grabbed a suitcase Wednesday morning and tossed some clothes into it. My wife began gathering up some family photographs.

I stood and stared a bit, feeling somewhat paralyzed by uncertainty. You don't know where you'll go, how long you'll be there, or what you might later return to.

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Read more: What happened during the first four days of the Eaton, Palisades fires in Southern California

The California compromise is ever-present. Along with the benefits  great weather, dramatic landscapes and a million things to do  you sign up for year-round risk.

Earthquakes, flooding, mudslides, drought.

Wildfire.

A firefighter runs down the street to check on a burning home as the wind fueled Eaton fire destroys homes on Tuesday in Altadena. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

I spent much of Tuesday reporting on a story unrelated to the Palisades fire, checking regularly for updates on the horrifying, fast-spreading blaze.

The scenes on television looked like the end of the world. Houses and hills ablaze, people abandoning homes and cars, walking down the hill toward the sea and hurrying along Pacific Coast Highway.

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Read more: The California tsunami danger is real. The 7.0 earthquake is wake-up call to prepare

A lifeguard stand caught fire.

It looked like we were going to be relatively lucky where we live, near the intersection of western Pasadena, Eagle Rock and Highland Park. Our daughter went to downtown L.A. with friends, all of them on winter break from college.

Late Tuesday afternoon, flames appeared in the near distance. From my front porch, I could see the beginning of the Eaton fire.

Read more: Fast-moving Eaton fire explodes in Pasadena, Altadena: 'Were not playing around. This is serious'

Our daughter contacted us to say she was returning home. One of the friends lives in Altadena and the family had gotten an evacuation order.

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The flames spread, an orange wave crashing over the steep hills of Eaton Canyon.

Even then, the threat seemed distant.

A man wrapped in a quilt sits on the sidewalk as high winds whip burning embers from the Palisades fire just off Pacific Coast Highway on Tuesday in Santa Monica. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

Then we were awakened Wednesday morning by warning alarms on our phones from the L.A. County Office of Emergency Management:

"An evacuation warning has been issued in your area. Remain vigilant of any threats and be ready to evacuate. Gather loved ones, pets, and supplies."

I looked out the window at the ugly, murky orange sky.

I took the dog out back and he seemed confused. The smoke was thick. I flicked fallen ash off of my head.

Our daughter checked with the friend who had been evacuated Tuesday night.

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"Her house is gone," my daughter said.

Another friend lost her home, too.

Read more: Gov. Gavin Newsom scraps trip to D.C. as wildfires burn across Los Angeles County

I couldn't see any flames, in any direction, so the situation didn't seem dire. But the sky was dark, and the smoke so thick, nearby flames might have been obscured.

I went out to the front yard and found a dry, flaky ember nearly the size of a dollar bill. That's one of the threats, of course. That wind-driven embers help spread the destruction, sparking fires for miles around.

I filled a suitcase. Our beagle seemed to know that we were off our normal routines.

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My wife thought of something we'd forgotten to pack.

Documents.

We grabbed passports and a few other items.

As of 9 a.m., we'd gotten no updates on a possible evacuation order.

It occurred to me that for all the ever-present risks in California, we live in a cocoon of denial, playing the odds and figuring we're going to be OK.

But the order of things is different now in this age of accelerated climate change.

The heat is hotter. The winds are stronger. The droughts are longer. The fires are more deadly.

We live now not just with the risk of destruction, but also with the possibility that this will be the way going forward  all the extremes becoming all the more normal.

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On TV news, I saw an interview with a man standing outside his Altadena home. The house was destroyed by fire, along with his vehicles.

We still have our lives, he told the interviewer.

Everything else is secondary.

steve.lopez@latimes.com

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
At a recent conference on trilateral defense cooperation among the U.K., France and Germany held in London, at the end of a long day filled with discussions about Germany and Europes alarming security situation, a final speaker took the stage to address the assembled crowd of experts. We had already spent hours talking about the war in Ukraine, where Russia appears to be winning, and the future of U.S. security guarantees for Europe, which are expected to decline under President-elect Donald Trump. Numerous participants had noted how shocking it is that North Korean soldiers are fighting on the European continent and how dispiriting it is that efforts to build up European defenseslike Germanys Zeitenwende, or turning pointare running out of steam. And yet, after all these dire pronouncements had already put the audience in a sober mood, that last speaker declared, The threat is even bigger than what we in this room fear!

I came out of the meeting feeling dazed, not so much because of the content of the conferenceunfortunately I am under no illusions regarding Europes ability to defend itself, having worked on the topic for over a decadebut because in making my way back to the train station, I couldnt square what I had just heard with the world I was seeing around me: People were out and about, continuing their daily lives as if nothing was wrong. Why does no one seem worried? I wondered.

The feeling, I quickly realized, seemed familiar, except that the last time I experienced it was after coming out of a screening of a documentary on climate change.

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This in turn made me realize that there are indeed worrying parallels between the European debate on the security challenges the continent is facing and how the world is dealing with the climate catastrophe.

To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter.

The first similarity is an unwillingness to acknowledge that the problem is real. With regard to the climate crisis, despite record temperatures, fires and floods, the fear of natural catastrophes and climate change is actually decreasing. With regard to Europes security crisis, when asked to rank their primary concerns, Germans put the possibility of a war involving Germany in 16th place, after higher taxes, higher prices, state failure because of refugees and numerous other worries. It bears noting that this comes at a time when Europe is experiencing the largest war on the continent since World War II: An estimated 43,000 Ukrainians have been killed, alongside almost 200,000 Russian soldiers.

Put simply, Germans, like most Western Europeans, dont believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin is a threat to their security, even though Russia is already at war with Europe. Set aside the fact that on Russian talk shows, a common topic of discussion is which European city to nuke first. More immediately, the German weekly Die ZEIT has gathered a list of over 50 confirmed or suspected Russian attacks in Europe since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. They include sabotage, espionage on military and political communications, a plot to assassinate the head of Germanys largest arms manufacturer, disinformation campaigns and firebombs in commercial freight aircraft. Suspected Russian drones have been sighted above critical infrastructure in several European countries. And in recent months, there has been an increase in attacks on underwater cables in the Baltic Sea.

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Like climate change, a conflict between Europe and Russia is not a theoretical future threatit is already a reality.

A second parallel is the disconnect between the expert consensus and public discussions. There is no disagreement among experts that climate change is caused by humans, that we are already experiencing its impact and that we are headed for more serious consequences. And given current trajectories, it is unrealistic to expect we will meet any kind of acceptable climate goals with the plans currently in place.

Like climate change, a conflict between Europe and Russia is not a theoretical future threatit is already a reality.

Equally, there is no serious disagreement in European defense circles that Europe is unprepared for the new geopolitical threats it faces and that it needs to drastically change its defense posture. And it is unrealistic to think Europeans can guarantee their security with current defense budgets. But expert warnings are being drowned out by seemingly more urgent topics.

Partly this is because neither climate change activists nor European defense experts have a positive vision to sell. Both groups are trying to preserve the status quo, one in which the planet remains livable and war does not spread further to claim more lives in Europe. At first glance, that should be an easy sell. But arguing for things to remain as they are is often not an attractive political message, especially if resisting change comes with a hefty price tag. Indeed, most politicians appear to think that they have little to gain talking about the risks from climate change or the security threats facing Europe.

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As a result, at a time when honesty on the part of political leaders regarding necessary but uncomfortable adjustments should be the order of the day, the messaging tends to be, Keep calm and carry on. On both climate change and defense, political parties in Europe are competing over who can most assure voters that they will not be inconvenienced. Even worse, those leaders and parties that are fighting climate change are portrayed as wanting to take away peoples steak dinners and holidays, while those warning voters about the need to spend more on defense to meet Europes security challenges are being denounced as warmongers. And both are seen with a distrustful eye, as if pointing out an existing problem is akin to making it materialize.

Finally, on both climate change and security challenges, magical thinking about solutions is rampant. On climate, many people seem to assume that before things get really bad, someone will find a technological solution. Regarding military threats, people seem to believe that if things go wrong and Europe does find itself in a shooting war with Russia, the continents depleted armed forces and assumed technological superiority will somehow save the day, or else that the U.S. will step in after all. But hoping for the best is not a strategy.

Admittedly, the situation when it comes to climate change is worse than that with regard to European defense. Climate scientists are worried about certainties. We know that the climate crisis is causing natural disasters and that things will get worse. Defense experts deal in possible or likely dangers, like war with Russia and decreased U.S. support for European defense under Trump and possibly beyond. Whereas climate scientists are up against physics, defense experts are up against human nature.

But on both the climate crisis and the security threat, by failing to prepare, our societies are preparing to fail. Many people prefer to shut out these inconvenient truths, and the nature of democratic politics allows them to do so. This, however, is exactly the opposite of what needs to be done. Instead, people need to prepare. And this preparation can not only help to address the problem, but also help improve communication about the problem.

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In fact, research on how to fight climate change can guide communication on security threats. It has been shown that informing citizens on the danger while simultaneously giving them guidance as to what they can personally do about it empowers people. And in helping to address their feelings of helplessness, that messaging contributes to the solution.

Of course, individual citizens cannot singlehandedly find a solution to Europes defense deficit, just like they cant stop climate change. But preparation at the individual level is more relevant with regard to security than many realize. If a military conflict occurs, a country whose citizens have stocked provisions and know where to go for information and help is in a considerably better position than a country whose citizens are unprepared. Realizing this, several Northern European countries have recently distributed leaflets to all households advising them on what to do in case of crisis or war. Though some have called it alarmist, to the contrary, it is prudent.

Conveniently, the many parallels between climate change and security threats extend to preparing citizens at the individual level, as many of the things one needs to do to prepare for a natural disaster are also applicable to preparing for a possible war.

After decades during which European politicians jobs mainly consisted of managing a stable status quo, a bolder form of political leadership is once again needed to protect that status quo from existential dangers. Europe needs to get it right on both the fight against climate change and on addressing its looming security challenges. Working with the people, rather than lulling them into a false sense of security, is an important part of the solution.

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Ulrike Franke is a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, based in Paris. She focuses on German and European security and defense, the future of warfare and the impact of new technologies such as drones and artificial intelligence. Her bi-weekly WPR column appears every other Wednesday.

The post When It Comes to Security, Europe Is Whistling Past the Graveyard appeared first on World Politics Review.
BOSTON (SHNS)  As a task force gears up to release recommendations to boost early education and child care affordability and access, family child care providers are seeking to build awareness of their operating model and funding challenges.

Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw, who predicted the report will be published in the next month, said Tuesday that findings will delve into the family child care sector and explore how resources across state government  including housing, workforce development and technology  can support providers.

Family child care is such a critical part of the infrastructure, Kershaw told the News Service after a briefing on Beacon Hill. Its a way to build economic development in a local community. Its an opportunity to support local businesses, and the agency itself has already been sort of creating new and tailored resources to family child care providers. And the task force is very interested in supporting family child care as small businesses, as entrepreneurs and as a way for other families to work.

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The Early Education and Child Care Task Force was created through a Gov. Maura Healey executive order last January. Kershaw called it a three-year undertaking that will continue to meet and offer recommendations.

Members are analyzing ways to bolster capacity, improve coordination across state agencies to support families in accessing care, expand workforce development efforts, and identify locations for care centers.

Home-based family child care businesses are embedded in neighborhoods and offer more accessible and culturally competent programming to small groups of children, said Melinda Weber, who leads family child care work at United Way of Massachusetts Bay.

Weber said educators face a bevy of challenges to opening their own businesses, including inadequate housing to host child care programs, lack of startup funding, technology knowledge gaps and unpredictable pay. Educators with unfilled slots can lose out on thousands of dollars, she said.

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She highlighted United Ways Shared Services initiative that has trained more than 2,000 providers and educators, and created 106 new businesses. Funded with public and private sources, the initiative offers licensing support, business training, and workshops on screening children for developmental delays.

As United Way looks to scale its approach, Weber and her colleagues broadly called on Healey and lawmakers to provide a dedicated funding stream to ensure family child care providers can access business training, technical assistance and retirement planning services.

Essentially, were chasing funding. There is no unified funding for these supports across the commonwealth, Weber told the News Service.

The task force report will help advocates and policymakers zero in on funding needs, said Christi Staples, senior vice president of policy and government relations at United Way.

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Were planting the seeds for future budgetary asks, said Staples, who acknowledged the funding appeal may not materialize this year due to the fiscal climate.

Beacon Hill has steered substantial new funding and policy incentives toward early education and child care in recent years. Revenues from the new income surtax on wealthier households have created a large new pool of money for investments across the education sector, but softening non-surtax revenues have created concerns.

Weber urged the state to maintain level funding for Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) grants  which received $475 million in the fiscal 2025 budget  in the upcoming budget cycle. Weber called the money a godsend, particularly in vulnerable communities where providers grapple with fluctuating enrollments.

Kershaw offered no budget promises Tuesday, but she did praise the Shared Services program at United Way.

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Youve done something really important for the rest of us, which is learn about what you did and help share those learnings, so that those of us who are in the field  whether its in philanthropy, or at the city level or at the state level, or economic development  can learn from what you have done and take those things to scale, Kershaw said at the briefing.

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EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Dr. Ashish Jha, the dean of Brown Universitys School of Public Health and former White House COVID-19 response coordinator, joined 12 News at 4 to talk about health care trends and predictions for 2025.

Injectable weight-loss drugs

Jha told 12 News anchor Kim Kalunian that he expects to see more Americans using GLP-1s  injectable drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy  to lose weight in 2025.

Theyre very, very safe  they help people have less heart disease, diabetes, lots of benefits, he said. In addition, insurance companies are starting to cover these treatments, which he says will bring costs down.

Opioid crisis

In an op-ed for The Boston Globe, Jha said that the opioid crisis is finally turning a corner, as the year-over-year number of opioid deaths in the United States has begun to decrease.

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He credited more available treatment for substance abuse disorder, as well as safe injection sites like the one in Providence, with helping turn the tide. He also touted a new, non-addictive pain medicine that could get approved by the FDA in the coming year.

MORE: RIs first safe injection site to open in the next few weeks as construction finishes

Treating incurable diseases

Jha expects to see more people turning to genetic cures to treat previously incurable genetic disorders, like sickle cell disease and hemophilia, in 2025.

People born with genetic disorders  have a lot of health problems and suffer, Jha said. Now we actually can go in and edit peoples genes.

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Its been science fiction for a long time, he continued, and its now becoming reality.

AI in medicine

According to Jha, doctors are harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, or AI, to help them with background tasks so they can focus on giving patients the best possible care.

Returning to private practice

Jha expects to see more doctors returning to private practice in 2025, citing a bipartisan push to change policies that forced many doctors to close their practices and join conglomerates.

I dont think thats the only way to deliver health care, but it is one important way, he explained.

Watch the full interview in the player above.

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DES MOINES, Iowa  Reacting to recent changes to state education policy, members of the Des Moines community addressed the Des Moines Public School Board at Tuesday nights meeting to advocate for Public School Strong.

Community members and former public school teachers spoke out against private school vouchers and spoke for providing financial resources so all students have the opportunity to succeed.

Norris cannot comment after Polk County placed him on administrative leave

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Fear and uncertainty around changes to federal funding levels have galvanized members of Citizens for Community Improvement. Theyre leading the Public School Strong movement and showed up to support the Des Moines School Board and the 30,000 students served by the district.

Were here to partner with the Board to win on this equitable and fully funded public education, Tim Glaza, a community organizer said. You know, here in Iowa, our public schools have been chronically underfunded for decades. And now with the new voucher program, Its really expanding across the state. Thats hundreds of millions of dollars that are being taken away from public schools and go into private schools.

Former DMPS teacher Cherie Mortice also spoke at the board meeting about the voucher program and what the community can do.

I just think its important that we really support our teachers and administrators, Mortice said. This is really difficult on them to, but I think that its really important that everyday people understand that they have an impact and they need to be talking to their legislatures and they need to be showing up and lobbying for our public schools because believe it or not, when you call, when you email, they keep track  and politicians on the Hill are counting votes everyday.

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Public School Strong is a national campaign aimed at ensuring all children have access to fully funded public education. To learn more about the campaign visit their website.

Metro News:

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Concern is growing over hospital care as a Friday strike looms at all eight Providence Hospitals in Oregon. Thousands of nurses are expected to walk out along with dozens of doctors, all members of the Oregon Nurses Association.

Unlike previous health care strikes, this is an open-ended strike with no planned limit on how long it will last.

Providence St. Vincent Hospital could be one of the most affected by the strike. Its already limiting admissions and its where the doctors will join in the strike.

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Some appointments may be moved and officials at Providence St. Vincent said they will have to cap the number of patients.

Those doctors are hospitalists  that is, they care for patients inside the hospital only. Their concerns, like the nurses, is there is not enough time with patients, there are too many work hours, not enough staff plus theres a need for better pay to help with recruiting and retention.

Microplastics are widespread in Oregon seafood, Portland State University finds

Finding temporary replacements for the physicians is more challenging than finding fill-ins for the nurses, Providence officials said.

Providence Medical Group Oregon Chief Executive Dr. Ben LeBlanc, January 7, 2025 (KOIN)

Asked what will happen at Providence St. Vincent when the strike begins, Providence Medical Group Oregon Chief Executive Dr. Ben LeBlanc said, The hospital will be open. The emergency department will be open. The waits may be longer. Well have to go on ambulance diversion for periods of time. But we will be open for care. And we will have hospitalists there to care for patients who are admitted.

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Hospitals will also look at deferring or rescheduling some procedures. As for the six Providence womens clinics with a focus on pregnant women, two clinics will remain open  one on the east side and one on the west side.

Another bargaining session between Providence and the womens clinic doctors and nurses is slated for Wednesday. An agreement is still possible, but as of now, the strike is set to begin at 6 a.m. Friday.

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The News

US House Republican leaders swatted down the prospect of voting on tariffs as part of their party-line tax plan, instead putting the ball in President-elect Donald Trumps court.

The tariff matter will largely be in the executive branch, Speaker Mike Johnson told Semafor, adding, I dont know how much of it would be codified or expected to be codified.

Trump imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum in 2018, but recently hes pledged to go much bigger, threatening broader tariffs against Canada, Mexico and, most recently, Denmark if it doesnt heed his interest in acquiring Greenland for the US.

Yet lawmakers who entertained the possibility of tariffs as a revenue-raiser for tax legislation also acknowledged the huge hurdles theyd face; even as taxes and tariffs run on separate tracks. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., said Congress would look at how tariffs might affect a budget reconciliation plan.
Jan. 8CONNEAUT  Wastewater superintendent Brian Bidwell presented road work plans for 2025 to council at a meeting Monday.

Bidwell presented possible chip seal projects for the the southern side of the city, saying work on country roads, like South Ridge Road, may cost more in later years.

"As soon as we can get a list together, then we can start working on it, figuring out the limits, fine-tune [it], and decide where we are at," he said.

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Bidwell said the city can use some dredged material for road projects, reducing costs.

The city could also market its dredged material for nearby communities' roadwork, Bidwell said.

Harbor Street is not a contender for projects because the street's sewers need to be lined to solve overflow issues, Bidwell said.

"The sanitary and storm [sewer] are in close proximity to each other, less then two feet from each other," he said. "[It's] all clay tile, turn of the century, some of the oldest sewers in town."

Bidwell said any project on Harbor Street needs to tackle the big picture.

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"It's not something simple where we do two or three blocks a year, and get the stuff," he said. "We need to do something more [similar] to what we did on Route 20."

Bidwell said a Harbor Street project should be discussed for 2026.

Conneaut City Manager Nick Sanford said Harbor Street was last paved in 2001.

"I remember that, because my father used to live on Harbor Street, across from Pizzi's at the time," he said.

Bidwell said the city has to fix minor road damage on South Ridge Road East caused from the Thanksgiving weekend snowstorm

"There's some spots as big as a desk or so toward the curbside, that we're going to have to address," he said.

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Bidwell said he thought the road handled the storm well, despite its recent chip and seal.

The city is setting up a process for buying body camera footage for council, after Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed a bill into law allowing it, Sanford said.

"It would align with what the law provides for  that would be my recommendation," he said.

The city will interview three engineering firms to find a company to become the official city engineer.

The three firms are Verdantis, 12 Point Consulting and MS.

Choosing one firm will not disqualify the other two from working with the city on future projects, Sanford said.

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"It'll be a transition for the city of Conneaut," he said. "Conneaut has been in a working relationship with what was CT Consultants since 1987."

Sanford said he'll recommend an ordinance to council to formalize requirements to connect to the city's water system.

"It was administrative procedure," he said. "This just codifies it."

Sanford said he will soon open bidding for a company to study the city's utility rates.

"I want to be sure that we're doing this right," he said.

Council approved Sanford to open bids in September 2024.

Council members decided to hear monthly department head reports at each work session through the year.

Council will codify 2024's city ordinances at a later council meeting.
Jan. 8 (UPI) -- A Connecticut Lottery player beat odds of less than one in one trillion to win two big prizes from scratch-off lottery tickets purchased from the same store within one week.

The Connecticut Lottery said the Salem resident won $200,000 from a Cash Royale scratch-off ticket purchased from the Citgo in Colchester on Dec. 31.

The player returned to the same store on Jan. 3 and bought a $1,000,000 Jumbo Cash ticket that earned a prize of $750,000.

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Iddo Ben-Ari, a mathematics professor at the University of Connecticut, said the player beat odds of more then one in one trillion.

"The chance of this happening to me or to you is completely unlikely but the chance of this happening to someone, anyone throughout history, is actually pretty high," Ben-Ari told CT Insider. "That's exactly what happened here, it's a rare thing, but it will keep happening again and again."
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)  When state officials created New Yorks new ethics commission in 2022, they billed it as an independent watchdog to replace an old ethics panel roundly criticized for doing too little to reign in public corruption and self-dealing.

One of the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government's early high-profile actions was to investigate former Gov. Andrew Cuomo over $5 million he had gotten for writing a book about the COVID-19 pandemic.

Years later, the commission is fighting for its own survival after Cuomos lawyers persuaded courts that the panel was given unconstitutional enforcement powers. A state lawyer seeking to reverse a lower court ruling argued before New York's top court Tuesday that the commissions more independent setup is both constitutionally proper and necessary for if to function properly.

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The commission has continued to operate as the court case continues. But Rachael Fauss of Reinvent Albany, who listened to arguments with other good-government advocates, said that a ruling against the commission could upend ethics enforcement in New York.

There would be no watchdog on the beat, she said. Weve had a history of ... corruption scandals in this state, and all the bodies have been ill-equipped to handle them. And if this one  this new body thats the most independent weve had yet  is thrown out, I think it raises a big question about what the Legislature could come up with.

The commission, known as COELIG, investigates potential ethics and lobbying violations by state officials, employees, lobbyists and their clients. Commission findings involving state lawmakers are referred to the Legislative Ethics Commission for enforcement.

It was created by Gov. Kathy Hochul and lawmakers in 2022 to replace the much-maligned Joint Commission on Public Ethics, or JCOPE. Members of that panel were appointed by the governor and legislative leaders, leading to widespread criticism that commission members had little appetite to hold those officials accountable.

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In contrast, COELIG nominations by state officials are reviewed by an independent review committee made up of law school deans. And the governor cannot unilaterally remove commission members.

Cuomo is fighting an attempt by the commission that could force him to forfeit $5 million he got for writing a book about his administrations efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. State officials claim Cuomo hadnt kept a promise not to use any state resources on the book. Cuomo denies those allegations.

A trial court judge ruled in 2023 that the law creating the commission made it too independent from the governor under terms of the state constitution. The judge reasoned that enforcing ethics laws is a power that belongs to the executive branch, yet the governor cannot control ethics commission members, force them to explain their actions or remove them for neglecting their duties.

A mid-level appeals court upheld the judges ruling in May.

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Cuomos attorney, Gregory Dubinsky, told top court judges that the law creating the current ethics panel imbues this commission with sweeping, mighty law enforcement powers that are quintessential executive powers.

But lawyers for the state say the commission's setup insulates it from the political branches it watches over.

We know what happens with an ethics commission when its not sufficiently independent. It is unable to do its job, it does not help protect the public trust in government, said the state's attorney, Dustin Brockner.

Brockner was peppered with sharp questions from judges who signaled doubts about the panel's constitutionality.

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Cuomo resigned in August 2021 after the attorney general released the results of an investigation that concluded the then-governor had sexually harassed at least 11 women. Cuomo has denied those allegations. He continues to make public appearances and to speak out on political issues, fueling speculation he might run for New York City mayor or some other office.

Cuomo's exit followed decades of scandals involving New York's elected officials.

Former Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned in 2008 after being caught up in a prostitution scandal. Ten years later, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman left office after four women he was romantically involved with or had romantic interactions with accused him of physical violence in accounts published by The New Yorker.

Also, past leaders of the state Senate and Assembly have been convicted on corruption charges.

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A decision from the top court is expected in the coming months.

The leaders of the ethics commission said in a prepared statement that they were optimistic that the court will rule in our favor, and confident that if the court, nonetheless, finds any shortcoming in the current statute, it will be quickly rectified by the governor and legislature. 
Donald Trump has reiterated ambitions to take back the Panama Canal, which was built by the US and returned to Panama decades ago.

Speaking at his inauguration, the president complained that American ships were being severely overcharged and not treated fairly by the Panama Canal Authority.

Mr Trump also told the audience in the Capitols rotunda, which included Chinas vice-president Han Zheng, that China is operating the Panama Canal and we didnt give it to China, we gave it to Panama and were taking it back.

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The president has deemed the shipping artery as critical to securing the flow of US trade, reducing exorbitant shipping fees and countering perceived Chinese influence in the area.

Yet the image in 2018 of a worker chiselling the Trump name off a tower in Panama City may also hold a more personal explanation for renewed interest in the waterway.

Who controls the Panama Canal?

The canal, which was built in Central America by the US more than a century ago, connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and is regarded as one of the worlds most important routes for maritime trade.

It allows around 14,000 ships a year to cut out the 7,000 nautical mile trip around Cape Horn in South America.

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The US operated the 51-mile waterway through Panama until, in the wake of anti-American riots, Jimmy Carter, then-president, signed a 1977 treaty to relinquish control of the canal by the end of the century.

Panama took full control of the canal in 1999, which it operates through the Panama Canal Authority (PCA).

Why does Trump want the Panama Canal?

In December, Mr Trump threatened to seize control of the canal, declaring the waterway as vital to Americas security and economic interests but it was being run in a very unfair and injudicious way.

He doubled down on those threats earlier this month, saying that he could not assure the world that he would not use military or economic force to acquire the canal.

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The comments sparked uproar in Panama, with Javier Martinez-Acha, the countrys foreign minister, responding: The sovereignty of our canal is not negotiable and is part of our history of struggle.

Panamas President Jose Raul Mulino, in response to Mr Trumps inauguration speech, said on X that the Panama Canal is and will continue to be Panamanian.

The US is the Panama Canals biggest customer, responsible for around three-quarters of the traffic who move through the passage each year.

Mr Trump has voiced his disdain over what he called rip off transit fees US ships are charged for using the passage.

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Our navy and commerce have been treated in a very unfair and injudicious way, Mr Trump vented in December. The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama by the US.

Fees to use the Panama Canal have escalated in recent years - The Image Bank RF/Danny Lehman

This complete rip-off of our country will immediately stop.

Variable rates set by the PCA have soared in recent years amid prolonged droughts brought on by El Nino and climate change, forcing authorities to reduce the capacity to conserve water.

The number of ships crossing the canal each day fell from 36 to 22 in 2023, creating a backlog of ships queuing for weeks and driving up the prices through increasing competition.

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Dr Christopher Sabatini, senior fellow for Latin America at Chatham House, said shipping fees were likely at the forefront of Mr Trumps mind.

In his soul, he is a person who battles for improving the USs competitiveness overseas, he told The Telegraph, adding: He is hoping to put the other side on the backfoot and extract concessions in the US interest.

What is the Chinese threat?

Mr Trump has also claimed that the canal could fall into the wrong hands and last month falsely accused Panama of allowing Chinese soldiers to operate the shipping route.

Look, the Panama Canal is vital to our country. Its being operated by China. China! And we gave the Panama Canal to Panama, we didnt give it to China, he said. Theyve abused that gift.

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Panama has repeatedly denied Mr Trumps allegations that China has been given a role in running the canal or is given preferential rates to use it.

There are no Chinese soldiers in the canal, for the love of God, Jose Raul Mulino, Panamas president, said on Thursday. The world is free to visit the canal.

A Hong Kong-based firm, CK Hutchison Holdings, does manage two ports at the canals entrances, which some analysts have suggested raises competitive and security concerns for the US.

Ryan C Berg, director of the Americas programme at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, suggested this set up could be used by China to gather intelligence on maritime operations.

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China exercises, or could exercise, a certain element of control even absent some military conflagration, Mr. Berg told the New York Times. I think there is reason to be worried.

Mao Ning, a spokeswoman for the Chinese foreign ministry, said in December that China will as always respect Panamas sovereignty over the Panama Canal.

Panama cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 2017, becoming one of the first nations to recognise the island as part of China.

Is Trump evoking a patriotic response?

The president has also sought to harness sentiment over the lost territory to further stoke patriotism, taking an apparent leaf out of Ronald Reagans playbook.

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The former president, who originally popularised Mr Trumps guiding slogan Make America Great Again in 1980, previously stated that the American people were the canals rightful owners because we bought it; we paid for it; we built it.

Jimmy Carter and Omar Torrijos at the signing of the Panama Canal Treaty which has been in Donald Trumps cross hairs - HUM Images

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Mr Trump criticised the recently deceased Jimmy Carter earlier this month for handing over control of the canal when he was president, calling it a disgrace.

Jimmy Carter gave it to them for $1 and they were supposed to treat us well. I thought it was a terrible thing to do, Trump said on Tuesday at a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, in Florida.

Mr Trump went on to call the US border with Canada an artificially drawn line, promised to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America and reiterated interest in buying Greenland.

He likes to think of himself as a dealmaker, someone who is expanding the security perimeter of the US. He wants to play the role of a disruptor, breaking the norms and reasserting greatness, Dr Sabatini said.

What is Trumps personal history with Panama?

In 2011, Mr Trump opened up the Trump Ocean Club International Hotel and Tower, a 70-story, sail-shaped skyscraper that loomed over Panama City.

It was the Republicans first international hotel venture and was one of the tallest buildings in South America  yet it soon would become a nightmare.

The former Trump Tower Skyscraper in Panama City - diego_cervo/iStockphoto

In 2015, Trumps management team was accused of taking excessive bonuses and mismanagement. In 2017, a Reuters investigation alleged that the skyscraper had been exploited by organized crime groups for money laundering.

The same year, businessman Orestes Fintiklis purchased hundreds of units inside the building, becoming controlling owner and putting in motion the severing of Trumps name from the tower.

The Trump Organisation contested the acquisition, but a Panamanian court ruled in Mr Fintikliss favour.

As with all things Trump, it is personal. There is latent resentment toward Panama for siding with the owners over this dispute, Dr Sabatini said. The picture of them prying his name off the hotel has to sting for Trump.

The lines between foreign policy, business and ego are very porous.

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A Norwich man has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from an indictment charging him with having cocaine, narcotic pills and several handguns while being supervised by federal officials in connection with a previous drug conviction.

Javon Morse, 29, appeared Monday in federal court in Hartford where he pleaded not guilty to charges of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Connecticut.

If convicted, Morse could face a minimum of five years in prison or as many as 55 years behind bars, officials said.

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According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, Morse was previously sentenced to 60 months in prison and four years of supervised release during a hearing on Dec. 13, 2017, in Bridgeport federal court for trafficking cocaine. He was released from prison in January 2021.

On Oct. 14, 2024, while still on federal supervised release, federal officials said Morse was arrested by members of the Norwich Police Department and charged with being in possession of nearly a kilogram of cocaine, narcotic pills, items used to process and package narcotics, four handguns and loaded high-capacity magazines.

Federal authorities noted that convicted felons are barred from having firearms or ammunition.

According to officials, the indictment was returned against Morse in federal court in New Haven on Dec. 17, 2024. He remains in custody and could face additional penalties if he is found to have violated the conditions of his release, federal authorities said.
Cass Countys suicide rate has risen since last year.

During a County Commissioners meeting on Monday, Coroner George Franklin explained two people completed suicide in December, bringing the Countys total to 10 suicides in 2024. Thats up from six suicides in Cass County in 2023.

While the difference of four deaths might not sound like much, Franklin said, he pointed out they mark a more than 60% growth in the countys suicide rate.

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'Phenomenal starting point': "Indiana takes first steps to expand mental health treatment

Its been a long wait for mental health providers and advocates who have pushed the state of Indiana and its leaders to seriously invest in mental health and treatment.

I dont have the answers. I wish we could come up with an answer for this, Franklin said. Its hard to accept and its even harder to deal with.

During a later phone call with the Pharos-Tribune, he called the rising suicide rate unacceptable.

The coroner explained suicides and drug-related deaths are reviewed every month by the Coroners Office and the County Health Department. The two departments also work with a slew of organizations to brainstorm ways to educate people about the danger of drug use, how they can prevent mental health-related deaths and to increase outreach efforts.

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We keep putting every effort we can into education on it, Franklin said at the Commissioners meeting. I dont have the answers.

During a County Commissioners meeting last month, Franklin reported three suicides were completed in November.

Eight years and I dont ever remember a month where we had three [suicide deaths] in one month, he said during the Dec. 2 meeting.

The State Senate passed a handful of mental health-related bills in 2023, its last budget session, including Senate Enrolled Act 1 that allocated $100 million to expand access to Indianas mental health resources over the course of two years. The bill received bipartisan support and essentially expanded on Indianas 988 crisis hotline while creating crisis teams and crisis stabilization units across the state.

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The mental health-related bills were celebrated by Gov. Eric Holcomb, who referred to them as a sea of change for the state.

Although SEA 1 brought noticeable funding to the states ability to address mental health issues, the $100 million total was lower than the $200 million over two years that State Sen. Michael Crider, R-Greenfield and author of SEA 1, originally sought to allocate.

Its also lower than the roughly $260 million over two years the Indiana Family and Social Sevices Administration estimated would take to fund a truly statewide crisis system.

The FSSA predicted the $100 million over two years would cover roughly half the state. Its aiming for statewide coverage by 2027.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A Shelby County Department of Corrections officer was injured Tuesday night after a shooting in the Soulsville area, authorities confirmed on Wednesday.

Officers say they were called to Methodist University around 6:40 p.m. regarding a female victim suffering from a gunshot wound arriving in non-critical condition.

She was identified as a SCDC corrections officer.

After further investigation, police say the shooting took place in the 1100 block of Saxon Avenue.

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This is still an ongoing investigation.

If you have any information that could help police, call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.

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(WJET/WFXP) LECOM Health Corry Memorial Hospital recently received recognition at the 2024 Performance Leadership Awards for their efforts in patient care.

Corry Memorial was awarded the 2024 Performance Leadership Award for excellence in Patient Perspective for rural hospitals with their score being above the 75th percentile.

Penn State Behrend gifted $2M to support disability-related services

Caring for our patients is chief among our priorities, so I am overwhelmed with pride for our staff at Corry Memorial Hospital in helping us achieve this distinct honor, said Dan Grolemund, Administrator at Corry Memorial Hospital. Our hospital is one of only three Pennsylvania rural hospitals recognized for Patient Perspective, and one of 16 Pennsylvania rural hospitals recognized in the three different categories. Its an honor to be recognized nationally for this accomplishment.

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Results for the awards were based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX which tracks how rural hospitals perform.

Former Erie bishop to officiate President Carters funeral

The Performance Leadership Awards capture the commitment, diligence, and innovation with which Americas rural hospitals approach the delivery of care within their communities, said Troy Brown, Network Consultant, The Chartis Center for Rural Health. Its a tremendous honor to be able to recognize the efforts of this years award winners and celebrate their achievement.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
Cosco Shipping has been designated as a Chinese military company by the Pentagon, in another sign of intensifying tension between China and the U.S.

The U.S. Department of Defense published its annual listing of companies linked to Chinas Peoples Liberation Army on Tuesday, adding state-owned Cosco and two of its subsidiaries to the Federal Register.

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Air cargo company China Cargo Airlines Co., Ltd., container manufacturer China International Marine Containers, two top shipbuilders China State Shipbuilding Corp. (CSSC) and China Shipbuilding Trading Co. (CSTC), offshore oil explorer China National Offshore Oil Corporation and tech giant Tencent were among 133 Chinese entities also labeled as military companies.

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Cosco transports military goods for the PLA, and CSSC is the builder of vessels of Chinas Navy. Reports have tied Cosco to participating in military drills to prepare for a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

With the blacklisting, U.S. military operations would not be able to ship cargo with Cosco.

Although it is not listed, Cosco-owned Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) would fall under this purview.

The blacklist does not carry specific penalties, so the shipping giant can still operate in the U.S. and stop at American ports. However, the designation discourages U.S. firms and other Western companies from doing business with the carrier and its subsidiaries.

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Whether that will be the case is highly doubtful, said Lars Jensen, CEO of container shipping consultancy Vespucci Maritime in a LinkedIn post, who noted they were similarly blacklisted in 2019-2020 without anyone noticing any difference in the market.

However, even without any direct penalties, the uncertainty of a returning Trump administration that has constantly touted tougher-on-China rhetoric and threatened to levy new tariffs on Chinese goods could sway how businesses want to work with Cosco going ahead.

Tim Hinckley, a former chief commercial officer at fulfillment solution provider Radial who now heads up his own supply chain consultancy, Hinckley Associates, posted on LinkedIn that the Cosco blacklisting raises national security concerns and could lead U.S. companies to shift away from engaging with the shipping giant.



As ocean carrier contracting season begins, U.S. businesses may seek alternatives, driving volume toward competing carriers and potentially increasing freight rates, Hinckley said. This shift could result in higher supply chain costs, ultimately driving up prices for U.S. consumers.

Cosco is the fourth-largest ocean carrier in the world, according to Alphaliner, responsible for 10.7 percent of all container movement worldwide, with more than 3.3 million total 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of capacity.

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According to data from S&P Global Market Intelligences Port Import/Export Reporting Service (PIERS), Cosco moved 39.68 million TEUs to and from the U.S. in 2024, with the majority of cargo originating from China, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia.

Data from Veson Nauticals VesselsValue platform indicates that 153 ships beneficially owned by the Chinese shipping titans portfolio of companies have called in the U.S. in the last 12 months.

As of Dec. 1, 2024, Cosco and OOCL own and operate 534 container vessels, the company said.

The container shipping firm responded to the designation Tuesday by saying it and its subsidiaries have always adhered to local laws and regulations, and maintained strict compliance with regulations in all international operations.

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Alongside Cosco Shipping, its North American subsidiary and Hong Kong-based financial branch were tacked on the DoDs list. Cosco Shipping North America has joint venture container terminals at the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach and Seattle.

The above three companies are not Chinese military companies, and we will communicate with relevant U.S. parties to clarify the facts, Cosco said in a statement. The inclusion of the above three companies in the list does not mean that they have been included in any sanctions or export control list, and will not affect the business and global operations of Cosco Shipping Group.

The Trump administration first sanctioned the ocean carrier in 2019, after its tankers had been caught carrying Iranian crude oil. Those penalties were lifted in 2020.

Even ahead of President-elects Donald Trumps November election, the hawkishness against China had been building in Washington as national security concerns mounted over the overreliance on the countrys technologies at U.S. ports. Additionally, the maritime industry drew further attention to Chinas widening shipbuilding gap with the U.S.

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In March, five U.S. unions formed an alliance filing a trade complaint to challenge Chinas shipbuilding industry, which moved the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to probe the countrys maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors a month later.

While Chinese shipyards produce over 1,000 oceangoing vessels a year, the U.S. produces fewer than 10, according to data from Clarksons Research cited by the unions petition to the USTR. Chinese shipbuilders accounted for almost 60 percent of the worldwide orderbook in the first quarter of last year, according to shipbroker BRS.

Four U.S. lawmakers introduced bipartisan legislation last month to bolster the U.S. shipbuilding industry, reduce reliance on foreign vessels and ultimately place more China-to-U.S. cargo on American vessels.

If the bill is passed in Congress, it would require that within 15 years, 10 percent of all cargo imported into the U.S. from China must be imported on U.S.-flagged vessels that are also and built in the U.S. and staffed by American crews.
President-elect Donald Trump is once again touting his plans to buy Greenland, the Danish territory in the Arctic.

Trump escalated rhetoric around the island during a press conference Tuesday, refusing to rule out the use of military force to get ahold of it if needed.

The island, with 56,000 inhabitants, is an autonomous territory of Denmark, and both the Danish government and local authorities have repeatedly said that the island is not for sale. Denmark ruled over it for more than 200 years and retains some control over its defense and foreign policy.

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People dont even know if Denmark has any legal right to it, Trump claimed. But if they do, they should give it up because we need it for national security.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries questioned Trumps obsession with the territory on Wednesday - and it is something that has captured the president-elects imagination for many years.

The idea of buying Greenland initially came to Trump from cosmetics billionaire Ronald Lauder, according to the 2022 book The Divider: Trump in the White House, 2017-2021 by Peter Baker of The New York Times and Susan Glasser of The New Yorker. Trump and Lauder have known each other since their college days.

The notion was subject to months of internal study and debate, much to the bemusement of cabinet secretaries and aides to the president.

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A friend of mine, a really, really experienced businessman, thinks we can get Greenland, Trump told his National Security adviser, according to the book. What do you think?

Ronald Lauder, the Estee Lauder heir, reportedly planted the seed in Trumps mind about potential ownership of the autonomous territory. (Getty Images)

That prompted the creation of a team to look into the idea, and the creation of memo laying out the options, such as a lease proposal, much like a New York real estate agreement.

Following a meeting in the Oval Office, a member of the cabinet found the idea of acquiring Greenland delusional. There was fear among some aides that the idea leaking out would lead to a diplomatic incident, according to the Times.

The National Security Council staff worked on the issue for months, for Trump to subsequently claim it was his idea all along.

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I said, Why dont we have that? he told the authors. You take a look at a map. Im a real estate developer. I look at a corner, I say, Ive got to get that store for the building that Im building, etc. Its not that different.

I love maps. And I always said: Look at the size of this. Its massive. That should be part of the United States, he added at the time.

But in fact Lauder, the Estee Lauder heir, had spoken to Trump about the idea at the beginning of his presidency, even offering himself as a back channel to the Danish government to negotiate, according to the book.

The national security adviser at the time, John Bolton, told his aide Fiona Hill to put together a team to look at possible ideas. They took part in secret discussions with the Danish ambassador and wrote up an options memo.

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Bolton was worried about the expanding influence of China in the Arctic and believed an increased American footprint on the island would be a good thing, but that buying the territory would not be possible.

But Trump remained undeterred.

Trump has had a long-standing interest in US-ownership of Greenland - and even floated the idea of trading Puerto Rico to the Danish government in exchange for it. (AP)

The then-president put forward the idea of taking federal funds from Puerto Rico to buy Greenland and on a separate occasion, suggested trading the U.S. territory for the Danish one.

The Wall Street Journal eventually reported on the interest in Greenland, and the Danish government rubbished the idea.

When it became public, they lost their political courage, Trump said in 2021, according to The Times, despite the fact that the Danes had never actually considered selling the territory.

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But Bolton thought the U.S. had lost the opportunity to get a better security deal, even as the U.S. would eventually reopen a consulate on the island.

If Trump had just kept his mouth shut, we could have found out. But it was just gone, just completely gone, he told others, according to the authors.

A Trump envoy in the shape of Donald Trump Jr. recently visited the island.

I am hearing that the people of Greenland are MAGA, Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday night. My son, Don Jr, and various representatives, will be traveling there to visit some of the most magnificent areas and sights. Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our Nation. We will protect it, and cherish it, from a very vicious outside World. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!

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On Tuesday morning, he shared a video of his plane landing in Nuuk, the capital.

Don Jr. and my Reps landing in Greenland. The reception has been great, he wrote. They, and the Free World, need safety, security, strength, and PEACE! This is a deal that must happen.
Jan. 7A new fire station on York Street has been on Muskogee Fire Department's need list for at least four years.

The station at 1634 N. York St. has structural issues, Fire Chief Jody Moore said. He said the cinder block is starting to crumble. There are major plumbing issues and no insulation.

"In summer it gets hot, winter it gets cold," Moore said in July.

A replacement for the station, plus renovations and equipment at other Muskogee fire stations are part of a proposed county-wide sales tax up for a vote Jan. 14. The proposition calls for a temporary sales tax of 0.849% of one cent to fund an array of public safety facilities, projects and services. Services would include emergency ambulance runs at no cost to Muskogee County residents.

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In addition to the York Street fire station, capital projects on the proposal include a public safety building complex, likely on Columbus Avenue, to house Muskogee County Emergency Management Services, Muskogee Police Department, Muskogee City and County Emergency Management, Muskogee County 911 call center and part of the Muskogee County Sheriff's Office.

Police and sheriff agencies would get new vehicles and equipment.

General counsel John Tyler Hammons said all the projects would cost about $60 million.

After initial projects are funded, within seven to 10 years, the sales tax would drop to a half-cent to keep funding the no-cost ambulance service, building maintenance and ongoing departmental vehicle and equipment needs, said Muskogee County EMS Executive Director Laurel Havens.

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Havens said the joint public safety complex could be 60,000 square feet, or smaller because there will be a lot of shared space among the departments. He said the building could cost $25 million.

The proposition calling for the sales tax election did not list the public safety complex. Instead, the proposition listed how much of the sales tax would go to each entity, including those sharing the public safety building, Havens said. Amounts of the sales tax going to entities sharing the building are partly based on how much space the department take up in the public safety facility.

According to the proposition, Muskogee Police would get about $17 million, including their portion of the complex, plus new vehicles, radios, tasers and other equipment. EMS would get $16 million including its portion of the complex, new vehicles and equipment.

Muskogee County Sheriff's Office would keep part of its staff at the courthouse and have a smaller share of the public safety complex. It is due to receive $3.1 million for its share, plus new radios and equipment.

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Muskogee County 911 center is to get $2.3 million.

Muskogee Fire Department, which has seven fire stations, would get $6 million to fund the new York Street station, plus renovations to Station 6 on Peak Boulevard and Station 7 on 40th Street. Sales tax money also would fund new trucks and equipment.

Muskogee's main fire station, 505 Columbus Ave, was built in the early 2000s. The city solicited qualifications for an architect for a new York Street station in 2021.

Havens said one reason Columbus Avenue is being considered for the public safety complex its four-lane railroad overpass. He said ambulances and other vehicles would have better access to other sides of town when there is a train.

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The current EMS main facility, 200 Callahan, is by the Callahan Street viaduct, causing ambulances to be tied up if there is a train, Havens said.

He said having the complex in Arrowhead Mall had been considered in early discussions, but ability to cross the viaduct posed a problem.

"The normal flow of traffic down Okmulgee east to west when a train is on the tracks is to turn right, go two blocks and then cross over the Callahan bridge," he said. "During this time, we cannot get ambulances across the tracks in a timely manner. This issue exists regardless of the direction of travel. If we relocate to the mall we will be forced to wait on bridge traffic again."

He said the cost of buying and refitting the mall would be more expensive than building a new facility on Columbus.

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Fort Gibson, Haskell and Warner would receive $4 million each for new joint police-fire-EMS facilities in their towns, plus new vehicles and equipment.

Money also will be allocated for new radios for county volunteer fire departments, Havens said.
LAHAINA, Hawaii (KHON2)  Maui County is encouraging residents to attend their Lahaina Community Meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 8 at the Lahaina Intermediate School cafeteria to discuss funding for recovery from the 2023 Maui wildfires.

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Congress appropriated a $1.6 billion Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery fund to aid in the process.

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Other topics include updates on debris clearing, sewer repairs and electricity restoration.

Maui nonprofit provides support for keiki processing traumatic effects of wildfires

These community meetings will be held twice a month starting in January, with one in-person meeting and one online meeting to discuss rebuilding Lahaina. Januarys online meeting will be on Jan. 22, with further information being posted online.

Various support agencies will also be available for residents at the meetings, such as County of Mauis Office of Recovery, Department of Environmental Management, Hawaiian Electric and more.

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Maui Mediation Services and disaster case managers will also be available in anticipation of the states eviction moratoriums expiration on Feb. 4.

The meeting will also be livestreamed on the County of Mauis Facebook page and on Channel 53.

Impacted residents and homeowners are encouraged to sign up for notifications and visit the Maui Recovers website for more information.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
PERKINS TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WJW)  Police detectives are asking for the publics help after a couple recently found an ATM machine stolen months ago from an Erie County business.

According to the Perkins Township Police Department, suspects backed up into Ascend Dispensary  Sandusky on Milan Road in June, crashed through the building and stole the ATM.

Investigators said the ATM, valued at roughly $2,500, contained an undisclosed amount of cash.

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Alexis Vega, woman killed in West Virginia Turnpike crash, was part of the fabric of Cleveland school

This past week, a couple called the Erie County Sheriffs Office after finding the ATM while walking their dogs in the 9600 block of state Route 13 of Milan Township.

The couple told investigators the machine, covered in leaves and debris, had been there for months.

Perkins Township police took to social media on Tuesday morning, asking for help identifying the suspect truck captured on security footage.

According to police, the truck appears to be a 2013 or older, single cab Silverado 2500 or 3500, with a split side open toolbox in the bed and black/grey rims.

Courtesy of Perkins Township Police Department

Local police warn of suspicious handwritten notes

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Investigators believe the truck could be in Erie County or in a surrounding county.

Anyone with information is asked to reach out to police at 419-366-0564. You can also send the department a direct message on Facebook.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  A man charged with kidnapping, raping and murdering a woman in 2020 is competent to stand trial.

Amir Beaudion Jr., now 24 years old, appeared at the Minnehaha County Courthouse Wednesday morning. Hes accused of kidnapping Pasqalina Badi as she was leaving the Sioux Falls Walmart where she worked. Authorities believe Beaudion raped and killed her and then left her body in the ditch along a Lincoln County highway.

Horror story for a child: Details from Joel Martens sentencing

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In October 2023, more than three years after the crime, a psychiatrist determined Beaudion was schizophrenic. She described his behavior as quote very psychotic and his thinking as disorganized. She said Beaudion told her the crimes he was charged with were not that serious, and he often talked about having spiritual enlightenment.

Since then, Beaudion has been receiving antipsychotic medication. A psychiatrist told the judge it wouldnt cure him of his mental illness but would lessen the severity. By last November, she says Beaudions behavior had improved significantly.

She told the judge Beaudion could identify his murder charge and a basic understanding of court proceedings. She said his religious beliefs had become more faith-based rather than delusional, and as long as Beaudion continued his medication, she believed he could stand trial.

Defense attorneys argued Beaudion still shows signs of cognitive processing deficits and questioned whether he will be able to assist with his defense.

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In the end, the judge decided Beaudion is capable of going on trial and the case can move forward, following years of delays.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Theres an update on the investigation into a Rapid City man accused of preying on vulnerable teenage girls.

According to federal court documents  unsealed Tuesday  55-year-old Reed Thompson has more victims than originally thought. KELOLAND News first told you about him in August.

Hartford chiropractor sentenced to 10 years in prison

Thats when authorities announced Thompson was accused used of of rape, sexual exploitation and other charges in Pennington County.

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At the time, investigators told KELOLAND News Thompson had given four 13-to-15 year old girls drugs so he could take advantage of them.

Authorities now believe Thompson had at least five victims, and hes now charged with federal sex trafficking.

The alleged crimes happened for more than a year  between January of 2023 and August of 2024.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
Seoul Western District Court on Tuesday night reissued a warrant to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol.

The Corruption Investigation Office chief, Oh Dong-woon, said during a parliament hearing that they would thoroughly prepare for the execution of arrest, as if it was the last chance.

The effort to detain Yoon came after a South Korean court issued an arrest and search warrant on Dec. 31 over his short-lived imposition of martial law, ABC News confirmed. Yoon has been suspended from his position since Dec. 14.

PHOTO: A general view shows the presidential residence of impeached South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul, South Korea, on Jan. 8, 2025. (Jung Yeon-je/AFP via Getty Images)

Yoon's attorney told reporters Wednesday that he is still at his residence and is greatly disappointed to hear rumors saying he had fled. Opposition lawmakers had spread those rumors, the attorney said.

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To prepare for another arrest attempt, the President's Secret Service heightened surveillance near the Presidential residence, adding more chains to the barbed wire fence and blocking vehicles.

Yoon's lawyer said he still strongly believes that the CIOs execution of the arrest warrant is illegitimate, as the CIO lacks the authority to investigate insurrection. He also pointed out that the Seoul Western District Court, which reissued the arrest warrant, has no jurisdiction. Nevertheless, he told reporters, the impeached president would stand trial if he were to be indicted.

Thousands had gathering on Sunday, a day before another arrest warrant for Yoon expired, near impeached the presidential residence

PHOTO: Security personnel conduct checks at the entrance gate inside the compound of the presidential residence of impeached South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol, as seen from a hill in Seoul on Jan. 8, 2025. (Jung Yeon-je/AFP via Getty Images)

Protesters from both sides -- one calling the warrant invalid or illegal and the other shouting for arrest -- have occupied the wide four-lane road in a normally quiet neighborhood, blocking all traffic, in freezing temperatures and snow.

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MORE: South Korean investigators abandon effort to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol

Yoon declared martial law in a televised speech on Dec. 3. The president said the measure was necessary due to the actions of the country's liberal opposition, the Democratic Party, which he accused of controlling parliament, sympathizing with North Korea and paralyzing the government.

PHOTO: A supporter of impeached South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol stands next to an extendable police barrier in front of a picture of Yoon displayed on a large monitor, during a rally near his residence in Seoul on Jan. 8, 2025. (Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images)

Animosity has been sky-high between the two sides, after over 100 investigators from the CIO anti-corruption agency and the police retreated from the residence after a tense standoff with the presidential security service.

Yoon's die-hard supporters have been camping on the street vowing to protect him from "pro-North Korean forces about to steal away the presidency." Anti-Yoon protesters who are backing of the opposition party claim that Yoon must be jailed for insurrection.

ABC News' Joohee Cho and Morgan Winsor contributed to this report.

Court reissues warrant for impeached South Korean president, who remains at residence originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
WASHINGTON  Federal regulators will attempt to close security gaps on the U.S. rail system for exports destined for Mexico and Canada through a new rulemaking by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The proposed rule, posted Wednesday, would require the electronic transmission of rail export cargo manifest data, including an initial filing 24 hours prior to departure and a final transmission of remaining data at least two hours prior to departure.

CBP does not presently require the pre-departure electronic submission of data for all exported cargo as it does for imported cargo. This can result in a threat to cargo and broader U.S. national security because CBP has no regulation prescribing any method or means of review for cargo being exported by rail, according to the agency.

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CBP is proposing this rule to reduce the data gaps existing under current regulations, and to address important cargo security concerns resulting from incomplete data  while providing efficiencies to the trade.

Boosting requirements for electronic export information (EEI) data in CPBs Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) system will allow the agency to review and examine cargo such that high risk shipments such as narcotics, weapons or ammunition, including any that may not be subject to EEI filing requirements  have a means of being discovered and withheld thereby enhancing the security of the United States, the agency stated.

According to the proposed rule, any rail cargo identified by CBP as requiring a review will be held until additional information related to the shipment is submitted. Rail carriers will be prohibited from moving cargo across the border that has a hold until the issues are resolved.

CBP is proposing penalties in the new rule of $5,000 to $100,000 per departure violation.

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Although there is the possibility for liquidated damages, compliance is CBPs goal and CBP aspires to work alongside rail carriers and other parties to ensure that trade members provide the proper data in a timely manner, so that CBP can properly review the data, conduct risk assessment of high-risk shipments, and enforce U.S. export laws and regulations on U.S. rail exports, CBP stated.

Rail carriers and others that provide data on their behalf, such as customs agents, could incur costs to meet the proposed rules requirements, CBP stated, including having someone available 24/7 to respond to issues that may arise from CBPs review of transmitted cargo data.

However, CBP anticipates that any additional staffing costs to participants would be negligible because they typically have someone working at all times for other business operations that can respond to CBP questions and issues.

FreightWaves has reached out to the Association of American Railroads for comment.

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Kim Calicott, chair of the transportation committee of the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, pointed out that the proposed rule will affect Non-Vessel-Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) shipments booked with an ocean carrier that are transported by rail across the U.S. border to load onto vessels for export at Canadian or Mexican seaports.

This [NPRM] provides NVOCCs with an important opportunity to review and assess the proposed requirements to ensure they are reasonable and workable for the described scenario, Calicott told FreightWaves in an email.

Calicott noted that the rulemaking will also provide insight for similar rulemakings expected from CBP affecting air and sea transport modes.

We anticipate submitting formal comments to CBP to ensure our members perspectives are represented, Calicott said.

Related articles:

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Click for more FreightWaves articles by John Gallagher.

The post CPB looks to close security gaps on rail exports to Canada, Mexico appeared first on FreightWaves.
Jan. 7Cooperative Response Center, Inc. (CRC) has announced its postsecondary education scholarship program for the 2025 school year, awarding up to $12,000 to high school seniors attending schools in the communities in which it works.

This is the 17th year CRC has offered a scholarship program for area students.

CRC will award up to eight $1,500 scholarships to seniors attending high schools, both public and private, in the following communities: Austin, Dunlap, Tennessee, Abilene, Texas, and Kirksville, Missouri. High school senior sons and daughters of regular full- and part-time CRC employees are also eligible.

The deadline to apply for one of CRC's $1,500 scholarships is Wednesday, April 9. For more information about CRC's scholarship program or to obtain a scholarship application, visit CRC's website at www.crc.coop and click on the Scholarships dropdown option on the Community tab. Contact Julie Schramek, corporate communications manager, at 507-437-2304 or info@crc.coop with any questions.
CLEVELAND (WJW)  Cleveland firefighters responded to a structure fire at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Wednesday afternoon.

According to Cleveland Fire, the fire broke out at the zoos RainForest exhibit, which has been under construction for extensive renovations since it temporarily closed in September.

Crews respond to fire at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's RainForest

Christopher Kuhar, executive director of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, confirmed that no staff or animals were injured.

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Teen drowns after falling into frozen pond in Wayne County

According to Cleveland Fire, workers using a torch to cut metal accidentally ignited vegetation on the exterior of the building, causing the fire to spread to the roofing.

The fire inflicted minimal damage to the buildings exterior, Kuhar said.

Zoo officials released the following statement:

The Cleveland Fire Department and Cleveland Metroparks Police are responding to a fire at the site of the former Rainforest, within the construction perimeter. More information will be released as it becomes available.

Geauga commissioners decide dog wardens fate

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A FOX 8 viewer shared video showing flames and smoke coming from the building.

As FOX 8 previously reported, crews have been remodeling the building that housed the RainForest to be integrated into the future Primate Forest.

Officials said the zoo is expected to open normally on Thursday.

FOX 8 crews arrived on the scene. Were working to gather more information on this developing story.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Felonies

The following people were booked into the Lee County-Tupelo Adult Jail in connection with felony charges ending Monday at 11 a.m.

Shalenta Manjit Singh, 37, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, embezzlement under contract, no insurance.

Cody D. Adams, 21, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Mississippi Department of Corrections, violation of probation.

Antonious Lamar Bradley, 27, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Verona Police Department, trafficking ecstasy, speeding, no insurance, driving with a suspended license.

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Daniel L. Duvall, 43, of Baldwyn, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, possession of a Schedule II drug, disorderly conduct.

Jacob H. Mitchell, 33, of Corinth, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, possession of a Schedule II drug, no seat belt.

Cassie M. White, 40, of Houston, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, possession of a Schedule II drug.

Christopher Quindale Young, 31, of Saltillo, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, possession of a Schedule II drug, open container, disobeying a police officer.

Lee County Sheriffs Office

The following reports were filed Monday and Tuesday by the Lee County Sheriffs Office.

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A County Road 1970, Guntown, man said around 2:30 a.m., he heard people talking and walking around the woods between his house and his uncles house to the north. He also heard a loud vehicle drive by and shut off, but he could not tell where it went. He did not know how many people were in the woods, but while on the phone with authorities, a maroon SUV pulled into his driveway. The vehicle quickly backed out and headed down County Road 1543. Deputies drove through the area but found neither the SUV nor possible suspects on foot. The man called back around 5 a.m., saying there were three males on his property. They were gone by the time deputies returned.

A Town and Country Homes employee went to check on a County Road 1253, Saltillo, manufactured housing unit the business owned. When he entered the residence, he heard the screen door slam/bump into the door frame. He noticed that both the fiberglass door and the striker plate were damaged. When he walked out back, he noticed the rear sliding door had been damaged by someone trying to force their way inside.

A Cove Lane, Tupelo, woman said a black pit bull was on the property acting aggressive and tearing up the trash. The deputy arrived and found the dog was friendly. It walked up, licked his hand and wagged its tail.

A County Road 1682, Tupelo, woman said there were two dogs on her property she wanted picked up. She said one dog is sick and the other has the mange. She said she has been feeding and caring for the dogs for a couple of months. The deputy explained that since she took in the dogs, they are considered hers, according to the law.

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A County Road 109, Shannon, woman said she has not seen her adult daughter since Dec. 26. She received a text from her daughter at 3 a.m. saying she was sick and checking into the hospital. She called the North Mississippi Medical Center and other area hospitals, but none said her daughter was there. She has received several texts from her daughter, but all are worded in a way her daughter would not use. She is worried, because her daughter is diabetic and does not have her medicines with her.

A man said he was working at his County Road 931, Tupelo, garage. A Black male came up and was asking about vehicles. He left and. Returned with another Black male and started arguing with the man about the price of a vehicle. The suspect said her was going to get a gun and come back. The suspects were not there when deputies arrived.

A County Road 1050, Tupelo, man was out picking up trash when a dog came up to him. He pulled his Smith & Wesson 9mm out and fired a shot into the ground to scare the dog. After the dog left, he reholstered his pistol and continued picking up trash. When he got home, he realized he no longer had his gun. He searched the roadside for days but never found the gun.

A County Road 1353, Mooreville, woman said around 10:30 a.m. her dogs started barking at an unknown man who appeared to be dancing in her backyard. The suspicious hoofer left before deputies arrived.

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A County Road 54, Shannon, man was asleep when he heard someone kick open the front door around 6 p.m. He got up and found two Black men wearing ski masks standing in the hallway. They were armed with assault-style rifles and demanded money. The man told them he kept his money outside. He walked to the front door and once outside, he took off running towards a neighbors house. He said the suspects fired at him more than a dozen times, hitting him once in the upper left arm. He waited across the street until the two men left. He then drove himself to the hospital.

A County Road 1970, Mantachie, man said he saw a flashlight shining in the woods behind his house around 2:30 a.m. Moments later, he saw two white males walking down the road.

A Baldwin woman saw two dogs tied up outside a County Road 2578 residence. The dogs were out in the rain with no shelter. She felt for them and wanted an office to do a welfare check on them.

Anyone with information on any of these reports is urged to call the Lee County Sheriff's Office at 841-9041, the Tupelo Police Department at 841-6491 or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi at (800) 773-TIPS or download the P3 Tip App and leave an anonymous tip that way.
The Critics Choice Awards, originally set for Sunday, Jan. 12 in Santa Monica, has been postponed to Jan. 26 amid devastating fires raging across the Los Angeles area.

This unfolding tragedy has already had a profound impact on our community. All our thoughts and prayers are with those battling the devastating fires and with all who have been affected, said CCA CEO Joey Berlin.

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The rescheduled event will remain at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, and will broadcast live on E! and around the world. It will also be available on Peacock the next day.

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The Critics Choice Awards is among many award-related events affected in the wake of the fires. Wednesday mornings SAG Awards nomination live announcement was also scrapped, with the nods unveiled instead via a press release. The annual starry AFI Awards luncheon on Jan. 10 is being rescheduled, while the annual BAFTA Tea Party, set for Jan. 11 at the Four Seasons Hotel at Beverly Hills, will no longer take place.

Dozens of other Hollywood events have been canceled this week, including premieres for The Last Showgirl, Wolf Man, Better Man, The Pitt and Unstoppable.

The fires, which started on Tuesday, broke out near the Pacific Palisades neighborhood on the westside of Los Angeles and have damaged homes and forced thousands to evacuate. Two more fires, the Eaton Fire near Pasadena and the Hurst Fire near the San Fernando Valley, spread later in the day, prompting California Gov. Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency.

Star Wars actor Mark Hamill and Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis are among those evacuating their homes amid the blaze, causing more than 30,000 people to flee the Pacific Palisades as well as parts of Malibu and Santa Monica.

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Actor Steve Guttenberg was helping direct vehicles to clear the way for emergency personnel, KTLA reported. Pacific Palisades honorary mayor Eugene Levy told the L.A. Times, The smoke looked pretty black and intense over Temescal Canyon. I couldnt see any flames but the smoke was very dark.

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CHICAGO  Beatrice Garcia credits the special education classroom assistants at Henderson Elementary in Englewood for helping her son speak.

He hasnt been verbal, said Garcia. But now that hes been with (the SECAs), he wants to interact with me, he wants to interact with his brother. And he was not showing any of these signs last year at all.

Having professionals at school she can trust is an immense help to Garcia, a single mother with two sons under the age of 10. Her youngest, JoAngel Tapia, 7, was diagnosed with autism when he was 2.

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But Garcia worries special education funding challenges at Chicago Public Schools may jeopardize JoAngels ability to have an assistant who can support him.

After hundreds of teacher assistants were laid off at the beginning of last year, CTU ramped up proposals in its ongoing contract talks to consider hiring them to support students with disabilities.

Special education classroom assistants  a different type of CPS aide represented by a different union  expressed concerns about what hiring teacher assistants for their role would do to the quality of care provided to students with complex needs.

In early December, Service Employees International Union Local 73, the union that represents special education classroom assistants, threatened a lawsuit over the dispute, which it said would take work from SEIU members. According to recent data from CPS, there are currently fewer than 1,000 teacher assistants and about 7,000 special education classroom assistants.

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While the conflict has big financial implications for total dues payment amounts in both unions, parents, students and special education teacher assistants say they are stuck in the crosshairs.

The two roles are similar but there are differences in the job descriptions.

Special education classroom assistants help students with visual and hearing impairments, learning disabilities and behavior disorders. They provide one-on-one tutoring and personal hygiene and feeding services. They support students who communicate using specialized devices and are trained on how to operate mechanized page-turners.

Teacher assistants, in contrast, monitor hallways and review student identification cards. They help students understand and complete assignments. They provide tutoring under the supervision of the classroom teacher.

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We are not your recess monitors, your lunch attendants. Were not there to make your photocopies, said Cara Paliza, a special education assistant at Murphy Elementary School in Irving Park. We are there for the students. Were on the ground with them constantly.

Having (CTU) try to make us into the same kind of role, even though we have different contract language, will, in this school setting, create some conflict, she said.

A shortage of aides

Henderson Elementarys individualized education program for 7-year-old JoAngel has worked, said his mother Garcia. (An IEP outlines the special education services and support a child needs to succeed in school.)

Being able to drop off her son and know hes in good hands with his special education classroom assistant has, in many ways, saved their family. But with funding for his program running out, she now faces a wall of uncertainty.

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She doesnt know where the district might place JoAngel or how the teacher aides would assist him in a different school. She said thinking of him in a setting without the same one-on-one support makes her heart feel like its in her throat.

Im not sure what is going to be the next step, she said. Theres a shortage of aides  its not just my child. Its the other children in JoAngels classroom too.

An aide who understands a childs nuances is even more important at a school in a neighborhood such as Englewood, said Jeannine Carrasquillo, a special education teacher assistant at JoAngels elementary school. Carasquillo has been a special education aide for two decades.

Before her job at Henderson, Carasquillo worked at Southside Occupational Academy, a transitional center near JoAngels school that helps students with disabilities prepare for life beyond school. Shes in touch with several students from that time, who now work jobs in cleaning or security. She said she feels a strong pull to stay in the community.

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I feel like the kids need me  they sometimes get beaten up at home. Whether its yelling or more, just how they live is different. Survival. These kids are surviving, she said.

Carasquillo can sometimes connect with her students or talk them down from a fit of anger or worry even more than their own parents.

Its because she spends so much time with them, she said. She notices their daily patterns, and every student has specific needs. Some are inseparable from their stuffed animals, others are always thirsty but cant drink out of a milk carton. Not having certain amenities like a straw or a blanket can throw off a students entire day.

Parents learn to lean on her too. They call for advice about medical insurance and how to talk to doctors. The job is a full-time commitment. It can be demanding.

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The biggest difference between her job and a TA role, according to Carrasquillo, is her ability to stay with the same group of students for multiple years. TAs in regular academic settings at her school get new kids every year.

Teacher assistants dont do half the stuff that we do, and they dont want to, Carrasquillo said. If (CTU members) move forward with their proposal theyre basically going to get a watered-down version of what we do.

Existing vacancies

CTU, however, argues both the teachers union and SEIU Local 73 members in different paraprofessional position titles have historically performed services for special education students. They say their proposal to consider hiring teacher assistants to support students with disabilities would put pressure on the district to rehire teacher assistants who have been laid off.

Chronic and persistent funding issues for special education within CPS have affected hundreds of families like Garcias and exacerbated the conflict between unions, said Daniel Maggin, professor of special education at the University of Illinois Chicago.

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Its a combination of factors. We are confronting a workforce shortage and we have historically not been able to fund special education adequately, Maggin said.

In June, CPS laid off over 230 teacher assistants, according to Matthew Luskin, CTUs chief of staff.

The layoffs are part of a trend, Luskin said. Over the past decade as the district has faced financial pressures, the number of teacher assistants has declined while the number of special education classroom assistants under SEIU Local 73 has gone up. Both positions are some of the lowest-paid in the district, usually with yearly salaries of less than $50,000.

Sandra Lockhart, for example, got an email in May informing her that she would soon have to leave her role as a teacher assistant at LaSalle Elementary in Old Town. She had been at LaSalle for over 20 years.

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It still to this day has not been clarified as to exactly why the position has been eliminated, Lockhart said.

She said a busload of teacher assistants who had all just been laid off went to Springfield to demand answers.

Lockhart called the community at LaSalle her work family. She loved going to different classes and getting to know her wide range of students. Shes attended their graduations and stayed in touch with their families. Some  especially her first students  still stick with her.

The very first student I ever worked with committed suicide, Lockhart said, through tears. But I kept in contact with his mom.

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That boy, named Christian, had a disability, Lockhart said. So did several of her first students.

As special education classroom assistants began to separate themselves from TAs, Lockhart said she works with fewer students who have disabilities. But that doesnt make her work less important, she said.

I believe special education classroom assistants are needed in schools. But I also believe that teacher assistants are needed, she said.

After getting laid off, Lockhart said she didnt want to work in special education under SEIU Local 73. So, she found a job at Beasley Academic Magnet School in Washington Park as a TA. She said she likes it, but its been an adjustment.

Lockharts experience speaks for hundreds of people who had been servicing students with disabilities for decades and were let go last year, said Jackson Potter, CTUs vice president.

Special education classroom assistants do have a greater level of versatility around hygienic services and other responsibilities. We readily acknowledge that, said Potter. They should do that work  but for every other student who doesnt require those services and theres a vacancy in the system, weve got to fill it.

In a statement, SEIU Local 73 said it supports the CTU in its attempt to expand teacher assistant positions, but clarified that doesnt mean it supports TAs performing special education classroom assistant work.

SEIU 73 is prepared to protect the integrity and dignity of special education classroom assistants work and enforce the contractual and legal guardrails put in place to protect and advocate for students with disabilities, said Stacia Scott, SEIU Local 73 executive vice president.

A commitment

The unions proposals do clarify that hygiene services require care from specialized education classroom assistants instead of TAs.

But special education assistants do more than hygiene services, said Christine Palmieri, a special education advocate with Matt Cohen and Associates and a former CPS parent who years ago fought for her autistic son to have a dedicated classroom assistant.

Its not as straightforward as (CTU) might be thinking it is, she said. CPS should restore the cut TA positions as both roles are important and needed  but they are very different. Only SECAs directly support students with disabilities and have the training to do so.

Special education classroom assistants have protections baked into their current contract with SEIU Local 73 that allow them to spend more minutes with students, according to Palmieri.

SEIU Local 73s contract also allows the parent of a child with disabilities to request their special education classroom assistant sit in for individualized education program meetings to be part of the planning process.

Tenisha Jackson, a special education assistant who works with severely medically fragile children, said ultimately, many teacher assistants dont know how to deal with students in crisis situations. Jackson works at Minnie Minoso Academy in the Bridgeport neighborhood.

Ive been in de-escalation classes. Ive helped kids in the middle of seizures. Its part of my job because I want it to be, Jackson said.

Jackson gives her kids space to cry or scream it out, whatever they need in the moment.

Most days, she said, theyre ecstatic to see her.

____
A driver was taken into custody after striking two state police cruisers during an escape attempt that led to a pursuit in Windham.

State troopers at 10:24 p.m. learned that a motorist had fled from officers with the Willimantic Police Department when they tried to pull a vehicle over, according to Connecticut State Police.

State police said troopers then located the driver at a gas station in Windham where they tried to box the vehicle in. The driver struck two cruisers and engaged police in pursuit, according to state police.

The driver was later stopped on Route 6 where they were taken into custody.

No injuries were reported.

The identity of the driver was not immediately released.
CHICAGO  The slow progress that both Chicago Public Schools and Chicago Teachers Union representatives have expressed in recent days toward a contract deal has apparently come to an end.

Ground to a halt. We are stalled, stopped, CTU Vice President Jackson Potter said Tuesday. Theres been a brick put on the negotiations in a serious way, and we are not seeing that kind of progress that we have seen previously.

The union has been working without a contract since July. The sides say theyre reached an agreement to offer homeless students housing help, hire more English learning teachers and expand the number of Sustainable Community Schools, but areas of disagreement remain. Among the teachers wants: guarantees the district wont layoff or furlough workers, more time during the school day to prepare lessons, and changes to how teachers are evaluated.

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Additionally, Potter said Tuesday that the district has fewer libraries and librarians in its schools than it did a year ago. He said CPS offer to restore those positions that were lost by the end of 2028 is unacceptable.

Its a record low, Potter said. Weve got a big hole to dig out of, and (CPS CEO) Pedro Martinez doesnt even want to get close to equity, to parity, and to growing that critical staff that will support our children.

Despite the districts statements to the contrary, union officials again said the district has enough money to pay for their proposals, citing tax increment finances and the districts own fund balance sheet.

CPS clearly spells out in its budget books and calls with bond rating agencies that is has the reserves needed for financial stability and maneuverability, but to the taxpayers, its employees and its school communities, the district says, We have no room to maneuver. We only have room to do cuts and furloughs,' said CTU research director Pavlyn Jankov.

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On Monday, union president Stacy Davis Gates stressed her teams desire to reach a deal with the district.

We have created the conditions for yes, we have narrowed our points of bargaining, we are happy to compromise when it makes sense and we have done so. We need a settlement, she said.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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In recent weeks, Mike Smith, owner of The Current Seafood Counter inside Henrys Depot in Sanford and its fast-casual sister in Orlandos College Park neighborhood, announced big news: hed taken the reins at two other Sanford staples, purchasing both The Sullivan Public House and its neighboring craft-cocktail haven, The Imperial.

But wait, Orlando. Theres more.

Just days after this bold move, a friend called Smith with an offer he couldnt refuse. Look for yet another version of his growing New England seafood brand  The Current Seafood Station  to open in the next couple of months in an all-new area of town: Orlandos Milk District neighborhood.

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Located in a gas station at 3025. E Colonial Drive at the corner of Maguire Boulevard, the spot will soon boast a cute patio out back along with plenty of pre-order and go options, a smaller menu that brings some of the Henrys Depot favorites (including that stellar blackened mahi sandwich) along with lots of fried-to-order goodies, to what Smith projects will be a whole, new audience.

But lets get the whole story first.

Both The Imperial Sanford and The Sullivan Public House, staple bars in The Bokey since 2012 and 2018, are a part of Smiths history.

He knows the quirky features of the circa-1910 building in which the neighboring watering holes are housed. He knows their nuances  the former a craft cocktail haven that business owner John Washburn built inside his beautiful imported furnishings store (and a second location for the still-kicking Imperial Orlando), the latter a tried-and-true Irish pub.

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I helped build both of them, Smith said.

And so, when Washburn told him that he was looking to get out of the bar business in Sanford, Smith just couldnt say no.

The iconic lobster roll is a shellfish pleasure  straight outta New England

It wasnt on my radar, he said. But the prospect of someone else buying them wasnt something I could imagine. So, we made a deal, and here we are.

Located at 116 E. 1st Street, The Sullivan  save what Smith says will be a bit of streamlining and updating  will remain as-is. The Imperial, however, will undergo a bit of rebranding, joining The Current Seafood family in a slightly different iteration: The Current Seafood Bar, a cold-food venue with a working raw bar as its central feature.

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Smith says hes always wanted to own an Irish pub.

Like many people, I often gravitate toward them, especially while traveling, he said. You just kind of know its going to be a place where you can talk to the bartender, learn more about the block or the building. Make a friend for an hour.

As for the bar next door, its quick morph to New England-style raw bar will begin shortly, a venue Smith says wont at all compete with its sister location at the popular Sanford food hall.

Oysters, clams, lobster tail, prawns, tartares, ceviches. he projects. Crab salad you can get in an avocado or on a bun. And the bar itself will be a working cold kitchen, right out in the open, where guests can see whats going on.

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A minimalist drink program, similar to that of The Currents College Park venue, will offset the pricing and offer value to the customer  a 180-degree pivot from the Imperial, he notes. $5 Narragansetts, a beer selection that spans from Maryland to Maine and $7 cocktails across the board.

Pretty much highballs from the 70s, he chuckles. Your Sea Breeze, your Bay Breeze, your Salty Dog, your Tequila Sunrise. All the things that are a 1-2-3 pour and a squirt with the Coke gun.

Plastic cups not only keep costs down for customers, but it keeps it simple, unpretentious, back to basics. And it does give you that coastal vibe. No ones ordering a Negroni at a sea shack.

And if you want one, you can just go next door to The Sullivan.

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The seafood bar idea, says Smith, already had him thinking outside of the box when the gas station property presented itself. It will be yet another step in the Current brands evolution.

In College Park, I was thinking Id do a full, sit-down restaurant but there is an argument for smaller things, he realized. The food hall location does really well with the low overhead, whereas in College Park, I do more in sales, but the profits arent the same.

The gas station location, he believes, will draw from nearby businesses like Target and L.A. Fitness, the families in both the Baldwin and Audubon Park neighborhoods, as well as from the fuel-driven pop-ins, wherein regulars can preorder food to pick up when they visit to hit the pump.

For those who want to dine in, a patio out back is planned to give it a cafe-like experience, sort of like walking into a little seafood speakeasy.

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Smith will let the guests dictate how things develop as The Current brand introduces itself to a whole new audience. Whether it persists as a place where folks stop or simply grab-and-go is up to them.

Well let it go a month or two and see how it develops, says Smith, whos shooting to have both new Current Seafood offerings open their doors in March.

Either way, Ive got a good feeling about it.

Find me on Facebook, TikTok, Twitter or Instagram @amydroo or on the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com, For more foodie fun, join the Lets Eat, Orlando Facebook group.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Police found a six-page manifesto on Matthew Livelsbergers phone and said he used ChatGPT to plan his New Years Day bombing at the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, Sheriff Kevin McMahill said at a news conference Tuesday.

Livelsberger, 37, shot himself in the head just before fireworks and other explosive material detonated in the back of a Tesla Cybertruck parked at the front entrance of the hotel. Livelsberger, a Green Beret in the U.S. Army Special Forces, was home on leave in Colorado Springs, Colorado, when he rented the Cybertruck and drove to Las Vegas.

The explosion was set off using racing fuel and birdshot, the ATF said Tuesday. The blast was not triggered by a detonator but by an unknown flame, which could include the gunshot Livelsberger used to kill himself.

WARNING: The following photos are graphic and may be disturbing. Discretion is advised. Surveillance footage shows Matthew Livelsberger, 37, pouring racing fuel onto explosive materials in the Cybertruck before detonating the truck at the front entrance of the Las Vegas Trump hotel on New Years Day. (LVMPD) LVMPD photo shows an initial flash happen moments before the large explosion at the front entrance of the Las Vegas Trump hotel on New Years Day. Police believe this was when Matthew Livelsberger, 37, shot himself. (LVMPD) Photos show recovered cart casings from the Cybertruck that Matthew Livelsberger, 37, detonated at the front entrance of the Las Vegas Trump hotel on New Years Day. (LVMPD) Before and after footage shows the Cybertruck was leaking fuel as it pulled into the entrance of the Trump International Hotel. (LVMPD)

Police suspect Livelsberger initially planned an attack at the Grand Canyon, potentially to launch off the glass skywalk there, but diverted to Las Vegas, police said based off more documents discovered on his phone. LVMPD Asst. Sheriff Dori Koren said police still do not know why he chose Trump Tower instead.

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During a news conference last week, FBI Special Agent In Charge Spencer Evans said Livelsberger didnt hold any animosity toward President-elect Donald Trump or Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

In the manifesto, police found a variance of grievances including political and social issues, such as criticisms of the current administration.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officials on Tuesday provided segments of a manifesto written by Matthew Livelsberger before the Cybertruck bombing at Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officials on Tuesday provided segments of a manifesto written by Matthew Livelsberger before the Cybertruck bombing at Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officials on Tuesday provided segments of a manifesto written by Matthew Livelsberger before the Cybertruck bombing at Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas.

Livelsberger wrote he had graphic encounters replaying in his head from the Army and that he only intended to harm himself. Asst. Sheriff Koren said this added to the evidence previously discussed that Livelsberger likely suffered from PTSD.

TIME TO WAKE UP! Tesla Cybertruck driver left messages before Las Vegas bombing

One person is dead and seven others are injured following the explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck at the main entrance to the Las Vegas Trump International Hotel Wednesday morning. (LVMPD) A photo of the Tesla Cybertruck involved in the explosion outside of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on Jan. 1, 2025. (LVMPD) A photo of the passport of Matthew Livelsberger, 37, found in the aftermath of the Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on Jan. 1, 2025. (LVMPD) A photo of a gun almost burnt beyond recognition found in the aftermath of the Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on Jan. 1, 2025. (LVMPD) A photo of a gun almost burnt beyond recognition found in the aftermath of the Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on Jan. 1, 2025. (LVMPD) Photo shows fireworks and other debris found inside the Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on Jan. 1, 2025. (LVMPD)

Police also said Livelsberger used ChatGPT to help plan out the attack. A few of the entries posted in the application included How much Tannerite is equivalent to 1 pound of TNT? and What pistol could set it off?

Metro provided screenshots show searches made by Matthew Livelsberger on ChatGPT before Cybertruck explosion. (LVMPD) Metro provided screenshots show searches made by Matthew Livelsberger on ChatGPT before Cybertruck explosion. (LVMPD) Metro provided screenshots show searches made by Matthew Livelsberger on ChatGPT before Cybertruck explosion. (LVMPD) Metro provided screenshots show searches made by Matthew Livelsberger on ChatGPT before Cybertruck explosion. (LVMPD)

Other questions asked to ChatGPT included where to buy fireworks and the location of the largest gun store in Denver.

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We are saddened by this incident and committed to seeing AI tools used responsibly, a spokesperson from OpenAI, who owns ChatGPT, said in a statement. Our models are designed to refuse harmful instructions and minimize harmful content. In this case, ChatGPT responded with information already publicly available on the internet and provided warnings against harmful or illegal activities. Were working with law enforcement to support their investigation.

This investigation is far from over, McMahill, adding there was still a laptop, another phone, and a smartwatch to go through data on.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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A West Coast-based real estate mogul and Elon Musk fan named Keith Wasserman triggered a tidal wave of schadenfreude on social media after begging for "private firefighters" to come "protect our home" in the city as it's menaced by raging wildfires.

Los Angeles has been battling with several out-of-control fires this week, prompting evacuations. Well over a thousand structures have burned down already, and fires are expected to grow due to growing winds.

In a Wednesday tweet, Wasserman begged for help, asking if anybody had "access to private firefighters to protect our home in Pacific Palisades."

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"Need to act fast here," he wrote. "All neighbors houses burning. Will pay any amount. Thank you."

But Wasserman didn't get much pity online. Instead, he was swiftly mocked for asking for special treatment while thousands of Californians had no choice but to leave their homes behind  especially because, netizens were quick to point, a mere three months ago, Wasserman begged president-elect Donald Trump to cut taxes.

"Homeboy went from 'Real estate ballers dont pay taxes' to 'will pay anything for private firefighters' real quick," one user wrote in a Threads post.

The ensuing media coverage appears to have been too much for Wasserman, who promptly deactivated his X account. That's despite praising X owner Elon Musk for purportedly bringing "free speech" to the platform just days earlier and calling the Tesla Cybertruck  which he appears to own himself  "one badass machine."

Wasserman's anti-tax posts got special attention, since one purpose of taxation is to pay for services and programs including fire departments. Specifically, residents in Los Angeles also pay a special tax for essential fire suppression and emergency medical services.

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"Avoiding taxes so you can afford private firefighters whilst your neighbors burn," another user tweeted. "Capitalist dystopia."

"'I will pay any amount for a private service that helps only me, but I will pay nothing for a public service that helps everyone,'" one Bluesky user wrote mockingly.

Other users poked fun at Wasserman for becoming the poster child of late-stage capitalism, the concept that the inequities of modern-day capitalism, including a widening wealth gap and concentration of power, have reached their final and most exploitative stage. (Meanwhile, ultra-rich preppers are building bunkers to save themselves from a crisis of their own making.)

All the mockery didn't go unnoticed.

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"So here are all the trolls!" Wasserman tweeted in response, before deactivating his account. "Hello trolls!"

Besides arguing that he was only "trying to protect homes," though, Wasserman didn't have much to add to the conversation.

A mere three days ago, long before the wildfires started engulfing the Los Angeles area, the real estate investor tweeted that "Pacific Palisades is the most hidden gem neighborhood in LA."

Now that the specific neighborhood is being evacuated while being surrounded by fierce flames, another user was quick to point out the irony of the situation.

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"This didnt age well," another user responded.

And even if he did manage to buy his way to private firefighting services, others pointed out, it's nearly impossible to entirely cut yourself off from common resources.

"Even if you *do* manage to find private firefighters, youre going to have to find a water source," posted another critic. "They all want to disappear on a lifeboat and leave the rest of us to drown or burn. But ultimately there is no durable lifeboat without 'the rest of us.'"

We were unable to reach Wasserman due to him suspending his account.

More on the fires: NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab Evacuated as Los Angeles Burns
The Czech Republic said on Wednesday that it is open to spending more on defence, as demanded by US President-elect Donald Trump.

"We are open to this debate," Prime Minister Petr Fiala said, emphasizing that money invested in defence was money well spent.

His comments come after Trump on Tuesday called for NATO allies to spend 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defence.

Fiala said, however, that a 3% target, which could be achieved in stages, would be more realistic.

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"Let's find the right target," he said, adding that he had always seen the previous 2% threshold as a minimum contribution.

Trump, who returns to the White House on January 20, has long been a critic of NATO, claiming that many European members are free-riders who do not pay their way and rely instead on US taxpayers.

According to NATO estimates last year, 23 members were expected to meet or exceed the 2% of GDP target in 2024.

The Czech Republic, a member of the Western military alliance since 1999, spent 166.8 billion Czech koruna ($6.9 billion) on defence in 2024.

According to preliminary calculations by the government in Prague, this corresponds to 2.09% of the country's GDP, marking the first time the country has achieved the 2% goal in almost 20 years.
DALTON, Mass. (WWLP)  A local family is starting the new year with hope and happiness as they settle into their brand-new home on Gulf Road, thanks to the efforts of Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity (CBHFH).

Oliver and Stephanie Santillan, along with their two young sons, are thrilled to leave behind the one-bedroom attic rental they had called home for years. Their new three-bedroom house, built with energy efficiency and comfort in mind, is a dream come true.

Thirty cats seek loving homes after being rescued from Massachusetts home

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We are a happy and united family, dreaming of raising our little ones in a loving

environment with great opportunities, said Oliver, a local tradesman. We dreamt of a place to call our own, where we can design, decorate, and have a yard for our children to play and grow.

Stephanie, a clinician, echoed her husbands sentiment, emphasizing the emotional and financial stability the home provides. For me, having the opportunity to purchase this home means emotional and financial stability, freedom, generating wealth for the future, being able to offer an inheritance to our children.

Checking out their new backyard to see if it is suitable for a game of tag (Courtesy of Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity) Trying out the little excavator pit at the local playground with Dad (Courtesy of Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity) Family play at the neighborhood playground (Courtesy of Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity)

The family first learned about Habitat for Humanity through friends and online research. Encouraged by the stories of others, they decided to visit CBHFHs office to learn more about the application process.

The Santillans journey to homeownership wasnt just about receiving a houseit was about giving back. As part of Habitats partnership model, the family contributed their time and energy at CBHFHs Pittsfield construction sites and the ReStore retail outlet. These partnership hours allowed them to see firsthand how Habitat homes are built, gain valuable skills for maintaining their own house, and support other families working toward their dreams.

Planning their new bedrooms (Courtesy of Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity) Checking out the new digs (Courtesy of Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity)

Fulfilling partnership hours is a vital part of the Habitat process, said CBHFH CEO Carolyn Valli. It gives the families a chance to see how the homes are built, learn how to maintain and repair their future home, and in the process, give back to other families who will soon be moving into their own first-time homes.

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The Santillans new home is located near vibrant parks and outdoor spaces, providing their children with room to play and grow. The boys quickly claimed their bedrooms during an early visit, eagerly planning where to place their beds and toy chests.

As new residents of Dalton, the Santillans look forward to becoming active members of their community, participating in neighborhood beautification projects and local events.

For those considering applying to Habitat for Humanity, the family offered words of encouragement: Dont hesitate to apply. Sometimes, were closer to achieving our dreams than we think. Habitat is a dedicated organization that will support you every step of the way.

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SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  Daniel Lurie was sworn-in as San Franciscos 46th mayor on Wednesday. In a lengthy inauguration speech, Lurie unveiled changes he will make to the city during his first 100 days in office.

Fentanyl crisis

Lurie, who is heir to the Levis Strauss fortune, said he decided to become mayor when his children asked about what they were seeing on our streets, and he couldnt answer them.

The mayor began his speech by diving into issues surrounding the citys No. 1 killer: drug overdoses. The San Francisco native said he had a heart-wrenching experience last month seeing babies inside San Francisco General Hospital suffering from fentanyl exposure.

Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie and his family walk during festivities of the Mayoral inauguration in San Francisco on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. (Photo by Gabrielle Lurie/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

Lurie said, Today marks the beginning of a new era of accountability and change at City Hall, one that  above all else  serves you the people of San Francisco. That begins now. I entered the Mayors race not as a politician, but as a dad who couldnt explain to my kids what they were seeing on our streets. That has never hit me as hard as it did last month at San Francisco General Hospital. After meeting an extraordinary team of nurses, doctors, social workers, and addiction specialists  we ended our tour in the NICU. There I stood in the quiet of a nursery surrounded by babies in critical condition. Some of them recovering from fentanyl exposure. It was a heartbreaking picture of our citys shortcomings in addressing the crisis on our streets.

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Live Updates: Mayor Luries first day in office

But as I listened to the nurses talk about their tiny patients, I began to hear the familiar sound of hope. The same hope that Ive heard on every street corner in every neighborhood across seven square miles. Make no mistake  hope is alive and well in San Francisco. The nurses assured me that with the right treatment and care, these babies are incredibly resilient. They get better. After seeing an Instagram post about my experience in the NICU, one mother commented, Three years ago that was my baby and me  I want everyone in San Francisco to know that recovery is possible, she said. And shes right. Recovery is possible, but it needs to be more than a possibility in San Francisco  it must be our mission, Lurie said.

San Francisco Police officers ask people who are sitting and sleeping on the street to get up and move their belongings as they sweep 6th Street Oct. 14, 2024. (Photo by Gabrielle Lurie /San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

We must act with an unapologetic focus on results and create solutions that last far beyond the tenure of this administration. Starting today, we are treating the fentanyl crisis as the emergency that it is. As we speak, the San Francisco Police Department and Sheriffs Department are

rapidly shifting resources and personnel to bring drug dealers to justice and clean up our streets.

Today, what has been a temporary effort to deal with the increasing drug markets, will

be a permanent fixture of this administration. The fentanyl crisis isnt a 9-5 operation  it doesnt take breaks  and neither will we. That is why Im introducing a package of Fentanyl State of Emergency Ordinances. And to our Supervisors  I want to thank you for your shared commitment to defeating the scourge of fentanyl and untreated mental illness on our streets, Lurie said.

When we stand united, we send a clear message to the city and the country that you do not come to San Francisco to deal drugs or do drugs on our streets. If you do  you will be held accountable, he said.

Homelessness and street safety

San Francisco has long been known for its values of tolerance and inclusion. But nothing about those values instructs us to allow nearly 8,000 people to experience homelessness in our city. Widespread drug dealing, public drug use, and constantly seeing people in crisis has robbed us of our sense of decency and security. Safety isnt just a statistic, its a feeling you hold when youre walking down the street. That insecurity is harming families and businesses in the Tenderloin, South of Market, the Mission and beyond. I refuse to believe that this is who we are. You voted for accountability and change  a clear mandate that my administration will work to fulfill every single day, Lurie said.

Daniel Lurie talks with outgoing mayor London Breed before his inauguration in San Francisco on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. (Photo by Gabrielle Lurie/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

Fiscal reality

Now, with the largest budget deficit in the history of our city, we can no longer hide from our fiscal reality. A problem of this magnitude requires us to make some painful decisions and rethink the way we operate. We need to stop spending more than we can afford. We need to prioritize essential services and make the investments that are critical to getting San Francisco up and running again. And when we come out the other side  and we will  we must ensure that every San Franciscan shares in our new prosperity. From this moment forward, there is a new structure in the Mayors office. One that allows for more accountability, and more opportunities for city departments to work together effectively to solve our most pressing problems. We are assembling a world class administration  a cross section of people from every sector and point of view. We will fight everyday for San Franciscos future, and a safer, more affordable city for all. We cannot continue to triage the crises we face. If were going to turn this city around, good intentions are not enough. Strong values are not enough, Lurie said.

City Hall (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)

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This is truly a new era of cooperation and mutual respect between City Hall, the Board of Supervisors, law enforcement, and the thousands of city employees working on the front lines  without you we cannot carry out this vision for change. Which is why you have my guarantee that there will be zero cuts to sworn officers, 911 operators, EMTs, firefighters, and nurses. Our first responders  they need to know we have their back. We will do everything in our power to fully restaff the police department, sheriffs department, and 911 response team, and incentivize them to stay, he said.

The mayor continued, We must also operate with the understanding that not every issue needs to be solved by someone with a badge and a gun. We currently have at least nine street teams operated by five different departments. Despite having made a vast investment of resources and personnel, no one  no one thinks the current structure is working. Our first step in streamlining our crisis response is to mandate that all departments coordinate to build and maintain a single public-facing Street Conditions Dashboard. You cant build strong solutions without good data. We will also be embedding behavioral health specialists in dedicated first responder units, Lurie said.

San Francisco Police Department officers remove tape at the scene of a shooting that left one high school student injured on August 21, 2024 in San Francisco. (Photo by Ethan Swope /Getty Images)

Go to jail, hospital, or Drop Off Center

Until now, the only options our first responders have had is to take those who are suffering from mental health issues or addiction to the hospital or jail. I am excited to announce that this spring, we will open the citys first 24/7 police-friendly Drop Off Center. This will create better pathways to treatment and give police the authority to hold those who refuse help accountable. As we move people off the streets and into recovery, we will also expand The Journey Home program, providing increased transportation and support for those ready to reunite with loved ones or access care outside of San Francisco. Another key to producing better outcomes on our streets is to focus our investments in high-performing nonprofit service providers. This will not only save us money, it will help the citys best nonprofits shine and better serve the needs of our most vulnerable San Franciscans. More accountability and effective distribution of our resources will clear the path for San Franciscos recovery, Lurie said.

Daniel Lurie is sworn in as Mayor in San Francisco on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. (Photo by Gabrielle Lurie/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

SF will look nice 365 days a year, not just when theres a conference

Making our streets safer and cleaner will super-charge the revitalization of our downtown corridor. Im excited to share that we will be launching the SFPD Hospitality Zone Task Force. This dedicated police unit will create a more welcoming and safe environment for workers, shoppers, and visitors in the Union Square, Market Street, and Moscone Center areas. And not just when theres a conference in town  365 days a year. We are building the foundation for a safe urban core that is thriving and inviting to all. My job is not to demand that the private sector be back in the office everyday. My job is to make you want to be downtown again  for work, with your family, and with your friends, Lurie said.

Dreamforce conference signage in San Francisco is seen on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. (Photographer: Marlena Sloss /Bloomberg via Getty Images)

San Franciscos comeback begins

Theres no denying it, there is no denying it  San Francisco is coming back. Theres a rising sense of pride and optimism in this city right now that cannot be stopped. With that momentum, we must proactively plan for the next housing and economic boom. Within our first 100 days, we will take bold action to enable more housing at all income levels  and help new businesses and buildings get their permits more quickly. To our small businesses, who I know have been suffering. The era of a new restaurant going through 40 inspections and receiving 50 different answers is over. Thats our promise to you. We can no longer wait for the right conditions to build, we must do our part to create those conditions. Better coordination between departments may not sound sexy, but its going to be a hallmark of this administration. Im talking about the kind of coordination that will keep one department from tearing up your street for maintenance, and another from doing it again two weeks later. We have allowed far too many people to lose faith in government. I know we can restore that faith, Lurie said.

(Photo by Justin Sullivan /Getty Images)

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As your mayor, Im going to take aim at the problems that need solving right here in San Francisco, because that is what you elected me to do. But I also know that many feel a great sense of fear and loss about the state of our country right now. I share those concerns. San Francisco has long been a historic beacon for human rights, and we cannot be complacent. Attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, hate crimes, and the vilification of immigrant communities are happening across the country  including right here at home. San Francisco must be a city where every individual feels safe, valued, and empowered. That means standing firm against discrimination and fighting for the dignity of all communities, no matter what comes our way. As your mayor, I will always tell you the truth  even when they are hard truths, Lurie said.

The challenges ahead of us are enormous. But, in the words of Harvey Milk, You have to give people hope. Hope for a better world, hope for a better tomorrow. I feel that hope. But that feeling on its own is not enough. It must be paired with the courage to act. Now is a time for action. This is where our comeback begins. There are green-shoots everywhere  but my standard for success is sky-high. It is the greatest honor of my life to serve as your mayor at this critical moment in our history. Im asking you to join me in reclaiming our place as the greatest city in the world  with a new era of accountability, service, and change, the new mayor said.

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SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  Daniel Lurie, nonprofit founder and heir to the Levis Strauss fortune, was sworn in as San Franciscos 46th mayor on Wednesday. KRON4 News is bringing special coverage of the inauguration on air and online beginning at 11 a.m.

The 47-year-old San Francisco native is the citys first mayor since 1911 to come into the position without ever holding public office before.

Through the process of a ranked choice voting system, Lurie defeated incumbent Mayor London Breed and other contenders in last Novembers election. Lurie said he knocked on more than 140,000 doors in the city and did 250 meet and greets during his campaign, which raised $16 million.

Inauguration ceremony for San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie (Photo: Stephanie Lin)

Luries campaign ran on a tough-on-crime platform, promising to tackle open air drug use and homelessness problems facing San Francisco. As mayor-elect, he did eight ride-alongs with police officers and made 10 visits to each police station in the city. Last week, Lurie announced a new chief of public safety position that will focus on neighborhood safety, street behavior, emergency preparedness and response, according to a spokesperson.

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After being sworn in at City Hall, Lurie is expected to attend an evening celebration at a banquet hall in Chinatown.

Watch or stream the San Francisco mayoral inauguration on KRON4 News and at kron4.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
When President-elect Donald Trump mused about buying Greenland from Denmark during his first administration, the Danish prime minister called the idea absurd and rebuffed him outright.

Now, Danish officials are being warned by Trump allies and advisers that he is serious, multiple Danish officials told CNN. And theyre carefully weighing how to respond without sparking a major rupture with a close ally and fellow NATO member.

The ecosystem supporting this idea is totally different now than it was in 2019, when Trump first proposed it, said one senior Danish official. This seems much more serious, said another senior Danish official.

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Trump said on Tuesday that we need Greenland for national security purposes.

People really dont even know if Denmark has any legal right to it, but if they do, they should give it up, because we need it for national security, he said at a news conference at Mar-a-Lago.

Asked about Trumps comments on Wednesday, outgoing Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the idea expressed about Greenland is obviously not a good one, but maybe more important, its obviously not going to happen, so we probably shouldnt waste a lot of time talking about it.

Danish officials say they dont necessarily agree  a frank conversation about Trumps remarks, rather than assuming he isnt serious, will likely be the only way to stave off a crisis, they told CNN.

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To that end, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen signaled on Wednesday that the country wants to discuss the issue more with the incoming Trump administration.

We are open to a dialogue with the Americans on how we can possibly cooperate even more closely than we do to ensure that the American ambitions are fulfilled, Rasmussen told reporters. The US has long worked closely with Denmark in the Arctic and in Greenland, where the US maintains its northernmost military base.

Trump also warned on Tuesday that Denmark could face steep tariffs if it does not give up control of Greenland and refused to rule out military action to take it by force.

Donald Trump Jr. poses for a photo in Greenland on January 7 in this photo posted to his X account . - from Donald Trump Jr/X

Also on Tuesday, Trumps eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., visited Greenland in a personal capacity  a trip that was closely watched by Danish officials but did not involve any official government meetings.

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In a sign of how involved he wants to be on this issue, Trump called in to a meeting Trump Jr. had with residents of Nuuk, Greenland, on Wednesday, and said the US and the world needs Greenland because it is so strategically located.

Trumps comments are already creating tension with US partners and allies. Greenlands prime minister, Mute Egede, signaled on Tuesday that the territory does not want to engage in the political back-and-forth between the US and Denmark.

Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland, he said. Our future and fight for independence is our business.

France and Germany also responded on Wednesday, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz saying, The principle of the inviolability of borders applies to every country no matter whether its a very small one or a very powerful one, and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said, There is obviously no question that the European Union would let other nations of the world attack its sovereign borders.

US officials eye Greenlands independence push

Greenland has long been seen as key to US national security interests, particularly to repel a possible Russian attack. But during Trumps first term, national security officials were particularly concerned about Chinas activities in the Arctic, which at that point were a relatively new threat, a former senior Trump adviser told CNN.

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Still, US and Danish officials say they dont understand the incoming presidents obsession with acquiring Greenland, which Trump has called an absolute necessity, particularly because the US already has a decades-old defense agreement with the territory that has allowed the US to build up a significant military presence  including troops and radar systems  on the worlds largest island.

But a defense official also acknowledged that there is concern about Greenlands drive towards independence from Denmark, a major US and NATO ally. If Greenland were to become independent, that could make the island more politically unstable  and more vulnerable to Russian and Chinese influence.

It is also debatable whether Greenland would still be a member of NATO if it declared independence, the official said.

Denmark is a stalwart NATO ally, and so long as Greenland remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark, as it is now, and part of NATO, then were not less secure in that situation, the official said. But the US-Greenland relationship becomes more ambiguous if Greenland decides to declare independence, the official said.

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It could be a good news story where it transitions into a stable sort of thing, or it could go the other way, the official said. And I think thats where a lot of this conversation is coming from. We recognize that theres some sort of transition happening amidst a geopolitical situation that we havent seen in quite some time. And people are asking questions.

Chinas military cooperation with Russia in the Arctic has only grown over the last five years. China and Russia regularly conduct joint air patrols there, and in October, Chinas Coast Guard claimed it entered waters of the Arctic Ocean for the first time with the Russians. The Pentagon warned in its Arctic strategy last July that the collaboration has the potential to alter the Arctics stability and threat picture.

Climate change is also melting ice and opening up new waterways in the Arctic, making it even more of a hotly contested area for shipping and the projection of military power.

Still, taking over the security administration of Greenland would be a heavy lift for the US and require new investments, US and Danish officials said. The Royal Danish Navy is currently responsible for patrolling the waters around Greenland and breaking up the ice around its coastline, a responsibility the US would likely have to take on with its aging icebreaker fleet. Denmark also helps to monitor vast areas of Greenland with dog sled patrols.

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The defense official said that at the very least, Trumps comments have added urgency to an already important discussion about the Arctics value to US national security interests.

It demonstrates that this place, Greenland, has tremendous geostrategic value to the world, he said.

CNNs Oren Liebermann and Haley Britzky contributed to this report.

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DARLINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  Two people were killed and four others were injured after a three-vehicle crash on Highway 52 Wednesday in Darlington County, the South Carolina Highway Patrol said.

The crash happened at 12:33 p.m. on Highway 52 near Horse Branch Trail, Lance Cpl. Lena Butler said. It happened about 2 miles north of Dovesville.

A 2013 Nissan Altima and a 2022 Toyota Camry were traveling south on Highway 52 while a 2017 Ford F-350 pickup truck was traveling north, according to Butler. The Nissan Altima then collided with the Toyota Camry. The Toyota Camry went left to center and was hit by the Ford F-350.

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One of the passengers in the Nissan Altima and all three passengers in the Ford F-350 were sent to a local hospital, Butler said. Both the driver and the passenger of the Toyota Camry died at the scene.

No information on the victims identities, nor the status of the four who were injured was immediately available. Count on News13 for updates.

* * *

Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
Jan. 8 (UPI) -- On this date in history:

In 1790, U.S. President George Washington gave the first State of the Union address.

In 1815, the forces of U.S. Gen. Andrew Jackson decisively defeated the British in the Battle of New Orleans, the closing engagement of the War of 1812.

In 1867, the U.S. Congress approved legislation that allowed black African Americans to vote in the District of Columbia.

In 1889, US patent #395,791 is issued to Herman Hollerith for his "Art of Compiling Statistics," a punched card calculator. In 1896, Hollerith founded The Tabulating Machine Company, one of four companies consolidated to form International Business Machines Corporation, or IBM.

On January 8, 2016, Mexican authorities captured Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, the Sinaloa drug cartel kingpin who led police on a months-long manhunt. File Photo by Jose Mendez/EPA

In 1918, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson delivered his Fourteen Points during a speech to a joint session of the U.S. Congress.

File Photo by Library of Congress/UPI

On January 8, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson, pictured giving his inaugural address in 1965, declared a "War on Poverty" in the United States during his first State of the Union address. UPI File Photo

In 1961, Algerians voted in favor of the French referendum on Algerian self-determination, part of French President Charles de Gaulle's peace proposals, sweeping aside opposition and delivering him the vote of confidence he had demanded.

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In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared a "War on Poverty" in the United States during his first State of the Union address.

Hugo Chavez, president of Venezuela, appears at the General Assembly at the United Nations on September 20, 2006 in New York. On January 8, 2007, Chavez announced he would nationalize the nation's telecommunications and electric power industries controlled by U.S. companies. File Photo by Monika Graff/UPI

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In 1978, Harvey Milk became the first openly gay elected official in California when he was sworn in to San Francisco's Board of Supervisors.

In 1987, Kay Orr was inaugurated in Lincoln, Neb., as the nation's first woman Republican governor.

In 1989, a British Midland Airways jet crashed near a major highway in Kegworth, England, after both engines caught fire and the pilot tried to make an emergency landing, killing 46 people.

In 1991, Pan American World Airways filed for bankruptcy. The company, founded in 1927, would cease operations 11 months later.

In 1992, President George H.W. Bush, during a state visit to Tokyo, vomited on the lap of Japanese Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa after coming down with the flu.

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In 1993, thousands of people gathered at Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion in Memphis to purchase the first issue of a stamp honoring the "King of Rock 'n' Roll" on what would have been his 58th birthday.

In 1997, a report by University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center scientists concluded that exposure to a combination of chemicals was linked to Gulf War Syndrome, responsible for the various ailments reported by veterans of the 1991 conflict.

In 2002, U.S. President George W. Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act into law.

File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

In 2007, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced he would nationalize the nation's telecommunications and electric power industries controlled by U.S. companies.

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In 2011, six people were killed and 13 others, including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., were injured when a gunman armed with a semiautomatic pistol opened fire at a political meeting in Tucson. The shooter, Jared Loughner, 22, was sentenced to life in prison.

In 2016, Mexican authorities captured Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, the Sinaloa drug cartel kingpin who led police on a months-long manhunt after escaping from prison.

In 2018, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced extreme weather events inflicted a record-setting financial toll on the United States in 2017, with hurricanes and wildfires causing a total of $306 billion in damage.

In 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the duke and duchess of Sussex, announced they were stepping back from their roles as senior members of the British royal family. The couple stopped official engagements in March 2020 and moved to North America.

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In 2021, Twitter permanently suspended President Donald Trump's personal account "due to the risk of further incitement of violence" after an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. After becoming the new CEO of the social media network now known as X, Elon Musk restored Trump's access in 2022.

In 2024, an explosion at a newly remodeled hotel in downtown Fort Worth, Texas, injured more than a dozen people.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  In an effort to combat violent events at Dayton Metro Librarys location in downtown Dayton, the organization has initiated a new policy.

As of Jan. 6, DMLs Main Library branch, located at 215 E. Third St. in Dayton, is having Quiet Space hours on weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m.

As part of the new policy, two or more people are prohibited from gathering in any part of the library. Those wanting to utilize group work study rooms or the green screen room must create a reservation ahead of time.

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Video games will not be available in teen areas, and food and beverages are not allowed.

On weekdays from 2 p.m. until close, the library will allow only 10 people each half hour. Exceptions include guests attending an event or program, checking out a book, using a service or picking up items on hold.

These changes will allow us to remain open and provide services to those who wish to use the Main Library appropriately and in compliance with our Code of Conduct, said Jeffrey Trzeciak, executive director at Dayton Metro Library.

Visitors will be asked to leave if found in violation of the new policy.

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Jan. 7A man who allegedly arranged the sale of cocaine to a pair of undercover agents of the state Division of Criminal Investigation in Whitefish in October 2023 is facing a drug distribution charge in Flathead County District Court.

Daniel Jesse Rosas, 63, is expected to appear before Judge Dan Wilson on Jan. 23 for his arraignment on one felony count of criminal distribution of dangerous drugs. He remains in the county jail with bail set at $75,000.

Prosecutors alleged in charging documents that Rosas set up drug deals with two members of the Northwest Drug Task Force in a Whitefish bar about 11:15 p.m., Oct. 31, 2023. One of the agents agreed to buy a gram of cocaine, which Rosas handed over, according to court documents. He then allegedly took payment for the drugs.

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With that transaction concluded, Rosas returned to the other undercover agent, collected about $120 and directed him to meet up in the bathroom of the bar, court documents said. Once inside, Rosas barred the door with his body while allegedly producing a baggie of white powder for the agent.

They later discussed potential future deals, according to court documents. Rosas allegedly promised the agent that he could secure larger quantities of cocaine and possibly arrange for better prices.

Authorities shipped the cocaine bought in the second deal to the Montana State Crime Lab for testing. It came back positive for cocaine, court documents said.

A warrant for Rosas' arrest was issued in March 2024. He was booked into the county jail Dec. 18.

If convicted, Rosas faces up to 25 years in prison and a fine of $50,000.

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or dperkins@dailyinterlake.com.
Officials at the U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute are reporting the death of an inmate following an assault that took place Monday night.

At about 7:30 p.m., an incarcerated individual was assaulted at the prison, the Bureau of Prisons said in a news release.

Responding employees initiated life-saving measures. Emergency medical services were requested while life-saving efforts continued.

Charles Lee Smoot, 54, an inmate, was subsequently pronounced dead by EMS personnel.

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A second individual was assessed and treated for minor injuries at the facility.

The FBI was notified.

No employees or other incarcerated individuals were injured and at no time was the public in danger, prison officials said.

Smoot was sentenced in the District of Columbia to an aggregate 96-month sentence for bank robbery and a supervised release violation.

He had been in custody at USP Terre Haute since Sept. 25 of last year.

USP Terre Haute is a high security facility.
After Donald Trump sued pollster J. Ann Selzer and The Des Moines Register under Iowa's Consumer Fraud Act last month, Robert Corn-Revere, chief counsel at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), called the president-elect's claims "absurd" and "a direct assault on the First Amendment." Acting on that assessment, FIRE this week announced that it will represent Selzer as she fights Trump's allegation that she defrauded consumers by conducting a preelection poll that erroneously gave Democratic nominee Kamala Harris a narrow lead in Iowa.

Trump's lawsuit, which was originally filed in the Iowa District Court for Polk County but has been transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, "violates long-standing constitutional principles" and is "entirely meritless under the Iowa law," FIRE says. The organization describes the case as "the very definition" of a "strategic lawsuit against public participation" (SLAPP). Such lawsuits, it explains, "are filed purely for the purpose of imposing punishing litigation costs on perceived opponents, not because they have any merit or stand any chance of success." FIRE says the case also exemplifies "a worrying trend of activists and officials using consumer fraud lawsuits to target political speech they don't like."

Selzer conducted a presidential poll for the Register that indicated Harris had a small lead over Trump in Iowa. According to that poll, which was released on the Saturday before the election, 47 percent of Iowa voters favored Harris, compared to 44 percent for Trump. Those results proved to be off by more than a little: Trump won Iowa by a 13-point margin.

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"Selzer's Iowa polls have long enjoyed 'gold standard' status, accurately predicting Donald Trump's victories in Iowa in 2016 and 2020," FIRE says. "But despite using the same methodology as her previous polls, Selzer's final 2024 poll, commissioned by the Register, was this cycle's outlier, predicting a narrow Harris victory."

Selzer "owned up to the margin between her poll and the eventual outcome of Trump comfortably winning Iowa," FIRE adds. "She acknowledged the 'biggest miss of my career' and did what good pollsters do: She explained her methodology and publicly shared the poll's crosstabs (results reported out by demographic and attitudinal subgroups), its questionnaire (with demographic information and weighted and unweighted responses), and her theories on the results, inviting others to offer theirs in turn."

Selzer's admission of error was not good enough for Trump. His lawsuit argues that publication of the poll's surprising results, which generated wide news coverage, amounted to "brazen election interference" that violated Iowa's Consumer Fraud Act.

Trump's use of that statute, like his claim that CBS violated the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act by editing a 60 Minutes interview with Harris to make her seem slightly more cogent, is plainly frivolous. Both laws are aimed at fraud that harms consumers by misleading them in connection with the sale of products or services. Yet neither lawsuit explains how the press coverage that offended Trump falls into that category.

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"Consumer fraud laws target sellers who make false statements to get you to buy something," FIRE notes. "They're about the scam artist who rolls back the odometer on a used car, not a newspaper poll or TV weather forecast that gets it wrong."

To make out a claim under Iowa's consumer fraud law, Trump "must identify a fraudulent or deceptive statement 'in connection with the advertisement, sale, or lease of consumer merchandise, or the solicitation of contributions for charitable purposes,'" FIRE says. "Selzer's poll did not advertise or solicit anything, much less [promote] 'consumer merchandise,' which Iowa law defines as that intended for 'personal, family, or household uses.'" Nor does conducting or publishing a poll constitute "election interference" under Iowa law, which includes "conduct like submitting a 'counterfeit official election ballot,' encouraging someone to vote when you know they legally cannot, or other forms of direct interference with the conduct of the election."

Trump's claim that voters misled by the Register poll count as defrauded consumers under Iowa's law is inconsistent with the First Amendment as well as the statutory text. "The notion that officials can recast the electorate as 'consumers' to punish political speech or news they don't like is squarely at odds with the First Amendment," FIRE says. "Yet it's a theory increasingly advanced by partisans on both the left and the right. From the left, there are calls to regulate 'misinformation' on social issues and, from the right, calls to impose 'accountability' on news media for their political commentary."

FIRE notes that "a progressive nonprofit tried to use a Washington state consumer protection law in an unsuccessful lawsuit against Fox News over its COVID-19 commentary," while "attorneys general on the right" have "used the same 'we're just punishing falsehoods' theory to target progressive outlets." Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, for example, is investigating the possibility that Media Matters for America violated his state's Deceptive Trade Practices Act by trying to steer advertisers away from X, which the organization criticized for allowing "content that touts Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party." Media Matters "cannot show that any of its underlying speech is protected by the First Amendment," Paxton argues, "since one can constitutionally be liable for statements that are 'likely to mislead or confuse consumers,' even if the statements are 'literally true.'"

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Even when a SLAPP seems doomed to fail on the merits, as with Trump's claims against Selzer and the Register, the process becomes the punishment for defendants because they must devote time and money to fending off the suit. That is why some states have enacted anti-SLAPP laws that require plaintiffs who file meritless lawsuits based on constitutionally protected speech to cover the defendants' legal expenses.

Since "Iowa is not among those states," FIRE says, it is "stepping in to represent Selzer and her polling company" pro bono against Trump's lawsuit. "Any attemptby Democrats, Republicans, or anyone elseto punish and chill reporting of unfavorable news is an affront to the First Amendment," FIRE says. "Hearing an opinion or prediction that turns out to be 'wrong' is the price of living in a free society. And no American should fear that their commentary on American elections should subject them to liability."

The post Decrying First Amendment Threat, FIRE Will Defend Pollster Whom Trump Sued for 'Consumer Fraud' appeared first on Reason.com.
Deerfield Beach officials said they want residents to take to the streets to see the city in a new way.

Residents can sign up for a walking tour of the downtown, which is being offered Friday and Saturday.

Residents can sign up online or call 954-250-4137. They are asked two key questions at sign-up: What is your favorite downtown that youve visited? And what made your favorite downtown great?

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Sometimes the information is what they dont say, said Kris Mory, the citys director of economic development. You dont have people saying I like downtown Chicago. Thats not surprising because if people are living here they are likely thinking about Key West or Delray.

She wants residents to participate in visualizing what a healthier and enjoyable downtown looks like.

The goal: Get a handle of what people want so they can come up with redevelopment suggestions and use the information as a tool to revitalize our downtown, Mory said.

She has a pledge for whatever project is ultimately proposed: Were not satisfied until we come up with an idea thats uniquely Deerfield Beach.

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The tour will be less than a mile and cover topics such as the aging City Hall building that is in poor shape, the importance of waterways, what makes good parks, and how to bring foot traffic into the downtown.

Its intended to be educational and information collecting, she said. The No. 1 goal is get people to understand all of the components of the downtown area, but to think bigger picture how all of the different components were touring come together for revitalized, active downtown.

Tours are at 11:45 a.m. Friday and at 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Saturday. Meet at City Hall, 150 NE Second Ave. in Deerfield Beach. Each tour will last about one hour and cover less than a mile.

Lisa J. Huriash can be reached at lhuriash@sunsentinel.com. Follow on X, formerly Twitter, @LisaHuriash
JOHNSTOWN, Pa.  A Philadelphia man charged with fatally stabbing an Adams Township man in November has been moved to Cambria County Prison to face his charges.

Dashane White-Ferguson, 25, was transferred from Lancaster County and committed to Cambria County Prison Friday on charges including homicide, online court records show.

White-Ferguson is accused of stabbing Barry Senior Jr., of Adams Township, and then leaving the scene in Seniors BMW.

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West Hills Regional police said Seniors body was found in flames early Nov. 6 along state Route 56 near the Cambria-Westmoreland county line.

White-Ferguson was taken into custody that same day near the BMW, which was left along the Pennsylvania Turnpike approximately 175 miles east of where Seniors body was found. Police said he was walking away from the vehicle and had Seniors American Express card in his possession.

White-Ferguson faces charges including criminal homicide, aggravated assault and abuse of a corpse related to Seniors death. He is being held without bond.

As of Monday, White-Ferguson did not have an attorney listed in online court records.

A preliminary hearing is tentatively set for Monday before District Judge Mary Ann Zanghi, but district court staff said it was too soon to tell whether the proceeding will be rescheduled.
A man charged with membership in Germany's Reich Citizens extremist movement has denied accusations that he was involved in a conspiracy to violently overthrow the government, according to a statement read in court on Wednesday.

The trial at the higher regional court in the south-western city of Stuttgart concerns the military wing of the group linked to Prince Heinrich XIII of Reuss, who prosecutors say was a key figure in an alleged coup plot.

"I'm a tradesman from the Black Forest," said the man accused of being a senior member of the military wing.

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The mere thought that people should have been executed made him shudder, the 42-year-old defendant said, according to a statement read out by his lawyer.

While he had been unhappy with the German legal system following the pandemic, his dissatisfaction hadn't been along those lines, the suspect said, referring to the coup plan allegations.

Prosecutors accuse the man of having joined the Reich Citizens group believed to have been led by Reuss, who continues to use the title of prince even though the monarchy was abolished over 100 years ago, by June 2022.

In the statement, the defendant denied having had any intention to enter public buildings to arrest or even kill members of the government.

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However, he did admit that he believed that an international secret society, a so-called alliance, would overthrow the government in Germany. He said that his work in the group had been focussed on plans for rebuilding structures after the coup.

The Reich Citizens, or Reichsburger in German, claim the historical German Reich of 1871 to 1945, with an emperor as head of state, is the country's legitimate form of government. As such, they do not recognize the current German government or its institutions.

The group was exposed following multiple raids in several German states and abroad in 2022.

In total some 26 suspects are alleged to have planned a violent overthrow of the German government, and according to the federal prosecutor's office, they accepted the risk of others dying in the attempt.

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The 73-year-old Reuss was to have acted as the head of a new form of government. He has denied being the ringleader of the coup plot.

Three separate trials linked to the allegations are currently under way in Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Munich.
WARREN, Ohio (WKBN)  Sentencing is set next month for a man convicted of a gun charge following an incident outside of a Warren bar in August.

TreVon Kelly, 19, pleaded guilty to an amended charge of attempted carrying a concealed weapon, a fifth-degree felony charge, according to court records. Kelly made the plea during a final pretrial in Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas on Tuesday.

The charge stems from an Aug. 10 incident at a bar in the 1600 block of North Park Ave.

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According to a police report, officers were called there for a report of shots fired outside of the bar, and a witness reported seeing two men run away after the shots were fired. Police searched the area where they reportedly ran and found Kelly and a juvenile. The report stated that officers found a loaded gun on Kelly.

Sentencing in the case has been set for Feb. 13. According to court records, the handgun and ammunition will be forfeited to the Warren Police Department.

Joe Gorman contributed to this report.

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 WKBN.com.
A Democratic-aligned watchdog group is accusing Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Trumps pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), of violating election law last year.

Accountable.US filed a complaint with the New York State Board of Elections, according to a press release, asking the Division of Election Law Enforcement to investigate whether Kennedy broke the law by registering for and voting in the 2024 general election from a New York residence at which he does not legally reside.

There is demonstrable evidence that Mr. Kennedy illegally voted from an address that is not his residence. We urge your office to immediately commence an investigation into this matter and to act swiftly to enforce any violations of New York law, wrote Caroline Ciccone, president of Accountable.US, in the complaint.

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The complaint cites public records that say Kennedy was registered to vote from a Katonah, N.Y., address despite an Albany County Supreme Court ruling last year, affirmed by the New York Third Judicial Department, that found he did not legitimately reside there.

As the defendant in this case, Mr. Kennedy was clearly aware of the verdicts holding that he was not a legal resident of this Katonah address. Despite this undisputable knowledge, Mr. Kennedy voted from the property anyway, the complaint reads.

Accountable.US Executive Director Tony Carrk said in a statement that Kennedys clear lack of judgment shows he should not be confirmed to the role of HHS Secretary.

But Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung blasted the complaint, which was first reported by Politico.

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This watchdog group is run by Obama/Biden/Kamala/Hillary staffers and Democrat donors. Completely partisan and politically-motivated, Cheung wrote on the social platform X.

Ciccone previously served as the groups executive director before spending two years in the Biden-Harris administration, according to the groups webpage. Carrk previously worked with the advocacy group Protect Our Care and worked as the research director for Hillary Clintons presidential campaign.

Democrat-turned-independent Kennedy endorsed Trump after ending his long-shot White House bid last summer and is now one of the president-elects Cabinet picks.

His nomination to lead HHS has been contentious as some sound alarms  citing his vaccine skepticism and other controversial opinions  that his leadership could hamper progress on public health.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Rep. Daniel Grossberg, D-Louisville, looks at his phone on the House floor, Jan. 8, 2024. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

FRANKFORT  Kentucky Democratic Party Chair Colmon Elridge blasted Republican leaders in the General Assembly for assigning embattled Democratic Rep. Daniel Grossberg to three House committees.

In a Wednesday statement, Elridge, who has previously called on Grossberg to resign, said Republicans were quick to remove their own members from committees for bucking leadership, referring to the temporary removal of several GOP House members from committees at the end of the 2023 legislative session. Elridge continued, saying that Republicans are now rewarding Daniel Grossberg, an individual with a disturbing, documented record of sexual assault and harassment.

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If Speaker David Osborne and Senate President Robert Stivers cared more for Daniel Grossbergs victims than they did for politics, they would join with House Democrats in stripping him from all committee assignments and demanding that he resign from office immediately, Eldrige said.

Lawmakers returned to Frankfort this week for the 2025 legislative session. Grossberg, who was removed from his interim committee assignments over the summer amid allegations of inappropriate behavior toward women, is a member of three House committees  Banking and Insurance, Small Business and Information Technology, and the newly formed committee on Primary and Secondary Education.

The House Democratic Caucus earlier this year permanently expelled Grossberg as a member. Top Democrats including Gov. Andy Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman have also called on Grossberg to resign.

When asked for comment after the House adjourned Wednesday afternoon, Grossberg referred the Lantern to a statement he shared with other reporters. He said he is committed to working tirelessly for my constituents. He represents the 30th House District, which includes central parts of Jefferson County.

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With my placement on three influential committees, I can hit the ground running for House District 30 as a fighter against predatory lending practices, as an advocate for quality public education and community safety, and as a problem solver to mitigate the housing shortage in our state, Grossberg said. I have been and continue to be that critical voice for my constituents, both in the committee rooms and on the House floor.

The Lexington Herald-Leader initially reported the allegations against Grossberg. Three women who work in politics were asked about inappropriate text messages sent by the representative to them in an Legislative Research Commission investigation. Later, a Louisville strip club said it banned Grossberg for life after he inappropriately touched a dancer.

On Tuesday, the first day of the session, the three women who shared the text messages  newly-elected Lexington Fayette Urban County Council member Emma Curtis, Kentucky Young Democrats President Allison Wiseman and former Democratic House candidate Sarah Ritter  released a joint statement renewing their call to Grossberg to resign.

When asked about Elridges criticism of the committee assignments, Osborne, the Republican House speaker from Prospect, said he did not think its appropriate for me to make any further comment on it given an ongoing ethics investigation.

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Osborne previously said in October that we have taken steps to, at the request of the minority (caucus) and their leadership, to make some changes.

Kentucky legislators are not subject to the typical impeachment process, but rather can be removed by a two-thirds vote of their chamber, under the state Constitution. Given that Democrats are a small minority in the House  20 seats to the Republicans 80  they would need GOP support to remove Grossberg from office.
Democrat JJ Singh has defeated Republican Ram Venkatachalam in the special election for the Virginia state Houses 26th District, according to Decision Desk HQ.

The seat was formerly held by Del. Kannan Srinivasan (D), who ran in the special election for the state Senates 32nd District.

Singhs win was widely expected given the blue lean of the district, which is located in Loudoun County, outside of Washington, D.C.

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However, there were some potential warning signs for Democrats coming out of the 2024 presidential election. While Vice President Harris handily won Loudoun County, she underperformed President Bidens margins in 2020.

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.

Democrats said going into the election they were not taking any chances. The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee announced last month it was investing $100,000 into Virginias legislative caucuses ahead of next months special elections.

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 The Hill.
Senator Dick Durbin, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, requested Tuesday that the Department of Justice scale back the presidents power to use the U.S. military domestically.

In a letter on behalf of the committee Democrats, Durbin urged Attorney General Merrick Garland to withdraw certain legal opinions by The Department of Justices Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) relating to the allocation of war powers and foreign relations powers between Congress and the president.

I request that the Department of Justice publicly release opinions and manuals pertaining to the domestic use of the U.S. military, Durbin wrote. For decades, OLC has issued guidance on the circumstances in which the President may deploy the military within the United States, as well as what servicemembers may do when so deployed.

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The American people have a right to know how the Executive Branch interprets the Presidents constitutional and statutory authority to use the military domestically, Durbin continued. The need for transparency regarding these legal interpretations is particularly urgent today given the risk of domestic military deployment to suppress protests or carry out mass deportations.

In a post on X, the committee Democrats alleged that there were five flawed opinions that had run afoul of Congresss critical check on presidential war powers that needed to be rescinded.

It seems that Durbin and Senate Democrats are hoping to rein in Trumps military powers ahead of his return to the White House later this month. Trump has previously claimed he will use the military to conduct sweeping raids as part of his mass deportation scheme. He has also threatened to turn the U.S. military against his political enemies and even foreign allies.
A view of the Colorado Capitol on Jan. 25, 2024. (Quentin Young/Colorado Newsline)

Denver policy director Matt Ball will replace outgoing Sen. Chris Hansen in the Colorado Senate, a vacancy committee of Denver Democrats decided Tuesday.

Ball won on the fifth round of voting with 61 votes. Democratic state Rep. Steve Woodrow also made it to that round of voting and received 37 votes.

Four other candidates  Chris Chiara, Iris Halpern, Monica VanBuskirk and Shaneis Malouff  were eliminated during earlier rounds of voting. Rep.-elect Sean Camacho, who was elected in November to represent House District 6, withdrew his candidacy after the third round.

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Ball will represent Denvers Senate District 31 during the legislative session that begins Wednesday. He will be up for election in 2026.

This is the honor of a lifetime for me. This is my home and this is my community. I moved back to Denver to get civically involved because I wanted to do something that made a difference in the community that I care about so much, Ball said after his victory. I promise I will be a state senator who listens, who is honest and who shows up.

Hansen announced in November, a week after he won reelection to his seat, that he would resign from the Senate in order to take a job as the CEO of the La Plata Electric Association in southwestern Colorado. When a lawmaker resigns or dies during their term, a committee of members from the lawmakers party choose a replacement.

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Ball currently works as Denver Mayor Mike Johnstons policy director and has done substantial work to stand up the citys Road to Recovery program, which aims to divert people with mental health and drug use problems into treatment rather than the criminal justice system.

He is an Army veteran who served in Afghanistan. His former interpreter, Qismat Amin, seconded Balls nomination during the vacancy election. Ball helped Amin obtain a visa to the United States in 2017, after Amin and his family faced threats from the Taliban.

Ball is the third lawmaker to be appointed to a legislative seat since last weekend. Republicans in Douglas County on Saturday tapped former University of Colorado Regent John Carson to replace Sen. Kevin Van Winkle in Senate District 30, according to Colorado Politics. On Monday, Arapahoe County Democrats appointed Rep. Iman Jodeh to Senate District 29 in Aurora to replace Sen. Janet Buckner.

Another vacancy committee will need to meet to replace Jodeh in the House.

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From left: Sens. Mark Warner, Elizabeth Warren, Charles Schumer, and Tammy Baldwin, leave after being voted into new positions in Democratic leadership in the U.S. Capitol, on Dec. 3, 2024. Credit - Tom WilliamsCQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

This article is part of The D.C. Brief, TIMEs politics newsletter. Sign up here to get stories like this sent to your inbox.

Since Election Day, Democrats have rightly been in something of a funk. They sauntered into November expecting Kamala Harris would hold the White House for the party, the House might tip their way, and they even dared to dream about keeping a majority in the Senate.

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Then, votes were counted.

Americans decided to send Donald Trump back to Washington for another four years. The House stayed red by the smallest of margins. And Republicans picked up a majority in the Senate, along with the gavels to run the day-to-day operations of that chamber and to staff the incoming Administrations Cabinet. Democrats billion-dollar cash spigot turned out to be insufficient given the moment and no oneno party elder, no vanguard up-and-comer, no donor with any devil-may-care confidencecould say how exactly the Democrats could burn off the fog that left them limping without a clear read of the landscape.

Next week, Democrats will get their first real, meaningful chance to chart a new way forward. The Senate is set to hold its first hearings on Trumps picks for top jobs in his Administration-in-Waiting.

Already, there are signs that Democrats will use those confirmation hearings to rough up some of the nominees on their qualifications and Trumps plans alike. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, gave the first tangible signal of a strategic opposition in a series of questions she sent this week to Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host who is Trumps pick to lead the Pentagon, and whose confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee is scheduled for Tuesday.

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Democrats say Warrens fact-based interrogation is a viable model for their approach to nominees like Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr, Trumps nominees to be Director of National Intelligence and the nations top health official, respectively. While Democrats dont expect to derail the incoming Cabinet en masse, they do have reasonable expectations that they could ding a few sufficiently enough that Trump rethinks if theyre worth defending. (That approach already cost Matt Gaetz his shot at becoming Attorney General as questions about his relationships with drugs, alcohol, and teenagers piled up.)

Trump had initially hoped that his Cabinet would be ready for his first day in office, a big splash that would show hes hitting the ground running. But as he prepared for Wednesdays meeting with his Senate allies down at his Florida club, his team had the unfortunate duty of telling him that his raft of picks was not going to be in place when the clock struck noon on Jan. 20. Trump was none too pleased, but Senate GOP staffers were ready with their own complaints: Trump dithered on submitting his nominees to the traditional FBI background checks for almost a month and most of his picks have not turned in all their paperwork. Most Republicans leading the committees that are considering the nominations are not eager to have hearings for nominees who have submitted only partial responses and just-trust-me assurances.

Some of Trumps loyalists in the Senate suggested during a private luncheon this week that maybe it was worth moving forward on nominees even before their paperwork had arrived. That could speed up the process for the likes of Gabbard, a former Democratic House member, and Pam Bondi, a former Florida Attorney General looking to take on the role at the national level. Similarly, former wrestling executive Linda McMahon is still pulling together her files but insists theyre almost ready for the Education Department nominee.

In fact, just a few of Trumps picks are primed to move into their new jobs on Day One: Sen. Marco Rubios dossier to become Secretary of State; Rep. Elise Stefanik for the U.N. Ambassador gig; and former Rep. John Ratcliffe to helm the CIA. Other than that, nominees are still missing pieces of the file or are waiting on dates to be confirmed for hearingsa headache for Trumps quest to have a turn-key Cabinet ready and an opportunity for Democrats to have more time to kick the tires.

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Which is why Democrats are looking at these hearings as a first test of how unified they can stand as a check against Trump and his governing trifecta of the White House, Senate, and House. Democrats on their own cannot really block the nominations if Republicans hold the lineand to this point that seems like a safe betbut they can, at the very least, start to chip away at the idea that the GOP has a mandate. While some of the nominees fall far afield from the normsHegseth, Gabbard, and RFK Jr. are the marquee names in that cohort, for surethe bulk will face only nominal opposition from Democrats. The question for them is a simple one: do they rough them all up, or do they reserve their outrage for the truly exceptional picks? So far, it seems like the latter as evidenced in Warrens first show. That strategic choice may feel hollow as MAGA-fied nominees for other positions go by with minimal friction, but it keeps the heat on the big names that may prove memorable for voters two years from now in the midterms.

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Write to Philip Elliott at philip.elliott@time.com.
When Joe Biden leaves office on January 20, hell retire from public life having notched one unequivocal foreign policy victory. Shortly after becoming president, Biden drastically scaled down Americas global drone war. For years, drone aircraft operated by both the U.S. armed forces and the CIA have carried out targeted strikes all across the constantly shifting global war on terror theater. Bidens policy was a sharp reversal from his predecessor, who expanded the drone war to its highest level, all while covering up details on the number of strikes and how many people were killed. And its all but guaranteed that Bidens biggest foreign policy success will be quickly undone when Trump regains power.

The fault lies with Congress. Washington lawmakers have shown little urgency in repealing the underlying laws and authorizations that have enabled and expanded the war on terror. Now theyre soon to be used by Trump, who has promised retribution at home and the continuation of unilateral military action abroad, with little to no transparency. Trump will take office fully aware of the challenges he faces and the leeway that inattentive Capitol Hill lawmakerscontent to either bask in the success of our foreign policy or, more often, serve as courtier-critics amid its failureshave granted the executive branch. Trump is stacking his Cabinet with the kind of true believers who will take advantage of the lack of legislative pushback and who will be more radical than those who served in his first term.

Despite the high stakes of war powers potentially reverting to MAGAs hands, and Bidens effort to scale back some of the wretched excesses of the war on terror era, Democrats spent the last four years doing little to rescind the power that the executive branch accrued since 9/11. Instead, they dutifully upheld a broken status quo in which two decades of American policy treated the post-9/11 security states legal structure as sacrosanct. They will come to regret their passivity.

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Since the 9/11 terror attacks, a growing tangle of legal authorizations and statutes has snowballed across four presidencies. With each administration that knot of war power has snatched up more tangential legal powers with its tentacles, giving subsequent presidents both extravagant power and the unquestioned acceptance that this bloat is necessary to the task of fighting terrorism. There are now 23 years of legal precedent from the war on terror that give Trump widespread authority for funding counterterrorism partners that engage in abuses and carrying out expanded strikes in regions in which the United States is not legally at war. The presidents outright unilateral power in deciding who ends up in Americas crosshairs has become institutionalized.

Any partial restriction or policy choice to rein in American military force abroad will last only as long as Trump decides, and the powers that justify it only grow more ingrained in the system. The means by which the president can wage unchecked and unaccountable war thus runs constantly in the background of American life, the exclusive power accorded to Congress by the Constitution to be the final arbiter of whom the U.S. fights abroad shucked off by those who are supposed to do the peoples will, and long forgotten.

The inciting document is the 2001 authorization for the use of military force, or AUMF. It notes that the President is authorized to use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons, in order to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States by such nations, organizations or persons. George W. Bush used the 2001 AUMF to approve the first airstrikes in Yemen and Somalia during his time in office. Beyond large invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, he abused those legal powers to carry out extraordinary renditions and torture, allowing American partners to carry out the violence.

Barack Obama, Bidens old boss, leaned into a global war with a smaller footprint. A harsh critic of the Iraq War, Obama embraced these post 9/11 war powers to wage covert military action and limited-deployment missions, sending special operations forces as well as both military and CIA drones around the world against perceived threats. The readings of the 2001 AUMF have become broader as the scope of the war on terror has expanded. In 2013, Obama argued the U.S. was at war with what he referred to as Al Qaeda and the Talibans associated forces as he sought to explain how the shadow war had spread around the planet.

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It wasnt just the scale of the war theater that grew. The legal structures that opened the door to this ramping up of the war on terror expanded in parallel. As Obama widened the drone war, the legal tools that facilitated it become ingrained in the system as well. It was Obamas national security team that set up the disposition matrix, better known as the kill list. This was a database of potential threats, with officials reviewing them and authorizing strikes on those deemed to be an imminent danger.

This methodology has been criticized both for its lack of due process and its inaccuracy, with numerous civilians killed as Americas joystick warriors waged battle all over the planet. Among them was 16-year-old Yemeni American teen Abdulrahman al-Awlaki, whose death brought brief scandal from limited quarters (al-Awlakis younger sister was later killed in a January 2017 raid in Yemen authorized by Trump). Another noteworthy incident was the 2015 drone strike that killed American development expert Warren Weinstein and Italian aid worker Giovanni Lo Porto, both of whom were being held hostage by Al Qaeda at the time of their deaths. None of these instances sparked much of a rethink of the way the president was conducting himself.

As the war on terror has ground on, there have been some moments of pushback against its stretched legal underpinnings. When Obama looked for legal authority in 2015 to fight ISIS, he sought, but failed to receive, the blessing of Congress for a new AUMF. This proved to be no impediment as the Obama administration simply continued to invoke the old authorization as the legal authority permitting it to wage war against the group, at all times being fully aware of the outdated nature of the 2001 authorization.

Obama also chose not to try to tighten or restrict rules around the drone war before Trumps first termthis despite the fact that he took the prospect of losing reelection to Mitt Romney seriously enough to dial them back. Trump took these powers and ran with them. Despite trying to sell himself as a peace candidate while also promising belligerence, Trump stepped up the drone war beyond even Obama. The number of civilian casualties increased considerably as Trump enjoyed the unchecked post-9/11 powers afforded to his office. In four years he authorized more airstrikes in Yemen and Somalia than Obama did in eight years. Trump also expanded ground operations, mainly in Africa, while working to make all of the American counterterror operations more opaque to the public and Congress. Trump enjoyed all of the powers afforded to the post-9/11 presidency during his first term and has shown no indication he would change his stance on the use of military force in his second.

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As for the outgoing Biden administration, while it did massively scale back the drone war, it obviously did not end it outright. In continuity with the previous two presidencies Biden has continued to deploy special operations forces globally to go after ISIS and other associated forces. The threadbare legal underpinnings for these operations remains in effect as well. In his final War Powers Report to Congress in December 2024, Biden invoked the 2001 and 2002 authorizations for the use of military force as well as other statutes to discuss U.S. troops and airstrikes in several countries to fight Al Qaeda and ISISbut also against Iranian forces and their allies in Syria and Yemen. Biden also acknowledged the open-ended nature given by the various statutes, arguing that it is not possible to know at this time the precise scope or the duration of the deployments of United States Armed Forces that are or will be necessary to counter terrorist threats to the United States.

Efforts to constrain or even illuminate these abuses have been equally limited and temporary. No one in Washington of significant import has declared that enough is enough; we are as far away from legislatively undoing 23 years of accumulated blank checks as we ever have been. A major push in the past two years to repeal the 2002 AUMF, used to approve the invasion of Iraq, was undertaken, only to stall in Congress. However, there has been no major legislative effort to end the 2001 authorization or to try and restrict targeted killings, rein in the 127e counterterrorism programs, or limit executive branch powers when it comes to waging war.

Here at the start of 2025, the 2001 authorization is comedically obsolete. Osama bin Laden is dead, along with his longtime deputy turned successor Ayman al-Zawahiri. The war in Afghanistan is overand the United States is out of the country following negotiations and withdrawals done across the Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations. The Taliban is back in power after defeating the Western-backed government. Even still, the Biden administration has argued that the war on terror has not ended. The 23-year-old authority justifying so much of American military action abroad has been stretched far beyond its text. Yet it lives.

This slumbering zombie AUMF will now provide Trump with the power that Biden should have done more to curtail. The former president will retake office with a vastly different geopolitical landscape than he faced in 2017. Then, the United States was locked in its ongoing war in Afghanistan, with American and allied forces starting to push ISIS out of its strongholds in Syria and Iraq; the Trump administration would largely carry on the plans enacted by the second Obama administration.

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Eight years later, the war in Ukraine stretches on, the Taliban control Afghanistan, and a wave of coups have reshaped much of western Africa. The war in Gaza, a conflict that has killed thousands of civilians, has spilled into a regional war. Iran and Israel have exchanged several attacks, while American forces in the region have been targeted in multiple barrages of drones and missiles. The U.S. has spent more than a year in conflict with Yemens Houthi movement, a religious and nationalist group that controls much of the country following a civil war, with no end in sight but billions spent. Theres a real risk of any or all of these situations spiraling even further out of control.

With days left until the next Congress takes office and only a few more before Biden leaves, the chances of major action to overhaul the post-9/11 security state are effectively nil. There might be a mad scramble or one urgent call for reform, but these legal precedents and approvals are likely to remain. Untangling and ending the knot of powers given to the executive branch over the last two decades was never going to be easy. But there was a time when it could have been done. Congress squandered it; now they will have to watch as their failures consume the world.
House Speaker David W. Osborne, R-Prospect, is congratulated by U.S. District Judge Gregory F. Van Tatenhove after his swearing in. The speakers wife, Loren Hebel Osborne, looks on. (LRC Public Information)

FRANKFORT  Kentucky House Democrats fruitlessly attempted to pass their own set of House rules when lawmakers reconvened for the second day of the 2025 session.

House Minority Whip Lindsey Burke, of Lexington, called for a vote on the Democrats proposed rules Wednesday after the House overwhelmingly passed Republican-supported rules on Tuesday on party lines. The rule changes approved on the first day make it easier for the Republican supermajority to end floor debates and move to a final vote on controversial bills.

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The Democrats rules failed in a floor vote, 74-20.

Rep. Lindsey Burke, D-Lexington. (LRC Public Information)

Burke said rules put forth by minority leadership included reimplementing a rule that allowed members three minutes to explain their votes and allowing some debate between both parties when a previous question on a motion is called.

In a back and forth with Majority Floor Leader Steven Rudy, R-Paducah, Burke said Democrats did not receive an updated copy of the majoritys proposed rules until Tuesdays floor vote. Rudy countered that Burke and other Democrats had not brought up issues with the proposed rules before Wednesday.

If its OK for things to be news to us on the floor, then respectfully, it should be the same for you, Burke said to Rudy.

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Rudy called Burkes attempt to change the rules an attempt to undermine the majority rule, which is the true hallmark of democracy, while urging House members to vote against the resolution.

During the first day of session on Tuesday, Democrats in both the House and Senate decried Republicans rules for the chambers, arguing the new changes would stifle debate and limit their constituents voices. Republicans hold supermajorities in both chambers, easily giving them the votes to implement their rules.

On Wednesday in the Senate, Republican Senate President Robert Stivers lamented that reporters focused too much on the rules debates instead of instances when Republicans and Democrats work together.

They want to write about division, Stivers said. They want to write about dissention.  Every day, I want to look at the people who write the stories, who speak the language, who go on the TVs and the radio to talk about all the positives that this body leans on, not the negatives that they want to sell advertising and get advertising dollars for.

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The resolutions setting legislative rules for this year were among a short list of actions considered on opening day. Other business conducted by lawmakers on Tuesday included listing members of the General Assembly, introducing family members and friends, inviting Frankfort area pastors to open legislative sessions with prayer, and directing leadership to name lawmakers to escort Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear for his Wednesday evening State of the Commonwealth address.

Among the Senate Republican rules changes: Discharge petitions, which can dislodge a bill that has been stalled and put it to a vote, must be filed and read into the record a day before a floor vote. At the end of last years session, Minority Whip Sen. David Yates, D-Louisville, called a discharge petition on a bill that would have added exceptions to Kentuckys abortion ban in cases of rape and incest.

Yates told the Lantern Wednesday that he believed his discharge petition brought attention to the rule. He added that he called it at the end of the session to underline that we werent being very democratic in the process of not putting (the bill) in committee, not debating over it.

Regardless of how you feel on this issue, its just important enough of an issue to Kentucky that we should debate, Yates said.

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SEASIDE, Calif. (KRON)  Kidnapping and rape survivor Denise Huskins spoke to reporters in Seaside on Tuesday about how she helped investigators find more victims who were allegedly targeted by Matthew Muller.

The Muller case regained traction after it was detailed in a popular Netflix documentary, American Nightmare, last year. Huskins recently teamed up with investigators to write prison letters to her convicted kidnapper and discover more crimes that he allegedly committed before he was finally caught in 2015. Bay Area prosecutors filed new charges against Muller on Monday and last week.

This man had all the markers of a serial predator. Its something he crafted and perfected over a long period of time, Huskins told reporters. This is just the tip of the iceberg.

Denise Huskins talks to reporters in Seaside, Calif. on Jan. 7, 2025. (KRON4 Photo)

Tears flowed down Huskins face Tuesday as she talked about finding additional victims whom were previously unknown to law enforcement, and helping them seek justice. She stood next to Seaside Police Chief Nick Borges, who helped reopen the case and discover additional crimes that occurred in Santa Clara County, Contra Costa County, and El Dorado County dating back to 1993.

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Muller, 47, was a Marine who graduated from Harvard University and worked as a lawyer in California. Investigators described him as exceptionally intelligent and exceptionally well educated. He was 38 years old when he kidnapped Huskins from her Vallejo home on Mare Island, drugged and tied her up, and held her captive for two days in his South Lake Tahoe cabin.

Denise Huskins, Aaron Quinn, and Seaside Police Chief Nick Borges appear at a news conference in Seaside, Calif. on Jan. 7, 2025. (KRON4 Photo / Amy Larson)

Borges said he worked closely with Huskins before he wrote a series of letters to Muller while he was an inmate at a federal prison in Arizona.

Muller allegedly confessed in his reply letters that he committed two home invasions with intentions to rape women inside their Palo Alto and Mountain View homes in 2009. He also confessed to kidnapping a sex assault victim when he was 16 years old in 1993, and holding hostages for ransom during a 2015 home invasion in San Ramon, investigators said.

Muller was arrested in the summer of 2015 days after he broke into a Dublin familys home and accidentally left a cellphone behind.

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El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson said Mullers prison letters led to a breakthrough with new evidence and revelations of additional crimes. We now know Muller began committing kidnapping and sexual assaults at age 16, (followed by) home invasions in 2019, numerous prowling and peeping, secret recordings, and three separate home invasions in 2015.

Chief Borges said he wrote his letters to Muller in a way that just spoke to him as a human. No trickery. It was just authentic.

Matthew Muller is seen in mugshots from 2015 and 2018. (Images via Solano County District Attorneys Office)

Muller meticulously planned out his crimes and practiced before terrorizing victims who were woken up in the middle of the night by a home intruder, Pierson said.

Pierson said his investigators, as well as FBI agents, interviewed Muller in prison during which he admitted to even more crimes last year. Investigators corroborated information from Mullers confessions by finding additional evidence, the DA said. As one example, Pierson said his investigators found a ladder in the middle of the woods where Muller said he left it after breaking into a home.

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Matthew Muller confessed to South Bay cold cases: court documents

Chief Borges and Huskins were persistent that there was more to this case. That Matt Muller had committed more crimes, Pierson said. And they were right, he added.

Denise Huskins walks into a news conference in San Francisco on Sept. 29, 2016. (Photo By Paul Chinn/ The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

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On Tuesday, Huskins thanked the Seaside Police Chief and DA Pierson for taking the Muller investigation seriously. It was a stark contrast to Huskins nightmare experience with the Vallejo Police Department when she went missing in 2015.

On March 23, 2015, Muller broke into a Vallejo home where Huskins lived with her boyfriend, Aaron Quinn. He tied the couple up, drugged them with a sleep-inducing liquid, and drove Huskins to a cabin in South Lake Tahoe. When Quinn regained consciousness, he called police.

While Huskins was being held captive in the cabin, Vallejo Police Department detectives suspected that her boyfriend murdered her, the documentary revealed.

Aaron Quinn answers questions from reporters in Seaside, Calif. on Jan. 7, 2025. (KRON4 Photo)

On March 25, 20215, Muller dropped off Huskins near her parents home in Huntington Beach. For a moment, before police and news reporters arrived, Huskins said she thought her nightmare was over. But it wasnt.

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Later that day, the Vallejo Police Department held a news conference and told reporters that police found no proof of a kidnapping. VPD claimed that the incident was a hoax. One FBI agent told Quinn that he should watch the movie Gone Girl because it was about a woman who faked her own kidnapping and it was similar to Huskins story, according to the documentary.

Timeline: Matthew Muller and the American Nightmare Vallejo kidnapping case

The case made national media headlines as the Gone Girl kidnapping.

However Huskins and Quinn were telling the truth to police. They were later cleared of false accusations made by VPD and Muller was charged with kidnapping Huskins.

Vallejo Police Lt. Kenny Parks confirms to reporters that Denise Huskins was found safe on March 25, 2015. (Photo by Chris Riley/ Vallejo Times Herald via Getty Images)

The couples story was heard by 20 million people who watched Netflixs American Nightmare 2024 documentary, which detailed how Vallejo police botched their investigation.

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Seaside is located 100 miles south of Vallejo. Chief Borges had not heard about the case until he watched the documentary, court documents state. He first reached out to Huskins by sending her a private message through Instagram.

Huskins and Quinn were not only exonerated, they were heroes for seeking out justice for additional victims, Borges said.

It was Denise and Aaron that lit the flame that started so many things in motion. This is what law enforcement and survivors working together looks like  following evidence, Borges told reporters.

Pierson said, This case should be referred to properly as the American Nightmare case, and not the Gone Girl case.'

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On Tuesday, Huskins confirmed that she has never received an apology from the Vallejo Police Department. There were no members of VPD present at the news conference.

Huskins and Quinn are now married and parents of two young children.

Muller is serving a 40-year prison sentence. The district attorneys of El Dorado and Santa Clara counties said they filed new charges against him in recent days before they want to ensure he is never released from custody. He is currently locked up in a San Jose jail cell as he faces charges for the 2009 South Bay home invasions.

If convicted of the new home invasion and kidnapping charges, Muller will face a life sentence.

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Huskins said Tuesday, Its unfortunate that its taken this long to be able to give some clarity and a sense of peace to these other victims.

Huskins said her message to sexual assault survivors is, Always believe in yourself. Trust yourself. Its really easy to go into self-blame, self-doubt, and shame. Get support from wherever you can close to you, and know that you can always trust in yourself.

Over the past 10 months, agencies that joined the investigation reopening the Muller case included the FBI, Seaside Police Department, Palo Alto Police Department, Mountain View Police Department, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Contra Costa County Sheriffs Office, Alameda County Sheriffs Office, and several district attorneys.

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter spoke out Tuesday about the incident at Marcy Correctional Facility near Utica, where Greece resident Robert Brooks died after being beaten by staff as an inmate there.

He reiterated his disgust with the actions of the prison staff, while also trying to assure the public that the local jail offers a far safer experience for inmates.

We spend a lot of time just walking the hallways in the last couple weeks, walking the aisles, talking with the inmate population just to reassure them well take care of grievances, what you saw in Marcy is not us, you know us, Baxter said. We think its deplorable. We dont think its by any means the standard of a law enforcement officer, no one does.

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Autopsy details Robert Brooks multiple injuries from deadly beating: Court paperwork

14 people were allegedly involved in the deadly beating at Marcy, which was caught on body camera footage. That footage was released by the Attorney Generals office, which has since removed itself from the case.

There were 14 people allegedly involved, not one or two. People might look at that and say, is that emblematic of the mentality within our prisons and jails in New York State even if they dont take action,' Baxter said.

The incident garnered national attention, with pushback from advocates across the country demanding justice. Just last week, the Brooks Family joined advocates for a rally outside the Monroe County Jail where inmates flashed cell lights in solidarity despite the jail having nothing to do with what happened at Marcy.

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Catalyst for change: Brooks Family speaks publicly for first time after deadly Marcy beating

The fact is, were a central location where people are incarcerated, a central location for that. So, people came here to grieve. People came here to express their frustration, and we champion that, said Baxter. We appreciate the fact that theyre here, theyre frustrated, theyre angry, theres memorials there outside of the jail. We leave those there out of respect for that family, I cant imagine what theyre going through.

13 of those allegedly involved in the beating of Brooks were correction officers. They were all suspended without pay. One of them has since resigned. A nurse was also suspended without pay.

Im looking at that and Im looking at a culture, thats not a one off. I looked at a sergeant in that scenario, a guy with chevrons on his sleeve, he was literally being pushed out of the way, step aside boss, so whos in control of that chaotic situation that turned into a criminal situation, Baxter said. Everyone was calm, everyone was almost standard operating procedure.

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He thought he would die that day: Marcy CO allegedly involved in deadly beating named in separate lawsuit

Shortly after the fatal beating of Brooks in early December, Monroe County had its own incident. The Sheriffs Office announced that three deputies were suspended without pay after a fight broke out between two inmates at the Monroe County Jail.

What you see in Marcy and what you see in our incident, you got a boss, a command boss, walking the floors of our jails and gets information from an inmate and reacts to that information and goes and validates that information and gave me enough cause to suspend three deputies and launch both an internal and criminal investigation, Baxter explained. Thats how its supposed to happen, right? Again, if we have wrongdoing, Ill deal with it, but its local, its not going to ferment through an organization or the walls of a jail like it will somewhere else. Thatll never happen on my watch.

In the aftermath of what happened at Marcy, Governor Kathy Hochul visited the prison where she announced a list of corrective actions, including the expedition of $400 million to install fixed cameras and distribute body-worn cameras at all DOCCS facilities.

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Were different. We are jail. Were a county jail. Im responsible for the local people, not this big state bureaucracy, said Baxter.

To be clear, the Monroe County Jail is not a DOCCS facility. Baxter said some in the Monroe County Jail do wear body-worn cameras and hes working on getting more soon. He said, at this point, only negative interactions are recorded.

News 8 reached out to the State Correction Commission about the Monroe County Jail case. A spokeswoman for the commission issued the following statement:

The New York State Commission of Correction takes allegations of official misconduct extremely seriously, is aware of the allegations and will investigate. The Commission does not comment on pending investigations.

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State lawmakers and governors will be crucial in determining how sweeping the countrys policy makeover proves to be under President-elect Donald Trump's administration.

Theyll spend the coming months debating controversial changes on hot-button issues like immigration, AI, the affordable housing crunch and education vouchers.

Lawmakers in red states will be seeking every opportunity to grease the policy wheels and help deliver on the president-elects grand campaign promises, while their blue state counterparts will be looking for ways to put sand in the gears.

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The end result is likely to be a further widening of the gap between how red states and blue states address the most controversial and consequential policy debates.

With Republicans taking complete control in Washington after sweeping the November elections, Congress will be eager to push through a far-reaching agenda aligned with Trumps priorities. But with tiny congressional majorities  particularly in the notoriously fractious House  its likely that theyll struggle to enact major changes.

Thats why state policymakers are likely to prove key. One party has total control in 38 out of 50 states  23 held by Republicans; 16 by Democrats  and they often enjoy far larger legislative majorities than on Capitol Hill. That means theyre likely to have a much easier time enacting bold policy agendas.

Heres a look at what are expected to be the most contentious issues facing state lawmakers across the country when they convene in the coming weeks:



Immigration

Republican governors are poised to play a big role in carrying out Trumps immigration agenda. Trump has promised to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, starting on the first day of his presidency, and hell need the cooperation of governors to conduct a complicated and expensive law enforcement operation.

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Nearly all of the nations Republican governors last month issued a joint statement that they are eager to work with the Trump administration on immigration, especially in targeting undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes. We understand the direct threat these criminal illegal immigrants pose to public safety and our national security, and we will do everything in our power to assist in removing them from our communities, the governors said.

Some governors, like Tennessees Bill Lee, are preparing to mobilize the National Guard to aid the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements deportation efforts. State lawmakers can supplement those efforts by increasing funding for law enforcement focused on the border, and they can pass policies restricting the rights of undocumented immigrants, like forbidding them from receiving in-state tuition or drivers licenses.

Democratic governors, however, are not as unified in their approach to Trumps immigration agenda. Some governors, like Californias Gavin Newsom, have staked out their role as primary adversary to the president on issues like immigration. Newsom, a likely 2028 presidential contender, called a special session in December for lawmakers to Trump-proof the state, and they set aside $25 million for legal fees to respond to the incoming administrations attacks on state policies.

Yet others have adopted hawkish rhetoric on immigration that dovetails with Trumps mass deportation plan, like New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. Hochul has indicated New York will cooperate with ICE and is developing a list of serious crimes that would trigger deportations if they are committed by an illegal immigrant.

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Expect to see big clashes between the Trump administration and leaders of sanctuary cities standing behind their laws protecting undocumented residents and forbidding local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. Trump border czar Tom Homan has threatened to eliminate funding for sanctuary states that stand in the way of deportations, and vowed to flood uncooperative cities with ICE agents. (Liz Crampton)

AI

State legislatures will again try to shape policy around artificial intelligence as Congress mostly steers clear of regulating the rapidly evolving technology. Last year, state lawmakers introduced more than 600 bills addressing the topic and have already filed more than 175 for consideration in 2025.

Nowhere will that be more apparent than in California  the birthplace of the biggest names in AI innovation  where the industry-friendly Newsom has been at odds with state lawmakers within his own Democratic Party about how aggressively to police the booming industry.

Newsom last year vetoed a sweeping AI safety bill, warning lawmakers against stymieing a sector that has helped bolster the states economy. That aligned him with leading Democrats in Washington, including Rep. Nancy Pelosi, but put him at odds with high-profile supporters of the bill like Elon Musk, whos now playing an outsize role in the incoming Trump administration.

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The debate is on track to continue: The bills author, state Sen. Scott Wiener  widely believed to have his eye on Pelosis San Francisco seat in the future  has said he plans to move forward on some form of AI safety legislation again this year, and at least two other state lawmakers already introduced bills targeting AI and deepfakes.

California will be closely watched, but other state legislators have also made waves, including in Connecticut. Lawmakers there will again attempt to pass their own ambitious rules after a similar push last year failed but inspired other states to act, like Colorado, with success.

Red state lawmakers are also starting to weigh in with their own visions: Texas state Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, a Republican, unveiled his own AI act just days before Christmas. It targets high-risk AI systems with new rules while promising a more friendly environment for innovation. (Tyler Katzenberger)

Housing

Soaring home and rent prices fueled by nationwide housing shortages continue to grip state and local officials. Homelessness spiked 18 percent in 2023, and the affordability crisis is resonating at a new level politically  even grabbing the attention of top Democrats at last year's DNC.

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Housing, environmental and transit advocates have partnered with developers and officials of both parties to form coalitions in state capitals across the country to respond to the shortages rooted in strict zoning and land use rules that have made it difficult or impossible to permit additional units, pricing people out of cities and other desirable locations.

Vermont, New York, California and Utah are among the states that have addressed zoning issues typically handled at the local level in recent years  generating backlash from municipalities and counties, especially in the suburbs. Those states have moved to eliminate single-family zoning, allow more multi-unit housing and incentivize affordable housing and development around public transit hubs. That energy is set to continue in 2025.

Trump, though, said last year he will stop Democrats plans to abolish the suburbs and in 2020 laid out a vision for preserving local decision-making on housing.

But the fact that California and Montana, for instance, are pursuing a similar set of policies to boost production shows that the housing affordability issue has carved itself a uniquely bipartisan lane.

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"This is going to be a housing session," said Alex Horowitz, project director of the Pew Charitable Trusts housing policy initiative. "We are anticipating a wave of bills in state legislatures looking at housing affordability." (Jordan Wolman)



Abortion

Pregnant patients' ability to access abortions will depend even more on their zip code in 2025. The chasm between blue states with expanded abortion access and red states with restrictions is expected to grow even deeper, especially if Trump abides by his campaign promise not to pursue a national abortion ban.

Most blue states have taken action to codify and protect abortion rights in the nearly three years since Roe v. Wade was overturned. Some states, like California, may take steps to further establish themselves as safe havens where people can freely receive abortion care. Democratic-led states may also devote more resources to supporting clinics providing care, as those providers have seen a significant increase in out-of-state patients traveling from locations with abortion bans.

Republican-led states, however, are expanding their fight to restrict abortion access. One way theyre trying to achieve that is by making it difficult for pregnant people to obtain abortion pills. Conservative lawmakers will likely model those efforts on a Louisiana law enacted last year that reclassified two drugs used in medication abortions  mifepristone and misoprostol  as controlled substances requiring stricter storage and documentation requirements. Texas lawmakers have already introduced similar legislation.



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In Tennessee, some lawmakers are backing a proposal that would ban mailing of abortion pills into the state and impose a $5 million fine on violators, a challenge to shield laws that protect doctors and providers who mail medications into states with abortion bans from liability.

States with abortion bans are also expected to pursue laws establishing fetal personhood, like in Oklahoma and Tennessee. Republicans may also explore placing restrictions on fertility treatments like IVF.

This year could also bring a rise of battles between red and blue states over abortion. Anti-abortion advocates, successful at restricting abortion in large swaths of the U.S., are expanding their cause to target access in blue states. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton set up the first fight last month by suing a New York doctor accused of prescribing abortion pills to a Texas woman via telemedicine. (Crampton)

School vouchers

Legislative fights over school vouchers promise to stir up significant debates this year, particularly in Republican-controlled states that do not already have broad taxpayer-funded measures to subsidize private and religious education.

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That includes Idaho, where Republican Gov. Brad Little proposed a $50 million school choice expansion plan on Monday during his annual budget address. Local teachers unions and education lobbyists say they expect Idaho lawmakers to file additional proposals this session.

Texas legislators are poised to debate a universal school voucher program this year, following Republican Gov. Greg Abbotts scorched-earth campaign to oust GOP lawmakers who thwarted his top priority. In Tennessee, Lee and state legislative leaders have already reintroduced a school choice bill to provide thousands of students private education scholarships after a similar proposal floundered last year amid resistance from rural lawmakers.

More than 30 states have some kind of school choice program, including at least 13 that had so-called education savings account programs on their books by the middle of last year, according to a National Conference of State Legislatures accounting of one popular program type. Arizona set a new standard for its program in 2022 by making it available to any family in the state, regardless of their income; at least a dozen states now have a universal-eligibility program in place.

Former Arizona Republican Gov. Doug Ducey, who helped champion his home states massive voucher law, was the featured guest at a school choice policy forum hosted ahead of Littles speech by a free-market think tank. But in a possible acknowledgment of deep opposition from unions and local school boards, Little suggested any Idaho program will need significant oversight to win his support.

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Any school choice measure I would consider must be done the Idaho way, Little said Monday. That means it is fair, responsible, transparent and accountable. It must prioritize the families that need it most, and it must not take away funds from public schools. (Juan Perez Jr.)



Intoxicating hemp products

Both red and blue states are dealing with the proliferation of intoxicating hemp cannabinoids, a booming market that was created thanks to a loophole in the 2018 farm bill.

Congress has punted the farm bill for another year, meaning that any attempts to address the proliferation of intoxicating hemp will fall on state legislatures.

The biggest legislative battle is expected in Texas, home to one of the largest markets for hemp cannabinoids in the country. Unlike other top hemp-producing states like California and New York, Texas does not have a legal recreational marijuana market, nor does it have a comprehensive medical marijuana program  driving consumers to hemp cannabinoids.

Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick put the industry on notice last month when he launched a legislative effort to ban all forms of consumable THC. Thousands of retailers across the state sell products, including beverages, that have three to four times the THC content which might be found in marijuana purchased from a drug dealer, Patrick said in a statement.

Hemp businesses, meanwhile, are vowing to push back  just like they did in Illinois earlier this week. Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker threw his weight behind a bill that would require intoxicating hemp products to be sold through regulated marijuana dispensaries. But opposition from hemp businesses during the lame-duck session successfully prevented the bill from getting a final vote on the House floor.

Similar legislative pushes are expected this year in states like Michigan, Missouri and Ohio. Hemp manufacturers, retailers and even alcohol distributors are banding together to push back against bills aimed at clamping down on intoxicating hemp.

"[They are] coming together to come up with a plan that works for everybody providing appropriate framework and guardrails, said Christopher Lackner, president of the trade group Hemp Beverage Alliance. (Mona Zhang)

Budget deficits

States will be grappling with all these thorny policy issues while facing much tighter financial constraints. Massive infusions of federal cash during the pandemic  coupled with surprisingly robust tax revenues  led to an unprecedented surge in state coffers. State general fund revenues increased by more than 16 percent in both fiscal years 2021 and 2022  the biggest bumps ever recorded  according to the National Association of State Budget Officers.

But thats changed dramatically: Overall spending is expected to decrease by 0.3 percent in the current fiscal year.

In some states, big structural deficits loom just over the horizon. Washington state is looking at a $10 billion to $12 billion shortfall over the next four years. Democrats hold big majorities in both state legislative chambers, as well as the governors office, and are eyeing both tax hikes and spending reductions to address the budget woes.

We're not going to cut our way out and we're going to need to make new investments, said Democratic state Rep. Nicole Macri, vice chair of the Appropriations Committee, citing education as one area where theyre likely to consider more funding. So we are talking about revenue options.

Similarly, in Pennsylvania the annual deficit is projected to steadily grow from $4.5 billion in the next fiscal year to $6.7 billion four years down the road. And in Florida, costs are poised to rise faster than revenues over the next three years, with a projected budget shortfall of nearly $7 billion in fiscal year 2028.

Signs of stress are not just popping up in states with chronic budget challenges, noted Josh Goodman, a state budget expert at the Pew Charitable Trusts. States with comparatively strong recent fiscal records face difficult years too. (Paul Demko)


Tire tracks scatter across the snow-covered road on Jan. 5, 2025, in Shawnee. A winter storm slammed a broad swath of the United States, across the Midwest to the East Coast, with more than two feet of snow in some areas. (Chase Castor/Getty Images)

My car had pulled halfway out into the snowy road, around 10 at night, when it stopped moving. Slushy snow had ensnared the back wheels.

I tried shifting into drive and heading back into the driveway, but it caught on another batch of snow and ice. For a few moments, I switched between drive and reverse, feeling the car roll forward and backward but making no headway.

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This is what you get, I told myself, for forgetting all those New Hampshire lessons.

While I grew up in Kansas and went to school here, I spent more than a decade in the Granite State, a span that encapsulated the end of George W. Bushs presidency and two terms of Barack Obama. My husband and I got married there and adopted our son there. We enjoyed our time in the Northeast, but we gritted our teeth through the regions notoriously blustery winters.

We had figured out how to shovel, how to extract vehicles of various sizes from driveways. We had paid men to shovel snow off the flat part of our homes roof so it wouldnt collapse.

Moving back to Kansas put all of that experience in the rearview mirror, so to speak. While we missed our friends from the area, we most certainly did not miss the blizzards arriving every couple of weeks from October through March. (If you think thats an exaggeration, you havent lived in New Hampshire). We had closed the door on snow.

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Or so I thought until Monday evening when I found myself immobile, halfway blocking the road.

I raced back inside the house, summoning both spouse and child, who proceeded to poke fun at me and ineffectually shovel around the car.

Opinion editor Clay Wirestone shatters the ice that formed over his drivers side window. This video was filmed before the string of poor choices detailed in this column. (Clay Wirestone/Kansas Reflector)

An SUV pulled over, and its driver came out to help. He and I pushed from the back of the car, then the front. We turned the steering wheel all the way to the left, then all the way to the right. All of us took turns digging around the tires.

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Finally, the driver departed, apologizing abundantly. Remembering one of his suggestions, I found some cat litter inside and sprinkled it around the tires.

Voila! The car moved, and I was able to pull out of the street. Thankfully, traffic was beyond light or I might have caused a pileup to remember.

Yet I found myself thinking about that man the rest of the evening and into Tuesday. I found myself thinking about our neighbor, who had generously loaned us a snow shovel after my husband helped shovel out her driveway. I thought about the way in which a severe weather event like a blizzard really counts as a severe life event, one in which we all face the same obstacles.

What happens when it snows and people cant get out of their driveways? Other people help them. Thats what.

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No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main, wrote English poet John Donne in 1624. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were.

No one asked what our political beliefs were, who we voted for, who made up our family. No, folks simply helped. Those two brief instances in my life were no doubt reflected hundreds if not thousands of times across Kansas this long weekend. People rolled up their sleeves and shoveled and pushed and got one another out of sticky situations that were probably their own damn fault.

I should have known better. I should have had a shovel. I should have used it more thoroughly before trying to pull out of the driveway. I should have done all those things. Yet others helped me through my own shortcomings and ignorance.

Thats a pretty swell lesson for a snow day.

Clay Wirestone is Kansas Reflector opinion editor. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis would like to see NASA move its headquarters to Brevard County, the rocket launch capital of the world.

"There is an interest in moving the headquarters of NASA right here to Kennedy Space Center. And I'm supportive of that," DeSantis said Wednesday, drawing applause during an afternoon press event at KSC.

"They have this massive building in Washington, D.C., and like nobody goes to it. So why not just shutter it and move everybody down here? I think they're planning on spending like a half a billion to build a new building up in D.C. that no one will ever go to, either," DeSantis said.

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"So hopefully, with the new administration coming in, they'll see a great opportunity to just headquarter NASA here on the Space Coast of Florida. I think that'd be very, very fitting," he said.

Florida Lt. Governor Jeanette Nunez and Governor Ron DeSantis watch as Kennedy Space Center Director Janet Petro signs a Memorandum Of Understanding with the Interim President of the University of Florida Kent Fuchs, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University President P. Barry Butler and University of Central Florida President Alexander Cartwright that will create the states official space research consortium January 8, 2025. Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK

NASA consortium: UF, UCF, Embry-Riddle launch Florida space research group with NASA's Kennedy Space Center

DeSantis spoke of his support for a NASA move during remarks spotlighting the launch of the Florida University Space Research Consortium, a partnership between KSC, the University of Florida, University of Central Florida and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

The presidents of the three universities and KSC Director Janet Petro signed a memorandum of understanding in ceremonial fashion during the press event at Operations Support Building II, near NASA's massive Vehicle Assembly Building.

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"The inception of the Florida University Space Research Consortium marks the first time a NASA center has been affiliated with a university consortium, providing Kennedy with the unique opportunity to enhance its research and technology capabilities to meet NASA needs  while also allowing students one-of-a-kind opportunities to expand their knowledge and experience prior to joining the workforce," Petro told the crowd.

"This symbiotic partnership makes way for collaborative research opportunities and increased exposure to advanced technology, significantly enhancing NASA's research output in fields such as aerospace engineering, material science, robotics and environmental science, all of which are necessary for long-term human exploration as we learn to live and work deeper into space than ever before," she said.

Wednesday's space-consortium press event started 3 hours after SpaceX launched a rumbling Falcon 9 rocket from pad 39A at KSC. That Starlink 12-11 mission deployed 21 internet satellites into low-Earth orbit.

The NASA-university consortium remains in the formative stage. Space Floridas board of directors formally designated the consortium in early November during a quarterly meeting at Orlando International Airport.

'It makes a lot of sense:' Space Florida leader

After Wednesday's press event wrapped up, Space Florida President and CEO Rob Long said DeSantis' statement about moving NASA headquarters to Florida's Space Coast has "a lot of logic to it," citing natural synergies.

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"It makes a lot of sense, if you think about it. Every NASA program that goes into space  (except) probably a handful of exceptions  has to come through KSC anyway to get to orbit. And so, why not move the headquarters here?" Long said.

"There's plenty of opportunities. Florida's a great place to be. Just look at DoD, the number of unified headquarters that are here," he said.

In one such example, the Space Force's STARCOM  or Space Training and Readiness Command headquarters  is moving from Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Patrick Space Force Base. The move will bring hundreds of military and civilian jobs to Brevard County.

Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez, who chairs the Space Florida board, said additional universities will join the Florida University Space Research Consortium.

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"I can see, in the next couple of months and years, it's going to be a very robust consortium that's going to provide so many applications for research, technology and innovation," Nunez told the press event crowd.

In an email, Florida Institute of Technology President John Nicklow said, we look forward to exploring opportunities to partner with this new consortium as it develops."

On a related front, Florida Tech is teaming with UF, Embry-Riddle and Florida A&M University on C-STARS  the Center for Science, Research and Technology in Space  a space manufacturing research consortium launched last year. The National Science Foundation awarded that new consortium an $80,000 seed grant to launch the planning process and attract corporate sponsors and partners.

"The multisite center, including one site at Florida Tech, will lead workforce development programs to train the next generation of specialists in space technologies, sciences and exploration," Nicklow said in the email.

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For the latest news from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and KSC, visit floridatoday.com/space.

Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Neale at Rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1

Space is important to us and that's why we're working to bring you top coverage of the industry and Florida launches. Journalism like this takes time and resources. Please support it with a subscription here.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Gov. DeSantis: Move NASA headquarters to Kennedy Space Center in Florida
Gov. Ron DeSantis with Hillsborough County State Attorney Suzy Lopez in Tampa on Jan. 7, 2024 (Photo credit: Mitch Perry/ Florida Phoenix)

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday he has not yet decided on who he will appoint to replace Marco Rubio in the U.S. Senate, but he promised to have somebody ready to go shortly after President-elect Donald Trump takes office later this month. Trump has tapped Rubio to become his secretary of state.

The Governor addressed the media following a Tampa investiture ceremony for Hillsborough County State Attorney Suzy Lopez. Also participating in the ceremony were Attorney General Ashley Moody and former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.

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Moody has been rumored to be on DeSantis shortlist of Senate candidates that he is considering to replace Rubio, but the Republican governor brushed aside an inquiry about her chances when a reporter asked if any potential candidate was in the room with us today.

DeSantis laughed, paused and said, Im not going to be refereeing any whos in, whos out, but I will say that weve done a lot of research on candidates. I think that weve got a lot of great people in Florida whove made a big difference. We also have certain issues that are very, very significant, DeSantis told reporters. And when I put out my statement after the vacancy was potentially there with Sen. Rubios nomination, I said We have to deliver on the mandate that the voters gave President Donald Trump. 

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What hes looking for

DeSantis said his Senate appointment has to be strong on immigration issues, but not just illegal immigration. He said he wanted the next U.S. senator representing Florida to ensure that visa programs such as the H1-B skilled worker visa arent being used to undermine American workers.

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Being willing to say we shouldnt have a diversity lottery where someone just comes out of a hat, he added. We should have merit-based [immigration]. We shouldnt have massive chain migration. All of these things I think weve got to get this right, once and for all.

Then DeSantis, who briefly was a candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2016 during Rubios failed presidential bid but subsequently dropped out, said his pick would be somebody who is fiscally responsible and would try to rein in what called an out of control federal bureaucracy.

That is not what the founding fathers intended so I want somebody who is going to go in there and be willing to reduce that down to size and to hold the wayward bureaucrats accountable, he said.

DeSantis Senate appointment will head to Washington but will have to go before the voters in a special election slated in November of 2026. There will then be another regular scheduled election for that senate seat in 2028.

A number of great candidates

I think weve got a number of great candidates, but I want to make sure that we know what were going to get, he said. I can endorse somebody, and they run and win, they dont owe me anything. But if Im going to be appointing you, I want to know that youre going to be strong on all of these issues.

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Along with Moody, other potential candidates include Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez, DeSantis chief-of-staff James Uthmeier, former Florida House Speaker Jose Oliva and state Sen. Jay Collins.

Rubio has not yet officially resigned from his seat, which he has held since first being elected in 2010. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has announced that Rubios confirmation hearing for secretary of state is 10 a.m. Jan. 15.

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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Governor Ron DeSantis said he believes a special session of the legislature is now needed to deal with the states condo crisis.

After a condo collapse in Surfside, new state laws went into effect requiring condo associations to have mandatory inspections and fix any structural problems that were discovered.

Pinellas County couple says screen contractor took deposit, hasnt come back

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As a result, many condo owners saw their insurance rates and condo fees increase dramatically.

DeSantis said the state needs to address the problems.

I was very vocal in the fall about condos, DeSantis said. This is ridiculous that people are going to be placed in these predicaments.

The governor said hes been talking to legislative leaders for months about the issues, but he doesnt feel there is agreement yet on a solution.

I think everyone had to acknowledge it was kind of a work in progress, DeSantis said. There was no way there werent going to be issues and so you have to be willing to come up and tweak to help people be able to get through this.

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The governor said he would also like to see the special session deal with immigration issues, and hurricane relief for counties impacted by the recent storms. DeSantis also said there needs to be changes made to the way signatures are collected to place issues on the ballot for the state constitution.

Theres a number of issues that are percolating, DeSantis said.

He has not yet set a date for a special session.

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 WFLA.
(COLORADO SPRINGS)  Desert Harvest, a leading provider of womens health products and supplements, has chosen Colorado Springs for expansion and will create over a dozen new jobs when it relocates from Maine.

Governor Jared Polis along with the Global Business Development Division of Colorado Office of Economic Development (OEDIT) made the announcement on Tuesday, Jan. 7.

Our state is the best place to live, work, and do business, and we are thrilled to welcome Desert Harvest to Colorado Springs where the company expects to create 15 new, good-paying jobs, said Governor Polis.

Desert Harvest to expand to Colorado Springs, creating 15 new jobs

The company focuses on producing and selling high-quality, scientifically studied, all-natural supplements and skincare. Owner and CEO Heather Florio is originally from Colorado Springs.

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The move to Colorado Springs represents an opportunity to return to my roots while growing the company, creating new jobs in my hometown, and supporting the under-served through continuous research, education, and product development, said Florio.

The expansion is expected to create 15 new jobs averaging $68,505 in wages, which is 108% of the average annual wage in El Paso County. Positions will include executive and administrative roles, marketing positions, along with production and shipping managers.

Colorado ranks as one of the best states in the nation for women-led startups, and women-owned companies in particular are advancing new technologies and products focused on womens health, said OEDIT Executive Director Eve Lieberman. Were pleased to welcome Desert Harvest to this growing and important ecosystem.

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 FOX21 News Colorado.
Six shooting deaths on the South and West sides, a fatal stabbing in Little Village and a vehicular homicide in Chicago Lawn.

About a week into the new year, violence in Chicago ticked up slightly, and Mayor Brandon Johnson and Police Department leaders already face headwinds in their efforts to keep the citys annual homicide total under 500 with the historically violent summer months still to come.

Chicago saw eight homicides in the first six days of 2025, according to police and the Cook County medical examiners office. Another 28 people suffered nonfatal gunshot wounds, and three of them were initially listed in critical condition.

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Two of the killings occurred inside a residence, and records show CPD detectives classified both as domestic related. A suspect was arrested and charged with murder in each case.

Another man, shot last month, died of his injuries Jan. 4. The Police Department, though, will add his case to 2024s tally of homicides.

Those totals are up from the first six days of 2024, when the city recorded seven killings and another 20 people were wounded by gunfire, records show. In all January 2024, Chicago saw 35 killings with another 102 people shot and wounded, a substantial decrease from 2023.

Most of the gunfire has, so far this year, occurred in neighborhoods that for decades have borne the brunt of the citys violence. 2025s first fatal shooting occurred in the 1200 block of South Sawyer Avenue in North Lawndale, while the most recent happened just west of the United Center early Monday.

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Addressing the City Club of Chicago last month, Johnson called for the city to finish 2025 with 500 or fewer murders, a benchmark not reached since 2019. Chicago ended 2024 with 574 killings and nearly 2,200 more people shot and wounded, according to city records.

Yes, we have work to do, but in 2025 we have the opportunity for the first time in over a decade to have less than 500 homicides, Johnson said. We have an opportunity for less life to be lost if we actually put in the hard work, roll up our sleeves, and not allow the narrative that comes from the outside to determine who we are as a city.  We are Chicago. We have come through some of the most treacherous times, and we have been trendsetters from our inception.

There are reasons for optimism too. After a nationwide spike during the COVID-19 pandemic, violent crime is trending downward in cities across the country. Chicago is no exception.

A benchmark for success for me is to have no homicides, if thats possible, but we know the reality of it, Superintendent Larry Snelling previously said. When we think about lives lost, any number of deaths is unacceptable. So to reduce homicides as much as possible means that we have to reduce shootings as much as possible.

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In addition to 2024s decline in homicides, the city also recorded a 7% drop in total shooting incidents and a 4% decline in the number of overall shooting victims. The departments bureau of detectives cleared 322 murder cases in 2024, leading to a clearance rate of 56%, Snelling previously said.

You cant go into a new year with some, simply, old ideas. We have to have new ideas, Snelling said last month. We have to have a focus on what it is that were trying to reduce. And if were trying to reduce violent crime, the most important thing here is to get to the bottom of it, resolve it, hold those accountable who are committing those violent acts, break down crime patterns, and when we can do that we start to see a reduction in crimes.
Maryland Democratic Party Chair Ken Ulman. Photo by Emily Condon/Capital News Service.

On a day when Marylanders tried to stay off the states icy roads, more than 250 Democrats journeyed to Annapolis Tuesday for the Maryland Democratic Partys annual fundraiser that takes place just before the General Assembly session kicks off.

Many of them had to be there anyway: With the legislative session starting at noon on Wednesday, scores of lawmakers were going to be moving into their offices and temporary lodging even with Mondays snowstorm.

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Welcome back to the frozen tundra of Annapolis, Gov. Wes Moore (D) greeted the crowd.

Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller (D), who has made road safety a top priority, gave a big shout-out and a thank-you to highway workers for their efforts during the storm.

The ballroom at the Westin Hotel was about two-thirds full, with several local officials and Democratic activists choosing to forgo the drive and skip the lunch  and members of the U.S. House of Representatives, who frequently make an appearance at these events, stuck on Capitol Hill for floor votes.

But the fact that so many people showed up, on a day when schools were closed, government offices opened late and motorists were urged to stay home, illustrated something about the insular world of Maryland politics. Wherever lawmakers assemble, lobbyists are always nearby, and donors are usually in the vicinity. The general public may or may not be on hand.

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Every year, the Democrats lunch is like a pep rally and look-ahead to the session, and Tuesdays event was no different.

But Maryland Democrats find themselves in an uncomfortable place. While they continue to celebrate electoral victories at home in 2024, they are still stunned by Democratic losses in national elections and fear the myriad impacts President-elect Donald Trump and his Republican allies in Congress could have on the state.

Moreover, while Democrats control all levers of state government and enjoy supermajorities in both chambers of the legislature, they are staring down the barrel of enormous deficits, which have to be closed over the next 90 days  and which are expected to necessitate uncomfortable choices over taxes and spending in the weeks ahead.

Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) veered from script, in his own words, and compared the upcoming session to an Antarctic expedition led by the early 20th century explorer Ernest Shackleton, which went woefully wrong due to extreme weather and other unanticipated conditions, but ended successfully.

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They build a team and a find a way and everybody works together to save everybodys lives, Ferguson said.

Ferguson also argued that even with the challenges, Maryland still has incredible assets, unprecedented diversity, and economic vitality.

Were still the same state weve been, he said.

House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones (D-Baltimore County) addressed the session strategy a little more prosaically.

Instead of talking about what our budget cant do, I like talking about what it can do, she said. Most important, it can protect vulnerable Marylanders.

But Jones conceded that Maryland Democrats are worried about what lies ahead for the next four years, and asserted that theyre ready to fight the extreme agenda [in Congress] that seeks to divide us.

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While lawmakers in both parties have already teed up hundreds of pieces of legislation, many are waiting to hear what Moores priorities are  and want to see what his budget proposal, which will be released next week, looks like, and whether hell embrace any tax increases.

Moore spoke mostly in generalities at the lunch Tuesday, saying he was anxious to continue to address child care challenges, gun violence and the rebuild of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. He expressed confidence that the end product of the legislative session will serve the hopes and dreams and aspirations of everyone who calls the state home.

Leadership matters not only when its easy  leadership really matters when its hard, when its complicated, he said.

State political leaders are mindful that whatever happens this session, it can impact their electoral fortunes in 2026, when Moore and other statewide elected officials are up for reelection and all 188 legislative seats are up for grabs. Maryland Democratic Party Chair Ken Ulman closed the lunch with a pledge of solidarity.

Your party has your back, he told the policymakers.
President-elect Donald Trump, on Jan. 7, blamed the outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden for Russia's all-out war against Ukraine.

Trump said Biden's support of Ukraine's NATO membership had led to Russia's war against the country. "I could understand their feelings," he said, referring to the country that launched the deadliest war in Europe since World War II.

Trump's statements were far from reality, with Biden never officially supporting Ukraine's NATO aspiration and the White House being the main obstacle to Kyiv receiving a formal invite to join the alliance.

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"It is possible that in two days, Trump will say something completely different, or Putin will make him angry because he will," Aaron Burnett, a senior fellow at the Democratic Strategy Initiative, told the Kyiv Independent.

"(Trump's statements) is just a word salad."

Read also: Zelensky addresses Trumps comments on NATO, stresses security guarantees

Trump's NATO problem

During the Jan. 7 press conference, President-elect Trump was explicit in his desire to seek territorial expansion, not ruling out using military force against Panama and NATO ally Denmark, and using economic mechanisms to conquer Canada.

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Trump also said he understands the desire for Russia's territorial expansion, blaming his country for Russia's war.

"A big part of the problem is, Russia  for many, many years, long before (Vladimir) Putin  said, 'You could never have NATO involved with Ukraine.' Now, they've said that. That's been, like, written in stone," Trump said.

"And somewhere along the line, Biden said, 'No. They should be able to join NATO.' Well, then Russia has somebody right on their doorstep, and I could understand their feelings about that."

Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014 when there were no talks about Ukraine joining NATO. The public opinion prior to Russia's invasion was also not in favor of joining the bloc.

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However, soon to be president, Trump, had long held unconventional views on NATO, its goals and the ways it works.

U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to speak to the media at a press conference on the second day of the 2018 NATO Summit in Brussels, Belgium, on July 12, 2018. (Sean Gallup / Getty Images)

During his presidential campaign, Trump caused concern among NATO members by saying he would not rule out the U.S. leaving the alliance. According to the president-elect, European countries are not contributing enough and "should play fair."

Trump's statement that he would allow Russia "to do whatever it wanted" to NATO member countries failing to meet defense spending criteria sparked even bigger outrage.

"No, I would not protect you," Trump said at a February rally in Conway, South Carolina. "In fact, I would encourage them (Russia) to do whatever the hell they want. You got to pay. You got to pay your bills."

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For years, Trump demanded that NATO countries spend 2 percent of their GDP on defense, a target reached by 23 NATO countries out of 32 in 2024. All states that border Russia spend over 2 percent of their defense.

As it frequently happens, on Jan. 7, Trump changed his desires, saying he wants NATO member states to spend 5 percent of their GDP on defense, a figure currently reached by zero NATO countries, including the U.S.

Since collective defense against aggression is the foundation of NATO, the U.S. reneging on its commitments would collapse the alliance.

Meanwhile, Vice President-elect J.D. Vance told NBC News that Trump has no intention of withdrawing from NATO. Trump wants NATO countries to "actually carry their share of the defense burden," Vance added.

Ukraine's long path to NATO

Meanwhile, the doors to Ukraine's membership in NATO were never really opened, and now it looks like they are shutting completely.

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Since its independence, Ukraine made a number of attempts to join the alliance, seen as the only real guarantee for the country's security.

In 2008, Ukraine sent an official application for a NATO Membership Action Plan (MAP), which if approved, would set the road for the country to join the alliance once all the criteria would be met.

U.S. President George Bush, a Republican, was a key supporter of Ukraine's desire to join the alliance.

The main opponents of Ukraine's potential membership were Germany and France, and despite a U.S.-led push to persuade German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy to welcome Kyiv, neither had budged.

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When the Democrats took the White House, the question of NATO membership for Ukraine was off the table, with neither President Barack Obama nor Biden supporting the Ukrainian aspiration.

Under Ukraine's pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych, who ruled the country between 2010 and 2014, the commission for preparing the country for NATO membership and the National Center for Euro-Atlantic Integration were dismantled.

According to Ukrainian polls, before Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2014, slightly over 20 percent of the country's population supported joining NATO.

Following Russia's occupation of Ukraine's Crimea and the eastern part of Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, over 50 percent of Ukrainians said they would vote for NATO membership.

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Following Russia's full-scale invasion, the number of Ukrainians supporting NATO membership jumped to over 80 percent.

In September 2022, as Russian troops were occupying parts of five Ukrainian regions, Kyiv officially applied to join the alliance. The U.S., under Biden's leadership, didn't support Ukraine's request.

"It was Biden and (Olaf) Scholz primarily who were putting the brakes on any invitation for Ukraine to NATO during the Vilnius Summit, for example. When other countries, most notably Central and Eastern Europe, the U.K., and even France, to a certain extent, were far more in favor at that time," Burnett said.

"Trump's rhetoric has the effect of absolutely putting in complete misinformation and disinformation about this particular question and America's willingness to actually have Ukraine in NATO and invite Ukraine to NATO."

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Ukraine's potential accession to NATO is not the reason for Russia's attack, Burnett said, adding that Putin has repeatedly hinted that he does not recognize Ukraine as a sovereign state.

President Volodymyr Zelensky (L), U.S. President Joe Biden (C), and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer (R) pose for a photo on the sidelines of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, U.S., on Sept. 25, 2024. (Leon Neal/Getty Images)

"Putin invaded Ukraine because he doesn't see it as a state, he doesn't believe that it has the right to exist as a state, and he's a neo-imperialist."

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Jan. 8 that the absence of NATO membership and concrete security guarantees contributed to Russia's decision to launch the full-scale invasion.

"Putin realized no one would stand up for Ukraine. He thought he could destroy us, but the Ukrainian army proved him wrong," Zelensky said.

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According to Burnett, Trump has also shown neo-imperialist views, especially given his recent controversial statements about turning Canada into "the 51st U.S. state" or "buying" Greenland.

Trump does not believe in alliances or the liberal world order, Burnett added.

The expert said several factors will influence Ukraine's future NATO bid. Trump's decision may be affected by Republicans who support Ukraine. Much will depend on Europe, how much its states are willing to spend on their defense, and whether Washington will be satisfied.

Ukraine will bear a heavy burden, but eventually, it will be difficult to predict any scenario at this point.

"Trump is unpredictable," Burnett said. "If anyone tells you they know what Trump's going to do, they are lying."

Read also: As Russian losses in Ukraine mount, Putin faces devastating demographic timebomb

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
New information reveals why London Police officers were serving a search warrant at 511 Vanzant Road the night of the officer-involved shooting just over two weeks ago.

The shooting remains under investigation by the Kentucky State Police, whose Post 11 in London was requested by London Police Department at 11:53 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23 to investigate an officer-involved shooting of 63-year-old Douglas Harless in his home at 511 Vanzant Road in the Lily community.

KSP initially shared that the preliminary investigation indicated London Police Department officers were following up on an investigation with an attempt to execute a search warrant.

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However, the release of 911 dispatch audio suggested that the shooting occurred at an incorrect address, raising concerns within the community.

Numerous media reports have connected the LPD investigation to the arrest of a Clay County man just hours before the shooting.

A uniform citation from London Police Department and obtained by the Sentinel-Echo states that Hobert Buttery, 49, of Manchester, was arrested at 7:34 p.m. Dec. 23 for stealing belongings from 508 Taylor Drive in London.

The items reported as stolen include a heater, four backpack blowers, three weed eaters, and a pole saw. According to the citation, Buttery only acknowledged taking a Stihl weed eater and heater from the backyard. He informed authorities that he had taken the weed eater to a house in Lily and the heater to a pawn shop in Manchester.

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The items were appraised as a little over $4,000  making the act a Class D felony. According to the arrest report, Buttery took the belongings at 10:01 p.m. Dec. 22. The items were reported as missing to LPD on Dec. 23.

Laurel County Judge-Executive David Westerfield told the Sentinel-Echo that, though the Taylor Drive residence belongs to him and his wife Karen, the stolen items belonged to his nephew.

My nephew called me  he keeps his lawn mowing equipment in my garage  and he told me what had happened and called the police, Westerfield stated. Nothing they stole was mine. It was all his.

Westerfields nephew owns a lawn-mowing service for which Buttery worked shortly prior. According to the arrest citation, Buttery had attempted to regain his position unsuccessfully.

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Judge Westerfield offered his condolences to the Harless family. I cant imagine what the family is going through at this time, he said.

Buttery had a preliminary hearing in Laurel County District Court Thursday morning with Chief District Judge John Paul Chappell. During the hearing, it was revealed that there were no witnesses to the crime.

Judge Chappell found probable cause and the case was sent to a grand jury for Jan. 17 at 9 a.m. Butterys bond remains $10,000.

I told them on Vanzant Road, there was a weed eater there, and they took it to where they wanted to go with that, Buttery stated in an interview with WKYT Thursday. I used to live down over the hill down there where they were supposed to go to that address, but they went to the wrong address, is what it was.

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Court records show Buttery previously resided at 515 Vanzant Road, not far from the address of Harless, where the shooting took place. However, the intended address per dispatch audio was 489 Vanzant.

In the dispatch audio, one individual can be heard stating, Units on scene attempted to serve a search warrant. Calling on the radio for assistance. Shots fired. 489 Vanzant Road.

The station later obtained a neighbors surveillance footage from the night of the shooting. The video begins at 11:50 p.m., with the police banging on Harless door and announcing themselves. Shortly thereafter, officers can be seen scattering throughout the yard before five gunshots are fired.

The officers then radioed for assistance. This is when the inconsistent address is stated multiple times.

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KSP collected pieces of evidence on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, which could benefit the investigation. During KSP Detective James Royals search of the 511 Vanzant Road property, he found five used .223 shell casings, a light bulb security camera, a Nokia cell phone, and a Taurus nine-millimeter handgun and holster.

According to Det. Royals search warrant, the light bulb security camera and cell phone could better show what occurred that night when the LPD officers attempted to enter the home.

LPD announced on Dec. 26 that the still-unnamed officer who fatally shot Harless has been placed on administrative leave. The post said the officer fired after the occupant of the residence produced a firearm and pointed it at officers.

Though life-saving measures were performed on scene, according to KSP, Harless succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased by Laurel County Coroner Doug Bowlings office.

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No other injuries were reported.

LPD officers were not wearing body-cams, as they suspended their use as of March 2023.

Several individuals have voiced their opinions on the incident. Among them is Doris Lawson, who has organized two events this month to urge justice for Harless, one of which already took place on Saturday.

The second protest is scheduled for Jan. 25 at 11:30 a.m. The event will begin in the Big Lots parking lot located in Carnaby Square. Protesters will walk from the store along Main Street to the Cessna & George law office, before then returning to Big Lots.

Lawson encourages attendees to wear black attire to the marches and remain peaceful. Updates regarding the protest will be posted to a Facebook event page titled Justice for Doug.

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A Facebook group also titled Justice for Doug is quickly gaining traction, with at least 1,600 followers at press time.

London Mayor Randall Weddle made public comment on the incident on Dec. 26, stating, My heart goes out to everyone affected by this incident. The family and friends of the individual remain in our thoughts and prayers, as well as the officers involved.

Mayor Weddle has since posted about the incident again, encouraging residents to refrain from jumping to conclusions.

The rumors and speculation circulating on social media are not facts, the mayor wrote. Assuming or spreading misinformation does not serve justice or our community.

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Some members of London City Council have expressed concerns regarding the situation as well.

I requested all documents related to the incident that occurred, Council Member Stacy Benge commented.

Benge verified that the request had been received, though he had not attained a response at press time.

Anthony Ortega, the newest addition to the council, shared a public Facebook post stating, I am deeply saddened by the recent officer-involved shooting in our community. My heart goes out to the family of Doug Harless and to the family of the officers involved.

The Sentinel-Echo filed an open records request to view the LPDs search warrant. A response was received three business days later, redirecting the Sentinel-Echo to Laurel Circuit Clerk Roger Schott. Schott said that his office does not possess the document at this time.

This remains a developing story.
Linda Willis, 69, has been fighting for years to rebuild her home after she says thieves took her deed and bulldozed her home.

She spoke with Channel 2 Investigative Reporter Ashli Lincoln on Tuesday in an empty Old Fourth Ward lot where her home once stood.

As you see, I did get my dirt back but I havent been able to rebuild, she told Lincoln.

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Sine 2021, Channel 2 Action News has reported on Willis fight to get her property back after she says thieves illegally took her deed, sold the home and then demolished it. She won a court case representing herself. A judge ruled the property should be returned to her, but now shes left to figure out how to rebuild.

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If I can afford to rebuild, I would. But the taxes, have you seen the taxes over here, she said.

After several Channel 2 Action News investigations, lawmakers began drafting laws to protect homeowners.

The legislation, House Bill 1292, was signed by Gov. Brian Kemp to create new, better safeguards for homeowners and property owners to keep criminals from impersonating them and stealing their property or taking out a second mortgage on it.

The bill creates a process to validate someones identity when they file a title deed or real estate and personal property record, ensuring that someone is legally able to claim the property and is who they say they are, a release from the Georgia Attorney Generals Consumer Protection Division said.

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While it wasnt referenced in the bill, the challenges Willis faced trying to save her home were tied to a lack of photo identification proving that someone was related to her while they allegedly stole her home right out from under her, then had it demolished.

Title theft occurs when a criminal impersonates a property owner and sells or takes out a second mortgage on the owners property. In the worst-case scenario, the home goes into foreclosure and/or is deeded to a new purchaser. It is a complicated and expensive process to rectify, if it can be rectified at all, the AGs office said in a statement.

RELATED STORIES:

Willis told Channel 2 Action News about how her home had been destroyed while she was still living there in November 2021.

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HB 1292 mostly took effect May 2, 2024, creating steps to deal with predatory and unsolicited real estate purchase offers targeting older residents in Georgia.

Going forward, those offering to purchase property must disclose differences in price versus value, with the monetary offer requiring the text THIS OFFER MAY OR MAY NOT BE THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF THE PROPERTY to be included in any offer.

Additionally, if the offer is less than the previous years assessed value of a property, the offer must state it clearly, reading THIS OFFER IS LESS THAN THE COUNTY ASSESSED VALUE FOR THIS PROPERTY.

For 2025, the rest of the bill takes effect, adding a requirement and process for validating who someone is when they file a title deed or other real estate and property records, and creates options for those who believe they were deceived to find justice.

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Additionally, the Georgia Attorney Generals Consumer Protection Division will now monitor these types of actions and take enforcement action when needed.

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Tacoma Police Chief Avery Moore didnt deliberately mislead two city administrators after racking up more than $1,000 in charges on his city-issued phone during an overseas summer vacation, according to an outside investigation.

The city sought to determine whether Moore lied to city officials about the charges during a September meeting.

A Dec. 11 report, authored by Seattle-based attorney Hana Kern, found there was not a deliberate untruth stated by Moore but noted that he could have been more clear in regard to his awareness of the pricey bill.

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The report was obtained by The News Tribune this week through a public records request.

Moore was placed on paid administrative leave in September while City Manager Elizabeth Pauli investigated the top cops use of his work cell phone. He accumulated $1,082 in international charges in July on a nearly week-long family vacation in Sweden, The News Tribune previously reported.

Moore told city officials that he used the phone for GPS navigation because his personal phone was neither accessible nor working, according to The News Tribunes reporting, citing internal city documents previously obtained in a public records request.

The chief apparently denied knowing of any personal charges to his work phone and said he would have paid them had he known about them, according to one document that summarized a Sept. 23 meeting attended by Pauli and a deputy city manager.

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Days after that meeting, Pauli learned that Moore had received text messages from Verizon relating to the charges while he was on vacation. The apparent discrepancy prompted the city to hire an outside investigator to determine if Moore had been truthful in his statements, according to the investigative report submitted to the city last month.

The issue was essentially chalked up to semantics.

Moore purportedly knew there were charges but had intended to convey to Pauli and Deputy City Manager Hyun Kim that he didnt know the amount owed and hadnt seen a bill, according to the report.

This was a misunderstanding, though Moore could have been clearer that he had been aware that charges had been incurred but that he had never been presented with the bill or made aware of the amount, the report said. Moore also could have been more proactive about seeking out the bill since he was aware that personal charges had been incurred.

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Messages left for Moore were not returned. The city declined to comment and pointed to prior public statements issued by Pauli and Moore after the chief returned to duty in early October.

In her statement on Oct. 2, Pauli concluded that Moores statements were not intended to mislead and said that he had reimbursed the city for the charges. She revealed that she had verbally counseled Moore, who she said hadnt met the expected standards of professional judgment.

I accept my discipline and am ready to move forward, fully committed to continuing my work with the Tacoma Police Department and serving the city that I proudly call home, Moore said in a statement at the time.

Kerns report does not address whether Moore should have been using his work phone for personal purposes. Tacoma Police Department policy restricts usage to official business and notes that work phones may not be taken outside of the state except for the performance of official duties.

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Incidental use of a city-issued phone for personal purposes was not against policy, Pauli said, according to notes from the outside investigation.

The report also doesnt indicate what the handful of text messages Moore said he received from Verizon had actually been read. He told city officials that they were escalating numbers that he equated to data usage, not dollar amounts, according to the report.

Moores work-phone usage came under scrutiny after Sgt. Henry Betts, president of Tacoma Police Union Local 6, reached out to Pauli on Sept. 19 and expressed concern about it, the report said.

On Tuesday, Betts told The News Tribune that the standard within the department should be high. He said it was the desire of union rank-and-file members to be treated similarly as Moore and other top officials in any scenario where there might be a miscommunication or discrepancy in an investigation or otherwise.

We hope that we get the same standard that they get, Betts said.

McClatchy Washington state government reporter Simone Carter contributed to this report.
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW)  The Grand Strand and Pee Dee are gearing up for colder temperatures this week, and so is a local homeless shelter.

New Directions is one of the biggest homeless shelters in South Carolina, sleeping more than 200 in total on an average night. The shelter has been on code blue since Sunday night and will remain under emergency overnights until this Sunday.

If its 40 degrees and rainy outside, we call a code blue, New Directions CEO Kathy Jenkins said. If its not rainy, were not going to turn anybody away but generally make a big issue about calling it when it gets down to about 36 degrees.

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Jenkins says freezing temperatures always brings them an extra influx of people.

If its too hot, too cold, too windy, too rainy if its dangerous for someone to be sleeping on the streets, were going to open up and run a code blue, she said. Were going to take in anybody who desires to get off the streets.

Jenkins says besides the people who are in the program the shelter offers, anyone is welcome on these nights.

If its going to be cold, under freezing the whole next day, nobody has to leave, she said.

During code blues, they house between 40 to 50 extra people.

When they come in, we provide a mat, we provide a sheet and a blanket, Jenkins said. Sometimes, depending on how many we have, we line the hallways and sleep on the floors.

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The shelters operations officer also noted that the shelters will become fuller the second half of the month, once money through Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or disability checks run out.

Jenkins said its easier for those to stay warmer in the winter than cooler in the summer, but theres nothing worse than a tropical storm or hurricane when youre living outside. She says across the U.S., homelessness numbers have gone up almost 100,000 over the last couple of years.

* * *

Jackie LiBrizzi is a multimedia journalist at News13. Jackie is originally from Hamilton, New Jersey, and was raised in Piedmont, South Carolina. Jackie joined the News13 team in June 2023 after she graduated as a student-athlete from the University of South Carolina in May 2023. Follow Jackie on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, and read more of her work here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
The Oregon Health Authority oversees the Oregon State Hospital in Salem. (Oregon Health Authority)

Disability Rights Oregon wants a federal judge to hold the state in contempt of court for failing to move people from jails into Oregon State Hospital for mental health care within a court-ordered deadline of seven days.

Instead, they wait weeks to enter the Salem-based psychiatric hospital as their health deteriorates. In the past three years, at least two people died after extended waits in jail to enter the hospital and start mental health treatment.

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The contempt finding is needed because of Oregons failure to comply with a 22-year-old federal court order that requires the hospital to efficiently admit patients from jails who need mental health care before they can face criminal charges, Disability Rights Oregon attorneys argued in a motion filed on Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Portland. The motion asks a judge to order changes in hospital admissions. Those include limiting entry to the hospital when people only face low-level misdemeanor charges and establishing new deadlines for people to exit the hospital when they are ready to be discharged.

The original seven-day court order was issued to get patients admitted quickly to the state hospital for treatment. But people still wait weeks on average in jail to be admitted. Those delays affect their mental health and slow the justice system because they need treatment to face charges.

Despite a 22-year-old federal court order, the state of Oregon has shown little regard for the well-being of people with mental illness languishing in jail. Jail is the last place a person experiencing ongoing psychiatric crises should be, said Jake Cornett, Executive Director and CEO of Disability Rights Oregon, a watchdog advocacy organization. We will not stand idly by as Oregon thumbs its nose at the judicial system  there must be consequences.

Amber Shoebridge, a spokesperson for Oregon State Hospital, declined to comment on the filing.

Persistent challenges

Oregon State Hospitals struggles to move patients from jails to the hospital have persisted for years.

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In 2002, a federal judge ordered the hospital to admit patients unfit to stand trial on criminal charges within seven days of a court order. Disability Rights Oregon, then called the Oregon Advocacy Center, took the state to court and won the order.

For years, the state hospital complied, but since 2018, the state hospital has been out of compliance most of the time, the filing said. Since 2021, the state hospital and Disability Rights Oregon have worked with a court-ordered outside neutral expert, Debra Pinals, to come into compliance.

The average time someone waits to enter the state hospital is nearly 27 days, according to Pinals November 2024 report. That report also notes other challenges, like the uncertainty of staffing new community residential programs slated to open up in Oregon in 2025, offering space outside the state hospital.

In its motion on Tuesday, Disability Rights Oregon said the state hospital has failed to fully implement Pinals recommendations from the last three years.

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Those include discharging patients sooner when they are ready to leave the hospital and community programs and placements for people outside the Oregon State Hospital.

The state hasnt implemented all of her recommendations, said Emily Cooper, legal director for Disability Rights Oregon. Thats one of the big problems here. If they had implemented all of her recommendations, Im not sure wed be here.

Mental health care services for people charged with crimes stretches beyond the state hospital. Community mental health programs serve people when they exit the state hospital and they also treat people who dont need intensive hospital care.

But those resources  along with the state hospitals capacity to serve 742 patients in Salem and a satellite campus in Junction City  are often limited.

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Cooper, with Disability Rights Oregon, also worries about the potential for criminalizing mental health challenges. And she said Oregon needs to fully fund community restoration programs to help people outside the state hospital. Examples can include deflection programs that help people access addiction recovery services and avoid misdemeanor drug possession charges.

You have to look at why are so many people with mental illness doing so poorly and decompensating to the point where they even enter the criminal justice system, Cooper said.

State data and the admissions of hospital officials in court records show that compliance with the court order is an ongoing challenge.

In Nov. 18, 2024, court hearing, state officials said they couldnt say when they would return to compliance.

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Unfortunately, we do not have projections, testified Carla Scott, an Oregon Department of Justice attorney representing Oregon State Hospital, according to a court transcript.

As of Dec. 15, 81 people in jail were waiting for admission to the state hospital, according to a state report. Another 75 people at the hospital no longer need hospital-level care, the report said.

Two deaths before treatment

Delays in treatment can be deadly. The court filings give two examples of people who died after long waits in jail cells for mental health care in the state hospital.

Bryce Bybee died on April 17, 2022 in the Washington County Jail, nine days after he was ordered to the state hospital. For weeks before his death, he was often unresponsive without eating or drinking. At the jail, he was diagnosed with dehydration and hypokalemia, a condition with low potassium in blood also associated with malnutrition, the filing said.

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Before his death, he was so immobile that he had bed sores while in jail.

Skye Baskin died on April 18, 2024. He was not officially declared dead until the day he arrived at Oregon State Hospital from Douglas County Jail. But when he arrived at the hospital, he had lost nearly 100 pounds, or 40% of his body weight, court records show.

He spent six weeks in an isolation cell in jail, and a medical examiner found he died of a heart arrhythmia linked to starvation and dehydration.

In Baskins case, a mental health crisis put him in jail. Motorists saw him wander around a highway around cars and contacted police, leading to his arrest.

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NEW YORK (AP)  Disgraced former congressman George Santos has asked a New York judge to delay his sentencing on federal fraud charges until the summer so he can pay off more than half a million dollars in fines by making more episodes of his recently launched podcast Pants on Fire."

But prosecutors, in their response Tuesday, dismissed the New York Republican's promises of a financial boon as extremely speculative and derided the program's title as a tone-deaf and unrepentant reference to the crimes he committed."

They also cast doubt on his claim of having little more than $1,000 in liquid assets as they argued for the sentencing to proceed as scheduled on Feb. 7.

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Prosecutors say the 36-year-old Santos has earned more than $400,000 from appearances on Cameo, the video-sharing website, and another $400,000 from a new documentary since he was expelled from the U.S. House in December 2023. Santos was just the sixth House member in the chambers history to be ousted by colleagues.

His earnings, prosecutors said, come on top of the roughly $174,000 taxpayer-funded salary he received during his 11-month stint on Capitol Hill.

His letter fails to provide any accounting of his current financial condition; fails to offer any explanation of his dissipation of assets (including personal spending) in the months since his guilty plea, prosecutors wrote.

Lawyers for Santos didnt immediately respond to an email seeking comment Tuesday.

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Elected in 2022, Santos was a once rising Republican star for flipping a wealthy New York district covering parts of Queens and Long Island.

But his life story unraveled even before taking office, with his claims of a career at top Wall Street firms and having a college degree debunked amid questions about how he funded his campaign.

In August, he pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, admitting that he duped voters, deceived donors and stole the identities of nearly a dozen people, including his own family members, to make donations to his campaign.

At the time, Santos blamed ambition for clouding his judgment and said he was flooded with deep regret. He faces a mandatory minimum two-year sentence for the identity theft charge and a maximum of 22 years in prison.

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As part of a deal negotiated with prosecutors, Santos agreed to pay nearly $580,000 in fines, including nearly $375,000 in restitution and $205,000 in forfeiture.

But on Friday, his lawyers asked the judge to postpone the sentencing until August, noting he's required to pay the forfeiture 30 days before his court date.

They said the weekly podcast he announced shortly after pleading guilty represents a promising revenue stream," but, due to technical and logistical impediments," wasnt launched until Dec. 15.

Mr. Santos now has a viable path to making meaningful progress in satisfying his obligations, requiring only additional time for the quarterly compensation structure to generate sufficient funds, his lawyers wrote.

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Prosecutors however, countered that Santos' request provides no details about the venture's predicted financial returns.

They said his compensation, based on a report from the probation department, will likely consist of 50% of net profits, to be paid within 90 days of the end of each calendar quarter  an arrangement that's highly unlikely to net Santos enough money to satisfy his restitution and forfeiture obligations by August.

Prosecutors also cautioned that granting the delay would create a perverse incentive structure, in which defendants who capitalized on their "notoriety and criminality" were rewarded.

Put differently, allowing Santos to stave off sentencing specifically to monetize his infamy would send a message to the public that crime pays, they wrote.
DES MOINES, Iowa  On Tuesday evening the Des Moines School Board will hold its first meeting of 2025, and theyll once again request the maximum amount of state funding for dropout prevention  a total of $16 million.

$12 million of this funding comes from the state, with Des Moines Public Schools contributing $4 million from its general fund.

The amount of money provided is determined by a formula from the state. This takes into account enrollment, per pupil cost (which is $7,800 per student) times five percent, and comes from a share of property taxes.

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The funds are meant to help prevent students from deciding to end their education and covers many areas, from school safety to chronic absenteeism, healthy social interaction and conflict prevention between students, and helping students who may be falling behind catch up.

$3.4 million announced for Iowas teacher apprenticeship program

Flex academy teachers, just to take that as an example, said Shashank Aurora, DMPS Chief Financial Officer. Our core are math, science, English, and social studies. Each of the high schools has one specialty teacher in each of these subjects. So, four teachers in each high school, five high schools are 20 teachers that are being funded through that. The main intent is for students who are failing to ensure that they dont fail and can get a passing grade.

Aurora also said ensuring student success requires additional effort and investment from the staff to ensure the students complete high school. Enough studies have proven that the more educated the youth are, the more money they earn long-term.

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Historically, DMPS has received the maximum funding from the state for dropout prevention.

Metro News:

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CHIPPEWA COUNTY, Wis. (WFRV)  A wild deer in Chippewa County tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD), causing baiting and feeding bans to be renewed in two western Wisconsin counties.

A release from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) states that officials recently confirmed the first positive test result for CWD in a wild deer found in Chippewa County.

Officials say the deer was a hunter-harvested 1-year-old buck. It was harvested within 10 miles of the Barron and Dunn County borders.

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Health Department: Case of mumps confirmed in Wisconsin

The detection in Chippewa County has the following effects and baiting and feeding bans:

Chippewa County Will renew a 3-year baiting and feeding ban already in place

Barron County Will renew a 2-year baiting and feeding ban already in place

Dunn County Currently has a 3-year baiting and feeding ban in place for positive detections within the county



The DNR and the Chippewa County Deer Advisory Council are hosting a public meeting on February 6, at 6:30 p.m. to provide information about CWD in Wisconsin and local testing efforts within Chippewa County.

The DNR is required by state law to enact a three-year baiting and feeding ban in counties where CWD has been detected, as well as a two-year ban in adjoining counties within 10 miles of a CWD detection.

WPS: Tips for keeping your family warm as the bitter cold hits Wisconsin

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CWD is a fatal, infectious nervous system disease of deer, moose, elk, and reindeer/caribou caused by an infectious protein that affects the animals brain.

More information about CWD can be found here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
By Danial Azhar

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - A purported royal document allowing Malaysia's jailed former Prime Minister Najib Razak to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest was never hidden, the communications minister said on Wednesday.

Minister Fahmi Fadzil, who is also the government spokesperson, told a regular press briefing he was never informed or received such a document.

The palace of Malaysia's former king, who granted Najib a pardon and reduced sentence last year before stepping down, on Jan. 4 issued and later confirmed the authenticity of a letter saying the document existed. Najib's legal team says the government has ignored it.

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The Court of Appeal on Monday overturned the dismissal of Najib's legal attempt to access the document that he says should allow him to serve the rest of his term at home. The case will go back to court to be heard by another judge.

Fahmi said the government was bound by the principle of subjudice and would leave the former premier's case to the judicial process.

"We take note that the Court of Appeal has remitted the case to the High Court so we must consider the views and advice of the attorney-general on several matters to not prejudice the case," Fahmi said.

Najib, imprisoned for his role in a multibillion-dollar fraud at state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad, had his 12-year sentence halved last year in a pardon by then-King Al-Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah.

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Najib and the ex-king's palace say the monarch also grants him house arrest in an "addendum order" that accompanied the pardon.

Najib was found guilty in 2020 of criminal breach of trust and abuse of power for illegally receiving funds misappropriated from a unit of 1MDB. He is on trial for corruption in several other 1MDB-linked cases and denies wrongdoing.

(Reporting by Danial Azhar; Editing by Martin Petty)
John Henry Ramirez was executed in Texas in 2022 after being convicted of murder in the 2004 death of 46-year-old Pablo Castro.

In her documentary "I am Ready, Warden," director Smriti Mundhra tells the story of Ramirez's attempt to reach out to the victim's son, Aaron Castro.

ABC News' Linsey Davis sat down with Mundhra, also known for the Oscar-nominated "St. Louis Superman," and Castro to discuss the documentary.

PHOTO: Death row inmate John Henry Ramirez tried to connect with the son of the man he killed. (MTV Documentary Films)

ABC NEWS: Is redemption or retribution possible for a murderer? Director Smriti Mundhra examines this question and more in a new Oscar-shortlisted documentary from MTV called "I'm Ready, Warden." Let's take a look.

Smriti Mundhra and Aaron Castro join us now. Thank you so much for coming on the show. Now this film highlights John Henry Ramirez; he had been on death row for 14 years, in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day.

Smriti, I understand you heard about his story by reading an article by The Marshall Project. What about that article made you decide you wanted to do a film about his death row experience?

SMRITI MUNDHRA: I wanted to specifically examine a story of a person on death row who had admitted to committing the crime. There was no question of innocence or guilt. And, you know, who had had the time, you know, in prison to really reflect and, you know, atone for what they'd done. And also look at the perspective of the victim side, you know, of the impact on the family of, you know, on the other side of things.

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So that's sort of how this project really came to be. And I read an article by a journalist who had -- Keri Blakinger -- who had done a lot of work, you know, writing about men in the prison system and on death row, and we collaborated.

PHOTO: Smriti Mundhra directed 'I am Ready, Warden,' a documentary about death row John Henry Ramirez. (MTV Documentary Films)

ABC NEWS: And Aaron, Ramirez killed your father. What made you decide that you wanted to participate in this film?

CASTRO: I think not hiding from the problem and being able to talk about it is always those first steps, right? They always say talk about it, don't hold things in.

And this allowed me to kind of give more of my father's side of things as not just a Mexican immigrant who was murdered, but call him by his name, Pablo Castro. And, you know, share a little bit more about him and how it affected us.

ABC NEWS: I understand that Ramirez reached out to you when he was on death row, when he was saying his goodbyes to his own family. And your response? Have you changed your opinion at all about him or the idea of giving people a second chance?

CASTRO: I think something that the film really shows is that change. That change of mindset. You know, because the film is showing something so raw and authentic within the moment you're able to capture through even moments of silence in the documentary, moments where I am thinking and understanding and following my heart, how do I feel? How has this really affected me?

PHOTO: Aaron Castro's father Pablo was killed by Ramirez in 2004. (MTV Documentary Films)

And, you know, I'm a human being. I'm empathetic, and I have emotions as well. So I had to really dig deep.

ABC NEWS: What did you learn about death row while you were doing this film?

MUNDHRA: I think probably the most profound thing I learned about death row and the death penalty overall is that it doesn't always offer the closure and justice that it promises, you know, and that there's victims on all sides. There's a ripple effect, right, when a person is incarcerated, you know, to families on both sides.

ABC NEWS: Does it offer closure?

CASTRO: I think that's something that I have thought about for a long time, that's the difference between, for me, deciding to choose hate and anger or forgiveness and compassion. And I think each individual human being has to search that for themselves.

ABC NEWS: Smriti, this is your second Oscar film or film that's been shortlisted for the Oscars about violence in America. What is it that you hope that the viewers will take away with regard to this theme?

MUNDHRA: I feel it's my responsibility to really understand, you know, these subjects, these institutions that are really designed to protect me, but that victimize others, to really understand what they're about, you know, and really take stock of my own values and really pose that question to the viewers. You know, as, you know, what is our value system as a culture, as a society?

ABC NEWS: Smriti, Aaron, we thank you both so much for coming on the show. And you can watch "I am Ready, Warden," available on streaming.

Documentary explores death row inmate's attempt to connect with victim's son originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
More details are now known about a teen who was arrested last month after a Laveen home invasion, thanks to court documents.

Michael Valles, 19, has been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of 28-year-old Carlos Pardo Espericueta.

Valles was one of four men alleged to have forced a homeowner into his house Dec. 16 while armed with at least two handguns, according to court records. During the armed home invasion, Espericueta, one of the four suspects, was shot in a scuffle and died about a week later in the hospital.

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According to court documents, the homeowner claimed that after arriving home from work and parking his car in the driveway, the four men exited from a silver sedan and forced him into his house by pointing a gun to his back.

The homeowner's Ring camera footage missed a chunk of the incident after one of the men tampered with the camera. Footage resumed after Phoenix police arrived, court documents say.

Police found Espericueta shot in the chest and the leg next to the passenger side of the silver sedan, which was later identified as a Honda Accord.

Neither the homeowner nor anyone else inside the home was seriously injured, Phoenix police confirmed.

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Investigators went to the home of the vehicle's owner to determine whether or not it had been stolen.

The owner of the vehicle and her daughter grew silent when asked by police about the vehicle, court documents say.

The newer model Honda Accord required a key fob to be present to start the vehicle, which the owner initially stated had two key fobs. The woman later stated that the car only had one key fob and that she had been the sole person in possession of it.

The woman's house had a Ring camera positioned toward the porch and driveway that would have potentially captured footage of a car theft, but when she was asked to provide the footage, the woman initially declined, saying that she was unable to locate her cell phone that would have the footage, according to court documents.

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Police then obtained a warrant for the footage which showed a man who the vehicle owner identified as Valles, her daughter's boyfriend, leaving her house in the Honda Accord. A short time later, the same vehicle was then seen parked outside the location of the home invasion on footage from the homeowner's Ring camera.

Other evidence linking Valles to the crime included a cell phone purchased by his girlfriend's mother for him that was left in the vehicle, footage of Valles wearing the same clothing as the driver of the Honda Accord and footage of him returning home shortly after the home invasion, court documents say.

Officials declared Espericueta's death a homicide. The other two suspects have not yet been named.

Though it remains unclear whether Valles was the one who discharged the bullet that killed Espericueta, according to Arizona law, courts can still move forward with murder charges.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix PD used footage to link teen to murder, court documents say
Credit - Paul MaguireGetty Images

Any time a person catches H5N1, or bird flu, their infection is a chance for the virus to mutate in the wrong direction. When someone dies from the bird fluas an elderly Louisiana man did on Jan. 6, becoming the first U.S. death from the diseaseexperts get especially concerned.

Could this person's deadly infection signal that the H5N1 virus is becoming more adept at infecting people and causing severe disease in humans?

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Here's what experts say.

A closer look at the recent death

So far, 66 people in the U.S.most of them farmworkers who spent time around infected cattle and poultryhave been infected with H5N1, but all have recovered after mild illnesses.

Health officials get samples from these infected individuals in order to keep tabs on the virus, monitoring it for any signs that it might be mutating to become more adept at infecting people, spread more easily among people, or cause more serious disease. So far, there have been no indications that the virus is changing to allow it to jump from person to person.

The Louisiana man was swabbed for samples of the virus in his nose and throat before his death. So were the sick chickens in his backyard, with which he was in direct contact. After analyzing these genetic sequences, scientists at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found a few mutations that werent detected in infected chickens on the man's property, suggesting that the virus began changing after infecting him.

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Read More: We Are Not Safe from Bird Flu Until We Protect Farmworkers

But the mutations werent sufficient to make the virus transmit more easily from one person to another, they concluded. The virus they identified was also detected in wild birds and chickens in the U.S. and in some human cases in the country and Canada, but its different from the strain responsible for the major outbreaks in dairy cows and chickens throughout country.

The good news, according to the CDC analysis, is that they found no changes in the part of the viral genome that mutates to resist antiviral drugs, so current drug treatments should still be effective against this strain of H5N1.

The reassuringand less reassuringnews

Despite the fact that the virus mutated in the patient, the CDC scientists say that scenario is slightly more reassuring than if a version of the virus that is more adapted to human infection was found in wild birds or chickens. Although concerning, and a reminder that A(H5N1) viruses can develop changes during the clinical course of a human infection, these changes would be more concerning if found in animal hosts or in early stages of infection (e.g., within a few days of symptom onset) when these changes might be more likely to facilitate spread to close contacts, the CDC scientists write in the report. Notably, in this case, no transmission from the patient in Louisiana to other persons has been identified.

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Read More: Can Bird Flu Survive in Milk?

The Louisiana mans virus did not contain changes that allow H5N1 to more easily infect mammalian cellsas the H5N1 found in most of the infected dairy cows do. But experts say that viruses are notoriously indiscriminate mutators, and that its a matter of time before H5N1 hits on the right combination of mutations that enable it to spread more easily among people or cause more serious disease.

It's also important to note the man's specific risk factors. He was over age 65, which puts him at higher risk of developing severe disease with any viral infection, and also had underlying health conditions, according to state health officials. The fact that he died after his infections doesn't necessarily mean he had a more virulent strain of H5N1.

The bottom linefor now

Based on the genetic study, CDC scientists say the risk to the public has not changed and remains low. Risk of infection is highest among people in the dairy and poultry industries who make direct contact with infected animals, or among people, such as the Louisiana man, who keep backyard flocks that could get sick from contact with infected animals in the wild.

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So far, U.S. health officials have not decided to recommend vaccinating anyone in the country with doses of a previously developed vaccine in the U.S. national stockpile. Newer, updated versions of a vaccine based on the same mRNA technology behind the COVID-19 shots are currently being developed and tested in the event human outbreaks occur and wider vaccination is needed.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
As Inauguration Day nears, President-elect Donald Trump is getting ready for his second term in office.

He has already named most of his Cabinet nominees and several other White House positions, including Cincinnati native Vivek Ramaswamy, a former presidential candidate whom Trump tapped to help lead the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, with Tesla and X CEO Elon Musk.

Trump also announced some day-one plans, including hitting Mexico, Canada and China with import tariffs and pardoning Jan. 6 rioters.

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When will Trump and soon-to-be Vice President J.D. Vance be sworn into office? And can you watch it on television? Let's take a look.

When is Inauguration Day?

The inauguration ceremony takes place Monday, Jan. 20.

Where is the inauguration?

Inauguration Day events are at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, according to the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC).

What time is the inauguration?

The 60th presidential inauguration kicks off with the Swearing-In Ceremony, which takes place at noon ET.

Inauguration Day 2025 schedule

While JCCIC has yet to release a timetable or the names of specific speakers, musical artists or other guests, they have laid out the major beats of the day.

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Swearing-In Ceremony.

Presidents Room Signing Ceremony.

Inaugural Luncheon.

Review of the Troops.

Presidential Parade and Reception.

Inaugural Balls.

As per past inaugurations, the day usually begins with a procession to the capitol in which the outgoing president typically accompanies the president-elect, according to JCCIC.

After this, the vice president is sworn in, followed by the president. After this is the inaugural address at which the newly elected speaks to the country for the first time.

Then, the former president and first lady make their honorary departure, which has been done by helicopter (weather permitting) since Gerald Fords departure in 1977.

The new president then heads to the Presidents Room off of the Senate Chamber in the U.S. Capitol to take their first official actions. Accompanied by aides and members of Congress, they take this time to sign nominations, memorandums, proclamations or executive orders.

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Then, the new president, vice president and guests sit down for the traditional Inaugural Luncheon at Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol. The luncheon program includes "speeches, gift presentations from the JCCIC, and toasts to the new administration."

After all this is finished, the new president and vice president head to the East Front steps of the Capitol where they review military troops before leading a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House, which includes a procession of ceremonial military regiments, citizens groups, marching bands and floats.

Inaugural Balls are held later to further the celebrations.

How to watch the inauguration ceremonies

Inauguration Day ceremonies air on major news networks, including ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, CSPAN and Fox News.

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You can also watch the day's events via USA TODAY's YouTube livestream here.

What is the presidential oath of office?

During Inauguration Day, the vice-president-elect is sworn in first and repeats the same oath of office recited by senators, representatives and other federal employees. The following oath has been in use since 1884:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God."

Then the president-elect recites another oath around noon that is in line with Article II, Section I of the U.S. Constitution.

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"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

How do you get tickets to Trump's inauguration?

A select number of tickets are being made available to the public by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

Tickets are free and available from members of Congress.

To find and contact your members of Congress, use the search function on USA.gov.

USA TODAY contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: When is Trump the president? Date, time, channel for his inauguration
A dog bite expert was back on the stand Tuesday morning as the high-profile Karen Read murder case returned to court for another pre-retrial hearing.

The defense wants to bring Dr. Marie Russell back as a key witness for Reads second trial, which Judge Beverly Cannone agreed to delay until April 2025, but the prosecution wants to block that.

The new prosecutor in Reads second trial case wants to block her testimony at the retrial.

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Russell previously testified that the holes found in OKeefes hoodie and the wounds to his arm were from a dog. Russells opinion is that OKeefes injuries do not appear to have been caused by a vehicle.

WATCH LIVE: Dog bite expert in Karen Read murder case back on stand after recess. WATCH LIVE: Dog bite expert in Karen Read case faces more questions about John O'Keefe's injuries following afternoon recess. Posted by Boston 25 News on Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Russell said the wounds on John OKeefes arm were from a large dog. Special prosecutor Hank Brennan called her analysis speculation.

Because there is no methodology or standard to look at, it involves a great deal of your subjective opinion, Brennan remarked.

With all due respect, Mr. Brennan, Im not somebody that just came in off the street, Dr Russell retorted.

Brennan says the injuries were received from Karen Reads Lexus SUV backing into OKeefe outside 34 Fairview Road in Canton.

Brenan also revealed says the prosecution tracked down Chloe, the German shepherd who lived at 34 Fairview rdRoad when OKeefe was found outside the home in January 2022

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We actually went off and found Chloe and took molds and measured the pods in her teeth, Brennan detailed/

Defense attorney Robert Alessi shot back at Brennans suggestion that molds from Chloes mouth would be needed.

Have you ever heard of an emergency room doctor visiting a dog, is that a rational proposition? Alessi asked.

A ruling on Dr. Russells testimony will come at a later date.

The prosecution is also asking the judge to block two accident reconstruction experts who both testified at the first trial.

Those experts said John OKeefes injuries were not the result of a car strike

Read is accused of hitting her Boston police officer boyfriend John OKeefe with her Lexus SUV on Jan. 29, 2022, and leaving him to die in the snow outside the Canton home of fellow Boston officer Brian Albert after a night of drinking.

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The defense has sought to portray Read as the victim, saying OKeefe was actually killed inside the Albert family home and then dragged outside and left for dead.

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Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy's Department of Government Efficiency, a nongovernmental advisory group created to slash the federal government's budget, is looking to hire "a very small number" of full-time, salaried positions, according to its X account.

The group  nicknamed "DOGE" after the memecoin that Musk has promoted  is recruiting people to fill software engineering, information security engineering, HR, IT and finance roles, Business Insider reported.

The X post instructs applicants for the HR, IT and finance roles to direct message the DOGE account with their resumes and "a few bullet points about why you are interested in DOGE." In a separate post, applicants for the software engineering and information security engineering jobs were told to send bullet points "demonstrating exceptional ability" along with a cell phone number. The posts do not offer details on job descriptions, salaries or how many positions will be filled.

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Musk, who has said DOGE is looking to cut $2 trillion from the federal budget, said in November that DOGE employees would not be paid. "This will be tedious work, make lots of enemies & compensation is zero," he posted on X.

Trump announced in December that William McGinley, a longtime election attorney who served as cabinet secretary in Trump's first term and has been appointed White House counsel for his second term, will be DOGE's attorney. McGinley has also served as the Republican National Committee's outside counsel for election integrity. Katie Miller, deputy press secretary for the Department of Homeland Security under Trump's first administration, would also DOGE, Trump said.

Trump announced the creation of DOGE weeks after he was reelected in November. Musk and Ramaswamy, the billionaires he put in charge of it, have pledged a "chainsaw" approach to cutting the $6 trillion federal budget.

Ramaswamy has suggested eliminating programs that have lapsed spending authorizations despite still being funded by Congress, such as veterans' health care services, housing assistance and the Justice Department. Musk has called for "deleting" the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

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In an op-ed published by the Wall Street Journal, they pointed to $535 million allocated to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, $1.5 billion for "grants to international organizations" and nearly $300 million allocated to "progressive groups like Planned Parenthood" as examples of funding that could be cut.

Fiscal policy experts say their proposals misunderstand the role of funding authorization in Congress.

"They have a fundamentally superficial understanding of what they're doing," Bobby Kogan, senior director of federal budget policy at the Center for American Progress, said. "They have a meme-level understanding. 'Let's get rid of unauthorized spending' is the sort of thing that you might see in a Facebook meme."
CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  If you are able to foster a dog during the cold weather you would be a great help to the parish plus have a new friend for a few days.

Caddo Animal Services is asking residents to please foster one of their shelter dogs during the freezing temperatures. The shelter receives new animals everyday so some dogs have to be housed outside in order to make space.

They currently have nine dogs in need of a foster family for a few days. Director Travis Clark said they are friendly guys who would not overstay their welcome.

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How cold is too cold for your dog?

The animals that are outside have access to dry bedding. They are not just on concrete. I know two of them are Great Pyrenees and one of them is a big Shepard so those are animals that can handle lower temperatures but we are trying to get more of them into foster, Clark said.

People interested in fostering can visit the shelter on Monty Street to complete a foster agreement form. The shelter is also asking for blankets and laundry detergent to wash pet beds.

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 KTALnews.com.
On Tuesday, the Justice Department, in conjunction with its state co-plaintiffs, filed an amended complaint in its antitrust lawsuit against RealPage, to sue six of the nations largest landlords for participating in algorithmic pricing schemes that the department claims harmed renters.

Among the six companies sued are Houston-based Camden Property Trust and Dallas-based Willow Bridge Property Company. The remaining four companies are Greystar Real Estate Partners, Cushman & Wakefield Inc and Pinnacle Property Management Services, Blackstones LivCor and Cortland Management.

Combined, these landlords operate more than 1.3 million units in 43 states and the District of Columbia. Additionally, each of these companies has portfolio data that outlines holdings in various Texas cities  although Houston is the most prominent.

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While Americans across the country struggled to afford housing, the landlords named in todays lawsuit shared sensitive information about rental prices and used algorithms to coordinate to keep the price of rent high, said Acting Assistant Attorney General Doha Mekki of the Justice Departments Antitrust Division. Todays action against RealPage and six major landlords seeks to end their practice of putting profits over people and make housing more affordable for millions of people across the country.

What does the complaint allege?

The amended complaint alleges that the six landlords actively participated in a scheme to set their rents using each others competitively sensitive information through common pricing algorithms.

Along with using RealPages anticompetitive pricing algorithms, the lawsuit alleges that these landlords coordinated through a variety of means, including directly communicating with competitors senior managers about rents, occupancy, and other competitively sensitive topics, regularly conducting call arounds," participating in user groups hosted by RealPage and by sharing information with competitors about parameters in RealPages software.

As a means of sparking cooperation, the DOJ highlighted a proposed consent decree that, if approved by the court, would resolve its claims against Cortland, a landlord that manages more than 80,000 rental units in 13 states.

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Under the proposed consent decree, Cortland would cooperate in the Justice Departments investigation and litigation and be barred from, among other things: using competitors competitively sensitive data to train or run any pricing model, using third-party software or algorithms to price apartments without the supervision of a court-appointed monitor and soliciting, disclosing or using any competitively sensitive information with any other property manager as part of setting rental prices or generating rental pricing recommendations.

Lawsuit comes amid stabilizing housing market in Austin

After being one of the strongest in the nation during the past decade, the apartment market in the five-county Austin region has seen a major shift in the past couple of years.

In early 2022, rents were rising sharply, with some tenants seeing monthly increases of $300 or more.

But during 2023 and 2024, rents declined, which was welcome news for tenants but has posed challenges for landlords.

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The ongoing softening in the market is due to a huge number of new apartment units that have, and continue to be delivered, even as job growth and the influx of newcomers into the Austin area have slowed.

Now, several weeks of free rent are not uncommon, along with gift cards and other specials to entice renters.

In areas where new supply is high, such as in Austin's northern and southern suburbs, and to the east along Texas 130, some landlords are offering up to 12 weeks rent-free, Matt Enzler, senior managing director of Trammell Crow Residential's North Texas division, told the Statesman via email in November.

And some experts say it could be 2027 before rents stabilize and start rising again.

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Over the past two years, effective rents (which factor in discounts) have seen a cumulative decline of 14.6%, with a 9% decrease last year alone. That's according to Robin Davis' Austin Investor Interests, a research firm that tracks the apartment market in the Austin region that stretches from Georgetown to San Marcos.

As of the end of September, effective rents (for all unit sizes and both older and newer properties) averaged $1,450 per month compared with $1,603 per month at the end of September 2023, Davis' figures showed.

But while the market currently has a glut of new units, new construction starts are off more than 80% since the peak in 2022, Enzler said in the November email.

"2025 will see dramatically lower deliveries and 2026 will be well-below the historical norms," Enzler wrote. "Renters should have the ability to negotiate rents for the next 18-24 months as the market works through new deliveries, but as supply dwindles, they should expect rent increases in late 2026 and beyond."

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Beck Andrew Salgado covers trending topics in the Austin business ecosystem for the American-Statesman. To share additional tips or insights with Salgado, email Bsalgado@gannett.com.

Staff writer Shonda Novak contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: DOJ files lawsuit that includes two major Texas based landlords
(WHTM) The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the City of Hazleton, Pa., challenging the city councils at-large method of electing members.

According to the DOJ, the lawsuit seeks a federal court order to implement a new method of electing members of the Hazleton City Council, giving the citys growing Hispanic population a fair chance at electing preferred council members.

The lawsuit alleges that Hazletons at-large method of electing city council members results in Hispanic voters having less opportunity to elect candidates of choice despite making up 40% of the citys electorate, the DOJ said.

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The Justice Department says Hazeltons current method of electing council members is in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, and that despite the countys large and growing Hispanic population, Hispanic-preferred candidates routinely run and lose.

The Hispanic population is a growing and important population in the City of Hazelton, and those citizens should have the ability to choose candidates that represent their interests, said U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. This complaint demonstrates my offices commitment to partner with the Justice Department to enforce civil rights statutes like the Voting Rights Act.

The complaint, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, claims that Hispanic voters will have a better opportunity to elect candidates of their choice by changing the election method, per the DOJ.

According to the DOJ, with a change in the method of elections, Hispanic voters could elect at least two members of the five-member council by electing council members from single-member districts.

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The DOJ said it will continue talks with the City of Hazleton to work toward a resolution on the matter.

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 ABC27.
By Brad Heath and Sarah N. Lynch

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Three senior U.S. Justice Department officials committed misconduct in the final months of Donald Trumps first presidency by leaking details about a non-public investigation, a move that may have been intended to sway the 2020 election, the department's internal watchdog concluded in a new report.

Reuters obtained the December report by Inspector General Michael Horowitz through a public records request. The report found the officials improperly shared details with two media outlets about the department's plans to collect data on COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes located in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Michigan, four states with Democratic governors who had come under fire for their handling of the pandemic.

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The leak will be our last play on them before the election but its a big one, one of the officials wrote in a text obtained by investigators.

The report did not identify the employees, though one of them worked in the Justice Department's public affairs office. They no longer work at the department, according to the inspector general's office.

"The conduct of these senior officials raised serious questions about the partisan political motivation for their actions in proximity to the 2020 election," Horowitz wrote.

Bill Barr, who was attorney general at the time and was not accused of any wrongdoing in the report, could not be reached for comment.

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President-elect Trump, who will return to the White House on Jan. 20, is a frequent critic of what he has described as the politicization of U.S. law enforcement.

Without providing evidence, Trump has accused the Justice Department of unfairly targeting him in two different criminal probes related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his retention of classified documents after leaving office in January 2021.

The Justice Department has since dropped both cases, citing its long-standing policy that prohibits prosecuting a sitting president.

Lisa Gilbert, the co-president of the nonprofit Public Citizen, said the politically motivated behavior described in the report represents the same type of conduct that Trump and his allies have alleged the Justice Department under President Joe Biden engaged in.

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"They accused those prosecuting the former president for his crimes around election denialism and the insurrection as partisan, and simultaneously, they were doing things like this," she said.

A Trump transition spokesperson could not be immediately reached for comment.

NURSING HOME PROBE

Federal prosecutors began looking at deaths in nursing homes in the middle of 2020, as the pandemic was cutting a deadly path through some facilities. The review focused on facilities in New York, New Jersey, Michigan and Pennsylvania, all of which had Democratic governors who had issued orders requiring the homes to accept COVID patients.

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The Inspector General concluded that Trump administration officials instructed attorneys to focus specifically on New Jersey and New York despite having been provided data indicating that the nursing homes with the most significant quality of care issues were in other states.

In October 2020, department officials sent letters to the governors of New York and New Jersey seeking more information about nursing home deaths. The inspector general said the officials provided the letters to the New York Post before they reached the governors, and that another official spoke anonymously to the newspaper. That, the report said, violated the departments policies limiting contacts with the press.

An official also leaked details to the Wall Street Journal, the report said.

The report concluded that the upcoming 2020 election may have been a factor in the timing and manner of how prosecutors conducted the nursing home investigation and officials decision to make those steps public.

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The Office of Special Counsel, which polices rules that generally bar federal workers from participating in partisan politics in their official capacity, is reviewing the report, a spokesman said.

(Reporting by Brad Heath and Sarah N. Lynch in Washington; Editing by Scott Malone and Nia Williams)
A Dominican national living at a state-run emergency family shelter in Revere is now facing federal charges for allegedly having an assault rifle and five kilograms of suspected fentanyl at the shelter.

Leonardo Andujar Sanchez, 28, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, was charged by criminal complaint with one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl and one count of being an alien in possession of a firearm who has entered the U.S. unlawfully, Acting U.S. Attorney Josh Levy said in a statement on Wednesday.

Andujar Sanchez, who is being held without bail after being deemed dangerous by a Chelsea District Court judge, was slated to appear in federal court in Boston on Wednesday afternoon.

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Gov. Maura Healey on Monday ordered the inspection of all state-run emergency family shelters after news broke of Andujar Sanchezs arrest for allegedly having the assault rifle and huge drug stash while living at the Quality Inn on Morris Street off Route 1 in Revere, which is being used as an emergency family shelter.

Its outrageous that this individual took advantage of our shelter system to engage in criminal activity, Healey said in a statement on Monday. Ive ordered an inspection of all shelter units, beginning with the Revere site, and a full review of our intake processes to determine any additional steps that we can take to prevent criminal activity in shelters.

According to the charging documents, on Dec. 27, during a search of Andujar Sanchezs room at the Quality Inn in Revere, investigators found five kilograms of suspected fentanyl, an AR-style assault rifle, ammunition, two rifle magazines, digital scales and an abundance of latex gloves. Andujar Sanchez was immediately taken into state custody.

The drugs seized from Andujar Sanchezs room have an estimated street value of at least $750,000, law enforcement sources earlier told Boston 25 News.

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This individual was preying upon vulnerable people while threatening the safety and wellbeing of our entire community, Revere Mayor Patrick Keefe said of Andujar Sanchez in an earlier statement.

The City of Revere and the Revere Police Department will continue to uphold the laws of the Commonwealth and work to protect every person that calls Revere home, the mayor said.

The federal charge of possession with intent to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl provides for a sentence of up to life years in prison, at least five years of supervised release, a mandatory minimum of 10 years, and a fine of up to $10 million.

The federal charge of unlawful possession of a firearm provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

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Andujar Sanchez is due back in a Massachusetts court for a hearing on 11 felony charges in February.

The Quality Inn in Revere is among 128 hotels and motels that have been used as emergency shelters across the state of Massachusetts since September 2022.

Healey has said her office intends to phase out the use of hotels and motels for emergency shelter over the next 18 months.

In a statement in November, Healey called the shelter system increasingly unsustainable.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Donald Trump Jr traveled to Greenland, reportedly to explore his father's interest in purchasing the island and maybe make friends, but left quickly after it was made clear to him that Denmark wasn't interested.

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Tuesday that Greenland's Prime Minister, Mute Edege, "has been very, very clear ... there is a lot of support among the people of Greenland that Greenland is not for sale and will not be in the future."

Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark, meaning it has its own ruling body while still being a part of the Kingdom of Denmark.

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Trump Jr spent less than a day in Greenland before leaving. Despite the short trip, he convinced by his speedy assessment of Greenlandic sentiment toward his father and to the U.S in general.

"Incredible experience," he said. "By the way, they love America here. They love America. They love Trump," he said in a video he posted to social media.

Donald Trump Jr. visiting Nuuk, Greenland on Tuesday (via REUTERS)

He also lashed out at the "fake news" in Denmark that contradicted his messaging.

"Danish fake news has been doing a lot of anti-American sentiment, so that shouldn't surprise us, but let's go have some fun," he said in the video.

President-elect Donald Trump is once again daydreaming about purchasing Greenland from Denmark, calling the acquisition an "absolute necessity" for American security and freedom in comments he made in December. During a news conference on Tuesday, Trump repeated that U.S ownership of Greenland  and potentially the Panama Canal  were critical for American "economic security."

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When asked if he would rule out using "military or economic coercion" to obtain the foreign land, Trump said "no, I can't assure you on either of those two."

Greenland has both a strategic location between the Atlantic and the Arctic Oceans  where melting ice caused by human-driven climate change is opening up long inaccessible northern sea routes  and a trove of rare earth metals that may become accessible as the ice retreats.

Trump isn't the first president to consider buying the island; Andrew Johnson considered purchasing Greenland in 1867 when he bought Alaska, and Harry Truman offered Denmark $100 million for the island at the end of World War II, according to Danish historical documents.

The U.S. does operate an airbase in northern Greenland called Pituffik Space Base.

In addition to trying to gain control of Greenland and the Panama Canal, Trump has also floated the idea of sending the U.S. military into Mexico to battle drug cartels  a move that would no doubt create deep animosity with Americas southern neighbor  and has insultingly referred to Canada as the 51st state of the U.S., with outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as its "governor."
Donald Trump Jr. was promised a large crowd of Greenlanders when he landed at the Nuuk airport Tuesday. Instead, he got, at best, a handful of fans for his unofficial visit.

While aboard Trump Force One to visit Greenland, Sergio Gor, a Trump ally and the incoming director of the White House Office of Presidential Personnel, told Trump Jr. a significant number of people would show up.

The whole town is showing up, I think, at the airport, Gor said in a teaser clip of Art of the Surge, an Apple TV docuseries on Donald Trumps resurgence and presidential victory.

Donald Trump Jr. waves to a small crowd of Greenlanders who showed up to the Nuuk airport to greet him. He was promised that many in the town of 20,000 would show up (AP)

Hours later, upon arriving in Greenland, it appeared just a few locals showed up to greet Trump Jr. and his team.

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A clip of the group arriving showed a small gathering of people outside of the Nuuk airport, waving to Trump Jr. One video, taken from a nearby road, showed a few locals getting out of their vehicles to take photos of Trump Force One landing.

A video taken inside the airport showed 20 or so Greenlanders waiting at the terminal for the U.S. presidents eldest son. By the time Trump Jr. and his team departed from the terminal, it appeared more locals had joined the welcome crowd, but it had remained relatively reserved.

This is a first and only look at Donald Trump Jr's historic trip to Greenland. We boarded Trump Force One in the early hours of the morning for the journey to a country that President-Elect Donald Trump insists will become part of the United States. pic.twitter.com/TYa26Y7VKO  Art of the Surge (@ArtoftheSurge) January 8, 2025

Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, is a city of less than 20,000, according to the United Nations.

Trump Jr.s visit occurred weeks after Trump re-ignited the calls for the U.S. to acquire Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. On Tuesday, the president-elect said he would not rule out using the U.S. military to take the country.

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Greenland Premier Mute Egede and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen have repeatedly said the island is not for sale.

Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our long struggle for freedom, Egede said in December.

Nuuk air port right now. pic.twitter.com/Fy8JtHUHkP  Orla Joelsen (@OJoelsen) January 7, 2025

Trump Jr.s short trip was considered a personal visit, not official business. Greenland representatives said they would not meet with him. The president-elects son said the purpose of the trip was to talk to people and see what they think about America.

Local news outlets noted there were several supporters who showed up wearing MAGA merchandise but most were curious citizens who wanted to witness the fascinating moment.

A source familiar with the trip told The Hill that Trump Jr.s visit was to shoot some fun video content for podcasting.
A cold snap has hold of the eastern and southeastern parts of the U.S. In fact, the month of January is predicted to be colder than normal, and colder than any January weve experienced in years.

It is winter, and even in a warming climate, we expect cold weather. In Michigan and the eastern U.S., our coldest air is transported in from the Arctic. Because it's fully dark in the Arctic, in winter we can still get very cold air.

But our sense of normal is changing  and it is important to understand that despite temperatures in the teens and 20s this week in metro Detroit, our planet is, in fact, still warming.

A woman walks by bundled up from the cold weather while walking past the Spirit of Detroit statue outside of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center in downtown Detroit wearing a Detroit Lions jersey on Monday, January 6, 2025.

More from Freep Opinion: We're using AI for stupid and unnecessary reasons. What if we just stopped?

When 'normal' is complicated

So, what is normal weather?

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There are a couple of definitions of normal we need to consider. As regular people, we often think of "normal" as what we expect, what we are used to. Scientists, however, often define "normal" with an average, and then show how new data is different from, or similar to, that norm.

Both senses of normal are changing.

When it come to weather, a standard definition for a science-based normal is a 30-year average of temperature and precipitation, recalculated at the end of every decade. Our current norms are based on data collected from 1991-2020. For the 10 years prior to 2021, normal was based on data from 1981-2010, and so on.

Since the earth is getting warmer, each successive 30-year period is a little bit warmer than the previous period. So a high of 16 degrees Fahrenheit in southeast Michigan looks quite different, depending on what you're comparing it to: 16 F is about 8.5 degrees colder than the 1981-2010 average. But, because the planet continues to warm, 16 F is about 10 degrees colder than the warmer 1991-2020 average. In other words, a report that 16 F is unusually cold isn't a sign of lower temps, but a warmer baseline.

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More from Freep Opinion: Joe Rogan, the RenCen and ICE: Free Press columnists share fears, hopes for 2025

When 'normal' masks global warming

This protocol for updating scientific weather norms on a rolling basis made more sense when the climate was not persistently warming. It also makes sense in terms of the laymans definition of normal  what we are used to. We become acclimated to weather, and we notice the difference.

However, in terms of a measure of global warming, updating norms poses a communication challenge.

Increasing temperatures can be construed as going up more slowly than they are, and cold snaps are exaggerated. Because we are building the warming into our definition of normal, if some cold Arctic air does show up, it is a dramatic contrast.

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To measure how the planet is warming, scientists compare contemporary temperature observations to information gathered in the 30-year span between 1951-1980. Reliable observations were made and recorded during this period, and it predates the accelerating warming trend that emerges after 1980. Thats why its the baseline used by NASA.

If we take the 16 F high I used above, then compared to the 1951-1980 average, it's only 7 degrees below normal. The winter average in southeast Michigan has risen about 3 degrees in 60 years.

In recent Michigan weather memory, 2018 was a cold winter, with a couple of strong outbreaks of Arctic air. If we use observations provided by NASA's Goddard Institute of Space Studies to compare the entire winter of 2018 to an average from 1991-2020, we find that cold winter was about 4 degrees below average. When compared to the 1951-1980 average, the winter of 2018 was actually warmer than that average. Taking that longer view, 2018 was really not so cold.

Im 70 years old, and the last winter I remember that felt brutally cold was 1977-1978. That winter was nearly 10 degrees colder than average when compared to 1991-2020, but only 6 degrees colder compared to the 1951-1980 average.

The Great Lakes are still warm

Though much of the eastern and southern U.S. will be experiencing this years cold snap, in Michigan the cold weather does not appear as extreme as it does farther south. Much of our region is expected to be 10 degrees, or more, warmer than the surrounding area.

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This is because in many places, the Great Lakes are still warm, thanks to a hot summer and a warmer than usual fall. In early January, lake water temperatures in many places were still above 40 F, and the lake ice cover was less than 2%. Since our weather is so strongly influenced by the lakes, that warm water is moderating the cold air.

Even in the midst of a cold snap, the heat accumulating in Great Lakes reminds us that Earth is warming. And though this keeps us warm, it sets up the region with enormous potential for lake-effect snow.

Say goodbye to extreme winters

My students tell me that the climate norms of my youth are no longer relevant, and I can agree with that. After all, most of them are younger than 30, and have never experienced the climate I remember. It is essential that people "normalize" their experiences; it is part of our well-being.

On the other hand, it is quite important that we understand, in a more absolute sense, how much the earth has warmed.

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What will occur in the east and southeast in the next week is objectively and dangerously cold. It will feel even colder because we are accustomed to warmer temperatures than we were 30 and 60 years ago.

But the extreme cold of the past is getting rarer, and that will continue to be the trend in the coming decades.

Richard B. Rood is professor emeritus of climate and space sciences and engineering at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Richard B. Rood

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan's cold snap doesn't mean climate change isn't real | Opinion
Donald Trump has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to stop his scheduled sentencing on Friday for his criminal conviction related to hush money payments made to former porn star Stormy Daniels.

Trumps legal team also is asking the court to weigh in on whether presidential immunity applies to a president-elect. They also want the justices to determine whether some of the evidence presented at the hush money trial should have been barred from the case, arguing that they were official acts.

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Last year, in another case brought by Trump, the Supreme Court ruled that presidents are immune from criminal prosecution for their official acts while in office.

This Court should enter an immediate stay of further proceedings in the New York trial court to prevent grave injustice and harm to the institution of the Presidency and the operations of the federal government, Trumps legal team wrote.

Read Trumps brief to Supreme Court in hush money case.

Last week, New York Judge Juan Merchan scheduled Trumps sentencing, rejecting his legal teams arguments that he was immune from prosecution. Merchan indicated that Trump would not face incarceration and that Trump could appear at the sentencing hearing virtually.

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On Tuesday, a New York appellate court also refused to stop the sentencing.

Trump is the first president to be criminally convicted of a felony.

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Donald Trumps bid for Greenland is spooking Europe as he insists, in classic Trump-speak, that he can make the island great again.

As outlandish as it might seem, Trump has sounded serious so far. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said his son, Donald Trump Jr., will be in Greenland this week and added that he will protect the island from a very vicious outside world.

Since December, Greenland quickly rejected Trump, with its prime minister saying that it isnt for sale and never will be. Denmark, the kingdom under which Greenland exists as an autonomous country, has also pushed back and bolstered its defense on the island.

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Other European leaders have also been worried about the prospect of Trump purchasing Greenland. For instance, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Wednesday that Europe will not let another country attack its sovereign borders in the context of defending Greenland.

But its tricky to pick a fight when the opponent is as significant as the U.S. and, indeed, Trump himself. Greenlandic people have also expressed a desire for closer relations with the States.

Trump, who made his fortune as a real estate developer, hasnt backed down. He has emphasized that ownership of Greenland is an absolute necessity because of its strategic importance and rich mineral reserves.

On Tuesday, his ambition turned into a threat when he floated high tariffs (not surprising, given his nickname, tariff man) or military coercion against Denmark if his expansionist agenda was interrupted.

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The Panama Canal and Canada are also on Trumps geographic target list.

Every decision President Trump makes is in the best interest of the United States and the American people. Thats why President Trump has called attention to legitimate national security and economic concerns regarding Canada, Greenland, and Panama, Karoline Leavitt, Trump-Vance Transition's spokeswoman, told Fortune.

While world leaders and experts have anticipated fresh tariffs under the Trump administration, the president-elects bid for Greenland is a problem no one was prepared for.

This fetish of Trumps for the U.S. to buy Greenland poses difficult questions that no one in Europe thought they would have to consider. For Denmark, this is no longer a silly joke which should be rebutted in kind, Steven Blockmans, an associate senior research fellow at the Centre for European Policy Studies, told Fortune on Wednesday.

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[Denmark] might find avenues for closer cooperation with the U.S. in negotiating access to critical raw materials; but how much will be enough to satisfy the growing appetite of Mr. Trump?

The U.S. obsession with Greenland

Trumps plan may sound bizarre, but this isnt the first time the president-elect has publicly stated his intentions about the Arctic island.

During his previous term as U.S. president, Trump floated the idea, which received mixed reactions from his advisors. President Harry Truman also sought to buy the island from Denmark in 1946 for $100 million worth of gold, but the European country declined to sell it, the Wall Street Journal reported in 2019.

From then to now, a lot has changed geopolitically. Russia has distanced itself from the West and waged war on Ukraine, while China is Trumps number one target when it comes to tariffs.

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Many factors add to Greenlands appeal for Trump: It is culturally associated with Europe, sustained via subsidies from Copenhagen, and a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The island also has a vast U.S. space base, making it the northernmost outpost for the American armed forces.

Perhaps most interestingly, Greenland also houses rare-earth metals that are becoming more accessible because of climate change.

Its too early to know how far Trump will go to get his hands on Greenland. But he seems ready to go out on a limb if it means more power, even at the cost of war within NATO and ruffled feathers across Europe.

Update, January 8, 2025: This article has been updated with a comment from the Trump-Vance Transition's spokesperson.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
Donald Trump was seriously considering tapping Fox Business Maria Bartiromo as his running mate before his team talked him out of it, a forthcoming book claims.

The MAGA-cozy pundit was reportedly floated as a potential VP by Trump as late as mid-July, but his incoming chief of staff, Susie Wiles, shot down the possibility after asserting there was not enough time to vet her.

Trump was dead serious about Bartiromo and was making the case for her during the flight to Butler, [Pennsylvania], wrote the Politico reporter Alex Isenstadt in a book excerpt shared with CNN. She was great with the big-donor Wall Street types and she knew how to do TV, Trump told his team.

Donald Trump has sat down with Maria Bartiromo for interviews on a number of occasions. A forthcoming book claims that she was a Trump favorite at Fox. / Fox News/screengrab

Bartiromo, a 57-year-old New York native, is said to have been a longtime Trump favorite right back to her days as the Money Honey when she reported for CNBC from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.

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Since joining Fox from CNN she has staunchly defended the president-elect on air and had infamously shared questions with Trump ahead of an interview in Nov. 2020his first sit-down after he lost to Joe Biden.

Trumps incoming communications director, Steven Cheung, did not deny the books claims about Bartiromo being considered as a running mate when reached by CNN. He instead praised his boss pick of JD Vance, who was chosen days after the Butler rally where Trump narrowly survived an assassination attempt.

Vice President-elect Vance was the perfect choice to be President Trumps running mate, Cheung said. There is nobody who is a better and stronger defender of the America First agenda, and he will continue to be a leader of the movement for years to come.

J.D. Vance was ultimately tapped by Donald Trump to be his running mate in July. Just days prior, a book alleges he was considering Fox Business Maria Bartiromo. / Tom Brenner / Tom Brenner/Reuters

Also alleged in the excerpts from Revenge, which is set to publish in March, was that someone at Fox News shared questions with Trumps camp shortly before he took to a town hall stage last January to be questioned by Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum.

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About thirty minutes before the town hall was due to start, a senior aide started getting text messages from a person on the inside at Fox, Isenstadt writes. Holy s---, the team thought. They were images of all the questions Trump would be asked and the planned follow-ups, down to the exact wording. Jackpot. This was like a student getting a peek at the test before the exam started.

The book claims Trump was pissed because he felt the questions were attacks designed to put him on the defensive. With a small heads up, however, Trumps camp allegedly had time to workshop answers.

Donald Trump speaks as Fox News moderators Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum during a town hall in Iowa. / Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images

Spokespeople for Fox News told CNN that it does not have any evidence of this occurring. However, they said a probe into the matter had been opened.

Chueng did not address the books claims regarding the town hall when reached by CNN.

President Trump was the most accessible and transparent candidate in American history, and its a big reason why he won in historic fashion, he said.
Donald Trump Jr. wasted no time promoting his fathers plans to acquire Greenland. After visiting the country on Tuesday, he said the quiet part out loud, noting that the Danish territory has priceless rare minerals in the ground.

Trump Jr. argued during a Newsmax interview that Denmark has prevented the Arctic island from utilizing the great natural resources that they have, whether thats coal, whether thats uranium, whether thats other rare minerals, whether thats gold or diamonds.

The son of President-elect Donald Trump, who refused Tuesday in a press conference to rule out military force to absorb Greenland, even claimed that U.S. control would benefit both the people of Greenland as well as the people of the United States.

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I think theres definitely a path for my father and his administration to do something there that benefits both, Donald Trump Jr. said on Newsmax, adding: Both from a trade and commerce standpoint, from a military and strategic location, it actually seems like a total no-brainer.

Greenland has been a territory of Denmark for centuries but gained its own parliament and rights to home rule in 1979. Its also a bastion of invaluable minerals that wealthy industrialists reportedly believe could power hundreds of millions of electric vehicles.

Elon Musk, who has become a close confidante of Donald Trump, owns Tesla  one of the largest electric vehicle companies in the world. The tech billionaire endorsed and promoted plans to acquire Greenland on his social media platform.

Trump Jr. poses in Nuuk, Greenland on Tuesday. Emil Stach/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP/Getty Images

Donald Trump previously said, 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, and doubled down Tuesday.

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While he has floated the idea since 2019, the people of Greenland have been pondering their own independence  with Prime Minister Mute Egede hoping to remove the shackles of colonialism during a New Years address, per Politico.

The country can only declare true independence after a successful referendum, according to an agreement with Denmark in 2009, but Egede reportedly hinted last week that such a referendum could be held as early as April, the same month of parliamentary elections.

While Donald Trump Jr. claimed Tuesday, These people are saying, We just want a better future for ourselves, and Denmark doesnt allow us to do anything, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reminded him that Greenland is not for sale  and shes far from alone.

Most people dont want it, Aaja Chemnitz, a Greenlandic member of the Danish parliament, told The Associated Press. I think some people find it quite disrespectful. And the way it has been done, and just the fact that youre saying that you can buy another country.

Related...
Hope feels spare in the aftermath of any school shooting, especially one as deadly as the Abundant Life Christian School shooting, but sweeping support from the community has been a powerful ballast.

In the days after the Dec. 16 shooting in Madison that left three dead, including the shooter, and six more injured, two critically wounded, an outpouring of support has helped keep hope alive.

Almost immediately, the United Way of Dane County stepped up with a fundraising effort that, as of Wednesday morning, has reached $235,740 from 1,1517 donors  and that's without corporate campaigns from the likes of Culver's, which ran a "Make Meals Matter" drive Monday in which 80 stores contributed a percentage of proceeds to the fund.

Vigil participants sign messages honoring people killed Monday at Abundant Life Christian School. The vigil was held Tuesday, December 17, 2024, on Capitol Square in Madison, Wisconsin. Natalie Rupnow, 15, shot and killed a student and teacher and wounded six people. Rupnow then killed herself.

Although the United Way of Dane County isn't taking interviews about the various fundraisers at this time, Ashley Manthei, director of communications, said that 100% of the funds will be distributed to the private K-12 school "to use as they see fit" and will not be charging any administrative fees.

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Manthei directed the Journal Sentinel to a letter from Abundant Life Christian School Principal Doug Butler outlining the school's financial priorities, which include supporting victims' families who lost their lives, the medical expenses associated with the shooting victims, and the short- and long-term mental health needs of the student body, staff and families.

"We can truly never express the depth of our gratitude to the community of Madison and beyond who have come alongside us in these most trying of days," Butler said in his letter, "We have been loved so well!"

Since the shooting incident, UW Health upgraded the two victims from critical condition to fair condition. The Journal Sentinel has been in conversations with the father of one of the victims, who said his son remains in the intensive care unit from multiple gunshot wounds but is now stable.

The Rev. Marcio Sierra Jr., a pastor at Lighthouse Church Madison, has served as a direct contact between "Samy," the other victim, and the community via Facebook. Samy also suffered multiple gunshot wounds, including two to the head and one to the abdomen. While prognosis looked grim initially, Samy's condition has steadily improved.

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As of Tuesday, Sierra posted in both Spanish and English that Samy was able to move his left arm and left leg, an amazing feat since they've been "praying for movement on his left side of the body," Sierra said.

"Samy is busy doing physical therapy and he is starting rehabilitation soon, praise God," Sierra wrote. "Samy and his family continue to trust in God and they are grateful for all the prayers and support."

To donate independently to the United Way fund, visit unitedwaydanecounty.org or text Help4ALCS to 40403.

Natalie Eilbert covers mental health issues for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She welcomes story tips and feedback. You can reach her at neilbert@gannett.com or view her X (Twitter) profile at @natalie_eilbert.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Over $235k raised to support victims, Abundant Life Christian School
Jan. 7Jan. 2

Brian Alan Kniep, 65, 1405 N. 19th St., fourth-offense operating with a prohibited alcohol concentration, no contest plea, 100 days jail, 365 days jail stayed, three years of probation, $2,364 fine, driver's license revocation, 36-month ignition interlock if license is ever reissued, alcohol assessment; failure to install ignition interlock, no contest plea, $642 fine; operating while revoked, no contest plea, five days jail served; fourth-offense operating while intoxicated, dismissed.

Jan. 3

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Samuel Augustine Anthony, 30, 3920 Tower Ave., A208, hit-and-run, guilty plea, $957 fine and court costs.

Jeffrey George Love, 64, 632 Grand Ave., possession of methamphetamine, no contest plea, six months jail stayed, 18 months of probation, $638.25 fine.

Jan. 6

Nathaniel Lee Mattson, 35, 2720 E. Second St., disorderly conduct, no contest plea, two days jail, 60 days jail stayed, one year of probation, no contact with victim, $443 court costs; battery, dismissed.

Montrieal Lavell Monroe, 31, Duluth, domestic disorderly conduct, no contest plea, three days jail, 90 days jail stayed, one year of probation, $679 fine and court costs; domestic battery, dismissed.

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Thomas Douglas Moynan, 58, Duluth, possession of methamphetamine, no contest plea, 30 days jail, one year and six months state prison and one year extended supervision stayed, three years of probation, $518 court costs; resisting or obstructing an officer, dismissed.

Valerie Justine Norman, 39, 1211 Harrison St., child abuse-intentionally cause harm, no contest plea, three-year deferred prosecution agreement; battery, disorderly conduct, no contest pleas, three days jail, two years of probation concurrent, $579 fine and court costs.

James Marcell Rivers, 36, Fergus Falls, Minnesota, disorderly conduct, criminal damage to property, no contest pleas, five days jail concurrent, $2,315.53 restitution, fine and court costs; battery, dismissed.

Brandon Michael-Robert Sterling, 34, 1916 N. 19th St., theft-business setting, no contest plea, one day jail, 30 days jail stayed, one year of probation, $1,185.99 restitution, fine and court costs; theft-movable property, dismissed.

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Steven Dean Tollefson, 33, 2416 E. Fifth St., possession of methamphetamine, criminal damage to property, no contest pleas, 15 days jail with work release, three years of probation concurrent, no contact with victim, $1,484.52 restitution and court costs; possession of marijuana, retail theft-intentionally take, bail jumping, additional count possession of methamphetamine, dismissed.

The Superior Telegram publishes court records as part of its obligation to serve as a keeper of the local historical record. All items are public records submitted by the courthouse in Superior. Individual requests for items to be withheld will not be granted.
The stock portfolios of more than two dozen lawmakers once again outperformed the market as bans on congressional stock trading stalled, according to a new report from the trading trackers at Unusual Whales.

Democratic lawmakers were up 31 percent and Republicans 26 percent while the S&P 500 was up 24.9 percent, according to the report, which also identified a number of conflicts between lawmakers stock holdings and their committee and legislative work.

The idea of lawmakers trading stocks while legislating is inherently problematic. Congress members shape policies that can directly impact markets. Whether or not they act on insider knowledge, the appearance of potential abuse undermines public trust, Unusual Whales wrote in the fifth edition of the report.

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Stocks owned by the husband of Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who has faced significant blowback for her opposition to bipartisan stock trading bans as she consistently reports above-average stock gains, were up nearly 71 percent in 2024, the report found. Pelosi has previously defended congressional stock trading, saying members should be able to participate in a free market economy.

Nine other lawmakers outperformed Pelosi last year, according to the report, with Rep. David Rouzers (R-N.C.) portfolio posting the largest gains  149 percent, mainly due to Nvidia shares he purchased years earlier. Rouzer made these buys years ago and is not an active trader, Unusual Whales notes.

Congressman Rouzer has not purchased or sold a single stock asset since 2022. Members of Congress have not even filed their 2024 reports yet, said Rouzers chief of staff Anna McCormack, adding that the congressman adheres to all House ethics rules and all financial reporting regulations.



Members have filed transaction reports for most of 2024. Since Rouzer is not an active trader, however, his last personal financial disclosure was filed in 2023.



Using a methodology that predicts unrealized gains creates a deceptive view of reality, leading to misinformation instead of transparency. After all, were talking about a guy who drives a 2004 Tahoe with 585,000 miles on it, McCormack added.

Other members are more active, and several have made what Unusual Whales called numerous unusual trades.

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Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), whose portfolio posted the second-biggest gain after Rouzer, purchased shares of the satellite operator Viasat in October while ranking member of the House Appropriations subcommittee on military construction. Viasat has received more than $2.7 billion in government contracts since fiscal 2020, primarily from the Department of Defense, according to federal contract data.

Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), a member of the House Appropriations subcommittee on Homeland Security, purchased shares of RTX, previously known as Raytheon, in April, the report found. RTX is one of the governments biggest contractors and receives billions of dollars each year from the federal government.

Spokespersons for Pelosi, Wasserman Schultz and Newhouse did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Members of Congress have been barred from trading on information they learn in their official capacity and required to file frequent financial disclosures for more than a decade under the 2012 STOCK Act. But lawmakers can still trade on the public stock market, and reporting delays and nonexistent enforcement actions have raised questions about these guardrails.

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No member of Congress has ever been charged for violating the act, even amid reports of lawmakers dumping stocks at the onset of the pandemic. And since 2020, none of the 10 bills proposed to beef up guardrails on or outright ban congressional stock trading have reached the floor for a vote in either a Republican- or Democrat-controlled House.

President Biden called for a congressional stock trading ban last month, taking a stance on the issue for the first time in his political career.

I dont know how you look your constituents in the eye and know because the job they gave you, it gave you the inside track to make more money, Biden said during an interview with the progressive nonprofit newsroom More Perfect Union.

Updated at 7:08 p.m. ET.

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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 The Hill.
Drone photographs taken of a 3,000-year-old mega fortress nestled deep in the Caucasus Mountains reveal the settlement is actually 40 times larger than archaeologists once thought. New aerial images of the Dmanisis Gora settlement, located in present-day Georgia, show a large land area well guarded by steep gorges and plastered with various stone structures and field systems. Though the structures inner fortress has been well-documented for several years, new mapping made possible thanks to a simple hobbyist drone helped redraw the Bronze Age monuments boundaries. Researchers shared their findings this week in the journal Antiquity.

The Dmanisis Gora is one of several documented fortresses that popped between the Middle East and the Eurasian Steppe sometime between 1,500 and 500 BCE. Until now, most of the archaeological research on this particular fortress focused on its more well preserved inner areas. The fortress is made up of two distinct areas: a core inner fortress that researchers say show signs of year-round residential use and a more sprawling outer area that may have been used more occasionally by roaming pastoral groups. When researchers from Cranfield University began excavating that area in 2018, they quickly saw evidence of outer walls and other structures that suggested the actual border of the fortress could be much larger. But they couldnt accurately tell just how much larger it was without an aerial view.

That was what sparked the idea of using a drone to assess the site from the air, Cranfield Forensic Institute Senior Lecturer in Architectural Science Erb-Satullo said in a statement.

Photo of 1 km long outer fortification wall. Power/telephone line poles for scale. Credit: Nathaniel Erb-Satullo

Erb-Satullo and his colleague acquired a DJI Phantom 4 RTK drone, equipped it with a high-quality camera, and flew it over the area. The drone snapped roughly 11,000 images which were combined together and run through software to create a digital map of the areas filled with elevation models and topographical detail. The new map showed a much larger outer that circled around the inner fortress. Aerial views from the drone revealed a roughly 1-kilometer-long fortification wall snaking around the fortress that wasnt immediately visible to the naked eye. Previously unobserved graves, field systems, and other structures were also illuminated thanks to the drone.

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The use of drones has allowed us to understand the significance of the site and document it in a way that simply wouldnt be possible on the ground, Erb-Satullo added.

Researchers then compared their new drone-based map to other aerial photographs of the area captured by a Cold War-era spy plane nearly 50 years ago. Those images had been classified until 2013. Looking at those two images side by side helped the team better understand how the landscape has changed and to what extent parts of it might have eroded as a byproduct of modern agricultural practices.

[Related: Archaeologists find the 4,000-year-old tomb of an overachieving Egyptian magician]

Drones are helping archeologists redraw maps and uncover lost settlements

Drones have become incredibly useful tools in archeologists arsenal thanks to their ability to quickly obtain aerial views of areas that might otherwise be obstructed. Falling prices in consumer hobbyist drones, many originating from China, have made the technology far more accessible to a wider swath of researchers. Theyve already yielded spectacular findings. In 2015, a team of researchers from Colorado State University used a drone equipped with LiDAR to help map out a pair of hidden medieval cities in the mountainous area of Uzbekistan. Another drone LiDAR was used several years later to reveal the remains of an ancient island settlement hidden off of the Florida Gulf coast possibly dating back to 1200 CE. Archaeologists similarly used a drone to uncover the eroded remains of a large pre-Columbian earthworks buried beneath a field in southeastern Kansas.
GRANDVIEW, Mo.  Resettling their lives in the United States was supposed to be the move that make Saif Mahdi and his wife Noora Ghanims lives safer.

Its very difficult to not hearing her voice [in the] morning, or before I go to sleep, Mahdi said.

They met in the mid 2000s in a warzone, working for the United States Army gathering and interpreting news reports from Arabic to English. That work eventually made them targets.

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We start getting calls a lot, threatening us, they burn my car and at this time, she was pregnant, Mahdi said.

Questions, concerns after Jackson County public works employee killed

Mahdi said Ghanim eventually miscarried.

After that, we decided just to move on because its not safe for us, Mahdi said.

A long, chaotic journey, escaping terrorists and navigating immigration red tap eventually landed in Kansas City around 2016, where Noora thrived professionally and they made a new life.

She told me, I like Kansas City, I want to live and die in Kansas City, Mahdi said, tearing up. Our plan was to raise our kids and then move to Smithville to buy a small house with farm, and after the kids are off to college, they can come with their families.

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That dream ended on Christmas Eve 2023 while Saif and Noora were driving on I-49.

When it happened, I looked in my mirror, I found two cars and four cars in front of me and smack he came to me and the accident happened, Mahdi said. So its a microsecond.

Saifs beloved Noora was gone.

Court documents say Kenneth B Paul Jr. had a Blood Alcohol Concentration that was twice the legal limit when he was driving the car that hit Mahdi and Ghanim. He had been going south in the Northbound lanes for roughly seven miles before he hit Mahdis car.

Kenneth B Paul Jr.

A Police Officer on the scene said that he heard Paul slurrily say, I did this. I caused all of this, on his way to the ambulance. Prosecutors charged Paul with a felony for driving while intoxicated and killing someone and the court issued an arrest warrant soon after.

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But thats where the court documents stop.

Driver in Kansas City viral video explains why she jumped out of car

More than a year after the crash, the criminal case has stalled because law enforcement hasnt been able to find Kenneth Paul Jr.

Its just irritating, said Grandview Police Master Sergeant Brandon Grantham. Its aggravating for us.

FOX4 visited his Kansas City, Missouri address and when no one answered the door, neighbors told us they hadnt seen Paul in a while.

KCPD and Grandview Police tell FOX4 theyve been to the residence a few times since the arrest warrant was filed, even observing the house a few times over the summer but never finding or arresting Paul.

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Somebodys seen him, somebody has friends with him, said Grantham. At this point, when he knows he has the warrant, hes hiding and thats not a good life.

KCPD tells FOX4 that its fugitive apprehension team generally only focuses on violent offenders, but Paul could still be arrested if he has another police interaction, and the officer runs his information through law enforcement databases. Grantham tells FOX4 any officer across the United States would get an alert with Pauls name.

Were at the very final stages of what the police can do and we just cant get over this last step, Grantham said. It really is heartbreaking.

Personal injury attorney Nick Hergott says thats where cases like this often end up.

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Were really faced with an overburdened criminal justice and civil justice system, Hergott said. I think that you get a backlog and they have to start triaging [cases] and that leads to some very unfortunate and unfair circumstances where the community feels that its not being protected.

When the criminal justice system grinds to a halt, victims and survivors can also try to be made whole through the civil courts, where Hergott and Mahdi point out that an additional obstacle can be insurance caps.

The only amount of money that will be paid in a case like this is generally going to be related to the drivers insurance limits, Hergott said. Those are set by what you purchase from your insurance carrier and the state minimum in both Kansas and Missouri is $25,000. So there are a lot of drivers that are driving around no matter how bad they hit you, thats the most their insurance company is going to pay you. If youve ever been to the hospital before, that goes quickly. It doesnt make up for a loss like this.

Mahdi said hes ready to help investigators however he can but a year after losing his wife and raising their sons as a single father, whatever happens next, he says, is in her memory.

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Her impact is still inside us, motivating us, Mahdi said. And Im just trying to do by this to make her dream to be true.

The Grandview Police Department is still looking for Kenneth Paul. If you have any information, you can call: (816) 316-4985.

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Jan. 7SUPERIOR  A Duluth man was sentenced Monday, Jan. 6, in Douglas County Circuit Court to 12 years in prison and 10 years of extended supervision in connection with

a 2023 double stabbing.

Tyler Anthony Lee Hanson, 26, pleaded guilty to felony counts of first-degree reckless injury and aggravated battery, both with use of a dangerous weapon, and conspiracy to commit armed robbery with use of force. An additional count of aggravated battery  intend bodily harm and a charge of party to burglary armed with a dangerous weapon were dismissed. Hanson was ordered to pay a portion of $15,000 in restitution and court costs and have no contact with the victims.

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Superior police officers responded to a reported stabbing at approximately 12:52 a.m. May 8, 2023, on the 10 block of North 24th Street. They met a victim outside who had been stabbed at least four times and a victim inside the residence who had been stabbed in the rib area, according to the criminal complaint. Both men were hospitalized.

One victim told police a man wearing rubber gloves and brass knuckles knocked on the door of the residence and asked for pills. The victim reportedly told the man he had the wrong place and called for another man inside the home to come help.

"And then it was just a flurry of fists," the victim told police.

At some point, a man wearing a mask entered the home and joined the fight. He reportedly pulled a knife and stuck both victims with it.

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The neighbor told police officers he heard a commotion at the residence and saw a man flee. The neighbor followed and was able to provide a Minnesota license plate number to police.

The vehicle was registered to Hanson's mother. Detectives found multiple blood stains in the truck and on clothing left in the truck.

Hanson told a detective by phone that he got scared and started swinging a knife, according to the charging complaint. He turned himself in the next day. He told detectives he and a friend went to the residence to buy pills after someone told him a resident there was a dealer.

Hanson is the

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second Duluth man sentenced in connection with the stabbing.

Matthew Henry Stepan, 19, pleaded guilty in Douglas County Circuit Court Dec. 11, 2023, to felony counts of burglary  armed with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy to commit armed robbery with threat of force.

Stepan was sentenced to seven years in prison and eight years of extended supervision, according to online court records. One of the conditions of his sentence was that he pay a portion of the restitution.

A victim identified Stepan as one of the suspects from a Facebook picture. In the picture, Stepan is wearing distinctive white frame eyeglasses that appear identical to glasses that were left behind at the stabbing scene, the charges said.

Stepan turned himself in two days after the stabbing. He had facial injuries that appeared to be from an altercation but declined to talk to police.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA)  An employee at a Dunedin nursing home was taken into custody Tuesday following an investigation into reports that he beat two disabled residents.

Nicholas Brown, 35, of St. Petersburg, was arrested and charged with two counts of abuse or neglect of an aged or disabled person, according to the Pinellas County Sheriffs Office.

Whats going on?: Police video shows arrest of Tampa Bay doctor on child porn charges

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Deputies said they launched an investigation on Dec. 23 after another employee at Lake Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility said they witnessed Brown strike the victims multiple times.

Both victims, who were described as adult males, are non-verbal and unable to communicate. Officials said one of the residents suffers from a traumatic brain injury, while the other is a quadriplegic with intellectual disabilities.

According to the witness, Brown, who is a Certified Nursing Assistant, struck them both with force on their sides, legs and buttocks.

Authorities said the victims were evaluated and treated at the facility for non-life-threatening injuries.

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Brown was terminated as a result of the incident, officials reported.

As of Tuesday, the investigation was ongoing. Anyone with further information on the case or additional victims is asked to contact Corporal Antonio at 727-582-6722.

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Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, is urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to rescind a number of internal opinions dealing with a presidents military powers while asking for clarification on domestic use of Americas forces.

The letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland comes less than two weeks before President-elect Trump is set to take office and asks the Justice Department to make clear the bounds of the presidents authority on a number of fronts.

The letter, obtained by The Hill, refers to a cache of opinions crafted by the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC), which houses the departments own legal advisers and sets guidelines on various legal matters.

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Durbin asked the office to release its opinions on the extent to which presidents can use the military domestically, a request that comes as Trump has said he will use the armed forces to help carry out the largest deportation operation the country has seen.

I request that the Department of Justice publicly release opinions and manuals pertaining to the domestic use of the U.S. military. For decades, OLC has issued guidance on the circumstances in which the President may deploy the military within the United States, as well as what servicemembers may do when so deployed, he wrote, noting that some of those documents have not been made public.

The American people have a right to know how the Executive Branch interprets the Presidents constitutional and statutory authority to use the military domestically. The need for transparency regarding these legal interpretations is particularly urgent today given the risk of domestic military deployment to suppress protests or carry out mass deportations.

The Justice Department acknowledged receipt of the letter but declined to comment.

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The Justice Department is a top focus of those concerned about a second Trump administration.

Trump has tapped former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to be attorney general while slating other top slots at DOJ to be filled by his personal defense team from his criminal trials.

Hes also tapped loyalist Kash Patel, who wrote a book with a list of government gangsters he has said must be held accountable, to lead the FBI.

Durbins letter also asks Garland to withdraw five OLC memos that might otherwise guide Trumps team, saying the memos contain conclusions that are inconsistent with Congresss constitutional prerogatives with respect to war, Congresss role in treaty-making, and/or the Presidents duty under the Take Care Clause to make sure laws are faithfully executed.

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One 1989 opinion greenlighting the FBIs ability to apprehend people overseas would allow a president to override the U.N. charters prohibition on the use of force, Durbin said.

Another opinion deals with the presidents power to withdraw from treaties, with the OLC under Trump determining that presidents dont have to notify Congress of such moves.

But Durbin said such advice undercuts a provision passed in last years defense policy bill that requires any suspension or withdrawal from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to be approved by a two-thirds majority of the Senate or an act of Congress.

Trump has waffled on his feelings about NATO, musing about withdrawing from the military alliance during his first term in office even though as recently as Tuesday he floated that member nations should spend 5 percent of their economic output on military spending rather than the current 2 percent.

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At the same press conference, Trump also wouldnt rule out using military force in Greenland, a NATO member, and Panama.

Two others OLC writings deal with the presidents ability to use the military without the consent of Congress, drafted at the height of the U.S. response to 9/11. Durbin said these documents are inconsistent with OLCs own war powers doctrine, which recognizes that war in the constitutional sense requires congressional authorization.

A final opinion justifying the 2020 killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani should also be withdrawn, Durbin argues, as it likewise does not square with OLC guidance about seeking congressional approval in order to declare war.

Congress and the executive branch may have differing views in some respects as to the separation of powers between them. However, these opinions are concerning outliers even by the standards of the executive branchs own legal doctrine. Indeed, it does not appear that OLC has relied upon these opinions in other publicly available legal memoranda, Durbin wrote in arguing they should be withdrawn.

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In the cramped confines of a small cavern to the south of Paris, scientists have 'read between the lines' on the floor and discovered what could be the oldest surviving three-dimensional map of a hunter-gatherer territory.

Around 20,000 years ago, the prehistoric people who sheltered in this cave carved and smoothed the stone floors to create what looks like a miniature model of the surrounding valley, according to geoscientists Medard Thiry and Anthony Milnes.

As water from the outside world trickled through the carefully laid-out channels, basins, and depressions in the cave, the surface would have come alive with rivers, deltas, ponds, and hills.

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It's not a strict geographical tracing of the outside landscape  in fact, the sides of the surrounding valley seem to be inverted on the cave floor, probably to move with the natural slope  but the features "clearly evoke a cartography," argue Thiry, from the Center of Geosciences in France, and Milnes, from the University of Adelaide in Australia.

The water flow pattern indicates a "functional, staged 'installation' of a river system" that broadly matches the valley in which the cave sits.

"The accuracy of the drawing of this hydrographical network reveals a remarkable capacity for abstract thinking in those who drew it and in those for whom it was intended," writes the team in their published paper.

The prehistoric carvings of what could be a prehistoric 3D map in a cavern in France. ( Pascal Crapet, Fontainebleau/Courtesy of Medard Thiry for labrujulaverde.com

The cave to which this remarkable discovery belongs is called Segognole 3, and it's part of a famous complex of sandstone structures in France that includes more than 2,000 Stone Age engravings.

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Segognole 3 is special because it dates back to the very end of the Stone Age, during the Upper Paleolithic, when human settlements first began to emerge.

Little rock art exists from this time, but recently, archaeologists found two engraved horses on the sloping wall of Segognole 3, chiselled into the sandstone on either side of a triangle.

The grooves that were carved to make the triangle resemble a pelvis, a groin, thighs, and hips, and a channel right through the middle carried rainfall through a 'vulva'.

The part of the cave carved with grooves that resemble a female figure. (Thiry and Milnes, Oxford Journal of Archaeology , 2024)

Thiry and Milnes have now followed the course of this water deeper into the cave, describing a pattern of human manipulations that were previously missed.

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The authors describe how water seeps into the cavern via fractures when it rains, running across the floor where it is held in depressions. The biggest and most elevated of these basins shows signs of being enlarged and deepened by human hands, and it acts like a water tower, feeding rainfall further into the cave.

Downstream, the water splits, with one arm running through the apparent pelvis and the other filling the channels of the picture map. All the 'hills' or mounds in the mini landscape are perfectly rounded and some are encircled by deep grooves.

A mound on the cave floor encircled with deep grooves that may have represented a hill. (Thiry and Milnes, Oxford Journal of Archaeology , 2024)

The tortuous and meandering paths of these furrows resemble rivers, argue Thiry and Milnes, and as they converge downstream, the networks come to resemble river deltas and wetlands.

All of these features, along with the fact that there are no repeated shapes or patterns, have them thinking this is a 3D picture map of the local land.

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The terrace in the cave's upper gallery could represent the surrounding valley's plateau, and the grooves running through the middle could represent the Ecole River and its various tributaries. Some of the basins could be ponds, while the horizontal grooves seen in some areas could represent ravines or gullies in the valley. Flat bits of sandstone match up with the position of local foothills and some bulges are in the right-ish position to represent isolated hillocks.

"Rather than a geographical representation or a map of the proximal landscape, the engraved gallery floor in Segognole 3 appears to be a representation of the spatial relationships of landscape features and may be considered a miniature of the natural features and their relationships in the adjoining landscape," explain the authors.

A) The carvings on the cave floor. B) A map of the local valley showing comparable patterns and features. (Thiry and Milnes, Oxford Journal of Archaeology , 2024)

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While there are potentially older engravings that some interpret as maps, these are generally thought of as maps of settlements or hunting zones, not necessarily as a guide to local, natural landmarks across a whole valley.

"Any interpretation of prehistoric carvings is always subject to caution," admit Thiry and Milnes, but if this really is a picture map of the local terrain, they think prehistoric humans may have used it for hunting, education, storytelling, or for rituals concerning water.

The study was published in the Oxford Journal of Archaeology.

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JACKSONVILLE, Ark.  Authorities in Jacksonville said an early morning house fire left one person dead on Tuesday.

Jacksonville police and fire crews responded to a fire at 2710 Northeastern Avenue at 5:41 a.m. When they arrived, authorities said one person outside of the home told them another person was still inside.

House fire in Pine Bluff leaves 1 dead

Authorities said officers attempted to search for the person inside the home but were unable to locate them due to the heavy smoke.

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When Jacksonville Fire Department crews arrived, they were able to search inside the home and put out the fire. Officials said 30-year-old Tiffany Hibbs was found dead inside the home.

According to Jacksonville police, no foul play is suspected at this time.

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Jan. 8EAST GRAND FORKS  East Grand Forks dedicated its City Council chamber to former Mayor Lynn Stauss during the council's meeting Tuesday night.

It was the first meeting of 2025 as well as the organizational meeting for council. The council previously approved renaming and

dedicating the chamber back in September

to honor the legacy of Stauss, who died in 2022. He was mayor from 1995 to 2016 and oversaw the city's efforts during the Flood of 1997 and recovery afterward.

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"Lynn earned the trust of our citizens and persevered for over a decade, helping to guide recovery efforts," former Mayor Steve Gander said. "East Grand Forks is now more vibrant and has improved post-1997 flood due to our citizens' perseverance, dedicated City Council and staff, federal and state support, and Mayor Lynn Stauss' visionary leadership."

A memorial, including Stauss' well-known "USA" sweater, will be placed in the chamber. The dedication joins others, like the portraits of past mayors and photos of previous councils.

Also Tuesday, the council swore in new Mayor Mark Olstad and City Council members Tami Schumacher, Tim Riopelle, Don Casmey and Brian Larson. Schumacher and Casmey are new faces on the council following the November election; Casmey had previously served on the council in the 1990s. The council also unanimously elected Larson to be the next council president and reelected Riopelle as vice president.

Service recognitions were given to Olstad, for his time on the council and serving as its president for over a decade, and to Gander, who will be going to

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St. Paul as a representative in the Minnesota House.

"Ex-Mayor Gander we expect you to do good things for us down in St. Paul," Riopelle told Gander. "I'll give you my list, eventually, as to what we need you to do."

"You've got me on speed dial," Gander responded.

In other news, the council:

* Gave its first approval to the implementation of a

1% sales tax to fund improvements at the Civic Center and VFW Memorial Arenas.

East Grand Forks voters approved the measures during the November election with both measures passing with around 60% approval. Once given its second reading and public hearing, the sales tax likely will go into effect in July. The tax will end after 20 years or if it raises $14,745,000, whichever comes first.

* Approved hiring Emily Barth as a police officer through the city's police recruit program. The program hires the officer as a recruit and the city helps the officer pay for the final stages of schooling, contingent on them working for the city for at least two years.
ATHENS, Texas (KETK)  The East Texas Arboretum & Botanical Society (ETABS) has begun the search for a new executive director after the current director announced she would be stepping down in February.

The new ETABS executive director will be responsible for directing the daily activities of the arboretum, promoting the organization throughout Henderson County, building and maintaining donor relationships, budget creation and management. They also create new and relevant programs and working with ETABS boards of directors to guide the organization into the future.

Photo of current Executive Director Jennifer Garcia, courtesy of East Texas Arboretum

The arboretums current executive director, Jennifer Garcia, will be stepping down to take a new position with a childrens museum on the East Coast.

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Since the summer of 2023, when she took on the executive director role, Jennifer has led the arboretum with passion and determination, Chairman of the ETABS Board of Directors, Emily Heglund said. We are sad to see her go but wish her nothing but the best in her new role.

Heglund said that Garcias leadership has been key to helping them tackle several projects, such as the restoration of the Wofford House heritage exhibit, the creation of Log Laboratory Outdoor Learning Space and the Hanson Learning Meadow. She also helped with a security fence around all 104 acres, which is expected to be completed in 2025.

For more information on the executive role, people can visit the East Texas Arboretum website.

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TYLER, Texas (KETK)  East Texas students are returning back to classrooms after winter break, however many school districts are expected to delay or cancel classes as wintry weather enters the area.

School districts in the Piney Woods will be keeping an eye on the changing forecast as precipitation is expected while temperatures remain in the 20s to 30s. During inclement weather, district officials will stay up-to-date with local forecasts and make the decision with the safety of their students, parents and staff as the top priority.

Arp ISD officials, for instance, will hear input from the sheriffs office, weather experts and their transportation department but ultimately canceling class is decided by the Superintendent of Arp ISD, Shannon Arrington.

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You just have to consider all the factors, Arrington said. Number one, our students safety. Its also our staff and the ability for our staff to get here safely.

Arrington and the transportation director will decide if classes are canceled by driving the roads in their district. They look for ice or other factors that would make the roads unsafe for buses, parents and staff traveling to school.

Many of their county roads will be okay but their farm roads with shaded areas can be really tricky, Arrington explained. From there, he makes a decision if the district should be closed or delayed for the day.

School districts in East Texas are known to make the decision a few hours if not the night before. To check if classes are delayed or cancelled, people can check back on KETK News.

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A few months ago, I found myself in an unexpected conversation with a woman whose husband raises cattle in Missouri. She, however, had recently raised and butchered an ostrich for meat. Its more sustainable, she told me. Sure, I nodded along, beef is singularly terrible for the planet. And ostrich is a red meat, she added. I dont taste any difference between it and beef. Really? Now I was intrigued, if skepticalwhich is, long story short, how my family ended up eating ostrich at this years Christmas dinner.

I eat meat, including beef, and I enjoy indulging in a holiday prime rib, but I also feel somewhat conflicted about it. Beef is far worse for the environment than virtually any other protein; pound for pound, it is responsible for more than twice the greenhouse-gas emissions of pork, nearly four times those of chicken, and more than 13 times those of beans. This discrepancy is largely biological: Cows require a lot of land, and they are ruminants, whose digestive systems rely on microbes that produce huge quantities of the potent greenhouse gas methane. A single cow can belch out 220 pounds of methane a year.

The unique awfulness of beefs climate impact has inspired a cottage industry of takes imploring Americans to consider other proteins in its stead: chicken, fish, pork, beans. These alternatives all have their own drawbacks. When it comes to animal welfare, for example, hundreds of chickens or fish would have to be slaughtered to feed as many people as one cow. Meanwhile, pigs are especially intelligent, and conventional means of farming them are especially cruel. And beans, Im sorry, simply are not as delicious.

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So, ostrich? At first glance, ostrich didnt seem the most climate-friendly option (beans), the most ethical (beans again), or the tastiest (pork, in my personal opinion). But could ostrich be good enough in all of these categories, an acceptable if surprising solution to Americans love of too much red meat? At the very least, I wondered if ostrich might be deserving of more attention than we give to it right now, which is approximately zero.

You probably wont be shocked to hear that the literature on ostrich meats climate impact is rather thin. Still, in South Africa, the world leader in the production of ostriches, government economists in 2020 released a report suggesting that greenhouse-gas emissions from ostrich meat were just slightly higher than chickensso, much, much less than beefs. And in Switzerland, biologists who put ostriches in respiratory chambers confirmed their methane emissions to be on par with those of nonruminant mammals such as pigsso, again, much, much less than cows.

But Marcus Clauss, an author of the latter study, who specializes in the digestive physiology of animals at the University of Zurich, cautioned me against focusing exclusively on methane. Methane is a particularly potent greenhouse gas, but it is just one of several. Carbon dioxide is the other big contributor to global warming, and a complete assessment of ostrich meats greenhouse-gas footprint needs to include the carbon dioxide released by every input, including the fertilizer, pesticides, and soil additives that went into growing ostrich feed.

This is where the comparisons get more complicated. Cattleeven corn-fed onestend to spend much of their life on pasture eating grass, which leads to a lot of methane burps, but growing that grass is not carbon intensive. In contrast, chicken feed is made up of corn and soybeans, whose fertilizer, pesticides, and soil additives all rack up carbon-dioxide emissions. Ostrich feed appears similar, containing alfalfa, wheat, and soybeans. The climate impact of an animals feed are important contributions in its total greenhouse-gas emissions, says Ermias Kebreab, an animal scientist at UC Davis who has extensively studied livestock emissions. He hasnt calculated ostrich emissions specificallyfew researchers havebut the more I looked into the emissions associated with ostrich feed, the murkier the story became.

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Two other ostrich studies, from northwest Spain and from a province in western Iran, indeed found feed to be a major factor in the meats climate impact. But these reports also contradicted others: In Spain, for instance, the global-warming potential from ostrich meat was found to be higher than that of beef or porkbut beef was also essentially no worse than pork.

Really, none of the [studies] on ostrich look credible to me. They all give odd numbers, says Joseph Poore, the director of the Oxford Martin Programme on Food Sustainability, which runs the HESTIA platform aimed at standardizing environmental-impact data from food. Maybe this is something we will do with HESTIA soon, Poore continued in his email, but we are not there yet  (His ellipses suggested to me that ostrich might not be a top priority.)

The truth is, greenhouse-gas emissions from food are sensitive to the exact mode of production, which vary country to country, region to region, and even farm to farm. And any analysis is only as good as the quality of the data that go into it. I couldnt find any peer-reviewed studies of American farms raising the ostrich meat I could actually buy. Ultimately, my journey down the rabbit hole of ostrich emissions convinced me that parsing the relative virtues of different types of meat might be beside the point. Just eat whatever meat you want but cut back to 20 percent, suggests Brian Kateman, a co-founder of the Reducetarian Foundation, which advocates eating, well, less meat. (Other activists, of course, are more absolutist.) Still, eat less meat is an adage easier to say than to implement. The challenge, Clauss said, is, any measure that you would instigate to make meat rarer will make it more of a status symbol than it already is.

I thought about his words over Christmas dinner, the kind of celebration that many Americans feel is incomplete without a fancy roast. By then, I had, out of curiosity, ordered an ostrich filet (billed as tasting like a lean steak) and an ostrich wing (like a beef rib), which I persuaded my in-laws to put on the table. At more than $25 a pound for the filet, the bird cost as much as a prime cut of beef.

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Ostrich has none of the strong or gamey flavors that people can find off-putting, but it is quite lean. I pan-seared the filet with a generous pat of butter, garlic, and thyme. The rosy interior and caramelized crust did perfectly resemble steak. But perhaps because I did not taste the ostrich blindapologies to the scientific methodI found the flavor still redolent of poultry, if richer and meatier. Not bad, but not exactly beefy. I wouldnt think its beef, concluded my brother-in-law, who had been persuaded to smoke the ostrich wing alongside his usual Christmas prime rib. The wing reminded me most of a Renaissance Fair turkey leg; a leftover sandwich I fixed up the next day, though, would have passed as a perfectly acceptable brisket sandwich.

I wouldnt mind having ostrich again, but the price puts it out of reach for weeknight meals, when I can easily be eating beans anyways. At Christmas, I expect my in-laws will stick with the prime rib, streaked through as it is with warm fat and nostalgia.

Article originally published at The Atlantic
The Eaton fire map reveals how quickly the wildfire has spread in Los Angeles, as firefighters continue to battle the blaze in Pasadena, Altadena, and La Canada Flintridge. The fire was first reported on January 7 at 6:18 PM PT, and since then, it has burned over 2,200 acres in less than 24 hours, rivaling the size of the Palisades fire thats also ravaging LA County. The perimeter of the wildfire has rapidly expanded overnight, with multiple zones under mandatory evacuation orders and evacuation warnings. Heres what we know so far about the Eaton fire in California today.

What is the Eaton fire map now?

[Update 2] The status update on January 9, 4:29 AM PT, indicates that the fires spread is still limited to the 10,600 acres and that the containment level is still at 0%. That said, the Eaton fire map does show in red where the blaze is active. According to the Associated Press, over 2,000 structures have been destroyed so far between the Palisades fire and Eaton fire.

[Image Credit: Cal Fire]

[Update] 10,600 acres have burned so far, according to the latest status update of the Eaton fire map on January 8 at 10:55 AM PT. Like the Palisades fire, it remains at 0% containment.

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[Original] The Eaton fire map, as of January 8 at 9:00 AM PT, shows that 2,227 acres have burned and that it is still at 0% containment. Over 30,000 residents in the area are under evacuation orders, noted by the zones in red below, to leave their homes.

[Image Credit: CAL FIRE]

[Note: The map above says 400 acres but a later status report at 8:28 AM corrects this, noting the size of the fire is still at 2,227 acres.]

In a press conference on Wednesday morning, per CNN, county Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone stated that the Eaton fire is still burning throughout Altadena, Pasadena, and the Angeles National Forest. He emphasizes that the fire is growing, and the latest status report notes that Red Flag high wind conditions are expected to continue until Thursday evening.

Two civilians have died due to the fire, with their cause of death unknown. Over 100 structures have been destroyed and many have suffered a number of significant injuries. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said on Wednesday that more than 13,000 additional structures remain at risk. Schools within the Pasadena Unified School District were closed on Wednesday.

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The cause of the Eaton Fire is yet unknown and under investigation, though the spread of the blaze has been fueled by low humidity, dry foliage, and Santa Ana winds that have reached gusts over 50 miles per hour.

Firefighters are currently spread throughout LA County as they battle the Palisades Fire, Hurst Fire, and Woodley Fire.

The post Eaton Fire Map Shows Containment So Far in Los Angeles [Update] appeared first on Mandatory.
Brandon Johnson often speaks of his concern for the welfare of Chicagos children, usually in the context of seeking more taxpayer money for Chicago Public Schools and supporting higher wages and more hiring of members of the Chicago Teachers Union.

So it was a bad look indeed when Chicagos mayor spent a healthy amount of what little remains of his political capital to stop state lawmakers from taking action against unregulated purveyors of potent hemp products that have sent numerous city kids to the hospital after what could accurately be described as overdosing.

Johnson won a rare victory in Springfield Monday and bested a frequent adversary, Gov. JB Pritzker, who aggressively lobbied Illinois House members to approve a bill the state Senate had endorsed nearly unanimously months ago. As the week began, there appeared to be enough House votes to clear the measure in the lame-duck session before the new General Assembly takes their seats. But an eleventh-hour lobbying push by Johnson and supporters in the Chicago delegation peeled off enough Democratic votes to kill the legislation and force the governor and his supporters to start all over again in the new session.

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And, why? What was behind the mayors intense concern? It most definitely wasnt the welfare of Chicagos kids, who continue to have ready access to gummies and the like, infused with synthetic marijuana and sold in vape shops, gas stations, convenience stores and other locations, many of them near schools.

Instead, Johnsons progressive allies justified continuing to put Chicago kids at risk by singing a familiar refrain: the need for more revenue to support a bloated city government as federal pandemic dollars are spent and the local economy remains moribund. The mayor sees intoxicating hemp as a business ripe for new taxes; the state legislation Pritzker supported effectively would have banned these potent synthetic THC offerings such as delta-8 to give lawmakers time to establish a regulatory regime keeping this stuff away from minors and ensuring we know whats actually in these products.

Ald. William Hall, 6th, a staunch mayoral ally whom Johnson has tasked with sourcing more tax revenue, told the Tribune he thought Pritzker was motivated by hindering Johnsons progressive agenda rather than seeking to protect children, an outrageous accusation. In a statement Tuesday, Johnson said he wanted to balance concerns related to minor consumption with supporting entrepreneurs and municipalities and that he was in favor of regulation of some sort. Eventually.

Translated, Johnsons neutral-sounding language really amounted to something along these lines: Ive got the city of Chicagos budget to manage, and shutting off one of the few areas of higher taxation available to me takes precedence over all else. Including the health and safety of children.

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In 2023, five students at Uplift Community High School in Uptown were hospitalized after ingesting gummies from a neighborhood smoke shop. Well over a dozen states have banned delta-8 THC. What are you waiting for, Mr. Mayor? A teenager to die?

For this mayor, apparently, growth in sales of unregulated synthetic THC is considered economic development.

A Pritzker spokesman, expressing the governors disappointment with the failure of legislation hed made a high priority, said Pritzker will always put people, especially children, over politics and profits. The spokesman didnt call out the mayor and his supporters by name, but the message was clear. Those children Johnson loves to embrace when hes banging the drum for more taxes and spending were an afterthought when it came to ensuring potent gummies can continue to be peddled near schools with impunity.

In a press appearance Tuesday, Pritzker was extremely critical of House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch, who refused to call the bill, apparently because it hadnt obtained a strong enough majority within his Democratic caucus. We know that the vast majority of Democrats were in favor of it, and the vast majority of Republicans were in favor, Pritzker said. So the fact that didnt get called, a bipartisan bill to safeguard the people of the state of Illinois, is a tragedy.

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This page has expressed support for the bill the mayor (and Welch) helped torpedo, with the full knowledge that the legal cannabis and unregulated hemp industries are asking policymakers to intervene in a commercial battle. We believe theres potentially a place for intoxicating hemp products that undergo the same sort of rigorous licensing to which cannabis dispensaries are subject and are held to similar regulations.

We also believe the best way to bring those hemp interests to the table in earnest is to stop the illicit and dangerous business practices in which theyre currently engaged while negotiations occur.

The hemp lobby has flexed its muscle by getting enough House members to kill a bill that passed the state Senate on a 54-1 vote. Fifty-four to one. What incentive is there for an industry that just saw how easily it can manipulate revenue-desperate Chicago politicians to come to the table in good faith?

Johnson risks having the future overdose death of a Chicago child on his conscience. God forbid.

Is whatever few millions city coffers eventually see from this gambit really worth it, Mr. Mayor?

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
As a Chicago commuter, theres nothing worse than standing on a cold, blustery platform, staring down the track and seeing no sign of headlights. The wait is brutal and blistering, and while it builds the strength of character for which the residents of our great city are so famed, its also completely unnecessary. When it comes to transit, riders deserve as much communication as possible. Thats why the Chicago Transit Authoritys petulant decision to exit X (formerly Twitter) is especially galling, because it runs counter to the service it owes Chicagoans.

This social media platform no longer provides the value it once did for us to effectively reach and communicate with our riders, CTA spokesperson Maddie Kilgannon said earlier this month.

That statement makes very little sense given that the CTA had 287,000 followers on X, meaning the transit agency was reaching a massive swath of its ridership on the platform. And the move feels politically motivated when the agency has chosen to remain on social media platforms such as BlueSky, Threads and Facebook. The CTA should not be taking political sides. Its a transit agency, for heavens sake.

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In the absence of paid officials providing updates on X, a handful of independent Chicagoans have been filling in. A new account called CTA Alerts (@AlertsCTA) cropped up soon after the CTA signed off of X, created by a local software engineer who writes of CTAs X decision that They shouldnt have shut it down. #FireDorvalCarter The pages operator told Block Club Chicago that the system costs him 5 cents a month to operate.

CTAs exit from X follows other, more serious episodes of lousy leadership. Unfortunately, this is nothing new, and Gov. JB Pritzker has acknowledged publicly that fixing CTAs problems will require some new leadership and additional leadership.

And for regular Chicagoans just trying to get to work, CTAs recommendation that riders sign up for custom alerts or use the app simply wont always get the job done. While the Ventra app has improved its tracking, there are still times when the software fails to alert riders of major outages and disruptions.

State Rep. Kam Bucker, D-Chicago, said it best in a Jan. 2 post on X. He noted that Philadelphia just launched System Status for real-time updates & revamped its app for easy trip planning & even lets riders report issues to transit police instantly & still they remain on social media. (Because thats where the people are). Meanwhile, the CTA ditches X for an outdated, clunky website with none of this functionality. Philly innovates, Chicago regresses. Riders deserve better.

They sure do. So lets keep this simple: CTA, get back on X.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
Jan. 7Hardheaded? Dogmatic? Just plain mean?

It is hard to know how to label the stubborn refusal by Kansas lawmakers to expand access to Medicaid.

Perhaps the most apt label is "foolish."

Of course, those who oppose expansion have offered dire warnings of the disaster looming should Kansas stoop to broaden the numbers of those eligible for health care coverage. The objections amount to fearmongering about exploding costs, an overloaded health care system and curtailed economic growth.

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We heard those same warnings when the Missouri General Assembly refused to expand Medicaid. It took passage of a ballot measure to amend the state constitution in 2020  Missouri Amendment 2  to finally force lawmakers' hands. Both Gov. Mike Parson and lawmakers still tried to stop  or at least slow  implementing and funding the program passed by Missouri voters, until the courts slapped those same hands pretty hard.

Four years later, none of the dire outcomes predicted by opponents have come to pass. Instead, by 2023, 92.5% of people in Missouri were covered by health insurance, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The uninsured rate had been 10% in 2019 before the Medicaid expansion ballot initiative passed.

In January 2024, Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly included Medicaid expansion in her proposed budget for fiscal year 2025 and introduced Medicaid expansion legislation. The Legislature shot that down.

The deadline for states to use American Rescue Plan funds to expand Medicaid is March 31, 2025. Under the Affordable Care Act, the federal government will pay 90% of the cost each year for states that expand Medicaid to those with incomes up to 138% of the poverty level, leaving Kansas to cover the remaining share. The expansion could help an estimated 150,000 Kansans who currently can't afford health insurance  most from households with at least one full-time wage earner.

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The sticker price to expand Medicaid is low, especially if the state beats the March deadline. Further, a number of studies show the net cost of Medicaid expansion for states that have implemented it has been well below that sticker price. A 2020 data review showed an associated 4.4% to 4.7% reduction in state spending on traditional Medicaid in states that implemented the expansion. Savings can also be found by the reduction in payments for Kansas to provide care for those incarcerated. The program also will cover care paid for by the federal government for mental health or substance use disorders. It will offset losses due to uncompensated care at Kansas hospitals. Further, data from KFF shows a 9.4% reduction in mortality between states that have expanded Medicaid and those that have not. Hard to put a dollar value on that, but we believe it is worth a lot.

More than 7 in 10 Kansans support expanding Medicaid, according to a 2024 survey from Fort Hays State University. When the Kansas Legislature convenes on Jan. 13, one of its first actions should be to take up and pass a Medicaid expansion bill.
Donald Trump, formally and peacefully certified this week as the next president, wants to launch his second term by ramming through a big, beautiful bill that will encompass everything from immigration to energy to taxes. Glopping all that into a single package is a terrible idea and the Congress should not go along.

Perhaps the president-elect forgot during his time away, but the government actually has different branches, and Congress is not just a vehicle for his policy agenda. It is meant to be a deliberative body where different committees with different expertise figure out the best paths forward, in consultation with and not at the direction of the president.

Beyond the mechanics of such a MAGA mega-bill, Trump should give some thought to what his ideas actually portend for the country. We cant say the man has ever really shown himself to be a deep policy maven when it comes to actual governing, beyond his gift for marketing and personalistic campaigning, but these are proposals with major implications for the tens of millions of people who voted for him.

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Tariffs, particularly in one of the indiscriminate and extremely expansive forms that Trump floated throughout the campaign, would do serious damage to international trade and U.S. consumer prices, which would immediately shoot up in every sector including basic purchases like food, fuel and electronics.

Even more limited versions like those currently under consideration would bring heavy risks, and any mitigation would be largely undone by across-the-board tariffs on our neighbors and biggest trading partners of Mexico and Canada. It seems that Trump wants to balance the resulting spike in consumer prices with big tax cuts, but that would be a significant departure from our present tax structure and is too much to cram into a single bill.

As much as immigration and its exploitable sense of disorder has been electorally animating for the GOP base, the truth is that most people dont actually realize what a mass deportation campaign would actually entail, starting with their own rights and civil liberties. Theres no way to engage in massive surveillance, arrest and detention operations targeting millions of people around the country without to some extent damaging everyones rights.

As weve pointed out before, such an operation also cannot, from a pure mathematical standpoint, target only bad guys or criminals or whatever some people are imagining to be the objective here. It will come after your neighbors, people you work with, people who volunteer in your local community and bring their kids over to your barbecues. Not only will this tear at the social fabric of communities around the country, it will bring the hammer down on the economy in practically all sectors, including existential ones like food production, construction and health care.

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On energy, the mantra of drill baby drill is catchy enough, but it ignores that it is at this point probably more expensive, less secure and worse for the economy to try to turn back the clock on alternative energy production gains. These are a growth industry, and whatever additional economic activity we can eke out from going even heavier into oil and gas has to be balanced against the potential for the detrimental impacts of climate change, which is real and which really can be affected by the decisions of a massive polluter like the United States.

Trump has spent four years waiting. Now its time to actually govern and make policy changes work.

___
Chicago traffic rivals New York City for worst in the nation. A report from Inrix consultants released on Jan. 5 shows Chicago commuters spend a whopping 102 hours a year in traffic. For comparisons sake, commuters in Los Angeles rack up 88 hours, with Bostonians losing 79 hours per year to traffic congestion. Globally, only Istanbul has worse traffic. Our toddlin town has a bigger traffic problem than London.

Congestion has, of course, been made worse by seemingly endless (and ill-timed) construction projects that disrupt the flow of traffic in and out of the city that do little to improve travel times. Given that the administration of Mayor Brandon Johnson is hunting for new revenue anywhere and everywhere and that New York began congestion pricing on Sunday, we werent surprised when Chicago Ald. Andre Vasquez said on X: Congestion pricing makes sense as it helps lead to less congestion on streets, and if we model it in a way that is funded by those who come into the city, it helps fund road maintenance and safety.

Ald. Vasquez forgets that Chicago isnt New York, and neither is our traffic, which is most problematic on the expressways and main arteries, not in a South Loop business district, which was almost devoid of traffic, human or vehicular, during the first part of rush hour on Monday morning. Scarily so.

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Weve warned against congestion pricing in the past and hope it stays dead. Still, with a budget deficit looming next year and a mayor whose preferred mode of dealing with unpleasant fiscal realities is to hike taxes, revenue grabs like congestion pricing are always on the table.

Wed rather see attention paid to bringing Chicago-area commuters clean, efficient and safe public transit systems. As weve written many times, riders of the Metra, CTA and Pace are all too aware these transit systems are plagued with service issues and safety concerns.

Though the CTAs budget continues to grow, service reductions and disruptions remain a reality for people trying to get back to the office. Recently, the heads of Metra, CTA and Pace warned of 40% service reductions by 2027. Though CTA has increased train service to pre-pandemic levels, it often runs fewer trains than scheduled.

Interestingly, New York allows us to watch a congestion pricing model play out in real time.

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New Yorks congestion pricing system took effect Jan. 5 for trips in Manhattan below, and including, 60th Street. From 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends, individual drivers will face $9 tolls approaching Manhattan, while trucks and buses pay tolls up to $21. Taxis and ride-share vehicles, on the other hand, pay just $0.75 and $1.50 tolls, respectively. Those fees will be passed onto customers. This is no doubt thanks to the expensive lobbying campaigns launched by ride-share companies to give their industry a competitive advantage.

Data shows that on Jan. 6, the first Monday of the new pricing setup, inbound commutes via the Holland Tunnel that would normally have taken 19 minutes at 8 a.m. were cut down to 11 minutes, and a drive through the Lincoln Tunnel that used to take nine minutes took just five minutes. No doubt New Yorkers who typically drive into the city are adjusting to their new reality, and itll take far more time to fully understand what new traffic patterns will look like, especially once any holiday lag is over. New York is the first city in the country to adopt a policy otherwise more suited to European cities with clogged central business districts.

While its tax policies are making headlines, New York has also been home to harrowing tales of subway violence, including the brutal killing of a sleeping homeless woman on an F train, who was set on fire and burned to death, seemingly at random. Hours later, someone pushed a 45-year-old man onto the tracks ahead of an oncoming train in Chelsea. Waiting at a stoplight beats worrying about becoming a victim.

Drivers here already pay congestion-style taxes for ride-sharing in certain parts of the city, a policy established during the COVID-era to close a budget gap. Well keep an eye on the Gotham situation as it plays out, but New Yorks solution clearly wont work here in Chicago.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
EDMOND, Okla. (KFOR)  A controversial book will stay on the shelves of Edmond high school libraries.

The Glass Castle is featured in many high school libraries across the country, but its also frequently challenged for some of its mature themes, including sexual abuse.

Amid concern, Edmond school board members ultimately decided to keep it in libraries.

The decision follows longtime controversy over the book, including last year when the State Department of Education (OSDE) demanded the book be removed claiming its pornographic.

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The district fought back and asked State Supreme Court justices to decide who has the power to remove books, the court decided its the school districts job.

Now, a community member challenged the book, triggering a review process, ultimately leading to the school boards decision.

When I read the book, I did not see that they were glorifying child predators I felt like its a biography and that it was her experiences growing up, said Marcus Jones, president of the EPS Board of Education.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: State Supreme Court: OSDE does not have authority over public school library books

Board members also praised the school districts policy allowing parents to opt out their children from checking out any book.

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We very much believe that choice is important, knowing that not everyones values and choices would be the same. You know what I might choose for my student could be very different from what another parent would choose for for their student and we respect those decisions, said Jeff Bardach, executive director of communications for Edmond Public Schools.

Bardach says full library catalogs are also posted online for parents to access at anytime.

Then if theres a book that any parent doesnt want their student to read, all they need to do is contact the library media specialist and they flag it in the system, so their student cannot check out that book, said Bardach.

To view the catalog, click here.

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Since OSDE has been vocal with criticism of the book, News 4 reached out for comment and received the following response.

Oklahoma parents want age appropriate materials in our schools. Some materials are not appropriate for younger age groups, and should not be accessible without parents permission. Oklahoma State Department of Education

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.
Jan. 7First District Commissioner Brad Edwin will lead the Freeborn County Board of Commissioners for a second year in a row after a vote Tuesday at the start of the board's regular meeting.

Edwin was first elected to the Board of Commissioners in 2020 and was reelected in both 2022 and 2024.

He was the only one nominated for the position.

Second District Commissioner Dawn Kaasa nominated Fourth District Commissioner Chris Shoff to serve as vice chairman, while Edwin nominated 5th District Commissioner Nicole Eckstrom.

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Shoff ultimately withdrew his nomination, and Eckstrom was elected to the role.

Eckstrom was first elected to the board in 2022 and recently ran unopposed in 2024. This is her first time to serve as vice chairwoman.

The commissioners also welcomed new Third District Commissioner Lukas Severson, who was elected to replace retiring Commissioner John Forman.

The board also approved other action typically passed at the start of the year, including banks that the county will do business with and change funds/petty cash funds for various departments.

The board set the crop damage rate for 2025 for standing crops that may be damaged due to repair, improvement or construction projects involving the county's drainage ditches. The rate will be $798 per acre for corn and $529 per acre for beans.

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The crop damage rate for 2025 for crop damages due to repair, improvement or construction projects involving county drainage ditches for land not planted will be $525 per acre.

In other action, the board:

Approved sending a letter to the Minnesota Department of Revenue for a 90-day extension to fill the vacant assessor position. The current 90-day vacancy for the assessor position expires on Jan. 14.

Approved the county's five-year bridge priority replacement plan.

County Engineer Phil Wacholz said 31 bridges are due for replacement. Of that number 12 are eligible for funding through the state.

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In 2024, the county replaced four bridges but had four new bridges added to the list due to deteriorating conditions found during inspections. One township bridge is approved for state funding in 2025 with the potential for one additional township bridge.

Having the plan in place will allow the county to receive money from the state if a bridge is approved for funding.

Approved a contract with Dave Claussen as ditch inspector.

Set the bounty on beaver trapping to $60 per adult beaver tail turned into the county's drainage inspectors.

Appointed the Albert Lea Tribune as the official Freeborn County newspaper for 2024 for purposes required by law to be published, including the delinquent tax list.

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Accepted a $500 donation from Round Prairie Lutheran Church Women to the Crime Victims Crisis Center.

Approved a service agreement with the county and Brian Told to provide psychiatric services for clients in the Freeborn County Mental Health Center.

Approved a contract with Workforce Development Inc. to provide employment and training services and family stabilization services to county residents enrolled in the Minnesota Family Investment Program and Diversionary Work Program. The service is provided by a state grant.

Approved an agreement with the state of Minnesota for background checks for employees doing work on behalf of the Freeborn County Crime Victims Crisis Center. All of these employees must undergo a fingerprint background check.
British engine maker Rolls Royce, a large Indiana employer, is working to develop a small modular nuclear reactor, or SMR, although the project is still only in its planning phase. (Rendering courtesy Rolls Royce)

A new, quietly-released study showed that small nuclear reactors could present substantial opportunities for Indiana to meet its energy demands, and identified eight current or former coal sites across the state that could serve as coal-to-nuclear opportunities.

Purdue officials announced in May that the university was selected to study small nuclear technology and how it can potentially be used to power Indiana in the future. The university previously released a separate study on nuclear energy feasibility at its West Lafayette campus.

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In the state-funded report, released by the Indiana Office of Energy Development in November, researchers lauded small modular reactors, or SMRs, as 24/7 dispatchable sources of carbon-free electricity that have the capacity to meet the states growing energy needs. The state office granted Purdues team $300,000 to complete the report, according to Indianas Transparency Portal.

The study described SMRs as compact nuclear reactors  smaller than traditional nuclear power plants  that can generate up to 500 megawatts of electrical power. The International Atomic Energy Agency cites a lower range, qualifying SMRs as producing under 300 megawatts. Indiana law defines SMR power capacity up to 470 megawatts. The federal government hasnt settled on a firm definition.

The smaller reactors are designed to offer scalable energy solutions with enhanced safety features compared to traditional nuclear plants, researchers said.

Story continues below.

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IOED-SMR-Report_Final_2024

Currently, no electricity-generating nuclear power plants exist in the state, though there is one major nuclear manufacturing facility located in Mount Vernon, in southwestern Indiana. And of the few projected SMR sites across the United States  and the world  none are currently operational. Major Indiana employer Rolls Royce is developing an SMR.

Much of Indianas electricity continues to come from coal, and state lawmakers have been slow to commit to other energy options.

Proponents say the new technology is cheaper and safer than larger nuclear reactors currently in use today. But upfront adoption costs can balloon, and some scientists and environmental groups are concerned that operating expenses are actually much higher, and worry that SMR plants are more dangerous than developers let on.

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Even so, Purdue researchers said SMRs are a missed opportunity, and that coal-to-nuclear could help Indiana tap into an energy supply  with the benefit of net-zero carbon emissions.

SMRs present a viable opportunity for Indiana to transition to a cleaner, resilient, and diversified energy future, researchers said within the study. By addressing the outlined challenges  construction costs, supply chain constraints, regulatory compliance, workforce training, and community engagement  Indiana could position itself as a leader in next-generation nuclear technology while creating economic opportunities and ensuring energy security.

Transitioning from coal

The total amount of electricity generated within Indiana has fallen by 26% over the past two decades, the study noted. Electricity consumption, however, has only decreased by 3% over the same time period.

(Graphic courtesy the Indiana Department of Energy)

In 2023, Indiana was the nations second-largest coal consumer, after Texas, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Coal fueled 45% of Indianas electricity net generation that year, the seventh-highest share of any state.

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Purdue researchers noted that Indianas energy demands are expected to increase by up to 3% from 2022 to 2030, a big change compared to the 0.2% annual growth rate over the prior decade.

Over the long term, SMRs can mitigate the economic impacts of closing a coal plant, and open the door to significantly cheaper energy, they said.

Researchers pointed, too, to high-paying jobs during both the construction and operation of the facility, an increase of the tax base in the state, and the potential to boost employment throughout Indiana by various supply chain providers, including in nuclear manufacturing.

The study cited just two projects currently in the planning phases for coal-to-nuclear conversion: one sought by Duke Energy in North Carolina, and another planned by TerraPower in Wyoming.

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In Mount Vernon, BWX Technologies currently makes the large components of naval nuclear reactors, including the reactor vessels and parts of the steam generator. They also complete the final assembly of the naval nuclear reactors on site before shipping them out to customers.

The Virginia-based company recently conducted a study to explore development of SMR reactor vessels in their Indiana plant. Theyve so far determined that manufacturing those reactor vessels would require construction of an entirely new, $80 million, 120,000-square-foot facility. Its not clear whether the company will seek out any SMR projects in Indiana.

Separately, officials at Rolls Royce, which has a major manufacturing footprint in Indiana, said theyre exploring construction of an SMR with a capacity of up to 470 megawatts. The British engine maker was the driving force behind a 2023 amendment to state law that increased permitted SMR electric generating capacity from 350 to 470 megawatts.

The Rolls Royce project is also early-stage and could take nearly a decade to come to fruition.

Potential Indiana nuclear sites

A U.S. Department of Energy report published in 2022 found that Indiana has 8 to 10 coal plants suitable for the development of nuclear plants. Only Texas has more, with up to 15 suitable coal power plant sites.

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The Purdue study made similar findings, identifying eight coal sites to be suitable for SMR development, including six existing and two recently retired coal plant sites.

An additional eight sites within Indiana passed the researchers highest level of technical screening but have one or more factors  like high population density within a four-mile radius of a site, increased potential for earthquakes, location within a 100-year floodplain, nearby hazardous facilities, too few available tax incentives and a lack of water resources  that would make the locations less ideal.

Cost-wise, researchers said that operating a nuclear power plant tends to be about half of the operating cost of a gas turbine plant or coal plant of the same size.

(Graphic from Purdue Universitys study on small modular nuclear reactor technology in Indiana)

A nuclear plant typically creates twice the number of local jobs compared to a similarly sized coal plant, with SMR workers earning 18% more than coal plant workers on average, researchers said. A nuclear power plants revenue is also estimated to be about 78% higher than a coal plant because nuclear plants have a higher capacity factor.

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In total, the economic output of a 300-500 megawatt nuclear power plant was typically two times higher than the economic output of a coal plant of the same size in communities with more than 90,000 people, according to the study.

Among other benefits, using existing coal sites minimizes environmental impacts and allows SMR projects to take advantage of infrastructure thats already there  such as roads, water, grid interconnection equipment, office buildings, fencing and security, according to the report. Additionally possible is the reuse of coal plant components like heat sinks and electric plant equipment.

Plus, when a coal plant is replaced with nuclear, it is replacing a baseload power resource directly and can serve the same load as the coal plant served previously, researchers said.

Possible challenges ahead

Although the study found that small nuclear reactors show promise, their deployment is not without challenges.

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Construction costs remain high, especially for first-of-a-kind units, which have unique challenges and higher upfront costs, researchers said.

Around 50% of total SMR costs are attributed to reactor plant equipment. Because that equipment is the most novel, it can also be challenging to procure.

(Graphic from Purdue Universitys study on small modular nuclear reactor technology in Indiana)

Still, the study highlighted that subsequent nth-of-a-kind units are expected to be significantly cheaper as experience and efficiencies improve.

Supply chain stability is another major challenge. High-cost components, like reactor vessels and turbines, require reliable supply networks  which is likely to necessitate multi-state or multi-company orders to be cost-effective.

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Careful planning will additionally be required to navigate federal and state regulatory frameworks, researchers emphasized. Currently, each SMR installation must meet stringent safety and environmental standards.

SMR deployment will require comprehensive feasibility studies, regulatory alignment, workforce development, and robust community engagement for the technology to be safely and successfully integrated into Indianas energy portfolio, researchers continued.

The study recommended that Indiana leaders create a broad-based program or incentive that drives nuclear component manufacturing in-state, where possible, and when the opportunity is significant and justified.

Hoosier energy stakeholders should proceed with feasibility studies, build partnerships for SMR development and prioritize stakeholder engagement, researchers advised.

More specific recommendations include the development of educational resources to help explain the benefits of nuclear energy and minimize perceived safety and environmental concerns; updates to existing state requirements to help bolster SMR construction, especially at existing or retired coal plants; and taking advantage of existing supply chain resources within the state to ensure Indianas economy benefits from SMR construction anywhere in the nation.

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  El Paso City Council representatives were at City Hall Tuesday morning, Jan. 7 to begin their official duties after being sworn in Monday night.

The council has five new representatives and three returning members. Mayor Renard Johnson also assumed office, taking the reins over from Oscar Leeser, who served two non-consecutive terms.

New members:

Mayor: Renard Johnson

District 1: Alejandra Chavez

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District 3: Deanna Maldonado Rocha

District 4: Cynthia Boyar Trejo

District 5: Ivan Nino

District 7: Lily Limon

Returning members:

District 2: Josh Acevedo

District 6: Art Fierro

District 8: Chris Canales

To begin Tuesdays meeting, the council elected its new mayor pro tempore and alternate mayor pro tempore.

After being nominated by Johnson, representatives unanimously approved Chavez to serve as mayor pro tem with Fierro assuming the alternate role.

The regular session lasted less than one hour and was followed by a mass transportation meeting. The general call to the public was held at noon where only one community member spoke before the first meeting was adjourned.

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WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW)  Warrensville Heights police are investigating the death of an elderly woman after she was found unresponsive outside of the Avenue Warrensville Care and Rehabilitation Center on Christmas Eve.

The FOX 8 I-Team obtained a copy of the Warrensville Heights police report that states the 84-year-old woman was last seen by a nurse at 8:40 p.m. Dec. 23.

I-TEAM: Woman in wheelchair robbed on Public Square

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The report further notes that another nurse went to check on the woman at 9:30 p.m. and she was not in the room. The nurse told officers that she assumed the woman left the hospital with her brother. She then said she checked the logs and found that no visitors were at the hospital on Dec. 23. The nurse said she then tried calling the womans brother but he didnt answer.

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The nurse then told the officer multiple times that she is a new nurse and was not sure what to do after that, the report states.

According to the report, about nine hours later the nurse told a coworker about the womans disappearance. A few minutes after alerting her coworker a Code Purple was issued and the officials searched the facility for the woman. At 7:30 a.m. police were called and sent to the facility.

A short time after police arrived the woman was found outside in a corner of the patio. She was unresponsive. She was taken to the hospital, where she later died.

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The report states the officer asked officials for security video from inside the facility. Officials , however, told police the cameras only have views of the common areas and none of the footage showed the womans direction of travel, the report stated.

Bird flu recall: Cat food contaminated with HPAI sold at Hollywood Feed

The woman was sent to the facility Dec. 18 for physical therapy. The report noted that she could not walk and was in a wheelchair. Her brother told officers he had talked to her earlier and she said she wanted to leave the facility.

No arrests have been made.

We reached out to officials at Avenue Warrensville Care and Rehabilitation Center to discus the matter and received the following statement:

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We are sorry for death of the resident and have expressed our condolences to the family. This continues to be an active investigation and therefore we are unable to comment further at this time.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
In a series of posts on X Elon Musk publicized his views on European politics by criticizing the U.K.'s Labour government and supporting Germany's rightwing AfD. His comments drew stern rebukes from leaders around Europe.

After exerting significant influence over the U.S. elections in Novemberusing millions in PAC funding to support President-elect Donald Trump's win and a GOP majority in CongressMusk is now making his political preferences clear in Europe.

In a potpourri of political commentary he's shared publicly over the last few days, Musk criticized U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's track record, praised Germany's rightwing AfD party, and took a social media swipe at Italian judges.

What is Musk saying about European politics?

In a post on X, Musk endorsed the AfD. Only the AfD can save Germany, he wrote.

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The AfD party started as an anti-EU party, but has come to symbolize the particularly potent strain of reactionary politics that have characterized much of European and U.S. politics over the past couple of years.

In November 2023, German law enforcement designated a local chapter of the AfD as a hate group. Other parties in German politics, including Olaf Sholzs, have vowed never to coalition with the AfD.

Yet that hasnt stopped the party from gaining major ground at the ballot box when it won state elections in Thuringia.

In Germany, the prospect of emboldening a rightwing, nativist political party is not treated lightly given the countrys history.

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In a spree of X posts over the past several days, Musk excoriated Starmer and his allies in the Labour Party, which recently won elections after 14 years of Conservative Party leadership in Downing Street.

Musks comments about U.K. politics had a significantly more personal nature, criticizing Starmer directly.

Musk's attacks focused on what he considered to be Starmers mishandling of a major child sex abuse scandal when he was the U.K.s top prosecutor. The decades-old case became a high-profile national issue when an investigation found that more than 1,400 hundred minors were exploited by gangs committing coordinated acts of child sex abuse. At the time, British law enforcement was found to have ignored repeated warning signs about what was taking place.

Starmer defended his record on the matter, noting that he brought the first such prosecution related to the sex abuse cases when he was director of the Crown Prosecution Service and rewrote new rules to strengthen reporting requirements for child sex abuse. The U.K. leader characterized Musks comments as lies and misinformation.

Why experts think Musk is wading into the discussion

Musks entry into European political discourse comes at a time when there is already widespread trepidation across Europe over the incoming Trump administrations proposal to implement blanket tariffs. Should Trump follow through, they could significantly impact the economies of Europes major exporters.

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Musks raft of comments signals to European allies that the dynamics of their relationship with the U.S. are, indeed, set to change, according to John Torpey, director of the European Union Studies Center at the CUNY Graduate Center.

At some level, if he's currently Donald Trump's wingman, this sends a message that there's a new sheriff in town, Torpey said. Youre not really going to know what to expect from this new administration.

Musks close relationship with Trump, whose White House bid he supported to the tune of $277 million, means his comments present a diplomatic conundrum for European powers.

The U.K. and Germany tried to wait out these attacks to not strain relations with Trump from the beginning, as Musk's comments are perceived to be at least not opposed by Trump, but now, they seem to have united in their push-back, said Liana Fix, a fellow at the Council for Foreign Relations.

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Musks comments are complicated further by the fact that his many companies, such as Tesla, SpaceX, and X, are interested in attracting European investment. Supporting certain parties can help Musk win their favor in the future as their political power grows.

"Musk has never recognized any bounds for putting his finger on the scale, said Belinda Davis, a professor of modern German and European history at Rutgers University.

Musks ownership of X, where he posted most of his comments, also allows him to reach hundreds of millions of users across Europe and the world. He knows the power of X in Europe, Davis said.

What did European leaders say about Musk?

Musks comments did not go unnoticed by European leaders, who clearly denounced what they saw as unwelcome interference.

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European leaders' patience is running thin with what they perceive as a campaign by Musk to embolden far-right parties in Europeat a time when those parties are on the rise in many countries, said Fix.

In addition to the rebukes from Germany and the U.K., leaders from France and Norway also took aim at Musk on Monday.

Norways Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere, who was not the subject of any of Musks attacks, echoed the concerns of his fellow heads of government.

"I find it worrying that a man with enormous access to social media and huge economic resources involves himself so directly in the internal affairs of other countries," Stoere told Norways public broadcaster NRK.

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French President Emmanuel Macron, too, highlighted Xs role in boosting Musks influence.

Ten years ago if someone had told us the owner of one of the worlds biggest social-media companies would support a new international reactionary movement and intervene directly in elections, including in Germany, who would have imagined that?, Macron told reporters.

Elections in Germany are scheduled for Feb. 23, making Musks avid support of the AfD all the more relevant.

The German government, headed by Chancellor Scholz, a member of the Social Democratic Party, cited Musk by name in a statement released Monday, brushing off his ability to influence the countrys political climate.

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We act as if Mr. Musk's statements could influence a country of 84 million people with untruths or half-truths or expressions of opinion, a government spokesperson said, according to the German broadcaster Deutsche Welle. This is simply not the case," he added.

Meanwhile, Starmer emphasized what he considered to be the danger of Musks comments.

Once we lose the anchor that truth matters, in the robust debate that we must have, then we are on a very slippery slope, Starmer said during a press conference in London.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
American billionaire Elon Musk has insulted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a post on X (Twitter) after Trudeau ruled out Canada becoming part of the United States, which has been a recurring theme in President-elect Donald Trumps remarks lately.

Source: Elon Musk on X (Twitter); European Pravda

Details: Musk's rude comment appeared under a tweet by Trudeau in which he firmly ruled out the possibility of Canada joining the United States, something Trump has been relentlessly posting about.

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Musk has played along with Trump in cracking jokes about Canada as the "51st state" and describing Trudeau as a "state governor".

Quote from Musk: "Girl, you're not the governor of Canada anymore, so it doesn't matter what you say."

Background:

Due to a political crisis in Canada, Justin Trudeau announced his resignation as leader of the Liberal Party on 6 January, and he will step down as prime minister when a successor is selected.

Meanwhile, Trump has posted numerous tweets suggesting that Canada should be part of the US.

At the same time, Trump began talking about annexing the Danish territory of Greenland, keeping the comments flowing during his son's visit to the island.

Copenhagen was forced to respond to Trump's most controversial comment, in which he refused to rule out using force to take Greenland.

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Elon Musk has been tweeting incessantly for days about a grooming gang scandal that is setting the political weather in Britain, but the origins of how it came onto the radar of the worlds richest man can be traced back a decade.

Charlie Peters, a student about to embark on a philosophy masters at The University of Edinburgh, took the time to leaf through a 159-page report on child exploitation in Rotherham, a town in the north of England. He recalls being astounded by Professor Alexis Jays 2014 inquiry, which concluded that at least 1,400 children had been raped, trafficked, and assaulted in the Yorkshire community, predominantly by men of Pakistani heritage.

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I put myself in the shoes of those I was reading about and thought, what would I do in that situation? I realized I wouldnt be able to do anything. And I felt like that sense of hopelessness was very crushing, Peters tells Deadline. Theres never been a bigger national scandal in my lifetime.

The thunderbolt moment lit a fire in Peters, who channeled his anger over Jays findings into a career in journalism. By 2020, he was pursuing new lines of inquiry into grooming gangs, speaking to survivors and local authorities, and tracing the story to different communities across the UK. He called for a national inquiry in a Daily Mail op-ed in 2021 and later shopped a documentary showcasing his findings to some of the biggest media outlets in Britain. Only one bit: GB News.

In February 2023, the Conservative-leaning news channel aired Grooming Gangs: Britains Shame and offered Peters a permanent job. Since then, he has continued to pursue the cause and says he has often been the only reporter in local courtrooms when justice is being served to the perpetrators of abuse.

Charlie Peters

All the while, Peters reporting has been amplified by colleagues who embellish GB News output with outraged monologues. Presenters like Patrick Christys have consistently leaned into the racial dimension of the story, accusing the government of failing to act amid fears of offending the Muslim community. And it has worked  coverage has resonated. Every time this story is connected to British-Pakistanis, ratings and traffic go up, says someone familiar with GB News internal audience data.

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On the final day of 2024, Musk came across an X/Twitter post from Sam Bidwell, a director of the Adam Smith Institute think-tank and a regular GB News contributor, who listed the 20 British communities that had been scarred by migrant sex abuse gangs. The Tesla CEO responded with two exclamation marks, before Bidwell swiftly drew his attention to the reporting of Peters.

Musk would soon have cause to charge further into the issue. On New Years Day, Peters Christmas holiday was interrupted by a source sending him a letter from Jess Phillips, the UK governments safeguarding minister, stating that Labour had rejected calls to hold a national inquiry into grooming gangs. Peters scribbled his scoop on X and the update exploded, generating more than 3M views.

Musk has posted about the scandal for nine days straight. In the process, he has called for Phillips to be imprisoned for being a rape genocide apologist. He has also branded UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer demented and despicable for defending Phillips  and for his failure to pursue alleged perpetrators in Rochdale during his time as the UKs most senior prosecutor.

Musk has engaged with or amplified posts from GB News and its presenters on at least 37 occasions during this period, meaning the disruptive network is having an outsized influence on how Donald Trumps powerful ally is consuming the story. Musks contributions have ranged from endorsing GB News commentator Alex Armstrongs call to ban Starmer from office (which is not possible under the UKs constitution), to commenting on Peters work. What a travesty, said Musk, sharing a thread (now viewed 24M times) in which Peters laid out his years of reporting.

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Peters says Musks entry into the debate has been both a blessing and a curse. He is grateful to the X owner for shining a light on the matter, but worries that it has metastasized into a Westminster bubble story, with commentators chuckling about the battle between Musk and Starmer. Peters would prefer the focus to be on the victims of abuse, and to this end, GB News has spotlighted a different survivor story for six days straight.

Elon Musk

Peters believes Musk has earnestly held reasons for his interest in grooming gangs and is not simply stoking hatred. The billionaire posted on Tuesday about how his grandmother, Cora Amelia Robinson, hailed from Liverpool and could have been a victim of the abuse. Weve looked at grooming gangs in Merseyside, hes legitimate to care about that, Peters says. The GB News journalist does not think, however, that Jess Phillips is a rape genocide apologist.

Musks interest in GB News is another sign that the insurgent network is now firmly established in the UK after launching in 2021. GB News brushed off the threat of an Ofcom fine last year to grow its audience reach in an environment in which its main competitors, BBC News and Sky News, are managing decline. The company lost 42.4M ($53M) in 2023, but its backers, including hedgefund Brexiteer Sir Paul Marshall, appear committed to bankrolling an endeavor that is setting the agenda.

Stewart Purvis, a former ITN and Ofcom executive, has been critical of GB News repeated breaches of UK impartiality rules, but he acknowledges the channels journalism on grooming gangs. GB News has always existed for Paul Marshall to have political influence, and now it has proven that he has political influence. If thats [what he considers to be] a success, then its a success, Purvis adds.

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GB News star Patrick Christys has invited Musk on his show to discuss the rape gang story and raise money for survivors. Musk is yet to respond to the invitation, but as Peters says, the tweeter-in-chiefs engagement with the channels output is evidence enough that GB News matters.

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As if having the ear of incoming U.S. president Donald Trump weren't enough, tech billionaire Elon Musk has been on a tear this week, trashing European politicians on both the left and right, and using posts on his social media platform, X, to disrupt politics across the continent.

The French president, politicians in Germany and officials with the European Commission have all felt Musk's online wrath, on issues concerning their electability and alleged hypocrisy. But it's his withering attacks on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other U.K. politicians that have stood out.

In a 72-hour span starting over the weekend, Musk suggested King Charles should fire Starmer and call a new election, and pushed the false claim that Starmer was "deeply complicit in mass rapes" and should be sent to prison.

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Musk also posted that it might be up to the United States to "liberate" Britons from their "tyrannical government."

These accusations have centred on Starmer's role in an ugly chapter of Britain's recent judicial history, concerning the prosecution of gangs of mostly British Pakistani men who groomed and sexually exploited thousands of girls between roughly 1997 and 2013.

Starmer was the head of the country's Crown prosecution system starting in 2008 and oversaw many of the criminal prosecutions. Musk, without any evidence and in the face of repeated inquiries that said otherwise, has blamed Starmer for inaction.

A 2022 inquiry headed by Scottish child protection expert Prof. Alexis Jay concluded that while there was no prosecutorial cover-up, local authorities  but not Starmer  had made mistakes.

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WATCH | British minister says Musk 'misinformed' on grooming scandal:

Musk also smeared Jess Phillips, the Labour cabinet minister now in charge of women's safeguarding, calling her a "rape genocide" apologist for refusing to heed calls for another national inquiry  even though Jay has said a new inquiry would only delay implementing the recommendations from her report.

Longtime U.K. politics watcher Tim Bale at Queen Mary University of London says Musk's incendiary accusations have put Labour on the defensive and provided fresh ammunition to opponents on the political right.

"In all my years of covering British politics, I can't remember an incident like this," Bale told CBC News. "[Musk's] goal seems to be to destabilize the British government and also to emphasize to Donald Trump that this is not an administration he wants to be friends with."

FILE PHOTO: Elon Musk greets U.S. President-elect Donald Trump as he arrives to attend a viewing of the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket in Brownsville, Texas, U.S., November 19, 2024.

Elon Musk greets U.S. president-elect Donald Trump as he arrives to attend a viewing of the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket in Brownsville, Texas, on Nov. 19, 2024. (Brandon Bell/Pool via Reuters)

France, Norway raise concerns

Starmer's Labour Party is one of the few left-of-centre governments remaining in Europe, with recent elections witnessing seismic shifts to the right, including in Italy, Slovakia and the Netherlands.

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Germany's Social Democrats may be the next to fall, with elections coming in February and Chancellor Olaf Scholz widely expected to go down in defeat.

Musk has endorsed the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and has said he plans to use X to host a discussion with its leader, Alice Weidel, who's a fierce critic of multiculturalism. Some prominent AfD members have been ostracized for their failure to condemn the war crimes of the Nazis.

On Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron slammed Musk for "directly intervening" in elections in Europe. Other EU leaders want to see regulators impose fines and other legal sanctions on Musk for improperly using his social media platform.

France's President Emmanuel Macron leads a crisis meeting dedicated to the situation in the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte in the aftermath of cyclone Chido, at the Interior Ministry in Paris, France on December 16, 2024.

France's President Emmanuel Macron has criticized Elon Musk for 'directly intervening' in elections in Europe. (Ludovic Marin/Reuters)

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Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre was quoted by Reuters as saying Musk's political influence has become deeply troubling, and a spokesman for Spain's government said Tuesday that social media platforms must always act with "absolute neutrality."

Bale says the aim of Musk's intervention may be to coerce unfriendly European governments into backing off from tougher legislation that could hurt tech companies. The U.K., for example, has just brought in a new digital regulations act with strengthened oversight of big tech companies and their business models.

"Perhaps [Musk is] going to make it more difficult for the British government to regulate social media platforms," said Bale.

WATCH | Germany says Musk is interfering in upcoming election:

Fighting with Farage

But having friendly relations with Musk seems no guarantee of avoiding his wrath.

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Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK who only three weeks ago lunched at Trump's Mar-a-Largo estate with Musk and expected the tech mogul to make a big donation to his increasingly popular party, suddenly found himself on the outside, as Musk called for him to be replaced as party leader.

Reform UK champions policies such as deep cuts to immigration, eliminating net-zero emission goals and drastically reducing taxes and spending.

The rift between the two men appears to stem from Musk's insistence that far-right activist and anti-Islam crusader Tommy Robinson should be freed from jail. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Christopher Yaxley-Lennon, is a former member of an openly fascist British political party who has served multiple terms in jail, including for fraud and contempt of court.

FILE PHOTO: British MP and leader of the Reform UK political party, Nigel Farage speaks at the New York Young Republican Club's Annual Gala at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City, U.S., December 15, 2024.

Once on friendly terms with Elon Musk, Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage has since been on the receiving end of the billionaire's scorn. (David 'Dee' Delgado/Reuters)

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Both Farage and Starmer  who rarely agree on much  contend that Robinson's use of Facebook Live and flouting a judge's order by broadcasting banned details of a 2018 sex exploitation case in the community of Huddersfield nearly resulted in a mistrial.

Farage, who has been trying to moderate his Reform UK's image to attract more Conservative supporters, has said courting Robinson could cause "immense harm" to his party. But Musk has tweeted Robinson deserves to be freed  and that Farage should be fired.

Starmer claps back

In one of his strongest public statements since he became prime minister this past summer, Starmer took aim at Musk on Tuesday, accusing the world's richest man of spreading lies.

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"I'm prepared to call out this for what it is. We've seen this playbook many times, whipping up intimidation and threats of violence, hoping that the media will amplify it," said Starmer. "When the poison of the far right leads to serious threats to Jess Phillips and others, then in my book, a line has been crossed."

Many in the U.K. also blamed Musk for inflaming tempers and inciting violence in the aftermath of the killings of three young people at a dance class in Southport, England, this summer. Musk reposted conspiracy theories from far-right accounts linking the incident to mass immigration, stating that "civil war" in the U.K. was inevitable.

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer answers a question from the media during a visit to the Elective Orthopaedic Centre at Epsom Hospital on January 06, 2025 in Epsom, Britain.

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Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer has responded to Musk's personal attacks by saying that he will not stand for misinformation. (Leon Neal/Pool via Reuters)

Just how much traction Musk's interventions are getting with the British public is difficult to gauge. In the aftermath of Musk's social media attacks, pollster YouGov reposted its latest poll from November, underscoring that at the time, Musk was unpopular with 64 per cent of the British public.

On the other hand, the Labour Party may be concerned that Musk's attacks  whether truthful or not  could nonetheless cause damage.

A Labour cabinet minister appeared to respond to Musk's recent accusations by announcing that people who fail to report child sexual abuse could face criminal prosecution as part of a new law to be introduced later in 2025  one of the recommendations in Prof. Jay's report.

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For Starmer, and other European politicians, attacking Musk comes with risks, says Bale of Saint Mary's.

"They know that Musk is really close to Trump, and by offending Musk, they may well turn Trump against them."
Elon Musk has lashed out at California fire officials, baselessly accusing them of putting DEI measures over saving lives and homes, as MAGA supporters are spreading conspiracy theories on social media about the catastrophic wildfires ripping through Los Angeles County.

Musk joined President-elect Donald Trump in placing blame that didnt include climate change for the fires that have so far spread to more than 27,000 acres across Southern California.

At least five people have died and an unknown number have been injured as a result of the fires, officials said at a press conference on Wednesday. More than 100,000 residents have been forced to evacuate the city, areas of which have now become unrecognizable.

Musk joined a chorus of right-wing criticism aimed at Californias Democratic leadership on Wednesday (REUTERS)

On Wednesday afternoon, Musk reposted a comment on his social media platform X from the right-wing account Libs of TikTok, which hit out at the Los Angeles Fire Departments diversity hiring policies.

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They prioritized DEI [diversity, equity inclusion principles] over saving lives and homes, Musk baselessly claimed, without offering any evidence or explanation.

As the fires exploded in size on Wednesday, Trumpworld seized on the devastation to attack California and its Democratic leadership, as unfounded conspiracies began to spread online.

One prolific Trump-supporting account claimed that state leaders used public funds to house illegals instead of building infrastructure to store water.

In response, another account baselessly linked the disaster to cloud seeding  a technique that shocks clouds to artificially stimulate rainfall. Money was spent on cloud seeding to increase rainfall even though California has no infrastructure to support it. 80% of rainfall flows back into the ocean, it said. Its on purpose. They want the state reliant on government for water.

A person uses a garden hose in an effort to save a neighboring home from catching fire during the Eaton Fire on January 8 in Altadena, California (Getty Images)

Donald Trump Jr also weighed in, criticizing the LAFDs donation of surplus equipment to Ukraine to help with the war effort in 2022. Oh look of course The LA fire department donated a bunch of their supplies to Ukraine, he said, without adding any further insight.

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In 2022, the LAFD said it sent surplus items such as hoses, nozzles, and helmets to the war-torn country.

The criticism echoes that of the president-elect, who blasted California governor Gavin Newsom, claiming he prioritized a worthless fish called a smelt over Californians.

Governor Gavin Newscum refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snow melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way, Trump fumed on Truth Social.

Trump took the opportunity to lash out at California governor Gavin Newsom (REUTERS)

He wanted to protect an essentially worthless fish called a smelt, by giving it less water (it didnt work!), but didnt care about the people of California. Now the ultimate price is being paid.

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But the governors office hit back in a statement accusing the president-elect of creating pure fiction.

There is no such document as the water restoration declaration  that is pure fiction, the statement said. The Governor is focused on protecting people, not playing politics, and making sure firefighters have all the resources they need.

Trump also criticized Biden in a follow up post. NO WATER IN THE FIRE HYDRANTS, NO MONEY IN FEMA, he wrote. THIS IS WHAT JOE BIDEN IS LEAVING ME. THANKS JOE!
CHEMUNG, N.Y. (WETM)  A man and a woman from Chemung are facing multiple animal cruelty charges after police found an emaciated horse, a dead pig, and four living pigs in a trailer in the woods.

Nickolas Stevens and Kelly Stevens were arrested following an animal cruelty investigation that started with a report about strange noises coming from a wooded area. Elmira Animal Control reported that the New York State Police were called to the area of Simkin Road and Passmore Road in the Town of Chemung at about 6 p.m. on Jan. 6 for the report. The trooper who responded found a stock trailer parked in the woods with a horse and five pigs inside and called Elmira Animal Control.

Elmira man arrested, allegedly hit elderly woman in face

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Animal control says that its investigation found that the animals inside the trailer were in serious physical condition. One of the pigs was dead, and the horse was emaciated.

Officers called a local equine veterinarian to the scene to evaluate and treat the horse. Due to the severity of the horses condition, it was humanely euthanized. The pigs were taken to the Elmira Animal Shelter for further evaluation and treatment.

Nickolas and Kelly Stevens were each charged with six counts of cruelty to animals (a class A misdemeanor) following Elmira Animal Controls investigation. Each charge is punishable by up to one year in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.

After they were arrested, the pair were released on appearance tickets. They will appear in the Town of Chemung Justice Court at a later date.

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Jan. 7The era of Geno Marconi as New Hampshire's top port official is over, as the embattled ports and harbors director, who is facing criminal prosecution, has filed paperwork to retire.

Meanwhile, Myles Greenway, the interim port director since the Pease Development Authority (PDA) last April put Marconi on paid administrative leave, is leaving at week's end to take a U.S. Coast Guard security post in Boston.

The PDA will begin a search for a full-time director of ports and harbors, officials said.

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His decision to retire doesn't affect the criminal cases involving either Marconi or his wife, Supreme Court Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi, who faces her own indictments over charges she tried to improperly influence outgoing Gov. Chris Sununu and PDA Chairman Steve Duprey of Concord about her husband's case.

Duprey announced at the PDA's monthly meeting Tuesday that the New Hampshire Retirement System had recently informed the agency that Marconi began the process to retire effective Jan. 1.

The PDA did not receive word from Marconi about this decision, Duprey said.

The previous PDA meeting Dec. 12 ended with a nonpublic session to discuss the "dismissal, promotion or compensation" of an employee or the "disciplining of the employee or an investigation" involving that worker.

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It's not known whether that executive session included discussing Marconi's future.

The maritime career for Marconi, 73, goes back nearly a half century to 1975 when he was first named Portsmouth harbor master.

He rose through the ranks at the Port Authority, starting 40 years ago as a consultant and eventually becoming director in late 2010.

Last October, a Rockingham County grand jury indicted Marconi on two felony counts and four misdemeanors relating to tampering with witnesses and falsifying physical evidence.

Documents point to 'retaliation'

According to documents, Marconi gave confidential motor vehicle records and also pier registration information about a person with the initials "NL" to Bradley Cook of Hampton, past chairperson of the New Ports and Harbors Advisory Council.

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The Union Leader independently confirmed NL refers to Neil Levesque, the vice chairman of the PDA and the director of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College.

The documents said Marconi's actions were "in retaliation."

Marconi also allegedly deleted emails from a phone in Stratham on April 22, days after PDA officials escorted him out of the agency headquarters and placed him on leave.

Cook was indicted on a felony perjury count and two misdemeanors for false swearing.

Last May, Cook charged that Marconi was the victim of a "political cesspool" out to get him.

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"The current political cesspool contains those who will stop at nothing to demonstrate power over anyone who is in disagreement with them and is principled enough to express that disagreement publicly," Cook told Seacoast Online.

Justice Hantz Marconi was placed on paid administrative leave last July, a month after she allegedly met with Sununu and inquired about the investigation involving her husband.

She was indicted on two felony and five misdemeanor counts a day after the charges against her husband had cleared a grand jury.

The judge has vigorously fought the charges through her attorney, Richard Guerriero.

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She maintained the meeting was protected by judicial immunity and the First Amendment.

State Supreme Court Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald advised the meeting with Sununu was not in any way improper, Hantz Marconi maintained in court filings.

Sununu denied having talks about probe

A judge denied Hantz Marconi's bid to remove Attorney General John Formella and his team as prosecutors in the case.

Sununu denied having any discussions with the AG or MacDonald about the matter and said he only learned of the judge's indictments through media accounts.

Paul Brean, the PDA's executive director, announced at Tuesday's meeting thatGreenway was leaving on Jan. 10 to become a port security specialist with the U.S. First Coast Guard District Prevention Division.

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Over the past several months, Greenway was often at the State House to present port spending and grant requests to legislative budget writers.

"His dedication and commitment to Ports and Harbors helped to elevate our operations. While we are sad to see him go, we wish him nothing but success as he returns to serve our nation in this new capacity," Brean said.

Greenway called the new post a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Tom Maciel, operations manager for the Division of Ports and Harbors, replaces Greenway as the interim director until a permanent chief is named.

klandrigan@unionleader.com
A brush fire, goaded by a wind storm, has swallowed up much of Palisades Park, an affluent community in northwest Los Angeles, and forced the evacuation of around 30,000 residents from the area. Both the state of California and the City of Los Angeles declared states of emergency Tuesday, with municipal, state and federal agencies coordinating to deal with the crisis.

Weve declared a state of emergency to amplify our response to this devastating fire and clear a path for a rapid recovery, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement Tuesday evening.  To the thousands of families impacted by this horrific fire  the City of Los Angeles is providing resources and shelter as this emergency continues. To the hundreds of brave firefighters and first responders who have been responding all day to this blaze  we thank you. The City is working aggressively to confront this emergency.

President Joe Biden said shortly afterwards that the Federal Emergency Management Agency had approved a grant "to support areas that are impacted and help reimburse the state of California for the immediate firefighting costs."

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The Palisades fire was first reported late Thursday morning and has grown to at least 2,921 acres, with zero containment as of Wednesday. Major Los Angeles roadways are either closed or jammed with cars full of people fleeing the fire, with many having abandoned their vehicles to walk on foot. Nearly 300,000 energy customers were in the dark this morning, according to the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power.

Fires have also broken out in Sylmar and the hills above Altadena, threatening more homes and residents. The conflagration was sparked by a combination of dry conditions and powerful winds that have become more frequent in recent years, with many scientists pointing to the effects of climate change.

No deaths have been reported, but fire officials said they had reports of multiple burn victims. The scene is said to be "apocalyptic," with firefighters battling overnight and through the day to contain its reach.
An energy company broke into a widowers home after the AI software in his smart meter wrongly suggested the device had been tampered with.

E.ON took action after its systems suggested Alan Knights smart meter cover might have been removed and it instructed engineers to enter his home using a locksmith.

No issues were found, and the energy company admitted to Mr Knight that the AI technology needs further work to better its detection for future cases.

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Mr Knight, 67, from Waterlooville, Hants, likened the action to a burglary and claimed the company had used a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

They didnt take anything

The grandfather said: Thats the thing, they break into my house and how does anybody feel? I said its almost like a burglary.

Its like a burglary, except they didnt take anything.

Mr Knight was at work on Oct 31 last year when E.ON engineers broke into his house with the help of a locksmith.

The AI software on his smart meter suggested the meter cover had been removed, leading engineers to suspect that it had been tampered with or that it was faulty, according to texts sent by E.ON to Mr Knight.

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E.ON claimed Mr Knight missed four phone calls from the company before it took action, but Mr Knight claims he never received them.

They said they rang me four times. I dont know who they rang, but it wasnt me, he said.

E.ON said engineers made several attempts to arrange an appointment with Mr Knight and met the required three visits before obtaining a warrant.

Mr Knight drives cars for a Volkswagen service centre and often cannot answer phone calls in working hours because he does not have access to hands-free technology in all the vehicles he drives.

They only work office hours

He warned that other smart meter owners could face the same treatment that he has had.

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The meters inside your house are owned by them. If ever theres a reason not to have a smart meter, this is it, Mr Knight said.

Once youve got that, they can gain access to your house if youre not there when they turn up. And they only work office hours.

They dont come around when people are home from work and they dont come around on the weekend  they come nine to five.

Until this week, he did not know that E.ONs AI software was the reason that a problem was flagged with the smart meter.

Thats the first time E.ON have ever mentioned AI at all, Mr Knight said.

The email he received from E.ON said: The AI technology notified us that the meter cover had been removed. This raised the concerns for us to check the meter for faults or tamper.

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Your meter readings are in line with your usage, these cause no concerns.

Silly amount of time off

The back and forth with E.ONs complaints team since October has affected Mr Knights work. Ive had a silly amount of time off since this started trying to sort it out, he said.

A spokesman for E.ON said the company told Mr Knight that his gas meter may be faulty in July, and that it needed access to his property to inspect the device.

The spokesman said E.ON tried to access the property twice in August, leaving letters when they could not, and spoke with Mr Knight over the phone to book an appointment, but a date was not agreed on.

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They said that a third attempt to access the property was made on Oct 15, but this was aborted because of customer refusal.

In response, Mr Knight said that he has not spoken to the company over the phone and has never refused them to come in.

He said: They might have rung, but they havent spoken to me and they couldve got me on email or their app, which I look at occasionally.

A spokesman for E.ON UK added: Sometimes we need to access our customers homes to inspect equipment and ensure that it is working properly.

We understand that a visit from a technician isnt always convenient, so we will always work to find a time that suits the customer.

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In this instance, we made several attempts to arrange an appointment with Mr Knight and met the required three visits before obtaining a warrant, which is always a last resort.

We apologise for any distress that resolving the issue caused to Mr Knight and will cooperate with any investigation conducted by the ombudsman.

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An engineer who goes by the online handle STS 3D has invented an AI-powered robot that can aim a rifle and shoot targets at terrifying speeds.

As demonstrated in a video that's been making its rounds on social media, he even hooked the automated rifle up to OpenAI's ChatGPT, allowing it to respond to voice queries  a striking demonstration of how even consumer-grade AI technology can easily be leveraged for violent purposes.

"ChatGPT, we're under attack from the front left and front right," the inventor says nonchalantly in a clip, while standing next to the washing machine-sized assembly hooked up to a rifle. "Respond accordingly."

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The robot jumps into action almost immediately, shooting what appear to be blanks to its left and right.

"If you need any further assistance, just let me know," an unnervingly cheerful robotic voice told the inventor.

The engineer even goes as far as riding the mounted rifle like a mechanical bull  imagery evocative of Major T. J. "King" Kong riding a nuclear bomb like a cowboy at a rodeo in Stanley Kubrick's iconic 1964 dark comedy satire "Dr. Strangelove."

https://twitter.com/itsandrewgao/status/1876719122781806846

Naturally, a rifle powered by easily-accessible AI tech raises thorny ethical questions. The United Nations, for one, has been begging world leaders to stop employing AI to control weaponry.

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But despite the many warnings, the idea of an AI-powered rifle that can fire at will is no longer relegated to dystopian science-fiction movies  we're rapidly moving toward a future in which lethal weapons will literally have minds of their own.

"Theres at least three movies explaining why this is a bad idea," one Reddit user joked in response to STS 3D's videos.

"This is Skynet build version 0.0.420.69," another user wrote, referring to the evil neural network featured in the "Terminator" franchise.

Despite the very real dangers of handing over control to an AI on the battlefield, the frequent warnings have seemingly fallen on deaf ears. US military contractors are already hard at work developing similar weapons systems.

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Case in point, defense contractor Allen Control Systems recently showed off an artificial intelligence-enabled autonomous robotic gun system dubbed "Bullfrog" which can fire an M240 machine gun from a rotating turret.

And now it appears that hobbyists are producing similar systems.

It's still unclear how exactly STS 3D integrated OpenAI into his project. OpenAI's Realtime API allows tinkerers to build "multi-modal conversational experiences with expressive voice-enabled models"  an easy way to give a killer weapon system a cheery voice and the ability to decipher verbal commands.

Conveniently, OpenAI quietly updated its usage guidelines almost exactly a year ago, as first reported by the Intercept, deleting previous language that banned "activity that has high risk of physical harm," including "weapons development" and "military and warfare."

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However, the company's revised policy still forbids anybody to "use our service to harm yourself or others," which includes the development "or use of weapons."

After we reached out to OpenAI, the company responded by saying it had cut off STS 3D's access.

"We proactively identified this violation of our policies and notified the developer to cease this activity ahead of receiving your inquiry," it read. "OpenAI's Usage Policies prohibit the use of our services to develop or use weapons, or to automate certain systems that can affect personal safety."

A request for comment from STS 3D went without response.

More on AI weapons: US Military Tests AI-Powered Machine Gun
A line of utility bucket trucks waits for orders as one of the crews repairs a nearby utility pole to restore electricity in a town north of Thibodaux on Sept. 12, 2024, one day after Hurricane Francine made landfall in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana. (Photo credit: Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator)

Entergy Louisiana wants to add a new storm fee to its customers electric bills to recover funds it spent on repairs from Hurricane Francine.

The company is asking the Louisiana Public Service Commission for permission to bill customers more than $182 million to recover what it spent after the storm.

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For each customer, the storm fee would vary based on their monthly electricity usage. Entergy estimates it would amount to roughly $1.10 per month for an average home that uses 1,500 kilowatt-hours of electricity or $0.80 for a home that uses 1,000 kilowatt-hours.

Francine made landfall Sept. 11, 2024, as a category 2 hurricane in Terrebonne Parish, causing more than 250,000 Entergy customers to lose power over the next several days.

In its fee application, the company notes that it lost fewer than 1,000 distribution poles and experienced minimal impacts to its transmission system during the storm. The utility used 8,000 crew members in its storm response and was able to restore power to 90% of customers within three days and 100% within six days.

Entergy credits recent grid hardening and infrastructure upgrades as factors that contributed to a speedy recovery, standing in contrast to the recovery after 2020s Hurricane Laura, which left parts of Louisiana without power for several weeks.

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Although Laura, a category 4, was one of the most destructive storms to ever strike Louisiana, Entergy endured widespread criticism from customers and the Public Service Commission for what some considered was a lack of foresight and preparation for the storm.

Entergy Louisiana spokesman Brandon Scardigli said the companys infrastructure improvements made after 2021s Hurricane Ida performed well during Francine last year.

[Hurricane Francine] caused damage across our service areas, highlighting the urgent need for continued investment in building a more resilient power grid, Scardigli said in an email. Starting to recover these funds now will provide much-needed capital to support critical investments in strengthening our infrastructure, reducing future outages and ensuring more reliable service for our customers.

Entergy currently has enough money in its storm escrow account to fund all of the Francine restoration costs, Scardigli said, but using it exclusively would deplete its balance, leaving the company exposed and underprepared for future storms.

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Entergy Louisiana customers are no strangers to storm recovery fees. They are still paying Entergy for six other storms, including Hurricane Isaac in 2012, Laura, Delta and Zeta in 2020, Winter Storm Uri and Hurricane Ida in 2021.

Together, those charges add up to roughly $20 per month for a home that uses 1,500 kilowatt-hours of electricity, according to information from the Public Service Commission.

Commissioner Davante Lewis, D-Baton Rouge, said hes not completely sold on the idea of having to charge customers a storm fee to replenish a rainy day account and wants to further investigate the necessity of funding storm recovery before instead of after a storm.

The commission meets Jan. 15 and is expected to hire an outside consultant to review Entergys request, Lewis said. Such applications have almost always resulted in approval.

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Next weeks meeting will also be the first for newly elected Commissioner Jean-Paul Coussan, R-Lafayette, who is filling a swing-vote seat formerly held by moderate Republican Craig Greene.

Coussan, who was sworn in last week, said he isnt yet up to speed on Entergys storm fee application but is meeting with PSC staff and attorneys for an orientation Thursday to prepare for the meeting.

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Smokestack emissions are seen along the Fairbanks skyline on March 1, 2023. At left is the coal-fired heat and power plant on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

An Environmental Protection Agency action expected Wednesday will unfreeze $150 million in paused Fairbanks-area road construction projects.

In a draft public notice published Tuesday, the EPA said it is planning to suspend sanctions imposed on the state for its failure to acceptably deal with toxic air pollution that affects the Fairbanks North Star Borough.

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The EPA imposed those sanctions a year ago, and the state has since revised its air pollution plan. On Wednesday, the EPA is expected to state that the states revisions are acceptable and that the sanctions, which have affected federally funded road construction, should be lifted immediately.

An EPA official declined comment ahead of Wednesdays official announcement, which will be published in the Federal Register.

State officials said they were thrilled by the EPAs decision.

The fat lady hasnt sung yet, but we are celebrating, said Jason Olds, director of the Division of Air Quality in the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation.

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Its taken 12 years, I think, of planning exercises to get here. Its spanned a few careers, some before my time, he said.

Fairbanks is located in a river valley and is subject to extreme temperature inversions that trap air within the valley at certain times of the year.

Because Fairbanks is home to many wood-fired stoves, coal burners and older oil-fired furnaces, pollution  particularly small particles known as PM 2.5  frequently becomes trapped within the valley, occasionally giving Fairbanks some of the worst air quality in the world.

In 2009, the EPA declared that portions of the Fairbanks borough were failing to meet federal standards and required that the state draft a plan to fix the issue.

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The state submitted several draft proposals in the ensuing years, but the EPA ruled that those plans were inadequate, and in December 2023, after years of warnings, the agency imposed sanctions.

Jackson Fox, executive director of Fairbanks lead transportation planning organization, said those sanctions froze work on federally funded highway projects, including at four sites on some of Fairbanks busiest roads.

Theyre huge projects. In total, youre looking at about $150 million of infrastructure improvements that could have advanced to construction for this coming summer, or maybe 2026 or maybe 2027 if our funding plan wasnt frozen in place, he said.

In 2024, state officials revised their Fairbanks pollution plan and resubmitted it to the EPA in December.

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In Wednesdays announcement, the federal agency plans to state that it has preliminarily determined that Alaska has addressed the  deficiencies in the prior plan, and that relief from sanctions  should be provided as quickly as possible.

The announcement will open a 30-day public comment period, but in the interest of speed, the agency intends to lift sanctions immediately.

If the EPA lifts the sanctions as planned, thats exciting news, Jackson said.

If we get these projects on track  we can get $150 million of work on the street, and get contractors working and families paid, he said.

He said his planning agency will hold a public meeting as soon as Wednesday to advance progress.

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For Olds, Wednesdays announcement is as much a starting line as a finish line. The state will have until 2027 to reach the EPAs stated pollution goals. If not, the sanctions could return.

That means encouraging Fairbanksans to switch to cleaner heat sources and avoid burning dirty fuel on days when the inversion is strongest.

We are going to depend on hearts and minds, he said of attaining the federal goals by 2027. There are some requirements, and we do conduct compliance enforcement with our regulations, but we need to see this thing through. Its sobering to meet that attainment date, but certainly, thats where were focusing now.

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Eric Trager, currently a staff member for Republicans on the Senate Armed Services Committee and a former Washington Institute for Near East Policy fellow, is set to be the National Security Council senior director for the Middle East and North Africa in the new Trump administration, two sources familiar with the selection told Jewish Insider.



Brett McGurk, who has played a key role in shaping the Biden administrations Middle East policy, is currently the NSC coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa.



Trager, whose research has focused on Egypt and the Muslim Brotherhood, has alsopreviously served as a staff member for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Middle East and North Africa issues and as an adjunct professor at the University of Michigan, the University of California and the University of Pennsylvania.



He authored a 2016 book, Arab Fall: How the Muslim Brotherhood Won and Lost Egypt in 891 Days, assessing the rise and fall of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt in the early 2010s, the state of Egyptian politics and the possibility of a Muslim brotherhood resurgence. The book included interviews with Muslim Brotherhood leaders including former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi.



He has also written about Qatars role in the Middle East and Dohas relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood and Iran.



Since Oct. 7, 2023, on his Twitter account, Trager has reposted comments from Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Ted Budd (R-NC) and Rick Scott (R-FL) about the conflict in the Middle East, particularly the plight of the hostage families and criticism of the Biden administrations Gaza pier operation, withholding of aid from Israel, calls for a cease-fire and U.S. southern border policy.



He also re-shared criticisms of the Qatari government  characterizing officials in Doha as aiding Hamas and calling on the Gulf nation to expel Hamas leaders  and of the Lebanese Armed Forces. His most recent re-post, from May 2024, was of Wicker condemning the International Criminal Court prosecutor for seeking arrest warrants against Israeli officials.



While at The Washington Institute, Trager urged members of Congress not to meet with Muslim Brotherhood officials, describing them as an extremist hate group, and criticized President-elect Donald Trumps first administration for failing to properly manage its relationship with Egypt when it blocked the provision of millions in aid.



He praised Trumps 2017 speech in Riyadh calling on Muslim leaders to take strong action against Islamist terrorist groups.



Trager graduated from Harvard University and has an MA from the American University in Cairo, where he focused on Islamic legal reform, and a PhD in political science from the University of Pennsylvania, where he focused on Egyptian opposition to then-President Hosni Mubarak, including fieldwork during the Tahrir Square uprising.



Trager and the Trump team did not immediately respond to requests for comment.



Clarification: An initial version of this story stated that Tragers title would be coordinator, the title held by McGurk. Tragers title will be senior director for the Middle East and North Africa.




Jan. 7An Espanola man has been arrested in connection with a slaying in Chimayo in May 2024.

Fabian Gallegos, 37, faces charges of second-degree murder and bribery of a witness in the killing of 41-year-old Christopher Serrano, who was found dead at his residence in the community outside Espanola, according to an arrest warrant affidavit filed against Gallegos.

The affidavit indicates Gallegos was arrested by New Mexico State Police on Monday. He was booked into the Santa Fe County jail Monday afternoon.

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Police had arrived at Serrano's home May 14 to arrest him on charges of kidnapping, criminal sexual contact and aggravated battery, alleging he had brutally beaten and raped his girlfriend a week before. Instead, they found Serrano dead.

Gallegos is also accused of intimidating or threatening another man who could be a witness in the murder case.

Despite numerous requests from The New Mexican for records related to Serrano's death, state police have for more than eight months withheld all reports in the investigation.

More details on the allegations against Gallegos were not yet available Tuesday morning.

This is a developing story. More information will be provided as soon as it is available.
Despite City Halls claims, the Chicago Board of Ethics said it did not provide Mayor Brandon Johnsons administration with an opinion about whether he should resign from Chicago Public Schools to avoid a conflict of interest.

The ethics board told the Tribune this week it has no documents showing any written opinions about Johnson taking a leave of absence from CPS, nor has it ever issued any written or oral opinions or guidance about CPS leaves by city officials or employees.

The Tribune reported last month that Ben Felton, a high-ranking CPS staffer, called on the mayor to resign from CPS after his election in 2023, but City Hall shrugged off the concerns.

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In a June 28 memo, Felton, CPS chief talent officer, wrote he was concerned that it could be a potential conflict of interest for the mayor to be an employee of an organization that he was overseeing (through the appointment of the Board of Education). In the memo, Felton suggested the mayor resign from CPS instead of remaining on what is known as a CTU leave of absence. Union members can sometimes take leaves and return to their jobs later.

Johnsons former education chief, Jennifer Johnson  who is not related to the mayor  told Felton that the citys ethics adviser did not have concerns about the mayor remaining on leave from CPS (instead of resigning) and that they would keep the status quo for now.

The status quo included Jennifer Johnson, who was Johnsons deputy mayor for education, youth and human services, also remaining on leave from CPS, against Feltons advice. Jennifer Johnson stepped down from her role at City Hall in October.

It is unclear who Jennifer Johnson consulted when she said shed conferred with the citys ethics adviser. Steven Berlin, executive director of the Chicago Board of Ethics, said neither the staff nor the board was consulted.

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That raised questions about the timeline of events previously offered by CPS.

When the mayor was inaugurated in May 2023, he was still on a CTU leave of absence from CPS.

Thats what led Felton to advise then-Deputy Mayor Johnson to speak with the citys ethics adviser in early June of 2023, he wrote in the memo.

In the June memo, Felton wrote, My primary concern is that the Mayor and Deputy Mayor would be able to guarantee future employment with CPS if they chose to return to the district, as our current practice is to place employees returning from a CTU leave into the reassigned teacher pool. Felton added, While I imagine it is unlikely that Mayor Johnson would return to the classroom, this is not an immaterial benefit.

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The memo says Jennifer Johnson, told Felton that Mayor Johnson did not want to leave CPS so as to signal his support for education and teachers.

A little over a week later, according to the memo, she said she had spoken with that person and saw no need to move beyond the status quo.

When the Tribune reached out to the mayors office for clarification, they asked for more time to comment but ultimately did not answer repeated requests about specifically who Jennifer Johnson spoke to on the ethics board.

In December, Johnsons press secretary, Erin Connelly, told the Tribune the mayor is not a CTU member. She said he ended his employment and membership with the teachers union in April 2023. His leave status at CPS is similar to that of other public officials who formerly served in other public service areas such as CPD, CFD and CPS as teachers. There is not a conflict, she said.

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CPS is currently negotiating a new contract with its powerful teachers union and salaries are a big sticking point.

Meanwhile, Chicago Teachers Union members have repeatedly said there is historical alignment with the mayor, considering his background as an educator and former CTU organizer.

The mayor started his career as a social studies teacher in 2007. If he were to go back to teaching, he would return with almost two decades accrued toward his salary and pension.

In an unrelated interview this week, Johnson said, Theres no job waiting for me over there in Chicago Public Schools.

I enjoy teaching, but I have a unique honor of serving as the mayor of the greatest freakin city in the world, he said, adding he might go back and teach at the college level, but thats, you know, several terms from now.
France and Germany have warned Donald Trump that the EU will not tolerate the US invading Greenland.

The president-elect floated the idea of the US taking over the autonomous Danish territory in a lengthy press conference at Mar-a-Lago in which he refused to rule out military action to achieve his goal.

Jean-Noel Barrot, the French foreign minister, told the radio station France Inter: There is no question of the EU letting other nations in the world, whoever they may be... attack its sovereign borders.

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Greenland, he added, was European territory.

Steffen Hebestreit, a German government spokesman, backed his warning and told Mr Trump that as always, the firm principle applies... that borders must not be moved by force.

Mr Trumps remarks, in which he said the US wanted Greenland for national security purposes, coincided with a visit by his son, Donald Trump Jr, to the worlds largest island.

The president-elect also called for the Panama Canal to be returned to America  a suggestion that was rejected out of hand by the countrys foreign minister.

Javier Martinez-Acha said on Wednesday: The sovereignty of our canal is non-negotiable and is part of our history of struggle and an irreversible conquest. The only hands controlling the canal are Panamanian and that is the way it is going to continue.

Credit: @OJoelsen/@DonaldJTrumpJr/X

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Greenland has been in Mr Trumps sights for years, having floated the idea of the US taking it over in his first term.

He regards Greenland as strategically crucial in heading off Chinese activity in the Arctic.

The island is also rich in natural resources including copper, lithium, nickel and cobalt, which are seen as vital for an array of industries from electric cars to turbines.

His remarks have caused tensions across the globe.

If youre asking me whether I think the United States will invade Greenland, my answer is no, Mr Barrot continued.

But have we entered into a period of time when it is survival of the fittest? Then my answer is yes.

X / @justinbwells

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He said Europe should not allow itself to be intimidated or overcome by anxiety.

We have to wake up, strengthen ourselves in a world won over by the law of the strongest, the French foreign minister added.

Mr Trumps proposals to take over Greenland  and the Panama Canal  received a mixed reception on Capitol Hill, with some Republicans stunned by his remarks.

I dont think its for sale, said Michael McCaul, the Texas congressman and former chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

He also dismissed the idea of the US invading Greenland. I think hes kind of freely speaking. Hed love to have Greenland. He seems to really like Greenland a lot, he said.

Greenland is roughly the size of Texas and Alaska combined - IDA MARIE ODGAARD/Ritzau Scanpix Foto

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John Cornyn, a Texas Republican senator, was also sceptical. He said: The United States has not always been 50 states. Weve acquired Alaska and the Hawaiian islands and even Texas in 1845, so I havent heard any real discussions outside of what President Trump said.

There was support for Mr Trumps Greenland plans from Addison McDowell, the freshman Republican congressman.

I support the president  we need to put America first, he said. And however we have to do that, we have to do that, but we gotta put America first again.

John Bolton, who served as national security adviser in the first Trump administration, said the US had a long-standing interest in Greenland.

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Trump didnt discover Greenland, he said. The US has been worried about it for a long time.

As the incoming administration eyes Greenland, the Danish government has announced a massive boost in defence spending to protect the island.

Troels Lund Poulsen, the Danish defence minister, said the double-digit increase was purely coincidental.

There was scepticism from one Republican senator, who said: I wonder where their army and navy are going to come from.

Meanwhile, Greenland could gain independence from Denmark, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, the Danish foreign minister, said.

We fully recognise that Greenland has its own ambitions. If they materialise, Greenland will become independent, though hardly with an ambition to become a federal state in the United States, he said.

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The island, which has a population of 57,000 people, has been part of Denmark for 600 years, although it already has control of its domestic affairs.

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(Bloomberg) -- The European Unions top digital officials have committed to energetically push forward an investigation into whether Elon Musks X social network breached the blocs content moderation law.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The European Commissions digital czar Henna Virkkunen and justice chief Michael McGrath said the executive arm will come to a conclusion as early as legally possible, in a letter to European lawmakers this week seen by Bloomberg News.

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Its the strongest statement about the probe yet from the new group of EU commissioners and shows how X has taken on greater significance as Musk has used the platform to promote right-wing candidates globally.

The EU opened an investigation into whether Xs policies comply with the Digital Services Act  Europes rulebook to fight illegal and harmful content online in 2023. Since then, Musk has risen to become one of President-elect Donald Trumps closest advisers, all the while escalating his right-wing political rhetoric on the platform he owns.

Representatives for X and the commission didnt immediately respond to requests for comment.

Musk also endorsed German far-right leader Alice Weidel from Alternative for Germany and will host a live-streamed interview with the candidate on Thursday. In response, the commission announced it would be looking to see if Xs algorithms are used to deliberately boost the live-stream, which would potentially be in breach of the DSA.

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Large online platforms deemed in breach of the DSA risk fines of as much as 6% of their global yearly revenue.

The commissions letter on Tuesday was prompted by a complaint from Weidels rivals, center-right German lawmakers Andreas Schwab and Daniel Caspary, who had expressed concerns about Musks influence in the upcoming elections. While the worlds richest man doesnt have any direct control over policies or politicians, the influence he wields on his social platform and via his millions of followers gives him a megaphone to promote or disparage candidates.

Ive called on the European Commission several times to use the tools that weve given it democratically a lot more robustly to discourage this sort of behavior, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said in an interview on France Inter radio on Wednesday. Either the European Commission applies the laws weve created to protect the public sphere with the utmost firmness, or it doesnt, in which case it must agree to return the ability to do so to EU member states.

--With assistance from James Regan.

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France is warning Donald Trump against attempting to annex Greenland, saying that the European Union would not let other nations in the worldwhoever they might beattack its sovereign borders.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot made the statement to public radio broadcaster France Inter on Wednesday, adding that he doesnt expect Trump to invade the autonomous Danish territory. However, Barrot added that the world is witnessing a return of the law of the strongest.

Barrots words came after Trump refused to rule out using military force to retake Greenland and the Panama Canal in a rambling press conference on Tuesday. His son Donald Jr. also visited Greenland Tuesday in what appeared to be an attempt to legitimize the president-elects plans. The leaders of both Denmark and Greenland have said the territory is not for sale.

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Antagonizing allies is a crazy, if typical, way for Trump to start his second term, especially a NATO member like Denmark that has boosted its defense spending, as Trump has demanded. Drawing the ire of France and the European Union doesnt bode well for the future, especially with Trump planning to institute tariffs as soon as he is sworn in.

Trump is also threatening Canada with making it the 51st state and angered Panamas president with his desire to retake the canal. If hes serious about any of his territorial ambitions, Trump might face serious opposition, with countries taking action against the United States.
The Pacific Palisades wildfire continues to rage out of control. As of Tuesday night, over 30,000 California residents were under an evacuation order. Thousands more are expected to be affected by an evacuation order by Wednesday night, due to sustained winds expected through Thursday.

Over 200,000 people in Los Angeles are without power, per the tracking website poweroutage.us. The fire is currently 0% contained as per the latest update from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and an investigation is underway. As of Tuesday night, no fatalities have been reported, and one firefighter was reported injured.

Fires Continued To Spread Throughout The Night

Local CW affiliate KTLA 5 News is providing regular updates via multiple social media channels. In one recent Instagram post, they highlighted an interactive 3D map of the fire available from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

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On Tuesday night, the time-lapse of this 3D map shows the sustained north winds have pushed the fire south, down the foothills and cutting through the towns of Pacific Palisades and Castellamare to reach Sunset Beach, cutting off travel along the Pacific Coast Highway.

The Pacific Coast Highway has been closed from Malibu to Santa Monica, along with many other major roads in the area.

Fires Are 0% Contained As Of Tuesday Night

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Cal Fire has issued an Evacuation Order for 19 control zones and an Evacuation Warning for an additional 20 control zones.

Residents under an Evacuation Order are required to evacuate, with outside access denied to the public. Residents under an Evacuation Warning are advised that there is a "Potential threat to life and/or property. Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock should leave now," as per Cal Fire.

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In addition to the Pacific Palisades Fire, the Eaton Fire continues to grow near Altadena northeast of Los Angeles, and a third fire is rapidly growing in San Fernando. The 400-acre Eaton Fire and 100-acre Hurst Fire were also 0% contained going into Tuesday night.

Evacuation Routes Are Closing As Fire Spreads

 PCH CLOSURE UPDATE  PCH closed from Las Flores Canyon Road to Santa Monica Freeway (SR-10) due to #PalisadesFire. Motorists are advised to stay off the road to allow emergency personnel through. Check https://t.co/cxZ0jW7kfP for current road conditions pic.twitter.com/uVsPhBkFHQ  Caltrans District 7 (@CaltransDist7) January 8, 2025

Many roads in the region are closed or closing soon due to the fires, complicating evacuation for those who waited to evacuate.

For those actively evacuating, or planning to evacuate soon, the California Highway Patrol is providing live updates of closings via X, the site formerly known as Twitter.

Those who had not evacuated were urged to leave the area immediately and proceed to a safe location away from the fires or one of the evacuation zones established by Cal Fire.

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Two zones have been established for the Pacific Palisades evacuation zones. One is to the north in Woodland Hills, and one is to the east in the Westwood suburb.

Dramatic Scenes Of The Fire Emerge Across Social Media

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Over the course of the day, social media has been filling up with dramatic images of the fire from the air and sea. Travelers flying to and from nearby LAX continue to provide striking aerial images showing the scale of the destruction from above, showing what the maps can't convey.

Similarly, images from residents on and across the water capture the fires towering over the towns below. Even Oscar-winning actor James Woods provided startling photos and videos of the blaze as it slowly consumed his home.

Officials Urge Residents To Evacuate And Stay Safe

Free Big Blue Bus transport to the Palisades Fire evacuation center at Westwood Recreation Center, 1350 S. Sepulveda Blvd., 90025, will be available starting at 8 p.m. Buses will leave hourly. Pick-up locations: Ocean Avenue and San Vicente Blvd.7th St. and San Vicente pic.twitter.com/GuAQJTa7fG  Santa Monica Police (@SantaMonicaPD) January 8, 2025

Officials have urged affected residents to evacuate the area by all means possible. Santa Monica is providing free transport to the Westwood evacuation center aboard its iconic Big Blue Buses. Time is of the essence, with Cal Fire battalion chief Jesse Torres noting, "The biggest thing is to get out early, before the notifications come out. Its so important to avoid the congestion," in an interview with the Associated Press.

He explained the complications of narrow roads and limited routes, emphasizing, Everyones doing the same thing  theyre all trying to get out.

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Due to the road closures and limited routes through the foothills surrounding the Pacific Palisades, evacuees may likely become trapped. In such cases, Torres advised that they don't panic, and to take a few measures to ensure their survival.

Realize where you are, what street you are at. Can you see an address sign? Call 911, so we can get resources out to you to try to find you, he advised. This information will help rescuers pinpoint their location and whether or not they are in immediate danger from the fire.
Workers trying to dismantle the partially collapsed Carola bridge in the eastern German city of Dresden have found an unexploded World War II bomb, police said on Wednesday.

Everyone living or working in a 1-kilometre radius around the site where the bomb was discovered has been asked to evacuate by 9 am (0800 GMT) Thursday, before the 250-kilogram British aerial bomb will be defused, police said.

It is not uncommon for unexploded World War II ordnance to be discovered during construction work in Germany. Dresden, located some 190 kilometres south of Berlin, was bombed heavily by the Allies during the war.

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The bomb was brought to the surface by an excavator from under the bridge in the Elbe river on Wednesday morning, the police spokesman said. It is now sitting on stones next to the machine, according to an image published by police.

Demolition work has been going on at the Carola Bridge for months after a section of the bridge unexpectedly collapsed into the Elbe in September.

The entire bridge has to be demolished.
The Conservatives say they will attempt to win parliamentary backing for a new inquiry into grooming gangs on Wednesday as Labours landmark bill for child safety reaches a crucial stage.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said her party will table an amendment to the Childrens Wellbeing and Schools Bill to require a national statutory inquiry into grooming gangs.

Ahead of the debate at 4pm, Labour has responded by accusing the Conservatives of playing politics.

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Education minister Bridget Phillipson said the single biggest piece of children safeguarding legislation in a generation was now liable to be sacrificed on the altar of political opportunism.

Thats because even if the Tories managed to persuade Labour MPs to vote for their amendment, the intervention is more likely to kill the Bill than bring forth any inquiry.

Heres why:

What is happening today?

The Tory party will bring forward an amendment to the Governments Childrens Wellbeing and Schools Bill to establish a national statutory inquiry into historical child sexual exploitation, focused on grooming gangs.

The efforts come after relentless interventions from Trump ally Elon Musk. The eccentric billionaire has written more than 200 posts on the issue since New Years Day, taking aim at the prime minister, Jess Phillips and others in government.

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The renewed calls for an inquiry comes despite one of similar scope concluding its work in 2022, which made a number of recommendations. Ministers say that the Conservative government did not act on the findings at the time.

With the governments Childrens Wellbeing and Schools Bill reaching its second reading today, opposition members are able to bring forward amendments for all MPs to vote on.

For the latest updates ahead of todays vote, follow The Independents live coverage

Will there be a new inquiry?

Not under this Bill.

Firstly, given Labours large majority in parliament, there is very little chance that many  or any  of their MPs will vote against the government on Wednesday. The party has pledged to act on the recommendations of the 2022 inquiry, with more details to be set out in the Crime and Policing Bill later this year.

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But if passed somehow, the amendment would not spark a fresh inquiry into groom gangs under the Bill - it would instead kill the legislation. This is because amendments do not usually take place until after the second reading.

Opposition parties are allowed to table a reasoned amendment but, due to a technicality of parliamentary procedure, these do not change the bill if passed. Instead, they kill it entirely.

Furthermore, it would be impossible to bring back the Bill again until after the next Kings Speech.

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson has criticsed the Tories over the amendment (Jonathan Brady/PA Wire)

It is also not a given that Speaker Lindsay Hoyle will select the amendment to be voted on in the first place. While amendments put forward by the leader of the opposition generally are, this would also usually be at the next stage of the legislative process.

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Any amendments at this stage must give a specific reason for opposition to the bill. Basically, they must explain why they dont want it to be made into law. The last time an amendment like this was successful was in 1986.

What does Labours bill for children say?

Introduced by the education secretary, the new legislation is focused on bolstering the protection of children.

One of the key measures is a change to homeschooling rules in the country. A compulsory Children Not in School register would be introduced for all homeschooled children, while parents will also have the automatic right to home educate their children.

It was introduced on the same day that Sara Sharifs father and stepmother were sentenced to life in prison for the 10-year-olds murder. Mr Justice Cavanagh said the case starkly illustrates the dangers of parents automatic right to homeschool children.

The government will also pilot a single unique identifier number for all children in or out of school, similar to a national insurance number. This is designed to assist authorities that are responsible for the safeguarding and welfare of children.
CHICAGO  Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan testified in his corruption trial Wednesday that he was taken aback when then-Ald. Daniel Solis told him over the phone that the developers of a West Loop condo tower understood the quid pro quo of hiring Madigans law firm.

A great deal of surprise and concern, Madigan said of the reaction in his head when Solis, who turned out to be working undercover for the FBI, said those words.

Madigans lawyer, Daniel Collins, asked the former speaker what he knew of Solis, whom Madigan had known since Solis days at the United Neighborhood Organization in the mid-1980s.

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I knew nothing negative about Daniel Solis at the time, Madigan said, looking right at the jury. I had been supportive of his campaigns  Over all those years I had never been told by anybody that there was anything negative about Mr. Solis.

Madigan said Solis comment continued to eat at him. I decided that I wanted to have a face-to-face meeting with Mr. Solis to give me an opportunity to tell him that I would not be involved in a quid pro quo, he told the jury.

Soliss secret video recorded of that meeting, which was played for the jury earlier in the trial, captured Madigan telling Solis, the head of the influential Zoning Committee, that he shouldnt be talking like that in front of developers.

Madigan said Solis expression was such that it told me that he had gotten the message from me that I was not going to be involved in a quid pro quo.

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He appeared to be very apologetic and his answer was almost instantaneous where he said Im sorry.' Madigan testified.

Madigan said repeatedly that his only request from Solis was for an introduction. I was not going to connect a request for an introduction with anything else, Madigan said.

Madigans explanation of the events caught on Solis secret recordings came during his second day on the witness stand, continuing testimony that will surely be some of the most crucial and closely examined of the bombshell public corruption trial.

His surprise decision to testify carries extreme risks, and few defendants, let alone such high-profile ones, have opted to take the stand.

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But Madigan, who for decades was the states most powerful politician, seemed calm and confident from the moment he began talking to jurors Tuesday, repeatedly denying he ever exchanged any official actions for his own private gain.

His tone was similar Wednesday, even as Collins took him through some of the more thorny allegations in the indictment, including that he browbeat ComEd into hiring people he recommended and that he knew of a plan to funnel payments to former 13th Ward aide Kevin Quinn, who had been ousted due to allegations of misconduct.

The jury has not heard specifically that Quinn was accused of sexual harassment by a fellow campaign worker. But the heard numerous wiretapped conversations detailing a plan by McClain to have a group of Madigan-connected lobbyists sent Quinn $1,000 per month each for several months, until he could find steady work.

In one call played for the jury, McClain told Madigan of his plan, and the speaker said he ought to stay out of it.

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Madigan testified Wednesday he knew that Quinn was looking for work and that McClain was trying to help him. My choice  my decision was not to participate in the effort to help Mr. Quinn, he said.

But you were aware of McClains efforts; why didnt you put a stop to it? Collins asked.

Mr. Quinn had lost his job, he was out of work, he was going through a very difficult divorce   Madigan started to answer before prosecutors successfully objected.

Prosecutors have tried to use the payments to Quinn, the brother of Madigans handpicked 13th Ward Ald. Marty Quinn, to show how McClain quietly carried out assignments for the speaker as a way to keep Madigans fingerprints off of the activities.

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Collins also displayed for jurors some of the most memorable exhibits of the trial, in which his longtime confidant and co-defendant Michael McClain invoked Madigan in emails to ComEd officials urging them to make certain moves or else risk Madigans wrath.

In response to each one of them, Madigan denied outright that McClain was accurately reflecting his mindset in those emails, and denied telling McClain to contact ComEd with those instructions.

It was the most blatant attempt yet to distance Madigan from his co-defendant, who sent nigh-innumerable messages to ComEd purportedly containing directions from our friend  that is, Madigan.

I do not know how to respond to our friend, who believes in his mind there should be a hard and quick favorable response, McClain wrote to then-ComEd executive Fidel Marquez in an email that warned Marquez about his supposed inconsistency in responding to McClains requests.

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Did McClain accurately describe your mindset? Collins asked. No, Madigan responded.

Did you instruct McClain to express this sentiment? Collins asked. Madigan again responded no.

Madigan also denied any knowledge of the drama surrounding contract negotiations between ComEd and the law firm of Victor Reyes, who had significant clout with Illinois Democrats. McClain emailed ComEd saying that the utility should give Reyes firm the contract it wanted before Reyes complained to Madigan, who would in turn put pressure on McClain.

Did you know he was expressing this sentiment to ComEd on your behalf? Collins asked. Did this reflect your mindset  around Reyes law firm?

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Madigan answered no to both.

After more than five hours of direct examination, an attorney for McClain began questioning the former speaker, hoping to reinforce McClains argument that he was an immensely skilled lobbyist who worked hard for his clients.

Madigan and McClains history goes back to the 1970s, when they served in the House together, and endured through McClains transition to lobbying, Madigan confirmed on the stand.

Fair to say you had a lot of contact with Mike over those decades? McClain attorney Patrick Cotter asked, and Madigan answered yes.

Did the friendship survive, sir?

It did until recently, Madigan said softly.

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On questioning from Cotter, Madigan confirmed that over some 40 years of friendship with McClain he would routinely consult McClain on political and strategic matters. And he said he was always able to separate out when McClain was contacting him wearing his lobbyist hat.

Isnt it a fact that around your office there was a saying, Today we have to treat Mike like a lobbyist?' Cotter asked

Correct, Madigan replied.

Because on those days Mike was in there pitching for his clients? Cotter asked.

And we would be disagreeing with his message, Madigan replied.

Despite the serious nature of Madigans testimony, there were moments of levity Wednesday, particularly when Cotter asked if McClain was a master of the legislative process in Springfield.

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I dont know if Id use the word 'master,' Madigan said. Im not trying to be negative on him and his knowledge  he knew his way around.

Cotter appeared perplexed and asked Madigan who else in Springfield knew more than McClain  then paused and added other than yourself?

Im glad you said that, Madigan said with a laugh, which also brought chuckles from some jurors.

Madigan, 82, a Southwest Side Democrat, and McClain, 77, of downstate Quincy, are charged in a 23-count indictment alleging that Madigans vaunted state and political operations were run like a criminal enterprise to amass and increase his power and enrich himself and his associates.

In addition to bribery schemes involving ComEd and AT&T Illinois, the indictment alleges Madigan pressured developers to hire the speakers law firm and tried to win business by secretly supporting legislation to transfer state-owned land in Chinatown to the city so developers could build a high-rise.

Both Madigan and McClain have denied wrongdoing.

Madigans attorneys said Tuesday that the ex-speakers direct examination could wrap up by late Wednesday morning; it will likely be followed by questioning from co-defendant Michael McClains attorney.

Then Madigan will sit through what is sure to be a thorough grilling from prosecutors on cross-examination, which will stretch Madigans testimony into next week.

The trial, which began Oct. 8 and was originally slated to end before Christmas, is inching toward a conclusion, with Madigans testimony surely adding to estimates of when it might end.

U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey on Tuesday told jurors they can expect to be deliberating by the week of Jan. 27, though even that seems increasingly unlikely.

Madigans testimony Tuesday was at times intimate, with the former speaker recalling his strict Southwest Side upbringing and his courtship with his wife, but most of it consisted of Madigan denying prosecutors accusations that he used his political and government operations for his own benefit.

Madigan was merely eager to help allies and constituents when they needed job referrals, he testified, and had no understanding or arrangement to look favorably on legislation for companies that hired his referrals.

During the prosecutions case, jurors saw floods of emails, undercover videos and wiretapped phone calls in which McClain and ComEd executives discuss hiring Madigan associates, including precinct captains Edward Moody and Ray Nice, former 13th Ward Ald. Frank Olivo, former 23rd Ward Ald. Michael Zalewski, and ex-state Rep. Edward Acevedo.

Former ComEd executive Fidel Marquez testified earlier in the trial that the hiring was done so that Madigan would look favorably upon ComEds legislation.

But Madigan testified Tuesday there had been no such deal. He said he merely agreed to help friends find work and passed their information along to McClain, and expressed anger that some of them, including Olivo and Nice, had apparently not lifted a finger.

Acevedo allegedly got a similar no-work deal from AT&T as part of the telecom giants scheme to win Madigans support. But on Tuesday, Madigan said he didnt even know Acevedo was being paid by AT&T until this case was brought.

_____
CHICAGO  Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan took the stand in his federal corruption trial on Tuesday, a significant development that could extend court proceedings until at least late January.

Madigan, who served over 35 years as Illinois House Speaker, and co-defendant Michael McClain, 77, his longtime political advisor, are both charged in a 23-count federal indictment for bribery, racketeering, wire fraud, and other crimes. Both have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The stunning surprise came on day 44 of the trial, as the often-elusive former speaker who spent decades in power staying relatively quiet, elected to testify in his own defense.

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When asked point-blank by his attorney Dan Collins if he ever traded public office for private gain, Madigan was short in his response.

No, the 82-year-old answered.

It was one of the few short answers Madigan gave during the nearly four hours he spent on the witness stand Tuesday. He also testified he did not demand or accept a thing of value in exchange for an official act.

Madigan was expressive, used his hands to speak, was detailed in his responses, and looked at jurors during his testimony.

The former speaker is arguably one of the most notable former politicians to testify in their own defense since former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, who was found guilty and sentenced to 14 years in federal prison. After more than eight years behind bars, his sentence was commuted by then-president Donald Trump.

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On the stand Tuesday, Madigan was asked about his relationship with Blagojevich, who served as governor during his time as speaker, to which he initially laughed.

He and I just had different views on legislation and politically, said Madigan.

WGN Political Analyst Paul Lisnek explained, Madigans choice to testify is a step outside the norm.

It is traditional in criminal court cases that defendants do not take the stand, and it makes sense. The burden of proof is on the government to prove their case, said Lisnek. Its not on the defendant, so Mike Madigan actually doesnt have to prove anything in this trial, much less his innocence.

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Close to 150 secretly recorded videos and phone calls, the backbone of the prosecutions case, have offered a rare insight into how the longest-serving legislative leader in state and American history, operated behind closed doors.

He almost always stayed away from the microphone, said Lisnek. His style was to be one of off the public record. Now he goes on the record, clearly, as a seasoned lawyer, and he is that, he is making that decision that he will do a fine and successful job in representing his position like nobody else can.

Once known as the Velvet Hammer, Lisnek points out, Madigans choice to testify could possibly play well with the jury.

Theyre now going to have words, voice, and face to go along with the testimony theyre hearing. Well see if it makes a difference. Usually, it doesnt bode well for a defendant, but Mike Madigan is not a typical defendant, said Lisnek.

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On the stand, Madigan testified about his upbringing, his schooling, and early-on experiences that may have influenced his decision-making and approach to situations when he got into politics.

Madigan said his father was an alcoholic and described him as having anger issues.

In that house, the word nurturing didnt exist, Madigan said.

He was asked about whether his upbringing influenced how he handled requests for help, including on things like passing bills.

My general approach would be if I could be helpful, I wanted to be helpful, Madigan said.

Madigan and McClain are alleged to have arranged multiple corruption schemes, which included helping AT&T Illinois and ComEd pass key legislation in exchange for jobs and contracts for the former House Speakers allies.

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Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

The former speaker denied on the stand that he gave any job recommendations in return for taking official action in Springfield.

While it isnt clear how many additional defense witnesses Madigans team will call once his testimony is done, it is expected that prosecutors will present their rebuttal case.

No thank you, your honor, McClain told Judge John Blakey when asked if he wished to testify in his case. His defense team rested in late Dec. after calling only one witness.

Madigan will return to the stand Wednesday morning.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Every few years, Americans across the country are beleaguered with a Herculean task usually reserved for the sainted: They must think about Canada. On Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stepped down as the country and party leader, marking the end of a decade in power. (Thats a long time, but its still short of his dads 15 cumulative years in office.)

Normally, America gets to operate globally with main-character syndrome. But not this time! Victor Garber saw himself in the reflection of an ice-covered lake in southern Ontario, which means six more weeks of winter and a not-actually-that-surprising election thatll change the course of the country. Lets unpack what all of this actually means, and whether it matters to you, an American.



All right, Ill bite: Whos Justin Trudeau?

Hes the prime minister. Of Canada. Which is where all your wood comes from. We also gave you Keanu. We hope youre happy.

So what happened to him?

This week, Trudeau announced that he would be stepping down as prime minister and as leader of the Liberal Party as soon as it picks his replacement. Parliament is now prorogued (suspended), as we Canadians like to say, until March 24. The current government will remain in power, but the work of Parliament is now screeching to a halt. This is different from merely dissolving Parliament, an act that would trigger an immediate election. Doing it this way means the Liberals have more time to actually run a leadership race to find Trudeaus replacement. Perhaps theyve learned a little something from watching American Democrats this past summer.

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Prorogation is sometimes a controversial move made by prime ministers to avoid facing consequences: the Conservative Stephen Harper government used it to kill an inquiry on the treatment of Afghan detainees, and the Liberal Jean Chretien government used it to sidestep a report on the 2002 sponsorship scandal.

Well, is it a controversial move this time? Why did Justin quit, anyway?

The funny thing about parliamentary politics is that it provides an avenue for all your colleagues to loudly and declaratively announce that they no longer believe in you. Imagine going to work and everyones just yelling, NO ONE THINKS YOU CAN DO THIS ANYMORE.

Thats essentially what happened to Trudeau in December, when his finance minister and deputy prime minister quit. Chrystia Freeland, a longtime Trudeau ally, put the blame squarely on him, saying she was at odds with his economic policy. Trudeau lost several Cabinet ministers following Freelands resignation, and the leader of the leftist New Democratic Party also announced that it would be joining in a nonconfidence vote. Even Trudeaus allies dont think he has the juice.

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By that point, Trudeaus options were limited: Either he could run it out and have Parliament dissolve under him because he had no support, or he could quit and give his party a fighting chance in the next federal election. Consider his quitting the more graceful option.

He seemed popular from afar. Was he?

Well, I guess that depends on if youre asking my motherwho, after Trudeau resigned, texted me, I wont see my boyfriend on TV anymoreor anyone else in the country. (Please keep my moms horniness in your prayers at this time.)

Recent polling otherwise suggests that people didnt like him much. After sweeping the Liberals to victory in 2015, he saw his approval ratings get worse and worse, eventually landing at around 23 percent, just 1 point above the prime ministerial record low.

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Hes been suffering from what liberal and centrist politicians across the world are suffering from: their own rigidity. The issue, ultimately, is that Trudeau just didnt give anyone what they wanted. The Liberal Party didnt offer Canadians a good enough plan for the future, especially as the cost of living becomes more and more untenable for people all over the country. Like a lot of centrist-democratic parties around the world (perhaps you know of one in America that recently lost an election?), the Liberals have failed to offer Canadians a vision of the future progressive enough for leftists or evil enough for hardcore conservatives. Most Canadians agreed with the Trudeau government on social issues, but most Canadians also want to comfortably buy a bag of frozen corn without getting boned by Galen Weston.

The real question is: What will all the people who make Fuck Trudeau bumper stickers do with all their free time now?

I know Justin Trudeau mostly as the hot prime minister. Is he still hot?

Yes, if you like a white man with a Haida tattoo on his shoulder, hes still hot. Something for you and your therapist to unpack, very far away from me.

So when is the election?

It has to be before October, though itll probably be long before that. For now, the Liberals need to find a new leader, and trust me when I say the field is full of duds and bores. Just wait until you find out about the charisma black hole that is Mark Joseph Carney.

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Rest assured, though, campaigning will be comparatively and blessedly brief: The average length of a Canadian election cycle is a mere 50 days. Much like a colonic, this will be over before you know it, and youll feel clean and empty and unsure of what happened while you were asleep.

Who will you be casting your absentee ballot for, Scaachi?

The options are pretty uninspired. At the moment, theres Jagmeet Singh, the leader of the leftist NDP, but thats another party that continues to disappoint progressives. Its also not a big contender these days; the NDP is still polling just behind the Liberals.

The faction surging ahead is the Conservative Party, led since 2022 by Pierre Poilievre, a politician who looks like if Toad became an incel because Princess Peach didnt put out after he helped save her from Bowsers Castle. Poilievre wants to transform Canada into the blockchain capital of the world, defund the CBC, cut personal income tax, fan the flames of immigration anxiety, and chitchat with Jordan Peterson about racism. Last year, he was formally told to shut up in the House of Commons after he suggested that the foreign affairs minister was pander[ing] to Hamas because she insufficiently supported Israel.

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Barring some major catastrophe for the Conservatives AND an incoming Liberal leader who somehow has name recognition and a plan for a party thats been slowly eroding over the past decade, the current mood is that the Conservatives will win the election with Poilievre as prime minister. Im personally not thrilled about having to share the title of Most Famously Odious Person From Calgary, but if he wins the election, I guess we can take turns wearing the tiara.

I heard Justin got divorced recently. What kind of divorced guy is he going to be when he isnt distracted by his little hobby of running the country?

I would steer clear of Ottawas dimly lit date-night restaurants for at least 18 months.

What does this mean for me, a person who does not know where Medicine Hat is?

Honestly, it might mean something to you! Trump has been ranting about his nonsensical plan to impose a 25 percent tariff on Canada, a move that would violate the terms of the USMCA. Itll also affect Americans, since 65 percent of the countrys crude oil comes from Canada.

What should I do with this information?

Depending on who becomes prime minister, theyll be tasked with trying to get Trump to see a modicum of reason. Or maybe theyll flop right over and let him go forth with his plan to turn their country into the 51st state. That, Im sure, will worktheres nothing a Canadian loves more than being mistaken for an American. Try it. Go to any bar in the shittiest part of Edmonton and try it. The ensuing hospital visit will at least be free.

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I trust that youll find a way to forget it immediately, as is your birthright.

Im a Canadian who read this and have a specific, particular, and unnecessary quibble with your explainer. How can I contact you to argue about how well I know Canada, as is my birthright?

Sorry. Ive lived stateside for six years, so Ive adopted most Americanisms, namely a penchant for being right even if Im not. See you on Family Day! Ill bring the Clamato.
By James Pomfret and Yimou Lee

HONG KONG/TAIPEI (Reuters) - The Chinese director of a firm whose vessel Taiwan suspects of having damaged an undersea communications cable said on Wednesday there was no evidence the ship was involved, an incident that has alarmed the government in Taipei.

Taiwan's coast guard said it sent a ship to investigate a report on Friday from telecoms provider Chunghwa Telecom that an undersea communications cable had been damaged off the island's north coast.

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Arriving at the scene it found the Chinese-crewed "Shunxin 39", registered both in Cameroon and Tanzania, which it requested to return to port in Taiwan for an investigation.

In a statement, the coast guard said bad weather kept it from boarding the ship for verification, but it "cannot rule out the possibility" the ship was engaged in "grey zone" activities. However, it did not provide any direct evidence of this.

Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has repeatedly complained about "grey zone" Chinese activities around the island, designed to pressure it without direct confrontation, such as balloon overflights and sand dredging.

Taiwan's digital ministry has said the sea cable was cut on Jan. 3 but service was not affected after backup cables were activated.

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Radio communications were exchanged with the ship, which is registered to a Hong Kong company called Jie Yang Trading, shipping records show.

In his first public comments on the incident, Guo Wenjie, the director of Jie Yang, denied any involvement of the ship, though confirming it was in the area. Taiwan authorities did not detain it after radio exchanges with the captain, he added.

"There's no evidence at all," he told Reuters by telephone, dismissing the accusation that it was responsible for damage. "I spoke to the ship captain and for us it was a normal trip."

Speaking in Mandarin, Guo confirmed the ship was owned by Jie Yang Trading, shown by Hong Kong companies registry records to have been set up in 2020, with Guo as the sole director.

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Its listed Hong Kong address was a single room in a co-sharing office space for a secretarial services company in a gritty industrial building.

'COMMON ACCIDENTS'

In a written statement sent to Reuters late Wednesday, China's Taiwan Affairs Office said globally there were more than 100 such incidents of damage to undersea cables a year and they are "common maritime accidents".

With the facts still unclear, Taiwan is making accusations "out of thin air" and intentionally hyping up the "so-called grey zone threat from the mainland", it added, without directly saying whether the ship in question was involved or not.

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Taiwan, which strongly rejects China's sovereignty claims, says communications were unaffected by the cable damage.

Responding to Guo's comments, Taiwan's coast guard said it was not yet able to gauge the ship's "real intention" from tracking data.

The vessel had lingered in the waters just off Taiwan's north since early December until its transmitting signal was turned off on Jan. 3, shipping data showed.

Guo declined to specify why the ship had remained in the area, or the purpose of the voyage, but said the Taiwan authorities had only sought details of its GPS movements.

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"I don't understand why there has been so much news about this," Guo said. "The ship had dropped anchor, so it had stopped in the nearby waters.

"We followed the rules and normal procedures. If not, then Taiwan would have investigated and detained us."

The incident has alarmed Taiwan's security officials, who are set to brief Taipei-based diplomats on the matter this week, say sources familiar with the matter.

"We must inform everyone that such behaviour doesn't just affect Taiwan. It could also hit international communications," a senior Taiwan security official told Reuters on condition of anonymity as the matter is a sensitive one.

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"It is relevant to the interests of many countries."

Taiwan has been particularly nervous about the vulnerability of undersea communications cables following incidents of complaints by Baltic Sea nations since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Last month, Taiwan's Presidential Office held its first "tabletop" exercise involving government agencies beyond the armed forces, simulating scenarios such as a military escalation with China and severed international sea links, officials said.

In 2023, two undersea cables with the Taiwan-controlled Matsu islands, which sit close to the Chinese coast, were cut, disconnecting their 14,000 residents from the internet.

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Authorities said at the time initial findings showed a Chinese fishing vessel and a Chinese freighter caused the disruption, but there was no evidence Beijing deliberately tampered with the cables.

In recent years, Taiwan has worked to beef up its capacity to cope with emergencies from disasters to military conflict, including alternative communications such as satellites if its international sea cables are cut.

(Reporting by James Pomfret and Yimou Lee; Additional reporting by Ryan Woo in Beijing; Writing by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Mark Potter)
By Jonathan Landay

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Hundreds of veterans and current and former U.S. officials want President-elect Donald Trump to preserve U.S. special visa and resettlement programs for Afghans at risk of retribution for working for the United States during the 20-year war against the Taliban, according to a letter reviewed by Reuters.

The letter, signed by the veterans, officials and others, will be sent to Trump and congressional leaders and was organized by #AfghanEvac, the leading coalition of groups that work with the U.S. government to help Afghans start new lives in the United States.

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"Many of us have worked closely with Afghan interpreters, soldiers and families who risked everything to protect and guide us," said a draft of the letter. "To abandon them now would be a betrayal of the values we fought to defend and the trust built through years of shared struggle and sacrifice."

The letter calls on Trump and congressional leaders to continue funding the resettlement of at-risk Afghans and their families and for Congress to approve an additional 50,000 Special Immigration Visas (SIVs).

The current cap of 50,500 SIVs is expected to run out late this summer or early fall.

The Trump transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Shawn VanDiver, the head of #AfghanEvac, said the letter reflected concerns that Trump will curtail the SIV and resettlement programs as part of his promised crackdown on immigration.

"There's a real fear that President Trump and Stephen Miller will once again erect bureaucratic barriers that slow down or even stop the SIV and refugee resettlement programs, abandoning our Afghan allies once more," VanDiver told Reuters.

Miller was the architect of Trump's first-term hardline immigration policies and is expected to maintain that role as deputy chief of staff when Trump is sworn in for a second time on Jan. 20.

Former U.S. officials and immigration advocates say Miller instituted during Trump's first term bureaucratic hurdles, including "extreme vetting," that contributed to a slowdown in SIV processing and a massive application backlog.

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However, Trump's incoming national security adviser, Michael Waltz, a former U.S. special forces officer who served in Afghanistan, has fiercely advocated for the SIV and resettlement programs.

His office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump made immigration a major issue of his presidential campaign, promising to ramp up border security and deport record numbers of illegal immigrants. He tried during his first term to restrict legal immigration.

VanDiver said that as of Wednesday afternoon, the letter had been signed online by more than 380 veterans, including Jack McCain, the son of the late Senator John McCain, former and current federal, state and local officials, and many ordinary Americans.

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He planned to send the letter to the Trump transition team on Friday and hand-deliver it to Republican and Democratic congressional leaders next week.

More than 183,000 at-risk Afghans and family members have been resettled in the United States since the Taliban seized Kabul as the last U.S. troops withdrew in August 2021, according to the State Department.

Afghans who worked for the U.S. military, civilian agencies or other U.S.-affiliated groups continue seeking resettlement amid U.N. reports that the Taliban have killed, arrested and tortured hundreds of former officials and soldiers.

The Taliban, who instituted a general amnesty for officials and troops of the former U.S.-backed government, deny the U.N. charges.

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There currently are more than 20,000 SIV applications being processed, said a State Department official who spoke on condition of anonymity. They do not include applicants' families.

About 40 percent of completed applications have been rejected.

(Reporting by Jonathan Landay; additional reporting by Ted Hesson; Editing by Don Durfee and Alistair Bell)
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH)  On Wednesday morning, lawmakers will convene at the state capitol for the start of the 2025 legislative session.

At the top of the agenda, this year is the negotiation of a two-year state budget.

The state budget, which requires the approval of both chambers of the legislature and the governors signature, provides critical local aid to municipalities and school districts  as well as billions for Medicaid, UConn and the state university system. The previous two-year budget, passed in 2023, exceeded $50 billion.

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Connecticut lawmakers prepare to tackle energy costs in 2025 legislative session

At the heart of the discussion over this years budget process is a tension that pits the instinct to save against the desire to spend.

In 2017, state lawmakers enacted a package of budget controls commonly referred to as fiscal guardrails. In practice, those controls have functioned as a forced savings plan for the state. One key component of the fiscal guardrails requires a certain portion of tax revenues from investment income to be steered toward the states budget reserves and used to pay down existing pension debt.

Since the enactment of the fiscal guardrails, the state has posted multiple successive budget surpluses and paid down billions in pension debt.

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The governor, many legislative Democrats and a chorus of Republicans have sung the praises of the fiscal guardrails.

Ive appreciated our governor standing the line on the fiscal guardrails and I will continue to stand with him, State Rep. Vincent Candelora, the Republican leader in the State House of Representatives, said early last year.

Candeloras counterpart in the State Senate, Minority Leader Steve Harding, recently told News 8 that one of his New Years resolutions for 2025 is to protect the fiscal guardrails.

New Connecticut laws take effect Jan. 1: Heres what to know

But steadfast adherence to the fiscal guardrails will be tested in this legislative session. Just as the governor and many legislators have praised the guardrails for putting the state on a more solid fiscal footing, an equally vocal coalition of progressive legislators, labor unions and social service organizations have criticized the controls as overly stringent at the expense of the states working class.

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Leslie Blatteau of the New Haven Federation of Teachers recently characterized the guardrails as obstacles to progress. Numerous Democratic legislators have publicly suggested altering or loosening the requirements of the guardrails to allow for more spending on social services and education.

This years legislative session, like all sessions that fall on odd-numbered years, is known among Connecticut political insiders as a long session. That means lawmakers will be working from January into early June, rather than the more truncated short sessions which occur during even-numbered years and only last a few months  usually February into early May.

The longer time frame will mean more room for debates on bills ranging from artificial intelligence regulations to affordable housing  which will play out in parallel to the discussion over what to do about the fiscal guardrails.

Connecticut activists support President Bidens law to increase Social Security payments

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The beginning of the legislative session traditionally coincides with the governors state of the state address. Gov. Ned Lamont is slated to deliver his seventh annual address around noon on Wednesday in the chamber of the Connecticut House of Representatives.

News 8 will have live coverage of the entire days proceedings on air and 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 WTNH.com.
It is the first commercial-scale offshore wind energy project in the U.S. But is Vineyard Wind, under construction off the coast of Massachusetts, contributing to an increase in whale strandings?

Thats what President-elect Donald Trump suggested at a Tuesday press conference, as he vowed to stop new off-shore wind farms during his administration.

You see whats happening up in the Massachusetts area with the whales, Trump said. They had two whales wash ashore in a 17-year period. And now they had fourteen this season. The windmills are driving the whales crazy.

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Actually, what may be driving the whales crazy is the noise generated by the construction of the wind farm. It involves the placement of 62 turbines, one nautical mile apart.

Whales are disturbed by noise, and pile driving is a very loud noise, said Bob Kenney, PhD, a retired marine research scientist and professor emeritus at the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography. It disturbs them if theyre within 500 meters or so.

What whales do in that situation is move away from the annoying sound source -- but not to the point of heading for the beach.

We know whats killing whales, Kenney said. We know that for North Atlantic Right Whales we have never done a necropsy on an adult or a juvenile -- where the cause of death could be determined -- where it was something different than drowning in fishing gear or being run over by a ship.

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Theres no evidence to suggest that whales are dying from wind farms, said Caroline Genther, assistant stranding coordinator with Whale Dolphin Conservation North America. What were seeing most commonly is vessel strikes, accidental entanglements and infectious disease.

Genther said whale strandings, while rare, have been increasing in the last eight years. So Trump is right about that. But its unknown exactly why. However, it may have something to do with climate change keeping whales off the Massachusetts coast well past summer.

Were starting to see whales use different habitats at different times because of our changing climate, she said. Were seeing whales that are closer to shore because theres more bait fish closer to shore.

Unfortunately, more time spent off the coast of Massachusetts means more opportunities for injury and death.

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The second that data comes out that shows us that offshore wind development is harming whales, well be the loudest voice in the room, Genther said. But right now, we just dont have that data.

Genther said she realizes many feel passionately about wind energy -- one way or the other. But hopes appreciation grows for the important role whales play in the ecosystem. By discharging intestinal waste at the surface, Genther said whales fertilize phytoplankton. Those organisms generate a huge amount of the oxygen we breathe.

We would love to see passion shifted towards accidental entanglements and vessel strikes, she said. Everyone can benefit from helping to save the whales.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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By Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen, Louise Rasmussen, Stine Jacobsen

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) -U.S. President-elect Donald Trump says he wants to make Greenland a part of the United States and does not rule out using military or economic power to get Denmark to hand it over.

WHY DOES TRUMP WANT GREENLAND?

Greenland's strategic location and resources could benefit the U.S. It lies along the shortest route from Europe to North America, vital for the U.S. ballistic missile warning system.

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The U.S. has expressed interest in expanding its military presence, including placing radars there to monitor the waters between the island, Iceland and Britain, which are a gateway for Russian navy vessels and nuclear submarines.

The island, whose capital Nuuk is closer to New York than the Danish capital Copenhagen, boasts mineral, oil and natural gas wealth, but development has been slow.

This has kept Greenland's economy reliant on fishing, which accounts for over 95% of exports, and annual subsidies from Denmark, which cover roughly half of the public budget. In total, Denmark spends just under $1 billion each year on Greenland, or $17,500 for each of its 57,000 residents.

A 2023 survey showed that 25 of 34 minerals deemed "critical raw materials" by the European Commission were found in Greenland. They include materials used in batteries such as graphite and lithium, and so-called rare earth elements used in electric vehicles and wind turbines.

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WHAT PRESENCE DOES THE U.S. HAVE IN GREENLAND NOW?

The U.S. military maintains a permanent presence at the Pituffik air base in Greenland's northwest.

A 1951 agreement between the United States and Denmark established the United States' right to move around freely and construct military bases in Greenland as long as Denmark and Greenland are notified.

Historically, Denmark has accommodated the U.S. because Copenhagen does not have the capability to defend Greenland, and because of U.S. security guarantees to Denmark through the NATO alliance, said Kristian Soeby Kristensen, senior researcher at Copenhagen University's Centre for Military Studies.

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COULD TRUMP BUY GREENLAND?

Trump's Republican allies in the U.S. House of Representatives are trying to build support for a bill, which, if passed, will allow the president to enter into negotiations with Denmark on Jan. 20, when Trump takes office.

According to Ulrik Pram Gad, senior researcher and expert on Greenland, the idea of buying Greenland is based on a misunderstanding of international law and the principle of self-determination, which gives people the right to choose their own political status.

While Trump has declined to rule out the use of military or economic means to gain control of Greenland, Vice President-elect JD Vance, speaking to Fox News, has dismissed the use of military force.

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WHAT IS GREENLAND'S STATUS NOW?

The island, a former colony of Denmark, became a formal territory of the Nordic kingdom in 1953 and is subject to the Danish constitution, meaning that any change to its legal status would require a constitutional amendment.

In 2009, the island was granted broad self-governing autonomy, including the right to declare independence from Denmark through a referendum.

Decades ago, the U.S. under then-President Harry Truman sought to buy the island as a strategic asset during the Cold War for $100 million in gold, but Copenhagen declined to sell.

Trump offered to buy it in 2019 but both Greenland and Denmark rejected the proposal.

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WHAT DOES GREENLAND WANT?

Relations between Greenland and Denmark have been strained following revelations of historical mistreament of Greenlanders under colonial rule. A majority of Greenland's inhabitants support independence, but they are divided over the timing and potential impact on living standards.

Greenlandic politicians have since 2019 repeatedly said they are interested in strengthening cooperation and trade with the United States.

However, Greenlandic Prime Minister Mute Egede, who has stepped up a push for independence, has stressed the island is not for sale and that only its people should decide their future.

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WHAT IF GREENLAND BECOMES INDEPENDENT?

If Greenland becomes independent, it could choose to become associated with the U.S. without becoming U.S. territory.

The island could form a so-called "free association" with the United States that would replace Danish subsidies with U.S. support and protection in return for military rights, like the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau.

While there is a push in Greenland to be independent from Denmark, Greenlanders are not interested in a new colonial master, according to Gad, the researcher.

Gad also said that Greenlanders would likely ensure their future welfare before holding an independence referendum.

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WHAT DOES DENMARK SAY?

Trump's 2019 offer to buy the island was firmly rejected by Denmark and labelled "absurd" by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

When asked about Trump's renewed interest in January, Frederiksen said Denmark needed to cooperate closely with the U.S., but stressed that Greenland should determine its future.

(Additional reporting by Johan Ahlander and Alessandro ParodiEditing by Gareth Jones, Peter Graff, William Maclean)
Meta on Wednesday announced some Facebook users will be able to view eBay listings on its Marketplace features just months after the European Commission slammed the social media company with a hefty anti-competition fine.

The test is slated to begin Wednesday for some Facebook users in Germany, France and the United States, who will be able to browse eBay listings directly on Facebook Marketplace and complete the transition on eBay.

Meta said the changes are poised to benefit users of both platforms.

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eBay sellers will gain exposure to Facebooks audience while people using Marketplace will be able to discover a broader array of listings from the eBay community, Meta wrote in a blog post Wednesday.

It comes nearly two months after European Union regulators hit Meta with a more than $840 million penalty for breaching anticompetitive rules involving Marketplace  Facebooks online classified ads service.

The fine followed three years of legal proceedings in which EU antitrust regulators argued Meta illegally shut out competitors by making Marketplace an automatic part of Facebook for users.

Regulators alleged Meta also has an unfair advantage as Marketplace gives the social media firm access to data from other advertisers on Facebook and Instagram.

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Meta on Wednesday maintained it does not agree with the European Commissions decision, stating it provides no evidence of competitive harm to rivals or any harm to consumers.

The company said it will continue to appeal the decision while launching the tests as a potential solution to the issues raised by the European Commission, the executive body of the European Union.

The market quickly responded to the news, with shares of eBay jumping 8 percent on Wednesday, its highest level since November 2021, CNBC reported. eBay has faced challenges in competing with other e-commerce companies like Amazon, Walmart or Temu.

A spokesperson for eBay confirmed the move to The Hill, stating a select number of eBay listings will be seamlessly integrated and viewable on Facebook Marketplace.

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This will allow eBay sellers reach more enthusiasts with their inventory, and buyers can discover a broader array of things people love  from pre-loved items to new treasures  from the eBay community, the spokesperson wrote Wednesday.

The Hill reached out to the European Commission for further comment.

Updated at 2:42 p.m. EST

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 The Hill.
Meta's fact-checking partners are rebutting Mark Zuckerberg's suggestion on Tuesday that their work is tantamount to censorship.

In announcing the social media giant's decision to end fact-checking in the U.S. on Facebook, Instagram and other Meta platforms, Zuckerberg said the move would "dramatically reduce the amount of censorship on our platforms." In a Facebook post explaining the company's shift to a community-driven moderation approach, Meta Chief Global Affairs Officer Joel Kaplan also said that "Too much harmless content gets censored, too many people find themselves wrongly locked up in 'Facebook jail'."

As Meta abandons fact-checking, here's how to tell what's real online

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But those running the nonpartisan entities behind Meta's third-party fact-checking efforts said they had nothing to do with whether a post was removed from a platform, noting that the company was the final arbiter of what content it published.

"Facts are not censorship. Fact-checkers never censored anything," Neil Brown, president of the Poynter Institute for Media Studies, a nonprofit devoted to media literacy, said in a statement. Poynter's PolitiFact is among the entities that had teamed with Meta on fact-checking.

Meta's official fact-check program launched in 2016 with a number of third-party partners.vFact-checked posts were labeled and then demoted, reducing their distribution. But the posts weren't removed outright, according to Meta. What does get removed are severe content violations like posts supporting terrorism or promoting child sexual exploitation.

The sheer volume of content across Facebook, Instagram and other Meta apps means that most posts were not fact-checked. Further, fact checks were not allowed on politicians' posts.

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Fact-checked posts were labeled and then were demoted, reducing their distribution. Fact-checked posts were not removed outright. What does get removed are severe content violations like terrorism or child sexual exploitation.

"To my knowledge they didn't take anything down just because it was false  their takedowns were only with false information that could cause harm," Angie Holan, director of the International Fact-Checking Network, which also works with Meta, told CBS News. "My goal is for an internet where people can go on and find information that's accurate and reliable and this is a step back, there's no other way to put it."

"Fact-checking journalism has never censored or removed posts; it's added information and context to controversial claims, and it's debunked hoax content and conspiracy theories," Holan added in a statement posted on social media.

"Nothing to do with free speech"

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Among Meta's fact-check partners, Poynter's PolitiFact said it offered independent reviews and disclosed its sources, while Meta set the rules about what content was removed.

"This decision has nothing to do with free speech or censorship," Aaron Sharockman, executive director of PolitiFact and Poynter's vice president for sales and strategic partnerships, posted on social media.

"The decision to remove or penalize a post or account is made by Meta and Facebook, not fact checkers. They created the rules," he added.

Lori Robertson, director of the nonpartisan website FactCheck.org, which also partnered with Meta, also refuted Zuckerberg's notion that fact-checking contributed to a suppression of opinion.

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"Our work isn't about censorship. We provide accurate information to help social media users as they navigate their news feeds. We did not, and could not, remove content. Any decisions to do that were Meta's," she said.

Another fact-checking outfit that works with Meta also questioned if shifting to a "Community Notes" model in which the technology giant relies on social media users to monitor posts, similar to the approach in use at Elon Musk's X platform (formerly known as Twitter), will reduce bias and improve the quality of content.

"In our experience and that of others, Community Notes on X are often slow to appear, sometimes downright inaccurate and unlikely to appear on controversial posts because of an inability to reach agreement or consensus among users," Maarten Schenk, co-founder and chief operating officer at Lead Stories, said in a post Tuesday on the fact-checking site. "Ultimately, the truth doesn't care about consensus or agreement: the shape of the Earth stays the same even if social media users can't agree on it."

CBS News has a dedicated editorial team, CBS News Confirmed, that fact-checks claims, exposes misinformation and provides critical context. You can follow CBS News Confirmed on Instagram and TikTok.

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BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon's parliament will attempt to elect elect a new head of state on Thursday, with officials seeing better odds of success in a political landscape shaken by Israel's assault on Hezbollah and the toppling of the group's ally Bashar al-Assad in Syria.

The post, reserved for a Maronite Christian in the sectarian power-sharing system, has been vacant since Michel Aoun's term ended in October, 2022.

While there are always many Maronite hopefuls, including the leaders of the two largest Christian parties - Samir Geagea and Gebran Bassil - sources say the focus is currently on the following three names:

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JOSEPH AOUN

General Joseph Aoun, 60, has been commander of the U.S.-backed Lebanese army since 2017, leading the military through a devastating financial crisis that paralysed much of the Lebanese state after the banking system collapsed in 2019.

On Aoun's watch, U.S. aid continued to flow to the army, part of a U.S. policy focused on supporting state institutions to curb the influence of the heavily armed, Iran-backed Hezbollah, which Washington deems a terrorist group.

Shortly after his appointment, the army waged an offensive to clear Islamic State militants from an enclave at the Syrian border, drawing praise from the U.S. ambassador at the time who said the military had done an "excellent job".

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His training has included two infantry officer courses in the United States.

Lebanese politicians have said Aoun's candidacy enjoys U.S. approval. A State Department spokesperson said it was "up to Lebanon to choose its next president, not the United States or any external actor".

Hezbollah official Wafiq Safa has said last week there was "no veto" on Aoun. But sources familiar with Hezbollah thinking say it will not support Aoun.

His candidacy has also been opposed by Lebanon's two largest Christian parties - the Lebanese Forces and the Free Patriotic Movement.

Three other former army chiefs - Emile Lahoud, Michel Suleiman and Michel Aoun - have served as president.

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Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has said the constitution would need to be amended in order for Aoun to take the post. It currently forbids a serving state official from becoming head of state.

JIHAD AZOUR

Azour, 58, served as finance minister in the Western-backed government of former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora between 2005 and 2008, a period of intense political conflict in Lebanon pitting factions backed by Iran and Syria against others supported by the West and Saudi Arabia.

Since 2017, he has served as Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He holds a PhD in International Finance and a post-graduate degree in International Economics and Finance, both from the Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris.

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He first emerged as a presidential candidate in 2023, when factions including both of Lebanon's main Christian parties - the Lebanese Forces and the Free Patriotic Movement - voted for him. He received 59 votes.

Hezbollah and its closest allies voted for Suleiman Frangieh in that session - the last time parliament attempted to elect a head of state. Frangieh secured 51 votes.

Hezbollah at the time described Azour as a confrontational candidate - a reference to his role in the Siniora cabinet.

Azour said at the time that his candidacy was not intended as a challenge to anyone, but rather "a call for unity, for breaking down alignments and for a search for common ground in order to get out of the crisis".

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ELIAS AL-BAYSARI

Major-General Elias Baysari, 60, has been interim head of the General Security directorate since the term of his predecessor, Major General Abbas Ibrahim, ended in 2023 with no consensus among Lebanese factions on who should replace him.

The security agency Baysari runs is Lebanon's most powerful internal security force, running Lebanon's border crossings and domestic intelligence operations.

He was a little-known figure in Lebanese public life until his promotion to the head of General Security.

He holds a PhD in law from the Lebanese University.

(Writing by Laila Bassam and Tom Perry, Editing by William Maclean)
COURTESY HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT Honolulu firefighter Jeffrey Fiala, 25, died following a partial roof collapse after responding Monday night to the Young Street fire.

1 /5 COURTESY HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT Honolulu firefighter Jeffrey Fiala, 25, died following a partial roof collapse after responding Monday night to the Young Street fire.

GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @STARADVERTISER.COM A house fire at 1645 Young St., reported Monday night, claimed the life of a Honolulu firefighter and injured five others. On Tuesday, fellow firefighters visited the scene. A lei and a photo of firefighter Jeffrey Fiala was placed nearby.

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2 /5 GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @STARADVERTISER.COM A house fire at 1645 Young St., reported Monday night, claimed the life of a Honolulu firefighter and injured five others. On Tuesday, fellow firefighters visited the scene. A lei and a photo of firefighter Jeffrey Fiala was placed nearby.

STAR-ADVERTISER Sheldon K. Hao : The Honolulu fire chief thanked the public for their outpouring of aloha as the department deals with the loss of a firefighter

3 /5 STAR-ADVERTISER Sheldon K. Hao :

The Honolulu fire chief thanked the public for their outpouring of aloha as the department deals with the loss of a firefighter GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @STARADVERTISER.COM Honolulu firefighters gathered Tuesday in front of a makeshift memorial at 1645 Young St. for fellow firefighter Jeffrey Fiala.

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4 /5 GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @STARADVERTISER.COM Honolulu firefighters gathered Tuesday in front of a makeshift memorial at 1645 Young St. for fellow firefighter Jeffrey Fiala.

GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @STARADVERTISER.COM Firefighters battled the blaze Monday night at the property.

5 /5 GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @STARADVERTISER.COM Firefighters battled the blaze Monday night at the property.

COURTESY HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT Honolulu firefighter Jeffrey Fiala, 25, died following a partial roof collapse after responding Monday night to the Young Street fire.

GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @STARADVERTISER.COM A house fire at 1645 Young St., reported Monday night, claimed the life of a Honolulu firefighter and injured five others. On Tuesday, fellow firefighters visited the scene. A lei and a photo of firefighter Jeffrey Fiala was placed nearby.

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STAR-ADVERTISER Sheldon K. Hao : The Honolulu fire chief thanked the public for their outpouring of aloha as the department deals with the loss of a firefighter

GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @STARADVERTISER.COM Honolulu firefighters gathered Tuesday in front of a makeshift memorial at 1645 Young St. for fellow firefighter Jeffrey Fiala.

GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @STARADVERTISER.COM Firefighters battled the blaze Monday night at the property.

RELATED PHOTO GALLERY The U.S. Department of Justice is sending dozens of federal agents to Honolulu to help investigate a fire on Young Street that caused a partial roof collapse and claimed the life of a 25-year-old firefighter who served the city with honor and courage.

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Firefighter Jeffrey Fiala, who was deployed after finishing training in March, died Monday night while responding to a 7 :42 p.m. 911 call for a building fire at 1645 Young St. in the Pawaa-McCully area.

Fiala is survived by his wife, Fiona, and his parents, Michael and Kristine.

Four other firefighters injured in the blaze were scheduled to be discharged Tuesday from The Queens Medical Center to continue their recovery at home. There was no update on the one injured civilian who was hospitalized.

Honolulu Fire Chief Sheldon K. Hao told reporters at the departments South Street headquarters Tuesday that Fiala served the county with honor and courage.

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The surviving firefighters physical injuries are minimal  compared with the trauma created by Fialas death.

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Teams of firefighters and those trained to deal with trauma, including grief counselors, will visit every single fire station, Hao said. The full support resources of the department and the county will be available to those who need them.

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We are a family. We live together 24 /7. We go to battle. Its no different than your blood family,  said Hao, detailing the brotherhood of firefighters forced to process Fialas death. This tragedy has been truly heartbreaking for all of us.

Everyone just loved to be around him,  Hao said, noting Fialas enthusiasm and love of the job. Fiala, 25, had a short career but made a great impact.

We ask for your continued compassion and aloha as we all grieve this devastating loss,  said Hao. Fiala had been with HFD for about 18 months.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is supporting HFDs request for its National Response Team and up to a few dozen members, in addition to the ATF personnel from our Honolulu Field Office,  to deploy to Honolulu to assist as needed,  Jason R. Chudy, public information officer for the ATFs Seattle Field Division, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

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The National Response team is made up of highly trained special agents, certified fire investigators, engineers, chemists as well as other experts who investigate major fires and explosions. At the request of state and local agencies, the NRT can respond to large-scale fire and explosives incidents anywhere in the U.S., typically within 24 hours,  Chudy said.

This is the third NRT call-out this week alone, and the sixth since the beginning of the fiscal year, which started Oct. 1, said Chudy.

ATFs National Response Team was the one that prepared the report on the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui fires that killed 102 people and left thousands homeless for the Maui Fire Department to create its origin and cause report.

We all train to be our very best with the goal of ultimately everyone getting home safely at the end of the day, and as you can imagine, thats what makes this very difficult,  said Hao, who thanked the public for reaching out with condolences and lauded the work of the Honolulu Police Department and city Emergency Medical Services technicians.

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Hao also thanked Mayor Rick Blangiardi and his staff ; Kahu Kordell Kekoa ; and the staff at both Queens and Straub hospitals for the outpouring of love and support.

The HFD will continue to help and support Jeffs ohana and our work ohana as we honor Jeffs memory and the sacrifice he made for our community,  Hao said.

Blangiardi issued a statement mourning the tragic loss of one of our brave firefighters, who made the ultimate sacrifice while heroically serving our city last night.

In the early hours of a dangerous fire in McCully, Jeff Fiala, just 25 years old, lost his life in the line of duty during a building collapse,  the mayor said. A husband and dedicated public serv ant, he had been with the Honolulu Fire Department for a year and a half, bringing a sense of passion and commitment to protecting our residents.

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Blangiardi said his office will work closely with HFD to provide the support and resources needed to honor his legacy and assist his family.

In a statement Tuesday, Gov. Josh Green said : I am deeply heartbroken to learn of the tragic loss of one of our brave firefighters in the line of duty. This hero selflessly put their life on the line to protect others, embodying the very best of who we are as a community.

Our hearts are with his family, loved ones and fellow firefighters who were injured during this profoundly difficult time.

The Honolulu Police Department released a statement via its social medical channels Tuesday saying that HPDs prayers are with the family of the brave Honolulu firefighter lost last night and the firefighters who were injured.

United in sorrow, we honor the fallen, support the injured, and stand together in service to Honolulu,  read the statement from HPD.

The HFD units arrived at 7 :45 p.m. Monday night to find smoke but no flames coming from the two-story residential building, according to HFD officials.

HFD Capt. Jamie Song told KHON and Hawaii News Now that a mayday  call was issued at 7 :58 p.m. because two firefighters were declared missing inside the structure, which had a partial roof collapse.

Song said one of the firefighters was able to get out on his own, but the second firefighter, later identified as Fiala, was extricated  from the first floor by other firefighters at 8 :24 p.m.

Besides the firefighter who died, a civilian and four firefighters were taken in serious condition to the hospital, according to Song.

At 8 :29 p.m. HFD called a third alarm, requiring more units and firefighters, and they had the fire under control at 9 :07 p.m., according to HFD. The fire was declared extinguished at 11 :31 p.m., according to HFD, which responded with 23 units and about 61 personnel.

Police and Honolulu Emergency Medical Services personnel also responded. Police closed Young Street in both directions as emergency crews responded.

Hawaii Red Cross officials said in a statement that volunteers responded to the 10-unit complex, meeting with affected residents to ensure their immediate emergency needs are met.

They opened a shelter for displaced residents at the McCully District Park Gymnasium, 831 Pumehana St. The shelter is only for residents affected by the Young Street fire, according to the Honolulu Department of Emergency Management.

Volunteers will continue to follow up with anyone affected in the coming weeks to provide referrals, guidance or additional assistance as needed to help with the recovery process,  according to the Red Cross.

The last Honolulu firefighter to die in the line of duty was 63-year-old Clifford Meredith Rigsbee. A triathlete and 21-year-HFD veteran, he suffered during a rescue watercraft training exercise in June 2016.
IRONDALE, Ala. (WIAT)  A U.S. Army veteran and Irondale police officer killed in the line of duty is being remembered by his community.

Lt. Mark Meadows was hit by a car Monday morning while directing traffic after a church service. He later died from his injuries.

The city held a vigil for Lt. Meadows on Tuesday night, parking his patrol car out front of city hall where people left flowers and mementos of their love for him. Irondale Mayor James Stewart Jr. said the Meadows family has been a pillar of strength.

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Its a legacy thats generational, said Lt. Jason Hill with the Irondale Police Department.

For 30 years, Meadows served the Irondale community on the police force, touching hundreds of lives. Meadows is described by many as a man of few words, but those who loved him are now trying to find the words to describe his life.

He wont be forgotten. Even the little kids at the primary school, they all know who Lt. Meadows is, said Sgt. Brian Hassett with the IPD. The biggest loss I guess is the loss to the community and his family as a whole. He was just a genuinely good person.

Member of Alabama Gov. Kay Iveys security detail dies after cancer battle

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Those who knew Meadows best said everything he said was intentional and showed how much for cared for the people in his life.

He just was a true friend, and he demonstrated that. He genuinely cared. When Lt. Meadows asked you, Hey, hows your day going? he truly was asking and wanted to know because if there was something that he could help you with, thats the kind of friend he was. He just was always there for us, Hill said. He was a person of few words, but he was very direct. But he was very intentional, and I think moving forward, thats something Im going to take from him is bring direct, being intentional and actually care, and thats something that will stick with me.

While Meadows family and friends gathered to pray and comfort one another, people who didnt know him personally also came out to honor his life.

I just wanted to come pay my respects to a brother officer that put it all on the line, said Bob Klinger, a retired police officer from Colorado now living in Hoover. Ive been to too many of these and bless him and his family and all these people that came out and just want them to stay safe.

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We like to try to control everything and try to make it perfect, try to be secure in ourselves a lot of times, and that just fails in the end, said Eric Frees, who shares a small church group with Meadows wife Susan. We all have to trust God. That we have to have something deeper to fall back on because were not in control.

A celebration of life for Meadows will be Thursday at noon on the Grants Mill campus of the Church of the Highlands.

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 CBS 42.
Henry Redman

Wisconsin Examiner

On the night of Sept. 9, 2022, 20-year-old Kenneth Taylor called his aunt, Cheyenne Taylor, asking if she could drive three hours south from Hayward to Black River Falls to pick him up  something she says happened regularly.

Cheyennes boyfriend answered the phone and he said they could come down to get him in the morning from the motel where he was staying. Kenneth, a member of the St. Croix Chippewa tribe, had spent the night hanging out with his girlfriend, who told police theyd been drinking. That night, he posted on Facebook asking for help with his depression.

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The couple left Hayward around 8 a.m. but, Cheyenne says, as they got on I-94 near Eau Claire, she got a sick feeling in her stomach because her nephew wasnt answering his phone.

Cheyenne spent much of the day driving the unfamiliar streets of Black River Falls looking for him. Soon, other members of the family got involved in the search.

During the first day Kenneth was missing, multiple family members turned to the police for help. But Cheyenne and Kenneths stepmother, Joy Taylor, say they were told by an officer that maybe he didnt want to be found, and that as an adult he had the right to choose to disappear.

As the family got more desperate, a police report notes that officers werent concerned.

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Kenneth was not entered as missing due to there being little to no evidence to support that he was in immediate danger to himself at that point in time, the report, filed by Black River Falls Police Officer Charles Smart, states.

Eventually, the family turned to resources offered by the states missing and murdered indigenous people (MMIP) task force. With that help, Kenneth was finally officially reported missing and search and rescue teams were on the ground in Black River Falls by the morning of Sept. 11  two days after his aunt last heard from him.

Around 4:30 p.m. on the same day the search began, Kenneth was found dead, hanging from a tree by his backpack strap in a small patch of woods in Black River Falls.

For family members and advocates for missing and murdered indigenous people, the official response in Kenneths case once he went missing and during the investigation into his death exemplify the ways in which a bureaucratic system dismisses the concerns of Native American families even as Wisconsin works to improve its response to these types of cases.

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Families are in a process of grief, taking care of their loved ones, in a state of traumatic shock, they are navigating through a system that is not being supportive of their needs, says Rene Ann Goodrich, a Bad River tribal member who serves on the Wisconsin MMIW Task Force.

In the years since Kenneths death, his family has tried to process the grief and trauma while continuing to search for answers about what happened  without much help from local officials.

Several members of the family remain unconvinced that Kenneths death was a suicide, saying they believe there was foul play involved. Other family members believe the coroner wasnt entirely thorough in her assessment of the scene where his body was found. They also have questions about the results of the autopsy, which was conducted by a lab in Minnesota. Aside from their questions about the conclusions made in Kenneths case, family members told the Wisconsin Examiner they feel as if theyve been brushed off by city officials.

Contemporaneous notes taken by MMIP advocates and complaints filed by family members alleging their rights as victims have been violated highlight the familys numerous unsuccessful attempts to speak with Black River Falls officials. The state Department of Justice dismissed the familys complaints against the city because Kenneths death was ruled a suicide and therefore his relatives do not qualify as crime victims.

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Throughout the death of my son, Black River Falls Police Department has shown little regard for what happened to my son based on the investigation and unwillingness to speak with the family, Kenneth Taylor Sr. wrote in a 2023 letter to the Wisconsin Crime Victims Rights Board. [We] have tried constantly to get answers and meetings. There are many discrepancies in the information the family has received from involved agencies.

According to several members of the Taylor family, they were told by multiple Black River Falls law enforcement and city officials that theyd been advised by the city attorney not to speak with them.

No one would ever talk to us, Joy Taylor says. They would cancel the appointments. I even went as far as calling the mayor, and he stated that no one was going to talk to me about this case, that they have been advised not to talk to anyone. Why, on a suicide case, would you not talk to someone if it was so cut and dried? Why wouldnt you talk to me?

Black River Falls officials did not respond to multiple requests for comment on this story.

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Goodrich, who still has questions about her own daughters death, says its difficult for families when their relatives cause of death is identified as a suicide or overdose because from law enforcements perspective, that ends the case. Yet families still have questions about what led up to their loved ones death.

Families need to feel that they are included and at that table in the investigative process, and right now they are not feeling that support, Goodrich says. It doesnt help assure families that justice will be served when theyre told Well, we cant talk to you anymore, we cant share any more information with you, youre going to have to talk to the county attorney. That is closing conversations and the door to families as they are sharing their valid concerns and information. Families really dont need that type of grief as theyre trying to navigate the system and make sense of what happened. This contributes to and creates more trauma.

Goodrich adds that what will help state and local governments in Wisconsin better handle MMIP cases is the creation of a new statewide office to help train local law enforcement and coordinate investigations.

Kristen Welch, a member of Wisconsins Task Force for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women who worked with the Taylor family, says the government response to Kenneths case fits a pattern.

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Its a patterned response. So what they experienced, like the delay in filing the initial report, is very common, Welch says, adding that some of that treatment stems from bias against Native Americans but also from a lack of training and standardized practices across law enforcement agencies. [This] sort of really rude treatment, those are all common responses for family members that are just trying to get case information. I dont know why they feel that thats OK, and they could really solve a lot of their own problems if they just sat down with this family, answered questions and shared the case information with them. I think a lot of the frustration would have been put to ease, but it again, is a training and protocol issue within their departments.

Welch says that in hearings on MMIP issues that have been held across the state and country, this was a common theme.

That was like the common pattern  treatment of response  and at the federal level too, she says. So that was from Alaska all the way to the Midwest. We held hearings, and you heard the same story from our family members, the mistreatment and just lack of compassion and respect for families who are going through an incredible trauma and carry that, and just want someone to show them a little compassion.

In the years since Kenneths death, the family had used the tree where he was found as a makeshift memorial, bringing food, flowers and tobacco to the site. But this year, the whole area was clear cut, adding to the familys distress.

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It was like where his soul left his body pretty much, Kenneths aunt, Cheyenne, says. And then they went and cut it down. Why?

But Cheyenne says shes trying to keep moving forward for her own children, while trying to remember how cheerful and outgoing Kenneth was and how much he loved his kids  one of whom never got to meet him.

It took me this long to finally accept that hes gone and hes not coming back, she says. He was always there for me, just like I was for him. And there was nothing in this world I would never do for him. And he knew it.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Frank Armour and his wife have lived in their Scioto Avenue home for over 50 years, so early Tuesday, it came as a shock when the house was peppered with gunfire.

Franks feet crunched in the glass from a shattered front door as he spoke with police who were at his house Wednesday to gather evidence and interview him.

Were just blessed no one got hurt, he said.

His niece, Kelly Armour, said she wants whoever filled the house with at least 30 bullet holes to know they shot the wrong house.

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This is an elderly Christian couple that doesnt have issues with anybody, Kelly said.

Frank, who worked in quality control at the General Motors Lordstown plant for 36 years, said in all his years on the street, he can not remember anything like this happening.

He is having insurance agents come next week to examine the damage.

The glass in the front door is shattered and there are several bullet holes in the front window facing the street. There are more bullet holes on the porch and over 15 on the second floor facing the street.

Police were called about 2:40 a.m. Tuesday for a report of gunfire, and when they arrived, a neighbor of Franks had a bullet hole in his window, reports said. Frank then spoke to police who later found casings from three different weapons in the street.

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Reports said there were four bullet holes in a bedroom wall. Frank told police he heard a large amount of gunfire that woke him up.

Reports said police followed fresh footprints south on Scioto to Stewart Avenue and followed them to a house there where they disappeared and were swallowed up by tire tracks.

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 WKBN.com.
Someone won over $510,000 in Mondays Georgia Lottery Fantasy 5 drawing.

The lucky ticket was bought at the Girard Mall gas station in Girard, Georgia, a small town southeast of Augusta near the Georgia/South Carolina border.

The winning numbers were 05-09-11-32-38.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Another player won $50,000 in the Jan. 6 Powerball drawing when they matched four of the five white ball numbers, plus the Powerball.

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That ticket was bought at the QuikTrip gas station at 1590 Mansell Road in Alpharetta.

The winning numbers for the Jan. 6 drawing were 17-34-46-66-67 with a Powerball number of 14. The Powerball multiplier was 2X.

The jackpot for the drawing was $220 million.

No one won the jackpot so the next estimated jackpot will be $240 million for the next drawing scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 8.

In Georgia, winners have 180 days from the draw date to claim their prizes.

The Georgia Lottery Corp. has made significant contributions to the states educational programs, returning over $28.3 billion since its inception.

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All profits from the lottery support initiatives such as Georgias HOPE Scholarship Program and the states Pre-K Program.

More than 2.1 million students have benefited from HOPE scholarships, and over 2 million 4-year-olds have participated in the voluntary prekindergarten program statewide.

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. (WWLP)  On a cold, windy day 40 years ago, firefighters in Great Barrington were called to three fires in what became one of the biggest fires in recent history, The Farshaw Fire.

Car 9 to 849  Strike the Box!

The Great Barrington Fire Department reflects on the memories of the 40th anniversary of the Farshaw Fire from 1985 where they describe the words that came across the scanner, Car 9 to 849  Strike the Box! that would make the hair on your neck stand up.

Barn on family farm destroyed by fire in Kinderhook

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On January 8, 1985 at around 5:30 p.m. firefighters were called to 314 Main Street for an explosion in the basement of the Farshaw store. The owner of Jacks County Store located next door said he heard a bang and could see the center of the Farshaw store was red in flames.

MAP: The Farshaw Fire

Upon arrival, firefighters attempted to enter the basement however due to the intense heat and smoke they could not gain access. The fire spread to Jacks Country Squire cellar and Teds Smoke Shop.

The weather was five degrees and breezy, causing an evacuation of apartments in the area of Main Street due to the smoke. Windows were opened in the surrounding blocks to try and evacuate the smoke. A sudden rush of smoke and air into an opening caused a carbon monoxide explosion called a backdraft that blew out the windows of Jacks store.

With the help of around 150 firefighters from six departments, the Farshaw fire was under control by midnight, which still smoldered for two days. Fire Chief Mort Cavanaugh was quoted by the Berkshire Courier at the time saying, the worst Ive seen in my 31 years as fire chief.

PHOTOS: The Farshaw Fire

Great Barrington Fire Department Great Barrington Fire Department Great Barrington Fire Department Great Barrington Fire Department Great Barrington Fire Department Great Barrington Fire Department Great Barrington Fire Department Great Barrington Fire Department Great Barrington Fire Department Great Barrington Fire Department Great Barrington Fire Department Great Barrington Fire Department Great Barrington Fire Department Great Barrington Fire Department Great Barrington Fire Department Great Barrington Fire Department Great Barrington Fire Department Great Barrington Fire Department Great Barrington Fire Department Great Barrington Fire Department Great Barrington Fire Department

Members of the entire command structure of Chief Officers had passed away since that day, however, several firefighters remember that day as, man, was it cold, and has it really been 40 years?

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
PASADENA, Calif. (KTLA)  Five people have now been confirmed dead due to the raging Eaton Fire, which has scorched 10,600 acres and 972 structures in Pasadena and Altadena, east of Los Angeles.

The fire, which broke out around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday near Altadena Drive and Midwick Drive, exploded overnight amid Santa Ana winds gusting up to 100 mph.

On Wednesday afternoon, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department said the death toll has risen, confirming three more people have died. Additionally, an undetermined amount of homes and businesses have been destroyed.

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The Eaton Fire is among four active fires in Los Angeles County that are being driven by the dry hurricane-force winds.

As of 4 a.m. Thursday, the fire has burned 10,590 acres with no containment. Currently, more than 700 firefighters are battling the blaze, including 7 hand crews, 123 fire engines, and 5 water tenders.

Firefighters work inside a burned structure while battling the Eaton Fire, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Nic Coury) Altadena Senior Center burns on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 in the wind-driven Eaton fire. (Getty Images) A resident views his property as it burns during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles County, California on January 8, 2025. (Getty Images) A person uses a garden hose in an effort to save a neighboring home from catching fire during the Eaton Fire on January 8, 2025 in Altadena, California. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) People assist firefighters with a hose line as they extinguish a burning home during the Eaton Fire on January 8, 2025 in Altadena, California. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) Steve Salinas shields from intense heat as he hoses down a neighbors rooftop on Sinaloa Ave. as the Eaton Fire continues to grow. (Getty Images) A man walks in front of the burning Altadena Community Church, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) The Eaton Canyon Fire destroys a home near Altadena, Calif. on Jan. 7, 2025. (KTLA) Residents of a senior center are evacuated as the Eaton Fire approaches Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) A resident of a senior center is evacuated as the Eaton Fire approaches Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) Firefighters battle the Eaton Fire Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) The Eaton Fire burns a structure Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) The Eaton Fire burns a residence Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) Firefighters battle the Eaton Fire Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) The Eaton Fire burns vehicles and structures Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna described the situation surrounding the Eaton Fire, the second-largest active wildfire in the Los Angeles area, during a Wednesday morning press conference as very fluid.

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell stated the weather in the region is unprecedented and unpredictable.

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Authorities from the Los Angeles County Fire Department, as well as the U.S. Forest Service and the Pasadena Fire Department, are responding to the blaze. Still, officials noted that all 29 L.A. County Fire Department stations are stretched thin to the point where resources from other states need to be called in to aid in the firefight.

Areas of Pasadena, Altadena, La Canada-Flintridge, Duarte, Monrovia, Sierra Madre, Arcadia and La Crescenta are under evacuation orders or warnings as crews from the Pasadena Fire Department, the Los Angeles County Fire Department and the U.S. Forest Service, among many other assisting agencies, respond to the blaze.

Areas under mandatory evacuation orders:

East of Altadena Drive

Kinneloa Canyon Road

Outpost Lane

Glen Springs

Coolidge

Miranda

Roosevelt

Veranda

Kenclare

Foxridge

Canyon Close

Grand Oak

North of New York Drive

East of Altadena Drive

West of Sierra Madre Villa Avenue

North of Sierra Madre

East of Allen

West of Santa Anita Drive

In Arcadia  North of Orange Grove/Rosemead Boulevard; East of Lake Avenue; West of Michillinda Avenue

Fire officials urged the public to be prepared, heed evacuation warnings and stay off the roads when possible to allow emergency crews access to threatened communities. San Gabriel Valley and Glendale schools have been closed throughout the week.

This map provided by CalFire shows the location of the Eaton Fire and the evacuation zones. Jan. 8, 2025. (CalFire)

The cause of the fire remained under investigation.

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The Eaton Fire was one of four large, active wildfires in the Los Angeles area. The largest, the 17,234-acre Palisades Fire, destroyed an estimated 1,000 structures. A separate 855-acre fire, the Hurst Fire, burned in the L.A. neighborhood of Sylmar. A fast-moving fire in the Antelope Valley called the Lidia Fire has burned at least 348 acres and forced evacuations.

Two other small wildfires were reported on Wednesday, the Tyler Fire near Coachella and the Woodley Fire in the Sepulveda Basin of the San Fernando Valley, but have since been extinguished.

Eaton Fire Resources: | CALFIRE | L.A. County Fire | U.S. Angeles National Forest | Wildfire.gov

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 KTLA.
Mia Maldonado

Oregon Capital Chronical

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation said they will update an environmental study on the management of federal dams along the Columbia and Snake rivers.

The agencies will prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement analyzing new environmental data that a 2020 study, which evaluated the operations and maintenance of the 14 federally managed dams throughout the Columbia River Basin, did not address.

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The new data that will be considered under the supplemental study includes a 2022 paper, Rebuilding Interior Columbia Basin Salmon and Steelhead and the 2024 Tribal Circumstances Analysis. Both identify breaching the lower Snake River Dams located in Washington as the greatest opportunity to restore salmon and steelhead populations in the basin.

The 2020 study, known as the Columbia River System Operations Final Environmental Impact Statement, implemented a plan to keep the lower Snake River dams in place. Shortly after, it was challenged in court by 10 entities  including the Idaho Conservation League, the states of Oregon and Washington, the Nez Perce, Umatilla, Warm Springs, and Yakama tribes, and other environmental nonprofits.

In December 2023, the parties, who are represented by the environmental legal nonprofit Earthjustice, agreed to a 10-year legal pause while they collaborate on an updated fish restoration plan. Tuesdays decision to create a supplemental study is an important step in fulfilling that goal, according to a statement from Earthjustice.

The information available now provides us with all we need to chart a successful path forward, Earthjustice Senior Attorney Amanda Goodin said in a press release Tuesday. We know we can avoid extinction and rebuild salmon and native fisheries to a healthy and harvestable abundance if we commit to the centerpiece actions they need, including breaching the four lower Snake River dams and replacing their services.

Environmental groups applaud move to update study, calling 2020 study flawed

Environmental advocates say the previous 2020 study was flawed, and a revision would help restore and prevent extinction of salmon and steelhead populations.

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We appreciate the decision to do a supplemental process to address these flaws and evaluate stronger measures in how we operate the hydropower system including breaching the lower Snake River dams, Sierra Clubs Snake and Columbia River Salmon Campaign Director Bill Arthur said in a press release. Extinction is not an option, and that is the trajectory we are on without stronger actions.

Today, four of the 16 salmon stocks in the Columbia and Snake Rivers are extinct. This includes Snake River coho, Mid-Columbia coho, Upper Columbia coho and Mid-Columbia sockeye.

Additionally, 13 salmon and steelhead stocks in the Columbia River Basin are listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act.

Federal, state, and tribal agencies have collaborated to restore salmon and steelhead populations in the Columbia River Basin. While some progress has been made compared to the 1990s, when annual runs in the basin declined to around 1 million fish, current numbers remain far from historic levels of 10 to 16 million fish per year. Officials are also falling short of the goal to restore 5 million salmon and steelhead to the basin by 2025.

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Federal agencies have been wrong over and over about the impact of dams on salmon, Idaho Conservation League Salmon and Energy Strategist, Mitch Cutter, said in a press release. This supplemental environmental study is a chance for them to do right by tribes, river communities and anyone else who depends on the wealth of Northwest rivers for their lives and livelihoods.

Hydropower coalition calls on federal government to withdraw review, calling it misleading

A coalition of power, navigation and agriculture groups across the Pacific Northwest is urging the federal government to withdraw its decision to initiate a supplemental study of the Columbia and Snake River dams.

The coalition, known as the Columbia Basin Regional Alliance for Transparency, includes Public Power Council, the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association, Northwest RiverPartners, Northwest Requirements Utilities, and other Pacific Northwest stakeholders. The coalition is dedicated to preserving hydropower and river commerce activities across the Columbia and Snake rivers.

In a press release, the coalition said a supplemental review would be premature, unnecessary and mislead the public about the role dams have to support the economy and the environment.

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Hydropower is the largest source of energy in the Pacific Northwest, providing about 50% of the regions annual energy generation, according to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council.

The Columbia and Snake River system also provides an efficient transportation route for moving agricultural products from Idaho, Washington and Oregon to global markets. The four Lower Snake River dams create a navigable waterway with their lock system, enabling goods to travel from the Port of Lewiston to the Port of Portland, where they are prepared for export.

The proposed environmental review could lead to breaching federal hydropower facilities that serve as the largest source of affordable, reliable, clean energy for millions of people in the region while also providing world-class, clean river transportation for the regions and nations economies, the coalition released in a statement.

Federal agencies accepting public comment for supplemental study

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation are asking federal, local and state agencies, Native American tribes, and the public to submit comments relevant to the supplemental plan by March 20.

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The agencies will host three virtual public meetings the week of Feb. 10. Details of those meetings will be posted on the project website early in the new year, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

To learn more about the project or to submit public comment, visit the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website.
The U.S. Department of Justice said it is expanding an antitrust lawsuit against property management software company RealPage, this time adding six landlord companies with national real estate holdings, including one in Atlanta.

According to the announcement, the USDOJ has added Greystar Real Estate Partners LLC, Blackstones LivCor LLC, Camden Property Trust, Cushman & Wakefield Inc and Pinnacle Property Management Services LLC, Willow Bridge Property Company LLC and Cortland Management LLC as defendants in the lawsuit.

The lawsuit goes on to say the defendants participated in an unlawful scheme to decrease competition among landlords in apartment pricing and harmed millions of American renters by doing so.

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Between the six companies named in the announcement, USDOJ said the landlords operate more than 1.3 million units in 43 states and Washington.

There are now also 10 states signed onto the lawsuit as co-plaintiffs, with Illinois and Massachusetts signing on to the amended complaint.

The Justice Department said Cortland, a real estate company based in Atlanta that was previously raided by federal agents, had signed a consent decree with them to cooperate with the government and stop using its competitors data to set rental prices.

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The agreement will also have Cortland stop using the same algorithm as its competitors without a corporate monitor.

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While Americans across the country struggled to afford housing, the landlords named in todays lawsuit shared sensitive information about rental prices and used algorithms to coordinate to keep the price of rent high, said Acting Assistant Attorney General Doha Mekki of the Justice Departments Antitrust Division. Todays action against RealPage and six major landlords seeks to end their practice of putting profits over people and make housing more affordable for millions of people across the country.

In December, Channel 2 Action News reported the White House said the City of Atlanta was the one most impacted by algorithm-based price setting, specifically mentioning RealPages software as a source.

Nationally, the White House said RealPages software products are used in at least 10% of rental properties.

We find that coordinated rents from algorithmic pricing cost renters in algorithm-utilizing units $70 a month, or 4% of rent, on average nationally, the White House report says.

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But in Atlanta, that dollar count was an average of $181 instead.

RealPage told Channel 2 Action News that the White House report was full of flaws and disputed its claims.

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The companies named in the expanded antitrust lawsuit by the USDOJ collectively hold dozens of properties in the metro Atlanta area.

As published by federal officials, the amended complaint accuses the six landlord companies of actively participating in a scheme to set rental prices by using each others competitively sensitive information through common pricing algorithms.

The Justice Department said that along with using RealPages anticompetitive pricing algorithms, the companies theyre suing coordinated through a variety of means, including:

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Directly communicating with competitors senior managers about rents, occupancy, and other competitively sensitive topics

In one example, Greystar supplied Camden with information not only about very recent renewal rates, but also its approach to pricing for the upcoming quarter, its acceptance of RealPages pricing recommendations, use of concessions and competitively sensitive information about occupancy. Likewise, executives at Camden and LivCor communicated over the course of months about their pricing strategies, including plans for certain price increases.

Regularly conducting call arounds

During these discussions, euphemistically referred to as market surveys, property managers called or emailed competitors to share, and sometimes discuss, competitively sensitive information about rents, occupancy, pricing strategies and discounts.

Participating in user groups hosted by RealPage

For instance, landlords discussed via user groups how to modify the softwares pricing methodology, as well as their own pricing strategies. In one example, LivCor and Willow Bridge executives participated in a user group discussion of plans for renewal increases, concessions and acceptance rates of RealPage rent recommendations.

Sharing information with competitors about parameters in RealPages software

As an example, at the request of Willow Bridges director of revenue management, Greystars director of revenue management supplied its standard auto-accept parameters for RealPages software, including the daily and weekly limits and the days of the week for which Greystar used auto-accept.



Currently, the co-plaintiffs in the case are the Attorneys General of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee and Washington.

A Cortland spokesperson provided comment to Channel 2 Action News on the latest developments in the RealPage lawsuit and the previous investigation into the company, saying in a statement:

Cortland is pleased to announce the US Department of Justice filed a proposed settlement that would resolve the Antitrust Divisions civil investigation into Cortland related to antitrust violations in the multifamily housing industry.

Additionally, last month, the Antitrust Division informed Cortland that it had closed its criminal investigation into pricing practices in the multifamily industry. As a result, Cortland and its employees are no longer subject to the criminal investigation that motivated the Department of Justices May 2024 search at Cortlands headquarters in Atlanta.

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We believe we were only able to achieve this result because Cortland has invested years and significant internal resources into developing a proprietary revenue management software tool that does not rely on data from external, non-public sources. The terms of Cortlands settlement have been agreed to with the Department of Justice and will be filed with the court for its approval. We look forward to putting the federal governments investigations behind us in 2025, as we continue to seek opportunities to invest in tools and services that will improve resident experience and the success of our managed communities.

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NEW YORK  Federal prosecutors who indicted Mayor Adams on corruption charges last year allege they have uncovered additional criminal conduct that the mayor and others engaged in.

The prosecutors from the Manhattan U.S. attorneys office wrote in a court filing late Monday they unearthed evidence of the conduct as part of their ongoing investigation into the mayors ties to Turkeys government.

The feds didnt elaborate on what the conduct in question is or who the other individuals are.

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The disclosure comes after the feds in October  days after first charging Adams with bribery and other crimes  said it was quite likely they would bring a superseding indictment and it was possible it could include additional counts against the mayor.

Since then, Adams defense attorney, Alex Spiro, has accused prosecutors of overplaying their hand, writing in a filing last month that the incriminating evidence they planned to base their superseding indictment on does not exist.

Mondays filing from the prosecutors came in response to that claim from Spiro and indicates they are still pursuing a potential superseding indictment.

Spiro has also argued in court papers that the case against Adams is almost entirely based on testimony from Rana Abbasova, Adams ex-Turkish community liaison who is cooperating in the federal probe. The Adams lawyer has argued Abbasova is a disgruntled staffer with an ax to grind.

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In Mondays filing, the feds pushed back on that characterization.

Despite Adamss claim that the case against him is based on a particular purported witness, the affidavits generally rely on records rather than the witnesses, and do not rely on the individual he often discusses at all, prosecutors wrote.

Punching back at the feds, Spiro on Tuesday slammed their contentions.

This is amateur hour. They are just looking for a headline instead of doing the right thing, Spiro wrote in an email to the Daily News. I assume we are at the point where New Yorkers are not falling for it.

In a press conference later in the day at City Hall, Adams reiterated he believes hes innocent when asked about the latest submission from the feds.

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Even Ray Charles can see whats going on  Ive said over and over again, I have done nothing wrong, he told reporters.

Mondays move comes at a time of flux for the Manhattan U.S. attorneys office.

Former U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, who brought the case against Adams, stepped down last month after President-elect Donald Trump  who has publicly entertained pardoning the Democratic mayor for his alleged crimes  announced he plans to appoint corporate lawyer Jay Clayton to take over the reins at the prominent office.

The office is now being led by Edward Kim, who was deputy U.S. attorney under Williams.

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Adams Sept. 26 indictment, which made him the first New York City mayor in modern history to face criminal charges, alleges he took bribes and illegal campaign cash, mostly from Turkish government operatives, in exchange for doling out political favors.

The favors allegedly include the mayor pressuring the FDNY to resolve fire safety issues at the Turkish consulate in Manhattan so the building could open in time for a visit by the countrys leader, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in fall 2021.

Adams has pleaded not guilty and is expected to stand trial in April.

Besides Adams, Mohamed Bahi, a former aide to the mayor at City Hall, was indicted in November on charges alleging he obstructed the investigation into the mayor. Hes in talks with the feds about a potential plea deal.

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Just before Christmas, the feds also revealed Erden Arkan, a Brooklyn construction company executive, plans to plead guilty to funneling illegal straw donations into Adams 2021 campaign coffers on behalf of a Turkish government executive.

_____
Jan. 8The U.S. Interior Department said on Wednesday it has concluded the second oil and gas lease sale in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge after receiving no bids from companies.

The sale was planned for Friday, but the deadline for bid submission was Monday, the agency said.

It's the second time in four years that oil companies have shown little interest in leasing tracts for potential drilling in the coastal plain of the 19-million-acre area in northeast Alaska. The sales have fallen far short of congressional expectations that the sales would generate substantial revenue for the Alaska and federal governments.

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The no-bid sale raises questions about the future of drilling in the refuge, but the debate is likely not over.

The Biden administration, conservation groups and the Gwich'in steering committee said in statements on Wednesday that the lack of interest shows the area is too special to develop.

The head of the state agency that won the most leases in the original, 2021 lease sale said that "onerous" rules set on leasing, exploration and development by the Biden administration were a key reason the agency did not submit bids this time.

The refuge has been a flash point for decades between opponents who have argued that oil and gas activity would hurt polar bears, caribou and other wildlife, and supporters who have argued that development of the coastal plain would increase domestic oil production and provide a serious boost to Alaska's economy.

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The state of Alaska this week sued the Biden administration over what it described as strict limitations for the lease sale, including limits on where construction could occur. The limits were designed to limit bidding, exploration and development, in contradiction to the 2017 law that required sales there for the first time, the state argued. President Donald Trump has said he would restart an effort to permit drilling there, suggesting there may be another lease sale during his term.

"The expired deadline to submit bids concludes the second congressionally mandated sale required by the 2017 Tax Act, which directed the BLM to hold two lease sales in the Coastal Plain within seven years of enactment," the Interior Department said.

"The first sale, held by the previous administration, similarly demonstrated low interest, yielding a total of $14.4 million in high bids on 11 tracts," the agency said.

Congress included the two lease sales in the Tax Act on the grounds that they would generate approximately $2 billion in revenue over 10 years, the agency pointed out.

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"The lack of interest from oil companies in development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge reflects what we and they have known all along  there are some places too special and sacred to put at risk with oil and gas drilling. This proposal was misguided in 2017, and it's misguided now," said Acting Deputy Secretary Laura Daniel-Davis in the statement.

"The BLM has followed the law and held two lease sales that have exposed the false promises made in the Tax Act," Daniel-Davis said. "The oil and gas industry is sitting on millions of acres of undeveloped leases elsewhere; we'd suggest that's a prudent place to start, rather than engage further in speculative leasing in one of the most spectacular places in the world."

The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, a state agency, was the top winning bidder in the original lease sale held in the waning days of the first Trump administration in 2021.

The Biden administration canceled the agency's seven leases in 2023 after determining that the first lease sale, also required by law, was legally flawed. The state agency has filed a lawsuit in federal court to retain those leases.

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The state development agency for this second lease sale had once again set aside $20 million for potential bidding.

But it held off on submitting bids, said Randy Ruaro, the group's executive director.

A key reason were the restrictive terms placed on bidders by the Biden administration, Ruaro said.

"We believe the terms and conditions of the lease sale are illegal and far more onerous and burdensome than they should be, and they do not allow for, specifically, the successful leasing, exploration, development, production and transportation of oil from ANWR," he said.

No potential bidder could support those terms, he said.

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Secondly, the agency believes it already legally holds the rights to the tracts it has sued over, he said.

The agency has been reviewing and updating old exploration data associated with those tracts, collected in the 1980s during an early exploration effort allowed by Congress, Ruaro said.

Based on that and other data from wells drilled on state land to the west of the refuge, the agency believes "there are billions of barrels of oil in place," as the federal government has determined, Ruaro said.

The agency has recently submitted arguments to the federal government laying out its case against the Biden administration actions on the lease sales.

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After the Trump administration takes office Jan. 20, the agency hopes that the new administration holds a lease sale that "complies with federal law," Ruaro said.

The Gwich'in Steering Committee, representing some villages that hunt caribou that use the refuge said the lack of interest shows oil companies recognize drilling in the refuge is not worth the economic risk and liability.

The group is celebrating but recognizes that threats to the refuge will continue, said Kristen Moreland, Executive Director of the Gwich'in Steering Committee.

"We reaffirm our commitment to seeing it permanently protected and remain steadfast in protecting our way of life for our future generations," Moreland said in a statement.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  A Sturgis man will spend years in prison for distributing fake Xanax pills, part of a scheme that used the dark web, federal attorneys say.

Erik Miller, 47, was sentenced to 70 months in prison, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Michigan. He previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, court documents show. In exchange, other counts were dismissed.

The office says in 2022, Miller started working with a vendor on the dark web to distribute fake Xanax pills. Fake pills often appear identical to legitimate pills but have different ingredients than the true medication, perhaps containing no active ingredient, the wrong quantity of active ingredient or a different active ingredient altogether.

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Miller also distributed illegal controlled substances, like methamphetamine and MDMA, and real prescription drugs without asking for a prescription, according to the attorneys office.

Feds: Man charged for selling fake pills, drugs on dark web

As part of the conspiracy, Miller often got packages with many Xanax pills and other drugs, which he would then ship out, federal attorneys say.

As (Millers) involvement continued, (Millers) co-conspirators began increasing the number of pills that they sent to (Miller) for distribution, a plea agreement entered in federal court reads. For example, in March or April 2023, conspirators sent (Miller) approximately 10,000 Xanax pills for distribution. Throughout the conspiracy, (Miller) shipped out between five and fifteen packages of drugs a week.

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In April 2023, investigators carried out a search warrant at Millers home and found controlled substances, non-controlled substances and other hallmarks of a drug trafficking operation, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

One pill can kill, said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten in a statement. Individuals should only take prescription drugs prescribed by a trusted medical professional and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist. My office will continue holding peddlers accountable for pushing potentially deadly poisons into our communities.

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 WOODTV.com.
CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  A felon from Caddo Parish has pleaded guilty to illegally possessing a gun on Tuesday, the Caddo Parish District Attorney said.

The District Attorneys office said on January 13th, as part of a pilot program to increase the number of jury trials for incarcerated defendants, Leonard Ray Hunter III opted to plead guilty to felon in possession of a firearm rather than place his fate before a jury.

ON NOW: Part II: Firearms Impact & Responsibility

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On September 24, 2024, Shreveport police conducted a traffic stop. During the stop, police found a Smith & Wesson handgun wedged between the Hunter IIIs seat and the center console. The D.A. stated that he had been convicted of illegal use of a weapon in 2021 and, as such, is prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm.

Hunter returns to court on March 11, 2025; according to the district attorneys office, he faces a prison sentence of at least five and up to 20 years, to be served without the benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence.

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 KTALnews.com.
CHICAGO  An American Airlines jet struck the tail of a United Airlines plane at OHare International Airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed an AA Flight 1979 struck the tail of United Flight 219 while taxiing on different taxiways around 9:50 a.m. Wednesday.

The American Airlines Boeing 737-800 was heading to Los Angeles and the United Boeing 787 was heading to Honolulu. Both jets were taxiing on separate runways at the time of the collision.

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WGN Reporter Sean Lewis was aboard the plane at the time of the incident and confirms there was visible damage to both aircraft.

It felt like we hit a pothole. Some people felt it, some didnt. Nonetheless, a few minutes later, the pilot got on the PA and said that we had a tail strike, Lewis told WGN News.

Chicago Fire Department crews responded to the tarmac close to runway 28R, but no injuries have been reported.

American Airlines released the following statement Wednesday on the incident:

During taxi-out at Chicago (ORD), American Airlines flight 1979, with service from ORD to Los Angeles (LAX), made contact with a nearby aircraft on the taxiway. Customers deplaned normally at the gate and will re-depart on a replacement aircraft this afternoon. We apologize to our customers for the inconvenience this caused. American Airlines spokesperson

The FAA is leading the investigation into the incident.

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 WGN-TV.
SPRINGFIELD  The legislation passed and sent to Gov. JB Pritzkers desk during the General Assemblys brief lame-duck session was overshadowed by the governors squabble with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson over a bill that never got called for a vote.

Pritzker and Johnson each mounted serious lobbying attempts on opposing sides of a bill to strictly regulate hemp sales. The disagreement was emblematic of the tense working relationship the two leaders have maintained since Johnson took office in May 2023.

Ultimately, Johnsons side of the argument prevailed, and Pritzker proved a not particularly gracious loser, saying the mayor had little to do with the result and indicating the blame lies with his fellow Democrats led by House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch.

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I was tremendously disappointed that this is a demonstration, from my perspective, of the power of special interests and the money that they spread around to thwart health and safety of the public, Pritzker said Tuesday during an unrelated news conference in downstate Normal. He said the hemp bills demise resulted from the choice by a number of people to go for profits over people.

The bill, which would have licensed and regulated hemp that is used for products such as delta-8 and delta-10 THC that get users high, passed in the state Senate with nearly no opposition during the spring legislative session. But it proved to be a hard sell in the House, where some members heard directly from Pritzker or Johnson as they pleaded their cases over the last several days.

Johnson told lawmakers he opposed the bill because of concerns it could cost the city of Chicago significant revenue, according to sources familiar with the mayors outreach. Pritzker, whose lobbying efforts included cajoling lawmakers during a weekend party at the Governors Mansion, expressed concerns about the harmful ingredients in hemp products, especially if ingested by children.

With the stalemate over the issue in Springfield, Chicago Aldermen Marty Quinn, 13th, and Silvana Tabares, 23rd, moved to ban hemp products from their Southwest Side wards Tuesday. Their legislation passed unanimously in the License and Consumer Protection Committee and could face a final vote next week.

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We should not be putting our kids in harms way to make a quick buck, Quinn told the committee. These smoke shops cater dangerous products to children and do not belong in our streets.

Statewide hemp legislation now will have to be resurrected after a new General Assembly is inaugurated on Wednesday. But for now, the bills demise stands out as a rare defeat for Pritzker, who has been largely successful in pushing agenda items through the Democratic supermajorities in both chambers of the legislature.

Aside from that drama, lawmakers did take action on a number of bills.

Lawmakers Monday night passed a measure aimed at shoring up protections for domestic abuse victims from gun violence. Dubbed Karinas Bill, the legislation would require law enforcement to remove firearms from people who have orders of protection against them, clarifying when and how police can confiscate guns.

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Those weapons are not always removed from alleged abusers even if their firearm owners identification cards are revoked.

The system failed them. We failed them. Our current laws are confusing for victims and judges and the results are that victims arent getting what they need, state Sen. Celina Villanueva, a Chicago Democrat and Senate sponsor of the bill, said during a Monday hearing before the Senate Executive Committee.

The bill later Monday passed the full Senate 43-10 with bipartisan support. The bill then passed in the House 80-33 on Tuesday and now heads to the governors desk.

This bill builds out a robust framework under our current domestic violence laws that clearly outlines the process of collecting firearms from abusers when survivors are specifically at risk of those firearms and clarifies the existing protections under these laws, said state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, a Democrat from Batavia and the measures main House sponsor.

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The bill is named after Karina Gonzalez, a resident of Chicagos Little Village neighborhood who, with her 15-year-old daughter Daniela, was shot and killed by her husband in 2023, according to prosecutors. Gonzalez had obtained an order of protection against him and his FOID card had been revoked.

Some opponents of the bill included the Illinois State Rifle Association and the Illinois Federation of Outdoor Resources, which argued the legislation violated an alleged abusers right to due process.

An individual has a right to a hearing and be found to be an abuser before we take away a constitutional right from them, Josh Witkowski, who represents the federation, said Monday at the Senate Executive Committee hearing, referring to their Second Amendment right to bear arms. Unfortunately this bill does not do that.

But Kane Countys Democratic states attorney, Jamie Mosser, argued otherwise, testifying via video feed at the hearing that Karinas bill properly allows due process. She cited recent case law that she says allows someone to be disarmed when theres a court finding that that person is a danger to another individual.

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The Senate this week also approved a measure that would provide reforms to the embattled Illinois Prisoner Review Board but it failed to move through the House before both chambers adjourned their two-year term on Tuesday. This means the legislation would need to be refiled after the new General Assembly is seated on Wednesday.

The latest bill was scaled back after Pritzker in May took exception with the way a previous version was written and questioned whether thered be appropriate funding to meet the demands of the legislation. The earlier bill called for more hearings to be available to the public via live broadcast on the boards website, including mandatory supervised release revocation hearings, which could run to hundreds or even thousands of recordings each year. Right now, the monthly parole hearings for people whove been incarcerated for decades are the only ones widely broadcast live for the public.

Pritzker in March said there could be changes to the boards practices after the panel released 37-year-old Crosetti Brand, who authorities say then killed 11-year-old Jayden Perkins and attacked the boys mother, with whom Brand once had a relationship, on Chicagos North Side. Days later, the boards chairman, Donald Shelton, and board member LeAnn Miller, who drafted the order authorizing Brands release, resigned.

The legislation codifies that victims in cases can submit victim impact statements to the board if the convicted perpetrator is up for early release in their case. The board would also be required to publish instructions on its website on how to submit such statements.

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The bill also specifies that seven members of the board, which can have up to 15 total members, must have at least five years of experience as a law enforcement officer, parole officer, prosecutor, criminal defense attorney or judge. The bill also spells out that the board may have members with experience in victim advocacy, including for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

The measure also contains provisions about training for board members  especially in the area of domestic violence  and makes changes related to factors to be considered by the panel in deciding whether to grant or deny early release.

The bill also requires the Illinois Department of Corrections to prepare a report describing whether the person incarcerated has completed certain conditions in order to be released early. It also requires that all petitioners for clemency, medical release and all candidates for parole appearing before the board be given an opportunity to appear in person or via video.

Last spring, we came together on a bipartisan proposal, which ran into complications negotiating with the governor, Senate President Don Harmon, a Democrat from Oak Park, said on the Senate floor Monday night. I know that this is not the bipartisan bill we had advanced in the spring, but its goals are the same.

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But Republicans who spoke during the floor debate werent moved by the bill. GOP state Sen. Steve McClure of Springfield said the bill falls short on transparency.

Our side of the aisle did want to have video of these hearings so that everybody could understand what was happening and everybody can see exactly what the PRB was doing at any given time, he said. Unfortunately, we dont have the video in here so now this happens behind closed doors.

Going to Pritzkers desk is a measure approved by the Illinois House on Monday aimed at making it easier for relatives of children in state care to get licensed as foster parents and receive assistance. The measure passed without opposition.

Were going to change some kids life, said state Rep. Marcus Evans, a Chicago Democrat who sponsored the bill. This legislation represents more than just change from our worker system but it represents an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of thousands of children and families and build stronger, more resilient communities across our state.

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Also Monday, the House approved a measure by an 89-16 vote intended to protect senior citizens in Illinois from abuse and neglect by prohibiting nursing homes from retaliating against a resident for registering complaints about the home to state officials.

Under the measure, nursing homes would have to notify residents each year of their rights regarding retaliation and the process to make complaints. Nursing home staff would also be required to undergo in-service training designed to prevent retaliatory action from taking place. The bill is now with Pritzker.

Another bill heading to the governors desk would require the Illinois Department of Corrections to post quarterly reports on the use of restrictive housing, or solitary confinement, on the agencys website. The legislation would mandate IDOC to conduct regular audits of its data collection processes and collaborate with a research university to report the data.

The bill, which passed through the House on Tuesday by a 75-38 vote, initially called for state officials to put restrictions on solitary confinement by preventing an inmate from being placed there for more than 10 consecutive days or more than 10 days in any six-month period. But state Rep. Kevin Olickal, a Democrat from Chicago and the main House sponsor of the bill, has said before any limits are to be considered for solitary confinement, there needs to be sufficient data collected on that issue.

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Another bill sponsored by Olickal that awaits Pritzkers signature is one that would eliminate barriers for people wanting to change their names. It would allow people to file a petition to change their name if the person has lived in Illinois for three months, instead of six, at the time of a hearing on the name change.

The legislation also allows for the person requesting the name change to have a court file impounded if they include a statement, verified under oath, that the person believes publicly disclosing the name change would be a hardship and have a negative impact on the persons health or safety.

Olickal has acknowledged the bill is meant to be especially beneficial for victims of domestic violence and the transgender community. The passed through the House on Tuesday by a 71-38 margin.
The South Dakota Capitol is reflected in Capitol Lake. (John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight)

It seems that South Dakotans are going to be good citizens  or else. There are plenty of efforts to get us all to learn about civics: new social studies standards for the public schools, plans for a Civic Engagement Center at Black Hills State University and even new college course requirements.

One thing about being a journalist is that, like it or not, civic engagement is part of the job. Because of my job, I have been to more than my share of public meetings. Over the years Ive learned some lessons that should be included in any sort of civics curriculum.

1. Keep your eyes and ears open.

As a reporter, I was from the Jack Webb, just the facts maam, school of writing. That meant avoiding too much capitalization or the overuse of certain punctuation marks. I mention that so youll know I mean it when I say that good citizenship starts with PAYING ATTENTION!

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As a reporter and editor, I saw this scenario play out too many times: A city, school or county would have a big project that depended on more tax dollars and a vote of the people. They dutifully held multiple public meetings to discuss the options and provide their reasoning for the project. Of course someone  sometimes me  would have to cover those meetings for the newspaper.

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Essentially that meant finding a different way to write the same meeting story three or four times. Then, when the public hearings were done, at its next meeting the council would get ready to vote. After all that outlay of public information, after all those news stories, there was always one person who would stand up at the meeting and say, Now hold on. Where did all this come from? You cant just spend that much money without discussing it with the people. We need public meetings. We need to get something in the newspaper.

Good citizenship relies on doing something on your part to stay informed. Read the newspaper. Follow local government on Facebook. Talk to your neighbors. Do something. Just dont be that bewildered guy whos surprised when the county starts talking about raising his taxes.

2. Never underestimate the power of the purse strings.

The Civic Engagement Center at Black Hills State University was rejected in two different legislative sessions. Sure, the votes were close, but its likely some legislators were put off by their colleagues who seemed to want students to be more patriotic, even if they had to beat it into them. When some of them talked about the project, it seemed less like a Civic Engagement Center and more of a propaganda machine extolling the virtues of America.

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Despite its rejection by lawmakers, the Joint Committee on Appropriations slipped Black Hills State University almost $1 million for the creation of the center. The votes in the House and Senate didnt seem to matter. Now theres a civics lesson. And how do we know about all this? Because a South Dakota Searchlight reporter was at the committee hearing PAYING ATTENTION. Its not uncommon for these lessons to be connected.

3. Theres no power like executive power.

Sometimes there are civics lessons in the implementation of the very things that are supposed to be teaching us about civics. A case in point is the K-12 social studies standards set to be implemented next year. Those standards traveled a rocky road.

The first 40-member work group didnt pan out, so Gov. Kristi Noem appointed a different 15-member group including a facilitator from that darling of conservatives, Hillsdale College in Michigan. The standards the new work group put together were the subject of four public hearings across the state and nearly 1,300 public comments. An estimate by South Dakota Searchlight said roughly 80% of the comments were opposed to the changes.

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So much negativity didnt stop the South Dakota Board of Education Standards  a group appointed by the governor  from approving the new standards on a vote of 5-2. Right after the vote, Noem and state Department of Education Secretary Joseph Graves issued a news release saying how happy they were with the new standards. The lesson here: Its good to be the governor.

4. We need to handle our civics with a little more civility.

Any sort of civics curriculum, in the public schools or the universities, should include a few lessons about the importance of good manners in civic affairs. Too often our public meetings, particularly on hot-button issues, can lack decorum. When the subject is banning library books or protecting property rights or investigating election integrity, emotions can run high and voices can get loud.

For an example of the right way to conduct a meeting, look no further than the committee hearings in the Legislature. Everyone gets a chance to speak, sometimes multiple times, but they do so with respect for the committee chair and the process.

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Check that out while you can, because the budget cuts Noem has proposed have placed in jeopardy South Dakota Public Broadcastings ability to provide those committee hearings on the internet. If that comes to pass, it will amount to a civics lesson that the state of South Dakota has failed.

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Indianapolis Public Schools Board Commissioners and many IPS community members Tuesday night condemned a recently proposed bill that would dissolve the district and turn all its schools into charter schools.

During the IPS boards reorganization meeting, where board members elected this years board leadership, Board President Angelia Moore began the criticism by reading a statement on behalf of the board strongly opposing HB 1136.

HB 1136, as currently proposed, threatens to cause massive disruption to our public school system, diverting attention and resources away from the vital education and support our students need to succeed, Moore said. This legislation is not student-focused and fails to reflect the community's input on how they envision their public schools thriving. Instead of fostering growth and innovation, HB 1136 risks dismantling the very foundation that supports student success and community collaboration.

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The bill authored by Rep. Jake Teshka, R-North Liberty, proposes dissolving any school district in which more than 50% of the students attend a non-district school. Under the bill, all the district's schools would transition to charter schools.

The bill would also remove an affected district's elected school board, putting an appointed board in its place.

Read more about the bill here: Proposed Indiana bill would dissolve the IPS district and turn all schools into charters

An estimated 50,000 students live within IPS boundaries and just under two thirds of them attend a school not directly managed by IPS. That number also includes the district's innovation charter schools in which a charter organizer partner with IPS, a relationship that can lead to the use of IPS buildings and resources such as transportation.

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Teshka said that he wrote the bill to ensure that students receive the best education possible and as a solution for districts where "the current governance is failing its students.

In her statement Tuesday night, Moore said the district has already made a concerted effort to collaborate with charter schools in the city, pointing to the districts innovation network which partners with 24 charter schools.

IPS has collaborated with stakeholders in recent years to achieve significant milestones that reflect our dedication to student success, staff stability, and innovative educational opportunities, Moore said. These accomplishments underscore our commitment to thoughtful collaboration and partnership. IPS now proudly partners with 30 innovation schools, many of which provide additional choices and programming for our families.

Other IPS community members, including many concerned parents, also spoke out strongly against HB 1136 Tuesday evening, encouraging the IPS board to be loud in opposition to the bill.

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In recent years, IPS has shuttered six schools and reconfigured most of its K-8 schools as part of its Rebuilding Stronger plan in an attempt to create more equitable campuses. Parents said further instability after that major overhaul would not benefit kids.

These communities have generational wealth, and they stand to be shattered in the wake of this legislation, said IPS School 87 parent Krista Phair. Please understand that our families are still reeling from the aftermath of Rebuilding Stronger. Weve been reorganized and promises were made. Rebuilding Stronger shut down schools, the loss of those communities felt cannot be overstated. Dont let their loss be in vain.

Even those who have been pushing the district to expand collaborations with charter schools, like Kim Graham, executive director of EmpowerED Families, a parent advocacy group, urged board members to do everything they can to kill the bill.

HB 1136 represents a significant and potentially disruptive and drastic step to take, Graham said.

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While Graham said she does not want to see the state take over IPS, she noted that 61% of students living within the IPS boundary choose to attend a non-IPS-run school.

IPS should adopt a proactive leadership approach to respond to the increasing demand for educational choice within the district, Graham said. The families of Indianapolis have played an integral role in reshaping our public system, and it is now imperative that the IPS board redesign this system to meet their needs more efficiently.

Some individual board members also gave brief comments Tuesday night, including newly elected member Gayle Cosby who quoted Indianapolis City-County Council Member Jesse Brown.

We had to fight to establish free public education, and we're going to have to fight to keep it, Cosby said. The public schools are under attack since the inception of this massively popular program. Right-leaning politicians and the lobbyists who pay them have been working to chip away at this public provision of public goods.

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Moore concluded her statement on Tuesday by saying that state legislators need to partner with the district to improve the education system in Indianapolis.

Imposing solutions without local input undermines the progress and years of collaboration that have propelled our city forward, Moore said. Urban education systems face complex, nuanced challenges that may be unfamiliar to some policymakers. We invite legislators who are genuinely invested in public education to visit our district, gain firsthand insight into our unique mission and vision, and work alongside us to ensure sustainable and meaningful outcomes for students, educators, and families.

While IPS supporters decried the bill, there's no guarantee it will make it into law. House Education Committee Chair Rep. Bob Behning, R-Indianapolis, said in an emailed statement that he has not decided which bills filed this session will receive a hearing, a necessary first step in a bill's long journey to become a law.

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The legislative session starts Wednesday.

Contact IndyStar K-12 education reporter Caroline Beck at 317-618-5807 or CBeck@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter (X): @CarolineB_Indy.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IPS board strongly opposes bill that would dissolve the district
(Bloomberg) -- Finnish authorities deemed the detained tanker thats part of the fleet carrying Russian oil as not seaworthy after inspections onboard.

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The vessel, Eagle S, which damaged undersea cables in the Baltic Sea last month, had 32 faults at the conclusion of a Port State Control inspection, the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom said in a statement on Wednesday.

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Three faults were severe enough to cause the ship to be held back from operation  relating to its fire safety, navigation equipment and ventilation in its pump room, Traficom said. Those need to be fixed before the ship can sail, Traficom said.

This week, Finland retrieved the ships anchor from the seabed as it probes aggravated criminal mischief and aggravated interference of communications. Finland is allowed to keep the ship detained, a court ruled on Friday.

The vessel, sailing under the Cook Islands flag, has been identified as a member of the so-called shadow fleet transporting Russian petroleum products.

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L.A. firefighters were battling a growing brush fire in an evacuated area of Brentwood.

Officials said the fire was spotted just before 8 a.m. That area had been evacuated due to the nearby Palisades fire, which burned more than 1,000 homes.

Read more: After an unprecedented four-day wildfire siege, L.A. firefighters make progress against Palisades, Eaton fires

Burning near 2200 Old Ranch Road, the brush fire appeared to be a spot fire caused by the strong winds pushing flames and embers from the Palisades fire, said Margaret Stewart with the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

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It was unclear how large of an area the brush fire was burning, Stewart said, but the incident was being considered part of the larger Palisades fire.

She declined to say whether any buildings were damaged or threatened by the brush fire, and said the department could not provide specific information on addresses in the current evacuation area.

Read more: Palisades fire: Evacuations, road closures, shelters, schools, forecast

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
MANTEO, N.C. (WNCN)  A fire broke out at a building next to a lighthouse on North Carolinas Outer Banks Tuesday.

According to the National Park Service, which operates Cape Hatteras National Seashore, smoke was seen inside Bodie Island Double Keepers Quarters around noon. Staff from Eastern National, who operates the buildings retail store, called 911.

The Nags Head Fire Department was the first to arrive on scene and reported smoke coming from the buildings four chimneys. NPS said the fire was eventually extinguished.

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Everyone evacuated the building safely and no injuries were reported, according to NPS.

The extent of the internal damage to the Double Keepers Quarters is being evaluated by Cape Hatteras National Seashore. They, along with the Nags Head Fire Department, are also investigating the incident.

Due to damage from the fire and potential needed repairs, the NPS said the Bodie Island Double Keepers Quarters is closed indefinitely.

In addition to the Nags Head Fire Department, the Roanoke Island Volunteer Fire Department, Kill Devil Hills Fire Department and Colington Fire Department responded to the incident, as did the Dare County Emergency Medical Services.

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Cape Hatteras National Seashore is grateful for the timely response to this afternoons fire by multiple local fire departments, said David Hallac, superintendent of the National Parks of Eastern North Carolina. Their efforts minimized damages to this historic structure.

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The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, in the final days of the Biden administration, announced Tuesday it has finalized a rule that bans the inclusion of medical bills on most credit reports used by lenders.

The rule, scheduled to go into effect in mid-March, also prohibits lenders from using medical information in their decisions.

The CFPB said 800,000 North Carolinians who have medical debt on their credit reports will benefit from the rule.

As expected, there have been lawsuits filed in federal court targeting the legality of the restrictions.

People who get sick shouldnt have their financial future upended, CFPB Director Rohit Chopra said. The CFPBs final rule will close a special carveout that has allowed debt collectors to abuse the credit reporting system to coerce people into paying medical bills they may not even owe.

The rule follows the CFPB disclosing on Oct. 10 an advisory opinion that clarifies that debt collectors, which may include third-party revenue cycle management companies, are violating federal law when they collect on inaccurate or legally invalid medical debts.

Lenders will be barred from using information about medical devices, such as prosthetic limbs, that could be used to require that the devices serve as collateral for a loan for the purposes of repossession.

However, the rule does not apply to medical debt on credit cards, including specialized credit cards, which advocates urged the CFPB to include. It also does not apply to credit reports used for non-lending purposes, such as employment and tenant screening.

The CFPB said in its news release that it will remove an estimated $49 billion in medical bills from the credit reports of about 15 million Americans.

The CFPB previously said the rule overall could affect about 100 million Americans who owe collectively more than $220 billion in medical debt.

The CFPB has been the subject of intense criticism from Republican congressional representatives in regards to its attempts at tightening oversight of lending and other consumer products from banks and other financial institutions.

It is likely the second Trump administration and Republican-controlled U.S. Senate and House will attempt to pull back, if not eliminate, some or many of the CFPBs authority

A federal lawsuit filed in November by a debt-collection agency threatens to derail the CFPB rule. The lawsuit is in District Court in the District of Columbia.

The plaintiffs claim the recommendations are overtly political actions to circumvent Congress. The plaintiffs want the federal court to declare the CFPB overstepped its authority with the recommendations.

CFPB medical debt reasoning

The CFPB said it has found that medical debts provide little predictive value to lenders about borrowers ability to repay other debts, and consumers frequently report receiving inaccurate bills or being asked to pay bills that should have been covered by insurance or financial assistance programs.

The CFPBs research reveals that a medical bill on a persons credit report is a poor predictor of whether they will repay a loan, and contributes to thousands of denied applications on mortgages that consumers would be able to repay.

The action follows changes made by the three nationwide credit reporting conglomerates  Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion  who announced that they would take certain types of medical debt off of credit reports, including collections under $500.

Additionally, FICO and VantageScore, the two major credit scoring companies, announced they have decreased the degree to which medical bills impact a consumers score.

Lenders will continue to be able to consider medical information to verify medical-based forbearances, verify medical expenses that a consumer needs a loan to pay, consider certain benefits as income when underwriting, and other legitimate uses.

Compounding the issues is that hospitals and other healthcare providers are increasingly outsourcing medical billing and collection activities to third parties, such as revenue cycle management firms, who may have legal obligations under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

The CFPB is taking action to ensure that Americans are not unfairly chased by debt collectors over unsubstantiated or invalid medical bills, Chopra said.

NC medical debt initiative

All 99 hospitals in North Carolina agreed in August to participate in a new medical debt relief program that could benefit up to 2 million low- and middle-income residents.

The program would forgive more than a decade of existing medical debt for eligible North Carolinians and prevent the accumulation of new debt going forward. Past medical debt that exceeds 5% of a persons annual income will be relieved.

By Jan. 1, patients who are enrolled in such programs as WIC, SNAP and Medicaid or who are experiencing homelessness will automatically qualify for charity care.

By July 1, hospitals will forgive past debt of individuals on Medicaid and will also have policies in place to ensure medical debt does not impact a persons credit rating.

Hospitals that choose to participate will receive a higher level of Medicaid reimbursement under the Healthcare Access and Stabilization Program (HASP) that was a key component of the state Medicaid program expansion that began Dec. 1.

Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist will receive a significantly bigger payment because it serves a larger Medicaid population base than Moses Cone and Forsyth Medical Center.

According to an N.C. Department of Health and Human Services analysis, Baptist is scheduled to receive $1.1 billion for fiscal 2024-25 and $1.7 billion in fiscal 2025-26.

By comparison, Novant is scheduled to receive $492.7 million for fiscal 2024-25 and $751.4 million in fiscal 2025-26.

Cone is scheduled to receive $223.1 million for fiscal 2024-25 and $340 million in fiscal 2025-26.
The water system used to fight the Palisades fire in Los Angeles buckled under the demands of what turned out to be the most destructive fire in city history, with some hydrants running dry as they were overstressed without assistance from firefighting aircraft for hours early Wednesday.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power was pumping from aqueducts and groundwater into the system, but demand was so high that it wasnt enough to refill three 1-million gallon tanks in hilly Pacific Palisades that help pressurize hydrants for the neighborhood. Many went dry as at least 1,000 buildings were engulfed in flames.

The dry hydrants prompted a swirl of criticism on social media, including from President-elect Donald Trump, against Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Gov. Gavin Newsoms water management policies.

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But state and local officials and experts forcefully hit back, saying critics were connecting unrelated issues and spreading false information during a crisis. State water distribution choices were not behind the hydrant problems, they said, nor was a lack of overall supply in the region.

In a post on his Truth Social media network, Trump connected it to criticism of the states approach to balancing the distribution of water to farms and cities with the need to protect endangered species including the Delta smelt. Trump has sided with farmers over environmentalists in a long-running dispute over Californias scarce water resources.

Janisse Quinones, head of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, said later at a news conference that 3 million gallons of water were available when the Palisades fire started but the demand was four times greater than weve ever seen in the system.

Hydrants are designed for fighting fires at one or two houses at a time, not hundreds, Quinones said, and refilling the tanks also requires asking fire departments to pause firefighting efforts. Mayor Bass said 20% of hydrants went dry.

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People are literally fleeing. People have lost their lives. Kids lost their schools. Families completely torn asunder. Churches burned down. And this guy wanted to politicize it, Newsom said of Trump on CNN. He contrasted the former president's accusations with President Joe Biden standing by the devastated communities.

Peter Gleick, senior fellow at the Pacific Institute, a nonprofit that focuses on global water sustainability, dismissed Trump's criticism as well.

Those fights have been going on for a long time, and they have not affected in any way water supply for firefighting in southern California, Gleick said.

About 40 percent of Los Angeles city water comes from state-controlled projects connected to northern California, where the Delta smelt live, and the state has limited the water it delivers this year. Yet the southern California reservoirs these canals help feed are at above-average levels for this time of year.

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Rick Caruso, a real estate developer and former Los Angeles Department of Water and Power commissioner who lost to Bass in the last mayoral race, said officials needed to answer for the system's failures.

You got thousands of homes destroyed, families destroyed, businesses destroyed, he said. I think you can figure out a way to get more water in the hydrants. I dont think theres room for excuses here.

A widening problem

Los Angeles isn't the only city to see its public water system stressed by firefighting demand as human-caused climate change makes wildfires worse, experts say.

Large urban fires can also melt or otherwise damage pipes, causing them to leak large amounts of water, draining pressure from the system, said Andrew Whelton, an engineering professor at Purdue University. Individual homes with water meters that have a remote shutoff can help utilities quickly stem such losses, Whelton said.

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In Hawaii the 2023 fire that ripped through the historic town of Lahaina and killed more than 100 people burned so quickly in a dense area that pipes burst, making it hard to maintain enough water pressure for firefighting efforts. In the 2021 Marshall Fire in Colorado, the city of Louisvilles water department had workers manually open valves to let untreated water from the Colorado River and Boulder Creek into pipes to restore pressure. That helped firefighters but also led to water contamination.

Greg Pierce, professor of urban environmental policy at the University of California who had a family member lose a house in one of the blazes, pushed back on Carusos assertion that the loss of water pressure was a clear sign of mismanagement.

Providing enough water could amount to a subsidy for very high-income areas, he said. I think the conversation has to be more about whether these areas are habitable.

John Fisher, a retired battalion chief with San Diego Fire-Rescue, said California is among the best in the world at ensuring communities share resources and staffing to put out big fires.

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We get it done. We pre-position resources, we staff up reserve engines, he said. Yesterday, there (was) a lot more fire than there is firefighters. That will start to change as the wind dies out and additional firefighters arrive and well get the upper hand on it.

___

The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of APs environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment
HONOLULU (KHON2)  As investigators look for answers into Monday nights deadly fire, the Hawaii Firefighters Association President Bobby Lee explained the safety precautions firefighters take and how they prepare every time they answer a call.

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Theres enough dangers and hazards in our profession to begin with, so anytime we have a tragic situation like this, we want to obviously learn from it, find out what happened and what went wrong, and make sure this doesnt happen again, Lee explained.

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Their current training is already rigorous, as they have to consider and plan for the unknown.

Mayday call: Firefighter killed while combatting McCully apartment fire

We teach our firefighters the basics of firefighting, Lee said. But its also an issue of having to adapt when we get to the scene, because you dont always know whats going on.

Preplanning is paramount, taking a number of key factors into account. They look at whether its daytime versus nighttime and if its a residential area or a warehouse.

So like warehouse areas, daytime, we got more life hazard involved, Lee explained. Neighborhoods, residential areas, nighttime, we have more life hazard involved. And daytime, everybodys at work. So all of that comes into play.

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Its the information that helps to develop a scene assessment en-route to the fire.

So we kind of get an idea of what the neighborhood or what the building is about. And as were driving there, were looking for signs, smoke, fire, he explained.

He said the most important part of their job is saving lives.

A real game changer for us is if there is a report of people trapped in the house, he said. Life safety comes first over just a building burning.

Thats why its essential that people have a plan and discuss what to do in the event of a fire.

If you have kids, talk to your kids, Lee said. If theres a fire in their room, what are they going to do? If theyre trapped in their room, what are they going to do? Dont hide under the bed. Dont hide in the closet.

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He said, no matter what, get out of the house.

And Lee said get a smoke detector. It can save your life.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
For the first 24 hours of Los Angeles' wildfire disaster, Mayor Karen Bass was a constant presence on social media, urging Angelenos to flee evacuation zones and announcing her decision to declare an emergency.

But Bass herself was far from the city. As flames tore through Pacific Palisades, she was on a diplomatic mission in Africa, communicating with key city agencies from afar.

Bass left town on Saturday as part of a presidential delegation to Ghana, just as the National Weather Service began ratcheting up its warnings about the coming windstorm. On Tuesday, she attended the inauguration of Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, leaving City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson as L.A.'s acting mayor when the Palisades fire broke out.

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As she returned to the U.S., Bass faced some brutal assessments of the city's handling of the fires. In one airport, she stood silently as a Sky News reporter peppered her with questions about her decision to go to Africa.

In a video of the confrontation, Bass mostly avoided eye contact as the reporter pressed her on whether she needed to apologize to Angelenos for being in Africa  and whether she regretted reducing the Fire Department budget earlier this year.

Madam Mayor, have you absolutely nothing to say to the citizens today who are dealing with this disaster? the reporter asked. Bass did not reply to any of his questions.

Read more: What happened during the first four days of the Eaton, Palisades fires in Southern California

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As the Palisades fire exploded in size on Tuesday and new blazes broke out in Sylmar and elsewhere, Harris-Dawson, not Bass, served as the city's top elected official at news conferences. And with Bass away from the cameras, real estate developer Rick Caruso  her opponent in the 2022 mayoral election  swept in to fill the information gap, blasting the city's handling of the disaster on multiple news outlets.

Caruso, whose daughter lost her home in the wildfires, voiced outrage over the lack of water pressure that hampered firefighters in Pacific Palisades. On Fox11, he criticized Bass over her absence, saying that "we've got a mayor that's out of the country, and we've got a city that's burning."

"We have a mayor who seems to be more concerned about being at some party, wherever the hell that is," Caruso said in an interview with The Times. "We have terrible leadership resulting in billions of dollars in damage because she wasn't here and didn't know what she was doing."

Bass, following her return, said she took the "fastest route back" to the U.S., traveling one leg of the journey on a military plane. During that trip, she had phone service that allowed her to stay in contact with public safety personnel.

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"I was able to be on the phone the entire time of the flight," she said.

Asked about the low pressure afflicting city fire hydrants, officials with the Department of Water and Power said earlier in the day that there had been "a tremendous demand" on the water system, which had been pushed "to the extreme." The system received four times the typical demand for 15 hours straight, lowering the overall water pressure, DWP General Manager Janisse Quinones said at a Wednesday morning news conference.

Read more: Fire hydrants ran dry as Pacific Palisades burned. L.A. city officials blame 'tremendous demand'

During that same briefing, Crowley, the fire chief, told reporters that Bass would be returning at noon. Bass' deputy chief of staff, Celine Cordero, said her boss had been "actively involved in decision making" during her time overseas.

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"I want to assure the community and the city [that] our mayor has been actively engaged 100% of the time the entire last 24 hours throughout this unfortunate, unfortunate event and crisis," said Cordero, appearing before a bank of news cameras.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger backed up those assertions, saying she stayed in regular communication with Bass throughout the emergency, texting with her until 10:30 p.m. Tuesday.

"Trust me, she's very engaged. Very engaged," said Barger, whose district takes in the north end of the county.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna was also unconcerned about Bass' absence, saying he was dealing directly with the police chief, the fire chief and other officials. He said he was sure Bass tried to return as quickly as possible.

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"Even though I may not see the mayor, I feel her presence," Luna said.

Read more: Palisades fire: Areas reopened to residents, evacuation areas, shelters, more

The National Weather Service began warning of potentially strong winds  amid "extreme fire conditions"  on Thursday, two days before Bass left for Ghana. Those warnings intensified over the subsequent days. By Monday, officials were bracing for a potentially life-threatening and destructive windstorm.

Eric Spiegelman, a Los Feliz resident who served for several years on the city's Board of Taxicab Commissioners, said Bass should have booked an earlier flight home no later than Sunday, after the National Weather Service issued a fire weather watch for L.A. and Ventura counties. That bulletin warned of "strong and damaging winds" and "critical fire conditions."

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"She should have been here on Tuesday, full stop," Spiegelman said. "They kept upgrading the danger level."

The Palisades fire broke out about 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday. About five hours later, Bass spokesperson Zach Seidl told The Times that the mayor was "en route" from Ghana. Over the following hours, wildfires broke out or spread into Altadena, Pasadena, Malibu and Sylmar. Bass took a military flight to Washington, D.C., then traveled commercial from there, Seidl said.

This is not the first time an L.A. mayor was out of town during a major crisis. Mayor James K. Hahn was in Washington, D.C., for several days in 2001 after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. With planes grounded, then-City Council President Alex Padilla  now a U.S. senator  took steps to reassure the public about efforts to keep the city safe.

Read more: How to help those affected by fires raging across Los Angeles County

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By mid-morning Wednesday, Bass and her team were still posting updates on the wildfires, reporting that helicopters were once again dropping water on the flames in Pacific Palisades. When President Biden received a briefing on the fires in Santa Monica, Crowley and Police Chief Jim McDonnell were there representing the city.

By 1 p.m., Bass was back in L.A., touring Pacific Palisades with Gov. Gavin Newsom and Padilla, the U.S. senator.

"I have seen the front lines of the Palisades fire," she said a few hours later, "and it is staggering."

Times staff writers Grace Toohey and Liam Dillon contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Thursday will be the third morning in a row for Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia with temperatures at or below 32 degrees.

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Heres what the First Alert Weather Team said you can expect:

A Freeze Warning on Wednesday night.

Another cold night Wednesday with temperatures dropping to the mid-20s well inland to near 30 along Interstate 95 to the low to mid-30s at the beaches. More frost by Thursday morning.

It will be a chilly day Thursday with highs in the lower 50s.

The next weather system approaches Friday helping to push temperatures into the 60s. Showers arrive Friday night into Saturday morning. Ice and snow will occur well to the north across North Georgia including Atlanta.

Cold air returns to Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia Sunday into early next week.





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CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY)  First United Methodist Church operates an overnight warming shelter throughout the winter months from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., but due to extremely cold temperatures and snowy conditions, it decided to extend the hours to offer daytime availability over the coming days.

We felt it was important for us to continue that hospitality and show kindness to those people who are out in the cold, Lead Pastor Michael Atkinson told 12 News.

The churchs daytime warming station is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. until Wednesday, Jan. 8, and its not just limited to the homeless population. According to Atkinson, the space is available to anyone who is hungry or wants a place to find community.

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Warming shelters open amid winter storm in north central West Virginia

At First United Methodist Church, staff and volunteers will be providing lunch, snacks and hot beverages throughout the day. Once the daytime hours wrap up, those who are hoping to stay for the night are able to move into the shelter space and sleep on one of the 30 available cots.

Atkinson said the overnight shelter resource particularly impacts the homeless community in Clarksburg because they have nowhere else to go.

Theyre out in the cold and with the recent ban on camping, they basically have to roam around, he added. And so, providing the shelter at night provides them a safe space, a cot, a meal, breakfast in the morning, and just an opportunity to find and be in a warm place throughout the night.

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Atkinson added that the facility has showers, which they open up to people in the community a couple of times each week.

Its not just providing warmth and food, its also providing a sense of dignity and self-worth to those who are on the streets, he said.

Volunteers from the church have stepped up to help make this warming station possible by working in three shifts. Atkinson shared with 12 News that those volunteers help connect with people in the community who feel isolated.

Its not just giving them a handout or helping them find a warm space, but its connecting with them, its establishing relationships, its providing an opportunity for folks to connect and to feel a sense of community, he added.

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While the actual shelter accommodates 30 people per night, First United Methodist Churchs fellowship hall has a capacity of about 200, but Atkinson stated that it could accommodate a bit more than that if needed, adding that its always possible to overflow into other parts of the building to make room for everybody.

After Wednesday, Clarksburg Baptist Church will operate a modified warming shelter during the daytime hours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This shelter will also provide snacks, food and drinks on days that temperatures in Clarksburg are below freezing.

Its great to partner with them in this endeavor, said Atkinson. Were hoping to just provide safety and hospitality but most importantly, show Gods love to the people in our community.

Later on in January, First United Methodist Church is partnering with several community organizations to provide a community center resource to the area. It will be operated by the church from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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Bitter cold expected in West Virginia before more weekend snow

This community center will be coming to First United Methodist Church by way of partnerships with the Center for Restorative Justice, West Virginia Wesleyan College, and United Ways Resilience Collaborative program. Community members will be able to stop by to grab a meal while also receiving resources for housing, medical care, legal services, and hygienesuch as access to showers, haircuts, deodorant, etc.

Our purpose as a disciple of Jesus Christ is to love God and love thy neighbor, and we do that in tangible ways, said Atkinson. Thats what were doing here is loving people in tangible ways. Our mission is to help people get their life back and whether that means physically, spiritually, emotionally, however the case may be.

Its unknown when exactly this community center will be available, but Atkinson said that First United Methodist Church is hoping to get it off the ground and launched by the end of January.

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Annie Harvilicz got a call from her brother on Tuesday morning.

He was wondering if he could offload his rabbit, Oreo, and his cat, Winston, with her as he fled the Palisades fire that was burning across the canyon from his house.

Read more: Live coverage: 2 dead and more than 1,000 homes, other buildings destroyed in L.A. County fires

She said yes, then thought about all the other animals that likely needed places to stay.

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Harvilicz runs two veterinary hospitals  the Animal Wellness Centers in Marina del Rey and Laguna Vista Veterinary Center in Harbor City. She put out a call on Facebook on Tuesday morning saying people could bring their animals to her if they needed.

"I have an empty old vet hospital in Marina del Rey. I am happy to house any animals that need to be evacuated," she wrote.

The messages and calls haven't stopped since then. The good news, Harvilicz said, is more of the messages have been volunteers offering to help than people who need to give up their animals. Still, many people have had to hand over their pets to Harvilicz for now.

"I had a woman drop off four dogs," Harvilicz said. "I was up all night helping people who needed places for their animals."

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The count at the moment is roughly 20 dogs, 20 cats, and Oreo the rabbit.

But Harvilicz expects that number to go up over the course of the day Wednesday. She has even taken some of the dogs into her home. The fire had grown to more than 2,900 acres by Wednesday morning.

"The majority of people reaching out are multiple pet owners," she said. "They might be able to take one dog or cat to a hotel but not two or three."

Harvilicz said her hospitals can also treat pets with injuries and there is extra food and bedding for the animals that need them.

The saddest part for Harvilicz is the animals that can't be saved. She spent time Tuesday trying to secure a trailer to go to the Palisades to pick up nine donkeys that a woman needed to find shelter for, but by the time she had gotten the transport prepared, the woman had already fled the area and released her donkeys.

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"To me thats the saddest story because I feel like we failed the donkeys," Harvilicz said.

For those who need help housing their animals, Harvilicz said to call one of her two veterinary hospitals.

The number for the Marina del Rey location is (310) 450-7387. The number for the Harbor City location is (310) 737-8600.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  Gov. Mike DeWine has ordered flags across Ohio to be lowered to honor a former state senator.

From sunrise to sunset on Monday, Jan. 13, flags are ordered to be placed at half-staff at locations across the state. According to DeWine, the order is to honor Ben Espy, an ex-Ohio state senator.

Specifically, flags at public locations at the following locations are included in the Governors order:

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Across Franklin County

Ohio Statehouse

Vern Riffe Center

Rhodes Tower

Those who are not included in the order are still able to lower their flags, but it is at their discretion.

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A error in reading a decimal point can lead to a costly mistake. Just ask the state of Florida.

According to a lawsuit filed recently, Florida's Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) entered into a deal in 2021 with South Florida's Trinity Health Care Services to register people for COVID-19 vaccinations. And that June, FDEM meant to pay Trinity an invoice amount of $50,578.50.

But the state instead accidentally paid $5,057,850.00 to Trinity, an overage of five million bucks.

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"Trinity took advantage of the state of emergency the entire country was encountering due to the COVID-19 pandemic and knowingly processed an invoice more than 100 times its typical invoice size," according to the state's lawsuit, filed recently in Leon Circuit Civil court.

And that was one of several overpayments, according to the suit, which added up to over $5.7 million.

At the time the contract was signed, the CEO was Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, now a member of Congress and the subject of an unrelated House ethics complaint. Edwin Cherfilus, the current CEO for Trinity, declined to comment on the lawsuit, and a request for comment from FDEM was pending as of Tuesday afternoon.

According to the invoices attached to the lawsuit, many were submitted and paid in 2021. The letter to Trinity demanding repayment, however, is dated June 13, 2024.

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"Part of the responsibilities of doing business with the State of Florida is the requirement to return any monies received in error," Stephanie Houp, FDEM's deputy executive director and general counsel, wrote in that letter.

The state is arguing that Trinity, as a contractor, "was required to return any overpayments of invoices for work not actually performed and money not actually owed," and is suing for damages, interest, attorneys' fees, costs and other relief, according to the complaint.

Ana Goni-Lessan is the State Watchdog Reporter for USA TODAY - Florida and can be reached at AGoniLessan@tallahassee.com.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida sues after accidentally overpaying COVID contractor $5 million
JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)  State Senator Jay Trumbull and Representative Shane Abbott took to rural Jackson County today to speak with residents about where funding is needed to help the rural community.

We heard today a lot of folks being fire trucks and even basically the subsidies for life that sometimes we take for granted, a little freedom for smaller counties like this. Those are big needs and theyre sometimes a strain to reach those needs financially so thats where the state can kind of help, District 5 State Representative Shane Abbott said.

Chipola College officials requested funds to bring the latest technology to its chemistry labs and to keep them safety-compliant. Marianna city officials asked to replace their fire station.

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Plumbers advice to protect your pipes from freezing temperatures

The City of Marianna has been on a journey for a couple of years to replace our 70 plus-year-old fire and police station building that houses both those public social service agencies was built back systems with WPA fires, City of Marianna City Manager William Long said.

The Department of Transportation brought up the lack of funding for visitor services. The countys Highway 231 Welcome Center facility closed its doors for good in 2019.

We heard a couple of things today from individuals that have had to have issues with state agencies that they really would like our support on I try to go and speak with those agencies and try to remedy some of their issues that they have, District 2 State Senator Jay Trumbull said.

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Jackson County Superintendent Hunter Nolan hopes to bring a ROTC program to the Jackson County School District to help students succeed. In the 2022-23 school year, the countys graduation rate was 76.6%, over ten percent below the state average.

From Sentencing to Recovery: How Holmes County Sheriffs Office is changing lives

Some students get straight As, for others its a grind. These programs keep these students in our classes and they graduate, become better citizens, Jackson County Superintendent of Schools Hunter Nolan said.

Trumbull says hearing from the constituents helps him express those needs to the state legislature.

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Abbott and Trumbull will file requests with their appropriation committees for a number of these projects. The policy bills have to be filed before the legislative session begins on March 4th.

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Jan. 8Influenza cases are surging in Maine, with 480 new cases reported last week, according to data released this week by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Case counts increased 42% in the most recent weekly report, from 338 in the week ending Dec. 28 to 480 last week, which includes data through Jan. 4.

Maine has recorded a total of 1,105 cases so far this flu season.

Meanwhile, wastewater data that indicates the prevalence of the COVID-19 virus is also showing "very high" levels in Maine, according to the U.S. CDC. The number of people hospitalized with COVID has remained low and flat for several months.

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While influenza cases are rising, Maine likely has not reached its peak for the flu season, which extends from October to May. There were a total of 10,426 reported flu cases in the 2023-24 season  peaking at about 800-900 cases each week in February  which was considered a moderate season.

"Everything is trending upward over the last two weeks," said Anna Krueger, an epidemiologist with the Maine CDC. "It's always hard to predict when it's going to peak, but we have at least several weeks of increased activity ahead."

The U.S. CDC is also closely monitoring the bird flu, which has spread through domesticated poultry and cows and has so far caused fewer than 100 recorded human cases nationwide, none of which has been reported in Maine. Health authorities reported the first human death from the bird flu, in Louisiana, this week.

Dr. James Jarvis, director of clinical education for Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, said that, for seasonal influenza, "we are seeing a dramatic shift, from before the holidays to after the holidays, with more patients needing to be admitted to the hospital."

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Public health experts attribute the rise in part to increased time indoors during events and family gatherings over the holidays.

All counties in Maine except Lincoln County were considered to be under a "sustained increase" in flu cases, although most counties are still considered to have "low" influenza rates. York and Piscataquis counties have "moderate" influenza levels, the CDC said.

Flu hospitalizations, while representing a small percentage of people infected, increased from 33 in the last week of 2024 to 47 statewide for the week ending Jan. 4.

Among other New England states, flu levels in New Hampshire are considered "very high" and "high" in Massachusetts and Connecticut, "moderate" in Rhode Island and "minimal" in Vermont, according to the U.S. CDC.

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"It's not too late to get the flu shot if you haven't already," Krueger said.

While flu shot clinics typically happen in the fall, Krueger said there are ample supplies of the flu vaccine at doctor's offices, pharmacies, hospitals and other health care settings.

Krueger said the vaccine is a "good match" for one of the two most actively circulating influenza A strains, H1N1. While it's still possible to contract the flu even if you have been vaccinated, symptoms are much more likely to be milder and shorter for those who have gotten the shot.

Flu symptoms include fever, chills, cough, headaches, sore throat, runny nose, congestion, muscle aches and fatigue.

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So far this flu season is tracking in a similar way to other influenza seasons, Jarvis said, with Maine about two weeks behind most of the rest of the country in seeing jumps in flu cases.

While COVID-19 cases are harder to track  case count data is no longer reliable because so many people test at home or do not get tested for COVID-19  Jarvis said overall the wastewater data and anecdotal reports from the Northern Light Health system indicate that high levels of the coronavirus are circulating.

Krueger agreed, and said that "though indicators for severity, including hospitalization and deaths, remain relatively low, we are starting to see an increase in reported COVID-19 cases in Maine. Hospitalizations and death due to COVID-19 tend to lag behind case data, meaning we may start to see an increase in these indicators as well."

COVID-19 hospitalizations in Maine have ranged from about 30-45 patients since May 2024.

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Jarvis said they are also seeing an uptick in RSV cases. RSV is a respiratory virus with the most severe effects in infants and people age 60 and older.

"The data is suggesting we are going to see an upswing of all three of those viruses, flu, COVID-19 and RSV," Jarvis said.

The U.S. CDC does not have a robust data tracking system for RSV compared to influenza and COVID-19.

The U.S. CDC estimates that nationwide each year, RSV infections result in 2.1 million outpatient visits for children under 5, about 50,000-80,000 pediatric hospitalizations and more than 100,000 hospitalizations for adults over 60.

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The RSV vaccine is available for infants, those who are 32-36 weeks pregnant, people 75 or older and adults 60-74 who are at increased risk for RSV.

The updated COVID-19 vaccine is also available, and public health experts recommend people 6 months and older should get an annual COVID-19 shot. The shot can be given at the same appointment as the flu shot.

In addition to getting vaccinated, public health experts recommend frequent hand washing, staying home when sick, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, and covering your mouth and nose when sneezing and coughing.

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MIDTOWN, Manhattan (PIX11)  A food cart vendor was beaten unconscious while he was being robbed in Manhattan on Tuesday, sources told PIX11 News.

It happened in the Midtown North Precinct around 10:30 p.m. A man walked up to a food cart, removed the plexiglass from the beverage display and hit the victim, a 33-year-old man, until he passed out, according to the NYPD.

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The victim was also hit in the back of the head with an unknown object, police said.

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The suspect is believed to have taken $3,555 from the cart before he ran from the scene, according to authorities.

The victim was taken to NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, police said. No arrests have been made.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.

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CHICAGO  Wednesdays temperatures were a carbon copy of Tuesday as readings were identical at all three major reporting stations: OHare, Midway and Chicagos Lakefront.

It was the sixth consecutive day that temperatures failed to get above the freezing mark.

The skies were mostly sunny to start but clouds gradually returned in the afternoon.

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Snowfall continues in shorty supply relative to normal. In a rare meteorological twist, numerous locations to the south have seen more snow than Chicago so far this season.

The below freezing temperature trend is here to stay for the foreseeable future even though highs may get close to 32-degrees this weekend.

WGN Weather Center

Maps & Interactive Radar

Extended 7-Day Forecast

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
Foreign offenders freed from prison in the UK are going on crime sprees after avoiding deportation, government figures show.

Hundreds of foreign criminals freed from jail in the past four years have committed multiple offences after avoiding deportation or challenging their removal under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

Figures from the Ministry of Justice show that 537 foreign criminals released from jail went on to commit more than 10 offences while avoiding deportation.

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A further 1,260 committed between six and nine additional offences, according to the MoJ data. An additional 10,093 went on to commit between one and five crimes after being freed.

Over the four years of the data, the 10,000 freed foreign offenders were responsible for about 40,000 crimes. Offences ranged from murder to knife possession, drug dealing, burglary and theft.

As well as criminals who avoided deportation, the data also included offenders who returned to the UK to commit further crimes after being removed.

The Home Secretary is required by law to deport any foreign criminal jailed for more than a year, but has discretion to also remove those jailed for under one year if such a move is considered to be in the public interest.

However, many of the offenders challenge their deportations through immigration tribunal appeals using the ECHR, domestic human rights laws or pre-Brexit EU rules.

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Among convicted offenders previously revealed by The Telegraph to have avoided deportation after serving prison sentences are killers, a county lines gang leader, bank robbers and drug dealers.

Ernesto Elliott murdered a man in a knife fight

Rupert Lowe, the Reform UK MP for Great Yarmouth, who extracted the data from the MoJ, said: Everyone who commits a crime should be deported. Why are we tolerating this, particularly when we see the reoffending rates are so high?

Mr Lowe also urged the Government to be more open with information on the amount of crime committed by migrants, including those who entered legally and illegally.

The Telegraph reported at the weekend that foreign nationals are three times more likely to be arrested for sexual offences as British citizens, and twice as likely to be arrested for all crimes.

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Among those released from jail who reoffended is Ernesto Elliott, a Jamaican who had been jailed for knife crime but avoided deportation. He appealed against his removal, then murdered a 35-year-old man in a knife fight in June 2021.

A second Jamaican  drug dealer Lloyd Byfield, 48  who avoided deportation from Britain for a violent crime went on to kill a young woman in her own home.

The Tories have called for a zero tolerance approach to deporting foreign offenders. Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, has also proposed legislation that would require ministers to present an annual report to Parliament each year detailing the nationality, visa and asylum status of every convicted offender.

Lloyd Byfield is now serving life with a minimum of 26 years for murdering a young woman - PA/Metropolitan Police

The Prime Ministers official spokesman said on Wednesday that foreign offenders who committed crimes in the UK should expect the full force of the law and will be removed at the earliest possible opportunity.

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He added: We have been ramping up removals: 2,000 people have been removed since July, a 20 per cent increase on the same point last year.

However, even when the Home Office tries to deport jailed foreign offenders, they can successfully appeal against their removal.

Dorian Puka is an Albanian burglar who cannot be deported because he is claiming asylum

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Grooming gang leader still in Rochdale

Belgian-born William George, 28, who was convicted of the manslaughter of an 18-year-old in Manchester, avoided deportation under pre-Brexit directives that EU nationals who have lived in the UK for an extended time can only be deported on imperative grounds of public security.

And a Zimbabwean jailed for more than five years for killing a man in a car crash was allowed to live in the UK by claiming ECHR rights to a family life after it was discovered he had a child in Britain.

It has also emerged Qari Abdul Rauf, the ringleader of an Asian grooming gang in Rochdale, is still living in the town where he committed his crimes  almost a decade after he was released from jail and told he would be deported. He has thwarted removal by renouncing his Pakistani citizenship.

An MoJ spokesman said: Since July 2024, this Government has returned 14% more foreign national offenders than in the same period in 2023. As the public would rightly expect, were working closely with the Home Office to deport more foreign national offenders, keeping our streets safe and saving taxpayers millions.

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Chamber of the House of Representatives in the Maine State House in Augusta. Sept. 5, 2023. (Photo by Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star)

Sean Faircloth was nominated as the Democratic candidate to fill an open seat in the Maine House of Representatives.

Faircloth will be on the Feb. 25 ballot for a special election for House District 24. Democratic incumbent Joe Perry was re-elected to fill that seat in November, but had to resign after being chosen by his peers to serve as state treasurer.

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House District 24 covers parts of Bangor, Brewer, Orono and all of Veazie.

My goal is to hold down the cost of living for average Mainers, and increase their income, Faircloth said in a news release Tuesday. I have a long track record of crossing party lines to get things done.

If elected, this wont be Faircloths first time holding a state-level office. He served five terms in the House and Senate in the 1990s and 2000s, during which he was elected by his colleagues as assistant majority leader for his final term.

In 2014, Faircloth was elected to the Bangor City Council and served one term as mayor. Faircloth also helped found the Maine Discovery Museum in an effort to revitalize downtown Bangor.

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As of late-Wednesday morning, the Elections Division of the Secretary of State said that it had only received a nomination for Republican Carolyn Fish for the special election. It had not received a nomination from the Democrats yet, but party nominations are not officially due until 5 p.m. on Friday. Faircloth is listed as a candidate on the Maine Ethics Commission campaign finance portal.

Non-party candidates need to obtain 50-80 signatures from registered voters in the district, which must be certified by the municipal clerk before submitting. Those petitions also must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Friday.

Write-in candidates have until 5 p.m. on Jan. 14 to declare candidacy. Forms for write-ins and non-party candidates can be obtained by contacting the elections division of the Secretary of State at 207-624-7650.

Faircloth was unanimously nominated by a large group of Democrats who attended a caucus meeting at the former Penobscot County Courthouse, according to a news release from the Maine House Democratic Campaign Committee.

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He also has the support of House Speaker Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford), who said, We are incredibly fortunate that Sean is stepping up to serve his community, where he has made a positive difference in the lives of so many.

Fecteau added that Faircloth has a track record of working on policies that help people afford everyday expenses, spur economic development and create opportunities for Penobscot County.

Faircloth lives in Bangor with his wife.

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By Luciana Magalhaes and Ricardo Brito

SAO PAULO (Reuters) -Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Wednesday he has been invited to the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump on Jan. 20 and is seeking to obtain the return of his passport, confiscated last year amid a probe into an attempted coup in 2023.

Bolsonaro has been barred from running for political office in Brazil until 2030 and faces criminal charges for allegedly plotting a coup. He denies any wrongdoing.

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His passport was retained in February 2024 on the order of a Brazilian Supreme Court judge.

The invitation was confirmed by Bolsonaro on his X account and by his advisor, Fabio Wajngarten, who told Reuters that the former president is willing to go.

On his X account, Bolsonaro expressed his "honor at receiving the invitation". He also said that his lawyer, Paulo Bueno, has already requested Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes release his passport for the trip.

Rubens Becak, a law professor at the University of Sao Paulo, said Brazil's courts are unlikely to grant his request.

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"There are several investigations and cases in the courts against him, and what prompted the retention of his passport was precisely avoiding a possible escape," he said.

Trump's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Luciana Magalhaes in Sao Paulo and Ricardo Brito in Brasilia; additional reporting by Isabel TelesEditing by Alexandra Hudson and Nia Williams)
NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (WTNH)  A former Connecticut resident was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison on Wednesday for his role in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy, according to the Department of Justice.

2 arrested after traffic stop in Waterbury

Ramon Soto, 57, a Bronx, New York resident who previously lived in New Britain, allegedly picked up parcels of cocaine shipped from Puerto Rico to drop addresses in New Britain and Meriden and delivered them to residents in the Bronx in return for payment.

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In May 2023, police searched Sotos home and seized a loaded handgun, magazines, ammunition, money counters, a scale with cocaine residue and more than $1,000 in cash.

He was arrested on Feb. 14, 2024 and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. He is required to report to prison on Feb. 26.

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A former lieutenant with the New Castle Police Department, has been sentenced to 12 1/2 years in prison for using excessive force against people in custody and obstructing justice.

Aaron Jason Strong, 47, was sentenced on Tuesday to 151 months by U.S. Southern District Chief Judge Tanya Walton Pratt. Strong was convicted by a federal jury on Oct. 4, 2024, on three counts of deprivation of rights under color of law and one count of witness tampering.

The government showed Strong intentionally used excessive force against people in police custody on multiple occasions.

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Evidence presented at trial established that in August 2019 Strong responded to another officers report of a foot chase.

As Strong arrived, the suspect stopped running, put his hands up, said Im done and lowered himself to the ground. As another officer approached to take the suspect into custody, Strong ran up and struck the suspect at least 12 times with a metal police baton, prosecutors said.

Other officers promptly reported the incident, and Indiana State Police were called in to conduct an investigation. Prosecutors said Strong gave ISP a false account that minimized his own use of force and exaggerated the danger posed by the suspect.

Strong was also convicted of using excessive force against two men being detained pending trial in a low-security annex of the Henry County jail.

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In one instance, Strong stomped on the head of a detainee who was complying with commands to lie on the ground. A few moments later, Strong approached a second inmate, who was kneeling and not moving, his back to Strong, and shot him point-blank in the back with a beanbag round, which Strong had been trained could cause death or serious bodily injury if used at short ranges. The round fractured the detainees spine.

The FBI Indianapolis office and state police investigated, with assistance from New Castle police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter A. Blackett and trial attorney Alec Ward of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division prosecuted.
WASHINGTON (AP)  A former FBI informant who fabricated a story about President Joe Biden and his son Hunter accepting bribes that became central to Republicans impeachment effort was sentenced Wednesday to six years in prison.

Alexander Smirnovpleaded guilty last month in Los Angeles federal court to tax evasion and lying to the FBI about the phony bribery scheme in what prosecutors say was an effort to influence the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.

Smirnov, a dual U.S. and Israeli citizen, falsely claimed to his FBI handler that executives from the Ukrainian energy company Burisma had paid then-Vice President Biden and his son $5 million each around 2015.

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Smirnov's explosive claim in 2020 came after he expressed "bias about Joe Biden as a presidential candidate, according to prosecutors. In reality, investigators found Smirnov had only routine business dealings with Burisma starting in 2017  after Biden's term as vice president.

Prosecutors noted that Smirnov's false claim set off a firestorm in Congress when it resurfaced years later as part of the House impeachment inquiry into President Biden, a Democrat who defeated Republican then-President Donald Trump in 2020. The Biden administration dismissed the House impeachment effort as a stunt.

Before Smirnovs arrest, Republicans had demanded the FBI release the unredacted form documenting the unverified allegations, though they acknowledged they couldnt confirm if they were true.

"In committing his crimes he betrayed the United States, a country that showed him nothing but generosity, including conferring on him the greatest honor it can bestow, citizenship," Justice Department special counsel David Weiss' team wrote in court papers. "He repaid the trust the United States placed in him to be a law-abiding naturalized citizen and, more specifically, that one of its premier law enforcement agencies placed in him to tell the truth as a confidential human source, by attempting to interfere in a Presidential election."

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Smirnov will get credit for the time he has served behind bars since his arrest last February in the case accusing him of lying to the FBI. Prosecutors in November brought new tax charges alleging he concealed millions of dollars of income he earned between 2020 and 2022.

Smirnov's lawyers had sought no more than four years behind bars, noting the substantial assistance" he provided to the U.S. government as an FBI informant for more than a decade. Smirnov's lawyers noted in court papers that he suffers from serious health issues related to his eyes and argue that a lengthy sentence would unnecessarily prolong his suffering.

Mr. Smirnov has learned a very grave lesson and proffers to this Honorable Court that he will not find himself on this side of the law again, attorneys Richard Schonfeld and David Chesnoff told the judge in court papers.

Smirnov was prosecuted by Weiss, who also brought gun and tax charges against Hunter Biden. Hunter Biden was supposed to be sentenced in December after being convicted at a trial in the gun case and pleading guilty to tax charges. But he was pardoned by his father, who said he believed raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice.

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In seeking a lighter sentence, Smirnov's lawyers wrote in court papers that both Hunter Biden and President-elect Trump  who was charged in two federal cases by a different special counsel  have walked free and clear of any meaningful punishment.

Special counsel Jack Smith abandoned the two federal cases against Trump  accusing him of conspiring to overturn his 2020 election loss and hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida  after Trump's presidential victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in November.

___

Follow the AP's coverage of Hunter Biden at https://apnews.com/hub/hunter-biden.
LINCOLN COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV)  A former FedEx driver spoke out after a judge dismissed the charges against against a father and son who were accused of shooting at him.

DMonterrio Gibson said the fight is not over, and he wont stop until justice has been served.

It was thrown out due to a technicality. Even their lawyers were saying that they did what they did, but for a reason. The only thing they gave was excuses on why they did it. They never said that they did not do it, said Gibson.

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Gibson said he was shot at by Brandon and Gregory Case while delivering a package in January 2022. Gibson was not wounded during the encounter on January 24, 2022.

Charges dismissed against father, son accused of shooting at FedEx driver in Mississippi

The Cases were charged with attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy and shooting into the vehicle driven by Gibson, which did not have a FedEx logo.

A mistrial was declared in August 2023 after Detective Vincent Fernando, with the Brookhaven Police Department, left out crucial evidence during the pretrial. The Daily Leader reported Judge David Strong stated in his order that defendants alleged numerous intentional discovery violations made by Fernando.

Gregory Case, the father, center, and Brandon Case, the son, right, speak with an attorney, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023, at the Lincoln County Courthouse in Brookhaven, Miss. Both men were indicted for conspiracy to murder, attempted murder and shooting into a motor vehicle in relation to a January 24, 2022 shooting at a Black FedEx driver. (Hunter Cloud/The Daily Leader via AP)

Due to numerous intentional discovery violations made by the investigator, detective Vincent Fernando, and thus the state, the defendants have been deprived of a speedy trial, intentionally denied evidence, exposed to double jeopardy and denied due process in general. Having conducted a hearing and having reviewed the field and all pleadings, the court finds that the investigator in the case intentionally withheld evidence from the defense, even the District Attorney, on numerous occasions, resulting in egregious discovery violations by the state. These repeated intentional errors are a clear violation of the Rules of Criminal Procedure, as well as well-established case law, justifying the dismissal of the indictment with prejudice. Judge David Strongs order

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Gibson said the cards were stacked against him from day one, and it led him to lose faith in the criminal justice system.

I see how the system is now. I see that a lot of times, and I heard somebody say this. They say it works oftentimes in favor of the criminal, and like, I just believe that now I have no faith in the system whatsoever, he said.

Gibson said hes searching for new legal representation while hes also in contact with the Department of Justice.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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The fate of Matthew Perrys former Pacific Palisades home remains unclear as wildfires continue to devastate large swaths of Southern California, with firefighters battling multiple out-of-control blazes fueled by relentless hurricane-strength winds.

The beloved "Friends" star was found unresponsive in his backyard hot tub in October 2023. Initially classified as an accidental drowning, an autopsy later revealed elevated levels of ketamine in his system, comparable to those used during general anesthesia.

Matthew Perry was 54 years old at the time of his passing.

'Friends' Star Matthew Perry's Former Home Could Be At Risk Amid Pacific Palisades Wildfires

MEGA

Matthew Perry's former home, which is located in the heart of the Pacific Palisades, is now in an evacuation area amid the ongoing wildfires in Southern California. The "Friends" star's residency was sold in an $8.55 million off-market deal nearly a year after the actors untimely passing.

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The 3,500-square-foot, four-bedroom mid-century modern property was purchased by Anita Verma-Lallian, a movie producer and real estate developer based in Scottsdale, Arizona. Verma-Lallian, who acquired the home through a trust, plans to use the property as a vacation home, according to her representative.

Records show Perry originally purchased the residence in 2020 for $6 million. The sale was facilitated by Brooke Elliott Laurinkus of Christies International Real Estate Southern California, while the listing was held by Greg Holcomb of Carolwood Estates.

The State Of Matthew Perry's Former Home Is Unclear

Instagram Stories | Anita Verma-Lallian

The current state of Perry's former home is unclear, and while the new homeowner has not posted any updates regarding the property, she did share an article highlighting the wildfires on her Instagram Stories with three praying hand emojis.

The Palisades Fire, which ignited near the Pacific Palisades neighborhood on Tuesday morning, has scorched over 2,900 acres and remains zero percent contained, according to CalFire. At least 30,000 residents have been forced to evacuate as the flames edge dangerously close to homes and neighborhoods.

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Meanwhile, the Eaton Fire, located to the northeast near Pasadena, has ballooned to over 2,200 acres after doubling in size overnight. This fire has prompted evacuation orders for more than 52,000 residents across Altadena, La Canada Flintridge, and parts of Glendale.

Authorities warn that strong winds are expected to persist, potentially intensifying the already-dire situation in the coming hours.

New Homeowner of Matthew Perry's Former Residence Holds Spiritual Blessing Ceremony To Honor Late Actor

In a heartfelt gesture of respect and reverence, the new owner of Matthew Perry's former home shared an emotional series of photos on Instagram on Thursday, October 31.

The images showcased a traditional Hindu blessing ceremony performed at the property, led by her Panditjia Hindu spiritual leader. The ceremony, she explained, was conducted to honor the positive aspects of Perrys life, as well as to recognize his immense talent and the joy he brought to so many people.

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The moment I walked into the home, I absolutely fell in love with the features, especially the view of the Pacific Ocean," Anita Verma-Lallian wrote in her caption. "We knew it was the one and decided to write an offer on it immediately."

Anita Verma-Lallian Shares Photos Of Matthew Perry's Infinity Pool And Jacuzzi

Image Press Agency/MEGA

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The shared photos capture serene moments of the ceremony, with the homeowner and her Panditji seated by the home's infinity pool and jacuzzi. Both features were part of an extensive renovation overseen by Perry himself. Tragically, the pool area is also where the beloved "Friends" star passed away, just three years after acquiring the property.

"As a real estate developer myself, I believe every property has a history that we may or may not know about, and every home carries the energy that the current owner brings to it," she shared. "I am Hindu, and its customary to do a blessing and prayer anytime you buy a new home. We were so lucky to have our Panditji from Arizona come to the house to do the blessing."

Certain Elements Will Remain The Same As Tribute To Matthew Perry

David Acosta/Image Press Agency/MEGA

While plans are in place for updates to the four-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom estate, the new owner assured followers that she has no intention of erasing all of Perry's personal touches. Notably, she emphasized her commitment to preserving the iconic Batman logo embedded in the pool flooran homage to Perry's love for the caped crusader.

"We do plan to keep some of the design elements. The Batman logo in the pool is definitely staying," she confirmed.

Addressing the home's tragic history, the real estate mogul and aspiring film producer clarified that her decision to purchase the property was driven solely by her admiration for the house itself, and not by its past.
Former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn, who defended the Capitol during the attacks on Jan. 6, 2021, said President-elect Trumps victory in the 2024 election felt like a betrayal by the American people.

CNNs Sara Sidner asked Dunn whether he feels more betrayed by the American people who put Donald Trump back into office or by Trump and his allies who used language like this was just a peaceful march to describe the riots.

Its a little bit of both, Dunn said. I mean, Donald Trump is who he says he is. He is not surprising anybody, especially after four years of his past presidency. If a snake bites you, you get mad at the snake? No. Thats what a snake  the snake is supposed to bite you. But thats who Donald Trump is.

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I had more faith in the American people that they would see through and disqualify him for what happened on January 6th, Dunn said.

Dunn said he was disappointed that the Senate was unable to reach the two-thirds threshold needed to convict Trump after he was impeached by the House for his role in the Jan. 6 riots and his attempt to delay the peaceful transfer of power. He also said he was upset that the courts failed to see the prosecutions through to conviction and that the Supreme Court granted Trump some level of immunity.

These institutions continue to fail us, Dunn said. So I believed the American people were the last fail-safe on November the 5th. And it turns out that so many of them chose to sit this election out because it didnt matter.

So, yeah, I can say I feel betrayed by the American people who said that it didnt matter enough. Donald Trump has always had his base, his loyalists. Theyre there, the former officer said. But I thought that there were more Americans who cared about preserving the institutions and standing up for decency and whats right.

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His comments come after Dunn and former Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell told The Washington Post in an interview last week that they felt betrayed by the president-elects vow to pardon Jan. 6 rioters when he returns to the White House.

Dunn launched his own political career just over a year ago when he jumped into the primary to represent Marylands 3rd Congressional District. Rep. Sarah Elfreth (D-Md.) defeated the former Capitol Police officer in the May primary and was ultimately elected to replace retired Rep. John Sarbanes (D).

A month after his defeat, Dunn launched a new political group aimed at supporting candidates and targeting anti-democracy MAGA extremists.

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DENVER (KDVR)  The former chief of police for the Lakeside Police Department pleaded guilty Tuesday to two charges linked to his time as mayor, police and fire chief.

Robert Joel Gordanier pleaded guilty to felony embezzlement of public property and misdemeanor first-degree official misconduct. His guilty plea resulted in the dismissal of five other charges, including a charge of theft.

Teen killed during reported home invasion in Aurora

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He was indicted on those charges in July alongside his daughter, Brenda Renee Hamilton, who was the town clerk, for allegations of acts committed between July 2019 and November 2023.

Gordanier was given a deferred sentence for the felony charge of four years of supervised probation and the payment of $26,088 in restitution to the town. On the misdemeanor, Gordanier was sentenced to four years probation to be served concurrently, but the sentence will remain a permanent conviction, according to the First Judicial District Attorneys Office.

One of the conditions of his probation is that Gordanier cannot hold any elected or other office, or engage in any employment of public trust, including mayor, councilmember or peace officer while serving probation.

Shortly after a grand jury indictment in July, a press release detailing the investigation into misconduct was released. The district attorneys office described how Hamilton and Gordanier were said to have collaborated on a scheme to purchase three vehicles for town business. Then, prosecutors allege, the vehicle would be sold for personal profit to third parties for a higher price than what the town paid for the vehicle.

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Additionally, Hamilton is accused of charging personal expenses to the towns Visa account and in July 2023, using a commissioned Lakeside police cruiser. Prosecutors described in the July release how Hamilton allegedly saw a wanted suspect in a parking lot, activated the cruisers red and blue emergency lights, and followed the suspect through the parking lot.

Hamilton has pleaded not guilty to 10 charges ranging from embezzlement of public property to impersonating a peace officer. She is scheduled to appear in court for a disposition hearing on Jan. 29.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A former U.S. Air Force commander accused of sexually assaulting an underage girl will have a military pretrial hearing Thursday, more than two years after he was first arrested.

The Clark County District Attorneys office handed the case against Kevin DiFalco over to military court in October 2022. What has followed is a process with numerous delays within the military while DiFalco still holds a military job.

On January 10, 2025, an Article 32 preliminary hearing is scheduled to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to warrant a court-martial, a Nellis Air Force Base spokesperson wrote in an email in response to an inquiry from the 8 News Now Investigators. The Office of Special Trial Counsel exercised its authority over criminal allegations against Lt. Col Kevin DiFalco in September 2024. Charges were then preferred against him on December 6, 2024.

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Las Vegas Metro police first arrested Kevin DiFalco on Sept. 8, 2022. He initially faced seven counts of lewdness with a child under 18, and one count of child abuse or neglect in Las Vegas Justice Court, according to court records.

The girl told police DiFalco began grooming her by sending her undergarments in the mail, and they later began communicating on Snapchat where Difalco asked her inappropriate questions of a sexual nature, according to an arrest report obtained by the 8 News Now Investigators. The report details the girls allegations of multiple sexual assaults. The girl noted a distinct tattoo in DiFalcos groin area, which investigators corroborated in the report.

DiFalco remains an active-duty member assigned to Nellis Air Force Base where he serves as a special projects officer for the 57th Wing, a spokesperson previously told the 8 News Now Investigators. He was commander of the 57th Operations Support Squadron and an F-16 pilot assigned to Nellis Air Force Base. He served in the Thunderbirds program until June 2021.

In July, a Nellis Air Force Base spokesperson told the 8 News Now Investigators the allegations were being addressed through a military administrative process. Two months later, the circumstances changed.



On Sept. 18, the Board of Inquiry (BOI) for Lt. Col. Kevin DiFalco was withdrawn due to changes in circumstances of the case, a spokesperson wrote in an Oct. 9 email after an inquiry from the 8 News Now Investigators. Further details regarding the change in circumstances and re-filing of charges are not publicly releasable at this time.



DiFalco was commissioned in the Air Force on January 15, 2005, according to a spokesperson.

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Additional information will be made available once a decision has been reached following the Article 32 hearing, a spokesperson wrote in the email Tuesday.

8 News Now Investigator Vanessa Murphy can be reached at vmurphy@8newsnow.com.

For more information about the National Sexual Assault Hotline, click here.

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LONGVIEW, Texas (KETK)  A former Longview ISD employee was sentenced for the abuse against special education students at J.L Everhart Elementary.

Tyler PD searching for suspect in apartment complex shooting that killed deep East Texas woman

Cynthia Denise Talley was sentenced to five years in prison on Tuesday for seven counts of injury to a child with intent to cause bodily injury and one count of unlawful restraint of a minor.

Mugshot of Cynthia Talley, courtesy of the Gregg County Jail.



Talley is one of six women arrested in 2022 after Longview ISD officials reportedly saw video footage of employees and campus administration mistreating special education students.

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The other former J.L. Everhart employees also charged for mistreatment of students are:

Paula Hawkins Dixon

Cassandra Renee James

Linda Kaye Brown Lister

Priscilla Johnson

Cecilia Gregg

Gregg, Dixon and Talley were released from employment from the district in October 2021 immediately upon the districts discovery of their alleged actions, according to a statement from the district. James and Lister were both working as administrators at the time, and resigned in lieu of termination, the district said.

Dixon and Gregg were sentenced to eight years after pleading guilty to their charges. James and Lister have a status hearing set for Wednesday while Johnson has a status hearing set for Feb. 5.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD)  Former LSU student Matthew Marsiglia didnt appear in court on Tuesday for his manslaughter arraignment after his attorney filed a no-appearance motion. Through his attorney, he pleads not guilty.

Marsiglia was arrested last April after a March fight outside Freds in Tigerland, 26-year-old David Repath died three days after the fight.

According to an arrest affidavit we obtained in April, Repath was arguing with Marsiglias friends and punched one of them. A short time later, surveillance video showed Marsiglia arguing with Repath. Repath took a swing at Marsiglia but he dodged it. Marsiglina then shoved Repath causing him to strike his head on the pavement. The coroner ruled his death a homicide.

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On Tuesday, Marsiglias attorney Steven Moore said his client was defending himself and would argue a self-defense case. He released this statement to us on Tuesday, Lets play this out, said Moore. Marsiglia was justified in defending himself.

In April, we interviewed Baton Rouge defense attorney Ron Haley about the case and he agreed.

Should he have been charged with manslaughter? asked reporter John Rupolo.

I dont believe so, said Haley. I dont believe there is probable cause for him to be arrested.

Marsiglia was allowed to leave the state to work as a ranch hand in Mississippi. His next court date is April 6.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Two former employees are accused of stealing millions of dollars from a department of the Oglala Sioux Tribe.

Patrick Ross and Buffy Redfish are facing a list of charges, including wire fraud and money laundering, according to federal court documents.

Court documents say that from November 2017 to May 2024, Redfish would keep the number of fee checks and then give them to Ross.

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Court: Beaudion Jr. competent for trial

He would deposit it into a bank account and then write Redfish a check for her share.

Documents say they deposited 166 checks for nearly $5 million.

Redfish worked for the Tribal Employment Rights Office, known as TERO, inside the OST government. The TERO office receives checks from construction companies that perform work on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

Redfish would collect fee checks from contractors but then divert and embezzle checks under a different business checking account.

The case is being prosecuted in U.S. District Court in the District of South Dakota.

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LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  An investigation into an auto theft ring allegedly responsible for stealing more than 400 vehicles worth more than $8 million has led to four arrests, the Michigan Attorney General announced Tuesday.

The Department of Attorney General claims that the organization has operated in Eaton, Kent, Oakland, Washtenaw, Macomb, and Wayne counties, targeting new vehicle storage lots, car dealerships, parking lots, and residences. The group is suspected of using countersurveillance to steal these vehicles quickly and efficientlyand using violence if confronted by police or security.

The department says stolen vehicles are sold significantly below market value on the black market to buyers seeking unregistered vehicles, and that multiple stolen vehicles have been linked to other criminal activity.

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These other crimes include armed robbery, weapons offenses, felony evasion of police, carjackings, murder, and attempted murder.

The arrests took place on Thursday, Jan. 2, when Troy police, Detroit police, and the Michigan State Police arrested:

Davonta Jones, 31, of Detroit, who was charged with eight counts of receiving and concealing a stolen motor vehicle.

Donovan Tucker, 22, of Detroit, who was charged with eight counts of receiving and concealing a stolen motor vehicle.

Davion Tucker, 21, of Detroit, who was charged with seven counts of receiving and concealing a stolen motor vehicle.

Timothy Bell, 23, of Detroit, who was charged with 10 counts of receiving and concealing a stolen motor vehicle.

The four were all additionally charged with conducting a criminal enterprise, a 20-year felony. Also seized during the arrests were large amounts of electronic key fobs and cash.

Jones and the Tuckers were arraigned on Jan 3. in Dearborn and scheduled for a probable cause conference on Jan 17. Bell was arraigned on the same day in Monroe, and his probable cause conference was scheduled for Jan. 14. All of them were given a $500,000 bond.

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These arrests follow six arrests that occurred in May of 2024. Officers recovered seven stolen vehicles, hundreds of car parts linked to stolen vehicles, a large number of key fobs, stolen dealership license plates, burglary tools including some specifically designed for stealing vars, thousands of dollars in cash, and other evidenceincluding seven guns.

Kevin Lamont Stevenson Jr., 21, of Detroit, was charged with nine counts of receiving and concealing a stolen motor vehicle.

Joseph David Doyle, 25, of Onsted, was charged with six counts of receiving and concealing a stolen motor vehicle.

Braylen Jeese Green, 20, of Wixom, was charged with nine counts of receiving and concealing a stolen motor vehicle.

Dejhon Trevon Bush, 20, of Detroit, was charged with seven counts of receiving and concealing a stolen motor vehicle.

Zamarr Terrell Johnson, 18, of Troy, was charged with 12 counts of receiving and concealing a stolen motor vehicle and two counts of fourth-degree fleeing and eluding.

Desmond Maurice Wilson, 21, of Detroit, was charged with nine counts of receiving and concealing a stolen motor vehicle and one count of breaking and entering.

The investigation into the alleged auto theft ring is ongoing.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
Fox News has long entrenched itself as a pro-Donald Trump propaganda network dedicated to broadcasting, defending, and justifying the words and actions of the president-elect and his cronies. While Trump and Fox News regularly critique the mainstream media as corrupt, biased ideologues, the network itself is no stranger to bending the rules of ethics to suit their own political project.

According to the upcoming book Revenge: The Inside Story of Trumps Return to Power by Politicos Alex Isenstadt, a Fox News insider fed Trumps team questions prepared by hosts Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum ahead of an Iowa town hall with the network in January of last year.

About thirty minutes before the town hall was due to start, a senior aide started getting text messages from a person on the inside at Fox. Holy st, the team thought. They were images of all the questions Trump would be asked and the planned follow-ups, down to the exact wording. Jackpot. This was like a student getting a peek at the test before the exam started, Isenstadt writes. The excerpt was provided exclusively to CNN.

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The prepared questions touched on various soft spots for Trump, including his plans to seek revenge on politician rivals, and pressing him to disavow political violence. Upon being fed the questions, Trump was pissed, Isenstadt writes, feeling that they were attacks designed to put him on the defensive.

According to Isenstadt, the tipoff from the network insider allowed Trump and his preparation team to workshop their answers ahead of the town hall.

The breach of journalistic ethics takes on an added layer of hypocrisy given that after getting trounced in his September debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump baselessly accused ABC News of having rigged the contest against him and demanded they be stripped of their broadcasting license.

They had a rigged show with somebody that maybe even had the answers. I mean, Ill be honest. I watched her talk, and I said, you know, she seems awfully familiar with the questions, and you get pretty good at that stuff after a while, Trump complained to Fox News at the time.

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In a statement provided to CNN in response to the excerpt from Isenstadts book, Fox News said that while we do not have any evidence of this occurring, and Alex Isenstadt has conveniently refused to release the images for fact checking, we take these matters very seriously and plan to investigate should there prove to be a breach within the network.

Trump has selected several major Fox News personalities to serve in high level positions within his proposed Cabinet and administration.

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French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Wednesday that the European Union must defend itself better against attacks on its sovereign borders, following US President-elect Donald Trump's comments about taking Greenland.

"We are a strong continent, we must become stronger," Barrot said on the French radio station France Inter.

"It is out of the question that the EU allows other nations of the world, whoever they are, and I would even say starting with Russia, to attack its sovereign borders," he said.

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Barrot said the European Union must wake up and strengthen itself militarily, and should not be intimidated or made to feel insecure.

"If you are asking me whether I think the US will invade Greenland, the answer is no," he said, adding that the United States does not have an imperialistic nature.

"Have we entered an era in which the law of the jungle is returning?" he asked, "the answer is yes."

Trump has repeatedly expressed an interest in the island of Greenland, which is part of Denmark.

In a post on his Truth Social network in December, Trump wrote: "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."

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On Tuesday, he said he would not rule out using the military to gain control of Greenland or the Panama Canal.

"Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders. I would simply like to repeat that," the island's Prime Minister Mute Egede told the Danish public broadcaster on Wednesday.

Egede arrived in the Danish capital Copenhagen on Wednesday for talks with Danish King Frederik X. Greenland is set to hold a general election this year, and independence from Denmark is a major topic in the election campaign.
By John Irish and Lili Bayer

PARIS/BRUSSELS (Reuters) -France urged the European Union to use its laws more robustly to defend itself against outside interference and Spain's prime minister lambasted Elon Musk on Wednesday, as the U.S. tech billionaire steps up his comments about European politics.

The European Union is grappling with how to respond to posts by Musk on his social media site X in recent weeks that have castigated elected leaders and generated consternation across Europe.

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The concern over Musk, the world's richest man and an ally of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, is particularly felt in capitals where the political mainstream is under pressure from right-wing populist parties.

Musk's comments endorsing the anti-immigration, anti-Islamic Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, labelled as right-wing extremists by German security services, ahead of a parliamentary election in February have especially worried European leaders.

Some European governments are pressing the European Commission to use its legal arsenal against Musk's perceived interference.

"Either the European Commission applies with the greatest firmness the laws that exist to protect our unique space or it does not, and in that case it should think about giving the capacity to do so back to EU member states," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told France Inter radio.

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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez accused Musk on Wednesday of undermining democracy, without directly naming him.

The issue is testing the EU's willingness to confront Musk head-on and risk antagonising the incoming Trump administration, as well as the effectiveness of the bloc's Digital Services Act (DSA), which regulates social media platforms' operations in the EU.

It is not clear whether Musk - who is set to have a role as an outside advisor in Trump's administration - is acting at his own behest or with Trump's blessing.

Diplomats said the bloc had to tread carefully given Trump's record of volatility in his first term and added it was too early to discuss the subject frankly with Trump or Musk given Trump is not yet in power. His inauguration is on Jan. 20.

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A Commission spokesperson said this week the DSA had previously proved to be an effective instrument to combat risks posed by the leading social media platforms and said a political choice had been made not to respond directly to Musk's tweets and "fuel the debate".

FREEDOMS VS SOCIETAL RISKS

Musk called German Chancellor Olaf Scholz an "incompetent fool" who should resign after a deadly car-ramming attack in Germany last month. On Thursday he will use his platform to host a conversation with AfD head Alice Wiedel.

Scholz has responded by calling for cool. "Don't feed the troll," he told German weekly Stern on Jan. 4.

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French President Emmanuel Macron took aim at Musk this week.

"Ten years ago, who would have believed it if we had been told that the owner of one of the biggest social networks in the world ... intervene directly in elections, including in Germany?" he said.

Britain is outside the European Union and likes to cultivate a "special relationship" with the U.S., but Musk has been steadily critical of Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his government, most recently over a child sex abuse scandal more than a decade ago.

During the U.S. election campaign, Musk contributed some $200 million (193.82 million euros) and used his social media platform to boost Trump and the Republican Party.

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Senior EU officials acknowledge the challenge presented by Musk's comments on the region's politics but insist the DSA is a robust enough instrument.

"The DSA explicitly protects freedom of expression online as one of its key objectives. Mr Musk is free to express his opinions in the EU online and offline, within legal boundaries," European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection Michael McGrath told Reuters.

The European Commission has been investigating X's compliance with the DSA for over a year. McGrath said it fell on platforms like X to explain how they balance freedom of speech and risks related to inciting hate or electoral interference.

"The DSA enforcement team is in close contact with the German independent regulator, as well as the Irish regulator as the country of establishment of X in the EU," the commissioner added.

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The DSA board, which comprises coordinators from the 27 member states, next meets on Jan. 24, an opportunity to consider a response.

(1 euro = $1.0319)

(Reporting by John Irish, Lili Bayer in Brussels, Andreas Rinke and Sarah Marsh in Berlin, and Elizabeth Piper and Josephine Mason in LondonWriting by John IrishEditing by Richard Lough and Frances Kerry)
Marine Le Pen, parliamentary leader of France's far-right National Rally, on Wednesday commemorated the death of her father and the party's founder. Jean-Marie Le Pen.

"A venerable age had taken the warrior, but given us our father back," she wrote on the platform X. "Death has come to take him away from us again," she added.

The founder of the far-right nationalist party formerly known as the National Front died on Tuesday at the age of 96.

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"Many people he loves are waiting for him up there. Many people who love him are crying for him down here," Marine Le Pen wrote.

The father-daughter duo had had a difficult relationship for years.

Marine Le Pen broke politically with her father after he repeatedly thwarted her strategy to rebrand the party and adopt a more moderate approach to make it more electable for the political centre.

Jean-Marie Le Pen was later expelled from the party, which then changed its name in 2018.

Marine Le Pen was reportedly informed of her father's death on her return from the French overseas territory of Mayotte.

In her X post, she bid farewell to Jean-Marie Le Pen, who was the son of a fisherman from Brittany, with a phrase commonly used by the navy: "Fair winds and following seas, Dad."
Related: The video above is KNWA/FOX24 previous reporting on emails sent from an Arkansas GIS employee in the planned Franklin County prison.

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  Officials at a high-level project goal planning for building the Franklin County state prison limited access to the public, according to Talk Business & Politics.

In a Tuesday, Jan. 7 meeting, Joey McCutchen an attorney for the Franklin County & River Valley Coalition was reported to have been removed along with a Franklin County resident Adam Watson.

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They were asked to leave and were told that North Little Rock police officers would escort them out if they dont leave voluntarily, Talk Business & Politics reports.

McCutchen said he found the meeting through documents he received from the Freedom of Information Act.

You are receiving this invitation because youve been identified as needing to be directly involved with this project and we have some high-level project goal planning to do over the course of our 2-days together. If weve had some time together already, I just want to say thank you for taking time to speak with our team prior to this official kick-off. We look forward to getting to know everyone on this team and working together to deliver a fantastic new facility to the state of Arkansas. Luann Saldo, a project manager with Vanir Construction Management on the planned prison emailed to numerous state officials in December.

Arkansas GIS employee removed from Franklin County prison project after controversial email

I really didnt know one way or another (if we could attend), but I knew that (BOC member) Lee Watson didnt know about it, and I hadnt seen anything in the media about it, so I had a feeling they might (ask us to leave), McCutchen told Talk Business & Politics.

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To read more about the private meeting and why press didnt have to be notfied go to Talk Business & Politics.

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PARIS (AP)  French far-right leader Marine Le Pen paid tribute Wednesday to her father Jean-Marie, calling the founder of the National Front, who has died aged 96, a warrior in politics as their relationship was marked by notoriously harsh disputes amid her efforts to make the party more mainstream.

In a post on social media platform X, Le Pen wrote: A venerable age had taken the warrior away but given us back our father," suggesting she was able to reconcile with him.

Jean-Marie, who has three daughters, including Marine, the youngest, was a polarizing figure, convicted multiple times of antisemitism, discrimination and inciting racial violence.

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Many people he loved are waiting for him up there. Many who love him mourn him here below, Le Pen wrote. Fair winds and following seas, Papa!

Jean-Marie Le Pen's death was announced on Tuesday when his daughter was on her way back from the French territory of Mayotte, in the Indian Ocean, which was hit by a devastating cyclone in December.

Marine Le Pen's legal issues

Marine Le Pen is widely considered as one of France's top contenders for the next presidential election scheduled in 2027. She was runner-up to President Emmanuel Macron twice in previous elections.

Yet her political future in part depends on the verdict to be rendered by a Paris court on March 31 over charges of embezzlement of European Parliament Funds. The court could declare her ineligible to seek public office if she was to be found guilty.

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Le Pen and other party officials are accused of having used money intended for European Union parliamentary aides to pay instead staff who worked for the party between 2004 and 2016, violating the 27-nation blocs regulations.

Anti-far right gatherings

Thousands of demonstrators gathered on the Republic Plaza in Paris on Tuesday evening to celebrate the death of the far-right politician. The crowd could be seen dancing and chanting: Happy New Year, Jean-Marie is dead.

Similar gatherings took place in other French cities, including Lyon and Marseille.

French anti-racist group SOS Racisme said Jean-Marie Le Pen spent his life promoting the far right through racism, xenophobia, antisemitism and Holocaust denial. The group also paid tribute in a statement to generations of activists who have given their time, youth and energy to fight the National Front and its ideas.

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Father-daughter public disputes

In an interview in 1987, Jean-Marie referred to the Nazi gas chambers as a detail in World War II history.

He repeated the remark in 2015, saying he did not at all regret it, triggering the ire of his daughter, by then the party leader, seeking to distance herself from her fathers extremist image. That year, he was kicked out of the party, later renamed the National Rally, as part of the younger Le Pen's efforts to transform it into one of Frances most powerful political forces.

At the time, Jean-Marie publicly denounced a felony and asked his daughter to give back her name," arguing she should not use Le Pen anymore. He also launched legal proceedings to challenge his exclusion that ultimately failed.

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I had such profound disagreements on that topic with my own father that I had to exclude him from the movement, Marine Le Pen told BFM television in May 2024. "It was complicated for me emotionally, but I did it."

Jean-Marie Le Pen's funeral will take place on Saturday in his birth town of La Trinite-sur-Mer, in the western Brittany region.
The French Left-wing opposition has defended public displays of joy that followed the death of the far-Right veteran Jean-Marie Le Pen.

Mr Le Pen, the co-founder of the National Front (FN) died on Tuesday aged 96.

He had a long history of provocative outbursts and several convictions for racism and anti-Semitism, notably for calling the Nazi gas chambers a detail of history.

While members of the National Rally (RN), the party that Mr Le Pens daughter Marine renamed after she took over in 2011, paid tribute, the Left branded him a fascist.

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In the hours after his death, hundreds of people took to the streets in cities across France in spontaneous gatherings to fete his demise  chanting, letting off fireworks and making champagne toasts.

Jubilant opponents of Mr Le Pen cheered as they gathered in Place de la Republique in central Paris for what they dubbed an apero giant (giant aperitif), brandishing placards including the dirty racist is dead and a beautiful day.

Chanting, fireworks and champagne toasts featured in the celebrations - Teresa Suarez/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

In the south-eastern city of Lyon, seven people were arrested after a rally called by the hard-Left in which rubbish bins were burned and projectiles were thrown at the police. Some 600 people took part in the celebration.

Nothing, absolutely nothing justifies dancing on a corpse. The death of a man, even if he is a political opponent, should inspire only restraint and dignity, Bruno Retailleau, the French interior minister, wrote on X.

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These scenes of jubilation are simply shameful, he added.

Sebastien Lecornu, the French defence minister, told Europe 1 radio: The political struggle is for the living, so we must continue with the living but respect the dead. It is a question of dignity.

Sophie Primas, a government spokesman, agreed that he was entitled to respect even if he had made totally unacceptable remarks and acted in ways that were sometimes unacceptable.

Hundreds of people took to the streets in cities across France, including in Paris, in spontaneous gatherings - Christopher Furlong/Getty Images Europe

But Mathilde Panot, the leader of MPs from the hard-Left France Unbowed (LFI) in parliament, defended the demonstrations against what she called an enemy of the French Republic, saying they should be taken in the spirit of Charlie.

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Mr Le Pens death coincided with the 10th anniversary of the massacre at the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo by Islamist attackers that led to fierce debate about freedom of expression and religion.

The gatherings were not to the taste of Jerome Guedj  whose Socialist Party is part of a parliamentary alliance with LFI  who said it was wrong to celebrate the death of a man, whoever he may be.

But he also felt it was also wrong to play down Mr Le Pens career.

That was an allusion to the reaction of Francois Bayrou, the French prime minister, who appeared to make light of the many scandals that marked Mr Le Pens career by describing them as mere polemics.

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Mr Bayrou said that Mr Le Pen was a fighter and a figure of French political life, a comment that enraged the Left.

I find it unbelievable, flabbergasting, said Mr Guedj. Jean-Marie Le Pen has around 20 convictions for denying crimes against humanity and inciting racial hatred. Hes no choirboy.

Mr Le Pen, who died on Tuesday aged 96, had a long history of provocative outbursts and several convictions for racism and anti-Semitism - Eric Gaillard/Reuters

Manon Aubry, LFIs European Parliament leader, described Mr Le Pen as a notorious racist and anti-Semite, adding: Jean-Marie Le Pen... was not just a figure of French political life as Francois Bayrou said. Respect for the deceased must not lead to blindness to his career.

A family funeral for Mr Le Pen is to be held on Saturday in his hometown of La Trinite-sur-Mer in Brittany.

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On Wednesday, in her first public reaction to her fathers death, Marine Le Pen called him a warrior, adding that many people were mourning him.

Many people he loves are waiting for him up there. Many who love him are mourning him down here, she wrote on X.

Ms Le Pen, who has sought to de-demonise her party by removing its most extreme elements and rhetoric to make it electable, had been returning from a visit to the cyclone-ravaged French archipelago of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean when news broke of her fathers death.

Marine Le Pen learnt of her fathers death while returning from a visit to the cyclone-ravaged French archipelago of Mayotte - Julien de Rosa/AFP

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Louis Aliot, the RNs deputy leader, confirmed reports that she had learnt of the death of her father from reporters travelling with her.

We were on the plane in Nairobi where we made a technical stopover, and it was in the Kenyan capital that journalists who were on the flight informed us of the death, he told the television channel TF1.

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A St. Johns County student was in critical Wednesday morning after she was hit by a vehicle at about 7 a.m. on Race Track Road near South Branch Drive.

She was riding her bike in the area of Fruit Cove Middle School when she was hit, according to St. Johns County Fire Rescue. The teenager was flown by helicopter to the hospital.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

Fruit Cove Middle School Principal Kelly Jacobson sent the following note to families:

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Dear FCMS Families,

This morning, one of our students was involved in a car accident on the way to school. She is currently receiving medical care, and we are keeping her and her family in our thoughts.

We understand that this news may impact our students and school community. If your child would like to talk to someone about this, our school counselors are available to provide support.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to us for any additional assistance.

This is also a good time to remind everyone about staying safe on the way to and from school, whether walking, biking, or driving. We appreciate your partnership in ensuring the safety of all our students.

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Thank you for your understanding and support. Please join us in wishing for the students full recovery.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

Action News Jax received this update from the teens family on Thursday:

She is in stable condition but with a long road ahead. Our family is thankful for all the friends and neighbors that have gathered to support us. We are thankful for the first responders and their fast response and quick care. We are thankful for the hospital caring for her as well.

Read: DCPS settles sexual misconduct case for $365K against teacher for inappropriately touching student

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Read: Jacksonville criminal defense attorney accused of smuggling drugs into the Duval County Jail

Read: Lawsuit filed against DCPS, claims school knew about students allergy that led to her death

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Gregg Champion was trying to reach his Pacific Palisades business Tuesday morning when he was met with flames so intense he could feel their heat and smoke so dense he struggled to breathe.

Champion, 56, was about 100 yards away from the door of his business, the drug treatment and addiction center Start-Up Recovery on Paseo Miramar, when personnel battling the Palisades fire stopped him.

"If you go any further, you will die," a firefighter told him.

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Read more: Pacific Palisades fire explodes to nearly 3,000 acres as thousands of residents flee, homes are lost

While he and a treatment center employee had been heading toward the addiction recovery center, other staff members had evacuated all clients.

Champion was led down a hill leading away from his business by fire personnel and headed to his home on Grenola Street. He and his family gathered overnight bags and personal items and sat through an hour and a half of traffic before making it out of Pacific Palisades.

A firefighting plane makes a drop on the wind-driven Palisades fire Tuesday. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

They were looking for a hotel room for the night and monitoring news reports. Champion's daughters attend Calvary Christian School and Palisades Jewish Early Childhood Center Chabad. On TV, Champion watched the latter school burn.

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"The best thing you can do is prepare to evacuate," he said. "I have three beautiful daughters, an amazing wife and two dogs, and I'm just going to be safe rather than sorry."

At Calvary Christian School, a teacher told The Times they were surprised by the speed of the Palisades fire.

There have been fires before, and were always really cautious. We always have an eye on safety," said the educator, who was not authorized to speak publicly. "But this popped up so quickly. It looked like a movie; it was really quite startling."

With 15 minutes of the first notification of the fire at the school at 701 Palisades Drive, fire engines from Station 23 began streaming up the roadway. At first, the school ordered instructors to keep the children inside and began handing out masks.

People watch the Palisades fire from the California Incline in Santa Monica on Tuesday afternoon. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

There was a tremendous amount of smoke on the campus," the teacher said. "We could see the flames. Some of the students were upset that their homes were taken or up in flames. It was very traumatic.

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Parents began to pick up their children, so when school administrators decided to evacuate the school, most of the students had already left. The teacher, along with other staff, had carefully monitored who was picking up the children: We just cant hand kids off to those we dont know.

Read more: Palisades fire: Evacuations, road closures, shelters, schools, forecast

Those children who remained proceeded down Palisades Drive  hand in hand, guided by staff members  to Station 23. From there, with air quality worsening and roads closed, they continued to Pacific Coast Highway, stopping first at Gladstones Restaurant and then walking down the highway to the Bel-Air Bay Club, about a mile and a half from the school.

We were walking all the way, the teacher said. We did a good job snagging kids. Some couldnt go home because of the fire. It happened so quickly.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA)  President Joe Biden issued a ban on offshore oil drilling in federal waters, including the Gulf of Mexico. But President-elect Donald Trump plans to reverse the move when he takes office in less than two weeks.

Historically Floridians and state leaders have sought to protect coastal waters. In 2018, Florida voters approved Amendment 9, which banned offshore oil drilling in state waters.

Wildfire breaks out in Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles

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In 2020, Trump announced he was extending and expanding a ban on new offshore drilling sites off the Florida coast as well as Georgia and South Carolina. The existing moratorium covers the Gulf of Mexico, and Trump said the new one would also cover the Atlantic coast  a significant political concern in coastal states like Florida.

Now years later, at the very end of his term, President Biden takes it a step further.

This has been a bipartisan push from members all across our state and hardworking people because our way of life depends on clean beaches, the fishing economy, the tourism economy, said U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, (D-Tampa). So in the midst of all of the certification of the presidential election, President Biden (is) still at work.

April 2025 will mark the 15th anniversary of the BP oil spill in 2010, which left years of damage to Floridas coast, mainly along the Panhandle and even impacting the bay area.

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Itll be the 15th anniversary of the BP Deep Water Horizon oil spill disaster, and for those of us who were here in Tampa Bay when that happened, we remember what an absolute disaster that was for us, our local economies, our tourism industry, our fisheries, our beaches, said Mark Ferrulo, Executive Director at Progress Florida. And that was 400 miles away from where we are right now. Imagine a similar catastrophe happening 10 miles off our coast, or even 50 miles off our coast.

Ferrulo applauds Bidens ban, alongside Democrats in D.C.



This is permanent now for federal water, so out farther into the Gulf of Mexico, oil and gas companies will not be able to drill, Castor said. And President Trump, when he comes back in, he will not be able to reverse that.

Trump refuses to rule out use of military force to take control of Greenland, Panama Canal

However, Trump says he plans to do exactly that.



I will reverse it, Trump said. Itll be done immediately, and we will drill, baby, drill.

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On Capitol Hill, Republicans champion drilling as a whole, but say we need to proceed with caution when it comes to Floridas coast. Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-St. Petersburg) was stationed in the Panhandle during the 2010 oil spill and is a strong supporter of permanently protecting Florida shores from drilling.



I am for drill baby drill, but also within reason, Luna said. A. Ensuring that were not interfering with military activities and B. We have a very unique ecosystem in the state of Florida that is untouched, and we have to ensure that it stays that way.

Echoing that approach, Governor Ron DeSantis believes while we shouldnt go near our coastline, a total ban should be reversed by President-elect Donald Trump.



There is no way you should ban offshore drilling writ large throughout the United States, DeSantis said. There are places where this is a huge part of the economy. Its a huge part of where we remain and continue to be energy independent.

And while environmental advocates welcome the ban and are unbothered by the politics at play, Governor DeSantis questions Biden on his timing on the issue.



You wait until youre less than a month from leaving, DeSantis said. If this was such a good policy, why didnt you do that on day one? Its not like offshore drilling has never been an issue politically.

Biden said in a statement, Drilling off these coasts could cause irreversible damage to places we hold dear and is unnecessary to meet our nations energy needs. It is not worth the risks.

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As the climate crisis continues to threaten communities across the country and we are transitioning to a clean energy economy, now is the time to protect these coasts for our children and grandchildren, he added.

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 WFLA.
The Russian opposition is an odd bunch. While not supporting Russia's brutal all-out war against Ukraine and its people, the leaders of the so-called opposition don't want their country to lose.

A number of those who oppose Russian President Vladimir Putin and his regime have petitioned for the West to lift sanctions imposed on Russia for the war it had begun and the war crimes it had committed.

Garry Kasparov, Russian chess grandmaster and political activist, is not among them. Supporting Ukraine militarily and making sure it wins is a moral imperative, says Kasparov.

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A staunch critic of authoritarianism, Kasparov wrote about the dangers posed by Putin's rule for years.

His 2015 book, "Winter Is Coming: Why Vladimir Putin and the Enemies of the Free World Must Be Stopped," outlined Russia's political threat to global security.

Over the past three years, Kasparov has repeatedly argued that any chance at Russia becoming a democratic country not only requires its total military defeat but a shedding of its imperialistic legacy  a stance not widely embraced by other Russian opposition figures.

In an interview with the Kyiv Independent, Kasparov shared his thoughts on the current state of the Russian opposition, why they're looking for a "good tsar" to replace Putin, and why he'll push back at those who insist it's "Putin's war" rather than Russia's war.

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This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

The Kyiv Independent: Living in the West, you're well-placed to comment on its perceptions of Russia. There are these centuries-old ideas like the "Russian soul" or the warning not to "poke the Russian bear."

Do you think the enduring popularity of these ideas has contributed to both the West's fear of Russian escalation but also this misplaced compassion for Russians as some tortured souls who are just misunderstood?

Garry Kasparov: You know, I think it's a matter of looking for a black cat in a dark room  something that is simply not there. That's the crux of the problem. I remember, back when I was younger, my friend Yury Afanasyev, a brilliant historian, said that Russian literature was one of the most fertile sources of Russian nationalism. At the time, I instinctively disagreed. But now I see he was right.

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American exceptionalism is rooted in tangible concepts like living standards, respect for human rights, and the rule of law. Russian exceptionalism, on the other hand, leans more toward the mystical. It's tied to the notion that being Russian means having a special connection to a higher power. However, Russian history provides no evidence of such a unique connection. We need to delve deeply and understand, on a fundamental level, why the idea of the "Russian soul" remains so resistant to external influences.

The war in Ukraine has shown us that when we celebrated the fall of communism in 1991, we failed to grasp that communism was merely a facade for an underlying imperialist matrix.

Whether it's the tsars, the Bolsheviks, or Putin, this imperialism always finds a way to emerge.

"I've been saying for the past three years that there's only one way to dismantle this imperial matrix: the Ukrainian flag has to fly over Sevastopol again."

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I've been saying for the past three years that there's only one way to dismantle this imperial matrix: the Ukrainian flag has to fly over Sevastopol again. As long as the idea of Russia's messianic mission endures, nothing will truly change. You need to shatter it with a visual shock. This is likely the best  perhaps the only  way to give Russia a chance to reform itself into a normal nation-state in the true sense of the word.

The Kyiv Independent: One might say that living abroad can deepen or distance one's understanding of their home country. How has it been for you and the way you look at Russia?

Garry Kasparov: Undoubtedly, when you step away, you lose a certain connection to things on the ground. Some things are no longer tied to your immediate senses. However, if you want to analyze the bigger picture, distance can be helpful because you're no longer caught up in the daily routine. From afar, you gain a sense of objectivity. After all, why do you need to be on the inside to understand what's happening  especially when you've been predicting it for so long?

My first warning about Vladimir Putin and the potential dangers he posed came on Jan. 4, 2001, in a piece I wrote for The Wall Street Journal. When he began attacking free media and television, I immediately recognized the signs  his statements like "once KGB, always KGB," and actions like restoring the conservative Soviet anthem.

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The writing was on the wall.

On April 25, 2005, during his State of the Nation address, he declared that "the collapse of the Soviet Union was the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century." That statement was the defining moment. It was a clear declaration of intent to rebuild the Russian Empire  not necessarily within the same borders, but rather a return to the kind of world where the underlying principle is that "might makes right." This is the world Putin understands.

"It was a clear declaration of intent to rebuild the Russian Empire  not necessarily within the same borders, but rather a return to the kind of world where the underlying principle is that "might makes right."

What's tragic is that even now, after so much blood has been spilled, there are still people in the free world trying to find some kind of compromise or middle ground to return to. What they fail to recognize is that you cannot negotiate with this kind of evil for a simple reason: Putin views this as a war of destruction, not a war for territorial gains. Giving him a piece of Ukrainian territory won't change his calculations  it will only whet his appetite. His ultimate goal includes the destruction of Ukrainian statehood because Ukrainian statehood is one of the pillars of this world order he seeks to dismantle.

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a concert marking the anniversary of the annexation of Ukraine's Crimea in Moscow, Russia, on March 18, 2022. (Getty Images)

Supporters of Russian President Vladimir Putin hold flags and cheer during a concert marking the anniversary of the annexation of Ukraine's Crimea in Moscow, Russia, on March 18, 2022. (Contributor / Getty Images)

When you examine the attitudes of politicians in the West  in Germany, Britain, or America  it's striking. Even after (the occupation of) Crimea, after countless wars, after Syria, many still fail to grasp the situation.

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Looking at the world's conflicts today, you see Putin as a spider at the center of the web. Yet, there remains a persistent tendency among many Western politicians to seek common ground, negotiate, and find ways to avoid the magic word  escalation. This approach is utterly misguided because the surest way to escalate is to show weakness. Everyone knows that when facing a predator, you must hold your ground and look it in the eye. If you turn your back, you're done for.

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The Kyiv Independent: With increasing discussions about the possibility of negotiations and freezing conflict lines even among Ukrainian officials, the prospect of the Ukrainian flag flying over Sevastopol again, unfortunately, seems distant. Do you think the lack of a decisive military defeat could further radicalize pro-war sentiments in Russia?

Garry Kasparov: I don't think there's a strong pro-war sentiment in Russia. Instead, it's more about accepting the war as inevitable. There's very little opposition to it  let's be honest. At its peak, perhaps 15 percent of people opposed the war on moral grounds. I'm skeptical of any numbers coming from Putin's Russia, but the so-called Crimean consensus  86 percent in favor  likely reflects the true mindset. In the early days of the full-scale invasion, I don't think more than 10 percent of the population opposed the war on moral grounds, which still amounts to 15 to 20 million people. Those who wholeheartedly supported the war were a smaller group, likely a surge of fervent supporters. The rest were more conformist, going along with it because the war brought some material benefits.

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"At its peak, perhaps 15 percent of (Russian) people opposed the war on moral grounds."

I don't think there's the same fanatical belief in the cause as there was in Nazi Germany or Stalin's Soviet Union because there's no real future in this for most people. But there's compliance because there's not much else to do. If you look at the living standards in Russia, the full-scale invasion has actually acted like a drug, inflating everything, including people's earnings.

While it may not last, it created a kind of new consensus in society. Putin managed to avoid massive mobilization from big cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg, drawing most soldiers from the countryside, poor regions, and prisons.

So far, the war hasn't had the same impact on society as mass mobilization would have, nor has it caused body bags to arrive in Moscow or St. Petersburg.

Remains of Russian soldiers are found in the Bakhmut battle zone, in Sloviansk, in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on June 29, 2024. (Pablo Miranzo/Anadolu via Getty Images)

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In this aerial view, smoke rises from the Ukrainian border city of in Vovchansk, Ukraine, on May 17, 2024. (Libkos/Getty Images)

I see no evidence that any potential deal could be made. And while I'm not in favor of a deal, that's not my decision. I understand that the Ukrainian leadership must deal with reality. We also have to acknowledge that the cowardly stance of the free world has left Ukraine with very few options on the table.

It's a shame that all the weapons developed and manufactured in America  specifically to fight Russia  are still collecting dust in storage or sitting unused in the deserts of California and Nevada. The NATO alliance, which was created for the sole purpose of stopping Russian aggression in Europe, is now debating whether Ukraine belongs in it. Ukraine is the only country that has fought and is still fighting for NATO's core mission  not sending troops to Afghanistan or Iraq but preventing a Russian invasion.

While the idea of the Ukrainian flag flying over Sevastopol may take longer than we all hope, I still believe that without a decisive military defeat, there won't be substantial change in Russia.

The Kyiv Independent: Why do you think some opposition figures  such as Ilya Yashin, Yulia Navalnaya, and her late husband, Alexei Navalny  often frame their arguments to the Russian public against Russian aggression in economic terms rather than moral ones?

Garry Kasparov: Because they live within this paradigm of good Putin, bad Putin, good Tsar, bad Tsar, with no real interest in eliminating the imperial nature of the Russian state. This is the fundamental difference. When people talk about the Russian opposition, I ask: opposition to what? Reducing everything to Putin and his entourage is historically wrong because the true foundation of Russian aggression is the Russian Empire itself  its imperial mindset.

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You can talk about corruption, but in a way, it actually helped Ukraine. Without it, the Russian army could have been much stronger. Thanks to the corruption of Russian generals, who stole probably half of the military budget, Ukraine has had a better chance of survival. Ultimately, the whole idea of continuing to expose corruption is irrelevant  corruption makes Putin weaker, not stronger.

Many of them dream of the day they can return to Russia, campaign, and address Russian voters. But if they see themselves doing that, they think they need to say, "We never took the other side, even when our country was wrong; we tried to stay neutral." Honestly, that's a moral dilemma I don't understand. For me, it's clear: we're fighting Putin, Putin's fascism, and everything connected to him. At the core of it all is this imperial matrix, and we have to win the war. The Ukrainian army is the only force fighting against it. So, helping Ukraine and supporting the army with all available means is the right decision. That's the only moral position  it's really that simple.

Ukraine's victory must include a full restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity. It must also include reparations to be paid. Russia must pay for this. It is crucial to punish war criminals, whether that happens in The Hague, in Russia, or by whatever international tribunal, and there should be no compromise on this.

Someone might hear this and think, "Why don't you (and other members of the Russian opposition) just find common ground? Why don't you work together?" I'm happy to work together, as long as we see the world through the same lens. Yes, we can argue about many things, but when it comes to fundamental moral issues  matters of life and death  that's what truly matters.

The building of the Government of Moscow is seen with the illumination of "Z," a symbol of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in Moscow, Russia, on March 26, 2022. (Konstantin Zavrazhin/Getty Images)

Russian opposition politicians in exile Yulia Navalnaya, Vladimir Kara-Murza, and Ilya Yashin attend an anti-war demonstration in Berlin, Germany, on Nov. 17, 2024. (Axel Schmidt/Getty Images)

The Kyiv Independent: Do you think that's why they insist on calling it "Putin's war" rather than Russia's war?

Garry Kasparov: Absolutely, that's the point. As I've mentioned elsewhere, it's not about whether Putin personally killed someone  he probably did early on in his career  but he gives orders, and those orders are executed. I haven't heard of mass desertion in the Russian military, just some desertion, but not on a large scale.

These are orders being carried out, and many acts of cruelty show this isn't just about Putin; it's a mentality. Ignoring this and claiming it's all Putin's doing is an attempt to distort the truth. It's not politics, and to suggest otherwise is morally wrong.

"If people continue to say this is Putin's war, I will push back, rejecting that notion as absolutely inconceivable."

As much as I don't want to argue, if people continue to say this is Putin's war, I will push back, rejecting that notion as absolutely inconceivable. It's simply ignoring reality. I'm happy to debate when there are many unknowns, but no one knows better than those fighting on the Russian side that they plan to destroy Ukraine. They are attacking kindergartens and hospitals  they know exactly what they're doing when they press the button to launch missile and drone attacks. Who presses that button? It's not just Putin.

The Kyiv Independent: In retrospect, what was the Russian opposition's greatest failure leading to 2022?

Garry Kasparov: The last moment the Russian opposition had a chance to change things was back in 2011-2012 after Putin returned to power. Unfortunately, we couldn't generate enough momentum with the protests on the streets of Moscow. It was over after that. Over the next decade, it became clear that the system was fake. You could have participated in some elections, but they were absolutely meaningless. What did those elections accomplish? I had several debates with (members of the Russian opposition) about this.

My point was simple: if you find yourself in a bad position, like in chess, it doesn't mean you have to make a bad move. Many young people were misled by the claims that they only needed to go out and protest. But what was the goal? Putin was firmly in power, and these opposition activities, without clear goals, couldn't change anything inside the country. They only created the wrong image in the free world.

While in exile, I've met with top politicians and given interviews. Whenever I spoke out about this, people would say, "Mr. Kasparov, you're a great chess player, but we're talking about Russia, not the Soviet Union. You have Navalny, you have others." But by saying so, they were essentially helping Putin build his war machine and providing cover for him.

A good example was back in 2018 or 2019, just before COVID. The question arose about restoring Russia's membership in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the Strasbourg Court of Human Rights. I wrote an open letter to Heiko Maas, then Germany's Foreign Affairs Minister, saying it was absolutely immoral.

Russia had violated every provision of that organization  every rule. They were occupying Ukraine's sovereign land, just as they had done with Georgia.

He, of course, never responded to me directly, but there was an indirect response. He gave another interview, saying, "Yes, we've heard some pushback," without naming me. He also mentioned having a letter from 39 human rights organizations in Russia supporting the restoration of Russia's membership in the Strasbourg Human Rights Court.

Meanwhile, some organizations are pretending that they're operating in Russia. It's clear that it's about funding. Millions of dollars are still being wasted on these fake activities in Russia by organizations that never did anything useful there.

Millions of dollars are still being wasted on these fake activities in Russia by organizations that never did anything useful there.

Now, in exile, they continue pretending. They claim they must protect their people, but I say stop this nonsense. Nothing is happening in Russia. These people pretend they're making a difference. They speak about demonstrations and say they're against the war, but that's not enough.

Yulia Navalnaya, widow of late Russian opposition figure Aleksei Navalny, is surrounded by media as she waits for an Uber after voting at the Russian Embassy during Russian elections in Berlin, Germany, on March 17, 2024. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

We must support Ukraine's victory in this war. You never hear them say Ukraine must win. It's always about stopping the war, but at this point, maybe even Putin wants to stop it for his own reasons.

There is no common ground between us. This is unfortunate because it creates bad optics, but the reality is that most of the Russian opposition, or those who believe they are opposition, don't realize that it's not enough. They still hold on to the idea of a "good Putin" alternative, essentially wanting to replace the bad Putin with a "good Tsar."

The Kyiv Independent: Given the current state of the Russian opposition, particularly with so many figures now in exile, what do you believe is the most effective approach to challenging Putin's regime and supporting Russia's future?

Garry Kasparov: Well, I'd like to ask again  what opposition? This so-called opposition has failed to make meaningful change, and I don't see how anything can be done at this point except supporting Ukraine in winning the war.

Right now, it's about surviving this onslaught and winning. This illustrates the key differences in our approaches.

From the very beginning of the full-scale invasion, I proposed an idea later supported by Mikhail Khodorkovsky: we should offer every Russian who opposes the war and wants to leave the country the chance to do so after signing a declaration. We worked out the Berlin Declaration, which was a mild statement compared to the Free Russia Forum Council's format, but it contained three key points: the war is criminal, the regime is illegitimate, and Crimea is Ukraine.

It's a simple test  if someone is willing to sign it, we need to find a way for them to leave the country, obtain a visa, and find a place in the free world.

There are several important aspects to this plan. One is that it can impact the intellectual class in Russia  people involved in finance, business, IT, and engineering, including those who could possess the kind of knowledge that would have them working on the development of missiles.

I'm not offering a moral defense for them, but before criticizing anyone, we need to give them a chance to leave. So far, Putin has gained a significant ideological advantage because these people see that the world doesn't want them. As a result, hundreds of thousands, possibly millions, of Russians  crucial to Putin's war machine  remain in Russia. Without them, Putin's economy, especially his war economy, would collapse.

This was the plan, but strangely, many of our colleagues in the opposition were not happy. They argued that we can't let people leave because who will protest against Putin? But I don't see people needing to stay just to protest. We could help these people leave, work with them, and build what I call "Russian Taiwan"  a network of the future free Russia.

When the moment comes, and the regime collapses, those who want to return can come back, and they would be the new ruling elite. But the opposition rejected this idea. For example, did you ever hear Yulia Navalnaya talk about something along those lines? She has met with many prime ministers and presidents but never mentioned anything like it.

Instead, they all rejected the idea because, in their view, it wasn't a good one. That's exactly what Putin needs  people to stay and oppose the idea of leaving.

So, if someone calls themselves a member of the Russian opposition, tell me, what is your goal? I know what our goal is.

The Free Russia Forum, which I co-founded, believes that Ukraine must win  that is our only chance. We must work toward Ukraine's victory and create momentum for Russia's defeat.

Only then can we begin to consider what comes next.

Read also: Historian Marci Shore: Putins obsession with denazification is Freudian projection

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A Gary woman avoided prison Wednesday for a fatal hit-and-run on Ridge Road in December 2023.

Robelis Soto-Echevarria, 20, pleaded guilty in November to leaving the scene of an accident causing catastrophic injury, a Level 4 felony.

Under the deal, she faced up to eight years in prison. Judge Samuel Cappas sentenced her to four years in Lake County Community Corrections program and two more years on probation.

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Hobart Police Detective Michael Gallagher testified that Richard Hunt, 59, of Lake Station, was walking back from the grocery store.

Deputy Prosecutor Brad Carter said that accidents happen and she had never been in trouble with the law. However, she left the scene and later fled to New Jersey and her native Puerto Rico to avoid arrest.

Cops found the damaged minivan hidden behind a bunch of stuff in the garage.

It was a sad fact that authorities couldnt find Hunts family or friends, he said.

Carter asked for four years in prison and two on probation.

Defense lawyer Adrian Guzman said Soto was apologetic for what happened. She was born in Puerto Rico and her parents lived in New Jersey for years before they relocated to Northwest Indiana for her dads work.

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At the time, Soto was working as a manager at KFC.

Her life would never be the same, he said.

Soto said she couldnt turn back time.

I hate myself for that, she tearfully told Cappas, adding she was extremely ashamed to be in court as an inmate.

If I would have known I hit Mr. Hunt, I would have done everything in my power to help him, she said.

I know you wouldnt be standing here if you would have stopped, Cappas told her.

A Hobart Police officer radioed for paramedics at 7:12 p.m. on Dec. 26, 2023, after he spotted an older man frosted over and lying on his stomach on the side of Ridge Road.

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When the officer examined him up close, Hunt was not breathing and his face was bloody. Paramedics who checked him out said there was nothing they could do.

Investigators took bits of wreckage to a Honda dealership and learned it came from an Odyssey minivan between the years 2005-2010. Police got a tip that someone bought replacement parts at an auto yard in Lake Station.

They traced the vehicle to Soto-Echevarrias family.

Soto-Echevarria worked till 4 p.m. on Dec. 26, then went with co-workers to a Chinese restaurant on East Ridge Road in Hobart before making plans to later go to a movie in Portage. She went home to change around 5 p.m. before the film.

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License plate readers picked up one minivan near relatives in Camden, New Jersey between Dec. 29 and Jan. 11.

Police got permission to see the damaged van in the family garage, which had a cracked windshield and passenger side damage.

mcolias@post-trib.com
A Roswell police officer shot a suspicious man after the two got into a fight. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is now investigating.

Early Wednesday, a Roswell police officer saw a suspicious man at Regal Nissan, located at 1090 Holcomb Bridge Road.

When approached by the officer, police said the man immediately rushed at the officer and the two began to fight.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

During the fight, the officer fired a stun gun at the man, but it was not effective. The officer then fired his gun, wounding the man.

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Officers immediately began to provide the man medical aid and the suspect was taken to a nearby hospital.

Police say he is stable. Roswell police requested the GBI to conduct an independent investigation of the incident.

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[Watch previous FOX 8 News coverage in the player above.]

CHARDON, Ohio (WJW)  Geauga County commissioners at their Tuesday organizational meeting reappointed county Dog Warden Matt Granito, amid controversy over his job performance.

Assistant County Administrator Linda Burhenne, confirmed the appointment in a statement to FOX 8 News on Wednesday. Granito remains an at-will employee, meaning he will keep the job until the commissioners organizational meeting in 2026  when hell be up for reappointment  unless commissioners decide to terminate him before that.

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Elderly woman died after being found unresponsive outside local nursing home

Granito came under fire in mid-December, when county Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand and Prosecutor Jim Flaiz accused Granito of lackluster response to calls from the sheriffs office. Hildenbrand at that Dec. 17 meeting suggested taking over the dog wardens duties under a new contract with the commissioners board.

Shelter volunteers and others voiced their support for Granito at that meeting.

3 crashes within 24 hours at same spot on I-90

Granito apologized at the December meeting, claiming state statute sometimes prevents him from responding to calls or taking dogs into custody, and said he wanted to work with the other county agencies to resolve the issue.

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I hope to continue and I hope that we can have a great relationship if the sheriff calls me. Right now, lets go out and solve this problem, and lets just quit worrying about who and what and why and get these answers solved, he said.

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 8 Cleveland WJW.
By Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A federal judge on Wednesday delayed George Santos' sentencing on fraud and identity theft charges, after the disgraced former U.S. congressman requested time to continue his "Pants on Fire" podcast to help pay off more than a half million dollars he owes.

U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert in Central Islip, New York, rescheduled Santos' sentencing to April 25 from Feb. 7, calling it a "one-time courtesy" to serve the ends of justice.

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Santos' lawyers had sought a six-month delay, calling it a routine and "hardly extraordinary" request that would boost victims' recoveries and allow more preparation for sentencing.

Prosecutors ridiculed the request, saying Santos wanted the extra time to promote himself, and that "allowing Santos to stave off sentencing specifically to monetize his infamy would send a message to the public that crime pays."

Neither Santos' lawyers nor the office of U.S. Attorney Breon Peace in Brooklyn, which brought the case, immediately responded to requests for comment.

Santos, 36, faces up to 22 years in prison after pleading guilty last August to wire fraud and identity theft, and agreed not to appeal any sentence of around eight years or fewer.

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His plea agreement also calls for the payment of $578,753 in restitution and forfeiture, which his lawyers said the podcast would help fund. The identity theft charge carries a mandatory two-year prison term.

Elected in 2022 to serve parts of Long Island and the New York City borough of Queens, Santos saw his political career implode quickly amid questions about his fundraising and reports he had made up parts of his biography.

The Republican was charged in May 2023 with fabricating fundraising figures, and expelled from Congress seven months later.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
For Sen. Raphael Warnock, President Jimmy Carter was a hero he got to know in real life.

Jimmy CarterAmerican is one of my favorite people. He is an American hero. And Im so proud that hes from our great state of Georgia, Warnock said.

Even traveling down to Plains to pray with the Carter family as the president was in hospice care in his home.

His final visits with Jimmy Carter was as a pastor, not a politician.

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To pray with him in the months when he was in hospice, to visit with him, to read scripture, to pray with him, the Christian brother, is a deep honor, and its something that continues to bless my life and inspire my approach to leadership, Warnock told Channel 2 investigative reporter Justin Gray.

Members of Congress were among the first who were able to pay their respects at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday as former President Jimmy Carter lies in state.

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For Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff that means thinking about the works of the Carter Center after Carters term as president was over.

I think that his work in his post-presidency advocating for free and fair elections around the world, where he demonstrated his continued capacity to make a difference, to have an impact, Ossoff said.

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Georgia Republican Rep. Buddy Carter -- no relation to the former President  was also an admirer of Jimmy Carter and his commitment to service.

I think people will remember Jimmy Carter more for his faith and for his politics. He was really a great example for everyone to follow, particularly for politicians to follow, showing that you could keep your moral compass intact and still serve the American people, Carter said.

That commitment to embodying his faith is something Warnock spoke of as well.

He did not weaponize his faith. And I think thats such an important moral lesson in this moment, Warnock said.

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For Warnock, his relationship with Carter predates his involvement with politics.

Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church and the King family had a more than five-decade relationship with Carter and played an important role in his becoming president.

Martin Luther King, senior Daddy King, as he was affectionately called, put his arms around President Carter, politically and literally, and took him around the African-American community at a time when people werent so sure about this Southern white governor coming out of a different era, Warnock said.

Ever the pastor, Warnock found a life lesson in an old, tattered chair in the presidents home office in Plains.

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I mean, it was rickety, Warnock told Gray. He continued to sit in that chair and do the work. Jimmy Carter understood that its not where you sit, its what you do.

Warnock also told a story about Daddy King that he confirmed was true from President Carter himself.

Daddy King called the White House and asked for the president.

When told he was Carter unavailable, he said Have him call me back in 15 minutes. And Carter did.

President Carter will lie in repose until his state funeral on Thursday when he will return to Georgia for a family funeral and burial.
(Bloomberg) -- Friedrich Merz, the German conservative who is the front-runner to become the next chancellor, downplayed a remark by US President-elect Donald Trump calling for NATO members to more than double defense spending.

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The head of the Christian Democratic Union described Trumps demand that alliance partners spend 5% of GDP on defense as a spontaneous comment, Merz said on Wednesday at a press conference following a meeting with his partys Bavarian partner. He said that the current goal for spending 2% of GDP on defense was a minimum.

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Germany reached that target for the first time only last year, thanks to a special 100 billion ($103 billion) fund initiated by Chancellor Olaf Scholzs administration in the aftermath of Russias invasion of Ukraine.

The event in Bavaria marked the unofficial start of the conservatives campaign ahead of the Feb. 23 snap election. The CDU and Bavarias Christian Social Union were intent on showing unity after division ahead of the 2021 vote undermined support. Merz and CSU leader Markus Soeder identified the Greens as the chief rival, even though the environmental party is fourth in the polls.

The CDU-led bloc is the clear leader, with a lead of more than 10 points over the far-right Alternative for Germany and almost double the support of Scholzs Social Democrats.

On defense, the conservatives want to further increase German defense spending up to 3% of GDP, but its unclear yet how this goal and other initiatives with will be financed.

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Merz has said in the past that he would try to establish good relations with the new Trump administration, but made clear that Germany would act as an equal partner.

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(Bloomberg) -- The German conservative in pole position to become the next chancellor is toughening his position on migration as he tries to fend off the threat of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).

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At a meeting with his Bavarian partners on Wednesday, Friedrich Merz highlighted migration as a critical issue in the upcoming election after reaffirming his promise to make it harder to obtain a passport and easier to strip citizenship from foreign-born Germans who commit serious crimes.

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The number of migrants who have come to Germany and are still coming here is objectively too high, he said at an event that was an effort to show unity in the conservative camp after divisions undermined support in the 2021 election. We will not be able to solve the problems in Germany if we do not strictly limit the number of migrants coming to Germany. Illegal migration must be stopped and legal migration must be controlled,

While Merzs comments echo far-right talking points and sparked outrage by some observers, he insisted the remarks reflected personal conviction rather than political tactics.

Im not letting myself be impressed or influenced by the AfD on any political issue, he said. We say what we think is right on these issues.

Merzs conservative bloc has enjoyed a robust lead of more than 10 percentage points over its rivals for most of the last year, making him the strong favorite to take power after next months election.

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But the emergence of a possible far-right government in Austria and creeping gains for the AfD in Germany are sending jitters through the ranks of Merzs Christian Democrats and their smaller Bavarian sister party.

Markus Soeder, head of the Bavarian group, called for a fundamental policy change in Germany and said that the fight against illegal migration would be a main topic of his partys election campaign.

Anyone who already has citizenship but is in favor of a caliphate must have it revoked and leave the country, said Soeder, who is also the Bavarian state premier, in reference to demands made last year by a group of Islamists in Hamburg.

On Wednesday, Merz and Soeder both pointed to the Greens as the chief rival, even though the environmental party is in fourth place in the polls ahead of the Feb. 23 vote, while the AfD is in second.

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In an interview with Welt am Sonntag over the weekend, Merz had pledged to repeal a law passed by Social Democrat Chancellor Olaf Scholz which makes it easier for migrants to obtain dual citizenship. He also insisted that German authorities should have the right to revoke the citizenship of migrants who commit serious crimes, after a Saudi refugee whod been granted asylum several years ago drove his car into a Christmas market on Dec. 20, killing six people.

Scholz said that Merzs proposal would set back Germanys efforts to attract more skilled workers from abroad at a time when companies are struggling to find enough qualified staff.

I am convinced that this would be wrong, the chancellor told reporters during a company visit near Berlin on Tuesday. There is hardly a company in Germany that could do business without these great employees.

The idea of adding further possible barriers to hiring skilled workers caused criticism from some German company officials who are wrestling with a dramatic labor shortage, which threatens to hold back the countrys economy for years.

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This demand is a breach of the dam that will further undermine our open society and further exacerbate polarization, Marcel Fratzscher, head of the Germany Institute for Economy, wrote on X.

Merz is looking to cement an electoral alliance with Soeder after seeing off his challenge to clinch the CDU/CSU nomination to become the next chancellor. He initially planned to focus his campaign mainly on tackling Germanys economic problems, but after a series of high-profile criminal incidents involving migrants, most recently the deadly attack on the Christmas market in Magdeburg, the topic of migration has moved back into center stage.

Soeders CSU has traditionally been more conservative than Merzs CDU and, buoyed by recent opinion polls, the Bavarian leader is seeking to reassert his authority and to finally draw a line under the more liberal immigration policies the conservatives had pursued under former chancellor Angela Merkel.

Theres a new spirit in the CDU, Soeder said about his larger political ally.

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The CSU is polling at around 44% in its home state, where it has governed uninterrupted since 1957. Thats a sharp recovery from its showing in the 2021 election, where support slipped to 32%, the lowest in more than half a century. Across Germany as a whole, the CDU/CSU bloc is polling at around 30% while the AfD is on about 19%.

Another bugbear for Soeder is the prospect of Merz possibly joining a coalition with the Greens, who have governed alongside Scholzs SPD and the pro-business FDP since 2021.

The CSU meeting near Munich has been overshadowed by the collapse of coalition talks in neighboring Austria and the conservative Peoples Partys sudden pivot, which has opened up a potential path to power for right-wing populist Herbert Kickl. Soeder blamed a five-year-long government alliance between the conservatives and the Greens in Austria for the rise of the far-right and warned against a similar development in Germany.

I dont think that the Greens have the competence for governing, he said on Monday, reiterating his fierce resistance against considering a coalition with the party thats led by German economy minister Robert Habeck in the current election campaign. Talk of an alliance with the Greens will drive many voters to other radical parties, Soeder said. Namely to the AfD.

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--With assistance from Michael Nienaber and Marton Eder.

(Updates with fresh Merz comments beginning in the third paragraph. A previous version misspelled former chancellor Merkels first name.)

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A German couple has confessed to killing a Ukrainian refugee and her mother as part of a plot to steal the young womans newborn baby.

The two defendants were accused of posing as volunteers, drugging the Ukrainian women, aged 27 and 51, and then leading them to a lake before killing them and fleeing with the baby, named Mia.

After police discovered the bodies, they tracked down both suspects and rescued Mia, who is now being looked after by the victims sister in Ukraine.

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The two defendants, who under German privacy law have been identified only as Marco O, 43, and Ina O, 45, confessed to the killings via a statement from their lawyers at a court hearing this week.

The district court in Mannheim heard that the couples motive was to raise a daughter together, having struggled with miscarriages and failed fertility treatments.

They first made contact with their victims, Margarita R, 27, and Maryna S, 51, after joining a Telegram messaging group that was set up to help Ukrainian refugees with translation. They appeared to have posed as helpful volunteers in order to gain the trust of their victims.

The couple then took the Ukrainian women to a restaurant, where they furtively drugged them both with medication, offering to drive them to hospital once they felt unwell.

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Instead, they drove to the secluded Krummes Loch fishing lake, where both Ukrainians were beaten to death with a hammer and their bodies burned.

I find myself disgusting

German police discovered the bodies and launched a manhunt, which culminated in the arrest of the German couple and the rescue of baby Mia on March 13 last year. She has since been placed in the care of Eugenia, Margaritas sister, in Ukraine.

I committed these crimes with my husband. I made a big mistake that weighs heavily on me. Little Mia is without a mother and my children no longer have a mother either, Ina said in a statement read out to the court by her lawyer, Bild tabloid reported.

In a separate statement to the court, which was read out by his lawyer, Marco added: I confess completely. I committed the crimes with a rubber hammer, my wife was just standing by the car... I find myself disgusting. But on the day of the crime I took about one gram of cocaine and two grams of amphetamine.

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The trial continues.

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German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has strongly criticized US President-elect Donald Trump's comments about wanting to seize Greenland from Denmark.

Pistorius joined Chancellor Olaf Scholz in questioning the logic behind Trump's remarks.

International law state that borders should be respected, Pistorius said at an election campaign event in the central city of Marburg.

"This applies not only to autocrats like (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, but even more so to the leader of the free world, as the American president has rightly been called for decades, he added.

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Trump had repeatedly shown interest in taking over the vast Arctic island Greenland due to national security and energy reasons.

He also told a news conference on Tuesday that he wanted to control the Panama Canal and refused to rule out military force to take Greenland or Panama.

Pistorius argued that whether Trump was serious in his statements was irrelevant. He slammed the president-elect for sowing doubt and spreading uncertainty during a time of global insecurity.
(Bloomberg) -- German factory orders dropped the most in three months, highlighting industrys woes just weeks before Chancellor Olaf Scholz faces elections.

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Demand fell 5.4% in November from the previous month, far worse than the 0.2% decline economists had predicted in a Bloomberg survey. Thats due to a drop in large-scale orders. Stripping out that element, the gauge would have increased by 0.2%, the statistics office said.

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Without the large orders, at least there are indiciations of a bottoming out at a low level, said Vincent Stamer, an economist at Commerzbank. Theres still no sign of the situation in German industry recovering.

The countrys manufacturing sector has been weighing on the broader economy since 2022, with cyclical issues increasingly giving way to structural problems such as worker shortages and lofty energy costs. The economy probably contracted for a second year in 2024 and the Bundesbank is predicting a rebound of just 0.2% this year.

That weakness is a focus in Feb. 23 elections, which will likely see Scholz ousted in favor of Friedrich Merz, who leads the main opposition conservative CDU/CSU bloc.

The Social Democrats term that started in 2021 has been marred by a number of issues including the pandemic, a cost-of-living crisis following Russias war in Ukraine and weak Chinese demand for German products.

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A new chancellor will face similar growth hurdles, with the threat of US tariffs  once Donald Trump returns to the White House later this month  adding to the challenges for Europes biggest economy.

A first estimate for fourth-quarter output is scheduled for Jan. 15. Economists currently predict an expansion of just 0.1% in the period, though the Bundesbank has warned that a stagnation looks likely.

--With assistance from Kristian Siedenburg and Barbara Sladkowska.

(Updates with economist comment in third paragraph)

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BERLIN (AP)  German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Wednesday that the principle of inviolability of borders applies to every country, however powerful, and suggested that expansionist comments by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump are meeting with incomprehension among European leaders.

Trump on Tuesday said he would not rule out the use of military force to seize control of the Panama Canal and Greenland  an autonomous territory of Denmark, a longtime U.S. ally and a member of NATO and the European Union. He declared U.S. control of both to be vital to American national security.

In a hastily arranged statement to reporters, Scholz said he spoke earlier Wednesday with several European leaders, whom he didn't name, and the president of the European Council.

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He said it was a longstanding central principle that borders must not be moved by force, a principle that Russian President Vladimir Putin violated with his war in Ukraine.

He said that during Wednesdays discussions a certain incomprehension became clear regarding current comments from the U.S.

The principle of the inviolability of borders applies to every country, regardless of whether it lies to the east of us or the west, and every state must keep to it, regardless of whether it is a small country or a very powerful state," Scholz said.

It is a fundamental principle of international law and a key part of what we call Western values, he added.

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Scholz did not refer to Trump by name or mention the details of his comments.

The center-left Social Democrat, who is seeking a second term in an early election next month, also noted that NATO is a central pillar of the transatlantic relationship.

At his news conference on Tuesday, Trump said he believes that NATO should dramatically increase its spending targets, with members committing to spend at least 5% of their GDPs on defense spending, up from the current 2%.

Germany, a target of Trump's ire for failing to meet the latter target during his first term, raised its spending to meet it in the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Scholz said there is a regulated procedure within NATO for determining the necessary military capabilities. He said it is important that we stand together and act in unity on these questions.
Friedrich Merz, the frontrunner to become Germany's next chancellor, said defence spending targets should be aligned with actual needs instead of abstract figures, after US President-elect Donald Trump demanded NATO members spend 5% of GDP on defence.

"The 2%, 3% or 5% are basically irrelevant: What is crucial is that we do what is necessary to defend ourselves," Merz, who leads the conservative Christan Democratic Union (CDU) party, told the radio station Bayern 2 on Wednesday.

His comments come after Trump on Tuesday said that NATO countries should be spending 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) on defence, up from the current 2% target.

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Trump, who returns to the White House on January 20, has long been a critic of NATO, claiming that many European members are free-riders who don't pay their way, relying instead on US taxpayers.

When asked about Trump's latest demand, Merz said: "We must first of all achieve the 2% as a lower limit in Germany. We are not there yet."

Germany had only "formally" met the 2% target because spending from a special fund set up following the Russian invasion of Ukraine was currently being included.

The special 100 billion ($1.03 billion) fund intended to modernize and ramp up Germany's armed forces is expected to be depleted by 2027.

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Merz, whose conservative bloc is currently polling in first place ahead of early elections on February 23, said the important thing was to focus on restoring national and alliance defence capabilities.

"We have to make a joint effort here in the next few years and the yardsticks for measuring what proportion of an economy's gross domestic product is allocated to defence are only variables," he added.
Friedrich Merz, the frontrunner to become Germany's next chancellor, said defence spending targets should be aligned with actual needs instead of abstract figures, after US President-elect Donald Trump demanded NATO members spend 5% of GDP on defence.

"The 2%, 3% or 5% are basically irrelevant: What is crucial is that we do what is necessary to defend ourselves," Merz, who leads the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, told the radio station Bayern 2 on Wednesday.

His comments come after Trump on Tuesday said that NATO countries should be spending 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) on defence, up from the current 2% target.

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Trump, who returns to the White House on January 20, has long been a critic of NATO, claiming that many European members are free-riders who don't pay their way, relying instead on US taxpayers.

According to NATO estimates last year, 23 members were expected to meet or exceed the 2% of GDP target in 2024.

The German government has reported defence spending of around 90.6 billion ($94.9 billion) for 2024. According to estimates from June, this could correspond to a share of GDP of around 2.1%.

When asked about Trump's latest demand, Merz said: "We must first of all achieve the 2% as a lower limit in Germany. We are not there yet."

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Germany had only "formally" met the 2% target because spending from a special fund set up following the Russian invasion of Ukraine was currently being included.

The special 100 billion fund intended to modernize and ramp up Germany's armed forces is expected to be depleted by 2027.

Merz, whose conservative bloc is currently polling in first place ahead of early elections on February 23, said the important thing was to focus on restoring national and alliance defence capabilities.

"We have to make a joint effort here in the next few years and the yardsticks for measuring what proportion of an economy's gross domestic product is allocated to defence are only variables," he added.

Conservative allies divided

The leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU), the CDU's sister party in Bavaria, disagreed with Merz's assessment, calling for a defence spending target of "well above 3%" of GDP.

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Whether meeting Trump's demand of 5% was possible had to be assessed, Markus Soder told broadcasters RTL/ntv on Wednesday.

However, he said ramping up defence spending to "well above 3%" of Germany's GDP had to be a given.

Senior CSU lawmaker Alexander Dobrindt on the other hand said that Trump's demand was "not realistic" and should therefore not "be taken 100% seriously."

He pointed out that even the US itself was not spending 5% of GDP on defence, meaning the figure would also be unrealistic for Germany.

"For Germany, that would mean around 180 billion per year, as things stand today," Dobrindt said.

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NATO estimates the United States spent about 3.38% on defence in 2024 - well under 5%.

A decision on new spending pledges is expected to be made at the alliance's summit next June.

The US president-elect's latest comments show that NATO allies were heading for a challenging debate with Trump, said Dobrindt.

Regardless, he said he believes that in the future, the debate on defence spending will shift away from targets but focus more on individual NATO members being able to provide specific military capabilities.

Far left opposes more defence spending

The leader of Germany's The Left party, meanwhile, vehemently opposed Trump's latest demand, with its leader Jan van Aken instead telling dpa that the party is in favour of freezing defence spending at the current level instead.

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"In 2024, the defence budget was 52 billion  together with our European partner states, that is perfectly adequate for national defence," van Aken said.

Van Aken echoed the comments made by conservative leader Merz, saying that measuring defence spending by GDP was "nonsense."

In the event of an economic crisis, GDP and thus the defence budget would fall, he pointed out.

"Defence spending must be measured in terms of need, not GDP."

Van Aken also warned against European nations allowing themselves to be blackmailed by Trump. Instead, it made sense to think of security in European tearms, he said.

The Left party currently polls at around 3%, meaning it could fail to pass the 5% usually needed to enter Germany's parliament.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday publicly called out US President-elect Donald Trump over his threat to seize control of Greenland, saying "the inviolability of borders applies to every country."

"Borders must not be shifted by force," Scholz said in Berlin. "This principle applies, and it is a foundation of our peaceful order."

Scholz was reacting to statements made by Trump during a press conference on Tuesday, when he said he would not rule out using the military to gain control of Greenland or the Panama Canal.

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Trump, who will take office for a second term on January 20, has repeatedly expressed an interest in the island of Greenland, which is part of Denmark.

His latest comments sparked indignation around the world, including from Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede, who said that "Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders."

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that the European Union must defend itself better against attacks on its sovereign borders, in response to Trump's statements.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday publicly called out US President-elect Donald Trump over his threat to seize control of Greenland, saying "the inviolability of borders applies to every country."

"Borders must not be shifted by force," Scholz said in Berlin. "This principle applies, and it is a foundation of our peaceful order."

Scholz was reacting to statements made by Trump on Tuesday, when he said he would not rule out using the military to gain control of Greenland or the Panama Canal.

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Scholz said he had discussed the issue with fellow European leaders on Wednesday, reporting a "certain lack of understanding" regarding "current statements from the US" among the European partners.

"The principle of the inviolability of borders applies to every country, whether it is to the east or to the west of us," the German chancellor said.

"And every state must abide by it," Scholz continued, "whether it is a small country or a very powerful state."

"It is a fundamental principle of international law and a core component of what we call Western values."

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Scholz also highlighted the importance of the Western defence alliance NATO, calling it "the central pillar of the transatlantic relationship."

During his press conference on Tuesday, Trump also made new demands for NATO allies to spend at least 5% of their gross domestic product on defence, up from the current 2% goal.

"One thing is clear," Scholz said. "The security situation in Europe will remain very tense for the foreseeable future. We must respond to this in a calm and resolute manner."

Trump, who will take office for a second term on January 20, has repeatedly expressed an interest in the island of Greenland, which is an autonomous Danish territory.

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His latest comments sparked indignation around the world, including from Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede, who said that "Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders."

Egede arrived in the Danish capital Copenhagen on Wednesday for talks with Danish King Frederik X. Greenland is set to hold a general election this year, and independence from Denmark is a major topic in the election campaign.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that the European Union must defend itself better against attacks on its sovereign borders, in response to Trump's statements.

"We are a strong continent, we must become stronger," Barrot said on the French radio station France Inter.

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"It is out of the question that the EU allows other nations of the world, whoever they are, and I would even say starting with Russia, to attack its sovereign borders," he said.

Barrot said the European Union must wake up and strengthen itself militarily, and should not be intimidated or made to feel insecure.

"If you are asking me whether I think the US will invade Greenland, the answer is no," he said, adding that the United States does not have an imperialistic nature.

"Have we entered an era in which the law of the jungle is returning?" he asked, "the answer is yes."
Chemnitz? Many Germans were shaking their heads in disbelief when the eastern German city was chosen to be one of Europe's cultural capitals for 2025. Its image was that of an industrious, if drab, model of socialism. In the formerly communist East Germany, it was called Karl-Marx-Stadt. Enough said.

Yet the city's promoters convinced the European Union's award jury that its underdog status nothwithstanding, Chemnitz had changed and that the "Manchester of Saxony" was worth discovering.

Their catchy slogan for Chemnitz: "C the Unseen." And so, come January 18, visitors will be invited to uncover and discover many architectural, cultural and historic treasures as Chemnitz joins Nova Gorica (Slovenia) and Gorizia (Italy) as a Cultural Capital of Europe.

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A good place to start is the Villa Esche, an Art Nouveau mansion in the south-western part of the city. There, art historian Anika Reineke welcomes visitors to the villa, one of Europe's top architectural addresses and home to a leading 19th-century industrialist, Herbert Esche. The last daylight penetrates through the glass ceiling into the large, blue-hued foyer. From here, a grand staircase leads to the gallery on the upper floor with the private rooms of the former manufacturer's family.

The Esches were leading hosiery manufacturers in Germany and their goods were sold worldwide. At the start of the 20th century, Esche and his wife Johanna had a new villa built - and commissioned none other than the Belgian designer Henry van de Velde.

"It was his first architectural commission in Germany," reports Reineke. The Belgian - a major representative of Art Nouveau and pioneer of the Bauhaus movement - not only designed the villa. He also designed the interior: Furniture, lights and wall panelling through to the tableware.

Industrialists ushered in the modern age in the city

The villa symbolises two things: Chemnitz as an important industrial city, but also its architectural and artistic treasures. The economic upswing, driven primarily by the textile industry and mechanical engineering, led to a new self-image for wealthy factory owners such as the Herbert Esche.

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"They wanted to bring modernism to the city and could afford it," says Reineke. In 1905, they lured another art star: Norwegian painter Edvard Munch. He immortalised in paintings the Esche family and the Chemnitz River valley. Extensive exhibitions on both Munch and van de Velde will take place during the Capital of Culture year.

While it takes about 15 minutes by tram to reach Villa Esche, many sights are within easy walking distance. Once you turn the corner from the central railway station, you can see the theatre square, where the opera house, the King Albert Museum - home to the art collections - and St. Peter's Church form an ensemble.

Then, there is Karl Marx

Just one street further towards the city centre, the most famous landmark awaits: the huge bust of the political philosopher Karl Marx gazing sternly into the distance. The 40-tonne bronze colossus by Russian sculptor Lev Kerbel has survived communist East Germany and is today a popular photo motif and meeting point.

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From here, it is best to take a detour around the city centre. Just a few hundred metres further on, an "icon of modernism" will capture your eye: The Schocken department store designed by architect Erich Mendelsohn and opened in 1930.

Today, visitors can delve deeply into the past with an impressive presentation by the State Museum of Archaeology. It also sheds light on the history of mining, particularly in the nearby Ore Mountains.

Continuing along the city centre ring road, visitors will come across another imposing former department store building, the Tietz. Today it houses several cultural institutions, including, in the upper floors, the Neue Saechsische Galerie art museum.

A further cultural highlight is the working library of the writer Stefan Heym (1913-2001), a Chemnitz native. Heym was regarded as the most important voice of opposition literature in East Germany. Now, an exhibition explores the writer's life and work.

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Art lovers should follow the city centre ring road to the Gunzenhauser Museum. The former bank building houses the collection of the Munich gallery owner of the same name: More than 3,000 works by 270 artists - above all Otto Dix, Alexej von Jawlensky, Willi Baumeister and Gabriele Munter.

One of Europ's largest Wilhelminian and Art Nouveau neighbourhoods

"Eighty-five per cent of the Chemnitz city centre was destroyed during the Second World War," reports tour guide Veronika Leonhardt. This is why the face of the city centre changed so much after the war. Today, Leonhardt only lingers briefly in the centre, preferring quickly to lead visitors to one of the most popular residential areas, crossing the river until reaching a hill: The Kassberg.

Leonhardt's focus is on the historical buildings. Kassberg is considered one of the largest neighbourhoods in Europe featuring Wilhelminian-era and Art Nouveau architecture.

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Among the neighbourhood's gems, are the "majolica houses" built shortly before 1900, the name being of Moorish origin and referring to tin-glazed ceramic tiles adorning the facades and forming ornaments and figurative representations.

The Capital of Culture year will kick off on January 18 - shortly after the other cultural capitals, Nova Gorica and Gorizia, launch their programmes. Chemnitz, about 3 hours south of Berlin or 4 hours north of Munich, is expecting around 2 million visitors. The programme book is over 400 pages long.

Fireworks at the King Albert Museum, Opera House and St Peter's Church in Chemnitz to mark the designation as Capital of Culture 2025. Jan Woitas/dpa

"C the Unseen" is the motto of Chemnitz as European Capital of Culture 2025. Hendrik Schmidt/dpa

At night, the chimney of Chemnitz's former lignite-fired power station glows in bright colours, visible from afar. Hendrik Schmidt/dpa

The Hartmann factory ruins of Chemnitz have been refurbished into a visitor centre at a cost of millions of euros. Sebastian Willnow/dpa

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The exhibition at Villa Esche also includes original furniture from the Esche family. Hendrik Schmidt/dpa
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte gives his inauguration address at the Montana State Capitol on Jan. 6, 2025. (Micah Drew/Daily Montanan).

When former and newly-elected President Donald Trump takes office later this month, a new advisory committee known as the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, will take shape to address wasteful spending on the federal level.

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte in a Jan. 7 letter congratulated DOGE co-chairmen Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, and offered his experience working on red-tape relief not just during his first gubernatorial administration, but during his brief tenure in Congress.

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With my first executive order and on my second day in office, I launched our Red Tape Relief Task Force, Gianforte wrote. That initiative, led by Lt. Gov. Kristen Juras, rolled back, reformed and repealed one-fifth of regulations on the books and passed more than one hundred seventy red tape relief bills into law to eliminate unnecessary, burdensome rules holding back hardworking Montanans and businesses.

The Republican administrations efforts have yielded a record number of Montanans in the work force, wages growing at one of the nations fastest rates and record business creation, Gianforte said.

None of our success, however, would be possible without cutting red tape and being strong guardians of taxpayer resources, he said.

SpaceX and Tesla founder Elon Musk will co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a priority of incoming President Donald Trump. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker | Getty Images)

Gianforte also pointed to the years he served in the U.S. House of Representatives, from 2017-2020, when he led the Republican Study Committees Government Efficiency, Accountability and Reform Task Force.

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Our task force identified more than 100 common sense solutions to reform government power structure, practices, and personnel policies. The actionable, nonpartisan plan provided a roadmap for reclaiming government from unelected bureaucrats, making it more efficient and accountable to taxpayers, Gianforte wrote. To us, this just seemed like common sense, and outside of Washington, D.C., it is. Common sense, however, is not so common in Washington, D.C. where entrenched bureaucrats and well-heeled lobbyists will go to great lengths to protect their slice of the pie.

The governor invited Musk and Ramaswamy to Montana to discuss how his administration could collaborate with DOGE.

As you begin this challenging process to reduce the administrative state, get spending, deficits and the national debt under control, and ultimately unleash American opportunity, know that my administration and I stand ready to work with you and your team, he wrote. My door is always open.

LETTER_250107_DOGE1
**Related Video Above: Kids get fantasy flight at Hopkins to meet Santa

DALLAS (WJW)  A woman got the chance to see her mother before she died thanks to the help of workers at a national airline.

In a post from last month that has since gone viral on TikTok, Hannah White expressed her thanks to Delta Air Lines for getting her to her connecting flight, despite a flight delay.

Stolen baby Jesus figure returned: I-Team

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Whites mom, Kathleen Nelson, was doing well after a surgery when she suddenly went into septic shock, prompting White to get on a plane immediately.

However, mechanical issues in Dallas led White to start worrying she may never get to say goodbye due to a missed connection, she wrote in the post.

Telling her story to a flight attendant, who passed it along to the pilot, the team was able to get the connecting plane in Minneapolis to wait for White, despite initially saying shed have wait to fly out the next day.

They even moved her to a first-class seat so she could sprint across the airport to make the next flight. The man sitting next to her even pulled out a map to show her where the next gate would be in the airport.

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My mom passed away the next day, White wrote in the post. Deltas kindness gave me 24 extra hours with her. I was able to say I love you one last time and provide the comfort for her in her final moments, that she provided for me my whole life  you gave me the gift of time.

The video has been watch more than 10 million times now.

Rare bird spotted in Ohio

People magazine reached out to the airline, who said they were glad to assist Hannah in reaching her destination in time to be with her mother.

Our team understands how important these moments are, and we thank Hannah for trusting us with her travel, Delta said in a statement.

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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 8 Cleveland WJW.
A group of young adults were pictured smiling as they posed for selfies in front of a raging Southern California wildfire that has devastated the area.

The group, who have not been identified, were pictured by Getty photographer David McNew on Tuesday in an evacuation zone in Pasadena as the Eaton fire ripped through peoples homes.

At least five people have died as a result of the Eaton fire, the Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed, which has so far spread to 27,000 acres and forced the evacuation of 150,000.

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A newspaper editor shared the picture on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) and commented: More madness.

Wow. Gross, someone else replied, while another branded the group as stupid, stupid, people.

The group pose for a selfie in front of the raging wildfire in Pasadena (Getty)

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday morning, chief of the Los Angeles Police Department Jim McDonnell had warned residents to get out of evacuation zones, emphasizing that it could make the difference between living and not.

Take these these warnings, orders, to evacuate very seriously, he told the press conference. As youve heard over again, be ready to go, pack what you need up but then please comply with these orders.

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We dont give them put them out lightly, he added. When we believe that youre in the path of the fire, were going to order that evacuation and we really, really need your compliance on that.

If you are told to evacuate and given an order, there is nothing worth your life, L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Morrone said. Please listen to the police and fire officials that are out there and be prepared to evacuate.

Elderly patients are quickly evacuated into an armored vehicle as embers and flames approach during the Eaton fire in Pasadena (AFP via Getty Images)

The Eaton fire prompted more than 50,000 evacuation orders, Angeles National Forest officials said. City spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said at least 550 houses were within the evacuation zones of the Eaton Canyon fire.

We were having dinner with the family and we just had to leave because the fire was coming so fast, Darinka Whitmore from Eaton Canyon in Altadena, who fled with her husband and their four children, told The New York Times. We just grabbed our backpacks and our kids and our doggies.

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More than 80,000 residents in Los Angeles have evacuated their homes as the infernos in the Palisades, Eaton and Hurst show little sign of slowing down.

A playground burns in a residential neighborhood during the Eaton fire in Pasadena (AFP via Getty Images)

A 25-year-old female firefighter and multiple burn victims are among the injured, LAFD spokesperson Erik Scott said Wednesday morning.

The fires have spread in less than 24 hours and expanded to more than 25,000 acres as of Wednesday afternoon. They have been fueled by a fierce windstorm known as the Santa Ana winds, and officials are warning the situation could get worse as none of the blazes have been contained.

Gusts up to 70 mph in some areas are essentially fanning the flames as well as grounding firefighting aircraft. A wind advisory is in effect through Wednesday evening in southern California.

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The first fire to erupt is burning in Pacific Palisades, an affluent coastal neighborhood on the west of Los Angeles, having started in 10.30 a.m. PT Tuesday. As of Wednesday afternoon it has burned more than 15,000 acres.

The blaze caused flaming embers to rain onto trees and rooftops in the neighborhood, with residents rushing to escape. It also created a traffic jam on Palisades Drive, blocking emergency vehicles from getting through. Crews used a bulldozer to push the abandoned cars off to the side, the Associated Press reported.

Several Hollywood stars  including Ben Affleck, Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson and Mark Hamill  have been forced to flee.
Its a chilling fact that the Project 2025 playbook written for Donald Trumps administration is just a roadmap for the first 180 days. But based on the contents of that manual, the MAGA movements longer-term goals arent exactly a mystery. Still, if people want a broader sense of whats coming down the pike in the months and years ahead, its instructive to look at litigation involving rights granted under a Reconstruction-era addition to the Constitution.

The Fourteenth Amendment was intended to extend full citizenship to formerly enslaved Black people, and it undergirds the right of all Americans to be treated equally under the law, no matter who they are or in which state they reside. Yet over the past year, conservatives have been increasingly open in their beliefs that pregnant women, transgender adolescents, affirming parents of trans kids, and immigrants are not legally entitled to the Fourteenth Amendments protectionsall while arguing that fertilized eggs are. Republicans are using strategic litigation to effectively rewrite the Fourteenth Amendment to prioritize conservative white men and embryos above and beyond everyone else. They are warping something used to grant rights into a bludgeon to take them away, and are redefining who counts as a person in the United States.

The selectivity about whom the Fourteenth Amendment ought to apply to is stunning, said Khiara M. Bridges, professor at University of California at Berkeley School of Law. Its not demanded by the text of the Constitution at all. Instead, these are political choices that are being made, and theyre elevating certain individuals rights.

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Michele Goodwin, professor of constitutional law and global health policy at Georgetown Law, calls this process of picking and choosing citizenship gerrymanderinga process in which ones rights are not necessarily granted by the Constitution but rather a live issue, subject to the whimsand more specifically, the prejudicesof state lawmakers and courts. The judiciary is already stacked with Trump picks, but in the next four years, its possible that half of all judges will be his nominees.

Many GOP-appointed members of the judiciary profess to care about the original intent of our laws, but accepting this theory of the amendment is merely opportunistic originalism, Goodwin said. States are quickly passing laws and filing litigation over issues such as abortion and trans rights because the makeup of the courts provides a chance to make movement within these particular spaces, Goodwin said.

Movement, specifically to the right, is necessary to a coalition of Christian fundamentalists, white nationalists, and power-hungry Republicans displeased that women and Black people have made gains in the modern fight for full citizenship, Goodwin said. These fights culminated in protections including the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, and, yes, Roe v. Wade.

States and private lawyers have set about demolishing those rights, and the Supreme Court has responded in turn: It gutted the Voting Rights Act in Shelby County v. Holder, a 2013 ruling that Goodwin said basically ignored the Reconstruction Amendments; overturned Roe despite scholarship showing a Fourteenth Amendment basis for bodily autonomy following the end of inheritable chattel slavery; and then ended affirmative action in college admissions in 2023. If you look back at whats taken shape in the last 15 to 20 years, its really been a dismantling of racial justice, and so now everything else is up for grabs, she said, adding, Race is often the conduit for undermining what will be the rights of us all.

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All of this ultimately is about power and how power situates within our democracy, Goodwin said. I think that theyre stuck on something that is really important, which is the arc of citizenship that happens to be for disfavored people.





The Fourteenth Amendment was ratified in 1868 as a direct response to Southern states continuing to act as if Black people did not deserve citizenship and all that came with itthat dignity of equality, that dignity of being recognized as full and whole, of being people, Goodwin said.

Section 1 of the Fourteenth Amendment outlines birthright citizenship, as well as due process and equal protection under law. Its worth reading it again to see just how ridiculous Republicans sound when they claim it should apply to embryos but not to people born here to noncitizen parents:

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All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

As Goodwin said, The idea here was that being born meant something, and that is very different than gametesthan fetuses.

Yet prominent anti-abortion group Students for Life argues that the human rights of all Americansborn and prebornare anchored again in the 14th Amendment. The CEO of Alliance Defending Freedom, a key player in litigation about abortion, gender-affirming care, and parental rights in schools, told Politico in March, We do believe at ADF that the Constitution protects the life of an unborn child and that that is in the 14th Amendment.

But conservative groups dont believe that all Americans deserve protection under the law. As high-profile cases of pregnant people being denied emergency medical care show, giving rights to fetuses, let alone embryos, relegates women to second-class status. The U.S. is suing Idaho over its policy to deny emergency abortions to women facing threats to their healthcomplications that could cause a loss of fertility or even require amputationsbecause their lives arent immediately at risk. (Crucially, ADF is representing Idaho in this case. The Trump administration is expected not only to drop the lawsuit but to rescind Biden administration guidance that hospitals have to provide abortions to stabilize patients under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, or EMTALA.)

South Carolina lawmakers made plain the harms of the logical endpoint here. They reintroduced a bill that would allow women who have abortions at any stage of pregnancy to be charged with homicide and called it the South Carolina Prenatal Equal Protection Act. If fertilized eggs have rights, then women and pregnant people do not, and every pregnancy loss is a potential crime scene. We can expect low-income Black people and other people of color to face the same higher rates of abortion criminalization as they do for other crimes, Bridges said.

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The recent Supreme Court arguments about Tennessees ban on gender-affirming care for adolescents underscored the selectivity in who gets to exercise Fourteenth Amendment rights. The conservative position in U.S. v. Skrmetti is that while parents typically get to argue a due process right to direct their childrens upbringing, that right does not extend to parenting that affirms their transgender childs identity. Trans adolescents cant access medical care that is legal for their cisgender peers, and Republicans claim this is a regulation, not discrimination based on sex. Under this interpretation, even trans and nonbinary adults could continue to see their rights diminished.

This [incoming] administration would be interested in denying them health care and, if not criminalizing them, certainly banishing them from public spaces, Bridges said. One conservative group says it will pursue a ban on federal insurance covering affirming treatments, akin to the Hyde Amendment for abortion.





As far as immigrants are concerned, President-elect Trump has also said he wants to end birthright citizenship and start a mass deportation program, which would necessarily rope in U.S. citizens. While citizenship for people born on U.S. soil is written verbatim into the Fourteenth Amendment, conservatives have previewed an argument to gut it.

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Judge James Ho, who was on Trumps 2020 shortlist for Supreme Court nominations and is thought to be a top candidate should a justice retire, recently walked back his nearly two-decade defense of birthright citizenship by saying that it obviously doesnt apply in case of war or invasion. Ho was echoing xenophobic language that states like Texas have used to try to justify breaking federal law. No one to my knowledge has ever argued that the children of invading aliens are entitled to birthright citizenship, he said in an interview published after the election. And I cant imagine what the legal argument for that would be. Ho is clearly auditioning for the job.

Still, citizenship itself doesnt always protect against removalmeaning people born to immigrant parents could have their rights violated without the Supreme Court issuing a new interpretation. Bridges said this countrys history of mass deportations is rife with evidence that legal residents will be caught up in the dragnet. Hundreds of thousands of U.S. citizens with Mexican ancestry were deported during the Great Depression under President Herbert Hoover. (His slogan was American jobs for real Americans.) President Dwight Eisenhowers 1950s deportation regime also wrongly removed American citizens of Mexican descent.

This wasnt about undocumentedness, and this wasnt about immigrants. This was about non-whiteness, Bridges said. Under Trump 2.0, she said, the U.S. would once again be removing people from the U.S. because they are not white. Were talking about building camps, right? Thats where we are.

To Bridges, there are echoes back to the Fugitive Slave Acts: It wasnt just enslaved Black people who escaped and were then returned to chattel slavery. Free Black people were captured and taken to the South and coerced or forced to be slaves, Bridges said. Again, this wasnt about a condition of servitude, this was about Blackness. And because history rhymes, a Missouri Republican introduced a bill last month that would award $1,000 bounties to people who turn in suspected undocumented people to the state. (Importantly, there are also multiple abortion bounty laws in effect.)

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Bridges said we may see other judges cynically argue that the history and tradition of the Fourteenth Amendment suggests it applies only to formerly enslaved people, not immigrants from Central or South America. But the conservative majoritys brand of historical analysis is deeply flawed: Justice Samuel Alitos Dobbs opinion cited abortion bans in effect at the time the Fourteenth Amendment was ratified as evidence that abortion wasnt a long-held right and that Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided.

Alito completely ignored that most states banned termination only after quickening, or when women could feel fetal movement. Abortion before that point was commonBenjamin Franklin even published an herbal remedybut it was known not as abortion, rather as restoring the menses. Bridges said it should have been impossible for the court to ignore the context in which those post-quickening abortion bans were passed: around the end of the Civil War when enslaved people were emancipated and white male doctors sought to delegitimize the mostly Black profession of midwifery.

The same social movement that succeeded in getting these criminal abortion laws passed such that Alito could count the laws in Dobbsthat same movement was very concerned about native-born white women having lower birth rates than non-native women and Black women, Bridges said.

To say that we see similar nativism and sexism today would be a stark understatement. The pronatalist wing of the conservative movement believes in the white supremacist great replacement theory that immigrants are overrunning real Americans, who arent having enough babies to maintain the desired composition of the country. (That is to say: majority-white.)

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The groups of people whose Fourteenth Amendment rights to be recognized as full humans are under attack from Republicans are deeply connected to one another. Its an error to read these things separate from one another, Bridges said, adding that the obsession with mass deportations is connected to the desire to end birthright citizenship, which are both tied to wanting to revert to traditional gender and family norms, and thats linked to the interest in giving rights to fertilized eggs. All of these things are part of the same project, she said. This is about whiteness and patriarchy. Its about creating the U.S. as a nation for white men.

So who gets to be a citizen, or a person with equal rights? Not women or people capable of pregnancy, certainly not trans people or their affirming parents, and definitely not Black or brown people. In the Trump 2.0 era, we can expect to see escalating rhetoric that some people really arent people, theyre propertyeither of the state or of their family patriarch. So much for the dignity of equality.
After taking the oath of office on Monday, Gov. Spencer Cox, Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, Attorney General Derek Brown and others came together Tuesday afternoon to serve at the Utah Food Bank.

While sorting apples, Cox told the Deseret News, This is just who we are. This is what we do, and its important that we dont lose it. All of the good things we accomplish in government is because this stuff happens. If this stuff stops happening, then government is broken, and our society is broken. We need to get back to community building.

Many of the same state leaders will take part in a public swearing in ceremony at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the Eccles Theater.

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With a population of roughly 3.5 million in the state, the Utah Food Bank reported that 415,000 people face hunger, and 1 in 6 Utah children are at risk of missing a meal every day.

With the statistics in mind, the service activity coincided with the Cox administrations renewed focus on service. The event brought together around 125 Utahns, 9,000 pounds of boxed or canned food and 27,000 apples.

Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, closes up a box of food as she, Gov. Spencer Cox and first lady Abby Cox and other government workers and staff join together at the Utah Food Bank to serve in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Heidi Cannella, the food banks director of communications, talked about the event, saying, It was wonderful to have such great support from our elected officials and their staff, and were just pleased to work with the administration so well.

Lt. Gov. Henderson looks forward to education bills

Henderson said she is excited about Utahs upcoming legislative session, looking especially at bills aimed at education, including funding school safety and teacher programs.

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She mentioned the states ongoing work to help students focus during the school day by removing phones from classrooms and to implement programs that will allow students to bond with each other through service.

Cox echoed Hendersons enthusiasm for promoting service initiatives at Utah schools. Were doing some pilot programs in high schools, and I would love for it to be a graduation requirement  service hours, he said.

Cox also referenced the One Utah Service Fellowship program he launched in September 2024. He described it as a year-long service fellowship for kids in between high school and college that would partner them with a nonprofit. We started that last year, and its been awesome. Weve got around 200 kids now doing that. All of the great accolades that we get are because we have people doing this.

State employees and officials sort apples and other food items along with Gov. Spencer Cox and first lady Abby Cox at the Utah Food Bank to serve in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Similarly, a senior adviser to Cox and director of the Office of Families, Aimee Winder Newton, looks forward to addressing family-related policies, specifically regarding social media legislation. Newton also mentioned the Office of Early Childhood Home Visiting Program, which currently serves around 600 Utah families, sending Home Visiting professionals to educate new families on child development and connect them with community resources.

Cox optimistic about social media lawsuit direction

With the recent release of an unredacted filing against TikTok, Cox explained the importance of continuing to protect kids using social media. For about a year, weve been collecting data and documents that were so important in that filing. That was just TikTok, but this kind of stuff is happening on all social media platforms.

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I think the bills weve passed in the past couple of years are the ideal way to limit social media for kids, weve just got to get them implemented, Cox told the Deseret News. Were looking to get some good rulings from the Supreme Court soon, and we got a great ruling out of California on one of their bills just this past week, so were very optimistic.

State employees and officials sort food items along with Gov. Spencer and first lady Abby Cox at the Utah Food Bank to serve in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

New attorney general explains his role in the upcoming session

Brown and his wife, Emilie Brown, were two of many who came to serve at the food bank. Emilie Brown saved wonky apples Cox had tossed into the rejection box. The A.G., meanwhile, explained his upcoming involvement in the legislative session.

Heres what I am doing: Im working with the Legislature. There will be 900 bills that are introduced, Brown said.

He said he will work with the head of the general counsel for the Legislature, Victoria Ashby, her team and legislators.

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Brown explained his office works with lawmakers as legislation develops. And then because legal counsel doesnt want to wait until the law gets challenged, well work with them along the way, so you can kind of shape it as you go.

The general session for the Legislature will begin on Jan. 21 and will go for 45 days.

Maj. Gen. Daniel D. Boyack, adjutant general Utah National Guard, tosses a can of food to Quinton Jorgensen, aide de camp, as they join Gov. Spencer Cox, first lady Abby Cox, Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson and other government employees at the Utah Food Bank to serve in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

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AUSTIN (KXAN)  Gov. Greg Abbott said in a press conference Wednesday that below freezing temperatures will continue to impact much of the state, especially in North Texas.

That weather will include rain, sleet and snow, headed toward West Texas Wednesday afternoon. It will continue to spread eastward through Central, North and Northeast Texas through Friday morning, Abbott said.

Cloudy, cold, wintry weather expected tomorrow

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Officials with the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and others also joined Abbott during the conference.

Abbott said potentially significant road impacts in the form of snow, ice and accumulations may happen in West Texas through the Big Country, Concho Valley and the northern Hill Country.

A Winter Weather Advisory was issued for the Hill Country from 6 a.m. Thursday to 6 a.m. Friday, according to KXANs First Warning Weather team.

Higher snowfall amounts are forecast to occur around the Dallas-Forth Worth area, and over much of Northeast Texas. In addition to the wintry precipitation, Central, Southeast and South Texas may get some rain  which may lead to flash flooding in certain coastal communities, he said.

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Less than a tenth of an inch of ice accumulation is expected west of Interstate 35, along with isolated areas of ice that is possible in Austin. Additionally, no snowfall is expected in the Hill Country, according to the KXAN weather team.

The storm should end by Thursday night and before daybreak on Friday. Going into the weekend, the weather is milder, with highs in the upper 50s to low 60s.

Earlier this week, Abbott directed the TDEM to activate its state emergency response ahead of the severe winter weather. In addition to TDEM, he said the Public Utility Commission (PUC), TxDOT, the Texas A&M Forest Service, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the National Guard were all deployed to respond to the wintry weather.

Texas Department of Transportation has more than 2,000 employees already deployed treating roads, bridges and overpasses, said Abbott, who noted that crews were already out treating roadways Wednesday. We want to make sure that were doing everything possible to make our roadways as safe as possible. Were not used to driving on ice and snow. Were not used to driving in conditions like this. Be careful, be cautious.

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In total, Abbott said 16 roads were impacted as of 8 a.m. Wednesday, primarily in Northwest Texas. He said TxDOT is continuing to work with state and local partners to provide additional support on major highways and corridors.

As the cold weather is expected through Friday, Abbott said warming centers have also been a topic of discussion. As of Wednesday morning, he said more than 345 warming centers were opened by local officials. For anyone who needs more information on warming centers, they can visit the TDEM website.

Additionally, Abbott said the public can call 211 or can visit the 211 website, which monitors local media outlets for the closest warming center available.

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Jan. 7After accepting the resignations of the five-member Board of Regents at Western New Mexico University, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said Tuesday that the board's decision to award departing university President Joe Shepard a $1.9 million severance payment is "tone-deaf" and she wants to work with the Legislature to prevent similar packages from being awarded by public institutions.

"We must ensure that generous payouts no longer reward poor performance while maintaining our ability to attract qualified leaders," the governor said in a statement.

Her comments come one day after New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez filed an emergency temporary restraining order against the board to prevent the university from disbursing the severance payment to Shepard by Jan. 15, when he agreed to step down as president. A hearing before 6th District Court Judge Jarod Hofacket is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Jan. 13, according to court records.

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Lujan Grisham, who issued a letter on Dec. 31 urging all WNMU board members to resign, said on Tuesday her office is already reviewing candidates to "usher in a new era of accountability at the university."

The board was previously comprised of Daniel Lopez, a former state cabinet secretary; Dal Moellenberg, a private attorney; Lydon Haviland, a nonprofit executive and Mary Hotvedt, the board's chair who is also an adjunct professor, according to the university's website. Hotvedt and Jones' successors will take their positions as soon as they have been confirmed by the Senate, a news release from the governor's office said. Successors to Haviland, Lopez and Moellenberg can take their positions upon appointment since they are filling vacancies.

Aside from approving Shepard's contract, the board is also under investigation by multiple state agencies over what State Auditor Joe Maestas said was $360,000 in "wasteful spending" on lavish university foreign business trips and high-priced furniture for the president's residence from 2018-23. The alleged spending, first discovered in December 2023, is said to involve board members, Shepard and his wife, ex-CIA Agent Valerie Plame. Shepard has denied wrongdoing, but said he would step down to avoid being a distraction to the university.

A previously scheduled board meeting Tuesday to discuss Shepard's contract, his transition and the search for an interim president was abruptly canceled by Shepard when a quorum could not be reached. Jones, whose term on the board ended Dec. 31, will stay on temporarily to fulfill his treasurer duties, which include university payroll.

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Jack Crocker, provost and vice president of academic affairs, was expected to talk to the university about becoming interim president, according to a December news release, but on Tuesday WNMU spokesman Mario Sanchez said no such negotiations had occurred. Crocker, however, could still become interim president and stay in that role until a new board can appoint its choice for the role, Sanchez said.

State Sen. Siah Correa Hemphill, D-Silver City, whose term ends Jan. 21, said in an interview Tuesday that she was encouraged there is an opportunity to get new leadership at WNMU that will take the fiduciary responsibility and the needs of faculty, staff and students seriously. Correa Hemphill also said the state's challenges and limited financial resources need to be taken into consideration when severance packages are approved.

Correa Hemphill's husband, Jay Hemphill, a WNMU employee who filed state ethics complaints against Shepard in November, said on Tuesday he was nervous that certain board members whom he believed had not resigned would "be defiant" and meeting despite the governor's letter. But he thought "it was a good thing" the board meeting ended with no action.

Jorge Romero-Habeych, assistant professor of economics in the School of Business who last week urged the Faculty Senate to vote no confidence in the board, said he attended Tuesday's board meeting wondering if there would be "some shenanigans" from members. But he said not a lot of university employees he knows are optimistic the agreement will be nullified because several judges have recused themselves from Torrez's case. Court filings show that there have been recusals, but a judge has since been assigned to the case.

"We're still very focused on making sure (Shepard's separation agreement) doesn't happen so we're going to do whatever we can to keep it in the spotlight," Romero-Habeych said.
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  Governor Tate Reeves (R-Miss.) signed a proclamation directing all flags of the State of Mississippi be flown at half-staff in memory of the two Mississippians who were killed during the terror attack in New Orleans.

The governor directed flags be flown at half-staff on all buildings and grounds in Mississippi beginning at sunrise and ending at sunset on Thursday, January 9, 2025, in memory of Nikyra Dedeaux, and on Friday, January 17, 2025, in memory of Matthew Tenedorio.

University of Mississippi freshman among victims of New Orleans terror attack

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Both January 9 and January 17 will be days of mourning for the loss of these two Mississippians.

Mississippi mourns the loss of Nikyra, Matthew, and the 12 other Americans who lost their lives in the terror attack in New Orleans, said Reeves. Nikyra and Matthew were loved by their friends, family, and their state. We continue to stand with our friends in Louisiana, and will continue to pray for the victims and their families. Mississippi will never forget them.

A memorial to the victims of a deadly truck attack is seen on Canal Street in the French Quarter, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) A memorial to the victims of a deadly truck attack is seen on Canal Street in the French Quarter, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry also issued an executive order declaring a period of mourning and lowering the flags from Monday, January 6, 2025, through Friday, January 17, 2025, in remembrance of those who lost their life in the terror attack.

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AUTHORS NOTE: This story contains details from court documents that include child sex abuse material. Discretion is advised before reading. If you know or suspect that any child under the age of 18 is being abused sexually, please call the Texas Child Abuse Hotline at 1 (800) 252-5400.

YOUNG COUNTY (KFDX/KJTL)  A Graham man previously arrested for charges related to possessing child pornography is back in jail on bonds totaling $2.7 million after 12 new child pornography charges were brought against him.

William Michael Bahl, II, 54, was booked into the Young County Jail once again on Monday, January 6, 2025, on twelve counts of possessing child pornography.

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PREVIOUS STORY: Graham man facing multiple child pornography charges

Bahl was originally arrested on November 27, 2024, on four child pornography charges, but was released after posting his bonds totaling $600,000.

According to Olney Police Chief Dan Birbeck, the charges stem from the initial investigation that began in August 2024.

The investigation started off originally back in August, Birbeck said. We executed search warrants at the home in November, seized electronic devices, and based on the search results from those, that was where the initial arrest took place for the original charges.

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Chief Birbeck said Bahl resides in Graham but is employed in Olney, and it was his workplace where the cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children originated.

His workplace does not involve access to children, Chief Birbeck said. They were very helpful in the investigation.

Chief Birbeck said Bahls employer helped them trace the IP and MAC addresses used by a phone to send and receive child pornography to Bahls social media accounts, where he actively engaged with other users on the messaging service Kik.

LOCAL NEWS: WFISD updates parents ahead of expected winter weather

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Additional search warrants were sent out for social media accounts that were associated with the phone and the activity of Mr. Bahl that resulted in the 12 additional charges of child pornography, Birbeck said.

Bahl is now facing 16 counts related to possessing or distributing child pornography, thanks to the work of detectives with the Olney Police Department.

Olney is a small community, Birbeck said. We did some amazing detective work. Detective Thames has done an amazing job up to this point.

Chief Birbeck said there may be additional charges against Bahl forthcoming.

Once it starts going outside of Olney, Young County, were going to hand that off to our other law enforcement partners, Chief Birbeck said. And so there could be other arrests and other investigations that trail out from this incident.

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Chief Birbeck wants members of the Olney community to know that theres help available for victims of crimes like the ones Bahl is accused of.

Resources for victims of child sex assaults and child sex trafficking If anybody is experiencing that or needs help, were there and we have those resources to help any victims or reach out to us, Chief Birbeck said.

Olneys Chief of Police also had a message for those who may be planning to harm or exploit children in the community.

Olney, for the last four years, weve secured very substantial sentencing and accountability for people that target children or abuse children, Chief Birbeck said And I just want this to go out as a warning: you will be held accountable, and we will bring every resource to bear to make that happen.

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Victims of child abuse and child sexual abuse are urged to contact Virginias House, the Child Advocacy Center in Young County, for resources and help, by calling (940) 549-9829.

This is a developing story. Stick with Texomas Homepage for updates as more information becomes available. All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Jan. 7GRAND FORKS  The Grand Forks County Commission on Tuesday voted to form a committee to study a potential merger of the jail and sheriff's departments.

Commissioner Mark Rustad brought the issue to the commission as a potential

way for the county to save money and streamline duplicative processes.

Last week, he told the Herald that his goal is to prevent a tax increase he believes is inevitable if significant changes aren't made to reconcile a county budget that's been stretched thin. Rustad said the county's current financial state spread thin, especially with

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the Grand Forks County Correctional Center expansion project.

"(It) really never should have been built in the first place," Rustad said last week. "But we need to figure out a way to make lemonade out of lemons."

While his original proposal to immediately begin a consolidation was withdrawn during Tuesday's meeting of the County Commission, the county will begin to look into the possibilities of a merger. Rustad was given the lead in forming the committee and determining its membership.

The commission did approve Rustad's second motion to enter into negotiations with the state for behavioral health services at the Grand Forks County Correctional Facility. In general, many on the commission want more information on any departmental merger before going forward with Rustad's first motion.

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"I think this is a big move and I think there should be some sort of cost assessment first to determine if there will be, in fact, a cost savings," Commissioner Bob Rost said. "I think it's premature at this point to change the operation of the jail before we have all the facts."

Rustad responded by saying that the consolidation would put Grand Forks in line with many other counties in North Dakota.

"I have a hard time even fathoming that a consolidation would not save significant money," Rustad said. "That's why I think we should do the assessment and that's why I bring it up."

Typically, jail facilities are the purview of county sheriffs in North Dakota as laid out in the state's Century Code. According to Grand Forks County State's Attorney Haley Wamstad's research she shared with the commission, the county has been operating the jail and sheriff as two separate departments for more than 40 years.

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In 1983, the jail and sheriff's departments were split following reports of issues with the condition of inmate housing, food and treatment of inmates, with attorneys sending letters to the county to investigate the matter. At the time, then-Grand Forks County State's Attorney Jim Odegaard asked the North Dakota attorney general for an opinion on splitting the departments, which was given the go-ahead.

However, in 2005, when Burleigh County made a similar request to the attorney general, it was denied as the law had changed.

"So what then-State's Attorney Peter Welte advised the commission was that it was his legal opinion that the Grand Forks Correctional Center could be considered a regional correctional center based on the contracts that were in place with a number of different municipalities," Wamstad said.

Additionally, due to the North Dakota "tool chest" laws, which govern how county departments can be combined and structured, there is a long process to consolidate, including public hearings and public publication of plans. There's also the fact that Grand Forks' County is now a home rule county, a variable that didn't exist in previous conversations. Voters in Grand Forks County approved home rule in 2022.

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Grand Forks County Correctional Center Administrator Bret Burkholder said he is reviewing the proposals and ways to move forward. Beyond that, he told the Herald he has no comment.

The committee being formed will look at all aspects of any potential consolidation, including costs and legality.

In other news at Tuesday's meeting, the commission:

* Approved plans to begin publishing its agenda and corresponding documenting material on its website and to begin live-streaming its meetings. Commissioner Terry Bjerke, leading the effort, said that the effort is to increase government transparency and the ability for the public to interact with the county.

* Tabled a discussion on supporting a legislative priority on statewide wastewater standards until it could have more information on the potential ramifications for local control.
Jan. 8 (UPI) -- Much of my 2025 will be devoted to co-authoring a book with my great English friend, David Richards. The title is The Great Paradox: Strategic Thinking in an Unstrategic World. Richards' more formal title is General The Lord Richards of Herstmonceux, a peerage conferred for his long and distinguished service culminating as chief of the U.K. Defense Staff, equivalent to the U.S. chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

David and I first met more than 20 years ago in Kabul, where he was commanding NATO's International Security Assistance Force for Afghanistan. His views on dealing with the Taliban based on reconciliation at the tribal level conflicted somewhat with NATO and U.S. doctrine. Sadly, David would be proven correct.

One of the reasons for this book was the dramatic failings and failures of government, both democratic and autocratic. Whether one loved or hated presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump, some 80% of Americans believed the United State was headed in the wrong direction. A similarly large proportion had lost trust and confidence in government and most institutions, even in the private sector. And America's $36 trillion debt is nearly 1 1/2 times GDP -- an economically unsustainable level.

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The U.K. had gone through a string of Tory prime ministers. Despite the victory of Labor in the last election, it has not fared much better in governing. Germany and France are in political disarray. And South Korea is running out of presidents to impeach.

Life is no better in Moscow or Beijing. Vladimir Putin has bankrupted his country to wage a war in Ukraine that might well become Russia's next Afghanistan. Nearly a million Russians have left to avoid the draft. And last year's birth rate of about one-half million babies, the lowest on record since 1945, makes demographics a critical issue.

Xi is not much better off. The Communist Party's compact with the people is that to retain power, public needs will be met economically, socially and culturally. That is not happening. Two rather obscure measures of this malaise confirm this observation: the large increase in the number of stabbing deaths of local officials and the large percentage of 20-to-30-year-old males not seeking work.

Given these failures in governance and the friction and tensions between the United States and the West and China and Russia with the threat of possible escalation of ongoing armed conflicts, can sound strategic thinking compensate for what we call an unstrategic world? In his last book co-written with the well-known academic Julian Lindley-French, "Retreat from Strategy," David developed themes that are applied to "Paradox."

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The thrust of "Paradox" relies on an examination of presidential strategic thinking since World War II to determine where it succeeded and where it did not. Especially regarding the key purpose of protecting and advancing long-term national security, our argument is that the West lacks an overarching strategy and a political decision-making process compatible with sound strategic thinking. The inevitable result is strategies that are aspirational and not executable or affordable. Why? This is the paradox.

We propose to reverse this paradox through sound strategic thinking that produces relevant strategies for the coming decades of the 21st century.

Characteristics common to these failures were a profound lack of knowledge and understanding of the conditions for using force; failure to challenge underpinning basic assumptions while ignoring possible unintended consequences; groupthink that dismissed other options; arrogance about the superiority of American thinking; and an over-reliance on technology.

Yes, the Cold War was won. Why? The USSR could not maintain its irrational political structure under communism without what the USSR's last president, Mikhail Gorbachev, would call "perestroika," or radical restructuring, and "glasnost," or openness. By injecting reality into an otherwise sclerotic and corrupt process, the USSR would collapse.

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Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq 2 were colossal strategic failures. But Sierra Leone, the Falklands and the first Gulf War were stunning successes. We explain why.

One further example makes our case. The current U.S. national defense strategy aims to contain/compete with; deter; and if war comes, win or prevail over a number of potential adversaries headed by China and Russia. Beyond the essential task of deterring an existential thermonuclear war, where have Russia or China been contained or deterred? Further, the aspirational national defense strategy is neither affordable nor able to currently meet recruiting goals. And no one wins a nuclear war.

What must be done we hope will be made clear in Paradox.

Harlan Ullman is UPI's Arnaud de Borchgrave Distinguished Columnist, a senior advisor at Washington's Atlantic Council, the prime author of "shock and awe" and author of "The Fifth Horseman and the New MAD: How Massive Attacks of Disruption Became the Looming Existential Danger to a Divided Nation and the World at Large." Follow him @harlankullman. The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)  You have probably seen GoFundMe accounts to help victims of the Jan. 1 attack and their families.

Thats one way for people to donate but the non-profit, Greater New Orleans Foundation, is making sure donations get to the right people.

Just like everybody else we woke up on New Years Day to learn the devastating news of an attack on America but an attack that took place in our great city. We raise funding and we spoke early that morning with Mayor Cantrell- she asked us to open up a fund for victims and those who were injured, said Greater New Orleans Foundation President and CEO Andy Kopplin.

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Louisiana remembers Drew Dauphin

Kopplin says the foundation quickly sprung into action to be helpers and support people impacted by the New Years attack in New Orleans. The goal is to help victims but also ensure that donors know that the money is going where its supposed to.

The real important thing is we want to make sure that the process is fair, transparent, accountable, that donors know that the money will get to the actual victims, said Kopplin.

To that end, the FBI is the first line of defense in screening victims, both the lists of families of the deceased and the list of those injured are in the dozens.

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The information that the FBI has asked us to convey is that everybody who was a victim of this attack needs to go the family assistance center and identify themselves, and the FBI will help us identify the list, said Kopplin.

From individuals to some of our most prominent citizens like Gayle Benson, Cam Jordan, and Zion Williamson have donated and so has our business community.

Louisiana remembers Tiger Bech

Just wonderful support from folks like Baptist Community Ministries, Entergy Corporation, from the Helis Foundation locally and some nationally, said Kopplin.

Finally, Kopplin says unlike aid coming from other sources, funding from GNOF is tax-free.

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When were making grants to the families of those whove lost somebody, or to the victims who were injured, they will not have to pay taxes on the funds if they come from us. If they come from a GoFundMe account thats not the same, said Kopplin.

Contribute to the New Orleans New Years Day Tragedy Fund by visiting the GNOF website.

Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

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SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE)  An amendment to the states constitution aimed at protecting the environment has been years in the making. Now for the fifth time, its heading back to the roundhouse. Lawmakers sponsoring it believe this is the year the Green Amendment will pass.

People come from all over the world to enjoy the beauty of New Mexico and our culture, said Rep. Joanne Ferrary (D-Las Cruces).

Since at least 2021, some New Mexico lawmakers have been working to protect just that by creating the Green Amendment to enshrine environmental protections in New Mexicos constitution. By embedding environmental rights into the state constitution New Mexico can pave the way for a future where economic development and environmental protection co-exist sustainably. Assuring that the Land of Enchantment remains a vibrant and thriving place for all, said Sen. Harold Pope Jr. (D-Albuquerque), another sponsor for the bill.

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The proposal looks to create a fundamental right to a clean environment for all, assuring healthy air, water, and soil. If people cant drink the water not only will they get sick, but theyre going to move away and its going to be absolutely devastating to the state, Sen. Antoinette Sedillo Lopez (D-Albuquerque) said in Tuesdays announcement.

This is the fifth time the amendment will go to the Roundhouse. Last year, a lobbyist for the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau expressed concern on how it could impact agriculture and a coalition of renewable energy companies spoke out saying the language was too broad and would be an unnecessary expense.

Plus, there are concerns over the impact on the oil and gas industries. This is not to shut down the industry its not going to do that its really about holding folks accountable in what theyre doing, said Senator Pope Jr.

Despite concerns, they arent giving up hope.

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It took ten years to eliminate the death penalty in New Mexico which I think just like this, was the right thing to do and it took persistence and sustained advocacy but it also required some changes in the makeup of the legislature, said Sen. Sedillo Lopez.

Past versions repealed a piece of the constitution that said legislators have to protect commonly owned natural resources and ensure the public can use them. This time that wont be repealed.

Let New Mexicans decide if we prefer drinkable water for ourselves and future generations or to continue to line the pocketbooks of the elite few, said Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero (D-Albuquerque).

If passed, the Green Amendment would then go to voters on whether or not to add it to New Mexicos constitution. Lawmakers are planning to prefile the amendment by the end of the week.

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Three states have already passed similar amendments, Montana, Pennsylvania, and more recently, New York in 2021.

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By Anders Berthelsen and Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen

NUUK/COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - The renewed interest by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in Greenland has been greeted enthusiastically by some Greenlanders, although others say the semi-autonomous territory of Denmark is not for sale.

Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, said on Monday that U.S. control of the strategically important Arctic island was an "absolute necessity" and at a press conference on Tuesday did not rule out using military or economic action to make it happen.

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The same day, Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., made a private visit to the country.

Mikael Ludvidsen, a resident of capital Nuuk, was skeptical about the president-elect's intentions, telling Reuters: "I think he's talking too loudly. I don't think you can take him seriously when he says he's going to take us over by force."

"I think it's too much," said local Niels Nielsen. Greenland "can't be bought," he added.

But others said aligning with a superpower might be helpful for Greenland, which has a population of just 57,000 people.

Resident Jens Ostermann, carrying a small child bundled up against the winter cold, said: "We should partner with a great power because Greenland is a rich country, we have everything here."

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Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede has urged residents to remain calm and united. But he has also emphasized his desire for Greenland to become fully independent from Denmark, its former colonial ruler.

Some locals sported Make America Great Again caps to greet Trump Jr., with Greenlandic daily Sermitsiaq headlining its report: "Warm but reserved welcome for Donald Trump Jr."

Opinions among Greenlanders about the future of their country are divided, according to Aki-Matilda Hoegh-Dam, a member of Greenland's social-democratic Siumut party in the Danish parliament.

"Trump's reaction is a statement of how important Greenland is in the geopolitical area at this moment," she said.

(Reporting by Anders Berthelsen in Nuuk and Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen in Copenhagen, Additional reporting by Louise Rasmussen in Copenhagen, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
By Stine Jacobsen and Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Greenland may become independent if its residents want, but is unlikely to become a U.S. state, Denmark's foreign minister said on Wednesday after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump refused to rule out force to take control of the Arctic island.

Greenland's leader met with the Danish king in Copenhagen on Wednesday, a day after Trump's remarks thrust the fate of the mineral-rich and strategically important island, which is under Danish rule, to the top of world headlines.

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Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, said on Tuesday he would not rule out using military or economic action to make Greenland part of the United States. The same day, Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., made a private visit to Greenland.

Greenland, part of NATO through the membership of Denmark, has strategic significance for the U.S. military and for its ballistic missile early-warning system since the shortest route from Europe to North America runs via the Arctic island.

The president-elect has indicated he would pursue a more combative foreign policy that disregards traditional diplomatic formalities.

Greenland, the world's biggest island, has been part of Denmark for 600 years although its 57,000 people now govern their own domestic affairs. The island's government led by Prime Minister Mute Egede aims for eventual independence.

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"We fully recognise that Greenland has its own ambitions. If they materialise, Greenland will become independent, though hardly with an ambition to become a federal state in the United States," Danish foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said.

He told reporters the United States' heightened security concerns in the Arctic were legitimate following increased Russian and Chinese activity in the region.

"I don't think that we're in a foreign policy crisis," he said. "We are open to a dialogue with the Americans on how we can possibly cooperate even more closely than we do to ensure that the American ambitions are fulfilled."

Still, although Denmark itself played down the seriousness of Trump's threat to its territory, the returning president's openly stated ambition to expand U.S. borders has jolted European allies less than two weeks before he takes office.

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France's foreign minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, said Europe would not let other nations attack its sovereign borders, although he did not believe the U.S. would invade.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed surprise at Trump's comments about Greenland and Canada, underlining that European partners unanimously uphold the inviolability of borders.

STRAINED RELATIONS

Greenland's relations with Denmark have lately been strained by allegations of mistreatment of Greenlanders. Egede has said the island is not for sale, while in his New Year speech he stepped up his push for independence. Denmark says the territory's fate can be decided only by Greenlanders.

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Greenland's Finance Minister Erik Jensen repeated that Greenland is not for sale. "Our wish is to become independent one day. But our ambition is not to go from being governed by one country to another."

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Tuesday she could not imagine Trump's ambitions would lead to U.S. military intervention in Greenland. Denmark's military capabilities there are limited to four inspection vessels, a Challenger surveillance plane and dog sled patrols.

Responding to Trump's threat of tariffs against Denmark, which according to analysts at Danske Bank could potentially be "quite harmful to Danish companies, Frederiksen said she did not think a trade war with the United States was a good way forward.

Denmark is home to Novo Nordisk, Europe's most valuable company, which makes weight-loss drug Wegovy that has become hugely popular in the United States, the Nordic country's biggest trading partner.

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The Danish royal palace gave no details of King Frederik's meeting with Greenland's Egede.

While many Greenlanders dream of independence from Denmark, the king remains popular on the island, having spent extended periods there, including a four-month expedition on the ice sheet. Last month, the royal court modified its coat of arms, enlarging a polar bear that symbolises Greenland.

"He's popular in Greenland. So he can clearly be helpful to the Danish-Greenlandic relationship," Damien Degeorges, a Reykjavik-based consultant specialising in Greenland, told Reuters.

Trump already raised the issue of the U.S. taking over Greenland during his first presidency, but his latest remarks still left many Danes baffled.

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"I find it extremely ridiculous," said Jeppe Finne Sorenson, a data engineer in the Danish capital. "We have an alliance, we're allies. So this doesn't really respect that."

($1 = 7.2417 Danish crowns)

(Reporting by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen, Louise Rasmussen, Tom Little and Stine Jacobsen in Copenhagen, John Irish in Paris; Charlotte Van Campenhout in Amsterdam; writing by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen and Niklas Pollard; Editing by Peter Graff, Gareth Jones, Alexandra Hudson)
Gov. Greg Abbott outlined several directives to Texas Department of Public Safety on Tuesday that would boost efforts to combat radical jihadist terrorism in the wake of the New Orleans attack on New Years Day.

The statement from Abbott outlined 11 specific efforts for DPS to undertake, including bolstering pre-existing partnerships with federal agencies and expanding programs DPS provides in the state. The new measures come almost a week after a deadly attack in New Orleans in which a Houston man drove to the city in a rental truck and mowed down several people on Bourbon Street, killing 14 and injuring more than 30 others.

The suspect, Army veteran Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who was killed by law enforcement, pledged allegiance to terrorist group ISIS in videos he posted online before the attack.

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Most of the directives outlined by the governor are aimed at increasing or expanding anti-terror resources already in place. Included in those efforts will be increased anti-terrorism task force operations with the FBI, which has field offices in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and El Paso. The statement also said DPS will increase the number of intelligence analysts assigned to assist local jurisdictions with terroristic threats.

Law enforcement at all levels must aggressively collaborate to eliminate radicalization that can lead to terrorist attacks, Abbott said.

One directive states DPS will work with federal officials to identify potential threats among special interest migrants and claimed hundreds of people who entered the country illegally were on the federal governments terrorist watch list. In 2017-2023, 293 non-U.S. citizens on the Terrorist Screening Dataset were detained across the southwest border, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 169 of which were in 2023. The data available on CBPs website does not clarify how many of those were within Texas portion of the border.

Republican lawmakers both in and out of Texas have long enmeshed criticisms of southern border security with concerns on foreign-based terrorism, renewed by Jabbars connection to ISIS. In 2016, Abbott claimed members of the terrorist organization were running through the border and blamed then-president Barack Obama.

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In the hours immediately after the New Orleans attack, Fox News initially reported the truck Jabbar had rented recently crossed the Texas-Mexico border before the attack, prompting several Republicans including state Rep. Nate Schatzline, R-Fort Worth, to call for secure borders. Fox News later retracted the report, and officials confirmed the vehicle had crossed the border in November, prior to Jabbars renting.

The directive also indicated it would expand the Infrastructure Liaison Officer Program, which allows private security officials on how to receive training to collaborate with police and public safety officials. Currently the ILO program allows certification for those in certain fields to alert officials more easily to potential threats, and the governors office said it would provide additional certifications and coordination.

The statement did not clarify when any specific new program expansions would be implemented. Other policies the governors office outlined for DPS included assessing the vulnerability of the state Capitol to vehicle ramming attacks and partnering with local law enforcement for workshops and threat assessment strategies.
The Groucho Clubs first female boss has resigned in the wake of a rape allegation at the private members club.

Elli Jafari, who became the clubs first female chief executive when she took over the job in May, stepped down shortly before Christmas.

The Soho club, which is a popular haunt with A-list celebrities, had its licence suspended by Westminster City Council in November following an allegation that a woman was raped at the venue.

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A 34-year-old man  not believed to be a member  was arrested in Hertfordshire on suspicion of rape and has since been bailed. The club has been shut since November but will reopen at midday on Friday.

Ms Jafari, who was born in Tehran, has held a number of senior positions at high-profile venues in the US and Europe.

She joined the Groucho from the Standard hotel group, where she oversaw operations in London and Ibiza.

In an email to members, the Groucho said: We would like to extend our thanks to her for helping to steer the club through the last couple of months and wish her well for the future.

Elli Jafari became the clubs first female chief executive when she took over the job in May - Dave Benett/Getty Images Europe

Ms Jafari will be replaced by Simon Cooke, the former managing director of jazz club Ronnie Scotts and a long-time Groucho member. He will take up the role of interim managing director.

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The email added: Simon began his career running merchandising operations for rock bands like Queen, Prince, AC/DC and Eric Clapton, before moving into radio management at Jazz FM.

Simon most recently served for 13 years as managing director of Ronnie Scotts Club, during which time the club was re-established as one of the premier jazz clubs in the world.

Members returning to the Groucho this weekend will face a string of new rules and security measures stipulated under its new licence.

The club, which charges a membership fee of up to 1,500 per year, will be required to monitor lavatories, while a trained welfare officer must be on site at the venue.

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Members will still be allowed to bring four guests, but anyone visiting the club will be required to provide their full name, email address and contact number. Meanwhile, the clubs traditional leather guestbook will be replaced by a digital system using an app and QR code.

The Groucho, which was founded on Sohos Dean Street in 1985, is popular among artists and media executives and has been nicknamed the home for hell-raisers.

Cara Delevingne, Lily Allen and Noel Gallagher have been among its high-profile members, while many other celebrities have been pictured partying at the venue.

The Groucho last year unveiled plans to open a second site at Bretton Hall, a stately home on a sculpture park in West Yorkshire.

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The leadership change follows the departure of Ewan Venters, the chief executive of Artfarm, the hospitality business that took over the Groucho in 2022. The former Fortnum & Mason boss had announced his resignation before the rape allegation last year.

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Mykhailo Drapatyi, Commander of the Ground Forces of Ukraine, has stated that he is keeping the case of the 155th Brigade named after Anna of Kyiv under control. A journalistic investigation highlighted the problems of this particular brigade. A special hotline will be set up to check the effectiveness of the actions taken to improve the situation.

Source: Major General Drapatyi on Facebook

Quote: "The other day I reported to the supreme commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces [President Volodymyr Zelenskyy  ed.] on the situation in the 155th Brigade and the decisions taken by the Ground Forces Command to support the unit and resolve the issues raised by both the soldiers and journalists. I explained the situation and named the reasons and those responsible. I also met with the brigade command and French journalists who are currently working in the unit, visiting the positions to see with their own eyes how the soldiers perform combat missions and operate the weapons provided by France.

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I believe that it was too early to go public before all the circumstances were established, but today I can inform the public about the measures taken by the Ground Forces Command to stabilise the situation in the 155th Brigade.

All the events related to the creation of the 155th Brigade happened before my appointment to the Ground Forces Command. However, I consider it my duty to respond to the problems of the subordinate unit and solve them systematically  at all levels that depend on me."

Details: Drapatyi said that since the new brigade was formated and armed from scratch and in collaboration with a foreign country, which was done the first time and in a fairly short timeframe  just a few months,  "no one had such experience before, so it was impossible to foresee all the peculiarities and details of this process".

A project of this scale was a challenge for the Ground Forces Command, and not all services worked perfectly. However, Drapatyi said that the French side had fulfilled its obligations to Ukraine.

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Drapatyi stressed that most of the systemic shortcomings committed by the Ground Forces Command, the General Staff of the Armed Forces, and the Operational Command at all stages of the 155th Brigade's formation had been analysed and assessed, and solutions were already being implemented.

Currently, the focus is on manning the brigade with experienced officers and commanders of all levels. "I am dealing with this issue personally. I am ready to consider everyone, please contact me at this email address: 155bde@mil.ua," Drapatyi noted.

He also said that the Ministry of Defence was working to provide the brigade with "maximum support".

To strengthen the brigade, a special group of psychologists is working with the units, which has already brought some results, such as the return of servicemen who left the unit without permission, the commander said.

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Quote: "...by my decision, a special hotline of the Commander of the Ground Forces for the servicemen of the 155th Brigade will be operating starting today. In addition to the official daily reports, I want to have direct contact with the soldiers and hear from them to understand how our decisions affect their motivation and the real state of affairs.

And finally. I believe that the 155th Brigade is promising and will prove itself. Yes, it will take time and efforts of many to correct the mistakes made during the formation. However, the newly created Ukrainian brigade named after Anna of Kyiv can and should become the real Gallic Rooster  a symbol of France: proud, unbreakable and ready to fight for freedom."

Background:

Ukrainian journalist Yurii Butusov claimed at the end of December 2024 that the brigade had been improperly formed and supplied. Ukraine's State Bureau of Investigation later confirmed it was conducting an investigation into charges of abuse of power and desertion.

Later, it became known that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took the situation with the 155th Brigade under his personal control during the meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.

Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, stated that he had focused on strengthening the capabilities of the 155th Mechanised Brigade's unmanned systems units and addressing "problematic issues that need to be resolved."

A French army official confirmed incidents of desertion among Ukrainian soldiers undergoing training in France.

Ukraine's General Staff reported on 7 January that the 155th Brigade was performing combat missions on the Pokrovsk front in full strength, having been reinforced with drones and additional equipment.

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President-elect Donald Trump is so committed to acquiring Greenland and the Panama Canal that he'd be willing to use military coercion to get them. The remains of President Jimmy Carter lie in state at the U.S. Capitol. The Pacific Palisades wildfire rages as tens of thousands are forced to evacuate.

 I'm Nicole Fallert, and welcome to the Daily Briefing.

Trump won't rule out military force to acquire Greenland and the Panama Canal

President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday repeatedly declined to rule out involving the U.S. military to carry out his ambitions for the U.S. to acquire Greenland and the Panama Canal.

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What we're talking about: Since winning the 2024 election, Trump has openly discussed the U.S. acquiring Greenland, a mineral-rich territory controlled by Denmark, and the Panama Canal, which has been operated by Panama since 1999 following a deal orchestrated by the late President Jimmy Carter 22 years earlier.

Why is Trump saying this? This is about Trump establishing American dominance abroad. Trump claims China is effectively operating the Panama Canal. Trump said the U.S. needs Greenland, which has a population of about 56,000 people, for "national security purposes."

Trump also publicly pondered the idea of Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state. Trump said he is not considering military force to annex Canada  whose longtime prime minister, Justin Trudeau, resigned Monday  but said he hopes the U.S. can acquire the neighboring country to the north through "economic force."

The Gulf of America? Trump also suggested on Tuesday that he plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America  and it was not immediately clear why.

Donald Trump Jr. (2ndR) poses after arriving in Nuuk, Greenland on January 7, 2025.

USA TODAY exclusive: Biden's belief and Trump's compliment

President Joe Biden, both reflective and defensive as he discussed his legacy, told USA TODAY in an exclusive exit interview he believes he could have won his reelection bid  but isn't sure he would have had the vigor to complete four more years in the Oval Office. The outgoing president also told USA TODAY details about his private meeting with President-elect Donald Trump. In public, Trump has decried the state of the nation as "a disaster" and "a mess." But at their private meeting, Trump praised him, Biden said. Read highlights from USA TODAY's conversation with President Biden.

USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page interviews President Joe Biden at the White House on Jan., 5 2025.

More news to know now

What's the weather today? Check your local forecast here.

Pacific Palisades wildfire rages

A fast-moving wildfire fueled by dangerously high-speed Santa Ana winds continues to threaten homes in some of California's most exclusive neighborhoods on Wednesday. The blaze destroyed homes and created traffic jams as 30,000 people evacuated beneath huge plumes of smoke ahead of warnings the worst conditions would come overnight. Follow live updates from USA TODAY and track the wildfire with this map.

The public mourns Jimmy Carter

Americans continue to pay respects on Wednesday at President Jimmy Carter's flag-draped casket in the U.S. Capitol. Despite heavy snow fall earlier this week and bitter cold, a crowd winds its way into the Capitol building to honor the former president, who served only one term but forged an enduring legacy as a humanitarian. If you'd like to visit the site at the Capitol Rotunda: Carter is scheduled to lie in state from 7 a.m. Wednesday until 7 a.m. Thursday. Read more

The U.S. Army's Caisson Detachment carries the casket of Jimmy Carter, the former U.S. president who died on December 29 at the age of 100, to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington on January 7, 2025.

Today's talkers

The snow is good. Why is Park City, Utah, so quiet?

The Park City Mountain Resort is struggling to open terrain during a strike of ski patrollers. On Tuesday, the Utah resort's website showed just 104 out of 350 trails were open, despite the mountain receiving four inches of fresh snow in the last 48 hours, and more than two feet in the last week. The mountain's executives acknowledged that it's unclear how much can remain open each day as the patrollers union and Vail Resorts, which owns the mountain, continue to struggle to come to terms for a new contract. Read more

Photo of the day: Meet Poppy

The Metro Richmond Zoo in Virginia announced the name of its very own baby pygmy hippopotamus on Monday: Poppy. The name was selected after a poll generated more than 116,000 votes across 165 countries.

The people have spoken! Meet Poppy, the new pygmy hippo stealing hearts

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Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY, sign up for the email here. Want to send Nicole a note? Shoot her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com .

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump, Greenland, Panama Canal, Biden, widlfire, Palisades, Jimmy Carter, Park City: Daily Briefing
NDJAMENA, Chad (AP)  Multiple gunshots were heard near the presidential palace in Chad's capital Wednesday evening, residents said, while the African country's foreign minister said soldiers were defending the president and the situation was under control.

The gunshots rang out for several minutes near the presidential compound in NDjamena, said Zakaria Daoud, a resident who lives in the area. The gunshots raised fears about the country's security in a region where coups are rampant.

It wasn't clear where the gunfire was coming from. Videos that appear to be from the area showed military vehicles and heavily armed soldiers on the streets and within the presidential palace.

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The situation is completely under control, there is no fear, Foreign Affairs Minister Abderaman Koulamallah said while surrounded by soldiers in a Facebook live broadcast shot inside what appeared to be a quiet presidential palace.

"We are here to defend our president," Koulamallah added.

The gunfire was reported about a week after the African nation held parliamentary elections that were supposed to help restore democracy, but which the main opposition boycotted. Results have not yet been announced, and analysts have said they expect the polling to help President Mahamat Deby Itno consolidate his grip on power.

Deby Itno seized power as military ruler after his father, who spent three decades in power, was killed fighting rebels in 2021. Deby Itno won a presidential election last year that international observers have said was not a credible ballot.
By Mahamat Ramadane

N'DJAMENA (Reuters) -Chad's government said security forces had foiled an attempt to destabilise the country on Wednesday evening, after bursts of gunfire rang out near the president's office in the capital N'Djamena and the military blocked the surrounding streets.

In a video shot at the presidential headquarters, government spokesperson Abderaman Koulamallah said the situation was completely under control, without giving details on what had happened.

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"It was a little incident ... everything is calm," he said in the footage posted on Facebook. "This whole attempt at destabilisation has been thwarted."

Wednesday's events coincided with an official visit by China Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Chad, which recently ended a defence cooperation pact with longtime partner France that had made it a key Western ally in the fight against Islamic militants in West and Central Africa's troubled Sahel region.

With a handgun strapped to his hip, Koulamallah posed with soldiers in fatigues holding assault rifles and promised to share more details later.

A security source described the incident as an attempted terrorist attack.

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"Individuals in three vehicles attacked the military camps around the president's office, but the army neutralised them," the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Earlier, residents in the area described hearing loud volleys of gunshots.

"I am stuck at Place de Nation in front of the president's office, because I hear intense gunfire and military vehicles coming from all directions," said one of the residents, Abbas Mahamout Seid, who had been riding his motorcycle.

Chad is led by President Mahamat Idriss Deby, who seized power after rebels killed his father, longstanding President Idriss Deby, as he was visiting troops fighting militias in the north of the country in 2021.

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The older Deby had ruled Chad - which is rich in oil resources but one of the poorest countries in Africa - since a coup in the early 1990s.

(Reporting by Mahamat Ramadane in N'Djamena, ChadAdditional reporting by Mrinmay Dey in Bengaluru; Writing by Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Chris Reese, Chizu Nomiyama and Matthew Lewis)
MENLO, Iowa  A Menlo woman was killed in a house fire Tuesday morning.

At around 9:20 a.m. the Menlo Fire Department and Stuart Fire and Rescue were dispatched to a house fire in the 400 block of 3rd Street in Menlo, Adair & Guthrie County Emergency Management said. When a Menlo Fire Department firefighter arrived on scene he found smoke coming from a home.

15-year-old Iowa girl arrested for allegedly making threats to school

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As the firefighter assessed the fire, neighbors stated that someone may still be inside the home, emergency management said.

The Stuart Fire Department arrived shortly after the initial call, around 9:35 a.m., and found heavy smoke and flames coming from the roof of the home. Firefighters began an interior attack while a search team swept the house.

During the search of the home, firefighters discovered a 73-year-old woman at the end of a hallway near an exit. Emergency management said an air ambulance was requested, but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy has been scheduled to determine her cause of death.

According to emergency management, the fire is believed to have been burning for some time before the 911 call came in. A portion of the floor was found burned through and furniture had fallen into the basement. Its believed the fire started in the living room area on the northwest side of the home. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Iowa News:

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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 who13.com.
Gwinnett County Police say they arrested a man who robbed a victim he met on Facebook Marketplace involving the sale of a vehicle.

On January 6, GCPD responded to a theft report at 1625 Pleasant Hill Road in unincorporated Duluth.

When they arrived, police learned from the victim he was attempting to purchase a white Dodge Charger from a male suspect he met on Facebook Marketplace.

The suspect robbed the victim of $5,000 during the transaction and fled the scene in the vehicle.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Police say they used DOT and FLOCK cameras to track the suspects vehicle; 30 minutes later, the vehicle was spotted in the area of Old Norcross Road and Herrington Road and GCPD officers conducted a traffic stop.

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The suspect, 23-year-old Kobe Isaih Romain-Grant of Suwanee was arrested and taken to the Gwinnett County Jail where he was charged with felony theft by taking.

Those who participate in online negotiations of purchase are reminded by the Gwinnett County Police Department that there are designated e-commerce spaces available at their police headquarters and six police precincts around the county.

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The department encourages the public to utilize these dedicated parking spaces for those who wish to buy, sell, and trade goods. The parking spots are marked with a sign and monitored with video surveillance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. More information can be found here.

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New York Times national political correspondent Maggie Haberman said late Tuesday that President-elect Trumps swipes at Canada being the 51st state are more of a troll than a likely reality.

Its never totally gone away, but Trump is clearly in an expansionist mindset, Haberman told CNNs AC360.

He also keeps talking about Canada as a 51st state, she said, adding, That is clearly much more of a troll and sort of a dominance play.

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In recent weeks, the incoming president has ruffled foreign leaders by proposing potential additions to the U.S. through the purchase of Greenland and reacquisition of the Panama Canal.

This idea of acquiring Greenland for strategic purposes has happened for decades, Haberman said earlier in the interview. A close friend of Trumps, Ron Lauder, suggested it in his first term.

However, she also emphasized that the most shocking of Trumps statements was the incoming presidents openness to potentially using military force.

He said he wouldnt rule out using the measure to seize Greenland and the Panama Canal during a news briefing at his Mar-a-Lago estate Tuesday.

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Its not clear if thats actually something hes thinking about or something he said because he was  quite visibly  in a pretty bad mood during this press conference, Haberman said.

She added that its in his nature to lead with an aggressive arm.

Trump, at least in his language, has never been especially respectful of sovereign borders, she said. Well see what that looks like in actual practice.

Her analysis comes after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation earlier this week, sparking more talk from Trump about merging the two nations. The president-elect, who has threatened tariffs on goods imported from Canada, said the merger could make those tariffs disappear.

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Trump also trolled Trudeau after speaking to him late last year, calling him the governor of Canada.

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 The Hill.
By Raphael Satter and AJ Vicens

ASHBURN, Virginia (Reuters) -An unknown hacker is claiming to have pulled off a heist at U.S. location tracking firm Gravy Analytics, according to screenshots of the boast circulating online.

It is not clear exactly how and under what circumstances the breach occurred. A Russian-language post and screenshots uploaded early Sunday to XSS, a site popular with attention-seeking cybercriminals, carried a claim that the company had been hacked and that large amounts of data were stolen.

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Reuters could not immediately locate contact details for the party responsible for the posts, whose publication had been reported by tech outlet 404media.

Attempts to contact location intelligence company Unacast, which announced its merger with Gravy in 2023, were unsuccessful. Gravy's website was down Wednesday and repeated messages were not returned. A man who answered the door at Unacasts small office in an Ashburn, Virginia, coworking space said he was not authorized to speak to the media.

Experts who reviewed about 1.4 gigabytes of leaked data that was posted to the web around the same time as the hacking claim said the information did appear to have been taken from Gravy.

"It passes the smell test 100 percent," said Marley Smith, the principal threat researcher at cyber intelligence company RedSense.

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John Hammond of cybersecurity firm Huntress came to a similar conclusion.

"It all seems to point to it being legitimate," he said.

Gravy was one of two companies swept up in a recent crackdown by President Joe Biden's administration on brokers who specialize in using cellular data to offer extraordinarily granular information on where individuals are at any given moment.

Such data can be used to tailor online advertising, or deployed for government and corporate surveillance. The Federal Trade Commission has expressed concern it could facilitate stalking, blackmail, and espionage.

In December the FTC announced a settlement with Gravy and a second broker, Mobilewalla, after accusing them both of engaging in deceptive practices by gathering location data without proper consent.

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The FTC declined comment on the reported breach. In a statement released last month, FTC Chair Lina Khan said "the multi-billion-dollar industry built around targeted advertising may presently leave Americans' sensitive data extraordinarily exposed."

(Reporting by Raphael Satter in Ashburn, Virginia, and AJ Vicens in Detroit; Editing by David Gregorio and Nia Williams)
An armed man who robbed a Krispy Kreme store in Southwest Atlanta on Monday and later shot two employees at a rental store nearby died in a gun battle with an off-duty deputy who was providing security at another business nearby.

I was sitting at the counter, and this guy comes up from behind me and says, Give me your keys. I turned around and I didnt understand, but he had a gun pointed right at my face, Dan Kniesly said.

Kniesly is a manager at Easy Rental store on Lee Street. He told Channel 2s Tom Regan that the suspect burst into his store after robbing the donut shop around the corner.

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He said the gunman was looking to steal a car from someone after his getaway driver left him behind.

When Kniesly hesitated to turn over his car keys, the suspect grew impatient.

Immediately, he just shot me, Kniesly said.

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Kniesly said the gunman shot him in the foot with an automatic handgun. When Kniesly ran out the door, the gunman went to the back of the store and demanded the car keys of a co-worker.

He gave him his keys, but he then turned around and shot him anyway, and made him lay on the ground, Kniesly said.

Kniesly said the gunman ran out the backdoor. His co-worker locked the door, and the suspect became trapped in a fenced area behind the store.

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Thats when a retired Fulton County Deputy Lt. Gerald Johnson, who was working an off-duty security job confronted the gunman, who was also armed with an assault-style rifle or a shotgun.

They were shooting back and forth, Kniesly said.

A witness told Regan he heard 25 to 30 shots fired. The deputy sustained a gunshot wound to the hand.

The suspect died after being shot multiple times in the gunbattle.

He got shot three times in the chest and other places, Kniesly said.

Authorities said the wounded deputy was treated and released from Grady Memorial Hospital.

Kniesly said his co-worker, who was shot in the heel, remains in the hospital. He credits the deputy for taking courageous action to save innocent lives.

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He was brave because he was confronting a guy who had what looked like an AK-47, but it was really a shotgun. So, he was a very brave deputy, Kniesly said.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which is investigating the officer-involved shooting, has not released the name of the suspect who died.




The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on whether a law that aims to ban TikTok thats set to take effect Jan. 19 holds up. And a new pair of surveys finds half of U.S. parents agree that a ban would make kids safer online, while even more support legislative protection from social media for kids.

But just 3 in 10 parents support a blanket ban for all ages in the U.S. And 37% of TikTok users said they would try to circumvent a ban by using virtual private networks to access TikTok content. And 53% agreed that banning TikTok could set a dangerous censoring precedent.

A similar 52% said such a ban would unfairly punish American users and creators.

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Thats all according to polling for Security.org, which focuses on safety online and off. The company commissioned a pair of surveys to explore the intersection of children, safety and social media. The surveys each involved about 1,000 people who were recruited online to participate. One asked TikTok users and the other involved parents with minor children. Neither is nationally representative, but they are indicative of the range of feelings about the issue, according to the company.

And theyre pretty interesting in part because the numbers vary quite a bit depending on what was asked and who would be affected. Among key findings:

A quarter of parents consider TikTok the most dangerous social media platform for minors due to inappropriate content and its influence on their behavior. Snapchat came in second on a list that included (in the order of the results) Discord, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, YouTube, WhatsApp and Twitch.

The vast majority (86%) of parents support laws that make social media platforms obtain parental permission before allowing minor children to join.

Nearly that many (84%) believe parents should have complete access to their childrens social media accounts.

Nine in 10 parents want a ban on collecting personal data from minors.

The polls were conducted in 2024 by the online polling platform Prolific, used by a lot of research organizations including major universities, said Corie Colliton, senior editor of industry research at Security.org.

She said her company is committed to monitoring trends in digital security, including social media. We were very interested in learning about parents concerns related to their childrens use of TikTok and how the potential TikTok ban might impact Americans sense of freedom and safety on the internet.

A legislative solution?

Colliton told Deseret News she was a bit surprised that most parents werent supportive of an all-out TikTok ban.

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Im not sure if parents thought it is something they wanted to take care of without government intervention, she said, noting some parents feel strongly that parenting decisions should not be controlled by the government. At the same time, though, it seems like a lot want help from legislators on this issue, maybe because its so hard to monitor and stay on top of all the changes on social media. Maybe they feel they are not equipped.

The survey found that the most popular regulations to the parents, taken from a curated list of proposals, would be auto-setting minor accounts to the highest privacy settings (92%), a ban on collecting personal data (90%), requiring parental consent (86%), requiring schools to teach safe social media use and digital literacy (85%), complete parental access to minor childrens accounts (84%) and curfew laws on social media for children under 18 (65%).

Also interesting, said Colliton, is how many people are open to the idea of trying to get around the TikTok ban if it occurs. She said the platform uses a highly addictive algorithm and the short-form content is very appealing. She also noted that people do use technology such as VPNs to access media thats only available in the U.K. or Canada.

Challenges keeping kids safe

The survey report said what makes TikTok most dangerous, after the inappropriate content (28%) and influence on behavior (22%) is that its too addictive (20%). Far fewer cited privacy concerns (9%), false information (8%), predators and easy access to strangers (both 4%), difficult for parents to monitor (3%) and risk of cyberbullying (2%).

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The list for Snapchat was very different. The parents said how hard it is to monitor kids on Snapchat was the leading danger (32%), followed by inappropriate content (21%), easier access to strangers (15%), predators (13%) and cyberbullying risk (8%). The other risks were cited by fewer than 4% of those surveyed.

Per the report, Currently, 4 in 5 parents believe that social media use causes depression, anxiety and psychological distress in young people. A staggering 98% believe social networks are danger for children under 18  a concern shared by medical professionals.

The report also suggests ways to protect kids online, including:
Orange County firefighter and Fire apparatus engineer Kevin Skinners recent death has shocked the world. Accordingly, people have become curious about the circumstances surrounding his demise.

Here is what we have learned about Orange County firefighter Kevin Skinners tragic demise.

Kevin Skinner passes away while fighting fire in Laguna Nigel, claims report

Kevin Skinner passed away on January 5, 2025, while he was responding to a residential fire at the 29400 block of Pointe Royale, Laguna Nigel. He had been summoned there along with other firefighters at 4:56 a.m.

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The social media accounts of Orange County Fire Authority revealed in a statement that Skinner was feeling unwell. They intimated the same with personnel while he was performing a resident search. He was then escorted out to a Paramedic unit, only to collapse. Medical personnel then attempted to save him to no avail.

In a late Sunday morning press release, officials confirmed that Skinner had suffered a cardiac arrest.

Kevin Skinner was 56 years old at the time of his death. He joined the OCFA in July 1999, before which he had served in the U.S. Navy. He is survived by his family, comprising his wife, three children Sierra, Kate, and Zac, and a mother, sister, and brother.

Netizens offered their heartfelt condolences to Skinners family following his passing. California governor Gavin Newsom and his wife and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom released a statement that read:

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We offer our most heartfelt sympathies to Fire Apparatus Engineer Skinners family, loved ones and colleagues as they mourn this painful loss. Jennifer and I honor his bravery and dedication to protecting California communities.

As mentioned in the OCFAs statements, Skinner had a warm personality and an ability to make everyone feel welcome.

In the wake of Kevin Skinners death, The Fallen Firefighter Relief Fund created a GoFundMe page to support Skinners wife and three children, with the goal of raising $300,000. As of Tuesday, $3000 had been raised.

The post What Happened to Kevin Skinner? Orange County Firefighter Passes Away appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
Vice President Harris eulogized the late President Jimmy Carter on Tuesday, calling for the decent and humble way he lived his life to be a lesson for others.

Throughout his life and career, Jimmy Carter retained a fundamental decency and humility. James Earl Carter Jr. loved our country. He lived his faith, he served the people and he left the world better than he found it. And in the end, Jimmy Carters work and those works speak for him louder than any tribute we can offer, she said.

She called for his life to be a lesson for the ages and a beacon for the future.

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Carters casket arrived at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday to lie in state. The former Democratic president died last month at his estate in Plains, Ga., at the age of 100.

Carter said in August that he was only trying to make it to vote for Kamala Harris and fulfilled his wish in November, casting his ballot for her just more than two weeks after he turned 100. Carter entered hospice care in February 2023 and outlived his wife, Rosalynn Carter, who died last November.

Jimmy Carter was that all too rare example of a gifted man who also walks with humility, modesty and grace, Harris said Tuesday.

She recalled that Carter would sleep in the homes of his supporters on his presidential run and share a meal with them. Harris added that on his first trip with Habitat for Humanity, he and Rosalynn Carter shared a bus and gave away their private room to another volunteer couple to sleep on the floor of a church basement.

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Jimmy Carter established a new model for what it means to be a former president and leaves and extraordinary postpresidential legacy, she said.

Harris opened her eulogy by praising Carters work as president, calling him ahead of his time as the first president to have a comprehensive energy policy.

She outlined that Carter passed more than a dozen major pieces of legislation focused on environmental protection and more than doubled the size of Americas national parks, highlighting that he was behind protecting the Redwoods in California.

She said in four years in office, Carter appointed more Black Americans to the federal bench than all of his predecessors combined and appointed five times as many women. She also noted that he passed post-Watergate ethics legislation.

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On the international stage, she said Carter had facilitated full diplomatic relations with China and helped establish peace between Israel and Egypt. She also noted that he secured the Camp David Accords, calling them one of the most significant and durable peace treaties since World War II.

Jimmy Carter was a forward-looking president with a vision for the future, she said, adding that he established the Department of Energy, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Education.

The vice president said she was in middle school when Carter was elected and recalled how her mother admired him for his strength of character, his honesty, his integrity, his work ethic and determination, his intelligence and his generosity of spirit.

Earlier on Tuesday, President-elect Trump criticized Carter for the sale of the Panama Canal in a 1977 deal; Trump has threatened to take it back under U.S. control. He later said he did not regret having harsh words for Carter as he was being prepared to lie in state, adding, I liked him as a man. I disagreed with his policy. So, he thought giving away the Panama Canal was a good thing. I think it cost him the election. That and the hostages.

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After Harriss eulogy, multiple wreaths were placed around Carters casket in front of the vice president, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.), Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).

Johnson, in his eulogy, honored Carter for his humble postpresidency and noted that he spent one week every year building and restoring homes with Habitat for Humanity.

Its remarkable to think that one of the 45 men who have served as president and one of the only 13 who held the role in the nuclear age would humble himself to such service, the Speaker said.

Thune also spoke about Carters work with Habitat for Humanity, saying that attaching his name to the organization helped it gain attention but he also got his hands dirty with its volunteers.

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But simply lending his name or maybe attending a gala or two wasnt Jimmy Carters style. He was here to get down in the weeds and the dirt and he did that literally on numerous Habitat builds, he said.

Thune honored Carter as a Navy veteran, peanut farmer, governor, president, Sunday school teacher, Nobel Prize winner and advocate as a faithful servant of his creator.

Senators and members of Congress attended the service for Carter in the rotunda, as well as Chief Justice John Roberts, associate Justices Elena Kagan and Brett Kavanaugh and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.

President Biden was in California on Tuesday and will return to Washington to attend the memorial service for Carter at the National Cathedral on Thursday.

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HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH)  A man was sentenced to 69 months in prison on Tuesday in Hartford for distributing narcotics and possessing a gun while on supervised release, according to the Department of Justice.

West Haven man arrested on weapons and narcotics charges

Standford Pops Smith, 35, was allegedly found in possession of a loaded firearm, more than 30 fentanyl pills, 23 grams of crack cocaine and a digital scale while he was on supervised release for another federal crime. He was arrested in June 2023.

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He was sentenced to over five years in prison followed by three months of supervised release.

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HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH)  Hartford police are searching for a man accused of carjacking a vehicle around 3 a.m. Wednesday.

The incident happened in the area of 12 Congress Street. Police said the victim and her friend were sitting in the car smoking when the suspect tore threw the plastic covering her drivers side window and pointed a firearm at them.

Suspects charged with West Hartford armed robbery

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When the suspect demanded their belongings, the pair reportedly told him they didnt have anything on them. When they got out of the vehicle, the suspect drove away with it, throwing the victims cell phone out the window in the process.

The vehicle was last seen traveling westbound on Jefferson Street, according to police.

Police described the suspect as possibly in his early 20s, with a medium build and standing about 5-feet and 10-inches tall. He was wearing a gray hoodie and black face mask.

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HONOLULU (KHON2)  Pilar Hererro, a senior staff attorney at the Center for Reproductive Rights, has dedicated her career to advocating for reproductive autonomy, particularly after her own experience as a young mother.

Her personal journey encompassed navigating pregnancy and motherhood while also contending with external pressures. These experiences helped Hererro realize just how vital reproductive choices are for an individuals future.

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Her career, and her current work in Hawaii, reflects her commitment to ensuring that every person has the ability to make their own decisions about their body, their pregnancy and their future.

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Hererro sat down with KHON2.com to talk about reproductive rights. She emphasized that the right to choose should not be limited to decisions about whether to end or continue a pregnancy.

Its really important that we affirm that pregnant people have rights to make decisions throughout the entire pregnancy, she said. That includes decisions about their reproductive healthcare, who they give birth with, where they give birth and how they give birth.

This holistic view of reproductive rights acknowledges that the needs of pregnant people extend well beyond the moment of conception and that individuals must retain the power to make decisions that align with their values, culture and personal circumstances.

However, even in Hawaii where reproductive rights are generally seen as being more protec, there are still significant challenges to maternal health and reproductive freedom, according to Hererro.

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Hawaii is facing the same issues that other U.S. states encounter, including systemic failures in the healthcare system that disproportionately affect Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander women.

According to Hererro, these women are not only less likely to receive adequate prenatal care, but they are also at greater risk of pregnancy-related death.

Its really troubling, Hererro noted. And, you know, some of this has to do with access to care; but it also has to do with ensuring that the care that is provided is actually respectful of pregnant peoples decisions and their culture.

Rural communities, in particular, often face challenges in accessing the obstetric care they need and sometimes require them to travel long distances to reach qualified providers.

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Unfortunately, Hererro pointed out that stories about coercion and mistreatment in the healthcare system are far too common and have a particularly damaging impact on Native Hawaiian peoples.

In response to these systemic health challenges, Hererro advocates for a more inclusive and culturally sensitive approach to maternal healthcare. An appraoch that recognizes the importance of midwives and traditional birthing practices.

Midwives are really critical to promoting better birth outcomes and birth equity, she stated. They provide holistic care that is tailored to the individual pregnant person and is also respectful of their autonomy.

For many families, midwives are integral to ensuring a safe and positive birth experience. Midwives provide personalized care and often bring services directly to communities as they enable individuals to practice their traditions, including home births surrounded by loved ones.

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However, the passing of Hawaiis midwifery restriction law in 2019 threatened to cut off this vital form of care. This law, which mandates that anyone providing advice, information or care during pregnancy, birth and postpartum must have a state license. The result has led to inadvertent harmed to the very people the law sought to protect.

Without a state license, midwives who had served their communities for years could face imprisonment, fines and other legal penalties.

The laws narrow criteria for obtaining has a license made it difficult for many long-time practicing midwives to become licensed, and it has had particularly devastating consequences for Native Hawaiian midwives.

The law not only halted their cultural practices, Hererro said, but it actually threatened to extinguish them because they couldnt practice or teach the next generation of providers.

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The laws impact has been profound in the birthing community and has left many pregnant people without the trusted care they had relied on.

Hererro and the Center for Reproductive Rights have been at the forefront of challenging this law.

From our perspective, the law wasnt adding any resources; it was just taking away choices and providers from communities, she explained. It was cutting pregnant people off from the care they need.

In response, the Center, alongside other organizations, filed a lawsuit against the State of Hawaii in February 2024 that aimed to protect the right of pregnant people to make their own decisions about pregnancy and birth.

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The lawsuit, Kahoohanohano v. State of Hawaii, focuses on securing the right of pregnant people to choose their own midwife, whether that midwife is licensed by the state or not.

Hererro highlighted that the law doesnt just impede reproductive rights. It also infringes upon indigenous rights. Its really a serious threat to reproductive rights, to indigenous rights, she said.

In June 2024, after a week-long hearing, a judge issued a temporary order blocking the enforcement of the laws penalties against individuals who practice, teach or learn traditional Native Hawaiian maternal health practices.

Hererro described this as a major victory: The court held that the part of the law that was purporting to protect Native Hawaiians was unconstitutional.

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The ruling allows Native Hawaiian midwives to resume their work, offering much-needed care to the families that depend on them. However, the law is not entirely repealed; and there are still significant hurdles to overcome. Hererro is clear that the struggle is far from over.

We are committed to defending our clients against unconstitutional laws that limit their reproductive autonomy, she said. But how the litigation proceeds is going to depend a lot on what the legislature does now.

Looking forward, Hererro sees an opportunity for the Hawaii legislature to craft a more equitable solution, one that ensures access to quality care while respecting indigenous practices and traditions.

There are many ways lawmakers could work with their constituents to create legislation that balances peoples needs for access and culturally aligned care with the concerns of the health system, she stated.

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For now, the temporary injunction has provided a lifeline for many families. Pregnant people in Hawaii who wish to access traditional midwifery care can now do so.

We know that many families are very, very glad to have their providers back, Hererro said, to experience pregnancy and birth with the full support of their traditional practitioners.

Yet, as Hererro made clear, this issue goes far beyond the state of Hawaii. Its a matter of reproductive autonomy, of ensuring that every pregnant person has the right to make decisions that align with their values and needs.

And that, according to Hererro, is a fight worth continuing.

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Our goal is to ensure that every pregnant person in Hawaii has a recognized right to make their own decisions about pregnancy and birth, not the State, she concluded.

You can watch the full interview here.

You can click here to read more about the case. Click here to find a midwife in your area.

Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8

Hererros dedication to reproductive rights and her tireless work to defend these fundamental freedoms represents a crucial step forward in ensuring that every person, regardless of their background or where they live, has the autonomy to decide what happens to their body. In the end, its a matter of not just reproductive rights, but human rights.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
WASHINGTON  Hawaii Gov. Josh Green (D) on Wednesday warned senators not to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the next health and human services secretary, sharing a dark story about Kennedy fueling an anti-vaccine misinformation campaign that Green said led to dozens of children dying in Samoa amid a measles outbreak.

This is an absolute life-or-death decision that the Senate  and frankly the incoming president is poised to make over our future, Green, who is also a physician, said at a Capitol Hill press conference with other lawmakers who are medical professionals.

The governor traveled to Washington this week specifically to meet with Republican and Democratic senators to urge them to oppose Kennedys nomination  the same week Kennedy is on Capitol Hill making his case to Democratic senators about why they should support him.

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Green is hoping to take partisanship out of Kennedys nomination and get senators in both major political parties focused on the necessity of having a public health professional leading the countrys top health agency.

Hes offering his perspective on a well-known tragedy that took place in Samoa in 2019, after two children died due to human error on the part of nurses administering their vaccinations for measles, mumps and rubella. The mistake led to some people losing confidence in vaccines, and right around this time, Kennedy, a longtime anti-vaccination activist, visited the Pacific island state and campaigned against vaccines on social media.

A celebrity with no public health experience named Robert F. Kennedy Jr. went to Samoa, met with the prime minister, met with the secretary of health, said Green. He discouraged them from vaccinating. And what happens when you discourage individuals from vaccinating? When theyre afraid, a lot of them refuse to get vaccinated.

As Kennedy pushed his anti-vaccination campaign  which Green has referred to as disinformation  the inoculation rate plummeted to 31% and the measles virus spread. Samoan leaders asked the Hawaii governor for help, so he went to their island with dozens of health care providers to help vaccinate as many people as possible. By this time, there were approximately 5,000 confirmed cases of measles, Green said, and the outbreak would lead to more than 80 deaths, most of them among children.

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This is no joke when you see pictures of a child with measles, when there are no hospitals around, when there are no ventilators to keep them alive, said the Hawaii governor. We witnessed a child literally dying in front of us, just moments as we came into the village. ... She was still warm when I put my hands on her face.

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, pictured at right, has warned senators against confirming Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the next health and human services secretary. Getty Images

Ultimately, Green and other medical professionals helped vaccinate 37,000 people throughout the country. They staved off more deaths, but he said thousands of people suffered and countless others likely developed encephalopathy, a condition that can cause inflammation in the nervous system that can lead to hearing loss, blindness or intellectual disability.

At the time, Kennedy blamed the dozens of measles deaths on the vaccine itself. There was no evidence for his claim.

This would not have been necessary, if not for an interloper named Robert F. Kennedy, Green said Wednesday. He stopped a week after we did the vaccination program.

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Green urged President-elect Donald Trump to rethink Kennedys nomination and instead consider him for a different post. There may be a very good place for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., he said. This is not partisan. This is not political. This is medical.

Greens press event was hosted by Rep. Kim Schrier (D-Wash.), who is a pediatrician. She said shes met with lots of parents worried about the safety of vaccines because of misinformation being spread by people like Kennedy.

Sowing needless doubt in the minds of parents and the citizens of this country should disqualify Robert Kennedy Jr. from this job, said Schrier. Make no mistake: Stoking vaccine hesitancy will lead to deaths.

A spokesperson for Trumps presidential transition team did not respond to a request for comment.

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Green told HuffPost that hes meeting with 10 senators during his visit to Capitol Hill. He didnt name names, but suggested all are possibly flexible votes and that one person hes very interested in talking to is Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who is a physician.

I have a great deal of respect for Sen. Cassidy, said Green. I really admire his position on vaccinations. This has been central to his life as a trained physician.

He said his hope is that the Louisiana Republican can influence his colleagues because he understands the medical necessity of vaccines.

Cassidy, who is the chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, met with Kennedy for an hour Wednesday. He told HuffPost that they had a frank conversation, but declined to say whether he will support his nomination.

Over the weekend, Cassidy said in an interview with Fox News that Kennedy is wrong about vaccines.

Igor Bobic and Arthur Delaney contributed reporting.
HONOLULU (AP)  Hawaii authorities on Tuesday asked lawmakers for $5.2 million to hire eight people and expand a forensic lab to crack down on the persistent rampant smuggling of illegal fireworks like those that killed four people and injured about 20 more at a Honolulu home on New Years Eve.

Jordan Lowe, the director of the state Department of Law Enforcement, outlined the funding request during hearings before House and Senate committees at the state Legislature. Last week's deadly explosion highlighted the immense risks posed by illegal fireworks in Hawaii and put a spotlight on the department's efforts to address contraband explosives.

Hawaii lawmakers will consider budget requests during their next legislative session due to begin on Jan. 15.

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The state already has an Illegal Fireworks Task Force that the department formed in 2023 together with other state, city and federal agencies. So far it has seized 227,000 pounds (103,000 kilograms) of fireworks and two people have pleaded no contest to felony indictments resulting from its work.

Lowe told lawmakers his department's contribution to the task force consists of two officers whose main job is handling narcotics enforcement. Whenever an operation is planned, the task force must pull personnel from the Honolulu Police Department, attorney general's office and other agencies.

The problem with that is its really not sustainable, Lowe told the House Finance Committee.

He explained how after a seizure of 30,000 pounds (13,600 kilograms) of fireworks, for example, officers must unload a shipping container holding the contraband, prepare an inventory list, reload the explosives into a container and then transport it to storage. Only then do they track down who bought and sold the shipment and determine whether they are able to prosecute the case.

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The eight positions requested for the proposed Explosives Enforcement Section include six investigators, one of whom will be an administrator, and two clerks.

About $2 million of the initial startup cost would be for the laboratory, where investigators can analyze seized explosives. Currently, Honolulu police have the only forensics lab in Hawaii certified to analyze fireworks composition and Lowe said it is already overwhelmed.

The department will need to lease space, obtain equipment and hire a criminalist or someone to analyze evidence for the lab, Lowe said. Investigators will need safety equipment and vehicles. The department will need storage space.

The department also wants to work with county fire departments to set up a unified fireworks permitting system which would help investigators with enforcement.

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Lowe acknowledged that the pace of fireworks seizures has dropped sharply over the past year. The task force captured 187,000 pounds (85,000 kilograms) from early December 2023 through early January 2024 but then only 40,000 pounds (18,100 kilograms) the rest of last year. Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz asked if the task force was getting fewer tips from people working at the ports due to threats and whether authorities would need a new source of information. Lowe replied that was correct.

An X-ray or particle scanner would allow the task force to identify more fireworks entering Hawaii but such large-scale canners cost millions, Lowe said.

On Saturday, the department plans to sponsor an amnesty event at Aloha Stadium at which it will allow people to drop off illegal fireworks without the threat of punishment. It said the event offers a way to dispose of fireworks in a safe manner.

Our first responders have witnessed the tragic consequences of illegal fireworks use, said Honolulu Fire Chief Sheldon Hao said in a news release. To ensure public safety, we can no longer ignore or diminish the serious and deadly dangers associated with illegal fireworks.

Separately, the Honolulu medical examiner said the fourth person killed in the New Year's explosion was Carmelita Beningno, age 61.
HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN)  As everyone begins to return to work after the holiday season, leaders in Hays County are preparing themselves for a productive year. Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra shared his legislative priorities for the new year.

He listed priorities as implementing the projects under the $400 million transportation bond, expanding mental health resources in the county, and finalizing plans for a new county civic center.

Transportation bond

Voters in November passed Proposition A, which proposed $440 million to improve the transportation infrastructure, including 30 projects to improve old roads and create new ones to help the citys continued growth.

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Theres a strong push to get these going, Becerra said.

Were so lucky that we put shovel-ready projects that had been on the books for many years, Becerra said. We could see things happening March or April, where turning of the dirt is taking place.

I have no patience, and I hate waiting. I dont like the pace at which the government moves. And so Ive always been an advocate for if the voters supported it, lets give it to them, and lets give it to them while theyre still here, he continued.

Mental health resources

In recent years, Hays County has increased its efforts to address mental health issues to help people stay out of county jail. In 2022, the county started its mental health court, which offers treatment as an alternative to jail in situations where mental health problems played a role in the arrest.

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The recidivism rate, which is people that go back to jail, is exceptionally low, not only within our Hays County system but also statewide, Becerra said. We are working with expanding mental health programs so that folks dont just have something take place and end up in our county jail  costing taxpayer dollars and not benefiting anyone.

[We want to] bolster the existing programs. We have great programs in place, and now its going to be [about] expanding the process, Becerra added.

New civic center

Hays County closed the doors to its 40-year-old civic center in 2013. Now Becerra said the county is making plans to build a new one.

We are working aggressively to rebuild the civic center, he said. There is a [road map]  some rough sketches  to build a whole facility  a civic center, hotel and conference center so that the region can benefit from this effort.

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The idea is also to create a hardened facility within that footprint to become an emergency operations center  a place where we can help evacuees from the coast. [It will be] a place to hold large animals because nowhere around here does that.

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BOSTON (SHNS)  Gov. Maura Healey filed a supplemental spending bill Monday, seeking another $425 million from a reserve account to keep the maxed-out emergency assistance shelter program running for the next six months.

Healeys office announced in November a series of changes that the state plans to make to further shorten the length of stay in traditional shelter sites and to phase out the use of hotels and motels in the emergency assistance program. The changes stem from the broad recommendations of the Special Commission on Emergency Housing Assistance Programs, which was tasked by lawmakers with curbing the surging costs to the system caused by an influx of migrant families to Massachusetts over the last two years.

The administration hopes the changes, many of which are included in the supplemental budget the governor filed Monday, will help reduce shelter costs to about $400 million from roughly $1 billion this year and last.

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We appreciate the Legislatures consideration of this proposal, and we continue to call on the federal government to act on a bipartisan border security bill because Massachusetts taxpayers should not be footing the bill for this federal problem, Healey said in a statement.

Healey also sent lawmakers a fiscal blueprint that lays out how the administration hopes to make the system more sustainable in the long-term, including a goal to reduce the systems caseload back to 4,000 families by June 2026. The system has supported as many as 7,500 families this budget year.

The budget bill Healey filed Monday would draw the $425 million from the states Transitional Escrow Fund, a reserve fund created initially as a stash for a state budget surplus that has taken on greater significance in state finance over the last few years. Healeys office said using money from that account is meant as a way to shield programs in the regular state budget from the possibility of shelter-affected cuts.

The supp includes financial assistance for school districts that have seen their enrollment rise with the addition of students from families in the shelter system, as well as aid to municipalities for the impacts of hosting unhoused families and family shelter sites in their communities, the governors office said.

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Gov. Healeys Family Shelter Fiscal Blueprint

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Though she announced in November that she would, Healey did not end up proposing to increase the HomeBASE benefit in the budget bill she filed Monday. The administration said that further review, comparison to similar programs in other states across the country and conversations with stakeholders determined that the current offer of up to $15,000 per year for up to three years is sufficient.

Senate Ways and Means Chairman Michael Rodrigues told the News Service in November that Healeys proposed reforms were a movement in the right direction but suggested that lawmakers may be interested in having a greater say over shelter policy decisions.

You know, the Legislature hasnt had its say yet. Im assuming that the administration will be coming back for a supplemental appropriation for the EA system, and when they do, its going to be part of a robust conversation, he said.

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The administration said the approach it is taking with the changes allows the Administration to leverage the remaining one-time funds in the Transitional Escrow Fund to continue to operate current caseloads in FY25 while proposed policy changes are considered and implemented. The supp proposes moving the funding from the escrow account into a newly-created reserve account to cover EA shelter costs through June.

Beyond FY25, the administration intends to move towards operational sustainability in FY26 and beyond, recognizing that there is not identified funding for extraordinary EA costs in the long term. The administration, therefore, anticipates once again proposing General Fund EA and HomeBASE appropriations in H.1 at levels consistent with the FY25 GAA and requesting reserve FY26 funding to support the systems transition to sustainability. The exact format and timing of that request is under consideration, the administration wrote in its blueprint. If successful, the system will return to baseline caseloads and costs, and therefore operational and fiscal sustainability, by the end of FY26.

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BOSTON, Mass. (SHNS)State health regulators are about to gain expanded oversight of private equity transactions under a bill Governor Maura Healey will sign Wednesday thats intended to protect Massachusetts from another crisis like the Steward Health Care bankruptcy saga.

Healeys office on Tuesday announced her plans to sign a pair of major health care reform bills, including a package (H 5159) designed to boost hospital oversight.

Money app regulation among 27 bills signed into law by: Chris Lisinski

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The imminent law will significantly increase financial penalties that hospitals, providers, pharmacy benefit managers and other entities could face for failing to submit required data to the state on time. Attorney General Andrea Campbells office will gain more investigative authority over private equity deals, and the bill also expands the false claims statute to hold private equity accountable.

Lawmakers sent the legislation to Healey on Dec. 30, the penultimate day of the 2023-2024 session.

The scope of the Health Policy Commissions annual cost trends hearing will now include pharmaceutical manufacturing companies, pharmacy benefit managers, private equity investors, health care real estate investment trusts and management services organizations. Private equity deals, including real estate sale-leaseback agreements, will also become subject to the HPCs material change notice process.

The HPC board will be restructured this summer, with Auditor Diana DiZoglio losing her authority to appoint three members. Healey will absorb those seats and can name six members, including two nominated by House Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka.

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The law will strengthen data reporting requirements to the Center for Health Information and Analysis, including by requiring private equity investors, health care real estate investment trusts and management services organizations to submit audited financial information. Fines for not submitting information on time will soar from $1,000 to $25,000 per week, and the law also eliminates the annual cap of $50,000.

Looking to crack down on a practice that helped plunge Steward into bankruptcy, the bill bars the Department of Public Health from issuing a license to establish or maintain an acute care hospital that has leased its main campus from a real estate investment trust. The provision exempts hospitals that had that lease agreement in place as of April 1, 2024.

The new law will create a primary care task force to develop recommendations to improve access to care, delivery and financial stability. Spilka has identified primary health care delivery reform as a priority for the new legislative session.

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PERU  There has been a heavy police presence at 646 Fuller Road in Peru the past two days as police search for a missing person.

According to State Police, they responded to the Fuller Road residence around 10 a.m. Monday as part of a missing person investigation.

Jahfari J. Joseph, 40, of Plattsburgh, has been missing since Dec. 29, 2024, police said.

Joseph is a Black male weighing about 142 pounds and is about 57 tall with black hair and brown eyes.

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Anyone with any information regarding his disappearance is asked to call State Police at 518-563-3761.

Yellow crime scene tape was surrounding the house on Tuesday and State Police crime scene technicians were there investigating.

Clinton County District Attorney Andrew Wylie was also at the scene on Tuesday.

The investigation was continuing and State Police were joined by Plattsburgh City Police and the Clinton County Sheriffs Department.
Senate Energy and Natural Resources ranking member Martin Heinrich is accusing Chair Mike Lee of breaching "protocol and precedent" over a hearing for President-elect Donald Trump's pick for Interior secretary.

Heinrich said Lee wants to hold a hearing on Burgum next Tuesday, without the committee having received all the relevant paperwork.

I am extremely disappointed that Chairman Lee has scheduled the first Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee confirmation hearing over my objection and before basic information has been given to the Committee. This is a breach of protocol and precedent, established over decades by Chairs of both parties," Heinrich said.

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Heinrich, a New Mexico Democrat, said nominees usually submit responses to a questionnaire, complete a financial disclosure form, get approval from ethics officials and go through an FBI check.

"Until these steps have been completed, I will not consent to notice of nomination hearings, Heinrich said. "Every nominee, every party, every administration should be subject to the same standards. I would urge Chairman Lee to reconsider his decision."

Lee, Republican of Utah, has yet to comment on Heinrich's statement, obtained overnight.

Burgum, the former North Dakota governor, met with Heinrich on Tuesday and said the meeting went well.

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"Just really fun to talk to someone like Sen. Heinrich, who's done a great job in New Mexico on both the conservation side and on energy development," Burgum said. "We're a little jealous that New Mexico has passed North Dakota as the No. 2 energy-producing state."

If confirmed, Burgum will control the country's public lands and wildlife conservation. He'll have broad authority over oil and gas drilling leases.

As a presidential candidate and then Trump surrogate, Burgum was sharply critical of Democratic policies to fight climate change and has called for vastly increasing energy and mineral production.

Trump has also tapped Burgum, who began meeting with Republicans ahead of the holidays, to be his "energy czar," an unofficial title that will place him at the center of enacting the president-elect's promises to rapidly scale up energy production and slash environmental regulations.

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While his policy positions are likely to clash with Democrats during his confirmation process, he may still win some bipartisan support. Burgum is widely seen as a qualified two-term governor of an oil-rich Western state, and he is largely free of scandals or controversies that have hounded Trump's other nominees.

Asked if he and Heinrich struck any accords on specific policies, Burgum quipped: "Yeah, mule deer hunting."

Heinrich is also set to meet with Trump's Department of Energy pick, Chris Wright, later this week.

Separately, Environment and Public Works Chair Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) is eyeing a hearing on EPA pick Lee Zeldin next week. Hearings are already set for several Trump defense and foreign policy selections.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  The North Carolina House elected a new speaker for the first time in 10 years on Wednesday, choosing a young lieutenant to now-U.S. Rep. Tim Moore to preside over a Republican-controlled chamber focused on Hurricane Helene but likely needing Democratic help to keep advancing a conservative agenda.

Gathering for a one-day General Assembly meeting to seat lawmakers who won in November for the new two-year session, the House picked Rep. Destin Hall to succeed Moore after his record five two-year terms as speaker. The attorney, who represents a youth movement in the legislature at age 37, credited his success to grandparents who raised him in rural Caldwell County and always believed in me.

Our number one job here is to make sure that we make it as easy as possible for the folks of our state to also live that American dream," Hall said during his acceptance speech, citing economic growth, education and public safety improvements in the ninth-largest state among his goals.

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The GOP-dominated Senate again reelected Sen. Phil Berger of Rockingham County as its chamber leader. As the only GOP Senate president pro tempore since Republicans took over the General Assembly in 2011, Berger is second in longevity at the post to predecessor the late Democratic Sen. Marc Basnight.

There were naysayers 14 years ago. Frankly, there still are naysayers, the 72-year-old Berger said in his speech, referencing GOP rule. But our conservative approach has lifted our state out of a dark place.

Republicans now hold the exact same seat margins as they did on opening day two years ago  a 71-49 advantage in the House and 30-20 in the Senate. That is one House seat short of holding veto-proof control of the General Assembly. The shortage was confirmed on Monday when the State Board of Elections certified a narrow Democratic victory for a House seat following recounts and election protests by the losing Republican incumbent.

In 2023, the GOP gained a seat in the House that April to secure the supermajority with a party switch. That helped Republicans override all of then-Democratic Gov. Roy Coopers vetoes during the two-year session, including one last month for a bill that eroded the powers of Josh Stein, who succeeded the term-limited Cooper as governor, and other Democrats elected to statewide office.

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Now Democrats again have enough seats where Stein could be more effective during the next two years in blocking permanently GOP measures that he vetoes. No such party-switch for the GOP is guaranteed during this session, but Hall told reporters he remained confident that Republicans would have a working supermajority in which Democrats would join them on certain issues to overcome vetoes.

The business of this building is trying to reach some compromise and get the votes that you need, Hall said.

The two-year session is likely to focus early on the continued recovery from the record damage caused by Hurricane Helene in late September. Both Berger and Hall pledged in their acceptance speeches to make the relief effort a top priority. The General Assembly last fall approved to spend or set aside over $1 billion for Helene aid. Hall said he has spoken with Stein and looks for bipartisan support for another Helene relief package early in 2025.

Im hopeful that well be able to find common ground," Berger said to reporters about the relationship with Stein. I do know there are a number of issues out there that we should be able to reach agreement on  hurricane recovery is just one of them.

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Halls election was largely settled over a year ago, when House Republicans agreed to elevate the rules committee chairman after Moores term ended. He faced no Democratic opposition on Wednesday. Moore was elected to Congress in November. He returned Wednesday to celebrate Halls elevation, as did two other former GOP speakers  one of them U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis.

The General Assembly, which resumes Jan. 29, will work to pass a two-year state budget by July. Republicans also are likely to again wrestle with legislation that would legalize medical marijuana and whether to authorize casinos in the state beyond those already operated by American Indian tribes.

Wednesday also marked the first public appearance in the Senate for Democrat Rachel Hunt as lieutenant governor. Hunt, a former House and Senate member, was elected to her new post. Presiding over Senate debate will be one of her chief responsibilities. Hunt's father  four-term Democratic Gov. Jim Hunt  was elected lieutenant governor in 1972 and at age 87 attended Wednesday's festivities.
In a December op-ed, former Milwaukee County Health Commissioner Paul Nannis provided a vigorous call for continued efforts to address the opioid crisis. As a Family & Addiction Medicine Physician practicing in Milwaukee, I echo his level of concern. Opioid use disorder is a disease which continues to devastate our community and remains a steep challenge for the recovery, medical, and public health communities.

I wish to push back on one recommendation he recommends: the use of opioid settlement funds for new and more expensive higher-dose naloxone formulations. Naloxone, the extremely effective overdose reversal agent, is a bedrock of our approach to addressing this crisis. It helps my patients to stay alive until they can get into treatment, and continue in treatment even if they use substances during recoverywhich is extremely common especially early in treatment.

Unfortunately, these higher-dose formulations dont work. They are not shown to be more effective at reversing overdose, even for people who have used fentanyl, and expose people to a higher risk of severe side effects, including prolonged withdrawal symptoms which cause significant suffering.

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Opinion: Wisconsin needs new remedies to combat opioid overdoses. Lives are at stake.

Letters to the Editor: New opioid reversal drugs are no panacea for combating scourge of fentanyl

This was explored in depth at the Compassionate Overdose Response Summit and has been commented on in other states. Acute opioid withdrawal has been described to me as a feeling worse than death. As those suffering from opioid use disorder are familiar with use of an opioid as a way to ease withdrawal symptoms, these higher-dose naloxone formulations expose more people to the hard choice of experiencing severe withdrawal-related suffering or to use more of a substance which just caused them to overdose.

Im all for the all hands on deck approach he proposes. Lets just make sure we are using the right tools and applying evidence-based approaches anchored in harm reduction when those hands come together.

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Bryan Johnston is a Family and Addiction Medicine Physician practicing in Milwaukee.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Use opioid settlement funds for proven overdose remedies | Opinion
Those looking to assist residents affected by the Los Angeles County firestorm have a number of options to donate money, materials or their time.

Communities in and around Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Pasadena, Sylmar and Hollywood are grappling with the devastation of the blazes, which collectively have scorched more than 28,000 acres and destroyed more than 2,000 homes, businesses and other buildings.

Read more: Every wildfire currently burning in California

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State, regional and local grassroots organizations are collecting funds and recruiting volunteers to help those displaced or affected. There is also a call for supporting the Los Angeles Fire Department by donating to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation.

The foundation is seeking monetary donations to equip firefighters battling the wildfires with items including emergency fire shelters, hydration backpacks and wildland brush tools. You can donate to the cause online.

You can also support regional and local organizations who are in need of funds, donations and volunteers.

This story will be updated as more organizations post their needs for support.

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Read more: L.A. officials admit firefighters were overwhelmed and outgunned by deadly firestorms

American Red Cross

What it does: The American Red Cross is working alongside its partners to provide shelter, food, emotional support and health services. The Los Angeles regional division is still identifying what resources will be needed in the coming days to support evacuees, said Mimi Teller, development communications manager for the Red Cross Los Angeles Region, but there are already a number of ways to support the organization's efforts.

How you can help: You can support the Red Cross by making a donation online, by calling (800) 733-2767 or texting REDCROSS to 90999.

If you wish to volunteer with the Red Cross, Teller said participants must go through training before they can assist. You can register to become a volunteer online.

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Read more: What happened during the first four days of the Eaton, Palisades fires in Southern California

California Fire Foundation

What it does: The foundation is working with local fire agencies and community organizations to support residents impacted by the blazes.

How you can help: An online monetary donation to the California Fire Foundation Wildfire and Disaster Relief Fund directly supports victims of wildfires and disasters throughout California, including the L.A. County area.

Canine Rescue Club

What it does: The Canine Rescue Club is a network of caregivers who foster dogs awaiting their forever home.

How you can help: The club is looking for volunteers to offer temporary foster care for dogs displaced by the fires. You can apply to temporarily house an affected dog by filling out an online form.

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Read more: Fire hydrants ran dry as Pacific Palisades burned. L.A. city officials blame 'tremendous demand'

GoFundMe

What it does: GoFundMe has created a centralized online hub housing all verified fundraising pages related to the wildfires. The hub will be updated with accounts as they are verified by the GoFundme team.

At the top of the hub is also GoFundMe's Wildfire Relief Fund 2025.

How you can help: You can donate to the Wildfire Relief Fund. Monetary donations help deliver cash grants directly to those impacted by fires. The GoFundMe team identifies verified individuals who qualify and are fundraising either for themselves or on someone else's behalf. The team may also provide grants to fundraisers benefiting small businesses and community relief efforts, or to vetted nonprofits coordinating long-term recovery.

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You can also look through the verified fundraiser accounts on the hub and choose an account to help directly.

Read more: What to pack if you might need to evacuate

Lagartijas Climbing Cru

What it does: The Lagartijas Climbing Cru, a local BIPOC climbing club, has created a Google spreadsheet to connect fire victims with people who want to donate gear and dehydrated meals.

How you can help: You can sign up on the spreadsheet to lend or give gear including sleeping bags and sleeping pads. You can also donate clothes, fuel, and dehydrated meals.

Set Active

What it does: Set Active is an athleisure brand based in Los Angeles and is accepting clothing donations for families affected by the fires.

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How you can help: You can send the company a direct message via Instagram with your intent to donate and the company will send you an address where you can drop off your donation.

YMCA Koreatown locations

What it does: The Anderson Munger Family YMCA and the Koreatown YMCA Center for Community Well-being are accepting essential items donations for victims.

How you can help: Both locations are accepting donations of items including unopened food  bread, jam and canned goods  clothing, blankets, emergency supplies and dog and cat food.

Donations can be dropped off at the Anderson Munger Family YMCA, 4301 W. 3rd St. in Los Angeles, doors close at 10 p.m.; and at the Koreatown YMCA, 433 S. Vermont Ave. in Los Angeles, doors close at 7 p.m.

Direct Relief

What it does: Direct Relief is a California-based disaster relief medical assistance organization. Its currently working with the two Koreatown YMCA locations to hand out free N95 masks to residents affected by the harmful smoke.

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How you can help: Those interested in supporting wildfire response efforts can donate to Direct Reliefs Wildfire Response Fund online. The donations directly benefit individuals impacted by the fires in Palisades, Altadena and across California providing critical aid where needed.

Salvation Army

What it does: The Salvation Army Southern California Division is working with government and nongovernment agencies to provide food, personal necessities and shelter to survivors and first responders, said Melinda Lankford, communications and marketing direction for organizations Southern California Division.

What you can do: The Salvation Army is currently accepting donations through the Emergency Disaster Fund to help meet the urgent need across Southern California. Monetary donations to directly aid the region can be made online .

Checks can be mailed to The Salvation Army - Disaster Relief at P.O. Box 93002, Long Beach 90809-9355.

Pasadena Humane

What it does: Pasadena Humane animal control officers have been assisting with animal evacuations while Pasadena Humane staff have been working at the shelter to help take in the animals of displaced families. The organization has taken in over 100 animals, including a pony, and are continuing to take in animals for emergency boarding.

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What you can do: You can make a monetary donation online. The organization is also accepting donated items, including food and water bowls, extra large crates and blankets. Donated items can be left in a donation bin in the front parking lot at 361 S. Raymond Ave, Pasadena 91105.

California Community Foundation

What it does: The California Community Foundation distributes grants to affected communities through its Wildfire Recovery Fund . The foundations team utilizes data from CalFire and CDCs Social Vulnerability Index to ensure their grants target the neediest communities with both intermediate recovery and long-term support.

What you can do: You can make a monetary donation online or by mailing a check to the California Community Foundation at 717 W. Temple St., Los Angeles 90012. Include Wildfire Recovery Fund in the memo.

Bike Oven

What it does: The Bike Oven, a community-run workshop serving northeast Los Angeles, is currently open as a drop-off location for supplies for those dealing with the Eaton fire  the Oven will be closed for bike repairs Wednesday night.

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How you can help: You can donate basic hygiene products, toiletries, N95 masks or respirators, pet food, power banks, batteries, blankets and sleeping bags. Items can be dropped off at 3706 N. Figueroa St., Los Angeles 90065.

Escalemos

What it does: Escalemos, an organization that supports the Latinx/Hispanic climbing community, has created a GoFundMe page to help those who have been affected by the recent fires to replace climbing gear and equipment they might have lost.

How you can help: A monetary donation to the GoFundMe page goes directly to financial assist climbers who lost their equipment.

Baby2Baby

What it does: Baby2Baby is providing critical items, including diapers, food, formula and hygiene products for children and families who have lost their homes to the fires.

How you can help: You can donate online to the orgnization's Disaster Relief and Emergency Response Program.

World Central Kitchen

What it does: World Central Kitchen's relief team is in Southern California to support first responders and families affected by the fires, providing nourishing meals to people in need.

How you can help: You can help by making an online donation.

Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE)

What it does: CORE is deploying an emergency response team to support those where air quality is a major concern. It is supplying emergency go-bags, masks and other protective equipment while providing information about evacuations and shelter support.

How you can help: You can support CORE's efforts by making an online monetary donation.

Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighters Fund

What it does: The Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighters Fund is supporting firefighters who have suffered injuries while battling fires including several who have lost their homes. The organization assists families of firefighters with financial, emotional and other support.

How you can help: You can support the organization's efforts by making a monetary donation online, Paypal or Venmo.

United Way of Greater Los Angeles

What it does: United Way focuses on longer-term recovery efforts to support members of the community and is currently working with community partners to assess the impact on the ground.

How you can help: The Fund will support low-income individuals whose livelihood has been disrupted, people experiencing homelessness and disruptions to community organizations and small businesses. You can support these efforts by making an online monetary donation.

The People's Struggle San Fernando Valley

What it does: The People's Struggle San Fernando Valley is a grassroots group that is currently helping transport people or supplies to those affect by fires in the region.

How you can help: A monetary donation to the group's Venmo account "peoplesstrugglesfv," goes directly toward gas, water, masks and other identified needs.

All Power Books

What it does: All Power Books, a local Los Angeles bookstore, is collecting supplies to support mutual aid organizations. It has also opened its doors to people affected by the fires.

What you can do: The bookstore is in urgent need of donations including shelf stable, ready to eat food (canned soup, granola bars, dried fruit), bottled water, N95/K95 masks, saline nasal spray, blankets, basic hygiene and toiletry products and pet food. Donations can be dropped off between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. at 4749 W Adams Boulevard, Los Angeles 90016.

Dolce Glow

What it does: Dolce Glow, a self-tanning lotions brand, is collecting donations at its San Fernando office for first responders.

How you can help: The company is accepting donations including blankets, small pillows, sealed and non-perishable snacks and food, water bottles, baby powder, Gatorade and other electrolyte packs, toothbrushes, toothpaste, toiletries, baby wipes, body wipes, chapstick, eyedrops, protein bars and gallon-sized Ziploc bags. Donations can be dropped off at 1621 First Street Unit 8, San Fernando 91340.

A1000XBetter

What it does: A1000xBetter is a Los Angeles Design firm and is accepting donations for fire victims at its Pasadena studio on January 13 and 20 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Its accepting non-perishable foods, new toiletries, baby supplies and gently used and laundered clothing.

How you can help: You can make a donation of needed items at 1037 East Green Street, Pasadena 9116

Bobbie

What it does: Bobbie, an organic baby formula company, is providing any parent affected by the fires  Bobbie customer or not  with free baby formula. Its also donating 1,000 cans of formula to nonprofit and grassroots organizations who can immediately distribute donations to the ground.

How you can help: You can donate to Bobbies effort by making a monetary contribution online .

Musicares

What it does: Musicares, a nonprofit safety net of health and welfare services for the music community, is offering anyone in the music industry (with five or more years experience in the music business) with immediate assistance including $1,500 financial assistance and $500 food vouchers.

How you can help: You can contribute to Musicares efforts by making an online donation .

In Defense of Animals

What it does: In Defense of Animals, an international animal protection organization that is assisting with temporary housing of wild and domestic animals who along with their owners evacuated or lost their homes due to the fires. The organization is also providing resources such as veterinary supplies, food and water.

How you can help: You can contribute to the organizations efforts by making an online monetary donation .

International Medical Corps

What it does: Headquartered in Los Angeles, International Medical Corps is delivering relief suppliesincluding hygiene kits and first-aid kitsto support affected communities affected by the fires, and stands ready to provide additional support and services to health facilities as needed.

How you can help: You can support their efforts by making a monetary donation online .

Best Friends Animal Society

What it does: Best Friends Animal Society, has activated two pet pantry locations in Los Angeles that can provide essential supplies including pet food, cat litter, pet beds and other necessary items as well as human sanitary products for those who have lost everything.

How you can help: Those looking to contribute to the pantries can donate online . All funds go toward emergency assistance to pets impacted by the wildfires in Los Angeles. Donations top this fund are also directly supporting pet lifesaving work in the area.

The Foundation for California Community Colleges

What it does: The Foundation for California Community Colleges, in partnership with the California Community Colleges, provides each community college in an affected area with funds to be distributed as part of the Wildfire and Disaster Relief program .

How you can help: You can make an online monetary donation that provides emergency relief and support for recovery and rebuilding. Past recipients of donors support have used the funds to cover disaster-related needs, including relocation expenses, replacing laptops, and buying supplies, transportation, clothes and food that were lost or destroyed during evacuations.

Westside Food Bank

What it does: Westside Food Bank is preparing for a recovery period that is just beginning and will go on long after the fires go out. Its supply of food is low after a busy holiday season, and it is in need of support from the community to restock and distribute food to the tens of thousands more people who need help.

How you can help: You can make a monetary online donation to help restock the food banks shelves.

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Ongoing wildfires blazing through Los Angeles have scorched more than 30,000 acres, destroyed 10,000 homes and businesses, and placed at least 100,000 residents under evacuation orders.

The biggest of the blazesa fire that lit up the Pacific Palisades, a coastal community sandwiched between Malibu and Santa Monicasparked on the morning of Tuesday, January 7, closely followed by the Eaton Fire near Altadena and Pasadena and the Hurst Fire near Sylmar. On Wednesday, several fires ignited elsewhere in L.A.: the Lidia Fire in Acton, the Woodley Fire near Van Nuys, the Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills, and the Sunswept Fire in Studio City. On Thursday, another blaze, dubbed the Kenneth Fire, appeared in West Hills.

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While the exact cause of the fires is not yet known, extreme winds that have seen speeds as high as 100 mph have only fueled the flames and prevented aircraft mobility for firefighters, limiting crews to battling the fires on the ground. Known as the Santa Ana Winds, these annual gusts are extremely strong, hot, and dry, creating the perfect conditions for a fire disaster.

So far, the destruction from the simultaneous infernos has been harrowing, with the flames engulfing natural areas like Temescal Canyon and encroaching upon iconic cultural landmarks like Sunset Boulevard. Several people have been treated for burn injuries and at least 25 people are dead, the Associated Press reported. Multimillion-dollar homes have also not been spared by the flames, and plenty of celebritiesincluding Paris Hilton, Leighton Meester and Adam Brody, Billy Crystal, and Mark Hamillhave joined the hordes of evacuees in fleeing their neighborhoods. California has enlisted help from firefighters across the country and other parts of the world, including Mexico and Canada, to help battle the flames.

Community members across the city have created this spreadsheet with information on shelters, distribution hubs, and transportation, which will be continually updated. If youre looking for more ways to help those affected, we listed a few organizations below that are offering their support.

Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation

The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation supports over 3,000 local firefighters and paramedics. It accepts donations to buy the proper equipment and tools for firefighters to effectively battle wildfires.

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Visit the Website

California Fire Foundation

The California Fire Foundation is a nonprofit that provides support to firefighters and loved ones of fallen firefighters. It is currently accepting donations that it will use to work with local fire agencies and other community-based organizations.

Visit the Website

GoFundMe

GoFundMe has rounded up verified fundraisers related to the L.A. wildfires, including fundraisers for people who have lost their homes and belongings.

Visit the Website

American Red Cross

American Red Cross responds to fire disasters by providing support to first responders, ensuring shelter and food access to victims, delivering relief supplies, and offering medical care.

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Visit the Website

Dream Center

This Los Angelesbased community organization is currently operating an evacuation center for those who had to flee their homes.





National Day Laborer Organizing Network

This organization works with day laborers, migrants, and low-wage workers to tackle issues related to inequality and civil rights. It is currently holding a fundraiser to support immigrant day laborers, undocumented workers, and mixed-status families who have been displaced by the fires and who may otherwise face uncertainty when seeking emergency services.

Visit the Website

Altadena Girls

Local teen Avery kickstarted Altadena Girls as a way to make essential itemsincluding clothing and beauty and haircare productsfreely accessible to young girls who have lost everything due to the Eaton Fire.

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Visit the Website

Friends in Deed

Friends in Deed is a Pasadena-based nonprofit that provides support to homeless and at-risk community members. It is currently operating a shelter for those experiencing homelessness.

Visit the Website

Anti-Recidivism Coalition

The Anti-Recidivism Coalition works towards the end of mass incarceration in California by providing services and a network to formerly and currently incarcerated people, as well as by advocating for just policies. It is currently accepting donations that will fund front-line incarcerated firefighterswho make up 30 percent of Californias wildfire force.

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Visit the Website

Ktown for All

Ktown for All is a volunteer-run community organization that supports and advocates for those experiencing homelessness in L.A.s Koreatown. It is looking for volunteers and collecting donations in order to distribute masks, tarps, tents, and other equipment to the citys homeless neighbors.

Visit the Website



National Domestic Workers Alliance

The National Domestic Workers Alliance advocates for the labor rights and protections of domestic workersincluding nannies, housecleaners, and care workersacross the country. In response to the L.A. fires, the organization has set up a fundraiser to provide emergency financial assistance, medical care, and supplies to these essential workers.

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Visit the Website

Baby2Baby

This nonprofit focuses on delivering essential items to children living in poverty across the country. Right now, it is directing it efforts to families who have lost their homes in the L.A. fires, providing critical supplies like diapers, formula, and hygiene products.

Visit the Website



GiveDirectly

GiveDirectly is collecting donations to send cash straight to L.A. families on food stamps based on their zip code.

Visit the Website



International Medical Corps

International Medical Corps is a first-responder organization that supports communities facing conflict, disaster, or disease. Right now, the organization is working to provide hygiene and first-aid kits to those affected by the fires.

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Visit the Website

Americares

Americares is a health-focused organization that responds to natural disasters and humanitarian crises. It is currently working on providing essential medicines, supplies, hygiene kits, and first aid to those affected by the L.A. fires.

Visit the Website

Save the Children

This international humanitarian organization has started a childrens emergency fund. Donations will go toward supplying affected families with essential items and assisting local partners focused on promoting childrens education, health, and mental wellness.

Visit the Website

Project Hope

This nonprofit is currently on the ground responding to the L.A. wildfires. Its efforts are focused on supporting local shelters, health workers, and marginalized communities

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Visit the Website

Canine Rescue Club

The Canine Rescue Club is currently looking for those who are able to foster pets displaced by the wildfires.





Best Friends Animal Society

This national animal welfare organization is operating two pet pantry locations intended on providing essential supplieslike pet food, cat litter, pet beds, and sanitary productsto those affected by the fires.

Visit the Website

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At least 10 people are reported to have died and over 100,000 residents have been forced to flee in the wake of raging wildfires in the Los Angeles region, as firefighters have struggled to contain several blazes that continue to be fanned by strong winds.

Fueled by low humidity and raging Santa Ana winds, the Palisades Fire had burned through over 19,000 acres by Friday morning, while the Eaton Fire spanned over 13,000 acres. Firefighters are battling five fires across the Los Angeles area at once.

Read more: See Photos of Devastating Palisades Fire in California

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Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell warned that crews were facing "unprecedented conditions, and asked people to heed evacuation orders at a press conference on Wednesday morning.

This is a tragic time in our history here in Los Angeles, but a time when were really tested and see who we really are, McDonnell said.

TIME Map; Getty Images

Businesses and homes have been damaged in the Pacific Palisades, thousands of structures destroyed by the Palisades Fire.

California Governor Gavin Newsom deployed over a 1000 firefighters to the region after declaring a state of emergency on Tuesday night.

Here's how you can help victims of the Los Angeles wildfires:

California Fire Foundation Wildfire & Disaster Relief Fund

The California Fire Foundation works with local fire agencies and community based organizations to provide ongoing, mid- and long-term support to California communities affected by natural disasters like wildfires. The organization, which provides direct support to victims, is beginning to support those impacted by the Palisades Fire.

World Central Kitchen

World Central Kitchen, the nonprofit global food relief organization founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres, is already on the ground in Southern California to aid first responders and evacuees. Our teams have mobilized across the region to provide immediate relief in the form of sandwiches and water as we identify all areas of need, the organization said in a statement on Jan. 8.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army operates a disaster services fund that directly supports evacuees and first responders of California wildfires. The organization provides emergency relief and long-term assistance to those impacted by natural disasters.

GoFundMe

The online fundraising platform GoFundMe has created a centralized hub of verified fundraising pages on its site. The list is updated by the platform's Trust & Safety team to ensure that all included fundraisers are authentic. GoFundMe has also launched its own 2025 Wildfire Relief Fund, and says that all money raised will go directly to impacted people who are seeking help through GoFundMe fundraisers, and to nonprofit organizations providing relief on the ground.

California Community Foundation

The California Community Foundation has been working to strengthen Los Angeles County since 1915. The organization's Wildfire Recovery Fund targets the most underserved and hard to reach communities in the region, with the goal of helping provide long-term recovery relief.

CAL FIRE Benevolent Foundation

CAL FIRE Benevolent Foundation provides financial aid to firefighters and their families in the case of injury or loss of life. The organization also helps support burn victims and their families, along with research focused on firefighter health and safety.

Write to Simmone Shah at simmone.shah@time.com.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb will host a summit in Helsinki of the NATO countries that border the Baltic Sea together with Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal next Tuesday.

The summit, which will take place at the Presidential Palace, will be attended by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte as well as leaders from Germany, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden.

The topic will be the security of the Baltic Sea region, especially measures required to secure the critical underwater infrastructure, the Finnish presidency said in a statement on Wednesday.

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The discussion will focus on strengthening NATO's presence in the Baltic Sea and responding to the threat posed by Russias so-called shadow fleet of ships.

The summit is a response to a series of incidents in which pipelines and cables in the Baltic Sea have been damaged by vessels allegedly linked to Russia.

On Christmas Day, damage was discovered on the Estlink 2 power cable between Finland and Estonia, as well as on four communication cables, including a connection between Helsinki and Rostock that had already been severed in a previous incident in November.

The oil tanker Eagle S is suspected of having deliberately caused the damage on Christmas Day.

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The ship was flying the flag of the Cook Islands, but according to the EU it belongs to the Russian shadow fleet.

This refers to tankers and other cargo ships that Russia uses to circumvent sanctions imposed as a result of its invasion of Ukraine, for example when transporting oil.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Two Henderson parents pleaded guilty to child neglect Wednesday morning after an 11-year-old child diagnosed with autism was found in a makeshift jail cell after being absent from school in April 2024.

Jeffery Scanlan and Misty Scanlan both pleaded guilty to one count of child neglect or endangerment, a gross misdemeanor, in court Wednesday morning.

Photos of Jeffrey Scanlan (LEFT) and Misty Scanlan (RIGHT) provided by the Henderson Police Department

On April 23, officers with the City of Henderson Police Department and the Clark County School District Police Department did a welfare check at a home near Wigwam and North Green Valley parkways after a truancy, or absence from school, issue involving a student.

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ORIGINAL STORY: Henderson parents arrested after 11-year-old kept in makeshift jail cell for 6 years

The truancy officer told police that when they knocked on the door, no one answered, but they could hear a child screaming and a gate rattling inside, according to an arrest report. Jeffery, who answered the door 40 minutes after police arrived, told officers his children were absent from school because they were sick.

When police asked Jeffery if they could check on the children, he agreed and led them inside, where police found an 11-year-old boy in a large metal enclosure with metal bars and locked doors, similar to a jail cell, the report stated.

The boy was wearing only a diaper and the enclosure had feces on the floors and walls, the report stated. Jeffery told police that the child was diagnosed with severe Autism spectrum disorder. Three other children were in the home when police arrived.

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Officers said the house was in extreme disarray and smelled of feces, the report stated. While searching the home, police found two bedrooms with little or no furniture and feces on the walls, ceilings, and floors. Both bedrooms had exterior locks with no way to open from the inside, according to the report.

Jeffery told police that the child in the enclosure was big and strong and could be very aggressive, destroying the house, punching holes in the wall, and attempting to escape to neighbors houses. He said the child prefers the enclosure to his bedroom and will sleep in it on a couch.

When asked if the child would be able to exit in an emergency, Jeffery said someone would have to let him out. Jeffery told police the enclosure had been in the home for six years.

The sentencing for both Scanlans was scheduled for March 12 at 9:30 a.m. The maximum sentence a judge could issue is 364 days in the Clark County Detention Center. Probation is also a possibility.

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The two remain out of custody as of Jan. 8.

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Attorneys for former Austin police officer Christopher Taylor  who was found guilty of deadly conduct in October for fatally shooting a mentally ill man in 2019  are seeking a new trial, citing potential juror misconduct as well as new evidence they say is favorable to Taylor.

The 21-page motion, filed Dec. 30, also said a judge should order a new trial in the interest of justice and because Taylors conviction is contrary to the law and evidence. The filing, however, did not elaborate on those claims.

The judge in the case sentenced Taylor to two years in prison last month after a Travis County jury found the officer guilty in the death of Mauris DeSilva. Taylor is believed to be the first officer ever convicted in Austin for an on-duty fatal shooting. He remains free on bond pending the outcome of a yet-to-be-filed appeal and has been fired from the department.

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The Travis County district attorney's office did not respond to an American-Statesman request for comment Tuesday.

Taylor and another officer opened fire on DeSilva in a downtown residential building's hallway when the doors of an elevator that police took to the fifth floor opened and they immediately confronted DeSilva, who was holding a knife. Police had responded to a 911 call involving DeSilva.

The request for a new trial relies heavily upon an affidavit from a woman who said she was DeSilva's friend for two decades. The woman, Marycatherine Lydon-Simecek, wrote that she contacted Taylors attorneys after the trial to provide information about DeSilvas previous suicide attempts and to assert her belief that he orchestrated being killed by police.

Ultimately I believe that Mauris wanted to die but just couldnt do it himself, Lydon-Simecek wrote in a Dec. 5 statement. This was Mauris way out. I do not believe it is fair to hold Officer Taylor criminally liable for a situation that Mauris engineered to end his life.

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The motion by Taylors attorneys said that had jurors known about her statements, they would have likely acquitted Taylor.

They also argue that prosecutors withheld information favorable to Taylor  an email showing that the Travis County DAs office had previously concluded that Taylor should not be prosecuted. The motion said that prosecutors only provided that email during sentencing  after Taylor had been convicted  and violated state and federal laws that require all evidence in a case to be given to a defendant.

In their final claim, the attorneys argue in the motion that during deliberations, the courts bailiff saw jurors using their cellphones and laptop computers. Taylors attorneys said they were not allowed to question the jurors about whether they were conducting independent legal research or reading social media posts about their client, which could have resulted in a mistrial.

State District Judge Dayna Blazey has 30 days to rule on Taylors request for a new trial. Taylors attorneys have not yet filed an appeal to a higher court but are expected to do so in coming weeks.

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Jorge Vela, a former federal prosecutor and Austin attorney who followed the case and reviewed the filing for the American-Statesman, said he thinks it is unlikely that Blazey will grant a new trial.

Vela said that the trial included evidence about DeSilvas mental health, including that he might have been suicidal, and that prosecutors emails might not have been admissible during the trial. He described the allegation of potential juror misconduct as bare bone and said it fails to provide evidence about what jurors might have been viewing on their phones or computers.

The defense is doing their job, he said. They are arguing what they can, but this is not an easy motion to win. I think the defense is ultimately going to lose their request for a new trial.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Former Austin police officer Christopher Taylor seeks new trial
By Laila Bassam and Tom Perry

BEIRUT (Reuters) -Lebanon's parliament looks set to elect army chief Joseph Aoun head of state on Thursday, three senior political sources said, ending a presidential vacuum which has persisted since 2022 and showing the diminished sway of the Iran-backed Hezbollah.

The election marks the first test of Lebanon's power balance since Shi'ite Muslim Hezbollah emerged badly pummelled from last year's war with Israel, and since its Syrian ally Bashar al-Assad was toppled from power in December.

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The post, reserved for a Maronite Christian in the country's sectarian power-sharing system, has been vacant since Michel Aoun's term ended in October 2022. None of the groups in the 128-seat parliament have enough seats to impose their choice, and they have so far been unable to agree on a consensus candidate.

Momentum built behind Joseph Aoun's candidacy on Wednesday, as Hezbollah's preferred candidate - Suleiman Frangieh - withdrew his candidacy and declared his support for the military commander, along with a growing number of other lawmakers.

While Hezbollah and its Shi'ite ally the Amal Movement led by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri had long expressed reservations about Aoun's candidacy as they stuck by Frangieh, the three sources said enough Shi'ite lawmakers would elect him in order to secure the 86 votes he needs to win.

One of the Lebanese politicians said Western and Arab contacts with Lebanese factions had intensified on Wednesday with the aim of securing the election of Aoun, who Lebanese political sources say enjoys U.S. approval.

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French and Saudi envoys met Lebanese politicians in Beirut on Wednesday. Four Lebanese political sources who met the Saudi envoy, Prince Yazid bin Farhan, last week said he spelt out preferred qualifications which signal Saudi support for Aoun.

Saudi Arabia was once a big player in Lebanon, vying with Tehran for influence, before seeing its role eclipsed by Iran and the heavily armed Hezbollah, which is listed as a terrorist group by Washington and its Gulf Arab allies.

Aoun, 60, has been commander of the U.S.-backed Lebanese army since 2017. On his watch, U.S. aid continued to flow to the army, part of a long-standing U.S. policy focused on supporting state institutions to curb Hezbollah's influence.

A candidate requires 86 votes to win in a first-round vote, or 65 in a second round. But Berri has said that Aoun, as a still-serving state employee, would still need 86 votes because his election requires a constitutional amendment.

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George Adwan, a member of the Lebanese Forces party, a Christian faction which staunchly opposes Hezbollah and decided to vote for Aoun, said his election would "open the door to a new phase".

MAJOR SHIFT

Aoun has a key role in shoring up the ceasefire brokered by Washington and Paris in November. The terms require the Lebanese military to deploy into south Lebanon as Israeli troops and Hezbollah withdraw forces.

Still reeling from a financial collapse in 2019, Lebanon desperately needs foreign aid to rebuild from the war.

Much of the damage is in Shi'ite majority areas.

Hezbollah, its supply line to Iran severed by Assad's ousting, has urged Arab and international support for Lebanon.

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The vote takes place against a backdrop of historic change in the wider Middle East, where the Assad-led Syrian state exercised sway over Lebanon for decades, both directly and through allies such as Hezbollah.

Hezbollah's support was vital to propelling Michel Aoun to the presidency in 2016, as the group and factions which supported its possession of a powerful arsenal were in the ascendant.

A State Department spokesperson said it was "up to Lebanon to choose its next president, not the United States or any external actor".

"We have been consistent in our efforts to press Lebanon to elect a new president, which we see as important to strengthening Lebanons political institutions," the spokesperson said.

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Saudi Minister Faisal bin Farhan said last October that Riyadh had never fully disengaged from Lebanon and that outside countries should not tell Lebanese what to do.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot expressed hope in comments to France Inter radio, saying the election was "a prerequisite for the continuation of this dynamic of peace" and also for Lebanon's economic and social recovery.

Other candidates in focus include Jihad Azour, a senior International Monetary Fund official who formerly served as finance minister, and Major-General Elias al-Baysari - head of General Security, a state security agency.

(Additional reporting by John Irish in Paris, Simon Lewis in Washington and Pesha Magid in Riyadh; Writing by Tom Perry, Editing by William Maclean and Deepa Babington)
HONOLULU (KHON2)  The Honolulu Fire Department is asking for your continued compassion and aloha as they grieve the loss of one of their own. Jeff Fiala was killed while fighting the house fire on Young Street Monday night.

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Fiala was stationed in Kakaako. Its HFDs first death in the line of duty since 2016. A small memorial grows for has since grown in remembrance of Fiala.

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HFD says part of the roof collapsed, killing the 25-year-old and injuring several others.

Mayday call: Firefighter killed while combatting McCully apartment fire

This tragedy is truly heartbreaking for all of us, said Honolulu Fire Department Chief Sheldon Hao. As firefighters we know the risk of our job but we continue to run towards danger knowing we helping people in need.

HFD says it is providing grief counselors for those that need it.

We had a lot of companies there that were involved and were really concerned about their mental health and well being at this point in time, said Bobby Lee, Hawaii Firefighter Association president. Thats the priority right now.

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Because this was a death in the line of duty, there will be a federal investigation into the issue.

We are very curious and we want to really know what happened so that we can continue to build more safeguards into this profession, Lee said.

A day later, neighbors were shocked to see their homes stayed safe, with some homes being about 15 feet away from the initial blaze.

I saw some of the footage afterward of it and its kind of surreal to me, for it to just escalate that much in a short period of time, said neighbor Denise Horita.

Horita says she woke up extremely grateful and thankful for all first responders. She also wanted to offer her condolences to the firefighter who was killed, his family and the entire department.

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This is what they do, I know, Horita said. I dont think I could ever do it but I give them a lot of credit for it.

HFD says the four other firefighters hurt in the fire are stable and will be released from the hospital.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but Hao did not want to get into details immediately, wanting to focus more on the health and well-being of the firefighters and department.

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 KHON2.
A photo of Honolulu firefighter Jeffrey Fiala, 25, was placed today outside of the Young Street residential building where he was killed Monday night fighting a three-alarm building fire.

1 /4 A photo of Honolulu firefighter Jeffrey Fiala, 25, was placed today outside of the Young Street residential building where he was killed Monday night fighting a three-alarm building fire.

GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @STARADVERTISER.COM Firefighters viewed a charred two-story building at 1645 Young Street, today, which was the scene of a fire Monday night. A 25-year-old firefighter died and five people were seriously injured in the blaze.

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2 /4 GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @STARADVERTISER.COM Firefighters viewed a charred two-story building at 1645 Young Street, today, which was the scene of a fire Monday night. A 25-year-old firefighter died and five people were seriously injured in the blaze.

COURTESY HFD Honolulu firefighter Jeffrey Fiala 3 /4 COURTESY HFD Honolulu firefighter Jeffrey Fiala GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @STARADVERTISER.COM Honolulu firefighters douse a building fire at 1645 Young St. on Monday night that killed one firefighter and injured five people, including four other firefighters 4 /4 GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @STARADVERTISER.COM Honolulu firefighters douse a building fire at 1645 Young St. on Monday night that killed one firefighter and injured five people, including four other firefighters A photo of Honolulu firefighter Jeffrey Fiala, 25, was placed today outside of the Young Street residential building where he was killed Monday night fighting a three-alarm building fire.

GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @STARADVERTISER.COM Firefighters viewed a charred two-story building at 1645 Young Street, today, which was the scene of a fire Monday night. A 25-year-old firefighter died and five people were seriously injured in the blaze.

COURTESY HFD Honolulu firefighter Jeffrey Fiala GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @STARADVERTISER.COM Honolulu firefighters douse a building fire at 1645 Young St. on Monday night that killed one firefighter and injured five people, including four other firefighters UPDATE : 2 :55 p.m.

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The 25-year-old firefighter killed in the Young Street fire Monday night has been identified as Jeffrey Fiala.

Honolulu Fire Department Chief Kalani Hao said today that Fiala, who had been with HFD for about a year and a half, and was dedicated member of the department who served with honor and courage.

This tragedy has been truly heartbreaking for all of us,  Hao said at a news conference at HFD headquarters in Kakaako.

He said Fiala was known for his enthusiasm and love for the job.

Everyone just loved to be around him,  Hao said, noting that he had a short career but made a great impact.

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Hao said the other four firefighters who were seriously injured in the fire were scheduled to be discharged today from the Queens Medical Center. He said their injuries appear to be minimal  and that he was more concerned for their emotional well-being following the tragedy.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi issued a statement mourning the tragic loss of one of our brave firefighters, who made the ultimate sacrifice while heroically serving our city last night.

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In the early hours of a dangerous fire in McCully, Jeff Fiala, just 25 years old, lost his life in the line of duty during a building collapse,  the mayor said. A husband and dedicated public servant, he had been with the Honolulu Fire Department for a year and a half, bringing a sense of passion and commitment to protecting our residents.

Blangiardi said his office will work closely with HFD to provide the support and resources needed to honor his legacy and assist his family.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE A 25-year-old Honolulu firefighter died and five people were seriously injured Monday night in a two-story building fire on Young Street that caused a partial roof collapse.

Honolulu Fire Department Chief Kalani Hao said outside Straub Benioff Hospital in Honolulu that a firefighter who had been with the department for a year and a half had been tragically killed  young man  very tragic.

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Four other firefighters were hospitalized at the Queens Medical Center, Hao said in a brief joint appearance with Mayor Rick Blangiardi. A sixth person, a civilian, was taken to a hospital in serious condition.

Its a very difficult time for us,  at HFD, Hao said. He thanked the community for their prayers and concerns.

Hao said the cause of the firefighters death is still under investigation.

Were off to a tough start to this year,  Blangiardi said, referring to a December plane crash that killed two young pilots, the deadly New Years fireworks explosions, and Mondays nights fatal fire.

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Of Honolulus first responders, Blangiardi said, These men and women stand ready each and every day to put their lives on the line.

Firefighters responded to a 7 :42 p.m. 911 call for a building fire at 1645 Young St. in the Pawaa-McCully area and the first HFD units arrived at 7 :45 p.m. to find smoke but no flames coming from the two-story residential building, HFD officials said.

HFD Capt. Jamie Song told KHON and Hawaii News Now that a mayday  call was issued at 7 :58 p.m. because two firefighters were declared missing inside the structure that had a partial roof collapse.

Song said one of the firefighters was able to get out on his own but the second firefighter was extricated  from the first floor by other firefighters at 8 :24 p.m.

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Besides the firefighter who died, a civilian and four firefighters were taken to the hospital in serious condition, according to Song.

At 8 :29 p.m., HFD called a third alarm, requiring more units and firefighters, and they had the fire under control at 9 :07 p.m., according to HFD. The fire was declared extinguished at 11 :31 p.m., according to HFD, which responded with 23 units and about 61 personnel.

Police and Honolulu Emergency Medical Services personnel also responded. Police closed Young Street in both directions as emergency crews responded.

The Hawaii Red Cross officials said in a news release that volunteers responded to the 10-unit complex, meeting with affected residents to ensure their immediate emergency needs are met. They opened a shelter for displaced residents at the McCully District Park Gymnasium, 831 Pumehana St. The shelter is only for residents affected by the Young Street fire, according to the Honolulu Department of Emergency Management.

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Volunteers will continue to follow up with anyone affected in the coming weeks to provide referrals, guidance or additional assistance as needed to help with the recovery process,  Red Cross officials said.

In a statement Tuesday, Gov. Josh Green said, I am deeply heartbroken to learn of the tragic loss of one of our brave firefighters in the line of duty. This hero selflessly put their life on the line to protect others, embodying the very best of who we are as a community.

Our hearts are with his family, loved ones and fellow firefighters who were injured during this profoundly difficult time.

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A high-speed pursuit on Interstate 70 has landed a Jasonville man in jail, said Indiana State Police at Putnamville.

The pursuit began in Marion County and ended in Vigo County, and the suspect drove west on I-70 at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour.

The driver, Benjamin Lewis, 44, of Jasonville, was arrested and faces the following charges resisting law enforcement as a Level 6 felony; theft as a Level 6 felony; criminal recklessness as a level 5 felony, and misdemeanor reckless driving.

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About 1:55 p.m. Tuesday, Indianapolis troopers were patrolling near I-70 on the west side of Marion County when they attempted to stop a silver Lexus that was reported stolen.

The driver refused to stop and continued to travel west on I-70 at speeds over 100 mph.

The vehicle pursuit traveled through several counties and tire deflation devices were deployed near the Brazil exit at mile-marker 23 in Clay County, but the driver was able to avoid the device.

A second set of tire deflation devices were deployed near the 12 mile-marker in Vigo County. The pursued vehicle struck the device, flattening the drivers side front tire, but it continued westbound on 70, fleeing officers.

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The vehicle finally came to a stop in the driving lane of Interstate 70 near the 10 mile-marker. Troopers and deputies took the driver into custody without further incident.

Lewis was transported to a local hospital for a complaint of pain. After being treated, he was taken to Vigo County Jail.
Colorado Senate President James Coleman, a Denver Democrat, delivers opening remarks on the first day of the 2025 session on Jan. 8, 2025, at the Capitol. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline)

The Colorado General Assembly began its 75th regular session Wednesday, the start of a 120-day process to introduce, debate and vote on new state laws.

This year, Democrats hold a majority in both chambers, though they lost three seats in the House during the November general election. They have a 23-12 majority in the Senate and a 43-22 majority in the House.

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The first day at the Capitol in Denver was largely ceremonial  uniformed military presented the United States and Colorado flags, Indigenous leaders conducted a land acknowledgement for the Capitol building, and party leaders addressed the chambers to lay out broad priorities. The first bills were introduced. Floor work wrapped up shortly after noon.

Some highlights of the morning:

Coleman elected Senate President

Democratic Sen. James Coleman of Denver officially took the gavel as Senate president as the chamber unanimously elected him to the position. Coleman previously served as president pro tempore alongside former Senate President Steve Fenberg. Before he left, Fenberg passed along two miniature gavels to his successor in jest.

Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez nominated Coleman, and Minority Leader Paul Lundeen seconded him on the floor.

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Coleman thanked previous Black lawmakers present in the chamber, including the first Black Senate President, Peter Groff, in his opening remarks.

Thank you for being the first, and thank you for making sure you werent the last, he said.

I stand here as Senate President, a Black boy from Park Hill that some imagined would never be anywhere near this place, but here I am. Because of my faith, family and the opportunities yielded to me by a high-quality education, I am Senator James Coleman. There are tens of thousands of children like me waiting for us to see their promise and to make fulfillment possible. We can and we will.

In the House, Speaker Julie McCluskie, a Dillon Democrat, was selected again as speaker, but the process was more partisan than it was in the Senate. Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, a Colorado Springs Republican, was also nominated for the job, and the support for McCluskie was limited to Democrats, as the 22 House Republicans backed Pugliese.

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Colorado state Sen. Tony Exum, a Colorado Springs Democrat, takes a photo during a musical performance on the first day of the 2025 session of the Colorado Legislature on Jan. 8, 2025, at the Colorado Capitol. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline)

Colorado Senate Assistant Minority Leader Cleave Simpson, an Alamosa Republican, smiles during opening proceedings on the first day of the 2025 session of the Colorado Legislature on Jan. 8, 2025, at the Colorado Capitol. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline)

Colorado state Rep. Sheila Lieder, a Littleton Democrat, laughs on the first day of the 2025 session of the Colorado Legislature on Jan. 8, 2025, at the Colorado Capitol. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline)

Colorado state Sen. Lisa Frizell, a Castle Rock Republican, listens to opening day proceedings on the first day of the 2025 session of the Colorado Legislature on Jan. 8, 2025, at the Colorado Capitol. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline)

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Colorado state Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, a Weld County Republican, listens to opening day proceedings on the first day of the 2025 session of the Colorado Legislature on Jan. 8, 2025, at the Colorado Capitol. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline)

Colorado Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, a Monument Republican, listens to opening day proceedings on the first day of the 2025 session of the Colorado Legislature on Jan. 8, 2025, at the Colorado Capitol. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline)

Colorado Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, a Denver Democrat, listens to opening day proceedings on the first day of the 2025 session of the Colorado Legislature on Jan. 8, 2025, at the Colorado Capitol. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline)

Colorado House Majority Leader Monica Duran, a Wheat Ridge Democrat, applauds during opening day proceedings on the first day of the 2025 session of the Colorado Legislature on Jan. 8, 2025, at the Colorado Capitol. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline)

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Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives Julie McCluskie, a Dillon Democrat, talks to several representatives' children after they led the chamber in the Pledge of Allegiance on the opening day of the 2025 session of the Colorado Legislature on Jan. 8, 2025, at the Colorado Capitol. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline)

Colorado House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, a Colorado Springs Republican, smiles on the opening day of the 2025 session of the Colorado Legislature on Jan. 8, 2025, at the Colorado Capitol. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline)

Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives Julie McCluskie, a Dillon Democrat, laughs with Ernest House Jr. of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe on the opening day of the 2025 session of the Colorado Legislature on Jan. 8, 2025, at the Colorado Capitol. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline)

Colorado state Rep. Javier Mabrey, a Denver Democrat, poses for a photo on the opening day of the 2025 session of the Colorado Legislature on Jan. 8, 2025, at the Colorado Capitol. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline)

Republicans vote against election certification

Six House Republicans voted against a committee report to certify the results of the November 2024 election, a typically uneventful procedural vote to attest that the representatives in the room won their election.

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Rep. Ken deGraaf, a Colorado Springs Republican, opposed the report on the basis of a secure passwords leak in the secretary of states office last year. Passwords for voting systems across the state were posted publicly online for four months last year. An independent review and investigation from the Denver district attorneys office concluded the posting was accidental and there was no resulting security breach or manipulation of equipment software.

DeGraaf and Republican Reps. Scott Bottoms of Colorado Springs, Brandi Bradley of Littleton, Stephanie Luck of Penrose, Larry Suckla of Cortez and Ron Weinberg of Loveland voted against certification.

Democratic Rep. Andrew Boesenecker of Fort Collins argued that in addition to the review and investigation into the password leak, county clerks across the state certified the election and said votes were counted accurately. He asked the chamber to stand against election denialism.

I have not heard any evidence presented as a member of the Legislative Audit Committee, as a member of this body or today that presents any evidence that shows that these votes were inaccurately counted, he said. The opposition to this motion is hard to understand as anything other than a denial of our elections and an attempt to reverse the will of the people of Colorado.

Anticipation for potential Trump policies

In her opening remarks, McCluskie alluded to protections Democrats will pursue to guard against potential federal laws and policies from incoming Republican President Donald Trump. She specifically zeroed in on immigration, as Trump vowed during his campaign, including at an Aurora rally, to conduct mass deportations of undocumented immigrants.

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Throughout our nations history, immigrants have been used as political scapegoats to divide us and distract us from the real challenges. Immigrants are not only a part of our diverse and brighter communities, they are a critical part of our workforce, she said. Coloradans do not support mass deportations, separating families, or detaining parents at their childrens schools.

She said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco of Glenwood Springs, the Latino Caucus, Rep. Naquetta Ricks of Aurora and the Aurora delegation are leading the work on this issue.

In her speech, Pugliese, who noted her fathers experience as an immigrant, said that Republicans support a legal path to citizenship.

We are advocating for public safety, for our children to be safe in their communities, for our families to be safe, she said. We do support illegal immigrants who are violent criminals not being in this country.

Republicans center affordability

Republican leaders pledged to pursue policies that increase affordability and lower the cost of living in the state. In particular, that means deregulation and repeal of various fees.

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We as a Legislature have to acknowledge the role that we have played in making Colorado unaffordable, Pugliese said. It is incredibly important that we have a conversation about fees. People are talking about these fees at the door, that they cannot afford to raise their families here.

Lundeen had similar lines in his remarks.

A 29-cent delivery fee here, a 10-cent plastic bag fee there  it adds up. These may seem small, but they are daily reminders to Coloradans that their government is nibbling away at their hard-earned money, he said.

Fees in Colorado fund specific projects and issue areas. In an ultra-tight budget year, it is unlikely there will be any major appetite for revenue loss.

First bills introduced

Following the mornings work of selecting chamber leadership and swearing in new members, lawmakers introduced their first batch of bills. These can often signal party priorities.

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The first bills include Senate Bill 25-001, an effort to shield Colorado from erosion of the Voting Rights Act at the federal level. It would specifically codify protections for voters of color, LGBTQ+ voters, voters who dont speak English, voters with disabilities and voters in the criminal justice system. It is sponsored by Sen. Julie Gonzales of Denver, Rep. Jennifer Bacon of Denver and Rep. Junie Joseph of Boulder, all Democrats.

House Bill 25-1001 would improve wage theft protections with increased enforcement across all industries. It would raise the cap of wage theft claims that Colorado Department of Labor and Employment handles from $7,500 to $13,000. The bill is sponsored by House Majority Leader Duran of Wheat Ridge, Rep. Meg Froelich of Englewood, Sen. Jessie Danielson of Wheat Ridge and Sen. Chris Kolker of Centennial, all Democrats.

Democrats are also running a bill to ban the purchase of firearms that accept detachable magazines. Colorado currently has a high-capacity magazine ban. Senate Bill 25-003 is sponsored by Sen. Tom Sullivan of Centennial, Gonzales, Froelich and Boesenecker.

Democrats also introduced Senate Bill 25-005 to alter Colorados union law to eliminate a second vote for union security negotiations.

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MELBOURNE, Australia (AP)  A hiker survived on two muesli bars, foraged berries and creek water for two weeks while lost on a remote Australian mountain range, police said on Wednesday.

Hadi Nazari, a 23-year-old medical student from Melbourne, went missing on Dec. 26 when he separated from two hiking companions to take photos in the Kosciuszko National Park in the Snowy Mountains in New South Wales state.

He was rescued after he approached a group of hikers on Wednesday afternoon, telling them he was lost and thirsty, Police Insp. Josh Broadfoot said. Nazari had traveled more than 10 kilometers (6 miles) across steep and densely wooded terrain from where he was last seen.

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A major land and air search had been launched the day Nazari went missing. More than 300 searchers were involved.

He was reunited with his two hiking friends on Wednesday before he was flown to a hospital for a medical assessment, Broadfoot said.

Nazari told police had had been walking from morning until night," Broadfoot said.

He seems well: Amazing, Broadfoot told reporters.

This is the 14th day weve been looking for him. For him to come out and be in such good spirits and in such great condition, its incredible, he added.

There are some creeks up there and he said hes been finding water where he could and foraging for food where he could, in terms of berries. At one point, he said he found a couple of muesli bars in a hut, but other than that  14 days and thats very little food, Broadfoot said.

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Ambulance Insp. Adam Mower said Nazari only needed treatment for dehydration.

Hes in remarkable condition for a person whos been missing for so long, Mower said.

The national park surrounds Mount Kosciuszko, which is Australias highest peak. But Australia is a relatively flat continent and the mountain is only 2,228 meters (7,310 feet) above sea level.

Weather conditions are mild during the current Southern Hemisphere summer.

Searchers had been optimistic that Nazari would be found alive. He was an experienced hiker equipped with a tent. Searchers had found his campfire, camera and hiking poles in recent days, suggesting that he was continuing to walk.
The Belmont Police Department is investigating a hit-and-run incident that occurred last year.

It happened just before 7:30 p.m. on East Catawba Street near Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park on November 23, 2024.

ALSO READ: Troopers searching for hit and run suspect in Catawba County

Witnesses told officers that a dark-colored SUV that was involved left the scene.

It was seen traveling towards the Charlotte area, according to police.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Belmont Police Department at 704-825-3792.

VIDEO: Troopers searching for hit and run suspect in Catawba County








Hollywood actors and celebrities are among the thousands evacuated from their homes as wildfires in Southern California rage on.

More than 1,000 homes and 3,000 acres have burned in the ongoing Los Angeles county fires, reports the Los Angeles Times. The outlet called it one of the most destructive firestorms to hit the region in memory.

Portions of the Southern California coast are under an Extremely Critical Fire Weather Area watch through Wednesday, reported the National Weather Service. Several Hollywood stars residing in the area have reported evacuating their homes and expressed concern over whether their homes will survive the blaze.

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Here is what some Hollywood stars are saying about the California wildfires.

Hollywood stars comment on California wildfires

Steve Guttenberg

Steve Guttenberg, the actor known for Three Men and a Baby and Police Academy, spoke with local news outlet KTLA while assisting in evacuation in Pacific Palisades. Guttenberg urged evacuating residents to leave their keys inside their cars when abandoning them, so roads can be cleared for first responders.

The actor said he is assisting in moving abandoned cars off roads.

Whats happening is people take their keys with them as if theyre in a parking lot. This is not a parking lot. We really need people to move their cars, Guttenberg told KTLA. If you leave your car behind, leave the key in there so a guy like me can move your car so that these fire trucks can get up there.

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There are people stuck up there. So were trying to clear Palisades Drive and Im walking up there as far as I can moving cars, he continued. There are families up there, there are pets up there. There are people who really need help.

Jamie Lee Curtis

In an Instagram post, Jamie Lee Curtis said, My community and possibly my home is on fire. My family is safe. Many of my friends will lose their homes. Many other communities as well.

It is a terrifying situation and Im grateful to the firefighters and all of the good Samaritans who are helping people get out of the way of the blaze, she continued. Stay out of the way and let the firefighters do their work. Pray if you believe in it and even if you dont, pray for those who do.

Chris Pratt

Marvel actor Chris Pratt asked his X followers to send prayers and strength tonight to everyone in Los Angeles affected by these devastating fires.

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He also thanked firefighters and first responders for their efforts against the blaze. You are true heroes, and we are endlessly grateful for your sacrifice and courage, he wrote on X.

Please send prayers and strength tonight to everyone in Los Angeles affected by these devastating fires. Los Angeles is in a state of emergency and over 30,000 have been ordered to evacuate.



Thank you to the brave firefighters and first responders who are working tirelessly to pic.twitter.com/vS8cRoZrCn  Chris Pratt (@prattprattpratt) January 8, 2025

Derek Hough

Praying for all the people affected by these fires, Derek Hough wrote in an Instagram story. The Dancing with the Stars judge added, Thank you to all the heroic firefighters who are risking it all.

Mark Hamill

Mark Hamill provided a personal update with the fire in an Instagram post, noting that he was evacuated last minute from Malibu on Tuesday night.

Stay safe everyone he wrote on the post.

Eugene Levy

Comedian Eugene Levy, who is currently Honorary Mayor of the Pacific Palisades, was forced to evacuate his home Tuesday, he confirmed in an interview with the Los Angeles Times.

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The smoke looked pretty black and intense over Temescal Canyon, Levy told the Times. I couldnt see any flames, but the smoke was very dark.

James Woods

Oscar-nominated actor James Woods said he does not know if his home is still standing post-evacuation, he wrote on X, adding that, sadly houses on our little street are not still standing.

To all the wonderful people whove reached out to us, thank you for being so concerned. Just letting you know that we were able to evacuate successfully. I do not know at this moment if our home is still standing, but sadly houses on our little street are not. pic.twitter.com/xZjvsIg6Fg  James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 7, 2025

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Mandy Moore

Mandy Moore said on Wednesday that she, her husband and their three children had safely evacuated their home, Moore shared via Instagram.

Grateful for the kindness of friends that we had a place to land last night, she added in a second post. Trying to shield the kids from the immense sadness and worry I feel. Praying for everyone in our beautiful city. So gutted for the destruction and loss. Dont know if our place made it.

Josh Gad

I hope everyone is staying safe tonight in the affected fire areas in Los Angeles, actor Josh Gad wrote on Instagram.

My deepest gratitude and appreciation goes out to our brave fire and rescue and police forces who are doing everything in their power to keep the residents of Los Angeles safe right now.

Candace Cameron Bure

Candace Cameron Bure shared a photo of the wildfire on social media, noting it is devastating to watch.

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Please pray the winds die down as its expected to get worse into the early morning hours. Please pray for the safety of firefighters and emergency crews who are fearlessly trying to tackle this disaster. Pray for the safety of every resident, she wrote in the post.

In a follow-up post on Wednesday, Bure shared she woke up to the same flames and is praying God pours rain down on Los Angeles.
The home of the impeached South Korean president was turned into a fortress on Wednesday as authorities prepared to mount a second arrest attempt.

Layers of barbed wire and vehicle blockades were set up outside Yoon Suk Yeols compound as hundreds of his supporters rallied to his cause.

Mr Yoon avoided an arrest attempt last week after his bungled Dec 3 martial law decree plunged South Korea into its worst political crisis in decades. The debacle has since led to his suspension and impeachment.

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Youn Kun-young, an opposition lawmaker, has now said Mr Yoons home is turning into a fortress, as guards installed barbed wire and used buses as blockades in anticipation of a second arrest attempt.

The 64-year-old former prosecutor was at home when investigators attempted to enter last week, but around 200 presidential security service members linked arms to prevent them from reaching him, forcing the authorities to stand down.

The suspended leader was inside at the time, according to police, and vowed to fight alongside his supporters outside, who he could see on a livestream.

Now, a fresh arrest warrant has been issued.

Presidential security personnel patrol entrance to Yoon Suk Yeols official residence in effort to prevent investigators reaching him - Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters

Rumours have circulated that Mr Yoon had escaped the compound and was on the run, but these have been denied by his lawyer.

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Yoon Kap-keun, the impeached presidents lawyer, who is unrelated, said: Last night, I personally visited the official residence, met the president there, and left.

In response to an opposition lawmaker questioning whether Mr Yoon had already fled, Oh Dong-woon, the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) chief, said: I am considering various possibilities.

South Korean police drag away a supporter of Mr Yoon outside the residence of the impeached South Korean president - Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters

Mr Yoons lawyer also said that his client would accept the arrest if it was procedurally sound and that he would agree to a court trial if prosecuted. However, he added that accepting an illegal investigation would set a bad precedent.

The home of the impeached president  a former foreign ministry residence  is nestled in Hannam-dong, an affluent Seoul neighbourhood along the Han River renowned for its luxurious homes, which are some of the countrys most expensive.

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It is also popular with K-pop stars, reportedly including members of the boy band BTS, and hosts many foreign embassies.

Situated in Yongsan district, which stationed colonial troops during Japanese rule and American troops after the Second World War, it now plays host to Mr Yoons own security team.

He moved into the hilltop residence with Kim Keon-hee, the first lady, in 2022 after refusing to take up residence in the presidential Blue House  named for its thousands of blue tiles  and office in central Seoul.

He chose the complex after criticising the centuries-old Blue House as a symbol of imperial exuberance, the first South Korean leader in modern history to refuse to live there.

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Mr Yoon denied that he moved residence because of advice from a shaman with whom he was accused of having close links.

Yoon Suk Yeol refused to take up residence in the presidential Blue House, claiming it was a symbol of imperial exuberance - Korean Presidential Office/Reuters

The opposition also accused the impeached president of listening to feng shui masters who said the Blue House site was linked to bad luck.

Security officers are now guarding Mr Yoon at the Hannam-dong complex and have vowed not to let investigators in.

The guards and Mr Yoons legal team claim the site  including a no-fly zone  is a sensitive military area holding official secrets and say investigators have no jurisdiction to enter.

Mr Yoons office even filed a legal complaint last week against a YouTuber who allegedly filmed his wife walking their dog.

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A separate presidential office has an underground military bunker, to be used in the event of a large-scale attack by North Korea or a major disaster.

However, the defence ministry declined to comment on whether his hilltop home has such a facility.

Despite uncertainty over Mr Yoons whereabouts, Oh, the CIO chief, said they would prepare thoroughly for the second arrest attempt.

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HONESDALE, WAYNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  Authorities say a Honesdale man will serve time in prison after assaulting a police officer.

The Wayne County Court House announced in a release that Honesdale man Andrew Devlin was sentenced to 27 to 72 months in a State Correctional Facility for the following counts:

One count of Aggravated Assault

One count of Disorderly Conduct

One count of Criminal Mischief

Four counts of Simple Assault

Officials explained the incident happened on May 2, 2024, when Devlin became combative at the Twisted Rail in Honesdale, Wyoming County.

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Authorities went on to say that Devlin slapped, kicked, and spit on others and kicked a Honesdale Police Officer in the face.

Person of interest sought amid arson investigation

Later in the year on June 5, Wayne County officials say Devlin encountered two correctional officers walking on Main Street in Honesdale where he then made threats to them before he and the victims separated.

The following day on June 6, Devlin reportedly chased after a person through a Turkey Hill parking lot with a machete and made threats, authorities said in the release.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  President Jimmy Carters funeral procession from Joint Base Andrews to the U.S. Capitol was a well-planned and highly coordinated effort involving members from every military branch.

Included were U.S. Air Force Honor Guard members, who shared that the procession was the result of training and preparation.

Airman First Class James Barnard was a part of the marching procession and spoke with DC News Now after President Carters casket was brought to the Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday.

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Jimmy Carter funeral: How to pay respects, things to know

Sometimes it can be a little bit sad that somebody has passed away, he said, sharing that the toughest part of the procession can be keeping his emotions under control. You just take pride though that youre doing the right thing and then youre honoring the person properly.

Carters was his first state funeral.

He said the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard had rehearsals for nearly two weeks, executed due to everyones two-month-long training course. That course included learning rifle movements and training to stand motionless for hours, sometimeslike Tuesdayin the intense cold.

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Youll do what we call stamina stands where you could be standing for 30, 45 minutes or an hour. No movement. You have to stay motionless the entire time, he said.

All of the training is to make sure the ceremony is profound with a focus on the fallen. In this case, a man Barnard admires for his service to his country in politics and the military.

We hope that we honored him properly, he said. And he got the closure that he deserves because he served for many years not only in the Navy but also as a former Commander in Chief.

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This is the year that we reform the NHS, according to the Prime Minister in a speech he gave this week setting out how he intends to end hospital backlogs.

Theres little new in this messaging. Labours plans are rooted in a cross-party consensus on how to bring down waiting times  many elements of which have been fixed since the Blair Government, with greater use of the independent sector to improve capacity and an expansion of community diagnostic centres.

Still, Streetings announcement earlier this week is a welcome one that takes forward many long-standing recommendations like increasing direct referrals from GPs and an expansion of remote monitoring. But as the Health Secretary understands well, a far more radical program of reform will be necessary to rescue the NHS from its increasingly low position in public perception.



The findings of Policy Exchanges new report, A Portrait of Modern Britain: Health, examines the publics priorities for NHS reform, revealing an openness for more far-reaching changes. Despite popular narratives, free at the point of use has become less of a priority (41 per cent) to the public than delivering care effectively either through treatment of life-threatening conditions or access to GPs services (61 per cent).

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For decades, the conventional wisdom has been that the NHS  more specifically, the free at the point of use model  is too popular for politicians to challenge. Even Thatcher was of the view that abolishing the NHS was a step too far in her ambition to roll back the frontiers of the administrative state. And despite Nigel Farage entertaining the idea of a French insurance model during the 2024 General Election debate, the Reform manifesto stuck to safe ground, promising cuts to waste and improved efficiency.

But this polling shows that we are approaching a tipping point, in which widespread dissatisfaction with the failure of the NHS is becoming increasingly salient in conversations about the fundamental changes that need to be made, particularly amongst younger people. That does not mean the public has rejected the latter principle  far from it. But it does open space for the Health Secretary to consider more larger reforms to the model  as long as this results in improved services. This was the bargain struck when prescription charges and co-payments for dentistry were first introduced in the early 1950s.

There is also an interesting age dynamic around attitudes towards GPs acting as gatekeepers for care. Both young people and people living in urban environments are markedly more likely to prioritise reforms allowing patients to direct access to secondary care. For a generation who have grown used to ordering services on demand over the internet, the GP gatekeeper system seems archaic. The Government is already introducing some steps towards direct referral for patients, but there is room for bolder reform through an expansion of community clinics where patients can be seen by a mix of expert generalists (GPs) and specialists side-by-side.

There are still some more obvious (and relatively easy) changes the Government could introduce, such a three strike rule with a fine for those who repeatedly miss GP or hospital appointments. Meanwhile, restricting entitlement for free prescriptions to only those who genuinely need it could save over 2 billion a year.

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The complacent assumption that the NHS will survive in its current form forever, and that any suggestion of radical reform will always be politically unsustainable, should be roundly rejected. It is simply false  and thats good news for those who recognise the scale of change the service must undergo.

John Power is Senior Fellow in Health and Social Care at Policy Exchange

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Four family members who were found dead in a Rhode Island home last week were the victims of a triple murder-suicide, law enforcement officials announced Wednesday.

Officers responded to a home at 15 Cheyenne Trail in West Greenwich for a wellness check just before 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 3, after 39-year-old Danielle Arrudas coworkers reported that she had not shown up at work on Thursday or Friday, West Greenwich Police Chief Richard Ramsay said during a news conference.

They felt something was wrong. They were also concerned because Danielle never misses work and shes seven months pregnant, Ramsay explained.

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When officers arrived at the home just before 10:15 a.m., Ramsay said they found two vehicles in the driveway and forced entry into the home after several failed attempts to get someone to come to the door.

Those officers then found the bodies of two young children, a man, and a pregnant woman, according to Ramsay.

It was apparent there were no signs of life to any of the bodies and that all four had suffered fatal gunshot wounds, Ramsay said. It was also apparent no one had exited the house because the door that was accessible to the outside was not only locked but had a safety chain latched, which could only be done from the inside of the home.

Ramsay identified the victims as Danielle Arruda, 5-year-old Adel Arruda, and 2-year-old Felex Arruda.

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All three victims suffered multiple gunshot wounds from a semi-automatic firearm, Ramsay said.

The suspect, Danielles husband and the father to the two children, 39-year-old Nicholas Arruda, was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head. Ramsay noted that an M4-type semiautomatic firearm was found on the ground near him.

An examination of the firearm has not yet been conducted, according to Ramsay.

The Arruda family purchased the home in December 2019 and Ramsay confirmed that the West Greenwich Police Department had no contact with them prior to January 3.

I wish there could be an explanation to help you make sense of this horrific act, but the truth is we may never know why it happened, Ramsay said. The investigation to date hasnt yielded any explanation or clues as to why Nicholas Arruda committed the horrendous crime against his family before taking his own life.

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Ramsay noted that Nicholas Arruda was previously arrested in 2014 in connection with a domestic violence incident, but the victim wasnt Danielle. The case was ultiamtely dismissed when the victim refused to cooperate.

An investigation is ongoing.

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HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  Horry County leaders on Tuesday backed requests by a community trying to improve its roads and drainage through the creation of a special tax district.

If the Forestbrook neighborhoods efforts sound familiar, thats because it is  mirroring a similar agreement on Legends Drive after property owners there spent eight years trying to create the district as a way to upgrade infrastructure.

Eagle Trace is looking to do the same.

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Horry County ready to spend $2.5M on Legends Drive upgrades with creation of special tax district

Weve done not too bad for years, up until recently. Its just really starting to fall apart, said Ronald Adkins, an Eagle Trace homeowner.

The quaint area off Burcale Road has seen its roads and drainage systems deteriorate over the past 15 years, and it now faces a $600,000 price tag to fix several deep, multiple potholes while also addressing flood concerns.

Like many on his street, Adkins rents out his property.

At least three or four of us at one time, were getting together once a month or something like that to pull a couple hundred bucks out of our pockets to get holes patched here and there, he said.

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Creating a special tax district enables the county to take over and maintain the private road, with a 15-year surcharge covering costs.

We get a bond from them, we facilitate it, we do the hiring of the work, councilman Michael Masciarelli said. Its just more cost effective, and a much easier approach to let the county do this for them than it is trying to tackle it on their own.

Residents needed to sign a petition, and most were willing to the extra tax so the upgrades can begin.

If the state or county comes in and says, hey, this is your tax per year, Im like, good, keep the road nice and paved and everything,' Adkins said.

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A routine third reading is needed before the district becomes official.

Also Tuesday, officials approved transferring control of Conways elections operations to the county, following similar municipalities including Atlantic Beach, Loris and Surfside Beach.

* * *

Adrianna Lawrence is a multimedia journalist at News13. Adrianna is originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia, and joined the News13 team in June 2023 after graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University in May 2023. Keep up with Adrianna on Instagram, Facebook, and X, formerly Twitter. You can also read more of her work, here.

* * *

Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here.

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The Horton Fire burning northeast of Payson is currently 23% contained after expanding to 8,337 acres, as of Tuesday evening.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality warned of moderate to heavy smoke impacts from the fire early Tuesday in a social media post.

The fire began off Horton Creek Trail 292 in Horton Creek Canyon on Dec. 14 along the Mogollon Rim, quickly expanding from 45 to 300 acres the first couple of days.

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By Dec. 17 with nearly 400 acres burning and 0% containment, Gila County Sheriff's Office declared a "set" status, which encouraged nearby residents to remain alert and be ready to leave their homes if needed.

An emergency closure order has been in place since Dec. 18 for much of the Tonto and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest trails and recreation sites near the fire.

Tonto National Forest officials stated the fire had grown to 7,032 acres and was 19% contained at a public meeting in Payson on Monday evening.

Carl Schwope, the incident commander for the fire, said there were no plans to shut off power in the affected areas despite growth with the wildfire and the proximity to power lines. Firefighters have been working with Arizona Public Service to keep power on.

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Type 1 helicopters and all fire containment resources have been utilized in the suppression of the fire with about 480 fire personnel continuing to fight the blaze.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Arizona Republic reporter Corina Vanek contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Horton Fire near Payson now 23% contained but more than 8K acres
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP)  When Luis Har was kidnapped by Hamas-led militants on the warm morning of Oct. 7, 2023, he was forced into Gaza wearing shorts and a T-shirt. As his captivity stretched into weeks and then months, the cold, wet winter set in, bringing along with it a dread he had never endured before.

I felt a penetrating cold in my bones, said Har, 71, who was rescued in mid-February in an Israeli military raid. With no heating in the apartment where he was held, the cold from the floor permeated his thin mattress at night. Fighting outside shattered the apartment windows, sending in rain and wind.

While Har is spending this winter warm and free, dozens of hostages still in captivity are not. Their families and supporters are desperate for a ceasefire deal to bring an end to their 15-month-long nightmare.

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Winter makes it much harder, much more complicated, said Har. They must return as quickly as possible.

The hostages often experience the same dire circumstances as hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza, whether it be food scarcity, the dangers from Israeli bombardments or the winter. The war in Gaza, sparked by Hamas attack, has displaced most of Gazas 2.3 million population, many of whom are weathering a second winter in tents that are barely holding up against the wind, rain and temperatures that can drop below 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) at night.

Israel and Hamas are considering a deal that would free some hostages in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel and a halt to the fighting in Gaza. But despite reports of progress, the families of hostages have been shattered by previous rounds of promising talks that have suddenly collapsed. They fear the same could happen now.

It is a dagger in our hearts, said Ofri Bibas Levy, about the rollercoaster of hope and despair the families have lived throughout the war. Bibas Levys brother, Yarden Bibas, along with his wife Shiri and sons Ariel, 5, and Kfir, 1, are being held in Gaza. Either it happens now or it doesnt happen at all, she told Israeli Army Radio.

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During its attack on southern Israel, Hamas killed 1,200 people and kidnapped about 250, more than 100 of whom were freed in a brief ceasefire in the early weeks of the war. Since then, Israel has killed more than 45,000 people in Gaza, more than half of them women and children, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which doesnt distinguish between fighters and noncombatants in its count.

Of the roughly 100 hostages who remain in Gaza, one third are said to be dead, some killed during Hamas initial attack and others killed or having died in captivity. Israel has rescued eight hostages and has recovered the bodies of dozens.

The hostages range in age from 1 to 86, and are believed to be scattered throughout the Gaza Strip. They have been held in apartments or in Hamas web of underground tunnels, which are cramped, damp and stifling, according to testimony from freed hostages.

Many families have no idea what conditions their loved ones face, uncertainty that heightens their concern.

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You see a rainy day, or a cold day or whatever is going on outside, a storm, and it kills you, said Michael Levy, whose brother Or, 34, was captured from an outdoor music festival after his wife was killed by militants, leaving their now 3-year-old son, Almog, without his parents.

Yehonatan Sabban, a spokesperson for the Hostages Families Forum, said the hostages are undernourished, with low fat reserves and weakened immune systems, making them more vulnerable to complications from illness in winter.

Everyone is in a life-threatening situation that demands their immediate release, Sabban said.

Har said the conditions of his captivity worsened during winter. For weeks, he had been held with four members of his family who had also been kidnapped  along with a Shih Tzu smuggled in by one of them. Three of them and the dog were freed in the first and only ceasefire agreement in late November. That left Har and his relative Fernando Marman alone with their captors in a second-floor apartment in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

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Har pled with his captors, who wore heavy coats, to bring them warmer clothes. They did  although they were ridden with holes. Every 10 days or so, they washed themselves with water from a bucket. A shattered window was sealed with a tarp.

In the first few weeks of captivity, there was food. Ingredients were delivered and Har took on the role of chef. When there were tomatoes, he made tomato soup with some rice. With canned peas, he made pea soup. But as the war dragged on and the temperature dropped, food became scarce. They were delighted when a captor brought one egg for them to share. For weeks, he and Marman split a single pita a day.

When he was rescued in a nighttime operation in mid-February, he ran shoeless out of the apartment and into a nearby greenhouse. Soldiers gave him a pair of shoes and a coat and spirited him home. The raid killed about 70 Palestinians, according to local authorities.

The families of the remaining hostages are pinning their hopes on the latest round of ceasefire talks.

All I have is to pray that hes somehow OK, Levy said of his brothers fate, and know that the human spirit is stronger than anything.
Donald Trumps acolytes in the House of Representatives are so jazzed about his forthcoming administration that theyre practically handing him the reins to resume manifest destiny.

In a since-deleted tweet posted on Wednesday, the official account for the House GOP challenged the patriotism of the president-elects foreign policy detractors, claiming that denying Trumps big dreams for the country was un-American.

Our country was built by warriors and explorers, the official House GOP wrote in a since-deleted tweet. We tamed the West, won two World Wars, and were the first to plant our flag on the moon.

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President Trump has the biggest dreams for America and its un-American to be afraid of big dreams, they wrote.

The message was circulated alongside the New York Posts front page, which featured a caricature of Trump standing in front of a map of the Western hemisphere with Americas geographical neighbors rebranded as part of America.

Screenshot of a tweet

Trump has escalated a laughless joke in recent weeks that Canada and Greenland should be absorbed into the United States, making them states under the American banner. But the bully behavior ends where foreign countries begin to take the threat seriously: Trump has also advanced the idea that the U.S. should take the Panama Canal from Panama. That alone has prompted the leader of the Panama Canal Authority to warn that Trumps rhetoric will lead to chaos.

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal Wednesday, Ricaurte Vasquez Morales sternly rebutted Trumps claim that China was getting preferential rates to use the vital trade route.

Rules are rules and there are no exceptions, Vasquez Morales said. We cannot discriminate for the Chinese, or the Americans, or anyone else. This will violate the neutrality treaty, international law and it will lead to chaos.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  The House passed the Laken Riley Act Monday, 264 to 159, with 48 Democrats voting for it.

Congressman Mike Collins (R-Ga.) described the death of 22-year-old Georgia nursing student Laken Riley last February.

She was just out for a jog, enjoying the day when an illegal criminal took her life away, Collins said.

The man convicted of killing her, Venezuelan migrant Jose Ibarra, was in the country illegally. Hes now serving life in prison.

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This legislation could have prevented her death, Collins said.

The Laken Riley Act would require federal authorities to detain illegal immigrants arrested, charged or convicted of theft-related crimes.

No due process at all, said Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.)

Maryland Democratic Congressman Jamie Raskin says expanding the detention requirement to include those accused of theft could sweep up innocent people.

This allows us to get up and demonize immigrants without doing anything to fix the immigration system, Raskin said.

Wisconsin Republican Congressman Derrick Van Orden says the government needs to first protect its citizens. He recounted crimes in his own state he says this bill could have prevented.

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None of this would have taken place if this person was detained and deported for a simple property crime. Enough, Van Orden said.

The bill also lets states sue federal agencies for failing to enforce immigration laws.

Some Democrats argued states dont have standing to do that.

This provision is almost certainly unconstitutional, Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) said.

The bill now heads to the Republican-controlled Senate, where Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) says he expects it will be voted on soon.

John Thune wants to move that bill as early as this week, Scalise said.

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Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga.) said President-elect Trumps musing about changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America is less important than his actions in the region, particularly when it comes to curbing illegal fishing and drug trafficking.

As for the Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of America, again, Ive spent some of my best days on that water, I dont think the name of it is as important as how we are going to handle law enforcement in that area, Scott, who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, said during his Wednesday morning appearance on Fox Business Network.

The Georgia Republican said theres a tremendous amount of illegal activity that occurs in that body of water and I think that the president is intent on stopping [it], whether it would be the illegal fishing and the cartels are illegally fishing in that gulf or the illegal transit across the gulf thats bringing narcotics and drugs into our country.

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Scotts remarks on the network came as Trump mentioned during a press conference the idea of changing the name of the gulf, comments that came as he criticized Mexico.

Were going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, Trump said on Tuesday. What a beautiful name. And its appropriate. Its appropriate. And Mexico has to stop allowing millions of people to pour into our country.

Shortly after Trumps comments, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), a close Trump ally, said she will introduce legislation to turn Trumps remarks into reality.

I will be introducing legislation ASAP to officially change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to its rightful name, the Gulf of America, she said in a post on Tuesday.

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Trump has directed criticism toward Mexico and Canada following his early November general election victory, and even threatened Americas biggest trading partners with 25-percent tariffs.

So, whether its called America, Gulf of America or Gulf of Mexico, I care more about the enforcement mechanism in that body of water  making sure that the illegal activity is stopped, Scott told Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo on Mornings With Maria.

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Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has officially implemented a new policy restricting bathrooms on Capitol Hill based on biological sex, after the policy  first proposed last November by Rep. Nancy Mace  was initially left out of Johnsons rules package last week.

Johnsons new rule appeared in the Congressional Record for Friday, January 3, the first full day of the 119th Congress. The Speakers proposed rules package, released earlier that week, made legislation excluding trans people from Title IX protections a top priority for this Congress, but conspicuously did not include the Mace- and Johnson-endorsed policy in its text. Although the policy was not included in the version of the rules package that passed on January 3, it was still included in Johnsons policies as Speaker in the Congressional Record. (The Speakers office did not reply to Thems request for clarification last week, regarding whether Johnson intended to establish the policy without first introducing it in his rules package. Them contacted Johnsons office once again for comment but did not receive a reply prior to publication.)

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The Chair announces to the House a new policy that will be implemented in the 119th Congress pursuant to clause 3 of rule I, the passage establishing the rule reads, referring to the House rule which grants the Speaker general control of the Hall of the House and its corridors and passages as well as rooms. In all areas of the Capitol subject to the Speakers general control under clause 3 of rule I, all single-sex facilities  such as restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms  are reserved for individuals of that biological sex, Johnsons policy specifies. The new rule will be enforced by incoming House Sergeant at Arms Jennifer Hemingway (previously the Sergeant at Arms for the Senate and a former staff director for notoriously anti-LGBTQ+ Speaker of the House Paul Ryan).

Johnsons policy added that [i]t is important to note that each Member office has its own private restroom, and unisex restrooms are available throughout the Capitol. Johnson previously made a matching statement to the press nearly two months ago when he announced his support for the policy, which Rep. Nancy Mace first proposed in direct response to the election of Delaware Rep. Sarah McBride in November. McBride has since stated that she is not here to fight about bathrooms and will abide by Johnsons restrictions, but trans advocates say the Capitol bathroom bans real harm will likely be felt instead by trans visitors, workers, and activists who are not members of Congress.

Mace, who has herself stooped to gleefully using transphobic slurs on social media (and may have falsely accused a trans activist of physical assault), told NBC News last week that she intends to reintroduce legislation during this session to codify the House bathroom ban  which she has also sought to expand to encompass all federal property  into law.

Raquel Willis, Chelsea Manning, Others Arrested in Trans Solidarity Capitol Bathroom Sit-In

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Arrestees chanted Speaker Johnson, Nancy Mace, our bodies are not a debate\!

Johnsons rules package also included a list of separate legislation to be considered urgent orders of business and fast-tracked to a final floor vote. At the top of that list is H.R. 28, sponsored by Florida Rep. W. Gregory Steube, which would establish that the concept of biological sex is based solely on a person's reproductive biology and genetics at birth for the purposes of civil rights protections under Title IX. Conservatives have pushed to exclude trans people from Title IX for years, since President Joe Bidens Justice Department first announced that it would interpret the laws text as LGBTQ+-inclusive. Biden eventually walked back his proposed Title IX reforms for trans student-athletes entirely, with anonymous staff members claiming in 2024 the president did so to avoid controversy during an election year. That did little to stop Republicans from campaigning on the issue anyway, most notably in the Trump camps Kamala is for They/Them ad blitz during the campaigns final months.

In December, trans rights activists with the Gender Liberation Movement (GLM) including Raquel Willis, Chelsea Manning, and more than a dozen others were arrested during a bathroom sit-in protest across from Johnsons office decrying the bathroom ban. The protestors were reportedly threatened with felony and sexual misconduct charges by police, though a GLM representative later told Mother Jones that no such charges were actually filed.

In the 2024 election, trans folks were left to fend for ourselves after nearly $200 million of attack ads were disseminated across the United States, journalist and GLM co-founder Willis said at the time. Now, as Republican politicians try to remove us from public life, Democratic leaders are silent as hell. But we cant transform bigotry and hate with inaction. We must confront it head on.

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Originally Appeared on them.
Churches, synagogues and other houses of worship are among the buildings that have been destroyed in the Los Angeles area amid an ongoing wildfire emergency.

Hurricane-force winds have helped four fires move quickly through Los Angeles County, putting houses, historic buildings and lives in danger. More than 20,000 acres have burned so far, according to The Washington Post.

As the fires quickly spread Tuesday, journalists and others took to social media to offer updates on religious organizations.

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Louis Keene, a reporter for The Forward who is based in Los Angeles, tracked the local Jewish community, noting that leaders of the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center were able to evacuate with the synagogues Torah scrolls before the complex burned down.

The main sanctuary could be seen on live television engulfed in flames, stunning news reporters and onlookers, Keene reported, adding that parts of the campus dated back to the 1920s.

The main sanctuary of Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center burning on live television. Stunning images, unthinkable 24 hours ago.



Pasadena's Jewish community dates back to the 19th century. This complex is about 100 years old. Generations of Jewish history lost. pic.twitter.com/F3mkTINntK  Louis Keene (@thislouis) January 8, 2025

Keene reported that the Chabad Jewish Community Center of Pacific Palisades is thought to be safe so far.

Rabbi Zushe Cunin, the founder of that center, appeared on Fox & Friends Wednesday morning to describe his faith communitys evacuation.

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He said that staff members at the preschool run by Chabad of Pacific Palisades worked quickly to reunite around 100 students with their parents as the fire drew closer but before former evacuation orders.

It was a real incredible task to make sure that everybody was safely back with the families, Rabbi Cunin said.

A KCAL reporter on the scene in Pacific Palisades Tuesday afternoon reported that part of Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church was on fire.

I hear the fire alarms going off in the church. It really picks up when these strong gusts come through, reporter Jasmine Viel said.

In a Facebook post shared early Wednesday, church leaders highlighted a Bible verse about leaning on God when youre afraid.

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God will see us through this, the post said.

On Wednesday, KCAL photojournalist John Schreiber reported on X that Altadena Community Church and St. Marks Episcopal Church in Altadena, California, have burned down.

The Altadena Community Church steeple has just crumbled to the ground. Whats worse is the Chevron station next door cant shut off its pumps with 15,000 gallons of fuel in the tanks. St Marks Episcopal has also burned to the ground #EatonFire @kcalnews pic.twitter.com/E9rRpGuq3h  John Schreiber (@johnschreiber) January 8, 2025

The rector of St. Marks, the Rev. Carri Patterson Grindon, confirmed that report on the churchs Facebook page.

Beloved Saint Marks Community, It is with a broken heart that I share with you the news that our church building is lost. It caught fire at around 6:30 this morning, and is gone, she wrote, before encouraging church members in need to reach out to church leaders for support.

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Another church building lost in the fire was shared by Pasadena Church of Christ, Expressions Church and the Church of God in Christ, according to The Christian Chronicle.

Firefighters reached the area before the building was lost, but they were unable to do much with their hoses because of the strong winds blowing the water back toward them.

This has been devastating, said one member of the Pasadena Church of Christ to The Christian Chronicle. I dont know the process. I know that we definitely want to rebuild. We were supposed to have Bible class tonight.
WASHINGTON (WJHL)  Tennessee and Virginia will receive a combined $132.4 million in federal funds for Hurricane Helene and other disaster recovery from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The department announced nearly $12 billion in Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery funds for communities across the country that were impacted by recent disasters, including Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.

Americano Steak House owners to open new restaurant in Jonesborough

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Tennessee was allocated $85,738,000 to support recovery from Hurricane Helene and the Dec. 9, 2023 tornadoes that impacted Middle Tennessee.

Virginia was allocated $46,670,000 for Helene recovery.

According to HUD, the funds can be used for replacing damaged affordable housing, repairing and upgrading infrastructure, supporting economic revitalization, and implementing disaster mitigation measures.

The funds were made available as part of a disaster relief package passed by Congress in December.

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HuffPost is due to eliminate 30 editorial roles in the coming weeks, editor-in-chief Danielle C. Belton announced in a company email Tuesday.

Citing growing challenges to our business, the impacted staffers will be alerted in the weeks ahead, she wrote in a memo shared to social media by New York Times media reporter Ben Mullin.

I write with painful news, the memo began. HuffPost is undergoing a substantial round of job eliminations due to ongoing and growing challenges to our business.

news: HuffPost is cutting 30 positions. Memo from editor-in-chief Danielle C. Belton: pic.twitter.com/RD5BJGQKc3  Ben Mullin (@BenMullin) January 7, 2025

Belton went on to say that she is in contact with the HuffPost Union about how to proceed, including the possibility of offering buyout packages to some desks in the newsroom.

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She added, I recognize that this is an upsetting way to start the year, and we will be sure to share more details as swiftly and clearly as possible, as I believe it is important to be transparent and share information as we have it. In the coming days, we will make more information available about the job eliminations and HuffPosts plans for 2025 and beyond.

The news came Tuesday just hours after The Washington Post said it was due to lay off roughly 100 employees.

Last May, HuffPost lamented the number of media layoffs in an article titled, Media Layoffs Mean Were Worse Off This Election Year. At the time, the story noted the abrupt shutdowns of Vice and the The Messenger.

The New York Times first reported the news about the upcoming HuffPost layoffs.

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Belton has served as editor-in-chief of HuffPost since 2021.

The post HuffPost to Lay Off 30 Editorial Staffers, Citing Growing Challenges to Our Business appeared first on TheWrap.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has furiously reacted to a bill registered in the Ukrainian parliament that proposes a ban on Russian oil and gas transit during martial law.

Source: Szijjarto on Facebook, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Earlier, reports indicated that 18 MPs from the European Solidarity party had registered a bill proposing a ban on Russian oil and gas transit through Ukraine during martial law.

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"The reality is that in the EU, member states collectively and unanimously decide on the admission of new members. In other words, every member state has to vote in favour," Szijjarto said.

He added that every state "has the sovereign right to decide where and how it acquires the energy it needs to function" and no one has the right to "impose" more expensive energy resources on another nation.

The Hungarian foreign minister also pointed to Ukraine's "obligation" under the EU Association Agreement to "contribute to the EU's energy security by providing transport routes".

"Therefore, the closure of gas or oil routes is unacceptable and contrary to the expectations associated with EU integration," he concluded.

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Background:

Ukraine continues transporting Russian oil to Europe through its territory via the Druzhba pipeline. The current contract is valid until the end of 2029.

Meanwhile, on 1 January, Ukraine stopped transiting Russian gas to Europe after deciding not to extend the contract with Russian energy giant Gazprom.

Earlier, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry condemned Hungary's manipulative remarks, which suggested that Ukraine had supposedly placed the European Union in a difficult economic situation by cutting off the transit of Russian gas.

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Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto condemned a Ukrainian parliamentary bill proposing the suspension of Russian oil and gas transit through Ukraine during martial law, calling the measure "unacceptable" in a Facebook post on Jan. 8.

"The reality is that in the EU, member states collectively and unanimously decide on the admission of new members. In other words, each member state has to vote in favor," Szijjarto said, emphasizing Hungary's influence over Ukraines EU aspirations.

The bill, submitted on Jan. 7 by ex-President Petro Poroshenko and members of the opposition European Solidarity party, would ban Russian energy transit through Ukrainian territory.

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Ukraine had already decided not to renew its gas transit deal with Russia beyond Dec. 31, 2024, but continues to allow Russian oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline under a contract valid until the end of 2029.

Szijjarto argued that Ukraine has obligations under its EU association agreement to support the bloc's energy security by maintaining transportation routes.

"Each state has the sovereign right to decide from where and how it buys the energy resources it needs to function, and no one has the right to impose more expensive energy resources on another country," he said.

Hungary, along with Slovakia and Austria, remains heavily reliant on Russian gas purchased through Gazprombank, which is under Western sanctions. Szijjarto claimed that closing energy routes would harm Hungary and violate EU expectations for Ukraines integration.

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On Jan. 7, Szijjarto also accused Ukraine of exacerbating Europes economic challenges by halting the transit, allegedly leading to a rise in gas prices on the EU market.

Hungary has repeatedly drawn criticism for its Moscow-friendly stance, including blocking sanctions against Russia and aid to Ukraine. Szijjarto, who continues to visit Russia during the war, has set Hungary apart from other EU nations in its approach to the conflict.

Read also: Zelensky addresses Trumps comments on NATO, stresses security guarantees

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Division of Financial Management Administrator Lori Wolff exits the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee meeting room on Jan. 7, 2025, at the State Capitol Building in Boise. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)

Idaho Gov. Brad Little is supporting the State Public Defenders Office to increase its budget for the remainder of this fiscal year and in the 2026 fiscal year.

On Oct. 1, Idahos county-based public defense system was consolidated under the new state agency. The agency was appropriated $52 million its first year, but it has faced funding shortfalls since the transition.

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Division of Financial Management Administrator for the Office of the Governor, Lori Wolff, told members of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Tuesday morning that the agency reduced contract attorney costs to stay within their budget, which has made filling those positions more challenging. Additionally, the Idaho Supreme Court in December ruled that the agency is in charge of appeal transcript costs, which were not initially considered under the original budget.

The agency has since sought supplemental funds, including $2.5 million to provide representation to parents who qualify for the Child Protective Act. Idaho Gov. Brad Little is also recommending a supplemental appropriation of $5.8 million for the remainder of this fiscal year to cover transcript costs and personnel and contracting costs. The supplemental funds need legislative approval and will be in appropriation bills at a later date.

For the 2026 fiscal year, which starts in July, Idaho Gov. Brad Little is recommending an $88 million budget. The governors budget request, if approved, would grow the agencys budget by 70% from its original appropriation.

State Public Defenders Office breaks down need for budget increase

State Public Defender Eric Fredericksen in a press release Tuesday thanked the governor for his support for a budget increase in the 2026 fiscal year.

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The governors proposal calls for another $1.3 million for appeal transcripts costs and a one-time $16.8 million transfer from the general fund to the State Public Defense Fund for additional personnel and contracting costs, according to the budget proposal.

Fredericksen said it didnt take long to identify the need to increase the budget for public defense across the state.

There has been a lot of talk and debate about public defense in Idaho since October, Fredericksen said in the news release. Weve been paying close attention to concerns across the state and are committed to working with the Legislature to ensure we have the resources we need to provide the quality defense our clients deserve.

The proposed budget would help the agency raise hourly rates for contract and conflict attorneys from $100 to $150 to improve public defense coverage in Idahos rural areas, according to the press release.

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Additionally, the proposed budget would provide $6.4 million to allow for merit-based salary raises for attorneys. The initial salary structure under the new agency was based on years of service. This led to pay increases for most attorneys, and pay cuts for others, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported. However, it did not account for the complexity of the cases assigned to each attorney.

A significant number of former contract attorneys withdrew from their cases over the change in pay structure, and several long-term public defenders have left the agency because of the agencys inability to pay based on merit, according to the agencys release. The proposed budget addresses those challenges.

The proposal also would allow for increased pay for investigators who help attorneys with complex cases. The request would increase pay from $65 an hour to $85 an hour.

Idaho Capital Sun reporter Kyle Pfannenstiel contributed to this story.

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Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee chairman C. Scott Grow, R-Eagle, listens to a presentation from Legislative Services Office Division Manager Keith Bybee during the committee's Jan. 7, 2025, meeting at the State Capitol Building in Boise. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)

Idaho legislators, who will soon begin setting the next years state budget, conducted their first meeting of the new legislative session Tuesday in Boise.

The Idaho Legislatures Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, or JFAC, is a powerful legislative committee that meets daily during the legislative session and sets all of the budgets for every state agency and department.

There are 20 legislators serving on JFAC  10 each from the Idaho House and Idaho Senate. Nine of JFACs 20 members did not serve on the committee last year.

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The Idaho Constitution requires that legislators set a balanced budget for state agencies where expenses do not exceed revenues.

JFAC members did not set any budgets Tuesday. Instead, committee members prepared to start setting budgets by reviewing the fiscal year 2026 budget recommendations Gov. Brad Little proposed with his State of the State address on Monday.

In conjunction with his State of the State address, Little released a proposed fiscal year 2026 budget on Monday. The budget proposal includes $5.2 billion in general fund expenditures, a 4.6% increase from the current budget.

Littles budget proposal leaves a $200 million ending balance at the end of the fiscal year and a record $1.4 billion saved in state rainy day funds.

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The Idaho Legislature actually sets the state budget each year, so Little will have to work with legislators in order to enact any budget priorities.

JFAC members also reviewed the budget procedure changes from last year and their schedules for hearing and setting budgets.

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Idahos budget-setting committee will retain same procedures established last year

Rep. Wendy Horman, an Idaho Falls Republican who serves as JFAC co-chair, said JFAC will operate under the same procedures as last year. The chairperson of JFAC will alternate between her and Sen. Scott Grow, R-Eagle, each day. Budgets will be split up between maintenance budgets and budget enhancements. And in order to pass JFAC, all budgets must receive a majority of votes from both the 10 Senate members serving on JFAC and the 10 House members on JFAC. If a budget fails to receive both majorities it will be retained in the committee and may be rewritten.



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Horman and Grow said leaders of the Idaho House and Idaho Senate disagree over some of the rules governing JFAC voting procedures and are now operating using precedents from last year.

At any rate, the first big budget action is scheduled for Jan. 17, when JFAC members will set the so-called maintenance budgets for all state agencies for fiscal year 2026. Horman and Grow describe maintenance budgets as a version of last years budgets, with all of the one-time funding removed, that are designed just to keep the lights on for the state government. All requests for new funding are considered separately as budget enhancements.

Budget hearings for the two largest state budgets are scheduled for March.

The public schools budget hearing is scheduled for March 4, while the Medicaid hearing is planned for March 5.

JFACs schedule calls for setting the last budget enhancements March 12.

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There was one lineup change announced Tuesday in JFAC. Rep. Sonia Galaviz, D-Boise, will substitute for Rep. Brooke Green, D-Boise, on the committee.

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Idaho state Reps. Bruce Skaug, R-Nampa, and Mike Pohanka, R-Jerome, listen to proceedings during the House State Affairs Committee on Jan. 7, 2025, at the State Capitol Building in Boise. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)

Rep. Bruce Skaug, R-Nampa, introduced a bill in the House State Affairs Committee Wednesday morning to amend Idahos law related to the voting threshold for statewide ballot initiatives and referendums.

Idaho Code currently states that no measure shall be adopted unless it shall receive an affirmative majority of the aggregate number of votes cast on such measure. This means an initiative or referendum can pass so long as it receives 50% of the vote plus one.

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Skaugs bill proposes to change that language, increasing the threshold to at least 60% of votes.

Skaug told the committee the purpose of the bill is to fix Idahos broken initiative process.

Legislative co-sponsors of the bill include:

Sen. Ben Adams, R-Nampa

Sen. Doug Okuniewicz, R-Hayden

Rep. Barbara Ehardt, R-Idaho Falls

Rep. Douglas Pickett, R-Oakley

Rep. Steve Tanner, R-Nampa

Rep. Joe Palmer, R-Meridian

Rep. Jeff Ehlers, R-Meridian

Rep. Charlie Shepherd, R-Pollock

Rep. Brent Crane, R-Nampa

Rep. Ted Hill, R-Eagle

Rep. Wendy Horman, R-Idaho Falls

Its all out-of-state money, or most of its out-of-state money, millions of dollars, coming into our state to affect and change what we as a Legislature would have done as representatives of the people, he said about state initiatives. This is one way to level the playing field a little bit by raising it to 60%.

In Idaho, a ballot initiative is a form of direct democracy. It allows Idaho residents to place and vote on laws on a ballot, independent of the Idaho Legislature.

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The bill so far has 11 legislative co-sponsors in the Idaho House and Senate. The committee voted to move the bill forward, clearing the way for a full public hearing at a later date.

Rep. Todd Achilles, D-Boise, said he has concerns he wants Skaug to address moving forward, pointing out that the Idaho Supreme Court in 2021 ruled that initiatives are a fundamental right to Idahoans.

Were putting a 60% threshold on citizens, on Idaho citizens, when we as legislators only have a 50% threshold, so I think we have to justify that more clearly, he said.

Achilles also asked the sponsors to address the implications of this change.

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Had we had a 60% threshold on past initiatives, we would not have passed sales tax relief, property tax relief, the homeowners exemption, and a couple of others, Achilles said. So I think its important that we look at the totality of this.

Reclaim Idaho co-founder responds to bill

Reclaim Idaho Co-Founder Luke Mayville in an email said the bill, if passed, would dramatically change and restrict ballot initiative rights. Reclaim Idaho has worked on and supported several initiatives in the recent past, including a successful initiative in 2018 that expanded Medicaid access to Idahos working poor and a failed Proposition 1 initiative in 2024 that would have opened Idahos closed primary elections and established ranked-choice voting in the state.

For the entire history of Idahos initiative process, ballot measures have required a simple majority of the vote to pass, Mayville said.  By ratcheting up the requirement to 60%, Skaug and his allies are attempting to rig the process so that future initiatives will fail even when they are supported by the majority of voters.

Mayville said if a 60% requirement had been in place, half of Idahos majority-supported initiatives wouldve been blocked.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD)  IDEA Public Schools confirmed that two of its Baton Rouge schools will close at the school years end.

According to a statement, IDEA Innovation and IDEA Bridge will close at the end of the 2024-25 school year.

School system officials said it is working with the East Baton Rouge Parish School System and New Schools for Baton Rouge to transition operations at the two schools to new operators for the next school year.

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Read the full statement below.

IDEA Louisiana has faced many challenges since 2018 that have impacted our ability to deliver the standard of excellence that our families deserve. After careful consideration, the IDEA Louisiana Board of Directors and IDEAs executive leadership have made the difficult decision to voluntarily surrender the charters of IDEA Bridge and IDEA Innovation at the end of the 2024-25 school year. Regional and national leaders are working closely with community partners, including East Baton Rouge Parish School System (EBR) and New Schools for Baton Rouge (NSBR), to transition operations at IDEA Bridge and IDEA Innovation to new operators for the 2025-26 school year. While we are proud of the determination and grit of our students, the trust and patience of our families, and the dedication and commitment of our teachers and staff, we have not delivered the academic results our students deserve and believe that now is the time to bring in new options and opportunities for our scholars and their families. We believe that under these plans, students and families will be better positioned to continue their journey toward achieving their college and career dreams. IDEA Louisiana will stay fully operational through the end of the school year and collaborate with state and community partners to ensure a smooth transition. IDEA Public Schools

IDEA University Prep closed its doors at the end of the 2023-24 school year due to under-enrollment challenges.

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CHICAGO  In 2024, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias banned more than 300 vanity and personalized license plates due to profanity or other reasons.

According to a press release, the office received 60,537 requests and 335 were denied because of their inflammatory or offensive nature or because they were difficult to read.

Illinoisans consistently display a great deal of creativity when choosing their customized license plates, but the plates that hit the road must meet the standards of good taste and decency, Giannoulias said. Our team are well-versed in lecherous language and sneaky swearing, all of which are rejected and placed on our permanent prohibited list.

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This is Illinois most charming small town, HGTV says

The rejected plate requests this year include:

HOKTUAH

GYATT

MUNCH

BICHIN

JAGWEED

BADARSE

AXEHOLE

ILLCUTU

HOHOHOE

ABADMF

WEENIE

DUCKOFF

SHIDDED

UGEWANG

THICCAF

According to state law, the secretary of states office has authority to reject any application for license plates that creates a connotation that is offensive to good taste and decency as stated in Illinois Vehicle Code.

The office has an ever-growing rejection list, which currently stands at more than 8,015 license plate combinations.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
A bill to regulate the hemp industry failed in the Illinois State Capitol.

The legislation, House Bill 4293, would have banned Delta 8 packaging designed to look like marijuana and marketing them to kids. Gov. JB Pritzker supported the change. He hoped to pass it during this weeks lame duck session.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson opposed it and urged lawmakers to vote against it. Johnson argued the bill would impact the citys ability to address the issue. Pritzker says the mayor never called him or his staff to work out a deal.

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA)  A bill aimed at taking guns out of the hands of accused domestic abusers is now headed to the governors desk.

The House passed Karinas Law Tuesday with bipartisan support.

Bill adding new rules to Prisoner Review Board passes Senate

I think any additional tool in the toolbox to help protect victims and ensure safety when it comes to gun violence is something we absolutely should be working on and working together on, Champaign County States Attorney Julia Rietz said.

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It would require law enforcement to remove firearms from people because of an order of protection within 96 hours of a judges order.

Were not talking about really creating an open door policy where law enforcement can simply go in, Rietz said. Theres a court order, theres findings that a court has to make. Theres a process here, and I think thats important in order to make sure that were balancing the rights of individuals as well as ensuring the safety of domestic violence victims.

The bill is named after Karina Gonzalez who was from Chicago. Karinas husband is accused of shooting and killing her and her 15-year-old daughter Daniela in 2023. At that time, Gonzalez had an order or protection in place against her husband.

These protections are long overdue, and the time to vote is now, State Rep. Maura Hirschauer (D-West Chicago) testified before lawmakers in a House committee hearing Tuesday.

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Pritzker disappointed as legislation regulating hemp fizzles at end of session

The Gun Violence Prevention Pac of Illinois (G-PAC) celebrated the bills passage.

With this law, we can better protect survivors and their safety, not the rights of their abusers, Kathleen Sances, G-PAC president and CEO, said in a statement. We are grateful to House Speaker Welch, Senate President Harmon, Senator Villanueva and Representative Hirschauer for their commitment to protecting survivors.

The Illinois State Rifle Association opposes the bill. Richard Pearson, the organizations executive director, said it raises constitutional questions as it relates to ex parte situations. Those are hearings where only one party is present in court while the other is not notified of the hearing.

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The bill lists certain instances where an ex parte order would be granted including if the person asking for one could experience great bodily harm if the respondent knew about it in advance.

Illinois Senate approves bill to streamline name change process

That person has no chance to defend themselves and so we worry about that because whatever the case may be, individuals do have certain rights and they should be able to defend themselves in court, Pearson said.

Perason said the ISRA also has concerns about the storage of those weapons once theyre removed. Under the bill, firearms can be stored by a third party rather than law enforcement agencies.

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Theres no liability for the police department if they destroy or damage firearms, Pearson said. Some of these firearms that might be worth a lot of money, they might be collectors items.

The Illinois Sheriffs Association opposed past versions of the bill but have now taken a neutral position.

At the end of the day, I think its something that ultimately where we were able to meet on a number of premises that ultimately will make this bill a workable bill and hopefully provide additional protections for victims, Jim Kaitschuk said.

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 WCIA.com.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO)  Over 300 requests for vanity license plates were denied by the Illinois Secretary of States office in 2024 because they were deemed inflammatory or offensive.

Illinoisans consistently display a great deal of creativity when choosing their customized license plates, but the plates that hit the road must meet the standards of good taste and decency, Giannoulias said. Our team are well-versed in lecherous language and sneaky swearing, all of which are rejected and placed on our permanent prohibited list.

The rejected plate requests this year include: HOKTUAH, GYATT, MUNCH, BICHIN, JAGWEED, BADARSE, AXEHOLE, ILLCUTU, HOHOHOE, ABADMF, WEENIE, DUCKOFF, SHIDDED, UGEWANG, and THICCAF.

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The Secretary of States office says it maintains a list of rejected plates, which currently stands at 8,015.

Illinois drivers pay an extra $94 for a vanity plate that contains all letters, or $47 for a plate that contains a combination of letters and numbers.

Currently, a total of 811,351 vehicles are registered in Illinois with vanity or personalized license plates to Illinoisans. Of this number, 294,324 are vanity plates and 531,035 of the plates are personalized plates.

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Firefighters are continuing to battle a series of wildfires that have scorched thousands of acres since they broke out Tuesday and Wednesday in Los Angeles County. Fueled by a fierce windstorm, the blazes have burned at least 1,300 structures so far, officials said.

var pymParent = new pym.Parent( "palisades-sliders", "https://cbs-news-data.github.io/palisades-fire-sliders/", {} );

Thick, heavy smoke from wildfires shrouds downtown Los Angeles on Jan. 8, 2025. / Credit: AP Photo/Richard Vogel

Stunning images emerging from areas affected by the particularly destructive Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire show the early extent of the damage, primarily in the affluent Los Angeles neighborhood Pacific Palisades and northern valley community Altadena.

Water is dropped on the advancing Palisades Fire by helicopter on Jan. 7, 2025. / Credit: AP Photo/Ethan Swope

A view of the coast as flames from the Palisades Fire rage in Los Angeles, California, on Jan. 9, 2025. / Credit: Official Flickr Account of CAL FIRE / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images

The sun is seen behind smoke above charred structures burned by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on Jan. 8, 2025. / Credit: AGUSTIN PAULLIER/AFP via Getty Images

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Time-lapse satellite video published overnight by the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere, a project between Colorado State University researchers and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, painted a harrowing picture from above.

"A dire situation is unfolding tonight as wildfires rage in Southern California," the institute wrote in a social media post. "Communities continue to be significantly impacted by the Palisades and Eaton Fires."

A dire situation is unfolding tonight as wildfires rage in Southern California.



Communities continue to be significantly impacted by the Palisades and Eaton Fires. pic.twitter.com/75nPVo24l6  CIRA (@CIRA_CSU) January 8, 2025

The blazes grew out of an explosive brush fire that spread across northwestern Los Angeles early Tuesday, fueled by powerful winds that tore through the region. Evacuation orders were in place for at least 179,000 L.A. residents as of Thursday morning, according to the county's Office of Emergency Management.

Many were forced to evacuate their homes in the Pacific Palisades, a coastal neighborhood between Santa Monica in western L.A. County and Malibu, because of the Palisades Fire, which broke out on Tuesday morning.

A beachgoer walks along the coast as a dark plume of smoke emanating from Pacific Palisades passes over the beach, from Santa Monica, California, Jan. 7, 2025. / Credit: AP Photo/Richard Vogel

It had grown to more than 17,000 acres Thursday, with zero containment, Cal Fire said. The Los Angeles County Fire Department estimated that the Palisades Fire threatened more than 13,00 structures, with at least 300 structures already destroyed.

The Palisades Fire burns a residence in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Jan. 7, 2025. / Credit: AP Photo/Ethan Swope

L.A. fire officials said they received reports of multiple burn victims within 24 hours of the blaze taking shape, and warned more people were at risk. Several major roadways in the county were jammed by heavy traffic as residents attempted to flee in their cars, prompting many to abandon their vehicles in the road and continue on foot.

A wildfire-ravaged property in the Pacific Palisades is shown Jan. 8, 2025, after the Palisades Fire swept through the area. / Credit: AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes

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The Eaton Fire broke out Tuesday night in the hills above Altadena in northern L.A. County, farther inland than the Palisades. That blaze also prompted evacuation orders as the fire rapidly expanded that night. Cal Fire said the Eaton fire had engulfed more than 10,600 acres by Thursday morning.

The Eaton Fire destroys a structure in Altadena, California, on Jan. 7, 2025. / Credit: AP Photo/Ethan Swope

Some additional evacuations got underway later Tuesday in the Sylmar neighborhood of Los Angeles, where a third fire, the Hurst Fire, broke out and quickly spread across hundreds of acres.

The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Jan. 7, 2025. / Credit: AP Photo/Ethan Swope

Another fire, the Woodley Fire, erupted Wednesday morning near the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve and Woodley Park. Cal Fire initially said strong winds were pushing this blaze south, but crews have since managed to contain it fully.

Spot fires along a hillside burn the Brentwood section of Los Angeles, Jan. 8, 2025. / Credit: AP Photo/Richard Vogel

California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in response to the wildfires, warning Tuesday that "we're not out of the woods."

The Palisades Fire burns a Christmas tree inside a residence in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Jan. 7, 2025. / Credit: AP Photo/Ethan Swope

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"This is a highly dangerous windstorm that's creating extreme fire risk," Newsom said in a statement. "We're already seeing the destructive impacts with this fire in Pacific Palisades that grew rapidly in a matter of minutes."

A man sprays water on a car in front of a house engulfed in flames from the Eaton Fire in the Altadena neighborhood on Jan. 8, 2025. / Credit: Getty Images

Smoke from the Palisades Fire is seen over Los Angeles on Jan. 8, 2025. / Credit: Getty Images

A Berkshire Hathaway office is left in smoldering ashes during the Palisade Fire in the Palisade village area Pacific Palisades. / Credit: JOSH EDELSON/Getty

Only the front of a home is still standing during the Palisades Fire on Jan. 8, 2025. / Credit: Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images

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California official on evacuation orders as Sunset Fire burns in Hollywood Hills

Cutting out alcohol for "Dry January"

New images show severe wildfire destruction in California
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  Federal immigration agents will be conducting operations in Bakersfield this week, according to local officials.

The Bakersfield Police Department told 17 News on Tuesday that the department was alerted by the Department of Homeland Security that U.S. Customs and Border Protection would be conducting operations within city limits and the Kern County area.

Rumors of open border prompt migrant rush to US

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The department did not describe the type of operations agents are conducting.

In recent days, reports of a surge in raids of undocumented residents have circulated on social media. Multiple photos, videos and posts circulated on social media Tuesday showing federal agents in the Bakersfield area.

The posts showed agents speaking with people pulled over in vehicles. There have been reports of agents going door-to-door and pulling vehicles over on highways. A witness to one stop said immigration agents took multiple people into custody at a gas station off Merle Haggard Drive and Highway 65 in Bakersfield.

What were hearing is that CBP is pulling cars over and profiling folks. Theyre reported being seen at most transient sites for farmworkers, Rosa Lopez of the ACLU in Southern California said.

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CBP is Customs and Border Protection. CBP is separate from ICE  Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

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The sightings in Kern have been of Border Patrol agents.

There have been reported sightings of Border Patrol agents throughout Kern County, from Maricopa to the Golden Empire Transit bus station in downtown Bakersfield.

Well, we usually get our normal people here coming in, said Candy Garcia, a Chevron employee who saw the arrests firsthand. They buy their food; they go to work. And they were field workers.

But on Tuesday, things were different.

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As soon as [the workers] paid their food and everything, they went outside, and as soon as they went outside, [agents] grabbed them, Garcia recalled. They started taking their belongings, they were all laughing while their food was getting thrown away.

Garcia said the border patrol agents  many undercover  parked right outside and took away two van fulls of people.

She said agents will likely be back Because they were over here doing that yesterday at the McDonalds.

She  and the gas station owner  also said its no coincidence the agents targeted their Chevron.

None of the other stores got hit except this one, because this is the bigger one. This is the one where almost everybody comes, Garcia said.

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99% they are farmer workers, said owner Jagdish Singh Dillon. They are my regular customers, my regular bread-and-butter.

Dillon said its to the extent that most of the food he serves is Mexican cuisine.

What happened today, it is the first time I hear it  arresting people, I never heard that  Im a permanent legal person, and Im scared too, Dillon added.

Nobodys here: Business dips at Mercado Latino amid Border Patrol operation

Garcia addressed concerns of racial profiling: If they looked Hispanic or like they worked in the fields or you know they looked a little dirty, they would ask for their papers.

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Witnesses also told 17 News agents checked paperwork in the parking lot.

They approached the person in her car, and when she refused to get out, they tried to block her in by refusing her car to move, Lopez with the ACLU said.

And after checking this individuals paperwork, the agents headed out.

Meantime, Kern residents said the absence of workers will be felt.

Work is going to go down because a lot of people arent going to stop by no more, Garcia said. Theyre going to be afraid to come out of their houses.

Dillon added, We Americans cannot do better without [immigrants] help.

Im sorry that people came to my store for their breakfast, and they had been arrested. It is hurts.

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The Dolores Huerta Foundation posted to its social media pages alerting people that Border Patrol agents were in areas throughout Kern County reportedly seen at shopping centers, gas stations and other public areas in Bakersfield and Arvin.

In California, local law enforcement cannot assist ICE or other federal agencies on immigration matters.

Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood told 17 News KCSO is not involved with any current operations that may be ongoing.

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Were a few days away from the new Administration taking office, and this is in fact what they threatened with, Lopez said, addressing worries these activities may be a foreshadow of mass deportations promised by president-elect Donald Trump.

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So, whos leading it? We dont know. Its just that its happening, Lopez concluded.

17 News has reached out to Customs and Border Protection for comment. Late in the afternoon, an agent responded, saying the agency would be releasing an official media statement soon.

On Wednesday, the agency provided a brief statement. Read the statement here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.
TALLINN, Estonia (AP)  An imprisoned opposition activist in Belarus resurfaced Wednesday in a video shot by a pro-government blogger after over 700 days of no contact with his family, weeks before an election that is all but certain keep the country's strongman leader in power.

Viktar Babaryka, 61, has been denied meetings with his family and lawyers while serving a 14-year sentence in a penal colony after failing to get on the ballot against authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko in a 2020 election.

Babaryka was last heard from in February 2023, and other prisoners said later that year he was hospitalized with signs of beatings. Since then, authorities havent released any information about his condition and barred his lawyer from visits. The European Parliament has urged authorities to release him and other political prisoners.

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Raman Pratasevich, a former opposition journalist who later became a government supporter after being arrested himself, posted photos and a brief video in which Babaryka greeted his family.

It wasn't clear when or under what conditions the images were taken, and The Associated Press could not independently verify them.

Babaryka, who looked visibly thinner than in his last appearance, was pictured wearing a prison uniform bearing a yellow tag designating him as a political prisoner and thus subjecting him to particularly harsh prison conditions.

Pavel Sapelka, a representative of the Viasna Human Rights Center, noted that the images were released ahead of the Jan. 26 presidential election, in which Lukashenko is seeking a seventh, five-year term to add to his more than three decades in power.

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The authorities decided to show Babaryka in the run-up to the election to avoid accusations of forced disappearance of opposition activists behind bars, Sapelka said. The terribly emaciated Babaryka epitomizes the nightmare of repressions in Belarus, a sad reminder for others who dare to challenge Lukashenko.

In November, Pratasevich posted photos of Maria Kolesnikova, another prominent opposition activist who had been held for more than 20 months without any communication with relatives or friends.

Babaryka is one of 1,258 political prisoners in Belarus, according to Viasna, the country's leading human rights group. Top opposition figures were imprisoned or fled the country amid the sweeping crackdown that followed the 2020 election. Authorities responded to massive demonstrations protesting vote-rigging with brutal repressions in which about 65,000 people were arrested and thousands were brutally beaten by police.

At least seven political prisoners have died in custody, according to Viasna.

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Like Babaryka, many other opposition activists have been held incommunicado.

Lukashenko pardoned some political prisoners last year but authorities launched a new wave of arrests before the election, seeking to uproot any sign of dissent.

Opposition leader-in-exile Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who was forced to leave the country after challenging Lukashenko in the 2020 vote, said she was happy to see Babaryka alive and demanded that authorities release information about others who have been held incommunicado, including her husband, activist Siarhei Tsikhanouski.

We must now demand to see all others who have been held in complete isolation, and the cruel and inhumane incommunicado practice must stop, she said.

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Pratasevich ran a Telegram messaging app channel widely used by participants in the 2020 protests. He was living in exile when he was arrested in 2021 after being pulled off a Ryanair flight from Greece to Lithuania that was diverted to Minsk by a bomb threat. Once in custody, he made several confessional appearances on state television that critics claimed were made under duress. He was later released and pardoned.

We consider Pratasevich a hostage. Hes doing all what is ordered by the Belarusian authorities, Sapelka said.
Jan. 7MITCHELL  Three fresh District 20 legislators are headed to Pierre in 2025, and they already have their eyes set on the work to be done during the next legislative session.

Incoming legislators Rep. Kaley Nolz, Rep. Jeff Bathke and Sen. Paul Miskimins offered their thoughts Tuesday on that very topic during a public forum, where they discussed a variety of subjects, ranging from prisons to property taxes.

The lawmakers took a number of questions from members of the audience who filled the boardroom at the Mitchell Chamber of Commerce offices in Mitchell. The event was sponsored by the Governmental Affairs Committee of the Mitchell Chamber of Commerce.

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An audience question asked whether or not the legislators thought that the budget cuts to the South Dakota Board of Regents suggested by Gov. Kristi Noem in her most recent budget address would eventually be restored.

Bathe said that it was possible, but restoring such cuts would have to maintain the state's balanced budget.

"You all know we have a balanced budget, so anywhere they bring any money like that back they have to pull it from somewhere on the other side," Bathke said. "I would add that it's important to know that the governor's budget will likely not be the final budget."

Cuts could include the dual credit program.

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South Dakota high school students will pay 50% more to take dual credit courses if legislators adopt the proposal by Noem. Currently, students pay one-third of the cost per credit hour, about $50.84, while the state pays the rest. Noem's proposal would split the cost in half, with the student and state each paying about $76 per credit hour.

The state would spend around $1 million less on the program annually.

Budget cuts to the board of regents, which come in at about $10 million, also affect maintenance and operational costs and a reduction in salaries. Bathke said appropriations committees in both houses would have a say in the process, particularly one-time funding measures that both bodies get to vote on.

Miskimins agreed that changes could be on the horizon for the proposed budget.

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"That's important for people to know  that the governor's projected budget is not the final budget and that the appropriations in both bodies have a say in the final budget, especially in the one-time funding measures that both bodies get to vote on," Miskimins said.

Bathke, who will sit on the house taxation committee, said there were some ideas floating around that could change certain aspects of the property tax formula.

"Some of the representatives right now are working on a bill that I think is a pretty good idea. What they are looking at is owner-occupied only  taking the school portion of your property tax, reducing that to zero, and picking it up on the backside by raising sales tax from 4.2% back up to 5%," Bathke said. "It's about $280 million, and it's an even wash."

Under the theory, schools would still receive the full amount that they would normally get from property taxes, its source would just be shifted to sales tax, Bathke said. It would be drawn from owner-occupied properties and not ag land or commercial property.

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He cited an example for an owner with a $100,000 house  the $2,600 in property tax would be reduced to $1,300.

"It's a significant drop for people," Bathke said.

Further comments included discussion on how the value of owner-occupied and ag land are assessed differently, with owner-occupied land assessed at current sale value and ag land assessed based on productivity.

The three were also asked about their stance on carbon pipelines.

Bathke, who has worked for the Davison County Planning and Zoning, said he had not heard much negative feedback from area residents on the carbon pipeline issue and supported it.

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"Up until probably a month ago, not one person had stepped foot in my office  actually I'm not sure anyone has yet  have even contacted me against the CO2 pipeline. I contacted nine or 10 landowners that are in Davison County to ask them for their input, because they are the nine or 10 people who are affected. I am not," Bathke said. "One of them I could not get hold of. Every other one of them said yes, that they wanted the pipeline. So my position isn't what I want, it's what the landowners want."

He also said he would look into setbacks at the local or state level for such pipelines.

Miskimins said he was generally in favor of such pipelines, as long as compensation to landowners is fair and a proper level of safety is maintained. The pipeline is a boost to agriculture economics, and when ag does well, so does the rest of South Dakota, he said.

He believes he would have voted in favor of the pipeline had he been in the legislature last year.

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"I think that I would have probably supported the bill as long as it compensated people fairly and it provided safety to the people whose land the pipeline went across," Miskimins said. "I think that my main concern would have been its positive impact on the economy of South Dakota. Our number one industry is agriculture, and when agriculture suffers, the whole state of South Dakota suffers."

Nolz lives within a half-mile of the proposed pipeline and would like to remain informed on safety and economic concerns surrounding it.

The carbon pipeline is a relatively new concept in South Dakota, and with that can come apprehension from the public, which is reasonable, she said.

"People just want to be able to find out more," Nolz said. "I'm a big supporter of agriculture. Obviously, it's my background. But I believe projects that come to South Dakota should be wanted. They should be of benefit. That landowners should be excited about it without the use of eminent domain. So, I've never said I'm absolutely against it. I just need to find out more since it is untested in South Dakota."

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Another question from the audience asked about prison reform, particularly dealing with the high number of inmates in prison due to drug use and addiction.

Bathke, who used to work for the South Dakota Department of Corrections and is a licensed counselor in the state, suggested moving funding from in-prison treatment programs to community-based programs. Keeping inmates off drugs while they're in prison is easy, Bathke said. It's keeping them off drugs when they're not serving time that is the most beneficial.

"In South Dakota it is very, very, very difficult to get drugs inside the prison. One day my boss came in and asked if I could make any changes to the program, what would I do?" Bathke said. "I said 'get rid of it.' Get rid of the program inside the prison system and give my $4.5 million a year to the community providers. Where you make the difference is in the community, not in the prison system. And they are strapped for funding."

Having professional mental health services easily available is another way to stem lengthy prison stays that might be better served by health professionals.

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Miskimins worked on developing regional mental health centers when he served a previous stint in the South Dakota House of Representatives and was pleased to see them working.

"I'm pleased that we have a local treatment center for mental health emergencies rather than taking most of the individuals that have mental health needs that don't need to go to jail. In many instances, they end up staying (in prison) for long periods of time," Miskimins said. "I'm so pleased to have a better road forward for those with mental health crises."

As a new incoming member of the legislature, Nolz is interested in looking at cost-saving measures, including renovations, that might help keep the strain off the state budget when it comes to the proposed construction of a new men's and women's prison for the state.

"I would add that I believe there was a study done in 2002 on renovating and maybe building at different, smaller locations around the state for new prisons," Nolz said. "Like a lot of these issues, I'm looking to learn more, and I'm more interested in how we can balance a budget that serves the people."
A coalition of city council members wants to formally thank the men and women of the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office for their work to help reduce the number of murders last year to historically low levels.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

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The resolution was announced Wednesday morning in a ceremony featuring local and state lawmakers, along with Sheriff TK Waters and State Attorney Melissa Nelson.

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Jacksonville achieved a nearly three-decade low in murders last year, with 59 recorded for all of 2024.

Sheriff, we gather here to acknowledge the incredible achievement, and that is a stunning 56 percent reduction in murders since you took office, said Councilmember Terrance Freeman (R-Group 1 At-Large).

Council members Freeman and Nick Howland (R-Group 3 At-Large) announced theyd be filing a new resolution officially thanking the men and women of JSO for their work in the community.

Freeman called 2024 a turning point for the city.

Governments top priority is to keep its citizens safe and sheriff, you have done an amazing job, said Freeman.

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Florida Senate President Ben Albritton (R-Bartow) also issued a statement thanking the agency for its work.

Sheriff Waters and his team have done a phenomenal job for Duval County. Across the country families and businesses are fleeing communities where crime goes unchecked because law enforcement does not have the tools or support to keep people safe. Not here, said Albritton.

Sheriff Waters vowed to keep safety his number one priority moving into the new year.

He attributed the success he had in 2024 to growing public trust along with federal, state, and local funding.

Theres funding that takes place for technology, for body cams, all these things that are necessary for continuing our job and build trust, transparency, which is another big thing for me, said Waters.

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Just under 60 percent of the murder cases from 2024 have been cleared so far.

Since the start of the new year, theres been one murder in the Bold City.

That case remains open.

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INDEPENDENCE, Mo.  Decisions from districts across our area regarding Wednesdays school closing plans are coming into our FOX4 Newsroom, but one district on the Missouri side already made plans for Wednesday, two days in advance.

The Independence School District took a proactive approach following this weekends snow storm.

LIVE UPDATES: Track snow removal efforts in cities across Kansas City metro

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December 22nd was their last day at school, Courtney Garcia, a mom of three Independence School District students shared Tuesday.

Garcia said while she is ready for the kids to go back to the classroom, shes glad her kids school district is waiting for road conditions to be safe.

I wouldnt let them go on the bus regardless right now. Kudos to them for thinking safety, Garcia shared about the district.

On Tuesday, ISD Superintendent Dale Herl said the district had a unique situation within its calendar.



I like to tell people we already knew the storm was coming a year ago, when we created our calendar, but we were just very fortunate that thats how our calendar was created, Superintendent Dr. Herl shared.

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In fact, that Monday of this week we were scheduled for a professional development day for some of our departments, as well as our teachers, had a workday, so what we did was moved that PD and workday to Wednesday.

Historic home of famous Kansas City family lands on the market

Dr. Herl also says decisions stem from the ability for buses to get around.

A lot of people will look at I-70 and some of your major roads and think it looks fine, but they dont realize is maybe the snow plows havent been able to hit the residential neighborhoods.

At home, or on a Chrisman High School hill, this is time together Garcia wouldnt trade for anything else.

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I cherish every moment of it with them. They make life worth living, Garcia shared.

FOX is providing a list of school closures as information comes into our newsroom. You can view the full closings list here. In addition to Independence, here are some of the larger school districts who made the call to close school or go remote Wednesday on Tuesday afternoon:

Blue Valley

Blue Springs (Remote)

Fort Osage

Harrisonville (Remote)

Kansas City Public Schools (Remote)

Lawrence

Lees Summit (Remote)

North Kansas City (Remote)

Platte County (Remote)

Raytown

Shawnee Mission

Olathe

These are just a few of more than 100 closings that came in as of 5 p.m., with more expected to follow.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
India confirmed its first cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infections in children, with a total of seven cases reported as of Tuesday.

The cases were reported in Bengaluru, Nagpur, Tamil Nadu and Ahmedabad, according to The Economic Times. And the cases come as HMPV is reportedly surging in China.

The Indian federal government urged states to increase surveillance and spread awareness to prevent transmission of the virus, but officials also urged the public not to panic. Many experts have stressed that HMPV has been around for decades and is not as fatal as COVID-19.

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Health experts have clarified that HMPV is not a new virus. It was first identified in 2001 and it has been circulating in the entire world since many years, Indian Health Minister JP Nadda said in a widely reported video statement Monday.

HMPV spreads through the air, by way of respiration, Nadda continued. This can affect people of all age groups. The virus spreads more during the winter and the early spring months.

Rajeev Jayadevan, the spokesperson on HMPV from the Indian Medical Association in Kochi, similarly tried to quell concerns Tuesday, stressing that the virus is common in children.

There is a lot of public anxiety about the HMPV. It is a common respiratory virus which most children get by the age of 3 or 4. Its very rare to have a serious problem with this. Most children would have had at least one bout of this infection in their childhood, including all of us, Jayadevan said in a statement reported by The Economic Times.

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This is not COVID. This is not a killer virus. It has been around for many years in all countries, including ours, Jayadevan added.

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NEW DELHI (Reuters) -India will consider engaging in development projects in Afghanistan in the near future, India's Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday, despite the lack of diplomatic relations.

The statement followed a meeting between Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Afghanistan's Acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai.

"In response to the request from the Afghan side, India will provide further material support in the first instance to the health sector and for the rehabilitation of refugees," the statement said.

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India has so far dispatched several shipments consisting of wheat, medicines, COVID vaccines, and winter clothing to Afganistan.

India does not recognise the Taliban government which seized power in 2021 and closed its own embassy in Kabul after the Taliban took control that year.

Afghanistan's embassy in New Delhi was closed in November 2023 after diplomats appointed by the Afghan government ousted by the Taliban failed to secure visa extensions from their Indian hosts.

(Reporting by Tanvi Mehta, Shanima A in Bengaluru; editing by Jason Neely and Gareth Jones)
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Indias largest steelmaker has been sidelined by a legal dispute thats derailed its deal to buy a coal concession in Mozambique.

JSW Steel Ltd.  run by Sajjan Jindal  agreed in May to buy Minas de Revuboe from the estate of Ken Talbot, an Australian mining tycoon who died 14 years ago. Before the deal could be completed, the Mozambican government revoked MdRs lease to mine coal valued at about $50 billion.

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In August, two months after the license was withdrawn from MdR, the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy published a notice in Mozambiques state-owned newspaper offering a 30-day window for any objections to the concession being awarded to Stonecoal SA. Four of Stonecoals five directors are employed at Jindal Steel & Power Ltd., a company headed by Naveen Jindal, Sajjans younger brother.

The loss of the rights has triggered a legal battle between MdR and Mozambiques government, leaving JSW as an observer. It comes at a critical time for the country, after disputed elections last October triggered demonstrations in which at least 278 people have died. That will test Daniel Chapo  due to be inaugurated as president on Jan. 15  who has prioritized stability for international investors.

Both JSW Steel and JSPL are part of the late OP Jindals $35 billion Mumbai-based empire, which was divided among his four sons and is overseen by his widow Savitri, Indias richest woman. The brothers occasionally have small cross-holdings in each others companies, but they are run separately and even occasionally compete against each other.

Sajjans JSW first agreed to acquire MdR in November 2023, according to a spokesperson for the Talbot estate, and in May announced a final deal under which it agreed to pay $74 million for a 92% stake. Thats a fraction of the $555 million that 12 years earlier Anglo American Plc said it would pay for a 58.9% stake in the same coal project. The London-based mining giant walked away from the transaction eight months later.

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Naveen chairs a private business called Vulcan International that owns Mozambiques largest coal mine at Moatize, which lies adjacent to the concession stripped from MdR. The younger Jindal brother  now a lawmaker with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis Bharatiya Janata Party  acquired the asset three years ago in a $270 million deal with Brazils Vale SA.

JSPL also owns a smaller coal mine in Mozambique called Chirodzi.

Stonecoal Application

Stonecoal, which applied for the coal-mining rights in August, isnt part of JSPL or Vulcan and has nothing to do with Naveen Jindal, according to Director Parshant Goyal. Goyal said that he and three other Stonecoal directors employed at Naveens JSPL are pursuing the development in a personal capacity, only becoming aware that MdR was at risk of losing the concession after the termination took place.

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The concession has yet to be granted to Stonecoal, according to Mozambiques database of mining licenses.

Stonecoal is registered at the same residential address  in an upmarket neighborhood of Maputo  as RockWorld, a group of companies chaired by the eldest son of Mozambiques outgoing president, Filipe Jacinto Nyusi. Nyusis son isnt a Stonecoal director, according to a company certificate produced by the government.

Goyal, who is the chief executive officer of JSPLs African operations, declined to answer questions about the identity of Stonecoals shareholders. The companys owners are not disclosed in the certificate seen by Bloomberg.

Stonecoal was set up on Feb. 5, according to Mozambiques official gazette. That was the day before MdR received an initial revocation notice from the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy, a document seen by Bloomberg shows. While the ministry reversed that decision following a challenge by MdR, it ordered the cancellation of the concession again on June 13.

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Mozambiques Council of Ministers, headed by Nyusi, approved the removal of MdRs mining contract on July 9, according to a resolution published the following month in the gazette.

The ministry and the office of the presidency didnt respond to emails and phone calls seeking comment.

JSW declined to comment, while JSPL and Vulcan didnt respond to emails from Bloomberg. Nor did RockWorld.

Geneva Arbitration

MdR filed a court case in Mozambique seeking to compel the government to restore the lost lease. In September, the company also initiated arbitration proceedings in Geneva against both the Mineral Resources Ministry and the presidency. Stonecoal isnt part of the legal actions.

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Mozambique and MdR exchanged several responses last month in the arbitration, which is being overseen by the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes. The first meeting of the tribunal is expected during the first quarter of this year, according to the spokesperson for Talbots estate.

MdRs focus is on having the original concession reinstated such that it can complete the sale of the project to JSW, the spokesperson said in an email. We consider the termination of the contract is illegal and does not follow due process.

Sign up for the twice-weekly Next Africa newsletter for the latest business and economic news from the continent.

Including the acquisition of the asset, MdR spent $300 million on the project, according to the Talbot estate spokesperson. The company disputes the ministrys claim  included in the first revocation notice  that a lack of exploration works justified the permits cancellation.

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There were, however, land disputes  including with a local mayor  that resulted in a force majeure situation that obstructed progress at the concession, the Talbot estate spokesperson said. While those circumstances were previously acknowledged and accepted by the ministry, they were later completely disregarded by the Mozambican government, the spokesperson said.

The legal spat comes at a difficult time for the incoming Mozambique government, as the civil unrest also takes its toll on mining operations. Last month, Melbourne-headquartered Syrah Resources Ltd. declared force majeure for its Balama graphite project, while Perth-based South32 Ltd. withdrew guidance for its aluminum smelter in the country, saying the transport of raw materials had been interrupted.

Mozambique is also waiting for TotalEnergies SE and Exxon Mobil Corp. to decide on whether to revive the development of huge liquefied natural gas projects that have the potential to transform one of Africas poorest countries. The French company is leading a $20 billion LNG export project in the northeastern Cabo Delgado province thats been on hold since 2021 because of nearby attacks by an Islamic State-backed insurgency.

Further afield, the thwarted transaction with MdR is a blow to JSWs plans to mine more of the key materials required for making steel. The groups run by Sajjan and Naveen are among Indias biggest steelmakers, and both need to source large volumes of coking coal and iron ore for their operations.

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JSW Steel said in an August presentation that the concession has the potential to produce 280 million tons of premium hard-coking coal.

--With assistance from Borges Nhamire, Rajesh Kumar Singh and Paul Richardson.

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PORTAGE, Ind.  An Indiana man who was trapped in his crashed vehicle for nearly a week is sharing an update on his recovery one year after the incident.

Matt Reum, a Mishawaka, Indiana, resident, said driving in the snow and at night can be hard for him, even a full year after a crash that changed his life.

Even driving out here taking 80, 94, realizing that Im 5 miles, six miles away from the wreck site, that definitely does kind of put knots in my stomach, Reum said.

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Reum survived a rollover crash along Interstate 94 in Northwest Indiana, but the crash left him trapped in his truck for six days over the Christmas holiday.

Reums truck had rolled down an embankment and in Porter Countys Salt Creek and landed beneath a bridge, out of sight of passing drivers.

For the first two, three days I spent the majority of that time just trying to take apart everything on the inside of my truck trying to get myself out, Reum said. There were times in my truck where the only way I thought was going to get out of it was by taking myself out of it.

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In the crash, Reums cellphone fell out of his reach and his legs were pinned.

Indiana man rescued after surviving 6 days in wrecked truck thankful for outpouring of support

Reum survived by drinking rainwater and in his darkest moments, he contemplated amputating his legs to get out.

But on the sixth day, Mario Garcia and his son-in-law, who were fishing in the creek, spotted Reums damaged truck and called 911.

I walked over there first, then he followed me, and we went up to it and I looked inside and moved the white airbag and there was a body in there, and I went to touch it and he turned around, Garcia said.

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Crews were then able to pull Reum from the truck.

The firefighters came, they got the back door off, they started trying to cut the roof off, that didnt work. They cut the driver-side door off, they got the engine off, they got me up and out of there, Raum said.

Reum then spent three weeks in the hospital, and doctors ended up amputating his left leg.

He was very near death when he was rescued. They did not know if he was going to survive, it took a couple of days before they realized he was going to make it, Erika Celeste, a former NPR reporter and the director of a nonprofit for young journalists, said.

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Celeste heard about Reums story and invited him to speak to her students. It was after that meeting that the two joined forces to write a book about his experience.

Its definitely a story about survival, but in addition to being a story about survival, Matt is just an all-around interesting guy in general. He was adopted from Russia when he was only three, he was in a boys home for a while, Celeste said.

The book Still Standing details Reums life, before and after the accident. With candid journal entries, and photos sharing successes during his recovery.

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Like learning to walk again, running a 5k, public speaking, and the hope to start his own non-profit to help homeless veterans who need prosthetics.

The former welder and construction worker wants to use what he went through to help others.

Trapped for days, Indiana crash survivor Matt Reum recounts story of survival

You do have that, you know, revitalized sense of life and that revitalized sense, of, you know, second chance, Raum said. The biggest thing I wanted people to take away from the book is to be able to walk away if theyve been having a bad day with a renewed sense of hope and enlightenment that things do get better.

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Jan. 17th will mark one year since Reum was released from the hospital and he has a book signing event planned.

Still Standing is available for purchase on Amazon, Kindle, and at some Barnes & Noble locations.

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 WGN-TV.
Kankakee Sands, an 8,400-acre expanse of prairie and wetlands in northern Indiana, is adding accessible parking, viewing scopes and signs to help tell the history of the area and a new chapter about The Nature Conservancy's efforts to restore the ecosystem where 90 bison are thriving.

The impact of those efforts is growing as part of a broader push to restore buffalo to their ancestral homes in partnership with Indigenous Nations across the U.S.

The buffalo herd at Kankakee is part of a larger program to reintroduce buffalo to Indigenous Nations through a partnership with the Tribal Buffalo Lifeways Collaboration, which is led by the InterTribal Buffalo Council, Native Americans in Philanthropy, The Nature Conservancy and World Wildlife Fund.

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Melissa Moran, director of community programs at TNC, said the improvements further the Conservancys vision to be a welcoming destination in the Midwest while instilling an appreciation of the conservation work.

We wanted to think about how to connect people with this place and also with the idea that people do have the ability to make a positive impact on the environment, Moran said. Thats what happened at Kankakee Sands.

Creating accessibility to the natural world

The prairies of Kankakee Sands were agricultural fields when TNC purchased the land in the mid-90s. Staff at the site began reintroducing native plants and managing invasive species. Workers set prescribed burns that mimicked historic wildfires to help soil health and keep trees out of the grasslands. The success seen today are the result of decades of continuous effort.

The Nature Conservancys Indiana Chapter began planning the new upgrades about four years ago through a grant opportunity. The National Park Service helped the Conservancy bring together staff, community members and trustees for a brainstorming process on how the site could better engage people and help them learn and appreciate the natural area and the beauty it holds, Moran said.

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The planning resulted in visitor-friendly changes, including parking lots and restrooms that accommodate accessibility across three locations at the prairie. New viewing scopes make observing the bison easier  and even come with a special feature on the scopes corrects for red and green color blindness for visitors who experience color differently than others  while upgraded signage helps visitors navigate and learn the history of the unique property.

A new shelter and signage are among many upgrades at The Nature Conservancys Efroymson Prairie at Kankakee Sands bison viewing area near Morocco, Indiana. Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar

To more fully celebrate the bison at Kankakee and the Conservancys work with Indigenous Nations, new signs with information about different species or habitats also include Indigenous translations provided by the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma and the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi.

Theres a connection not only to the historical habitation of those communities to the area, but also to their living communities, Moran said.

In depth: Buffalo project helps restore prairie while reconnecting indigenous tribes with heritage

Local efforts lead to broad impacts

The work at Kankakee Sands has recently gained new traction through a partnership with the Intertribal Buffalo Council that led to the Conservancy transferring buffalo from its herds, including the one at Kankakee, to some of the 84 member Nations making up the Council.

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Corissa Busse is the director of the buffalo restoration program for the Conservancy and was at the inaugural delivery in 2020 at the Forest County Potawatomi Community in northern Wisconsin.

It was the first time that we really got to understand and see the importance of buffalo for the community, Busse said.

It was in the middle of a blizzard and miserably cold but the whole community, including elders and children, came out to welcome home their cultural and spiritual relative  the buffalo.

This work has continued in lockstep with the Council to coordinate future transfers.

As the Conservancy and Council help bring buffalo home, Busse said its not just about bringing them back to ancestral lands, but about restoring an ecological and cultural keystone species, too.

A bison does its best Dracula impression while munching on prairie grass on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, at The Nature Conservancys Efroymson Prairie at Kankakee Sands Bison Viewing Area in Morocco Ind.

Buffalo transfers help Nations maintain their own food security, while providing opportunities for cultural harvests and ceremonies.

Collaboration aims to reconnect relatives

As the partnership drove the herds back to their historic homes, the growing movement snowballed into the newly formed Tribal Buffalo Lifeways Collaboration.

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The emerging coalition is an effort to mobilize resources and support a sense of scale to support tribal-led buffalo restoration, Busse said.

Trevor Edmonson, Kankakee Sands Site Manager is photographed with the sites upgraded signage on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, at The Nature Conservancys Efroymson Prairie at Kankakee Sands Bison Viewing Area in Morocco Ind. The Conservancy has worked hard to include more Indiana history including indigenous and black farming settlement history of the area.

The Collaboration is a historic alliance committed to working with the U.S. to achieve the goals of restoration.

Heather Dawn Thompson, a Lakota attorney from the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe who recently joined the World Wildlife Fund as its vice president of Native Nations Conservation and Food Systems, is working with the Lifeways Collaboration to grow support.

The group effort formed in July and has already had its first success by securing an unprecedented $62 million for the ITBC, something that would not have happened without the partnership, Thompson said.

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With an immediate win under the newly formed groups belt, their main goals are still coalescing. Priorities include acquiring money to stabilize Indigenous herds, build and maintain infrastructure and secure each Nation's ability to maintain their own source of food.

Most Indigenous Nations dont raise commercial buffalo herds, Thompson explained. The Western style is to bring in revenue to maintain the herd, but most Nations raise animals for cultural purposes by restoring them to the land. They consider buffalo as relatives.

As the collaboration grows to help Nations reacquire and maintain their own buffalo herds, backers are working to rethink conservation from a cultural perspective, Thompson said. One key principle is making sure the work remains locally focused and led by its Indigenous partners.

One important reason Tribes have a relation with the buffalo is nourishment, Thompson said. Tribes harvest buffalo very differently than commercial herds  they field harvest them. That requires different equipment and there are ceremonies associated with that.

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Karl Schneider is an IndyStar environment reporter. You can reach him at karl.schneider@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @karlstartswithk or BlueSky @karlstartswithk.bsky.social

IndyStar's environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana conservation group upgrades Kankakee Sands, grows Indigenous partnership
Indiana Republican Party Chairwoman Erin Lucas has called a caucus of eligible precinct committee members to fill the impending vacancy in the office of Indiana State Representative, District 42.

The caucus will be at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 14 at the Parke County 4-H Fairgrounds, 1472 N. U.S. 41 in Rockville.

Sixty precinct committeemen are eligible to vote.

The seat has been held by State Rep. Alan Morrison, who has been appointed to serve in the incoming Braun administration as head of the Indiana Department Natural Resources.

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Morrison has indicated his resignation from the House seat will be effective at 5 p.m. Monday.

Next Tuesday, Lucas will chair the caucus.

Individuals interested in running in the caucus should contact the Secretary of the Indiana Republican Party to ensure they file the proper forms prior to the deadline at 5 p.m. Friday, according to a news release from the state Republican Party.

District 42 includes all of Parke and Vermillion counties and portions of Vigo, Fountain and Clay counties.

Tim Yocum, Vermillion County commissioner, and John Michael Major of Clinton, both confirm they have filed, and more are expected to file.

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Randy Gentry, Vigo County Republican Party chair, said he anticipates it will be an extremely competitive race, and he believes it will take multiple ballots.

The successful candidate must receive votes of 50% plus 1 of the committee people attending, Gentry said.

The caucus is only open to properly credentialed precinct committeemen or proxies, members of the media and guests of the party, according to the news release.
By Nate Raymond

(Reuters) - Two groups representing the credit reporting and credit union industries have filed a lawsuit challenging a new rule adopted by U.S. President Joe Biden's outgoing administration banning the inclusion of medical debt in American consumers' credit reports.

The Consumer Data Industry Association and Cornerstone Credit Union League filed the lawsuit in federal court in Sherman, Texas, on Tuesday, shortly after the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized the regulation.

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The agency said the rule would remove $49 billion in medical debts from the credit reports of about 15 million Americans. It was adopted despite demands from Republicans in Congress that Biden's financial regulators stop issuing new rules as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office on Jan. 20.

The trade groups say the rule violates the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which expressly permits consumer reporting agencies to report information about medical debt and authorizes creditors to consider that information.

"It is black letter law that an agency cannot prohibit through regulations what Congress has expressly permitted by statute," the lawsuit said. "Because the final rule contravenes the statute, it should be vacated."

The case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Sean Jordan, a Trump appointee. The CFPB declined to comment.

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According to the CFPB, medical debt provides little indication of whether a borrower is likely to repay a loan and the change should result in rising credit scores and could lead to an additional 22,000 low-cost mortgages per year being issued.

The new rule will also prohibit lenders from considering certain medical information in making lending decisions and help prevent debt collectors from seeking to coerce consumers into paying erroneous medical debts they do not actually owe, the agency said.

Banking and credit bureau industry groups argued that the ban could leave them blind to important information about the risk financial institutions face from borrowers, resulting in banks offering fewer loans.

(Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Matthew Lewis)
The city of Indianapolis is adding another approach to how it responds to its residents' calls for help with mental health.

The Unified Mental Health Response Initiative will launch later this month, as announced by Mayor Joe Hogsett and Police Chief Chris Bailey on Tuesday. The initiative calls for the citys police, fire and emergency medical personnel to respond in unison to 911 calls pertaining to mental health crises. The responding authorities will determine at the scene which agency is best suited to assist, as the others stand by.

We recognize that we can do well enough on our own, but we can always do better when we work together, Hogsett said.

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City officials said the unified front will better serve residents, whose calls for change in how Indianapolis responds to mental health have mounted since 2020 during the height of protests about police reform. The calls grew in April 2022 following the death of Herman Whitfield III in police custody. Two officers who responded to the 39-year-old's home early that morning were found not guilty of their charges in the case last month.

The new approach also will help first responders during some of the most delicate and complex calls they face, officials said.

Bailey said the citys police officers have shouldered the brunt of these calls in years past, which keeps them from tending to law enforcement issues. He said on Tuesday the initiative will help alleviate that burden.

Our officers do not want to respond to these calls if we are not needed, Bailey said. We also know there are times when the presence of an officer can make a situation even more uncertain than it already is.

How the Indianapolis Unified Mental Health Response Initiative will work

The initiative will work like so: Dispatchers will determine if a 911 call involves mental health concerns. If the scene is safe, emergency medical staff and the fire department will take the lead to offer care as police stand by. If a weapon is present or another safety risk is posed, police will take over until its safe.

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The expectation is Indianapolis police will make an emergency detention to hospitalize someone only if the person has a diagnosed mental condition, they are a danger to themselves or others and they need immediate medical treatment. Otherwise, first responders will assist the caller and have other mental health professionals follow up.

The initiative will supplement the citys existing programs rolled out in recent years and only be tapped if those programs are not available.

Those programs include the Mobile Crisis Assistance Teams, commonly referred to as MCAT, which began in 2017 and is comprised of a trained Indianapolis police officer and mental health professional from Eskenazi Health. The team aims to prevent people with addiction or mental health diagnoses from going to jail. MCAT operates with five shifts from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and two shifts from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. They do not operate on the weekends.

More: MCAT's role in Indy's mental health response

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The clinician-led teams function similarly, but instead send mental health professionals to certain 911 calls without police. The program rolled out last year is only offered in the police departments downtown, east and north districts.

Officials emphasized the community can still call or text 988 if they or someone they know is having mental health concerns and there is not an immediate threat.

All first responder agencies have started their training in preparation for the programs launch this month.

More: Indy's new clinician-led 911 response team hopes to save lives with therapy, not police

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Contact IndyStar reporter Sarah Nelson at sarah.nelson@indystar.com

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indy police, fire and EMS partner to respond to mental health crises
Indy residents will need to keep their heavy coats, gloves and windshield brushes handy as forecasters are predicting more snow later this week along with the coldest temperatures of the winter.

Jason Puma, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Indianapolis, said theres about a 90% chance of snow Friday afternoon that will likely continue into the evening. The service is predicting about 1-2 inches of snow for the Indy metro area.

Before that, though, Central Indiana residents will see the lowest temperatures of the winter. Meteorologists at NWS are calling for a low of 1 degree tonight, the coldest it has been since last January, Puma said.

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This system (on Friday) does not look as strong as the system that we just experienced, so any snow amounts we do get will be considerably less, Puma said.

While Indy is being spared another large snow fall, other areas of the U.S. are expecting to see up to six inches of snow from a second winter storm, according to a recent AccuWeather report.

Temperatures remain below freezing

Indy will still see frigidly cold temperatures throughout the week, meaning the snow on the ground will not melt before Fridays predicted snowfall.

Snow can compact when its on the ground and evaporate some, Puma said, which would shrink the amount on the ground a little bit. To see it completely melt away, however, temperatures need to rise above 32 degrees.

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Cloudy skies forecast for Thursday evening will warm things up slightly, with NWS meteorologists calling for lows around 11 degrees.

The U.S. is seeing the winter effects of La Nina  a wind pattern in the Pacific Ocean that pushes warm air toward Asia while bringing colder water to the surface. Those colder waters push the jet stream north, which tends to bring more storm systems into the Ohio Valley with greater frequency.

The Indy area typically averages about 25 inches of snow each year, but the last few years saw an El Nino pattern that meant less snowfall.

Indiana weather radar

Karl Schneider is an IndyStar environment reporter. You can reach him at karl.schneider@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @karlstartswithk or BlueSky @karlstartswithk.bsky.social

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IndyStar's environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis area facing bitter cold temps, more snow this week.
Jan. 8Inola voters will decide next week whether to approve a $62 million bond that would fund an upper elementary building.

Jeff Unrau, superintendent of Inola Public Schools, said the district also would use the bond to pay for air conditioning in the high school gym, resurfacing for the high school parking lot and a storm shelter in the proposed elementary building.

Early voting on the bond will take place Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Rogers County Election Board office, 415 W. First St. in Claremore. Voters who don't cast their ballots early can vote at their normal polling place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.

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The proposal needs 60% of the vote to pass.

The new building, HVAC system and parking lot surface will cost about $36 million  Unrau said the district expects to pay off the bond over a maximum of 18 years, during which time it would accrue interest up to $62 million.

"The projections that we're putting out there are exactly that: projections," Unrau said. "I am kind of a worst-case scenario guy. I want to be able to expect the worst and hope for the best. The $35 million for the elementary, we're hoping that it comes in less than that."

Inola property owners would see their taxes rise about 20% until the bond is paid off. For example, someone who pays $400 per year would pay $480 per year, starting January 2026.

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Unrau said the district is only requesting a tax increase because it's necessary. Inola Elementary School uses two modular classrooms because the building has run out of space. Unrau said without the bond, the district will probably need two more during the 2026-2027 school year.

"It's certainly something that I don't take lightly," Unrau said. "... We know the strain and and the stress that this causes people, and I just want people to know that we wouldn't ask for this increase if it wasn't a need for our district ... we feel like the need is now."

Nicholas Peery, president of the Inola Chamber of Commerce, said some opponents of the bond say they don't want to pay to fund future growth at the Port of Inola.

Peery said growth is already happening, and the bond serves to get the district up to speed.

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"This bond is for 15 years of neglect, basically," Peery said. "We're trying to get caught up to where our kids are today ... Without this sounding grim, we're going to have a mobile home park out there for our elementary kids if we don't do something today. So that's not that's not preparing for the future, that's solving a need today."

School districts levy property taxes via a millage rate  one mill equals $1 of every $1,000 of a property's assessed value.

Inola's millage rate sits at 11.74; that equals to about $555.70 per student. Peery said in Rogers County, only Foyil has a lower millage rate.

Catoosa, Oologah and Verdigris' all generate millage incomes above $1,600 per student, and Claremore's is about $1,350 per student.

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"Do our kids not deserve the same that Wagoner has, or Catoosa has, or Claremore or any other district?" Peery said.

Unrau said Inola's millage rate would rise to about 27 if the bond passes. He said that is lower than the rate of 29 the district levied in 2003 to pay for improvements to the elementary building.

"Instead of having a 2% or 3% or 5% increase in your taxes four or five times over the last 20 years, which probably what should have happened, we're trying to get caught up," Unrau said. "I understand people don't want to get caught up in one fell swoop, but we're almost forced to ... due to the current situation we're in."

The $62 million figure assumes it will take about 18 years to pay off the bond, Unrau said, based on the district's current net assessed valuation and its annual growth rate of about 3 to 5%.

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Unrau said Sofidel, the Italian manufacturer that moved into the Port of Inola in 2020, will be factored into the district's net assessed valuation in January 2026.

Inola Public Schools has learned the company could add up to $100 million to the district's current $62 million value, more than 150% growth in one year. Unrau said that means it will likely take less than 18 years to pay off the bond, and taxpayers will likely pay less than the projected $62 million.

"Do I believe it will happen? Absolutely I believe that," Unrau said. "But I'm not pushing that narrative. I'm pushing the worst case because I just feel I don't want to be deceitful."

Peery said he knows the math involved with the bond issue is complicated, and he implored people to know the facts before they vote.

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Inola has posted a fact sheet on the bond issue at inola.k12.ok.us, and people can ask questions by calling Unrau at 918-543-0502 or Peery at 918-283-8931.

"We're campaigning for a vote that's educated," Peery said. "If people want to look at this and they're still not in favor of it, that's 100% fine. That's their right to vote, but we just want to make sure that people are educated and understand ... the crisis that our school district is in, and how we're trying to remedy it."
Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter) and self-described chief troll officer, took a break this week from advising the United States president-elect on how to cut government waste by telling European governments how to run pretty much everything, prompting angry responses from the French president, the German chancellor and the Norwegian prime minister.

His most significant spat was, however, with Sir Keir Starmer, whom he accused of being complicit in the rape of Britain during the sexual abuse scandals in northern England in the 2000s and 2010s. After days of hostile online attacks  Musk posted 48 times about British politics in a single week  the British Prime Minister defended his record as director of public prosecutions, pointing out that he had brought the first prosecution of an Asian grooming gang in Rochdale.

It is not the first time the worlds richest man has crossed virtual swords with a man he has called variously two-tier Keir, Starmtrooper and utterly despicable. Neither is it the first time that Musk has weighed in on the topic of race or religion in America and Europe. So, has this man of many obsessions  from electric cars to colonising Mars, woke viruses to coronaviruses  found a new one? And if so, what might underpin his thinking in this area?

Elon Musk has been involved in spats with the leaders of the UK, France, Germany and Norway  all within one week - Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

Having posted on X in 2021 that he would prefer to stay out of politics, Musk has spent the past two years doing the exact opposite, especially when theres a racial angle involved. In October 2023, he told a descendant of Robert E Lee, the Confederate general whose statue was melted down after becoming a focus for deadly white nationalist protests in 2017: They absolutely want your extinction. The following month, he replied to a user on X who had accused Jews of supporting bringing hordes of minorities into the United States: You have said the actual truth.

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Last year, he posted  and withdrew  unsubstantiated claims of cannibalism in Haiti, described Humza Yousaf, the former first minister of Scotland, as a super racist scumbag and endorsed the anti-migration, anti-Islam Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) party, claiming that only the AfD can save Germany (Musk is livestreaming an hour-long chat with its leader, Alice Weidel, on X on Thursday). During the summer riots in Britain he shared  and deleted  a conspiracy theory that the Government was building special detainment camps in the Falkland Islands for people rioting against Muslims.

Musk has returned to this theme this week, falling out with Nigel Farage over the Reform leaders refusal to support Tommy Robinson, a former member of the British National Party who has described Islam as backward and fascist, a threat to our way of life and a disease. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is currently serving an 18-month sentence for contempt of court, having broadcast false claims about a Syrian teenager during the summer riots. Free Tommy Robinson! wrote Musk on January 2, convinced that hes a political prisoner incarcerated for attempting to expose grooming gangs. Those who covered up this travesty should take his place in that cell.

All these views have, of course, been magnified many times over thanks to Musks ownership of X, where heaps of unfiltered posts that plainly celebrate racism, anti-Semitism, and outright Nazism are easily accessible and possibly even promoted by the sites algorithm, according to an article in the Atlantic in November.

However, working out exactly what Musk thinks on race and religion  and why he thinks the way he does  is not as easy as some seem to think. Not only has he rarely said anything specific on the topic, but his life and words are full of contradictions.

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For example, some newspapers have attempted to pin down his views on race to a violent South African childhood lived against the backdrop of a racist grandfather, a brutal father and a regime of apartheid. Joshua Haldeman, Musks maternal grandfather, was undoubtedly a quasi-fascist, anti-Semitic proponent of the South African regime, railing against mind control in the media, whereby an unconditional propaganda warfare is carried on against the white man. But he died before Elon was even three years old. And although his son-in-law, Errol, whom Elon has described as pure evil, has written racially offensive emails to his son, he also claims to have belonged to the anti-apartheid Progressive Party.

Musk once described his father, Errol, as pure evil - Gianluigi Guercia/AFP

Musk, like many white South Africans in the 1980s, lived in elite, segregated communities and attended exclusive schools where it was commonly believed that black people could not be trusted with democracy. However, a liberal headmaster at Pretoria Boys High had fostered a sufficiently progressive ethos that some students travelled to anti-apartheid protests. Musk, a chronic loner as a teenager, took the unusual step of befriending one of the few black students and standing up to racist slurs in the lunch queue, despite being bullied for doing so.

According to Ashlee Vance, one of Musks biographers, he left South Africa soon after high school partly to avoid having to support apartheid by serving in the countrys armed forces.

Musk, right, with his brother, Kimbal, and sister, Tosca, in 1989 - Archivio GBB/Alamy

Before acquiring Twitter in 2022, Musks two most notable posts on the subject of religion were as follows:

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Wow, 180,000 American killed by other Americans since 9/11 vs only 33 by Muslim terrorists (February, 2013).

The blanket entry ban on citizens from certain primarily Muslim countries is not the best way to address the countrys challenges (January, 2017).

Even in October 2023, a year after acquiring the site, he wrote: I want all humans to be happy and prosperous, without regard to race, creed, religion or anything else. And less than two months ago he wrote: A new philosophy of the future is needed that is compatible with most existing belief systems. I believe it should be curiosity about the universe  expand humanity to become a multi-planet, then interstellar, species to see whats out there.

So, if psychotherapy about his upbringing offers an unconvincing way of arguing that Musk is an overt racist, how else do we explain an apparent obsession with sharing racially charged views that are offensive to many? Are they a glitch in the software of an engineer who believes education a process of downloading data and algorithms into your brain and life itself likely to be a simulation? Or simply the attention-seeking hyperactivity of a bullied child with a fondness for conspiracy theories, a diagnosis of Aspergers and a receptive, global audience?

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The key, however, to understanding Musks views on race and religion lies in his resolute opposition to what he calls the woke mind virus (WMV), an obsession that appears to supersede  and inform  all his other political views.

Silicon Valley was ground zero in the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) movement, says a tech insider who has worked in San Francisco for almost two decades. You had to be on the inside of the hiring committees to see how truly anti-meritocratic and racist/sexist the DEI regime was. People would talk about good and bad skin colours: black was good, white was bad. It was a dystopia, and it radicalised many people, including me, against the DEI project.

Musk blames the school system, and the California DEI culture, for imbuing his [transgender] daughter with the WMV and turning her super DEI/Marxist/trans. [Born male, she changed her name in 2022, aged 18, and denounced her father, who promptly joined the Republican party].

He vowed to destroy the WMV as a result. My view is that Musks project now is to eradicate from Western culture a WMV that he sees as being responsible for the blind eye that was turned to the mass rapes in Britain.

Musks daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, denounced her father in 2022 - Planet Photos

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In short, Musks broadsides are not really about race or religion. Their main targets are, instead, a hyper-liberal, hyper-tolerant Western society whose perceived decadence he blames for many of todays problems.

Christiana Musk, who is married to his brother, Kimbal, made a similar point about the hierarchy of the billionaires priorities in Walter Isaacsons biography. The rift with his daughter, she argued, was caused more by her radical Marxism than her gender identity. He has no biases against gay or trans or race, she said.

Left to right: Musks mother, Maye, sister, Tosca, brother, Kimbal, and sister-in-law, Christiana - Jon Kopaloff/Getty

Look more closely at Musks political interventions and race and religion certainly appear to play a supporting, rather than a primary, role. Yes, he trashed George Soros, a common target for anti-Semitism, for hating humanity, but he was probably motivated by the Holocaust survivor selling his Tesla shares. He has flirted with the great replacement theory promulgated by white supremacists, but he has also criticised it for failing to address low birth rates across Asia, as well as Europe. And although he claimed that a British civil war was inevitable during the summer riots, calling policing of the unrest one-sided, his main focus was, again, on libertarianism.

Arrested for making comments on Facebook! he posted in August on X. Is this Britain or the Soviet Union?

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The man described by Farage as a free speech absolutist has a tendency to exaggeration and distortion, overlooking the inconvenient facts cherished by the mainstream media that he loves to attack. The comments werent simply comments; they involved incitement to racial violence. More recently, Musk has claimed Starmer called Trump a racist (he didnt); urged King Charles to call an election (he cant); praised Robinson for telling the truth (Robinson failed to prove his claims about the Syrian teenager during a libel trial); and released a list of MPs who voted against deporting foreign rapists which turned out to be something completely different (thanks to fact-checking on X by Larry, Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, the official profile of Larry the Downing Street cat).

Interestingly, Musks absolutism in this regard extends beyond borders  and even atmospheres. When asked by Benjamin Netanyahu to do more to stop anti-Semitism, Musk told the Israeli Prime Minister that, while he was obviously against anti-Semitism, free speech does at times mean that someone you dont like is saying something you dont like.

He went on to declare himself against attacking any group as infighting would stand in the way of his ultimate goal of becoming a spacefaring civilisation before life on earth is destroyed. As he said in 2018, I would like to die on Mars  just not on impact.

One wonders, however, who exactly would make the cut to join him in his anti-WMV Mars-ship Enterprise.

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Hilcorp Alaska's headquarters in Midtown Anchorage is seen on Feb. 7, 2024. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Federal regulators have rejected Hilcorps attempt to gain more time to develop Liberty, an offshore Arctic oil prospect that has languished since being discovered in the 1990s.

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, an agency of the Department of the Interior, denied Hilcorps application for what is known as a suspension of production, or SOP. Such suspensions stop the permitting clock, effectively delaying development deadlines that are usually included in the terms of leases that companies have with the federal government.

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The federal BSEE action denied what would have been the 12th suspension granted to current or former Liberty leaseholders. It is the latest setback for a field that was once touted as a breakthrough in Arctic oil development but has remained undeveloped for decades.

Without a suspension or some other type of extension, the Liberty leases are due to expire by the end of this year.

But Hilcorp has not shown that it deserves such an extension, the denial letter said.

Hilcorps latest plan for bringing Liberty into production is too vague and deficient in commitments to justify another in what has turned out to be a series of suspensions over the years, said the letter, sent by Acting Deputy Interior Secretary Laura Daniel-Davis.

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The denial letter was sent on Dec. 26, the date that Hilcorps previous three-year suspension expired.

Hilcorps latest plan for work on Liberty, submitted to federal regulators last summer, does not contain a firm timeline that would reasonably result in production before the end of the lease term, which is Dec. 26, 2025.

Hilcorp is proposing a feasibility study for a drilling campaign in 2028 and 2029 and wants three years to work on permitting, facility upgrades and procurement for that drilling but provides no specific details regarding these sweeping categories of action, the denial letter said.

A map of the Liberty project as proposed by Hilcorp after it took over the projects operation from BP. The map is from the 2018 environmental impact statement issued by the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. Hilcorp told federal regulators it is now considering reviving BPs abandoned plan to drill Liberty from land, skipping the need to build an artificial island. (Image provided by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management)

Hilcorp just-expired suspension granted in 2021 was one of nine granted to Liberty in the past, either to Hilcorp or to BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc., the projects original operator. Additionally, suspensions were granted in earlier years to individual leases prior to them being consolidated into a single unit to be developed.

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Liberty holds about 150 million barrels of oil. It was predicted to be the first producing oil field located entirely in federal territory off Alaskas coast.

It lies about 5.5 miles from shore in the Beaufort Sea and about 20 miles east of Prudhoe Bay. It is on the outer continental shelf area of the Arctic.

The area was first explored by Shell in the 1980s. The field was discovered by BP in the late 1990s. Over the years, BP created two separate development plans for Liberty  one that involved construction of an artificial island like that used at the Northstar field it developed and other fields just offshore in the Beaufort, and a later one that would have skipped the island concept, instead producing from land through ultra-extended-reach wells. BP received final regulatory approval for the second development plan and began construction work for the that plan before abandoning it in 2014.

BP sold half of the Liberty prospect and turned over the operator position to Hilcorp that year. Six years later, Hilcorp acquired full ownership of Liberty when BP exited Alaska.

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Hilcorp, as Libertys new operator, submitted a new development plan in 2015 that revived the artificial island concept. But that plan, though approved in 2018, became mired in legal problems after a federal court ruled in 2020 that the pre-approval environmental study was flawed.

Hilcorp has now revived BPs earlier idea of developing Liberty from existing land at the Endicott field, using ultra-extended-reach wells and skipping construction of a new artificial island, according to Daniel-Davis letter.

Hilcorp considers the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcements denial of another suspension to be unjustified, a company spokesperson said.

After years of working in good faith to move the Liberty project forward, Hilcorp is extremely disappointed with this decision. We will continue to pursue this opportunity and are currently evaluating all available options. Hilcorp remains committed to ensuring the safe and responsible development of Alaskas natural resources, Matt Shuckerow, Hilcorps corporate manager of Alaska government and public affairs, said by email.

Volumes from 2002 evaluating the environmental impact of BPs first development plan for the Liberty oil field are seen on a shelf on April 6, 2023, at the Alaska Resources Library and Information Services on the University of Alaska Anchorage campus. More volumes analyzing Liberty development plans are on other shelves at the library. The large collection of documents and studies reflect the decades-long long history of a field that has yet to be brought into production. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaskas two U.S. senators also weighed in on Hilcorps behalf last month, sending a letter on Dec. 9 to top Interior officials that supported the suspension. Hilcorp needs the extra time to work on its new proposal to drill the field from existing land, the senators said in their letter, which was sent to Bob Anderson, Interiors solicitor, and BSEE Director Kevin Sligh.

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It is our request that this submission is given due consideration, as the proper development of Liberty will produce vast benefits for the State of Alaska and our nation at-large, U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, said in their letter.

But to environmentalists, the denial is a victory.

This reckless offshore drilling project has been doomed from the start, and I hope this is finally the end of the Liberty fantasy, Cooper Freeman, Alaska director at the Center for Biological Diversity, said in a statement. From poor planning and a lack of local support to high-risk bets and weak science, Liberty has been a terrifying fiasco. The bowhead whales, polar bears, and ice seals that rely on a healthy Arctic marine ecosystem would be severely threatened by this dangerous drilling project, and Im glad the Interior Department agreed.

The Center for Biological Diversity sent a letter to Interior officials in July that urged denial of Hilcorps request for a suspension.

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Hilcorp holds oil and gas leases elsewhere in federal waters off Alaska. The company has eight leases in federal waters of Cook Inlet, in the southern part of Alaska. Those were acquired in Bureau of Ocean Energy Management lease sales held in 2017 and 2022. Hilcorp in September relinquished some of the leases it bought in 2017, and the company has not submitted an exploration plan for the Cook Inlet leases it still holds, according to BOEM. The single lease Hilcorp bought in 2022 is in a suspended status pending completion of a new environmental study ordered by a federal judge.

There is currently no oil or natural gas produced from federal territory in Alaskas offshore region except for some leases that are a small part of the Hilcorp-operated Northstar field. That Beaufort Sea property is located mostly on state leases, but it overlaps a bit into federal territory.

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PAGEDALE, Mo.  A Monday morning house fire in Pagedale devastated a family of eight, leaving heartbreak and unanswered questions in its wake.

The fire began just before midnight on Sunday on 70th Street while eight people were inside the residence. The Mid-County Fire Protection District arrived minutes later, finding the back of the home engulfed in flames.

The first units on scene found fire in the back of the house. Coming from what turned out to be the kitchen area. The house was full of smoke; extreme black smoke, Fire Chief Randell Sanders said.

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Three people escaped before firefighters arrived, but reports of others trapped inside added urgency to the response.

On initial reports [said] they had three people trapped in the house with three others that had escaped prior to our arrival, Sanders said.

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Firefighters found the body of a 45-year-old man on the second floor, above the fires origin. Authorities believe he died of smoke inhalation before firefighters could reach him. Three others were sent to the hospital.

A neighbor who has lived in the area since 1972 was stunned by what she saw.

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I was just shocked because I cant imagine something like this would happen, Edna Austrell said. You know, like to say weve been here so long and never seen anything like that and so close. It was a surprise and a shock to see all the smoke.

The cause of this devastating fire remains under investigation as the Mid-County Fire Chief awaits answers from the St. Louis County Bomb and Arson Unit.

Authorities believe the residents were using alternative heat sources like a kitchen stove for heat. Police said the American Red Cross has stepped in to assist the family.

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 2.
A view of the Colorado House of Representatives on Jan. 24, 2024. (Quentin Young/Colorado Newsline)

The Colorado General Assembly starts its regular session today. The legislative session is 120 days long and will end on May 8. During those four months, the Senate and House of Representatives will introduce, debate and vote on bills that will become state laws.

There are 65 representatives and 35 senators, each representing a district from around the state. Each Coloradan is represented by one representative and one senator. The General Assembly website has a tool for constituents to find their lawmakers by entering their residential address.

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Lawmakers work on behalf of Coloradans to create laws and fund services like public education, Medicaid and other crucial programs. Constituents, who vote them into office, are their representatives bosses.

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Every legislator has a web page that lists their Capitol phone number, mailing address and email for constituents to contact them. That web page also lists a legislators committee assignments and sponsored legislation.

Resources for members of the public who want to engage with the General Assembly

Committees are smaller groups of lawmakers that focus on a specific issue area, such as agriculture, education or health. One of the first steps for a bill to become a law is a public committee hearing, where committee members hear from bill sponsors and the public about the proposed policy and vote on whether it can move forward. Every bill gets a committee hearing with an opportunity for public comment.

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When a bill has a committee hearing date, it will appear on the bills web page. Committees meet after floor work, typically in the afternoon.

The public can share testimony at a bills committee hearing in person, remotely via Zoom or through a written submission. People must sign up online to testify.

Typically, people have three minutes each to share their testimony at a committee hearing. That time is subject to change at the committee chairs discretion, and bills with many witnesses signed up usually have shorter time limits. After a group of witnesses testify, lawmakers may ask follow-up questions.

Signs, banners, pins and clothing clearly in support or opposition of a bill are not allowed in committee hearings.

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Some bill hearings draw few to no public witnesses. Others, such as the previous two attempts at an assault weapons ban or major overhauls of state zoning regulations, have hundreds of people signed up to testify and can last multiple hours.

Committee hearing audio is livestreamed. Right now, the Legislature does not video stream committee hearings. That audio is available on the General Assembly website in the top right corner with a link to Watch & Listen.

Video and audio of Senate and House floor work is streamed via the Colorado Channels website and YouTube. The public is also welcome to sit in the chamber gallery during floor work, with entrances on the third floor of the Capitol.

The homepage of the General Assembly website features a daily schedule with committee meeting times and agendas.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Authorities in northwest Iowa are asking for your help in finding a missing man.

Horror story for a child: Details from Joel Martens sentencing

Cherokee Police say 45-year-old Joseph William Kosiba was last seen around December 20th.

He stands 6 feet, 2 inches tall and weighs 195 pounds.

If you have any information about where he may be, you are asked to call Cherokee Police.

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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 KELOLAND.com.
The Iowa Board of Regents will decide whether to approve an edited draft of its strategic plan Jan. 15. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

The Iowa Board of Regents will consider a new draft of its strategic plan at its meeting next week, edited to remove language pertaining to diversity, equity and inclusion.

According to documents released Tuesday, the bodys new 2022-2027 strategic plan would remove certain guidelines and words in response to legislation that has passed over the past two years. In addition to DEI changes, the board would remove references to special schools no longer under its purview and gender balance on boards.

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The edits in the attached draft are intended to ensure alignment of the Board of Regents Strategic Plan 2022-2027 with all state and federal laws, the document stated.

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The strategic plan, approved in February 2022, says it is a living document that provides a touchstone for the board and the universities it governs. When enacted, it included information relating to the Iowa School for the Deaf and Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, as well as language about diversity, inclusion and underrepresented students in its statements of core values and priorities.

Three pieces of legislation passed in 2023 and 2024 have caused the need for changes to the strategic plan, according to the document. Senate File 514 and Senate File 2096, both passed in 2023, brought the Iowa School for the Deaf and Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired into the Department of Education and eliminated requirements for gender balance on state boards and commissions, respectively.

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Passed in 2024, Senate File 2435 bars state universities from opening, funding or maintaining positions and offices relating to diversity, equity and inclusion that arent required by law or for accreditation.

The University of Iowa, University of Northern Iowa and Iowa State University have already restructured or eliminated offices and positions in response to DEI directives put in place by the board before the legislation passed and in order to comply with the legislation.

In the edited draft of the boards strategic plan, instances where the Iowa School for the Deaf and Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired have been struck, as well as a line stating that gender balance is required on the board. The name of the board itself and its current members have also been updated.

Under the boards core values in the document, edits replaced the phrase diverse and inclusive experiences with high-impact academic. It also replaced respect for differences with mutual respect for intellectual differences and removed inclusion from its practices for transformative growth category.

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The phrase among members of diverse backgrounds, culture and beliefs in nurturing environments has been removed from the boards dispositions, leaving Respectful interaction shall empower critical thinking, free enquiry and open communication.

References to underrepresented and underserved students and populations have been removed from the document as well. Underrepresented students have been removed from the goal to expand onboarding programs for incoming students, with a particular focus on first generation and non-traditional students.

The directive to universities to set five-year goals to expand online programs in areas that are consistent with campus expertise and market demands has had a portion of it removed that would have these programs enhance opportunities as well as target underserved populations and industries.

The board will vote on whether to approve the new plan document at its Jan. 15 meeting.

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The News

Iraqs Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran on Wednesday, his first visit to the country since rebel forces in neighboring Syria ousted long-running dictator Bashar al-Assad.

Al Sudani reportedly received a message from US President-elect Donald Trump that emphasized the need for Baghdad to limit the influence of Iranian proxies operating within Iraq, Iraqi Shafiq News reported.

SIGNALS

Irans waning influence could make it more open to negotiations with the US

Sources: The Wall Street Journal, Stimson Center

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Iran was once a heavy hitter in the Middle East, but now holds an exceptionally weak hand in any future confrontation with the incoming Trump administration, The Wall Street Journal reported. A domestic energy crisis looms, and the weakening of its proxy groups Hezbollah and Hamas  plus the removal of its ally Bashar al-Assad in Syria  could push Tehran to negotiate a compromise with the West over sanctions, a Middle East expert at Chatham House said. Still, Irans long standing fury at Trump for ordering the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani during his first term is a key barrier to talks, as any move by the Iranian president to negotiate could easily be exploited by his rivals, a political scientist wrote for the Stimson Center.

Trump could recalibrate US approach to Tehran

Sources: Bloomberg, Foreign Policy

Trumps pick for national security adviser recently vowed to return to maximum pressure on enforcing sanctions against the Iranian regime, but Trump has himself said he is willing to strike a deal with Iran as long as it doesnt seek a nuclear weapon, Bloomberg noted. Trump no longer has Iran hawks like former Secretary of State Mark Pompeo and former National Security Adviser John Bolton in his ear, which opens up the possibility of a recalibrated approach to Tehran that prioritizes transactional agreements over ideological rigidity, an international relations expert argued in Foreign Policy.
Iran's military forces were four days into extensive drills on Wednesday that many believe are essentially preparations for how the country could react to a U.S., Israeli or combined attack on its nuclear facilities.

Brigadier Gen. Mohammad-Nazar Azimi, commander of the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Najaf Ashraf West Headquarters, has touted the nationwide drills as including "new weapons and equipment."

Azimi also said the exercises would test the capabilities of Iran's Basij paramilitary forces, who are tasked with maintaining domestic security.

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The war games are likely aimed not only at demonstrating Iran's ability to respond to and defend against an attack from outside the country, but also to ensure the Basij are ready to quash any domestic uprising against the country's Islamic cleric rulers that could be precipitated by such an attack.

Some Iranian analysts who are critical of the government and spoke to CBS News on the condition of anonymity said the drills may be a demonstration of power by Iran prompted by the dramatic changes in the balance of power in the Middle East  with Israel severely disabling Iranian-backed groups in Gaza and Lebanon, and long-time Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad being toppled by rebel forces.

An image broadcast by Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency purportedly shows the launch of a surface-to-air missile as part of the

Dr. Yasser Ershadmanesh, a conservative analyst who lectures at the University of Law and International Relations in Tehran, told CBS News on Wednesday that the "IRGC needed to have this military drill to show them that Iran is ready in all aspects."

Ershadmanesh said Israel and its Western allies were exerting pressure on Tehran and presented an "imminent threat  so this drill will show Israel and the U.S. that Iran is completely ready, and will send a message to the world and region about Iran's power and readiness."

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Iran's leaders are likely concerned that President-elect Donald Trump, once he comes back into office on Jan. 20, will increase that pressure significantly by applying further economic sanctions and possibly by supporting an Israeli military attack on Iran's nuclear and or missile facilities.

The tone of an address delivered Wednesday by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei seemed to indicate an expectation of increasing tension with the U.S., and a clear unwillingness to negotiate with Washington.

"Some people ask about why the Islamic Republic is not willing to negotiate and communicate with the United States, despite its relations with European countries and the existence of the European embassy in Iran," he said. "Iran, before the (1979) revolution, was under the control of the United States, but the Islamic Revolution caused that huge political and economic wealth to be taken out of the hands of the Americans. So, their hatred for the revolution is a camel grudge (long-term grudge)  very different from European countries."

An image broadcast by Iran's semi-official Student News Agency purportedly shows the launch of a surface-to-air missile as part of the

Trump and his close advisers have been considering options to prevent Iran from building a nuclear weapon  something the president-elect has said he will not allow.

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Iranian officials have long said they do not intend to pursue nuclear weapons, but since Trump pulled the U.S. out of the international nuclear deal with Tehran during his first term in office, Iran has steadily ramped up its nuclear enrichment programs, moving the country closer to the ability to make an atomic bomb.

The Wall Street Journal reported recently that Trump and his team have discussed the possibility of preemptive airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities as part of that planning.

One of key features of the ongoing "Great Prophet 19" military exercise has been a simulated aerial assault on Iran's Natanz nuclear facility, with fictional strikes seeing an enemy hit the plant with a bunker-buster bomb  the type of weapon Israel or the U.S. could use if they did target Iran's underground nuclear work.

Iran's semi-official SNN news agency said the ongoing exercise began on Jan. 4 and includes air, ground and sea forces and weapons systems, and that it is meant to test Iran's domestically made air defense systems, including a number of different short and mid-range missiles.

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Among the weapons being tested in the drills is the Dezful surface-to-air missile system, which is an upgraded version of the Russian-made Tor M1 system. The system can fire up to two rockets simultaneously from mobile launch vehicles and is designed to shoot down aircraft or ballistic missiles.

IRGC spokesman Brigadier Gen. Ali Mohammad Naeini previously said there also would be an electronic warfare dimension to the exercise.

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DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran's foreign ministry called upon Paris to review its "unconstructive" approach, a few days before Tehran is set to hold a new round of talks about its nuclear programme with major European countries.

On Monday, Emmanuel Macron said Tehran's uranium enrichment drive is nearing a point of no return and warned that European partners in a moribund 2015 nuclear deal with Iran should consider reimposing sanctions if no progress is reached.

"Untrue claims by a government that has itself refused to fulfil its obligations under the nuclear deal and has played a major role in (Israel's) acquisition of nuclear weapons is deceitful and projective," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei wrote on X on Wednesday.

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France, Germany and Britain were co-signatories to the 2015 deal in which Iran agreed to curb enrichment, seen by the West as a disguised effort to develop nuclear-weapons capability, in return for lifting international sanctions.

Iran says it is enriching uranium for peaceful purposes and has stepped up the programme since U.S. President-elect Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the 2015 deal during his first term of office and restored tough U.S. sanctions on Tehran.

French, German and British diplomats are set to hold a follow-up meeting with Iranian counterparts on Jan. 13 after one in November held to discuss the possibility of serious negotiations in coming months to defuse tensions with Tehran, as Trump is due to return to the White House on Jan. 20.

Baghaei did not mention French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot's comment regarding three French citizens held in Iran.

Barrot said on Tuesday that future ties and any lifting of sanctions on Iran would depend on their release.

(Reporting by Dubai Newsroom. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
Foreign citizens and migrants are no longer allowed to live or work within 5 kilometres of Iran's Bushehr nuclear facility, state news agency IRNA reported on Wednesday.

The site in the south of Iran is the country's only nuclear power plant. The report on the new security restriction cited the governor of Bushehr province and offered few other details.

Due to the sky-high military tensions with arch-enemy Israel, concern over a war is growing in Iran.

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Israel's government frequently threatens to bomb Iranian nuclear sites out fear the Islamic Republic could produce atomic weapons. In the past, Iran's nuclear research sector has also often been the target of espionage and sabotage operations.

There are expectations that incoming US president Donald Trump, who returns to the White House on January 20, will give Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a freer hand to step up attacks on Iran.

Meanwhile, the Iranian government under President Masoud Pezeshkian, a moderate conservative, is hoping for a new nuclear deal with the West. Talks on this have been on ice for years.

In 2018, during Trump's first term, he unilaterally withdrew the United States from the Iranian nuclear deal. The 2015 accord was intended to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons by limiting its nuclear programme. In return, the West lifted sanctions.

After the US pulled out and reimposed sanctions, Tehran also no longer adhered to the terms of the agreement.
The Israeli army says it has recovered another body of a hostage in the Gaza Strip.

An Arab Israeli, aged 53, has been brought out, according to a military spokesman.

Finds connected to his son, who had also been kidnapped, raise "serious concern" for the son's life, too.

As well as killing around 1,200 people, the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas kidnapped hundreds from Israel in its unprecedented October 7, 2023 terrorist attack.

It was unclear if these hostages were from that attack or had been taken at another time.
The Israeli military said on Wednesday it had recovered another body of a hostage in the Gaza Strip.

An Arab Israeli, aged 53, was brought out after being found dead in a tunnel in the Rafah area of southern Gaza on Tuesday, according to a military spokesman, who said he was killed in captivity.

Finds connected to the man's 22-year-old son, who had also been kidnapped, raise "serious concern" for his life, too, the spokesman said.

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Israel had previously assumed that the two were still alive.

Both were abducted and taken to the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023, when Hamas forces attacked Israel from Gaza. As well as killing around 1,200 people, the Palestinian Islamist group kidnapped around 250 people.

Two other children of the 53-year-old were also kidnapped on that day.

The teenagers were released in November 2023 as part of an agreement between Hamas and Israel. All four were working in a kibbutz near the border with the Gaza Strip when the attack occurred. The family belongs to a Bedouin community.

The Bedouins belong to the Arab minority in Israel, and their number is estimated at around 250,000 nationwide. Many of them serve in the Israeli army.

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An army spokesman stressed that dozens of the hostages still being held in the Gaza Strip are still alive.

Three reported killed in West Bank, including children

Two children were among three Palestinians killed in an Israeli drone attack in the West Bank, Palestinian media reported on Wednesday.

The Israeli military only said that a "terrorist cell" near the town of Tamun had been attacked. A military spokesman separately said that reports of children killed were being investigated.

The Palestinian news agency WAFA reported the dead were children aged 9 and 10, as well as a 23-year-old.

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The Palestinian Foreign Affairs Ministry in Ramallah accused Israel of committing a "heinous crime."

The already tense situation in the West Bank has worsened significantly since the Hamas massacre in Israel and the subsequent Gaza war.
The Israeli Army on Wednesday said it had recovered the body from the Gaza Strip of an Israeli citizen who was kidnapped by Hamas during its terrorist attack on Oct. 7 and held hostage, and was working to identify the remains of another body as a possible Israeli hostage.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF), along with Israels intelligence services, located and recovered the body of Youssef Ziyadne, 53, from an underground tunnel in the area of Rafah in the Gaza Strip, and returned his body to Israel, it said. The IDF said Ziyadne was killed in captivity.

The IDF said it also had evidence related to Ziyadnes son Hamza, who was also abducted on Oct. 7. Officials said the information raises serious concerns for his life, but did not confirm death.

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Israels Defense Minister Israel Katz said the bodies of Youssef and Hamza were recovered in an heroic operation and said he had grown close to the Ziyadne family, who accompanied him in meetings with world leaders to advocate for the hostages release, during his time as Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Even now, in these moments, we continue to do everything to fulfill our supreme moral obligation  the return of all the abductees, living and dead, to the Land of Israel, he wrote in Hebrew on X.

The pain of the Ziyadna family is the pain of all of us, and the memory of Yousef and Hamza will not be forgotten.

The recovery of Ziyadnes body comes as Israeli and U.S. officials are participating indirectly in talks with Hamas for a cease-fire and hostage release deal, where an estimated 60 hostages are believed to still be alive out of approximately 100 people. Hamas kidnapped more than 200 people from southern Israel on Oct. 7 and approximately 100 were released during a week-long ceasefire at the end of November 2023.

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The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, the non-profit organization advocating for the release of hostages held by Hamas, described Ziyadne as a man of dialogue and human connection, a pillar of strength for his family and an influential figure in his community.

He was kidnapped on Oct. 7 from Kibbutz Holit, along with his three children, Hamzah, and Bilal and Aisha, who were released during the November deal.

The deal on the table comes far too late for Yosef [Youssef]  who was taken alive and should have returned the same way, the forum said in a statement.

Every day in captivity poses an immediate mortal danger to the hostages who have managed to survive for 15 months, and threatens the possibility of returning the deceased for burial. The time and conditions are ripe for the return of all hostages  the living for rehabilitation and the deceased for proper burial. We anxiously await additional information regarding Hamzahs fate.

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President-elect Trump has warned of hell breaking loose in the Middle East if the hostages are not returned before his inauguration, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Biden administration is working to conclude a ceasefire and hostage release deal in the final weeks of the presidents term in office.

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 The Hill.
By Nidal al-Mughrabi

CAIRO (Reuters) -Israeli strikes killed dozens of people across Gaza on Wednesday, Palestinian medics said, as talks to halt the fighting continued in Qatar and Israeli troops recovered the body of at least one hostage from a tunnel near the southern city of Rafah.

Palestinian medical workers said an Israeli airstrike killed at least 10 people in a multi-storey house in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza City, while another killed 10 in other parts of the city.

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In Deir Al-Balah city in central Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians are sheltering, and in Jabalia, the largest of Gaza's eight historic refugee camps, a total of seven people were killed, they said.

Israel's military said it struck Hamas militants operating in a school building in Jabalia, and that it took steps to minimise risk to civilians.

Such mass casualties have become a daily occurrence in Gaza, where some 46,000 Palestinians have now been killed in Israel's 15-month-long assault against Hamas, according to health officials in the enclave.

As Israel continued its bombardments, the United States, Qatar and Egypt were making intensive efforts to reach a ceasefire deal, with one source close to the talks saying this was the most serious attempt to reach a deal so far.

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The outgoing U.S. administration has called for a final push for a deal before President Joe Biden leaves office, and many in the region view President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20 as an unofficial deadline.

"Things are better than ever before, but there is no deal yet," the source told Reuters.

Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said overnight he hoped to have good things to report about Israeli hostages held by the time Trump is sworn in as president. A deal would also involve the release of Palestinians held in Israeli jails.

As the talks continued on Wednesday, the Israeli military said troops had recovered the body of Israeli Bedouin hostage Youssef Al-Ziyadna, along with evidence that was still being examined suggesting his son Hamza, taken on the same day, may also be dead.

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"We will continue to make every effort to return all of our hostages, the living and the deceased," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.

HOSPITALS UNDER THREAT

The Gaza Health Ministry said Nasser Hospital and the Gaza European Hospital might stop operations in a few hours unless the Israelis stopped restricting the flow of fuel to the facilities.

It later said it received a limited amount of fuel that would delay a complete halt of operations until Thursday unless more fuel arrives.

Medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres said those two hospitals and also Al Aqsa Hospital were at risk of collapse for want of fuel, threatening the lives of hundreds of patients including newborns.

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Israel denies hindering humanitarian relief to Gaza and says it has facilitated the distribution of hundreds of truckloads of food, water, medical supplies and shelter equipment to warehouses and shelters over the past week.

Israel launched its assault on Gaza after Hamas fighters stormed southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and capturing more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Its Gaza campaign has laid waste to much of the enclave. Most of the territory's 2.1 million people have been displaced multiple times and face acute shortages of food and medicine, humanitarian agencies say.

On Wednesday, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said heavy rains and flooding had left families living in damaged tents with up to 30 cm of water in them, "clinging on to survival without even the most basic necessities, such as blankets".

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Israel and Hamas accuse each other of blocking a ceasefire and hostage exchange deal by adhering to conditions that have torpedoed all previous peace efforts for more than a year.

On Tuesday, Hamas stood by its demand that it would only free its remaining hostages if Israel agreed to end the war and withdraw all its troops from Gaza. Israel says it will not end the war until Hamas is dismantled and all hostages are free.

(Reporting and writing by Nidal al-Mughrabi; Additional reporting by Maytaal Angel, James Mackenzie and Emma Farge, Editing by Sharon Singleton, Angus MacSwan and Gareth Jones)
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - The body of Youssef Ziyadne, an Israeli Bedouin taken hostage by Hamas-led fighters on Oct. 7, 2023, has been found in a tunnel in Gaza, along with evidence suggesting his son may also have been killed, the Israeli military said on Wednesday.

It was not immediately clear how Youssef Ziyadne had been killed but Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani said his death did not appear to have been recent.

"We are currently investigating the circumstances of his death and we are also investigating the findings regarding his son," he told a briefing with reporters.

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"These findings raise concern for his life and they are still being examined at this moment," he said, without giving details.

Earlier Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement that the bodies of both men had been recovered.

Shoshani said special forces soldiers had conducted a "complex and difficult operation" in a tunnel in the area of the southern Gaza city of Rafah on Tuesday, and that the body of Ziyadne had been recovered close to bodies of armed guards from Hamas or another Palestinian militant group.

Two other children of Ziyadne, who were also abducted at the same time, were released in an exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners that took place in November 2023.

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The recovery of Ziyadne's body took place as negotiators continued talks in Doha to halt the fighting in Gaza and bring the remaining hostages back as part of a deal that would include the return of a number of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Israel launched its assault on Gaza after Hamas fighters stormed across the border 15 months ago, killing 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

More than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's air and ground war against Hamas, according to health officials in the enclave.

(Reporting by Menna Alaa and James Mackenzie; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Mark Heinrich)
Mauro Morandi, the man who lived by himself for over three decades on the Italian island of Budelli, has reportedly died three years after returning to society.

The former sole caretaker of the island, 85, passed away in his hometown of Modena, Italy, where he previously worked as a physical education teacher, on Friday, Jan. 3, CNN, The Guardian and Italian outlet Giornale della Vela reported.

Morandi died after battling health problems including vertebrae injuries sustained in a fall last summer for which he was hospitalized, according to the outlets. He was later placed in a nursing home in Sardinia, Italy, before moving back to Modena.

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Morandi shared in one of his last posts on Facebook that he had been hospitalized in an RSA in the Reggio Emilia area, per Giornale della Vela.

Morandi, nicknamed the Italian Robinson Crusoe, grabbed headlines in 2021 when he moved back into society after taking up sole residence on the island of Budelli for more than three decades. He came across the small island in 1989 when his catamaran broke down while journeying to the South Pacific, The Guardian previously reported.



Enrico Spanu/REDA/Universal Images Group via Getty Island of Budelli in Italy Island of Budelli in Italy

Related: Italian Hermit Who Lived Alone on Idyllic Island Leaving After 32 Years

The 85-year-old's time on the island came to an end in a decision he made after getting threatened with eviction by local authorities since the island's private ownership went bankrupt in 2016. The land later became public after a battle of ownership between a potential buyer from New Zealand buyer and the Italian government.

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"I have given up the fight, Morandi told The Guardian in 2021. After 32 years here, I feel very sad to leave. They told me they need to do work on my house and this time it seems to be for real."

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.

Morandi had been living all those years on the island in a former World War II shelter and received food by boat from the nearby town of La Maddalena. He also constructed his own power system to be able to have a fridge, lights and the internet, per The Guardian.

The state moved Morandi to La Maddalena where he stayed in a one-bedroom apartment.

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Im the living proof that a second, new life is possible. You can always start all over again, even if youre over 80, because there are other things you can experience, a totally different world, Morandi previously told CNN. Im happy and I have rediscovered the pleasure of living the good life and enjoying everyday comforts.

Morandis friends plan to scatter his ashes at sea, according to reports.



Read the original article on People
There are one million physicians practicing medicine in the United States. No medical intervention they recommend is immune from a complication. The exact number of complications is unknown. Some are medical errors inherent to the intervention, while others are random errors of nature caused by external factors.

When you add to this the fact that there are more lawyers in the United States today than ever before, something has to give. There are approximately 64,000 personal injury law firms. Of the unknown number of complications, 85,000 receive their attentionwhether from a medical error or an error of nature. Each firm has a financial incentive to adjudicate a complication. It follows that 85,000 practitioners and facilities are sued every year.

This trend has been progressive for 50 years, beginning in 1975. At that time, the School of Health Policy and Management at the University of California foresaw a problem: bias in the system resulting in error-prone findings. Researchers identified two sources of bias: medical experts and the judicial threshold of preponderance of the evidence. Proving or disproving a distinction between a medical error and an error of nature, therefore, becomes scientifically ineffectual.

As a management science principle states, Whatever gets measured, gets managed. Measuring preponderance of evidence manages evidence. This serves the financial interests of lawyers but little else. This is the problem in a nutshell.

There is always money. All potential defendants have malpractice insurance to indemnify against medical errors. There is always self-interest. For each plaintiff attorney, there is a defense attorney. Both use preponderance of evidence to validate the merit of a claim. They need to justify their existence and know no other way.

Preponderance of evidence is their legal standard. It is defined as 50 percent probability plus a scintilla. This corresponds to a level of confidence slightly better than a coin toss50-50. These lawyers retain medical expertsphysicians who fill a market need. This is how free markets work. To be hired by a lawyer, these physicians are required to use this same standard. However, this is not how professionalism works. When doctors are obliged by lawyers to betray their own professional standard in favor of a legal standard, they act unprofessionally and threaten validity.

Indeed, there is a professional standard for doctors: the scientific method. Ordinarily, this is how physicians make decisions. It determines cause and effect by measuring differences between a desired result and an undesired one with a level of confidence of 95 percent. This is what doctors do. There is no better way to distinguish a medical error from an error of nature. If the difference is measured, the difference can be managed.

The same principle applies to accountants and actuaries working for malpractice carriers. Preponderance of evidence is not an accounting standard. They use cost drivers, such as dollars per error-prone opinion. When error-prone opinions are measured, error-prone opinions are managed.

The solution is obvious: measure the right thing. Return to the scientific method. It has been around since the days of Sir Francis Bacon. Ultimately, it is the one standard that underlies professional norms for doctors, actuaries, other decision-makers, and even lawyers. I adapt the scientific method for medical malpractice by using preponderance of evidence with scintilla at 45 percent. This adaptation has been published and peer-reviewed.

Anyone claiming to be a leader in health care and organized medicine knowsor should knowhow to use the scientific method. If they do not or are oblivious to it, as far as I am concerned, they are pretenders. They feather their own caps. This is not what leaders do. I have their number, and soon so will everyone else because they expose themselves.

They stage a coup in management science. No matter your capacitywhether as a patient, lawyer, hospital administrator, practitioner of any sort, medical expert, health care administrator, or politicianyou are, have been, or will be involved in medical malpractice litigation. There is no escaping it. Indifference is no longer an excuse. Either step up or step out.

Howard Smith is an obstetrics-gynecology physician.
By Crispian Balmer

ROME (Reuters) -Italian journalist Cecilia Sala was freed by Iran on Wednesday and returned home, three weeks after she was detained in Tehran during a reporting trip.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani were on hand to greet the 29-year-old as she flew back into Rome, highlighting the political importance attached to her case.

Sala, a writer and podcaster, had been working with a regular journalist visa when she was detained in Tehran on Dec. 19, accused of "violating the laws of the Islamic Republic".

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She was held three days after Iranian businessman Mohammad Abedini was arrested in Milan on a U.S. warrant for allegedly supplying drone parts that Washington says were used in a 2024 attack that killed three U.S. service members in Jordan.

Iran has denied involvement in last year's attack and had dismissed accusations that it imprisoned Sala to pressure Italy into release Abedini.

The Italian government said in a statement that Sala, who had been held in solitary confinement in Tehran's notorious Evin jail, was freed "thanks to intense work on diplomatic and intelligence channels". It made no mention of Abedini.

Abedini remained in a Milan prison on Wednesday, with a court due to decide next week on his request to be released to house arrest ahead of eventual proceedings to extradite him to the United States.

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"For the moment, Abedini's position remains unchanged," Milan prosecutor Francesca Nanni told reporters.

TRUMP MEETING

Sala was released just three days after Meloni made a surprise visit to Florida to see U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. No details of the talks were released, but Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said they had discussed Sala.

Italian news website Il Post, where Sala's partner works, reported that Trump had given "a sort of green light" to Italy to negotiate with Iran and had promised not to politicise the issue with the outgoing administration of President Joe Biden.

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A senior political source declined to give details, but said the Florida meeting had been important and had played a role in Sala's release.

Sala, who works for the newspaper Il Foglio and the podcast company Chora Media, had been in Tehran to report on recent changes in Iranian society. Her father Renato Sala said he was overcome by emotion when he heard that she was heading home.

"I have only cried three times in my life," he said, adding: "During this period, I had the impression that a game of chess was being played, but there were more than just two players."

In recent years, Iran's security forces have arrested dozens of foreigners and dual nationals, mostly on charges related to espionage and security. Rights groups have accused Iran of trying to extract concessions from other countries through such arrests. Iran denies this.

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Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Sunday that Abedini's detention amounted to a hostage-taking.

(Writing by Crispian Balmer and Alvise ArmelliniEditing by Keith Weir and Frances Kerry)
Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, who was detained in Iran nearly three weeks ago, has been released by Iranian authorities and was on a plane back to Italy on Wednesday, according to the government in Rome.

Sala, who works for Italian daily Il Foglio and runs a well-known podcast, was arrested in the Iranian capital on December 19 - one day before she was due to fly home - on accusations of violating the country's media law.

She reportedly had a regular work visa for journalists.

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The 29-year-old reporter was held in solitary confinement at Tehran's notorious Evin prison.

Italian media reported that in the few phone calls she was allowed to make, Sala complained to relatives about the conditions she was kept in, including being forced to sleep on the floor without a mattress and under a light that never went out. Her glasses were also said to have been taken away.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she had personally informed Sala's parents of the news in a phone call.

Sala's partner, Daniele Raineri, who also works as a journalist, said he had spoken to her on the phone immediately after her release. "She was excited and very happy. I told her: 'See you in Rome,'" he said.

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The plane is expected to arrive at Rome's Ciampino Airport at 3:30 pm (1430 GMT).

'Intense work' to release Sala

Meloni gave no details on what led to the reporter's release, but praised the "intense work" of diplomats and intelligence officers.

Sala's plight sparked a diplomatic row between Rome and Tehran, with top European Union officials in Brussels also weighing in to offer their condemnation.

The case was the subject of a quick visit by Meloni to incoming US president Donald Trump in Florida last weekend.

There had been speculation that Sala was being held hostage by Iran to prevent the extradition of an Iranian arrested in Italy to the United States.

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The man, who also has Swiss citizenship, is accused of supplying parts for drones that were used to kill three US soldiers in Jordan in January 2023. Tehran vehemently rejected such accusations.

A court in Milan is due to decide next week whether the man is to be extradited to the US.

Sala's father, Renato Sala, hinted that the negotiations had been difficult. "I had the impression that it was like a game of chess, but with more than two players," he said.

"At some point, the chessboard was overcrowded. For a parent like me, who didn't know the moves, that caused a lot of anxiety," he added.

Renato Sala expressly thanked Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani for his work.
Italian journalist and podcaster Cecilia Sala has been freed from detention in an Iranian prison, Italys government has confirmed.

The office of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has said she is on a flight back to Italy, with the countrys leader personally calling Salas parents to inform them of the development.

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Sala had been held in solitary confinement in Irans Evin prison in Tehran since December 19. No word on what specifically led to her release, but Meloni has released a statement on social media saying it followed intense work through diplomatic and intelligence channels.

E in volo l'aereo che riporta a casa Cecilia Sala da Teheran.

Grazie a un intenso lavoro sui canali diplomatici e di intelligence, la nostra connazionale e stata rilasciata dalle autorita iraniane e sta rientrando in Italia. Ho informato personalmente i genitori della giornalista  Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) January 8, 2025

I want to express gratitude to all those who contributed to making Cecilias return possible, allowing her to embrace her family and colleagues again, added Meloni.

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Her arrest came days after Italy had detained Iranian engineer Mohammad Abedini, who was under suspicion of supplying drone technology that was used in the death of U.S. soldiers. Iran said she had violated the Islamic Republics laws, but had not specified how, and had denied the two cases are linked.

Sala has emerged as a leading Italian journalist and podcaster for Chora Media and the Il Foglio newspaper, and was in Iran conducting interviews and research for a story. She was able to speak with her parents on the phone last week and revealed the harsh conditions at the Evin prison, where she was forced to sleep on the floor without a mattress. The prison is known for detaining journalists, overseas citizens and prominent filmmakers such as Jafar Panahi, Mohammad Rasoulof and Mostafa Al-Ahmad.

Irans authoritarian regime has arrested and imprisoned several more filmmakers over the years, including doc maker Mohgan Ilanlou and Leilas Brothers filmmakers Saeed Roustayi and Javad Noruzbegi.

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Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, who was detained in Iran nearly three weeks ago, was released by Iranian authorities on Wednesday and has returned to Italy.

The 29-year-old was flown back to Rome on an Italian Air Force plane. Family and friends were waiting for Sala at Ciampino Airport. There were tears and applause.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was also present. The case had put a huge strain on relations between Italy and Iran. Behind the scenes, the United States was also involved in the negotiations.

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The Italian government did not initially comment on the circumstances of Sala's release.

Sala, who works for Italian daily Il Foglio and runs a well-known podcast, was arrested in the Iranian capital on December 19 - one day before she was due to fly home - on accusations of violating the country's media laws.

She reportedly had a regular work visa for journalists.

The 29-year-old reporter was held in solitary confinement at Tehran's notorious Evin prison.

Italian media reported that in the few phone calls she was allowed to make, Sala complained to relatives about the conditions she was kept in, including being forced to sleep on the floor without a mattress and under a light that never went out. Her glasses were also said to have been taken away.

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Meloni said she had personally informed Sala's parents of the news of her release in a phone call.

Sala's partner, Daniele Raineri, who also works as a journalist, said he had spoken to her on the phone immediately after her release. "She was excited and very happy. I told her: 'See you in Rome,'" he said.

'Intensework' to release Sala

Meloni gave no details on what led to the reporter's release, but praised the "intense work" of diplomats and intelligence officers.

Sala's plight sparked a diplomatic row between Rome and Tehran, with top European Union officials in Brussels also weighing in to offer their condemnation.

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The case was the subject of a quick visit by Meloni to incoming US president Donald Trump in Florida last weekend.

There had been speculation that Sala was being held hostage by Iran to prevent the extradition of an Iranian arrested in Italy to the United States.

The man, who also has Swiss citizenship, is accused of supplying parts for drones that were used to kill three US soldiers in Jordan in January 2023. Tehran vehemently rejected such accusations.

A court in Milan is due to decide next week whether the man is to be extradited to the US.

Sala's father, Renato Sala, hinted that the negotiations had been difficult. "I had the impression that it was like a game of chess, but with more than two players," he said.

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"At some point, the chessboard was overcrowded. For a parent like me, who didn't know the moves, that caused a lot of anxiety," he added.

Renato Sala expressly thanked Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani for his work.

Prime minister posts welcome message

Meloni shared a photo of herself and Sala to the platform X shortly after her arrival in Rome. "Welcome back, Cecilia!" Meloni wrote.

According to the Italian news agency ANSA, Meloni reportedly told Sala on arrival: "I'm here to thank you and to tell you that you were strong."

Sala herself sent a voice message to her podcast colleagues from the airport: "Ciao, I'm back!"
ROME (AP)  An Italian journalist detained in Iran for three weeks was freed Wednesday and returned home, after her fate had become intertwined with that of an Iranian engineer arrested in Italy and wanted by the United States.

A plane carrying Cecilia Sala, 29, landed at Romes Ciampino airport, where Premier Giorgia Meloni was on hand to welcome her alongside Salas family members. Sala descended from the plane and ran to embrace her boyfriend, Daniele Raineri, who later posted a photo of a smiling Sala greeting Meloni in the airport on social media.

Salas liberation marked a major diplomatic and political victory for Meloni, whose recent visit to President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago retreat greatly enhanced her stature internationally at a time when Italy was negotiating Salas release.

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In announcing that Sala was flying home, Melonis office said the premier had personally informed Salas parents and credited the release to the governments intensive work on diplomatic and intelligence channels.

Iranian media acknowledged the journalists release, citing only the foreign reports. Iranian officials offered no immediate comment.

Sala, a reporter for the Il Foglio daily, was detained in Tehran on Dec. 19, a week after she arrived on a journalist visa. She was accused of violating the laws of the Islamic Republic, the official IRNA news agency said.

Italian commentators had speculated that Iran detained and held Sala as a bargaining chip to ensure the release in Italy of Mohammad Abedini, who was arrested by Italian authorities at Milans Malpensa airport three days before, on Dec. 16, on a U.S. warrant.

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The U.S. Justice Department has accused Abedini and another Iranian of supplying the drone technology to Iran that was used in a January 2024 attack on a U.S. outpost in Jordan that killed three American troops.

Abedini remains in detention in Italy but has asked a Milan court to grant him house arrest pending an extradition hearing.

Salas release was met with cheers in Italy, where her plight had dominated headlines. Lawmakers from across the political spectrum praised the outcome, with the opposition Democratic leader Elly Schlein thanking the government specifically.

It came after Meloni made a surprise trip to Florida last weekend to meet Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate.

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Meloni in a statement on X thanked all those who helped make Cecilias return possible, allowing her to re-embrace her family and colleagues.

Melonis visit to Trump had a strong impact on the premiers international standing, which strengthened Italys hand in negotiations, Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said.

Any time you can reinforce the credibility of a leader of a country at a particular moment, the stronger the country is, he told Italys Sky Tg24.

Salas fate had become intertwined with that of Abedini. Each countrys foreign ministry summoned the others ambassador to demand the prisoners release and decent detention conditions. The diplomatic tangle was particularly complicated for Italy, which is a historic ally of Washington but maintains good relations with Tehran.

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Members of Melonis cabinet took personal interest in the case given the geopolitical implications. Foreign Minister Antonio Tanaji and Crosetto hailed the diplomatic teamwork involved to secure Salas release.

But the release also posed a delicate political question for Italy given Abedinis status. The United States has complained in the past when Italy has lost track of suspects in the Italian judicial system awaiting hearings for extradition to the U.S.

A hearing on his bid to be given house arrest is scheduled for Jan. 15.

Advocacy group Reporters Without Borders, which had flagged Salas detention as an attack on press freedom, cheered her release.

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Now the 25 journalists still held in Iranian prisons must also be released, the group said in a social media post.

Since the 1979 U.S. Embassy crisis, which saw dozens of hostages released after 444 days in captivity, Iran has used prisoners with Western ties as bargaining chips in negotiations.

In September 2023, five Americans detained for years in Iran were freed in exchange for five Iranians in U.S. custody and for $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets to be released by South Korea.

Western journalists have been held in the past. Roxana Saberi, an American journalist, was detained by Iran in 2009 for around 100 days before being released.

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Also detained by Iran was Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian, who was held for more than 540 days before being released in 2016 in a prisoner swap between Iran and the U.S.

Both cases involved Iran making false espionage accusations in closed-door hearings.
Prominent Italian journalist and podcaster Cecilia Sala has been freed from Tehrans Evin prison for political prisoners, where she had been detained since Dec. 19.

On Wednesday, a spokesman for Italian Premiere Giorgia Melonis office said Sala  who was arrested while reporting in the Iranian capital  was flying home on an airplane following intensive work on diplomatic and intelligence channels.

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Sala, who is 29, works for Rome-based newspaper Il Foglio and Italian podcast company Chora Media.

The young but already prominent Italian journalist had been conducting several interviews in Tehran after arriving there on Dec. 12 with a valid journalist visa. Sala was supposed to board her flight back to Italy on Dec. 20, but was instead arrested a day before her planned return.

Sala was freed following an unplanned meeting last weekend between Meloni and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate after it emerged that Iran was believed to have imprisoned Sala as a bargaining chip in hopes of pressuring Italy to release Mohammad Abedini, an Iranian businessman. Abedini was arrested at Milans Malpensa airport on Dec. 16 on a U.S. warrant after being accused of providing drone technology to Iran used in a recent attack on a U.S. outpost in Jordan. Abedini remains behind bars in Italy.

Italian media immediately cheered Salas return to Italy. In a statement on X, Meloni thanked all those who helped make Cecilias return possible, allowing her to reembrace her family and colleagues.

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EAST WINDSOR, Conn. (WWLP)  A man was arrested after police found a suspicious vehicle with items inside ticking and beeping in the parking lot of Wendys in East Windsor.

In a news release from East Windsor Police Deputy Chief Benjamin Murphy, at around 3 a.m. Wednesday an officer saw a vehicle parked behind Wendys on 45 Prospect Hill Road in East Windsor. Since no cars should be parked on the property when the restaurant is closed, the officer approached the vehicle with the windows covered by several panels and sheets.

Police investigate unattended death on Trafton Road in Springfield

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A man inside the vehicle refused to provide the officer with any identification and said he was not breaking any laws. Police say he was verbally aggressive claiming the police were messing with the wrong guy and that he was live (presumably) on social media.

The man was physically removed from the vehicle and placed under arrest after the officer made several efforts for the driver to identify himself.

Just open them

Youll find out

Several wrapped items, that police say were ticking and beeping, were discovered inside the vehicle during an inventory check. When the officer asked the suspect about their contents, he refused to say what was in them and began screaming just open them and youll find out.

The Connecticut State Police bomb squad was called to assess the packages after the man started to discuss the recent incident in which a Tesla Cybertruck was intentionally blown up in Las Vegas.

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Man who exploded Tesla Cybertruck outside Trump hotel in Las Vegas used generative AI, police say

Several roads in the area were shut down with the assistance of the Warehouse Point Fire Department as State Police investigated. The items were deemed safe and the area has since reopened.

The man was identified as 38-year-old Timmothy Phelan and charged with simple trespass, interfering with an officer, and breach of peace 1st degree.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes!

Join us as we explore the hidden pitfalls of behavioral finance with financial planner Shane Tenny. Discover how cognitive biases like overconfidence, confirmation bias, and loss aversion can derail even the most successful professionals financial plans. Shane shares actionable strategies to recognize and mitigate these biases, offering a path toward smarter, more stable financial decision-making.

Shane Tenny is managing partner, Spaugh Dameron Tenny, LLC, and host of The Prosperous Doc podcast.

He discusses the KevinMD article, Behavioral finance: your mood and your money.

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Transcript

Kevin Pho: Welcome to the show. Subscribe at KevinMD.com/podcast. Today, we welcome back Shane Tenny. Hes a certified financial planner. Todays KevinMD article is Behavioral Finance: Your Mood and Your Money. Shane, welcome back to the show.

Shane Tenny: Thanks, Kevin. Great to see you.

Kevin Pho: All right. Tell us what this latest article is about.

Shane Tenny: Yeah. So, Im a financial planner, as you said in the intro. I run a financial planning team in Charlotte, North Carolina. We work with physicians all over the country. And we put together a blog last month called Behavioral Finance: Your Mood and Your Money.

I think for a lot of us, its easy to ascribe our financial successes or failures to outside forcesthe market, taxes, maybe a good bonuswhen the truth is that our choices and our decision have a huge bearing on the outcome. In fact, one of my favorite quotes that I often share with clients is that human behavior is far more effective at destroying wealth than the markets ever will be.

So, the study of behavioral financewhich is kind of part of behavioral economicscame to light, oh, maybe 25 years or so ago by Daniel Kahneman, a widely recognized name and author, in looking at the psychology of how we make decisions. And what it began to illuminate, of course, is that we humans are not always rational. We dont always make the decision that actually makes the most sense; we make the decision that feels right to us based on a variety of factorsour upbringing, our fears, our hopes, our greed, peer pressure. So thats kind of what behavioral finance is all about.

Kevin Pho: And tell us how some of these biases or some of these traits that physicians grew up withhow does that intersect with some of the stories that you see managing physicians money?

Shane Tenny: Yeah, thats a great question. So, in this field of study around behavioral finance, we find a number of what are called biases, or typical thought or decision-making patterns. And so I do want to highlight a couple of these because there are some that are more prevalent than others, and there are some that we see as a financial planning firm that specifically works with a lot of physicians around the country. There are some of these that tend to be more common among physicians.

As an example, one of the most common is what is called overconfidence bias. Overconfidence bias, as everyone can probably intuit, is the tendency to presume or to be overly confident in your conclusion than perhaps you should be. This shows up amongst many physicians, in some cases, because, of course, you have a very intelligent population who has endured arguably one of the most rigorous educational paths to their profession of anyone in the country. And so, because of that high degree of sub-specialized training in, Ill say, the human body, we sometimes can think, Well, because Im smart in this area, therefore I am smart in this other area. So that can lead to really inappropriate hubris, or, as we would call it in this topic, overconfidence bias. And so we end up making the wrong decision, not because of facts or rational thought, but because of a misunderstanding of our own capacity.

Kevin Pho: And what would that look like in financial planning? Is it physicians would be overconfident investing in a certain stock? They may think they may know more than they really do. So, what kind of examples do you see of overconfidence in physicians financial planning?

Shane Tenny: Yeah, I think youve hit the nail on the head. It can show up in a variety of different ways. Let me describe two others, and then Ill kind of give a little story around it becauseand admittedlythese are not all discrete and distinct biases; theres some overlap here.

But the two others that I thought might be helpful just to talk about would be confirmation bias. So, confirmation bias is a little different than overconfidence bias. Confirmation bias is the tendency that, again, we all have to seek out information that supports a conclusion that we already have. Confirmation biastheres no better example than just a social media feed. And so if you look at your Instagram feed or your YouTube feed or Twitter, the articles, the information, the stories that youre being fed are the ones that are being offered to you through the algorithm, based on what youve shown an interest in in the past. And so this leads to, in our office, well have clients that say, Hey, Ive been seeing a lot of information about the U.S. dollar losing its status as the reserve currency of the world, and so therefore should we put all our money in euros or a basket of securities? or something like that. And we have to get in and explain, Yes, youve been seeing a lot of that information. That doesnt make it true. So confirmation bias can lead us to wrong conclusions because we are only seeking out or choosing to value information that supports our conclusion.

And then the third bias that I wanted to touch on here is herd behavior. Again, not hard to intuit here, but herd behavior is, Hey, if everyone else is doing this, it must be a good idea. And so we often get swept up in that. I sometimes have thought that perhaps there is no greater catalyst for herd behavior than the doctors lounge. There is nothing like a bunch of orthopedists sitting around talking about the new strip mall theyre investing in to pull everybody into that vortex, whether its a good idea or not.

So heres a great example. I can remember back in maybe 2018, 2019pre-COVIDtalking with a client along the exact pattern that I said: A bunch of my partners are all investing in this real estate project, and we went to this presentation, we saw the pro forma, which, by the way, just let me translate for all of you: a pro forma is the business equivalent of a made-up spreadsheet of numbers. And so, I think I want to put, in this case, it was $400,000 into this real estate investment project.

Well, based on our knowledge of their financial situation and kind of the early level of their career, we advised that this might not be the best fit in their overall profile. They had other goalschildren, these sorts of thingsand so we pointed out some of the challenges with this type of investment. Its not liquid, you cant get out easily, all the numbers were made up, and this is going to require a big chunk of your cash flow to support the way its going to work.

Nonetheless, Im not sure whether it was herd behavior or confirmation bias or overconfidence bias, but they felt confident enough to move in despite at least the third-party opinion that it might not be ideal. Now, the outcome doesnt dictate whether or not it was a thoughtful and appropriate decision. All of us make decisions; sometimes they work out, sometimes they dont. In this case, it did not work out well. COVID happened, there was an enormous contraction of the economy. We all know what happened in the medical field, especially with elective proceduresthere was an immediate and rapid downturn in income. Projects like this lost tenants, and so it created a significant financial hardship. And again, financial hardships and bad decisions with investments can happen even with the best foresight and analysis. But it is unfortunate when we have a destruction of our wealth from decisions that perhaps were based on inappropriate biases or overconfidence.

Kevin Pho: And that story really highlights how strong some of these biases are, right? Because despite advice from a professional, a financial professional like yourself, that particular physician still went with the biases and had a negative outcome because of that. So, in terms of fighting some of these biases and knowing how strong they are, what are some pieces of advice that you could share with your physician clients in terms of recognizing these biases and then overcoming them?

Shane Tenny: Yeah, that is the question, perhapshow do I be aware of this, and how do I overcome it? And I want to maybe just pick up on one loose thread at the end of the story, and that is, to your point, the pressures or the tendencies can be strong. Herd behavior, in particular, is something that we do talk about because, as an example, if youre sitting at a cocktail party or sitting in the doctors lounge and everyone else is talking about this project, I might not have a lot of confidence in it, I might not even feel like its that great an idea, but I dont want to be the one doc whos not in the conversation.

And so there are times when clients will bring up an idea, and we can talk through it and just acknowledgeas much as anythingId like to do this for social reasons. And so, in those cases, then, OK, how do we find a way to do that?

So, what are some of the things that we can do to try to make better financial decisions and avoid behavioral biases? Number one isIll just go to some basics herediversification. So, we kind of know that general concept with our 401(k): the idea of not having all your eggs in one basket. Any decisionany financial decisionthat is going to create significant concentration where, quote, all your money is going into something, whether its a real estate, whether its a particular stock, whether its a cryptocurrency, often that concentration is just not a good idea. So you can just put a little yellow flag if you find yourself compelled or interested in something that would remove diversification from your financial life.

The second is, at the risk of sounding self-serving, there is no better way to see ourselves than in the mirror of anothers eyes. And so whether its a good friendsometimes its a spouse who says, What are you doing, honey?and certainly it can be a professional: a professional financial planner, somebody who knows you, knows your values, knows your fears, and knows your financial situation. That perspective can be really, really helpful.

One of the final things I would say is setting rules for yourself and your own decision-making can be helpful. And so sometimes we see families where well just decide, You know what, were not going to put more than $10,000 into any investment that we dont both agree on, or something like that can just create some checks and balances.

Kevin Pho: Now, how often do your physician clients come to you with these preconceived notions, and youll have to, quote-unquote, talk them out of it? Is this a common scenario?

Shane Tenny: Great question. I mean, I think we have to be open-handed enough to acknowledge that all of us have behavioral tendencies and haveIll call itfinancial baggage, including me, and Im a financial planner. So we all have a perspective and an outlook on money, whether its a scarcity mentality because we were brought up without wealth, whether its an abundance mentalitywhatever. All of that colors our decisions. So its not a question of, do we have a financial bias or a financial tendency or behavioral bias? The question is, how strong is that pull, and how strong do we have to fight to counterbalance it? And so for some clients, its not as great a struggle or a pull. They tend to be more pragmatic, open-handed, and for others, whether theyre highly socially driven or highly overconfident, things like that, then yes.

And I guess I would maybe quip here at the end that those physicians who have a strong overconfidence bias generally are not in my office, because theyre not looking for outside advice or counsel. Theyre pretty well sure of what theyre going to do anyway.

Kevin Pho: Were talking to Shane Tenny. Hes a certified financial planner. Todays KevinMD article is Behavioral Finance: Your Mood and Your Money. Shane, as always, lets end with some take-home messages that you want to leave with the KevinMD audience.

Shane Tenny: Take-home message is, Ill kind of close with what I started with. As physicians, you know, and I know, theres a tremendous ability to do good in society, both because of your clinical skill set but also because of the wealth you can create. And so the ability to bless your family and your community is profound. Dont let your own bad choices destroy the opportunity that youve been given. Look for ways to get good information, be open-minded, be humble in your decision making, and by all means, hire a financial planner.

Kevin Pho: Shane, as always, thank you so much for sharing your perspective and insight. And thanks again for coming back on the show.

Shane Tenny: Thanks, Kevin.
Attorneys for President-elect Donald Trump and his allies have unleashed a legal blitz this week to prevent the release of special counsel Jack Smith's final report on his classified documents and election interference investigations, successfully convincing the federal judge who dismissed Trump's documents case to issue an emergency injunction temporarily blocking the report's release.

While Smith has released many of his findings already -- through four indictments and a lengthy filing outlining the evidence against Trump -- recent disclosures made by attorneys for Trump and his co-defendants suggest that the special counsel's final report could contain previously undisclosed details that are potentially damaging to the president elect.

According to a court filing from Trump's defense lawyers Monday, a draft version of the report asserts that Trump "engaged in an unprecedented criminal effort," violated multiple federal laws, and served as the "head" of multiple criminal conspiracies.

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MORE: Judge in Trump's classified docs case temporarily blocks release of special counsel's final report

Trump's lawyers, Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, who reviewed a draft version of the report over the weekend, argued in a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland Monday that the report's release would be a "partisan weapon" and "lawless political stunt, designed to politically harm" President-elect Trump and his allies.

According to Trump's lawyers, a draft of the report included multiple "baseless attacks" on members of Trump's incoming presidential administration that could "interfere with upcoming confirmation hearings."

The letter did not provide any additional information about which, if any, of Trump's nominees or appointees were mentioned in the report.

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Trump pleaded not guilty in 2023 to charges of unlawfully retaining classified materials after leaving the White House, and, in a separate case, pleaded not guilty to charges of undertaking a "criminal scheme" to overturn the results of the 2020 election. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the classified documents case this past July after deeming Smith's appointment unconstitutional, leading Smith to appeal that decision.

PHOTO: In this June 9, 2017, file photo, President Donald Trump is shown at the White House in Washington, D.C. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images, FILE)

Smith, who is now winding down both his cases against the president-elect due to a longstanding Department of Justice policy prohibiting the prosecution of a sitting president, has not provided any details about the contents of his report. Smith's team has accused Trump's attorneys of violating a confidentiality agreement by making portions of their findings public in their filings.

Special counsels are mandated by internal Justice Department regulations to prepare confidential reports at the conclusion of their investigations to summarize their findings, and the attorney general can determine whether to release the report publicly. Smith's report includes two volumes, covering his investigation into Trump's alleged retention of classified documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Trump's lawyers argued that the report's release would disrupt the ongoing presidential transition process and "exacerbate stigma and public opprobrium surrounding the Chief Executive," suggesting that the report -- which is being prepared by a prosecutor independent from the president -- contradicts the Biden administration's vow to "facilitate an orderly and collegial transition process."

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"It'll be a fake report, just like it was a fake investigation," Trump said at a news conference Tuesday at his Mar-a-Lago estate.

Trump's lawyers also suggested that the report included a "pathetically transparent tirade" about social media platform X's effort to "protect civil liberties."

ABC News previously reported that X -- then known as Twitter -- was held in contempt and fined $350,000 for failing to comply with a search warrant for records and data from former President Trump's social media account. X's owner, Elon Musk, is now one of Trump's most vocal supporters and advisers, and spent more than a quarter of a billion dollars to help elect Trump.

MORE: Special counsel Jack Smith withdraws from appeal of classified docs case against Trump's co-defendants

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Blanche and Bove -- both of whom Trump has picked for top Justice Department posts in the incoming administration -- have argued that the report's release would only offer a single-sided view of the case and give "rise to a media storm of false and unfair criticism" that Trump would need to address during the transition period.

While Trump is no longer being prosecuted by Smith, his two former co-defendants in the classified documents case have argued they would be unable to have a fair trial if the findings are released publicly. Lawyers for Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira have claimed that the report would reveal sensitive grand jury material -- such as communications obtained via a subpoena -- and support the finding that "everyone Smith charged is guilty of the crimes charged."

Describing Smith as a "rogue actor with a personal and political vendetta," lawyers for Trump's co-defendants argued in a filing that the report would irreparably bias the public by amplifying the government's "narrative" without providing Trump and his co-defendants the ability to respond.

"Smith's planned Final Report -- now that he is unshackled from due process requirements that restrained him as a government actor -- would engender the very prejudice, passion, and excitement and be an exercise of the tyrannical power that our court system is designed to insulate against," the filing said.

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In a brief filing Tuesday, a lawyer on Smith's staff confirmed that the special counsel's office is "working to finalize" its report, and said that Garland will have the final say over what material will be made public.

'Unprecedented criminal effort': What Trump's lawyers say is in Jack Smith's draft report originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  South Dakotas top law enforcement official has announced where his legislative priorities will be for the fast-approaching legislative session in Pierre, with recent South Dakota history set to impact the session. Seven bills backed by South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley follow several cases of state employees allegedly misusing public money.

I feel from the investigations weve been doing that the people deserve better when it comes to the financial happenings in our state, Jackley said Tuesday.

2025-sessionDownload

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Now, bills backed by Jackley will be considered by lawmakers in the coming weeks.

We have three pending cases, and I have a couple of additional investigations that are ongoing, Jackley said. And so, when you look at what we found in those investigations, I think additional access by the auditor and better accounting would help. I think mandatory reporting and whistleblower protections would improve the system.

SDDOCs first Lincoln Co. visit since prison location announced

One of the bills would set up mandatory reporting rules, and another would protect a state employee if they report a crime. Another piece of legislation would drop a requirement to sentence certain offenders to probation if they were already on probation or parole supervision when committing a crime.

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What Ive tried to do with presumptive probation is pick a couple of what I feel are violent crimes and remove them from probation including aggravated eluding, Jackley said. I mean, thats the start of the death penalty case with Officer Prorok.

Ken Prorok, a chief deputy with the Moody County Sheriffs Office, lost his life in a high speed chase in February. Joseph Hoek has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and aggravated eluding in the case.

The upcoming legislative session in Pierre begins Jan. 14.

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 KELOLAND.com.
James Woods ripped into a troll online who took a swipe at him for losing his home to the Pacific Palisades wildfire.

After the actor confirmed that his home had gone up in smoke, the individual on X used the opportunity to bring up Woods' past "climate change" criticism.

Not having any of it, James Woods blasted the netizen while criticizing California's governor, Gavin Newsom, and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.

James Woods Rips 'Ignorant' Troll Over 'Climate Change' Comment Amid Pacific Palisades Wildfire

MEGA

Woods is one of many people whose homes in the affluent Los Angeles area have been engulfed by flames, forcing them to evacuate.

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The actor has shared several updates on social media, showcasing the immense damage while keeping his followers updated on his and his family's well-being.

Although Woods initially hoped his home would survive the wildfire thanks to sprinkler systems and other fire prevention measures, he later shared online that all the "fire alarms" in his home had gone off remotely, indicating that the flames had hit his house.

While several on X consoled the actor, one individual appeared to troll Woods by highlighting his stance on Climate Change, implying that this caused the wildfire.

The person wrote, "The irony of James Woods, known for his skepticism about climate change, losing his home to the very wildfires linked to climate change impacts in California, is striking."

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In a scathing response, Woods said, "This fire is not from 'climate change,' you ignorant a-shole. Its because liberal idiots like you elect liberal idiots like Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass. One doesnt understand the first thing about fire management, and the other cant fill the water reservoirs. #INSTABLOCK."

James Woods Says Losing His Home Feels Like 'Losing A Loved One'

I took this last night from our beautiful little home in the Palisades. Now all the fire alarms are going off at once remotely. It tests your soul, losing everything at once, I must say. pic.twitter.com/nH0mLpxz5C  James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 8, 2025

Woods shared a heartbreaking update with his followers on X, confirming that the wildfire had set off all the fire alarms in his home.

He said, "All the smoke detectors are going off in our house and transmitting to our iPhones. I couldnt believe our lovely little home in the hills held on this long. It feels like losing a loved one."

In a follow-up post, Woods added, "I took this last night from our beautiful little home in the Palisades. Now, all the fire alarms are going off at once remotely. It tests your soul, losing everything at once, I must say."

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He has also hinted that getting insurance support might be an issue, revealing in a tweet that "one of the major insurances [sic] companies canceled all the policies in our neighborhood about four months ago."

The Actor Revealed That He And His Family Evacuated Safely

twoeyephotos / MEGA

Woods kicked off the updates on the Pacific Palisades wildfire by sharing that he and his family were "leaving" the area.

The actor later confirmed that they were safely away from the disaster zone while sharing terrifying photos of the blaze consuming the area.

"To all the wonderful people who've reached out to us, thank you for being so concerned. Just letting you know that we were able to evacuate successfully," Woods said in a post on X.

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He added at the time, "I do not know at this moment if our home is still standing, but sadly, houses on our little street are not."

In another post, he thanked the "LA fire and police departments" for stepping up and taking charge of the shocking incident.

Fans Console James Woods Following The Loss Of His Home

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

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Woods received a flood of messages of support from fans after he confirmed that his home had been engulfed in flames.

One person wrote, "Praying for you. So so so sorry your home is affected ugh."

Another shared, "Im so sorry. Devastating. Thank you for your posts honoring Fire and police. God bless you and everyone suffering in these horrific fires."

A third netizen noted, "Our deepest sympathy, just happy to know you are safe."

One more individual commented, "Thats horrible! So sorry, Mr. Woods! I hope all your loved ones and friends are safe."

Over 30,000 People Were Ordered To Evacuate Pacific Palisades

ZUMAPRESS.Com / MEGA

As reported by The Times, an evacuation order was issued to over 30,000 people in the affluent area of Los Angeles after the dangers became apparent.

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Pacifist Palisades, which is heavy with celebrities and notable figures, is located along the coast and in the mountains north of Santa Monica.

Other stars who are known to have moved into the area in recent years include actors Ben Affleck, Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Reese Witherspoon, Bradley Cooper, Matt Damon, Adam Sandler, and Jennifer Aniston.

It's unclear how many celebrity homes have been directly impacted by the flames. However, "Schitts Creek" star Eugene Levi and actor Steve Guttenberg have also been forced to leave their homes due to the fire.
Actor James Woods broke down in tears during an interview on CNN as he described the wildfires that are ripping through southern California and forced him to evacuate his home in the Pacific Palisades.

Im sorry, its just one day youre in the pool and the next its all gone, Woods, with both hands on his forehead, said Wednesday during an interview on the cable news channel.

Woods said his wifes 8-year-old niece came out with her little piggy bank for us to rebuild our house.

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Im sorry, I thought I was stronger than this, he said as he fought back tears.

The actor and celebrity made a series of posts online on Tuesday showing a video of a fire engulfing his neighbors home in the Palisades.

Woods and thousands of others have been ordered to evacuate as four fires expand in California and have burned through nearly 3,000 acres with no containment as of Wednesday morning.

I took this last night from our beautiful little home in the Palisades, he wrote in a subsequent post on X along with a video looking over the bay and homes in the area at sunset Monday. Now all the fire alarms are going off at once remotely. It tests your soul, losing everything at once, I must say.

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James Woods has lost his Pacific Palisades home in the Southern California fires that continue to devastate parts of Los Angeles.

Speaking on CNN, the 77-year-old Vampires and Once Upon a Time in America actor broke down in tears discussing the harrowing situation in his neighborhood.

More from Variety

One day youre swimming in the pool and the next day its all gone, Woods said, speaking on-air with CNNs Pamela Brown.

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He recalled an emotional moment when his wife Sara Miller-Woods 8-year-old niece retrieved her piggy bank in order to help them rebuild their house.

Woods recounted his evacuation, and how he helped his 94-year-old neighbor, who has dementia, get to safety. Hed been left alone, Woods said. There was so much chaos, it was like an inferno. Every house was on fire around us.

Speaking about the destruction, Woods said, I thought I would be stronger than this, before wiping tears from his eyes.

Brown responded: Strength is not measured by whether you hold in crying  strength is what you are doing now in helping your neighbors and shining a light on the great, amazing work of all those firefighters and emergency crews.

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On Tuesday, Woods documented the fire sweeping the Palisades on X, posting photos and videos of his neighborhood engulfed in flames.

There is no possession as priceless as friends and good neighbors during a tragedy, he wrote. I cant believe the blessings we enjoy, and I am humbly grateful.

As additional fires have broken out across Southern California, forcing tens of thousands of residents to evacuate their homes, Hollywood has canceled a slew of premieres and events. Shows including Hacks and Suits L.A. have also halted production. The Critics Choice Awards, which were set to take place in Santa Monica on Sunday, have been postponed, with a date to be determined.

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James Woods shared harrowing video on Tuesday afternoon of a house close to his going up in flames in the Palisades Fire with the caption, Two houses from us. You can hear the flames crackling in the 7-second clip.

The Hercules actor thanked the LA fire and police departments for helping him and his family safely flee the area, which is under a mandatory evacuation order. As of this writing, the Palisades Fire has spread to more than 1260 acres, driven by powerful Santa Ana winds, forcing thousands to evacuate.

In another video, he narrates, Im standing in my driveway, waiting to evacuate. He pans the camera to houses on a hill above, noting that there are planes going over dropping water. before ending the clip with a dispirited, St.

Two houses from us pic.twitter.com/5lx6kMqdmN  James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 7, 2025

We were blessed to have LA fire and police depts doing their jobs so well. We are safe and out. There are several elementary schools in our neighborhood and there was an enormous community effort to evacuate the children safely. Can not speak more highly of the LA fire and LAPD. pic.twitter.com/bdsSJmvQel  James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 7, 2025

We were blessed to have LA fire and police depts doing their jobs so well. We are safe and out. There are several elementary schools in our neighborhood and there was an enormous community effort to evacuate the children safely. Can not speak more highly of the LA fire and LAPD, he wrote in the caption to his evacuation video.

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In an additional video, which appears to have been shot by a firefighter, shows flames licking the edge of Woods deck. The person narrating says, Youre looking good. Your house is not on fire. He then chuckles as the flames grow higher. Im here in case some embers land on it. I hope your windows are closed.

Our deck three minutes ago. pic.twitter.com/KpZDELpN8L  James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 7, 2025

Other actors who live in the area include Police Academy star Steve Guttenberg, who described the situation of abandoned cars blocking traffic earlier in the day to KTLA.

Writer/producer Kelsey Trainor reshared a video that showed several abandoned cars in the road, saying, Our car is in this vid. There was nowhere [to go] today. People behind us were in the middle of the fire.



Our car is in this vid. There was nowhere today. People behind us were in the middle of the fire. https://t.co/VVljQ49AfA  Kelsey Trainor (@ktrain_11) January 7, 2025

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The post James Woods Live-Tweets Palisades Fire With Videos of Flames Nearing His House | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
Jamie Lee Curtis took to social media to share a heartbreaking update as the California wildfires rage dangerously close to her home.

On Wednesday, multiple wildfires across Los Angeles County triggered evacuation orders and warnings, causing damage to over 1,000 structures. Tragically, two people have died, according to Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone.

The Palisades Fire rapidly intensified as strong winds swept through northwest Los Angeles, leading to the evacuation of at least 30,000 residents from the upscale Pacific Palisades community. Meanwhile, the Eaton, Hurst, and Woodley fires continue to burn in the region.

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In an emotional video, Jamie Lee Curtis expressed her deep concern over the devastating impact of the fires, showing smoke-filled skies and charred landscapes surrounding her neighborhood.

Jame Lee Curtis' Neighborhood Is 'Gone'

While her home is safe, her neighborhood is completely destroyed.

"Our beloved neighborhood is gone. Our home is safe. So many others have lost everything. Help where you can. Thank you to the first responders and firefighters," she wrote before tagging the American Red Cross.

This update comes just hours after the "Halloween" actress slammed false reports circulating online and offered an emotional update on the safety of her family.

Jamie Lee Curtis Has 'No Words' After Seeing Wildfire Aftermath

Curtis shared another video from journalist Maria Shriver, highlighting the devastating aftermath of the wildfires that have left much of Southern California in ruins.

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The Palisades Fire has rapidly expanded, growing from approximately 2,900 acres earlier on Wednesday to a much larger size. According to Cal Fire's website, the fire now spans 11,802 acres. However, Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley reported during a Wednesday briefing that the fire had reached 10,802 acres.

The wildfire has already destroyed at least 1,000 structures, and tens of thousands of residents remain under evacuation orders.

More On The California Wildfires

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Officials have reported "a number of significant injuries" resulting from the ongoing wildfires, with tens of thousands of structures currently at risk. Despite relentless firefighting efforts, containment remains at 0% across the four major blazes.

In response to the escalating crisis, California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency. The situation has caused widespread chaos on several major Los Angeles roadways, where heavy traffic left many residents stranded, forcing some to abandon their vehicles in a desperate attempt to escape the advancing flames.

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The Palisades Fire has rapidly expanded, growing from approximately 2,900 acres earlier on Wednesday to a much larger size. According to Cal Fire's website, the fire now spans 11,802 acres. However, Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley reported during a Wednesday briefing that the fire had reached 10,802 acres.

The wildfire has already destroyed at least 1,000 structures, and tens of thousands of residents remain under evacuation orders.

Nearly 400,000 Without Power as Wildfires Ravage California

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Nearly 400,000 customers in California were without power as of mid-morning Wednesday, according to poweroutage.us, as devastating wildfires continued to spread across the region.

In Los Angeles County alone, approximately 260,000 customers were left without electricity due to the relentless fires, and tens of thousands more faced outages in neighboring counties.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power addressed the crisis on its website, stating, "Under current conditions, customers experiencing outages should expect crews to respond between 24-48 hours from the time the outages are reported. Restoration of outages may take longer." An accompanying outage map highlighted the scale of the impact across the region.

Videos Of Wildfire Aftermath Go Viral

This is whats left of the Pacific Palisades. The mall survived. Most everything else is gone. Homes, apartment complexes businesses. pic.twitter.com/Vfz721V48J  Jonathan Vigliotti  (@JonVigliotti) January 8, 2025

CBS News national correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti shared a haunting video from Pacific Palisades, a typically vibrant residential neighborhood in Los Angeles. The footage revealed widespread devastation, with smoldering wreckage and the skeletal remains of buildings where bustling shops and palm-lined streets once stood.

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"This is what's left," Vigliotti wrote on social media, adding that while a nearby mall managed to survive the blaze, "most everything else is gone."

As California continues to battle the flames and their aftermath, residents face a long and uncertain road to recovery.
Jamie Lee Curtis is checking in from a safe location as fires in Los Angeles continue to blaze in the Pacific Palisades and neighboring areas.

On Wednesday, Jan. 8, Curtis, 66, shared a photo of one of the fires to Instagram and wrote in a caption, "My community and possibly my home is on fire. My family is safe. Many of my friends will lose their homes. Many other communities as well."

"There are so many conflicting reports. With all the technology there seems to be very little information. PLEASE POST FACTS! IT WILL HELP THOSE WONDERING!" Curtis added. "It is a terrifying situation and I'm grateful to the firefighters and all of the good Samaritans who are helping people get out of the way of the blaze."

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The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said on Tuesday, Jan. 7 that the fire started at 11:04 a.m. local time, and L.A. mayor Karen Bass has declared a state of emergency; according to the Associated Press. City officials said some 30,000 residents are under evacuation orders and more than 13,000 structures remained under threat as of Jan. 8.



Related: Jamie Lee Curtis Recalls Going Makeup-Free and Posing in Her Underwear in a Magazine 22 Years Ago (Exclusive)

"Neighbors have taken care of neighbors. We ALL take everything for granted because we are all living our lives but when it hits your community, it's particularly shocking," Curtis wrote in the caption to her post. "Life on life's terms. If ever there was need for the use of the phrase MY HAND IN YOURS, it is right now. Take care of each other. Stay out of the way and let the firefighters do their work. Pray if you believe in it and even if you don't, pray for those who do."

Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Jamie Lee Curtis on March 10, 2024 Jamie Lee Curtis on March 10, 2024

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Some of the Academy Award-winning actor's friends, including David Krumholtz, checked in within the comments of her Instagram in reaction to her safety post. "Good grief," Krumholtz, 46, wrote. "So sorry Jamie!"



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Related: Jamie Lee Curtis on Playing Nicole Kidman's 'Maneater' Sister in New Series: 'I Have to Look Cute and I Hate It' (Exclusive)

AP Photo/Ethan Swope The Palisades Fire burns a Christmas tree inside a residence in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 The Palisades Fire burns a Christmas tree inside a residence in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025

Curtis, who celebrated her 40th wedding anniversary with husband Christopher Guest on Dec. 18  the couple share daughters Annie, 38, and Ruby, 28  is among a number of actors and celebrities who have been directly affected by the fires. Mark Hamill confirmed early Jan. 8 on Instagram that he and his wife Marilou safely evacuated Malibu, Calif., and were now at their daughter Chelsea's home in Hollywood. "Most horrific fire since '93," Hamill, 73, wrote of the blaze.

Actors like Adrien Brody and Clark Gregg also shared photos from the fires to Instagram late on Jan. 7 and early Jan. 8. "Sending prayers and gratitude to the brave first responders and to all of you affected by this devastating moment," Brody, 51, wrote in his post, while Gregg, 62, shared a photo of Los Angeles from the air. "Speechless," he wrote.



Read the original article on People
TOKYO (AP)  Japan on Wednesday linked more than 200 cyberattacks over the past five years targeting the country's national security and high technology data to a Chinese hacking group, MirrorFace, detailing their tactics and calling on government agencies and businesses to reinforce preventive measures.

The National Police Agency said its analysis on the targets, methods and infrastructure of the cyberattacks by MirrorFace from 2019 to 2024 concluded they were systematic attacks linked to China with an aim of stealing data on Japanese national security and advanced technology.

The targets of the Chinese government-led cyberattacks included Japan's Foreign and Defense ministries, the country's space agency and individuals including politicians, journalists, private companies and think tanks related to advanced technology, the NPA said.

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Experts have repeatedly raised concerns about the vulnerability of Japans cybersecurity, especially as the country steps up its defense capabilities and works more closely with the United States and other partners to strengthen cyber defenses. Japan has taken steps but experts say more work is needed.

MirrorFace sent emails with attachments containing malware to targeted organizations and individuals to view data saved on computers mainly from December 2019 to July 2023, often from Gmail and Microsoft Outlook addresses using stolen identities, the NPA investigation found.

The emails typically used as subjects key words such as Japan-U.S. alliance, Taiwan Strait, Russia-Ukraine war and free and open Indo-Pacific," and included an invitation for a study panel, references and a list of panelists, the NPA said.

In another tactic, the hackers targeted Japanese organizations in areas of aerospace, semiconductors, information and communications from February to October 2023 by exploiting vulnerabilities in virtual private networks to gain unauthorized access to information.

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The attacks included one on the Japan Aerospace and Exploration Agency, or JAXA, which acknowledged in June it had suffered a series of cyberattacks since 2023, though sensitive information related to rockets, satellites and defense was not affected. It was investigating to take preventive measures.

Last year, a cyberattack paralyzed operations at a container terminal at a port in the city of Nagoya for three days.

More recently, Japan Airlines was hit by a cyberattack on Christmas, causing delays and cancellations to more than 20 domestic flights, though the carrier was able to stop the onslaught and restore its systems hours later and there was no impact on flight safety.
Jan. 7CARTHAGE, Mo.  Election of new members for the Jasper County University of Missouri Extension Council will take place Jan. 21-24.

The Jasper County University of Missouri Extension Council is composed of 25 members. Twenty are elected, and five represent appointments by eligible committees and farm organizations having at least 25 members in the county. The new council begins its duties March 1, according to state law.

Anyone 18 or older is eligible to vote. Ballots may be cast at University of Missouri Extension in the courthouse basement at 302 Main St. in Carthage or at https://extension.missouri.edu/counties/jasper.

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Nominees are:

Patrick Batchelder, of Carthage.

Lea Ann Keeling, of Carthage.

Gail Lawrence, of Carthage.

William (Dale) Lawrence, of Carthage.

John MarshaLl, of Carthage.

Lisa Daoud, of Sarcoxie.

Charles Davis, of Webb City.

Shiela Immesote-Foster, of Joplin.

Every county in Missouri has an extension council made up of elected and appointed members who represent the educational needs and backgrounds of people in that county. The council works with University of Missouri Extension staff members in planning and making recommendations for educational programs.

University of Missouri Extension offers educational programs in such categories as agriculture, home economics, business and industry, community development, youth development, and various continuing education courses, seminars and workshops.

For more information, call the Extension office at 417-358-2158.
Fox News host Jesse Watters is all-in when it comes to Donald Trumps stated desire to annex Canada, even telling a prominent politician from Americas northern neighbor Tuesday that it should be considered a privilege to be taken over because thats what everybody else in the world wants.

Watters first question to Ontario Premier Doug Ford was blunt: Whats your problem with the United States absorbing Canada?

Ford said he gets why Trump, a real estate tycoon, is making these overtures, but Canadians have no interest in becoming the 51st state or anything of the sort, and that he would prefer to see the two countries work together on trade issues.

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Watters pressed the topic.

I get it. You say that Americans dont have a problem with Canadians and we dont talk, but it seems like you have a problem with us, Watters insisted.

Because if I were a citizen of another country and a neighbor of the United States, I would consider it a privilege to be taken over by the United States of America, he argued. Thats what everybody else in the world wants: American citizenship. For some reason thats repellent to you Canadians and I find that personally offensive, premier.

Ford, who earlier shot back at Trump by suggesting Canada could purchase Alaska and Minnesota, didnt take the bait.

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You know something, Jesse? We are proud Canadians, just like there are proud Americans, and if we join together and take on the world with a great trade deal between us, I think that would be fabulous, Ford said. No one can stop us.

Watters then gauged Fords interest in the U.S. and Canada splitting ownership of Greenland, which isnt for sale, despite Trumps continuing statements of interest.

Unsurprisingly, Ford wasnt on board.

No, he said. Were good.
MIAMISBURG, Ohio (WDTN)  Jets Pizza is celebrating its newest area location with a free pizza for customers.

From 4 to 8 p.m. on Jan. 14, anyone can stop by the Jets location at 216 Springboro Pike in Miamisburg for one free 4 Corner Pizza. Guests can choose from either cheese or pepperoni pizza.

Its very exciting for us to grow our footprint and continue to introduce Jets Pizza to the area, said Jake Kogelman, part owner and operator of Jets Pizza in Miamisburg. We are best known for our Detroit-Style Pizza and making the dough fresh in house every single morning. Were looking forward to welcoming customers in for our grand opening event to give us a try.

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The offer is valid for walk-in customers only, and while supplies last.

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 WDTN.com.
A JetBlue passenger opened an emergency exit on a taxiway in Boston, the FAA said.

One witness said that the man was arguing with his girlfriend before the incident.

A pilot told air-traffic control that the passenger was subdued by an officer on board.

A JetBlue passenger delayed his fellow travelers after opening one of the plane's emergency exit doors.

The incident occurred while Flight 161 was preparing to take off from Boston Logan International Airport on Tuesday, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement.

It added that the Airbus A320, bound for Puerto Rico, was on a taxiway when the passenger opened an emergency exit, which caused the slide to deploy.

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Fred Wynn, a passenger on the plane, told CBS affiliate WBZ-TV that he was seated just in front of the man and his girlfriend.

"Boyfriend and girlfriend were arguing behind in me," Wynn said. "Boyfriend got mad, got up walked down the center aisle, grabbed the emergency door, ripped it off, completely off."

He added that the man was handcuffed by an FBI agent before state police boarded the plane and escorted him away.

In an audio recording archived by LiveATC.net, one of the pilots told air-traffic control a law enforcement officer subdued the passenger.

"I can hear all the passengers screaming. Looks like they tried to grab him before he went out," the pilot said.

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A JetBlue spokesperson said the flight was delayed "after a customer, for unknown reasons, opened an overwing exit."

"The flight was eventually swapped to another aircraft and has since landed in San Juan. We greatly appreciate our customers' understanding as we worked to address this situation," the spokesperson said.

Data from Flightradar24 showed that the flight took off almost three hours later than scheduled and landed in San Juan at 3:17 a.m. local time.

Passengers on other flights told WBZ-TV they were also delayed because the runway was temporarily disabled after the slide was deployed.

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According to FlightAware data, 95 flights, or about 17% of the total number of flights, were delayed at Logan Airport throughout the day.

Massachusetts State Police told CBS that one person was detained after the incident.

"Shortly before takeoff, a passenger who wanted to deplane opened an aircraft door suddenly and without warning," state police said. "Other passengers restrained the individual until troopers arrived on scene to detain them for further questioning."

Massachusetts State Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The bodies of the stowaways who rode to Florida in a JetBlue airplane's landing gear compartment were reportedly decomposed when they were found by airport staff, according to a report.

The remains of the men were found on Monday inside the compartment after a JetBlue plane landed at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. An airline worker was inspecting the landing gear when they stumbled onto the deceased stowaways.

A gate technician in the landing gear area noticed two males who appear to be Signal 7, advised they are not moving in the landing gear area, an unidentified individual said over a police radio during the incident. "Signal 7" is a police radio code used to describe a dead body.

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The flight departed Jamaica earlier in the day, leading to some speculation that the men who died are Jamaican, though there has been no official identification.

An anonymous law enforcement source told CNN that the bodies were badly decomposed when they were found, which, if true, likely indicates that the stowaways were onboard the aircraft for multiple flights.

A pair of men who climbed into the wheel bay of a Jet Blue aircraft were found dead by airport staff in Fort Lauderdale, Florida (AFP via Getty Images)

If they climbed into the landing gear compartment in Jamaica, they likley did not survive the plane's first stop. The A320 departed from Kingston just after 1 a.m., where it flew to JFK International Airport in New York. It was below 30 degrees the day the men were discovered, and would have been much, much colder at higher altitudes.

The plane then flew from New York to Salt Lake City, Utah, around 7:30 a.m., and made a return flight just before 7 p.m. It's final flight of the day took the plane from New York to Florida, where the bodies of the men were found near the landing gear.

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The Transportation Security Administration is investigating the deaths with the help of local law enforcement and the Federal Aviation Administration.

This is a heartbreaking situation, and we are committed to working closely with authorities to support their efforts to understand how this occurred, JetBlue said in a statement.

Officials from the National Transportation Safety Board told CNN that it would not investigate the incident because it did not involve the operation of the plane or the actions of the flight staff.

Unfortunately, this is far from the only incident of stowaways dying in a landing gear compartment.

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Two weeks ago, a body was found inside the compartment of a United Airlines flight between Chicago and Maui. The FAA says that stowaways likely overestimate how much room will be available to them inside a wheel bay once the landing gear are retracted. Stowaways who aren't crushed by the landing gear would have to survive on minimal oxygen and avoid freezing to death once the jet reaches cruising altitude.

The most likely country for wheel-well stowaways used to be Cuba, often due to immigration or family reunification efforts, former Department of Transportation Inspector General Mary Schiavo told CNN during a News Central appearance on Tuesday. But the dangers are profound. Survivors may suffer long-term physical damage from the noise, lack of oxygen, or freezing temperatures.

According to an FAA report from 2011, approximately 80 percent of stowaways who try to hide in wheel bays or other external jet compartments die.
At least 10 Jewish homes and businesses around Paris and a synagogue in the northern French city of Rouen have been defaced, according to police, with antisemitism being considered as a motive.

The acts of vandalism came as France marked 10 years since the Paris terrorist attacks that shook the country. Twelve people were killed at the offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and five people were killed in the subsequent antisemitic attacks on a kosher supermarket in January 2015.

Buildings in the Parisian suburbs of Vincennes, Saint-Mande and Fontenay-sous-Bois, many located near the Hyper Cacher kosher supermarket where the attacks took place a decade ago, were affected on Sunday and Monday, police said. A rabbis home and a synagogue in Rouen were also targeted with antisemitic messages and swastikas scrawled on the buildings.

A Swastika and a graffiti reading "Hitler player" on a wall near the synagogue in Rouen. - Lou Benoist/AFP/Getty Images

The synagogue that was vandalized in Rouen was previously a target of attempted arson in May last year and was also sprayed with graffiti in December during Hanukkah. The messages found on the synagogue walls Monday called for Jewish people to be gassed, according to Natacha Ben Haim, the president of the Israelite Religious Association of Rouen, who manages the synagogue.

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Ben Haim has filed a lawsuit against the perpetrators, who remain unknown, for public provocation of hatred.

All these attacks are taking place in a context of rising antisemitism in France, Ben Haim told CNN. I dont want to stay quiet, I want this to be known.

In the country home to Europes largest Jewish community, the number of antisemitic incidents recorded in 2023 almost quadrupled in a year, with 1,676 cases reported, according to data from the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France.

Discovering these tags in Rouen, its a double symbol, a symbol because it falls on the anniversary of the Hyper Cacher attack, and a symbol because it targets the Rouen synagogue, which was the victim of arson a few months ago, said the president of Representative Council of Jewish institutions in France, Yonathan Arfi, on French radio RTL on Tuesday.

A Swastika and a graffiti reading "Jews pedophiles, rapists to be gassed" on a wall in front of the synagogue. - Lou Benoist/AFP/Getty Images

Investigations into the graffiti in Rouen and the Paris suburbs have been opened by their respective prosecutors offices, officials told CNN.

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French interior minister Bruno Retailleau denounced the vandalism targeting the French Jewish community, and the growing antisemitism.

The Jewish community represents less than 1% of the population, and is the victim of 57% of all anti-religious attacks, Retailleau told French media Tuesday.

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Jan. 8 (UPI) -- Mourners continued to pay their respects to former U.S. President Jimmy Carter at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday.

The 39th president lies in state and will be laid to rest on Thursday, which President Joe Biden has declared a National Day of Mourning.

His body has been at the U.S. Capitol's Rotunda since Tuesday and will remain until Thursday morning, when he will be moved to the Washington National Cathedral. President Joe Biden will deliver a eulogy then, during which dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, will attend.

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Visitors can pay their respects into Wednesday evening with no set time to end visitations at the Capitol Rotunda.

Public viewing ends at 7 a.m. EST on Thursday, and a private departure ceremony is scheduled at 8:30 a.m. in the East Plaza when Carter's body is scheduled to be moved to the National Cathedral.

Members of the general public look on in silence as they pay their respects to former President Jimmy Carter at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday in Washington, D.C. Photo by Jemal Countess/UPI

A state funeral is scheduled at 10 a.m. at the National Cathedral, after which Carter's body will be flown to Georgia at 11:45 a.m. and taken to his former church in Plains, Ga., for a private funeral.

The church is the same one where Carter formerly taught Sunday school and attended worship services.

Members of the general public look on in silence as they pay their respects to former President Jimmy Carter at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday in Washington, D.C. Photo by Jemal Countess/UPI

Carter will be interred in a plot next to his wife, Rosalynn, who died in 2023 and to whom he was married for 77 years.

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"I call on the American people to assemble on that day in their respective places of worship ... to pay homage to the memory of President James Earl Carter Jr.," Biden said in his Dec. 29 proclamation declaring Thursday a National Day of Mourning.

Becky Carter pays her respects to former President Jimmy Carter as he lies in state at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. Photo by Jemal Countess/UPI

Flags will be flown at half-staff at the White House and all public buildings and properties for 30 days from the date of Carter's death on Dec. 29.

Stock markets, the U.S. Postal Service and all federal agencies and departments are closed on Thursday. USPS will provide some limited package delivery service, though.

A man cries as he pays his respects to former President Jimmy Carter at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. Photo by Jemal Countess/UPI

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The U.S. Supreme Court building also will be closed on Thursday, but the court already did not have any hearings scheduled.

Many federal courts also will be closed on the National Day of Mourning, but officials at each respective federal courthouse have the option to close or continue their respective calendars on Thursday.

Visitors file into the Rotunda in the U.S. Capitol to pay their respects to former President Jimmy Carter on Wednesday. Photo by Jemal Countess/UPI

The U.S. Capitol reopens at 8:30 a.m. on Friday. So do all federal courts, departments and agencies, including the USPS, and stock markets.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  The state funeral of former president Jimmy Carter has moved to the nations capital.

There will be a ceremony for his arrival including a 21-gun salute, as the nation honors its longest living president.

44 years after President Jimmy Carter left Washington, D.C., on the heels of a re-election loss the one term president returned for a final goodbye.

A special occasion obviously, one of the rare opportunities that we have to honor a former president in this manner, said House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).

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Carter will lie in state in the Capitol rotunda, where lawmakers like Senate Democrat Leader Chuck Schumer, are honoring his legacy.

Today and tomorrow, Americans will brave the snow and cold temperatures to pay their respects to one of the most decent men ever to hold office of President, said Schumer.

Senate Republican Leader John Thune finds comfort in this moment.

While I join all Americans in mourning the death of President Carter, I rejoice at the thought that he and Rosalynn are again together, said Thune.

Carter will lie in state Tuesday night and for 24 hours straight starting Wednesday morning for the public to pay their respects.

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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 DC News Now | Washington, DC.
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  Plains, Georgia, is preparing to bid farewell to a beloved resident, Jimmy Carter. His longtime church, Maranatha Baptist, is at the center of these preparations.

The town of Plains has a population of about 600, but for decades, it would double in size on Sundays. Visitors came far and wide to get a chance to learn from Carters Sunday school teachings. Maranatha Baptist Church played a pivotal role in Carters life; now the 30-person congregation is working to give him a fitting farewell.

Thursday afternoon, Carter will have a private service at Maranatha that will begin at 3:45 p.m. About 300 people were invited to the service. Preparations include song practice, where the churchs 16-member choir is practicing Carters favorite hymns, such as When We All Get To Heaven.

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Jimmy Carter eulogized by Kamala Harris and others as 39th president returns to Washington

For decades, the church was more than just a place of worship for Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter  it was their spiritual home. The former president was known for his Sunday school lessons, which drew people from across the world.

Jan Williams used to be in charge of handling the groups who came to visit the church on Sundays.

Weve been preparing for this funeral for probably three years or more four years  because we did the same thing for Mrs. Rosalynns funeral. So, we were preparing for both. Personally, saying getting myself ready for Thursday I am still happening to work on that. I think its going to hit a lot of us on Thursday when were at the church, said Williams, a longtime member of the Maranatha Baptist Church.

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Following a national funeral service Wednesday at the Washington National Cathedral, Carter will return to Plains for the service tomorrow. Afterward, a motorcade will escort Carter to his final resting place.

As the motorcade reaches the Carter residence, the U.S. Navy will perform a missing man formation flyover in tribute.

Carter will be laid to rest in a private graveside service, in a plot visible from the front porch of the home he shared with his wife.

Williams says the Church hopes visitors will still come to learn about the Carters and their faith in the coming years.

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 WSAV-TV.
As the Los Angeles fires continue to wreak havoc in the Pacific Palisades and Pasadena communities, their impact is now being felt in the television world as several shows have halted production for safety reasons.

The wildfires have led to massive evacuations and loss of homes in the affected communities, with some celebrities posting about their losses.

Rescue efforts are ongoing as firefighters do their best to contain the enormous inferno.

Television Shows Pause Production Amid Los Angeles Fires

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On Wednesday, Deadline reported that the CBS game show "The Price Is Right," late-night series "After Midnight" and "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" have suspended production amid the devastating wildfires.

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The television shows film in Los Angeles, California, and are pausing production to ensure safety.

Filming for "After Midnight" takes place on Stage 29 of the Paramount Pictures lot at 898 N Gower St, while "The Price Is Right" mostly shoots at least three episodes daily at Haven Studios, Glendale, California. Haven Studios is located within the evacuation zone for the Eaton Fire, which has caused several deaths.

Meanwhile, production for "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" takes place at the El Capitan on Hollywood Blvd.

According to the outlet, one major issue that led the three shows to halt production is that they have guest audiences and don't want to put more people at risk as the fires rage on.

Other Shows Have Halted Production Amid The Los Angeles Fires

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"The Price Is Right," "After Midnight," and "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" are not the only television shows pausing production because of the wildfires.

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Earlier, Deadline reported that Warner Bros. closed production on its lot in Burbank as strong winds and fires caused havoc close to the Los Angeles suburb.

The closure affected shows like "Abbott Elementary," "All American," and "The Pitt," which were scheduled to shoot on Wednesday. Multi-camera sitcoms "Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage" and the forthcoming "Leanne Morgan" project were affected.

Meanwhile, 20th Television's "Grey's Anatomy" and "Doctor Odyssey" didn't shoot on Wednesday, while CBS Studios wrapped their Los Angeles productions for the day in the morning, affecting "NCIS" and "NCIS: Origins."

Universal Studio Group also canceled Wednesday's filming for "Hacks," "Happy's Place," "Loot," "Suits LA," and "Ted."

Massive Evacuations As Los Angeles Fires Wreak Havoc

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Over 30,000 people were evacuated after wind-whipped wildfires burned through Los Angeles's densely populated metropolitan area.

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Fire officials reported that about 1,000 buildings have been reportedly destroyed in the affluent Pacific Palisades neighborhood, home to several Hollywood stars.

As the fires intensified, President Joe Biden posted on X expressing his administration's readiness to do all it can to "support the response."

The president added, "I urge the residents of the Pacific Palisades and the surrounding areas of Los Angeles to stay vigilant and listen to local officials."

Celebrities Evacuate Their Homes Amid Wildfires

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Many Hollywood celebrities were caught in the inferno and had to evacuate their homes and flee to safer grounds.

Pacific Palisades' honorary mayor, Eugene Levy, told the Los Angeles Times he got stuck while trying to escape the burning flames.

He said, "The smoke looked pretty black and intense over Temescal Canyon. I couldn't see any flames but the smoke was very dark."

Actor James Woods shared a post on X after successfully evacuating from the fire. He thanked the "wonderful people" who reached out to him and his family and showed concern.

Woods added, "Just letting you know that we were able to evacuate successfully. I do not know at this moment if our home is still standing, but sadly houses on our little street are not."

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Meanwhile, TMZ reported that Ben Affleck evacuated from his home and rushed to his ex-wife Jennifer Garner's residence nearby.

What Caused The Wildfires Engulfing Los Angeles?

ZUMAPRESS.Com / MEGA

The Los Angeles fires broke out days after the National Weather Service warned of extreme fire risk due to a powerful windstorm. According to the Washington Post, the fires were fueled by hurricane-force winds that neared 90 mph. They began on Tuesday and grew in intensity on Wednesday.

The Pacific Palisades Fire scorched 11,000 acres and burned about a thousand homes, including those of notable celebrities. The Eaton Fire, northeast of Pasadena, burned 10,000 acres, causing two fatalities and several injuries and destroying 100 structures. Meanwhile, the Hurst Fire in Sylmar spread quickly, leading to the closure of Interstate 5.

The fires have been difficult to contain due to the strong winds and the ultra-flammable Southern California area, which experienced a lengthy summer dry season.
AT&T began implementing its staggered five-day return-to-office mandate on Monday.

Workers told BI that limited available desks and elevators at some offices complicated their return.

As more workers are set to arrive in phases, projects to add capacity are underway.

The first wave of AT&T's five-day return-to-office mandate started on Monday. Conversations with half a dozen AT&T workers across the country this week indicate it hasn't been off to a smooth start.

At the Dallas-based telecom giant's Atlanta offices, AT&T employees told Business Insider that a lack of open desks, parking lots that quickly filled up, and a limited number of elevators were complicating the company's plan to phase out hybrid work.

Internal documents obtained by BI suggest that AT&T is aware that its RTO mandate is asking more people to work on-site than the number of workstations it has at some of its offices.

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An internal FAQ that was updated last week said employees in at least one division should expect workstations for 70% to 80% of those assigned to a particular location.

"As a reminder, employees should not leave personal items, make signage, or add name plates on desks," the document said. "These items will be removed."

A spokesperson for AT&T did not immediately provide a comment when contacted by Business Insider.

The document followed a memo sent to employees last month from AT&T's chief technology officer, Jeremy Legg, that said his AT&T Technology Services division would "not offer one-for-one seating per employee" under the new RTO rules.

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One employee at the Atlanta offices told BI on Monday that he arrived before 7 a.m. to ensure he got a workspace.

Another Atlanta worker said that he arrived before 6 a.m. and that the available desks he saw had been filled by employees by 9 a.m., at which point some employees sat in the dining area or around conference tables.

"I actually enjoyed coming to the office and even came four to five days a week," the employee said. He said he felt that the working environment "deteriorated" as more employees returned to the office over the past year amid the three-days-in-office requirement.

The worker said AT&T employees had been competing for space and sometimes speaking over one another while conducting simultaneous Microsoft Teams meetings. The employee added that the elimination of hybrid work was heightening those challenges.

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The two Atlanta workers, as well as employees at other offices, told BI that finding parking in a timely manner had been a challenge for themselves and for colleagues, especially at offices converted from less-dense cubicle setups to more tightly packed floor plans.

In communications sent to employees, AT&T has said it will continue to monitor workspace capacity and usage and will adjust accordingly. Legg's memo said the company anticipated some percentage of workers to be out of the office each week for sick days, work travel, vacation, and other reasons.

Workers in Atlanta also reported seeing signs in front of the office's elevators (which they said had increasingly long wait times) with motivational quotes recommending they use nearby stairs instead.

Workers said the signs included phrases like "There is no elevator to the top of the corporate ladder," and "There will be challenges, but each step you take brings you closer to who you're meant to be. Take the stairs." It wasn't clear exactly when the signs were placed, but the Atlanta employees said the signs were gone by Tuesday morning.

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One of the Atlanta employees told BI that an additional elevator was planned to be installed at the location.

More workers are set to arrive this year under subsequent phases of the company's five-day RTO mandate. AT&T previously said divisions were setting their own schedules based on their business needs.

AT&T's move away from hybrid work follows similar moves from Amazon, Dell, and others requiring workers to be in the office for the entire workweek.

"We believe there is great value in having people connecting, collaborating, and innovating together in an office setting," AT&T said in a memo distributed after the initial return-to-office mandate was announced in 2023. "Consolidating our work locations will also help us reduce costs and simplify things for our employees and our customers."

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Nearly all of the dozen workers BI has talked to in recent weeks have said they feel that the new rules may be an attempt to reduce the company's US workforce.

"This is not about collaboration," one of the Atlanta workers said. "If they can cut costs and have people leave because they're uncomfortable, that's the sweet spot."

If you are an AT&T employee who wants to share your perspective, please contact Dominick via email or text/call/Signal at 646.768.4750. Responses will be kept confidential, and Business Insider strongly recommends using a personal email and a non-work device when reaching out.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Joe Biden has revealed that his granddaughter, Naomi Biden, has given birth to her first child.

The President of the United States made the announcement during a press conference in Los Angeles on Wednesday (January 8) while discussing the current wildfires in California.

But the good news is, Im a great-grandfather as of today, he said. Although he initially said the child was a 10-pound baby girl, he quickly corrected himself, revealing Naomi had a baby boy.

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The First Lady of the United States, Jill Biden, later went to Instagram to share a sweet photo of her great-grandson in Joes arms. We are proud to introduce you to our great-grandson: William Brannon Neal, IV, she wrote in the caption.

The news comes days after Joe first confirmed that Naomi and her husband Peter Neal, were preparing to welcome their child.

Im about to be a great-grandfather, Jesus God... Im going out to California, he told USA Today on Sunday. Shes due to have a cesarean on the 8th of January.

In November, Naomi, who is the eldest daughter of Joes son Hunter and his ex-wife Kathleen Buhle, announced that she was expecting.

Joe Biden announced he was a great-grandfather during a press conference in Los Angeles (Getty Images)

She shared a mirror selfie on Election Day while sporting a black poncho and a matching pair of leggings adorned with an I Voted sticker. She also showed off her baby bump, with the caption: (we) voted.

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Naomi and her husband tied the knot in 2022 during a private ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House. The celebration also marked the first White House wedding with a presidents granddaughter as the bride, and the first one on the South Lawn.

During a cover story with Vogue in 2022, it was revealed that Naomi made a number of wardrobe changes throughout the evening. For example, she walked down the aisle wearing a high-neck, long-sleeved Chantilly lace dress designed by Ralph Lauren. The dress was paired with a cathedral-length silk organza veil, featuring a matching Chantilly lace border.

For the black-tie reception, Naomi changed into a strapless ivory silk Mikado Reem Acra dress, which had her grandmother Roberta Buhles pearls sewn into the six-foot train. She also had a third dress, a beaded fringed Markarian mini-dress, for some late-night dancing.

According to Noami, the wedding dress she wore to exchange vows with Neal was inspired by the high-necked gown famously worn by actress Grace Kelly when she married Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956. Like every little girl, I had a vision in my head  it was Grace Kellys dress I loved, she told Vogue.

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Naomi revealed shed be having her nuptials at the White House in April 2022 and expressed her gratitude to her grandparents.

Peter and I are endlessly grateful to my Nana and Pop for the opportunity to celebrate our wedding at the White House, she tweeted at the time. We cant wait to make our commitment to one another official and for what lies ahead.
Jacob Fischler

Wisconsin Examiner

With just two weeks left in his presidency, Joe Biden will prohibit future oil and gas drilling off the entire East and West coasts, the eastern Gulf of Mexico and the remaining portions of Alaskas Northern Bering Sea.

Biden signed two memoranda Monday to permanently ban offshore drilling over more than 625 million acres of ocean to advance his commitment to conserve 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030, a White House statement said.

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The orders come at the request of bipartisan state and local leaders in coastal areas, Biden said, and reflect that the paltry fossil fuel resources in those areas would not be worth the risks of environmental, health and economic harms that could result from oil and gas exploration.

In balancing the many uses and benefits of Americas ocean, it is clear to me that the relatively minimal fossil fuel potential in the areas I am withdrawing do not justify the environmental, public health, and economic risks that would come from new leasing and drilling, Biden said in the statement.

President-elect Donald Trump, who will take office Jan. 20, criticized Biden throughout last years campaign for moves Trump said lowered the countrys energy production. A temporary freeze on oil and gas leases, rejection of the Keystone XL Pipeline and other environmental measures taken by the Biden administration were part of what led to increased costs for consumers, Trump argued.

Economists have said that connection is dubious, but Trump is expected to pursue policies to expand oil and gas production.

Ill unban it

In a statement Monday morning, Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt strongly criticized Bidens move. This is a disgraceful decision designed to exact political revenge on the American people who gave President Trump a mandate to increase drilling and lower gas prices. Rest assured, Joe Biden will fail, and we will drill, baby, drill, she said.

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In a Monday morning radio interview, Trump pledged to roll back the move.

Its ridiculous, he told host Hugh Hewitt. Ill unban it immediately. I will unban it. I have the right to unban it immediately.

Its unclear, however, if Trump would have the authority to undo Bidens action on his own.

A similar issue played out in courts during Trumps first term, but was eventually dismissed after he lost his 2020 reelection bid.

In April 2017, Trump issued an executive order to revoke offshore drilling restrictions his predecessor, President Barack Obama, had placed.

Environmental groups sued and a federal court in Alaska sided against the Trump administration, reasoning that the law governing offshore drilling, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, allows a president to withdraw areas from drilling but does not allow a president to revoke those withdrawals.

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The Trump administration appealed in 2019, but the issue was resolved before an appeals decision when Biden took office and reinstituted the Obama withdrawals in 2021. The court dismissed the case as moot without ruling on the merits of presidential authority.

That means the precedent set at the district court level should remain for Trumps second presidency, Seth Nelson, a spokesperson for the environmental group Evergreen Action, said Monday.

This precedent suggests that President-elect Trump would face significant legal obstacles in attempting to reverse President Bidens ban through executive order, requiring an act of Congress instead, Nelson wrote in an email.

John Seibels, a spokesman for U.S. House Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman, an Arkansas Republican, said Monday that reversing the ban would likely require Congress cooperation.

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Its still early, but based on what weve seen, this will likely require work by congress to roll back this ban, he wrote in an email.

In a Monday statement, Westerman said the House GOP majority would work with Trump to increase energy production, saying that Congress would use the legislative procedure known as budget reconciliation to reverse Biden energy policies.

While the federal deficit grows, President Bidens decision to lock away 625 million acres of future energy potential undermines one of our nations greatest revenue streamsenergy receipts, second only to income taxes, Westerman said. In the 119th Congress, we will use every tool, including reconciliation, to restore and unleash these revenues.

We do not need to choose

Biden, though, described offshore drilling in the vast areas he is protecting as detrimental to long-term U.S. economic health, in part by protecting fishing and tourism industries.

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We do not need to choose between protecting the environment and growing our economy, or between keeping our ocean healthy, our coastlines resilient, and the food they produce secure and keeping energy prices low, Biden said. Those are false choices. Protecting Americas coasts and ocean is the right thing to do, and will help communities and the economy to flourish for generations to come.

The protections have no expiration date, and prohibit all future oil and natural gas leasing in the areas withdrawn, according to a fact sheet from the White House.

The orders protect 334 million acres of coast along the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, stretching from the Maine-Canada border to the tip of Florida.

Nearly 250 million acres of Pacific coastline that is the habitat for seals, sea lions, whales, fish, and countless seabirds off the coasts of California, Oregon and Washington will be protected. Governors of the three states had asked for the protections, according to the fact sheet. The last federal lease sale off the mainland West Coast was in 1984.

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And 44 million acres of the Northern Bering Sea will be protected. The protections were sought by many Alaska Native communities, the White House said.

This is an area where oil and gas development would pose severe dangers to coastal communities, and where the health of these waters is critically important to food security and to the culture of more than 70 coastal Tribes, including the Yupik, Cupik, and Inupiaq people who have relied on these resources for millennia, the White House said.
Joe Biden will deliver Jimmy Carter's eulogy at the national funeral service on Thursday, Jan. 9, the president confirmed.

In an interview with USA Today published on Wednesday morning, Biden shared details about his last conversation with Carter in 2021, when the then-96-year-old former president was making plans for his funeral. It was on Biden's 100th day in office.

"I bent down  he was in tough shape  to kiss him goodbye, and he asked me to do his eulogy," said Biden, who was credited as the first national politician to endorse Carter's 1976 presidential campaign.

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Biden is now set to deliver the long-planned speech at the Washington National Cathedral on Thursday, in one of the biggest moments of Carter's six-day state funeral. The event is expected to reunite all five living U.S. presidents after a tense election year.

Related: Saying Goodbye to Jimmy Carter: See All the Moving Photos from the Former President's Funeral Services

Adam Schultz/AP/Shutterstock The Bidens visit the Carters at their Plains, Ga., home on April 30, 2021

Biden previously let slip at a fundraiser in March 2023 that Carter had asked him to deliver his eulogy, telling attendees: "I spent time with Jimmy Carter, and it's finally caught up with him," likely referring to Carter's previous bout with cancer.

"But they found a way to keep him going for a lot longer than they anticipated because they found a breakthrough," Biden added, according to a White House pool report.

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"He asked me to do his eulogy," Biden then said to the group, before he added, "excuse me, I shouldn't say that."

Related: Jimmy Carter, 99, Makes Rare Appearance at Late Wife Rosalynn Carters Memorial Service

The Carter Center announced in a statement in February 2023 that the former U.S. president would be moved to hospice care following "a series of short hospital stays."

"Former US President Jimmy Carter today decided to spend his remaining time at home with his family and receive hospice care instead of additional medical intervention," the statement said. "He has the full support of his family and his medical team."

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"The Carter family asks for privacy during this time and is grateful for the concern shown by his many admirers," the statement concluded.

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.

Even after months in hospice care, however, Carter made public appearances in November, at his late wife Rosalynn Carter's memorial service in Atlanta and a private funeral for her in their hometown of Plains, Ga.



He died 13 months after that final public outing, on Sunday, Dec. 29, at the record-breaking age of 100.

Read the original article on People
Joe Rogan has seemingly bigger plans for Donald Trumps dreams of American expansion, suggesting the U.S. also acquire Mexico alongside Canada and Greenland.

The popular podcaster, who endorsed the president-elect in his 2024 White House bid, shared his musing with Instagram on Tuesday posting a screenshot of Trumps Truth Social post about making Canada the 51st state, with the caption I say we let Mexico in, too.

Rogans tongue-in-cheek comment comes amid a flurry of recent statements by Trump who threatened to use economic force to annex Canada as a new state.

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According to the president-elect, acquiring Canada would be much better for national security.

Trumps Canadian crusade has been met with discontent, including from the countrys Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

There isnt a snowballs chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States, Trudeau posted on X.

Even Trumps Canadian political contemporary Pierre Poilievre clapped back at the president-elects idea.

Canada will never be the 51st state. Period, he wrote on social media Tuesday. We are a great and independent country.

Canada will never be the 51st state. Period.



We are a great and independent country.



We are the best friend to the U.S. We spent billions of dollars and hundreds of lives helping Americans retaliate against Al-Qaedas 9/11 attacks. We supply the U.S. with billions of dollars of  Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) January 7, 2025

Although Trump has yet to comment on any plans of taking Mexico, the president-elect has threatened the nation with tariffs over its alleged role in the migrant crisis, and he suggested changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

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The president-elect has also discussed expanding the U.S. to the east by acquiring Greenland, a self governing territory of Denmark. Unlike with Canada, the president-elect did not rule out the possibility of using military force to take Greenland.

NYTs David Sanger: [L]et's start if we could with your references to Greenland and Panama canal, so forth. Can you assure the world that as you try to get control of these areas, you are not going to use military or economic coercion?



President-Elect Trump: No.



Sanger: pic.twitter.com/ftsxpOAj6r  Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) January 7, 2025

On Tuesday, his son Donald Trump Jr. visited the Arctic island, with the president-elect claiming Denmark ought to give it up because we need it for national security Im talking about protecting the free world.

Trump has been interested in Greenland and the Panama Canal since his first term. As he prepares to take office again, he has doubled down on both geopolitical areas.

According to Trump, China has abused the Panama Canal, which he said the U.S. needed for economic security.

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Theyve abused that gift. It should never have been made, by the way, he claimed Tuesday.

The canal, however, has been solely controlled by the Panama for more than 25 years after the U.S. returned the Panama Canal Zone to the country in 1979.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) told Fox News Tuesday that if Senate Democrats cant muster enough votes to help pass the Laken Riley Act, it would illustrate why Democrats lost the 2024 election. (Watch the video below.)

The House just passed the reintroduced bill that would mandate detaining migrants arrested for theft. Aided by dozens of Democratic votes, the measure moved forward just days before President-elect Donald Trump returns to office amid a pledge to severely crack down on illegal immigration. The bill now heads to the Senate, where it may reportedly require seven votes by Democrats to pass.

Riley was killed by a Venezuelan migrant who was previously charged with shoplifting, prompting the bills name.

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Democrats such as Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) have criticized the legislation because being merely accused  and not convicted  would initiate the detainment in a move to further demonize migrants, he said. (Studies have also debunked the assertion that migrants have caused a surge in crime.)

When Fox News Bret Baier played Raskins response, Fetterman pushed back.

I just happen to disagree on this, Fetterman said. For me its ... really common sense. And Id like to remind everybody that we have hundreds and hundreds of thousands of migrants here illegally that have [been] convicted of crimes. Who wants to allow them to remain in our nation? And now if youre here illegally and youre committing crimes and those things, I dont know why anybody thinks that its controversial that they all need to go.

Baier asked Fetterman if this was one of the biggest issues of the past election.

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Theres 47 of us in the Senate and if we cant pull up with seven votes, if we cant get at least seven out of 47, if we cant then thats a reason why we lost, he said.

Fetterman, who has broken rank with many Democrats in his measured response to Trumps victory, added, You can be pro-immigration but we need a secure border.

Fast forward to 1:37 for Fettermans comments.

Related...
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A Mahoning County Common Pleas Court judge agreed Wednesday to continue the trial of a man accused of an East Side shooting death at the request of his attorney. The trial was set for Monday.

Judge R. Scott Krichbaum said a new trial date will be scheduled within 30 days for Andre Bailey, 40, who is charged with the Oct. 18 shooting death of 24-year-old Reynaldo Hernandez.

Hernandezs body was found at a cemetery at Liberty Road and Wardle Avenue hours after police responded to a shooting call at a nearby Bott Street home.

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When police arrived at the home, there was nobody there, but there was evidence that someone had been shot and severely wounded.

Judge Krichbaum also overruled a motion by new Prosecutor Lynn Maro to continue the case and have a special prosecutor appointed because she once represented Bailey when she was in private practice.

Maro had represented Bailey in in 2017 when he requested early release from prison on a drug charge. Maro said she went over her notes in the case Tuesday and she did not see anything there that would represent a conflict, but she filed the motion to make sure the judge was aware of her past representation of Bailey.

Judge Krichbaum also said he did not see a conflict and overruled the motion.

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The defense attorney had also asked for a continuance so he could have time to review the statements of a man charged with tampering with evidence in the case, Daniel Ramsey, 42.

Ramsey pleaded guilty Monday and gave a statement to prosecutors. Madison said he needed time to review that statement and to prepare a defense for it.

Judge Krichbaum said that was reasonable and agreed to the continuance.

Assistant Prosecutor Michael Rich said that after Ramsey pleaded guilty, police found new evidence based on Ramseys statement, and that evidence is currently being tested by the state Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation.

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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 WKBN.com.
Federal District Court Judge Aileen Cannon on Tuesday temporarily blocked the release of special counsel Jack Smiths final report on his probes of President-elect Donald Trump.

The Florida jurist, who delivered several Trump-friendly rulings in the classified documents case, ordered the Department of Justice to keep the report sealed until an appeals court can assess objections to its release lodged by Trump and two co-defendants.

Cannon said her ruling aimed to prevent irreparable harm arising from the circumstancesand to permit an orderly and deliberative sequence of events.

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The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ordered the Justice Department to respond to the emergency motion by Wednesday morning.

Trump complained about Smiths probes even as he praised Cannons ruling after being told of it by a reporter at a press conference.

Itll be a fake report just like it was a fake investigation, he said.

Trump separately lost a bid on Tuesday to block Judge Juan Merchan from sentencing him Friday on 34 felony convictions in the Manhattan hush money case

The motion to keep the Smith report sealed was originally brought by two Trump employees who were charged along with the once-and-future president in the classified documents case. Trump joined the appeal, saying he too wants the report kept secret.

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Cannon last year dismissed the documents case on the grounds that Smith was improperly appointed.

Cannons ruling appeared to apply to both the portion of the Smiths report on the documents case or also a separate volume summarizing Smiths findings in the election interference case, which she played no role in.

The special counsel dropped both cases after Trump won the November election, citing policies barring prosecution of a sitting president.

Smith has prepared a two-volume report on the cases which Attorney General Merrick Garland was expected to publicly release before Trump retakes office on Jan. 20, perhaps as soon as the end of this week.

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Trumps attorneys separately sent a letter to Garland demanding he remove Smith from his post immediately and kill the report, or allow Trumps incoming attorney general to decide what to do with it.

No report should be prepared or released, and Smith should be removed, including for even suggesting that course of action given his obvious political motivations and desire to lawlessly undermine the transition, wrote attorneys Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, both of whom have been tapped for top Justice Department posts in the incoming administration.

The Smith report is expected to describe his decisions regarding Trumps taking classified documents to his Mar-a-Lago estate, his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, and his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol.

Before Trumps reelection scuttled the cases, Smith was seeking to convince an appeals court to overrule Cannons decision dismissing the documents case, which also accused Trump of obstructing the governments efforts to get back the top-secret documents.

He was also trying to move forward with the election interference case after the Supreme Court hobbled the prosecution by granting Trump significant immunity for official actions taken while in power.
By Tom Hals

WILMINGTON, Del. (Reuters) - Tesla directors including Chair Robyn Denholm and James Murdoch got court approval on Wednesday for a settlement worth up to $919 million that requires they return compensation to the carmaker to resolve allegations they overpaid themselves.

The settlement requires Tesla board members including Denholm and Murdoch to return roughly $277 million in cash, $459 million in stock options and to forgo stock options for 2021-23 worth $184 million. The settlement was not covered by insurance, according to a court filing by the shareholder who brought the case.

Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick, the judge overseeing the case, read her ruling approving the settlement at a telephonic hearing on Wednesday, according to an attorney for the plaintiffs and a shareholder who objected to the deal.

"We're very pleased with the chancellor's ruling," Andrew Dupre, an attorney for the shareholders, told Reuters.

The plaintiff's legal team said last year the settlement was the second-largest ever in Delaware's Court of Chancery, the go-to forum for shareholder litigation.

The directors did not admit wrongdoing.

McCormick also awarded $176 million in fees and costs to the three law firms that brought the case on a contingency basis.

Tesla had asked McCormick to cap the fee at $64 million.

The fee is the fourth-largest in the history of shareholder litigation in Delaware.

The company and its attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The settlement resolves a 2020 lawsuit by the Police and Fire Retirement System of the City of Detroit which challenged director compensation from 2017 to 2020 as excessive.

The Tesla directors received stock options that became worth hundreds of millions of dollars as the value of Tesla stock surged 10 times over that period.

By comparison, the average total compensation for directors at S&P 500 companies is $327,096 in 2024, according to SpencerStuart, a consulting group that conducts executive searches.

Musk did not receive compensation for his role as a Tesla board member.

However, a Tesla shareholder filed a separate lawsuit in 2018 challenging Musk's $56 billion pay for serving as Tesla's CEO. Last year, the same judge ordered Musk's pay package be rescinded because Musk controlled the pay negotiations. One of the factors the judge considered was the amount of wealth that directors owed to Musk or Tesla.

Denholm, for example, testified in that case that her board tenure at Tesla netted her around $280 million, which she described as "life-changing wealth."
Jan. 7MORRISON  Just one day after a judge ruled that a Rock Falls man's weapons trial will proceed next week, the case was dismissed Tuesday because the alleged victim is failing to cooperate with the prosecution.

Johnathon P. Parker, 40, was to stand trial beginning Tuesday, Jan. 14, on one count of aggravated battery/discharging a firearm, two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of being a felon in possession of a weapon. All the charges stem from an October shooting in Rock Falls.

Whiteside County Circuit Judge James Heuerman on Monday denied the state's motion to delay the trial as prosecutors were still awaiting bullet casing test results from the Illinois State Police and trying to find who they described to be a "crucial witness."

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One Tuesday, Whiteside County State's Attorney Colleen Buckwalter made a motion to dismiss the case because the alleged victim has failed to cooperate in the prosecution, according to court records.

The charges stem from an Oct. 28 shooting, when police were dispatched at 2:15 a.m. to the 900 block of West Fifth Street on a report of a person who had been shot. When officers arrived, they found a man with a gunshot wound inside a residence, according to an Oct. 28 news release.

The initial investigation showed the man was shot outside the residence and the shooter fled on foot. The injured person was taken to CGH Medical Center for treatment of a non-life threatening injury, police said.

Parker was taken into custody Nov. 2 in the 1600 block of Riverdale Road, Rock Falls, after a 10-hour police standoff over two days that included him running into a timber near Sterling and sliding down the river bank and into the Rock River. Police said Whiteside County deputies later received an anonymous tip that Parker was hiding in a trailer at 1600 Riverdale Road.

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Police set up a perimeter and negotiated for several hours with negative results. They then obtained a search warrant, contacted the Illinois State Police SWAT Team and secured the area until Illinois state troopers arrived. After negotiations with state police, Parker exited the trailer and was taken into custody.

Parker has been held in Whiteside County Jail since his arrest and has been moving toward a Jan. 14 trial date. At a Dec. 20 pretrial conference, Buckwalter and defense attorney Cristina Buskohl both told the judge they were ready for trial, according to court documents.

But during the jury pre-trial hearing Monday, Heuerman heard a motion filed by Buckwalter to continue the case because the Rock Falls Police Department needs more time to investigate. Buckwalter said she would be willing to allow Parker to be let out of jail on pretrial release if the judge continued the case.

Defense attorney James Mertes objected to the request, saying the motion was too ambiguous and the defense team needed more information about why Buckwalter was asking for the delay. He also said the request leads one to wonder about what deficiencies exist within the Rock Falls Police Department's investigation.

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He said his concern was that the delay could be because a crucial witness  whom he said is homeless  had not been located by investigators. Mertes also was concerned the state had not given that witness' contact information to him.

Buckwalter confirmed the witness has not been located; the witness, she said, had given police his telephone number, but that number no longer works. Mertes said if the witness cannot be located, then the motion should be one in which the case is dismissed.

Mertes also said that if pretrial release were to be granted to Parker, he may wind up in jail anyway, since Mertes said Parker possibly was wanted on a warrant from Rock Island County and could be arrested by that agency after release from Whiteside County.

Heuerman asked Buckwalter whether she thought Parker could refuse being released from jail, which could be a problem since he is being detained under the Pretrial Fairness Act. Parker also demanded a speedy trial shortly after his arrest.

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"He could put you in a real bind," Heuerman said.

That discussion ended up being moot, since Heuerman decided the trial would start Jan. 14.

"I don't see a realistic way that I can grant your motion," Heuerman said of Buckwalter's request to delay.
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  After serving 30 years as Precinct Fours Justice of the Peace, Judge Eddie Howard is retiring.

Dozens of Tom Green County employees, close friends and family gathered in the Tom Green County Commissioners courtroom on Jan. 7 to celebrate his retirement.

I sit in a quiet room and I think about the blessings thats been mine to be able to serve this role, he said. And its not the biggest role in the county, its not the most important role but to some people it is and when they come in they need to feel like this is the most important thing that youre doing for them.

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Howard shared he looks forward to spending time with his grandkids and hitting the waters for some fishing.

Retired Precinct Four Constable Randy Harris will be taking over at the Justice of the Peace.

RELATED: Randy Harris retires after 45 years of service to Tom Green County

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Judge Maureen Sweeney Wednesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court agreed to continue the trial of a man accused of murdering a missing Smith Township teen.

Jury selection in the case against Robert Lindsay Moore, 54, was to begin Monday, but that has now been continued after a request Tuesday by new county Prosecutor Lynn Maro for the continuance.

Moore is charged with the death of Glenna Jean White, 27, who was last seen June 2, 2009, at a party in Alliance.

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Maro, who took office last week, asked for the continuance to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest. When she was in private practice, she once advised Moores family on legal matters surrounding the case, but she never represented Moore.

Assistant Prosecutor Patrick Fening told Judge Sweeney Maro had asked several counties if they would prosecute the case but so far, only Summit County has said they might be able to.

Fening said either prosecutors from Summit County or the state Attorney Generals office will serve as special prosecutor on the case. The decision has not been made yet, he said.

Defense attorney Lou DeFabio said he believes there is a clear conflict of interest, but he also added his client has been in jail since December 2021 on a $1 million bond and wants to get the trial over with.

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Moore was tried in 2022 and a jury failed to reach a verdict. Prosecutors opted to retry him again and the case has seen several mistrials and continuances.

Judge Sweeney granted the continuance and said a pretrial hearing would be scheduled as soon as possible once a special prosecutor is picked.

Moore appeared unhappy about the decision and had a long discussion with DeFabio afterward about the delay.

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NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  Its a major development that could reshape how much the feds payout to the victims of the largest wildfire in New Mexico history, sparked by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). A judge recently sided with fire victims ruling the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) needs to pay for more than just property losses.

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I mean this was going to be retirement for all of us. Then with the intentions of passing it down to our kids as well, Hermits Peak Calf Canyon wildfire victim Toby Dolan told KRQE in 2024. He lost his home in the fire.

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Its been nearly three years since the government-sparked wildfire devastated northern New Mexico. Now, a federal judge recently ruled the government must also pay victims for non-economic damages. Its those non-tangible items. Its those things like the inconvenience. The stress. The things they had to deal with because they were forced to evacuate, said Managing Partner at Singleton Schreiber Brian Colon.

In April 2022, an out-of-control prescribed burn sparked by the USFS tore through more than 341,000 acres and destroyed hundreds of homes. Its time for FEMA to step up, do the right thing, and fully compensate the victims of the Hermits Peak Calf Canyon Fire, said Colon.

Colon and his associates represent roughly 1,500 Hermits Peak Calf Canyon wildfire victims in lawsuits against FEMA. From day one Singleton Schreiber and our colleagues have all taken the position that non-economic damages were not just available, but they were required to make the people of northern New Mexico whole.

He argued economic damages like the loss of homes and property are obvious, but families lost much more and suffered from emotional and physical damage. The feds set aside nearly $4 billion to repay victims. More recently, Congress approved an additional $1.5 billion to compensate them. In the end, the massive $5.5 billion fund, Colon said, should be enough to cover claims.

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Its been too long. Lets get a system in place and lets make these people whole, said Colon.

The Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office told KRQE in a statement:

The Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office has provided $1.69 billion in compensation on 12,658 claims submitted with documentation.



The Claims Office remains committed to compensating New Mexicans who were impacted by the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon fire and subsequent cascading events in a fair and equitable manner to the maximum extent permissible by law. FEMAs Claims Office is reviewing the ruling issued by the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico on December 17, 2024, regarding compensation for non-economic damages under the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act. We will work with the Department of Justice on an appropriate legal response once the review is complete.

FEMA recently extended the deadline to start a claim through March 14.

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Of the 11 Texas Republicans who lost their seats this year in Gov. Greg Abbotts quest to create a school voucher program, none went down swinging quite like state House Rep. Steve Allison.

Last session Allison, a former Alamo Heights ISD board president, was one of 21 Republicans in the Texas House who joined Democrats in stripping school vouchers out of a broader education funding bill.

The move turned him from a longtime ally of the governor into an overnight political target, drawing a deluge of attack ads from his own partys leaders in his primary race.

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In the face of that fight, Allisons long record as a conservative lawmaker has quickly been overshadowed by his unusual cross-party efforts to keep public education in the spotlight.

The roughly $4.5 billion that Texas lawmakers approved for public schools last session never made it into districts hands after the governor demanded school vouchers be included in the legislation. Even after losing his primary, Allison tried unsuccessfully to rally lawmakers back to pass a school funding bill over the summer.

When [schools] have to lay off staff, lay off teachers, discontinue programs, that is moving towards a breaking point, Allison said in a Dec. 18 interview. The money was there this last session. And for it to be held up over this voucher scheme that could have just been separate, its really heartbreaking.

In a stunning rebuke to his partys leaders, this fall Allison joined forces with the Democrat running for his seat who shared his views on school finance.

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Hes also been speaking out about a messy 88th legislative session that left public schools scraping for money while Abbott cashed campaign checks from a billionaire voucher proponent and Attorney General Ken Paxton sought taxpayer dollars to cover his own legal defense.

Ive been asked several times if I regret my vote on Paxtons impeachment, or regret my position on school vouchers, and I dont regret either one one bit. Id do the same thing again, Allison said. Integrity is so important and I think were missing that  Im not haunted.

When state lawmakers return to work on Jan. 14, House District 121 will be represented by a new face. Republican Marc LaHood, who defeated Allison in the primary, and is a member of the conservative wing who found success in a district thats elected moderates.

While wrapping up his final weeks in office, Allison spoke about a changing Republican Party, rifts with party leaders and lessons learned from six years in the Texas House.

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San Antonio Report: When you were first running in 2018, the incumbent, then-Speaker Joe Straus, had just been through his own disagreements with the partys conservative wing, and a crowded field of Republicans signed up to run for his seat. What was on your mind when you joined that race?

Steve Allison: Education. Education was terribly important. And then I thought it was important  and the encouragement I was receiving was  that Joe Straus was well-respected in our district and had done a good job. I think there was a strong interest in having someone older and more experienced, that had been around, to try to fill that role. My background in business and education and transportation, and my experience at the capitol, seemed to fit. I wasnt planning on it at all, it just kind of snowballed.

SAR: So even though the party as a whole was shifting right, this district was still in the market for someone more moderate. What do you think changed in this election?

Allison: I think Ive got a pretty conservative voting record so to be labeled a RINO [Republican in Name Only], or Democrat sympathizer, more recently. Even sometimes to be called a moderate, I guess I do kind of tend more there.

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But I think weve seen it around the country  we saw it in this primary in particular  a lot of outside influence. A tremendous amount of money and mailers and campaign efforts came from outside [the district], some pro-choice, some pro-voucher, and some just on extreme conservative issues. Then the governor picked up on that, and that changed everything.

There was a feeling, really up until this election, that House District 121 was changing and becoming a more middle, moderate  however you want to describe it  that there was a Democrat increase. I won the first two times by seven or eight percentage points, and the last time by 10. But then you see this time LaHood won it by just under five. So what does that say?  That kind of supports the fact, I think, that this district is still a little more middle of the road.

SAR: Youve been working on public education issues in Texas for a long time, well before running for a seat in the legislature. How have those policy discussions changed in recent years?

Allison: When I first got involved it was primarily over school finance. Thats when recapture and Robin Hood started [which is the practice of redistributing property tax dollars from wealthy districts]. Alamo Heights was one of the original Robin Hood districts and it was devastating. Whats frustrating is, its come full circle. This was back in the 90s, and its where we are again: Theres a funding issue.

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This last session, going into it, I thought if there was any place we had a consensus, it was to fix education, improve education and address the needs that we know are there. And we didnt do it because it got bogged down. I blame the governor 100%.

[Abbott] suddenly wanted to push what he was calling school choice, and when he held funding for important educational needs hostage for his school choice scheme, that was just devastating and inexcusable in my mind.

Weve got some important, important educational needs and financial needs for the development of our students that hit over so many different things: Mental health issues, safety issues, accountability issues, financial issues. Weve got to address those.

This school choice thing, as [Abbott] likes to call it  I dont care what you want to call it, its a voucher  that is totally separate, and they ought to be kept separate.

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I know [Abbott] thinks that he has the votes, now that he was able to get rid of [11] of us. So be it. Do it. Dont let it interfere with the more important educational needs.

SAR: What does it say about the state of Texas politics, if the policy fights boil down to rooting out the people who disagree with you until you get your way?

Allison: I think its a very bad statement, and particularly the way he did it. Itd be one thing if [Abbott] opposed me or any of the others over the school choice or school voucher issue. But he didnt do that, and I think that is very sad and quite inexcusable and really goes to character and integrity.

Rather than taking us on over school choice, he accused each one of us  me included  of being weak on the border and being weak on property taxes, and wanting to raise taxes. Those were absolute falsehoods.

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This past session, I was put on the Select Committee on Sustainable Property Tax Relief. On the border, I was on Appropriations and I supported and voted for every request [Abbott] made. It got sizable. We spent a lot of money on the border. But I supported it. So for him to come back and say I was not supportive on the border, or weak on property taxes, its just outrageous.

And then he makes it worse. While [Abbott] used those issues to get rid of us, the border and property tax, then he flips back and says, See, people wanted school choice.  That is so disingenuous.

SAR: You wound up backing the Democrat, Laurel Jordan Swift, in the race to replace you this fall. How did you come to that decision and did it surprise folks in your personal life?

Allison: I knew because of the way the campaign went, and just what I saw as qualifications as experience, that I could not support Marc LaHood, so I was just going to stay out of it. The education problem is so important to me  it was troubling when I saw that he was in alignment with the governor.

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Then I started getting a number of calls and running into people, and theyd say, I cant support LaHood, what do you know about the Democrat? I didnt know much at all, so I decided Ive got to look into this.

I met with [Swift], talked to her several times. She was very strong on education. Strong on health care. She had a health care background. Those are two very important things to me, but particularly education.

There were some issues that we didnt agree on at all [like her support for abortion rights]. But I determined, with the current makeup of the House and the Senate, those issues arent going anywhere. The ones that are going to go somewhere  education, health care, property tax  she was good on, or much better than LaHood, so thats where I went.

SAR: Do you plan to continue to be involved in Republican politics? And whats next for you?

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Allison: I dont know. I just dont really recognize the Republican Party. Its changed, and I dont think for the good. Ive been a Republican my whole life. Ronald Reagan was my hero, and Id like to see us back in those days. Were not there now, thats for sure.

I know Im going to stay involved in education issues.  Beyond that, well just see whats in store next. Ive been a stalwart for education for many, many years and continue to be, and I really see that as the most important issue facing the legislature this next session.

I get so very frustrated over the single-issue mentality, people getting bogged down over a single issue and being blind to everything else and voting just over a single issue  but I dont see education that way at all.

It is so multifaceted and so foundational and so important for our childrens development for society, development for our workforce, development for our economy.

If you dont have an educated populace and an educated workforce, I dont think you have much of a society or much of a community, state or country, and thats what were on the throes of.

I think there needs to be some changes in direction of what Im seeing from the Republican Party, if anythings going to get accomplished, I think the worst thing wed have is go to a stalemate, and were sure on that road. I think its become so horribly partisan. Thats just not good for our district, and its certainly not good for the state. I think weve got to work in a bipartisan way to the extent possible on any occasion to get things and things accomplished.
Salt Lakes housing market has zoomed on to the list of the nations Top 10 hottest for 2025, according to Zillow.

Utahs capital and the surrounding metropolitan area just made the list at No. 10, the countrys most-visited real estate website declared, calling Salt Lake one of the fastest-rising metros in our ranking, moving up 18 spots from last year, with home values forecast to rise 2.3% this year.

Salt Lake, ranked the 18th hottest housing market for 2024, was the only Western metropolitan area to make this years Top 10, after the West was shut out completely from last years list. It was only one of two Western metropolitan areas on the Top 20 list for 2025, joined by San Diego at No. 19.

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Buffalo, New York, topped the real estate companys predictions for this years 10 hottest housing markets. Buffalo also was ranked No. 1 in 2024 and is the first market to lead the list in back-to-back years, thanks to what Zillow cited as relative affordability and supply that trails demand.

Zillow looked at the housing market in the nations top 50 metropolitan areas by population to come up with this years rankings, analyzing forecasted home value growth, how quickly homes are selling, and projected growth in jobs, housing construction and home ownership.

Heres the Top 10 list:

Buffalo, New York Indianapolis, Indiana Providence, Rhode Island Hartford, Connecticut Philadelphia, Pennsylvania St. Louis, Missouri Charlotte, North Carolina Kansas City, Missouri Richmond, Virginia Salt Lake City, Utah

At the same time that the Salt Lake housing market is being seen as red-hot, Utah is also ranked as the nations third-least affordable state for homebuyers by Tradingpedia. Only Hawaii and California have higher home price to income ratios, the measures used by the financial news website.

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Interestingly, Utah emerges as the third-most expensive state for buying a home, with the median home sales price at the end of November 2024 at $545,555. Coupled with  personal income of $67,095 a year, the prices of residential real estate here are unaffordable for many, Tradingpedia said in a news release.

According to the websites analysis, homes in Utah cost on average more than eight times the states annual personal per capita income, calculated at $67,095 in the third quarter of 2024. Despite Utahs 2024 median home price of $545,555, the news release noted 34,374 homes were sold between January and December of 2024, which is roughly 9.8 sales per 1,000 residents.

Unlike the list of hottest housing markets, Utah has plenty of company from other Western states on the least-affordable housing list. Montana is ranked fourth followed by Idaho, Washington, Colorado, and Oregon, with Arizona in 10th place. At No. 9, Rhode Island is the only non-Western state on the list.

Tradingpedias analysis showed homes in the states with the highest home price-to-income ratio, predominantly in the West, are far beyond the means of most Americans, including the ones residing within them, while the most affordable housing could be found largely in the Midwest, with Iowa at the top of that list.
Jan. 8 (UPI) -- The Justice Department said Wednesday in a court filing that Attorney General Merrick Garland intends to release Special Counsel Jack Smith's report on the alleged felony criminal conspiracy by President-elect Donald Trump to overturn the 2020 election.

In the filing, the Department of Justice said Smith's final report has been transmitted to Garland.

Volume One of the report deals with the Special Counsel's prosecution of Trump relating to the felony charges resulting from efforts to overturn the legal 2020 election of President Joe Biden.

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"The attorney general intends to release Volume One to Congress and the public," the court filing said.

The filing said the report is being released "in furtherance of the public interest in informing a co-equal branch and the public regarding this significant matter."

To protect the rights of Trump co-defendants Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, the filing said Volume Two of the Special Counsel report won't be made public.

That report will be available for in-camera review by the chairmen and ranking members of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees.

In the filing, the Justice Department asked the appeals court to "make clear that there is no impediment to the attorney general" publicly releasing Volume One.

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The filing also asks the court to make it clear there is no impediment to the attorney general "allowing for limited congressional review of Volume Two."

The Justice Department said in the 11th Circuit filing the court should vacate Judge Eileen Cannon's temporary injunction blocking the release of the Special Counsel report.

Cannon was criticized for allegedly lacking a bona fide legal basis for her decision to throw out charges against Trump based on her view that Special Counsel Jack Smith's appointment was unconstitutional. Some of her decisions favoring Trump were reversed on appeal.

The Wednesday filing was in response to a motion brought by Trump co-defendants Nauta and De Oliveira seeking to legally block the release of the Special Counsel reports.

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Garland plans to release just the volume regarding Trump's alleged plans to subvert the legal transfer of presidential power after the 2020 election.

Nauta is Trump's valet. De Oliveira is a Trump property manager.

Since Garland will not release the report on the felony charges against Trump for allegedly illegally possessing, that report will likely never be publicly released.

Trump will control the Justice Department when he becomes president.

He has vowed to kill the cases against him and has said he will pardon his supporters convicted of crimes related to the violent Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by a pro-Trump mob seeking to block the transfer of presidential power.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  Over 100 Kaisertown residents attended the Kaisertown Coalitions call for action meeting Tuesday night following residents concerns stemming from multiple incidents of property damage.

Quality of life issues from homelessness to property damage brought residents together. 40-year-old Leroy Scott of Buffalo is accused of over five felonies for four acts of vandalism, three of which took place on Clinton Street.

Residents, Acting Buffalo Mayor Chris Scanlon, Erie County District Attorney Michael Keane, police and Buffalo Common Council members were in attendance in what Lovejoy District Council Member Bryan Bollman called the biggest turnout he has ever seen.

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If they feel that their quality of life is being impacted, I believe them, Scanlon said.

One business owner whose store was vandalized said Scott was a known suspect in September and was released on bail, allowing him to strike again and again.

The police knew about it in September. They knew about it in October. They knew about it in November, said Cindy Lawson of Cynthia Woltz Insurance Agency. Nothing was being done and it wasnt until he escalated and really started hitting two and three businesses a night in the end that it finally made a difference.

Unless it is a crime where somebody actually gets hurt, so property crimes dont fall under that, said Elizabeth Von Hahn of Kaisertown Crafts and Gifts. The courts will let them go. I didnt like that answer because the law is not that illogical.

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Keane said Scott was charged Tuesday due to him being a repeat offender.

Whether or not its success, I dont know, said Kevin Mason, a Kaisertown Coalition member. Its definitely, I would say, peace of mind, because when he was arrested and let out, there was more damage done.

The question of who will pay for the damage was another question asked by residents.

So we are looking at three different opportunities to help businesses between federal, county and city funding and Mayor Scanlon has also offered potentially some of his district resources, as well as our local district resources, to be able to help the businesses that were affected, Bollman said.

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Property damage was only one of many issues discussed Tuesday night, with the others being slow police responses, absentee landlords and homelessness. Local leaders stayed behind after the meeting to answer those questions one-on-one.

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Dillon Morello is a reporter from Pittsburgh who has been part of the News 4 team since September of 2023. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter.

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Two months after President Jimmy Carter fulfilled his final wish of voting for Kamala Harris, Harris delivered a moving eulogy for the former commander in chief.

The vice president paid tribute to Carter during his lying in state ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, in a speech remembering the late leaders sincerity and dedication to serving others.

Jimmy Carter was that all too rare example of a gifted man who also walks with humility, modesty and grace, she said of the politician, who died at the age of 100 in late December.

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Harris celebrated Carter as a president who was ahead of his time, as she remarked on his commitment to the environment, public education, international diplomacy, human rights and more.

Throughout his life and career, Jimmy Carter retained a fundamental decency and humility, the vice president said.

Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff pay their respects to President Jimmy Carter during his lying in state ceremony at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday. Bill Clark via Getty Images

James Earl Carter Jr. loved our country. He lived his faith, he served the people and he left the world better than he found it, she continued. And in the end, Jimmy Carters work and those works speak for him louder than any tribute we can offer.

May his life be a lesson for the ages and a beacon for the future, Harris concluded.

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Prior to his passing, the former president was an ardent supporter of Harris during her bid for the Oval Office.

In August, the Nobel Prize winner even reportedly told his family he was less concerned about reaching his 100th birthday than trying to make it long enough to vote for Harris.

Carter was able to realize that wish in mid-October when son Chip Carter dropped off his dads ballot at the Sumter County Courthouse near the presidents hometown of Plains, Georgia.

Watch Harris tribute to Carter:

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U.S. Rep. Derek Schmidt, R-Kansas, joined the state's three other members of the U.S. House in supporting legislation that would require detention of undocumented immigrants charged with lower-level crimes such as burglary and shoplifting. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  The four U.S. House members from Kansas voted to approve legislation to compel federal law enforcement to detain for possible deportation undocumented immigrants accused of nonviolent property crimes.

Legislation sent to the U.S. Senate would expand the list of charges requiring a person in the United States without authorization to be held by federal authorities to include shoplifting, larceny, burglary and theft. The measure would provide state attorneys general standing to sue federal immigration officials who declined to follow immigration law.

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The bill was named in honor of Laken Riley, an Augusta University nursing student killed in 2024 by an undocumented Venezuelan immigrant who had a prior arrest record for shoplifting.

U.S. Rep. Derek Schmidt, the Republican serving the 2nd District in eastern Kansas, said the Riley Act was a strong first step to begin fixing border security issues. Schmidt was the Kansas attorney general prior to election to Congress in November.

As attorney general, I saw far too many cases of illegal immigrants with prior, lesser offenses committing violent crimes. Its unacceptable and must stop, said Schmidt, who was a cosponsor of the bill. Im confident its the first of many actions we take this year to secure our borders and improve community safety.

Republican U.S. Reps. Tracey Mann of the 1st District and Ron Estes of the 4th District voted for the bill along with Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids of the 3rd District in the Kansas City area. Davids was among 48 House Democrats to vote with the Republican majority.

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Estes, serving a district that covers Wichita, said it was significant the first legislative vote of the new Congress was on the Riley Act. It represented a common sense step to better secure the nation, he said.

On Tuesday, the House vote was 264-159. The legislation would require bipartisan support in the U.S. Senate to advance. At least seven Democrats would need to join the 53 Republicans in the Senate to move the bill to the White House.

President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office Jan. 20, and congressional Republicans have called for a border crackdown. Their agenda has included holding asylum applicants outside the United States and withdrawal of federal funding to cities that dont cooperate with federal immigration enforcement officers.

Under existing federal law, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement requests detainers on undocumented immigrants convicted of burglary, robbery, kidnapping, homicide, sexual assault, drug trafficking, human trafficking and weapons offenses. Noncitizens convicted of at least two petty offenses are subject to potential deportation under federal statute.
BURLINGTON, Kan. (KSNW)  A fire has destroyed a Kansas home.

The Burlington police say 911 dispatch in Coffey County received a call about the fire on Des Moines Street, just west of Kansas Highway 75, shortly after 7 a.m.

New tick-borne disease found in Kansas cattle

When Burlington firefighters arrived, they found a two-story home engulfed in fire.

Fire crews from New Strawn, LeRoy and Gridley came to assist in battling the fire. The fire was able to enter the walls of the home up into the second story, causing extensive damage.

fire at a home in Burlington, KS on 1-7-2025 (Burlington Police Dept.) fire at a home in Burlington, KS on 1-7-2025 (Burlington Police Dept.) fire at a home in Burlington, KS on 1-7-2025 (Burlington Police Dept.) fire at a home in Burlington, KS on 1-7-2025 (Burlington Police Dept.) fire at a home in Burlington, KS on 1-7-2025 (Burlington Police Dept.)

In addition to fighting the fire, crews had to work to keep the flames from spreading to nearby structures, including the post office building. According to Coffey County Fire District No. 1 Chief Randall Brown, it is the most prolonged fire he has ever battled.

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Units didnt clear the scene until shortly before 4:30 p.m. The cause is under investigation.

Three inside people made it out safely but were taken to the hospital for evaluation, according to police.

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP)  Kansas' top elections official launched a campaign for governor Wednesday after building his public profile by pushing back against unfounded election conspiracy theories and breaking with fellow Republicans on voting rights issues.

Secretary of State Scott Schwab is the first candidate to confirm plans to seek the GOP nomination in 2026 to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. He announced his campaign in an online video, giving the August 2026 primary race an early start.

Schwab has repeatedly vouched for the integrity of Kansas elections on his two-term watch, despite President-elect Donald Trump's false assertions that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him. Such assertions circulated widely within the GOP.

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There are people who try to make money off conspiracy theories  its nothing new, Schwab said in an interview with The Associated Press. I think that train has run to the end of its track, that theres no money in trying to spread those type of things anymore.

Schwab also has defended the use of ballot drop boxes and countered other Republicans' suggestions that voting by noncitizens  which is rare  is a serious problem in U.S. elections.

Republicans are keen to recapture the governors office in GOP-leaning Kansas after Kelly narrowly won a second four-year term in 2022 despite Democratic President Joe Bidens unpopularity with voters. Many Republicans expect a crowded primary.

With Kelly in office, Republicans have been unable to enact some policies seen in other red states, such as a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors and a program let parents use state education dollars to pay for private schooling. Schwab supports both ideas.

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He compiled an orthodox conservative record on issues such as tax cuts, abortion and even election issues in 14 years in the Kansas House before he was first elected secretary of state in 2018.

In his announcement video, he advocated a cut in local property taxes and endorsed proposed rules on foreign land restriction, particularly China, something Kelly vetoed last year. In Wednesday's interview, he said he wants Kansas to be seen as a place offering economic opportunities, where people can hold their values and afford to live.

California  beautiful place to live, you just cant afford to live there. The East Coast  economic opportunity, but you just cant afford to live there, he said. Kansas, were just right there with this great economic opportunity.

Schwab has become notable for his willingness to dispute fellow Republicans assertions on election issues. He won a second term in 2022 after beating back a primary challenge from an election conspiracy promoter, Mike Brown, who later became Kansas Republican Party chair.

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He has repeatedly expressed frustration over unfounded arguments that fraud is widespread, noting in December that GOP complaints dropped after Trumps victory in 2024. He attributed conspiracy theories to a small group of people and told reporters, When their person wins, then they dont complain.

His embrace of ballot drop boxes has also put him at odds with some Trump supporters  including state Attorney General Kris Kobach  who suggest that they make fraud easier, despite a lack of evidence of problems.

As a legislator, Schwab backed a law that took effect in 2013 to require new Kansas voters to provide proof of citizenship to register, but he reconsidered after it kept more than 31,000 eligible citizens from voting and the federal courts struck it down. He has also rejected unfounded arguments that voting by immigrants in the U.S. illegally is potentially a serious problem.

If Im an illegal immigrant  Im here illegally  the last thing Im going to do is go to government to let them know Im here, he told reporters in December after he and other state officials certified the state's November election results. And thats exactly what voter registration is.

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Schwab, 52, launched his bid for governor 8 1/2 years after a searing and highly public family tragedy: In 2016, one of his four sons, 10-year-old Caleb, died while riding what was billed as the world's tallest water slide at a now-demolished water park in Kansas City, Kansas.

The park closed after its 2018 season, and Schwab's family settled legal claims against its operators and other parties for nearly $20 million, according to court documents.

___

This story has been corrected to show that the governors veto of legislation on foreign land ownership was last year, not this year.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  State officials are asking Kansas employers to pitch in to help fight human trafficking within the workforce.

Becky Shaffer with the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) said in a press release on Wednesday, Jan. 8 that employers are being urged to take action against human trafficking within the states workforce. Human trafficking negatively impacts the operations of legitimate businesses, undermines the labor markets integrity and harms workers.

Human trafficking is not only a violation of basic human rights but also a serious threat to ethical business operations, said Kansas Secretary of Labor Amber Shultz. Employers play a pivotal role in identifying and preventing these crimes to ensure safe, fair and lawful working environments.

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The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reports on its website that human trafficking can take many different forms such as sex or labor trafficking. The activity of human trafficking is defined by the FBI as the illegal exploitation of a person.

Shaffer said human trafficking can be hard to identify. Employers and managers should keep an eye out for the following signs of human trafficking:

Signs of physical abuse.

Always having another individual around when talking with others.

Limited or no access to personal identification documents.

Working and living in isolated conditions and being cut off from interacting with others.

Kansas has $600 million in unclaimed property. Are you owed any?

KDOL encourages employers and managers to take action against these types of activities by reporting suspicious behavior to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888 or by contacting local law enforcement. You can find more resources on how to report human trafficking in the workplace by clicking here.

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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.

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf

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Jan. 7The city of Keene is rapidly growing, with many new businesses and neighborhoods setting down roots.

"These are exciting times for the city of Keene and cannot wait to see what the future holds," City Manager Jonathan Seitz said. "We are blessed with an incredible team, council and partners."

Keene Mayor Lisa Parrish was reelected to her seat in November. She was the first Keene mayor elected in 2022. During her time in office, the city has seen substantial growth.

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"I am excited to share news about the progress happening in Keene," Mayor Lisa Parrish said. "I want to preserve the quality and character of our town, those attributes about it that we all love, while making sure that when I leave Keene, it's in a better place than when I came into it as an elected official. "A better place to live in, work in and to visit."

Allsup's Convenience Store and Truck Stop opened on U.S. 67 in early December, with residents flocking to visit the new location.

"This establishment will not only provide citizens with a place to get gas and shop for everyday essentials including fresh produce, but it will serve as a vital hub for travelers and truckers who need a place to stop and rest," Parrish said. "I'm excited that Allsup's chose Keene for their first location in Johnson County."

The 6,277-square-foot store at 100 E. 67 is open 24 hours a day.

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"It is an exciting time in Keene. We have two new, awesome companies coming to Keene and our Industrial Park is growing. We are looking forward to more new business in the future," KEDC-A Board Chair Samantha Gillin said.

Convenience store brand Yesway was founded in 2015 and bought the Allsup's brand in 2019. Another Allsup's is planned to be built on Sunflower Lane in Alvarado.

In October, Keene broke ground on a Tractor Supply Co. store to open in 2026. The 23,000-square-foot retail store is in the 2500 block of U.S. 67.

"This store will be a fantastic resource for farmers, ranchers and anyone who enjoys the great outdoors," Parrish said. "It's going to be a great addition to the commercial growth of our city."

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New homes

"We have four new neighborhoods in various stages of development that will bring about 1,000 homes into our city," Parrish said. "These new developments have paved the way for commercial growth and additional tax revenue for the city. Home ownership is the cornerstone of a strong community."

The new neighborhoods include:

Ashton Home Place, County Road 805  The builder of this community is Lennar and they are in the process of building phases 1 & 2 which will add 159 new homes. The city has sold 29 permits with homes officially under construction. Eventually the neighborhood will have the potential to add 300-plus homes to the community.

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Sunset Ridge, U.S. 67  This neighborhood will have three phases and eventually add a total of 350 homes to the community. Along with the homes there is 5.63 acres zoned for commercial property and an additional 14 acres of open green space.

Stonehurst, Old Betsy Road next to Keene City Hall  In the process of developing, this neighborhood will have 113 lots for future homes.

The Canyons, near Keene ISD  The builder of this community is DR Horton and there will be three phases, providing 292 lots for future homes.

"These projects are things that Keene has been working on for years, so it is good to personally see them coming to fruition," Director of Neighborhood & Development Services Don Martin said. "It has taken a team effort to make this happen."

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Public services

In addition to our new homes and businesses, the city is making strides in enhancing public services.

"I'm happy to announce that the police department is moving into its own building on [U.S.] 67 across from the Spanish church," Parrish said. "The fire department will take over the existing building in its entirety and have more office, storage and parking space."

Seitz said the police department building was one of many things on a long list of needs the city will continue to work on.

"Our first responders keep us safe day and night," he said. "With our fire and police departments working out of a shared space, there has been an obvious need for more room so both can grow as our city's needs continue to grow."

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The 9,200-square-foot building will give the department the room needed to operate on departmental city standards, he said.

"This change will not only provide a larger facility for our dedicated officers giving them more space to conduct their vital work, but it will also foster stronger connections with our community and make Keene an even safer place to live," Parrish said. "In my opinion, there is no higher calling than a career in public service. I have high respect for those that choose law enforcement and as mayor, I want to make sure our officers have the resources they need to effectively do their jobs."

By using the existing building, the city is saving about $1 to $2 million dollars, Seitz said.

"It is situated in a location where our city shows the largest signs of growth commercially and residentially," he said. "This is a strong indication of good things to come for our city of Keene in 2025."

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Police Chief James Kidd said the updated police facility is more than just a building. It is also a pivotal resource that supports the mission of protecting and serving the community.

"The facility enhances operational efficiency, officer morale, community relations and public safety," Kidd said. "It offers better working conditions, and space for training and community engagement. Symbolically, it demonstrates progress, professionalism and investment in the safety and well-being of the community and your police department."

Seitz and Parrish both thanked the Keene City Council for recognizing the need for the project.

"This move is a great decision for our town and has been needed for a long time," Parrish said. "It's especially important now due to our exponential growth in housing and commercial development.

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"I'm proud of our council, staff, and board members that worked together as a united team to make this happen. This acquisition of property and relocation of the police department shows that the officials in our town are committed to the safety and well-being of citizens."

2024 highlights

To kick off the new year, Parrish took a moment to reflect on the accomplishments and events of the past year.

"I am happy to report that together, your city officials (mayor and council members) and city staff worked very hard to ensure that city services were enhanced, and solutions sought to bring in revenue to put the city in a better financial position for years to come," she said.

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On March 15, the Keene Fire Rescue Department pushed in their new Pierce Fire Engine.

Other events that brought the community together in a positive way included the Southwestern Adventist University's Founder's Day Celebration in January; Total Solar Eclipse Event at SWAU and visit from the Queen of Palau, Beling Gloria Salaii, in April; the ninth annual celebration of National Police Week and Memorial Day Event in May; the Independence Day parade and celebration in July; Star Fest in October; and the second annual Christmas Market, Christmas Parade and opening of the Keene Community Impact Center all in December.

"It's been an honor to serve as an elected official the past six years and I can't wait to see what Keene's future holds," she said.
MINEOLA, Texas (KETK)  A victims family continues to speak out after the justice system has seemingly done nothing following allegations of a pastor committing child sex crimes and subsequent arrest.

Timothy Nall, a former pastor at Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church in Mineola, was arrested for indecency with a child by sexual contact in 2023 after having worked at the church for three years.

Tyler woman in custody after setting fire to trailer, firing at deputies

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The allegations stem after a woman saw Nall touch another church members daughter inappropriately, an affidavit said, and was later determined he had placed his hand right above the childs pubic area. The woman concerned about her own children, asked them if they had been inappropriately touched by the pastor.

One of her children said they had while at church, an affidavit stated.

My wife was hurt and upset and angry. I was the same. I was very angry and I felt betrayed by the church and by the pastor, Lonnie York, father of the victim said.

The victims family said they just want justice and to live their life. Were ready to put it behind us so our family can heal, aunt to the victim, Charisse Ylitalo said.

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The York family said they are frustrated that the next step in the legal process has been delayed. Despite this, the Wood County ADA, Brandon Baade promises the family that his team continues to work on the open investigation.

They just assure us that theyre being thorough. They want to make sure they have all the evidence possible, York said.

Former Longview ISD employee sentenced to five years for abuse of special education students

This is the third charge brought against Nall for allegations of a sexual crime against a child. In 2014, he was indicted in Mississippi on allegations from a sexual battery case that involved a young girl, according to KETKs affiliate WREG.

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At the time, Nall was the pastor of Farmington Baptist Church near Corinth, Miss., and was accused of abusing a young girl that began when she was 6 years old.

The case ended in a mistrial after two jurors could not agree on a verdict, according to WREG. He was then indicted again for sexual battery and a new count of foundling stemming from the same allegations.

He keeps me awake at night worrying that hes walking free and that theres somebody else out there, somebody elses baby that can be abused by him, York said.

The family is paralyzed with fear since Nalls arrest warrant was signed without any bond restriction, meaning he can move about with freedom.

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I am firmly of the opinion that bond conditions are unconstitutional under both the state and federal constitutions. Even someone who has been indicted for a criminal offense is presumed innocent until proven guilty, Tyler criminal attorney Mitch Adams said.

KETK questioned Wood County Judge Tony Gilbreath why Nall doesnt have bond restrictions but he has not commented.

The York family is searching for concrete answers and are ready to put this behind them so they can move on.

Going from being in church three days a week to struggling to find your faith again is hard, York said.

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The U.S. Justice Department said in October that it had reasonable cause to believe that Georgia violates the Eighth Amendment by failing to protect incarcerated persons from violence and sexual abuse, and by failing to provide reasonably safe conditions, according to a new report. Getty Images

The Georgia Department of Corrections and Republican Gov. Brian Kemp unveiled a plan Tuesday to spend an additional $600 million on the state prison system, which has suffered from inadequate staffing, violence, and facilities in disrepair.

During a joint meeting of House and Senate appropriation subcommittees Tuesday, state corrections department Commissioner Tyrone Oliver presented the wide ranging list of budget recommendations, describing them as necessary investments for strengthening prison security, increasing staffing levels, increasing compensation for correctional officers and other staff and renovating facilities. The conditions of Georgias prisons were so poor that the United States Department of Justice threatened a lawsuit if the state did not shore up a myriad of problems it found to violate the constitutional rights of inmates.

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The federal report contains descriptions of numerous assaults, including beatings, stabbings, rapes and acts of torture. It finds that the homicide rate in Georgia prisons is nearly triple that of the national average, and that other serious and life-threatening incidents are exponentially more frequent.

According to Oliver, the additional money is needed to address the near-term challenges of the prisons, which often leave staff and inmates in dangerous situations.

Staffing levels for correctional officers are low all around this, all around the country and also at the federal level, Oliver said. This leads to insufficient staffing patterns and existing staff do not feel safe. Staffing patterns and training needs need to be updated to meet the needs of the modern workforce.

The corrections department is requesting an additional $6.1 million for the current budget in order to begin the process of hiring an additional 882 correctional and security officers over the next several years. In order to reduce the current staff-to-offender ratio of 14 to 1, the corrections department aims to add 330 correctional and security officer positions over the next year.

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The department is also requesting several million dollars for a 4% salary increase for correctional officers and staff working in education, chaplain, food service and maintenance. The governors recommendations also call for an 8% salary hike for behavioral health counselors, which would put them close in line with statewide averages in surrounding states.

The department is also pushing for potential officer promotions every six months that will provide better pay as a way to retain staff.

Several legislators on Tuesdays panels addressed the departments plans to significantly increase staffing over the next several years, referencing the current hiring and retention challenges that have resulted in a system-wide deficit of about 2,600 personnel.

While adding new positions sounds great, and we should strive for that, were having a devil of a time trying to get there to begin with in our current ones, said Sen. John Albers, a Roswell Republican.

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Kemp said the corrections budget proposal is the latest in a series of significant spending on public safety designed to reduce crime by targeting violent offenders and improving training and compensation for law enforcement officers.

The budget recommendations included input from independent consulting firm Guidehouse Inc., appointed by Kemp in June to create an in-depth assessment of a Georgia prison system that houses about 50,000 inmates and employs about 9,000 people.

Public safety is the number one priority of the state government, and that is why we have taken a comprehensive and deliberate approach to strengthening law enforcement and improving our corrections system, Kemp said in a statement Tuesday.

The governors budget proposal also includes money addressing inmate overcrowding in state prisons. Kemps recommendations include spending $40 million to design and plan a new prison facility, adding 446 beds to an existing private prison contract, and adding 126 bed units to ease inmate movement while capital and security improvements are underway.

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The corrections department is also requesting an extra $50 million to install new contraband interdiction technology, including equipment to detect cell phones and drones, which prison officials say is the most common method of smuggling drugs and weapons into prisons.

Another $77 million would be used to replace locks inside the facilities as well as perform other major infrastructure improvements. The corrections department is also recommending spending an additional $86 million for emergency repairs and maintenance at facilities.

The $600 million budget plan will be split between this years budget and the budget for next year, which will both be voted on by the Legislature this spring.

The Georgia corrections department has labeled the Justice Departments accusations as a misunderstanding of the systemic challenges of operating expansive prison systems, and also criticized the federal department for its poor record of overseeing federal prisons.

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Dublin Republican Rep. Matt Hatchett said holding a state departments budget subcommittee meeting the week prior to the start of the Legislative session is a sign of pressing needs to address within the state corrections department.

It is out of the ordinary, and I think it shows the emphasis that (Kemp) and us collectively are putting on this issue, said Hatchett, chairman of the House Special Subcommittee of Appropriations on State Prisons, I do appreciate him agreeing to do that. You can study things for a long time and hope that you get the right answer and the right path forward. Well, this has been studied and studied, and I think its time to get something done.

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Allies of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are feeling optimistic about his chances to pick off one or more Democratic votes for confirmation as Donald Trumps health secretary as he sits down with a slate of opposition-party senators.

The positivity comes as much of the drama surrounding Trumps Cabinet picks has died down  at least within the Republican Party. Kennedy is set to meet with more than a half-dozen members of the Senate Democratic caucus this week, including Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.

The confidence in Kennedys potential to peel off Democratic votes is good, one Kennedy ally told Semafor. Enough to offset the anti-Trump Republicans.

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Kennedy allies and members of Trumps team believe Senate Democrats arent completely unified, particularly when it comes to the Health and Human Services secretary nominee  a former Democrat who still holds left-leaning views, particularly on processed food and the pharmaceutical industry.

Theres a lot of crossover with Democrats and RFK, another person close to Trump noted.

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Even though Democrats are willing to meet with Kennedy, convincing them to vote for him will be far more challenging. His confirmation hearings will prove pivotal, with Democrats likely to lob tough questions on his vaccine skepticism as well as other looming issues in his background.

Still, the optimism from Trumps and Kennedys camps about his confirmation chances reflect a broader positivity about the president-elects Cabinet nominees.

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Were confident with everyone, the person close to Trump said. And thats not hyperbole or spin. I think everyone feels pretty confident about not just RFK, but [Pete] Hegseth, about Tulsi [Gabbard], about Kash [Patel]. I think everyone feels pretty good.

Shelbys view

Kennedy very well could pick up one or two Democratic votes: Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, for example, has expressed a willingness to support some Trump nominees.

But his easiest path is still through the Republican Party  and its not clear he has full support there yet.



Sen. Bill Cassidy, who had a conversation with Kennedy on Thursday, did not exactly suggest hed been convinced: On X, Cassidy described the conversation as frank, and noted that they discussed vaccines at length. (Kennedys history of vaccine skepticism is one of the factors that has troubled members on both sides of the aisle.)
FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56)  A bill introduced to the Senate on Wednesday could, if passed, allow religious organizations in Kentucky to develop affordable housing in commercial as well as residential zones.

When will Lexington side roads, neighborhoods, and sidewalks be cleared of snow, ice?

Senate Bill 59 was introduced on Wednesday by Sen. Jimy Higdon, according to a news release. The legislation reportedly seeks to remove regulatory barriers and let religious organizations across the Commonwealth develop affordable housing on their properties.

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This proposal reflects the voices of my constituents and the shared work of the Affordable Housing Task Force, said Higdon. Churches have always been beacons of hope and service in our communities, and this bill empowers them to do even more to help address the housing crisis in Kentucky. Its one piece of the housing puzzle our state and many others face.

State lawmakers said the bill was drafted after a recommendation from the Kentucky Housing Task Force, which, in a 2024 report, said that other states utilize religious or nonprofit institutions to develop affordable housing.

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According to a news release, faith leaders in Kentucky, including the Sisters of Loretto, are in support of the bill. If the Senate approves it, Rep. Michael Sarge Pollock will carry it into the House.

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Deaths exceeded births for the first time in Kentucky in 2020. (Getty Images)

While Kentucky had more deaths than births in 2023, according to preliminary data, deaths declined.

This is thanks, in large part, to the overall decrease in COVID-19 deaths following years of spikes during the pandemic, according to Matthew H. Ruther, the director of the Kentucky State Data Center (KSDC).

With the public health emergency chapter of the COVID-19 pandemic over, Ruther, who is also a University of Louisville professor, said the state is trending back to normality with its death total.

Matthew H. Ruther

Kentucky births, meanwhile, continue a steady decline thanks to multiple factors, including the cost of having and raising a child.

Comparing deaths and births

In 2023, there were 53,262 deaths in Kentucky  down from 57,069 in 2022.

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Where we are now would be where we would have expected to be if COVID hadnt hit, said Ruther. So theres this  peak in 2021, and then its gone back down.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that in 2023 there were never more than 81 weekly COVID-19 deaths in Kentucky. In 2022, the state once had 425 deaths in a week, and in 2021 the deadliest week saw 451 lives lost to COVID-19.

Births in Kentucky also declined  from 52,318 in 2022 to 51,992 in 2023, according to Ruther.

The number of births and deaths in Kentucky has steadily grown closer, according to KSDC data going back to 1960. From then until 2020, there were always more annual births than deaths, a trend that reversed in 2020 and has continued since then. More people are dying, and fewer are having babies.

Births and deaths in Kentucky from 1960 to 2023. (Kentucky State Data Center)

Kentuckys fertility rate  the hypothetical average number of children per woman  is 1.8, which is higher than the national rate of 1.6, but not quite to the replacement benchmark of about two children per woman.

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What youre looking for is a fertility rate around a little bit more than two, because this is whats known as replacement fertility, Ruther explained. Two people have two babies and so they replace themselves in the population. So, were a little bit lower than replacement fertility.

Social factors often contribute to birthing trends, Ruther said. Recently, the high cost of having a child  buying food and paying for child care  are barriers to having a biological child.

The gap between births and deaths was closing and closing and closing, and then COVID hit, and then deaths  blew up way higher than births, Ruther said. And now that deaths are coming back down a little bit  the gap is narrowing, but only because COVID deaths are going down. And in the future, we would expect it to start widening again.

The trend affects Kentucky rather evenly, Ruther said; about 75% of the states counties have more deaths than births.

Deaths of despair plus reluctance to have children

Jason Bailey, the executive director of the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy, said life expectancy for working class Kentuckians has worsened, which concerns him.

Jason Bailey

A less healthy population obviously means a smaller workforce. It means a lower quality of life, and all the things that you want out of a good and prosperous state, he said. So its a key concern for quality life and for economic vitality that people are dying earlier, and were sort of a ground zero for deaths of despair related to drugs and alcohol and suicide and other  poor health indicators.

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An August 2024 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed life expectancy at birth for Kentuckians was an average of 72 years, the fifth worst state.

The other end of the spectrum thats also concerning is the evidence that suggests that people are reluctant to have children, in part because of costs associated with that, whether that be child care, housing, higher education and then the wages that they have, said Bailey.

Child care issues were a recurring theme during the 2024 legislative session. With federal COVID-19 dollars that helped stabilize the industry during the last few years running out, centers were left to cut pay for their workers, raise tuition for parents and even close. This put a strain on an already struggling industry.

If people cant afford to have kids that want to have children, that obviously affects their quality of life, but it feeds into a workforce challenge, Bailey said.

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He pointed to the Baby Boomer generation, conceived in the immediate aftermath of World War II. Baby Boomers are those born between 19461964.

During that time, Bailey said, there was a sense of optimism about the future. People felt like their lives were getting better, their jobs were getting better, and that contributes to it as well. I think there are a lot of people in their 20s now that dont see a lot of future. Theyre working dead end jobs in the service sector. They dont see a career ladder of opportunities, and that contributes to the decisions they make about family formation.

Charles Aull

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Charles Aull, the executive director of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Center for Policy and Research, said the sheer size of the baby boomer generation means higher death rates at this time are not surprising.

Those folks have transitioned into the retirement periods, for the most part, and then following those retirement periods will eventually be deaths, Aull said. And that was a very, very large generation. And then generations that have followed have just had less babies.

This will continue to cause economic strain, he said, as there are more people needing services like health care, and fewer people in the workforce to provide such services.

When it comes to population growth, immigration will increasingly play a larger role, Aull said.

Immigration offsets natural population loss

Kentuckys population loss from a decline in births is being offset by immigration, Ruther said, both internationally and from other states.

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That is offsetting the losses that were seeing  the natural decline that we see, Ruther said. Immigration in Kentucky is boosting population growth mainly in Louisville, Lexington, Northern Kentucky and Bowling Green, he said.

The United States Census Bureau estimated Kentuckys population at 4,339,367 in 2010, which increased to 4,526,154 in 2023 and 4,588,372 in 2024. From 2020 to 2024, according to the Census, the population increased nearly 2%.

From 2019-2023, about 4% of Kentuckys population was foreign born, according to Census data.

Immigration is going to continue being an important part of how we grow our workforce, Aull said. But it also goes back to why its so important to remove barriers to work. If theres a Kentuckian out there who wants to work but faces some sort of obstacle, its becoming increasingly important that we figure out ways to remove that obstacle.

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From 2019 to 2023, there were about 2.5 people per household and 1,791,991 households in Kentucky, according to Census data.

The competition among states for talented workers and for just workers in general, thatll probably intensify, especially if we do anything to slow down legal immigration into the country, that will create added pressure on states to compete for talent, Aull said. President-elect Donald Trump has promised to crack down the border and begin mass deportations of immigrants who are here without visas.

Having things like a competitive tax code, having a strong housing market where people can actually move to the state and afford a home, that stuff is just going to become increasingly more important, said Aull, because were just going to need more people in the workforce as we see more and more retirees and more people that are dependent on goods and services, but they cant work.

Kentuckys economic outlook is concerning to Bailey at the moment, but I think its important that we have the right diagnosis of it, he said.

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We want people to live full and healthy lives, and we want people to have options to have children if thats something they would like to do, he said. And increasingly, those things arent happening. Were dying earlier, despite having the medical technologies that should be able to keep us living longer, and were not having children, in some cases because  we cant afford it, we dont see it as a viable option because of our economic circumstances. Those arent things we should be facing in the richest country in the world.

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FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56)  The Kentucky Constitution did not give any leeway to lawmakers for starting the 2025 Regular Session on this specific day. At noon, their work officially began, marking Day One of a short 30-day session to craft a new policy for 2025.

Day One is often filled with formalities. This year starts a new term for every member of the House. Speaker David Osborne now begins his fourth term chairing the chamber.

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This is what we do. We are policymakers, and this is our time to make policy. And if you cant get excited about that, then theres something wrong with you, Osborne joked.

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His chambers first priority, House Bill 1, is already filed and on the move. Thats the bill cutting the income tax by another half percent to 3.5%, the third cut since the plan was set in motion 3 years ago by House Bill 8.

Low-income people dont pay much in income tax anyway, but they are subject to many of those sales taxes. So their tax burden overall is actually going up, Rep. Al Gentry (D-Louisville) said.

Its unclear whether House Democrats will support the measure, despite Gov. Andy Beshear indicating he will. Lawmakers in both chambers got to dust off their debate skills tangling over rule adoption, the first of many floor debates sure to be seen this year.

Although Speaker Osborne is anticipating a more routine 2025 spent on tweaking and refining existing policy.

LATEST KENTUCKY LISTS AND RANKINGS:

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I dont think you will see a big spending measure like weve had in previous years. I think this is going to be a traditional short session, he said.

But as the saying goes, every session takes on a life of its own. With the first batch of bill filings made Tuesday, soon committee hearings will begin. Osborne expects a vote on House Bill 1 before the end of the week.

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McCREARY COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE)  A woman from McCreary County was found safe Wednesday after being reported missing, reported the Kentucky State Police.

Amanda Sue Massey, 37, had been last seen on the afternoon of January 5. She reportedly walked away from her home on George Vahle Road in Strunk and got into a pickup truck with an unknown man.

Sevierville Police ask for help finding missing teen last seen on New Years Eve

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Ms. Massey is described as a white female, 5 feet tall, approximately 125 pounds, with short brown hair and hazel eyes, KSP reported. She was last seen wearing a black or blue sweat suit with a jacket.

(Photo from Kentucky State Police)

Amanda Sue Massey was found safe, reported a KSP spokesperson. You can cancel the missing persons. Thanks for everyones help on locating her.

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MOUNT VERNON, Ky. (FOX 56)  On Tuesday, the Kentucky State Police (KSP) announced a trooper seized over 11 pounds of meth and a jar of marijuana.

State police said a trooper responded to a disabled vehicle on the interstate that had run out of gas.

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Public Affairs Officer Scottie Pennington posted on Facebook that the driver had allegedly been smoking marijuana and ran away after an altercation. The unnamed suspect from Ohio was later arrested, and their vehicle was searched.

Kentucky State Police Kentucky State Police

Authorities allegedly discovered 11 pounds of methamphetamines and a glass mason jar containing marijuana.

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Pennsylvania state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta on swearing-in day Jan. 7, 2025. (Capital-Star/Peter Hall)

State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D-Philadelphia) wants the Democratic Party to get back to basics. Thats why hes running for Democratic Party National Committee (DNC) vice chair.

Im not a Democrat because I hate Republicans, Kenyatta told the Capital-Star. Im a Democrat because I believe the Democratic Party at its best is best positioned to actually deliver the important progress that working families need.

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Kenyatta is one of the 14 candidates vying for three vice chair positions with the DNC. The 34-year-old lawmaker was first elected in 2018 to represent parts of North Philadelphia in the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

He told the Capital-Star that Democrats cant exist as a foil to somebody else for the next four years.

We cannot be the party of billionaires and the party of the people working for the billionaires, he said. I choose being the party of workers, of working people, of people who know what it means to get up every day, work their hearts out and still not have everything that they deserve.

Kenyatta was an early supporter of President Joe Bidens candidacy in 2020 and delivered a speech at the Democratic National Convention in 2024 where he blasted Project 2025, a conservative policy roadmap.

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Kenyatta sees the volunteer vice chair position as an extension of the work hes doing as a legislator and believes that the messaging from the Democratic Party moving forward is not locked in the brain of some high-priced consultant.

They are locked in the lived experience of working families like mine, who want to believe, again, that there are people in government that actually give a damn about them, and I think that that was the trouble for us in this election, Kenyatta said.

Democrats suffered losses in Pennsylvania and beyond in 2024. With Donald Trump at the top of the ticket, Republicans carried Pennsylvanias 19 electoral votes and won the races for U.S. Senate and the three row offices. That includes the auditor general race in which Kenyatta was the candidate. He lost to incumbent Tim DeFoor.

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Kenyatta said that messaging is one of the issues the Democratic Party needs to address.

The Democratic Party has not been effective at communicating in this very splintered media environment, Kenyatta said. He said Democrats took too long to engage with voters on TikTok, podcasts, and streaming platforms, and should have spent time appearing on outlets serving conservative audiences.

I think unfortunately, we have allowed other people to tell Democrats who we are, and to tell people who Democrats are, he said. Democrats have to be communicating everywhere and telling our own message and talking about the things that we did, and I think that that leads to the second thing I would say is that we do not spike the ball enough.

Kenyatta said the Biden-Harris administration cutting the cost of insulin was an example of a win the Democratic Party should have touted better to average Americans.

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Hes also concerned about voter registration efforts in the party. Democrats voter registration advantage over Republicans in Pennsylvania has dwindled over the past decade. Kenyatta wants Democrats to lead the single largest voter registration operation in American history.

Thats a big statement, but that is a big thing we must do, he said.

Kenyatta also believes his experience as a local elected official and being from Pennsylvania are assets for the DNC role.

Ive known the joy of success, Ive known the pain of falling short, Kenyatta said.

Despite the losses in Pennsylvania, Democrats maintained their one seat majority in the state House, an example of where the party did well in 2024, he said.

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We have to be about electing people up and down the ballot, listening to candidates on the ground, Kenyatta said.

The DNC is hosting its first virtual forum on Saturday for new candidates for chair, vice chair, and other roles within the national party. DNC members will select their new leaders on Feb. 1.

Even though Trump hasnt even taken the oath of office yet for his second term, Kenyatta thinks too many people are already focused on future presidential elections in the party.

F**k what we do in four years. What are we going to do in 10 months?, Kenyatta said, citing key races in New Jersey and Virginia.

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I believe in the Democratic Party, and I believe that this moment can be a moment that we reinvent ourselves, that we rebuild. It doesnt have to be the moment that we write the obituary of the Democratic Party. Its the moment that we tell the next chapter and tell the new story of a Democratic party that is laser focused on one thing, one thing only. How do we make life better for working people and working families?

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  Firefighters and equipment from Kern County are being sent to help fight raging wildfires tearing through Southern California.

Dozens of firefighters from the Kern County and Bakersfield fire departments are being sent Wednesday to fight the wildfires burning in Pacific Palisades, Altadena and the Sylmar areas. The fires combined have burned over 22,000 acres and destroyed more than 1,000 structures. Five people have died due to the Easton Fire, officials said Wednesday.

Palisades Fire in L.A. destroys 1,000 structures; surpasses 12,000 acres

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A strike team from the Bakersfield Fire Department is being sent to fight the Eaton Fire in Altadena. The Kern County Fire Department said it is sending multiple strike teams, engines, firefighting equipment and more than 160 firefighters for the Southern California response.

County fire officials said off-duty KCFD personnel are returning to duty to staff stations in Kern County.

Intense winds, strong gusts and dry vegetation have caused flames to spread and ignite thousands of acres in Southern California on Tuesday. As of Wednesday afternoon, there is 0% containment on the wildfires.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.
Senate Democrats are moving to delay confirmation hearings for some of President-elect Donald Trumps Cabinet picks, namely his choice for national intelligence director, former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.

Sen. Mark Warner (Va.), the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, told reporters Tuesday he still has questions about Gabbards qualifications after meeting with her this week. Trump tapped the former Hawaii lawmaker for the key intelligence post in November after she diligently campaigned on his behalf and joined the Republican Party in a show of faith.

But intelligence officials have questioned her qualifications, noting she has never worked directly in the field. (She did serve for two years on the House Homeland Security Committee.) Gabbard has also been criticized for spreading Russian propaganda and for her decision to meet with then-dictator Bashar Assad of Syria in 2017.

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I had questions going in, Warner told reporters on Tuesday, per The Hill. I have questions coming out. This is an extraordinarily important job. A lot of this  also about protecting the independence of the intelligence community and making sure we continue to have the ability to share classified information with our allies.

Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard leaves a meeting with Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) on Dec. 18 in Washington, D.C. Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images

Axios added a key issue for Warner is that the committee doesnt yet have Gabbards FBI background check, ethics disclosure or pre-hearing questionnaire. CNN noted the senator wasnt directly criticizing Gabbards fitness for the job, but said he was working to do it by the book.

Still, a spokesman for Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), the chair of the Intelligence Committee, said he intends to move forward to see Gabbard confirmed before Trumps inauguration later this month.

The Intelligence Committee, the nominees, and the transition are diligently working toward that goal, a spokesperson for Cotton told Axios.

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Trump transition spokesperson Alexa Henning criticized Warner and Democrats, telling Axios: After the terrorist attacks on New Years Eve and New Years Day, its sad to see Sen. Warner and Democrats playing politics with Americans safety and our national security.

Its unclear when exactly a hearing will take place. But Gabbard already has an active security clearance, meaning the nomination process should be expedited once it begins.

Correction: This story has been updated to correctly attribute a quote to Trumps transition team that had originally been attributed to Cottons office.

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HONOLULU (KHON2)  Justin Cruz is no stranger to the spotlight; but recently, he found himself in an unexpected position. Known for his steady presence at KHON2 News in Honolulu, Cruz was recently ranked amongst the top 200 sexiest news anchors in the U.S.

And, even more notably, he secured the #4 spot in a local list of Hawaiis sexiest male news anchors. While Cruz never anticipated such recognition, he embraced it with his usual humility and humor, proving once again that he is much more than just a pretty face on the screen.

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Cruz has been an anchor at KHON2 News in Honolulu for many years. And while Cruz may not have expected such recognition, he, as always, humbly accepted the accolade and displayed his usual down-to-earth attitude.

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KHON2.com sat down with Cruz who shared his thoughts on this unexpected ranking.

I dont give it too much weight, he said as he laughed. I really, honestly feel like Im the last person that should be recognized in this way. But hey, Ill take what I can get.

Cruzs sense of humor is one of the many reasons viewers love him, but his journey to becoming a beloved news anchor is rooted in much more than looks.

Cruz has spent 19 years in the news business, and it was a path he stumbled upon somewhat by accident.

My current news director approached me when I was doing a morning show on radio; and she said, we have this opportunity. We think you might be interested in it, and its weather anchor, Cruz explained.

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At the time, Cruz knew little about weather reporting; but his director reassured him that training would be provided. Now, hes a seasoned hybrid anchor, who delivers weather updates alongside his news reports during KHON2s daily newscasts.

His work has earned him a loyal following in Hawaii, where the local community often expresses gratitude for his calm, reassuring presence during weather-related events.

The most rewarding thing is during coverage of weather when people are a little bit anxious or scared about what may happen, Cruz said. When I see people off air, maybe in the malls or on the streets; and they express their gratitude, thats hands down the most rewarding thing.

Despite his success in news broadcasting, Cruzs new ranking took him by surprise.

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I didnt know there were that many broadcast anchors, he admitted. Getting into the top 200 I cant even imagine how many there are. So, I was really surprised.

And yet, Cruz, ever humble, didnt get caught up in the glamour of the recognition. Its cool to be recognized like that, he said. But I dont take it too seriously.

When asked about the competition in Hawaii, Cruz noted that the local market is filled with talented anchors.

We have a very creative people here in Hawaii, he said. Everyone has their own unique look. His understanding and appreciation of Hawaiis cultural diversity makes him stand out even more in a place where locals value the richness of their shared experiences.

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Looking back on his career and the possibility of others following in his footsteps, Cruz offered a few pieces of advice. Be current with current events, he stressed. Know whats going on in your town. Thats number one.

He also suggested something his father advised when he was young and that has helped him personally: reading aloud.

If you read out loud, you get to hear and control your voice much better than if you read silently, Cruz explained. It gives you confidence to speak in front of people.

In the world of news broadcasting, Cruzs genuine nature and commitment to his community are what truly make him stand out.

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You can watch Cruzs full interview here.

You can click here to read more about the rankings. You can click here to follow Cruz on Instagram. You can click here to access his bio and follow his news stories.

Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8

While his sexiest anchor ranking is certainly flattering, its his down-to-earth demeanor and unwavering dedication to his viewers that have earned him lasting recognition.

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 KHON2.
Kathy Klausmeier (D) was sworn in Tuesday as the 15th Baltimore County executive  and the first woman to hold that position in county history. She has served three decades in the Maryland General Assembly. Photo by Danielle E. Gaines.

Baltimore County has its first woman county executive following the appointment Tuesday of Kathy Klausmeier by the Baltimore County Council.

Klausmeier, a Democrat with three decades of experience in the state legislature, was tapped after a search process that began last year. A dozen people applied to complete the term of Johnny Olszewski Jr. (D), who left the county executives job to serve in the House of Representatives.

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Klausmeier was sworn in less than 24 hours before the Maryland General Assembly begins the 2025 session. Klausmeier promised to move quickly.

Our work will begin in earnest tomorrow morning, as I begin meeting with our leadership team and key staff, she said. We have much to do in the next 23 months, and I fully expect this transition phase will be brief and productive.

Klausmeier, in brief remarks following her swearing in, vowed to invest in county services, including schools, and improve public safety.

But at the same time, we must continue to grow our economy, create jobs, address the countys housing shortage and make government services more streamlined and efficient, and that goes for permitting, especially, she said.

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The appointment of Klausmeier closes a search that began late last year when Olszewski was elected to Congress.

Several of the seven council members council were already considering campaigns in 2026 to succeed Olszewski, who was in his second term and barred by term limits from seeking a third.

But no one on the council could secure the four votes necessary to complete Olszewskis final 23 months in office. That made it necessary to search for a candidate who likely would not run for the office at the end of the term.

Olszewski resigned before being sworn into Congress on Friday.

It is the second time since 2018 that the council has had to appoint an executive to complete a term. The last time was in 2018, when a vacancy was created by the sudden death of then-County Executive Kevin Kamenetz. The council named Don Mohler, a senior aide to Kamenetz, to serve the remaining six months of Kamenetzs term.

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The selection of Klausmeier marks a number of milestones. She is the first woman to serve as Baltimore County Executive since the position was created in 1956. She is also the first resident of Perry Hall to hold that office.

Finally, Klausmeier, at the time of her swearing in Tuesday, was older than any of her 14 predecessors at the time they took office. She turns 75 next month. Previously, Mohler had been the oldest at the time he was sworn in.

Klausmeier served more than two decades in the Senate  including two years as vice chair of the Senate Finance Committee. Before that she served eight years in the House of Delegates.

With Klausmeiers resignation to become county executive, there are three vacancies in the Senate Democratic Caucus: Klausmeiers seat, the seat in District 30 that was held by now-U.S. Rep. Sarah K. Elfreth (D), and the 41st District seat, where Sen. Jill P. Carter (D-Baltimore City) recently resigned after being nominated to the State Board of Contract Appeals.

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The Anne Arundel County Democratic Central Committee on Saturday narrowly recommended nominating Del. Shaneka Henson (D) to replace Elfreth in the Senate.

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David Schuhlein, a spokesperson for Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City), said Tuesday that Ferguson was not yet prepared to say who would take over for Klausmeier as vice chair of the Senate Finance Committee.

Its conceivable that all three of the districts delegates  Nick Allen (D), Harry Bhandari (D) and Carl Jackson (D)  could apply for the Senate vacancy.

Im still in the contemplative phase, Allen said in an interview Tuesday.

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Allen said he and his colleagues have discussed the possibility that they could be competing against each other for the appointment, and they have also considered whether to reach a consensus and recommend one for the Senate seat.

Bhandari was elected to the House in 2018. Jackson was appointed to his seat in 2019, after then-Del. Eric Bromwell (D) took a job with the Baltimore County government, and Jackson won a full term in 2022. Allen was elected in 2022.

We have great choices in District 8, Allen said. Compared to Kathy, Harry, Karl and I are novices.
As much of the country recovers from and prepares for winter storms, Southern California is facing an entirely different problem as multiple wildfires encroach on the Los Angeles area.

Since Tuesday morning, four different fires have started in the Los Angeles County area.

According to CBS, California Gov. Gavin Newson has declared a state of emergency across the state due to the fires, fed by strong seasonal winds.

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Now the federal government is lending support, and other Western states including Utah appear ready to help out.

How big are the wildfires?

The first fire to start was the Palisades fire, which started at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday near the Pacific Palisades community. The fire has burned over 5,000 acres, according to The Los Angeles Times.

The Eaton fire started around 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday and has covered more than 1,000 acres in Altadena and Pasadena.

Starting at 10:30 p.m., the Hurst fire, located around Sylmar, began and has now burned more than 500 acres, according to USA Today.

A fourth fire, the Woodley fire, started early Wednesday morning just north of the Palisade fire, according to CBS.

What damages have the wildfires caused?

According to The LA Times, the Eaton fire has consumed many homes in Altadena and Pasadena, and the Palisades fire has destroyed over 1,000 structures including homes and businesses. Most of the damage from the fire occurred in the Pacific Palisades area.

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The Los Angeles County fire chief reported Wednesday morning that two people had died in the Eaton fire, and several people have been injured in all of the fires, per The LA Times.

For the Palisades fire alone, over 30,000 residents were evacuated from the Pacific Palisades community. In total between the four fires, at least 70,000 people have been ordered to evacuate.

Users on social media have been sharing videos and photos of the fires and the damage they has caused. One user on X shared video showing the damage that occurred in the Pacific Palisades area.

This is whats left of the Pacific Palisades. The mall survived. Most everything else is gone. Homes, apartment complexes businesses. pic.twitter.com/Vfz721V48J  Jonathan Vigliotti  (@JonVigliotti) January 8, 2025

What caused the fires?

The causes of all the fires are currently unknown and are being investigated, per USA Today.

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Strong winds in the Los Angeles county area have fueled the fires contributing greatly to the rapid spread of the flames.

Other factors such as low humidity and dry fuels have also helped strengthen the fires, according to USA Today.

The National Weather Service issued its highest alert for extreme fire conditions in a major part of Los Angeles County before the fires even started.

An early warning on Monday predicted wind gusts reaching 100 mph throughout the week could prompt extreme fire behavior, per USA Today.

There are a variety of different ways that wildfires typically start.

A wildfire, an uncontrolled blaze that occurs on open land with vegetation, can be ignited by natural or artificial causes, per USA Today.

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The most common cause of wildfires is lightning, and in areas with roads near wildlife it is common for vehicles to unknowingly start a fire.

Another way fires can start is when strong winds move power lines potentially generating sparks which can land on dry fuel for a flame, per USA Today.

A prevalent human cause of wildfires is unextinguished campfires.

What is the outlook going forward?

The strong winds in the area will continue to slowly decrease throughout Wednesday. But, they will still be at dangerous levels and can still contribute to extreme fire conditions, according to The New York Times.

Winds are also expected to shift, potentially pushing the Palisades fire west to an area where there are more structures.

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The danger will not be over after Wednesday. It is possible that another wind event could come into Santa Ana on Friday, which could also help to keep the fires going, per The New York Times.

It is expected that weather conditions will improve over the weekend, but there is a high likelihood of another wind event next week as well.

Aid being sent from the Pentagon

According to The Hill, the Pentagon deputy press secretary confirmed that the Defense Department is sending 10 Navy helicopters to California with water buckets.

The Pentagon also is working with the California National Guard to add two Modular Airborne FireFighting Systems to the firefight. The systems quickly discharge retardant to battle fires and the Nevada National Guard is preparing two more to send to California.

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According to Fox 10, the federal government has been sending other resources to help contain the fires.

There are five U.S. Forest Service large air tankers being deployed that are already in Southern California, and a sixth is en route to the area.

The U.S. Forest Service also has dozens of fire engines that are ready to be deployed as needed.

On Wednesday, FEMA approved fire management assistance grants that will reimburse the state for the costs of the firefight, per Fox 10.

Unified Fire officials confirmed Wednesday that the Utah fire agency has received requests for help from California. Unified Fire Authority said it will work to send personnel to aid in the firefight.
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD)  The Bloomington Police Department has released the numbers from a statewide campaign to make the roads safer during the holidays.

The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign that ran from Dec. 13 until Jan. 2 that was funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration led to what the police department called a safer holiday.

The campaign led to Bloomington police giving two citations for improper child restraints, 20 speeding tickets, two tickets for distracted driving, 20 citations for other categories and even one arrest for possession of methamphetamine.

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Firearms stolen from Bloomington recovered in Springfield

Thanks to the drivers in our community who contributed to a safer highway system this holiday season. I applaud our officers who worked extra hours to increase visibility, address bad driving behaviors through enforcement, and improve traffic safety. BPDs collaboration with the Illinois Department of Transportation to leverage traffic safety grants, which assisted in this effort, is invaluable, said Chief Jamal Simington.

The campaign is designed to emphasize the collective commitment to safer roadways, particularly during high-risk times like the holidays.

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 CIProud.com.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WMBD)  The Illinois State Senate convened on Wednesday for the inauguration of the 104th assembly.

Gov. JB Pritzker led the meeting by swearing in the newly elected members of the Senate which included democrat Dave Koehler who represents the greater Peoria area, Bloomington-Normal, and parts of McLean, Tazewell and Woodford counties.

I am humbled to represent the people of the greater Peoria and Bloomington-Normal areas, and I do not take the trust and responsibility of this position lightly, said Koehler. I will continue to work to earn their trust and fight for the needs of the community.

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This is Koehlers seventh term as state senator as his first term came in 2006, and he was promoted to Assistant Majority Leader in 2019.

The Senate also voted on who would lead the 104th assembly as the Senates president between Democrat Don Harmon of Illinoiss 39th district, and Republican John Curran of Illinoiss 41st district.

Harmon won the presidents seat after receiving 40 votes, which is more than the 30 required by law, while Curran received 18 votes.

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 CIProud.com.
All products featured on Conde Nast Traveler are independently selected by Conde Nast Traveler editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, Conde Nast may earn an affiliate commission.

Jessica Christian/Getty

The January 2025 wildfires that ravaged parts of Los Angeles have been among the most destructive in Californias history. Recovery efforts are underway, but rebuilding may take years. Understandably, travelers are wondering whether visiting LA right now is safeor even ethical.

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The short answer: yes, its safe to visit. And in many ways, responsible tourism can help support communities impacted by the fires.

It's ethical and imperative for travelers to visit Los Angeles now, says Dominica Deluca, owner of iconic skate shop Brooklyn Projects on Melrose Blvd in Hollywood. It helps the city. Many businesses shut down for a couple of weeks because of the fires, and mom-and-pop shops became donation centers, giving out all their inventory to victims and helping wherever they could. We need more to get our businesses back on track. We welcome tourists to Melrose Blvd. The air is clean, and the fires didn't affect us.

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Which areas should you avoid visiting?

Most places impacted by the fires were local businesses and homes in the Pacific Palisades and Malibu (to the west of LA, between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean), and Altadena (east of LA in the San Gabriel Valley).

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While the majority of Los Angeles remains unaffected, travelers should avoid non-essential travel to Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Ventura, and Altadena. Sections of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) are closedcheck Caltrans for real-time updates.

Attractions like the Getty Villa, parts of Griffith Park, and Will Rogers State Historic Park remain temporarily closed. Some businesses are operating with reduced hours, so its best to check ahead before visiting.

All products featured on Conde Nast Traveler are independently selected by Conde Nast Traveler editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, Conde Nast may earn an affiliate commission.

An Ode to the Reel Inn, A Treasured Gathering Place Lost to the LA Fires

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The Reel Inn, a 36-year-old seafood shack along the PCH, brought out the best of Los Angeles.

Which areas are safe to visit?

Los Angeles is a sprawling metropolis, and while fires have left a lasting impact on certain areas, most of LA's iconic attractions remain untouched. Fortunately, more than 98% of Los Angeles County was not in a burn area, Visit California President & CEO Caroline Beteta said in a statement. Iconic landmarks, including the Santa Monica Pier, the Hollywood Sign, and Universal Studios Hollywood, are all welcoming visitors.

Many popular LA destinations remain entirely unaffected by the fires. Neighborhoods that are welcoming visitors while also supporting relief efforts include Beverly Hills, Huntington Beach, Santa Monica, Oxnard, and Ventura.

Should I be worried about air quality?

Be aware that air quality can fluctuate, particularly near burn areas. Travelers can check AirNow.gov for daily air quality updates and pack N95 masks for outdoor activities. On poor air quality days, consider focusing on indoor activities or exploring nearby destinations like Orange County or San Diego.

How can travel support LA's recovery?

For many locals, tourism ensures a livelihood. With over 540,000 Angelenos working in the tourism sector and more than 1,000 local businesses relying on our industry for their livelihoods, travelers continuing to visit our City of Angels has never been more critical, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board President & CEO Adam Burke said. Tourism does more than drive our economyit becomes a lifeline in supporting our communitys recovery.

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Even in fire-affected areas, businesses are eager to welcome visitors. Supporting our local businesses is one of the most effective ways to make a difference in Pasadena right now, Visit Pasadena Executive Director Kristin McGrath said. Wed be honored to have travelers become part of our rebuilding story.

How to visit respectfully

While tourism is encouraged, sensitivity is key. These are the do's and don'ts for your upcoming trip to LA:

Avoid disaster zones. Even if areas appear accessible, dont attempt to tour fire-ravaged neighborhoods in Malibu, the Pacific Palisades, and Altadena. These areas are secured for the safety of all. Locals are still grieving; please use the utmost tact. Respect local communities. Avoid taking photos of burned homes or ruins, and dont ask intrusive questions about lost property. Do not fly drones. Be patient. Some businesses may operate with limited staff or reduced hours, and service may take longer than usual. Support the local economy. Dine at locally owned restaurants, tip generously, and stay in hotels that assisted evacuees. Minimize your environmental impact: As rising global temperatures contribute toward an increase in extreme weather events, including wildfires, it's important to conserve energy and water usage. Visitors can bike when possible, and support sustainable businesses certified through the LA Green Business Program.

What resources can I use to stay informed?

For the latest wildfire updates, check:

County of Los Angeles for local wildfire emergency updates

CAL FIRE for statewide wildfire response

Watch Duty App for live fire maps and evacuation notices

How can my spending support recovery efforts?

To start, tip generously, including restaurant staff, tour guides, spa workers, and housekeeping. Many are dependent on tips, and generosity at this time can make a significant impact on individuals.

Where to stay

Several hotels offered emergency accommodations to evacuees and are now welcoming visitors. (You can call the hotel directly to confirm your booking will not interfere with any available rooms that have been set aside for evacuees.)

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Where to eat

DineLA Restaurant Week runs through February 7 and features over 420 restaurants. For every qualifying reservation, Los Angeles Tourism and Banc of California will donate $10 to the American Red Cross for wildfire recoveryup to $100,000.

Where to shop

Here is a running list of brands and businesses that are supporting LA fire relief efforts, courtesy of local LA residents Julia Beilman and Lauren Kleinman. A few examples, below:

SET Active : Raised $40,000 and donated thousands of clothing items to victims.

Cabeau: This Los Angeles travel brand donated a portion of all sales for one week to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Brooklyn Projects : The famed Melrose skate shop donated brand new sneakers and apparel to displaced families.

Print Shop LA : Hosted charity workshops benefiting wildfire victims.

Yoga Nest Venice: Hosted wildlife donation-based yoga classes.

Annie Bing: Launched a limited-edition T-shirt with all profits benefitting the LAFD Foundation.

Lisa Says Gah: This ethical womens clothing boutique contributed 15% of all proceeds for one week to LAFD and gathered donations for victims.

Jins: All proceeds made at its four Los Angeles stores between January 17 and 19 benefited Cal Fire Benevolent Foundation.

Hertz: The rental car company provided vehicles to the US Forest Service and FEMA, and donated pickup truck rentals to nonprofit partner Team Rubicon to help transport aid to impacted communities. Hertz is also offering discounts to evacuees and residents who lost their vehicles to the fires.

Sugared + Bronzed: The Santa-Monica born tanning brand reserved a block of hotel rooms near LAX that they made available to employees and LA residents displaced by the fires.

Walt Disney: The company pledged $15 million to support immediate response and rebuilding initiatives. Disneyland Resort in Anaheim remains open to visitors.

Paramount Pictures: The entertainment company announced a $1 million donation to several LA relief groups. Paramount Studio Tours remain open to visitors.

Where to volunteer

A morning or afternoon of volunteering can easily fit into a tripand it might even be your most memorable experience. When smart and informed, and focused on the needs of the recipients more than the needs of volunteers, voluntourism can be an impactful way to give back to the community while alleviating the daily workload of local volunteers. See here for more comprehensive volunteer opportunities. Visitors can also volunteer through:

Other ways to help

First responder support

The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation supports local LAFD firefighters. Donate here to help fund wildfire equipment and supplies including emergency fire shelters, hydration backpacks, and wildland brush tools.

Shelters

Local non-profit 211 LA is working with Airbnb to provide shelter to residents displaced by the fires. You can offer your home or spare room to host free temporary housing through Airbnb by submitting an online form here.

Animal rescues

The Canine Rescue Club is looking for volunteers to temporarily foster dogs displaced by the fires. You can apply by filling out an online form here.

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Pasadena Humane animal control is assisting with animal evacuations, and has staff stationed at shelters for displaced families and their pets. You can make a monetary donation here.

Clothing and other critical items

The nonprofit KAUSE has asked for donations of diapers, wipes, blankets, and socks for babies and children who are in shelters.

Non-profit Baby2baby is providing critical items including diapers, food, formula, and hygiene products for children and families affected by the LA fires. You can donate to their Disaster Relief and Emergency Response Program here.

Food

The LA Food Bank is currently working with government agencies and nonprofits to respond to the fires throughout Los Angeles County.

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World Central Kitchens Southern California relief team is providing food and water to evacuees and first responders in need. Sign up to volunteer or donate to the Pasadena Convention Center hub here.

Other

The California Community Foundations Wildfire Recovery Fund supports mid-term to long-term recovery efforts for those affected by California wildfires. You can donate here.

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Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen listens to a witness at his Commission on Practice disciplinary hearing on Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo by Blair Miller, Daily Montanan)

In a sprawling 155-page defense of Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, attorneys trying to stop him from being suspended from the State Bar for 90 days  and, by extension, pause his tenure as the states top lawyer  give a multitude of reasons why the states Supreme Court shouldnt punish him, including invoking the First Amendment.

They conclude that even if Knudsen did violate the states rules of professional conduct for attorneys, a discipline less severe should be imposed.

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The filing, made late on Monday, is another step in the circuitous challenge that began during the 2021 Legislature, involved thousands of emails from the judicial branch of government, wound its way to the U.S. Supreme Court, only to have part of the matter put into the hands of the same people who Knudsen, at one time, threatened with subpoena.

The Montana Supreme Court has the final say in disciplining attorneys who are members of the Montana Bar, and they could be the final step in the case brought by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, which levied 41 ethics charges against Knudsen, something that the states Commission on Practice affirmed, followed by a recommended punishment of a 90-day suspension. Now, the case will head to the Montana Supreme Court for a number of possible outcomes.

At the heart of the matter was an inquiry by members of the Republican-led Senate in 2021 to investigate the judicial branch, including seizing emails of the court system through a legislative subpoena sent to the states executive branch, which has oversight of the entire Montana government email systems. That prompted a protracted battle that involved all three branches of state government and concluded with the state Supreme Court ruling that the legislative initiative to take the email was improper and order their return, but not before many had been leaked to the public. Knudsen and his staff represented the Legislature, at times threatening that his office would not obey their orders, which became the genesis of the disciplinary charges against him as a member of the states Bar.

Nothing to see here

In the filing to the Montana Supreme Court, attorneys for Knudsen lay out myriad reasons why it should either dismiss or modify the Commission on Practices ruling that Knudsen be suspended from practice for 90 days.

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The documents say that they cannot respond to many of the ethical charges because they are either too vague or the commission unfairly didnt allow Knudsen to present a defense, something that violates the legal concept and guarantee of due process.

The commission subjected the attorney general to multiple due process violations before and during the hearing that taint the entirety of the proceedings against him, his attorneys argue. The commission prevented the attorney general from putting on a defense that directly related to the elements of the charges against him. These serious errors require, at a minimum, remand for a new hearing with a new panel.

Throughout the document, Knudsens lawyers argue that the charges should be dismissed because the findings or procedure of the Office of Disciplinary Counsel or the Commission on Practice didnt adequately prove the charges. Or, failing that, the case should be sent back  remanded  to a new commission to allow Knudsen to defend himself.

During the hearing, Knudsen tried to introduce at least one witness  and expert on attorney and court ethics  but was denied by the commission.

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Knudsen also argues the finding that he used intemperate, contemptuous and disrespectful language when referring to the court is too vague to be enforceable. Knudsens attorneys say that while their client is an officer of the court and took an oath not to engage in personal attacks, they say that wording in the states rules of professional conduct is too subjective or ill-defined to be enforceable.

Instead, Knudsens attorneys say that his language, including his pledge not to obey court orders, were a matter of precisely following attorney rules and conduct, and legitimate, based on his assertions concerning bias, impartiality and conflict-of-interest based on the fact that members of the court would be ruling on a case involving their own employee, and members of the court would be ruling on the disclosure of their own emails.

Knudsens defense also argues that by not allowing certain evidence and expert testimony, it allowed a miscarriage of justice where the attorney general could not defend himself, thereby tilting the outcome.

ODCs charges force the attorney general to defend why he made certain statements. Yet the commission decided that evidence about why the attorney general made those statements is irrelevant, the court briefing said. In other words, by excluding this evidence, the commission created a one-sided world: ODC can accuse an attorney of making false or reckless statements, but that attorney cannot then introduce evidence to explain why he made those statements or to show that they were not false or reckless.

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Knudsens legal team also accuses the Office of Disciplinary Counsel and the Commission on Practice, which tried the case, of including so little detail and findings-of-fact that it cannot respond meaningfully to the allegations.

The meager findings are so deficient that they deprive the attorney general of any meaningful ability to challenge them on review, the brief said. For practical purposes, the findings are nonexistent, as neither the attorney general nor this court can reasonably determine from these conclusory statements how the attorney general supposedly violated the rules or what specific facts the commission relied on in reaching that decision.

Hes not like other attorneys

Drawing on case law from higher education and employing the Montana Constitution, attorneys for Knudsen also argued that his role as the Montana Attorney General, a position elected statewide and mandated by the constitution, affords Knudsen a special role when it comes to law. They argue in their filing to the Supreme Court that Knudsen had the obligation to defend the Legislature and that no one else could have provided the vigorous defense.

To buttress their argument, the attorneys pointed out the Supreme Court has consistently allowed the Montana Board of Regents considerable autonomy in running the public higher education system. Furthermore, his attorneys liken the attorney general position to a judge, who is normally immune from disciplinary action when arriving at a decision.

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In other words, constitutional officers get deference in how they carry out their official duties, the brief said. Were these decisions subject to disciplinary review, these officers would be as concerned with what is proper in the eyes of the commission as with what is justice in the cause.

The First Amendment

One of the categories Knudsens attorneys raise centers on the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, which guarantees free speech, and stresses protection for political speech. They claim that if the Montana Supreme Court were to uphold Knudsens punishment that it would violate his First Amendment Rights because the expansive interpretations made by the ODC were constitutionally vague.

While it may not have been pleasant for the court to receive that criticism, the exercise of constitutional rights and duties cannot yield to hurt feelings, the filing said. The uncontroverted evidence proves that the attorney generals speech consists only of reasonable litigation statements of opinion, some of which are rhetorical hyperbole and some of which find objective factual support in the record.

For example, Knudsens attorneys point to another rule he was found to have violated, Rule 8.4(d), which regulates conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.

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Every attorney who reads the rule will be forced to guess at what conduct is prejudicial to the administration of justice, the court filing said.

And its for that reason that Knudsens lawyers say that he shouldnt be disciplined because the rules are so vague that an average person could not know what language is acceptable and what language or conduct is forbidden.

A key provision

One of the key elements of Knudsens defense is that both the disciplinary counsel and the Commission on Practice misinterpreted or misunderstood his actions, and the specific provisions of Rule 3.4(c) which says attorneys must obey all court orders except for orders where no valid obligation exists.

Knudsen maintains that the states Supreme Court had no right to stop the subpoenas issued by lawmakers. Even though that decision was ultimately overturned by the Montana Supreme Court and later, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the case, attorneys for Knudsen argue that he was objecting to following an order he didnt believe was valid.

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Furthermore, attorneys for Knudsen said in court filings that the rules of conduct themselves prohibit the attorney general from covertly ignoring the order, so he was forced to make an open declaration that he would disobey the court because he didnt believe it was proper.

At a minimum, this rule requires an attorney to put a court on notice that the attorney will not comply with the court-imposed obligation, his attorneys argue. Rule 3.4(c) does not require that the attorneys assertion that no valid obligation be proven correct before the execution applies. Since challenges to the validity of a courts authority often involve complex questions of jurisdiction or statutory authority, the assertion need only have merit to receive the protection of Rule 3.4(c).

Punishment, no punishment or new hearing?

After raising more than 100 pages of defense for the embattled attorney general, attorneys for Knudsen say that discipline meted out by the Commission on Practice  a 90-day suspension  is too severe, especially when compared to other cases.

The briefing chronicles some of the previous discipline doled out by the commission, including a case where an attorney defrauded a client and received a 30-day suspension by the commission, only to have the Supreme Court reduce it to a public admonition. In another, they point out that an attorney in 2017 had endangered children while driving drunk, and she received a public admonition.

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Unlike these cases, the attorney general is not alleged to have harmed clients, engaged in fraud or broken the law but  at bottom  is alleged to have acted discourteously in representing the Legislature in a clash between coequal branches of government, the attorneys said.

Knudsens attorneys argue that his punishment is too harsh and inconsistent with practice. Moreover, they contend that because the repeated procedural violations and his inability to present his defense that the decision should be sent back for new factual findings, and different members should be appointed, if not having the case outright dismissed. That could raise the possibility of the Supreme Court either modifying the punishment or repeating the hearing, which lasted two days earlier this year.

If the court determines that the Attorney General violated one or more rules of professional conduct, it should take into account the highly unusual circumstances of this case, Knudsens attorneys argue. Suspending the sitting Attorney General from the practice of law for any period is an extreme and disproportionate sanction. It will not serve the ends of justice. It will not heal the fault lines in our political system. It will not increase public confidence in our institutions. It will, however, exacerbate the conflict between the branches of government.

PR 23-0496 Other  Response_Objection
NEW YORK, NY  Terraform Labs co-founder and former CEO Do Kwons criminal fraud trial in the U.S. has been tentatively scheduled for next January, allowing prosecutors and Kwons defense attorneys adequate time to review the massive six-terabyte trove of data expected to be produced during the discovery process.

During an initial hearing in Manhattan on Wednesday, lead prosecutor Jared Lenow told the court that the government expected to face additional delays due to challenges accessing encrypted information and unlocking four cell phones provided by Montenegrin authorities when they extradited Kwon to the U.S. on Dec. 31st. Lenow added that the government must also translate extracted material from Kwons native Korean.

Sounds like were going to be backing up a U-Haul to the Southern District, District Judge Paul Engelmayer of the Southern District of New York (SDNY) quipped on Wednesday.

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Engelmayer said that scheduling the start date of a trial for over a year from the initial conference was "unprecedented" in his career as a judge. He told Kwons lead attorney, Michael Ferrara of Hecker Fink LLP, to ask his client  currently being held without bail in a local correctional facility after spending 22 months in custody in Montenegro  if he would rather have an earlier trial. Engelmayer gave the defense one week to request an earlier date in 2025.

Last week, Kwon pleaded not guilty to a nine-count indictment charging him with securities fraud, wire fraud, commodities fraud and money laundering conspiracy stemming from the $40 billion implosion of the Terra/LUNA ecosystem in 2022.

Kwon and his company were charged with civil fraud by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in 2023, and were subsequently found guilty by a New York jury. Together, they were ordered to pay $4.5 billion in penalties and disgorgement, with Kwon himself contributing $200 million. Terraform Labs has since filed for bankruptcy.

The next status conference in the case is scheduled for March 6 at 11 a.m. eastern time.
Los Angeles County has declared Thursday, Jan. 9, as the official Day of Mourning in honor of late former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on Dec. 29 at the age of 100.

The motion was approved by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday and coincides with the National Day of Mourning declared by President Joe Biden.

In Los Angeles County, all nonessential offices will be closed, including all county libraries; Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector; L.A. County Auditor Controller; L.A. County Parks & Recreation offices; and Los Angeles County Public Works administrative offices.

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However, essential offices, like emergency crews and medical services, will remain operational.

Jimmy Carter eulogized by Kamala Harris, congressional leaders at US Capitol

Federal employees, except those who work in national security, defense or other essential public business, will also have the day off on Thursday.

President Biden also ordered U.S. flags to fly at half-staff for 30 days from Dec. 29.

Carter, the longest-lived American president, served as the nations 39th president in the wake of the Watergate scandal and the Vietnam War. Many described him as an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian.

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After leaving office after one term, Jimmy and his wife Rosalynn Carter founded the Carter Center in 1982 as a first-of-its-kind base of operations, asserting themselves as international peacemakers and champions of democracy, public health and human rights, the Associated Press reported.

Jimmy Carter also won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

A state funeral is also scheduled for Thursday. Biden and several others are expected to deliver a eulogy. President-elect Donald Trump has said he would attend the funeral.

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 KTLA.
With firefighting resources spread thin across Los Angeles County, help from state, federal and out-of-state agencies is on the way, officials announced Wednesday.

The California National Guard as well as firefighters from Northern California and out of state are en route to Los Angeles, where resources and personnel are being taxed with several major fires burning.

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said Wednesday during an evening news conference that he had requested help from agencies in Oregon, New Mexico, Washington, Utah, as well as across California.

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Read more: What happened during the first four days of the Eaton, Palisades fires in Southern California

At an earlier news conference, Marrone had said what fire crews were facing was "not a normal red flag alert."

There are not enough firefighters in L.A. County to address four separate fires of this magnitude, he said.

Three of the fires  the Palisades, Eaton and Hurst fires  started Tuesday. A fourth, the Woodley fire, started Wednesday about 6:15 a.m. near the Sepulveda Basin.

On Wednesday evening, a fire also broke out in the Hollywood Hills.

"Last night, I contacted the State Office of Emergency Services and requested 250 additional engine companies from Northern California, staffed with over 1,000 personnel," Marrone said.

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Los Angeles officials expect 10 firefighting units from New Mexico, 15 from Utah, and several from Arizona as well, he said.

On Wednesday, the Oregon state fire marshal confirmed in a statement the agency was sending 12 strike teams to Los Angeles County, which included 240 firefighters and 60 engines. The agency will consider sending even more resources if needed, the statement read.

Teams from Phoenix were also expected to make the trek to Los Angeles County.

Phoenix "has been called to help fight the devastating blazes in Los Angeles, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego posted on X. Were still learning the details of whats needed, and I expect our teams will be on the ground in LA in the next few days.

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The California National Guard has also been called to assist. Col. Brian Hill said 200 personnel were headed to Los Angeles.

They include hand crews trained by Cal Fire, ready to assist in firefighting efforts, he said.

Read more: L.A. officials admit firefighters were overwhelmed and outgunned by deadly firestorms

Hill said that, if the weather cooperates, 10 helicopters will be ready to start making water and fire-retardant drops by Thursday.

The San Francisco Fire Department said in a post on the social media platform X that it was sending 22 firefighters to assist in the Palisades fire.

We are always ready and available to assist our partnering agencies in events like this, the agency wrote on X.

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Gov. Gavin Newsoms office also announced in a statement that additional firefighters from Orange, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties and Cal Fire were being directed to Los Angeles, including 45 additional engines and six hand crews.

Read more: Southern California wildfires by the numbers: Location, size, containment and more

On the federal level, the Biden administration announced that five U.S. Forest Service air tankers were already operating in Los Angeles, and another was en route. Ten federal helicopters were already deployed to the area, and dozens of fire engines were being readied to be deployed if needed.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Amid the devastating wildfires in Southern California  including the Pacific Palisades fire that has so far spread across at least 2,900 acres as of 8:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, Jan. 8  experts are saying that the situation is far from improving.

This event is not only not over, but it is just getting started and will get significantly worse before it gets better, Daniel Swain, a UCLA climate scientist, said at an afternoon briefing on Tuesday, Jan. 7,The Los Angeles Times reported.

He added that the strongest and most widespread winds have yet to come.

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In an early morning Wednesday update, the National Weather Service (NWS) Los Angeles advised that a high wind warning is in effect until 6 p.m. for Catalina and Santa Barbara islands, Los Angeles County beaches, Los Angeles County Inland Coast including downtown Los Angeles, and Palos Verdes Hills. Forecasters predicted north winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.

Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg via Getty A structure burns during the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, US, on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 A structure burns during the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, US, on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025

Related: Jamie Lee Curtis Says Her Family Is Safe as 'Terrifying' L.A. Fires Continue: 'Take Care of Each Other'

Damaging winds could blow down many trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are possible. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles, according to the NWS update.

High wind warnings are also in effect until 6 p.m. Wednesday for Central Ventura County valleys, Northern Ventura County mountains and the Southern Ventura County Mountain  as well as the Malibu coast.

Mario Tama/Getty The Palisades Fire burns near homes amid a powerful windstorm on Jan. 7, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, California The Palisades Fire burns near homes amid a powerful windstorm on Jan. 7, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, California

The NWS Storm Prediction Center said that while the winds should gradually weaken throughout Wednesday, "critical fire weather conditions are expected to persist into Thursday."

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On Wednesday, officials reported two fatalities in the Eaton fire, which began near Pasadena the evening before, according to the Los Angeles Times.

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Related: Steve Guttenberg Goes Unrecognized as He Comes to the Rescue of People Evacuating Pacific Palisades Fire

Meanwhile, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said at a Wednesday news conference that about 1,000 structures were lost in the Palisades, adding that there was a high number of people who didnt evacuate who sustained serious injuries, reported local CW affiliate KTLA.

Mario Tama/Getty People watch as others drive out of harm's way as the Palisades Fire burns amid a powerful windstorm on Jan. 7, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, California. People watch as others drive out of harm's way as the Palisades Fire burns amid a powerful windstorm on Jan. 7, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, California.

As the wildfires blaze across the region, several people have reportedly been injured, including at least one firefighter, a 25-year-old woman who sustained a serious head injury around 8:30 p.m." local time on Jan. 7, according to a post on X from Erik Scott, public information officer for the Los Angeles Fire Department.

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The firefighter "received immediate treatment at the scene before being transported to a local hospital for further evaluation, added Scott.



Related: Tom Hanks Son Chet Says His Childhood Neighborhood is Burning to the Ground amid Palisades Fires

According to the most recent update from CALFIRE, as of 8:24 a.m. local time, the Palisades fire has burned through 2,921 acres and has not been contained. Other Los Angeles-area blazes including the Eaton fire, the Hurst fire and the Woodley fire which have covered a combined total of nearly 3,000 acres as of Wednesday morning and have also not been contained.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said that over 1,400 firefighting personnel have been deployed to combat the wildfires.

Emergency officials, firefighters, and first responders are all hands on deck through the night to do everything possible to protect lives, he said.



Read the original article on People
Local fire officials acknowledged Wednesday that they were overwhelmed by the power and size of the three major fires burning in Los Angeles County and that crews and resources were taxed to the extreme.

Firefighters were heard on emergency radios requesting additional support and crews, L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone acknowledged Wednesday, admitting there was simply not enough manpower for an emergency of this size.

"We tried to get them the help they needed," Marrone said Wednesday. Were doing the very best we can. But no, we don't have enough fire personnel in L.A. County between all the departments to handle this."

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Read more: What happened during the first four days of the Eaton, Palisades fires in Southern California

There are 9,000 firefighters in Los Angeles County between the county's fire department and 29 other fire agencies, Marrone said, which is "not enough" to address all the fires that had started across the region during one of the strongest wind events in years.

Late Tuesday, Marrone said he requested mutual aid from nearby counties, as well as additional crews and trucks from California's Office of Emergency Services and from out of state, all of which have responded and are on the way, he said Wednesday.

Still, officials said they had a game plan for what was being billed as a potenitally "life-threatening" windstorm. Marrone said firefighters from Northern California were "pre-positioned" in places known for bad fires: the Santa Clarita Valley and Santa Monica Mountains.

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But the fires broke out in different areas including Pacific Palisades, Altadena and Sylmar.

Read more: Fire hydrants ran dry as Pacific Palisades burned. L.A. city officials blame 'tremendous demand'

"L.A. County and all 29 fire departments in our county are not prepared for this type of widespread disaster, Marrone said.

Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley agreed, adding: Together, these fires are stretching the capacity of emergency services to their maximum limits."

On Wednesday, the roughly 1,500 firefighters assigned to the Eaton and Palisades fires were bracing for another challenging day of fire fueled by extreme winds.

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We are absolutely not out of danger yet, Crowley said.

Read more: One of the most destructive firestorms in L.A. history kills 5, burns 2,000 buildings

Crowley said that all aircraft were grounded Tuesday night at about 7:30 p.m. due to high winds, and remained out of the air through at least 9 a.m. Wednesday.

The lack of air support left firefighters on the ground doing what they could to save homes and stop the flames, which proved to be almost an impossible challenge given the intense winds.

Another issue firefighters faced was a lack of water in some hydrants in Pacific Palisades, where more than 1,000 homes were lost. Firefighters there were heard on radio transmission complaining about the problem. The Department of Water and Power said the issue arose due to unprecedented strain on the system.

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We had a tremendous demand on our system in the Palisades. We pushed the system to the extreme, Janisse Quinones, chief executive and chief engineer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, said Wednesday morning. Four times the normal demand was seen for 15 hours straight, which lowered our water pressure.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles officials are speaking out in response to fire hydrants running out of water in the Pacific Palisades following public outcry amid the areas raging wildfires.

We had a tremendous demand on our system in the Palisades. We pushed the system to the extreme, Janisse Quinones, chief executive and chief engineer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power said during a press conference Wednesday, Jan. 8.

Related: Here's What to Do If You Are Under a Fire Evacuation Order: Prep, Packing and More

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As firefighters battled the deadly blaze, which has already claimed at least two lives and ripped through more than 11,000 acres of the Pacific Palisades, water stopped flowing through multiple fire hydrants  leaving crews unable to put out fires.

Apu Gomes/Getty A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire while it burns homes at Pacific Coast Highway amid a powerful windstorm on January 8, 2025 A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire while it burns homes at Pacific Coast Highway amid a powerful windstorm on January 8, 2025

Four times the normal demand was seen for 15 hours straight, which lowered our water pressure, Quinones continued.

If theres a message you take away from me today, is, I need our customers to really conserve water  not just in the Palisades area, but the whole system because the fire department needs the water to fight the fires," Quinones added.



Related: Celebrities Who Have Lost Homes or Had to Evacuate in the Los Angeles Fires, and What They've Said

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Per the Los Angeles Times, firefighters could be heard discussing the water outage on their internal radio channels.

The hydrants are down, one firefighter reportedly said.

Flames overtake the intersection of Temescal Canyon and Pacific Coast Highway Fire at the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades California on January 7, 2025

Another replied, Water supply just dropped, before all hydrants went dry around 3 a.m.

Palisades Village mall owner Rick Caruso slammed the lack of water for the fatal fires.

Theres no water in the fire hydrants, the businessman, a former commissioner for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, said, per the Times.

The firefighters are there [in the neighborhood], and theres nothing they can do  weve got neighborhoods burning, homes burning, and businesses burning, Caruso continued, adding, It should never happen.

Apu Gomes/Getty Firefighters fight the flames from the Palisades Fire burning the Theatre Palisades during a powerful windstorm on January 8, 2025 Firefighters fight the flames from the Palisades Fire burning the Theatre Palisades during a powerful windstorm on January 8, 2025

According to the Associated Press, the Palisades Fire has now been classified as the most destructive in the history of Los Angeles County. It remains at 0% containment.

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One factor causing the flames to spread at extremely high rates has been wind.

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The National Weather Service (NWS) Los Angeles advised early Wednesday morning that a high wind warning was in effect until 6 p.m. for Catalina and Santa Barbara islands, as well as Los Angeles County beaches, Los Angeles County Inland Coast including downtown Los Angeles and Palos Verdes Hills. Winds were expected to reach 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.

This event is not only not over, but it is just getting started and will get significantly worse before it gets better, Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at UCLA, said Tuesday, Jan. 7, per the Los Angeles Times.

Click here to learn more about how to help the victims of the L.A. fires.

Read the original article on People
As fires continue to burn out of control across parts of Southern California, residents are recalling the harrowing moments of their escape from the area.

An estimated 30,000 residents were evacuated from the Pacific Palisades and neighboring areas on Tuesday, Jan. 7, while more than 1,000 buildings have been destroyed. Two fatalities have been recorded, Los Angeles County authorities said in a press conference on Wednesday, Jan. 8.

For Sheriece Wallace, a family member first alerted her that she was in danger on Tuesday.

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I was like, Its raining,  Wallace told the Associated Press about what was later determined to be a helicopter dousing her home with water. Shes like, No, its not raining. Your neighborhood is on fire. You need to get out. 

Related: Steve Guttenberg Goes Unrecognized as He Comes to the Rescue of People Evacuating Pacific Palisades Fire

Wallace continued, As soon as I opened my door, it was like right there. The first thing I did was look at the trees to see where the wind was blowing. Because it hit me. It blew me back.

Connor Benavides also evacuated from his home, located near the Eaton fire, which is near Pasadena.

Tiffany Rose/Getty People watch the smoke and flakes from the Palisades fire in Los Angeles People watch the smoke and flakes from the Palisades fire in Los Angeles

I evacuated thankfully, but my god, we were choking on smoke, we were dodging embers, he told local NBC affiliate KNBC. I just made it to a friends house, south of the fire, but, yeah, were still pretty shaken up here.

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For Pacific Palisades resident Darrin Hurwitz, evacuating his home was a split-second decision.

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We saw smoke from our house sometime after 10:30 in the morning, Hurwitz told MSNBC on Wednesday, Jan. 8. It looked close, but not that close at first. We quickly gathered up whatever possessions we could quickly get, and then it exploded.

He continued, Within 10-20 minutes, there wasnt one fire, there were multiple fires as embers were sort of criss-crossing the area. And the ferocity of the fire led us to think we need to get out of our house very quickly.

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Related: Brianna LaPaglia Invites Friends to Stay with Her as She Confirms Herself 'Safe' amid Palisades Fire

Pasadena resident Jennie Girardo described her shock at the surreal situation when a neighbor came to check on her.

When I opened my door, it smelled like I was living inside of a fireplace, Girardo told the AP. Then I also started to see the ash. And Ive never seen that in my life. Like raining ash.



Read the original article on People
Los Angeles Times owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong on Wednesday called into question Mayor Karen Bass recent cut to the L.A. Fire Departments budget as the city is being ravaged by urban wildfires.

Soon-Shiong, in a post on X, said Bass decision to cut the LAFD budget, coupled with reports of empty fire hydrants, raises serious questions about her leadership.

Competence matters, he wrote (Bass initial proposal called for the city to cut $23 million from LAFDs 2024-25 fiscal year budget; the LAFD budget was ultimately slashed by $17.6 million).

Our hearts go out to those who have lost their homes and are seeking shelter. Fires in LA are sadly no surprise, yet the Mayor cut LA Fire Departments budget by $23M. And reports of empty fire hydrants raise serious questions. Competence matters Follow @latimes for live  Dr. Pat Soon-Shiong (@DrPatSoonShiong) January 8, 2025

The LAFD budget cuts were the second biggest cuts of the year, trailing only behind the citys street services, which had $21.6 million slashed.

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Bass has also been criticized for being out of town while the city grapples with the wreckage; the mayor has been in Ghana as part of a U.S. delegation for the inauguration of Ghanaian President John Mahama. She is currently en route home from Dallas, expected to return around 12 noon PT.

Los Angeles has been devastated by three major wildfires since Tuesday, with 80-99 mph wind gusts spreading destruction in the Palisades, Altadena and Pasadena. Officials on Wednesday said more than 1,000 homes, businesses, schools and other buildings had burned, and two deaths were reported overnight.

The regions most destructive wildfires in memory claimed more than 5,000 acres in the celebrity enclave of the Pacific Palisades; the Eaton fire burned more than 2,000 acres in Altadena and Pasadena, where the fatalities were reported; and the Hurst fire to the north in Sylmar burned 500 acres at the foot of the Angeles National Forest.

Those fires each remain at 0% containment as of Wednesday morning, as hundreds of thousands of locals have either received evacuation orders or warning notices after the fires began Tuesday.

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The Mayors office did not immediately respond to TheWraps request for comment.

JD Knapp contributed to this report.

The post LA Times Owner Criticizes Mayor Karen Bass Over Wildfires: Competence Matters appeared first on TheWrap.
Wildfires in Los Angeles raged through the star-studded Pacific Palisades neighborhood.

Paris Hilton, Miles Teller, and Anthony Hopkins were among the celebrities who lost their homes.

The average house price in the northern LA area is around $4.5 million.

The biggest of the wildfires in Los Angeles has been burning the Pacific Palisades neighborhood for over a week, razing one of the nation's most prosperous neighborhoods.

Stars including Paris Hilton, Milo Ventimiglia, Billy Crystal, Mel Gibson, Miles Teller, and Anthony Hopkins, have lost their homes.

The area, between Santa Monica and Malibu in northern Los Angeles, is home to some of the country's most expensive real estate. The average house price is about $4.5 million, according to Realtor.com data.

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Much of it has been on fire since January 7, when a small blaze in the neighborhood exploded to engulf many thousands of acres, prompting evacuation orders for tens of thousands.

As of Tuesday evening the Palisades Fire had burned some 24,000 acres. It was 18% contained, according to Cal Fire.

Bella Hadid said her childhood home was destroyed

Bella Hadid posted a photo on her Instagram story on January 10 showing her childhood Malibu home in flames.

She wrote: "Thanks to everyone reaching out. The memories we made in this house, the love my mama put into building it, the family times, the stories, the friends, the love. I will miss you 3903 carbon canyon rd."

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The house was originally owned by Yolanda Hadid, the model's mother, and was featured in "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills." People reported that it was sold for $19.5 million in 2015.

Bella Hadid shared the image of her childhood home burning on Instagram. Instagram

Milo Ventimiglia of 'Heroes' watched his home burn down on security cameras

Actor Milo Ventimiglia tells CBS News @TonyDokoupil he helplessly watched his home burn to the ground through security cameras. The 47-year-old father-to-be returned to his property to see what was left. pic.twitter.com/jidcR5ZAsY  CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) January 10, 2025

Milo Ventimiglia, known for starring in "This is Us" and "Heroes," watched his home in Malibu burn via security cameras with Jarah Ventimiglia, his wife, who is nine months pregnant.

Speaking near his home on January 9, he described watching his house burn down to CBS: "I think there's a kind of shock moment where you're going, 'Oh, this is real, and this is happening.' And then, at a certain point, we just turned it off. What good is it to continue watching? We kind of accepted the loss."

Bryan Greenberg confirmed on Instagram that he and Jamie Chung, his wife, lost their house

Actors Bryan Greenberg and Jamie Chung, who are married, confirmed on January 9 that their home had burned down but that their family was safe.

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Greenberg shared a photo of the wreckage on his Instagram story, writing: "It was all a dream. Thankfully the family is safe. Thank you to all of the firefighters risking their lives. Stay safe out there."

Mel Gibson said his house burned down while he was away recording 'The Joe Rogan Experience'

Mel Gibson told NewsNation on January 9, that he learned about the fires in his Malibu neighborhood while recording an episode of "The Joe Rogan Experience" in Texas.

He said: "I was doing the Rogan podcast, and kind of ill at ease while we were talking, because I knew my neighborhood was on fire, so I thought, I wonder if my place is still there. But when I got home, sure enough, it wasn't there."

Gibson added: "Obviously, it's kind of devastating. It's emotional. You live there for a long time, and you had all your stuff. "

Paris Hilton said she 'built precious memories' at her destroyed Malibu home

On January 8, Paris Hilton shared on Instagram that she was "heartbroken beyond words" to learn that her Malibu home had been destroyed in the fire.

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"Sitting with my family, watching the news, and seeing our home in Malibu burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience," Hilton wrote. Although the loss felt "overwhelming," she said she was grateful that her family and pets were safe.

Hilton returned to her home on January 9 and posted a video of the wreckage on Instagram.

In the caption, she said: "The heartbreak is truly indescribable."

Miles Teller and his wife evacuated before the flames consumed their property

Miles Teller, a star of "Top Gun: Maverick," also lost his home. His wife, Keleigh Teller, shared on Instagram on January 10 that the couple's Pacific Palisades home was destroyed.

Alongside a series of photos  one showing the remains of their home  she wrote: "I wish I grabbed my wedding dress."

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"Wish I did a lot different but it doesn't matter, stay safe, get out," she added.

The home of Jennifer Grey, the 'Dirty Dancing' star 'burnt to the ground'

Stella Gregg, Jennifer Grey's daughter, told followers on her Instagram Story on January 8 that her mother's home "burnt to the ground," but confirmed that the actor and her dog were safe.

On January 10, Gregg posted: "Was lucky enough to call Samoa my home for a bit. Thank you mama for making it what it was and allowing me to make such beautiful memories there. Home isn't walls and frames. Home is family. Stay safe. Hug your loved ones. Don't be afraid to ask for help."

Joan Rivers's daughter says she saved her mom's Emmy

Melissa Rivers, the daughter of late actor and comedian Joan Rivers, said her home burned down in an Instagram post on January 8.

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"My family and I have safely evacuated, and we are deeply grateful to be unharmed," she wrote. Rivers also shared more details about her evacuation in an interview with CNN, and urged others to be prepared.

"To be 100% honest, I grabbed my mom's Emmy, a photo of my dad, and a drawing that my mother had done of me and my son," she said.

Billy Crystal's home, where he'd lived with his family for 46 years, was burned to the ground

"We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that can't be taken away. We are heartbroken of course but with the love of our children and friends we will get through this," Crystal said in a statement to Business Insider.

"The Pacific Palisades is a resilient community of amazing people and we know in time it will rise again. It is our home," he said.

Beyonce's mom, Tina Knowles, said her Malibu bungalow was destroyed in the fires

Tina Knowles said in a post on Instagram that her coastal Malibu bungalow had been burned down in one of the blazes.

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"It was my favorite place, my sanctuary, my sacred Happy Place. Now it is gone," she wrote.

Knowles, who is also mom to singer Solange Knowles, went on to thank the "brave men and women in our fire department who risked their lives in dangerous conditions."

"This could have been so much worse without the dedication of the disaster workers and first responders," she added.

Cary Elwes said he and his family evacuated the area safely, but said their house was destroyed

On January 8, "The Princess Bride" actor wrote: "Sadly we did lose our home but we are grateful to have survived this truly devastating fire."

Ricki Lake said that she escaped from her house with her dog and 'not much else'

Ricki Lake, the star of the original "Hairspray" movie and her self-titled talk show, wrote in an Instagram post on January 8 that her "dream home" overlooking Malibu was "gone."

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In the caption, Lake said she and her husband escaped from the house with Dolly, their dog, "and not much else."

Mark Hamill evacuated his home, which survived

The "Star Wars" actor Mark Hamill evacuated, too.

He said on Instagram that he had left his Malibu home on January 7 with his wife, Marilou, and their dog, Trixie. He described it as the "most horrific fire since '93."

On January 12, he thanked Instagram followers for their concern and said that his home "amazingly" survived.

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Jamie Lee Curtis said 'many' friends lost their homes

On January 8, "Halloween" actor Jamie Lee Curtis appeared on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" and said, holding back tears: "Where I live is on fire right now."

She added: "It's just a catastrophe in Southern California. Obviously, there have been horrific fires in many places. This is literally where I live. Everything  the market I shop in, the schools my kids go to, friends.

"Many, many, many, many, many friends now have lost their homes."

Kate Beckinsale wrote in an Instagram post on January 8 that "the whole of the Palisades being destroyed is unthinkably horrific.

"My daughter and I lived there for most of her childhood and most of her childhood is gone."

Haley Joel Osment thanked those who 'helped as we lose our home'

On January 9, the actor Haley Joel Osment shared that he had lost his home to the Eaton fire in Altadena.

Osment is best known for childhood performances in movies like "The Sixth Sense" and "A.I. Artificial Intelligence."

Writing on Instagram, he said: "My heart would be so full every time I drove home - it was such a special place - I loved living there - our forest and our mountains and our homes - all gone."

Osment described losing 'everything' in Altadena. Haley Joel Osment/Instagram Stories

R&B singer Jhene Aiko said she lost her home and all her possessions

Aiko shared photos of her home on fire in a now-deleted Instagram post. In a separate Instagram post, she said she wanted to "let suffering be a gift, an act of compassion."

"Me and my children's home is gone, burned to the ground with all of our things inside" Aiko wrote on Instagram. "Lord have mercy. Thankful we still have each other. Starting from scratch. My heart is heavy."

Beloved Hollywood stars like Anthony Hopkins, John Goodman, and Jeff Bridges also lost their homes

Photos obtained by People showed actors John Goodman, Anna Faris, and Anthony Hopkins lost their homes due to the fires.

On January 11, Hopkins appeared to confirm the reports on Instagram. He wrote: "As we all struggle to heal from the devastation of the fires, it's important we remember that the only thing we take with us is the love we give."

The home actor Jeff Bridges shared with his family in Malibu was also lost, the Associated Press reported.

TMZ meanwhile published footage of Adam Brody and Leighton Meester's home in flames, as well as a photo of Anna Faris' home in ashes.

"The Hills" stars Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt also had their house burned down.

"I'm so sad our house is gone. I wish I could have gone back and got more," Montag said as she broke down crying in a video she posted on TikTok on January 8.

The songwriter Diane Warren, a 15-time Oscar nominee who has worked with stars like Beyonce and Taylor Swift, shared on Instagram that her beach house of nearly 30 years was likely gone.

"It looks like it was lost in the fire last nite. There's a rainbow shining on it which I'm taking as a sign of hope for all creatures who have been affected by this tragedy," Warren wrote.

Meanwhile, Eugene Levy said he got stuck while trying to leave his neighborhood on January 7.

"The smoke looked pretty black and intense over Temescal Canyon," Levy told The Los Angeles Times. "I couldn't see any flames but the smoke was very dark."

According to photos obtained by People, the "Schitt's Creek" star's home was almost completely leveled by the following day, with only a stone chimney and a charred row of hedges left standing.

Chet Hanks, the son of actors Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, wrote in an Instagram story on January 7: "The neighborhood I grew up in is burning to the ground rn. Pray for the Palisades."

Chet Hanks shared a message about the fire on Instagram. Chet Hanks/Instagram Stories

Joshua Jackson, Britney Spears, and Mandy Moore all spoke out about the devastation of losing their homes

"Dawson's Creek" star Joshua Jackson's Topanga Canyon home also burned down in the blaze.

"First and most importantly, all the people closest to me affected by the fire are ok. My daughter, my family, my neighbors all made it out safely," Jackson said in a statement to BI. "Sadly my beautiful home did not survive the fires. But today, I feel incredibly lucky to be surrounded by the people I love."

Britney Spears told her Instagram followers on January 9 that she had evacuated her home.

The singer said that she had left her home in LA and was "driving 4 hours to a hotel."

She added that she had been unable to charge her phone "the past two days" as she had no electricity.

Actor and singer Mandy Moore said in an Instagram story posted on January 7 that she was also among the residents ordered to evacuate. By January 8, the singer said in a follow-up story that she was unsure if her home "made it."

She wrote in an Instagram post: "My children's school is gone. Our favorite restaurants, leveled. So many friends and loved ones have lost everything too."

Greg Wells, the music producer on the "Wicked" movie, told Variety on January 12 that he had a "state-of-the-art" studio in his home that was destroyed in the fire.

He said: "I just have to remind myself, it's really down to the people and to the ideas, and none of that stuff makes a song better. So I'm not gonna let it define me."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Los Angeles is in crisis as deadly wildfires have torn through the area and forced thousands of people to leave their homes. But while residents are doing their best to deal with the impact of the devastating fires intensified by the Santa Ana winds, some critics are putting the blame squarely at the feet of Karen Bass, the citys mayor.



LA developer Rick Caruso, who ran against Bass in the citys 2022 mayoral election, called into the Los Angeles Fox affiliate to express his disappointment in Bass handling of city resources, including cutting the fire departments budget, which he says has led to a depletion of the supply of water in the citys fire hydrants.

Its beyond anything I think any of us could have ever imagined, he said. But what is most concerning to me is that our first responders and our firefighters who are trying to battle this...theres no water coming out of the fire hydrants. This is an absolute mismanagement of the city.

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He also used the opportunity to criticize her for being in Ghana as part of a US delegation attending the inauguration of incoming President John Dramani Mahama while her city was in flames.

And Ive got to be very honest, weve got a mayor thats out of the country and weve got a city thats burning and theres no resources to put out fires, he added. I think you should start asking  Why dont you call the mayor, who is out of the country, and ask her? Get an answer from her.

According to KTLA, the mayor stayed up to date on the status of the fires while she was away and was traveling back to Los Angeles on the morning of January 8.

I want to assure the community and the city our mayor has been actively engaged 100% of the time the entire last 24 hours throughout this unfortunate event and crisis, said the Mayors Deputy Chief of Staff Celine Cordero.

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Billionaire CEO and advisor to President-elect Donald Trump Elon Musk called Mayor Bass utterly incompetent in a January 8 post on X.

Obama made sure that Rick Caruso, who is extremely competent, lost to utterly incompetent Mayor Karen (her real name) https://t.co/Fveo189wBp  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 8, 2025

Spencer Hakimian, founder of Tolou Capital Management, responded to a video post of the devastation Musk left on X with a call for the mayor to resign.

Karen Bass must resign in disgrace tonight pic.twitter.com/N5tZNj2ZGK  Spencer Hakimian (@SpencerHakimian) January 8, 2025

For her part, Mayor Bass has declared a state of emergency in the area and has been updating residents on the citys efforts to contain the fires in a series of posts on X.

Weve declared a state of emergency to amplify our response to this devastating fire and clear a path for a rapid recovery.



To the hundreds of brave firefighters and first responders who have been responding all day to this blaze  we thank you.



To the thousands of families  Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) January 8, 2025

For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
For all the efforts to deflect attention on to other topics  Elon Musk, social media, Robert Jenrick, the weather  only one story leads the national discourse this new year: the horror of child-rape gangs. From the attitude of some in power, however, youd be forgiven for thinking this was just an inconvenient sideshow.

The Prime Minister  who is rapidly proving himself the most thin-skinned man ever to hold the office  delivered a petulant speech on Monday, which will doubtless come back to haunt him. In appearing to smear anyone keen to see a full statutory inquiry into the scandal as far-Right, Starmer has shown his true colours. But the refusal to engage goes beyond No 10; dozens of Labour MPs jeered shadow home secretary Chris Philp in the Commons when he made the anodyne point that it is not far-Right to stand up for victims of mass rape. If they cannot see how awful this looks then nobody can help them.

The Governments argument for avoiding a full national inquiry into the rape gangs is that Alexis Jay has already conducted one. Jay herself warns that waiting for new reviews could enable further inaction. But the 2022 Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) was an extremely broad examination of childhood sexual exploitation of all kinds; covering everything from church abuse to online grooming to virtual reality. It did not focus on the specific phenomenon of child-rape gangs predominantly made up of men of Pakistani heritage, or the complicity of UK institutions in decades of abuse.

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Rotherham warrants one mention in Jays report, Telford none. The only mentions of Rochdale come in relation to Cyril Smiths predatory activities during the 1960s. Yet we know this is a national scandal involving dozens of towns and cities, not a small handful.

Few in power recognise the publics appetite for a forensic investigation that also identifies and punishes those responsible for institutional failures. A child in Bradford was not only coerced into marrying her abuser in a traditional Islamic wedding; her social worker attended the ceremony. In Rochdale, a victim of child sexual abuse was herself secretly labelled as a paedophile to enable her evidence to be used in court  a shocking decision that later led social services to try to remove her child from her care.

Many hope to see prosecutions for cowardly officials, social workers and police officers who presided over such atrocities; to understand why attempts to deport gang ringleaders have repeatedly failed. To pretend that the IICSA report offers answers to all, or indeed any, of these questions is at best ignorant, at worst cynical.

I have some sympathy with Jays view that weve had enough of inquiries, consultations and discussions. There certainly seems little point in another inquiry if it refuses to confront uncomfortable truths. But until now Keir Starmer has never met an inquiry, review or consultation he didnt like. Since taking power Labour has averaged a new review every two and a half days; including a full inquiry into the Battle of Orgreave during the miners strike of 1984. This unceasing enthusiasm seems to have dried up rather suddenly.

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Meanwhile, much commentary and media coverage has focused on the Musk bogeyman  far more comfortable terrain for some, you sense  rather than the victims. It doubtless riles some outlets that much of this is coming to light because GB News (to them a risible populist purveyor of non-news) is the TV outlet doing most to put the victims words out there.

Yvette Cooper also cited child sexual abuse in the Church of England several times in her remarks on Monday. While not downplaying the reprehensible safeguarding failures in the Anglican Church, which I have written about before, I dont recall anyone invoking Pakistani grooming gangs in public discussions about John Smyths atrocities. There are echoes of the aftermath of David Amesss murder by an Islamist, when Westminster launched into a surreal discussion about social media and civility in politics.

By merely pointing to the previous inquiry and implying that organised rape gangs are some sort of universal or generic problem, rather than one that appears to be specifically rooted in a particular community, they are stoking the fires of division. When justice is not seen to be done, it inflames community tensions, with perfectly innocent people living under suspicion.

Politicians dishonesty and the Governments dissembling are further alienating people from sane and civilised solutions. Put another way, if this were a balmy summer, we might have had riots. Musks most incendiary tweets are hardly helping, but the biggest culprits are the political class who refuse to be honest with ordinary, concerned people in communities up and down the country who feel devastated by these revelations.

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The Government is reverting to a well-rehearsed playbook; deflecting from the horrors of child abuse to score points against the far-Right enemy. Musk and Tommy Robinson serve as useful idiots in this regard: they enable the Government to paint this as a conspiracy threatening civilised values rather than a situation where civilised values have already been defiled in the most appalling way by people who are electorally convenient to our leaders. We are in hazardous territory if they persist with this: it is no longer just patronising but rather fomenting a dangerous rage across the country.

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By any measure, Labours favourite attack line  You awful Tories caused the mess in the first place  has had a good run. From net migration to tax burdens, defence spending, and the Channel crossings, its their go-to refrain.

And, truth be told, theyre not always wrong. Ive been frank about our shortcomings for some time now, much to the chagrin of more defensive colleagues. Yet I cant help but wonder how long Labour can coast on this strategy. Six months? Twelve? Thats the frustration of Opposition, I suppose.

But theres one policy area where that line simply doesnt wash: education. Here, the Conservatives record is unassailable. It is no exaggeration to say that the reforms introduced under the last government transformed the landscape of British education, leaving it in far better shape than we found it. I would go further: millions of children can read and count (when they otherwise would not) thanks specifically to the Govian reforms pioneered in office.

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In 2010, the picture was bleak. British schools languished near the bottom of the OECDs PISA league tables for literacy and numeracy. Fast forward to today, and weve climbed to 4th in the world for reading and 11th for maths.

That transformation is no accident. It is the result of bold, determined policy led by Sir Nick Gibb and the relentless push for phonics, rigour, and high expectations in our classrooms. Ofsteds recent figures show that over 90 per cent of schools are now rated good or outstanding, up from just 68 per cent in 2010. This is a legacy we should champion with pride.

At the heart of this transformation was the 2011 Education Act, a piece of legislation whose importance cannot be overstated. By embedding a presumption in favour of free schools and granting greater autonomy to teachers and school leaders, the Act revolutionised how our schools operate. The result? A flourishing of excellence across the system thanks to what we termed the rising tide of competition.

I saw this revolution firsthand when I helped to establish Michaela Community School in Wembley. Born and raised in that very community, I knew what was at stake. With Katharine Birbalsinghs leadership, we fought hostile local authorities, detractors, and even protesters to open our doors in 2014. I served as Chairman of Governors for the first four years when we gained our first Ofsted Outstanding Report.

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Today, Michaela stands as a testament to whats possible with the right approach: a knowledge-rich curriculum, strict discipline, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. The pupils achieve some of the best results in the country, proving that postcode need not determine potential.

And yet, Labour now threatens to undo all this progress. Their Child Wellbeing and Schools Bill, debated this week, is a regressive blueprint for mediocrity. At its core, it seeks to strip schools of the freedoms that have been pivotal to their success.

Pay, staffing, curriculum  all of this would be dragged back under Whitehalls control, reducing accountability and stifling innovation. Most alarmingly, the Education Secretary has ruled out any new free schools, effectively slamming the door shut on future success stories like Michaela.

Even more troubling is Labours curriculum review, which appears less focused on excellence and more on ideological conformity. Under the stewardship of Dr Becky Francis, a specialist steeped in gender and equality studies, the curriculum review signals a march towards social engineering. Latin is to be scrapped from the state curriculum, English Literature dismissed as too monocultural, and traditional history teaching derided as rife with middle-class bias. Instead, Labour would replace visits to museums and galleries with graffiti workshops, and times tables with lessons in how to challenge racial bias.

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This is the soft bigotry of low expectations writ large. We saw where this led before: Englands schools ranked among the worst in the developed world. Sir Nick Gibb rightly called out this approach for what it is  a betrayal of disadvantaged children who need high expectations the most. Rigour, competition, and discipline are not barriers to success; they are its foundations.

A good education should stretch every child to their full potential, equip them for the challenges of the modern world, and foster a love of learning that lasts a lifetime. It is not indoctrination, nor is it supposed to be easy. Labours plans risk consigning a generation of children to mediocrity  and dragging our country backwards in the process.

We must fight this. Education reform has been one of the great successes of the past decade. To let it slip away would not only be a tragedy for our children but a betrayal of our responsibility to them. The stakes are simply too high to allow ideology to triumph over excellence.

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A new independent report says that U.S. airbases have been left worryingly vulnerable, especially in the Indo-Pacific region, by a lack of investment in new hardened aircraft shelters, or even unhardened ones. In contrast, the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) has more than doubled its total number of hardened and unhardened aircraft shelters in the past 15 years or so, along with a major expansion of other airbase infrastructure. Other countries, including Russia, are increasingly doing the same. This comes amid a heated debate between the U.S. military and Congress over the right mix of active and passive base defenses needed to succeed in a future high-end conflict, such as one against China in the Pacific, which TWZ has been following closely.

The Hudson Institute think tank in Washington, D.C., published the report, titled Concrete Sky: Air Base Hardening in the Western Pacific, yesterday. Its primary authors are Hudsons Timothy Walton and Thomas Shugart from the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), a separate think tank.

I'm pleased to announce the release of a new report I co-authored with @timothyawalton for @HudsonInstitute titled Concrete Sky: Air Base Hardening in the Western Pacific. pic.twitter.com/zRenm6y0VV  Tom Shugart (@tshugart3) January 7, 2025

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has consistently expressed concern regarding threats to airfields in the Indo-Pacific, and military analyses of potential conflicts involving China and the United States demonstrate that the overwhelming majority of US aircraft losses would likely occur on the ground at airfields (and that the losses could be ruinous), the report says in its executive summary. But the U.S. military has devoted relatively little attention, and few resources, to countering these threats compared to developing modern aircraft.

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By the reports accounting, the U.S. military has added two hardened aircraft shelters (HAS) and 41 of what it refers to as unhardened individual aircraft shelters (IASs), at airbases within 1,000 miles of the Taiwan Strait since the early 2010s. Expansion of those same facilities has been otherwise limited, with the addition of only one runway, one major taxiway, and 17% more ramp area overall.

Since the early 2010s, the PLA has more than doubled its hardened aircraft shelters (HASs) and unhardened individual aircraft shelters (IASs) at military airfields, giving China more than 3,000 total aircraft shelters  not including civil or commercial airfields, the new report from Hudson says. This constitutes enough shelters to house and hide the vast majority of Chinas combat aircraft. China has also added 20 runways and more than 40 runway-length taxiways, and increased its ramp area nationwide by almost 75 percent.

Hardened Aircraft Shelters of J-10 Fighters pic.twitter.com/pjb2lAPsu6  Hurin (@Hurin92) September 8, 2023

In fact, by our calculations, the amount of concrete used by China to improve the resilience of its air base network could pave a four-lane inter-state highway from Washington, D.C., to Chicago[, Illinois], it continues. As a result, China now has 134 air bases within 1,000 nautical miles of the Taiwan Strait  airfields that boast more than 650 HASs and almost 2,000 non-hardened IASs.

A satellite image showing the 16 IASs under construction at Tuchengzi Air Base in northeastern China in 2022. This is just one example of Chinas massive airbase construction push in the past two decades mentioned in Hudsons new report. Maxar via USAF A satellite image showing the 16 aircraft shelters at Tuchengzi under construction. Maxar via USAF

The report does acknowledge that IASs do not provide anywhere near the same level of protection as true HASs, which are costlier. It also makes clear that shelters, hardened or otherwise, are just one part of a larger base defense equation. However, its authors argue that robust passive defenses are the most cost-effective single measure that can be taken to provide critical added resiliency against attacks and help provide a key foundation for other concepts of operations.

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Hudsons report estimates that buying just one fewer B-21 every year for the next five years could free up enough funds to construct 100 HASs. A similar reduction in purchases of F-15EXs or F-35As could yield the resources required to build 20 more HASs annually. The estimated unit cost of the B-21 is pegged at between $600 and $800 million based on publicly available information. As of 2023, the price tag for a single F-15EX was nearly $94 million, while the average unit cost across all three variants of the F-35 was said to be around $82.5 million.

The first pre-production B-21 Raider stealth bomber sits under an open-ended shelter. Photo courtesy of Jonathan Case, Northrop Grumman

Furthermore, a $4 million fully-enclosed, substantial hardened aircraft shelter [for fighters] that may last for decades costs as much as a single Patriot surface-to-air missile or 1/20 the cost of an $80 million fighter aircraft that the HAS might otherwise protect, the report adds, quoting a separate white paper on airbase defense that the Air & Space Forces Associations Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies published in July 2024.

In addition, while non-hardened IASs do not provide the same degree of protection as HASs, some of them may provide at least partial protection from shrapnel, the report adds. IASs may also make it more difficult to determine the number and types of aircraft at a base, potentially masking a pre-conflict surge of aircraft, and make both strike planning and post-strike damage assessment more challenging.

As TWZ highlighted in the past, the ability to better shield planes exposed on the flight line from even more limited threats like shrapnel, including that produced by relatively small warheads on kamikaze drones and cluster munitions, is still very valuable. By targeting aircraft sitting out in the open, an adversary could well prevent them from ever entering the fight, even with limited attacks, such as ones involving weaponized commercial drones.

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Ukrainian attacks on Russian airbases using drones and U.S.-supplied Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) short-range ballistic missiles with cluster warheads have helped drive this reality home. In turn, Russia has launched its own new push to build hardened and other shelters at various air bases, especially those close to Ukraine.

A Maxar satellite image taken on June 8, 2024, showing the aftermath of a Ukrainian drone attack on Russias Akhtubinsk Air Base that damaged one and possibly two Su-57 Felon advanced fighters sitting out in the open on the flight line. Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies A Maxar satellite image taken June 8 after the attack shows damage to one and possibly two Su-57 Felon new generation fighters. Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies

A Dec. 19, 2024 satellite image of Russias Belbek Air Base on the occupied Crimean Peninsula showing work on new HASs and other construction. PHOTO  2024 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION

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In addition, passive defenses include not only hardening, but also redundancy measures, prepositioning of supplies, reconstitution capabilities, and camouflage, concealment, and deception measures, the new report notes. Furthermore, while passive defenses may seem at odds with a predominantly expeditionary U.S. approach to warfare  unless U.S. forces can defend airfields at home and abroad, they will be unable to support US and allied interests in a conflict.

As illustrated below, Hudsons report assesses that it could take just 10 missiles with warheads capable of scattering cluster munitions across an area with a 450-foot diameter to neutralize all exposed aircraft on the ground and fuel storage at key airbases like Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan, Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, or Langley Air Force Base in Virginia.

Hudson Institute

The report also highlights the ever-growing threat posed by drones, and how uncrewed systems and missiles could threaten airbases within the continental United States, as well as overseas. For years now, TWZ has been sounding the alarm on these issues, especially when it comes to the dangers of increasingly more capable drones that are steadily proliferating globally, and noting the continued lag on the part of the U.S. military in addressing them. Recent Air Force requests for information about enclosures to defend F-15Es from drone attacks at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and F-22 jets at Langley Air Force Base suggest the Air Force is starting to consider the threat more seriously, Hudsons report notes, directly citing some of TWZs past reporting. However, it is again pursuing low-cost solutions (such as canvassing existing open-air shelters or applying nets), which counter-measures such as shaped charges can easily overcome, rather [than] building proper HASs.

A graphic offering general details about the sunshade-type shelters at Langley that could be in line to receive new anti-drone nets. USAF



Still unexplained drone incursions over Langley that continued for several weeks in December 2023, which TWZ was first to report, became a particular watershed moment for the discourse around drone threats, including to domestic U.S. military bases. Drone incursions over bases hosting U.S. forces in Europe last year, as well as widespread drone sightings over New Jersey and elsewhere in the United States that have increasingly tended toward hysteria, have further reinforced the reality about the potential threats in the public consciousness.

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The issue of hardening and limited investments in new HASs and other passive defenses in the past 20 years, also extends to U.S. allies and partners in the Western Pacific, the report points out. South Korea, which faces the immediate prospect of potential attacks from North Korea, is the notable outlier. Earlier this month, the Japanese Ministry of Defense announced plans to start moving 14 key command centers underground to better shield them, especially from potential Chinese attacks in the event of a larger conflict over Taiwan, as part of its proposed budget for the 2025 Fiscal Year.

Hudson Institute

As already noted, the report from Hudson stresses that HASs and other infrastructure improvements are not a silver bullet solution. It also includes two other recommended lines of effort centered on a potential conflict with China in the Pacific.

The report also calls for increasing the ability of U.S. forces to similarly hold Chinese bases and other critical infrastructure, including facilities deep inside the country, at risk. That, among other things, will require increasing the production and stockpiling of strike munitions, and the development of types that are cheaper and easier to produce at scale. This has long been its own hot-button issue for the U.S. military and is only more so now amid planning for a potential high-end fight with China.

Improving the U.S. militarys ability to project air power from far-flung locations, and without the need for long runways or runways at all, or simply to have aircraft capable of longer-range operations from bases that are less vulnerable to start with, is the other recommended course of action in the report. TWZ has been increasingly highlighting the potential value of crewed and uncrewed aircraft with greater, if not total runway independence, as well as new concepts in aerial refueling, in future major conflicts, especially across the broad expanses of the Pacific.

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How the U.S. Air Force and the rest of the U.S. military might actually proceed, especially when it comes to base infrastructure, remains to be seen. Last month, the Air Force notably released a new base modernization strategy that included a focus area on increased resiliency and that pointedly said that the services facilities can no longer be considered a sanctuary. However, it did not explicitly mention HASs or similar passive defensive measures, last month. Air Force officials have also pushed back on the value of more extensive physical hardening in the past.

Im not a big fan of hardening infrastructure, Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, then head of Pacific Air Forces, the top Air Force command for that region, said at a roundtable at the 2023 Air and Space Forces Association symposium. The reason is because of the advent of precision-guided weapons  you saw what we did to the Iraqi Air Force and their hardened aircraft shelters. Theyre not so hard when you put a 2,000-pound bomb right through the roof.

Air Force ground crew personnel tow an F-117 Nighthawk stealth combat jet past a destroyed hardened aircraft shelter at Ahmad Al Jaber Air Base in Kuwait in 1998. U.S. forces had knocked out this shelter during the first Gulf War in 1991. DOD

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Hudsons report includes an entire section rebutting arguments like Wilsbachs, including highlighting how physical hardening would force the PLA to expend more and better weapons in attacks on airbases to try to ensure success. The report also highlights how other countries beyond China, including Russia, North Korea, and Israel, are also very actively investing in new hardened airbase infrastructure.

There are various policy and other hurdles to improving active air and missile defenses around airbases and other critical facilities abroad and at home. This includes the fact that the U.S. Army is currently the lead service responsible for performing that mission at Air Force bases. Top Air Force officials have said they are open to taking on that responsibility as long as it comes with commensurate additional funding.

Lengthy traditional contracting processes and concerns about future U.S. defense budgets, together with competing priorities, present additional issues. The Air Force has been increasingly warning about the affordability of various new advanced aircraft and other modernization efforts, including plans for a new sixth-generation stealth combat jet, Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones, and new stealthy tankers, for months now.

To comprehensively harden airfields, the DoD [Department of Defense] will need to shift from treating each construction project individually to conducting a campaign of construction, Hudsons report says. When facing similar challenges in the past, the DoD addressed them, building 373 HASs in Vietnam over a three-year period and roughly 1,000 HASs in Europe in the 1980s. With decisive action, the DoD can address this problem.

USAF

In the meantime, while the debate in the United States about the value of HASs and other physical defenses continues, China is vastly outpacing the U.S. military in this regard and other countries are also taking note.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com
As wildfires raged across Los Angeles on Tuesday, crews battling the Palisades blaze faced an additional burden: Scores of fire hydrants in Pacific Palisades had little to no water flowing out.

"The hydrants are down," said one firefighter in internal radio communications.

"Water supply just dropped," said another.

By 3 a.m. Wednesday, all water storage tanks in the Palisades area "went dry," diminishing the flow of water from hydrants in higher elevations, said Janisse Quinones, chief executive and chief engineer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the city's utility.

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"We had a tremendous demand on our system in the Palisades. We pushed the system to the extreme," Quinones said Wednesday morning. "Four times the normal demand was seen for 15 hours straight, which lowered our water pressure."

Read more: After an unprecedented four-day wildfire siege, L.A. firefighters make progress against Palisades, Eaton fires

The DWP and city leaders faced significant criticism on social media from residents as well as from developer Rick Caruso, who owns Palisades Village mall in the heart of the Westside neighborhood. Caruso, a former DWP commissioner, blasted the city for infrastructure that struggled to meet firefighting demands.

"There's no water in the fire hydrants," Caruso said with exasperation. Through Tuesday night, he expressed similar criticism in a series of live interviews with local TV stations. "The firefighters are there [in the neighborhood], and there's nothing they can do  we've got neighborhoods burning, homes burning, and businesses burning. ... It should never happen."

A firefighter tries to put out a portion of a fire that threatens a nearby building along Sunset Boulevard in Pacific Palisades on Tuesday. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

L.A. City Councilmember Traci Park, who represents Pacific Palisades and participated with Quinones in Wednesday's news conference, also expressed fury over the DWP's water supply issues.

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"The chronic under-investment in the city of Los Angeles in our public infrastructure and our public safety partners was evident and on full display over the last 24 hours," Park said. "I am extremely concerned about this. I'm already working with my team to take a closer look at this, and I think we've got more questions than answers at this point."

Read more: Karen Bass left L.A. for Africa as wind, fire warnings increased. She returned to a burning city

Quinones and other DWP officials said that the city was fighting a wildfire in hilly terrain with an urban water system, and that at lower elevations in Pacific Palisades, water pressure remained strong.

Before the fire, all 114 tanks that supply the city water infrastructure were completely filled.

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Quinones said that the hydrants in the Palisades rely on three large water tanks with about 1 million gallons each. The first ran dry at 4:45 p.m. Tuesday; the second at 8:30 p.m.; and the third was dry at 3 a.m. Wednesday.

"Those tanks help with the pressure on the fire hydrants in the hills in the Palisades, and because we were pushing so much water in our trunk line, and so much water was being used. ... we were not able to fill the tanks fast enough," she said. "So the consumption of water was faster than we can provide water in a trunk line."

Read more: Palisades fire: Evacuations, road closures, shelters, schools, forecast

In other words, the demand for water at lower elevations was hampering the ability to refill the tanks located at higher elevations. Because of the ongoing fire, DWP crews also faced difficulty accessing its pump stations, which are used to move water up to the tanks.

A fire crew battles a fire in Pacific Palisades. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

The utility on Wednesday was sending 20 tankers with water to support firefighters in the Palisades, and the tankers were having to reload at other distant locations.

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"We are constantly moving that water to the fire department to get them as much water as we can," Quinones said.

It's unclear how widespread the hydrant issues were. In November, the lack of water from hydrants hurt the effort to combat the Mountain fire in Ventura County, when two water pumps became inactive, slowing the process to deliver hillside water.

Caruso, who also ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2022, contended that the challenges were avoidable.

"This is a window into a systemic problem of the city  not only of mismanagement, but our infrastructure is old," Caruso said.

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Caruso, who evacuated Tuesday from his home in Brentwood, said his daughter's home was destroyed in the blaze, and his family was waiting to hear if one of his sons had also lost his home.

Read more: 'What I imagined hell would be like.' Two friends try to save Pacific Palisades home from raging fire

Caruso said in an interview that several homes around his Palisades Village shopping center were "fully engulfed" in flames, and his shopping center, which opened in 2018, suffered damage. On Wednesday morning, scores of buildings and homes in the Palisades were reduced to ash and rubble.

"We are feeling the very personal effects of this," he said.

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Times staff writers Terry Castleman and Ian James contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY)  The Lafayette Parish School System is consolidating more campuses next school year by cutting Pre-K immersion courses.

Art, Spanish and French immersion classes will no longer be offered to Pre-K students at five schools in the district: J. Wallace James Elementary, Myrtle Place Elementary, Prairie Elementary, Evangeline Elementary and Boucher Elementary.

Tracy Wirtz, Lafayette Parish School System Communications Specialist, said the decision is part of the districts optimization plan.

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The superintendent and the board are being very budget conscious and looking ahead at projected shortfalls that will occur in the 25-26 school year, Wirtz said. This move will save the district about $1 million annually.

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Parents of students currently enrolled in Pre-K, French Immersion said they hoped the district would preserve the program for its youngest learners.

Rene Sonniers son is one of those learners.

At the age of a Pre-K student- 3, 4, 5 years old- its such a rich time for learning, especially language, Sonnier said I think it is important for kids success in French immersion to have the opportunity to start in Pre-K. I really hope that they will keep and preserve Pre-K, especially for French immersion in Lafayette, for the benefit of the immersion program and its continued success.

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Another parent, Gretchen Grant, said her son was on the waiting list for this program. Now, he will have to wait until kindergarten to attend immersion school.

The earlier you get your child involved in it, the better the outcome, Grant said.

This is why she was upset to learn the decision was already made.

LPSS saving only $500K per year with adopted CSG recommendations leads to hiring freeze

I felt pretty blindsided, Grant said. Im sure most parents felt like we didnt get to vote on it or have any kind of voice in it. Parents should never be surprised by a school boards decision.

Wirtz said Superintendent Francis Touchet can make the decision on his own because it is not the closure of an entire school, just consolidating special courses.

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Its looking at the resources, both money and teachers, etc. across the district and the need, Wirtz said. This decision was based because of that need, and the superintendent is allowed to make those decisions because hes given authority by the board to do so.

She explained it was already discussed at the LPSS district optimization meeting in November.

The school board identifies essentially how much money we have to operate with, and the superintendent is charged with making sure that we operate within that budget, Wirtz said.

Wirtz said LPSS is focused on providing greater access to regular education Pre-K classes, including English as a Second Language and Special Education courses.

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In the 25-26 school year, LPSS will have two Pre-K only schools and regular Pre-K sections within elementary schools open.

Wirtz said the 9 teachers and 9 paraprofessionals currently teaching in the elimnated programs will be reassigned to open positions across the district.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com.
Jan. 7LAGRANGE  The LaGrange County Community Foundation's Community Scholarship Program is open and accepting applications.

The program offers financial support to high school graduating seniors planning to graduate by June 2025. Scholarships are available based on residency, high school attendance, extracurricular and community involvement, and future career plans, with more than $160,000 available in scholarships for local students.

To apply, students must complete the common application, which will match them to qualifying scholarship opportunities. The deadline for applications is March 7.

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"The Community Scholarship Program is a vital part of our mission to support the education of LaGrange County students," said Octavia Yoder, executive director of the LaGrange County Community Foundation. "We are proud to offer these scholarships, which help students pursue their dreams and contribute to our community's future."

In addition to the long-standing scholarships, the following new community scholarships will be offered for the first time this year:

GO Shine Like Gwen Memorial Scholarship provides an award to a Westview senior in memory of Gwendolyn Owsley. Applicants must be involved in extracurricular activities and community service and submit an essay reflecting on how their involvement has positively impacted the lives of others.

Eldon Hostetler Family Scholarship provides an award to a LaGrange County student pursuing a degree and/or trade school in the automotive, engineering, or business fields. Applicants are required to submit an essay reflecting on their career goals.

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Partners In Education Scholarship provides an award to a student at a LaGrange County public high school who has positively impacted the quality of life for people in their school and/or community through community service. Applicants must have a grade point average between 3.0 and 3.8 to apply.

Huggins Family Scholarship provides an award to a student at a LaGrange County public high school pursuing a degree in nursing.

The community foundation is offering 49 unique scholarships this year, made possible through generous donations from community members. New scholarship endowments can be established with a minimum donation of $25,000, ensuring scholarships are available in perpetuity. Donors may specify award criteria and name the fund in honor or memory of a loved one.

For more information on the 2025 Community Scholarship Program or how to establish a scholarship endowment, visit the LaGrange County Community Foundation website at www.lccf.net or contact the Foundation at 260-463-4363.
(Bloomberg) -- Canadas ruling Liberal Party is reviewing how it picks its next leader, set to be the next prime minister, after Justin Trudeau announced Monday he plans to resign.

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Its facing concerns the contest is too open to foreign interference.

The current rulebook sets out a vote with almost no bars to entry. To join the Liberal Party you dont need to be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or even pay an entry fee. You just need to be 14 or older, live in Canada, and state you support the Liberals without supporting another party.

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Thats ringing alarm bells after an official inquiry called the Hogue Commission found evidence of foreign interference from China and other countries in recent Canadian elections. It hasnt yet published its final report, due by Jan. 31.

But heading into an all-day meeting Wednesday to discuss the contest rules, several Liberal lawmakers voiced support for restricting the vote to permanent residents and citizens.

Knowing what we know now  Im not sure exactly whats going to be in the Hogue report coming out  but those are some of the vulnerabilities that we can address right now to ensure and give confidence to Canadians, said West Vancouver representative Patrick Weiler. Its harder to implement a membership fee, but it will be discussed, he said.

Toronto lawmaker Judy Sgro said a lot of us are concerned about reports of foreign interference.

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The Liberal Party board is holding meetings this week to discuss the race, but establishing the rules will take some time, party communications director Parker Lund said by email. He added: Protecting the integrity of our democratic process is a foremost priority for the party, and we look forward to providing more details about the leadership process once the rules have been set.

Speaking to reporters after Wednesdays caucus meeting, Canadas energy minister and leadership hopeful Jonathan Wilkinson said Liberals discussed membership, timing, and the threshold of money that potential candidates would need to raise. He also said the board would unveil rules over the coming days.

Taleeb Noormohamed, another member of parliament for Vancouver, said caucus discussed concerns about the race being secure, and the membership of non-citizens and non-permanent residents.

The Conservative Party requires permanent residency or citizenship and asks for financial contributions. You must be a citizen and aged 18 or above to vote in a federal election.

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Trudeaus Impact

Trudeau decisively won the leadership in 2013 after the party threw open the doors for non-paying supporters to vote, and hundreds of thousands of people joined. More than 100,000 cast ballots in the leadership vote.

Trudeau dramatically ramped up immigration to Canada, and there are currently more than three million non-permanent residents in the country. As things stand, they would also be eligible to vote for his replacement, if theyve registered in time.

Liberal Party rules currently say that would-be voters in the leadership race must already be registered with the party 41 days before the poll.

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That cooling off period might reduce the number of last-minute joiners hoping to sway the contest  but Trudeaus leadership has been publicly in question for months, so those who want a say in his replacement have already had plenty of time to join.

They need this race to be focused and fast, said political consultant Scott Reid, previously head of communications for Liberal prime minister Paul Martin.

The Liberals should charge a high entry fee to discourage marginal candidates and infiltrators, mandate that voters are Canadian citizens, and have a very short sign-up period, he said.

You have to be sensitive to the potential for foreign interference, he said. The race will be targeted by interest groups, by foreign agitant governments, possibly others who will want to make mischief and, you know, effectively try to take over a party.

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Accelerated Process

The last time the Liberals rejigged their rules and picked a leader, they took almost two years  from Michael Ignatieffs resignation in May 2011 to the election of Trudeau in April 2013.

Despite pressure to get the process right, they nonetheless need to move much faster now.

They need a leader to fight a federal election which could start soon after lawmakers return to Parliament on March 24. And they face Donald Trump entering the White House on Jan. 20. Hes already mocking Canada and Trudeau and threatening economic force, including 25% tariffs on all Canadian goods.

Alongside his resignation, Trudeau successfully requested the prorogation of parliament, effectively pausing its activity. That temporarily blocks rival parties from voting no confidence in the government and triggering a national election  which they have said they will do.

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But even with that breathing room, the Liberal Party needs to accelerate. Current rules imply a 90-day minimum contest  though include a clause allowing the party executive to change the vote date and alter any arrangements already made, if political circumstances require.

If it officially started this week  and it will likely start later  90 days would take it to April 8 or 9, after Parliament returns with the threat of toppling the government.

--With assistance from Brian Platt and Erik Hertzberg.

(adds comments from Liberals after Wednesdays meeting)

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A Lake of the Four Seasons man is facing charges for allegedly taking a Merrillville Police military-style armored vehicle home.

David Shepard-Hambrick, 42, was charged Tuesday with one count of auto theft, a Level 6 felony.

He has not been apprehended. When arrested, his bail is set at $1,000 cash surety.

Merrillville Police Chief Kosta Nuses asked the Indiana State Police to investigate after they discovered Shepard-Hambrick, who owned Hoosier Diesel, took a police MRAP home.

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Cops responded at 11:18 a.m. on Oct. 4 to his house. He told cops he took employees to his home because he had to move his stuff.

Nuses told ISP Shepard-Hambricks company didnt end up working on the vehicle; it was serviced somewhere else.

The armored vehicles  a personnel carrier meant to better protect troops against roadside bombs  were introduced during the Iraq War.

mcolias@post-trib.com
SEQUOYAH COUNTY, Okla. (KNWA/KFTA)  The Sequoyah County Sheriffs Office is actively investigating the human remains discovered near Lake Tenkiller, but officials expect significant delays in identifying them.

Sheriff Larry Lane confirmed that the remains have been sent to the Oklahoma State Medical Examiners Office, where DNA testing could take up to two years due to a backlog.

Additional samples sent to a medical examiner in north Texas are also facing delays, with an estimated 18-month wait for DNA results. Fingerprint analysis could take as long as six months.

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Human remains found near Lake Tenkiller in Sequoyah County

The remains were discovered approximately 200 yards from the site where Lane suspects Matthew Fagan, a hiker who went missing in June 2023, was killed.

When asked why the Fagan case came to mind, Sheriff Lane said that the remains were found near the location where the previous suspects had said Fagan was killed.

The rough terrain in the area, which is difficult to cover and contains cavernous and rocky areas, also made the search more challenging, Lane said.

According to KSWO in Lawton, Okla., three men who confessed to their involvement in Fagans murder were released after charges against them were dropped.

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Michael Snelling, Tyler Leverett and Charles Blake Shamblin were initially charged with first-degree murder following Fagans disappearance near Lake Tenkiller, but the District Attorneys Office dropped the charges due to lack of evidence and the absence of a body.

Furloughed worker: Canoo still owes employees thousands for final paychecks, expensed purchases; company not answering

The three men had been in custody for nearly a year before the charges were dismissed.

As the investigation continues, authorities are awaiting results from DNA testing to confirm the identity of the remains found near Lake Tenkiller. Deputies, Cherokee Nation marshals and the Oklahoma Medical Examiners Office are conducting ongoing searches in the area.

(Courtesy: Sequoyah County Sheriffs Office) (Courtesy: Sequoyah County Sheriffs Office) (Courtesy: Sequoyah County Sheriffs Office)

This is a developing story. Stay with KNWA/FOX24 for updates.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com are investigating whether landlords are following state law and giving a tax break to Arizona renters  and we need your help.

Starting Jan. 1, cities and landlords were no longer able to charge a sales tax on residential rental units, homes like apartments and others that are occupied on a monthly basis. The tax was usually a couple of percent and set by the city you live in. It might be called a sales tax or transaction privilege tax on your monthly bill.

For example, tenants in Phoenix were charged a rental tax of 2.3%, or $23 per $1,000 in rent. Scottsdale renters paid 1.75%, or $17.50 per $1,000 of rent. Find more about rates in your city here.

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A 2023 Arizona law repealed that tax starting this month, requiring landlords to stop collecting the tax and to pass those savings on to renters.

Some cities, like Flagstaff and Tucson, didn't charge the tax in the first place so renters there are not affected.

We are interested in seeing whether Arizona property managers and landlords have stopped charging the tax, with a particular interest in landlords who are not complying.

We'd like to hear from renters across the state as part of our reporting, and we'd like to see what your landlords are telling you.

To respect your privacy, we will not publish or share with property managers any personally identifying information  like your name or address  without getting your permission first.

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If you can help, please email reporter Stacey Barchenger at stacey.barchenger@arizonarepublic.com with the following information and the subject line "rental tax." She can be reached via text or call at 480-416-5669.

What did your landlord communicate to you about the rental tax repeal? Can you share those communications with us?

Who or what company is your landlord? And what is the name of your complex or community?

Do you believe your landlord did or did not pass along the rental tax rollback? Why?

Did your landlord add any new fees or costs, and if so, what were they? Was that when you renewed a lease or during the current lease term?

Can you share rent bills or screenshots of your online payment portal for December 2024 and January 2025? The more detailed the better. We'd like to do the math to see how the tax repeal is being passed along and to ensure your bills are changing.

Have you been impacted by receiving or not receiving the tax break? We know many families live paycheck to paycheck and this money could make a difference, especially over a year. If that's you, please tell us how you are impacted.

Reach reporter Stacey Barchenger at stacey.barchenger@arizonarepublic.com or 480-416-5669.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Is your landlord following Arizona law requiring rental tax breaks?
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  As Oklahoma deals with an extended period of frigid, below-freezing temperatures, legal experts say its important for renters to know their rights, should they find their home or apartment without working heat.

News 4 has brought numerous reports each winter, sharing the frustrations of tenants who say their landlords are neglecting to fix heating systems in their homes and apartments.

Its going to get colder: No heat for weeks at Embrey Apartments

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My kids are right now sitting under blankets and sweatpants just to stay warm, Moore apartment tenant Joseph Garmon told News 4 in November 2022, after the heating system in his apartment at Ascend Apartments went unrepaired.

Its gotten me sick this week, Ascend Apartments tenant Cathleen Beauchamp told News 4 in November 2022. I hate that Im having to bounce from place to place to make sure my child is warm and comfortable, that she doesnt get sick because she has asthma. And when she gets sick, she really gets sick. She ends up in the hospital.

In some cases News 4 has documented, tenants never received responses from their landlordseven after submitting formal work orders, leading many tenants to feel helpless and stuck in unlivable homes.

We still have to pay our rent every month to live here, Ascend Apartments tenant Thomas Hutton told News 4 in November 2022. So you cant just stop paying rent to live here.

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But, as the temps dip below freezing again in 2025, legal experts say its important for tenants to knowthey do have rights.

What to do when apartment A/C units go out

The applicable law is the Oklahoma Landlord Tenant Act, attorney Tim Gilpin said.

Gilpin says Oklahoma law makes it clear: your landlord must keep your home to a certain, livable standard, and if they dont, tenants can hold them accountable.

If a landlord fails to provide the essentials such as heat, hot water, electricity, then the tenant can put the landlord on notice that this is happening and thus uninhabitable, Gilpin said.

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He says after putting your landlord on notice about a problem, such as a non-functioning heating system, they have 14 days to address the problem.

If they dont do anything in that 14-day window, tenants have several options.

Then the tenant can either move out, terminate the lease early, orup to the cost of one month of renthave the repairs done at their expense and then look to the landlord to reimburse them.

In Your Corner helps Embrey Apartments get heat back

But, before you go without paying your rent, Gilpin says you must make sure you take one crucial step.

Give written notice, he said.

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Gilpin says to make sure you tell your landlord about the problem in writing, not just verbally, so they cannot dispute the fact that you notified them of the issue.

Do it in writing and date it, Gilpin said. And probably some sort of verification that [you] gave it to the landlord. Then the landlord has to act within 14 days.

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.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has appointed two new members to the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors and three new members to the Louisiana Board of Regents. (Hilary Scheinuk/The Advocate, Pool)

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has appointed two new members to the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors and three new members to the Louisiana Board of Regents.

Landry also reappointed two Regents to another term and five members on the UL System board.

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The new members to the UL Board are Lee Jackson and Keith Myers.

Jackson is a river pilot and owner of an offshore transportation company. He is the third Black river pilot ever commissioned in Louisiana and the seventh nationwide. Jackson is a political donor who has primarily supported Democrats, including former state transportation secretary Shawn Wilson, Landrys opponent in the 2023 gubernatorial election.

Myers is a health care executive who founded the LHC Group. He and his wife Ginger have given hundreds of thousands of dollars to Landrys campaign and political action committees supporting him. Myers chaired the policy committees advising Landry on health care during his transition. His son is Rep. Brach Myers, R-Lafayette, who is currently running in a special election for the state senate seat vacated by Public Service Commissioner Jean-Paul Coussan.

The three new members on the Board of Regents are Ted Glaser, Dallas Hixson and Christy Reeves.

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Glaser is a farmer who owns thousands of acres of land in Pointe Coupee Parish.

Hixson owns multiple car dealerships in Louisiana. He contributed to Landry in 2017 when he was attorney general but did not donate to his gubernatorial campaign.

Reeves is an executive with the Ochsner health system.

Returning members to the UL Board, one of the four college and university systems in Louisiana, include JoQuishia Lethermon, John Noble, Mark Romero, Kristine Russell and Joe Salter.

The returning Regents are David Aubrey and Darren Mire.

The Board of Regents oversees the four higher education systems.

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LATEST: Ukraine strikes Russian oil depot supplying fuel to Engels-2 airbase, military confirms.

A large fire engulfed an oil depot overnight on Jan. 8 in the city of Engels in Saratov Oblast, various Russian Telegram media channels reported.

Saratov Oblast Governor Roman Busargin said Ukrainian drone debris struck an unspecified "industrial facility" around 5:30 a.m. local time, amid a "massive" drone attack on the city. Russian Telegram channel ASTRA reported, citing resident accounts, that that an oil depot in the city had caught fire.

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No information was immediately available as to the extent of the damage caused. Busargin said that there were no injuries as a result of the attack.

Russia's Defense Ministry claimed that 11 Ukrainian attack drones were downed over Saratov Oblast.

The Kyiv Independent cannot verify the claims of Russian officials.

Videos circulating on social media appear to show a large fire burning at the oil depot, as Russian air defense attempts to down the reported drones over the city. Residents reported hearing at least five explosions ahead of the fire.

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Firefighters are on-scene attempting to extinguish the blaze, Busargin added.

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Engels, located over 750 kilometers away from the nearest Ukrainian-controlled border, has previously been a target of Ukrainian drone attack, with the city housing the the Engels-2 air base.

Over the past year, Ukrainian forces have launched a series of drone strikes aimed at damaging Russia's oil industry, which is crucial to sustain Moscow's war efforts, as well as its military hardware.

As Russia's full-scale invasion continues, Ukraine has also continued to attack Russian targets along the Russia-Ukraine border to inflict damage to the country's military supply chain.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine hits Russias infantry brigade command post in Kursk Oblast, military claims





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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The Las Cruces City Council approved on Monday, Jan. 6, the issuance and sale of taxable municipal gross receipts tax revenue bonds to pay a $20 million settlement with the family of a woman who was allegedly shot and killed by a former Las Cruces police officer in 2023.

$20M settlement reached in Las Cruces officer-involved shooting

The City of Las Cruces said the Councils approval of the issuance and sale of bonds is for no more than $21 million with a bond maturity date no later than June 1, 2046. The City is calling this its largest settlement agreement in a civil lawsuit.

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In November last year, the City of Las Cruces agreed to terms in a civil lawsuit brought by Teresa Gomezs estate, 45, who was allegedly shot and killed by former Las Cruces Police Officer Felipe Hernandez on early Tuesday morning, Oct. 3, 2023, according to the news release.

Later in October 2023, a lawsuit was filed by Gomezs estate in U.S. District Court, the City of Las Cruces said.

As we previously reported, an investigation by the Las Cruces Police and the Officer-involved Incident Task Force determined the actions on the morning of Oct. 3, 2023, warranted criminal charges against Hernandez.

Hernandez was arrested in January 2024 and is charged with a felony count of second-degree murder, the City of Las Cruces said.

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The City of Las Cruces said that following an administrative investigation, Hernandez was relieved of his duties in May 2024.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
The New Years Day cybertruck explosion that killed one person outside a Las Vegas hotel was planned using ChatGPT, investigators say.

Matthew Livelsberger, 37, of Colorado, carried out the attack, killing himself and injuring seven people on Wednesday, Jan. 1, LVMPD previously said.

Now, authorities say their investigation revealed further details of the attack: a six-page-long manifesto, evidence that he used ChatGPT to plan his attack and indication that he died by suicide.

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We also have clear evidence now that the suspect used ChatGPT AI to help plan his attack, Sheriff Kevin McMahill said at a press conference on Tuesday, Jan. 8.

The attacker used ChatGPT to get information on how to conduct this particular plot, trying to figure out the amount of explosives needed in order to conduct the explosion he was looking to cause, Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren said at the press conference.

Some of the questions he asked the AI service include "Purchasing Tannerite in Arizona how much do you buy" and "what pistol could set it off."

"We are saddened by this incident and committed to seeing AI tools used responsibly. Our models are designed to refuse harmful instructions and minimize harmful content," a spokesperson for OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, told PEOPLE. "In this case, ChatGPT responded with information already publicly available on the internet and provided warnings against harmful or illegal activities. We're working with law enforcement to support their investigation."

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Related: Ex-UFC Fighter Says He Starred in Reality Show Alongside Suspect in Las Vegas Cybertruck Explosion

EyePress News/Shutterstoc Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside Trump Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada - 01 Jan 2025 Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside Trump Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada - 01 Jan 2025

The documents recovered also show that the suspect believed he was being followed and wrote in unspecified notes, reviewed by investigators, that during his mission, he picked a massive airbnb in the rich suburbs as a f you to my surveillance.

He further documented his purported struggles with his mental health, writing about graphic encounters" from his time in the military which replay in my head all day and ruined all his relationships, leaving him a shell of a human being with nothing to live for.

This pointed towards the "suicidal" aspect of the case, Koren said.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Matthew Livelsberger Matthew Livelsberger

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Police are continuing the investigation, but caution there are details in the documents that they cannot release due to the information being of relevance to the Department of Defense.

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With this new information comes more questions than answers," McMahill said at the conference.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.



Read the original article on People
By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The suspected driver of the Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on New Year's Day used popular chatbot ChatGPT to plan the blast, officials told reporters on Tuesday.

The suspect used ChatGPT to try and work out how much explosive was needed to trigger the blast, officials said.

Authorities last week identified the person found dead inside the Cybertruck as Matthew Livelsberger, 37, an active-duty Army soldier from Colorado Springs, and said he acted alone. The FBI says the incident appeared to be a case of suicide.

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WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said on Tuesday the Cybertruck blast was the first incident on U.S. soil where ChatGPT had been used to build an explosive device.

Critics of artificial intelligence have warned it could be harnessed for harmful purposes, and the Las Vegas attack could add to that criticism.

KEY QUOTES

"Of particular note, we also have clear evidence in this case now that the suspect used ChatGPT artificial intelligence to help plan his attack," Sheriff Kevin McMahill of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department told a press conference.

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"This is the first incident that I am aware of on U.S. soil where ChatGPT is utilized to help an individual build a particular device," McMahill added.

CHATGPT WARNINGS

ChatGPT maker OpenAI said the company was "committed to seeing AI tools used responsibly" and that its "models are designed to refuse harmful instructions."

"In this case, ChatGPT responded with information already publicly available on the internet and provided warnings against harmful or illegal activities," the company said in a statement cited by Axios.

CONTEXT

The FBI says there was no definitive link between a truck attack in New Orleans that killed more than a dozen people and the Cybertruck explosion, which left seven with minor injuries. They added the suspect had no animosity towards U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and probably had post-traumatic stress disorder.

Livelsberger's phone had a six-page manifesto that authorities were investigating, police said.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington)
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Police are asking for the publics help locating a dangerous person they said broke into a young girls bedroom in December and is wanted on a separate attempted sexual assault case.

On Dec. 6, a man allegedly broke into an apartment in the 4700 block of East Craig Road and was in a bedroom where a young girl was sleeping. The man left the apartment when confronted by the girls mother. Police did not say how old the girl was.

According to a release from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the man was later identified as Kalil Clark, 22.

Photo of Kalil Clark provided by LVMPD

Clark is also wanted for attempted sexual assault and battery with intent to commit sexual assault that happened in June 2024 in the same area.

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Police said Clark is believed to be transient in the Las Vegas Boulevard and Craig Road area.

Anyone who has any information about these incidents or Clarks location is urged to contact

detectives by phone at 702-828-3421. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers by

phone at 702-385-5555, or on the Crime Stoppers website.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  NV Energy is proposing a plan to charge customers in their monthly bills to establish a $500 million wildfire self-insurance fund, according to a Tuesday news release.

The cost to customers  more than 1.5 million in Nevada  would depend on where they live. Southern Nevada ratepayers would be charged about 50 cents each month, while customers of Sierra Pacific Power in Northern Nevada would pay about $2.40 each month. Northern Nevada customers face a higher risk of wildfire.

The charges are made by small increases in electricity rates, and they would go into effect on Oct. 1, 2025.

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The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) would have to approve the plan before NV Energy can collect from customers. See the request as submitted to the PUCN:

DOCKETS-25-01018-ORIGINAL-FILING-1-2-2025-AGN-UEL-NPCDownload

Customers dont have a choice to opt in or opt out if the companys self-insurance plan is approved. They will be billed each month. Like private insurance, a self-insurance program collects from a large number of people to pay claims made when a smaller number of people incur damage.

As the fund builds up, it would be invested to produce higher returns.

According to Tuesdays news release, the funds would be collected for 10 years.

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Wildfires across the United States are becoming more frequent and severe, and utilities like NV Energy must proactively manage wildfire related risks to protect customers and the communities we work to safely serve every day, NV Energy President and CEO Doug Cannon said.

While NV Energy remains committed to taking actions to reduce the risk of a wildfire occurring in connection with our electric grid, as other utilities in the West have recognized, a self-insurance approach ensures that there is financial support in place in advance of a wildfire occurring to provide greater financial certainty to all involved.

Utilities  notably Californias Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E)  have moved to create self-insurance funds after enormous liabilities connected to destructive wildfires. PG&E is generating $400 million per year from its customers to cover self-insurance for third-party wildfire claims of less than $1 billion per year, according to a document detailing a Jan. 12, 2023, decision.

Costly wildfires have driven up private insurance costs, prompting utilities to come up with more affordable options.

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An NV Energy spokesperson said rates for Mt. Charleston residents would be the same as rates paid by customers in the Las Vegas suburbs.

NV Energys proposed fund will be built through additions to customer rates and a co-payment from shareholders and invested to grow over time. This approach ensures that 100 percent of the funds are available to support customers and the communities we serve in the event a covered catastrophic wildfire were to occur, according NV Energys news release.

NV Energy and Sierra Pacific Power are company names used by Nevada Power, which serves both sets of customers.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
KSNF/KODE  The last of nine suspects convicted in a 2020 Lawrence County kidnapping and murder case will spend the next four decades in prison.

Steven Calverley was given 40 years in prison this morning in a Christian County courtroom. The strictest sentence from the judge was for 30 years on second-degree murder charges. The judge then stacked on a 10-year sentence for armed criminal action.

Final sentencing approaches in Lawrence County kidnapping and murder case

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Calverley was also convicted of kidnapping and robbery.

He was one of 9 people convicted for kidnapping two women in 2020, forcing them down a well, and then shooting them.

GARY HUNTER

ANDREW CYPRET

LYLE DELONG

DIONA PARKS

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SIERA DUNHAM

CHRISTINA KNAPP

KIMBERLY HENDERSON

FRANK SHERIDAN

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Sarah Pasco died from her wounds. The other woman played dead until the suspects left, then crawled out of the well and went for help.

All nine suspects have been sentenced for their roles.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
Labours crackdown on some of the last privately run rail routes threatens to extinguish vital train services to poorly connected towns and cities, operators have warned.

So-called open-access services will wither on the vine after new restrictions were imposed by Heidi Alexander, the Transport Secretary, according to an industry lobby group.

Open-access operators  which, unlike franchises such as LNER, are not paid by the Government to run services and instead make their money only from passenger fares  will remain in private hands after Labour has nationalised the rest of the industry.

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However, Ms Alexander wrote to the rail regulator on Monday advising it to adopt a more rigorous stance on open access and warning that she planned to modify official guidance for approving applications.

Rail Partners, which represents nine private train companies, said Ms Alexanders instructions to Declan Collier, the chairman of the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), called the Governments commitment to the model into question.

Andy Bagnall, the chief executive of the trade group, said the letter sends a worrying signal and suggests that the bar for new open access applications is being made harder to clear.

He said: If the Government doesnt make a positive choice to grow the sector through adequate safeguards and a fairly adjudicated application process, it will effectively be creating the conditions for existing operators to wither on the vine.

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Mr Bagnall said the past 18 months had been a breakthrough period for open access, with its role in creating travel opportunities for underserved communities and fostering fare competition increasingly recognised.

Sir Keir Starmers visit to the Hitachi plant in County Durham to support a deal to make new trains for FirstGroups open access services was viewed as particularly positive, he said.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has written to the Office for Road and Rail advising it to adopt a more rigorous stance toward open access operators - Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images

Yet following Ms Alexanders intervention he warned that it is unclear whether the new Government is a champion of open access operators or it is simply tolerating them as part of the system that is too costly to nationalise.

Ms Bagnall urged the Government to signpost the future direction of travel for open access operators.

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In her letter to the ORR, the Transport Secretary said she accepted that open access routes can be beneficial in opening up new markets.

However, she said the regulator must be mindful of whether that is outweighed by other impacts, such as the abstraction of revenue from other operators, which even under existing contracts would otherwise have gone to the Exchequer.

She also questioned whether there is sufficient capacity for new services, and highlighted concerns that open access operators fail to cover the full cost of track access charges.

She said: I want to ensure appropriate balance between these elements, and my priority is to see the network move to a financially sustainable model which maximises benefits and value for passengers and taxpayers.

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As such I would like to make clear my expectation that you give due consideration to the priorities I set out in this letter whilst respecting your statutory duties.

Ms Alexander said her letter had no legal standing, while revealing that she is considering amendments to official guidelines.

Her intervention suggests a shift in thinking following the resignation in November of Louise Haigh, her predecessor.

FirstGroup has set out plans to triple the size of its open-access business so that rail contributes about 20pc of group revenue even after nationalisation.

The company runs open-access trains from London to Humberside and Edinburgh competing with state-run LNER, and is awaiting a ruling on an application to provide services to the capital from Rochdale via Manchester Victoria.

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It also plans to extend its Edinburgh service as far as Glasgow, and in September bought the rights to run trains from Stirling to London Euston starting in June.

Boss Graham Sutherland contends that the firm can make marginal routes viable while presenting no threat to nationalisation.

Ms Haigh had praised FirstGroup and Arriva UKs Grand Central, which runs trains from London to Sunderland and Bradford, as good examples of open access and said Labour would be very happy to continue working with them.

Virgin Group, which has applied for four open access paths, defended the model, saying it can help provide choice, additional capacity and value for money.

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The companys proposed routes would serve Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and Glasgow, competing directly with a future state-run successor to Avanti, one of Britains worst-performing train operators and currently part-owned by FirstGroup.

Phil Whittingham, who is leading the project, said: Virgin wants genuine open access operators to be supported to inject new life into the lines which need it most.

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  The deadline to apply for the Sioux City Community School Districts superintendent opening closed on Monday. The school district said they received 23 applications for the position.

According to the school district, this was the same number of applicants they received during their superintendent search in 2022.

The school district said that from now until January 20, they will be conducting reference checks and screenings. This will be followed by a school board meeting on January 27 where the school district will decide who to interview.

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Interviews will take place at the end of January with second-round interviews taking place on February 6.

Newly-elected Woodbury County supervisors getting up to speed

According to the schools timeline, they are aiming to have the superintendent begin their first day on July 1.

You can view the schools full timeline here.

The search for SCCSDs new superintendent began when the current superintendent Dr. Rod Earleywine announced that he would be retiring from his position beginning in June 2025.

Dr. Earleywine joined SCCSD in 2022 as interim superintendent following Dr. Paul Gausmans departure for a superintendent job in Lincoln. Dr. Earleywine then became named permanent superintendent in January of 2023. He also served as Sergeant Bluff-Lutton Community School Districts superintendent for 15 years.

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Jan. 7WASHINGTON  Lawmakers paid their respects to Jimmy Carter as the former president's casket arrived at the Capitol on Tuesday, with both Republicans and his fellow Democrats remembering the one-term leader as a humble man who earned wide respect after a presidency that few considered successful at the time.

As the setting sun streamed through the windows high above the Capitol Rotunda, members of the House and Senate gathered along with Supreme Court justices, cabinet secretaries and Carter's relatives. The crowd included Washington Reps. Dan Newhouse, a Republican, and Democrats Kim Schrier and Rick Larsen.

In three eulogies, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris all described Carter as a fundamentally decent man.

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"Jimmy Carter established a new model for what it means to be a former president," Harris said, "and leaves an extraordinary post-presidential legacy."

The vice president recalled how she was in middle school when Carter, who lived to age 100, was elected in 1976.

She called him a "forward-looking president" who was "ahead of his time," establishing the Departments of Energy and Education and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Johnson, a Southern Baptist like Carter until he left the Protestant denomination in 2000, shared the story of the former president's first Habitat for Humanity project, which began decades of work that saw Carter don a hardhat and tool belt into his 90s to help build homes.

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"It's remarkable to think that one of the 45 men who has served as president  and one of only 13 who held the role in the nuclear age  would humble himself to such service," Johnson said.

In an opening prayer, Senate Chaplain Barry Black thanked God "for giving us the gift of someone with the ethical congruence to be salt and light to his generation," referring to a Bible verse in which Jesus metaphorically instructs his disciples to preserve and improve the world through good deeds.

After arriving from his native Georgia, Carter's body will lie in state in a flag-draped casket at the Capitol until Thursday morning, when sailors will carry the casket of the Navy veteran and peanut farmer to Washington National Cathedral for a funeral that all living U.S. presidents and many other dignitaries are expected to attend.

Orion Donovan Smith's work is funded in part by members of the Spokane community via the Community Journalism and Civic Engagement Fund. 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.
A Lawrence man is accused of trafficking fentanyl and crack cocaine and a Salisbury man also faces drug charges after police intercepted what they believe to be a street-level drug sale in East Boston on Tuesday.

Jheury Rodriguez-Soriano, 32, of Lawrence, is charged with trafficking of Class A, trafficking of Class B, distribution of Class A and Distribution of Class B, police said Wednesday.

Michael Bussey, 31, of Salisbury, is charged with possessing Class A and possessing Class B.

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Rodriguez-Soriano and Bussey are expected to be arraigned in East Boston District Court.

Both men were arrested at about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, police said.

Officers were on patrol in the area of 944 Bennington St. when they saw a motor vehicle enter the parking lot, police said. Officers saw the vehicle park, but the driver did not exit the vehicle.

Officers continued to monitor the vehicle and saw a person looking in all directions approach the area, police said.

Officers saw the vehicle back out of the parking spot, and drove towards the person. Officers saw the person enter the vehicle, and the car drove around the building and parked again, police said.

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Shortly after, the vehicle left the parking lot and the person exited the vehicle.

Officers quickly stopped the suspect who exited the vehicle, and recovered a plastic bag of fentanyl and a plastic bag of crack cocaine, police said.

Officers who were following the suspected motor vehicle then asked for assistance with a traffic stop. Officers were able stop the vehicle in the area of Wordsworth Street. Officers removed the driver from the vehicle and placed him into handcuffs.

Officers recovered 34 plastic bags of fentanyl, 20 plastic bags of crack cocaine, and 5 plastic bags of cocaine, police said.

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Investigators later weighed the drugs, which were determined to be 91 grams of fentanyl and 93.6 grams of crack cocaine/cocaine, police said. Officers also recovered $753 in cash.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Donald Trumps press conferences always end up without any real answers from Trump because, as MSNBCs Lawrence ODonnell explains, a lie is not an answer.
TONTITOWN, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  A lawsuit filed Jan. 3 claims Tontitown Mayor Angela Russell illegally used public funds to hire private legal representation for herself and others in a lawsuit opposing the Eco-Vista landfill expansion.

The lawsuit also alleges Russell and the city of Tontitown improperly used taxpayer money to advance private interests, including the mayors interest, as she lives near the landfill and has a vested interest in opposing its expansion.

The lawsuit was filed by attorneys Joey McCutchen and Stephen Napurano on behalf of Washington County resident Mick Wagner.

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The use of taxpayer dollars to pay for private legal representation is a blatant violation of the Arkansas Constitution, McCutchen said in a statement.

According to the lawsuit, its purpose is to prevent Russell and the city of Tontitown from continuing public funds for private purposes. It says it does not take a position on the legal action against the landfills expansion or the expansion itself.

The city passed a resolution on January 3, 2023, opposing the landfills expansion and authorizing the city to communicate its position to the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment, Division of Environmental Quality.

The lawsuit says the Tontitown City Council passed a resolution on Jan. 17, 2023, authorizing Russell to enter into an engagement agreement with Noland Law Firm to provide environmental and regulatory legal services on behalf of the city.

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On March 17, 2023, the DEQ granted a permit for the expansion of the landfill, creating opposition from the city and private property owners.

The lawsuit claims after the DEQ approved Eco-Vistas request for expansion, a group of 18 people represented by Richard Mays with property close to the landfill filed a request for an adjudicatory hearing before the Arkansas Commission on Pollution Control and Ecology on April 14, 2023.

The group wanted to challenge the DEQs decision to grant the permit for the landfill expansion.

The lawsuit says Russell was one of the group of 18 people in the case. Russell lives near the landfill.

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According to the lawsuit, Russell and the city filed a separate request for an adjudicatory hearing before APCEC.

The lawsuit says the request challenged the DEQs decision to allow the expansion to proceed and was filed on behalf of the city by attorney Ross Noland of Noland Law Firm in accordance with the engagement agreement previously authorized by the city council.

According to the lawsuit, Russell acknowledged during her deposition on June 20, 2023, that she was listed as one of the group of 18 represented by Mays.

The lawsuit says through a Freedom of Information Act request, Wagner received an invoice dated July 6, 2023, from Richard Mays Law Firm directed to the city for services rendered in connection with the landfill.

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According to the lawsuit, the invoice details substantial work performed exclusively on behalf of the group of 18 represented by Mays, including:

preparation and participation in strategy meetings with Russell and others

drafting and finalizing responses to discovery requests

taking and defending depositions

conducting legal research on regulatory matters

and drafting a Motion for Summary Judgement on behalf of the 18 residents

The lawsuit alleges the total billed amount was $15,079.95, which was paid in full using money from the citys general fund.

According to the lawsuit, the city council did not authorize any work by the Richard Mays Law Firm to be done on behalf of the city in connection with the landfill litigation. It says the city never entered into a contract or engagement agreement with Richard Mays Law Firm to represent it in the landfill lawsuit.

The lawsuit alleges that the lack of authorization or agreement shows that the work detailed in the invoice was done solely for the benefit of those represented by Mays, including the mayor, and not for the city.

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KNWA/FOX24 reached out to Mayor Russell. She tells us she has no comment on the matter.

Complaint-Mick-WagnerDownload

In February 2024, the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment filed a complaint accusing Russell of burning trash in her yard during an air quality test.

The complaint said smoke was coming from Russells home on the second day of the ADEEs five-day air test.

Russell says she and her husband did not know about the air testing, but when they did find out about it, her husband did not burn the other days that he had scheduled.

In July, the ADEE released a report showing five potentially toxic chemicals were discovered in the air surrounding the landfill that exceeded Environmental Protection Agency levels.

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McCutchen is involved in a similar lawsuit against the city of Fort Smith. That lawsuit alleges that the city of Fort Smith illegally donated public money to private organizations and nonprofits.

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NEW YORK  A powerful aide to New York City Mayor Eric Adams demanded a commercial brokerage hire his preferred pick to manage lucrative city real estate deals, according to a lawsuit filed Monday.

In an interview, a city politician substantiated the claims, which were filed by JRT Realty Group in Manhattan Supreme Court.

JRT claims Jesse Hamilton  who runs the citys multi-million-dollar real estate portfolio at the Department of Citywide Administrative Services  insisted Cushman & Wakefield dispatch his friend Diana Boutross to ink remunerative deals that are now the subject of a corruption probe.

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Hamilton and Boutross then traveled to Japan with a lobbyist and the mayors closest aide  the recently indicted Ingrid Lewis-Martin  on a trip the mayor has described as a vacation. Law enforcement officials are scrutinizing that excursion as well. Lewis-Martin resigned on Dec. 15, a day before she was charged in a separate matter.

Cushman & Wakefield selected Boutross for the position at the behest of Jesse Hamilton, the head of real estate at DCAS and a longtime protege of Mayor Eric Adams, the 42-page lawsuit states.

Cushman & Wakefield, one of the premier commercial brokerages in New York, has been working under contract for the city since 2012  helping identify space in private buildings for municipal agencies in exchange for often-handsome commissions from landlords.

JRT Realty Group  a minority and/or women-owned business  worked as a subcontractor under Cushmans agreement.

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In its suit, JRT accused Cushman of defamation and interfering in its business to weaken its chances of winning a pending DCAS contract and cutting the firm out of the commission structure for properties such as an industrial building Hamilton wanted the city to purchase in the Bronx.

The suit alleges that Hamilton participated in the scheme, and that he regularly walked through DCASs offices and openly announced to DCAS lease negotiators, Remember that the Bronx Logistics Deal is only a [Cushman] deal!

That property  and Hamiltons unusual focus on it  was the subject of a City Council hearing in October. The hearing focused on a POLITICO report that Hamilton intervened in another city deal, steering an RFP to an Adams donor after a different landlord won the bidding process to rent to a city agency.

I think the bottom line here is the city of New York is continuing to rely on a broker who lacks the requisite experience to do the job and whose only qualification appears to be her friendship with senior Adams administration officials, City Council Member Lincoln Restler told POLITICO in a recent interview before Mondays lawsuit was filed.

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In that interview, Restler outlined a similar set of allegations  that Hamilton successfully pressured the brokerage to hire Bourtross despite her lack of experience. He said his account was gleaned from conversations with multiple people who had knowledge of Hamiltons actions.

Cushman denied the firm was pressured by Hamilton.

Any change in our work with JRT was driven by the Citys amended requirements for working with MWBE businesses, as well as other legitimate commercial reasons, a Cushman spokesperson said in a statement. Now that we have a copy of the complaint, we will review and respond accordingly.

Representatives from DCAS did not respond to a request for comment.

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Mondays lawsuit lays out detailed accusations about how Boutross was hired.

In December, 2022, a longtime broker handling the city portfolio for Cushman told the firm he would be retiring a year later and would train a successor. The suit alleges that 10 senior brokers at Cushman then applied for the gig, and that Boutross was not among them.

In the ensuing months, the suit alleges Hamilton approached a Cushman executive named John Santora and threatened to scuttle their deal if Boutross was not named the lead broker  despite the fact she had no experience in commercial real estate and had worked instead on retail deals.

Word of Hamiltons actions trickled down to JRT via Santora, the suit alleged.

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[Santora] mentioned to JRT that the city would take the DCAS account away from [Cushman] if Boutross was not assigned to the DCAS account, the lawsuit read.

As it became clear Boutross would ascend to the top slot, the suit said JRTs founder and chief executive, Jodi Pulice, fielded questions from Boutross about how to handle leases for DCAS.

And then in August 2023, Cushman named Boutross the lead broker overseeing the portfolio.

Those revelations add a new layer of intrigue into the relationship between Hamilton, Lewis-Martin and Boutross. Upon returning from their group vacation to Japan, officials from the Manhattan district attorneys office seized the phones of all three. That trip and the timing of Boutross ascension raised serious ethical questions for Restler.

While theyve said they all paid their own way, it certainly raises a lot of questions  and I think a huge ethical red flag  that [Hamilton] would go on a trip with his contractee just months before that contract is up for renewal, he said. I hope the federal investigators and the Manhattan district attorney who are both looking into this get to the bottom of these questions.
ATHENS, Ala. (WHNT)  A lawsuit filed by an Athens homeowner against the city is now in federal court.

Sharon Wilson, the homeowner, said the city turned a blind eye to infrastructure issues in her neighborhood, while just yards away, construction on new homes and development is happening.

North Alabama agencies, organizations open warming centers for winter weather

When it comes to infrastructure, I would say there is no infrastructure around this area right here and this is a very bad situation that needs to be taken care of, said Gerard Truesdale, the attorney for Wilson.

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As previously reported, Wilson provided video that shows water runoff from the street that backed up her sewer and the flooding that caused extensive damage to her home.

Truesdale is pursuing claims of negligence and violations of health and safety codes against the City of Athens.

This has been moved to federal court and its a big deal, said Truesdale. This opens the door for federal codes being brought up.

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In May, the city surveyed the Luke Street and Strain Road sewer issues and submitted a pre-application to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) for the estimated $16 million project.

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The city also received an agreement from ADEM management that states ADEM will provide $100,000 of APRA funds to help fund preliminary design work for the Strain Road project.

Truesdale told News 19 that the agreement is an acknowledgment from the city that improvements need to be made.

That just admits to me that theyre aware of the problem and on top of that, historically, this is something thats been going on for years, Truesdale said. Im going to fight hard for Ms. Wilson and Im not going to stop fighting until a change occurs in this area and Im able to see it.

While not commenting on the lawsuit, the city said it denies the allegations and will make its comments through its pleadings in court.

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Attorneys for a U.S Navy veteran said Tuesday that their client's reputation and earning power were destroyed by a 2021 CNN report on war profiteers following the U.S. military's withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Zachary Young sued the network over a Nov. 11, 2021 story by chief national security correspondent Alex Marquardt about how Afghans were being charged exorbitant fees for assistance in getting out of the country.

The security consultant, whose background includes a stint with the private military contractor Blackwater, says the four-minute video package falsely portrayed him as acting illegally.

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Young, who heads his own Boca Raton, Fla.-based company, was hired by corporations to get their employees out of Afghanistan, advertising his services on LinkedIn. His attorneys said his annual income went from $350,000 a year to zero after the report ran on CNN's channels and website.

The jury in the trial, heard in a Bay County, Fla., court, will be asked to determine whether CNN journalists acted with actual malice, which is defined as the publication of false information with reckless disregard of the truth. If jurors find CNN liable, they can award Young monetary damages for loss of business income and emotional distress.

Media companies typically settle defamation trials before they get to court, even if it's expensive to do so. Last year Fox News paid $787.5 million to Dominion Voting Systems over false statements made about the company while reporting on President-elect Donald Trump's claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election. Fox wanted to avoid the embarrassment of its executives being called to the stand.

But CNN is standing by Marquardt's report. The defamation case tests how the public perceives mainstream media amid constant right-wing attacks on its credibility.

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Read more: MSNBC ratings collapse postelection, Fox News surges as cable faces an uncertain future

The six-person jury is from Bay County, where 73% of the votes cast in the 2024 presidential election went to Trump, a constant critic of media outlets that don't present him in a positive light.

The core of Young's suit is CNN's use of the term black market in an on-screen graphic and in a spoken introduction before Marquardt's report, which first aired on "The Lead with Jake Tapper." Young, the only person mentioned by name in the segment, says the graphic gave the false impression that he was involved in illegal activity and exploited Afghans.

In opening statements at the trial, CNN's attorney Dave Axelrod challenged Young's claim that the report damaged his business or reputation. Axelrod said that many of the messages and contacts pertaining to Young's activities have been deleted since the CNN story aired.

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"You're going to see that CNN's reporting ... was accurate and you're not going to see a single witness who will testify they thought less of Mr. Young," Axelrod said.

Axelrod also said Young's activities were never described as illegal. The term "black market" was used in the piece to describe unregulated activity, he added, and was not directly applied to Young.

Young's attorney Kyle Roche argued that the dictionary defines black market as illegal.

CNN anchor Tapper delivered an on-air apology to Young over the use of the term after he objected five months after the story aired.

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Roche's opening statement also focused on the internal communications and emails between Marquardt and his producers that disparaged Young as they aggressively pursued the story.

"I'm going to nail that Zachary Young mother," Marquardt wrote in one text.

"I'm going to hold you to that cowboy," the producer replied.

Roche said emails and behind-the-scenes video footage show that "CNN took pleasure in casting [Young] as the villain for their hit piece.

Even though CNN executives raised questions about the story  at one point saying it had "more holes than Swiss cheese" according to internal communications  it eventually passed through the network's vetting process and was deemed ready for air, Axelrod noted.

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"There is nothing false about Mr. Young in any of it," Axelrod said.

Although Young did not sit for an interview with CNN, he did send text messages acknowledging the high cost for his services. The text shown in the segment also made clear that Young did business with corporate sponsors.

"If someone reaches out, we need to understand that if they have a sponsor behind them to be able to pay [evacuation] costs," said one text in the report which was shown in court.

Young took the stand in the trial and spent most of the time answering questions about his family, military background and his security work for corporations.

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CNN's Marquardt is expected to testify in the trial, which resumes Wednesday.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Reice Haase, left, has been named director of the state Department of Water Resources. Zach Greenberg will serve as interim state labor commissioner. (Photos provided by ND Governor's Office)

North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong on Wednesday announced the appointment of Reice Haase as director of the state Department of Water Resources.

Haase, who recently worked as deputy executive director of the North Dakota Industrial Commission, will succeed Andrea Travnicek, who is leaving to pursue other opportunities, according to Armstrongs office.

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Haase also worked as an environmental scientist and energy industry consultant and policy adviser to former Gov. Doug Burgum.

Reice will serve our citizens well with his strong background in natural resources and deep understanding of the critical importance of clean, reliable, affordable water to North Dakota residents, farmers and ranchers, manufacturers and energy producers. We appreciate his continued service to the state of North Dakota, Armstrong said in a statement.

Travnicek led the department since 2021. She previously served as director of the North Dakota Parks and Recreation and held leadership positions in the U.S. Department of Interior. She will continue working through January to help with the transition as the legislative session gets underway.

Armstrong also appointed Zach Greenberg to serve as interim state labor commissioner, heading the Department of Labor and Human Rights. Haase had been appointed to that interim post on Dec. 15.

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Greenberg, who has experience as a law clerk, has worked in the governors office the past two years as a legal and policy adviser.

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Jan. 7Spokane County Commissioners Mary Kuney and Josh Kerns will hold their leadership positions on the county's governing board for a third consecutive year.

The Spokane County Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to have Kuney and Kerns retain their roles as chair and vice chair, respectively. In addition to serving as the voice of the board, the chair helps set agendas and schedules for public meetings and then oversees those meetings. The vice chair takes over those responsibilities in the event the chair is unable to.

Commissioner Chris Jordan, who made the nominations for both of his peers, said the chair plays an important role in setting the tone for the board, which is why he was happy to support Kuney again.

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"It's important that we be able to disagree without being disagreeable as public officials," Jordan said. "And I think she has set a tone on the board of civility and professionalism, which I appreciate and respect."

Kerns and Kuney both expressed gratitude, and said they look forward to serving in the roles for another year.

The commissioners' legislative meetings are public, and typically held Tuesdays at 2 p.m. in the board's hearing chambers in the county's Public Works building at 1026 W. Broadway Ave.
BEIRUT (AP)  Lebanon's parliament is set to convene Thursday to attempt to elect a head of state for the 13th time during a presidential vacuum that's lasted over two years. This time, analysts said, they might succeed.

The session comes weeks after a tenuous ceasefire agreement halted a 14-month conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, and as Lebanon's leaders seek international assistance for reconstruction.

The primary contenders for the presidency include the Lebanese army's commander, Joseph Aoun, who is widely seen as the preferred candidate of the United States and Saudi Arabia. The candidate previously supported by Hezbollah, Suleiman Frangieh, on Wednesday announced he was pulling out of the race and endorsed Aoun.

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The Lebanese military has a key role in sustaining the ceasefire, as its forces are tasked with ensuring that Hezbollah pulls its fighters and weapons out of southern Lebanon.

Here's why the vacuum has dragged on for so long and what to expect Thursday:

Why has it taken so long to elect a president?

Lebanon's fractious sectarian power-sharing system is prone to deadlock, both for political and procedural reasons. The small, crisis-battered Mediterranean country has been through several extended presidential vacancies, with the longest lasting nearly 2 1/2 years between May 2014 and October 2016. It ended when former President Michel Aoun was elected.

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Aouns Free Patriotic Movement party was at the time the main Christian ally of the Shiite political party and Hezbollah, although their alliance has since fractured.

After Aoun's term ended in October 2022, Hezbollah backed Frangieh, leader of the Marada Movement, a political party with a strong influence in northern Lebanon. Frangieh also had close ties with former Syrian president Bashar Assad.

While Joseph Aoun  no relation to the former president  never officially announced his candidacy, he was widely understood to be the main rival to Frangieh. Meanwhile, political factions opposed to Hezbollah put forward a series of candidates.

The last presidential vote in parliament in June 2023 broke down after the bloc led by Hezbollah withdrew following the first round of voting, where Frangieh came in behind the opposition candidate, Jihad Azour. The withdrawal broke the quorum in the 128-member house.

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Michael Young, a senior editor at the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut, said the current election has taken a long time simply because parliament, reflecting the reality of the country, is very divided, and actually did not respect the constitutional provisions to hold electoral session open until a president was elected.

The situation was exacerbated because parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally, used parliamentary rules more as an instrument of blockage than an instrument of consensus, lifting sessions whenever he did not want a majority to develop around the candidacies he did not support, Young said.

Imad Salamey, a political science professor at the Lebanese American University in Beirut, noted that Lebanons dependence on foreign support means external agreements often determine presidential outcomes.

During the current impasse, a five-member committee consisting of the United States, France, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Qatar has held a series of meetings aimed at negotiating an end to the presidential vacuum.

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Who are the main contenders?

 Army commander Joseph Aoun, 60, is widely seen as the frontrunner to become Lebanons next president, particularly since Frangieh's withdrawal.

Aoun was appointed to the current post in March 2017 and had been set to retire in January 2024, but his term was extended twice during the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.

Aoun, who has kept a low profile and avoided media appearances, never formally announced his candidacy but is widely seen as the preferred candidate of the United States, which provides significant financial support to the Lebanese army.

Lebanons constitution technically bars a sitting army chief from becoming president. The ban has been waived before, but it means that Aoun faces additional procedural hurdles.

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Under normal circumstances, a presidential candidate in Lebanon can be elected by a two-thirds majority in the first round of voting or by a simple majority in the second round if there is no winner in the first round. But because of the constitutional issues surrounding his election, Aoun would need a two-thirds majority even in the second round.

 Jihad Azour, who has been backed by factions opposed to Hezbollah, is a prominent economist who has served as the director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund since 2017. As finance minister from 2005 to 2008, he led some reforms including modernizing the tax and customs systems.

 Elias al-Baysari is the acting head of Lebanon's General Security agency, which is responsible for border control and historically seen as close to Hezbollah. His career in national security began in 1986 when he joined the Lebanese army. His early roles included key positions within Beiruts port security and the armys intelligence division. In 2005, al-Baysari joined General Security. He also holds a doctorate in law.

What are the chances a president will be elected Thursday?

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The withdrawal of Frangieh likely means the deal is done and Aoun will likely be elected, Young said.

The dynamics have changed since the last failed parliamentary vote.

Hezbollah is in a weaker position due to escalating tensions with Israel, challenges in Syria and domestic discontent, Salamey said. It now needs the protection of a functioning state to rebuild and attract international aid.

According to Young, Lebanon today is effectively under some sort of foreign trusteeship.

Lebanon needs American support to contain Israeli actions and ensure that Israel withdraws its forces from southern Lebanon as stipulated in the ceasefire, he said, while Saudi Arabia is the key to Gulf funding for Lebanons reconstruction, particularly of Shiite areas. Iran does not have the means to rebuild what was destroyed by Israel in the recent conflict.
BEAUREGARD, Ala. (WRBL)  A Lee County man facing drug charges after investigators, allegedly seized methamphetamine, marijuana, and other illegal substances from his home.

On January 3, 2025, at approximately 5:00 a.m., the Lee County Sheriffs Investigators F.A.S.T. unit, along with the Lee County SWAT team and DEA agents, executed a search warrant at the residence of 41-year-old George Willie Hughley in the 800 block of Lee Road 30 in the Beauregard community. Authorities discovered 546 grams of marijuana, 44 grams of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, illegal prescription medication, and a firearm during the search. Hughley was not present at the time.

Four days later, on January 7, Hughley turned himself in at the Lee County Sheriffs Office. He was arrested and charged with the following:

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Trafficking in Methamphetamine

Possession of a Prescription Drug Without a Prescription

Possession of Marijuana in the First Degree

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Hughley is being held in the Lee County Jail on a $55,000 bond. Investigators say additional charges are expected.

Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Lee County Sheriffs Office at 334-749-5651 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.
Jan. 7OREGON  Two Illinois lawmakers honored four members of the Ogle County Sheriff's Office on Dec. 30.

State Reps. Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, who is the House Republican Leader, and Brad Fritts, R-Dixon, honored the officers and their department with an Illinois House resolution for bravery exhibited during a June 12 standoff at a rural Dixon home in Ogle County.

The resolution was presented to Lt. Jason Ketter, Deputy Tad Dominski, Deputy Tyler Carls and Sheriff Brian VanVickle.

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"The Ogle County Sheriff's Office would like to thank Leader McCombie and Rep. Fritts for their continued unwavering support of law enforcement and rural Illinois values," said VanVickle.

The resolution was in response to the June incident where gunfire was exchanged between the Ogle County Emergency Response Team and Jonathon Gounaris, a Lost Lake resident.

In that incident, police were dispatched at 9 a.m. to Gounaris' home at 402 Wild Rice Lane, with a warning that they could be facing a "suicide-by-cop" situation. The sheriff's office activated the ERT, which is made up of individuals from different agencies that include the sheriff's office, Oregon and Byron police departments and SWAT medics from the Rochelle Fire Department.

During the gunfire exchange with Gounaris, tactical medic Carls was struck twice in the body armor, Dominski suffered a gunshot wound to the upper arm and Ketter suffered a gunshot wound to the face.

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Ketter was flown to OSF Medical Center in Rockford, where he underwent surgery and was released June 14. Dominski and Carls were treated at KSB Hospital in Dixon on June 12 and released later that evening.

Gounaris also was struck during the exchange and suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen. He was treated at KSB before being booked into the Winnebago County Jail in Rockford, where he has remained since his arrest in June. He is charged with four counts of attempted first-degree murder and several weapons offenses. He has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.

After the standoff, Ogle County State's Attorney Mike Rock requested the Illinois State Police conduct an investigation into the Ogle County ERT's use of force with a review of the investigation by Winnebago County State's Attorney J. Hanley.

Hanley determined the deputies acted in accordance with the law because they only fired their weapons after being shot at by Gounaris. Hanley also determined that based on the amount of calls and texts sent to Gounaris prior to deputies attempting to the enter the home, he should have been aware that officers were outside of the home and that the officers acted reasonably and lawfully and that no criminal charges will be filed.

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The ISP's investigation included interviewing witnesses and reviewing police radio transmissions, in-car cameras, body cameras, private surveillance video, photographs of the scene, police reports and the results of forensic evaluations.

Under Illinois law, the use of deadly force by a law enforcement officer is justifiable if force is threatened against a person, the person threatened is not the aggressor, the danger of harm is imminent, the force threatened is against the law, the person threatened must believe a danger exists, the use of force is necessary to avert the danger, the type and amount of force used is necessary and that these beliefs are necessary.

House Resolution 928 was approved Nov. 13. It states: "we congratulate the brave officers of the Ogle County Sheriff's Office for their valiant actions on June 12, 2024 and honor Officers Dominski, Ketter, and Carls for their heroic sacrifice; and be it further resolved that suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Officers Dominski, Ketter, and Carls and the Ogle County Sheriff's Office as an expression of our profound respect and gratitude."

Gounaris remains held in the Winnebago County Jail in Rockford. His next court appearance at the Ogle County Judicial Center in Oregon is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Jan. 23.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA)  Members of the 104th General Assembly in Illinois are getting sworn in Wednesday.

Senators gathered in their newly reopened chamber in the Capitol after being closed for renovations for years. The new and returning members of the Illinois House of Representatives have convened on UISs campus.

Illinois House passes Karinas Law, heads to governors desk

The four leaders of each caucus have remained the same. All leaders gave speeches to commemorate the start of the session. Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) talked about the importance of bipartisanship.

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At the end of the day, were all here because we love this state, the people who call it home, and we want whats best for them, the senate president said.

House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savana) said they were not collaborating with the majority party.

House Republicans worked tirelessly in the 103 General Assembly, she said. We wanted to collaborate with the Speaker. Unfortunately, our earnest desire for bipartisan collaboration has not been reciprocated.

Her big three priorities for the next two years are fostering economic growth, cutting spending, and opposing tax increases.

Illinois Speaker of the House Chris Welch being sworn in.

New legislators like Republican Senator Chris Balkema (R-Channahon) are excited to be a leader in their communities.

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Weve got a lot of opportunity in the small towns across the district, 108 towns, he said. Each one of those has a heartbeat and a soul, and Im really excited to tie those folks together.

Many returning legislators said they are excited to serve their communities in the upcoming session.

It is an honor and privilege to represent the 95th District and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the 104th General Assembly to make Illinois a better place to work and call home, said Rep. Mike Coffey (R-Springfield). My legislative plan will promote growth for businesses, lower the tax burden that is crushing Illinois families, and enhancing public safety throughout our communities.

Pritzker disappointed as legislation regulating hemp fizzles at end of session

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They hope to help families in their districts.

Its an incredible honor to take the oath of office and continue representing the hardworking people of the 52nd District, State Senator Paul Faraci (D-Champaign) said. I am deeply committed to addressing the challenges our communities face and working to create meaningful opportunities for every resident.

Faraci also said his focus is to honor the memory and legacy of State Senator Scott Bennett. Bennett served Faracis district in Central Illinois until his death in 2022.

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 WCIA.com.
Jan. 7MADISON  Newly elected and reelected legislators were sworn into office Monday, Jan. 6 at the state Capitol.

Among them, new Rep. Angela Stroud, D-Ashland, was sworn to represent the 73rd District in the Wisconsin Assembly.

Stroud said she takes on the new role with a commitment to serving the residents of the 73rd, which includes the northern portions of Ashland, Bayfield and Douglas counties, and to "working toward positive and effective change" in the Legislature.

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"There are so many issues that people want addressed," Stroud said in a prepared statement. "From increasing public school funding to expanding access to affordable health care and housing, we have critical work to do."

Stroud was elected to her first term during the November election after Rep. Angie Sapik, R-Lake Nebagamon, decided not to seek a second term.

"Wisconsinites know that we need government to be a force for good in our lives," Stroud said. "I look forward to working hard with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get results."

Rep. Chanz Green, R-Grand View, is beginning his second term as the representative of the 74th Assembly District, which includes southern Douglas County after legislative districts were redrawn last year.

Stroud can be reached at 608-237-9173 or

Rep.Stroud@legis.wisconsin.gov.

Green can be reached at 609-237-9174 or

Rep.Green@legis.wisconsin.gov.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Members of Tyre Nichols family, community members, activists and faith leaders came together to march on the second anniversary of Nichols death.

We are getting stronger, but were not there, Nichols father Rodney Wells said. I dont know when we are going to get there, but we are going to keep striving to get there.

Walking down from the intersection of Hickory Hills Raines and Ross Road, marchers walked the same path Tyre Nichols drove two years ago before he was killed.

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Here we are in community, one marcher said. Here we are one more time.

But halfway through, marchers held a moment of silence where they said prayer and shared a word.

Lord, we call on you tonight to make a move, a marcher said. Do something, Lord.

Tyre Nichols

The march ended under the same skycop camera that captured five former police officers beating Tyre Nichols.

More than 50 people voiced their concerns for Nichols family who recounted how the loss shook their lives.

We had to stand and listen to medical examiners name 50 plus abrasions, bruises and scars to my brothers body, Nichols sister Keyana Dixon said.

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What made it so difficult was the fact that it finally set in that I would never see my son again, Nichols mother RowVaughn Wells said.

But besides loved ones recounting their pain, there were calls to action.

The immediate things we really want to see is that they stop doing pre-textual stops, community activist Amber Sherman said. I dont care what the state says, I dont care what laws they pass, the DOJ has said that you are discriminating against us, and you need to stop.

Memphis Police violated Constitution, DOJ investigation finds

Multiple speakers shared harsh criticism not only for the Memphis Police Department but the court as well.

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The comments came after the Department of Justice reported MPD engaged in a pattern or practice of conduct that violates the U.S. Constitution and federal law.

In addition to that, the $550 million civil lawsuit against the city of Memphis and Nichols family has been reset to 2026.

A postponement attorney Ben Crump said is too long.

Mr. Mayor, lets do right by Tyre, Crump said. Lets do right to the City Council of Memphis, Lets do right by Tyre.

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 WREG.com.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Gov. Spencer Cox signed a letter making several requests for the upcoming Trump administration  one of which calls for the immediate removal of the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) director in Salt Lake City.

The letter was penned by Cox and several Utah sheriffs and was addressed to Gov. Kristi Noem, the nominated secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and Tom Homan, the border czar.

You should not be here: Gov. Cox speaks on deporting illegal immigrants who commit crimes

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The joint letter made three requests: more funding for jail beds and transportation, the suspension of unreasonable detention standards, and the immediate removal of Michael Bernacke from the ICE Salt Lake City Field Office.

The letter comes after Cox declared his support for President-elect Donald Trumps deportation calls on several occasions, pledging to work with the new administration to deport immigrants who have committed crimes in Utah.

During a conference in December, Cox expressed frustration with the local ICE field office, claiming mass deportation is highly unlikely as ICE is too broken to even deport 100 serious criminals from this state.

ABC4 reached out to ICE regarding the letter. The agency did not wish to comment as the letter was not addressed to them.

Removal of ICE director

Michael Bernacke is the ICE director for enforcement and removal operations in Salt Lake City and has a history of conflict with Utah officials.

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The letter specifically mentions the time Bernackes office allegedly sent an accidental memo saying Utah was a sanctuary state, which caused a public spectacle distracting from the very real problems of housing detainees.

Heres how Utah Gov. Cox plans to support federal deportation of illegal immigrants

In a previous statement, Cox said ICE had sent immigrants to Utah without the immigrants requesting to come to this state. ICE responded to an ABC4 request for comment at the time saying it does not move migrants.

We have been deeply frustrated over an extended period of time with Mr. Bernackes lack of leadership and resistance to solutions, the letter reads. In short Mr. Bernacke no longer has any credibility or good faith with the Cox Administration or the larger Utah law enforcement community.

Suspension of unreasonable standards

The letter also requests the suspension or altering of unreasonable detention standards that are complicating our counties ability to hold ICE detainees.

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In particular, local leaders want permission to use state and county-owned facilities to hold detainees before transferring them to a contracted federal jail or deporting them from the country.

Our county jails meet strict state requirements, and we would strongly encourage your department to adopt the detention standards of the U.S. Marshals or defer to our state standards, especially in a crisis where the absolute imperative should be public safety, the letter says.

Funding for jail beds

The final request is for funding for jail beds and transportation, as the letter claims there are only 40 beds in Las Vegas allotted to the Salt Lake City Field Office, which covers Utah, Nevada, Montana, and Idaho.

We need additional funding for jail beds and transportation that will allow us to work with your teams to quickly deport those who pose a threat to public safety, the letter said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
To the editor: On Monday, Jan. 6, Congress certified the result of the 2024 election. It took all of 35 minutes. It was quiet, serious and serene.

However, it was reported those in attendance could feel tension in the air. That's because four years ago, there was mayhem, violence and a maddened crowd that forcibly assaulted our nation's Capitol building.

Then-President Trump knew he had lost the 2020 election, yet he convinced many Americans that the vote was rigged and stolen from him. We witnessed this horrific event in real time.

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Trump instigated an insurrection, yet he was not rebuked. He was rewarded and will be inaugurated president again on Jan. 20.

This portends four years of turmoil. Complicity is afoot. We as a country have not learned from history.

Alba Farfaglia, San Clemente

..

To the editor: On Jan. 6, 2025, I watched an election take place in the halls of Congress. There were no thugs disgracing the floors, no trashing of the offices, no police officers being assaulted.

It was peaceful. The 2024 election was certified with dignity.

And the party of law and order is which one? Certainly not the one headed by the instigator of the riot four years ago. No, the Democratic vice president oversaw the transfer of power with grace this Jan. 6, and for that the nation can be thankful.

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Hopefully the party soon to be in power took a lesson in conducting the business of the people with dignity and grace. Hopefully.

Ellen Kurpiewski, Rancho Mirage

..

To the editor: Striving to move past bitterness to hope for the future is made increasingly difficult as we move closer to inauguration day.

Simply, Trump and all involved violated the bedrock of our democratic civility, the peaceful transfer of power. Lets be fair (something the suddenly silent election deniers never were): All of this is common knowledge, and my country amazingly selected him again.

I so want to walk the high road, as President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have done. I have congratulated dear family members who voted for Trump, saying the people have spoken.

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But, it must be noted: Having him immediately abuse the pardon power to absolve his cohorts, the vandals and assailants who attempted to steal my vote, is absolutely wrong on its face and sticks in my craw.

Mark Diniakos, Thousand Oaks

..

To the editor: On Jan. 6, 2021, I wrote a letter to The Times saying how horrified I was watching the insurrection. Four years later, I am devastated to watch supporters of the president-elect say the smooth certification of the 2024 vote is democracy at work.

It is depressing to listen to the lies of those who claim that Jan. 6, 2021, was a love fest. Kudos to columnist Jackie Calmes for hitting the nail on the head by exhorting us to remember what really happened that day and who incited it.

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Paul Sunderland, Los Angeles

..

To the editor: As we approach Jan. 20, I find myself pondering whether any other democracy in the history of the world also installed a convicted felon to head its government. One other such instance comes to mind, and it happened nearly a century ago in Germany.

Yes, it was that Germany.

Martin Green, Porter Ranch

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Newly donated LGBTQ+ books are displayed in the library at Nystrom Elementary School in Richmond, Calif. California is one of six states that have enacted laws to fight against book bans. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Karen Grant and fellow school librarians throughout New Jersey have heard an increasingly loud chorus of parents and conservative activists demanding that certain books  often about race, gender and sexuality  be removed from the shelves.

In the past year, Grant and her colleagues in the Ewing Public Schools just north of Trenton updated a 3-decade-old policy on reviewing parents challenges to books they see as pornographic or inappropriate. Grants team feared that without a new policy, the district would immediately bend to someone who wanted certain books banned.

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Around the same time, state lawmakers in Trenton were readying legislation to set a book challenge policy for the entire state, preventing book bans based solely on the subject of a book or the authors background or views, while also protecting public and school librarians from legal or civil liabilities from people upset by the reading materials they offer.

When Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy signed that measure into law last month, Grant breathed a little easier.

We just hear so many stories of our librarians feeling threatened and targeted, said Grant, who works at Parkway Elementary School and serves as president of the New Jersey Association of School Librarians. This has been a wrong, an injustice that needs to be made right.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Amid a national rise in book bans in school libraries and new laws in some red states that threaten criminal penalties against librarians, a growing number of blue states are taking the opposite approach.

New Jersey joined at least five other states  California, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota and Washington  that have passed legislation within the past two years that aims to preserve access to reading materials that deal with racial and sexual themes, including those about the LGBTQ+ community.

Conservative groups have led the effort to ban materials to shield children from what they deem as harmful content. In the 2023-24 school year, there were 10,000 instances of book bans across the U.S.  nearly three times as many as the year before, according to a recent report by PEN America, a nonprofit that advocates for literary freedom.

Certain books are harmful to children  just like drugs, alcohol, Rated R movies and tattoos are harmful to them, Kit Hart, chair of the Carroll County, Maryland, chapter of Moms for Liberty, a national organization leading the book banning effort, wrote in an email.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But some states are now safeguarding librarians and the books they offer.

State leaders are demonstrating that censorship has no place in their state and that the freedom to read is a principle that is supported and protected, said Kasey Meehan, director of the Freedom to Read program at PEN America, which has been tracking book bans since 2021.

The drive to ban certain books is not waning, however. While a handful of states fight censorship in school libraries, some communities within those states are attempting to retake local control and continuing to remove materials that conservative local officials regard as lurid and harmful to children.

Lives are in the balance

The New Jersey measure not only sets minimum standards for localities when they adopt a policy on how books are curated or can be challenged but also prevents school districts from removing material based on the origin, background, or views of the library material or those contributing to its creation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The law also gives librarians immunity from civil and criminal liability for good faith actions.

New Jersey state Sen. Andrew Zwicker, a Democrat who introduced the legislation, said until recently he thought that book bans were a disturbing trend, but one limited to other states. But early last year, he went to a brunch event and met a school librarian who told him she faced a torrent of verbal and online abuse for refusing to remove a handful of books with LGBTQ+ themes from her librarys shelves.

Thats when I realized that I was so horribly mistaken, that these attacks on librarians and on the freedom to read were happening everywhere, Zwicker told Stateline. I went up to her and asked, What can I do?

He said hes already heard from lawmakers in Rhode Island who are considering introducing a similar measure this year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A child who identifies with the LGBTQ+ community can read a memoir like Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe and feel seen for the first time in their lives, he said.

I do not think its an overstatement to say that lives are in the balance here, that these books are that important to people, and that librarians are trusted gatekeepers to ensure that whats on the shelf of a library has been curated and is appropriate, Zwicker said.

These new state laws, several of which are titled the Freedom to Read Act, passed almost entirely along party lines, with unanimous Democratic support.

In New Jersey, Republican state Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, who has worked in schools for the past 18 years, including as an English teacher, vehemently opposed the measure. She did not respond to an interview request.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This isnt puritanical parents saying, Oh, I dont want my child to learn how babies are made, she said during a September committee hearing. Thats ridiculous, and we all know it.

She added, What I do want is for us to be able to have an honest conversation about some of what is in these texts that is extraordinarily inappropriate for that grade level.

The library at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School in South Salt Lake, Utah, is pictured in March 2024. (Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)

Enforcement and penalties

Legislation differs by state, including in enforcement and how to penalize noncompliant localities.

In Illinois, for example, school districts risk losing thousands of dollars in state grant funding if they violate the states new law discouraging book bans. But as the Chicago Tribune reported last month, that financial penalty was not enough to persuade many school districts throughout the state to comply, with administrators saying they are concerned about giving up local control on school decisions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Several school districts in other states have similarly rebelled.

North of Minneapolis, St. Francis Area Schools board last month decided it would consult with conservative group BookLooks to determine which books it will buy for its school libraries. BookLooks uses a 0-through-5 rating system that flags books for violent and sexual content.

Under its rating system, books that have long had a place in school libraries  such as the Holocaust memoir Night by Elie Wiesel or I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou  would require parental consent to read.

Asked about the school district potentially violating state law, school board member Amy Kelly, who led the drive to use BookLooks, declined to be interviewed. Karsten Anderson, superintendent of St. Francis Area Schools, also declined an interview request.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Maryland, Carroll County schools led the state in banning books in recent years, removing in the 2023-2024 school year at least 59 titles that were sexually explicit, according to a tally by PEN America.

Schools should not allow children to see kink and porn, wrote Hart, of Moms for Liberty. She got involved in the effort more than three years ago, saying she wanted to protect her five children and parents rights to make educational decisions.

She pointed to one book to make her point: Lets Talk About It: The Teens Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human, a nonfiction book in graphic novel form by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan that seeks to educate teenagers about anatomy and consensual and safe sex. The book explores other issues of gender and sexuality, as well. Hart likened the books illustrations showing different ways of having sex to erotica.

Parents who provide their children with alcohol or drugs, or to give them a tattoo would rightly be charged with crimes, she wrote Stateline in an email. Schools that provide children with sexually explicit content are negligent at best.

The future of book bans

Around 8,000 of the more than 10,000 instances of banned books during the 2023-24 school year were in Florida and Iowa schools, according to PEN America. Lawmakers in those states enacted legislation in 2023 that created processes for school districts to remove books that have sexual content.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Iowa now requires that reading materials offered in schools be age-appropriate, while the Florida law ensures that books challenged for depicting or describing sexual conduct be removed from shelves while the challenge is processed by the district.

Some of those banned books included classics, such as Roots by Alex Haley and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith.

Over the past year, lawmakers in Idaho, Tennessee and Utah passed measures that ban certain reading materials that deal with sex or are otherwise deemed inappropriate, according to a December report from EveryLibrary, an Illinois-based organization that advocates against book bans. Arizona Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed similar legislation in June.

Laws that allow for book bans have been the subject of several lawsuits in recent years, as plaintiffs argue those measures violate constitutional protections of free expression.

Late last month, a federal judge struck down parts of a 2023 Arkansas law that threatened prison time for librarians who distribute harmful material to minors. Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin, a Republican, announced the state would appeal the decision.

EveryLibrary is tracking 26 bills in five states that lawmakers will consider this year that would target books with sexual and racial themes.

The organized effort to remove books because of LGBTQ+ or racial themes will continue, said Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the American Library Associations Office for Intellectual Freedom.

The association, which tracks book bans as part of its mission to support libraries and information science, found that most of the top banned books around the country had LGBTQ+ protagonists.

Librarians have always been all about providing individuals with access to the information they need, whether its for education, for enrichment, for understanding, she said in an interview. Censorship is diametrically opposed to that mission.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Newly donated LGBTQ+ books are displayed in the library at Nystrom Elementary School in Richmond, Calif. California is one of six states that have enacted laws to fight against book bans. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Karen Grant and fellow school librarians throughout New Jersey have heard an increasingly loud chorus of parents and conservative activists demanding that certain books  often about race, gender and sexuality  be removed from the shelves.

In the past year, Grant and her colleagues in the Ewing Public Schools just north of Trenton updated a 3-decade-old policy on reviewing parents challenges to books they see as pornographic or inappropriate. Grants team feared that without a new policy, the district would immediately bend to someone who wanted certain books banned.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Around the same time, state lawmakers in Trenton were readying legislation to set a book challenge policy for the entire state, preventing book bans based solely on the subject of a book or the authors background or views, while also protecting public and school librarians from legal or civil liabilities from people upset by the reading materials they offer.

When Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy signed that measure into law last month, Grant breathed a little easier.

We just hear so many stories of our librarians feeling threatened and targeted, said Grant, who works at Parkway Elementary School and serves as president of the New Jersey Association of School Librarians. This has been a wrong, an injustice that needs to be made right.

Amid a national rise in book bans in school libraries and new laws in some red states that threaten criminal penalties against librarians, a growing number of blue states are taking the opposite approach.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

State leaders are demonstrating that censorship has no place in their state and that the freedom to read is a principle that is supported and protected.

 Kasey Meehan, director of the Freedom to Read program at PEN America

New Jersey joined at least five other states  California, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota and Washington  that have passed legislation within the past two years that aims to preserve access to reading materials that deal with racial and sexual themes, including those about the LGBTQ+ community.

Conservative groups have led the effort to ban materials to shield children from what they deem as harmful content. In the 2023-24 school year, there were 10,000 instances of book bans across the U.S.  nearly three times as many as the year before, according to a recent report by PEN America, a nonprofit that advocates for literary freedom.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Certain books are harmful to children  just like drugs, alcohol, Rated R movies and tattoos are harmful to them, Kit Hart, chair of the Carroll County, Maryland, chapter of Moms for Liberty, a national organization leading the book banning effort, wrote in an email.

But some states are now safeguarding librarians and the books they offer.

State leaders are demonstrating that censorship has no place in their state and that the freedom to read is a principle that is supported and protected, said Kasey Meehan, director of the Freedom to Read program at PEN America, which has been tracking book bans since 2021.

The drive to ban certain books is not waning, however. While a handful of states fight censorship in school libraries, some communities within those states are attempting to retake local control and continuing to remove materials that conservative local officials regard as lurid and harmful to children.

Lives are in the balance

The New Jersey measure not only sets minimum standards for localities when they adopt a policy on how books are curated or can be challenged but also prevents school districts from removing material based on the origin, background, or views of the library material or those contributing to its creation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The law also gives librarians immunity from civil and criminal liability for good faith actions.

New Jersey state Sen. Andrew Zwicker, a Democrat who introduced the legislation, said until recently he thought that book bans were a disturbing trend, but one limited to other states. But early last year, he went to a brunch event and met a school librarian who told him she faced a torrent of verbal and online abuse for refusing to remove a handful of books with LGBTQ+ themes from her librarys shelves.

Thats when I realized that I was so horribly mistaken, that these attacks on librarians and on the freedom to read were happening everywhere, Zwicker told Stateline. I went up to her and asked, What can I do?

He said hes already heard from lawmakers in Rhode Island who are considering introducing a similar measure this year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A child who identifies with the LGBTQ+ community can read a memoir like Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe and feel seen for the first time in their lives, he said.

I do not think its an overstatement to say that lives are in the balance here, that these books are that important to people, and that librarians are trusted gatekeepers to ensure that whats on the shelf of a library has been curated and is appropriate, Zwicker said.

These new state laws, several of which are titled the Freedom to Read Act, passed almost entirely along party lines, with unanimous Democratic support.

In New Jersey, Republican state Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, who has worked in schools for the past 18 years, including as an English teacher, vehemently opposed the measure. She did not respond to an interview request.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This isnt puritanical parents saying, Oh, I dont want my child to learn how babies are made, she said during a September committee hearing. Thats ridiculous, and we all know it.

She added, What I do want is for us to be able to have an honest conversation about some of what is in these texts that is extraordinarily inappropriate for that grade level.

The library at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School in South Salt Lake, Utah, is pictured in March 2024. (Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)

Enforcement and penalties

Legislation differs by state, including in enforcement and how to penalize noncompliant localities.

In Illinois, for example, school districts risk losing thousands of dollars in state grant funding if they violate the states new law discouraging book bans. But as the Chicago Tribune reported last month, that financial penalty was not enough to persuade many school districts throughout the state to comply, with administrators saying they are concerned about giving up local control on school decisions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Several school districts in other states have similarly rebelled.

North of Minneapolis, St. Francis Area Schools board last month decided it would consult with conservative group BookLooks to determine which books it will buy for its school libraries. BookLooks uses a 0-through-5 rating system that flags books for violent and sexual content.

Under its rating system, books that have long had a place in school libraries  such as the Holocaust memoir Night by Elie Wiesel or I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou  would require parental consent to read.

Asked about the school district potentially violating state law, school board member Amy Kelly, who led the drive to use BookLooks, declined to be interviewed. Karsten Anderson, superintendent of St. Francis Area Schools, also declined an interview request.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Maryland, Carroll County schools led the state in banning books in recent years, removing in the 2023-2024 school year at least 59 titles that were sexually explicit, according to a tally by PEN America.

Schools should not allow children to see kink and porn, wrote Hart, of Moms for Liberty. She got involved in the effort more than three years ago, saying she wanted to protect her five children and parents rights to make educational decisions.

She pointed to one book to make her point: Lets Talk About It: The Teens Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human, a nonfiction book in graphic novel form by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan that seeks to educate teenagers about anatomy and consensual and safe sex. The book explores other issues of gender and sexuality, as well. Hart likened the books illustrations showing different ways of having sex to erotica.

Parents who provide their children with alcohol or drugs, or to give them a tattoo would rightly be charged with crimes, she wrote Stateline in an email. Schools that provide children with sexually explicit content are negligent at best.

The future of book bans

Around 8,000 of the more than 10,000 instances of banned books during the 2023-24 school year were in Florida and Iowa schools, according to PEN America. Lawmakers in those states enacted legislation in 2023 that created processes for school districts to remove books that have sexual content.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Iowa now requires that reading materials offered in schools be age-appropriate, while the Florida law ensures that books challenged for depicting or describing sexual conduct be removed from shelves while the challenge is processed by the district.

Some of those banned books included classics, such as Roots by Alex Haley and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith.

Over the past year, lawmakers in Idaho, Tennessee and Utah passed measures that ban certain reading materials that deal with sex or are otherwise deemed inappropriate, according to a December report from EveryLibrary, an Illinois-based organization that advocates against book bans. Arizona Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed similar legislation in June.

Laws that allow for book bans have been the subject of several lawsuits in recent years, as plaintiffs argue those measures violate constitutional protections of free expression.

Late last month, a federal judge struck down parts of a 2023 Arkansas law that threatened prison time for librarians who distribute harmful material to minors. Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin, a Republican, announced the state would appeal the decision.

EveryLibrary is tracking 26 bills in five states that lawmakers will consider this year that would target books with sexual and racial themes.

The organized effort to remove books because of LGBTQ+ or racial themes will continue, said Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the American Library Associations Office for Intellectual Freedom.

The association, which tracks book bans as part of its mission to support libraries and information science, found that most of the top banned books around the country had LGBTQ+ protagonists.

Librarians have always been all about providing individuals with access to the information they need, whether its for education, for enrichment, for understanding, she said in an interview. Censorship is diametrically opposed to that mission.

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
RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA - MAY 17: Newly donated LGBTQ+ books are displayed in the library at Nystrom Elementary School on May 17, 2022 in Richmond, California. California State Superintendent of Schools Tony Thurmond celebrated the donation of thousands of LGBTQ+ books from Gender Nation to 234 elementary schools in nine California districts. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Karen Grant and fellow school librarians throughout New Jersey have heard an increasingly loud chorus of parents and conservative activists demanding that certain books  often about race, gender, and sexuality  be removed from the shelves.

In the past year, Grant and her colleagues in the Ewing Public Schools just north of Trenton updated a 3-decade-old policy on reviewing parents challenges to books they see as pornographic or inappropriate. Grants team feared that without a new policy, the district would immediately bend to someone who wanted certain books banned.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Around the same time, state lawmakers in Trenton were readying legislation to set a book challenge policy for the entire state, preventing book bans based solely on the subject of a book or the authors background or views, while also protecting public and school librarians from legal or civil liabilities from people upset by the reading materials they offer.

When Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy signed that measure into law last month, Grant breathed a little easier.

We just hear so many stories of our librarians feeling threatened and targeted, said Grant, who works at Parkway Elementary School and serves as president of the New Jersey Association of School Librarians. This has been a wrong, an injustice that needs to be made right.

Amid a national rise in book bans in school libraries and new laws in some red states that threaten criminal penalties against librarians, a growing number of blue states are taking the opposite approach.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

New Jersey joined at least five other states  California, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, and Washington  that have passed legislation within the past two years that aims to preserve access to reading materials that deal with racial and sexual themes, including those about the LGBTQ+ community.

Conservative groups have led the effort to ban materials to shield children from what they deem as harmful content. In the 2023-24 school year, there were 10,000 instances of book bans across the U.S.  nearly three times as many as the year before, according to a recent report by PEN America, a nonprofit that advocates for literary freedom.

Certain books are harmful to children  just like drugs, alcohol, Rated R movies and tattoos are harmful to them, Kit Hart, chair of the Carroll County, Maryland, chapter of Moms for Liberty, a national organization leading the book banning effort, wrote in an email.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But some states are now safeguarding librarians and the books they offer.

State leaders are demonstrating that censorship has no place in their state and that the freedom to read is a principle that is supported and protected, said Kasey Meehan, director of the Freedom to Read program at PEN America, which has been tracking book bans since 2021.

The drive to ban certain books is not waning, however. While a handful of states fight censorship in school libraries, some communities within those states are attempting to retake local control and continuing to remove materials that conservative local officials regard as lurid and harmful to children.

Lives are in the balance

The New Jersey measure not only sets minimum standards for localities when they adopt a policy on how books are curated or can be challenged but also prevents school districts from removing material based on the origin, background, or views of the library material or those contributing to its creation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The law also gives librarians immunity from civil and criminal liability for good faith actions.

New Jersey state Sen. Andrew Zwicker, a Democrat who introduced the legislation, said until recently he thought that book bans were a disturbing trend, but one limited to other states. But early last year, he went to a brunch event and met a school librarian who told him she faced a torrent of verbal and online abuse for refusing to remove a handful of books with LGBTQ+ themes from her librarys shelves.

Thats when I realized that I was so horribly mistaken, that these attacks on librarians and on the freedom to read were happening everywhere, Zwicker told Stateline. I went up to her and asked, What can I do?

He said hes already heard from lawmakers in Rhode Island who are considering introducing a similar measure this year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A child who identifies with the LGBTQ+ community can read a memoir like Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe and feel seen for the first time in their lives, he said.

I do not think its an overstatement to say that lives are in the balance here, that these books are that important to people, and that librarians are trusted gatekeepers to ensure that whats on the shelf of a library has been curated and is appropriate, Zwicker said.

These new state laws, several of which are titled the Freedom to Read Act, passed almost entirely along party lines, with unanimous Democratic support.

In New Jersey, Republican state Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, who has worked in schools for the past 18 years, including as an English teacher, vehemently opposed the measure. She did not respond to an interview request.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This isnt puritanical parents saying, Oh, I dont want my child to learn how babies are made, she said during a September committee hearing. Thats ridiculous, and we all know it.

She added, What I do want is for us to be able to have an honest conversation about some of what is in these texts that is extraordinarily inappropriate for that grade level.

The library at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School in South Salt Lake, Utah, is pictured in March 2024. (Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)

Enforcement and penalties

Legislation differs by state, including in enforcement and how to penalize noncompliant localities.

In Illinois, for example, school districts risk losing thousands of dollars in state grant funding if they violate the states new law discouraging book bans. But as the Chicago Tribune reported last month, that financial penalty was not enough to persuade many school districts throughout the state to comply, with administrators saying they are concerned about giving up local control on school decisions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Several school districts in other states have similarly rebelled.

North of Minneapolis, St. Francis Area Schools board last month decided it would consult with conservative group BookLooks to determine which books it will buy for its school libraries. BookLooks uses a 0-through-5 rating system that flags books for violent and sexual content.

Under its rating system, books that have long had a place in school libraries  such as the Holocaust memoir Night by Elie Wiesel or I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou  would require parental consent to read.

Asked about the school district potentially violating state law, school board member Amy Kelly, who led the drive to use BookLooks, declined to be interviewed. Karsten Anderson, superintendent of St. Francis Area Schools, also declined an interview request.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Maryland, Carroll County schools led the state in banning books in recent years, removing in the 2023-2024 school year at least 59 titles that were sexually explicit, according to a tally by PEN America.

Schools should not allow children to see kink and porn, wrote Hart, of Moms for Liberty. She got involved in the effort more than three years ago, saying she wanted to protect her five children and parents rights to make educational decisions.

She pointed to one book to make her point: Lets Talk About It: The Teens Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human, a nonfiction book in graphic novel form by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan that seeks to educate teenagers about anatomy and consensual and safe sex. The book explores other issues of gender and sexuality, as well. Hart likened the books illustrations showing different ways of having sex to erotica.

Parents who provide their children with alcohol or drugs, or to give them a tattoo would rightly be charged with crimes, she wrote Stateline in an email. Schools that provide children with sexually explicit content are negligent at best.

The future of book bans

Around 8,000 of the more than 10,000 instances of banned books during the 2023-24 school year were in Florida and Iowa schools, according to PEN America. Lawmakers in those states enacted legislation in 2023 that created processes for school districts to remove books that have sexual content.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Iowa now requires that reading materials offered in schools be age-appropriate, while the Florida law ensures that books challenged for depicting or describing sexual conduct be removed from shelves while the challenge is processed by the district.

Some of those banned books included classics, such as Roots by Alex Haley and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith.

Over the past year, lawmakers in Idaho, Tennessee and Utah passed measures that ban certain reading materials that deal with sex or are otherwise deemed inappropriate, according to a December report from EveryLibrary, an Illinois-based organization that advocates against book bans. Arizona Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed similar legislation in June.

Laws that allow for book bans have been the subject of several lawsuits in recent years, as plaintiffs argue those measures violate constitutional protections of free expression.

Late last month, a federal judge struck down parts of a 2023 Arkansas law that threatened prison time for librarians who distribute harmful material to minors. Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin, a Republican, announced the state would appeal the decision.

EveryLibrary is tracking 26 bills in five states that lawmakers will consider this year that would target books with sexual and racial themes.

The organized effort to remove books because of LGBTQ+ or racial themes will continue, said Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the American Library Associations Office for Intellectual Freedom.

The association, which tracks book bans as part of its mission to support libraries and information science, found that most of the top banned books around the country had LGBTQ+ protagonists.

Librarians have always been all about providing individuals with access to the information they need, whether its for education, for enrichment, for understanding, she said in an interview. Censorship is diametrically opposed to that mission.

This story originally appeared on Stateline.
RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA - MAY 17: Newly donated LGBTQ+ books are displayed in the library at Nystrom Elementary School on May 17, 2022 in Richmond, California. California State Superintendent of Schools Tony Thurmond celebrated the donation of thousands of LGBTQ+ books from Gender Nation to 234 elementary schools in nine California districts. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

This story originally appeared on Stateline.

Karen Grant and fellow school librarians throughout New Jersey have heard an increasingly loud chorus of parents and conservative activists demanding that certain books  often about race, gender and sexuality  be removed from the shelves.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the past year, Grant and her colleagues in the Ewing Public Schools just north of Trenton updated a 3-decade-old policy on reviewing parents challenges to books they see as pornographic or inappropriate. Grants team feared that without a new policy, the district would immediately bend to someone who wanted certain books banned.

Around the same time, state lawmakers in Trenton were readying legislation to set a book challenge policy for the entire state, preventing book bans based solely on the subject of a book or the authors background or views, while also protecting public and school librarians from legal or civil liabilities from people upset by the reading materials they offer.

When Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy signed that measure into law last month, Grant breathed a little easier.

We just hear so many stories of our librarians feeling threatened and targeted, said Grant, who works at Parkway Elementary School and serves as president of the New Jersey Association of School Librarians. This has been a wrong, an injustice that needs to be made right.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Amid a national rise in book bans in school libraries and new laws in some red states that threaten criminal penalties against librarians, a growing number of blue states are taking the opposite approach.

State leaders are demonstrating that censorship has no place in their state and that the freedom to read is a principle that is supported and protected.

 Kasey Meehan, director of the Freedom to Read program at PEN America

New Jersey joined at least five other states  California, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota and Washington  that have passed legislation within the past two years that aims to preserve access to reading materials that deal with racial and sexual themes, including those about the LGBTQ+ community.

Conservative groups have led the effort to ban materials to shield children from what they deem as harmful content. In the 2023-24 school year, there were 10,000 instances of book bans across the U.S.  nearly three times as many as the year before, according to a recent report by PEN America, a nonprofit that advocates for literary freedom.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Certain books are harmful to children  just like drugs, alcohol, Rated R movies and tattoos are harmful to them, Kit Hart, chair of the Carroll County, Maryland, chapter of Moms for Liberty, a national organization leading the book banning effort, wrote in an email.

But some states are now safeguarding librarians and the books they offer.

State leaders are demonstrating that censorship has no place in their state and that the freedom to read is a principle that is supported and protected, said Kasey Meehan, director of the Freedom to Read program at PEN America, which has been tracking book bans since 2021.

The drive to ban certain books is not waning, however. While a handful of states fight censorship in school libraries, some communities within those states are attempting to retake local control and continuing to remove materials that conservative local officials regard as lurid and harmful to children.

Lives are in the balance

The New Jersey measure not only sets minimum standards for localities when they adopt a policy on how books are curated or can be challenged but also prevents school districts from removing material based on the origin, background, or views of the library material or those contributing to its creation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The law also gives librarians immunity from civil and criminal liability for good faith actions.

New Jersey state Sen. Andrew Zwicker, a Democrat who introduced the legislation, said until recently he thought that book bans were a disturbing trend, but one limited to other states. But early last year, he went to a brunch event and met a school librarian who told him she faced a torrent of verbal and online abuse for refusing to remove a handful of books with LGBTQ+ themes from her librarys shelves.

Thats when I realized that I was so horribly mistaken, that these attacks on librarians and on the freedom to read were happening everywhere, Zwicker told Stateline. I went up to her and asked, What can I do?

He said hes already heard from lawmakers in Rhode Island who are considering introducing a similar measure this year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A child who identifies with the LGBTQ+ community can read a memoir like Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe and feel seen for the first time in their lives, he said.

I do not think its an overstatement to say that lives are in the balance here, that these books are that important to people, and that librarians are trusted gatekeepers to ensure that whats on the shelf of a library has been curated and is appropriate, Zwicker said.

These new state laws, several of which are titled the Freedom to Read Act, passed almost entirely along party lines, with unanimous Democratic support.

In New Jersey, Republican state Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, who has worked in schools for the past 18 years, including as an English teacher, vehemently opposed the measure. She did not respond to an interview request.

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This isnt puritanical parents saying, Oh, I dont want my child to learn how babies are made, she said during a September committee hearing. Thats ridiculous, and we all know it.

She added, What I do want is for us to be able to have an honest conversation about some of what is in these texts that is extraordinarily inappropriate for that grade level.

The library at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School in South Salt Lake, Utah, is pictured in March 2024. (Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)

Enforcement and penalties

Legislation differs by state, including in enforcement and how to penalize noncompliant localities.

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In Illinois, for example, school districts risk losing thousands of dollars in state grant funding if they violate the states new law discouraging book bans. But as the Chicago Tribune reported last month, that financial penalty was not enough to persuade many school districts throughout the state to comply, with administrators saying they are concerned about giving up local control on school decisions.

Several school districts in other states have similarly rebelled.

North of Minneapolis, St. Francis Area Schools board last month decided it would consult with conservative group BookLooks to determine which books it will buy for its school libraries. BookLooks uses a 0-through-5 rating system that flags books for violent and sexual content.

Under its rating system, books that have long had a place in school libraries  such as the Holocaust memoir Night by Elie Wiesel or I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou  would require parental consent to read.

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Asked about the school district potentially violating state law, school board member Amy Kelly, who led the drive to use BookLooks, declined to be interviewed. Karsten Anderson, superintendent of St. Francis Area Schools, also declined an interview request.

In Maryland, Carroll County schools led the state in banning books in recent years, removing in the 2023-2024 school year at least 59 titles that were sexually explicit, according to a tally by PEN America.

Schools should not allow children to see kink and porn, wrote Hart, of Moms for Liberty. She got involved in the effort more than three years ago, saying she wanted to protect her five children and parents rights to make educational decisions.

She pointed to one book to make her point: Lets Talk About It: The Teens Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human, a nonfiction book in graphic novel form by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan that seeks to educate teenagers about anatomy and consensual and safe sex. The book explores other issues of gender and sexuality, as well. Hart likened the books illustrations showing different ways of having sex to erotica.

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Parents who provide their children with alcohol or drugs, or to give them a tattoo would rightly be charged with crimes, she wrote Stateline in an email. Schools that provide children with sexually explicit content are negligent at best.

The future of book bans

Around 8,000 of the more than 10,000 instances of banned books during the 2023-24 school year were in Florida and Iowa schools, according to PEN America. Lawmakers in those states enacted legislation in 2023 that created processes for school districts to remove books that have sexual content.

Iowa now requires that reading materials offered in schools be age-appropriate, while the Florida law ensures that books challenged for depicting or describing sexual conduct be removed from shelves while the challenge is processed by the district.

Some of those banned books included classics, such as Roots by Alex Haley and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith.

Over the past year, lawmakers in Idaho, Tennessee and Utah passed measures that ban certain reading materials that deal with sex or are otherwise deemed inappropriate, according to a December report from EveryLibrary, an Illinois-based organization that advocates against book bans. Arizona Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed similar legislation in June.

Laws that allow for book bans have been the subject of several lawsuits in recent years, as plaintiffs argue those measures violate constitutional protections of free expression.

Late last month, a federal judge struck down parts of a 2023 Arkansas law that threatened prison time for librarians who distribute harmful material to minors. Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin, a Republican, announced the state would appeal the decision.

EveryLibrary is tracking 26 bills in five states that lawmakers will consider this year that would target books with sexual and racial themes.

The organized effort to remove books because of LGBTQ+ or racial themes will continue, said Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the American Library Associations Office for Intellectual Freedom.

The association, which tracks book bans as part of its mission to support libraries and information science, found that most of the top banned books around the country had LGBTQ+ protagonists.

Librarians have always been all about providing individuals with access to the information they need, whether its for education, for enrichment, for understanding, she said in an interview. Censorship is diametrically opposed to that mission.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

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.
This article was originally published in Stateline.

Karen Grant and fellow school librarians throughout New Jersey have heard an increasingly loud chorus of parents and conservative activists demanding that certain books  often about race, gender and sexuality  be removed from the shelves.

In the past year, Grant and her colleagues in the Ewing Public Schools just north of Trenton updated a 3-decade-old policy on reviewing parents challenges to books they see as pornographic or inappropriate. Grants team feared that without a new policy, the district would immediately bend to someone who wanted certain books banned.

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Around the same time, state lawmakers in Trenton were readying legislation to set a book challenge policy for the entire state, preventing book bans based solely on the subject of a book or the authors background or views, while also protecting public and school librarians from legal or civil liabilities from people upset by the reading materials they offer.

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When Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy signed that measure into law last month, Grant breathed a little easier.

We just hear so many stories of our librarians feeling threatened and targeted, said Grant, who works at Parkway Elementary School and serves as president of the New Jersey Association of School Librarians. This has been a wrong, an injustice that needs to be made right.

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Amid a national rise in book bans in school libraries and new laws in some red states that threaten criminal penalties against librarians, a growing number of blue states are taking the opposite approach.

New Jersey joined at least five other states  California, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota and Washington  that have passed legislation within the past two years that aims to preserve access to reading materials that deal with racial and sexual themes, including those about the LGBTQ+ community.

Conservative groups have led the effort to ban materials to shield children from what they deem as harmful content. In the 2023-24 school year, there were 10,000 instances of book bans across the U.S.  nearly three times as many as the year before, according to a recent report by PEN America, a nonprofit that advocates for literary freedom.

Certain books are harmful to children  just like drugs, alcohol, Rated R movies and tattoos are harmful to them, Kit Hart, chair of the Carroll County, Maryland, chapter of Moms for Liberty, a national organization leading the book banning effort, wrote in an email.

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But some states are now safeguarding librarians and the books they offer.

State leaders are demonstrating that censorship has no place in their state and that the freedom to read is a principle that is supported and protected, said Kasey Meehan, director of the Freedom to Read program at PEN America, which has been tracking book bans since 2021.

The drive to ban certain books is not waning, however. While a handful of states fight censorship in school libraries, some communities within those states are attempting to retake local control and continuing to remove materials that conservative local officials regard as lurid and harmful to children.

Lives are in the balance

The New Jersey measure not only sets minimum standards for localities when they adopt a policy on how books are curated or can be challenged but also prevents school districts from removing material based on the origin, background, or views of the library material or those contributing to its creation.

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The law also gives librarians immunity from civil and criminal liability for good faith actions.

New Jersey state Sen. Andrew Zwicker, a Democrat who introduced the legislation, said until recently he thought that book bans were a disturbing trend, but one limited to other states. But early last year, he went to a brunch event and met a school librarian who told him she faced a torrent of verbal and online abuse for refusing to remove a handful of books with LGBTQ+ themes from her librarys shelves.

Thats when I realized that I was so horribly mistaken, that these attacks on librarians and on the freedom to read were happening everywhere, Zwicker told Stateline. I went up to her and asked, What can I do?

He said hes already heard from lawmakers in Rhode Island who are considering introducing a similar measure this year.

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A child who identifies with the LGBTQ+ community can read a memoir like Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe and feel seen for the first time in their lives, he said.

I do not think its an overstatement to say that lives are in the balance here, that these books are that important to people, and that librarians are trusted gatekeepers to ensure that whats on the shelf of a library has been curated and is appropriate, Zwicker said.

These new state laws, several of which are titled the Freedom to Read Act, passed almost entirely along party lines, with unanimous Democratic support.

In New Jersey, Republican state Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, who has worked in schools for the past 18 years, including as an English teacher, vehemently opposed the measure. She did not respond to an interview request.

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This isnt puritanical parents saying, Oh, I dont want my child to learn how babies are made, she said during a September committee hearing. Thats ridiculous, and we all know it.

She added, What I do want is for us to be able to have an honest conversation about some of what is in these texts that is extraordinarily inappropriate for that grade level.

Enforcement and penalties

Legislation differs by state, including in enforcement and how to penalize noncompliant localities.

In Illinois, for example, school districts risk losing thousands of dollars in state grant funding if they violate the states new law discouraging book bans. But as the Chicago Tribune reported last month, that financial penalty was not enough to persuade many school districts throughout the state to comply, with administrators saying they are concerned about giving up local control on school decisions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Several school districts in other states have similarly rebelled.

North of Minneapolis, St. Francis Area Schools board last month decided it would consult with conservative group BookLooks to determine which books it will buy for its school libraries. BookLooks uses a 0-through-5 rating system that flags books for violent and sexual content.

Under its rating system, books that have long had a place in school libraries  such as the Holocaust memoir Night by Elie Wiesel or I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou  would require parental consent to read.

Asked about the school district potentially violating state law, school board member Amy Kelly, who led the drive to use BookLooks, declined to be interviewed. Karsten Anderson, superintendent of St. Francis Area Schools, also declined an interview request.

Advertisement Advertisement

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In Maryland, Carroll County schools led the state in banning books in recent years, removing in the 2023-2024 school year at least 59 titles that were sexually explicit, according to a tally by PEN America.

Schools should not allow children to see kink and porn, wrote Hart, of Moms for Liberty. She got involved in the effort more than three years ago, saying she wanted to protect her five children and parents rights to make educational decisions.

She pointed to one book to make her point: Lets Talk About It: The Teens Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human, a nonfiction book in graphic novel form by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan that seeks to educate teenagers about anatomy and consensual and safe sex. The book explores other issues of gender and sexuality, as well. Hart likened the books illustrations showing different ways of having sex to erotica.

Parents who provide their children with alcohol or drugs, or to give them a tattoo would rightly be charged with crimes, she wrote Stateline in an email. Schools that provide children with sexually explicit content are negligent at best.

The future of book bans

Around 8,000 of the more than 10,000 instances of banned books during the 2023-24 school year were in Florida and Iowa schools, according to PEN America. Lawmakers in those states enacted legislation in 2023 that created processes for school districts to remove books that have sexual content.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Iowa now requires that reading materials offered in schools be age-appropriate, while the Florida law ensures that books challenged for depicting or describing sexual conduct be removed from shelves while the challenge is processed by the district.

Some of those banned books included classics, such as Roots by Alex Haley and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith.

Over the past year, lawmakers in Idaho, Tennessee and Utah passed measures that ban certain reading materials that deal with sex or are otherwise deemed inappropriate, according to a December report from EveryLibrary, an Illinois-based organization that advocates against book bans. Arizona Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed similar legislation in June.

Laws that allow for book bans have been the subject of several lawsuits in recent years, as plaintiffs argue those measures violate constitutional protections of free expression.

Late last month, a federal judge struck down parts of a 2023 Arkansas law that threatened prison time for librarians who distribute harmful material to minors. Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin, a Republican, announced the state would appeal the decision.

EveryLibrary is tracking 26 bills in five states that lawmakers will consider this year that would target books with sexual and racial themes.

The organized effort to remove books because of LGBTQ+ or racial themes will continue, said Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the American Library Associations Office for Intellectual Freedom.

The association, which tracks book bans as part of its mission to support libraries and information science, found that most of the top banned books around the country had LGBTQ+ protagonists.

Librarians have always been all about providing individuals with access to the information they need, whether its for education, for enrichment, for understanding, she said in an interview. Censorship is diametrically opposed to that mission.

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.
By Ahmed Elumami

TRIPOLI (Reuters) - Libya's eastern-based parliament has approved a national reconciliation and transitional justice law, three lawmakers said, a measure aimed at reunifying the oil-producing country after over a decade of factional conflict.

The House of Representatives (HoR) spokesperson, Abdullah Belaihaq, said on the X platform that the legislation was passed on Tuesday by a majority of the session's attendees in Libya's largest second city Benghazi.

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However, implementing the law could be challenging as Libya has been divided since a 2014 civil war that spawned two rival administrations vying for power in east and west following the NATO-backed uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

"I hope that it (the law) will be in effect all over the country and will not face any difficulty," House member Abdulmenam Alorafi told Reuters by phone on Wednesday.

The United Nations mission to Libya has repeatedly called for an inclusive, rights-based transitional justice and reconciliation process in the North African country.

A political process to end years of institutional division and outright warfare has been stalled since an election scheduled for December 2021 collapsed amid disputes over the eligibility of the main candidates.

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In Tripoli, there is the Government of National Unity (GNU) under Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah that was installed through a U.N.-backed process in 2021, but the parliament no longer recognises its legitimacy. Dbeibah has vowed not to cede power to a new government without national elections.

There are two competing legislative bodies - the HoR that was elected in 2014 as the national parliament with a four-year mandate to oversee a political transition, and the High Council of State in Tripoli formed as part of a 2015 political agreement and drawn from a parliament first elected in 2012.

The Tripoli-based Presidential Council, which came to power with GNU, has been working on a reconciliation project and holding "a comprehensive conference" with the support of the U.N. and African Union. But it has been unable to bring all rival groups together because of their continuing differences.

(Additional reporting by Ayman Werfali; editing by Mark Heinrich)
GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP)  A woman has life-threatening injuries after a crash in Greensboro on Tuesday, according to a Greensboro Police Department news release.

Around 2:24 a.m. today, Greensboro police responded to the area of Interstate 40 East and East Gate City Boulevard when they were told about a crash with injuries.

A Dodge Charger was going east on I-40 when it ran off the road to the right, hit a guardrail and an embankment and overturned.

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The woman who was driving the Charger was taken by EMS to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

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 FOX8 WGHP.
At least two people were reported dead in Los Angeles County on Wednesday as multiple life-threatening wildfires burned across the region, forcing tens of thousands of residents to evacuate.

Here are some of their stories, compiled from news reports and original Yahoo News reporting:

Orly Israel, a Pacific Palisades resident who drove back through thick and black smoke to protect his family home before the growing fire finally forced him to evacuate:

You could see it from the bedroom window. You could see the flames coming down the hill.  The embers were just flying through the sky. It wasnt even safe being there at all.  Im thinking about my family. Im thinking that any future plans I had that are totally out the window.  Its just, wait for the bad news that the house is completely gone, and then wait until they let us come pick through the rubble. And then, I dont know. I have no idea. Do I move to another state where they dont have fires? What happens to the city? Neighborhoods are going to be completely gone.

Kelsey Trainor, who fled her Pacific Palisades neighborhood around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday only to get stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic:

"It was all smoke around us, fire everywhere. People are just honking their horns.  Gridlock  nowhere to go.  Whats really scary is that it felt really unsafe for people who were doing what theyre supposed to be doing.  It felt really helpless.

Mallory Sobel, who said it took her two-and-a-half hours to drive out of the Pacific Palisades:

I can feel it in my lungs right now. My throat is sore. My car was full of soot as I was making this slow, slow climb down. I wore a mask because it was that potent. [But] Good Samaritans are everywhere on the street, helping people navigate down the hill and helping people with their cars.

David Rager, who left his home in the Canyon Crest area of Altadena Tuesday night to stay with family in Orange County:

"It's very strange and scary to be evacuated. The uncertainty. We're watching the next neighborhood over live on the news. Right now it's just a few houses burning; it's spotty, not all ablaze. But we don't know what's going to happen next  if it will grow and spread to where we live. We heard there's a brush fire in the lower part of our canyon.

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We've been checking in on the parents' WhatsApp. A friend in a different part of Altadena has already lost her house, right near our daughter's school. A few minutes ago, someone shared a video of the school on fire. At a certain point it's like, what are you going back to if your whole town is gone?"

Michael, a longtime resident of the Oakridge Mobile Home Park in Sylmar who already lost everything during the devastating 2008 Sayre Fire:

It was about 10 oclock last night, the winds were fierce and the power lines arced together. They shorted out, there was a bright light, there was a slight boom and I looked down at the bottom of the standard and there was a small ball of flame.  Earlier in the evening, they were talking about cutting off the wire because of the impending windstorm. Apparently they didnt.

Muffie Alejandro, who has lived since 1989 near Eaton Canyon:

This is my fourth fire and the only time weve ever left. [The fires this time are] the worst Ive ever seen.  In five minutes, it burned probably a quarter of a mile across Eaton Canyon.

Dorothy Clark, 88, who spent the night sheltering from the Eaton Fire at All Saints Church in Pasadena:

Its the strangest feeling. Ive never ever had an experience that replicated in any way a wandering soul with no place to go. To go through this kind of experience was just a bit much more than I bargained for. You feel like your options are zero. Its the most dismaying experience I think Ive ever had.

Altadena resident Carlos Herrera, who stayed behind to protect his home and help neighbors after his wife and son fled:

Too much could go wrong; the winds are too strong. [Fire officials can deploy] as many trucks as you can put out here  you never know. Im just keeping a safe distance and seeing what I can do.

Venice resident Mike Kerns, who watched a smoke plume swallow a whole mountain in the 10 minutes after he left a doctors appointment in the Pacific Palisades Tuesday morning:

It was like a movie. Like the end of the world.
Almost 20 years ago, police foiled what many regard as the deadliest terror plot ever to be detected on British soil.

Directed by al-Qaeda, a network of UK-based jihadists planned to take down multiple transatlantic flights in a coordinated attack that would have killed thousands of victims, spread international terror and brought air travel to a halt. They devised a completely novel method  liquid bombs disguised as unopened bottles of Oasis and Lucozade soft drinks, and detonated using modified disposable cameras  designed explicitly to bypass airport security checks.

But the security services were watching as their preparations progressed in 2006, and after one of the biggest surveillance operations of its kind, arrested the terrorists in August of that year before they could put their deadly plans into action. But while the plot was foiled, its impact continues to be felt to this day, in the form of initially temporary safety restrictions on hand luggage that airports are still struggling to lift.

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On the morning after the would-be terrorists were arrested, August 10 2006, a government security alert caused immediate restrictions to be imposed on carry-on bags on flights taking off from Britain and around the world. It meant passengers were only able to carry essential items on flights  prescription medicines, for instance, and baby formula. Restrictions were gradually relaxed until November 3 of that year when new hand-baggage rules were brought in, limiting the amount of liquid in any container to 100ml, and one litre in total  the same rules that remain in force today.

Following the 2006 terror plot, liquid restrictions in hand luggage were introduced, setting the stage for the travel rules still in place today - David Gee 4/Alamy Stock Photo

Indeed, while the six would-be suicide bombers remain in prison serving life sentences and the case has largely faded from public memory, its impact is still being felt around the world through these same safety measures brought in to prevent copycats from attempting a similar attack. Peter Clarke, who at the time was the head of the Metropolitan Polices anti-terrorist branch, says, I remember sitting in a Cobra meeting when the restrictions were first being suggested, and thinking Oh my goodness, this is going to cause all sorts of problems and delays at airports.

The planning for the actual security measures was led by the Department of Transport, and they decided what mitigating factors were needed in light of what we were saying to them about the methodology wed discovered.

Because the security services couldnt risk tipping the plotters off to the surveillance operation tracking their every move, communication over the new restrictions had to be limited and airports had little time to prepare. When the security alert first kicked in, chaos ensued. A parliamentary report issued the following year found that after the August 10 security ruling, British Airways alone had to cancel 1,283 flights, affecting over 100,000 passengers, because of delays at security  and airlines reported millions in losses.

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Even after the restrictions bedded in, the House of Commons Transport Committee described longer queues, increased waiting times to go through security and increasing intrusion for passengers, and said that airlines themselves were clearly frustrated at the continuing difficulties at security points.

Delays lessened as airports and passengers gradually adjusted to the new routine, but frustrations over the application of the liquids rules have continued over the ensuing 18-and-a-half years. Over-zealous and confused enforcement has seen items seized, including an unopened jar of duck pate and a snow globe, as well as decidedly solid pork pies, marzipan and Christmas puddings.

Airports and passengers quickly adjusted to the new rules, but frustrations with the liquid restrictions persist - Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

There was widespread jubilation in 2019, when then-prime minister Boris Johnson announced that an evolution in scanning technology meant that hand-baggage restrictions could finally be safely increased to two litres of liquids in total, in any individual quantity, per passenger. However, the deadlines imposed by successive governments for the installation of the new scanners have repeatedly slipped, and several UK airports that started using the 3D technology last year have been forced to revert to previous rules because of concerns the checks were not meeting required standards.

Among them was Birmingham Airport, which told The Telegraph it had hit the Governments June 1 2024 deadline for installing the new scanners but was still unable to relax restrictions.

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It is important to note that despite the capability of these machines to screen up to 2L of liquids per passenger in total (double the current limit), we remain hamstrung on an individual container limit of up to 100ml, a spokesperson said.

In order for these machines to be used to their full (and intended) potential, we urge the Government to increase the volume of accepted liquids as soon as possible, while allowing us adequate time to communicate any changes to passengers.

Similar frustrations were expressed by representatives of Bristol Airport, which said it stands ready to transition to the new rules but any changes will be decided by the UK Government, while Gatwick Airport said it will complete the necessary upgrades by the end of March. The Department for Transport would not give a date for the new restrictions, amid ongoing discussions with international authorities, but said: New security equipment being rolled out at UK airports will make travelling easier while maintaining some of the worlds most stringent passenger security measures.

Commander Dominic Murphy, the head of the Metropolitan Polices Counter Terrorism Command, says that security specialists have been working hard for many years to have a technical solution to stop explosives of the type designed by the 2006 plotters being used. The queues at the airports were just ridiculous because no one had a chance to prepare for it, but once we understood what was happening, we just were not willing to take that risk, he adds.

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At the time, Murphy was a detective working in the forensic management team receiving evidence from the surveillance operation targeting the cell, analysing the bottles and boxes covertly recovered after they were discarded from the terrorists bomb factory and homes. I dont think wed had anything on this scale before, he recalls. They were picking transatlantic flights that would all be in the air at the same time  some over land in the US, some over the sea. They were talking about six, seven, eight planes  thats thousands of people being killed.

At the start of the operation that foiled the plot, police and MI5 had no idea what the terrorists were planning. Suspicions had been roused by a meeting Abdulla Ahmed Ali  who had already appeared on the periphery of investigations into jihadist terrorism  had with an al-Qaeda attack planner in Pakistan. Surveillance on him revealed links to fellow plotter Tanvir Hussain, their repeated visits to an east London flat where neither of them lived, and a series of suspicious purchases.

After MI5 broke into the property and installed bugging devices, they recorded the pair draining and modifying soft drink bottles  and recording martyrdom videos  while an associate called Assad Sarwar was stockpiling large quantities of chemicals at his High Wycombe home. It was immediately clear that the group were planning a bombing of some kind, but the precise nature of their plot was a mystery until a surveillance team saw Ali using an internet cafe to research and record flight timetables for plans travelling from the UK to the US and Canada.

Commander Dominic Murphy, the head of the Metropolitan Polices Counter Terrorism Command, says that security specialists have been working hard for many years to have a technical solution to stop explosives of the type designed by the 2006 plotters being used - Belinda Jiao

The cell, who were trained and directed by senior al-Qaeda members based in Pakistan, had devised a novel method of drilling holes into soft drink bottles and refilling them with explosive liquid that could be ignited using modified batteries and a disposable camera. After experimenting with food colouring and glue guns, the plotters found they could make their devices appear like unopened bottles of Oasis and Lucozade, with the seals still intact, while the cameras and battery detonators would seem like completely normal items to take on holiday. By the time police swept in on the night of August 9 2006, the would-be suicide bombers had all the necessary chemicals and components and everything was pretty well in place, Clarke says.

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Although al-Qaedas ability to plan such complex terror plots has faded, and the security services now consider low-technology attacks by self-radicalised individuals using vehicles and knives to present the dominant threat to Britain, Clarke warns that terrorists fascination with aviation has never gone away. The September 11 attacks of 2001 are still widely celebrated by jihadists, while Isis took down a Russian passenger plane taking off from Sharm el-Sheikh using a bomb concealed inside a drinks can in 2015, killing all 224 passengers and crew on board.

If new technology enables some of the restrictions on liquids to be lifted thats fine, but I dont think we can ever be complacent about terrorists determination to attack aviation, Clarke warns. It would be rash to say they wont look for another way of doing it, and Im sure they will continue to do so.

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TYLER, Texas (KETK)  With many counties under a Winter Storm Watch or Warning, many East Texas school districts have decided to cancel classes. KETK News has compiled a list of schools that will be closing this week due to the winter weather:

ABC Son Shine School

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Alba-Golden ISD

Closed Thursday

All Saints Episcopal School

Closed Thursday

Alpine Christian Academy

Closed Thursday

Delayed start on Friday, classes begin at 10 a.m.

Athens ISD

Closed Thursday

Atlanta ISD

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Arp ISD

Delayed start on Friday, classes begin at 10 a.m.

Avinger ISD

Closed Thursday

Big Sandy ISD (Upshur County)

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Brownsboro ISD

Closed Thursday

Two hour delay on Friday

Brook Hill

Closed Friday

Bullard

Closed Friday

Canton ISD

Closed Thursday

Delayed start on Friday, classes begin at 10 a.m.

Carlisle ISD

Closed Thursday

Delayed start on Friday, classes begin at 10 a.m.

Center ISD

Closed Friday

Central Heights ISD

Delayed start on Friday, classes begin at 10 a.m.

Chapel Hill ISD (Smith County)

Two hour delay for Friday

Chireno ISD

Delayed start on Friday, classes begin at 10 a.m.

Como-Pickton ISD

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Cross Roads ISD

Closed Thursday

Cumberland Academy / Leadership Academy

Closed Friday

Dangerfield Lone Star ISD

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Edgewood ISD

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Eustace ISD

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Frankston ISD

Delayed start for Friday, classes will begin at: High School and Middle School at 9:40 a.m. Elementary school 9:45 a.m.



Fruitvale ISD

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Garrison

Two hour delay on Friday

Gladewater ISD

Closed Thursday

Classes will begin at 10 a.m. on Friday

Good Shepard School (Tyler)

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Grace Community School

Classes will begin at 9 a.m. on Friday

Grace Early Education (Tyler and Lindale)

Classes will begin at 9 a.m. on Friday

Grand Saline ISD

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Hallsville ISD

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Harmony ISD

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Harts Bluff ISD

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Hawkins ISD

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Henderson

Delayed start on Friday, classes begin at 10 a.m.

Hughes Springs ISD

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Jacksonville ISD

Closed Friday

Jarvis Christian University

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Jefferson ISD

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Kilgore ISD

Closed Thursday

Two hour delay on Friday

Kilgore College (Kilgore and Longview campus)

Closed Thursday

Delayed start on Friday, classes begin at 10 a.m.

Laneville ISD

Closed Thursday

LaPoynor ISD

Closed Thursday

Delayed start on Friday, classes begin at 10 a.m.

Leveretts Chapel ISD

Closed Thursday

Delayed start on Friday, classes begin at 10 a.m.

Lindale ISD

Closed Thursday

Linden-Kildare CISD

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Longview Christian School / Early Learning Center

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Longview ISD

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Mabank ISD

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Marshall ISD

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Mineola ISD

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Mount Enterprise

Delayed start on Friday, classes will begin at 10 a.m.

Mount Pleasant ISD

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Mt. Vernon ISD

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

New Diana ISD

Closed Thursday

North Hopkins ISD

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Ore City ISD

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Panola College

Closed Friday

Pittsburg ISD

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Premier High School / Texas Works

Closed Thursday

Quitman ISD

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Rains ISD

Closed Thursday

Region 7 ESC

Closed Thursday

Region 8 ESC

Closed Thursday

Sabine ISD

Closed Thursday

Delayed start on Friday, classes will begin at 10 a.m.

Saltillo ISD

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Spring Hill ISD

Closed Thursday

Delayed start on Friday, classes begin at 10 a.m.

Sulphur Springs ISD

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Tatum ISD

Delayed start on Friday, classes begin at 10 a.m.

Texas College

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Texarkana ISD

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Texas State Technical College Marshall

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

The Son Rise School

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Trinity Valley Community College

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Troup ISD

Closed on Friday

Union Grove ISD

Closed Thursday

Two hour delay for Friday

Union Hill ISD

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

UT Tyler

Delayed start on Friday, classes begin at 10 a.m.

UT Tyler Academy Charter School

Closed on Friday

Van ISD

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

West Rusk

Delayed start on Friday, Classes start at 10 a.m.

Whitehouse ISD

Closed Friday

White Oak ISD

Closed Thursday

Delayed start on Friday, classes begin at 10 a.m.

Wills Point ISD

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Winnsboro ISD

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Winona ISD

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Yantis ISD

Closed Thursday

Closed Friday

Check back with KETK News to see updates on what schools will be closed this week.

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 KETK.com | FOX51.com.
Every school district in north Georgia and metro Atlanta has canceled classes or moved to virtual learning on Friday ahead of a winter storm that will move through the area.

Severe Weather Team 2 Chief Meteorologist Brad Nitz says a winter storm warning is now in effect for nearly all of north Georgia until Saturday morning.

[SCHOOL CLOSINGS: Here is our full list of school and business closures]

Here is a list of the school districts and colleges in the Channel 2 Action News viewing area that updated their schedules for Friday.

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Note: This list will be updated as the districts announce their plans.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

VIRTUAL LEARNING

Atlanta Technical College - Virtual learning on Friday, January 10

Buford City Schools - Virtual learning on Friday, January 10

Carrollton City Schools - Virtual learning on Friday, January 10

Carroll County Schools - Virtual learning on Friday, January 10

Chattooga County Schools - Virtual learning on Friday, January 10

Clark Atlanta University - Virtual learning on Friday, January 10

Clayton State University - Virtual learning on Friday, January 10

Dawson County Schools - Virtual learning on Friday, January 10

DeKalb County Schools - Virtual learning on Friday, January 10

Douglas County Schools - Virtual learning on Friday, January 10

Fannin County Schools - Virtual learning on Friday, January 10

Forsyth County Schools - Virtual learning on Friday, January 10

Fulton County Schools - Virtual learning on Friday, January 10

Georgia Gwinnett College - Virtual learning on Friday, January 10

Georgia Highlands College - Virtual learning on Friday, January 10

Georgia Tech - Virtual learning on Friday, January 10

Gordon State College - Virtual learning on Friday, January 10

Griffin-Spalding County Schools - Virtual learning on Friday, January 10

Gwinnett County Schools - Virtual learning on Friday, January 10

Meriwether County Schools - Virtual learning on Friday, January 10

Morehouse College - Virtual learning on Friday, January 10

Morehouse School of Medicine - Virtual learning on Friday, January 10

Morgan County Schools - Virtual learning on Friday, January 10

Oglethorpe University - Virtual learning on Friday, January 10

Polk County Schools - Virtual learning on Friday, January 10

Rockdale County Schools - Independent learning on Friday, January 10

Spelman College - Virtual learning on Friday, January 10

Towns County Schools - Virtual learning on Friday, January 10

Union County Schools - Virtual learning on Friday, January 10

West Georgia Technical College - Closed on Friday, January 10

CLOSED

Atlanta Metropolitan State College - Closed on Friday, January 10

Atlanta Public Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Banks County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Barrow County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Bartow County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Bremen City Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Butts County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Calhoun City Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Cherokee County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Clarke County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Clayton County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Clay County, NC Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Cleburne County, Ala. Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Cobb County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Commerce City Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Coweta County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

City Schools of Decatur - Closed on Friday, January 10

Emory University - Closed on Friday, January 10

Fayette County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Floyd County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Gainesville City Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Georgia Northwestern Technical College - Closed on Friday, January 10

Gilmer County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Gordon County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Greene County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Gwinnett Technical College - Closed Friday and Saturday

Habersham County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Hall County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Haralson County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Heard County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Henry County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Jackson County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Jasper County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Jefferson City Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Kennesaw State University - Closed on Friday, January 10

Lamar County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Lumpkin County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Madison County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Marietta City Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Newton County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Oconee County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Oglethorpe County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Paulding County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Pickens County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Pike County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Putnam County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Rabun County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Randolph County, AL Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Rome City Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Social Circle City Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

St. Pius X Catholic High School - Closed on Friday, January 10

Thomaston-Upson County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Toccoa Falls College - Closed on Friday, January 10

Troup County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Truett McConnell University - Closed on Friday, January 10

University of Georgia - Classes canceled on Friday, January 10

Walton County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

White County Schools - Closed on Friday, January 10

Young Harris College - Closed on Friday, January 10

[INTERACTIVE: StormTracker 2HD Radar]

WEATHER ON THE WAY

System continues to trend colder with significant snowfall accumulation now likely north metro/mountains

A winter mix of freezing rain, sleet, and snow likely around I-20

Precipitation types will likely change multiple times during the storm

Farther south, expect a wintry mix to changeover to rain over far southern tier of counties

Temperatures will stay near freezing through the storm

Improving weather by Saturday afternoon.




VILNIUS (Reuters) - Lithuania said on Wednesday it has ramped up security around the country's electricity link with Poland ahead of a planned decoupling next month of the Baltic region's power systems from a Soviet-era grid shared with Russia and Belarus.

Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas said the government had asked police to guard the link to Poland following attempts to disrupt the planned decoupling.

"We see very clear and unambiguous attempts by opponents to disrupt this process. That is why we are taking steps to protect our infrastructure," Paluckas said in a statement.

(Reporting by Andrius Sytas, editing by Terje Solsvik)
As of Wednesday afternoon, the Santa Ana wind-fueled Palisades Fire in Los Angeles had scorched more than 11,000 acres and destroyed an estimated 1,000 structures, many of them homes, officials said.

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said a high number of people were injured, primarily for failing to evacuate.

Interactive 3D map shows Palisades Fire perimeter, evacuation zones

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This page offers a live view of the wildfire from Century City, several miles south and east of the Pacific Palisades neighborhood.

Watch live team coverage of the Palisades Fire, the Eaton Fire near Pasadena, and several other significant fires on the free KTLA+ app for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and Samsung Smart TVs.

Resources: LAFD Alerts | CALFIRE Incident Page | LAFD on X

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 KTLA.
For the sixth year, lawmakers are proposing a ban on selling all flavored tobacco products.

Weve seen how these companies have targeted people for decades, Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards said.

Washington tested this law in 2019 when the state temporarily banned flavored vape product sales for four months.

That came as a response to the rise in vaping-related lung injuries.

The Centers for Disease Control now reports four out of five kids ages 11-18 smoke flavored tobacco regularly.

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The prevalence of products.these industries are creating customers for life, Chris Reykdal, state superintendent said.

Advocates with Flavors Hook Kids say that addiction needs to be cut off.

However, there is a flip side, Torch Vape Shop owner Chris Ward said these are popular items that help adults quit smoking cigarettes.

Theres flavored stuff is probably about 90% of the stuff we sell, Ward said.

He said if the ban passes he would lose his business. Basically kill it there is no way we could maintain and keep going if that was to happen, Ward continued.

He tells us that lawmakers are being hypocritical by focusing on flavored tobacco.

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Theres horrible things in our foods, theres horrible things big companies put into the air but theyre going to single out this, it doesnt make any sense, Ward said.

Lawmakers tell us just because something is an accepted practice, doesnt mean it should stay that way.

I want to take this opportunity, environmental justice for them, Kristine Reeves, the representative for the 30th District said.

This years legislative session kicks off on January 13. Since this law has been revised many times in past years, it could be fast-tracked if lawmakers express interest.
LOS ANGELES (NEXSTAR)  Five people are dead, many have been hurt, and more than 1,000 structures have been destroyed by multiple massive wildfires tearing across the Los Angeles area, authorities said Wednesday.

Fire officials announced during a news conference just before 6 p.m. PDT that a new brushfire had started in Runyon Canyon in the Hollywood Hills. The fast-moving blaze prompted a mandatory evacuation order for a wide area of the historic Hollywood entertainment district.

Preliminary information from fire officials estimated the wildfire had charred at least 10 acres, burning between Runyon Canyon Park and Wattles Park.

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Three major fires  the Eaton Fire, the Palisades Fire, and the Hurst Fire  continue to burn from the Pacific Coast inland to Pasadena, home of the famed Rose Parade. Combined, the fires have consumed about 22 square miles  about half the size of the entire city of San Francisco.

While battling the Palisades Fire, crews struggled with poor water pressure and, in some cases no water, coming from fire hydrants that went dry due to high demand on the citys water infrastructure. It is unclear if firefighters are still dealing with the issue.

Thousands of firefighters have been attacking the flames, with the Los Angeles Fire Department calling for off-duty firefighters to help. Firefighters from Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, as well as Northern California, have also been called in to assist local teams battling the fires.

Photos: Multiple wildfires ravage Southern California

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The water-dropping aircraft, previously grounded by high winds, have returned to the skies as of midday Wednesday. The U.S. Department of Defense sent 10 Navy helicopters with water buckets as well, Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh confirmed.

None of us know where the next one is going to be, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said during a Wednesday morning press conference while encouraging residents to be vigilant as the fires spread rapidly.

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone confirmed that at least two civilians died in the Eaton Fire. He did not provide their causes of death. Authorities said two people have also been arrested for allegedly trying to loot abandoned homes in the area.

Heres what we know.

Thousands ordered to evacuate, millions without power

At least 70,000 residents were ordered to evacuate as the fires marched toward highly populated and affluent neighborhoods home to Californias rich and famous. Hollywood stars, including Mark Hamill, Mandy Moore and James Woods, were among those forced to flee.

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The home of Vice President Kamala Harris in Los Angeles was included in one of the evacuation zones, although no one was there, according to a spokesperson.

LA mayor Bass criticized for Africa trip during wildfires

Images of the devastation that emerged overnight showed luxurious homes that had collapsed in a whirlwind of flaming embers. The tops of palm trees whipped against a glowing red sky.

Photos: Massive wildfires devastate Los Angeles area

The Eaton Fire burns a residence Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) Residents of a senior center are evacuated as the Eaton Fire approaches Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire as it burns a structure in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) People flee from the advancing Palisades Fire, by car and on foot, in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent) A woman cries as the Palisades Fire advances in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent) Water is dropped on the advancing Palisades Fire by helicopter in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) Fire explodes out of a window of the Altadena Community Church, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in the downtown Altadena section of Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) Firefighters battle the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent) A firefighter is silhouetted in front of a burning structure as the Palisades Fire sweeps through in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent) The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) The Palisades Fire burns a Christmas tree inside a residence in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) A structure burns as the Eaton Fire sweeps through Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Nic Coury) A vehicle and other structures are burned as the Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) A wildfire-ravaged property is shown after the Palisades Fire swept through in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) Thick heavy smoke from wildfires shrouds downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel) A man walks in front of the burning Altadena Community Church, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in the downtown Altadena section of Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) Fire crews battle the Eaton Fire next to a fully engulfed residence, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)

As of late Wednesday morning, more than 2 million were without power in and around Southern California. Los Angeles County had the largest share of power outages by far, with 1.2 million customers impacted, KTLA reported, citing the California Office of Emergency Services.

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Some of those impacted were part of a Public Safety Power Shutoff, or PSPS, in which utilities cut power as a preventative measure when fire risk is high out of fear that downed power lines could spark new blazes.

Eaton Fire explodes to over 10,600 acres

Nexstars KTLA reported over 100 structures have burned in the Eaton Fire as flames destroyed homes, medical centers, daycares, gyms and more throughout Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning. KTLA crews captured homes going up in flames as the fire reached Pasadena late Wednesday morning.

The Eaton Fire is continuing to spread rapidly and has scorched 10,600 acres, according to CalFire. No containment has been reached and a cause has not been identified.

Eaton Fire: Fast-moving wildfire destroys homes near Altadena

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Flames that broke out Tuesday evening near a nature preserve in the foothills northeast of LA spread so rapidly that staff at a senior living center had to push dozens of residents in wheelchairs and hospital beds down the street to a parking lot. Residents  one as old as 102  waited in their bedclothes as embers fell around them until ambulances, buses and construction vans arrived to take them to safety.

Pacific Palisades fire becomes most destructive in citys history

Another blaze that started hours earlier ripped through the citys Pacific Palisades neighborhood, a hillside area along the coast dotted with celebrity homes. The Palisades Fire has burned more than 15,800 acres as of Wednesday afternoon and remains 0% contained.

During a Wednesday morning press conference, Marrone said an estimated 1,000 structures had been lost in the Palisades Fire. He also confirmed a high number of people who didnt evacuate suffered serious injuries.

With flames still growing, the Palisades Fire is now considered more destructive than the 2008 Sayre Fire, according to statistics kept by the Wildfire Alliance, a partnership between the citys fire department and MySafe:LA. That blaze destroyed 604 structures  including homes and other buildings  in Sylmar, the northernmost suburb of the city.

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WATCH: Live camera shows the destructive Palisades Fire in Los Angeles

The Palisades Fire is also expected to be among the most expensive ever, if not the most expensive. Citing estimates from AccuWeather, KTLA reports the fire could cause between $52 billion and $57 billion, driven in part by Pacific Palisades being home to some of the most expensive real estate in the country.

For reference, the catastrophic Camp Fire in 2018 racked up a record $16.5 billion in damage.

The fire burned down Temescal Canyon, a popular hiking area surrounded by dense neighborhoods of multimillion-dollar homes. Flames jumped the famous Sunset Boulevard and burned parts of the Palisades Charter High School, which has been featured in many Hollywood productions, including the 1976 horror movie Carrie, the 2003 remake of Freaky Friday and the TV series Teen Wolf.

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In the race to get to safety on Tuesday, roadways became impassable when scores of people abandoned their vehicles and fled on foot, some toting suitcases.

A traffic jam on Palisades Drive prevented emergency vehicles from getting through, and a bulldozer was brought in to push the abandoned cars to the side and create a path.

Several people in Malibu were treated for burns, and a firefighter had a serious head injury, according to Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Erik Scott.

Separate smaller fires also burning

The Hurst Fire was the third to start Tuesday evening, quickly prompting evacuations in Sylmar, a San Fernando Valley community thats the northernmost neighborhood in Los Angeles.

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Evacuations ordered for Hurst Fire as more fires erupt in Southern California

A fourth fire, the Tyler Fire, was reported early Wednesday in Coachella, in Riverside County. The causes were under investigation and, at last update, it was 50% contained.

Another fire, the Woodley Fire, also broke out on Wednesday. Located in the Sepulveda Basin, it quickly grew to 75 acres, KTLA reported.

Santa Ana winds fueling flames

Flames were being pushed by Santa Ana winds topping 60 mph in some places Tuesday, and increasing to 80 mph by early Wednesday, according to reports received by the National Weather Service. They could top 100 mph in mountains and foothills.

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This will likely be the most destructive windstorm seen (since a) 2011 windstorm that did extensive damage to Pasadena and nearby foothills of the San Gabriel Valley, the weather service said in a red-flag warning early Wednesday.

Californias wildfire season typically begins in June or July and runs through October, according to the Western Fire Chiefs Association, but January wildfires are not unprecedented. There was one in 2022 and 10 in 2021, according to CalFire.

The season is beginning earlier and ending later due to rising temperatures and decreased rainfall tied to climate change, according to recent data. Rains that usually end fire season are often delayed, meaning fires can burn through the winter months, the association said.

Recent dry winds, including the notorious Santa Anas, have contributed to warmer-than-average temperatures in Southern California, where theres been very little rain so far this season. Southern California hasnt seen more than 0.1 inches of rain since early May.

Newsom posted on X early Wednesday that California had deployed more than 1,400 firefighting personnel to combat the blazes. Emergency officials, firefighters and first responders are all hands on deck through the night to do everything possible to protect lives, Newsom said.

President Joe Biden canceled plans to travel to inland Riverside County, where he was to announce the establishment of two new national monuments. He remained in Los Angeles, where smoke was visible from his hotel, and was briefed on the wildfires.

Biden and Newsom were briefed on the situation by officials late Wednesday morning.

Longtime Palisades resident Will Adams said embers flew into his wifes car as she tried to evacuate, so she jumped out and ran toward the ocean to get out of danger.

It is crazy, its everywhere, in all the nooks and crannies of the Palisades. One homes safe, the other ones up in flames, he said.

Biden has formally signed off on a federal disaster declaration

The White House says the declaration allows for federal funding to be made available to impacted individuals in Los Angeles County for temporary housing and home repairs as well as low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs aimed at helping individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App.

The Associated Press and Nexstars Alix Martichoux contributed to this report.

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 The Hill.
President-elect Trump arrived late Wednesday afternoon at the Capitol, along with former first lady Melania Trump. Both stopped in the Rotunda to pay their respects to former President Carter, who is lying in state.

Trump is set to meet with Senate Republicans at the invitation of the chambers leadership. Theyre expected to discuss the agenda for his term, which starts in 12 days.

Meanwhile, Democrats have been piling criticism on Trumps ideas about Greenland, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Wednesday describing it as an obsession.

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What about the November presidential election had anything to do with invading Greenland or seizing it by force? Im confused by the obsession around these comments, Jeffries said at a news conference.

Trump, taking media questions at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday, reiterated Americas need to take over Greenland for strategic purposes, even suggesting military action. He paired that notion wiht a suggestion that Canada and the U.S. merge. Heres what to know about that.

Make sure to follow along below for todays updates at the Capitol and beyond.

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 The Hill.
Southern California finally received some much-needed rain this week after weeks of historically dry, windy weather fueled this month's deadly wildfire outbreak  but with it came the threat of landslides, mudslides and toxic ash runoff in burn areas.

According to the National Weather Service, more than an inch of rain fell in parts of Los Angeles over a three-day span, triggering flash flood watches and warnings. Some debris flows were reported along the Pacific Coast Highway, and snow in the surrounding mountains briefly shut down Interstate 5.

But the wet weather was also a boon to firefighters who continue to battle four active wildfires that have scorched more than 57,000 acres. The three biggest  the Palisades, Eaton and Hughes fires  are each more than 95% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The Border 2 Fire, which erupted in the Otay Mountain Wilderness area east of Chula Vista late last week, is now 90% contained.

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Meanwhile, California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Monday reiterating that people who are rebuilding their homes are not subject to environmental permit requirements laid out in the California Coastal Act.

As the state helps the Los Angeles area rebuild and recover, we will continue to remove barriers and red tape that stand in the way," Newsom said.
It says an awful lot about the state of the world that each episode of 25 Years of the 21st Century (Radio 4, Mon-Fri) ends with host Matthew Syed imploring his guests to find something positive to say. Syed begins the series in the guise of a polite, confused old duffer  Im a tad mystified by the state of the world  but his exploration of the first quarter of the 21st-century is scary. At times its like being at a Black Mirror ideas meeting (Autonomous weapons systems? Yes, we should be worried about those. Swarms of drones? Terrifying, actually. Elon Musk? All bets are off).

At the end of Mondays opening episode on modern warfare, the positives from the assembled experts were these: historian Margaret MacMillan, Hopefully well come to terms with our own mortality as a species; former Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Nick Carter, Humans can adapt, which suggested we might soon be eating our pets; and Professor Anthony King, an expert in war studies, Im not optimistic. Well neither am I now, Anthony, thanks a lot.

At the start of the century, so goes Syeds thesis, we were full of optimism in the West. Democracy had triumphed, history had ended, stability and certainty ruled the day. Then came 9/11, Afghanistan and Iraq, social media, economic crashes, AI, Covid and cryptocurrency. Iraq destroyed the Wests moral authority, technological sophistication made us less rational and misinformation seeped into our everyday lives. The panel ran the rule over AI weapons, Musk and the urbanisation of warfare, but none could rise above gloomy. Im scared stiff by what Nick and Anthony have said, said MacMillan. You and me both, Margaret.

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Episode two, on Mistrust, found reasons to be (slightly) cheerful. When Syed pointed out the madness of getting into strangers cars (Uber) and letting strangers into our homes (Airbnb), MacMillan countered that we used to hitchhike and, in the war, we took in refugees. Technology has changed, but humans havent, was the consensus, and presuming our robot overlords havent bombed us off the face of the planet, trust and community can be restored. Weve allowed technology to overtake us, but well catch up (if those robots let us).

The series is slightly maddening in that it attempts to squash so many huge ideas into five half-hours, and theres a lot of, Anthony, could you sum up the effect of the private sector on modern warfare in about 20 seconds?, but I appreciate Syeds attempt to wrestle the octopus.

Naomi Alderman host of Human Intelligence - Annabel Moeller

Also tackling Big Ideas and the number 25 this week is writer Naomi Alderman, who has begun her 25-part series Human Intelligence (Radio 4, Mon-Fri), which looks at some of the greatest minds in human history and interrogates how they did their thinking. Week one examines the Disruptors  Socrates, George Washington, Mary Wollstonecraft, Martin Luther and Malcolm X.

The 15-minute episodes, made with the Open University, are a bit like a Newsround version of In Our Time, with the zippy format forcing Alderman to be a little reductive. Socrates, for instance, was made to sound like a Russell Brand-esque figure, who revelled in disrupting the establishment (he was also described as annoying). Wollstonecraft was the first modern woman.

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However, the more I listened the more I warmed to Aldermans insistence that each episode has one big takeaway  Socrates begged us to think more, Washington essentially invented the peaceful transition of political power, Wollstonecraft was the prototype feminist, and so on. In Our Time is peerless, but I have to listen to episodes more than once to truly retain the information. Aldermans series might treat the Big Ideas lightly, but you end up better informed.

Which is something that can also be said for the fitfully entertaining What? Seriously?? (Radio 4, Friday), in which Dara O Briain and Isy Suttie listen to extraordinary tales and muse on what they might hear next. Despite a title that brought to mind The Fast Shows Thats Amazing!, this new series came across as a gently whimsical mix of The Infinite Monkey Cage and The Life Scientific, because its first guest was British astronaut Helen Sharman.

The promise of strange-but-true stories deflated like a three-day-old party balloon, as Sharman merely trotted through the history of space exploration, which meant that O Briain and Suttie had to dream up tangents about tortoises going round the moon or chickens being afraid of heights. I did learn, however, that Nasa wouldnt have been able to get the Apollo missions off the ground without the humble seamstresses of the International Latex Corporation. A tiny sliver to restore your faith in humanity.

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US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has departed for Germany to attend the 25th meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group at the Ramstein Air Base, which is his last one before the end of the Biden administration. Austin has shared a video showing his preparations.

Source: Austin on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

Details: Austin noted that this would be his final visit to Ramstein Air Base as the US secretary of defense, as Donald Trump's inauguration is in less than two weeks.

Wheels up from Joint Base Andrews for my last trip to Ramstein Air Base as Secretary of Defense. Im headed to Germany to host the 25th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a historic coalition that has come together to help Ukraine defend its sovereign territory. pic.twitter.com/mrfOM2Qmid  Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) January 8, 2025

Quote: "Im headed to Germany to host the 25th meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, a historic coalition that has come together to help Ukraine defend its sovereign territory."

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Background:

The meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group is scheduled for 9 January, the same day the Biden administration plans to announce its final military aid package for Ukraine.

The Ramstein format was established in 2022 to coordinate military support for Ukraine under Washington's auspices. It brings together more than 50 countries, the vast majority of which are NATO members.

Amid Donald Trump's intentions to "quickly end the war", Western allies have been preparing for scenarios in which US support for Ukraine might diminish.

Ukraines Defence Minister Rustem Umierov expressed hope that the Contact Group format for supporting Ukraine would continue under Trump's presidency.

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PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB)  While todays younger generations are fluent in social media, they may be unaware of the dangers online.

Bay District Schools is partnering with the Panama City Beach Police Department to warn parents and students about online predators.

You dont hear the suspicious little van cruising around the neighborhoods, checking out kids at the bus stop. That really dont happen too much anymore, its all digital now. These people lying in on the technology, on these cell phones. You need to sit down and have those real frank, and sometimes very difficult conversations with your child explain to them the dangers, Panama City Beach Police Lt. Tommy Anderson said.

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Bay County commission launches new county app

A device nowadays is a whole computer given to a child. And if they have 24/7 unfiltered access to that, theyre going to make bad decisions because theyre kids and theyre going to experiment and theyre going to listen to their friends and see whats out there, Bay District Schools Director of Communications Sharon Michalik said.

Beach police and Bay District schools will be hosting free Parents against Predators workshops around the county.

The workshops will equip attendees with the tools to protect kids from online predators and teach them how to make smart decisions online.

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Panama City Beach Police Chief J.R. Talamantez will be teaching parents how easy it is for online predators to reach kids and ways to promote safety.

Officials say there are ways to recognize potential warning signs before its too late.

We talked to parents about kids just kind of withdrawing if they notice a change in their childs behavior or grades if they notice a change in their childs interaction within the family. We as a school system also encourage parents to regularly check their childrens devices to see who theyre texting and what theyre texting, Michalik said.

Security consultant denied profiteering in defamation case against CNN

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The first workshop is on January 14th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at Bay High School.

The Central Panhandle Association of Realtors will be providing a free pasta dinner for parents and guardians in attendance.

For more details, click here.

Workshops will also be held at Arnold High School in February and at A. Crawford Mosley High School in May. As the dates approach, more information will be released.

Parents of students of all ages, in private, public, or home schools are encouraged to attend.

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 mypanhandle.com.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  While many remember former president Jimmy Carter for his energy policies or work in human rights, one local business is remembering his impact on something else: Beer.

This weekend, Narragansett Brewing Company in Providence will have a new beer on tap to honor the late president.

Company President Mark Hellendrung says the new beer will combine their award-winning Porter, with natural peanut butter flavoring, a nod to the first peanut farmer turned president.

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People remember a lot of things about Jimmy Carter, Hellendrung said. But maybe its the little things that you get remembered for.

In October 1978, Carter signed a bill that contained an amendment that effectively legalized home brewing in the United States.

Hellendrung says that bill planted the seed of what would become a craft beer revolution.

Back then, in the 70s, there were probably only 100 breweries in the country, Hellendrung told 12 News. You look at it today and there are over 9,000 breweries in America.

Narragansett Brewing Company has reaped the benefits of the passage of that bill, according to Hellendrung. He said locals and people from across the country come in to try their craft beers on tap.

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Hellendrung urges brewers everywhere to raise a glass to the 39th President of the United States.

Thats the role of government, presidents, is really to just provide the framework for innovation, entrepreneurship, and just growth and he certainly planted those seeds, Hellendrung said.

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NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)  A surge in post-holiday respiratory illnesses has led to long waits in local emergency departments.

A patient leaving Sentara Norfolk General Tuesday afternoon described an ugly scene inside Sentara Norfolk Generals ED.

Its busy and everybody [is] throwin up, spittin up with colds. Its terrible, Doreen White said. [Theyre] in the hallway and out in the hallway on the outside  people everywhere.

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Sentara spokesperson Dale Gauding confirmed that its not just happening at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. Many of its emergency departments are at capacity and some admissions are being delayed.

Its the same at Chesapeake Regional Hospital, while Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center in Portsmouth and Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News are also seeing an increase in patients with respiratory illnesses.

The Virginia Department of Healths respiratory dashboard shows COVID-19, flu and RSV activity to be high in the state and the Eastern Region, which includes all of Hampton Roads.

The influx of illnesses, on top of typical injuries and illnesses seen in an emergency department, are only exacerbated by the doctor shortage, which has many using emergency rooms for primary care.

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Gauding said that, to ensure patients with the greatest needs are treated promptly, those with flu-like symptoms should assess whether an urgent care or family provider are more appropriate.

If you have a cough, runny nose and low-grade fever, you should stay home and avoid the urgent care and emergency department.

If you cant breathe, have a high fever, chest pain, or your symptoms are getting worse after a few days, then see a doctor.

Sentara has a checklist that can help you make the right call for your health.

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 WAVY.com.
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  There are many events scheduled in the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The civil rights leader is remembered each year with a federal holiday observed on the third Monday of January. This years holiday falls on Monday, Jan. 20.

Here is a running list of local events celebrating MLK Jr. over the next few weeks.

Savannah

The Citywide Memorial Worship Service is set for Sunday, Jan. 19, at St. Phillip Monumental African Methodist Episcopal Church.

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Savannahs 44th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Observance Day parade is slated for Monday, Jan. 20, downtown. Visit here for a closer look at the parade route.

Starting at 10 a.m., WSAV will broadcast the parade live on our CW channel and stream it on our website.

There will also be a Jazz Concert held at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Troup Square on Monday, Jan. 20, at 2 p.m.

Feed the Hungrys 16th annual MLK Community Dinner: A Recommitment to Service will be held at 2 p.m. right after the parade on Monday, Jan. 20, at the Frank Callen Boys & Girls Club (510 E. Charlton St.). For more information, call 912-436-7380.

Bluffton

The Bluffton MLK Observance Committee will host the 40th annual MLK Banquet on Friday, Jan. 17, at 5:30 p.m. at the Rotary Community Center in Oscar Frazier Park. This years theme is Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence.

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Tickets are $35 per person and $300 per table (8 seats at a table). For ticket information, contact blufftonmlk@yahoo.com or 843-338-3533.

The Memorial Program, March and Unity Picnic is set for Monday, Jan. 20, at the May River Theatre in Bluffton Town Hall (20 Bridge St.). After the program featuring local youth groups, commentary from local leaders and a visual presentation, the MLK parade will begin on Pritchard Street and end at Bluffton Oyster Factory Park.

Residents are encouraged to stay at the park for a community celebration, fire pit, music and free food. Everyone is encouraged to bring empty backpacks, snacks, non-perishables and school supplies to help with the committees initiative to aid the nonprofit Backpack Buddies, which assists local students with school supplies.

Bulloch County

The Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Organizing Committee of the Bulloch County NAACP has planned to hold the King Holiday Celebration Parade at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18, leaving MLK Day itself to be a Day of Service.

Glennville

The Committee for Social Change in Glennville will present the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. parade and celebration on Saturday, Jan. 18, at 10 a.m. The theme is Wake Up, Rise Up and Live!

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The parade will proceed down Highway 301 from S Banks Street to Hencart, then turn left onto Hencart, right onto MLK Drive and end at the First African Baptist Church. The ceremony will follow the parade.

The committees annual Scholarship Banquet is slated for Saturday, Jan. 25, at 6 p.m. at Faith Zone (728 W Barnard St.) with guest speaker TiChina Mack. Tickets are $40 and must be purchased in advance.

Metter

The annual Prayer Breakfast at the Pond House is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 11, starting at 9 a.m.

The Observance Day Program is set for Sunday, Jan. 19, starting at 3 p.m. at St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church.

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The following day, on Monday, Jan. 20, the MLK parade will begin at 2 p.m. The parade begins at the Metter Police Department and travels down MLK Jr. Boulevard and through downtown Metter.

Tybee Island

The Tybee MLK Human Rights Organization will host a free film and discussion on King in the Wilderness at the Tybee Post Theater at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 12. Admission is free but you can reserve a ticket at tybeeposttheater.org.

Tybee Beach Clean will host a beach clean-up from 4 to 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 20, at 1509 Strand Ave. near the Tybee Pier. All equipment will be provided.

There will not be an MLK Jr. parade on Tybee this year, officials told News 3.

Wayne County

The Wayne County Martin Luther King Jr. Observance Day Committee will host the annual MLK Day parade on Saturday, Jan. 18, at 1 p.m. This years theme is Representing Unity.

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The NAACP will host its annual Unity program on Sunday, Jan. 19, at 6 p.m. at Bennett Union Missionary Baptist Church.

The Youth Council of the Wayne County NAACP will host their annual MLK Day Breakfast the following day on Monday, Jan. 20, at 9 a.m. at Bennett Union Missionary Baptist Churchs Social Hall.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
AUGUSTA, Ga (WJBF)- Next week, the Georgia legislative session will begin and local lawmakers are busy preparing. NewsChannel 6 talked to Senator Harold Jones of Richmond County and representative Gary Richardson of Columbia County about their goals going in.

Both lawmakers said they have a lot they would like to see happen in the upcoming legislative session, for both the state and for the CSRA.

Senator Jones said that from a statewide perspective, he wants to try and lower child care expenses in Georgia. He believes they are too high and that people cant afford to work because they cant afford child care.

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Senator Jones also said hes been an advocate for health care expansion in Georgia for years, especially in rural areas.

Were looking at doing Medicaid expansion. That would be one of the big issues that were looking at. Last year was the first year in the Senate, actually either House, that a vote on Medicaid expansion actually took place. And it did take place in regulated industries. Unfortunately, came one vote short, but we were very encouraged by that because the fact that only one vote short means we actually had Republican support, Senator Jones explained.

Locally, he is planning to push for funding for a new research building at Wellstar MCG. Representative Richardson agrees.

Cell phone use ban for South Carolina students set to begin

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From a local perspective, one of our big lifts, we trying to deal with, making sure MCG can get their new research center. That would be one of our big issues that we have, said Senator Jones.

The research building down there is aging out. Its, you know, theres leaks and there iswhen its hot, its hot. When its cold, its cold, said Representative Richardson.

Representative Richardson is heading into his first legislative session in office and he tells me he is looking forward to learning more about the process.

He said theres a lot he wants to accomplish with this District 125 seat.

His goals include bringing more industry and jobs to Columbia County, improving school safety, and creating a state retirement plan .

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Richardson also wants to see funding for a crime lab in the CSRA.

Having to send bodies or evidence or different things to Atlanta to get them analyzed. And it just, it takes a long time. Itspeople that have lost loved ones. It leaves them kind of in a neutral zone. They cant move forward, he said.

The legislative session in Georgia begins on January 13th.

Photojournalist: Dania Alawir.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Tuesday local leaders issued a proclamation, recognizing National Mentoring Month in January, while also highlighting a need for more mentors within the community. The idea is to honor local mentoring programs and organizations helping city youth.

Rochester rolls out the red carpet for young hopefuls with mentor program

Rochester Mayor Malik Evans and County Executive Adam Bello were joined by various organizations, including the Monroe County/Rochester Youth Bureau, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Rochester and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Rochester.

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Tuesday, officials talked about the importance of shining a light on what it means to be a mentor and helping to steer kids down the right path.

What happens is, when you take young people and you work with them, they often dont convey or are able to tell you the difference that youre making in that moment. But when you know what you know about mentoring, you know over time it doesnt matter, said Tony Jordan, the executive director of the Monroe County/Rochester Youth Bureau.

Spotted Octopus Brewing Company looks to open in Rochesters Neighborhood of Play

Jordan emphasized that a good mentor could help make all the difference in the community.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.
When a president of the United States calls you his friend, thats pretty special. Former President Jimmy Carter used that term to describe former WRBL news director and anchor Dick McMichael. Dick is a 94-year old news icon in the Columbus TV market. His newscasts dominated the ratings while he was on the anchor desk at both WRBL and WTVM.

Over the past week Dick has been watching the news coverage of the death of President Carter. He recalls the first time he saw him in person. Carter was running for the state senate and gave an address at the Rylander Theater in Americus.

Dick recalls, All of a sudden everybody turns around and looks and he comes comes walking down the aisle, and bam, right off the bat I said that guy has got charisma. Then I saw that hair. He had hair that made me think of (President) Kennedy. And he was dressed in an expensive suit and everything, and I said hes going somewhere!

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That was the beginning of a professional relationship between Carter the politician and McMichael the reporter.

Dick said, I was interviewing him on the set at WRBL and we had a private conversation. And he said weve been watching you for quite some time.

Dick explained that as a reporter youre not supposed to get too close to a subject. And so I always try to observe that to a degree. I was friendly with him. He was friendly with me. But the real friendship started when I retired because then I didnt have to be reserved in any way. It could just be me and Jimmy Carter. It always really kind of thrilled me when we would be together and he would call me his friend. And he definitely was my friend.

Dick has written confirmation of that friendship. When he retired from the anchor desk in 2000, President Carter sent him a congratulatory letter.

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On several occasions Dick drove down to Plains to hear President Carter teach Sunday School. He stayed for a picture afterwards and was trying to follow protocol. As each person went by, they didnt try to talk to him. They didnt try to shake his hand. And when I got to him I was going to do the same thing. And he said, oh, my old friend, and held out his hand and we shook hands. That was very special. I was probably the only person there that day that he spoke to personally and shook my hand. Wow! Thats something Ill remember the rest of my life.

When Dick first got word of President Carters passing, these were his first thoughts

That I had been in touch with true greatness, greatness in the most positive way. A very compassionate man who left this world a little bit in a better place because he was in it, because of the message that he spread to the world. You care about your fellowman. You care about the world. You care about the climate. And he did all of that. Some people to this day dont like him I guess for political reasons. But I think they are few and far between. I think even a lot of people that might have voted against him at this point admire him because of the person that he was.

Longtime Carter friend says Thursdays Maranatha service will be Plains farewell to the president

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
Many of the Miami Valleys school districts have canceled classes every day so far this week because of snow and with bitter cold expected on Thursday, we asked districts about how they make the decision to close or delay.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

As shown on News Center 7 at 5:00, Beavercreek Superintendent Paul Otten said hes checking the conditions every morning and is not only in contact with other Greene County superintendents but also some in Montgomery County as well.

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At the end of the day, at 5:30, we have to make a decision, Otten said. And if the decision is. This is whats going to be the safest for our kids and our staff, were going to do it every time.

Beavercreek students had a snow day on Tuesday and a two-hour delay on Wednesday. The time off adds us fast and the district only has so much to give.

You cannot drop below the state minimum, Otten explained. So if you drop below the state minimum, you have to make those up.

Ohio requires about 1,000 of classroom time throughout the course of the school year. Beavercreek builds in nearly 100 hours on top of that state mandate.

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We do not want to give up those 100 hours, so what we want to do is, well go seven days and then make a decision, he said.

This means either the days off now, will be added to the end of the school year or students may learn from home.

We see a big storm coming in and its got ice and we know thats going to put us out, he said. Our teachers can prepare our kids for remote learning.

Otten said hes keeping an eye on Fridays forecast. If the snow rolls through, students may have a shortened school day.

We have, at times, sent kids home early on a day because snow has rolled in, start hitting hard at 9:00, he said.

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Otten said hes also looking at the wind chill over the next few days. He told News Center 7s Mason Fletcher that it could be a reason to delay, but the only way they would cancel school is if enough buses dont start.

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ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO)  Although the Rockford region has seen its share of violent crime, few have been as terrifying as the ones that occurred in January 1981, when a man named Raymond Lee Stewart went on a week-long rampage, leaving bodies in his wake in two stateline communities.

The topic of conversation for most Rockford residents on Jan. 27, 1981, was the weather. Temperatures had recently topped 50 degrees and were currently inching toward 40.

Dixon native Ronald Regan had only been in the White House for a week, and the last thing on anyones mind was murder. But, at around 1 p.m., two men were shot execution style at a west Rockford grocery store.

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It was extremely scary because we didnt know what was going on, said Rockford resident Kathy Stemm, who was 19 at the time. Then they even started closing stores that were open 24 hours a day.

Police had no idea at time that the man who killed 54-year-old Willie Fredd and his nephew, 20-year-old Albert Pearson, inside Fredds Groceries on West State Street was 29-year-old Raymond Lee Stewart, someone theyd get to know very well over the next several months.

When somebody does something for absolutely no reason at all, and shows no remorse, no anything, it [is] very scary, Stemm said. The whole community was frightened.

After killing Fredd and Pearson, Stewart, a native of North Carolina, shot and killed two more people, 17-year-old Kevin Kaiser, and 35-year-old Kenny Foust. He had no ties to either man.

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I had just moved [to Rockford] from a small town so this was scary to me, Stemm said, adding that she remembers feeling unsafe everywhere she went. It was pretty scary at the time to go home, you know, watching over your shoulder. Wed just get out of our cars and run to our house.

The stateline was shaken even further from its foundation on Feb. 2, 1981, when Stewart crossed the state line to the RadioShack at the Beloit Mall and led 26-year-old Donald Rains and 21-year-old Richard Boeck to the back of the store and shot them in the head. Six murders in as many days.

It was within a few days of each other, said author, historian and folklorist Kathi Kresol. That is something. It wasnt like one then you are scared for a couple days and it settles down and then something else happens. It was just one right after the other.

Kresol says Stewarts rampage left an indelible mark on the greater Rockford area. Some of the buildings, like Fredds Groceries, are gone, but what happened in them will never be forgotten.

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He did these crimes in 81, was tried in 82, and they executed him 96, Kresol said. And we are still talking about him. Its 30 years almost. Its coming up on 29 years since hes been dead.

Stewart was arrested on Feb. 21, 1981, in Greensboro, North Carolina.

The region was just starting to heal in 1982 when Stewart unleashed more fear. During his trial, he escaped from the Winnebago County Jail and was on the run for nearly two hours. Most of downtown Rockford went on lockdown while police scoured the area. Stewart was found hiding in an oil bin after being shot and wounded by officers.

That was such a scary time not knowing where he was, Stemm said. Who was going to be his next victim?

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Stewart received two life sentences in Wisconsin and the death penalty in Illinois. He was executed by lethal injection on Sept. 18, 1996, at the Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill.

Days before he was executed, Stewart, who was Black, said in an audio recording that he committed the murders to avenge the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and President John F. Kennedy, two prominent figures killed by white gunmen in the 1960s.

I was there to get back at Caucasians for what they had done, Stewart said in the recording. The victims had not done anything to me. I want to apologize.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.
In 2022, just a year into her gig at Amazon Web Services in Washington, D.C., Madelyn Heldman came across an article about a new visa. Students who graduated from top-rated universities could move to the UK on a High Potential Individual visa, it read. I thought it was fake, she says.

It wasnt. Heldman did some research, and found that the HPI program was launched in May 2022 in an attempt to lure more Einsteins to the City, as Londons financial district is called, post-Brexit. Around the same time, the UK also launched a visa program for artificial intelligence researchers and removed its bonus cap for bankers, which previously set a bonus maximum of 200% of an employee's base salary. In August 2022, then-candidate for 10 Downing Street Rishi Sunak said that he hoped to make the UK "a beacon" for the best and the brightest.

The HPI visa is open to foreigners who have graduated within five years from 42 academically-rigorous universities around the world, including the University of Melbourne and China's Fudan University. (Plus, of course, the Ivies, except for Dartmouth and Brown). In most cases, the visa lasts two years. If you look at the list, it seems kind of random how they're selecting the top 50 universities in the world, Heldman says. But Barnard College, her alma mater, qualified. She applied for the visa, and began working for a London start-up within a matter of weeks.

janniswerner - Getty Images

In its first year, only 1,342 applicants were granted HPI visas. But lately, word has begun to spread amongst Euro-curious twenty-somethings armed with elite college degreesturning admissions directors at the Harvards, Yales, and Princetons of the world have into unwitting immigration officers for His Majesty's Government. We've really been seeing an increase in inquiries around this immigration route, particularly from U.S nationals, and assisting with more of those applications, says Jennifer Stevens, an executive at immigration advisory firm Laura Devine Immigration. It kind of remains quite U.S. college dominated.

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Still, it has remained fairly word of mouth. I think a lot more people would do it if it was more accessible, says Clara Crowley, a graduate of the HPI-approved University of Washington who received the visa in 2022. The universities don't advertise it or anything. I found it myself.

Allan Baxter - Getty Images

Since these visa holders dont need to hold a job to make the move, a free-spirited jet set has flocked to the City. I moved to Costa Rica right after graduating from Yale in 2021 and I always had London in the back of my mind, says Olivia Drubner, an American who now lives in London with the visa. I came over with just the determination to start a life here. Looking back, had this visa not existed, I'm not sure what I would've done.

Megan Moore, an American-born insurance underwriter who transferred to her London office on a similar visa, says she has noticed more people in her friend group moving to the UK of late. One of her friends, she says, had thought about moving to Switzerland, where she had family, but decided on the UK when she heard about the HPI Visa. "She was like, 'Why not do that? Moore says. "'If I like it, I can stay, get sponsorship with the company after that. And if I don't like it, I can go home."

Matt Nicholson, a managing director at recruiting firm Selby Jennings Europe, says the program has been a boost to the technology and hard sciences industries, both of which are experiencing global talent shortages. Still: The impact has been more on the junior end of the spectrum and obviously the list of universities that it's open to is pretty small, he says.

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Its likely the program will have experienced more interest in the aftermath of the election, when the number of Americans searching online for ways to immigrate to the UK increased 15-fold, according to VisaGuide.World. For some of those youngsters, describing the HPI visa may create a new version of Harvard students saying I went to college in Boston.

I think its a little bit awkward, like, Yeah I went to a top 50 school in the world, Crowley says. Ill make a joke about the high potential part because its kind of a silly, weird name.



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President Joe Biden and Gov. Tony Evers ordered flags to fly at half-staff in remembrance of former President Jimmy Carter, who died Dec. 29.

How long will flags remain at half-staff after Carter's death? Here's what to know:

Why are flags at half-staff today in Wisconsin?

Biden ordered flags to fly at half-staff until Jan. 28 in remembrance of former president Jimmy Carter, who died Dec. 29 at the age of 100.

"Former President Carter was a committed and dedicated advocate for peace, human rights, and treating others with dignity, decency, and respect  qualities that earned him respect and admiration from many across our country and around the world," wrote Gov. Tony Evers on X.

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Biden also appointed Jan. 9, 2025 as a National Day of Mourning throughout the U.S.

Carter was the 39th president of the U.S. from 1977 to 1981, and was the longest-living former American president in the nation's history.

How long will flags fly at half-staff in Wisconsin?

Flags will be a half-staff in Wisconsin and across the country for most of January. According to the White House news release, the American flag and Wisconsin state flag were ordered to fly at half-staff for 30 days following Carter's death.

The tradition dates back to 1954, when former President Dwight Eisenhower issued a proclamation that the flag should fly at half-staff for 30 days at all federal building, grounds and naval vessels in the U.S. and its territories after the death of the president or former president, according to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.

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President-elect Donald Trump lashed out earlier this month over the plans to fly flags at half-staff during his inauguration.

"The Democrats are all 'giddy' about our magnificent American Flag potentially being at 'half mast' during my Inauguration," Trump said in a post on Truth Social, incorrectly using the term that refers to flags being flown halfway up the mast on a ship, not a flag pole. "They think its so great, and are so happy about it because, in actuality, they dont love our Country, they only think about themselves."

What's the difference between half-staff and half-mast?

Flags are flown at half-mast on ships and at naval stations. However, on land, flags are flown at half-staff, where the flagpole is attached to a building or in the ground.

When do flags fly at half-staff?

Flags are usually flown at half-staff after national tragedies or deaths of government officials, military members or other first responders. Flags can also be at half-staff for Memorial Day or other national days of remembrance, according to Usa.gov.

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RELATED: Wisconsin's 5 most significant connections to the career of former President Jimmy Carter

USA TODAY contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: How long will flags fly at half-staff in Wisconsin?
First came the public pomp, in dying hours of winter daylight: a horse-drawn caisson bearing the flag-draped casket, dignitaries with bowed heads, the snow-muffled echo of a military honor guards precision footsteps.

But then, as night fell Tuesday on the nations capital, came the quieter tributes: ordinary people  first in the hundreds, swelling into the thousands  gathering in bitter cold outside the U.S. Capitol to pay their final respects to Jimmy Carter, the 39th American president, who died at 100 on Dec. 29.

There were elders leaning on canes in the slushy snow, children so bundled up their arms nearly stuck out straight from their sides, teenagers bouncing on their heels as much from sheer energy as an attempt to keep warm.

A horse-drawn caisson with the flag-draped casket of former President Carter arrives at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday. (Shawn Thew / Associated Press)

Lottie Sneed, 73, was among the first in line, queuing up outside black wire-mesh barriers before the public viewing hours began at 7 p.m. When civil rights heroine Rosa Parks lay in honor in the Capitol Rotunda in 2005, the Maryland woman waited all night to file past her casket.

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She was glad not to have to do that this time, she said, but the underlying sentiment was much the same: a show of respect.

You leave a footprint for your lifes work, she said. You cant always thank people at the time for their sacrifices, but you can do something to show that you saw, you noticed.

It was midnight when 17-year-old high-school student Josephine Flannery-Goodman neared the front of the line, mercifully an indoor affair at this stage, in the sprawling, statuary-filled Emancipation Hall below the Rotunda.

She and her architect father, David Goodman, came to the public viewing almost on impulse, bundling into their coats in mid-evening and driving across the river from Arlington, Va. Josephine was excited to experience a bit of history, she said.

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For her father, 57, the occasion carried a hint of premonition as a new president is soon to take office, remembering his boyhood days as a time when Carters modesty-inflected presidency gave way to a more bombastic national mood under his successor, Ronald Reagan.

After that, Goodman said, I always felt we were a very different country.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff pay their respects around the flag-draped casket of former President Carter. (Kent Nishimura / Associated Press)

For many, the serene communal ritual of arriving at the caskets resting place in the Rotunda offered a respite, if only for a few moments, from the anxiety of a complicated national moment, or the press of everyday concerns  or both.

Before entering the soaring chamber, people were asked to silence devices and refrain from photography. Chatter halted of its own accord. Onlookers involuntarily clasped their hands.

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Inside, an ethereal hush replaced the pinging and buzzing of text messages and news alerts. The only sound was the steady shushing of shoes and snow boots across the marble floor. The military members of the honor guard stood mannequin-still. Children raised their eyes skyward.

Jessica McClellan and her children show their respects to former President Carter in the Capitol on Wednesday. (Steve Helber / Associated Press)

Unlike at many such events, people were allowed to move at an unhurried pace, flowing in concentric circles around the casket set atop the same catafalque used in 1865 to hold Abraham Lincolns body.

Nearly everyone paused in their steps, some lingering for long moments. Some moved their lips in seeming prayer. Almost everyone looked pained and pensive.

With the wait beforehand, and then inside, there was a lot of time to think about why were here, said Elizabeth Wason, 40, of Washington, leaning quietly against a pillar after she emerged. Its a really frenetic world. This gave time to just stand and think.

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Ushers in red jackets thanked everyone for coming. They sounded as if they meant it.

Outside, the darkness deepened. Temperatures  already a chilly 25 degrees as the evening viewing began  ticked down a degree, then two. An occasional scything wind flapped the flags flying at half-staff. People stamped their feet, cradled hands in their armpits, swaddled their faces.

Here and there, a brilliant burst of color against the darkened sky: a fuchsia headscarf, a rainbow-striped puffer coat.

Long conversations drew in side-by-side strangers. People chatted about books and movies, snowfall tallies and recipes. But they also talked about the jarring transition between political eras, and the consolations of a long and honorable second act like the one Carter had.

Mourners enter the Capitol Rotunda for former President Carter's memorial on Tuesday. (John McDonnell / Associated Press)

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I keep thinking about one thing, that he was an honest person, said Neel Patel, 36, of New Jersey, who trained as a pharmacist. A person who did his best not to lie.

As the hour grew late, the moon, bearing a fuzzy halo, rose over the Capitol dome, reflecting off a pure, unbroken slope of snow. Everyone pulled out cellphones to take a picture.

Most people came away saying they were glad to have made the effort. Retired teacher Sally Goss lives in Ellicott City, Md.  an hours drive from Washington in good conditions, longer on wintry roads. But she and her husband, Tom, a retired attorney, had decided months ago that when the time came, they would make the trek.

As a young woman, I remember being very proud as a Southerner when he was elected, said Goss, 70, who grew up on a family farm in North Carolina. I respected him so much as a human being.

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While president, from 1977 to 1981, Carter was a self-described outsider in Washington, sometimes irked by the capitals stuffy ways. For a while, he famously forbade the playing of Hail to the Chief.

In time, the four decades of his post-presidency, filled with humanitarian works, won the admiration of many Americans. Randy Moffett, 61, a retired college professor transplanted to Washington from Carters native Georgia, gathered a seven-member group of family and friends to pay their respects in person to the late president.

Family members pay their respects as former President Carter lies in state at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday. (Kent Nishimura / Associated Press)

The way he decided to forgo making a lot of money after his presidency  he was just an exemplary public servant, Moffett said. Thats really something to admire.

Carters family, conscious of his place in history, acceded to a full measure of public honors  including the elaborately choreographed arrival of his casket at the Capitol, and the state funeral set for Thursday at the National Cathedral, with diplomats and dignitaries and former presidents in attendance.

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But first, there was another full day for anyone at all to come to the Rotunda. Early Wednesday morning, before the cold sky had fully lightened, the line was forming again.

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A Long Island police officer is fighting for his life after a high-speed pursuit resulted in a crash so serious that it took emergency services officers more than 30 minutes to remove him from his vehicle.

Officer Brendon Gallagher was executing a traffic stop on the Long Island Expressway early Sunday evening when a Ford Mustang flew by at about 100 mph, Robert Waring, Suffolk County acting police commissioner, told reporters Monday

Gallagher quickly returned to his vehicle and began following the westward-speeding car around Exit 55. The Mustangs driver, identified by police as 29-year-old Cody Fisher, allegedly tried to blend in with traffic, then tried to speed away when Gallagher activated his flashing lights and siren. Fisher allegedly lost control of his vehicle and sideswiped the pursuing officer while trying to make his getaway.

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Gallaghers SUV left the roadway, hit a tree and flipped. The Mustang careened into a light post.

The decorated officer  an Army veteran whos been with the police department for three years  was airlifted to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. Police told the Daily News Gallagher was in critical but stable condition Tuesday afternoon.

A fundraising page posted to the Suffolk County Police Departments social media accounts Tuesday said the badly injured officer suffered extensive blood loss and was on a ventilator in critical condition.

Waring said Gallaghers injuries were severe enough to where they would ordinarily be fatal.

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The fact that hes still here with us is nothing short of a miracle, the acting commissioner said.

Fisher was detained by an off-duty Nassau County police officer who was passing by when the incident occurred, according to PIX11. Fisher is accused of reckless driving and fleeing from law enforcement. Police said the suspect, who appeared to be under the influence of drugs at the time of his arrest, is already on probation for a weapons charge.

Fishers account of events and the extent of his own injuries are unclear. ABC News said he pleaded not guilty.

Monday marked the one-year anniversary of Gallaghers release from Stony Brook Hospital after being treated for serious stab wound he suffered while responding to a domestic dispute in Medford. He was honored with a Silver Shield Award following that attack.
A home rule charter is a written document that would transfer governing authority from state law to a local charter.

On Tuesday, a representative from the Department of Community and Economic Development gave a presentation to city council about what switching to a home rule charter would mean for the city, and what it would take to get to that point.

Judge rules Erie County Executives budget vetoes are illegal. What happens now?

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Cities in Pennsylvania such as erie have been failing for 50 years. This is an easy choice. Reading and Allentown both jumped out of third-class city right around the time they got out of their decline. I think Erie can get out of our decline. We just need the right policies, said Chuck Nelson, a member of Erie City Council.

Erie is currently a third-class city under state law, which means the state can set certain limits as to how much the Erie government can tax among other requirements.

Under a home rule charter, Nelson said they can change some of those limits around so the city doesnt have to keep increasing property taxes.

But implementing a home rule charter is still a long way away.

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First, city council has to vote to put a question on the ballot asking voters if they want a government study commission to look into a home rule charter, and who they want to elect on that commission.

But if the voters decide against the commission or there arent enough people running to be on the commission, the question cant go back on the ballot for another five years.

Now one of the big questions Tuesday at the study session on State Street was whether or not to put the home rule charter on the ballot in May or November. Some council members think they could benefit from having a little more time, but others said its essential to get this on the ballot as soon as possible.

I guess its a good idea. I just dont like the idea of reinventing the entire wheel. I mean, we have problems. We have no way to help the folks on fixed incomes and maybe give them a break on their taxes, real estate taxes, things like that. Home rule charter could possibly do that, said Ed Brzezinski, a member of Erie City Council.

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For now, all council can do is vote to get the referendum on the ballot and look for people interested in being on the study commission.

This is really a call for all policy nerds. If youre someone, I dont care, Democrat, Republican, or Independent. If you like policy, start thinking about running for this. This is a great opportunity to rewrite the very structure and charter of our city so that we can turn this city around a move forward, said Nelson.

City council will have the first reading of the home rule charter referendum at Wednesdays 9 a.m. meeting.

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POLK COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA)  One of the oldest citrus producers in the state is shutting down. It comes as another blow to the already struggling industry.

Alico, a major supplier for Tropicana said they wont invest more money on citrus operations in Florida after the current crop is harvested in 2025.

The decision is a result of multiple environmental factors including citrus greening and hurricanes.

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According to leaders of the company, their citrus production is down 73% over the last 10 years. Now, theyre looking to create more profitable opportunities.

In a statement posted online, Alicos President and Chief Executive Officer John Kiernan said: For over a century, Alico has been proud to be one of Floridas leading citrus producers and a dedicated steward of its agricultural land, but we must now reluctantly adapt to changing environmental and economic realities. Our citrus production has declined approximately 73% over the last ten years, despite significant investments in land, trees and citrus disease treatments, and the current harvest will likely be lower in volume than the previous season.

The impact of Hurricanes Irma in 2017, Ian in 2022 and Milton in 2024 on our trees, already weakened from years of citrus greening disease, has led Alico to conclude that growing citrus is no longer economically viable for us in Florida.

This difficult decision is expected to provide Alico with a more stable future while maintaining our deep roots in agriculture by meaningfully reducing our working capital requirements for annual citrus production, reducing financial volatility and allowing the Company to focus on profitable non-citrus agricultural opportunities and entitlement work to achieve the HBU for all properties in our real estate portfolio.

Floridas citrus yields have declined greatly in the past four years. In 2021, the state produced more than 41 million boxes of oranges. The following year less than 16 million boxes were produced due in part to Hurricane Ian.

Farmers have still not recovered, and Hurricane Milton worsened the situation.

Latest projections estimate only 12 million boxes of oranges for the current season.

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BLAIR COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ)  2025 has just kicked off but Central Pennsylvania is already seeing candidacy announcements from those eager to serve.

In Blair County, Mike Routch and Paula Aigner have both announced that theyre running for Blair County judge.

Mike Routch

Routch is a county attorney who narrowly lost a bid to serve previously. He most recently served as a representative to the PA Republican State Committee and a Vice Chair of the Blair County Republican Committee.

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I have represented individuals and businesses in the state and administrative courts most of my career, Routch said. My extensive court experience and work ethic will enable me to help reduce the current backlog of cases caused in part by the tragic loss of Judge Fred Miller.

Routch previously was a partner in the Hollidaysburg Firm of Evey, Routch, Black, Dorezas, Magee & Levine, and is currently an attorney in the Altoona Office of Quatrini Law Group. He is married, with two adult daughters, and lives in Duncansville.

Paula Aigner

Aigner was appointed as a Magisterial District Judge in 2004 and has been re-elected four times. Her legal career began as a prosecutor in the Blair County District Attorneys Office working for former Blair County District Attorney Bill Haberstroh. Following that she went into private practice and focused on family law.

Paula Aigner campaign headshots on Nov. 16, 2024 in Altoona, PA. (Ed Rieker for The Paula Aigner campaign 2025)

I want to continue serving the people of Blair County by putting my experience to work every day to protect the families of Blair County and to defend our rights and liberties, Aigner said. Ultimately, I believe that I am the candidate who has the temperament, knowledge of the law and procedure, and experience necessary to administer the law fairly and to help make Blair County a safer and more vibrant place to live, work and raise a family.

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Aigner is a Bishop Guilfoyle High School graduate and attended Villanova University and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. She lives in Frankstown Township with her husband and is the mother to three grown children.

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Both are running for open seats in the Blair County Court of Common Pleas.

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Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry, left, sits with Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill as Gov. Jeff Landry speaks on opening day of a legislative special session focusing on crime, Monday, February 19, 2024, at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge. (Hillary Schienuk/ The Advocate, Pool)

NEW ORLEANS  Attorneys representing Louisiana in a lawsuit against the state legislative redistricting plans passed in 2022 are arguing that a key piece of the Voting Rights Act is unconstitutional and should not be applied to the state.

The case could produce a bellwether decision that impacts Black voting strength in several states where similar challenges have arisen.

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Arguments were presented Tuesday to a three-judge panel of the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in the case Nairne v. Landry, in which Black voters are challenging the most recent legislative redistricting maps as unconstitutional racial gerrymanders.

Last February, U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick of the Middle District of Louisiana ruled that maps Louisiana lawmakers drew two years ago to update the boundaries of their own districts do not give Black voters a fair opportunity to elect their own representatives. Dicks ruling came after the 2023 elections, when a new class of lawmakers were elected, yielding a Republican supermajority in both chambers.

While Dicks ruling blocks legislative elections from being held in every district while the lawsuit plays out, plaintiffs in the case agreed to let special elections for two vacant Louisiana Senate seats go forward in February.

The state has appealed Dicks decision. Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibits voting laws or procedures that purposefully discriminate on the basis of race, color or membership in a language minority group.

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Conditions that originally justified those measures no longer apply to Louisiana, Deputy Solicitor General Morgan Brungard argued. We ask the court to reverse and hold Section 2 unconstitutional as it applies to Louisiana.

Brungard argued that Black voter turnout in Louisiana is sufficiently high enough that Section 2 is no longer necessary.

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The three 5th Circuit judges presiding are James Dennis, an appointee of President Bill Clinton, Catharina Haynes, an appointee of President George W. Bush, and Irma Ramirez, an appointee of President Joe Biden.

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For over a decade, conservative attorneys and officials have sought to whittle down the Voting Rights Act. Nairne is one vehicle politicians have sought to use as a test case against Section 2.

Last year, Republican attorneys general from 14 states filed an amicus brief in the case arguing Section 2 is unconstitutional. That action followed a 2023 decision in the U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis that only the federal government can seek an enforcement ruling under the Voting Rights Act, rather than individuals.

The federal government and voting rights advocates have pushed back on that stance.

Every case brought under Section 2 is likely to be used as a test case for those that seek to have that portion of the Voting Rights Act overturned, advocates have said.

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The U.S. Department of Justice intervened in Nairne in response to the states arguments against Section 2 but remained neutral on the other aspects of the case.

Noah Bokat-Lindell, a DOJ civil rights attorney, argued states cannot get a carveout from a generally applicable statute. For example, they cannot become exempt from the Americans with Disabilities Act because a state argues it doesnt discriminate against disabled people, he said.

In a press conference after the hearing, Attorney General Liz Murrill argued that if Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act was ruled unconstitutional, Black voters could still count on the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Those are legal arguments that we wanted to preserve so that they eventually might make it up to the United States Supreme Court, Murrill said. Theyve also been percolating in a number of other cases related to the scope and continuing application of Section 2 to states under current conditions.

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If Dicks decision is upheld, legislators will have another opportunity to redraw the boundaries of their districts. Dick, an Obama federal court appointee, did not specify in her ruling the number of majority Black districts necessary to comply with the Voting Rights Act.

Plaintiffs have said the state should add six in the Louisiana House and three in the Senate. Currently, 28 out of 105 House districts are majority Black, as are 11 of 39 Senate districts.

State Rep. Edmond Jordan, D-Baton Rouge, who is Black, said he intends to file a bill with a new redistricting plan in the upcoming legislative session, which begins April 14.

Also at issue in Nairne is whether Dick erred in blocking the entire redistricting plan. Attorneys for the state argue the plaintiffs only have standing to challenge the districts where they live.

It is not known when the 5th Circuit panel will rule on the states appeal.

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SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  The Louisiana Department of Transportation is ready as icy precipitation is expected to fall in the northern part of the state on Thursday.

Each district has a customized snow and ice plan based on regional needs, and as the hour of frozen rain, which means icy roads, approaches, LaDOTD Public Information Officer Erin Buchanan says timing is critical, and their decisions are based on the weather forecasts.

DOTD will focus is on applying brine and salt at the moment when roadways are wet enough to be effective but not oversaturated. Pre-treating is expected to begin tomorrow evening; their priority is bridges and overpasses because these areas are the most vulnerable to the wintery mix.

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Winterize your pipes eaily and at low cost

North Market to the Arkansas line, that section of I-49. Were gonna try to work on keeping that section of I-49 North open as well, which we typically close. The major river crossings, though, would remain open. Shreveport Barksdale bridge, Jimmy Davis bridge, and the East Texas street bridge all would remain open and be treated and maintained, along with I-20, of course as well, Buchanan said.

DOTD advises drivers to stay updated as winter weather develops over the next 24 to 48 hours, and officials say if you dont have to be out in the elements, its best to stay home.

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WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL)  After closing Lamar Elementary in 2023 to cut costs, the WFISD Board has moved to accept a last-minute bid on the property.

Overland Land Group, out of Salinas, Kan., submitted the $550,000 bid just before the 2 p.m. deadline on Tuesday, Jan. 7, hoping to renovate the old school into low-income apartments.

Weve been dying to sell this property, WFISD Superintendent Dr. Donny Lee said. Weve been collecting bids for almost a year now, and we got a bid in this morning at the deadline.

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With the sudden bid, the board organized a special session to consider its acceptance that afternoon.

WFISD updates parents ahead of expected winter weather

The board approved that bid, and so now it goes back to the buyer, Lee explained. They have 120 days minimum to decide what is wrong with the property. Is there asbestos, [are] there issues that we didnt catch?

Despite approval, the sale itself could be a lengthy process.

Theres going to be a negotiation period thats going to take place for at least three, four months, maybe longer, he said. Once that process is finalized and everybody agrees on both sides, the property is sold.

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What is the districts plan for the potential $550,000 coming their way? Aiding in over $7.2 million in improvements to Rider and McNiel Middle Schools.

Were looking at trying to unload some of the properties that we dont use called surplus properties, sell them and use those proceeds to improve other properties, Lee said.

And for the Overland Land Group? Renovate the old school, bringing low-cost apartments to the area.

Great location near Legacy High School, by the CEC, to really enhance the community and the surrounding neighborhoods, Lee said.

$3 million forgivable loan awarded to Sealed Air

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And with a unanimous decision to accept

All in favor say Aye, Board of Trustees President, Place 3 Representative Mark Lukert said. Aye, the board members responded.

The property is one step closer to a new life.

Lee still has to sign the contract, and with a total closing time of over 120 days, things could still change for the old elementary school if the buyer chooses to back out during that time period.

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Lucy Letby should face a retrial, Sir David Davis has told Parliament, as he claimed the NHS was most likely responsible for baby deaths at her hospital.

The demands by the Conservative former Brexit secretary came as concerns over the case were formally addressed in the Commons for the first time.

The major intervention was instigated by Sir David after he spent eight months researching the case.

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He has a history of championing civil liberties and miscarriage of justice cases, including advocating for victims of the Post Office scandal and calling for legal protection for whistleblowers.

Letby, a neonatal nurse, was given 15 whole life terms for the murders of seven babies and the attempted murders of seven others at The Countess of Chester hospital in 2015 and 2016.

But since her conviction, dozens of doctors, nurses, scientists, statisticians and lawyers have come forward to question the evidence that was presented to the jury.

Speaking at an adjournment debate in the House of Commons, Sir David said he had initially believed Letby was an evil monster until he spoke to experts, including past presidents of the Royal Statistical Society and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH).

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There was no hard evidence against Letby; nobody saw her do anything untoward, he told MPs.

There is a great deal of evidence demonstrating there are much more likely alternative causes of these tragic deaths than those put up by the prosecution team.

The most likely is that the hospital neonatal unit was not up to caring for these fragile children, either in resources or skill terms.

It is a clear miscarriage of justice by a judicial system that could not manage admittedly difficult statistical and medical scientific evidence.

MPs were told how there was little evidence against Letby, other than her presence at some of the incidents and a gut feeling from consultants, some of whom were implicated in the deaths of the babies themselves.

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An inquiry into the mortality spike at the Countess of Chester by the RCPCH concluded that there was nothing to link Letby to the deaths, but its report was never shown to the jury.

Sir David also pointed out there had been an outbreak of the lethal bacteria Pseudomonas in the neonatal ward at the time of the deaths  as highlighted by The Telegraph  but again the jury was not told about this.

Its hard to see how we can eliminate this as a cause of death or collapse for some of these babies, he said.

Commenting on Sir Davids comments, Jesse Norman, the MP for Hereford, where Letbys parents live and where the nurse comes from, said: What he said is deeply troubling and distressing on so many different levels.

Jury has made determination

Responding, Alex Davies-Jones, the justice minister, said it would be inappropriate for her to comment on Letbys case specifically.

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She added: The jury have considered all of the evidence put before them and they have made their determination.

The Court of Appeal heard legal arguments over several days. Miss Letby, as with any other convicted person maintaining their innocence following conviction, is able to apply to the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

She also said she wanted to acknowledge the impact on the families in the case.

The parents have been waiting a long time for answers and its important that whatever may be said that we agree we must work to deliver closure for those families.

Parliament was also told that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) may have also broken the code for crown prosecutors after instructing police not to pursue a proper statistical inquiry into whether Letbys presence at the deaths was significant.

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Prof Jane Hutton, an expert in medical statistics at Warwick University, was initially contacted by Chester Police, who told them their approach was flawed. But she was dropped as an expert on the instructions of the CPS.

Sir David said that decision matters enormously because one of the most influential pieces of evidence in the case was a shift chart which appeared to show Letby as the only nurse on duty for all alleged murders and injuries.

Prof Hutton has said the prosecutions case was even more flawed than that of Sally Clark, a mother convicted of murdering her two children, who was later exonerated.

Sir David also pointed to new evidence from eminent neonatologists who have found alternative explanations for deaths of two of the babies.

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Case note reviews have found that a consultant punctured the liver of an infant known as Baby O, causing serious internal bleeding, while another child Baby C suffered clear suboptimal care.

Reviews for the other babies in the case are ongoing by Letbys new defence team.

Sir David added: In essence, because of a mixture of inadequate resources and poor medical management, the hospital was not capable of keeping these very fragile babies alive.

Perhaps most worrying of all in this case is its just the latest example, more than a decade after the Mid-Staffs scandal, of the NHSs inability to properly analyse its own failures

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This matters because until it does learn this lesson, there will continue to be unnecessary deaths in hospitals up and down the country.

Investigations are continuing into more deaths Letby may be linked to - Chester Standard

Letby has been refused the right to appeal her convictions, but her new barrister, Mark McDonald, is asking the Court of Appeal to review its decision and will also be taking her case to the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

The prosecution has said Letby was convicted on a multitude of evidence from specialists, and that the defence could have called rebuttal witnesses but chose not to.

Police are continuing investigations and have not ruled out bringing more charges in relation to baby deaths at the Countess of Chester and Liverpool Womens Hospital, where Letby worked as a trainee.

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Sir David has previously campaigned against ID cards and plans to allow police and security services to monitor the publics email and social media, as well as fighting government data deals with private companies.

He has frequently used parliamentary privilege to bring matters into the open, such as naming Nicola Sturgeons ex-chief of staff as the person responsible for leaking sexual misconduct allegations against Alex Salmond to newspapers.

First elected in 1987, Sir David was a frontrunner in the Tory leadership contest in 2005, eventually losing out to Lord Cameron.

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Luigi Mangione, the man accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, visited a gun range during a trip to Thailand three months before he visited New York, according to travel companions.

The 26-year-old visited the gun range after taking a solo trip across Asia early last year, two German tourists, who met him while traveling, told TMZs new Luigi Mangione: The Mind of a Killer documentary.

The tourists, identified only as Paul and Max, said Mangione skipped a beach day and visited the range instead.

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They also claimed Mangione was obsessed with the book Hit Reverse: New Ideas From Old Books by Indian author Jash Dholani, which examines philosophical viewpoints from various authors.

According to Dholani, Mangione attempted to buy 400 copies of the book, but the transaction was flagged and rejected by the bank. The shooting suspect was only able to buy 1 copy of his book.

Mangione faces multiple counts of murder, including murder as an act of terrorism under federal and state charges in New York and Pennsylvania, after allegedly gunning down Thompson as he was walking to an investor conference in Midtown Manhattan on Dec 4.

The federal charges could carry the possibility of the death penalty, while the maximum sentence for the state charges is life in prison without parole.

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Prosecutors have said the two cases will proceed on parallel tracks, with the state charges expected to go to trial first.

NewsNation digital producer Safia Samee Ali contributed to this report.

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As if he wasn't busy enough planning a second administration and quieting rumors that Elon Musk is pulling the strings, President-elect Donald Trump has suggested that the United States take over Canada. Within an hour of Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus resignation announcement, Donald Trump reiterated his pitch that Canada should join the United States. If Canada merged with the U.S. there would be no Tariffs, taxes would go way down, and they would be totally secureWhat a great nation we would be, he wrote in a Truth Social post on Monday. The following day at a press conference, he stated that he will use economic force to encourage Canadians to abandon the artificially drawn border with the U.S.

Theres a long history of U.S. leaders jockeying for control of their larger northern neighbor. Both the American Revolutionary War and War of 1812 featured U.S. ambitions for Canadian annexation. Such talk rose again following the Civil War five decades latera threat so grave that it motivated Canadas political leadership to incorporate as a new country, rather than a British colony, to control their own destiny and tell the Yanks no thanks.

Trump picked a choice moment to make a move on Ottawa. Canadians are in a dour mood, leading some on its cultural and political fringes to seriously consider the upside of a Washington tie-up. Canadian investor and Shark Tank star Kevin OLeary, for instance, called a potential U.S.-Canadian merger a great idea and huge opportunity. Now Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said he'll resign, and with the ensuing political instability we might look like a sitting duck.

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The problem is that Canadians overwhelmingly want to remain Canadian. A recent poll found that 94% of Canadians prefer not to join the U.S. Canadians are as likely to give up their national identity as Americans would be, and everyone here is deeply offended at the suggestion of abandoning our beloved country.

Canadas worth

Still, the U.S. is the world's largest economy and an undisputed leader in technology and innovation, and Canada could gain serious economic benefits to an ever-closer union with her southern neighbor. Canadians are proud, but were also nothing if not open-minded; perhaps we should at least consider the idea.

Make an offer, Americabut here are our terms:

To begin, let's talk about valuationwhat is Washington willing to pay for a merger? Canada is the world's second largest country, has the worlds largest coastline, and is the fourth largest oil producer. Oh, were also home to more than 10% of the planets fresh water, not to mention a thriving economy.

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In her 2013 book Merger of the Century, U.S.-Canadian writer Diane Francis argued that the two countries should be combined, and she enlisted an investment banker to determine the price tag. The two used metrics sourced from the CIAs World Factbookcomparing U.S. and Canadian GDPs; their total land areas, including offshore rights; debts; foreign reserves, and gold assets; renewable resources such as water and farmland; and fossil fuel production. In rough numbers, Canada was worth $17 trillion more than the U.S., equivalent to $492,529 per Canadian!

Sorry, Congress, looks like you'll need to reconsider that pesky debt ceiling.

Canadian principles

Trump is proposing a political, not just economic merger. Both countries share many common valuesfree speech, the rule of law, and democracy. But the new country would need to adopt principles and institutions that Canadians hold dear for any deal to be acceptable.

Statehood. Canada is home to 10 provinces and a trio of territoriesand each will demand recognition and representation. Ontario, where I live, has 16 million residents, which would make it the fifth largest state in the new U.S. of A (and C). My city, Toronto, would be the third most populous in the new nation. Citizens of each province and territory will never forsake their identities any more than, say, Texans would, and they will insist upon full-fledged statehood. Back in 1776, the U.S. began with just 13 statesa new Canadian-American nation would need to begin with 13 more.

Health care. Canadians love to complain about our health-care system, but we could never give it up. Americans should adopt it, too. A nationalized system, like ours, would bring big benefits. Canada spends just 11% of its GDP on health care, and everyone is covered. The U.S. shells out 19% and there are still 26 million people lacking insurance, with tens of millions receiving inadequate care. Canadians also live six years longer than their American counterparts and perform better on virtually every other health measure, from infant mortality to obesity and mental health.

Womens rights. Get ready, America: Canada has no abortion laws. Abortion is treated like any medical issuepatients determine treatment in consultation with their doctor. There are also no restrictions on birth control or IVF. And Canadian parents get paid maternity and paternity leave. Hows that for family values?

Climate change. Canadians generally believe that climate change is an existential crisisand that humans have caused it. True, weve historically benefitted from fossil fuels, but we play our role in the green economy through government investments, entrepreneurship, and yes, carbon taxation.

Crime. Criminal lawsand penaltiesare uniform across Canada, which abolished the death penalty in 1976. Our homicide rate is one-third that of the U.S.; and while many Canadians enjoy their firearms, gun-control laws from the late 1970s have limited gun-related deaths to just 300 per year. Compare that to almost 50,000 annually south of the border and youll understand why we believe our system is better.

Immigration. Although we havent always gotten it right, Canada is welcoming to immigrants, replacing the melting pot ideal with more of a vertical mosaic where different cultures and communities benefit from one another. Weve accepted refugees at a rate of 10 times the U.S. per capita. This has paid off; refugees make great citizens here and achieve higher education levels than other Canadians.

Education. Funding for K-12 education in Canada is also standardized; wealthy neighborhoods receive the same per student funding as poor ones. This has paid off too: 61% of Canadians hold some kind of postsecondary education, compared to less than half of Americans, while Canadian students perform far better on standardized tests across the board.

Political systems. Despite our two very different political systems, Canadians will insist on campaign financing laws. Here, corporations and individuals can donate a maximum of under $2,000 to candidates or parties. There are no PACshence no Citizens United. And election losers always transfer power peacefully.

If America can agree to adopt this simple list, then lets talk. Ohand wed also like the Memphis Grizzlies and Colorado Avalanche repatriated to their ancestral homes of Vancouver and Quebec City.

Read more:

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The opinions expressed in Fortune.com commentary pieces are solely the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of Fortune.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
The monumental 2024 elections were just nine weeks ago, and many voters are still catching their breath after an overwhelming season of casting ballots, seeing campaign ads, reading polls, watching debates, and scrolling through social media feeds.

There is, however, no rest for the weary: The first closely watched elections of 2025 are already upon us, and NBC News reported on the results.

Democrats won a pair of special legislative elections in Northern Virginia on Tuesday, according to The Associated Press, allowing the party to maintain its narrow majorities in both chambers. ... In a special state Senate election, Democrat Kannan Srinivasan, currently a member of the state House, defeated Republican Tumay Harding. ... And in a special House race, Democrat JJ Singh, a former Capitol Hill aide and small-business owner, defeated Republican Ram Venkatachalam.

The news for the GOP wasnt all bad: In a conservative state Senate district west of Richmond, Republican Luther Cifers won his contest on the same day.

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To be sure, the results werent altogether surprising: The candidates who were supposed to win did, in fact, prevail. But that doesnt make the results unimportant.

For one thing, control of the chambers in Virginias General Assembly was on the line: If the Democratic victories had gone the other way  and in off-year special election contests, one never really knows  Republicans wouldve taken control of the House of Delegates and the state Senate in the commonwealth. With their wins, Democrats instead held on to their narrow majorities, to the chagrin of Republican Gov. Glenn Younkgin, whos entering his final year in office.

For another, Virginia is one of two states that will hold statewide elections in 2025, including a competitive gubernatorial race, and these state legislative races were, as the NBC News report put it, an early test of the political environment.

But while its best not to extrapolate too much from local state legislative special elections, there was also a national dimension to these contests. As a Politico report noted, both parties watched the contests for clues about Republicans durability in a Democratic stronghold that tilted toward Trump in November.

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For Democrats, the races served as a trial run of their messaging against the incoming Trump administration, which they warned will compromise their individual rights and economic well being. Its a preview of how Democrats throughout the country will shape their arguments against Trump and his allies.

Election Day 2025 is a mere 300 days away. Watch this space.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
This is an adapted excerpt from the Jan. 6 episode of "The Rachel Maddow Show."

In 2018, in Coral Gables, Florida, then-House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi attended an event for Donna Shalala, a Democratic congressional candidate. In response, the local Republican Party in Miami-Dade County called for a protest of that event.

During that protest, members of the Proud Boys heckled and shouted expletives at Pelosi as she walked inside. That included Enrique Tarrio, the national head of the Proud Boys. At the time, Tarrio lived in South Florida. He now lives in federal prison after being convicted of seditious conspiracy and sentenced to 22 years for trying to overthrow the U.S. government. On Monday, Tarrios lawyer wrote to Donald Trump formally asking the president-elect to pardon his client.

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Another attendee of that 2018 protest was Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kevin Cabrera, who can be seen on video pounding the door of Shalalas campaign office. Trump just named Cabrera as his pick to be the next U.S. ambassador to Panama.

Cabrera defended his conduct, saying he was just exercising his right to protest, but its worth remembering that, at the time, Republicans were actually embarrassed by the display. The head of the Miami-Dade Republican Party later apologized for being there. Other Republicans, including Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, condemned the event.

Just more than six years later, Rubio is about to be nominated to be Trumps secretary of state, and the guy who pounded on a door to try to scare Pelosi is set to report to him as a U.S. ambassador.

The reason that is repellent, the reason that is repulsive, is because were supposed to have a sharp line that keeps violent intimidation on one side and politics on the other  never the twain shall meet.

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On Monday, the certification of the 2024 presidential election took place in Washington. It happened, ministerially and ceremonially, like its supposed to. That contrasts with what occurred four years ago on Jan. 6 and makes clear the profound difference between the parties.

Had Democrats won the presidential election, many openly expected and prepared for the possibility of Republicans launching a violent revolt. But if Republicans had won, it was expected Democrats would peacefully accept and participate in the transfer of power. When theres an expectation of violence if one side loses in an electoral contest, then the political parties in that country are no longer competing in democratic terms.

Thats part of what were contending with at this moment: How do we ever get back to competition in democratic terms? How do we get the Republicans to no longer see physical force and armed conflict as the way theyre going to get their way?

Well, one big step backward from that as a goal will be Trumps promised pardons of the people who committed violence in his name that day. The argument now appears to not be about whether Trump will issue pardons to people who took part in the attack on the Capitol, but just how many of them will get the pardon.

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Thats led publications as diverse as the HuffPost and The Wall Street Journal editorial page to try to front page the details of the actual crimes for which some of these people were convicted.

Andrew Taake pepper-sprayed police officers defending the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 and hit one with a metal whip. He is serving 74 months at a federal prison in Beaumont, Texas, HuffPost reported.

Christopher Alberts carried a loaded 9 mm pistol onto Capitol grounds that day and hit police officers with a wooden pallet, the report continued. He is serving an 84-month sentence at the federal prison in Milan, Michigan.

Another example from HuffPost: Steven Cappuccio held his cell phone in his mouth so he could beat an officer using both of his hands, including with the officers own baton. He is doing 85 months at the federal prison in Forrest City, Arkansas.

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As the outlet noted, all three of those men will be back on the streets if Trump follows through on his pledge to pardon the Jan. 6 insurrectionists.

According to their analysis, "Of those serving a year or more in prison, a full 57% are there following a conviction in cases involving an assault on a police officer. In all, 83% serving a year-or-more were convicted of committing an act of violence.

This means that, with few exceptions, the only people Trump could release from prison with his pardon power are those who attacked a police officer, possessed weapons or explosives, or were convicted of some other violent felony.

Then theres the deeply conservative Wall Street Journal editorial page, which published a piece with the headline, Trumps Pardon Promise for Jan. 6 Rioters: Does it include the ex-meth trafficker who brought a metal baton and swung it at police?

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After describing some of the actions of these rioters in brutal detail, the editorial board goes on to write, Pardoning such crimes would contradict Mr. Trumps support for law and order, and it would send an awful message about his view of the acceptability of political violence done on his behalf.

Now, I take issue with the Journals characterization that Trump has always supported law and order; hes repeatedly praised violence in his name. But that last line is correct  it would send an awful message.

This Jan. 6, we saw the profound difference between the Democratic Party, offering democratic competition, win or lose, and the Republican Partys threat of violence.

Yes, theres an unnerving, unsettling, fight to remember what actually happened  to be real about how disgusting it all was  while the Trump movement and the Republicans try to say the attack was a bunch of heroes who have been wrongly persecuted for doing nothing wrong.

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But there is an instrumental and practical question at hand, too. Which is, what happens to the future of political violence  in the very short term  if the people who committed violence on the president-elects behalf are sprung from prison and celebrated as vindicated heroes when Trump takes office again?

The idea that there is permeability between violence and politics, that what is supposed to be civic hallowed ground, is fouled by the rioting and looting we saw take place, in Trumps name, on Jan. 6, 2021.

That is supposed to repel us and disgust us  indelibly. We are never supposed to acclimate to that. But the Trump side has. And so now, four years later, with just two weeks until Trump is back in power, we must be prepared for what could happen next.

Allison Detzel contributed.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Todays installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.

* While the Democratic candidate in North Carolinas state Supreme Court race appears to have narrowly won her race, the courts current Republican justices issued an order blocking state officials from certifying the election results. The Democrats GOP rival is still trying to throw out 60,000 votes cast in November, which would presumably tip the scales in his favor.

* As President Joe Biden prepares to exit the White House, the retiring Democrat told USA Today that he still believes he wouldve won re-election if hed stayed in the 2024 race.

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* In California, former Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee, whose U.S. Senate bid fell short last year, has officially kicked off her bid to become Oaklands next mayor.

* At his latest Mar-a-Lago news conference, Donald Trump claimed that nobody even knows the margin of his popular-vote victory. As it turns out, everyone knows: The Republican won by roughly 1.3 million votes, which works out to be roughly 1.5% of the overall total.

* Former Ohio Health Director Amy Acton, who gained public attention in 2020 informing the public about the Covid pandemic, kicked off a gubernatorial campaign this week. The physician and public health expert is running as a Democrat in the increasingly red state.

* Despite the recent findings of the House Ethics Committee, former Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz told The Tampa Bay Times that hes starting to think about running for governor of Florida in 2026.

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* In Georgia, as recently as two years ago, Geoff Duncan was the states Republican lieutenant governor. Now, the Georgia GOPs State Executive Committee has approved a resolution that expelled Duncan from the Georgia Republican Party. The move comes on heels of the former lieutenant governor endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris Democratic presidential campaign.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
About a week before Election Day 2024, Dr. Jerome Adams, who served nearly four years as Donald Trumps surgeon general, spoke at a conference and expressed some unexpected concerns  not about his former boss, per se, but about a man who had his former boss ear.

If Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has a significant influence on the next administration, the physician said, it could have an adverse effect on our nations health, on our nations economy [and] on our global security.

The former surgeon general added that he would advise Republicans to tread very carefully.

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But what if Republicans arent the only ones who need to heed Adams warning? The Hill reported:

A handful of Senate Democrats are said to be leaving the door open to voting for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to become the next Health and Human Services secretary. As preparations for confirmation hearings begin to take shape, multiple sources say Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and John Fetterman (D-Pa.), in particular, are at least considering voting for Kennedy, noting shared critiques on heavy corporate influence over food and a desire to promote a less chemical-laden country.

While The Hills report hasnt been independently verified by MSNBC or NBC News, some Democratic senators have said publicly that theyre concerned about the support Kennedy might yet receive from some of their intraparty colleagues.

To the extent that readers might benefit from a refresher, my MSNBC colleague Zeeshan Aleem explained last year that RFK Jr. is best known for fringe conspiracy theories tied to vaccines and other medical interventions, such as the belief that antidepressants cause school shootings.

NPR had a related report last year, noting, Wi-Fi causes cancer and leaky brain, Kennedy told podcaster Joe Rogan ... Chemicals in the water supply could turn children transgender, he told right-wing Canadian psychologist and podcaster Jordan Peterson, echoing a false assertion made by serial fabulist Alex Jones. AIDS may not be caused by HIV, he has suggested multiple times.

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Kennedys views on Covid are every bit as bizarre and unserious, and hes already demonstrated a capacity for having a disastrous impact on public health policy. By any fair measure, RFK Jr. is among the most indefensible and potentially dangerous personnel choices that Trump has made since winning a second term.

And he might very well be confirmed anyway.

To be sure, even if the Senate Democratic minority was united in its opposition, Democrats couldnt derail this prospective nomination on their own. Some of Kennedys reality-based opponents have indicated that theyre hoping that a handful of on-the-fence Senate Republicans will hear from so many physicians, medical professionals, hospital administrators and public health officials in their own states it might put his confirmation in doubt.

That strategy, however, is predicated on unanimous Democratic opposition to arguably the worst HHS nominee in history  and that is by no means a certainty.

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Why are we giving RFK Jr. a pass? Sen. Chris Murphy asked during an interview on MSNBCs All In with Chris Hayes. The Connecticut Democrat added, Okay, he wants to ban pharmaceutical advertising. Thats nice. He also wants to kill our kids by withdrawing vaccines from our schools and taking fluoride out of our drinking water. Democrats have to fight these nominees.

Murphy made related comments to The New Republics Greg Sargent a few weeks earlier. If we just accept that RFK Jr. is a mainstream nominee to head the health agency when he just finished telling us that he thinks maybe Covid was a genetically engineered virus to protect Chinese and Ashkenazi Jews, were cooked, the senator said. Were cooked if that, all of a sudden, is a normal thing  to nominate somebody like that, who thinks things like that, to head up the biggest health agency in the world.

Whether Murphy can convince his Democratic colleagues  and perhaps four or more of his Republican colleagues  remains to be seen. Watch this space.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
As the deadly wildfires in Southern California continue to do brutal damage, President Joe Biden was able to view some of the damage and pledge federal support. Were prepared to [do] anything and everything as long as it takes, the Democrat said.

To that end, as The Hill reported, the White House said its deploying additional resources to the area, including five U.S. Forest Service air tankers, 10 federal firefighting helicopters and dozens of fire engines from the Forest Service.

Around the same time, the presidents successor also turned his attention to the crisis in California, though Donald Trump had a different message in mind. The New York Times reported:

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President-elect Donald J. Trump blamed Californias Democratic governor on Wednesday for the failure to contain fires engulfing parts of the Los Angeles area, accusing the states government of letting environmental policies run amok. ... Mr. Trumps angry commentary came even as Southern California residents were fleeing three separate fires. Two people have been confirmed to have died from the fires, and authorities were warning the areas residents to be ready to evacuate their homes at a moments notice.

The president-elects latest political offensive began late Wednesday morning, when Trump published an item to his social media platform that referred to the California governor as Gavin Newscum  as if this were an appropriate time for an incoming national leader to peddle juvenile taunts. The Republican added that he considers Newsom to be incompetent, adding, He is the blame [sic] for this.

Roughly two hours later, Trump kept the offensive going with a follow-up item that again referred to the governor as Newscum and condemned the local governments efforts to contain the fires. Sixteen minutes later, the president-elect turned his attention to the incumbent in the White House: NO WATER IN THE FIRE HYDRANTS, NO MONEY IN FEMA. THIS IS WHAT JOE BIDEN IS LEAVING ME. THANKS JOE!

A half-hour later, the Republican was still going. Pointing to the ongoing catastrophe, Trump concluded, Let this serve, and be emblematic, of the gross incompetence and mismanagement of the Biden/Newscum Duo. January 20th cannot come fast enough!

It probably wont surprise anyone to learn that Trump is peddling ill-timed nonsense. In fact, a spokesperson for the governor, referring to some of the details in the president-elects missives, told USA Today that the Republican was offering the public was pure fiction.

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But stepping back, a related (and familiar) problem is coming into focus. The New York Times David French noted this week that Trump is at his absolute worst in a crisis. The columnist, whose observation was unrelated to developments in California, added in reference to the president-elect, He is not a man who is ready to meet important and dangerous moments.

Were constantly confronted with evidence to bolster the point. Last week, Trump saw a deadly attack in New Orleans and responded with ugly lies and bizarre conspiracy theories. In the recent past, there was a deadly hurricane in North Carolina, to which the Republican also responded with a different set of ugly lies and bizarre conspiracy theories.

Part of this is likely the result of Trumps lack of empathy. It probably doesnt help that hes far too indifferent to the substance of governing to offer constructive recommendations, which leaves him with little more than cheap, partisan attacks.

But Frenchs point also rings true: When theres a real crisis, Americans are suffering and its time to get to work finding solutions, Americans simply cant count on Trump to tell the truth, to care about what matters, to demonstrate real character, to communicate like a grown-up or to resist the urge to exploit tragedies for political gain.

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What Americans are seeing is a reminder of who Trump is  and why hes so ill-suited for national leadership.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Former House Speaker Michael Madigan testified in his corruption trial Wednesday that he was taken aback when then-Ald. Daniel Solis told him over the phone that the developers of a West Loop condo tower understood the quid pro quo of hiring Madigans law firm.

A great deal of surprise and concern, Madigan said of the reaction in his head when Solis, who turned out to be working undercover for the FBI, uttered the phrase.

Solis seemed like a stand-up guy and straight arrow, and the comment continued to eat at him, the former speaker said under direct examination by his attorney, Daniel Collins.

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I decided that I wanted to have a face-to-face meeting with Mr. Solis to give me an opportunity to tell him that I would not be involved in a quid pro quo, Madigan told the jury.

Solis secret video of that meeting, which was played for the jury earlier in the trial, captured Madigan telling Solis, the head of the influential Zoning Committee, that he shouldnt be talking like that in front of developers.

Madigan said the look on Solis face was such that it told me that he had gotten the message from me that I was not going to be involved in a quid pro quo.

He appeared to be very apologetic and his answer was almost instantaneous where he said Im sorry,' Madigan testified.

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Madigan said repeatedly that his only request to Solis was for an introduction. I was not going to connect a request for an introduction with anything else, Madigan said.

Madigans explanation of the events caught on Solis secret recordings came during his second day on the witness stand, continuing testimony that will surely be some of the most crucial and closely examined of the landmark public corruption trial.

His surprise decision to testify carries extreme risks, and few defendants, let alone such high-profile ones, have opted to take the stand.

Some of those risks, in fact, revealed themselves immediately after Madigans testimony wrapped for the day, when U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey said Madigans professed aversion to a quid pro quo may have opened the door for prosecutors to ask him on cross examination what exactly his understanding of the states bribery laws are.

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That, in turn, could damage his attorneys ability to argue whats known as a mistake of law defense.

In another setback for Madigan, Blakey ruled Wednesday that because the former speaker testified he was angry when he learned that some of the people he recommended be hired at ComEd did not do actual work, prosecutors can now play a previously barred wiretapped conversation in which Madigan allegedly laughs over some of his friends making out like bandits.

Madigans defense team vehemently objected, saying the person Madigan and his co-defendant, Michael McClain, were talking about on the tape  labor leader Dennis Gannon  was not recommended to ComEd by Madigan and that his job with the utility was not part of the indictment.

Blakey disagreed, saying that despite his previous ruling, the door is open based on the totality of the record in front of me. He gave the parties time to talk about whether prosecutors would play the tape during cross-examination next week or during the governments rebuttal case.

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Jurors were dismissed early in the afternoon Wednesday, with Madigan still on the stand. His cross-examination by prosecutors wont begin until next week because of a national day of mourning Thursday for former President Jimmy Carter coupled with the usual off-day for the trial on Friday.

Madigan, 82, a Southwest Side Democrat, and his longtime confidant, Michael McClain, 77, of downstate Quincy, are charged in a 23-count indictment alleging that Madigans vaunted state and political operations were run like a criminal enterprise to amass and increase his power and enrich himself and his associates.

In addition to alleging bribery schemes involving ComEd and AT&T Illinois, the indictment accuses Madigan of pressuring developers to hire the speakers law firm and trying to win business by secretly supporting legislation to transfer state-owned land in Chinatown to the city so developers could build a high-rise.

Both Madigan and McClain have denied wrongdoing.

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So far, Madigan  who for decades was the states most powerful politician  has been mostly calm and confident from the moment he began talking to jurors, repeatedly denying he ever exchanged any official actions for his own private gain.

In his continued direct examination Wednesday, Collins took Madigan through some of the more thorny allegations in the indictment, including that he browbeat ComEd into hiring people he recommended and that he knew of a plan to funnel payments to former 13th Ward aide Kevin Quinn, who had been ousted due to allegations of misconduct.

The judge has so far barred testimony that Quinn was accused of sexual harassment by a fellow campaign worker, though he is now entertaining a prosecution request to allow it into evidence based on Madigans answers.

But either way, the jury has heard numerous wiretapped conversations detailing a plan by McClain to have a group of Madigan-connected lobbyists send Quinn $1,000 per month each for several months, until he could find steady work.

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In one call played for the jury, McClain told Madigan of his plan, and the speaker said he ought to stay out of it.

Madigan testified Wednesday that he knew that Quinn was looking for work and that McClain was trying to help him. My choice  my decision was not to participate in the effort to help Mr. Quinn, he said.

But you were aware of McClains efforts; why didnt you put a stop to it? Collins asked.

Mr. Quinn had lost his job, he was out of work, he was going through a very difficult divorce Madigan started to answer before prosecutors successfully objected.

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Prosecutors have tried to use the payments to Quinn, the brother of Madigans handpicked 13th Ward Ald. Marty Quinn, to show how McClain quietly carried out assignments for the speaker as a way to keep Madigans fingerprints off of the activities.

Collins also displayed for jurors some of the most memorable exhibits of the trial, in which McClain invoked Madigan in emails to ComEd officials urging them to make certain moves or else risk Madigans wrath.

In response, Madigan denied outright that McClain was accurately reflecting his mindset in those emails and denied telling McClain to contact ComEd with those instructions.

It was the most blatant attempt yet to distance Madigan from his co-defendant, who sent nigh-innumerable messages to ComEd purportedly containing directions from our friend  that is, Madigan.

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I do not know how to respond to our friend, who believes in his mind there should be a hard and quick favorable response, McClain wrote to then-ComEd executive Fidel Marquez in an email that warned Marquez about his supposed inconsistency in responding to McClains requests.

Did McClain accurately describe your mindset? Collins asked. No, Madigan responded.

Did you instruct McClain to express this sentiment? Collins asked. Madigan again responded no.

Madigan also denied any knowledge of the drama surrounding contract negotiations between ComEd and the law firm of Victor Reyes, who had significant clout with Illinois Democrats. McClain emailed ComEd saying the utility should give Reyes firm the contract it wanted before Reyes complained to Madigan, who would in turn put pressure on McClain.

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Did you know he was expressing this sentiment to ComEd on your behalf? Collins asked. Did this reflect your mindset  around Reyes law firm?

Madigan answered no to both.

Madigan also defended his actions concerning allegations that he sought to get the ownership of a parking lot in Chinatown transferred from the state to the city so that he could get property tax business from a developer wanting to build a mixed-use high-rise.

The deal was first floated by Solis as part of his cooperation with the government.

Looking to the jury to his right, Madigan explained that his toxic relationship with Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, whose transportation agency controlled the parking lot property, prompted the speaker to say his involvement would hurt the chances of the transfer.

Madigan said he checked with McClain, who suggested Republican lobbyist Nancy Kimme to work on the land transfer, and relayed that to Solis.

I thought it was good advice, Madigan testified.

The alderman later met with Kimme and the developers, but the project never got off the ground despite months of effort.

But Madigan testified he did not ask to meet with the developers.

I didnt want to meet them because there was no way I would take that property for representations on real estate taxes, he said. Because in our law firm we had a policy, which was strictly enforced, that if a proposed project (had) substantial involvement with the state of Illinois we wouldnt accept that business.

Madigan also testified that his firm would not take work associated with properties subject to land-transfer legislation.

After more than five hours of direct examination, an attorney for McClain began questioning the former speaker, hoping to reinforce McClains argument that he was an immensely skilled lobbyist who worked hard for his clients.

Madigan and McClains history goes back to the 1970s, when they served in the House together, and endured through McClains transition to lobbying, Madigan confirmed on the stand.

Fair to say you had a lot of contact with Mike over those decades? McClain attorney Patrick Cotter asked, and Madigan answered yes.

Did the friendship survive, sir?

It did until recently, Madigan said softly.

On questioning from Cotter, Madigan confirmed that over some 40 years of friendship with McClain he would consult McClain on political and strategic matters. And he said he was always able to separate out when McClain was contacting him wearing his lobbyist hat.

Isnt it a fact that around your office there was a saying, Today we have to treat Mike like a lobbyist?' Cotter asked

Correct, Madigan replied.

Because on those days Mike was in there pitching for his clients? Cotter asked.

And we would be disagreeing with his message, Madigan replied.

Despite the serious nature of Madigans testimony, there were moments of levity Wednesday, particularly when Cotter asked if McClain was a master of the House rules and legislative process in Springfield.

I dont know if Id use the word master, Madigan said. Im not trying to be negative on him and his knowledge - he knew his way around.

Cotter appeared perplexed and asked Madigan who else in Springfield knew more than McClain  then paused and added, other than yourself?

Im glad you said that, Madigan said with a laugh, which also brought chuckles from some jurors. McClain, seated at his defense table, leaned back in his chair and smiled.

But Cotters questioning grew more testy as it continued, particularly when Madigan repeatedly resisted portraying his close relationship with McClain as anything particularly unusual.

Would you agree with me, sir, that Mr. McClain was also allowed to sometimes use parts of your office at the Capitol building when the House was in session? Cotter asked.

As were others, Madigan said. We had an open-door policy in our office; we were not in the practice of excluding people.

Was he successful, sir, in building a good lobbying relationship with you and your staff? Cotter asked a few moments later.

Generally yes, not all of the time, Madigan said.

And what you got in exchange for that good relationship that Mr. McClain earned was you got help with problems that you wanted somebody else to solve? Cotter asked.

I was able to make requests of Mr. McClain as I did with others, Madigan said.

Madigan so far has been on the witness stand for a little less than seven hours. His testimony has at times been intimate, with the former speaker recalling his strict Southwest Side upbringing and his courtship with his wife, but the meat of it has consisted of Madigan denying prosecutors accusations that he used his political and government operations for his own benefit.

During the prosecutions case, jurors saw floods of emails, undercover videos and wiretapped phone calls in which McClain and ComEd executives discuss hiring Madigan associates, including precinct captains Edward Moody and Ray Nice, former 13th Ward Ald. Frank Olivo, former 23rd Ward Ald. Michael Zalewski and ex-state Rep. Edward Acevedo.

Marquez testified earlier in the trial that the hiring was done so that Madigan would look favorably upon ComEds legislation.

But Madigan testified Tuesday there had been no such deal. He said he merely agreed to help friends find work and passed their information along to McClain, and said he had been angry when he learned that some of them, including Olivo and Nice, had apparently not lifted a finger.

According to his testimony, Madigan was merely eager to help allies and constituents when they needed job referrals and had no understanding or arrangement to look favorably on legislation for companies that hired his referrals.

That testimony underscores why the recording of Madigan saying his friends made out like bandits could be so damaging - and why the defense fought so hard to keep it out of the trial.

The Aug. 4, 2018, conversation between Madigan and McClain came as the two were pushing for the execution of a labor agreement with ComEd, which theyd been arranging with Marquez, ComEds then-senior vice president, without the knowledge of the utilitys incoming CEO.

McClain noted in the conversation that Gannon, the labor leader and former Chicago city worker who had a longstanding relationship with the pro-union speaker, was going to drive the agreement around to various parties to get it done. Madigan then asked, But Mike, hes involved with ComEd?

Yeah, remember we got him that contract, um, maybe five years ago now whenever it was? McClain said on the recording, referring to payments of $150,000 to the contractor. For a buck fifty a year.

Madigan responded, Mhm, and laughed. Some of these guys have made out like bandits, Mike, Madigan said.

Oh my God, McClain said, coughing. For very little work too.

Yeah, Madigan said.

Madigans attorneys argued Wednesday that Gannon had a legitimate $150,000-a-year job with ComEd that had nothing to do with his relationship with Madigan and therefore was irrelevant and prejudicial to the case at hand.

Meanwhile, the Tribune reported in 2011 that Gannon had exploited a loophole in the citys pension system after Mayor Richard M. Daleys administration rehired the former Streets and Sanitation Department worker for a single day in 1994, then granted him an indefinite leave of absence.

That maneuver gave Gannon an annual city pension of $158,000  based not on his work for the city but on his union salary. At the time, it was the highest of any retired labor leader at the time and more than five times greater than what the typical retired city worker receives, the Tribune reported.

According to online data maintained by the Better Government Association, as of 2020, Gannons city pension had ballooned to $213,000.

After jurors left for the day, prosecutors told the judge about an array of questions they want to ask Madigan next week.

Their goal with cross-examination, it became clear, will be to dismantle the rosy picture Madigan painted of himself as an honest public servant whose top priority was simply to help constituents of all stripes find work.

Besides the bandits tape, prosecutors want to grill Madigan about his fractured relationship with former McPier boss Juan Ochoa, whom Madigan later recommended for a cushy seat on ComEds board of directors.

Madigan testified that he mended fences with Ochoa at some point after Ochoa fired a former Madigan staffer at then-Gov. Rod Blagojevichs request. But Assistant U.S. Attorney Amarjeet Bhachu said that was far from the full story.

That lends emphasis to this idea that Mr. Madigan avoids confrontation, is conciliatory, Bhachu said. In fact, Madigan retaliated by blocking debt-restructuring legislation that McPier badly needed, Bhachu said.

Bhachu also wants to show jurors portions of a 2009 interview Madigan gave about the patronage system under former Mayor Richard J. Daley, in which Madigan described giving people jobs in exchange for political work in the 13th Ward.

Blakey barred the evidence in a pretrial hearing. But Bhachu said Madigan opened the door by testifying that his ward office was a mecca, leaving the impression it was some shining beacon on the hill where people would come for help.

Specifically, Bhachu said he wants to ask Madigan whether he knew that Jeffrey Rush, one of the people whom he wanted to help with a job, had been convicted of three felonies and that three women had been the subject of that misconduct.

Rush, the son of longtime U.S. Congressman Bobby Rush, had worked for the Illinois Department of Corrections but got in trouble for having a sexual relationship with a parolee.

Collins objected, saying, I dont see how asking a bunch of questions that dirty up Mr. Rush in an attempt to dirty up Mr. Madigan are relevant.

jmeisner@chicagotribune.com

mcrepeau@chicagotribune.com

rlong@chicagotribune.com
CHICAGO  Ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan is set to return to the stand Wednesday morning, continuing testimony that will surely be some of the most crucial and closely examined of the bombshell public corruption trial.

The decision to testify can be extremely risky, and few defendants, let alone such high-profile ones, have opted to take the stand.

But Madigan, who for decades was the states most powerful politician, seemed calm and confident from the moment he began talking to jurors Tuesday, repeatedly denying he ever exchanged any official actions for his own private gain.

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The testimony was at times intimate, with Madigan recalling his strict Southwest Side upbringing and his courtship with his wife, but most of it consisted of Madigan denying prosecutors accusations that he used his political and government operations for his own benefit. Madigan was merely eager to help allies and constituents when they needed job referrals, he testified, and had no understanding or arrangement to look favorably on legislation for companies that hired his referrals.

Madigans attorneys said Tuesday that the ex-speakers direct examination could wrap up by late Wednesday morning; it will likely be followed by questioning from co-defendant Michael McClains attorney.

Then Madigan will sit through what is sure to be a thorough grilling from prosecutors on cross-examination, which will stretch Madigans testimony into next week.

The trial, which began Oct. 8 and was originally slated to end before Christmas, is inching toward a conclusion, with Madigans testimony surely adding to estimates of when it might end.

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U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey on Tuesday told jurors they can expect to be deliberating by the week of Jan. 27, though even that seems increasingly unlikely.

Madigan, a Southwest Side Democrat, and McClain, 77, of downstate Quincy, are charged in a 23-count indictment alleging that Madigans vaunted state and political operations were run like a criminal enterprise to amass and increase his power and enrich himself and his associates.

In addition to bribery schemes involving ComEd and AT&T Illinois, the indictment alleges Madigan pressured developers to hire the speakers law firm and tried to win business by secretly supporting legislation to transfer state-owned land in Chinatown to the city so developers could build a high-rise.

Both Madigan and McClain have denied wrongdoing.

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Madigan attorney Dan Collins questioning of his own client on Tuesday quickly turned to the centerpiece allegations involving ComEd. During the prosecutions case, jurors saw floods of emails, undercover videos and wiretapped phone calls in which McClain and ComEd executives discuss hiring Madigan associates, including precinct captains Edward Moody and Ray Nice, former 13th Ward Ald. Frank Olivo, former 23rd Ward Ald. Michael Zalewski, and ex-state Rep. Edward Acevedo.

Former ComEd executive Fidel Marquez testified earlier in the trial that the hiring was done so that Madigan would look favorably upon ComEds legislation.

But Madigan testified there had been no such deal. He said he merely agreed to help friends find work and passed their information along to McClain, and expressed anger that some of them, including Olivo and Nice, had apparently not lifted a finger.

Acevedo allegedly got a similar no-work deal from AT&T as part of the telecom giants scheme to win Madigans support. But on Tuesday, Madigan said he didnt even know Acevedo was being paid by AT&T until this case was brought.

____
(Bloomberg) -- Venezuelas government has ramped up repression, triggering a protest from one of its closest allies, as the opposition plans nationwide demonstrations against Nicolas Maduros inauguration as president this week.

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Around two dozen people have been detained since the start of the year, including a relative of opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez and Enrique Marquez, a harsh critic of Maduros policies and former vice president of the opposition-led National Assembly.

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The socialist regime has increased the street presence of security forces across the country as tensions rise ahead of Gonzalezs vowed return to Venezuela on Friday to be sworn in as president, despite government threats to arrest him upon arrival. Maduros repression has even riled his ideological allies in Latin America, including Colombian leader Gustavo Petro.

Maduro  who was declared the winner by the electoral authority without presenting evidence  is gearing up to begin a third consecutive term in the oil-rich South American nation despite international condemnation.

The US, European Union and other nations say Gonzalez clearly won the most votes in Julys election, with Joe Bidens administration in November recognizing him as president-elect. Maduros government has scoffed at this, deploying a large number of security forces across Caracas since December, including check points on highways and major avenues.

Colombian President Petro said Wednesday he would skip Maduros inauguration, citing the arrest of Marquez and others. The Andean leftist has been the world leader who has most frequently visited Maduro, traveling to Venezuela and the border to meet him at least five times since the start of his term in 2022.

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We ask, from our own struggle for human rights in Colombia, that they be respected for everyone in Venezuela, Petro said in announcing his decision not to attend.

Gonzalez said Tuesday that his son-in-law, Rafael Tudares, was intercepted by hooded men in black and loaded into a van as he was taking his children, aged 6 and 7, to their first day of school.

Around 10 activists working for Vente Venezuela, the party helmed by banned opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, have been detained in Trujillo state this month. Graffiti and signs saying Maduro lost and Edmundo won on July 28 have appeared around several towns in the western state in recent days.

Machado, who has been in hiding since early August, said Tuesday that police forces were surrounding her mothers home and neighborhood in Caracas. Carlos Correa, a human rights activist and head of NGO Espacio Publico, was also detained in downtown Caracas, his wife Mabel Calderin said in a post on Instagram.

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Another opposition party, Voluntad Popular, also denounced illegal detentions by government forces, saying in a post on X 19 people were rounded up on Tuesday alone, including civilians, activists and human rights defenders.

Arbitrary Detention

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was deeply concerned about reports of further arbitrary detention and persecution against members of the opposition, including their relatives and other human right defenders.

Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, including the right to have opinions without interference, Guterres said through his spokesman Stephane Dujarric in a press conference on Wednesday.

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Gonzalez, a little-known former ambassador before his presidential run last year, has been on a diplomatic blitz ahead of Venezuelas inauguration, meeting with Biden at the White House, Argentinas Javier Milei and Luis Lacalle Pou of Uruguay in the last week. He arrived in Panama late Tuesday for talks Wednesday with President Jose Raul Mulino.

(Updates with the UN Secretary-General Guterres comments on recent arrests in the 10th paragraph.)

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Actor James Woods broke down live on air after he revealed his home was destroyed in the deadly wildfires ripping through the Pacific Palisades in California.

The 77-year-old star, who was known for his roles in Police Academy and Three Men and a Baby, shared horrifying footage on X of his flames engulfing his property.

Our deck three minutes ago. pic.twitter.com/KpZDELpN8L  James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 7, 2025

I couldnt believe our lovely little home in the hills held on this long, Woods wrote late Tuesday. It feels like losing a loved one.

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He then went on CNN to talk about the wildfires, which have evacuated around 70,000 residents as of Wednesday afternoon.

The actor broke down in tears telling the story of wife Saras 8-year-old niece who offered her piggy bank to help rebuild their house.

One day youre in the swimming pool, and the next day its all gone, Woods said, crying.

James Woods breaks down in tears on CNN pic.twitter.com/Hw1nxQkBTu  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 8, 2025

On social media, Woods criticized liberal idiots who supported California Democrat leaders such as Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom.

This fire is not from climate change, you ignorant a--hole. Its because liberal idiots like you elect liberal idiots like Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass, Woods posted to X. One doesnt understand the first thing about fire management and the other cant fill the water reservoirs.

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Woods, who is a vocal Trump supporter, also attacked the Los Angeles Fire Department Fire Chief, Kristin Crowley, who has faced criticism from Republicans due to her focus on diversity measures in the department.

Refilling the water reservoirs would have been a welcome priority, too, but I guess she had too much on her plate promoting diversity, Woods wrote.

The fire has caused multiple stars to evacuate their homes. So far, 70,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate, with 28,000 structures threatened.
MAGA nation is pinning blame for Californias wildfires on Democrats, as well as a less typical target: the states homeless population.

The popular far-right X account @LibsOfTikTok, which has over 3.9 million followers, is pushing the bizarre theory as blazes rage across Southern California on Wednesday, forcing 80,000 people to evacuate.

A post from the account pointed to reporting from the past several years showing that some fires break out at the states homeless encampments when the inhabitants tap into underground electrical wiring for power.

At least two people have died in the ongoing wildfires. / Mario Tama / Getty Images

While California has a homeless population of around 187,000 (the nations largest), there are other important factors that contribute to its penchant for wildfiressuch as climate change.

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And there has been no indication that any of the four major fires currently blazing in the state began at homeless encampments.

Nevertheless, the link between fires and homelessness has since been echoed by other MAGA media, including far-right personalities such as Ryan Matta and Savanah Hernandez.

Donald Trump, meanwhile, has limited his condemnation over the fire to Democratsreigniting a feud with Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Using his preferred nickname for the Democratic leader, Trump wrote Wednesday on Truth Social, Governor Gavin Newscum refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snow melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way.

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In September, while Trump was campaigning for president, he had vowed not to fund Californias wildfire defense unless the state channeled more of its water to farmers rather than to the San Francisco Bay, where it aids wildlife, according to The New York Times.

MAGA nation is blaming Democrats, especially Gavin Newsom, for Californias fires. / Mario Tama / Getty Images

With Trumps second presidency fast approaching, he threatened Newsom with retribution.

He wanted to protect an essentially worthless fish called a smelt, by giving it less water (it didnt work!), but didnt care about the people of California, he wrote in his post. Now the ultimate price is being paid. I will demand that this incompetent governor allow beautiful, clean, fresh water to FLOW INTO CALIFORNIA! He is the blame for this.

Other prominent members of MAGA nation have mirrored Trumps blame toward Democrats.

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Charlie Kirk, a MAGA pundit with 4.3 million followers, wrote on X, Three friends of mine have lost their homes in the LA fires. What is happening in California is a tragedy. This is all the Democrats' fault. No water, no plan, and zero pre-emptive forest management.

In fact, Newsoms office in January 2021 released an 84-page plan to fight wildfires.

Trumps rhetoric about water was also by echoed @LibsOfTikTok, which also hit out at the Los Angeles Fire Department for focusing too much on diversity quotas.

Theres no water coming out of the fire hydrants because the city didnt fill the reservoirs but at least the fire chief is a woman and gay! https://t.co/EXdtuAvM0O  Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 8, 2025

Theres no water coming out of the fire hydrants because the city didnt fill the reservoirs but at least the fire chief is a woman and gay! the account posted.

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According to an LA ABC affiliate, Kristin Crowley is both the first woman and gay person to head the citys fire departmenta fact that @LibsOfTikTok noted in a separate post but asked, Does this make you feel safer?

Meanwhile, Newsom has said that over 1,400 of the states firefighters have been deployed to battle the out-of-control blaze, which have killed at least two and injured many, according to the Associated Press.
The New York Times Maggie Haberman on Tuesday suggested President-elect Donald Trump is clearly in an expansionist mindset with his recent talk about buying Greenland, merging the United States with Canada, and taking over the Panama Canal.

But Haberman sought to differentiate the three ideas and explain how these things are not all the same.

Panama is a relatively new focus of his, she told CNNs Anderson Cooper, also noting how the idea of America acquiring Greenland for strategic purposes has been floated for decades.

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Trumps chatter about Canada becoming the 51st state, though, is clearly much more of a troll, said Haberman.

Its also sort of a dominance play, she added.

Trump earlier Tuesday refused to rule out using military action to seize control of the Panama Canal and Greenland. Haberman wasnt sure if Trump was actually thinking about using force or if it was just because he was angry about his upcoming sentencing in his hush money trial and the possible public release of special counsel Jack Smiths reports on his classified documents and Jan. 6 election subversion cases.

Cooper asked if it actually could all just be a ploy by Trump to distract Americans if he fails to completely fulfill some of his more extreme campaign promises, such as conducting the mass deportation of undocumented immigrants, when he returns to the White House in less than two weeks.

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Haberman doubted it was a technique of willful distraction.

Instead, she put it down to Trumps tactic of flooding the information zone to overwhelm the media and critics.

Watch the analysis here:

.@kaitlancollins and @maggieNYT provide perspective on President-elect Trump's state of mind following a wide-ranging press conference in which he railed agaist President Biden and refused to rule out using military force to take control of the Panama Canal and Greenland. pic.twitter.com/QJ5rCPFT7N  Anderson Cooper 360 (@AC360) January 8, 2025

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Capital Bs local newsrooms in Atlanta and Gary, Indiana, are very different, but share some DNA.

The reporters, editors, and engagement teams who power our journalism live in the areas we cover  many with lifelong ties and deep roots. They know firsthand how important it is to meet neighbors where they are with stories that matter, not just on our website or on social media.

That was the idea behind Capital B Offline, a 13-month effort we launched in July 2023 to build trust with and better understand our audiences. Through surveys, events, focus groups, print newsletters, and even billboards, we reached thousands of people in 2024, and learned valuable lessons about what can happen when journalists meet audiences where they are.

Building newsrooms with empathy

In Gary, where our newsroom launched in 2023, editor Javonte Anderson collected over 100 surveys from residents eager for news that showed the city in its fullness  not just its challenges. They asked for coverage of local heroes, small businesses, and educational achievements, alongside coverage of critical issues like youth violence, abandoned buildings, and economic opportunities.

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We responded with an ongoing series of community spotlights that have been among Garys most read and shared stories, and partnerships like this one with The Trace to examine the citys progress in combating gun violence.

In Atlanta, residents told our community engagement team about their strong interest in youth and education stories  feedback that helped us sharpen our education beat  and led to projects like APS Votes, a civic engagement campaign for school board elections. We produced the most comprehensive voting guide available to Atlantans looking for information about school board candidates, whose races often go overlooked.

The power of print in Gary

Capital B Gary took out advertising on the citys busiest streets as part of its community outreach, including this one on Cline Avenue, a major transportation route in the city. (Javonte Anderson/Capital B)

In the early days of our community engagement, Gary residents also asked for something we were eager to deliver: to see Capital B Gary in print. Last spring, we designed and sent mailers to 7,000 Black households with QR codes that linked to our weekly newsletter. Along with the mailers, we introduced residents to Ask Capital B, an SMS service that allowed residents to text our newsroom with questions about anything happening in their city, and we would work to get them answers. We purchased three billboards on the citys busiest roads, advertising Ask Capital B, too.

The June 2024 issue of Gary Monthly. (Javonte Anderson/Capital B)

But the real highlight has been the success of Gary Monthly, our print newsletter that puts our best stories of the month on paper. From June to December we printed 25,000 copies of the newsletter, distributing them through a partnership with Garys local libraries, and to nearby colleges, small businesses, churches, train stations, community events and on the streets. The word-of-mouth success of the newsletter also got the attention of a local advertiser. In September, we ran our first paid advertisement in the paper.

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Lakeisha Bridgeman, community engagement and marketing coordinator at the Gary Public Library system, said, The patrons are going to love this! when we dropped off our first stack in July. The positive feedback continued to roll in. One reader said Gary Monthly helped them with staying updated on whats happening in my city. Others said they appreciated that the newsletter was free, and several others said theyd be willing to pay a few bucks for it to keep it going.

Events and focus groups spark hope and empowerment

At our Sound Off event in Atlanta, Fairburn & Gordon housing residents addressed lawmakers about their living conditions. (Dante Miller/Capital B)

In 2024, we held over a dozen gatherings on issues ranging from gun violence to maternal health to Black immigration. These gatherings lead to new connections, new story ideas, and deepened the impact of our reporting.

In May, nearly 40 residents of Atlantas Fairburn and Gordon Apartments attended a Community Sound-Off to speak out about hazardous living conditions like mold and pests. The gathering followed months of award-winning reporting from politics reporter Chauncey Alcorn that led the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to cancel its contract with the complexs owners. Residents connected with advocates, officials, and our newsroom, leaving empowered to advocate for themselves. Community engagement editor Ann Hill Bond said one resident asked her, How can I learn more about advocating for my community?



I saw a spark of hope and empowerment, Ann said.

Participants in our African-Caribbean immigrant focus group, held in partnership with Atlanta Civic Circle, share their perspectives on local issues. (Eldredge Washington)

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Residents later reached out to us for advice on interacting with other media outlets, a sign that their experience with Capital B has strengthened their interests in media literacy. Since then, we have stayed connected with the residents, reporting on their relocation efforts, following government efforts to hold the owners accountable, and sharing updates via printed stories and an SMS group chat with numerous residents.

Keep doing what youre doing. We appreciate it, one Fairburn and Gordon resident who goes by Rose told us in a survey.

In July, we partnered with I Am Them, a youth advocacy group, to host a focus group with kids ages 10 to 17 about life in Gary. They shared concerns about safety, abandoned buildings, and gun violence, often knowing victims personally. Their candid feedback inspired future stories and deepened our connection with local youth.

It also led to an invitation to cover Chicago rapper G Herbos visit to Gary, where he discussed trauma with the group. Community engagement editor Derreka Rollins noted a key takeaway: small, familiar settings foster meaningful dialogue with vulnerable communities.

Answering community questions about elections

Our offline campaign supported a key part of our 2024 election strategy: connecting residents with candidates through events that encouraged civic engagement and direct dialogue.

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In Gary, we partnered with BLACK (Building Leaders Advancing Community Knowledge) to host a candidate mixer for those running in the May primaries. About 50 attendees exchanged ideas and contact information with candidates, fostering deeper connections between local leaders and the community.

In Atlanta, our Connect with Your Candidates event at The Kenekt Cooperative introduced Ask Capital B to the local audience. With 60 attendees, the event created a space for meaningful discussions on rent control, public school resources, and crime, driven by community-submitted questions. Outreach efforts, including 1,000 flyers and social media promotion, ensured strong engagement.

These events yielded tangible results: 62 new newsletter sign-ups, two dozen follow-up participants, and seven published stories inspired by community questions. Attendees left with actionable voter guides and a renewed sense of civic responsibility. The events also highlighted a recurring theme: residents want not just information but accountability. Questions like How will you hold yourself accountable to the community? reflect a desire to track how candidates actions align with their promises, underscoring the role Ask Capital B played in bridging the gap between residents and elected local officials.

Through events like these, we saw how listening to residents concerns, gathering feedback, fostering meaningful relationships, and crafting stories informed by those conversations can create journalism that truly reflects the needs of our communities. These offline efforts offer an important lesson, especially as the news industry strives to connect with and build new audiences: listening can make a real difference.

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Correction: Dr. Tifany Jamison was misidentified in a photo caption in an earlier version of this story.

Adeshina Emmanuel is the former managing editor of local of Capital B.

The post From Mailers to Meetups: How Capital B Brought Our Local Journalism Offline appeared first on Capital B News.
Jan. 7A union of lobstermen that purchased a wholesale business near Bar Harbor says it has settled a five-year-old federal lawsuit against the former owners for allegedly stealing nearly $2 million.

The Maine Lobstering Union bought the wholesale arm of the Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound from Anthony and Josette Pettegrow in 2017 and agreed that the couple's son, Warren Pettegrow, would stay on as CEO to run the wholesale business for the union.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Bangor in 2019, alleges that the Pettegrows coordinated to "embezzle money and lobster products from the union and its membership"  charges the family continues to deny.

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Maine Lobstering Union Local 207, which operates the wholesale cooperative as Lobster 207, is part of the 600,000-member International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the same union that represents employees of Bath Iron Works.

Union officials said during a news conference Tuesday that Lobster 207 will receive more than $5 million from the settlement, but they could not immediately provide a court record of the agreement. The court acknowledges that a settlement has been reached, but details of the agreement aren't expected to be wrapped up until April 25.

The civil suit said that Warren Pettegrow and his family embarked "on a systematic scheme and pattern of racketeering activity designed to enrich themselves at Lobster 207's expense."

According to court records, Pettegrow charged Lobster 207 about 20 cents per pound more than he paid lobstermen at the dock and funneled the markup to his family's remaining businesses, which include a seafood restaurant and retail shop on Route 3 in Trenton, just before Mount Desert Island.

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Mike Yohe, Lobster 207's current CEO, said the settlement on Jan. 2 came as a relief and a surprise  jury selection was scheduled to start Jan. 6.

"We were preparing for trial," Yohe said. "It's a new start for us, rebuilding trust with the fishermen in this state."

David Ginzer, an attorney with Richardson Whitman in Portland who represents the Pettegrows, would not confirm the $5 million figure but sent a statement on their behalf.

"The Pettegrow family agreed to settlement terms to allow everyone to move on from years of highly contested litigation," Ginzer said. "The Pettegrows vehemently deny the contentions in this suit and that they engaged in any wrongdoing."

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Ginzer said the Pettegrows wanted to resolve the lawsuit "to move forward in a positive way and avoid the uncertainties of continued litigation." They are focusing on their family and continuing to serve the fishermen and greater community as Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound has since 1956, he said.

The lawsuit and accompanying documents allege that Lobster 207 lost $1.94 million when Pettegrow was CEO. However, because the suit alleges racketeering, the cooperative could seek triple damages.

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A police lieutenant in Maine and two others suffered serious injuries when another driver crashed head-on into his police cruiser in Turner while the lieutenant was on his way home from work on Monday, authorities said Tuesday.

Monmouth Police Lt. Dana Wessling, 52, of Turner, was extricated from his cruiser and flown to Maine Medical Center in Portland with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, the Androscoggin County Sheriffs Office said in a statement.

The other driver, Sean McNeil, 41, of Minot, and his passenger, a 47-year-old woman from Turner, were both taken by ambulance to Central Maine Medical Center with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

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The conditions of Wessling, McNeil and the unidentified woman were not known on Tuesday.

On Monday, at 4:49 p.m., the Androscoggin County Regional Communications Center received a report of a two-vehicle, head-on crash at the intersection of Turner Center Road and Bradford Road in Turner.

Deputies along with Turner Fire-Rescue were immediately dispatched to the scene, the Androscoggin County Sheriffs Office said.

A preliminary investigation found that Wessling was traveling west on Turner Center Road in his take-home cruiser, a black 2022 Ford Interceptor that is owned by the Town of Monmouth.

McNeil, driving his silver 2013 Ford F150 pickup truck, was traveling east on Turner Center Road when McNeil came around a curve, crossed the center line and was in Wesslings lane when the two vehicles collided, authorities said.

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Both vehicles had extensive front-end damage and were totaled, authorities said.

Wessling, who was on his way home at the end of his shift, had just picked up his 7-year-old son at daycare, the Androscoggin County Sheriffs Office said. His son was taken by private vehicle to a local hospital to be examined for precautionary reasons.

Investigators from the sheriffs office and the Lewiston Police Department were on scene to reconstruct the crash.

The crash investigation remains under investigation.

Turner is a small town in Maine, just north of Lewiston. The towns population was 5,817 at the 2020 census.

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Jan. 7Two religious schools in Maine asked the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston on Tuesday to allow them to tap into public education dollars, even though it could violate the state's anti-discrimination law.

For decades, Maine excluded religious schools from a program that allows public money to be used for private schools if no local public options are available. But in 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down that ban with Carson v. Makin, saying the policy violated the constitutional right to religious exercise.

However, little changed because the Maine Legislature had amended the anti-discrimination law before the ruling to include religious schools. That law, called the Maine Human Rights Act, requires religious schools to follow non-discriminatory hiring and admission practices, allow students to express gender-identities different than those assigned at birth, and permit students to express and practice a religion different than the school's.

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Only one school  Cheverus High School in Portland  applied for the state reimbursement program following the ruling.

Two other religious schools have since challenged the anti-discrimination policy in court. Crosspoint Church in Bangor, the plaintiff of the original Supreme Court case, filed a civil complaint in federal court in March 2023. And a group, including St. Dominic Academy in Auburn and a pair of parents, filed suit in June of the same year.

A U.S. District Court judge denied an emergency request to stop enforcement of the state's law last February. The two schools then appealed their request to the higher court, asking for that decision to be overturned. The justices considered their arguments Tuesday but did not make an immediate ruling.

Crosspoint's attorney Tiffany Bates said the state's policy violates the free exercise clause, and that the law is not equally applied because it only bears on some schools, not all.

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"Maine's interest, it is stated, is to make sure that public funds don't go to promoting discrimination, yet they have not required schools outside the state to abide by those anti-discrimination laws," Bates said.

The judges appeared skeptical of that argument, and had a lot of questions about how general applicability should be defined in this case. Judges pressed Bates on her argument that the law is unequally applied because it excludes higher education and schools outside Maine. They also asked her whether she views anti-discrimination as a more compelling government interest than religious freedom.

"The Supreme Court has not said there is a compelling interest of the highest order in regards to sexual orientation and gender identity," Bates responded. She said in cases where the Supreme Court has weighed anti-discrimination laws and constitutional protections, the latter has prevailed.

According to Chief Deputy Attorney General Christopher Taub, who is representing the state in both cases, just two out of 4,500 students eligible for the tuition program attend out-of-state schools. He pushed back on the idea that they are an important exception because of how few students participate.

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He also argued that Maine has treated religious schools just like other schools since the Supreme Court ruling, and that Crosspoint is looking for preferential treatment.

"Specifically, it wants to be exempted from complying with the Maine Human Rights Act, even though every other school that receives public tuition payments in the program must comply with that law," Taub said.

The attorney for St. Dominic Academy, Adele Keim, carried on Crosspoint's argument about general application of the anti-discrimination law, citing out-of-state schools and higher education institutions, which she said can receive public funds but are not governed by the policy. Keim invoked the all-girls school Dana Hall in Massachusetts, and Bowdoin College, as examples.

"Here Dana Hall is treated better than St. Dominic," she said. "You can't treat Dana Hall and Bowdoin better than you're treating St. Dominic in Auburn."

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The judges also had questions about employment rules, which Keim argued the state applies inconsistently to religious schools in the tuition program and churches more broadly.

But Taub said those are two different policies and are applied differently depending on whether an organization chooses to take public funds.

"St. Dominic, regardless of whether it takes public funds, can require all of its employees to comply with its religious tenets, and it can require them to be members of the same religion," Taub said. "If it takes public funds, the difference is going to be that it can no longer discriminate simply because of a person's status. It can't refuse to hire a person simply because they're gay."

He also argued the St. Dominic case has no standing because the school does admit students regardless of sexual orientation or religion. He told the judges that higher education is also irrelevant, because the anti-discrimination law governs compulsory education that is paid for entirely by public funding.

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Crosspoint Church is being represented in part by First Liberty Institute, a Texas-based legal organization that takes on religious freedom cases. Their attorneys called Maine's rules "odious to our Constitution."

"Maine excluded religious schools from its school choice program for over 40 years, but the U.S. Supreme Court made it clear in Carson v. Makin that such religious discrimination is unconstitutional," First Liberty Senior Counsel Jeremy Dys said in a statement Tuesday. "Now, our clients would be punished with heavy fines if they hold to their religious beliefs."

The national and Maine chapters of the American Civil Liberties Union, along with Americans United for Separation of Church, the National School Boards Association, Pastors for Children and the Network for Public Education all filed briefs in support of the state.

"While a private religious school may have sincerely held beliefs that motivate its discrimination, the state need not subsidize and support discriminatory conduct," the ACLU's brief states. " In claiming a constitutional right to discriminate with taxpayer funding, Appellant Crosspoint Church seeks to upend these long-standing safeguards and contravene a neutral and generally applicable state law."

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In a statement Monday, the ACLU of Maine alluded to the broader implications of the appeals.

"The cases mark the beginning of a new front in the national legal landscape that threatens to give religious schools a license to discriminate using taxpayer dollars," it said.

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Jan. 7Attorneys made opening statements Tuesday in a high-stakes civil trial centered on a 2019 surgery that left a 14-inch metal instrument inside a woman's abdomen for nearly two months.

Michelle Torma of Bernalillo County underwent surgery Jan. 29, 2019, at Presbyterian Hospital to remove a 75-pound benign tumor from her abdomen, attorneys told jurors.

Torma underwent a second surgery on March 28, 2019, after a CT scan identified a long, rectangular, metal object in her abdomen. The object was found to be a retractor, left there by the surgical team months earlier.

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Torma filed a lawsuit in 2021 alleging medical negligence and other claims against Presbyterian Healthcare Services, Southwest Women's Oncology and Southwest's gynecologic oncologist, Dr. Karen Finkelstein, who performed the surgery.

The trial is scheduled through Jan. 15 before 2nd Judicial District Judge Denise Barela-Shepherd.

Torma's attorney, Jacob Vigil, asked jurors to award his client $10 million in compensatory damages and "multiples higher" in punitive damages. He didn't identify a specific dollar amount in punitive damages.

Vigil argued that the operating room was "jam packed" with "curiosity seekers" that resulted in a chaotic surgical environment.

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"This was kind of a side show, removing such a large tumor and large cyst," Vigil said. As a result, he said, "nobody is doing their job."

Vigil argued that surgical personnel violated the hospital's own policies that establish an accounting procedure for every surgical instrument used in a procedure.

Shannon Sherrell, an attorney for Presbyterian Healthcare Services, acknowledged that surgical personnel mistakenly left the retractor in Torma's abdomen after removing the tumor.

"This should not have happened," Sherrell told jurors. "Presbyterian Healthcare Services accepts its shared team responsibility for the retained retractor."

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She argued that the personnel in the operating room were required for what she described as a difficult surgery.

"The surgery was very complex and difficult," Sherrell said. "Given the size of this tumor, multiple staff members had to be present in the operating room in order to ensure that this tumor was safely removed."

The key issue for jurors will be to determine an appropriate damage award, but the punitive damages Torma seeks is not warranted, Sherrell said.

Finkelstein's attorney, Bryan C. Garcia, told jurors that surgeons depend on specialized medical personnel who are responsible for counting all the instruments used in a procedure and ensuring they are removed.

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"You will learn that surgeons rely on the other team members to ensure that the instrument counts are accurate," Garcia said.

"In this case, Presbyterian has acknowledged that its nurses and staff got the instrument count wrong," he said. "You will learn that surgery is a team sport and everybody has their own job with its own responsibilities and duties."
COLLETON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD)  A man being held at the Colleton County Jail has died after officials say he ingested illegal drugs before being booked.

The 21-year-old was taken to the jail Tuesday following a traffic stop by the Walterboro Police Department.

Officials with the Colleton County Sheriffs Office said shortly after arriving at the jail, it was discovered during the booking process that the man had ingested drugs before he was brought to the facility.

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A Colleton County Detention Officer overheard the man discussing what he had done with another inmate, and they requested the jail nurse to examine him, the sheriffs office said. He admitted to the jail nurse that he had consumed illegal narcotics, prompting immediate transport to Colleton County Medical Center for treatment.

Due to the toxicity of the drugs he ingested, officials said he did not survive and died Wednesday afternoon.

Colleton County Sheriff Buddy Hill has asked the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to investigate. The departments Office of Professional Standards will also conduct an internal review.

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Pennsylvania State Police have revealed new information about a deadly crash on I-376 in Lawrence County on Tuesday.

Channel 11 previously reported that multiple crashes, including a crash where someone was killed, shut the roadway down for hours.

A crash report from Pennsylvania State Police reveals that an eastbound Toyota Tacoma driven by a 26-year-old woman from Youngstown, Ohio, lost control near mile marker 8.9 in Neshannock Township. The vehicle went through the median, hit a guard rail then crashed into a westbound Ford transit van.

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The driver of the Ford, identified as Neil Plumber, 41, of Greenville, died as a result of the crash.

The woman was flown to a hospital with a suspected serious injury.

The crash remains under investigation.

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HARTFORD, CT. (WWLP)  The suspect in a double homicide that took the lives of a mother and her baby from Springfield is scheduled to make his second appearance in court on Wednesday.

Police investigate unattended death on Trafton Road in Springfield

Back on November 19th, 20-year-old Jessiah Mercado and her 4-month-old baby Messiah Diaz were shot and killed by a suspect who police believe to be 23-year-old Lance Morales.

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Morales was extradited from Puerto Rico to Connecticut. Family members told police that the victim owed Morales $400 in car payments. Police believe that could be the reason for the shooting in Hartford.

The warrant shows the victim told Morales that her baby was in the car, but he shot anyway. According to the Massachusetts State Department of Children and Families, the four-month-old was in foster care in Massachusetts at the time of the shooting.

His bond is set at $5 million.

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WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN)  A man was arrested on a public indecency charge Tuesday after reports state he was intimately touching himself while following women shopping.

Read next: Unreasonable and not appropriate arbitrator rules on former YPD officers termination

Boardman police were called to the Walmart location at 1300 Doral Drive just before 6 p.m. Tuesday for reports of a man who appeared to be performing a sex act in the womens clothing section and following women through the store.

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Kevin Edinger is charged with public indecency  which reports state was elevated to a first-degree misdemeanor charge from a third-degree charge due to two prior public indecency convictions.

A woman reported to store security that a man, identified as Edinger, was following her while she was shopping in the undergarment section. Reports from the incident state security video captured Edinger walking around the store while performing a lewd act.

The woman who talked to security said she didnt notice Edingers actions, but reports state there were other customers in the same area.

In addition to pursuing charges of public indecency, the employee told police that Edinger should be criminally trespassed from the store.

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He is set to appear in court Thursday on the charge.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  A 49-year-old man has been taken into custody, accused of hitting an 84-year-old man with his car and fleeing the scene.

The Salt Lake City Police Department said the hit-and-run happened before 5 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 7. Officers learned a suspect, later identified as Erik Conner, had allegedly hit the 84-year-old victim with his Ford F-350 near 1700 South State Street.

Police say the victim was taken to the hospital with what was considered non-life-threatening injuries. While at the hospital, however, the mans condition worsened and hospital staff downgraded his condition to critical.

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Salt Lake City Police officers began searching for Conner, finding a truck believed to be involved near the crash site. While investigating, officers determined the owner of the truck returned, got in, and left without contacting officers in the area.

Detectives later learned Conner wanted to speak with law enforcement but wanted to do so with his attorney present. He was then booked as the suspected driver in the hit-and-run. Officers later found the suspects truck at a hotel near the University of Utah.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
WATERBURY, Conn. (WTNH)  A New Haven man was arrested after police say he broke into a Winners store in Waterbury and stole nonactivated lottery tickets.

According to police, at around 4:45 a.m. on Jan. 3, Waterbury police responded to a burglary on Thomaston Avenue.

Police said a suspect, who fled on foot, used a rock to break the stores glass and enter.

Woman accused of running fraud scheme through AT&T

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The next day at around 10 a.m., police located a man matching the description of the suspect from Winners during a separate investigation on Willow Street.

The suspect was identified as 53-year-old Aric McCray.

McCray was charged with burglary in the third degree, larceny in the sixth degree and criminal mischief in the third degree.

McCray remains in the custody of the Connecticut Department of Corrections on a $110,000 bond.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
A man has been arrested after opening the door of a taxiing JetBlue plane at Logan Airport in Boston on Tuesday, Dec.7.

According to CBS News, witnesses revealed that the individual  who has not been named  had been arguing with his girlfriend, resulting in the man opening the emergency door of the aircraft and delaying the flight.

Per the outlet, passenger Fred Wynn, who sat in front of the man and his girlfriend, spoke to WBZ-TV about the experience on the plane, which was set to travel to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

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PEOPLE reached out to the Massachusetts State Police and the Massachusetts Port Authority for comment, but they did not immediately respond.

"Boyfriend and girlfriend were arguing behind me," Wynn said. "Boyfriend got mad, got up walked down the center aisle, grabbed the emergency door, ripped it off, completely off. FBI agent tackled him, handcuffed him.

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.

Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty A stock image of a JetBlue aircraft A stock image of a JetBlue aircraft

Related: Delta Passenger Detained for Opening Plane Door and Deploying Exit Slide Before Takeoff at LAX

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The witness added, Shortly after, state police came on board and took him off."

Massachusetts State Police told the Boston Globe that officers responded to the alert at 7:30 p.m. local time, with passengers restraining the man before police arrived.

Related: Plane Passenger Opens Emergency Door Midway Through Flight to South Korea

A passenger on JetBlue Flight 161 opened an emergency exit door and deployed the slide while the plane was on a taxiway at Boston Logan International Airport around 7:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Jan. 7,  a statement from the FAA obtained by PEOPLE noted. The Airbus A320 was headed to San Juan, Puerto Rico. The FAA will investigate. Please contact local law enforcement and the airline for additional information.

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JetBlue maintained to PEOPLE in a statement that the customer opened the door for unknown reasons, adding that the flight was eventually swapped to another aircraft and has since landed in San Juan. We greatly appreciate our customers understanding as we worked to address this situation.

According to the Boston Globe and CBS News, a Massport spokesperson confirmed that no injuries occurred.

The man is reportedly set to face charges and will be arraigned in the East Boston division of Boston Municipal Court on Wednesday, Jan. 8.



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A man was arrested Wednesday for trying to bring a machete and knives into the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, police said.

U.S. Capitol police said officers spotted the machete in the mans bag as it went through the X-ray machine, and found three knives in the bag.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The man, who was not immediately named by police, was arrested on charges of carrying a dangerous weapon, police said.

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Police briefly halted security screening on the north side of the visitor center but it has since reopened.

USCP Stops, Arrests Man with Machete & Knives at Security Screening: https://t.co/l3CPimfyAt pic.twitter.com/S1zRwt3vg4  The U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) January 8, 2025

RELATED STORIES:

The arrest came as members of the public were streaming into the Capitol to pay their respects to President Jimmy Carter, who is lying in state for a second day in the Capitol Rotunda.

President-elect Donald Trump is expected to arrive to the U.S. Capitol later Wednesday, his first time in the building since he left office in 2021, to honor Carter before Trump goes to meet with Senate Republicans.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  D.C. police arrested a man Monday after he allegedly tried to stab two employees inside a business in Northwest on New Years Day.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), on Jan. 1, at around 9 p.m., 26-year-old Warran Welcome of Northwest entered a store in the 1700 block of Corcoran Street despite being previously barred from the establishment. This is where the Safeway is located.

2 cats dead, 2 people displaced after house fire in Northeast DC

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An employee told a security guard, who then approached Welcome to escort him out. Police said that is when Welcome pulled out a knife and tried to stab both employees before fleeing.

Neither of the employees were injured.

Officers arrested him on Monday, Jan. 6. He was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon (knife).

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
ST. LOUIS  A man was carjacked Monday in St. Louis shortly after the suspect allegedly asked him for help shoveling snow, police say.

The carjacking happened around 6 p.m. Monday at a gas station in the 6000 block of North Broadway in St. Louis North Riverfront neighborhood.

According to a St. Louis police crime summary report, the suspect initially approached the victim as a gas station and asked for help with shoveling snow. The victim briefly followed the suspect into St. Louis County, but he became suspicious and returned to the gas station.

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Man gets help with vehicle stuck in snow, robbed at gunpoint

When he arrived back at the gas station, the victim said the same suspect confronted him again, this time holding him at gunpoint and demanding his car. The suspect took off in the victims vehicle and drove away from the scene, followed by an accomplice in a Chevy Traverese.

The victim, a 35-year-old man, was not injured amid the carjacking.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is asking for the publics help with information in the case. Anyone with relevant information should contact SLMPD at 314-444-2500 or CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477).

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GALLATIN, Tenn. (WKRN)  A man out on parole for vehicular assault has landed himself back behind bars after police said he tried to kill his girlfriend with a hammer.

The horrific attack reportedly occurred on Nov. 18, 2024, which is when the Gallatin Police Department (GPD) was called to the scene of a domestic assault involving a man who allegedly attacked his girlfriend with a hammer.

Investigators said the attack occurred at a home along Dorothy Jordan Road.

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Related: Man wanted for attempted murder arrested months later in Gallatin

The suspect identified as 43-year-old Joshua Robb is believed to have hit his girlfriend in the head with hammer and a small safe before stomping on her, police said.

During this, he was telling her he was going to kill her, Captain Lamar Ballard told News 2.

According to the GPD, the 40-year-old victim managed to escape to a church located across the street from the home.

As heard on bodycam video, the victims family members were very upset as police arrived to talk them.

Authorities reported the victim survived the attack and police issued an APB for Robb, who then went into hiding for 49 days.

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How serious was this injury to her? asked News 2s Andy Cordan.

Off-duty Hendersonville officer arrested on DUI charge after reportedly speeding

Where he struck her was actually in the back right side of her head, explained Ballard.

News 2 looked into Robbs extensive criminal history, which dates back to more than 15 years and is littered with felonies, including multiple domestic assault charges.

According to the Tennessee Department of Corrections, Robb was convicted on a possession of Schedule II drugs charge in 2018 and was sentenced to six years probation. The probation was later revoked in 2020, where the remainder his sentence was imposed.

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In addition, records show the 43-year-old was also convicted of vehicular assault in 2021 and received a two-year sentence. In February 2024, Robb was granted parole. A warrant was later filed by TDOC in September 2024 for a parole violation.

On Jan. 6, 2025, 49 days after the attack, U.S. Marshals Task Force tracked Robb to Portland, Tennessee.

CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee

The 43-year-old was reportedly arrested by authorities from different agencies, including Sumner County deputies and Portland police.

We just want the community to know all our agencies here in Sumner County work very well together and we just want to thank the U.S. Marshals Service for their assistance in locating this individual because we were able to find him and get him off the streets, added Ballard.

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Robb was taken to the Sumner County Jail and charged with attempted second-degree murder, domestic assault and parole violation.

According to Sumner County Jail records, Robb was arrested for another domestic assault involving the same victim two months before the hammer attack.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
On 7 January the exiled Venezuelan opposition candidatedenounced the kidnapping of his son-in-lawin Caracas.

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  An 18-year-old man has been arrested after he allegedly shot and killed a 23-year-old man who was trying to intervene in a fight Saturday night, Dec. 20 at a Northeast El Paso apartment complex, El Paso Police said.

Police: Man shot, killed trying to intervene in fight at apartment complex

Police say Alejandro Corral, 18, was arrested days later in connection to the murder of Jose Rufino Melendez, 23, at an apartment complex located at 9435 Diana in Northeast El Paso.

Alejandro Corral, 18. Photo: EPPD.

As we have previously reported, police were called at around 11:30 p.m. that Saturday night to 9435 Diana on reports of a shooting.

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When officers arrived, they found Melendez who had been shot. He was transported to a local hospital where he later died as a result of his injuries.

The preliminary information on the investigation revealed that a physical altercation took place between two groups of people in the parking lot of the apartment complex.

During the altercation, Melendez was shot when he attempted to intervene and the suspect, later identified as Corral, fled the scene before officers arrived, police said.

Corral is facing a charge of murder and a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on a total bond of $650,000.

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BROOKLYN (PIX11)  A man accused of setting a woman on fire on the subway pleaded not guilty to murder charges on Tuesday.

Sebastian Zapeta, 33, was charged with first- and second-degree murder and arson, court records show. He waived the right to his first court appearance last month and has been indicted by a grand jury on four counts of murder and arson.

Man accused of setting woman on fire on NYC subway pleads not guilty

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In court on Tuesday, prosecutors formally entered victim Debrina Kawams name into the official record for the first time. They also said that after Zapetas arrest following the December 22 incident, investigators showed him images of himself on the train during the burning, and Zapeta identified himself as the person carrying out the crime.

However, prosecutors said, Zapeta told investigators that hed been too drunk at the time of the incident to have remembered it happening.

Prosecutors said that information will be part of Zapetas next court appearance, set for March 12th.

Kawam, 57, was asleep when the attack happened and was pronounced dead on the scene. She was so badly burned that police said theyd needed to use dental records to identify her.

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After she was identified, a group of local clergy members contacted Kawams family. Some clergy member activists were in the courtroom on Tuesday and said theyd received the familys blessing to advocate for the victim.

You cannot look at [what happened to her] and not say that this woman lost her life tragically and that justice needs to be served, said Pastor Sharmaine Byrd, the vice president of the Citywide Clergy Collective. Her family is owed that, and shes owed that, Byrd said.

The group of clergy said that theyve worked with the victims family to organize a memorial service for her on Sunday evening at 5:00.

Rev. Kevin McCall is one of the organizers of the event.

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You will hear family and friends speak about her life and who she was, McCall said about the memorial service. It will be held at the First Baptist Church of Sheepshead Bay, at 2349 East 15th Street.

According to statements he gave to law enforcement, Zapeta entered the U.S. from his native Guatemala illegally in the previous decade and was returned by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in 2018. He then returned to the U.S. unlawfully in 2019, he told investigators.

Zapeta is being held without bail pending his next court hearing.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
A man convicted of murder in Texas and accused of killing his girlfriend in Erie more than 6 years ago is headed to trial.

Marcus Gibbs, who is 37 years old, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Monday.

Man wanted for an Erie murder arrested in Texas

Erie police said in 2018 Gibbs shot his then-girlfriend Selena Wall multiple times in her Hess Avenue apartment, then took off to Texas.

Wall died two days after the shooting.

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Police and SWAT search for murder suspect in the area, 31-year-old Marcus Gibbs

About a year later, Gibbs was arrested in Austin, Texas for fatally shooting a man there.

He was convicted in Texas, before being brought back to Erie to face charges in Walls murder.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
WALTERBORO, S.C. (WSAV)  A 21-year-old man died on Wednesday after officers learned that he had ingested drugs prior to arriving at the Colleton County Jail to be booked, an official said.

On Jan. 7, the man was taken to the Colleton County Jail by the Walterboro Police Department after being arrested during a traffic stop.

Shortly after the booking process began, officers discovered that he had ingested drugs before he was brought to the jail.

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A Colleton County Detention Officer overheard the man talking about ingesting the drugs with another inmate and requested the Jail Nurse to examine him, the Colleton County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) representative said.

He admitted to the Jail Nurse that he had consumed illegal narcotics, and he was transported to the Colleton County Medical Center.

The man died Wednesday afternoon due to the toxicity of the drugs, they said.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) was called in to investigate and the CCSO Office of Professional Standards will be conducting an internal review.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
The Oklahoma County jail had its first inmate death of 2025 on Wednesday.

Vincent George Burke, 42, of Oklahoma City, died after being transported to a hospital by ambulance, the jail said in a news release. The jail had seven inmate deaths in 2024, the last on Dec. 10.

Burke had been in the jail less than 24 hours and was still in the holding area, said Mark Opgrande, the jail's communications director.

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More: Detainee deaths still overshadow drop in population of Oklahoma County Detention Center

A detention officer doing a sight check found Burke "in need of medical attention" at 5:52 a.m., Wednesday, according to the news release.

Burke was jailed on a felony charge of driving under the influence causing a great bodily injury. Police reported he ran over a man with his car outside a residence in southwest Oklahoma City in April.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma County jail has first death of 2025
A man is facing life in prison for a takeover-style bank robbery that occurred in Charlotte.

Kendall Alexander Sr. was convicted by a jury on Tuesday.

Prosecutors said he and two other men, armed with rifles, stormed into a South End Bank of America and robbed it.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Trio charged following takeover-style bank robbery in South End, sources say

Channel 9 Skyzon captured the incident when it unfolded on South Boulevard in October of 2021.

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Prosecutors said Alexander had prior convictions, including attempted murder of a federal officer.

However, a sentencing date has yet to be set.

VIDEO: Trio in custody following takeover-style bank robbery in South End, sources say




A 36-year-old man fleeing authorities collided with a vehicle at a near north side intersection and then careened into the new Milwaukee Public Library branch currently under construction, according to authorities.

The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office said in a statement Tuesday that an MCSO squad was surveilling a home in the area of North Second and West Lloyd streets, attempting to locate a man who was wanted for a prior burglary, as well as fleeing and eluding.

The sheriff's office said the man exited the home at about 1:30 p.m. and entered a vehicle. Deputies attempted to pull the man over and he did stop briefly but almost immediately fled the traffic stop and a pursuit ensued, authorities said.

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Less than a mile later, at the intersection of North Dr. Martin Luther King Drive and West Locust Street, the suspected vehicle ran a red light, struck another vehicle driven by a 19-year-old man and careened into the library construction site, according to the sheriff's office.

The 19-year-old man was uninjured but his vehicle was seriously damaged. The 36-year-old man was arrested at the crash scene and charges are pending, the sheriff's office said. No deputies were injured.

A 23-year-old construction worker inside the building site reported leg pain and was examined by the Milwaukee Fire Department and cleared, the sheriff's office said.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Man fleeing deputies crashes, careens into Milwaukee Public Library
PEACH BOTTOM TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WHTM)  A man has died after a crash on Tuesday morning in York County.

The York County Coroners office says they were dispatched to the 200 block of Meadow Trail in Peach Bottom Township around 8 a.m. for a single vehicle crash.

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The coroners office says 40-year-old Jason Byczynski was found deceased after crashing a pickup truck into a pole. The truck was traveling northbound when it swerved and hit a stone pillar before crossing into the southbound lane, hitting a mailbox, and striking the pole.

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Circumstances leading up to the crash are unclear at this time.

Pennsylvania State Police are investigating and an autopsy has been scheduled for Wednesday.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
The U.S. Capitol Police said Wednesday that they had arrested a man who tried to enter the visitor center connected to the Capitol while carrying a machete and several knives.

The incident occurred as visitors continued to stream into the Capitol to pay respects to former President Jimmy Carter, whose body was lying in state in the Capitol Rotunda for a second day before a funeral service scheduled for Thursday. In addition, President-elect Donald Trump was set to meet with Senate Republicans late Wednesday at the Capitol.

During security screening at the CVCs north doors, our officers spotted a machete in the mans bag, stopped the x-ray machine, arrested the man, and secured the machete, the Capitol Police said in a social media post describing the arrest.

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Three knives were also found in the bag, along with the machete. Security screening was temporarily stopped at the north side of the Capitol Visitor Center while we investigated, the police said.

No details about the mans identity or possible motive were made available.

The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center is a sprawling underground building that serves as the main intake for tourists visiting the Capitol in Washington. It includes a grand hall, theaters for visitors to watch videos about how Congress works and extra meeting rooms and an auditorium for use by lawmakers.

Though it is run by the Architect of the Capitols office, much of it is divided into House and Senate premises, with each having its own security screening areas, similar to those in airports. The north side entrance is the Senate side screening area.

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The building was opened in 2008 after six years of construction, and its existence is itself due in part to an attack on the Capitol. In 1998, a man entered an east entrance to the Capitol with a gun and was subdued only after he had fatally shot two Capitol Police officers. The attack underscored the need for improved security, which the center is meant to provide.

The Capitol Police said the man arrested Wednesday was being held for multiple charges of carrying a dangerous weapon.
BOSTON (WPRI)  A passenger aboard a JetBlue flight to Puerto Rico was arrested after he opened an emergency exit door while the plane was on the runway at Boston Logan International Airport Tuesday evening, according to the authorities.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that the man opened an overwing exit shortly after the plane had departed its terminal and was taxiing on the runway.

His exact motive for doing so remains unknown at this time, but Massachusetts State Police reported that he wanted to deplane.

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The door opening triggered the inflatable evacuation slide, the FAA added, bringing the plane to a standstill on the tarmac.

Other passengers restrained the man, later identified as 23-year-old Angel Luis Torres Morales, until troopers boarded the plane and took him into custody. Torres Morales was ordered held on $500 cash bail for interfering with the operation of an aircraft.

No one was injured and the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.

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Pope Francis has named the first woman to lead a major office of the Roman Catholic Church. On Monday, he chose an Italian nun, Sister Simona Brambilla, to head the department responsible for all the churchs religious orders.

The appointment is the latest effort by Francis to give women more leadership positions in governing the church. In the past, women have been named to secondary leadership positions in some church offices. But the popes latest appointment is the first time a woman has been named head of a department of the central governing body of the Roman Catholic Church.

Official media for the church reported "Sister Simona Brambilla is the first woman prefect in the Vatican." A prefect is a chief government officer in the church. Since the Vatican  the place in Rome where the church is headquartered  is officially considered a country, prefect leaders serve like officials in other governments.

The position held by the 59-year-old Brambilla is one of the most important in the church. It is officially known as the Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. This means Brambilla is now responsible for every Catholic religious order churchwide.

Pope Francis also named a male church official, Angel Fernandez Artime, as a co-leader to Brambilla. The reason for having a co-leader is that only men can lead religious services, known as masses, in the Roman Catholic Church.

Brambilla has been a member of the Consolata Missionaries religious order. Since last year, she had served as secondary leader in the religious orders department. She will be replacing the current prefect, retiring Cardinal Joao Braz de Aviz, who is 77 years old.

Brambilla is a nurse who worked as a missionary in Mozambique and led a religious order from 2011-2023. In 2023, Francis appointed her to be secretary of the religious orders department.

Francis made Brambilla's appointment possible with reforms made in 2022 to the churchs founding constitution. The changes permit individuals who are not authorized to lead church services, including women, to head a dicastery and become prefects. While the constitutional changes give women more possibilities to serve, they are still not permitted to officially lead church services.

Catholic women already do much of the church's work in schools and hospitals and teach many young members. But Francis has continued a longtime ban on women being local church leaders, called priests. He also does not support women becoming deacons, a position just below a priest.

However, under Pope Francis leadership, there has been a marked increase in the number of women working in church positions since he was elected in 2013. The Vatican News reports the percentage of women in leadership positions rose from 19.3 percent in 2013 to 23.4 percent today.

Among the women holding high leadership positions are Sister Raffaella Petrini, the first-ever female secretary general of the Vatican City State. She is responsible for the territory's health care system, police force and Vatican Museums.

Another nun, Sister Alessandra Smerilli, is the second-in-command in the churchs development office. Several other women have been appointed to under-secretary positions. These include a French nun, Sister Nathalie Becquart, who serves as an advisor to the pope.

Im Jill Robbins.

Nicole Winfield reported this story for the Associated Press. Jill Robbins adapted it for Learning English.

______________________________________________

Words in This Story

nun  n. a woman who is a member of a religious community and who usually promises to remain poor, unmarried, and separate from the rest of society in order to serve God

prefect  n. a chief officer or government official who is responsible for a particular area in some countries

nurse  n. a person who is trained to care for sick or injured people and who usually works in a hospital or doctor's office

missionary  n. a person who is sent to a foreign country to do religious work (such as to convince people to join a religion or to help people who are sick or poor)

secretary  n. a government official who helps a minister, an ambassador, or the like

authorize  v. to give official permission to do something

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DENVER (KDVR)  The suspect arrested in August 2023 for the death of a man missing since 2021 has pleaded guilty, according to court records.

Glen Canyon Lee Hunt, 62, pleaded guilty Monday to a single charge of second-degree murder. He is also facing five sentence enhancement counts of being a habitual criminal.

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Hunt was arrested in August 2023 for the murder of Michael Kroll, 41, who was last seen leaving work at the Pagosa Springs Humane Society Thrift Store in October 2021. He was last contacted via text later the same evening.

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Kroll was documented as a missing person for almost a year until hikers found his remains in a remote portion of La Plata County in September 2022. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation identified his skeletal remains, also naming Kroll as a resident of Joplin, Missouri.

Hunt is scheduled to appear for sentencing on Jan. 21.

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WARREN, Ohio (WKBN)  A Newton Falls man who previously pleaded guilty to child rape charges will spend the rest of his life behind bars.



Terry Weekly was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Hes also classified as a Tier 3 sex offender.

Weekly previously pleaded guilty to three counts of rape. Two additional counts of rape were dismissed. Prosecutors say Weekly sexually assaulted a young girl five times beginning when she was 12 years old.



Judge Ronald Rice told Weekly hes handled many rape cases, but few as deeply disturbing as yours. He also called the gravity of Weeklys actions both incomprehensible and abhorrent.

Judge Rice kind of laid down the law today and took the possibility of parole out of the equation, said assistant prosecutor Gabe Wildman. I think its a very clear and unequivocal message not to hurt kids.



Prior to sentencing, Weekly declined to say anything to the court.

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DENVER (KDVR)  A man suspected of several break-ins across the Denver metro surrendered to Jefferson County Sheriffs Office deputies on New Years Day after he fled into an icy pond.

The agency shared body-worn camera footage of the arrest on Tuesday, showing the man trying to stick it out in the cold water. In the video, the man eventually crawls from the water and lays down to allow the deputies to arrest him without further incident.

Teen killed during reported home invasion in Aurora

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People try to get away from us in a variety of ways, but this certainly was probably one of the chilliest, said Karlyn Tilley, a Jefferson County Sheriffs Office spokesperson. He got in there and realized pretty quickly that you cant swim in freezing cold water. So, his only option was to surrender.

The Jeffco office identified the suspect as Favian Gonzalez-Garcia, 32, and said he is potentially linked to over a dozen metro-area break-ins. On Tuesday, Gonzalez-Garcias court record showed he was facing seven charges out of Jefferson County. All but one is for second-degree burglary of a dwelling, with the final charge for theft in the amount of $20,000 to $100,000.

The video shared by the Jeffco Sheriffs Office also shows clips of the suspect allegedly inside various homes across the metro area.

Gonzalez-Garcia allegedly targeted Latino families in mobile home parks, even over the holidays, the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office shared on X. Victims returned to ransacked homes, missing cash, coins, and jewelry.

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The agency said the community helped lead deputies to the arrest through the use of social media.

Former Lakeside police chief pleads guilty to embezzlement ahead of daughters court date

According to court records, Gonzalez-Garcia is being held on a $50,000 cash or surety bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 8 for a return filing of charges. Gonzalez-Garcia is also facing burglary charges out of Denver, which he pleaded not guilty to, as well as Adams County, where he has not entered a plea.

The Jefferson County Sheriffs Office said Gonazalez-Garcia is facing six cases out of their jurisdiction, in addition to four charges from Denver and Adams County, and is facing a total of 22 cases across the metro area.

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NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)  A man was sentenced to one year in prison for eluding police in a stolen car.

According to officials, on Sept. 7 around 8 p.m., a man called Norfolk Police to report his rental car, which he had left running at the corner of 35th Street and Colley Avenue, was stolen.

The following day around 2 p.m., an officer saw the stolen vehicle traveling eastbound on Brambleton Avenue and attempted to initiate a traffic stop.

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Police said the driver, 33-year-old Andre Joseph Taylor, refused to stop, ultimately leading to a pursuit through a residential area at speeds up to 55 mph. During the pursuit, Taylor also drove the wrong way down a one-way street before eventually rolling into a shed on Reservoir Crescent.

As a result, Taylor was charged with felony eluding and grand theft of an automobile.

On Tuesday, Taylor pled guilty to the charge of felony eluding and agreed to serve one year in prison with another year suspended on the condition he be of uniform good behavior. Taylor must also have his drivers license revoked for one year after his release.

While it is impossible to know whether Mr. Taylor stole this car, we know for sure that he eluded the police in a dangerous and unnecessary way, Commonwealths Attorney Ramin Fatehi said. All Mr. Taylor had to do was stop, and whatever he was facing, it would have been better than trying to flee. We will continue to hold accountable the people who endanger themselves and others by eluding.

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CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A man previously sentenced to life in prison will be paroled in February, the North Carolina Post-Release Supervision & Parole Commission reports.

At age 15, Shelton Crockett was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in connection with the kidnapping, rape and death of Tracy Lynne Brockway.

According to court documents, in May 1992, Brockway drove to a high-crime area and stopped at a corner to ask Crockett and two others, Fernando Mason and Alphonso Benson, if she could buy $20 of cocaine. The three men did not have drugs to sell but told her to pull over.

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Benson then reportedly pointed a gun at the woman, and the three men got into her car before driving around Charlotte. Authorities say Benson again threatened the woman with the gun, forcing her to have non-consensual sex with Crockett.

The victim was later dragged out of the car and beaten by Benson and Crockett, according to court documents. Benson then shot the woman twice. She died from her injuries soon after.

Baltimore man convicted of robbing Charlotte bank at gunpoint faces life sentence

At the time of the murder, Crockett was 15 years old and Mason was 21 years old. Both took plea deals. In October 1992, the two were sentenced to life in prison, Crockett for second-degree murder and Mason for second-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping.

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It is unclear how old Benson was at the time of the crime; however, he was 14 years old when he was sentenced. According to the Greensboro News & Record, Benson was sentenced to two life sentences for this murder and fatally striking a pedestrian a month earlier just to show he (Benson) had the nerve after a passenger in the car taunted him.

Crockett is set to be paroled on Feb. 3, after his case was reviewed by the Parole Commission. He is currently being housed at the Gaston Correctional Center, according to prison records.

Crockett is one of several people sentenced to life before October 1994 who now have a chance to request parole due to changes in sentencing guidelines.

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APOLLO BEACH, Fla. (WFLA)  A pet owner will not be charged after shooting and killing a dog at an Apollo Beach dog park Monday afternoon, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office.

The sheriffs office said dispatchers received a call about a shooting at the dog park, located off of Gulf And Sea Boulevard, around 5:56 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 6.

Man accused of touching himself in front of 4-year-old at Lakeland playground

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Witnesses told authorities that two dogs, a golden doodle and a Pitbull, were fighting when the owner of the doodle shot the Pitbull. The dog died from its injuries.

He started trying to pull away his dog and other girl because she wasnt right next to her dog, she ran over and started to try to pull him away. I heard him scream that he was going to shoot her dog, then he pretty promptly took out a gun and shot it in the head, a witness who was at the dog park when the shooting happened said. The witness did not want to be identified.

HCSO said the shooter was not charged, and provided the following statement:

The law permits dog owners to take necessary actions to protect their pets and themselves in these situations. Their dog was being attacked, and the owner could not regain control of their animal. The dog attacking the other dog posed an immediate threat to their pet and potentially other people at the park.

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Florida law allows you to use deadly force with a firearm to defend your dog, said Tampa Attorney Anthony Rickman. Although its tragic a dog was killed, the owner who shot that dog was justified in using the deadly force because that dog can turn its ire on the person trying to separate the dogs. He could wind up getting bit or even killed himself. So the law allows you, if you have that reasonable belief, this satisfactory belief, to defend your animal. 



Florida law also allows guns in public parks.

Florida law does not prohibit somebody from bringing a firearm, as long as they can lawfully carry one, to a public park, Rickman said. Unless its specifically prohibited at that park.



Witnesses and other dog owners were shocked to find there are no signs prohibiting guns at the Apollo Beach dog park.

You want to see people take the least violent measures possible and make sure that both animals are safe, and all the people involved are safe too, the witness to the shooting said. Theres so much that can go wrong when you shoot a gun.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
One person was injured in a shooting in central Fort Worth Tuesday evening, according to a statement from police.

Officers were dispatched to the Texaco gas station at 1525 East Berry St. in response to the shooting, police said.

When they arrived, officers learned that the victim had been driving near the intersection of East Berry Street and South Riverside Drive when he was shot once in the arm and twice in the leg, police said.

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After he was shot, the victim called 911 and drove to the Texaco station to wait on first responders to arrive, police said in a statement.

The victim was not forthcoming with additional information and was transported to John Peter Smith Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries, Fort Worth police said.

The suspect is not in custody and a detective from the departments Gun Violence Unit will be assigned to the follow-up investigation, police said.
A Phoenix man who suffered horrific, third-degree burns across his face, arms, legs, and torso from being pinned to the ground by police officers is set to sue the city for a staggering $15 million.

Michael Kenyon, 30, was walking through a parking lot on July 6, 2024, with temperatures reaching 114 degrees in central Phoenix, when he was stopped and questioned by police officers, who were in fact looking for a different man. In cell phone footage taken by a witness from a nearby balcony, officers can be seen detaining Kenyon, who was simply confused about why he was being targeted.

When he attempted to stand up, a scuffle ensued and the officers threw him to the ground and kneeled on his neck and back, pinning him to the burning hot asphalt for more than four minutes. Kenyon could be heard in the footage screaming in pain and pleading with officers, begging them, "Please please I cant move. I didnt do anything."

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Kenyon told ABC 15 Arizona that his skin was already bubbling by the time he was eventually placed in the back of a police cruiser. All told, he spent over a month in the hospital, and his injuries can be seen in graphic footage provided to the station. He also now has entire chunks of flesh missing from above his knees.

Though Kenyon had a warrant out for his arrest, which he says both he and the officers were unaware of, he was never charged with a crime. His attorneys filed an official notice of claim on Dec. 30, which states that he will settle the case for $15,530,000, but is prepared to sue the city in federal court.

"Michael is 30 years old. At an average life expectancy, he should live another 42 years," the claim states. "That is 15,330 days. We are confident that not a single one of you would choose to live in Michaels disfigured body and traumatized mind for $1,000 a dayand we are confident a jury would agree that this is a modest sum for what the Phoenix Police Department has caused to him."

"Four City of Phoenix police officer pressed a human being [on] black asphalt, during the heat of the day, for four minutes," the claim continues, citing a lack of training and supervision. "Indeed, through 1,147 pages of Operations Orders, there does not appear to be a single word guiding officers about the severe risk of injury posed by holding subjects against pavement."

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During a previous interview, Bobby DiCello, one of the lawyers representing Kenyon, blasted the department for "demonstrating an utter disregard for human life over and over again." DiCello added hauntingly: "This young man was burned to the third degree because his skin was cooked on asphalt."

The city of Phoenix has not released body camera footage from the incident, despite media requests. A spokesperson for the city likewise declined to comment on the claim but told ABC 15 that the incident is still being reviewed under internal police investigation.
A man with several suspicious packages parked near a fast food restaurant in East Windsor in the early morning hours Wednesday was arrested after he reportedly alluded to the Tesla Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas last week.

An officer spotted the vehicle in a Wendys parking lot around 3 a.m. and began investigating after finding that the windows to the car were covered with panels and sheets after the restaurant was closed for the night, according to Dep. Chief Benjamin Murphy of the East Windsor Police Department.

Murphy said the driver, later identified as 38-year-old Timmothy Phelan, refused to give the officer his identification and maintained that he was not breaking any laws. He was also allegedly verbally aggressive and told the officer that they were messing with the wrong guy and that he was live, which police took to mean he was broadcasting on social media, according to Murphy.

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Phelan was physically removed from the vehicle after he refused several times to identify himself or get out on his own, Murphy said. During a search of the car, an officer found several wrapped items that were ticking and beeping. When asked about the suspicious packages, Phelan reportedly told police to just open them and youll find out, Murphy said.

According to Murphy, Phelan then began referencing the explosion last week involving a Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Police then made the decision to call for the Connecticut State Police Bomb Squad.

The Warehouse Point Fire Department responded and assisted with shutting down several roads and intersections until the bomb squad could investigate the packages. Police said the intersection of Route 5 and Route 140 was closed for several hours.

According to Murphy, the bomb squad found that the items were harmless, at which point the area was reopened.

Phelan was charged with first-degree breach of peace, simple trespass and interfering with an officer. He was expected to be arraigned the same day in Hartford Superior Court.
China's patent-intensive sectors contributed 13 percent of GDP in 2023

Xinhua) 08:53, January 08, 2025

BEIJING, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- The added value of China's patent-intensive industries was 16.87 trillion yuan (about 2.35 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2023, contributing 13.04 percent of the country's GDP, an increase of 0.44 percentage points from the previous year, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) said on Tuesday.

In 2023, China became the first country in the world to have more than 4 million valid invention patents. Last year, that number reached 4.756 million, and China's numbers of international patent, trademark and design applications ranked among the highest in the world.

The CNIPA also highlighted that China's number of valid invention patents in strategic emerging industries climbed to 1.349 million last year, up 15.7 percent year on year.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
As the date nears for a possible U.S. ban on the video sharing service TikTok, some small companies are saying such a ban would hurt their business.

The U.S. Justice Department has ordered TikToks China-based parent, ByteDance, to sell the social media app by January 19 or face the ban. Lawyers for ByteDance and TikTok have sought legal action to temporarily block the Justice Departments order.

The Supreme Court is expected to consider the matter in January. President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office January 20, has asked the Supreme Court to delay a ban to permit solving the problem through political means.

U.S. officials have long warned that TikTok presents national security concerns. The government accuses ByteDance of sharing user data with Chinas government. Critics have said China could also use TikTok to spread misinformation and that material published on the service can harm the mental health of young users.

TikTok has repeatedly denied the accusations. The company has said it sees the app as an important tool to support Americans right to free speech.

Industry experts have said a U.S. ban on TikTok could affect millions of small businesses that use the service to grow.

TikTok launched in the United States in 2016. Since then, many small business owners have been using it in different ways. These include marketing and advertising campaigns to introduce new products. Many companies also sell goods directly through the app.

TikTok's own estimates suggest small businesses currently using the service would lose more than $1 billion in revenue in a single month if the ban goes into effect.

One example of how TikTok can be used to quickly grow a business is the experience of Desiree Hill. She is the owner of Crowns Corner Mechanic in Conyers, Georgia.

She told the Associated Press that sharing videos of her work on TikTok helped spread the word online about her business. As a result, the app made her services so popular she was able to open her own shop with five employees 18 months ago.

Every day I get at least two to three customers that have seen me on TikTok, watched my videos and wanted to become a customer, Hill said.

If a ban on TikTok is established, many businesses would likely move to other services to reach customers. Instagram Reels, Snapchat and YouTube Shorts are three possibilities. Many small companies already use those apps. But business experts say it might be harder to get teens who have long used TikTok to start using other apps.

Another way for businesses to reduce the effects of a ban would be for them to build a strong base of customers who are willing to provide their contact emails or phone numbers. That permits owners to reach out directly to users with new offers and other marketing messages.

Hill, of Crown Corner Mechanics, worries that other services would not reach as many possible customers as TikTok. She said she is already using YouTube, Instagram and Facebook, but has not been getting the same results.

I am worried because there is no preparation for this, Hill told the AP. She added, If I lose TikTok, I will lose a large part of my business or I will lose my ability to grow anymore.

Crystal Lister uses TikTok for her business, called Mommy and Me: The Listers, in Cypress, Texas. The company offers interactive educational training in subjects including technology and science. Now, she is seeking to move her offerings to YouTube and Instagram Reels but says TikTok is easier to use.

It is going to be a challenge if TikTok is banned because were losing kind of all the functionality you want, Lister said. These could include video creation methods and the ability to spread product details through social media. So well have to use many other platforms to supplement what TikTok did in one.

Im Bryan Lynn.

The Associated Press reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English.

Quiz - Small Businesses Say US TikTok Ban Would Hurt Them Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

_______________________________________

Words in This Story

app  n. a small computer program that can be put onto a mobile phone or other electronic device

customer  n. a person or organization that buys goods or services from a shop or business

interactive  adj. involving communication between people

challenge  n. something difficult that tests ones ability or determination

functionality  n. the way something works

supplement  v. to add things to make something larger or better
A suspect wanted in connection with the murder of a Virginia man in Maine last month has been arrested in California, state police said late Tuesday afternoon.

Luke Krott, 26, of Edgecomb, was arrested on a warrant Monday night on a sailboat at a marina in San Diego, California, state police said.

Krott was arrested in connection with the murder of William Nate Robinson, 34, of Austinville, Virginia, whose body was found inside a trash barrel in the Schmid Preserve on the Old County Road in Edgecomb on Dec. 3, state police said.

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The Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta determined that Robinson died of a gunshot wound and ruled the manner of death a homicide.

On Dec. 12, detectives executed a search warrant at 57 Conant Road in Turner, where evidence found at the location linked Krott to the murder of Robinson, and an arrest warrant was issued for him.

Krott, who had been staying with his parents in Edgecomb, left the state and arrested Monday night with the help of the San Diego Police Departments Fugitive Task Force, the FBI, and the U.S. Marshals Service.

Krott is currently being held at the San Diego Central Jail on a fugitive from justice charge pending the extradition process to Maine, where he will face a murder charge, state police said.

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The Maine State Police would like to thank our local and federal law enforcement partners for their assistance in locating and apprehending Krott, state police said.

An investigation into Robinsons death is ongoing, state police said.

Edgecomb is a small town north of Boothbay Harbor and south of Waterville. The towns population was 1,188 at the 2020 census.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Mandy Moore was forced to evacuate her home with her family as wildfires continue to rage across the Los Angeles area. While the actress and her loved ones are safe for now, the fate of her Pacific Palisades home remains unknown.

The ongoing wildfire crisis has devastated vast areas of Los Angeles County, with four life-threatening fires rapidly consuming homes and landscapes. The largest blaze, in Pacific Palisades, has already placed tens of thousands of residents under mandatory evacuation orders.

Moore took to social media to express her gratitude to friends who have offered shelter for her, her three children, dogs, and cats during this chaotic time.

Mandy Moore Evacuated In Wildfire Emergency  Is Her Home Still Standing?

Instagram Stories | Mandy Moore

Her emotions were raw as she thanked first responders and expressed heartbreak over the destruction unfolding around her. Using the hashtag #EatonFire, she highlighted the plight of many, including elderly residents who had to be urgently evacuated from a Pasadena senior care center on Tuesday night.

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Mandy Moore isnt alone in facing this crisis. Other celebrities, including Ben Affleck, "Star Wars" icon Mark Hamill, and "Schitt's Creek" star Eugene Levy, were also forced to flee their homes due to the wildfire threat in Pacific Palisades, approximately 30 miles west of Pasadena.

However, not everyone was as fortunate. Reality TV stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag are among those who tragically lost their homes in the Palisades fire.

Mandy Moore Expresses Gratitude Amid Devastating Wildfires

Instagram Stories | Mandy Moore

In a second Instagram Story, the actress shared a selfie featuring her son, along with the caption, "Grateful for the kindness of friends that we had a place to land last night. Trying to shield the kids from the immense sadness and worry I feel."

She added, "Praying for everyone in our beautiful city. So gutted for the destruction and loss. Don't know if our place made it."

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The ongoing wildfire crisis has devastated vast areas of Los Angeles County, with four life-threatening fires rapidly consuming homes and landscapes. The largest blaze, in Pacific Palisades, has already placed tens of thousands of residents under mandatory evacuation orders.

Wildfires Take Over Southern California

APEX / MEGA

The wildfire chaos has turned evacuation efforts into a logistical nightmare. Abandoned vehicles piled up in traffic-choked neighborhoods between Malibu and Santa Monica, forcing fire crews to use bulldozers to clear pathways. Some evacuees were even considering sheltering on nearby beaches as flames jumped across highways.

The Eaton Fire, which continues to terrorize Pasadena and Altadena communities, has displaced tens of thousands of residents. As of Wednesday morning, approximately 32,500 people remain under evacuation orders, a decrease from the peak of over 50,000 overnight, according to Angeles National Forest officials.

Officials Brace For Worsening Conditions

APEX / MEGA

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Sheriff Robert Luna reported that over 13,000 structures remain at risk, and fire officials are bracing for worsening conditions as strong winds and low humidity persist.

We are absolutely not out of danger yet with the strong winds that continue to push through the city and the county today, Los Angeles City Fire Chief Kristin M. Crowley said, per CNN. Our first responders and firefighters remain committed to protecting lives and property.

Celebrities Flee As Wildfires Continue To Grow

ZUMAPRESS.Com / MEGA

A separate fire, which ignited hours earlier, tore through the Pacific Palisades neighborhooda coastal hillside area known for its celebrity homes and immortalized in the Beach Boys' 1960s classic "Surfin' USA." In the desperate rush to escape, roads became clogged as countless people abandoned their cars and fled on foot, some carrying suitcases.

As celebrities speak out about the tragedy and state of their homes, "Frozen" actor Josh Gad took to social media to thank the brave men and women battling the wildfires. "I hope everyone is staying safe tonight in the affected fire areas in Los Angeles," Gad wrote. "My deepest gratitude and appreciation goes out to our brave fire and rescue and police forces who are doing everything in their power to keep the residents of Los Angeles safe right now."

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Firefighting resources throughout Los Angeles are stretched to their breaking point. The Los Angeles Fire Department has called on all off-duty firefighters to report to their supervisors and confirm their availability for emergency deployment.

For now, Mandy Moore and countless others can only wait and hope for the best as brave firefighters continue their relentless battle against the flames.
With the devastating California fires raging, several celebrities have lost their homes, including Billy Crystal, Anna Faris, and Adam Brody and Leighton Meester. While it'll be a while before we know the complete list, it's clear the devastation is not over.

Related: Paulina Porizkova Issues Desperate Plea for Help Amid Unprecedented Palisades Fire

And still others have been evacuating. Eugene Levy, who is honorary mayor of Pacific Palisades, told the Los Angeles Times on Jan. 7 that he was stuck in traffic while trying to flee.

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"The smoke looked pretty black and intense over Temescal Canyon, the Schitt's Creek star said. "I couldnt see any flames but the smoke was very dark.

This Is Us actress Mandy Moore was among the stars who fled her home during the Palisades fire. On Tuesday evening, the mom of three shared on her Instagram Story that she had evacuated and was safe with her kids [sons Gus and Ozzie and daughter Louise], dog and cats.

"Grateful for the kindness of friends that we had a place to land last night. Trying to shield the kids from the immense sadness and worry I feel. Praying for everyone in our beautiful city. So gutted for the destruction and loss. Don't know if our place made it. #eatonfire," Moore penned in another post.

Hours after "successfully" evacuating his home, James Woods revealed that all of the smoke detectors were going off in his house and transmitting to his iPhone. "I couldnt believe our lovely little home in the hills held on this long," the Hercules actor posted on X. "It feels like losing a loved one."

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Star Wars star Mark Hamill admitted that he evacuated Malibu "so last-minute," but a little over an hour later, he arrived at his daughter Chelsea Hamill's house in Hollywood.

According to TMZ, Ben Affleck was evacuated from his home. He is said to have rushed to his ex-wife Jennifer Garner's home nearby. Page Six reported on Jan. 8 that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may have to evacuate their home in Montecito, where they reside with their kids, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

California's Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, as did City of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.

"Weve declared a state of emergency to amplify our response to this devastating fire and clear a path for a rapid recovery, Mayor Bass, who was reportedly is in Africa on a delegation trip to attend the inauguration of Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama, said in a statement. "To the thousands of families impacted by this horrific fire  the City of Los Angeles is providing resources and shelter as this emergency continues. To the hundreds of brave firefighters and first responders who have been responding all day to this blaze  we thank you. The City is working aggressively to confront this emergency.

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Continue reading to see which stars have lost their homes or evacuated, and what they are saying about the January 2025 California fires.

Celebs who have evacuated or lost their homes in the California fires  and what the stars are saying

Adam Brody and Leighton Meester (lost home)

The couple has yet to comment on the loss.

Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/WireImage

Mark Hamill

"Most horrific fire since '93."

Mandy Moore

"Praying and grateful for the first responders."

Instagram/Mandy Moore

Ricki Lake (lost home)

"Its all gone. I cant believe I am typing these words."

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Chris Pratt

"Jesus protect the lives of those battling the flames..."

Join me in praying for the brave firefighters sacrificing so much to save our houses and our town. Jesus protect the lives of those battling the flames and the lives of those who couldnt evacuate. #PalisadesFire  Chris Pratt (@prattprattpratt) January 8, 2025

Please send prayers and strength tonight to everyone in Los Angeles affected by these devastating fires. Los Angeles is in a state of emergency and over 30,000 have been ordered to evacuate.



Thank you to the brave firefighters and first responders who are working tirelessly to pic.twitter.com/vS8cRoZrCn  Chris Pratt (@prattprattpratt) January 8, 2025

Jamie Lee Curtis

"My community and possibly my home is on fire. My family is safe. Many of my friends will lose their homes. Many other communities as well. There are so many conflicting reports. With all the technology there seems to be very little information."

Melissa Rivers (lost home)

IMAGO/MediaPunch/Faye Sadou

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"That is the end of everything that belonged to my family and the history of it," she told CNN, referring to items that belonged to her late parents, Joan Rivers and Edgar Rosenberg. "I grabbed my mom's Emmy, a photo of my dad and a drawing my mother had done of me and my son. ... I went for a drawing of hers, rather than a photo. I know I can find the photos, but a drawing I can't replace."

Steve Guttenberg

James Woods

"To all the wonderful people whove reached out to us, thank you for being so concerned. Just letting you know that we were able to evacuate successfully. I do not know at this moment if our home is still standing, but sadly houses on our little street are not."

To all the wonderful people whove reached out to us, thank you for being so concerned. Just letting you know that we were able to evacuate successfully. I do not know at this moment if our home is still standing, but sadly houses on our little street are not. pic.twitter.com/xZjvsIg6Fg  James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 7, 2025

Saras eight-year-old niece offered her Yeti piggy bank to help us.



Some things will make a grown man cry.  James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 8, 2025

All the smoke detectors are going off in our house and transmitting to our iPhones.



I couldnt believe our lovely little home in the hills held on this long. It feels like losing a loved one.  James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 8, 2025

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Candace Cameron Bure

"Pacific Palisades, CA is on fire. This is devastating to watch. Please pray the winds die down as its expected to get worse into the early morning hours. Please pray for the safety of firefighters and emergency crews who are fearlessly trying to tackle this disaster."

Kris Jenner

"It is absolutely heartbreaking to watch the fires consume our beautiful city."

Instagram/Kris Jenner

Khloe Kardashian

"Praying strongly that these winds die down and no more homes are lost."

Instagram/Khloe Kardashian

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Diane Warren (lost home)

"This is the last pic I took of Leah's rock from my beach house. I've had this house for almost 30 years. It looks like it was lost in the fire last nite. There's a rainbow shining on it which I'm taking as a sign of hope for all creatures who have been affected by this tragedy."

Whitney Cummings

"Gonna be a wild couple days. As I seriously consider moving out of California I remember these heroes dont think that way."

Billy Crystal (lost home)

Santiago Felipe/Getty Images

"Words cannot describe the enormity of the devastation we are witnessing and experiencing," he said in a statement shared with People. 'We ache for our friends and neighbors who have also lost their homes and businesses in this tragedy. Janice and I lived in our home since 1979. We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that can't be taken away. We are heartbroken of course but with the love of our children and friends we will get through this.



We pray for the safety of the fire fighters and first responders. The Pacific Palisades is a resilient community of amazing people and we know in time it will rise again. It is our home."

Kaley Cuoco

"This is heart wrenching to witness what's happening in our backyard."

Instagram/Kaley Cuoco

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Sara Foster

"Absolute heroes. These en and women have an insane night ahead of them ..."

Instagram/Sara Foster

Anna Faris (lost home)

Anna and her family are safe and very grateful," a representative for Faris told PEOPLE on Jan. 8.

Maria Shriver

"Heartbreaking fire devastating our city So many friends have evacuated as firefighters from all over are being called in. Stay safe, everyone!"

Heartbreaking fire devastating our city  So many friends have evacuated as firefighters from all over are being called in. Stay safe, everyone! https://t.co/UtdmHJy7Km  Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) January 7, 2025

Jennifer Grey (lost home)

IMAGO/agefotostock/Celebrity Select Gregorio T. Binuya Everett Collection

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Grey's daughter, Stella Gregg, shared the news of her mother's loss on Instagram. "Last night my mama's house was burnt to the ground," she wrote on Instagram Stories.

Mayim Bialik

"It's very scary and we are hoping for everyone's safety..."

Jessica Alba

"Devastating - so many in our community experiencing the unimaginable. We are praying for you, we love you "

Paris Hilton

"Sitting with my family, watching the news, and seeing our home in Malibu burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience," she wrote, in part. "This home was where we built so many precious memories. ... Its where Phoenix took his first steps and where we dreamed of building a lifetime of memories with London. ... While the loss is overwhelming, Im holding onto gratitude that my family is safe. My heart and prayers are going out to every family affected by these fires."

Related: Jamie Lee Curtis Issues Blunt Request While Her Home 'Possibly' Burns in Palisades Fire
Mandy Moore is giving her followers an update after evacuating her home due to the raging wildfires in Los Angeles.

After sharing via Instagram on Tuesday night that she and her husband Taylor Goldsmith had safely evacuated their property and brought their children and pets to safety, the This Is Us actress uploaded another post to share how her family has been holding up in the midst of the devastating tragedy.

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"Grateful for the kindness of friends that we had a place to land last night," she wrote in an Instagram Story on Wednesday, Jan. 8. "Trying to shield the kids from the immense sadness and worry I feel."

In her post, Moore, 40, was cuddled up with her son, Oscar "Ozzie" Bennett, 2, who is one of three children she shares with Goldsmith, 39. The spouses are also parents to first-born son, August "Gus" Harrison, 3, and their newest addition, 3-month-old daughter Louise Everett.

"Praying for everyone in our beautiful city. So gutted for the destruction and loss," Moore added in her post on Wednesday.

As for their home, Moore wrote, "Don't know if our place made it," while using the Eaton Fire hashtag.

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The Eaton Fire broke out north of Pasadena on Tuesday evening, and has caused several serious injuries and two deaths, according to the Los Angeles Times. The outlet reports that over 100 structures and 10,000 acres in Altadena and Pasadena have been destroyed by the Eaton Fire.

As of Wednesday morning, the Pacific Palisades Fire has burned more than 5,000 acres, burning down hundreds of homes along the Pacific Coast Highway. The Hurst Fire, meanwhile, has burned over 500 acres in the Sylmar neighborhood of L.A.

We are absolutely not out of danger yet, Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley said, while noting, "These fires are stretching the capacity of emergency services to the maximum limits."

Next: Stars Who Evacuated Their Homes Amid California Fires
Chris Pratt, Maria Shriver, Diane Warren and more Hollywood and political notables impacted by the wind-whipped wildfires ravaging the Los Angeles area posted heartbreaking messages on social media Wednesday regarding the ongoing destruction that had already claimed more than 1,000 structures and two lives.

Heartbreaking, devastating, beyond belief. Everything is gone, Shriver, the journalist and former First Lady of California, wrote in an X post. Our neighborhood, our restaurants. All our friends have lost everything. We have evacuated, but are safe. But people have lost everything.

Heartbreaking, devastating, beyond belief. Everything is gone. Our neighborhood, our restaurants. All our friends have lost everything. We have evacuated, but are safe. But people have lost everything.



The firefighters have and are doing their best, but this fire is massive and https://t.co/NrINzXRvkI  Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) January 8, 2025

Billy Crystal and his wife Janice  longtime Pacific Palisades residents (the comedic actor was even an honorary mayor of the municipality)  shared late Wednesday that they were among the many to lose their home in the wildfire.

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Words cannot describe the enormity of the devastation we are witnessing and experiencing. We ache for our friends and neighbors who have also lost their homes and businesses in this tragedy, they said in a joint statement. Janice and I lived in our home since 1979. We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that cant be taken away. We are heartbroken of course but with the love of our children and friends we will get through this. We pray for the safety of the fire fighters and first responders. The Pacific Palisades is a resilient community of amazing people and we know in time it will rise again. It is our home.

Oscar-nominated songwriter Diane Warren said she lost her beach house of 30 years.

This Is Us star Mandy Moore was another celebrity impacted by the fires. In an Instagram post, the actress uploaded a video of what appears to be her neighborhood. While she didnt mention if her home was harmed, she shared that her childrens school is gone.

I love you, Altadena. Grateful for my family and pets getting out last night before it was too late (and endless gratitude to friends for taking us in and bringing us clothes and blankets), Moore said. Honestly, Im in shock and feeling numb for all so many have lost, including my family. My childrens school is gone. Our favorite restaurants, leveled. So many friends and loved ones have lost everything too. Our community is broken but we will be here to rebuild together. Sending love to all affected and on the front lines trying to get this under control. See her full message below.

Like Warren, Paris Hilton also lost her family home. The TV personality and businesswoman shared on X that she and her family watched their Malibu residence burn to the ground.

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Heartbroken beyond words, Hilton wrote on Wednesday. Sitting with my family, watching the news, and seeing our home in Malibu burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience. This home was where we built so many precious memories. Its where Phoenix took his first steps and where we dreamed of building a lifetime of memories with London. See her full message below.

Heartbroken beyond words  Sitting with my family, watching the news, and seeing our home in Malibu burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience.  This home was where we built so many precious memories. Its where Phoenix took his first steps pic.twitter.com/aeJAgJrymA  Paris Hilton (@ParisHilton) January 9, 2025

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The Palisades Fire started late Tuesday morning in the ritzy neighborhood nestled between the Santa Monica mountains and the Pacific Ocean, sparking a mass evacuation of an estimated 30,000 people from the celebrity enclave.

Hollywood productions were shut down entirely, including Maxs Hacks, NBCs Suits: LA and Happys Place, Apple TV+s Loot and Peacocks Ted, all of which are produced by Universal Studio Group.

The Garfield Movie star Chris Pratt shared his thoughts and condolences with those who have been impacted.

Please send prayers and strength tonight to everyone in Los Angeles affected by these devastating fires, the actor wrote Tuesday night. Los Angeles is in a state of emergency and over 30,000 have been ordered to evacuate.

Please send prayers and strength tonight to everyone in Los Angeles affected by these devastating fires. Los Angeles is in a state of emergency and over 30,000 have been ordered to evacuate.



Thank you to the brave firefighters and first responders who are working tirelessly to pic.twitter.com/vS8cRoZrCn  Chris Pratt (@prattprattpratt) January 8, 2025

Extreme Santa Ana winds continued to whip three major wildfires in the Los Angeles area Wednesday morning, with 80 mph gusts spreading destruction in the Palisades, Altadena and Pasadena, and to the north near Sylmar. Officials said more than 1,000 homes, businesses, schools and other buildings had burned, and two deaths were reported overnight.

This is from my hood. Look at the sky. That is smoke, not clouds from a fire that has consumed over 2,900 acres and remains uncontained. Its left so many homes and buildings without power and killed at least two people, with more left with significant injuries.



Please stay pic.twitter.com/3p1408K4aU  Halle Berry (@halleberry) January 8, 2025

I am being frequently briefed on the wildfires in west Los Angeles. My team and I are in touch with state and local officials, and I have offered any federal assistance that is needed to help suppress the terrible Pacific Palisades fire. Earlier tonight, FEMA approved a Fire  President Biden (@POTUS) January 8, 2025

Michelle and I are thinking of everyone impacted by the wildfires in California, and are grateful for the work of the heroic firefighters and first responders.



If you're looking for ways to help, go to: https://t.co/XVedK5rRDK  Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 8, 2025

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A friend in LA just took this video pic.twitter.com/WJBWCHmCUs  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 8, 2025

WOW. There are currently FOUR fires in the LA area going on right now. I hope you all stay safe. Sending love + light to all of my brothers + sisters in LA! https://t.co/KaxRsZLVJj pic.twitter.com/fJO951pksM  COMMON (@common) December 6, 2017

Hard to describe what its like here in Los Angeles right now. The Pacific Palisades is maybe 20-25 mins from where I live. The city smells like smoke. There was apparently another fire less than 5 miles from my house, but thank God they put it out. Sending my prayers to those  Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) January 8, 2025

To our teams in Los Angeles and all those affected by the devastating Palisades fire, were thinking of you. Please take precautions and stay safe.  Tim Cook (@tim_cook) January 8, 2025

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To all of my friends and the people of Los Angeles. Please stay safe as you battle this tragedy. Sending you love.  #PalisadesFirepic.twitter.com/T9uXRP0cqj  Dave Coulier (@DaveCoulier) January 8, 2025

I took this last night from our beautiful little home in the Palisades. Now all the fire alarms are going off at once remotely.



It tests your soul, losing everything at once, I must say. pic.twitter.com/nH0mLpxz5C  James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 8, 2025

It's a surreal feeling to watch your home burn down on the internet.



No words. https://t.co/JLqFABM31Q  Kelsey Trainor (@ktrain_11) January 8, 2025

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The impact of these fires and winds are devastating.



I just got off the phone with @POTUS and discussed an urgent path forward towards recovery for the thousands of families impacted.



Thank you @CAgovernor and Senator @AlexPadilla4CA for your continued support for our city. pic.twitter.com/zYa8DsD327  Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) January 8, 2025

The post Maria Shriver, Chris Pratt and More Celebrities Shook by Los Angeles Fires: All Our Friends Have Lost Everything appeared first on TheWrap.
His death was as controversial as his life. Last November 14, Jean-Marie Le Pen, the 96-year-old Front National founder, whod been taken to a West Paris hospital after collapsing (since 2022 hed had several small strokes), asked to receive the Last Rites from a friend, the traditionalist Abbot Philippe Laguerie.

Laguerie, 72, is best known for having celebrated Mass for the 1996 funeral of one of Frances most notorious wartime collaborationists, the Milice leader Paul Touvier. The abbot showed up when Le Pens middle daughter Yann, the mother of the MEP Marion Marechal, sat alone by her fathers hospital bedside. They clashed violently just outside Le Pen peres room  she and her two sisters, Marie-Caroline and Marine, had for some time banished Laguerie from the family home for his extremist views.

Yet, perhaps predictably, the dying old leader prevailed and got his wish, leaving one more embarrassment for his youngest daughter Marine, whom he had named president of his party in 2011, to be in effect fired by her four years later after hed repeated once too often  testing her like someone worrying a broken tooth  a distasteful joke about Nazi gas chambers.

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The Le Pens are a sturdy race of Breton sailors, and it took almost two months for the old man, nicknamed the Menhir after the prehistoric Brittany monoliths, to finally breathe his last. His final weeks coincided with Marine Le Pens days in court: she had to stand trial for misuse of EU public funds, having allegedly paid party workers, including her eldest sister Marie-Caroline, as fictitious European Parliament aides.

If found guilty, she not only faces a prison term, but also being barred from public office for five years  effectively putting an end to her presidential ambitions at the time when, after two unsuccessful attempts, most polls give her as favourite. To crown it all, the public prosecutor has used a recent anti-terrorist law designed to keep dangerous criminals of the streets. It mandates that her sentence will apply immediately, even if she appeals.

Its a lot to deal with for Marine, as everyone in France calls her. Her great political breakthrough was achieved with a policy her father bitterly (and vocally) resented: the detoxification of the National Front, which became the more consensual-sounding National Rally in 2018, and professed to be a normal political party. Since then, the Rally has made vast inroads on the French political landscape.

Last July, it came first, with 11 million votes in the first round of the Macron called General election, fighting on economic issues dear to the heart of her largely working class base, as well as on immigration. Yet, barred by an ad hoc Leftist and Centrist coalition of sorts, the Rally once again proved itself the Wile E. Coyote of French politics, with the lowest number of MPs of the three blocs.

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But will her fathers death liberate or hamper her? On paper, she is now free to take the party over the finish line, free of residual nostalgia and Daddys occasional broadsides. Younger Rally voters hardly remember the old man: theyre more interested in taking selfies with Le Pens wunderkind 29-year-old deputy Jordan Bardella, or crowding Marine with big smiles in unlikely constituencies, like Mayotte, the Indian Ocean departement recently hit by a devastating hurricane, where the Rally won one of its first Outre-Mer MP seats last July (the other is La Reunion, further south beyond Mauritius). Marine was actually on the plane back from Mayotte when she was told by accompanying journalists of her fathers death: shed just been touring scenes of destruction, being welcomed where Emmanuel Macron had been booed a week ago.

The irony, however, is that the new party she has forged is far more Right-Wing and populist than what she envisioned to get accepted as mainstream. Its because her base were clamouring for a no-confidence vote against Michel Barniers Cabinet that she pulled the plug on that centre-right coalition, weakening Emmanuel Macron even further. She had to do it, a RN MP told me. She would have faced a parliamentary revolt otherwise, because Macron is so hated in most constituencies. The likelihood is that the same punishment will soon be meted out to Francois Bayrou, the lacklustre Centrist Premier currently trying to triangulate a temporary survival.

Marines only hope is that Emmanuel Macron will resign rather than waiting until July when he can call another snap election: she is strongest in a presidential contest. (Her father, the Menhir, acknowledged that when he congratulated her, moist-eyed, after she lost 42 per cent to 58 per cent against the president in 2022.) This needs to happen before March 31, when the ruling comes down on her current trial. And Le President , armed with the Constitution of the Fifth Republic that guarantees his full term up to 2027, is unlikely to give her satisfaction.

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Mark Hamill was among the Hollywood celebrities forced to evacuate their homes as wildfires ripped through one of the most affluent neighbourhoods in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

More than 30,000 people have been ordered to leave their homes as high winds continue to drive flames across southern California.

One of the most-affected neighbourhoods is the coastal Pacific Palisades, home to celebrities such as Tom Hanks, Reese Witherspoon and Steven Spielberg. It is unclear whether they were in the homes when the blaze spread.

Ben Affleck also has a property in Pacific Palisades where he has reportedly been living since his split from Jennifer Lopez. It is unclear whether his home is in the path of the fire.

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Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, called the blaze the most horrific fire since 1993 and said he had been bundled out of his home in a last-minute evacuation as small fires raged on both sides of his road.

James Woods, an Oscar-nominated actor, shared a picture of a video of a fire just metres away from his home, with smoke engulfing his patio area.

X/@RealJamesWoods

He wrote on X: To all the wonderful people whove reached out to us, thank you for being so concerned. Just letting you know that we were able to evacuate successfully.

Eugene Levy, the Schitts Creek actor, also lives in the area and told local media that he fled his property.

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He told the Los Angeles Times: The smoke looked pretty black and intense over Temescal Canyon. I couldnt see any flames but the smoke was very dark.

Kamala Harriss LA home is located in the eastern part of the evacuation zone of the fire in Pacific Palisade. The US vice president is currently in Washington DC.

Several movie premieres have also been cancelled as a result of the fires, including Robbie Williamss Better Man biopic and Jennifer Lopezs Unstoppable film.

More than 30,000 people have been ordered to leave their homes - Ringo Chiu/REUTERS

Meanwhile, around 100 miles away, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex could be evacuated from their Montecito mansion as a result of the fire.

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It is unclear whether homes in the Californian town had their power cut off. The Telegraph has contacted the Montecito fire department for more information.

The Duke and Duchess have lived in a high fire risk property since 2020, meaning it would be cut off from power in order to prevent wildfires.

Several buildings and homes were destroyed and nearly 3,000 acres of land was burned as the fire spread through the Pacific Palisades area, which is near Santa Monica and Malibu.

Highways and roads were jammed as residents fled the fire with video footage showing plumes of smoking over the LA skyline late on Tuesday.

The fires swept through homes in the Pacific Palisades - Ethan Swope/AP

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The fires had not been contained by Wednesday morning, prompting Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, to declare a state of emergency.

Other Hollywood actors praised the emergency services as raging flames made their way through California.

Chris Pratt, who starred in Guardians of the Galaxy, commended the brave firefighters and first responders who were tackling wind-driven wildfires in California.

Actor Josh Gad, who voices Olaf in the Frozen films, also thanked the emergency services for doing everything in their power to keep the residents of Los Angeles safe right now, he said as he posted footage of the blaze ripping through a hillside.

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A second blaze, dubbed the Eaton Fire, raged around 30 miles inland in Altadena, near Pasadena, and increased in size to 1,000 acres from 200 acres in a few hours, according to the California fire department.

Almost 100 residents from a nursing home in Pasadena were evacuated, according to local news outlets.

David Acuna, a senior official in the California fire department, said there was no possibility of containing the fires because of high winds.

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  A new chief judge is appointed to the Arkansas Court of Appeals.

Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Karen Baker said Tuesday that she had appointed Judge Mark Klappenbach as the court of appeals chief justice. Klappenbachs term begins Jan. 1 and runs for four years.

Cole Jester takes oath as new Arkansas secretary of state

Officials said Klappenbach graduated from Louisiana Tech University in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science in accounting. He then graduated with a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law in 1984. Judge Klappenbach holds both an attorneys license and a certified public accountants license.

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Judge Klappenbach was first elected to the Arkansas Court of Appeals in 2016 and was reelected in 2020. Prior to serving on the Arkansas Court of Appeals, Judge Klappenbach worked over 31 years in the legal and accounting fields, including work as a public defender, deputy prosecuting attorney and in private practice. He is a lifelong resident of Fordyce.

Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice speaks out on controversial firings on first week in office

Klappenbach replaces Chief Judge Brandon Harrison, who Baker thanked for his service.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Well, well, this is a turn up for the books. All of a sudden, Facebooks Mark Zuckerberg seems to be worried about free speech.

As Joe Bidens ill-fated presidency takes its final gasp and Donald Trump prepares to re-enter the White House, curly haired Zuck  who once berated employees for crossing out the words Black Lives Matter and replacing them with All Lives Matter on signature walls  appears to have developed a new enthusiasm for the First Amendment.

In a surprise intervention, the billionaire tech supremo has casually announced that his company Meta, which also owns Instagram, is dispensing with the services of (discredited) external fact checkers on its social media platforms. Instead, he is to emulate Elon Musks approach to controversial posts  allowing Facebook users to add context to iffy claims by fellow contributors.

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Better late than never, Mark! While youre at it, might you have a quiet word with the BBC?

For far too long, the worlds biggest distributors of online information  the social media giants; the video streaming platforms and the broadcast media  have been in the business of silencing certain perspectives on sensitive issues.

They have presented viewpoints with which their owners disagree as misinformation  punishing those responsible for uncomfortable or inflammatory posts by suspending or even blocking their accounts.

While Facebook, Instagram and YouTube are all serial offenders, the BBC has arguably been the most shameless, setting up its own fact-finding empire to provide verified versions of the truth. Is it too much to hope that Zuckerbergs tacit acknowledgement that users have lost trust in such services might encourage the BBC to review its own version: so-called BBC Verify?

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Only this week, the supposedly impartial unit broadcast an analysis of Musks political interventions, which blithely accused the X boss of making  unsubstantiated claims about events in the UK. According to BBC Verify, Musk frequently shares untrue and misleading information. How many examples has the unit provided to back up these claims? Absolutely none.

Quite how sincere Zuckerberg and his crew are about restoring free expression remains to be seen. This is, after all, a company that at the most critical moment for public information in modern history  the pandemic  allowed itself to become a tool of governments all over the world.

In a disgraceful attempt to promote compliance with draconian lockdowns and suppress debate about Covid vaccines, Facebook bosses worked with political leaders  including our own then health secretary Matt Hancock  to remove unhelpful (ie dissenting) information from circulation.

Zuckerberg has publicly admitted that the White House pressurised his platforms to censor Covid content during this frightening period.

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Musk is not the only figure within the new regime who will have taken a very dim view of that: Trumps incoming health secretary, Robert F Kennedy, an impassioned campaigner on vaccine safety, is among them.

Evidently, the Meta magnate is now more than a little nervous about the looming change of personnel in the White House. The worlds third richest man has every reason to be worried  not least because of the extraordinary new influence of the man who sits at the top of that global wealth league table: Musk. Having thrown his weight behind Trumps re-election campaign, the Tesla entrepreneur not only has the ear of the incoming president; he also has a big job in the new administration, driving government efficiency.

After acquiring Twitter, he put free speech at the top of his agenda. His potential ability to stretch his remit, using his position in the heart of the federal government to make life uncomfortable for rival social media operators, seems a real threat. Against this backdrop, Zuckerbergs plan to ditch Facebooks army of so-called independent fact checkers (who had a curious tendency to lean in one political direction) looks very much like a pre-emptive strike to avoid something less voluntary. Hence Zuckerbergs flattery of Musks community notes policy, which will be near enough cut-and-pasted into a revised Facebook and Instagram rule book. Genius, right?

According to the Meta CEO, this is about Facebook and Instagram getting back to its roots and focusing on reducing mistakes. Time will tell whether that claim checks out.

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Mark Zuckerberg's plan to replace fact checkers with "community notes" is a familiar one.

A similar system of community moderation is already in place on Elon Musk's X.

On X, community notes let users add context to posts. Meta has said it seems to work well.

Mark Zuckerberg says Meta will use "community notes" to moderate content on its platforms like Facebook and Instagram  but what exactly does that mean, and how has it worked on other platforms?

Meta said the feature would function much like it does on Elon Musk's platform, where certain contributors can add context to posts they think are misleading or need clarification. This type of user-generated moderation would largely replace Meta's human fact-checkers.

"We've seen this approach work on X  where they empower their community to decide when posts are potentially misleading and need more context and people across a diverse range of perspectives decide what sort of context is helpful for other users to see," Meta said in its announcement Tuesday.

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Musk, who has a sometimes-tense relationship with Zuckerberg, appeared to approve of the move, posting "This is cool" on top of a news article about the changes at Meta.

So, will it be cool for Meta and its users? Here's a primer on "community notes"  how it came to be, and how it's been working so far on X:

How the 'community notes' feature was born

The idea of "community notes" first came about at Twitter in 2019, when a team of developers at the company, now called X, theorized that a crowdsourcing model could solve the main problems with content moderation. Keith Coleman, X's vice president of product who helped create the feature, told Asterisk magazine about its genesis in an interview this past November.

Coleman told the outlet that X's previous fact-checking procedures, run by human moderators, had three main problems: dedicated staff couldn't fact-check claims in users' posts fast enough, there were too many posts to monitor, and the general public didn't trust a Big Tech company to decide what was or wasn't misleading.

This is cool pic.twitter.com/kUkrvu6YKY  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 7, 2025

Coleman told Asterisk that his team developed a few prototypes and settled on one that allowed users to submit notes that could show up on a post.

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"The idea was that if the notes were reasonable, people who saw the post would just read the notes and could come to their own conclusion," he said.

And in January 2021, the company launched a pilot program of the feature, then called "Birdwatch," just weeks after the January 6 Capitol riot. On its first day, the pilot program had 500 contributors.

Coleman told the outlet that for the first year or so of the pilot program  which showed community notes not directly on users' posts but on a separate "Birdwatch" website  the product was very basic, but over time, it evolved and performed much better than expected.

When Musk took over the platform in 2022, he expanded the program beyond the US, renamed it "community notes," and allowed more users to become contributors.

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Around the same time, he disassembled Twitter's trust and safety team, undid many of the platform's safety policies, and lowered the guardrails on content moderation. Musk said in 2022 that the community notes tool had "incredible potential for improving information accuracy."

It's unclear how many users participate in community notes contributors. It's one of the platform's main sources of content moderation. X didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from BI.

How the community notes feature works on X

The community notes feature is set to roll out on Meta's Instagram, Facebook, and Threads platforms over the next few months, the company said in a statement shared with BI. Meta said the feature on its platforms would be similar to X's.

On X, community notes act as a crowd-sourced way for users themselves to moderate content without the company directly overseeing that process.

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A select group of users who sign up as "contributors" can write a note adding context to any post that could be misleading or contain misinformation.

Then, other contributors can rate that note as helpful or not. Once enough contributors from different points of view vote on the note as helpful, then a public note gets added underneath the post in question.

For instance, here's an example of a community note attached to a recent X post:

January moment pic.twitter.com/92nRy2eiW0  Just Posting Ls (@MomsPostingLs) January 7, 2025

X has made the complex ranking algorithm behind the feature transparent and open-source, and users can view it online and download the latest data.

X says that community notes "do not represent X's viewpoint and cannot be edited or modified by our teams," adding that a community-flagged post is only removed if it violates X's rules, terms of service, or privacy policies.

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Similar to X, Meta said its community notes will be written and rated by contributing users. It said the company will not write notes or decide which ones show up. Also like X, Meta said that its community notes "will require agreement between people with a range of perspectives to help prevent biased ratings."

Facebook, Instagram, and Threads users can sign up now to be among the first contributors to the new tool.

"As we make the transition, we will get rid of our fact-checking control, stop demoting fact-checked content and, instead of overlaying full-screen interstitial warnings you have to click through before you can even see the post, we will use a much less obtrusive label indicating that there is additional information for those who want to see it," Joel Kaplan, Meta's chief global affairs officer, said in Tuesday's statement.

Potential pros and cons of community notes

One possible issue with the feature is that by the time a note gets added to a potentially misleading post, the post may have already been widely viewed  spreading misinformation before it can be tamped down.

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Another issue is that for a note to be added, contributors from across the political spectrum need to agree that a post is problematic or misleading, and in today's polarized political environment, concurring on facts has sometimes become increasingly difficult.

One possible advantage to the feature, though, is that the general public may be more likely to trust a consensus from their peers rather than an assessment handed down by a major corporation.

Maarten Schenk, cofounder and chief technology officer of Lead Stories, a fact-checking outlet, told the Poynter Institute that one benefit of X's community notes is that it doesn't use patronizing language.

"It avoids accusations or loaded language like 'This is false,'" Schenk told Poynter. "That feels very aggressive to a user."

And community notes can help combat misinformation in some ways. For example, researchers at the University of California, San Diego's Qualcomm Institute found in an April 2024 study that the X feature helped offset false health information in posts related to COVID-19. They also helped add accurate context.

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In announcing the move, Zuckerberg said Meta's past content moderation practices have resulted in "too many mistakes" and "too much censorship." He said the new feature will prioritize free speech and help restore free expression on Meta's platforms.

Both President-elect Donald Trump and Musk have championed the cause of free speech online, railed against content moderation as politically biased censorship, and criticized Zuckerberg for his role overseeing the public square of social media.

One key person appeared pleased with the change: Trump said Tuesday that Zuckerberg had "probably" made the changes in response to previous threats issued by the president-elect.

Read the original article on Business Insider
While Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk never did face off in that cage match, " Uncle Elon " has bested Zuck in the political arena, becoming one of the most powerful unelected figures in modern US history. Now, in hopes of forging a friendlier relationship with the Trump administration a second time around, Zuckerberg seems to be following a new mantra: If you can't beat Elon, be him.

On Tuesday, Meta announced it would end third-party fact-checking and replace it with a more hands-off content-moderation policy in which users police one another through community notes  just like Musk's X. In a video announcing the changes, Zuckerberg said that "governments and legacy media" had pushed for more censorship in recent years, and that Meta had decided its "complex systems" had "too many mistakes and too much censorship." "The recent elections," the Meta CEO added, "also feel like a cultural tipping point towards, once again, prioritizing speech." His language would have sounded natural coming out of the mouth of Musk, who shared Zuckerberg's video on X and dubbed Meta's move "cool."

Community notes is only the latest page Zuckerberg has taken from his billionaire rival's playbook. Whether conducting mass layoffs or removing the guardrails to social media or joining forces with Musk against their shared competitor OpenAI or spending time at Mar-a-Lago, Zuckerberg has been following Musk's lead more often.

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This isn't the first time Zuckerberg, who has helmed Facebook since he was 19, has reinvented himself. From the brash, hoodie-wearing Harvard dropout in Facebook's early days to the suit-wearing, meat-smoking, Silicon Valley nice guy in the years after the company went public to the hardened, martial-arts-practicing " wartime "-mode Zuck who emerged in the wake of the most turbulent period in company history, Zuckerberg has fashioned several personas that approximate what his company most needs him to be at the time. In 2025, don't let his longer hair, oversize T-shirts, and statement jewelry fool you. The persona Mark Zuckerberg has taken on to ensure Meta's success as his historical adversary Donald Trump returns to the White House acts a lot like Donald Trump's right-hand man, Elon Musk.

When Musk bought Twitter in 2022, he shaved content moderation to bare bones in the name of free speech and cut more than 80% of its staff, sending shockwaves through the tech world. Many speculated that Twitter would crack under the pressure, and die. When, despite some hiccups, the platform continued to function largely as normal, Zuckerberg, like several other tech CEOs, applauded Musk for making Twitter "leaner" (doing so on the Musk superfan Lex Fridman's podcast). Meta also laid off 11,000 workers days after Musk took over Twitter, and Zuckerberg then dubbed 2023 "the year of efficiency" at Meta, cutting another 10,000 people. Zuckerberg now also plans to move trust-and-safety workers from California to Texas, following in step with Musk, who has relocated X from San Francisco to Texas, where he has also located Starlink and The Boring Company.

And as Zuckerberg stayed quieter throughout the 2024 presidential election after Meta took heat for misinformation in 2016 and 2020, Musk did the opposite. The world's richest man appeared onstage alongside Trump, backed Trump with more than $250 million, and posted to X incessantly in support of the now president-elect. Musk has again come out on top, as he now sits at the pinnacle of political influence and is poised to radically reshape government spending as he and Vivek Ramaswamy spearhead the Department of Government Efficiency. Big Tech's other power players who want a favorable relationship with Trump are left to follow in his path.

Since November, Apple's Tim Cook, Open AI's Sam Altman, and Amazon have each donated to Trump's inaugural fund. Zuckerberg has done that and more, including visiting Mar-a-Lago to have dinner with the president-elect; naming UFC CEO Dana White, a close Trump ally, to Meta's board; and promoting Joel Kaplan, a longtime Republican lobbyist, to chief global affairs officer. (On Tuesday, Kaplan gave an interview on "Fox & Friends" to promote the company's content-moderation changes.)

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All of this is meant to quell a once adversarial relationship between Zuckerberg and Trump, who had threatened to imprison Zuckerberg if his social sites interfered with the 2024 election and years ago accused Facebook of being "anti-Trump" and colluding against him (Zuckerberg pushed back against such claims).

As my colleague Peter Kafka wrote of the community notes news : "There's no way to see Zuckerberg's moves as anything other than a straightforward attempt to please Trump and the incoming president's conservative allies, who have often complained that Zuckerberg's properties were biased against them." Even Trump said Tuesday that Meta was "probably" responding to his own past threats against Zuck by pivoting.

The very fact-checkers who will soon be dismissed by Meta began with a program in December 2016, after Facebook faced harsh criticism for its role in spreading misinformation in Trump's first election a month prior. Meta actively worked to downplay political content following the January 6, 2021, insurrection, and it suspended Trump from Facebook and Instagram (Meta lifted the suspension in early 2023, saying the public should be able to access what politicians are saying; the move came shortly after Musk allowed Trump back on Twitter). When Meta launched Threads, its own Twitter competitor, in 2023, the Instagram head, Adam Mosseri, said the new app would not encourage breaking news and politics posts. But Musk, who has rebuilt X in his own image to favor conservative and far-right accounts, has found that a social-media site can win when embracing the president. On Tuesday, Meta also said it would reverse course and stop downgrading political content, and start phasing politics back into users' feeds. (A Meta spokesperson referred to past public statements but did not provide new comment for this story.)

Early research on X's community notes shows the move has led to mixed results when it comes to combating misinformation. But changes at X have certainly proved a mammoth victory for Musk, whose wealth has grown by an estimated $200 billion since the election. As he's molded himself more in Uncle Elon's image, Nephew Zuck may also find himself in Trump's favor.

Amanda Hoover is a senior correspondent at Business Insider covering the tech industry. She writes about the biggest tech companies and trends.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Yesterday morning, donning his new signature fitgold chain, oversize T-shirt, surfer hairMark Zuckerberg announced that his social-media platforms are getting a makeover. His aggrievement was palpable: For years, Zuckerberg said, governments and legacy media have pushed to censor more and more. No longer. Meta is abolishing its third-party fact-checking program, starting in the U.S.; loosening its content filters; and bringing political content back to Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. Its time to get back to our roots around free expression, Metas chief executive declared.

In the announcement, Zuckerberg identified the recent elections, in which Donald Trump won the presidency and Republicans claimed both houses of Congress, as a cultural tipping point towards once again prioritizing speech. He said Meta will take direct inspiration from Xs Community Notes feature, which allows users to annotate postsand surfaces the annotations based on how other users rate themrather than granting professional fact-checkers authority to remove or label posts. Among the notable changes is permitting users to describe gay and transgender people as having mental illness.

The dog-whistling around legacy media, censorship, and free-speech sounded uncannily like one of Zuckerbergs greatest rivals: Elon Musk, the worlds richest person and a defender of the most noxious speechat least when he agrees with it. Over the past several years, Musk has become a far-right icon, railing against major publications and liberal politicians for what he deems a censorship government-industrial complex. After buying Twitter, he renamed it X and has turned the platform into a bastion for hate speech, personally spread misinformation, and become a Trump confidant and trusted adviser. Zuckerberg has been feuding with Musk for years over their respective social-media dominance and masculinitythe pair even publicly challenged each other to a cage match in 2023.

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[Read: X is a white-supremacist site]

This weeks policy changes might be understood as another throwdown between the two men. Although Facebook and Instagram are both considerably more popular than Xnot to mention extremely profitablethey lack the political relevance that Musk has cultivated on his platform. That asset has helped bring Trump back for occasional posting there (he is still much more active on his own platform, Truth Social) and, more important, has put X and its owner in favorable positions ahead of Trumps ascension to the presidency. Musk will even co-lead a new federal commission advising his administration. Their close relationship will likely benefit Musks AI, space, and satellite companies, too. Zuckerberg, meanwhile, has not been viewed favorably by Trump or his allies: The president-elect has stated that Zuckerberg steered Facebook against him during the 2020 election, and threatened to put the Meta CEO in jail for the rest of his life, while Republicans such as Ohio Representative Jim Jordan have complained about alleged censorship on the platform. Currying favor with the right wing, as Musk has done so successfully, may well be mission critical for Meta, which is currently facing an antitrust suit from the Federal Trade Commission that it would surely rather settle.

These shifts are occurring against a longer transformation for the company and its chief executive. Zuckerberg has gone from a deferential, awkward, almost robotic nerd to a flashy mixed-martial-arts enthusiast who posts photos of his fights and has public beef with other tech executives. Meta, after years of waning influence, has been attempting a cultural and technological revival as wellpivoting hard toward generative AI by widely promoting its flagship Llama models and launching its own X competitor, Threads. These personal and corporate changes are one and the same: Zuckerberg has recently shared a photo of himself reading his infant a picture book titled Llama; posted AI-enhanced videos of himself sporting his new martial-arts physique, leg-pressing gold chains, or dressed as a Roman centurion; and showcased an AI-generated illustration of himself in a boy band. Also this week, the company announced that Dana White, the CEO and president of UFC (and a notable Trump backer), joined Metas board of directors. The blog post outlining Metas new more speech policies was written by Joel Kaplan, a Republican lobbyist at Meta who just replaced the companys long-standing head of global policy, who was considered center-left. Jordan, the once adversarial congressperson, said he is pleased with Metas new approach to content moderation and will meet with Zuckerberg in the coming weeks.

[Read: New Mark Zuckerberg dropped]

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But for all the effort and bravado, Zuckerberg and Meta have been consistently outdone by Musk. The latter has already overhauled X into a free speech haven for the right. If Meta is responding to the recent election by seeking favor with the incoming Trump administration, Musk helped bring Republicans victory and will advise that administration. Musk helped get OpenAI off the ground, and his newer and smaller AI company, xAI, rapidly developed a model, Grok, that has matched and by some metrics surpassed Metas own. Zuckerberg might boast about Metas AI infrastructure, but xAI partnered with Nvidia to build the worlds largest AI supercomputer in a shockingly fast 122 days. Musk has touted Grok as fulfilling the need for an anti-woke AIthe software has been shown to readily sexualize female celebrities and illustrate racist caricatures. Its easy to imagine Meta lowering its AI guardrails next in a bid to better emulate Musks own offensive showboating.

Even if he catches up, Zuckerberg still lacks the confidence of his rival. He presents as both rehearsed and ostentatious; he announced the end of independent fact-checking while wearing a $900,000 watch. Musk is many things, but he is not a poser: His speech is rambling, off-the-cuff, and perceived as visionary by his followers and much of Silicon Valley. He shows up to Trump rallies wearing T-shirts and talks business while streaming video games. This is cool, Musk wrote of Metas free speech pivot, on X, as if commending a younger sibling.

Becoming a martial-arts enthusiast, pivoting to AI, bringing Republicans into Metas leadership, decrying legacy media and censorship, and permitting homophobia are Zuckerbergs attempts at defiance and renewal. But in no respect is he leading the conversationrather than upending the technological landscape with the metaverse, he is following his competitors in both AI and social media. He may not be capitulating to the Democratic establishment, as he believes his company did in the past, but he is still capitulating to the establishment. Its just that this time, he is apologizing to the ascendant far-right. Theyve come a long way, the president-elect said of Metas changes at a press conference yesterday. (Did he think the changes were in response to threats he had made toward Zuckerberg in the past? Probably, Trump responded.)

It is worth recalling that Facebook did not strengthen its approach to content moderation and limit political content, changes that Zuckerberg now says amount to censorship, just because a few Democratic senators asked. Russian-interference campaigns, various domestic far-right militias, and all manner of misinformation were rampant on the platform for years, wreaking havoc on multiple presidential-election cycles. Facebook exposed users private data, was used to plan the Capitol insurrection in the U.S., and fueled ethnic genocide abroad. The platform, prior to those policy changes, was viewed by some as a legitimate threat to democracy; we have made a lot of mistakes, Zuckerberg told Congress in 2018. He has had a change of heartyesterday, Zuckerberg again promised to make fewer mistakes, this time referencing the supposed policing of conservative speech. For one of Silicon Valleys self-appointed kings, perhaps abetting the unraveling of democracy and civil society is, in the end, nothing to apologize for.

Article originally published at The Atlantic
MARSHALL COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT)  A man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for traveling to meet a child for a sex act, according to Marshall County District Attorney Jennifer Bray.

Bray said that John Thomas Taylor III, 34, of Arab was sentenced on Tuesday to 25 years in the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) by Judge Tim Riley.

Taylor pleaded guilty to charges of traveling to meet a child for a sexual act on July 15, 2024. Bray said the guilty plea came without an agreement between her office and the defense in the case.

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The District Attorney said that in July 2023, law enforcement created dating and messaging profiles posing as a 14-year-old from a broken home interested in a relationship with an older man.

Bray said Taylor was arrested after several days of carrying out a sexually explicit conversation with this profile. She said the conversations included graphic photos and videos.

The district attorney said that on July 19, 2023, Taylor traveled to Boaz to meet a child for sexual purposes and was arrested.

Taylor was originally arrested and charged with traveling to meet a minor for an unlawful sex act, electronic solicitation of a child and transmitting obscene material to a child in July of 2023. The Boaz Police Department arrested him, with help from the Marshall County DAs Office and the Marshall County Sheriffs Office.

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The State asked Judge Riley to sentence the Defendant to 45 years in prison, Bray said. The Defendants attorney asked the judge for the minimum sentence allowed by law. Citing the Defendants lack of criminal history, Judge Riley ordered the Defendant to serve 25 years in prison.

The district attorney said she is thankful for the work of the Boaz Police Department and Mashall County Sheriffs Office to help prosecute the case.

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 WHNT.com.
BALTIMORE  Gov. Wes Moore said Wednesday he will propose $2 billion in cuts next week when he releases his plan for Marylands next state budget and that he continues to have a very high bar for tax increases.

Moores comments on the opening day of the annual 90-day legislative session in Annapolis were the first signs of how officials will begin negotiations around resolving a significant $3 billion budget deficit for the fiscal year beginning July 1. Lawmakers in the House and Senate are expected to push a variety of proposals that would, for instance, raise new revenue through corporate and personal income taxes, though Moore said in an interview with The Baltimore Sun that he is focused on cuts and evaluating whether to continue existing programs.

If things are not effective nor sustainable, then why are we funding it? And we have to be honest about that, Moore said in an interview in his office shortly after first announcing his broad plan for the cuts. It is an aggressive approach, but its one that I think is necessary because we are not just going to kick the can down the road.

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Moore declined to specify which areas of the states roughly $63 billion budget hes targeting, or which programs may be impacted more than others.

He also did not answer specific questions about whether he would consider broad-based tax proposals this year or whether his high bar for tax hikes  which he set a year ago when the budget pressures began  has been met with the spiking deficit numbers. Asked whether he would consider changes to business-focused taxes that many Democratic lawmakers have supported, he insisted his goal is making the state more economically competitive and business friendly.

We need to make sure that Maryland is competitive with our with our partners, and we need to make sure that economic growth is going to be the North Star that were going to achieve, Moore said.

The governor, who is entering his third year in office, is scheduled to release his next budget plan Jan. 15. Democrats who control a supermajority of both the House and Senate will then make amendments and negotiate with the governor on a final product before the end of the session in early April.

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Senate President Bill Ferguson, a Baltimore Democrat, said at an event Wednesday morning that legislative leaders need to see the details of the cuts. He said every single program in the state will undergo a review to ensure its effectiveness as far as the budget is concerned.

Its going to be a challenge and were going to have to navigate, Ferguson said at The Daily Records annual pre-session summit. I think its going to look very different come March than it does today.

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A Massachusetts man was sentenced in federal court on Tuesday for his role in a Massachusetts-based drug trafficking ring that funneled fentanyl and cocaine into New Hampshire, U.S. Attorney Jane Young said.

Osvaldo Soto Jimenez, 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Samantha Elliott to 46 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release, Young said.

Soto Jimenez pleaded guilty in August to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

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He is the eighth of 21 people charged in the drug trafficking organization to be sentenced.

As the manager of the dispatch operation that arranged the purchases and deliveries of fentanyl and cocaine, the defendant enabled this organization to traffic dangerous narcotics from Massachusetts and into our communities, said Young. The defendant will now face the consequences of his criminal conduct by serving 46 months in federal prison. Other drug traffickers should be on notice that they will face the same consequences if they dare to traffic poison into our communities.

Osvaldo Soto Jimenez took part in a conspiracy led by his father that saw vast amounts of deadly fentanyl and cocaine brought here to Manchester, with no regard for the harm he caused in this community, Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBIs Boston Division, said in a statement. Todays sentence is a win for the FBI and all our partners as we work together to get dangerous drugs and criminals off the street.

Fentanyl and cocaine are causing tremendous damage to our communities in New Hampshire, Acting Special Agent in Charge Stephen Belleau, New England Field Division, said in a statement. Those who distribute these drugs are endangering the safety of the citizens of the Granite State. The DEA will continue to work each day alongside our law enforcement partners to identify and investigate those who are responsible for distributing deadly drugs.

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Soto Jimenez was part of a Massachusetts-based drug trafficking organization that was distributing significant quantities of fentanyl and cocaine in New Hampshire, primarily in Manchester, authorities said.

The organization used a dispatch operation to sell drugs. Customers called a phone line to buy narcotics, where they would speak to Soto Jimenez. He would then send a runner to conduct the drug sale at an arranged meeting location.

Soto Jimenez arranged runners to conduct these drug sales on three occasions and personally delivered drugs himself on two other occasions, Young said.

A search of his shared Massachusetts-based home yielded approximately $15,000 and drug ledgers in his bedroom, and firearms in a common area, Young said. A search of a vehicle used by Soto Jimenez yielded roughly 94 grams of fentanyl and 196 grams of crack cocaine packaged in small baggies for distribution.

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The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation, with assistance from Manchester Police.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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A massage therapist is accused of strangling and sexually assaulting a client.

The alleged assault happened on Dec. 27, 2024, at the Zen Massage at Rosedale Village on Gilead Road in Huntersville.

Woman claims she was touched inappropriately at Myers Park spa

Aaron Leos, 28, is facing two felonies after a woman told Huntersville police that he sexually assaulted her at the massage parlor.

Danielle Lefler works nearby.

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Thats shocking and kind of terrifying, she said.

Shes never gotten a massage there but is disturbed about the allegations.

According to warrants, police said on Dec 27, 2014, Leos strangled the victim by placing his hand over her throat.

Then, acting as a massage therapist, he forcefully removed the clothing of the victim, and sexually assaulted her.

A police report said the victim was a 26-year-old female.

According to what appears to be Leos Facebook page, he studied massage therapy at the Southeastern Institute in Florida.

Zen Massage said in a statement that Leos was a contractor and they have a zero-tolerance policy concerning any potential issues involving our contractors, and he was immediately terminated.

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The owner told Channel 9 they immediately reported the incident to the state board that licenses massage therapists.

Channel 9 reached out to the board on Wednesday asking where his license stands but we have not heard back.

Police arrested Leos Wednesday morning. Leos is out of jail later that day on a $25,000 bond.

Full statement from Keith Larson, owner of STRI LLC Zen Massage of Huntersville and Cornelius:

Zen Massage Centers of Huntersville and Cornelius, and Zen Massage Franchising, take our clients well-being very seriously. All of our therapists are independent contractors, with current licensing by the North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy (NC BMBT).

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We have a zero-tolerance policy concerning any potential issues involving our contractors or staff, and clients.

We are also members of the National Association of Spa Franchises (NASF) and utilize their Employment Verification System (EVS).

We are cooperating fully with law enforcement and regulatory authorities.

The contract of the individual in question was immediately terminated.

The individual and incident were reported by us to the NC BMBT and to the NASF employment verification system.
Matt Gaetz, the former Florida Republican congressman turned cable news anchor, has revealed he is starting to think about running for governor of the Sunshine State in 2026 in place of two-term incumbent Ron DeSantis.

I have a compelling vision for the state, Gaetz told The Tampa Bay Times.

I understand how to fix the insurance problem, and its not to hand the keys to the state over to the insurance industry.

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If I run, I would be the most pro-consumer candidate on the Republican side.

He added that he needs more time to pray on his decision and to discuss it with his wife Ginger Gaetz.

The MAGA favourite was tapped by President-elect Donald Trump on November 13 last year as his nominee to be the next US attorney general and stood down from the House of Representatives in order to lobby senators for the role.

But his resignation came just two days before the House Ethics Committee was due to publish a report summarizing its two-year investigation into a series of allegations against Gaetz concerning sex with underage girls and recreational drug use, accusations that the representative vehemently denied but which immediately dogged his candidacy for the top job at the Justice Department.

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Realizing his chances of surviving a hostile Senate confirmation hearing untarnished were slim, Gaetz duly bowed out of the process on November 21 saying his circumstances were becoming a distraction and was replaced by Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.

He then accepted a role as a TV presenter with One America News (OAN) instead, taking to the air for the first time last week.

In the interim, the Ethics Committee finally did release its report on December 23, which concluded that there was substantial evidence that Representative 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.

Matt Gaetz attending the Young Republican Gala in New York in December (AP)

It emerged Gaetz had sued the panel in a last-ditch attempt to block the reports publication, accusing it of making an unconstitutional attempt to exercise jurisdiction over a private citizen by releasing a document containing potentially defamatory allegations.

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When that failed, he sent out a fundraising appeal to supporters via his new Florida Firebrand PAC that read: I need your help. Ive fought for you in Congress for eight years against the worst of the Radical Left and Uniparty.

Now, theyre seeking their revenge. Can you chip in anything you can spare before midnight to help me defend myself?

Asked by The Tampa Bay Times whether he believes the reports findings and the allegations against him could hinder his chances of winning the governors mansion, Gaetz answered: Those lies have been told about me for years.

Theyve never affected my ability to win elections.

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Should he ultimately run, Gaetz could reportedly face competition from Byron Donalds  another Florida Republican congressman close to the Trump camp  as well as Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.

Moody though has also been tipped as DeSantiss choice to replace Marco Rubio in the Senate, assuming the latter is confirmed as Trumps next secretary of state.

The possibility of Gaetz running for governor was first mooted on X by Florida State Representative Anthony Sabatini in late November, two days after the former had dropped out of the running for attorney general, to which he responded with a GIF of a billowing state flag.
Matt Gaetz is looking ahead to a possible run for Florida Governor.

Gaetz, a Republican politician and former representative for Florida's 1st congressional district, told the Tampa Bay Times that he is starting to think about running for governor in 2026. In the interview, published Jan. 7, Gaetz zeroed in on insurance issues in his home state.

Related: Matt Gaetz Is Reportedly Mulling a Run for Florida Governor

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"I have a compelling vision for the state. I understand how to fix the insurance problem, and it's not to hand the keys to the state over to the insurance industry," Gaetz said. "If I run, I would be the most pro-consumer candidate on the Republican side."

Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Matt Gaetz. Matt Gaetz.

Gaetz also spoke to The New York Times about his possible bid for Florida governor, adding that he'd already brought the idea to President-elect Donald Trump. The incoming president gave him advice, Gaetz said and told the former Florida congressman that many of his other allies would likely vie for the position as well.

Though he did not reveal the contents of their discussion, Gaetz told NYT that Trump "knows that I have ambition," he said.

His comments come weeks after the House Ethics Committee released a bombshell report that claimed Gaetz paid for sex with a 17-year-old, in addition to engaging in "prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, impermissible gifts, special favors or privileges and obstruction of Congress."

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Related: Matt Gaetz Bought Sex with His 'Son' Nestor's PayPal Account, Women Reportedly Told House Investigators

One day before his resignation on Nov. 14, Gaetz was nominated for attorney general by President-elect Donald Trump. Just one week later, Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration for the position, citing that the House Ethics Committee's investigation into him was "unfairly" pulling focus from Trump's transition.

Andrew Harnik/AP Matt Gaetz with Donald Trump. Matt Gaetz with Donald Trump.

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"It is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance transition," Gaetz wrote on X.

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He continued, stating that the ongoing scandal would prevent him from properly preparing for the attorney general position.

One day after he announced his withdrawal, he told right-wing personality Charlie Kirk that he didn't intend on running for Congress again, and would support the incoming president "from a new perch."

Read the original article on People
MAUI, Hawaii (KHON2)  Kids Hurt Too Hawaii, a nonprofit organization that supports keiki and young adults experiencing grief or trauma, will offer monthly peer support groups in Lahaina and Wailuku to assist those impacted by wildfires and other challenges.

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The sessions provide a safe and nurturing environment where keiki aged three to 19 and their ohana can process their experiences, build resilience and connect with others who have been in their shoes.

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Wailuku support groups will occur on the second Thursday of the month, with the next group occurring on Jan. 9. The session will be from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the J. Walter Cameron Center Auditorium at 95 Mahalani Street.

Lahainas final Long-Term Recovery Plan outlines shared community vision

Lahaina support groups will occur on the third Monday of the month, with the next session occurring Jan. 20. It will be held at the Lahaina Comprehensive Health Center at 1830 S. Honoapiilani Highway from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Families can register by contacting Kids Hurt Too Hawaiis Maui Program Director, Marissa Meerians at marissa@kidshurttoo.org or (808) 298-4877.

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Our mission is to provide a safe and supportive environment where young keiki can share their stories, learn coping skills and connect with others who understand their journey, Meerians said. We are committed to strengthening families and communities across Hawaii.

Kids Hurt Too Hawaii offers a variety of peer-support programs, mentoring and healing activities to help keiki process emotional wounds such as death of a loved one, family separation or other difficult circumstances.

Kids Hurt Too Hawaii is a partner with the Hoola ia Mauiakama Long Term Recovery Group, another nonprofit organization that unites local organizations to support Mauis recovery from the 2023 wildfires.

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 KHON2.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  On Wednesday, Daniel Lurie will be sworn in as San Franciscos 46th mayor. During his winning campaign, he talked about his commitment to improving public safety.

Since the election, hes been visiting each police station in the city. Tuesday was his final stop before taking office when he visited with officers at the Central Police Station in North Beach.

Lurie has done eight ride-alongs with police officers and made 10 visits to each police station in the city, promising changes to the force after he is officially sworn in as mayor. Crime was one of the main concerns for voters who chose the nonprofit founder to be San Franciscos next mayor.

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San Francisco social worker shot in face

Lurie said that technology updates need to be a part of the changes he is calling for when he takes office.

In their police cars for instance, SF State police has these computers, these screens if they are going up to an address, they can actually see the picture of the resident that they are about to approach, said Lurie. SFPD doesnt have it. If SF State has it, SFPD should have it.

During the campaign for mayor, other candidates were more drastic with their calls for police reform. From the start of his campaign, Mark Farrell said he would fire San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott.

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KRON4 asked Lurie if drastic changes like that can be expected when he goes from mayor-elect to mayor.

I will be announcing things every day over the next few days and people can expect change in my administration, he said.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Tuesday that SFPD reached a milestone by implementing 272 reform recommendations. The announcement came following an eight-year reform process. Chief Scott said crime has reached historic lows as a result.

Lurie says the progress should be commended and continued.

Incredibly hopeful, he said. We have to continue to do our work. Ive commended them on those crime stats going down. I want to continue to see improvements there.

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In addition to addressing public safety, Lurie said during his first 100 days in office, hell also be addressing what he calls a budget crisis and lowering downtown vacancy rates.

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 KRON4.
A tent and covered supermarket cart are shown in November off the bike path in the north end of Newport. (Janine L. Weisman/Rhode Island Current)

As overnight temperatures dip into the teens and 20s this week, Gov. Dan McKees administration on Monday night opened two emergency shelters for people experiencing homelessness.

The WARM Center, 56 Spruce St., in Westerly operates 24/7 during the winter. The second location is the West Warwick Civic Center, 100 Factory St., West Warwick, which will be open 24 hours through 8 a.m. Thursday.

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Also Tuesday, the Providence City Council announced it will open its chamber at City Hall starting at 7 p.m. as an additional gathering space from the cold.

As a polar vortex grips Providence, many of our unhoused neighbors are being forced to sleep outside in dangerous temperatures, City Councilor Justin Roias said in a statement. With only two 24/7 emergency shelters open, the response from the mayor and governor has been woefully inadequate.

The two state emergency shelters were opened as part of the states Municipal Homelessness Support Initiative, which uses unspent pandemic relief aid to support shelter space and emergency hubs hosted by Rhode Islands cities and towns.

The safety of our residents, particularly those most vulnerable, is our top priority as we prepare for this intense cold, McKee said in a statement Monday evening. We are ensuring that more resources are available to provide shelter, warmth, and support to those who need it the most.

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Rhode Islands existing emergency shelter capacity funded by the Department of Housing is 1,252 beds. The pair of overnight shelter openings create 75 additional spaces, spokesperson Patti Doyle said Tuesday.

Four overnight shelters in Providence, Pawtucket, and South Kingstown are open on a drop-in basis, according to the governors announcement:

Crossroads Rhode Island: 162 Broad St., Providence

Emmanuel House: 239 Public St., ProvidenceI  Open 24 hours Tuesday and Wednesday

Welcome House of South County: 8 North Road, Peace Dale (South Kingstown)  Open 24 hours

OpenDoors: 1139 Main St., Pawtucket  Open 24 hours

Wind chills in the area are likely to fall between zero and -10 degrees during this weeks cold snap, according to the National Weather Service.

The expansion of drop-in shelters eases some strain on the Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness, which revealed Monday that Rhode Islands Coordinated Entry System (CES) has been experiencing sporadic periods with longer wait times due to a lack of beds and staff to help the unhoused.

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Many of the individuals who call our CES call center are in crisis, and long wait times can have serious consequences, Kimberly Simmons, the coalitions executive director, said in a statement.

Those who stay overnight at either shelter are not required to use the states Coordinated Entry System, which screens people and refers them to available shelter beds.

The state has added 600 shelter beds to its emergency response system since 2023, but only an average of seven spots are open on any given day, the coalition reported in November. At least 2,442 unhoused people across Rhode Island were counted when coalition volunteers conducted an annual survey for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024  representing a 35% increase from 2023s count.

The state has sought to bolster its emergency shelter system, including constructing 45 one-room cabins within the on-ramp to Route 146 South in Providence last spring. But gaps in the states fire and building codes and delayed supply shipments have stalled the opening of the pallet shelter community until later this winter, according to the states newest Housing Secretary Deborah Goddard. Fire suppression units for the cabins were delivered in late December and installation remains ongoing, Doyle said.

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The housing department is also losing its executive director of homelessness response, Tara Booker, who announced her resignation on New Years Eve.

The Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness is calling on the state to prioritize funding for emergency shelters, in addition to creating more warm shelter spaces over the winter.

The lack of a statewide plan to end homelessness and a lack of funding to meet the current need will result in people freezing to death in the coming days, Simmons said.

McKees likely 2026 primary opponent, former CVS Pharmacy Inc. President Helena Bounano Foulkes, said Tuesday morning she wants the governor to declare a public health emergency in order to enable faster deployment of emergency warming spaces.

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With winter temperatures putting lives at risk and shelter capacity stretched beyond its limits, we need immediate action, Foulks said in a statement. We cannot afford to wait while Rhode Islanders suffer in the cold.

McKee said in a statement Wednesday that an emergency declaration does not solve this complex problem.

For example, it does not unlock any new funding, he said. In the long-term we need to address root causes so we can stop homelessness before it happenssuch as helping people transition to permanent housing, growing available housing stock, providing needed job skills training, addressing substance abuse, and addressing healthcare and mental health issues.

McKees office originally announced Monday that a third overnight shelter, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center in Newport, was designated as a state emergency hub. But the governor s staff issued a revised news release late Tuesday morning clarifying that the MLK Center is not.

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MLK Executive Director Heather Hole Strout said the center does not have the capacity to be a 24 hour shelter or the funding for such a program and requested the correction Tuesday morning. The center has a limited capacity for its existing winter shelter program for people on Aquidneck Island run in partnership with Newport Mental Health and CODAC, she said.

It has everything to do with being able to serve our community here to its fullest capacity, Strout said. We cannot handle a statewide warming center because it would fill up, and we would have to turn away people that are in our backyard.

Editor Janine L. Weisman contributed to this story.

This story was updated Jan. 8 to include additional comment from Gov. Dan McKee.

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Mecklenburg County has new leaders for its Park and Recreation and the Human Resources departments.

County Manager Dena Diorio announced Tuesday the promotion of Joanette Freeman to director of HR, effective Jan. 22. And starting Feb. 3, Nick Walker beings as the new director of the Park and Rec.

Joanette and Nick are proven leaders who have vision, practice excellence, and remain focused on developing people and teams, Diorio said in a statement. We are confident they will be valuable assets to Mecklenburg County as we navigate the future growth of our organization and our community.

Nick Walker. (Photo: Mecklenburg County)

Nick Walker, Park and Recreation

Following a nationwide search, Nick Walker joins Mecklenburg County from Memphis, Tennessee, where he has served as parks director for the City of Memphis since 2019. As director, he led Memphis Parks through the development of its first master plan since 1999 and oversaw the departments first accreditation by the National Recreation and Park Associations (NRPA) Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies.

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As the head of Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, Walker will oversee more than 290 parks, nature preserves, greenways and facilities located on more than 22,500 acres; a staff of approximately 450 full-time employees and over 1,000 part-time and seasonal employees; and a more than $71 million budget.

He takes over for former director W. Lee Jones, who retired last summer. He served the department since 2004, overseeing projects like First Ward Park, Romare Bearden Park and the reopening of American Legion Memorial Stadium. The county also launched an aggressive campaign for greenways during his tenure.

Joanette Freeman. (Photo: Mecklenburg County)

Joanette Freeman, Human Resources

Freeman, who has been with the county for nearly two years, has served as interim Total Rewards director for 10 months, while also performing her current role of deputy director of Human Resources. She started with the county in 2023 in this role.

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In her new role, Freeman will oversee all aspects of human resources including recruitment, learning and organizational effectiveness, employee relations and business partnerships, total rewards, the HR business office, and HR systems and technology.

Prior to Mecklenburg County, Freeman was Human Resources director for Guilford County and has served in a number of progressive roles, including executive director of Human Resources for Central Piedmont Community College. She holds a bachelors degree from N.C. A&T State University, and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Pfeiffer University.

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 Queen City News.
Justin Angel Knighten doesnt fit the archetype of a federal bureaucrat. At 39, he is a gay Latino man and the grandson of Mexican immigrants, overseeing external affairs at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a department whose mission often reads like a litany of worst-case scenarios. Yet Knightens approach is one of grounded optimism, a rare trait in Washington, D.C. His job isnt just about managing crisesits about ensuring that FEMA reaches the people who need it most, often during the worst moments of their lives.

The interview takes place in FEMAs National Response Coordination Center, the sprawling hub of federal disaster response operations at the agencys D.C. headquarters. On the walls, massive monitors display maps, weather forecasts, and real-time data from across the country. Dozens of rows of computer workstations sit ready for activation, each of the 200 or so stations representing a different federal agency or team that convenes during a disaster. But today, the room is tranquila rare blue skies day in a job where calm is often fleeting.

Knighten sits at a conference room table, his demeanor warm but purposeful. His laugh is quick, his tone thoughtful, even when discussing the weight of his work. Theres no denying the seriousness of his role, but he carries it lightly, punctuating his insights with humor. We are laughing all day, he said. We always say, if were not laughing, were crying. Its more than a coping mechanismits a way to build resilience. If its happening to me, its definitely happening to my team, he added, recalling the emotional toll of the Maui wildfires. So weve got to keep it lighter. Its the only way were going to get through.

Associate FEMA administrator Justin Knighten in Montana with Jaclyn Rothenberg blackhawk helicopter loading

Courtesy Justin Knighten

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Knightens work is personal. Growing up in Northern California , he experienced firsthand the terror and displacement that disasters can bring. Everything my mom had done to build a life for me and my brother could have gone away, he recalled of his childhood in a flood-prone community. He spent days filling sandbags with his family, knowing their efforts might not be enough.

When the floodwaters came, Knighten and his family were forced to evacuate. Luckily, we did that in advance, he said. But I remember being afraid for days because I hadnt been home. I stayed with family members across town, just thinking, Do I even have a home to go to? My whole life was going to change. And not only my life but my entire community.

A Presidential visit



In 1995, a young Knighten watched President Bill Clinton visit the area after devastating floods. Clinton walked the muddy streets with FEMA officials to reassure residents. Little did I know, right down the street from where I grew up, President Clinton actually visited with FEMA, Knighten said. At the time, the moment barely registered. It wasnt until years later, after joining FEMA, that he recognized its significance. We do those things nowdisaster tours with the president, showing up to see the impacts firsthand, he said. For Knighten, those visits are about more than optics; they show people that their government is paying attention.

Knightens path to FEMA began in California, where he worked in Gov. Gavin Newsoms administration during a particularly volatile period. His first exposure to emergency management came during the states devastating wildfires. I wasnt really sure what emergency management meant at first, Knighten said. But on my first day, I realized that every issue I care aboutevery community Ive fought forwas either going to go away or survive depending on how we handled catastrophic events.

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It was a transformative moment. It was like a light switch went on, he said. My whole worldview changed. I became fully committed to this work because it impacts everybody.

Associate FEMA administrator Justin Knighten on right discussing Puerto Rico Recovery efforts

Courtesy Justin Knighten

Life in a disaster movie



Knightens time in California prepared him for the challenges hed face on a national scale at FEMA. Yet even with his experience, some disasters feel surreal. One of my mentors texted me during a response and said, Hows life in a disaster movie? Knighten recounted. It took me back because, at that moment, it felt like something out of Hollywood.

Hurricanes Helene and Milton were two such moments. The back-to-back storms devastated parts of Florida and the Carolinas, leaving destruction in their wake and misinformation in their aftermath. Social media became a breeding ground for false claims about FEMAs relief efforts, creating confusion and, in some cases, danger.

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We were seeing firsthand accounts of people making the wrong decisions because of misinformation, Knighten said. The falsehoods ranged from scams about relief payments to misleading evacuation advice. In some cases, he said, these lies were traced to foreign actors, including Russia and China, who used the disasters to sow distrust in the U.S. government. Its not new, but its escalating, Knighten said. FEMA countered with targeted messaging campaigns, leaning on local leaders and influencers to disseminate accurate information. You have to meet people where they are, he explained. Its not enough to rely on traditional channels.

FEMA, alongside other federal agencies, worked to counter the lies, relying on local partnerships and grassroots organizations to deliver accurate information. You have to be in different places and spaces to get a message to resonate, Knighten said, explaining how his team adapted its strategies to reach the people who needed them most.

A different approach



Knightens tenure at FEMA has coincided with a dramatic shift in the agencys approach, driven by Administrator Deanne Criswell. He said that her directive to prioritize people and meet them where they are has reshaped FEMAs messaging, strategy, and, in some cases, identity. Knighten said he turned that philosophy into action, crafting campaigns to reach communities often overlooked in disaster response.

Under his leadership, FEMA launched guides tailored to older adults, caregivers, and rural populations. The Ready campaign, a long-running public education initiative, was revamped to reflect the needs of Latino and Black communities. FEMA also developed its first-ever strategy for tribal nations, which Knighten described as a landmark achievement. The plan included appointing the agencys first National Tribal Advocate and working directly with Native leaders to address disaster preparedness and recovery gaps. This was a big deal, Knighten said, reflecting on a feast day he attended in New Mexico as part of FEMAs outreach efforts.

Associate FEMA administrator Justin Knighten with Pete Buttigieg and with Karine Jean Pierre

Courtesy Justin Knighten

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Knighten believes his identity as a gay man has uniquely prepared him for the pressures of emergency management. Being gay definitely helps, he said, reflecting on how adversity in his personal life has shaped his professional resilience. All the shit that you experience teaches you how to be resilient, how to absorb a lot of energyespecially bad energyand work through it. Its given me the ability to be more effective by putting myself in other peoples shoes.

The community contributes



Knighten views the LGBTQ + community as uniquely equipped to understand and connect with diverse populations, which he sees as an asset in his work. Were young, were old, were wealthy, were poor, we have disabilities, we dont have disabilities, he said. We were the class nerd, the college athlete, the cheerleader, and everyone in between. Being part of a community made up of so many different experiences gives you a better sense of the otherempathy for people whose experiences arent your own.

As the Biden-Harris administration nears its end, Knighten prepares to leave FEMA. His departure comes at a time of uncertainty for the agency. Proposals, like the Republican Project 2025 plan to replace career officials with political appointees, have raised concerns about FEMAs ability to maintain its people-first approach. I cant imagine anyone coming into my job or other jobs here as an appointee wanting to do that given the talent and the caliber of this workforce, Knighten said. Despite the challenges ahead, he remains optimistic about FEMAs future. What this agency does for people every day the only option is to continue to support and grow.

Associate FEMA administrator Justin Knighten with many government leaders at a FEMA conference table Joe Biden leading meeting

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Courtesy Justin Knighten

This includes personal growth. Recently, Knighten began pursuing a certificate in world art history through the Smithsonian Associates program. The coursework, he joked, is a welcome escape. Its me and a bunch of amazing 80-year-olds, he said, laughing. Its such a great way to decompress, to just think about something completely different for a little while.

Cooking, for him, is another way to decompress and reconnect with his roots, and one dish in particularpozolehas become a source of pride. When I was 21, I had my grandmother walk me through her pozole recipe, he said. Over the years, he refined it, and last year, he made a batch for his mother. Her reaction was priceless: This is so much better than your grandmothers.

For Knighten, that moment was a small but significant triumph. Success professionally, shes like, Okay, Miho, whatever. But with the pozole, shes like, Oh my God, Im impressed.

Its a sentiment that mirrors his work at FEMA: a relentless focus on getting it right, not for accolades but for the people who depend on it. As Knighten reflects on his time at the agency, he returns to the philosophy that has guided him. Its about more than just aid, he said. Its about reminding people that theyre not alone.
Sharina Perry's father worked for Texaco in the oil and gas business. She studied communications and political science at the University of Oklahoma. She never expected to be on the leading edge of a technology that seems very likely to put a major dent in the petrochemical industry and help solve a worldwide problem  the proliferation of plastic waste.

Perry is CEO of Utopia Plastix. That's plastix with an "X." Although it sounds the same, the new product is not like the plastics in common use today. Plastix is not made out of hydrocarbon polymers found in oil and gas, but out of plant materials  "cover crops," Perry likes to say, because even though her process is patented, she's not ready yet to disclose the specific ingredients.

At her headquarters office in Edmond, Perry has samples of products made out of her new bioplastic. The trash bag doesn't feel as smooth and slick as those currently on the market. It has a rougher texture but feels just as strong and flexible.

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The other samples on display  cups, straws, water bottles, storage bins, eating utensils and assorted other items  look and feel exactly like they're made out of plastic.

Every day, according to the United Nations, the equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks full of plastic are dumped into the world's oceans, rivers and lakes.

Sharina Perry, Utopia Plastix CEO, is pictured Dec. 20 with a plant-based bottle at the Simple Modern factory in Oklahoma City.

Every year, more than 20 tons of plastic waste leaks into aquatic ecosystems, polluting lakes, rivers and seas. It's a global problem looking for a solution.

"At the advice of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, we've created our own lane," Perry said in a recent interview with The Oklahoman. "We're not plastics. Our patents define what Utopia Plastix is, and it's growing and using plants in creating all types of composite materials that are stable and able to be used in all applications."

Q: Plastics were not on your mind when you graduated from college.

A: No. I went into business, working for a pest control company. What I learned to do very early was how to identify where a business opportunity existed beyond the traditional model. So, the pest control business was seasonal. I said, "look, you need year-around income, and I need a year-around job." So, we started another business providing the same service, but to a different client base and brought in four times the revenue.

Sharina Perry, Utopia Plastix CEO, works with staff Dec. 20 to produce plant-based resin bottles at the Simple Modern factory in Oklahoma City.

Q: And you did essentially the same thing when you went to work for a satellite company.

A: Yes, in the satellite business you're providing clients with a digital signal, but there's another business in converting it to an analog signal to distribute it like to rooms in a hotel or throughout an RV park or an office building. So, we developed a system so that property managers could bill tenants for phone, internet or cable services. In doing that, in working with property owners and managers, you're able to identify what a lot of their needs are. One of my keen interests was in creating pathways for minority business owners to work with larger entities. My goal was to correct the fact that 80% of businesses fail within their first two years, to be like a consulting firm to help businesses with access and resources and tools to help them succeed.

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In 2019 I became a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Minority Business Council, helping those companies with access and opportunity. At that time (during the COVID pandemic), many of our minority businesses saw closing of their doors because many were heavily service oriented.

Bottles made of a plant-based resin with many of the same properties as plastic  only bio-degradable  are made at the Simple Modern factory in Oklahoma City.

Q: You still weren't thinking about plastics.

A: Most of my career has been in the space of entrepreneurship, and I keenly became focused on creating opportunity for disadvantaged and underrepresented communities. I wanted to make sure that minorities had access and opportunities.

In 2018 my nephew was undergoing surgery, and he had Type 2 neurofibromatosis, which is an incurable growth of tumors. It disproportionately affects minority communities because a lot of it is due to environmental issues and exposures. I took a deep dive into studying plant material. I was looking for plants that had the ability to reduce inflammation and shrink tumors. I studied over 600 white papers and developed a health and wellness line of products that were effective, but because one of the ingredients was hemp, they would have needed approval by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). (Making medicinal products) wasn't my focus, but I started experimenting in my kitchen and learned that applying heat to some of the ingredients I was using allowed me to make a straw that was far better than the paper alternative.

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In my research I learned that paper straws had only been 1% of the market, but because of the demand for sustainability, bans on plastics, they were advancing to 25%-50% of the market.

The largest providers of paper straws were having trouble meeting the demand. I arranged to meet with one of them, PacknWood. I made up a display with samples of the materials and a brochure explaining the process, and they said it was the best thing they'd seen in 12 years. So, I reached out to another company, Hoffmaster Group, knowing they were having a challenge with materials and demand, and told them I could provide the materials for the paper if they could make the straws. They said yes.

Q: And that was the beginning of Utopia Plastix?

A: Yes. By February of 2019 I had the material pulped in Kentucky, sent it to Maine to have it converted into paper and then sent to Hoffmaster in Indiana to convert into straws. It was just a test at this point. But the next step, once you have a viable product, is to work with FDA, and they still had concerns about the use of a hemp product in food-facing applications. But I had learned about other crops that had been tested as an alternative to hemp.

Q: What were those products?

A: I won't mention the ones we use right now. That's proprietary. But using other plant materials allowed us to develop other products with properties that mimicked plastics made with petroleum and had broad applications. We learned that I had not just developed a replacement for a straw, but had actually developed a material that could be used in many different types of plastics manufacturing.

Sharina Perry, Utopia Plastix CEO, works with Colt Pugh, manufacturing superintendent, on Dec. 20 to produce plant-based bottles at the Simple Modern factory in Oklahoma City.

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Q: So you've developed a material that substitutes for conventional plastics in many applications, uses natural plants and not hydrocarbons, and is bio-degradable so that it avoids some of the waste issues that are causing so many problems. It sounds like the world should be beating a path to your door. Is cost a limiting factor?

A: The material itself is more expensive, yes. But we are competitive with other alternatives. Depending on the end product, items made with our materials can be manufactured at lower temperatures or result in products that are lighter and less expensive to ship.

And anyone who understands sustainability knows that there are other costs that should be factored in. To date we have not had to reach out to anyone to do business with us. (Companies) are coming to us for solutions.

Our materials deliver not only in environmental impacts, but in technical and mechanical properties. I don't want to name the company, because our agreement is not yet final, but we are in the final stages of a project to replace their paper bags in China. In China they see that as a harmful consumption of natural resources. We're discussing with the same company the possibility of replacing their two-cup coffee container because of our material's higher heat-resistance properties.

Q: Please explain the broader business model you're working to establish.

A: The Utopia model is to supply seed to farmers and buy the crop back and process it into pelletized resin pellets that can be used in a variety of ways. Our model is to create opportunities for farmers long-term. Every time anyone makes the decision to use Utopia, they're creating an opportunity for building generational wealth, so important for minority business owners.

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This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

William C. Wertz is deputy Viewpoints editor. You can reach him with comments and story ideas at wwertz@oklahoman.com. Send him a note if you have any suggestions about others in the community our readers should get to know.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Utopia Plastix in Oklahoma's goal to replace conventional plastics
Memphis, Tennessee, recently announced a new nonprofit financial institution dedicated to environmentally sustainable projects called the Green Bank.

On Oct. 29, the Memphis Metropolitan Land Bank Authority launched the Green Bank. The organization proudly announced the revolutionary initiative, which seeks to help Memphis grow and evolve with the environment in mind.

An MMLBA news release explained that the Green Bank will support energy efficiency, green infrastructure, clean energy, and more. The Tennessee Valley Authority made this initiative possible with $150,000 in seed funding.

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The Green Bank plans to start a handful of exciting programs. This will include energy-efficient home retrofits, small business upgrades, and green infrastructure projects.

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Helpful home retrofits can include adding heat pumps, electric stoves, and better insulation. Small business upgrades can feature similar changes, such as installing solar panels. This incredible step forward will uplift the city in countless ways.

Homeowners and business owners can save money on utility bills and get financial assistance with major upgrades. For example, the Green Bank can partially or completely cover the cost of replacing gas appliances with electric ones so Memphis residents can reap the benefits of modern appliances without breaking the bank. These projects will stimulate economic growth to help the city thrive.

Furthermore, a commitment to the environment also means a commitment to public health. Green infrastructure equals more trees throughout the city, improving air quality for everyone.

The Green Bank isn't just about funding, either. The organization also prioritizes "education and awareness around energy and environmental resources," according to the release. These improvements will lead to reduced pollution, making Memphis kinder to Earth.

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"Our commitment to creating a greener, healthier, and more resilient future for Memphis has officially begun," MMLBA President and CEO Michael Harris said, according to WKNO 91.1.

Memphis Mayor Paul Young said, "Working together, we can prioritize our environmental stewardship and improve the quality of life for all our residents."

The statement embodies the Green Bank's mission: to enhance Memphis for its people and the planet.

The release notes that it's a community effort. Its success depends on the participation of residents, local businesses, and organizations. The mayor said the Green Bank "demonstrates our community's commitment to sustainability," so Memphis might look greener soon.

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This article was originally published in Chalkbeat.

Community backlash is mounting ahead of a pivotal decision this month on the fate of Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Marie Feagins.

The Shelby County Commission is set Wednesday to discuss whether to vote Jan. 13 for a resolution of no confidence in the school board after several members launched an effort last month to oust Feagins, who began in the role April 1 after a prolonged search.

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A second resolution on the commissions agenda would place a 90-day hold on the countys recent $33 million allocation toward building a long-anticipated high school in the citys Frayser community.

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A parent advocacy group, meanwhile, has called on Feagins and the school board to work out their differences in private, while a prominent Memphis lawmaker says he is pursuing his own meeting with the board to reset the conversation.

Related

How to Keep Superintendent Turnover from Disrupting Student Progress

The activity comes ahead of a Jan. 15 school board work session in which the board will revisit the case against Feagins, which Chair Joyce Dorse-Coleman laid out in a resolution to terminate Feagins contract.

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Feagins has forcefully denied any wrongdoing, and was expected to submit written responses to the board on Monday. Any vote to oust Feagins would need to happen at a board business meeting. The next one is set for Jan. 21.

At its December meeting, the board voted 5-4 to push its decision on Feagins to this month. Dorse-Coleman cast the deciding vote, saying she wanted to keep it fair and allow more time to review the facts.

The resolution contends that Feagins has been dishonest and difficult to communicate with, and that she mishandled or misrepresented district finances on three occasions.

Conflict draws in state officials

The drama in Memphis-Shelby County Schools has gotten the attention of state officials, too.

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Rep. Mark White, longtime chairman of a House education committee in the state legislature, is seeking to meet this week with the entire school board and several other state lawmakers from Memphis.

We need to dial down the temperature, said the Memphis Republican. Theres a lot of people in our community who are very upset by this situation.

White said poor working relationships between Feagins and certain board members are distracting all of them from more important academic challenges facing Tennessees largest school system, such as low reading scores, chronic absenteeism, a high dropout rate, and a critical need for stronger workforce development in the Mid-South.

He said hes not ready to introduce legislation that he drafted last year to give Gov. Bill Lees administration the power to appoint up to six new members to the nine-member Memphis board. However, that avenue remains an option, White said.

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It took 18 months to find this superintendent, and now some board members want to let her go while shes still trying to learn the ropes and drinking from a fire hose, White said. You dont disrupt an entire community and call a meeting to dismiss your superintendent without a clear definition of the grievances.

Feagins has hired Memphis lawyer Alan Crone to represent her in the dispute, while the board has retained Robert Spence, another local attorney.

Nearly a year ago, the board voted to hire Feagins away from a leadership position at the Detroit Public Schools Community District, making her the first outside leader to direct Tennessees largest school system since it was created through a merger a decade ago.

According to her contract, she must be paid a severance of $487,500 if the board terminates her contract without cause. However, Dorse-Coleman has said the claims by her and several other board members justify a termination, meaning that Feagins would not receive a severance package.

Funding for new Frayser high school at risk

The no confidence resolution before the county body that oversees local funding for public schools is co-sponsored by Commissioners Amber Mills and Erika Sugarman. Mills is the sole sponsor so far of the second resolution, to withhold millions of dollars approved on Dec. 16 toward the $112 million cost of building a new high school.

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Firing a superintendent, no matter who they are, at the beginning of a critical project leaves the County Commissioners with no confidence  regarding the new construction of the Frayser High School and other actions, the first resolution reads.

Mills said the resolutions are her attempt to make the school board think deeply before moving ahead with an ouster attempt that she said has blindsided our whole community. Freezing funding for a new Frayser school, she added, would be just a pause as the commission seeks clear direction and accountability from school district leaders.

A lot of people love Dr. Feagins and are happy that shes making changes, Mills said.

School board member Stephanie Love, who voted against postponing the termination vote, said Monday shes disappointed that the county commission has gotten involved. She said Mills, whose district overlaps Loves, has not contacted her to discuss the matter.

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Its unfortunate that another elected body would consider holding off on building a new school in my district, she told Chalkbeat. Kids are the most important thing to me.

Love added: I will vote my conscience (on Feagins future). We are not going to make everybody happy. The public is unaware of the things we have to deal with behind closed doors.

Dorse-Coleman, the board chair, did not respond Monday to Chalkbeats questions about community backlash. But in a Dec. 26 statement, she said she and other board members have tried sharing their concerns with Feagins privately without success.

She has a pattern and practice of not providing critical information and instead misinforming the Board Members, Dorse-Coleman said. I dont think this is something we can overcome.

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This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters.
Media veterans Jeffrey Katzenberg and Linda Yaccarino offered starkly different reactions to Metas decision to stop fact-checking Facebook and Instagram in separate appearances at CES.

Mark Zuckerbergs move, announced earlier Tuesday, is widely seen as a bow to pressure from Donald Trump. The reaction to the president-elect and others on the right, who believe social media has censored conservative voices, was a topic at separate CES conversations on two different stages Tuesday in Las Vegas.

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Katzenberg, during an appearance at a sidebar conference organized by industry ad consortium OpenAP, said the move by Mark Zuckerberg would only worsen the slide of social media into a sketchy place, opening the door to competition. Theres no control, theres no boundaries, he said. Its whatever people want to do, and since we know today a single voice has a megaphone that reaches the world, if you dont have some sort of set of boundaries and guidelines and rules and regulations, then a rival could pounce.

Yaccarino, a former founding member of OpenAP during her days heading up sales at NBCUniversal and now CEO of X, offered a starkly different take during a keynote conversation held across town. How cool is that?! she crowed when asked at the top of the conversation for her reaction to the Zuckerberg news. (Watch her full keynote HERE.)

Community Notes, the dramatically scaled-back gesture at content moderation implemented by Elon Musk after he bought Twitter in 2022, is good for the world, she declared. Think about it as this global, collective consciousness keeping each other accountable.  It couldnt be more validating to see that Mark and Meta recognize that. Xs message, she added, is, Mark, Meta: Welcome to the party.

Appearing on behalf of his investment firm Wndr Co., Katzenberg didnt name names, but alluded to whats happened in the past 24 hours and argued that a list of social brands, including TikTok, Snapchat as well as Metas, are losing traction. He said the decline, in his view, of the user experience on social media has made this a very ripe moment for the next evolution in content and a content platform. Zuckerbergs decision will accelerate this, he added, and in that sense is an exciting development.

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What is needed, Katzenberg said, is a scaled platform that is the opposite of where were moving today.

For inspiration in laying out the case for a new entrant, Katzenberg harkened back to his time at Disney saying its singularity and self-imposed adherence to its values is notably absent in social media. People, especially families, are hungering for it, he argued. If somebody comes up with the next version of that, that has enough appeal, that is sexy enough, that is interesting enough, it could gain traction.

Joe Marchese, former head of ad sales at Fox and co-founder and general partner at Human Ventures, said on the OpenAP panel that a brand like Disney has earned the permission to earn peoples attention. Social media companies, by contrast, are platforms, where anything can be online and they have no standards.

Pushing back on Katzenbergs belief that change is nigh after more than a decade of dominance by largely the same cohort of major social players, Marchese highlighted a recent example from streaming. New ad players like Netflix and Amazon are not reinventing advertising (at least not yet) but are mostly replicating the traditional TV ad sales playbook of 15- and 30-second spots.

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Michael Kassan, the former head of UTAs MediaLink who now runs consulting firm 3C Ventures, said he sees whats happening with Meta and other social players is a Sarbanes-Oxley moment in media. The reference was to a Congressional Act passed in the wake of Enrons collapse. Designed to curb financial frauds and misdeeds, it was seen by corporate and financial interests as going way too far. Do I think that we became too woke? Yes. Do I think were watching over-correction? Yes, Kassan said. And thats the dilemma, is it becomes a chilling effect because of your overcorrection.

Katzenberg, Hollywoods leading Democratic champion and a major fundraiser for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, clarified that hes not looking at it through a political lens. Im looking at it from a consumer  and Im just confident that there is an opportunity. Its not a correction. Its an opportunity. Its a white space that somebody is going to come with imagination and creativity and a set of values that define it as that place and I think people will come pouring into it in a way that will make the next TikTok, the next YouTube.

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Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced a series of major changes to the companys moderation policies and practices Tuesday, citing a shifting political and social landscape and a desire to embrace free speech.

Zuckerberg said that Meta will end its fact-checking program with trusted partners and replace it with a community-driven system similar to Xs Community Notes.

The company is also making changes to its content moderation policies around political topics and undoing changes that reduced the amount of political content in user feeds, Zuckerberg said.

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The changes will affect Facebook and Instagram, two of the largest social media platforms in the world, each boasting billions of users, as well as Threads.

Were going to get back to our roots and focus on reducing mistakes, simplifying our policies and restoring free expression on our platforms, Zuckerberg said in a video. More specifically, heres what were going to do. First, were going to get rid of fact checkers and replace them with community notes similar to X, starting in the U.S.

Zuckerberg pointed to the election as a major influence on the companys decision and criticized governments and legacy media for allegedly pushing to censor more and more.

The recent elections also feel like a cultural tipping point towards, once again, prioritizing speech, he said.

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So were gonna get back to our roots and focus on reducing mistakes, simplifying our policies and restoring free expression on our platforms.

He also said the systems the company had created to moderate its platforms were making too many mistakes, adding that the company would continue to aggressively moderate content related to drugs, terrorism and child exploitation.

We built a lot of complex systems to moderate content, but the problem with complex systems is they make mistakes, Zuckerberg said. Even if they accidentally censor just 1% of posts, thats millions of people, and weve reached a point where its just too many mistakes and too much censorship.

Beyond the end of the fact-checking program, Zuckerberg said the company will be eliminating some content policies around hot-button issues including immigration and gender, and refocus the companys automated moderation systems on what he called high severity violations and rely on users to report other violations.

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Facebook will also be moving its trust and safety and content moderation team from California to Texas.

Were also going to tune our content filters to require much higher confidence before taking down content, he said. The reality is that this is a trade off. It means were going to catch less bad stuff, but well also reduce the number of innocent peoples posts and accounts that we accidentally take down.

The changes come as Meta and social media companies broadly have in recent years reversed course on content moderation due in part to the politicization of moderation decisions and programs. Republicans have long criticized Metas fact-checking system and fact-checking in general as unfair and favoring Democrats  a claim that is in dispute.

Xs Community Notes system, which CEO Elon Musk has used to replace the companys previous efforts around misinformation, has been celebrated by conservatives, and it has allowed for a mixture of fact-checking, trolling and other community-driven behavior.

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Zuckerbergs announcement comes as CEOs and business leaders across sectors are currying favor with the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump. Meta, along with other tech companies, donated $1 million to Trumps inaugural fund, and ahead of the election, Zuckerberg praised Trump in an interview with Bloomberg Television without offering an outright endorsement. Ahead of Trumps inauguration, Meta has reportedly appointed Republican Joel Kaplan to lead its policy team, and on Monday, the company announced that UFCs Dana White, a long-time supporter of Trump, would join its board.

Kaplan appeared on Fox News on Tuesday morning as part of the rollout of the companys announcement. No other Meta executive appeared on any news channel.

Metas initial fact-checking system, which was launched on Facebook in 2016, worked by running information on its platforms through third-party fact-checkers certified by the International Fact-Checking Network and the European Fact-Checking Standards Network. The program included more than 90 organizations that would fact-check posts in more than 60 languages. In the United States, they have included groups such as PolitiFact and Factcheck.org.

In a news release, Meta wrote that it was able to identify posts that might be promoting misinformation based on how people were responding to certain pieces of content and how fast posts would spread. Independent fact-checkers would also work to identify posts with possible misinformation on their own. Posts that were said to include misinformation would then be shown lower in feeds as they waited for review.

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The independent fact-checkers would then work to verify the accuracy of the content that had been flagged and give it a content rating, labeling content as False, Altered, Partly False, Missing Context, Satire or True and adding notices to the posts.

Those fact-checking measures applied to any posts on Facebook, and they expanded to include Instagram in 2019 and Threads last year. Fact-checkers were able to review content including ads, articles, photos, videos, Reels, audio and text-only posts.

Under the system, Meta noted, fact-checkers did not have the ability to remove content, and content would be removed if it violated the companys community standards, which was discerned by Meta itself.

In addition to the changes in content moderation, Zuckerberg also said Tuesday that the company will be changing its powerful recommendation system that decides what to show users. Meta has, for years, limited political content, citing user complaints and following discussions about how social media can affect users beliefs.

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Were bringing back civic content, he said. For a while, the community asked to see less politics because it was making people stressed, so we stopped recommending these posts. But it feels like were in a new era now, and were starting to get feedback that people want to see this content again. So were going to start phasing this back into Facebook, Instagram and Threads, while working to keep the communities friendly and positive.

Lastly, Zuckerberg said Meta would work with the incoming Trump administration to promote free speech around the world, though he did not detail any steps toward that goal.

Were going to work with President Trump to push back on governments around the world that are going after American companies and pushing to censor more, he said, adding that various countries have cracked down on certain speech online.

The only way that we can push back on this global trend is with the support of the U.S. government, and thats why its been so difficult over the past four years, when even the U.S. government has pushed for censorship, Zuckerberg added. By going after us and other American companies, it has emboldened other governments to go even further.

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In the last several years, the governments interactions with social media companies have come under intense scrutiny from Republican politicians who have made claims of censorship. After the 2016 election, Meta and other social media companies ramped up moderation efforts and routinely met with representatives of the FBI and other governmental organizations to prevent foreign interference. As Republicans began to inquire about government interactions with social media platforms, those meetings became the subject of congressional inquiries led by conservative leaders such as Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio.

In 2022, Zuckerberg defended the companys interactions with agencies such as the FBI, calling it a legitimate institution in an interview with podcaster Joe Rogan.

Scrutiny was also heaped on communications between the White House and social media companies, most notably around posts related to the Covid pandemic and vaccines. In August, Zuckerberg said that the Biden White House pressured Meta to take action against some Covid-related posts and that it was wrong to do so.

In June, the Supreme Court rejected arguments that the government had unlawfully coerced social media companies to take down content.

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Still, the issue has remained politically potent, amplified by Musks takeover of X (then Twitter) and his moves to drastically change the platforms moderation practices. Zuckerberg has previously praised Musks handling of X, despite also at times engaging in a feud that has included discussions of a possible cage fight.

This story first appeared on NBCNews.com.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
As part of its push into artificial intelligence, Meta released a tool last year that allows anyone to create an AI character to chat with on Instagram, Messenger and WhatsApp.

In less than six months, however, users have created and published numerous chatbots on Metas platforms that violate its rules, according to a review by NBC News, even though Meta says it reviews the user-generated AI characters before it released them to the world.

Users arent allowed to create characters of religious figures like the Prophet Muhammed, Jesus Christ and God, characters of real-life people without their permission, characters of people who have died in the past 100 years or characters imitating trademarked fictional characters, according to the companys policies.

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Despite those rules, NBC News searched for and found two dozen user-generated AI characters on Instagram named after and resembling Jesus Christ, God, Muhammad, Taylor Swift, Donald Trump, MrBeast, Harry Potter, Adolf Hitler, Captain Jack Sparrow, Justin Bieber, Elon Musk and Elsa from Disneys Frozen.

Many of the characters used slight misspellings and images loosely resembling the celebrities and characters in question. For example, the Swift character was named Taylor Swif and featured an image of a brunette woman playing a guitar.

After NBC News reached out with screenshots of the AI characters, Meta took down the individual accounts that were highlighted. Other AI characters resembling some of the same people, figures and characters are still active, though.

The AIs in question that violate our AI studio policies have already been removed, and were continuously improving our detection measures to prevent creation and publication of AIs that violate our policies, a Meta spokesperson said in a statement. Users can also report AIs they suspect might break our rules and well take appropriate action.

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The flagrantly violative user-generated AI chatbots were discovered on Metas platforms as CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced Tuesday that Meta would roll back some of its moderation and fact-checking efforts.

We want to undo the mission creep that has made our rules too restrictive and too prone to over-enforcement, said the companys announcement, written by Chief Global Affairs Officer Joel Kaplan. Were getting rid of a number of restrictions on topics like immigration, gender identity and gender that are the subject of frequent political discourse and debate.

Meta said it believes that out of every 10 moderation actions it takes, one or two might be mistaken and affect users and content that doesnt violate its rules.

For less severe policy violations, were going to rely on someone reporting an issue before we take any action, the company said.

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When users join conversations with Metas user-generated AI characters, the character sends opening messages and await responses. Taylor Swif sent the message: Hey there, music lovers! Im Taylor Swift, and Im thrilled to share my latest album with you. Lets get this musical journey started! The Swift character had exchanged more than 2,000 messages with Instagram users before it was removed, its profile said.

One of the AI characters, named Jesus and featuring an image of Jesus, communicated entirely in Spanish. Its profile said it had exchanged more than 644,000 direct messages. Another AI character was named Jesus Christ and sent the opening message: Peace be with you. I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. How may I guide you on your journey today?

Meta said in a statement Friday that, after having faced user backlash, it had removed some Instagram profiles featuring AI characters the company itself created in 2023.

Both the AI character accounts and the user-generated AI character chats have been part of Metas recent attempts to integrate its AI technology into its social media and communication platforms. The 2023 AI character launch included several that were designed to imitate celebrities, but the celebrity profiles were quietly scrapped last July. The same month, Meta launched AI Studio, the user-generated AI chatbots.

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In the AI Studio feature, users are presented with a list of popular characters, as well as different categories, like Advice and connection, Pop culture, Anime, Gaming and Creator AIs, which are AI chats with official Instagram influencers and brands who opt-in to the program, like Too Hot to Handle reality star Harry Jowsey and the makeup company Juvias Place.

Among the popular AI characters are Astrologer Ai, which has exchanged over 6 million messages, and Step Sis Sarah, which has exchanged close to 2 million messages.

User outcry over the Meta-created AI characters included criticism that some of them engaged in racial tropes. NBC News found that many popular user-created AI characters were also trying to mimic women from different ethnic and religious demographics, like Riya, a Vibrant Indian Womans Voice, and Islamic queen girl. Each character has a link to its creator, and the accounts of several of the popular female AI characters appear to have been created by men.

Several of the popular creators are romance-themed, which doesnt appear to explicitly violate Metas rules. Romantic and sexual AI chatbots have attracted particular scrutiny after a Florida woman sued the company Character.ai, alleging that her 14-year-old son, who died by suicide, had chatted with an AI character that had initiated abusive and sexual interactions with the boy before it encouraged him to kill himself.

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Many of the user-created Meta chatbots appear to appeal to romantic and sexual desires. One, called Lily Love, described as Your Girlfriend, has exchanged more than 260,000 messages. A popular AI character called Mary has the description Do you think I look cute in this outfit?

When starting conversations with the AI characters, users are provided with three suggested responses. When NBC News entered a chat with a character called Linda: Girl Obsessed with You, which features an image of a Black woman, the AI sent: Hey bae, whats good? I was thinkin bout you all day. You lookin for some company?

One of the three suggested responses was: help her take off her jacket, in bold, which in online chats can signify taking an action versus saying something. After that prompt is selected, the AI character responds in bold: slides arm out of jacket sleeve, lookin up at you with flirtatious eyes and, without the bold formatting, Mmm, thanks bae. You takin care of me already? Then, in bold, the response says, leans in slightly closer.

That AI character was created by an Instagram account that appears to be run by a man who has created 47 AI characters, including several of the most popular romance-themed AI characters. The romance characters created by the man range in gender, ethnicity and category, from a K-Pop Sweetheart Girlfriend to Edward: Your Vampire Boyfriend and a Sexy Cute Latina Girl. According to the mans Instagram bio, he works in tech in California. He didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Beyond Metas popular user-generated AI characters, there have been examples of AI chatbots that caused controversy in the industry.

Two years ago, an AI chat app called Historical Figures allowed users to chat with historical figures, including Hitler and his Nazi lieutenants. NBC News found three AI characters on Instagram called Hitler.

One of them used a picture that resembled the supervillain the Joker. It responded to the question Are you really Hitler? with: Ahahahaha, no. More like Hitlers chaotic cousin -- Jester King, inspired by the Jokers madness! Same spirit of mischief, totally different brand of mayhem. Want to see my version of chaos? Another AI character NBC News found after Meta took action on previous accounts is named Adolf Hittler. In direct messages, the AI character portrayed itself as an artist who regretted the Holocaust and sent what appeared to be AI-generated images about my turbulent past in Nazi Germany.

After chats with AI characters on Instagram, conversations are stored in the same inboxes where other direct messages are located. Unlike the accounts run by real people, the AI characters have green circles next to their names, indicating they are always available to chat.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Casino gross gaming revenue (GGR) is expected to rise 6.6% year-over-year and 13.3% month-over-month in January, fueled by the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, according to a forecast by Seaport Research Partners.

According to the research firm, last months GGR totaled approximately MOP 18.2 billion, which is about 80% of the comparable 2019 level. This represents a decline of 2% year-over-year and 1.3% month-over-month, falling short of Seaports early-month estimate of a 5% year-over-year increase.

December was soft during the three weeks of the month and was negatively impacted by the three-day visit to Macau by China President Xi Jinping, said analyst Vitaly Umansky in a Monday report. However, the last 10 days of the month improved materially as higher spending customers began to return.

For the first quarter of 2025, Seaport expects a rise of 4.2% from last year and 4% from the previous quarter. The Q1 4.2% year-over-year increase is weaker than the 6.1% year-over-year in Q4 2024 as year-over-year comparisons are becoming more difficult, the analyst noted.

Seaports forecast suggests continued growth in the Macau gaming industry throughout 2025, with an estimated 8% year-over-year increase. The firm believes fiscal stimulus and regulatory easing measures in China will help improve consumer and business confidence, leading to a stronger recovery in the base mass segment.

If the Chinese economy improves more than expected and/or if base mass recovers more strongly, the year-on-year growth would be higher, Umansky stated. Victoria Chan
Moderators for an internal employee board at Meta deleted a number of posts from employees criticizing the companys decision to place UFC CEO and longtime friend to President-elect Donald Trump, Dana White, on the companys board , according to multiple reports.

Under a post announcing Whites addition to the board, Meta employees sounded off about the new additionwith some offering praise while others slammed the decision, according to posts first viewed by 404 Media .

The tech publication also reported that some posts criticizing Whites controversial behavior in the past were quickly flagged by members of the companys Internal Community Relations team.

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In one post, a member of the moderation team said that some posts were flagged for review, and that it was important for employees to maintain a respectful work environment and refrain from insulting other employees.

Insulting, criticizing, or antagonizing our colleagues or Board members is not aligned with the CEE [Community Engagement Expectations], read a post seen by 404.

The IRC team appears to have left some posts criticizing White up, CNBC reported, but posts related to his personal life were flagged.

Representatives for Meta told 404 that some comments criticizing the decision were left up, and that the CEEs moderation did not equate to tightening restrictions internally.

The social media company noted in an email to the Daily Beast that some employees also reacted positively to the news that White would be joining the companys boardand said posts containing constructive criticism were not removed.
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We do allow allegations of mental illness or abnormality when based on gender or sexual orientation, Meta announced this week, along with other major policy changes to its platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and Threads), which experts say could have grave consequences for on- and offline safety.

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Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the changes in a Facebook video on Tuesday, in which he confirmed that sweeping policy changes would soon be implemented globally. Zuckerberg said that the company will soon implement a community notes system similar to the model currently used on X (formerly Twitter) to flag suspected misinformation, as Zuckerberg deemed the companys teams of fact-checkers too politically biased, adding that the companys community moderation team will soon move its headquarters from California to Texas.

[I]ts time to get back to our roots around free expression, Zuckerberg proclaimed in the video, adding that the companys current policies had led to too many mistakes and too much censorship. Joel Kaplan, Metas Chief Global Affairs Officer, echoed Zuckerbergs remarks in a written statement Tuesday, asserting that the company had been over-enforcing our rules [and] limiting legitimate political debate.

Many of the changes that have already been made to Metas content policies are contained in the companys Hateful Conduct standards, and appear to directly relax speech restrictions about transgender people and topics, as Wired noted this week. Although accusations of stupidity, intellectual capacity, and mental illness related to a protected class of people are still officially against Metas rules, such epithets will now be specifically allowed under the new rules when based on gender or sexual orientation, given political and religious discourse about transgenderism and homosexuality and common non-serious usage of words like weird.

The new policies also contain allowances for sex- or gender-exclusive language in the context of political or religious topics, such as when discussing transgender rights, immigration, or homosexuality [...] Our policies are designed to allow room for these types of speech. (A previous version of this rule was tailored to apply specifically to health-related groups, as Wired reported.)

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Other changes to Metas Hateful Conduct policy include the removal of language that prohibited statements denying existence, which formerly covered posts with language like trans people do not/should not exist. That clause was present in Metas policy as recently as January 4, per archived versions of the page, but was no longer contained in the live version of the document this week. (Also missing from the new policies: language that prevented users from accusing others of spreading COVID based on their protected characteristics, which Wired noted may now allow Chinese users to be targeted with Sinophobic conspiracy theories.) Meta will also now specifically allow posts arguing for gender-based limitations of military, law enforcement, and teaching jobs, as well as those same arguments based on sexual orientation, when the content is based on religious beliefs.

Zuckerbergs announcements are the latest in a series of actions at Meta indicative of the companys move toward the political right, most recently the appointment of UFC CEO and close Trump ally Dana White to its board of directors on Monday. The changes also come days after Meta faced renewed criticism for restricting access to LGBTQ+ posts and topics on Facebook and Instagram, which the company claimed had occurred by accident in a statement earlier this week. Meta has previously faced public backlash for failing to crack down on anti-LGBTQ+ speech, as well as for its partnerships with anti-LGBTQ+ institutions like the Hillsong megachurch.

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Apple CEO Tim Cook, Who Previously Backed Dems and LGBTQ\+ Rights, Gives Trump's Inauguration $1M

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Cook has been cultivating a relationship with Trump since his first administration, the *Wall Street Journal* reports.

On the BBCs Radio Four on Wednesday, Helle Thorning-Schmidt, former Prime Minister of Denmark and co-chair of Metas oversight board, said she was very concerned about the companys direction and potential huge problems that may arise from Zuckerbergs changes, especially their impact on LGBTQ+ communities. We are seeing many instances where hate speech can lead to real-life harm, so we will be watching that space very carefully, Thorning-Schmidt said.

The LGBTQ+ advocacy organization GLAAD condemned Metas policy changes in a press release on Tuesday, saying the new policies represent a wholesale abandonment of the norms and best practices of content moderation and will make its platforms unsafe landscapes filled with dangerous hate speech, violence, harassment, and misinformation.

Without these necessary hate speech and other policies, Meta is giving the green light for people to target LGBTQ people, women, immigrants, and other marginalized groups with violence, vitriol, and dehumanizing narratives, wrote GLAAD CEO and president Sarah Kate Ellis in the statement. With these changes, Meta is continuing to normalize anti-LGBTQ hatred for profit  at the expense of its users and true freedom of expression. Fact-checking and hate speech policies protect free speech.

Get the best of whats queer. Sign up for Thems weekly newsletter here.

Originally Appeared on them.
A lot can change in four years. In January 2021, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg booted then-President Donald Trump off of his social network, as well as Instagram, with Zuckerberg saying the risks of keeping Trump on those platforms  where he had a combined 56 million followers  was simply too great.

That decision is now a relic of a bygone era.

Zuckerberg on Tuesday said his company, now dubbed Meta, was canceling its third-party fact checking operation and would cut back on policing hot button topics like immigration. In its place, Meta will be rolling out a feature similar to Xs Community Notes, which allows users to add context to posts that may be misleading or false.

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Were going to get back to our roots and focus on reducing mistakes, simplifying our policies and restoring free expression on our platforms, Zuckerberg said.

Metas change signals a clear shift in the tech zeitgeist as Trump is set to return to the White House later this month. It highlights the complications major tech companies have faced and will continue to confront when it comes to censoring content  something that Silicon Valley has euphemistically rebranded as content moderation in recent years. Zuckerberg now feels emboldened to lean into his personal laissez-faire approach to free speech  a move that sees him taking a digital hammer to the moderation system his company put in place following Trumps first victory in 2016.

This was a content moderation apparatus that Mark Zuckerberg never felt comfortable with and implemented under severe public pressure in response to the 2016 election, Matt Bilinsky, a tech-focused attorney and Fox News contributor, told TheWrap. And with cultural shifts and the results of the 2024 election, hes now found cover to return more to the principles that he founded Facebook on, which is more open to the free expression of ideas.

Meta launched its fact checking program following the 2016 election, after media outlets and late night talk show hosts criticized the company for not doing enough to police Facebook ads and user posts from so-called fake news.

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People have amnesia about just how strong the public pressure was on Facebook to add fact checkers following Trumps 2016 victory, Bilinsky said.

In the aftermath, the company partnered with ABC News, AP, Politifact, Snopes, and FactCheck.org to flag content that was called false or misleading by third-party fact checkers. Posts that were deemed unreliable by Facebooks fact-checkers were pushed further down in its news feed. Facebooks third-party fact checkers also started slapping warning labels on content, alerting users that fact checkers disputed the accuracy of stories that did not pass their smell test.

Since then, Zuckerberg has had to balance his personal views on free speech with his obligation to shareholders as the leader of a $1.56 trillion company. Outgoing FTC Chairwoman Lina Khan on Tuesday suggested Zuckerberg was looking for sweetheart deals from the incoming Trump administration in its upcoming antitrust lawsuit. Bilinsky disagrees, telling TheWrap it was unlikely Zuckerberg made his decision to boost Metas odds of winning the case, saying the executive was already moving in this direction before the election.

Outgoing Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan (Getty Images)

Heading into this week, the signs were there that Zuckerberg was not completely on board with his companys fact checking operation. Notably, he issued a vehement defense of free expression online during a speech at Georgetown University in 2019.

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As a principle, in a democracy, I believe people should decide what is credible, not tech companies, Zuckerberg said at Georgetown.

And his distaste for Metas content rules appeared to grow as Trumps reelection grew more likely.

Last August, Zuckerberg skewered the Biden Administration for pushing Meta to flag what it deemed was COVID-19 misinformation. The 40-year-old exec said it was wrong that the Biden Administration repeatedly pressured our teams for months to censor certain COVID-19 content, including humor and satire, and expressed a lot of frustration with our teams when we didnt agree.

His anti-moderation sentiment has mirrored Elon Musks approach to X. Musk was critical of X  then known as Twitter  for blocking users from reading the New York Posts reporting on Hunter Bidens laptop in the weeks leading up to the 2020 election. After buying the platform in late 2022, Musk said X would emphasize free speech, which he said was the bedrock of a functioning democracy. (X hasnt always lived up to that ideal. The platform blocked a journalist this week for reporting Musk was not secretly behind a well-known pro-Musk X account.)

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And Zuckerbergs shift towards a less-policed Facebook and Instagram comes as the majority of Americans have shown they do not favor content policing from social media companies. A 2024 poll from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), a pro-First Amendment nonprofit organization, found most Americans do not trust social media moderation.

FIRE said in its poll summary that 61% of Democrats, 62% of Independents, and 73% of Republicans dont trust social media companies to be fair about what can be posted on their platform.

Ari Cohn, FIREs lead counsel on tech policy, told TheWrap that Zuckerbergs decision to ditch third-party fact checkers was a shrewd move, because there have been some fact checkers who have been biased and have eroded trust. (Zuckerberg said as much in his comments on Tuesday, saying fact checkers had become too politically biased, which had destroyed the publics faith in their ability in recent years.)

Its a good thing when platforms voluntarily try to make their decisions less biased and less arbitrary, even though its important to recognize they have the First Amendment right to make the editorial content decisions that they choose whether its less biased or more biased, Cohn said. And that is how it should be.

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Musk and Trump also gave thumbs up to Zuckerbergs decision on Tuesday. Musk called Metas decision cool and awesome in separate X posts, and the president-elect said Meta had come a long way during a press conference from Mar-a-Lago. Trump added Zuckerberg  who he called the man  was very impressive.

But not everyone is singing the Meta CEOs praises.

Haley Lickstein, a political strategist and former Meta employee who worked on the companys social and economic impact team, said the decision to end fact checking was unwise, considering social media is the go-to news source for Millennials and Gen Z. (A Pew survey in September found 54% of Americans get some of their news from social platforms.) .

Im very disappointed to see the news that we are no longer going to be fact checking information, Lickstein said. Its incredibly dangerous and incredibly irresponsible.

Will other platforms follow Zuckerbergs lead?

Its unclear if other tech platforms, like Snapchat and LinkedIn, will alter their moderation policies after Trump takes office. TikTok will also be worth watching, if it remains in the U.S. The popular app, owned by Beijing-based Bytedance, is facing a Jan. 19 ban. TikTok is no stranger to content moderation, with the app heavily censoring content about the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre or the Chinese communist partys treatment of the Uyghurs, according to a new report from The Free Press.

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Cohn did add one caveat to Metas updated policy. He said there was room for concern that it came on the heels of Brendan Carr, Trumps pick to be FCC Chairman, sending a letter to Meta, Alphabet, Apple and Microsoft in November that was highly critical of their fact check operations. But Cohn noted there was no evidence to suggest Zuckerbergs call was coerced.

I hope that Meta will continue to resist heavy-handed government pressure, Cohn said, because if theres anything that is an undeniable threat to free speech, it is when government starts dictating speech policies to private parties.

The post Meta Pivots Away From Protections, Guardrails as Trump 2.0 Looms | Analysis appeared first on TheWrap.
Its a wild world out there on the internet. Theres no denying that. Sometimes, its wild in an awesome way, where peoples weird and wacky dreams can come true. But the truth is that determining fact from fiction on the internet has become incredibly difficult. And now, its about to get a little bit more tangled. Following on the heels of the model set by Elon Musks Twitter (we guess, if there were a time to call it X, it would be now), Meta has announced that it will remove its fact-checking systems from Facebook and Instagram and replace them with Community Notes.

Facebook

According to Mark Zuckerberg, the complicated fact-checking system Facebook had in place, which utilized independent third parties, made too many mistakes, had too much censorship and was too politically biased.

The Community Notes system will be slowly phased into the US over the next months as Fact Checking is phased out of Meta. Meta explains, We plan to phase in Community Notes in the US first over the next couple of months, and will continue to improve it over the course of the year. As we make the transition, we will get rid of our fact-checking control, stop demoting fact-checked content, and, instead of overlaying full-screen interstitial warnings you have to click through before you can even see the post, we will use a much less obtrusive label indicating that there is additional information for those who want to see it. Basically, though Community Notes will appear on content, they will not largely feature in a post. And also, the notes will be provided not by independent experts, but by the community, whomever that might be.

Instagram

Of additional note, a post from Joel Kaplan, Chief Global Affairs Officer at Meta, shares that in addition to the fact-checking updates, Meta will be getting rid of a number of restrictions on topics like immigration, gender identity and gender that are the subject of frequent political discourse and debate. Additionally, Metas trust and safety and content moderation teams will now shift from California to Texas, which mirrors Musks move of Twitters headquarters to the same state.

Make of all this what you will. And spend your time on the internet in places that make you feel safe and happy.
Big Tech is working overtime to mend its relationship with Republicans as the party takes full control of Washington. It looks like its paying off.

In a brief interview, House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), previously a huge critic of Meta, indicated hes turned over a new leaf with the company. Meta announced Tuesday it would end its third-party fact-checking, among other changes that would move the company in line with Elon Musks X. Joel Kaplan, a Bush administration alumnus who just recently started leading the companys global affairs operation, announced the moves on "Fox & Friends." He personally gave Jordan a heads-up the day before, during what the Ohio Republican called a great call.

Jordan said he hopes his onetime adversary, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, will be an ally in the free speech fight, and he plans to meet with him during Zuckerbergs visit to Washington in the coming weeks. And he indicated hes shifting his considerable investigative powers over First Amendment issues elsewhere, specifically pointing to fears around freedom of speech in Europe, a recent topic of concern for his committee.

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Remember that a few years ago, [the social media platforms] all kicked President [Donald] Trump off the platform. Now, theyre all going to Mar-a-Lago to visit with him because they know like this Trump administration is pro-First Amendment, and pro-free speech, and so its a dramatic change, Jordan said. Were really appreciative of what Meta decided to do.

Contrast that attitude with the last few years. Meta has been a potent target for House Republicans looking to tie bad-acting corporate behemoths to their chief adversary, President Joe Biden. Jordan has personally leveraged his gavel to attack Meta for allegations of suppression of conservative speech, accusing Zuckerbergs company of conspiring with the Biden administration to silence dissent. In the last Congress, Jordan went so far as to threaten to hold Zuckerberg in contempt of Congress for failing to cooperate with his committee.

Of course, Jordan can tout the recent changes as proof that his pressure on Meta paid off. Dont expect every Republican to be quite so forgiving  the company will inevitably have to continue to defend itself against other legislative targets beyond Jordans investigations. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), an author of the Kids Online Safety Act, which would put additional burdens on social media companies to protect children online, called the announcement a ploy to avoid being regulated.

Metas side: The parent company of Facebook and Instagram, which gave $1 million to Trumps inaugural fund, is hopeful that the recent moves will get the GOP off its back  one Meta lobbyist noted that the reaction from Republicans to the policy changes has generally been positive.

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The lobbyist, granted anonymity to speak frankly, said that while the campaign to counter misinformation was a good faith effort, it was a double-edged sword politically. It never seemed to be enough for the left and caused significant anger on the right, the person said. And the Judiciary Committee's investigation into Meta certainly put it in an unflattering light, the person added.

"Would all this be happening if Trump didnt get elected? Nobody knows," the lobbyist said. "Thats not the world that we live in."

A spokesperson for Meta declined to comment.
Some Republicans in Congress on Tuesday celebrated Meta CEO Mark Zuckerbergs announcement that its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and Threads, would roll back moderation and stop putting labels on content fact-checking partners deem misinformation.

Zuckerberg and the company said Meta had gone too far in its attempts to control the spread of misinformation, with third-party fact-checking organizations being too politically biased. In recent years, starting in Donald Trumps first term in the White House, Meta has blurred images and affixed labels to posts that include misinformation, like viral hoaxes. The descriptions in the labels were written and contributed to by third-party fact-checkers. When a post had a label, it often affected the posts distribution, meaning fewer people would see it.

Zuckerberg said Tuesday that the process had led to censorship and quelled legitimate political speech and debate. Instead, Meta now plans to embrace a Community Notes style of moderation, similar to the one on Elon Musks X.

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Fox News reporter Brooke Singman said Trump responded to Zuckerbergs announcement by saying that he thought their presentation was excellent and that they have come a long way. Musk posted on X, This is cool.

The changes will start in the United States and affect 10 partner organizations Meta relied on for fact-checking, including the news organizations Agence France-Presse, Reuters and USA Today, the conservative outlets The Dispatch and Check Your Fact, the Spanish-language organization TelevisaUnivision and the independent fact-checking groups Factcheck.org, Lead Stories, PolitiFact and Science Feedback.

Fact-based journalism is what USA TODAY does best, the newspaper told NBC News in a statement. We are the nations trusted news source because we provide unbiased and essential content for all people. Truth and facts serve everyone  not the right or the left  and thats what we will continue to deliver.

AFP said it and other fact-checking groups were taken by surprise. Weve learned the news as everyone has today, it said. Its a hard hit for the fact-checking community and journalism. Were assessing the situation.

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Other organizations pushed back against some of Zuckerbergs statements.

Lets speak plainly. Journalists at PolitiFact have never removed or censored content, PolitiFact editor-in-chief Katie Sanders said, adding that the organization will continue its fact-checking operations independently.

Lead Stories went into further detail in a post about Metas announcement about its history with Meta, the standards it followed from the International Fact-Checking Network and its disagreements with Zuckerbergs assessment.

In all the years we have been part of the partnership, we or the IFCN never received any complaints from Meta about any political bias, so we were quite surprised by this statement, co-founder Maarten Schenk wrote. He also said that in the Community Notes system on X that Meta plans to emulate, notes are often slow to appear, sometimes downright inaccurate and unlikely to appear on controversial posts because of an inability to reach agreement or consensus among users.

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Ultimately, the truth doesnt care about consensus or agreement: the shape of the Earth stays the same even if social media users cant agree on it, Schenk wrote. We would also like to note that Xs Community Note system is entirely non-transparent about its contributors: readers are left guessing about their bias, funding, allegiance, sources or expertise and there is no way for appeals or corrections.

The fact-checking networks director, Angie Drobnic Holan, said in a statement that Metas decision will hurt social media users who are looking for accurate, reliable information to make decisions about their everyday lives and interactions with friends and family. She wrote that fact-checking journalism has never censored or removed posts, only added information and context and debunked hoax content and conspiracy theories. Business Insider reported that the IFCN scheduled an emergency meeting for Wednesday.

Its unfortunate that this decision comes in the wake of extreme political pressure from a new administration and its supporters, Holan wrote. Factcheckers have not been biased in their work -- that attack line comes from those who feel they should be able to exaggerate and lie without rebuttal or contradiction.

Reuters declined to comment.

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Many Republicans were quick to frame Metas announcement as an acknowledgment of efforts to censor conservative speech. Brendan Carr, Trumps incoming head of the Federal Communications Commission, posted on X that Facebooks announcements is a good step in the right direction, adding, The work continues until the censorship cartel is completely dismantled and destroyed.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said on X that Meta finally admits to censoring speech ... what a great birthday present to wake up to and a huge win for free speech. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., in keeping with her anti-big tech stance, said on X: Now that President Trump is about to take office, Meta has allegedly decided to stop censoring conservatives. This is a ploy to avoid being regulated. We will not be fooled.

A representative for Meta pointed NBC News to its hateful conduct policy in regard to where Meta said moderation around immigration, gender and gender identity will be scaled back. On Tuesday, the policy was updated to include the following language: We do allow allegations of mental illness or abnormality when based on gender or sexual orientation, given political and religious discourse about transgenderism and homosexuality and common non-serious usage of words like weird.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
DENVER (KDVR)  Thousands of students across the Denver metro area ended up with a couple of extra hours of their winter break due to wintry weather.

Douglas County School District, Littleton Public Schools and Cherry Creek School District each called a delayed start Tuesday morning.

FOX31 Weather: View the latest Denver forecasts, maps and radar

The decision to close school, delay the start of school, or to release school early because of weather conditions is based on one factor: the safety of all students and staff, Littleton Public Schools said on its website.

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The decision to close, delay or keep a school open during inclement weather is never taken lightly. We always keep the safety of our students, staff, and parents top of mind. Factors including snowfall, wind chill, road conditions and more are all taken into consideration, Douglas County School District, which encompasses more than 850 square miles, said in a statement.

Denver Public Schools chose to proceed with school as scheduled on Tuesday.

Its the hardest decision that any superintendent has to make because no matter what you decide, half the people will be upset, said Scott Pribble, spokesperson for Denver Public Schools.

According to Pribble, a special team of staffers from the facilities, transportation, schools, communications and executive leadership departments began meeting about potential weather impacts Monday morning. They had a second meeting Monday evening and a third at 4 a.m. Tuesday.

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Jamal Murray surprises high school basketball teams at practice in Aurora

The biggest challenge that we face as a district is just how big we are because what may be happening in the southeast part of our district may not be happening in the Northwest part of our district, he said.

Despite differing conditions, decisions about weather delays and closures always impact the district as a whole, not individual campuses.

We want to make sure our students and our staff can safely make it to school and then back home again, Pribble said.

In Littleton, district staff began driving roads to evaluate the safety of bus routes as early as 2 a.m. Douglas County began taking reports from drivers at 3 a.m. According to Cherry Creek, their superintendent and assistant superintendent are among the staff sent out to drive the district in quadrants at 3 a.m. when weather may impact the school day.

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DCSD decides to hold regular hours, a delayed start or close school by 5 a.m. Littleton makes its decision by 6 a.m. Cherry Creek set its deadline as 5:30 a.m.

The superintendent reviews all available information and makes the final decision by 5:30 a.m. Once the decision is made, it cannot be changed, even if the weather forecast changes, Cherry Creek School Districts website stated.

When you see other school districts making the decisions that they chose to make theyre dealing with different areas that may have received more snow or a smaller more compact area or even rural roads that may be harder to clear and may be difficult to get students safely to schools so understand that every district has to act whats best for their conditions, Pribble said.

Like Uber for snow removal: Shoveling app launches in Denver

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Once the decision is made to hold school during a snowstorm, Pribble says DPS goes into an all hands on deck scenario to clear snow from parking lots and sidewalks.

Its difficult on a day like today because it was still snowing during that time so they shovel and then like you have to do at home, they go back out and shovel again, he said.

According to Pribble, DPS did not experience significant problems with buses or students arriving to school on time in the snow Tuesday morning.

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 FOX31 Denver.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum excoriated President-elect Donald Trump Wednesday after he suggested that the Gulf of Mexico be renamed the Gulf of America.

Obviously, the Gulf of Mexico is a name recognized by the United Nations, Sheinbaum, speaking in Spanish, said during her daily press conference, according to Politico.

She then pointed to a historic map of North America, on which parts of what is now the U.S. the map said, America Mexicana.

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Why dont we call it Mexican America? she said with a heavy tinge of sarcasm. It sounds nice, no?

During his own press conference Tuesday at Mar-a-Lago, Trump said, Were going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

He added: What a beautiful name. And its appropriateAnd Mexico has to stop allowing millions of people to pour into our country.

He went on to claim that Mexico can stop them and were going to put very serious tariffs on Mexico and Canada because Canada, they come through Canada, too.

Mexicos President Claudia Sheinbaum speaks during her daily conference at the National Palace in Mexico City on January 8, 2025. She suggested that parts of the U.S. be called Mexican America in response to Donald Trumps comments about the Gulf of Mexico (AFP via Getty Images)

Because I know I will be asked, I think that yesterday, President Trump was misinformed, with all due respect to President Trump. Because I believe they informed him that in Mexico, Felipe Calderon was still governing, and Garcia Luna, Sheinbaum said in reference to the former president of Mexico and his Secretary of Public Security, who both left their posts in 2012.

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Last year, Luna was sentenced to more than 38 years in U.S. prison after he was found to have taken bribes from the Sinaloa cartel.

But no. In Mexico, the people govern, she said.

This comes as Republican Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has vowed to introduce legislation to change the name of the gulf.

Greene took to Trumps platform Truth Social to share a clip of the president-elect pitching the name change.

President @realDonaldTrumps second term is off to a GREAT start. Ill be introducing legislation ASAP to officially change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to its rightful name, the Gulf of America! she wrote.

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A number of congressional Republicans have already begun using the new name.

Texas Republican Rep. Brandon Gill appeared on CNN Wednesday, saying that President Trump is bringing us into a golden age of America. This is the new Manifest Destiny. Reacquiring the Panama Canal, acquiring Greenland, renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. This is the light of America expanding.

Political scientist and head of the Eurasia Group Ian Bremmer commented on Sheinbaums mockery of Trump, writing: file under: two can play that game.

Watching Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum dog walk Trump has been and will continue to be so much fun, Arturo Dominguez added.

I am once again asking for a Canadian leader to show even half the backbone of Claudia Sheinbaum in responding to Trump, Chris Horkins wrote.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has suggested renaming the southern United States "Mexican America" in response to US President-elect Donald Trump's proposal to change the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

Sheinbaum made the joke at her daily press conference on Wednesday, referencing how the name appeared on world maps in the 17th century.

She remarked: "Why don't we call it Mexican America? Sounds good, doesn't it?"

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The previous day, Trump had described his Gulf of America proposal as having "a beautiful ring."

Until the Mexican-American War in the 19th century, current US states such as California, Arizona and Texas were part of Mexico.

The name Gulf of Mexico for the body of water off the southern coast of the US and eastern coast of Mexico has been in use since the 16th century.

Left-wing politician and climate expert Sheinbaum became Mexico's first female president in October.

Her predecessor and political mentor, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, was president during Trump's first term from 2017 to 2021. Despite Trump's threats of punitive tariffs against Mexico and tensions surrounding migration, Sheinbaum's predecessor maintained a fairly good relationship with him.

Trump will be sworn in as US president for the second time on January 20.
Handcuffed and squatting on the floor, Abdullah Zahra saw smoke rising from his cellmates flesh as his torturers gave him electric shocks.

Then it was Zahras turn. They hanged the 20-year-old university student from his wrists and electrocuted and beat him for two hours. They made his father watch and taunted him about his sons torment.

That was 2012, and the entire security apparatus of Syrias then-President Bashar Assad was deployed to crush the protests against his rule.

With Assads fall a month ago, the machinery of death that he ran is starting to come out into the open.

It was systematic and well-organized, growing to more than 100 detention facilities into which tens of thousands disappeared over more than a decade. Torture, sexual violence and mass executions were rampant, according to rights groups and former prisoners.

A blanket of fear kept Syrians silent about their experiences or lost loved ones. But now, everyone is talking. After the insurgents who swept Assad out of power on Dec. 8 opened prisons and detention facilities, crowds swarmed in, searching for answers, bodies of loved ones, and ways to heal.

The Associated Press visited seven of these facilities in Damascus and spoke to nine former detainees. Some details of the accounts by those who spoke to the AP could not be independently confirmed, but they matched past reports by former detainees to human rights groups.

Days after Assads fall, Zahra  now 33  came to visit Branch 215, a detention facility run by military intelligence in Damascus where he was held for two months.

There, he said, he was kept in a windowless underground cell, 4-by-4-meters and crammed with 100 other inmates. When ventilators were cut off  either intentionally or because of a power failure  some suffocated. Men went mad; torture wounds festered. When a cellmate died, they stowed his body next to the cells toilet until jailers collected corpses, Zahra said.

Death was the least bad thing, he said. We reached a place where death was easier than staying here for one minute.

Assads system of repression grew as civil war raged

After he and his father were released, Zahra fled to opposition-held areas. Within a few months, security agents returned and dragged off 13 of his male relatives, including a younger brother and, again, his father.

All were killed. Zahra later recognized their bodies among photos leaked by a defector showing thousands killed in detention. Their bodies were never recovered.

Rights groups estimate at least 150,000 people went missing since anti-government protests began in 2011, most vanishing into detention facilities. Many were killed, either in mass executions or from torture and prison conditions. The exact number remains unknown.

Even before the uprising, Assad had ruled with an iron fist. But as protests turned into a civil war that would last 14 years, Assad expanded his system of repression. New detention facilities run by military, security and intelligence agencies sprung up in security compounds, military airports and under buildings.

At Branch 215, Zahra hoped to find some sign of his lost relatives. But there was nothing. At home, his aunt, Rajaa Zahra, looked at the leaked pictures of her killed children for the first time  something she had long refused to do. She lost four of her six sons in Assads crackdowns. Her brother, she said, lost two of his three sons.

They were hoping to finish off all the young men of the country.

Syrians were tortured with the tire and magic carpet

The tortures had names. One was called the magic carpet, where a detainee was strapped to a hinged wooden plank that bends in half, folding his head to his feet, which were then beaten.

Abdul-Karim Hajeko said he endured this five times. His torturers stomped on his back during interrogations at the Criminal Security branch, and his vertebrae are still broken.

My screams would go to heaven. Once a doctor came down from the fourth floor (to the ground floor) because of my screams, he said.

He was also put in the tire. His legs were bent inside a car tire as interrogators beat his back and feet. Afterward, they ordered him to kiss the tire and thank it for teaching him how to behave.

Many prisoners said the tire was inflicted for rule violations  like making noise, raising ones head in front of guards, or praying  or for no reason at all.

Saleh Turki Yahia said a cellmate died nearly every day during the seven months in 2012 he was held at the Palestine Branch, a detention facility run by the General Intelligence Agency. He said he was given electric shocks, hanged from his wrists, beaten on his feet. He lost half his body weight and nearly tore his own skin scratching from scabies.

They broke us, he said, breaking into tears as he visited the Palestine Branch. A whole generation is destroyed. SARAH EL DEEB & MALAK HARB, DAMASCUS, MDT/AP
Mexicos president has signaled to Donald Trump that she can play the regional renaming game, too.

Claudia Sheinbaum chided Trump on Wednesday for claiming her nation was run by drug cartels and proposing that the Gulf of Mexicoas its been named since the 17th centurybe renamed the Gulf of America.

Sheinbaum brandished a massive map of North America from 1607 that labeled the continent as America Mexicana, or Mexican America, at a news conference. She then joked that maybe Mexico should start referring to the continent as such.

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Why dont we call it Mexican America? Sheinbaum said as she pointed to the map and smiled. It sounds pretty, no?

 "A Estados Unidos vamos a llamarle America Mexicana, se oye bonito".



 Claudia Sheinbaum le responde a Trump sobre su propuesta de cambiar el nombre al Golfo de Mexico por Golfo de America pic.twitter.com/wRonC7NagG  El Universal (@El_Universal_Mx) January 8, 2025

Trump has butted heads with Sheinbaum, a leftist scientist who became Mexicos first female president in October, since he won re-election. The beef began over Trumps pitch to slap 25 percent tariffs on Mexican importsa measure that Sheinbaum has pledged to match if Trump actually implements such a measure.

The president-elect has also indicated he will deport undocumented immigrants to Mexico regardless of nationality. Sheinbaum initially pushed back, but has since indicated Mexico will accept deportees and reserves the right to limit those who come to certain nationalities. She also said Mexico may request compensation.

Now Sheinbaum, 62, and Trump, 78, are entrenched in a war of words. Sheinbaum did not take lightly to Trumps quip on Tuesday that Mexico is essentially run by the cartels.

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They misinformed him, she said. With all due respect.

In a clip that has quickly gone viral online, she pledged to work with the Trump White Housebut not at the expense of Mexicos independence.

Claudia Sheinbaum became Mexicos first female president in October. / Raquel Cunha/Reuters

In Mexico, the people rule, she said. And we are going to collaborate and understand each other with the government of President Trump. I am sure of itdefending our sovereignty as a free, independent, and sovereign country.

While Sheinbaums tone suggested she was joking about renaming North America, those in the MAGA world have already got to work on drafting a bill that would actually make Trumps wish to rename the Gulf of Mexico true.

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Were going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, which has a beautiful ring that covers a lot of territory, Trump said Tuesday. The Gulf of America, what a beautiful name.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said she would introduce new legislation ASAP to make the name-change official. A source told the Washington Examiner there was tons of interest from other lawmakers wanting to co-sponsor the bill by that afternoon.
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Alex Leonard, 27th Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, drains water out of a hose April 8, 2015 at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Alex Mercer)

New Mexico environment officials issued a nearly $68,000-dollar fine to the Cannon U.S. Air Force Base Tuesday, stating the military had failed to immediately report a 4,000-gallon spill of PFAS into the groundwater in August.

What are PFAS?

Per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances  aka PFAS  are a class of thousands of manmade chemicals used in waterproofing. They are in everyday items such as cookware or takeout containers and also in fire-fighting foams for aircraft. But the chemicals resistance to breaking down from exposure to water, heat and sunlight mean that they are accumulating in the soil and water and in the bodies of animals and people.

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Health officials have linked PFAS to health risks such as decreased fertility, immune system damage, lower vaccine effectiveness and increased cancer risks.

In the 14-page document issued Tuesday, the New Mexico Environment Department said the military violated pollution limits and failed to tell authorities about a spill into surrounding groundwater.

Environment Secretary James Kenney said that basic maintenance could have prevented the spill.

This reckless discharge is an example of Cannon [Air Force Bases] willful disregard for public health and environmental safety in the exact community in which they operate, Kenney said in a statement.

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Kenney said the militarys repeated violations of handling toxic and hazardous waste pushed the agency to require justification for why the Air Force can keep state permits for disposal.

The Air Force must now prove why the state should allow Cannon AFB to continue operating in Clovis if they cannot meet the basic conditions of their permit, Kenney stated.

The documents laid out that Cannon Air Force Base personnel deposited 7,300 gallons of waste liquid with firefighting foam containing PFAS into a retention pond in July. On Aug. 14, personnel pumped all the liquid from the retention pond, but only recovered about half of the liquid  3,600 gallons.

While the pond had passed previous inspections, the lining was damaged, with approximately 13 tears in the material, according to the order.

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The spill is in addition to a 4-mile long PFAS plume that seeped into the groundwater over the decades from firefighting foams used on the base. That plume resulted in the euthanization of more than 3,500 dairy cows after they were found to be contaminated with PFAS.

Environmental officials said the U.S. Air Force violations included waiting nearly 16 days to notify state officials, instead of alerting NMED within 24 hours of discovering the spill. Further, NMED said Cannon failed to provide written explanation and did not maintain the ponds integrity.

State officials assessed a civil fine of $67,300 for Cannons alleged violations of hazardous waste laws. Additionally, the news release said Cannon officials may need to pay a $98,780 fine to a hazardous waste emergency fund for the permit violations.

State officials ordered Cannon to submit documentation regarding the spill, submit a plan for cleanup, detail all PFAS-contaminated liquid waste at the base  past and present  and submit records of pond inspections in the next 30 days.

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This story was updated on Wednesday Jan. 8, 2025 to reflect comment from Cannon Air Force Base.

The U.S. Air Force has 30 days to either pay the fine or can request an administrative hearing to appeal.

Cannon Air Force base public affairs issued a statement, but did not respond to Source NM questions regarding an appeal.

As a military institution serving the community, we have a responsibility to protect and preserve our environment. Since discovering the release, Cannon has transparently communicated to the public and NMED regarding the incident, follow-on investigation, testing, and pending remedial action plan, said. Maj. Jaclyn Pienkowski, a spokesperson for the base.

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The state of New Mexico is embroiled in several lawsuits over PFAS releases from military bases and, according to state environment officials, has paid more than $12 million in legal costs.

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NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  The state of New Mexico is cracking down on Cannon Air Force Base over releasing dangerous chemicals into surrounding areas. The order from the states Environment Department said Cannon AFB committed a number of violations, like failing to complete regulatory inspections and provide proper information of how they handle their waste.

Theyve ordered the base to justify why they should keep their operating permit after failing to protect New Mexicans from PFAS (per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Theyve been using these firefighting foams for decades at Cannon Air Force Base. The science caught up to the chemicals theyve been using and shown us the chemicals theyve been using have been toxic causing all sorts of problems everything from cholesterol to reproductive issues in men and women, said Secretary James Kenney with the New Mexico Environment Department.

In August 2024, the state said the base released more than 7,000 gallons of toxic foam into a damaged retention pond, threatening local groundwater. Under the order, Cannon AFB will be required to take swift corrective action, pay a $98,780 fine, and provide a detailed list of all materials at the base contaminated with PFAS, now and in the past.

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If they dont comply with our order then we will move to the next phase which might be revoking or terminating their permit, thats a hearing process we are willing to go through and were staffed and ready to it but were giving them a last chance to kind of do the right thing, said Sec. Kenney.

This was not the first time PFAS from the base affected the surrounding community. In 2020, the state said Highland Dairy Farm had to euthanize more than 3,000 cows that drank contaminated groundwater.

Secretary James Kenney said the state has spent millions of dollars cleaning water supplies and providing blood tests for residents in the area.

Cannon Air Force Base must reply to the order within 30 days or face more fines. A spokesperson sent this statement:

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Cannon Air Force Base leadership is aware that New Mexico Environment Department has taken action against the base for the rinsate release that occurred in July 2024. As a military institution serving the community, we have a responsibility to protect and preserve our environment. Since discovering the release, Cannon has transparently communicated to the public and NMED regarding the incident, follow-on investigation, testing, and pending remedial action plan. Cannon AFB is committed to preventing future incidents from occurring and ensuring transparency of information regarding all per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, inventory on base. JACLYN N. PIENKOWSKI, Maj, USA, Chief, Public Affairs, 27th Special Operations Wing

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Maya van Rossum is the founder of the nonprofit Green Amendments for the Generation and author of The Green Amendment: The Peoples Fight for a Clean, Safe, and Healthy Environment. She is working to pass Green Amendments in New Mexico and across the country. (Courtesy photo)

A proposal to create a fundamental right to a clean environment on par with other rights found in New Mexicos constitution will return to the Legislature in the coming days.

The sponsors will prefile the legislation this week, Sen. Harold Pope (D-Albuquerque), said during a news conference Tuesday with other sponsors and advocates. Lawmakers have already turned in bills dealing with tribal education, retired public sector workers health care and foster care in advance of the session starting Jan. 21.

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If passed and signed into law, the legislation would create a ballot question asking voters whether to add a Green Amendment to the New Mexico Constitution.



Traditional environmental laws often fail to prevent harm because they focus on regulating how much damage pollution does, rather than preventing it altogether, argues Maya van Rossum, founder of the nonprofit Green Amendments for the Generations.

Three states have constitutional Green Amendments that protect peoples right to clean water and air, a safe climate and a healthy environment, van Rossum said during the news conference: Pennsylvania, Montana and New Jersey.

Similar amendments have been proposed in 19 other states, she said, with an ongoing ballot initiative in one state.

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If the amendment passes, New Mexico would be the first state in the country to explicitly recognize in its state constitutional Bill of Rights the right of all people, including future generations, to a safe climate, she said.

It would also be the first to lift up critical environmental justice protections to that highest constitutional level, she said.

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Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams administration has passed strong regulations to protect the environment, said Sen. Antoinette Sedillo Lopez (D-Albuquerque), but she is worried about how the federal government could try to roll back those gains.

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The Green Amendment is a way to protect New Mexico from the excesses of the incoming Donald Trump administration, she said.

It will be the fifth time the Green Amendment has been debated at the Roundhouse. The proposal has been introduced every year since 2021.

Previous versions of the bill would have repealed an existing part of the state constitution that recognizes that the Legislature has a duty to protect commonly owned natural resources and ensure the public can use them. This years version keeps that in place, van Rossum said.

It took 10 years of persistent advocacy and some changes in who had power at the Roundhouse to end the death penalty, Sedillo Lopez said.

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We have some changes in the Legislature, and we have a growing number of advocates who continue to provide sustained advocacy, she said of the efforts around the Green Amendment. And, we have persistent legislators. We will get this done.

It also took five years of legislative debate to create New Mexicos community solar program, Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero (D-Albuquerque) noted.

Roybal Caballero said so long as New Mexico lacks necessary guardrails like the Green Amendment, the states inhabitants remain at risk of declining childrens health, raging wildfires and flash floods.

Our right to clean air, water, soil and environment should be protected above profits for the elite, Roybal Caballero said. Let New Mexicans decide if we prefer drinkable water for ourselves and future generations, or to continue to line the pocketbooks of the elite few.

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Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum dove into President-elect Trumps chatter of geopolitical rearrangement Wednesday, proposing a name change for North America in response to Trumps musings about the Gulf of Mexico.

In a wide-ranging press conference Tuesday, Trump expounded on his aspirations of U.S. territorial expansion to Canada, Greenland and the Panama Canal, and proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America.

Sheinbaum, in her daily morning press conference Wednesday, said the body of water shared by Cuba, Mexico and the United States is internationally recognized as the Gulf of Mexico, adding that North America was historically marked on maps as Mexican America.

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I mean obviously Gulf of Mexico, the name is recognized by the United Nations, an organism of the United Nations. But next, why dont we call it Mexican America? It sounds nice, doesnt it? Sheinbaum said, waving to a historical map projected on a screen.

Since 1607, Sheinbaum added, in an apparent reference to the map. the Constitution of Apatzingan was for Mexican America, so were going to call it Mexican America, it sounds nice, doesnt it? And Gulf of Mexico, well, since 1607 and its also recognized internationally.

Sheinbaums constitutional reference pointed to the countrys first proposed founding document after declaring independence from Spain in 1810  a constitution that was never in effect and mandated, among other things, Catholicism as the official state religion.

The Apatzingan Constitution of 1814 did refer to the budding countrys territory as America mexicana pending an exact demarcation of the territory that would eventually become Mexico.

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And numerous historical maps during the colonial era referred to North America as either Mexican America, Mexicana, Septentrional America or a combination.

One 1544 map designated North America as Baccalearum in reference to the abundance of cod along its shores.

Sheinbaums tit-for-tat rhetorical spars with Trump echo her predecessor, former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who maintained a cordial relationship with Trump while saber-rattling against the United States for the benefit of his domestic audience.

Lopez Obrador, Sheinbaums political mentor, designated her as his successor ahead of the 2024 election, which she won by a landslide.

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In the run-up to his second inauguration, Trump has made a series of controversial statements that seem to fly in the face of international agreements on the permanence of borders.

On Tuesday, he called the U.S.-Canada border an artificially drawn line in making the argument that the two countries, which in 2024 traded $700 billion in goods, according to the Census Bureau, would be better off as a single market.

Trumps political rise and permanence has largely been built on his portrayal of the U.S.-Mexico border as an immovable, essential barrier. According to the Census Bureau, the United States and Mexico exchanged about $777 billion in goods across that border in 2024.

Trump also alleged Tuesday that Mexico is essentially run by the cartels, a claim Sheinbaum countered by taking a swipe at former President Felipe Calderon, Lopez Obradors arch-nemesis who ran the country from 2006-12.

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I think they told President Trump wrong  they told him Felipe Calderon is still president, Sheinbaum quipped.

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(Bloomberg) -- Mexicos president responded in kind to Donald Trumps latest jibes, suggesting part of the US be renamed instead of the Gulf of Mexico.

Most Read from Bloomberg

A day after the incoming US president said the body of water between his country, Mexico and the Caribbean should be called the Gulf of America, Claudia Sheinbaum presented early maps of the Americas at her daily press briefing.

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The Gulf of Mexicos name has held since the early 17th century and is recognized by the United Nations, she said. Sheinbaum also joked that states including California and Texas could revert to their former name, America Mexicana.

It sounds good, doesnt it? Sheinbaum quipped to reporters Wednesday in Mexico City.

Trump escalated the feud with his southern neighbor at a press conference Tuesday at his Mar-a-Lago resort. In addition to saying he would rename the gulf, he claimed Mexico was run by the cartels, argued it cannot continue to serve as a transit point for millions of undocumented migrants heading to the US, and reiterated his threat to impose 25% tariffs on Mexican goods.

We want to get along with everybody, but it takes two to tango, Trump said.

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The US president-elect and Sheinbaum last spoke on the phone in November to discuss issues including Mexicos crackdown on migration. Her response to Trumps provocations has been acerbic when addressing the Mexican public, though her willingness to work with him on top issues has won her points with the president-elect.

On Wednesday, she rebuffed Trumps comments on the strength of the cartels.

President Trump was misinformed, with all due respect, Sheinbaum said, adding that Mexico is no longer governed by Felipe Calderon, one of her predecessors, and Genaro Garcia Luna, a former Mexican security chief convicted by the US of colluding with drug traffickers in 2023. Today in Mexico, the people govern, she said.

Sheinbaum nevertheless said she remains optimistic about Mexico-US ties under the incoming administration. I still think were going to have a good relationship with Trump, she told reporters.

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U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe, a Haitian-American immigrant who became the first Black lawyer to serve in the most powerful federal law enforcement position in South Florida, announced his resignation on Monday after two years on the job.

Lapointe, expressing his gratitude for the privilege of serving the community, said that his resignation will take effect on Jan. 17, three days before Republican Donald Trump will be sworn in as the next president. In an announcement, he touched upon his personal history as a native of Haiti, the Caribbean countrys longstanding struggles, and growing up in Miamis Liberty City neighborhood before joining the U.S. Marines and attending Florida State University on the journey to his high-profile law career.

Lapointe, 56, who assumed the U.S. Attorneys position in January 2023 after being nominated by Democratic President Joe Biden, presided over a post-COVID-19 office that cracked down on government loan scams, false Medicare claims and nursing-school diploma mills, as well as Venezuelan corruption, Ponzi schemes and developer Sergio Pinos murder-for-hire plot targeting his wife.

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However, one piece of unfinished business is the Miami federal trial of five men charged with conspiring in South Florida to kill Haitian President Jovenel Moise in July 2021. The case is set for trial next September  more than four years later after the assassination  though five other defendants pleaded guilty during Lapointes term and were sentenced to life in prison. A sixth was sentenced for nine years.

Given where I started, it has been uniquely meaningful to hold a role so central to the Department of Justices mission of supporting our collective well-being through the exercise of the rule of law, Lapointe said in the announcement released by his office.

In an interview with the Miami Herald on Tuesday, Lapointe declined to say what he hopes to do in the next chapter of his legal career.

Lapointe, who had previously worked two decades ago as a federal prosecutor in Miami and later as a partner in the law firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman before becoming the U.S. Attorney, said he really didnt know his next move.

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I made a decision when I took this job that I wasnt going to think about my next job, Lapointe told the Herald. Im going to take the next month to decide what to do.

When Lapointe steps down, he will be temporarily replaced by his first assistant, career federal prosecutor Michael Davis, who is best known playing a key role in the crackdown on Cocaine Cowboys Willie Falcon, Sal Magluta and dozens of their associates. Davis will eventually be replaced by a Trump nominee, most likely a lawyer with ties to the conservative Federalist Society, similar to the profile of Lapointes predecessor, Ariana Fajardo Orshan. Shes a former state prosecutor and current circuit court judge.

In his interview with the Herald, Lapointe credited the public service of about 250 prosecutors in the Southern District of Florida, which extends from Key West to Fort Pierce. In particular, he highlighted the retirements of four prosecutors who collectively worked about 150 years in the office, focusing on fraud, corruption, drug-trafficking and immigration cases. They are Dexter Lee, Jeffrey Kaplan, Paul Schwartz and Joan Silverstein. Of the four, Silverstein is the only one who plans to continue practicing law, joining her husband Dan Gelber at Gelber Schachter Greenberg in Miami. (Gelber is a former mayor of Miami Beach and served in the state Legislature.)

Additionally, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Schall, who has served as the offices public information officer during Lapointes tenure, plans to resign and start teaching pre-law at the American Heritage preparatory school in Delray Beach.

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Lapointe said that as he departs the office, he is left with the strong impression of public service by hundreds of lawyers and assistants, especially those who devoted their career to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Ive been able to see how much people give of themselves to protect the homeland through their work, he said.

Mass resignation

Mass resignations from the 94 U.S. Attorneys Offices are commonplace, especially when one president taking power comes from a different political party than the incumbent one.

A longtime observer of presidential appointments of U.S. attorneys and federal judges said Lapointes replacement is unclear at this point  but it will be Trumps call. There is no longer an advisory board in South Florida recommending candidates for U.S. attorney to Floridas two Republican senators, Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, who were major supporters of Lapointe. Trump recently announced his intention to appoint Rubio to his cabinet as secretary of state.

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Miami defense attorney Jon Sale, who has sat on judicial advisory boards in the past, credited Lapointe with bringing a steady hand to running the office and recruiting new talent as prosecutors.

Sale said he also appreciated that Lapointe adopted his proposal to convene a committee of public defenders, private defense attorneys, federal prosecutors and supervisors to discuss regularly how to make the justice system work better.

Sale said the committee focused on improving the handling of indigent cases, which make up the majority of defendants in the federal system, including meaningful pre-trial diversion programs as a substitute for prison time.
LANSING, Mich. (WOOD)  Michigans newly elected state representatives took their oaths of office in Lansing Wednesday, marking the beginning of the 2025 legislative session.

Republicans regained control of the Michigan House of Representatives after Democrats held the majority for the past two years. After the formal roll call, invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, lawmakers were sworn in by Michigan Supreme Court Justice Kyra Harris Bolden.

Democrats still control the Senate and governors office, meaning that divided government has again returned to Michigan. Democrats say theyre willing to work across the aisle to get things done.

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I think its the only option, state Rep. Kristian Grant, D-Grand Rapids, said. In this divided government, were going to have to do things that support on all sides of the aisle. That means all sides are going to have to give a little, but honestly thats usually whats best for Michiganders.

Next speaker on how Republicans won back the Michigan House

Rep. John Fitzgerald of Wyoming, the Democratic floor leader, also projected openness.

Any genuine opportunity for cooperation and collaboration with this new House of Representatives is going to be necessary in order to get things done, not only to the Senate, but also the governors desk as well, he said.

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Multiple Republicans also showed positivity about bipartisanship.

I think theres more of a necessity to work together and get some things accomplished, Rep. Mike Harris, R-Waterford Township. So I actually look at it as a very open thing.

Rep. Bradley Slagh, R-Zeeland, added theres lots of room for compromise.

I would truly tell you I think the best legislation happens in a divided government because you have to come to the middle, he said.

Tipped wages, sick time, surrogacy: Eight new Michigan laws set to go into effect in 2025

The new legislative session follows a contentious lame-duck period when Democrats tried to pass legislation before their trifecta in government ended. Republicans staged a walkout and refused to vote on bills, while Democrat infighting ultimately resulted in many bills being left to die.

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No one can lie, we had a tough ending to the session, Grant said. But honestly that leaves us in a new position to have some tough conversations in our caucus and decide where we want to head as a caucus and a party. Im really hopeful were going to pull together and get focused and do the work we have to do.

Republican Matt Hall of Richland was selected to be the next House speaker. Hall represents Kalamazoo and Allegan counties.

Under his leadership, Republicans opened day one by tackling a controversial issue statewide. They introduced bills that would keep the states current tipped wage system, which is currently set to be phased out next month. The legislation would also slow down increases in the minimum wage. While the state will soon require employers to give out more sick time, a new Republican-led bill would largely keep current sick time laws in place.

Justice for Survivors package fails to pass MI House, future unclear

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While Democrats have said theyre open to working with Republicans on these issues, it remains to see how the new legislation will be received. For anything to get done, it will have to pass the Republican-led House and the Democrat-led Senate.

These are topics that are nuanced, Democrat House Minority Leader Ranjeev Puri of Canton said when asked about the new bills. We look forward to canvassing our caucus to see where everyones at and having robust discussions. Anytime theres a chance to govern and work across the aisle, our hands are extended. We want to find solutions that meet the needs of Michiganders.

The House is set to reconvene Thursday.

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Hundreds of Khmer Rouge troops have fled Cambodia after being crushed by Vietnamese-led rebel forces.

The capital, Phnom Penh, has been seized and Pol Pot and many of his soldiers forced to retreat into the countryside.

It signals the end of nearly four years of brutal domination by the guerrillas.

Defeated soldiers crossed the border into Thailand where they were taken to prison as illegal immigrants.

The Thai authorities have said they will not be forcibly returned to Cambodia.

Thousands more are reported to be seeking refuge in an enclave of North West Cambodia.

The retreat is a serious blow for the Khmer Rouge, which having itself captured Phnom Penh four years ago began torturing and killing its opponents.

Fall of Phnom Penh is critical

An intelligence source said there was little evidence of an organised defence between the Cambodian capital and the Thai border  and that Phnom Penh was taken almost without a shot being fired.

It has been suggested that the Khmer Rouge decided to pull out of positions around the capital when they realised they would have little chance at beating the superior armed opposition.

The Vietnamese invasion came after a fierce year-long border war between Vietnam and Cambodia.

Vietnam launched its offensive on Christmas Day, with the help of pro-Vietnamese rebels in Cambodia assembled a few weeks earlier under the banner of the Front for National Salvation.

The fall of Phnom Penh is regarded by analysts as critical to the power balance in South East Asia.

Russia has firmly supported Vietnam while China has backed Cambodia.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

The Khmer Rouges reign of terror began in 1975 in the aftermath of the American bombing of Cambodia, which had increased the guerrillas initial popular support.

For the next four years Leader Pol Pot oversaw the deaths of an estimated 1.7 million people, by execution, forced labour and starvation.

In 1979, Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge were forced from power by the invading Vietnamese.

Pol Pot officially resigned the leadership in 1985 but appears to have retained considerable influence.

Pol Pot was convicted of treason by a peoples tribunal in 1997, and was sentenced to life under house arrest.

He died in April 1998.
Israeli forces have recovered the body of a hostage held in Gaza, the military said Wednesday, adding that it was identifying additional remains that could belong to another captive. The recovery of Yosef AlZayadni, 53, from an underground tunnel comes as Israel and Hamas are considering a ceasefire and hostage release deal.

The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and abducting around 250. A third of the 100 hostages still in Gaza are believed to be dead.

Palestinian medics said Israeli airstrikes killed at least nine people in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, including three infants  among them a 1-week-old  and two women. Israels military says it only targets militants, accusing them of hiding among civilians.

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Israels air and ground offensive against Hamas in Gaza has killed over 45,800 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry. It does not say how many were fighters, but says women and children make up over half the fatalities. The military says it killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence.

And in Yemen, the U.S. military says it carried out a wave of strikes against underground arms facilities of the Houthi rebels. The Iran-backed Houthis have targeted shipping for more than a year and recently ramped up missile attacks on Israel, saying they seek to force an end to Israels war against Hamas in Gaza.

Here's the latest:

Families of American hostages in Gaza will attend Trump inauguration

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NEW YORK  Family members of Americans being held hostage in Gaza are planning to attend President-elect Donald Trumps inauguration later this month.

Representatives for the family members said they plan to meet with officials in the incoming Trump administration and members of Congress to urge them to prioritize the safe return of the hostages.

Seven Americans are among the dozens of hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza.

Trump has sent his incoming special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, to Qatar this week for additional talks to work on their release. The Republican president-elect has threatened Hamas by warning that All hell will break out if the hostages aren't released.

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US officials say a decision on lifting Syrian rebel sanctions will be up to Trump

WASHINGTON  The Biden administration is expected to defer to the incoming Trump administration to decide whether to lift sanctions on Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and its leader, according to two U.S. officials familiar with the outgoing administrations thinking on the matter.

The officials, who were not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, said on Wednesday that the Biden administration has sought to take a careful approach on HTS, the new de facto authority in Syria after overthrowing President Bashar Assad.

The officials added that lifting a foreign terrorist designation is a cumbersome process and that its unlikely that the administration could come to a final decision on the matter with just 12 days to go before Trump takes office.

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HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was once aligned with al-Qaida, met in December with the top U.S. diplomat for the Middle East, Barbara Leaf, who led the first U.S. diplomatic delegation into Syria since Assads ouster.

The U.S. on Monday eased some restrictions on Syrias transitional government to allow the entry of humanitarian aid. And the Biden administration in December decided to drop a $10 million bounty it had offered for the capture of al-Sharaa.

___

By Aamer Madhani

Israeli soldiers briefly detain a French journalist in Syria

BEIRUT  A French journalist was released after the Israeli army detained him on Wednesday in southern Syria.

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Sylvain Mercadier, who contributes to the French publication Marianne, was documenting Israeli military activity when he was taken into custody alongside his fixer, according to Marianne.

Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, an Israeli military spokesperson, said the journalist had come too close to soldiers on a number of occasions and did the same on Wednesday. He said the troops took him shortly and then released him, understanding hes not posing a threat.

Mercadier said Israeli soldiers beat him while he lay on the ground and hit his colleague, Mohammed al-Fayyad, in the back of his head with a rifle butt.

We were handcuffed and blindfolded.  We were threatened and humiliated, he said in a post on X. They were left with cuts and bruises, notably where their wrists were tightly restrained, after more than four hours of what Mercadier called mistreatment.

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We had done nothing but do our work: journalism, he wrote.

Mercadier said he was reporting near Hamidiye, a village in Quneitra province. Israeli forces captured the area last month, which lies in a U.N.-patrolled buffer zone in Syria's Golan Heights.

He said he followed Israeli soldiers' orders to stop filming and allowed them to search his vehicle, but was arrested after he and al-Fayyad protested the soldiers' attempt to confiscate a laptop.

Blinken again says Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal is very close

PARIS  U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is again saying that a ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas is very close and he hopes we can get it over the line before handing over U.S diplomacy to the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump.

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In area after area, were handing off, in some cases, things that we havent been able to complete but that create real opportunities to move things forward in a better way, he said Wednesday on a stop in Paris for meetings.

Blinken said that even if the Biden administration's plans for a ceasefire and hostage deal dont come to fruition before Trumps inauguration, he thinks theyll be put into practice afterward.

I believe that when we get that deal  and well get that deal  it will be on the basis of the plans that President Biden put before the world, he said.

Israels military says troops have recovered the body of an additional hostage from Gaza.

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The body of an Israeli hostage held in Gaza, 53-year-old Yosef AlZayadni, was recovered in an underground tunnel in southern Gaza, the military said Wednesday. It said it was examining whether a second body was that of another hostage.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said earlier a second hostage's body had been recovered: AlZayadnis son Hamzah.

The men were taken captive during Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023. The return of the body comes as Israel and Hamas are considering a ceasefire and hostage release deal.

Israel believes a third of the remaining 100 hostages are dead. However, AlZayadni was believed to still be alive before Wednesdays announcement.

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AlZayadni, who had 19 children, had worked at a dairy in southern Israels Kibbutz Holit for 17 years, said the Hostages Family Forum, a group representing the families of captives. AlZayadni was kidnapped with three of his children. His teenage kids, Bilal and Aisha, were released in a weeklong ceasefire deal in November.

The family are members of the Bedouin community, part of Israels Palestinian minority who have Israeli citizenship.

Israeli hostage families group echoes Trump's threat about releasing hostages

TEL AVIV, Israel  An Israeli group representing some families of hostages held in Gaza displayed an image of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on a huge electronic billboard in Tel Aviv with a reference to his threat to unleash hell if the captives aren't freed before he takes office later this month.

The group behind the billboard, Tikva Forum, has called for Israel to use increased force against Hamas to secure the release of their loved ones.

The billboard shows a photo of Trump raising his fist moments after his assassination attempt, and threatens in English the fire of hell will open if the hostages aren't released.

Many in Israel have been energized by Trump's warning, hoping it could exert more pressure on Israeli and Hamas leaders to reach a deal to free hostages in exchange for a ceasefire in Gaza.

A third of the 100 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza are believed to be dead.

Syria's leader meets with Bahraini diplomatic delegation

DAMASCUS, Syria  Syria's de facto leader Ahmad al-Sharaa received a delegation from Bahrain on Wednesday and met with the Bahraini foreign minister, state media reported.

The visit was the latest in a flurry of diplomatic overtures by Arab countries to Syrias new leaders after they overthrew former President Bashar Assad in a lightning rebel offensive.

Like other Gulf countries, Bahrain had cut off diplomatic ties with Syria under Assads rule during the Syrian civil war, but it reopened its embassy in Damascus in 2018 and gradually restored ties with the Assad government.

Bahrain is the current head of the Arab summit, and days after Assads ouster it had sent a message to al-Sharaa offering its cooperation with the new authorities and saying, We look forward to Syria regaining its authentic role in the Arab League.

US military carries out airstrikes against Yemen's Houthi rebels

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  The U.S. military says it carried out a wave of strikes against what it said were underground arms facilities of Yemens Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

U.S. Central Command said in a statement that Wednesdays strikes targeted weapons used by the rebels to attack ships in the Red Sea.

The Houthis said seven strikes targeted sites in the rebel-held capital, Sanaa, and the northern Amran province, without providing further details. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

The United States and its allies have carried out repeated strikes on the Houthis, who have continued to target shipping.

The rebels say they target ships linked to Israel, the U.S. or the U.K. to force an end to Israels war against Hamas in Gaza. However, many of the ships attacked have little or no connection to the conflict, including some bound for Iran.

Israeli airstrikes kill at least 9 in Gaza, including 4 babies, Palestinian medics say

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip  Israeli airstrikes killed at least nine people in the Gaza Strip, including four infants and two women, Palestinian medics said Wednesday.

One strike hit a home in the central city of Deir al-Balah, killing two men and a woman, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, which received the casualties. It also received a 4-month-old boy who was killed in a strike on his family house in the nearby built-up Bureij refugee camp.

An Associated Press journalist saw the four bodies in the hospital morgue.

In Gaza City, an airstrike hit a home in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, killing a 3-week-old baby, according to the Health Ministrys emergency service.

Late Wednesday, the bodies of five people and eight wounded arrived at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital after an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah. Among the dead were two babies, including a 1-week-old infant, as well as a child and a woman. The other infant's age could not immediately be determined because of how badly they were burned, an AP journalist reported.

Israels military says it only targets militants, accusing them of hiding among civilians.
MIDDLETOWN, Conn. (WTNH)  Middletown High School has received a $4,950 STEM grant from the Toshiba America Foundation to support veterinary science courses in partnership with the Middlesex Community College Veterinary Technology program.

Middletown seniors kick-start their careers with Lowes shopping spree

This grant enables our students to train with industry-standard equipment, bridging the gap between high school and college-level veterinary education, Superintendent Alberto Vazquez Matos, Ph.D., Ed.D., said in a written statement. By providing hands-on emergency medical training with these mannequins, were preparing our students for real-world veterinary careers while they earn college credits.

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The grant will be used to purchase two animal mannequins to provide training for veterinary emergency room scenarios.

Students in the program can earn up to five college credits for their high school courses.

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(WHTM)  Local police departments will be participating in the Bleed Blue Challenge, a local blood drive hosted by Penn Medicine LGH Blood Donation Center in January and February.

The Strasburg Borough Police Department is hosting a friendly competition between local departments in an effort to increase blood donations, which are desperately needed. January is National Blood Donor Month, and last years Bleed Blue Challenger brought out a total of 512 donors.

The department says the department that generates the most donations by February 28 is presented with a plaque that is passed on from the previous years winner to be displayed in the department.

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The Strasburg Borough Police Department blood drive will be held on Thursday, February 6 at 145 Precision Avenue from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 pm.

Call (717) 544-0177 or visit the LGHealth Donor portal to schedule a donation time.

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LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  The Michigan Department of Lifelong, Advancement and Potential (MiLEAP) and school leaders across the state are encouraging parents to enroll their children in no-cost high-quality PreK programs.

MiLEAP reports that quality PreK education improves a childs emotional, social and intellectual skills. This development can provide benefits that last far beyond their time in school.

Michigans PreK for All program includes the Great Start Readiness Program in schools and community organizations, Head Start, and Young 5s programs.

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PreK for All is now available at no cost to Michigan families, saving them an estimated $10,000 per year.

MiLEAP says that according to preliminary reports from intermediate school districts, 45,171 students were enrolled in the Great Start Readiness Program as of November 2024. This represents an increase of nearly 10% over last years final enrollment.

We know learning starts well before kindergarten, and families should know that theres still time to enroll 4-year-olds in free, high-quality PreK programs across the state, said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, MiLEAP director. We are working with our partners to connect Michigan children and families with the lifelong educational opportunities they need on their path to prosperity.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
Paul Smith remembers growing up in Milwaukee in the 1990s with support from a very strong tribal community.

We had softball leagues, we had pow wows all the time and we had a lot of social gatherings, said Smith, who is Oneida. We all lived in the same neighborhoods and we took care of each other.

So when three women  Trina Cynova, Deanna Porter and Jennifer Forecki  who were also part of the same community approached him recently about bringing some of those events and bonding activities back for todays generation, he jumped at the opportunity.

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They formed the Milwaukee Intertribal Circle this past summer, and the organization has received federal nonprofit status.

Milwaukee Intertribal Circle came out of a need, Smith said.

Paul Smith, vice president of the Milwaukee Intertribal Circle, dresses as Santa Claus for photos with 7-year-old Koda Green, 3-year-old Wiley Green and Dianna Porter, president of the Milwaukee Intertribal Circle, during a Christmas event Dec. 15 at Southeastern Oneida Tribal Services in Milwaukee.

The tribal community that Smith and the women grew up in during the 1980s and '90s was made possible by the leadership of elders and others who stepped up as organizers. As tribal nations grew their infrastructure on reservations in the 90s, thanks largely to casinos, many jobs were created. The tribal leaders in Milwaukee headed to the reservations for those new opportunities.

Smith said a few of the leaders who stayed in Milwaukee are still around, but many have died  walked on  and his generation is realizing they need to step into the vacuum.

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Its our time to take those leadership roles, he said. Were here because of those past leaders who cut the way for us. Its our time to make a difference.

So far, the Milwaukee Intertribal Circle has held several events in the city, such as craft workshops, picnics, a fry bread and chili contest and a Christmas event with Smith playing Santa at the Southeastern Oneida Tribal Services center.

One craft workshop this season was making beaded ornaments, adding some Indigenous flair to Christmas decorations.

Smith said they plan on bringing back the fry bread and chili contest in March, which was very popular last year, sparking some serious competition. And theyll plan at least two pow wows, one in the summer and a sobriety pow wow on New Years Eve for those looking to celebrate with the community without the pressures of drinking alcohol.

Paul Smith, vice president of the Milwaukee Intertribal Circle, organizes toys for the kids at a Christmas event hosted by the Milwaukee Intertribal Circle on Dec. 15 at the Southeastern Oneida Tribal Services.

The Indian Summer Festival, which ran for 32 years and ended in 2019, was another avenue for Milwaukee urban Natives to create a sense of community. We were here before, during, and after Indian Summer, and we want to try to bring that feeling back of unity amongst all the tribes, Smith said.

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Smith said the ultimate goal is for the Milwaukee Intertribal Circle to have its own community center with a fairly large green space, especially for outdoor ceremonies that involve burning sacred fires, such as for those who have walked on.

He said the Oneida, Ho-Chunk and Potawatomi tribes have places in Milwaukee for their tribal members, but Smith points out that there are tribal members from more than 30 nations in the city with most not having a reservation in the state.

We have a community here that is sometimes ignored by tribes and by the city, Smith said. I just want to help give someplace that we can call home.

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Frank Vaisvilas is a former Report for America corps member who covers Native American issues in Wisconsin based at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Contact him at fvaisvilas@gannett.com or 815-260-2262. Follow him on Twitter at @vaisvilas_frank.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Intertribal Circle unites 'urban Natives' for social events
MILWAUKEE, Wis. (WFRV)  Officers in Milwaukee say that a 14-year-old boy has been arrested after an investigation into a social media post was made threatening Pulaski High School.

Information posted by the Milwaukee Police Department states that the suspect allegedly made a social media post threatening to shoot up Pulaski High School around 8:15 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7.

It was not made clear, or known, which Pulaski High School was threatened; there is a Pulaski High School in Brown County and the Casimir Pulaski High School in Milwaukee.

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Minnesota bank robbery suspect arrested in rural Wisconsin, awaiting extradition

Milwaukee PD stated on January 8 at 11:23 a.m. that the suspect, later identified as a 14-year-old boy, was arrested.

Please know your actions have consequences, Milwaukee PDs Facebook post began.

Officers say that criminal charges will be referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorneys Office.

Earlier on Wednesday, around 10:30 a.m., the Pulaski Community School District provided the updated statement below after increasing security at Pulaski High School out of an abundance of caution. An original message was sent to families just before 9 p.m. on January 7.

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Last evening, Jan. 7, an Instagram post sent to four Pulaski High School Instagram accounts was flagged as a potential threat. After an investigation with the Village of Pulaski Police Department, Pulaski Community School District SROs and district personnel, the message has been deemed to not be a credible threat. The message was not directed at a particular school. The message indicated that there would be violence, and instructed people not to show up for classes. School Resource Officer Hunter Micolichek and Chief Kurt Kitzman, along with school personnel, reviewed the message, the profile from which the message was sent, and followers of the profiles account. They determined that the message was a facetious and fictitious communication meant to deceive or elicit a response. The account in question did not have any personal posts or photos and was entirely followed by burner or spoof accounts. The account is believed to originate from the Milwaukee area. It is hard to decipher a true motivation behind the message, but the evidence showed that there was an extremely low probability of danger to PCSD students. In an abundance of caution, all three PCSD school resource officers and members of the districts administration team were at Pulaski High School this morning, and plan to be on the campus this afternoon. Law enforcement continues to monitor this matter. Student safety is the number one priority within the Pulaski Community School District, and immediate action is taken on any threat made to our students or schools with assistance from local law enforcement agencies. Students should feel comfortable coming to school and confident in their safety. Its important to know that students who make threats, even in jest, are subject to very serious consequences. Pulaski Community School District

No additional information was provided.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
Gabriella Frier-Lee

Milwaukee police are asking for help finding a critical missing 11-year-old girl.

Gabriella Frier-Lee was last seen Monday afternoon in the 1500 block of North 35th Street, according to police.

Police describe her as Black, 5 feet, 4 inches tall, and weighing roughly 160 pounds. She has brown eyes and black hair. She was last seen wearing a Looney Tunes-themed winter jacket. She should be on foot.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Police District Three at 414-935-7232.

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"Critical missing" is a label police apply to people who may be especially vulnerable due to a variety of factors.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee police ask for help finding critical missing girl
Milwaukees violent crime declined slightly in 2024, with drops in homicides, burglaries and thefts driving the downturn.

In all, violent and property crimes dipped 4% each in the city compared to a year earlier. That decline followed last year's improvements  however auto-related crimes continued to shirk this small trend.

Overall, I am quite satisfied with the direction that were headed and 2024s success should motivate all of us  to keep working to make the city safer, said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson at a press conference Tuesday detailing the years crime stats.

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Headlining the years improvements was a decline in homicides to 132 and nonfatal shootings to 639, with both down 23% and 24%, respectively, in the city. The total rises to 138 when including homicides investigated by the Milwaukee County Sheriffs Office.

Those figures still lag pre-COVID-19 pandemic figures, when 99 was recorded in 2019. During the pandemic, homicides spiked in the city and reached over 200 in 2022.

Even though (the decline) has happened, thats not a reason for us to rest and were not resting, Johnson said.

Other categories of crime, like burglary and theft, also dipped, at 7% each.

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A minor increase of 1% more robberies, 2% more auto thefts and 11% more carjackings from last year broke the positive trends. The city saw 513 carjackings in 2024, according to police data.

Carjackings have declined since the summer, however, Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman said.

Addressing carjacking has become a point of emphasis for the department. Last month, it announced Operation Winter Guardian, a short-term initiative where the department is rapidly deploying extra police to areas where a carjacking occurs and has extra emphasis on arresting suspects.

Norman said it was too early to tell if the program was being effective and if the initiative could be extended past its end-of-January expiration. The program had resulted in some arrests, the police chief said.

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No one is a career carjacker, Norman said.

Reckless driving remained a persistent problem in the city, however fatal crashes improved 11%, down to 66 from 74. Crashes and hit-and-run crashes remained roughly stable from last year.

At Tuesdays press conference, both Norman and Johnson said a concerted effort needs to continue on engaging with the citys youth. Norman said violent firearm deaths involving teens was a consistent issue.

They both said it was important for the citys youth to be involved in programs like Camp Rise, a city-led summer camp, and programs through community organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee.

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Why do our kids think that possessing, handling, using firearms are OK? he said. We have to teach our kids that reckless behavior with firearms isnt cool.

David Clarey can be reached at dclarey@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee sees declines in violent and property crimes in 2024
CENTERVILLE, Ohio (WDTN)  One local family knows first hand the difference that just one blood donation can make.

Through the leadership of this years Miss Ohio USA, Macy Hudson of Dayton, theyre working to make sure everyone in need of a transfusion can get one.

Its so incredible that we can change peoples lives with such a small thing, Macy said.

Donating blood. Macy says its a small thing with a huge impact.

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Its something that we have and access and were able to do something thats, you know, not too bad for us at all, Macy said. Its not a hard process at all.

Its a topic thats personal for Macy and her family.

Her late sister, Moriah, had a rare blood condition and needed multiple blood transfusions.

After Moriah died, Macy quickly realized one of best ways to honor her life would be blood drives and raising awareness about the dire need for blood donations.

Thats what she does now through her nonprofit, 518 4Life.

Share your good news with 2!

Reaching out to my community again with people who may not have ever wanted to donate blood or had a purpose to it, gives a face to the reason it gives it gives a story behind it, Macy said.

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518 4Life and the Hudson family also sponsor a blood drive in Moriahs honor.

They want everyone to remember every pint counts.

I think its easy to think, its just my one donation, Macy and Moriahs sister Madison said. You know, it doesnt really matter or make a difference. But I think we need to think broader. We need to think on the grand scheme of everything thats going on and in our world and our country, your donation can really make a difference in somebodys life.

The number of people in need is staggering.

The Red Cross says every two seconds someone in the US receives a blood transfusion.

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Each of them relying on donations.

In order for them to live their best lives like my sister was able to do, Macy said. People that are anemic or people that are in some sort of a crisis needing blood. Sometimes theres not enough. So we need to make sure that there is not a shortage.

That blood drive was held last week at Revival Center Ministries, International.

The Red Cross says donations collected there will help save the lives of 105 patients.

For more info on how you can donate head to the Red Cross website or Versiti Blood Center of Ohios website.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
(NewsNation)  A missing 1-year-old from Alabama has not been seen since September and is presumed dead.

According to the Fayette County Sheriffs Office, Kahleb Collins disappearance came to light via an investigation into a crash on Dec. 8 that killed Collins father, Steven Collins, and his sister, Ryleigh Collins.

Police believe Collins was dead sometime before his disappearance. At this time, the investigation is ongoing. Kahleb Collins body has not yet been discovered.

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Rapper Trae tha Truth reunited with daughter after abduction

On Dec. 30, Collins mother, Wendy Pamela Bailey, 22, was charged with aggravated child abuse, first-degree domestic violence and abuse of a corpse.

In addition, Bailey was charged with criminally negligent homicide after Ryleigh Collins was found to be not wearing a seatbelt during the crash. Bailey was also critically injured in the accident.

Per AL.com, court documents made public Dec. 31 allege Collins was hanging from a rope with blood on his body in text messages from his father to Bailey, and his body was later placed in a bag.

According to People, Collins grandfather, John Elton Bailey, was arrested for not reporting him missing.

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Per the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Collins last confirmed sighting was Sept. 4. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Fayette County Sheriffs Office at (205) 932-3205 or call 911.

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U.S. Defense Department has added dozens of Chinese companies, including games and technology company Tencent, artificial intelligence firm SenseTime and the worlds biggest battery maker CATL, to a list of companies it says have ties to Chinas military, prompting some to protest and say they will seek to have the decision reversed.

The U.S. has in recent years sought to restrict sharing of advanced technology, including semiconductors and artificial intelligence, deeming it to be a threat to national security. The Defense Department updates its list of Chinese Military Companies, or CMC list, annually. With the latest revision it includes 134 companies. The National Defense Authorization Act of 2024 bans the Department of Defense from dealing with the designated companies beginning in June 2026.

Tencents Hong Kong-traded shares fell 7.3% yesterday and the company said it would initiate a reconsideration process to correct this mistake, seek talks with the Defense Department and if need be take legal measures to get it removed from the list. Tencent is the worlds largest video gaming company and operates Chinese messaging platform WeChat.

As the company is neither a Chinese military company nor a military-civil fusion contributor to the Chinese defense industrial base, it believes that its inclusion in the CMC List is a mistake, Tencent said in an announcement to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Unlike other lists maintained by the U.S. Government for sanctions or export control measures, inclusion in the CMC List relates only to U.S. defense procurement, which does not affect the business of the Group, it said.

Battery maker CATL said in a statement posted on its website that the company has never engaged in any military-related business or activities and said the designation would not have adverse impact on its operations.

Like Tencent, CATL maintains that its inclusion to the list was a mistake and that it would proactively engage with the DoD to address the false designation and take legal action if necessary to protect company and stakeholder interest. CATLs stock fell 2.84% in Shenzhen.

AI company SenseTime said in a statement that the decision to include it on the list had no factual basis.

We firmly disagree with it, SenseTimes statement read, adding that the decision has no material impact on our global operations.

SenseTime remains firmly committed to working collaboratively with the relevant stakeholders to address this matter, and to safeguarding the interests of the company and our shareholders, the company said.

During a daily news briefing, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Guo Jiakun urged the U.S. to immediately correct its wrong practices, and lift the illegal unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction on Chinese companies.

China consistently and firmly opposes the U.S. overstretching the concept of national security, creating discriminatory lists under various pretexts, and unwarrantedly suppressing Chinese companies, hindering Chinas high-quality development, Guo said. ZEN SOO, HONG KONG, MDT/AP
This coverage is made possible through a partnership between Grist and Verite News, a nonprofit news organization with a mission to produce in-depth journalism in underserved communities in the New Orleans area.

Environmental groups applauded President Joe Bidens decision on Monday to enact a sweeping ban on new offshore oil and gas drilling along most of the U.S. coastline. But the ban had one glaring omission: It didnt include the western Gulf of Mexico, where the country extracts most of its offshore oil.

Aimed at safeguarding the environment and easing the harm caused by climate change, the ban will prohibit future oil and gas leasing in federal waters off the East and West Coasts, in parts of the Bering Sea near Alaska and across the eastern portion of the Gulf. The exact boundaries havent been announced, but federal regulators generally define the eastern Gulf as the waters extending from the south tip of Florida to the Alabama line. That would leave the waters off Louisiana and Texas open to drilling.

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My decision reflects what coastal communities, businesses, and beachgoers have known for a long time: that drilling off these coasts could cause irreversible damage to places we hold dear and is unnecessary to meet our nations energy needs, Biden said in a statement. It is not worth the risks.

Biden and other presidents have protected much smaller areas from oil and gas development, often with expiration dates. Mondays action appears to be a permanent prohibition, though President-elect Donald Trump has already indicated he aims to unban it immediately after he takes office later this month.

This is an epic ocean victory! declared Joseph Gordon, a campaign director for Oceana, a nonprofit group focused on protecting the worlds oceans.

But some environmentalists werent as enthused.

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Thats great, but is the central and western Gulf of Mexico just a sacrifice zone, then? asked Don Boesch, a marine scientist who served on the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, which investigated the 2010 disaster. Thats where all the [Outer Continental Shelf] drilling takes place and greenhouse gas emissions come from.

The Gulf accounts for 97 percent of all oil and natural gas production in U.S. offshore waters. The vast majority of this production happens near Louisiana and Texas  not the Florida coast, which would be protected by Biden.

The oil and gas industry blasted the ban as misguided and potentially harmful to the economy.

Though not directly affecting the western Gulf of Mexico, [the ban] is a blatant attack on the oil and natural gas industry  an industry vital to our nations energy security and economic strength, said Tommy Faucheux, president of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, an industry trade group.

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But Boesch noted few oil companies are clamoring to drill off the the oil-poor East or West Coasts or Floridas Gulf Coast.

The ban would not affect oil leasing in the Central and Western Gulf where essentially all drilling takes place or is likely to take place over next four years, Boesch wrote on X.

Its unclear if or how quickly Trump, a strong supporter of the oil and gas industry, will act on his promise to undo the ban. But some experts say overturning it could be time-consuming, complicated, and may require action from Congress. The courts could also weigh in. In 2019, a federal judge ruled that presidents can block drilling but they cant revoke past bans.

Trump hasnt always opposed limits on offshore drilling. During his reelection campaign in 2020, Trump extended a drilling moratorium off Floridas Gulf Coast and expanded it to include the states Atlantic Coast and the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina.

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This protects your beautiful gulf and your beautiful ocean, and it will for a long time to come, Trump said in 2020.

On Monday, Biden evoked the Deepwater Horizon oil spill when announcing the new ban, saying the disaster is a solemn reminder of the costs and risks of offshore drilling.

The spill killed 11 workers and released 4 million barrels of oil into the Gulf off the coast of Louisiana over 87 days. Biden said the disaster underscores the importance of the legal protections I am putting in place today.

But the ban does little to protect the Gulf from future spills, said Martha Collins, executive director of the environmental nonprofit Healthy Gulf.

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We are disappointed that President Biden did not take the opportunity to withdraw additional areas in the Gulf of Mexico, particularly the risky deepwater regions and the western Gulf, she said. These areas remain vulnerable to catastrophic oil spills.

Marine animals are still suffering from the Deepwater Horizon disaster nearly 15 years later. Last month, a study led by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography found that some whale species densities in the Gulf have declined by 83 percent since the disaster. Many of the whales found in the Gulf are threatened or endangered.

Im frustrated that many places left out [of the ban] are where offshore drilling does the most harm to Gulf communities and endangered species, said Brady Bradshaw, an oceans campaign manager with the Center for Biological Diversity, a nonprofit group focused on wildlife conservation. This was a missed opportunity to protect the western and central Gulf.

This story was originally published by Grist with the headline Whats missing from Bidens offshore drilling ban? The western Gulf of Mexico. on Jan 8, 2025.
SHELBY COUNTY, Ohio (WDTN)  Police have located a teen reported missing out of Shelby County.

The teen, 17, was reported missing around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday night. In the report, it was said that he allegedly jumped out of the window of a residence and fled, an incident that occurred around 6:30 p.m. that same day.

The teen was located by the Tipp City Police Department.

An investigation is ongoing according to the Shelby County Sheriffs Office.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
There are roughly 1,140 missing persons cases in Indiana, according to the Missing Person Bulletin run by the Indiana State Police. About 280 of these cases are under the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. IndyStar looked into some of those cases the 1990s and early 2000s to see where they stand. As of December, more than 185 people reported missing in Indiana a decade or more ago remain on the state's bulletin.

Karen Jo Smith's ex-husband is convicted of murder, but her body remains missing.

Photo of Karen Jo Smith celebrating Christmas. Smith went missing on Dec. 27, 2000.

Karen Jo Smith's then-14-year-old son last saw her sleeping on the recliner in their living room. Her former husband, Steven Halcomb, was sitting with her.

That was Dec. 27, 2000. The next morning, she was gone.

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Before her disappearance, Halcomb had threatened Smith and said he'd harm her family and children on multiple occasions. Her stepmother Patti Bishop said Halcomb had physically abused Smith.

Smith's case was a rare instance where despite the absence of a body, Halcomb was convicted of her murder. He was sentenced to 95 years in prison in January 2005.

Since then, the family has continued searching. According to her stepmother, Halcomb said Smith's body was in Kentucky.

Bishop, who moved to Kentucky and has searched for her stepdaughter with the help of family and friends, fondly remembers Smith's loyalty and her love of family.

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"When Karen Jo loved, you knew it," Bishop said. "She had a loyalty that was fierce."

Bishop now volunteers at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and formed IN Hope in 2006 as a support system in Indiana for families with a missing person.

"There's so many people I know that are still searching, and we don't have the final answer. When you have a missing you will do just about anything to find them," Bishop said.

Cold cases: Decades later, what happened to these Indiana missing persons cases?

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana woman's family moves to Kentucky hoping to find her body
LOCATED: Three missing Oklahoma teens located; boyfriend arrested

GROVE, Okla  Grove Police Chief Mark Morris confirmed on Tuesday a third teenager is also listed as a runaway, and the trio is possibly headed to the Branson area.

Braxton Berry, Jennifer Deal, and Stormy Lee Whitecrow Jones have been entered into a national database. They were reported missing on Jan. 4.

Police believe the teens planned to run away and ditched their cell phones after wrecking a Tahoe, belonging to Berrys mother, in a Miami field.

Berry is 6 feet tall, weighs 260 pounds, and has brown curly hair and eyes. He was last seen wearing jeans and a light blue and white tribal print jacket and boots.

Deal is 5 feet, 1 inch tall, weighs 105 pounds, and has black shoulder-length hair and brown eyes.

Jones is 5 feet, 4 inches tall, weighs 125 pounds, and has brown hair, gray eyes, and a mole on her neck.

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According to a Grove Police report, Berry withdrew $290 and possibly $100 from Arvest Bank in Grove on Saturday between 2 and 8:30 p.m..

The abandoned Tahoe was found in a Miami field, and the teens got a ride from an unknown person driving a white van who took them to another teenagers house, where they spent Friday night.

A teens relative took Berry, Deal, and Jones to Arvest Bank, where they withdrew money and later dropped them off at Chickenellas.

The teen told police the juveniles were being hush-hush about something, and she overheard Branson, but she did not know what they were talking about, and they were trying to be quiet about their plans.

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Joness boyfriend, a 20-year-old, was with the teens but told police the last time he spoke with them was Saturday morning around 9 a.m. The teens talked about stealing a car, going to Branson, and getting a hotel. He told police when the teens wanted to steal a car, he backed out of the plan since he was currently on probation. The man told police he refused to allow the teens to return to his house because the house has cameras and his parents would know.

On Saturday, the teens returned to the residence where they had spent Friday night so Jones could grab a bag, and they left in an unknown vehicle, according to the police report.

If you have information, please contact the Delaware County Sheriffs Department at (918) 253-4531, the Ottawa County Sheriffs Department at (918) 542-2806, or the Grove Police Department at (918) 786-6121.

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CHICAGO  Chicago police seek the publics help locating a missing 82-year-old woman the department says may be in danger.

Maria Crasovan walked away from her home in the 8500 block of N. Artesian Avenue in Chicagos Lincoln Square neighborhood around noon Tuesday without her family members knowledge and has yet to return, according to police.

Crasovan stands 5-foot-2-inches, weighs 140 pounds and has brown eyes and grey hair with a medium skin complexion.

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LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

Police say Crasovan may be confused and wearing a black jacket and grey sweatpants.

Anyone with information should call 911 or police at (312)744-8266.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG)  A Mobile man is now in jail in connection with a robbery and assault incident at a local store.

EXCLUSIVE: Alleged husband killer claims to be wrongly accused

According to a Mobile Police Department spokesperson, 34-year-old Anstice Dewitte White was arrested Tuesday, Jan. 7, and taken to Mobile County Metro Jail.

Anstice Dewitte White. (Mobile County Sheriffs Office)

Mobile police said Whites arrest was in connection with a robbery report that occurred on Saturday, Jan. 4, around 7:35 p.m. at Shoe Station, which is located at 741 Hillcrest Road.

LOCATION:

When officers arrived, they learned a male subject had physically assaulted an employee and stole her phone as he attempted to leave the store.

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Mobile Azalea Trail Maids to participate in 60th Presidential Inauguration Parade

Police said he had unpaid merchandise in his hands, but he dropped it during the incident and only left with the employees phone.

White is accused of third-degree robbery.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
Senate District 60 candidate Mohamed Jama's residency is being challenged. Campaign photo.

Mohamed Jama, one of eight Democratic candidates running in a special state Senate election, dropped out on Wednesday after facing a legal challenge to his candidacy alleging he doesnt live in the district.

This decision was not made lightly, and I want to express my deepest gratitude to the Cedar Riverside community, which raised me and entrusted me with the responsibility of stepping up to represent our shared values and aspirations, Jama wrote in a statement posted to Facebook.

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Jamas statement did not address his residency and he did not return a voicemail seeking comment.

The special election was called to replace former Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic, who died of cancer last month, for Senate District 60, which covers northeast Minneapolis, the University of Minnesota and the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood.

Under state law, legislative candidates must have lived in their district for at least six months before the election. But Jama used same-day registration to vote in Novembers election in a neighboring senate district, according to the legal challenge filed with the Minnesota Supreme Court.

The challenge says a Senate DFL caucus representative reached out to Jamas campaign manager, Jacob Hooper, on Jan. 2 to confirm that he met the residency requirement. Hooper replied via text message that Jama has lived in Senate District 60 for six months but is not registered to vote there.

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He did vote in 2024 but used old address because this was during process of moving, Hooper wrote, according to the challenge.

That explanation raises the prospect that Jama illegally voted where he doesnt live.

Jamas address was listed as private in his filing for candidacy, but all candidates must sign an affidavit affirming they meet the residency requirements for office.

The deadline to officially withdraw from the race has long passed, and ballots have already been printed for the special primary scheduled for Jan. 14, according to the Hennepin County elections office. Absentee voting starts on Thursday.

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A spokeswoman for the county elections office said they will follow whatever instructions they receive from the state Supreme Court on Jamas eligibility.

Democrats are also dealing with the fallout from another one of their candidates not meeting the states residency requirements, which could cost them control of the House.

After a judge ruled Democrat Curtis Johnson was ineligible to represent district 40B because he doesnt live there, Republicans found themselves with a one-seat advantage pending a special election.

The special election in Democratic-leaning Roseville is expected to return the balance of power to 67-67, but Republicans say they intend to use their temporary advantage to try to win a true majority.

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Republican House leader Lisa Demuth strongly signaled they will refuse to seat Rep. Brad Tabke, DFL-Shakopee, whose narrow 14-vote victory was marred by 20 ballots going missing, even if a judge rules in his favor. That could force Gov. Tim Walz to call a special election in that district, giving Republicans another shot at majority for the next two years.

Johnsons case may have motivated Democrats to more closely vet Jama and the other candidates in the special Senate election. The party cant stop people from filing to run for office, but it can make sure only eligible candidates receive the partys endorsement and nomination in the primary.

The challenge to Jamas candidacy was filed by Sonia Neculescu, a former DFL House candidate and political operative who lives in the district.

The Supreme Court scheduled a hearing in Jamas case for Friday.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A resident is speaking out after she has tried to resolve issues of mold and water damage with property management at a high-rise apartment building on Buffalos West Side, but has had no luck.

Now, shes calling for action.

The complaint about possible mold exposure and water damage is coming from tenant Natashia Houston at Mariner Towers on Efner Street. Shes concerned about the health and safety of her family and 4-year-old daughter.

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Houston said shes been dealing with the property management at Mariner Towers for the past two years.

The way it looks now was not the same on how it looked when I first moved in at all, I wasnt expecting this type of deterioration in my apartment, she said.

Houston said she has been trying to get managers to fix a water issue coming from her ceiling and what appears to be mold in the corners of her apartment and along a patio door.

When WIVB News 4 took a look at her apartment Tuesday, water was actively dripping from her ceiling.

They have a very serious problem of lying as Im now realizing, Houston said. I could go on and on, the mold, the constant having to go downstairs, the leaking in my apartment, the leaking on my stuff and then having to worry about replacing it later.

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Call 4 Action contacted CRM Rental Management, which operates the Mariner Towers. Faruk Heto, the senior vice president for the company, said via email that these issues have been addressed and that some follow up work needed to be done.

As News 4 saw Tuesday, the work here is not done and more needs to be done to protect the family of three.

The apartment Houston stays in is on the top floor, so its possible the water is coming from the roof.

News 4s Jeff Preval spoke to Heto by phone Tuesday. Heto said he was given incorrect information and will be looking into the matter further.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Latest Local News

Jeff Preval is an award-winning anchor and reporter who joined the News 4 team in December 2021. See more of his work here.

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Jan. 7TANNERSVILLE  The Monroe County Commissioners and The Monroe County America250PA Commission announce the America 250PA Kick-Off Meeting on Jan. 9, 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Northampton Community College Pocono Campus.

The event will take place in the Pocono Community Room/Pocono Hall, with a snow date on Jan. 16. The public is invited to attend.

On July 19, 2023, the Monroe County Commissioners unanimously voted to establish a "Commission made up of a diverse group of volunteer citizens to work with AMERICA250PA on any and all educational and celebratory activities within Monroe County through July 4, 2026."

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The new Commission has been meeting for the past several months to plan and prepare for this celebration and has approved the following Mission Statement:

*

"To participate in the America250PA initiative by celebrating our rich history, embracing our diverse heritage, and shaping a brighter future for all. We aim to engage our community in a year-long commemoration of our nation's 250th anniversary, fostering a sense of unity, pride, and hope while showcasing the unique contributions of Monroe County to the American story."

Commission Chairman, David Parker stated in a press release, "We are hosting this Kick-Off event to introduce the America250PA Commission to the community and highlight programs for municipalities, organizations, residents, students, and artists to participate in. We will also be launching our 250PA Committees so people can sign up to join a team that matches their interests as we plan for an EPIC celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence."

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Parker continues, "I was only six years old when we celebrated the Bi-centennial, but I remember my dad taking our family to Analomink to watch the Freedom Train roll through. We put pennies and nickels on the track to have them flattened by the heavy locomotive. It is my hope that this semi-quincentennial celebration and the events we plan will create lasting memories for today's families and bring our community closer together."

Come to NCC Pocono in Tannersville on Jan. 9, 2025, at , at 5:30 p.m. to hear the Philly Fife and Drum Corps. Speakers will begin at 6 p.m. and conclude around 6:30 p.m. with a call for attendees to join a committee to help plan and celebrate this 250th milestone.

For those unable to attend, Pocono Television Network will be live for a portion of the event at PoconoTelevision.com starting at 5:45 p.m.
Kiang Wu Hospital has reported a significant increase in flu-related consultations at its emergency department, with visits rising by 53% last week compared to the previous week. The surge in cases is attributed to influenza A, which accounts for 94% of infections, while influenza B makes up the remaining 6%.

According to the hospital, the rise in flu cases comes as influenza-like symptoms were reported in 20% of outpatient visits and 48% of emergency department consultations during the past two weeks, up from 15% and 38%, respectively, earlier in December. The hospitals emergency department saw an average of 520 visits per day in the past two weeks, with the number jumping to around 610 visits during the holidays.

Health authorities have said in a press conference earlier this week that Macau has entered the peak period of influenza, with the number of consultations for the illness increasing significantly in recent weeks.

Last week, the number of influenza consultations among adults and children increased by 39% and 23% week-on-week at the public hospital, respectively.

Authorities expect the influenza virus to remain active in the next few weeks, and different influenza viruses may circulate alternately.

Also, the average daily number of consultations at Conde de S. Januario has continued to rise since late last month, with the average follow-up time reaching 71 minutes.

The hospital has used 800 consultations as a warning line, and it has seen numbers consistently exceed this threshold.

Manpower and hospital beds have been allocated according to the situation, and authorities urged patients with mild symptoms to make use of community medical facilities to reduce the burden on hospitals.
The Montana State Capitol in Helena on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. (Photo by Mike Clark for the Daily Montanan)

The Montana Public Service Commission elected former and incoming commissioner Brad Molnar as its new president this week, and it discussed legislative priorities for the session, including a bill that would make extensive changes to the way utilities plan for energy resources.

Rep. Brad Molnar (Courtesy Montana Legislative Services).

Molnar, a former state Senator, previously served on the commission from 2004 through 2012. The Laurel Republican takes the leadership title from Jim Brown, former PSC president sworn in this week as State Auditor.

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The Public Service Commission regulates monopoly utilities, and at its meeting Tuesday, the five commissioners discussed bills that were coming up in the 2025 Montana Legislature, ones they had proposed and ones that came out of legislative work between sessions.

At the meeting, PSC external affairs coordinator Trevor Graff gave a staff report on the bills, including House Bill 55, to change the way public utilities plan and acquire energy resource and speed up parts of the process.

In part, Graff said, the extensive bill proposes a quick turnaround time of 120 days for energy planning processes, significantly shorter than the current nine months set in commission rules.

NorthWestern Energy currently has such an effort underway. Its a matter of high public interest, and it entails a process under scrutiny by the public and advocacy groups.

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The bill also would cut the minimum time for public comment from 60 days to 45 days.

As drafted, the Public Service Commission would be allowed to skip public comment on plans by utilities for their future energy portfolio. However, it asks utilities to potentially hold more meetings, four instead of two, but with the possibility to forego two if the PSC approves.

The bill came out of a select committee on energy resource planning, and its goal appeared to be to shift the public participation component of the process from the PSC to the utilities, Graff said.

He said the idea from the legislative committee seemed to be to take off some of the burden of collecting public comment from the PSC, although he said its probably good for the PSC to hear from citizens for its own records.

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You still, under this bill, have the prerogative to do that (hold a hearing on a resource plan), and you arent required to do that at all if you so choose, Graff said.

The draft raised other questions for the PSC as well, he said, including a call for a couple more regulatory analysts at the commission, but with half of the estimated funding for it, and with money thats not in the agencys permanent budget.

HB-55 will be up for a hearing Friday in House Energy, Technology and Federal Relations Committee.

In his staff report, Graff said bills in Senate Energy are getting pushed to next week given a slowdown in the Senate. A change in the rules shuffled the work and members in committees.

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Graff also reminded commissioners that their policies state the PSC will generally present a unified front before the public, the media and the legislature. In other words, commissioners who are stepping out on their own should be clear thats the case.

At the meeting, the commissions first order of business was electing new officers, and Vice President Jennifer Fielder broke a tie to continue to serve as vice president; she said it was extra work, but she also represented continuity in the role.

In a leadership role, Fielder said it was important to pay attention to operations, and the agency in the past had been left in disarray because of neglect.

A great deal of that was because agency leadership was engaged in policy advancement, and that was wonderful, but nobody was here paying attention to the agency itself, Fielder said, noting the importance of ensuring quality staff.

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The PSC is made up five Republicans, and Commissioners Annie Bukacek and Molnar supported Fielder for vice president. Commissioners Randy Pinocci and Jeff Welborn supported Pinocci for vice president.

Fielder, of Thompson Falls, Molnar, of Laurel, and Welborn, of Dillon and also previously a state legislator, took their oaths of office this week, Welborn for the first time.

Incoming Commissioner Welborn said he was excited to work on ensuring access to reliable and affordable utility services.

Looking ahead to the next four years, I will prioritize strengthening our energy grid and producing more energy exports to lower rates for everyone, Welborn said in a statement.

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Molnar said he was humbled to have been selected with a unanimous vote, pleased Fielder would remain as vice president, and anticipated a smooth legislative session.

With the governors budget restoring lost personnel, we expect to be able to better and more timely serve the families and employers that rely on us, as well as the utilities that serve us, Molnar said in a statement from the PSC.

The PSC also is tracking House Bill 103, to change railroad track inspection.

Its following a couple of telecommunications bills, House Bill 45, a rehash of a telecommunications revision bill from the 2023 session, and Senate Bill 51, to adjust telecoms registration requirements.
Photo illustration by Getty Images.

The President of the State Bar of Montana Toni Tease joined the Senate Judiciary Committee at their Jan. 7 meeting in response to a request for an apology for partisan attacks against Republicans made by a Montana lawyer.

In December, a group of 19 senators, led by Sen. John Fuller, R-Kalispell, wrote to Tease objecting to disparaging remarks and name-calling by a Montana lawyer during a panel hosted by the State Bar last April, and said the Bars sponsorship of the seminar amounted to implicit endorsement of the remarks.

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Speaking before the committee, Fuller said that an attorney had clued him in to the comments made by a Bozeman-based lawyer, Jim Goetz, during a continuing legal education seminar put on by the State Bar titled Portraits in Courage-Unpopular Causes and Representing the Unrepresentable. While Goetz was not originally scheduled to take part in the panel, he was a last-minute addition by the moderator, Supreme Court Justice Laurie McKinnon.

During the discussion Goetz derided a Montana Supreme Court decisions as a piece of sht, called Gov. Greg Gianforte names, and labeled some laws passed by the Republican-led legislature pieces of garbage. He earlier told the Daily Montanan his comments were his own, and he was not representing the State Bar.

Fuller said that he had attended the disciplinary hearings for Attorney General Austin Knudsen over 41 alleged counts of professional misconduct, and felt that what the Attorney General had been accused of paled in comparison to what attorneys who were at an official function of the Montana Bar Association were subjected to, which led him to write the original letter.

Tease drafted a letter in response and attended the committee meeting via Zoom.

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I will not be commenting on nor expressing an opinion on any remarks made at that event, Tease told the committee. The State Bar does not comment on disciplinary proceedings, and the Dec. 23 letter made it clear that that particular matter (Goetzs remarks) has been referred to the Office of Disciplinary Council.

Tease was not president of the State Bar when the continuing education event took place, did not attend and was not involved in the planning of any seminars or panels. In a previous conversation with the Daily Montanan, Tease said that comments made by panelists do not reflect positions of the State Bar, adding that Goetz does not hold any leadership position in the State Bar.

The State Bar is a nonpartisan organization, independently funded and independently governed by 16 elected trustees, Tease told the committee, and thereby isnt considered a government entity.

All practicing Montana lawyers are required to be members of the Montana State Bar, which was created by order of the Montana Supreme Court to maintain standards of integrity and conduct of members and provide continuing legal education to members, among other purposes.

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Fuller is sponsoring a bill, SB 92, to make membership to the State Bar voluntary, one of more than two dozen bills brought by Republicans this session aimed at judicial reform.

In her letter to the committee, Tease mentioned that the State Bar did, within days of the continuing education event, apologize to the governors office, and wrote that the organization regrets the comments have overshadowed what was otherwise an outstanding educational program.

She did not comment further on the remarks made by Goetz, due to the matter being referred to the Office of Disciplinary Council.

Committee chairperson Barry Usher, R-Billings, asked Tease whether, in general, comments, insults and disparaging remarks made by attorneys could violate the State Bars Rules of Professional Conduct.

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Tease responded that attorneys are not prohibited from criticizing the decisions or opinions rendered by any court.

Im not personally aware of any attorneys who are afraid or feel chilled in their speech with regard to those types of criticisms, she said.

She also quoted U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who said some tension between the branches of government is inevitable, and criticism of judicial interpretations of the peoples laws is as old as the Republic itself.

Roberts draws the line with violence, intimidation, disinformation and threats to defy lawfully answered judgments. And I would say that the State Bar would agree with that position, Tease said.

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While comments made by State Bar members do not represent positions taken by the organization at large, Tease said that the State Bar does take official positions on legislation, concerning the regulation of the legal profession and the improvement of the quality of legal services delivered to citizens of our state.

However, there is a mechanism for individual members to object to those positions, and Tease indicated that only one or two individuals had objected to any official positions during the last session.

Before Tease appeared before the committee, and throughout her testimony, Committee Vice Chair Andrea Olsen, D-Missoula, objected to the committees actions.

In this letter, senators are complaining about what I believe amounts to free speech, she said. If we cant accept that the public, that our constituents, that the citizens of Montana are going to be concerned, unhappy, angry, may in jest or in joke or in a fit of emotion say things that we may or may not like, its our obligation to allow and to protect every Montana citizens right to free speech.

In addition, to call in an association to answer for that members comments, to call them in to ask for an apology and demand punishment is us, as the Senate, forcing speech upon organizations, and this is beyond the scope of what we as the Senate should be doing in this committee. I believe we have very wide and broad investigative powers, but when we start using this to investigate the citizens based on what they say, were crossing a line. And I would like to object to this committee doing that today.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lees quiet decision to forgo $1.1 million in federal funding for the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children  or Summer EBT  program has ignited a fierce debate among lawmakers, advocates and families over the states priorities and values, especially when it comes to the well-being of some of the states most vulnerable residents. Lees decision could leave 700,000 low-income children without access to summer meals in 2025.

The Summer EBT program, created during the pandemic and later made permanent by Congress, provides financial support to ensure children who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals have access to nutritious food during summer break. Under the program, families receive a debit card preloaded with $40 per month per eligible child, restricted for use on food. In Tennessee last year, this initiative  branded as "Sun Bucks"  issued $120 to each child over three months, injecting an estimated $77 million into local grocery stores and generating up to $140 million in economic activity.

But that impact is now in jeopardy.

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Governor Lees administration, which already signaled its reluctance to renew the program last year, allowed the states participation to lapse by quietly missing the Jan. 1 renewal deadline. In a statement given to NBC News, Lees office justified the decision by citing administrative costs.

The Summer EBT program was established in the pandemic-era to supplement existing food assistance programs in an extraordinary circumstance, press secretary Elizabeth Lane Johnson wrote. The federal government has increasingly shifted the administrative cost burden to the states, prompting Tennessee not to renew our participation, as the program is mostly duplicative.

Johnson added that the Summer Food Service Program served about 3.4 million free meals to children in Tennessee this year.

However, critics argue the administrations rationale is both insufficient and out of touch with the realities faced by struggling families. U.S. Representative Steve Cohen (D-Memphis) called the move a moral failure in a letter to Lee, urging him to reconsider. Cohen cited data from the Vanderbilt Center for Child Health Policy, which found that 40% of Tennessee families experience food insecurity.

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Feeding our children is not just a matter of public policy  it is a moral imperative, Cohen wrote, according to the Memphis Flyer. Well-nourished children are better able to learn, grow, and lead healthy, well-adjusted lives.

Tennessee House Democrats have also been vocal. They criticized Lee on social media, comparing him to the Grinch in a meme that read: Will the Governor steal your childs summer meals? Accompanying the image was a rhyming post styled after Twas the Night Before Christmas, urging Tennesseans to call Lees office in protest: Twas the week before Christmas, when all through the state, Tennesseans were begging Gov. Lee to stop with the hate.

Advocacy groups are equally alarmed. A coalition of more than two dozen community organizations  including school officials, food banks and child welfare advocates  penned a letter to the governor in December. They warned that rejecting Summer EBT funding would not only harm children but also undercut local economies.

Every dollar spent on this program generates between $1.50 and $1.80 in economic activity, the letter stated. The decision to decline these funds will have far-reaching consequences for families and communities alike.

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Tennessee isnt the first state to reject federal funding for Summer EBT; last year, 15 Republican-led states, ranging from Alaska to Georgia, opted out of the program. States like Iowa have similarly cited administrative costs and a preference for investing in existing programs. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds argued that EBT cards do little to promote nutrition, framing her decision as part of a broader strategy to address childhood obesity.

Yet, critics of this stance point out that many of these states already face high rates of food insecurity, and federal programs like Summer EBT are designed to supplement, not replace, state-level efforts. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the program, estimates that 21 million children nationwide benefited from Summer EBT in 2023.

For families in Tennessee, the impact of the decision is deeply personal. Bobbi Jo Miller, a single mother of three who cannot work because she is disabled, told NBC News Summer EBT funds enabled her to buy additional staples such as eggs, milk, bread and cereal. When she heard Lee didnt plan to renew the program in 2025, she cried.

I have a very fixed income, she said. To know that the governor doesnt want to help in the one little way he could is heartbreaking.

Representative Cohen and other lawmakers have called for a detailed explanation of Lees decision by January 17. Meanwhile, advocates are urging the governor to reverse course before the next funding cycle begins. Whether Lees administration will reconsider remains uncertain. As the debate continues, the stakes are clear. For hundreds of thousands of Tennessee children, the question of whether they will have enough to eat this summer now hangs in the balance.
CONNECTICUT (WTNH)  Connecticut residents this month were refunded half a million dollars in unclaimed COVID relief money, according to a press release from United Way.

More than 400 families were able to receive more than $500,000 in unclaimed COVID relief money thanks to a partnership between the United Way of Connecticut and their partners Get Your Refund CT Campaign.

West Haven gets $1M back after lawmakers stole COVID relief funds

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While this may seem like a small drop in a big bucket, it is a start, Amy Casavina Hall, senior vice president of partnerships, development and communications at United Way of Connecticut said. The goal of this campaign was to raise awareness about the opportunity and to attract first-time filers who are generally concerned that filing taxes might impact their government benefits (SNAP, Section 8, TANF, etc.), immigration status, worries about money owed/fines for not filing or a general distrust of government.

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 WTNH.com.
NEW YORK (PIX11)  More police officers are being deployed to the top 50 subway stations in New York City where the most crimes occur, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Monday.

Tisch said the NYPD is deploying more police officers onto subway platforms in the 50 highest-crime stations in New York City. Additionally, 200 more police officers are being assigned to patrol on subway trains.

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Its all part of a strategy to refocus our subway efforts to the places where the crime is occurring. We know that 78% of transit crime occurs on trains and on platforms. And that is quite obviously where our officers need to be, Tisch said.

The NYPD didnt respond to a PIX11 News inquiry into which subway stations it is focusing on. However, crime statistics show Manhattan and the Bronx had the most incidents last year.

Major crime in the transit system decreased for a second straight year in 2024, down 5.4% compared to 2023, according to Tisch. But she and New York City Mayor Eric Adams say more needs to be done to change the perception that the subway system is unsafe.

NYC subway rider stabbed multiple times: He became irate

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The subways will always be a bellwether for the perception of public safety in New York City. Declining crime numbers are significant, but we still must do more because people dont feel safe in our subways, Tisch said.

In December, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that an additional 250 National Guard members would be deployed in the New York City subway system as part of a continued safety effort.

It added to the 750 National Guard members who were deployed in the subway system last March to support local law enforcement after a spike in violent crimes at the time.

Hochul said the decision to deploy the additional 250 National Guard members in mid-December was not made in response to a specific crime or trend.

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Its about continuing a strategy that has proven its success and expanding it to protect even more people, the governor said.

Additionally, every subway car in New York City is now equipped with surveillance cameras, according to Hochul.

Finn Hoogensen is a digital journalist who has covered local news for more than six years. He has been with PIX11 News since 2022. See more of his work here.

Copyright 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 PIX11.
Related video above shows Meteorologist Tom Atkins Wednesday evening forecast.

(WJET/WFXP)  A new year brings more snow into the region as more lake-effect snow is expected to roll into the region this week.

A winter weather advisory in place for Erie and Crawford counties in Pennsylvania has been upgraded to a lake-effect snow warning until 4 p.m. on Thursday.

A winter weather advisory is in effect for Chautauqua County in New York until 7 a.m. on Thursday.

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There is also a weather advisory in place for Warren, McKean and Venango counties that will last until noon on Thursday and one for inland Ashtabula County in Ohio until 1 p.m. the same day.

Snow Totals

The snow belts from I-90 south to northern Crawford, northwestern Warren, and Chautauqua counties will see an additional 4-8 inches.

Areas north of I-90, including Erie and the lakeshore, as well Warren, will see a fresh coating to an inch or 2. Meadvllie, which is covered by the Lake Effect Snow Warning could see 3-6 inches.

Additionally, those in Ashtabula County can see 2-5 inches of snow fall into the region.

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All travelers should drive with caution as they can deal with low visibility and slippery roadways for commutes into Thursday morning.

Stay up-to-date on the latest conditions with Your Weather Authority.

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 WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
QUICK WEATHER FORECAST:

Today: PM snow showers, high 24

Tonight: More snowflakes, low 10

Thursday: Mainly cloudy, high 21

Friday: Snow later, high 25

Saturday: Early snow showers, high 28

Sunday: Cloudy skies, high 29

FORECAST DISCUSSION:

Good Wednesday morning!

Its another cold start for Central Ohio, but a little more of a snowier one! Temperatures today will continue to stay cold, but snow showers returning to the area could stack up a little more snow before the day ends.

Snowflakes will continue to fall through the morning hours. Looking ahead to this afternoon and evening, more steadier snow showers will push back into the area. Snow lingers into tonight, but by Thursday morning skies will be dry again.

Snow totals wont be too impressive from today. At most, well see a couple tenths of an inch for most of Central Ohio. For Columbus and the metro area, were expecting around half of an inch to fall. However, for areas to the northwest, some steadier snow bands could increase totals towards an inch or more.

Dry and even colder weather returns for Thursday. Overnight lows will rival the single digits without the extra help from the winds. The winter storm that will impact Texas and the Southwest will leave that area in time for the Cotton Bowl, but will instead be here in Central Ohio.

We could see more sizeable snow to end off the work week and head into the weekend. Temperatures remain below freezing, but are warming closer to 30 degrees. Snow returns for the beginning of next week as temperatures are just shy of the freezing line. Another cooldown pushes us back to the 20s for the middle of next week.

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-Joe

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By Hannah Lang, Brendan O'Brien and Lisa Richwine

(Reuters) -A home reportedly belonging to Hollywood actors Leighton Meester and Adam Brody and another owned by actor Billy Crystal were among more than 1,000 buildings destroyed by wildfires raging across Los Angeles, including a blaze that started on Wednesday in the Hollywood Hills.

Jamie Lee Curtis, Mandy Moore, Maria Shriver and other celebrities were among more than 100,000 people forced to evacuate their homes to escape the out-of-control fires burning in some of Los Angeles' most desirable areas.

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The largest blaze consumed nearly 12,000 acres (4,856 hectares) in Pacific Palisades, a picturesque neighborhood between the beach towns of Santa Monica and Malibu that is home to many film, television and music stars.

Brody, best known for his roles in TV series "The O.C." and "Nobody Wants This", and Meester, who starred in "Gossip Girl", bought their Pacific Palisades home in 2019 for $6.5 million, according real estate and entertainment websites.

Crystal and his wife, Janice, said in a statement that they had lived in their Pacific Palisades house since 1979.

"We are heartbroken, of course, but with the love of children and friends we will get through this," they said.

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Shriver, a journalist and the former first lady of California when she was married to former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, said the destruction in the upscale enclave was devastating.

"Everything is gone. Our neighborhood, our restaurants," she wrote on X on Wednesday. "The firefighters have and are doing their best, but this fire is massive and out of control."

The day after actor James Woods evacuated his house in Pacific Palisades, he said "every house around us was on fire".

"We were literally in the exact epicenter of the fire as it started," Woods, known for roles in "Ghosts of Mississippi" and "Any Given Sunday", said on CNN on Wednesday.

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"There was so much chaos. It was like an inferno."

HOLLYWOOD HILLS BURN

On Wednesday evening a fire erupted in the Hollywood Hills and quickly doubled in size, forcing further evacuations in an area synonymous with the entertainment industry

Though relatively small compared to the others, the Sunset Fire burned just above Hollywood Boulevard and its Walk of Fame. It would need to cross the 101 Freeway to endanger the Hollywood sign and Griffith Observatory further up in the hills.

Within that area is the Dolby Theater, where the Oscars are held. Next week's Oscar nominations announcement was already postponed by two days because of the fire, organizers said.

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This weekend's Critics Choice Awards was also delayed by two weeks, organizers said.

With a median home price of $4.5 million, Pacific Palisades is home to celebrities as well as the Getty Villa, one of the most popular museums in Los Angeles.

Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis said "my community and possibly my home is on fire".

"It is a terrifying situation," Curtis wrote on Instagram.

"Pray if you believe in it and even if you don't, pray for those who do."

Mandy Moore, known for television series "This is Us", said she and her family had evacuated because of the proximity of the flames.

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"So gutted for the destruction and loss," she wrote on Instagram. "Don't know if our place made it."

Media personality Paris Hilton's beachfront mansion in Malibu, reportedly bought for $8.4 million, was among the homes burned down.

She said she was "heartbroken beyond words".

"Sitting with my family, watching the news, and seeing our home in Malibu burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience," Hilton wrote on X.

Several other fires were burning around the city. Film permits were revoked in Pasadena and other areas east of Los Angeles at the request of fire officials, according to permitting organization FilmLA.

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Production of TV shows including "Jimmy Kimmel Live" and "Grey's Anatomy" was halted on Wednesday. Several film premieres were also called off.

Actor Mark Hamill, known for playing Luke Skywalker in the "Star Wars" films, said the blaze was the "most horrific" since 1993.

He said on Instagram that he evacuated his Malibu home on Tuesday evening with his wife and dog.

"There (were) small fires on both sides of the road as we approached (the Pacific Coast Highway)," he said.

(Reporting by Hannah Lang in New York and Brendan O'Brien; Editing by Paul Thomasch, Mark Porter, Sandra Maler, Lincoln Feast and Raju Gopalakrishnan)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation after facing an increasing loss of support both within his party and in the country.

Now Trudeaus Liberal Party must find a new leader while dealing with U.S. President-elect Donald Trumps threats to impose steep tariffs on Canadian goods and with Canadas election just months away.

Trudeau said Monday he plans to stay on as prime minister until a new party leader is chosen.

He could not recover after Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, long one of his most powerful and loyal ministers, resigned from the Cabinet last month.

Trudeau, the 53-year-old scion of Pierre Trudeau, one of Canadas most famous prime ministers, became deeply unpopular with voters over a range of issues, including the soaring cost of food and housing as well as surging immigration.

Whats next for Canada?

A new Canadian leader is unlikely to be named before Trump is inaugurated on Jan. 20.

The political upheaval comes at a difficult moment for Canada. Trump keeps calling Canada the 51st state and has threatened to impose 25% tariffs on all Canadian goods if the government does not stem what Trump calls a flow of migrants and drugs into the U.S.  even though far fewer of them cross the border from Canada than from Mexico, which Trump has also threatened with tariffs.

Trump also remains preoccupied with the U.S. trade deficit with Canada, erroneously calling it a subsidy. Canadas ambassador to Washington, Kirsten Hillman, has said the U.S. had a $75 billion trade deficit with Canada last year. But she noted that a third of what Canada sells to the U.S. are energy exports and that there is a deficit when oil prices are high.

If Trump applies tariffs, a trade war looms. Canada has vowed to retaliate.

When will there be a new prime minister?

The Liberals need to elect a new leader before Parliament resumes March 24 because all three opposition parties say they will bring down the Liberal government in a no-confidence vote at the first opportunity, which would trigger an election. The new leader might not be prime minister for long.

A spring election would very likely favor the opposing Conservative Party.

Who will be the next prime minister?

Its not often that central bank governors get compared to rock stars. But Mark Carney, the former head of the Bank of Canada, was considered just that in 2012 when he was named the first foreigner to serve as governor of the Bank of England since it was founded in 1694. The appointment of a Canadian won bipartisan praise in Britain after Canada recovered faster than many other countries from the 2008 financial crisis. He gained a reputation along the way as a tough regulator.

Few people in the world have Carneys qualifications. He is a highly educated economist with Wall Street experience who is widely credited with helping Canada dodge the worst of the 2008 global economic crisis and helping the U.K. manage Brexit. Carney has long been interested in entering politics and becoming prime minister but lacks political experience.

Freeland is also a front-runner. Trudeau told Freeland last month he no longer wanted her to serve as finance minister but that she could remain deputy prime minister and the point person for U.S.-Canada relations. ROB GILLIES, TORONTO, MDT/AP
LANSING  Two unions representing Michigan State Police troopers and command officers filed a complaint with the State Board of Ethics on Tuesday, alleging misconduct by the agency's top leadership.

The complaint marks an escalation in ongoing discord between MSP officers and the agency's director, Col. James Grady.

Paul Pummill, executive director of the Michigan State Police Command Officers Association, said in an email to members Tuesday that after a lengthy investigation into "alleged misconduct of our department's leadership," his association and the Michigan State Police Troopers Association had filed a formal complaint with the state ethics board, along with the Michigan attorney general. A copy of the email was obtained by the Free Press. A similar email, also obtained by the Free Press, was sent to troopers by MSPTA President Nate Johnson.

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In a Wednesday text message, Pummill confirmed the emails to members were authentic but declined further comment. It wasn't clear whether the unions were seeking a separate investigation from the Attorney General's Office or simply copying the AG with the complaint sent to the ethics board.

Kurt Weiss, a spokesman for the State Board of Ethics, confirmed the board received a complaint from the police unions Tuesday afternoon and is next scheduled to meet on March 6, when it could take up the complaint. Weiss did not immediately respond to a request for a copy of the complaint.

Pummill did not disclose in the email who in MSP leadership was the subject of the complaint or details about any alleged ethical violations. He told members he was withholding that information for the time being to protect the integrity of the complaint process. Johnson, from the troopers association, did not respond to an email Wednesday.

Shanon Banner, a spokeswoman for the MSP, said in response to news of the complaint being filed that "integrity is a core characteristic of the Michigan State Police," and "we are confident all actions by department leadership were in line with the State of Michigans ethics standards."

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Grady was named director of the MSP in September 2023 and complaints about him from the two unions became public in the spring of 2024. In May of last year, the troopers association said in a memo to its members that its leadership has been in discussions with the governor's office since early April regarding "concerns with MSP leadership." Grady's response to a fatal MSP chase in Kentwood, which the union viewed as a rush to judgment against an officer later charged with second-degree murder, "shifted discussions from membership concerns to a no-confidence status," said the memo, obtained by the Free Press. Separately, Pummill accused Grady in January 2024 of being untruthful when he was questioned by internal affairs in connection with a scandal at the Flint post related to favored candidates receiving copies of questions in advance of promotion exams.

Grady's selection of Lt. Col. Aimee Brimacombe as his second in command has also been controversial, in part because of recent discipline on her record and because of allegations, which are the subject of a civil lawsuit brought by two troopers, that she pressured a county prosecutor to bring criminal charges against them after they arrested the brother of one of her Facebook friends. The prosecutor and Brimacombe have both denied that allegation and the MSP has determined the allegations made in the lawsuit, which is still pending, are unfounded, according to a heavily redacted internal investigation report the MSP provided to the Free Press.

It was not clear Wednesday whether the latest complaint from the unions relates to any of those issues, or something new. The Michigan Attorney General's Office did not immediately respond Wednesday to questions about the complaint.

The State Board of Ethics has jurisdiction under the State Ethics Act to evaluate the ethical conduct of officials in the executive branch. It can hold public hearings and receive sworn testimony, but its findings and recommendations are only advisory.

Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: MSP unions file complaint against leadership with state ethics panel
BOSTON (WPRI)  Dozens of cats removed from an overcrowded and unsanitary home in Norfolk County last week will soon be up for adoption, according to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA).

MSPCA-Angells Mike Keiley said the 30 cats did not have adequate access to food, water and clean litter boxes, but are in generally good health.

These cats are pretty thin, so theyre on refeeding plans to get them to a healthier weight, Keiley explained. Some also need treatment for upper respiratory infections, which is common when theres a large number of cats in one home.

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It doesnt appear that any need serious medical treatment, which is good, but regardless, taking in so many unexpectedly at one time still puts an extraordinary strain on our resources, he continued.

MSPCA is not pursuing animal cruelty charges against the cats former owner, according to Keiley, since it appears to be the result of a hoarding situation.

The cats, who are all adult domestic shorthairs, are being showered with TLC at MSPCAs Nevins Farm and the Northeast Animal Shelter.

Keiley said most of the cats will be available for adoption as early as Tuesday.

Anyone interested in adopting a cat should visit Nevins Farm or the Northeast Animal Shelter during open hours, or check online to see which cats are available.

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Those who want to assist without adopting a cat can do so by making a donation toward their care, which Keiley estimates will cost roughly $5,000.

(Courtesy: MSPCA-Angell) (Courtesy: MSPCA-Angell) (Courtesy: MSPCA-Angell) (Courtesy: MSPCA-Angell) (Courtesy: MSPCA-Angell) (Courtesy: MSPCA-Angell) (Courtesy: MSPCA-Angell)

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MTA Chairman Janno Lieber took to the airwaves to defend congestion pricing from what he called grievance politics Tuesday, ahead of the second rush-hour under the controversial tolling plan, which switched on for the first time Sunday morning.

New York has a problem  its called congestion, Lieber said during an appearance on MSNBCs Morning Joe.

We have a great mass transit system that 90% of our commuters take, Lieber said. Using the proceeds from [congestion tolling] to invest in even better mass transit makes perfect sense  thats why were doing it.

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The toll, which charges most passenger-car drivers $9 once a day to enter Midtown and lower Manhattan, is designed to back $15 billion in bonds earmarked for infrastructure improvements to the subway, bus and commuter rail system most people use to access the citys business districts.

Proponents say the fees will also decrease motor vehicle traffic in the congestion zone, increasing bus speeds and emergency response times.

But critics have labeled the so-called congestion tax a money grab.

Westchester Republican Rep. Mike Lawler, appearing on Morning Joe to discuss the toll Monday, called the MTA the worst-run authority in America, adding he fundamentally believe[s] [the MTA] needs an enema.

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The fact is the MTA loses $700 million a year from people who refuse to pay to ride the subway, Lawler added, incorrectly.

The MTA estimates its total loss from fare and toll evasion across all its divisions  including subways, buses, commuter rail and bridges and tunnels  to be roughly $690 million, according to a report published in 2023. Of that amount, subway fare evasion represents less than half, $285 million, in lost revenue.

This is grievance politics, not substance politics, Lieber said of Lawlers criticisms Tuesday. That guy is selling an outdated cartoon.

As previously reported, the $15 billion in bonds contingent on congestion pricing are earmarked for a variety of big-ticket MTA upgrades and repairs, including hundreds of new R211 subway cars for the lettered lines, accessibility improvements at two dozen subway stations, and an extension of the long-awaited Second Ave. subway into East Harlem.

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Lieber rejected the notion, put forward by host Willie Geist, that the subway system doesnt appear to be working for New Yorkers.

I grew up in a New York where the subways broke down every 5,000 miles, and now they break down every 200,000 miles, Lieber said.

We have a long way to go, and it needs to feel safer, the transit boss continued. This is a much better system than weve had in a long time, and Im proud that we continue to make it better.

As for any indications of what the toll was doing for congestion above ground, Lieber said it was too soon to tell.

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Its too early to draw any, you know, long-term conclusions, he said. Yesterday was a light day  everybody was noticing the traffic was light. But it was also the day after the holiday season, and there was snow forecast, so, were not drawing any premature conclusions.

Neither the MTA nor the citys Department of Transportation  which shares in the administration of the new tolling program  could provide the Daily News with Mondays traffic data.

An MTA spokesman said tolling data should be available for public release by the end of the week.

Subway ridership was up slightly compared with last week, with 3,435,564 riders going underground Monday, up 3.4% from the Monday prior, and up 4% from Jan. 8, 2024, last years comparable Monday.
A brazen mugger bashed a Hells Kitchen food cart vendor in the face, knocking several teeth out before robbing him of thousands of dollars, police said Wednesday.

The victim was manning his cart at W. 49th St. and Eighth Ave. when the robber struck him in the face with a metal object, possibly a pipe, about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, police said.

The crook repeatedly bashed the 36-year-old vendor in the face before robbing him of about $3,500.

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The victim lost several teeth in the attack, police said. Medics took him to Bellevue Hospital in stable condition.

At the corner Wednesday night, the victims co-worker filling in for him as he recovers told the Daily News it wasnt the first time theyve come across the assailant.

This guy is trouble, Hasan Lhendeou said of the attacker. I hope they get him so he doesnt come back.

Police on Wednesday released photos snapped of the man, weapon in hand. He was last seen wearing a Mets baseball cap and a blue-and-white striped puffer jacket as he fled into the 50th St. subway stop.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS.
PALATINE, Ill.  A felony murder charge has been handed down to a man accused of fatally shooting his girlfriend in the northwest suburbs late last year.

Police said 43-year-old Sergio Velasquez Fuentes, a Palatine resident, has been charged with one felony count of first-degree murder.

Police officers said the charge stems from Velasquez Fuentess alleged role in the fatal shooting of his girlfriend in November of 2024.

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According to police, on Nov. 29, just before 11:30 p.m., officers were called to a home in the 1700 block of North Hicks Road, in Palatine, for a well-being check.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

When officers arrived, they found the victim, 42-year-old Fatima Lizeth Escalante Matamoros, who had suffered a gunshot wound to her head. She was then taken to the hospital, where she later died.

Immediately after the deadly shooting, the victims boyfriend, Velasquez Fuentes, was identified as a person of interest in the case.

Police said 43-year-old Sergio Velasquez Fuentes, a Palatine resident, has been charged with one felony count of first-degree murder.

Velasquez Fuentes had already fled the scene by the time officers arrived at the home, but he was tracked down by Streamwood Police Officers the next day. He was then turned over to Palatine Police Detectives, who were investigating the shooting alongside the Major Case Assistance Team (MCAT).

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Velasquez Fuentes was held in custody until Dec. 2, when he was released pending further investigation. Despite his release, he remained a person of interest in the shooting.

Authorities continued the investigation into the murder of Escalante Matamoros and on Dec. 13, officers obtained an arrest warrant for Velasquez Fuentes. It was then learned that he had already been taken into federal custody in connection with an unrelated case.

On Monday, Jan. 6, Velasquez Fuentes was taken into custody by Palatine Police detectives and charged with first-degree murder.

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Velasquez Fuentes appeared in court on Tuesday for a detention hearing and will remain in custody until his next scheduled hearing on Jan. 29.

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The US Navy is officially referring to F/A-18s armed with nine air-to-air missiles as "Murder Hornets."

This loadout was first observed during Red Sea combat operations last year.

The loadout consists of four AIM-9X and five AIM-120 missiles.

The US Navy is officially using the term "Murder Hornet" to describe F/A-18 fighter jets armed with nine air-to-air missiles, a munition configuration first spotted amid Red Sea combat operations last year.

The office of the Chief of Naval Operations highlighted the new term for these missile-packed Super Hornets in a document outlining the Navy's achievements over the past year. It said the configuration, which was used in combat as the sea service faced off against numerous airborne threats, involves arming the jets with four AIM-9X instead of two and five AIM-120 missiles.

This air-to-air loadout was first seen on a Boeing-made F/A-18 Super Hornet during flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Red Sea last April. The Ike and the other ships in its strike group had deployed to the region for several months in response to repeated Iran-backed Houthi rebel attacks on shipping lanes off the coast of Yemen.

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The Navy took steps to boost the air-defense capabilities of its Super Hornets amid pressing threats in the Red Sea. Navy aircraft and warships have routinely shot down Houthi drones and missiles above the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since October 2023.

An F/A-18 with the Murder Hornet loadout launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Red Sea in April 2024. US Navy photo

The head of Naval Air Systems Command's Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons, Rear Adm. Stephen Tedford, said last year that the heavy air-to-air configuration, among other efforts, was brought about due to the need for "a lot more firepower and capability immediately in support of Red Sea operations and counter-UAS," The War Zone, which first reported the new nickname, previously reported.

The AIM-9X is the latest model in the decades-old Sidewinder family of short-range missiles, and the AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile) is a beyond-visual-range missile capable of all-weather engagements. Both munitions are manufactured by US defense contractor Raytheon, now known as RTX Corporation.

The Eisenhower, where the Murder Hornet configuration was first showcased, is one of four carriers that, along with their strike groups, have participated in counter-Houthi operations. US forces are routinely tasked with intercepting rebel drones and missiles; the Navy said it has defended military and civilian ships from more than 180 attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

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Using a range of other munitions, the US military has also carried out airstrikes targeting the Houthis. Just on Wednesday, for instance, American forces bombed two underground weapons storage facilities in Yemen.

Despite a year of combat action, the Houthis still maintain the ability to launch attacks, which they claim are done out of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. In recent weeks, the rebels have stepped up drone and missile attacks on Israel, which has responded by bombing their facilities.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Video: Recent weather forecast.

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  The Muscogee County School District announced on Wednesday afternoon that its monitoring weather conditions for this Friday.

The school says its working with weather officials to determine the best course of action as forecasts predict a winter storm will move into the area Friday morning.

The safety and well-being of our students and staff are our highest priorities. As such, the district is actively participating in weather briefings and conducting risk assessments to ensure all necessary precautions are taken.

 MCSD

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The school went on to say at this time, there are no anticipated changes to the school schedule, but any adjustments made would be announced by end of business day Jan. 9.

Columbus warming stations open amid freezing temperatures

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
Malaysia and Singapore leaders signed an agreement yesterday to create a special economic zone to attract global investment and ease the cross-border flow of goods and people.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called the Johor-Singapore special economic zone a unique initiative that harnesses each others strengths and deepens linkages in a world that is becoming more polarized.

Very rarely you find two countries working together as a team, he told a joint news conference after the signing ceremony. These two countries have a common strategy, to assist one another, to work and benefit from each others strengths This is the new attitude we must have other than talking always in terms of rivalry and unnecessary conflicts.

The zone, in Malaysias southernmost Johor state, will offer tax breaks and include several flagship areas for various sectors, from manufacturing and aerospace to tourism, energy and healthcare. Officials are targeting to attract 50 projects within the economic zone in the first five years, creating 20,000 skilled jobs. The move is a boon to Singapore, a global financial hub with scarce natural resources and land.

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said the neighbors strong linkages are an important foundation and building block for an integrated region. Malaysia is the chairman this year of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Where ASEAN is concerned, we are talking about not just more trade and investment linkages, but infrastructure linkages including the ASEAN power grid. These are all good projects that Singapore will support and we hope under Malaysias leadership, we can make good progress, Wong said.

The greater competition we face is not among ourselves within ASEAN, its outside of the region so ASEAN has to come together, look at ways in which we can enhance our value proposition and be competitive together, he said. MDT/AP
OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS, Elon Musk has been helping fuel a ragestorm on X about grooming gangs in the United Kingdom, a story that first made news in the small town of Rotherham in the early 2010s and recently resurfaced with the publication of shocking excerpts from some of the cases. Among other things, Musk has accused a junior Labour minister, Jess Phillips, of being a genocidal rape apologist for rejecting a request for a national inquiry into grooming gangs; urged that nativist flamethrower Tommy Robinson, serving a sentence for contempt of court for repeatedly and knowingly circulating slanders against a Syrian refugee, be freed immediately; proposed prison for Prime Minister Keir Starmer; and polled his followers about an American invasion of the U.K.:

Political histrionics aside, the gang sexual abuse scandal is real, tragic, and outrageous. From the late 1990s to the early 2010s, thousands of girls as young as 11 were abused and sometimes trafficked in dozens of towns across England (an estimated 1,400 just in Rotherham). Several girls were murdered; others were terrorized with violence or threats, or tortured in ways that are horrifying to read. Its also true that for years, attempts to bring these horrors to the attention of the authorities were ignored or even swept under the rug by police, social workers, and local government officials. In some areas, including Rotherham, the authorities reluctance to investigate was at least partially motivated by skittishness about racial and religious sensitivities, since most local offenders were of South Asian (usually Pakistani) background and Muslim.

But the narrative pushed by Musk and his amen chorus of pundits and influencerssuch as tech tycoon Bill Ackman, who has made the dramatic but unsupported assertion that hundreds of thousands of young British girls have been gang raped by members of principally one ethnic grouphas little to do with fact. Its simply not true, for instance, that the British political establishment had hoped they had buried the story after a few symbolic prosecutions and that the media showed little interest until Elon Musk started tweeting. In reality, a bombshell report on the gang sexual abuse in Rotherham prepared by retired social work inspector Alexis Jay, commissioned by the local government and released in 2014, received massive national exposurenot only in the right-of-center Times, which had extensively covered the story since 2011, but by left-wing outlets like the Guardian, which did not shy away from the ethnic and cultural aspects of the problem. This was followed by other local and national investigations, including a 2020 Home Office report on Group-based child sexual exploitation. Phillipss supposedly nefarious rejection of a national inquiry, in response to a request from the town of Oldham, was accompanied by a recommendation for an inquiry by local authorities, an approach that had proved effective in other municipalities.

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A similar request had been rejected in 2022 on similar grounds by the Conservative government led by Prime Minister Liz Truss. But under her Conservative successor, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, a national Grooming Gangs Taskforce was established; according to a Home Office report from Maylong before Brave Sir Elon rode to the rescueits work has led to the arrests of over 550 suspects. (As for the prosecutions being symbolic and few, at least sixty perpetrators have been convicted in Rotherham alone, with the ringleader sentenced to thirty-five years in prison and several other men receiving sentences upward of twenty years.)

HERES ANOTHER SALIENT FACT: The entire municipal borough council of Rotherham resigned in February 2015 after a parliamentary inquiry found damning evidence of coverup and failure, and town management was placed under the central governments control until the next election. Is this enough accountability? Nobut it puts the lie to allegations that the British government has ignored or covered up the issue.

As for Musks imprecations against Starmer: Dan Hodges, a columnist for the conservative Daily Mail who is harshly critical of Labours recent response to the grooming gangs scandal, nonetheless notes that as director of public prosecutions from 2008 to 2013, Starmer introduced meaningful reforms that made it easier to bring child rapists to justice, including a new national network of over 80 specialist prosecutors, a Child Sexual Abuse Review Panel and a victims right to review, which finally gave the abused the right to challenge any decision not to prosecute.

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Musks lionization of Tommy Robinson is equally misguided: Julie Bindel, who has reported on the grooming gangs for years, notes that Robinson did nothing to uncover the story but did jeopardize prosecutions with his publicity-hounding.

Meanwhile, Musks online troops, including MAGA stalwarts such as Turning Point USAs Charlie Kirk, are using the grooming gangs scandal to promote the idea that white people in multicultural England are grievously oppressed. Not surprisingly, the inflammatory details of this oppression often turn out to be substantially misrepresented. Kirk and others have pointed to a supposed judicial ruling that child sex abusers should be punished more harshly if their victims are Asian rather than white. In reality, the 2015 judgment explicitly rejected the defense claim that the enhanced sentence for the offender was ethnically or racially motivated. Rather, the judge said, it was based on the familys victim impact statement, which described the distress suffered by the two abused girls, magnified by the shame attached to sexual abuse in their community.

One could criticize the decision as misguided and as discriminatory in effect. But there is no evidence that such reasoning would apply to nonwhite victims from a more culturally liberal background, or that it would not apply to white victims from communities where stigma against sexual abuse survivors still persists.

YEARS BEFORE MUSK started tweeting about this, there was already widespread agreement that political correctness about race played a role in the initial grooming gang coverup, probably less because of woke ideology than because of desire to avoid controversy and out of fear of alienating Muslim voters. But political correctness certainly wasnt the only factor: As Jay notes in her 2014 Rotherham report, the shockingly dismissive attitudes shown in the early 2000s toward reports of young girls being sexually trafficked reflected a tendency to view underage prostitutes as juvenile delinquents rather than victims and a callousness toward girls from lower-class, dysfunctional backgrounds.

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There is also troubling evidence (again, published in mainstream British media years ago) that some of the predators were motivated by racial and religious animusor at least that they regarded non-Muslim girls as promiscuous, immodest, and fair game for sexual abuse. Yet many right-wing activists and pundits have seized on these facts to make sweeping and incendiary claims about a wave of anti-white hate crime by nonwhite foreigners. When the Home Office noted in its 2020 report that the majority of those who commit gang child sexual abuse are not South Asian Muslims and urged caution about extrapolating from limited and inconclusive data, Telegraph columnist Sam Ashworth-Hayes and GB News reporter Charlie Peters accused the authors of a whitewash.

But in fact, the data are limited and often difficult to obtain. For instance, while there are claims that South Asian perpetrators deliberately targeted white girls, the 2014 Jay report suggests that South Asian abuse victims were less likely to be identified for a variety of reasonsa sort of survivorship bias in the data on survivors. (It should be noted that the local population was overwhelmingly white.) Nor do we know if the predators, many of whom were taxi drivers or takeout delivery men working late at night, chose their victims on the basis of ethnicity or vulnerability.

Would a full national inquiry help untangle some of these issues? Maybe. (Unfortunately, the independent national inquiry that was commissioned in 2015 after Jays Rotherham report, and which released its own report in October 2022, had an overbroad focus on child sexual abuse in general and ended up barely mentioning gang sexual abuse.) But a highly politicized anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim frenzy is hardly a climate in which a useful investigation can happen, especially when many of those calling for an inquiry already know what they want to find: a Muslim rape jihad against white England and a damning indictment of immigration and racial diversity. Bindel, whom no one would accuse of being politically correct, strongly condemns cultural relativism that leads to certain groups of men getting away with child rapebut is equally scathing about far-right exploitation and distortion of the issue, including lack of interest in child sex abuse by white British men.

Conservatives have been highly, and rightly, cognizant of the ways in which well-meaning progressive campaigns against sexual violence have led to inflated or fact-free claims about rape culture on college campuses and to injustices toward the accused. The response to grooming gangs surely requires similar cautionall the more so when it encourages racial and religious demonization.

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As for the sincerity of Musks crusade against sexual violence, it can be gauged by the fact that, right on the heels of his tweets castigating British pols for supposedly being soft on child rape, he seemed to endorse the entry into British politics of Andrew Tate, the self-styled misogynist influencer whose advice to men includes slap, slap, grab, choke, shut up, sex as a response to a womans accusation of cheating.

Aside from his repugnant views, Tate is currently facing charges in Romania and in the U.K. that include not only sexual aggression but sexual trafficking of womenand underage girls. Wheres Musks concern about that?

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(Bloomberg) -- Having successfully worked to get his candidate elected in the US, Elon Musk is setting his sights on Europe.

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In a series of posts on his X platform in recent weeks, the billionaire backer of Donald Trump has honed in on Germany and the UK, criticized the respective governments, questioned laws theyve enacted and cast doubt on their economic competence.

Hes personally insulted each countrys political leader, calling Chancellor Olaf Scholz a fool, Germanys president a tyrant and accusing Prime Minister Keir Starmer of being complicit in the rape of Britain. Hes embraced misinformation and conspiracy theories, skipping over the mainstream opposition to give his backing to the far-right as champions of political realism.

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Its far from clear what his motivations may be in trashing relations with core US allies in fellow Group of Seven nations where he has significant business interests, still less his ability to effect the change he demands.

Yet its a dynamic that will be given a further airing on Thursday when Musk hosts a conversation on X with Alice Weidel, co-leader of Alternative for Germany, an anti-immigration, nationalist party that hes endorsed ahead of federal elections on Feb. 23, despite it being shunned by all other political forces as extremist. The European Union has said it will monitor the event for any risks to election integrity.

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Musks interventions have caused predictable outrage mixed with bewilderment, uniting governments with oppositions in condemnation of his tactics. But with few good options, his targets are on the back foot as they weigh how to respond to a man who cant seem to resist posting his thoughts, however unvarnished, and who has the ear of the incoming US president.

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Musk is building his empire and he is testing how far he can go, said Alexis Wichowski, a professor at Columbia University who specializes in technology, government and power. As the worlds richest person, his actions are probably not about making yet more money, but increasing his power and using his influence to change the world, she said. Of course, this is a huge act of hubris and it takes a big ego. But Musk is convinced that he knows whats best.

In the UK, where Musk has called for a jailed far-right activist to be freed, prominent politicians of the right told their US Republican counterparts that hes gone too far, according to people familiar with the communications. No British premier has ever faced comparable public hostility from such a senior voice in an American administration  albeit one whose role is informal  and Musks actions posed a clear risk to UK-US relations, a senior UK official said separately.

UK government officials working to drum up American investment in Britain are particularly worried. Every major US venture capitalist, private equity executive and investor follows Musk on X and many hold his business acumen in high regard, one said, noting that if his posts put even a slight doubt into investors minds about Britain as a place to put their money then it could cost the economy billions.

The question is whether he has an endgame beyond provocation, and what that might be. French President Emmanuel Macron used a foreign policy address on Jan. 6 to accuse him of attempting to foment a reactionary alliance across Europe.

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Musk did not respond to emailed questions about whats driving his posts.

To Steve Bannon, the former White House chief strategist, the SpaceX and Tesla Inc. CEOs wealth and influence are valuable weapons that can be wielded to advance his own populist, MAGA-aligned political goals in Europe.

Money and information are the twin tactical nukes of modern politics  and he can deploy both at unprecedented scale, Bannon said in an interview.

Bannon has always claimed that Trumps elevation to the presidency in 2016 was part of a global populist uprising that began with the UK vote to quit the European Union earlier that same year. After Trumps victory, Bannon worked to cultivate European political influence, with mixed results. He allied himself with populist politicians, and tried to undermine European unity. Most quixotically, he briefly established what he called a gladiator school to train populist-nationalist activists in a 13th-century Italian monastery.

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Despite his frequent antipathy toward Musk  hes spent the past two weeks feuding with him over US immigration policy  Bannon backs his meddling in European politics because he now thinks that, with Trumps reelection, the populist wave is sweeping in the other direction: from the US back to Europe.

I support his participation because the enemy of my enemy is my friend, Bannon said.

In Musks case, the enemy is the center-left, in the shape of Starmers six-month-old Labour government in the UK, and Scholzs outgoing Social Democratic Party-led administration in Germany.

In a New Years op-ed in Die Welt newspaper in which he laid out his reasons for supporting Weidels AfD, as the party is known in German, Musk said his investments mean hes earned the right to speak candidly about the political direction of Europes largest economy.

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But hes gone much further, saying that only the AfD, which advocates for an exit from the EU and the euro, can save Germany, compounding the damage in the eyes of many voters by doubling down on his comments after an AfD sympathizer drove a car into a Christmas market in Magdeburg, killing six and wounding more than 200 others.

In the UK, Musk has gone down a rabbit hole of conspiracy theories, claiming that civil war is inevitable and questioning Starmers actions in his past role as chief prosecutor during a child sex-abuse scandal. Where Musk had long flirted with Nigel Farage, one of the original proponents of Brexit, hes now called for his replacement as Reform UK party leader for reasons that he has yet to spell out.

While Musks tilts against Farage give Starmer some relief from the constant criticism, Labour figures suspect much of Musks interest in the prime minister stems from his loathing of a group set up in 2018 by Starmers now chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, which aimed to campaign against online extremism. McSweeney soon left to pursue his political career, but the Center for Countering Digital Hate carried on pressuring social media companies like Twitter and then X to toughen their moderation practices, and became increasingly critical of Musk.

Starmers team still has no real plan of action. The premier sees a charm offensive to try to win Musk round as futile, a person familiar with the matter said. Yet he is reluctant to hit back either, since responding to Musks bait and getting drawn into regular spats would only worsen ties with Trump. The best hope is that Musk and Trump quickly fall out and Musk parts with the administration, the person said.

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Behind in the polls and burdened with poor personal ratings, Scholz would seem to have a more acute problem than Starmer, who doesnt have to hold a general election until 2029. Yet the chancellor won plaudits for playing down Musks relevance and putting him in his place. We have freedom of speech, and that also applies to multi-billionaires, Scholz said on Dec. 20, shortly after Musks initial post backing the AfD. But freedom of speech also means that you can say things that are not right.

With a federal election less than seven weeks off, AfD officials cant quite believe their luck. They see Musk as an ideal figure to help Weidel counter the persistent anti-American undercurrent in her party, a sentiment thats particularly strong in the eastern German states which retain strong sympathies for Russia and Vladimir Putin.

He also offers possible inroads to the Trump camp, which have so far been dominated by European leaders like Italys Giorgia Meloni and Viktor Orban of Hungary. European attendees at Trumps inauguration this month will give an indication of where loyalties lie, on both sides.

Still, pollsters say Musks support is unlikely to help the AfD electorally. Its support held steady at 19% in a weekly Forsa poll released Tuesday, while Scholzs SPD and the main opposition CDU/CSU each gained a point to 17% and 32% respectively.

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Indeed, his posts might conceivably rebound on Tesla and its gigafactory located outside Berlin. Public support for a campaign to boycott Tesla picked up last summer when Musk came out in support of Trump, and those rumblings are again being heard in Germany.

Critics say that as a multibillionaire with global business interests from satellite launches to artificial intelligence, hes not simply offering opinions. They see his posts as part of a pattern of support for right-wing nationalist parties and individuals that pose a fundamental challenge to European unity.

German Vice Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck said that Musks money and unbridled communication power are not marshaled in support of the AfD out of ignorance. Rather, Musk strengthens those who weaken Europe, he said in a New Years address. A weak Europe is in the interests of those for whom regulation is an unreasonable limit to their power.

Musk has frequently clashed with the EU, the top global digital rulemaker, with the commission opening an investigation into X under its content moderation law, the Digital Services Act, or DSA. Things swiftly turned personal, with Musk and EU officials  notably former digital czar Thierry Breton  publicly feuding online.

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While the newly appointed commission has struck a more conciliatory tone, Musk remains a harsh critic, recently belittling the 27 nation blocs satellite constellation as a childs toy compared to his Starlink. The EU said it will monitor Musks live-stream with Weidel to see if Xs algorithms are used to boost the party during the interview in a way that poses systemic risks.

Musks strategy, at least in Germany, appears to be independent from Trump. JD Vance posted on X that he would not endorse a party as its not my country and we hope to have good relations with all Germans.

For Bannon, however, Trumps presidential election victory proved that he is an armor-piercing shell that will blow up the US political establishment  and he believes Musk may be positioned to achieve the same thing in Europe.

Musk just spent a quarter of a billion dollars to elect Trump, says Bannon. If he puts the same amount of money into all of Europe that he put behind Trump, he will flip every nation to a populist agenda. Theres not a centrist left-wing government in Europe that will be able to withstand that onslaught.

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That may be wishful thinking for Bannon, who has long agitated for a populist revolution. All the same, Musk, with virtually unlimited resources, might just be getting started.

His successful intervention on behalf of Trump brought the realization that he commands a lot of political influence on top of his enormous business clout, according to Dennis Steffan, a professor of political communication and expert on social media at the Free University of Berlin. Musk has now tasted blood, he said.

--With assistance from Gian Volpicelli, Jenny Leonard, Alberto Nardelli and Dana Hull.

(Updates with latest German election polling in paragraph after Meloni picture.)

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A years-old abuse scandal in England dominated the UK Parliaments first Prime Ministers Questions of 2025 after Elon Musk seized on the issue.

The row centers around so-called grooming gangs that abused girls in several cities; the scandal was first exposed in the early 2010s, and most of the perpetrators were of British Pakistani heritage. Several local investigations have been conducted related to the abuse cases, as well as one national inquiry that concluded in 2022.

Musk  who has ramped up criticism in recent weeks both of Keir Starmers left-leaning Labour government and other US allies in Europe  falsely accused the prime minister of enabling the gangs.

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The issue took center stage in Westminster Wednesday, as the opposition Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch pressed Starmer to open a national inquiry.

The prime minister accused Conservatives of jumping on a social media bandwagon, but left the door open to a further investigation.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox dedicated his second inaugural address to what he considers the states greatest asset: not its sterling economy, its world-class wilderness, or even its leaders. Its Utahs people who make the state special, he said.

The recognition the Beehive State received during Coxs first administration had little to do with the actions of his administration, he said. It had everything to do with Utahs unparalleled levels of what he called social capital  the important connections, like family unity, charitable giving and volunteer groups  that bind a place together.

Faith, family and community: Utah has it. And the rest of the world is desperately yearning to find it. We must not give up now when its needed more than ever before, Cox said. Utah must stand tall as that shining city on a hill. We must be different.

Its all about the family

Cox publicly launched his second four-year term during a ceremony on Wednesday at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City following a private swearing-in on Monday.

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The event included the ceremonial swearings-in of Cox, Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, Attorney General Derek Brown, State Auditor Tina Cannon and State Treasurer Marlo Oaks. Brown and Cannon were elected for the first time in November. Cox, Henderson and Oaks were reelected to a second term.

Oaths of office were administered by Chief Justice Matthew Durrant of the Utah Supreme Court, followed by speeches from Henderson and Cox, as well as musical numbers from the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, Gentri, a student mariachi band and Dallyn Vail Bayles.

The crowd included former Utah Govs. Mike Leavitt, Jon Huntsman Jr. and Gary Herbert, as well as hundreds of Utah lawmakers, business leaders, university administrators and religious representatives, including President Dallin H. Oaks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Former governors of Utah, from left, Mike Leavitt and former first lady Jacalyn Smith, Jon Huntsman Jr. and former first lady Mary Kaye Huntsman, and Gary Herbert and former first lady Jeanette Herbert are recognized during the state of Utahs public inauguration ceremonies held at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

Cox described his first term as an attempt to write the next chapter of Utahs history, pointing to his administrations role in shrinking state taxes, suing social media giants, setting higher salaries for teachers and securing the 2034 Winter Olympics.

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According to Cox, these policy goals may have played a small part in the recognition received by the state over the last four years, which include the best state in the nation, the best state to start a business, the best state for the middle class, the most affordable state, the state with best upward mobility and the state with the best economic outlook.

But the true source of these accolades is located far from the steps of the Utah Capitol and the skyscrapers of downtown business districts, Cox said. The true secret to Utahs No. 1 status is better reflected by the studies that find Utah among the top places in the nation for getting married, having children and going to church, Cox said.

The incredible things weve been able to accomplish over the past four years happened because of our strong social capital, Cox said. And if we want to continue to cut taxes, create jobs, build infrastructure, lift people out of poverty and make the American dream a reality for the next generation, we need more of it. And it can only happen one family, one neighborhood and one community at a time.

First lady Abby Cox looks at a photo from her and Gov Spencer Coxs high school prom during the state of Utahs public inauguration ceremonies held at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

Cox focuses on his personal story

Utahs governor is himself the product of the states unique network of social capital, he said.

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During Coxs troubled teenage years, after his parents divorced, it was his next door neighbors who gave him a sense of stability, he said. When he was getting up to mischief, it was his step-aunt and uncle who trusted him to watch over their horses and 2,000 sheep 40 miles from the closest town. As Cox faced peer pressure in high school, it was his English teacher who challenged him to take school seriously.

Coxs list went on to include members of his church congregation, Scout leaders and other residents of Fairview, his hometown. These were the people, the community, the social capital that Cox said provided him with the support, encouragement and resources that no government program ever could.

Utah is not number one because of our government. We are number one because of our people, Cox said.

While Cox focused his campaign season on lofty promises to grow the supply of starter homes by 35,000 housing units and double the states energy production, he said the overarching theme of his second term will be a combination of providing the infrastructure and just getting the government out of the way so that the states faiths, families and communities can grow.

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On Wednesday, Cox announced a policy initiative to support the community networks that undergird the states economy and culture.

Members of the Utah National Guard perform a flyover after the state of Utahs public inauguration ceremonies held at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

His Built Here second-term strategic plan includes 22 objectives aimed at supporting struggling people in Utah, making Utah a better place to live and investing in the states prosperity. The initiative will base its success on metrics like reducing intergenerational poverty, increasing housing units and multiplying alternative postsecondary education programs.

As Cox said Wednesday, social capital is not created by government. It is created in our families, our congregations, in our neighborhoods and volunteer organizations. But Cox believes there is room on the margins for public policy to strengthen social capital.

In 2022, Cox created the Office of Families to recommend pro-family policies, like child tax credits and mental health resources, to lawmakers. Cox also pointed to his administrations efforts to hold Meta and TikTok accountable for harming young people, and the states record funding for K-12 education, as steps taken to support Utah families.

Four years later

Four years ago, Cox would never have given a speech on social capital, he said.

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The governor held his first inauguration ceremony in 2021 at an amphitheater in Ivins, Washington County, both as a way to maintain the then-mandatory social distancing rules at the height of COVID-19, and as a way to signal the importance of representing southern Utah. It was the first inauguration to take place outside of Salt Lake City in the states history.

After a summer of violent riots, amid protests over pandemic lockdowns, against the backdrop of rising inflation, and just two days ahead of the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, Cox spoke of social polarization, disinformation and the potential catastrophic failure of our democracy.

Cox spoke about the importance of civic charity, and of debating ideas respectfully instead of demonizing political opponents  ideas he later promoted with his Disagree Better initiative as chair of the National Governors Association.

Immediately following the 2021 inauguration ceremony, Cox and Henderson visited their hometowns on their way back north to watch fireworks celebrating Utahs 125th year of statehood.

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On his stop in Fairview, Sanpete County, Cox became emotional as he recognized friends, family and neighbors in the crowd. He recounted how they had helped him as a child, and again when he became mayor of the town. He thanked those standing in the cold January air and made them a promise.

Thank you for making us who we are. I promise we wont forget where we came from, Cox said at the time.

As workers cleared the stage after Coxs second inauguration speech on Monday, the governor reflected for a moment  on his constituents, on the community that got him there  and concluded, Thats what this speech was really about.

Kassandra Reid, a fifth grader at Meadowlark Elementary, recites the Pledge of Allegiance during the state of Utahs public inauguration ceremonies held at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

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Gentri performs "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the state of Utahs public inauguration ceremonies held at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

Attorney General Derek Brown holds his hand on a Bible held by his wife, Emilie Brown, as he takes the oath of office during the state of Utahs public inauguration ceremonies held at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

Treasurer Marlo Oaks holds his hand on a Bible held by his wife, Elaine Oaks, as he takes the oath of office during the state of Utahs public inauguration ceremonies held at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

Students of Academia Mis Raices and Esperanza Elementary perform America the Beautiful during the state of Utahs public inauguration ceremonies held at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

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Elder Kevin W. Pearson, a General Authority Seventy and Utah Area President with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, gives the invocation during the state of Utahs public inauguration ceremonies held at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson wipes her eye as members of Academia Mis Raices from Esperanza Elementary perform America the Beautiful during the state of Utahs public inauguration ceremonies held at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

Auditor Tina Cannon holds her hand on a Bible held by her husband, David Cannon, as she takes the oath of office during the state of Utahs public inauguration ceremonies held at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

Gentri performs "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the state of Utahs public inauguration ceremonies held at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

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Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson holds her hand on a Bible held by her husband, Gabe Henderson, as she takes the oath of office during the state of Utahs public inauguration ceremonies held at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

Dallyn Vail Bayles performs Bring Him Home during the state of Utahs public inauguration ceremonies held at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson hugs Gov. Spencer Cox after she gave her inaugural address during the state of Utahs public inauguration ceremonies held at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

Gov. Spencer Cox holds his hand on a Bible held by his wife, first lady Abby Cox, as he takes the oath of office, administered by Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant, during the state of Utahs public inauguration ceremonies held at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

Gov. Spencer Cox hugs his wife, first lady Abby Cox, after he took the oath of office, administered by Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant, during the state of Utahs public inauguration ceremonies held at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

Gov. Spencer Cox gives his inaugural address during the state of Utahs public inauguration ceremonies held at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

Gov. Spencer Cox gives his inaugural address during the state of Utahs public inauguration ceremonies held at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square performs Homeward Bound during the state of Utahs public inauguration ceremonies held at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

Gov. Spencer Cox and his wife, first lady Abby Cox, pray as part of the benediction during the state of Utahs public inauguration ceremonies held at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

The audience applauds after The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square performed Battle Hymn of the Republic during the state of Utahs public inauguration ceremonies held at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
A mysterious track defect somewhere along a major New York City subway line is wearing out the wheels on subway cars, causing a shortage of trains on the lettered lines, the Daily News has learned.

The steel wheels of a subway car typically last months before needing to be refreshed and resurfaced through a process called truing, which ensures the wheels are round and properly tapered to glide smoothly over the rails.

But over the past two months, the wheels of the R160 cars maintained in New York City Transits Jamaica Yard have been wearing out in a matter of weeks, multiple sources with knowledge of subway operations have told The News.

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Those cars operate on the E, F and R lines, and sources tell The News that the issue is taking dozens of cars out of service on any given day.

NYC Transit engineers are reviewing why wheels on some R160 cars appear to have worn down sooner than anticipated, requiring nonurgent repairs, William Amarosa, MTAs acting head of subways, confirmed in a statement. Preliminary review is underway to determine the root cause of the apparent additional wear on those wheels, beyond what is routinely anticipated by the planned maintenance schedule.

The rapid wheel wear has resulted in a sizable train shortage on the systems B division  the lettered lines  and has caused the MTA to shuffle around older rolling stock to keep up sufficient service across the board.

Large chunks of the territory served by the E, F and R trains  specifically the Queens Blvd. line in Queens and the Culver line in Brooklyn  operate with computerized signaling systems and require cars equipped to communicate with the modern signal network.

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That means the MTA has had to pull more modern trains from elsewhere in the system to supplement the ailing R160s out of Jamaica.

Last weekend, G train riders were greeted with the familiar orange conversational seating of the old R68 train cars, roughly 60 of which were pulled off of the B, D, and N lines to serve on the G.

In turn, the MTA sent a dozen five-car R160 sets from the G train to Jamaica, where they were configured into six 10-car trains for service on the E, F and R lines. An unknown number of R179s from the A and C are also being sent to Jamaica.

The additional trains are meant to allow service to continue as normal on those three lines, despite the fact that trains are being taken out of service for wheel truing more frequently.

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So far, MTA officials say, the subway swap has been a success  all B-division lines involved have been running with the same number of trains on the same schedule this week, according to MTA headquarters, and the only change straphangers see is a retro ride on the G.

But the cause of the rapidly wearing wheels remains a mystery  and its expected to affect the cars borrowed from other lines soon enough.

Multiple sources with knowledge of the problem told The News that the MTAs engineers suspect a misaligned section of track somewhere in the system is the root of the problem, rather than an issue with the wheels themselves.

The R160 trains in question rotate between the E, F and R lines, the sources said, and are not strictly dedicated to one route or another.

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The E, F and R trains run together along the Queens Blvd. line from the Jamaica Yard before splitting to go their separate ways under Sunnyside. The F train travels into Manhattan via the newly refurbished 63rd St. tunnel. The E joins the M in the 53rd St. tunnel, and the R joins the N and the W in the 60th St. tunnel.

Cars from other lines that share portions of track with the E, F and R are not showing similar wear issues, sources said  meaning that the problem is likely in a section of track used only by E, F or R trains. Such sections would include the 63rd St. tunnel, the Rutgers St. tunnel connecting Brooklyn and Manhattan, or the southern ends of the Culver and Fourth Ave. lines in Brooklyn.

Three sources told The News that MTA engineers are focusing on a handful of curved portions of track, but have yet to definitively find the problem. Multiple runs by the systems track-geometry cars  specialized work trains that use a suite of cameras and measuring devices to check the spacing and alignment of the rails  have yet to turn up anything definitive.

An MTA spokesman said the agency is expecting to find and fix the problem soon. The borrowed R160s are expected back on the G line by the end of March, when theyll be joined by two new R211 trains.

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An R160 and a set of track defects were at the center of a bizarre derailment last January, when a slow-moving F train jumped the track on the Culver Line in southern Brooklyn.

As uncovered by The News, a crucial set of bolts in the suspension of the derailed train car was discovered to have been missing in that incident. A subsequent MTA investigation found that a misaligned rail along that section of track exacerbated the suspension problem and caused the derailment.

There is no indication that the wheel-wear issue is in any way related to last years derailment.
The Summary

NASA has announced an overhaul to its plan to bring samples from Mars back to Earth.

Agency officials have decided to scrap parts of their original plan to cut down on the difficulty and cost.

Instead, NASA plans to pursue two alternative options simultaneously.

NASA on Tuesday announced an overhaul to its plan to collect samples from Mars and return them to Earth.

Agency officials said they have decided to scrap parts of their original plan to cut down on the missions technical difficulty and cost and to shorten the timeline for when the samples could be brought back.

Through its Mars Sample Return Program, NASA has for more than two decades been inching toward the goal of retrieving samples of Martian soil that NASAs Perseverance rover has been collecting since 2021. To do that, the agency had been working to develop multiple new spacecraft to relay the samples off the Martian surface and fly them back to Earth.

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NASA said in its announcement it is changing the plan for the spacecraft that will land on Mars to retrieve the samples and exploring two new, different options.

One of the options is to attempt a style of landing similar to what NASA successfully executed with the Curiosity and Perseverance rovers. As each rover made its descent, rockets were fired to slow the spacecraft, and an intricate sky crane then lowered them to the Martian surface.

The second option would be to work with private space companies to send a new lander to Mars.

NASA plans to pursue both possibilities in tandem before it makes a final decision about which to use in 2026.

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Space industry experts had speculated for months about the fate of the Mars Sample Return Program, which has fallen behind schedule as its budget has swelled.

The cost began to accelerate to the point that earlier this past year, it was thought that it could be as much as $11 billion, and you would not even get the samples back until 2040, NASA administrator Bill Nelson said at a news briefing Tuesday. That was just simply unacceptable.

NASAs original plan called for developing a sample retrieval lander, which would have been equipped with two helicopters to retrieve the sealed sample tubes of rock, soil and atmosphere that Perseverance has collected and cached. The lander would also have carried a rocket to launch the samples off the Martian surface.

Perseverance, which touched down in 2021, has been exploring a 28-mile-wide basin north of the Martian equator that scientists think was home to an ancient river delta.

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NASA's earlier plan called for the helicopters to gather the rover's samples, after which the landers robotic arm would load them into the rocket. Then the rocket would blast off the Martian surface and jettison a capsule containing the samples while it was in orbit around the planet.

After that would come yet another cosmic relay: The capsule would be intercepted by a spacecraft designed by the European Space Agency, and the precious cargo would begin a journey to Earth.

The details of the design for a different lander and how it would gather the samples once it is on Mars are not yet clear. NASA said, however, that both of the new options involve a smaller rocket system to blast off the Martian surface.

The two alternatives would still use the European-developed vehicle for the journey back to Earth.

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Nelson said the changes to NASA's plan could allow samples to arrive back on Earth as early as 2035, but he added that, depending on NASA funding, the timeline could extend to 2039.

He said that the sky crane option would be likely to cost $6.6 billion to $7.7 billion and that the commercial route would be likely to cost $5.8 billion to $7.1 billion.

NASA officials emphasized the importance of studying the samples.

Mars Sample Return will allow scientists to understand the planets geological history and the evolution of climate on this barren planet where life may have existed in the past and shed light on the early solar system before life began here on Earth, Nicky Fox, head of NASAs Science Mission Directorate, said in a statement. This will also prepare us to safely send the first human explorers to Mars.

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However, NASA has faced scrutiny in recent years over the cost and timing of several of its biggest programs, including the Mars Sample Return initiative and the Artemis return-to-the-moon program.

The United States also faces increased competition from China, which has made rapid advancements in its space program over the past decade. Last year, China became the first country to collect and return samples from the far side of the moon, and Chinese officials have said they intend to launch a mission to retrieve samples from Mars and return them to Earth by around 2031.

Nelson, however, said that NASAs plan is more intricate than what Chinese officials have spoken about publicly and that the U.S. program is centered on answering fundamental questions about Mars history, rather than being driven by a space race.

You cannot compare the two missions, he said. Will people say that theres a race? Well, of course people will say that. But its two totally different missions.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Anyone hoping for a clear path forward this year for NASAs imperiled Mars Sample Return mission will have to wait a little longer.

The agency has settled on two potential strategies for the first effort to bring rock and soil from another planet back to Earth for study, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said Tuesday: It can either leverage existing technology into a simpler, cheaper craft or turn to a commercial partner for a new design.

But the final decision on the missions structure  or whether it should proceed at all  is going to be a function of the new administration, Nelson said. President-elect Donald Trump will take office Jan. 20.

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I don't think we want the only [Mars] sample return coming back on a Chinese spacecraft, Nelson said, referencing a rival mission that Beijing has in the works. I think that the [Trump] administration will certainly conclude that they want to proceed. So what we wanted to do was to give them the best possible options so that they can go from there.

The call also contained words of encouragement for NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory in La Canada Flintridge, which leads the embattled missions engineering efforts.

To put it really bluntly, JPL is our Mars center in NASA science, said Nicky Fox, associate administrator of the Science Mission Directorate. They are the people who landed us on Mars, together with our industry partners. So they will be moving forward, regardless of which path, with a key role in the Mars Sample Return.

In April, after an independent review found near zero probability of Mars Sample Return making its proposed 2028 launch date, NASA put out a request for alternative proposals to all of its centers and the private sector. JPL was forced to compete for what had been its own project.

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The independent review board determined that the original design would probably cost up to $11 billion and not return samples to Earth until at least 2040.

That was just simply unacceptable, said Nelson, who paused the mission in late 2023 to review its chances of success.

Ensuing cuts to the missions budget forced a series of layoffs at JPL , which let go of 855 employees and 100 on-site contractors in 2024.

The NASA-led option that Nelson suggested Tuesday includes several elements from the JPL proposal, according to a person who reviewed the documents. This leaner, simpler alternative will cost between $6.6 billion and $7.7 billion, and will return the samples by 2039, he said. A commercial alternative would probably cost $5.8 billion to $7.1 billion.

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Nelson, a former Democratic U.S. senator from Florida, will step down as head of the space agency when Trump takes office. Trump has nominated as his successor Jared Isaacman, a tech billionaire who performed the first private space walk, who must be confirmed by the Senate.

NASA has not had any conversations with Trumps transition team about Mars Sample Return, Nelson said. How the new administration will prioritize the project is not yet clear.

Its very uncertain how the new administration will go forward, said Casey Dreier , chief of space policy for the Planetary Society, a Pasadena nonprofit that promotes space research. Cancellation is obviously still on the table. ... Its hard to game this out.

Planetary scientists have identified Mars Sample Return as their field's highest priority in the last three decadal surveys, reports that the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine prepare every 10 years in order to advise NASA.

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Successfully completing the mission is "key for the nation's leadership in space science," said Bethany L. Ehlmann , a planetary scientist at Caltech in Pasadena. "I hope the incoming administrator moves forward decisively to select a plan and execute. There are extraordinary engineers at JPL and NASA industry partners eager and able to get to work to make it happen."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for Friday ahead of an "impactful snow" event which is expected to blanket Middle Tennessee and cause significant travel impacts.

The weather service issues winter storm watches when there is a potential for heavy snow or significant ice accumulations, the watch is in effect from Friday morning through late Friday night.

Wednesday night is anticipated to be the coldest night of the forecast, with lows falling into the teens and a 10-30% chance of single digit temperatures in the Cumberland Plateau region.

WINTER STORM WATCH for snow Friday and Friday night. Our current forecast shows 4 to 7 inches. Specific amounts may change, but we are HIGHLY CONFIDENT that snow will blanket the area causing SIGNIFICANT TRAVEL PROBLEMS for Middle TN and surrounding areas. pic.twitter.com/xW0eqjTduz  NWS Nashville (@NWSNashville) January 8, 2025

Snow will move into the Middle Tennessee region on Friday morning and will continue into early Saturday, said the weather service. The heaviest snow is expected in the late morning into the early evening and major travel issues like slippery and snow-covered roads are expected.

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Travel is not advised on Friday.

How much snow is Nashville expected to receive on Friday?

The current forecast calls between four and seven inches of snow for the entire Middle Tennessee region, but there is a 30-50% chance that some areas could see more than seven inches, said the weather service.

Nashville is expected to receive four inches of snow on Friday, while surrounding areas like Clarksville, Lafayette and Columbia could receive up to six.

Snow will move into Middle Tennessee early Friday and will continue into early Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. The heaviest snow is expected in the late morning into the early evening and major travel issues are expected.

The weather service is anticipating a heavier, wet snow initially, but will become more of a light and fluffy snow as colder air works in aloft in the late afternoon and evening.

Quieter weather moves in Saturday, snow issues expected to linger

Snow is expected to move out Friday evening and into early Saturday, however travel impacts will remain, said the weather service. Saturday night will be very cold with lows in the teens and overall dry weather will continue into next week.

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Highs are expected to rise above freezing each day after Saturday and drop below freezing at night, added the weather service. Issues with thawing, snow melting and re-freezing at night are likely to cause issues with the snow early into next week.

Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com or follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @_leyvadiana

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: How much snow will Nashville, Middle Tennessee get on Friday?
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Both sides are apparently considering a plea agreement in the federal criminal case of real estate developer Nate Paul, who faces a dozen counts of bank and wire fraud, according to discussions in the courtroom Wednesday morning.

The idea of a plea deal popped up after both sides made arguments on the defenses motion to dismiss the charges. Neither Pauls defense team nor U.S. attorneys have spoken openly of a possible plea agreement in the case.

Following a discussion in U.S. District Judge David Ezras chambers, the defense and prosecution returned to the open courtroom and began informally talking about next steps for the case with a court clerk. Ezra and other court personnel were not present. At that point, the clerk clearly and openly said both sides were simultaneously talking about a plea agreement. Nothing further was said on the subject.

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Paul, 37, has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Last February, when KXAN asked Pauls attorney E.G. Morris if the defense was considering a plea deal, Morris responded bluntly: this case is going to trial.

Pauls attorney Simon Latcovitch was asked outside the courtroom whether a plea agreement was on the table, but he declined to comment. KXAN reached out to several of Pauls attorneys via email about what was said in the courtroom, and they have not responded. We will update this story if they do.

Trial date extension denied

Ezra on Wednesday denied a joint motion for continuance sought by both sides to push the trial from February to April. Ezra said the case has been continued an extraordinary number of times.

This case has gone on way too long, Ezra said. There has to be a point where the court puts its foot down.

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The original trial date was set for Aug. 14, 2023. It has been reset three times since then. In motions to extend the trial date, both sides have asked for more time to analyze a mountain of electronic documents. Pauls attorneys have said the electronic discovery records include millions of pages.

Charges against Paul

Paul was initially charged in June 2023 with eight counts of bank fraud alleging he made false statements to lending institutions to obtain $172 million in loans. Federal prosecutors added four more counts in a superseding indictment that November alleging he committed wire fraud against private investors in limited partnerships, court records show.

Each of the four wire fraud charges could carry up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines. The eight bank fraud counts have maximum sentences of 30 years each and $1 million fines.

The federal charges relate to his work as head of the real estate company World Class, which used numerous companies to manage a vast real estate portfolio.

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A civil case involving World Class companies and a charitable foundation was intertwined in allegations of abuse of office against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton that were central to Paxtons impeachment. Paxton was acquitted on all articles of impeachment against him in 2023.

Motions to dismiss and sever

In the motion to dismiss Paul argues prosecutors did not allege all the elements of the charges against him in the indictment  namely that he acted willfully.

Willfulness is an essential element of each of these offenses, but these counts fail to allege that Mr. Paul acted willfully, according to the motion to dismiss filed in October.

Government prosecutors responded that all 12 of the counts were adequately charged and the motion to dismiss should be denied.

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Pauls motion to sever, filed the same day as the motion to dismiss, asks the court to separate the wire and bank fraud counts. The counts should be split because they are not of a similar character, transaction or scheme, and they could lead to prejudice against Paul, according to his motion.

In their response, the government said the bank and fraud counts are properly joined because they are part of a common scheme or plan and share similar character.

The purpose of the defendants deception is the same in every instance: financing the growth of the defendants real estate business and holdings through deception, according to the governments response. The character of the defendants misrepresentations is similar across all of the charges.

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 KXAN Austin.
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  January marks the 21st annual National Stalking Awareness Month, and laws and resources exist to help victims.

According to The Stalking Prevention, Awareness and Resource Center (SPARC), one in three women and one in six men experience stalking at some point in their lives. More than 80% of stalkers are either acquaintances or intimate partners.

Stalking is a crime that happens in Mississippi, but criminal statutes, as well as the resources available to victims, may be confusing. Below is an overview.

Stalking

In Mississippi, stalking is conduct or a credible threat directed at a specific person, that one knows or should know would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety, another persons safety or damage or destruction to their property.

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One becomes guilty of aggravated stalking if the stalking involves a deadly weapon that puts the victim or a third person in fear of death or serious bodily injury. According to SPARC, 69% of female and 80% of male stalking victims were threatened with physical harm.

The crime automatically is elevated to aggravated stalking if done by one convicted of stalking someone in the last seven years or if done by a registered sex offender pursuing a minor.

Whether stalking is classified as a misdemeanor or a felony depends on the circumstances of the case. The maximum penalty for stalking is one year in jail and a fine of $1,500. The maximum penalty for aggravated stalking is five years in prison and a fine of $3,000. For registered sex offenders found guilty of aggravated assault against a minor, six years in prison and a $4,000 fine.

Third teen arrested for trying to steal reserve deputys vehicle: JPD

Cyberstalking

It is unlawful for a person to use electronic communication to convey a message threatening to inflict bodily harm to a person, their child, sibling, spouse, dependent, property or for extortion purposes.

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It also encompasses a false electronic statement sent to a person or certain family members about a death, injury, illness, disfigurement, indecent conduct or criminal conduct. It must be done with the intent to threaten, terrify or harass them.

Knowingly letting a device under the persons control be used for any above purpose prohibited by statute also constitutes cyberstalking in Mississippi.

Those found guilty may be punished for up to two years in prison and given up to a $5,000 fine. However, if any of the following applies, the punishment escalates to up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

The cyberstalking violates a restraining order

It violates a condition of probation, parole, pretrial release or release on bond

The offense results in a credible threat being communicated

The individual has previously been convicted of violating Mississippis or a similar cyberstalking law

Address Confidentiality Program

The program under the Mississippi Attorney Generals Office allows victims to have a substitute address assigned to them for their safety. Those signed up will have their first-class mail sent to a secure address and then forwarded to their new home.

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The substitute address can also be used to get a drivers license, register to vote and enroll children in public school.

Other Resources

SPARCs mission is to ensure that law enforcement, crisis centers and other institutions have the training and resources they need to better respond to stalking. It does not provide services or guidance directly to victims of the crime.

Resources from the National Sexual Assault Hotline and Stalking Resource Center are also available. For more information, click here.

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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 WJTV.
Tulfo hails signing of Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers IRR

Committee on Migrant Workers Chairperson Sen. Raffy Tulfo hailed the signing of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 12021 or the "Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers" held at the Malacanang Palace today, January 8.

Tulfo, principal sponsor and one of the main authors of Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers at the Senate, said the IRR is a product of thorough consultation, review and collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure that every provision of the law serves the best interest of domestic and overseas Filipino seafarers.

"Ang IRR na ito ang sisiguro na masusunod ang mahahalagang probisyon ng batas at magtitiyak na sapat na mapoprotektahan ang mga karapatan at pribilehiyo ng mga Filipino Seafarer sakaling may kaharapin silang mga problema habang ginagampanan ang kanilang tungkulin," he said.

Tulfo added that the IRR also promotes full employment for Filipino seafarers while ensuring equal opportunities in the maritime industry for equitable access to education, training, and development, regardless of gender.

Likewise, he stressed that the IRR also recognizes shipowners, Maritime Higher Education Institutions (MHEIs), manning and recruitment entities as vital partners in protecting and empowering Filipino seafarers.

The Senator from Isabela and Davao also thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for prioritizing the welfare of Filipino seafarers. It can be recalled that PBBM signed into law the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers last Sept. 23 2024. On his part, Tulfo vows to monitor the implementation of the law to ensure that it would always protect the rights of seafarers and improve their working conditions.
Nippon Steel was standing firm on its proposed $15 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel, Chief Executive Eiji Hashimoto said yesterday after President Joe Bidens blocked the top Japanese steelmakers move.

There is no reason or need to give up, he told reporters at company headquarters in Tokyo. We are convinced its clearly beneficial for both nations.

While acknowledging the effort may take time, he stressed the companies latest legal action in the U.S. was a key development.

Nippon Steel Corp. and U.S. Steel filed federal lawsuits Monday challenging the Biden administrations decision as ignoring the rule of law.

In separate lawsuits in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, the steelmakers challenged the Biden administrations move, noting the acquisition will enhance, not threaten, United States national security.

In blocking the transaction Friday, Biden said U.S. companies producing steel need to keep leading the fight on behalf of Americas national interests.

Proponents of the takeover, which surfaced more than a year ago, say Japan is a U.S. ally, as well as a top investor in American companies.

They also argue Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel coming together makes for a viable force in an industry now dominated by the Chinese, creating jobs and economic impact of up to $1 billion.

Hashimoto reiterated that Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel were united as one in wanting the deal. They both feel Bidens decision is unlawful and invalid, and hope to win understanding for their effort, he told reporters.

The U.S. market remains a key part of Nippon Steels global strategy, said Hashimoto.

U.S. Steel Corp. has accused the Biden administration of interference. YURI KAGEYAMA, TOKYO, MDT/AP
A fleet of up to 10 NATO vessels will guard the infrastructure under the Baltic Sea until April, the Finnish broadcaster Yle reported on Jan. 7 after several cables were cut in suspected sabotage.

The ships, mainly from Finland and Estonia, will patrol the Gulf of Finland, Yle reported.

Over the past six months, several telecommunication and energy cables underneath the Baltic Sea have been damaged, with four telecom cables and one power cable severed on Dec. 25.

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Only two of those cables of the Christmas incident were repaired by Jan. 7. Authorities suspect the Russian shadow vessel Eagle S of the sabotage.

The shadow fleet refers to a group of aging, poorly insured tankers Russia uses to avoid international sanctions on its oil trade. Moscow also uses these vessels for espionage.

Concerns about Russian illicit activities in the Baltic Sea are rising, as Denmark reported two Russian-registered vessels circulating in a small area between Sweden and Denmark for at least a day.

The purpose of the two vessels, currently monitored by the Danish authorities, remains unclear.

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In a separate initiative, the U.K-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) has set up a tracking system to alert allies if a ship poses a threat to undersea cable infrastructure.

NATO is increasing its military presence in the Baltic Sea to bolster situational awareness and deter potential threats.

Allies are also exploring measures to protect critical undersea infrastructure, supported by NATO's Maritime Centre for Security of Critical Undersea Infrastructure, established in May.

NATO officials have raised alarm over a growing number of Russian sabotage operations in Europe since the West threw its support behind Kyiv after the outbreak of the full-scale invasion in 2022.

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Read also: German FM warns of Russian shadow fleet amid undersea cable incidents, calls for sanctions

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A U.S. Navy seaman is accused of pulling double duty as a shipboard drug dealer while serving on the San Diego-based nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, only getting caught after a batch of bogus Percocet tainted with fentanyl killed a fellow sailor.

Bailey Szramowski, 27, knew the pills were laced, but sold them to at least two shipmates anyway, according to a federal complaint filed Tuesday.

Szramowski, who does not yet have an attorney listed in court records, was unable to be reached for comment. A Navy spokesman told The Independent he would look into Szramowskis service status as he awaits trial.

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The USS Lincoln is known as the carrier on which former President George W. Bush delivered his now-infamous  Mission Accomplished  speech in 2003, declaring major combat operations in Iraq to be over amid fighting that continued to drag on for another nine years.

The USS Abraham Lincoln is Americas fifth Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The case against Szramowski, a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, native, stems from a fatal January 3, 2023, overdose that left a USS Lincoln sailor dead, according to the complaint. The victim, identified in court filings only as A.N., was on leave at the time, staying in an RV parked outside his aunt and uncles house in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Officers from the San Leandro Police Department say they searched the RV and discovered evidence of drug use  specifically, a rolled-up dollar bill that had a white substance fall out when investigators handled it, the complaint states. An autopsy later concluded that A.N. had died of acute fentanyl intoxication.

Ten days after A.N.s death, a second sailor stationed onboard the USS Lincoln was rushed to the hospital following an apparent OD, the complaint goes on. It says first responders successfully revived the sailor, who is identified in the complaint as C.L., with Narcan, a prescription nasal spray used to counteract opioid overdoses.

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Following C.L.s release from the hospital on January 17, 2023, he agreed to cooperate with Naval Criminal Investigative Service agents probing the source of the fentanyl, according to the complaint. He fingered Szramowski as his dealer, and said he and other sailors had been buying Percosets  branded oxycodone pills, which, in this instance, investigators believe were counterfeit  for roughly a year, the complaint explains.

The USS Lincoln is the carrier on which former President George W. Bush delivered his now-infamous Mission Accomplished speech in 2003 (AFP via Getty Images)

Szramowski sold the pills to C.L. about 10 times during the USS Lincolns 2022 deployment to the South China Sea, and another four times after the carrier returned to San Diego, including on the day of his OD, according to the complaint. It says C.L. told agents that Szramowskis source sent the pills to a Post Office Box in Coronado, California, and that Szramowskis shipboard customers typically paid him via CashApp.

When Szramowski heard that C.L. was planning to meet with NCIS, he called him and said to tell the agents he had in fact gotten the deadly pills from A.N., the complaint contends.

In a separate interview with NCIS, A.N.s aunt and uncle, who were the ones to find A.N.s body, said Szramowski called them once he heard the news and tried, unsuccessfully, to convince them to delete any messages from him on A.N.s phone, the complaint goes on. It says Szramowski was concerned that if law enforcement saw the exchanges, he might go down for murder, or it would ruin his future, or words to that effect.

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Next, NCIS agents interviewed A.N.s former fiancee, G.G., according to the complaint. She confirmed that Szramowski had been A.N.s plug, and told the agents that Szramowski also got high on his own supply, the complaint continues.

The USS Abraham Lincoln is homeported in San Diego, California (U.S. Navy)

G.G. said she had driven with A.N. to his aunt and uncles place in Northern California, where he died, according to the complaint. On the way there, G.G. told NCIS, A.N. showed her a baggie containing 10 Percocets he said he bought from Szramowski for $100, the complaint states. In the aftermath of A.N.s fatal overdose, G.G. said she went through his belongings and found only nine pills left in the baggie, according to the complaint.

The complaint says G.G. told the NCIS agents that Szramowski had admitted to her in person that he gave A.N. the fentanyl-laced pills, but he claimed, it wasnt [his] fault because he told [A.N.] the pills were different, implying that A.N. had fair warning of the lethal nature of the pills he had purchased from Szramowski.

NCIS performed a forensic extraction of A.N.s cell phone, which they say turned up numerous messages between him and Szramowski in which they regularly discussed drug use and drug sales  including perc[s], coca, coke, blow, vics, hydrocodone, lsd, shrooms, and ecstasy, the complaint states. They also occasionally filmed themselves using drugs.

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Agents also reviewed A.N.s CashApp account records, and located the $100 payment to Szramowski for the pills on which he allegedly ODed, according to the complaint.

Szramowski is facing one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. If convicted, he faces a prison sentence of 20 years to life.
For the U.S. Navy to achieve a proposed plan to expand its fleet of battle force ships, the service would need to spend $40.1 billion on shipbuilding every year through 2054, for a total of more than $1 trillion, according to new analysis from the Congressional Budget Office.

Over the next 30 years, the Navy wants to grow its fleet of battle force ships to 381 to face swelling global threats, according to the services most recent proposal. There are currently 295 in the fleet, and that number is expected to drop to 283 ships in 2027, when the Navy is planning to retire 13 more ships than it will commission.

The pace of shipbuilding would be fastest in the early 2030s, reflecting the services desire to increase the size of the fleet as quickly as feasible, the Congressional Budget Office said of the Navys proposal.

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The office, which provides cost estimates of proposed legislation, estimated the plan for the future fleet would require Congress to fund the Navy at levels 46% higher than the average annual funding the service has received over the past five years.

By 2054, the Navy would need a total yearly budget of $340 billion  one-third more than its $255 billion budget today. About $40 billion of that increase would be spent on continued shipbuilding, while the remaining $45 billion would go toward the costs of operating and maintaining the existing ships and purchasing weapons for them.

The estimates from the Congressional Budget Office came in 8% to 16% higher than the Navys own projections. The office said it took into account that some ships have taken longer and been more difficult to build than the Navy has previously anticipated, and the designs have proved more complicated to complete. The Navys cost estimates for some ships were also unrealistically low, the analysis says.

The Congressional Budget Office described the cost of the shipbuilding plan as high when compared with both recent funding levels and historical standards. Funding for ship construction has climbed in the past 10 years, reaching the highest levels since former President Ronald Regan pursued the idea of a 600-ship Navy in the 1980s, the office said.

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Since 2015, lawmakers have appropriated an average of $2.5 billion more per year for shipbuilding than the president has requested, partly because of concerns that the fleet is too small to perform all of its missions, the analysis says.

Navy warship production in worst state in 25 years. Whats behind it?

In order to make plans for the future fleet a reality, the countrys shipyards would also need to drastically increase their productivity from what theyve achieved over the past decade, the Congressional Budget Office reported.

Navy shipbuilding is in a terrible state  the worst in a quarter century, Eric Labs, a longtime naval analyst at the Congressional Budget Office, told The Associated Press in August.

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I feel alarmed, he said. I dont see a fast, easy way to get out of this problem. Its taken us a long time to get into it.

The shipbuilding industry has faced cost overruns and labor shortages that have set the production of some ships years behind schedule.

That was the case with the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier George Washington, which began its midlife refueling in August 2017. The refueling occurs halfway through a carriers 50-year service life to refuel the nuclear power reactor and conduct significant repairs and upgrades. While a refueling typically lasts four years, Newport News Shipbuilding didnt complete the work until nearly six years later, in May 2023, according to a Navy statement.

The carrier underwent inspections and certifications for 10 months, and in November it arrived in Yokosuka, Japan, as the United States only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, the Navy said.

Under the Navys newest proposal for its fleet, aircraft carrier construction would remain fairly steady, the Congressional Budget Office said. But the tonnage of submarines, surface combatants and amphibious warfare ships under construction from 2030 to 2054 would be 50% higher on average than it is today.
North Carolina is joining a bipartisan group of states and the federal government in building on its ongoing litigation against RealPage, accusing the real estate software company of illegally working together with six large landlords to raise rents.

In a 161-page federal complaint filed Tuesday in the Middle District of North Carolina, Attorney General Jeff Jackson and a bipartisan group of other attorneys general accused Texas-based RealPage of illegally working with some of the countrys largest landlords to manipulate, distort, and subvert market forces and set higher rents than what a competitive market would allow.

North Carolina previously joined the federal government and seven other states in suing RealPage for allegedly helping landlords across the country sidestep market competition in August. That lawsuit came after more than a yearlong investigation by then-Attorney General Josh Steins office, which was publicly announced in March.

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Tuesdays complaint, an amended version of the lawsuit filed last year, names RealPage as a defendant, along with six landlords: Greystar Real Estate Partners, LivCor, Camden Property Trust, Cushman & Wakefield, Pinnacle Property Management Services, Willow Bridge Property Company, and Cortland Management.

North Carolinians are struggling to afford their rent as it is  we wont stand for landlords and real estate companies making the problem worse to line their own pockets, Jackson said in a statement. Im suing these landlords to make sure they play by the rules so North Carolinians can get fair prices for rent.

Jackson, who was sworn into office last week, said the landlords were illegally working together and with RealPage to raise North Carolinians rents.

The amended lawsuit against RealPage accuses the company of using its revenue management software to compile competitively sensitive information from landlords, including rental prices from executed leases, lease terms, and future occupancy, and then inputting that broad swath of nonpublic and granular rental data into an algorithm, to provide landlords with daily, near real-time pricing recommendations, and monitor their compliance.

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The lawsuit states that many landlords effectively agree to outsource their pricing function to RealPage with auto acceptance or other settings such that RealPage as a middleman, and not the free market, determines the price that a renter will pay.

Landlords do this to eliminate the guessing game about what their competitors are doing, and ultimately take instructions from RealPage on how to make business decisions to optimize  or in reality, maximize  rents, the complaint states.

During a news conference in August, Stein, who was sworn in last week as governor, said three of the top 10 markets the company operates in are Charlotte, Raleigh, and Durham and Chapel Hill.

In a news release Tuesday, Jacksons office said landlords have allegedly used RealPages algorithm to set rents for almost one-third of one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments in each of the three metro areas.

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RealPage has faced other lawsuits across the country as well. Arizona sued the company and nine landlords in February 2024, and the District of Columbia filed its own lawsuit against RealPage and 13 landlords in November.

Responding to the first lawsuit filed by North Carolina, the federal government, and other states in August, RealPage spokeswoman Jennifer Bowcock said the company was disappointed that, after multiple years of education and cooperation on the antitrust matters concerning RealPage, the DOJ has chosen this moment to pursue a lawsuit that seeks to scapegoat pro-competitive technology that has been used responsibly for years.

Bowcock also said that RealPages software is purposely built to be legally compliant, and we have a long history of working constructively with the DOJ to show that.

The other states joining North Carolina and the U.S. Department of Justice in Tuesdays lawsuit are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oregon, Tennessee, and Washington.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson took legal action Tuesday against six landlords accused of illegally raising rent prices in the state.

The United States Department of Justice joined North Carolina in the lawsuit, along with nine other states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oregon, Tennessee, and Washington. It was filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina.

RELATED: NC joins USDOJ in suing software company accused of illegally raising rent prices

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The North Carolina Attorney Generals Office alleges Greystar Real Estate Partners, Blackstones LivCor, Camden Property Trust, Cushman & Wakefield, Pinnacle Property Management Services, Willow Bridge Property Company, and Cortland Management illegally worked together and with the software company RealPage to raise rent prices for North Carolina residents.

According to the attorney generals office, the six landlords own or manage more than 70,000 units throughout the state, mostly in the Triangle and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg areas.

The lawsuit against the landlords is part of an ongoing bipartisan case against RealPage, which began last August. RealPage is accused of exploiting landlords competitively sensitive information to create a pricing algorithm in violation of antitrust laws, resulting in renters paying inflated prices.

Jackson alleges the landlords communicated with RealPage and each other to share non-public information about rent prices, occupancy, strategies for setting rents, and discounts, allowing landlords using RealPages products to set higher prices for rent than competitive market forces would have set.

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North Carolinians are struggling to afford their rent as it is, Jackson said in a statement. We wont stand for landlords and real estate companies making the problem worse to line their own pockets Im suing these landlords to make sure they play by the rules so North Carolinians can get fair prices for rent.

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OLD FORT, N.C. (WSPA)  The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) visited Western North Carolina to announce they would be giving $1.4 billion to the state and $225 million to the City of Asheville.

We want these funds here as quickly as possible, so we can invest in the people of North Carolina, said Governor of North Carolina, Josh Stein.

He said these dollars are flexible, meaning they will go towards immediate needs a temperatures plummet but also towards long term goals that will rebuild a stronger, better prepared North Carolina.

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Adrianne Todman, the Deputy Secretary of HUD said, Now that we have these funds, I turn to these leaders here and say now weve got to hit the ground running. We have an obligation to ensure this money is working for the people of North Carolina.

Time is crucial, especially with the chance of snow later this week. Stein said there are still more than 12,000 people displaced by the storm.

Multiple officials, including Mayor of Asheville Esther Manheimer, said this is the fastest response they have seen from the federal government.

All the times we stood in the wreckage in the dark, and its hard to believe it only happened a few months ago, and that were here today talking about this kind of funding to help us rebuild, said Manheimer.

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Stein said there is not a plan in place currently detailing how the money will be allocated.

However, he did say it will be used to rebuild essential community buildings, enhance infrastructure and help residents get back on their feet.

He said funding should be here in 2025.

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North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Caldwell) speaks to reporters after the legislative session's opening day on Jan. 8, 2025. (Photo: Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline)

North Carolina lawmakers returned to Raleigh on Wednesday, kicking off a session that is expected to feature continued Hurricane Helene relief and scrutiny for natural disaster efforts past and present.

Over the coming months, the General Assembly will debate the states budget, as well as a wide range of contentious issues  most prominently the ongoing recovery in the mountains.

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The new House Speaker, Destin Hall (R-Caldwell), said a bill setting out more relief for Helene would be coming very soon.

Know that youre not forgotten, Hall said on the House floor, addressing western North Carolinians. Know that this body is going to put you all as the number one priority, the number one fix this session. Were working on some of those things now. Its going to be a long road to recovery. Theres more than $50 billion, probably, in damage. This body is committed to doing everything possible to build back western North Carolina.

Former House Speakers Harold Brubaker, Thom Tillis, and Tim Moore pose with current Speaker Destin Hall. (NCGA screengrab)

On Wednesday, the proceedings in the Legislative Building were largely ceremonial, with new officers and members being formally sworn in and chamber leaders elected. Three former Republican House speakers  including Harold Brubaker, Tim Moore and U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis  were present to congratulate Hall.

Substantial debate will begin later this month.

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While lawmakers are focused foremost on Helene, past hurricanes  and the states response  will likely also drive debate.

Republicans have expressed cautious optimism about working with Gov. Josh Stein, a Democrat, while condemning past recovery efforts under former Gov. Roy Cooper. In particular, ReBuild NC (or NCORR)  the agency charged with rebuilding homes after Hurricanes Florence and Matthew  has drawn criticism by lawmakers.

North Carolina Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) mingles on the Senate floor ahead of the legislative sessions opening day on Jan. 8, 2025. (Photo: Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline)

I havent had a chance to talk with (Stein), but it appears that the steps hes taken is something of an acknowledgement that the NCORR model is not the model for us to continue to go with, Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) told reporters. I think there will be an effort to try to figure out exactly what it looks like. That seems to me to be the most pressing issue weve got.

A razor-thin margin in the House will have implications on veto overrides

The session also brings a partial changing of the guard in leadership across both parties and chambers.

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Hall takes the gavel in the House, with Moore now in Congress. And Senate Democrats will be led by Sen. Sydney Batch (D-Wake) after Sen. Dan Blue (D-Wake) stepped down from the post in December.

Berger and Democratic Leader Robert Reives (D-Chatham) were re-elected to their roles.

North Carolina Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt prepares to preside over the state Senate on the legislative sessions opening day, Jan. 8, 2025. (Photo: Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline)

Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt, a Democrat, will preside over the Senate, where she was formerly a member. She occupies the office previously held by Republican Mark Robinson.

Republicans remain in firm control of both legislative chambers entering the session. But their power in the House was eroded this past election when they lost their supermajority  leaving them just one vote short to override Steins vetoes without any Democratic support.

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We want to have a working supermajority on any given issue, Hall said.

Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper was able to ward off overrides during years in which Republicans were short of supermajorities in the House and Senate.

Last session, when they had veto-proof majorities, Republicans in the legislature canceled each of Coopers vetoes to enact the laws they wanted.

Im hopeful that well be able to find common ground, Berger said of Stein. I do know that there are a number of issues out there that we should be able to reach agreement on. Hurricane recovery is just one of them.

House Democrats, despite the win in November, will still be tasked with whipping crucial votes. That wont always be easy, with just a one-seat margin of error.

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And one key member has already signaled frustration with the party  Rep. Cecil Brockman (D-Guilford). After a vote late last year, Brockman accused party leaders of attacking him and being made a scapegoat.

For those in our party who desire to keep my name in their mouths, let me make it plain and clear for you: Over these next two years, you need me, Brockman said in a statement. I do not need you.

While lawmakers return, ongoing state Supreme Court race looms large

As the chambers convened, a truck circled the Legislative Building  flashing messages about the ongoing state Supreme Court race.

The truck, from Common Cause NC, displayed messages saying, Jefferson Griffins campaign to toss our votes is an injustice, Jefferson Griffins campaign to silence 6,104 Wake Co. voters is shameful, and Jefferson Griffins campaign to silence 60,000 voters is shameful.

A mobile billboard circles the Legislative Building on January 8, 2025, highlighting Jefferson Griffins attempt to throw out thousands of ballots in the state Supreme Court race. (Photo: Christine Zhu/NC Newsline)

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Two months after the election, the race still hasnt been certified.

Republicans on the state Supreme Court have barred the state Board of Elections from certifying Democratic Justice Allison Riggs victory, following GOP Judge Jefferson Griffins request.

Riggs, the incumbent, leads Griffin by 734 votes in the contest. Griffin has made attempts to throw out more than 60,000 votes.

The NC GOP, in a statement Wednesday, said those protests highlight specific irregularities and discrepancies in the handling and counting of ballots, raising concerns about adherence to established election laws.

Berger told reporters Wednesday he preferred not to weigh in on the matter. His son, Phil Berger Jr., serves on the high court as an associate justice.

Common Cause NCs campaigns manager, Gino Nuzzolillo, told NC Newsline in an interview that the protests were a grave insult to North Carolinians who took the time to vote in an era where people distrust their government more and more.
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Republican North Carolina Supreme Court Candidate Jefferson Griffin got a win Tuesday in his fight to challenge some 60,000 votes cast in November.

In a 5-1 ruling, North Carolinas justices said they would hear Griffins challenge and delay certification of the race. Democratic incumbent Allison Riggs currently holds a 734-vote lead. Griffins legal team argued votes that were counted in the 2024 elections had issues with improper ID being used for registration, illegible votes from citizens living overseas, and votes that were not able to be properly challenged.

Both sides will now have to make their arguments before the court. Riggs is recusing herself, so conservatives will hold a 5-1 majority.

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This is about as friendly as you can imagine, at least in terms of partisanship. That doesnt mean that it will absolutely side with Griffin, by any stretch of the imagination, but it does mean that if youre going the play the odds, this is the table youd want to go to, said Western Carolina Professor Christopher Cooper.

Cooper said it is hard to predict what will happen, but a ruling in Griffins favor would likely have ramifications up and down the ballot. If the court does decide with Griffin, it then will introduce a whole host of questions, not just about this race but about other races as well and what effect those 60,000 challenged votes might have in those races.

A spokesperson for North Carolinas GOP told Queen City News they were happy with the courts decision to delay certification. They accuse the State Board of Elections of failing to fairly consider their case back in December.

There was no new word from Riggs campaign Tuesday night, but the Justice and state Democrats held a rally in Raleigh over the weekend. They accused Republicans of trying to undo the will of the people.

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We live in a country where we respect the outcomes of elections, even when they disappoint us, Riggs told reporters.

During the rest of January, both campaigns will have to file their arguments with the Supreme Court, the last due on January 24. That could mean a decision wont be handed down until the end of the month or early February.

Queen City News

Continued Coverage

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Almost 30,000 Ukrainians have been reported missing since the beginning of 2024, including both military personnel and civilians.

Source: Artur Dobroserdov, Commissioner for Persons Missing in Special Circumstances, in a comment for Ukrainska Pravda; Ukrainska Pravda article

Details: Currently, there are over 71,000 entries on the register of missing persons under special circumstances, both military personnel and civilians. Almost 30,000 people have been given this status since the beginning of 2024. Dobroserdov declined to provide specific data on military personnel, as this is classified information.

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Quote from Dobroserdov: "We compile statistics on missing persons by oblast every month, using the place of registration of the missing person. The top three oblasts as of the end of December 2024 are Donetsk, followed by Dnipropetrovsk and Kharkiv oblasts."

More details: Currently, 59,000 Ukrainians are still missing. Of these, 7,500 have been officially confirmed as prisoners of war by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

A total of 71,000 cases, comprising 59,000 being searched for, 3,200 unidentified bodies, 3,923 living military personnel and civilians with known locations, 5,332 identified bodies and 9,255 cases where the search has ended

Infographic: Andrii Kalistratenko for Ukrainska Pravda

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The search for 9,255 individuals has ended as of 1 January 2025. Of these, 3,923 have been found alive. The bodies of another 5,332 have been identified.

The register is also collecting information on unidentified bodies, with over 3,200 entries to date.

Quote from Dobroserdov: "We repatriate bodies every month, sometimes twice a month. We hand over the bodies of Russian invaders and receive the bodies of our defenders. This process occurs regularly, without significant interruptions. Accordingly, certain search operations are taking place on their side. They are returning the bodies. As of now, we have managed to bring back 5,500 bodies."

Background: Ukraine launched the Unified Register of Persons Missing in Special Circumstances in May 2023.

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North Korea said Tuesday its latest weapons test was a new hypersonic intermediate-range missile designed to strike remote targets in the Pacific as leader Kim Jong Un vowed to further expand his collection of nuclear-capable weapons to counter rival nations.

The North Korean state media report came a day after South Koreas military said it detected North Korea launching a missile that flew 1,100 kilometers before landing in waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. The launch, conducted weeks before Donald Trump returns as U.S. president, came off a torrid year in weapons testing.

North Korea demonstrated multiple weapons systems last year that can target its neighbors and the United States, including solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles, and there are concerns that its military capabilities could advance further through technology transfers from Russia, as the two countries align over the war in Ukraine.

North Korea in recent years has flight tested various intermediate-range missiles, which if perfected, could reach the U.S. Pacific military hub of Guam. In recent months, North has been testing combining these missiles with purported hypersonic warheads to improve their survivability.

North Korea since 2021 has been testing various hypersonic weapons designed to fly at more than five times the speed of sound. The speed and maneuverability of such weapons aim to withstand regional missile defense systems. However, its unclear whether these missiles are consistently flying at the speeds the North claims.

The Norths state media said Kim supervised Mondays launch, and that the weapon traveled 1,500 kilometers, during which it reached two different peaks of 99.8 kilometers and 42.5 kilometers and achieved a speed amounting to 12 times the speed of sound, before accurately striking a sea target.

Lee Sung Joon, spokesperson of South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the South Korean military believes North Korea was exaggerating capabilities of the system, saying the missile covered less distance and that there was no second peak.

Lee said the test was likely a followup to another hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile test last April and said it would be difficult to use such systems in a relatively small territory like the Korean Peninsula. He said the South Korean and U.S. militaries were continuing to analyze the missile.

Kim described the missile as a crucial achievement in his goals to bolster the Norths nuclear deterrence by building an arsenal no one can respond to, according to the official Korean Central News Agency.

The hypersonic missile system will reliably contain any rivals in the Pacific region that can affect the security of our state, the agency quoted Kim as saying.

Kim reiterated that his nuclear push was aimed at countering different security threats the hostile forces posed to our state, but KCNA didnt mention any direct criticism toward Washington, Seoul or Tokyo.

The launch took place while U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was visiting Seoul for talks with South Korean allies over the North Korean nuclear threat and other issues.

In a news conference with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul on Monday, Blinken condemned North Koreas launch, which violated U.N. Security Council resolutions against the Norths weapons programs. He also reiterated concerns about the growing alignment between North Korea and Russia in Moscows war on Ukraine. He described the military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow as a two-way street, saying Russia has been providing military equipment and training to the North and intends to share space and satellite technology.

According to U.S., Ukrainian and South Korean assessments, North Korea has sent more than 10,000 troops and conventional weapons systems to support Moscows war campaign. There are concerns that Russia could transfer to North Korea advanced weapons technology in return, which could potentially enhance the threat posed by Kims nuclear-armed military.

At a year-end political conference, Kim Jong Un vowed to implement the toughest anti-U.S. policy and criticized the Biden administrations efforts to strengthen security cooperation with Seoul and Tokyo, which he described as a nuclear military bloc for aggression. KIM TONG-HYUNG, SEOUL, MDT/AP
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  A joint investigation by detectives in Grand Rapids, Walker and Kent County uncovered a public guardians wide-ranging scheme to exploit vulnerable adults, according to court records.

Kimberley St. Onge, who served as a guardian through Kent County Probate Court, is charged with conducting a criminal enterprise, a 20-year-felony, and embezzlement from a vulnerable adult more than $1,000 but less than $20,000.

St. Onge, acting as a legal guardian for multiple individuals, systematically diverted funds meant to support the basic needs of vulnerable adults, a Grand Rapids detective wrote in a probable cause affidavit filed Dec. 17 in 61st District Court. Across all cases, St. Onge exhibited a clear and deliberate pattern of financial exploitation, commingling funds, and neglecting her legal and moral responsibilities as a guardian.

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The complaint lists 12 alleged victims and/or complainants who lost a total of $43,650 in amounts that ranged from $2,351 to $12,968.

However, in an initial fraud case filed in May, a detective reported that Kent Countys guardianship program, which investigated promptly when allegations surfaced, estimated St. Onges mass embezzlement could surpass $100,000.

According to the December affidavit, St. Onge allegedly cashed her wards federal supplemental security income checks at nonbank locations, including Walmart and a liquor store, before depositing them into her own accounts and using them for personal expenses, like gas and hotel stays.

In multiple cases, the detective went on to write, there was no evidence that the wards funds were used to pay their housing costs or personal expenses.

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In the affidavit filed in May, another Grand Rapids detective reported that checks fraudulently cashed on a wards bank account were made out to St. Onges son and mother.

This affiant is aware of five checks which were written between 04/02/24 and 05/05/24 that were not authorized payments for legitimate purposes on behalf of (one of St. Onges wards), wrote the Grand Rapids detective in the May case, These checks totaled $2,400.

A friend of the alleged victim in that case noticed suspicious activity on her friends bank account, notified probate court and helped the ward file a report with the Grand Rapids Police Department.

I first saw a check come through for $600 to some name I never heard of and then several others, the friend told Target 8 in an interview at her northwest Grand Rapids home, and then another $300 and another $300, and they werent things wed normally pay.

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Target 8 is identifying the wards friend by her first name only, Joann, to maintain her privacy. She was conducting a living room Bible study when Target 8 knocked on her door.

Every day I wake up and I ask God to give me wisdom, she explained.

Fittingly, it was Joanns desire to serve that exposed a woman who, according to police, served only herself. Joann had previously managed the finances of a woman with special needs she met at church.

I knew (she) was struggling with her finance situation and there was no family available to help her so I stepped in and told her I would pay her bills for her, explained Joann, whos 83. So my name got put on her checking account, so it was easier to do. Then one day, I decided I was getting older and I should probably turn this over to someone younger.

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Thats when Joann and her friend sought a guardian through Kent County Probate Court and ended up with Kimberly St. Onge.

What St. Onge may not have realized was that Joann was still receiving notifications from her friends bank account.

I first saw the check come through for $600, Joann told Target 8. And then (the wards) rent wasnt getting paid, nor her utilities.

Joann and her friend filed a report with GRPD and notified Kent County Probate Court.

I kind of presumed that (there) was more than one (victim), Joann recalled. If (St. Onge) had clients, she wouldnt just do it to one. So that was kind of the reason we decided wed report it, to help save others, too. There was no other way to go. It had to be done.

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Joann thought her friends affairs would be well-managed.

I turned it over to the state, Joann said. She should have been in good hands.

Michigans Elder Abuse Task Force, convened in 2019 by Attorney General Dana Nessel, has been working to reform guardianship and conservator laws to better protect vulnerable people.

There really hasnt been uniform requirements throughout the state, J. Dee Brooks, Midland County prosecutor and a task force member, said. Thats what were really looking to do to make (the system) more structured, to have a process where those individuals would be required to be certified by the state so we can make sure they have the necessary qualifications and also so they could be monitored.

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The task force has made progress in some areas, enacting the Financial Exploitation Act and creating a Vulnerable Adult Incident Report Form.

PDF: Elder Abuse Task Force initiatives

But a package of additional reform bills has so far failed to make it to a full vote of the Legislature.

I think what happened was there was some pushback from the professional organizations (that represent conservators and guardianships), Brooks explained in an interview with Target 8 via Zoom. They were concerned it would involve over-regulation.

But the task force is not giving up the fight for reform.

The AGs office reports that more than 73,000 older adults in Michigan are victims of elder abuse. If youre seeking resources or youve experienced or witnessed elder abuse, youre urged to call 800.24.ABUSE (22873) or 855.444.3911.

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According to an affidavit filed in 61st District Court, when allegations surfaced against St. Onge in May, Kent Countys Guardianship Program began a review and found clear evidence of fraud, and commingling of finances.

Judge (David M.) Murkowski has issued an order to freeze all bank accounts belonging to Kimberly St. Onge, a detective wrote in one of the affidavits.

Kalie Gascho, probate court register and administrator, declined comment regarding St. Onge due to the ongoing criminal case. did, however, confirm that the court runs criminal history, central registry and credit checks on all potential guardians. She also said St. Onge began serving as a guardian on May 16, 2023, and was terminated on May 21, 2024.

Court records show the alleged embezzlement occurred from June 1, 2023, to May 2024.

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St. Onge, 56, has a clean criminal record in Michigan outside of a 2012 impaired driving conviction, according to the criminal database maintained by state police.

Federal court records show St. Onge, who most recently listed a home address in Zeeland, filed for bankruptcy twice more than 10 years ago.

Shes currently in the Kent County jail in lieu of a $10,000 bond. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 14.

St. Onge declined a jail visit with Target 8 and her defense attorney declined comment, explaining that she had been assigned to the case the same day Target 8 inquired about it.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  As the biological father of a young woman who died by suicide in Henderson expressed anger about the circumstances of his daughters untimely death, the 8 News Now Investigators researched laws surrounding gun storage.

Jennaleah Hin was reported missing on Dec. 30 and found dead on Sunday in Henderson after a weeklong search. Documents Hina Hin, the girls biological father, says came from Henderson Police indicate she shot herself with her stepfathers gun. The stepfather, the report says, is in law enforcement. Jennaleahs stepfather noticed the weapon was missing after the teen disappeared, according to the documents.

The cause of death for Jennaleah was listed by the Clark County coroners office Tuesday as a penetrating contact gunshot wound of the head and neck, with the manner of death being suicide.

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Nevada state statute describes either a misdemeanor or category C felony of a person who knowingly aids or permits a child to handle or have a handgun in his or her possession.

If the person knows or has reason to know that there is a substantial risk that the child use the firearm to commit a violent act, he or she is guilty of a category C felony, Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 202 Section 2 states.

Biological father of teen found dead says hes angry about circumstances around girls suicide

A person does not run afoul of state statute and does not knowingly aid or permit a child to violate Nevadas gun laws if the firearm in the childs possession was stored in a securely locked container or at a location which a reasonable person would have believed to be secure, the statue reads.

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The statue also says that a person is guilty of a misdemeanor who negligently stores or leaves a firearm at a location under his or her control  and knows or should have known that there is a substantial risk that a child prohibited from handling or having in his or her possession  any firearm.

Not all law enforcement agencies have additional procedures beyond the statute and other safe storage requirements.

For anyone struggling with mental health, help is available. Immediate emotional support can be found by dialing 988 to reach the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Confidential care is available at any time.

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Dominique Hackey was waiting to cradle his preemie son for the first time when a nurse delivered devastating news: The newborns left leg was fractured. In an instant, Hackeys world shattered.

His wife, Tori Hackey, had just been discharged after giving birth to fraternal twins, Micah and Noah. The boys, born in September 2023 at Henrico Doctors Hospital in Richmond, Virginia, are the couples first children.

Because they were born at 28 weeks and weighed only about two and three pounds, respectively, the twins had remained in the neonatal intensive care unit  with Micah barely hanging on, Hackey said. And now, seven days after birth, the healthier twins leg was bruised and broken, he said.

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I was confused and heartbroken, he said. Im a first-time parent. I have no background in the medical field. Youre telling me my baby has a fracture? How did it happen? They had been scanned before, and theyd have said something if anything had popped up (at that time).

Out of fear he would be blamed for the injury, the 33-year-old Hackey said he turned down the offer to hold his son that day.

More than a year later, Hackey and other parents may now be closer to understanding what happened at the hospital, which has reported a series of mysterious injuries to newborns over the past several years.

Police last week arrested a former nurse at the hospital, Erin Elizabeth Ann Strotman, and charged her with malicious wounding and felony child abuse in a November 2024 incident involving another newborn.

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Investigators are now looking into a total of seven potential abuse cases at the hospital: three in 2024 and four in 2023, including Noahs, said Shannon Taylor, the commonwealths attorney for Henrico County.

In a statement last week, Henrico Doctors Hospital said it was shocked and saddened by the nurses arrest and is assisting Henrico police in their investigation.

At this time, we are not admitting new patients to our NICU, the hospital added. For babies needing NICU care, we will assess them, stabilize, and facilitate a transfer to an appropriate facility, once available.

Erin Elizabeth Ann Strotman has been charged with malicious wounding and felony child abuse. - Henrico County Sheriff's Office

At Strotmans arraignment Friday, Hackey broke down.

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I could not stop the tears from flowing. I have a lot of guilt. A lot of regret. And a lot of anger that the hospital let it get this far, that we had all these parents whose children were affected, he told CNN. My son was one of her first victims. My sons first emotion was pain. And as a father, that breaks me.

Its unclear whether Strotman, 26, issued a plea at her arraignment. Her attorney, Scott Cardani, declined to comment when reached by CNN.

Police are reviewing hundreds of hours of hospital surveillance footage

Henrico County police investigators said they are scouring hundreds of hours of surveillance footage from the hospitals NICU to determine what happened to the seven newborns.

The investigation is ongoing and there could be more babies identified, Taylor told CNN.

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The incident added to an already stressful pregnancy and delivery after two previous miscarriages, Hackey said. The couple chose to have their babies at the hospital because they believed it had the resources to save their children, he said.

At one point, he said, they were not sure Micah would survive due to his health issues, including low amniotic fluid before he was born.

But Noah appeared to be thriving, and the family was hopeful.

Not long after Hackey left the hospital, he called his mother, whos a director of nursing at a different hospital. She was stunned, he said. The hospital had suggested that Noahs left tibia  the shinbone between the knee and the ankle  may have been fractured while a nurse was administering an injection, he said.

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His mother sat the couple down and showed them how nurses administer shots to preemies to highlight the unlikelihood of broken bones. Hackeys mother then called Child Protection Services on their behalf and reported the case, he said.

The hospital launched an investigation but closed it weeks later after concluding the fracture was likely the result of the injection, he says. In January 2024, Henrico County police reached out to Hackeys family and notified them that the case was closed, he said.

Henrico Doctors' Hospital in Richmond says for now it's stopped admitting babies to its NICU. - WTVR

A police spokesperson declined to comment, saying they cannot provide specifics due to the ongoing investigation.

We understand the feelings and emotions this investigation has generated for our community members and beyond, said Eric D. English, chief of Henrico police, in a statement. We kindly request patience as our detectives work to investigate every piece of evidence in connection to these cases.

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After Strotmans arrest the hospital issued a statement Friday describing her as a former employee and saying it will continue to assist law enforcement in their ongoing investigation.

We are both shocked and saddened by this development in the investigation and are focused on continuing to care for our patients and providing support to our colleagues who have been deeply and personally impacted, the hospital said.

For more than 30 years, the NICU at Henrico Doctors Hospital has provided necessary and life-saving care to babies in central Virginia and we remain focused on ensuring the availability of that care in our community.

The hospital referred all media questions to law enforcement.

The injured infants all are boys

For months, Hackney said, there was silence.

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In September this year, Child Protective Services sent him a letter informing him its investigation revealed that Noah was the victim of abuse at the hospital.

A review of the facts shows  a preponderance of the evidence that child abuse/neglect occurred, said the letter, which he shared with CNN.

Last month, Hackey said he was surprised to see a news article about prematurely born babies injured at the Richmond hospital. One newborn suffered numerous injuries on different months.

To say that were blessed that our son only sustained one fracture is a crazy sentence, he said.

Hackey said the victims included another boy who was a twin, like Noah.

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In a statement Tuesday, Henrico police refuted theories shared on social media that all the infants targeted were Black.

The preliminary investigation indicates this information is not factual, police said. Hackey agrees.

The children were different races, and there were twins and singletons, he said. There was no real methodology there that we can put together. The only thing they have in common is that they are all boys.

Noah Hackey when he was an infant. He and his twin brother are now healthy 16-month-olds. - Courtesy Dominique Hackey

Parents recall a nurse who barely stood out

The Hackey twins are now 16 months old and hitting their developmental milestones. Their father said Noah is rambunctious while Micah is more mellow, introverted and observant. He glances at Noahs antics between watching YouTube educator Ms. Rachel and munching on peanut butter puffs, his father said.

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Noah is certainly walking, climbing. Were going to be in trouble when he learns how to jump. But hes an adventurous, curious little boy, Hackey said. He had a little physical therapy once he got out of the hospital. But other than that, hes perfect.

The Hackeys are slowly learning more details about what happened to Noah and the other children.

After speaking with several families whose children were allegedly abused in 2023, Hackey said hes learned his son was the third of the four victims identified that year. One incident occurred in July, another one in August and two in September, including Noahs, he said.

The former nurse arrested is not a stranger to the families, Hackey said, adding that he remembers her mostly because of her hairstyle  she wore bangs. He added that he didnt notice anything unusual about her at the time, and neither did the other families hes spoken to.

When I saw her face, I was completely shocked because I dont really remember having any conversations with her, he said.

On the day Strotman was arraigned, some of the families of the alleged victims met for the first time at the courthouse, where they shared tears and hugs. Hackey said theyre working on connecting the dots and trying to heal.

Weve found that its easier to heal together than to try to go through all this individually, especially because there are still a lot of missing pieces and we just kind of have to piece it together ourselves, he said.

If found guilty, Strotman faces a maximum of 10 years in prison for the felony child abuse charge and up to 20 years for the malicious wounding charge, said Taylor, the Henrico Countys commonwealths attorney.

Strotman has so far been formally charged in just one babys case as investigations continue in the other cases.

Hackey said the babies parents were told that investigators have found surveillance footage of the November 2024 incident for which Strotman was arrested and are combing through the videos for others.

Strotman is being held without bail. Her next court appearance is scheduled for March 24.

I want to see her go to prison for the rest of her life. Thats the least she deserves, Hackey said.

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Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz announced on Jan. 8 his participation in the upcoming Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting on Jan. 9, hinting that it could be the group's last meeting in the current format.

Kosiniak-Kamysz said the format might change after President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20. Trump has signalled his intention to break with the current U.S. strategy concerning Ukraine.

The UDCG consists of over 50 countries, including all 32 NATO members, that convenes at the U.S. Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

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"I believe NATO should take on a greater burden," Kosiniak-Kamysz said, citing its expanded role in activities such as defending Polish RzeszowJasionka Airport, a key logistics hub for resupplying Ukraine.

The Jan. 9 meeting will focus on strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities through 2027, including air force, armor, artillery, drone, de-mining, missile defense, and maritime security needs, according to a Pentagon statement on Jan. 7.

Kosiniak-Kamysz praised U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, the architect of the Ramstein format, for his steadfast support of Poland, U.S. troop presence in the country, and aid to Ukraine.

"This (Ramstein) format is broader than NATO, and its success is thanks to Austins leadership," he said.

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NATO has already begun transitioning to greater involvement, with member states agreeing in June to pass partial control of weapons supply coordination to Kyiv  a move aimed at ensuring continuity under shifting U.S. leadership, according to Politico.

Trumps plans for the UDCG remain unclear, though his comments blaming President Joe Biden for provoking Russias invasion by supporting Ukraines NATO aspirations have stirred debate.

The incoming administration has yet to provide a detailed framework for its proposed ceasefire negotiations or changes to military aid programs.

The Jan. 9 meeting will serve as a pivotal moment for international efforts to sustain Ukraine's defense amid uncertainty over U.S. policy shifts.

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Read also: Upcoming Ramstein summit to focus on supporting Ukraines defense capabilities through 2027, Pentagon says, as Trump inauguration looms

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Jan. 7House and Senate Democratic leaders vowed to hold the "trifecta" of Republican leadership at the State House accountable if they move ahead with state budget cuts harmful to New Hampshire residents.

Both House Democratic Leader Alexis Simpson of Exeter and Senate Democratic Leader Rebecca Perkins Kwoka of Portsmouth have new roles after their party lost seats in both legislative chambers last November.

Simpson pointed out while in the minority for the past two years, Democrats worked to achieve landmark successes to address the affordable housing and child care crises along with increasing the capacity for treating those with mental health challenges.

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"Democrats are committed to doing whatever we can to address the housing crisis, support our workforce, lower costs and protect Live Free or Die values," Simpson said at a news conference in the Legislative Office Building.

Perkins Kwoka said Democrats will propose tax relief for child care agencies, a further expansion of coverage for families to receive Medicaid insurance coverage and try to enshrine abortion rights protections in state law.

"We need to rein in the irresponsible voucher program. That's something we will do as we work on the budget," Perkins Kwoka said.

About 20 colleagues stood behind their leadership next to a video board showcasing media headlines about high mortgages, child care costs and the prospect of downshifting costs from the state to communities as a result of the state budget battle.

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"Put simply, the Republicans have run up the tab and now they are passing the bill on to you. We are here as Democrats to make sure that doesn't happen," said Senate Deputy Democratic Leader Cindy Rosenwald of Nashua.

She criticized outgoing Gov. Chris Sununu and GOP leaders for total repeal of the 3% Interest and Dividends Tax.

Dems say GOP 'recklessly' eliminated taxes"Get ready for Republican distraction from a Republican failure; that's what we have seen time and again from the last few sessions," Rosenwald said. "They recklessly cut sources of revenue when we knew we could not make it up."

House Majority Leader Jason Osborne, R-Auburn, said the expanded GOP majority will make the tough calls in Concord.

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"House Republicans are proud to own the 2025-2026 budget and take responsibility for marked decreases in spending and taxation," Osborne said in a statement.

"House Republicans look forward to optimizing state-wide services while decreasing irresponsible spending. House Republicans are also proud to continue to embolden the wildly successful voucher program that expands educational opportunities for Granite State students."

Senate President Sharon Carson, R-Londonderry, will host her own news conference on Senate GOP priorities Wednesday morning.

"I can promise you it will not include any form of income tax," Carson said, referring to the I&D tax.

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During the race for governor, Democratic nominee Joyce Craig of Manchester vowed if elected to retain the 3% tax while raising the no-tax floor so it wouldn't hurt lower-income seniors and middle-class families.

Gov.-elect Kelly Ayotte made Craig's view a pivotal part of her closing argument urging voters not to "Mass up" New Hampshire and retain the state's unearned income tax.

Simpson said there will be areas of bipartisan compromise this year on further steps to reduce contamination from PFAS or forever chemicals, legalizing cannabis use by adults and a bill to expand the housing "champions" program.

klandrigan@unionleader.com
As President-elect Donald Trump extolled the virtues of natural gas during a post-certification speech Tuesday, details emerged about a proposed $309 million Nicor Gas rate increase that seeks to raise delivery charges for Chicago-area customers by more than 20% next year.

Filed Friday with the Illinois Commerce Commission, it is the fifth rate hike requested by Nicor since 2018. Regulators have 11 months to review the new proposal, which, if approved, would be the largest gas rate increase in Illinois history.

In a statement Tuesday, Nicor said the proposed record rate increase is needed to replace aging infrastructure and update technology to serve its 2.3 million customers in suburban Chicago and across northern Illinois.

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Many Americans are facing challenging times, and no one wants to see rising energy bills, Jennifer Golz, a spokesperson for Naperville-based Nicor, said in the statement. We want our customers to understand their bills and why the company is requesting to adjust rates that would allow Nicor Gas to meet those energy demands, especially during extreme weather.

Residential gas bills include both supply and distribution charges. Nicors proposed rate increase would raise the cost of delivering the gas, which accounts for about half the bill.

For typical Chicago-area residential customers, the proposed increase would add about $7.50 per month to delivery charges, raising the total bill by just over 9%, Golz said.

Nicor, which is owned by Atlanta-based Southern Co., is the largest gas utility in Illinois. The rate hike request includes a 10.35% return on equity for shareholders of Southern Co.

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In a statement Tuesday, consumer advocates at the Citizens Utility Board vowed to challenge Nicors proposed record rate increase.

Heat is a human necessity, not a profit tool, CUB Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz said in the statement. But Nicors push for a ridiculous 10.35% return on equity  exposes this rate-hike request for what it is: A money-grab meant to benefit shareholders to the detriment of customers who just want to keep their homes warm in an Illinois winter.

Nicor Gas customers have seen their delivery rates increase by $724 million since 2018, including most recently, a $223 million dollar hike granted by the ICC in 2023.

The ICC has 11 months to review rate cases, meaning the earliest Nicor could implement the proposed $309 million increase would likely be January 2026.

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Nicor said the proposed rate increase would be applied in part to infrastructure projects, such as the replacement of steel pipelines dating back to 1959.

The Nicor rate increase proposal lands as the ICC is in the final weeks of determining the fate of the Peoples Gas pipeline replacement program, which was paused last year during an investigation into the long-running project to replace 2,000 miles of aging pipes under Chicago.

In November, two Illinois Commerce Commission administrative law judges issued a proposed order recommending Peoples Gas resume and finish the work by 2035, at a projected additional cost of $7.2 billion.

Launched in 2011, the Safety (formerly System) Modernization Program was originally projected to cost $2.6 billion and take 20 years to complete. Plagued from the outset by delays and budget overruns, the program has already cost $3.3 billion and is just 38% complete, according to the utility.

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That puts the total price tag of the program at $10.5 billion if the ICC adopts the administrative judges recommended plan. The utilitys 891,000 Chicago customers would bear the cost of the pipeline replacement program through their monthly bills.

The five ICC commissioners are now expected to issue a final decision on the pipeline replacement program in February. If the resumption of work is approved, any associated rate increases to customers would require a full review and would not be implemented before 2026, Peoples Gas spokesperson David Schwartz said Tuesday.

After four years of the Biden administrations push for the transition to clean energy, it is unclear how the incoming Trump administration might affect infrastructure programs and the future of gas in Illinois  the subject of an ongoing ICC review studying decarbonization of the states gas system.

The president-elects speech Tuesday, which decried everything from electric vehicle mandates to wind turbines, indicated the broader political climate for fossil fuels may be changing during Trump 2.0. Assailing new rules for more efficient tankless gas water heaters by 2029, Trump launched into an ostensibly broader pro-natural gas screed.

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Its a much better heat, as the expression goes, You dont itch, Trump said. They dont want you to have gas where you dont have the problems of the electric and the source is plentiful. Theyre much cheaper to operate. Theyre much better. They work much better. They look much better.

rchannick@chicagotribune.com
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WWLP)  The Department of the Interiors Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has not received any bids for the December oil and gas lease sale for the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (Arctic Refuge).

According to the Department of the Interiors website, the sale is required by the 2017 Tax Act. The deadline to submit bids was Monday, January 6, 2025.

Senators introduce measure making daylight saving time permanent year-round

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The lack of interest from oil companies in development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge reflects what we and they have known all along  there are some places too special and sacred to put at risk with oil and gas drilling. This proposal was misguided in 2017, and its misguided now, said Acting Deputy Secretary Laura Daniel-Davis. The BLM has followed the law and held two lease sales that have exposed the false promises made in the Tax Act. The oil and gas industry is sitting on millions of acres of undeveloped leases elsewhere; wed suggest thats a prudent place to start, rather than engage further in speculative leasing in one of the most spectacular places in the world.

Today confirms what we already knew back in 2017: new oil and gas extraction in the Arctic Refuge is not only bad for people, climate, and the environment, but also simply bad economics, said Massachusetts Senator Edward J. Markey, a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee. The fact that there were no bids on the most recent lease sale reflects that reality. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge sustains key species and Alaska Native peoples, including the Indigenous Gwichin and Inupiat. This failed mandatory lease sale only underscores how the Republicans 2017 tax giveaway for the ultra-wealthy was paid for with false promises and unnecessary efforts to sell off our public lands. I will fight against any similar giveaway efforts this Congress, and I look forward to reintroducing my Arctic Refuge Protection Act to permanently provide critical protections to the Refuge, uphold the sovereignty of Arctic Indigenous peoples, and halt any new oil and gas leasing, exploration, development, and drilling on our nations largest national wildlife refuge.

Of the nine leases sold during the previous Administrations sale, the two held by oil companies were canceled and refunded at the request of the lessees, and the remaining seven, held by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, were canceled by Secretary of the Interior Haaland due to the multiple legal deficiencies in the underlying record. There are currently no existing leases in the Coastal Plain.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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WARREN, Ohio (WKBN)  A Trumbull County grand jury declined to return an indictment in a felony assault case.

A no bill was returned in the case against James Perry on Tuesday.

Perry had been charged following a fight in Johnston Township in November in which a gun went off.

Reports said deputies with the Trumbull County Sheriffs Office responded to a call for a report of a man shot in the head at a home in the 5700 block of state Route 193.

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When deputies arrived, reports said two men were standing in the driveway, one of them bleeding from the head.

Perry told deputies he was arguing with his brother-in-law, Michael Barrow, 21, and was holding a gun. When the argument got physical, Perry hit Barrow in the head and the gun went off.

Barrow had a cut on his head and was bleeding, reports said.

Reports said a witness told police that Perry was pointing the gun at Barrow and Barrow then got in Perrys face and began throwing hands. That is when Perry started hitting Barrow and the gun went off.

For his part in the incident, Barrow was cited on a domestic violence charge, a fourth-degree misdemeanor. That charge is still pending in Trumbull County Central District Court, according to court records.

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Joe Gorman contributed to this report.

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 WKBN.com.
The Public Security Police (PSP) has resolved two cases involving unreported found items. In the first case, a male dealer in his 40s was suspected of taking a smartwatch from a public toilet in Coloane and selling it on the mainland for a profit of MOP200, despite the victim reporting a loss of MOP2,000. The police identified the suspect through the citys surveillance cameras. In another incident, a man in his 30s from the mainland allegedly found a mobile phone worth approximately MOP8,000 left in a taxi, an act captured by the taxis surveillance footage. The police apprehended him near Cotai.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is scheduled to be on Capitol Hill Jan. 15 in Washington for a nomination hearing before the Senates Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs.

The Republican governor is President-elect Donald Trumps pick to be secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. The Jan. 15 date immediately follows the annual State of the State speech on Jan. 14 in South Dakotas capital of Pierre thats traditionally delivered by the states governor; there is no public indication anyone other than Noem will give the address.

For Noem, raising fees not the same as raising taxes

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If and when Noem becomes Homeland Security secretary, she will necessarily have to leave her position as South Dakota governor; its not possible to hold both roles. Noem said in November that she immediately accepted Trumps appointment, and in the event of her resignation, current Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden would become South Dakota governor.

The U.S. Constitution stipulates that the president shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States. The balance of power in the 119th Congress will include a 53-47 advantage for Republicans.

Current Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas was confirmed on Feb. 2, 2021 in a 56-43 vote.

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 KELOLAND.com.
MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)  On Tuesday, nonprofit organizations, such as the Midland Rape Crisis Center, Harmony Homes, and Voice of Hope, gathered together to spread awareness of the dangers of human trafficking in the community.

According to the 2024 Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, there has been a 25% increase in trafficking cases between 2022 and 2019. Last year alone, there were 133,943 victims identified globally.

The message we hope to share is that human trafficking is not just a distant issue it is local, said Human Trafficking Liaison Brooke Manuel. We all have to have a role to play in combatting it. Whether that is through supporting other organizations that help survivors learning how to spot warning signs or simply spreading the word, each of us can contribute to ending this atrocity.

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Law enforcement officials were in attendance at todays event as theyve seen how human trafficking has impacted the community. Midland Sheriff David Criner said the issue is bigger than what people think.

Midland Odessa is a hub for trafficking in this area of West Texas, said Sheriff Criner. These young people get caught up in a trap that they cant get out of, or they dont think that they can get out of, but we can get them out of it. We are going to prosecute these folks and fine them and nail them and make sure they pay for what theyre doing to these other people.

Representatives from Odessa, Midland, and Ector County all showed their support against human trafficking, all giving proclamations on the issue.

A bag of blue sand was handed out to attendees at the event to spread through the cracks on the sidewalk outside, symbolizing that they wont let survivors fall through the cracks. For those who were able to attend todays event, United Supermarkets have blue sandbags available for community members.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin.
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT)  The North Carolina Office of the State Fire Marshal is urging people to take extreme caution while staying safe when trying to keep yourself warm.

In 2023, North Carolina reported 146 fire-related deaths and 122 in 2024. Fire Marshal Brian Taylor said his team is staying on high alert with the impending weather conditions.

Were concerned because we really dont know what were going to get with North Carolina being so large and from the mountains to the coast, Taylor said. What level of snowfall? What level of ice? You know, we are very concerned about the ice and chemical formulation of the ice because of power outages and then, of course, the snow.

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Marshal Taylor also said to be cautious about heating your home. Open ovens can pose a threat because it produces carbon dioxide and space heaters and candles are also a common cause of fires.

He said its also important to have a working smoke alarm in your home throughout the cold spell.

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 WNCT.
When all the votes in Novembers race for North Carolinas state supreme court were counted, the incumbent, Allison Riggs, had won more. The question is whether that will be enough for her to take office.

The race began as a heated yet normal battle over political control for a key judgeship. But the challenger, Jefferson Griffin, is asking the states courts to throw out about 60,000 ballots and hand him victory. This has transformed the contest into something more fundamental: a test of democracys basic mechanics. Now its up to the states Republican-led supreme court to decide whether to side with voters or with a fellow Republican judge.

Yesterday, the court issued an order staying the certification of Riggss election while it considers Griffins petition. (Riggs, a Democrat, recused herself; the courts other Democrat dissented.) Certification had been scheduled for Friday.

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Riggs didnt win the election by much: She garnered just a few hundred votes more than Griffin, who sits on the states court of appeals. The race was a major focus for both parties; in 2022, the GOP gained control of the state supreme court, which has been involved in many high-profile political decisions. On Election Night, Riggs trailed by thousands of votes, but as absentee and provisional ballots were counted, she ended up with a lead of 625 votes out of more than 5.5 million.

[Read: Were entering an era of total politics]

Griffin requested a machine recount, in which ballots are run through tabulators once more. That process actually expanded Riggss lead to 734 votes. Griffin then requested a second recount, in which officials take a random sample of ballots and examine them by hand, comparing their tally to the machine count. If clear discrepancies appear, a candidate can request a full, statewide hand recount; the state board of elections concluded no such evidence existed.

By this point, Republican attempts to keep contesting the race had started to appear desperate. In 2020, when sitting Chief Justice Cheri Beasley, a Democrat, requested recounts in a race she lost by 401 votes, Republicans ridiculed her as a sore loser wasting her dignity and everyone elses time. (Beasley eventually conceded.) Yet now Griffin was going further. He filed a request with the state board to throw out some 60,000 votes, arguing the voters were not properly registered.

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The largest group of registrations that Griffin has challenged are North Carolina residents whose voter registrations dont include drivers license numbers or Social Security numbers. This is now required by law, but these voters registered using old forms that didnt include the requirement. (They were not required to re-register.) The second set is overseas residents who have not lived in North Carolina, such as the adult children of North Carolinians who live abroad. A third is overseas voters who didnt submit a photo identification with their ballot.

[Read: We drew congressional maps for partisan advantage. That was the point.]

The first is the most notable tranche. These voters likely understood themselves to be legally registered, and elections officials had concluded they were registered. Prior to the election, the Republican National Committee challenged 225,000 registrations on the same basis, but a federal judge dismissed the case. The state board also concluded that the registrations were valid, and said that fraud was virtually impossible. For one thing, voters are required to show photo ID before voting, in accordance with a state law that went into effect this year. (The group includes both of Riggss parents, as well as a politics editor at WUNC, a public-radio station in Chapel Hill.)

Now that the election has been completed and the votes have been counted, Griffin wants these votes to be thrown out after the fact. Its exceedingly hard to justify this as anything other than pure partisan power politics. Doing such a thing would violate not only precedent, but any basic sense of fairness. As ProPublicas Doug Bock Clark reported, the theory that Griffin is using was considered and rejected earlier this year by election deniers who deemed it too extreme.

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The state board of elections, which has a 32 Democratic majority, rejected all three arguments, and pointed out that they should have been made far earlier. Griffin then appealed the decision directly to the state supreme court. The state board had the move shifted to federal court, but on Monday, the federal judge Richard Myers, a Trump appointee, sent the matter back to the supreme court, deeming it a state matter. In their order yesterday, the state supreme court justices set a schedule for briefing later this month.

[Read: The Supreme Court finds North Carolina's racial gerrymandering unconstitutional]

North Carolina is not new to vicious election fights. (Riggs rose to prominence as a progressive attorney focused on voting-rights cases.) In 2013, after the U.S. Supreme Court demolished key elements of the Voting Rights Act, Republicans passed a sweeping law restricting voting. A federal judge eventually struck the law down as targeting African Americans with almost surgical precision. The state has also seen decades of battles over redistricting; after previous maps were struck down as unconstitutional racial gerrymanders, the GOP instead pursued an aggressively partisan map. In the previous Congress, both Democrats and Republicans from North Carolina held seven seats; under a new GOP-drawn map, Republicans won 10 seats to Democrats four in November.

Even so, the reaction to Griffins attempted maneuvers has been sharp, and not only on the left. In a recent article, the conservative writer and former GOP operative Andrew Dunn wrote that while he had often criticized Democrats dishonest nonsense about Republicans in the past, he could not do so now.

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If the Supreme Court sides with Griffin, the fallout will be immediate and brutal, he wrote. This isnt just bad optics; its potentially a credibility-shattering disaster for the court, the party, and conservatism in North Carolina. Overnight, this becomes a national story about Republicans stealing a Supreme Court seat. The allegation would be impossible to defend against.

Dunn is right. If the court ultimately sides with Griffin and throws the votes out, it will be a plain message that the Republican majority is more interested in grabbing power by any means available and adding an amenable colleague than in letting voters have a say. Faith in its objectivity has already been shaken by a pair of 2023 decisions, in which the new Republican majority reversed decisions about gerrymandering and the voter-ID law that had been made by the prior court. (The GOP-led state legislature also stripped powers from incoming Democratic Governor Josh Stein late last year, passing the changes just before Democrats broke a veto-proof supermajority. Stein has challenged the moves in court.)

[Read: North Carolina's deliberate disenfranchisement of black voters]

What happens in the North Carolina Supreme Court race is worth watching for voters around the country for reasons other than moral outrage. For the past 15 years, the Old North State has been an early indicator for national trends, including the 2013 voting law and the battles over partisan gerrymandering. The independent state legislature theory, floated by Trump allies as a way to overturn the 2020 presidential election, first reached the U.S. Supreme Court via a North Carolina case. Republican legal challenges to the 2016 election for governor were a template for Trumps challenges to the 2020 presidential election. As goes North Carolina, so goes the nation.

Article originally published at The Atlantic
The North Carolina Supreme Court has blocked state officials from certifying the re-election of Democrat Allison Riggs to the court, allowing her Republican rival to challenge the validity of nearly 60,000 votes in the race.

In a 4-2 vote Tuesday, the GOP-controlled court issued an order to temporarily halt the certification after Riggs GOP opponent, Jefferson Griffin, alleged that tens of thousands of people had voted illegally. All but one of the courts Republican justices sided with the order. Riggs recused herself from the decision.

The ruling sets up a situation in which the state Supreme Court will weigh in on an election that could expand the GOPs current 5-2 majority among the justices, and decide whether to toss the ballots of tens of thousands of voters.

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A razor-thin November election result led to recounts, and Riggs emerged in the lead by a mere 734 votes out of more than 5.5 million. According to NBC News, Griffin then filed hundreds of legal challenges across the state, alleging that nearly 60,000 people had voted illegally and claiming in part that many of their voter registration records did not include a drivers license number or Social Security number.

North Carolina law requires voters to present valid identification for both in-person voting and mail ballots.

The state elections board, which has a Democratic majority, rejected Griffins arguments in December. He subsequently took his challenge to the state Supreme Court.

The board had been due to certify Riggs win by the end of the week. But the Tuesday order prevents it from doing so, and the state Supreme Court said it would hear arguments in the case at the end of January.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Ethics Commission staff listen as Geoff Simon, executive director of the Western Dakota Energy Association, speaks against North Dakota's two-year lobbying prohibition on elected officials who leave office during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Jan. 8, 2025. (Jacob Orledge/North Dakota Monitor)

The North Dakota Ethics Commission received pushback from lawmakers Wednesday on one of its first bills, with a nearly unanimous recommendation to reject it.

The Ethics Commission can issue advisory opinions to help officials under its jurisdiction understand how ethics laws and rules apply in certain circumstances.

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Currently, the commission may only publish opinions if someone specifically requests it. House Bill 1046, requested by the commission, would change this to allow the commission to issue advisory opinions of its own volition.

We have consistent questions that come up, but nobody kind of gets around to asking for the advisory opinion, Executive Director Rebecca Binstock said during a Wednesday hearing before the House Judiciary Committee. In those instances, the commission would like to say something has come to its attention multiple times, and so lets go ahead and provide some clarity on this situation.

Several members of the committee voiced skepticism, wondering if this would give the commission too much power.

By allowing the commission to just start weighing in on things, they effectively are creating rules and whatnot beyond what has been requested, Rep. SuAnn Olson, R-Baldwin, said.

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Once requested, advisory opinions are authorized and approved by commission members by a majority vote. Some members of the House Judiciary Committee also expressed concerns that this was too low of a threshold.

The committee voted 13-1 to oppose House Bill 1046 after adopting an amendment to require approval from at least four of the five members of the Ethics Commission to issue an advisory opinion.

The House Judiciary Committees do-not-pass recommendation is the latest instance of the Legislature opposing the Ethics Commissions requests. The bill will advance to the House floor for a vote by the full chamber.

More 2025 legislative session coverage

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Another Ethics Commission-related bill on Wednesday cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee with a unanimous do-pass recommendation.

Senate Bill 2052, also requested by the commission, would clarify that the two-year prohibition on lobbying for public officials that leave office only applies to those who were elected. It wouldnt change the law, just remove some ambiguity, Binstock said.

Geoff Simon, executive director of the Western Dakota Energy Association, testified against the proposal. Simon also chaired a committee that opposed the 2018 constitutional amendment that created the Ethics Commission.

He said while he acknowledges the Senate bill only seeks to clarify an existing law, he believes North Dakotas two-year lobbying prohibition is unconstitutional.

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He pointed to a 2024 ruling from the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals that found a similar two-year prohibition adopted in Missouri violated the First Amendment. North Dakota is also part of the 8th Circuit.

At some point, I suspect that there will be perhaps a former legislator or a former state office holder who would challenge this, he said.

Committee member Sen. Janne Myrdal, R-Edinburg, agreed with Simon.

I hope this ends up in court, Myrdal said.

Several other ethics-related bills are being proposed this session, including:

Changes to its system for investigating potential ethics violations, including an amendment granting the Ethics Commission subpoena power or authorizing the commission to apply for a subpoena from a district court judge;

Legislation creating a process for enforcing financial disclosure requirements for elected officials; and

A new law to protect whistleblowers who provide information to the commission, or assist in an investigation.

The commission is also seeking a larger budget for the 2025-2027 biennium, including funding for a new full-time staff member.

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NORTH SIOUX CITY, S.D. (KCAU)  The North Sioux City City Council has set an election date for the citys new government.

Residents will be able to vote for their new city leaders on Tuesday, April 8. The North Sioux City Council met Monday, voting unanimously to set that date. Petitions can start circulating on Jan. 31.

Cherokee Police Department looking for man missing since mid-December

Under the new commissioner form, there will be five elected officials: a mayor and four commissioners that represent the city at-large. The aldermanic form has nine elected officials, comprised of a mayor and eight city council members that represent a total of four wards.

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On Dec. 10, voters decided to change the citys government from an aldermanic form to a commissioner form. The initiative passed with 343 residents voted in favor of change and 238 voted against change. The city council approved the vote a few days later with an expected election date or April 8, 2025.

Hundreds of residents signed a petition to change the city government. The group pushing the petition came after multiple residents criticized the citys handling after the historic flooding in June 2024.

North Sioux City Administrator Jeff Dooley told KCAU 9 in December that city services will not be interrupted while the process to select a commission occurs.

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Three residents of the newly completed elderly apartments have expressed their intention to terminate their leases due to unpleasant odors, while seven others are seeking to change units due to persistent foul odors affecting their living conditions.

The first phase of move-ins to the senior apartment complex has been completed, but the ongoing second phase is encountering significant challenges.

Hon Wai, director of the Social Affairs Bureau, announced that over 520 households have already moved into the complex, bringing the current population to more than 780 residents. The next wave of residents is expected to move in after the Lunar New Year. However, the process has been overshadowed by complaints about unpleasant odors originating from the construction site.

Three households have decided to cancel their leases, Hon Wai confirmed to the press yesterday. While the odor is one factor, there are additional reasons, which we will not disclose out of respect for their privacy.

Hon Wai also reported that 10 residents had officially lodged complaints about the smell, with seven of them applying to transfer to different units.

In response, the government is collaborating with the construction team and relevant departments to mitigate the issue. Measures include improving sealing during the cleaning process and installing activated carbon filters to reduce odors.

We need time to monitor the situation, Hon Wai said. If the smell persists across multiple units, moving residents may not resolve the problem.

The foul odor at Av. Norte do Hipodromo in Areia Preta and the elderly housing facility originates from unpleasant smells overflowing from the drainage channels associated with the Lot P temporary housing project.

In a joint statement Monday, the Environmental Protection Bureau (DSPA) and the Public Works Bureau (DSOP) said that the issue has been worsened by ongoing cleaning operation.

Residents have complained that the sewage interception pipes and the drainage outlet of the pumping station are clogged with stones and waste, causing the accumulation of sludge and the release of a foul smell.

To address the complaints, the government convened a cross-departmental coordination meeting. Officials anticipate completing a channel cleaning project aimed at resolving the odor problem by the end of the week. Victoria Chan
EUCLID, Ohio (WJW)  A Northeast Ohio veteran who just recently turned 100 years old celebrated the momentous milestone surrounded by a special group of friends on Tuesday.

John Centinich, a radio operator during World War II, remembers flying in a B-17 bomber when his plane was shot down.

Dr. Amy Acton, who helped lead Ohios early pandemic response, joins 2026 governors race

Decades after his time in the military, Centinich celebrated his 100th birthday at Bagel Buddys, a local bagel shop on Lakeshore Boulevard. Centinich was a regular at the bagel shop until he moved into a retirement home.

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FOX 8 crews caught up with Centinich and asked him: whats the key to a long life? His response was simple.

Whats the secret to becoming 100? Believing in God. Thats the secret, he said.

A Christmas miracle: Post Malone leaves $20,000 tip for bartender

Centinich encourages anyone enlisting in the military to be loyal and faithful to the country.

Everyone here at FOX 8 wishes Centinich a happy birthday and thanks him for his service.

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Northern Michigan University on Dec. 10, 2021 | Allison R. Donahue

While funding for a copper mine in Michigans Upper Peninsula sits in limbo, opponents of the project have shared that a key proponent of the project dropped its support in July.

Protect the Porkies, a nonprofit opposing the construction of the Copperwood Mine in Gogebic County near the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, circulated a letter on Monday from Northern Michigan University (NMU) President Brock Tessman dated July 19, 2024. In the letter, Tessman notes the university does not support the mine after previously offering support for the effort on Nov. 22, 2023.

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In the letter provided by Protect the Porkies, Tessman raised questions about the long-term economic impact of the project, noting that the mines benefits could be overshadowed by ecological damage and an economic downturn following the mines closure at the end of its projected 11-year lifespan.

While the project is expected to generate $425 million in total capital investment and create 380 jobs, opponents have argued those jobs would likely be filled by individuals from outside of the region.

Tessman also pointed to additional concerns on how the mine would impact Indigenous treaty rights and natural resources, as well as its proximity to both Lake Superior and the Porcupine Mountains State Park.

Tessman Letter July 2024

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The project sits on land of long-standing significance to Indigenous peoples and is subject to the 1842 Treaty of La Pointe between the United States and federally recognized tribes that are successors to Ojibwe bands that entered the Treaty, Tessman said in the letter.

The scope of the mine project also overlaps with Michigans cherished Porcupine Mountains State Park. Most importantly the site is proximate to  and sits on streams and other topography that flow directly into  Lake Superior, which serves as the source of vitality and sustainability for the

people and the natural environment of our region, Tessman said.

The mine would also sit adjacent to the North Country Trail, the longest trail in the National Trails System.

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Indigenous activists and environmental advocates have repeatedly raised concerns about the impact the mine could have on the region. The mines tailings basin, which would collect waste leftover from the mining process, would sit on land sloping toward Lake Superior, breeding fears that the lake could be contaminated with heavy metals in the mines tailings should the dam collapse.

Protect the Porkies has also pointed to the potential for the mines exhaust to harm wildlife by spreading heavy metals into the air and nearby waterways.

The group raised concerns about acid mine drainage caused by sulfides in the mines tailings. When combined with air and water, these tailings could produce sulfuric acid, leading to heavy metals leaching into ground or surface water.

Highland Copper, the company that owns the mine, and Invest UP, an Upper Peninsula-based economic development organization, have both pushed back on these concerns, noting that the project meets Michigans mining laws and the tailings facility has been designed to protect against large and small breaches.

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They also said the copper that would be mined has a non-acid generating ore body, meaning it would not produce acidic runoff.

However, opponents have remained unswayed, continuing to stress the impact that the mine would have on the landscape alongside rising concerns of tailings dam failures, including a 2020 report from the Association of State Dam Safety Officials which said Michigans Dam Safety Program was extremely understaffed to perform the mission of dam safety as mandated by the legislation, rules, and best practice.

When asked about the NMU letter, Invest UP provided a statement from CEO Marty Fittante.

The Copperwood Project presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Michigan and the Western Upper Peninsula, creating more than 380 permanent jobs and 300 construction jobs and meeting Michigans stringent mining and environmental regulations. Thats why twenty-two units of government, ranging from townships to county boards, have issued resolutions of support, nearly ten local institutions have submitted letters of support, and dozens of community leaders have spoken publicly in support, Fittante said.

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In his letter, Tessman noted the university is not dismissing the short term economic benefits the project could bring, but rather acknowledging the complex tradeoffs associated with the effort.

In summary, NMUs decision to withdraw support for the Copperwood Mine Project does not mean that we will not support any mine, anywhere, at any time. It simply means that we do not see the Copperwood Mine as the right mine, in the right place, at this time, Tessman said.

Lake of the Clouds in the Porcupine Mountains in Michigans Upper Peninsula | Getty Images

Derek Hall, a spokesperson for Northern Michigan University, told the Michigan Advance that Tessman is not adding any comments related to his letter from last July.

In a statement shared alongside the letter, Protect the Porkies and fellow opponents of the mine cheered NMUs decision to pull support for the project.

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We applaud NMU and Dr. Tessman for their commitment to the truth and setting the record straight, said Jane Fitkin, an NMU alumna and director of Citizens for a Safe & Clean Lake Superior.

Its critical to have transparency from our public bodies. While we wish this letter had come out sooner, were glad that members of the NMU community can now know that their university isnt supporting a project with detrimental effects to our environment and long-term economy, Fitkin said.

However, a number of northern Michigan Republicans have slammed the universitys decision to abandon support for the mine.

The United States government has recognized copper and other materials are necessary and need to be mined here, U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, (R-Watersmeet) said in a statement. This isnt a game, its livelihoods and the future of our nation. These critical minerals, which are just as necessary for NMU itself, are needed now both for our security and for our economic prosperity.

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Copper is listed as one of the electric 18 minerals identified by the U.S. Department of Energy as critical for supporting a transition to clean energy.

Other lawmakers pushed back on Tessmans questions on the projects long-term impact.

I just visited various businesses and Gogebic Community College last month, state Rep. Dave Prestin, (R-Cedar River) said. The area has been abandoned by the state and many opportunities for far too long.

NMU succumbing to activist rhetoric about the jobs not being good enough or long enough fails to recognize what the citizens there are saying. Schools, colleges, communities and citizens have all issued statements of support, including 22 local resolutions of support. They deserve to see the prosperity Marquette County and, especially, NMU have enjoyed from having the Eagle Mine and Tilden operating in their area, Prestin said.

State Rep. David Prestin (R-Cedar River) | (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Highland Copper also issued multiple statements Tuesday addressing both the NMU letter and criticism of the mining project.

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Highland Copper understands that Northern Michigan University has moved to a position of neutrality on the Copperwood project. In consultation with them, we understand NMU feels neutrality is more appropriate for this and other topics where an educational institution may not need to provide a formal opinion, one statement said.

We will continue to work with NMU and other educational partners to ensure Copperwoods many career opportunities are available to them and residents of the UP. Copperwood cannot be built without the support of the local UP workforce and Michigans unions, the company said.

While the Michigan House Appropriations committee voted to approve $50 million in state strategic funds for the mine earlier this year to be used for site readiness, those dollars have been left in limbo after the Senate Appropriations Committee opted against holding a vote on the funding transfer.

Last term, both chambers were controlled by Democrats. Republicans are now in charge of the state House for this legislative session.

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The mines supporters remain optimistic that lawmakers could act on the funds in 2025.

While we are disappointed the Senate chose not to take action on the Copperwood Mine project this year, we are optimistic it will move forward in 2025, Fittante said in another statement.

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NORTHERN TIER, Pa. (WETM)  Communities and families across several northern Pennsylvania counties will receive additional federal funding to help rebuild after severe damage was left behind by Hurricane Debby in 2024, according to information from Senator John Fettermans office.

The relief was allocated from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to help communities in twelve counties receive important aid to rebuild.

The $14.62 million in tax-payer-funded money is part of the Community Development Block Grant  Disaster Recovery program that will support unmet recovery needs and mitigation efforts in counties severely impacted by Hurricane Debby, Fettermans office said.

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Whats to come of the Jasper-Troupsburg High School after flooding damage

Senator Fetterman noted the importance of aiding and recognizing these counties even if they dont often receive a lot of attention.

Places like Tioga, Lycoming, Union, and Potter counties, these arent areas that get a lot of attention, but that doesnt mean they dont matter, Fetterman said. This near $15 million in funding makes sure that these hard-hit communities will get the support they need to rebuild and be ready for whatever comes next, he said.

A breakdown of the funding shows a 15% allocation for mitigation efforts, to help communities be prepared for future storms. Critical recovery efforts like preparing damaged infrastructure and homes, and supporting displaced families.

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Officials in Tioga County gave thanks for the funding, saying there is still much to repair even after the help from PEMA and FEMA.

Although we are grateful for all that both PEMA and FEMA have done for our entire region, we still have many unmet needs, said Tioga County Commissioners Sam VanLoon, Mare Rice, and Shane Nickerson. This funding will be vitally important for those individuals and small businesses that have slipped through the cracks, they said.

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Norway will allocate NOK 164 million (about 14 million) in 2025 to support demining efforts in Ukraine, including the use of mine detection canines.

Source: a statement by the Norwegian government on 7 January, as reported by European Pravda

Details: In Romny, Sumy Oblast, the Norwegian organisation Norsk Folkehjelp and the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES) have set up a training base for explosives detection canines and their handlers. Since 2022, the training centre has professionalised and systematised the work to ensure the dogs and their handlers have the best possible conditions for demining. In December, the Norwegian government announced that support for Norsk Folkehjelp's work in Ukraine would be increased by NOK 164 million for 2025.

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Quote: "Mines do not discriminate between combatants and civilians. Clearing mines and explosive ordnance saves lives here and now, but it also saves future generations from civilian injury and death.

Norsk Folkehjelp has many years of experience in mine clearance, and their efforts are an important contribution to ensuring a safe future for the Ukrainian people," said Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.

The Norwegian government noted that Norsk Folkehjelp has become one of 69 certified international partners providing demining assistance. Norsk Folkehjelp's efforts include training 14 mine detection canines and developing Ukraine's demining capacity with the help of dogs.

Background:

In December, it became known that Norway was allocating another NOK 2.7 billion (about US$242.38 million) to strengthen Ukraine's naval defence.

In late November, parties in the Norwegian parliament supported a decision to increase support for Ukraine to NOK 35 billion (about US$3.1 billion) in 2025.

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By Philip Blenkinsop

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission rejected on Wednesday Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg's assertion that European Union data laws censored social media and said they only required large platforms to remove illegal content.

Meta Platforms scrapped its U.S. fact-checking programs and its CEO said he would work with President-elect Donald Trump to push back on censorship around the world.

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"Europe has an ever increasing number of laws institutionalising censorship and making it difficult to build anything innovative there," Zuckerberg said.

The European Commission, the EU executive, said its Digital Services Act did not force or request platforms to remove lawful content but only to take down content that may be harmful, such as to children or to the EU's democracies.

"We absolutely refute any claims of censorship," a Commission spokesperson said.

Zuckerberg said Meta would get rid of fact-checkers for Facebook, Instagram and Threads, starting in the United States, and replace it with a "community notes" system similar to that used by X. X's system allows contributors to write a note on a post they believe is misleading. The note is made public if enough contributors from different points of view rate it as helpful.

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The Commission said that, for such a system to be used in the European Union, a platform would have to conduct a risk assessment and send it to the EU executive. A spokesperson said the EU did not prescribe the form that content moderation should take and that community notes could be a possibility.

"Whatever model a platform chooses needs to be effective, and this is what we're looking at... So we are checking the effectiveness of the measures or content moderation policies adopted and implemented by platforms here in the EU," the spokesperson said.

The Commission said EU users would continue to benefit from input from independent fact-checking of content posted in the United States.

(Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Sarah Batista was waiting for her autistic son to come home from school Monday afternoon when she got a call that no mother ever wants to receive.

Batista said it was from the Durham Bus Company, which is responsible for bringing her 3-year-old to and from school in North Providence every day.

They stated that they were at my door with my son and that nobody was answering, Batista explained. I ran downstairs and nobody was there.

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Batista realized the bus was at the wrong house and after directing them to the right location, she was stunned when a boy who wasnt her son got off the bus.

Out of shock, I said, Thats not mine,' she recalled. Then the bus monitor  got another backpack, but the same child, and brought him back to me. So again, I said, Thats not my child.'

When her son finally got off the bus, Batista said she immediately noticed something was off.

He had no jacket on, no backpack, Batista said. I had to ask them to get it. So, I took him off the bus and I just brought him inside. He didnt seem like himself.

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It was completely insane, she added. They handed me the wrong child.

Batista told 12 News her son refused to go to school Tuesday morning.

ALSO READ: Child unintentionally left on school bus in Narragansett

This wasnt the first time Batista has had issues with the Durham Bus Company, either.

Weve had incidents before where the staff on the bus  dont appear to be trained on how to handle kids with autism or kids with other disabilities, Batista explained.

In a statement to 12 News, North Providence Superintendent Joseph Goho said the district was made aware of this incident late Monday night and immediately launched an investigation into what happened.

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Goho also confirmed that both the driver and bus monitor were substitutes and not regularly assigned to the route.

No student was ever released off the bus or unsupervised, Goho wrote. We are developing a plan to ensure improved coordination in such circumstances moving forward.

Batista suggested the drivers create checklists for the students on their bus routes to make sure each one is dropped off at the correct house.

Whos on the bus and where are they going? Batista said. Just to make the parents feel safe, and for the kids safety as well.

Durham Bus Companys Edward Flavin explained that the driver and monitor involved in the mix-up both followed proper safety protocols.

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At no time were any students unsafe or unsupervised, Flavin said. We will institute a plan to have better coordination with our customer going forward.

This comes less than a week after a 6-year-old student was unintentionally left on a school bus in Narragansett.

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Blake Livelys legal team has issued a forceful statement on the actors legal battle with former co-star Justin Baldoni, emphasizing the seriousness of the lawsuit.

Last month, Lively sued Baldoni for alleged sexual harassment during the production of It Ends With Us, accusing him of orchestrating a smear campaign against her after she complained about on-set misconduct.

Details were first made public in a New York Times article and Baldoni subsequently sued the newspaper for libel and false-light invasion of privacy.

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Now, the Gossip Girl stars lawyers have hit out at Baldonis camp with a fresh statement.

This is not a feud arising from creative differences or a he said/she said situation, the statement first reported by People magazine said.

As alleged in Ms. Livelys complaint, and as we will prove in litigation, Wayfarer and its associates engaged in unlawful, retaliatory astroturfing against Ms. Lively for simply trying to protect herself and others on a film set.

And their response to the lawsuit has been to launch more attacks against Ms. Lively since her filing.

Blake Livelys lawyers have released a damning new statement (Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

The statement continued: Sexual harassment and retaliation are illegal in every workplace and in every industry.

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A classic tactic to distract from allegations of this type of misconduct is to blame the victim by suggesting that they invited the conduct, brought it on themselves, misunderstood the intentions, or even lied, the statement said.

Another classic tactic is to reverse the victim and offender, and suggest that the offender is actually the victim. These concepts normalize and trivialize allegations of serious misconduct.

Most importantly, media statements are not a defense to Ms. Livelys legal claims," Livelys legal team concluded. We will continue to prosecute her claims in federal court, where the rule of law determines who prevails, not hyperbole and threats.

Bryan Freedman, a lawyer for Baldoni, told NBC News last week that his client plans to countersue Lively and release every single text message between the two of them.

Lawyers for Justin Baldoni said they plan to countersue Lively (Getty Images)

A spokesperson for The Times has since told The Independent that they will vigorously defend against [Baldonis] lawsuit.

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The public legal battle stemmed from the filming of It Ends With Us, a novel by Colleen Hoover. Lively plays Lily Bloom in the film while Baldoni, who directed, stars as Ryle Kincaid, her abusive partner.

Rumors of an on-set feud had been percolating online, as the pair appeared to avoid each other during the films promotional tour.

Lively was called out for a tone-deaf approach to the movie, as some felt she failed to treat its heavy subject matter with the appropriate solemnity.

However, Livelys lawsuit alleges that fan backlash was part of a carefully orchestrated effort by Baldonis PR team after she accused him of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. Meanwhile, Baldonis lawyers have insisted that Livelys lawsuit is nothing more than an attempt to fix her negative reputation.

Baldoni is a married father-of-two and has positioned himself as an avid supporter of womens rights, adding further fuel to the controversy. He has since had an award for being an ally to women rescinded.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Board members of Portland Public Schools have unanimously approved a resolution that affirms the rights of undocumented students.

Passed on Tuesday, Resolution 7030 establishes that Oregons largest school district wont disclose students immigration status without parental consent or without appropriate local authority.

Oregon firefighters answer call to help fight southern California wildfires

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The measure also establishes that PPS staff arent required to help Immigration and Customs Enforcement carry out federal immigration restrictions. The district specifically states that employees can refuse to give ICE personnel access to school property beyond the front office, without a court order.

Resolution 7030 builds on a similar resolution that was approved in 2016, following Donald Trumps election for his first presidential term. According to Chief of Schools Jon Franco, the new measure provides more clarity on federal and state immigration laws.

During Tuesdays PPS Board meeting, Vice Chair Michelle DePass said she proposed an updated resolution because upcoming changes in immigration enforcement may lead to concern and feelings of uncertainty for some of our students and families.

Trump has pledged to enforce mass deportations after he takes office on Jan. 20. State and local leaders, including the Oregon Department of Justice, have outlined their potential responses to the president-elects immigration crackdown.

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Oregon joins amended lawsuit accusing software firm, landlords of fixing rent prices

In December, Oregon DOJ revealed a toolkit that informs undocumented individuals on their rights and how to report sanctuary law violations. PPS also plans to inform staff on the best practices for interacting with ICE, and give impacted families more guidance on their protections.

Every child, regardless of immigration status, has the right to feel safe, respected and supported in our schools, Board Member Gary Hollands said. Yet, here we are, of course, to reaffirm basic humanity and protect students from fear of enforcement agencies that have no place in our classrooms or our schools. Lets be clear: this resolution is not about politics. This is about doing what is right.

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The Scene

As progressive organizer Heather Meaney-Allens Indivisible group in Williamsburg, Va., prepared for its Jan. 6 remembrance rally, a Japanese TV network called to ask if it could send a cameraman.

She said the network was welcome at her event, then asked why it wanted to cover a rally 150 miles away from the capital. The response, she said, made me sick to my gut.

They told me we were the only ones having an event about the insurrection, said Meaney-Allen, 61.

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On the fourth anniversary of the violent Capitol riot, congressional Democrats made the certification of Donald Trumps 2024 victory as dull as possible. They arrived at the joint session with a plan to offer no objections on the floor, the first time since 1989 that no Democrat spoke up against a Republican win.

I can feel proud that were acting as constitutional patriots, said Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin, who served as an impeachment manager after Trump tried to subvert the last electoral college certification. It was a peaceful and uneventful and non-violent transfer of power.

It was also the first sign of the new Democratic Party. Through gritted teeth, its lawmakers and progressive activists are building a much quieter resistance to Donald Trump than the one that greeted him in 2017. Democrats have done nothing to fight the Trump transition; in fact, theyve made it part of their message to voters that they, unlike Republicans, are willing to lose gracefully.

Some of the groups Democrats built up during Trumps first term, like Indivisible and Run for Something, survived. Others were rebooted or renamed, the Peoples March replacing the old Womens March and the Tax March transforming into Unrig Our Economy. The activists who remain in the field argue that their members are as galvanized as ever.

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We had 40,000 people on our launch call for the new Indivisible Guide, said Indivisible co-founder Ezra Levin. We havent seen this level of interest since 2017. And another similarity with that period is that it actually took a while for the broader political ecosystem to recognize there was going to be backlash and resistance to this guy.

But plenty of progressive fixtures from Trumps 2017 ascension are missing this time: The hope that Trump might be removed from office, or that its worth slowing down the inevitable with procedural tricks. Just a handful of protesters stood outside the Capitol perimeter, urging their representatives to invoke the 14th Amendments ban on insurrection accomplices holding office.

Know More

Democrats, crestfallen that the larger electorate did not share their outrage at the Jan. 6 riots or Trumps promise to pardon the rioters, offered little more than hypothetical contrast with him this week.

Were not them, Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern told Semafor as he sat quietly through the certification, even as Republicans interrupted defeated Vice President Kamala Harris to cheer for Trumps victory.

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Back in 2017, McGovern objected to Trumps electoral certification on the grounds that illegal activities engaged by the government of Russia had skewed the result.

What I do know is this: If the election results were different, and this was a very close election, we would have violence in the Capitol again, McGovern said.

Activist organizers said that a lot of the energy they see is focused not on rallying against Trump but on building a candidate base. Amanda Litman, president and co-founder of Run for Something, told Semafor that nearly 13,000 people had signed up as potential candidates since the November election.

Todays special elections in Virginia, in fact, generated far more interest on the left than the certification of Trumps win. Progressives offered no backlash against how Democrats handled the day.

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We support that  follow the law, follow the Constitution, said Vicki Miller, 72, an organizer with Indivisible Philadelphia, adding that her group was focused on long-term voter outreach and a day of service on Jan. 20 to counter the Trump inauguration. Rallies are hard. Theyre a time-consuming thing to plan. If youre taking the time to do a rally, its got to be awfully important.

As Capitol Hill moved on from the certification, there were more signs of a less resistant Democratic Party: Four dozen House Democrats voted for a GOP immigration bill, with some citing the removal of anti-Biden language, and more than a half-dozen Democratic senators announced they would meet with the vaccine-skeptical health secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Among the progressives taking meetings with Kennedy were Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.

Davids view

The absence of any Democratic protest or resistance to the certification was, in a small way, historic. After mounting challenges of various sizes in 2000, 2004 and 2016, this time Democrats ignored the (fairly small) chorus of activists who wanted to see some resistance to what they spent most of last year describing as an existential threat to American democracy.

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Theres clearly some frustration out in the country about the fact that this moment appears to be in tension with Section Three of the 14th Amendment, said Raskin, referring to legal language prohibiting insurrectionists from holding office. But the Supreme Court basically made it impossible for us to have a meaningful process.

Colorado Sen. John Hickenlooper, whose state Supreme Court had struck Trump from the ballot before the Supreme Court reversed its decision, said that the will of the voters is what matters in this case.

The new GOP majority relished watching Harris lose again. In 2001, 2005, and 2017, after the Democratic objections were finished, Republicans sat quietly as the vice presidents  Al Gore, Dick Cheney, and Joe Biden  read the presidential vote count. In 2017, anti-Trump protesters disrupted the final reading, and applause began only when the session was over.

This time, Republicans interrupted Harris, with House Speaker Mike Johnson joining a standing ovation for the phrase Donald J. Trump of the state of Florida has received 312 votes. Democrats noticed that reaction.

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Id like to be able to say that weve restored the normal, peaceful transfer of power, Raskin told Semafor. But of course, we wont know until Trumps party loses an election whether theyre actually willing to accept the constitutional processes as its supposed to work.

The View From the vice president

Today, I did what I have done my entire career, which is take seriously the oath that I have taken many times to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, which included today, performing my constitutional duty, Harris told reporters after the certification.

Notable
The way scientists think about fusion changed forever in 2022, when what some called the experiment of the century demonstrated for the first time that fusion can be a viable source of clean energy.

The experiment, at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, showed ignition: a fusion reaction generating more energy out than was put in.

In addition, the past few years have been marked by a multibillion-dollar windfall of private investment in the field, principally in the United States.

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But a whole host of engineering challenges must be addressed before fusion can be scaled up to become a safe, affordable source of virtually unlimited clean power. In other words, its engineering time.

As engineers who have been working on fundamental science and applied engineering in nuclear fusion for decades, weve seen much of the science and physics of fusion reach maturity in the past 10 years.

But to make fusion a feasible source of commercial power, engineers now have to tackle a host of practical challenges. Whether the United States steps up to this opportunity and emerges as the global leader in fusion energy will depend, in part, on how much the nation is willing to invest in solving these practical problems  particularly through public-private partnerships.

Building a fusion reactor

Fusion occurs when two types of hydrogen atoms, deuterium and tritium, collide in extreme conditions. The two atoms literally fuse into one atom by heating up to 180 million degrees Fahrenheit (100 million degrees Celsius), 10 times hotter than the core of the Sun. To make these reactions happen, fusion energy infrastructure will need to endure these extreme conditions.

There are two approaches to achieving fusion in the lab: inertial confinement fusion, which uses powerful lasers, and magnetic confinement fusion, which uses powerful magnets.

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While the experiment of the century used inertial confinement fusion, magnetic confinement fusion has yet to demonstrate that it can break even in energy generation.

Several privately funded experiments aim to achieve this feat later this decade, and a large, internationally supported experiment in France, ITER, also hopes to break even by the late 2030s. Both are using magnetic confinement fusion.

Challenges lying ahead

Both approaches to fusion share a range of challenges that wont be cheap to overcome. For example, researchers need to develop new materials that can withstand extreme temperatures and irradiation conditions.

Fusion reactor materials also become radioactive as they are bombarded with highly energetic particles. Researchers need to design new materials that can decay within a few years to levels of radioactivity that can be disposed of safely and more easily.

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Producing enough fuel, and doing it sustainably, is also an important challenge. Deuterium is abundant and can be extracted from ordinary water. But ramping up the production of tritium, which is usually produced from lithium, will prove far more difficult. A single fusion reactor will need hundreds of grams to one kilogram (2.2 lbs.) of tritium a day to operate.

Right now, conventional nuclear reactors produce tritium as a byproduct of fission, but these cannot provide enough to sustain a fleet of fusion reactors.

So, engineers will need to develop the ability to produce tritium within the fusion device itself. This might entail surrounding the fusion reactor with lithium-containing material, which the reaction will convert into tritium.

To scale up inertial fusion, engineers will need to develop lasers capable of repeatedly hitting a fusion fuel target, made of frozen deuterium and tritium, several times per second or so. But no laser is powerful enough to do this at that rate  yet. Engineers will also need to develop control systems and algorithms that direct these lasers with extreme precision on the target.

A laser setup that Farhat Begs research group plans to use to repeatedly hit a fusion fuel target. The goal of the experiments is to better control the targets placement and tracking. The lighting is red from colored gels used to take the picture. David Baillot/University of California San Diego

Additionally, engineers will need to scale up production of targets by orders of magnitude: from a few hundreds handmade every year with a price tag of hundreds of thousands of dollars each to millions costing only a few dollars each.

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For magnetic containment, engineers and materials scientists will need to develop more effective methods to heat and control the plasma and more heat- and radiation-resistant materials for reactor walls. The technology used to heat and confine the plasma until the atoms fuse needs to operate reliably for years.

These are some of the big challenges. They are tough but not insurmountable.

Current funding landscape

Investments from private companies globally have increased  these will likely continue to be an important factor driving fusion research forward. Private companies have attracted over US$7 billion in private investment in the past five years.

Several startups are developing different technologies and reactor designs with the aim of adding fusion to the power grid in coming decades. Most are based in the United States, with some in Europe and Asia.

ITER is a fusion reactor planned to operate in France. AP Photo/Claude Paris

While private sector investments have grown, the U.S. government continues to play a key role in the development of fusion technology up to this point. We expect it to continue to do so in the future.

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It was the U.S. Department of Energy that invested about US$3 billion to build the National Ignition Facility at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the mid 2000s, where the experiment of the century took place 12 years later.

In 2023, the Department of Energy announced a four-year, $42 million program to develop fusion hubs for the technology. While this funding is important, it likely will not be enough to solve the most important challenges that remain for the United States to emerge as a global leader in practical fusion energy.

One way to build partnerships between the government and private companies in this space could be to create relationships similar to that between NASA and SpaceX. As one of NASAs commercial partners, SpaceX receives both government and private funding to develop technology that NASA can use. It was the first private company to send astronauts to space and the International Space Station.

Along with many other researchers, we are cautiously optimistic. New experimental and theoretical results, new tools and private sector investment are all adding to our growing sense that developing practical fusion energy is no longer an if but a when.

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This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: George R. Tynan, University of California, San Diego and Farhat Beg, University of California, San Diego

Read more:



George R. Tynan has received research funding from the US Department of Energy and the Office of Fusion Energy Sciences, and has served on numerous advisory panels to DOE and the International Atomic Energy Agency. He is slated to serve on a soon-to-be-established technical advisory board for XCimer Energy, which is a laser fusion startup, and he has some collaborations (without any funding attached) with Commonwealth Fusion Systems.

Farhat Beg receives funding from DOE and industry.
Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai will lead a delegation from the SAR government to Guangzhou tomorrow for the 2025 Guangdong-Macao Cooperation Joint Conference. The meeting aims to implement President Xi Jinpings key speeches and enhance cooperation across various fields, further developing the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Several cooperation agreements are set to be signed. The delegation includes Secretary for Administration and Justice Andre Cheong and Secretary for Economy and Finance Tai Kin Yip. Secretary for Transport and Public Works Tam Wai Man will serve as acting Chief Executive during this time.

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Sparrow Hospital workers call for fairer pay and better benefits at Wednesday's "informational strike," November 2021. | Anna Gustafson

The union representing approximately 2,000 nurses and health care professionals at the University of Michigan Health-Sparrow in Lansing says it will conduct a five-day strike beginning at 7 a.m. Jan. 20.

The Professional Employee Council of Sparrow Hospital-Michigan Nurses Association (PECSH-MNA), which has been working without a contract since it expired Oct. 30, provided mandatory notice Tuesday of their intention to strike.

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It followed a vote in December by 98.7% of members to authorize the bargaining team to call a strike if needed.

The union said while there had been some recent progress, negotiations since August have overall failed to produce a contract that meets the caregivers needs for affordable healthcare, competitive wages, and safe working conditions.

Additionally, PECSH-MNA says it has also filed federal unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) alleging a pattern of bad-faith bargaining by UMH-Sparrow that included:

Interrogating a member about whether they would go on strike if one were called.

Implementing new job positions without giving notice or bargaining with the union.

Bargaining while withholding information; specifically, bargaining over health insurance while it is believed they were fully aware that the corporation planned to close the health insurance plan that it bought when it acquired Sparrow, upon which many employees rely.

Illegally polling employees by offering them the chance to sign up for a free T-shirt on the first day of the strike authorization vote.

Unilaterally modifying terms and conditions of employment under an expired contract.

While Sparrow did not address those allegations in its response, spokesperson Corey Alexander said they were nonetheless disappointed that the 10-day notice of a work stoppage had been issued.

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It is important to note that while a work stoppage is now a possibility, we remain confident that we can reach an agreement without one, said Alexander. We are currently taking steps to ensure that  in the unfortunate event that a work stoppage occurs  patients can still expect to receive the same safe, leading-edge and compassionate care close to home.

Alexander added that they have a contingency plan in place for staffing and plan to be fully operational if there is a work stoppage, with safety and quality of care remaining of the utmost importance.

University of Michigan Health-Sparrow will continue to negotiate in good faith with our valued nurses and health care professionals for a fair contract that meets everyones needs while also ensuring our patients receive the highest quality of care, said Alexander.

Leah Rasch, a registered nurse and co-chair of the PECSH-MNA bargaining team, said the strike became necessary due to what she characterized as UMH-Sparrows anti-union behavior and refusal to bargain a fair contract.

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It is not too much to ask that the University of Michigan, which has billions of dollars in resources, invest in competitive wages and affordable healthcare for the people who provide the care at their Lansing facilities, she said.

This is the first contract that PECSH-MNA has negotiated since University of Michigan Health bought Sparrow for an undisclosed amount in 2023. Since then, U of M Health-Sparrow has announced plans to build a $97 million psychiatric hospital in Lansing and has broken ground on a $32 million health center near Grand Ledge.

Coming on top of the nearly $1 billion U of M Health is spending on a new hospital on its Ann Arbor campus, Lindsey Davis, a social worker in behavioral health and a member of the PECSH-MNA bargaining team, called it heartbreaking that a strike became necessary against an employer that with seemingly unlimited funds for buildings while showing a lack of commitment to investing in the staff who do the work.

Ill be out on the picket line with my union siblings, standing up for whats fair and right, said David. All the community support means the world to us; people understand that a strong contract is necessary to recruit and retain enough nurses and healthcare professionals to take care of our loved ones and neighbors.

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The union said that while the strike takes place, starting at 7 a.m. Jan. 20 and concluding on the morning of Jan. 25, PECSH-MNA members will picket peacefully until 9 p.m. each night outside the main hospital, the Emergency Department in Okemos, and Sparrow Health Center on East Grand River in Lansing, and that access to Sparrow facilities will not be disrupted. The union said that community members are welcome to join the picket lines at any time.

The parties are scheduled to bargain again on Jan. 16 and 17, and in its announcement, PECSH-MNA said it is willing to consider additional negotiation dates before the strike if that would be productive.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WBOY)  A nurse and nursing assistant have been charged in relation to an incident last year at Hopemont Hospital in Preston County where a nonverbal patient was left in scalding water and sustained burns that eventually led to his death.

The West Virginia Department of Health Facilities first announced in January 2024 that two contract staff were on leave after a patient was treated for burns after a water tank thermostat malfunctioned.

On Wednesday, Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced that registered nurse Delilah Clayburn-Hill, of Buckhannon, and certified nursing assistant Kylah Beard, of Morgantown, have been charged with felony neglect of an incapacitated adult by a caregiver resulting in the incapacitated adults death.

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The release said that the nonverbal patient, 61-year-old Larry Hedrick, was left in a scalding hot bath of 134-degree water for 47 minutes. He sustained second- and third-degree burns and blisters on his feet and legs, the release said.

Man dead after truck fire in Monongalia County

According to the investigation, Beard allegedly did not check the temperature of the water before helping him into the tub and then left him. After the incident, Hill was informed of burns and blisters on the victim but allegedly did not give him proper treatment or pain medication.

Hedrick was later taken to West Penn Hospital Nursing-Burn Trauma Unit where he died from his injuries on Jan. 12, 2024.

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This is a very disturbing case and there needs to be accountability for the horrific death of the victim, Morrisey said in the release.

As of Wednesday morning, Beard and Hill were not listed in the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation database. Morriseys office said that other people involved in Hendricks care are also being investigated by his offices Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.

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Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos on Wednesday urged New York City parents to run for seats on their local and citywide education councils at a moment of reckoning for the school boards, which became a focus of bitter education battles last school year.

Starting early next week, parents can apply for a seat on one of the 36 local and citywide education panels. Elected by fellow public school families for two-year terms, members approve school zoning lines, advise local district superintendents and hold public meetings.

If youve never held a parent leadership role before, now is always a great time to start, Aviles-Ramos said at a launch event for the upcoming elections in lower Manhattan.

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Its not unusual for education debates to get heated. But as parents clashed last school year over the Israel-Hamas War and transgender girls in school sports, former Chancellor David Banks ousted two parents from their councils, saying they were unfit to serve in these roles.

Manhattan board member Maud Maron sued in federal court and was reinstated to Community Education Council 2. Both she and Tajh Sutton, who did not get her seat back on Community Education Council 14 in Brooklyn, are eligible to run again, the chancellors deputy tasked with overseeing the elections confirmed Wednesday.

Sutton declined to share her plans for the coming election. Maron, who is running for Manhattan district attorney, did not return a request for comment.

At the event, Aviles-Ramos advised parents not to let the events of last year deter them from getting involved.

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We know that we need to very much support our families who are volunteering their time and being a part of these organizations, the chancellor said at Education Department headquarters.

Her message to applicants was, Its OK to disagree, but then how do we disagree and still move an agenda forward?

The launch of the process follows growing criticism from parents and local politicians over the handling of the elections, which are often low turnout and have been growing increasingly contentious. The families of just 28,000 public school students voted during last election cycle.

In November, Comptroller Brad Lander released an audit of the last cycle that called on the public schools to strengthen a real-time complaint process during election season and develop clear guardrails to keep outside forces from influencing the results.

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Aviles-Ramos would not comment on the audit and whether she would adopt any of its recommendations, with her spokesman referring the Daily News back to a statement from the fall that the reports findings were under review.

Parents who want to run can submit applications online through Feb. 16 and will have a little more than a month for candidate forums and to continue campaigning. In addition to 32 geographic education councils, there are four citywide councils on high schools, English Language Learners, special education and District 75 for students with intensive needs.

Voting is open from April 25 to May 13, with election results announced in June for the next school year.
ALBANY, N.Y. (WROC)  The Spencerport school board will meet Tuesday, following the arrest of two teenagers accused of bullying and harassing a Cosgrove Middle School student.

News 8 sat down with the president of NYSUT, the states teachers union, to learn more on New Yorks approach to bullying as it applies district by district.

We have a real mental health crisis among our youth right now and theres a shortage of school staff that can help support these students, said Melinda Person, NYSUTs president.

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In 2025, Person says investment in school support programs is top priority for students affected by bullying.

Spencerport bullying victims plea to the district for change

Part of that includes the states ongoing push to restrict cell phones during the school day.

State education leaders are joining Gov. Kathy Hochul with proposals to create a bell to bell policy, which would go into effect statewide.

This year, were going to be focusing on trying to get some common-sense restrictions on the use of cell phones during school hours, so we can hopefully give our students seven hours a day free from social media and from the other distractions to learning that are occurring now, she said.

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Person said the state has observed a decrease in cases of bullying and cyberbullying in districts that have limited cell phone use.

She also touches on how parents and teachers can better identify the effects of bullying in their students.

Often, when a child is being bullied, you will notice a change in their behavior. Theyll get really quiet all of a sudden. Theyll say, I dont want to go to school anymore. Or, theyre feeling uncomfortable about that walk to school, or theyre feeling uncomfortable about that time on the school bus. When you see that change in them, youll know that something is up and its a good time to ask whats going on at school, said Person.

Person points to the Dignity For All Students Act, New Yorks universal framework legislation led by the NYS education department, to prohibit any kind of bullying or discrimination in any form.

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I think the most important thing for the state to do is to make sure our schools have the resources they need to provide the mental health resources and professionals in our school buildings. Kids are in school seven hours a day and its an obvious opportunity for us to show up and help address whatever needs are coming up, whether theyre related to cyberbullying or other forms of bullying. Schools are a great place to access those resources, she said.

The Dignity For All Students Act, while passed as state law, must be implemented and enforced at the local level.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  A pair of top-ranked teams claimed wins on Tuesday evening as the OGorman girls and Sioux Falls Christian boys were victorious.

The Knights rolled in the victory, claiming a 70-31 win over Brookings.

Sioux Falls Christian traveled to Hartford and earned a 65-48 win over West Central.

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 KELOLAND.com.
WASHINGTON (AP)  A record 24 million people have signed up for insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act, former President Barack Obama's landmark health legislation, as the program awaits an uncertain future under a Republican-controlled White House and Congress.

Never have so many people enrolled in health care coverage through the government marketplace, a point of pride for many Democrats but a red flag to some Republicans.

President Joe Biden has pushed an expansion of the program, signing into law billions of dollars in tax credits that expanded who qualified for the health insurance and lowered its cost. Millions of additional Americans can now pay monthly premiums of just a few dollars to get coverage.

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The increased enrollment is no coincidence," Biden said in a statement. When I took office, I made a promise to the American people that I would bring down the cost of health care and prescription drugs, make signing up for coverage easier, and strengthen the Affordable Care Act, Medicare, and Medicaid."

But incoming President-elect Donald Trump has maligned Obamacare for years. He unsuccessfully tried to dismantle it during his first term, and has promised changes  without offering a concrete plan  during his second term. Enrollment dropped during Trump's first term, with his administration investing less money in the program, including for navigators who help people enroll in the coverage.

And the tax credits that made the health care coverage more affordable for millions will expire at the end of this year, unless Congress passes a new law.

Lawmakers will face a pressure campaign from hospitals and insurance companies, which supply coverage plans for the marketplace, to continue the tax credits. A newly formed coalition of the biggest and most powerful health care entities  including the nation's top health insurers, largest health care systems and notable medical associations  has launched a campaign called Keep Americans Covered to lobby Congress on the issue.

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Still, it's an uphill fight with Republicans, some of whom voted against the Affordable Care Act initially and others who voted to repeal it years later. Still, some might pause at the idea of effectively stripping their constituents of health care coverage.

Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski told the Alaska Beacon last week that Congress would need to continue these premium tax credits," in an interview about rising health care costs.

But other Republicans have raised questions about the tax credits, especially with continued growth in enrollment. Last year, a group of GOP representatives called for an investigation into Affordable Care Act signups, citing concerns that people are defrauding taxpayers by reporting inaccurate income levels in order to qualify for cheaper health care coverage.

In a call with reporters Tuesday, Biden administration officials pushed back on that, saying that automated systems verify a person's income against the previous year's tax filings.

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Trump, meanwhile, has described the Affordable Care Act as costly, and says the health care coverage it offers is lousy.

But he has still not offered a full plan for how he would make it better.

We have concepts of a plan that would be better, he said during an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press" last month.

Open enrollment on HealthCare.gov ends on Jan. 15.
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President-elect Donald Trump wants to acquire Greenland. This is not merely one of his japes, as it may have been during his first term. Great-power territorial acquisition is on his dream list for his second term. And while the annexation of Canada as the 51st state, as he often posts, may be more in the messing-around category, hes speaking quite seriously about seizing Greenland. The Danish crown is paying attention.

In meetings, at dinners and in passing conversations, Mr. Trump has asked advisers whether the U.S. can acquire Greenland, listened with interest when they discuss its abundant resources and geopolitical importance, the Wall Street Journal first reported in 2019. It seemed, as with so many things during his first term, that it was something staff promised to look into while assuming that Trump would forget and move on to something else.

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Trump, however, has not forgotten, and he will spend much more of his second term trying to execute his most fanciful plans than his first. In Trumps announcement of his nominee to serve as ambassador to Denmark, Ken Howery, he emphasized 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. Kenny, you have your orders.

Greenland, with a population of around 50,000, is an autonomous territory of Denmark, a kingdom with which Greenland has a history going back more than a millennium. Greenland manages its internal affairs, while national security is delegated to Denmark. While Greenland isnt particularly enraptured with Denmark anymore, that doesnt mean its ready to leap into the hands of America. Greenlands prime minister, in response to Trumps latest chatter about acquisition, has emphasized that the island is not for sale.

Denmark, meanwhile, is getting saucy in the face of Trumps expansionist threats. King Frederik, who took the throne from his mom a year ago, just released an updated royal coat of armsand hoo boy. The updated one more prominently displays symbols of the Danish realms overseas territories, portraying a significantly larger polar bear, representing Greenland, and ram, representing the Faroe Islands. A more realistic updated coat of arms would feature the logo of Novo Nordisk. But as the king wishes, so the royal drawers-of-pictures obey.

Trump saw King Frederiks upsized polar bear and raised him a Don Jr. Greenland excursion. The president-elects son landed in Nuuk on Tuesday, in the Trump-branded plane, on an unofficial trip. The purpose, per the AP, was to shoot video content for podcasting, in line with the industry trend of people watching videos of audio shows. While in Nuuk, Don Jr.s father called in to speak to an assembled group.

JUST IN: Trump calls into Trump Jr.s visit to Greenland, makes the argument for why the country should join American territory.



Youre so strategically located.



The Greenlandic people are LOVING it.



pic.twitter.com/Esjlc2Zk7W  Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 7, 2025

(We dont know, based on this clip, whether the people of Greenland were really LOVING it so much as they were bewildered by what was happening. It is true, though, that they clap when Charlie Kirk, who was also there presumably for content purposes, urges them to do so.)

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During a press conference on Tuesday, meanwhile, Trump laid out his vision for acquiring Greenland. He threatened very high tariffs on Denmark if it refused to consider selling Greenland and refused to rule out economic or military coercion in his effort to take over Greenland. (He refused to rule out the same for his other pet project, retaking the Panama Canal.) He also suggested that Denmark might not really have control over Greenland, anyway.

Its important to note that Trump is not the first American official to come up with the idea of annexing Greenland, and he is correct that the island is of significant strategic importance. With the Arctic meltingwho knows why!new sea lanes are opening, and Russia and China have been working to plant their flags. The island has vast natural resources, including valuable rare-earth mineral deposits. And were Greenland to achieve full independence, it would inevitably fall under some great powers security umbrella. The U.S. already has a military base on the island, as it is. None of this means, however, that the U.S. needs to annex Greenland to strategic purposes. It could simply negotiate a treaty or some other diplomatic agreement for enhanced cooperation. That may be what Trumps saber-rattling, in the end, is all about.

More likely, though, he just wants it because it would be cool. And as much as he makes the national security arguments  well, weve all studied this guys brain for a decade now. We think we know why hes really interested in it.

Its because Greenland looks really, really big on the Mercator projection.

Wikipedia

Greenland is not small. We would never disrespect Greenland by calling it small. But its not as big as it looks, flattened out, on the Mercator projection. It is not roughly the same size as Africa. It is my belief, however, that Trump does not know this and believes that it is the size of Africa, which makes him fixated on it enough to threaten wartrade war or shooting warwith a NATO ally over its control.

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The same applies to Canada, which Trump also says he wants, and which also appears enormous on the Mercator projection.

Trump has not indicated what his plans for governance would be of any of the territories he hopes to capture.
ODESSA, N.Y. (WETM)  An Odessa man who was arrested in North Carolina back in March pleaded guilty recently to rape and other sexual crimes against children under the age of 13, according to information from the Schuyler County District Attorneys Office.

Marcel Veilleux, 67, pleaded guilty to the following charges in a Schuyler County Court on Thursday, Jan. 2.

One count of first-degree rape, a class B felony.

One count of first-degree criminal sexual act, a class B felony.

Two counts of promoting a sexual performance by a child, a class D felony.

Schuyler County man arrested in North Carolina on child sex crimes

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Veilleux admitted during his plea he had vaginal sex with a child under the age of 11 and had oral sexual conduct with a child under the age of 13. Veilleux added that he took photographs showing both of the children during the sexual acts. The plea revealed that Veilleux had sexually abused the same children many times over two years.

Police performed many search warrants to get as much evidence as possible against Veilleux. During the searches, police found hundreds of sexually explicit photographs, chronicling Veilleuxs abuse against the same children, the documents said.

Veilleuxs sentencing is scheduled for March 13, where he faces up to 25 years in state prison on the rape charge and criminal sexual act charge, and up to two and one-third to seven years on the promoting sexual performance by a child charges.

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President Trump has created a massive gulf in America.

No, I am not talking about the half baked promise to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America that Trump announced in his news conference on Tuesday. The gulf that our country actually is going to have is the one between our current reality and the one we will be experiencing when Trump takes office on Jan. 20.

This news conference, which was the first since Trumps re-election was certified by Congress, was a wild one  even by Trumpian standards. In a little over an hour behind a podium at his Mar-a-Lago beach club, the president-elect, along with promising to rename an ocean basin, threatened potential military force against Panama and Denmark. He also suggested he might use economic force to make Canada the 51st State.

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They should be a state, Trump said of one of Americas closest neighbors and allies.

And, if Hamas doesnt release the remaining hostages taken in the October 7th attack before Trumps inauguration, Trump vowed that would also result in a massive show of force.

If theyre not back by the time I get into office, all hell will break out in the Middle East, Trump said. It will not be good for Hamas and it will not be good frankly for anyone. All hell will break out.

Trumps feverish foreign policy visions were mixed up with his other weird obsessions and blatant lies. He ranted about President Joe Bidens efforts to promote electric power and suggested heat generated this way will make you itch. As he vowed to make major pardons for some of his supporters who attacked the Capitol during the January 6 insurrection, Trump reiterated some of his preferred, debunked conspiracy theories about that day including that, the FBI is concealing the identity of the unknown pipe bomber and that, somehow, the Middle Eastern terrorist group Hezbollah might have played a role in the violence.

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We have to find out about Hezbollah. We have to find out about who exactly was in that whole thing because people that did some bad things were not prosecuted, Trump said.

Trump also continued his longstanding beef with windmills.

The windmills are driving the whales crazy, obviously, he said.

The whole thing was objectively bizarre and its difficult to track how much of Trumps comments were bluster or how many of these wild ideas are even remotely feasible. Can you even effectively rename an ocean? Does he really intend to try to essentially annex Canada? Would he really consider using military force to take over Greenland or the Panama Canal? Would the military stand for that? Would Congress?

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If the infamously fickle Trump really sticks with some of these outlandish proposals we will learn the answers to these questions in time. But one thing was immediately clear. As ever, some of Trumps hardest core supporters on Capitol Hill are willing to back him on anything. Within minutes of Trumps event concluding, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) announced legislation to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

As soon as President Trump made his announcement, I directed my staff to get the bill drafted, Greene said in a subsequent statement.

The bill text specified any reference in U.S. records to the Gulf of Mexico shall be deemed to be a reference to the Gulf of America. Its like cartographic Freedom Fries on steroids.

And the whole spectacle came at the same time as we saw yet another instance of institutions that might curb Trumps excesses shut down as Judge Aileen Cannon moved to block the release of the report on Trumps misconduct from special counsel Jack Smith. Trump, who called Smith deranged and a moron reacted to that news in real time with yet another effort to dismiss the substance of the many charges that were levied against him before his re-election quashed the investigation.

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He wanted to do a report just before I take office probably, said Trump. Itll be a fake report just like the investigation was a fake investigation.

Behind all of the conspiracies and craziness, the news conference revealed something important: Trumps second term is beginning from an absolutely extreme and intense place. America previously experienced four years of Trump. However, that first Trump administration started with a divided Congress, more reason to have faith in institutional checks and balances, and some more traditional political figures on Trumps team. The guard rails are down and Trumps own comments are making clear his id has been fully unleashed.

We are about to jump into the gulf.

Indeed, after monologuing nearly a half hour of threats against friendly nations, Trump himself declared everything is about to change.

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Were approaching the dawn of Americas golden age, Trump said, later adding, I think were also at a golden age of common sense.

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GOP-controlled North Carolina Supreme Court blocks certification of Democrat as winner of close high court race
DENVER (KDVR)  An Aurora Walgreens was robbed Tuesday night and an officer was injured, but police say two suspects from the robbery are in custody thanks to a GPS tracking device.

At about 6:48 p.m. on Tuesday, Aurora dispatchers were notified of a SIERRA alarm following a robbery at the Walgreens located at 18620 E. Iliff Ave. Dispatchers were told two suspects had robbed the pharmacy minutes before and made off with about $5,000 in oxycontin.

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APD said that SIERRA refers to the GPS tracking device store employees had hidden inside the stolen medication. Oxycontin is the brand name for the narcotic oxycodone, a painkiller only available through prescriptions.

Aurora 911 dispatchers were given a live feed for the tracking device and relayed its location to officers, according to a department spokesperson. The suspects were tracked heading to a second Walgreens near the intersection of East Smoky Hill Road and South Aurora Parkway.

When officers arrived at the second Walgreens, the suspects fled on foot. Officers pursued and took both suspects into custody, according to an agency spokesperson. Details about the suspects, including names and ages, were not available Tuesday.

However, an officer was injured during the foot chase, and taken to a local hospital for medical care. The extent of the officers injuries was unknown as of Tuesday night.

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Police also shared that investigators recovered a firearm, a suspect vehicle and what the agency believes to be all of the stolen oxycontin.

Its unclear if this incident is at all related to two Walgreens robberies reported in Commerce City and Northglenn in early December, where an armed suspect took narcotics and fled. No suspects were arrested in the case.

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Taiwan began three days of military drills yesterday as concerns rose over potential cuts to the defense budget due to legislative wrangling between the islands two major political parties.

The drills began in the north with tank maneuvering at a base in Hsinchu featuring outmoded CM-11 tanks, which are gradually being replaced by newly purchased Abrams M1A2T from the U.S. The replacement marks a huge upgrade despite some complaints over the weight of the new tanks and their likely effectiveness at preventing a possible Chinese landing.

Troops arrived on armored personnel carriers, while Apache and S-70 helicopters whirled overhead, providing reconnaissance and covering fire.

With the equipment Taiwan currently operates, the communication officer is on the ground to coordinate airborne attacks, said Army Captain Chuang Yuan-cheng of the 542 Armored Brigade in Hsinchu county just south of the capital of Taipei. That allows them to guide the helicopters so that ground fire and airborne fire are synchronized, Chuang said.

Today, the army will show off its Patriot III anti-missile system aimed at countering one of Chinas most potent weapons against the island of 23 million.

And tomorrow, anti-submarine exercises will be held off of Taiwans largest port of Kaohsiung, considered Chinas best conduit for resupplying its troops should it establish a beachhead in the heavily defended region.

The annual drills are held in the run-up to the Lunar New Year holiday to reassure the population of Taiwans ability to meet Chinas threats and to boost recruitment. Taiwan has a backlog of orders from the U.S. for about $20 billion in weapons systems, while it upgrades its M-16 fighters and develops its own submarines. It has also extended compulsory military service to one year.

However, the government has warned that new legal amendments being considered could force a 28% cut in the defense budget by altering the way funds are distributed between the central and local governments.

That in turn could reduce the willingness of the U.S. and its allies such as Japan and the Philippines to assist Taiwan in the event of an armed clash with China, National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu told legislators last month.

The legislation is being pushed by the main opposition Nationalist Party, which has joined with the tiny Taiwan Peoples Party to oppose the ruling Democratic Progressive Partys legislative agenda.

Taiwan currently spends about 2.4% of its GDP, or roughly $20 billion, on the military annually.

China has responded furiously to all U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, saying unification with the island is inevitable and warning that Washington is playing with fire. However, apart from regularly sending planes and warships into areas near the island, it has done little more than blacklist companies and executives involved in the production and sales of such equipment.

Neither military intimidation, economic coercion nor appeals to their common Chinese ancestry seem to be working on Taiwans population, the vast majority of whom favor the current status of de-facto independence. TAIJING WU, HSINCHU, MDT/AP
Jan. 8 (UPI) -- A JetBlue passenger allegedly opened the emergency exit door and deployed the slide of a taxiing airplane before leaving Boston's Logan International Airport on Tuesday night, bringing the flight to a halt.

The FAA said the passenger on Flight 161 on its way to San Juan, Puerto Rico, is expected to face charges for the suspected incident. Witnesses told authorities that the man and his girlfriend were arguing and he left his seat and opened the emergency door.

"Shortly before takeoff, a passenger who wanted to deplane opened an aircraft door suddenly and without warning," Massachusetts State Police said, according to CBS News. "Other passengers restrained the individual until troopers arrived on scene to detain them for further questioning."

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The suspect, who has not been identified publicly, was expected to be arraigned in East Boston District Court on Wednesday.

The incident in Boston comes a day after Broward County authorities in Florida reported the discovery of two bodies in the landing gear compartment of a JetBlue-operated plane that landed at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida on Monday.

Authorities said the bodies were both badly decomposed. They are investigating how long the bodies had been in the compartment and how they gained access to a secure area to get into the compartment.

That flight had originated from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. The plane started in Kington, Jamaica, and traveled to Salt Lake City before arriving back at JFK to Florida, JetBlue officials said.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  UPDATE: More information is being released about a structure fire in downtown Sioux City.

Firefighters responded to a fire in a residential space above Bills Bar on the 2100 block of Court Street.

Sioux City Fire & Rescue told KCAU 9 that two people were reportedly stuck in an area in the residential space.

Officials said one person was transferred to a local hospital for further evaluation and a cat was able to be rescued.

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The extent of the damage to the residential space from the fire is under investigation. Fire officials said more information will be released at a later date.

-

PREVIOUS (11:10 p.m.): Officials are on the scene at a fire in downtown Sioux City.

The fire is believed to have started late Tuesday night in the 2100 block of Court Street in a residential space above a bar. Firefighters were called to the scene at around 10:30 p.m.

KCAU 9 has a reporter at the scene and is working on gathering more information.

This is a developing story and will be updated with additional information.

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LOGAN, Ohio (WCMH)  The top of the Hocking County governments website awards Pat Hartman the role of county treasurer. A drop-down menu of officials on the same site lists Diane Sargent as the treasurer. The Ohio Board of Elections lists Janie Harris.

None is correct.

The Hocking County Treasurer is  as of publication  Blaine Davidson. With 65.5% of the vote, Davidson defeated Democrat incumbent Harris for the position. Soon after, Harris resigned as county treasurer, effective Dec. 6. Her unexpired term was set to end Aug. 31, 2025, and her resignation opened the doors for a political merry-go-round to fill the position.

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Dr. Acton announces run for governor

Under Ohio law, if a county treasurer resigns, the county branch of the political party they represent is able to appoint a new treasurer. If the treasurer was an independent, the county board of commissioners can select the replacement.

On Nov. 27, the Hocking County Commissioners voted to approve Harris resignation and to appoint Treasurer-elect Davidson to serve as interim Hocking County treasurer until his term began. However, county Democrats used their right to replace the treasurer, booting Davidson out in favor of Democrat Patricia Hartman.

All but one treasurer employee quit, and then Hartman resigned, effective Dec. 22. In tandem with a series of emergency commissioners meetings, the treasurers office was closed for several days. The last remaining employee spoke out and thanked the commissioners for protecting her and closing the department.

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During these meetings, Davidson was once more appointed interim treasurer, with the knowledge the Democratic Party could appoint a new prospect. On Dec. 30, Davidson accepted the appointment and was sworn in, acknowledging he could lose the appointment again but saying he wanted to bring stability to the office. At a Jan. 3 commissioners meeting, commissioners implored the Hocking County Democrats to keep him in the role.

High profile criminal trials expected this year

Hopefully all parties, whether its a D or an R, agree on the importance of having a treasurers office thats open and functioning, Commissioner Michael Linton said.

As part of the concerns, commissioners discussed the struggle to get payroll done for that meeting because there had not been a working treasurer to certify payroll with the county auditor.

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According to Commissioner Jason DOnofrio, the employees who had resigned returned to their positions once Davidson accepted the appointment. Commissioners also said they were unsure if the resignations were ever completed, as there was no one in the seat of treasurer to accept them.

Current employees of the treasurers office have said if Blaine (Davidson) is not retained, they probably will not stay in the office, Linton said. That can not happen. We need the treasurers office to be open and functioning, period.

The third commissioner, Andrew Davidson, was sworn in on Jan. 3 before the meeting. Andrew and Blaine Davidson are brothers, although the commissioner was not sworn in for any meetings before the Jan. 3 gathering and was not part of the appointments to the treasury.

This is not a political thing, Linton said. Its not Democrats vs. Republicans. One of those employees whose appealed to the Democratic party is a Democrat.

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A representative for the Hocking County Democratic Party declined to comment.

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Former Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton announced Tuesday that shes running for governor, becoming the first Democrat to enter the race to replace term-limited Gov. Mike DeWine (R).

Im a doctor, not a politician, she said in a statement announcing her candidacy. I solve problems by bringing people together regardless of party to find solutions. So unlike most of our leaders I know the answer to moving our state forward isnt giving politicians more power, its giving people more freedom.

Today, I filed papers to run for Governor because I refuse to look away from Ohioans who are struggling while self-serving politicians and special interests take our state in the wrong direction, she added. Its time to give power back to the people and our communities. Its time for a change.

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Acton drew praise during the COVID pandemic as the states health director as she helped the Buckeye State navigate the coronavirus, particularly through her press briefings, which received acclaim. Despite serving in DeWines administration, she also drew ire from some Ohioans who were angry at some of the measures put in place to curb the spread of the virus. She later resigned from her post to become a health adviser to DeWine.

Other Democrats who could potentially run include Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo and former Rep. Tim Ryan (Ohio), among others.

On the Republican side, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost are likely to emerge as contenders, though an open question is whom DeWine will appoint to fill the remainder of Vice President-elect JD Vances Senate term, which could change the makeup of the primary.

Ohio has become increasingly tough political terrain for Democrats. Ryan lost a bid against Vance for an open Senate seat in 2022 after Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) retired. President-elect Trump won Ohio in November by 11 points, expanding his margin from 2020, when he won by 8 points.

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The last time Ohio elected a Democrat for governor was in 2006 when former Gov. Ted Strickland (D) won the seat before losing reelection to Republican and former Gov. John Kasich.

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Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman. (Photo by Morgan Trau, WEWS.)

Ohio Republican leaders are looking at cutting spending for public education, calling the current formula  a policy that was created after the state had unconstitutional funding for three decades  unsustainable.

House Speaker Matt Huffman, R-Lima, a champion of sending taxpayer dollars to private schools through the EdChoice voucher system, questions how well public schools are spending their money.

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Two Northeast Ohio superintendents beg him to reconsider but also question how accountable the voucher system is.

Public money for public schools

The vast majority of Ohio students go to public schools. And for a good education, Parma City Schools Superintendent Charles Smialek says K-12 needs to be fully funded.

Seventy-five percent of PCSDs funding comes from property taxes, while the rest comes from the state. Thats thanks to the Cupp-Patterson Fair School Funding Plan.

The Ohio Supreme Court ruled in 1997 that the way the state funds schools is unconstitutional, relying too much on property taxes.

House Bill 1, introduced by state Reps. Bride Rose Sweeney, D-Cleveland, and Jamie Callender, R-Concord, in 2021, required $333 million additional dollars a year for K-12 education funding  or about $2 billion overall over the course of six years.

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Their bill mirrored the policy that passed the House but not the Senate in the General Assembly prior, which was created by former Speaker Bob Cupp, R-Lima, and former state Rep. John Patterson, D-Jefferson. House Bill 1 was passed and signed into law.

The rollout was supposed to take six years and is meant to change how public dollars are provided to K-12 schools. It would give additional support to local districts so they can rely less on property taxes.

The first two years were partially fully-funded, the second two years were fully-funded, and there are just two years left to go. But under new leadership, that may not happen.

I dont think there is a third phase to Cupp-Patterson, Huffman told reporters Monday evening. As to the expectation that those things are gonna go in I guess the clear statement I can say is I think those increases in spending are unsustainable.

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The G.A. from four years ago shouldnt be able to bind what the future lawmakers can do, he said.

Huffman explained that this years budget is going to have significantly less money due to the federal COVID dollars drying up. And for him, public education is on the chopping block.

Thats often how a lot of projects go  early on it doesnt cost very [much] money  but some other governor or General Assembly will have to figure out how to pay for it, he continued. As it turns out, I am the other General Assembly years in the future, or possibly am, and I dont think the spending is sustainable.

So what happens if the FSFP is decreased or is cut entirely?

Where they think we can come up with this money  Im just not sure other than, again, to go to the local taxpayers, Smialek said to me. And as you indicated, (the local taxpayers) already feel theyre overburdened.

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For the past few years, schools around the area have struggled to pass levies. Parmas have failed four times. This is hard on the superintendent and the entire district.

We cant sustain the program that we offer for students with reduced funding, he said. We have to come back to our local taxpayers or we have to make cuts, and those cuts will absolutely impact our students and our families.

Parma would have to cut jobs, require fees to participate in extracurriculars, cut down the amount of hours in class for high school students, or increase class sizes to 30 kids, the superintendent said.

One of the few levies to succeed last November was Medina City Schools  after their third try.

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Its not to build any new buildings or facilities, Medina Schools Superintendent Aaron Sable said. It was simply to maintain what we have in place.

Sables schools also rely on the state for 20% of their funding, he said. It would be detrimental to lose, the superintendent continued.

Despite the levy passing, Sable understands why it was such a close vote.

Its about people being in a financially difficult situation  property values drastically increasing, a lack of understanding as to why their property values are increasing and how those tax dollars are being spent, he continued.

A common misconception in the area was that when property taxes went up, more automatically went to the schools. That isnt true since they are flatlined, he said.

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Had the levy not passed, they would have been looking at at least an additional $8 million in reductions going into the next school year, so doubling what reductions they made into this school year, the superintendent added.

It would be a complete restructuring and dismantling of the district, he said.

Both superintendents think this is Huffmans goal.

Do you believe this is an effort to privatize education? we asked Sable.

I think theres been an ongoing effort by some legislators to privatize public education, Sable responded.

We asked the same question to Smialek.

You try not to be cynical, but ultimately, it has been, Smialek responded. If you look at the money that went into the voucher system, were almost at $1 billion. So when we talk about what isnt sustainable, were not hearing that the $1 billion in EdChoice vouchers wasnt sustainable.

Public money for private schools

Huffman is one of, if not the most, vocal advocate in the legislature of EdChoice, Ohios private school voucher system. The state spent nearly $1 billion in public money to send kids to nonpublic schools in 2024. Parents of any income level can apply for vouchers to help pay private or other nonpublic schools tuition.

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Huffman and many GOP lawmakers believe spending that much on EdChoice is necessary in order to have the money follow the child or have the students avoid poor-performing public schools.

This program is designed to acknowledge the unique abilities and needs of Ohios student population and to foster an educational environment in which every student can have access to the best learning environment for them, state Rep. Riordan McClain, R-Upper Sandusky, said in his testimony for one of his bills supporting vouchers.

A parent shouldnt be forced to choose between moving to another school district for their child to go to a different school, he said.

Ohio has made strides with the EdChoice Scholarship to provide new opportunities for financially challenged families as well as students in failing districts, he added.

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If you can afford to pay out of pocket for education or you make a lower amount of income and are eligible for an EdChoice scholarship, you are able to have educational options, the lawmaker said.

But, for most Ohioans who fall somewhere in between those two ends of the bell curve, the only option for your childs education is determined by your home address, he said.

The number of students receiving EdChoice Expansion vouchers increased from 23,272 students during the 2022-2023 school year to 82,946 students during the 2023-2024 school year, according to data provided by the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce (ODEW).

But the number of students enrolled in private schools during the 2023-24 school year only increased by 3,719 students, according to ODEW.

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This means that the vast majority of new private school voucher spending went to students who were already attending private schools.

Some public schools dont have what parents want, Huffman has said repeatedly for years.

We have to look at whether these dollars are being spent wisely in some districts, he said to reporters Monday. We know they are in many.

Smialek took offense to that, adding that he wishes his district could afford to put air conditioning in 11 out of 13 school buildings that dont currently have it.

To say that money is not being spent wisely is, essentially, a slap at your population, the superintendent added.

Sable questioned how wisely the state was actually spending money.

Public schools are held to a very high standard, not only financially and how were spending public dollars, but also how our students are performing, ensuring that our teachers and administrators are licensed and background checked, he said.

Both he and Smialek questioned how Huffman could accuse public schools of not spending wisely when we dont even know how private schools are spending voucher dollars.

Those kinds of parameters and expectations are not in place for private schools, Sable said. I think its not responsible for Ohioans to not hold a sector responsible for how theyre spending our public tax dollars each year  but the legislators have determined that thats not important.

Throughout the lame duck session, lawmakers were hearing a handful of bills dedicated to increasing accountability for the private school voucher system.

H.B. 407, the one that was most likely to pass, was introduced by state Reps. Gayle Manning, R-North Ridgeville, and Bill Seitz, R-Cincinnati.

Originally, it included provisions that would have required private schools participating in the EdChoice voucher program to submit an annual report to the state showing how state funds are being spent while also reporting information about the family income of each voucher scholarship student.

But state Rep. Sarah Fowler Arthur, R-Ashtabula  the lawmaker who received international backlash for telling saying that the Holocaust should be taught from both sides in school  stripped those provisions from the legislation.

Both House Minority Leader Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, and former House Speaker Jason Stephens, R-Kitts Hill, said there should be an accountability aspect when it comes to this system.

Stephens, who is rivals with Huffman, wasnt impressed by the new speakers direction when it comes to schools.

There has always been three phases in the Cupp-Patterson funding plan. We funded the first phase in 2021, the second phase in 2023, and we should fund the final phase in 2025, Stephens said.

We reached out to see how the other chamber was reacting to Huffmans comments.

Every two years the school funding formula is reviewed and evaluated as part of the budget, Senate GOP spokesperson John Fortney said. That will remain the case this year.

When it comes to Smialek, he had one question for Huffman.

What type of education do you want for the lesser privileged among us? he asked.

The funding plan will be decided in the budget  which will be heard in the coming months.

This article was originally published on News5Cleveland.com and is published in the Ohio Capital Journal under a content-sharing agreement. Unlike other OCJ articles, it is not available for free republication by other news outlets as it is owned by WEWS in Cleveland.

Follow WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on X and Facebook.

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Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed into law several education changes that will require schools to let students leave for off-site religious classes and that opponents worry will out LGBTQ students.

DeWine, a Republican, signed House Bill 8 on Wednesday.

Called the "Parents' Bill of Rights" by backers, the bill ballooned from its initial purpose, which was to inform parents about any health care provided or "sexually explicit" material taught during school hours, allowing parents to opt their children out. Sexually explicit was defined as pictures, photographs, drawings and movies depicting sexual conduct.

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However, changes were added as the bill moved through the GOP-controlled Legislature. The definition of sexuality content that parents must be informed about now includes "gender ideology," a term used by anti-LGBTQ activists to describe gender identity.

Groups like the Ohio School Counselor Association and the Ohio Education Association opposed the changes, worried that they would "sow distrust between schools and parents instead of fostering collaboration." LGBTQ activists said the law could force school employees to out students to their parents.

The law's backers said parents should know what is happening with their children during school hours. Schools should not have the broad authority to keep secret information about someone elses child, Sen. Andrew Brenner, R-Delaware, said.

Lawmakers also added a requirement that school boards allow students to take religious classes off-site during the school day. The change was a reaction to several central Ohio public school districts blocking Hilliard-based LifeWise Academy from teaching Christian classes off-site.

A LifeWise bus parked outside the Westerville City Schools board meeting, which voted Monday to rescind a policy allowing the program that allows the program that teaches the Bible to public students during the school day.

Most Republicans backed the idea, saying public school students should have access to religious instruction if their parents approve. Classes must be taught off-site and cannot interfere with core classes. For example, LifeWise classes are typically conducted during lunch or instead of an elective.

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However, House Democrats asked DeWine to veto House Bill 8, saying these religious release programs disrupt the school day. "Students coming in and out during school hours impact every child in the classroom and our school buildings," they wrote in a letter to DeWine.

The new law takes effect in 90 days.

Jessie Balmert covers state government and politics for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: DeWine signs 'Parents' Bill of Rights," bill that allows religious release
LifeWise Academy is a Hilliard-based religious instruction program that started in 2019 and now enrolls 50,000 students across 29 states. (Photo by Megan Henry, Ohio Capital Journal.)

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has signed a bill into law that will require school districts to create a mandatory religious instruction release time policy and require educators to out a students sexuality to their parents.

The law will take effect 90 days after DeWine signed the bill.

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Ohio lawmakers passed House Bill 8 during the final day of the lame duck session in 2024 and LGBTQ advocates called on DeWine to veto the bill.

State Reps. D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron, and Sara Carruthers, R-Hamilton, introduced H.B. 8. Supporters called the bill the Parents Bill of Rights while opponents called it the Dont Say Gay bill, due to its similar language to Floridas Dont Say Gay law that passed in 2022.

The bill requires public schools to let parents know about sexuality content materials ahead of time so they can request alternative instructions.

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It also prohibits any sexuality content from being taught to students in kindergarten through third grade. H.B. 8 defines sexuality content as oral or written instruction, presentation, image or description of sexual concepts or gender ideology.

This bill is one of a few anti-LGBTQ bills that became law during the most recent General Assembly.

This new law strengthens Ohios existing law around religious release time by creating a mandate. Currently, Ohio allows school district boards of education to make a policy to let students go to a course in religious instruction during the school day, but this now becomes a requirement for Ohio school boards.

Parents, not government bureaucrats, should be making healthcare and education decisions for their kids, Center for Christian Virtue President Aaron Baer said in a statement. H.B. 8 protects children by safeguarding parents rights to make important decisions for their children.

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The United States Supreme Court upheld religious released time laws during the 1952 Zorach v. Clauson case, which allowed a school district to have students leave school for part of the day to receive religious instruction.

Religious release time instruction must meet three criteria: the courses must take place off school property, be privately funded, and students must have parental permission.

LifeWise Academy, a Hilliard-based religious instruction program, already enrolls students in about 160 Ohio school districts and celebrated the governors signing.

All Ohio families have the freedom to choose off-campus religious instruction during school hours for their students, LifeWise said in a statement.

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Two central Ohio school districts, Westerville and Worthington, rescinded their religious release time policy last year. Both districts formerly allowed LifeWise Academy to take public school students off-campus for Bible classes during school hours.

We are especially grateful that any local programs that had been put on hold will be able to resume their growing programs and that communities will now have the clarity they need to provide families with the opportunity to choose Bible-based character education for their child, LifeWise said in a statement.

Follow OCJ Reporter Megan Henry on Bluesky.

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(WKBN)  The Ohio Department of Commerce announced Wednesday it has joined the multistate data breach settlement with the nations largest nonbank mortgage servicer.

Ohio and 52 state financial regulatory agencies have taken coordinated action against mortgage company Bayview Asset Management LLC, and three of its affiliates, Lakeview Loan Servicing, Community Loan Servicing, and Pingora Holdings  collectively the Bayview Companies.

The action follows the discovery of deficient cybersecurity practices and the companies failure to comply with the agencies examination authority following a data breach that impacted approximately 5.8 million customers, including 138,906 Ohioans, according to a news release from the Department of Commerce.

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The $20 million fine and corrective plan is the first enforcement action taken by state regulators for a mortgage company data breach.

This settlement highlights the commitment of the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions to protecting consumers personal information in the wake of data breaches, said Kevin Allard, superintendent of the Ohio Department of Commerces Division of Financial Institutions. State regulators have coordinated to hold companies accountable and demonstrate that protecting sensitive consumer data is non-negotiable. Actions like this also underscore the importance of cybersecurity compliance as a responsibility that must not be taken lightly.

In addition to the monetary penalty, the Bayview Companies have agreed to take specified corrective actions, improve cybersecurity programs, undergo independent assessments, and provide three years of additional reporting to the states.

The company previously provided consumer notifications, rolled out consumer support services, and offered notified consumers the ability to receive free consumer credit and identity theft monitoring.

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Ohio residents who have questions about the settlement should contact the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions through the Department of Commerces website or by calling 614-728-8400.

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Jan. 8Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted appears to be at the top of Gov. Mike DeWine's short list of potential Senate appointees to replace Vice President-elect JD Vance, who will have to resign from the U.S. Senate later this month, according to sources and media reports.

This would replace a Middletown native in the U.S. Senate with another politician with Miami Valley roots.

Before becoming Ohio's second-ranking executive, Husted  a University of Dayton graduate  spent years representing the Dayton area in the Ohio General Assembly as a state representative, state senator, and as the Ohio speaker of the House. He then served as Ohio's secretary of state for eight years before joining DeWine's successful gubernatorial ticket in 2018.

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Husted's emergence as the front-runner has been months in the making. DeWine, who has the unilateral power to pick an immediate replacement for Ohio's U.S. Senate openings, likely began contemplating potential candidates soon after President-elect Donald Trump, who was just a presumptive party nominee at the time, picked Vance as his running mate in July.

With the Republican ticket's election night victory, it became only a matter of time before DeWine was forced into an official pick. Vance, alongside Trump, will take his oath of office on Jan. 20 and is expected to resign from the U.S. Senate shortly beforehand.

For the most part, DeWine has played his cards close to his chest. He's told reporters that he wants to appoint a Republican he thinks has the stomach and ability to win two quick-turn Republican primaries, as whoever takes over Vance's seat will face a special election to serve out Vance's term in 2026 and another general election in 2028 for another new term.

"Who I appoint has to be able to, in less than two years, win a primary and then win a general election, and then come back two years later and win a primary and a general election," DeWine told reporters during a ceremonial breakfast on Dec. 12, the last time he spoke at length about his pending decision.

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On that day, DeWine told reporters that he didn't know who he'd pick. He disclosed that he had an initial shortlist and ended up meeting with many off-list, wannabe appointees. DeWine confirmed that he spoke with Trump and Vance about his decision-making process.

This week, DeWine's communication team told this outlet that there is no update on DeWine's decision-making process.

Last month, WEWS in Cleveland reported that DeWine and Husted met with Trump and Vance at the president-elect's Florida estate Mar-A-Lago, confirmed by DeWine's and Husted's communication teams. The report also listed various political strategists close to the situation who felt Husted was closing in on a confirmed appointment  a conclusion that was echoed in a subsequent Columbus Dispatch report.

Whether Husted wants that appointment, in a vacuum, is a different question. Husted's political aspirations have long been tied to the state of Ohio, with many believing that his intent was to become governor, not necessarily a federal lawmaker.

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But, there's a line forming for big-name politicians who hope to take over DeWine's gig when his term ends after 2026. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has hinted with a heavy hand at a gubernatorial run. Vivek Ramaswamy, a Trump-favored businessman and former Republican presidential candidate from southwest Ohio, is also expected to throw his hat in the ring, which would come off the back of a yet-to-happen stint of cutting down on government bloat in Trump's new Department of Government Efficiency.

DeWine has already endorsed Husted for governor and reiterated to reporters during December's breakfast that "He'd be a great governor."

Regardless of who ends up getting DeWine's nod in the Senate appointment, DeWine said he hopes Vance's replacement will be able to get the most for Ohioans for years to come, whether a Republican administration controls the White House or a Democratic one.

"One of the criteria, obviously, that I will have is someone who is going to advocate for Ohio. It's just very, very important," DeWine said.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children in the United States and a survivor who goes to Ohio State wants to help tackle the problem.

Morgan Loudon received devastating news at just 8. She was diagnosed with a rhabdoid tumor behind her left kidney, an aggressive childhood cancer and was given a 20% chance to live. For about a year I went through ten rounds of chemotherapy and a month of radiation with various surgeries, Loudon said.

During her cancer journey, Loudon got involved with St. Baldricks Foundation, the largest charity funder of childhood cancer research grants. According to Jane Hoppen, Director of Family Relations, the charity supports the most promising child cancer research to give kids with cancer the best opportunity for cures and a life free of treatment side effects.

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For more than 25 years, St. Baldricks grants have been part of the most promising breakthroughs in childhood cancer research, Hoppen said. And since 2005, St Baldricks volunteers and donors have enabled the foundation to fund more than $354 million in childhood cancer research.

According to the World Health Organization, more than 400,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year. It claims the lives of one in five children diagnosed in the U.S. Since 2006, St. Baldricks has granted more than $16 million in childhood cancer research to institutions in Ohio with $4.4 million of that going to the Columbus area.

Columbus gyms brace for New Years rush

Since 2002, more than 24,000 people in Ohio have shaved their heads to raise money for cancer research at more than 570 events, raising over $15.8 million. Its an issue thats not being addressed, Loudon said. Theres not enough funding and thats where St. Baldricks comes in. They try to bridge that gap in funding.

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Loudon was just named one of five ambassadors in the country for St. Baldricks. Each ambassador represents the more than 13 main types of childhood cancers, helping to highlight the urgent need for funding research to advance childhood cancer treatments and save lives.

Kids are so much more than just a cancer diagnosis, Hoppen said. That doesnt define them. It is certainly part of who they are, but it is not all that they are. And so we want to have an opportunity for ambassadors to really talk about their full life and everything that they are doing to continue to improve the world in which they live.

Those who donate to St. Baldricks arent giving to just one institution, but more than 383 institutions that are treating kids in the U.S., several of which are in central Ohio. Hard things happen, Loudon said. They happen throughout your whole life. My dad always told me, things dont get easier, you just handle hard better and I would really say that cancer has taught me that if anything.

This new role will allow Loudon a platform to advocate for cancer research funding through making videos, writing blogs, and sharing her story. Next month, she has the opportunity to visit Washington D.C. to speak with members of Congress about the importance of childhood cancer research funding and other initiatives on the federal level.

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She is very involved both on and off campus at Ohio State and will graduate early in May with plans to teach science with Teach for America in Colorado before pursuing a career as a physician assistant. Through Loudons journey with St. Baldricks, her mom has also become more involved. She now works for them full-time.

The work is not done in the fight to conquer childhood cancers. Everyone has the opportunity to get involved and save lives. To learn more about St. Baldricks and how you can help make a difference visit 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  The Ohio Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday in a long-running public records case pitting the states top law enforcement officer against a national watchdog group that is digging into his ties with the Republican Attorneys General Association.

At issue is whether GOP Attorney General Dave Yost should be required to provide records to an appeals court that had been requested by the Center for Media and Democracy, which pertain to the nonprofit Republican association as well as its fundraising arm, the Rule of Law Defense Fund. Yost's office also is fighting a magistrate's order requiring the attorney general to be deposed in the now five-year-old case.

The center, an investigative group, is seeking records from a period when RAGA  a nonprofit that accepts corporate donations  organized a letter opposing clean air restrictions to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that was signed by Republican attorneys general. More recently, the association came under fire for soliciting thousands of supporters of Donald Trump to march on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

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Ohio Solicitor General T. Elliot Gaiser told the court Wednesday that its decision could have ramifications for public records law in the state.

Essentially, this is a question of if a precedent is set for a deposition of an attorney general in this case, it would be open season for lawfare and the weaponization of the public records act for witchhunts by every gadfly, Gaiser said.

The center initially requested the documents in March 2020, including records associated with RAGA's winter meeting of that year.

Yost responded at the time that his office had no pertinent records to turn over or that the information being sought wasnt a record. As part of a legal challenge by the center, a Tenth District Court of Appeals magistrate ordered his office to answer a series of questions about the communications and subsequently directed him to produce certain documents for private, in-camera review.

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The lower court said a review of the requested materials would help it determine whether they were public records or not  dependent on factors such as whether the communications were carried out on state time, were conducted by public employees or involved Yosts official duties.

Yost appealed the magistrate's orders to the state's high court, arguing in part that searching for the requested records would potentially reach into the communications of Republican attorneys general in other states as well as his own staffs personal and campaign email accounts.

He has also said that the discovery could potentially sweep in irrelevant information having nothing to do with RAGA or its fundraising arm, such as communications about multistate lawsuits his office might be involved in, say, against an e-cigarette maker or Google.

Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy asked Wednesday whether the lower courts order might be asking too much of the state  for it to produce information, as opposed to records. Justice Jennifer Brunner, the panel's lone Democrat, asked whether allowing the public official to determine on their own that records aren't public would be a slippery slope.

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Depending on how this decision comes out, if an official decided to engage in illegal or unethical behavior, he would just simply do it on a private email and the public would probably not be able to find out, she said.

Jeffrey Vardaro, the Center for Media and Democracy's attorney, reminded the court that the outstanding order would merely allow the Tenth District magistrate  not the center or the public at large  to review certain documents. He said that undercuts the state's argument that the lawsuit is intended to harass or embarrass Yost, who he reminded has the job of enforcing Ohio's public records law.

Vardaro warned the court against making a decision that could allow a public official to unilaterally determine that "entire categories of what should be public records are not public," prevent courts from weighing in, and empower the official to refuse to testify about what the records were even about.

And so it would take the Sunshine Act and turn it into a black box," he added.
An Ohio woman was mauled to death and partially eaten by two pigs near her home on Christmas Day, according to reports.

Rebecca Westergaard Rigney, 75, was found dead with "injuries to her legs" on the front steps of her home on Mink Street in Pataskala by police after being attacked by two pigs near the residence on Dec. 25, 2024, The Columbus Dispatch and CBS affiliate WBNS reported.

After she didn't arrive for Christmas Day celebrations at her nieces residence in Norton, Ohio, police were called to her property to perform a welfare check, Pataskala Police noted in a report obtained by the outlets.

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When police entered the residence at approximately 3 p.m. they found a large pig inside, per WBNS. The Dispatch reported that police believe Westergaard Rigney was attacked by two pigs roaming near the property.

The pigs belonged to the victims neighbor, according to reports. At least two other pigs were also found at the neighbors home by police, per WBNS.

Getty The woman is thought to have been attacked by roaming pigs The woman is thought to have been attacked by roaming pigs

Related: Farmers Accused of Murdering 2 Women, Feeding Them to Pigs After Bodies Found in Sty

Westergaard Rigney was confirmed to have died from bleeding out due to extensive superficial injuries by livestock animals and her death was ruled as accidental, according to a report from Licking County Coroners Office obtained by WBNS. She was also noted to have had prior health conditions.

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Police told the owner of the pigs that the animals would be quarantined until further notice, per WBNS. The neighbor has not been criminally charged according to The Dispatch.

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.

Pataskala Police Chief Bruce Brooks called the incident a "horrible, horrible situation," per the outlet.

"If it was a pit bull or a Rottweiler, or name any of the other 15 dogs that are deemed semi-aggressive, then we would know the answer right away. But being farm animals, it's just not something we've ever dealt with here, Brooks said.

Pataskala Police Department Facebook Police were called after the woman failed to arrive for Christmas Day celebrations Police were called after the woman failed to arrive for Christmas Day celebrations

Related: Husband Who 'Leapt' onto Polar Bear to Protect Wife from Being Mauled During Attack Sustains 'Serious Injuries'

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Neighbor David Mullings told WBNS, It was pretty crazy, wild because theres not just wild pigs roaming. Ive never seen pigs except for the market down the street so ... very confusing. This is a very quiet neighborhood. Nothing happens in this neighborhood.

I was shocked just to hear that two pigs had possibly killed a woman. It was a little shocking, he added.



PEOPLE did not immediately hear back from Pataskala Police when an update was requested.



Read the original article on People
An Ohio woman was attacked, killed, and partially eaten at her home by her neighbors pigs on Christmas Day, according to police.

Officials found the body of Rebecca Westergaard Rigney, 75, in her Pataskala home following a welfare check request. She failed to make it to her nieces home on December 25.

Police found her deceased with injuries to her legs on the front steps of her residence at around 3pm on the same day. Officials said she was attacked by the pigs, according to The Columbus Dispatch. Officials also found a large pig inside the home. Two pigs were seen roaming near the property earlier and police believe those pigs attacked the woman.

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Two other pigs were found at the neighbors home. The neighbor has not been identified.

Officials have determined she died from bleeding out due to extensive superficial injuries by livestock animals. Her death has been ruled an accident, according to WBNS. Its also been reported that the woman had prior health conditions. Police told the owner the pigs would be quarantined until further notice.

The neighbor has not yet been criminally charged.

Pataskala Police Chief Bruce Brooks said the incident was further complicated by the fact the assailants were livestock and not pets.

If it was a pit bull or a Rottweiler, or name any of the other 15 dogs that are deemed semi-aggressive, then we would know the answer right away, he said. But being farm animals, its just not something weve ever dealt with here.

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He called the womans death a horrible, horrible situation.

Westergaard Rigneys neighbor, David Mullings, described the attack as pretty crazy, wild because theres not just wild pigs roaming. Ive never seen pigs except for the market down the street so ... very confusing.

This is a very quiet neighborhood. Nothing happens in this neighborhood, he told WBNS. I was shocked just to hear that two pigs had possibly killed a woman. It was a little shocking.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  The Oklahoma County Detention Center says a 42-year-old inmate died after a unspecified medical incident on Wednesday morning.

According to the OCDC, a correctional officer found Vincent Burke in need of medical attention in his cell at about 5:52 a.m. on Wednesday during a site check.

Vincent Burke. Photo courtesy Oklahoma County Detention Center.

Burke, who was booked into the OCDC on Tuesday on a felony charge of DUI causing great bodily injury, was taken to the hospital but did not survive.

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The cause of Burkes death is still under investigation.

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)  An Oklahoma lawmaker filed a bill on Tuesday that would require public school districts and charter schools to submit a list of available library materials each year to the Oklahoma State Department of Education.

Sen. Warren Hamilton (R-McCurtain) filed Senate Bill 19 on Tuesday. If passed, the bill would require the list of library materials to be submitted to OSDE each year by October 1 and prohibit schools from having inappropriate material accessible to students.

This bill comes after a legal battle last year between OSDE and Edmond Public Schools. The dispute started January 2024 when OSDE sent a letter to Edmond Public Schools, ordering the district to remove two booksThe Kite Runner and The Glass Castlefrom its school libraries, after saying the books qualified as sexualized content.

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The legal battle came to a close in June 2024 when the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that the State Department of Education does not have authority to decide what books public schools can have in their libraries.

LOCAL NEWS: Seven new laws go in effect January 1st across Oklahoma

We are grateful for todays decision from the Oklahoma Supreme Court. We appreciate their willingness to take the case and their decision. Todays decision protects our locally elected school boards role in creating policies that determine how library materials are selected and reviewed, said Edmond Public Schools in a statement following ruling last year.

Under SB19, schools would also be required to enforce written policies for assessing library materials on their educational relevance and age-appropriateness, including managing and responding to any complaints towards books and other material in school libraries.

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Oklahoma students should be able to read and learn in a safe environment, free from exposure to explicit materials. Parents should also have peace of mind knowing that their children are not able to access inappropriate content while at school, Hamilton said. This bill ensures that parents and the State Department of Education can hold schools accountable for exposing children to inappropriate materials, while also putting parameters in place to ensure such content isnt available in the first place.

SB19 will be available for consideration during the 2025 legislative session, beginning February 3.

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.
As co-chair of the Legislative Mental Health Caucus, Ive focused on bipartisan efforts to address some of Oklahomas biggest challenges for those living with physical and intellectual disabilities. Only by admitting where weve fallen short and renewing our efforts to find real solutions to these problems can we turn the corner.

The U.S. Department of Justice recently issued a report that found in Oklahoma, people living with mental health conditions are being segregated, institutionalized and put at risk, citing insufficient community-based services. Immediately, some politicians condemned the report as federal overreach. While we have made significant strides toward prioritizing mental health services, we still face significant work force shortages that demand attention. We cant ignore this report; it must be a wake-up call, shining light on inadequacies and galvanizing state leaders to do more to address this crisis.

The DOJ conducted interviews with hundreds of people impacted by and those running our mental health, criminal justice and first responder systems. They visited facilities and reviewed records and made it clear that there are compounding causations between Oklahoma Countys overcrowded jail with record heartbreaking deaths, people unable to access mental health treatment, lack of beds for inpatient treatment and our overuse of 911 law enforcement response.

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The report states that,  Oklahoma does not provide sufficient services to prevent unnecessary hospitalization. As a result, many people with behavioral health disabilities never receive treatment until they are in crisis, when they instead end up needlessly hospitalized or in contact with law enforcement. The findings spell out the urgency to take action to improve these systems.

We have fewer uninsured Oklahomans since Medicaid expansion, and weve worked here at the Capitol to make sure our policies are better and our investments are more strategic, but these are not overnight fixes, and it will take much more to fully address the challenges we face. We must continue to prioritize access in a way that provides Oklahomans with effective and compassionate services that are fiscally responsible.

Many Oklahomans with mental health conditions go untreated

Mental health conditions, like any chronic disease, get worse when untreated, and many Oklahomans have never been diagnosed or treated. Where you live, financial hardship, and even stigma can hold people back from treatment. But even with resources, it can be daunting, if not impossible, to find care. Oklahoma needs to double the number of psychiatrists we have just to meet demand. We also need more psychologists and social workers. While the Legislature recently invested taxpayer funds in new psychiatry residency slots and expansion of nurse practitioner training, those funds were just appropriated this year. We need more steps like this to move toward a healthy Oklahoma.

More: An OKC cop hospitalized a 71-year-old. AG Drummond's response encourages impunity. | Letter

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Without adequate community-based services, too many Oklahomans with behavioral disabilities find themselves unnecessarily institutionalized, for months and even years. The lack of community services results in many individuals never receiving treatment until they are in crisis, with sometimes tragic outcomes.

But these tragedies are avoidable. The report also stated providing more community-based services could represent a significant savings compared to institutional settings and will likely prevent the need for many hospitalizations. One month at Griffin costs $15,000, compared to $1,103 to $3,790 per person per month in community-based settings.

We must invest more in prevention and diversion. Those investments can increase access and decrease tragedies. Delivering services in an appropriate setting improves outcomes and creates savings which can be reinvested. Oklahoma cannot afford to look away from these hard findings from the DOJ. We must acknowledge our shortcomings and boldly embrace the solutions that will make lives better.

Sen. Julia Kirt, a Democrat, represents District 30, which includes Oklahoma City, Bethany and Warr Acres. She serves on the Appropriations, Finance and Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency Committees, and co-chairs the Legislative Mental Health Caucus.

Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, is the state Senate Democratic leader.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: DOJ report proves Oklahoma must prioritize mental health | Opinion
Vigo County announced Tuesday that the former county jail at 201 Cherry St. will undergo demolition later this week or early next week.

Commissioner Chris Switzer posted on Facebook that demolition was anticipated to begin between Thanksgiving and Christmas, but weather and underground utility relocation set the project back about two weeks.

He added that the Indiana Department of Environmental Management has been alerted to the demolition plans and removing waste per EPA guidelines has been completed. A demolition permit has been secured, and erosion control is in place.

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Interior soft demolition involving flammable items has been completed, all utilities have been disconnected, and a perimeter fence has been installed.

Switzer said he'll also notify the public before demolition begins.

Vigo County decided in March 2024 to demolish the old jail at a cost of about $4.5 million.

Commissioner Mark Clinkebeard about that time said repurposing the building would cost 20% more than constructing a new building. He added that converting it, for example, to office space would cost between $30 and $40 million.

Maintaining the jail required $45,000 annually for insurance, and utility bills for the building set the county back about $130,000 a year, even though it is empty.

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Clinkenbeard, Switzer and Commissioner Mike Morris walked reporters through the vacant jail last spring.

Many ceiling panels sported water damage and the kitchen sinks, shower areas and drinking fountains were all rife with mold. The jails intake area was strewn with trash and was routinely the most flooded portion of the building.

In the basement the former dispatch room felt cramped even though it was empty. A white board affixed to a wall read a countdown created by dispatchers  Days left in the dungeon, it read. Walls and floors contained huge cracks throughout the building. Graffiti dotted the walls of the jail cells.

Holding onto the building just doesnt really make a lot of sense, Clinkenbeard said during the jail tour.

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The new Vigo County Jail, 600 Honey Creek Drive, was opened in 2022 with an inmate capacity of over 400.

Although the new jail is less than three years old, its already in need of reinforcements when it comes to inmate beds. County officials are now considering a new work release/diversion center

Vigo County for years had limped along with an outdated and overcrowded jail, and a lawsuit was filed in 2016 by a group of inmates alleging deprivation of constitutional rights.

In 2018, U.S. District Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson ruled conditions were indeed unconstitutional, and she required the county to provide updates to her court on jail populations, conditions and staffing.

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In August 2018, the Vigo County Council approved an increase of the countys local income tax to 2% from 1.25%, largely to fund the new jail. Construction of the new jail began in December 2019, with a budget of about $67 million.

Although the lawsuit was settled, Judge Magnus-Stinson has continued to monitor the situation at the new jail. In April 2024, the county told the court that commissioners had contracted with two firms for plans for a proposed 200 to 250 bed work release and diversion center.
The oldest lighthouse in Massachusetts is over 300 years old.

When the Massachusetts Bay Colony was first founded in 1630, the Puritans struggled from a scarcity of necessary survival goods which lead them to trade. Quite a bit of trade.

By the early 1700s, Boston was Britain's busiest North American port, with Britain trading manufactured goods for Colonial America's raw materials.

Soon, Boston's flourishing trading business led to a need for something to guide visitors to the port. Under this notion, the first lighthouse in the state  and the entire country  was built on Little Brewster Island in the Boston Harbor.

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Here's what to know about Boston Light.

History of Boston Light

A sailboat passes by Boston Light in Boston Harbor in Boston, Massachusetts on August 19, 2024.

During the height of trading with Britain in the early 1700s, Boston Harbor's shifting tides and deadly rocks resulted in the loss of many lives and goods. According to the National Park Service (NPS), in 1715, frustrated townspeople petitioned Massachusetts' Colonial government to construct a lighthouse at the edge of the harbor to make sailing smoother.

The government agreed, and using tax money from ships entering and leaving the port, Massachusetts built a 60-foot stone tower lighthouse on Little Brewster Island. Construction was completed in 1716, and the lighthouse was first illuminated with candle and oil lamps on Sept. 17 of that year.

In the lighthouse's first few years of existence, it sustained considerable destruction caused by fires and severe weather. However, the most significant damage to Boston Light happened during the Revolutionary War. After the British troops occupied the lighthouse in 1774, Colonial forces set fire to its wooden parts three times. Though never fully demolished by the fires, when the British left Boston in 1776, they destroyed Boston Light with explosives.

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More MA history: The oldest town in MA is older than the country. Here's where it is

Boston Light remained in ruins until 1783, when the commonwealth of Massachusetts rebuilt the lighthouse with fish oil lamps and mortared rubblestone to be 75 feet tall. Boston Light still towers 75 feet over the Boston Harbor today, though over the years, the structure has received improvements such as a flashing light, a chandelier, iron reinforcements, brick lining and in 1998, automation  the last lighthouse in the country to be automated.

Why was Boston Light the last manned lighthouse in the country?

The effort to automate the light in 1989 drew objections from preservationists. According to the Coast Guard website on the history of the lighthouse, those objections, in addition to concerns about vandalism, led Sen. Ted Kennedy to sponsor an amendment to the 1989 Coast Guard Reauthorization Bill which kept the lighthouse manned, even after its 1998 automation. The last person stationed at the lighthouse was Sally Snowman, who retired at the end of 2023.

In 1964, Boston Light became a National Historic Landmark, and in 1987, it joined the National Register of Historic Places.

How to see Boston Light

Boston Light's tower can be seen shining from Little Brewster Island in Boston Harbor. Cruise tours of all the Boston Harbor lighthouses are offered by the NPS and other third-party companies in the summer.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Where is MA's oldest lighthouse? The history of Boston Light
In the shadow of the gold-domed Sayeda Zainab shrine, six miles south of Damascus, lie the abandoned remains of what was once the de facto headquarters of Iran's "axis of resistance," an informal alliance of militant groups created to counter American and Israeli influence in the Middle East.

Defending this shrine  where Shiites believe the prophet Muhammads granddaughter is interred  served as a rallying cry for Shiites throughout the region to support former Syrian President Bashar Assad against Sunni insurgents. Tens of thousands of mostly Shiite militiamen  from Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen and as far away as Pakistan and Afghanistan  flocked to Sayeda Zainabs run-down neighborhoods, transforming a pilgrimage site into a military zone.

This place became the political capital for all of these groups, said Mohammad Al-Hahi, 68, a Sayeda Zainab resident. They flew in from all over the world and assembled here. Then they would deploy to fight across Syria.

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It all came to an abrupt end last month after Syria's Sunni rebels toppled Assad, triggering a frantic exodus from the city by anyone who had been fighting under Irans banner.

A trash fire billows smoke above the Sayeda Zainab shrine. After Sunni rebels toppled Syrian President Bashar Assad, Shiite militiamen fled the area.

An Iranian flag was left in a former Shiite military group's headquarters in Sayeda Zainab.

In the weeks since, residents here have begun to grapple with the legacy of their past life under the control of the Iran-backed militias  and what it means for the future of the axis.

Khaled Darwish, 42, who operates a cellphone shop two streets down from the shrine, viewed the presence of so many Shiite-dominated factions as an Iran-led occupation of Sayeda Zainab. They blocked streets and passageways with concrete barriers and stern-looking militiamen.

You couldnt go anywhere without one of those groups bugging you, all in the name of supposedly protecting you, Darwish said. Whoever carried a weapon acted like they were God. This town wasnt for us, we who were born and raised here, but for them.

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A seven-minute drive to the nearest town, he added, became an hourlong odyssey of checkpoints manned mostly by foreigners and their local Syrian allies.

Read more: What is the Iran-backed 'Axis of Resistance' and what does it mean for Israel?

Jamal Awadh, a soft-spoken 60-year-old who serves as an administrator in the shrine, said many residents feared what might happen when control of the town passed from Shiite militiamen to Sunni rebels last month.

As minorities, the old government told us it was protecting us, that if we didnt join them, the rebels would slaughter us all with knives, Awadh said.

An administrator at the Sayeda Zainab shrine said many residents feared what might happen when control of the area passed from Shiite militiamen to Sunni rebels last month. So far, he said, Syria's new overseers have been unfailingly polite.

But so far, he said, Syria's new overseers have been unfailingly polite, announcing soon after their arrival on the mosque loudspeaker that residents could come visit the tomb without harassment. They even provided transportation for Shiites displaced from Syrias north to return to their villages.

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They told us: Youre Syrians and you have all your rights, he said. They show they care about the shrine just as much as we do.

For Al-Hahi, the militias disintegration meant being able for the first time in years to access a former hotel he owns that had been seized in 2012 by the commander of an Iran-backed Syrian militia, the Abu Fadl al Abbas Brigade.

When Al-Hahis brothers pleaded to take back control of the building, the commander threatened to shoot them, Al-Hahi said.

Their commander kicked everyone out, sold the hotels furniture, and made it into their headquarters, Al-Hahi said, adding that he had never received compensation.

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Read more: Amid the joy after Assad's ouster, Syrians search for their missing

Al-Hahi has his building back, but now he's having to contend with crates of weapons and ammunition left in the basement after militiamen fled. Fearful of looters, he welded the basement doors shut and asked residents to watch for anyone entering the premises.

Other signs of the militias presence abound. Lampposts are adorned with pictures  many now defaced  of Sayed Hassan Nasrallah, the head of the Iran-backed Lebanese paramilitary faction Hezbollah, who was assassinated by Israel last year. Trucks equipped with cannons and .50-caliber machine guns sit as bereft sentinels on street corners.

A poster of Iran's late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini can be seen in the former headquarters of an Iran-backed Shiite militia group in Syria.

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A few blocks away from the shrine, behind a high fence and a heavy metal gate, stands a six-story residential building turned into the barracks of the Fatemiyoun, a faction composed of Afghan Shiites. Abu Anwar, a 30-year-old official with the new government, came with a team of rebels to inspect the site for materiel.

One floor revealed the remains of a gym and a library with religious books and pamphlets, along with posters for Fatemiyoun cadres killed in battle. Another had sleeping quarters along with discarded uniforms and a ceremonial banner with the Fatemiyoun's green-and-yellow logo. Down a corner on the ground floor was a shaft descending more than 30 feet underground that opened up into a cavern presumably used as a depot.

Weve found so many places like this in this neighborhood, with tunnels that link up to different buildings, Abu Anwar said. Every place that wasnt a shop, they turned into a headquarters for one faction or another.

Read more: A massacre, a rumored hanging and Syrians' thirst for justice and revenge

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Irans ouster both from the town and Syria caps a difficult year for Tehran and the axis, which has suffered multiple setbacks since the Gaza militant group Hamas  an axis member  attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, triggering the ongoing Israeli military response.

Hamas has since lost much of its fighting capability, as has Hezbollah, the Lebanon militant and political group that attacked northern Israel after Oct. 7 in a gesture of support for Hamas. Hezbollah was seen as the strongest of the Iran-backed factions, but over the last year, Israel decimated its leadership and wiped out substantial portions of its arsenal.

An underground tunnel is visible in a headquarters for a Shiite militia group in Sayeda Zainab.

Losing Syria, the only other nation-state in the axis other than Iran, may be the coup de grace. Though Assad  a member of a Shiite-related sect  did not share his allies religious fervor, Syria became the axis proving ground, with dozens of Shiite factions fighting alongside his beleaguered forces even as Tehran spent tens of billions of dollars to prop up Assads economy. More significantly, Assad allowed Tehran to use Syrian territory as a supply line to Hezbollah and to deploy other militias in regional conflicts against Israel and the United States.

Iranian leaders have sought to downplay the impact of Assads defeat. In a lengthy speech last month, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused the U.S. and Israel of being behind Assads fall, but insisted the axis was not weakened.

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The more pressure you bring on it, the stronger it will become," he said. "The more you fight them, the more widespread it will become.

Special correspondent Ramin Mostaghim in Tehran contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Donald Trumps crazy idea to annex Greenland to the United States seems to have an unlikely supporter: Democratic Senator John Fetterman.

Fetterman appeared on Fox News on Tuesday with Republican Senator Katie Britt, and when the topic of Greenland came up, Fetterman didnt dismiss the idea.



Theres a lot of talk about Greenland, for example, and  theres a lot of freak-outs, and, of course, I would never support taking it by force, Fetterman said. He added that discussing the territorys annexation would be a responsible conversation, including just buying it out.

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If anyone thinks thats bonkers, its like, well, remember the Louisiana Purchase? Fetterman said.



Trump will probably be very happy with Fettermans words. The president-elect keeps pushing half-baked plans of annexing Canada, Greenland, and the Panama Canal zone, and his son even visited Greenland on Tuesday. But the Danish-controlled territory and Denmarks leaders say that the island isnt for sale, and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot warned Wednesday that the European Union would not tolerate an attack on its sovereign borders.

Fettermans reaction to Trumps idea seems to be part of a pattern by the Pennsylvania senator, who has boasted about shifting away from progressive politics for more than a year. Pennsylvanias only Democratic senator even bragged that brain damage resulting from his near-fatal stroke has allowed him to say the things that I have to really believe in and not be afraid of if theres any kind of blowback.



If Trump actively pursues annexing Greenland, or any other territory, after he is sworn in, there certainly will be blowback, both in the U.S. and abroad. What will Fetterman and other Democrats who have chosen to appease Trump say then?
Abundant Life Christian School parent Kari Aeschlimann was feeling reflective Tuesday morning.

A day earlier, customers had packed area Culvers restaurants to support a fundraiser for Abundant Life, where a student killed a teacher and a student in a shooting Dec. 16. What had started as a local benefit to raise money to help Abundant Life families blossomed into a statewide effort, in which at least 80 Culvers restaurants donated a portion of the days proceeds to the fundraiser.

There are no words to express what a beautiful outpouring of love was shown last night, Aeschlimann said. Not just for our school, but for Madison. Our whole state came together to support our community and theres no words.

Aeschlimann, whose son is a sophomore at the Far East Side school, had tried the Culvers restaurants at East Towne and on Cottage Grove Road on Monday, but found it nearly impossible to get in.

Her family ended up at the McFarland Culvers and was able to get a spot in the parking lot. She said it took about 30 minutes to order and another two hours to get their meals.

But you know what, it was worth every minute of it just to watch and see and witness the beauty of what transpired last night, she said.

Police officers even came in to ask how long the benefit would go on because waiting cars were blocking the road, she said.

The Culvers benefit proceeds are set to be added to the United Way of Dane Countys fund to benefit the Abundant Life community, which as of Tuesday morning had surpassed $240,000.

Its too soon to know, though, how much the Culvers benefit will add to that total.

Although Culvers knows of 80 restaurants that participated, that number may increase, said Culvers spokesman Eric Skrum. Culvers headquarters doesnt have a final number of participating restaurants because some chose to participate after the list was compiled and are still in the process of reporting it.

Each restaurant also determined, and displayed, the percentage of its proceeds that would be donated, with each restaurant displaying its figure.

The Verona Culvers plans to donate 25% of its gross sales for the day, Culvers manager Juvencio Mora said, adding that the restaurant took in about $30,000 Monday and will be donating about $7,500.

Mora said he put two donation boxes by the register and those brought in $640 extra.

The Culvers fundraiser was notable for its breadth, but several other businesses in the Madison area also have offered to help the Abundant Life families. On Thursday, for example, Madisons two Texas Roadhouse restaurants are donating 100% of their profits to Abundant Life families through the United Way.

Record-breaking day

Mora said Monday was a record-breaking day for the Verona Culvers. The restaurant filled 1,575 orders, where on a normal day its about 800 or 900, he said.

Kaylee Krantz, general manager of the Verona Culvers, said Tuesday that she didnt know the date that the money will go to Culvers headquarters.

The Verona restaurant had 26 people working, and Mora said he had to call in five employees who werent scheduled. Local police and EMS also helped bring food out to cars for about 90 minutes during the lunch rush.

Amanda Vernia, 37, who has worked part time at the Oregon Culvers since it opened almost two years ago, said she came in to help at that location Monday even though she wasnt scheduled.

The line to get in was blocks long over the dinner hour, Vernia said. As crazy as it looked, the atmosphere was still uplifting and positive and everybody was working together well.

Customers were completely understanding of the situation and showed incredible patience, she said. They kept thanking us for working and for holding that fundraiser.

Skrum expects it to take several days for Culvers restaurants to report how much they raised.

Their focus was providing the best hospitality and highest quality food to all of our guests. They simply havent had the time to focus on anything else, he said.

While lines were long and there were reports of certain restaurants running out of buns or other ingredients, Skrum said participating restaurants prepared in advance for the fundraiser as they do for other community events.

Scheduling is one key item as the local owner-operator wants to ensure the number of team members who will be working at that event is appropriate in addition to anticipating and ordering the amount of product they will need to accommodate our guests, he said.

We are very grateful for the response from such an amazing and engaged community, he said. Were also very thankful for the team members who did their best to serve our guests in support of this cause.

The Dec. 16 shooting killed Rubi Vergara, 14, and teacher Erin Michelle West, 42. Student Natalie Samantha Rupnow, 15, shot and injured six others at the school, two critically, before shooting herself.

Aeschlimann has a long connection with Abundant Life: Her mother was vice principal of elementary education at Abundant Life for 24 years. Aeschlimann, though, went to Monona Grove High School and said Abundant Life, founded in 1978, was just starting its high school about the time she was graduating.

Abundant Life is set to resume school Friday for the first time since the shooting, she said, and students are coping in the wake of the shooting.

Our kids, including my son, are doing amazingly well, given what happened, she said. Their faith is strong. They have hope for a new day. Theres going to be a journey as they head back to school, but were giving the Lord all the glory and credit because he is seeing us through day by day. And our kids are strong.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  One person was injured in a stabbing Tuesday night in northwest Oklahoma City.

According to authorities, officers responded to the stabbing near NW 122nd Street and N May Avenue around 8:40 p.m.

One person was injured after a stabbing in NW OKC. (KFOR)

One person was injured after a stabbing in NW OKC. (KFOR)

Oklahoma City police say there was an argument between two people that resulted in one person stabbing the other. The suspect fled the scene and no arrests have been made.

The victim was transported to a local hospital, but the extent of their injuries is currently unknown.

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There is no other information at this time as the investigation is ongoing.

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.
One of Louisianas youngest mayors has bonded out of jail after being accused of involvement in a drug trafficking ring and soliciting prostitutes.

Tyrin Truong, mayor of the city of Bogalusa, 25, walked out of jail Tuesday after posting a $150,000 bond. Hes facing a string of criminal charges involving a drug distribution ring that was operating in the area, the solicitation of prostitutes and the unauthorized use of a movable object, according to Washington Parish Sheriffs Office .

The young lawmaker in charge of a city of 10,659 people  was taken into custody by the Louisiana State Police Narcotics Violent Crime Task Force after a nine month investigation.

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He was elected into the mayoral office in November 2022, defeating incumbent Wendy Perrette, after winning 56 percent of the Bogalusa vote on a pledge to clean up his city to make it safer.

Bogalusa Mayor Tyrin Truong, 25, was booked into the Washington Parish Jail on one count of soliciting for prostitutes, one count of unauthorized use of a movable, and two counts of transactions involving proceeds from drug offenses Tuesday (Washington Parish Sheriff's Office)

Dr. Robert Collins of Dillard Universitys School of Public Policy spoke on Truongs election two years ago, saying: Generally, when theres a high crime rate, [voters] blame the mayor and take out their frustrations on the mayor. [Voters] saw that young face and said, Lets give this person a shot, as per Fox8Live .

Now, the mayor is accused of being involved in one of the primary networks driving up violent crime in the area.

A multi-agency task force believes that the suspects had been using social media to distribute drugs  such as opioids, high-grade marijuana, THC products and MDMA  manage payments and expand their reach for their illegal activity.

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Drug sale profits were reportedly used to purchase guns that were funneled to ex-cons who were prohibited from legally owning a firearms and handed to others who were tied to violent crimes committed in Bogalusa, authorities said.

Truong was elected as the Bogalusa Mayor when he was just 23 years old pledging to dampen down crime rates and improve his home city (Tyrin Truong Campaign)

Six other alleged members of the ring were arrested and charged. The have been identified as, MacKenzie Lynn Cefalu, 24, De-Saleem Wali Pittman, 24, Dirul S. Pittman, 22, Salehal-Dien Malike Pittman, 26, Tonya Renee Stag, 51, and Devan Michael Williams, 28  all are residents of Bogalusa.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said: We have zero tolerance for wrongdoing, especially, from public officials. Im very proud of all of our law enforcement agencies who worked on this investigation.

District Attorney Collin Sims added: We are going to continue to invest time and resources into helping the citizens of Bogalusa.

We are not finished, Sims continued.

The seven suspects were all booked into the Washington Parish Jail Tuesday but Truong is the only one to have posted bond.
Voters return to their car after voting at Optimist Park on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in Huntsville, Ala. One Republican, Rep. Matt Woods, R-Jasper, and two Democrats, Ryan Cagle and Sarah Watkins, qualified for the Senate District 5 seat on Tuesday. (Eric Schultz for Alabama Reflector)

One Republican and two Democratic candidates qualified for the Senate District 5 seat on Tuesday.

Rep. Matt Woods, R-Jasper, was the only Republican candidate to qualify. Ryan Cagle, co-director of Jubilee House Community, a progressive nonprofit ministry in Parrish, and Sarah Watkins qualified with the Alabama Democratic Party.

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Democratic candidates Cagle and Watkins will face each other in the primaries taking place March 11. A general election between the Democratic candidate and Woods will take place on June 24.

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Senate District 5 extends west from the Mississippi border through north central Alabama and into Jefferson County. It includes all of Fayette, Lamar and Walker counties as well as a portion of Tuscaloosa County.

Woods, first elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 2022, said in an interview Tuesday that he wants to take the experience and knowledge he developed in the Alabama House to the Senate. He said that working in the public sphere as a business owner allowed [him] to be a part of some great things, such as reducing the grocery tax and helping grow our economy and protect their families.

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So, I just wanted to take that same experience and run for office, for the State Senate, and carry those same conservative, pro-family, pro-business values to Senate District 5, Woods said.

Woods has served on the House Education Policy, Rules and the Rural and Urban Development committees. All seven bills Woods sponsored in the 2023 and 2024 legislative sessions became law, either as a House bill or through a companion Senate bill. Most bills sponsored by Woods were related to education policy, such as one requiring school districts to publish the curriculum for each class on either the schools website or the website of the school board, which became law through companion bill SB 48, sponsored by Reed.

Messages seeking comment were left with Cagle and Watkins.

The seat is likely solidly Republican. Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed took 73% of the vote in the district when he was first elected in 2010. He faced no opposition in any subsequent general election for the seat.

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Republicans in the region seem to be united behind Woods. Rep. Ron Bolton, R-Northport, said in a text he would not be running for the position and is working with Rep. Woods on his campaign. Brad Cox, Fayette County commissioner for District 1 and former candidate for Alabama House District 16, said he was not entering the race and that Woods will do a great job.

John Wahl, chair of the Alabama Republican Party, said in a statement Tuesday evening that he is confident [Woods] strong conservative record and dedication to his constituents will resonate with voters in Senate District 5.

He is a solid conservative who has consistently worked to protect Alabama families and uphold the values we cherish, Wahl said in the statement.

The seat opened after Reed announced in November that he would step down to become Iveys senior advisor to workforce transformation, where he will focus on economic development and raising Alabamas workforce participation rate, which has trailed the nations for nearly 50 years.

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By Sarah Young and Jonathan Stempel

LONDON/NEW YORK (Reuters) -The sister of billionaire OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexually abusing her regularly between 1997 and 2006, prompting him and other family members to deny her claims.

In a complaint filed on Monday in St. Louis federal court, Ann Altman said the abuse occurred at the family home in suburban Clayton, Missouri, beginning when she was three and her brother was 12.

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Now 30, Ann Altman said the abuse included "numerous acts" of rape, sexual assault, molestation, sodomy and battery until she was 11 or 12 years old.

She is seeking at least $75,000 of damages, plus punitive damages, for alleged injuries including post-traumatic stress disorder, severe emotional distress, mental anguish and depression.

"All of these claims are utterly untrue," Sam Altman, 39, said in a post on Tuesday with his mother and two brothers on X.

They also called it "incredibly difficult" to care for Ann Altman, known as Annie, who they said refuses conventional treatment for mental health challenges.

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"Our family loves Annie and is very concerned about her well-being," they said. "Annie receives monthly financial support, which we expect to continue for the rest of her life. Despite this, Annie continues to demand more money from us."

Lawyers for Ann Altman did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Wednesday about the statement and the lawsuit.

Sam Altman co-founded OpenAI alongside Elon Musk and others, and became one of the technology world's biggest names after the 2022 launch of the artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT.

Backed by Microsoft, OpenAI was valued at $157 billion in October after raising $6.6 billion from investors.

Sam Altman is worth about $1.1 billion, according to Forbes magazine.

(Reporting by Sarah Young and Jonathan Stempel; Editing by Jon Boyle and Daniel Wallis)
Sam Altman, co-founder and C.E.O. of OpenAI, speaks during the New York Times annual DealBook summit in New York City in December. Credit - Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently published a post on his personal blog reflecting on AI progress and his predictions for how the technology will impact humanitys future. We are now confident we know how to build AGI [artificial general intelligence] as we have traditionally understood it,Altman wrote. He added that OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is beginning to turn its attention to superintelligence.

While there is no universally accepted definition for AGI, OpenAI has historically defined it as a highly autonomous system that outperforms humans at most economically valuable work. Although AI systems already outperform humans in narrow domains, such as chess, the key to AGI is generality. Such a system would be able to, for example, manage a complex coding project from start to finish, draw on insights from biology to solve engineering problems, or write a Pulitzer-worthy novel. OpenAI says its mission is to ensure that AGI benefits all of humanity.

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Altman indicated in his post that advances in the technology could lead to more noticeable adoption of AI in the workplace in the coming year, in the form of AI agentsautonomous systems that can perform specific tasks without human intervention, potentially taking actions for days at a time. In 2025, we may see the first AI agents join the workforce and materially change the output of companies, hewrote.

In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Altman said he thinks AGI will probably get developed during [Trumps] term, while noting his belief that AGI has become a very sloppy term. Competitors also think AGI is close: Elon Musk, a co-founder of OpenAI, who runs AI startup xAI, and Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, have both said they think AI systems could outsmart humans by 2026. In the largest survey of AI researchers to date, which included over 2,700 participants, researchers collectively estimated there is a 10% chance that AI systems can outperform humans on most tasks by 2027, assuming science continues progressing without interruption.

Others are more skeptical. Gary Marcus, a prominent AI commentator, disagrees with Altman that AGI is basically a solved problem, while Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI, has said, regarding whether AGI can be achieved on todays hardware,the uncertainty around this is so high, that any categorical declarations just feel sort of ungrounded to me and over the top, citing challenges in robotics as one cause for his skepticism.

Microsoft and OpenAI, which have had a partnership since 2019, also have a financial definition of AGI. Microsoft is OpenAIs exclusive cloud provider and largest backer, having invested over $13 billion in the company to date. The companies have an agreement that Microsoft will lose access to OpenAIs models once AGI is achieved. Under this agreement, which has not been publicly disclosed, AGI is reportedly defined as being achieved when an AI system is capable of generating the maximum total profits to which its earliest investors are entitled: a figure that currently sits at $100 billion. Ultimately, however, the declaration of sufficient AGI remains at the reasonable discretion of OpenAIs board, according to a report in The Information.

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At present, OpenAI is a long way from profitability. The company currently loses billions annually and it has reportedly projected that its annual losses could triple to $14 billion by 2026. It does not expect to turn its first profit until 2029, when it expects its annual revenue could reach $100 billion. Even the companys latest plan, ChatGPT Pro, which costs $200 per month and gives users access to the companys most advanced models, is losing money, Altman wrote in a post on X. Although Altman didnt explicitly say why the company is losing money, running AI models is very cost intensive, requiring investments in data centers and electricity to provide the necessary computing power.

Pursuit of superintelligence

OpenAI has said that AGI could help us elevate humanity by increasing abundance, turbocharging the global economy, and aiding in the discovery of new scientific knowledge that changes the limits of possibility. But recent comments from Altman have been somewhat more subdued. My guess is we will hit AGI sooner than most people in the world think and it will matter much less, he said in December. AGI can get built, the world mostly goes on in mostly the same way, things grow faster, but then there is a long continuation from what we call AGI to what we call superintelligence.

In his most recent post, Altman wrote, We are beginning to turn our aim beyond [AGI], to superintelligence in the true sense of the word. We love our current products, but we are here for the glorious future.

He added that superintelligent tools could massively accelerate scientific discovery and innovation well beyond what we are capable of doing on our own, and in turn massively increase abundance and prosperity. This ability to accelerate scientific discovery is a key distinguishing factor between AGI and superintelligence, at least for Altman, who has previously written that it is possible that we will have superintelligence in a few thousand days.

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The concept of superintelligence was popularized by philosopher Nick Bostrom, who in 2014 wrote a best-selling bookSuperintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategiesthat Altman has called the best thing [hes] seen on the topic. Bostrom defines superintelligence as any intellect that greatly exceeds the cognitive performance of humans in virtually all domains of interestlike AGI, but more. The first AGI will be just a point along a continuum of intelligence, OpenAI said in a 2023 blog post. A misaligned superintelligent AGI could cause grievous harm to the world; an autocratic regime with a decisive superintelligence lead could do that too.

These harms are inextricable from the idea of superintelligence, because experts do not currently know how to align these hypothetical systems with human values. Both AGI and superintelligent systems could cause harm, not necessarily due to malicious intent, but simply because humans are unable to adequately specify what they want the system to do. As professor Stuart Russell told TIME in 2024, the concern is that what seem to be reasonable goals, such as fixing climate change, lead to catastrophic consequences, such as eliminating the human race as a way to fix climate change. In his 2015 essay, Altman wrote that development of superhuman machine intelligence is probably the greatest threat to the continued existence of humanity.

Read More: New Tests Reveal AI's Capacity for Deception

OpenAI has previously written that it doesnt know how to reliably steer and control superhuman AI systems. The team created to lead work on steering superintelligent systems for the safety of humans was disbanded last year, after both its co-leads left the company. At the time, one of the co-leads, Jan Leike, wrote on X that over the past years, safety culture and processes have taken a backseat to shiny products. At present, the company has three safety bodies: an internal safety advisory group, a safety and security committee, which is part of the board, and the deployment safety board, which has members from both OpenAI and Microsoft, and approves the deployment of models above a certain capability level. Altman has said they are working to streamline their safety processes.

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Read More: AI Models Are Getting Smarter. New Tests Are Racing to Catch Up

When asked on X whether he thinks the public should be asked if they want superintelligence, Altman replied: yes i really do; i hope we can start a lot more public debate very soon about how to approach this. OpenAI has previously emphasized that the companys mission is to build AGI, not superintelligence, but Altmans recent post suggests that stance might have shifted.

Discussing the risks from AI in the recent Bloomberg interview, Altman said he still expects that on cybersecurity and bio stuff, well see serious, or potentially serious, short-term issues that need mitigation, and that long term risks are harder to imagine precisely. I can simultaneously think that these risks are real and also believe that the only way to appropriately address them is to ship product and learn, he said.

Learnings from his brief ouster

Reflecting on recent years, Altman wrote that they have been the most rewarding, fun, best, interesting, exhausting, stressful, andparticularly for the last twounpleasant years of my life so far.

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Delving further into his brief ouster in November 2023 as CEO by the OpenAI board, and subsequent return to the company, Altman called the event a big failure of governance by well-meaning people, myself included, noting he wished he had done things differently. In his recent interview with Bloomberg he expanded on that, saying he regrets initially saying he would only return to the company if the whole board quit. He also said there was real deception on behalf of the board, who accused him of not being consistently candid in his dealings with them. Helen Toner and Tasha McCauley, members of the board at the time, later wrote that senior leaders in the company had approached them with concerns that Altman had cultivated a toxic culture of lying, and engaged in behaviour that could be called psychological abuse.

Current board members Bret Taylor and Larry Summers have rejected the claims made by Toner and McCauley, and pointed to an investigation of the dismissal by law firm WilmerHale on behalf of the company. They wrote in an op-ed that they found Mr Altman highly forthcoming on all relevant issues and consistently collegial with his management team.

The review attributed Altmans removal to a breakdown in the relationship and loss of trust between the prior Board and Mr. Altman, rather than concerns regarding product safety or the pace of development. Commenting on the period following his return as CEO, Altman told Bloomberg, It was like another government investigation, another old board member leaking fake news to the press. And all those people that I feel like really f---ed me and f---ed the company were gone, and now I had to clean up their mess. He did not specify what he meant by fake news.

Writing about what the experience taught him, Altman said he had learned the importance of a board with diverse viewpoints and broad experience in managing a complex set of challenges. Good governance requires a lot of trust and credibility.

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Since the end of 2023, many of the companies top researchersincluding its cofounder and then-chief scientist, Ilya Sutskever, its chief technology officer, Mira Murati, and Alec Radford, who was lead author on the seminal paper that introduced GPThave left the company.

Read More: Timeline of Recent Accusations Leveled at OpenAI, Sam Altman

In December, OpenAI announced plans to restructure as a public benefit corporation, which would remove the company from control by the nonprofit that tried to fire Altman. The nonprofit would receive shares in the new company, though the value is still being negotiated.

Acknowledging that some might consider discussion of superintelligence as crazy, Altman wrote, Were pretty confident that in the next few years, everyone will see what we see, and that the need to act with great care, while still maximizing broad benefit and empowerment, is so important, adding: Given the possibilities of our work, OpenAI cannot be a normal company.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
The collapse of Assads regime freed millions of Syrians from his tyranny. However, his overthrow presents significant challenges for Syrias religious and ethnic minorities and human rights in general. Syrian Christians and other religious and ethnic minorities remain wary of their future. Should the new powers persecute Christians and other minorities in the months ahead, these groups will have to run for their lives.

To assist persecuted believers, the United States needs an open and flexible refugee resettlement program to provide rescue combined with robust religious freedom diplomacy.

And its not just Syrian Christians in need of a safe haven; a pandemic of religious persecution is sweeping the world, impacting every faith community somewhere. A new report by the Pew Research Center documented how governmental attacks on religion and social hostility toward religion usually go hand in hand. In addition, the U.N. refugee agency, UNHCR, has found 122.6 million people worldwide forcibly displaced because of persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations or events seriously disturbing public order. Religious persecution is a significant factor in many, with billions facing discrimination or violence for peacefully practicing their beliefs.

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These global challenges offer no simple solutions, as they are multifaceted and generational. Yet, the United States can meet the challenge of systemic religious persecution and aid victims now by combining robust religious freedom diplomacy with an open and accessible refugee resettlement program. The first Trump administration elevated international religious freedom to unprecedented levels, while the Biden administration drastically increased refugee resettlement. Both approaches are necessary to meet the challenge of global persecution and to help those fleeing because of attacks on account of their faith.

Americas refugee resettlement system, with its thorough vetting process, has provided a vital lifeline for those fleeing religious persecution, including Christians and other persecuted believers. While the hard work of advocating for religious freedom must continue, a responsive and flexible refugee resettlement system complements the global strategy. Reforms will take decades, if not generations, but people in harms way need rescue now.

World Relief, a leading refugee resettlement organization affiliated with the National Association of Evangelicals, and Open Doors USA recently issued a report on the importance of refugee resettlement to rescue victims of religious persecution. In their report, State of the Golden Door, they identified how religious persecution leads to displacement and migration flows. They note that when religious persecution becomes sufficiently acute, often compounded by other pressures, many determine that their only option is to flee, whether within their country or to another country as refugees.

Despite the urgent need, the report expressed concern that the United States generous approach as a safe haven is under threat. Yet, by embracing refugees, the United States upholds its legacy as a beacon of hope and opportunity for those in need. Welcoming individuals fleeing persecution  especially those targeted for their beliefs  reaffirms Americas commitment to defending human rights and religious freedom.

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Although the report was written before recent events in Syria, it highlighted the dire implications for Christians fleeing religious persecution if the United States were to close its doors. These situations, they wrote, force Christians around the world  to choose between exposing their families to life-threatening risk at home or fleeing persecution. The same could very well apply to Syria.

But persecuted Christians are not alone, as other groups also face persecution on account of their faith. World Relief and Open Doors emphasize the importance of broad compassion. People of all religious backgrounds would rather flee their homeland than renounce their beliefs, and thus also need assistance.

Providing refugees a safe haven could be the miracle persecuted believers are praying for. Protecting those victimized by their faith or non-beliefs aligns with our nations core values of religious freedom, justice and compassion. By promoting religious freedom abroad and providing refugee resettlement at home, the United States can effectively advance freedom and stability, combat persecution and save lives.
One of the things Democrats constantly cried about during Donald Trumps first presidential administration was how he was upsetting so many norms in Washington. Norms refers to the normal expectations for how things are done. During Trumps first term, Democrats routinely engaged their fainting couches with the backs of their wrists pressed to their foreheads over things Trump said or how he said them.

Are Democrats really the party of norms and tradition? Obviously they are not, and the last four years proved it. But now that Trump is back, so is their love of norms.

Trump is indeed a non-traditional politician in that he does not check which way the wind is blowing. He does not conduct polls about what type of pet he should get to help his numbers. If his recent comments on Greenland prove anything, it is that he speaks his mind without waiting to see what a focus-group says. Those facts are a large part of his appeal to people outside the Beltway.

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But as Democrats congratulate themselves for not objecting to the results of an election they clearly lost, it is important to remember that was not always how they behaved. In fact, its not how theyve behaved at all in recent years. In that sense, they are very much like they insist Trump is when it comes to norms.

One thing Trump had never done before Jan. 6, 2021, was to call for the challenging of the results of an Electoral College vote. That certainly was an uprooting of a normunless you remember every presidential election Democrats have lost since 2000.

In 2000, I was in college and started writing for my schools paper, The South End. While my columns are lost to the gods of the internet (and the hard copies I have are in a box somewhere), I will always remember my first, about how Al Gore and the Democratic Party was trying to steal the election in Florida and therefore the presidency.

That attempted theft culminated with an objection to the certification of the vote of the Electoral College. The New York Times reported at the time, Today, for nearly 20 minutes in the cavernous House chamber, a dozen members of the Congressional Black Caucus, joined by a few sympathizers, tried in vain to block the counting of Floridas 25 electoral votes, protesting that black voters had been disenfranchised.

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Further, the Times reported, Black lawmakers defiantly declared at a news conference outside the House chamber that they did not consider Mr. Bush the legitimate president.

Was that normal? Not at the time. Democrats did not like Republican presidents, and Republicans did not like Democratic ones, but no mass of elected officials had previously declared a chief executive to be not my president the way Democrats did with George W. Bush.

In 2004, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) expected to win the presidency. He really thought hed win Ohio. Voters in Ohio, and the country, had a different idea.

After Florida in 2000, Democrats demanded touch-screen voting, because punching a perforated chad from a piece of paper with a pin designed expressly for that purpose had proven a bridge too far for many Democratic voters. Just four days after Bush won reelection, the stories started about computer errors with voting machines, and the conspiracy theories soon followed.

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The New York Times reported at that point, The error was discovered in preliminary vote counts from Tuesday night, and local officials say it would have been caught in any case and corrected in the final count now underway. But the glitch fed the rumors that have been flying across the internet since Election Day that results were tipped by high-tech voting machines.

Do you remember the media outrage over this flagrant and baseless questioning of the integrity of an election  the second election in a row that Democrats had questioned? A conga line of House Democrats objected to the 2004 Electoral College certification, and there was no concern for the norms being set or upset. Weird, right?

The 2016 election saw another gaggle of Democrats try to overturn the election results in nine states, ranging from Alabama to Wyoming. This included such self-proclaimed protectors of democracy as Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), whose very first act on the House floor after his swearing-in was to attempt to block the certification of the Electoral College vote because he didnt like the outcome. Again, no outrage or stigma attached to one of the liberal medias favorite on-air guests.

And those are just the presidential elections they questioned or tried to overturn. Dont even get me started on the 2018 election victory by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), or the conspiracy theories invented by definitely-not-governor Stacey Abrams (D) when she lost that year in Georgia amid record turnout.

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Nor will we speak today about Democrats ongoing (albeit largely failed) civil and criminal lawfare campaign in state and federal courts to harass, distract and imprison the presidential candidate of the other party, transparently cooking up political charges for which no one else would ever have been prosecuted.

Nor are those the only kinds of norms Democrats have shattered. Consider, for example, how quickly todays Democrats name-call Nazi whenever they disagree with anyone. Just nine weeks ago, the closing argument of their election campaign was a full-blown reductio ad Hitlerum. None of that was ever considered normal, decent or even stable just a few years ago.

Democrats would have you believe they love and defend norms. But as with so much of what they say, the reality is quite different.

Derek Hunter is host of the Derek Hunter Podcast and a former staffer for the late Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.).

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NewsNation Chief Washington Anchor and On Balance host Leland Vittert was a foreign correspondent for four years in Jerusalem. He gives you an early look at tonights 7 p.m. ET show. Subscribe to War Notes here.



Tune into On Balance with Leland Vittert weeknights at 7/6C on NewsNation.

Editors note: Yes  whats happening in California is heartbreaking  I think about the people who evacuated yesterday, came home to ashes and lost everything. Or the people who the police turned away as they tried to rescue their dogs. I think about my grandfathers cufflinks or letters from my father  the things I would grab if I could before running for our lives.

Imagine if these were your parents pushed from their nursing home as a preventable fire encircled them.

Or your fathers burger stand burned to the ground because there arent enough firefighters or water.

As horrible as the fires are  as extraordinary the rescue stories  simply talking about it isnt enough  we need to tell the truth about whats happening.

The Palisades Fire burns homes on the Pacific Coast Highway amid a powerful windstorm on January 8, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Apu Gomes/Getty Images)

Preventable Tragedy

As Los Angeles burns to the ground, California faces three main problems:

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Not enough water to fight the fires, so the hydrants run dry  right now, there is no water for firefighters when they show up to burning houses.

Above-ground power lines that spark fires when trees fall during high winds.

An out-of-control homeless population that starts fires to stay warm and cook or because they are bored.

Fact Check: The solutions to each of these problems are simple and direct.

But California Governor Gavin Newsom spent the past six years ignoring those problems.

Fact check: Those are doing as much good as shouting at the 80 mph wind currently blowing through Malibu.

But WAIT, there is more: The mayor of Los Angeles cut the Los Angeles Fire Department budget by $17.6 million for other priorities.

How about this: If Newsom had spent his climate change billions on:

Burying power lines. Yes, its expensive  but a lot cheaper than building high-speed rail.



Building cheap concrete water reservoirs to save the massive rains and thus have water to fight fires. In 2014, California passed a bond issue authorizing $7.5 billion to fund water infrastructure projects  10 years later, they havent built any In fact, California had to pipe massive rains this summer into the Pacific Ocean, wasting the water.

More firefighters, helicopters and planes.

Controlled burns that reduce hazardous fuels.

Be fair: Yes, climate change is real  but capturing cow methane and electric change stations isnt going to protect us from it

Why cant/wont California do the very simple things that could significantly protect it against fires? Sadly, the answer is simple: Good governance doesnt get you votes in Iowa or cable news hits.



We have to tell the truth about whats happening and why it matters.

The fire itself may not have been preventable, but devastating losses (that continue to grow) certainly were.

Donald Trump Facebook account displayed on a laptop screen and Mark Zuckerberg account on Facebook displayed on a phone screen are seen in this illustration photo taken in Krakow, Poland on January 7, 2025. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Big Mad!

Ding Ding: Traditional media refuses to change their anti-Trump, anti-conservative and anti-free speech worldview  thus, they will continue their slow demise.

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In case you missed yesterdays news, traditional media went apoplectic that Mark Zuckerberg eliminated fact-checkers on Facebook and Instagram.

Scott Galloway lost his mind on Morning Joe. Be fair: Galloway isnt wrong about the income inequality stuff

Read: Mike Allen and Jim VandeHei of Axios are out with an excellent column about the change in who controls information.

Traditional media is angry they are no longer the arbiters of truth  that threatens their business model.

Musk and Zuckerberg: Both businessmen are adapting.

Look back: Our buddy Chris Cillizza made big news with a mea culpa over not covering Bidens health.

Remember: Stories about Bidens health were a favorite of fact-checkers to debunk. Turns out they like lots of other things: Hunter Bidens laptop. COVID lab leak. Mask ineffectiveness. COVID lockdowns.

These were all fact-checked to death until they became true.

Cars are parked outside the U.S. Capitol during a joint session of Congress to ratify the 2024 Presidential election on January 6, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chen Mengtong/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)

Defections

Five Democratic senators announced they would support the Republican-led Laken Riley Act, all of whom are from swing states.

The bill passed the House and requires the detention of illegal immigrants who commit nonviolent crimes. Read more here from our partners at The Hill.



The Democratic senators being:

Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania.

Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona.

Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan.

Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona.

Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia.

Self-preservation: These senators represent swing states that Trump won.

More importantly: This represents a significant break from the unified Trump resistance of 2017.

Look back: From 2017 to 2020, Democrats reflexively opposed anything Trump suggested. Trump killed the head of the Iranian revolutionary guard, and Democrats wanted to give Qasem Soleimani the Nobel Peace Prize. Trump wanted to build a wall, and Democrats wanted an open border. Trump wanted to end riots in Americas streets, and Democrats called it the summer of love.



That is changing  and quickly.

Find your channel here.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily of NewsNation.

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Whatever Trump and his advisors say, I know he won't be able to remake Washington easily and swiftly.

President-elect Donald Trump is returning to the most powerful job in the free world with the putative mandate to take on the 3 million employees of the deep state, an insecure border, the annual $800-billion government contracting-industrial complex, Big Pharma and wokeness. But his administration will face the same limitation that my colleagues and I did when we responded to the global financial crisis in 2008: Every action we took had to be justified with an answer to this question: Under what authority?

Trump has expressed admiration for the dictatorial power wielded by authoritarian leaders such as Chinas Xi Jinping and Russias Vladimir Putin. But his predilection for aggressive executive actions in the U.S. will ultimately be stymied if it is not grounded in defensible legal authority and process. Just because Trump and his advisors say they can do something doesnt mean they can, at least not easily or swiftly.

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In 2008, I worked with Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson. He did not have the authority to prevent the calamitous collapse of Lehman Brothers, and even after Congress authorized unprecedented executive power with the $700-billion Troubled Asset Relief Program and Newsweek dubbed him King Henry, pundits and citizens alike complained that we werent extracting a sufficient pound of flesh for the assistance the George W. Bush administration provided to the banks, whose flawed risk management was a root cause of the crisis. Our response had to be, however, Under what authority?

Read more: Bailout tab: $700,000,000,000

One item on Trumps agenda, the much-heralded Department of Government Efficiency  DOGE  is a case in point. Its co-leaders, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, penned an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal in which they asserted that they would be doing things differently. We are entrepreneurs, not politicians. We will serve as outside volunteers, not federal officials or employees. The inherent problem with this approach is that none of their proposals can become reality without an authorized internal government mechanism.

This is where Russell Vought , Trumps nominee to oversee the powerful Office of Management and Budget, comes in. He has spent the last four years honing plans  and legal justifications  for the expansive use of executive power that Trump wants and that Vought refers to as  radical constitutionalism .

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Read more: Calmes: Trump's budget cutters have set themselves up to fail

Voughts playbook includes the bold maneuvers that DOGE plans to employ, according to the Wall Street Journal op-ed. One is budget impoundment, which Trump has already espoused . The idea is that no matter what funds Congress appropriates, the president can choose which to spend, creating an effective line-item veto. Such a veto was expressly outlawed under the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974. Vought, undaunted, has forcefully asserted that this law is unconstitutional.

But even with three Trump-appointed justices on the Supreme Court, giving its conservatives a 6-3 majority, no one can be certain that the judiciary will serve as an unfettered rubber stamp for the more audacious actions. In fact, during Trumps first term, his administration notched only a 23% legal win rate when it challenged federal agency policies and actions. (The historical average is around 70%.)

We should expect Trump 2.0 to improve its bureaucratic effectiveness, not least because the Supreme Court last term unraveled the so-called Chevron doctrine, which had provided that agency decisions be given deference so long as their statutory interpretation was reasonable.

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Read more: Opinion: The Supreme Court's purely ideological reasoning will change our lives

However, if Musk and Ramaswamy believe that the Chevron decision means they can successfully void thousands of rules with a single stroke of Trumps pen, akin to nuking the administrative state, theyll find out that deregulation looks a lot more like trench warfare. To avoid giving their opponents judicial ammunition to claim a process foul, repealing the rules they dont like will require following the tedious procedures of the Administrative Procedure Act.

Certainly, Republican politicians and voters have demonstrated their devotion to Trump and a clear willingness for disruption in Washington. However, there still exists the Senate minority and the filibuster, a free press, a sizable segment of the business community that will not profit from changes to the status quo, the American political penchant to throw the bums out in the next election  and most notably, the rule of law to act as boundaries on an imperial presidency.

Trump undoubtedly will be able to upset government norms, but he will not be able to fully refashion democratic institutions in his image without a sufficient response to Under what authority?

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Stephen A. Myrow served as a senior U.S. Treasury Department official in 2008. He is currently managing partner of Beacon Policy Advisors, an independent policy research firm based in Washington.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The raging wildfires engulfing Los Angeles are just the latest natural disaster made more frequent and more intense by climate change. But buried in the pages of Project 2025, a Trump Cabinet pick has laid out a strategy to undercut the federal governments most comprehensive and influential climate report.

The man behind the plan is Russell Vought, Trumps ultraconservative choice for the director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Last week, E&E News reported that Vought wants to weaken the next National Climate Assessment, which will be published near the end of Trumps second term, with perspectives from climate deniers and polluting industries. If successful, the Trump nominee will significantly alter the most comprehensive analysis of how the climate crisis is going to affect Americans for years to come.

For more than three decades, the National Climate Assessment has helped policymakers plan for the devastating impacts of a crisis that is estimated to kill more than 1,300 Americans per year, and costs the U.S. more than $100 billion annually. The NCAs peer-reviewed climate research informs everything from future building standards and vehicle emissions rules, to coastal housing development and insurance policies.

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But Vought and other Republicans view climate science as a threat to the presidents goals. Voughts ideas are laid out in Project 2025, the Heritage Foundations policy handbook for the Trump administration. In his chapter, Vought writes that the climate report reduces the legally-proper options in presidential decision-making and can frustrate successful litigation defense. In essence, the NCA doesnt just provide climate data for lawmakers  it has been used as evidence in lawsuits against the first Trump administration.

It also provides a clear warning that the continued burning of fossil fuels will drive global temperatures beyond a livable climate  a message that contradicts Trumps pro-fossil-fuel agenda. The Biden Administrations climate fanaticism will need a whole-of-government unwinding, Vought writes.

The Trump administration cant actually kill the NCA, which is mandated by law. But Vought can weaken it by cherry-picking which experts work on it and removing the sections written during the Biden administration. The next president should critically analyze and, if required, refuse to accept any  assessment prepared under the Biden Administration, he writes. He also proposes that OMB jointly assess the independence of the climate researchers, with the goal of introducing more diverse viewpoints  including those of known climate science deniers.

Incredibly, Voughts ideas are some of the less sensational anti-climate proposals in Project 2025, which also recommends gutting the Environmental Protection Agency, privatizing the National Weather Service, eliminating environmental justice initiatives and deregulating forever chemicals, to name a few.

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And Voughts own proposals dont end with the National Climate Assessment. He also wants the military to eliminate climate change from its risk assessments, abolish the Biden administrations domestic climate policy office and overhaul environmental review of infrastructure projects. Most significantly, he wants to convert at least 50,000 civil servants into political employees, making them easier to replace.

We want the bureaucrats to be traumatically affected, he said in private speeches obtained by ProPublica and Documented. We want their funding to be shut down so that the EPA cant do all of the rules against our energy industry because they have no bandwidth financially to do so.

The scale of Voughts ambitions fit his background: Vought is a Christian nationalist who believes that the American people are at war with a weaponized bureaucracy that makes every decision on the basis of climate change extremism and  woke militancy. But it is disturbing that the man who once helped Trump illegally withhold aid from Ukraine is now being given power over the nations top scientific agencies. Given that the world is currently on track to heat by an alarming 3.1 degrees Celsius, thats not good news.

But its also not the end of the world. Because the Trump administrations previous attempts to quash the National Climate Assessment spectacularly backfired.

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In 2018, Vought and other White House officials brainstormed how to delay, undermine or change the Fourth National Climate Assessment, two White House officials told E&E News. Instead, they published the unaltered report on Black Friday, hoping it would go unnoticed over Thanksgiving weekend. It made headlines, as much for the unusual timing as the Trump administrations attempts to suppress it.

For now, the Trump administration is expected to at worst alter the NCA to include its own viewpoint  one that may include climate denial or justifications for fossil fuels. That strategy offers a clear insight into exactly how far the incoming administration is willing to go to reshape reality, even as tens of thousands of Angelenos flee climate-fueled wildfires. The effort is not only nonsensical, but potentially deadly to Americans trying to adapt to a changing world.

Some federal scientists, at least, are already getting ready to push back. Youve got to be prepared to walk away, Craig McLean, a former director of NOAA research, told Science magazine, adding that he resisted pressure to focus on discredited research during the first Trump administration.

The lesson for me was, I can stand between an assault on the science and the law, he said. And so can other officials.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Before we get too deep into the new year, lets revisit one of the big stories of 2024  a story most of the mainstream media apparently didnt deem newsworthy.

Throughout most of his presidency, Joe Bidens mental sharpness was in decline. More than once, we saw news clips of him wandering off  and heard the White House tell the American people not to believe what our eyes were showing us, but rather to believe what Bidens PR machine was telling us.

Even after his disastrous debate performance in late June, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre assured the American people that Joe Biden was as sharp as ever.

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She wasnt alone. Despite his mental decline, Bidens family kept his condition from the public. So did his close friends, who must have known. Top Democrats told us he was mentally fit, even after the Wall Street Journal reported in early June that sources told the paper that behind the scenes the president had noticeably slowed down.

All of them  his family, his friends, his political allies  put their personal or their perceived party interests over those of the American people.

But none of it could have happened without the mainstream media mostly sitting idly by and showing an astonishing lack of curiosity about the presidents apparent feebleness.

When that Wall Street Journal expose came out in early June, about how the president had noticeably slowed down, it wasnt only the White House that cried foul  so did its allies in the media, repeating the administrations line that it was mainly Republican sources who were behind the story.

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But when Biden fell apart in real time on national TV during the presidential debate in late June, the secret was out in the open  no matter what Jean-Pierre was telling reporters.

Why did so many journalists shun their responsibilities to the American people for so long? Heres a strong possibility: Because they loathed Donald Trump and didnt want to do anything that might hurt his (or later Kamala Harriss) chances of winning. I understand how that may sound simple. Theres a reason: Because it is that simple.

Democrats like talking about how Donald Trump is a threat to democracy  well, covering for a president who was in mental decline, pretending that he could solve Rubiks Cube in 30 seconds or less  that is a threat to democracy.

But its all in the rearview mirror now. So lets move on to the new year.

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Trump has a laundry list a mile long of what he says hell do on Day One in office. One of those priorities is his promise to pardon some of those arrested in connection with the Jan 6., 2021 riot at the Capitol.

Why would he do that? Because he told them that the election had been stolen and they were loyal enough to Trump  or foolish enough  to believe him.

So, pardoning those he called patriots and political prisoners would send a message  that loyalty to Trump comes with benefits. And its a message that will almost certainly resonate far beyond the jail cells holding Jan. 6 rioters.

GOP politicians in Congress will hear the message too. Be a good soldier, sign on to Trumps agenda no matter what, and he wont call you weak or stupid, and wont find someone more to his liking to run against you in the next election. If he could do favors for people who stormed the Capitol, he could do favors for his allies in Congress, so long as they fall in line.

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Republicans pride themselves as the law and order party, while telling us that Democrats are soft on crime. If Trump pardons criminals who broke into the Capitol, why should anyone believe Republicans are tough on crime?

More than a few Republicans in the House and Senate know that pardoning rioters  especially those who fought with police  would be a big mistake. To the general public, the people who stormed the Capitol arent heroes, no matter what Trump says or thinks. But Republicans are afraid to say as much publicly, fearing Trumps retribution.

On Meet the Press this Sunday, host Kristen Welker asked new Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) what he thought about Trumps promise to pardon Jan. 6 criminals on Day One in office. Instead of giving a straight answer  that he thought it was a good idea or a bad idea  all Thune could come up with was, Thats ultimately going to be a decision that President Trump is going to have to make.

His answer struck me as lame  as fear masquerading as loyalty. Whatever motivated Thune, whatever motivates Republicans in general, theyre putting Trumps interests over whats best for America  sort of like Bidens pals putting Bidens interests over what was best for America.

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Sometimes the future looks a lot like the past.

Bernard Goldberg is an Emmy and an Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University award-winning writer and journalist. He is the author of five books and publishes exclusive weekly columns, audio commentaries and Q&As on his Substack page. Follow him @BernardGoldberg.

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 The Hill.
Nestled between rugged peaks and vast deserts, Utahs story has always been one of perseverance and vision. The pioneering spirit that once tamed this wild terrain is now shaping a strong future. Generations of Utahns have dreamt big and built boldly, and today, that same spirit drives us as we chart a path toward a stronger, more sustainable state.

Utah isnt just meeting todays demands; were building a future that embraces innovation, protects our values and enhances our quality of life. This future isnt accidental  its intentional, fueled by our commitment to making Utah the best place to live, work and raise a family.

Safe and affordable energy resources are at the core of the well-being of Utahs families and businesses. Our energy policies affect every facet of life, from keeping utility bills low to reducing the cost of groceries and transportation. Utah families feel the weight of rising costs, but by maintaining our lowest-in-the-nation electricity rates and leading the charge in energy innovation, were ensuring a high quality of life. Our efforts go beyond affordability  theyre about positioning Utah as a global energy hub, where technological advancements secure a bright future for everyone.

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In 2025, the Utah Senate majority will focus on tripling energy production, improving transmission infrastructure and ensuring reliable, around-the-clock power to meet the demands of artificial intelligence and a rapidly growing population. Powering Utahs future goes beyond meeting todays demands  its about building on the successes of the past while addressing the needs of tomorrow. This is a future driven by purpose, anchored in values and fueled by the determination to keep Utah the best state in the nation.

But powering our future isnt just about energy. Its about laying tracks for opportunity  tracks that ensure families, businesses and communities thrive. These tracks are built on responsible investments and innovative policies that preserve Utahs values while embracing its potential.

Our blueprint for 2025

Our states victory tale is written by Utahns  resilient, innovative and united. Through strategic policymaking and forward-thinking leadership, were ensuring all Utahns have the tools to continue building our great states success story. This blueprint is centered on:

Energy innovation: Transforming Utah into the new energy frontier.

Education investment: Supporting students and teachers for a brighter future.

Water sustainability: Ensuring a steady, reliable water supply.

Affordable living: Delivering fiscally responsible tax cuts to ease the cost of living.

Economic growth: Fostering business opportunities and job creation.

Resilient infrastructure: Maintaining robust transportation networks.

Public lands protection: Preserving Utahs natural beauty for future generations.

Quality of life: Strengthening communities and uplifting families.

Utahs impressive rankings are a testament to this strategy  ranked the best state in the nation for two years in a row, recognized as the second-best in education, the best-managed state and the leader in economic outlook for 17 consecutive years. This isnt a coincidence  its the result of the hard work and collaborative spirit of all Utahns, deliberate policies and a commitment to excellence.

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Maintaining Utahs status as the most affordable state in the nation is a cornerstone of the Senate majoritys vision. Prioritizing energy, transportation, education, water management and economic opportunities ensures every Utahn  urban or rural  benefits from a robust economy, reliable resources and innovative solutions.

Utah doesnt wait for the future to happen; we shape it. Standing still is not an option. By continuing to move forward, embracing innovation and working together, well ensure our future remains bright.

Our ancestors conquered mountains and deserts to build a future they believed in. Today, we honor their legacy by carrying that torch  dreaming big, building boldly and ensuring that Utah remains a beacon of opportunity for generations to come.
Every American president is tasked with overseeing a global empire and goes about preserving it or expanding it in different ways. As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his second term, hes bringing his signature scammy touch to the enterprise. Speaking to reporters at a news conference Tuesday at Mar-a-Lago, Trump, apropos of nothing, said, Well be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, which has a beautiful ring. He added: That covers a lot of territory. The Gulf of America: What a beautiful name. And its appropriate.

Can the United States rename the Gulf of Mexico? It seems like he could, considering U.S. presidents can change the names of landmarks. That doesnt mean other countries will go along with changing the name of a massive body of water whose name dates back more than four centuries.

The bigger question isnt can Trump do that but why he wants to. The answer is that Trump is a pure showman. Claiming he wants to rename the gulf as he threatens Mexico with tariffs is culture war bait that changes nothing  but it gives Trump an easy way to beat his chest and scratch the itch of the chauvinist without actually doing anything meaningful. The Gulf of America is a tacky nationalist marketing gimmick, not a policy solution to any problem the United States has.

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Trump has recently floated far-fetched proposals to buy Greenland and wrest back control of the Panama Canal. In response to a question from a reporter at the news conference about what hed be willing to do to secure them, Trump said something that sounded more dire. He refused to rule out military or economic coercion to obtain Greenland or the Panama Canal and said, We need them for economic security.

The United States is the richest and the most powerful country in the world, dominating trade routes, institutions and agreements around the globe. The idea that it needs ownership of the mostly frozen island of Greenland for economic security is ludicrous. Greenland is owned by Denmark, a U.S. NATO ally that shares geopolitical interests with the United States and has repeatedly told Trump that Greenland isnt for sale.

Trump repeated the falsehood Tuesday that the Panama Canal is being operated by China, which he claims necessitates a U.S. intervention. Panama has been administering the canal for about 25 years, after the United States controlled it for about a century. As Harvard University lecturer Dennis Hogan recently wrote in The New York Times, In Mr. Trumps view of international competition, it seems sea routes are to be seized, controlled and monopolized, not shared among nations with equal access to all, as the Panama Canal is.

One can only conclude that, by floating the idea of possible wars, Trump is in some sense defrauding the public. If hes not being serious about being willing to take military action, then his language is the kind of false bravado that depletes the United States credibility and makes him look like a witless cowboy. And if Trump is serious  which I believe is unlikely  then hes undermining all his talk about how America First means opposing endless war. Trump has no mandate for arbitrarily returning the United States to a new era of old-school colonialism and annexation. Nobody asked for the United States to go to war with a NATO ally, a friend of the U.S. in Central America, or the worlds only other superpower to enhance U.S. supremacy over global waterways.

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On the campaign trail, Trump promised to turn inward and wind down U.S. involvement in at least some overseas conflicts. Now, as he toys with the idea of using force to claim more land for the United States, hes revealing he was either lying on the campaign trail or hes lying now.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
This article is the second in a six-part MSNBC Daily series, Meet the Freshmen, featuring six of Congress newest faces  three Republicans and three Democrats  in a series of diverse columns that explore the new members backstories, policies, home districts and where they fit in this historic political moment. You can read the rest of the series here.

St. Louis County, Missouri, Prosecutor Wesley Bell made news in August when he defeated Rep. Cori Bush, a squad member, in a Democratic primary that many saw as a referendum on the partys position on the Israel-Hamas war. Now he arrives in Washington to represent Missouris 1st Congressional District. And though he arrives with promise, Bell is trailed by questions about what he truly stands for, questions that more broadly plague his party.

Bell, 50, is a native of the relentlessly segregated St. Louis suburbs. He won a seat on the Ferguson City Council after a police officer killed teenager Michael Brown and the city convulsed with protests.

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The New York Times took notice and profiled Bell  who had been a professor of criminal justice at a local community college  in a short documentary. I actually think hes going to be like President Obama, one voter says in the film, predicting a congressional career at the very least.

Bell kept rising. In 2018, he unseated St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert McCulloch, who had earned the ire of the Black community, which charged him with not doing enough to hold Darren Wilson, the Ferguson police officer, accountable for Browns killing. (A grand jury declined to bring charges.) The national media again took note of Bell, who seemed to be in line with the burgeoning criminal justice reform movement. People are awake to the need to address issues like mass incarceration, to address issues like profiling and to address criminal justice reform in general, he told the Times.

In fact, Bell stayed in the center lane. Though his office reviewed the Wilson case, it never brought charges against the former officer, a huge disappointment to Bells supporters. (Bell said his office couldnt prove Wilson had committed a crime in killing the unarmed teen.)

The decision not to prosecute Wilson wasnt the only disappointment. As a report compiled by activists near the end of Bells tenure noted, the prison population of St. Louis continued to grow on his watch, despite the fact that, as a candidate, he seemed like he might favor decarceration. Nor had Bell made the sweeping reforms  in police accountability and sentencing, among other issues  his statements about criminal justice issues seemed to portend.

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We have seen the office fail to implement meaningful change on a number of important fronts, the report said. Many people were excited for new leadership in 2019 and remained hopeful after early change, only to see a return to the policies of mass incarceration.

Politically, staying within the prosecutorial mainstream was a savvy move by Bell. He entirely avoided the backlash against progressive prosecutors that led voters in San Francisco to recall Chesa Boudin and, more recently, led voters in Los Angeles County to vote out George Gascon.

Meanwhile, in Washington, Bush, who also entered the political arena after Wilson killed Brown and in 2020 unseated 10-term incumbent William Lacy Clay, was on her way to becoming a progressive star. But as the squad grew larger, it also became more marginalized, turning into more of a media sensation than a political force. A 2021 vote against President Joe Bidens $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill may have been seen as principled by some on the left. But to the centrist Democrats who lead the party, it was a pointless show of defiance.

The Oct. 7, 2023, attacks caused a rift between centrists who supported Israel and pro-Palestinian progressives. Bush was firmly in the latter camp, calling for a ceasefire just days after the Hamas-led slaughter.

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Jewish leaders in St. Louis  men and women she purportedly represented  asked Bush to temper her rhetoric, such as when she claimed that Israel was committing ethnic cleansing, charging in an open letter that she was intentionally fueling antisemitism and hatred. The congresswoman denied the accusation, declining to temper her criticism of the campaign in Gaza.

In June, a fellow squad member, Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York, was felled in a Democratic primary by a lackluster Democratic candidate, George Latimer, who had developed strong local alliances  and was boosted by millions in spending by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. AIPAC unapologetically sought to fund challengers to some of Israels biggest critics in Congress. And having unseated Bowman, it turned to Bush.

Tel Aviv and Gaza City are very far away from St. Louis. To be sure, people in the Gateway City and across the United States have strong, deeply held views on the Middle East. But for the most part, voters care about local issues. And by ignoring those issues, Bush gave Bell the opening he needed in those crucial summer weeks when the race was inevitably going to be decided.

Yes, AIPAC spent millions ($8 million to be exact), but Bells views on Israel are about as mainstream as they come: I believe Israel has the right to defend itself and go after those who perpetrated those attacks. Not an incredibly original line. Which was the whole point. Bell was signaling that he would keep to the centrist line. There would be no headaches for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., as reporters chased him down the hallways of the U.S. Capitol to ask whether he agreed with Rep. Bells latest musings on the Middle East.

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More to the point, Bell could credibly cast Bush as being too concerned with national and international affairs to care about her own district. When she ran four years ago, one of the main things that she had talked about was serving St. Louis, and I heard from a lot of voters that there wasnt great outreach, Democratic strategist Braxton Payne told Jewish Insider. Israel was the opening. It was her legislative record, or lack thereof during two terms, that truly doomed Bush.

Bells run for Congress was the first time he faced true national scrutiny? Not all of it was flattering. It turns out, for example, that he managed a Republican congressional campaign in 2006 (for an anti-abortion candidate, no less). That revelation contributed to the suspicion that Bell, who ran to unseat Republican Sen. Josh Hawley before abandoning that campaign and challenging Bush instead, was fueled by ambition, not conviction. Washington is full of such people, which is why normal people hate Washington. I hope Bell rediscovers his convictions and doesnt join their ranks.

More serious were allegations that hed created a hostile workplace for women and misused funds for expensive dinners and travel  the kinds of accusations that, if proved true, could easily spell the end of a promising career on the bigger and more scrutinized stage that is Washington.

We should hope Bell arrives in Washington with both his ethical and political compasses properly calibrated. Defeating Bush was a big deal, but it shouldnt be the most significant thing Wesley Bell has ever done. He has far too much promise for that.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Ten years after President Barack Obamas surprise reopening of diplomatic relations with Cuba, rolled back by President Donald Trump in 2017, some are now opining on President Bidens legacy by calling for a return to Obamas failed policy. But they are leaving out key facts to advance their claim that the 2014 thaw was successful.

The late Democratic senator for New York, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, observed that Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but they are not entitled to their own facts. This also holds true in the conversation over U.S.-Cuba policy. Obamas claim that the U.S. changing its relationship with the people of Cuba was among the most significant changes in our policy in more than fifty years ignored the past actions of the Nixon, Ford, Carter and Clinton administrations to do the same.

The repeated good-faith unilateral concessions by Washington, under these four prior presidencies, were responded to by Havana with actions that negatively impacted U.S. national interests in Latin America, Africa and in the United States. This included facilitating the entry of narcotics into the United States, giving terrorists safe harbor, resources and training that resulted in the deaths of Americans on American soil in 1975 and 1977, and directly participating in state terrorism in international airspace that resulted in the deaths of Americans in 1996.

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In 2015, the Obama State Department removed Cuba from the list of states that sponsor terrorism in response to a public demand by Raul Castro that the full restoration of diplomatic relations be contingent upon Cuba being removed from the list.

During Obamas thaw with Havana, violence increased against Cuban dissidents, the Cuban government weaponized migration, with over 120,000 Cubans entering the U.S. through Central America, and U.S. diplomats in Havana began suffering brain damage in 2016 in what the Biden administration would call anomalous health incidents but became better known as the Havana Syndrome.

Furthermore, defenders of Obamas Cuba policy make no mention of diplomatic slights against Obama by Havana, including Raul Castro presiding over a military parade on Jan. 2, 2017, where Cuban soldiers chanted theyd shoot Obama so many times in the head that theyd make him a hat of lead.

Despite this, on his way out of office, Obama provided two additional concessions responding positively to two long-standing demands by the Cuban dictatorship: ending the so-called Wet-Foot Dry-Foot policy, which allowed Cubans legal status if they touched U.S. soil, and the Cuban Professional Medical Parole program, which provided trafficked Cuban doctors with asylum. These policy changes harmed ordinary Cubans and helped Cubas dictatorship.

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The Trump administration did not end all of the Obama thaw, but he did pursue a policy of not providing resources to the Cuban military and providing victims of the dictatorship a new avenue for redress.

After normalizing U.S.-Cuba relations, Obamas secretary of State, John Kerry said in an interview on Sept. 9, 2020, Its fair to say that everybody shares a little bit of disappointment about the direction that the government in Cuba chose to go. Kerry continued, Cuba seemed to harden down after the initial steps were taken.

Biden, on the campaign trail in 2020. said he wanted to return to the Obama opening, but facts on the ground forced him to change course. The images coming out of Cuba of regime agents beating and gunning down nonviolent protesters during nationwide protests of July 2021, then following up with draconian prison sentences against many of the demonstrators, made rapprochement with the dictatorship politically untenable.

Nevertheless, President Biden, 10 months after the July 2021 protests and crackdown, provided unilateral concessions to Havana in what was euphemistically described as new measures to support the Cuban people but contained specific actions that empowered the dictatorship. For example, the expansion of educational exchanges ignored FBI concerns about Havana using these openings to recruit spies and undermine U.S. national security. This policy also loosened travel restrictions.

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The Cuban military, through its conglomerate Grupo de Administracion Empresarial S.A., and its sub-entity Gaviota, the militarys tourism arm, profited from the expansion of authorized travel by the Obama and Biden administrations, but the Castro regime could not fully exploit it due to poor decisions taken by Havana.

Moscow offered Havana $1.36 billion in 2015 to repair and build new generators, but Cuban officials did not take them up on it, due to other priorities. While Cubas infrastructure collapses due to lack of maintenance, the dictatorship continues to build luxury hotels across the country with their own generators for tourists, as millions of Cubans are kept in the dark. It did not have to be that way, but it is Havanas  not Washingtons  fault.

The European Union and Canada continue to send millions of Euros and Canadian dollars to the Cuban dictatorship. The European Unions top diplomat, Josep Borrell, stated in Havana on May 25, 2023, that the 27-member bloc remained Cubas biggest trading partner and one devoted to mutual respect. He said that the EU accounted for about one-third of the islands foreign trade, versus 8 percent by China or 8 percent by Russia, reported Euractiv on May 26, 2023.

This economic engagement has not prevented Cuban soldiers from donning Russian uniforms and fighting for Vladimir Putin in Ukraine, Havana openly supporting Moscows invasion of its European neighbor, or Cuban agents assisting Nicolas Maduro in undermining democracy in Venezuela and torturing Venezuelan dissidents.

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The advocates for returning to the Obama Cuba policy would have the United States join in the complicity of the European Union and Canada in subsidizing with tax dollars a 66-year-old dictatorship, helping to enrich a corrupt ruling class while everyday Cubans continue to suffer under their oppressive rule, and providing Havana resources to help create more Nicaraguas and Venezuelas in Latin America and sponsor international terrorism.

John Suarez is the executive director of the Center for a Free Cuba, and a former program officer for Latin America programs at Freedom House.

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 The Hill.
If individual campaign donations are any indication, the April 1 race for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court is already promising to draw massive amounts of spending as majority control of the states highest court is once again on the line.

With the election less than three months away, liberal Dane County Circuit Court Judge Susan Crawford currently holds the edge with a reported $2.8 million raised from individual donors since entering the race, while her opponent, conservative Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Brad Schimel, raised $2.2 million.

The funds raised so far by the candidates far surpass what was raised in the same timeframe heading into Wisconsins record-setting 2023 race for the states highest court, and will likely be eclipsed many times over by money spent by outside groups or state parties.

Fundraising figures are just one component of a successful campaign or political party, but they can offer a glimpse into the campaigns or partys organization, donor base and overall support.

Schimel and Crawford are running for the seat held by departing liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley. Such elections are officially nonpartisan, but political parties contribute millions of dollars and hundreds of workers to support their preferred candidates. With the race heating up, both candidates have targeted their opponent as being extreme and overtly partisan.

Crawford entered 2025 with more than $2.1 million in campaign funds on hand, compared with $1.8 million for Schimel, according to both campaigns.

Official campaign finance reports arent due to the Wisconsin Ethics Commission until Jan. 15, but both parties released their total hauls on Wednesday.

Crawford raised $2.4 million between July and the end of December last year and more than $2.8 million since joining the race in June  an amount her campaign called a historic sum and more than any Wisconsin Supreme Court campaign in history.

In a statement, Crawford said she is honored to be on the ballot and grateful to have the historic outpouring of support from so many Wisconsinites in nearly every county.

Its more important than ever to have a common sense Justice on the Wisconsin Supreme Court who does whats right, and over the next three months Im committed to earning the trust and support of Wisconsinites across the state, Crawford continued.

Schimel reported raising $1.5 million in the second half of last year, which his campaign said is five times more than what conservatives raised in the same period heading into the 2023 supreme court election. In total, the former attorney general raised more than $2.2 million since entering the race in late 2023.

People are tired of judges putting their personal agendas above the law and thats reflected in the enthusiasm for our campaign, Schimel said in a statement. I am humbled by the outpouring of support and this historic haul is a testament to the momentum were experiencing in every corner of the state.

Schimel reported receiving donations from residents in 70 of Wisconsins 72 counties, while Crawford said she received contributions from 71 counties.

The April 1 election is already shaping up to be more expensive than the last race for a seat on the court, where liberal Justice Janet Protasiewicz defeated conservative former Justice Dan Kelly, giving liberals their current 4-3 majority on the court. In the second half of 2022 leading up to the April 2023 election, Protasiewicz raised more than $750,000 while Kelly had raised about $312,000.

In the end, more than $51 million was spent by candidates and special-interest groups in that race, making it the most expensive judicial election in U.S. history. To compare, more than $6 million was spent by candidates and outside groups in the 2019 race, and roughly $10 million was spent in the 2020 election, according to the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, which tracks campaign spending in the state.

With majority control of the court once again on the line, Nick Ramos, executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, said last month he expects the race to generate as much as $80 million in spending by candidates and outside groups.

I think were going to see all types of outside money get flooded into Wisconsin to see how this race is going to shake out because the ideological balance is back on the center stage in the state on the supreme court, Ramos said.

On the docket

The election comes as the court prepares to rule on a handful of high-profile cases, including a Dane County judges November order tossing out most of Act 10, former Gov. Scott Walkers signature law that gutted public sector collective bargaining in Wisconsin.

Crawford represented union groups in a 2011 lawsuit seeking to overturn the law, telling PBS Wisconsin at the time it was aimed at crippling public employee unions.

Schimel, who served as attorney general under Walker and previously said he would defend Act 10 if elected to the high court, called Judge Jacob Frosts ruling the latest instance of the Left using the justice system to satisfy their donors and dismantle laws they dont like.

The court is also expected to rule in the coming months on a challenge to Wisconsins 1849 abortion law, which was revived after Roe v. Wade was struck down two years ago and had been widely interpreted as a near-complete ban on abortion until another Dane County judge ruled it only applied to feticide, not consensual abortions. A Republican-backed lawsuit seeking to unseat Meagan Wolfe, the Wisconsin Elections Commissions nonpartisan administrator, will also be coming before the justices.

Its likely that several of those cases will be decided before the new justice takes the bench in August.
Attorney Joey McCutchen (front) and Adam Watson, a member of the Franklin County and River Valley Coalition, leave the Arkansas Department of Corrections headquarters in North Little Rock on Jan. 7, 2025, after being escorted out of a meeting. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate)

Two opponents of a prison planned for Franklin County were threatened with arrest for criminal trespassing on Tuesday and escorted out of an Arkansas Department of Corrections meeting, which they said they thought was open to the public.

Standing on the sidewalk outside of the DOCs North Little Rock headquarters while flurries fell, Joey McCutchen, legal counsel for the Franklin County and River Valley Coalition, said his experience Tuesday showed just an absolute non-transparent environment, complete secrecy.

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McCutchen said he and Adam Watson, the coalitions chair of legal and legislative committee, attended Tuesdays meeting under a valid assumption that this was an open meeting. But when inside, they were told they would be arrested for criminal trespassing if they did not leave.

I told them to go ahead and do that, if thats what they wanted to do, said McCutchen, who also described himself as a transparency advocate. It was very clear that we werent welcome at this public meeting, so well see where we go from here.

Officers with North Little Rock Police Department did arrive after McCutchen and Watson were escorted outside, but no action was taken.

Todays meeting was an internal staff meeting for department employees, spokesperson Rand Champion said in an email Tuesday afternoon. Because the two individuals werent department employees, they were asked to leave the meeting, which they ultimately did following some conversations. There will be future meetings that will be open to the public where it will be appropriate to have them in attendance.

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The Franklin County and River Valley Coalition formed soon after Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced the land purchase for the planned 3,000-bed prison in October. The group has since shared concerns about the prison locally and with state lawmakers, supporting their arguments with documents they obtained through the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

An email in response to one of the coalitions recent public record requests tipped off members to two kick-off meetings this week with state correction officials and staff from Vanir Construction Management, a California company that was approved for a $16.5 million contract to oversee the planning and development of Arkansas new prison.

According to a copy of the Dec. 6 email that Watson provided to the Advocate, meetings will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday.

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We will hold a morning session with the entire team on Tuesday, the email from Vanir project manager Luann Salado said. Your afternoon will be free, while Vanir will hold an internal session. Tuesday we will implement the planning exercise that requires everyones participation to make the time effective. That session will be most of the day.

During their short time in the conference area on Tuesday, McCutchen said he saw as many as 50 people, including lawyers, Vanir staff and at least one Board of Corrections member, Lona McCastlain.

Watson said screens in the room listed three objectives: aligning on goals, addressing concerns and defining success.

The department spokesperson confirmed McCastlain was present, and Champion said she was the only Board of Corrections member in attendance. McCastlain was also present Tuesday in her role as chair of the state parole board, known as the Post-Prison Transfer Board, Champion said.

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Under Arkansas law, a public meeting occurs when members of a governing body gather, even if a quorum is not present. While a specific threshold isnt outlined in the law, it has largely been considered to be when two or more members meet. In 2023, state lawmakers failed to pass bills that would have added a numerical distinction; one proposed a quorum should be the minimum requirement, while another suggested it should be set at two or more members.

While McCutchen and Watson said they hoped to learn how the project was going to address what they say are inadequate roads, an iffy water supply, sewage issues, the workforce in Franklin County and environmental concerns, the pair left with no new information.

Fort Smith Attorney Joey McCutchen and Adam Watson, a member of the Franklin County and River Valley Coalition, post outside of the Department of Corrections headquarters in North Little Rock on Jan. 7, 2025. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate)

Citizens arent welcome, McCutchen said of Tuesdays meeting. We dont live in that type of state. We live in a state where, if youre going to discuss goals of this project, they should do them openly with the citizens invited. Its contradictory to everything this state stands for.

A lack of transparency has been a prominent critique about the prison announcement and now its planning. The day after Sanders announced the nearly $3 million purchase for 815 acres in Franklin County, area state lawmakers went on a local radio station and discussed how they were kept in the dark right up til the last minute.

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Tuesdays meeting started at 8:30 a.m., and McCutchen said he left Fort Smith at 4:30 a.m. to be there on time. Watson said he traveled to Little Rock Monday evening, footing the cost of gas and a $120 hotel room to be present.

For me, its not the cost of me having to forgo meetings in my law firm today. Its the cost of freedom, McCutchen said. Because what we just saw here is a cost to our freedom. If we cant go into a room thats filled with a bunch of bureaucrats and government people, then what can we do?

McCutchen also said that if the most restrictive changes to the state Freedom of Information Act had been enacted during a 2023 special legislative session, the coalition would have had no way to know about the meetings this week.

The Advocate was also asked to leave corrections department headquarters while Tuesdays meeting was in progress, though it was being conducted in a closed conference area. A security officer told the Advocate photos inside the building were prohibited.

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Orange County firefighter and Fire apparatus engineer Kevin Skinners death left many stunned. s such, people have become curious about the circumstances surrounding his demise.

Here is what we have learned about Kevin Skinners tragic demise.

Kevin Skinner cause of death explained

Kevin Skinner passed away on January 5, 2025, while he was responding to a residential fire at the 29400 block of Pointe Royale, Laguna Nigel. He had been summoned there along with other firefighters at 4:56 a.m.

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The social media accounts of Orange County Fire Authority revealed in a statement that Skinner was feeling unwell. They intimated the same with personnel while he was performing a resident search. He was then escorted out to a Paramedic unit, only to collapse. Medical personnel then attempted to save him to no avail.

In a late Sunday morning press release, officials confirmed that Skinner had suffered a cardiac arrest.

Kevin Skinner was 56 years old at the time of his death. He joined the OCFA in July 1999, before which he had served in the U.S. Navy. He is survived by his family, comprising his wife, three children, Sierra, Kate, and Zac, and a mother, sister, and brother.

Netizens offered their heartfelt condolences to Skinners family following his passing. California governor Gavin Newsom and his wife and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom released a statement that read:

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We offer our most heartfelt sympathies to Fire Apparatus Engineer Skinners family, loved ones and colleagues as they mourn this painful loss. Jennifer and I honor his bravery and dedication to protecting California communities.

As the OCFA mentioned, Skinner had a warm personality and an ability to make everyone feel welcome.

In the wake of Kevin Skinners death, The Fallen Firefighter Relief Fund created a GoFundMe page to support Skinners wife and three children to raise $300,000. As of Tuesday, $3000 had been raised.

Originally reported by Abdul Azim Naushad on ComingSoon.

The post Orange County Firefighter Kevin Skinner Passes Away in Laguna Niguel appeared first on Mandatory.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  As southern California continues to be ravaged by several wildfires in early January, firefighters in Oregon are looking for ways to help.

On Wednesday morning, the Oregon State Fire Marshal began mobilizing 12 structural strike teams made up of 60 engines to aid fire crews in California, which has seen more than 1,000 destroyed structures and five deaths. By the evening, Oregon officials decided to mobilize three more structural strike teams  making the total 15 teams and more than 300 firefighters headed to California.

Rolling gun battle leaves 2 victims in SE Portland

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The Oregon Department of Forestry, which oversees wildland firefighters, also mobilized six of their strike teams  about 70 firefighters  to California to help with the fires.

Earlier this week, the State of California requested Oregons assistance through the Oregon Department of Emergency Management and the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.

They put out the call for help. We did our best to fill as much as we could of their ask, said Jessica Neujahr, an ODF spokesperson. Fire is a family, and so we can empathize with what theyre going through.

The fires, including the Eaton Fire, the Palisades Fire, and the Hurst Fire, started Tuesday. A fourth, the Woodley Fire, broke out Wednesday morning.

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They are expected to continue due to ongoing 60 mph winds as thousands of residents evacuate the Los Angeles metropolitan area.

Oregons teams are coming from Clackamas, Clatsop, Central Oregon, Lane, Lincoln, Linn/Polk, two from Marion, Multnomah, Rogue Valley, Washington, Yamhill, Benton/Columbia, Douglas and Polk counties.

Team leaders stressed the importance of safety, describing these fires as biblical.

Jason Kelly, a task force leader with Multnomah County, said the following days will likely be the most intense wildland deployment that you get in your career.

PPS bans cell phones, adopts off and away all day policy

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Lt. Ryan Stenhouse with Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue added, It looks pretty horrific down there right now.

With gear packed, local fire crews have embarked on a two-day trek through the snowy Siskiyou Pass straight to the devastating wildfires in the greater Los Angeles area.

Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said Oregon and California have a strong working relationship with each other.

We both understand that fire does not recognize map lines, and we are ready to help each other whenever there is a need, Ruiz-Temple said. During our historic 2024 wildfire season, California sent us help and in their time of need, we are working as fast as possible to lend them support during this emergency.

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The Multnomah and Washington county task forces said they expect to face several challenges.

Were going to be challenged with some light, flashy fuels, winds that we dont see up here too often  sustained winds and 100 miles an hour in some areas down there, Stenhouse said. So, it is going to be pretty treacherous conditions for us.

Oregon lawmakers call on Musk, Ramaswamy to stop wasteful plan to kill barred owls

Another challenge is determining what can and cannot be salvaged, according to Rick Graves of Portland Fire and Rescue.

Its a difficult situation for people to move from a structure on fire but you have to accept theres nothing we can do about that, lets put our resources toward something we can possibly save, Graves said.

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ODFs Deputy Director of Fire Operations Kyle Williams said their firefighters can be sent to help other places in need of them when wildfire activity is low in their home state.

The Oregon Department of Forestrys leadership in the wildland firefighting arena makes our firefighters ready for any scenario and sending that expertise to California to help our fellow firefighters in their time of need is the least we can do to support our partners, Williams said.

ODF said their crews should make it LA by Thursday morning or afternoon.

The firefighters will spend a two-week rotation in California, which Fire Protection Division Chief Chris Cline said will return the favor to those who sent resources to support Oregon during its wildfire season last summer.

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We understand how difficult it can be to need help so desperately, Cline said. Especially after this past season in Oregon, where we saw an amazing outpouring of support from our out-of-state partners during Oregons record-breaking fire season.

Air support in the form of planes equipped with fire retardant are also being sent down to California from Oregon. Matt Isley, the general manager for the Hillsboro-based Erikson Aero Tanker, said theyve already sent one of their large planes to help with the mop-up efforts.

These are old planes built in the 80s, and we converted them via our own engineering to whats called a fire bomber. so what that means is, instead of carrying passengers, it carries a tank system and this tank is loaded with up to 27,000 pounds of water or retardant, Isley explained.

Erickson said hes received more requests for tanker planes and plans on sending two or three more to help them.

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In response to the devastation in California, the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland is collecting donations for relief efforts, with 100% of funds going to communities in need.

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 KOIN.com.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The federal lawsuit that Oregon joined against a software firm accused of rental price-fixing has been updated to include property owners.

The U.S. Department of Justice filed the amended complaint against RealPage on Tuesday. The civil antitrust lawsuit now lists some of the nations largest landlords  Camden Property Trust, Cortland Management, Cusman & Wakefield, Greystar Real Estate Partners, LivCor, Pinnacle Property Management Services and Willow Bridge Property Company  as co-defendants.

Oregon lawmakers call on Musk, Ramaswamy to stop wasteful plan to kill barred owls

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Filed in August, the original complaint alleged property owners send nonpublic, competitively sensitive information to RealPage so the firm can use the data to fix housing prices.

For instance, landlords discussed via user groups how to modify the softwares pricing methodology, as well as their own pricing strategies, DOJ said in a release. In one example, LivCor and Willow Bridge executives participated in a user group discussion of plans for renewal increases, concessions and acceptance rates of RealPage rent recommendations.

The agency reported that the identified landlords operate more than 1.3 million rental units in 43 states nationwide. According to court documents, renters in several local submarkets  including Central Portland, Hillsboro and West Beaverton  have been or could have been harmed by RealPages algorithm.

In addition to Oregon, the DOJs initial lawsuit against the firm listed California, Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, North Carolina, Tennessee and Washington as the plaintiffs. Illinois and Massachusetts have since joined the complaint.

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New Oregon law cracks down on TriMet public drug use

Cortland Management is the only defendant that has settled the lawsuit with federal and state leaders thus far. Officials stated the Atlanta-based company has agreed to a proposed consent decree that requires it to cooperate with the ongoing investigation and to stop using sensitive, third-party data to determine costs.

The agreement also prohibits Cortland from soliciting, disclosing or using any competitively sensitive information with any other property manager as part of setting rental prices or generating rental pricing recommendations, according to the DOJ.

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 KOIN.com.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A group of bipartisan Oregon state lawmakers are calling on Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to stop a federal plan to kill invasive barred owls in the Pacific Northwest.

The lawmakers sent a letter to Musk and Ramaswamy on Monday, asking for assistance from the leaders of the Department of Government Efficiency, a new agency under the upcoming Trump administration.

The group of lawmakers behind the letter includes Rep. Ed Diehl (R-Linn and Marion counties), Rep. David Gomberg (D-Lincoln and Western Benton/Lane counties), Rep. Virgle Osborne, (R-Douglas County) and Senator-elect Bruce Starr (R-Yamhill and Polk counties), who call the federal plan impractical.

DONT MISS: Oregon Congresswoman joins DOGE Caucus inspired by Musk, Ramaswamy-led department

The plan  which is outlined in a 2024 Environmental Impact Statement from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service  aims to reduce competition between invasive barred owls and the Northern and California spotted owls by killing 450,000 barred owls over the course of 30 years.

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According to the USFWS, the western invasion of barred owls began in the early 1900s amid European settlement and subsequent human-caused changes in the Great Plains and north boreal forest. By the early 1970s, barred owls arrived in spotted owl territory in the Pacific Northwest and continue to expand into the Cascades and coastal mountains.

They have basically pushed spotted owls out of their territories into marginal habitat, where they generally die pretty quickly, said Oregon Fish and Wildlife biologist Robin Brown.

Amid the westward expansion, the plan states, Lethal removal of barred owls from identified management areas is the only population reduction method that is proven to work in reducing barred owl populations, thereby improving spotted owl population response.

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Eye on Northwest Politics

In their letter to the Trump transition team, the Oregon lawmakers argued that the plan is wasteful, and cited the barred owls protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act  and the plans $1.35 billion price tag  among the reasons to stop it.

The plan to kill upwards of 450,000 barred owls over a 30-year time horizon and across vast reaches of private and public lands in three states is thoroughly impractical, the lawmakers wrote. It just cannot work, and it wont work. It is a budget buster, with one well-grounded estimate putting the cost of the plan at $1.35 billion over the intended life of the project.

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In a statement, Rep. Diehl said, A billion-dollar price tag for this project should get the attention of everyone on the Trump team concerned about government efficiency, adding, Killing one type of owl to save another is outrageous and doomed to fail. This plan will swallow up Americans hard-earned tax dollars for no good reason.

Rep. Gomberg, furthered, This simply isnt a sound strategy  fiscally or ecologically. He added, As a staunch animal-welfare advocate and a believer in evidence-based policy, I cannot support a plan that calls on taxpayers to front $45 million a year to cull a protected species. We certainly need to better address the decline weve seen in our spotted owl population, but this is not the way to do it.

Throughout the letter, the lawmakers noted if DOGE does not stop the plan, the lawmakers will ask federal lawmakers to advance a Congressional Review Act resolution to unwind the plan.

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 KOIN.com.
The key highlight from the past year is the collective of valuable insights into the department that helped reduce crime within the City of Orlando.

These figures show a broad perspective into the departments activities, including calls for service, crime trends, seizures, arrests, and other efforts that contribute to maintaining Orlando as a safe and livable community.

Read: Fern farms prepare for possible frost as cold winter weather moves in

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Please see the Orlando Police Departments statistics from 2024

Responded to 757,799 Calls

18% Decrease in Overall Crime

10% Decrease in Violent Crime

Seized 1,340 Illegal Guns

196 of them were seized in downtown Orlando

Read: NASA exploring two new options for costly Mars sample return mission

Orlando Police Departments statistics from 2024 list continued

Made 15,860 Arrests

Conducted 68,250 Traffic Stops

Added 159 New Officers

Invested 20,000+ Training Hours

96% homicide clearance rate

Orlando police officers will assist law enforcement in Sanibel Island for the next five weeks.

For any additional information, please submit a Public Records Request via the portal: https://records.orlando.gov/ .

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.




Police in Orlando said they recently got more illegal guns off the streets.

The Orlando Police Department released body camera video showing arrests from New Years Day.

Investigators say the officers responded after hearing rapid gunfire on Polk Street.

Read: First responder hurt while directing traffic at Palm Coast crash scene, officials say

Officials said they found two men with weapons that had been illegally modified into a machine gun.

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One suspect is also facing a drug possession charge.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.




The New Orleans truck attacker built two bombs using what investigators believe was an explosive so powerful that they could have sprayed shrapnel hundreds of yards and potentially killed or wounded hundreds of people.

The bombs did not detonate on New Years Day. But experts say the devices Shamsud-Din Jabbar built with a compound believed to be RDX would have had devastating effects were it not for an amateurish blunder.

As horrible as it is that he killed and injured all of these people, it could have been exponentially worse in the truest sense of the term had these devices actually functioned, said Scott Sweetow, a retired executive with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and former director of the FBIs Terrorist Explosive Device Analytical Center. Youd be looking at literally hundreds of casualties.

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A bomb made with RDX going off in a tourist section of New Orleans would be the equivalent of multiple hand grenades thrown into a crowded street, Sweetow said.

It would have been absolute carnage, he added.

The IED in a cooler shows rolls of nails in addition to the other bomb components.

The bombs failed to go off because Jabbar used the wrong device to detonate the explosive, federal law enforcement officials have said.

He used an electric match, which could set off a typical pipe bomb made with powder explosives. But a compound like RDX is vastly more difficult to set off. Its considered a high explosive material, meaning it wont detonate without a primary explosion occurring near it  initiated by whats known as a blasting cap or detonator.

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Three explosive experts interviewed by NBC News said they were baffled that Jabbar seemingly knew to use a little-known compound more powerful than TNT but not how to get it to detonate.

It just doesnt make sense, said Anthony May, a retired ATF agent who also worked as an Army explosive enforcement officer in Afghanistan.

By using RDX, experts say Jabbar was mimicking the tactics of terrorist groups operating in the Middle East, where it is far easier to obtain. The vast majority of bomb attacks in the U.S. involve powder explosives that are simpler to make and far less powerful.

The thing to me that is most troubling is that other people may try to do this now, said David Hyche, a former ATF agent who is now the chief of police in Calera, Alabama.

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Jabbar, 42, an Army veteran from Texas who was inspired by the Islamic State terrorist group, killed 14 people and injured dozens when he drove a rented pickup truck down a blocked-off section of Bourbon Street at about 3:15 a.m. on Jan. 1. After carving a three-block path of destruction, he was shot dead in a gunbattle with police.

Roughly an hour earlier, Jabbar had put his homemade bombs inside two coolers and placed them on Bourbon Street, the famous party area in the heart of the French Quarter. It remains unclear if he resorted to the truck attack because the bombs failed to detonate or if using the truck to kill was always a part of his plan. Jabbar also had a handgun and a semiautomatic rifle with a privately made silencer, according to law enforcement officials.

At his home in Houston, investigators found explosive materials that field tests identified as RDX. They also found explosive materials at a home he rented in New Orleans that tests initially identified as R-Salt, an explosive similar in chemical makeup to RDX. But the ATF said Sunday that it now believes that more thorough lab tests will show that it, too, was RDX.

RDX is not easy to obtain in the United States. A military-grade explosive, its also used for specialized purposes by demolition and mining companies and can only be purchased with a federal license. Criminals have been known to get their hands on stolen RDX, but multiple experts told NBC News they suspect Jabbar synthesized it himself  a time-consuming and highly dangerous endeavor.

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That theory is based on footage shot inside Jabbars Houston home by the New York Post, which showed a property receipt listing items the federal investigators had seized, including common lab materials and precursor chemicals like acetone, sulfuric acid and potassium nitrate.

There is no indication he had the requisite knowledge to do this on his own, said Sweetow, the former ATF and FBI official. So he would have had to have either received information from outside sources, or done significant research on the Internet.

Terrorist groups in the Middle East have bombmakers who synthesize their own high explosives but that is rarely seen in the U.S. The two most well-known cases of that are the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and the bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building in 1995.

Had Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma City bomber, used RDX, the attack would have been even more catastrophic, experts said.

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You wouldnt have had one building blown down, said Hyche, the former ATF agent-turned-police chief. Youd have multiple buildings blown down.

Building a bomb with RDX is also more challenging and more dangerous.

Most people dont have the skillset for that, and theyre not willing to follow a recipe, Sweetow said. People kill themselves all the time trying to make this stuff because theyre not that skilled of a chemist.

The retired ATF officials said investigators are almost certainly looking into how Jabbar gained the knowledge to use a compound like RDX. Was he working directly with a member of ISIS or another terror group? Or did he find instructions in an obscure corner of the internet?

If someone told him how to do this stuff, where are they? Sweetow said. And is this part of a trend?

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
By Emma Farge

GENEVA (Reuters) -More than 12,300 civilians have been killed in the Ukraine war since Russia invaded nearly three years ago, a U.N. official told a U.N. meeting on Wednesday, noting a spike in casualties due to the use of drones, long-range missiles and glide bombs.

Russia, which is making territorial gains in Ukraine's east, has conducted regular attacks on faraway cities in recent months using such weapons. This contributed to a 30% rise in civilian deaths to 574 in Ukraine between September-November 2024 compared to the previous year, according to U.N. data.

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In total, the United Nations deputy human rights chief Nada Al-Nashif said more than 12,300 civilians had been killed in Ukraine including 650 children - although the U.N. has repeatedly said its tally is an undercount since it only includes deaths its teams have managed to verify.

"Russian armed forces intensified their operations to capture further territory in eastern Ukraine, with a severe impact on civilians in frontline areas ...," she told a meeting of the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva.

"We are deeply concerned by the impacts on civilians of the increased use of drones and the use of new weapons," she added, saying Russia had used 2,000 long-range drones in November.

These examples of increasing gross violations of international human rights law may represent war crimes, Al-Nashif told the Council.

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Russia's delegate senior counsellor Evgeniy Ustinov said the report was biased and that it whitewashed Kyiv's crimes. Moscow has denied committing atrocities or targeting civilians in Ukraine since the war began in February 2022.

Ukraine's ambassador Yevheniia Filipenko described Russia's recent actions against it as "calculated, cruel and designed to inflict maximum pain and destruction".

Among the civilian deaths the U.N. documented were 35 deaths that occurred in Ukrainian-controlled parts of Kherson by video-piloted drones between September-November 2024. Such drones, also known as first person view drones, carry cameras to allow operators to distinguish between civilians and combatants on their screens.

Some civilians have also killed in the Kursk region of Russia where Ukrainian troops have intensified an offensive that began in August, Al-Nashif said, citing Russian reports.

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U.N. human rights monitors do not tally casualties from Russia due to lack of access to the country and limited publicly available information.

(Reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by Thomas Seythal and Alison Williams)
OWENS CROSS ROADS, Ala. (WHNT)  The Owens Cross Roads City Council is revoking the business license of Pathway of Madison Co., formerly known as Pathway Inc., an all-girls treatment center in Owens Cross Roads.

According to Municipal Clerk Christie Eason, Owens Cross Roads Mayor Tony Craig held a polling vote in Tuesdays city council meeting. The council voted to revoke the business license. Four council members voted to revoke it with one abstaining from the vote.

Eason said that she received a petition from over 35 people in the city asking for the business to be closed.

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Eason said Pathways legal team was notified Wednesday and could have a public hearing on Jan. 21 at 6 p.m.

The treatment center has fallen under heavy scrutiny after a September riot broke out.

The Madison County Sheriffs Office told News 19 that law enforcement arrested several girls following the disturbance.

Pathway Inc. contracts with the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) to provide mental health services to children. DHR says the company has two licenses for facilities in Owens Cross Roads, one for moderate services and the other for intensive services. The agency said the incident happened at the moderate service facility.

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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 WHNT.com.
Iraqi Archaeologists Piece Together Ancient Assyrian Treasures Ravaged By ISIS

The Nimrud site was first excavated in the 19th century and won international recognition. ( Zaid Al-Obeidi/AFP) Nimrud, Iraq (AFP) -- A decade after jihadists ransacked Iraq's famed Nimrud site, archaeologists have been painstakingly putting together its ancient treasures, shattered into tens of thousands of tiny fragments.

Once the crown jewel of the ancient Assyrian empire, the UNESCO-listed archaeological site was ravaged by Islamic State (IS) fighters after they seized large areas of Iraq and neighbouring Syria in 2014.

The precious pre-Islamic artefacts destroyed by the jihadists are now in pieces, but the archaeologists working in Nimrud are undaunted by the colossal task they face.

"Every time we find a piece and bring it to its original place, it's like a new discovery," Abdel Ghani Ghadi, a 47-year-old expert working on the site, told AFP.

More than 500 artefacts were found shattered at the site, located about 30 kilometres (19 miles) from Mosul, the city in northern Iraq where IS established the capital of their self-declared "caliphate".

Meticulous excavation work by Iraqi archaeologists has already yielded more than 35,000 fragments.

The archaeologists have been carefully reassembling bas-reliefs, sculptures and decorated slabs depicting mythical creatures, which had all graced the palace of Assyrian King Ashurnasirpal II nearly 3,000 years ago.

Seen from above, the pieces of the puzzle gradually come together. Shards of what just several years ago was a single artefact are placed side by side, protected by sheets of green tarpaulin.

Bit by bit, the image of Ashurnasirpal II appears on one bas-relief alongside a winged, bearded figure with curly hair and a flower on its wrist, as the restoration brings back to life rich details carved in stone millennia ago.

Another artefact shows handcuffed prisoners from territories that rebelled against the mighty Assyrian army.

Partially reconstructed lamassus -- depictions of an Assyrian deity with a human head, the body of a bull or a lion and the wings of a bird -- lay on their side, not far from tablets bearing ancient cuneiform text.

Nimrud's pre-Islamic artefacts were destroyed by jihadists, by Iraqi archaeologists are determited to restore them. ( Zaid Al-Obeidi/AFP)

'Complex operation'

"These sculptures are the treasures of Mesopotamia," said Ghadi.

"Nimrud is the heritage of all of humanity, a history that goes back 3,000 years."

Founded in the 13th century BC as Kalhu, Nimrud reached its peak in the ninth century BC and was the second capital of the Assyrian empire.

Propaganda videos released by IS in 2015 showed jihadists destroying monuments with bulldozers, hacking away at them with pickaxes or exploding them.

Archaeologists have been carefully reassembling bas-reliefs, sculptures and decorated slabs from an ancient Assyrian palace. ( Zaid Al-Obeidi/AFP)

One of those monuments was the 2,800-year-old temple of Nabu, the Mesopotamian god of wisdom and writing.

IS fighters wreaked havoc at other sites too, like the once-celebrated Mosul Museum and ancient Palmyra in neighbouring Syria.

The jihadist group was defeated in Iraq in 2017, and the restoration project in Nimrud began a year later, only to be interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic and restart in 2023.

Mohamed Kassim of the Academic Research Institute in Iraq told AFP that "until now, it has been a process of collection, classification and identification."

About 70 percent of the collection work has been completed at the Assyrian palace site, with about a year's worth of fieldwork left before restoration can begin in full force, said Kassim, noting it was a "complex operation".

His organisation has been working closely with Iraqi archaeologists, supporting their drive to "save" Nimrud and preserve its cultural riches, through training sessions provided by the Smithsonian Institution with financial support from the United States.

One shard after another

Kassim said that the delicate restoration process will require expertise not found in Iraq and "international support" due to the extent of the "barbaric" destruction in Nimrud.

"One of the most important ancient sites of the Mesopotamian civilisation," according to Kassim, Nimrud is a testament to a golden age of "the art and architecture of the Assyrian civilisation".

The site was first excavated by archaeologists in the 19th century and received international recognition for the immense lamassu figures that were taken to Europe to be exhibited in London's British Museum and the Louvre in Paris.

Other artefacts from Nimrud have been on display in Mosul and Iraq's capital Baghdad.

The site has also attracted figures like British author Agatha Christie, who visited there with her archaeologist husband.

The 2,800-year-old temple of Nabu, the Mesopotamian god of wisdom and writing, was destroyed by IS jihadists. ( Zaid Al-Obeidi/AFP)

On a recent tour of Nimrud, Iraq's Culture Minister Ahmed Fakak al-Badrani hailed the "difficult" work carried out by archaeologists there, collecting broken pieces and comparing them to drawings and photographs of the artefacts they attempt to reconstruct.

The vast destruction has made it impossible, at least for now, to ascertain which antiquities were stolen by IS, the minister said.

And the process will take time.

Badrani said he expects that it will take 10 years of hard work before the marvels of King Ashurnasirpal II's palace can be seen again, complete.
The founder of the website Dominique Pelicot used to recruit men to rape his wife, Gisele, has been detained as part of an investigation into money laundering, pimping, child pornography and murder.

Isaac Steidl, an IT expert, is the founder and former administrator of Coco, where Pelicot, 72, invited members of his chatroom to sexually abuse his drugged and unconscious wife without her knowledge in the couples Provence home over a 10-year period.

The site received almost 800,000 visitors per month before being shut down in June last year.

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Last month, Pelicot was sentenced to 20 years in prison for aggravated rape and 50 other men were all found guilty of rape or sexual abuse and sentenced to up to 15 years in jail.

Mrs Pelicot, 72, became a feminist icon after waiving her right to anonymity to ensure the trial remained public.

Dominique Pelicot was sentenced to 20 years in prison last month for aggravated rape

Mr Steidl, 40, vanished after the scandal erupted and was thought to be living in hiding abroad, either in Italy or eastern Europe.

According to Le Parisien, police arrested him on Tuesday after he returned to the country where he was born and whose nationality he renounced in 2023.

He is being questioned as part of a judicial investigation opened by the National Jurisdiction for Combating Organised Crime in Paris.

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The Paris public prosecutor this summer described Coco as a facilitator in the commission of offences and said it had been cited in more than 23,000 legal cases throughout France since 2021.

These include the unlawful administration of an online platform in an organised gang, conspiracy to commit a criminal offence, complicity in offences and crimes relating to aggravated procuring, the distribution and sharing of child pornography and money laundering.

Gisele Pelicot was sexually abused by members of her husband Dominiques chatroom - Christophe SIMON/AFP

Coco was notably used to lure Philippe Coopman, a 22-year-old homosexual man, to a supermarket car park in Grande-Synthe, northern France, on 15 April 2023, where he was beaten to death. The site has been linked to other homophobic attacks.

Police are seeking to determine whether Mr Steidl can be held responsible for the actions of the sites users.

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Mr Steidl turned himself in after receiving a judicial summons and can be held in police custody for up to 96 hours without charge.

The former computer scientist originally opened an unfiltered dating site in the early 2000s while studying engineering in Toulon that put people in touch with each other through a system of chat rooms.

Hijacked for criminal purposes

However, it was later hijacked for criminal purposes, owing to a lack of checks and moderation and went on to become one of Frances most disreputable websites, wrote Le Parisien.

As lawsuits piled up, Mr Steidl wound up his first company and domiciled its successor with a website hosting firm in Bulgaria. The sites servers moved to Germany, and Cocos address to Guernsey.

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Mr Steidl, who owns several properties in Lorgues and Bras in southern France, renounced his French nationality last year and became an Italian citizen, moving to Bulgaria.

He has never spoken publicly about his activities or the websites links to organised crime. His lawyer has declined media requests for comment.

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President-elect Donald Trump's calls for a purchase of Greenland have increased with less than two weeks until his inauguration. Amid those desires, his son, Donald Trump Jr. is in the middle of a visit to the Arctic island.

Trump Jr. arrived in Nuuk, Greenlands capital city, for a private visit on Tuesday as his father has continued to reiterate his interest in the resource-rich Arctic island.

The president-elect's calls to take control of Greenland come as Trump has signaled interest in taking control of the Panama Canal and has repeatedly called Canada the 51st State.

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Don Jr. and my Reps landing in Greenland. The reception has been great. They, and the Free World, need safety, security, strength, and PEACE! This is a deal that must happen. MAGA. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!, Trump said in a social media post on Tuesday.

Here's what you need to know.

Who owns Greenland?

Greenland, a territory of Denmark, has seen an increasingly popular independence movement, according to Reuters. On Jan. 3, Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede expressed his desire to pursue independence from Denmark.

But as the island continues to be a territory of Denmark, a theoretical purchase by the Trump administration would have to be approved by the Scandinavian nation. On Tuesday, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen made it abundantly clear that Greenland is not for sale.

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In an interview on Danish television, Frederiksen said that there has been very, very clear  that there is a lot of support among the people of Greenland that Greenland is not for sale and will not be in the future either.

Trump not the first president interested in buying Greenland

Trump is not the first president interested in purchasing the Arctic island. The first recorded instance of an American leader wanting to buy the island was in 1867, when President Andrew Johnson bought Alaska.

Following the purchase of Alaska from the Russian Empire, Johnsons administration considered buying both Greenland and Iceland for $5.5 million in gold, according to the Journal of American History.

More than half a century later in 1910, U.S. Ambassador to Denmark Maurice Francis Egan discussed a trade of two islands of the Philippines for Greenland. At the time, the Philippines were under U.S. control.

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In 1946, President Harry Truman tried to buy the island from Denmark for $100 million in gold bullion, citing the island was a military necessity, according to NPR.

Trump looking at more than Greenland

Trump has made recent headlines as he has declined to rule out using the U.S. military to acquire Greenland and the Panama Canal.

"No, I can't assure you of either of those two. But I can say this: We need them for economic security. The Panama Canal was built for our military, Trump said during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida.

Apart from the aforementioned desire to acquire Greenland, Trump has also openly discussed his desire to acquire the Panama Canal, which has been operated by Panama since 1999 after a deal orchestrated by the late President Jimmy Carter more than two decades earlier.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump makes remarks at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. January 7, 2025.

Canada has also entered the President-elects sights, as Trump has floated the idea of the country becoming the 51st U.S. state.

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Many people in Canada LOVE being the 51st State. The United States can no longer suffer the massive Trade Deficits and Subsidies that Canada needs to stay afloat. Justin Trudeau knew this, and resigned. If Canada merged with the U.S., there would be no Tariffs, taxes would go way down, and they would be TOTALLY SECURE from the threat of the Russian and Chinese Ships that are constantly surrounding them. Together, what a great Nation it would be!!!, Trump said in a post on social media.

(This article has been updated to correct a misspelling.)

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who owns Greenland? Trump floats idea to purchase Arctic island
President Donald Trump followed through on his promise to rename the Gulf of Mexico the "Gulf of America."

Trump issued an executive order shortly after taking office to rename the gulf, and in February, the federal Board on Geographic Names formally changed the name of the body of water to the Gulf of America. Trump also ordered Denali  the highest mountain in North America  to return to its previous moniker, Mount McKinley.

On Super Bowl Sunday, Trump flew over the gulf in Air Force One and declared it the first-ever Gulf of America Day.

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Trumps announcement comes at the same time as Republican Representative Buddy Carters new bill aiming to change the name of Greenland  which is not under the authority of the U.S.  to Red, White and Blueland.

President Donald Trump, from right, speaks to reporters accompanied by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Burgum's wife Kathryn Burgum, aboard Air Force One where Trump signed a proclamation declaring Feb. 9 Gulf of America Day, as he travels from West Palm Beach, Fla. to New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Google Maps has already adjusted the name of the gulf for American users. The name of the gulf is now the Gulf of America on the app. Apple Maps has done the same.

The Trump White House is reportedly punishing media outlets who dont recognize his executive order to change the name; the Associated Press claims one of its reporters was barred from a Trump event on Tuesday because the wire service did not refer to the gulf as the Gulf of America in one of its stories.

Trump insisted earlier this year that the gulfs name should celebrate the U.S. rather than Mexico.

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The nations with the most "control" over the gulf are the U.S., Mexico, and Cuba, and for years have shared the body of water. The gulf serves as an important center of economic activity, including fishing, electricity generation, and shipping.

Why does the gulf bear Mexico's name? It's actually not a reference to the modern state of Mexico, but rather to a Native American city bearing the same moniker, and it has borne that name for more than 400 years.

Despite the fact that the gulf is shared by multiple nations, Trump recently said that the U.S. does the "most work" on the gulf, and insisted that the body of water should bear America's name "because it's ours."

While ownership is up for debate, it's true that the U.S. has claimed control over much of the gulf. The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea determined that U.S. territorial waters expand for 12 nautical miles from its shores, and the U.S. federal government manages the seas and the submerged parts of the Outer Continental Shelf as well.

President-elect Donald Trump said he wants to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America because its ours (AP)

Trump ally Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene previously said she planned to introduce legislation to change the name of the gulf, though it ultimately wasnt necessary due to Trumps executive order.

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The American people are footing the bill to protect and secure the maritime waterways for commerce to be conducted. Our U.S. armed forces protect the area from any military threats from foreign countries, she said at the time. Its our gulf. The rightful name is the Gulf of America and its what the entire world should refer to it as.

Despite Trumps executive order requiring a name change in state and federal language, there is nothing forcing other nations to adhere to that decision.

Trumps decision to rename the gulf may be part of a broader offensive against Mexico, which hes called "very dangerous" and "in a lot of trouble," citing drug trafficking and illegal immigration. However, most drug trafficking from Mexico is aimed at fulfilling consumer demand from Americans.

Trump also proposed imposing tariffs on both Mexico and Canada if the nations do not meet his demands for stopping illegal immigration and curbing drug trafficking. He claimed that America's neighbors are responsible for significant amounts of drug and illegal immigrant crossings, but did not provide data or evidence for his claims. The president eventually backed off his tariff promises after his initial threats.

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If Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo said she would ignore Trumps executive order, and urged other world leaders to do the same. She has, however, responded to his threats to impose tariffs, telling the former president that the cartel violence in Mexico  and the instability it causes  is fueled by American demand for illegal drugs and US-made weapons being smuggled into the country.

Trump has proposed potential U.S. military incursions into Mexico to engage drug cartels, said he would name Mexican drug cartels terrorist organizations, and elsewhere in Central America has accused Panama of overcharging U.S. shipping vessels for use of the Panama Canal.
Firefighters run as a brush fire burns in Pacific Palisades - Credit: DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images

The Palisades fire, which started the morning of Jan. 7 and is the largest of the four blazes ravaging Los Angeles County, has moved east, forcing evacuations in Brentwood and parts of Encino. On Saturday, the fire spread to Mandeville Canyon. The flames direction headed into a heavily populated area  were definitely concerned, L.A. County spokesman Jesus Ruiz said. As of Saturday evening, Jan. 11, at least 16 people have died in the wind-whipped fires.

The fires have claimed more than 12,000 structures and burned more than 37,000 acres, with the Palisades fire burning more than 23,000 acres, and the Eaton fire at more than 14,000 acres as of Saturday. The Palisades fire is at 11 percent containment and Eaton is 15 percent contained.

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On Thursday, the Kenneth fire erupted north of Calabasas, the latest blaze to ravage Los Angeles. The fire quickly spread to 1,000 acres in a matter of hours as firefighters continued to fight the two largest fires, in Eaton and Pacific Palisades, that are now among the 20 most destructive fires recorded in California. By Saturday, the Kenneth fire was 80 percent contained.

On Friday, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell spoke at a White House briefing, doubling down on the Biden administrations commitment to helping those affected by the fires. This is not about politics. Its about people. Its about humanity, said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, assuring that the support will continue as the presidential administrations transition.

At a news conference the night prior, L.A. City Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said that the Kenneth fire shows we are absolutely not out of this extreme weather event. The flames spread near homes in Calabasas and West Hills as mandatory evacuations were sent for areas around the fire.

In a related event Thursday, evacuation alerts for the Kenneth fire were mistakenly sent to residents across Los Angeles around 4 p.m. and a corrected alert was issued shortly after. Disregard the last evacuation warning, the message read. It was for the Kenneth Fire only.

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Authorities also revealed that they took in a man who was suspected by locals of starting the Kenneth fire. Police did not find probable cause to arrest the person on arson suspicion, but he was taken into custody on a felony probation violation.

L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone announced the first two confirmed fatalities at a Wednesday press conference, adding that others, including firefighters, suffered significant injuries. Along with the 16 deaths, 180,000 people have been forced to evacuate. Evacuation updates can be found here.

Meanwhile, the devastating Palisades fire that started the morning of Jan. 7 in the Santa Monica Mountains near the Pacific Ocean was still raging Thursday. The fire has reached nearly 20,000 acres. Officials said the Palisades fire was especially challenging to battle due to the topography of the mountains, the areas drought-stricken vegetation, low humidity, and the nearly hurricane-force winds of up to 100 m.p.h that continued overnight. More than 10,000 homes, businesses and other structures have been damaged or destroyed in the Palisades and Eaton fires, officials said on Thursday.

Its a war zone, Denisa Hanna, music director of the Palisades Lutheran Church that hosts the Palisades Symphony tells Rolling Stone. She said several grocery stores and nearby apartment buildings were completely destroyed. At least two members of the symphony lost their homes, she said. Its awful, just awful.

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The Hurst fire broke out around 10:10 p.m. on Jan. 7, not far from the 5 Freeway in the Sylmar area north of Burbank. It was burning in the footprint of the historic Saddleridge fire that burned the area in 2019. It grew rapidly to 500 acres in a matter of hours due to the fierce winds. The Woodley fire in the Sepulveda Basin near the intersection of the 405 and 101 freeways started in a park around 6:15 a.m. on Jan. 8 and was burning about 30 acres, officials said. It has since been contained.

Crowley said the fires were intense but that the powerful winds had grounded water-dropping aircraft overnight. The flights resumed Wednesday. Windswept ash and the smell of smoke blanketed the Los Angeles region, with the sky glowing an ominous orange amid the haze. Downed branches, trees and even some power lines littered the streets

Together, these fires are stretching the capacity of emergency services to their maximum limits, Crowley previously said, adding that several firefighters were among those injured in the Palisades Fire.

L.A. County Sheriff Robert G. Luna said that as he was approaching the podium to speak Wednesday, he was receiving messages about employees who had lost their homes. He said the Altadena sheriffs station was partially on fire at one point.

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This is a tragic time in our history here in Los Angeles, but a time where were really tested, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said. The winds were like something that I have never seen before. He called conditions around the city unprecedented.

Earlier this week, forecasters warned of a life-threatening, destructive windstorm that could hit Southern California. The dire predictions were realized when the powerful winds led the Palisades fire to burn land at a rate of three football fields every minute, said the New York Times.

The Palisades fire ripped through residential areas down to the Pacific Coast Highway. On Jan. 7, the grounds of the Getty Villa had caught fire, too, but it appeared the damage there was contained. Katherine E. Fleming, president and chief executive of the J. Paul Getty Trust, said the museum had made extensive efforts to clear brush from the surrounding area as part of its fire mitigation efforts throughout the year. Some trees and vegetation on site have burned, but staff and the collection remain safe.

While wind speeds were due to subside Wednesday, the Santa Ana windstorm described as the strongest in a decade was expected to cause unpredictable conditions through Thursday. Forecasters were worried about changes in the wind direction, with Andrew Rock of the National Weather Service saying winds blowing from the northeast would push the Palisades fire west toward more structures. Swirling wind patterns known as eddies have also formed near the Eaton fire and could push the fire in unexpected directions.

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Dangerous winds led to Southern California Edison shutting off power to thousands of residents to prevent its electric system from sparking a wildfire. By late Tuesday afternoon, more than 1.5 million customers were without power in Southern California, with about 334,000 without power in Ventura County, and more than 957,000 with no power in Los Angeles County.

Its bad. Its like an inferno, Lori Libonati, a Palisades resident who evacuated, told the Los Angeles Times.

As the Palisades fire quickly spread across the area, multiple people left their cars and fled on foot. Traffic was gridlocked as people evacuated the neighborhood, and a bulldozer was needed to move abandoned vehicles to clear a path for fire crews and evacuations on Palisades Drive and Sunset Boulevard.

It looks horrible, George Hutchinson, who lives in an apartment on Sunset Boulevard and Temescal Canyon, told the Times. You can keep seeing houses burn. It jumps and its crazy. Traffic is gridlock  there are three ways in and out of this town and its all packed. Lots of chaos.

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L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath called the fires immensely painful for countless people. This morning we woke up to a dark cloud over all of Los Angeles, she said at the Wednesday morning press conference. It is difficult to process the immensity of the destruction and loss.

This story was updated on Jan. 11 @ 11:10 p.m. ET with new death toll numbers, Palisades fire eastern shift, and new damage and containment numbers.

Launch Gallery: Deadly Wildfires Burn Through Los Angeles: Photos

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Originally appeared on E! Online

Los Angeles firefighters are trying their best to bring comfort in the chaos.

During the raging brush fires in the Los Angeles areas of the Pacific Palisades, Topanga and Malibu, firefighters jumped into action to save cherished belongings from burning homes.

Firefighters responding to the #PalisadesFire saved several belongings from a burning home, NBC LA reported Jan. 7 on Instagram, alongside a video of uniformed firefighters bringing a variety of sentimental items to safety on the sidewalk. LAFDs No. 37 station was on Lachman Lane battling the fire when some firefighters began moving photo albums, a grandfather clock and other belongings.

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Indeed, the local heroes went above and beyond to bring an ounce of comfort to the tragedy. And after someone noticed their good deeds, one firefighter responded, Just trying to save some photos.

And among the many that were affected by the wildfire, which was being spurred by winds of up to 80 mph, were The Hills alums Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag. While the couple was able to safely evacuate their Pacific Palisades neighborhood with their sons Gunner, 7, and Ryker, 2, the home they were forced to leave behind did not survive the blaze.

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"I'm watching our house burn down on the security cameras," Spencer shared in a Snapchat video Jan. 7, sharing footage of their deck and children's room up in flames.

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Later confirming the loss of their house, his sister Stephanie Pratt showed her support on social media.

"I am beyond heartbroken for my brother, Heidi & the kids," Stephanie wrote on her Instagram Story Jan. 7. "And to all of our friends and neighbors who have lost their houses today."

"Just spoke to my dad - he tried to save my brother's house but the wind is so strong there was nothing he could do," she continued. "My parents evacuated safely and are watching the fire rage towards their house on security cameras."

And with over 30,000 southern California residents forced to seek safety elsewhere, some bumped into difficulties getting through the congested trafficincluding Schitts Creek star Eugene Levy.

The smoke looked pretty black and intense over Temescal Canyon, the 78-year-old told The Los Angeles Times in a Jan. 7 interview. I couldnt see any flames but the smoke was very dark.

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Even this years Screen Actors Guild Awards nominationspreviously set to be announced at the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall in Los Angeleswere cancelled in the midst of the dangerous fires.

In an abundance of caution for the safety of our presenters, guests, and staff, the live in-person 31st SAG Awards nominations announcement has been cancelled due to the wildfires and adverse wind conditions in Los Angeles, a Jan. 8 statement read, stating that the nominees will be announced via press release. In the meantime, we urge everyone to stay safe.

For more stars that have spoken out about their experience with the tragic wildfires, keep reading

(E! News and NBC News are part of the NBCUniversal family.)

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President Joe Biden

To the residents of Southern California: We are with you, President Joe Biden wrote in a Jan. 8 Instagram post. My team has provided 24/7 weather forecast support, sent 5 Air Tankers and 10 firefighting helicopters, prepositioned dozens of fire engines, approved grants to reimburse firefighting costs, and I've approved Governor Newsom's request for a Major Disaster Declaration. To the brave men and women who ran towards danger over the past 24 hours in Southern California, I want you to know your President, and the rest of the country, is with you, he wrote in another post to Instagram. You suited up and risked your lives to save the lives of your fellow Americans. We are indebted to you.





California Governor Gavin Newsom

A day after the Governor of California declared a state of emergency and warned residents to heed officials warnings, he thanked President Joe Biden for his support throughout the devastation. Thank you @potus for your swift response, he wrote to Instagram Jan. 8, and aid to California as we work to battle these unprecedented wildfires.





Cameron Mathison

The General Hospital actor shared that, while he and his family safely escaped the blaze, they sadly lost their home. He shared harrowing footage to Instagram Jan. 8 of the destroyed homes rubble, writing, This is whats left of our beautiful home. Our home where our kids were raised and where they wanted to raise their own someday.

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Spencer Pratt & Heidi Montag

The Hills alums shared on Jan. 7 that their home sadly burned down during the Palisades fire in Los Angeles. In a tear-filled TikTok post, Heidi, who evacuated with Spencer and their two sons, shared, Im so sad our house is gone. Im so sad for everyone else going through the same thing. Its really hard losing your house and everything you worked hard for. So horrible. They werent the only family members to lose homes in the fire, as Spencer also shared an image to his Instagram Story of a destroyed home, noting alongside crying emojis, My parents house gone.





Sandra Lee

The TV chef revealed on Instagram, I dont have a home anymore, my house is gone. In the aftermath of her evacuation, she noted everybody is safe but said, I dont know how to compartmentalize this, I dont know what to do. So, the only thing I can do is go to work, and Im gonna go to work today like I go to work every day.





Jennifer Love Hewitt

The I Know What You Did Last Summer star expressed her gratitude to those whove shown support amid the devastating experience. I have no words, she wrote on Instagram Jan. 8. Only prayers and holding as much hope as I can for our home and our kids while we watch everything burn. Thank you to every first responder fighting so hard for all of us. Thank you to every friend who reached out and new person I have hugged in tears in the last 24 hours.





Dan Levy

The Schitts Creek star posted an eerie photo to his Instagram Story Jan. 8 of the wildfires smoke blocking the sun, writing, This is the view from my window this morning. Heartbroken for my family, my friends, and the people of LA affected by these catastrophic fires.

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Maria Shriver

Californias former First Lady took to Instagram Jan. 8 to share her sentiments, writing, Heartbreaking, devastating, beyond belief. Everything is gone. Our neighborhood, our restaurants. All our friends have lost everything. We have evacuated, but are safe. But people have lost everything.





Chet Hanks

The son of Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson wrote on his Instagram Story Jan. 7, The neighborhood I grew up in is burning to the round rn. Pray for the Palisades.





Alabama Barker & Landon Barker

Travis Barker's kids Landon, 21, and Alabama, 19, shared they were forced to leave their residences amid the devastation. "Just evacuated from my home due to wild fires in Los Angeles, please be safe!!, Alabama wrote. They are saying the fires are spreading foodball field amounts in seconds."





Chris Pratt

"Please send prayers and strength tonight to everyone in Los Angeles affected by these devastating fires," the Marvel star wrote on Instagram Jan. 7. "Los Angeles is in a state of emergency and over 30,000 have been ordered to evacuate."



He added, "Thank you to the brave firefighters and first responders who are working tirelessly to protect lives, homes, and wildlife as they battle fast-moving wildfire fueled by fierce winds. You are true heroes, and we are endlessly grateful for your sacrifice and courage."

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Mandy Moore

The This Is Us alumwho is mom to three kids with husband Taylor Goldsmithshared an update on her family after having to evacuate their home. "Evacuated and safe with kids, dog and cats, she wrote on Instagram Stories Jan. 7.  Praying and grateful for the first responders." Later she noted she didnt know if our place made it when adding, Grateful for the kindness of friends that we had a place to land last night. Trying to shield the kids from the immense sadness and worry I feel. Praying for everyone in our beautiful city. So gutted for the destruction and loss.





Josh Gad

From his home, the Frozen actor posted the heartbreaking sight of flames sweeping over Los Angeles in the distance. I have never seen flames from my house like this ever, Josh said in his Jan. 7 Instagram post, this is insanity. I hope everyone is staying safe tonight. Lots of love, lots of prayers. And the 43-year-old wrote a message of support to anyone affected and to those taking action to help the community. I hope everyone is staying safe tonight in the affected fire areas in Los Angeles, he wrote in the caption. My deepest gratitude and appreciation goes out to our brave fire and rescue and police forces who are doing everything in their power to keep the residents of Los Angeles safe right now.





Jason Kennedy

The E! News alum said he and his family are safe and evacuated and shared video of destroyed homes to Instagram Jan. 8. All night and into today Ive talked to friends who lost homes, he wrote in the caption. Its far from over and we need a miracle for these winds to stop and fires to be put out. There is deep anguish in a city that I love so much. Please pray with me.





Hailey Bieber

Reposting an informational post on the fires that are burning more than 1,200 acres, to her Instagram Stories Jan. 7, the Rhode Beauty founder wrote, Praying everyone is safe.

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Khloe Kardashian

Sharing a message of gratitude for firefighters and first responders, the Kardashians star wrote in an Instagram Story post, "Thank you for your unwavering dedication and courage in the face of these devastating fires in CA. Your selflessness, resilience and tireless efforts to protect lives and communities are deeply appreciated."





Jamie Lee Curtis

The actress shared a heartbreaking message Jan. 7, noting that she was unsure about the state of her home amid the conditions. "My community and possibly my home is on fire," she wrote on Instagram. "My family is safe. Many of my friends will lose their homes. Many other communities as well." "It is a terrifying situation and I'm grateful to the firefighters and all of the good Samaritans who are helping people get out of the way of the blaze," she added. "Neighbors have taken care of neighbors. We ALL take everything for granted because we are all living our lives but when it hits your community, it's particularly shocking."





Olivia Culpo

Oliviawho is married to San Francisco 49ers Christian McCaffreyshared a message of support on her Jan. 7 Instagram Stories. Praying for everyone affected by these devastating fires, she wrote. Thank you to the heroes working tirelessly to protect our communities and wildlife.





James Woods

The Vampires actor was one of the many that lost his home to the destructive firesbut he tried to stay hopeful amid the tragedy. We renovated a home after COVID and just finished last month, the 77-year-old wrote on X, formerly Twitter, Jan. 7. To all the lovely people offering care and love, Ill say this. There is no possession as priceless as friends and good neighbors during a tragedy. I cant believe the blessings we enjoy, he added, and I am humbly grateful.

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Mark Hamill

After evacuating from his Malibu home, the Star Wars actor detailed his experience with a personal fire update on behalf of himself, wife Marilou York and pup Trixie. 7pmEvacuated Malibu so last-minute, the 73-year-old wrote in his Instagram post, small fires on both sides of the road as we approached PCH. 8:15pmMarilou, Trixie & I arrive at Chelseas house in Hollywood, he said. Most horrific fire since 93, STAY SAFE! And in hindsight, Mark realized he may have underplayed the size of the fires he witnessed on his way to safety. There [were] small fires, he wrote in the caption of his follow-up, adding, gimme a break- we were fleeing for our lives. Stay Safe Everyone.





Steve Guttenberg

The Police Academy actor stepped into action to help move cars on Palisades Drive out of the way of the firetrucks. And he implored others to do their part with an important announcement. Whats happening is people take their keys with them as if theyre in a parking lot, the 66-year-old told local news station KTLA 5 Jan. 7. This is not a parking lot. We really need people to move their cars, he explained, so if you leave your car behind, leave the key in there so a guy like me can move your car so that these fire trucks can get up there.





Florence Pugh

The Little Women actress reacted to the citys devastating fires, writing on her Instagram Story Jan. 8, Im just sending so much love to all of you in LA. Im so sorry this has happened again. Its scary to even watch from my phone, I cant imagine how it must feel being in it.



For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
A Cook County judge this week ordered a northwest suburban man detained in custody after prosecutors accused him of killing his girlfriend in late November.

Sergio Velasquez-Fuentes, of Palatine, faces one count of first-degree murder for the death of his girlfriend, Fatima Lizeth Escalante Matamoros.

Velasquez-Fuentes, 43, allegedly shot Matamoros, 42, in the head on the threshold of his home as she called a taxi to go home the night of Nov. 29, according to a pretrial detention petition. The pair had been dating for a few months, the petition stated.

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The taxi driver watched Velasquez-Fuentes shoot Matamoros, and then carry her back inside, according to the petition. Velasquez-Fuentes then told his cousin on the phone that Matamoros had shot herself, prosecutors said.

Investigators found a gun that matched the make of the weapon Velasquez-Fuentes was known to have, blood on the front porch and blood-soaked clothing inside the home on the 1700 block of North Hicks Road, according to a pretrial detention order.

Palatine police said Velasquez-Fuentes was first stopped by Streamwood police while driving into Indiana the next day. He was detained and released on Dec. 2 as the investigation continued.

When Palatine police obtained an arrest warrant Dec. 13, they learned that Velasquez-Fuentes was in federal custody on an unrelated matter. According to the pretrial detention order, Velasquez-Fuentes returned to Illinois from Indiana and was taken into U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement custody.

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Velasquez-Fuentes had planned to return to Honduras, where he is from, in December, according to the pretrial detention petition.

Judge Ellen Beth Mandeltort on Tuesday ordered him held pending trial, record show. He is next scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 29.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom warned Los Angeles residents that we are not out of the woods from the rapidly spreading Pacific Palisades fire. Los Angeles Fire Chief Andrew Maroney also told residents to heed evacuation warnings, specifically saying that winds are only expected to worsen Tuesday night.

I want to let all of the viewers and listeners know that we are not out of danger, Chief Maroney said in a press conference Tuesday. Were going to have the most significant wind event between 10 p.m. this evening and 5 a.m. tomorrow morning, so its incumbent that everybody, have a wildfire action plan for their home if they live in a brush covered area.

L.A. City Council president Marquis Harris Dawson declared a state of emergency for the city through the conclusion of the wind event and also urged residents to stay off the roads to allow emergency vehicles to commute across the city quickly in Mayor Karen Bass absence. So far 30,000 people have been evacuated from the Pacific Palisades area, according to LAPD Chief Jim McDonald.

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The governor reflected that there is no fire season  its year round.

Its incredibly important that we heed the warnings, the calls that were not out of the woods by any stretch of the imagination, he added.

Gov. Newsom also expressed his gratitude to President Joe Biden for his support so far. The president was in L.A. for a public appearance that has since been canceled.

The president united states happens to be in town. It didnt take more than a text message to get the FMAG [Fire Management Assistance Grant] approved, which means were getting reimbursed for the vast majority of these costs. No politics, no hand wringing, kissing of the feet. President United States said, yes. What else do you need, he said.

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I just want to thank the president, because thats something I dont take for granted and something we should not take for granted at this moment in American history.

Watch the press conference here:

Several structures have been affected by the blazing fires, but fire officials said they feel very blessed to report zero injuries as of 3:30 p.m. PT.

Well continue to drive this home. The worst and most severe part of this wind event is yet to come. L.A. City Council president Dawson said.

Councilwoman Traci Park added it may take a couple of days to fully get the fire situation under control. The councilwoman for the 11th district said that it may be some time until residents can return to their homes.

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As of Tuesday afternoon the fast-moving fire has spread over 1261 acres. The fires are not expected to slow as strong Santa Ana winds will only pick up tonight. Harshest winds are expected to blow through starting at 10 p.m. Tuesday night.

For the latest updates on the fire, see the LAFD site here.

The post Palisades Fire Update: Gavin Newsom Warns We Are Not Out of the Woods After 30,000 Evacuate appeared first on TheWrap.
LOS ANGELES (KTLA)  The worst-case scenario has materialized in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles where an estimated 1,000 structures, many of them homes, have been destroyed by a Santa Ana-wind-fueled wildfire, authorities confirmed on Wednesday.

The Palisades Fire was first reported around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the 1100 block of North Piedra Morada Drive. By Wednesday night, the fire had exploded to 17,234 acres with no containment and was still torching homes along the coast and in the Santa Monica Mountains of Malibu.

Authorities say at least 1,000 structures have been lost, including homes, businesses, schools and historical sites. There was also a high number of people who didnt evacuate who suffered serious injuries, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said.

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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who endured criticism for being in West Africa for a diplomatic event when the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire erupted, returned home on Wednesday and promptly met with California Gov. Gavin Newsom, city and county leaders, and incident commanders.

I took the fastest route back, which included being on a military plane, Bass said at an evening news conference. I was able to be on the phone the entire time on the flight.

The Palisades Fire burns a structure in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent) The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) Homes damaged by the Palisades Fire are seen along the beach, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Malibu, Calif. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent) MALIBU, CA  January 08: Firefighters continue to battle wind and fire as homes go up in flames in Malibu along Pacific Coast Highway near Carbon Canyon Road in the Palisades Fire on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 (Photo by David Crane/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images) The Palisades Fire burns as seen from Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook in Los Angeles on January 8, 2025. (Getty Images) The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) Flames rise as the Palisades Fire advances on homes in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) Will Adams watches as flames from the Palisades Fire close in on his property in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) Water is dropped on the advancing Palisades Fire by helicopter in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) Plumes of smoke are seen as a brush fire burns in Pacific Palisades, California on January 7, 2025. (Getty Images) Plumes of smoke are seen as a brush fire burns in Pacific Palisades as seen from Santa Monica, California on January 7, 2025. (Getty Images) A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire as it burns a structure in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) A firefighter jumps over a fence while fighting the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) The Palisades Fire burns a residence in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) A vehicle and other structures are burned as the Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

More than 800 firefighters were battling the blaze with the help of fixed wing aircraft and helicopters.

Extreme fire behavior, including short and long-range spotting, continues to challenge firefighting efforts, CalFire said in an advisory. Winds gusts up to 60 MPH are expected to continue through Thursday, potentially aiding in further fire activity and suppression efforts.

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Bass praised the hard work of first responders and urged Angelenos to be resilient.

L.A. will rise and make no mistake: I am confident that we will rebuild, the mayor said.

Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho announced that all LAUSD schools would be closed on Thursday, adding to schools closed in the Malibu, Santa Monica, Las Virgenes, Beverly Hills, and Pasadena districts.

With 1,000 structures destroyed, the Palisades Fire is already far more destructive than the second-most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles history, according to statistics from the Wildfire Alliance, the Associated Press reported. The last most destructive fire was the Sayre Fire in November 2008, which destroyed 604 structures in Sylmar.

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Evacuations were ordered for the entire Pacific Palisades area down to the Pacific Ocean. The evacuations, including warnings for Santa Monica and Calabasas areas, impacted tens of thousands of homes and businesses.

A CalFire map showing the perimeter of the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles and evacuation zones. 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 8, 2025. (CalFire)

An evacuation shelter for people and pets was established at the Westwood Recreation Center at 1350 S. Sepulveda Blvd.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Palisades Fire Resources: LAFD Alerts | CALFIRE Incident Page | LAFD on X

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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 KTLA.
Tens of thousands of Southern California residents have been forced to evacuate as wildfires rip through the region, devouring homes, restaurants, and local landmarks, and killing at least five people and injuring countless other area residents.

The Palisades fire, the largest among them, erupted at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday and has since grown to cover nearly 16,000 acres as of Wednesday afternoon.

To make matters worse, a windstorm with gusts of up to 60 mph is essentially fanning the flames. So far, there has been no containment of the wildfire.

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The Palisades fire first engulfed Pacific Palisades before barreling into Malibu, ultimately forcing an estimated 150,000 locals to flee and destroying more than 1,000 structures along the way.

Some local favorites have tragically been consumed by the blaze.

Reel Inn was one of them. The 36-year-old seafood restaurant in Malibu was damaged by the fire, owners Teddy and Andy Leonard wrote in an Instagram post. The staff was safe, but the owners say they are heartbroken and unsure what will be left of the restaurant: Hopefully the state parks will let us rebuild when the dust settles.

Video captured by the Malibu Times shows smoke billowing from the establishment as winds whip along Pacific Coast Highway.

Reel Inn, an iconic seafood restaurant, was engulfed in the wildfires, the owners say (Google Maps)

Down the road, Cholada Thai restaurant was also engulfed in flames, the owner confirmed to The Independent.

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This is Cholada Thai restaurant :( one of my favorite places, small family restaurant. So sad to see it up in flames, one X user wrote, attaching a video of the establishment being swallowed by flames.

The owners, Sawai Theprian and her husband Nikorn Sriwichailumpan, moved to the U.S. with the dream of running a restaurant; they have owned the Thai restaurant since 2000, according to Malibu Magazine.

Just next door, Rosenthal Wine Bar & Patio said it lost its tasting room to the blaze. We dont know what the future holds, the company said on Instagram Wednesday, and noted that thankfully all of its staff members were safe.

Malibu Feed Bin, a pet supplies store, announced that it had been lost to the wildfire.

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The 60-year-old store made the announcement with a heavy heart in a Facebook post on Wednesday. The post read: This is so unreal for me and I having a hard time finding the words that even make sense. I want to thank everyone who has sent kind words and expressed concern for the store, my family and staff. We are so thankful for the love and support you all have shown us after 60 years in business.

The Feed Bin was such an iconic store in Malibu. I loved to go there in the 70s and bought all of my horse feed and tack there, one social media user said. This loss cuts deep.

A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire while it burns homes at Pacific Coast Highway amid a powerful windstorm on January 8, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images)

Another wrote: For all of my 59 years, Ive known and loved the Feed Bin. It was such an important part of my life as a Topanga Kid  and as a Topanga adult, too.

Outside of Malibu, other structures have been damaged by two of the other major fires.

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The Pacific Palisades neighborhood has also been ravaged by the blaze.

The Getty Villa, an art museum, has been threatened by some of the impacts of the wildfires, but remains largely undamaged.

Some trees & vegetation on site have burned, but no structures are on fire, and staff and the collection remain safe, the museum wrote on X Tuesday. It will remain closed from Wednesday through January 13.

Will Rogers State Historic Park is closed after it was affected by the Palisades fire, its website said. The extent of the damage is not immediately clear.

Theatre Palisades also sustained serious damage in the blaze. The theater said on its website that it would be suspending its operations until further notice by the board of directors.

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Other popular destinations in the area, including the Griffith Observatory, the Los Angeles Zoo and Universal Studios Hollywood were all closed Wednesday.

Due to evacuations, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a research institute outside Altadena, is closed from Wednesday through January 13, except for a small number of emergency personnel who were required to remain on site, according to a notice on its website.

The Eaton fire, which has raged since Tuesday evening and has grown to span 2,000 acres, consumed the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, NBC Los Angeles reported. The structure is reportedly destroyed.

Some trees & vegetation on site have burned, but no structures are on fire, and staff and the collection remain safe, the Getty Villa said Wednesday (AFP via Getty Images)

I feel numb to it, one worshipper told the outlet. Its like a bad, bad horrific dream to see that its not going to be here tomorrow. This whole place is lighting up.
The Palisades fire map shows areas where the brush fire has spread so far and mandatory evacuation zones in Los Angeles. The blaze began on Tuesday morning, January 7, at around 10:30 AM PT near Piedra Morada Drive, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. As reported by The Los Angeles Times. the brush fire began as two separate fires that moved rapidly across the area due to winds over 50 miles per hour. Heres what we know so far about the Pacific Palisades fire.

What is the Pacific Palisades fire map now?

[Update 5] As of January 9, 4:39 AM PT, the Palisades fire has burned over 17,234 acres. Firefighters continue to fight the raging wildfire, which is still at 0% containment. New brushfires in Los Angeles, including the Sunset Fire and Lydia Fire, ignited overnight.

[Image Credit: Cal Fire]

[Update 4] The latest status report of the Palisades fire map on January 8 at 11:45 AM PT indicates that it has spread over 11,802 acres. It still remains at 0% containment. As ordered by President Biden, per CNN, the Defense Department is sending assistance by way of ten Navy helicopters and multiple modular air fire fighting system units from the California National Guard and Nevada National Guard.

[Image Credit: Cal FIre]

[Update 3] As of 7:50 AM PT on January 8, the Palisades fire has not expanded much since the last update. However. four new fires have emerged in the Los Angeles area, with the Eaton fire in Altadena and Sierra Madre growing to 2,227 acres, the Hurst fire near Newhall and OMelveny Park impacting about 500 acres, and the Woodley fire in Woodley Avenue Park currently at 75 acres.

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All four fires are at 0% containment, and have caused multiple road closures, including parts of the Pacific Coast Highway, Interstate 10, Interstate 210, and I-5 truck lanes, per CNN. More than 50,000 people in Los Angeles County have been ordered to evacuated thus far. Multiple homes have burned to the ground due to the multiple wildfires.

[Update 2] Fueled by intense winds, the Palisades fire has more than doubled in size to 2,921 acres by 8:40 PM PT. The LA Times reports that over 30,000 residents have evacuated to safer ground and that the blaze will be difficult to control given winds forecast to peak between 10 PM Tuesday and 5 AM Wednesday. An additional fire called the Eaton Fire for its proximity to Eaton Canyon near Altadena has also burned about 400 acres by 8:15 PM.

[Image Credit: CAL FIRE]

[Update] The Pacific Palisades fire has spread to 1,262 acres, with many new evacuation zones to the west. Here is the new fire map as of 6:00 PM PT.

[Image Credit: CAL FIRE]

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[Original] The Palisades fire map, as of 1:30 PM PT on January 7, shows that the blaze has spread across 200 acres. The status report at 1:34 PM PT states that containment is at 0%.

[Image Credit: CAL FIRE]

Mandatory evacuation orders have been declared for several areas in Los Angeles, specifically LOS-Q0767 near Topanga State Park and SSM-U010-B near Tuna Canyon.

The Los Angeles Fire Department has also issued mandatory evacuations in Topanga State Park and Will Rogers State Beach. It is suggested that residents in the surrounding area continue to monitor both the LAFD site and CAL FIRE for further evacuation warnings and orders.

Wild scenes from the #PalisadesFire right now.hope people are evacuating if needed to stay safe ? pic.twitter.com/IdDXAGckpY  Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) January 7, 2025

The evacuation center for the Palisades fire is the Westwood Recreation Center located at 1350 South Sepulveda Blvd.

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At 10:30 AM PT, the fire was already threatening several homes and the city warned residents close to the blaze to be prepared for evacuate by gathering supplies and loved ones. Firefighters were battling a structure fire in West Hollywood at 10:00 AM PT that had spread to brush near West Sunset Boulevard.

The high winds spreading the fire have been compared to similar Santa Ana winds that were partially responsible for the Mountain fire in Ventura County and Franklin fire in Malibu over the last two months.

The National Weather Service stated on Tuesday that the wind gusts were strong, damaging, and potentially life-threatening. CAL FIRE also issued an alert on Tuesday saying that Southern California is facing a #CriticalFireWeather event through Thursday, with strong Santa Ana winds and low humidity creating extreme wildfire risks.

A red flag warning has been issued for Wednesday and Thursday for various counties in Southern California from Santa Barbara and Los Angeles to San Diego.

The post Palisades Fire Map Reveals How Far The Flames Have Spread in Los Angeles [Update] appeared first on Mandatory.
Originally appeared on E! Online

Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag have lost their home.

The Hills alums were able to safely evacuate their Pacific Palisades neighborhood in Los Angeles Jan. 7 amid the threat of a growing wildfire in the area, but their home did not survive the blaze, according to the family.

"I'm watching our house burn down on the security cameras," Spencer shared in a Snapchat video Jan. 7, before sharing footage of their deck and children's room on fire.

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His sister Stephanie Pratt later confirmed the destruction.

"I am beyond heartbroken for my brother, Heidi & the kids," she wrote on her Instagram Story. "And to all of our friends and neighbors who have lost their houses today."

"Just spoke to my dad - he tried to save my brother's house but the wind is so strong there was nothing he could do," Stephanie continued. "My parents evacuated safely and are watching the fire rage towards their house on security cameras."

More from E! Online

Earlier in the day, at least 30,000 southern California residents were mandated to evacuate their homes and flee to safety by city and state officials due to the fire, which was being spurred by what officials called life-threatening winds. Specifically, the Los Angeles areas of Topanga, Malibu and Pacific Palisadeswhere many Hollywood A-listers residewere under threat as the affected area grew to nearly 3,000 acres.

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"We are such a tight community," Stephanie added. "Im at a loss for words knowing so many friends have lost their homes today and so quickly."

Instagram (@heidimontag)

As the fire continued to spread, Spencerwho shares sons Gunner, 7, and Ryker, 2, with Heidi, whom he married in 2008shared a video to his Instagram Story that featured the massive plumes of smoke rising from the Santa Monica Mountains, as well as an airplane that doused the mountainside with water in an effort to prevent further spreading of the wildfire.

In photos obtained by TMZ, Spencer stood outside the couples home and, while appearing visibly distressed, took pictures of the brush fire in the distance.

Many area residents that were attempting to flee had difficulty on their escape route due to congested traffic and vehicles that were abandoned due to the chaos, including Schitts Creek star Eugene Levy.

Spencer Pratt/Instagram

The smoke looked pretty black and intense over Temescal Canyon, the 78-year-old told The Los Angeles Times in a Jan. 7 interview. I couldnt see any flames but the smoke was very dark.

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Another local resident Ellen Delosh-Bacher left her car behind after law enforcement began encouraging drivers to escape the congestion, telling the outlet, Cops began running down the road telling anyone stuck in traffic, Run for your lives.

While other structures, including the Palisades Theatre, caught fire during the blaze, the Getty Museumwhich is located near the Brentwood area of Los Angeles, east of the Pacific Palisadeswas grateful to clarify its building was safe.

"At the Getty Villa, some trees & vegetation on site have burned," the museum shared on X (formerly Twitter), "but no structures are on fire, and staff and the collection remain safe."

Keep reading to see what messages celebs have shared amid the fires...

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President Joe Biden

To the residents of Southern California: We are with you, President Joe Biden wrote in a Jan. 8 Instagram post. My team has provided 24/7 weather forecast support, sent 5 Air Tankers and 10 firefighting helicopters, prepositioned dozens of fire engines, approved grants to reimburse firefighting costs, and I've approved Governor Newsom's request for a Major Disaster Declaration. To the brave men and women who ran towards danger over the past 24 hours in Southern California, I want you to know your President, and the rest of the country, is with you, he wrote in another post to Instagram. You suited up and risked your lives to save the lives of your fellow Americans. We are indebted to you.





California Governor Gavin Newsom

A day after the Governor of California declared a state of emergency and warned residents to heed officials warnings, he thanked President Joe Biden for his support throughout the devastation. Thank you @potus for your swift response, he wrote to Instagram Jan. 8, and aid to California as we work to battle these unprecedented wildfires.

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Cameron Mathison

The General Hospital actor shared that, while he and his family safely escaped the blaze, they sadly lost their home. He shared harrowing footage to Instagram Jan. 8 of the destroyed homes rubble, writing, This is whats left of our beautiful home. Our home where our kids were raised and where they wanted to raise their own someday.





Spencer Pratt & Heidi Montag

The Hills alums shared on Jan. 7 that their home sadly burned down during the Palisades fire in Los Angeles. In a tear-filled TikTok post, Heidi, who evacuated with Spencer and their two sons, shared, Im so sad our house is gone. Im so sad for everyone else going through the same thing. Its really hard losing your house and everything you worked hard for. So horrible. They werent the only family members to lose homes in the fire, as Spencer also shared an image to his Instagram Story of a destroyed home, noting alongside crying emojis, My parents house gone.





Sandra Lee

The TV chef revealed on Instagram, I dont have a home anymore, my house is gone. In the aftermath of her evacuation, she noted everybody is safe but said, I dont know how to compartmentalize this, I dont know what to do. So, the only thing I can do is go to work, and Im gonna go to work today like I go to work every day.





Jennifer Love Hewitt

The I Know What You Did Last Summer star expressed her gratitude to those whove shown support amid the devastating experience. I have no words, she wrote on Instagram Jan. 8. Only prayers and holding as much hope as I can for our home and our kids while we watch everything burn. Thank you to every first responder fighting so hard for all of us. Thank you to every friend who reached out and new person I have hugged in tears in the last 24 hours.

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Dan Levy

The Schitts Creek star posted an eerie photo to his Instagram Story Jan. 8 of the wildfires smoke blocking the sun, writing, This is the view from my window this morning. Heartbroken for my family, my friends, and the people of LA affected by these catastrophic fires.





Maria Shriver

Californias former First Lady took to Instagram Jan. 8 to share her sentiments, writing, Heartbreaking, devastating, beyond belief. Everything is gone. Our neighborhood, our restaurants. All our friends have lost everything. We have evacuated, but are safe. But people have lost everything.





Chet Hanks

The son of Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson wrote on his Instagram Story Jan. 7, The neighborhood I grew up in is burning to the round rn. Pray for the Palisades.





Alabama Barker & Landon Barker

Travis Barker's kids Landon, 21, and Alabama, 19, shared they were forced to leave their residences amid the devastation. "Just evacuated from my home due to wild fires in Los Angeles, please be safe!!, Alabama wrote. They are saying the fires are spreading foodball field amounts in seconds."

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Chris Pratt

"Please send prayers and strength tonight to everyone in Los Angeles affected by these devastating fires," the Marvel star wrote on Instagram Jan. 7. "Los Angeles is in a state of emergency and over 30,000 have been ordered to evacuate."



He added, "Thank you to the brave firefighters and first responders who are working tirelessly to protect lives, homes, and wildlife as they battle fast-moving wildfire fueled by fierce winds. You are true heroes, and we are endlessly grateful for your sacrifice and courage."





Mandy Moore

The This Is Us alumwho is mom to three kids with husband Taylor Goldsmithshared an update on her family after having to evacuate their home. "Evacuated and safe with kids, dog and cats, she wrote on Instagram Stories Jan. 7.  Praying and grateful for the first responders." Later she noted she didnt know if our place made it when adding, Grateful for the kindness of friends that we had a place to land last night. Trying to shield the kids from the immense sadness and worry I feel. Praying for everyone in our beautiful city. So gutted for the destruction and loss.





Josh Gad

From his home, the Frozen actor posted the heartbreaking sight of flames sweeping over Los Angeles in the distance. I have never seen flames from my house like this ever, Josh said in his Jan. 7 Instagram post, this is insanity. I hope everyone is staying safe tonight. Lots of love, lots of prayers. And the 43-year-old wrote a message of support to anyone affected and to those taking action to help the community. I hope everyone is staying safe tonight in the affected fire areas in Los Angeles, he wrote in the caption. My deepest gratitude and appreciation goes out to our brave fire and rescue and police forces who are doing everything in their power to keep the residents of Los Angeles safe right now.





Jason Kennedy

The E! News alum said he and his family are safe and evacuated and shared video of destroyed homes to Instagram Jan. 8. All night and into today Ive talked to friends who lost homes, he wrote in the caption. Its far from over and we need a miracle for these winds to stop and fires to be put out. There is deep anguish in a city that I love so much. Please pray with me.

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Hailey Bieber

Reposting an informational post on the fires that are burning more than 1,200 acres, to her Instagram Stories Jan. 7, the Rhode Beauty founder wrote, Praying everyone is safe.





Khloe Kardashian

Sharing a message of gratitude for firefighters and first responders, the Kardashians star wrote in an Instagram Story post, "Thank you for your unwavering dedication and courage in the face of these devastating fires in CA. Your selflessness, resilience and tireless efforts to protect lives and communities are deeply appreciated."





Jamie Lee Curtis

The actress shared a heartbreaking message Jan. 7, noting that she was unsure about the state of her home amid the conditions. "My community and possibly my home is on fire," she wrote on Instagram. "My family is safe. Many of my friends will lose their homes. Many other communities as well." "It is a terrifying situation and I'm grateful to the firefighters and all of the good Samaritans who are helping people get out of the way of the blaze," she added. "Neighbors have taken care of neighbors. We ALL take everything for granted because we are all living our lives but when it hits your community, it's particularly shocking."





Olivia Culpo

Oliviawho is married to San Francisco 49ers Christian McCaffreyshared a message of support on her Jan. 7 Instagram Stories. Praying for everyone affected by these devastating fires, she wrote. Thank you to the heroes working tirelessly to protect our communities and wildlife.

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James Woods

The Vampires actor was one of the many that lost his home to the destructive firesbut he tried to stay hopeful amid the tragedy. We renovated a home after COVID and just finished last month, the 77-year-old wrote on X, formerly Twitter, Jan. 7. To all the lovely people offering care and love, Ill say this. There is no possession as priceless as friends and good neighbors during a tragedy. I cant believe the blessings we enjoy, he added, and I am humbly grateful.





Mark Hamill

After evacuating from his Malibu home, the Star Wars actor detailed his experience with a personal fire update on behalf of himself, wife Marilou York and pup Trixie. 7pmEvacuated Malibu so last-minute, the 73-year-old wrote in his Instagram post, small fires on both sides of the road as we approached PCH. 8:15pmMarilou, Trixie & I arrive at Chelseas house in Hollywood, he said. Most horrific fire since 93, STAY SAFE! And in hindsight, Mark realized he may have underplayed the size of the fires he witnessed on his way to safety. There [were] small fires, he wrote in the caption of his follow-up, adding, gimme a break- we were fleeing for our lives. Stay Safe Everyone.





Steve Guttenberg

The Police Academy actor stepped into action to help move cars on Palisades Drive out of the way of the firetrucks. And he implored others to do their part with an important announcement. Whats happening is people take their keys with them as if theyre in a parking lot, the 66-year-old told local news station KTLA 5 Jan. 7. This is not a parking lot. We really need people to move their cars, he explained, so if you leave your car behind, leave the key in there so a guy like me can move your car so that these fire trucks can get up there.





Florence Pugh

The Little Women actress reacted to the citys devastating fires, writing on her Instagram Story Jan. 8, Im just sending so much love to all of you in LA. Im so sorry this has happened again. Its scary to even watch from my phone, I cant imagine how it must feel being in it.



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Authorities in Los Angeles are continuing to tackle the wildfires that have spread across California, which has now burned over 40,000 acres in the region.

The National Weather Service (NWS) said Wednesday that wind speeds in southern California are dwindling, though sudden gusts and dry conditions could still help ignite new fires.

However, the NWS added that the winds will be slow to weaken and as conditions change, the potential for rapid fire growth and localized downed trees and power outages will still remain.

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More than 90,000 residents have been urged by officials to stay alert and follow any evacuation warnings and orders, while at least 25 people have been killed amid the devastating blaze.

Power outages have been experienced by many over the past week, while thousands of others have seen their homes or businesses burn down, including in the Pacific Palisades, known for being the home of several A-listers.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has described the Los Angeles wildfires as the worst disaster in US history, while fire personnel continue to try and fend off the blaze, deploying more water trucks to help.

Pacific Palisades is a residential community and attracts very few tourists, however, the area it sits in, Los Angeles County, is popular with visitors who are heading to the sandy shores of Venice Beach, exploring Hollywood as well as touring studios and museums among many other attractions.

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Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) sits relatively close to the Palisades fires, but so far minimal travel disruption has occurred.

Several airlines have offered temporary fee waivers to travellers who had upcoming travel plans to the area, while local train transportation is offering free or discounted fares while the conditions continue.

Meanwhile, several roads including parts of the Pacific Coast Highway have been closed as of early Wednesday morning.

Has the fire impacted flights at LAX?

LAX is roughly around 18-19 miles south of Pacific Palisades, but the majority of arrivals and departures have continued as normal amid the wildfires.

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As of Thursday morning, the majority of flights scheduled to arrive have done so on time over the past few days, with the exception of a couple of flights that had been delayed and a handful of cancellations, data from FlightRadar24 shows.

On Wednesday, departures were also operating as normal yet some flights were running ever so slightly delayed, especially in the late morning and late evening.

LAX is open and operating normally. Passengers should check their flight status directly with their airline, the airport has said on its website.

Has the fire impacted other travel?

Large roads such as the Pacific Coast Highway have been out of action in various places for several days since the wildfires started.

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Caltrans, Californias Department of Transportation, has announced several road closures due to the wildfires throughout the region.

Closures as of 6.45am Wednesday local time:

I-405 at Getty Center Drive, access to northbound Sepulveda Boulevard is restricted.

I-405 southbound Skirball Center Drive off-ramp closed.

I-405 southbound Valley Vista Boulevard off ramp closed

The Pacific Coast Highway (State Route 1) is closed southbound at Sweetwater Canyon Drive and northbound at McClure Tunnel.

I-10 closed westbound at Lincoln Boulevard and the westbound 4th and 5th Street on-ramps closed.

Topanga Canyon Boulevard (State Route 27) is fully closed between Pacific Coast Highway and Mulholland Drive.

San Gabriel Canyon Road (State Route 39) is closed as a preventative measure north of Azusa, only residents are allowed to enter.

Authorities have warned that due to power outages, some traffic lights may be malfunctioning.

When traffic signals are dark or blinking red, treat them as a stop sign. Due to heavy winds and power outages, some highway and on and off-ramp locations may have signals that are temporarily out. Slow down if power is out in your area, Caltrans said.

Be prepared to take alternative routes to avoid road closures and come to a complete stop when lights are flashing red or malfunctioning during the Palisades Fire, the City of Malibu added.

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The Metro Los Angeles said that all rail lines are currently running regular service, but there are a few service impacts on some bus routes due to the wildfires. The LA County Supervisor has authorised free fares systemwide on the metro for as long as the conditions last.

Amtraks Pacific Surfliner is offering $10 fares for travel anywhere between San Diego and San Luis Obispo until 24 January.

What attractions have reopened and what remains closed?

After two days of closure, Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk announced that they reopened on 10 January and have resumed regular operating hours.

We extend our heartfelt sympathies to those impacted by the recent and ongoing fires, as well as our deepest appreciation to the first responders for their valiant and ongoing efforts during this difficult time, the park said in an update to guests.

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The Getty Center and The Getty Villa had a preliminary date to reopen early this week, but in an update, it said that the Center will be closed through 20 January, and the Villa will be closed until further notice.

Fire reached the grounds of The Getty Villa Museum, located in the Palisades, on Tuesday and burned some vegetation, but officials have said that the structure and its collections have remained safe.

The Griffith Observatory announced they would reopen at 12pm on 16 January and Griffith Park at 8am the same day. The Norton Simon Museum will reopen on 16 January, with free admission through 20 January.

The USC Pacific Asia Museum remains closed, the Hammer Museum will reopen on 18 January and The Huntington reopened on 15 January.

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The Angeles National Forest has extended its closure for public safety and the protection of natural resources through 19 January.

LA Parks have strongly advised Angelenos to avoid hiking trails, hillsides and forested areas of parks during high wind and particularly dangerous red flag warnings.

The Will Rogers State Historic Park and the Topanga State Park remain closed until further notice.

Government travel advice

The UKs Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advice for the USA, warning travellers of the fast-spreading wildfires that are currently active within Los Angeles County.

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The FCDO wrote: Monitor local media and follow the advice of the local authorities. More detailed information can be found on CAL FIRE.

If you are in need of consular assistance, you should call +1 310 789 0031 or visit Emergency help. In the UK, call +44 (0) 20 7008 5000.

Where are the fires?

The wildfires that have engulfed thousands of structures have spread around the affluent Pacific Palisades area in Los Angeles County.

The fires have spread across 40,660 acres, fanned by a windstorm known as the Santa Ana winds since it broke out.

The Palisades Fire has spread across over 23,700 acres at a 21 per cent containment; the Altadena and Pasadena-based Eaton Fire at over 14,000 acres with 45 per cent containment and the Hurst fire at 799 acres at 98 per cent containment.

Can I cancel my holiday or flight and get a refund?

Flights

Several airlines that serve the Los Angeles area have waived fees for flight changes for those who had upcoming travel plans to the area.

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Subject to different dates, terms and conditions and airports, American Airlines, Southwest, JetBlue and United are among the carriers that are offering various forms of fee waivers to those planning to travel to Los Angeles.

As for cancelled flights, Simon Calder, travel correspondent at The Independent, says: Whatever the cause of a cancellation, and regardless of the amount of notice that is given, you can insist upon replacement transport: the airline must get you to your destination as soon as possible if that is what you want.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority says that means if a flight is available on the original day of travel, the passenger must be booked on it  even if it is on a rival carrier.

However, cash compensation may not be available, as the airlines may claim the wildfires come under extraordinary circumstances, which means that the cancellation was not the airlines fault.

The rules are similar in the US: If your flight is cancelled, most airlines will rebook you on their first flight to your destination on which space is available, at no additional charge.

Regardless of the reason, if an airline cancels a flight it is required to provide a refund if the passenger chooses not to travel, including those with non-refundable tickets, or if the passenger chooses not to accept the alternative offered, such as rebooking on another flight.

Holidays

As the Foreign Office has not warned against non-essential travel to the USA, there will be no special circumstances in place to be able to cancel a trip for a full refund.

The conditions for cancelling your trip will be dependent on your holiday provider, so its best to contact them if youre looking to postpone.

There is no obligation for companies to refund bookings if you want to cancel, and you will not be able to claim travel insurance due to safety concerns unless the Foreign Office advice changes.

In terms of travel insurance, some policies include natural disaster cover for an event that prevents you from reaching your holiday destination. Check your insurance policies and speak to your insurer to see where you stand.

For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast
Few are so strongly associated with Southern California like Pamela Anderson, but the Canadian-born actress wont get her time in spotlight tomorrow due to the fires and high winds battering LA

Thursdays premiere of the Anderson starring The Last Showgirl at the Chinese Theatre has been cancelled, we hear. With the former Baywatch actress performance receiving wide acclaim, the Gia Coppola directed film is set to be release nationwide by Roadside Attraction this Friday, January 10.

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The plug being pulled on The Last Showgirls Hollywood Blvd debut joins several other industry openings and events like the red carpet premiere of TV series The Pitt at the Pacific Design Center and the Better Man premiere at Paramount tonight. The Noah Wylie medical drama from Warner Bros TV will still launch on streamer MAX on January 9. Nominated at this past weekends Golden Globes along with The Last Showgirl, the simian themed Robbie Williams biopic from director Michael Gracey was released wide on Christmas Day.

With blazes devastating Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Hurst Pasadena and now parts of Malibu starting early January 7, fire fighters and others have been working through the night to try to gain control of the massive and growing disaster. Tens of thousands of acres have been scorched, thousands of homes and other buildings destroyed and at least two people killed.

This morning in a press conference, LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley admitted that this many fires simultaneously is more than authorities anticipated with the powerful Santa Ana winds this week and has overwhelmed first responders.

Written by Jubilee! playwright Kate Gersten, The Last Showgirl follows Shelley (Anderson), a veteran Las Vegas performer who hits some tough realities about life, America and herself when her long running show suddenly ends.

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Premiering at the Toronto Film Festival, after which point Roadside Attractions picked up distribution rights, The Last Showgirls cast also includes Jamie Lee Curtis, Dave Bautista, Brenda Song, Kiernan Shipka, and Billie Lourd. Getting a limited release on December 13 before this weeks expansion, the movie is produced by Robert Schwartzman and Natalie Farrey. Kara Durrett and Jesse Burgum of Pinky Promise served as executive producers.

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U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas was among 48 Democrats to vote for the Laken Riley Act. He was joined by Maggie Goodlander, who is serving her first term in New Hampshire's 2nd Congressional District. Here, Pappas speaks with supporters on Nov. 5, 2024. (Will Steinfeld | New Hampshire Bulletin)

New Hampshires two U.S. House members broke from most of their party in supporting legislation to detain immigrants charged with crimes such as theft and shoplifting.

Reps. Chris Pappas, in his fourth term representing the 1st District, and Maggie Goodlander, a first-timer from the 2nd District, were two of 48 Democrats to side with Republicans on the legislation. It passed the GOP-controlled House Tuesday on a 264-159 vote.

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Pappas was one of 37 Democrats to vote for the bill when it passed the House last March. Then-Rep. Annie Kuster, who was replaced by Goodlander, voted against it.

The Laken Riley Act is named for a 22-year-old nursing student who was murdered in February while on a jog at the University of Georgia. Jose Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old from Venezula who entered the country illegally, was sentenced to life in prison in November after being found guilty of the murder, as well as other crimes against Riley, including kidnapping and aggravated assault with intent to rape. Ibarra had been previously arrested for shoplifting.

The legislation, H.R. 29, would require the Department of Homeland Security to detain immigrants charged with theft, burglary, larceny, and shoplifting. The measure heads next to the Senate.

In a statement to the Bulletin on his support of the legislation, Pappas said the bill ensures there are consequences for breaking the law.

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We all were rightly horrified by the murder of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old college student who was killed while running on the University of Georgia campus. Everyone should be held accountable if they commit a crime, Pappas said. This bill provides federal law enforcement with the tools they need to ensure that if you are in the United States and break our laws, there will be swift, significant consequences. I have long supported bipartisan legislation to secure our borders and reform our broken immigration system, and I remain committed to funding and supporting New Hampshire law enforcement to keep our communities safe.

Goodlander, in a statement of the Bulletin on the vote, spoke more broadly of her campaign promises to operate in a bipartisan manner.

I told the voters of New Hampshire that I would work with anyone  Republicans and Democrats alike  to address our outdated, overburdened, and underfunded immigration system, Goodlander said. As your representative in the Peoples House, that is exactly what I am working to do. America is a nation of immigrants and I am committed to building a fair immigration system that includes a pathway to citizenship, treats immigrants with dignity, secures our borders, and stops the flow of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs across our borders.

Rep. Jamie Raskin, a Maryland Democrat, said the legislation raised questions about due process and would upend 28 years of mandatory immigration detention policy by requiring that any undocumented immigrant arrested for theft, larceny, or shoplifting be detained, even if they are never convicted or even charged with a crime, States Newsroom reported.

Their bill today is an empty and opportunistic measure, Raskin said.
As multiple fires beset greater Los Angeles, two more premiere events planned this week have been shelved.

Paramount has canceled the Los Angeles premiere of its Robbie Williams biopic Better Man, originally scheduled for Wednesday night. Meanwhile Max has canceled the planned Wednesday night premiere for its upcoming medical drama The Pitt.

Due to the dangerous conditions affecting Los Angeles we are canceling tomorrows premiere of Better Man. Our thoughts are with those impacted by the devastating fires resulting from these conditions, and we encourage everyone to stay safe and follow guidance and orders from local officials and government agencies, a Paramount Pictures spokesperson said in a statement provided to TheWrap.

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Out of an abundance of caution due to the ongoing Palisades Fire and continued wind advisories through tomorrow, we are canceling Wednesdays premiere event for The Pitt, Max representatives said in a separate statement. The safety and well-being of our attendees, staff, and community are our top priority. We are grateful for the first responders bravely working to protect our community, and our thoughts are with those affected.

Los Angeles was hit with infernos on opposite ends, with the devastating Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades that began late Tuesday morning, and the Eaton Fire in Altadena that was sparked early Tuesday evening.

The blazes were sparked by the strongest Santa Ana winds in over a decade, bringing extreme dry conditions effectively turning much of the region into a tinderbox. Already, at least 30,000 people have been evacuated near the fires, and authorities expect conditions to worsen overnight as 100mph winds are forecasted.

And of course numerous Hollywood events have been rescheduled or canceled outright, among them a Tuesday night FYC event in West Hollywood for Jason Reitmans Saturday Night film, and canceled Tuesday night premieres for Universal and Amazon MGM Studios Wolf Man at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, and Unstoppable at the DGA Theater.

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As of this writing, the Palisades Fire has burned over more than 2,900 acres. The Eaton Fire now covers around 400 acres. The Los Angeles Fire Department is holding a press conference Wednesday morning at 8:00 a.m. at Zuma Beach to update the public on efforts to contain the blazes.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency, as have Los Angeles county and city officials, and according to Newsom, President Joe Biden has already authorized federal funds to cover the battle against the fires.

The post Premieres for Paramounts Better Man, Maxs The Pitt Canceled Due to Los Angeles Fires appeared first on TheWrap.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG)  Some Northwest Florida drivers must make alternative travel plans due to a permanent road closure.

Mobile County Commissioner Connie Hudson running to become citys mayor

According to county officials, a part of Saddle Club Road will be closed to thru traffic on Jan. 13.

The road closure is happening as crews work to install stormwater improvements.

The project is anticipated to take 365 days to complete, weather permitting, county officials explained in a news release. In November 2023, Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners approved an agreement with the Florida Department of Emergency Management to accept $397,145 in federal funding to acquire and demolish the flood-prone structure at 6060 Saddle Club Road with no local match required.

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The structures on the property have since been demolished to allow for additional stormwater drainage capacity to alleviate repeated flooding and reduce the risk of flooding for residents in the area.

Mobile Police investigating death of three men near midtown train tracks

County officials said the closure will not impact access to homes in the area, though residents may experience delays because of the equipment and installation process.

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 WKRG News 5.
Participants in a far-right meeting in Germany uncovered by media outlet Correctiv have filed two complaints over the report on the secretive gathering that sparked mass protests in early 2024, a court in Hamburg confirmed on Wednesday.

Lawyer Ulrich Vosgerau and other participants in the meeting have filed a lawsuit with the Hamburg District Court against Correctiv and the journalists responsible for the report over what they consider to be false allegations made in it, according to Vosgerau's lawyer Carsten Brennecke.

When asked for comment, Correctiv said that it would stand by the article.

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The investigative outlet published a widely read report in January 2024 detailing a secret meeting attended by members of the right-wing and far-right extremist scene at a hotel in Potsdam, just outside Berlin, in November 2023.

Members of the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party were among those attending, according to Correctiv.

At the gathering, the head of the right-wing extremist Identitarian Movement in Austria, Martin Sellner, talked about "remigration," a term used by far-right extremists to refer to the deportation of large numbers of people of foreign origin from Germany, including by force.

Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets across Germany following the publication of the report to protest against racism and far-right extremism.
Participants in a far-right meeting in Germany uncovered by media outlet Correctiv have filed two complaints over the report on the secretive gathering that sparked mass protests in early 2024, a court in Hamburg confirmed on Wednesday.

Lawyer Ulrich Vosgerau and other participants in the meeting have filed a lawsuit with the Hamburg District Court against Correctiv and the journalists responsible for the report over what they consider to be false allegations made in it, according to Vosgerau's lawyer Carsten Brennecke.

When asked for comment, Correctiv said that it would stand by the article.

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The investigative outlet published a widely read report in January 2024 detailing a secret meeting attended by members of the right-wing and far-right extremist scene at a hotel in Potsdam, just outside Berlin, in November 2023.

Members of the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party were among those attending, according to Correctiv.

At the gathering, the head of the right-wing extremist Identitarian Movement in Austria, Martin Sellner, talked about "remigration," a term used by far-right extremists to refer to the deportation of large numbers of people of foreign origin from Germany, including by force.

Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets across Germany following the publication of the report to protest against racism and far-right extremism.

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Vosgerau, a member of the CDU, accuses Correctiv of having given the impression in its reporting that the meeting was about plans to expel German citizens, according to his lawyer.

Vosgerau's complaint has been brought regarding a particular passage that read: "He supposedly cannot recall the matter of the idea of expatriating citizens in Sellner's lecture."

The wording of this passage led to other media outlets in subsequent reporting presenting a discussion about an "expatriation idea" as a fact, which Vosgerau has already successfully challenged in court multiple times, his lawyer Brennecke stated.

Correctiv editor-in-chief Justus von Daniels explained in response to a dpa enquiry that the lawsuit had not yet been officially filed, and that the outlet was waiting for the complaints' exact wording.

"The fact remains that the meeting was about the expulsion of millions of people, including 'non-assimilated' citizens," he said.
When wildfires began ravaging Los Angeles yesterday, the story was familiar in many respects: In dry and windy weather, a small blaze can spread so fast and so far that no one can do anything to stop it, especially in terrain dense with brush and hard for firefighters to reach.

Pacific Palisades, where the first fire began, is such a neighborhood; its roughly 24 square miles are beside rugged wilderness. The roads are winding. Homes are built on parts of a mountain range and in six major canyons. A fire-hazard map proposed by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection in 2022 described the area as very high riskthe highest possible categorization. And it has burned before, most significantly in November 1961, during a historic blaze.

Yet for all their predictability, these blazes are also outliers. Among people I spoke with who have observed Southern California wildfires for decades, several felt that these fires are unusually dramatic and dreadful, and have more potential than most to alter regional politics.

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[Conor Friedersdorf: The Southern California wildfire paradox]

First, consider the warnings that preceded the fires. On Monday, the National Weather Service alerted Southern Californians to an imminent LIFE-THREATENING, DESTRUCTIVE, Widespread Windstorm, language far stronger than warnings typically given just before the Santa Ana winds begin to blow, rushing down through mountain passes and canyons to sea level, heating up and drying out along the way.

Yesterday, hours before any fire began, Los Angeles Times subscribers woke up to this front-page headline Unusually Strong Winds Carry High Risk of Winter Fires. It warned of gusts up to 100 miles per hour and quoted a fire official describing the danger to the region as extreme. The prediction could hardly have been more emphatic.

Sure enough, by lunchtime, a fire hadnt just ignited in Pacific Palisades, threatening the Getty Villait had spread out of control in a visually spectacular manner. Twenty miles away, people could walk onto the beach, look north along an unobstructed coastline, and see a plume of smoke behind the Santa Monica pier. It billowed out over the bay for miles. By evening and especially after nightfall, people could see flames seeming to engulf the hillsides north of Santa Monica. A blockbuster using CGI to convey L.A. in flames would not have been more dramatic.

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Footage shot within Pacific Palisades itself was just as shocking. News crews and residents recorded terrifying scenes amid architecturally striking custom-built homes.

Many owners of Palisades real estate are unusually wealthy and influential. And that brings us to the politics of the blaze. The real-estate developer Rick Caruso, who owns a shopping center in the neighborhood, alleged on a local news channel that fire hydrants didnt have enough water to supply firefighters with what they needed. He said that someone should ask Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, whom he ran against in the most recent mayoral election, what went wrong.

The entrepreneur Wes Nichols, who has lived in the neighborhood for 26 years, evacuated sometime after dark. He posted on social media that he personally saw more than 100 homes engulfed in flames, adding, Im mad at what I saw. Our politicians have failed us. Unprepared, unimaginative, understaffed, now overwhelmed. Heads must roll for this disaster.

[Read: The wildfire risk in Americas front yards]

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Bass wasnt able to represent herself to the public or answer her critics because when the fire began, she was in Ghana, attending the inauguration of its president.

Things may only get worse from here. The Palisades Fire, having already spread at least to Malibu, destroying homes and businesses, now threatens Santa Monica and beyondthat is to say, it could still spread from the edges of greater Los Angeles to a swath of its dense core. Weather is the biggest factor in the citys fate.

Strong, gusty winds are forecast to continue in much of the region throughout the day today. Wind is howling outside my window an hour south, in Orange County. And for many miles in every direction, a new catastrophic fire could start at any moment. Ive lived through 45 years of Southern California wildfires. I cant recall having as much uncertainty about how not just one community but the region as a whole will fare in the next 24 hours.

Article originally published at The Atlantic
During a closed session meeting Tuesday, the Paso Robles City Council addressed concerns related to ongoing allegations of a conspiracy to oust the city manager and several threats of litigation.

And after two hours of backdoor deliberations, the conversation is still to be continued.

The meeting is the latest in a long saga kicked off by a $2.275 million government claim filed by Paso Robles city manager Ty Lewis in August, in which he alleged that Councilmember Chris Bausch spread rumors and harassed Lewis to the point that he suffered medical issues. Lewis also claimed that Bausch and a slew of community members conspired to drive him out of his post as the citys top administrator.

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The news of Lewis claim resulted in a subsequent government claim filed against the city by unsuccessful City Council candidate Linda George  one of several accused by Lewis of conspiring to oust him  who claimed that a cabal of city officials, local journalists and community members conspired to tank her election campaign.

During Tuesdays special council meeting, councilmembers and legal counsel discussed two cases of anticipated litigation  one claim form and one threat of litigation from The Tribune related to the California Public Records Act, city attorney Elizabeth Hull said at the start of the meeting.

It was unclear if the agendized claim was Lewis, Georges or neither.

And after around two hours of closed-door discussion, the conversation is not yet over, Hull said. The council will reconvene in a last-minute special meeting Wednesday at 7 p.m. to continue the discussion. The council also created a subcommittee to handle the agenda item related to The Tribune.

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Hull did not report on the item related to the claim form. One item related to the city potentially initiating litigation was also on the agenda, but was not discussed Tuesday, Hull added.

Tuesdays public comments revealed frustration with the city.

George called in virtually to urge the city to fire Lewis. She alleged that city officials participated in cronyism by not getting rid of the city manager.

I say to you and Mr. Lewis: You resign? Ill drop my claim against the city, George said. Mr. Hamon, if you fire him, I will drop my claim against the city.

Clive Pinder, a writer who has documented the ongoing saga in a satirical column for the Paso Robles Daily News, addressed the council, urging city officials to be transparent. Pinder was named in Georges claim as a member of the cabal.

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(Democracy) dies in backroom deals that are done by lawyers paid for by taxpayers, in off-the-record negotiations with faceless insurance companies, in closed-session deliberations by democratically elected representatives of the people, Pinder said.

He also directed several questions at Bausch.

Why are you refusing to disclose recordings, texts and call details from your personal phone as required under California law? Will you now commit to fulfilling these pending requests? If yes, when? If not, why not? Pinder asked.

Bausch did not respond.
A man was arrested and accused of trying to open the door of a taxiing JetBlue flight at Boston Logan International Airport.

The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on a flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The passenger, who has not been publicly identified, opened the emergency exit door and deployed the slide, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement.

JetBlue said the man remained on the flight and the Massachusetts State Police were called to assist. The flight was delayed, a spokesperson for the airline company said.

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Fred Wynn, a passenger, said the incident happened after an apparent argument between the man and his girlfriend, NBC Boston reported.

"Two people directly behind me, they were arguing, boyfriend and girlfriend," Wynn said in a video he recorded on the flight. "I guess the boyfriend wanted to see the girlfriends phone, and she wouldnt let him see."

Wynn said the man "got up, ran down the center aisle, grabbed the emergency door."

The man who was arrested was expected to be arraigned Wednesday in East Boston District Court.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
BOSTON - A passenger on a JetBlue flight opened an emergency exit door and deployed the slide while the plane was taxiing at Logan Airport in Boston Tuesday night, the FAA said.



Witnesses said the man was arguing with his girlfriend before he opened the door at about 7:30 p.m. on Flight 161. The Airbus A320 was headed to San Juan, Puerto Rico.



There were no injuries reported, according to Massport.

A passenger is accused of opening the emergency exit door and deployed the slide on a JetBlue flight taxiing at Logan Airport. / Credit: CBS Boston

Restrained by passengers

A spokesperson for JetBlue said the passenger opened an overwing exit "for unknown reasons" and remained on board the plane.

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Massachusetts State Police said troopers responded to reports of a disturbance on the aircraft after it had entered the active taxiway. One person was detained.

"Shortly before takeoff, a passenger who wanted to deplane opened an aircraft door suddenly and without warning," state police said in a statement. "Other passengers restrained the individual until troopers arrived on scene to detain them for further questioning."



The passenger, who has not been identified yet, is expected to face charges and will be arraigned in East Boston District Court Wednesday.

Passenger says man was arguing with girlfriend

Passenger Fred Wynn talked to WBZ-TV from the plane. He said the man was sitting right behind him with his girlfriend.



"Boyfriend and girlfriend were arguing behind in me," Wynn said. "Boyfriend got mad, got up walked down the center aisle, grabbed the emergency door, ripped it off, completely off. FBI agent tackled him, handcuffed him. Shortly after, state police came on board and took him off."



Passengers on other flights say they were delayed because of the incident.



"They just said there was a disabled plane on the runway, which was a little concerning, never heard that before," said Tim Wahl, who was arriving in Boston from Phoenix.



Wahl says his flight was circling around Boston delayed. When it finally landed, he saw the commotion.

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"We flew over the plane that was stopped. There was a bunch of police outside, apparently somebody deployed the emergency slide. Wild," Wahl said.

State police said preliminary information indicates it was an isolated incident and there was no threat to public safety. The FAA is investigating.

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BOSTON (WWLP)  A passenger aboard a JetBlue flight was arrested Tuesday evening at Logan Airport after opening the aircraft door and leaving the plane before takeoff.

Healey will sign health care oversight bill

According to state police, the incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. on a departing flight. The individual, who reportedly wanted to leave the plane, opened the door without warning. Other passengers quickly restrained the person until law enforcement arrived to detain them.

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Authorities confirmed that the passenger is expected to face charges and will be arraigned in East Boston District Court on Wednesday. The individuals identity has not been released, as charges are still being finalized.

Preliminary investigation confirmed that this was an isolated incident and poses no threat to public safety, according to police. We will continue to update this story as soon as new information becomes available.

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A Logan Airport passenger allegedly opened the door of a plane leaving Boston on Tuesday night, triggering a police response, officials said.

A male passenger on JetBlue flight 161 from Boston to San Juan opened an overwing exit while the plane was taxiing around 7:15 p.m., causing the emergency slide to deploy, according to an airline spokesperson.

The individual in question wanted to deplane and opened the door without warning, Massachusetts State Police said. Other passengers restrained the individual until troopers arrived.

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There were no reports of any injuries and the flight was delayed to allow for an investigation.

The individual accused of opening the door will be arraigned in East Boston District Court on Wednesday. Their identity is being withheld pending the finalization of charges, according to state police.

Video from a passenger on the aircraft allegedly shows the man being led off the plane by detectives.

JetBlue is working to get our customers on their way as quickly as possible, an airline spokesperson said.

Boston 25 News obtained air traffic control audio of the incident:

Pilot: Mayday! Mayday for JetBlue 161.

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ATC: JetBlue 161 Boston. Tower, go ahead.

Pilot: Yeah, we have a passenger who opened an emergency exit door and tried to jump out of the airplane.

ATC: JetBlue 161. Roger. Well send someone out.

Pilot: Roger.

No further information was immediately available.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes)  The Lord Jesus promise is rest to the weary and heavy laden. In accordance with His mercy and will, He granted His eternal peace to Mrs. Patricia Pat Lawrence on Thursday, January 2, 2025.

Pat was born to Dolores Harper and Alvin King on June 12, 1963 in Youngstown, Ohio.

Find obituaries from your high school

Pat was a proud South High Warrior, graduating class of 1981.

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Pat married Eric Lawrence on March 2, 1997, and they lived happily ever after.

In life, Pat was a magnet for joy and laughter and loved her life and friends fiercely and unapologetically. She lived life with strength and grace that was truly a wonder to behold. While enduring her own struggles, she lovingly assisted with the care of her mother-in-law, Lavenia Lawrence, for many years.

Pat was welcomed into Heaven by her parents and a brother, Mike King.

To cherish her memory, Pat leaves her husband; stepsons, JeMarcus and Dimitri Smith and a beloved cousin, Shaundra Winkfield and her partner, Rodney Johnson, Sr., who were of great assistance to Pat, providing loving care. She also leaves a niece, Tiffany Mosley; great-niece, Shatiah Bulger and great-nephew Shakai Bulger, all of New Jersey. Included are Erics 11 siblings and a host of extended family and friends, among whom are Breaunna Winkfield, Bryson Oakley, Aubree Butler and Xavier Adams of Youngstown.

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Arrangements are entrusted to the F.D. Memorial Mason Funeral Home, where services are pending.

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Paulina Porizkova is issuing a desperate plea for help amid the devastating Palisades Fire in California.

"Can you please watch the video that follows this?" the former supermodel began in a video posted via Instagram on Wednesday, Jan. 8. "Because it's about cats that a friend of mine is trying to rescue and she needs help, so if you can please stay on and watch the video that follows thisthanks."

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The clip then cut to Quinn Cummings of Sante D'or Rescue in Los Feliz, Calif., asking for help housing rescued cats.

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"Okay here is our current situation. I have 15 cat carriers from Sante D'or filled with 17 cats from Santa D'or in my garage. We got all the cats out. They are safe," Cummings said. "Unfortunately, just as I got home, we got evacuation orders, so this is what I am asking for, and I don't ask for stuff online. But if you are in the Los Angeles area and you have a warehouse or something that is outside of the foothillsbecause that's the problem, a lot of us who volunteer with Santa D'or, we live in the foothill area."

She added, "Nothing is safe right now, but the foothills are particularly not safe. If you have a warehouse that is empty and can be set up for some cages for maybe a few days, let me know and I'll put you in touch with them. Thank you."

Followers were quick to thank Porizkova for spreading the word about the animal rescue in need, with one social media user writing, "Thank you for posting. @santedorrescue is amazing. My kitty is from there  I hope they get the help they need!"

Another was ready to spring into action, saying, "Thank you for this. I live in west Los Angeles. Im here to help!!!"

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Tens of thousands of people were ordered to evacuate Los Angeles amid the unprecedented wildfires scorching the areas, with many on high alert with evacuation warnings also set in place.

As of publication, multiple major wildfires are burning in Los Angeles County: the Palisades Fire, which has burned over 5,000 acres, including down to Pacific Coast Highway where it engulfed multi-million dollar homes; the Hurst Fire, which caused multiple freeway closures and the Eaton Canyon Fire, which surpassed 10,600 acres Wednesday morning and is 0% contained.

Two people are dead and over 1,000 homes, businesses and other structures have been destroyed, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Related: Paulina Porizkova Cries in "Vulnerable" New Video Following Deep Loss
BOSTON (SHNS)  After Gov. Maura Healey tried unsuccessfully to make budget cuts last year that would have reduced services to the elderly and people with disabilities, advocates are reaching out to her office ahead of this years budget season to plead for full funding in fiscal 2026.

Under Healeys fiscal 2025 budget, 6,000 people would have lost access to personal care assistants (PCAs), who help seniors and people with disabilities with services they need to live at home, including bathing, dressing, meal preparation, feeding, help using the bathroom, housekeeping, and grocery shopping.

The administration aimed to cut $57 million in state spending for the program  though a federal match means over $100 million worth of services would have been cut in totality  to chip away at a $950 million MassHealth budget shortfall.

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The House and Senate did not agree to the funding cut, however, after a wave of rallies at the State House by people with disabilities, seniors, PCAs, health care unions and independent living center staff.

We havent gone away. The programs as valuable as it always was, and we just want to say the coalition is still active, the program is vital  we hope you dont cut it this year, Boston Center for Independent Living Executive Director Bill Henning, who participated in the rallies last year, told the News Service on Monday.

On Tuesday, advocates plan to drop a letter at Healeys office asking her and Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh to provide full support for the PCA program in the fiscal 2026 budget due on Jan. 22.

Its signed by close to 30 organizations, including by the states independent living centers, the Disability Law Center, Arc Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Senior Action Council, Health Care for All and more.

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As you know, PCA services enable thousands of people with disabilities, including many older adults, to live independently in the community, with significant enhancement to their independence and wellbeing. Absent PCA services some people would need to enter a costly nursing facility, others might lose their job, and the health of many people would decline, putting more pressures on already overburdened health care systems and other state-funded services, the letter says.

Lawmakers are warning about tough choices in the upcoming budget cycle, and the PCA program is not cheap.

1199 SEIU, the union that represents personal care attendants, negotiated a three-year contract with the state in 2023 that will bring PCA pay from the flat $18 per hour rate to a wage scale that goes up to $25 per hour based on experience by 2027.

The cost to taxpayers of these home care services has grown from $1.2 billion in fiscal 2020 to $1.6 billion in fiscal 2023, to the projection that the program is on track to reach $2 billion by fiscal 2027, according to state health officials, who say that at $2 billion the program would have the highest per capita cost among states.

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Advocates say its vital that the state invest in independent living programs, as Massachusettss aging population grows and requires more help.

In 2020, 14 percent of Massachusetts residents were 65 or older. The UMass Donahue Institute population projections predict that by 2050, that number will climb to 27 percent above the retirement age of 65.

These are people who could go to expensive nursing homes, or live at home in their communities with help, Henning said.  We know its a tough budget year. Word on the street is there might be cuts  Its their job to look at the numbers. Its our job to remind them of the people, the stories behind the numbers.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
A person was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries after being struck by a vehicle on Tuesday night.

Troopers responding to a report of a pedestrian hit by a car on Route 3 southbound in Plymouth around 5:30 p.m. found a person in critical condition, according to a Massachusetts State Police spokesperson.

The pedestrian was transported to Plymouth Hospital with injuries that are considered to be life-threatening.

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Authorities say the vehicle that struck the pedestrian remained on scene. The roadway was shut down for hours, stalling the evening commute.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation by Crime Scene Services, Crash Reconstruction, and Detectives assigned to the Plymouth DAs Office.

No further information was immediately available.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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(WHTM)  The massive Pennsylvania Farm Show is great for so many reasons, one of them is the major amount of money it brings to the state.

Nearly half a million people come from all over our state, and even outside our borders come in talking about all the things that the agriculture industry contributes to the Pennsylvania economy, said Luke Bernstein, the President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business & Industry.

Bernstein tells abc27, Pa.s agriculture businesses contribute roughly $130 billion to the Commonwealths economy yearly.

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As for the economic impact the farm show has on the Midstate, Its significant, he said. When you look at those estimates in that $70 million range and what that drives back into this region. Youre seeing people come in from all over the state and outside the state, the hotels, the restaurant, all the different impacts that are coming locally.

Even businesses at the farm show see some economic benefits.

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The farm show is really great cause we see a lot of folks we wouldnt normally see, said Andy Mausolf, who does Event Sales for TBJ Gourmet, a bacon jam company based in Reading.

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Thats nearly the same scenario for Greg Etnoyer, the owner of Cassel Vinyards of Hershey.

Weve been coming here for years, he said. Right now, this years been a little off compared to other years, but like Saturday and Sunday were very good.

Bernstein says without the farm show, the Midstate area would see not only a huge economic loss, but a cultural and educational loss as well.

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(WHTM) A Pennsylvania lawmaker is proposing a law to crack down on pet kidnappings.

The bill, proposed by Representative Brandon Markosek (D-Allegheny), would crack down on pet thieves by establishing penalties for intentionally selling or taking any pet for the purpose of general resale, sale to a laboratory, or animal fighting.

According to Rep. Makosek, an estimated two million animals are stolen from their owners. Stolen pets often face the consequences of the thiefs actions, with many ending up being resold to puppy mills, research laboratories, and animal fighters.

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Only about 1 in 10 stolen pets are returned to their owners, according to Ashton Animal Hospital.

Under the proposed law, the penalty for animal theft with the intent to resell would result in a felony of the third degree on the first offense, with additional offenses being a second-degree felony.

Additionally, penalties for knowingly taking away a pet for temporary purposes would result in a misdemeanor of the third degree, with subsequent offenses resulting in a second-degree felony.

Our animals are beloved members of our family  to think that there are individuals willing to steal them and sell them without remorse is terrifying. Rep. Markosek said. As legislators, we must ensure that we protect all of our constituents, including those with four legs, wet noses, and no voice to speak up with.

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Laura Cooper, senior Pentagon official leading the Russia and Ukraine office, stepped down as Donald Trump's inauguration looms, Politico reported on Jan. 6, citing one former and three current officials.

A veteran civil servant, Cooper has held senior U.S. Defense Department positions since Trump's first term in office in 2017 and, more recently, was responsible for coordinating U.S. aid for Ukraine during the full-scale war that broke out in 2022.

Politico linked her resignation to the growing uncertainty about upcoming changes in the Pentagon under Trump's administration, namely regarding the future Ukraine policy.

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According to the outlet, Cooper's resignation may also be connected to her testimonies in Trump's impeachment inquiry in 2019. The proceedings were launched after the then-U.S. president was said to pressure Ukraine to investigate his political rivals by threatening to withhold military aid.

Often critical of the Biden administration's extensive backing of Kyiv, Trump has pledged to bring a swift end to the full-scale war by pushing Ukraine and Russia to the negotiating table.

The incoming U.S. president has often voiced sympathies for Russian President Vladimir Putin and presented Moscow's worries about Ukraine's NATO aspirations as a legitimate concern.

At the same time, Trump said he would not "abandon" Ukraine and instead leverage U.S. military assistance to push Russia to peace talks.

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Cooper has been temporarily replaced by Deputy Assistant Defense Secretary for Defense Continuity and Mission Assurance Steven Schleien, but broad personnel changes are expected at the Pentagon after Trump takes office on Jan. 20.

With less than two weeks in office left, the Biden administration seeks to deliver as much aid to Ukraine as possible to put it in the strongest possible position in any potential 2025 negotiations.

Read also: Trump blames Biden for provoking Russias war by supporting Ukraines NATO aspirations

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The Defense Department is sending additional assets to California to assist with the massive wildfire spreading across Los Angeles and the southern part of the state.

Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters Wednesday the U.S. was sending 10 Navy helicopters with water buckets.

Singh said the Pentagon is working closely with the California National Guard, which is adding two Modular Airborne FireFighting Systems.

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The Nevada National Guard is also readying two more of those systems, which quickly discharge a retardant to battle fires.

The president has directed this department to bolster whatever California needs, Singh said, but added that they are constrained in how much they can contribute at the moment. We have to work with California, and right now we cant even get assets up in the air because the fires are so bad and because the winds are so bad.

Wildfires  the Eaton Fire, Palisades Fire, Hurst Fire, Tyler Fire and Woodley Fire  have burned thousands of acres in southern California.

Two people have been killed and several injured from the Eaton Fire spreading in Los Angeles County.

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President Biden on Wednesday visited California and has met with state firefighters.

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PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  Some clinic offices with the Peoria City/County Health Department will temporarily close while they prepare to move to their new location.

The health departments WIC, Dental and Clinic Services will be closed on Jan. 10 while they prepare to move from their temporary location on 3521 N California Ave. to the new Health & Human Services Building, a health department news release stated.

The new building located at 2116 N Sheridan Road will open on Jan. 22. It will house the Peoria City/County Health Department, Peoria County Coroners Office, Peoria County Regional Office of Education and the Peoria County Sustainability and Resource Conservation Department.

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The clinic services will reopen at its temporary location on California Ave. from Jan. 13 until Jan. 17, then they will begin transferring services to the new building.

Peoria Countys new Health and Human Services building to open next month

Members of the Peoria County board first started discussing the new building in 2021. At the time, the Health Department building needed renovations to address safety issues. The new building cost $22.3 million.

More information on the services offered by the health department is available on its website.

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MIAMI, Okla. -Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma removed Chief Craig Harper from office during a Special Business Committee Meeting held Monday.

Peoria Tribe to hold special meeting regarding an elected official

In a social media post, the tribe stated a 5 to 1 vote approved the motion to remove Harper.

Several messages were left with the tribe regarding the reason for the removal and how the business committee members votes were not returned.

Rosanna Dobbs

The post said the Second Chief will become the Acting Chief until a Special Election is held, per the constitution. The tribes webpage shows Rosanna Dobbs as the second chief, with her position up for March.

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The post says the exact date of that Special Election will be forthcoming.

During the October Business Committee meeting, Harper was removed from the Peoria Housing Board. Nicholas Hargrove made the motion, which Rosanna Dobbs seconded, while Jason Dollarhide and Jenny Rampey abstained. Harper was removed from the NTHS Governing Board: Hargrove motioned, and Dollarhide seconded it, while Kara North abstained.

During public comments in the Nov. 5 meeting, two citizens questioned Harpers removal and highlighted some of Harpers achievements.

and

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Jan. 8Councilman Hunter Pepper returned Monday for a Decatur City Council meeting after a three-month absence and immediately stirred up controversy when voicing his support of police in high-speed pursuits.

The controversy then led to a conflict after the meeting between some attendees and Pepper in the City Hall parking lot on a frigid night.

Pepper has been absent for all but one meeting for about the last three months. An emergency medical technician, he has been serving in disaster relief since Hurricane Helene went through Florida, Georgia and North Carolina in late September.

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He said Tuesday that he is working on a temporary assignment for the federal government that he expects to last until May.

"I can't say specifically what I am doing. I am working in the medical field for the government," Pepper said.

Council President Jacob Ladner said state law requires a council member to attend at least one meeting every 90 days.

The previous City Council passed a resolution in February 2020 that a council member's pay is cut $200 a meeting if he or she misses three or more scheduled meetings in a month. The only exceptions for absences are a member must be in the hospital or recovering from a hospital stay.

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Ladner admitted to being unhappy with Pepper's attendance and with the controversies he creates when he does show up.

"It is frustrating when we're there every Monday and we're kinda taking the lumps," Ladner said. "He kind of comes occasionally and stirs things up, and then who knows when he will be back. I don't have any control over him, so all we can do is care about what we can control and continue to move things forward."

Ladner said that a council meeting is meant to be a professional meeting where they do city business.

"Whether it's council members or anybody else disrupting that and making it what it's not supposed to be, it is frustrating," he said.

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Councilman Carlton McMasters said council members have obligations that they must meet and, if they don't meet the attendance requirements, a change has to be made.

"I wish things were different but, unfortunately, nothing surprises me," McMasters said.

The controversy began when Sixth Avenue Northwest resident Stephen Hampton returned to the council meeting to get an update on his complaint about how the Police Department handled the theft of his car by three teenagers that led to a chase and wreck on Nov. 28.

"I came in about two weeks ago, and I need to see what y'all are going to do about the high-speed chases," Hampton told the council.

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"If people would stop running from the police, we wouldn't have that problem  that's my suggestion," Pepper responded.

Hampton accused Pepper of "running your mouth when you wasn't over there."

Several people began yelling at Pepper from the audience while Ladner tried to regain control of the meeting with his gavel.

Police chases have been a source of controversy in the Decatur area since the Sept. 4, 2023, death of teenager Jaiden DeJarnett after police attempted a traffic stop on Beltline Road because his headlights were out. Decatur police said the 16-year-old from Madison County died in a wreck at the end of a 35-mile police pursuit that went through Decatur and Lawrence County during the early morning hours.

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Decatur, Hartselle, Priceville and Athens police and Morgan and Lawrence county sheriffs' deputies have all been involved in chases in which speeds were over 100 mph in the last six months.

The U.S. Department of Justice commissioned a study on police pursuits, the results of which were released in September 2023.

Chuck Wexler, executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum, which compiled the study, writes in his report that police chases "are high-risk events that put the lives of officers, suspects, and the public at risk. Furthermore, the costs of property damage and litigation can be substantial."

Wexler also points out that "when pursuits go wrong and innocent, uninvolved people are injured or killed, public trust in the police is undermined."

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However, Wexler writes that "some view police pursuits as a necessary tool for stopping and apprehending dangerous criminals who threaten our communities."

The report concludes that "pursuits should take place only when two very specific standards are met: (1) A violent crime has been committed and (2) the suspect poses an imminent threat to commit another violent crime."

Pepper said Tuesday he felt he had to speak out about his stance on police chases "because I am afraid we have council members who will want to enact an ordinance or policy that does not allow police chases, which would make this a lawless community."

Pepper said "I will fight tooth and nail" against any attempt to end police pursuits.

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"I will reach out to the state and federal delegations to make sure there are laws that prevent individuals like ourselves from creating laws that prevent the police from doing their job. Police chases are part of the job," he said.

Pepper said it is the individuals who attempt to elude the police, not the police themselves, who are creating the danger.

"That means they're probably already a danger to the public, and I would assume the police would not chase without good reason," Pepper said.

After the meeting, DeJarnett's grandfather, Larry DeJarnett Sr., met Pepper at the steps to the council dais for a heated conversation.

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Pepper said DeJarnett Sr. was obviously upset but the conversation was respectful. He said he told the grandfather that, if police have a legitimate reason to make a traffic stop, then the driver becomes automatically guilty by running.

"I can't blame him for being upset and I sympathize with him. He lost his grandson," Pepper said. "He tried to defend his grandson as not being a criminal, but I told him I strongly disagree with him. The very minute you run from the police you are guilty  there's no if, ands or buts about it."

The conversation between Pepper and DeJarnett Sr. ended when City Clerk Stephanie Simon declared the council chambers closed and told everyone to leave. The exit was orderly, but about a half dozen people angrily confronted Pepper in the parking lot as he tried to drive off.

One man was cursing him while a woman stood in front of his car trying to stop him from leaving.

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"I continued to slowly press on the gas and the young lady chose to move out of the way when I picked up my phone to call (police) dispatch," Pepper said.

 bayne.hughes@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2432
A perfect storm of weather and climate conditions led to the severity of the wildfires devastating Southern California.

At least two people are dead and several others injured as the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst and Woodley fires burned through thousands of acres and prompted sweeping evacuations around Los Angeles County.

The dry landscape in the region heavily contributed to fire's ability to spread quickly. Only 0.16 inches of rain has fallen in the region since May 6, according to the National Weather Service.

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MORE: Los Angeles fires: 2nd blaze spurs evacuations

But without the low humidity and extreme winds, the dry landscape wouldn't present as big of a threat.

On Monday, the National Weather Service began warning of a "life-threatening" Santa Ana windstorm that could spark severe wildfires in Southern California -- more than 24 hours in advance of the first wildfire.

PHOTO: A hose is used from outside the window of a building, as the Eaton Fire burns in Pasadena, Calif., Jan. 7, 2025. (Mario Anzuoni/Reuters)

What made the Santa Ana wind event so severe is the upper-level support lining up with the surface gradient, Curt Kaplan, a retired operational forecaster for the National Weather Service in Oxford, California, told ABC News. The upper low that moved over Baja California caused a strong colder air subsidence, or sinking, north-northeast over the region.

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The sinking air associated with the colder dense air aloft was able to descend, bringing damaging mountain waves across the Los Angeles and Ventura County mountains that then crashed into the foothills and some coastal communities, Kaplan said.

MORE: Celebrities showcase wildfire damage in LA, thank firefighters and first responders

As conditions higher up in the atmosphere shift later on Wednesday, the strong winds should taper off to moderate, typical Santa Ana winds late morning into the afternoon hours.

Many of the cities -- like Burbank, Pasadena and Beverly Hills -- as well as the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, are not usually affected by typical Santa Ana northeast winds, Kaplan said.

PHOTO: A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire while it burns homes at Pacific Coast Highway amid a powerful windstorm on Jan. 8, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif. (Apu Gomes/Getty Images)

Four wildfires were burning in Southern California on Wednesday afternoon: the Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, Hurst Fire and Woodley Fire.

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The earlier-than-normal warning from the NWS allowed for ample time to prep for the fire threat.

MORE: California wildfire forecast: Wind speeds remain high as brush fire threat continues

On Monday evening, California Gov. Gavin Newsom directed state departments to position fire engines, handcrews, aircraft and additional support in areas that could be impacted.

The region remained under a state of emergency on Wednesday as the fires continued.

PHOTO: The remains of a house burned to the ground as a result of the Palisades wildfire in Pacific Palisades, Calif., Jan. 8, 2025. (Caroline Brehman/EPA via Shutterstock)

More than 30,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes, and fires ripped through the Pacific Palisades, one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Los Angeles County.

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Celebrities such as Josh Gad, Steve Guttenberg, Chris Pratt, Mandy Moore and Eugene Levy have documented how the fire was impacting their homes.

MORE: California wildfires maps show evacuations, power outages, air quality

Some of the regions under elevated fire risk this week, such as Malibu, were impacted by a raging wildfire last month that spread to more than 4,000 acres and forced 20,000 residents into evacuation.

A perfect storm of weather and climate conditions led to the severity of the California fires originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
On Dec. 2, 2024, Perry Dahl, one of the last living American WWII aces who shot down five or more enemy aircraft, died after a storied 37-year career in the United States Army, Army Air Corps, U.S. Army Air Forces and U.S. Air Force. He was 101 years old.

Dahl was born on Feb. 18, 1923, in North Battleford in Saskatchewan, Canada. Shortly after, his family moved to the United States, settling in Seattle.

After three years in high school, he enlisted in the Washington National Guard on June 17, 1940, and three months later, he entered service as a private with the 41st Infantry Division. On Sept. 26, 1942, Dahl enrolled in the Aviation Cadet Program, and on June 22, 1943, he qualified as a pilot and a second lieutenant.

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At 103, this P-51 Mustang pilot could soon become WWIIs last ace

After further training on the Lockheed P-38 Lighting, he was assigned to the 55th Fighter Group in Tumwater, Washington, before being reassigned to the 432nd Squadron of the 475th Fighter Group, based at north Borio Airfield, Dobodura, in Papua New Guinea, where he nicknamed his Lightning Skidoo.

Dahl wasted little time getting underway.

While escorting North American B-25s on a bombing mission to Alexishafen, he was credited with shooting down a Zeke, the Allied codename for the Mitsubishi A6M3 Zero fighter.

The Japanese navy was not active in New Guinea at that time, however, and Dahls victim was more likely a Nakajima Ki-43 fighter, known as an Oscar. The same could be said of the Zeke credited to him over Wewak on Dec. 22; that discrepancy seems to have been resolved a month later when Dahl was credited with shooting an Oscar over Wewak.

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On Jan. 23, 1944, Dahl was wingman to Capt. John Loisel when he downed two Oscars over Cape Moem. Loisel then came under attack himself, but Dahl radioed a warning and then shot the Oscar off his tail.

A month later, Dahls squadron departed Nadzab to escort B-25s and Douglas A-20s to the Japanese airbase at Momote, but bad weather forced them to abort. As he landed at Cape Gloucester, Dahl collided with a B-24 but survived.

On April 3, Dahl was credited with shooting down two Oscars of the 11 planes claimed by his group that day. The double victory made him an ace, and the month also saw him promoted to captain. On June 8, he downed another Oscar between Wakde airfield and Manokwari.

Five months later, Dahl was flying a new P-38L7 when he downed a Kawasaki Ki-61 Tony over San Pablo, Leyte, on Nov. 10. As he turned to make a second attack, however, his plane collided with his wingman, 2nd Lt. Grady Lasseter Jr., who was killed.

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Dahl bailed out, only to be captured by a Japanese patrol and later rescued by Philippine Resistance fighters. He rejoined his squadron on Jan. 15, 1945, and on March 5, he shot down a Mitsubishi Ki-21 bomber down near Formosa, now Taiwan.

Dahl downed more than five enemy planes flying a P-38 Lightning, like the one shown in this undated Air Force photo, during WWII. (Courtesy of MacKenzie Bell and Thomas Guffey/National Archives)

On March 28, Loisel was leading 19 P-38Ls to meet and escort B-25s against Japanese shipping in the Ban Gai area off French Indochina. They failed to rendezvous with the bombers but found plenty of Japanese fighters, one of which Loisel sent crashing into the sea south of Tre Island for his 11th and final victory.

Dahl and his eight P-38s arrived early at the rendezvous point and spent the next 45 minutes searching for the enemy convoy. Once spotted, Dahl descended and circled it at the risk of being hit by AA fire. He then relayed its position to the B-25s.

Shortly afterwards, Dahls citation recounted, he noticed that an accompanying flight of P-38s, their pilots apparently unaware of some 20 enemy [aircraft] above, was attacking a few hostile planes at low altitude. Unable to communicate with the endangered flight, he pulled up to intercept the enemy as they dived to attack it.

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The 475th claimed a total of nine enemy aircraft in that 20-minute melee, including a Hamp, or a Mitsubishi A6M3 Model 32, credited to Dahl for his final victory.

As Dahl left the target area, he was attacked by six more Japanese fighters. After shaking them off, he discovered that his fuel was too low to reach his base, so he landed at another American airfield, with 10 to 20 gallons of fuel reserve left.

For his actions on March 28, Dahl was awarded the Silver Star.

How a WWII ace became the unlikely honoree of a submarine combat award

After the war, Dahl entered the U.S. Army Air Forces Reserve and completed his Bachelor of Science studies at Washington State University and Southern Colorado State University. He then worked for a short time at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer until the Korean War broke out on June 25, 1950.

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He was consequently called back to active duty on Feb. 16, 1951, serving at Kelly Air Force Base, Texas, to September of that year and Chateauroux Deols, France, until June 1954.

From then on, Dahl served in a succession of staff positions and rose to the rank of colonel. From July 1966 through June 1970, he served on the Air Force staff at the Pentagon, then went to Vietnam as commander of the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa Air Base until June 1971.

After service as deputy commandant of cadets and vice commandant of cadets at the U.S Air Force Academy, Dahl did a second tour of duty in Southeast Asia as commander of the 56th Special Operations Wing at Nakhan Phanom Royal Thai Airfield from July 1974 to April 1975.

He then served as deputy chief of staff for plans and programs in North American Aerospace Defense Command from April 1975 to June 30, 1978, when he retired with the Legion of Merit.

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Dahl left the Air Force with the Distinguished Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with three oak leaves and Air Force Commendation Medal, among other awards. In 2015, he was among the surviving aces to receive the Congressional Gold Medal.

In his final years, Dahl was honored by the color scheme of his Skidoo being applied to the restored Lighting at the Planes of Fame Museum in Chino, California. It currently flies at air shows with the Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation.
Jacksonville Beach police need your help solving a crime.

Investigators are looking for the man pictured above. They call him a person of interest.

 Attempt to Identify  On May 27, 2024, there was a shooting in the Jacksonville Beach Central Business District.... Posted by City of Jacksonville Beach Police Department on Tuesday, January 7, 2025

They believe he has information about a shooting that happened on May 27 -- Memorial Day -- in the Jacksonville Beach Central Business District.

Action News Jax previously told you about a shooting on Memorial Day in which a 16-year-old was shot in the leg on Second Avenue North.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

This isnt the first time police put out a call to the community to identify this man. Action News Jax told you in September when JBPD previously released his photo.

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In the meantime, if you recognize the man, contact Detective B. Burrell at bburrell@jaxbeachfl.net or call 904-270-1674.

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AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP)  People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) accepted an invitation from Dr. Agnes Lacreuse to visit the Lacreuse Lab at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where marmosets are studied and allegedly experimented on.

Thirty cats seek loving homes after being rescued from Massachusetts home

The marmoset lab at UMass has been a subject of controversy for years among students and animal rights activists. Lacreuse researches neurocognitive decline and health in relation to sex and aging using primates and has said that her testing is non-invasive. However, since 2021, PETA has begun protesting on the UMass campus due to claims that the lab is harming the monkeys.

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In an article in the UMass publication The Daily Collegian on December 29, students visited the Lacreuse Lab and interviewed her, in which she was quoted saying she would welcome a visit from PETA to her lab in order to prove that the treatment of the marmosets is safe and fair. She added that she felt doubtful that PETA had a genuine interest in the cause.

It has nothing to do with animal welfare. Ive been harassed by these people for three and a half years now, and not once have they asked to visit my lab, Lacreuse said. This is such a scam, because you would think that the first thing they would ask for is to see the animals, [to] verify that theyre in good health. No, they have no interest. Its about claiming that, we ended primate research at UMass, give us more money. Its a fundraising machine.

On January 7, PETA Chief Scientist Katherine V. Roe replied to Lacreuses invitation by letter, formally accepting the invitation and requesting that PETAs neuroscientist and primate scientist be allowed to witness her research and take photos and video evidence.

Given the number of times university officials have ignored our requests to discuss our concerns about marmosets, as well as the resistance we have received from your laboratory to release any videos of the marmosets to PETA (as you know, PETA is having to sue the university to obtain public records), we were pleasantly surprised that you would welcome us into the laboratory to view the animals themselves, Roe said in the letter.

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Roe said that she and primate scientist Dr. Lisa Jones-Engel would be willing to meet with Lacreuse in the next two months to visit the lab. Lacreuse has not yet made a public response.

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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 WWLP.
(Bloomberg) -- Colombias leader said he will skip Nicolas Maduros presidential inauguration this week due to rising repression and the arrests of Venezuelan political leaders.

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The detentions by Venezuelan authorities of opposition official Enrique Marquez and human rights activist Carlos Correa prevent his personal attendance at the event in Caracas, Colombian President Gustavo Petro said Wednesday in a post on X. Maduro will be sworn in for a third six-year term on Jan. 10.

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Petro expressed concerns over the transparency of the 2024 Venezuelan presidential elections but said that Colombia would not cut diplomatic ties with Maduros government.

Tensions are escalating in Venezuela as the government launched a new wave of repression in the past week and the opposition plans nationwide protests to denounce Maduros inauguration. The elections were widely regarded as fraudulent, and even allies of Maduro questioned his governments refusal to publish voting tallies to confirm the result.

Maduros opponent Edmundo Gonzalez has said hell return to the country for Jan. 10, where he intends to be inaugurated himself, despite government threats of arrest upon his arrival.

Petro has called for new presidential elections in Venezuela, arguing that voters didnt have freedom amid US economic sanctions and internal political unrest. He urged the Venezuelan regime to release political prisoners.

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In one small way, the judge did Attorney General Ken Paxton a favor.

He dismissed the lawsuit on the day before New Years Eve, when news of Paxtons defeat would slip past most Texans unnoticed.

Senior U.S. District Judge Sam Cummings on Dec. 30 quietly quashed the lawsuit that Paxton had filed with considerable huffing and puffing a year earlier, in which the attorney general accused Pfizer of misrepresenting the effectiveness of its COVID-19 vaccine.

Attorney General Ken Paxton, shown at a 2023 news conference, had accused Pfizer of making misleading claims about the effectiveness of its COVID-19 vaccine.

Paxton wanted the pharmaceutical giant to pay at least $10 million in civil penalties. Cummings told Paxton to go home. In a taut ruling that barely stretched onto a second page, the judge said Pfizer is entitled to immunity under the Public Readiness and Emergency Act (PREP Act), which protects those making life-saving efforts during a public health emergency, according to the ruling first reported by Bloomberg Law.

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Probably something the attorney generals office should have looked into earlier.

But the facts and the law have never been the point in Paxtons crusade against COVID-19 vaccines, which the attorney general falsely called a defective product sold by lies. Stacks and stacks of studies have demonstrated the shots were effective at reducing the chances of serious illness or death from the virus. Texas own COVID-19 dashboard says unvaccinated Texans were 11x more likely to die of a COVID-19 associated illness than fully vaccinated Texans.

Paxton, whose office did not respond this week to a request for comment, seemed determined to rewrite the history of the pandemic we all lived through. Forget the deadly virus that overwhelmed hospitals and morgues and sent desperate people in search of horse deworming paste and other quack cures. Somehow the real villains were those who swiftly developed the vaccines that helped our nation gradually return to normalcy.

And a quick fact check: The pharmaceutical companies werent the only ones touting the promise of vaccines. Then-President Donald Trump, a Paxton pal, said at a December 2020 summit that the COVID-19 vaccines were "amazing" and "a miracle," adding that this will quickly and dramatically reduce deaths and hospitalizations.

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I recognize some people did not want to take a new vaccine, or any vaccine at all. That choice belongs to each person. (Ultimately, nearly two-thirds of Texans became fully vaccinated.)

As I noted when Paxton first filed this lawsuit, the big lie of the pandemic was the suggestion the coronavirus wasnt all that bad, that no safety measures  masks, distancing efforts or optional vaccines  were needed against a virus that killed 1.1 million Americans. How quickly weve repressed the depth of that disaster.

Im relieved Paxtons case couldnt find traction, even in the U.S. District Court based in Lubbock, Paxtons preferred venue given its reliable stock of conservative judges (Cummings is a Reagan appointee).

Still, Paxton used his powerful office and our taxpayer dollars to push debunked misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines. Renowned vaccine researcher Dr. Peter Hotez has estimated that 200,000 Americans  40,000 of them Texans  needlessly died during the pandemic because they declined to take COVID vaccines that would have helped protect them. Knowing that now, how could any politician continue to undermine confidence in these vaccines?

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Instead, Paxton decided to pander to a tiny base  fewer than 1 in 5 Texans say they dont believe vaccines in general are safe or effective  while stirring up false doubts about matters of public health. The impact isn't confined to the pandemic. We're seeing a rise in vaccine hesitancy and distrust of science that will haunt us for much longer than the coronavirus did.

What a shame the damage cant be undone as easily as Paxtons discarded lawsuit.

Grumet is the Statesmans Metro columnist. Her column, ATX in Context, contains her opinions. Share yours via email at bgrumet@statesman.com, or via X or Bluesky at @bgrumet. Find her previous work at statesman.com/opinion/columns.

This story was updated to add a video.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas judge quietly tosses Ken Paxton's COVID vaccine suit | Opinion
MADRID (AP)  The newborn has been just been delivered at sea, its tiny naked body resting on belongings in a rubber boat crammed with migrants from Africa in winter jackets.

The photo released by Spains maritime rescue service Wednesday captured the rescue of the baby and other occupants who made a perilous crossing of the Atlantic Ocean to reach Spains Canary Islands.

While most Spaniards were celebrating Epiphany on Monday, the crew of the Guardamar Talia rescue craft reached people adrift in a small rubber boat. It was carrying the newborn, mother and other passengers who were risking their lives to reach Europe.

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The photo taken from above shows the infant and its apparent mother with several other men and women crammed into the boat, so packed that some people are straddling its sides.

The rescue vessels captain, Domingo Trujillo, had already carried out a rescue operation in 2020 that included the safe handling of a baby who had been born during the journey, the rescue service said.

Over 61,000 people reached Spain in irregular fashion via sea last year, according to the Interior Ministry. Some 46,000 of those landed in the Canary Islands, 95 kilometers (59 miles) from Morocco. They included several thousands unaccompanied minors.

The International Organization for Migration attributes at least 5,000 deaths to the migration route since it started monitoring statistics in 2014. But Spanish migration rights group Caminando Fronteras (Walking Borders) says that the real death toll is much higher and that over 10,000 people died or went missing while attempting the route last year alone.

___

Follow APs coverage of migration issues at https://apnews.com/hub/migration
If you didnt know any better, youd think the images coming out of Southern California were from a movie straight out of the pages of a Hollywood script.

But this is all too real for the residents in the Southland, with 30,000 residents who are are under evacuation orders, per The Associated Press.

According to KTLA-TV, 1,000 structures, many of them homes, have been destroyed.

One of the blazes, the Eaton Fire, has claimed two lives so far, according to the Los Angeles Times.

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Thousands of firefighters were battling at least three separate blazes, from the Pacific Coast inland to Pasadena. Flames broke out on Tuesday evening near a nature preserve in the inland foothills northeast of LA while another blaze that started hours earlier ripped through the citys Pacific Palisades neighborhood. A third wildfire started around 10:30 p.m. and quickly prompted evacuations in Sylmar, the northernmost neighborhood in Los Angeles, according to The Associated Press.

Heres a look at the dramatic scene as it unfolded Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning through the lenses of the Associated Press photojournalists.

Firefighters battle the Palisades Fire as it burns multiple structures in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Ethan Swope

Water is dropped on the advancing Palisades Fire by helicopter in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Ethan Swope

The Palisades Fire burns a Christmas tree inside a residence in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Ethan Swope

A resident of a senior center is evacuated as the Eaton Fire approaches Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. | Ethan Swope

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Residents of a senior center are evacuated as the Eaton Fire approaches Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. | Ethan Swope

Tim Murphy and his son Sean arm wrestle on the beach during sunset under a blackened sky from a wildfire in the Pacific Palisades, during the sunset in Santa Monica, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Richard Vogel

A resident stands in front of a garage as fire crews fight the Palisades Fire nearby in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Ethan Swope

Water is dropped on the advancing Palisades Fire by helicopter in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Ethan Swope

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A lone beachgoer walks along the coast as a large dark plume of smoke passes over the beach from a wildfire from Pacific Palisades, from Santa Monica, Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Richard Vogel

Will Adams uses a garden hose to keep flames from damaging his home as the Palisades Fire advances in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Ethan Swope

A surfer takes off on a wave in Santa Monica, Calif., during sunset under a blackened sky from the Palisades fire in the Pacific Palisades on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Richard Vogel

Jerome Krausse pushes his mother-in-law in a shopping cart as they evacuate from their home in the Pacific Palisades after a wildfire swept through their neighborhood in Santa Monica, Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Richard Vogel

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A firefighter jumps over a fence while fighting the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Ethan Swope

Bike riders make their way along the coast as a large dark plume of smoke passes over the beach from a wildfire from Pacific Palisades, from Santa Monica, Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Richard Vogel

A woman cries as the Palisades Fire advances in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Etienne Laurent

A resident of a senior center is evacuated as the Eaton Fire approaches Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. | Ethan Swope

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Smoke from a wildfire is seen from the Venice Beach section of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Jae C. Hong

Will Adams watches as flames from the Palisades Fire close in on his property in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Ethan Swope

A firefighter tries to contain the Palisades Fire from a rooftop in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Ethan Swope

The Eaton Fire destroys a structure Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. | Ethan Swope

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A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire as it burns a structure in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Ethan Swope
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter will lie in state in Washington for a second day ahead of his funeral on Thursday.

Carters remains arrived in Washington on Tuesday as part of state funeral rites and people will pay their respects again Wednesday.

The Georgia Democrat and 39th president died Dec. 29 at the age of 100. Carter served as president from 1977-81. Carter will remain at the Capitol until Thursday morning, when he will be transported to Washington National Cathedral for a state funeral.

President Joe Biden, a longtime Carter ally, will deliver a eulogy. Carter will be buried in his hometown of Plains, Georgia.

Here is a gallery of photos as Americans pay their respects to Carter.

A joint forces body bearer team moves the flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter upon arrival at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. Carter died Dec. 29, at the age of 100. | Susan Walsh

The flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter is transferred to a horse-drawn caisson at the U.S. Navy Memorial before traveling on to the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, where Carter will lie in state. Carter died Dec. 29 at the age of 100. | Mark Schiefelbein

Members of the U.S. Navy line up to march with the casket of former President Jimmy Carter before it arrives at the U.S. Navy Memorial to travel to the Capitol in Washington to lie in state, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. Carter died Dec. 29 at the age of 100. | Mark Schiefelbein

A horse and a member of the military that will transport the caisson carrying former President Jimmy Carter's casket waits at the U.S. Navy Memorial before traveling on to the Capitol in Washington to lie in state, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. Carter died Dec. 29 at the age of 100. | Mark Schiefelbein

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The flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter is transferred to a horse-drawn caisson at the U.S. Navy Memorial before traveling on to the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, where Carter will lie in state. Carter died Dec. 29 at the age of 100. | Mark Schiefelbein

The casket containing the remains of former President Jimmy Carter moves toward the U.S. Capitol on a horse-drawn caisson in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. Carter died Dec. 29, 2024, at the age of 100. | Susan Walsh

The flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter is transferred to a horse-drawn caisson at the U.S. Navy Memorial before traveling on to the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, where Carter will lie in state. Carter died Dec. 29 at the age of 100. | Mark Schiefelbein

With the U.S. Capitol in the background, the flag-draped casket of President Jimmy Carter moves toward the U.S. Capitol on a horse-drawn caisson at Constitution Avenue on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. Carter died Dec. 29, at the age of 100. | Jose Luis Magana

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A joint services body bearer team moves the casket of former President Jimmy Carter after it arrived on a horse-drawn caisson at the East Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Shawn Thew

A joint services military body bearer team carries the flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter up the steps into the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. Carter died Dec. 29 at the age of 100. | Evelyn Hockstein

The Carter family pay their respects during a ceremony as the flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter lies in state, at the Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. Carter died Dec. 29 at the age of 100. | Kent Nishimura

The flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter lies in state at the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. | Andrew Harnik

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The flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter lies in state during a ceremony in the Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. Carter died Dec. 29 at the age of 100. | J. Scott Applewhite

The Carter family pay their respects during a ceremony as the flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter lies in state, at the Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. Carter died Dec. 29 at the age of 100. | Kent Nishimura

The flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter lies in state at the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. | Andrew Harnik

Mourners look at the flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter as he lies in state in the Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Washington. Carter died Dec. 29 at the age of 100. | John McDonnell

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After ruling Canada for nine years, Trudeaus government has collapsed. In order to explain these events, we are publishing two articles written by Joel Bergman.

The first covers Trudeaus fall, as well its implications on Canadian capitalism and the class struggle. The second, which was written in December of last year, offers further analysis of the processes at the root of the crisis of Canadian liberalism.

Trudeau resigns but the crisis continues

[Originally published at marxist.ca on 7 January 2025]

Justin Trudeau, the embattled Prime Minister of Canada, has finally resigned. On top of this, he has prorogued parliament until 24 March while the Liberal party finds a new leader. But Trudeau stepping down will solve nothing. This is only the latest episode in the crisis of liberalism.

Liberalism has failed

The crisis of liberalism, the choice ideology of the bourgeoisie, runs deeper than one man. All over the western world, from France to America and now Canada, liberals like Macron, Biden, and Trudeau draped themselves in a progressive garb. They presented themselves as champions of women and minorities, protectors of the environment, etc. Meanwhile, the crisis of the capitalist system has crushed the living conditions of the working class.

At best, they have done nothing to solve the pressing issues facing the masses. At worst, they openly attacked workers, like taking away the right to strike as with Trudeau and Biden, or cutting pensions as with Macron. And none of their tokenistic appointments or performative statements have done one iota to end the racism or sexism which run rampant in our society, encouraged by the force of the far right.

The failure of the Liberals can be seen by the fact that the Canadian economy is teetering on the edge of recession, productivity of labour is declining and unemployment is the highest it has been in eight years! And the policies of the government have doubled the federal debt, limiting the room to maneuver for any future Prime Minister. Whoever follows Trudeau is faced with a completely dire situation.

Crisis on the horizon

If this wasnt bad enough, in just two weeks the protectionist maverick Donald Trump accedes to the presidency south of the border. More emboldened than ever, Trump 2.0 is already making waves, threatening 25 percent tariffs against Canadian exports to the U.S. and making repeated jibes about annexing Canada. If Trump does follow through with his tariffs, this would violently push Canada into recession and hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of jobs would be lost.

This is the situation facing a future Canadian government. While it does seem like right-populist Pierre Poilievre will easily win the election, it would be a mistake to think that he would maintain any support for very long. With the economy in the toilet, the massive government debt and Trump threatening tariffs, a Poilievre government would have very little room for error.

There is heavy pressure from the capitalists to cut social spending, lower corporate taxes, cut regulations and bring down the bloated debt. Other than droning on about axing the carbon tax and cutting environmental regulations, Poilievre has in fact been vague on whether or not he will carry out the main drastic measures the bourgeoisie require.

In fact, he has refashioned the Conservative Party into a right-populist force which, similar to Trump, has been courting unions and speaking to the working class. It is therefore not surprising that he leads among unionised workers and young people. This is something that would have been unheard of prior to Poilievre taking the reins of the party.

He has created great illusions among sectors of the working class and the youth by promising that he will be some sort of savior. But the millions of Canadians looking to vote for Poilievre are in for a rude awakening.

Poilievre, much like Justin Trudeau, has no solution to the crisis of the capitalist system, and therefore his brand of populist conservatism is destined to go the same way as Trudeau  into the trash bin. If he does try to do what the capitalists are asking, his government will be immediately hated. If he fails to do so and continues to run deficits like Trudeau has done, he will only worsen the situation and be seen as no different.

Make no mistake, a Poilievre government will be a government of crisis. They will not have a lengthy honeymoon like Trudeau did as the situation they will face is far worse in every respect and they have far less room to maneuver. Poilievre is probably undergoing an immense amount of stress just thinking about coming to power in these circumstances.

Welcome to 2025

2025 will be a fundamental turning point in Canadian politics. Liberalism, which has been the saving grace of the bourgeoisie, is a finished ideology. The entire liberal establishment is hated and must be swept aside.

The fall of the Liberals ushers in a new era of crisis and instability for Canada. And none of the mainstream parties offer any solution. Even the NDP which was supposed to be a socialist party connected to the labour movement has capitulated again and again to the capitalist agenda.

With the situation deteriorating and no party able to offer a way out, mass class battles and even revolution will become real possibilities in the coming period.

Working class people must get organised. We must prepare ourselves for this turbulent period on the horizon.

This is why we are building the Revolutionary Communist Party to organise the working class to fight against this rotten capitalist system.

So join us  and lets have a revolutionary 2025!

Freeland resigns as government crisis deepens

[Originally published at marxist.ca on 19 December 2024]

Chrystia Freeland, Trudeaus second in command, has resigned from cabinet. This has deepened the governmental crisis at a moment when the economy teeters on the edge of recession and the threat of Donald Trump looms on the horizon.

Prior to her resignation, rumors circulated that Freeland and Trudeau clashed over the GST holiday [a temporary tax break] and $250 government rebate. In her resignation letter Freeland criticised Trudeaus costly political gimmicks arguing that they instead needed to keep their fiscal powder dry faced with Trumps aggressive economic nationalism.

Trudeaus strategy of trying to placate Trump seems to have backfired, with Trump doubling down on his threat to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian goods coming into the U.S., while adding insult to injury by joking about making Canada the 51st state.

With the government in crisis and the threat of Trump imminent, things are barrelling towards disaster.

Barreling towards disaster

Following Freelands resignation, calls for Trudeau to step down have multiplied, with one Liberal MP claiming that one third of the 153 Liberal MPs now want Trudeau gone. Even the staunchly Liberal Toronto Star, the most widely read newspaper in Canada, is calling for him to step down.

Now both the Conservatives and the Bloc Quebecois are calling for Trudeau to dissolve parliament and call an early election. But according to the polls, if elections were held now, the Liberals would lose well over 100 seats. Foreshadowing a future election, the same day Freeland resigned the Liberals were clobbered in a British Columbia by-election, losing the seat to the Conservatives who won 66 percent of the vote. Therefore, the Liberals are resisting a general election with all of their might.

Chrystia Freeland, Trudeaus second in command, has resigned from cabinet. This has deepened the governmental crisis at a moment when the economy teeters on the edge of recession and the threat of Donald Trump looms on the horizon / Image: Communist Revolution

Over the head of Liberals looms the imminent threat of a vote of non-confidence in the government, which will now almost certainly happen at the first opportunity.

The only thing that can help them to avoid this is continued support from the New Democratic Party (NDP). But the NDPs desperate clinging to the Liberals has become increasingly ridiculous and is costing them support in the polls as well.

However, Jagmeet Singh seems impervious to the logic of the situation. In response to the resignation of Freeland, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh refused to clarify if he would support the government or not, robotically repeating All tools, all options are on the table.

This forced one reporter to inform Mr. Singh of the reality of the situation: Sir, the room behind you is a parliament. The government continues to govern as long as MPs continue to have confidence in the government. You have no say who the leader of the Liberal party is. Will you support the government or are you withdrawing your support for the government?

Unphased, Singh repeated the talking point: With respect to that I have said that all options are on the table.

Dark storm clouds overhead

When Trudeau came to power in 2015 he promised sunny ways. But nine years later the sun has been blotted out by dark clouds. The election of Donald Trump massively accelerates developments that are upending the entire political dynamic that has ruled the country for the last nine years.

What is clear is Trudeau is finished and this government will fall, one way or another. The NDP cannot prop up the government forever and the longer they do, the further they are discredited. Just as they were forced to pull the plug on the supply and confidence agreement, sooner or later they will be forced to bring the government down.

It seems to be a near inevitability that the Conservatives will handily win a majority government in any future election. However, it would be incorrect to think that this would be a stable government. On the contrary.

Pierre Poilievre would immediately be confronted with a massive crisis at all levels: an economy in the gutter, a crisis of public debt and a trade war with the U.S.

To top it off, the working class is angry from years of betrayal and falling living standards under the Trudeau Liberals.

Speaking of how to counter Trump, Poilievre has pledged to fight fire with fire. However, these appear to be empty words as he has stopped short of proposing counter tariffs. Canadian capitalism cannot hope to go toe-to-toe with the U.S. behemoth / Image: Wikimedia Commons

Millions of people have illusions that Poilievre is going to make their lives better. And Poilievre has promised the moon  but he will ultimately be unable to deliver.

Speaking of how to counter Trump, Poilievre has pledged to fight fire with fire. However, these appear to be empty words as he has stopped short of proposing counter tariffs. Canadian capitalism is a small fish in a big pond and cannot hope to go toe-to-toe with the U.S. behemoth. This explains Trudeaus subdued approach to Trump this time around and why all political leaders, on the so-called left or the right, are falling over themselves to meet Trumps demands of increased border policing.

While Trump has not created the current crisis, he certainly has massively accelerated developments and is forcing the situation forward. Canadian politicians can no longer avoid dealing with the crisis.

Freeland, in her resignation letter, suggested that they needed to fight for capital and investment. As the Canadian economy has been steadily losing ground to the United States, the pressures for serious measures to break down barriers to capital investment have only gotten louder. Poilievre proposes to axe taxes and unleash free enterprise. But given the bloated federal debt, the only way to do this would be to embark on a brutal program of cuts to social spending, public sector layoffs, and further attacks on unions.

What this means is that in the long run, the Canadian social democratic model is no longer sustainable and future governments will be under increased pressure to attack all of the gains the working class has made in the post war period.

However, this is easier said than done. Poilievre is not running on a campaign of attacking unions, cutting social programs and laying off public sector workers. If he were to embark in this direction, millions of people would feel immediately betrayed.

Far from presenting himself as anti-union, Poilievre has promised that he will not pass any anti-union laws if elected. Already, trade unions are angry after having the right to strike consistently violated by the Trudeau government and if Poilievre tries to attack unions, any support he has among unionized workers will be replaced with malice.

Whatever happens, Canada is headed for crisis, instability and class warfare. There is no way to avoid this  the only thing for us to do is prepare.

This is exactly what the newly founded Revolutionary Communist Party is doing.
Photos and a video of Viktar Babaryka were published by blogger Raman Pratasevich on Jan. 8 after the jailed Belarusian opposition leader was held incommunicado since February 2023.

The footage was released weeks after Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko pardoned 20 political prisoners in an apparent goodwill gesture ahead of the presidential election on Jan. 26.

Lukashenko has ruled the country since 1994, cementing his power through widespread repressions, secret police, and electoral fraud. The dictator claimed victory in the last 2020 election after rigging the vote and violently suppressing the subsequent protests and is expected to secure his seventh term later this month.

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Photos of Babaryka and an excerpt from his video appeal to relatives have been published on the Telegram channel of Pratasevich, formerly a dissident and editor-in-chief of the opposition news channel Nexta who became a regime apologist after his arrest in 2021 and subsequent pardon.

The pictures show the opposition leader dressed in black clothes, with a yellow sign designating him as "prone to extremist activities," writing something on paper. According to the Viasna human rights group, Babaryka has not been seen since Feb. 5, 2023.

Pratasevich said he had passed letters between Babaryka and his family members.

Babaryka intended to run for the 2020 presidential election but was rejected and, in 2021, sentenced to 14 years in prison on charges of bribery and tax evasion broadly seen as politically motivated.

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In a similar case last November, photos of imprisoned activist Maria Kalesnikava, who headed Babaryka's electoral campaign and later worked with another oppositionist, Sviatlana Tsikahnouskaya, emerged after more than 600 days of no communication.

Read also: Youll die here  Belarusian political prisoners recount experiences ahead of Lukashenkos reelection

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Members of the public pay their respects in front of the flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 7. (Allison Robbert/AFP via Getty Images)

Former President Jimmy Carter lay in state for a second day Wednesday in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, where members of the public will be able to pay their respects to the 39th U.S. President. As photos show below, Carter's remains were flown from Atlanta to Maryland's Joint Base Andrews on Tuesday afternoon, where a motorcade traveled to the U.S. Navy Memorial. The his casket was transferred ceremonially to a horse-drawn chest that traveled to the U.S. Capitol.

Vice President Kamala Harris, House Speaker Mike Johnson, members of Congress, Cabinet secretaries and Carter's family members were among those who offered tributes to the former president in the Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday.

Carter will lie in state in the Capital Rotunda until Thursday, when his funeral service will be held at the National Cathedral. His remains will then be flown back to Georgia for a final private service in Plains. The former president will be buried next to his wife, Rosalynn Carter, at his family's peanut farm.

A joint services military body bearer team carries the flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter on arrival at Joint Base Andrews, Md., on Tuesday. (Steve Helber/AP)

The flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter is transferred to a horse-drawn caisson at the U.S. Navy Memorial before traveling on to the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday. (Mark Schiefelbein/Pool via AP)

The casket is carried by a joint services body bearer team into the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday. (Shawn Thew/Pool via AFP via Getty Images)

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A riderless horse brings up the rear of the State Funeral Procession at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 7. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

Members of the Carter family look on as U.S. Military joint force pallbearers carry the flag-draped casket into the Capitol on Jan. 7. (Jemal Countess/AFP via Getty Images)

The casket is carried to its resting place in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday. (Andrew Harnik/Pool via AFP via Getty Images)

Military body bearers approach with the casket to put it on its dais on Tuesday. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

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(Left to right) House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, Kimberley Thune, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, House Speaker Mike Johnson, second gentleman Doug Emhoff and Vice President Kamala Harris attend a lying-in-state ceremony for former President Jimmy Carter at the Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday. (Tierney Cross/AFP via Getty Images)

The flag-draped casket of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter lies in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday. (Andrew Harnik/Pool via Reuters)

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, left, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, right, present a wreath at a ceremony to honor President Jimmy Carter in the Rotunda. (Ricky Carioti/Pool via AFP via Getty Images)

Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff present a wreath as the flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter lies in state on Tuesday. (Kent Nishimura/Pool via AP)

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Vice President Kamala Harris delivers a eulogy for President Jimmy Carter at the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC on Tuesday. (Kent Nishimura/Pool via Getty Images)

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson speaks at the lying in state ceremony on Tuesday. (Saul Loeb/Pool via AFP via Getty Images)

Members of the Carter family pay their respects at the flag-draped casket on Tuesday. (Kent Nishimura/Pool via AP)

See more of our photo features on Yahoo News >>>
Rapidly growing wildfire spreads in Los Angeles area.

The entire community of Pacific Palisades is being told to evacuate now due to a rapidly spreading wildfire in the Los Angeles area.

The Palisades Fire was first reported around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the 1100 block of North Piedra Morada Drive. By 3:30 p.m., the fire had exploded to more than 1,200 acres and was expected to keep growing.

More residents are being told to evacuate due to the Palisades Fire

Cameras across the LA region, especially in West Los Angeles, are capturing many angles of the raging Palisades Fire. NewsNation local affiliate KTLA also has multiple crews in the area covering the fire from the ground, providing a closer look at the flames and the structures they are threatening.

Rapidly spreading palisades fire torches hillsides, threatens homes

More than 100 firefighters and pre-positioned strike teams were battling the blaze, David Ortiz of the LAFD said. This is pretty much the worst possible scenario for a firefight, said Ortiz. Video from Alert California showed a large plume of smoke rising over the Santa Monica Mountains.

Palisades Fire in Los Angeles scorches 1,262 acres, destroys homes

PACIFIC PALISADES, CA  JANUARY 07: The rising Pacific Palisades fire plume is seen through the Sepulveda Pass in Brentwood, CA during high winds in Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles, California on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images) PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA  JANUARY 07: People watch as others drive out of harms way as the Palisades Fire burns amid a powerful windstorm on January 7, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, California. The fast-moving wildfire is threatening homes in the coastal neighborhood amid intense Santa Ana Winds and dry conditions in Southern California. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIF JANUARY 7, 2024 Active flames from the Palisades fire rises over the ridge line. A brush fire in Pacific Palisades quickly consumed more than 200 acres of vegetation on Tuesday, Jan. 7, pushed by gusting Santa Ana winds that were expected to continue for two more days. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIF JANUARY 7, 2024 A firefighting plane makes a drop on the Palisades fire in Pacific Palisades on Tuesday, Jan. 7. The Palisades fire is being pushed by gusting Santa Ana winds that were expected to continue for two more days. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIF JANUARY 7, 2024 A firefighting helicopter makes a drop on the Palisades fire in Pacific Palisades on Tuesday, Jan. 7. The Palisades fire is being pushed by gusting Santa Ana winds that were expected to continue for two more days. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) A brush fire burns near homes in Pacific Palisafes, California on January 7, 2025. A fast-moving brushfire in a Los Angeles suburb burned buildings and sparked evacuations Tuesday as life threatening winds whipped the region. More than 200 acres (80 hectares) was burning in Pacific Palisades, a upscale spot with multi-million dollar homes in the Santa Monica Mountains, shuttering a key highway and blanketing the area with thick smoke. (Photo by David Swanson / AFP) (Photo by DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images) Smoke from a wildfire is seen from the Venice Beach section of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Smoke from a wildfire is seen from the Venice Beach section of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) A lone sunbather sits and watches a large plume of smoke from a wildfire rise over the Pacific Palisades, in Santa Monica, Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel) A woman cries as the Palisades Fire advances in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent) A firefighter battles the advancing Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent) Firefighters battle the advancing Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent) People flee from the advancing Palisades Fire, by car and on foot, in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent) Bike riders make their way along the coast as large dark plume of smoke passes over the beach from a wildfire from Pacific Palisades, from Santa Monica, Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel) Firefighters work to extinguish flames engulfing a home as a brush fire rages in Pacific Palisades, California, on January 7, 2025. A fast-moving brushfire in a Los Angeles suburb burned buildings and sparked evacuations Tuesday as life threatening winds whipped the region. More than 200 acres (80 hectares) was burning in Pacific Palisades, a upscale spot with multi-million dollar homes in the Santa Monica Mountains, shuttering a key highway and blanketing the area with thick smoke. (Photo by David Swanson / AFP) (Photo by DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images)

Pacific Palisades is located about 10 miles from Malibu, where the Franklin Fire burned more than 4,000 acres and burned several homes after erupting during similar windy conditions in December.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
Firefighters scrambled to corral a fast-moving wildfire in the Los Angeles hillsides dotted with celebrity homes as a life-threatening, destructive windstorm hit Southern California, fanning the blaze seen for miles while roads were clogged with cars as residents tried to flee.

Forecasters warned the worst may be yet to come with the windstorm predicted to last for days, producing isolated gusts that could top 100 mph in mountains and foothills.

Already the winds were toppling trees, creating dangerous surf and bringing extreme wildfire risk to areas that havent seen substantial rain in months.

Palisades fire

(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

Aerial view coastal homes destroyed by the Palisades Fire on Thursday.

(Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times)

A firefighter battles a house fire along Pacific Coast Highway as the Palisades fire burns in Malibu on Wednesday.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

A house burns along Pacific Coast Highway as the Palisades fire burns in Malibu on Wednesday.

Houses smolder along PCH as the Palisades Fire burns for a second day in Malibu Wednesday.

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Houses smolder along PCH.

(Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)

ATM machines are burned and melted among the ruins of a bank on Sunset Boulevard.

(Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)

Fire rages inside the United Methodist Community Church in Pacific Palisades.

(Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)

The remains of beachfront homes in Malibu.

(Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)

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Homeless men walk along PCH with downed power poles nearby.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

An L.A. County sheriff's deputy helps a homeless woman evacuate near Pacific Coast Highway and Topanga Canyon Boulevard.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

A firefighter battles a house fire along PCH in Malibu.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

People evacuate near Sunset Boulevard and Palisades Drive.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

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A car is engulfed in flames along Sunset Boulevard.

(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

A firefighting plane makes a drop on a burning home.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

A woman watches the Palisades fire burn behind the Santa Monica Pier.

Eaton fire

(Christina House/Los Angeles Times)

Altadena Community Church burned down by the Eaton Fire in Altadena on Thursday

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

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Firefighters battle an intense apartment blaze on East Pine Street on Wednesday.

(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

Abandoned wheelchairs remained Wednesday night after patients were evacuated from the Two Palms Nursing Center in Altadena.

(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

A car and businesses burn along Lake Avenue in Altadena on Wednesday.

(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

Steve Salinas shields himself from intense heat as he hoses down a neighbor's rooftop in Altadena.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Samuel Girma runs to get another hose as he and others try to protect a home from flames on LaPaz Road in Altadena.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Greg Voorhies douses smoldering vegetation while trying to stop a neighbor's house from igniting in Altadena.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

A man uses a fire extinguisher on a burning home in Altadena.

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Homes are engulfed as firefighters try to keep embers from jumping to nearby homes in Altadena.

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

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Wind gust sends burning embers into the air in Altadena.

Sunset fire

(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)

Firefighters work on the Sunset fire on Vista street on Wednesday.

(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)

A firefighter sprays water on the Sunset fire on Vista street on Wednesday.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Former US President Jimmy Carter died on December 29 at the age of 100.

His casket arrived at the US Capitol for a lying-in-state ceremony on Tuesday.

Politicians, Supreme Court justices, and members of the Carter family were in attendance.

On Tuesday, former US President Jimmy Carter's casket arrived at the US Capitol, where it will lie in state until his state funeral on Thursday.

Carter, who served as president from 1977 to 1981, died on December 29 at the age of 100.

Photos show lawmakers and members of the public paying their respects to the 39th president of the United States.

Ahead of former President Jimmy Carter's state funeral, his casket arrived at the Capitol to allow the American people to pay their respects.

A photo of former President Jimmy Carter at the US Capitol. Nathan Howard/Getty Images

Carter's casket will lie in state at the Capitol until his state funeral at the Washington National Cathedral on Thursday.

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Lawmakers attended a lying-in-state ceremony on Tuesday before the Capitol Rotunda opened to the public.

Former President Jimmy Carter's lying-in-state ceremony at the Capitol. Kent Nishimura/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

President Abraham Lincoln was the first president to lie in state at the Capitol after his assassination in 1865. Carter's casket lay on the catafalque, or raised platform, designed for Lincoln, according to the Architect of the Capitol.

Carter's flag-draped casket was carried into the Capitol by military service members.

Former President Jimmy Carter's casket at the Capitol. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images

The casket was first brought to the US Navy Memorial in a tribute to Carter's Navy service on the first fleet of nuclear submarines, then transported to the Capitol on a horse-drawn carriage.

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Members of the Carter family watched as his casket was placed in the center of the Capitol Rotunda.

Members of the Carter family attended the lying-in-state ceremony for former President Jimmy Carter. Tierney Cross/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

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Carter's four children  Jack Carter, Chip Carter, Jeff Carter, and Amy Carter  were all in attendance at the lying-in-state ceremony.

Lawmakers from opposite sides of the aisle put their differences aside to pay tribute to Carter's legacy.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Majority Leader John Thune at former President Jimmy Carter's lying-in-state ceremony. Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Majority Leader John Thune placed their hands over their hearts as they approached Carter's casket.

Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi greeted Republican Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming while gathered with members of Congress.

Members of Congress and guests at former President Jimmy Carter's lying-in-state ceremony. Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Pelosi, who is recovering from hip replacement surgery, entered the Rotunda using a walker and remained seated for the ceremony.

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Politicians from Carter's home state of Georgia attended the ceremony.

Sen. Jon Ossoff and Sen. Raphael Warnock at former President Jimmy Carter's lying-in-state ceremony. Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Sen. Raphael Warnock and Sen. Jon Ossoff, both Democrats from Georgia, joined other members of Congress at the Capitol.

Supreme Court justices paid their respects.

Supreme Court Justices Brett Kavanaugh, John Roberts, and Elena Kagan at former President Jimmy Carter's lying-in-state ceremony. Tierney Cross/AFP via Getty Images

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Justices Brett Kavanaugh, John Roberts, and Elena Kagan stood quietly by Carter's casket with their heads bowed in respect.

In her speech, Vice President Kamala Harris memorialized Carter as "that all-too-rare example of a gifted man who also walks with humility, modesty, and grace."

Second gentleman Doug Emhoff and Vice President Kamala Harris at former President Jimmy Carter's lying-in-state ceremony. Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

"Throughout his life and career, Jimmy Carter retained a fundamental decency and humility," Harris said in her remarks at the event. "James Earl Carter, Jr., loved our country. He lived his faith, he served the people, and he left the world better than he found it."

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune also delivered eulogies.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson at the lying-in-state ceremony for former President Jimmy Carter. Ricky Carioti/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

"In the face of illness, President Jimmy Carter brought lifesaving medicine," Johnson said. "In the face of conflict, he brokered peace. In the face of discrimination, he reminded us that we are all made in the image of God."

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Crowds formed at the US Capitol Visitor Center as members of the public waited for their turn to enter the Rotunda.

Members of the public waited to view the casket of former President Jimmy Carter at the US Capitol. Nathan Howard/Getty Images

After Carter's state funeral, he will be buried at his home in Plains, Georgia.

Visitors signed a guest book with condolence notes.

A guest book at former President Jimmy Carter's lying-in-state ceremony. Nathan Howard/Getty Images

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Mementos with photos of Carter were also available to visitors.

A military guard of honor remained next to Carter's casket as the American people came to say goodbye to the 39th president.

A military guard of honor stands next to the flag-draped casket of former US President Jimmy Carter. Andrew Harnik/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

"May his life be a lesson for the ages and a beacon for the future," the vice president said of Carter in her speech.

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A wildfire in Los Angeles that tore through the Pacific Palisades community also destroyed a home that once belonged to Oklahoma native Will Rogers.

The Palisades Fire, which destroyed buildings and had burned nearly 5 square miles, was advancing between the beach towns of Santa Monica and Malibu on Wednesday. It was one of several wildfires in Los Angeles County that was described as a "hurricane of fire."

Only the chimneys remain standing at the ranch house built by Will Rogers in Los Angeles. The Palisades Fire ripped through the estate, destroying several structures.

The fires destroyed more than 1,000 homes, businesses and other structures while causing injuries and at least two deaths.

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More: 'Hurricane of fire' driving thousands to flee in California; at least 2 dead: Live updates

Photos shared to Facebook show Rogers' historic ranch house was among the structures destroyed by fire.

Now located on a state park that bears Rogers' name, the estate also included stables, several utilitarian structures and an ocean view. His widow, Betty Rogers, donated the ranch to the state of California 1944 and it later became a state historic park.

Before it was destroyed in the Palisades Fire, the Will Rogers home in Los Angeles was a tourist attraction and historical landmark celebrating the Oklahoma native who died in 1935.

Oklahoma Historical Society Executive Director Trait Thompson also posted about the loss of the historic home.

"We are deeply saddened to learn about the fire that destroyed Will Rogers State Historic Park in Los Angeles, which includes Will Rogers former home and 186 acres of land. This tragedy resonates with the Oklahoma Historical Society because Rogers (citizen of Cherokee Nation) was born in Indian Territory in 1879, and the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore is dedicated to honoring and preserving the legacy of 'Oklahomas Favorite Son,'" Thompson wrote. "Our thoughts are with the Will Rogers State Historic Park staff, who work directly with the Will Rogers Memorial Museum to share the story of Will Rogers and also with Rogers family, who continue to play an active role at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum."

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We are deeply saddened to learn about the fire that destroyed Will Rogers State Historic Park in Los Angeles, which... Posted by Oklahoma Historical Society on Wednesday, January 8, 2025

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Palisades fire in California destroys ranch owned by Will Rogers
Authorities are urging caution on the ice after a pickup truck went into the water on a west-central Minnesota lake Tuesday.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office said nobody was hurt in the incident, which happened on Lake Mary.

"Please wear safety gear, including ice picks and life jackets or float coats, and have a plan in place if you fall through the ice," the sheriff's office wrote.

Minnesotans should also be on the lookout for cattails and other vegetation, which can reduce ice thickness.
Piers Morgan is exiting Rupert Murdochs News Corp media empire after three years to take ownership of his Uncensored YouTube channel.

Deadline first revealed last September that Morgan was unlikely to renew his News Corp deal. Now the former CNN presenter and News Corp have confirmed his departure.

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Morgan has agreed to take control of Uncensored through his Wake Up Productions production outfit in exchange for a four-year revenue-sharing deal with News Corp.

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I have had a great time working back at News and am delighted that we will continue to be partners, Morgan told Sky News. Owning the brand allows my team and I the freedom to focus exclusively on building Uncensored into a standalone business, editorially and commercially, and in time, widening it from just me and my content.

Morgan has 3.6M YouTube subscribers and has engaged Red Seat Ventures, a sales agency that has worked with the likes of Tucker Carlson, to grow the channels ad revenue.

Morgan inked a three-year contract with News Corp in 2021, joining primarily as the face of TalkTV, Murdochs bid to launch a conservative-leaning news network in the UK.

TalkTV was unsuccessful and Morgan announced he would move his show, Piers Morgan Uncensored, solely to YouTube before the network went dark on UK television over the summer.

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Scott Taunton, EVP and President of News Broadcasting, said: This is a new business model which gives Piers flexibility to grow his own business by leveraging his position as a true global opinion former.

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PINE BLUFF, Ark.  With dangerously cold temperatures heading into Arkansas, the City of Pine Bluff is opening a warming center.

The warming center will be stationed at the Opportunity House located at 1305 East 6th Avenue. It will be opened from Tuesday and remain operational from 6:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. until further notice.

A list of warming centers opening in central Arkansas ahead of dropping temperatures

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Mayor Vivian Flowers said the significance of community support is important during harsh weather.

No one in Pine Bluff should endure the dangers of extreme cold weather, Flowers said. This warming center represents our unwavering commitment to ensuring that every resident has a safe place to turn during challenging times.

The warming center will offer a heated, secure indoor space, sleeping accommodations on a first-come, first-served basis and essential amenities.

Pine Bluff officials said there is still a need for help from community organizations, volunteers and faith-based groups. Contributions such as blankets, warm clothing, and non-perishable food items are needed and can be delivered to the Opportunity House.

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City officials are urging Pine Bluff residents to inform those in need of the services being provided during the weather event.

Little Rock shelter takes in homeless as temperatures drop

For more information or to volunteer, contact the Mayors Office at 870-730-2000 or via email at mproctor@cityofpinebluff-ar.gov.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
Venancio Mondlane, the prominent opposition leader of Mozambique, has announced his return from exile, signaling a new stage in the countrys protracted political crisis. Mondlane plans to land in Maputo on Thursday, just days before the newly elected president, Daniel Chapo of the ruling Frelimo party, is scheduled to be sworn into office.

Mondlane has disputed the election results, which awarded Chapo victory by a considerable margin. Protests led by Mondlanes supporters have swept through Mozambique since October, leaving dozens dead. He left the country that same month, citing personal safety concerns after two of his aides were fatally shot. In a social media broadcast, he defiantly informed authorities that there was no need to pursue him any longer, as he fully intends to return to Maputo.

Despite the constitutional court confirming the election outcomeadjusting Chapos initial 71 percent tally to 65 percent while Mondlanes share rose to 24 percentMondlane maintains he rightfully won. He has called for continuous demonstrations until what he terms electoral truth prevails, while also voicing intentions to self-declare as president on January 15, the day of Chapos inauguration.

International observers have noted various irregularities in the voting process, including alleged manipulation of vote counts. The tension has contributed to nationwide instability, forcing many businesses to close and prompting thousands of Mozambicans to flee to neighboring states. Frelimo leaders, including outgoing President Filipe Nyusi, have called for dialogue, but a swift resolution appears uncertain as Mondlanes return looms on the horizon.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  When Hurricane Milton ripped through Palm Harbor, it destroyed 15 screens at Dave Hoffmanns house.

He and his wife hired Steve Bourget rescreening in early December, and he said he was assured the job would be done the next week, but hed have to put down a 50% deposit.

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That worked out to $750, which he paid via check.

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After he paid, he said he just got excuses and now no communication at all.

Whats going on?: Video shows arrest of Tampa Bay doctor on child porn charges

Its been basically a month, Bourget said. He doesnt return any phone calls. His voicemail is filled up so you cant leave any more voicemail.

Hoffman said he just want the job done or his money back.

When I called Bourget, his voicemail box was full, and he had not returned my text messages.

I found the company has an F rating with the Better Business Bureau and Bourget has faced similar complaints in the past.

In fact, he was arrested by the Pasco County Sheriffs office in 2019 and adjudicated guilty of the felony charge in 2022, accused of taking a deposit for a screen enclosure and not doing the work  and not having a license to do the job.

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He was ordered to serve probation of one year and six months.

Hoffmann said he was able to find this information quickly once he started looking.

The Pinellas County Licensing Board tells Consumer Investigator Shannon Behnken that you do not have to have a license to re-screen in Pinellas County, but you would have to have license and a permit to build a screen enclosure.

A representative said Bourget has taken a state exam for a license to build enclosures and is waiting to hear back. The representative also said his felony charge would not automatically disqualify him from obtaining that license.

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Taking money and not doing any work is illegal, and the Hoffmans said they are filing complaints with regulators.

Meanwhile, they said they has learned a lesson.

First of all no more deposits, he said. People are going to do the job, and Ill pay them when they get the job done. I will also do more research as well.

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 WFLA.
Jan. 7Attorneys for a Nashua couple involved in a free speech fight with Gate City officials have filed a motion objecting to a ruling by a federal judge saying the city didn't violate the residents' First Amendment rights when they rejected her application to display right-wing flags outside City Hall this fall.

Nashua residents Beth and Stephen Scaer claim their free speech rights were violated after they applied to fly two different flags, a pro-life flag and a Pine Tree flag  the latter of which has been adopted by the Christian Nationalist movement and insurrectionists  on flagpoles at City Hall Plaza in Nashua. The Scaers claimed the Pine Tree flag commemorated Nashua residents who fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill.

The Scaers filed a lawsuit against the city in U.S. District Court in Concord in September. The lawsuit argues that Nashua's policy violates the First Amendment by imposing viewpoint-based restrictions on speech, creating an unconstitutional prior restraint and being impermissibly vague and overbroad.

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Though city officials have said publicly they haven't violated the Scaers' First Amendment rights  Steven Bolton, city corporation counsel for Nashua, told a Union Leader reporter, "We're 100% in compliance with the law," calling the lawsuit "silly"  Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess repealed the city's 2022 policy related to the flagpoles outside City Hall in a memorandum of law filed in U.S. District Court.

"On October 7, 2024, during the pendency of this action, Mayor Donchess repealed the 2022 Flagpole Policy and any other previous policies related to the flagpoles outside City Hall," court paperwork states.

In place of these policies, Donchess signed a new City Hall flagpole policy stating that: "The flagpoles on city hall grounds shall henceforth be exclusively controlled by city government. The city shall determine what flags will be flown and during what time periods and does not seek input from other sources. The flagpoles are not public fora open to others for expression but are solely for city government to convey messages it chooses."

In a court filing dated Oct. 16, Nathan Ristuccia, an attorney for the Institute for Free Speech representing the Scaers, argued the repeal shows the city "tacitly recognizing" its old policy was unconstitutional.

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"This abrupt change is a transparent attempt to avoid judicial scrutiny, but it cannot moot the Scaers' claim for injunctive relief," Ristuccia writes. "A defendant seeking to escape judgment based on his voluntary cessation 'bears the formidable burden of showing that it is absolutely clear the allegedly wrongful behavior could not reasonably be expected to recur.' Here, defendants repealed their 2022 policy to avoid flying flags they dislike."

On Dec. 16, Magistrate Judge Talesha Saint-Marc issued a report and recommendation to Judge Landya McCafferty urging the court deny the Scaers' request for a preliminary injunction against the city.

In her report, Saint-Marc writes the court must "look at the extent to which (Nashua) actively controlled these flag raisings and shaped the messages the flags sent," saying officials aren't violating anyone's rights by rejecting some flag applications.

"During the time period relevant to the Scaers' claims, Nashua maintained a written flagpole policy with identifiable guidelines of what it wished to communicate through the flags displayed on the Citizen Flag Pole," Saint-Marc writes. "The 2022 Flagpole Policy stated that the 'potential use of a City flag pole is not intended to serve as a forum for free expression by the public."

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Saint-Marc writes Nashua maintained the right to exert "ultimate control over the Citizen Flag Pole" by reserving for itself "the right to deny permission or remove any flag it considered contrary to the city's best interest."

"During the approximately 29-month period when the 2022 Flagpole Policy was in effect, Nashua denied applications for five different flags to fly on the Citizen Flag Pole," Saint-Marc writes. "In short, the Scaers' arguments regarding the flag-raising ceremonies do not alter this court's conclusion that the control factor weighs in favor of Nashua."

In an objection to Saint-Marc's ruling, Ristuccia, the Institute for Free Speech attorney for the Scaers, says his clients object to the finding that the "undisputed facts" that the flags displayed on the Citizen Flag Pole under the 2022 Flagpole Policy were government speech not regulated by the First Amendment.

"The City of Nashua cannot manipulate government speech doctrine into a ruse for subsidizing viewpoints they like and discriminating against those they disfavor," Ristuccia writes. "The city has sought to maintain the Citizen Flagpole as a forum for favored constituents. Once the correct legal standard is applied, it is clear that plaintiffs demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits of their claim and are entitled to a preliminary injunction."

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In a 12-page response to the plaintiff's objections, attorneys for the city of Nashua say the Scaers have "failed to identify any factual or legal determinations of the magistrate judge that should be decided differently."

"The crux of the government speech doctrine is that the government has the right to decide the messages with which it is associated," the city's response states.

Both sides now await a decision by McCafferty on the injunction request.
A view from the Airline Trail following a mountain ridge on the slopes of Mount Adams in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. (Cappi Thompson | New Hampshire Bulletin)

Can the White Mountain National Forest protect old-growth forest and provide a sustainable source of wood? We are a professional forester and environmental scientist who have spent most of our careers in forest conservation. We firmly believe the answer to the question is yes.

Recent controversy over two proposed timber harvests in the White Mountains has landed in court, with a group from Vermont called Standing Trees arguing, among other things, that the proposed harvests will be harmful to forest ecology, recreation, and water quality.

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On the other side, the planned harvests are supported by a diverse coalition of interests, including the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, The Nature Conservancy, New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association, Ruffed Grouse Society, American Woodcock Society, New Hampshire Wildlife Federation, Appalachian Mountain Club, New Hampshire Audubon, Northern Forest Center, Granite State Division of the Society of American Foresters, New Hampshire Fish and Game, and the New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

A recent opinion piece in the New Hampshire Bulletin by a retired U.S. Forest Service employee took issue with the proposed harvests, in particular calling out the Forest Service for failing to protect old-growth and mature forests. As two who have both worked in forestry in New Hampshire and have long been advocates for the protection of true old growth forests, we feel the White Mountain National Forest is doing a good job of protecting these ecological treasures as well as allowing for thousands of acres of mature forests to gradually, over many decades, develop old-growth forest characteristics.

First, some important facts: The White Mountain National Forest comprises 800,000 acres in New Hampshire and Maine. Prior to its creation through the 1911 Weeks Act, the vast majority of those acres had been laid to waste by indiscriminate clearcutting and then forest fires. Since the creation of the forest, within those acres, foresters and biologists have found a few remarkable remnants of the original forests of the region, and those areas, including a 1,600 acre tract that is one of the largest in the Northeast, have been protected from timber harvesting.

Additionally, acts of Congress have designated 148,000 acres of the WMNF as wilderness, where no forest management will occur. Certainly a fair amount of that is stunted high-elevation forest, but a large amount is also at lower elevations where forests are ecologically diverse and provide essential habitat for rare species, ecological research opportunities, water quality protection, and places for people to experience the solitude of wild and remote forests.

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As a result of the forest management plan adopted in 2005, some 60% of the WMNF is set aside from timber management. Of the acres zoned to allow forestry, less than 1% receive active management in any given year. This is testimony to the balance the forest plan for the Whites has achieved, and reminds us that when that plan was written, it was supported unanimously by the major conservation, wildlife, forestry, and recreation groups in New Hampshire, and received no legal challenges from wilderness advocates.

Setting aside all mature stands of timber because they might eventually become old growth is a misunderstanding of our New England forest history. Most of the mature forests we have today were pasture farmland or clearcut 100 to 150 years ago. When the farms were abandoned the trees grew back, but not the same trees that were cut by the settlers.

The original mixed hardwood and hardwood/conifer stands were mostly replaced by fast-growing, sun-loving species (like white pine), not the deep-forest, shade-loving hardwoods of the original forest. Of course there was great variation from place to place depending on soils, slopes, and water, but the forests we have today are largely the legacy of the agricultural past. In the WMNF the forests are a legacy of the slash-and-burn tree cutting of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, followed by patient stewardship practiced with broad public support by the U.S. Forest Service.

Today, many of the forests are mature, meaning the older trees are old enough that they are large, and potentially valuable for forest products we all use. But that maturity does not imply that these forests are all just a short few decades from becoming old growth. Old growth is an ecological condition that includes very old living trees, but also very old dead and decaying trees both standing and on the forest floor. It includes large openings to the sky where large dead trees have fallen and their progeny can re-grow. It has very complex and highly diverse soil ecology that only develops over centuries, not decades.

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Finally, it should be noted that none of the land slated for timber harvesting in the contested areas is old growth and very little, if any, is mature timber that could develop old-growth characteristics in our lifetimes. These harvests represent the Forest Services charge to manage the forest for multiple uses, including recreation, watershed protection, scenic values, economic forestry, and the protection of important ecological values.

If the plan didnt do this, all the above organizations and agencies would not be in support of the harvest.
Jan. 7Citizens of Platte County, Missouri, can rest easier knowing that the Sheriff's Office has three new deputies as of Tuesday afternoon.

The Platte County Sheriff's Office shared the news of its three new deputies through social media on Tuesday afternoon.

The Office wrote, "Today, January 7, 2025, the Platte County Missouri Sheriff's Office swore in 3 new deputies  Dep. Stephen Mendoza, Dep. Cole Mazer and Dep. Chelsea Smith. Please join us as we welcome and congratulate them."

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Sheriff Erik Holland, attended the swearing in ceremony and welcomed the new deputies into his Department.

This is one of a few official acts as Sheriff of Platte County that Holland has completed in the last few days after taking over for former Sheriff Mark S. Owen.

Holland was elected during the Nov. 5 general election to replace former Sheriff Mark S. Owen, who officially retired on Monday, Dec. 30.

For more information about the Platte County Sheriff's Office visit its website plattesheriff.org.
A Plattsburgh man arrested this week on second-degree murder charges pleaded not guilty Wednesday as police continue to search for the victims body.

A complaint filed with the court alleges Timothy Timmons killed Jahfari J. Joseph, 40, of Plattsburgh on the night of December 29, 2024. Police were investigating Josephs disappearance when, on Tuesday, New York State troopers, Plattsburgh police and Clinton County Sheriffs deputies converged on a home at 646 Fuller Road in Peru.

The area was marked off by crime-scene tape, and police investigating Josephs disappearance say they executed multiple search warrants. After processing the scene and conducting interviews, police say they had gathered enough evidence to arrest Timmons.

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Police say that evidence shows that Timmons shot Joseph to death, although they have not yet recovered a body, Clinton County Prosecutor Andrew Wylie said.

Timmons is being held without bail at Clinton County Jail.

This is a developing story and will be updated when more information is available.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44.
UTAH COUNTY, Utah (ABC4)  Nicholas Rossi, the man who was extradited from Scotland to Utah to face 2008 rape allegations, will be in court later this year after Utah County lawyers confirmed Tuesday that plea deal discussions are permanently off the table.

Rossi, whose legal name is Nicholas Alahverdian, is accused of faking his death to escape rape charges in Salt Lake County and Utah County.

In October, attorneys on the Utah County case said they were close on a possible resolution, suggesting that plea deal discussions were underway.

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On Tuesday, Jan. 7, Judge Derek Pullan followed up on the discussions. Rossis defense attorney, Daniel Diaz, responded by saying they unfortunately havent been fruitful and confirming that the case will go to trial.

State Prosecutor Stephen Jones added that the state withdrew its plea offer with the understanding it will not be offered again.

Rossi will appear in court in March to discuss witnesses ahead of the September trial. The trial is set to begin on Sept. 15 and tentatively end on Oct. 3, but the duration of the trial is still up in the air pending the March meeting. Rossis Salt Lake County trial is scheduled for April 22.

Rossi was accused of faking his death to escape charges after he allegedly told a media outlet he had late-stage cancer and his obituary was later published online, according to the Associated Press.

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In addition to the Utah charges, Rossi also faces charges related to sexual assault, harassment, and possible kidnapping in Rhode Island, Ohio and Massachusetts.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
My view of the future is notoriously fuzzy. After all, I once confidently predicted that plastic nano lenses would replace glass in our rifle scopes and binoculars. So take this roster of 2025 predictions, which I make in the latest episode of the Outdoor Life Podcast, with a grain of salt and skepticism.

Some of these prognostications are finely detailed; others are broadly thematic. But they contain the stories and topics that well be talking about through the next year.

The Public-Land Transfer Movement Will Fail

This is going to turn some crazy corners, but ultimately will fizzle out. For background, this is an old idea thats become new again thanks to Utahs politicians who maintain that the federal government never intended to own and manage large tracts of land. Transfer proponents want millions of acres of federal land to be turned over to state management. If that idea came to fruition, youd see whole National Forests and BLM districts turned over to state agencies.

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I predict this is going to fail, mainly because its a bad idea that wont result in better management but rather in chaos that will benefit industry and land developers, not hunters and anglers. I predict that Western stockgrowers, who lean heavily Republican, will be part of quashing this, once they learn that their BLM grazing leases would cost 500 to 1,000 percent more under state management, forcing them into bankruptcy. The heart of this movement is a strategy by states  with Utah first among them  to get some concessions from the feds, including a carve-out that Wyoming alone currently enjoys: no new national monuments. Ultimately, after a lot of angst and controversy, I predict that some Western states will get this concession in return for dropping the nonsense of federal-land transfer.

CWD Will Spread to Oregon and Arizona

Chronic wasting disease continues to spread to new states and counties. Illustration by the USGS

This isnt a wild guess. I predict the spread of CWD will hit the next gear in 2025, not only spreading to states like Arizona and Oregon, but also deeper into the Southeast, where it will disrupt the rich hunting traditions in Georgia and South Carolina. Im not ready to predict the first verified transfer of deer-borne CWD to humans, but I think we have to expect that to happen at some point.

More broadly, I predict that wildlife diseases  Im talking pneumonia in wild sheep, lungworm in moose, a strange new eyeworm found in grouse and partridge, not to mention avian flu  will get a lot more attention from state agencies. These diseases will also start to affect hunters willingness to eat wild game and serve it to our friends and families. Growing awareness of the intersection between wildlife diseases and human health is going to fuel a lot more interest in detecting novel diseases and will accelerate whats called the One Health movement. Thats a growing awareness that landscape health, wildlife health, and human health are all interconnected and interdependent. Its easy to make fun of this as some liberal big-government silliness, but its an old idea that farmers and rural people have known and practiced for centuries.

Read Next: Chronic Wasting Disease Still Confounds Researchers. But Some Important New Clues Have Emerged

Well See the Creation of a National Hunting Coalition

On the heels of the defeat of I-127 in Colorado in November, I predict youre going to see the rise in a national hunter rights coalition  think of the NRA for hunters. There have been relatively successful individual groups  Safari Club and Sportsmens Alliance  but a lot of other organizations have spun up Political Action Committees in recent years, including Boone and Crockett Club and RMEF. I think theres going to be a rising realization that hunting, angling, and conservation is one of the few bipartisan issues we have left and I think youre going to see a group form that combines members, funding, and energy from lots of different individual groups. This movement will be able to mobilize at the state and national levels to defeat anti-hunting initiatives, which are growing in sophistication, funding, and organization.

Well See More Critter Groups

While were on the topic of organizational growth and effectiveness, I predict youre going to see more species-specific conservation groups emerge in 2025. Late in 24 we saw the Mule Deer Foundation spin up the Blacktail Deer Foundation. Look for a Pronghorn Antelope Foundation, maybe a Prairie Grouse Society, and Black Bears Forever. The Panfish Alliance? Tree-Squirrels Unlimited?

Wolves and Grizzly Bears Will Be Delisted

I predict youre going to see the Trump administration delist grizzly bears and Great Lakes populations of wolves pretty quickly in 2025. Its a little unfortunate that these two species and conservation strategies are linked. Wolves are a no-brainer  they met all requirements for delisting years ago and are going to be just fine under state management. Griz, however, are a little different. This is largely because while theyre thriving in some of their core habitats, theres relatively little connectivity between, say Yellowstone Plateau and the Bob Marshall Wilderness, or the Bob and the Bitterroot, or the Yellowstone and the southern Continental Divide. You hear a lot about the slow reproductive capacity of grizzlies. What you hear less is that were one or two mega-fires away from losing big chunks of their core habitat, and their ability to move between ecosystems is going to be important to their long-term survival.

Technology (and Our Discontent With It) Will Force Uncomfortable Choices

Its hardly predictive that the interest in thermals and wirelessly connected electro-optics is intensifying. But so is the push-back on this sort of disruptive technology. I predict both these forces are coming to a head in 2025. Idahos HATS  Hunting and Advanced Technology Working Group  is considering the intersection between technology and hunter effectiveness. The potential problem is that were becoming a lot more lethal hunters thanks to laser rangefinders, smart scopes, and long-range rifles and bows. Now add widespread adoption of thermals and devices that allow us to see into the night. Boone and Crockett Club is looking at how technology affects fair-chase ethics, and I predict agencies will start to restrict certain tech, or maybe create seasons and opportunities both for those with the latest tech, and those without it.

Well See Accelerated Industry Consolidation

The hunting and shooting industry is ripe for consolidation of both smaller and larger brands under umbrella holding companies. We saw some interesting mergers of brands on the hunting and shooting side in 2024 thats similar to the consolidation that defined the fishing industry a decade ago. I dont think this consolidation is going to slow down given the intense effort and cost to get products to consumers. This makes building efficiencies and economies of scale natural, and there are so many brands  think smaller gun companies, optics brands, outdoor clothing start-ups  that are starved for attention and investment.

The Trump Tariffs Will Be Good For Domestic Sporting Goods

Whether incoming President Trump will actually impose sweeping tariffs on products from overseas, tariffs on many sporting goods sourced overseas could be very good for home-grown brands that are made by Americans, and used on American soil and waters. I predict a rise in these small, hyper-regional, and extremely authentic brands that harness social media to find their audience and customers. The downside? Expect to pay dearly for these homegrown products.

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By Andrius Sytas

VILNIUS (Reuters) - The Baltic states are working with Poland to secure the energy infrastructure they need as they decouple their power grids from Russia, Lithuania's energy minister told Reuters, following damage to undersea cables in the region.

Baltic and Polish state-run power grid operators are working on an agreement to ensure the smooth running of the decoupled system, and how to fix it if needed, Zygimantas Vaiciunas said in an interview on Tuesday.

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"The goal is to have a common list, and agree on what measures need to be taken, and agree on sources of financing them. And to implement it as fast as possible," he said.

Polish grid operator PSE separately told Reuters that talks were underway with the Baltic states - Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia - on joint projects to strengthen the protection of infrastructure in the region, and on obtaining European Union support for them.

The Estlink 2 power cable between Estonia and Finland was damaged on Dec. 25, in the latest disruption to infrastructure in the region since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Russia denies involvement.

Finland on Dec. 27 seized an oil tanker carrying Russian oil which it said dragged an anchor through the seabed.

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Lithuania in response is tasking elite police to secure its power link with Poland, which is intended to keep power in Baltic states running in sync with continental Europe, and its largest gas-fired power plant, both vital for the decoupling, said Vaiciunas.

"This (Estlink 2 damage) had a direct impact" on the decision to deploy police resources, Vaiciunas said. "We used to think that private security is enough, but now we see full governments attention to security is needed," he added.

Lithuania is working to increase monitoring of its NordBalt power link with Sweden, including to ensure that the cause of any damage is quickly identified, the minister said.

The power grids of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, members of both the European Union and NATO, are run in a common grid with Russia and Belarus, a holdover from the times when the countries were run from Moscow.

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The Baltic states expect to decouple on Feb. 8, taking over the responsibility for running their own grid after years of upgrades that were supported by 1.6 billion euros ($1.7 billion) of European funding.

Poland's PSE also said it was working closely with its Ukrainian counterpart to ensure the security of the link connecting Rzeszow in Poland with the Khmelnytsky nuclear power station in Ukraine.

($1 = 0.9712 euros)

(Additional reporting by Marek Strzelecki in Warsaw. Editing by Mark Potter)
Warsaw officially closed the Consulate General of Poland in Russia's St Petersburg on Wednesday, 8 January, with the ceremony attended by Polish and foreign diplomats, along with members of the Polish diaspora.

Source: European Pravda, citing Poland's Foreign Ministry; Polish news portal RMF24, citing a comment from Krzysztof Krajewski, Poland's Ambassador to Russia

Details: Krajewski noted that the official ceremony had taken place without any violations or incidents.

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Quote: "The ceremony was conducted with dignity, featuring the removal of the Polish and European Union flags and the traditional unscrewing of the information plaque, which was respectfully handed over to me by the consul general," Krajewski told RMF24.

Thus, after 53 years of leasing the building, Poland handed it to the Russian municipal authorities.

The ambassador stated that the property of the consulate general had been transported to Poland, the embassy in Moscow, and partially donated to charity and churches.

Krajewski voiced his hope that Poland's consulate in St. Petersburg will reopen if ties between Poland and Russia improve.

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Background:

In October, Poland announced the closure of the Russian consulate in Poznan, citing Russia's hybrid warfare and sabotage efforts on Polish territory. The consulate's diplomats and staff vacated the building by late November.

On 5 December, Russia announced the closure of Poland's Consulate General in St Petersburg in response to the shutdown of its consulate in Poznan.

Reports also suggested that the Consulate General of Slovakia in St Petersburg would cease operations on 31 December 2024.

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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

During IVF treatment, doctors use ultrasound scans to monitor the size of folliclessmall sacs in the ovaries containing eggsto decide when to give a hormone injection known as the "trigger" to prepare the eggs for collection and ensure that they are ready to be fertilized with sperm to create embryos.

The timing of the trigger is a key decision, as it works less effectively if the follicles are too small or too large at the time of administration. After the eggs are collected and fertilized by sperm, an embryo is then selected and implanted into the womb to hopefully lead to pregnancy.

Researchers used "Explainable AI" techniquesa type of AI that allows humans to understand how it worksto analyze retrospective data on more than 19,000 patients who had completed IVF treatment. They explored which follicle sizes were associated with improved rates of retrieving mature eggs to result in babies being born.

They found that delivering the hormone injection when a greater proportion of follicles were sized between 1318mm was linked to higher rates of mature eggs being retrieved and improved rates of babies being born.

Currently, clinicians use ultrasound scans to measure the size of the lead (largest) follicles and generally give the trigger injection when a threshold of either two or three lead follicles greater than 17 or 18mm has been reached.

Their findings suggest that maximizing the proportion of intermediately-sized follicles could optimize the number of mature eggs retrieved and improve the rates of babies being born.

The team believe that the findings from the study highlight the potential of AI to aid in the personalization of IVF treatment to improve clinical outcomes for patients and maximize their chance of taking home a baby. The team plan to create an AI tool that will utilize findings from their research to personalize IVF treatment and support clinicians' decision making at each step of the IVF process. They will apply for funding to take this tool into clinical trials.

The research, published in Nature Communications, is led by researchers at Imperial College London, University of Glasgow, University of St Andrews, and clinicians at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

Dr. Ali Abbara, NIHR Clinician Scientist at Imperial College London and Consultant in Reproductive Endocrinology at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, and co-senior author of the study said, "IVF provides help and hope for many patients who are unable to conceive, but it's an invasive, expensive, and time-consuming treatment. It can be heartbreaking when it fails, so it's important to ensure that this treatment is as effective as possible.

"AI can offer a new paradigm in how we deliver IVF treatment and could lead to better outcomes for patients.

"IVF produces so much rich data that it can be challenging for doctors to fully make use of all of it when making treatment decisions for their patients. Our study has shown that AI methods are well suited to analyzing complex IVF data.

"In the future, AI could be used to provide accurate recommendations to improve decision-making and aid in personalization of treatment, so that we can give each couple the very best possible chance of having a baby."

Professor Waljit Dhillo, an NIHR Senior Investigator from the Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction at Imperial College London, Consultant Endocrinologist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and co-senior author of the study, added, "Our findings could pave the way for a new approach to maximize the success of IVF treatment, leading to more pregnancies and births.

"Our study is the first to analyze a large dataset to show that AI can identify the specific follicle sizes that are most likely to yield mature eggs more precisely than current methods.

"This is an exciting development as the findings suggest that we can use information from a much wider set of follicle sizes to decide when to give patients trigger shots rather than just the size of only the largest follicleswhich is what is used in current clinical practice."

Dr. Thomas Heinis, co-senior author from the Department of Computing at Imperial College London, added, "Explainable AI can be a valuable resource in health care. Where the stakes are so high for making the best possible decision, this technique can support doctors' decision-making and lead to better outcomes for patients. Importantly, we expect computing power to improve exponentially in the near future, enabling us to make decisions using precise data in a way that hasn't been possible previously."

One in six couples experience infertility and IVF has emerged as a valuable intervention to help patients conceive.

Trigger injection

A key decision in IVF treatment is when to use the "trigger" shot of hormones, such as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), to mature eggs for collection. The timing of the trigger shot impacts on the number of mature eggs retrieved and the success of treatment.

Clinicians use ultrasound scans to measure the size of the lead (largest) follicles. They will generally give the trigger shot when a threshold of either two or three lead follicles greater than 17 or 18mm in diameter has been reached. However, this method lacks precision and does not take into consideration the size of each individual follicle and the likelihood of each follicle yielding a mature egg.

Follicle sizes

In the retrospective study, the team used AI techniques on data from 19,082 patients aged between 1849 years of age who had treatment in one of 11 clinics across the UKincluding IVF clinics at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trustand two in Poland between 20052023. They examined individual follicle sizes on the days prior to and on the day of trigger administration.

The researchers found that intermediately-sized follicles of 1318mm were associated with more mature eggs subsequently being retrieved. The data suggested that having a greater number of follicles within this range on the day of trigger was associated with better clinical outcomes.

They also found that stimulating the ovaries for too long, such that there was a greater number of larger follicles (more than 18mm) on the day of trigger administration, could lead to a premature elevation of the hormone progesterone.

This can have a negative impact on IVF outcomes by affecting the proper development of the endometriumthe tissue that lines the uterus and is important for an embryo implanting to result in pregnancy. This reduces the chances of an embryo implanting and subsequently leading to a live birth.

These AI-derived insights can help the team develop evidence-based IVF protocols guided by data that should improve the efficiency of treatment.

More information: Simon Hanassab et al, Explainable artificial intelligence to identify follicles that optimize clinical outcomes during assisted conception, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-55301-y Journal information: Nature Communications
WARSAW, Poland (AP)  The head of Poland's parliament said Wednesday that the country's presidential election will be held on May 18, with a runoff on June 1 if needed.

The election will decide whether the pro-European Union Cabinet of Prime Minister Donald Tusk will gain an ally in the presidential palace at a challenging time for Poland and for Europe, with a full-scale war in neighbouring Ukraine.

The incumbent right-wing President Andrzej Duda is at odds with the government, blocking legislation and making strongly critical comments. In the latest spat, Duda chose skiing over attending a concert gala marking the launch of Poland's rotating presidency in the EU.

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Duda is to leave office in August, ending his second five-year term. He cannot seek another term, according to Polands constitution.

Szymon Holownia, the powerful speaker of the lower house of parliament, or Sejm, has declared he will run for president as head of Poland 2050, a party within the ruling coalition.

He said he was announcing the election date early in the political calendar to allow ample time for procedures and campaigning, which can officially begin from Jan. 15.

The powers of the president are limited in Poland, where the government decides on domestic and international policy. The president is the supreme commander of the armed forces, cooperating with the government. He can propose legislation and veto new laws and also has a say on Poland's foreign relations.

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The chief governing party, the Civic Coalition, has chosen Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski as its candidate for president. Tusk, the party's leader and former head of the European Union, has chosen to stay in his government seat.

The right-wing opposition party, Law and Justice, backs historian Karol Nawrocki in the election. Nawrocki, now head of a national history institute, IPN, has been a controversial figure. Recent media reports allege Nawrocki had ties to hard-right groups and acquaintances in criminal circles. Nawrocki denies the allegations.

Law and Justice was ousted in the 2023 general election after eight years of turbulent, euro-sceptic rule. Duda hailed from the party and was largely its ally.

A far-right leader, Slawomir Mentzen, is running in the election for the Konfederacja (Confederation) party.
Poles will elect a new president on May 18, parliament speaker Szymon Holownia announced on Wednesday.

The current head of state, Andrzej Duda, cannot run again after serving two terms under the backing of the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party.

Rafal Trzaskowski, the 52-year-old mayor of Warsaw, is a leading candidate to succeed Duda. He is representing the liberal-conservative coalition led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

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Trzaskowski, who has been mayor since 2018, achieved a strong result in the 2020 presidential election, narrowly losing to Duda in the run-off.

Trzaskowski is an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and has banned crucifixes in Warsaw's public offices, making him popular among younger and progressive voters.

However, he remains a polarizing figure for Catholic-conservative voters.

PiS, the largest opposition party after losing power to Tusk's coalition in 2023, is backing historian and political outsider Karol Nawrocki.

The 41-year-old has led the Institute of National Remembrance since 2021, focusing on analysing files from the Communist era. Nawrocki has never previously held or applied for public office.

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According to Polish media reports, PiS chairman Jarosaw Kaczynski views Nawrocki's lack of political experience as beneficial.

Kaczynski hopes to replicate the success of 2014 when he nominated the then largely unknown European Parliament member Duda as the party's presidential candidate.

To win election, a candidate must secure over 50% of the vote in the first round on May 18. If no candidate achieves this, a run-off will be held on June 1.

In Poland, the presidential term lasts five years. The president represents the country internationally, can veto laws, appoints the prime minister and Cabinet, and serves as commander-in-chief in wartime.
A star steps up.

Actor Steve Guttenberg is helping fire crews as they battle a raging brush fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Known for his roles in movies like Police Academy, It Takes Two and Three Men and a Baby, Guttenberg, 66, was caught by local news station KTLA 5 on Tuesday as he was out moving cars to make room for fire trucks to drive into the endangered community.

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Guttenberg spotted newsman Gene Kang as he reported live on KTLAs noon broadcast and interjected to share an important announcement.

It Takes Two actor Steve Guttenberg is helping fire crews battle the Pacific Palisades fire. KTLA

Steve Guttenberg is helping move cars so emergency vehicles can get to areas threatened by wildfires in LA. KTLA

If anybody has a car and they leave the car, leave the keys in the car so that we can move your car so that these firetrucks can get to Palisades Drive, he implored.

Whats happening is people take their keys with them as if theyre in a parking lot. This is not a parking lot.

He continued, We really need people to move their cars. So if you leave your car behind, leave the key in there so a guy like me can move your car so that these fire trucks can get up there.

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Its really, really important, he told Kang, who didnt recognize him at first.

Guttenberg happened upon a local news reporter from KTLA. KTLA

The actor urged people to leave their keys with their cars if they were parking their car on the main road into the hills being hit by fires. KTLA

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Guttenberg, who lives in the area, also shared that he has friends who are under an evacuation order yet are unable to leave because of the traffic jam on Palisades Drive.

There are people stuck up there. So were trying to clear Palisades Drive and Im walking up there as far as I can moving cars, he said as he pointed to the hill behind him.

Visibly emotional, he added, There are families up there, there are pets up there. There are people who really need help.

Guttenberg, left, is known for his work in the Police Academy franchise. Warner Bros/courtesy Everett Collection / Everett Collection

THREE MEN AND A LITTLE LADY, Tom Selleck, Steve Guttenberg, Robin Weisman, Ted Danson. Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

The brush fire threatening the Pacific Palisades was first reported around 10:30 a.m. PT on Tuesday after dangerous winds began sweeping through Los Angeles.

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We got huge winds right now. Its really important for people to help each other, Guttenberg said amid clouds of smoke and the flashing lights of emergency vehicles.

Its really important for everybody to band together.

Flames rise as the Palisades Fire advances on homes in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. ( AP

The fast-moving wildfire is threatening homes in the coastal neighborhood amid intense Santa Ana Winds and dry conditions in Southern California. Getty Images

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The star also urged people to not worry about their personal property.

Just get out, he begged as burning debris poured down around him. Get your loved ones and get out.

As of 3:30 p.m. PT, the Palisades fire has burned 1,262 acres and several homes and has zero containment, according to CalFire.

A man walks down a street as flames from the Palisades Fire burn a home on January 7, 2025 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Getty Images

A firefighter sprays water as flames from the Palisades Fire burn a home on January 7, 2025 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Getty Images

A red flag warning from the National Weather Service was issued Monday and is in effect until Wednesday for much of Southern California.

Local officials have told all Pacific Palisades residents to evacuate now.

Parts of Malibu are also under an evacuation order.

Actor James Woods is among the evacuees.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The Tillamook Police Department has received several unconfirmed reports of a cougar sighting in a residential area between 12th Street and Hawthorn Lane.

The department has not received any direct 911 calls about the sightings and no cougars have been photographed in the area. The Tillamook Police Department is working with Oregon State Police and the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife to address the sightings.

Final round of king tides coming to the Oregon coast this weekend

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While the information hasnt been confirmed, in the spirit of safety, we are still going to make the community aware of this information, the Tillamook Police Department said.  If you see something, please take a photo and say something.

Police have provided the following safety tips for preventing a cougar encounter:

 Stay alert, especially at dusk and dawn.

 Keep dogs on a leash.

 Dont feed wildlife. Prey attracts predators.

 Shelter pets and livestock indoors. If you encounter a cougar:

 Stay calm and maintain eye contact.

 Dont run, back away while facing the cougar.

 Raise your arms to appear large.

 Pick up small children, but do so without bending down or turning your back on the cougar.

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 Make noise: raise your voice and speak firmly, yell and clap your hands.

 Fight back aggressively if attacked.

Just glimpsing a cougar is not cause for alarm, especially if the cougar leaves the area, Tillamook PD said. Cougars will often retreat if given the opportunity so if you do encounter one, give it a way to escape.

Oregon firefighters answer call to help fight southern California wildfires

Cougars are considered public safety risks if they attack pets or are repeatedly seen during the daytime in areas frequented by people. When these kinds of sightings happen, call 911. Police ask that anyone involved in a face-to-face encounter with a cougar call local law enforcement and the ODFW Tillamook office at (503) 842-2741.

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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 KOIN.com.
The Massachusetts State Police were called to Bostons Logan International Airport Tuesday evening after a JetBlue passenger opened an aircraft door, deploying the emergency slide, the police and airline told CNN.

At around 7:30 p.m., authorities responded to JetBlue flight 161 after a passenger who wanted to deplane opened an aircraft door suddenly and without warning, police said in a statement.

Other passengers quickly restrained the individual until troopers arrived to detain them for further questioning. The arrested passenger is expected to face charges and will be arraigned in East Boston District Court on Wednesday morning, police said.

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A customer, for unknown reasons, opened an overwing exit while the aircraft was taxiing at Logan, causing the deployment of an emergency slide, JetBlue told CNN, deferring any further inquiries to law enforcement officials. The individual remained on board the aircraft while police were summoned to the scene.

The incident comes hours after two people were found dead in the wheel well of a JetBlue plane at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport after it had completed a flight from New York, adding to a troubling string of recent stowaway cases raising concerns about airline security. A body was also recently discovered in the wheel well of a United Airlines plane that flew from Chicago to Maui on Christmas Eve.

The identity of the person on the Boston flight has not been released pending the finalization of charges. Preliminary information suggests this was an isolated incident and there is no belief it poses a threat to public safety, authorities said.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
A Detroit man is facing a slew of charges after Macomb County authorities accused him of shooting his ex-girlfriend's boyfriend in Eastpointe, then firing at Eastpointe police officers outside his home in Detroit when they were investigating the earlier shooting.

Authorities said the man disguised himself as a woman when the Eastpointe shooting occurred Friday outside of the victim's vehicle in the 15000 block of 9 Mile Road.

Shawn Davidson, 53, is being held in the Macomb County Jail on a $2 million bond after the county prosecutor's office charged him with 18 offenses in the two shootings, including assault with intent to murder, felony firearm offenses, discharge of a firearm in a building, tampering with evidence in a criminal case, carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent and carrying a concealed weapon.

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Also read: Suspected human remains found in Detroit's northwest side, police say

John Gerlach, an attorney who represented Davidson at the arraignment, told the Free Press on Tuesday that "my client's innocent and remains innocent throughout this entire process," adding Davidson is "cloaked with the presumption of innocence until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt."

The prosecutor's office stated in a news release that Davidson drove to the victim's apartment, waited for the victim to come home and shot him in the chest outside of his vehicle. Authorities stated the victim was taken to a local hospital and was expected to make a full recovery.

Eastpointe police said the suspect approached the victim wearing a wig, pink tight pants, a pink shirt and a black jacket and "it was obvious that the suspect tried to disguise himself as a woman." It stated the suspect talked with the victim for a short period of time, pulled out a handgun and shot the victim in the chest before running away.

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Dawn Fraylick, communications director for the prosecutor's office, said the suspect and ex-girlfriend were in a long-term relationship and the ex-girlfriend started dating the victim recently.

The second shooting occurred when Eastpointe police executed a search warrant at Davidson's residence in the 17000 block of Albion Avenue in northeast Detroit. While five officers were at the front door, the prosecutor's office stated, Davidson shot through the door at the officers. The bullet missed.

Officers did not fire back because they did not have a clear view of the suspect, according to the news release. It stated officers negotiated with him to surrender.

Davidson was arraigned Monday in 38th District Court in Eastpointe, where he stood mute and a plea of not guilty was entered by the court, according to online records.

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A magistrate ordered that Davidson not leave the state; have no drugs, alcohol, weapons or firearms, and have no contact with the victim if he posts bond. Davidson also is to wear a steel cuff GPS tether with home confinement if he is released on bond, according to the prosecutor's office release.

A probable cause conference is set for Jan. 15. A preliminary exam is scheduled for Jan. 22.

Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @challreporter.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to the Free Press.

Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Man disguised as woman shot ex's boyfriend, Eastpointe police say
Jan. 7An Espanola man is charged with murder in the death of his mother in a mobile home where they both lived.

Police wrote in charging documents Steven Dobberowsky, 60, admitted to killing his 79-year-old mother, Susan Coatney-Larkin, but officers did not disclose details about the cause of her death.

Espanola police were dispatched to Dobberowsky's mobile home at Cook's Mobile Home Park on Monday night in response to a report of a possible overdose. When they arrived at the residence, they found Dobberowsky lying on a bed in the living room, and he told them he had killed his mother, officers said in a criminal complaint.

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Coatney-Larkin was found deceased under a pile of clothes and blankets just feet away her son, according to the complaint.

Police wrote Dobberowsky told officers he had "blacked out" and did not remember what happened.

In an interview with an Espanola police detective afterward, Dobberowsky said he had been caring for his mother  who suffers from Alzheimer's disease  for about five years, and in the past six months she had grown more "mean" toward him, the complaint states. When he was trying to help her, he said, according to the complaint, she kicked him in the genitals and he "snapped" and "freaked out."

Officers wrote Dobberowsky's knuckles were red and that he had "cuts and scrapes" on his forearms, but he told them he did not remember hitting her.

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Dobberowsky told officers he had taken "a bunch of" Tylenol and drank vodka after killing her, in an apparent suicide attempt, police said in the complaint.

"He didn't want anyone to hate him for something he did on accident," the detective wrote. "He stated he didn't mean to do that."

Espanola police Chief Mizel Garcia said investigators are awaiting a report from the state Office of the Medical Investigator to determine the circumstances of Coatney-Larkin's death.

Still, he said, it was clearly a homicide.

"There is other evidence that we're following up on," he said. "There were some overt signs [of trauma], but we don't know exactly how she received those injuries."

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Garcia said Coatney-Larkin appeared to have been killed 24 to 48 hours before officers arrived at the residence around 9 p.m. Monday.

Espanola police have not had any prior interactions with Dobberowsky or his mother, Garcia added.

Dobberowsky doesn't appear to have a recent criminal history in New Mexico, according to a search of the state court records database. He was convicted of a drug dealing charge in 1987.
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO)  Winnebago County Sheriffs Deputies arrested Marquan Glover, 27, for allegedly fleeing from a patrol vehicle during a traffic stop.

On Dec. 29, 2024, officials saw a silver Chrysler 300 on Wisconsin Road that had fled from multiple traffic stops. The sedan stopped on Harrison Avenue for a traffic stop but started to drive away, according to court records.

Authorities said the car was traveling at about 70 mph in a 45 mph zone. During the chase, Glover crashed into a Honda sedan trying to merge, according to court records.

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The suspect continued to flee authorities after the collision, deputies reported. Officials stopped the pursuit as the Chrysler approached Mulford Road.

Officials then went back to the crash. The victim was not injured and her car was damaged but still able to drive.

Glovers drivers license was currently expired and he had a warrant out for his arrest for domestic battery, according to court documents.

The suspect was eventually taken into custody on Jan. 6.

Glover is charged with aggravated fleeing deputies going 21 mph over the limit, aggravated fleeing causing property damage, leaving the scene, improper traffic lane usage, driving with an expired registration and driving without a license.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO)  Police are searching for 27-year-old Damajae McKenzie, an Indiana murder suspect now wanted in connection with a shooting that took place on Rome Avenue in Rockford on Wednesday morning.

At 5:30 a.m., authorities said shots rang out in the 600 block of Rome Avenue, near Rural Street.

Police said a 38-year-old male victim was found at the scene and rushed to a local hospital. He is expected to survive, authorities said.

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McKenzie was identified as the suspect.

Police learned McKenzie, a Rockford resident, is wanted on a homicide warrant for a crime in Lake County, Indiana.

Rockford Police shut down a swath of Rural Street on Wednesday morning, closing access from Prospect to Fairview.

Neighbors said police were stopping cars leaving the perimeter.

McKenzie is facing charges of Aggravated Battery and Aggravated Domestic Battery and is currently not in custody.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Rockford Police at 815-966-2900 or by leaving an anonymous tip with Rockford Area Crime Stoppers at 815-963-7867 or via the Tip 411 app.

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The shooting is the second in two days: on Tuesday, a man was shot across town in the 600 block of Ranger Street, at the Orton Keyes apartment complex. The victim in that incident suffered minor injuries, police said.

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 MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.
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

Policymakers who want the broadest public support for their social support programs should consider a trade-off between lower enrollment and increasing program integrity, according to a researcher with the Texas A&M University School of Public Health.

That's because a major survey found that adults in the United States want to ensure the integrity of taxpayer-funded safety nets such as Medicare, Social Security and unemployment insurance while also ensuring access to these programs by those who need them.

"The balance here concerns the issue of administrative burdenthe cost in terms of time and effort that it takes someone to learn about, enroll in and use these programswhich can be significant," said Simon Haeder, Ph.D., with the Department of Health Policy & Management.

Haeder and a colleague at Utah Valley University conducted the study, which was published in the Policy Studies Journal.

Overseeing social benefit programs is one of the major functions of modern governments, but enrollment is rarely automatic. Many programs require applicants to take additional steps, such as interviewing or providing government documents to verify their identity. These tasks to access benefits can be time-consuming and challenging.

Once enrolled, participants often face obstacles such as ongoing documentation requirements and the need to keep contact and income information updated.

These obstacles, according to Haeder, are more than mere nuisances. They create hurdles that prevent some people from enrolling or cause others to drop out, often affecting those with the greatest need. In addition, evidence suggests that administrative burdens can be used to reduce access to services and circumvent transparency requirements while avoiding public scrutiny.

On the other hand, Haeder said administrative burdens also ensure a program's integrity by weeding out unqualified participants, which increases program support.

Although research on administrative burdens has grown in recent years, Haeder said that prior to this study, little was known about the public's preferences regarding them and whether characteristics related to a program or its benefits might affect these preferences.

To answer these questions, the researchers asked 2,904 adults in the United States about their support for programs that required two administrative burdens: in-person interviews and submitting government-issued documents for verification purposes.

They also asked for opinions about reducing these burdens by using presumptive eligibilityallowing access to services before a full application is processedand "express lane" eligibilityverifying eligibility using information available from other government programsfor Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) in the United States.

"We chose these four programs because they fall along two continuums identified in previous research," Haeder said.

"One deals with 'earned' benefits such as Medicare and Social Security, which participants are forced to pay into over time, and 'unearned' benefits like Medicaid and TANF. The other deals with whether benefits are cash payments, which give recipients control over their use, or in-kind services, which are controlled by the providers."

The respondents were randomly assigned to one of the four public assistance programs. After learning about the differences between the four, they used a four-point scale to answer questions about their assigned program.

"In general, we found no strong and consistent differences along both dimensions," Haeder said. "Americans support administrative burdens in the form of documentation requirements across all programs. However, they also were open to burden decreases."

Statistical analyses found that Republicans, conservatives and those high in racial resentment consistently favored increasing burdens and opposed decreasing burdens with the opposite effect for Democrats, liberals and those low in racial resentment.

"Notably, the findings largely did not support our hypothesis that burden tolerance was associated with the type of benefit or whether the benefit was earned or not," Haeder said. "In addition, support for administrative burdens and for easing these burdens was relatively consistent across the four programs, with the major exceptions of in-person interviews."

Haeder said the study has several policy implications. First, program integrity seems to be the overarching concern, although the public also supports increasing program efficiencies through both presumptive eligibility and express lane eligibility.

"Our study indicates that the American public supports at least some efforts to add administrative burdens, so those seeking to maximize enrollment might have to make some trade-offs in this area," Haeder said.

More information: Simon F. Haeder et al, I paid into it with every paycheck I earned: How benefit type and beneficiary contributions shape attitudes about increasing or decreasing administrative burdens for social protections, Policy Studies Journal (2024). DOI: 10.1111/psj.12560
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  New Haven police are searching for a suspect accused of carjacking an acquaintance at gunpoint in the garage of a hotel early Monday.

Officers were dispatched to the Marriot Courtyard on Whalley Avenue around 2 a.m. Monday, where the victim reported their car was stolen by an acquaintance who lured them to the vehicle and stole the car with two other men.

A look at New Haven crime data and trends from 2024

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Police are searching for the stolen vehicle and suspects. The vehicle is a blue 2017 Mercedes E300 with a Connecticut license plate reading BM30653.

Officers said they located the vehicle around midnight Tuesday while canvassing the area of Orchard Street and Edgewood Avenue, but when pursued, they said the vehicle fled on Interstate 91.

Police said the officers decided to end the pursuit for the sake of public safety.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information is asked to call detectives at 203-946-6304 or through the departments anonymous tip-line at 866-888-TIPS (8477).

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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 WTNH.com.
A police department is mourning the death of a K9 after he got hit by a passing car on an Ohio road.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Streetsboro Police K9 Kaya was outside his cruiser on Tuesday stretching his legs when he got too close on State Route 203 and got hit by a car, according to a social media post.

TRENDING STORIES:

Officer Hall took Kaya to the closest vet and directly to a veterinary hospital emergency center.

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The department said on Facebook that Kayas injuries were too severe to overcome, and he passed away a short time later.

Initial third-party social media posts indicated this was an intentional act. We are continuing to investigate but, at this time, there is no evidence that the crash was anything other than a heartbreaking and horrific accident. The driver did return to the scene to speak with officers, Streetsboro police said.

Kaya was only three days away from his ninth birthday.

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Metro Nashville police are ramping up patrols in East Nashville and warning residents not to leave any belongings in their vehicles after a rash of car break-ins since the Christmas holiday.

Burglars have smashed windows and stolen hundreds of items from vehicles across East Nashville during the past two weeks, including more than 60 vehicles hit in the weekend after Christmas, according to reports.

More than 70 concerned residents gathered for a community meeting to address the issue at the MNPDs East Precinct on Tuesday. Cmdr. Harrold Burke called the spike in break-ins an anomaly and said detectives believe the perpetrators are likely the same group of juveniles.

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Rising trend: Family feels sting of stolen Hyundai as Nashville grapples with rise in car thefts

Car burglaries and thefts typically spike during the holiday season when kids are out of school and in the summer around the Fourth of July, police said. But the challenge is catching them and connecting them to multiple break-ins.

Ive been a police officer for 27 years, and Ive caught somebody breaking into the car once, Burke said.

While this spike has been intense, police said car burglaries overall dropped by 6% last year.

To give people an idea of how quickly the burglars work, police showed a video of perpetrators smashing windows, rifling through vehicles and running off within seconds. One burglar hit seven cars in one minute and 18 seconds, they said.

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Burglars will typically use a pin punch or spark plug to shatter the glass and then climb in through the window rather than using the door handle, which could trigger the alarm, police said, noting that theyre mostly looking for guns and cash.

The problem is complicated by the fact that many perpetrators are juveniles and are quickly in and out of custody since the break-ins are considered property crimes. Some of the juveniles are well known to police and already have lengthy records, they said.

License plate readers would help with their investigation, police said. The Metro Nashville Council has approved funding for license plate readers for police, but Mayor Freddie OConnells office has said it is still working on the policies.

Police have made some arrests in connection with the crimes, including a group of four teenagers, according to reports. The investigation is ongoing.

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On Tuesday, police said they were working to identify two young men who burglarized a home on Slaydon Drive on Dec. 28 and found keys to a white Ford F-150 that was possibly used in several East Nashville car break-ins.

Lt. Robert Russell, who works in vehicle crimes investigations, said people should park smart and always lock their doors and take their keys with them.

Dont leave anything in your car, he said.

Residents on Tuesday said they hoped to organize stronger neighborhood watches in an effort to be more vigilant.

Von Moye, an administrator for the East Nashville Neighborhood Watch Facebook page, said the area has seen its share of car break-ins over the years, but this wave hit hard.

This is a bad one, he said.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: East Nashville car break-ins: What police said about spike in car burglaries
SCRANTON  City police officers responding to a domestic incident on Jan. 4, found an intoxicated male who told them he was going to be the number one terrorist and he hated America, according to a criminal complaint.

Chatra Kaldan, 28, of 118 Prospect Ave., is charged with making terroristic threats and criminal mischief.

Here is what police say happened:

Just after midnight on Jan. 4, when officers arrived at the scene, they found a white Landrover hanging half-way off a retaining wall outside the residence, according to the criminal complaint.

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Officers could hear loud banging coming from inside the apartment and entered through an open door.

The found Kaldan flopped over backward on the couch, passed out. Officers were initially unable to rouse Kaldan, so they repeatedly called his name and used a sternum rub technique.

When Kaldan woke up, he appeared heavily intoxicated, slurring his words and couldnt complete sentences, police said. Police spotted vomit near the couch where he had been laying.

Kaldan stated to us several times that he is going to be the number one terrorist and that he hates America, according to the criminal complaint.

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Officers said he was becoming increasingly aggressive and repeatedly attempting to stand up, in spite of officers directives to stay seated. He then lunged toward police officers as they were questioning him and was taken into custody.

When officers spoke with Kaldans sister, Sunita Rai, and his wife, Purni Mangar, asking them about the Landrover hanging from the retaining wall outside.

They said Kaldan had driven it back to the residence about 10 minutes before they called 911.

They told officers Kaldan had left the house and when he returned he was very drunk.

Kaldan remains at the Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $10,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:15 a.m. on Jan. 16 before District Judge Sean Gallagher.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Detectives are working to identify two young suspects who allegedly stole a pickup truck, which is believed to have been involved in several car break-ins that occurred in the East Nashville area.

The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) said two suspects described as young men burglarized a home along Slaydon Drive at approximately 4:30 a.m. on Dec. 28.

City and state leaders look to address increase in Nashville car break-ins

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During the burglary, the young men reportedly found the keys to a white 2010 Ford-150 and drove away in the vehicle.

Police added the homeowners were out of town and the suspects entered the home by breaking out a back window.

According to MNPD, the pickup truck has dark tinted windows is believed to have been used in several East Nashville car break-ins.

Courtesy: MNPD

| READ MORE | Latest headlines from Nashville and Davidson County

Detectives said one of the suspects involved in the burglary on Slaydon Drive was seen on home surveillance video.

Anyone who recognizes the suspect in the photo above is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.

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ROSWELL, N.M. (KRQE)  A man who was wanted for questioning as part of a Roswell murder investigation was located.

Police said Christopher Servantez and his attorney came into the police department Tuesday. Officials are still trying to locate a green-and-silver Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck with a New Mexico license plate of BHWM37 that was believed to have been used in the murder.

Story continues below

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The homicide happened on Jan. 1 in the southeast part of the city. The victim, Marco Antonio Munoz, 24, of Roswell, was found by a passerby just before 4 a.m. at the intersection of East Chisum Street and Cahoon Avenue. He was found lying in the street and was deceased at the scene. Police said he had multiple gunshot wounds.

Anyone with information that could possibly help police locate the suspect vehicle is asked to call the Roswell Police Department at 575-624-6770.

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Buckeye police are seeking charges against the mother of a toddler who died after being left for hours in a car in the summer afternoon heat.

The 3-year-old girl died Sept. 8 after her family arrived sometime past 2 p.m. at their home in an area near 212th Lane and Granada Road, police shared at the time. The girl was found in the car by her family after they searched for her, police said. The girl is thought to have been unaccounted for approximately two hours with temperatures having reached 108 degrees by the time she was discovered, police added.

Buckeye police spokesperson Carissa Panalp told The Arizona Republic that manslaughter and child abuse charges had been submitted to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office against the girl's 31-year-old mother.

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The Republic is not naming the mother since the county attorney's office has not yet accepted charges against her.

"It's on their desk right now," Panalp told The Republic on Tuesday afternoon about the case against the mother that the department presented to the county attorney's office. "If they need additional information, they'll come back and ask us, or they'll take some other route."

By midafternoon Tuesday, the county attorney's office had not yet responded about an approximate time for prosecutors to make a decision on accepting charges in the case.

Officers tried to revive the girl with chest compressions and a defibrillator before paramedics arrived and she was taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead, The Republic reported at the time.

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Criminal charges are being pursued in other hot car deaths of Arizona children during last year's summer.

Christopher Scholtes was indicted on suspicion of first-degree murder and child abuse in the July 9 hot car death of his 2-year-old daughter in the driveway of his Marana home near Tucson. A Cordes Lake-area minor was charged with negligent homicide after the July 30 hot car death of a 6-month-old he was tasked with dropping off with the baby's father.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Police seek charges against Buckeye mom whose daughter died in hot car
Donald Trump has promised to pardon his January 6 rioters, telling Kristen Welker of Meet the Press last month, Yeah, most likely, Ill do it very quickly. He reiterated as much in a news conference on Tuesday, saying, Ill be making major pardons, yes. The scope of the pardons remains unknownwith more than a thousand people who have been convicted of federal crimes connected to the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and hundreds more who have open casesbut one question overshadows the rest: Will Trump even pardon the hundreds of rioters who, as the Department of Justice emphasized this week, were charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement agents or officers or obstructing those officers during a civil disorder? When Welker asked him as muchwhether he was going to consider pardoning even those who pleaded guilty to crimes, including assaulting police officersTrump twice dodged the question.

Joining Trump in such dodges are major police unions, including those representing officers who were assaulted on January 6. The Fraternal Order of Police, a national police union that endorsed Trump for president, has been quiet on the question of whether Trump should pardon rioters who attacked police, and the head of the FOPs Capitol Police chapter on Monday declined to comment to The Washington Post (even while Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger came out against such pardons). The New Republic asked six additional police unions, which represent some of the officers charged in January 6related offenses, if they supported the pardons. None of them responded.

Police unions are political organizations more than they are labor organizations. Theyre not press-shy in general, and especially not when theyre asked to defend police officers. And yet, police unions, whose own members were attacked on January 6, have gone silent about whether their attackers might get pardoned. It would seem theyre reluctant to take a stand that could be at odds with Trumpmore willing to appear hypocritical than to run afoul of MAGA. But theres another way of looking this. Theres nothing contradictory about these unions implicitand some of their members explicitsupport for January 6 rioters. Its merely another instance of the cops doing what they always do: allying with power.

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Trumps plan to pardon rioters is one strand of his broader rewrite of January 6 from a heinous attack, as he once called it, into a day of love. His story is the one many of his supporters have long been telling: The rioters werent criminals, but true patriots. Of the more than 1,500 people charged in connection with January 6, about 1,100 people have been convicted and sentenced; more than 700 of them have served out their sentence. Three hundred people who have been charged still have open cases; of those, about 180 people were charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement agents or officers or obstructing those officers during a civil disorder, both of which are felony offenses. So far, more than 100 cases are set to go to trial in 2025. There are also close to 200 more cases that the FBI has presented to federal prosecutors for possible charges.

Not all of these cases involve police officers who were assaulted. The Department of Justice has stated that around 140 police officers were assaulted that day and that 608 people have been charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement agents or officers or obstructing those officers. I found around two dozen instances of current and former law enforcement officers who were charged with committing criminal offenses on January 6; some involved physically assaulting officers, many others involved obstruction of officers. (An earlier study identified 28 current and former officers who had been charged as of January 6, 2022, with 12 having been charged with assault.) A few of these officers were involved in some of the most violent attacks that day. Some were also active in the larger Stop the Steal effort, like Alan Hostetter, a former police chief and Stop the Steal organizer from southern California who was sentenced to more than 11 years in prison on four charges, including bringing a dangerous weapon to the Capitol.

Some were current officers. Karol Chwiesiuk, a Chicago cop who wore a CPD hoodie to the Capitol, sent several messages while inside the Capitol on January 6, including a racial slur and a selfie from inside Oregon Democratic Senator Jeff Merkleys office. He was relieved of his police duties pending an internal investigation, a CPD spokesperson told NPR. Chwiesiuk was sentenced in 2024 to three years probation. The president of Chicagos Fraternal Order of Police did not respond to my request for comment.

Some of the rioters had been law enforcement officers for decades. Thomas Webster, a retired 20-year veteran of the New York Police Department, was sentenced to 10 years for assaulting a police officer with a metal flagpole. He once was a member of New York Mayor Michael Bloombergs security detail. Robert Fisher, a retired Boston police officer who was on the force for more than 20 years, was sentenced to 20 months in prison for assaulting an officer. Neither the Patrolmens Benevolent Association of New York nor the Boston Police Patrolmens Association responded to my request for comment on Trumps January 6 pardons.

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Some January 6 rioters with law enforcement backgrounds had links to militia groups. A former police officer in North Carolina, Laura Steele, was sentenced to 12 months in prison, charged with several members of the Oath Keepers on January 6, for conspiring to obstruct an official proceeding, preventing an officer from discharging their duty, and destroying evidence after the fact. The North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police did not respond to my request for comment.

Some of the police officers who were assaulted that day went public with their sense of being abandoned by law enforcement unions and elected officials. After January 6th, neither myself or any other officer I spoke with who experienced that day ever had any outreach from the National Fraternal Order of Police, Michael Fanone, a D.C. officer at the time, told CNN about six months after the attack. That day officers were beaten and brutalized. Trump never reached out to us, said another D.C. officer, Daniel Hodges, at a Biden campaign press conference in 2024. Hodges was the officer recorded, in a widely seen video, as he was crushed violently in a door at the Capitol. You cant call yourself pro law enforcement when you inflame and encourage political violence at every turn.

In July 2021, the national FOP released a statement, seemingly in response to testimony from officers during the January 6 committee hearings. There seems to be some confusion in the media and among paid law enforcement experts as to where the FOP stands on the January 6, 2021 riots, it stated. Those who participated in the assaults, looting, and trespassing must be arrested and held to account. But now that those who were held to account are on the verge of being pardoned, the FOP has suddenly clammed up.

Its not like police unions have a history of staying out of political fights. Police unions established themselves by promoting the unions not merely as a way to protect their members rights but as essential for maintaining law and order. Police unions today express their power most forcefully with their defense of members who kill civilians, particularly from public outrage, which police unions often characterize as an attack on police. Just six months before the January 6 attack on the Capitol, police unions were out in force condemning the protest movement in response to the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer.

This no doubt must be disorienting for the officers who were on duty at the Capitol on January 6, just as it was for them that day to see Thin Blue Line flags and other pro-police iconography sported by the people who were assaulting them. According to Hodges, the rioters were confused that the police hadnt joined them. The terrorists alternated between attempting to break our defenses and shouting at or attempting to convert us, he testified before the January 6 committee. Some of those terrorists were current and former officers, a fact that must baffle those, like Hodges, who defended the Capitol but which is less confounding when considered within the broader context of policing in America, particularly in the Trump era. Police are rarely held accountable by law enforcement when they violate the law, so why would they expect the consequences for their conduct on January 6 to be any different? Why, especially, would cops expect to be held accountable when the president of the United States had urged them on?
TOMAH, Wis. (WFRV)  Authorities in Wisconsin arrested a 30-year-old man Tuesday morning in connection with a Thanksgiving Day attempted homicide.

According to the Tomah Police Department, officers received information Monday night that David M. Hintz was at an address in Tomah. Attempts to contact someone at the residence were unsuccessful.

Authorities in Wisconsin reexamine cold case of Robert Christians 1977 disappearance

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Officers maintained surveillance for hours and gathered enough evidence to apply for a search warrant, which was granted.

Early Tuesday morning, the Monroe County Combined Tactical Unit executed the warrant and found several individuals inside the residence.

Information suggested Hintz was inside the home, but he refused to cooperate. Officers systematically cleared the structure and eventually located Hintz hiding in a crawl space. He was taken into custody without incident.

Wisconsin man arrested after allegedly sexually assaulting 15-year-old girl

We recognize these operations impact our community in many ways, said Tomah Police Assistant Chief Eric Pedersen. We worked tirelessly and as efficiently as possible to resolve this matter without lengthy interruptions. Your support and cooperation allowed these law enforcement professionals to safely work and effectively take a dangerous person into custody.

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No additional details were released.

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MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KREX)  Gov. Jared Polis and the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice announced $3.3 million in funding is available through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grand (JAG) Program.

JAG is designed to help state and local efforts to prevent and reduce crime, enhance public safety and better the criminal justice system. The application deadline ends at 5 p.m., March 10 while the funding period is from Oct. 1, 2025, to Sept. 30, 2026.

Eligible applicants include municipalities, counties, tribal governments and nonprofits that efforts are related to public safety and criminal justice.

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JAG funding pays dividends for all Coloradans, De Beque Marshal Chief Bob Dalley said in a press release.

By equipping law enforcement with the tools they need and supporting programs that address the root causes of crime, were building stronger, more resilient communities, said Dalley. Federal legislators play a vital role in sustaining this crucial program, and I encourage them to continue their support for the safety and well-being of every resident in our state and ensuring that no community is left behind in the effort to build a safer Colorado.

The program supports state and local government agencies and nonprofits that target public safety efforts. The funding can go toward:

Law enforcement.

Prosecution, courts and indigent defense.

Prevention and education.

Corrections and community corrections.

Drug treatment and enforcement.

Planning, evaluation and technology improvement.

Crime victims and witness protection.

Mental health programs.

Implementation of state crisis intervention court proceedings and other related programs.

Im excited to see this funding make our communities safer. To make Colorado safer I strongly support efforts around Colorado to prevent and reduce crime like this investment will do. These investments will build on our work to crack down on crime and make Colorado one of the ten safest states, Polis said in the release.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.
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:

Individuals in the lowest quintile of birth weight appear to have an increased risk for subsequent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a study published online Dec. 11 in BMJ Open Respiratory Research.

Pengfei Luo, M.P.H., from Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Nanjing, China, and colleagues used data from 251,172 participants in the U.K. Biobank without baseline COPD to examine the potential association with birth weight.

The researchers found that participants in the lowest quintile of birth weight (<2.86 kg) had a higher risk of COPD (hazard ratio, 1.21). There was a nonlinear relationship between birth weight and COPD risk, which first decreased and then increased. Furthermore, there were interactions between age, passive smoking, and maternal smoking. In the lowest quintile group, there were joint effects on COPD risk and maternal smoking.

"This study found a significant positive association between low birth weight and COPD risk and showed a nonlinear dose-response relationship for birth weight and COPD. Moreover, maternal smoking had a joint effect with low birth weight for COPD risk," the authors write. "We should focus on the effect of early-life exposure for reducing COPD risk and ensure life quality in the early period of humans."

More information: Pengfei Luo et al, Association between birth weight and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the UK Biobank: a prospective cohort study, BMJ Open Respiratory Research (2024). DOI: 10.1136/bmjresp-2024-002366 Journal information: BMJ Open Respiratory Research

2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Polands consulate in the Russian city of St. Petersburg has shut down, with the staff taking down the Polish and EU flags and clearing out the building, the Polish RMF24 news outlet reported on Jan. 8.

Poland closed its consulate building in St. Petersburg after 53 years. The decision follows Warsaw's order to close a Russian consulate in the Polish city of Poznan last year after accusing Moscow of sabotage plots.

"The ceremony took place in a very dignified manner," said Polish Ambassador to Russia Krzysztof Krajewski who was in attendance.

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"The move has been underway for some time now."

Poland has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine since Russias full-scale invasion began in 2022, providing weapons and taking in as many as 1 million refugees.

Recently, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski called for a "fair peace" for Ukraine in a speech delivered to French diplomats in Paris, following French President Emmanuel Macrons remarks that Ukraine should prepare for "realistic" discussions on territory.

Read also: Europe might soon feel intense pressure to strike a deal with Moscow, Polish FM warns

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  Over recent months, pardons, clemency, and commutation have been hot-button topics when discussing politics and law, and they will likely continue to be in the future. In this weeks Ask Isaacs, 6 News Lori Tucker and Attorney Greg Isaacs discuss what to know on the topic.

At the end of 2024, President Joe Biden commuted nearly 15,000 sentences and pardoned 39 people. It was the largest single-day act of clemency in U.S. history. He also pardoned his son, Hunter, on December 1.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee granted 43 individuals executive clemency in December. While the terms used while talking about these stories may sound interchangeable, its important to understand the difference between each.

The difference between a pardon, commutation and clemency

According to the Department of Justice, clemency is an act of leniency that covers several specific actions. An example is the remission of fines, or reprieve, which can mean a temporary release from the terms of a sentence or a stay of execution. Two of the more commonly discussed types of clemency are pardons and commutations.

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The DOJ explains that a commutation of a sentence reduces a sentence, but it does not change the conviction. This form of clemency does not imply a person is innocent or remove any civil disabilities to the person as a result of their criminal conviction. In some cases, a commutation may also include a release of financial obligations imposed as part of the persons sentence, such as a fine or restitution.

A pardon, on the other hand, is an expression of forgiveness and is usually granted in recognition of the persons acceptance of responsibility for the crime they were convicted of as well as established good conduct for a significant period of time. Like commutations, pardons are not a signifier of innocence, however, pardons do remove civil disabilities imposed by a persons criminal conviction, the DOJ states.

Who can provide clemency?

In most cases, clemency can be granted either by the governor or president. Governors have the power to grant clemency to individuals convicted of crimes in state courts, and presidents are in charge of clemencies regarding federal crime convictions.

One way that differs from these is in regards to military charges. According to militaryjusticeattorneys.com, clemency for military charges against service members can be granted by the commanding officer or general.

Death row inmates deny Bidens commutation

One of the topics that has been trending recently in relation to Bidens commutation of sentences is that two federal death row inmates in Indiana rejected Bidens commutation of their sentences, according to reports from several outlets including NBC, the Washington Post, and USA Today.

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If they had accepted his commutation, their death sentences would have been commuted to life in prison without parole, however, their rejection of the commutation does not prevent them from appealing their convictions.

Donald Trump considering January 6 pardons

There has also been discussion of President Elect Donald Trump considering pardoning those convicted of crimes in connection to the the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. capitol. The Department of Justice reports that more than 1,583 people have been charged with crimes related to the attack, and around 1,100 have already been sentenced.

Although Trump may already be considering granting clemency to others, it is important to note that he cannot pardon himself from his New York state convictions as presidents only have the power to grant relief in relation to federal offenses.

If you have a legal question, send it to AskIsaacs@wate.com. To watch full episodes of Ask Isaacs, click here.

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WATEs Lori Tucker and Attorney Greg Isaacs answer your legal questions from the WATE Alert Desk on Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m. and on WATE Channel 6 at 5:30 p.m.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.
Multiple senior officials in the Justice Department under the first Trump administration improperly leaked non-public details of inquiries into Covid-19 deaths at nursing homes in Democratic-led states, according to a newly-released inspector general report released following a CNN Freedom of Information Act request.

The report expressed suspicions that the disclosures were politically motivated as they were made days before the 2020 election. The non-public information concerned investigative steps taken by the Justice Department in New York and New Jersey  states whose Democratic leaders were antagonists of President Donald Trump during the coronavirus pandemic.

The report from Inspector General Michael Horowitz details months of back-and-forth between political appointees and officials who typically spearhead such probes about how to move forward with the investigations in those and other Democratic-led states. Much of the disagreement centered on whether and how to publicly announce certain investigative steps by the department.

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The identities of the three officials accused of the misconduct were redacted from the report.

One of the officials whose identity was redacted by the inspector general wrote in an October 17, 2020, email that a plan to leak investigative steps to the New York Post will be our last play on them before election but its a big one.

The disclosure, along with one officials promotion on social media of news articles containing the non-public details, violated the Departments Confidentiality and Media Contacts Policy, Horowitz concluded.

We also found that the conduct of these senior officials raised serious questions about partisan political motivation for their actions in proximity to the 2020 election, the inspector general said. His office made referrals to the Office of Special Counsel, which investigates violations of the Hatch Act, a law that prohibits government employees from using their official positions to engage in political campaigns.

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(The US Office of Special Counsel is distinct from special counsels, like Jack Smith, who are appointed to conduct politically-sensitive criminal investigations).

According to the report, the push to investigate New York, New Jersey and other Democratic-led states for how the states coronavirus policies were affecting Covid transmissions at assisted living facilities began in the summer 2020 and was egged on by political appointees at the department.

At one point, the inspector general said, government officials with expertise in such investigations conducted analysis that showed the state-run facilities with the worst metrics were not in the targeted Democratic-led states.

Department employees also raised concerns about assertions DOJ leaders in Washington sought to make in drafts of press releases announcing various department moves.

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One draft press release that would have announced an investigation into two New Jersey facilities contained several statements that officials in New Jerseys US Attorneys Office objected to because they were misleading, speculative or lacked evidence, the inspector generals report said.

That draft press release eventually pared back of some of those statements, but ultimately was not issued by the department.

Instead, a non-public letter telling state officials that the department was initiating the New Jersey investigation  and a separate letter seeking certain nursing home data from New York officials  was disclosed to the New York Post reporter and, later, other journalists.

The Posts report was published on October 27, more than 30 minutes before DOJ emailed the New Jersey letter to the governors office, according to the inspector general.

CNNs Hannah Rabinowitz contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Jan. 7POLK COUNTY, Minn.  The felony case against a Fargo dentist,

accused of stabbing a man during a poker game at a hunting cabin

near Fosston, Minnesota, was dismissed Tuesday, Jan. 7.

Daniel Lawrence Mengedoth, 53, was initially charged with felony first-degree assault causing great bodily harm and felony second-degree assault causing substantial bodily harm. The latter charge was later amended downward to felony second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon.

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A statement of probable cause filed in the case said that on Feb. 24, 2023, a Polk County sheriff's deputy responded to Essentia Hospital in Fosston because a man had come in with a stab wound to his face and hand.

Two witnesses said they'd been at a hunting cabin a few miles from the hospital for a snowmobiling weekend, sitting around playing cards and poker. Mengedoth, a friend of a friend, was with them and  unprovoked  took out a knife and stabbed one of the men.

The witnesses said there was no argument or any buildup prior to the alleged attack.

The witnesses were recorded in the statement saying they think Mengedoth is a dentist in Fargo. There is a Mengedoth Dental located in Fargo; Dr. Daniel L. Mengedoth is listed as dentist, and a corresponding Facebook profile says he is the owner of the business.

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The man who was reportedly stabbed told law enforcement Mengedoth had been sitting next to him but wasn't really playing the poker game, and seemed to be passing out either from being tired or drunk, the statement said.

Mengedoth's arm then came up and "he got him in the neck," before the man was able to grab Mengedoth's arm and throw him to the ground, according to the statement. Someone else took the knife away from Mengedoth.

The man suffered a laceration on the lower portion of his right ear, as well as another deep laceration on the inside portion of his left hand that cut through tendons and nerves, leaving him unable to move his thumb. He was also unable to move a portion of his mouth; his face had nerve damage that would require surgery, the statement said.

Mengedoth was found back at the cabin and arrested. He allegedly told law enforcement he didn't remember what happened; he had been drinking all day and didn't remember cutting somebody but if people said they saw it happen, he'd believe them. He didn't know why it happened or what got him to that point, the statement said.

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A motion was filed to dismiss the criminal charges against Mengedoth Monday afternoon, Jan. 6, and the dismissal was approved Tuesday. The motion, filed by the prosecution, said the dimissal was "at the express request of the victim and his family."

The case was dismissed without prejudice, though, which means Mengedoth could be recharged for the incident in the future.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in the field in a 2019 file photo. A new poll shows a large majority of Marylanders support seeing local police work with federal officials on immigration enforcement. Photo courtesy Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

A majority of Marylanders support requiring local officials to cooperate with federal efforts to arrest and deport noncitizens in the state who have committed crimes, according to a poll released Wednesday.

Incoming President Donald Trump has vowed to make enforcement of immigration laws  including the threat of mass deportations  a priority during the next four years. In Maryland, 76% of those surveyed in a poll by Annapolis-based Gonzales Research & Media said they would support requiring local governments to cooperate with federal efforts.

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Gonzales surveyed 811 registered voters who said they are likely to vote in the next election. The poll asked voters about cooperation with enforcement of immigration laws, the job performance of President Joe Biden as well as views on Trump, and the direction of the country.

The poll, conducted between Dec. 27-Jan. 4, has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5%.

A poll released Tuesday asked voters about Gov. Wes Moores (D) job performance and other issues including the use of taxes to resolve the budget deficit and a potential match-up for governor between Moore and Republican former Gov. Larry Hogan.

In Wednesdays poll results, support for requiring local cooperation with federal law enforcement came from across the political spectrum.

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Maryland Republicans were by far the largest bloc with 96% saying they would support such a requirement. Among indepedent voters, 77% also said they would support cooperation.

In Maryland, registered Democrats hold a roughly 2-1 registration advantage over Republicans. In the Gonzales poll, 65% said they would support required cooperation with federal immigration enforcement efforts.

Maryland voters like Biden, dislike Trump

The poll also asked voters about the job performance of both President Joe Biden and former President Trump, who will be sworn in to his second term on Jan 20.

In the poll, 55% said they approved of the job done by Biden, statistically flat compared to results in a September Gonzales poll when roughly 53% said they approved of Bidens efforts.

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Trump, unsurprisingly, does not fare so well among blue-state Maryland voters. Of those surveyed, 58% said they disapprove of the once and future president, including 51% who said they strongly disapprove of Trump.

The Republican president-elect lost Maryland to Vice President Kamala Harris (D) in November by a nearly 29-point margin.

The good vibes and mojo hes been enjoying across the country recently havent really found their way here to the Old Line State, pollster Patrick Gonzales said.

Election drives pessimistic outlook

Marylanders are also more pessimistic about the direction of the country as Trumps second inauguration draws near.

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In the poll, 59% of those surveyed said the country was moving in the wrong direction. In September, one in every two people asked said the country was headed in the right direction.

Gonzales attributed the change to the results of the 2024 election

The answer is simple: Politics presently in the United States is a sporting event  my team wins, Im happy; my team loses, Im sad, Gonzales said.
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY)  Back in October, the International Longshoremens Association went on strike against the U.S. Maritime Alliance at our local ports.

Previously: ILA strike seeks increased wages, curbs in automation

The two sides agreed to suspend the strike for 90 days.

But the 90 days are up next Wednesday, and if the ILA and the U.S. Maritime Alliance do not come to agreement, another strike could shut down ports on the East and Gulf coasts again.

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At Virginia International Gateway port in Portsmouth, George Berry, founder of For Truckers By Truckers, which advocates for truckers and what they do, said workers fear losing jobs to automation.

Next Wednesday, we could be looking at another longshoremen work stoppage for most of the East Coast and Gulf [Coast] ports, Berry said.

Back in October, the ILA tentatively agreed to a 62% pay raise over six years, but the issue now is automation and semi-automation  the more automation there is, the fewer jobs for ILA, it said.

They dont want to lose any jobs, Berry said. Thats what theyre saying. They feel thats what automation does. They feel that it does, and the ports position is technology is the way of the future, and the port is more efficient with automation, and some automation, not so much with the labor force that theyre having to pay a large amount of money to.

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At the port Tuesday, Iris Elliott, a member of ILA Local 1248, said she is not concerned about the strike, but the locals members are concerned about how they will be affected.

No, I am not [concerned] because God is in control, Elliott said. Pretty much everyone is a little concerned because this is our livelihood. This is the way we take care of our families, and we work very hard.

Said Berry: I think the middle ground is ILA is going to have to agree to some type of additional automation. I cant see it being wiped off the table completely.

If there is a strike, though, Berry is matter-of-fact about it.

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We turn our keys off, we sit and wait until this is resolved, Berry said, and were kind of on the sidelines. We are the pawns in this situation. Were not at the negotiating table with this.

Berry pointed behind him to a rail-mounted gantry, or RMG, that went by  part of the automation at the port  as an example of what port workers do not want to continue seeing.

This is absolutely an example of automation, Berry said. What you are seeing right now is that RMG is going by with no human on it. It is all automated. It is getting ready to set that container down perfectly and squarely on another container in this stack. Theres no human being in that RMG right now.

A strike here also means container ships will head to the West Coast, rather than the Port of Virginia, and other East and Gulf coast ports.

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We have seen that from some of the larger steamship lines, Berry said. They are telling their customers to divert freight from the East Coast and Gulf ports. We hope thats not the case, but they did release their statement.

A strike also could also mean supply-chain disruption, but Berry said theres no current need to head to the store and stock up.

Now, if we are talking about a strike going on for weeks, well maybe there will need to be some consideration for stocking up on essentials like medicine and other essentials, too, Berry said.

Elliott, though not worried, did have a message for negotiators.

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My message is getting it together  we work very hard, Elliott said. We work when other people are home. We work 24 hours around the clock. So we deserve to get what we work hard for.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  When Jesuit High School senior Claire Cao volunteered at Blanchet House, her eyes were opened to a bigger problem: A lot of people didnt know where to go and were unsure which shelters were open or had room.

I noticed it was really hard for the guests there to access social service resources, Cao told KOIN 6 News.

So for her senior service project she launched an app and website  Shelterbridge  to help navigate that process.

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Theres a website where a lot of shelters or services can fill out a form and then I get a notification and I can put in database for them, she said.

She then reached out to organizations like Blanchet House to see what was needed. Now, in Portland and in other cities, shelters can constantly update their capacity levels, which is helpful for agencies who deal with people in crisis.

Claire Cao with other volunteers at Blanchet House in Portland, undated (Courtesy photo)

Jesuit HS senior Claire Cao developed the Shelterbridge app, January 4, 2025 (KOIN)

A lot of people who need these services dont have access to stable WiFi or internet, she said, so its really for the services themselves like law enforcement or people who are able to refer people to services they need.

Her efforts paid off. Claire Cao recently won the 2024 Congressional App Challenge for Oregons 1st Congressional District. Even though this started as her senior project, she plans to keep growing Shelterbridge in our area and beyond.

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I do hope to keep it up, she said. Ive made a lot of efforts to expand it to other cities, as well and its something I can mostly do from a computer or my laptop at home.

Shelterbridge is available on Apple Store and Google Play.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The Portland Public Schools Board has voted to endorse a $1.8 billion bond measure that voters will ultimately decide on this spring.

Its a move some PPS parents were hoping would come true after months of advocacy.

Rolling gun battle leaves 2 victims in SE Portland

At the Prophet Center in North Portland, every board member voted yes on the bond measure Tuesday night, which will go before Portland voters in the form of a ballot measure in May.

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Back in November, the board was originally talking about a bond measure in the $1.5 billion range. However, it increased to $1.8 billion. The bond measure will address what parents have described as long overdue upgrades to multiple schools, including Cleveland High School, Jefferson and Ida B. Wells.

Calisto Ford, a Cleveland High School student, said the bond is needed due to the schools current lack of accessibility for disabled students like himself.

Our school is not only inconvenient  inaccessible  but a safety hazard to our disabled students. So the Cleveland rebuild is long overdue, Ford said.

New Oregon law cracks down on TriMet public drug use

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PPS Board Member Julia Brim Edwards proposed an amendment adding another $40 million to the bond measure for a Native American center within the district but the amendment did not pass.

PPS Board Member Andrew Scott also clarified that while the previous schools earmarked for modernization are part of the bond measure, the total cost  and design  for each construction project havent been finalized.

District leaders hope to transition from the planning phase to the design phase for the renovations laid out in the bond measure prior to when it comes before voters in May.

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 KOIN.com.
(Refiles to add dropped word 'who' to first paragraph)

By David Ljunggren

(Reuters) - Canada's ruling Liberal Party is looking for a new leader to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who announced on Jan. 6 he intended to step down.

The Liberal Party will pick a new chief on March 9.

Karina Gould, House leader for the Liberals, announced her candidacy on Saturday.

Here are the top contenders.

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FORMER FINANCE MINISTER CHRYSTIA FREELAND

Freeland, 56, was one of Trudeau's closest allies during his nine years in power and had been serving as finance minister. Freeland unexpectedly resigned in December after an argument over spending and penned a letter attacking the prime minister's leadership and his love of "political gimmicks."

Freeland, the most high-profile member of the government after Trudeau, had been finance minister since August 2020 and helped craft the government's multi-billion-dollar social spending program to help fight the pandemic.

She had previously been foreign minister and led the Canadian team that successfully renegotiated a trilateral trade deal with the United States and Mexico after then-President Donald Trump threatened to tear up the agreement.

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She joined the government in November 2015, first serving as trade minister. Before entering politics in 2013, Freeland worked as a journalist and in senior editorial roles with several media companies, including the Financial Times, the Globe and Mail, and Reuters, where she worked from 2010 to 2013. She has written two books.

FORMER BANK OF CANADA GOVERNOR MARK CARNEY

Carney, 59, is the only major candidate who is not part of the Trudeau government. Carney's name has been circulating for years as a potential Liberal leader, largely thanks to his financial credentials. He launched his bid for the leadership on Thursday, casting himself as an outsider who was not part of Trudeau's unpopular government and said he wanted to focus on the struggling economy.

Carney worked for Goldman Sachs before joining the Canadian finance ministry in 2004. He was named Bank of Canada governor in 2007 and quickly had to deal with the after-effects of the global financial crisis in 2008. In 2013, he took over as governor of the Bank of England, becoming the first person to head two major central banks.

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Carney forecast the economic damage that would result if Britain left the European Union, prompting attacks from pro-Brexit advocates. After leaving the bank in 2020, he was appointed United Nations special envoy for climate action and finance. He was vice chairman at Brookfield Asset Management but has stepped down from the role to campaign.

HOUSE LEADER KARINA GOULD

Gould, 37, is seeking to become the first female leader of the Liberal Party. She entered parliament in 2015 and was named minister of democratic institutions in January 2017, becoming the youngest-ever female cabinet minister at age 29. Although she pushed through some voting reforms, her ministry was dissolved after the 2019 election and she took over the relatively low-key foreign aid ministry. She also became the first federal cabinet minister to take a maternity leave after giving birth in 2018. She became minister of families in 2021 and in 2023 was named the Liberals' House of Commons leader.

Three other people have announced they intend to take part but they have little chance of winning. They are backbench legislators Chandra Arya and Jaime Battiste as well as former member of parliament Frank Baylis.

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(This story has been refiled to add 'who' in paragraph 1)

(Reporting by David Ljunggren in Ottawa and Ed White; Editing by Caroline Stauffer, Deepa Babington, Lisa Shumaker, Rod Nickel and Nia Williams)
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  The Poze Bazaar Foundation is hosting an audition for an opportunity to win a scholarship.

According to the foundation, it is hosting a model call for a fashion show that promotes art education and empowers the youth. The scholarship is accessible to anyone and aims to provide opportunities for personal and professional growth. Applicants are encouraged to showcase their talents and more in front of a selection committee.

Alabama Symphony Orchestra to present Momentum symposium in February

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The event is on Jan. 19 from noon to 2 p.m. For more information, click 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 CBS 42.
Preserving Assyria Highlights Restoring Iraq's Cultural Heritage

Opening at the Penn Museum on Feb. 8, 2025, the Preserving Assyria exhibition will showcase a rendering of a restored palace wall in Nineveh. ( Penn Museum) Philadelphia -- In conflict zones like Syria and Ukraine, erasure is a part of systematic genocide and cultural cleansing, but a new exhibition shifts the focus to cultural heritage restoration through community-led excavation--Preserving Assyria showcases archaeology's role in safeguarding cultural heritage from targeted destruction.

With 16 objects on display from the Penn Museum's collection, touchable 3D replicas of monumental relief carvings, and interactive multimedia components, this exhibition will be on view in the Merle-Smith Galleries on the Lower Level starting Saturday, February 8, 2025.

One of the world's earliest empires, Assyria represents a crucial part of Iraq's cultural identity, which the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) attempted to erase by destroying many Mesopotamian monuments in 2016----one of which was Mashki Gate in the ancient city of Nineveh (near Mosul in Northern Iraq).

With a long history of collaborating with the Iraqi researchers and officials, exhibition curators Dr. Michael Danti, Program Director of the Iraq Heritage Stabilization Program, and Dr. Richard L. Zettler, Director Emeritus, intend to spotlight the groundbreaking archaeological discoveries at Mashki Gate, and underscore how collaborative excavations center the cultural heritage priorities of the local people.

"Working closely with our Iraqi colleagues and local communities, scientific field archaeology is playing a key role in recovery efforts in Iraq, shedding new light on ancient cultures and, at the same time, enabling us to reconstruct damaged sites in more authentic and sustainable ways," Dr. Danti explains. "Our main goal is to re-establish and enhance access to cultural heritage as a fundamental human right."

This Mashki Gate marble relief shows a high-ranking captive of the Assyrians during a military campaign. Portions of this have been 3D scanned and replicas will be on display as a part of Preserving Assyria at the Penn Museum. Opening Feb. 8, 2025. ( Penn Museum)

One of the biggest discoveries since the 19th century are superbly preserved marble reliefs unearthed at Mashki Gate. They date back to an Assyrian king, Sennacherib, who ruled Nineveh from 705 to 681 BC. As the original skillfully carved panels, depicting finely chiseled war scenes, mountains, grape vines, and palm trees remain in Iraq, visitors will be able to view intricate replicas, made via 3D scanning, of segments from these extraordinary reliefs.

"...These panels can become a celebrated cultural and archaeological attraction for Iraqis and international tourists. Personally, I have longed to touch our ancestors' artifacts on museum visits in the West. Now, with these panels restored by Iraqi hands, I can experience the joy of physically connecting with our heritage and marvel at the skill and dedication of ancient artists," explains Iraqi Assyriologist Dr. Ali al-Jabouri, Professor Emeritus at University of Mosul.

The U.S.-Iraqi excavation team continue their work to protect and preserve cultural heritage. Opening Feb. 8, 2025, a new exhibition, Preserving Assyria, highlights the Penn Museum's cultural preservation work in Iraq. ( Penn Museum)

To chart the story of the Neo-Assyrian empire and its deep significance to Iraq's heritage, the exhibition will feature a timeline of Assyrian history; digital reconstructions of what the ancient city once looked like; illustrations of King Sennacherib's palace; and images from current excavations that offer "day-in-the-life" glimpses of archaeologists-in-action.

Preserving Assyria will illuminate select artifacts from the Penn Museum's Near East collections, such as a stamp-inscribed brick from Tell Yarah, Iraq (near Mosul) written in the Sumerian language (911-612 BC); a Sumerian clay tablet that contains ancient spells to ward off witchcraft (1900-1600 BC); a glazed terracotta wall tile from Hasanlu, Iran (1000--800 BC), cylinder seals made of quartz and marble; and a protective amulet made of carnelian.

Penn's Dr. Michael Danti cleans one of the seven ancient reliefs found at Nineveh. ( Penn Museum)

Public programs related to the new exhibition include a special Curator's Lecture on February 8 at 2:00 pm in Rainey Auditorium, as well as an engaging four-week online class, The Deep Dig: The Rise and Fall of Assyria, led by Dr. Michael Danti beginning March 6.

Included with Museum admission, Preserving Assyria will be on view through February 2026.

An international team of Iraqi archaelogists, alongside researchers from the Penn Museum, uncover the 6.5-foot-high monumental doors ot an Assyrian king's palace. Photo_ Michael Danti. ( Penn Museum)
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Childhood stress can impact the epigenetic profile of sperm. These results may also have practical implications for future generations through epigenetic inheritance, as many of the observed epigenetic associations are related to brain development.

This discovery has been made in the FinnBrain study at the University of Turku, Finland, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. The study was published in Molecular Psychiatry on 3 January 2025.

Epigenetic inheritance refers to the transmission of information on acquired conditions to the next generation without it being encoded in the DNA sequence. Changes caused by the environment may therefore be passed on from generation to generation through gametes.

Researchers from the FinnBrain study at the University of Turku have previously found an association between paternal early life stress exposure and the child's brain development.

In the current study, childhood maltreatment was found to be associated with several sperm epigenetic characteristics that may mediate the effects on offspring brain development, including expression levels of the non-coding RNA molecule hsa-miR-34c-5p and methylation of the CRTC1 and GBX2 genes.

"Next, we want to study childhood maltreatment, epigenome of sperm, and offspring characteristics together. Demonstrating epigenetic inheritance in humans would rewrite the rules of inheritance, which highlights the need for further research," says Jetro Tuulari, who is the first author of the article.

Differential levels of CpG methylation in high-TADS vs low-TADS sperm samples. (TADS = Trauma and Distress Scale.) Credit: Molecular Psychiatry (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02872-3

Although all cells in the body have the same genes and DNA, they have distinct epigenetic profiles, which determine their different appearance and function. Epigenetic regulation thus enables differences in the cells of the brain, muscles, and skin by silencing and activating genes. Epigenetic changes in gametes have a special role, as they can also affect subsequent generations via epigenetic inheritance.

"Epigenetic inheritance via sperm epigenome is a fascinating research topic and the mechanisms involved are under active investigation in my research group. There are currently several projects studying the phenomenon in both animal models and humans. This study was the largest and most comprehensive human study conducted so far," says Professor Noora Kotaja, a senior researcher in the study.

The study found lower levels of sperm DNA methylation in three DNA regions and changed levels of several small non-coding RNA molecules in men with high levels of childhood maltreatment. They were compared with men who had few experiences of maltreatment, as measured by questionnaires.

A total of 55 middle-aged men took part in the study. In the statistical modeling, many other health factors such as the respondent's age, weight and smoking were controlled for.

"The FinnBrain cohort and other multi-generational data from the Center for Population Research will enable other similar high-quality studies on human epigenetic inheritance. However, the inheritance of these findings has not yet been proven, so further research is needed," says Professor Emeritus Hasse Karlsson, who initiated the FinnBrain study.

Launched in 2010, FinnBrain is a birth cohort study of the University of Turku involving more than 4,000 families and aiming at exploring environmental and genetic factors influencing the development of a child. The parent study of the cohort is also a key part of the project's research, and this sub-study focuses on paternal health in the cohort.

More information: Jetro J. Tuulari et al, Exposure to childhood maltreatment is associated with specific epigenetic patterns in sperm, Molecular Psychiatry (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02872-3 Journal information: Molecular Psychiatry
Former President Jimmy Carter made his final trip to Washington, DC Tuesday afternoon, arriving at Joint Base Andrews on Special Air Mission 39.

A 21-gun salute honored the 39th president as he arrived.

Carter died at the age of 100 last month after living in hospice for two years. He was Americas longest-living president.

The former presidents casket was removed from the plane, cannons fired and a military band played. A hearse emblazoned with the seal of the president joined a motorcade that steered toward Washington.

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A motorcade transported his remains to the U.S. Navy Memorial honoring Carters service as a Navy submariner.

His casket was transferred to a military wagon pulled by horses for the funeral procession.

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Carter was the first president to step out of the presidential limousine and walk with his wife Rosalynn by his side down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House on his inauguration day 48 years ago.

On Tuesday, his family did the same but this time walking to the Capitol -- a reflection of his inauguration parade.

Channel 2s Karyn Greer watched on as the procession reached the U.S. Capitol steps. Honorary pallbearers - Carters grandchildren - followed the casket inside for a lying-in-state ceremony.

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A bipartisan delegation of members of Congress was led into the Capitol Rotunda by Sens. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, Democrats who represent Carters home state. Vice President Kamala Harris, members of President Joe Bidens cabinet and three of the nine U.S. Supreme Court justices  John Roberts, Brett Kavanaugh and Elena Kagan  also were present.

Members of Congress laid wreaths and gave eulogies, paying tribute to Carters political career that took him from a peanut farm in Plains, Georgia to the White House.

President Carters life, his selfless service, his fight against cancer and his lasting contributions to his fellow man are all truly remarkable, House Speaker Mike Johnson said.

Vice President Kamala Harris remembered Carters life of service.

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Jimmy Carter established a new model for what it means to be a former president and leaves an extraordinary post-presidential legacy, Harris said.

The U.S. Naval Academy Glee Club performed the patriotic hymn My Country, Tis of Thee before bipartisan congressional leaders and Harris, accompanied by her husband Doug Emhoff, placed wreaths beside the casket. Members of Carters family, including some of his grandchildren, wiped tears.

Carter will lie in state in the Capitol rotunda until his state funeral on Thursday, before being brought back to Georgia for a private family funeral and his burial next to his wife Rosalynn at their family plot outside their Plains home.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.
HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY)  In a powerful stroke of a pen, President Joe Biden banned offshore drilling in federal waters off the Atlantic coast, the majority of the Pacific coast and the eastern parts of the Gulf of Mexico.

He used a provision of the 1953 Outer Continental Shelfs Act, which gives presidents the right to protect areas, but a new president cant reinstate it.

The incoming Trump administration, however, has already said they intend to undo it  Im going to have it revoked on day one, Trump said at a news conference  and some petroleum experts are supporting them.

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What we have is the 11th-hour surprise, aid Michael OConnor with the Virginia Petroleum and Convenience Marketers Association. That its seeking to change the policy, the country, that will negatively impact those people that are just trying to make ends meet.

Weve seen it time and time again. If you have international unrest, particularly in the Middle East, thats going to have an immediate impact on crude oil.

The actual impacts of the current administrations move are expected to be limited for Virginia.

The Commonwealth didnt have any active leases on potential oil drilling projects to begin with. The General Assembly also banned any drilling in state waters in 2020  that disincentivized companies from exploring the opportunity.

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Theres very little drilling that goes on outside the central and western parts of the Gulf of Mexico, but some say the ban is potentially harmful for a country that still relies on gas powered vehicles.

This is not only short-sighted, OConnor said. Its [also] going to hurt the people that they pretend to want to support the most.

Clean energy activist Jay Ford of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation disagrees. He said this is the exact time to start shifting away from crude oil.

When you make an investment in in offshore oil and gas, youre talking about a decades-long investment, said Ford, the Virginia Policy Manager for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Where we are as a country, and where we are as a state and Virginia, we cant continue to make decades-long investments in fossil fuels. We are rapidly pivoting towards renewables.

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Its not just the electric vehicle debate charging conversations. Petroleum experts are also concerned about gas prices.

You have to look at what happens when international unrest has interchanged with crude oil, OConnor said. Just look at what happened when the invasion of Ukraine happened.

Almost three years ago, we saw pump prices almost double overnight. And certainly we dont want to have dependance upon foreign oil. And thats just what this ban is going to do.

Clean energy activists disagree.



These were lands [on the Atlantic coast] that had a low likelihood of having a financially viable oil and gas project, Ford said. The idea that these were going to drive down gas prices is sort of a misunderstanding of how the fuel economy works.

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U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) applauded Bidens decision.

We welcome President Bidens action to protect Virginias vibrant coastal communities, the two said in a joint statement. Weve heard from Virginians in Hampton Roads and on the Eastern Shore who have expressed concerns about the risks of offshore drilling on their communities. This action is critical to protecting Virginias coastal waters from pollution and potential oil spills and supporting the regions economy, which relies heavily on commercial and recreational fishing, aquaculture, tourism, and the Port of Virginia. Well continue to advocate for Virginias coastal communities to ensure they continue to thrive.

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 WAVY.com.
Its the worlds most exclusive fraternity and, on Thursday, all five members of the so-called presidents club will gather to honor one of their own.

Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Joe Biden are expected to attend the state funeral of former President Jimmy Carter, who died December 29.

Its an exceedingly rare convening, and it will mark the first time all of the clubs living members will come face to face since the funeral of George H.W. Bush in December 2018.

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Six years later, the group has a sharply fractured dynamic that will be closely watched at the Washington National Cathedral service. The former presidents have directly, and indirectly, spoken forcefully against Trump, who mounted a successful political comeback after his defeat four years ago and who in less than two weeks will return to the White House.

Definitely in modern history  from Kennedy on  there hasnt been a more contentious moment between these men, said Kate Andersen Brower, the author of Team of Five: The Presidents Club in the Age of Trump.

Linked by the shared experience of having served in what one of their predecessors  William Howard Taft  once described as the loneliest place in the world, the five living American presidents will gather at a funeral for a man who always stood a bit, figuratively, apart from them, said Brower.

The presidents club, by nature, is complicated by past rivalries and future legacies. Those complications have only intensified as Trump, who has railed against all of his fellow presidents, is returning to the White House. Yet regardless of party, the members  so far, all men  are bound by the singular experience of serving in the Oval Office.

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The long life of Jimmy Carter spanned 17 American presidents, an extraordinary stretch from Calvin Coolidge to Biden. At 100, he was the oldest living president  and longest-serving member of the presidents club, though he charted his own course during his 43 years after leaving the White House.

Fraught relationships

In death, Democrats and Republicans alike rushed to pay tribute to Carters legacy and the post-presidency example he set for decades.

But in life, Carters relationships with presidents were often more fraught, with Democrats like Clinton and Obama rarely seeking his guidance or publicly turning to him for fear of being too closely associated with a presidency that ended in defeat after one term.

In a tribute to Carters life last week, Obama highlighted a line from Carters 2002 Nobel Peace Prize speech: God gives us the capacity for choice. We can choose to alleviate suffering. We can choose to work together for peace.

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Yet when Obama won his Nobel prize in 2009, which came as a surprise during his first year in office, he made no mention of Carter. He did, however, single out John F. Kennedy.

In 2014, Carter candidly said that Obama did not reach out to him during his presidency. Asked by NBC News whether Obama seeks his counsel, Carter said, Unfortunately, the answer is no. President Obama doesnt.

He cited the Carter Centers strong and public position of equal treatment between the Palestinians and the Israelis as a reason for his distance from Obama: I think this was a sensitive area in which the president didnt want to be involved.

Some presidents leaned on Carters experience and advice, as well as his diplomatic abilities. But Carter didnt shy away from using his platform to speak out against his successors when he felt it was warranted, sometimes causing them difficulties.

A reversal for Bush

Carter was critical of the George W. Bush administration, publicly lambasting the president and his handling of the Iraq War in a 2007 interview.

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I think as far as the adverse impact on the nation around the world, this administration has been the worst in history, Carter told The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, slamming Bushs overt reversal of Americas basic values.

But Carter later offered Bush praise; at the 2013 opening of the George W. Bush Presidential Center, Carter extended his admiration to the 43rd president, heralding Bush for keeping his word and acting to end a 20-year civil war in Sudan.

The Clinton era

As president, Clinton took Carter up on an offer to help de-escalate tensions with North Korean leader Kim Il Sung.

The use of President Carter to resolve this conflict proved complicated, when he announced an unofficial agreement with North Korea to bring an end to the stalemate on CNN before allowing the Clinton Administration officials to review the agreement, the Clinton Library said in a brief history of their relationship.

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Carter later joined a diplomatic team along with former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell and Sen. Sam Nunn of Georgia to help avoid an armed conflict with the military leaders of Haiti, the Clinton Library said.

But the two reportedly sparred when Carter went on CNN before meeting Mr. Clinton for breakfast and a planned joint news conference, according to The New York Times.

Clinton presented Carter with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nations highest civilian honor, in 1999. Yet fresh tensions arose when Carter chose Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Democratic presidential race.

The Trump years

Carter was in touch with Trump and his administration multiple times during the president-elects first term.

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In 2018, Carter said that he received a briefing on North Korea following Trumps announcement of new sanctions on the country and that hed be willing to travel to North Korea on the administrations behalf, an offer Trump never took him up on. In 2019, Carter wrote Trump a letter on US-China trade relations and spoke with him by phone.

But the relationship deteriorated later that year when Carter called for a full investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and suggested it would show that Trump didnt actually win the election. Carter later issued stark warnings about Trumps decision to withhold funding from the World Health Organization amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Trump, for his part, called Carter a nice man and a terrible president during a G20 Summit news conference in June 2019.

In the days before and after Carters death, Trump railed against a pair of treaties Carter negotiated during his term regarding the Panama Canal.

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In a news conference Tuesday, Trump went on an unprompted tangent criticizing Carter: Giving the Panama Canal is why Jimmy Carter lost the election, in my opinion  more so, maybe, than the hostages, he said, referring to the Iran hostage crisis.

Conceding that its inappropriate to discuss the Panama Canal in light of Carters death, Trump added, Its a bad part of the Carter legacy. He was a good man. Look, he was a good man. I knew him a little bit and he was a very fine person, but that was a big mistake.

Trump extended warm condolences following Carters death in a formal statement describing the former president as a truly good man and very consequential. Days later, however, he took to social media to complain that flags on federal buildings would be at half-staff during his inauguration, a standard, monthlong procedure commemorating the death of an American president.

Bidens loyalty

Carter, a child of the Great Depression, was the last president to routinely ask his fellow Americans to sacrifice. Whether turning down the heat and donning a sweater to limiting driving and gas consumption, Carters requests fell flat politically and created a caricature of a president from which his predecessors were eager to distance themselves.

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In the height of the Great Recession, as the George W. Bush presidency ended and the Obama era began, Democrats in the West Wing were loath to seek Carters guidance or even mention his name. He was far more likely to be invoked by Republicans in a more disparaging and mocking tone.

But for Biden, there were no such reservations. He has long worn his love and loyalty to Carter on his sleeve, paying an early visit to the former presidents home in Plains, Georgia, and proudly reminiscing about how he was the first senator to endorse Carters improbable presidential candidacy.

We believe being right on the issues is not enough in 1976. Our nation and our party need a president who is not only right, but who has demonstrated ability to accomplish our common goals, Biden and then-Sen. Birch Bayh wrote in a joint letter at the time, adding, We believe that person is Jimmy Carter.

Four years ago, Bidens inauguration was the first one Carter had missed since his own swearing-in in 1977. His health was failing, but the relationship Carter had with Biden was the strongest he forged with any of his successors.

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Biden is poised to make remarks Thursday during the state funeral at the Washington National Cathedral. In the waning days of his presidency, after decades of delivering tributes and send-offs, Biden will do something for the first time: eulogize a fellow member of the presidents club.

Carters legacy

With his successors and his predecessors, Carter marched to his own beat. He created relationships with some presidents  notably extending an olive branch early and often to Gerald Ford, whom he defeated in 1976  while never forging a true connection with Ronald Reagan, to whom he lost in 1980.

Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, were slow to get over slights from official Washington  perceived or real  after they left the White House. Carter was the last to follow the Harry Truman model of not profiting from a post-presidency through paid speeches or other endeavors.

Chip Carter, the late presidents son, made a passing reference to the lingering sentiment of his parents as they returned home to Georgia and took control of forging their own legacy.

Dads legacy from Georgia, the governors office, and from the presidency, was a little bit rough at the end of it because of our opposition and the way they framed us, Chip Carter said Saturday in Atlanta, which was probably somewhat true and somewhat not.

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Father Antonio Ruccia stands in front of poster urging those in difficulty to leave their child in care of parish

An Italian priest is being investigated for manslaughter over the death of a newborn baby left outside the doors of his church.

Father Antonio Ruccia, a parish priest at the San Giovanni Battista Church in the southern Italian city of Bari, has been named as a suspect despite being absent from the church at the time.

The newborn, believed to be a month old, was found dead on Jan 2 inside the churchs thermal cradle, a device set up for unwanted babies to be left anonymously.

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It is not yet clear whether the baby died before it arrived at the church, whether the cradles alarm system malfunctioned or if the technology had not been repaired after a recent electrical blackout.

The cradles alarm and heating system is normally activated as soon as the baby is left there and a notification is supposed to be sent to the priests phone.

Father Antonio Ruccia poses with the thermal cradle outside church in southern Italian city

Chance made a mockery of us

Father Ruccia reportedly told the congregation during a mass on Saturday: We have gone through a traumatic experience, adding: As a community we are called upon to engender life. Chance made a mockery of us.

A poster outside the church entrance urges those in difficulty to leave their child in the care of the parish accompanied by a picture of a newborn with the caption: No baby is a mistake.

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The Bari prosecutors office, which initially launched an investigation into child neglect, is investigating the priest and a local technician who carried out recent maintenance work on the heated crib.



Father Ruccia had been in Rome for Christmas festivities and initially told local media his mobile phone, which is normally connected to the activation of the cradle, did not ring.



He could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.

The incident happened outside San Giovanni Battista Church in the southern Italian city of Bari

During mass on Saturday, he reportedly urged his parishioners to maintain utmost silence about the incident, however.

According to Italian daily, Corriere della Sera, he said: I have not allowed myself to comment on anything, except to make a simple statement. I urge you to maintain the utmost silence.

All those who have spoken have spoken too much, without having clear information, he added.

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An autopsy was being conducted on Wednesday and police were checking CCTV camera footage in a bid to identify the parent or person who abandoned the child. If identified, he or she could also face charges.

Questions have been raised about claims made on the parish website that said the cradle alarm was directly connected to the neonatal department of the local Policlinico Hospital.

Antonio Sanguedolce, the hospitals director, told Corriere della Sera that these claims were false. There has never been an alarm connected with the department, only with the parish priests cell phone.

The thermal cradle was installed at the church after a baby was found deceased on a nearby beach in 2015.

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Monsignor Giuseppe Satriano, the archbishop of Bari, said in a statement last week: I hope this tragedy will inspire in us more attention and care for life when it is most defenceless, offering concrete support to those who live in the shadows.

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could be ordered to evacuate their home in Montecito, California amid the raging wildfires in Los Angeles.

The home of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex may be hit with a power outage as the familys space is located in Santa Barbara County. In its map of the state, the Southern California Edison (SCE) has indicated that Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) are being considered in Santa Barbara.

Meanwhile, a large part of Montecito has been deemed a high fire risk area, with warnings of a power shutoff already issued. Although the timing for the power shutdowns varies, they could begin as early as 6 p.m. Wednesday local time and last until 9 a.m. Friday.

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Find all live updates on the California fires here

With power shutoff warnings in place, Meghan and Harry could be preparing to evacuate their home where they live with their two children, Archie, 5, and Lilibet, 3. While there havent been any fires in Montecito, there was one in Malibu, which is 70 miles away from the couples house.

Along with Montecito, some of the other neighborhoods in Santa Barbara that are considered a high fire risk area include Eucalyptus Hill, Riviera, Foothill, and San Roque.

The Independent has contacted Harry and Meghans representatives for comment.

A large part of Montecito is considered a high fire risk area amid Palisades wildfire (AFP via Getty Images)

The potential home evacuation comes only one day after Meghan shared some heartbreaking news: Her rescue beagle, Guy, has passed away.

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I have cried too many tears to count, she wrote in the caption of her Instagram post alongside a sweet video montage of Guy with her family. The type of tears that make you get in the shower with the absurd hope that the running water on your face will somehow make you not feel them, or pretend theyre not there. But they are. And thats OK too.

On Tuesday, Los Angeles declared a state of emergency after its suburbs were engulfed in wildfires, which exploded from a relatively contained 10-acre area to rage across more than 27,000 acres by Wednesday, fuled by high winds and dry conditions. At least five people have been killed in the fires, and countless others injured. some 150,000 people have been forced to evacuate the area.

Bulldozers have been deployed to shove cars out of the roads to clear a path for emergency vehicles to reach the blazes, and hundreds of firefighters, 46 engines, and five helicopters are battling the fires.

The worst impacted areas are the neighborhoods of Altadena and Sylmar as well as the exclusive Pacific Palisades, where a number of A-list Hollywood stars and celebrities reside, placing their luxury properties in jeopardy.

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Mandy Moore revealed on Instagram that she and her kids, dogs and cats had had to leave their home amid the wildfires, adding in a message that she is praying and grateful for the first responders.

Meanwhile, Eugene Levy  who is jokingly referred to as the honorary mayor of Pacific Palisades  has already described the scary ordeal he endured attempting to escape the neighborhood amid a gridlock.

The smoke looked pretty black and intense over Temescal Canyon. I couldnt see any flames, but the smoke was very dark, he told The Los Angeles Times.
CHICAGO (WGN)  Governor JB Pritzker was fired up Tuesday over a bill that stalled in the House of Representatives just 24 hours prior. The bill  which was designed to license, tax and regulate hemp-derived products such as Delta-8  wasnt called to the floor for a vote, despite widespread support from both parties.

We know that the vast majority of Democrats were in favor of this, and the vast majority of republicans were in favor of it, Pritzker said. So, the fact it didnt get called, a bipartisan bill to safeguard the people of Illinois, its a tragedy.

Alders Marty Quinn and Silvana Tabares are teaming up to ban the sale of intoxicating hemp  like Delta 8 from their wards. Their proposed city ordinance would not only ban the sale of those products, but also prohibit the issuing and renewal of licenses for smoke shops in what they call their Midway Region.

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The ordinance passed the City Councils Committee on License and Consumer protection Tuesday.

The motivator behind the bill at the state level stims from Delta-8 having a slightly chemical tweak in the psychoactive compound found in marijuana, meaning it can get users high and its federally legal, which is where the problem comes in. Delta-8 products are often sold in packaging that makes it look like candy.

Ive talked to the mother of a daughter who took one of these packages, didnt understand how intoxicating the package was, and ended up passed out, Pritzker said. [She] ended up in the hospital and has been in and out of the hospital for eight months as a result of just this product that looked as if it were candy.

The Illinois Healthy Alternatives Association (IHAA) represents the hemp industry and supports restricting sales to buyers 21 and up, on top of regulation for proper labeling and safety testing. But it argues the bill would have put small businesses and growers out of business.

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The bad actors that are out there that are peddling the kinds of products that the governor is talking about, they make us look bad, its unhealthy, we need those off the street, IHAA Secretary Craig Katz said. So, were all in favor of regulation, we just want reasonable regulation.

Illinois House bill targets THC-infused products

The legislation passed in the senate last year with almost unanimous support behind it. But Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said he doesnt support the bill.

This is really about making sure all the stakeholders are at the table to have a robust conversation, Johnson told WGNs Tahman Bradley.

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Money is a part of the conversation, according to Ald. William Hall (6th Ward).

We generate the most revenue for marijuana but get a flat rate and little to nothing in revenue, so with hemp we get a chance to establish a new tax levy, Hall said. We can have ethical regulation as well as sustainable revenue  both are solutions and sustainable revenue.

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA)  A bill that would regulate several hemp and delta-8 products in Illinois will not make it across the final line to become law on the last day of session.

Governor J.B. Pritzker spoke out against the dangers of the law, and criticized lawmakers in the House of Representatives for not bringing the bill to the floor for a final vote. The bill passed the Senate with bipartisan support in May.

PAST REPORTING: Pritzker calls on lawmakers to crack down on Delta-8 hemp products

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I was tremendously disappointed that this is a demonstration, from my perspective, of the power of special interests and the money that they spread around to thwart the health and safety of the public, Pritzker said at an unrelated news conference Tuesday. And you know, this was the choice by a number of people to go for profits over people. And I was disappointed to see that.

One major advocate against passing the bill is Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson because that would impact the citys ability to respond to it at the local level. In an interview Tuesday before Pritzkers comments with WCIAs sister station WGN, Johnson said the reason he spoke out against the bill is making sure young people are safe.

This is really about making sure that were all all the stakeholders at the table to have a robust conversation, Johnson told WGN.

Pritzker said he was not in communication with Johnson about this bill at all.

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Illinois lawmaker floats different approach to dealing with Delta-8 hemp products ahead of lame duck session

Other groups that advocated for the bill shared Pritzkers disappointment.

Without action, the unregulated intoxicating hemp market will continue to operate with no rules or regulations guiding the production or sale of these products, Tiffany Chappell Ingram, the Executive Director of the Cannabis Business Association of Illinois, said. This leaves consumers at risk and undermines the states carefully regulated cannabis market, particularly social equity cannabis license holders who face extensive rules and regulations while those selling intoxicating hemp continue to get off easy.

Pritzker also said Tuesday he is also open to exploring other avenues in his administration to keep people healthy from unregulated hemp products.

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NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD)  Three social service organizations aim to break the ceiling on accessible healthcare in Normal.

The behavioral health non-profit Lifelong Access was given $21.7 million by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.

In a press release, Leni Kuntz who is Lifelong Accesss chief of staff writes that a new place in the old Pantagraph building will be a support services hub primarily focused on youth.

This will include addressing food insecurity, dental health along with other types of continuum care, things lawmakers saw a need for.

Gov. Pritzker

In a packed room in the basement of Lifelong Accesss main office, local lawmakers, Normal residents and press gathered to hear what Illinois leader had to say about the 900-page grant he signed.

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Governor J.B. Pritzker describes the project as investing in health care infrastructure in communities that have been left out and left behind.

We dont want to just, Well, heres a little money for your budget for next year.' he said. This is about having a broader impact on the community that will last lifetimes.

Other questions were asked of him such as his reaction to the hemp regulation bill not getting enough support to make it through the house. He maintained his stance of wanting regulation.

What collaborators said

Both the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services and the Illinois Capital Development Board collaborated on this project, which is their first time working together.

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Tamakia Edwards, executive director of the ICDB emphasized the significance of the cooperative project.

We are taking a historic step towards reducing health care disparities and improving access to care in underserved communities, she said. This program represents the best of what collaboration can achieve.

Lizzy Whitehorn, the director of the IDHFS noted the importance of the grant.

Here at Lifelong Access, a $22 million reward will help purchase and renovate a building to serve as a collaborative hub for multiple community agencies.

State Rep. Sharon Chung

State Rep. Sharon Chung made her remarks brief, noting that she had to be in Springfield Tuesday, saying her staff knew shed be at the conference because of the importance of the grant in the twin cities.

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This project is all about community, she said. We have people in the community who are doing the work every day who recognize a need. Its a real, true community effort.

Chung also mentioned that it was a year ago that Lifelong Access pitched the idea of this project to her and Illinois State Sen. Dave Koehler.

Chris Koos

Normal Mayor Chris Koos was in attendance, speaking about how fired up he was that the town got to be a part of this process.

Im going to start my comments with a little celebration of the home team, Lifelong access, the amazing, amazing work that lifelong access has done in this community, he said. Its truly inspirational and we are proud of the town of Normal to be a part of that.

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Koos is referring to the $500,000 grant they provided Lifelong Access to secure the downtown building

What Lifelong Access interim CEO said

Interim CEO of Lifelong Access Rebecca Brennan spoke about what this project means for Bloomington-Normal, and for the companys ability to further their heath care availability.

For this project, for us, she said. It means that theres a continuum of care under one roof, and were really proud to be able to provide almost a one stop shop for people who need services and not have to travel all over the community to be able to get those services.

Brennan said this project will be up and running after the building is renovated which is expected to take 18-24 months.

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The headmaster of one of the largest private schools in the country has warned that Labours tax raid will stop the funding of scholarships for poorer students.

Rachel Reeves imposed VAT on private schools on January 1, and from April, schools will be forced to pay business rates, from which they had been exempt.

Philip Britton, who runs Bolton School, which has 2,500 pupils and traces its origins back to 1516, said that the policy would halt the expansion of the schools fee support scheme.

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Currently, one in five senior students at the independent school receive financial support to cover the schools 12,972 annual fee, with half of those having their full tuition paid for.

The school had planned to increase this number to one in three by 2030, but Mr Britton said this was no longer possible because of the tax raid.

Mr Britton said: From one in five to one in three will be much more difficult and will be slowed. That clearly is a detriment to children in the locality. That is a direct impact of VAT.

The headmaster, who has worked at the school since 2008, said he was concerned that the tax would lead to private schools being more exclusive, rather than being able to offer opportunities to more students.

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Mr Britton said: One of the great dangers of the current policy is that independent schools become more exclusive.

Schools have a very simple business model in terms of pupil numbers, term fees and then the need to maintain an estate and employ staff. In those capital projects, we may see schools making different choices for a few years until the landscape steadies itself.

Neil Record, founder of the Record Charitable Trust, which provides scholarships for academically inclined children, said that he would be forced to cut the number of places he funds.

Mr Record said: We want to provide an academic education for able children unable to afford private school fees. We are going to reduce by 20pc the number of children for whom we make this available.

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He said: We dont want to do this, but it has been forced on us.

It comes after David Woodgate, chief executive of the Independent School Bursars Association (ISBA), warned that schools with playing fields and Astro pitches might sell off land in order to reduce their tax bills.

He said that this could have a knock-on effect on state school children, who often use the facilities as a result of partnership agreements between schools.

A total of 60 schools face a bill of more than half a million pounds, including Eton College, St Pauls School, Dulwich College and Harrow School, with one, Warwick School, expected to pay more than 1m.

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Labour was forced to admit last week that the 1.5bn a year it hopes to raise with the VAT raid, along with 113m from business rates, had not been specifically ring-fenced for state school funding.

This is despite promises from Ms Reeves, who said in December that every single penny raised by the end of the exemptions would be spent in state schools.

A government spokesman said: Ending tax breaks for private schools will raise 1.8bn a year by 2029/30 to help deliver 6,500 new teachers and raise school standards, supporting the 94pc of children in state schools to achieve and thrive.

We have been clear that the students who may switch schools as a result of these changes represent less than 0.1pc of pupils, and we are confident the state sector will be able to accommodate them.

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This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

The distribution of K. pneumoniae clones in the study cohort. (A) The frequency of STs across provinces. The size of the pie charts corresponds to the number of isolates. (B) Proportion of samples originating from different sources of isolation. The terms "BC" and "UC" stand for blood and urine culture, respectively. (C) SNP diversity of isolates in each province. Diversity is measured as the pairwise SNP distance between isolates originating from the same province. The colours represent the regions in the country. Credit: Emerging Microbes & Infections (2024). DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2024.2427793

A new multi-institutional study led by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and the Saudi Ministry of Health (MOH) provides the largest epidemiological analysis in Saudi Arabia of the multidrug-resistant bacteria species Klebsiella pneumoniae, one of the leading causes of nosocomial infections in the world and a global health priority of the World Health Organization. The study finds that the diversity of bacteria in Saudi Arabia differ from other geographical regions, indicating unique health policies are required.

The paper is published in the journal Emerging Microbes & Infections.

While healthy people infected by Klebsiella pneumoniae mostly show relatively harmless symptoms, sick or immunocompromised patients are vulnerable to pneumonia, meningitis, and other potentially mortal ailments. Antibiotics are a standard treatment. However, in recent decades, multidrug-resistant bacteria are emerging worldwide for a number of reasons including an overuse of antibiotics in medical care and other industries such as agriculture.

"Klebsiella pneumoniae has a dynamic genome allowing for the emergence of pathogenic strains from non-pathogenic ones. Understanding the epidemiology for emerging pathogenic strains will strengthen preventive measures," explained KAUST Assistant Professor Danesh Moradigaravand, one of the lead authors of the study.

A single bacteria species evolves by cloning and exchanging genetic information with one another through processes like gene recombination and horizontal gene transfer. A dynamic genome allows for antibiotic resistance genes to rapidly mix between strains.

Already, antibiotic resistant bacteria are the sixth leading cause of death in the Kingdom, killing more people than several respiratory illnesses and neurological disorders. However, the number of patients is growing, and any one clone developing strong resistance and virulence could cause catastrophic havoc due to the inability to contain and treat.

Indeed, concern about the emergence of drug-resistant strains has led the Saudi Public Health Authority to propose an action plan for the execution and evaluation of interventions, with Klebsiella pneumoniae being one of the priority bacteria targeted. Last year, KAUST and the MOH began its collaboration to support this initiative by combining the advanced capabilities of genomics and data science at KAUST with the unique biobanks of multidrug-resistant bacteria at the MOH.

For the study, the researchers collected samples from 34 hospitals across 15 cities in Saudi Arabia on which they conducted a comprehensive genomic analysis.

Moradigaravand, KAUST Professor Arnab Pain and their colleagues found the most prevalent strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae genetically resemble strains from the Middle East and South Asia, revealing an exchange and spread in this region. More important from a health perspective, they also found that the molecular factors bestowing the bacteria drug resistance and virulence were converging, thus giving concern that the emergence of drug resistance is being accompanied by a severity of symptoms.

"The unique epidemiology observed in Saudi Arabia underscores the necessity for tailored surveillance programs specific to each country. Furthermore, our work emphasizes the need to develop new antimicrobial agents, as current global treatments may not adequately address the local threat," said Moradigaravand.

More information: Jiayi Huang et al, The dissemination of multidrug-resistant and hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae clones across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Emerging Microbes & Infections (2024). DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2024.2427793
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  A prominent civil rights attorney has taken the civil rights case of a 71-year-old man slammed to the ground by an Oklahoma City officer during an October traffic stop.

News 4 has been following developments related to the October 27 incident. Multiple videos of the incident shared by Oklahoma City police show Lich Vu and Sgt. Joseph Gibson having a verbal argument over a traffic citation. Vu is seen on video telling Gibson to shut up and touching him, before Gibson proceeded to slam Vu to the ground.

Vu suffered a brain bleed as a result of the incident, broken bones and had to have surgery. Court documents said he was in poor health at the time of the incident and Gibson was in robust health.

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RELATED COVERAGE: AG Drummond drops charge against OKCPD officer accused of using excessive force

The incident should have been de-escalated, said civil rights attorney Devon Jacob, whos representing Vu. It was clear that Mr. Vu was not a threat.

Jacob is a former police officer and former Deputy Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Hes taken on high-profile civil rights cases, serving on legal teams tied to George Floyd and Tyreek Hill.

With absolute certainty I will say that this is an excessive force, said Jacob.

Court documents previously obtained by News 4 said that Oklahoma City police experts in de-escalation were consulted as part of a criminal investigation into Gibson that led to a felony criminal charge being filed against him by Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna. The experts added that after reviewing the incident, they believed the amount of force Gibson used was not reasonable.

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When your own police department says this is, you know, unlawful and you need to be prosecuted, I kind of think thats where it starts and ends, said Jacob.

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond disagreed with that call, deciding in late December to drop the felony assault and battery charge filed against Gibson. Drummond said that Gibson acted within the scope of his training and that Vu shouldnt have put his hands on him. Behenna said that she was surprised and disappointed Drummond had taken the case away from her office.

Jacob said he reviewed the video of the incident and also showed it to other individuals who did not have law enforcement backgrounds, receiving similar reactions of shock. He says its unusual for an attorney general to step over an elected official in this case.

Ive done this for 22 years and I cannot remember a single time when Ive seen the attorney general do what this attorney general did; and its my understanding its not the first time. Its highly suspect. Its very unusual.

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State law does give Drummond the ability to take over prosecution for cases he believes would fall within the best interests of the State of Oklahoma.

He decided that, look, this is not a violation of criminal law; therefore Im going to dismiss it. Well, that was for a jury to decide, and I dont believe that this attorney general has law enforcement experience, whereas the experts in the police department who do have law enforcement experience told him, told in the affidavit that this is an excessive use of force.

Jacob says theres no question about if he will file a federal civil rights lawsuit on the Vu familys behalf, but other than Gibson, its unclear if any other defendants will be named.

There will be a civil rights lawsuit filed, said Jacob. Itll be in federal court.I dont care if it takes one year, if it takes five years. Wont be my first case that lasts five or six years.

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Jacob said a factor that will determine if the City of Oklahoma City can be held civilly liable is if there is a policy practice or training that was a moving force that caused Gibson to act in the way that he did. He said he does recognize the fact that officers within the citys police department noted the amount of force Gibson used was excessive.

RELATED COVERAGE: Abuse of power: OK lawmaker, attorney question AG dismissing assault charge against officer

News 4 reached out to Drummonds office for comment and received the following statement:

While the Attorney General has dropped the unwarranted criminal charges, his previous statement clearly noted there is an ongoing internal investigation that may result in non-criminal forms of accountability. Those decisions ultimately will be made by the Oklahoma City Police Department leaders and their superiors. Spokesperson for Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummonds office

News 4 employees sat down with Thuan Nguyen Tuesday, President-Elect of the Vietnamese American Community of Oklahoma, to share his thoughts.

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Hes been in regular contact with Vus family and part of ongoing community-led efforts to rebuild the local Vietnamese communitys relationship with law enforcement after the incident with Vu.

Thats ultimately what everyones goal is, is to make sure our community is safe, said Nguyen.

Nguyen said he and other community members and leaders met with local Oklahoma City Fraternal Order of Police President Mark Nelson and Oklahoma City Police Chief Ron Bacy Tuesday. He says those conversations included asking them both hard questions about the incident with Vu and discussing ways to make sure something like it doesnt happen again.

We were able to express a lot of our concerns and voice our concerns, and our hurt and our anger, said Nguyen.

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Nguyen said questions included conversations about how much longer the internal investigation into Gibson could take, and while he didnt nail down a definitive timeline with either Nelson or Bacy, he encouraged the communitys patience.

We have to let the due process occur, said Nguyen.

He said the local Vietnamese community is discouraging protests or rallies, opting for conversations with those in charge instead. Nguyen said other highlights from the conversations included suggestions to take harder looks at officer training, cultural competency, and the distribution of translated pamphlets to ensure citizen interaction with officers doesnt escalate dramatically due to language barriers.

I think its a process in the right direction, said Nguyen.

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Nguyen said the Vu family does have the communitys support when it comes to any legal action that they take, adding that Vu deserves justice.

There has to be a process of disciplinary actions that has to occur for the wrongdoings that has occurred, said Nguyen.

FOP President Mark Nelson has publicly backed Gibson and his response to the incident, and while not addressing that in a statement to News 4 Tuesday, he did say that the conversation was productive. That statement is included below:

Earlier today, the OKC FOP met with members of Mr. Vus family and leaders in the Vietnamese and Asian communities. We had a very productive conversation about policing and culture and how we interact. It was a good meeting, and we look forward to working together. Mark Nelson, President of The Oklahoma City Fraternal Order of Police

News 4 also reached out to former Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter Tuesday for comment on Jacobs announcement since hes part of Gibsons legal team.

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Everybodys entitled to their day in court, said Hunter. I know this, my client did not commit a crime in connection with the incident, the traffic incident involving Mr. Vu.

Hunter said what happened during the traffic stop was certainly regrettable, and the incident was unfortunate, but Gibson did what he needed to do in that case. He also says hes confident that once that law is made clear, whether its a judge or jury, in federal or state court, he believes theres going to be recognition that Gibson followed his training.

I regret that this has turned into a national issue, said Gibson. I dont think that it deserves to be a national issue; and thats hard for any individual new to this environment to handle.

Jacob said that he anticipates the lawsuit will be filed in the next 30 days and that he hopes to speak with Oklahoma City leaders and do more investigating before that takes place.

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Packages of Mifepristone tablets are displayed at a family planning clinic on April 13, 2023 in Rockville, Maryland. (Photo illustration by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

A new bill would further clamp down on abortions in Indiana by banning procedures using pills and requiring women to file an affidavit of rape to meet one of the states few exceptions.

Its future is uncertain since it was filed by a Senate Republican  Indianapolis Sen. Mike Young  who has clashed with caucus leadership over Indianas abortion ban.

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Young told ICC that he believes abortions using medications are more dangerous and thats why he wants to ban them.

Our job is not only protect the lives of more children, its our job is protect womens lives as well, he said.

Young noted anyone can obtain these pills without a prescription and there have been incidents where someone put the pills in a womans drink to try to cause an abortion against her will.

But physicians are balking.

This is a government intrusion into medicine and healthcare with no other purpose but to put extreme ideology into law and take medical options away from patients, said Indianapolis OB-GYN Dr. Caitlin Bernard. This will lead to women dying in our state, something that we should all be fighting to prevent.

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Senate Bill 171 has several key provisions:

Bans the use of abortion-inducing drugs in the state  even for women who meet a legal exception to obtain an abortion. Some of Indianas abortions fall under this medical category and would now require a surgical abortion.

Makes it a misdemeanor to prescribe or possess abortion-inducing drugs in the state, but has a defense for pregnant women. State law defines an abortion-inducing drug as a substance, drug, or medicine that is prescribed or dispensed with the intent to terminate a pregnancy.

Requires a woman who seeks an abortion under the states rape or incest exceptions to provide the doctor with an affidavit under penalties of perjury attesting to the rape or incest. This requirement was defeated in 2022 during an amendment fight.

Makes it illegal for nonprofit organizations in Indiana to provide or offer financial assistance to pay for, offset the cost of, or reimburse the cost of an abortion-inducing drug.

Gives the Attorney General concurrent jurisdiction over actions concerning abortion-inducing drugs. This means the attorney general would be able to prosecute criminal cases if a local prosecutor doesnt.

Bernard said requiring affidavits will retraumatize sexual assault survivors who are more likely to not seek care if they know they will be forced to go through this agonizing process.

Sen. Mike Young, R-Indianapolis.

She also noted that thousands of people every year depend on nonprofit abortion funds to help them pay for medication abortions at clinics in surrounding states.

Haley Bougher, Indiana state director for Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, said, Senate Bill 171 is yet another egregious attack on Hoosier health that would only deepen existing health care inequities caused by the states current abortion ban. SB 171 bans medication abortion, criminalizes compassionate medical care, and adds dangerous barriers for patients  particularly survivors of rape or incest  by requiring invasive affidavits that undermine privacy and safety. This bill is not about protecting patients but about controlling them.

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Planned Parenthood lost the ability to provide abortion care after the states 2022 abortion ban was put in place.

This legislation is riddled with constitutional challenges and legal enforceability, as it infringes on the right to travel and access legal care in other states, Bougher said. These measures are duplicative, wasteful and show just how far extremists will go to ensure not a single Hoosier can access abortion care in their home community or even across state lines. This bill isnt what Hoosiers want and should be stopped immediately.

The legislation has been referred to the Senate Health and Provider Services Committee.

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HIGH POINT  Organizers of a proposed private school in High Point say theyre designing it to serve a growing segment of the population.

Motaz Madi, general manager of the project planned at 608 James Road, said the school will serve students from pre-kindergarten through elementary school and will open later this year.

Due to the increasing number of Muslim families in the High Point area as a part of this community, we will be opening an Islamic school in the middle of March for student registration and parent tours, said Madi. It will be a private Islamic school, and you can consider it as the first Islamic school in the High Point area.

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Madis company, Cairo Properties of Greensboro, owns the 2.6-acre site that houses a 7,200-square-foot former church building hes renovating for the planned school.

The site is directly across James Road from Oak View Elementary School.

He said the school will serve about 162 students, about half of whom will be enrolled in a pre-kindergarten program for children ages 3 to 5. He said the school will include a day care.

School will start in August 2025 with regular daily classes, Madi said.

The project has obtained building permits from the city for interior alterations and has applied for a special-use permit to add a modular class building next to the main structure.

This type of permit requires City Council approval. According to the citys online development activity portal, as of Tuesday, the special-use application was incomplete.
Jan. 7AMERICAN TOWNSHIP  A proposed data center in American Township is receiving mixed reactions.

On one hand, economic developers are eager for growth and innovation. On the other, homeowners and township residents are concerned due to the data center's lack of transparency and questions going unanswered.

Sitting on nearly 170 acres, the data center would be located along North Cole Street between Beery and Irvin Roads.

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From agriculture to industry

Heather Davis, who has lived in American Township for most of her life, is worried about the agricultural world she has been accustomed to becoming a world of industry.

"It can cause tension and disharmony in the community and that's the part that saddens me because (again) I don't think any person you would talk to would say they're against growth in our community," she said via phone call. "They want our community to grow and to thrive, but it shouldn't be at the potential sacrifice of a portion of the community."

The township's zoning resolution and comprehensive plan were mentioned when discussing the potential world of change.

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"We as citizens are concerned that is an agricultural rural residential area and you're talking about bringing industry in, so obviously if this going to be industry, you want to make sure that it is compatible with the area surrounding it, and that's what our zoning resolution and comprehensive plan speak to," said Davis. The comprehensive plan, as noted by Davis, was accepted in 2009 and is projected to continue through 2030, emphasizing the preservation of agricultural practices and maintaining the rural character of the community.

Questions going unanswered are only leading to more worries about the type of data center, the construction, and the potential effects on the environment for Heather Davis and other residents of American Township.

"Concerns about environmental, and not just noise  you think about pollution, you think about wildlife and how that's going to impact, you think about the energy and water," Davis said. The road is also a concern. "They're going to obviously do something about the road(age). Cole Street is just a county road, it's a very busy road."

Positives from data centers

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Cindy Leis has served as the president and chief executive officer of the Allen Economic Development Group (AEDG) since July 2024. She has played an integral role in the early stages of a data center coming to the area, leaning on a city located 15 miles northeast of Columbus  home to more than 20 data centers  for information.

"Some of the areas that we've been leaning on for information is the New Albany area," Leis said in a phone call with The Lima News. "They've attracted almost every one of the well-recognized data centers and those data center companies are starting to spread outside of the Columbus area and are looking at areas in Northwest Ohio.

She believes the area will be suitable for a data center and will provide multiple benefits to the community.

"Data centers are a real positive, suitable element for our area," she said.

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Sara Ziegler, the economic development manager of New Albany, discussed the benefits the city experiences from data centers.

"The data centers are members of local chambers of commerce, donate to city-sponsored events, and local school STEM initiatives, sponsor community grants, and are involved in veteran causes," said Ziegler in an emailed response.

Not only will the data center bring jobs during operations, but construction will also provide many jobs, according to Leis.

"During operations, a data center will support a variety of family wage jobs in fields of like IT, engineering, management, operations, and security," she said. "Constructions of these data centers will typically support several hundred jobs annually."

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According to Leis, the location, the employment of local college graduates, and an increase in property values will play a beneficial and pivotal role in the future.

Retaining the youth in the workforce and keeping college kids here is also a priority.

"These types of jobs I feel will really encourage our college students to stay in the area to take these high-tech jobs," she said.

The data center is expected to raise property values, and "generate higher local tax revenues benefiting school districts," said Leis.

She wishes for the public to remain positive about the potential of the data center. "I just think we need to keep an open mind about the suitability of development and a new business sector."

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Water will not be an issue

Mike Caprella, director of the utilities department for the city of Lima, explained water capacity would not be an issue.

"We have access to 30 million gallons per day from the treatment plant," he said. "Currently we're using 15 (million) and they (the data center) won't use anywhere close to that." In terms of getting the water to the location, Caprella explained, "It won't take a lot of pipeline or infrastructure to get it there."

What company is it?

Although under wraps, the chances of the public being familiar with whichever company is coming to American Township are high according to Leis.

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"It is a U.S.-based company, it is a Fortune 100 company or greater, it is a well-recognized company, household name that many people will recognize," Leis said.

Timetable

"It sounds like it could possibly be 18-24 months before anything is even started," Davis said.

There will be a meeting Jan. 8 that will include the Zoning Board of Appeals, AEDG, and the public's opinion.

What is a hyperscale data center?

Hyperscale data centers typically exceed 10,000 square feet and must accommodate more than 5,000 servers for massive data processing and storage capabilities, according to an article from Scout Cities.

"Our story is not unique; it's happening everywhere," said Davis.

Reach Cade Higgins at 567-242-0351

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Jan. 7A prosecutor said that a former youth counselor working the night shift at the Youth Development Center in the 1990s used his position to groom two teenage boys before sexually assaulting them.

The alleged assaults by Stanley Watson took place in two different cottages where the youth offenders were being detained, prosecutor Nicholas Chong Yen told a jury of seven men and six women during his opening statement at Hillsborough County Superior Court in Manchester Tuesday morning.

One of the alleged victims lived in Stark House and the other in Spaulding Cottage, according to Chong Yen. (The Union Leader doesn't routinely identify victims of sex crimes.)

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"The person meant to watch over them to keep them safe was instead their predator," Chong Yen said.

Watson, 55, of Allenstown, faces three counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault. The assaults occurred between April 24, 1997, and Jan. 4, 1998, according to the indictment. The trial is expected to last three days.

Third former employee to be tried

He is the third former YDC employee to go to trial after a sweeping investigation into abuse at the former juvenile detention facility in the 1990s and 2000s. The workers were called youth counselors, but essentially held the role of a corrections officer or guard.

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One former worker, Bradley Asbury, was found guilty of aggravated felonious sexual assault (accomplice) in November, and another, Victor Malavet, awaits a new trial on 12 charges of aggravated felonious sexual assault after a hung jury in his trial.

Watson's defense attorney, William Korman, mentioned inconsistencies "that you can drive a truck through in this case," which he said also has financial motivation.

"These aren't two angels, ladies and gentlemen, who were preyed upon by an individual," Korman said. "These were folks who were involved in criminal conduct at a young age, and the evidence will show continued to be."

Both sides spoke of ongoing civil lawsuits against the state's Department of Health and Human Services, which oversaw YDC, and could lead to damages or settlement money. The two have already taken out loans against future payments, Korman said.

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Watson, who typically worked 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., treated the two boys differently and was someone they could talk to, confide in and trust, Chong Yen said. The then-27-year-old counselor gave them gifts of food and granted special privileges and became to the boys "the one adult who gave them attention and appeared to care for them in a place where just living your everyday life was a struggle," Chong Yen said.

Watson has admitted to having sex with both boys after they aged out of YDC at 17. The evidence will show the sex is a continuation of the sexual abuse during their stay at YDC, Chong Yen said.

Korman disagreed, saying it was consensual.

"You can raise your eyebrows at that all you want," he said. "It was legal. It is allowed. They weren't juveniles. And he was charged with nothing involving that."

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Chong Yen also spoke of the culture at YDC during his 15-minute opening statement.

"You will learn that these youth counselors stuck together, they created a brotherhood, a culture at YDC where they protected one another and where anything the children said no matter how serious was not meant to be believed," he said.

The two alleged victims are among more than 1,300 to file lawsuits alleging abuse at YDC over the course of decades. The first to file a lawsuit, David Meehan, went to trial last year and questions still linger over a $38 million jury award. Others have chosen to settle with the state.

Neither has ulterior motives and will gain nothing from testifying, Chong Yen said.

"There is no money to be gained in this case," he said.

jphelps@unionleader.com
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty against the man accused of killing two people and injuring six more in a mass stabbing on the Las Vegas Strip should a jury convict him, the 8 News Now Investigators have learned.

On Oct. 6, 2022, Yoni Barrios, 34, asked a group of showgirls to take a photo with a foot-long kitchen knife he was trying to sell before allegedly stabbing them, police said after his arrest. Video shows a man prosecutors identified as Barrios then randomly stabbing several other people before security and police subdue him.

Brent Hallett, 47; and Maris DiGiovanni, 30, both of Las Vegas, died in the attack.

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In December, following two years of mental health treatment, a Clark County grand jury indicted Barrios on charges including terrorism and murder, the 8 News Now Investigators first reported. During the grand jury return hearing, Clark County Chief Deputy District Attorney John Giordani said Barrios stabbed his victims indiscriminately.

Documents filed Wednesday imply a death review committee approved a potential death sentence should a jury convict him.

Documents said Barrios told police he was trying to sell his knives so he could return home. According to the arrest report, Barrios went to the Wynn casino to ask about job opportunities as a janitor. He told police he even asked the janitor to contact U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE so that he could return to Guatemala.

Barrios was scheduled to appear in court for his arraignment on the grand jury charges on Thursday. During that court hearing, prosecutors were expected to reveal the committees decision.

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While Nevada has the death penalty, the state has not put a person to death since 2006.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Malaysia King will never forget Thanksgiving 2024.

Thats because there was a notably empty seat at the dinner table.

Her brother, 49-year-old Keith Singleton, had been shot and killed while working on his car the weekend prior.

Its so hard to wrap your head around losing your sibling so brutally, King said. It makes time feel like its at a stand still, because you feel like youre waiting for someone to come home whos never going to show up.

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RELATED: Police seeking person of interest in Providence homicide

Singleton, who was one of nine siblings, regularly stopped by the family house to make sure everyone was alright, according to King. She described Singleton as being her protector growing up, since the two had a roughly 16-year age gap between them.

He was like a second dad to me, King explained. He was there every single day.

King said preparing for Thanksgiving was heartbreaking, especially since Singleton always had input on the menu and his favorite foods differed drastically from everyone else.

Walking by those foods in the grocery store and not buying them only because he wasnt going to be with us was really difficult, she said.

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Officers found Singleton off of Monticello Street suffering from several gunshot wounds. He was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

King said Singleton wasnt just a devoted sibling and son. He was also a loving husband and a doting father to his six children, three of which are under the age of 18. He was also the beloved grandfather of one granddaughter and three grandsons.

His three older kids are adults, but his three younger kids really still need him, she explained.

Her message to her brothers killer is clear.

I want them to understand that they didnt just hurt one person when they did this, King said. He has a large family  They hurt so many generations of people.

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Investigators believe Singleton was targeted, but his killer hasnt been caught. Detectives are now searching for a person of interest seen on surveillance footage walking near where Singleton was shot and killed that night.

King is urging anyone with information to come forward to bring them some closure.

Its hard to sleep at night when you dont know who did this, King said. We need justice and he deserves justice.

Anyone who can identify the person of interest is asked to contact Detective Alicia Hersperger at (401) 527-8988 of Detective Matt Nadeau at (401) 659-5964.

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The Dublin Pub in downtown Dayton will be closed for a few days next week.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

It will be closed from Jan. 13 to Jan. 15 for regular maintenance, according to a social media post from the pub.

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The pub is getting new floors after 26 years in business.

The only way to do that is for us to close for three days to get it all done in one swoop. Its all in an effort to better maintain our building and provide our customers with the best experience possible, the post said.

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The business is also asking for the communitys help in finding a temporary storage solution for its tables and chairs.

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WILLIAMSTON, N.C. (WNCT) In Martin County, county commissioners will have a meeting for the public with one item on the agenda focusing on Martin General Hospital.

The hospital closed in Aug. of 2023 and was devastating to the rural communities in Martin County.

Just any discussion that were hearing in regards to the hospital is exciting for us, Hueber Coltrain said.

With newly-elected officials like Commissioner Chairman Joe Ayers and Vice Chairman Skip Gurganus, citizens said they are optimistic.

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Some of our commissioners, we have a lot of confidence in and we know were going to, that theyre going to work hard to resolve some of the issues that weve had in the past with our county, Coltrain said.

Rural hospital closures are being seen more and more throughout the United States but in order for this hospital to be up and running again, its going to take an extensive list of steps to go through.

These steps do account for a lot of public input and opens up the opportunities for bids. Interim County Manager Ben Eisner said the board will adopt resolution 131 E-13 (D) marking the intent of sale for the hospital.

Part of this resolution is directly soliciting and asking medical providers to submit a bid. After soliciting bids, the public will get a chance to give opinions at a public hearing before the request for bids officially goes out with the hopes that a competitive bid is brought to the table.

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The public will then get another chance to have a hearing on that step in the process. The need, the importance of it, and how much we depend on it and need it, if it can be put back in place, Coltrain said.

County leaders are optimistic, but the biggest question is whether any bids will be placed.

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The public would rather have a working NHS than a free health service, according to a new poll.

The report by Policy Exchange, a think tank, found that access to GPs and good treatment for life-threatening diseases were judged to be more important priorities than cost-free care for all services.

It comes after Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, unveiled proposals on Monday to reform the NHS from top to bottom. The Elective Reform Plan aims to boost NHS productivity and tackle the 7.5 million-strong waiting list for treatment.

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The plans include a greater use of the private sector for some specialist care, amid long waits in sectors such as gynaecology and orthopaedics.

However, Policy Exchange said more should be done to improve access to family doctors and dentists, saying its poll had revealed a shift away from the free-at-use model as a public priority, particularly among young adults.

The survey asked participants from across the UK to pick their main three priorities for the NHS from a list of options.

Some 61 per cent said improving access to GPs if I need one was their biggest priority, while 44 per cent said it was providing good treatment for life-threatening diseases, such as cancer.

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Just 41 per cent said they believed that providing all its services free at the point of use should be a priority for the NHS, with the proportion falling to a third among adults aged 18 to 34.

Fewer than 10 per cent of respondents thought it should be a priority for the health service to help people live healthier lifestyles, such as by helping people to stop smoking.

Public open to trade-offs

John Power, co-author of the Portrait of Modern Britain: Health report and a senior fellow in health and care at Policy Exchange, said: Our polling reveals the public are open to trade-offs on NHS reform, with improved performance of core services more important than all services being free at the point of use.

The crisis in NHS dentistry has cut through to the public and the case for major reforms is clear  as are reforms to clamp down on health tourism which is regarded as an issue across the political spectrum.

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Respondents were also asked what were the main improvements they wanted to see in the NHS.

Shorter waiting times for operations came top, with 56 per cent of respondents picking the option, while making it easier to see a family doctor was second with 48 per cent. Better access to NHS dentists was third with 43 per cent.

Better healthy lifestyle advice was last, gaining the support of only five per cent of survey participants.

The think tanks report included a series of recommendations for NHS reform, including fining patients who routinely miss appointments 50 and increasing the Immigration Health Surcharge to 1,500 per annum, while limiting the proportion of migrants eligible for fee waivers by extending means-testing.

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It said the Government should also develop a National Dentistry Plan to ensure essential dental services become a basic entitlement for the public, as with education and GP access.

Plans in national interest

Ministers plans for NHS reform include promises to cut the number of patients waiting more than 18 months for treatment by almost half a million by March 2026.

The Government has also vowed to free up around one million appointments by scrapping pointless follow-ups, putting the onus more on patients to decide when checks are required.

The proposals further include an expansion of access to community diagnostic centres, to speed up access to tests, via the creation of 17 more standalone surgical hubs, so that operations are not cancelled because of emergencies.

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The plans will also mean GPs can refer patients directly for tests instead of via a consultant. Family doctors will be paid extra for every case they seek advice on from hospital doctors, rather than automatically making a referral.

The independent sector could also be used to tackle some of the longest waits in specialist areas of treatment, such as gynaecology, where there is a backlog of 260,000 women waiting more than 18 weeks for treatment.

At a press conference at Epsom Hospital in Surrey on Monday, Sir Keir admitted some people would not like the deal with the private sector, but said it was in the national interest.

He added: We will, of course, protect the principles we all cherish  that you will work to every day  care free at the point of use, treatment according to need, key principles.

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But to catapult the service into the future, we need an NHS that is reformed from top to bottom, millions of extra appointments signed, sealed and delivered with the plan that we are launching here today.

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This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Comparing the risk of 10,000 children acquiring measles (left) versus receiving the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. A new original figure modified from [9]. Artwork by Fahim Akbar. Credit: Hotez, 2025, PLOS Global Public Health, CC-BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

In a recent essay, pediatrician-scientist Peter Hotez proposes a focus on local data, improved benefit-risk communications, actively countering health disinformation, and state-level action to address antivaccine sentiment in the U.S.

Anti-vaccine sentiment isn't going away any time soon. In a new opinion article published January 8 in the open-access journal PLOS Global Public Health, Prof. Peter Hotez from Baylor College of Medicine, outlines key actions to stem the momentum of anti-vaccine advocates in the U.S. over the next five years.

Anti-vaccine activities in the U.S. transformed to become a politically charged movement during the COVID-19 pandemic as calls for health freedom characterized partisan political activism. In his recent opinion piece, Hotez argues that, as COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths decline, anti-vaccine attitudes have not decreased but merely shiftedtoward childhood vaccinations.

Vaccine hesitancy among parents for childhood vaccines is likewise politically divided, and the country has seen re-emergence of multiple preventable childhood illnesses, including whooping cough and measles. Recently, even polio has been detected in wastewater sampling.

Hotez warns that without urgent action, these isolated outbreaks of childhood illnesses may become regular breakthrough epidemics. He outlines short-term steps for researchers, policymakers, and communicators, including updating local-level data to identify pockets of vaccine hesitancy and focusing on state-level actions to maintain vaccination coverage.

In addition, he calls for broader efforts to accurately communicate the risks of preventable illnesses and combat disinformation in real time. Instead of relying on the efforts of individual scientists to correct false information, Hotez proposes that a government-established credible website to debunk vaccine myths in easy-to-understand language.

Hotez adds, "Our vaccine ecosystem is fragile and the troubling rise in cases of measles, pertussis, and other illnesses requires enhanced measures to counter antivaccine activism. Critical steps include mapping of hotspot counties with significant vaccine exemptions, improved benefit-risk communication graphics, exposing disinformation, and implementing sound vaccine policies in state legislatures."
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP)  Puerto Ricos new governor appointed a so-called energy czar on Wednesday to help pull the U.S. territory out of a power-supply crisis.

The nomination of Josue Colon comes days after a massive blackout hit the island, leaving nearly all its 3.2 million inhabitants in the dark as they prepared for New Years Eve.

Right now, we're in an emergency, said Gov. Jenniffer Gonzalez Colon. Our electrical system is in such a precarious situation that anything can cause the power to go out.

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Josue Colon is currently the executive director of Puerto Ricos Electric Power Authority but would step down if lawmakers approve his new position, which theyre expected to do in upcoming days. In his new role, he will supervise Genera PR, which oversees the generation of power on the island, and Luma Energy, which handles transmission and distribution.

As outages persist and officials investigate what caused the Dec. 31 blackout, critics have called on the government to cancel its contracts with the two private power companies.

Last year, the average duration of power interruptions per client in Puerto Rico increased by nearly 20% to 1,432 minutes a year, far above the established benchmark of 102 minutes, according to Puerto Ricos Energy Bureau. The average frequency of interruptions also increased last year.

In an update Wednesday, Luma said more than 2,500 clients remain without power since the Dec. 31 blackout and that it would continue cooperating with government officials and others to overcome the grid's latent challenges.

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I want to not only send a message that we here are not going to be lenient with contracts made with Puerto Ricos government, but that we are going to ensure Puerto Rico has power, Gonzalez told a news conference. She noted that the U.S. government has not yet released $18 billion slated for Puerto Ricos crumbling grid, and that Colon would push to help obtain those funds.

The federal government has already released millions of dollars to help stabilize the grid and rebuild it after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in September 2017.

The grid, however, was already in a fragile state because of a lack of maintenance and investment when the Category 4 storm hit.
Judge Domenic DiSandro, chief magistrate of the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal, gives the oath of office to Senate President Dominick Ruggerio on the first day of the legislative session. Also present is Ruggerio's niece, Natalie Fallon, age 9. (Nancy Lavin/Rhode Island Current)

Senate President Dominick Ruggerio repeatedly assured colleagues there would be no retribution against those who voted against him in a contested caucus election two days after the November general election.

But the new leadership roles bestowed upon his supporters and taken away from opponents might suggest otherwise. Divisions showcased during the Senate Democrats Nov. 7 caucus, which pitted Ruggerio against his former right-hand man, Sen. Ryan Pearson, reemerged Tuesday at the start of the first day of the 2025 legislative session.

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A dozen Democrats, Pearson included, voted present rather than back Ruggerio for another term as their leader in the formal vote Tuesday. Another 26 lawmakers, including all four Republicans, backed Ruggerio for another term as Senate president.

Ruggerio also voted present, one of several instances in which the newly recrowned leader paused or stumbled over his words during his first day back behind the dais. Speaking to reporters after the end of the inaugural session, Ruggerio said his vote was a mistake made because he could not hear what he was voting on.

For some, concerns linger over Ruggerios ability to lead amid ongoing health problems, which kept him away from the State House for long periods during the 2024 session  the root of the feud between Ruggerio and Pearson, which prompted Ruggerio to replace Pearson with Sen. Valarie Lawson as majority leader.

Ruggerio spoke slowly as he presided from the rostrum Tuesday. But the 76-year-old North Providence Democrat insisted his health was very good in comments to reporters.

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He was equally insistent that changes to Senate leadership were not retribution against his opponents.

I felt there should have been a different group, he said, noting some of the newly dethroned committee chairs had only held leadership positions for a year or two.

Sen. Ryan Pearson, a Cumberland Democrat, listens during proceedings of the first day of the 2025 legislative session on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (Nancy Lavin/Rhode Island Current)

Committee heads change

Among the shake-ups: Sen. Matthew LaMountain, a Warwick Democrat, will replace Sen. Dawn Euer, a Newport Democrat, as head of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, while Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski, a South Kingstown Democrat, will lead the Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture, ousting Sen. Alana DiMario, a Narragansett Democrat.

LaMountain, who was also named deputy president pro tempore, and Sosnowski backed Ruggerio as Senate president. DiMario and Euer both voted present, but previously backed Pearson during the caucus.

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Euer, who asked to see a doctors note during the Nov. 7 caucus proving Ruggerio was healthy enough to lead, said his performance during the Tuesday afternoon session only confirmed her decision to vote present rather than for Ruggerio as Senate president.

Today only increased my concerns about his capacity and ability to lead the chamber, Euer said. To be Senate president is not a ceremonial role. Their responsibility is to take feedback and input from all of the members. And if there is an inhibition in the ability to do that because of health reasons, I think it harms the entire chamber.

Euer rebutted Ruggerios claim that her ouster as Senate Committee on Judiciary chair was not punishment, reaffirming her record of work leading contentious hearings and advancing high-profile bills on gun restrictions and expanded abortion access in the last two years.

It was not a merit-based decision, she said of being replaced.

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DiMario, first elected in 2020, cited concerns with the lack of response from Ruggerio and Lawson when asked for specific legislative priorities for the upcoming session as reason why she did not support Ruggerio.

I have never been one who is overly invested in titles or parking spots, DiMario said in an interview on Monday, referring to the corresponding change in parking assignments that distinguishes leadership from rank-and-file members. I really thought having some consistency would be good in terms of productivity and ability to be effective. Instead, everything has changed.

Greg Pare, a spokesperson for the Senate, said the acceptance speeches Ruggerio and Lawson gave after their elections at the Nov. 7 caucus responded to requests for their priorities.

DiMario and Euers demotions arent the only changes made to the chambers hierarchy. Lawson, an East Providence Democrat, replaces Pearson as Ruggerios second-in-command, while Sen. David Tikoian, a Smithfield Democrat, will serve as the majority whip, filling the position formerly held by Lawson.

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Four other Senate committees will also get new leaders in the shuffle. Sen. Melissa Murray, a Woonsocket Democrat, will head the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, replacing Sen. Josh Miller, who did not seek reelection. Sen. Hanna Gallo, a Cranston Democrat, will lead the Committee on Education, replacing Sen. Sandra Cano, who suspended her 2024 reelection campaign in order to take a job with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Gallo was also reappointed as Senate president pro tempore.

Sen. Robert Britto of East Providence will lead the Committee on Commerce, replacing Sosnowski, who is now leading the Committee on Environment and Agriculture. Finally, Sen. Jake Bissaillon of Providence will head the Committee on Housing and Municipal Government, replacing the retiring Sen. Roger Picard.

All of the newly named leaders backed Ruggerio in the contested caucus vote and again Tuesday. Two of the new committee leaders, Murray and Bissaillon, never served on the committees that they will now lead. Neither Lawson nor Tikoian led any Senate committees prior to their new leadership positions.

Val and David are both enormously capable and dedicated leaders, Ruggerio said during his opening remarks. I look forward to working with them  and with all of you  towards the betterment of our state.

Sen. Dawn Euer, a Newport Democrat, presided over the Rhode Island Senate for the start of the 2025 session on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, prior to the election of Senate president. (Nancy Lavin/Rhode Island Current)

Winners and losers

Its not unprecedented for lawmakers to take on leadership roles in committees on which they have never served, especially in the Senate which has 38 members compared with 75 representatives on the House side, said John Marion, executive director for Common Cause Rhode Island.

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Its also not unusual for feuds over power to end in rewards for the winners, and consequences for the losers  sometimes far beyond chair positions.

This isnt the most severe punishment weve seen, Marion said, recalling how former House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello completely removed state representatives from committee duties after they voted against him for the speaker role in 2018.

Who heads a committee is also less consequential on Smith Hill than Capitol Hill due to the way Rhode Island centralizes power in the highest echelon of each chamber: the Senate president and House speaker.

Committee work is important, but not as important in Rhode Island, Marion said. In Congress, the repercussions of being stripped of a committee chair position are far greater.

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Sen. Lou DiPalma, a Middletown Democrat reappointed as head of the Senate Committee on Finance, also saw advantages to bringing new blood to leadership positions. The success of legislative leaders depends far more on the cooperation and support of Senate staff and fellow lawmakers than on their legislative resume, he said.

It becomes our job as the seniors, the veterans, the old guys, to work with the new committee chairs, said DiPalma, who was first elected to the Senate in 2008.

But will the senators who did not vote for Ruggerio as president be able to move past their distrust and ongoing concerns?

Sen. Tiara Mack, a Providence Democrat who voted for Pearson at the caucus, answered yes.

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Rhode Island has too many pressing issues, she said, citing the projected budget deficit, housing crisis, and potential repercussions from a Republican trifecta in D.C.. I hope we can put this behind us and really commit to a list of policies that are going to put Rhode Island working families, residents of every city and town, on a pathway to success.

DiMario also cast her apparent demotion in a positive light.

Not being a member of the leadership team anymore, it is a little more freeing to be able to truly vote the way I feel represents my constituents, she said. All this attention paid on titles and parking spots, I would hope this is the end of it.

Sen. Frank Ciccone, a Providence Democrat, was also reappointed to head the Senate Committee on Labor, while Sen. Mark McKenney, a Warwick Democrat, will continue to chair the Senate Committee on Rules, Government Ethics and Oversight. Sen. Walter Felag, a Bristol Democrat, will remain head of the Senate Committee on Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs.

Sen. Melissa Murray, a Woonsocket Democrat, was promoted to chair the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services during the first day of the legislative session. (Nancy Lavin/Rhode Island Current)

What about the Republicans?

The schisms among Senate Democrats may present an opportunity for Senate Republicans, who are normally unable to effect change due to their small number. Yet all four Senate Republicans voted for Ruggerio as Senate president.

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Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz of North Smithfield, who was reelected by her fellow Republicans on Monday to lead them, was not available for comment on Tuesday. But Euer hinted that Republicans might find some mutual understanding on issues with the dozen Democrats who voted present during the leadership vote on other issues.

I think theres common ground there around wanting to make sure theres accountability, Euer said.

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PARIS  French defense export orders had their second-best year ever in 2024, rising to more than 18 billion (US$18.6 billion) on demand for Rafale fighter jets and submarines, Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu told troops in his traditional New Years address in Paris on Tuesday.

Lecornu called for 2025 to be a new record year, driven by exports of surface vessels , submarines , radars, artillery, helicopters and yet more Rafale jets. Export efforts will also focus on the latest version of the French-Italian SAMP/T air-defense system, which the minister said is fundamental to defending against future ballistic-missile threats, particularly from Iran and Russia.

France counts on exports to help pay for what it calls strategic autonomy, allowing the country to maintain capabilities such as building an entire fighter jet or nuclear-powered submarine, with an economy a fraction that of the United States or China. France was the second-largest arms shipper in the 2019-2023 period after the United States, accounting for 11% of global arms exports, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

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Exporting our weapons is vital to developing our defense industrial and technological base, Lecornu said. It is just as vital for our trade balance, and for creating jobs throughout France. But it is also a prerequisite for our sovereignty.

Last years orders included nearly 10 billion for Dassault Aviations Rafale jet and Naval Group submarines, according to Lecornu. Frances overall defense export orders more than doubled from 8.2 billion in 2023 , after a record 27 billion in 2022.

Separately, Dassault Aviation reported export orders for 30 Rafale fighters in 2024 from 18 a year earlier. Export deliveries rose to seven aircraft from two, on total deliveries of 21 Rafale jets in 2024 and 13 a year earlier.

Lecornu warned the governments failure to pass a 2025 budget last year in a divided parliament threatens Frances ability to fund the military sufficiently. He called on lawmakers to assume their legislative responsibility, saying the armed forces should at the very least receive the budget set out in the 2024-2030 military spending law to ensure Frances real military effectiveness.

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The annual defense budget increase of 3 billion over the planning period should seen as a floor, certainly not a ceiling, the minister said. With security threats mounting, we must not weaken.

Arms production is rising in countries at war and authoritarian regimes, but also the large democratic powers, some of which are allies and export competitors alike, according to the minister. France is only at the beginning of reaching the level of a true war economy, despite this being essential to the survival of the countrys sovereign defense industry, Lecornu said.

The war economy we are implementing should also make our defense industry more competitive on the export market, particularly in terms of lead times and prices, when there is a brutal competition being played out as the world rearms itself. Lecornu has previously said that slow delivery times have caused French firms to lose orders to foreign rivals.

European Union plans to support the defense industry are useful but shouldnt result in European taxpayers money being spent on producing American equipment under license, the minister argued. The latter might provide the illusion of European autonomy but would put the continent at the mercy of a potential strategic U-turn by its U.S. ally, according to Lecornu.

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EU countries must remain sovereign in defining operational and capability requirements, Lecornu said. The European Commissions role should be to speed up and simplify the development of European defense industries, not to take the place of member states by creating additional complexities or constraints.

The minister called on manufacturers to take more risks in weapons innovation, rather than count on the government to pay for new projects. Where there is a market, there is by definition an economic model to be found, and the taxpayer alone cannot be systematically called upon in any form of precondition.

French priorities in 2025 will include deployment of artificial intelligence throughout the defense department, starting in operational intelligence and cyber. The goal is to make AI available for all operational uses, including in anti-drone warfare, operational decision making, fire control for terrestrial robots and piloting aids for fighter jets, Lecornu said.

The year 2025 should allow us to move up a gear and make France one of the worlds leading countries in the field of military artificial intelligence.

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France is also betting on quantum technologies, which will have a major impact on how war is waged, according to Lecornu. The armed forces will deploy quantum inertial units in submarines and Rafale jets, and quantic atomic clocks in its satellites.

Space will also be key in 2025, with the first commercial flight of the Ariane 6 launcher lifting the military surveillance satellite CSO-3 into orbit. France plans to organize a military space summit in the first half to bring together the French space industry and prioritize the militarys needs.

Drones will be another area of focus, with France seeking to ensure that every Army unit, every Navy surface vessel or every aircraft of the Air and Space Force has its accompanying drones and corresponding anti-drone system. Industry must move quickly and, if necessary, turn to existing, cheap, off-the-shelf systems rather than going through years of development and certification, Lecornu said. The situation is urgent, and here too, only results will count.

France isnt where it needs to be in terms of anti-drone electronic warfare, and Lecornu said he expects a leap forward in this area in 2025. Where drones are present, they must be mirrored by electronic warfare capabilities, either for jamming or detection. All our platforms and forward bases will be targets tomorrow, and must have their own electronic warfare capabilities.
As Colorado prepares to reintroduce its second batch of gray wolves this winter, the state agency responsible for the voter-mandated reintroduction effort is facing even more pressure from livestock producers. On Dec. 31, ranchers in Grand County submitted a request to Colorado Parks and Wildlife seeking $582,000 in compensation for the impacts they say gray wolves have had on their operations. If that total amount is approved, the Colorado Sun reports, it would drain the states Wolf Depredation Compensation Fund and force CPW to divert money from the states general fund to cover the costs.

Read Next: Colorados Wolf Reintroduction Has Cost Taxpayers Double What They Expected When They Voted to Approve It

The half-a-million dollars in claims submitted by the Middle Park Stockgrowers Association at the end of December are from just three ranchers in Grand County who had repeated conflicts with wolves over the course of 2024. The mostly rural county on the Western Slope has been at the center of the states gray wolf debate because its where two reintroduced wolves formed a mating pair and established the states first-ever named wolf pack, the Copper Creek pack. And it didnt take long for those wolves to start preying on livestock. CPW confirmed at least seven livestock depredations by the pack in April and May alone.

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After denying repeated requests from the MPSA to lethally remove the depredating wolves, CPW made the surprising decision to capture and relocate the Copper Creek pack in August. The agency failed to catch one of the pups, however, and in September, the breeding male died during the capture process. Agency officials said at the time that the wolfs death was unrelated to the relocation operation, and that it was in poor condition when it was captured. Federal officials with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have since announced that the male wolf that died had been shot beforehand.

The incident remains under investigation, according to a statement released Thursday, and there is now a $65,000 reward being offered for information about the illegal killing.

Compensation for Harried Herds

Checking a cow carcass. Matt Moyer / Getty Images

As part of their reimbursement request, Grand County ranchers are contending that the losses theyve experienced from reintroduced gray wolves go beyond confirmed wolf kills and attacks. Of the $582,000 in submitted claims, just over $18,000 is related to confirmed livestock deaths and injuries by wolves, according to the Sun. Most of the remaining $564,000 in claims are for livestock that have gone missing on ranches with a confirmed wolf attack; for cattle from affected ranches that were taken to market with a lower-than-normal weight; and for lower conception rates among livestock on affected ranches.

CPW still has to investigate each of the claims, and theres a chance that some claims wont be approved by the agency. Thats because it can be difficult to prove that wolves were solely responsible for the missing livestock and lower conception rates being cited by ranchers.

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Read Next: The Return of Wolves to Colorado Will Change Elk Hunting There. Heres How

But it could still have serious funding implications for the state. The $582,000 request far exceeds the $175,000 that was allotted to the Wolf Depredations Compensation Fund in the fiscal year 2023-24 to cover depredation claims and minimize conflicts with livestock. That allocation increases to $350,000 during the 2024-25 fiscal year, which resets on July 1.

Tensions Grow in Grand County

Grand County is where CPW officials performed the initial phase of wolf reintroduction in December 2023, releasing the first five Oregon-born wolves onto the landscape. At the time, ranchers there were already fiercely opposed to the reintroduction effort, which was voted in by a slim majority of Coloradans in 2020. (Along with most counties on the Western Slope, where the wolves are being reintroduced, most voters in Grand County voted No on Proposition 114.) As proof of their worst fears, ranchers pointed north to Jackson County, Colorado, where wolves that had immigrated naturally from Wyoming were already killing cattle.

It took about four months for those fears to be confirmed, and continued depredations by the Copper Creek pack during the spring and early summer further stressed relationships between ranchers and wildlife managers in Grand County. The MPSA and like-minded groups would continue to criticize CPWs wolf management actions and what they saw as a troubling trend of prioritizing wolves over the legitimate needs and rights of livestock producers.

Biologists fit a female gray wolf from the Copper Creek Pack with a radio collar. Officials say if the adult female is re-released in Colorado, she will be closely monitored. Photo by Brendan Oates / USFWS

Its no surprise then that the relocation of the Copper Creek pack was a breaking point of sorts. The agency now says it will release the remaining Copper Creek wolves back into the wild sometime between January and March. But even before that decision was made, and within weeks of when the actual relocation took place, the MPSA submitted a formal petition to the states wildlife commissioners asking them to pause wolf reintroduction for the time being.

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CPW officials asked commissioners in December to deny the MPSAs petition, pointing to an improved Conflict Minimization Program and clearer guidelines around chronic depredation and lethal management considerations. But the decision is ultimately up to the wildlife commissioners, who will discuss the MPSAs petition during a scheduled meeting Wednesday.

Read Next: As Wolf Management Debate Reaches a Fever Pitch, the Interior Department Hires a National Mediator

The commissioners Jan. 8 decision could have serious implications for the future of wolf reintroduction in Colorado. So could a recently announced ballot measure that was filed by a Colorado group Friday, and which seeks to repeal the voter-approved wolf reintroduction program entirely. Proponents of the new ballot measure say the law was a mistake that disrupts [a] delicate balance and that they plan to get it on the 2026 ballot, according to Colorado Politics.

Our heritage and our people are in danger in Colorado today, Colorado Advocates for Smart Wolf Policy said in a statement shared with CP on Jan. 3. Since gray wolves were reintroduced to Colorado in December 2023, taxpayers have paid for the privilege of watching these apex predators tear into our agricultural economy and ecosystem.
A watercolor painting by 19th-century Philadelphia artist William H. Dorsey is now on display at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania after it was plucked from the depths of a Glenside, Pennsylvania, thrift storeand potential obscurity.

The untitled landscape, which dates to 1864, is thought to be Dorseys only surviving painting, according to Philadelphias WHYY. Dorsey, who was part of a prominent Black family in Philadelphia, was known primarily for his extensive scrapbooking of Black community history. Dorseys artistic output was largely undocumented, with no other paintings found in museum collections or auction records. However a 1896 article published in the Philadelphia Times refers to Dorsey as a true artistic talent.

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The watercolor was discovered last year by Andy Robbins, an HR professional and frequent thrift store visitor, at New Life Thrift. The small oval painting features a tranquil scene with a figure fishing near a church and a mill. Intrigued by the signature W.H. Dorsey 1864, Robbins purchased the piece for $10 and later shared his find on Instagram. His post caught the attention of the digital history project 1838 Black Metropolis, whose researchers connected the painting to William H. Dorsey.

Dorsey was the son of Thomas Dorsey, a former slave who escaped to Philadelphia and became a wealthy caterer. This wealth allowed William to pursue art and historical preservation. He co-founded the American Negro Historical Society and maintained a personal museum of African American art and history in his home. Dorsey exhibited paintings at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) in 1867 and 1868, including a work titled The Fisherman, which might be the painting Robbins found.

After discovering its historical significance, Robbins decided to donate the painting to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania rather than try and cash in on his discovery. It now forms part of the institutions exhibition on recent acquisitions.

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(WKBN)  Bird watchers listen up! The Ohio Division of Wildlife alerted this week that a rare bird was spotted in Ohio.

Read next: Winter storm to complicate Ohio State playoff game

A lazuli bunting was spotted in Meigs County, according to a post on the agencys Facebook page. It said This is very likely the first documented report of this species touching down in the Buckeye State.

The bird is native to the western U.S.

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ODW said that birds sometimes stray from their typical range due to weather patterns, disorientation during migration or changes in habitat.

Bird watching in the winter comes with some special perks. While the Valley is home to a collection of parks and nature preserves that make for good bird watching year-round, there are some species of birds that can only be found in Ohio during the winter.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources recommends bird enthusiasts head out now and look for interesting and uncommon birds that make their way to Ohio or are more easily spotted in the winter.

Laurel Stone contributed to this report.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
Bleached sandhill skipper in the meadows at Baltazor Hot Spring in Humboldt County. (Photo courtesy Patrick Donnelly/Center for Biological Diversity)

A rare tiny butterfly found only in a remote stretch of Northern Nevada will soon gain federal protections under the Endangered Species Act.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Tuesday that the bleached sandhill skipper, a small golden-orange butterfly that typically measures under 2 inches long, warrants federal protections as an endangered or threatened species.

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The agency is now opening a 60-day public comment period on a proposed rule to list the rare butterfly, after determining the bleached sandhill skipper is at risk of extinction due to ongoing threats from climate change and groundwater pumping.

Increasing temperatures and a lack of rainfall have made the butterflys habitat warmer and drier than whats suitable for the insect in recent years. Higher temperatures are already causing direct impacts to the health of individual butterflies and entire populations, according to the agency.

It is a beautiful little butterfly, found in just a few quiet places in Nevada, said Lara Enders, a fish and wildlife biologist with USFWS in Reno. In reviewing the information available, we found that at least one population has declined substantially in the last 10 years.

Bleached sandhill skippers are known to exist only in three populations within a 14-mile area in northern Humboldt County. About 85% of the skippers populations live on public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

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The larval stage of the rare butterfly heavily depends on saltgrass for food, a host plant found in their alkali meadow habitat. Adult bleached sandhill skippers rely on nearby rabbitbrushes as their nectar source. Both plants and the rare butterfly require suitable temperatures and moisture levels to maintain appropriate conditions.

The data indicate warming temperatures in this part of Nevada directly affects this species survival and ability to reproduce, said Enders. We also found that the changes in climate patterns, coupled with groundwater pumping, are contributing to the drying out of the alkali meadow communities that the bleached sandhill skipper calls home.

The listing comes after a one-year status review launched in response to a petition filed in 2022 by the Center for Biological Diversity to protect the small butterfly.

The bleached sandhill skipper is a miracle in the desert, and this is a big step toward preserving a unique butterfly adapted to the harsh conditions of alkali wetlands, said Patrick Donnelly, Great Basin director at the Center for Biological Diversity, in a statement. The wetlands these butterflies need to survive will dry up and blow away unless we can protect the water that sustains them.

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The listing could also cause regulatory headaches for a geothermal power plant project that plans to tap into underground hot springs near the species habitat at the Baltazor Hot Springs near the Nevada-Oregon border.

A proposed power plant by Ormat Technologies would not be in the butterflys wetland habitat, but the Center for Biological Diversity argued in its petition to list the species for federal protection last year that tapping the underground hot springs for geothermal energy was likely to affect the flows into the springs that support plants the butterflies rely on for laying eggs or feeding on nectar.

The bleached sandhill skipper needs the same thing to survive that we do: water, said Donnelly. With these endangered species protections, we arent just protecting charming little butterflies and their wetland habitat. Were protecting the water that sustains all life in the desert, including our own.

Nevada currently has two endangered butterfly species: the Mount Charleston blue butterfly, which is found in the Spring Mountains, and the Carson wandering skipper, whose habitat stretches from the valleys south of Carson City up to Susanville, California.
Gov. Jim Justice addresses state lawmakers Wednesday for the last time as governor. Justice, a Republican who has spent two terms as the state's chief executive, will be sworn in as a U.S. senator next week. (Will Price | West Virginia Legislative Photography)

Speaking to state lawmakers Wednesday for a final time before he assumes a new role in the U.S. Senate, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice touted his administrations accomplishments in education, roads and tourism, among others, and promised to continue the nations fossil fuel industry.

All the surpluses, all the gains, all the tourism, all the roads, all the, all the. You know what we did, we did this together, Justice told lawmakers. And you should be very proud. Every last one of all of yall. Every single last one of you. You restored and gave West Virginia pride and hope. You did. You should never forget that.

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Repeating a saying from his father, Justice told lawmakers it has been a real honor flying with you. It really has. I absolutely would wish you the best in every way.

Justice gave his comments before a joint session of the state Legislature in the House of Delegates following swearing-in ceremonies by both bodies.

Justice, who served two terms as the states chief executive, was elected in November to the U.S. Senate. Hell be sworn into the new role Jan. 13, the day of Governor-elect Patrick Morriseys inauguration.

Justice spoke of turning the states deficits into surpluses and touted his $2.8 billion infrastructure program, Roads to Prosperity, which rebuilt and maintained roads and bridges across the state.

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He admonished the state to always celebrate Oct. 7, the anniversary of when voters approved the issuance of $1.6 billion for the program, as a day the state pivoted and took off.

Dont ever, ever not celebrate Oct. 7, because on that day, this whole state took a big turn of where we had been and where we had been for decades, he said. Absolutely right then and there, we took off.

Justice also touted cutting taxes over and over and encouraged lawmakers to continue to work toward eliminating the states income tax. Lawmakers last fall approved a bill that cut the tax by 2%, eliminating about $46 million a year in state revenue. The governor had initially asked the Legislature to cut the tax by 5%, but he amended his request.

I would tell you, dont lose the mission, he said. The faster you can get rid of your personal income tax in West Virginia, this place will flood with people and opportunity over and over and over. You absolutely please keep your mission.

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Justice was first elected West Virginias governor in 2016 as a Democrat. The next year, while on stage in Huntington with his friend, then and president-elect Donald Trump, Justice announced he would register as a Republican and leave the Democratic Party.

Justice said the state has done a bunch of really good stuff for education in the state in his time as governor, including giving families the choice of private schooling and homeschooling through the states education savings account program Hope Scholarship and expanding the Community In Schools and therapy dog programs.

We have flipped the script in many ways with our schools, but we got a lot more to do, he said. Theres no question we got a lot more to do, and we can improve over and over and over. But the things weve done as far as choice, the things weve done, as far as the [School Building Authority] the things we have absolutely been able to do because of the fact that were economically so sound, its unbelievable. Weve done good stuff, and you should really be proud of that.

Justice said tourists spent $9 billion in West Virginia in 2024 as the state became frogs that were proud of our own pond.

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He also bragged that the state stood rock solid for life. In 2022, after the U.S. Supreme Courts overturning of Roe V. Wade, lawmakers approved an abortion ban with narrow exceptions. He touted the states support of guns, appointment of conservative judges and not turning a blind eye to the border crisis.

Justice repeated praise for Trump, saying that lawmakers, for the most part, should love and respect him, and said that energy is important for the countrys future.

Justice, whose family owns several coal companies, has been appointed to the Senates committee on Energy and Natural Resources, among others. Justice said energy will be the key to growing the countrys revenue. He said he supports Trumps plan to take a meat ax to spending waste in Washington.

The only way civilization has gone forward is that were standing and sitting on natural gas reserves, coal reserves, Justice said. Absolutely all the alternatives, whether they be solar or wind or whatever, I say, embrace them all, but for Gods sakes a living, dont be dumb enough to absolutely turn your back on our fossil fuels. Our fossil fuels are critical to us like you cant imagine.

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CLEVELAND, Ohio (WJW)  The American Red Cross put out a call for volunteers Wednesday morning to man emergency shelters for people displaced by the wildfires in southern California.

The Northern Ohio Region is now seeing if any of their volunteers are available, Regional Communications Manager Christy Peters told Fox 8 News.

Crews respond to fire at Cleveland Metroparks Zoos RainForest

Here in northern Ohio, we are fortunate that we dont experience many huge natural disasters like wildfires or hurricanes. So, often our volunteers are willing to go because they realize those people need help, she said.

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Anyone who is available to go away for at least two weeks will be put on a list of available volunteers. Peters said its highly likely theyll be sent to California because of the mass destruction thats already happened.

Its just a matter of which emergency shelters need the most help.

Peters pointed out that so many people will have had to make quick evacuations and could be without food, clothes, toiletries or medication. Many may have had to abandon their car.

ALDI opening new store in Northeast Ohio

Many of them, probably, didnt have time to grab much of anything before they left, Peters explained. In our shelters, we make sure that those needs are being met for all of our residents. Were providing them, not only, with food but with care items. We have specialized volunteers who help with health needs.

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Peters also shared that the Red Cross Northern Ohio Region is always seeking volunteers. Even if someone cant travel for natural disasters, they respond to an average of three house fires every day to provide the same resources that are being provided to the people of southern California.

You can learn more about becoming a volunteer at the Red Cross website.

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 8 Cleveland WJW.
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:

Exploratory study reveals how the reduced effects of sex hormones during the early development in males are partially related to characteristics frequently observed in ASD. Credit: Dr. Atsuko Saito / Sophia University, Japan

Why have males been overrepresented among geniuses in STEM fields so far? A popular biological psychological explanation is the "Extreme Male Brain Theory" (EMB), which suggests that an overdose of prenatal androgen (male hormone) leads to the hyper-masculine brain type, characterized by a strong geek tendency and insensitivity to others' feelings.

This theory explains the etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and inevitably connects prenatal androgen action with talents in specific fields.

However, the current research shows evidence that the opposite story might be true: reduced androgen exposure in males may play a significant role in shaping autism-associated traits.

This exploratory research was led by Dr. Atsuko Saito, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Sophia University, along with Mx. Shintaro Tawata from the Graduate School of Human Sciences, Sophia University, and Professor Kikue Sakaguchi from the Research Department, National Institution for Academic Degrees and Quality Enhancement of Higher Education.

Their findings were published in Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry on November 8, 2024.

The researchers were inspired to explore the relationship between neurodevelopmental diversities and sexual minorities, especially those presumed to have been exposed to atypical effects of sex steroid hormones during early development. These hormonal differences, they hypothesized, might influence the sensory and cognitive traits commonly associated with autism.

To investigate, the researchers analyzed the general population for autism-related traits like savant syndrome, sensory sensitivity, and synesthesia. Savant syndrome involves exceptional abilities in specific areas, while synesthesia is when one sensory stimulus involuntarily triggers another (e.g., hearing colors or seeing sounds).

To this end, the researchers examined four participant groups: 22 individuals with Klinefelter syndrome (KS), 66 sexual minorities assigned male at birth, and two control groups36 males without Klinefelter syndrome or gender non-conforming traits and 583 in the second control group for reanalysis.

Klinefelter syndrome is characterized by an extra X chromosome (XXY), which emerges in 1/660 male births, often leading to reduced androgen levels and neurodevelopmental disorders. Participants completed self-reported questionnaires on sensory sensitivity, savant abilities, synesthesia, and gender-related traits.

The data were analyzed using two methods: exploratory analysis and reanalysis. The exploratory analysis explored relationships between sensory sensitivity, savant abilities, synesthesia, and gender-related traits across groups. Reanalysis was conducted with a larger control group to verify the initial findings.

The results were striking. Individuals with Klinefelter syndrome and sexual minorities exhibited significantly higher levels of sensory hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity compared to controls. These traits were most pronounced in participants with gender dysphoria (or dissatisfaction), where gender identity conflicts with the assigned sex at birth.

Synesthesia was more frequent among sexual minorities (18.2%), compared to the controls (2.8%). Savant abilities, such as exceptional memory, spatial reasoning, and artistic talent, were also more common in sexual minorities.

Elaborating further, the researchers say, "Our findings suggest that androgynous traits, marked by reduced androgen exposure during development, may contribute to the sensory and cognitive characteristics often seen in ASD."

Adding further, "This challenges the EMB theory and offers a fresh perspective on how early hormonal influences shape neurodevelopment."

What's more, this study also draws a connection between gender dysphoria and atypical sensory perception, highlighting differences in sensory processing and self-concept integration.

"Our findings suggest that individuals with gender dysphoria may process sensory information differently, which could influence how they form their sense of self," explain the researchers.

"Although our findings may not immediately result in changes to clinical practice, they hold significant potential to enhance self-understanding, raise awareness, and empower sexual minorities and individuals at high risk for neurodevelopmental disorders."

In conclusion, this study sheds light on the intersection of gender and neurodiversity and also highlights the need for further exploration using diverse methodologies and sample groups to gain a deeper understanding of neurological development.

More information: Shintaro Tawata et al, Androgyny and atypical sensory sensitivity associated with savant ability: a comparison between Klinefelter syndrome and sexual minorities assigned male at birth, Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (2024). DOI: 10.3389/frcha.2024.1356802
The shores of the Great Salt Lake near Syracuse are pictured on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)

Despite the various steps lawmakers have taken in recent years to get more water to the Great Salt Lake, researchers say theres no way to truly restore the lake without cutting back on the production of crops like alfalfa.

Thats according to a new study published Tuesday in the journal Environmental Challenges that outlined how much water is needed to bring the Great Salt Lake to the ecologically healthy level of 4,198 feet.

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You cant get the volume of water that you need to save the lake in any other way, other than substantially reducing how much water is going towards those cattle feed crops, said Brian Richter, president of Sustainable Waters and a lead author of the study.

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To reach that healthy level, Richter and his team proposed reducing water consumption in the Great Salt Lake Basin by 650,000 acre-feet each year. Thats enough water to fill most of northern Utahs reservoirs  Jordanelle, Deer Creek, Echo, Rockport, East Canyon, Pineview, Smith and Morehouse, Hyrum, Newton, Causey and Lost Creek  and still have about 40,000 acre-feet to spare.

An acre-foot is enough water to submerge an acre of land in one foot of water

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The lake, which directly supports $2.5 billion in annual economic productivity through mineral extraction, recreation and brine shrimp harvesting, according to the study, has been in decline over the last decade. In November 2022 it hit a historic low of 4,188.5 feet, rebounding slightly in the following two years. On Tuesday, both the north and south arms hovered around 4,192 feet.

But since 1989, on average, the lake has lost about 309,000 acre-feet each year, according to the study. Researchers found that agricultural use is responsible for 71% of the water diverted from the lake  of that, 80% is used to grow cattle-feed crops, like alfalfa and other types of hay.

The study found that each year, the Great Salt Lake Basin produces more than 50% of the alfalfa grown in Utah, and about 2% of the U.S. total.

And despite the Utah Legislature enacting numerous changes to the states laws regarding water rights and conservation in the basin, the lake is still far from healthy, the study notes.

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The Utah legislature has in recent years passed multiple bills designed to encourage water conservation, reads the study. However, in 2022 these measures managed to increase inflows to the Great Salt Lake by less than  100,000 acre-feet, which is only 15% of our target level.

Researchers point to four options:

Changing the crop mixture to reduce water consumption, while encouraging split season irrigation and partial fallowing of grass hay (fallowing is when farmers leave their fields grazed or unmowed to encourage grass reseeding). Farmers could cut back on alfalfa for crops like winter wheat, which would save an estimated 91,500 acre-feet of water per year, while reducing the number of cuttings on alfalfa farms, which would save more than 477,000 acre-feet annually.

Focusing just on split-season irrigation while increasing grass-hay fallowing, which would yield similar results as the first option.

Reducing industrial, municipal and mineral extraction water consumption by 20%, which would save about 108,000 acre-feet annually. The remaining 542,000 acre-feet could be saved through a mix of the first two options.

The last option would incorporate HB33, a 2022 bill from the Utah Legislature that allows the state to lease water rights in the Great Salt Lake Basin. If the state leases enough water to hit the studys target, farmers could be allowed to conserve and deliver the leased water in any manner preferred, the study notes.

We think its really important to be honest and truthful about what we think needs to be done. But on the other hand, we really dont want this work to shame, blame or vilify farmers or ranchers for growing these crops.

 Brian Richter, president of Sustainable Waters

None of these are recommendations. What were trying to do is explore possibilities, explore scenarios, explore options. And ultimately, the best solution is going to be a mixture of these things, Richter said. Its also really important for everybody to be involved in a water conservation program. There needs to be a city component, there needs to be an industrial component. Not all of this should be put on farmers backs.

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Richter says the options also represent different financial commitments  if the state, with farmers and ranchers, focuses on split-season irrigation or fallowing, that could cost about $100 million each year. If the state were to focus on leasing that water, it would be between $144 to $400 million.

But despite being the more expensive option, leasing water puts the power in the hands of farmers and ranchers, Richter said, who can figure out how to conserve water while being compensated.

We think its really important to be honest and truthful about what we think needs to be done. But on the other hand, we really dont want this work to shame, blame or vilify farmers or ranchers for growing these crops, Richter said.

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The shores of the Great Salt Lake near Syracuse, Utah, are pictured on May 21, 2024. (Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)

Despite the various steps lawmakers have taken in recent years to get more water to the Great Salt Lake, researchers say theres no way to truly restore the lake without cutting back on the production of crops like alfalfa.

Thats according to a new study published Tuesday in the journal Environmental Challenges that outlined how much water is needed to bring the Great Salt Lake to the ecologically healthy level of 4,198 feet.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

You cant get the volume of water that you need to save the lake in any other way, other than substantially reducing how much water is going towards those cattle feed crops, said Brian Richter, president of Sustainable Waters and a lead author of the study.

To reach that healthy level, Richter and his team proposed reducing water consumption in the Great Salt Lake Basin by 650,000 acre-feet each year. Thats enough water to fill most of northern Utahs reservoirs  Jordanelle, Deer Creek, Echo, Rockport, East Canyon, Pineview, Smith and Morehouse, Hyrum, Newton, Causey and Lost Creek  and still have about 40,000 acre-feet to spare.

An acre-foot is enough water to submerge an acre of land in one foot of water.

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Water levels from the Great Salt Lake have been in decline over the last decade

The lake, which directly supports $2.5 billion in annual economic productivity through mineral extraction, recreation and brine shrimp harvesting, according to the study, has been in decline over the last decade. In November 2022 it hit a historic low of 4,188.5 feet, rebounding slightly in the following two years. On Tuesday, both the north and south arms hovered around 4,192 feet.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But since 1989, on average, the lake has lost about 309,000 acre-feet each year, according to the study. Researchers found that agricultural use is responsible for 71% of the water diverted from the lake  of that, 80% is used to grow cattle-feed crops, like alfalfa and other types of hay.

The study found that each year, the Great Salt Lake Basin produces more than 50% of the alfalfa grown in Utah, and about 2% of the U.S. total.

And despite the Utah Legislature enacting numerous changes to the states laws regarding water rights and conservation in the basin, the lake is still far from healthy, the study notes.

The Utah Legislature has in recent years passed multiple bills designed to encourage water conservation, reads the study. However, in 2022 these measures managed to increase inflows to the Great Salt Lake by less than  100,000 acre-feet, which is only 15% of our target level.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Researchers point to four options:

 Changing the crop mixture to reduce water consumption, while encouraging split season irrigation and partial fallowing of grass hay (fallowing is when farmers leave their fields grazed or unmowed to encourage grass reseeding). Farmers could cut back on alfalfa for crops like winter wheat, which would save an estimated 91,500 acre-feet of water per year, while reducing the number of cuttings on alfalfa farms, which would save more than 477,000 acre-feet annually.

 Focusing just on split-season irrigation while increasing grass-hay fallowing, which would yield similar results as the first option.

Reducing industrial, municipal and mineral extraction water consumption by 20%, which would save about 108,000 acre-feet annually. The remaining 542,000 acre-feet could be saved through a mix of the first two options.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The last option would incorporate HB33, a 2022 bill from the Utah Legislature that allows the state to lease water rights in the Great Salt Lake Basin. If the state leases enough water to hit the studys target, farmers could be allowed to conserve and deliver the leased water in any manner preferred, the study notes.

We think its really important to be honest and truthful about what we think needs to be done. But on the other hand, we really dont want this work to shame, blame or vilify farmers or ranchers for growing these crops.

 Brian Richter, president of Sustainable Waters

None of these are recommendations. What were trying to do is explore possibilities, explore scenarios, explore options. And ultimately, the best solution is going to be a mixture of these things, Richter said. Its also really important for everybody to be involved in a water conservation program. There needs to be a city component, there needs to be an industrial component. Not all of this should be put on farmers backs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Richter says the options also represent different financial commitments  if the state, with farmers and ranchers, focuses on split-season irrigation or fallowing, that could cost about $100 million each year. If the state were to focus on leasing that water, it would be between $144 to $400 million.

But despite being the more expensive option, leasing water puts the power in the hands of farmers and ranchers, Richter said, who can figure out how to conserve water while being compensated.

We think its really important to be honest and truthful about what we think needs to be done. But on the other hand, we really dont want this work to shame, blame or vilify farmers or ranchers for growing these crops, Richter said.

Utah News Dispatch, like the Idaho Capital Sun, is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Utah News Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor McKenzie Romero for questions: info@utahnewsdispatch.com.

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Bill Wassmuth, a Catholic priest from the small farming community of Greencreek, Idaho, emerged as a leader to combat hate in the Gem State. Wassmuth first encountered the Aryan Nations in the late 1970s when his parishioners began receiving antisemitic propaganda distributed by Richard Butler's followers. (Courtesy of the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights)

Idahos landscape is complex and contradictory. Our state is a place where the breathtaking beauty of the land often stands in stark contrast to the ugliness of injustice. Yet its also a state where both quiet courage and bold resistance have taken root.

Beneath the surface of our history are extraordinary stories of communities that refused to let hate have the final word. These are the stories of neighbors standing up for neighbors, of communities coming together to clearly declare, This is not who we are.

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It is important to uncover these hidden histories, learning from the past to illuminate a path forward. Because these stories arent just echoes of what was  they are guides for what can be. They challenge us to ask: How can we build a state where all people belong and thrive?

A culture of human rights is the foundation for belonging and thriving. But what do we mean by human rights? At its core, the concept is simple and profound: They are the inherent freedoms and dignity that belong to all people, regardless of identity, background or beliefs. Human rights affirm our shared humanity and underscore our equal worth. Yet history repeatedly shows us that these rights are neither automatic nor permanent. They must be continuously upheld, defended and sometimes reclaimed from forces that seek to divide and diminish us.

Idahos human rights story embodies this struggle to protect and promote the inherent worth of all people. One of our states most infamous chapters features the rise of the Aryan Nations. In the 1970s, Richard Butler moved to Idaho and established a compound near Hayden Lake. Butler saw our state as fertile ground to develop a hub for white supremacy. Capitalizing on the regions lack of racial diversity, history of Confederate sympathies and a continuing wave of white flight from the South and urban areas, Butler weaved hateful ideology into a distorted version of Christianity to unite far-right extremists.

This movement was not an anomaly; it was part of a broader legacy of systemic exclusion and racial hostility in the Pacific Northwest. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Chinese immigrants faced discriminatory taxes, anti-miscegenation laws and violence. On Feb. 25, 1886, an anti-Chinese convention took place right here in Boise. All these acts ensured that by the 1920s, Idahos population was overwhelmingly white.

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Idaho faces white supremacy, Ku Klux Klan activity

During this decade, the state experienced another surge of white supremacy. This was part of a national wave of racial intolerance. Fueled by fears of societal change, the Ku Klux Klan organized public events to display its influence and assert its racist and antisemitic ideas. One of the most notable demonstrations occurred in 1923 when Klan members held a parade in downtown Boise. Adorned in white hoods, over 350 Klansmen marched with floats, pyrotechnics and a band. They made their way from the city center to the fairgrounds, where a crowd of 3,000 community members watched as they lit crosses in a dramatic show of power.

Bill Wassmuth was instrumental in combating hate, injustice and racism in Idaho. (Courtesy of the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights)

This event illustrated the Klans attempt to normalize white supremacist ideals and intimidate minority groups and those who opposed their agenda. While the Klans presence in Idaho was less entrenched than in Southern states, it left a troubling legacy. Black residents faced segregation and violence, as well as informal yet pervasive discrimination that denied them basic rights and opportunities. These moments of exclusion were justified by dehumanizing narratives that characterized African Americans as unworthy or dangerous.

Economic instability and demographic shifts during the 1920s further amplified the spread of white supremacist ideologies in Idaho. As the agricultural economy faltered and new immigrant groups arrived, white residents often scapegoated minorities, particularly Indigenous peoples and Mexican workers. The visibility of the 1923 Klan parade and similar activities reinforced exclusionary practices such as restrictive housing covenants, segregation in public spaces, and discriminatory laws. These acts of overt white supremacy not only highlighted the deep racial divides of the time but also laid a foundation for future extremist movements in Idaho.

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The establishment of the Aryan Nations is one example. In the 1970s, Richard Butler moved to Idaho, intending to create a home base for white supremacist groups. Butlers movement perpetuated an us versus them ideology that sought to dehumanize and divide.

Butlers journey to establishing the Aryan Nations began with his exposure to far-right thinking. During World War II, he developed an admiration for Adolf Hitler and Nazi philosophy, despite fighting on the Allied side. After the war, Butler became deeply influenced by U.S. Sen. Joseph McCarthys anti-communist rhetoric, which connected him with Wesley Swift, a preacher who espoused a theology known as Christian Identity. These teachings combined Biblical scripture with white supremacist beliefs, claiming that white Europeans were Gods chosen people and that Jews and people of color were subhuman.

Christian Identity became the backbone of the Aryan Nations. Butler transformed Swifts teachings into a unifying doctrine that could attract a wide array of extremist groups. By framing white supremacy as divinely ordained, he provided a theological justification for hate, which helped galvanize disparate factions of the far-right under a common religious and political banner.

Dismantling the legacy of the Aryan Nations compound at Hayden Lake

The 20-acre Aryan Nations compound became the physical and symbolic center of Butlers movement. With its guard tower, swastika-emblazoned chapel and regular gatherings, the compound served as a hub for white supremacists, paramilitary groups and neo-Nazis. By providing a physical space for networking, Butler solidified the Aryan Nations as a central node in the web of extremist organizations.

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To achieve this, Butler hosted annual Aryan World Congress meetings at the compound. The gatherings provided a platform for collaboration, allowing extremist groups to share tactics, exchange propaganda and recruit members. These events helped transform the Aryan Nations from a regional entity into a national and even international network.

The compound also became a destination for individuals disillusioned with mainstream society or radicalized by the economic and social changes of the 1970s and 1980s. Butler framed his movement as a refuge for those seeking to preserve traditional white Christian values in the face of what he portrayed as cultural and demographic threats.

Butlers ability to unite extremist groups was rooted in his exploitation of shared fears and grievances. He tapped into anxieties about racial integration, civil rights advancements and the perceived erosion of white dominance in American society. By presenting a vision of an all-white homeland in the Pacific Northwest, Butler gave his followers a sense of purpose. His work was both a response to and a catalyst for the social and political climate in which he operated.

The Aryan Nations did not just spew hateful rhetoric; they caused significant harm to many individuals. At the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights, we use the Spiral of Injustice framework to understand how unchecked prejudice can escalate into discrimination, violence, and even elimination. In the case of the Aryan Nations, the Spiral began, as it often does, with language; hateful words and conspiracy theories from extremist leaders dehumanized minorities and fueled a narrative of white victimhood.

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This language normalized avoidance as communities distanced themselves from certain groups, fostering silence and complicity. Avoidance then gave way to discrimination, targeting communities of color and Jewish families. The Aryan Nations actively promoted policies that reinforced segregation and exclusion, claiming Idaho as part of a white homeland. These discriminatory practices created an environment where violence could flourish, evident in assaults, threats and even bombings that threatened the safety of countless Idahoans and others across the country. Finally, the most extreme stage  elimination  was promoted through the Aryan Nations explicit calls for establishing an exclusively white society. Their vision was nothing less than the total destruction of the groups they deemed unworthy.

Fortunately, this Spiral of injustice is not inevitable  it can be interrupted. Idahos history illustrates the power of individuals and communities to stand against hatred.

And this is exactly what happened in northern Idaho. The story of the dismantling of the Aryan Nations is the story of people from all walks of life  faith leaders, educators, business owners, law enforcement, government officials and regular community members  working side by side to reclaim their communities.

Bill Wassmuth urges Idaho to reject hate and speak out against injustice, racism

Bill Wassmuth, a Catholic priest from the small farming community of Greencreek, Idaho, emerged as a leader in these efforts. Wassmuth first encountered the Aryan Nations in the late 1970s when his parishioners began receiving antisemitic propaganda distributed by Butlers followers. The material openly promoted hate and violence against Jews and Black Americans. Recognizing the danger posed by such rhetoric, Wassmuth initially responded with sermons condemning the Aryan Nations. He urged his congregation to reject hate.

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However, Wassmuth soon realized that sermons alone were insufficient. The Aryan Nations had started attracting national attention, and the hateful ideology was seeping into the local community. Wassmuth decided that a broader, coordinated response was needed.

In 1980, Wassmuth joined 27 other religious leaders in the area to issue an interfaith petition condemning the Aryan Nations hateful ideologies. This public rebuke was pivotal, signaling that local clergy were united against white supremacy. Up until this point, there had been a lot of silence. Some community members worried that directly addressing the Aryan Nations would give the extremist group credibility, others just didnt recognize the level of threat, and some people were simply scared. Bill Wassmuth had become convinced that the most dangerous course of action was to remain silent.

Known for his commitment to speaking out against injustice, Wassmuth was recruited to chair the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations in 1984. His first order of business was to bring together a diverse group of community members to develop a wide range of strategies to promote a different vision for what their community could be. The task force participated in parades and county fairs, organized public events and educational symposiums, and produced a short television program series.

Despite these efforts, the Aryan Nations escalated its activities, becoming increasingly violent in the mid-1980s. An offshoot group called the Order carried out a series of crimes, including armed robberies, the bombing of a Boise synagogue, and the murder of Jewish radio host Alan Berg. These violent actions underscored the urgent need to confront the threat posed by Butlers network.

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A visible figure in the fight against the Aryan Nations, Wassmuth faced personal attacks. In 1986, his home was bombed. However, Wassmuth refused to be intimidated. Instead of retreating, he used the attack as a rallying point for the community. In public statements, Wassmuth emphasized nonviolence and the importance of standing together against hate. His resilience inspired others to join the movement, reinforcing the idea that collective action was essential in order to defeat extremism.

A visible figure in the fight against the Aryan Nations, Bill Wassmuth faced personal attacks. In 1986, his home was bombed. However, Wassmuth refused to be intimidated. Instead of retreating, he used the attack as a rallying point for the community. (Courtesy of the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights)

One of Wassmuths key contributions was his ability to mobilize the community in creative and strategic ways. For example, when Butler announced plans to hold the Aryan World Congress in the summer of 1986, the task force organized a regional campaign to promote human rights. Nearly 200 cities across the Northwest issued proclamations rejecting hate and supporting human dignity. In Coeur dAlene, the task force launched Good Neighbor Day. This celebration of diversity was slated to take place on the same day as the Aryan World Congress and would highlight the communitys commitment to inclusion. These efforts not only countered the Aryan Nations message by proactively saying yes to human rights but also attracted national media attention, shifting the focus away from the extremist group.

Another notable moment came in 1998 when Butlers followers held a parade in Coeur dAlene. Rather than confronting the marchers directly, the community creatively responded. Businesses closed their doors with signs reading Closed to Hate. The task force also organized an alternative event  a Lemons to Lemonade campaign. They worked tirelessly to rally the community, distributing yellow ribbons as symbols of peace and solidarity. Residents pledged donations for every minute the parade lasted, raising $35,000 for human rights education programs. The innovative approach demonstrated how communities could reclaim power from hate groups by focusing on shared values.

Southern Poverty Law Center files pivotal lawsuit against Butler, Aryan Nations

The fight against extremist groups reached a critical turning point in 2000. Following a violent attack by Aryan Nations security guards on an Indigenous mother and son near the Hayden Lake compound, the Southern Poverty Law Center filed a civil lawsuit against Butler and his organization. The case, supported by local activists and law enforcement, resulted in $6 million judgment against the Aryan Nations. This lawsuit bankrupted the organization, leading to the loss of their compound and signaling a decisive victory against their movement. While the lawsuit marked the end of the Aryan Nations as a physical presence in Idaho, Wassmuth cautioned against complacency. He recognized that hate could persist in more insidious forms, especially online. He emphasized the need for ongoing vigilance and civic engagement to prevent the resurgence of extremism.

The Southern Poverty Law Center filed a civil lawsuit against Richard Butler and his organization. The case, supported by local activists and law enforcement, resulted in $6 million judgment against the Aryan Nations. This lawsuit bankrupted the organization, leading to the loss of their compound and signaling a decisive victory against their movement. (Courtesy of the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights)

Wassmuths efforts extended beyond Idaho. After leaving the priesthood, he moved to Seattle. There, he became the executive director of the Northwest Coalition Against Malicious Harassment, where he helped establish over 150 task forces across the region, spreading Kootenai Countys model for community-based resistance. Wassmuth also shared his approach, which he called sandcastle theology. He emphasized that the process of building inclusive communities was more important than any one victory. By fostering relationships and addressing systemic issues together, Wassmuth believed communities could create a lasting foundation for human rights  one that would not be washed away by the political tides of the day.

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The way in which Wassmuth led the fight against the Aryan Nations serves as a powerful example of how coalition-building, creative action and nonviolent resistance can counter even the most entrenched forms of hate. His legacy reminds us that protecting human rights requires an unwavering belief in the value of every individual. Wassmuth understood that at the heart of every human rights violation lies the process of othering  viewing certain groups as fundamentally different and unworthy of belonging. This us versus them mindset has fueled atrocities worldwide, from the Holocaust to what is happening in Myanmar today. Closer to home, it underpinned the actions of the Aryan Nations.

Today, the threats to human rights in Idaho and beyond look different, but the Spiral of Injustice remains evident as our neighbors are harmed in subtle and overt ways. Consider the language often used to describe refugees and others new to our community: the labels reduce their humanity to stereotypes and stoke fear. This dehumanizing rhetoric fosters avoidance, evident in the refusal to engage meaningfully with their lived experiences and contributions. Similarly, transgender individuals face exclusion, with policies and debates framing them as outsiders or threats rather than as individuals deserving of equal opportunities.

On a policy level, we have still not added the words to Idahos Human Rights Act. This policy lacks explicit protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, reinforcing a culture of inequality. Meanwhile, hate crimes in the state are on the rise, a grim reminder that violence often follows when dehumanization and avoidance go unchecked. These examples illustrate how the Spiral of Injustice persists, beginning with words and attitudes that escalate into systemic discrimination and, ultimately, acts of harm.

So, what can we do? What inspiration can we draw from the coalitions Bill Wassmuth led to foster a culture of human rights and belonging? Id like to share three key lessons we try to enact at the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights.

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Form Strong Networks: Building a culture of belonging requires collective action. Partnering with a wide range of groups  faith communities, businesses, schools, government officials and civic organizations strengthens our efforts. The dismantling of the Aryan Nations wasnt the work of one person or a single group but of a united community. The strength of the Kootenai County Task Force was its diversity: many different people working together toward a shared goal.

Invest in Education: Education is the most powerful tool for change. Programs that foster empathy, critical thinking, historical understanding and a realization of the dangers of dehumanization help create communities resilient to hate. When we equip people, especially young people, with the tools to recognize and interrupt the Spiral of Injustice, we ensure that tomorrow is more inclusive and just than today.

Offer a More Compelling Vision for the Future: It is not enough to rally against something  we must paint a picture of what is possible when we honor the inherent worth of all people. What does Idaho look like when we respect our differences and create joyful communities where we can all belong and thrive?

Today, we have the opportunity  and the responsibility  to carry these lessons forward. At the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights, we facilitate programs for learners of all ages to connect, learn about key human rights issues, and collectively imagine and create initiatives to make human rights a lived reality for all.

I invite you to join us. Learn more about Idahos history and how injustice operates. Commit to building inclusive communities where belonging isnt a privilege but a fundamental right. The Spiral of Injustice thrives on inaction, but it is broken by people  people like all of us  who choose courage, compassion and community.

Idahos hidden history of human rights reminds us that progress is possible  but only if we commit to the ongoing work of building a community where everyone belongs. We can disagree about how to do this  and we should. Exchanging different ideas and diverse perspectives will result in more effective solutions. But having a shared foundation of valuing the worth of every single person is essential for moving forward in community. Continuing the work of Bill Wassmuth, we can say yes to human rights  expanding the circle of human concern and creating a future defined not by fear and division but by dignity, equality, diversity and joy.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A registered sex offender has been arrested in the 2021 case of a Buffalo woman whose body was found off a trail in Chautauqua County, police said Wednesday.

Richard Fox, 61, was arrested and charged with the murder of 50-year-old Marquita Mull.

Mull was last seen on June 25, 2021 in Buffalos Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood. She was reported missing on July 18. Her remains were found off a trail in the Town of Portland on Sept. 27, 2021, one day after a hiker found a different set of human remains less than 20 yards away in a shallow grave. Investigators believe Mull was murdered in Buffalo.

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The investigation into the other body is ongoing. Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane said the other body has been identified, but declined to give a name.

The family of Marquita has been working with our officers and with our investigators right along, and our heart goes out to them, Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone said in a news conference Wednesday. And they do get a little bit of closure.

Fox, of Buffalo, has been convicted of two sex crimes, according to state records. In 1993, he was convicted of third-degree rape of a 14-year-old girl and was sentenced to 18 months to 3 years in prison. The second conviction was in 2005, when he was convicted of first-degree attempted rape and first-degree aggravated sexual abuse of a 42-year-old Buffalo woman. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison for that offense.

Fox is a Level 3 registered sex offender, meaning he is considered high risk of repeat offense and a threat to public safety. Level 3 is the highest level of risk designated by New York State. He was located in Niagara Falls and brought to Buffalo.

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He was arraigned on a second-degree murder charge on Wednesday morning in Buffalo City Court. He was also charged with four counts of failure to report as a sex offender. If convicted of the murder charge, he faces a maximum of 25 years to life in prison.

You can view Wednesdays full news conference in the media player above.

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Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here.

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WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL)  Before celebrating todays remarkable women, were honoring the memory of incredible women who helped shape our community. Charlye O. Farris made history practicing Texas law while paving the way for future generations.

A statue of Charlye O. Farris stands in downtown Wichita Falls.

The word that always comes to mind about people like Charlye is perseverance; she wasnt out beating the bushes or yelling and screaming. She was doing her job, doing it well and being an example, said Rebecca Trammell, author of Women of Wichita County, Texas.

Always time to do right: MLK Day Parade urges community accountability

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Charlye Ola Farris was a Wichita Falls native who became a pioneer for change during the civil rights movement because she pursued her interest in law and defied the odds to make history.

She passed the state bar in 1953 and became the first black woman licensed to practice law in the state of Texas, and she came back home to Wichita Falls, said former Wichita County District Attorney Barry Macha. When she came into this courthouse in 1953 and 1954, the courthouse downtown was still segregated: still had separate bathrooms for blacks and whites, still had separate water fountains for blacks and whites, and she endured that.

With accolades such as being the first African-American attorney in Wichita County and the first African-American to serve as a judge in the South since Reconstruction, Farris endured numerous instances of discrimination and adversity.

Nevertheless, she prevailed as a woman of dignity and strength who achieved professional excellence for over 50 years of practice as an attorney while adhering to the highest principles and traditions of the legal service.

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She was a remarkable woman, Macha said. She was a role model for all of us, not just women lawyers but for all of usher work ethic, her courage and all that she overcame in her early years particularly.

Those accomplishments were honored through traveling exhibits, a historical landmark outside the Wichita County courthouse, and a brand new statue made by Eddie Dixon that has garnered recognition throughout the state and was even awarded the 2024 Texans for the Arts Lasting Community Impact Through Arts Advocacy award, marking it as a significant achievement in public art and historical recognition in Texas.

I want to illustrate pride; I want her head high and show that she had the tenacity to stick with it, and she did it with pride, Dixon explained of his piece.

Its really very rare we get to honor someone whos done so much  not just for this community but really for the entire nation  and Charlye Farris is a part of that, a very integral part of that, so to be able to honor her, is truly an honor for us, Ann Arnold-Ogden, associate director for the Wichita Falls Alliance for Arts and Culture said.

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Charlye Ola Farris long-lasting legacy of accolades and humbleness transcends time. It continues to inspire communities as a role model to be emulated for all people, both women and men.

Tickets now available for MLK Scholarship and Prayer Breakfast

What we dont want to forget is who she was as an intellectual, as a charitable person, as a friend to all, said former Wichita County judge Woody Gossom.

You never lose what you hold on to, and so she held on to that dream, she held on to what she was going to be, and no one was going to change her mind about it, Dixon said. Thats what I want them to see.

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I think theyre proud, and like me, they are saying its about time, Trammell said. Its about time she was recognized on this level for all she accomplished and all that she stood for in this community.

Every community, every city, every county has their local heroes, their local legends, Arnold-Ogden said. And Mrs. Farris is one of ours.

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Landlord LiAIson

It turns out that many of the country's landlords are using the same artificial intelligence tool to jack up your rent.

Packaged as part of the popular property management software RealPage, the AI is nominally intended to give rent price recommendations to landlords.

But as we've seen elsewhere, the catch-all term of "AI" can be used to obfuscate what's really going on under the hood. According to a new report by the White House Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) and covered by Popular Information, the AI tool, called "AI Revenue Management," is being used to facilitate collusion between these proprietors, allowing them to inflate rental prices by a total of more than $3.8 billion every year.

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This, the CEA argues in its report, and the Department of Justice alleges in its lawsuit against RealPage, is a form of "price coordination"  which is illegal.

Joint Effort

According to the CEA report, nearly 1 in every 4 multifamily rental properties use a RealPage pricing algorithm.

In some municipalities like Atlanta and Denver, that proportion is higher than 50 percent, where the price increase caused by landlords using the RealPage AI is as high as $181 per month.

When competitors in a market explicitly agree to set a price for a type of good or service, that's price fixing. The practice is federally outlawed by the Sherman Act, because it's considered an anti-competitive move that leads to higher costs for consumers.

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The RealPages AI works as a price fixer for "landlords collectively," the CEA argues, because its algorithm "will recommend prices that are higher than the profit-maximizing price each landlord would set independently."

In effect, the AI lets landlords act as a cartel without ever needing to directly communicate, thus making price-fixing difficult to prove.

House Always Wins

As Popular Information notes, RealPages argued in response to the DOJ lawsuit that it can't be accused of facilitating price coordination because customers "always have 100 percent discretion to accept or reject software price recommendations."

A separate class action suit against the software maker, however, presents evidence that RealPage and its landlord clients "have established a rigorous monitoring and compliance system to ensure cartel members adhere to RealPage [AI-optimized] pricing," as quoted by Popular Information.

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The CEA report concludes that the true cost of the AI-set rent prices is likely much higher than the $3.8 billion figure, because its calculations only accounted for the inflated costs by landlords that directly used RealPage's tool. Other landlords not part of the group using the AI recommendations could raise their prices in response to their competitors.

"Regardless, our estimate indicates that eliminating this cost would meaningfully decrease price mark-ups for rental housing across the country," the report reads.

More on AI: Amazon Mocked for Slapping AI-Generated Poster on Beloved 1922 Film "Nosferatu"
On Tuesday, President-elect Donald Trump said he was considering a push to change the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Georgia Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene says she is already putting her office to work on that.

Greene announced Tuesday that she had directed her team to start the process in Congress to rename the Gulf of Mexico.

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In a statement released by the congresswomans office, Greene said in part:

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Mexican cartels currently use the Gulf of Mexico to traffic humans, drugs, weapons, and God knows what else while the Mexican government allows them to do it. The American people are footing the bill to protect and secure the maritime waterways for commerce to be conducted. Our U.S. armed forces protect the area from any military threats from foreign countries. Its our gulf. The rightful name is the Gulf of America and its what the entire world should refer to it as.

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Geographically, the Gulf of Mexico borders Mexico, Cuba and the United States.

As far as whats in the legislation itself, the two-page bill does not include any provisions to address Mexican cartels, human trafficking, drug trafficking, maritime security or commerce, or weapons trafficking or related protections or funding related to the region.

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Instead, the bill directs the Secretary of Commerce to implement changes to maps, documents and regulations that name the Gulf of Mexico and instead change the references to the Gulf of America, as well as require that within 180 days of passage, federal agencies update verbiage to match.

Even if the bill passes in U.S. Congress, both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, no provisions listed in the legislation discuss implementation on a global scale, or even with just Americas closest international neighbors.

As reported by the Associated Press, other countries are not required to change the name if America does. Speaking to podcaster Benny Johnson, Greene said the legislative move would fund new maps and administrative materials throughout the federal government to implement a potential change of name to Gulf of America, but the legislation published by Greenes office includes no such provisions.

The AP also reported that this is not the first time legislation has been proposed in the U.S. to rename the Gulf, though the time referenced was in 2012 and was in the Mississippi Legislature, rather than federally. The AP said the bills author said it had been a joke, and while it was referred to a committee, the bill did not pass.

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The commentary from the president-elect followed days of speculation on the global stage after Trump expressed interest in absorbing Canada and Greenland into the United States, as well as retaking ownership of the Panama Canal. Leaders in Greenland and Denmark have denied Trumps request that Greenland consider ceding itself back to the U.S.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Jan. 7The candidates being considered for a nomination to be Spokane County's next treasurer include a pair of treasurer's office employees, some previous contenders for public office and a few political newcomers.

The Spokane County Republican Party released its list of eight candidates interested in serving as the next treasurer through the end of 2026, after Rep. Michael Baumgartner vacated the role earlier this month for his newly elected position in Congress.

Those interested in replacing Baumgartner include Spokane hairstylist Patti Usselman, treasurer's office employee John Christina, commercial real estate broker Matt Hawkins, Army veteran Robert Miceli, tech businessman Victor Yefremov, former Spokane Public Schools teacher Natalie Poulson, Spokane Valley businessman Mike Kelly and Chief Deputy Treasurer and state Rep. Mike Volz.

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As the affiliated party of the outgoing treasurer, the Spokane County GOP is responsible for providing three nominations to the Spokane County Commission to consider to serve the remainder of Baumgartner's term. The party plans to meet and select nominees Jan. 18.

Rob Linebarger, chair of the county GOP, said the list does not preclude others from being named as one of three finalists. Instead, it represents those who went through the party's endorsement vetting process.

Any precinct committee officer could nominate someone not on the list for consideration at the Jan. 18 meeting, where candidates will have five minutes to speak, the nomination PCO has two minutes to speak and the PCO who seconds the motion will have one minute to speak.

Those who went through the party's vetting process submitted biographies and completed questionnaires that are available to view on the party's website. They also participated in interviews with the party's candidate committee, and each person was ranked based on a weighted score given to their questionnaire responses and interview performance.

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"We evaluate not only how they present themselves, but how they align with our party platform and how strong their positions are when they articulate them, things like that," Linebarger said. "It doesn't matter if you're running for cemetery district commissioner or governor, they all do the same questionnaire."

Linebarger said how the candidates stacked up in the rankings will be made public at a later time.

Earlier this year, the party's scores for the several Republican candidates vying to replace former Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers were initially miscalculated, and the error was only caught after the scores were published online. The materials published at the time also included critiques of the candidates that later had to be walked back.

"We don't want to bias the process too heavily," Linebarger said.

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Missing from the list is Matt Hanson, who Baumgartner endorsed to replace him following the November election. Hanson, the owner of Dye Seed, a seed processor headquartered in Pomeroy, served as co-chair of Baumgartner's congressional campaign's finance committee before receiving the nod from the congressman.

Linebarger said Hanson started the vetting process but retracted his name from consideration shortly after it got underway.

"I gave it a second, third and fourth look and determined I just have too much work coming up this year," Hanson said.

Spokane County residents may be familiar with Volz for his seven years representing the state's 6th Legislative District, which includes Airway Heights and much of the West Plains, areas north of Spokane and portions of the city's north side, including Indian Trail and Hillyard.

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Voters re-elected Volz to serve a fifth term in Olympia in November, and he has served as the second-in-command for the treasurer's office since 2011.

Hawkins, Poulson and Kelly have all launched unsuccessful political campaigns in recent elections. Last year, Hawkins lost a bid for state auditor, and Kelly failed to win a state Senate seat representing the Valley, while Poulson unsuccessfully challenged Spokane state Rep. Tim Ormsby in 2022.

Poulson was an employee of Spokane Public Schools for 18 years before she resigned after refusing to wear a mask on school grounds amid COVID-19 masking mandates. In 2021, she and several other staff members at Finch Elementary School, including the principal, were escorted from the building after a protest in which they refused to comply with the mandate for public employees.

During her legislative run the next year, Poulson declined to answer questions related to abortion, saying it was not an issue legislators in Washington needed to speak on.

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In the recent GOP questionnaire, she disclosed her position on the issue as pro-life. The treasurer has no policy -making powers but Linebarger said the question related to abortion is asked to see how the candidates align with the party platform. It is always included regardless of the elected position, he said.

Kelly attempted to replace outgoing state Sen. Mike Padden this past election cycle, but failed to make it out of a crowded primary after details of his stint in federal prison surfaced. Kelly disclosed in interviews, candidate forums and campaign events a brush with the law, but provided few details.

Court records show a grand jury indicted Kelly in October 1989 on multiple drug and firearm charges: attempted possession of cocaine, conspiring to possess cocaine with the intent to distribute and three counts of carrying firearms in relation to a drug trafficking crime. All stemmed from an evening in June 1989 when he and an associate purchased a kilogram of cocaine from an undercover Portland Police Bureau officer for $75,000.

Kelly, who is CFO for KT Contracting Company in Spokane Valley and owns several real estate holdings and management companies, wrote in his questionnaire that he has had "no criminal charges or activity in the subsequent 35 plus years."

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Hawkins said in his questionnaire responses that he has more than 30 years of experience in the private sector managing information systems, financials and business operations. He is a former associate broker at the commercial real estate firm Kiemle Hagood, and believes the treasurer should be able to weigh in on whether local taxes "are justified," he wrote.

Usselman is an active GOP precinct committee officer, and owns and operates the salon Patti Usselman Hair.STYLE out of her home on the West Plains. She has nearly 40 years of management, consulting and entrepreneurship experience, including her 14 years as a salon owner, according to her questionnaire.

Christina, an Air Force veteran, worked in the treasurer's office from 2015 to 2020 as a finance deputy focused on investments. He said in his questionnaire responses that he was recently hired back by the county in the same capacity, and that his experience in the office and private sector have prepared him for the job.

Christina has been a vocal supporter of the creation of a 51st state called Liberty, a proposed Christian conservative state that would encompass most of Eastern Washington and North Idaho that was championed by controversial former state Rep. Matt Shea. In 2019, Christina helped organize a fundraising gala for the effort that featured Shea as a speaker.

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Reporting by the Guardian that same year revealed Christina was a member of a private chat group with Shea and other figures tied to the far-right and Christian nationalist movement, where they would discuss violence against perceived adversaries, support for white nationalism and their belief that civil war is imminent, and request surveillance of political opponents.

The group chat included former Spokane Valley councilmen Mike Munch and Caleb Collier, Idaho Rep. Heather Scott and Anne Byrd, who is married to Barry Byrd, pastor of Marble Community Fellowship in northern Stevens County. In 1988, Barry Byrd helped pen a Christian Identity manifesto that referred to Jews as "anti-Christs" and condemned interracial marriage, though the Byrds have since tried to distance themselves from racist ideology, as reported by The Spokesman-Review.

Miceli spent 32 years in active duty serving in various roles, including combat arms, combat service support and acquisitions, he detailed in his responses. He holds two master's degrees in national resource strategy and management, from National Defense University and Webster University. He is a University High School graduate and hopes to identify efficiencies within the office's processes if selected, he said.

Yefremov identified himself as a first-generation Russian immigrant with experience building multiple successful businesses. He is the founder and president of Royal Enterprise, a trucking company in Airway Heights, and previously founded and ran an online payment processing company and a company that developed financial management tools for businesses.

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A Spokane resident since 1998, Yefremov said he hopes to help restore Spokane to the "conservative stronghold" it was when he arrived.

Following the nomination of three candidates at the Jan. 18 meeting, the Spokane County Commission must then vote to appoint one of those three within 60 days of when the vacancy was created. If the board fails to do so, Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson would make the appointment. The treasurer's seat will be back up for election next year.

"It's a good process," Linebarger said. "And these three that we do nominate, we think will be high quality."

Editor's note: This article was updated Jan. 7, 2025, to accurately reflect the end of Poulson's tenure with Spokane Public Schools. She resigned.
A Fox News employee gave Trumps team a set of questions in advance of an Iowa Town Hall in January, according to an upcoming book from Politicos Alex Isenstadt. If true, this is a blatant violation of basic journalistic ethicsand yet another blatant example of Trumps hypocrisy, given that he has accused Democrats of doing cheating at debates for years. That town hall, moreover, occurred at a crucial moment in the race: It took place as Trumps Republican rivals for the partys nomination were debating for the final time.

About thirty minutes before the town hall was due to start, a senior aide started getting text messages from a person on the inside at Fox. Holy [shit], the team thought. They were images of all the questions Trump would be asked and the planned follow-ups, down to the exact wording. Jackpot. This was like a student getting a peek at the test before the exam started, writes Isenstadt.

Trumps team proceeded to workshop their answers to the questions, which touched on political violence, his business activity, and his indictments.

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While we do not have any evidence of this occurring, and Alex Isenstadt has conveniently refused to release the images for fact checking, we take these matters very seriously and plan to investigate should there prove to be a breach within the network, a spokesperson for Fox News said.

Revenge, Isenstadts book, comes out in March.
Two children were among three Palestinians killed in an Israeli drone attack in the West Bank, Palestinian media reported on Wednesday.

The Israeli military only said that a "terrorist cell" near the town of Tamun had been attacked. A military spokesman separately said that reports of children killed were being investigated.

The Palestinian news agency WAFA reported the dead were children aged 9 and 10, as well as a 23-year-old.

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The Palestinian Foreign Affairs Ministry in Ramallah accused Israel of committing a "heinous crime."

The already tense situation in the West Bank has worsened significantly since the Hamas massacre in Israel more than a year ago and the subsequent Gaza war.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The UK's self-regulated system for disclosing payments from drug companies to health care professionals and organizations is failing to protect patients and public trust, according to a new analysis led by researchers at the University of Bath, UK and Lund University, Sweden published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine.

The study highlights the staggering shortcomings of the current system, known as Disclosure UK, which is managed by the pharmaceutical industry's membership body/trade body, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI). The report finds that Disclosure UK leaves critical gaps that obscure potential conflicts of interest and put patient care at risk.

Key findings

1. Billions in untraceable research payments

Between 2015 and 2022, drug companies reported 3.3 billion in research-related payments, representing 72% of all disclosed transactions. These payments are lumped together in aggregate without naming recipients, making it impossible to assess where the money goes or how it might influence patient care. Companies such as AstraZeneca (UK and Sweden owned with HQ in Cambridge, United Kingdom), Allergan (US-owned), and Bristol Myers Squibb (US-owned) classified over 90% of their total payments as research-related, raising concerns about how the definition of "research" may be used to limit transparency.

2. Non-research payments lack clarity

Non-research payments, including sponsorships and consultancy fees, amounted to 1.1 billion over the same period. While under the Code of Practice these payments are supposed to name recipients, companies' practices vary widely. Some report nearly all recipients, while others, such as Allergan, disclose as little as 15%.

3. Significant breaches by major companies

Several companies have been found to violate transparency requirements. Novo Nordisk, the Danish company that manufactures the weight-loss jabs Wegovy and Ozempic, failed to report approximately 7.8 million in payments to over 150 UK health care professionals and organizations, which constituted a major breach of the self-regulatory Code of Practice.

The iceberg of uncertainty: Unveiling the unknowns The study introduces a novel framework for understanding the "unknowns" of payment disclosure, inspired by the "Rumsfeld Matrix," which categorizes gaps in knowledge about drug companies' financial ties to the health care sector. Researchers identified four key layers of uncertainty in how payments are disclosed under Disclosure UK: Known knowns : These are payments that are reported and can technically be identified, but it's tricky to trace them. For instance, the way NHS trusts or organizations are named by drug companies can cause records to be incomplete or misleading.

: These are payments that are reported and can technically be identified, but it's tricky to trace them. For instance, the way NHS trusts or organizations are named by drug companies can cause records to be incomplete or misleading. Known unknowns : These payments are acknowledged in the system, but their detailswhich are key for tracing potential conflicts of interestare hidden from the public. For example, research payments worth 3.3 billion are lumped together without specific details like the names of recipients, the amounts, or the purposesoften hiding behind claims of "commercial sensitivity."

: These payments are acknowledged in the system, but their detailswhich are key for tracing potential conflicts of interestare hidden from the public. For example, research payments worth 3.3 billion are lumped together without specific details like the names of recipients, the amounts, or the purposesoften hiding behind claims of "commercial sensitivity." Unknown knowns : These payments exist but are reported incorrectly or wrongly assigned. This happens when there are inconsistent naming systems or duplicate entries. For example, more than 10% of payments to patient organizations between 2015 and 2018 were reported wrongly, making it nearly impossible to establish the extent and nature of their ties to drug companies.

: These payments exist but are reported incorrectly or wrongly assigned. This happens when there are inconsistent naming systems or duplicate entries. For example, more than 10% of payments to patient organizations between 2015 and 2018 were reported wrongly, making it nearly impossible to establish the extent and nature of their ties to drug companies. Unknown unknowns: These payments are never reported at alleither because companies aren't required to disclose them (like Vertex Pharmaceuticals, which isn't part of the ABPI Code) or because they ignore reporting rules. These cases involve companies like Novo Nordisk failing to disclose payments altogether, which the industry's self-regulatory body viewed as indicative of failings in the company's corporate culture, and not just technical processes for payment reporting.

Dr. Piotr Ozieranski, lead author from the University of Bath, warns, "Our analysis reveals that the public sees only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to drug company payments to health care professionals and organizations. Without strong legislation, conflicts of interest will remain hidden, undermining health care integrity and potentially putting patients at risk.

"Sunlight is the best disinfectant, which is why we're calling for a UK version of the U.S."s Sunshine Act to ensure transparency in pharmaceutical spending."

Dr. Emily Rickard, co-author from the University of Bath, added, "Why is one of the world's largest industriesdirectly impacting public healthallowed such lax transparency? If pharmaceutical companies are funneling billions across the UK's health ecosystem in the name of public interest, the public deserves to know where this money goes and how it affects patient care.

"The UK government must prioritize patients' health over pharmaceutical profits, ensuring economic incentives don't compromise well-being. Robust legislation for pharmaceutical payment transparency is essential to protect patients from the harmful effects of unchecked commercial influence."

The report calls for the UK government to move beyond Disclosure UK and introduce mandatory legislation, which can be modeled on the US Sunshine Act. Such laws would:

Require all payments, including those for research, to disclose full recipient details and amounts.

Mandate consistent reporting standards, including unique identifiers for payment recipients.

Impose significant financial penalties for companies failing to comply with transparency rules.

The research authors believe the government's recent consultation on payment transparency is a step in the right direction. However, the report cautions that simply expanding Disclosure UK won't be enough. Only legislation backed by enforcement mechanisms can bring the clarity and accountability needed to protect public trust in health care.

Specific recommendations for improvement are detailed in a recent Policy Brief published by the Institute of Policy Research at the University of Bath in collaboration with UK-based patient advocates.

More information: Piotr Ozieranski et al, Unknowns of drug company payment disclosure: why the UK needs payment transparency legislation, BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1136/bmjebm-2024-113101
Michigan state House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp) takes the gavel restoring Republicans' majority in the Michigan state House on Jan. 8, 2025. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Its been a hard few years for Republicans in Michigan, but Wednesday marks a day of victory and unity, state House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp.) said as he was unanimously voted as leader of the state House.

The battle to reclaim the House, which had been in Republican hands for over a decade before Democrats clinched a slim majority in 2022, was hard won, Hall said, noting fractures that permeated the Michigan GOP after President Joe Biden won the presidency in 2020 and Democrats won state offices across the ballot in 2022.

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There are a lot of  people here that worked with us along the way to help us win this majority back. It was hard and when you think about it, this was a pretty broken party when we started and not a lot of people thought we could win and so we had to go and work really hard to do it, Hall said.

In November, as Michigan helped send former President Donald Trump back to the White House, Hall led the charge to flip Michigans House majority from 56-54 Democratic majority to a 58-52 Republican majority.

And after Hall raised the gavel in triumph as the House voted him into leadership of the chamber, he thanked previous leaders in the state party, former Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, former Attorney General Bill Schuette and former Gov. Rick Snyder.

I think that Gov. Snyder was kind of Elon Musk before that was cool. The governor is a guy who ran to reinvent government, right? He ran to reinvent government and bring entrepreneurship to government, before that was cool, Hall said. You were ahead of your time.

Rep. Donavan McKinney (D-Detroit) holds up his son in the Michigan state House on the first session day on Jan. 8, 2025. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

New House Minority Leader Rep. Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton) offered his support for Hall as speaker, seconding the motion and speaking about the necessity for bipartisanship following a frenzied election year that confirmed Michigans status as a purple state.

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Our actions in this chamber resonate far beyond these walls. They signal to the great people of Michigan that their elected leaders deliver solutions, not divisions, progress, not partisanship, Puri said.

The unanimous vote for Hall followed tradition in the House. However, eight Republicans voted against state Rep. Joe Tate (D-Detroit) as speaker at the start of the 2023-24 legislative session. Most of the Republicans hailed from the right-wing Freedom Caucus.

Hall has the opportunity to reach across the aisle to deliver on the promises lawmakers across the aisle made in the last year campaigning for office, Puri said on the floor. Those promises include bipartisan interests to make the lives of Michigan families better, addressing the rising cost of living, strengthening educational systems and making communities safer.

As speaker, representative Hall will be bestowed with the responsibility to demonstrate leadership that ensures these priorities are addressed through cooperation and mutual respect, Puri said. This is the moment where our deeds must meet our dialog. If we are truly committed to restoring the trust in our institutions, to building confidence in our state and aspiring to be the best place to raise a family, it begins by believing in a better politics that puts people first in the spirit of building a better Michigan rooted in consensus and collaboration.

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Keeping his speech brief, Hall did not speak on legislative priorities. But in the final weeks of the previous legislative session, he conveyed interest in passing a Republican-led plan to repair the states roads and introduce reforms to preserve the tipped wage credit as the state is set to phase out the policy as part of a minimum wage hike set to go into effect in February, per a state Supreme Court decision.

The fist bills that will be introduced in the House in the 103rd Legislature were measures to amend impending changes on tipped wages and sick leave requirements, introduced by state Reps. Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay Twp.) and John Roth (R-Interlochen).

The bills would slow down the planned path to a $15 minimum wage from the start of 2028 to the start of 2029, preserve the tipped wage credit and maintain the states standards for sick time, which do not mandate employers offer sick time for businesses with under 50 employees.

House Republicans have been clear that under their leadership, the priorities of constituents would be put first, DeBoyer said in a news release Wednesday.

Rep. Rachelle Smit (R-Martin) swears in in the Michigan state House on the first session day on Jan. 8, 2025. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Michigan state House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp) (center) poses with his wife (left) in the Michigan state House on the first session day on Jan. 8, 2025. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

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Rep. Jon Fitzgerald (D-Wyoming) hold his daughter in the Michigan state House on the first session day on Jan. 8, 2025. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Rep. Jon Fitzgerald (D-Wyoming) hold his daughter in the Michigan state House on the first session day on Jan. 8, 2025. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Michigan Supreme Court Justice Kyra Harris Bolden swears in members of the Michigan state House on the first session day on Jan. 8, 2025. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Former Attorney General Bill Schuette (right) attends the first session day of the Michigan state House on Jan. 8, 2025 as his son Rep. Bill G. Schuette (R-Midland) begins his second term. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

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Michigan Supreme Court Justice Kyra Harris Bolden swears in members of the Michigan state House on the first session day on Jan. 8, 2025. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Rep. Matt Maddock (R-Milford) is joined by his wife Meshawn Maddock in the Michigan state House on the first session day on Jan. 8, 2025. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Michigan state House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp) takes the gavel restoring Republicans' majority in the Michigan state House on Jan. 8, 2025. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Michigan state House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp) takes the gavel restoring Republicans' majority in the Michigan state House on Jan. 8, 2025. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

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Weve heard from countless hardworking small business owners and their dedicated employees about what this ruling would mean for them, DeBoyer said. It would be a catastrophe. Many small businesses would close, their employees would be out of work, and the places that remain open would have to significantly raise their prices on people who go out and support businesses in their community, which will lead to an even bigger fight to stay open.

One change Republicans are implementing in the 2025-26 session is granting the House Oversight Committee the power to issue subpoenas without having to have a majority in the House vote to permit a subpoena.

The hope is that the committee would not have to issue any subpoenas and that lawmakers will be able to access information necessary to shine a light on state government, Rep. Mike Harris (R-Waterford) told reporters Wednesday.

In an effort to audit state government, the House Oversight Committee will also have several arms to monitor government effectiveness, mainly six subcommittees, Harris said.

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Those subcommittees include examining weaponization of state government, child welfare, corporate subsidies and state investments, public health and foreign influence, Rep. Jamie Thompson (R-Brownstown Twp.) said in a news release earlier this week.

Its expected that the GOP-controlled Oversight Committee will aggressively seek to hold the states Democratic executive officials accountable, particularly Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, whos considered a top 2028 presidential candidate, and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, whos expected to launch a 2026 gubernatorial bid.

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By Joe Cash

BEIJING (Reuters) -More than 400 people trapped by rubble in earthquake-stricken Tibet have been rescued, Chinese officials said on Wednesday, with an unknown number still unaccounted for in freezing weather a day after a strong tremor rocked the Himalayan foothills.

The epicentre of Tuesday's magnitude 6.8 quake, one of the region's most powerful tremors in recent years, was located in Tingri in China's Tibet, about 80 km (50 miles) north of Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain. It also shook buildings in neighbouring Nepal, Bhutan and India.

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Twenty-four hours after the temblor struck, those trapped under rubble would have endured a night in sub-zero temperatures, adding to the pressure on rescuers looking for survivors in an area roughly the size of Cambodia.

Temperatures in the high-altitude region dropped as low as minus 18 degrees Celsius (0 degrees Fahrenheit) overnight. People trapped or those without shelter are at risk of rapid hypothermia and may only be able to live for five to 10 hours even if uninjured, experts say.

Footage broadcast on state television CCTV showed families huddled in rows of blue and green tents quickly erected by soldiers and aid workers in settlements surrounding the epicentre, where hundreds of aftershocks have been recorded.

At least 126 people were known to have been killed and 188 injured on the Tibetan side, state broadcaster CCTV reported. No deaths have been reported in Nepal or elsewhere.

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The quake was so strong part of the terrain around the epicentre slipped as much as 1.6 metres (5 feet 3 inches) over a distance of 80 km (50 miles), according to an analysis by the United States Geological Survey.

LONE CLIMBER

Chinese authorities have yet to announce how many people are still missing. In Nepal, an official told Reuters the quake destroyed a school building in a village near Mount Everest, which straddles the Nepali-Tibetan border. No one was inside at the time.

German climber Jost Kobusch said he was just above the Everest base camp on the Nepali side when the quake struck. His tent shook violently and he saw several avalanches crash down. He was unscathed.

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"I'm climbing Everest in the winter by myself and...looks like basically I'm the only mountaineer there, in the base camp there's nobody," Kobusch told Reuters in a video call.

His expedition organising company, Satori Adventure, said Kobusch had left the base camp and was descending to Namche Bazaar on Wednesday on the way to Kathmandu.

No avalanches have been observed on Everest so far from the Chinese side, state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday, citing Chinese scientists.

But damage round the epicentre was extensive.

An initial survey showed 3,609 homes had been destroyed in the Shigatse region, home to 800,000 people, state media reported late on Tuesday. More than 14,000 rescue personnel had been deployed.

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More than 46,500 people affected by the quake have been relocated, and 484 tourists in Tingri have been safely transported to the city of Shigatse, local officials said at a press conference on Wednesday.

Home to some 60,000 people, Tingri is Tibet's most populous county on China's border with Nepal and is administered from Shigatse, the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, one of the most important figures in Tibetan Buddhism.

No damage has been reported to Shigatse's Tashilhunpo monastery, state media reported, founded in 1447 by the first Dalai Lama.

The 14th and current Dalai Lama has said he was deeply saddened by the quake, speaking from exile in India where he fled in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule.

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China routinely rejects criticism from exiles and rights groups of its rule in Tibet, saying it has brought much-needed development to a remote region and that it respects Tibetan culture and religion.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Taiwan President Lai Ching-te have also expressed condolences to the earthquake's victims.

AFTERSHOCKS

Southwestern parts of China, Nepal and northern India are often hit by earthquakes caused by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, which are pushing up an ancient sea that is now the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau.

As of noon on Wednesday, 646 aftershocks with magnitudes of up to 4.4 continued to jolt the area around the epicentre.

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Over the past five years, there have been 29 quakes with magnitudes of 3 or above within 200 km (120 miles) of the epicentre of Tuesday's temblor, according to local earthquake bureau data.

Analysis shows a magnitude 5 to 6 quake could occur in the same area in the near future, Meng Hui, deputy head of Tibet's earthquake administration, said at the news conference.

Tuesday's quake was the worst in China since a 6.2 magnitude earthquake in 2023 that killed at least 149 people in a remote northwestern region.

In 2008, an 8.0 magnitude earthquake hit Sichuan, claiming the lives of at least 70,000 people, the deadliest quake to hit China since the 1976 Tangshan quake that killed at least 242,000.

(Reporting by Joe Cash in Beijing; Additional reporting by Ryan Woo in Beijing, Gopal Sharma in Kathmandu, Monica Naime in Mexico City; Editing by Lincoln Feast, Raju Gopalakrishnan and Alex Richardson)
ROME (AP)  Rescue crews on Wednesday found the body of a missing British hiker buried in the snow of the Italian alps, but a search for his friend was suspended by poor weather conditions.

Experienced hikers Aziz Ziriat, 36, and Sam Harris, 35, had set out on Jan. 1 for a New Year's Day excursion in Italy's Adamello range. Italys Alpine rescue service said it received an alert about the men on Jan. 6, after they failed to make a scheduled flight home.

After two days of fog, snow and avalanche warnings hampered searches, the service said rescuers guided by the hikers' phone registrations reached the pair's last recorded location Wednesday. They found the body of Harris buried in snow at the foot of a rockfall at the base of the south face of the Care Alto. Rescuers said it was possible he had fallen from above.

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Rescuers also found the men's backpacks and some of their hiking equipment.

British media quoted relatives and partners of the two men as saying they were experienced hikers who had planned to hike from mountain hut to mountain hut. The families said they had last heard from the pair on Jan. 1 but weren't concerned when they didn't hear from them in subsequent days.

They are experienced hikers and they go a couple of times a year. It wasnt surprising that they had no signal as they like going off the grid," said Joe Stone, a university friend of Ziriat. "Alarm bells were raised though when they didnt turn up for their flight on January 6.

A helicopter attempted a flyover on Tuesday, but fog and poor visibility forced it to return before reaching the affected valley and the search was suspended, the rescue crews said. Additionally, ground crews of the fire rescue service were unable to work due to high risks of avalanches.

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Similarly poor weather rolled in Wednesday afternoon after Harris was found, forcing the suspension of the search for Ziriat. Rescuers said they would resume as soon as the visibility improved.

The Adamello range straddles Italy's Lombardy and Trentino-Alto Adige regions and includes the highest peak, Mt. Adamello, at 3,539 meters (11,611 feet.)
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Gender-affirming care was rarely provided to minors from 2018 through 2022, according to new research out of Harvard University.

Researchers from the university and FOLX Health, an LGBTQIA+ healthcare service provider, analyzed private insurance claims from those five years, which represented more than five million patients ages 8 to 17. They found that puberty blockers and gender-affirming hormones were seldom prescribed  to around one and 1,000 adolescents.

Among those youth, [we looked at] which youth had a gender-related diagnosis and used either puberty suppressant medication or a gender-affirming hormone testosterone or estrogen, said, Jae Corman, PhD, Head of Analytics & Research at FOLX Health. Among that, we found less than .1% of these youth had ever used one of these medications. So its an incredibly small number.

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Further, Corman said that only 17,500 of the five million minors had received a gender-related diagnosis in the five-year period. Of those adolescents, 926 were prescribed puberty blockers, and 1,900 accessed gender-affirming hormones, Corman said.

Thats a super small number of folks across 5.1 million, Corman continued.

Gender-affirming care includes a range of medical services that may be offered to help support someones gender identity, including when it differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.

Healthcare providers may offer the services when a patient is diagnosed with gender dysphoria, or the psychologigal distress someone may feel if their gender identity doesnt match their sex.

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I think a lot of folks dont understand actually how rare it is to get access to this type of care, Corman said. It seems like theres a lot of folks that think a lot more children are getting rushed into care, and thats really not what were finding.

Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill banning gender transition care for Texas minors in 2023. The law prohibits minors from receiving puberty blockers and hormone therapy to transition to the gender with which they identify.

After it was challenged, the Texas Supreme Court upheld the law in June 2024.

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 KXAN Austin.
New research has revealed concerning details about scrubber systems that are meant to reduce pollution in the marine shipping industry.

What's happening?

Phys.org posted a writeup by the University of Munster on a study that analyzed a type of pollutant produced by the shipping industry via the use of scrubber systems. The university explained that scrubber systems spray water into a ship's exhaust gases to remove sulfur from the emissions.

The wastewater from this process is released into the sea in an open-loop system or recirculated into the system via a closed-loop system. However, even in closed-loop systems, most of the wastewater is eventually dumped into the sea or sometimes onto land.

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For this study, the research team analyzed wastewater samples from the scrubber systems of four ships, measuring levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), a group of pollutants that often contains toxic compounds.

The researchers looked at samples from both open and closed circuits from 2020 to 2023, and they found that wastewater from the closed-loop systems had higher PAH concentrations than those from the open-loop systems. They also discovered that the PAH mostly did not originate from combustion but from the fuel used, and that there were alkylated PAH derivatives.

Why is this study important?

PAH have been linked with various negative health impacts in animals, and it can be carcinogenic. According to the study team, alkylated PAH in particular are associated with increased toxicity to fish.

"From an environmental point of view, a shift in pollutant inputs from air to water is unacceptable," said lead researcher Christine Achten.

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Unfortunately, PAH is just one more contaminant threatening marine ecosystems. For instance, one study revealed that coral reefs are prone to microplastics accumulation, putting organisms that rely on reefs for food in danger.

What's being done about ocean pollution?

In 1976, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency included 16 varieties of PAH compounds on its List of Priority Pollutants. However, the researchers in this new study assert that these are not the most toxic compounds in most areas. Therefore, they suggest more research into other compounds and the addition of other PAH onto the priority list.

The research team also recommended that ships use fuels with low PAH concentrations since they found that PAH predominantly originated from the fuel used.

Meanwhile, scientists are looking for ways to clean up our oceans of other contaminants. For instance, one team has found a way to remove plastics from water with up to 99% efficiency by using egg whites. Plus, thousands of people have donated their hair to help mop up oil and other pollutants from one lake in Venezuela.

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.
(NEXSTAR)  Tens of thousands of residents were placed under evacuation orders Tuesday after a rapidly-spreading wildfire ripped through the affluent Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles, according to Nexstars KTLA.

During a press conference Tuesday afternoon, California Gov. Gavin Newsom confirmed that he saw many structures already destroyed by the fire and warned residents that intense, Santa Ana winds were expected to continue overnight between 10 p.m. Tuesday and 5 a.m. Wednesday.

By no stretch of the imagination are we out of the woods, Newsom said.

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The Palisades fire was first reported around 10:30 a.m. PDT Tuesday in the 1100 block of North Piedra Morada Drive. By 3:30 p.m., the fire had exploded to more than 1,200 acres and was expected to keep growing amid strong Santa Ana winds.

A person flees from an advancing wildfire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) A firefighter battles the advancing Palisades Fire around a structure in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent) A woman cries as the Palisades Fire advances in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent) A pair of firefighters try to protect themselves from flying embers from the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent) People wait with some belongings while fleeing the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent) Firefighters protect structures from the advancing Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent) Smoke from a wildfire is seen from the Venice Beach section of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Smoke from a wildfire is seen from the Venice Beach section of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Firefighters battle the advancing Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent) A residence burns as a firefighter battles the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Garcia) A firefighter makes a stand in front of the advancing Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent) A firefighter makes a stand in front of the advancing Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent) A firefighter battles the advancing Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent) A lone sunbather sits and watches a large plume of smoke from a wildfire rise over the Pacific Palisades, in Santa Monica, Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel) Firefighters prepare for structure protection as the Palisades Fire advances in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) Firefighters battle the advancing Palisades Fire as it damages a residence in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) A line of vehicles crowds the road as residents flee from the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) Will Adams uses a garden hose to keep flames from damaging his home as the Palisades Fire advances in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) Will Adams watches as flames from the Palisades Fire close in on his property in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) Water is dropped on the advancing Palisades Fire by helicopter in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) A firefighter hoses down flames from the Palisades Fire in front of a residence in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) A firefighter tries to contain the Palisades Fire from a rooftop in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) A firefighter tries to contain the Palisades Fire from a rooftop in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) A firefighters make a stand in front of the advancing Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) Flames rise as the Palisades Fire advances on homes in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) Vehicles are left stranded off the side of the road after residents tried to flee from the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent) A firefighter battles the advancing Palisades Fire as it burns a structure in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent) The Palisades Fire burns a property in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent) A surfer takes off on a wave in Santa Monica, Calif., during sunset under a blackened sky from the Palisades fire in the Pacific Palisades on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

There was no containment as of Tuesday afternoon, according to CalFire. By sundown, the fire had exploded to more than 2,900 acres and was expected to keep growing amid strong Santa Ana winds. Over 30,000 residents were under evacuation orders Tuesday evening.

Evacuations were ordered for the entire community down to the Pacific Ocean, according to CalFire. The evacuation order also included areas of Malibu east of Las Flores. Evacuees were urged to travel south toward Pacific Coast Highway utilizing Palisades Drive and Sunset Boulevard.

Sections of Interstate 10 and the scenic Pacific Coast Highway were closed to all non-essential traffic to aid in evacuation efforts. But other roads were blocked. Some residents jumped out of their vehicles to get out of danger and waited to be picked up.

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Resident Kelsey Trainor said the only road in and out of her neighborhood was completely blocked. Ash fell all around them while fires burned on both sides of the road.

We looked across and the fire had jumped from one side of the road to the other side of the road, Trainor said. People were getting out of the cars with their dogs and babies and bags, they were crying and screaming. The road was just blocked, like full-on blocked for an hour.

The blaze ignited on a day when fire officials were bracing for gusts of up to 100 miles an hour, a speed the National Weather Service described as life-threatening, extreme and destructive. The high winds combined with unseasonably dry conditions to make the situation even more combustible.

Interactive 3D map shows Palisades Fire perimeter, evacuation zones

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More than 100 firefighters and pre-positioned strike teams were battling the blaze Tuesday, David Ortiz of the LAFD said.

This is pretty much the worst possible scenario for a firefight, said Ortiz.

There was no initial estimate for the number of structures damaged or destroyed. However, news footage showed several homes ablaze.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Ortiz described the fire as a blowtorch and urged residents to follow orders if asked to leave. Do not stand in the way of this fire, Ortiz said.

Video from Alert California showed a large plume of smoke rising over the Santa Monica Mountains.

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KTLA spoke with actor Steve Guttenberg who said he was helping to move cars along Palisades Drive so fire trucks could get through and evacuees could leave.

There are families up there, there are pets up there, there are people who really need help, Guttenberg said. Its really important for people to help each other  dont worry about your personal property, just get out. I have friends up there that cant get out right now and theyve been given evacuation orders.

Fire crews have even resorted to using a bulldozer to move parked cars out of the way.

The fierce Santa Ana winds driving the blaze arrived Tuesday along with morning snow in mountainous communities and inland rainfall, making for a rather bizarre forecast, KTLA meteorologist Henry DiCarlo said.

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Pacific Palisades is located about 10 miles from Malibu, where the Franklin Fire burned more than 4,000 acres and burned several homes after erupting during similar windy conditions in December.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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 The Hill.
A bipartisan group of US House Representatives, actively engaged with the Embassy of Ukraine in the United States, has submitted a draft resolution to the US House of Representatives that would recognise Russia's actions in Ukraine as an act of genocide.

Source: Oksana Markarova, Ukraine's Ambassador to the US, on Facebook

Details: This is the first legislative act related to Ukraine submitted for consideration to the new 119th US Congress.

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The draft resolutions preamble states that the atrocities committed by Russian forces in Ukraine, along with the forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians, including children, to Russia and the temporarily occupied territories, meet the criteria outlined in Article II of the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

The operative part of the document condemns Russia for committing acts of genocide, urges the United States, in cooperation with NATO and EU allies, to take measures to support the Ukrainian government to prevent further acts of genocide against the Ukrainian people and supports tribunals and international criminal investigations to bring Russian political leaders and military personnel to justice.

Quote from Markarova: "We thank the congress members for introducing this important resolution! All Russian crimes must be reflected in US legislation to ensure the punishment of Russian criminals and to prevent such horrific crimes in the future."

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LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Hillsdale Community Health Agency urges residents to take the proper steps to reduce the risk of respiratory illness.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reports as of Dec. 28, 2024, about 6.3% of emergency department visits and 8.5 hospitalizations per 100,000 people in the state were associated with acute respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus or RSV.

This week, influenza activity in the state is High and MDHHS says it isnt too late to get vaccinated to reduce the risk of severe illness or hospitalization.

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We encourage those at greatest risk for severe illness, including parents of young children, those with multiple health problems, and individuals with weak immune systems, to talk with their provider or call our office to discuss your concerns, says Dr. Karen Luparello, Medical Director in a news release sent to 6 News.

Vaccines for Flu, COVID, Pertussis (whooping cough), Pneumonia, and RSV are widely available within our communities, including local pharmacies, physician offices, and at your local health department office.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services offers ways to stay healthy

MDHHS suggests residents should consider these steps to stay healthy:

Get immunizations

Clean hands and cover coughs

Take steps for cleaner air

If you become sick, it is important to:

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Stay home when sick

Get Tested

Seek treatment

Wear a mask

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 WLNS 6 News.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  Retired Judge U.W. Clemon discussed with CBS 42 Evening News Anchor Sherri Jackson the legacy of former President Jimmy Carter.

Carter appointed Clemon as Alabamas first Black federal judge in 1980. Clemon served on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama and became chief judge in 1999. He stayed at that position until 2006 and retired from the bench in 2009.

Carter died at the age of 100 on Dec. 29.

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You can watch the full interview in the video player above.

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 CBS 42.
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:

Viji Santhakumar is a professor of molecular, cell and systems biology at UC Riverside. Credit: Stan Lim, UC Riverside.

The gene neuropilin2 encodes a receptor involved in cell-cell interactions in the brain and plays a key role in regulating the development of neural circuits. Neuropilin2 controls migration of inhibitory neurons as well as the formation and maintenance of synaptic connections in excitatory neuronstwo crucial components of brain activity.

A study led by neuroscientist Viji Santhakumar at the University of California, Riverside, and collaborators at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey, now offers insights into how this gene contributes to the development of behavioral changes associated with autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy.

The study, published in Molecular Psychiatry, offers a pathway for future treatments aimed at alleviating some challenging symptoms of these frequently co-occurring conditions.

Previous research has linked mutations in neuropilin2 to neurological disorders like autism and epilepsy, but the mechanisms involved have remained largely unclear. In the current study, Santhakumar and her collaborators created an "inhibitory neuron selective knockout" mouse model to examine the consequences of deleting the neuropilin2 gene. They found that the absence of neuropilin2 impairs the migration of inhibitory neurons, disrupting the delicate balance between excitatory and inhibitory signals in the brain.

"This imbalance leads to autism-like behaviors and an increased risk of seizures," said Santhakumar, lead investigator of the study and a professor of molecular, cell and systems biology.

"Our study results highlight how a single gene can influence both the excitatory and inhibitory systems in the brain. We show that disrupting inhibitory circuit development is sufficient to cause autism-related behaviors and epilepsy to co-occur. By better understanding how neuropilin2 works in the formation of the brain's circuitry, we may be able to develop more targeted therapies for different features of these disorders."

A unique aspect of the research is the focus on the migration of inhibitory neurons, a process in which neuropilin2 plays a crucial role. By selectively deleting neuropilin2 during a key developmental window, the researchers found impairments in inhibitory regulation of the circuit, which led to deficits in behavioral flexibility, social interactions, and an increased risk of seizures.

The study findings suggest that targeting specific phases of neuronal development could open new doors for therapeutic interventions, potentially preventing the onset of these disorders if detected early.

"By isolating the role of inhibitory circuit formation, we may be able to develop therapeutic strategies that could improve outcomes for individuals with autism, particularly those who experience seizures," Santhakumar said.

Santhakumar came to UCR in 2018 from Rutgers University to expand her research vision of developing a multi-level understanding of brain circuit function in health and disease and uncover the biological processes contributing to developmental brain disorders. The current collaborative study employed cutting-edge techniques in both behavioral and physiological assessments.

"This study is a step forward in understanding the genetic and circuit underpinnings of autism and epilepsy," Santhakumar said. "It is crucial we continue to explore the precise mechanisms that govern circuit development and maintenance because this knowledge could ultimately help us develop new interventions for a range of developmental disorders, from autism to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and schizophrenia."

Santhakumar was joined in the study by Deepak Subramanian, Andrew Huang, and Samiksha Komatireddy of UCR; and Carol Eisenberg, Jiyeon Baek, Haniya Naveed, Michael W. Shiflett, and Tracy S. Tran of Rutgers University. Subramanian and Eisenberg contributed equally to the research.

More information: Deepak Subramanian et al, Dysregulation of neuropilin-2 expression in inhibitory neurons impairs hippocampal circuit development and enhances risk for autism-related behaviors and seizures, Molecular Psychiatry (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02839-4 Journal information: Molecular Psychiatry
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sounded cautiously optimistic on Capitol Hill Wednesday that hell win Senate confirmation to be the nations top health official.

Ive got my fingers crossed, Kennedy said in response to a question from the Daily Beast as he emerged from a private meeting with one of many senators who will decide his fate.

Kennedy had just met with Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH), who told a local station in her state two months ago, Some of these nominees on their very face, when you look at their background, their statements, their records, their lack of qualifications, are deeply concerning.

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After meeting with the senator, Kennedy defended his controversial record, saying, I think that statements... that have been made about my stance on vaccines have been erroneous. He strolled down the hall without elaborating.

Kennedy, an espoused conspiracy theorist who is President-elect Donald Trumps nominee to become secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, was scheduled to meet with several senators on Wednesday and Thursday.

One of them was Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), a physician, who had requested a private meeting with Kennedy ahead of public hearings to question him about his more outlandish public positions against life-saving vaccines.

Vaccinations, hes wrong on, and so I just look forward to having a good dialogue with him on that, Cassidy said during an interview on Fox News Sunday.

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On Wednesday, following their private meeting, Cassidy said he and RFK Jr. spoke about vaccines at length but he provided no details.

Had a frank conversation with HHS nominee @RobertKennedyJr. We spoke about vaccines at length. Looking forward to the hearings in HELP and Finance. pic.twitter.com/FIcNYLNlr0  U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (@SenBillCassidy) January 8, 2025

Between sex scandals, conspiracies and fierce opposition from health and consumer advocacy groups who say his anti-vax and other positions are dangerous, Kennedy faces an uphill battle to take the helm of the leading federal agency tasked with protecting the health of Americans.

And now he reportedly faces fresh allegations of voter fraud.

Unless forced to withdraw his nomination if confirmation seems insurmountablelike Trumps initial pick for attorney general, Matt GaetzKennedy will get public hearings in both the Senate Finance Committee and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. Those hearings have not yet been scheduled.

The Daily Beast Podcast episodes are released every Thursday. Like and download on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app. And click here for email updates as each new episode drops.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  The Rhode Island fugitive, who authorities say faked his own death to avoid criminal prosecution, is heading for trial after he rejected a plea deal in a rape case in Utah.

Nicholas Alahverdian, also known as Nicholas Rossi, is charged with a felony count of rape. He is accused of sexually assaulting his 26-year-old girlfriend in Utah in 2008. The case was reopened in 2017 and a DNA test of a rape kit matched Alahverdians profile.

His trial is scheduled for Sept. 15.

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Alahverdians court-appointed attorney, Daniel Diaz, told Utah District Court Judge Derek Pullman that plea negotiations between his client and prosecutors, unfortunately, havent been fruitful.

Alahverdian appeared remotely from jail wearing an oxygen mask. He didnt speak during the hearing. The prosecutor said the plea offer had been withdrawn and it is now off the table.

Diaz said he is going to challenge some of the states witnesses, and a hearing on that dispute has been scheduled for March. Pullman ordered Alahverdian to appear in person.

The case has drawn international attention after Alahverdian vanished before he could be arrested, and an online obituary claimed he died of cancer in 2020.

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The following year, authorities tracked him down after he contracted COVID and was admitted to a hospital in Scotland. For years, Alahverdian fought extradition to the United States by claiming he was in fact an Irish orphan named Arthur Knight.

Ultimately, the courts in the United Kingdom determined he was Alahverdian and handed him over to U.S. officials. In October, he admitted to a Utah judge he was in fact Alahverdian and had changed his name when he went overseas.

Utah court documents show Alahverdian has also been accused of sexual assault, harassment and possible kidnapping in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Ohio.

Tim White (twhite@wpri.com) is Target 12 managing editor and chief investigative reporter and host of Newsmakers for 12 News. Connect with him on Twitter and Facebook.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  With a polar vortex causing frigid temperatures this week, some Rhode Islanders are urging the state to declare homelessness a public health emergency.

The Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness (RICEH) reports that theres been a sharp rise in homelessness since 2020, citing a lack of funding and overstretched infrastructure.

RICEH oversees the Coordinated Entry System, which connects people with resources, including shelters and housing. The system has seen a 99.5% surge in calls over the past four years, according to Jennifer Barrera, RICEHs Chief Strategy Officer.

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If anyone has had the opportunity in the past couple of nights to go out and walk their dog, or just even walk to their car  they recognize how cold it is, Barrera said. I just wish they would imagine how awful it would be to sleep outside in that weather for the entire night. I think that should be the driving force for everyone to get involved.

7-DAY FORECAST: Will it warm back up this week?

RICEH Executive Director Kimberly Simmons said they are asking that homelessness be declared a public health emergency to unlock some of those funds to meet the growing demand.

You just cant do more with less. And thats what were being asked to do, Simmons said.

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In the meantime, several shelters, including Crossroads in Providence, are opening their doors to those seeking refuge from the cold.

Folks can just come in, they can be safe, they can keep to themselves. Theyre not going to be questioned or asked to do anything. Its just really a safe place to be and have access to, obviously, bathrooms and showers and food and water if they need it, Crossroads President and CEO Michelle Wilcox said.

While emergency warming centers and overnight shelters have been activated across the state, Barrera and Simmons stressed that this crisis extends beyond extreme weather and requires year-round action.

This has been going on for decades, she added. Rhode Island as a state, across the board, state municipalities have failed to invest in the infrastructure to develop affordable housing at the rate that we need, keeping affordable housing healthy, and improving the capital improvements that are needed for affordable housing.

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RELATED: Smiley criticizes delays in Providence pallet shelters as frigid weather sets in

Meanwhile, Gov. Dan McKee announced that additional overnight shelter capacity will open Tuesday night and remain available through the cold snap. No referral code is needed for access.

The safety of our residents, particularly those most vulnerable, is our top priority as we prepare for this intense cold, McKee said. We are ensuring that more resources are available to provide shelter, warmth, and support to those who need it the most.

Open emergency shelters:

West Warwick: West Warwick Civic Center, 100 Factory St.  open 24 hours through 8 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 9

Westerly: WARM Center, 56 Spruce St.  open 24 hours during winter months

Overnight shelters (drop-in basis):

Providence: Crossroads Rhode Island, 162 Broad St.  open 4 p.m. Jan. 6

Providence: Emmanuel House, 239 Public St.  open 24 hours Jan. 78

South Kingstown: Welcome House of South County, 8 North Road, Peace Dale  open 24 hours

Pawtucket: OpenDoors, 1139 Main St.  open 24 hours

Winter hub hours are subject to change and will be updated on the R.I. Department of Housing website.

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12 News has reached out to Gov. McKees office for further comment but has not yet received a response.

Providence City Councilors Justin Roias and Miguel Sanchez announced Tuesday evening that theyll be opening the city council chamber to host a community gathering space away from the cold. They said trained volunteers will be on hand to provide help with needs such as accessing shelter beds and transportation.

In response, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley expressed opposition with their decision to do so.

City Hall does not have the resources, expertise or proper facilities to serve as an emergency shelter, Smiley said in a statement. The city is supporting multiple emergency warming shelters across Providence with available beds that are professionally staffed with the resources and tools our unhoused vulnerable population needs.

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Opening City Hall as a shelter disrespects the hard work of our community partners who have the expertise to adequately provide support for our community and this action distracts from the serious solutions the city and our qualified partners have been leading to support our unhoused populations, he continued.

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Richard M. Cohen, a journalist and longtime husband of Meredith Vieira, has died after living with multiple sclerosis for more than 50 years and surviving two bouts of colon cancer. He was 76.

Cohen, a broadcast journalist like his wife, died on Christmas Eve. The news was announced Tuesday on "Today," the NBC morning show that Vieira co-anchored from 2006 until 2011, when she stepped down to spend more time with her husband and three children.

"Today" co-host Hoda Kotb said Tuesday that Cohen died "surrounded by his family and love." Those family members, she told viewers, had just experienced "a glorious month ... with their dad" after coming home for Thanksgiving because they feared they would "lose him early."

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Read more: Mike Rinder, former Scientology exec who became an Emmy-winning whistleblower, dies at 69

In a 2018 appearance on "Today," Cohen said that when he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at age 25, he was "essentially told there is no hope. Diagnose and adios, not much we can do."

The first disease-modifying drug to help with MS wasn't approved by the FDA until 1993, about 20 years after his diagnosis, but now there are about 20 such drugs on the market. While such drugs are not a cure for MS, they can delay progression of the disease, reduce the number of relapses and prevent some new damage to the nervous system, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Cohen's cause of death was not discussed on "Today," but the Hudson Independent reported it to be pneumonia.

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Read more: Conan O'Brien's parents Thomas and Ruth, who inspired numerous gags, die three days apart

Born on Valentine's Day in 1948, Cohen married Vieira in June 1986. He was an author as well as a senior producer for CNN and CBS News and wrote a number of books focusing on living with chronic illness. "Blindsided," published in 2003, a few years after Cohen's bouts with cancer, "explores the effects of illness on raising three children and his relationship with wife Meredith Vieira" and "tackles the nature of denial and resilience and the redemptive effects of a loving family," according to publisher HarperCollins.

Vieira, who has worked in news at all three major U.S. broadcast networks, was an original panelist on "The View," spent time at "60 Minutes" and hosted the syndicated daytime version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" She has occasionally guest-hosted during the fourth hour of "Today" with Laura Bush and the outgoing Kotb since 2019.

In addition to his wife, Cohen is survived by children Benjamin, Gabriel and Lily Cohen. They are all in their 30s. Gabe Cohen is a reporter for CNN.

Sign up for Screen Gab, a free newsletter about the TV and movies everyones talking about from the L.A. Times.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Less than 10 minutes into a British parliamentary hearing on Tuesday, during which a Shein representative equivocated on questions relating to the e-tail Goliaths supply chain and a potential public float, a visibly frustrated Member of Parliament made his feelings known in no uncertain terms.

You cant tell us anything about listing, you cant tell us anything about cotton in Shein products and you cant tell us much, in fact, Liam Byrne, MP for Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North and chair of the House of Commonss Business and Trade Committee, groused to Yinan Zhu, Sheins general counsel for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

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Byrne had asked Zhu whether the Chinese-founded firm sourced cotton from Chinas northwestern Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region or China as a whole, whether it believed there is forced labor in Xinjiang, whether its code of conduct prohibited its suppliers from sourcing Xinjiang cotton and whether it was planning to list on the London Stock Exchange as has been widely, almost frenetically, speculated. These werent trick or complicated questions, he said, but rather ones that required only a simple yes or no.

Shein has previously said that it has zero tolerance for forced labor and that it has no contract manufacturers in Xinjiang. Facing the panel, however, Zhu would only say that Shein complied with laws and regulations everywhere it conducted business in the world, has robust systems and procedures in place and has very strong enforcement measures to ensure it adheres to high standards. She asked for permission to write to the committee at a later time because she didnt have knowledge of detailed operational information such as the origin of Sheins cotton. And she declined to respond to the question about forced labor in China because it isnt our place to comment on a geopolitical debate.

Are you able to tell us whether there is any cotton from Xinjiang in the products that you sell? Bryne tried again.

Were going to have to write to the committee, Zhu said.

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You cant tell me definitively today whether the products that you sell contain any cotton from Xinjiang, Byrne said.

Thank you for your patience, Zhu said. I am going to apologize for having to repeat again, if you will allow me, that well write to the committee afterward.

Byrne tried a different tack. It was reported that Shein sought permission from the China Securities Regulatory Commission to list in the U.K. or the U.S., he said. Why would you need Chinese government permission to list in either America or Britain if youre a company headquartered in Singapore?

Sorry chair, I am not able to comment on that because Im not close to the details of the news report that you just mentioned, Zhu said.

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Antonia Bance, the MP for Tipton and Wednesbury had an equally hard time drawing a direct response about an appalling dossier that lawyers from Leigh Day had delivered to the Financial Conduct Authority on behalf of their client, the nonprofit Stop Uyghur Genocide, that they say shows clear, identifiable links between Xinjiang cotton production and forced labor and points to publicly available evidence that ties Sheins supply chains to the same.

Leigh Day announced Friday that it had sent Zhu the same dossier ahead of her examination. Its Stop Uyghur Genocides opinion that the FCA should block the Missguided owners listing because there is good reason to believe that its supply chains profit from modern slavery, a violation of Britains 2002 Proceeds of Crime Act.

Zhu said that Shein had reviewed that dossier, then repeated her earlier statement that the e-tailer complied with the laws and regulations of all countries in which it operates. When Bance asked if she was confident that Shein complied with the U.K. Modern Slavery Act, Zhu said the companys position is that it was compliant with relevant U.K. laws.

Similarly swerved was a question about what its supplier code of conduct means when it says to arrange working hours responsibly.

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How many hours do you think is an appropriate number for a shop-floor worker at a supplier for Shein? Byrne asked.

I dont think its appropriate for me to judge whats appropriate, Zhu replied.

Byrne referred to a 2022 investigation by Britains Channel 4 that found workers at a contracted manufacturer toiling for 18-hour days with only one day off per month. Despite a spokesperson saying at the time that Shein would swiftly deal with offenders of local labor lawsChina limits workweeks to 44 hours and overtime to 36 hoursa report that the nonprofit Public Eye published last May said that 75-hour workweeks were still the norm.

Is that appropriate? Byrne asked. And do you think those two specific instances agree with your supplier code of conduct?

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I dont recognize the specifics of what you described, said Zhu.

Wilful obfuscation

The MPs had better luck getting Zhu to state where in China Shein makes its clothing, which it does via contract manufacturing with thousands of individual suppliers, mostly in China but also, of late, in Turkey and Brazil. But her detailed rundown of regions in Chinas northern, southern and eastern swaths, including the provinces of Guangdong, Zhejiang, Hunan and Liaoning, prompted a resurgence of an earlier line of questioning.

Im trying to understand how you can lay out the regions that youre using in China, but youre unable to lay out if any cotton is being manufactured in China for your Shein products, said Rosie Wrighting, MP for Kettering. Its not adding up.

It was at this point that Charlie Maynard, MP for Witney, appeared to have had enough.

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Frankly, I dont think youre respecting the committee at all, he said. You say to our chair that you cant state whether Shein is selling any products which are made in China, which are made of cotton. Frankly, I find that completely ridiculous and disrespectful that youre here doing this. You mention every point of the compass but you dont mention west China, you dont mention Xinjiang at all, and its wilful ignorance.

Do you have a question? Bryne asked.

I am asking you whether you think you are being disrespectful by being so blanketly void of answers, segued Maynard, not missing a beat.

I am giving the answers to the best of my ability, Zhu said.

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That is not true, Maynard said. We have asked you some very, very, very simple questions, and you are not giving us straight answers. And that, I find, dismisses the point of why we are here today. Do you understand how simple the questions we are asking you are? You have obfuscated wilfully.

Zhus dodging drew a contrast with the responses of Sheins rival and frequent legal nemesis Temu, which had sent two representatives to be grilled by lawmakers at the same session. Temu, too, had been accused of being operationally opaque, placing it in the same sightlines as Shein and stoking calls for de minimis reform in the United States. One 2023 U.S. congressional report said it was doing next to nothing to keep its supply chains free of forced labor.

Temus stance seems to have changed on at least one front since then, however, and its lack of prevarication on the issue also couldnt help but throw into relief Sheins avoidance of the same.

We do not permit sellers from the Xinjiang region to sell products, said senior legal counsel Stephen Heary.

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He also said that the British market is one that Temu, which shares a parent company with Chinese retail app Pinduoduo but is headquartered in Boston, plans to grow. By the end of 2025, its committed to having at least 50 percent of the sellers who sell on its U.K. platform be physically based and registered in the United Kingdom. Its also been buttoning up its compliance work: Theres tighter vetting of vendors, for instance, and traders receive training through a dedicated portal that allows them to further their compliance efforts.

Were committed to continuously improving our compliance program, Heary said. And I would like to mention that were at the moment undertaking an industry-leading initiative whereby we will require and make mandatory for all traders on our platform to disclose the origin of manufacturing of their products, and this information will be made available to consumers on our website.

Still, Zhus hesitance to speak about Sheins exposure to Xinjiang at the hearing might have been born of pragmatic reasons, or perhaps even strategic ones. It was only in 2021 that fashion powerhouses such as Adidas and H&M faced vociferous calls for boycotts after statements seen as anti-Xinjiangand therefore anti-Chinacirculated on Chinese social media, contributing to the rise of domestic brands such as Anta Sports and Li-Ning as part of the guochao (translation: national wave) trend that has also ratcheted up in momentum since.

More recently, Fast Retailing CEO Tadashi Yanai revealed to the BBC that the Uniqlo owner doesnt use Xinjiang cotton, though he immediately dropped the train of conversation by saying it was too political. Uniqlo has an outsized presence in China, its largest market with more than 1,000 stores that are responsible for over one-fifth of its revenue. The official response, to Yanais possible relief, has been relatively subdued, though the entire incident is illustrative of the near-intractable conundrum brands and retailers find themselves grappling with.

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But Shein, despite being seen as a Chinese company, doesnt sell within China. Sky Xu, its founder and CEO, however, is a Chinese citizen (and rumored Singapore permanent resident), as is most of the companys C-suite. A Reuters report from last January that said that Shein was seeking Beijings nod to go public in the U.S. may reveal more than it says about the invisible tethers that yoke it to its country of origin, bringing additional complications as its increasingly being held to account by other, predominantly Western, nations for the human rights violations it denies takes place or warded off with protectionist policies.

Whats certain, however, is that British lawmakers were left completely unsatisfied by the time the hearing wound up with a terse order, order. It was Byrne who struck the death blow.

I have to say, Ms. Zhu, for a company that sells a billion pounds for U.K. consumers, and for a company which is seeking to file on the London Stock Exchange, the committee has been pretty horrified by the lack of evidence that you presented today, he said. Youve given us almost zero confidence in the integrity of your supply chains. You cant even tell us what your product is made from. You cant tell us much about the conditions which workers have to work in, and the reluctance to answer basic questions frankly borders on contempt of the committee. So I hope that we can bring some clarity to this matter as quickly as we can through follow-up correspondence.
Three days after a winter storm blanketed Cincinnati, people on the citys residential streets were still digging out of the snow and awaiting crews to plow the roads.

While many of the main thoroughfares were largely cleared Wednesday morning, side streets in several of the citys neighborhoods remained covered in layers of snow and ice, with snow piled on top of cars and limited space for two-way traffic.

It kind of surprised me, said Mike Schwartz, 63, of CUF. Schwartz was shoveling the snow away from his car parked outside his home on Graham Street.

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More: When will the snow melt? Why Ohio will be covered for a while

Schwartz said he moved to Cincinnati in 1979 and the snow that hit the region Sunday and Monday is the deepest hes seen in decades.

He said neighborhoods outside Downtown dont get the same level of care from city services during winter weather events, adding that it didnt look as though his street had been touched by snow plows.

Mike Schwartz, 63, shovels snow to clear a path for his car on Wednesday at his residence in CUF.

Less than a block away on Parker Street, a thick layer of snow coated the road as a city snow plow drove up the hill spraying salt on the ground. Some residents were still shoveling snow off their driveways on the adjacent Ohio Avenue, where snow narrowed the already tight roadway.

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Despite the streets being partially cleared by plows, snow still blanketed Salvador Street and Crestview Place in Mount Washington. In Northside, a layer of slush covered Lingo Street which was bordered by piles of snow on the sidewalks.

Its ridiculous, said Paul Bernard, 55, who just returned Tuesday to his Mount Adams home from a trip to Montreal. Bernard said his Uber driver couldnt get up the hill leading to his home on Filson Place, where workers used shovels to remove snow.

The city also hadnt collected garbage from residences on the street and cans stood seeped in snow with trash visibly piling up.

I get it. Its not easy, Bernard said, adding that hes been disappointed with the citys snow removal services given the amount of property taxes Mount Adams residents pay. Many roads in the neighborhood were drivable Wednesday morning, however, the lanes were limited by snow piled on the sides of streets.

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Tim Shelton, 60, has been out working since Tuesday with family to remove snow from residences. He said by the end of Wednesday, they will have worked on roughly 50 properties, including those in Mount Adams, East Walnut Hills, Evanston and Madisonville.

Tim Shelton, 60, left, shows Kemonta Leathers, 17, right, a technique to shoveling snow off a Mount Adams residents driveway on Wednesday.

Over the past two days, Shelton said, hes been helping dig peoples stuck vehicles out of snow-covered driveways and parking lots in the city.

It makes no sense, he said, adding that he doesnt think the city is prioritizing less busy residential streets. I think they should pay more attention, especially to side roads.

Total snow accumulation amounts reached over 10 inches in parts of Hamilton County, including Norwood, Covedale and Northgate.

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Cincinnatis Department of Public Services has been hitting all residential routes and focusing on those since Monday evening, city spokesperson Mollie Lair said in an emailed statement.

They will continue to treat and plow but the extreme cold makes it difficult to move snow and streets require multiple passes, Lair said.

According to the citys website, the department maintains over 3,000 lane miles. During winter weather events, city crews prioritize primary routes, which include hills, bridges, main thoroughfares and the Central Business District.

Crews are continuing to work tirelessly through difficult conditions in 12-hour shifts and we are grateful for their commitment to keeping our communities safe, Lair added.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati road conditions: Residents complain of icy, snowy streets
Monday night marked the first rescue of 2025 for the ANNA Shelter with a call coming in of a reportedly deceased dog found in a driveway.

The director and founder of the shelter Ruth Thompson said the dog was brought in after the caller asked for advice on what to do with the dog.

I was handed, in a blanket, she doesnt weigh much. Picked her up started, walking to the back, asked Riley to get a microchip scanner so we can scan her. I was ready to body bag her and put her in the freezer, said Thompson.

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But there was a faint sound of life  A soft moan from the dog, whose name is Phoenix.

Tips to keep pets safe after temperatures drop below freezing

At that moment, Thompson said her staff sprung into action.

Under the guidance of Dr. Ziegler it was SubQ fluids, the glucose, she was given Warmies. We have, like, saline bags that we warm up in the microwave to get these guys temperatures back up, said Thompson.

Hot blankets from the dryer were also used to warm the pup along with a staff member laying his body across the dog for additional heat.

Before treatment, Thompson said Phoenix had reached a comatose state of hypothermia.

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Erie Police raise $8,000 for local charities with No Shave November

Could not get a heartbeat. It was very very faint. Her gums were completely white. I mean, Ive never seen as white. Her tongue was completely white. I mean, I could touch her eyeballs. All the things we do to make sure an animal is deceased, she was giving me all those indicators, she said.

Thompson reminds pet owners to be cognizant of the freezing temperatures and limit their exposure to the cold weather.

The sensitive areas  the eyes, the ears, the toes. Anything thats sensitive like that, that is prone to frostbite. So, its so important. Limited exposure to the cold, no more than ten-fifteen minutes. Go do your business then come right back inside. The warmer weather is coming and its scary how quickly these guys can get, said Thompson.

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Thompson said Phoenix will eventually go up for adoption once she is stable, but for now she will receive care in the shelters intensive care area.

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 WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
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: Vlada Karpovich from Pexels

We have known for some time now that people living in rural areas experience poorer health than their metropolitan counterparts, largely due to uneven distribution of the health workforce and inequitable access to health care.

So to improve the health of rural people, we need to change this, and soon.

Health professionals, educators, researchers and policymakers have been working for decades to attract and retain health care professionals in rural, regional and remote areas.

The current higher education reforms, outlined in the Australian Universities Accord Final Report, aim to develop rural workforces, including the rural health workforce, by making tertiary education more accessible and equitable.

The report stresses the importance of lifelong learning (choosing study to upskill or reskill beyond the school-leaving age), as well as lifting higher education participation rates among people living in regional, rural and remote communities.

The proportion of mature-aged higher education students (aged 21 or older on commencement of their course) increases with rurality, making rural mature-aged people an important cohort to consider if we're going to develop the rural health workforce.

Mature-aged people living in rural areas may also have a sense of belonging and attachment to their communitythis is considered helpful for retaining health professionals in rural areas.

Our research program seeks to understand the capacity of mature-aged people living in regional, rural and remote communities to join the health workforce and to identify and create structural changes to support their participation and success in university health courses.

Structural changes can include decentralizing university health course offerings, forming strategic and local collaborations to support mature-aged students in rural contexts, and ensuring these students are well supported on rural campuses.

Our case study, published in BMC Medical Education, involved 36 people (students, academics, professional staff and placement supervisors) across three rural Victorian university campuses.

We used interviews, focus groups and surveys to explore current and potential study supports for rural mature-aged nursing and allied health students, which could help them successfully complete their studies and join the rural health workforce.

The study found that mature-aged students made up more than 50% of those studying nursing and allied health. That's a significant chunk of students who will likely form the rural health workforce of tomorrow in these communities.

No formal study supports were identified for mature-aged nursing and allied health students across three rural campuses.

The findings of our study resonate with the experiences of other rural mature-aged nursing and allied health students.

Mrs. Armstrong is studying a Bachelor of Nursing. She's from Shepparton and says her study experience as a mature age student is challenging.

"Balancing studies with family responsibilities and working can be at times overwhelming. The lack of flexibility in placements makes it difficult to balance academic requirements and personal life."

The lack of formal study support for this cohort is concerning because our scoping review, published in The Australian Journal of Rural Health in 2021, found mature-aged students studying nursing and allied health experience a complex combination of non-university commitments (e.g., caring responsibilities, parenting, managing household duties, career commitments and financial pressures).

These non-university commitments mean that rural mature-aged nursing and allied health students are likely to need particular study supports, although our research suggests they may not receive them.

Despite requesting a local placement, Mrs. Armstrong explains how there was no consideration given to students who are also mothers.

"The demands of nursing studies combined with the responsibilities of raising children with a lack of support leads to additional stress."

Some supports are provided, like online assistance, but these are not considered helpful for many rural mature-aged students.

"The constant redirection to online services leads to delays and further stress when trying to navigate the return to study as a mature-aged student," Mrs. Armstrong says.

People also reported that many study supports were informal and were based on staff knowledge of student needs.

This informal approach to supporting mature-aged students emphasizes the relational strengths of rural university campuses, but it means rural staff are not recognized for their efforts to support students beyond what might be required of staff on metropolitan campuses.

It also means some rural mature-aged students might miss out on the support they need if they don't flag these needs with staff.

Our study shows that the development of supports for this cohort needs to be contextually appropriate: study supports needed by mature-aged students on one rural campus may differ from another, because each rural community is different.

For example, some campuses may be positioned in a community where there are local scholarship opportunities for mature-aged students, but these opportunities may not be available in other rural communities.

Despite the challenges, one of the positives Mrs. Armstrong described was the connections she made with other mature-aged students who shared similar experiences, as well as the support received from her teachers.

"I have been fortunate to have lecturers who are very engaging and experienced which has been very helpful in remaining motivated and excited in my learning," she said.

The experience of Mrs. Armstrong and many others like her show just how important it is for universities to provide the right support for rural mature-aged students and for this support to be tailored to different rural contexts.

With a greater focus on creating structural changes in higher education to support cohorts like rural mature-aged students, we can make real progress in securing Australia's health workforce in regional, rural and remote communities.

More information: Claire Quilliam et al, Study supports for rural mature-aged university health students: a Stakian multicase study, BMC Medical Education (2024). DOI: 10.1186/s12909-024-05128-4
A monument to Robert Smalls, sculpted by Atlanta-based artist Basil Watson. (Provided/Robert Smalls Monument Commission)

COLUMBIA  Civil War hero Robert Smalls could one day stand just outside the Statehouse visitors entrance, clad in the three-piece suit he would have worn while serving in Congress, a legislative panel decided Wednesday.

Smalls, who escaped slavery on a Confederate steamship and later served in the Statehouse and Congress, will be the first individual Black person recognized on the Statehouse grounds. Another monument represents the story of Black South Carolinians, but it doesnt identify any specific people.

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The plan still needs approval from a full committee, as well as the House and Senate. If the unanimous votes Wednesday, as well as unanimous approval of the legislation to honor him with a monument, are any indication, the proposal will have little trouble reaching the finish line.

The law placing a monument on the grounds includes only one deadline: The commission needed to decide on a design and location by Jan. 15, which it accomplished with a week to spare. As for construction, the law requires only that it happen as soon as is reasonably possible after the full Legislature approves the plans.

That gives legislators time to finalize details, such as the size and material of the statue, and raise as much money as possible, said Rep. Brandon Cox, the Goose Creek Republican who co-sponsored the law with Rep. Jermaine Johnson, D-Columbia.

This isnt going to be done haphazardly, Cox told reporters. Two hundred years from now, when were looking at the Statehouse grounds, that statue will still be up there.

Location

The monument will stand straight across from the visitors entrance to the Statehouse, situated between the Spanish-American War Monument and the African American History monument.

A map of the Statehouse grounds showing where a monument of Robert Smalls could be placed. (Provided/SC Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism)

With more than two dozen statues and markers of various sizes already in place across the Statehouse grounds, finding a suitable piece of land that didnt crowd any other statues or add too much weight to the underground parking garage posed a potential challenge.

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But a spot opened up in April 2023, when crews finished removing a dead tree, Johnson said.

Whether this might have been divine intervention in preparation of this, Im going to let you all decide on that, he said.

The monument will be in full view of any visitors walking into the Statehouse. Among them are the school children often dropped off on the nearby Sumter Street, Johnson said.

From Smalls monument, those of Confederate general and former Gov. Wade Hampton and former Gov. Benjamin Pitchfork Tillman will be visible, which is fitting since all three men were in politics at the same time, Johnson said.

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Smalls and Tillman, in particular, had a contentious relationship. Tillman, a white supremacist who advocated for killing Black people who tried to vote, led the group that in 1895 rewrote the state constitution that Smalls had helped write 27 years earlier. Tillmans version, which is still in place today, rolled back education and voting rights that Smalls had fought to include in the constitution that allowed South Carolina to rejoin the Union.

Design

The monuments depiction of Smalls in a three-piece suit, as he often wore in Congress, was approved over two other designs that showed more of his history because of the winning models similarity to other statues on the Statehouse grounds, members of the 11-person commission said.

Six artists submitted proposals for sculptures. Commission members asked three to create models of their monument ideas before narrowing that down to a favorite.

The final design, by Atlanta-based Basil Watson, is a traditional full-body sculpture reminiscent of those on the grounds already, including that of Tillman. Depicting Smalls in the same way shows that he was equal among historic figures, Johnson said.

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He needs no special defense, Johnson told reporters, referencing a famous quote by Smalls. Put him up there as an equal to everyone else.

A sculpture of Robert Smalls by Pate Studio. (Provided/Robert Smalls Monument Commission)

Watson was struck by Smalls dedication to public, compulsory education throughout his lifetime, he told the Daily Gazette. One of the two sample designs Watson submitted has Smalls standing on a stack of books.

The Atlanta-based artist also created the monument unveiled on the University of South Carolina campus last year honoring the first Black students admitted to the school after Reconstruction. Other public figures Watson has commemorated in sculptures include Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Usain Bolt.

The Smalls monument appealed to him because of how inspiring Smalls story is, Watson said.

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He demonstrated from an early age a spirit of demanding equality, feeling that he was equal and capable, Watson said. I think this was the spirit that he carried throughout his life.

Another design by Florence-based Brown Memorials, which shows three versions of Smalls throughout his life, piqued Sen. Chip Campsens interest. The Isle of Palms Republican suggested that the committee consider it for the final design because it tells more of Smalls story without needing a person to read the plaque.

Visitors are not going to necessarily have someone to interpret the history of who Robert Smalls was, what he did, the things he overcame, the grace he demonstrated to those who even had enslaved him previously, Campsen said.

A Robert Smalls monument by Bran Oswalt with Brown Memorials. (Provided/Robert Smalls Monument Commission)

Mike Shealy, who chairs the commission, had the same thought when first looking through the designs, but he realized upon further thought that some visitors, such as his 10-year-old grandson, might not understand that the three people on the Brown Memorials design are all meant to be one man, he said.

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The simpler sculpture of Smalls would likely be easier for visitors to understand upon first glance, said Shealy, who oversees special projects for the state Department of Administration.

I think the simplicity of a statue of one man on a pedestal who is equal to other people that are memorialized on our Statehouse grounds is the best depiction, said Shealy, formerly the Senates longtime budget director.

Smalls story

The committee suggested a series of facts to include on the panel beneath Smalls feet to educate onlookers, including his dates of birth and death, the years he served in office, and details of his story.

Born into slavery in Beaufort, Smalls was sent to Charleston in 1851 at age 12. Twelve years later, in 1862, Smalls hijacked the steamship Planter on which he was an enslaved crew member and steered himself, other slaves and their family members past Confederate troops to safety.

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Smalls became the first Black man to pilot ships for the U.S. Navy, eventually captaining the Planter for the Union. Congress awarded him prize money for capturing the Planter, allowing him to later buy the mansion in which he had once been enslaved.

During Reconstruction, Smalls was part of a convention of delegates who wrote the states 1868 constitution. That constitution, which resulted in Congress readmitting South Carolina as part of the United States, promised free education to all children and voting rights to all men.

After serving in both the House and Senate, Smalls won election in 1874 to Congress, where he served five terms. He again joined delegates rewriting the state constitution in 1895, where he pleaded for fair and honest elections, knowing the authors intended to pull back rights for Black voters.

One side of the panel could include a quote from a speech Smalls gave at that convention, which is also etched on his gravesite in Beaufort, Johnson suggested.

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My race needs no special defense, for the past history of them in this country proves them to be the equal of any people anywhere, he said in his speech. All they need is an equal chance in the battle of life.

Funding

With a design and location chosen, legislators and the state Department of Administration will begin fundraising in earnest.

How much they need to raise, though, remains up in the air.

No official estimate has been made as to the final cost, Cox said. Legislators are hoping to raise money first to determine what material they can afford to use in constructing the sculpture and what size they could make it.

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Some donations have come in, though legislators said they didnt know how much. People are already enthusiastic about donating to the project, so funding shouldnt be an issue, Cox and Johnson said.

The goal is as much as we can raise, Cox said.
Jan. 7ROCHESTER  Rochester Public Schools Superintendent Kent Pekel is recommending the removal of a book from elementary school libraries, despite a recommendation by a review committee in the district to keep it.

The item is included in the consent agenda for the School Board's meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 7. That means that unless removed to be considered separately, it will be voted on with several other items.

"My decision to direct the removal of the book 'The Rainbow Parade' from our elementary media center shelves is not based upon restricting student access to a viewpoint, message, idea, or opinion," Pekel wrote in a memo. "I believe that the depiction of public nudity makes the book inappropriate for the open shelves of a media center in an elementary school where students as young as kindergarten can access the book without adult supervision or guidance."

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The book was removed on Dec. 10, 2024.

The picture book is about a pride parade in San Francisco, and focuses on a daughter with two mothers.

Tammy Van Moer, media department chair at Franklin Elementary School, explained in another memo that the book was purchased on March 15, 2023, "due to a need to represent authentic family structures and experiences of underrepresented people in our school, community and in the world."

Pekel emphasized that the decision to recommend the book's removal was not due to its message relating to diversity.

"Importantly, I want to make it very clear that I am not directing the removal of the book because it focuses on the experience of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people," Pekel wrote. "As someone who grew up with a gay father during a time when having a gay parent was widely considered shameful, I have a personal understanding of the importance of providing students with access to books that depict and affirm the life experiences of LGBTQ people."

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Van Moer's memo went on to explain that a parent became concerned "about some of the illustrations in the book," after their child checked it out on Feb. 27, 2024.

From there, the book went through a review committee, which included community members, a secondary student, teachers, library media specialists and equity specialists. According to Van Moer, nine out of 10 of the committee members recommended keeping the book in the media center.

"Our school libraries and licensed media specialists would like to see this book stay on the shelves in our libraries as an appropriate book for many of the families we serve in Rochester," Van Moer wrote in her memo. "Not all books are for everyone, but our goal is to have books that represent all students in our school district."
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A heavy police presence swarmed a Southeast Portland neighborhood Tuesday night after a rolling gun battle erupted, police told KOIN 6 News.

According to Portland police, officers responded to a disturbance near a school where they said they found two teens who had been shot not far from Mill Park Elementary.

Both teens were taken to a nearby hospital where they are expected to survive, authorities said.

A rolling gun battle brought a heavy police presence to SE 117th and Market in Portland, January 7, 2025 (KOIN)

Police said they found several shell casings on the ground near Southeast Market Street, but no suspect has been located.

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Officials also confirmed this incident is not connected to the elementary school.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Portland police.

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 KOIN.com.
BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Romania's ruling coalition agreed on Wednesday to rerun a two-round presidential election on May 4 and May 18 and stuck to an original plan to endorse a single candidate, the Liberal Party, one of the three coalition parties, said.

Three consecutive ballots to elect a new president and parliament in the European Union and NATO state descended into chaos when Calin Georgescu, a little-known far-right, pro-Russian politician, won the first presidential round on Nov. 24.

Amid suspicions of Russian interference, the top court annulled the presidential election and ordered the new coalition government to rerun it in its entirety.

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Romania's outgoing president, Klaus Iohannis, will stay on as head of state until the May election.

The new government will approve the calendar for the new ballot on Monday, the Liberals said.

The coalition parties say they agreed to back a single presidential candidate to prevent the far right from winning. Their candidate is Crin Antonescu, a former Liberal leader, though analysts say they may yet switch to backing somebody else.

In Romania's Dec. 1 parliamentary election, three ultranationalist and hard-right parties won roughly 35% of seats in the new legislature amid public anger with infighting and corruption allegations in the mainstream parties.

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Multiple crises including the COVID pandemic and Russia's war in neighbouring Ukraine have also sapped support among Romanian voters for the more established, centrist parties.

Romania's president has a semi-executive role that includes commanding the armed forces and chairing the council that decides on military aid and defence spending.

The president also represents Romania at EU and NATO summits and appoints chief judges, prosecutors and secret service heads.

The increased support for far-right parties is a concern for Romania's NATO allies.

Since Russia launched its full-blown invasion of Ukraine in Feb. 2022, Romania has helped export millions of tons of Ukrainian grain through its Black Sea port of Constanta, trained Ukrainian fighter pilots and donated a Patriot air defence battery to Kyiv.

(Reporting by Luiza Ilie; Editing by Gareth Jones)
HONOLULU (KHON2)  A popular discount department store is shutting down two of its locations on Friday, Jan. 10. Residents are surprised and disappointed to see them go.

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Ross stores located on Fort Street Mall and Keeaumoku Street are closing its doors on Friday.

I was shocked. I did not know theyre going to close. I work close by so I come here often, stated Lolita, a worker in the Keeaumoku area. They have everything. Its very convenient to go shopping.

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Retail Merchants of Hawaii (RMH) stated nationwide brands are looking to consolidate.

They look at things like performance of the store, said Tina Yamaki, RMH President. Is there shoplifting? Theres a lot of factors on why stores close. Its not just economic.

Residents said some Ross employees have been transferred to different locations.

My sister works here. They already transferred her to Ala Moana, stated Lani, a Downtown area worker. There were four of them who transferred to Ala Moana and then I guess the rest, they went to Nimitz.

It is unknown why the company decided to close their stores. KHON2 reached out to company officials for comment and is waiting for a response.

It does create one less place that you have to go shopping, said Yamaki. A lot of people are bargain hunting right now. Prices have gone up. There probably may be some layoffs as well. So it does have an impact.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN)  A man died Tuesday night after having a standoff with Round Rock Police and the SWAT team after he crashed his vehicle and shot at officers, according to the police chief.

The Round Rock Police Department said on X Tuesday night that police were actively investigating an officer-involved shooting at southbound I-35 near Westinghouse Road.

RRPD said southbound I-35 at Westinghouse Road was shut down late Tuesday night. It was later reopened just before midnight.

Round Rock Police Chief Allen Banks said in a press conference overnight that the incident started as a response to a 911 call that came in around 9:40 p.m. about a single-vehicle accident involving a vehicle that went off-road into a field near Texas Crushed Stone.

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The caller stated that she believed the driver was intoxicated because he was driving erratically before he crashed his vehicle, Banks said.

Banks said when officers got to the scene, a man got out of the vehicle and started walking westbound into a wooded area. Officers tried to search for him in the tree line but could not find him so they deployed a drone.

The drone located the man and he started shooting at officers and the drone, Banks said. According to Banks, this went on for several minutes, but officers did not shoot back because the man was hidden in the tree line.

The Round Rock Police Department said police were actively investigating an officer-involved shooting Tuesday night at southbound I-35 near Westinghouse Road. (KXAN News/Frank Martinez) The Round Rock Police Department said police were actively investigating an officer-involved shooting Tuesday night at southbound I-35 near Westinghouse Road. (KXAN News/Frank Martinez) The Round Rock Police Department said police were actively investigating an officer-involved shooting Tuesday night at southbound I-35 near Westinghouse Road. (KXAN News/Frank Martinez)

The SWAT team was called to the scene and when they arrived and approached the tree line, there was a confrontation between the man an officer, and the officer fired a round at him, Banks said.

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Banks said its not clear if the officer struck the man and there was indication that there was also a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The man was pronounced dead on the scene.

The Round Rock Police Department and the Texas Rangers are investigating the shooting and the district attorney was notified.

Banks said multiple agencies responded to the scene once shots were fired at officers, including the Georgetown Police Department, Cedar Park Police Department, Department of Public Safety, and Williamson County Sheriffs Office, as well as the Round Rock Fire Department.

No officers were injured during the shooting.

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Banks said one officer was placed on administrative leave pending further investigation, which is the normal protocol for officer-involved shootings.

This was the first officer-involved shooting of 2025 for the Round Rock Police Department, and there were none in 2024, according to Banks.

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 KXAN Austin.
(This story has been updated to include new information.)

A man died while shooting at responding officers in Round Rock after a one-vehicle crash on Interstate 35 on Tuesday night, police said early Wednesday.

A preliminary investigation shows the man died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to a police news release. No officers were injured. Police have identified the man but are not releasing his name because they need to notify his relatives, police spokeswoman Melanie Forcier said.

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An officer who fired their weapon in the incident has been placed on administrative leave, which is standard protocol, officials said.

The incident began at 9:40 p.m. Tuesday when 911 received a call about a person driving erratically on I-35 South in Round Rock, Chief Allen Banks said in a news conference early Wednesday. The vehicle had gone off the interstate and into a field between Westinghouse Drive and the Texas Crushed Stone business, Banks said. When police arrived, officers saw the male driver walk west into a tree-lined area, but police did not make contact with him at that time, the police chief said.

As officers searched for him, they deployed a drone that found the man, Banks said.

The man shot at the drone and at officers for several minutes, the chief said. The officers didn't return fire, he said, because they couldn't see the man, and they called in the SWAT team, Banks said.

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As the SWAT team approached the man, one officer fired their weapon, according to a police news release. The man died at the scene. The Travis County medical examiner will conduct an autopsy, officials said.

Round Rock police and the Texas Rangers are investigating the shooting. It is the first officer-involved shooting in Round Rock in more than a year, said Banks.

Interstate 35 South at Westinghouse Road was closed Tuesday night because of the shooting, but it reopened at 11:55 p.m., police said.

Round Rock police

Southbound I-35 at Westinghouse Road is currently shut down due to police activity following an officer-involved shooting. Please avoid the area and seek alternate routes. pic.twitter.com/pApjwkqQKM  Round Rock Police (@roundrockpolice) January 8, 2025

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Round Rock police: Man dies after shooting at officers following crash
The daughter of a once-popular family vlogger now in prison for child abuse is providing new insight into her mothers extreme religious beliefs and harsh, excessive discipline  and how it continued for years even as cameras were rolling.

Shari Franke, 21, described the emotional and physical abuse she and her five younger siblings endured for years by Ruby Franke, even as the Utah family known as 8 Passengers documented their lives to millions of YouTube followers. Her memoir, The House of My Mother, was released on Tuesday.

Shari Franke. MANICPROJECT

Ruby Franke and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested in September 2023 after the Frankes youngest son sought help from a neighbor of Hildebrandts home in Ivins. The 12-year-old boy was malnourished with open wounds and duct tape on his wrists and ankles. Authorities said they found his younger sister, also suffering from malnutrition, in a closet at Hildebrandts home.

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Ruby Franke and Hildebrandt pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse (two additional counts were dropped as part of their plea agreements) and were each sentenced in February to consecutive terms of 1 to 15 years in prison.

Ruby Frankes views on parenting and discipline became increasingly alarming, Shari Franke said after her mom partnered in 2022 with Hildebrandt, 57, a counselor. The women launched their own YouTube channel, ConneXions, after 8 Passengers was shut down due to widespread backlash against the Frankes authoritarian parenting style.

Their followers sounded the alarm after the Frankes eldest son, Chad, revealed in an 8 Passengers video that he had been forced to sleep on a bean bag chair in the familys basement for seven months, and Ruby said she had withheld food from her children as punishment.

Shari moved out of the house when she began attending BYU in the fall of 2021. She said she became increasingly worried about the four younger childrens welfare after her father, Kevin Franke, agreed to move out at Hildebrandts urging, and not communicate with his wife or children  including Shari  for a year. Her mother pulled the children out of school and refused to allow her to communicate with them, Shari said.

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It was only after her mothers arrest that Shari learned that Ruby had left her two middle daughters alone at their house in Springville when she decamped with her two youngest children to Hildebrandts house in Ivins, Utah, more than 250 miles away.

Although Shari, her familys neighbors and concerned social media followers repeatedly contacted social services, she said Utahs free-range parenting law made it difficult for authorities to intervene.

Even the disturbing videos Ruby and Jodi kept posting in their ConneXions Classroom werent seen as cause enough to justify an intervention. They continued spouting their increasingly alarming ideas: that adults can force children to do whatever they want [and] that children have no right to privacy or autonomy, she wrote.

Jodi Hildebrandt and Shari Franke in a ConneXions video posted on June 1, 2023. Moms of Truth / Instagram

One ConneXions video particularly alarmed YouTube followers, Shari said.

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If your child comes to you on fire, you dont pat them on the head and say, Its OK, Ill help you, Ruby said in the video. No, you beat them, and you kick them, and you hit them with a rod. You cannot put welts on your childs legs and then lovingly apply gauze and expect healing.

Shari said that watching a documentary about Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell, the Utah doomsday cult couple who were eachconvicted of killing two of her children  whom they claimed had been possessed by demons  felt horribly familiar.

They were immersed in the same extreme religious beliefs and doomsday preparations as Jodi and Ruby  who she said had traveled to Mexico to stockpile antibiotics along with food in anticipation of a prophesied religious apocalypse  and the way this family spiraled into darkness felt horribly familiar.

It wasnt until watching that documentary that my hope faded into the darkest thoughts Id had yet  Ruby and Jodi were just as unhinged as Chad and Lori, if not worse, Shari said.

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In fact, Ruby wrote in numerous journal entries shared by prosecutors last year that her youngest son was possessed by a demon and detailed horrific instances of abuse the women inflicted on him and his sister. She described one day in July 2023 as a big day for evil, successfully commanding a demon to get out of her son after forcing him to stand outside in the hot sun.

The devil lies and says Im hurting you, Ruby said she told her son after covering his nose and mouth with her hand so he couldnt breathe.

Her mother and Hildebrandt blamed coddled children  including babies  for societys ills, Shari said.

A baby cries because its entitled and it knows someone will come running because it believes that the world revolves around them and their needs, Shari said Hildebrandt told her. Unless you train it not to be entitled, youre just reinforcing that behavior in them. Its our job, as women and mothers, to break that cycle of manipulation, to teach children from an early age that they need to earn their blessings.

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On the Christmas of her freshman year in college, Shari said Hildebrandt and her mother forced her two youngest siblings to sit silently in a corner while the rest of the family exchanged gifts.

Children are not entitled to a magical childhood, Shari said her mother told them. You cant just expect love and presents. Many have nothing at all.

Kevin Franke filed for divorce in November 2023, and moved back into the familys house, where he currently lives alone. He is hoping to regain custody of the children, KUTV reported, who are currently in the custody of child protective services. After her mothers arrest, Shari said she reconciled with her father and older brother.

Ruby Franke pleads guilty in court on Dec. 18, 2023, in St. George, Utah, to four counts of aggravated child abuse for abusing and starving two of her children. Ron Chaffin/St. George News via AP, Pool

Shari Franke described herself as a victim and condemned the lucrative business of family vlogging before the Utah House of Representatives in October.

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There is no such thing as a moral or ethical family vlogger, she told lawmakers, according to a transcript she shared on Instagram.

Shari noted that Utah is specifically a hotspot for family content because of Mormon culture and missionary efforts. Many women in the first wave of mommy bloggers were Mormon, and many popular influencers today are Mormon.

But I want to be clear that there is NEVER, never a good reason for posting your children online for money or fame, Shari said.

Family vlogging ruined my innocence, long before Ruby committed a crime, she added.

Her recent announcement of her engagement and the release of her memoir mark the end of her sharing details about her personal life publicly, Shari said.

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Ive had my voice and agency taken for so long, and now, Im putting my foot down, she wrote on Instagram.

Noting that she would still be a public advocate for kids who didnt have a voice, she asked her followers not to speculate or pry about her future husband or children.

This is my wish, and my gift to my family, she said.

Related...
Rudy Giuliani is trying to get out of attending in-person trial proceedings, after being held in contempt of court, by pretending that his life is in danger.

Lawyers for the former New York City mayor argued in a filing Wednesday that their client cannot attend a session in person at the end of the week. Giuliani had appeared virtually in court on Monday.

He is 80 years old and suffers from a number of medical conditions, the lawyers explained, noting that he has issues with his knee, lungs, and heart.

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The filing also cited a number of credible death threats against the disgraced politician.

As one of the more outspoken critics of the current Iranian regime, at a time of heightened terrorism concerns following the recent events in New Orleans and Las Vegas and the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran and its various proxies, it is reasonable to take extra precautions regarding Mayor Giulianis safety, and limit travel whenever possible, the filing said.

Itll be interesting to see whether the profound concern for Giulianis safety extends to two weeks from now, when his lawyers requested permission for their clients trial to be delayed so he could attend Donald Trumps presidential inauguration festivities.
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:

This electron microscope image shows a cluster of norovirus virions. Credit: Charles D. Humphrey/CDC/public domain

A nasty stomach bug has been spreading across the country, including California, in recent monthsleaving people feeling nauseous, achy or worse.

There were 91 outbreaks of norovirus reported across the country during the week of Dec. 5, up from 69 outbreaks the final week of November, according to the most recent numbers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC defines an outbreak as the occurrence of two or more similar illnesses resulting from a common exposure that is either suspected or laboratory-confirmed.

How does norovirus spread? What are common symptoms? And how can you keep from getting sick?

Here's what to know:

What is norovirus?

Norovirus is a "very contagious" virus that causes acute gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach or intestines, according to the CDC.

Although it's sometimes called the "stomach flu" or "stomach bug," norovirus is not related to the flu, which is caused by the influenza virus, the agency said.

Norovirus is the "leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea and food-borne illness in the United States," with more than 2,500 norovirus outbreaks reported every year, according to the CDC.

People can get sick with norovirus year round, although outbreaks are most common from November to April, according to the CDC.

Peak norovirus season usually runs from December to March.

On average, norovirus causes 19 to 21 million illnesses in the U.S. each year, the CDC said.

"Children younger than 5 years old, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop severe infections," the agency said on its website.

How does stomach flu spread?

Norovirus spreads easily and can make anyone ill, with symptoms usually lasting one to three days.

The virus most often spreads in closed and crowded environments, such as hospitals, nursing homes, child care centers and schools, according to the California Department of Public Health.

You can get norovirus in a variety of ways, federal and state health officials said, including:

Eating or drinking something that has norovirus in it, including undercooked shellfish

Touching a contaminated surface and then touching your mouth before washing your hands

Having direct contact with someone with norovirus

Sharing the toilet or bathroom with someone who is sick with norovirus

Accidentally swallowing water that has norovirus in it, including water in swimming pools

Cleaning up vomit or diarrhea without wearing protective gear, such as gloves and a face mask

While norovirus is closely associated with cruise ships, outbreaks account for only 1% of all reported norovirus cases, the CDC said.

In fact, acute gastrointestinal illness is relatively rare on cruise ships, the agency said.

What are common symptoms of norovirus?

People typically develop symptoms 12 to 48 hours after being exposed to norovirus, the CDC said.

According to the agency, the most common symptoms of the virus are:

Diarrhea

Vomiting

Nausea

Stomach pain

Fever

Headache

Body aches

Dehydration

Decreased urination

Dry mouth and throat

Can I die from norovirus?

Although most people will usually recover from norovirus within a few days, the disease is linked to about 900 deaths a year nationallymostly involving people aged 65 and older, according to the CDC.

Are there norovirus outbreaks in California?

There were 55 laboratory-confirmed norovirus outbreaks in California from January 2024 to November 2024, according to the most recent data obtained by the state Department of Public Health.

In comparison, California saw 73 outbreaks during the same 11-month period in 2023, the agency said, and 56 outbreaks during that period in 2022.

California saw the highest number of norovirus outbreaks in recent years in 2019, when a total of 76 outbreaks were reported from January and November.

Health care providers aren't required to report individual cases of norovirus to local health departments, the California Department of Public Health said, but they are required to report outbreaks.

The California Public Health Department recently detected "elevated wastewater levels of norovirus" compared to December 2023 and January 2024, agency spokesman Grant Boyken told The Bee via email.

That's based on data collected by WastewaterSCAN, a Stanford University-based research team that analyzes infectious diseases from wastewater treatment plants across the United States.

How is contagious virus treated? Is there a vaccine?

While there is no specific treatment to treat the illness, the CDC recommends drinking lots of water or other drinks that don't have caffeine or alcohol, which dehydrates you.

You can also take over-the-counter medicines to help alleviate norovirus symptoms, including Imodium, Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate, according to the National Institutes of Health.

As of Monday, Jan. 6, there was no vaccine against norovirus, Boyken said.

What's the best way to avoid getting sick?

Since norovirus is highly contagious, the CDC recommends following these tips to avoid getting sick and spreading the illness:

Wash your hands well and often.

Cook shellfish thoroughly and wash fruits and vegetables.

Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces.

Wash laundry in hot water.

Stay home when sick for 48 hours after symptoms stop.

"Do not prepare or handle food for others when you are sick and for two days after you feel better," Boyken said.

2025 The Sacramento Bee. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
(Bloomberg) -- Even as Russia seems to have the upper hand in its invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin faces a growing number of challenges that will complicate any effort to lock in its gains, the outgoing Pentagon chief said.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Theres a thought that Russia has the ultimate hand here and it has every advantage, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in an interview with Bloomberg News. It has some advantages, but it doesnt completely dominate this equation here. And if it gets what it wants, it will cost them in the future.

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That consideration should figure in any push for a ceasefire that the incoming administration of Donald Trump might undertake, Austin said. He spoke in Ramstein, Germany, ahead of a regular gathering of Ukraines allies to coordinate weapons supplies, his last in the role before Trump takes office on Jan. 20.

Trump has said he wants to end the war in Ukraine quickly, and his advisers have signaled that a deal could leave Russian President Vladimir Putin in control of the almost 20% of Ukrainian territory his forces now occupy. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has also softened his stance in recent weeks by suggesting his government could use diplomatic means to recover its land as Russian forces have advanced steadily.

The Russians are not without challenges, as well, Austin said. Theyve gone to DPRK, to Iran to get assistance, weapons and munitions and also now people. North Korea has sent thousands of troops to Russia, according to Kyiv and its allies. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to build out its capabilities, Austin said.

Occupying large swaths of Ukraine will also require substantial resources even after a ceasefire, he said. Russia will have to invest a lot of land forces to hold it, he said.

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Zelenskiy is also due to join the defense officials in Ramstein, where the US will tout its final $500 million dollars in US military assistance it will provide Ukraine.

Austin pushed back against criticism by some European and Ukrainian officials that President Joe Bidens administration lacked a clear strategy in supporting Ukraine.

What it did was it helped Ukraine survive, it helped Ukraine defend its sovereign territory, Austin said of the strategy. The loss of 700,000 troops killed and wounded - that wouldve been beyond imagination three years ago for Russia when its full-scale invasion began, he said.

He pointed to Syria as another example of the strategic success in helping Ukraine counter Russia. Because Putin committed so much to his effort in Ukraine, he was unable to aid his ally, now-toppled dictator Bashar al-Assad, Austin said.

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Without access to a key naval base in Syria, that now puts into question Putins ability to support his efforts in Africa, Austin said.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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Editor's Note: The story was updated to include the latest information about the Russian attack.

Russian forces targeted an industrial facility in Zaporizhzhia on Jan. 8, killing 13 people and injuring 122, including a child, according to State Emergency Service. Search and rescue operations have now been completed.

At least 59 people have been hospitalized, with 10 in critical condition, Zaporizhzhia Oblast Governor Ivan Fedorov reported in the morning on Jan. 9. The attack was conducted using KAB-guided bombs, Fedorov said.

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According to the National Police, the bombs exploded among a crowd of people between the infrastructure facility's administrative building and the road.

The attack damaged apartment buildings, an industrial facility, and other infrastructure. A tram and a minibus carrying passengers were also hit, according to the Prosecutor General's Office.Four administrative buildings and 27 cars were damaged, the State Emergency Service said.

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Zaporizhzhia, home to approximately 710,000 residents before Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, is frequently targeted by Russian forces.

The attack is part of a broader wave of Russian assaults across Ukraine. Regional authorities reported at least two civilian deaths and 13 injuries nationwide over the past day.

Overnight, Russia launched 64 Shahed-type attack drones and various dummy drones across Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.

Air defenses intercepted 41 drones over nine oblasts. Of the remaining drones, 22 dummy drones were lost in Ukrainian airspace, three returned to Russia, and one flew to Belarus.

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Read also: Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 2, injure 13 over past day

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Russian attacks across Ukraine killed at least two civilians and injured at least 13 over the past day, regional authorities reported on Jan. 8.

Russia launched 64 Shahed-type attack drones and various dummy drones against Ukraine overnight, the Air Force reported.

Air defenses shot down 41 drones over nine different oblasts, while 22 dummy drones were lost in the airspace, three flew to Russia, and one to Belarus, according to the statement.

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Three civilians were injured during Russian attacks against the front-line town of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast, Governor Vadym Filashkin reported.

In Kherson Oblast, two people were killed and nine injured in Russian attacks, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said. Three high-rise buildings, five houses, a bus, a garage, and other civilian property was damaged.

A civilian was injured and a house damaged during a Russian drone attack against the Shostka community in Sumy Oblast, according to the regional military administration.

Read also: Russian troops overrun Kurakhove, approach Pokrovsk east, south, and southwest

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Russian forces have struck Zaporizhzhia with guided aerial bombs, which exploded near the administrative building of an infrastructure facility and a roadway. The bombardment has claimed the lives of 13 people and left 63 injured.

Source: National Police of Ukraine; Ukraine's State Emergency Service (SES)

Quote from the police: "The Russians delivered two strikes with guided bombs (FAB-500s equipped with UMPK guidance kits) on the city of Zaporizhzhia at 15:40 on 8 January. The bombs exploded amidst a crowd of people near an administrative building of an infrastructure facility and a roadway. The building and vehicles caught fire." [A UMPK is a guidance kit for converting unguided bombs into precision-guided munitions  ed.]

:     ,     .

 -   pic.twitter.com/Uzmq9m5fE5     (@ukrpravda_news) January 8, 2025

Details: As of 19:30, 13 people were reported dead and 32 injured, most of whom were in the street or travelling on public transport.

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Twenty-eight vehicles were damaged, including a tram and a bus.

The aftermath of the Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia.

Photo: SES

The aftermath of the Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia.

Photo: SES

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The aftermath of the Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia.

Photo: SES

The SES reported extinguishing a fire that had engulfed an 800-sq-m area of the administrative building and three vehicles.

Updated: At 20:30, the police reported that the search and rescue operations were completed. The Russian strike killed 13 people and injured 33. Police rescued 5 people.

As of 21:20, the police reported that 63 people were known to be affected by the Russian attack. Some of them were treated at the scene, and some people sought help at medical institutions on their own.

Background: Russian forces attacked an industrial facility in Zaporizhzhia.

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Russian losses in Ukraine are helping fuel a demographic timebomb that could see the countrys population reduced by half by the end of the century, experts have told the Kyiv Independent.

The impact on Russian society is devastating, said Harley Balzer, emeritus professor of government and international affairs at Georgetown University.

From Russia's perspective, (winning the war in Ukraine) is the smaller problem. The bigger issue is, is it going to be a viable country afterward regardless?

Russias rising losses

According to Ukrainian figures, on Jan. 7, Russian losses passed another grim milestone, surpassing 800,000. The figures from the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces do not specify killed or wounded. The overall consensus is that it includes dead, wounded, missing, and captured.

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According to Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, more than half of these losses  427,000  occurred during 2024, accelerating as the year progressed with no sign of slowing.

The bodies of killed Russian soldiers in the Bakhmut area in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. June 29, 2024 (Pablo Miranzo/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Russian forces suffered their deadliest day since the start of the full-scale invasion on Dec. 19, taking 2,200 casualties.

For comparison, the U.K. suffered 750,000 military casualties during the six years of World War II.

Ukraine has published daily estimates of the number of killed and wounded Russian soldiers since the early days of the full-scale invasion.

Initially, there was some skepticism about how accurate the numbers were, but as Ukraine's Western allies began to publicly release their own estimates of Russian losses, they have been broadly in line with those coming out of Kyiv.

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Read also: Russian troops overrun Kurakhove, approach Pokrovsk east, south, and southwest

Russias historic demographic issues

Compounding the staggering losses sustained during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine is the fact Russia was already facing severe demographic issues before it launched the full-scale war.

The Russian Federation was trapped long before its invasion of Ukraine in what I described as a demographic straitjacket, Nicholas Eberstadt, who holds the Henry Wendt Chair in Political Economy at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), told the Kyiv Independent.

The Russian Federation was trapped long before its invasion of Ukraine in what I described as a demographic straitjacket.

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Eberstadt says that in terms of many indicators such as urbanization, education attainment levels, and family formation patters, Russia presents as a typical European country.

What's not at all typical European is the very low level of human capital that we see in Russian Federation, he says.

Elderly people sing songs to the accordion in Voronezh, Russia, on May 9, 2022. (Mihail Siergiejevicz/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

People attend a farewell ceremony for Sergei Sokolov, the 21-year-old serviceman who was killed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in Zubkovo, Novosibirsk region, Russia, on March 24, 2022. (Rostislav Netisov / AFP via Getty Images)

Life expectancy for young men is on par with a fourth-world country. Life expectancy at age 15 for a Russian man right before the (COVID-19) pandemic was about the same as his counterpart in Haiti.

A large study into why Russian males had such short life expectancies published in 2014 concluded one of the main factors in early deaths was excessive alcohol consumption.

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Other factors cited in a more recent investigation last year by the independent Russian media outlet Cherta, included high rates of murder, suicide, car crashes, and other fatal accidents.

Read also: Garry Kasparov on modern Russian empire

Russias declining birth rates

On top of this, Russia has long-faced a decline in birth rates which Eberstadt says started to go down after 2015.

Demographers look at what they call a total fertility rate (TFR) which is births per women, Eberstadt says, adding: You need basically 2.1 in most countries to maintain your population.

According to figures from the World Bank, Russias TFR was last at 2.1 in 1988. After declining steadily it began to rise again after 2000, but only reached a peak of around 1.8 in 2015, before falling again to 1.4 by 2022.

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Recognizing the impending demographic timebomb, Russian President Vladimir Putin has gone to great lengths to encourage his people to have more babies.

Some of the efforts from the Kremlin have been relatively benign, with Putin simply calling on women to get pregnant for the sake of the country.

If we want to survive as an ethnic group  well, or as ethnic groups inhabiting Russia  there must be at least two children (per family)," he said in a speech in February last year.

Other efforts, such as a crackdown on access to abortions, have been far more insidious.

Yet even with these efforts, the Kremlin only hopes to reach a TFR of 1.8 by 2036, far below the 2.1 needed to sustain the Russian population, estimated to be around 146 million currently.

Russian President Vladimir Putin smiles during his meeting with participants of the contest for families with many children, while visiting the All-Russian Exhibition Center in Moscow, Russia, on July 8, 2024. (Contributor / Getty Images)

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A pedestrian walks near a residential building housing the local branch of Russia's ruling party, United Russia, with its emblem bear and a patriotic mural on the wall in Chekhov, Russia, on February 11, 2023. (Yuri Kadobnov / AFP via Getty Images)

And one of the biggest obstacles to achieving this goal is the war in Ukraine, though its more complicated than simply having fewer men around to father children.

The number of dead soldiers, especially given how many of them are 40 to 60-years-old, is not the crucial thing here, Balzer says, adding: The crucial thing is what it's doing to Russian society.

Balzer points to the soaring rates of PTSD and alcohol and drug addiction among Russian soldiers returning home, as well as an increase in murder and violent crime incidents involving veterans.

That's an environment where people are not anxious to have more children, Balzer says.

The Russian paradox

Declining populations and low TFRs are not problems faced only by Russia  many developed nations currently have TFRs below 2.1, including the U.S. (1.7) and the U.K. (1.6).

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The whole world is facing what might be a 25% decline in population by the end of the century, but Russia is going to be a lot worse, Balzer says. Some demographers are suggesting that Russia's population in 2100 will be half of what it is today.

It doesn't have to be, but if Putin wants to keep fighting this war, it is going to make it a lot worse.

Aside from declining birth rates, theres also what Eberstadt refers to as the Russian paradox.

While the populations of developed nations, even while in decline numerically, continue to innovate and contribute to the fields of science, technology, and general progress, Russia remains somewhat of a backwater despite having relatively high levels of education.

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There's a huge pool of talent in (Russia), really impressive talent, Eberstadt says. What's mysterious, if not bizarre, is how little of that talent nowadays translates into productive knowledge or into economic wealth.

Faced with half the current population, Russia will struggle even more to be what Balzer referred to as a viable country.

Read also: Russia delusional about its ability to sustain Ukraine war, says Latvian foreign minister

What does this mean for the war in Ukraine?

Although the future looks bleak for Russia, any negative effects of an impending demographic crisis are unlikely to occur soon enough to stop its ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

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If Putin is all out then he doesn't really care (about the demographic crisis), John Foreman CBE, the U.K.'s former defense attache in Moscow from 2019 to 2022, told the Kyiv Independent. Putin's willing to sacrifice absolutely everything for the front.

And it seems to me that they have just about enough troops and volunteers and others to keep the fight going. It's not about absolute numbers, it's about relative numbers, and at the same time, Ukraine is suffering its own problems, he adds.

A woman visits a designated area for commemorating fallen Ukrainian and foreign fighters during the Independence Day of Ukraine in the Independence Square in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Aug. 24, 2024. (Roman Pilipey / AFP via Getty Images)

Ukraine also faces its own demographic crisis, albeit one largely forced upon it by Russia.

Ukraine's population has declined by over 10 million since Russia first invaded in 2014 and fell to an estimated 37 million by January 2024.

It's a race to the bottom, Foreman says, adding: It's basically which side can stay in the longest.

Read also: As Russians inch closer to Pokrovsk, civilians in the area are left with a choice  stay under fire or leave life behind

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Russian troop losses have risen for six straight months, the UK said Tuesday, citing Ukrainian data.

The UK Defence Ministry said December appeared to be the costliest month of the war for Russia.

It said Russia's costliest day came December 19, with 2,200 of its troops killed or wounded.

The UK Defence Ministry on Tuesday shared estimates further bolstering the idea that the end of 2024 was the costliest period of the war for Russian troops fighting Ukraine.

Citing figures provided by Ukraine's military, the ministry on Tuesday said Russian troop losses had increased for six straight months, with average daily losses increasing for the past five months.

"The average daily Russian casualties reached a new monthly war high during December 2024," the ministry wrote in an intelligence update. "The daily average loss rate was 1,570, the fifth straight month that Russian Forces have sustained new war high average daily losses."

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The ministry said that December was "likely the most costly month of the war for Russia," with 48,670 killed or wounded, and that Russia suffered its highest daily loss of the war on December 19, with 2,200 of its troops injured or killed.

The numbers, which it attributed to the Ukraine General Staff, could not be independently verified. Ukraine does not regularly disclose its own losses.

The UK didn't say whether the figures included losses taken by North Korean troops, who have been fighting in Russia's Kursk region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview Sunday that 3,800 North Koreans had been killed or wounded.

The British ministry has regularly said over the past year that Russia has increasingly been suffering from high losses because of its reliance on mass infantry assaults meant to wear down Ukraine's defenses.

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Ukrainian brigades, which say they are sometimes outnumbered five to one and often underequipped, slowly yielded about 1,600 square miles of territory in 2024.

But the grinding assault has come at a high cost for Russia, with the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington think tank, estimating that Moscow lost about 40 troops for each square mile it seized last year.

The UK Defense Ministry added in its Tuesday update that Russian losses would most likely continue to worsen with the Kremlin fighting on multiple fronts, often sending infantry on foot to exhaust Ukrainian defenses.

The strategy, while producing limited results, has heightened perceptions that the war hinges more than ever on either Ukraine's or Russia's ability to sustain its resources on the battlefield.

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Questions now hang over American aid to Kyiv, with President-elect Donald Trump, who has repeatedly said he wants a swift resolution to the war, set to take office January 20.

But a chief worry for both sides is also troop strength. Ukraine has been struggling to replenish its ranks as the war drags on, pivoting in 2024 to a now much-criticized system of creating fresh brigades instead of reinforcing existing ones.

Russia has been sticking to mass recruitment by offering large bonuses to new soldiers. In December, it announced that it was pouring $126 billion, or about 32.5% of its federal budget for 2025, into defense spending.

The Russian Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Russian forces struck the border areas and settlements in Sumy Oblast seven times on the night and morning of 7-8 January, resulting in one person being injured in the Shostka hromada. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories  ed.]

Source: Sumy Oblast Military Administration

Quote: "The Shostka hromada: a VOG [high-explosive fragmentation grenade  ed.] was dropped from a UAV (one explosion). As a result of the attack, one civilian was injured and a house was damaged."

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Details: The Russians also dropped fragmentation grenades from a drone in the Velyka Pysarivka, Esman and Bilopillia hromadas.

A total of seven explosions were recorded.

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A 71-year-old man was killed as a result of a Russian attack on the village of Naddniprianske in Kherson Oblast.

Source: Oleksandr Prokudin, Head of Kherson Oblast Military Administration

Quote: "Around 10:40, Russian troops opened fire on Naddniprianske."

Details: Prokudin said that a 71-year-old man suffered fatal injuries as a result of the Russian attack.

Prokudin expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased.

Background: On 8 January, Russian forces dropped explosives from a drone on Beryslav in Kherson Oblast, injuring a 66-year-old man and a 69-year-old woman.

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Flowers are placed Saturday at a memorial site on Bourbon Street in New Orleans near where 14 people were killed early Wednesday in a terrorist attack. The large yellow barrier is one of four that were placed on each side of hydraulic gate installed across Bourbon Street a day after Shamsud-Din Jabbar sped down three blocks before crashing and being killed in a shootout with police. (Photo by Greg LaRose/Louisiana Illuminator)

Does our state superintendent have a screw loose?

Has he become so addicted to the national media spotlight and his need for validation that he no longer cares who his remarks hurt or defame at home?

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Or has he perhaps forgotten his lessons in Oklahoma and U.S. history and needs a remedial class?

Because those are the only explanations I can think of that would explain Ryan Walters latest, tone deaf and embarrassing 1-minute-and-19-second tirade that attempts to link schools and teachers unions to the New Years attack in New Orleans. The remarks also included outlandish fearmongering about school classrooms turning into terrorist training camps.

The entire escapade might have gone unremarked upon except that the state education agency Walters leads used taxpayer resources last week to highlight his video, and Walters received national publicity.

In New Orleans, authorities say a radicalized Army veteran, brandishing an ISIS flag, drove a Ford F-150 pickup down Bourbon Street in the early hours of Jan. 1, killing 14 and injuring dozens more before law enforcement killed him. The FBI has said it is investigating the incident as a terror attack.

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That same day in Las Vegas, a soldier killed himself in a Tesla Cybertruck that then exploded in front of a Trump hotel, injuring bystanders. Investigators say the attacks are apparently unrelated.

Rather than using state resources to promote a video expressing sympathy, calling for unity, and correctly putting blame where it belongs, Walters decided to sow the seeds of dissent by bizarrely blaming schools and teachers unions. (For the record, not a single investigator has blamed schools, unions or educators for either incident.)

But that didnt stop Walters from making remarks, including:

We also have to take a look at how are these terrorists coming from people that live in America, he said.

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You have schools that are teaching kids to hate their country, that this country is evil. You have the teachers unions pushing this on our kid(s).

Walters wraps up by saying thats why Oklahomans are getting back to basics to make sure that our kids love our country, understand American values and understand the role the Constitution, The Bible and Declaration of Independence play.

Because we want patriots, he said.

The remarks were infuriating, even coming from a man whose first two years in office have been marked  and marred  by ridiculous publicity stunts and statements designed to draw attention to himself by attempting to divide us and sow dissent at others expense.

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But I didnt think any elected official who represents Oklahomans could be that insensitive and tone deaf about acts of terrorism.

After all, they represent constituents who 30 years ago lived through the nations worst act of domestic terrorism.

On April 19, 1995, Timothy McVeigh  also a radicalized former Army soldier  detonated a bomb outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City that killed 168 people, including 19 children. Hundreds more were injured.

Pretty much everybody who lived in Oklahoma still remembers what they were doing at 9:02 a.m. that day. Some recall their classmates being pulled out of class so they could be privately told about the incident. Their parents worked inside the building.

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Many Oklahomans know someone who died. Most know a first responder who responded to the war zone.

Today, few understand more acutely than Oklahomans how it feels to survive a terror attack and rebuild. Few enjoy watching vultures try to capitalize on others misfortune.

Walters has apparently missed that memo.

But I think perhaps whats more egregious is that Walters is using the latest attacks to try to further divide us and stoke fear by spreading misinformation.

Terrorist training camps in schools?

Thats not a thing.

Purposely stoking hatred for our country?

Ive never met a single teacher that does that.

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But I fear someone is probably going to think Walters is preaching the Gospel truth.

And I worry that his continued irresponsible spread of misinformation is going to unintentionally bring someone or something bad down on our schools by some zealot convinced that theyre protecting patriotism by targeting imaginary foes.

In 2024, Education Week reported that there were 39 school shootings. Eighteen people were killed, including eight children, and 59 people were injured. Thats up from the year prior.

Our schools have a lot of needs  and theyre already targets. What they dont need is a public official irresponsibly fanning the flames of hate toward educators and our children to feed his ambitions.

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So heres hoping our state superintendent can resolve to do a better job keeping his mouth shut in 2025.

And to the victims of both incidents, Im truly sorry both for what happened to you and for our state superintendents hurtful antics.

His actions dont represent the Oklahoma standard.

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Ryanair has launched a 12,500 legal claim against a passenger whom the airline alleges disrupted a flight to the Canary Islands last year.

The discount airline has filed proceedings in Ireland after a flight from Dublin to Lanzarote had to divert to Portugal. Ryanair was forced to put up 160 passengers overnight as a result and is now seeking to claw back the cost from the passenger who allegedly caused the disruption.

The budget airline did not give details about the nature of the disruption. However, Ryanair boss Michael OLeary has previously warned that violence fuelled by pre-flight drinking was spiralling out of control.

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He told The Telegraph in August: We dont want to begrudge people having a drink. But we dont allow people to drink-drive, yet we keep putting them up in aircraft at 33,000 feet.

Flight FR7124 made an emergency landing in Porto following the incident on April 9 last year and was delayed overnight, with passengers losing a day of their holiday.

Ryanair said the civil claim, the first of its kind, will seek to recover costs for landing fees, hotel accommodation and passenger expenses following the mans inexcusable behaviour.

The potential penalty in the civil case is far greater than those typically handed down by courts in criminal prosecutions involving rowdy or unruly travellers.

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A Greek court last month imposed a 400 (334) fine and five-month suspended sentence on a passenger who disrupted a flight to Athens in July 2020 by refusing to follow crew instructions.

Ryanair has adopted a zero-tolerance approach to unruly customers amid a surge in disruption.

Figures from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) show there was one incident for every 480 flights in 2023, compared to one every 568 flights in 2022. Failing to follow crew instructions was the most commonly reported problem but IATA has warned of an increase in verbal and physical abuse.

A spokesman said: Ryanair is committed to ensuring that all passengers and crew travel in a safe and respectful environment, without unnecessary disruption.

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This demonstrates just one of the many consequences that passengers who disrupt flights will face, and we hope this action will deter further disruptive behaviour.

Speaking to The Telegraph in August, Mr OLeary called for a two-drink limit at airport bars to combat drunken disorder following what he said had been a surge in in-flight violence.

He said that while assaults on crew were of most concern, confrontations between passengers had also become more common.

Mr OLeary blamed the trend on a combination of alcohol taken with powder and tablets and said it was not always possible to identify problem customers before they board.

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Ryanair has said that flights from the UK and Ireland are particularly prone to disruption, especially on services to so-called party destinations. It has resorted to searching the bags of passengers bound for Ibiza before they are allowed to board.

Inadequate control overseas

Sir Tim Martin, Wetherspoons chief, has pushed back against Mr OLearys campaign to cap pre-flight drinking, arguing that airport outlets are already taking adequate steps to prevent excessive drunkenness.



The pub chain removed two-for-one drink deals and shooters from its airport menus some years ago. Sir Tim has said alcoholic drinks make up only around a third of sales at terminal sites.

UKHospitality, which represents pubs, bars and restaurants, has said airport pubs and restaurants commonly limit servings of alcohol.

Sir Tim has said the evidence suggested most instances of drunkenness and violence are on flights arriving in Britain, suggesting the problem is inadequate controls at airport bars overseas. Other passengers surreptitiously down drinks bought at duty free shops, he suggested.

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A British holidaymaker was last year convicted of sexually assaulting a flight attendant on a Ryanair flight from Newcastle to Majorca. The man touched the stewards bottom in a lewd way after pretending he had credit card problems.

In 2023 a man was arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting an attendant before spitting on her boss on a Jet2 flight from Manchester to Ibiza. That same year, four men were removed from an easyJet plane from Manchester to Tenerife that diverted to Lanzarote after violent clashes.

Ryanair has filed legal proceedings in the Irish Circuit Court.

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Ryanair, Europes biggest airline, is going after unruly passengers on its flights and has filed for 15,000 ($15,400) in damages from a passenger who disrupted a flight last year.

The Ireland-based budget airline announced Wednesday that it has filed legal proceedings against the passenger, who, it said, disrupted a flight from Dublin to Lanzarote in Spain in April of last year.

This passengers inexcusable behaviour forced this flight to divert to Porto where it was delayed overnight, causing 160 passengers to face unnecessary disruption, the airline said in a statement published online.

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The carrier said it has filed a case in the Irish Circuit Court seeking to recover the costs of the delay, which included overnight accommodation, passenger expenses, and landing costs.

There have been several reports of disruptive behavior on Ryanair flights in recent years.

In November, the UKs Independent newspaper reported that a Ryanair flight was forced to alert authorities before landing in Tenerife, Spain after several passengers became disruptive and one person urinated in the aisle.

A passenger who disrupted a Ryanair flight to Athens in 2020 was convicted last month in a Greek court and given a five-month suspended jail sentence, along with a 400 ($412) fine.

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This demonstrates just one of the many consequences that passengers who disrupt flights will face as part of Ryanairs zero tolerance policy, a spokesperson for the airline said in a statement.

A spokesperson for Ryanair declined to provide CNN with details of the incident but said it is the first time the company has taken civil action against a passenger in Ireland, marking a new approach to tackling unruly passenger behavior.

We plan to pursue civil action against disruptive passengers as a move towards eliminating disruptive passenger behaviour, the spokesperson added.

CNNs Hanna Ziady contributed reporting.

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Ryanair is suing a passenger it said had forced a flight to divert, it announced Wednesday.

The airline said it paid for 160 passengers' accommodation after the diversion meant an overnight delay.

It said it would take action against "disruptive passengers personally."

Ryanair announced a clampdown on passenger misconduct as it revealed it was suing someone it accused of disrupting a flight and forcing it to divert.

The budget airline said it wants to claim over 15,000 euros, around $15,500, in damages, having filed proceedings in the Irish Circuit Court.

In a statement issued Wednesday, the airline said it would now take action against "disruptive passengers personally" in a "major misconduct clamp down."

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It added it would "continue to take decisive action to combat unruly passenger behavior."

In the statement, it said that the incident occurred on April 9, 2024, on a flight from Dublin to Lanzarote  a popular vacation destination in Spain's Canary Islands.

The flight, with 160 passengers on board, diverted to Porto, Portugal, and was delayed overnight, the airline said.

The airline accused the passenger of "inexcusable behavior" but did not elaborate on what they had specifically done.

A Ryanair spokesperson said the incident cost the airline 15,000 euros for overnight accommodation, passenger expenses, and landing costs.

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"It is unacceptable that passengers  many of whom are heading away with family or friends to enjoy a relaxing summer holiday  are suffering unnecessary disruption and reduced holiday time as a result of one unruly passenger's behavior," the spokesperson said.

"This demonstrates just one of the many consequences that passengers who disrupt flights will face as part of Ryanair's zero-tolerance policy, and we hope this action will deter further disruptive behavior on flights so that passengers and crew can travel in a comfortable and respectful environment," they added.

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The raging Palisades fire has affected tens of thousands in Los Angeles, including some of Hollywood's biggest stars.

The life-threatening blaze was first reported late Thursday morning in the affluent area of the Pacific Palisades, which houses celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Bradley Cooper, Tom Hanks and many more. A severe wind storm called the Santa Ana winds exasperated the unpredictable weather, pounding Southern California and spreading the fire to parts of Malibu and Santa Monica.

The L.A. Fire Department said that as of Wednesday morning, the three fires were zero percent contained. California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Tuesday evening  affecting 39,000 people in the area  and Santa Monica and Malibu have since called for evacuation orders, The Hollywood Reporter said.

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"Star Wars" star Mark Hamill is one of the numerous celebrities forced to flee their home in the night, revealing in a post to Instagram that by 7 p.m., his wife, his dog and himself had "Evacuated Malibu so last-minute there (were) small fires on both sides of the road as we approached (Pacific Coast Highway)."

Hamill's family arrived at their daughter's home safely. He added in his post, Most horrific fire since 93, expressing he hoped people would "stay safe."

Other celebrities like "The Hills" stars and couple, Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, shared a series of social media posts documenting the fire inching closer to their home. Pratt said online, "I'm watching our house burn down on the security cameras."

In a video, Montag cried and expressed she was "so sad our house is gone." But she added, "We're out safe, and that is the most important thing."

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Eugene Levy, the "Schitt's Creek" actor and current honorary Mayor of the Pacific Palisades, evacuated his home on Tuesday. He told the LA Times, The smoke looked pretty black and intense over Temescal Canyon . . . the smoke was very dark.

James Woods also took to social media to say, "I couldn't believe our lovely little home in the hills held on this long. It feels like losing a loved one."

Even Hollywood premieres for films like Jennifer Lopez's "Unstoppable" had to cancel its red carpet due to "safety concerns around heightened wind activity and fire outbreaks." Universal also canceled the premiere of the horror film "Wolf Man" because of "sensitivities around the worsening weather situation in LA and related evacuations."

Some unaffected by the fire still shared their condolences. Recent Golden Globe winner Zoe Saldana said, "sympathies with all those affected by the devastating fires in Southern California, particularly those who have lost their homes."
The Over-the-Rhine Emergency Warming Shelter echoed with chatter Tuesday afternoon as people gathered inside to escape the biggest snowstorm Cincinnati has seen in years.

The city closed all of its recreation centers Monday except for the one in Over-the-Rhine, where people huddled on the hard, wooden skating rink floor.

Despite the noise, some slept soundly on blankets that served as makeshift cots to cushion their rest. Others crowded together with their belongings to chat at foldable tables where they sipped coffee and ate sandwiches.

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In the centers reception area, tables were lined with lunch meat sandwiches, fruit, salads and water bottles for those who came to take at their leisure. Outside, a group stood in the cold smoking cigarettes in the snow-covered parking lot.

Robert Langford, 55, picks an apple from the tray, Tuesday at the Over-the-Rhine Recreation Center, which is a warming shelter this week during a cold weather blast.

This was the second day the warming center opened to those who are cold and without housing. The city spent six months planning for emergency weather like this, and it paid off. About 200 people came through the center's doors on Monday, and organizers expected more to arrive in coming days as temperatures drop into single digits.

It is a lot of people, yet just a fraction of those who sleep outside in Cincinnati. The number of those sleeping outside here rose by nearly half from 2022 to 2023  from 752 to 1,100, according to the latest data available. And those who sleep outside are three times more likely to die than those who do not, a National Economics Research report estimating U.S. homeless population mortality shows.

The Over-the-Rhine Recreation Center is a daytime shelter, open from 6:15 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. for the rest of the week. There is shelter at night as well. The city's other recreation centers will be open too, for anyone who needs to keep warm.

'A safe haven': With libraries closed, Over-the-Rhine warming center saves many from dangerous weather

When the snow started Sunday morning, Patrick OConnor, a 56-year-old Army veteran from Columbus, said he had to wander around the city with no place to go. At night, he stayed in a cargo trailer.

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I figured Id find someplace if I kept moving, said OConnor, whos been homeless for roughly a month. You can only do so much when that snow hits.

People gather outside the Over-the-Rhine Recreation Center and talk.

OConnor headed to the daytime cold weather shelter in Over-the-Rhine after it opened at 10 a.m. Monday and returned Tuesday. He said he planned to stay until the shelter on Gest Street  an overnight shelter  opened. An added bonus: The city provided breakfast, lunch and dinner.

More: Near-0 degree temperatures are coming. Here's how to help others stay warm in the cold

It makes a big difference, OConnor said. Its kind of a safe haven.

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Some of the usual spots that keep people experiencing homelessness safe and warm during normal winter days, like the public library, were closed on Monday and Tuesday morning. Shelterhouse is only open at night. So during the worst of the storm, the 23,000-square-foot center on Liberty Street was all that was available as protection from the frigid weather.

Though sometimes crowded, the shelters atmosphere Tuesday was calm. Two Cincinnati police officers sat atop a table near the reception area, talking and keeping watch over the shelters goings-on.

Once, a loud argument erupted in the middle of the skating rink floor, but it quickly died down. Robert Langford, 55, said thats normal.

Langford arrived at the warming shelter Tuesday morning to grab coffee and get out of the cold.

Robert Langford, 55, sits near a group of people after eating his lunch Tuesday at the Over-the-Rhine Recreation Center, which will be open as a daytime cold weather shelter through Friday.

Its nice, he said, adding that a steady flow of people had wandered into the shelter throughout the day.

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City spokesperson Mollie Lair called what happened Monday in Over-the-Rhine a "heroic effort," although some at the warming shelter expressed concerns about having to wait outside for transportation to and from the shelter. The city is offering Metro bus trips between the center and Shelterhouse.

Harley Moody, 31, has been spending the nights at Shelterhouse for the past month and was waiting at the warming shelter for Shelterhouse to reopen for the night.

Moody is legally blind. While experiencing homelessness, shes been trying to stay as safe as she can during the winter months.

Its really rough, Moody said. She added that the warming shelter has provided some of the security she has sought.

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Cincinnati Recreation Center Director Daniel Betts said that the warming shelter has been an all-hands-on-deck operation that's not part of their team's typical tasks, but they "follow suit" with the overnight shelter so that people have a place to stay during the cold weather.

Heavy snowfall covered cars, streets, sidewalks in Mount Washington and other Cincinnati neighborhoods on Monday.

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"We're somewhat flexible. (The overnight shelter) is limited because they have limited resources and limited labor," said Dave Harris, assistant director of the Cincinnati Recreation Commission. "When they say their patrons are going to be out at 6 in the morning, then we plan accordingly."

City plan started months in advance

As the storm rolled in over the weekend, City Manager Sheryl Long activated the warming center plan that had been in the works for half a year, calling on more than half a dozen partners to quickly support those who needed shelter.

There were six Cincinnati Recreation Commission workers on site to help with the roughly 200 people who came in each day. Cincinnati police provided one to two officers to help with security at all times.

Our Daily Bread  a Race Street soup kitchen  provided meals, and Kroger provided snacks. There were coats, hats, gloves and socks available for those who needed them. Metro buses took people from the Shelterhouse to the Over-the-Rhine Center in the morning as planned. When the Over-the-Rhine center closed in the evening, buses took people back to the Shelterhouse.

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Chris Pike, a spokesperson with the Cincinnati Recreation Commission, said there were no complaints or safety concerns. The Cincinnati Police Department said there have been a few runs to the Shelterhouse and the Over-the-Rhine center but nothing serious. The Enquirer has asked for documents related to every call for service at both locations.

Lair said a few social workers made it to the center, but not many came due to the brutal weather. Pike said the warming centers are really just meant to keep people warm and are not there to offer social services.

Shelterhouse stayed open until 10 a.m. Monday, Lair said, to give the city more time to get the Over-the-Rhine shelter up and running.

What's next?

The rest of the Cincinnati Recreation Commission centers opened at noon Tuesday, and the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library was expected to reopen its locations on Wednesday.

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That doesn't mean that Over-the-Rhine's center will clear out, though. Pike thinks the opposite.

People board a metro bus after the Over-the-Rhine Recreation Center cold weather shelter closes, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Over-the-Rhine.

"I believe that we will see a few folks in some of the outlying centers, but I believe that OTR will continue at its current rate," he said, "and probably even, maybe, a little greater as the week goes on as we start to get into single digits and below zero wind chills."

Temperatures are expected to warm after Friday. Lair said if there's another cold snap the warming shelter plan can be activated again and the Over-the-Rhine Recreation Center can be opened to those who need shelter.

At 6:45 p.m., the rec center shut down for the day. Seniors, middle-aged people, and a few children bundled in coats, scarves, and hats gathered their things and headed to two Metro buses stationed on Race Street. The buses went straight to the Shelterhouse.

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Not everyone left on the buses. Varvito Semaj, who was among a group gathered around a fire pit on Republic Street after the warming center closed, said he's previously traveled to shelters, only to be turned away because they were at capacity.

"They can only take so many people," he said.

His friends are his street family, he said, and Charlene Jordan is the street mom: She always carries naloxone, the antidote for opioid overdose. She knows CPR and is always able to get food when someone can't find any.

Jordan said she has been homeless for years now, struggling with depression, anxiety and pre-arthritis that makes it hard to keep a job. She noted the homeless population has risen downtown, particularly among people who struggle with mental illness. Downtown and Over-the-Rhine have the most resources for unhoused people, but it doesn't make living on the streets any easier.

A man warms his hands by a fire pit on Republic Street, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Over-the-Rhine.

Semaj said they would wait around the fire until police officers come and break it up like they often do. Then, they weren't sure where they'd go.

"How can we keep warm?" he said. "My only crime is being homeless."

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati converts rec center to homeless shelter after winter storm
LAUREL, Miss. (WHLT)  Warming stations and shelters have opened in the Pine Belt to provide a place for people to escape the cold.

The Salvation Army in Laurel opened its warming station, which will remain open 24 hours as long as the temperatures are near or below 32 degrees. The warming station will provide hot food and beverages. Coats and clothing are also available.

LIST: Warming shelters open across Mississippi this week

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We dont discriminate. Whether male or female, a mother with children, a father with children, the older population, the younger population. You know, anyone that wants to come to our shelter, we try to make room for them and have something warm, so they can get it out of the weather, said Valeria Glover, Social Services Program director for the Salvation Army of Laurel.

Ive been out in the cold. Like yesterday, I walked three miles, and when I got here, I was ready to warm up and have a warm bed to get in, said Houston Hatten, who is staying at the warming shelter.

The Salvation Army of Laurel also runs a 35-bed family shelter from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.

Other warming stations in the Pine Belt include the Jasper County Community Center in Bay Springs and the courtroom at the Wayne County Sheriffs Department.

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SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  In a letter to families sent out Tuesday, San Diego Unified School District stated that it was involved in a cybersecurity incident discovered late last month.

The district shared the statement sent out to families with FOX 5/KUSI Wednesday, which said it learned of the cybersecurity incident Tuesday.

The attack, which was discovered Dec. 28, 2024, specifically targeted PowerSchool, a global student information system provider used by SDUSD and other school districts across the country.

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LIST: San Diego County communities under or at risk of power shutoffs

The letter, signed by W. Drew Rowlands, deputy superintendent of operations for SDUSD, stated that some student data was downloaded by an unauthorized user, and that PowerSchool is working to see which types of information have been accessed.

PowerSchool has told us the situation has been contained, and they have taken actions to prevent the information from being used. We have reinforced to this vendor our expectations about upholding the highest data security standards, the letter said.

This is the latest in a series of cybersecurity incidents faced by the district in recent years.

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In 2018, more than 500,000 students, parents and staff may have had their personal information accessed in a data breach discovered that October.

Then, four years later, the district alerted the FBI and other local law enforcement agencies about another cyber attack which may have compromised data related to individuals affiliated with SDUSD.

The district said it will continue to notify families about any important updates regarding the attack.

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 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  As he is set to take office, President-elect Trump has promised mass deportations as part of his next term, and some city leaders in Mid-Michigan are trying to figure out what that would mean for their police departments.

Sanctuary cities are cities that have passed policies limiting the amount of resources that can be spent on immigration enforcement. However, the incoming administration has threatened to take away federal funding for these placesincluding Lansing and East Lansing.

Towns that pass these policies tell their law enforcement that they can not ask someone about citizenshipmeaning if the federal government asks them if there are illegal immigrants in their jurisdiction and where they could be, there wont be any information to give them.

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Law enforcement local to sanctuary cities can not engage in immigration raids, perform the duties of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, or hand someone over to I.C.E. without a specific federal warrant. Officers also cant profile people they think might be undocumented, and are expected to treat everyone the same.

Immigration experts tell 6 News the definition can get tricky, but it all comes down to action.

So some cities and counties may say theyre sanctuary, but then not really have any policies on the books to back it up, says Christine Sauve, policy manager at the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center. Then other cities may in practice, have policies that are protecting immigrant residents but theyre not calling themselves sanctuary cities. Thats why theres really not one definitive list.

Its still unknown how the incoming administration will choose to define sanctuary cities, but they could cast a wide net, and cities like Lansing and East Lansing could be in the crosshairs.

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Mass deportations, like those promised by the incoming administration, might require a heavy amount of cooperation from local, state, and federal law enforcement. However, some local agencies say they wont cooperate, though new rules could make that harder and penalize cities like Lansing.

In its second term, a more experienced Trump administration will have the ability to carry out these changes on day one, and experts say that will make things harder than ever for undocumented immigrants trying to stay in the United States.

There is definitely stronger rhetorics, stronger commitment, I think, to this ideology that the new administration is bringing in, says Sauve. The Trump administration has promised mass deportations, to get to that scale they will likely be changing, immigration policies.

During the first Trump administration, the Lansing City Council passed a resolution declaring the state capital a sanctuary city and went back on it when the federal government threatened to take away funding.

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In response, the mayor passed an executive order including many of those same protections, and current city officials say they are going to continue that.

The federal officials, you know, theyre going to do what they have the authority to do our police officers are going to act as police officers, says Lansing Mayor Andy Schor. We dont enforce, We dont enforce agriculture, you know, there we dont enforce certain things that federal departments do.

If the federal government threatens to pull funding again, immigration advocates say city officials should stand their ground. During the first Trump administration, the courts stepped in before any city lost federal funding, and activists hope that will happen again.

Their definition was challenged in court and those municipalities were found not to be in any violation of U.S. law, says Sauve.

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Schor says he is ready to respond.

I was here for the first Trump administration and Im now here for the second Trump administration, says Schor. And again, our police officers are going to act as police officers and thats how we move forward.

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 WLNS 6 News.
Editor's Note: Lee confirmed via Instagram that her house had actually survived the fires on Monday, Jan. 13.

Sandra Lee says her home has been destroyed by the deadly wildfires currently ravaging the Los Angeles area.

The cookbook author and TV host, 58, confirmed that her Malibu home has burned in an Instagram Reel on Wednesday, Jan. 8.

"Thank you for all your well wishes," she begins. "I'm in a hotel. I don't have a home anymore. My house is gone. It's literally gone. I've been crying all night. Thank God everybody is safe."

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She continues, "I don't know what to say, I don't know how to compartmentalize this, I don't know what to do. All my stuff, all the last five years of my life. The only thing I can do is go to work, and I'm going to go to work today."

She begins to say she's "going to rebuild it, I think," but chokes up in tears before she can finish her thought.

Related: L.A. Fires Live: 24 Dead and at Least 16 Missing, Officials Say, as Containment Remains Low on 2 Largest Blazes

Lee first announced that the fire was approaching her home in an Instagram post shared on Tuesday, Jan. 7.

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She included multiple videos of the fire scorching the ground and trees near the roads by her home. Another slide showed smoke billowing out towards the Pacific Ocean as birds took shelter by the water.

My home in Malibu has got me through some of the darkest moments in my life. I have loved creating it, embellishing it, building it, caring for it, and protecting it. Ive cherished every moment I have had with it, she wrote in her caption.

Lee purchased the seaside home in November 2019 shortly after she split from her partner of 14 years, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. At the time, PEOPLE reported the single-story home went for $3.38 million.

She spoke to PEOPLE about the split in December 2019, sharing I had my couple of months being really, really sad . . . and I have to say that my heart is a little too broken to be open yet.

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The Southern California native told The New York Post of her return to the West Coast, I feel the most myself there, as I was born in Santa Monica  and I think we always feel best where we are from."

Related: Spencer Pratt Shares Devastating Moment His Home Is Destroyed by Pacific Palisades Fire: Nightmare Came True

Eric Thayer/Getty A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire on Tuesday, Jan. 7 A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire on Tuesday, Jan. 7

As the fire draws closer, I pray for it  I pray for everyone in Los Angeles right now. What an incredibly terrifying moment for my community, she continues. As the fire reaches our doorstep, please stay in contact with each other; Community in times like these is our lifeline. We are all safe but the fire is inching closer to my slice of heaven in Malibu.

To conclude her caption, she notes why the property is especially meaningful for her.

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When I was a waitress at the Malibu Adobe back in 1989, I dreamed of a home like this (FOR ME) and worked my butt off for it. I am sad but I am sending all my love to all the first responders and firefighters who are literally giving it all theyve got to keep us safe!!!

Along with Lee, many other stars who live in the area have been sharing updates on the status of their homes, including Mandy Moore and Jamie Lee Curtis, who shared updates they were safe after evacuating but didn't know the fate of their houses.

Related: Tom Hanks Son Chet Says His Childhood Neighborhood is Burning to the Ground amid Palisades Fires

The largest Palisades Fire first ignited around 10:30 a.m. local time on Tuesday, Jan. 7, and has grown to over 11,000 acres. There are currently multiple wildfires burning throughout the Los Angeles area, and most are 0% contained, according to CalFire.

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There have been two confirmed deaths during the Eaton Fire, Los Angeles County Fire Department chief Anthony C. Marrone confirmed in a news briefing on Wednesday, Jan. 8, according to CBS News and NBC News.

Click here to learn more about how to help the victims of the L.A. fires.

Read the original article on People
The fast-moving wildfires ripping through Southern California are being fueled by the states fierce Santa Ana winds.

The Los Angeles Fire Department is bracing itself for the bruising winds to reach gusts of up to 60 mph through Thursday. In some parts, the Santa Anas could reach speeds of up to 100 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

The NWS has issued an extreme weather warning of a life-threatening and destructive windstorm for some areas.

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Thousands of residents have been forced to evacuate LA and more than 300,000 people have been left without power after several fires ignited across the county on Tuesday evening. Five people have died.

The Pacific Palisades fire has spread to nearly 16,000 acres as of Wednesday afternoon, while the Eaton fire has spread to over 10,600 acres through Altadena, Pasadena, Arcadia, and Sierra Madre.

By no stretch of the imagination are we out of the woods, Governor Gavin Newsom said on Tuesday. I saw firsthand the impact of these swirling winds and the embers and the number of structures that are destroyed. Not a few, many structures already destroyed.

Residents of a senior center are evacuated as the Eaton Fire approaches Tuesday, Jan 7, 2025, in Altadena, California (AP)

What are the Santa Ana winds?

With the ability to turn a small spark into a raging wildfire, the Santa Anas are dry, warm and gusty northeast winds that blow from Nevada and Utah to Southern California toward the coast. They move in the opposite direction of the normal onshore flow that carries moist air from the Pacific into the region.

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The name is understood to be linked to Santa Ana Canyon in Orange County, but the weather has other nicknames such as devil winds or red wind.

Santa Ana occurs during the cooler months between September and May. Southern California is particularly vulnerable to them.

Fire ecologist Chad Hanson told BBC News that it would be a rough night for fire crews. These winds are unique to southern California and it results in extreme, sustained wind events with pretty dramatic gusts.

Wind pushes embers into a home as the Eaton Fire moves through the area on January 8, 2025 in Altadena, California (Getty Images)

How do the winds form?

Santa Anas are created by high pressure over the Great Basin  the vast desert interior of the West overlapping Nevada, parts of Utah and other states. The sinking air loses its moisture and flows in a clockwise direction toward Southern California, where it must get past towering mountain ranges that separate the desert from the metropolitan region lining the coast.

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Like a slow-moving river that suddenly narrows and turns into rapids, the air speeds up as it squeezes through mountain passes and canyons, becoming drier and warmer as it descends.

Alex Hall, director of the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability at the University of California, said to imagine the Great Basin as a big bowl lined with holes that represent mountain passes.

Apocalyptic pictures from the wildfire engulfing a home in the Pacific Palisades (AP)

If you have a lot of heavy, high pressure sitting there in the bowl, youre going to be pushing air out through the holes, Hall told TheNew York Times.

As air charges through the mountain passes, or the imaginary holes in the bowl, the winds pick up speed and funnel toward the Southern California coast.

Why the winds can be deadly

The air in Southern California is dry at the moment, with humidity around 10-20 percent. It is likely to fall further, according to meteorologists, thus creating the perfect conditions for fire to spread.

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A lack of humidity in the air causes vegetation to dry out and essentially become kindling for a fire. The wind speeds can stoke any spark, from a fallen power line to a discarded cigarette bud, and rapidly spread.

When and where will the winds be the most extreme?

The Palisades Fire burns a residence in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP)

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The National Weather Service has issued an extreme weather warning for parts of southern California due to the Santa Anas winds fueling the flames.

It said that the time period of the greatest concern would be Tuesday night through Wednesday afternoon local time, where it warned of widespread gusts of 50 - 80 mph, with isolated speeds of 80 - 100mph in the mountains and foothills.

The agency says the areas of greatest concern are: Highways 118/210 corridors, San Gabriel/ Santa Susana / Santa Monica Mountains and Foothills; San Gabriel and San Fernando Valleys, Pasadena, Burbank, San Fernando, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Simi Valley, Sylmar, Porter Ranch, Altadena, La Crescenta and Malibu.

Winds are linked to some of Southern Californias worst wildfires

A firefighter battles a hotspot caused by the Woosley Fire in Malibu, California, 10 November 2018 (EPA)

Santa Anas are linked to some of the worst wildfires Southern California has experienced.

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The devastating 2018 Woosley fire broke out on November 8, 2018 and was not fully contained until November 21. It burned almost 100,000 acres, including more than 21,000 acres of National Park Service land.

Santa Ana winds pushed the fire south, where it went into the Santa Monica Mountains.

The Associated Press contributed reporting
At least five wildfires are ravaging Southern California, and the three largest have already killed at least five people, burned tens of thousands of acres and prompted the evacuation of an estimated 179,000 residents. Santa Ana winds coupled with dry conditions have created the perfect storm for the fires to spread.

Hurricane-force winds have fanned the flames of the Palisades Fire, currently burning on the west side of Los Angeles County in coastal communities including Pacific Palisades and Malibu. The winds are also blowing the embers of the Eaton Fire, which is impacting the cities of Pasadena and Altadena in northeast L.A. County.

What are Santa Ana winds?

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Santa Ana winds flow east to west through Southern California's mountains, according to the National Weather Service. They begin when winds from the desert flow westward toward an area of low pressure, near the coast, like L.A.

The winds usually originate in the Great Basin of the United States between September and May. This area, east of California, is at a higher elevation than L.A., and as the air drops, its temperature rises, according to Dr. Robert Fovell, a UCLA professor of atmospheric and oceanic sciences.

Strong winds blow embers from homes burning in the Eaton Fire on Jan. 7, 2025 in Pasadena, California. / Credit: David McNew / Getty Images

These winds are more common in colder months when the desert air is cool. As the winds drop in altitude and increase in temperature, they also drop in humidity, causing a dryness. Vegetation can dry out and wildfires can start, with the winds fanning the flames.

How are Santa Ana winds impacting Southern California wildfires?

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On Monday, the National Weather Service forecasted a strong Santa Ana winds event for L.A. through Friday, with the strongest gusts, which were likely to down power lines, arriving Tuesday and Wednesday,

Wind gusts peaked at over 75 mph Wednesday, according to CBS Los Angeles meteorologist Paul Deanno. Santa Ana winds are forecast through Friday, with another bout on Sunday, according to the weather service.

"Everyone needs to know that they are in danger because of these embers that are blowing from these just once-in-a-decade winds that are coming through our area, and they're still blowing," CBS News Los Angeles assignment editor Mark Liu reported Wednesday of the Palisades Fire.

As the winds picked up, so did the flames and Cal Fire reported the extreme gusts were posing a problem for firefighters, which have yet to contain any portion of the three biggest fires.

A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire as homes burn amid a powerful windstorm on Jan. 8, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. / Credit: Apu Gomes / Getty Images

The windstorms and fires not only fueled the fires but also caused power outages for more than 1.54 million California homes and businesses as of Wednesday afternoon, according to utility tracker PowerOutage.us.

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Drought is also very common in California and contributes to wildfire risk  and the extremes are exacerbated by climate change. In September, California Gov. Gavin Newson lifted the drought state of emergency in 19 counties, including several in Southern California. However, many areas of the state are still considered "abnormally dry" by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Southern California hasn't received more than 0.1 inches of rain since early May, the Associated Press reported. This combined with the strong winds have contributed to the spread of the massive fires.

Wildfire evacuations in Southern California

Evacuation orders or warnings were issued for tens of thousands of residents near the major fires in the region.

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In the evacuation map, those in red zones are under an evacuation order and are required to evacuate. Those in lighter orange zones are under an evacuation warning and should prepare to leave at any time, per officials.

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More than 1,000 structures have been destroyed and numerous injuries have been reported as a result of the fires.

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Special forces have been accused of a deliberate policy of executing Afghan civilians, including children, by an officer from a rival unit.

In evidence given to a public inquiry into suspected war crimes in Afghanistan, the soldier said an allegedly rogue special forces unit had targeted all males of fighting age, including under 16s, even if they posed no threat to troops.

The whistleblower  known only by the cipher N1799  told the inquiry that he believed unit UKSF1 had carried out an illegal policy of targeting everybody on operations.

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His commanding officer from rival unit UKSF3 also gave evidence and said he had been told by the whistleblower that UKSF1 had committed multiple instances of murder, the inquiry investigating extrajudicial killings in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013 heard.

The special forces whistleblower said UKSF1 had carried out the flat packing murders of civilians.

In the first evidence of its kind, the officer said he was told that a pillow had been put over the head of an Afghan in at least one case, before he was killed with a pistol, the inquiry heard.

Unit had Pulp Fiction nickname for dropped weapons

The soldier said he was also informed that members of the allegedly rogue special forces unit dropped weapons next to their victims to give the impression that a deceased individual had been armed when shot, the inquiry heard.

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A planted weapon was known colloquially among troops as a Mr Wolf, in reference to a character in the Quentin Tarantino film Pulp Fiction, who is hired to solve problems.

Harvey Keitel as The Wolf in Pulp Fiction, with Quentin Tarantino, who also directed the film - LANDMARK MEDIA/Alamy Stock Photo

The witness told the Afghanistan inquiry that he learnt of the alleged war crimes from a soldier in the accused unit UKSF1 while on a joint training exercise in March 2011.

He also said he feared he would be branded a traitor if he came forward, in evidence heard by the inquiry behind closed doors and released on Wednesday by Lord Justice Haddon-Cave, the inquiry chairman.

N1799 gave a statement in 2011 to his then-commanding officer with UKSF3, who told the inquiry in a separate evidence session that he did not raise the claims with his counterpart in UKSF1 because he believed reporting allegations of murder may have been seen as mud-slinging.

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The commanding officer, known to the inquiry as N1785, said the relationship between his unit and the accused unit was at times fractious and certainly competitive. He also described the relationship between UKSF1 and UKSF3 as at times unhealthy.

The allegations, contained in documents released by the inquiry, will raise serious questions about whether extrajudicial killings were covered up by military leaders, defence ministers and senior officials over more than a decade.

The public inquiry into alleged SAS war crimes in Afghanistan was launched after a BBC Panorama investigation.

Johnny Mercer, the former veterans minister, has previously told the inquiry he raised concerns during his time in government but that his warnings were ignored.

Johnny Mercer previously told the inquiry that he raised concerns during his time in government - ANDREW MATTHEWS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Afghan families have accused UK special forces of conducting a campaign of murder against civilians, while senior officers and personnel at the Ministry of Defence sought to prevent adequate investigation.

Whistleblower feared for wellbeing

No charges were brought under Operation Northmoor  which was set up in 2014 to examine allegations of executions by special forces, including those of children.

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A further Royal Military Police investigation, codenamed Operation Cestro, saw three soldiers referred to the Service Prosecuting Authority, but none was prosecuted.

The whistleblower N1799 told the inquiry he feared for his personal wellbeing when he made the allegation against UKSF1, adding: I still do now.

N1799 was asked in the closed session of the inquiry if he thought there may have been a deliberate policy of UKSF1 killing all fighting age males irrespective of whether they posed a threat.

The witness said a note provided to officers on a conversation had with a soldier from the allegedly rogue unit  known as N1201  made at the time, was not as graphic as what they had actually said.

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A partial transcript of the hearing read: I dont want to just sit here and make stuff up but I just know that it felt more shocking than, I mean, look its not great reading, obviously its shocking reading this, but I just feel it was slightly more graphic... words that have been used about killing were like flat packing, flat packing them... theyre quite normal in the military world.

N1799 also told the inquiry that he was aware of rumours involving UKSF1 using the dropped weapons. He said a dropped weapon was known as Mr Wolf.

Oliver Glasgow KC, counsel to the inquiry, asked: When you heard it described as a Mr Wolf, was that used by one person or by more than one person or can you not remember?

The whistleblower said at least two or three people had used the term.

Fighting-age males executed on target

In a statement written by the whistleblower in March 2011, which has been handed over to the inquiry, he stated: It was also indicated that fighting-age males were being executed on target, inside compounds, using a variety of methods after they had been restrained.

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In one case it was mentioned a pillow was put over the head of an individual before being killed with a pistol. It was implied that photos would be taken of the deceased alongside weapons that the fighting-age male may not have had in their possession when they were killed.

Giving evidence to the inquiry, the whistleblower was asked what denoted a fighting-age male and answered it could mean 100 per cent younger than 16.

The commanding officer of the whistleblowers unit made a written record of their conversation. N1785 told the inquiry he also met with the Director Special Forces (DSF) in person.

He said he had documented the allegations because he felt that committing to writing in effect compelled the [DSF] to act.

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He claimed the DSF at the time took a long time to come to decisions.

He said in evidence: I thought that the fastest route to compelling him to conduct some kind of investigation was to put my concerns in writing.

N1785 added that he did not know if there had been unlawful activity.

I had this supposed third-hand account which appeared to give credibility to the [UKSF3] concern over several of the SINCREPs [serious incident reports] that were being reported at the time for operations in Afghanistan, he said.

In my mind there was one of two things happening. Either the [sub unit] was using some ill-advised techniques, which was resulting in people dying who didnt need to die or shouldnt die or there was illegal activity on target, and what I wanted to press to the DSF is: You need to investigate this one way or another..

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The hearing was told that a secure compartment was created into which the written document supplied by N1785 was retained. It was said that this was to protect N1799 and also to ensure that there was a record of who knew about the information.

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From the Boiling Frogs on The Dispatch

I find political squabbling over how social media platforms moderate content tedious because the problem is unsolvable and all parties to the conversation quietly understand that. Debates on the subject are rarely more than glorified ref-working.

If a platform moderates lightly in the name of free speech, itll get speech red in tooth and claw. If I had to summarize the intent of Xs algorithm at this point, it would be twofold, podcaster Sam Harris said a few months ago of Elon Musks anything-goes version of Twitter. The first is to make Elon even more famous than he is. And the second is to make every white user of the platform more racist.

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If a platform moderates aggressively to suppress propaganda, the moderators political biases will color their judgment about what is and isnt disinformation. Thats what happened at Meta, aka Facebook, by its own admission. It shouldnt have restricted the entirely truthful news about Hunter Bidens laptop before the 2020 election, CEO Mark Zuckerberg admitted in a letter to House Republicans last year, and it shouldnt have bowed to the Biden White Houses requests to restrict contrarian opinions about COVID-19.

Undercorrecting or overcorrecting: Those are your choices if youre running a digital-age information clearinghouse. On Tuesday, Zuckerberg announced that Facebooks era of overcorrecting is over. A new era of undercorrecting has begun.

No more will the platform rely on accredited fact-checkers to challenge questionable material, as theyre too politically biased and have destroyed more trust than theyve created, per Zuck. (I hope he didnt mean us: The Dispatch has been a member of Facebooks fact-checking program since early 2020.) From now on Facebook will leave those duties to crowdsourced community notes, as Musks Twitter does. Nor will Facebook limit discourse on contentious culture war topics like immigration and gender going forward. What started as a movement to be more inclusive has increasingly been used to shut down opinions and shut out people with different ideas, the CEO complained.

The company is also pledging to be less proactive about moderating content, leaving it to users to report violations, and to work with President Donald Trump to reduce censorship abroad.

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Oh, and its moving its content moderation team from Americas largest blue state, California, to its largest red one, Texas. Coincidentally.

All of this is being done, in Zuckerbergs words, in the name of restoring free expression on our platforms. Joel Kaplan, Facebooks new head of global affairs, made the same point in the same terms when he appeared on Fox News on Tuesday to discuss the new policies. Weve got a new administration and a new president coming in who are big defenders of free expression, and that makes a difference, Kaplan said. Its a matter of principle, you see.

How seriously should we take this?

MAGA makeover.

Not very seriously, I think. But maybe a little seriously?

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In September the New York Times reported on Zuckerbergs political evolution. Supposedly hed grown frustrated with being a whipping boy for both parties and felt alienated by progressivisms excesses, some of which he experienced firsthand. He and his wife were mortified, for example, to see antisemitism being mainstreamed at their alma mater, Harvard. And he resented it when an employee at his charity urged him to resign from Facebook in shame because he hadnt censored then-President Trumps posts during the George Floyd protests of 2020.

Privately, Mr. Zuckerberg now considers his personal politics to be more like libertarianism or classical liberalism, the Times alleged. If you find the timing of his alleged right-wing conversion suspiciously convenient, coinciding as it does with Trumps return to power, well, so do I. But fair is fair: Many feet have trodden the path from youthful left-wing idealist to middle-aged conservative realist, and many Americans voted for a postliberal Republican this year because theyve come to regard postliberal leftists as the greater evil.

Thats the story of Musks political transformation too, no? Why not Zuck? Tech zillionairestheyre just like you and me!

So, sure, lets grant that Facebooks new policies might be motivated to some degree by earnest regret about having suppressed certain right-wing viewpoints. And lets also acknowledge the hard-nosed financial reality of Zuckerbergs predicament: Its bad for business to be known as a left-friendly platform in a country thats moving right, especially when that platform is viewed as antiquated relative to TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. The last thing Facebook needs in its quest for relevance is to be seen as an outpost of dying wokery.

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But lets also be real. More so than any other ring-kisser among Americas oligarchy, Zuckerberg has bent over backward lately to try to make Donald Trump like him. Moving his content moderation department from California to yee-haw country is the least of it.

He hired Kaplan, a Republican who worked in George W. Bushs administration, to replace British leftist Nick Clegg. He kicked in $1 million to Trumps inauguration fund, matching the payments of tribute made by other corporate titans to the new president. On Monday he appointed UFC President Dana White, a Trump buddy who spoke at this years Republican convention, to Metas board of directors despite the fact that White has no background in tech. He dined with Trump at Mar-a-Lago in November, praised him as a badass for how he responded to last summers assassination attempt, and according to Trump himself told him by phone that theres no way I can vote for a Democrat in this election.

Zuckerberg denied saying that. But given the lengths to which hes gone to pander to the new president, this is a rare case in which Im inclined to take Trumps side in a factual dispute.

For my friends, everything.

The ongoing MAGA makeover of Meta and its CEO is essential background for judging the moderation policies announced today. (The fact that Kaplan chose Fox News, Trumps network of choice, for an interview on the matter is surely no coincidence.) In context, those policies are simply the latest stage in a frantic campaign by Zuckerberg to make nice with a vengeful strongman who intends to use government power to help his friends and hurt his enemies.

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And Zuck has a lot of enemy baggage he needs to disgorge before he can enter the friend zone.

Remember that Facebook suspended Trumps account the day after January 6 in case the then-sitting president of the United States felt moved to call for some sort of armed uprising to keep him in power. Zuckerberg also infuriated Trump and his supporters by making grants worth hundreds of millions of dollars during the 2020 cycle to help election offices collect and process ballots, an act of civic charity which he naively assumed would earn him the publics goodwill. Eventually he came to understand that modern Republicans respect democracy only when they win. The grants were quietly discontinued in 2022.

Trump hasnt forgotten, though. We are watching him closely, and if he does anything illegal this time he will spend the rest of his life in prison, he wrote of Zuckerberg in a book published in September. A few months earlier he rationalized his flip-flop on banning TikTok on grounds that if you get rid of TikTok, Facebook and Zuckerschmuck will double their business. I dont want Facebook, who cheated in the last Election, doing better. They are a true Enemy of the People! To this day, he and other true believers in the rigged election conspiracy of 2020 insist that Zuckerbucks were instrumental to Joe Bidens supposedly fraudulent victory.

Tough stuff. And as it happens, Mark Zuckerberg and his company will have some very important business before the Trump-led federal government a few months from now. Gulp.

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I dont condone his cowardice in behaving the way he has but I do understand it. It wasnt Zuckerberg who decided that what the greatest country in the world really needed was a grifting, grafting boor with autocratic pretensions as leader. The American people did that. Facebook and its CEO are playing the cards theyve been dealt.

But I do bitterly resent that this capitulation is being dressed up as a matter of principle.

Liberals and postliberals.

Trump and his movement dont care about free expression in principle. Free speech is a liberal value. The modern right is postliberal.

For more than a year, Trumps nominee to lead the FBI, Kash Patel, has threatened to pursue media outlets criminally or civilly who abetted the Great Election Conspiracy of 2020. Patel doesnt care about free expression.

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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis became a populist star after Disney criticized the state GOPs so-called dont say gay law and he responded by yanking the companys special tax status. DeSantis doesnt care about free expression.

Trump has called for various networks broadcast licenses to be revoked on at least 15 occasions, has fantasized about loosening libel laws to make it easier to sue critics, and has articulated a general ethic of retribution for his second term in which criticizing him necessarily risks placing the critic in the crosshairs of the federal government, as Mark Zuckerberg well understands. Trump doesnt care about free expression.

Neither do his fans. No cohort in American politics has insulated itself as thoroughly from contrary opinion as right-wing populists; MAGA media is a black hole of propaganda from which no light can escape. Its consumers, by definition, arent interested in a robust marketplace of ideas of the sort that Facebooks new free expression policy is ostensibly meant to cultivate. Theyre not much into markets of any kind anymore, frankly.

Liberalism cares about process, postliberalism cares about outcomes. A liberal will defend his opponents right to speak freely even though doing so means his opponents ideas are more likely to prevail. Whereas, to figures like Trump, DeSantis, and Patel, behaving with anything less than utmost ruthlessness toward an opponent is taken as weakness. Postliberals are delighted when their critics are afraid to speak.

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If Facebook feels it has no choice but to submit to Trump, it would be nice at least if it didnt do him the favor of perpetuating the fiction that he cares about free expression in the abstract. Postliberal pressure, not liberal principle, moved Zuckerberg to shift toward less content moderation. The new president has the means, motive, and opportunity to use federal power to run the company into the ground simply because he bears it a personal grudge and Zuck is desperate for ways to ease that grudge, pronto. Fear of state persecution, not respect for the marketplace of ideas, led him to change his approach.

And heres the punchline. Insofar as we celebrate free expression as a mechanism of truth, in which ideas compete for attention and the best among them prevail, the new moderation policy will wildly undermine that goal.

Justification machines.

Trump isnt even president yet and already its clear that he wont need traditional blunt-force authoritarian tools in his second term to bend influential actors in American society to his will. He doesnt have to sue the Washington Post and Los Angeles Times or throw their reporters in jail in order to reduce the amount of unflattering coverage he receives from those newspapers. Their mega-rich owners will reduce it for him voluntarily because they know that he can and will harass the far more lucrative non-media businesses they own if they dont.

An old-school strongman would attack the papers First Amendment rights head on. Trump, the modern strongman, understands that American oligarchs have many other financial pressure points that can be targeted to pressure their media arms into playing nice with him. You dont have to censor if you can strongarm your critics into self-censoring instead.

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Facebooks new moderation policy is another example of old authoritarian goals being achieved through new authoritarian means. An old-school strongman would demand that the company borrow a page from the Biden White House by aggressively suppressing liberal content on the site and promoting nationalist propaganda instead, a traditional top-down form of censorship and legally problematic.

To be sure, Trump does occasionally seek to suppress material that he has reason to believe will embarrass him.

But a modern strongman doesnt need to restrict damaging information when he can simply drown it out. On Monday, journalist Charlie Warzel and researcher Mike Caulfield attributed Trumps unlikely reelection to the internet justification machine that neutralized his culpability for January 6. As political influence devolves from traditional media (or legacy media, as Zuckerberg called it in announcing his new moderation policies) to a galaxy of hyperpartisan online propagandists, practically any political failureincluding a failed coup attemptcan be justified or explained away to the satisfaction of consumers eager to rationalize it.

Zuckerbergs new policy is a green light to populists to build a justification machine on his platform. When President Trump eventually orders the military to open fire on a crowd of protesters or Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urges Americans not to get the new bird-flu vaccine, the White House wont need to ask Facebook to suppress criticism of the policies from the top-down. The justification machine will counterprogram it from the bottom-up, drowning out the outrage until its just another 50-50 partisan issue in which swing voters arent sure which side to believe.

Certainly, undercorrecting on content moderation will have some virtues. The next story about Hunter Bidens laptop wont be foolishly restricted as Russian disinformation, for instance. But itll also force users going forward to wade through a metric ton of race realism, vaccine paranoia, and AI slop depicting Trump as a Knight Templar fighting Muslims or whatever. The amount of truth on sale in this supposedly new and improved marketplace of ideas will not exceed the amount in the previous iteration, I expect. To the contrary.

If you doubt it, ask any longtime Twitter user (any user without a Pepe avatar, anyway) whether that platform has become more or less reliable as a source of information since Elon Musk turned the dial on free expression up to 11. This is our internet futurea culture in which speech is more free, more democratic, nastier and stupider as a result, and were all dumber and meaner for having consumed it. Hard to fault Zuck for catching up with the times.

Read more at The Dispatch

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Winter has officially arrived in central Ohio and unfortunately, when we deal with the cold, snow and ice, its not uncommon for problematic companies and outright scammers to see an opportunity.

The Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio has heard plenty of horror stories from consumers who got burned when temperatures dropped.

Resolutions to avoid scams in 2025

We see it time and time again, whether its the winter season or other times a year, Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio President Judy Dollison said. Scammers are going to key in on whats happening today and take advantage.

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Thats why planning and preparation  from snow removal to handling storm damage  can make all the difference, she said.

The best way to defend yourself is, you know, to have the information in advance, Dollison said.

Thats especially true if youre planning to hire a person or company to help you remove all the snow and ice from your property, or repair any damage caused by the weather.

Its always good to do your research because knowledge is power, Dollison said. So, we recommend that you check on www.bbb.org to vet your contractors that youre looking at using for the snow removal.

Scammers using utilities to target victims

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Make sure the contractor or company youre looking to hire is licensed and insured, that youre aware of which services are included, and that youre clear on timelines for completion, as well as overall cost and additional fees.

Some charge a flat rate, some charge an hourly rate, and some charge a flat rate plus an hourly rate, Dollison said. So, confirm all those details. Again, its best to get all that in writing.

No matter what, never pay the full cost up front.

Some contractors will ask for payment in full, Dollison said. We always recommend against that, no matter what your service is.

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And if someone comes to your door, unsolicited, never agree to hire them on the spot.

Need help? Contact Better Call 4

Slow down, Dollison said. Find ways to confirm if theres damage to an area you cant see. Do your research to make sure that you are working with an honest company that isnt going to take your money and run, and that does unfortunately happen.

If you dont know where to start with the cleanup, check with your insurance company first. If youre covered, they can provide suggestions for contractors and help when it comes to moving forward with a signed contract.

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 NBC4 WCMH-TV.
During a rambling press conference Tuesday, Donald Trump threatened that all hell will break out if hostages held by Hamas in Gaza arent released by his inauguration on January 20.



Its a threat Trump has repeatedly made since early December, and he did not elaborate on what it means Tuesday, instead saying, It will not be good for Hamas, and it will not be good, frankly, for anyone. Last month, he promised hell to pay if the hostages werent released by his inauguration, seemingly threatening U.S. military action but making no mention of a Gaza ceasefire as a prerequisite.



If the hell Trump is promising is military action, it would inflame the Middle East further and likely set off a regional conflict that already includes Iran, Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon. In a phone call last month, Trump spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, an accused war criminal, and reiterated the threat.



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Throughout his presidential campaign, Trump has remarked that Israel should finish the job in Gaza, basically endorsing the countrys yearlong brutal military assault that has resulted in a humanitarian crisis and war crimes charges. What would further hell visited upon Gaza look like to a territory that has been reduced to rubble and tens of thousands of deaths?



The civilian death toll in Gaza has only continued to climb since then, with thousands of bodies trapped under rubble and indirect deaths caused by the destruction of infrastructure, including hospitals and food distribution systems. In October, 99 health workers who worked in Gaza sent President Biden a letter saying that they had witnessed crimes beyond comprehension, urging a U.S. arms embargo on Israel.



President Biden will leave office refusing to consider any action against Israel, instead planning an $8 billion arms sale to the country on his way out. Trumps latest words confirm that his Israel-Palestine policy wont be any better and in fact might exacerbate the ongoing genocide even further.
Strong Santa Ana winds bringing extreme dry conditions to greater Los Angeles sparked a devastating brushfire in the hills of Pacific Palisades on Tuesday, an inferno that by early evening had devastated more than 2,920 acres and prompted mandatory evacuations in the Los Angeles neighborhood and in neighboring Santa Monica.

After over eight hours, images of the thick smoke, bursting flames and firefighters battling the blaze and rescuing afflicted people show the reach of the fire, which Los Angeles fire officials have warned will only worsen late Tuesday night and early Wednesday evening.

Several structures have been burned, including the Palisades High School, Theatre Palisades, Bel Air Club and the grounds of the Getty Villa Museum.

BREAKING: Palisades High School is getting completely burned to the ground.pic.twitter.com/1W7EOwi1YK  aka (@akafacehots) January 8, 2025

The fires have left many Palisades residents vulnerable and potentially away from their homes for several days. Notable Hollywood residents of the Palisades include Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Ben Affleck, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson.

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Over 30,000 residents have safely evacuated the area, heeding fire officials warnings. Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statewide state of emergency this afternoon following a Los Angeles state of emergency call earlier Tuesday afternoon. And Tuesday evening, mandatory evacuations were ordered for Santa Monica residents living in the northern part of that city, bordering Pacific Palisades. Read more here.

President Joe Biden even had to shelter in place in Los Angeles, after canceling an appearance that would announce two new national monuments, honoring Native American tribes.

Fires also broke out elsewhere in the region, most notably just north of Altadena in Eaton Canyon. As of this writing more than 200 acres were affected and evacuations are under way in residential areas close to the fire. The number of affected residents isnt known, but the hillside fire is visible 2 miles west in nearby Pasadena.

Keep reading for a harrowing look at Tuesdays devastating Palisades Fire.

Eric Thayer/Getty Images

A firefighter puts out fire in the Pacific Palisades.

DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images

Firefighters run as fire rages in Palisades neighborhood.

Hans Gutknecht/MediaNews Group/ Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images

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The grounds of the Getty Villa Museum burned, but its art collection remained safe.

DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images

A helicopter surveys the fire from above.

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Fire and smoke engulfs mountains, pictured from Palisades backyard.

DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images

A helicopter drops flame suppressant as a firefighter stands watch.

Eric Thayer/Getty Images

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The inferno spews ash and cinders into the air as a hour and nearby trees burn

David Crane/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images

Lifeguard stations on fire as the fire inches closer to the shore.

DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images

Fire rages in the hills.

DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images

Fire fighters assess the damage while attempting to maintain the flames.

Qian Weizhong/VCG via Getty Images

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A line of firefighters crosses the road with helmets, goggles and gear on.

Sarah Reingewirtz/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images

Residents evacuate on foot from a Palisades neighborhood.

Sarah Reingewirtz/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images

Abandoned vehicles sit piled up along Sunset Boulevard.

ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images

Other residents packed bags with belongings and sought shelter with pets.

David Crane/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images

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A smoldering husk is left after house burned down.

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A hillside house engulfed in flames.

DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images

A cul de sac in the Pacific Palisades, darkened by flames and thick smoke.

The post Scenes of Devastation and Heroism as the Palisades Fire Rages | Photos appeared first on TheWrap.
Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg was named as interim chancellor on Wednesday as barbs between rival leaders began to fly ahead of new coalition talks led by the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPO).

The office of President Alexander van der Bellen announced that Schallenberg is to lead the current coalition between the conservative Austrian People's Party (OVP) and the Greens, but his stint could be short after the FPO was asked to form a government.

Previous chancellor Karl Nehammer of the OVP announced his resignation at the weekend after his efforts to form a coalition of centrist parties, without the FPO, failed.

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Nehammer is to formally resign on Friday, when Schallenberg is due to take up the position, in addition to his ministerial role.

Van der Bellen on Monday tasked FPO leader Herbert Kickl with forming a government for the first time. Having emerged as the largest party in the September elections, the FPO is now conducting talks with the OVP.

However, the discussions are not yet full coalition negotiations, an OVP spokesman said.

Stocker demands answers from far right

OVP leader Christian Stocker told a news conference on Wednesday that several conditions for the continuation of talks had been set.

These include a firm commitment from the FPO to the European Union, the rule of law and press freedom. Kickl has been critical of the EU and is seen as friendly towards Moscow.

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"An honest answer must be given as to whether we want to be a constructive and reliable part of the European Union or the opposite," said Stocker.

It must also become clear whether Austria is oriented towards the free world or towards dictatorships, the OVP leader added.

FPO leader Kickl has also set key conditions. The populist has said the OVP must engage in "honest politics" and admit that it was to blame for Austria's difficult economic situation.

Stocker replied by saying he did not believe in such "humiliation rituals." The last time the two parties were in coalition was in an OVP-led government from 2017 to 2019.

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The far-right FPO has a favourable position in talks as pollsters say it would prosper if negotiations collapse and new elections have to be called.

Current polls show the FPO could expect 35%, while the OVP may only achieve 20%. The Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPO) could garner less than 20%.

Schallenberg has served as Austria's top diplomat since 2019, with a short break at the end of 2021 when he took over the chancellery for a few weeks during the political transition after Sebastian Kurz resigned.

The 55-year-old has said he would not be part of an FPO-led government. Schallenberg is considered pro-European and supports EU sanctions on Russia.
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  With the possibility of frozen precipitation in north Louisiana, area schools and government offices may announce closures as a measure of caution and to limit the amount of traffic on potentially icy roadways.

Elementary, Middle, and High school closures

Natchitoches Parish Schools will remain open until Friday, January 10. This includes NJH.

Shreveport Diocese of Catholic Schools will be closed Friday.

All Caddo Parish schools and district sites will be closed on Friday, January 10

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Bossier Parish schools will be closed on Friday January 10 and reopen on Monday, January 13.

Evangel Christian Academy will be closed on Jan 10.

Evangel Learning Center will remain open on Jan. 10.

Webster Parish Schools will dismiss at 1 p.m. on Thursday and reopen on Monday, January 13. This includes Browning Elementary, Brown Upper Elementary, North Webster Lower, Upper Elementary, North Webster Jr., and Sr. High Schools.

Linwood Public Charter School will dismiss at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday following the standard dismissal procedure. Buses will run, and parents can arrive to pick up students at that time. They will remain closed on Friday.

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All DeSoto Parish schools and district sites will operate on a regular schedule on Thursday. However, all after-school and extracurricular activities will be canceled.

On Wednesday afternoon, Word of God Academy announced its campus closure on Thursday, January 9, and Friday, January 10.

College closures

Northwestern State Universitys Shreveport Campus will be closed Friday, Jan. 10.

Louisiana Tech University has also cancelled classes on Thursday and Friday for students.

Southern University at Shreveport campuses will be closed on Thursday, January 9 and Friday January 10.

The Louisiana State University in Shreveport campus will close on Thursday and Friday.

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North Louisiana Technical Community College campuses in Mansfield, Shreveport, and Minden are closed on January 9 and 10.

BPCC will be closed on January 9, 10, and 11.

We will continue this article with updates and additional school closure announcements as we receive them.

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 KTALnews.com.
ARKANSAS (KTAL/KMSS)  With the possibility of frozen precipitation in southwest Arkansas, area schools and government offices may announce closures as a measure of caution and to limit the amount of traffic on potentially icy roadways.

Elementary, Middle, and High school closures

All Texarkana Arkansas School District schools and offices will be closed on Thursday, January 9 and will remain closed through Friday, January 10.

Officials with Hope Public Schools say campuses will be closed on Thursday and Friday.

Ashdown Public Schools will be closed on Friday.

Colleges and Universities

Officials say University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana will be closed to the public on Thursday, January 9, and Friday, January 10. All classes on both campuses are canceled. Classes will resume on Monday, January 13.

Offices at Southern Arkansas University will be closed on Thursday, January 9, and Friday, January 10.



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We will continue this article with updates and additional school closure announcements as we receive them.

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 KTALnews.com.
Secretary of State Scott Schwab appears during a June 21, 2024, meeting of the State Objections Board. Schwab announced he is running for governor in 2026. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab announced Wednesday he will seek the Republican nomination for governor in next years election cycle.

The Great Bend native is serving his second term as secretary of state and previously served seven terms in the Kansas House. He announced his candidacy for governor in a video on his website and through a news release.

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We need to return to the values and principles that have always fueled us, and gave me the strength to lead in Topeka, Schwab said. I have a proven conservative record. And a servants heart. Its important for Kansas to take the right path.

Schwab is the first to publicly announce he is running for governor in 2026, although Senate President Ty Masterson, a Republican from Andover, is widely expected to run.

In an interview Wednesday on KCUR radio, Masterson said it would be premature for him to discuss the 2026 governors race. The Senate president said his focus had to be on the upcoming session of the Kansas Legislature that begins Monday.

Im honored to be part of the conversation when people think about it, Masterson said. The truth is we have 90 days ahead of us. We have a very short clock. That would be nothing more than a distraction to getting done what we need to get done.

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As secretary of state, and the top election official in Kansas, Schwab rejected conspiracy theories and distrust of elections from within his own party after the 2020 election cycle. In 2022, Schwab defeated future Kansas Republican Party chairman Mike Brown, who promoted false information about elections, in the August primary. In the general election, Schwab defeated future Kansas Democratic Party chairwoman Jeanna Repass.

Andriy Bilyk, spokesman for the Kansas Democratic Party, said Wednesday the party wouldnt comment on candidates running for office in 2026 at this time.

We are focused on supporting Gov. Laura Kelly and our state legislators during this very important 2025 legislative session, Bilyk said.

Schwab on Wednesday touted his efforts to secure elections and cut bureaucratic red tape while serving as secretary of state. He said he would work to lower property taxes and help rural communities that are falling behind, if elected governor.

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I believe that to do something great, we have to throw off the chains that hold you back, Schwab said. In Kansas, those chains come from big government.

He also said he agrees with President-elect Donald Trump: We need to stop China from buying farmland next to our military bases.

There is no evidence of China buying farmland in Kansas, but Kansas Republicans effectively used the issue on the campaign trail last fall.

As a member of the House from 2003 to 2007 and from 2009 to 2019, Schwab supported restrictions on abortion and LGBTQ rights. He also voted in favor of former Gov. Sam Brownbacks tax experiment.

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In his news release Wednesday, Schwab said he championed election integrity bills, including a law that required voters to show ID at the polls. He said he promoted business growth and worked to reduce regulatory overreach.

In 2016, Schwabs 10-year-old son died while riding the Verruckt, billed as the worlds tallest water slide, at the Schlitterbahn water park in Kansas City, Kansas, which has been demolished. The Schwab family settled legal claims for $20 million in 2018, the Kansas City Star reported.
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley talks about charges filed against 11 prison inmates on April 23, 2024, at the Law Enforcement Center in Sioux Falls. (John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight)

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley hopes to prevent and catch future criminal conduct by state employees with new reporting requirements, protections for whistleblowers and a bigger role for the state auditor, according to a package of legislation he released Tuesday.

Jackley unveiled seven bills for lawmakers to consider during the annual legislative session that kicks off next Tuesday at the Capitol in Pierre.

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Jackleys bills focus on government accountability, human trafficking, prison contraband and probation.

Government accountability

Jackleys government accountability measures come in response to several prosecutions he began last year against former state employees.

Those cases include allegations of former Department of Revenue employees creating fake vehicle titles to secure loans and avoid excise taxes, a former Department of Social Services employee allegedly embezzling $1.8 million, and a former Department of Public Safety employee allegedly filing fake food-service health inspection records for inspections that were never conducted.

Protecting taxpayer dollars and restoring the publics trust in government should be given high priority, Jackley said Tuesday in a press release.

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One of his proposed measures would require state employees in supervisory roles to report suspected unlawful conduct to the attorney general and state auditor. Failure to report suspected violations would be classified as a felony.

Additionally, the attorney general would be required to submit an annual report to lawmakers on the state budget committee outlining the number and outcomes of misconduct reports received.

Another bill seeks to shield state employees from retaliation for reporting misconduct or participating in audits and investigations. The bill would:

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Prohibit state supervisors from discharging, discriminating against or taking any other retaliatory action against whistleblowers.

Establish a process allowing state employees to file complaints with the attorney general within two years after experiencing retaliation.

Authorize courts to reinstate employees and award back pay if they suffered illegal retaliation.

A third measure would authorize the state auditor to access all financial records of every state agency to conduct audits, investigate improper conduct and ensure internal controls are in place and maintained.

The fourth bill proposes state agencies conduct mandatory annual risk reviews, with results submitted to the Board of Internal Control. The reviews would assess agencies risk management practices and identify vulnerabilities.

Human trafficking

Another proposal would revise human trafficking laws and prohibit the obstruction of their enforcement.

Human trafficking remains a national concern that we are not immune from, and this legislation strengthens victim protections and enhances our ability to hold offenders accountable, Jackley said.

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The bill would update the definitions of human trafficking in the first degree and second degree and would:

Establish mandatory minimum prison sentences of 15 years for a first offense and 20 years for a second or subsequent offense of human trafficking in the first degree.

Establish mandatory minimum prison sentences of five years for a first offense and 10 years for a second or subsequent offense of human trafficking in the second degree.

Create the new felony crime of obstructing the enforcement of human trafficking laws.

Prison contraband

Jackleys legislative package also includes measures dealing with contraband in state correctional facilities. Officials with the state Department of Corrections reported finding contraband during a lockdown last year at the penitentiary in Sioux Falls.

Existing laws prohibit inmates from possessing drugs, unapproved prescription drugs, alcohol and weapons. Among other provisions, the proposed legislation would add unapproved cell phones and electronic communication devices to the list of banned items, clarify that employees and other people are prohibited from giving a similar list of items to inmates, and adjust the severity of various penalties for the different types of contraband.

Presumptive probation

Another proposal addresses South Dakotas presumptive probation system, which mandates that some non-violent offenders receive probation instead of prison time. Jackleys bill would make re-offenders who were already on probation or parole supervision ineligible for presumptive probation.

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The bill also adds those convicted of threatening public officials or fleeing law enforcement to the list of ineligible offenders, as well as sex offenders who violate safety zones.

Sentencing courts need more flexibility to impose appropriate sentences for certain violent offenders, and those choosing to reoffend while on probation or parole, Jackley said.

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By Kanishka Singh

(Reuters) - A Seattle police officer who hit and killed a 23-year-old student from India in a crosswalk nearly two years ago has been fired for dangerous driving, city officials said on Tuesday.

Police officer Kevin Dave was driving 74 mph (119 kph) in a 25 mph (40 kph) zone when he fatally struck graduate student Jaahnavi Kandula in January 2023 as she was walking in the city's South Lake Union neighborhood, police said.

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The Seattle Office of Police Accountability found that Dave, who was on his way to the scene of a reported drug overdose, violated four policies including a requirement to operate police vehicles safely, interim Police Chief Sue Rahr said in an email to department staff about his firing on Monday.

Rahr said she did not believe Dave intended to hurt anyone as he rushed to the suspected overdose victim.

"However, I cannot accept the tragic consequences of his dangerous driving," Rahr said in the email, which the department released on Tuesday. Dave could not immediately be reached for comment.

The case sparked outrage and international media attention after body cam footage captured another police officer who was following up on the accident, Daniel Auderer, laughing and saying that Kandula's life had "limited value."

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Auderer, who was fired in July 2024, said his comments were taken out of context. The police accountability office found last year that he violated professional standards and prohibitions against prejudice and derogatory language.

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell said he supported Rahr's decision to fire Dave and hoped it would help "rebuild trust in our police department."

Kandula's family has sued the city and Dave, seeking $110 million in damages. Dave in December agreed to pay a $5,000 fine after the city charged him with second-degree negligent driving. Prosecutors had said that evidence did not support criminal charges.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
A Seattle police officer who struck and killed a Northeastern University graduate student from India with his patrol car in 2023 has been fired, police announced this week.

Jaahnavi Kandula was crossing the street at a crosswalk when she was struck by a police cruiser being driven by officer Kevin Dave, who had been responding to a report of an overdose on Jan. 23, 2023, the Seattle Times previously reported, citing police. The 23-year-old later died at the hospital.

In a statement shared with PEOPLE, Seattle Police Department Interim Chief Sue Rahr said she decided to fire Dave on Monday, Jan. 6, after finding he violated four police department policies, including knowing how to safely operate a police vehicle.

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Dave had been driving 74 mph in a 25 mph zone when he hit Kandula while heading to the emergency call, according to a June 2023 police report cited by KIRO-TV. The report said Daves speed did not allow him sufficient time to detect, address and avoid a hazard that presented itself.

Related: Grad Student, 23, Dies After Being Struck by Seattle Police Car Responding to 'Priority' Call

I believe the officer did not intend to hurt anyone that night and that he was trying to get to a possible overdose victim as quickly as possible, Rahr said in the statement. However, I cannot accept the tragic consequences of his dangerous driving.

His positive intent does not mitigate the poor decision that caused the loss of a human life and brought discredit to the Seattle Police Department, she added.

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The case was reviewed by the King County Prosecutors Office last year, which ultimately decided not to file criminal charges against Dave. They cited insufficient evidence to prove that Dave was "consciously disregarding safety, according to a case memo obtained by PEOPLE.

Dave was then charged with second-degree negligent driving by the Seattle City Attorneys Office and fined $5,000 for the civil infraction, according to Fox 13.

The case made headlines when another police officer, detective Daniel Auderer, was caught on body-camera footage released by the department joking about the incident.

Related: Seattle Police Officer Investigated for Saying Graduate Student Killed Had Limited Value Taken Off Patrol Duty

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She is dead, Auderer said in the video, before laughing. He could also be heard referring to Kandula as just a regular person before saying, Yeah, just write a check.

He continued, $11,000. She was 26 anyway. She had limited value, he said in the released footage.

Auderer had been the drug-recognition officer assigned to determine whether Dave had been under the influence when he hit Kandula.

Attorneys for Kandulas family have since filed a lawsuit against the city and Dave, alleging she experienced terror, severe emotional distress, and severe pain and suffering before dying, Fox 13 and KOMO reported.

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Following her death, Kandulas loved ones described her as brilliant student with a bright future, per NBC affiliate KING-TV.

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"Jaahnavi cared deeply for her mom, organizers wrote in a GoFundMe campaign created at the time. So much so, that in spite of severe homesickness, she came to the States to pursue her dreams and to create a better future for her mom & sister."

"While Jaahnavi may not be here with us anymore, her dream will live on," the message continued.



Read the original article on People
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP)  The U.S. Interior Department on Wednesday said no bids were submitted for this week's oil and gas lease sale in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge  a sale the state has challenged as too restrictive and at odds with a 2017 law aimed at opening the refuge's sweeping coastal plan to exploration and development.

Monday was the deadline for companies to submit bids, the agency said.

Interior Acting Deputy Secretary Laura Daniel-Davis said the lack of interest by oil companies in pursuing leases in the refuge's coastal plain reflects what we and they have known all along  there are some places too special and sacred to put at risk with oil and gas drilling.

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The oil and gas industry is sitting on millions of acres of undeveloped leases elsewhere; wed suggest thats a prudent place to start, rather than engage further in speculative leasing in one of the most spectacular places in the world, she said in a statement.

But this is unlikely to be the last word. The state this week sued the Interior Department and federal officials over the sale, alleging among other things that the terms were too restrictive. The state also is seeking to have the environmental review underpinning the sale thrown out. Litigation around the first lease sale  held in the waning days of the Trump administration in early 2021  also is still pending.

A 2017 law that President-elect Donald Trump has often highlighted called for offering two lease sales in the refuges coastal plain by late 2024. Major oil companies sat out the first sale, which saw a state corporation as the main bidder. One of President Joe Bidens first acts as president was to order a review of the leasing program, which ultimately led to the cancelation of seven remaining leases. Smaller companies had previously given up two other leases they'd held from that sale.

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management, which falls under the Interior Department, has said that it offered for lease as part of the smaller, second sale 400,000 acres (162,000 hectares), the minimum acreage required by the 2017 law. The agency said its proposal avoided important polar bear denning and caribou calving areas and had the smallest footprint of potential surface disturbance.

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Leaders in Gwich'in communities near the refuge consider the coastal plain sacred, citing its importance to a caribou herd they rely upon, and oppose drilling there. Leaders of the Inupiaq community of Kaktovik, which is within the refuge, support drilling and see responsible oil development as critical to the economic wellbeing of communities in the region.

Drilling advocates  including state political leaders  are hopeful Trump will pursue drilling in the refuge, seeing a potential to create jobs, generate additional revenue and spur U.S. oil production. But while the Bureau of Land Management has said the coastal plain could contain 4.25 billion to 11.8 billion barrels of recoverable oil, there is limited information about the amount and quality of oil there. And environmentalists contend the lack of interest by oil companies so far should speak volumes.

They seem to understand that drilling in this remote landscape is too risky, too complicated and just plain wrong, Erik Grafe, an attorney with Earthjustice, said in a statement. "The incoming Trump administration still hasnt gotten the memo and has vowed to keep trying to sell the refuge for oil. Well continue to use the power of the law to defend this cherished place, as we have for decades.
BAY MINETTE, Ala. (WKRG)  The second person arrested in connection with the New Years Day homicide of 20-year-old JaTavious French made his first appearance in court this afternoon.

Mobile County Commissioner Connie Hudson running to become citys mayor

A Baldwin County judge set the bond at $350,000 for Armani Hooks, 18, because of his previous criminal history, News 5 has learned. He is accused of murder.

Armani Hooks (Baldwin County Courthouse)

The judge also ordered Hooks to stay out of Bay Minette if he bonds out, and he will be under house arrest, have a GPS ankle monitor, and was ordered to stay away from guns.

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French was gunned down on Pecan Street in broad daylight on New Years Day. According to prosecutors, at least 25 rounds were fired.

Hooks was already out on bond on another case that was supposed to go to trial next month.

Mobile Police investigating death of three men near midtown train tracks

Kendrick Johnson, 18, was also charged in the murder and remains in the Baldwin County Jail on a $200,000 bond.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB)  A security consultants defamation battle against CNN is taking place right here in Bay County.

U.S. Navy veteran and Nemex Enterprises President Zachary Young filed a defamation case against the network in 2022.

Florida lawmakers discuss funding concerns in Jackson County

Young alleged CNN destroyed his companys reputation after implying he illegally profited when assisting people escaping from Afghanistan during the Biden Administrations military withdrawal from the country in 2021.

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The security consultant claimed he was labeled an illegal profiteer, exploiting Afghans during The Lead with Jake Tapper segment in November 2021.

When he took the stand, Young testified his business practices were legal, saying foreign defense contractors take ethics very seriously.

They have a reputation that they have to protect. If youre involved in anything that could be interpreted as unethical business conduct or a violation of even host country law, then youre going to be fired, Young said.

In a pre-trial ruling, 14th Judicial Circuit Judge William Henry, whos presiding over the case, concluded that Young didnt act illegally or criminally.

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Young continued to shut down profiteering accusations, claiming he couldve charged clients higher prices.

I could have gone much, much higher if I wanted to, Young said.

Holmes County officials hope to see benefits of potential rural renaissance

Bay County jurors will have to decide whether CNN journalists acted with actual malice. If so, the network could award Young monetary damages for loss of business income and emotional distress.

Young did business through corporate sponsors. He did not receive direct payment from evacuees.

Testimony will pick back up on Wednesday morning.

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 mypanhandle.com.
A growing memorial outside the Honduran Consulate Office in DeKalb County honors the sacrifice of Jesus Loera, a security guard who was shot and killed while protecting people from a gunman trying to enter the building.

Its really sad the way he went out, but Im very happy that he saved a bunch of lives from being taken that day, Josue Valdez, one of the mourners who added flowers to the memorial, told Channel 2s Matt Johnson.

Loera, originally from Mexico, died during the attack, which occurred around 2:30 p.m. in front of the consulate. Doraville police arrested 32-year-old Jose Emanuel Olmo-Rosado on Monday and charged him with murder and two counts of aggravated assault.

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According to the police report, a witness saw Olmo-Rosado trying to push into the Consulate when Loera sprayed pepper spray. Thats when the witness says Olmo-Rosado shot Loera four or five times in the chest.

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Police said Olmo-Rosado attempted to flee the scene after the double shooting, which also left another person injured. A motive for the attack has not been released.

If [Jesus] wouldnt have been here that day, it would have been another tragic story, said a friend of Loera who stopped by to pay respects.

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Loera is survived by his wife and son. Friends describe him as a dedicated professional who gave his life to protect others.

In a letter posted to social media, the Honduran government praised Loeras heroic actions and announced three days of mourning in his honor.

He died protecting us, you know. Not even being from our country, he gave it all for us, one mourner said.

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One of the surest ways to improve someones life is to make sure they have a steady job.

That can be tough to obtain for someone with a criminal record.

Now a new program at that Norfolk County Correctional Center in Dedham is trying to change that by teaching inmates to cook.

At the end of the program, each inmate will receive an official certification which should help them get work in the food services industry.

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We have given them knowledge on food safety, on sanitation, on cooking methods, on food storage, said Rebecca Queeney, a culinary instructor with the Snapchef Foundation.

Calvin Brown is one of the five inmates who was accepted into the program.

Itll give us a step forward so when we get out, were not just going out and starting from ground zero. Its big for our confidence.

Norfolk County Patrick McDermott used a grant to partner with the Snapchef Foundation, a non-profit focused on getting underserved communities into the food service industry.

I am constantly looking to put myself out of business. So how do we do that? We reduce recidivism, said McDermott. We want to make sure that there is no excuse for people to have to be coming back into the criminal justice system and it starts with a job.

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A quick visit to www.indeed.com showed many open positions in restaurants thru out the area.

McDermott believes a program like this is a good investment because it can cost about $100,000 to house an inmate in Massachusetts each year.

These individuals are coming back to live in your community. They are your neighbor, they are your family, theyre going to be your friend. So, we might as well make sure that the returning citizen is that much better equipped to be a good citizen.

Dwan Knight is hoping this program creates a lot of opportunities for him.

He wants to become a good role model for his children.

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I want my son and my daughters to know daddy went to work. He did everything he could to make sure we was good. He put food on the table. I dont want to them to go thru the things I went thru growing up.

When the men do get jobs, Snapchef will still be supporting them.

Social Worker Matilda Holland said, Were checking in weekly, making sure they have what they need to get to work, to get to work on time, and to be successful in the workplace.

A healthy buffet of job skills and emotional support is sending Isaiah Wilsons confidence to new heights.

Its also letting him dream about tomorrow.

See myself in five years? I see myself successful in any field that I have my hand in. Raising my children and showing them the right way. That you can turn a negative into a positive no matter what it is.

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Sheriff McDermott is hoping the grant will be renewed so they can continue, and even expand, the program.

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A semi truck caught fire while eastbound on Interstate 80 outside of Adair and the incident resulted in a spill of lactic acid. (Photo courtesy of Iowa DNR)

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a spill of lactic acid from a semi truck on Interstate 80, east of Adair, that flowed through storm drains and into a tributary of the South Fork Middle River.

According to a press release from DNR, the semi driver was headed east on the interstate and pulled over after noticing the tires were smoking.

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The driver attempted to put out the fire while stopped at a rest stop about three miles outside of Adair, but was unsuccessful. By the time the Adair Fire Department arrived, the trailer and its contents, including poly totes full of lactic acid the trailer was hauling, were on fire.

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Alison Manz, a senior environmental specialist with DNR, said the water used in firefighting activities mixed with the lactic acid that had spilled from the totes and then flowed into two storm drains and into nearby farm ground.

The mixture flowed about 200 feet through the farm before entering a tile intake that released into an unnamed tributary of the South Fork Middle River, according to the DNR release.

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Manz said a very acidic substance in a waterway can result in fish kills, though none have been observed.

It is estimated that 550 gallons of lactic acid were lost from the totes. The Iowa Department of Transportation also responded to the incident and tried to contain the spill with sand.

The fire occurred on Tuesday and by Wednesday afternoon, Manz said a hazmat response company, covered by the trucking companys insurance, had cleaned up all of the remaining totes from the site.

Manz said the same team will neutralize the area with soda ash, flush the area and the storm drains with water that will be collected, and either excavate the affected soil in the farmland or neutralized it with ag lime.

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According to the Iowa DOT website, as of Wednesday afternoon, the rest area remains closed. DNR advised downstream users, including those watering cattle, to avoid the area.

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Sen. John Curtis is taking his legacy of being a highly productive member of the House of Representatives to the Senate. In the final days before giving up his seat representing Utahs 3rd District, Curtis saw several bills signed into law by President Joe Biden.

In a recent press release, he reflected on his time in the House, where he helped pass 27 bills into law. The bills dealt with issues like public lands, human trafficking and the regulation of small businesses.

When I began my service in Congress, I could never have imagined how much we would accomplish, Curtis said. Many come to Washington for the spotlight or to make noise, but my goal has always been to earn the trust of Utahns, address their most pressing issues, and deliver meaningful solutions.

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Curtis congressional office has won awards for its accessibility and he ranked as the ninth most effective Republican by the Center for Effective Lawmaking.

Heres a glimpse at several bills, just signed into law, that were introduced by Curtis.

Colorado River Salinity Control Fix Act

Salinity in the Colorado River is a huge problem and threatens to impact seven states in the West. The river is a major water source for 40 million people. Congress Colorado River Salinity Control Program, established in 1974, improves water quality by reducing salinity in the river system. Curtis bill aims to address the excessive salinity in the Colorado River by enhancing the existing program.

Ancient seas that once covered much of the Intermountain West left significant saline rock formations. When water contacts these formations, it dissolves and salt discharges into the Colorado River and its tributaries, thereby elevating the rivers salinity, Curtis said at a congressional hearing in May 2024, as the Deseret News previously reported. This causes environmental damage and hundreds of millions of dollars in economic losses each year for water users.

Great Salt Lake Stewardship Act

This bill, supported by Utahs entire delegation, will tap unused money already set aside for the state. It will broaden its reach to support the efforts of the state of Utah, local communities, and water districts north of Salt Lake County in conserving water use and replenishing the lake, as the Deseret News previously reported.

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Utahns have worked tirelessly to protect the Great Salt Lake, but persistent drought conditions now threaten its long-term viability. Recognizing the urgency of this issue, the Great Salt Lake Stewardship Act would expand the Colorado River water conservation program to include the lake, Curtis said when the bill passed in the House in 2024. Over time, this flexibility will help safeguard its ecological and economic significance, protecting Utah and the West from the economic and public health risks of an ecological disaster.

The Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act

This legislation included several provisions related to outdoor recreation, including the Protecting Americas Rock Climbing, or PARC, Act, responsible for ensuring access to rock climbing in designated wilderness, an activity dating back to its creation in the Wilderness Act of 1964. This bill aimed to improve and expand access to public lands and waterways.

As Climbing Magazine reported, The primary function of the PARC Act is to ensure that no federal agency will again try to classify fixed anchors or other climbing gearfrom bolts and pitons to tree slings as illegal installations in the Wilderness.

The EXPLORE bill also includes the Connect Our Parks Act, which will direct each national park to assess where broadband service is needed and develop a plan to increase access to internet and cellular service.

The Biking On Long-Distance Trails Act, another provision in the EXPLORE Act, will identify areas and existing bike trails that can be developed and improved. And the Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation Act will make outdoor recreation more accessible by streamlining the permitting process for outfitters, educational organizations, and community groups.
Utah Sen. Mike Lee said he will reintroduce legislation that would make it more difficult for noncitizens to vote.

The House is about to pass the SAVE Act again. I am reintroducing it in the Senate in the coming days. Only American citizens should be able to register and vote in American elections, he wrote in an X post Tuesday evening.

Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, and Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y., are reintroducing the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act in the House this week.

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Lee explained why he thinks the bill is necessary in another post, writing, Yes, its already illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections, but that law has become impossible to enforce due to a combination of court rulings & other developments The SAVE Act would fix that.

The legislation was initially passed in the House last July, but stalled in the Senate and was then removed from the budget bill after it failed to pass the House, per Democracy Docket. President Joe Biden opposed the SAVE Act, vowing to veto it if it passed in the Senate and the House, according to Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla.

What does the SAVE Act do?

According to its proponents, the SAVE Act does two things to ensure only American citizens are eligible to vote:

Requires voting applicants to provide documentary proof of United States citizenship in person to the office of the appropriate election official. Requires states to remove an individual who is not a citizen of the United States from the official list of eligible voters for elections for Federal office held in the State at any time when the office receives verified information the person is not a U.S. citizen.

Lee explained the language comes from Article I, Section 4, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution, which he referred to as the Elections Clause. He explained how this section gives Congress the power to regulate the Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives.

The SAVE Act was initially introduced July 2024 and met opposition

Addressing its initial opposition in Congress, Lee wrote on Tuesday, Congressional Democrats were wrong to block the SAVE Act based on their argument that noncitizens neither vote nor register to vote. We knew they were wrong last year when they were making that argument, and time has proven them wrongwith even more certainty than we had last year.

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In 17 states, including California, New York, Colorado and Washington D.C., various state laws have allowed migrants in the country illegally to obtain drivers licenses or drivers privilege cards, which some argue can work as a path to getting registered to vote.

In July 2024, the Washington, D.C., based think-tank, the Bipartisan Policy Center, voiced concern over the bill placing too much burden on citizens, claiming there are more effective ways to ensure the voter rolls include only eligible Americans and place the burden of proof on the state and federal government  not their citizens.

The Bipartisan Policy Center cited Arizonas federal-only list that tracks voters who were unable to provide proof of citizenship and claimed that noncitizens, college students and individuals experiencing homelessness  both transient populations that are more likely to lack identifying documentation  were disproportionately represented on the federal-only list.

However, others supporting the bill, including Immigration Accountability Project President Chris Chmielenski, have said it is necessary.

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Chmielenski said, Federal agencies and state DMVs offer voter registration forms to everyone with whom they come in contact, regardless of their citizenship. That dramatically increases the chances that some of the estimated 30 million noncitizens living in the United States  including illegal aliens  will register to vote and vote in upcoming elections.

The bill was co-sponsored in the House by Utah Rep. Burgess Owens, who also voiced his support Tuesday on X, writing, On board and on mission to SAVE American elections.

President-elect Donald Trump voiced his support of the bill in July on Truth Social, when he wrote, Republicans must pass the Save Act, or go home and cry yourself to sleep.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  The U.S. Senate is gearing up for a busy week of confirmation hearings for President-elect Donald Trumps cabinet picks next week.

Nominees were on Capitol Hill Tuesday trying to win over enough support from senators, but some will have a heavier lift than others.

Im 100% for Tulsi, said U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.). Shes going to be great.

Tuberville came out of his meeting with Tulsi Gabbard confident in her ability to lead the countrys intelligence community.

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The citizens of this country can understand we trust the people thats running the United States of America, Tuberville said.

However, Gabbard will have to convince other Republicans who criticize her lack of experience and sympathetic views on Russia.

My background on the Armed Services Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee in Congress over eight years, service in the military now for over 22 years gives me a lot of the insight necessary, Gabbard said.

Trumps choice for Treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, also met with GOP senators Tuesday, who said he shares their concerns about the nations debt and spending.

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We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to turn things around in terms of our fiscal condition, said U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas.).

Bessent has some Republicans concerned about the Federal Reserves independence after he suggested having a shadow leader who could prioritize Trumps policies before the term of current chair, Jerome Powell, expires. Cornyn said it did not come up during their meeting.

On Monday, the Feds top financial regulator, Michael Barr, announced his resignation after facing threats from Trump to fire or demote him.

Trump said during a Tuesday press conference to expect a new name soon.

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Ill be announcing somebody, Trump said.

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 DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Sen. Van Wanggaard and Rep. Patrick Snyder testified about the voter ID constitutional amendment proposal Tuesday. (Screenshot via WisEye)

Wisconsin Senate Republicans  worried about potential future actions that could weaken current laws  pushed forward a proposal Tuesday to amend the state constitution to require that voters provide photo identification when casting their ballots.

The state implemented voter ID laws fully for the first time in 2016, requiring voters to show a valid photo ID when casting their ballots. Republican lawmakers said they want to add it to the state constitution to make it harder to repeal the requirement and harder for the state Supreme Court to overrule the law. With the measure added to the constitution, it would take another constitutional amendment to remove it.

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Republicans on the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee passed the measure Tuesday, despite Democrats complaining that it was being rushed through, is redundant given current state law and that voter ID laws are harmful.

The Senate plans to consider the measure as a whole Wednesday morning, so it can then be sent to the Assembly in time for it to be placed on the April ballot, coinciding with the election to fill a consequential open Supreme Court seat from which Justice Ann Walsh Bradley is retiring.

It is no secret that liberal activists and Democrats are filing court cases left and right, trying to overturn laws that have been previously found constitutional by the Wisconsin Supreme Court and/or the federal courts, said Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine), who co-authored the proposal, during the hearing.

Wanggaard noted that since 2023, when the state Supreme Court shifted from a conservative to a liberal majority, there have been challenges to the states 1849 law that banned abortion for a time following the overturning of Roe v. Wade and a challenge to Act 10. He said that some have suggested online that voter ID should be challenged also.

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We can be sure that a new lawsuit challenging its constitutionality is coming to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. I cannot say for certain how the Wisconsin Supreme Court would rule on voter ID laws, but Im also not willing to risk Wisconsins Supreme Court unburdened by precedent, Wanggaard said. The only way to ensure that our future Supreme Courts will not overturn voter ID is to enshrine this basic election integrity law in Wisconsins Constitution.

Wanggaard also mentioned past comments made by the Judge Susan Crawford, who is running for a seat on the state Supreme Court and has drawn backing from Democratic and liberal interest groups. She has opposed the states voter ID law in the past and called such measures draconian.

Crawford faces Brad Schimmel, a former Wisconsin attorney general in the race, who has supported voter ID and suggested that the states requirement may have helped President-elect Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson win Wisconsin in 2016.

To protect voter ID requirements, Republicans proposal would add language in the state constitution requiring that to vote, a qualified elector in any election must first present a photo ID issued by the state, by the federal government, by a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band, or by a college or university in Wisconsin. The amendment would require acceptable forms of ID to be specified in law, authorize lawmakers to pass laws establishing exceptions to the photo ID requirement and require that a person unable to present valid ID before voting on Election Day must be given the opportunity to cast a provisional ballot and present a valid photo ID at a later time and place.

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To enact a constitutional amendment, lawmakers must pass identically worded proposals in two consecutive legislative sessions before sending it to voters, who decide whether to ratify the change. Republicans passed the proposal the first time in November 2023.

Tuesdays hearing in the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee was the first of the new legislative session, and Democratic lawmakers criticized both the measure and the last-minute scheduling of the hearing, which was noticed late Monday afternoon following lawmakers swearing-in ceremony.

Sen. Kelda Roys (D-Madison) said she was disappointed that Republicans were rushing to impose their policy choices on the state of Wisconsin in perpetuity, but have been hesitant to act after other rights, including reproductive rights and the right to privacy, have been threatened.

When those rights are stripped away by the federal Supreme Court, this body refuses to act, Roys said. But when we want to hurt people and make it harder for them to exercise one of the most fundamental rights in our democracy, the right to vote, were very, very eager to do that.

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Wanggaard said that lawmakers have tripped over themselves trying to make it easy to get an ID. He noted that free ID cards for voting are accessible through the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles.

I cant think of any other reason why they shouldnt be able to get that identification unless theyre not lawfully eligible to begin with, Wanggaard said.

Roys said that there can be barriers to fulfilling voter ID requirements, even if an ID itself is ostensibly free. She said those include the cost of obtaining necessary documents to get a voting ID, such as a birth certificate or proof of residence, as well as accessibility of and transportation to the DMV for an ID.

A report by UW-Madison political scientists about the laws impact during the 2016 election found that in Dane and Milwaukee counties between 8,000 and 17,000 registered nonvoters were deterred from voting, and between 4,000 and 11,000 were prevented from voting due to the states voter ID law.

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It doesnt really matter how many people voted or what percentage of people voted. When it comes to peoples rights, one eligible voter who is not able to exercise their right is too many, Roys said. She pointed to the study, saying that there is a lot of evidence that we have just in Dane and Milwaukee counties that voters were turned away not able to vote or deterred from voting because of our restrictive voter ID laws.

Because they were required to have an identification card? Wanggaard retorted. Come on, thats ridiculous. Go get an ID if you want to vote and thats so important.

Roys said she was concerned that the lawmakers were overlooking the problems that people could be facing.

When you gloss over the actual problems that real people have, just because you didnt experience it, I think thats evidence of very lazy policymaking, Roys said. Were not here to decide whats the best policy for anyone who has the privilege of sitting at this table, we are here to make policy for for a single mom whos got a disabled kid and has limited access to transportation and lives in a rural county that doesnt even have a DMV thats open three days a week.

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Apart from the authors, no one at the hearing testified in favor of the proposal. Representatives from the League of Women Voters Wisconsin, Disability Rights Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign and All Voting is Local testified in opposition to the resolution, with many bringing up similar concerns about accessibility for certain people, including those with disabilities, students, low-income voters

Rep. Patrick Snyder (R-Weston) noted that a voter who doesnt have ID at the polling place can still cast a provisional ballot.

A provisional ballot is one issued to a voter who is unable to provide the poll workers with documentation as required by Wisconsin or federal law. A provision ballot can be marked at the time, but is set aside and not counted until the voter either returns to the polling place during polling hours to show a photo ID or present a valid voter ID at their clerks office before 4 pm on the Friday after the election.

Sen. LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee) said provisional ballots can pose another barrier for voters. Returning to the polls can be difficult if someone doesnt have reliable transportation or needs to take time off from work, she said

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Johnson also said she was frustrated lawmakers decided that the measure was Republicans first priority for the session.

If we want to ensure that everybody has the right to vote, we could make automatic registration at the time people turn 18, which would give everybody in this state equal opportunity to vote. We can make it automatic, and we can make voter IDs free automatically But were not, Johnson said.

This is our No. 1 priority  on top of our kids, on top of mental health, on top of lack of need and so many other issues. Voter ID is our priority, Johnson continued. I think it sets a precedent in this committee about the people that we send here and what we think our constituents care about.

The Assembly Campaigns and Elections plans to meet Wednesday morning to consider the proposal.

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MADISON, Wis. (WFRV)  A Wisconsin State Senator announced that $1.2 million in state funding will officially be used to fix the Nitschke Bridge starting at the end of January.

According to a release from the office of Senator Eric Wimberger (R-Oconto), the money was secured during the 2023-24 State Budget to end the bridges frequent closures.

Got that dawg in you? MUG Root Beer says prove it!

It was alarming to see a Green Bay traffic artery as critical as the Ray Nitschke Bridge fall victim to yet another closure due to faulty electrical and technical hardware, Sen. Wimberger said via the release. Commuters shouldnt have to worry about malfunctions interfering with their drive to work, appointments or wherever they may need to go during the day.

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The Bridge was opened in 1998 and has since been hit with numerous malfunctions in recent years, with the most recent on Friday, January 3.

Officials said there was an electrical short in one equipment piece, and that it wasnt indicative of an issue with the structure itself.

Biden says he couldve beaten Trump in November

Senator Wimbergers release concluded that work to repair the Ray Nitschke Bridges technical components will begin at the end of the month.

No details on potential delays or impacts on traffic were provided.

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 WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
A former aide to Bashar Assad discussed the recent collapse of the Syrian government.

He pointed to a "trick" by Russia's Vladimir Putin in an interview with Saudi media.

Russia was unwilling to come to Assad's rescue as rebels advanced.

A former aide to Syria's deposed President Bashar Assad described how he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin contributed to the country's collapse.

Speaking to Al Arabiya, a news outlet owned by the government of Saudi Arabia, Kamel Saqr said Putin stalled on a high-stakes effort to broker military help to Assad's forces.

That, he said, left them too weak to repel the rebels who ultimately overthrew Assad in December.

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Assad had long relied on support from Russia and also from Iran to maintain power through Syria's long civil war.

Per Saqr's telling, both allies looked the other way as collapse loomed.

Assad was in Moscow as rebels seized control of Syria's second-biggest city, Aleppo, on November 29.

Saqr said in the interview that, during the trip, Assad asked Putin to help transport weapons from Iran via a Russian-occupied base in Syria.

"Bashar al-Assad's request to Putin was for him to personally handle the secure aerial transportation necessary to deliver military aid to support or stop the advance of the Syrian opposition," Saqr said.

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His description of behind-the-scenes events could not be verified by Business Insider.

According to Saqr, Putin agreed to the request for arms to be transported using Russia's Hmeimim airbase in Syria.

"But what happened," he said, "was that the Iranians told Bashar al-Assad, 'we did not receive any signals to proceed with moving Iranian aircraft to the Hmeimim base [or to] fly through Iraqi airspace to land at the base.'"

"The question was relayed to Moscow, but no answer came."

The Al Arabiya interviewer asked whether the failed maneuver was down to a "trick" by Putin, and replied that there was "no other explanation."

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The Kremlin at the time would not confirm reports Assad was in Moscow as rebels advanced. Saqr told Al Arabiya that he started to believe something was off after the Kremlin refused to release a joint press statement after the leaders met.

Russia and Iran were Assad's two chief international allies, but as rebels began driving back government forces in a lightning advance, neither stepped up to help.

Analysts say that Russia was too distracted by its invasion of Ukraine to offer significant support. Iran and its ally Hezbollah, the Lebanon-based militia, were both badly weakened in their clashes with Israel.

As rebels advanced on the capital, Damascus, Russia flew Assad and his family out of the country, providing them refuge in Moscow.

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Saqr, in the interview, said Assad had waited several hours on December 8 at Russia's Hmeimim base for his flight out, ending the Assad family's five decades in power.

"My information suggests that he stayed at the base for several hours until the plane was secured, prepared, and its takeoff and flight to Moscow were ensured," Saqr said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Dozens of seniors from multiple assisted living facilities and nursing homes had to be rushed out into the streets as a fast-moving wildfire closed in on Tuesday night.

The Eaton Fire started in the Angeles National Forest but fueled by high winds, it quickly pushed into neighborhoods in Altadena and Pasadena, north of Los Angeles.

Staff at The Terraces At Park Marino sprang into action and pushed residents out in wheelchairs and hospital beds, getting them to a nearby parking lot.

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Residents at the Pasadena Park Healthcare & Wellness Center were also rushed out and weaved through jam-packed streets. Dozens of seniors were then loaded into ambulances and any other vehicles available to get them to safety.

(MORE: Today's Wind Forecast For California)

As the chaotic scene unfolded, staff and emergency workers struggled in the high winds that swirled smoke and embers around them, bringing the fire closer. There were no immediate injuries reported but at least five deaths have now been blamed on the Eaton Fire.

Before sunrise on Wednesday morning, local reports showed evacuated facilities going up in flames. Mandatory evacuation orders are in place across Pasadena and Altadena and classes were canceled across the Pasadena school district on Wednesday.

The Eaton fire started around 6 p.m. local time on Tuesday and its now burned more than 16 square miles with 0% containment. It is one of three large wildfires burning in the Los Angeles area, fueled by fierce Santa Ana winds.

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Wind gusts got as high as 99 mph in the region overnight, according to the National Weather Service. Dozens of buildings have burned and tens of thousands of people have been forced to evacuate.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom also declared a state of emergency due to the fires.

(MORE: The Science Behind Santa Ana Winds)
Sen. Ruben Gallego is cosponsoring a Republican-led measure to mandate federal custody of illegal immigrants involving crimes down to shoplifting.

The bill, named for Laken Riley, a Georgia woman believed to be slain last year by an illegal immigrant, passed the House of Representatives on Tuesday and is scheduled for a vote in the Senate, perhaps by Friday.

Gallegos support provides Republicans at least one of the seven Democratic votes needed to sidestep any effort to use the filibuster to prevent its passage in that chamber.

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Gallego, D-Ariz., voted for a similar bill last year as a member of the House and on Wednesday cast the issue of crime by illegal immigrants in the same stark language as many Republicans.

Arizonans know the real-life consequences of todays border crisis, he said in a written statement. We must give law enforcement the means to take action when illegal immigrants break the law, to prevent situations like what occurred to Laken Riley. I will continue to fight for the safety of Arizonans by pushing for comprehensive immigration reform and increased border security.

Jacob Peters, a spokesman for Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., said he will also be backing the bill.

Senator Kelly will vote for the Laken Riley Act and looks forward to working with Republicans and Democrats on it and other solutions to secure the border and fix our broken immigration system, Peters said.

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For Gallego, the bill offers an early measure of his willingness to battle the legislative agenda Republicans intend to pursue. In an interview with The Arizona Republic last week, Gallego said he would not automatically, knee-jerk reject anything that comes from the White House.

What I focus on and what Ive talked about on the campaign trail and what Arizonans talked to me about is that they want more border security, he said. They want more customs police officers. They want, where necessary, border walls, and, yeah, they want certain types of illegal immigrants deported.

What I didnt hear is for family separations, and I didnt hear about jailing kids or anything of that nature. What Im going to do is actively work with Democrats and Republicans and this White House to fulfill that demand.

His support offers an early sign that Republicans could move toward swift passage of a bill that builds on public support for a crackdown on illegal immigrants and any social ills associated with them. Its critics say the measure offers little substantive new security and could open new paths to abuse.

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Rep. Sean Casten, D-Ill., outlined his opposition to the House bill in a social media post Tuesday that said deportation for felony crimes is already against the law.

Todays bill would have made it deportable not to be *convicted* of a felony but simply to have been charged with a felony. That completely eliminates due process, Casten wrote. If you overstay your visa should you be deportable simply because your ex accused you of a crime?

Riley, a 26-year-old nursing student at Augusta University in Georgia, died from blows to the head in February. Her remains were found along a running trail near the University of Georgia.

Jose Antonio Ibarra, the Venezuelan national indicted on murder charges, has come to symbolize a slow-moving deportation process that allowed a slaying that jarred the nation and became rocket fuel for advocates of a tougher approach to the issue.

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According to the New York Times, federal authorities in Texas arrested Ibarra after he crossed the border in 2022 but quickly released him under policies in place at the time. Poor relations with Venezuela added to a sluggish deportation process with that country.

While free on his border violation, Ibarra picked up a minor citation in New York for operating a scooter without a license and, later, a shoplifting case in Georgia about four months before Riley died.

Last year Gallegos Republican opponent, Kari Lake, repeatedly invoked Rileys death as a sign of widespread crime perpetrated by illegal immigrants that endangered Americans. That echoed President-elect Donald Trumps rhetoric on the issue as well.

Trumps win came as Americans expressed greater concern with immigration and border issues.

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A December poll by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that about half of U.S. adults identified it as their top issue. That was up from about a third of adults in a similar poll taken the year before.

The House passed the latest version of the Laken Riley Act on Tuesday 264-159 with support from 48 Democrats.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Sen. Ruben Gallego sides with GOP on 'Laken Riley' migrant crime bill
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A violent robbery in Davidson County is the latest charge against a man accused of committing similar crimes in Nashville over the past few years.

Kenya Lewis, 50, was taken into custody on Jan. 7 after he was identified in a police lineup.

Data shows MNPDs response times have increased in recent years

According to court documents, the robbery took place on Dec. 11, 2024, after Lewis and a woman had a disagreement regarding property. Lewis reportedly pulled out a gun and hit the woman over the head before telling her, Take all your stuff off, reports said. He then reportedly took the womans cell phone, coat and a backpack containing other items.

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Authorities said the victim sustained severe lacerations to her head after the incident.

Weeks later, on Dec. 30, 2024, the victim positively identified Lewis in a photo lineup coordinated by the Metro Nashville Police Department.

CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee

Documents from the MNPD indicated that officers recognized Lewis for his involvement in other crimes. News 2 previously reported on additional robberies Lewis is accused of carrying out, including a daytime robbery in Centennial Park in July 2024 and the robbery of a woman as she walked home in the West End area in 2021.

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According to Davidson County Sheriffs Office records, Lewis was arrested for the December incident on Jan. 7 and charged with aggravated robbery. He is currently detained on a $150,000 bond.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
All told, there have been 830 House bills and 325 Senate bills filed for this year  1,155 total, according to James Vara, the director of the Office of Legislative Services. (Dana Wormald | New Hampshire Bulletin)

New Hampshires 2025 legislative session is kicking off this month. But the flood of legislation proposed by lawmakers this year means State House staff are scrambling to get it all ready.

All told, there have been 830 House bills and 325 Senate bills filed for this year  1,155 total, according to James Vara, the director of the Office of Legislative Services. That seven-person office is tasked with taking every bill request from every lawmaker and turning it into a piece of legislation that would change state statute if passed.

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The high number of bills has kept OLS cranking; the team has been working through every holiday since Thanksgiving, Vara says, including Christmas.

For each bill request, the office creates a draft piece of legislation, the lawmaker reviews that draft, and the lawmaker either signs off on the first draft, chooses to scrap the bill and withdraw it, or requests changes to the bill. In the latter case, the office has to take the bill back for revisions.

OLS isnt the only entity involved in finalizing the bills. The states Legislative Budget Assistant, another nonpartisan part of the legislative branch, must then assess any bill that might have a fiscal impact and collect analysis from relevant state agencies. And the House and Senate clerks offices must assign each bill a number and work with the House speaker and Senate president to send those bills to a committee.

All of that takes time.

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The result: Just 252 of the 1,155 bills had been formally assigned bill numbers and committees as of Tuesday afternoon. But the business of the House and Senate is continuing nonetheless, even if some of the bills will be trickling onto the General Court website in the coming weeks.

On Wednesday, the House and Senate will each hold a Convening Day, in which the election results will officially be certified and both chambers will entertain any changes to the rules. Next week, starting Jan.13, House and Senate committees will start taking up bills for hearings, even as OLS and the LBA race to complete them all.

As we wait for the rest of the legislation to emerge, heres our 2025 guide for how to find, track, and testify on bills.

How do I find and follow bills?

Right now, many bills are in the form of legislative service requests, meaning they are still being drafted by OLS. You can find the list of LSRs  of which there are more than 900  online at this link.

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Some of those LSRs have bill text linked beside them; this is the language that lawmakers will decide whether to pass into law, and some of this proposed text will be tweaked as it moves through the legislative process. LSRs that dont yet have bill text available include limited information such as their titles, which can give hints at their intent, and lawmakers who have signed on as sponsors.

These bills build on, repeal, or otherwise alter existing law. In New Hampshire, the law is separated into sections called Revised Statutes Annotated, or RSAs. If you want to compare a bill to its applicable RSA to see what it would change, add, or delete, you can find a full list here. Separately, you can see a copy of the state constitution here.

There are a number of ways to search for bills through the Legislatures website. One is an advanced search feature for current bills, which allows you to search by a number of categories, such as by bills status in either chamber, their originating body, their texts and titles, and more.

But lets say you want to see if a certain issue has been brought up before in the State House. Then you might want to use the advanced bill status search, which allows you to search through bills ranging back to 1989. You can also search by sponsor, status in the Legislature, title, and more.

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On the General Courts homepage, you can also search for bills by text and by legislator, if youre interested in a particular topic or want to see what your lawmakers are doing.

You can also sign up for emails from the General Court. When you make an account, it will give you the option to sign up for House and Senate calendars and journals. You can also subscribe to email updates on specific bills.

Who represents me? How can I contact them?

New Hampshires vast Legislature allows for more direct contact between lawmakers and their constituents.

You can find your representative in the 400-person House using this online search tool. If youre not sure what ward youre in, you can plug your address into this map from Citizens Count.

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You can find your state senator by searching your town in this tool.

Once you find your lawmakers, you will be routed to their informational pages, which includes background information, committee assignments, and contact information.

If you want to find the lawmakers on specific House committees, you can look here, and for Senate committees, you can look here. Bills begin in, and are shaped by, these area-specific committees.

The fate of many bills are decided on voice votes or division votes, meaning the outcome is known but there is no record of how each individual legislator voted. However, some measures get roll call votes, meaning each members decision is recorded by name. Though it doesnt encompass every bill, you can search lawmakers voting records here.

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And if you want to see the groups and people backing your lawmakers political operations, you can search through campaign finance disclosures here.

How do I give input on bills and follow the legislative process?

While you can make your voice heard by contacting individual lawmakers, depending on who represents you or who serves on a particular committee, you also have other options.

One is to attend a hearing on a bill and let lawmakers know how you feel in person. First, youll want to know when the bills youre interested in are being heard, which you can do by searching the bill and finding its next hearing date or by keeping an eye on the House and Senate schedules. Then, you decide how you want to voice your opinion. Citizens Count has a guide to testifying at the State House. You can simply indicate your position to lawmakers or submit written testimony, or you can sign up to speak for a few minutes.

A second option, if you cant make it to Concord, is to use the Legislatures online portals. The House has an online testimony submission system, where you can indicate your position on the bill and, optionally, add testimony explaining your stance. The Senate has a remote sign-in sheet, which only allows you to mark off whether you are supportive of a bill, opposed, or neutral. Written testimony can be submitted via the Email Entire Committee link found on the Senate committee page.

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Livestreams of the House and Senate, and their committees, are available on YouTube, as are recordings of past meetings.

Whats coming up in the legislative calendar?

The first event this week  Wednesdays Convening Day  will not feature legislation. Instead, the full House and Senate will separately certify the 2024 election results. And then both chambers will decide whether to make changes to the rules.

One such change will likely spark debate: House Republican Majority Leader Jason Osbornes proposal to empower House committees to table bills and deny them public hearings if three quarters or more of the committee votes to do so. Democrats have opposed that rule, which was recommended by the House Rules Committee, 5-4, in December.

Aside from the few rule change proposals that are publicly known, there will likely be more Wednesday, in the form of floor amendments brought by individual lawmakers.

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On Thursday, Representatives Hall will host a very different event: The inaugural address of Gov.-elect Kelly Ayotte, who will be formally sworn in. That address, which kicks off at 10 a.m., is optional for House and Senate lawmakers, and will also likely include commissioners, staff, family, and members of the public.

House and Senate committees will kick off their work starting next week  look to the House and Senate calendars, which will both be posted on the General Court website on Friday, for details on specific bills.

And in mid-February, Ayotte will return to Representatives Hall for her first major test as governor: The reveal of her proposed budget and an address to the Legislature.

That speech, which typically happens near Valentines Day, will kick off a budget season that will last until the end of June.
Jan. 7Several agricultural conferences are planned in January and February for area farmers and ranchers.

Soils and Crops

The 100th annual Lawrence County Soils and Crops Conference will be held from 6 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 14, at the Southwest Research, Extension and Education Center, 14548 Route H, near Mount Vernon.

"This conference will provide science-based information to help local ranchers build the resiliency of their operation, specifically pertaining to the agronomic side of raising livestock, i.e. drought resilience, weed management and soil health," Ian McGregor, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist, said in a statement.

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McGregor will be discussing options for drought resilient forage management.

Tim Schnakenberg, Extension agronomy field specialist, will discuss weed management, and will also touch on novel technologies that will aid in broad-leaf control while conserving pasture clover populations.

Caleb O'Neal, new Extension agronomy and horticulture field specialist, will be discussing livestock and forage management for improving soil health and drought-resilient characteristics.

Southwest Cattlemen's Association and local businesses are supporting this program by providing a free ribeye steak sandwich for those who preregister early. Financial support is provided by Ozark Electric Cooperative, Mid-Missouri Bank of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce and the Lawrence County Farm Bureau.

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There is no charge to attend, but attendees must preregister by Friday with the MU Extension Center of Lawrence County to order a meal and reserve a seat. Preregister at https://extension.missouri.edu/events/soils-crops-conference-lawrence-county or call 417-466-3102.

Beef Cattle Conference

MU Extension is partnering with Missouri State University to provide the Southwest Missouri Beef Cattle Conference next month in Springfield.

It will be held Feb. 11 at the Christopher S. Bond Learning Center at the Darr Agricultural Center, which is part of the Darr Agriculture College at Missouri State University. This facility is at 2401 S. Kansas Expressway. The conference begins at 9:30 a.m. and lasts through the day.

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"This conference has a mix of industry and university people providing cattle producers strategies to add value to their beef cattle and operation," Patrick Davis, Extension livestock field specialist, said in a statement.

Topics include:

Cattle breeding programs to add value to beef cattle operations, by Adam McGee, assistant professor in animal science at Missouri State.

Using genomics and expected progeny differences to add value to beef cattle operations, by Clint Bailey, animal science graduate student at the University of Missouri.

Calf management to add value to beef cattle operations, by Cameron Locke, veterinarian with Cedar Creek Veterinary Services.

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Using data to add value to beef cattle operations, by Mike John, Health Track Network.

Agriculture businesses that support the conference will have booths set up.

For more information or to have a booth, contact the Cedar County MU Extension Center at 417-276-3313. Deadline to register for a booth and to pay the fee is Feb. 4.

Lunch will be included with the registration. Conference fee is $20 per person. To attend, registration and fee payment is required by Feb. 5. Register at https://cvent.me/ENGrAy or make checks payable to the Cedar County MU Extension and mail to the Cedar County MU Extension Center, 113 South St., Stockton, MO 65785. No refunds for cancellations will be given after the registration deadline. No walk-in registration will be allowed. For more information on registration, contact the Cedar County MU Extension Center at 417-276-3313 or Davis at davismp@missouri.edu.

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Spring Forage Conference

The Southwest Missouri Spring Forage Conference will be held Tuesday, Feb. 25, at the Oasis Hotel and Convention Center, 2546 N. Glenstone Ave. in Springfield.

Gary Bates, head of the department of plant science at University of Tennessee, is the keynote speaker.

Bates previously served as the director of the University of Tennessee Beef and Forage Center for 12 years and a forage extension specialist for almost 30 years. He also will offer a second talk during the conference, titled "Steps to Successful Forage Establishment," which covers advances in seeding technology.

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Breakout sessions include grazing cover crops, annuals for forages, sun hemp, soil fertility, native warm-season grass establishment, fescue toxicosis and counteracting it with forage legumes, matching beef cows to their environment, experience from the front lines of custom grazing, managing mineral nutrition in beef cattle, flexible stocking rates for profitability, and livestock safety tips for warm-season grasses.

The conference also provides educational sessions specific to sheep and goat producers, including forage for sheep and goats, solar grazing, and market outlook. In addition, a panel of speakers will discuss getting paid to graze sheep and goats.

A trade show is held in conjunction with the conference. If interested in becoming an exhibitor or sponsor, contact Jody Wade at the Webster County Soil and Water Conservation District office at 417-468-4176, ext. 3, or by email at jody.wade@swcd.mo.gov.

Conference check-in begins at 8 a.m., with sessions running from 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. A banquet luncheon is included with the registration. The cost is $55 per person. To attend, register by Feb. 13 at www.springforageconference.com. No walk-in registrations will be allowed. For additional questions, contact Wade.
On Tuesday, the Attorney Generals Office announced it will be suing six landlords for illegally working together and with the software company RealPage to raise North Carolinians rents.

Those six landlords include Greystar Real Estate Partners LLC, Blackstones LivCor LLC, Cushman & Wakefield Inc., Pinnacle Property Management Services LLC, Willow Bridge Property Company LLC, and Cortland Management LLC.

Channel 9 learned Greystar Real Estate Partners LLC owns a handful of complexes in NoDa. They and the other landlords are accused of using artificial intelligence to align their prices, swindling renters out of millions.

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Together, these landlords own or manage more than 70,000 units throughout the state, including cities like Charlotte.

ALSO READ: Judge indicates lawsuit can continue after raw sewage damages womans home

Renter Dante Brodie told Channel 9 that he lived at a Cortland Management Property for two years.

I didnt take it as too harsh when they were raising the rent, because I just figured thats how Charlotte is, Brodie said.

He said when he moved in, his rent was around $1,500, but by the end of his lease it increased significantly.

It was all of $1,800. Like, with utilities, I was paying like, over almost $1,900, said Brodie.

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Brodie said he thought a price hike in rent every renewal year was normal if you wanted to live in the Queen City until Channel 9 became aware of why he was dishing out more money.

Its very unfair, especially to Charlotte citizens, Brodie expressed.

The lawsuit claimed that landlords would use Realpages algorithm to align rent prices and avoid competition.

It goes on to say the landlords would share sensitive data, including renewal rates, occupancy, and strategies for setting rents.

Brodie said this is a harmful tactic, especially for those who are struggling to pay rent.

Expensive rent being more than you want is super-inconvenient, Brodie expressed. A lot of people cant stay in Charlotte. A lot of people got to go back home or move away somewhere cheaper just to save money.

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He said he hopes the outcome of the lawsuit will better help tenants who call Charlotte home.

It would be great to see some justice, and, most of all, some stability in Charlotte, where its not just fluctuating everywhere, Brodie concluded.

ALSO READ: Matthews widening project puts homes, real estate deals in jeopardy

Following the announcement, Greystar Real Estate Partners LLC released a statement addressing the lawsuit saying:

Greystar responded to the amended complaint that was filed today by the Department of Justice (DOJ), which added Greystar and other operators to its lawsuit against RealPage: We are disappointed that the DOJ added us and other operators to their lawsuit against RealPage.

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Greystar has and will conduct its business with the utmost integrity. At no time did Greystar engage in any anti-competitive practices.

We will vigorously defend ourselves in this lawsuit.

You can read the lawsuit in full here.

VIDEO: Judge indicates lawsuit can continue after raw sewage damages womans home








The Palatka Police Department said Wednesday there are several persons of interest in a Christmas Day shooting that killed a teen and a man, and injured one man.

PPD said in a Facebook post that guns were found near the teen and the man who died.

Dorrion McKinnon, 17, of Palatka, who died from his injuries, had a rifle at the time of the incident. The gun was recovered on the ground next to Dorrion before he was transported to the hospital, police said.

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Police said a handgun was lying on the ground near Tyree Gilyard, 23, of Palatka, who was also killed in the shooting.

These guns are being processed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, PPD said.

Christmas Day 2024 Shooting Investigation Update: The investigation into the shooting that took place on Christmas Day... Posted by Palatka Police Department on Wednesday, January 8, 2025

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The man who was injured in the shooting, Dazail Dennis, 21, of Crescent City, has been released from the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery, police said.

Investigators believe additional suspects were involved in the shooting and played a significant role in the incident, PPD said.

Anyone who may have information on the shooting is asked to contact Lt. Colten Lee or Sgt. David Lazo at 386-329-0115. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida at 1-888-277-8477. Information that leads to the arrest of a suspect may pay up to $5,000.

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SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  The Sevierville Police Department is asking for information about a missing juvenile last seen on December 31.

Dakota Spradling, 17, was last seen in Sevierville. She has brown hair and brown eyes. She is 59 and weighs approximately 250 pounds.

Knoxville to get $24.7M RAISE grant for pedestrian bridge

(Image from Sevierville Police Department)

[Spradling] could possibly be traveling in a 2006 White Chevrolet Impala with a temporary license plate, SPD reported.

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Anyone with information about her is encouraged to call SPD at 865-453-5506 or the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation at 1-800-TBI-FIND.

This is a developing story. Download the WATE 6 News app or sign up for our email alerts for updates.

Authorities say nearly 400 people go missing in Tennessee each year. Thats five people for every 100,000. Check this list of people missing from East Tennessee to see if you can help locate someone.

Copyright 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 WATE 6 On Your Side.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A federal investigation into a possible brothel blocked a portion of Hobson Pike in Antioch Wednesday morning.

A large police presence was spotted in the 2300 block of Hobson Pike near Hamilton Church Road around 6 a.m.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

(Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN)

Metro police blocked a portion of traffic while agents with the Department of Homeland Security (HSI) searched a property with a large amount of vehicles. Tactical officers were seen breaking windows of multiple vehicles parked in the lot.

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A spokesperson for Metro police said the department assisted HSI agents with the execution of a search warrant for a human trafficking operation, including a brothel at the 5-acre Hobson Pike property.

As officers approached the home, five men inside ran away, two of which ran across Hobson Pike and were later captured near J. Percy Priest Lake, according to Metro police. Hobson Pike was temporarily closed while officers searched for the men.

A Metro Nashville Public Schools spokesperson said the situation did not have an impact on our schools.

(Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

(Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

One of the five men was wanted by Metro police in connection with a September shooting at a suspected brothel on Mt. View Road. All five men were taken into custody. Authorities later identified the five men arrested as Gianfranco Augusto Barazarte-Morales, Felix Rafael-Ortega, Elmer Humberto Aparicio-Castillo, Idenis Alexander Sanchez-Paredes and Wilfredo Jose Mata-Fornerino.

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The investigation is also linked to the deadly shooting of three men at a home on Bart Drive.

There is no danger to the community. The community can be assured that our PD and our federal partners have been working diligently since last year to further this investigation and were taking it step by step meticulously and methodically and what youre seeing this morning is part of that, explained MNPD spokesperson Don Aaron.

RELATED: 3 dead after overnight shooting in Antioch

According to court documents, the men used business cards to promote prostitution at the home. Undercover officers reportedly messaged the number about prostitution services and received the homes address and images of semi-nude women.

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Inside the home, officers found several small rooms that were portioned off to fit a mattress with a curtain for a door, according to Metro police. Officers also located condoms, lingerie and a ledger with names, dates and what appeared to be how many clients each name had serviced that day.

Agencies involved in the lengthy investigation include HSI, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and MNPDs specialized investigation unit.

No additional information was immediately released.

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House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi raises his hand as he takes the oath of office for his third term leading the chamber. Holding his family bible is his niece Samantha Shekarchi. Administering the oath is Rhode Island Supreme Court Associate Justice Maureen McKenna Goldberg. (Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)

The familiar shrill of a bell reverberated through the Rhode Island State House hallways Tuesday afternoon, signaling the start of the 2025 legislative session.

Lawmakers hugged and laughed, posing for selfies with each other and family and friends who came to celebrate. Yet the proceedings across the rotunda offered two very different looks at how legislative leaders are approaching a grueling six months ahead of tough policy choices, set against the backdrop of a projected $330 million deficit for the fiscal year that starts July 1.

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House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi came ready with pages upon pages of prepared remarks celebrating the lower chambers accomplishments and previewing the priorities ahead. By contrast, Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, fresh off a challenge from his right flank for the president role, spoke for mere minutes, with long pauses reminiscent of his appearance during the 2024 session as he faced health challenges.

I think that was the shortest opening remarks in my 13-year-history, said Sen. Ryan Pearson, the former Senate majority leader who unsuccessfully challenged Ruggerio for the president position during a November caucus.

Shekarchi enjoyed unanimous support from the 61 House Democrats and the chambers lone Independent in his formal reelection to the leadership role Tuesday, facing no challenger. All 10 members of the Republican caucus voted for House Minority Leader Michael Chippendale of Foster.

If my head math is right, I will overtake that rostrum in 2038, Chippendale quipped.

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Rep. Enrique Sanchez, a Providence Democrat, abstained from the speaker vote. Cranston Democrats Arthur Handy and Jacquelyn Baginski were not present, but wrote to the House clerk they would have voted for Shekarchi.

After he was sworn in, Shekarchi got down to business.

Along with the projected budget shortfall, there is immense pressure on some of our most critical systems: housing, health care, and our workforce are experiencing dire shortages, he said.

Housing has been Shekarchis top priority since winning the speakers gavel in 2021. His opening remarks highlighted passing close to 50 new laws meant to remove the red tape preventing more homes from being built across the state. He also pointed to voters recent approval of a $120 million housing bond, which includes a $10 million carveout in seed money for the state to become a public developer.

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A focal point of this session will be ensuring that these significant investments in housing are executed in a way that delivers maximum benefit in the least amount of time, Shekarchi said.

He also plans to closely monitor the states Department of Housing, which Shekarchi said has yet to become the driver of consistent housing policy. However, he was optimistic that new Housing Secretary Deborah Goddard can make some positive change.

Across the rotunda, Senate President Ruggerio was reaffirmed as Senate president by a 26-12 vote, with the dozen Democratic senators voting present as a symbol of lack of confidence. Ruggerios opening remarks acknowledged the topics he considered pressing only by name  health care, housing, economy and education  without further elaboration. Yet he too struck a rosy tone despite the mountain of touch political and financial decisions facing lawmakers this year.

As we work to build upon the progress we have made, we are fortunate to have a talented and diverse membership, each of whom brings different expertise and perspectives, Ruggerio, a North Providence Democrat, said.

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His speech offered no recognition of the rifts among Senate Democrats, despite the fact that nearly one-third of the chamber did not vote for him as Senate president.

A focal point of this session will be ensuring that these significant investments in housing are executed in a way that delivers maximum benefit in the least amount of time.

 House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi

The usual pomp and circumstance proceedings of the first day consumed most of the 90-minute session in the upper chamber  far shorter than usual, according to Pearson.

Yet there was still pageantry aplenty, from a color guard march to formal introductions of the dozens of friends and family members crammed elbow-to-elbow into folding chairs behind the lawmakers.

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The real work is soon beginning, including by a soon-to-be-formalized Senate panel tasked with studying artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. Ruggerio mentioned the new committee in his remarks Tuesday, with plans to name Westerly Democratic Sen. Victoria Gu as its chair. Gu, first elected in 2022, works as a software engineer and data analyst.

The committee is expected to be codified, with membership named next Tuesday, Jan. 14, Greg Pare, a Senate spokesperson said. A Senate vote is required to create new committees.

Also coming soon to the legislative calendar: oversight hearings on the Washington Bridge and the RIBridges cyberattack, which Shekarchi previously said he expected to occur in January.

The effectiveness of the states response to this crisis impacts so many Rhode Islanders, Shekarchi said Tuesday. In turn, our constituents deserve timely and accurate information.

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Shekarchis remarks never mentioned what the state will do to keep Hasbro Inc. headquartered in Rhode Island. The Pawtucket-based toy and gaming empire hinted last year it was looking to relocate to Massachusetts; Shekarchi in a December interview deferred to Gov. Dan McKee to take the lead on negotiations with Hasbro.

However, Shekarchi was eager to point to the General Assemblys role in keeping other companies  IGT and Ballys Corp  in the Ocean State.

Here, companies have direct access to government leaders, and our partners in government enjoy an extremely collaborative working relationship, Shekarchi said.

Gov. Dan McKee will offer his own set of priorities in the annual State of the State address, scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14.

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This story was updated to clarify the breakdown on K. Joseph Shekarchis reelection as House speaker.

Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien poses for a photo with Sen. Lori Urso, a Pawtucket Democrat, on the first day of the 2025 legislative session. (Nancy Lavin/Rhode Island Current)

Members of Rhode Island's House of Representatives are sworn into office Jan. 7, 2025, the first day of the legislative session. In the foreground raising her hand: Rep. Kathleen Fogarty, a South Kingstown Democrat. (Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)

House Minority Leader Michael Chippendale, a Foster Republican, sits at his desk on the first day of the 2025 legislative session on Jan. 7. (Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)

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Democratic Rep. David Bennet of Warwick, right, chats with Rep. Robert Craven, a North Kingstown Democrat, on the House floor just before the first session of 2025 began on Jan. 7. (Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)

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UNICOI COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL)  A North Carolina man who allegedly robbed a gas station and kidnapped the store clerk was arrested after a police chase in Unicoi County Wednesday morning.

Frank Rogers, Chief Deputy with the Unicoi County Sheriffs Department (UCSD), said officers were notified just before 6 a.m. by police in Winston-Salem regarding an armed robbery and kidnapping in their jurisdiction.

The suspect reportedly had a hostage and North Carolina authorities were able to track their location to Unicoi County, Rogers told News Channel 11.

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According to the Winston-Salem Police Department (WSPD), officers responded to a Speedway gas station at 12:31 a.m. and found the store empty. Security footage reportedly showed an armed robbery and the abduction of the female store clerk.

Winston-Salem police issued an alert and immediately began trying to find the victim and her vehicle, a 2019 white Ford Escape.

Body found in Hawkins Co. believed to be shooting suspect

Deputies with the UCSD and Erwin police located the suspect in Ford at the Black Diamond Gas Station in Unicoi just after 6 a.m. A brief pursuit ensued and ended on I-26 east near Exit 32 in Unicoi County after a pit maneuver, Rogers said.

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Our officers are trained to conduct these high-risk maneuvers, pit maneuvers, as you see here, Rogers said. Its not something that we want to do, but we train for the inevitable. On days like this, its good to have the training and our officers executed a perfect pit maneuver. You know, everybodys alive.

The abducted clerk was found restrained but unharmed in the back seat of the vehicle, according to the WSPD.

The suspect was identified by the WSPD as Deangelo Shamond Toomer, 40. The WSPD reported that investigators have found no indication that Toomer and the victim knew one another.

Toomer has an extensive criminal history, including 14 convictions in South Carolina for armed robbery, sexual assault and battery with the intent to kill, assault with a deadly weapon and more, the WSPD stated.

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Rogers said the suspect threw his weapon out of car window during the chase. A gun was recovered near the scene after a search by a Greene County Sheriffs Office K-9 and handler. Rogers called it a, key piece of evidence. He noted several agencies worked together for the best possible outcome of the situation.

Weve found that when everybody works together, good things happen, Rogers said. From the Winston-Salem sheriff and Erwin police and our officers, everybody. Just the reason we have a successful end to this is everybody working as a team. Its a team effort. These boys have done a remarkable job. We tore up a couple of cars, but, you know, we got the victim back for her family. Thats what matters most.

Toomer will be charged with aggravated kidnapping, fleeing and evading arrest out of Unicoi County, Rogers said. He is currently in the Unicoi County jail.

No injuries were reported in the incident.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A Portland man faces multiple charges related to the attempted luring and sexual corruption of a child through online conversations with an undercover detective, according to the Washington County Sheriffs Office.

Joseph Lee Lyons, 33, is among a group of four other men accused of attempting to lure children online on April 4, 2024, according to authorities. However, Lyon never showed up to the meeting location and investigators were unable to find him for several months.

Oregon firefighters answer call to help fight southern California wildfires

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Lyon was indicted on six counts of luring a minor and four counts of second-degree online sexual corruption of a child in November 2024.

On Jan. 3, 2025, Lyons was arrested in Portland and lodged at the Washington County Jail.

Oregon lawmakers call on Musk, Ramaswamy to stop wasteful plan to kill barred owls

During a conversation with investigators, Lyons admitted that he has met in person with multiple children that he connected with online, officials said in a press release.

Authorities believe Lyons may have other victims. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact police.

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 KOIN.com.
INDIANA COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ)  Troopers out of Punxsutawney are investigating after shotguns, a rifle and cold hard cash were reported stolen over the weekend.

State police were called Sunday afternoon, Jan 5. to a residence on Griffith Road in West Mahoning Township. The homeowner reported that two shotguns, a rifle and $1,100 in cash were taken from multiple buildings on the property.

According to the report, the following guns were stolen:

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Remmington 12 gauge shotgun  $200

Law Enforcement 12 gauge single pump  $300

Highpower pump 22 rifle  $150

It was reported the $1,100 was in denominations of $100 (x11) and that a chainsaw was also stolen.

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.

Anyone with information is asked to contact state police out of Punxsutawney at 814-938-0510.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com.
Saudi Arabia, the globe's largest oil producer, is leading efforts to block a United Nations agreement that would address growing plastic pollution, just a week after being called a "wrecking ball" in worldwide environmental talks, reported The New York Times.

What's happening?

Over 170 nations are working in Busan, South Korea, to create rules tackling plastic waste. However, Saudi Arabia and other petroleum-producing countries oppose limits on plastic production and won't support phasing out potentially harmful chemicals in plastic.

"We have seen countries trying to delay negotiation. This is unacceptable," said Jose Ramon Reyes Lopez, a delegate for the Dominican Republic, during a midweek session.

Should the government be allowed to restrict how much water we use?

Click your choice to see results and speak your mind

The Saudi team has slowed progress by demanding complete agreement on every decision and raising repeated procedural objections.

Why is plastic pollution concerning?

Plastic, made mostly from petroleum, poses increasing risks to our health and surroundings. The world makes nearly half a billion tons of plastic yearly, with only 9% getting recycled. Scientists estimate one garbage truck's worth of plastic enters oceans every minute.

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For oil-exporting countries like Saudi Arabia, plastic production becomes more vital as electric cars reduce fuel demand. Saudi Arabia's national plan sees chemicals for making plastic as key to its future growth.

What's being done about plastic pollution?

Over 100 countries have joined forces to set worldwide targets for reducing plastic production. This group now includes petroleum-producing nations like Canada and Norway. Rwanda, which banned single-use plastic bags and bottles in 2008, leads these efforts alongside other developing nations.

They point out that solving plastic pollution requires making less plastic overall. Some nations are considering moving talks outside UN channels to bypass opposition from petroleum producers. Others seek compromise, though this might result in weaker measures against plastic pollution.

But supporters of stronger action remain steady in pushing for production limits, even as they face pushback from major oil producers.

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.
Jubei Brown-Weaver knows he was lucky to land a rare apprenticeship with IT and consulting giant Accenture when he was a junior at McKinley Technology High School in Washington, D.C.

He won one of 20 available slots in a new high school apprenticeship program  just one of three at Accenture  in a city of 20,000 public high school students.

Three years later, Brown-Weaver, now 19, has become a full-time employee, earning more than $20 an hour as a package app developer at Accenture.

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But a good friend who missed out on the apprenticeships is struggling.

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Because of the luck of the draw that I had (Im working)  in the field that I want to be in, Brown-Weaver told a recent Brookings Institute panel on youth apprenticeships.

His friend, he said, works part time at Target, making minimum wage.

Its sad to see that I simply just got lucky that day, Brown-Weaver said.

Jubei Brown-Weaver discusses his apprenticeship at a Brookings Institute forum on youth apprenticeships. (Brookings.edu)

Providing high school students like Brown-Weaver a chance to try out possible careers has become a growing focus for families, public officials, schools and even businesses the last several years.

But all work opportunities arent created equal.

Theres a hierarchy of experiences that rise in commitment, intensity and benefit for students and providers  with career days and job fairs at the low end. At the top end are internships, where students work with adults; and apprenticeships, longer programs where students are paid to work and earn career credentials.

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Schools and communities routinely boast of making great efforts to better connect students with real work opportunities, but the reality is these efforts rarely go beyond career exposure events like career days or job shadows.

The ultimate internshipa paid experiencewe still have a long way to go to provide more opportunity for young people to experience those, said Julie Lammers, senior vice president of American Student Assistance, a non-profit connecting students to career training.

The best estimates available suggest five percent of students or less have the chance for the gold standard of work experiences  apprenticeships or internships.

Related

Americas High Schools Feeling Less Confident About Preparing Teens for Future

At the request of The 74, the U.S. Department of Labor compiled data showing a little over 10,000 16- to 18-year-olds started apprenticeships nationally last year  less than a tenth of a percent of the more than 13 million students that age. Thats including 18-year-olds who started apprenticeships after graduating high school.

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Its a dramatic difference from European countries such as Switzerland, where more than half of students use apprenticeships to start a career or as a stepping stone to university. Apprenticeships in Switzerland have the attention of Linda McMahon, the new appointee for U.S. secretary of education, who highlighted them in social media posts on the day her appointment was announced.

There are more internships than apprenticeships for high schoolers, but still not many. A 2018 survey of more than 800 students by American Student Assistance, a non-profit that works with students on career choices, showed while 79 percent were interested in trying a work experience, only 2 percent completed an internship in high school.

Though the percentage of employers offering high school internships has grown from 30 percent in 2018 to 38 percent today, ASA estimates only four to five percent of students actually are participating in internships.

Thats still a very small number of young people, Lammers said. Those organizations may only be offering one or two opportunities, so the volume is still not there.

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Lammers said schools are instead adding things that expose young people to work, but are not necessarily training them in specific skills.

ASAs recent survey found that close to half of employers offer mentorships, job shadowing, open houses and field trip visits  all valuable experiences for students but that barely scratch the surface of providing the skills and training needed for the world of work.

Related

How My HS Helped Me Find My Career Path When I Realized College Wasnt for Me

Companies are much more likely to offer career days and mentorships to high school students than take on the extra responsibility of internships, let alone apprenticeships, this 2023 survey of employers by American Student Assistance shows. (American Student Assistance)

Noel Ginsburg, co-chairman of the U.S. Department of Labors Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship said schools and businesses cant stop at just exposing students to careers.

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Its not a bad thing, he said. Its just not enough.

Its a lack of understanding what quality actually means when a school says, We have these partnerships with XYZ company, and they come in, theyre helping us in class, and sometimes theyll donate old whatever (equipment to train with), Ginsburg said. Thats not what apprenticeship isbut thats historically what it has been for them.

Experts have agreed on a rough hierarchy of work experiences for several years, often distinguishing between those where students learn about work and those where they learn how to work.

As a report this year co-written by Advance CTE, the national association of state directors of career technical education, notes, Work-based learning includes a continuum of experiences ranging from less intensive opportunities such as career awareness and career exploration to more intensive opportunities such as career preparation and career training.

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The Advance CTE hierarchy below is similar to those created in 2009 like this one by New Ways to Work, a Bay Area non-profit that has worked on career efforts in California and New York. Its also similar to those used by nonprofits like Brookings, ExcelInED, ASA or adopted by states such as Maryland, North Dakota, North Carolina, New Hampshire or Delaware, sometimes labeling the top level as career immersion, development or participation.

Heres how the nations career training officials view the different levels of career preparation schools and companies can give students, with each level taking a greater commitment from both students and providers. (Advance CTE)

Some take that hierarchy even farther. As officials in Indiana started developing plans for a statewide expansion of high school apprenticeships they ranked student work experiences with full registered apprenticeships at the top, pre-apprenticeships and other apprenticeships a level below, internships below those and work opportunities that teach students general employability skills a step lower.

The trouble is that while low-level career experiences like job fairs take just a few hours of time for students and businesses, apprenticeships and internships require much more effort from both sides.

This continuum of student career preparation experiences is another example of how experts rank opportunities by both impact and effort for providers and students.

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CityWorks DC, the program that organized Brown-Weavers apprenticeship, would like to expand to many more students, but is growing slowly.

We definitely need more opportunities and hope to offer more, but one reason there are so few are the systemic barriers that make what we do very resource intensive and challenging, said Lateefah Durant, CityWorks vice president of innovation.

She said it can be hard to find students that can commit to working several hours a week and fit that within their high school class schedules. Its also hard to find companies willing to take on high school students and train them.

In 2019, the programs first year, one of nine companies that took on apprentices backed out. And one of the other Accenture apprentices alongside Brown-Weaver had trouble meeting standards and was dropped.

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ASAs 2023 survey highlighted several common challenges businesses see as they start high school internships, including finding appropriate work for them, devoting staff to training them, scheduling around class schedules and whether students have transportation to work.

Companies pointed to several challenges to offering internships to high school students in this 2023 survey. (American Student Assistance)

Companies are less likely to view high school apprenticeships as a key part of building a workforce than just as a way to give back to the community. Using apprenticeships and internships as a real talent strategy, as they are in Europe, is key to them ever becoming widely available, experts say.

Those findings are in keeping with challenges experts have pointed to as holding growth of internships and apprenticeships back.

Transportation is a big problem for lower-income students, who often need to improve their career chances the most but rarely have their own car. And class schedules, along with extracurricular activities, can be a big hurdle too since they can limit the time a student can spend in a workplace each day.

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Indiana is among states trying to overcome these issues. Transportation costs could be covered by new Career Savings Accounts  state grants to students for training expenses. And the state is considering more flexible class schedules, so students can work at an apprenticeship a few days each week.

Related

Indiana Banking Apprenticeships and Academy to Break the Mold for U.S. Training

In many cases, with few companies stepping up to take on interns or apprenticeships, students are placed instead in government offices or with nonprofits that advocate for work opportunities. The D.C. program has apprentices with the Department of Labor and with New America, a left-leaning think tank that is part of the national Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship.

Indiana also placed early apprentices with Ascend Indiana, a non-profit that helped create them.

Schools and communities also lean on experiences that partly simulate or mirror work experience. These can include students doing exploratory summer internships with industry associations or schools that partner with companies so students earn money by doing a project, such as a small coding or marketing task, through school for the company.

Though theres no consensus on where these fall on the continuum of work experiences, ASAs Lammers said they can be worthwhile, if students are working on real-world problems for employers that intend to use the work product.

If it is high- intensity project based learning, where young people are still exposed to a careerand are able to understand that its not just sort of an academic exercise there is huge value in that, she said. It might not just be the nine-to- five paid experience that we sort of see in an internship, and that might be okay.

Others look to third parties that the field is calling intermediaries to navigate some of the complex legal, liability and training issues, as well as to recruit, select and train students, along with training company staff in how to work with teenagers.

In Boston, the citys Public Industry Council helps run paid summer internships for high schoolers, while also running staff training sessions to make sure students and companies benefit. CareerWise acts as an intermediary on some levels. Genesys Works, a non-profit, fills that role in eight regions  Houston, Minneapolis-St. Paul, San Francisco, Chicago, New York City, Tulsa and Washington, D.C., with Jacksonville coming next year.

Genesys gives students eight-week of unpaid training in the summer after 11th grade before placing them in paid internships for 20 hours a week as seniors. Students are paid employees of Genesys, not the companies, but they work in the offices of companies like Accenture, Medtronic or Target, the latter in corporate offices, not stocking shelves or working a register like Brown-Weavers friend.

Were going to our corporate partners saying, like, what are the roles, entry level roles in your corporate offices that you are filling over and over again? said Mandy Hildenbrand, chief services officer of Genesys. Lets talk about how we can be a pipeline for that.

For many apprenticeship advocates, some of the barriers are more about attitudes than real problems.

Culturally, U.S. companies havent traditionally viewed themselves as a training ground or an extension of the classroom, said Ginsburg, founder of CareerWise, the nations largest youth apprenticeship program. Theres a big difference between having an intern look over your shoulder and actually expecting real work from an apprentice.

He said businesses should recognize that while they wont see immediate returns, they will if they are patient and take the time to train students well.

Its hard, he said, before it gets easy.
Just as the holiday season was going into full-blown commercial overdrive last month, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters launched a nationwide strike against Amazon, primarily among its delivery drivers, that ended on Christmas Eve. Arguably, the roots of this labor dispute against the multi-trillion-dollar goliath can be traced back to 2021, when workers at the Amazon Fulfillment Center in Staten Island, New York, waged a union campaign. Led by Chris Smalls, who had been fired earlier for protesting working conditions amid the COVID pandemic, the movement faced considerable headwinds  from Amazon, of course, which, through its anti-organizing efforts, had thwarted a similar effort in Alabama, but also from the national unions, including the Teamsters, who were slow to throw their support behind the nascent Amazon Workers Union (AWU).

Amazon Workers Union leader Chris Smalls

As the Amazon Workers Union began to take shape, documentary producers Mars Verrone (Golden Voice) and Samantha Curley (Framing Agnes) sensed a compelling narrative, especially in light of a groundswell of labor movements happening in other sectors across the country. They reached out to Smalls about documenting the progress of AWU, and then contacted filmmaker Brett Story (The Hottest August; The Prison in Twelve Landscapes), whos 2017 short CamperForce, which she made with Nomadland author Jessica Bruder, profiles a selection of seasonal Amazon workers. Martin DiCiccio, Storys DP on The Hottest August, came on board to shoot Union, and is also one of the producers.

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I have a longstanding interest in labor, Story shares. My first film had been about a petrochemical town in distress. Then I made CamperForce. So I was very interested in the sort of insidiousness of Amazon as a particular kind of company that was taking advantage of crises, and also really taking over the entire planet.

Directors Stephen Maing (left) and Brett Story

Story, who is based in Toronto, moved with her family to New York in early 2021 to start working on the project. But she had always thought of Union as a co-directing endeavor, for both creative and pragmatic reasons: The COVID pandemic was very much a reality, and the Canadian border was closed. She recommended Stephen Maing to producers, a New York-based filmmaker whose previous work, Crime + Punishment, tracked a corps of whistleblowers with the New York Police Department who were working to expose patterns of corruption with respect to profiling Black and Brown communities.

It was very staggering how much similarity there was between the grievances of the whistleblower cops and Amazon workers, Maing notes. They were complaining about productivity quotas. They were complaining about this culture of fear and the retaliation they were experiencing, yet in two categorically different industries.

Chris Smalls and other AWU organizers at an encampment outside an Amazon Fulfillment Center in Staten Island, New York

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Embedding with the AWU over the course of a year entailed a similar degree of trust-building and duty-of-care. The labor organizers set up encampments near the Fulfillment Center, often under both adverse weather conditions and the scrutiny of Amazon management, and captured footage covertly of mandatory captive audience sessions, designed by Amazon to dissuade employees from joining the union.

At the core of all these movements are individuals who understand that surreptitious recording is the only compelling means to use the legal system and in evidence collection, Maing maintains. So with this idea of, How do you be present and coexist and support, without interference or over-involvement, a project that situates itself in that space?, I felt much more primed after seven years of working with whistleblower cops. Amazon workers felt this very dire, existential squeeze; there was not much else they could lose. People always wonder, How do these grassroots movements emerge and generate so much momentum and energy? Its that old adage that employers are the best organizers: You create harsh enough conditions and workers are going to fight back.

Union

Although the filmmakers had known each other for quite some time, Union became their first collaboration. And despite their distinct aesthetic styles, they developed a strong alliance.

The things that are really similar about Steve and I are really fundamental  basic ethics and thematic interests, Story notes. From the very beginning, there was a lot of synergy in terms of what the film should be about, what is interesting about watching it, how its going to work on multiple layers, how its going to really be interested in this intimate fabric of these workers lives  but never losing sight of the structural, the systematic, or the institutional. And theres a basic ethic: How do we want to work? How do we relate to our subjects? Why are we doing this work?

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One of the ways our collaboration worked really well is that after a certain point, I had to move back to Canada, Story continues. I have a full-time job here, and the border was still semi-closed because of COVID. So I was going back and forth, but Steve and Martin [DiCiccio] were on the ground all the time, and theyd be sending rushes back to me. Even when I wasnt watching footage, Steve and I were having conversations, and he would relay to me things that would happen. Wed have to talk through our disparate ideas. We could puzzle something out and have these two different proximities to it.

Chris Smalls (center) in Union

In some ways, it really mirrors the arc of a grassroots union campaign, Maing adds. Its a durational endurance battle. Martin and I spent 300 days filming on the ground with the organizers; that was 600 hours of footage. So there was a tremendous amount to talk through. And I think that the idea of where the nuance of a really emergent union comes from is the debate that the organizers go through. Similarly for us, our stress test was talking about every frame of the film, and really inspecting it to its fullest to make sure that we were creating meaning. The whole idea of the observational mode is that it unlocks this kind of cinematic space that we dont often get to experience in most films.

Many legendary documentarians  Barbara Kopple; Julia Reichert, in concert with both Jim Klein and Steven Bognar; George Stoney, et al  have chronicled labor movements, capturing the against-the-odds struggles, the internal tensions, and the challenges of sustaining a long-haul energy and high morale. How did their work influence the Union team?

Theres a long history of a particular kind of labor cinema that is incredibly inspiring to us, Story maintains. Julia committed her entire life to deeply understanding working-class struggle and bringing political cinema to an audience in a way that lets us see ourselves and also feel seen, and asks really necessary questions. Were inspired by those films  their close observation, their commitment, their care for people. Julias loss [she passed away in 2022] was so devastating because she didnt just model great filmmaking; she modeled a way of being a filmmaker. She would never say that shes a neutral observer. She was clear about being in solidarity with working people.

American Factory directors Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar

You just think of a film like Union Maids, Maing adds. Nothing speaks to this idea of how powerful a passing conversation with somebody can be  this idea of an oral history being told at a kitchen table, and all the drama and electricity of a history and a personal experience that people might not otherwise imagine in that particular way. It was hugely informative because we were watching people basically sit at a campfire for a year next to a bus stop and talk about their work experiences in this behemoth, unforgiving warehouse across the street.

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Union Maids (1976) and The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant (2009) both earned Academy Award nominations for Reichart, in her respective partnerships with Klein and Bognar, while American Factory (2019), directed with Bognar, won for Best Documentary Feature. Kopples Harlan County, USA (1976) and American Dream (1990) also took home Oscars. As Awards Season revs up into its final surge towards the Oscars nominations announcements on January 17, whats noteworthy among the 15 shortlisted titles for Best Documentary Feature is the number of films, including Union, that have, by necessity, taken the self-distribution route, despite having earned considerable kudos on the festival circuit.

Union

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When we didnt get distribution out of Sundance, it was disappointing, Story recalls. But we always knew that there would be a community, grassroots organizing element to the rollout and impact campaign. Self-distribution was wrapped up in impact outreach work. Its very labor and resource-intensive, but its also very gratifying. Its all about building partnerships. Weve really tried to be thoughtful about how to get this film to audiences and who our audiences would be. It is like organizing, with all the highs and lows involved in that  a lot of stress tests, a lot of travel, but also a tremendous opportunity to think creatively about how to organize screenings as community events.

Some people might think of what were trying to do as a bit of a fools errand, Maing adds, considering our limited resources, and how much money major streamers are throwing into this. Its our responsibility to prove that the streamers and distributors are wrong, and show that films like ours do have popular interest and appeal, and that it is not a liability to create political cinema and observational cinema. Its a project that were so proud of. Its a nuanced political take on a moment that easily could have been a fly-by-night media headline, and yet really has seeded something far more meaningful in the history of our labor movement. 

Union is currently streaming on its website and on Gathr.

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CHICAGO  A single mother is speaking out after her business was broken into overnight.

Smashed glass, broken windows and busted doors have become a sight all too familiar for Meriza Perez.

Very up and down. Its just been break-in after break-inits just been very rocky, Perez said.

Shes been the owner of Sweet Treats Chicago on South Ashland Avenue in Back of the Yards for a couple of years. Lots of sugary goodness is now strewn across the floor for the fifth time in as many weeks as Perez has been plagued by break-ins.

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PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Southwest Side candy store owner fed up after 4 break-ins in less than 2 years

Its like enough is enough, you know? Im a single mom and everything I had and to my business, Im good to my customers, you know, so its like enough is enough, she said.

According to Perez, that string started before Christmas.

It started Dec. 4 with the broken window and a break-in. Then on the 22nd, my door was broken. Dec. 25, they pushed a door in. New Years, the first, thats when they did the most. They took down the boards and they came in and they really just took most of my inventory, she said.

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The latest incident happened overnight Monday into Tuesday morning as the wall between Perezs shop and next door was torn down.

Lincoln Park hit with early morning smash-and-grab burglaries

I felt defeated, you know, I just its like every day Im like holding the tears in. Im just, Im like shocked, like last night is this real? Is this really happening? Its crazy, she said.

She added that it feels personal at this point, but said shes heard of other businesses being hit, too.

The latest data from Chicago police show burglaries in the area have actually decreased slightly on last year, with overall crime in the neighborhood down by 12%.

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However, with only bare minimum insurance, Perez  a single mother  feels very much on her own, just hoping she can recover.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

It may be candy to you, but this is my livelihood. This is how I take care of my kids. This is how I survive, she said.

WGN News reached out to the 20th Ward and has not yet received a response.

Police told WGN News no arrests have been made.

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe has been set up for Perez.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
85% of public primary schools have successfully received Grade 9 textbooks, according to the Kenya Publishers Association (KPA).

KPA Chairman Kiarie Kamau emphasized that the remaining 15% will receive their shipments by January 13, ensuring almost all schools are equipped for the new academic challenges.

Delays in distribution were attributed to timing, not a lack of textbooks. The rollout began in November but faced interruptions during the holiday period when schools were closed. Many headteachers were unavailable to accept deliveries.

Once schools reopened on January 6, distribution resumed at a faster pace. Kamau acknowledged the confusion caused during the holiday season but reassured stakeholders that the delay was temporary.

Private schools operate differently as they are not part of the governments textbook distribution program. Instead, they purchase books directly from retailers. To ease this process, KPA has provided publishers contact information to parents, teachers, and students, ensuring they can acquire books that may not be easily available in stores.

Kiarie Kamau addressed public concerns about a supposed textbook shortage, emphasizing, There isnt a shortage of books. The delays stemmed from logistical challenges during the festive season, not publisher failures.

He added that publishers have worked diligently to stock books in retail outlets, though the end-of-year holiday rush between December 27 and 31 slowed operations in some stores.

Kamau also refuted allegations of tension between publishers and the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD). He explained that the KICD revised curriculum designs in 2022 following recommendations from the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms. Publishers received these updates promptly and began production immediately.

The curriculum design revisions were well-timed, Kamau said, highlighting the collaboration. He also stressed that producing high-quality textbooks is about more than speedits about ensuring learners receive the best possible educational resources.

As nearly all schools receive their textbooks, Kamau reflected on valuable lessons learned from the distribution process. He urged for smoother logistical planning in future cycles to prevent similar delays. The KPA remains committed to equipping students with the tools needed for success under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

Despite logistical hurdles, Kamau reassured parents and educators of the KPAs dedication to supporting the nations educational goals. With the last-mile deliveries nearing completion, students are well on their way to starting the academic year with the resources they need.
Jan. 7The sister of Joshua Musselman, a 29-year-old man shot and killed by Spokane police on Dec. 29, has retained attorney Rondi Thorp, who has previously represented the families of several other men in wrongful death lawsuits against the city of Spokane, including one that resulted in the largest settlement of its kind in the city's history.

Officers reportedly responded to the Northcliff Terrace Apartments following reports of a man firing "what appeared to be a rifle" from his apartment. It was the second time that day that officers responded to calls about Musselman.

Spokane police Chief Kevin Hall said at a news conference later that night that officers addressed Musselman and "at some point in time, felt there was a threat."

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Hall said "up to four" officers fired their weapons, but he declined to elaborate on how the response escalated into a use-of-force incident. It remains unclear whether Musselman was armed.

Anwar Peace, a commissioner for the Spokane Human Rights Commission and downstairs neighbor of Musselman, testified at the Spokane City Council Monday night that Musselman was the subject of frequent complaints from neighbors and argued that law enforcement or behavioral health service providers should have intervened prior to the deadly shooting on Dec. 29.

Musselman made headlines in July after Spokane police officers arrested and charged him with attempted vehicle theft and first-degree malicious mischief stemming from an alleged attempted theft of an ambulance in downtown Spokane.

Musselman had a long criminal history, including convictions for attempted rape of a child, assault, vehicle prowling and malicious mischief, according to court records.

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Thorp has previously represented the families of David Novak, who was shot and killed by police in 2019. The city settled that case for $4 million but did not admit to wrongdoing. She also represents the estate of Robert Bradley, who was shot and killed by police in 2022. Bradley's fiancee, represented by a different attorney, received a $500,000 settlement Monday night, while Bradley's minor children's lawsuit remains pending before a federal court.

Thorp said in a brief interview it was too soon to determine whether a claim would be filed in the case of Musselman's death.

"We're still investigating, but we have concerns that his rights were violated," Thorp said. "So we'll be investigating thoroughly and determining what if any claims can be made."

She argued that the Spokane Police Department has failed to reform its practices in response to prior wrongful death settlements and that investigations into police shootings in the region are "an absolute joke and embarrassment to good cops everywhere ."

The Spokane Police Department declined to comment on pending litigation.
Editors note: This story has been updated to reflect Lance Cpl. Austin Schwenks military awards.

He was born at the same hospital he was pronounced dead.

Robert Schwenk Jr., remembering his son, reflected on his birth and death, both of which occurred at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. Lance Cpl. Austin Brian Schwenk was brought into the world at the North Carolina base when his father served there during the early 2000s. Nineteen years later, his life ended there, too  at the hands of a fellow Marine.

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That Marine, Cpl. Jesse Thomas Bopp, was sentenced under a plea agreement Tuesday to eight years in confinement, according to a spokesperson for the 2nd Marine Division. He pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, and in addition to confinement, Bopp will receive a dishonorable discharge and a reduction in rank to private.

Following the sentencing, Robert Schwenk Jr. shared his reaction with Military Times via text.

Not happy at all, he wrote.

Kassandra Christison, Austin Schwenks mother, said she was still in shock at the verdict.

Austin only had nineteen years on this earth, and he shouldnt get less than that, Christison said of Bopps sentence.

Lance Cpl. Austin Schwenk hugs his sister on Aug. 3, 2023, in North Lima, Ohio. It was the last time she saw him before his death. (Courtesy of Robert Schwenk Jr.)

A promising future ended short

Austin Schwenk grew up idolizing his father. He wanted to be just like him, Robert Schwenk Jr. recalled, and he was well on his way.

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The younger Schwenk enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 2019 and became an electro-optical ordnance repairer with the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment. He had a promising future, and his awards included the National Defense Service Medal.

Thats all he ever wanted to be his entire life, was a Marine, Robert Schwenk Jr. said.

But on Oct. 18, 2023, that dream was cut short.

That evening, Bopp, who worked in the armory with Austin Schwenk and was assigned to the same battalion, entered Schwenks room at the Wallace Creek barracks. Bopp had a firearm, and he had been drinking, according to court documents filed by Bopps attorney and shared with Military Times by Robert Schwenk Jr.

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Marine arrested in shooting death of civilian on North Carolina base

Bopp held the gun to his own head, in what the documents said was a suicidal joke. Then, he pointed the gun toward Austin Schwenk, pulled the trigger and killed him.

Bopp screamed and fled the room. He was arrested at 10:15 p.m. the same night, court documents say. Bopp was charged with murder and involuntary manslaughter, as well as violation of a lawful general order for wrongfully possessing and firing a weapon at Camp Lejeune, according to his charge sheet.

During the following year-plus of legal proceedings, Bopps defense attorney, Eric Kopka, fought for a plea agreement that omitted the murder charge. Kopka argued the killing was not intentional  one of the qualifiers for murder under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, or UCMJ.

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It is clear that based on this account of what happened, the reaction of Cpl. Bopp, the alcohol that was presumed to have been consumed prior to the handling of the firearm  and the fact that there is nothing to support that this was an intentional act  involuntary manslaughter by culpable negligence is the more appropriate charge, a memorandum from Kopka reads.

Kopkas memorandum, which outlined the terms of a proposed plea agreement in August 2024, listed three to eight years of confinement as the desired punishment.

Lance Cpl. Austin Schwenk, right, and his father, Robert Schwenk Jr., pose near New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virginia on Aug. 1, 2023. (Courtesy of Robert Schwenk Jr.)

Frustrated by the justice system

Austin Schwenks parents wanted the murder charge to stick, and they hoped Bopp would face a general court-martial trial. Even if the killing was unintentional, Robert Schwenk Jr. argued, Bopps actions were inherently dangerous  another description the UCMJ uses to define murder.

Military Times reached out to Kopka on behalf of his client, but he did not immediately return a request for comment.

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Theres no excuse, especially for a Marine who worked in the armory and knew gun safety rules, Schwenk said. The way I view it as a father  my son was executed.

The convening authority in the case, Gen. David L. Odom, opted for the plea agreement, Schwenk said. That decision, as well as Schwenks disappointment with his victims legal counsel, has motivated him to fight for UCMJ reforms.

I feel quite frustrated and let down, Schwenk told Military Times. I wanted to see, at a minimum, 15 years. Id like my daughter to be graduated out of high school before this man is set free. I mean, that was her brother. That was someone she absolutely loved and adored, and he absolutely loved and adored her.

Since his sons death, Schwenk has suffered from symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and bouts of grief. Hes found it difficult to continue the things that previously brought him joy, and hes struggled to let go of the future he envisioned for his son.

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We were looking forward to the day where I got to be able to pin my corporal chevrons on him, Schwenk said. Instead, I had my cousin read a promotion script as I pinned my chevrons on my son and his casket before he was cremated.

Christison feels the immense loss of a life her son never got to live. He was just getting started, she said, and he had many plans. For instance, Austin Schwenk was so excited for an upcoming deployment to Okinawa, Japan, that he was learning Japanese, she said.

He was such a compassionate and caring individual, Christison said. He knew what he needed to be for everybody he cared about. I dont know if he even knows how much he mattered to so many people.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has said that the reason for his trip to Russia in late December was Ukraine's refusal to extend Russian gas transit after 2024.

Source: Fico in an speech on Wednesday, 8 January, as reported by European Pravda, citing the Slovak news outlet TASR

Details: Fico once again accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of "sabotaging the financial interests of Slovakia and the EU" by refusing to continue the transit of Russian gas.

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He confirmed that he will meet with European Energy Commissioner Dan Jrgensen in Brussels on Thursday, 9 January and do "everything possible to wake him up from his sweet sleep".

Quote from Fico: "Neither Slovakia nor the EU is at war. We have no reason to put up with Zelenskyy's ventures, especially considering the assistance that Slovakia and the EU provide to Ukraine."

Details: Fico then mentioned his controversial trip to Moscow and meeting with Vladimir Putin, insisting that he had been forced to go because of Ukraine's decision on gas transit.

He said he had to secure gas for Slovakia's domestic consumption at least, and that they had managed to do this without increasing gas prices, although he did not specify how he planned to procure the gas.

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The agreement between Ukraine and Russia on gas transit to Europe expired at the end of 2024 after the Ukrainian side decided not to extend it.

Background:

Robert Fico has been extremely critical of Kyiv for terminating the transit of Russian gas and has written to EU leaders to express his dissatisfaction with Ukraines actions.

He has also threatened to retaliate by cutting off electricity supplies or reducing assistance to Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Massive wildfires began tearing across the Los Angeles area Tuesday, forcing Southern California residents to evacuate the area. Towering clouds of smoke caused by the fires have Nevada residents wondering if that smoke could be heading this way.

According to the 8 News Now Weather team, Las Vegas residents will not need to worry about an abundance of smoke taking over the valley.

The Smoke Forecast shows that winds from the north will blow almost all of the wildfire smoke out into the Pacific Ocean, the weather team said.

Smoke forecast from the 8 News Now Weather Team shows smoke from Los Angeles fires will not come to Las Vegas. (KLAS)

The four fires that have charred thousands of acres in Southern California and destroyed more than 1,000 structures in Los Angeles County are being fueled by the winds and dry conditions in the area.

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On Wednesday morning, authorities said at least two people had been killed and many more were injured.

Firefighters in Las Vegas are being sent to the area with a strike team organized by Clark County after a request for help from the state of California Wednesday morning. Additional firefighters are joining from Oregon, Washington, and Northern California.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (WJHL)  The Johnson City woman accused of killing her two children in October appeared in court for a preliminary hearing on Tuesday.

Jessica Chandler, who was 28 at the time of the alleged killings, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder. The incident took place on Oct. 29 at a home on Omaha Drive, just off King Springs Road east of Mountain View Elementary School.

Investigators previously said poison was suspected in the deaths of Chandlers 1-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter, whose father discovered them unresponsive when he arrived at her home that day.

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During Tuesdays hearing, investigators testified to the court that official autopsies had listed the causes of death for the two children as asphyxiation by smothering.

She pointed out on the property list that she used a Lilo & Stitch blanket to first suffocate Vista in her bed, Michael Fowler, Johnson City Police Department Criminal Investigator, said.

Fowler testified that Chandler then said she suffocated her son Eli the same way.

Three handwritten notes from Chandler were found at the scene. Fowler read the notes out loud during Tuesdays hearing.

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We located three notes that [were] taped on the cabinets as soon you walk into the residence, Fowler said.

In those notes, Fowler said Chandler implicated herself in the murder of her children and planned to take her own life.

Chandler talked to investigator Fowler about why she allegedly took her childrens lives.

I think there [were] multiple reasons that came up, Fowler said. One was the previous incident with James [father of Chandlers children] and her not being able to protect her children. She explained a lot about her past with her past life experiences. There [were] various contributions.

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Gary Price, Johnson City Patrol Officer, also testified. He was called to the scene on Oct. 29 when the incident occurred.

The first thing I saw was a male giving presumably what I would see as CPR to a child in the front yard, Price said. As I approached the male, medical personnel was already there.

Price said the male giving CPR motioned him to go towards the residence.

Price then explained the conditions he and EMS personnel found Chandler in. He said she was sitting in a bathtub with cuts on her.

A pack of razor blades with utility knives, I saw them sitting on the edge of the bathtub, Price said.

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The court found that there was probable cause for Chandlers case to be bound over to a grand jury, and shes currently being held without bond. Chandlers defense on Tuesday requested that a bond be set. The state then asked, if a bond was placed, for a $1 million bond due to risks that include Chandlers mental state.

Judge Jonathan Minga agreed to set a $2 million bond with GPS monitoring restrictions.

Chandler will appear in criminal court next on March 31 at 9 a.m. The Washington County Grand Jurys next scheduled session is in early March.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  With a snowstorm expected to impact Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky later this week, many schools will likely close or use remote learning days.

In Kentucky, remote learning days are called Non-Traditional Instruction days.

According to the Kentucky Department of Education, the Non-Traditional Instruction Program (NTI) is a program that encourages the continuation of learning on days when the entire district is closed due to health or safety reasons.

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The Commissioner of Education can approve up to ten NTI days to count towards student attendance days during the school year.

Christian County Schools have already used two NTI days for the ice they received on Sunday and Monday, and will likely use more with snow in the forecast later this week.

The rules for remote learning are different in Tennessee. In 2022, the Tennessee General Assembly passed new laws related to remote learning.

According to the Tennessee Department of Education, local education agencies can provide up to two remote learning days each semester in the event of dangerous or extreme weather conditions, or serious outbreaks of illness.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

The Tennessee Department of Education also says Tennessee public schools must have at least 180 days of classroom teaching each year, and a maximum of four are allowed to be remote learning days.

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During remote learning days, kindergarten students must have at least four hours of instruction, and six hours for students in grades 1 through 12.

Dont forget to take the power and reliability of the WKRN Weather Authority with you at all times by downloading the News 2 Storm Tracker app.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WATE)  Several roads in the Smokies have reopened after being closed Wednesday due to snow and ice.

Previously, we reported that the Gatlinburg Bypass, Cherokee Orchard Road at Twin Creeks and Little River Road/Fighting Creek Gap Road between the Sugarlands Visitor Center and Metcalf Bottoms had been closed Wednesday due to snow and ice.

Foothills Parkway West, Gatlinburg Bypass, Cherokee Orchard Road and Little River Road between Sugarlands Visitor Center and Metcalf Bottoms reopened.

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The following roads remain closed:

Foothills Parkway East

US 441/Newfound Gap Road

Lakeview Drive

Forecast: Snow looking more likely for Friday

The park shares updates regarding road closures on its website and the social media platform X.

Several schools and roads have closed throughout East Tennessee due to the winter weather. Law enforcement agencies urged drivers to use caution when driving yesterday.

Light overnight snow has impacted several roadways in and around Gatlinburg with potentially hazardous conditions the Gatlinburg Police Department posted. Please be cautious if traveling this morning. City Street Department crews are actively treating roadways this morning. Please exercise care if traveling in areas where crews are working.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Road crews are still clearing streets in the Kansas City metro and some areas have their own set of challenges getting all the snow out.

Every challenge you got when it comes to clearing a street is this right here, said Kansas City Manager Brian Platt.

Shade, narrow streets and roads that are less traveled. All factors that can make snow removal that much more challenging.

Things like this, where you dont get a lot of traffic on, but those are the most important because thats where everyone lives so were working hard, Platt said.

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Driver in Kansas City viral video explains why she jumped out of car

The kinds of streets youll find around the River Market.

Theyve got a lot of people coming and clearing out the streets. I am even surprised how quickly theyve got this cleared off in the River Market, said Tyler Reed, who lives in the River Market.

Its cleared up enough that businesses like Betty Raes feel comfortable opening up and serving customers ready to get out of the house.

A lot of people are excited especially because were offering free hot chocolate today, so thats a big motivation to get people in here, Betty Raes employee Nolan Poor said.

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As drivers test their luck getting around, others are opting to walk.

For now, just staying in, you can see the streets are kind of clear but theres still just a little bit more work to do, so just wait it out until its safer to travel, Neeia Cooperwood said.

LIVE UPDATES: Track snow removal efforts in cities across Kansas City metro

Platt said as snow plows continue to work around the clock, it will help them out if people dont shovel the snow from around their cars onto the street.

And if you decide to venture out, still drive with caution.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Jan. 7One silver lining to the wallop of winter weather parts of Missouri and northeast Kansas had recently is the impact on area farmers.

Drought conditions across the northwest region of Missouri are continuing to improve with the help of rainfall throughout the year and now, a winter storm which recently came through, however, it was still a year that saw much dryness.

"We finished the year with an average rainfall just a little above normal; three or four inches," said Tim Gach, a Buchanan County farmer. "But most farmers will tell you that it's not about the average, it's when you get that rain and we had a really huge harvest window this year. We had probably a month and a half, about six weeks of, really dry weather, which was good for harvest but in the meantime, it wasn't doing things like replenishing pasture or settling ponds and giving soil moisture."

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While many individuals spent days digging themselves out of the snow from the recent winter storm, farmers said it's a welcome sight, helping to replenish the soil moisture.

"We've got snow on the ground, about 12 inches or better depending on where you're at," Gach said. "What that will do is, most of that snow will soak into the ground, which is good for subsoil moisture going into the spring. The stuff that does melt and runoff that's going to go into streams is going to fill up ponds and be very beneficial for if you have livestock that rely on a pond for a water source."

For livestock farmers, having to work outside daily, caring for cattle in the cold doesn't take too much work as they claim cold tolerance and are able to manage outside even under extreme temperatures, according to Gach.

However, Gach explained, it is important farmers continue to make sure cattle receive the proper care in extreme weather.

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"With snow on the ground, you've got to make sure your waters aren't frozen, those cattle have got a place to be in out of the wind and really bitter cold, or putdown something for them to lay on and keep them well-fed because livestock burn a lot of energy this time of year," Gach said.

Many Missourians may be tired of the snow but Gach said farmers are eager for more.

"I'm sure this isn't the end of the precipitation until planning time," Gach said. "There will be some more and that will tell a big story as to how the year is going to unfold for farmers. Generally speaking, we like to see some moisture over the winter."

Jenna Wilson can be reached at jenna.wilson@newspressnow.com.
President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday used his Truth Social platform to continue to ramp up his rhetoric regarding somehow merging the United States with Canada.

Trump shared two maps showing Canada incorporated into the U.S.

The first image had the two countries combined, under the American flag.

Oh Canada! Trump captioned the picture.

Another map, that Trump shared online just five minutes after the first, showed Canada and the U.S. united  and covered by the text United States.

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While the posts were hailed by prominent Make America Great Again movement figures including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), critics slammed them as unhinged and one said they exposed Trump as an imbecile who possesses the maturity of a petulant six-year-old child. He was also dubbed President Troll.

Trump has been talking up the idea of Canada becoming Americas 51st state and repeatedly mocked its now-outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with the title governor.

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Earlier this week, two booksellers in Nairobi found themselves in police custody after a major operation targeting counterfeit textbooks across the city.

This wasnt a random bustit was a planned effort by law enforcement and the Kenya Publishers Association (KPA) to crack down on the illicit trade thats been chipping away at the quality of education for years.

The raids uncovered stacks of fake educational books, hidden inside multiple city bookshops. According to authorities, the materialspirated and poorly producedpose a serious threat to students and undermine educators efforts. Following the operation, police seized several cartons of these fake textbooks, with promises to ramp up ongoing efforts to stamp out the counterfeit market.

If youve ever purchased a book only to find garbled text or missing pages, youll understand one of the many reasons these counterfeit textbooks are a problem.

Beyond the frustrating errors, these unauthorized copies hurt genuine publishers and booksellers whove worked hard to meet the standards set by institutions like the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).

More than just bad printing, they disrupt the learning process for thousands of students across Kenya.

James Odhiambo, CEO of the Kenya Publishers Association, addressed the issue head-on. This was a major step in the fight against an illicit market that harms legitimate businesses and compromises the education sector, he explained during a press conference following the raid.

And this isnt an isolated problem. Just last week, authorities arrested five other suspects in Nairobi tied to a similar counterfeiting ring. Clearly, the push to clean up the education market is gaining momentum.

While police raids are essential, tackling counterfeit textbooks requires more than enforcementit requires awareness. Kiarie Kamau, CEO of East African Educational Publishers, has been tirelessly advocating for parents, teachers, and even students to understand the risks of buying pirated materials. Raising awareness is key. If people know the harm these books cause, theyll think twice before purchasing them, Kamau said.

Whats more, its a tough economic climate. Some parents or schools are tempted by the cheaper counterfeit versions, but as Kamau and others argue, the hidden cost comes in the form of compromised education for Kenyan kids. And thats a price no one should pay.

In a related twist, the Kenya Publishers Association (KPA) has also announced delays in delivering new textbooks for Grades 5 to 8 as part of the ongoing Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) rollout.

The Presidential Working Party on Education Reform proposed adjustments to reduce redundancies, including fewer learning areas in pre-primary and lower primary school.

That means publishers are scrambling to revise existing materials to fit the new guidelines. Right now, those textbooks are in their final stages of approval with KICD, and once they clear the process, the printing presses will start rolling.

KPA insists these updates are critical to making CBC work, and while the delays are frustrating, theyre necessary to ensure the learning materials are high quality and well-aligned with the changes.

Between fighting counterfeit textbooks and navigating logistical hiccups with CBC materials, its clear theres a lot on Kenyas educational plate right now. While these issues may feel overwhelming, the good news is that steps are being taken.
SOMERSET, Pa.  Somerset County is using federal funds to add emergency generators to the Somerset County Airport and the Founders Hall education center.

The $462,000 move will provide backup power to both county properties, ensuring county government and 911 operators have a backup location to work if sudden emergencies occur, the county commissioners said Monday.

If the court system or 911 operations would ever need an alternate location to (conduct business), well have that secondary location now, Commissioner Pamela Tokar-Ickes said, adding that the move allows the county to prepare for the unexpected.

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Until now, the airport building and Founders Hall  the latter of which hosts the Penn-West Clarion nursing program and PA CareerLink  have not had backup generators to keep lights on and other essentials running if outages occur, Commissioner Irv Kimmel Jr. said.

The remaining portion of Somerset Countys American Rescue Plan funds will change that, the board said.

The county approved a change order with McClure Co. to install separate generators for $258,812 and $203,504 in a special meeting Monday.

According to Chief Clerk Scott DeArmitt, the airport generator should be able to ensure that runway lights stay active when needed.

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The county was able to get procedures in place by Dec. 31 to designate ARP dollars for the generators as the window was closing to use or lose the funds, Tokar-Ickes said.

Somerset County received $14 million in ARP funds in late 2021. Most of that sum was previously designated for HVAC and energy savings upgrades to the courthouse, the jail and the county office annex, as well as emergency radio upgrades to reduce dead zones in some parts of the county where communication among first responders can be difficult.

The generator costs will use up the last of those funds, President Commissioner Brian Fochtman said.

With all funds allocated, Somerset County has until 2026 to complete its ARP projects, including the generators, Tokar-Ickes added.
The sun sets behind the South Dakota Capitol in Pierre on Dec. 5, 2023. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)

South Dakotas state government has a troubling history of fraud incidents. However, 2024 marked a new low. Investigations last year implicated state employees in schemes that mismanaged or outright stole millions in public funds. The officials entrusted with safeguarding these assets  through robust systems, oversight and enforcement  seem to have failed the public.

Voters elect representatives to run state government responsibly and professionally. However, mounting evidence suggests systemic failures by leaders and legislators, raising critical questions about accountability.

Whos minding the store?

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has been busy recently, announcing fraud investigation after fraud investigation involving state employees. Three people are currently being prosecuted, one has pleaded guilty, and another two died before their behavior fully came to light. It appears there has been a complete breakdown of oversight and internal controls.

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While the fraudsters are directly to blame and should be prosecuted for violating public trust, the failures dont stop there. Those responsible for implementing internal controls and oversight systems have also let us down.

So, who has been steering state government over the past decade or two? The finger points to a string of elected Republican leaders along with a Legislature that has seemingly been asleep at the wheel.

2024: A big year for fraud

Among the investigations announced last year, one case in the Department of Revenue involves the alleged forging of motor vehicle titles to get hundreds of thousands of dollars of bank loans. Meanwhile, $1.78 million was allegedly stolen over more than a decade from the states child protection program.

These incidents are just the latest in a sordid history of fraud that underscores deep flaws in the states oversight mechanisms.

A troubling legacy of fraud

South Dakotas recent scandals are not isolated events but part of a troubling long-term pattern. Here are some others:

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Gear Up scandal (2015): This scandal involved the mismanagement and embezzlement of millions in federal education funds through shell companies and falsified financial documents. The case ended in tragedy when one key figure murdered his family before taking his own life.

EB-5 scandal (2013-14): This one involved the misappropriation of investments and state funds in a federal program for economic development. The controversy culminated in the apparent suicide of a former state official.

Northern Beef Packers scandal (2013): A planned beef packing plant that received millions in state and federal funds failed, mired in allegations of fraud and insider deals.

Each scandal highlights significant lapses in oversight, transparency and accountability. South Dakota has a fraud problem.

Too little, too late

The 2024 scandals have prompted recent legislative and administrative proposals aimed at strengthening oversight. Attorney General Marty Jackley plans to propose new fraud protections this winter. Gov. Kristi Noem has added an internal control officer and mandated annual training for state employees. The state auditor has pledged to revise procedures, and the Legislature is seeking answers, though it faces resistance from state agencies when it starts questioning operations.

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While these measures sound promising, voters have little reason to believe they will effectively address the problem. Perhaps the state would benefit from involving fraud prevention experts. It also raises the question: Why werent these measures implemented sooner? South Dakotas history of fraud should have served as a clear warning.

Fraud may be inevitable

Maybe South Dakotas chronic fraud problems are inevitable. The state takes pride in its lean approach to government, cutting spending wherever possible. However, this minimalist approach may fail to provide the resources necessary for effective oversight and auditing. Alternatively, these problems might simply be the natural consequence of a fiscally conservative, one-party political environment.

South Dakota voters deserve both answers and action. If leaders continue to prioritize reactive measures over systemic reform, the cycle of mismanagement and scandal will undoubtedly persist. Its time for elected officials to deliver the accountability they have long promised.

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SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  A South Korean court on Wednesday cleared the government and an adoption agency of all liability in a lawsuit filed by a 49-year-old Korean man whose traumatic adoption journey led to an abusive childhood in the United States and ultimately his deportation to South Korea in 2016 after legal troubles.

In exonerating the South Korean government over the case of Adam Crapser, whose U.S. adoptive parents never secured his citizenship, the Seoul High Court overturned a 2023 lower court ruling that ordered his adoption agency, Holt Childrens Services, to pay him 100 million won ($68,600) in damages. The Seoul Central District Court ruled that Holt should have informed his adoptive parents that they needed to take additional steps to secure his citizenship after his adoption was finalized in their state court, but didnt find the government at fault for Crapsers plight.

The full text of the Seoul High Courts ruling wasnt immediately available. Crapser didnt attend the ruling.

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Crapser, a married father of two, says he was abused and abandoned by two different adoptive families who never filed his citizenship papers. He got into trouble with the law  once for breaking into his adoptive parents home to retrieve the Bible that came with him from the orphanage  and was deported because he was not a U.S. citizen.

In their defense against the accusations of malfeasance raised by Crapser, the government and Holt both cited a 1970s adoption law established under a military dictatorship that was designed to speed up adoptions.

The law, enacted in January 1977, eased adoption agencies obligations to check on the citizenship status of the children they sent overseas and removed judicial oversight of foreign adoptions, as part of various steps to empower agencies to process adoptions faster.

The government and Holt, which facilitated Crapsers adoption to Michigan in 1979, both invoked the law to argue they had no legal responsibility to ensure that he received his citizenship.

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Critics say the law enabled careless and fraudulent practices that helped fuel whats believed to be the largest international adoption program in history. From the 1960s to 1980s, South Korea was ruled by a succession of military leaders who prioritized economic growth and promoted adoptions as a way to get rid of mouths to feed and establish closer ties with the West.

Crapsers lawyer didnt immediately say whether he would appeal the verdict to the Supreme Court. The Justice Ministry, which represents the government in lawsuits, and Holt didnt immediately comment on the ruling.

More than 4,000 Korean children were sent abroad in 1979, the year Crapser was sent to a family in Michigan at age 3. He became the first Korean adoptee to sue the South Korean government and an adoption agency for damages in 2019.

The government and Holt were also sued last year by a Korean birth mother who said they were responsible for her daughters adoption to the United States in 1976, months after the child was kidnapped at age 4.

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The lawsuits, combined with an ongoing fact-finding investigation into complaints from hundreds of adoptees who suspect their origins were falsified or obscured, have put pressure on the South Korean government to address the widespread fraud and questionable practices of the past.

Crapsers lawsuit accused Holt of manipulating his paperwork to describe him as an orphan despite the existence of a known birth mother, exposing him to abusive adoptive parents by botching background checks and not following up on whether he obtained U.S. citizenship.

It said government officials should also be held accountable for failing to protect Crapsers constitutional rights as a South Korean child, poorly monitoring an agency they licensed to handle foreign adoptions and not verifying whether his adoption was based on proper consent or whether his adoptive families were qualified to be decent parents.
(Bloomberg) -- South Koreas impeached leader is barricaded in his Seoul residence, protected by a blockade of buses, barbed wire, crowds of supporters and his own armed security guards. The question now is whether investigators can arrest him without a violent confrontation.

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Senior leaders of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials are mulling just how to peacefully bring President Yoon Suk Yeol into custody, five days after they gave up on their first try to haul him in for questioning over his failed bid to impose martial law last month.

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The longer the standoff lasts, the more doubt will be cast over the ability of the CIO to carry out its probe into the president. Yoon is under investigation following his brief imposition of martial law last month, a move that blindsided the nation and its allies, whipsawed markets and hit growth expectations for Asias fourth-largest economy.

Still, a rushed effort to haul in Yoon that leads to violence could shake confidence in South Koreas ability to deal with its biggest constitutional crisis in decades, just days after Secretary of State Antony Blinken lauded Seoul for its peaceful and lawful response to the political turmoil.

It will have a catastrophic impact on the country if its shown you can defy an investigative agency with a legitimate court-issued warrant, lawmaker Chun Ha-ram of minor Reform Party said in a radio interview with South Korean broadcaster CBS. Even more troubling would be showing that you can resist with physical force through the possession of weapons.

A handful of fatalities during the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye occurred amid confrontations between members of the public and police. The latest flashpoint pitting investigators and police against the presidential guard over the arrest of a sitting leader is unprecedented in South Korea.

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Yoons representatives say the arrest warrant is invalid and illegal because the CIO has no legal authority to investigate insurrection charges and arbitrarily chose a judge in a different district to improve its chances of obtaining it.

The president will comply only if he is formally indicted or if a more extensive form of arrest warrant is issued, his lawyer Yoon Kap-keun said in a televised briefing Wednesday. The current warrant is for detention of up to 48 hours. The warrant cited by the lawyer was for detention of up to 20 days.

The CIO has encountered criticism for its unsuccessful attempt to take Yoon in for questioning on Friday and its apparent flip-flop on Monday over whether to ask the police to take the lead on carrying out the arrest.

Oh Dong-woon, head of the CIO, apologized to the public on Tuesday for the investigators failed move.

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I promise we will thoroughly prepare to make sure theres no such setback in our second attempt, Oh told a parliamentary session. He also vowed to make any second go at detaining the president the last attempt, a comment that ramps up the need for more preparation to ensure the success of the operation.

The reluctance of the police to take the lead in arresting Yoon without their own warrant points to the concerns among officials about who would take responsibility for another failed attempt to detain him or any violence that might kick off.

I dont think we may see gunfire or a real kind of violence, but maybe an accident, said Yeo Han-koo, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics and former Korean trade minister during the administration of Yoons predecessor. If theres violence its another big blow to the reputation of Korea as a modern, mature democracy.

One approach the CIO and police might explore to defuse the likelihood of a physical altercation is the detention of key personnel in Yoons security team.

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Police officials are already reviewing whether to arrest members of Yoons security team on site if they try to prevent efforts to detain Yoon again, Yonhap News reported, citing an unidentified police officer. The head of the presidential security service has defied multiple police summons to appear for questioning, raising the possibility of his own arrest, Yonhap said.

The Reform Partys Chun and some other politicians say law enforcement authorities should exercise their power to take the president into custody even if that results in a physical confrontation.

You say the presidential security staff is coming at you with guns, that theres a risk of them firing and unfortunate events happening. But open your chest and tell them to shoot. You need to go with that kind of determination, Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Sung-yoon told Oh at a parliamentary meeting on Tuesday.

In any confrontation, the police presence is likely to outnumber those in the presidents security team.

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Hong Sung-gul, professor of public administration at Kookmin University in Seoul, said the chances of violence remain low at this point as any bloodshed could quickly escalate uncertainties and make it more difficult for the main opposition to keep the situation under control.

The Democratic Partys only goal is to hold a presidential election as soon as possible and install Lee Jae-myung as president. Bloodshed will not help them achieve that goal in any way, Hong said.

South Koreas Acting President Choi Sang-mok earlier said citizens and civil servants on duty should not be harmed in the process of law enforcement. But he has refrained from actively exercising his power to give guidelines as government agencies collide over the presidents possible arrest.

Following its impeachment of Yoon and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo in December, the Democratic Party has sought an investigation into Choi for alleged dereliction of duty for not taking action. But the party risks rekindling support among conservatives for Yoon if it keeps resorting to impeachment or parliamentary votes against acting leaders, analysts said. Already theres an uptick in some opinion polls for the ruling party following the impeachment of the prime minister.

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How aggressive the law enforcement authorities will turn in their second attempt will likely hinge on the public reaction to the ongoing saga, Kim Hee-kyoon, law school professor at the University of Seoul, said.

Police will make the call to mobilize force if they feel pressured by the public, Kim said.

--With assistance from Jasmine Ng and Philip J. Heijmans.

(Adds comments from Yoons lawyer and former trade minister.)

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Multiple wildfires have broken out in Southern California during a historic red flag wind event this week.

Although the cause of each blaze has yet to be determined, all have exploded in or near foothill communities where gusty winds and dry air and vegetation have fueled fast-spreading flames.

Here is a breakdown of where each fire is located, when it started and its status.

Palisades fire

Started: Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. southeast of Palisades Drive



Size: 21,317 acres



Containment: The fire reached 8% containment as of Friday.



Injuries: 5 deaths and an unspecified number of "significant" injuries to residents.



Summary: The Palisades fire ignited quickly amid high winds and dry brush and spread into neighborhoods filled with multimillion-dollar homes. Officials estimate that more than 5,300 structures, including many homes, have been damaged or destroyed.



Evacuations: Many parts of Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Santa Monica and Calabasas are under evacuation orders or warnings. More than 13,000 structures are threatened. Shelters have been set up at the following places:

Pasadena Convention Center, 300 E. Green St. in Pasadena Westwood Recreation Center, 1350 S. Sepulveda Blvd. in Los Angeles Calvary Community Church, 5495 Via Rocas in Westlake Village Ritchie Valens Recreation Center, 10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd. in Pacoima Stoner Recreation Center, 1835 Stoner Ave. in Los Angeles Pan Pacific Recreation Center, 7600 Beverly Blvd. in Los Angeles

Animal evacuations: Large animals can be taken to the following places:

Los Angeles Equestrian Center, 480 W. Riverside Drive in Burbank Castaic Animal Care Center, 31044 Charlie Canyon Road in Castaic Industry Hills Expo Center, 16200 Temple Ave. in the City of Industry Pomona Fairplex, 101 W. McKinley Ave. in Pomona





A structure burns Tuesday at Rosenthal Wine Tasting on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Eaton fire

Started: Tuesday at 6:18 p.m. near Altadena and Midwick drives in Altadena, near Eaton Canyon



Size: 13,956 acres



Containment: 3% as of Friday



Injuries: Six fatalities



Summary: The Eaton fire spread rapidly amid high winds and dry brush and quickly threatened homes in the foothills. Residents, who had lost power, were told to flee in the dark as firefighters raced to the scene. Officials say 7,000 structures have been damaged in the fire.



Evacuation centers: Shelters have been set up at the following places:

Pasadena Convention Center, 300 E. Green St. in Pasadena





Hurst fire

Started: Tuesday at 10:29 p.m. near Diamond Road in Sylmar



Size: 771 acres



Containment: 37%



Injuries: None reported



Summary: The Hurst fire broke out near the area where Interstate 5 meets the 14 and 210 freeways in Sylmar. The blaze was fanned by strong winds and low humidity.



Evacuation centers: Evacuation orders were downgraded to warnings on Thursday.

Ritchie Valens Recreation Center, 10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd. in Pacoima





Kenneth fire

Started: Thursday at 3:34 p.m. near Victory Boulevard in West Hills



Size: 1,000 acres



Containment: 35%



Injuries: None reported



Summary: The fire spread rapidly Thursday afternoon, fanned by strong Santa Ana winds. Evacuation orders and warnings were lifted Thursday night.

Lidia fire

Started: Reported shortly before 2 p.m. Wednesday in Acton.



Size: 395 acres



Containment: 75%



Injuries: None reported.



Summary: In just two hours, the fire ballooned from 80 acres to more than 340 on Wednesday in the town north of Angeles National Forest in the Antelope Valley. Forward progress has been stopped on the fire, officials said.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
HANOVERTON, Ohio (WKBN)  Southern notches a road win over United, 51-46.

The Indians were led by three double-digit scorers  Braxton Sloan (13), Noah Chase (12) and Jacob McCurdy (10)  along with Landen Heffner, who scored 9 and dished out 5 assists and paced the team with 5 boards.

Southern (4-5) returns home to face East Palestine on Friday.

Uniteds junior Jason Pratt led the home team with 12 points by knocking down 3 triples.

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The Golden Eagles (2-9) will look to get back on track when they visit Wellsville this Friday.

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 WKBN.com.
Jan. 8 (UPI) -- A developing winter storm system is threatening many southern states with a mix of snow, sleet and rain late Wednesday night and into Friday, the National Weather Service says.

The storm system will form Wednesday night across parts of West Texas and expand northward across the Red River Valley, southern Ozark Mountains, the Mid-South and into the Tennessee Valley throughout Thursday and into Friday, NWS forecasters said.

"A large swath of heavy snow is expected to dangerously impact travel from southeast Oklahoma through much of Tennessee where accumulations have the potential to exceed 6 inches," NWS forecasters said.

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The weather will transition from snow to sleet and freezing rain as warmer air aloft mixes with sub-freezing temperatures at the surface, which could make road travel very dangerous.

"The freezing rain will turn surfaces from roads to sidewalks to trees and power lines icy, leading to hazardous travel and the concern for downed tree branches and power outages from portions of Texas, Arkansas and parts of the Southeast," NWS forecasters said.

A weather map shows the predicted path of a winter storm forming in West Texas that the National Weather Service says will impact much of the South. Image Courtesy of the National Weather Service

A winter weather advisory is in effect for much of the South, including Dallas; Little Rock, Ark.; Nashville and Memphis; Birmingham, Ala.; and Atlanta, ABC News reported.

Those areas could see up to 6 inches of snowfall by the weekend, but local officials don't anticipate power-system disruptions due to winter weather.

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The storm system could bring up to 8 inches of snowfall to northern Alabama on Thursday and Friday, including the Huntsville International Airport, where officials are preparing for the winter storm.

Airport officials said they won't close as the storm system passes through the area, but some flights might be affected by the winter weather.

Little Rock could see up to 10 inches of snowfall through Friday evening, while Memphis, Nashville and Atlanta are expecting much less snowfall but might be impacted by freezing rain.

A winter storm warning extends into western Tennessee and Alabama and southern Missouri for Thursday and Friday with high temperatures in the low 30s during the daytime hours.

The NWS has issued a winter storm watch in North Georgia and Atlanta on Friday with up to 4 inches of accumulation possible, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
SOUTHINGTON, Conn. (WTNH)  The Southington Police Department is seeking the publics help in identifying a suspect who allegedly stole over $4,000 worth of guitars from a Guitar Center store.

Police say the man robbed the store on two separate incidents, one on Nov. 2 and one on Dec. 28.

Contact jdrake@southingtonpolice.org with information.



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 WTNH.com.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has officially announced that the results for the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams will be released on January 13, 2025.

Speaking during a press briefing at the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) headquarters in Nairobi, Ogamba addressed the uncertainty surrounding the release date and assured the public of the ministrys dedication to timely and accurate reporting.

For the more than 960,000 candidates who sat for the exams from October 22 to November 22, 2024, this announcement provides much-needed clarity. T

he slight delay in releasing the results, which typically hit headlines in late December or early January, is attributed to two major factors: an increased number of students and adjustments introduced by the new Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) reforms.

Ogamba reassured everyone that the marking process is close to completion, emphasizing how examiners have worked tirelessly to ensure the results accurately reflect students hard work and performance.

This years marking process has been rigorous to maintain the highest standards of transparency and fairness. We understand how much these results mean to our students, and we are committed to delivering them with integrity, he said.

The delay, as explained by the Education CS, stemmed from the larger number of candidates and the detailed assessment models required under the CBC framework. These measures are designed to not only evaluate academic performance comprehensively but also build a system rooted in trust and precision.

To ensure fairness, Ogamba mentioned that strict quality control measures were applied throughout the examination and marking process. Maintaining the credibility of our education system is vital, especially as we adapt to CBC, he noted, adding that the reliability of the results is paramount during this period of curriculum transition.

Ogamba urged students awaiting their results to remain calm as the process wraps up. I know the anticipation can be stressful, but its important to remember that these results are not the endtheyre a beginning, he advised.

Speaking directly to students, he encouraged them to view their results as a foundation for future opportunities in higher education, technical courses, and vocational training.

The KCSE results are more than just grades. They open doors to universities, colleges, and other institutions where students can pursue their passions and build fulfilling careers, Ogamba explained.

Accessing the Results

Once the results are officially released on January 13, students will have two main ways to access them:

SMS Service: Students can send their index numbers to a designated code for immediate results.

Online Portals: The results will also be available on the official KNEC website for easy access.

Schools will receive hard copies of the results shortly after the public release, making it convenient for parents and guardians to review them directly.

The release of KCSE results is a pivotal moment for Kenyas education system, shaping institutional placements for students in 2025. Universities, technical colleges, and vocational training centres are expected to begin admissions shortly after the results are out.

Meanwhile, education stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and policymakers, remain keenly focused on how the outcomes might reflect ongoing curriculum reforms and broader academic trends.
A road in southwest Charlotte was partially closed Wednesday morning due to an overnight gas leak.

ALSO READ: Contracted extended between Charlotte Fire, MEDIC

Officials with the Charlotte Fire Department said they had to block part of Arrowood Road.

When Channel 9 got to the scene around 4:30 a.m., crews had started to open the road but continued to block one lane in each direction near Arrowpoint Boulevard.

UPDATE: While it's not fully closed, Arrowood Rd. is down to 1 lane in each direction at Arrowpoint Blvd. due to an overnight gas leak. No delays for now. #clt #cltraffic #clttraffic pic.twitter.com/vlgpPf8CZY  Traffic Team 9 (@TrafficTeam9) January 8, 2025

Were asking what caused the gas line to break.

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Check wsoctv.com for updates.

(WATCH BELOW: Multiple water main breaks wreak havoc on Charlotte roads after arctic blast)
The Panamanian government has emphasised that the sovereignty of the Panama Canal is not negotiable. This is how Panama reacted to the statements of US President-elect Donald Trump about his intention to take control of the Panama Canal.

Source: Panama's Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha Vasquez, Telemetro

Details: Martinez-Acha said that after Trump takes office, relations between the two countries will be built through normal official diplomatic channels.

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The Panamanian foreign minister also reiterated President Jose Raul Mulino's position on Panama's inalienable sovereignty over the Panama Canal: "Sovereignty of the Canal is not negotiable. It is an irreversible achievement that represents national pride".

In his speech, Martinez-Acha said that the Panama Canal has a mission to serve world trade and humanity, guaranteeing the international community that Panama will not be involved in external conflicts: "The only hands that control the Canal are and will remain Panamanian. We are a country open for dialogue, investment and good relations, but always with the firm slogan that the homeland comes first".

The Panama Canal, one of the most important trade routes in the world, was built by the United States in the early 20th century. After that, its management was gradually transferred to Panama. Trump believes that China is "illegally exploiting" the Panama Canal.

Background: Earlier, newly elected US President Donald Trump refused to rule out the use of military force to fulfil his aim of establishing American control over the Panama Canal and Greenland. At a press conference, Trump was asked if he was willing to give up military coercion and responded, "I cant assure you  youre talking about Panama and Greenland  no, I cant assure you on either of those two. But I can say this: We need them for economic security."

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER  SpaceX has lined up its first launch from Kennedy Space Center for the year on Wednesday morning.

A Falcon 9 carrying 21 Starlink satellites is targeting a 10:27 a.m. liftoff from KSCs Launch Pad 39-A during a window that runs until 2:17 p.m. with additional opportunities on Thursday beginning at 9:59 a.m.

The first-stage booster is making its third flight having previously flown on the GOES-U and a Starlink mission. It will be attempting a recovery landing on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas stationed downrange in the Atlantic Ocean.

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The flight is the third on the Space Coast for the year with the other two also by SpaceX, but from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

SpaceX flew all but five of the record 93 orbital launches from KSC and Canaveral in 2024 with United Launch Alliance responsible for the rest.

While ULA has yet to announce its next launch, a new rocket company could make its Space Coast debut as Friday morning when Blue Origins New Glenn is targeting a launch from Canaverals Space Launch Complex 36 during a 1-4 a.m. launch window.

SpaceX, meanwhile, has its next Cape Canaveral launch lined up for later Friday morning with another Starliink mission targeting a launch window that runs from 10:27 a.m.-2:27 p.m.

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SpaceXs next KSC launch could be as early as Jan. 15 at 1:11 a.m. when a Falcon 9 looks to take up both the Firefly Aerospace Blue Ghost moon lander on Blue Ghost Mission 1, the third of NASAs Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) missions, and the Japanese company ispaces Hakuto Mission-2 lunar lander for JAXA.

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MADRID (AP)  Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez criticized Elon Musk on Wednesday as he joined European leaders who are are voicing concerns that the immensely wealthy backer of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is trying to influence politics across the Atlantic.

Sanchez, a leading European socialist, told a public audience in a speech in Madrid that Musk was working against liberal and progressive values.

Sanchez said during an event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of Spanish dictator Francisco Franco that the international far right openly attacks our institutions, stirs up hatred. He said the movement was being led in this case by the richest man on the planet, referring to Musk but not directly calling him by name. He also said the movement was backing a far-right party in Germany that he described as inheritors of Nazism.

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Via a steady stream of posts and re-posts on his own X social media platform, Musk has waded into European politics since backing and funding Trump's successful campaign in November. The Tesla and SpaceX chief executive has endorsed the far-right Alternative for Germany and called British Prime Minister Keir Starmer an evil tyrant who should be in prison, among other moves.

Musk also touched on Spanish social affairs earlier this week when he retweeted a post of a Spanish newspaper report regarding an alleged increase in sexual offenders who were foreigners in Spains northeast Catalonia region around Barcelona. His only written comment was Wow."

Catalonias regional president, Salvador Illa, a member of Sanchezs Socialist party, said in an apparent response to Musks post that we cant allow ourselves to fall into the hands of a tech multi-millionaire aligned with the far right.

Musk has shown a heightened interest in sexual abuse cases above all in England, saying Starmer failed to bring perpetrators to justice when he was Englands director of public prosecutions.
MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday attacked billionaire Elon Musk for interfering in European politics, accusing him of undermining democracy.

"The international far-right that we have been opposing in Spain for years, led in this case by the richest man on the planet, openly attacks our institutions, incites hatred and openly supports the heirs of Nazism in Germany," Sanchez said of Musk without directly naming him during.

Sanchez was speaking in Madrid at an event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of dictator Francisco Franco.

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Musk, who is set to serve under U.S. President-elect Donald Trump as an external adviser in charge of streamlining the government, waded into Spanish affairs on Sunday by commenting on X about an article that said that rape convictions in Spain's northeastern region of Catalonia were mainly carried out by foreigners.

Sanchez said that democracy is fragile and faced an existential threat.

"If history teaches us anything, it is that freedom is never permanently conquered," he said.

(Reporting by David Latona, editing by Inti Landauro and Charlie Devereux)
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said Tuesday that the House will vote on a bill that seeks to hold the International Criminal Court accountable over arrest warrants for Israeli officials.

This week the House will vote to impose sanctions on ICC officials, and put the ICC prosecutor Karim Khan back in his place, Johnson said.

(Khan) does not have jurisdiction over Israel or the United States, and it is outrageous that theyre issuing arrest warrants for (Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu) and (former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant).

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Rep. Burgess Owens, in a statement posted to X, said, the ICC is blind to its own hypocrisy and the dangerous implications of targeting Israel as it works to secure the safe return of all hostages and destroy the Hamas terrorist network. He added he will vote in favor of the ICC sanctions on Thursday.

ICC claims PM Netanyahu committed war crimes

Khans office submitted applications for arrest warrants for Israeli and Gaza officials in May 2024. But they withdrew the requests for Yahya Sinwar, then head of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and Ismail Haniyeh, former head of the Hamas Political Bureau, after their deaths were confirmed.

The White House didnt agree with the decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials. President Joe Biden called the move outrageous, saying, there is no equivalence  none  between Israel and Hamas, and said the U.S. will stand by Israel.

In November 2024, Khans office said the ICC found reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu and Gallant committed the war crime of using starvation as a method of warfare and crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts, as a direct perpetrator, acting jointly with others.

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Israel and the U.S. are not a part of the ICC, which includes 125 other countries.

The ICC is actually equating Israel and Hamas, even as Hamas still holds Israeli and American hostages. It is just absurd, the House speaker added. The House will not tolerate rogue actors who circumvent international law to attack Israel and threaten America. We wont do it, Johnson made clear.

GOP bill to hold ICC accountable

The Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act, reintroduced by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, on Friday, would impose these sanctions.

If we do not check this rogue, leftist court now, we can rest assured that our military leadership and troops will be the next targets of its political attacks, Roy said, according to a press release issued last week.

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While I have full confidence that President Trump will stand for Israel with the strength and moral clarity that Biden has sorely lacked, this bill will ensure that no future administration after him will be able to give the ICC a free pass to attack our allies like this.

The ICC sanctions bill passed the House in the last Congress, with 42 Democrats voting in favor. But it was stymied in the Senate as former Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York never brought it to the floor for a vote.

At the time, Johnson criticized the Biden administration for undermining Israel. And now, 155 House Democrats have voted to give the ICC a free pass to target our allies and undermine U.S. national security interests, he added on June 4, 2024.

The Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act states, The ICCs actions against Israel are illegitimate and baseless, including the preliminary examination and investigation of Israel and applications for arrest warrants against Israeli officials, which create a damaging precedent that threatens the United States, Israel and all United States partners who have not submitted to the ICCs jurisdiction.

The United States must oppose any action by the ICC against the United States, Israel or any other ally of the United States that has not consented to ICC jurisdiction or is not a state party to the Rome Statute of the ICC, the bill adds.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Utah Gov. Spencer Cox is expected to be inaugurated into his second term on Wednesday morning, Jan. 8.

The inauguration is set to take place at 10 a.m. at the Eccles Theater in downtown Salt Lake City. It will also include the swearing-in of Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, Attorney General-Elect Derek Brown, Treasurer Marlo Oaks, and Auditor-Elect Tina Cannon.

The entire inauguration event can be watched live as it happens online in a video player above and on-air on ABC4.

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A Fairview, Utah native, Cox won his second term in office in the General Election in November 2024, beating Democratic challenger Rep. Brian King with nearly 53% of the vote.

Cox earned the right to seek re-election after securing enough signatures earlier in the year to challenge the Republic convention winner, Rep. Phil Lyman for the nomination. Cox would go on to win the nomination in the Republican Primary against Lyman with 54.4% of the vote.

During his first term in office, Gov. Cox championed an ongoing campaign against social media companies and their alleged harm against Utah children. He also served as the chair for the National Governors Association, launching his Disagree Better campaign to promote healthy dialogue between opposing views. These are among several other accomplishments related to education and the preservation of the Great Salt Lake.

Cox has previously said he would only serve two terms as the Utah governor and he will not be seeking another re-election.

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Wednesdays inauguration will also introduce Derek Brown as Utahs new Attorney General, replacing the outgoing Sean Reyes.

Reyes announced in December 2023 that he would not be seeking re-election for the position after his office was accused of intimidating the women who say they were groomed and abused by Operation Underground Railroad founder Tim Ballard. In a statement, Reyes said he apologized to the women that his friendship with Ballard and the close ties between his office and OUR made the alleged victims feel powerless and unable to come forward.

Brown, a former Chairman of the Utah Republican Party, announced his candidacy for Reyes position shortly after. He would go on to win the seat with nearly 58% of the vote over a field of five candidates, including Democrat Rudy Bautista, Michelle Quist of the United Utah Party, Libertarian Andrew McCullough, and independent Austin Hepworth.

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"The Hills" star Spencer Pratt captured pictures of the raging wildfires in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

The wildfires forced thousands to evacuate their homes in the Pacific Palisades after high wind gusts of 80 mph caused a brush fire to quickly spread more than 1,200 acres.

Residents living in the Pacific Palisades were warned to evacuate by the City of Los Angeles in the early afternoon after a fire spotted in the morning had quadrupled by the afternoon. Several celebrities live in the area and were also forced to evacuate.

Spencer Pratt Captures Wildfires From His Backyard

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According to KABC, a brush fire that began near West Sunset Boulevard has spread more than 1,200 acres. The fire quadrupled in size in four hours, and Pacific Palisades residents were ordered to evacuate by the City of Los Angeles.

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More than 25,000 people live in the area, including reality television star Spencer Pratt.

Pratt shared pictures of the wildfires from his backyard on Tuesday, and several fires could be seen burning in the distance as he looked on.

Actor James Woods Shared Footage From His Home

Our deck three minutes ago. pic.twitter.com/KpZDELpN8L  James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 7, 2025

"Against All Odds" star James Woods also shared footage from the deck of his home in the Pacific Palisades. The 77-year-old actor posted a video of the wildfires raging near his home on X with the caption, "Our deck three minutes ago."

"Im standing in my driveway getting ready to evacuate, he said, per USA Today. Woods added that planes were dropping water on the homes to fight the wildfires.

Woods' Neighbor's House Caught Fire

Two houses from us pic.twitter.com/5lx6kMqdmN  James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 7, 2025

Woods also shared footage of the house burning two doors down from his on X. "Two houses from us," he captioned the post.

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The actor also thanked his well-wishers.

"To all the wonderful people whove reached out to us, thank you for being so concerned. Just letting you know that we were able to evacuate successfully," he wrote on X. "I do not know at this moment if our home is still standing, but sadly houses on our little street are not."

Woods later noted that he just learned his next-door neighbor's house was on fire but they had been "safely evacuated."

'Cocoon' Star Steve Guttenberg Warns Residents 'Just Get Out'

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Actor Steve Guttenberg warned that people living in the area should not delay and "just get out." The 66-year-old "Cocoon" star spoke with KTLA on the scene.

Dont worry about your personal property," he said. "Just get out. Get your loved ones and get out.

Guttenberg added that people leaving their cars should also leave their keys so that someone could move the cars out of the way in an effort to unblock intersections for the fire trucks.

Whats happening is people take their keys with them as if theyre in a parking lot," he said. "This is not a parking lot. We really need people to move their cars... If you leave your car behind, leave the key in there so a guy like me can move your car so that these fire trucks can get up there."

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"There are people stuck up there," added Guttenberg. "So were trying to clear Palisades Drive and Im walking up there as far as I can moving cars... There are families up there, there are pets up there. There are people who really need help."

"It's really important for people to band together," he added.

'Schitt's Creek' Star Was Evacuated

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Actor Eugene Levy was also safely evacuated from his Pacific Palisades home on Tuesday.

The "Schitt's Creek" star told The Los Angeles Times that he saw "black and intense" smoke as he fled the area.

"The smoke looked pretty black and intense over Temescal Canyon, said Levy. I couldn't see any flames, but the smoke was very dark.

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Red flag warnings will remain in effect until Thursday evening for Malibu and the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area.

Calabasas, the San Gabriel Valley, the San Fernando Valley, the Santa Clarita Valley, the San Gabriel Mountains, and the 5 Freeway and 14 Freeway corridors also have red flag warnings until Thursday.

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Thousands of Kenyan families are anxiously waiting for the release of the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results. Its an especially tense time for students and parents, as Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba faces mounting calls to release the results sooner rather than later.

CS Ogamba recently assured the public that results would be out within two weeks, but the delay, despite marking ending in December, has left many frustrated. For the 965,501 candidates who sat the exams, the suspense is anything but easy to bear.

This year, theres been a significant shift in how candidates will access their KCSE results. Gone is the trusted SMS platform that many families had grown used to. Instead, the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) will only use an online system.

If youre checking results, heres what you need to do:

Head to the KNEC website.

Find the 2024 KCSE section.

Input your index number and registered name.

This year wasnt just about waitingit was also one for the history books. The 2024 KCSE had a record-breaking 965,501 students sitting for the exams, up from 903,138 in 2023.

The exams, which wrapped up on November 22, were spread across 10,755 centers nationwide. By December 13, markers at 35 centers, including well-known schools like Alliance High and State House Girls, had completed the job.

With last years remarkable resultsover 200,000 students earned the coveted university entry grade of C+ or higherexpectations for this years performance are understandably high. That said, the pressure is palpable, especially after notable strides toward gender parity:

96,235 female candidates met the university cutoff in 2023.

104,898 male candidates achieved the same milestone in 2023.

If youve been wondering why this years results feel delayed, youre not alone. During a speech at the Omogusii Cultural Festival in Nyamira last week, CS Ogamba addressed this directly. He reminded everyone that KCSE results have traditionally been announced in January, and this year is no different.

But heres where some of the confusion may have stemmed from: in past years, Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) results were released in December. With the new curriculum in place and no KCPE to announce, many assumed KCSE results might come earlier.

Thats not the case, Ogamba clarified, urging patience as they work to stick to the January timeline.

Unfortunately, this years KCSE season has been clouded by widespread reports of exam cheating. Cases of malpractice have cropped up in various schools, with teachers, candidates, and school administrators under scrutiny.

For some context, here are just a few incidents that caught national attention:

Siaya County: Thirteen teachers were arrested for alleged involvement in cheating.

Thirteen teachers were arrested for alleged involvement in cheating. Nandi County: Four teachers, including a center manager at Kamimei Secondary, were detained after an exam paper leaked on social media.

Four teachers, including a center manager at Kamimei Secondary, were detained after an exam paper leaked on social media. Homa Bay County: Ten teachers from Pala Masogo Secondary School were released on Sh2 million bonds each.

Ten teachers from Pala Masogo Secondary School were released on Sh2 million bonds each. Kiambu County: Two candidates were caught with mobile phones in the exam halla clear violation.

These scandals dont just tarnish the image of the affected schoolsthey also leave students from those institutions deeply nervous. Many fear their scripts may face harsher scrutiny as part of stricter regulations meant to curb future malpractice.

Right now, all eyes are on the Ministry.
The fast-moving wildfire in Pacific Palisades has torn through neighborhoods and destroyed many homes, including that of The Hills stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag.

On Tuesday, Pratt posted numerous videos about the fires to social media updating his followers on his familys safety.

Photos: Palisades Fire torches homes in Los Angeles

Hours later in a post to Snapchat, Pratt revealed he watched his home go up in flames from his security cameras.

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On Wednesday morning he told his over 960,000 TikTok followers that his parents home was also damaged from the fire.

Actor Steve Guttenberg jumps into action as brush fire burns Pacific Palisades

However, he did try to lighten the mood.

When your house burns down and you have nothing. (When) your parents house burns down you have nothing. Theres only one thing that could maybe make you feel better, a bag of bagels, he said showing a bag full of the bagels.

He then opened up about how he was feeling.

Obviously Im in shock, my brains not functioning so I think this is the most unhinged post youve seen, he said as he appeared to get emotional.

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2 dead in fast-moving Eaton Fire in Southern California; blaze explodes to 10,600 acres

Pratt and Montag have been romantically linked since 2007 and have been married since 2008 and have two children together. Theyre famously known by their collective nickname Speidi. Its not known where they are seeking shelter during this time.

His sister, Stephanie, who also appeared on The Hills learned the fire was burning on her street near Palisades Charter High School while she was overseas.

I dont know if its a good thing Im in London or I need to get back to LA. I cant think straight. What do I do? Honestly looking for advice. Im frozen in shock. How horrible for my sweet little nephews to watch their house disappear like this, she wrote on Instagram on Tuesday. They must be so scared and confused. I guess the silver lining for me is if my house goes its only my stuff- not years of family memories like everyone else in the Palisades. Help me whats my next move.

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The Hills aired for six seasons on MTV from 2006 until 2010 and originally focused on the life of Lauren LC Conrad who starred in the hit reality show Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County.

The Hills also featured Brody Jenner and Kristin Cavallari.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
SPENCERPORT, N.Y. (WROC)  It was standing room only Tuesday night inside the Spencerport Board of Education meeting, as friends and family of Lia Sick came out to support as her parents voiced concerns about bullying in the district.

News 8 has been bringing you Lias story for the past few weeks and the familys fight for change is far from over.

NYSUT president addresses states approach to bullying in schools after Spencerport incident

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It was Nov. 22 when the Sick Family said a group of boys surrounded eighth grader Lia Sick at Cosgrove Middle School and slammed her into a locker.

They decided that a three day out of school suspension was punishment enough for an assault during the Thanksgiving holiday, Lias father, Shaun, told News 8.

The Sicks said the bullying didnt stop there and continued with phone calls from the same boys to each family member. Shaun and his wife Kim took further legal action after they said the schools response to this incident was not enough. Two students have been arrested.

Second arrest made in Spencerport bullying case

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Tuesday, as part of a plea for change, Shaun Sick and family friends stood before school board members.

Every kid has the right to come to school and not feel threatened, and thats not the case, Shaun said.

All students affected by bullying have leaned on and depended upon the boards articles but have been left with uncertainty and disappointment, Tanya Silivestro said.

Tuesdays meeting was labeled as a Study Session. A portion of its agenda allowed community members privilege of the floor.

Parents in Spencerport bullying case: Theres going to be extra arrests

In a statement read by the Board President before that privilege started, she explained that individual students cannot be discussed. Shaun told News 8 before he got to the podium, he was told most of what he had prepared in a speech could not be said.

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After the meeting, he read the speech to News 8.

I put Spencerport in the spotlight to demand justice for my daughter and others in her situation, Shaun said.

For Lia, Tuesday was her first day back at school after winter break. It was also the first time she faced the boys.

They ruined her day, Lias mom, Kim, told News 8. She said, I keep seeing him in the hallway. I dont like this. I dont want to be here. Its awful to know that your child feels like that all day at her school, and hes just walking around like its just another day, and hes high fiving his buddies.

And while Tuesdays meeting did not go as planned for the Sick Family, Kim and Shaun are hopeful there will be more opportunities to speak out, not just for the Lia, but for anyone who has experienced bullying.

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Why should she have to feel this way? Kim asked. I want things to change, and my husband and I have been in contact with the State Assemblyman. You know, we came here tonight. Were just going to keep doing whatever we can do to make some kind of change. It has to happen.

News 8 did message the Spencerport Central School District ahead of Tuesdays meeting. A spokesperson said the superintendent would not be speaking and was referred to a statement from November. Shaun told News 8 the president of the board offered to set up a private meeting and include the superintendent.

FULL STATEMENT FROM SPENCERPORT SUPERINTENDENT:

Dear Cosgrove Families,

The recent announcement by the Greece Police Department speaks to the severity of this bullying incident and we are appreciative to law enforcement for the response and attention given to this matter.

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A charge of aggravated harassment in the second degree addresses the most severe behavior, which occurred outside of school. This latter point is important to make, given the complexities of bullying and how it often interconnects between home and school.

For the school incident, we have pursued every action within our authority, consulting with law enforcement and conducting a DASA investigation led by a third-party law firm that specializes in school law. This investigation has been submitted to the impacted families and New York State Education Department, and consequences have been administered.

Concerning behaviors must be addressed, whether at home or school, and the only way to see change is by collectively working together. Please consider this situation as an opportunity to talk with your children about appropriate behaviors, misuse of social messaging apps, and reporting any bullying or safety issues to a trusted adult.

Thank you,

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Ty Zinkiewich, Superintendent of Schools.

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FLOYD COUNTY, Va. (WFXR)  Springhouse has announced a special event to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. called The Long Road: Building Beloved Community in the New River Valley.

The event is Monday, January 20 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Springhouse located at 144 Silver Maple Lane in Pilot, Va.

The event is to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and contribute to the ongoing work to build a more inclusive world. It will also allow a space for individuals and families to gather, celebrate diversity, and reflect the vision of the community by Dr. King.

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The community defined by Dr. King urged all people to live in freedom, equality, and dignity free from racism, bigotry, and poverty.

New owners take over Fork in the Alley restaurant

There will be a potluck meal, music, and opportunities for those to gather and converse together. Participants can also bring home posters made by students in Sourced Press, which is Springhouses in-house print shop.

Highlights of the event include

Community Potluck: Attendees are encouraged to bring a dish to share, fostering connection and celebration of the unique culinary traditions within the community.

Music and Fellowship: Enjoy live music and come together in a joyful atmosphere that highlights the power of community and shared purpose.

Welcome Posters: Sourced Press will be offering their Welcome Posters as tools for building community and welcoming all people.

Community Roundtable: Community leaders will be invited to participate in the Community Roundtable, a long-term initiative from Springhouse aimed at supporting the holistic development of local leaders who are committed to service and positive change.

Martin Luther King Jr.s vision of a beloved community is one that we strive to bring to life every day at Springhouse, said Jenny Finn, Springhouse co-founder and Executive Director. This event is a chance to reflect on his legacy, celebrate the progress weve made, and recommit to the work ahead. We hope everyone will join us to help build a more vital and just world for all.

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For more information click here.

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CANTON, N.Y. (WWTI)  A 36-year-old South Colton man was brought back from Ohio to face assault and other charges after allegedly fleeing to Ohio.

According to the New York State Police, Jose Melendez was arrested on Tuesday, January 7.

St. Lawrence County man indicted for April 2024 murder

Just after 6 p.m. October 22, 2024, State Troopers responded to Church Street in the village of Tupper Lake for a report of physical domestic that occurred at a residence on State Highway 56 in the town of Colton.

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An investigation determined that Melendez and the victim were allegedly involved in a verbal argument which led to Melendez wrapping a lanyard around the victims neck causing the victim to suffer physical injury.

The victim was later able to get away from Melendez and leave the residence. The alleged victim then traveled to Tupper Lake where they were interviewed by the State Police.

Melendez fled the area and a further investigation led the State Police to Melendez was known to be in Ohio. He was located, arrested, and transported back to New York.

Melendez was charged with second-degree assault and second-degree strangulation. He was arraigned in the Town of Canton Court and remanded to St. Lawrence County jail in lieu of $25,000.

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CANTON, N.Y. (WWTI)  A 51-year-old St. Lawrence County man has been indicted for second-degree murder among other charges of an alleged killing of Rensselaer Falls man in April.

A grand jury is St. Lawrence County handed down the indictments on John Free of Richville. Along with the second-degree murder charge, Free was also indicted with first-degree manslaughter and first-degree assault.

Alleged killer John Free has his preliminary hearing postponed

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Its alleged that Free, who was a former worker at the Academy at Ivy Ridge, murdered 58-year-old John Barr at his residence in Rensselaer Falls in early April 2024. Barrs body was eventually found after a welfare check by New York State Police.

Its alleged that Free struck Barr in the head with blunt objects according to the St. Lawrence County District Attorneys office.

Free was an employee at the Academy at Ivy Ridge, which was the subject of a Netflix documentary called The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping in March of last year. The documentary looked into alleged abuses at the center for center for teens.

He is still remanded to the St. Lawrence County Jail without bail. A pre-trial conference is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Friday, March 7.

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Two former St. Louis Metropolitan Police officers are accused of leaving a shooting victim to die because their shift was about to end.

Footage obtained by Missouri station KMOV First Alert 4 appears to show then-Officers Austin Fraser and Ty Warren searching a park where they came across mortally wounded Urayoan Rodriguez-Rivera, who had called 911 to say he was going to kill himself. The cops are surprised to discover Rodriguez-Rivera on the ground and still breathing after taking the call.

Damn, hes right there, one officer can be heard saying on footage recorded by Warrens body-worn camera.

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The officers acknowledge Rodriguez-Rivera isnt dead. But when Warren suggests they bring the victim somewhere for help, his partner shoots down that idea.

We aint taking st, Fraser said. I get off in 30 minutes.

Fraser then suggests to Warren they cruise around and come back, before they walk away joking and wait for other officers to respond.

Theyre gonna find this (expletive), and were gonna be like, Oh, (expletive), you found him, Fraser said to Warren.

The pair return about 10 minutes later pretending to have just arrived on the scene for the first time. A third officer calls for emergency services while Fraser and Warren stick by their plan to play dumb.

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Fraser and Warren then exit the scene a second time, leaving other officers to handle the situation.

You cant just leave, another officer is heard telling the duo as they do just that.

The 29-year-old victim was then rushed to a St. Louis-area hospital, where he died from a gunshot to his head 40 minutes after calling 911.

The state of Missouri accused the former cops of reckless disregard for their handling of that September 2023 incident, according to First Alert 4s report. The Missouri news outlet obtained the footage last month after filing a records request.

Rodriguez-Riveras death was reportedly ruled a suicide, but no gun was located at the scene.

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A police department representative told the Daily News both officers had been relieved of their duties.

The two individuals are no longer employed by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Mitch McCoy, the departments public affairs and information director, said in a statement. While we are unable to comment on specific personnel matters, SLMPD holds its officers to the highest of standards. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken if an officer is found to have violated policies.

Warrens peace officer license was revoked because of the incident, according to First Alert 4. A disciplinary hearing for Fraser was scheduled for Tuesday with the state of Missouri.

State officials told the Daily News that results of that hearing are made official after 30 days. A statewide license to practice law cant be reinstated once revoked.

_____
Two St. Louis police officers walked away from a still-breathing man suffering from a gunshot wound to the head, with one noting his shift was ending soon.

Body camera footage aired by First Alert 4 shows the officers, Ty Warren and Austin Fraser, responding to a call about a man who said he planned to die by suicide in the citys Forest Park on Sept. 10, 2023.

A complaint filed by the St. Louis Department of Safety in front of the Missouri Administrative Hearing Commission, obtained by PEOPLE, includes a partial transcript of the exchange between the two officers as they responded to the call, which matches what was said in the reported footage.

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We aint taking this sh, Fraser said, according to the complaint. Lets cruise around and come back.

The reported bodycam footage also featured Fraser saying I get off in 30 minutes.

The pair then left the man, who later died and was identified as Urayoan Rodriguez-Rivera, and cruised around the area before returning to the scene where another officer was responding to the call, according to the complaint.

Fraser and Warren did not inform the third officer that they had already found the body. The third officer called in Rodriguez-Riveras condition immediately upon finding him in the park.

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First Alert 4 also obtained another officers bodycam footage, in which the officer notes that Fraser and Warren left the scene once other officers arrived.

The complaint states that Warren admitted that he had made a dumb decision and that he had succumbed to Frasers pressure.

The two individuals are no longer employed by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the department said in a statement to PEOPLE. While we are unable to comment on specific personnel matters, SLMPD holds its officers to the highest of standards. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken if an officer is found to have violated policies.



Read the original article on People
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo.  After the winter storm closed the St. Louis County Courthouse Monday, Tuesday marked the first day on the job for St. Louis Countys new prosecutor, Melissa Price Smith.

Shed been an assistant St. Louis County prosecutor since 2008, most recently leading the child abuse and sex crimes units, and says shes taking the politics out of the job.

Price Smith is the first woman to hold the position. She hardly seems to be basking in the glow of history, refusing to post her name at the door.

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This isnt about ego. This is about moving forward in strength, together. It takes all of us to make it happen, she said.

Price Smith is adding to the offices specialized units, pulling together a violent crime unit from the 50 assistant prosecutors on staff to eliminate a backlog of violent crime cases.

We have hundreds of cases that have not been reviewed yet. Those arent the kind of cases that can sit in a pile waiting to be reviewed. Violent crimes need to be reviewed in real-time, immediately, she said.

List: St. Louis area school & business closings

Additionally, shes leaving behind the legal and political battles that ended only a couple of hours before her swearing-in on Friday.

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Democrat County Executive Sam Page and Republican Gov. Mike Parson each claimed authority to appoint former Prosecutor Wesley Bells replacement when he was elected to Congress.

Page appointed former Democrat Congressional candidate Cort Van Ostran. Parson appointed Price Smith.

Things got ugly.

Price Smith told an open hearing of the Councils Committee of the Whole that during the interview process with Pages selection committee, she was asked to dig up dirt on a Page political rival.

She is not pursuing the alleged smear case.

It wasnt a crime, I guess? FOX 2s Andy Banker asked.

It was inappropriate, she responded.

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After Page lost all court battles over the appointment, he attended her swearing in.

I believe Dr. Page and I have the same goal of making St. Louis County safe, and its time to put all of that behind us Im the right person for the job, though. St. Louis County needs a prosecutor. St. Louis County doesnt need another politician, Price Smith added.

Still, she does plan to seek election to the post in 2026. Bell was re-elected to the job in 2022. Her appointment is only for the remainder of Bells term.

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COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP)  St. Louis embattled former Democratic prosecutor Kim Gardner spent the equivalent of seven weeks in nursing school classes during business hours, according to a scathing report released Tuesday by the state auditor.

Republican Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick's review also found widespread staff turnover, misuse of public funds and a significant drop in cases filed, referred and closed before Gardner resigned under fire in 2023.

In my view, the driving force was Kim Gardners failure to make her job as circuit attorney her top priority, Fitzpatrick told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

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The audit found Gardner spent 34.5 working days, or approximately 7 weeks doing nursing school coursework at Saint Louis University during business hours.

Gardner told auditors that she was pursuing a family nurse practitioner post-masters certificate to improve the office and bring mental health awareness to the office.

The Associated Press left phone and email messages with lawyers for Gardner on Tuesday.

Other issues cited in the audit include more than $58,000 in public funds spent on flowers, a disc jockey, car detailing, an office picnic, a chili cookout and Gardner's personal legal expenses.

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Getting information from the office while Gardner was in charge was difficult, according to auditors. Employees denied or delayed audit requests for two years until subpoenaed, and full access to documents, personnel, and the office itself was only given after the new administration took over, according to the audit report.

Criticism of Gardner is not new.

At the time of her resignation, she was targeted for removal by Missouri Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey. And GOP lawmakers were considering a bill allowing the Republican governor to appoint a special prosecutor to handle violent crimes, effectively removing the bulk of Gardners responsibilities.

Gardner was part of a movement of progressive prosecutors who sought diversion to mental health treatment or drug abuse treatment for low-level crimes, pledged to hold police more accountable, and sought to free incarcerated people who were wrongfully convicted.

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Republican leaders often criticized Gardner for a low homicide conviction rate, among other concerns. She frequently butted heads with police and conservatives.

In 2018, Gardner charged former Gov. Eric Greitens, then a rising star in GOP politics, with felony invasion of privacy, accusing him of taking a compromising photo of a woman during an affair. The charge was eventually dropped. Greitens resigned in June 2018.

Scrutiny of the case led to the conviction of Gardners investigator, and Gardner received a written reprimand from the Missouri Supreme Court for how her office handled documents in the case.

Gardner got into more trouble after she directed her employees to issue checks to pay off a $5,004 fine related to that case, although she wasnt entitled to the additional compensation. She agreed to repay the money with her own funds to avoid federal prosecution.
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has accused some Kenya Kwanza leaders of plotting to impeach him.

Speaking at the burial of former Cabinet Minister Nathan Munoko in Endebess, Natembeya claimed that unnamed politicians are funding the impeachment scheme. He believes this move is a deliberate attempt to block his political rise.

Despite the alleged plot, Natembeya expressed confidence, stating that he is not afraid of any impeachment efforts.

I hear some people are planning to impeach me. It is fine. Let them go ahead, he said.

The governor emphasized that the law should be respected and not manipulated to suit personal interests. He accused certain leaders of promoting intolerance and creating barriers in political competition to maintain the status quo.

This culture of intolerance among the political class has to stop. Some people have put barriers in the political space to selfishly continue benefiting, even after failing to fulfill their responsibilities, Natembeya said.

Additionally, Natembeya criticized the unfair distribution of national resources, stressing that some regions have been discriminated against.

I am standing with the people, and we want equity in the distribution of national resources, he added.

Meanwhile, Natembeya has filed legal action against Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichungwah over his public remarks accusing him of involvement in the abductions and murders of Kenyans while serving as a Regional Commissioner during the Jubilee administration.

Through his legal representatives, the law firm Oringe Waswa & Opany, Natembeya has demanded a public apology from Ichungwah within three days.

The county boss warned that if Ichungwah fails to comply, he will pursue further legal action for defamation.

Natembeya has asserted that Ichungwahs remarks were false, malicious, and reckless, causing significant damage to his reputation.

Through his legal team, Natembeya argued that Ichungwahs statementYou were the Regional Commissioner in charge of abductions and murdering Kenyans, shame on youimplied that Natembeya was directly involved in the killing and disappearance of innocent Kenyans.

Natembeya stated that the MPs comments severely harmed his professional and personal reputation, subjecting him to public ridicule and disdain.

The allegations against our client have had and continue to exert devastating effect on our clients reputation, credibility, integrity, moral, societal and professional standing. Our client has in consequence been seriously injured in his character, esteem, credibility as well as his societal and professional standing both locally and internationally, read the letter.

The governor has demanded that Ichungwah retract his statements and issue a formal apology by publishing it in three major newspapersNation, Standard, and Starwithin the specified three-day timeframe.
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD)  With freezing temperatures hitting Baton Rouge, St. Vincent de Paul is offering vital support to the citys most vulnerable residents. The organizations shelters have opened their doors, providing warm meals, safe sleeping arrangements, and relief from the dangerous cold.

Our shelters are a lifeline, said Debra Blacher, Director of Community Relations at St. Vincent de Paul. Depending on whether or not someone has preexisting conditions, the cold could be detrimental to them.

The organization serves up to 200 people at a time but often sees demand exceed its capacity. Despite this challenge, they remain committed to providing warmth and care to everyone who seeks their help.

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Frostbite and other cold-weather-related health emergencies are a significant concern, as explained by Dakasha Leonard, Director of Shelter Relations.

Sometimes, frostbite doesnt set in immediately, but we see a lot of emergencies days after extreme cold weather, said Leonard.

Many are unaware that St. Vincent de Paul also operates a family shelter, offering a safe haven for families in need.

We are open to families who need housing, Leonard shared, emphasizing that the organizations mission extends beyond individuals.

With freezing temperatures expected to persist, St. Vincent de Paul is calling on the community to lend support. Donations of food, financial contributions, and other resources are always needed. However, for those unable to give materially, Leonard emphasized that prayers are equally appreciated.

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Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Chair Janet Alkire delivers the Tribal-State Relationship address during a joint session of the North Dakota Legislature on Jan. 7, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

BISMARCK, N.D.  Tribes, the state and federal government must continue to work together for the benefit of their people, Janet Alkire, chair of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, said in a Tuesday address to North Dakota state lawmakers.

Our common citizens are our bridge, and without the valuable support they need, that infrastructure will collapse, Alkire said.

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The tribes reservation straddles the North Dakota-South Dakota border.

In her speech, Alkire provided the Legislature with updates on the five Native nations that share geography with North Dakota: Standing Rock, the Spirit Lake Nation, the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate.

The need for more infrastructure on reservations was a common refrain in Alkires speech.

In recent years, North Dakota tribes have benefited from federal legislation like the American Rescue Plan Act and other funding to support developments as wide ranging as new housing, medical facilities and energy projects, she said.

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For instance, the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded a $14.5 million planning grant for a proposed bridge over the Missouri River connecting the reservation to Emmons County.

But its not enough, Alkire said. She called on lawmakers, tribal chairs and federal leaders to continue investing in infrastructure in the interest of future generations.

A bridge to the future needs infrastructure, she said.

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Alkire also highlighted health care, education and economic development as key priorities for the tribes.

She urged the Legislature to pass a bill this session to fund research into how much the tribes contribute to North Dakotas gross domestic product.

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Mark Fox, chairman of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, said he brought that proposal to Alkire. He said the state had previously commissioned a similar study in the early 2000s.

Fox added that the state and tribes shouldnt see each other as economic competitors, but as collaborators.

We need to be partnering in all the things that we do, he said in an interview after the address.

Rep. Lisa Finley-DeVille, D-Mandaree, and Rep. Collette Brown, D-Warwick, agreed that improving the working relationship betweens the state and tribes should be a priority for the upcoming biennium.

Keeping an open line of communication is an important part of that, Brown said. She said she plans to introduce a bill that would require the state to notify tribal chairs about any proposed legislation that would affect their communities.

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Also Tuesday, Gov. Kelly Armstrong called for collaboration with tribal partners during his State of the State address.

Their challenges are our challenges, Armstrong said. Their successes are our successes.

Alkire in her speech also voiced support for a measure to create an alert system for missing and murdered indigenous people in North Dakota. She said the bill would be brought this session by Rep. Jayme Davis, D-Rolette.

Brown said she has also pushed for an alert for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People.

A bridge to the future needs infrastructure.

 Janet Alkire, chair of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe

Expanding funding and staffing for Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement is also key to addressing crime on reservations, Alkire siad.

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The federal government has been woefully underfunding our law enforcement budgets, she said.

President-elect Donald Trump has named former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum as his pick for secretary of the Interior.

Alkire said while shes unsure how Trumps administration will impact tribes overall, shes hopeful a more conservative administration could result in greater sovereignty for Native nations.

Alkire said if Burgum is confirmed as secretary of the Interior, he would be an asset to tribes. She said the former governor has stayed in touch with tribal chairs since leaving office.

The tribes agree that a reduction in bureaucratic overhead could be extremely beneficial, Alkire said.

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She expressed frustration over needing to get federal approval for many uses of their own land. Historically, Sioux territory stretched from present-day Minnesota to Montana, up through part of Canada and down to Kansas and Nebraska, she said.

Under an 1851 treaty with the federal government, that was reduced to part of modern-day North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Nebraska and Wyoming. The federal government subsequently violated that agreement and annexed additional parts of the Sioux Nation, further reducing Native territory. Today, the Standing Rock Reservation encompasses about 2.3 million acres.

This story was originally published by the North Dakota Monitor. Like South Dakota Searchlight, its part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. North Dakota Monitor maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Amy Dalrymple for questions: info@northdakotamonitor.com.
NORWOOD, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A Stanly County firefighter was killed in an accident recently, according to the Albemarle Fire Department.

The department wrote the following on social media:

Our hearts are with Stanly County EMS and Center Rural Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department in Norwood as they mourn the loss of one of their own who was killed in a vehicle accident on his way to work. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and colleagues.

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1 injured after train crashes into minivan in north Charlotte: Medic

Surrounding departments like Albemarle FD will provide response coverage for the Center Rural Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department following the incident.

Center Rural posted a graphic with the black mourning band over the logos of the two agencies where the first responder worked.

Queen City News has reached out to Norwood authorities for further information on the crash.



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Mark Hamill gave concerned fans an update on his safety amid the raging wildfires in Southern California.

The 73-year-old Star Wars actor took to Instagram on Tuesday, Jan. 7, to let his followers know that he'd been forced to evacuate his Malibu home with his wife, Marilou York, and dog Trixie, temporarily taking up residence at the Hollywood home of his daughter, Chelsea.

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Personal Fire Update: 7pm- Evacuated Malibu so last-minute there (were) small fires on both sides of the road as we approached PCH [Pacific Coast Highway], Hamill explained.

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"8:15 pm- Marilou, Trixie & I arrive at Chelsea's house in Hollywood," he continued, adding, "Most horrific fire since '93 STAY SAFE."

In his caption, Hamill emphasized the severity of the situation.

"* there were small fires* ^ (gimme a break- we were fleeing for our lives)," he wrote. "Stay Safe Everyone ."

Related: Mark Hamill Offers Bold Response to Donald Trumps Viral Taylor Swift Remarks

Commenters were thankful to hear the star had made it out of the danger zone.

"Please stay safe!  May the Force be with you.  ," one person wrote.

"Stay safe sweetheart. Thank you firefighters and their families who worry non stop ," a second chimed in.

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"Glad you got out safe. We evacuated Pali at 11am with a mushroom cloud over our house. Never seen anything like it. All souls out, but all belongings left behind. So much loss," someone else shared.

The fires started in the Pacific Palisades around 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning, according to The New York Post, and have spread through areas including Malibu and Santa Monica.

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency as the fires had "zero containment as of Wednesday morning." A number of celebrities have reportedly evacuated, including Eugene Levy, Mandy Moore and James Woods.

Next: Mark Hamill Celebrates 45th Wedding Anniversary With Sweet Throwback Photos
Keir Starmer is in terrible trouble. Desperately unpopular at home, he is losing his friends abroad. Almost the last socialist standing in a world shifting Right-wards at breakneck speed, our accidental Prime Minister cuts an isolated, befuddled, almost pitiful figure. His Leftist comrades Joe Biden, Justin Trudeau and Olaf Scholz are on the way out; Emmanuel Macron is a laughing stock.

The future belongs to Donald Trump, Canadas Pierre Poilievre, Argentinas Javier Milei and even Nayib Bukele, El Salvadors crime-busting, pro-Bitcoin president, and to the Eurosceptic, anti-immigration parties rising across Europe. All look at Britain with a mix of sadness and incomprehension. To the Right-wing counter-elites seizing power worldwide, Starmer embodies our accelerating decline, his values at odds with the global mood, the inadequacies of his Government painfully obvious. We are the country nobody wants to copy, a case study in what not to do, the subject of a cruel experiment in destroying a successful and cohesive society.

Like a dinosaur who miraculously escaped the mass extinction of his companions, Starmer plods on, unable to recalibrate to the new zeitgeist, chasing an EU mirage that no longer exists, stubbornly hiking tax and spend, doubling down on mass immigration and overpriced energy, oblivious to the flashing red lights in the City as gilt yields rocket to their highest levels since 1998.

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The Prime Minister was caught by surprise by the verbal onslaught unleashed by Elon Musk over the grooming gangs abomination, but that is nothing compared to what will happen when Trump takes office on 20 January. Starmers inflexibility means the special relationship is unlikely to survive: its demise, catastrophic for UK interests, would serve as the epitaph of his failed premiership.

Trump sees the UK and European countries as whingeing, ungrateful scroungers. He will demand much greater defence spending, but Rachel Reeves, facing a renewed fiscal crisis as our borrowing costs surge, wont want to slash welfare and is unlikely to deliver more than a token increase. Trump will react furiously.

If that doesnt break the special relationship, the administrations likely embrace of lawfare will stun a Westminster establishment that doesnt understand the modern Republican Party. Starmer, a Left-wing lawyer, is about to be given a taste of his own medicine.

Even though Israel possesses its own independent courts and its own robust democracy to deal with law-breaking or abuses, and despite the fact that the Jewish state is meant to be our ally, Starmer imposed sanctions against a handful of Israeli settlers accused of attacking Palestinians. Biden approved similar sanctions.

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The Left cheered at this embrace of extra-territoriality and disregard for national sovereignty, but, in its arrogant belief that the wokerati would always be in power, failed to grasp the threat to its own interests of setting such a precedent.

The Maga Right has none of the inhibitions of its predecessors. It is planning to leverage the power of a recaptured state to annihilate its enemies. Many US conservatives are now calling, in all seriousness, for sanctions to be imposed on British politicians deemed to have not done enough to combat the obscenity that are the grooming gangs. Some want UK citizens convicted of raping young girls but released after short sentences to be directly penalised by the US.

Britain risks being treated like a country with a broken justice system by a global super-power: it is a farce and an embarrassment. Foreign intervention on a domestic matter, even if spearheaded by well-meaning conservatives, isnt the solution: the answer is a better UK government committed to delivering justice to the victims. Our morally bankrupt bien-pensant elite is triply to blame.

There is an even stronger campaign underway to impose sanctions on British officials who restricted arms sales for Israel, for tacitly helping enemies of America. The International Criminal Court is certain to be targeted: its chief prosecutor Karim Ahmad Khan is British. There may be extradition requests, as well as attempts to go after Labour for allowing activists to campaign for Kamala Harris. The human rights house of cards could be toppled, destroying the centre-piece of the Starmerite worldview.

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More generally, America is about to start exporting Right-wing values again, putting it at odds with Labours Britain. US foreign policy has long been profoundly ideological, though the belief system has varied: America backed our membership of the European Community (bad), supported anti-communism (good), fought Islamism after 9/11 (good), and became a massive exporter of woke and environmental nostrums, working with Wall Street and Silicon Valley (bad).

The British Left embraced this latter onslaught: it welcomed donations to the pro-EU camp from US banks. Starmer took the knee in 2020, defying Trump and aligning himself with the far-Left, US BLM movement. British firms adopted deranged teachings of US-centric critical race theory.

All of this is now being reversed. We are living through the greatest vibe shift to the Right since 1979-1980, confirming, as per Newtons Third Law of Motion, that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Far from promoting DEI, the US will combat it. Trump wants to frack and ditch green targets and treaties. Musk wants to reinvent himself as a Right-wing George Soros, funding Right-wing causes globally, terrifying the British Left. Scores of corporate giants are ending DEI. Numerous Wall Street banks have pulled out of net zero initiatives. Meta  which owns Facebook and Instagram  has reembraced free speech, parting company with Nick Clegg and aligning itself with Musks X. Exporting the First Amendment may become a US foreign policy priority. We can expect trade sanctions against UK and EU interests if Starmer or Brussels seek to prevent American social media firms from hosting material that is legal in the US.

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Britain and Europe will face a new kind of conservative US imperialism, manifesting itself not just in attempted land grabs (such as reversing the surrender of the Chagos, or trying to absorb Greenland) but by tying trade sanctions to politics and policy. Everything is about to change. Starmer doesnt stand a chance.

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Snow falls on the Iowa Capitol on Dec. 12, 2024. (Photo by Kathie Obradovich/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

As lawmakers get ready to reconvene for the 2025 legislative session on Jan. 13, several state agencies and departments have already submitted bills they want lawmakers to consider in the upcoming year.

Lawmakers are not required to take up bills that have been submitted before session, but the proposals are insights to state entities goals for the upcoming year. Bills filed for consideration by the Legislature include measures from the state attorney general and secretary of states offices, as well as the Iowa departments of Education and Public Safety, covering topics from school safety to investment strategies.

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Though pre-filed bills arent always acted on by the Legislature, many of the proposals relate to topics brought up in previous legislative sessions. These, as well as new topics raised by state government leaders, could have an easier time being heard due to changes brought about by recent state government reorganizations that consolidated some policy-making powers, and because of Republicans expanding their power at the Statehouse.

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Iowa Republicans are entering the session with supermajorities in both chambers following the 2024 general election, in addition to holding all but one statewide elected office and Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds appoints the directors for state departments. This means a majority of pre-filed bills are coming from offices led by Republican officeholders or Reynolds appointees throughout Iowas state government.

The office of State Auditor Rob Sand, the lone Democrat holding a statewide elected position, has submitted six bills ahead of session proposing changes to Iowa Code on topics like theft and suspected fraud of public funds.

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Here are five bills submitted in December and January that may come up this session:

ESG investments in public pensions

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Birds office has introduced legislation that would ban fiduciaries managing public pension plans from using environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investment practices or other policies that consider factors outside of pursuing the economic interest of the plans participants and beneficiaries.

The proposal, submitted by the AGs office Dec. 31, would prohibit parties that manage investments through state pensions from voting for plans based on any environmental, social, policy, governance, or ideological goal that is not in the best economic interest of plan participants and beneficiaries.

The proposal is targeting ESG practices that have been used by some companies, such as BlackRock and Vanguard, that consider the impact of companies outside of profit margins when investing  such as the environmental impact of oil and gas industries, or the social impact of gun and ammunition manufacturers.

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While supporters of ESG investment strategies say the measure helps ensure that investments make ethical considerations, some conservatives say the practice unfairly targets certain industries, and that the focus of fiduciaries should be solely on maximizing returns.

Prohibiting ESG investments in use of public funds has been brought up in previous sessions. In 2023, the Legislature considered a bill that would have banned the state from entering contracts with companies that use ESG practices or pursue boycotts of certain companies or industries; Reynolds introduced an anti-ESG measure in 2024. Neither of the measures became law.

In previous sessions, state officials have said that Iowa systems like the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System already do not invest with companies that use ESG strategies.

THC drinks in vehicles

The Iowa Department of Public Safety is proposing a measure that would ban drivers and passengers from having open containers of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) drinks in vehicles, similar to existing regulations on alcoholic beverages.

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The legislation would put in place restrictions on open and unsealed containers of THC drinks in the passenger areas of motor vehicles when the vehicle is in operation. Unopened bottles, cans and other containers could be transported legally, as could open and unsealed drinks when placed in the trunk of a vehicle or behind the last upright seat.

The proposal would apply to lawful THC beverages. In the 2024 session, Reynolds approved a measure that set caps on THC contained in consumable hemp products, like drinks or gummies, at 4 milligrams of THC per serving in a single product and a limit of 10 mg THC per container. The law also set an age limit of 21 for purchasing THC products, as well as adding new rules and penalties related to the sale, manufacturing and possession of hemp-derived consumables.

School safety threat assessment teams

As officials throughout the nation seek solutions to preventing and addressing school shootings, the public safety department released a proposal to create threat assessment teams between schools and government agencies for coordination when dealing with a potentially violent situation.

The legislation, filed Dec. 30, would authorize public school districts, accredited private schools and charter schools and innovation zone schools to establish a multidisciplinary threat assessment team that would coordinate efforts and resources to intervene when a student enrolled in the school exhibits behavior that may pose a threat to the safety of the school, school employees, or other students enrolled in the school. The team members could include school and local law enforcement officials, as well as mental health professionals and representatives of social services and juvenile court services.

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The proposal would allow schools to share records and information related to school safety, and would provide the team members immunity from civil liabilities when reporting and investigating students or other individuals if their efforts relate to conduct or information indicating that the student or person poses a credible danger of serious bodily injury or death to one or more students, school employees, or others on school property.

The proposal comes nearly a year after the shooting at Perry High School on Jan. 4, 2024, when a 17-year-old student shot and killed 11-year-old Ahmir Jolliff and Principal Dan Marburger, as well as wounding two staff members and four students.

Ranked choice voting

The Iowa Secretary of States office introduced a measure that would ban ranked choice voting  also known as instant runoff voting  in Iowa.

Instead of choosing a single candidate to support in an election, ranked choice voting would allow voters to order the candidates appearing on a ballot from their first to last pick. If a candidate receives the majority of first-choice votes, they win the election. If there is not a clear winner, the candidate with the least votes is eliminated and the votes of people who picked said candidate as their top choice have their votes redistributed to their second-choice candidate. The process continues until a candidate wins a majority of votes.

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Advocates for ranked choice voting say that the process would help combat extremism and give candidates not affiliated with the two major parties a better shot in U.S. elections. Alaska and Maine, as well as major U.S. localities such as New York City and San Francisco, have ranked choice voting systems for some elections.

However, critics say the system is undemocratic and complicated. Voters in several states  Colorado, Idaho, Nevada and Oregon  rejected ranked choice voting, choosing not to adopt ballot measures for the system in the 2024 general election.

A ban on ranked choice voting was also introduced in Iowa as part of a larger election law package during the 2024 session, but failed to reach the governors desk.

Grooming in schools

A proposal filed by the Iowa Department of Education would define the act of grooming as the process of building trust and emotional connections with a student with the intent to exploit such student under Iowa law, potentially encompassing a wider range of actions from school employees.

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School districts are be mandated to report if school staff had engaged in grooming behavior toward students to the Board of Educational Examiners under a law signed by Reynolds in 2024. Under this law, the act of a teacher or school employee grooming a student constitute actions that seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a student to participate in a sexual act, or to engage in unlawful sexual conduct.

The measure was amended during the previous session after education advocates said that wording in the original legislation could discourage teachers and other school staff  who had not engaged in sexual or inappropriate interactions with students  from connecting or having any one-on-one interactions with their students for fear of disciplinary or legal action.

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The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is working to determine how big an underground mine fire is in Fairchance Borough.

Were very concerned about this, said Fairchance Council Vice President Neal Christopher. Its not like this is a light issue.

Thats how both Christopher and Thomas Tanner, the Fairchance Mayor, feel about the underground fire just off of North Morgantown Street, less than a quarter mile from the old Kyle Mine.

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The mayor said he just learned about it yesterday.

They never notified the borough about anything going on, Tanner said.

But neighbors tell Channel 11 its been burning for months. The Pennsylvania DEP said it has potentially been burning since September.

At first I didnt think nothing of it, but as it got worse and worse, then I noticed people were posting on social media about the mine being on fire, Im beginning to wonder if this is going to turn into the new Centrailia, said Edward Hixon, a neighbor.

Centralia is in central Pennsylvania.

A mine fire thats been burning since 1962 has turned the place into a ghost town.

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Derrick Moss lives on the property where the local fire is burning.

Channel 11s Andrew Havranek: Does it concern you at all?

Moss: At first it did, most definitely, but I was reassured that the problem would be eradicated, so no worries for real.

Moss said the state DEP told him a low-quality coal is burning underground.

I think its the mine, Tanner added. I mean, it smells like coal and sulfur together. They said there was a stump in there and they tried to burn it. I dont know if that set that off.

It could have, Christopher said.

The DEP sent a statement to Channel 11 addressing the fire.

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DEP received a report of this incident on the afternoon of Monday, January 6, and dispatched an investigator from DEPs Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation to the site on January 7. DEPs initial investigation revealed a previously unknown abandoned coal mine fire. DEP suspects that the fire may have resulted from someone burning a tree stump in September 2024. The nearest abandoned mine, the Kyle Mine, is located within a quarter mile but west of the location of the fire. Mine fires can be complex challenges to investigate and extinguish, and DEP does not yet have a sense for how large the fire is. DEP is currently pursuing an emergency contract to quickly address the hazard and extinguish the fire. In the meantime, DEP advises the public to avoid the area.

The borough put caution tape around the area Wednesday.

Were going to take care of it with the proper authorities, Christopher said.

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STATE LINE, Miss. (WKRG)  The rewards for identifying the person who killed three people at a State Line, Mississippi gas station on New Years Day have increased, News 5 has learned.

Florida CFO returns unclaimed property to Pensacola, several other cities

Officials said the new reward total for finding the person responsible for killing Jason Thornton, Rhonda Denson, and Lester Campbell is now $100,000.

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The reward increase comes as the Greene County Board of Supervisors approved $15,000 to work in conjunction with the other rewards offered.

Our community is a small-knit community, Greene County District 2 Supervisor Frederick Johnson said. Were family oriented. We just need to get him off the street to give our community, you know, a peace of mind.

Other rewards offered include $10,000 from Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers and Clark Oil, along with $15,000 from the Town of State Line, and $60,000 from friends of victim Jason Thorton.

Officials previously shared the following photos of the suspect in hopes of identification:

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Mobile woman accused of stabbing man

You dont even know the last time when youre going to see someone, Curtis Hill, a Greene County resident and friend of Rhonda Denson, said.

Those looking to qualify for the reward from Crime Stoppers can submit tips by calling **Tip or 1-877-787-5898.

Tips can also be submitted on the P3 Tips app.

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GAYLORD  Criminal investigations can stall for a variety of reasons, including a lack of evidence, leads or witnesses, and eventually become cold cases.

Cold cases are a challenge that have confronted law enforcement for years while fascinating the public.

In order to devote more attention to cold cases, the Michigan State Police recently formed a Seventh District Cold Case Team. The team will operate out of the district headquarters in Gaylord and cover Northern Michigan.

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Heading up this unit is Detective Sergeant Matt Wilt, who plans to hire two additional detective troopers.

A lot of other (state police) districts have started these and have had some success, said Wilt. We tried doing some cold case things before with a part-time team. While they had some success, they would get called out to work on something else. Thats why we are going to a full-time team, so they have no other distractions.

The Michigan State Police recently formed a Seventh District Cold Case Team. The team will operate out of the district headquarters in Gaylord and cover Northern Michigan.

According to the National Institute of Justice, a cold case is an investigation that has remained unsolved after all viable leads have been exhausted.

Wilt said the MSP unit will have no specific definition or time limit for a case to be considered cold.

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Some departments have homicides that are six to eight years old that arent cold cases because they have things that are still being worked on, Wilt said.

Wilt said the cold cases his unit will work on will include crimes besides murder.

We have several missing persons and other crimes we will look at, he said.

Matt Wilt

The team will evaluate the Northern Michigan cold cases and determine their solvability based on a scoring system employed by the state police. The system is comprised of several factors which determine each case's solvability rating.

Its a scoring grid that we use to see which ones have the highest rate of solvability. Once we open a case, we will put out a request asking the public to provide information on that case, Wilt said.

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Even though all cold cases will be reviewed, not all of them may be reopened for investigation, he added.

With the advancement of DNA analysis and other investigative techniques we want to take a fresh look at some of our older cases. We want the public and the families to know we have not forgotten about them, Wilt said.

The Seventh District covers the northern Lower Peninsula and includes MSP posts from Traverse City to the west, Houghton Lake to the south, Alpena to the east and Cheboygan to the north.

 Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Michigan State Police forms new Seventh District Cold Case Team
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP)  One state program could save you hundreds on your heating bill this winter.

Wind advisory with gusts up to 50 mph bring bitter cold temperatures

The program known as HEAP can keep money in your pocket while still keeping your home warm.

Heating prices for oil and electricity have gone up significantly since the pandemic. This puts residents of western Massachusetts in a tight spot, especially during the coldest month of the year. 22News spoke to one Agawam resident whos felt the recent spike in cost.

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My heating prices went way up and even Im in the local Facebook forums and everybodys complaining about the energy prices and electrical problems, says Antony Menovshchikov. A just constant thing that keeps popping up on my feed.

The Home Energy Assistance Program pays for a portion of your heating bill between October and March. Depending on your income, theres a wide range of benefits, which could be as much as $1,050 of savings.

Eligibility is based on household size and the combined gross annual income of household members. Both homeowners and renters whose cost of heat is included in rent can apply,

You can either apply online or at a local provider. Clare Higgins is the Executive Director at one of these providers. She told 22News that a home with no heat can lead to a dangerous environment, The need for heat is a health and safety issue, right? When people dont have good heat, they may do things, like use their stove to heat their house make other decisions that could be dangerous.

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While applications open in October, you can still apply for this winter. To apply, you can either fill out an online application, submit an application by mail, or, fill one out in person at the HEAP agency in your area. In western Massachusetts, these agencies are Valley Opportunity Council inc, in Holyoke, and Community Action Pioneer Valley in Greenfield.

You will need to show a photo ID for the head of household, a list of all household members, information on your heating bill, your housing situation, and proof of income 30 days before your application date.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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The Ministry of Health has confirmed that it is closely monitoring reports of a potential outbreak of a flu-like illness caused by the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV).

In a statement released on Tuesday, January 7, the Ministry acknowledged that some patients in hospitals have shown symptoms of the virus. However, it reassured the public that the number of cases recorded so far remains minimal.

The Ministry emphasized that HMPV is not a new virus. We wish to assure the general public that HMPV is not a new virus and has been documented as a circulating pathogen contributing to respiratory illnesses in Kenya, the statement said.

The Ministry also highlighted that the national public health surveillance system is on high alert, but confirmed that there is no increase in the expected number of patients presenting with respiratory symptoms in health facilities across the country.

To prevent the potential spread of the illness, the Ministry has advised Kenyans to maintain high levels of hygiene. Individuals showing flu-like symptoms are encouraged to seek medical attention promptly at nearby health facilities.

We request members of the public to remain vigilant and continue observing public health practices such as hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, as promoted through the Epuka Uchafu Afya Nyumbani initiative, the Ministry added. For any inquiries, the public is encouraged to call 719.

Any unusual cases of severe respiratory illness are advised to seek medical assistance from the nearest health facility as soon as possible. Further information will be provided as it becomes available.
PIERRE, S.D. (KELO)  State government wants to fund the ongoing costs of South Dakotas new vehicle-records system by charging an additional $2 per transaction for licenses and titles.

The state Department of Revenue is asking the Legislature for permission to impose a vehicle technology fee that would apply to cars, trucks, vans, buses, motorcycles, commercial vehicles and boats.

Migration key factor in states population growth

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SB45 has been assigned to the Senate Transportation Committee for its first public hearing. The date of the hearing hasnt yet been set but it will be sometime after the 2025 session opens on January 14.

The proposal comes as the department deals with allegations of title fraud and one former employee has admitted to guilt on some of the criminal charges against her.

The fee proposals scope would be sweeping. According to the department, South Dakotans in calendar 2024 registered:

795,183 pickups, SUVs and vans

285,003 passenger and low-speed vehicles

284,062 trailers

64,623 trucks

62,843 motorcycles

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62,306 boats

12,216 recreational vehicles such as motorhomes

1,232 buses

55,629 commercial-plate vehicles

42,543 gross-weight licensed vehicles

13,895 pro-rate plate vehicles and

3,208 electric vehicles.

The state Division of Motor Vehicles processed 355,986 titles in calendar 2024.

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 KELOLAND.com.
Evacuating a wildfire area can be scary, but experts say people can significantly improve their own safety with a little preparation and common sense.

Creating a wildfire action plan, packing a go bag and maintaining basic situational awareness during evacuations can make a big difference when escaping a disaster, Jesse Torres, a battalion chief for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, said

But the most important tip? Don't wait around for an evacuation order, Torres said.

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The biggest thing is to get out early, before the notifications come out. Its so important to avoid the congestion, he said. Thats especially true in areas that have narrow roadways or limited routes, Torres said, because traffic jams can form quickly: Everyones doing the same thing  theyre all trying to get out.

Here are some safety tips on what to do before and during a wildfire evacuation, and what to do if you get trapped.

Sign up for regional alert systems

Many communities, including several in California, have warning alert systems that allow residents to sign up for push notifications to their mobile phones or email accounts.

FEMA has a downloadable app that provides real-time alerts on mobile phones, and public safety agencies can also push alerts to television, radio and wireless devices through the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System. The NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards is a nationwide network of radio stations that broadcast continuous weather information as well as official Weather Service warnings, forecasts and other hazard information.

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A battery- or crank-operated portable radio can also be a critical tool for receiving emergency alerts, especially in areas where cellular service is unreliable or when regional cellular towers might be threatened by wind, fire or other hazards.

Have an emergency action plan

Household emergency action plans help ensure that all members of a family know exactly what to do and where to go during a wildfire. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security says emergency plans should be tailored for a household's unique circumstances, taking into account things like special medical needs or whether a family has livestock.

Strong wildfire action plans typically include: A pre-arranged meeting point well outside the area of danger where household members can meet to determine who has evacuated; multiple escape routes out of the area so people know which way to go if one pathway to safety is blocked; arrangements for any family members with disabilities or medical conditions; arrangements for pets and livestock; and a communication plan that identifies someone outside the area to be the main contact point in case household members get separated.

Pack a Go Bag

When it's time to evacuate, having a pre-packed go bag or emergency supply kit can save valuable minutes, Torres said.

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Cal Fire says a go bag should include a map with at least two evacuation routes; necessary prescriptions or medical items like eyeglasses; extra car keys, cash or credit cards; a basic first aid kit; a flashlight and battery-powered radio with extra batteries; and copies of important documents like passports or birth certificates. It should also include a three-day supply of non-perishable food and water per person, as well as food and water for any pets. N95 masks can help filter out many of the particles in wildfire smoke, and an extra cellphone battery or charger can also be helpful.

Go bags should be accessible and easy to grab in an emergency, Torres said.

Plan like you're going on a trip for seven days. Have clothes, toilet paper, toothbrush, soap, a towel in there, Torres said. You might end up in an evacuation center, or you might end up with family, so be prepared.

Protect your home

If time allows, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends connecting water hoses and filling garbage cans, tubs, pools and the like with water to help firefighters if they end up on your property.

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Close all your windows, and if youre able to and aware of how to do it safely, shut off the gas and power to your home," he said. Closing doors, windows and vents will help prevent embers from blowing inside and catching the interior on fire, Torres said.

Dont wait  just go

Even if you don't have a go bag or a wildfire action plan set up, don't dally if you feel like danger is near, Torres said.

Fires can move faster than humans, especially when they are driven by high winds. And all sorts of things, including downed power lines, thick smoke, abandoned cars, blowing debris and heavy traffic can impede escape routes during emergencies.

Just get out of those warning- and evacuation order-zones. If you have family on the other side of the county, go to the other side of the county," Torres said. Get out and get off the roadways as soon as possible.

What to do if you are trapped

If you can't evacuate, your car breaks down or you get stuck for some other reason, don't panic, Torres said. Instead, take a look around and call 911.

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Realize where you are, what street you are at. Can you see an address sign? Call 911, so we can get resources out to you to try to find you, Torres said.

Sometimes people lose sight of the fire during an evacuation, and it can be hard to tell where they are in all the smoke. An intersection or landmark can help emergency responders identify someone's location and determine if they are in immediate danger, he said. Again, it's crucial not to delay  go ahead and call 911 to get that process started, said Torres.

If someone can walk to a safe spot, they should do that, Torres said. In that scenario, stay on a main route if possible, because that increases the chances of being spotted by a passing car or emergency responder, he said.
Steve Guttenberg doesnt just play a good guy on the screen.

The actor, best known for performances in hit films like Police Academy and Three Men and a Baby, sprang into action when Los Angeles County wildfires threatened the area around his Pacific Palisades neighborhood.

I havent seen anything like this in my entire life and I dont think many people have, he told CNNs Laura Coates on Tuesday night. At 9 oclock in the morning, it was an idyllic Pacific Palisades, and then by 10 oclock, 10:30, the sky was dark as if it were nighttime.

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Life-threatening fires have been racing across LA County, where residents have been faced unpredictable flames, heavy smoke and evacuation orders for thousands.

Earlier, Guttenberg spoke with Los Angeles television station KTLA as he actively worked to try and clear some of the abandoned cars in an area where he said it was hindering peoples ability to evacuate.

There are people stuck up there. So were trying to clear Palisades Drive and Im walking up there as far as I can moving cars, Guttenberg told KTLA. There are families up there, there are pets up there. There are people that really need help.

The star told CNN he had been in another area and while attempting to get home, he was met with bumper to bumper traffic and chaos so he got out of his car to try and help.

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There were mothers who were hysterical [having] panic attacks, helping them with their suitcases and they were worried about their families up there because they couldnt get them out in time, he told Coates. There were little kids crying. There were people who couldnt speak English, driving their friends cars or their bosses cars and being careful where they drove.

Ultimately, he said, the fire got so close that people were told to get out of their cars and evacuate on foot. He said he spent all day trying to move abandoned cars to make way for firetrucks to be able to get through.

This is the most unbelievable fire Ive ever seen, he said.

Guttenberg is just one of many recognizable faces who have been affected by the fires.

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Star Wars star Mark Hamill is among the thousands of LA County residents forced to evacuate their homes due to wildfires.

7pm  Evacuated Malibu so last-minute there (were) small fires on both sides of the road as we approached PCH, Hamill wrote in an Instagram post on Tuesday night. 

He and his wife and their dog went to stay with their daughter near Hollywood.

Most horrific fire since 93, Hamill added, before encouraging others to stay safe.

Actor James Woods shared a video on social media of the view from his home in the Pacific Palisades, taken the night before he wrote it was hit by flames.

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I took this last night from our beautiful little home in the Palisades. Now all the fire alarms are going off at once remotely, Woods wrote. It tests your soul, losing everything at once, I must say.

Woods appeared on CNN Wednesday and got visibly emotional sharing a heartwarming story about his eight-year-old nieces desire to help.

She came out with her little Yeti piggy bank for us to rebuild our house, he said, breaking down in tears.

Parts of Pacific Palisades High School, a location for films including the horror classic Carrie and the 2003 movie Freaky Friday, was also engulfed in flames from the Palisades Fire, which has spread to more than 15,000 acres and zero containment as of Wednesday afternoon.

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Reality star Spencer Pratt, who is married to Heidi Montag, posted a photo of their childrens room burning. Both their house and Pratts parents house burned in the fires, according to his social media on Wednesday.

I think this is a really important time for us to remember that were not only a street, a block, a town, a city, a state a country, a world, we are one big community, Guttenberg told CNN. And when a crisis occurs then everybody realizes that cars, jewels, none of this matters. What matters is people.

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Pacific Palisades resident Steve Guttenberg says the blaze that is burning through his community is the most unbelievable Ive ever seen.

The actor, who appeared on CNN on Tuesday night, was one of 30,000 residents under evacuation orders after the fire broke out around 10:30 a.m. that morning. On CNN, he described the daytime scene, saying that due to the smoke, he said, The sky was dark, like it was nighttime. (See photos.)

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Guttenberg spoke about helping people who were trying to evacuate the area, echoing comments hed made earlier to KTLA. On the Pacific Coast Highway, he got out of his car to help people and saw a heartbreaking scene.

There were mothers who were having panic attacks [and] little kids crying.  The cars were bumper-to-bumper traffic for over two miles and it was dangerous, the police were coming.  I spent all day moving these cars up on the hill, trying to [move them] so the fire trucks could get through, he said.

He was driven to his car around 6 p.m.

There were trees coming down on Sunset Boulevard, he noted, adding that he saw devastation all around him, with Gelsons grocery store, the Palisades Playhouse theater and the Palisades Womans Club all on fire. All of Temescal Canyon is on fire, both sides. All the houses; the school is on fire.

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He also spoke about having empathy and needing to help people at this time.

This is a really important time for us to remember  we are one big community, he said.

Earlier Tuesday, Guttenberg told KTLA how he was trying to help that he was assisting with clearing streets to help residents evacuate and to allow firefighters easier access to reach the blaze.

Whats happening is people take their keys with them as if theyre in a parking lot, he said. This is not a parking lot. We really need people to move their cars. If you leave your car behind, leave the key in there so a guy like me can move your car so that these fire trucks can get up there.

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Guttenberg said he was walking up Palisades Drive moving cars.

There are families up there. There are pets up there, he said. There are people who really need help.

Among the residents who call the area home are Jennifer Aniston, Bradley Cooper, Eugene Levy, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Reese Witherspoon, Adam Sandler, Michael Keaton, Miles Teller, Michael Mann, Ann Sarnoff, Carol Lombardini, Alan Bergman, Kathleen Kennedy and James Woods.

As of Tuesday night, the fire had grown to 2,900 acres with zero percent containment. Another fire also broke out in Altadena, some 45 miles from Palisades. Several structures have burned down, including Palisades High School, and numerous events have been canceled due to the fire.

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Jackie Strause and Hilary Lewis contributed to this report.

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As the Palisades Fire and other wildfires in California rage on, thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes and multiple events are being rescheduledincluding Steve Martin and Martin Short's upcoming shows.

On Wednesday, Jan. 8, Martin and Short canceled two upcoming performances of their touring live show, The Dukes of Funnytown! Fans on social media were disappointed, but their first concern was the safety of the comedic duo.

  SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter & get the scoop on the latest TV news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 

Martin shared the unfortunate news with a photo of the fire on Instagram.

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"Unfortunately, due to the fires in California, Marty and I must cancel our upcoming shows in Florida this Friday, 1/10 and Saturday 1/11. Everyone is alive, but there is devastation," the Father of the Bride star wrote.

Related: Jamie Lee Curtis Issues Blunt Request While Her Home "Possibly" Burns in Palisades Fire

Martin's followers encouraged him to keep safety a priority.

"Please stay safe, you guys! You are national treasures! ," declared one fan.

"Our hearts go out to you all. We pray for your safety and strength in this difficult time," a second person added.

"My kids live near Beverly Hills....praying! Heartbroken for the community they love so dearly!" another fan shared.

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As Newsweek reported, over 30,000 people were ordered to evacuate the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles on Tuesday, Jan. 8., with California Governor Gavin Newsom declaring a state of emergency on the same evening. Over 1,000 structures had been destroyed by the fires at that time, according to Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone.

Jamie Lee Curtis, Eugene Levy, Mandy Moore and Mark Hamill are among the celebrities who've spoken out about evacuating so far. Reality stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag said their home was lost in the blaze.

Next: Chris Pratt Sends Direct Message to "True Heros" Amid "Devastating" Palisades Fire Evacuation
The above video is from the original report on the story that identified Zelenka as the crash victim.

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  Its been nearly a month since 48-year-old Christian Zelenka was struck and killed by a vehicle in southeast Wichita.

Police are hoping someone will come forward with information about the hit-and-run crash that took his life. It happened on Wednesday, Dec. 11, around 6 p.m. near the intersection of Washington and Mount Vernon Street.

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Wichita police say Zelenka was trying to cross the street when he was hit. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Scammers use Amazon claim to get $15K from Wichita man

Police indicated initially that a gray or silver sedan had struck him that left westbound on Mt. Vernon. The case remains unsolved.

Police ask anyone who may have witnessed what happened or who may have information about the case to call Detective McCluskey at 316-350-3685 or Crime Stoppers at 267-2111 if you wish to remain anonymous.

For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here.

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(FOX40.COM)  Hope filled the atmosphere at the swearing-in ceremony for Stocktons newest elected officials Tuesday night.

Hundreds of people poured into the Bob Hope Theatre in Stockton to welcome their new mayor, Christina Fugazi, vice mayor, Jason Lee, and council members Mariela Ponce and Mario Enriquez.

A swearing-in ceremony welcomed the new Stockton mayor, vice-mayor, and council members. From left to right, Mario Enriquez, Jason Lee, Christina Fugazi, and Mariela Ponce./FOX40: Veronica Catlin

This isnt something I ever aspired to do but because of the community we have- Im at the frontlines at a high school in Stockton  Im ready to do the work, Fugazi told FOX40.com.

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Fugazi currently works as the assistant principal at Stagg High School within the Stockton Unified School District.

Hollywood Unlocked founder Jason Lee shares why he is running for Stockton City Council

The people showed up, the people want change  they voted and theyre getting their wish, Fugazi said. Now, we cant just tell them what were going to do. We have to show them.

Jason Lee was elected into office as a council member for District 6, but a unanimous vote on Tuesday night made him the new Vice Mayor. In addition to his political involvement, Lee is a former reality television personality and entrepreneur who owns a Hollywood-based multimedia platform reportedly valued at over $50 million. His social media pages are filled with photos of him and people like Rihanna, Cardi B, and other celebrities.

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I get a lot of comments good and bad from my career so I just love the fact that people came out, were civically engaged, and were participating, Lee said. What I know for sure is that their voices are heard because all of us up here are interested. Theres lots to follow up on and lots to do, so were excited to continue to work.

Nearly 50 people spoke during public comment to express their hope and gratitude for Stocktons new leadership.

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 FOX40 News.
[WATCH: Previous coverage in the video player above.]

NORWALK, Ohio (WJW)  Five days after a statue of baby Jesus was reported stolen from a local churchs Nativity scene, the citys police chief tells the FOX 8 I-Team that the Jesus statue has been returned  undamaged.

Norwalk Police Chief Scott Dahlgren said firefighters found the statue in the parking lot of the citys fire department. However, he said the city did not capture any video of whoever dropped it off.

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Lorain school bus hit by car during police chase

The baby Jesus figure was first reported stolen on Jan. 3 by an employee of the Apostle Catholic Church. Officers were told the set cost $15,000, and that it had just been purchased.

The items taken by the thief were shown in a photo taken before the crime was committed.

Baby Jesus figure stolen from local church

Surveillance cameras at a nearby school captured video of a suspect pulling into a parking lot near the church in a small red or maroon car with a hatchback, which police believe could be a Ford Focus.

3 crashes within 24 hours at same spot on I-90

It appears that a white male walked out of that car, walked over to the manger scene  Nativity scene  and walked away with baby Jesus and the manger, Dahlgren said in an earlier interview with FOX 8.

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Investigators are not sure what the motive may have been  mischief or hope to sell the statue for profit.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Crowds of people wrapped up against the bitter January cold clutch signs emblazoned with the slogan Stop the Steal, wave US flags, and don red MAGA-like hats.

But this scene is 11,000 kilometers (7,000 miles) away from Washington, DC, in the South Korean capital Seoul, where throngs of die-hard conservative supporters of the suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol have gathered outside his home to protect the embattled leader from arrest.

Yoon successfully resisted an attempt to detain him on Friday after an hours-long standoff with authorities over his dramatic but short-lived declaration of martial law in December that plunged the country into political chaos.

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South Korean lawmakers voted to impeach Yoon last month, including some from within his own party. The conservative president remains in office, but with little to no real power. His political fate will be decided by the countrys constitutional court, likely in the spring, which will determine if he will be formally removed from the presidency or reinstated in office.

In the meantime, corruption investigators are determined to execute the arrest warrant on charges of insurrection and abuse of power. A sitting South Korean president has never faced criminal charges before, but the man at the center of the martial law maelstrom  who is himself a former prosecutor  says he will fight until the end.

Yoon, widely seen as a conservative firebrand and staunch US ally tough on China and North Korea, has urged his supporters to do the same.

As they hold vigil, Yoons supporters wave American flags alongside the South Korean Taegeukgi, its national flag. Red Make America Great Again-inspired hats are selling for about $5.50 at pro-Yoon rallies, the words against the unlawful impeachment stitched in white lettering in Korean.

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And chants of Stop the steal! can be heard reverberating outside Yoons residence, the slogan popularized by US President-elect Donald Trump and his supporters to question the results of the 2020 US election.

Supporters of suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol gather to protest as investigators attempt to carry out an arrest warrant on January 3, 2025. - Gawon Bae/CNN

For Yoons conservative supporters who have the adopted the slogans and iconography associated with the MAGA movement, they see similarities between South Koreas current political crisis and the US, where twice-impeached Trump is set to take office for a second term on January 20.

The US is South Koreas most important ally, an alliance that has gone back decades.

South Korean conservatism, which includes Yoons ruling People Power Party, holds strong bonds with the American conservative and evangelical movements. And Yoons followers have claimed the April 2024 national election, which the opposition won in a landslide, was stolen from them.

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They now believe a president may be stolen from them, too, despite a lack of evidence.

Im here for democracy. The election was rigged and we need to defend our country, one Yoon supporter told CNN from outside the presidential residence Friday.

A slogan rooted in conspiracies

In his speech declaring martial law, Yoon labeled the oppositions actions clear anti-state behavior aimed at inciting rebellion, referenced threats posed by North Koreas communist forces, and vowed to eliminate anti-state elements.

His words echoed right-wing conspiracy theories that have been spread widely online by South Korean YouTube commentators and activists.

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But they also mirrored rhetoric used by Trump against his opponents, with references to an enemy from within and the radical left.

In the US, Stop the Steal emerged as a battle cry for Trump and his allies to trumpet groundless claims that President Joe Biden was trying to steal the 2020 election. After Trumps loss, his supporters stormed the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, in an attempt to thwart Congress certification of Bidens win. Trump and his high-profile allies have espoused myriad claims of election fraud, none of which were verified or upheld in court.

That story rhymes in South Korea.

President Yoons conservative party lost the countrys April 2024 general election in a landslide, when all 300 seats in South Koreas National Assembly were on the ballot.

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Yoon suggested election fraud after his failed martial law declaration, alleging in a speech on December 12 that South Koreas election computer systems were compromised by North Korean hackers.

Protesters with both American and South Korean flags and 'Stop the Steal' placards gather to show support for suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol, in Seoul, South Korea, near the presidential residence, on January 4, 2025. - Daniel Ceng/Anadolu/Getty Images

The allegations have never been substantiated by national election authorities, or the countrys judiciary. South Koreans all vote with paper ballots, and hard copies of their votes are preserved.

On the night he declared martial law, Yoon sent about 300 troops to the National Election Commission (NEC) offices. Security footage shows troops entering the building, with one solider appearing to take a photo of election servers. Later, former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun said troops were deployed there to look into the suspected election fraud.

Yoons claims are exaggerated and not true, the NEC said after Yoons suggestion of North Korean election interference. No evidence of outside intrusion into the election system was found. The security system was enhanced prior to the April elections.

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Many of Yoons supporters believe, without evidence, the president is being removed from office because he was investigating what he called election fraud.

From the vantage point of Yoons supporters, its tempting to draw an analogy  even if it falls short of an exact apples-to-apples comparison  between him being driven from power now, in the middle of what was supposed to be his single term in office, and Trump losing power after the 2020 election, said Hans Schattle, professor of political science at Yonsei University in Seoul.

Schattle adds that Yoon acted outside the limits of the constitution when he declared martial law and should be held legally accountable. The analogy his supporters are making to the Stop the Steal fabrication is unsettling, he said.

The Stop the Steal signs also represent an effort by the extreme right-wing in South Korea to make a connection with Trump (whom the South Korean government will soon be negotiating with once he returns to the US presidency) and defend their beleaguered president, he said.

A strong US alliance

Analysts say the Stop the Steal slogan is a new phenomenon in South Korea, but the American flag has long been spotted at right-wing political rallies.

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South Koreas conservative electorate widely views the United States as a bastion of freedom, democracy, anti-communism, and the home of a strong evangelical Christian community.

The political right has also long emphasized the importance of the American alliance, the crucial US assistance during the Korean War in the 1950s and continued military and security allyship, according to Byungwon Woo, professor of international relations at Yonsei University.

The right, he said, has accused the political left of souring the alliance and instead, approaching closer to China, being friendly to North Korea.

Its a feeling that was shared among Yoons supporters outside his residence on Friday.

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The other side, the left, theyre communists, said one Seoul resident in his 60s. Were not all right-wing. Were normal people who dont want communism from the left.

Supporters of suspended South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol gather near his residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul, South Korea, on January 4, 2025. - Chris Jung/NurPhoto/Getty Images

A leading voice of the evangelical right is Rev. Jun Kwang-hoon, who took the stage at a rally on Friday to defend Yoons martial law declaration.

If President Yoon hadnt declared martial law, the country would already be in the hands of North Korea! he shouted.

Christianity in South Korea traces its origins to the northern regions of Korea, where missionaries first arrived and the faith thrived before the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950, Tark Ji-il, a professor at Busan Presbyterian University, told CNN.

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Christians who fled to the South to escape oppression under the communist regime held strong anti-communist views intertwined with a strong pro-American stance.

Jun, a Presbyterian pastor and former leader of the Christian right-wing Liberty Unification Party, has taken a central role at pro-Yoon rallies. The party campaigns on anti-communism, opposition to LGBTQ rights, and strong support for the US.

Jun and his followers share Yoons claim the 2024 election was rigged by North Korean hackers, and he frames his cause as a sacred war against evil communism.

Political scientist Schattle says Yoon may be projecting an image to his supporters that he and his people are the only ones protecting South Korea from a never-ending North Korean threat and that keeping Yoon in power therefore saves South Korean democracy.

Its also worth noting that Yoons foreign policy since he took office as president in 2022 has been driven by forging closer ties with the United States and Japan, he said, the latter being especially controversial in South Korea.

Some Yoon supporters outside his residence hope Trump will hear their concerns and even come to his rescue.

I hope that Trump will take office soon and raise his voice against the rigged elections in our country plus around the world so as to help President Yoon to return (to power) swiftly, Pyeong In-su, 71, told Reuters.

CNNs Jay Ganglani contributed reporting.

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What is going on with aviation security?

People have been found dead hiding in the wheel wells of planes twice in the past month. Two stowaways were arrested on different flights in November and December. Then a passenger opened an emergency door while a plane was taxiing in Boston Tuesday night.

These incidents are being investigated, so we don't know yet exactly where security failed. But clearly there were gaps in security. So it's natural to wonder: is my flight safe?

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A quick recap:

Passengers panicked when a man onboard a JetBlue plane taxiing for takeoff at Boston's Logan International Airport opened an exit door over a wing, trigging an emergency slide to inflate Tuesday. Other passengers quickly restrained the man, and the plane never took off, but clearly it was a scary moment.

On Monday, two dead bodies were found inside the landing gear compartment of a different JetBlue plane after it landed in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.

In late December, a body was found in the wheel well of a United Airlines plane after it landed in Maui from Chicago.

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Also in December, a passenger without a ticket was discovered aboard a Delta Air Lines flight as that plane was rolling across the tarmac in Seattle before it took off for Honolulu.

A separate stowaway was arrested in November after a Delta Air Lines flight from New York landed in Paris. That Russian national had somehow bypassed security to board the flight.

Why worry?

If a stowaway can get inside a plane's wheel well or sneak aboard the cabin, what would prevent someone with malicious intent from getting access?

The challenge we run into is we have a system with gaps, and those gaps are sometimes exploited, said Jeff Price, professor of aviation at Metropolitan State University of Denver.

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The Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration, the airlines and the airports are all trying to find where those gaps are and plug them. But Price said that by design there are gaps in the system.

The fact that people are getting access to these planes makes pilots worried about the system. An entire generation has grown up since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks without any major catastrophes, and that has allowed some in the system to get complacent, said Dennis Tajer, a longtime airline pilot and spokesman for the Allied Pilots Association union.

Right now were seeing some fissure cracks. Theyre unacceptable. And weve been lucky that it hasnt been somebody with broader nefarious intent, said Tajer.

Experts have also said that a shortage of air traffic controllers, outdated plane-tracking technology and other problems are eroding the margin of safety in air travel.

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Crashes are rare

The National Safety Council estimates that Americans have a 1-in-93 chance of dying in a motor vehicle crash, while deaths on airplanes are too rare to calculate the odds. Figures from the U.S. Department of Transportation tell a similar story.

The last deadly crash involving a U.S. airliner occurred in February 2009, an unprecedented streak of safety. But planes have crashed elsewhere around the world. And there are other concerns.

Safety regulators are worried about a number of close calls at airports in the past couple years.

But preventing accidents is a lot better than reacting to them.

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The time for action is now because fate will come in and slap you across the face and youll be going to memorials rather than press conferences about how safe you are and how safe youre going to be, Tajer said.

Emergency doors

This is not the first time that a passenger has opened an emergency door on a plane on the ground. In one incident in Australia last year, a man opened a door and walked out onto the wing of a stationary plane and was arrested after he climbed down to the ground.

Emergency doors are supposed to be able to be opened when a plane is on the ground so passengers can quickly escape if there is a problem.

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Passengers can take comfort in the fact that emergency doors are extremely difficult to open during a flight. There are locks that keep a door in place in flight that are armed after takeoff. And once a plane is above 10,000 feet, the air pressure inside the plane holds the door in place. Most of them are designed so that they must be pulled inward before they can be opened.

But in January 2024, a panel plugging the space reserved for an unused emergency door blew off an Alaska Airlines jetliner 16,000 feet above Oregon. Pilots landed the Boeing 737 Max safely, but videos from passengers showed the terrifying scene. The rapid loss of cabin pressure caused oxygen masks to drop from the ceiling, and suction as air rushed from the hole exerted force on people inside the plane.

Investigators have said it appears that four bolts used to help secure the panel were missing after the plane was worked on at a Boeing factory in Renton, Washington.

Key takeaways

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Even with the flaws in the system, aviation is still remarkably safe overall. More than 3 million people fly every day and make it to their destinations without incident. And Price said incidents like this will make aviation safer because everyone will now re-examine everything they are doing and work to close the gaps.

I dont worry too much when I fly and Im aware of a lot of the issues in the system, Price said.

He said travelers should keep an eye open when they fly and report anything that gives you that gut feel that somethings not right.
Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County has reopened three months after a devastating fire that took the lives of 21 students. This tragedy marked a pivotal and heartbreaking moment for the institution. In response, the school has transitioned to operating exclusively as a day school, permanently closing its boarding facilities.

The dormitories, once accommodating over 300 pupils, have been shut down and physically separated from the rest of the campus through the construction of a new wall. To symbolize this fresh start, the school has adopted a revamped color scheme, bringing a sense of renewal, comfort, and hope to the students, staff, and families.

As students resumed classes, parents expressed a mixture of optimism and resolve, trusting the schools commitment to education and its longstanding tradition of academic excellence.

Such incidents can happen in any school. Weve encouraged the learners to focus on their studies and expect good performance from them, said Margaret Ndirangu, a parent.

Another parent, Samuel Gitonga, emphasized the institutions reputation as a reason for his continued trust. I am confident the school will thrive alongside the students, he remarked, highlighting his belief in the schools resilience and future success.

The Ministry of Education has assured parents that the school meets all required safety and regulatory standards under its new operational model. Administration efforts have included visible upgrades and safety measures to rebuild confidence among stakeholders.

Parent Teresa Wamuyu noted an increase in enrollments, signaling renewed trust in the school. Were seeing new families trusting the school and enrolling their children, she stated, underscoring the growing confidence in what the school represents.

Another parent, Ruth Ndirangu, lauded the schools adherence to safety guidelines set by the government, sharing gratitude for the administrations dedication to creating a secure and conducive learning environment.

On December 20, 2024, Hillside Endarasha Academy formally informed the Nyeri High Court of its decision to operate solely as a day school. This permanent shift aims to prioritize the safety and welfare of students while maintaining a focus on academic success.

Though the pain of the tragedy remains, families, students, and administrators are committed to rebuilding. The schools strong sense of community and unwavering dedication to educational excellence serve as both a foundation and a forward path.

The journey ahead may be challenging, but Hillside Endarasha Academy stands ready to embrace a hopeful new chapter, driven by resilience and a renewed commitment to shaping brighter futures.
It's the beginning of an era  and one stray dog was there to make history. Video showing the pup crossing the checkpoint between Hungary and Romania after Bulgaria and Romania joined the Schengen zone has people cheering on the internet. He was the first to ever do it! Which is why the guards by his side were so darn tickled by his crossing.

Who better to mark the occasion than a sweet pupper walking down the street?

Video shared by TRT World shows the stray crossing the checkpoint mere moments after the checkpoint barrier was lifted up between Hungary and Romania on January 1. We're sure the dog had no clue why the humans were clapping for him. But knowing dogs, we're sure he loved every minute of the attention.

Related: Stray Dog Heroically Saves His Friend's Life in Heart-Stopping Video

"Romania has joined the European Union's Schengen area, and a dog was the first to cross the Romania-Hungary border freely," the video's caption reads.

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People in the comments section were cracking up. "And nobody cared to interview him?" joked one person. "The dog is like 'what the heck, sure,'" another person teased. "Will people be able to travel or is it just for the dogs?" quipped someone else. "He deserves all the praise for being a good boy," chimed in another person.

Romania and Bulgaria Join Schengen

The moment isn't just adorable, it's an important step for Romania and Bulgaria. The two countries removed land border restrictions to other members of the European Union (EU) that day, News 18 reports. The Schengen zone allows travelers to travel between countries without passport checks.

The moment was celebrated with fireworks right after midnight on the night the change happened. Reuters reports that interior ministers from Bulgaria and Romania raised the barrier on the Friendship Bridge straddling the Danube River as a symbol of the transition. The checkpoint is a major transit point for international trade.

Romania and Bulgaria joined the EU in 2007, News 18 states. But it's been a long journey to Schengen. Both countries have met the qualifications to join Schengen since 2010, but faced opposition from certain countries within Schengen because of unstable migration concerns and the burden on the social system in wealthier areas of the EU.

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"This is a historic moment," Bulgarian Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev told Reuters. "From Greece in the south to Finland to the North and all the way to Portugal to the West  you can travel without borders."

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STREETSBORO, Ohio (WJW)  The Streetsboro Police Department is mourning the loss of K-9 Kaya after the police dog was hit and killed by a car on Tuesday evening.

According to Streetsboro police, while his handler officer Jason Hall was stretching his legs outside a police cruiser, Kaya got too close to state Route 303 and was hit by a passing car at about 5:35 p.m.

Courtesy of Streetsboro Police Department

Kaya was rushed to Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital in Highland Heights, but Streetsboro police said his injuries were too severe and he died at the emergency center.

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Elderly woman died after being found unresponsive outside local nursing home

Streetsboro police said the driver returned to the scene of the crash, which remains under investigation.

At this time, there is no evidence that the crash was anything other than a heartbreaking and horrific accident, the department said in a Facebook post.

According to the department, Kaya died three days before his ninth birthday.

We ask that you keep Officer Hall and everyone at SPD in your thoughts as we deal with our loss, the Facebook post read.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The winter storm that hammered the Mid-Atlantic this week spurred hundreds of cancellations and delays among airports in the region, leaving passengers stranded or scrambling for new plans.

The Department of Transportation enacted protections for travelers in 2023 to guarantee flyers recourse for lost money and baggage. However, a recent LegalShield study found that pursuing refunds and alternate plans is time-consuming and costly.

When it comes to lost or damaged luggage, attorney Ben Farrow said preparation is key. If an airline loses or damages a bag, flyers can receive up to $3,800.

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The best thing I can tell you is, number one, make sure you document the problem, he said.

Metrobus continues to adjust services amid storm cleanup in DC

He recommends taking photos of the bags contents before zipping it up and heading to the airport. He also advises flyers to snap a picture of their bag on the airlines scale when checking it.

Ive taken a picture of the stuff inside, and then when I get to the airport and theyre putting their sticker on it, I take a picture of it right there on their scale to show when they got it, Farrow said.

Bags are considered lost if the airline cannot locate them within five to 13 days. Airlines must refund baggage fees if the items arent delivered within 12 hours. To file a claim, though, customers must go to the airport and fill out a form.

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Farrow said customers should find out the reason behind a delay or cancellation.

Reimbursements for cancellations and delays are available for incidents considered preventable, such as staffing or mechanical issues. In those cases, customers must receive their full ticket price within seven to 20 days. They also must offer free rebooking for preventable delays longer than three hours. If a passenger is forced to stay the night in another city due to a mishap, they may ask for a complimentary hotel room.

If weather is the cause of the change, though, airlines arent required to offer full refunds for tickets, nor are they required to provide hotel accommodations.

The Department of Transportation website offers travelers step-by-step guidance to assert traveler rights.

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BIG SPRING, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)  Big Spring ISD issued a post on its Facebook page Tuesday, stating that a fight between students caused a firearm to come loose from an employees holster.

The statement reads, We had an incident occur today at Big Spring JH involving an altercation between two students. The altercation was quickly broke up by several school employees from Big Spring Junior High. In the attempt to stop the issue between the students a firearm that was legally being carried by one of our employees came loose from his holster. The employee in question is one of our school districts Guardians, and is allowed to carry a firearm to school every day in order to help protect our kids if needed. The firearm in question was quickly picked up by another school employee and later returned to the Guardian. The Guardian Program has been in place at BSISD since 2018, and was approved by the Board of Trustees that same year. If you have further questions regarding this incident, please feel free to call Superintendent Jay McWilliams at 432-264-3600.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin.
By Will Dunham

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Freshwater environments cover about 1% of Earth's surface while accounting for more than 10% of known species. Like many marine and terrestrial ecosystems, however, they are in distress. A new study looking at some of the denizens of freshwater habitats offers a stark illustration of this biodiversity predicament.

Researchers assessed the status of 23,496 species of freshwater animals in groups including fishes, crustaceans such as crabs, crayfish and shrimp and insects such as dragonflies and damselflies, finding 24% of them at a high risk of extinction.

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"Prevalent threats include pollution, dams and water extraction, agriculture and invasive species, with overharvesting also driving extinctions," said conservationist Catherine Sayer, lead author of the study published on Wednesday in the journal Nature.

Sayer heads the freshwater biodiversity unit at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the organization that tracks the status of species globally.

Some of the freshwater species deemed at high risk bear exotic names such as the mini blue bee shrimp of Sulawesi, the Seychelles duskhawker dragonfly, the Atlantic helicopter damselfly of Brazil, the daisy burrowing crayfish of Arkansas and fishes such as the shortnose sucker of Oregon and California and the humpbacked mahseer of India.

The study filled a gap in data on freshwater biodiversity. The studied species were selected because their diverse positions within food webs present a holistic view of the health of freshwater ecosystems globally.

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These species inhabit inland wetlands such as lakes, rivers, swamps, marshes and peatlands - areas that the researchers said have been reduced by more than a third since 1970. Other research has documented the status of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians that share these freshwater ecosystems and often face their own unique threats.

Of the animal groups investigated in the new study, the highest threat levels were documented in the crustaceans (30% threatened) followed by the fishes (26%) and the dragonflies and damselflies (16%).

"Freshwater ecosystems are ecologically important because of the diversity of species they support. Some of them may have high numbers of species that are restricted just to those systems - a single lake or pool or river," said Northern Arizona University freshwater conservationist Ian Harrison, a member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission and a study co-author.

"They are also important in terms of the ecosystem services they supply: carbon sequestration in terms of peat bogs; food in terms of fisheries; medicines from plants; as well as cultural and aesthetic values. Freshwater reeds are used for building houses in some areas. Freshwater ecosystems contribute $50 trillion in value annually by their provision of natural processes supporting human well-being," Harrison said.

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The researchers identified four places globally with the largest number of threatened freshwater species: Lake Victoria in Africa, Lake Titicaca in South America and regions in western India and Sri Lanka.

Lake Victoria, the world's second-largest freshwater lake by surface area, is bordered by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The key threats identified to species were pollution, overfishing, agriculture and invasive species, particularly the Nile perch and water hyacinth. Lake Titicaca is situated on the border between Peru and Bolivia in the Andes. It was found to face a similar cadre of threats as Lake Victoria. Both lakes boast a rich diversity of fishes.

"There is an urgent need to focus on freshwater conservation to halt the decline in species, and this can be achieved through a more integrated management of water resources that can include the maintenance of ecosystem functions within the process of addressing the obviously important human needs for water," Harrison said.

"The particular value of this study is that it shows us which river basins, lakes, et cetera, are the ones where the conservation challenges are most urgent and serious," Harrison added. "And we can compare this to what we know about existing protections, and identify where there are gaps and where there are conservation needs. And it acts as a baseline of information from which we can track progress, to see if our actions are reducing threats."

(Reporting by Will Dunham, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Data released from transportation analytics company INRIX showed that Nashville drivers sat in traffic for more than two and a half days in 2024.

The data showed that overall, Nashville drivers sat in traffic for 63 hours last year. That represents a 13% increase from 2023. The analysis also ranked Nashville as 11th most congested in the U.S. and 27th most congested in the world.

Crashes impede traffic on several interstates Monday evening

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Sitting in traffic not only drained gas tanks, but wallets as well. The study showed the average Nashville driver lost more than $1,100 to traffic last year. Its no surprise some Nashvillians arent happy about it.



Traffic has been getting worse and worse over the past few years, Allison Blackwell, a Nashville driver, said. It normally takes me 30 minutes to get to work, but now, its been taking me an hour and sometimes even longer than that to get home.

However, some state and local officials said a few projects could help combat traffic. For example, the newly-passed Choose How You Move plan

Transportation projects to cut the time you spend sitting in traffic are underway, including the newly-passed Choose How You Move plan. The plan will also include upgrades like smart traffic signals that can synchronize lights.

Take Murfreesboro Pike  one of our busiest roads  for example, communications director for the Nashville mayors office, Alex Apple, said. The estimate is that if you had smart traffic signals on that corridor at each of the lights from close to downtown out to the county line, thats about a ten-minute savings just off of that.

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City officials hope drivers will see a difference by November. Officials with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) said three out of the top five worst bottlenecks on interstates throughout the state happen on Interstate 24 in Nashville. However, TDOT officials think toll lanes will address this issue. There is an expected construction start date of 2027.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

We measure congestion based on speed delays, Rebekah Hammonds, regional communications director for TDOT, told News 2. Some of the modeling is showing us that just to get from Fesslers Lane to the Sam Ridley area in about 5 to 7 years  it could take you an hour to get there. With choice lanes, it could take you about 20-ish minutes, essentially delivering a reliable trip time.

Reliable timing in traffic is what some Nashville drivers say is needed.

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Who wouldnt want those 63 hours back? Nashville driver Dustin Carroll said. Time is precious.

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STURGEON BAY, Wis. (WFRV)  The Sturgeon Bay Police Department is actively searching for a convicted sex offender who has a felony arrest warrant for tampering with his GPS tracker.

According to a press release from the Sturgeon Bay Police Department, theyre looking for 65-year-old Bradly William Pelletier, a white male, standing 6 feet tall and weighing approximately 200 pounds, with brown eyes, and is balding.

Wisconsin man arrested for attempted break-in, drug use suspected

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The release states he currently has a felony arrest warrant and is a convicted sex offender, having been found guilty of 1st Degree Sexual Assault of a Child in 1999, and is required to register as a sex offender for life in Wisconsin.

As part of his registration requirements, authorities say he is mandated to be monitored via GPS. He is also reportedly wanted by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections for a parole violation after he removed his GPS bracelet and evaded his parole.

Sturgeon Police reminded the public that under Wisconsin State Statute 946.47, it is a criminal offense to harbor to aid a felon, preventing their arrest.

They also urge anyone who has seen Pelletier or knows his whereabouts to contact local law enforcement or the Sturgeon Bay Police Department at (920) 746-2450.

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Wisconsin man arrested after allegedly sexually assaulting 15-year-old girl

No further information has been provided at this time.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
It's not just waterfront condo towers that face shocking maintenance increases. And it's not just Century Village and its humble two-story buildings.

Senior citizens all over Florida are up against the crumbling wall, left to face unexpected structural repairs their fixed incomes can't possibly accommodate. What to do? For one, a Florida Legislature already confronting soaring property insurance premiums and shortages of workforce and affordable housing, needs to craft low-interest loan programs that are easy to access and broadly available to seniors who meet income criteria. We need to help keep people in their homes.

Surfside's Champlain Towers South collapse in June 2021 awakened us all to what should have been obvious: that buildings don't last forever, especially in tropical South Florida, with its burning sun and salty air. And we're thankful our leaders' response to the tragedy was to require tougher, more frequent safety inspections, and in the case of taller buildings, reserve accounts for repairs. Human nature being what it is, many owners' associations had long voted against setting aside money for the inevitable repairs but sooner or later they pay the price, one way or another.

The partially collapsed Champlain Towers South condo in Surfside, Florida Thursday, June 24, 2021. The building partially collapsed at 1:30 a.m. Thursday. (Lannis Waters/The Palm Beach Post/TNS)

These days, though, some find the costs so high that their only affordable option  sometimes, it's in fact a lucrative one  is to sell out en masse to a developer who can make more money tearing their building down and building a newer, more expensive structure, than undertaking structural repairs. But for seniors who don't have vast amounts saved up, whose associations didn't require reserves, and who simply want to keep on keeping on without the upheaval of a move to who knows where, a government loan program would make sense.

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Opinion: Florida isnt alone in its home insurance crisis. We must reimagine the system.

It's hard, perhaps, to sympathize with homeowners association members who year after year voted not to establish reserve accounts. Likewise, politically, it also would be hard to sell the public on a grant program to bail out some HOA's when others paid for repairs out of hard-earned savings and not some government giveaway.

Housing costs: South Florida condo wars ignite like New Year's fireworks as Surfside laws take effect

But the repairs some buildings face can cost in the millions of dollars. "The numbers these properties are dealing with are astronomical," condominium lawyer Ryan Poliakoff told us. And while loans are available from banks, the rates are relatively high and the terms are typically 5-10 years, not spread out over 30, he said.

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The government would not be inclined to address the problem by pulling back the post-Surfside safety requirements in a way that might result in another tragedy. But a low-interest, long-term loan program, for owners who demonstrate financial need and a commitment to make repairs, seems like a humane response for a state that cares about seniors stuck in extreme circumstances.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida senior citizens need loan help with condo repairs | Editorial
Outgoing U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy offered a parting prescription to the U.S. in a document released Tuesday.

As I finish my tenure as Surgeon General, this is my parting prescription, my final wish for all of us: Choose community, Murthy said in the document, which People magazine first reported on.

It wont always be easy. It will require rethinking and, in some cases, rejecting the conventional wisdom that tells us what defines success and a good life, Murthy added.

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Murthy has served as the surgeon general in the Obama, Trump and Biden administrations, but he was fired by President-elect Trump in 2017. At the time, the firing of Murthy sparked an accusation from Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) that then-President Trump was politicizing the surgeon general position.

President-elect Trump has picked former Fox News contributor and medical doctor Janette Nesheiwat as his nominee for surgeon general in his next administration. In a press release from November, the Trump said Nesheiwat has an unwavering commitment to saving and treating thousands of American lives.

In his parting prescription, Murthy said from community comes a powerful source of life satisfaction and life expectancy, later adding that communitys core pillarsrelationships, service, and purposeare powerful drivers of fulfillment.

They can also significantly influence health outcomes, including premature mortality, heart disease, depression, and anxiety, he added.

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Despite Murthys urging for Americans to choose community, a recent Gallup poll found that most Americans are anticipating a year of political conflict and economic hardship in 2025, two factors that could very easily drive a wedge in the process of community-building.

In Gallups poll, 76 percent of respondents said they foresee a year of political conflict over cooperation, and 56 percent said the new year will bring economic hardship instead of prosperity.

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A woman fatally stabbed a man who allegedly broke into her house in Kerwa Town, Kiambu County, on January 5.

The woman told police that the man forcibly entered her home, prompting a confrontation in which she used a kitchen knife to defend herself.

Police discovered the mans body inside the womans house, with stab wounds to the chest, following the early-morning incident.

The woman explained that she was asleep when she heard a commotion from the sitting room. After confronting the intruder, a struggle ensued, resulting in the fatal stabbing.

Police recovered the blood-stained kitchen knife as evidence and moved the body to the mortuary for an autopsy.

Kiambu Police Commander Michael Muchiri confirmed that authorities are investigating the incident further.
As New Year's Eve revelers across the world clinked glasses and ordered rounds, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy was in the midst of delivering a grave message about alcohol, a drug that fits neatly into both our highest highs and lowest lows.

As one of his final official acts, Murthy released a 2025 advisory that connects alcohol consumption with at least seven types of cancers, including breast, mouth and throat, colon and rectum, and liver cancers. Alcohol consumption has contributed to nearly 100,000 cancer cases in the U.S. and about 20,000 cancer deaths per year, making it the third-leading preventable cause of cancer behind tobacco and obesity. Alcohol-related cancer deaths supersede even the number of alcohol-related crash fatalities per year, according to the surgeon general's report.

The connection comes as little surprise to the medical world. The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer established a direct link between alcohol use and cancer in 1988  evidence that has only strengthened over time.

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"We've known this for a long time. We also know that the alcohol lobbying and the restaurant lobbying associations have been incredibly powerful," said Dr. Kim Litwack, the dean of University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's College of Health Professions and Sciences.

Dr. Kim Litwack serves as the dean of University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's College of Health Professions and Sciences.

The Tavern League of Wisconsin, the largest trade association in the United States to represent the interests of licensed beverage retailers, has not issued a response to the surgeon general's report. The Journal Sentinel reached out for comment but did not hear back.

Related: As suicide rate keeps rising in Wisconsin, concentration in rural areas raises alarm

The deeper question lies in what people are to do with this information, especially in a state like Wisconsin, where drinking is inextricably tied to its cultural identity. Wisconsin ranks third-highest for adult alcohol consumption in the United States and has the highest excessive drinking rate in the country.

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For Maureen Busalacchi, director of the Medical College of Wisconsin's Wisconsin Alcohol Policy Project, the good news is there's been a generational shift in drinking. People in their 20s and 30s aren't drinking with the fervor that often accompanies the Badger State, opting instead for moderation and special commitments like dry January, Busalacchi said.

Still, binge-drinking is a major problem in Wisconsin.

Even without cancer link, Wisconsin's alcohol-related death rates rise

The news from the surgeon general's office comes on the heels of a November study from the American Journal of Medicine, which found a twofold increase in alcohol-related deaths across the United States between 1999 and 2020. The study drew on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC defines alcohol-induced causes as a range of short- and long-term conditions such as alcoholic liver diseases, mental and behavioral disorders, degeneration of nervous system, pancreatitis, cardiomyopathy, and accidental and intentional poisoning. Notably, it does not include alcohol-contributable deaths like cancer.

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The Midwest region saw the largest increase spanning two decades, with a 2.5-fold increase, according to the study. When the Journal Sentinel mirrored the study through a Wisconsin lens, it found more than a threefold increase. In 1999, alcohol-induced deaths among Wisconsinites totaled 356. By 2020, that number had risen to 1,077.

Where the national study found a 2.5-fold increase among women, the Journal Sentinel found that Wisconsin women are dying at more than three times the rate they did two decades' prior. Dr. Veronica Loy, a hepatologist who directs the liver transplant center at the Medical College of Wisconsin, said that aligns with her findings: young women are the most vulnerable group of alcohol-related injury and death in Wisconsin.

"Even prior to 2020, there was already a marked rise in alcohol use disorder in both men and women," Loy said. "There was an 80% increase in women who had alcohol use disorder in the decade preceding COVID. And then, unfortunately, there was a marked rise in alcohol use with the pandemic, which has not stopped."

And although data wasn't always consistent, a result of shifting definitions on race and ethnicity as well as how census data is collected, the Journal Sentinel found that Wisconsin's American Indian/Alaskan Native population saw the starkest increase proportionate to its population. By 2020, the mortality rate among this group was 66 per 100,000 residents.

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For perspective, Wisconsin's general population's mortality rate in 2020  the highest on record  was 18.5 per 100,000 residents.

Related: The suicide rate of Native American veterans has soared. What's being done in Wisconsin to help?

Why does alcohol use cause cancer?

When someone consumes alcohol regularly and in excess, the liver becomes oversaturated in how it metabolizes the ethanol in it, said Loy. In those moments, the body finds other pathways for metabolizing the substance, which is why people develop a tolerance to drinking.

When alcohol breaks down, however, it turns into a toxic substance called acetaldehyde, which causes DNA damage and mutations to many parts of the body, Loy said.

Dr. Veronica Loy, a hepatologist who directs the liver transplant center at the Medical College of Wisconsin, hopes people grow more aware of the connection between alcohol and cancer.

"That is a big part of the thought of why there's an increased risk for cancer specifically in the GI tract. That's where the alcohol is," Loy said. "And the breast cancer piece, since women have a lower ability to metabolize alcohol, the level in which those toxins build up is much higher than it would be for a man."

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But how much alcohol is too much alcohol? It's a question Loy is asked frequently and it comes with no easy answer. Just as your chances of getting cancer have a lot to do with genetics and other health conditions, so does drinking.

Growing need for treatment, and not enough help available

Litwack, from UWM, believes alcohol is increasingly used to self-medicate depression and anxiety. Mental health may have become a flashpoint of discussion and debate during COVID-19, but mental health struggles have been on the rise for decades. Between 2008 and 2019, for example, the number of adults over 18 with any mental illness in the U.S. increased by 30%.

At the same time, mental health services did not keep pace. In Wisconsin, just 35% of people live in an area where psychiatrists and other mental health professionals are able to meet the needs of the population.

"How do you make yourself feel better if you cannot seek appropriate mental health counseling?" Litwack said. "A little bit of alcohol makes you feel a little better, and then a little bit of alcohol becomes a lot of alcohol."

Maureen Busalacchi, director of the Medical College of Wisconsin's Wisconsin Alcohol Policy Project, has been working with state agencies to help improve awareness of alcohol consumption.

It's access, and it's also the density of access, said Busalacchi. For Busalaachi, it's the sheer number of places one can go to buy alcohol, whether it's a grocery store, a brewery, a movie theater, a restaurant. Busalaachi recalls a bakery in her neighborhood where patrons could at one time buy alcohol with their pastries.

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"In Wisconsin, you can pretty much buy alcohol whenever you want to. We also pack a lot of places close together, so it gives this impression that everybody is drinking," Busalaachi said.

Would a public health campaign follow the path used against cigarettes?

Supporting changes that can bring about changes in Wisconsin will be an uphill battle, but it comes with something of a map. In the push to minimize cigarette smoking, explicit labels were added to cigarettes, pricing increased, aggressive anti-smoking ad campaigns replaced cigarette ad placement, and fewer businesses sold cigarettes. Over time, it worked.

As with cigarettes, there's evidence to support the power of warning labels, a solution Murthy strongly emphasized in the report. Updating the existing surgeon general's warning to include the risk of cancer could help drive awareness, as will ramping up alcohol education and reassessing recommended limits on alcohol consumption .

But there are key differences, said Litwack. To ween off cigarettes, one can buy nicotine patches, inhalers or gum. And while fewer people are gathering to smoke outside the bar, the bar inside welcomes patrons with open arms and a drink.

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The social norms, peer pressure, romanticizing of alcohol as a balm in times of crisis and celebration, all swirls into a complex challenge for public health leaders.

Natalie Eilbert covers mental health issues for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She welcomes story tips and feedback. You can reach her at neilbert@gannett.com or view her X (Twitter) profile at @natalie_eilbert.

This story was updated to add a video.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: As alcohol-related deaths rise in Wisconsin, link to cancer pushed
Tech billionaire Elon Musk's endorsement of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has had a positive impact on the party's standing ahead of the German election on February 23, according to a survey published on Wednesday.

The survey, conducted by the YouGov research institute on behalf of dpa, found that 59% of respondents believe Musk's endorsement has benefited the AfD, while only 4% think it has hurt the party. Meanwhile, 24% saw no effect, and 13% were unsure.

Musk, a close adviser to US President-elect Donald Trump and a major political donor, recently stirred controversy when he threw his support behind the AfD on his platform X and later in an opinion piece for Die Welt newspaper.

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However, the survey also suggests that many people don't expect Musk's comments on his platform X to have a significant effect on the upcoming election campaign.

Half of those surveyed (50%) believe Musk's influence will be minimal, with 13% stating it will have no impact at all. In contrast, 27% think his influence will be substantial.

The survey, which interviewed 2,246 people aged 18 and over between January 3 and 6, has a maximum margin of error of plus or minus 2.07 percentage points.

A majority of respondents, 68%, doubted Musk's ability to assess Germany's political situation, while only 21% believed he could.

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Regarding foreign influence in domestic politics, 63% of participants said they would support at least partial regulation of social media to prevent such interference. However, a majority of AfD supporters (58%) opposed the idea.

Musk is set to hold a live online conversation on Thursday with Alice Weidel, the top election candidate for the AfD.
Deep-fried sushi rolls with soft shell crab, Korean-style egg sandwiches served on milk toast, poke bowls and other Asian-inspired cuisine will soon be available all day at the Market at Malcolm Yards in Minneapolis.

EGGFLIP/SUSHIFLIP, the food halls newest eatery, is expected to open mid-January.

The combined concepts co-owner, Flip Koumalasy, refined his skills in sushi and other Asian cuisines in California before returning to Minnesota, where he previously worked at Lemon Grass Thai Cuisine and Khun Nai Thai Cuisine.

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EGGFLIP debuted earlier this year inside the downtown Minneapolis skyway near Marquette Avenue and 6th Street, and has since added two stalls at U.S. Bank Stadium and an outpost at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival.

EGGFLIP/SUSHIFLIP was created in partnership between EGGFLIP and fellow skyway business, Wave Sushi.

The concepts will showcase our dedication to blending traditional culinary techniques with innovative ideas, offering diners a fresh and exciting perspective on Asian-inspired cuisine, Koumalasy said in a press release.

Courtesy of the Market at Malcolm Yards.

Here's a look at two signature items on the menu:

EGGFLIP's The Flip: Korean-style egg sandwich made with scrambled eggs, applewood smoked bacon, sausage patty, fresh-sliced avocado, cheddar cheese, grilled onions with Gochujang aioli and spicy mayo.

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SUSHIFLIP's Big Flip: A deep-fried sushi roll with soft shell crab, crawfish, cream cheese, asparagus, mango on the inside, and jalapeno, spicy salmon, tobiko, and boom sauce on the outside.

Related: Vegetable eatery out, taco joint in at Malcolm Yards food hall
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  A Rochester man is facing charges for allegedly shooting at a vehicle in Greece.

On November 23, 2024, Greece police responded to Andover Street for reports of around four-to-six gunshots. They spoke with a witness who heard the gunfire and seeing a suspect near Bonesteel Street.

Officers said they obtained footage of the suspect, 23-year-old Ismael Matos, shooting at a vehicle before running out of the cameras view. The investigation revealed a victim was targeted and a vehicle was hit by gunfire. But no one was injured.

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Matos was arrested on Tuesday and was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, first-degree reckless endangerment, and forth-degree criminal mischief. He was arraigned in Greece Town Court and taken to the Monroe County Jail.

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 RochesterFirst.
A Rockdale County man was arrested after firing shots at a sheriffs deputy Tuesday evening.

Officials say on Jan. 7 around 11 p.m., a Rockdale County Sheriffs Office deputy was dispatched to the 1500 block of Locomotive Road. When he arrived at the home, the suspect immediately fired shots in the deputys direction.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The deputy in respond returned fire. It is unclear if the suspect was hit by gunfire.

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After firing at the deputy, the suspect barricaded himself inside the house, prompting the RCSO SWAT team to be dispatched to the scene.

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The SWAT team safely made entry inside of the home and removed suspect, Lorenzo Banks.

Banks was charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. Officials say their investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be pending.

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Jan. 7A suspect is in custody after three people were stabbed in St. Regis on Monday, authorities report.

Mineral County Sheriff Ryan Funke said he arrived at the residence and found an adult victim with stab wounds, along with a juvenile victim and another adult victim inside the home that each sustained life-threatening injuries.

Funk and another Sheriff's Office deputy found the male suspect inside the home. He did not follow initial commands, Funke said, and was taken to the ground and arrested without further resistance. The suspect was transported to the Mineral County Detention Center. Funke did not release his name or city of residence.

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Two of the victims were transported by ambulance to a hospital in Missoula, while the third victim was taken to Mineral Community Hospital in Superior.

The Montana Department of Criminal Investigations was called to assist Mineral County with the crime scene.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families during this tragic time," Funke said.
GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  A suspect who escaped the custody of Georgetown County deputies Monday while being arrested for domestic violence is back in custody, the sheriffs office said.

William Dempsey Cooper, 49, surrendered after a 24-hour manhunt by deputies. The Williamsburg County Sheriffs Office assisted.

Cooper escaped during his arrest on a second-degree domestic violence charge. He will be booked into the Georgetown County Detention Center and additionally charged with resisting arrest.

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* * *

Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.

Copyright 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 WBTW.
Jan. 7Maine State Police have arrested an Edgecomb man accused of killing a Virginia man who was found dead in Edgecomb last month.

Luke Krott, 26, is being held at a jail in San Diego, where police say he went after shooting and killing 34-year-old William "Nate" Robinson, of Austinville, Virginia.

A hunter found Robinson's body inside a trash barrel in the Schmid Preserve on Old County Road last month, state police said.

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San Diego police, the U.S. Marshals Service and the FBI were recruited in the search for Krott, who was found Monday on a sailboat at a marina in San Diego. He will be extradited to Maine to face a murder charge.

Officers executed a search warrant at 57 Conant Road in Turner on Dec. 12 and say they found evidence that "linked" Krott to the murder. Detectives say Krott had been staying with his parents in Edgecomb before leaving the state.

A state police spokesperson said police don't know exactly when Krott left for California and would not comment on what type of evidence was found or how Krott is connected to the address in Turner.

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The man who is suspected of killing two people at a mechanical engineering company in south-western Germany had a permit for the weapon used in the shooting, police said on Wednesday.

The suspect, a 52-year-old German national who was an employee at the company, was member of a shooting club.

One person remains in critical condition following the attack in the town of Bad Friedrichshall, some 100 kilometres south of Frankfurt, on Tuesday.

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Two employees of the firm were killed after a masked person entered the company's premises in the early evening and then fired shots at the men.

A third employee, a 52-year-old man, was critically injured in the shooting and his condition remains serious, according to police.

The suspected perpetrator was arrested in the town of Seckach following an hours-long manhunt. His motive remains unclear, a spokesman for the local public prosecutor's office said.

He has since been remanded in custody. He is accused on two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

Twenty-five employees were on site during the crime, police said on Wednesday. They were taken out of the building and questioned by officers.

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A homicide squad has taken over the investigation with forensic investigators at the scene on Wednesday.

Around 20,000 people live in Bad Friedrichshall, located in the prosperous state of Baden-Wurttemberg.

Bad Friedrichshall's mayor Timo Frey told dpa he was shocked by the news.

He said the family-owned company, which makes gears, is well-known in the area and is a major employer with a staff of around 400.

Shooting incidents are uncommon in the European Union's most populous nation.
MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11)  Police are searching for two suspects in connection to a stabbing that happened in Manhattan on Nov. 5.

The incident occurred around 9 p.m. near 135 West 115th Street.

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Police say a 33-year-old man was approached by two individuals who stabbed him in the face multiple times. The suspects took the victims phone and $50 and ran off.

EMS took the victim to a local hospital in stable condition.

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The NYPD has released the following surveillance photo of the suspects.

Courtesy of the NYPD

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here.

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 PIX11.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  A late-night fire Tuesday at the Bills Bar building in Sioux City is suspicious in nature, according to investigators with Sioux City Fire Rescue.

According to Deputy Fire Marshall Joe Rodriguez, both the first-floor bar and second-floor apartment area are now red-tagged. The building at 2110 Court Street includes six apartments, but only four were occupied.

Cherokee Police Department looking for man missing since mid-December

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Three tenants were able to escape the building on their own, and one person required firefighter assistance. That man was treated and released from a local hospital.

Rodriguez says the fire was mostly contained in an upstairs hallway, but the entire structure suffered smoke and water damage. Bills Bar was open for business when the fire call came in around 10:20 p.m.

A fire investigation continues at this time.

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 SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
SUMITON, Ala. (WIAT)  The Sumiton Police Department is investigating a swatting call that occurred Tuesday afternoon.

According to public information officer Henry Irby with the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office, its SWAT team and other specialized units responded to the 100 block of Glen Brook Road around 1:08 p.m. to help Sumiton police with a possible shooting and hostage situation. It was reported to law enforcement that a woman was dead, a juvenile female was injured, and a male juvenile was hiding in a home requesting help.

Irby stated an investigation revealed a swatting call had occurred. The home law enforcement responded to was vacant. Besides the JCSO and Sumiton police, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, U.S. Marshals Service plus other law enforcement agencies and emergency medical services arrived at the scene.

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Bessemer mother asks for publics help to find 13-year-old sons killers

Irby noted while law enforcement agencies are relieved that no one was hurt or killed in the case, he stated citizens must recognize swatting is dangerous and could lead to deadly results. Resources were pulled from areas where they could have been needed.

A swatting call of this kind is a Class C felony in Alabama, according to Irby. A person convicted of that change may be ordered to pay restitution for expenses incurred by the response.

The Sumiton Police Department greatly appreciates all of the assistance that we received today, Sumiton Police Chief T.J. Bernette said in a statement. The investigation is still ongoing. We will work diligently to bring those who are responsible to justice.

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Those with information on the case are urged to call the Sumiton Police Department at 205-648-3261 or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.

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 CBS 42.
A newly released Swedish true crime drama has become a hit on Netflix in the UK.

The Breakthrough is based on a real-life double murder in Linkoping, Sweden in 2004, which sparked the country's second-largest-ever investigation that was solved after 16 years thanks to new genealogical research.

The four-part miniseries is described as "a fictional story" inspired by Anna Bodin and Peter Sjolund's 2021 non-fiction book The Breakthrough: How The Genealogist Solved the Double Murder in Linkoping.

Nadja Hallstrom/Netflix

Related: Best streaming services

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Since its release yesterday (January 7), the show has landed on Netflix UK's Top 10 programmes. It's currently sitting at number five behind the likes of Squid Game and Missing You and ahead of Black Doves and Virgin River.

First announced back in 2022, The Breakthrough stars Peter Eggers and Mattias Nordkvist as the central police officer and genealogist, with Oskar Soderlund writing the series.

"When the double murder in Linkoping, Sweden, back in 2004 was finally solved after 16 years, it was a genealogist who made the breakthrough," the synopsis reads. "For the first time in Europe, a murder could be solved through genealogical research.

"The Breakthrough is a fictional story about the unexpected hero, an unlikely collaboration, and the hunt for a killer. But it is also a story about how an unsolved crime affects a society and what happens to people who are left without answers to both 'Who?' and 'Why?'"

Nadja Hallstrom/Netflix

Related: Squid Game season 2 sets incredible new Netflix record

Speaking previously about the project, writer Soderlund said: "When I read the book The Breakthrough, I was struck by the fact that there was such strong human destinies behind this massive murder investigation.

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"Police officers who refuse to give up, relatives who wanted answers and last but not least the genealogist who finally came up with the solution.

"It is a terrible trauma that has affected the people and the city of Linkoping and I want to respectfully tell about the attempts to move on from such trauma. In the midst of this tragedy, there are people who refuse to give up, who're struggling to move on and whose whole life is marked by what happened."

The Breakthrough is available to stream now on Netflix.

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SYDNEY (Reuters) -A light aircraft crashed near Rottnest Island off the Western Australian city of Perth killing two tourists from Switzerland and Denmark and the pilot, authorities said on Wednesday.

The aircraft was carrying six tourists when it crashed on Tuesday afternoon off Rottnest Island, a popular tourist destination around 30 km (18.6 miles) west of Perth. The three surviving tourists were injured.

"My thoughts go out to the families and friends of the victims. This is no doubt very difficult for everyone involved," Western Australia's state Premier Roger Cook told a news conference.

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The crash occurred in front of holidaymakers, including families with children vacationing on the island, Cook added.

The state's police commissioner Col Blanch said authorities had begun an investigation into the causes of the crash.

(Reporting by Alasdair Pal in Sydney; Editing by Michael Perry)
Del. Cheryl Pasteur (D-Baltimore County), at her Annapolis office Tuesday on the eve of the 2025 legislative session, discusses legislation to provide a second chance to those incarcerated. Photo by William J. Ford.

The General Assembly lost one of the main advocates for legislation that would allow for the modification or reduction of a prison sentence, when former Sen. Jill P. Carter stepped down after her appointment last month to the Maryland Board of Contract Appeals,.

But Sen. Charles Sydnor III (D-Baltimore County) plans to step in to that spot and sponsor the measure in the 2025 legislative session that begins Wednesday. Sydnor served as a co-sponsor on legislation that Carter sponsored last year, which passed the Senate but did not advance in the House of Delegates.

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Sydnor said advocates arent wrong when they praise Carter, a Baltimore City Democrat, especially with her work as a criminal justice attorney.

She has been a tremendous colleague of mine, Sydnor said about Carter in an interview Tuesday. When it comes to these issues, she knows her stuff. If you say something wrong, you had to be ready for her to challenge you.

Her voice is definitely going to be missed on the General Assembly floor and that hearing room, he said.

Sydnors Baltimore County colleague, Del. Cheryl Pasteur, a Democrat, will once again serve as the House sponsor of the bill informally known as the Second Look Act.

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Im petrified. [Carters] an attorney. Im a little old lady from Pikesville, said Pasteur, a retired educator who also worked as an FBI agent for five years. I do what I do out of passion and firsthand observations and engagement.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the measures had not been filed online.

The bill Carter sponsored in the 2024 session would have let those incarcerated who have served more than 20 years or are at least 60 years old file a petition with the court seeking to have their sentence reduced. If that petition is denied, the individual could file again, but only if he was both 60 or older and had served for at least 20 years.

A written decision by the court on whether to reduce a prison sentence would have to have included the individuals age at time of offense, whether the person participated in any education, vocational or other programs and any report of a physical, mental, or behavioral examination of the individual conducted by a health professional.

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Another part of the bill would have allowed a victim or a victims representative to be notified of any hearing scheduled on a sentence reduction petition.

At least one opponent, Baltimore County States Attorney Scott Shellenberger (D), has said he opposes the measure because the victim notification provision is just another post-conviction complication for victims or their loved ones, forcing them to return to court to relive events of serious crimes such as rape or murder that happened years ago.

But Sydnor said not everyone incarcerated would be allowed this opportunity.

This is not a get-out-of-jail-free card, said Sydnor, adding that procedure would likely only be used sporadically. Youre going to have to be able to prove to that judge that youve changed.

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Magdalena Tsiongas, the convener for the Maryland Second Look Coalition, said the state remains weak when it comes to criminal justice reform. Data from the Maryland Equitable Justice Collaborative shows that Black residents accounted for 32% of the states population in 2023, but make up 71% of those who are incarcerated in the states correctional facilities.

It really is a racial justice issue to address the mass incarceration here, said Tsiongas, whose partner has been incarcerated for more than 17 years since the age of 19. When theres an opportunity, commitment to dedicate to work on second chances, its really an investment in the potential of people who have spent decades inside [prison].
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If you live in the Valley, you'll want to keep an eye on Juan Gonzalez's social media accounts, as the influencer has been showering Phoenix residents with gifts ranging from tacos to clothing and even filling up their car's gas tanks over the past few days.

Gonzalez is a Mexican-American influencer based in Arizona who made a living off YouTube and other social media streams and collaborations.

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On his ThatWasEpic YouTube channel and social media accounts, the influencer creates content related to pranks, social experiments and surprising people with unexpected gifts. And in Phoenix, he's been kicking it up a notch.

Recently, Gonzalez's main initiative has been to visit establishments in Phoenix and leave a $10,000 credit for the benefit of his followers. The influencer communicates through his accounts where he will be located so that folks can fill up on prepaid goods.

Since Saturday, Gonzalez has been seen making donations at Juaderful Tacos and at an Arco gas station in downtown Phoenix  an event that caused quite a stir.

"Just put a $10,000 credit at this gas stations pumps. First come first serve. No gas cans allowed. When youre done filling up leave the pump on the ground for the next person so it doesnt reset," Gonzalez wrote in an Instagram post promoting the event.

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In response to Gonzalez's gift, dozens of cars stopped traffic in the area where the gas station is located, a video of the event shows. Authorities are seen arriving at the location to keep traffic moving but had to evacuate at a certain point due to danger caused by the traffic jam.

The chaos did not completely break Gonzalez's purpose, however, as dozens of people left with smiles on their faces and a full tank of gas.

His last donation of $10,000 was made at a dd's Discounts department store off Thomas Road in Phoenix on Tuesday afternoon.

So far, the influencer has not given more details or clues as to whether this initiative will continue in the coming days.

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Have story tips on Latino communities in the Valley? Reach La Voz reporter Paula Soria at psoriaaguilar@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: ThatWasEpic influencer gifts $30K to Phoenix residents. Here's how
Taiwans military is considering recruiting foreign fighters to address a troop shortage as pressure from China grows.

Politicians and security experts are discussing how to bolster troop numbers, and the creation of a foreign legion is one of a number of suggestions under review.

Richard Chen, a legislator, said that it could be based on a US model, where foreigners could spend two years in service and be awarded citizenship, but that a formal consultation process has yet to start, he told Radio Free Asia.

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The radical proposal comes amid a legislative battle which the government says could lead to deep cuts to its defence budget at a time when Donald Trump, the US president-elect, says the island must pay more for American protection.

An alternative to increased spending to recruit more military personnel  albeit one not yet being formally proposed by the government  is introducing migrants and creating a kind of foreign legion, said Alexander Huang, a professor at Tamkang University in Taipei.

Data from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Military Balance 2022 report shows that the islands 169,000-strong active military personnel are backed by some 1.66 million reservists.

Chinas Peoples Liberation Army, by comparison, has more than 2 million active soldiers and 500,000 reservists.

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Taiwan has taken inspiration from Ukraines defence against Russia by boosting its civil defence initiatives and ramping up military spending.

Last year, Taiwan extended its mandatory military service period from four months to one year.

But Taiwans falling birth rate  one of the worlds lowest  is expected to limit the number of available conscripts in the years ahead.

However, the island is also home to almost 1 million foreign residents, mostly from south-east Asia, according to official figures.

China regards democratic Taiwan as part of its territory and has never renounced the use of force to take control of it. Beijing frequently threatens Taipei with incursions of warships and military jets and other grey-zone tactics, which regularly test the islands defences but stop short of direct confrontation.

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This week, the Taiwanese coastguard detained a Chinese vessel suspected of damaging an internet cable in the waters around the north-east of the island.

Two years ago, some of Taiwans outlying islands were almost completely cut off from the internet after damage to its subsea cables by Chinese vessels.

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As communities across Los Angeles County burned Wednesday in a spate of wildfires, the crisis highlighted the stark difference between the incoming and outgoing presidents and their relationships with California.

President Biden stood next to Gov. Gavin Newsom, a fellow Democrat, at a fire station in Santa Monica and pledged to provide full federal support to the state.

"Were prepared to do anything and everything for as long as it takes to contain these fires," Biden said.

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Read more: Live coverage: 2 dead and more than 1,000 homes, businesses, other buildings destroyed in L.A. County fires

Hours earlier, Republican President-elect Donald Trump, just days away from being sworn in on Jan. 20, blamed Newscum and his Los Angeles crew for the unfolding calamity.

In a post on his social media site, Truth Social, Trump said the Democratic governor refused to sign a water restoration declaration," which he alleged would have allowed millions of gallons of rain and snowmelt to flow south to the areas on fire.

Now the ultimate price is being paid, Trump wrote. I will demand that this incompetent governor allow beautiful, clean, fresh water to FLOW INTO CALIFORNIA!

The morning missive from the president-elect, as communities burned and thousands of people fled their homes, echoed his prior threats to withhold wildfire funding if Newsom declined to go along with Trump's water policy for California. Water experts have said, however, that Trump's water proposals probably will encounter substantial obstacles, and that his claims attempting to link water deliveries to the firefighting response were inaccurate.

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Read more: One of the most destructive firestorms in L.A. history kills 5, burns 2,000 buildings

Though Newsom praised Trump during his first term for approving federal disaster funding for wildfires, the governor has since said he had to kiss the ring to convince Trump to help.

Newsom has commended Biden for not playing political games during disasters.

"It's impossible for me to express the level of appreciation and cooperation we've received from the White House and this administration," Newsom said in Santa Monica on Wednesday.

California is grateful to @POTUS & his Administration's support fighting the LA wildfires.



 Presidential Major Disaster Declaration

 5 @ForestService Large Air Tankers

 10 Federal Helicopters

 Dozens of @ForestService Fire Engines

 Backup via @DeptofDefense pic.twitter.com/LLQh7SrMsF  Governor Newsom (@CAgovernor) January 8, 2025

Presidents have wide discretion when it comes to disaster aid, which could be in jeopardy in the future if Trump follows through with his threats after his inauguration.

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California and other states receive most federal wildfire aid through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including direct payments and services to homeowners and renters whose properties were damaged, and public assistance for things such as search-and-rescue teams, debris removal and infrastructure repair.

States need to show that an incident is of such a severity and magnitude that a response is beyond the states capability in order to qualify. The governor must request, and the president must declare, a major disaster and then approve any aid the governor requests.

FEMA decides whether a federal disaster declaration is warranted and issues a recommendation to the president. In the past, presidents have followed that recommendation, but theres nothing in the law that requires them to do so.

Read more: Could Trump really cut off wildfire aid for California? Absolutely

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Trump initially refused to approve federal aid to California for wildfires in 2018 until a National Security Council staffer showed him that Orange County had a dense concentration of voters who supported him, according to Politico .

In another example, in 2020, FEMA rejected a request to provide aid to California for a half-dozen wildfires and then reversed course the next day after Republicans made appeals to Trump and the governor and president spoke over the phone.

State Sen. Ben Allen, a Democrat who lives and grew up in Santa Monica, attended Wednesday's briefing with the president and governor. Allen said it was obvious from Newsoms remarks since the fires began that the governor was worried about federal support for disasters under the Trump administration. Allen said Bidens response was remarkably quick and thorough. But he said he couldnt imagine that Trump would ignore Californians in any time of need.

I have every expectation that the new administration will assist fellow Americans in moments of vulnerability, Allen said. That's what every White House has done, whether Democrat or Republican, throughout history. There's no reason why they shouldnt continue to provide the same level of assistance and service that previous presidents have.

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Despite Trump's feisty rhetoric, he did travel to California as president to survey fire damage and meet with Newsom. Trump toured Paradise in 2018 in the aftermath of the state's deadliest wildfire. And he met with Newsom in Sacramento after a spate of wildfires in 2020.

Newsom and Trump traded blows on social media, in the news media and in the courts during the president-elects first term, but remained cordial in texts, calls and even in person. But that relationship appears to have soured during Bidens presidency.

Newsom has said Trump did not return a call he made in November to congratulate the incoming president on winning the election. An aide to Newsom said the two men have still not spoken.

The president-elect continued to blame Newsom on Truth Social for the blazes on Wednesday: "As of this moment, Gavin Newscum and his Los Angeles crew have contained exactly ZERO percent of the fire. It is burning at levels that even surpass last night. This is not government."

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Trump also took shots at Biden.

"NO WATER IN THE FIRE HYDRANTS, NO MONEY IN FEMA," he posted. "THIS IS WHAT JOE BIDEN IS LEAVING ME. THANKS JOE!"

Peter Gleick, a hydroclimatologist and senior fellow of the Oakland-based Pacific Institute, said Trump's comments attempting to link California water policy with the water-supply problems facing firefighters in Southern California were "blatantly false, irresponsible and politically self-serving."

"There is no water shortage in Southern California  the state's reservoirs are all at, or above, levels normally expected for this time of year. The problem with water supply for the fires is entirely the result of the massive immediate demands for firefighting water, broken or damaged pipes and pumps, and homeowners leaving hoses and sprinklers running in hopes of saving property."

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Staff writer Ian James contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
BRADENTON, Fla. (WFLA)  Temperatures are dropping across the Tampa Bay area and people are bundling up.

For those who may not have a warm place to stay, shelters are opening up across the area.

Florida hurricane victims say theres no place to go as FEMA hotel help expires soon

Manatee Countys Emergency Management Division said it coordinated with the Salvation Army to open cold weather shelter space at their 1204 14th St. West location in Bradenton this week. Doors open at 6 p.m. each night through Thursday. County officials said this space is in addition to the daily sheltering program.

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Paul Fowler, who oversees the shelters, showed us around the property Tuesday and explained how they prepare for the potential influx of people on cold winter nights.

We do anticipate more people coming in, so we will have our dorms set up, and then we will also have extra mats available, Fowler said.

He explained the facility has been busy over the last several months, with many first time clients. Anyone from families who were priced out of their apartments to people who lost everything during the back to back hurricanes.

Temperatures were expected to be low for the next few days. The shelter plans to offer free nights to guests through at least Thursday.

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We will reassess on Thursday to see how the rest of the weekend goes, Fowler said.

As the cool season continues, the Salvation Army is seeking donations.

Jackets are always a need, just because people in Florida dont really have a lot of warm clothes, warm sweatshirts, hoodies, Fowler said. We also accept monetary 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 WFLA.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  A man was arrested on Tuesday after allegedly threatening the Hillsborough County Courthouse in a social media post, deputies said.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriffs office, a tip from a concerned citizen led them to investigate a comment made by Adam Scott Robitaille, 46, that threatened the staff and citizens of the Courthouse, raising concerns about public safety.

Long-time citrus grower ends production in Florida

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The comment has since been deleted.

Our communitys safety is our highest priority, and we take any threat  whether made in frustration or otherwise  extremely seriously, Sheriff Chad Chronister said about the threat.

Detectives interviewed Robitaille who admitted to the post, who said he made it out of frustration.

HCSO arrested Robitaille and charged him with written or electronic threat to kill or do bodily injury.

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 WFLA.
Following the New Years Day attack in New Orleans, Tampa city officials emphasized they are ready for the annual Gasparilla season, enlisting the support of more than 20 federal, state and local agencies.

Tampas annual pirate festivities commence with the Jan. 18 Childrens Gasparilla and Jan. 25 Gasparilla Pirate Fest. Just weeks after 14 were killed and dozens injured in New Orleans when a man intentionally drove into a crowd on Bourbon Street, local officials announced additional resources will be used this year to assure safety.

We are approaching these events, if possible, with more vigilance than we have done in the years past, said Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, who said the city works with outside agencies on a daily basis.  As our pirates pose a fun threat to our community, our No. 1 priority is ensuring that our events, especially our parades, are safe for you and for our entire community.

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Castor said parade-goers can expect to see several officers in uniform along the parade route, and that there will also be plenty of law enforcement personnel that you wont see.

She said the city will also be using cameras and drones to enhance safety.

Police Chief Lee Bercaw said thousands of officers will be monitoring the parade in real time from the ground, from a command center, from air and by boat.

Each year, he said, stakeholders do a tabletop exercise to plan for safety and they plan to hold theirs next week.

While existing vehicle-blocking bollard systems are being reviewed in light of New Orleans, Bercaw said garbage trucks, concrete barriers and water barriers are among blockades already used.

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Josh Delmanzo, assistant special agent in charge of the joint terrorism task Force for the FBI Tampa division, said Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the suspect in the New Orleans attack, had spent three days in Tampa last October, from the 26th to 28th. But he said the agency does not believe there is a threat to area, or that he made significant contact with anyone during that time.

Those with information are asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.

Because of New Orleans, Delmanzo said the FBI will commit additional intelligence, technical and response resources to help bolster efforts in preserving public safety for the Gasparilla parades and festivities.

Cheryll Harrell, assistant special agent in charge for the Tampa division of the Department of Justices Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said she anticipates the safest Gasparilla yet.

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Tampa is in good hands, she said. We have plans for just about every scenario.

Castor said the city will provide live updates, from road closures to lost children and safety issues to anyone who texts Gasparilla to 888777. Bercaw recommended taking pictures of kids in their Gasparilla outfits, which can be useful if they get lost.

City officials and law enforcement representatives emphasized the message: If you see something, say something.

Quite often, intelligence comes from the community up to local law enforcement and makes its way up through the different agencies to the federal level, Castor said. And so we are asking those individuals that come out to celebrate this occasion with us to be vigilant as well.
Blogger Tasha K is now accusing Cardi B of ruining her career and finances after having to file for bankruptcy.

Per TMZ, Tasha claimed the Bodak Yellow emcee was bullying her financially and interfering with her bankruptcy case while exposing Tashas alleged secret offshore trust accounts in the Cook Islands, Nevis, and Georgia.

The gossip blogger was ordered to pay Cardi $3.4 million from her 2022 defamation case and feels the rapper wants to sabotage her career by trying to condition any settlement of the debt with a broad restriction on her ability to talk freely on her blogs and other social media.

Daily Mail reported Cardis legal team filed a motion in Florida Bankruptcy Court last month accusing Tasha of fraudulently transferred assets and income out of her name, and into her husband Cheickna Kebes name and/or his business. The Grammy winner accused Tasha of living a life in luxury after she recently moved into an apartment that costs $7,000 a month while shielding money from creditors.

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So, Cardi is now requesting a judge to toss out Tashas bankruptcy case and stop her from refilling for the next two years. The comedian previously told Bankruptcy Court that she had less than $60,000 in assets and only $95 in her bank account.

Soulja Boy, Kevin Hart, R. Kelly, and Bishop Lamor Whitehead are among those who have sued Tasha K for defamation. The lawsuit filed by Whitehead was for $360 million, but a judge ruled in favor of the blogger. They noted that Tashas statements werent defaming and some of her remarks were probably true. Meanwhile, Whitehead was recently sentenced to nine years in prison for extortion and wire fraud.

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CHEATHAM COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  An investigation conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) led to the arrest of a Chapmansboro man in connection with the 2023 death of a child.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

The TBI joined the Cheatham County Sheriffs Office and the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) on an investigation into the death of Turner Simpkins. Authorities found Turners body at his Poplar Ridge Road residence in Chapmansboro and determined over the course of the investigation that Turner died of chronic blunt force injuries and malnourishment.

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Agents determined the manner of Turners death as a homicide. Additionally, they learned of chronic severe child abuse by the girlfriend of Turners father  Austin Simpkins. An investigation found the abuse had taken place over the course of several months, although Austin did not make any reports of abuse nor attempt to stop it.

Turner Simpkins (Courtesy: Cheatham County Sheriffs Office)

The girlfriend, Shannon Leigh Elliott, was indicted in March 2024 on multiple charges, including first-degree murder. In August, she was found guilty on the first-degree murder charge and other aggravated child abuse charges. A judge said Elliott would serve at least 51 years before being eligible for parole.

MARCH 2024 | How could she do this?: Woman charged with murder of 5-year-old boy in Cheatham County

On Monday, a Cheatham County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Austin with one count of aggravated child neglect, three counts of child abuse and child neglect or endangerment. Austin was arrested and booked into the Cheatham County Jail on a $50,000 bond.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
TECUMSEH, Ohio (WDTN)  A newly-approved resolution has opened the door to the armament of Tecumseh school teachers and staff.

According to a resolution obtained by 2 NEWS, Tecumseh Local School District will allow staff to be armed while within the safety zone established by each school in the district.

The resolution leads with the premise that protecting students and staff is paramount and that trained staff members are capable of defending and protecting.

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Tecumseh Local Schools is required by state law to provide notice to students of a staff members authorization for armament.

The districts Board of Education is required to pay for all training that staff participates in as well as to provide a list of authorized personnel to the Ohio School Safety Center (the list itself is not public record per the resolution).

Staff besides school resource officers will not be allowed to carry firearms on their person. Staff firearms are to be locked in a secured location and for members to be approved they must complete a 24 hour training program with the OSSC and all other additional training provided by the district.

Other criteria include:

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Passing a psychological assessment

A yearly background check

The completion of at least 8 hours of training for recertification

All training hours will be compensated at the hourly/summer rate.

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 WDTN.com.
KEYSTONE, Wis. (WFRV)  Officials are still investigating a shooting incident that occurred on Dec. 30 in northern Wisconsin after one person was arrested.

According to the Bayfield County Sheriffs Office, an investigation led to the arrest of a 16-year-old.

Wisconsin man arrested for numerous crimes, fights with officers while being taken into custody

The release added that the case is under active investigation, but that there is no threat to the public.

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Due to the sensitive nature of the incident, the Bayfield County Sheriffs Office said that no further statements are going to be made at this time.

No more details were provided.

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 WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
Winter Storm Cora will soon impact parts of Texas, bringing freezing temperatures, snow and ice to parts of the state. With portions of North Texas now under a winter storm watch, Texans are preparing for unusual winter conditions.

As the Lone Star State braces for temperatures to dip below freezing, it's crucial to take precautions. Failing to prepare for the cold can cause major damage to homes, leading to headaches for homeowners and thousands of dollars in repairs.

Here's a guide to protect your home from freezing temperatures and keep your pipes from bursting.

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People are also reading: Weather Channel's Jim Cantore may be in Texas for winter storm  and it's not a good thing

At what temperature do pipes freeze?

Water in pipes begins to solidify into ice once temperatures dip below freezing, at 32 (0).

How to prevent pipes from freezing

As Winter Storm Cora travels across Texas, freeze warnings are likely Wednesday through Friday. While it's always essential to check your local weather forecast during winter, it will be extremely important to do so daily through the end of this week. When a freeze warning is issued, its time to protect your faucets.

In Southern states, many people take precautions ahead of the first cold front since outdoor faucets are typically unused until spring. However, if you havent yet preparedor if you still need to use your faucets regularlyheres some advice on how to protect them.

Adjust your thermostat

Maintain a temperature of at least 60 degrees.

Open cupboards and vanities to allow warm air to reach pipes, especially in kitchens and bathrooms, Brycen Sperlich, owner of Prime Drain Cleaning and Plumbing in Tennessee, told USA TODAY earlier this year.

Drip faucets correctly

Set faucets to a small, steady drip rather than a stream to conserve water while preventing freezing.

Drip the faucet farthest from your homes main water valve.

You dont have to drip them allone or two is fine, Sperlich told USA TODAY.

Cover outdoor spigots

Before the temperature drops below 32 degrees, outdoor water spigots attached to homes should be opened to allow to drain water out. Faucet covers should also be put on.

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Winter weather safety tips: 28 things you should have at home, in your vehicle

Which pipes freeze the most?

Here are the pipes The Red Cross says freeze most frequently in homes:

Pipes exposed to "severe cold," including outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, and water sprinkler lines. (If you have swimming pool or sprinkler supply lines, don't forget to drain them too.)

Water supply pipes in unheated interior areas, including basements, crawl spaces, attics, garages, and cabinets.

Those running against exterior walls that "have little or no insulation."

What you should do if your pipe is already frozen

If you're concerned about further damage or unsure how to handle the situation, it's best to call a local plumber to safely resolve the issue. However, you can relieve some of the pressure on your own.

Heres a step-by-step process outlined by the American Red Cross:

Turn off main water supply valve

This prevents water from flowing into the frozen pipe, reducing the risk of a burst.

Thaw the frozen pipes

Apply heat using a hair dryer, heating pad or warm towels wrapped around the pipe.

Avoid using open flames, such as a blowtorch, as they can damage the pipe or cause a fire.

Keep a faucet open

Allow a faucet connected to the frozen pipe to run. This helps water flow as the ice melts and relieves pressure, reducing the risk of the pipe bursting.

How do I find my main water shut-off valve?

The main water shut-off valve is usually located where the water supply enters your homecommonly in the basement, garage or a concrete metal box near the street.

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Familiarize yourself with its location before temperatures drop below freezing to act quickly in case of a burst pipe.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: At what temperature do pipes freeze? When to drip faucets in Texas
A Tennessee man was charged with child abuse in connection with the death of his 6-year-old son  months after his girlfriend was convicted of the child's murder.

Turner Simpkins, 6, was found dead in a home in Chapmansboro, Tenn., in July 2023, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, which said the boy died from chronic blunt force injuries and malnourishment.

The girlfriend of Turners father, Shannon Leigh Elliott, 27, was indicted in connection with the killing in March of last year. Elliott was convicted of murder and two counts of aggravated child abuse and sentenced to life in prison, according to state prison records.

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Turner's autopsy revealed extensive bruising, bite marks, and cuts about his body, the Tennesseean reported. In court, investigators testified that surveillance footage showed Elliott repeatedly smacking, kicking, biting and strangling the child, and believed the abuse lasted for months, per the outlet.

Now, the childs father, Austin Simpkins, 29, has been indicted on Tuesday, Jan. 7 on charges of child neglect, abuse and endangerment, according to authorities.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

The TBI alleges that Austin was aware of the abuse being committed by his girlfriend, did not attempt to stop it, and neglected to report it to authorities.

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It is not immediately clear if Austin has entered a plea or retained an attorney. He is being held in Cheatham County on $500,000 bond.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.



Read the original article on People
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation director is reversing comments he made in December indicating members of a Venezeulan gang are operating in Tennessee cities. (Photo: Getty Images)

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation director is reversing course about violent acts by a Venezuelan gang after he told the governor in a November 2024 budget that Tren de Aragua is operating in the states four largest cities.

In a Dec. 19 letter to state Rep. John Ray Clemmons, TBI Director David Rausch admitted the shooting of a cartel member by Tren de Aragua, which he discussed at a budget hearing, did not take place in Tennessee. He also wrote, I never stated that there were any violent encounters that we were aware of with this gang in Tennessee.

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Yet during his presentation to Gov. Bill Lee, Rausch referred to the Venezuelan gang as a violent group and described how it starts with human trafficking, then moves into organized retail theft and the drug trade as part of a pathway to more violence.

David Rausch, Director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. (Photo: tn.gov)

The director also said the gangs drug trade activity competes directly with cartels and that the gang put out a video showing one of the Tren de Aragua members shooting a cartel member 31 times. Rausch said the information was based on trends and intel [the TBI has] on them.

Since Rausch made the alarming statements, news organizations started looking into the gangs activity in Tennessee. One member of the gang was arrested in Hamilton County on human trafficking charges and one Memphis in November on a federal warrant, according to reports. But the group doesnt appear to have a strong presence in Metro Nashville or Memphis, reports show.

In his letter to Clemmons, Rausch said he isnt seeking a state legislative fix to deal with the gang other than support for more operating funds. Rausch added that he is responsible for alerting elected officials and the public about safety concerns.

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In response, Clemmons said Rauschs letter sends the message he wants nothing but money from the legislature.

He also drastically walked back his representations about the (gangs) violent criminal activity which were clearly intended to scare the bejesus out of Tennessee families. This is odd because the TDA is a real threat to public safety if it, in fact, has as significant of a presence here as the director insinuated, Clemmons said in a statement.

Clemmons added he believes the hyperbolic remarks were choreographed in part to demonize the immigrant community. He noted the governor asked only one question about the matter, displaying he showed little concern.

Rausch said in his letter the bureau found out about the Venezuelan gang presence through intelligence efforts and that media coverage has put the gang on notice that TBI is coming after them, when they commit crime. He declined to release sensitive information the bureau obtained.

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During budget hearings, Rausch told the governor that the gang made up of illegal individuals is prevalent and ever-present in the state  in all major cities  after fleeing two years ago when the TBI uncovered its human trafficking operation.

Despite acknowledging the street shooting took place elsewhere, Rausch wrote that the Venezuelan group is a very dangerous gang that must be stopped before it gains a foothold in the state.

He also drastically walked back his representations about the (gangs) violent criminal activity which were clearly intended to scare the bejesus out of Tennessee families.

 Rep. John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville, of TBI Director David Rausch

Most of its activity has been in human trafficking, and some gang members have been arrested in Tennessees biggest cities on warrants from other states, according to Rauschs letter.

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He said the gang has smuggled people across the border and abused the visa and asylum systems. Once inside the country, the gang network moved people across the country and into Tennessee, Rausch said.

Rauschs presentation spurred Clemmons to send a letter to the director asking several questions since he made the Venezuelan gang activity a priority in his budget request to the governor.

Clemmons, who chairs the House Democratic Caucus, asked when the gang returned to Tennessee and why lawmakers belatedly learned about the public safety threat. In addition, he sought more information about the trends and intel Rausch said the TBI used and more specific information about the gangs criminal activity in Tennessees major cities.

He also asked whether the gangs drug trade involved fentanyl and whether the cartel members murder was filmed in Tennessee. Other questions dealt with whether the gang had any members in Tennessee prisons and how gang members might have gotten to Tennessee from Venezuela.

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Tennessee students spend roughly 14,760 hours inside a classroom from kindergarten through twelfth grade. During this period, they develop skills, form worldviews and learn how to be productive members of society. Thats why every child must receive an education that not only works for them but allows them to thrive.

Where a child goes to school is so important that parents with the financial resources often decide where to live based on which community has the best school district. More fortunate families opt for a private education paid out of pocket. These parents have the final say when it comes to their childs schooling.

Most working Tennessee families dont have the luxury of school choice. As a result, some children are stuck in schools that cannot meet their needs.

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Tennessee Republicans in November introduced the Education Freedom Act of 2025 to make school choice a reality for all students. If passed, families across the Volunteer State will be able to decide which school works best for their children, and education freedom would no longer just be a reality for wealthy parents but for lower-income too.

We must debunk the myths pushed by school choice critics

Immediately after introducing this legislation, Democrats began regurgitating their same old dishonest talking points, calling it a scam and misleading Tennesseans about what education freedom really means for Tennesseans.

Arieale Munson and her son Steven Cole Jr., 12, from Shelby County are one of the receipts from the Education Savings Accounts program at Tennessee State Museum in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023.

Democrats have falsely claimed in this publication that Tennessees school choice bill would defund public education and leave out vulnerable students. They claim education freedom will exclude disadvantaged kids because they arent desirable to private schools.

The evidence from our state and across the nation tells a different story, one in which struggling students are lifted up, public schools remain strong and families are confident their children are receiving the best education possible.

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Democrats frequently cite Arizonas universal Empowerment Scholarship Account program as evidence of the failures of school choice, specifically when it comes to funding. The state superintendent has called this line of attack a myth that has been utterly demolished. The reality is that in fiscal year 2024, the Grand Canyon States K-12 budget had a $4.3 million surplus, even with a surge in enrollment.

Out of 52 analyses on education funding and school choice programs, 47 concluded that choice programs save taxpayers money, four were cost-neutral, and just one program, focusing specifically on students with exceptionalities, increased costs, EdChoice reports.

Opinion: Tennessee lawmakers say they support teachers. If so, reject school vouchers

Public school students in Florida saw reading and math scores increase by 14.5% between 2002 - two years after the state initially approved a choice program - and 2014 in districts with intense private school competition. This increase is higher than in districts with fewer nearby private options.

Existing ESA parents are overwhelmingly satisfied with choice

Education freedom programs also lift up students of all socioeconomic backgrounds. For example, low-income students in Indiana who participate in the choice program are less likely to get suspended, less likely to fail a course, and more likely to attend college shortly after graduation than public school students, according to a study from the Institute of Education Sciences, the research arm of the U.S. Department of Education.

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These students are also disproportionately Black, Hispanic, and eligible for the national school lunch program. Arizonas choice program enrolled a higher percentage of disabled students than public schools. School choice programs have provided access to quality and tailored education plans for vulnerable students nationwide. Tennessee is no exception.

More than 99% of parents whose children are enrolled in non-public schools through Tennessees Education Savings Account (ESA) program - available only to students in Shelby, Davidson and Hamilton counties - are satisfied with the results.

School choice isnt a scam to the thousands of students currently participating in Tennessees program. It wont be a scam to the thousands more who will obtain true education freedom if our bill passes. Its not a scam to the vast majority of Americans  78% of school parents, 79% of Black parents, and a majority of Tennesseans  who support education freedom policies.

Public schools will remain the 'backbone' of TN education system

Our bill ensures that no school district loses funding if a student leaves to participate in the school choice program. It also provides a $2,000 bonus to every K-12 public school teacher in the Volunteer State for the 2024-25 school year. This is in addition to the nearly $1 billion Tennessee Republicans have invested to raise teacher pay over the past decade, a welcome change after years of an incompetent Democrat majority failing to do the same.

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Public schools will continue to be the backbone of our states education system. Still, we must rethink our approach.

Every parent deserves the freedom to choose the best educational path that meets their childs unique needs. Parents and students are crying out for options, which are currently out of reach for so many.

Calling education freedom a scam time and again isnt insightful or accurate; its a shameful tactic that seeks to deceive Tennesseans and limit schooling options for those who cant afford alternatives.

Mark White

As the rhetoric surrounding this important bill heats up and as Democrats continue advocating for a policy of school choice exclusively for wealthy families, I ask you to join me and my Republican colleagues in our fight to achieve education freedom for all. Let your legislators know you support education freedom for all Tennessean children.

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Mark White, R-Memphis, represents District 83 in the Tennessee House of Representatives. He serves as chair of the House education Committee.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: School choice is not a scam, contrary to what Democrats say | Opinion
Expanding state oversight over federal grants and local laws, preparing for an end of the U.S. Department of Education and expanding opportunities for child care providers are top priorities for Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton as lawmakers return to the state Capitol.

The 2025 legislative session will begin on Tuesday, Jan. 14, at 12 p.m. CT. Before he gavels in the legislative session next week, Sexton. R-Crossville, sat down with The Tennessean to discuss his plans for this year.

House Speaker Cameron Sexton sit in his ceremonial office at Tennessee State Capitol building in Nashville , Tenn., Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.

Smoothing regulatory pathways for childcare providers

Among his top priorities is lowering the barriers for entrepreneurs to start and expand child care businesses in Tennessee.

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When we talk to business owners about it, the risk and liability for businesses to do it is a concern, he said. When you look at starting one, theres a lot of hoops to go through.

Many areas in Tennessee are child care deserts  places where there are not enough child care options for the number of children in that area. Sexton plans to work with the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry to review state regulations and make changes to ensure providers dont face burdensome or antiquated requirements

I hear all the time from people saying, I just can't  it's hard to get into business. It's extremely difficult to expand in the business, or it's not worth the amount of cost and regulations and liability for me to get into it, he said.

Requiring legislative approval for state to pursue federal grants

Sexton will also sponsor legislation to require state agencies to seek approval from the legislature before applying for federal grants.

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I think what happens sometimes is you have departments chasing federal dollars, just trying to find more money, more money, and sometimes it gets us into problems, Sexton said.

Related: Why Tennessee is rejecting millions that help families pay for summer groceries

Sexton wants the House Financial Subcommittee to have approval authority over state grant proposals, so lawmakers have the opportunity to question agencies on rules around federal grant funds, the state employees needed to administer the funds, and potential burdens federal funding may put on the state in the future.

I think that also holds the bureaucracy in check, and that's the role of the General Assembly, in my opinion, he said.

House Speaker Cameron Sexton sit in his ceremonial office at Tennessee State Capitol building in Nashville , Tenn., Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.

Withholding state funds from cities that violate the Constitution

Sexton will also back legislation that would seek to withhold state funds from local governments that violate the state Constitution, state law, or ballot referendums. Local governments would be given time to correct the issue before state funds are withheld.

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If theres things that they're violating in state law or the Constitution, then they need to be fixed, he said, pointing to similar legislation passed in Arizona.

A 2018 Arizona law allows lawmakers to report suspect local laws to the state attorney generals office. If the attorney general finds the local law violates state statute or the state Constitution, the city has 30 days to change their law before the state treasurer withholds funds. Cities may appeal to the states supreme court.

The amazing thing is, the locals always fix it within the time period allotted, Sexton said.

House Speaker Cameron Sexton sit in his ceremonial office at Tennessee State Capitol building in Nashville , Tenn., Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.

Paving the way for the end of the U.S. Department of Education

President-elect Donald Trump has said he plans to end the U.S. Department of Education, although that would require an act of Congress. In recent years, state Republican lawmakers have studied the feasibility of rejecting federal money for public education to eliminate what they see as strings attached to the funds.

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With major changes a real possibility in a second Trump administration, Sexton is supportive.

Im hopeful that he will do it, Sexton said. I think if you block grant that money and send it back to the states, I think you would see better returns. It won't be caught up in this big old bureaucracy.

But with the end of the department, Sexton wants to see certain regulations and mandates abolished as well. Critics worry about the move, including over the loss of federal protections for students with disabilities.

I would ask for more of a block grant type where we can use it to the best of our ability to improve education, he said.

House Speaker Cameron Sexton sit in his ceremonial office at Tennessee State Capitol building in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.

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Offering parents state-funded education freedom vouchers

Sexton has been an advocate of state-funded school choice vouchers since Gov. Bill Lee announced his statewide proposal in 2023. The issue remains a high priority.

Every child should have the same opportunity just not those who are wealthy enough, Sexton said. If we're going to get out of poverty in our state, it starts with education  and the parents should be in charge of that decision.

Grocery tax cuts?

Proposals have been filed from both sides of the aisle to abolish Tennessees 4% sales tax on groceries. Tennessee is one of 13 states that still taxes food and groceries. One bill is co-sponsored by House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland  the second highest-ranking Republican in the House.

Sexton supports a grocery tax break for staples like fresh produce, eggs, butter, and milk  but not on every type of product.

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Do people think that you should get the same tax break for buying a Coke than you should if you're buying a gallon of milk? he said. I want to do the staples that everybody usually buys, and the other stuff is accessories, for lack of a better term.

The last time the state food sales tax rate was cut was during the Haslam administration, when the grocery tax was reduced from 5% to 4% in the IMPROVE Act, which put in place a higher gas and diesel tax.

Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee legislature: House Speaker Cameron Sexton outlines priorities
LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56)  Tensions were high at Monday evenings London City Council meeting as residents pressed officials for answers regarding the shooting death of 63-year-old Douglas Harless.

Court documents said officers were executing a search warrant for a stolen weed eater and heater on the night Harless died. Dispatch audio indicates officers were directed to 489 Vanzant Road but reportedly went to 511 Vanzant Road instead, where Harless lived.

A press release from the London Police Department stated that Harless pointed a gun at officers, which resulted in him being shot and killed just before midnight on Dec. 23.

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I want to speak to everyone here. If you were in your bed asleep, youre not a criminal, one resident said. So this man, a really great man, is in the bed at 10 oclock. He gets a knock on the door and then just gets shot. If that were you, would you get up with a gun? Yeah. So every one of us would get shot, right? And by city police that have no business in the county.

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That sums up only a few of the issues constituents posed on Monday.

Mayor Randall Weddle stated that the London Police Department hasnt utilized body cameras since 2023 due to the cost of maintaining them. Meaning the only footage captured the night of Harless death was from a neighbors home.

Its my family, God, those cops, and Doug that knows the truth about what happened that night, Tina Asher, Harless neighbor, told FOX 56.

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There are counties and cities that have way less means than us that manage to figure out how to afford to wear bodycams, one resident said at Mondays meeting.

Did London police follow search warrant regulations during fatal officer-involved shooting? Experts weigh in

It isnt just for the community. I am retired law enforcement. I back the police, another constituent clarified. But you do not have money to protect our officers and Douglas Harless?

My office is fully committed to the transparency regarding the recent events, Weddle said at the start of the meeting. As soon as this matter arose, the London City Police Department referred the investigation to the Kentucky State Police. In parallel, my office has initiated an administrative investigation. However, we cannot reach a conclusion until the Kentucky State Police have completed their inquiry. My heart goes out to all those that are involved in this case. My prayers have been with everyone during this time. Should any wrongdoing be identified? My office will take the appropriate actions in accordance with the findings.

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But the public wasnt satisfied, and they proceeded to press for answers for the next hour.

Many asked questions surrounding the search warrant executed the night of Harless death, its timing, and who approved it.

Surveillance video of deadly London search warrant shooting sparks questions

I mean, I could see if it was somebody hurting somebody or, you know, fighting or something like that. But, not over a weed eater, one woman said.

Tensions were also high among the council, some claiming they were ill-informed about the situation at hand.

All I can say is we found out by either Facebook or the news, and we should have found out differently than that, Justin Young, city council member, said.

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Mayor Weddle said that he acted within the legal ramifications to avoid creating a quorum.

Claims made by man accused of theft may have led police to where deadly London shooting occurred

I keep it to a three-person limit, Weddle said.

Well, that doesnt sound good, coming from the mayor, Young responded.

Stacy Benge, a city council member, said that he even filed an open records request on the case.

I did an open records request, and I didnt get anything, and I didnt expect to get anything, you know, because its been sent to the KSP, and I understood that. But I had to ask, you know, officially, and they responded as they should, Benge said. But I will ask that; I think its our right to do so. That we would get a written statement from the chief of police and assistant chief of police with something regarding this.

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Benge said that hes placed calls to the London police chief, but his calls have gone unanswered.

Its an open investigation, and they cant say anything, Weddle defended.

They can say, I cant tell you nothing. Thats better than nothing, Benge said.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

Council members said theyve received threatening emails and name-calling from people, even out of state, as the case grasped public attention.

No, nobody wants to deal with this. I mean, youre taking licks all night. But again, I think there needs to be some transparency. I know Im used to hearing its an ongoing investigation, one man said.

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The investigation into Harless death is ongoing, and an officer involved has been placed on administrative leave.

FOX 56 has contacted the London Police Department for comment following Mondays council meeting but has yet to hear back. However, Mayor Weddle sent a comment on Wednesday morning. Heres his response to the attention Mondays meeting garnered:

Im aware that the recording of Mondays council meeting has garnered significant attention, and I recognize that discussions became heated at times. As an American, I value and uphold our First Amendment rights, which allow us to express ourselves to our elected officials. However, after reviewing the video, it should be clear that much of this conversation was directed at me personally rather than the issue at hand. Some individuals are using this situation for political gain, which is unfortunate and detracts from the real matter at stake. At this time, we are awaiting the conclusion of the investigation by the Kentucky State Police. Our thoughts and prayers remain with everyone involved in this situation, and I urge everyone to remain focused on facts and fairness as we move forward. Mayor Randall Weddle

Click here to listen to the entirety of Mondays meeting.

Read more of the latest Kentucky news

Community members have organized a march in honor of Harless to take place at 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 25. For more information, click 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 FOX 56 News.
BEIJING (AP)  Relief teams in western China shifted their focus to resettling survivors after a search Wednesday for any remaining victims of a deadly earthquake that struck a day earlier near a holy city for Tibetan Buddhists.

Tents, quilts, stoves and other relief items were being delivered to people whose homes were uninhabitable or unsafe. State media said that more than 46,000 people had been relocated following the quake, which killed 126 and injured 188 others.

Tibetans, many of whom have fled persecution in China, held vigils for the victims in neighboring India and Nepal, both of which have sizeable communities.

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The earthquake struck an outlying county in Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet and the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, the second-highest figure in Tibetan Buddhism.

It was not immediately known whether he was in his Tashi Lhunpo Monastery at the time. The epicenter was about 25 kilometers (15 miles) from the main part of the city, which is called Xigaze in Chinese and sprawls across a high altitude plain.

More than 500 aftershocks were recorded after Tuesday's earthquake, which the U.S. Geological Survey said measured magnitude 7.1. Chinas earthquake center recorded a magnitude of 6.8.

The epicenter was about 75 kilometers (50 miles) from Mount Everest and the border with Nepal, where the shaking sent people running out of their homes. Earthquakes in China happen most frequently on the Tibetan Plateau or its fringes.

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About 200 Tibetans lit candles and marched on the two main streets of Dharamshala, India, chanting prayers and carrying signs saying they stand with the victims and calling for aid to help them. The city in the hills of northern India is home to the Dalai Lama, Tibetan Buddhisms highest figure. He fled Tibet in 1959 during an uprising against Chinese rule, which was seen as eroding the region's Buddhist culture.

In the Nepalese capital Kathmandu, about 50 Tibetans chanted prayers at a Buddhist monastery. We are praying for the souls of the so many people who lost their lives in Tibet because of the earthquake yesterday, said Riya Tamang, who runs a shop.

The Chinese government and followers of the Dalai Lama have feuded over who should hold the position of Panchen Lama since a boy appointed by the Dalai Lama disappeared in the mid-1990s and a Chinese-backed candidate was approved for the position. The Dalai Lama has refused to recognize the current Panchen Lama.

An announcement on the Dalai Lamas website said he would lead a prayer ceremony in memory of the victims on Thursday in Dharamshala.

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We are very clear about the separatist nature and political schemes of the Dalai Lama and remain highly vigilant, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said when asked about the prayer ceremony.

He expressed confidence that the earthquake-affected population would be able to rebuild under the strong leadership of China's ruling Communist Party.

State broadcaster CCTV aired video showing workers erecting rows of tents with metal frames and stakes to house survivors. The tents were lined with quilted padding to hold back the cold in a region with an average altitude of about 4,200 meters (13,800 feet) and where temperatures fall well below freezing overnight.

Hong Li, the director of Tibets Emergency Management Department, told a late Wednesday afternoon news conference that the work had shifted from search and rescue to resettlement and reconstruction.

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Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, who visited survivors, called for the acceleration of post-disaster reconstruction to ensure they can be safe and warm this winter, the official Xinhua News Agency said.

Earlier in the day, CCTV video showed rescuers in orange uniforms clambering up huge chunks of debris with sniffing search dogs. Blue disaster tents with bright red Chinese flags flapping in the wind had been set up near rows of houses that had been reduced to rubble.

Tsering Phuntsog, the Communist Party chief of Gurum village, told Xinhua on Tuesday that at least 22 of its 222 residents had perished. The victims included his 74-year-old mother.

Even young people couldnt run out of the houses when the earthquake hit, let alone old people and children, the local leader said.

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A preliminary survey found that more than 3,600 houses had collapsed, Xinhua said, citing the Shigatse government.

Tibet is generally closed to foreign journalists over reports about the ill treatment of the population by Chinese authorities.

___

Bodeen reported from Taipei, Taiwan. Associated Press journalists Ashwini Bhatia in Dharamshala, India, and Binaj Gurubacharya in Kathmandu, Nepal, contributed to this report.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)  Terre Haute Mayor Brandon Sakbun and The Wabash Valley Coalition Against Trafficking have declared January human trafficking awareness month.

To commemorate this important recognition, the Mayor will host a special ceremony at the Terre Haute City Court on January 11th at 10 a.m.

The ceremony will serve as a platform to raise awareness about the serious issue of human trafficking within the Wabash Valley community, officials wrote in a news release. Representatives from WVCAT will be present to provide information about what human trafficking is, the devastating impact it has on victims, and the resources available to support survivors.

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Members of the coalition will also be available to answer questions and discuss how individuals can get involved in the fight against human trafficking.

We are grateful to Mayor Brandon Sakbun for his leadership and commitment to addressing this critical issue, said April Holloway, Vice President at WVCAT. By declaring January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month, he is helping to shine a light on this hidden crime and encouraging our community to take action.

The coalition added that their mission is to Illuminate the darkness of human trafficking in the greater Wabash Valley, Empower survivors by providing a lifeline of support and resources, and Unite with our community to Eradicate this heinous crime.

They were founded in September of 2023.

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You can learn more about WVCATs programs at WVCAT.info.

The full proclamation is below:

WHEREAS, January being Human Trafficking Awareness Month is an opportunity to raise public

awareness about human trafficking and to educate communities about the major public health,

human rights, economic justice, and social issues that it is. It is also an opportunity to stand with

survivors of human trafficking, recognize their resolve, provide them a voice, remind them they are not alone, and that we believe them;

WHEREAS, Terre Haute Indiana must work together to educate our communities about human

trafficking, focusing on the primary prevention of human trafficking, addressing the systemic root causes of violence and exploitation, with oppression at its epicenter; and

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WHEREAS, Terre Haute, Indiana continues to collaborate with local, State, and Federal stakeholders, such as advocacy programs, law enforcement agencies, mental health professionals, medical professional, and educators, who participate in conversations and work daily to identify, prevent respond effectively, and ultimately eliminate human trafficking; and

WHEREAS, it is critical that whose seeking help or services have access to trauma-informed,

survivor-centered care and treatment; and

WHEREAS let us recognize that we all have a stake in preventing human trafficking in our

communities, and we all have the power to make a difference. We encourage you to join us in

wearing blue on January 11th in honor of the victims and survivors. Together, let us stand for dignity and respect, strengthen the fabric of our communities, and build a safer, more just world.

NOW, THEREFORE, I ask that all citizens of Terre Haute join me in proclaiming January 2025 as

HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS MONTH!

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 MyWabashValley.com.
People have different tastes in car brands. Some want a fast car, some want a big ol' truck, some want something to get them from point A to point B, and some want something futuristic.

What cars are people searching for?

According to a recent study from Compare The Market, the three most searched-for car brands worldwide are Toyota, Tesla, and BMW.

But which of these car brands are the most popular in the U.S.?

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Here's a hint: It has a Texas tie-in.

What car brand is the most searched online in the US?

According to Compare the Market, Elon Musk's Tesla is the most searched car brand in America. This is the second year that Tesla has topped the list.

Ford is still the second-most searched brand, while Toyota came in third, according to a press release.

As part of their methodology, Compare the Market used available data from Google Trends to find the most searched car bands in 2024 across 155 countries.

Tesla does not appear in Google Trends' rankings for the vehicle brands category due to discrepancies in its classification, the report states. To account for Tesla, they gathered keyword search volume for each countrys top three brands in Google Trends and Tesla.

Tesla is the most searched car brand in the world.

What car brand is the most searched in the world?

Toyota remains the most searched car brand worldwide, having also been crowned the most searched brand in 2023. Tesla also performed well globally, maintaining its second-place ranking.

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While Toyota has held the number one position for four consecutive years, Tesla's popularity continues to rise. Tesla is now the most searched brand in 34 countries, an increase from 29 in 2023. Toyota led in 64 countries. If current trends persist, Tesla could surpass Toyota as the most searched car brand by 2031.

For the first time, BYD entered the rankings, driven by the global success of its top-selling EVs. The Chinese electric and hybrid manufacturer was the most searched brand in Uzbekistan and Nepal. Meanwhile, Lexus and Volvo dropped out of the rankings in 2024, while Ford made a comeback after being excluded from the list in 2022.

Year-on-year rankings based on the number of countries where the car brand was the top search

Where is Tesla's headquarters?

Tesla has a manufacturing facility in Austin known as the Gigafactory. The factory officially opened in 2021 and produces vehicles, including the Model Y and Cybertruck. Texas is a key location for Tesla's production and innovation efforts.

More: Why is Elon Musk choosing this small Texas town as the landing spot for X headquarters?

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Tesla ranks No. 1 on most searched car brands in the US, study says
In Texas, undocumented people have built apartment complexes and skyscrapers that changed skylines. They have picked fruits and vegetable in fields, cooked in restaurant kitchens, cleaned hospitals and started small businesses. They have become stitched into communities from El Paso to Beaumont.

Now some of their employers worry that many of them could get deported when President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House.

A number of Texas business leaders interviewed by the Tribune describe a sort of wait-and-see apprehension about Trumps pledged mass deportations. The impact any deportations could have on Texas economy will largely depend on the specifics of what Trump does, business leaders say. But those specifics are not yet clear.

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I dont think any of us know exactly whats coming as far as policy  weve heard all of the rhetoric, said Andrea Coker of the North Texas Commission, a nonprofit that promotes the Dallas region.

The owner of a Rio Grande Valley agriculture import-export business who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of legal repercussions said four of his seven employees are undocumented. A majority of similar businesses would take a hit should the government deport undocumented people en masse, the business owner estimated.

Without undocumented workers, he said, We wouldn't survive and we'll have to close."

A farm worker moves containers to be filled with grapefruit near Mission on Dec. 16, 2024. Credit: Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribune

He said he hired undocumented workers because he struggled to find U.S. citizens and legal residents willing to do the grueling work.

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"The people who are here legally don't want to work here. They'd rather collect unemployment," he said. "We've hired people who were documented, but they don't last."

In speaking about mass deportations, Trump and his incoming aides have said they will prioritize deporting people with a criminal history, while also noting that anyone who has entered the country illegally has committed a crime. Any large-scale deportation plans are sure to face legal and logistical challenges.

But Texas state leaders are eager to help Trump, and the state is a target-rich environment. The Pew Research Center estimates that unauthorized immigrants make up approximately 8% of the states workforce, including a large presence in the hospitality, restaurants, energy and construction industries.

The state comptrollers office did a study in 2006 to find out how the state economy would look without the estimated 1.4 million undocumented immigrants living in Texas in 2005. The study said their absence would cost the state about $17.7 billion in gross state product  a measure of the value of goods and services produced in Texas. The state has not updated the study since; analysis replicated by universities and think tanks have reached similar conclusions that undocumented Texans contribute more to the economy than they cost the state.

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We know that immigrants are punching above their weight, said Jaime Puente, director of economic opportunity at the left-leaning nonprofit Every Texan. We are looking at a significant loss of productivity.

Among major Texas industries, construction has the highest proportion of undocumented workers, according to the Pew Research Center. Mass deportations could disrupt the states homebuilding industry in the midst of a housing shortage, which could lead to fewer new homes built and even higher home prices and rents, according to housing experts.

A recent paper from researchers at the University of Utah and the University of Wisconsin-Madison explored the aftermath of the deportation of more than 300,000 undocumented immigrants nationwide from 2008 to 2013. In the places where deportations happened, the study found, homebuilding contracted because the local construction workforce shrank and home prices rose. The researchers discovered that other construction workers lost work too because homebuilders cut back on new developments.

We really find ourselves in the situation where anything that kind of disrupts the process of [adding] housing supply would be detrimental to the housing affordability crisis, said Riordan Frost, a senior research analyst at Harvard Universitys Joint Center for Housing Studies.

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Stan Mareks Czech grandfather arrived in Houston in 1938 and began hanging sheetrock. Nearly 100 years later, Mareks family owns a large Houston-based construction firm with roughly 1,000 employees.

I have watched the stages of immigration, said Marek, 77. Eighty-five years later and our immigrants are here, and like theyve always been, to do the work that no one else wants to do or can do.

Marek sees a long overdue opportunity to fix a lingering mess  the countrys immigration laws. He said deportations will be terribly expensive and terribly nonproductive but granting widespread amnesty to undocumented people would not work either.

Marek believes giving a path to citizenship to people who arrived in the country as children and received deportation protection through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, could help the state reduce its workforce shortage. He also believes in the creation of a similar program for adults to gain legal status  which he calls Adult DACA  so that they can work legally.

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Its not just construction. Whos picking all the fruit and all the vegetables? Whos milking all those cows? Every job you look at all over the United States, there are immigrants, Marek said. We gotta have the business community step up. Thats the key because the business community, more than anybody, is responsible for the labor.

In the oil-rich Permian Basin, mass deportations could reduce populations in cities and in turn result in closed businesses and the disappearance of sales tax dollars, said Virginia Bellew, executive director of the Permian Basin Regional Planning Commission.

I think you've seen communities just waiting [to see what Trump does], don't want to take any steps to predict, discuss, or make decisions, Bellew said.

In Austin, a 43-year-old man who arrived from Mexico 25 years ago said his first job involved sweeping up debris at a construction site for less than $8 an hour. Today he is a foreman for a general contractor, supervising projects and coordinating crews. He asked his name not be published for fear of jeopardizing his pending residency application.

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He said he is not letting himself be consumed by the fear of Trump's promises of mass deportations. He has deep roots in Texas now. He and his wife have raised their three kids in Austin in a house they built themselves.

His kids are U.S. citizens and his wife has legal status through DACA. Hes in the process of applying for legal residency through his eldest daughter, a student at St. Edwards University in Austin.

I try to be a great citizen, he said in Spanish. [Trump] can not deport everyone because there are so many of us who are indispensable to this country.

Disclosure: Every Texan and the North Texas Commission have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
Houston police officer Ricardo Corral is not legally liable for crashing his police cruiser into another vehicle, the Texas Supreme Court ruled last week. After all, he was in hot pursuit of someone apparently considered a dangerous villain: an adult man who sought to pay a consenting adult woman for sex.

During a prostitution sting in 2019, Corral "made a wide turn from the middle lane," per Houston Public Media. He subsequently crashed into a truck containing two passengers, including driver Ruben Rodriguez.

Rodriguez sued, alleging both he and his passenger suffered injuries for which Corral should be held liable.

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Now the Texas Supreme Court has dismissed the case, saying Corral is protected by "official immunity," a "common-law affirmative defense" under which authorities are shielded from legal repercussions for actions performed "in good faith" and "within the scope of their authority."

'In the Heat of a High-Speed Pursuit'

In this case, Corral was "acting in good faith when he executed the turn and collided with the bystander's truck," the court determined. Because of this, and because bad driving is part of police chases, he is not legally liable for the accident he caused.

"It bears emphasizing that what may be unreasonable in one context could be justifiable in another, especially in the heat of a high-speed pursuit when officers must make split-second decisions under intense pressure," wrote Justice John Devine in the court's December 31 opinion.

This would all be unremarkable if Corral was speeding after a dangerous criminalsomeone wanted for, say, murder or violent assault. Likewise if he was rushing to get to the scene of crime where time was of the essence in order to protect potential victims.

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But in this case, Corral's reckless chase was in pursuit of someone suspected of soliciting prostitution. The whole business was kicked off by the suspect offering to pay an undercover female cop posing as an adult sex worker.

Police put in danger the lives of countless people in order to arrest someone for trying to have consensual but non-state-sanctioned sex.

This is bonkers.

Ruling 'Should Not Be Construed as Sanctioninga High-Speed Chase' To Catch Prostitution Suspects

The Texas Supreme Court's ruling also serves as yet another reminder of how immunity doctrines often shield cops from the consequences of their own bad or reckless decisions. Here we have a cop who felt justified in endangering innocent people in order to catch someone suspected of a completely victimless and nonviolent crime.

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At least one judge acknowledged that the circumstances here were a bit dodgy, while still concurring in the majority's opinion. In a separate opinion, Justice Brett Busby writes that the court's ruling "should not be construed as sanctioning the decision to initiate a high-speed chase in these or similar circumstances."

Granted, Corral's partner ran the driver's license plate during the chase and found that the car he was driving had been reported stolen. But "hindsight and changing circumstances during the pursuit may not be used to immunize a contested decision to initiate pursuit in the first instance," writes Busby.

In this case, the initial pursuit was to go after someone suspected of what was at that time a misdemeanor crime. (The state has since made soliciting prostitution a felony.) Essentially, "they initiated a high-speed chase to pursue a suspect evading arrest for paying $40 to solicit sexual activity from another adult," Busby points out.

Moreover, since the initial pursuit started before the officers knew the case involved a stolen vehicle, it happened under circumstances where it was likely possible for cops to later apprehend their guy. They had seen the man involved, had seen his car, and had his license plate number. Even if they consider soliciting sex such a serious matter that they simply cannot abide anyone getting away (an absurd position, to be sure), they could have vowed to carry out the arrest later rather than embarking on a high-speed car chase around Houston.

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"High-speed chases inevitably involve obvious, significant, and often fatal risks: to the public at large, to other drivers, to innocent bystanders or passengers, to the fleeing suspect, and to the pursuing officers," Busby concluded. "Incurring those risks may be reasonable and justifiable to stop fleeing suspects who pose a danger to our communities. But unless there is an accompanying reasonable suspicion of potential harm or danger, violent behavior, or other criminal activity, the need to apprehend a suspected nonviolent misdemeanant is unlikely to support official immunity for initiating an urban high-speed pursuit with all the risks such a pursuit entails, especially when information is at hand to later apprehend and identify the suspect."

More Sex & Tech News

 "For months, Meta has been restricting content with LGBTQ-related hashtags from search and discovery under its 'sensitive content' policy aimed at restricting 'sexually suggestive content,'" reports Taylor Lorenz. "Posts with LGBTQ+ hashtags including #lesbian, #bisexual, #gay, #trans, #queer, #nonbinary, #pansexial, #transwomen, #Tgirl, #Tboy, #Tgirlsarebeautiful, #bisexualpride, #lesbianpride, and dozens of others were hidden for any users who had their sensitive content filter turned on. Teenagers have the sensitive content filter turned on by default."

 Facebook's fact-checking era is over.

 Florida law enforcement is already investigating porn websites that don't age-check visitors, said a spokesperson for the state attorney general's office. A law requiring age verification took effect on January 1.

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 New research published in JAMA Pediatrics suggests that "fewer than 1 in 1,000 U.S. adolescents with commercial insurance received gender-affirming medicationspuberty blockers or hormonesduring a recent five-year period," ABC News reports.

 India is cracking down on VPNs.

Today's Image

Whidbey Island, Washington | 2014 (ENB/Reason)

The post Texas Cop Chases Prostitution Suspect, Causes Car Accident, Gets Immunity appeared first on Reason.com.
Another furious battle over a state-level AI bill in the U.S. is brewing, after the vetoing of Californias contentious effort last September.

This time, the bill in question is the Texas Responsible AI Governance Act or TRAIGA, which was formally introduced by Republican Texas House Rep. Giovanni Capriglione just before Christmas. The bill would outlaw some uses of AI and place heavy compliance obligations on both the developers and deployers of any high-risk AI system that is a substantial factor to a consequential decision.

The bill, also known as HB 1709, is largely concerned with stopping AI-powered discrimination against peopleunlike the Californian AI bill, which focused on tackling AIs more theoretical, catastrophic risks to life and property.

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TRAIGA would have massive implications for the deployment of AI systems in Texas, the worlds eighth-largest economy, particularly when it comes to use cases such as recruitment. (It would however also establish grants for Texas-based AI companies and local community colleges and high schools, to help them train workers in how to use AI.)

Critics warn that HB 1709 would effectively apply to AI developers outside Texas, too, potentially outlawing models like OpenAIs GPT-4o. Some even claim TRAIGA exemplifies the dangers of state-level AI regulation. (The U.S. has no federal AI law, and it is unclear if such an idea will advance under the second Trump administration.)

The Texas AI bill is exactly the kind of state-level overreach the United States should avoid. Federal and state antidiscrimination laws already apply to AI, so this measure would effectively add a third layer of regulation, said Hodan Omaar, a senior policy manager at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), a D.C. think tank that is funded by the likes of Alphabet and Microsoft.

These are broad, systemic measures that, if needed, should be handled at the federal level, added Omaar. A patchwork of state mandates like [TRAIGA] risks derailing a coherent national approach, threatening to stall the important progress the nation is making toward a unified and effective AI strategy.

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TRAIGA is similar to what is currently the most comprehensive state-level AI bill, Colorados AI Act, which was passed last year and will go into effect in February 2026. These bills arguably draw heavily, in terms of their approach, on the EUs AI Act, which was also passed last year.

The fate of HB 1709 will be determined fairly soon, owing to Texass unusual legislative system, in which bills are only considered from January to June in each odd-numbered year. Capriglione (who did not respond to an interview request) has proposed that TRAIGA should go into effect at the start of September.

The Texas attorney general would be the laws enforcer, with the ability to issue fines of up to $200,000 per violation, plus administrative fines of up to $40,000 per day for those who flout TRAIGA. The levels of these fines have increased drastically since an earlier draft of the bill, released before its formal filing.

Bans and restrictions

The law would ban the use of AI to subliminally manipulate or deceive people, to classify them in social scoring systems, or to infer their racial or sexual characteristics from biometric information. It would also ban anyone from using AI to identify people based on images taken from the internet and other public sources.

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AI systems that are even capable of producing sexual deepfakes would also be banned. This element worries even some experts who largely support TRAIGA, such as Matt Scherer, a senior policy counsel at the Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT), who says the provision raises free-speech concerns.

Under TRAIGA, the developers, distributors, and deployers of AI models (small businesses are exempt) would have to take reasonable care to protect consumers from the risk of intentional or unintentional algorithmic discrimination, and tell deployers about the models limitations and risks. Developers would also have to give deployers metrics about the accuracy, explainability, transparency, reliability, and security of their models, and details of the measures they have taken to examine the suitability of data sources and prevent unlawful discriminatory biases in the datasets used to train those models.

AI developers would have to keep detailed records of their training data. This appears to go beyond the EUs AI Act, currently the worlds most significant comprehensive AI law, which only demands that AI companies provide summaries of that training data.

If a developer realizes that its model doesnt comply with the law in any way, it would have to immediately withdraw or disable the model, if needed, to avoid breaking the law. Similarly, if the deployer realizes that theres a risk of algorithmic discrimination, it would have to stop using the AI system and inform its developers and distributors. Also, if the model poses a risk of algorithmic discrimination, deceptive manipulation or coercion of human behavior, or the unlawful use or disclosure of personal data, the developer would have to investigate the issue and tell the Texas attorney general about it.

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Unlike Californias failed SB 1047 bill, TRAIGA imposes these obligations on developers of any size, not just the ones training the largest and most capable models.

The deployers of high-risk AI systems would have to perform (or contract someone to perform) impact assessments annually and within 90 days of any intentional and substantial modification to the system.

In the case of a frontier language model, such modifications happen almost monthly, so both developers and deployers who use such systems can expect to be writing and updating these compliance documents constantly, wrote Dean W. Ball, a research fellow at George Mason Universitys Mercatus Center, in a blog post last week.

TRAIGA would require anyone deploying a high-risk consumer-facing AI system to clearly tell the consumer that they are interacting with AI, and explain how the AI could be a substantial factor in making consequential decisions about them. Social media companies would have to stop advertisers from deploying AI systems on their platforms that could expose users to algorithmic discrimination.

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Consumers would have the right to appeal consequential, AI-driven decisions that have an adverse effect on their health, safety, and fundamental rights. They would also have the right to know if and how their personal data is being used in any AI system. However, as with the Colorado AI Act, the Texan bill doesnt give consumers any right to privately sue over violations.

A new regulator

TRAIGA would also see the creation of a Texas AI Council, attached to the governors office and mostly comprising members of the public with suitable expertise.

This group would try to find ways in which AI could make state government more effective, and to identify laws and regulations that could be reformed to stimulate AI development. It would be able to issue standards for ethical AI development, and would be able to investigate and evaluate the influence of technology companies on other companies and determine the existence or use of tools or processes designed to censor competitors or users.

According to Ball, TRAIGA would itself lead to mass censorship of generative AI and would also impede AI development, making the Texas AI Councils powers comical. He dismissed the bill as a great example of the Brussels Effect, where the European inclination to regulate early and heavily causes other countries to adapt European standards simply by virtue of institutional momentum.

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The CDTs Scherer disputes this, arguing that TRAIGA would be not nearly as broad or as burdensome as the EUs AI Act.

Indeed, Scherer argues that TRAIGA should be tougher than it now is. He notes that the bills earlier draft followed the Colorado law in covering AI systems that are a contributing factor to consequential decisions, but the version that was formally proposed only talks about a substantial factor.

That definition would allow companies to ignore the law by simply assigning a human to rubber-stamp algorithmic recommendations, said Scherer. Thats exactly what happened with New York Citys AI-in-hiring bill. The substance of the rest of the provisions on AI-driven decisions doesnt really matter if that loophole stays.

Hopefully theres still time to close that and other loopholes before the bill makes it to the floor.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
The medical director of the Texas Medical Board has retired, less than two weeks after conservative lawmakers publicized his employment with a Planned Parenthood laboratory.

Dr. Robert Bredt has worked as medical director for the state medical licensing agency since 2012, earning $185,000 a year. While the members of the licensing board are appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott, the medical director role is hired by agency leadership.

According to his resume, Bredt also worked at Planned Parenthood South Texas Laboratory since 2011, as well as Genics Laboratory in Las Vegas and San Antonio since 2022. Bredt, 62, is also a professor, consultant and laboratory inspector.

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Bredt submitted his retirement paperwork on Tuesday, which was also his last day of work, a medical board spokesperson said in an email. Bredt declined to comment.

This kerfuffle began not with a debate about reproductive health care, but rather, another highly politicized fight about COVID treatments. The Texas Medical Board has been locked in an ongoing legal battle with Dr. Mary Talley Bowden, a Houston ear, nose and throat doctor, about her anti-vaccine stances and use of ivermectin to treat COVID. In 2023, the board filed an official complaint against Bowden, alleging she violated the standard of care, failed to maintain patient-doctor confidentiality and acted unprofessionally by treating a COVID patient without examining them

After she refused to settle, Bowden ended up before an administrative law judge through the State Office of Administrative Hearings. As part of that case, the Texas Medical Board filed a motion asking to introduce Bredt as an expert witness, to testify about the boards usual practices and procedures. The motion included Bredts resume, which showed his employment at a Planned Parenthood lab.

State Rep. Brian Harrison, a conservative Republican from Midlothian and frequent critic of the medical board, said he made the decision to go public with this information within minutes after he learned about it.

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There's some real irony here in that in their zeal to prosecute a doctor, they had to make public that the medical director  is literally also a Planned Parenthood employee, Harrison told The Texas Tribune on Wednesday.

He posted Bredts resume on X and sent Abbott a letter demanding Bredts termination. He said he would file legislation to defund the medical board, and his office would call the agency every day until Bredt was fired.

This fox must be removed from the guardianship of the henhouse, he wrote to Abbott.

Harrison also said Abbott should direct all state agencies to ensure none of their employees work for Planned Parenthood. While there is no law or regulation prohibiting a state employee from also working at Planned Parenthood, the reproductive health care organization has long been enemy number one of Texas conservatives. The state sacrificed millions of federal dollars to keep Planned Parenthood providers out of the Medicaid program, leading dozens of family planning clinics to close in the process, and is currently trying to bankrupt Planned Parenthood with a $1.8 billion lawsuit.

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Planned Parenthood clinics in Texas no longer provide abortions, but that has done little to reduce conservatives vitriol towards the health care provider. In a letter sent to members of the Texas Medical Board just before the end of the year, calling for Bredts termination, state Rep. Briscoe Cain, a Republican from Deer Park, called Planned Parenthood a criminal enterprise that profits off of killing babies.

In a statement, Planned Parenthood South Texas CEO Laura Terrill accused politicians of wasting valuable time and resources playing doctor in an act of political theatre.

Dr. Bredts work at Planned Parenthood South Texas (PPST) reflects his unwavering commitment to providing the highest standards of medical care, she wrote in a statement. Planned Parenthoods in Texas follow the law, full stop. We have, and always will, comply with state and federal regulations while focusing on what truly matters: delivering essential health care services to the tens of thousands of Texans who depend on us every day.

Harrison said Wednesday that he is pleased Bredt no longer works for the state, but is outraged that he was hired in the first place. He wants an investigation into the medical board, and the executive branchs hiring practices, and said he may still push a bill to defund the board itself.

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This is not the first time Harrison has led a charge to force a state entity to bow to his vision of conservative values. Last year, he claimed credit for Texas A&M getting rid of its LGBTQ studies minor, although the university said he played no role, and forced the Texas Workforce Commission to remove a line on its website saying it would investigate claims of discrimination based on gender identity.

Disclosure: Planned Parenthood has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
As Texas prepared for severe winter weather, Gov. Greg Abbott expressed confidence Wednesday in the state's power grid.

Frigid temperatures -- along with snow, sleet and freezing rain -- were expected to make their way into Texas midweek, especially in the northern part of the state. The storm was expected to start in the west before moving eastward through the state, Abbott said in a press conference Wednesday.

Winter storm advisories are in effect across much of the South, including in Dallas; Little Rock, Arkansas; Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee; Birmingham, Alabama; and Atlanta, which could see up to 6 inches of snow before the weekend.

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As of Wednesday evening, school closures were announced throughout North Texas. Anticipating the harsh weather, school districts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area -- including those in Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, Denton, Rockwall and Hunt counties -- said they would be closed on Thursday and Friday.

MORE: California fires live updates: 2 dead in massive, unprecedented blazes

In preparation for the snowfall in Texas, emergency response resources have been deployed across the state, including more than 350 warming centers.

"Obviously, the lives of our fellow Texans are by far the most important thing, and we're directing resources and responses and strategies to make sure that we put protecting life first and foremost," Abbott said.

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The power grid is not expected to be an issue during the storm, though officials are preparing for downed power lines as a result of freezing rain and falling trees, he said.

In 2021, more than 100 people died as the state's power grid failed during back-to-back ice storms.

PHOTO: Gov. Greg Abbott speaks with the press, Jan. 8, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (KVUE)

MORE: Will the Texas power grid survive the next deep freeze?

Electric Reliability Council of Texas CEO Pablo Vegas reiterated Abbott's confidence in the power grid, saying there is more than an adequate power supply for the expected weather event. ERCOT inspected 150 power stations in December, all of which he said went well, and more inspections are planned for January and February.

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Roadways could be impacted by precipitation and icy conditions, and officials are urging Texans to stay off the roads and remain at home as much as possible. Texas Department of Transportation crews have been preparing for days, with over 2,000 crews out treating the roadways, Abbott said.

MORE: Frustration grows as Houston's power outage goes into 4th sweltering day

"I cannot emphasize enough to my fellow Texans, we're not used to driving on ice and snow. We're not used to driving in conditions like this," Abbott said. "Be careful. Be cautious. Make sure that you're protecting your own life."

As of Wednesday morning, 16 roads in northwest Texas had already been impacted, Abbott said, adding that the Texas National Guard had activated hundreds of resources, the Texas A&M Forest Service would be ready with chainsaws to clean up after the storm passes and the Texas Highway Patrol would be out to assist motorists.

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Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd urged residents to be prepared at home, ensuring they have food, water and blankets in case they lose power. Kidd also warned of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning when using a generator.

Texas prepares for severe winter storm originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
A Thai man has been charged with negligence causing death after an elephant gored a Spanish tourist at a sanctuary in southern Thailand last week.

Theerayut Inthaphudkij, 38, faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of 200,000 baht (4,600) if convicted after a panic-stricken elephant attacked and killed Blanca Ojanguren Garcia, 22, at the Koh Yao Elephant Care Centre in Phang Nga province.

A staff member told the media that Garcia was bathing the elephant when she passed in front of the animal and it stuck a tusk in her, causing injuries from which she later died.

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Police charged the mahout, an employee of the sanctuary, with negligence and failing to prevent the fatal incident.

Theerayut Inthaphudkij was an employee of the Koh Yao elephant sanctuary - Solarpix

Jaran Bangprasert, the local police chief, told Agence France-Presse: We charged him with negligence causing death and he will be taken to court today,.

Wild elephants have killed 227 people, including tourists, in the past 12 years, according to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

An elephant killed a 49-year-old woman at a national park in Loei province in northern Thailand last month.

While encounters between villagers and wild elephants are common, attacks at sanctuaries remain rare.

Garcia was bathing the elephant when it stuck a tusk in her - Solarpix

Garcia was from Valladolid in north-west Spain and had been studying law and international relations at the University of Navarra, where she was a member of the security and defence club.

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She was living in Taiwan on the Erasmus academic exchange programme and had visited Thailand as a tourist. She was at the elephant sanctuary with her boyfriend, an infantry cadet from Oviedo, who was present at the time of the attack.

Bathing elephants is a popular activity amongst visitors in Thailand, where about 2,800 elephants are held for tourism purposes across the country, according to World Animal Protection.

However, animal rights groups have argued that bathing elephants can cause them distress and, therefore, some sanctuaries in the country do not allow it.

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BANGKOK (AP)  Cambodian police said Wednesday they apprehended a Thai man suspected of gunning down a former opposition politician from Cambodia in a popular Bangkok tourist area.

Lim Kimya, an ex-lawmaker from the dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party, was shot dead near a temple close to Khaosan Road on Tuesday evening. He had reportedly just arrived at the scene with his wife by bus from Cambodia, said the New York-based Human Rights Watch.

In a statement released to the media, the Cambodian National Police said the suspected gunman, identified as Ekkalak Pheanoi, fled to Cambodia shortly after he shot the victim and was detained Wednesday in Battambong province, which shares borders with Thailand. It said he will be deported back to Thailand at the request of Thai police.

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The Royal Thai Police could not immediately be reached for comments.

Siam Boonsom, chief of Bangkok police, told reporters earlier Wednesday that the initial investigation led them to believe the gunman was hired to carry out the shooting. Siam declined to provide further details, citing an ongoing investigation.

Siam said the suspect had a criminal record related to financial matters, but did not comment on Thai media reports that the shooter may have been a former Thai marine.

Security camera footage of the incident circulated in Thai media showed the suspected gunman arriving at the scene on a motorbike. Three gunshots were heard before the man walked away from the victim as he collapsed to the ground. The suspect, who did not cover his face, then rode away on the motorbike.

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The Cambodia National Rescue Party said in a statement it was deeply shocked and appalled by the brutal and inhumane assassination" and urged Thai authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The Cambodia National Rescue Party had been expected to present a strong challenge to the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party of ex-Prime Minister Hun Sen in the 2018 general election. But as part of a sweeping crackdown on opposition before the poll, the high court dissolved the party, and the ruling party subsequently won every seat in the National Assembly.

Recent posts on Lim Kimya's Facebook page were critical of the government, including how it had spent state money unnecessarily on events that did not benefit the Cambodian people.

Under Hun Sen, who held power for almost four decades, Cambodia was widely criticized for human rights abuses that included the suppression of freedom of speech and association. He was succeeded in August 2023 by his American-educated son, Hun Manet, but there have been few signs of political liberalization.

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Phil Robertson, director of the Asia Human Rights and Labour Advocates, said the shooting has all the hallmarks of a political assassination, and looks to be a significant escalation in the use of transnational repression in Bangkok to intimidate opposition of the ruling government.

Cambodias government has long been accused of using the judicial system to persecute critics and political opponents. The government insists it promotes the rule of law under an electoral democracy, but political parties seen as mounting strong challenges to the ruling party have been dissolved by the courts or had their leaders jailed or harassed.

Lim Kimya's shooting came on the same day that Hun Sen, who is now the head of Cambodia's Senate, called for the government to pass a law that would label certain dissident actions as terrorism.

Hun Sen, sitting alongside his son to mark the 46th anniversary of the ousting of the brutal Khmer Rouge regime that ruled in Cambodia in the late 1970s, called for a new law to define people who want to overthrow Hun Manets government as terrorists."

___

Associated Press reporter Sopheng Cheang contributed from Phnom Penh.
By Panarat Thepgumpanat and Panu Wongcha-um

BANGKOK (Reuters) -A suspected hit man who shot dead a former Cambodian opposition lawmaker in a brazen attack in Thailand's capital Bangkok was arrested in Cambodia after a day-long manhunt, a senior Thai police official said on Wednesday.

Thai police coordinated with Cambodian authorities after learning that the suspect had crossed the border, Metropolitan Police Chief Sayam Boonsom told Reuters.

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"The Cambodian police have arrested him," he told Reuters, adding that Thailand would be requesting extradition of the suspect, who is a Thai national.

Former lawmaker Lim Kimya, 74, arrived in Thailand just hours before he was killed by a gunman on Tuesday who fired three shots at him, said another police officer who declined to be named, citing a lack of authorisation to speak to media.

Lim Kimya, a Cambodian and French citizen, had crossed into Thailand from Cambodia at noon on Tuesday with his wife and brother and traveled to Bangkok by bus before he was shot dead, the police officer said.

Lim Kimya was a member of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, the popular opposition that was dissolved by a court ahead of a 2018 election over an alleged treason plot, which the party dismissed at the time as a fabrication.

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A Thai court earlier on Wednesday issued an arrest warrant for the 41-year-old motorcycle taxi driver, who three police officers told Reuters was a former Marine.

RESUSCITATION ATTEMPT

Surrounded by a pool of blood in Bangkok's crowded old quarter, Lim Kimya laid on his back, in a blue polo shirt and white shorts, as a police officer attempted to revive him, according to a photo shared by first responders. A small blue suitcase lay nearby.

"Thai authorities should promptly and thoroughly investigate and prosecute those responsible," Bryony Lau, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement.

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"The Cambodian government has intimidated, surveilled and harassed former CNRP members  including those living in exile in neighboring Thailand."

Cambodian government spokesperson Pen Bona said the killing was a matter for Thai authorities. He said the Cambodian government was often accused by opposition "extremists" of being behind incidents.

The Thai government promised a "full and thorough investigation."

"The Thai authorities are giving the case its due attention, noting apparent public safety concerns," Thai foreign ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura said.

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The Cambodian and French embassies did not immediately respond to separate requests for comment.

Cambodia's government, led by the Cambodian People's Party for more than four decades, has conducted a ruthless, years-long crackdown on its opponents, with scores of politicians and activists handed prison terms, many in absentia, and hundreds more fleeing into exile. It has denied persecuting the opposition.

Lim Kimya was not a prominent member of the opposition movement and both the police and the Thai government said they had still to determine the motive for his killing.

(Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat and Panu Wongcha-um, Additional reporting by Chalinee Thirasupa, Writing by Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by Martin Petty, Sharon Singleton, Christina Fincher and Tomasz Janowski)
***Previous coverage in video player above***

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  A West Mansfield woman will spend five years in prison after being arrested for looting from tornado victims after an outbreak.

Brandy Durnell, 38, pleaded guilty to eight charges, including breaking and entering and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.

Pig may have contributed to Pataskala womans death, police say

The plea was part of a deal with prosecutors, which dropped other charges against Durnell.

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Two men, Jeffrey Rivers and Edward Langely, were also charged in the incident. Both pled guilty and are serving at least five years in prison each.

All three individuals were arrested for breaking and entering and stealing several items from a storage house in Logan County that was damaged during a tornado outbreak last year.

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HAVANA (Reuters) - Thirteen Cuban soldiers are missing after explosions rocked an arms and ammunition depot in the eastern province of Holguin, Cuba's armed forces said late on Tuesday.

The explosions rattled the small rural community of Melones, 450 miles (724 km) south and east of Havana, early on Tuesday. Officials had previously said the blasts were set off by a fire at a construction site.

The incident is still under investigation, authorities said.

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Cuba's military reported four officers and nine soldiers among the missing.

Videos on social media showed plumes of dark smoke and flames above a forested tree line near Melones.

Soldiers and local police guarded access routes to the site while rescue teams and firefighters worked to put out the flames.

Officials earlier on Tuesday said 361 people had been evacuated to a safe location following the explosion.

(Reporting by Dave Sherwood; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)
Mayor Mike Thoms will deliver his 2025 State of the City address on Tuesday, Jan. 28 at Ballys Quad Cities Casino and Hotels Event Center, 777 Bally Blvd. in Rock Island. The doors open at 11:30 a.m. and guest speakers will begin at 12 p.m. Mayor Thoms will speak at 12:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Lunch is available for a fee; click here to order by Friday, January 24 at 5 p.m.

Mayor Thoms will highlight the accomplishments Rock Island has made in the last year in his address, as well as plans for 2025 as the community and city leaders focus on Reinvesting in Rock Island.

I look forward to highlighting the Citys accomplishments in 2024 and sharing our plans for 2025 by Reinvesting in Rock Island through major projects and partnerships, Thoms said.

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The State of the City address will be livestreamed on the Citys YouTube page and available later for viewing on the citys website and Facebook page.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
Thousands of civil servants are to strike indefinitely from this month following an order to return to the office for three days a week.

Nearly 4,000 staff at HM Land Registry, which is responsible for registering the ownership of property in England and Wales, will refuse to cover for colleagues or take on any extra work which they consider to be beyond their job description from Jan 21.

The backlash is over a demand to return to the office for three days, a requirement which has been described by the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union as Victorian.

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Fran Heathcote, the general secretary of the PCS, argued that ditching the office requirement would cost them nothing adding that it could help Land Registry regain some of the goodwill required to make progress in clearing the huge backlogs of work.

However, the planned industrial action has sparked concern over delays to housing transactions as buyers rush to complete purchases before the stamp duty changes on April 1.

Stamp duty rate will increase from 3pc to 5pc from April, meaning buyers face paying thousands of pounds more in tax under changes introduced by Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor.

Ms Reeves also used her Budget last year to change the threshold on when movers will have to start paying the tax from 250,000 to 125,000.

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A HM Land Registry spokesman said: We believe this action will cause minimal impact to our services. We will continue to closely monitor any effects the action may have and respond as needed to maintain essential services that support the property market, such as searches, registrations  including expedites  and customer contact, as we did during previous periods of full industrial action.

Land Registry workers will have to vote on the action again in six months.

Government targets usually require civil servants to go into the office for at least 60pc of their contracted hours but civil servants have been fighting back against a recent home working crackdown.

The PCS union  which represents almost 200,000 civil servants across Whitehall  has argued that asking workers to come into the office is unreasonable.

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Hundreds of workers at the Office for National Statistics (ONS) last year backed an all-out strike in protest against being ordered back to the workplace for just two days a week, while more than 2,400 civilian police workers, including 999 call handlers, voted to take industrial action before Christmas after being told they would need to return to the office.

However, Scotland Yard this week threatened to dock the pay of police staff who insist on working from home, with a senior Scotland Yard source telling The Telegraph that Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley had no intention of backing down on the return to the office.

There has been a renewed push for a four-day week, with union members at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs arguing that a shorter week will improve the support we provide to our farmers and save taxpayers 21.4m a year.

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MONETA, Va. (WFXR)In the aftermath of the winter storm that ripped through Virginia, tens of thousands of people were left without power, including over 7,600 homes in Moneta, one of the hardest-hit areas.

The storm downed trees and power lines, and some residents could not think of a worse storm since living in the area.

This storm has been the worst in 30 years that I have been here, Karen Burroughs, a Moneta resident, said. I have five trees down in my yard, none of them hit my house though, and Ive never had anything like this, lost power yesterday at 7:00 in the morning and its still out.

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Others are in similar situations as Burroughs, having never lost power for this long.

Salvation Army staying busy amid frigid temperatures

Its a storm they will never forget.

Ive learned that you shouldnt depend on electric as much as we do, Fred Brigeman, another Moneta resident, said. Ive learned that we are able to survive without the common things that people take for granted.

Scruggs Volunteer Fire and Rescue responded to this by opening its facility as a warming center to help others. It had hot meals, snacks and a place to charge electronics.

Burroughs said her house was 46 degrees when she left for the warming center to charge her phone and tablet. She said shes very thankful.

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I want to thank Scruggs Volunteer Fire Department for what they do for us because they are the best, Burroughs said.

With the amount of help the community has done for them, department members see this as the least they can do.

Our community is wonderful to us, Melaine Moore, a support worker with the Department and one of the organizers of the warming center, said. They support us monetarily and they help provide all of the things that you see around our station, our equipment is purchased through donations.

According to Appalachian Powers most recent statement, they hope to restore power to Moneta homes by 6:00 p.m. on Thursday.

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WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Thousands are enduring the frigid cold for the opportunity to pay their respects to former president Jimmy Carter.

The 39th president is lying in state in the United States Capitol until Thursday morning ahead of his state funeral.

Whether from near or far, a number of people came to the Capitol to pay their final respects to President Jimmy Carter.

For many it was an opportunity to bid farewell to the 39th president, some were even moved to tears.

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The legacy of the humanity of President Jimmy Carter, the civility, the commitment to bring people together stands as a bright testimony for a way forward for our country, said Rev. Patrick Mahoney.

Thousands visiting the casket holding the former president say he had an impact on their lives.

Its the first president I really paid attention to politics, so it just means a lot to me, said Marcus Plescia.

Maura Sammon traveled from Philadelphia. She first met President Carter when she was five years old.

All I remember is he picked me up and I just started talking to him because Im a talker, said Sammon.

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Sammon says she devoted her life to living in his footsteps.

I just want to thank him one last time, Sammon added.

Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa.) also took a moment to see Carter and remembers both of their names on the ballot back in 1976.

As the only sitting member of Congress today who served with the Carter presidency, I remember him fondly, said Grassley.

Visitors will have until Thursday morning to visit President Carters casket before its taken to Washington National Cathedral for the state funeral.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD)  Candidates are jumping into the race to represent parts of Baton Rouge in the state legislature. The District 14 seat, which stretches from north Baton Rouge to south of LSU along the river, was recently vacated by Cleo Fields who assumed his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Three major candidates, all Democrats, have emerged as the qualifying period continues into Thursday. Larry Selders, Carolyn Hill and Quentin Anthony Anderson are all vying for their spot in the legislatures upper chamber.

East Baton Rouge, Lafayette to have February special election: What to know

Larry Selders

State Rep. Larry Selders is looking to move across the hall five years after he joined the Louisiana House of Representatives. Selders is a social worker who provides therapy for parts of the most vulnerable populations in the capital region.

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Selders says one thing he looks to tackle in the Senate is putting in place mental health screenings for children to get them access to care. In recent years he has passed legislation that created mental health screenings for incarcerated people upon their release.

I think if we allow parents to decide if we can have mental health screenings at an early age, we can catch a lot of the problems because some of these kids just arent bad kids. A lot of them have mental health issues that are going undiagnosed, Selders said.

Working in the House where there is a similar Republican supermajority as what he would meet in the Senate is nothing new. He said he has relationships with people of both parties in the House and Senate that allow him to compromise and get bills passed.

I think I did a great job of building friendships that are going to carry across. And I have a lot of colleagues that were in the House my first time thatare now in the SenateIts working together, being transparent, you know, letting folks know how it affects my constituents versus your constituents.

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Selders was endorsed by Rep. Cleo Fields shortly after he vacated the Senate seat.

Carolyn Hill

Carolyn Hill is a former member of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) for a term. She recently has worked as a political consultant but also has a background in social work.

We know education is the key to success. We know education is the key to helping individuals to get out of poverty, Hill said. And we look at Louisiana, we are ranked last when it comes to education, poverty, etc and so for me, my passion is education.

While education is going to be a primary focus for her with an emphasis on early childhood education funding, she has her sights on addressing crime.

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We have to tackle the juvenile delinquents in the crime that we are facing in our city, in our state, today because research shows that most of the crimes that have been committed have been with teenagers, Hill said. So we have to come up with a mechanism or legislation to make sure that we rehabilitate. But not only rehabilitate but to make sure we give them the tools, the resources to be successful.

She is not deterred by the former state senators endorsement of her opponent. As a former elected official, she said she knows how to work across the aisle and make sure constituents understand her as a candidate.

Quentin Anderson

Someone not a stranger to the campaign trail in this race is Quentin Anthony Anderson. Anderson spent most of 2024 campaigning against Fields for the congressional seat Fields ultimately won.

After a long underdog race, he took time to think about his next move and decided getting into the legislature to be a voice for his key issues was important.

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I think that any representative seat in politics, particularly in a democracy, its one of the most selfless jobs that you can have if you serve your community, Anderson said. If you like serving your community, if you find that gratifying, if you think that thats where you have value, you can have tremendous value by representing your community at those tables of power, where many times their destinies, their fates, their, you know, interests are on the line.

Anderson is a community advocate who has served multiple nonprofits in the Baton Rouge area. The main focus from his federal race is being translated to the District 14 race with his eyes on better wages and improving education and health care access.

He prides himself on not taking donations from major interest groups who he said look to sway him on future votes should he win. He is not daunted by a Republican supermajority in the Senate but also puts pressure on fellow Democrats not to concede too much of their core beliefs.

Progress is not an option. You have to figure out how you move the needle, whether its an inch or a mile. I actually look forward to the opportunity of working with people that are diametrically opposed to me and figuring out what we can get done, Anderson said.

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Qualifying ends on Jan. 9. The special election for this seat is set for Feb. 15.

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Venezuelas leader Nicolas Maduro announced on state television on 7 January the arrest of seven foreigners whom he accused of being "mercenaries", allegedly trying to prevent him from taking the presidential oath.

Source: Radio Liberty

Details: Maduro claimed that among those detained are two Americans, two Colombian "hitmen", and three "mercenaries from the war in Ukraine" who, according to him, were involved in planning "terrorist acts" ahead of his inauguration scheduled for 10 January.

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The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not commented on whether any Ukrainian citizens are among those detained in Venezuela.

Reports of the arrests, including that of the Americans, emerged just hours after US President Joe Biden hosted exiled Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez in the United States.

Background:

Venezuelas Electoral Council officially declared Nicolas Maduro the winner of the elections held on 28 July. Maduro has been in power since 2013. However, the opposition claims that their candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, won the election based on approximately 90% of the vote count.

Following the elections, Gonzalez's supporters took to the streets in protest, leading to crackdowns by security forces and pro-government armed groups.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the United States recognises Gonzalez as the rightful winner of the elections. Meanwhile, several European countries and others called on Venezuela to publish the full election results.

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After the death of former President Jimmy Carter on Dec. 29, President Joe Biden declared Thursday, Jan. 9 a National Day of Mourning.

On Thursday, a national funeral service will be held at the Washington National Cathedral for Carter before he's taken back to Plains, Georgia for a private funeral service. Carter will be buried in Georgia with his wife Rosalynn Carter who died in 2023.

The National Day of Mourning will be a federal holiday so that means some offices will be closed. Here's what to know in Tennessee:

Are post offices open on Jan. 9, 2025?

Post offices will be closed and mail will not be delivered on Thursday.

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Peanut Farmer, President, Humanitarian: Celebrate Jimmy Carter's remarkable life and contributions with our new book

What offices are closed on Jan. 9, 2025?

The U.S. stock exchange will be closed as well as Federal Courts and Archives. These institutions will not be in operation on Jan. 9.

Are banks open on Jan. 9, 2025?

Banks will remain open on Thursday, Jan. 9 as the National Day of Mourning is not classified as a federal holiday for private institutions.

How long will flags be at half-staff?

President Joe Biden ordered flags across the U.S. to be flown at half-staff "in honor and tribute to the memory of President James Earl Carter, Jr. and as an expression of public sorrow."

According to Biden's decree, Tennessee, along and the rest of the country, is supposed to fly the flag at half-staff during the mourning period which will last from Dec. 29 through Jan. 27.

What did Jimmy Carter do during his presidency?

Carter served as America's 39th president from 1977 to 1981.

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More: Jimmy Carter's remains arrive at US Capitol in dramatic farewell

Highlights of his career in politics and philanthropy include:

Negotiating the Camp David peace accords between Israel and Egypt.

Transferred the Panama Canal to Panamanian ownership.

Expanded public lands in Alaska.

Established formal diplomatic relations with the Peoples Republic of China.

Created the modern Department of Education and the Department of Energy.

Received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, 22 years after he left the White House.

USA TODAY contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Is Jan. 9 a federal holiday in TN? What's closed on Day of Mourning?
By Andrew Chung

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - While President-elect Donald Trump has asked the Supreme Court to block a looming U.S. ban on TikTok in a major case being argued on Friday that pits free speech rights against national security concerns over the Chinese-owned short-video app, many of his Republican allies have urged the opposite.

These diverging views raise the stakes for the court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, as it prepares to decide the fate of a popular social media platform used by about half of Americans in a case testing the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment protections against government abridgment of speech.

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"This is the most significant free speech case in at least a generation," said Timothy Edgar, a former U.S. national security and intelligence official who has worked in both Republican and Democratic presidential administrations.

"If we consider that there are 170 million active monthly users of TikTok in the United States, the volume of free speech at risk is the largest of any Supreme Court case in American history," added Edgar, who now teaches cybersecurity at Brown University and joined a brief backing TikTok in the case.

Driven by concerns that China could access data or spy on Americans with the app, Congress overwhelmingly passed the measure last year with bipartisan support, and Democratic President Joe Biden signed it into law. It requires TikTok's China-based parent company ByteDance to sell the platform or face a U.S. ban on Jan. 19.

The dispute goes before the top U.S. judicial body at a time of growing trade tensions between the world's two biggest economies and just 10 days before Trump is due to begin his second term as president.

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The Justice Department, defending the law, has said TikTok poses a threat to U.S. national security because of its access to immense amounts of data on American users, from locations to private messages, and its ability to secretly manipulate content that they view on the app.

TikTok and ByteDance rebut the national security claims, instead portraying the law as running afoul of the First Amendment. If the law is allowed to stand "then Congress will have free rein to ban any American from speaking simply by identifying some risk that the speech is influenced by a foreign entity," they told the Supreme Court in a filing.

Trump has said he has a "warm spot" for TikTok and has vowed to "save" a platform on which his campaign generated "billions of views."

"President Trump opposes banning TikTok in the United States at this juncture, and seeks the ability to resolve the issues at hand through political means once he takes office," Trump's lawyer John Sauer wrote in a filing, asking the justices to put the law on hold.

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Sauer is Trump's pick to serve as U.S. solicitor general, the government's chief lawyer at the Supreme Court.

STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL WEIGH IN

By contrast, many Republican lawmakers and officials are pressing the court - whose conservative majority includes three justices appointed by Trump during his first term as president - to back the Biden administration in its defense of the measure.

Republican attorneys general from 22 states filed a brief with the court disagreeing with TikTok's arguments and asking the justices to uphold the statute.

"Allowing TikTok to operate in the United States without severing its ties to the Chinese Communist Party exposes Americans to the risk of the Chinese Communist Party accessing and exploiting their data," these state officials, led by Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, wrote in their filing.

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Montana tried to ban TikTok at the state level but was blocked by a federal court.

Former Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell has compared TikTok's litigation to a hardened criminal seeking a "stay of execution." The Republican chairman and the top Democratic member of a U.S. House of Representatives panel focused on China issues urged the justices to uphold the measure to "protect the American people from foreign threats."

Biden's administration on Jan. 3 asked the justices to reject Trump's request to put the ban on hold.

Trump's support for TikTok is a reversal from 2020, when during his first term as president he tried to block the app and force its sale to American companies. Trump has since said a TikTok ban would benefit Meta-owned platforms Facebook and Instagram, which he has criticized for suspending him after the attack on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters on Jan. 6, 2021.

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TikTok, ByteDance and some users who post content on the app appealed a Dec. 6 ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upholding the law.

If the Supreme Court upholds the statute, Edgar said, "the stakes for internet freedom both in the United States and around the world are high."

The U.S. government, Edgar added, "will be on solid ground if it chooses to regulate or ban any digital platform with substantial involvement from foreign investors." Another widely used platform, Telegram, "may be next," Edgar added.

In a Dec. 13 letter, U.S. lawmakers told Apple and Alphabet's Google, which operate the two main mobile app stores, that they must be ready to remove TikTok from those stores on Jan. 19.

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While U.S. users probably will still be able to use TikTok after the deadline because it is already downloaded on their phones, according to experts, over time the app will become unusable without software and security updates.

(Reporting by Andrew Chung; Additional reporting by David Shepardson and Sheila Dang; Editing by Will Dunham)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has amended its complaint in a lawsuit against a software company it says artificially inflates rental prices.

Previously, the DOJ  and several co-plaintiffs, including Tennessee  sued the software company RealPage for decreasing competition among landlords, inflating rental prices and creating a monopoly that benefits RealPage in violation of federal antitrust laws.

The DOJ has amended its complaint to include several leasing companies that operate apartment buildings as co-defendants.

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The amended complaint alleges the six landlords participated in an unlawful scheme to decrease competition among landlords in apartment pricing, harming millions of American renters.

PREVIOUS: TN joins other states, DOJ in lawsuit over high rent prices

The landlords named in the amended complaint are:

Greystar Real Estate Partners LLC (Greystar)

Blackstones LivCor LLC (LivCor)

Camden Property Trust (Camden)

Cushman & Wakefield Inc and Pinnacle Property Management Services LLC (Cushman)

Willow Bridge Property Company LLC (Willow Bridge)

Cortland Management LLC (Cortland)

These six landlords operate more than 1.3 million units in 43 states and the District of Columbia, according to the DOJ.

While Americans across the country struggled to afford housing, the landlords named in todays lawsuit shared sensitive information about rental prices and used algorithms to coordinate to keep the price of rent high, said Acting Assistant Attorney General Doha Mekki of the DOJs Antitrust Division. Todays action against RealPage and six major landlords seeks to end their practice of putting profits over people and make housing more affordable for millions of people across the country.

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The amended complaint alleges the six landlords actively participated in a scheme to set their rents using each others competitively sensitive information through common pricing algorithms.

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In addition to using RealPages anticompetitive pricing algorithms, the DOJ said the landlords also coordinated through other means:

Directly communicating with competitors senior managers about rents, occupancy, and other competitively sensitive topics. In one example, Greystar supplied Camden with information not only about very recent renewal rates, but also its approach to pricing for the upcoming quarter, its acceptance of RealPages pricing recommendations, use of concessions and competitively sensitive information about occupancy. Likewise, executives at Camden and LivCor communicated over the course of months about their pricing strategies, including plans for certain price increases.

Regularly conducting call arounds. During these discussions, euphemistically referred to as market surveys, property managers called or emailed competitors to share, and sometimes discuss, competitively sensitive information about rents, occupancy, pricing strategies and discounts.

Participating in user groups hosted by RealPage. For instance, landlords discussed via user groups how to modify the softwares pricing methodology, as well as their own pricing strategies. In one example, LivCor and Willow Bridge executives participated in a user group discussion of plans for renewal increases, concessions and acceptance rates of RealPage rent recommendations.

Sharing information with competitors about parameters in RealPages software. As an example, at the request of Willow Bridges director of revenue management, Greystars director of revenue management supplied its standard auto-accept parameters for RealPages software, including the daily and weekly limits and the days of the week for which Greystar used auto-accept.

As of publication, Cortland has agreed to cooperate with the DOJ and stop using its competitors sensitive data to set rents and stop using the same algorithm as its competitors without a corporate monitor through a proposed consent decree, the DOJ said in a release.

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Should the court approve of the proposed consent decree with Cortland, the claims against the company would be resolved, the DOJ added. Cortland currently manages over 80,000 rental units in 13 states, per the justice department.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Tennessee joined as a co-plaintiff in the case in August. Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti told News 2 in a statement his office has been looking into RealPage since 2023 following concerns about the companys efforts to keep rents artificially high in cities across Tennessee.

Were glad to be part of this bipartisan effort to protect consumers and hold RealPage accountable, he added in the statement.

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A spokesperson for Cortland sent the following statement to News 2:

Cortland is pleased to announce the US Department of Justice filed a proposed settlement that would resolve the Antitrust Divisions civil investigation into Cortland related to antitrust violations in the multifamily housing industry. Additionally, last month, the Antitrust Division informed Cortland that it had closed its criminal investigation into pricing practices in the multifamily industry. As a result, Cortland and its employees are no longer subject to the criminal investigation that motivated the Department of Justices May 2024 search at Cortlands headquarters in Atlanta. We believe we were only able to achieve this result because Cortland has invested years and significant internal resources into developing a proprietary revenue management software tool that does not rely on data from external, non-public sources. The terms of Cortlands settlement have been agreed to with the Department of Justice and will be filed with the court for its approval. We look forward to putting the federal governments investigations behind us in 2025, as we continue to seek opportunities to invest in tools and services that will improve resident experience and the success of our managed communities. Cortland

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 WKRN News 2.
Tom Hanks' son, Chet Hanks, has asked for prayers for his hometown of Pacific Palisades, which is currently being ravaged by ravenous wildfires.

The 34-year-old shared the message on his Instagram page as he mourned the loss of properties engulfed by the natural disaster.

Like Chet, several other celebrities have also spoken up about the wildfires, calling for prayers amid the efforts of firefighters.

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Experts have also predicted that the worst is yet to come, as the Pacific Palisades area is also experiencing rising winds and low humidity.

The Actors Son Called For Prayers For Pacific Palisades

Instagram Stories | Chet Hanks

As the Pacific Palisades continues to be consumed by a horrifying wildfire, Chet Hanks has taken to his Instagram Story to call for prayers.

The son of renowned actor Tom Hanks is closely affiliated with the Los Angeles neighborhood, having grown up there, although he now resides in Nashville, Tennessee.

The neighborhood I grew up in is burning to the ground rn [right now]. Pray for Palisades, Chet appealed to his followers, alongside a prayer hand emoji.

While Chet no longer lives in the area, his parents still own a massive 14,513-square-foot mansion there, which cost $26 million when they purchased it in 2010.

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It is unclear if the home was also caught up in the ravaging wildfires, as neither Chet nor his father, Tom, have revealed any such information yet.

Other Celebrities Have Spoken Up About The Wildfires

MEGA

Amid the damage from the wildfires, several celebrities have voiced concerns over the spreading destruction.

Hope everybody gets out safely ... leaving, said Oscar-nominated actor James Woods on his X page.

The Ghosts of Mississippi Leaving star also shared multiple posts showing the damage from the disaster, including a clip of a hillside blaze.

Actor Chris Pratt also took to his social media to call for prayers, just like Chet.

Please send prayers and strength tonight to everyone in Los Angeles affected by these devastating fires, he urged his followers.

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The Guardians of the Galaxy star, who is a resident of the neighborhood, also thanked the firefighters for their efforts.

He wrote, Thank you to the brave firefighters and first responders who are working tirelessly to protect lives, homes, and wildlife as they battle fast-moving wildfire fueled by fierce winds.

You are true heroes, and we are endlessly grateful for your sacrifice and courage, the actor continued.

James Woods' Home Was Affected By The Pacific Palisades Fire

Our deck three minutes ago. pic.twitter.com/KpZDELpN8L  James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 7, 2025

Woods revealed on X that the wildfire had set off all the fire alarms in his home, implying that his house had been caught in the blaze.

"All the smoke detectors are going off in our house and transmitting to our iPhones," the actor wrote. "I couldnt believe our lovely little home in the hills held on this long. It feels like losing a loved one."

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In another post, Woods said, "I took this last night from our beautiful little home in the Palisades. Now, all the fire alarms are going off at once remotely. It tests your soul, losing everything at once, I must say."

He has also hinted that getting insurance support might be an issue, revealing in a tweet that "one of the major insurances [sic] companies canceled all the policies in our neighborhood about four months ago."

Firefighters Efforts Are Being Hurt By Lack Of Water From Hydrants

APEX / MEGA

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According to reports, many of the fire hydrants in Pacific Palisades have run dry, further hindering the efforts of firefighters.

Theres no water in the fire hydrants, L.A. developer Rick Caruso told the LA Times. The firefighters are there [in the neighborhood], and theres nothing they can do  weve got neighborhoods burning, homes burning, and businesses burning. ... It should never happen.

While it is unclear why the fire hydrants are facing these issues or how many were affected, the Department of Water and Power has issued a statement assuring that the problem is being resolved "to ensure the availability of water supplies."

This area is served by water tanks and close coordination is underway to continue supplying the area, the governmental organization added in their statement.

Climate Scientist Claims The Worst Is Yet To Come

APEX / MEGA

Experts have also forecasted that the worst is yet to come, as increasing winds have exacerbated the wildfire.

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This event is not only not over, but it is just getting started and will get significantly worse before it gets better, UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain shared in a briefing per The Times.

He also shared that the strongest and most widespread winds are yet to come, and the situation could worsen further due to the low humidity in the area.

These winds have forced crews to ground firefighting aircraft that had been deploying water onto the blazes, as the winds disperse the water or retardant before it can effectively reach the fire.

The winds are also expected to reach as high as 60 mph through Thursday, which could have further devastating effects.

Over 30,000 residents in the area have already been evacuated amid the disaster, while scores of businesses and homes have been burned.
Sen. Chuck Schumer weighed in on Donald Trumps controversial idea to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America as the president-elect ramps up his expansionist rhetoric ahead of the inauguration.

The New York Democrat said he was fine with Trumps desire to dub the waterway something more patriotic, but only if the he first agrees to work with us on an actual plan to lower costs for Americans.

That is what the American people want us to focus on first, not on renaming bodies of water, Schumer said in a Senate floor speech Wednesday, adding that the Democrats' priorities are so much more closely aligned with the concerns of the American people than Donald Trumps seem to be.

.@SenSchumer: "Donald Trump is in over his head. So he's doing what he always does in times like this, distract America with crazy ideas. Renaming the Gulf of Mexico may be a zany new idea, but it isn't going to help people save money at the grocery store." pic.twitter.com/Cn4GLt1SRg  CSPAN (@cspan) January 8, 2025

The president-elect suggested renaming the Gulf of Mexico during a press conference on Tuesday as he rattled off various geopolitical machinations including annexing Canada, acquiring Greenland, and retaking the Panama Canal.

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His comments have since been met with support from many of his loyalists and widespread controversy.

Schumer, however, slammed Trump for trying to distract America with crazy ideas, arguing that renaming the Gulf of Mexico isnt going to help people save money at the grocery store.

His comments echoed those of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who argued that House Democrats believe that we are not sent to Washington to invade Greenland, rename the Gulf of Mexico or seize the Panama Canal by force.

Congress, according to Jeffries, should focus on the issues that matter to the American people: Housing costs are too high, grocery costs are too high, insurance costs are too high, utility costs are too high.
Justice Department officials who served under President-elect Trumps first administration may have influenced the 2020 presidential election through intentional media leaks targeted at Democratic state governors over COVID-19 related probes, according to a report released by the departments Office of the Inspector General (OIG).

Inspector General Michael Horowitz pointed to three senior Trump officials federal pursuit of pandemic-related negligence cases that spiked death rates in nursing homes located in Pennsylvania, Michigan, New York and New Jersey. The trio, according to the report released Tuesday, prematurely disclosed the findings to the New York Post in a last play before the election.

The outlet, according to the OIG, published an article before officials in New Jersey and New York were informed of the Justice Departmentss (DOJ) investigations. The Wall Street Journal was also accused of publishing information leaked by officials.

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These news reports (and others) quoted unnamed Department officials and referenced non-public information, including some information that had been included in draft DOJ letters and press releases, which information certain DOJ officials objected to including and which information was never released, other than by the leaks, the report states.

Horowitz said the officials actions likely violated the Hatch Act and has referred his findings to the U.S. Office of Special Counsel for further review.

Then-New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) questioned the circumstances as they were occurring and is now calling for justice under the law.

This blockbuster report confirms what weve said all along: The federal government corrupted and misused the Department of Justice to influence the 2020 presidential election  and in the process weaponized the real pain of those who lost loved ones to COVID in a nursing home for their own craven electoral gain, Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi said in a statement obtained by The Hill.

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These findings lay bare the truth: New York and other Democratic states were targeted by the federal government for no other reason than to interfere with a presidential election, nursing homes in other states had much worse quality of care issues with COVID, and guidance issued in New York and other democratic states conformed with federal CDC [Center for Disease Control] and CMS [Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services] guidelines, the statement reads.

Azzopardi added, Those involved in this blatant weaponization of the Department of Justice for political gain should be held accountable to the furthest extent of the law.

Trumps spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

However, the president-elect has long accused the Biden administration of using the DOJ as a tool for political vengeance, consistently floating claims that his federal court cases were motivated by his critics.

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Trump is currently requesting his own federal investigation records be sealed by Attorney General Merrick Garland after special counsel Jack Smith dropped his election interference and classified documents cases, citing Trumps win in the 2024 election and a standing DOJ policy that prevents prosecution against a sitting president.

Garland agreed to block the release of the report around the documents but said he would release the findings from the case related to Trumps attempt to remain in power after losing the 2020 election to President Biden.

Smith is expected to resign from the agency before the president-elect returns to the White House later this month.

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TOPEKA (KSNT)  Midland Care Meals on Wheels will be closed for another day after a blizzard blanketed much of the Midwest.

Midland Care announced on Wednesday, Jan. 8 in a social media post that it made the decision to close out of concern for staff, volunteers and the community. Midland Care has been closed since Sunday, Jan. 6.

The ongoing frigid temperatures and hazardous road conditions across northeast Kansas make travel unsafe, Midland Care wrote on social media. We encourage everyone to stay indoors, stay warm, and take precautions during this extreme weather.

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Could Kansans see another natural gas price spike?

Midland Care serves older adults who are housebound in Shawnee, Jefferson and Douglas counties. To see if youre eligible for the Meals on Wheels program, click here.

Remember to check on loved ones and neighbors, especially those who may need extra help during this challenging time, Midland Care wrote on social media.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

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AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP)  The Town of Amherst is updating its Housing Production Plan to address the housing needs of its residents.

An open house allowed community members to share their concerns and ideas when it comes to housing. Those were taken into consideration tonight by town officials.

Right now there is a pretty tight housing crunch in Amherst like there is around the region and in the state, Associate planner for the town of Amherst, Greg Richane.

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The Town of Amherst is looking to update its Housing Production Plan to chart a path toward addressing the housing needs of low- and moderate-income people who live in town. Residents share what they think should be done to help those most vulnerable.

Updating the zoning codes to allow more housing density to be built. Not necessarily putting a skyscraper next to a single-family house, but, like, say, allowing like duplexes and triplexes in complexes to be built on existing single-family lots, said Joe Mascis of Amherst.

The plan looks to facilitate the development and preservation of affordable homes for older individuals and college students. The plan will also include housing that meets the requirements of the states affordable housing law, Chapter 40B. Community input on housing needs and preferences was conducted during a survey taken back in November.

In their findings, it was reported that 45 percent of residents in Amherst expressed their intention to move out within the next five years. Town officials say this can be attributed to the high cost of housing in the area as well as the fact that many young people who graduate from college in Amherst often end up leaving the town.

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If somebody loses access to a rental here more often than not, learn to end up someplace else, another community in the valley, and wed like to give them the option to stay here, added Richard.

The town is looking to include the following in its plan:

Creating housing with a mix of price ranges

Encouraging more housing options/choices/types across town

Helping people stay in their current housing and community as they age

The plan is expected to receive local adoption by the Planning Board and Council before submission to The Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities for approval.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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CANFIELD, Ohio (WKBN)  Canfield leaders are hosting a town hall meeting next month to talk about a chemical spill that happened over the summer in the city.

A notice was sent out Wednesday saying the town hall is set for Feb. 3 at the Canfield High School Auditorium. It begins at 5:30 p.m.

The purpose is to provide information about spill and cleanup efforts at Material Sciences Corporation (MSC). The meeting was born out of a December council meeting when Brad Kincaide addressed Council over his concerns about the spill and clean-up effort. Kincaide addressed Council in October, too, but this time he was joined by other residents sharing his concerns.

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Canfield leaders agreed that they wanted to provide a more public statement and update on the spill and cleanup efforts that are ongoing and decided a town hall was a good way to do that.

This past summer, a routine cleaning process at the facility on W. Main Street dislodged fluids from sealed piping that had deteriorated. The fluid went into a ditch next to the plant along the MetroParks Bikeway.

MSC hired August Mack to professionally clean up the spill and worked with the fire department and Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to collect and contain the spill.

The company wrote on its cleanup website that during the remediation process, it was discovered that fluid had leaked from the facility over time and had accumulated in sediment and groundwater in the adjacent ditch. Additionally, residual impacts appear to have migrated downstream of the ditch into the surface water feature and towards Sawmill Creek.

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Since July, MSC has been coordinating with Ohio EPA regarding the next steps to address the contamination, which has included significant environmental investigations, impacted water collection efforts, and remedial interim measures. In collaboration with Ohio EPA, MSC has performed the following activities:

Installing temporary dams and five sumps within the Adjacent Ditch to collect impacted stormwater into onsite storage tanks and stop any migration into the surface water feature that is located north of the site;

Diverting clean stormwater away from the adjacent ditch;

Collecting impacted water from subsurface drainage pipes into on-site storage tanks;

Properly disposing of approximately 115,000 gallons of impacted water offsite as hazardous waste;

Installing a fence between the adjacent ditch and the bikeway, with additional fencing planned to be placed around the surface water feature west of the bike path;

Installing liner on approximately 1,200 feet of the adjacent ditch

Ohio EPA issued Final Findings and Order on Dec. 31 mandating that MSC comply with all laws and guidelines and within 45 days meet with Ohio EPA to develop a Corrective Action Framework Agreement. MSC also has to submit a sampling and analysis plan and a final report when all the work is done.

During the December meeting, the citys attorney, Mark Fortunato, said that he has been in contact several times with those involved in the cleanup and was told that things are going well. He said that Materials Sciences has been very cooperative and doing all of the work that has been required of them.

Fortunato added that field techs meet weekly with MSC and August Mack and that the spill has been characterized as captured and contained.

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The investigation continues as to how and what happened exactly, Fortunato said. I feel comfortable with the status in terms of cooperation with MSC and their contractor.

The panel at the town hall in February will include:

The City of Canfield

Cardinal Joint Fire District

Mahoning County Haz-Mat

Mahoning County Board of Health

Canfield Local Schools

Mill Creek MetroParks

Material Sciences Corporation

August Mack

Ohio EPA

A question-and-answer session will follow if time permits.

Material Sciences Corporation is located on W. Main Street in the city. The company makes coatings, noise, vibration and harshness products (NVH) and provides electrogalvanizing services. The company calls itself the leader and developer of coated and acoustic products.

Jacob Thompson contributed to this report.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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From the red sandstone formations of Utah to the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, the United States holds a wealth of dazzling, resource-rich wild spaces. The government has been designating and extending protections for its public lands for a hundred years since the U.S. Forest Service was established in 1905.

Most recently, President Joe Biden named two new national monuments in California, the week before he's set to leave office. Combined, Chuckwalla National Monument, in Southern California, and Sattitla National Monument, in Northern California, protect 848,000 acres of land against drilling, mining and any other developments.

The U.S. has added dozens of designations to better protect these resources for future generations. Its resulted in a labyrinth of acronyms and confusing titles that can easily mystify travelers.

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While rules vary from site to site, its good to generally know where you can camp, hunt, or even cut your own holiday tree. On some lands, these activities are welcomedon others, they could result in a fine or jail time.

The first step to understanding our federal lands is knowing the players. Ninety-five percent of natural spaces open to the public are managed by four agencies: the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Here are the differences in these agencies missions, the sort of lands they overseeand what that means for travelers.

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The National Parks System

Who manages the land? The National Park Service (NPS), founded in 1916, has a dual mission: to preserve unique resources and make them accessible for public use and enjoyment. NPS lands generally receive a higher level of protection than other agencies.

What is it? The National Parks System contains a lot more than the 63 National Parks, which are large areas with outstanding natural features and ecological resources. It also includes National Preserves and National Seashores, which function much like national parks.

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The NPS also oversees areas of historical significance. These include National Historic Sites, which are specific locationsincluding homes or schools (like Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas). National Historical Parks preserve broader areas related to events or people in American historysuch as the Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, which includes Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. National Battlefield Parks/Sites and National Military Parks commemorate military history and National Memorials commemorate people or events. (Click here to search all NPS sites.)

What can you do there? National Parks tend to be the most restrictivetypically prohibiting activities including hunting, off-leashed pets, and drone use. National Preserves are more lenient with activities that leave a larger footprinthunting, fishing, off-roading, etc. Inside historic buildings, there are strict rules about where visitors can walk and sit, and what they can touch.

National Wildlife Refuge

Who manages it? The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (FWS) main mission is the conservation of wild habitats. That includes enforcing wildlife laws, protecting endangered species, and managing migratory birds.

What is it? The National Wildlife Refuge encompasses all lands managed by the FWS. (Find a refuge open to visitors here.) This includes Waterfowl Production Areas, which are small wetlands or grassland habitats for migratory birds; Wildlife Coordination Areas, which focus on wildlife conservation; and National Fish Hatcheries, which produce and distribute fish for recreation or conservation. Bears Bluff National Fish Hatchery in South Carolina and Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon are both open to visitors.

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What can you do there? Wildlife-related activities like bird watching are prioritized on FWS landswhich also permit responsible hunting and fishing to ensure sustainable wildlife populations. Hatcheries also offer opportunities to hike, bird watch, fish, or visit an aquarium. Visitors have a list of rules to follow on FWS land, including restrictions on alcohol and drug use.

(A birding boom could help fund conservationheres how.)

National System of Public Lands

Who manages it? The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages 12 percent of land in the U.S., encompassing forests, mountains, grasslands, arctic tundra, and deserts. The agency is responsible for sustainable energy development, timber harvesting, water use, livestock grazing, and recreation (like hunting and fishing) as well as some conservation of wildlife and aquatic habitat.

What is it? The National System of Public Lands is the general name for BLM lands, including National Conservation Areas, places designated by Congress to protect and manage lands for the publics enjoyment. These lands can also contain Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, which require special management attention to protect important historic, cultural, or scenic valuesor to protect life and safety from natural hazards. (Click here to see BLM lands you can visit, including Red Rock Canyon in Nevada and Imperial Sand Dunes in California.)

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(Heres how to see dazzling rock formations in the New Mexico wilderness.)

What can you do there? BLM lands generally offer a wider variety of permitted uses than National Parks and the National Wildlife Refuge, though visitors should check the rules at specific sites. Permits and passes may also need to be purchased, and rules may change depending on the time of year.

The National Forest System

Who manages it? The U.S. Forest Service (FS) is the oldest of the four agencies. Today, the FSs duties include restoring and protecting water, air, and soil, conducting controlled fires, and managing invasive species. Like BLM, the FS manages renewable resources for recreation and livestock grazing.

One of the Forestry Services roles is fire managementplanned fires are conducted to improve wildlife habitat or restore diverse vegetation to the ecosystem. Here, an ecologist counts lodgepole pine seedlings in Bridger-Teton National Forest, Wyoming, after a fire in 2016. Photograph by Sofia Jaramillo, Nat Geo Image Collection

What is it? The National Forest System is the general name for FS lands, including Natural Scenic Areas, National Volcanic Monuments, and Special Management Areas, which function like the BLMs areas of critical environmental concern. The FS also has Inventoried Roadless Areas, where road construction is mostly prohibited. (Click here to see FS lands you can visit, including the Coconino National Forest in Arizona and the Salmon-Challis National Forest in Idaho.)

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What can you do there? Like BLM, FS lands generally offer a wider variety of permitted uses, though visitors should check the rules at specific sites. Dozens of national forests allow visitors to cut their own Christmas trees, for example, but permits need to be purchased first.

What else do travelers need to know?

What about places managed by more than one agency? Decisions about how the land should be used are made even more complicated when two of the four agencies share management of a given area. National Monuments, which feature both natural areas and areas of cultural, historic, or archeological significance, are often managed by more than one entity. At Bears Ears National Monument, for example, visitors will see a map with a swath of land managed by BLM, a corner managed by FS, and state and private property dotted throughout.

Whats the difference between Wild and Scenic Rivers? Wild Rivers do not have dams or other impoundments, and are generally inaccessible except by trail. Scenic Rivers are also free from impoundments, but more accessible by roads. Both designations are managed by combinations of the four agencies.

Are federal entities the only stakeholders? Further complicating matters, much of the nations federal land bleeds into private and Native land. States including Utah and Montana have also fought for control over federal lands, though critics say states would struggle to properly maintain these spaces, which would result in restricted access to the public.

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What about locally managed designations? Some public lands may receive technical or financial aid from NPS but are managed locally. These include National Heritage Areaslike the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor along the southeast Atlantic coastand the more than 2,500 National Historic Landmarks around the country.

Dont forget: No matter who owns the land, its always necessary to be mindful of your impact on the ecosystem by disposing waste properly, leaving what you find, and respecting wildlife.

Hike with us: National Geographics Trails Illustrated maps highlight the best places for hiking, camping, boating, paddling, and wildlife viewing in Americas federal lands. Created in partnership with federal land management agencies, these expertly researched maps deliver unmatched detail and helpful information to guide experienced outdoor enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.



This article was originally published on November 9, 2022. It has been updated.
WASHINGTON, D.C.  Port operations were on the radar as maritime stakeholders held an encompassing conversation ranging from harbor dredging and anchorage development to sustainability and alternative fuels infrastructure.

The free-flowing discussion on Tuesday came at the 104th annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board, where thousands of academics, researchers, government officials, and private sector entities braved a rare snowstorm to absorb the latest research, exchange ideas, and network across the spectrum of global transportation.

Current events were top of mind at the meeting as disruptions brought on by labor issues, congestion, and reconfigured trade patterns, among other factors, have challenged port operators, where inefficiencies could lead shippers to less expensive locations.

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Its a hot-button issue in Washington, as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has been conducting more tabletopping exercises on disruptions. Such discussions help a team prepare for an emergency or disaster, such as the looming threat of a prolonged longshore strike at East and Gulf ports that has the potential to shut down container shipping and cut off imports of pharmaceuticals, food, auto parts and other essential trade. During the brief work stoppage by the International Longshoremens Association (ILA) in October, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis reportedly was ready to deploy the National Guard to operate the states ports.

Talk of USACE raised the subject of dredging, something critically important to commercial ports generally and container hubs specifically, which are locked in a race to attract ever-larger ships.

It was pointed out that the Port of Virginia has Congressional approval to dredge channels and berths to 54 feet  deepest on the East Coast  because it adjoins Naval Station Norfolk, home of the U.S. Navys massive aircraft carriers. That could put other East Coast ports at a competitive disadvantage, as the port leverages its harbor depth to manage future cargo flows.

Talk of dredging progressed to a subject that is less often discussed, anchorages, those harbor areas where ships wait to berth. Theyre critical to port performance, attendees agreed, and while some data has been collected for study, its not clear what it means, and more is needed to address utilization.

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Large vessels and dredging spurred observations that the Coast Guard requires the operator of a ship touching bottom in harbor to file a report, but it is unclear how many actually do. Typically, there is usually a small window to move a line of Ultra Large Container Carriers (ULCC) into and out of a harbor at high slack tide. These huge ships transiting, for example, the narrow Kill Van Kull tidal strait between Staten Island, New York, and Bayonne, New Jersey, have to slow to five knots or the hydrodynamic forces they create will rip out gas barges and other vessels from their moorings.

In a supply chain, the factors weighing on freight transit defy isolated examination.

The meeting pondered the expansive development of Mexicos manufacturing base, including substantial investment by China in ports, factories, and logistics parks.

Attendees wondered what effect it will have on rail infrastructure pushing all the way to Port Houston, more than 300 miles from the busy Laredo border gateway. Its all intermingled, leaving transportation providers to puzzle out trade patterns from limited data which forces them to infer changes and trends.

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The rail conversation led the meeting to question the very definition of a port  is it a blue water maritime facility, an inland waterways hub, or even a surface intermodal terminal whose operations mimic those of ocean gateways?

The state of Indiana recently opened a new highway bridge at the Port of Burns Harbor, doubling truck capacity in a bid to attract container traffic off Lake Michigan. The investment was spurred by railroad Norfolk Southern, providing a close connection to Chicago with property that is less expensive to develop.

The focus then shifted to sustainability, specifically the changeover by ocean carriers to alternative fuels, and ports ability to support the next generation of fueling systems.

The European Unions efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions has led vessel operators to specify dual-fuel or alternative fuel, including ammonia and methanol, propulsion in orders for new ships. Attendees said American ports need to understand the change now underway, and that California ports are far ahead of East Coast gateways in that respect. Port Canaveral in Florida has provided liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel infrastructure for some years, while the port of Jacksonville has been moving LNG to the port of Savannah, Georgia, for refueling.

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The meeting was told PortMiami has been installing infrastructure for berthed ships to plug into electric power, called cold ironing, but has run into problems with the electrical grid since plugging in eight or nine container vessels or a trio of modern cruise ships is akin to turning on the light switch for a small city. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is studying the issue of fuel logistics.

Further to sustainability, attendees said there needs to be a baseline for green trucks and ships, similar to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for buildings. That would help define carbon footprints and related costs for carriers. Private companies such as Nike and Patagonia are trying to be benefactors for the carbon zero movement, using their own standards, but businesses have to know how many carbon credits a truck movement is going to cost.

Find more articles by Stuart Chirls here.

Related coverage:

Report: Ahead of strike threat, ILA, USMX met on port automation

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Labor strife, tariffs to shadow ocean shipping in 2025

Maersk urges container pickup ahead of potential port strike

The post At TRB: Costly issues weigh on port efficiency appeared first on FreightWaves.
The treasurer for an unsuccessful Brooklyn borough president candidate pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges that she tried to scam the city out of hundreds of thousands of dollars in public matching funds.

Erlene King, 71, who worked on the 2021 primary campaign of Democrat Anthony Jones, could face between 33 and 41 months in prison when shes sentenced in Brooklyn Federal Court April 29.

King, who pleaded guilty to wire fraud, tried to take advantage of the citys 8-to-1 matching campaign funds program with a straw donor scheme. She submitted $25,000 in straw donations to Jones campaign, along with five corresponding fictitious records, in the hopes of getting $400,000 in matching funds, prosecutors said.

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King used CashApp to send money to straw donors, who in turn donated the dough to Jones campaign. But the city Campaign Finance Board noticed the donations were suspicious and denied the matching funds.

Jones tried to appeal that decision at a November 2021 hearing, telling the Campaign Finance Board he was confused by the decision and believed his treasurer followed the rules.

The CFBs counsel, Joseph Gallagher, said the board denied the funds after finding 28 non-credible signatures on affirmation statements.

At the hearing, King told the board that campaign staffers collected the suspicious-looking signatures in the field, and suggested donors signatures might have changed as a result of getting COVID-19.

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Instead of playing by the rules New York City established for free and fair elections, the defendant attempted to use the citys matching funds program to give the campaign an unfair advantage, U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said Tuesday.

Jones, who is not charged with a crime, came in eighth in a field of 12 primary candidates, getting just 3% of the vote and losing to Antonio Reynoso, who won the general election that November. Jones ran on the Rent is 2 Damn High line in the general election, and got 2.7% of the vote.

His campaign still owes more than $720,000 in debt, public records show. He raised about $83,000 in donations, but spent more than $810,000.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A trial set for Monday for one of two men accused of a 2023 shooting death in Austintown will now be held Feb. 10.

Mahoning County Common Pleas Court Judge Maureen Sweeney granted a request Wednesday by lawyers for both sides to continue the case against Talim Mumin, 22, who is charged with murder and felonious assault for the Sept. 6, 2023, shooting death of Vincent Tarver, 22.

A woman was wounded in the same shooting.

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Assistant Prosecutor Rob Andrews asked for the delay after he and defense attorney Tony Meranto engaged in negotiations about a possible plea in the case.

Meranto said his client will use the continuance to consult his family about the negotiations.

Ethan Richmond, 18, who was 17 when Tarver was killed, is also charged with involuntary manslaughter, felonious assault and tampering with evidence.

His case was transferred from juvenile court to common pleas court in April when he and Mumin were indicted.

Court records do not show a hearing date for Richmond.

Mumin has already served a 31-day jail sentence for hiding a gun that police believe was used in the case.

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Tarver was shot after a fight in the parking lot of the Compass West apartment complex in Austintown.

Tarver was shot multiple times and died after he was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center. A woman was wounded in the same shooting and required surgery.

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THROOP, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  The headquarters of a truck company in Lackawanna County has been destroyed after a fire broke out early Wednesday morning.

Rubble, smoke, and hot spots are all that remain where Bolus Truck Parts and Towing once stood for the last 55 years on Sanderson Street in Throop.

Firefighters continued to extinguish the fire several hours after it first broke out.

All came at about a quarter of three this morning. Police got on the scene and confirmed a working fire, stated Chief Rich Chowanec of the Dickson City Fire Department.

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Firefighters battle Jenkins Township compactor fire

No one was injured in the fire that called for more than half a dozen fire companies to respond, a catastrophic sight for owner Bob Bolus.

It was wiped out, I cant believe the devastation. Theres something wrong here.

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In addition to flames, crews were battling the extreme winter weather conditions where the water to extinguish the fire was quickly turning to ice.

Bolus says he suspects foul play and is working with the State Police Fire Marshal as they investigate what led to the fire.

The building had no heat hooked up to it. We were just putting in a new heating system, so theres no gas or anything even connected to it so to have a building go up like this isnt right, explained Bolus.

An excavator pulled in to help with hot spots caused tension among owner Bolus and crew as Bolus insisted on not demolishing any part of the building until the cause of the fire was investigated.

Theres unknown contents of the building and its better to be safe than sorry sending people in there and its just not a good situation, said Chief Chowanec.

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The cause is still undetermined but a K9 was called in to look for possible accelerants used.

Theyre going to investigate it the way it sits, theyre not going to start tearing this down, tearing that down. Theres no reason for it, stated Bolus.

Bolus tells 28/22 News they recovered the recorder for its cameras on the property but theyre not sure if they will be able to get video off of it.

Road closures are in place from Cyprus to Underwood Road.

As for the cause of the fire, that remains under investigation.

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OTTAWA  With Justin Trudeau missing in action, the premier of Canada's largest province has anointed himself national spokesman, deflecting "51st state" jabs and instead working to sell President-elect Donald Trump on a new American and Canadian century.

Just last month, Ontario Premier Doug Ford was threatening to cut energy exports to the United States in response to Trump's tariff threats.

On Wednesday, he showed up at a nuclear power plant to pitch the idea of "Fortress Am-Can," and the opportunity to build a Canada-U.S. energy infrastructure. Ford called for building out the clean electricity grid, increasing the generation of nuclear power and forming a cross-border working group to expedite projects.

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"Someone had to stand up for Canada," he said.



The prime minister has mostly withdrawn from the spotlight since the dramatic resignation last month of Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland. Earlier this week, Trudeau announced he will step down once Canadas Liberal Party chooses a new leader.

Ford has become a regular face on U.S. cable news networks. The plain-spoken Progressive Conservative with a populist streak made no secret Wednesday he plans to fill the growing federal political power vacuum  making him Canadas leading foil to Trump. Hes been serving as a de facto spokesman for Canada since Trump first threatened to impose 25 percent tariffs on Canadian imports to the U.S.

On Wednesday, Ford promoted his province as an international player. With our fleet of nuclear power plants and the first small modular nuclear reactors in the G7, Ontario is uniquely positioned.

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He also touted Saskatchewan uranium, which he said is refined in Ontario before it is shipped to the U.S. They wouldnt be able to survive without the uranium for their weapons, he said.

The premier also said Canada was committed to joining with the U.S. to combat economic threats from China.

U.S. lawmakers are undertaking one of the most ambitious economic and geopolitical shifts in decades, as America decouples from China and its global proxies. This wont be easy, he said. It will require dedication, and most of all, it will require friends and allies. Canada is here to help.

In his role as head of the federation of Canadian premiers, Ford has successfully pushed Trudeau to meet with the group in Ottawa next week. The message is: you need to do everything you can to stop the tariffs ... We need to see the plan that you announced on border security, Ford said.

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Were going to hold his feet to the fire until the day hes no longer prime minister.

Ford also called for policy action in areas that are clearly in Ottawas jurisdiction, including on Canadas commitment to NATO. Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO members for not meeting the spending target of 2 percent of GDP and went further in his Mar-a-Lago press conference this week calling for a 5 percent target. So far, the Trudeau Liberals have pledged to reach 2 percent by 2032.

"First, we need the federal government to invest in our military, to meet and exceed our NATO funding commitments. Second, the federal government needs to turn words into actions by implementing its border security plan, he said.

This needs to include permanent funding increases for the RCMP, the Canada Border Services Agency, to put more boots at the border. And we need highly visible activity to give our U.S. allies the confidence they need that were doing our part."

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Just after Christmas, two of Trudeaus top ministers travelled to Florida to share the federal border plan with Trumps team.

Ford dismissed Trumps talk of annexing Canada as a 51st state and rebutted the president-elects assertion that the U.S. does not need Canadian autos, lumber or dairy products.

Lets stop wasting time and ridiculous ideas about merging and instead focus on efforts on restoring the pride of Made in Canada, and Made in the U.S.A. Lets be unapologetic as we stand up for Canadian and American workers against the world.

Together, lets usher in a new American and Canadian century.

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Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc said Wednesday the federal government is focused on dealing with the economic fallout posed by Trumps tariff threat, the main reason why hes decided not to enter the race to replace Trudeau.

LeBlanc said he was committed to working with premiers, business and union leaders and other party leaders.

His Cabinet colleague, Immigration Minister Marc Miller, ridiculed Trumps annexation talk  one day after Trudeau said on X that there was not a snowballs chance in hell of that happening.

I said a couple of weeks ago this is like an episode of South Park. Ill start to get worried when they confirm Eric Cartman as the Joint Chief of Staff, said Miller.

Its silly. Its unbecoming frankly of a president, any president, he added. But we do have to take it seriously.
WARREN, Ohio (WKBN)  Trumbull County commissioners issued their second payment in a $1 million grant to support Valley Vision, an initiative to address several Valley issues including housing, population and economic development, among others.

Trumbull and Mahoning counties both pledged $1 million to the effort in 2023. Mahoning County issued its contribution all at once while Trumbull County paid out the grant in two installments of $500,000 each. The second one was issued on Wednesday.

The money went to Mahoning Valley Partners, which is leading the Valley Vision initiative and comprises the Western Reserve Port Authority, Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, The Youngstown Foundation, Eastgate Regional Council of Governments, Valley Economic Development Partners and Lake to River Economic Development.

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Valley Visions goals are to focus on growing the population, launching a housing strategy, preparing more sites for businesses to locate in the local area, investing in small businesses, funding opportunities for those starting businesses, providing more job opportunities for people residing in underserved geographical areas, creating additional scholarship opportunities to retain more youth, uplift the Valleys valuable nonprofits and boost the arts, culture, tourism and other industries that impact quality of life, the organization wrote in a news release.

Some newly elected officials who took office in the New Year also introduced themselves and members of their staff on Wednesday. Board President Rick Hernandez says the meeting went perfect.

I feel very great about this Board. I fee very confident that Trumbull County has seen a new day, and were going to move forward in a positive manner, Hernandez said.

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(Bloomberg) -- A faction of President-elect Donald Trumps allies is harboring doubts about Republicans chances of passing a sweeping tax bill in 2025 amid party infighting and strategy disputes.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Republicans broadly agree that theres little room for error on what is a rare opportunity for the GOP to update the tax code without having to make any concessions to Democrats. Theres also time pressure: households and privately-held businesses will see their tax bills rise if Congress doesnt act by the end of the year.

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But Republicans openly disagree on how to meet that deadline. Little progress was made on Wednesday night when Trump met with GOP Senators, with the president-elect telling reporters at the conclusion of the meeting that it doesnt matter to him how his allies in Congress plan to get his top legislative achievements passed.

Stephen Miller, the incoming deputy White House chief-of-staff and a vocal advocate for an immigration crackdown, has pushed lawmakers to first pursue a border security bill, before pivoting to taxes, an idea Senate Republican Majority Leader John Thune endorsed during his address to open the new Congress.

That pits them against House Republicans, many of whom want to cram all the partys legislative goals  immigration, energy production and taxes  into a singular bill. Thats an approach that yields to the reality that the tiny House GOP majority  a fractious group of lawmakers willing to torch members of their own party during heated disputes  will have a hard time passing even one bill, let alone two.

The best chance for a reconciliation bill that includes tax cuts to pass the House is for the tax cuts to be included in the first one, and preferably in one big beautiful bill, said House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith, referring to the legislative process, known as reconciliation, allows the majority party to advance its priorities with the votes of the opposing party.

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Trump, who made taxes and an immigration crackdown the centerpiece of his 2024 presidential campaign, has waffled on his wishes, further muddying the debate. Over the weekend, he posted that he supported one powerful Bill that will bring our Country back, and make it greater than ever before. At a press conference on Tuesday, however, he indicated a willingness to separate immigration from taxes.

Well, I like one big beautiful bill. I always have. I always will. But if two is more certain, it does go a little bit quicker, because you can do the immigration stuff early, he told reporters.

Senator Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, said following Wednesdays meeting with Trump that they discussed using tariff hikes as a way to offset the cost of the tax cuts, a politically risky move that could further divide Republicans.

Thune, after meeting with House Speaker Mike Johnson on Tuesday, joked with reporters that the plan for sequencing the legislation is as clear as mud.

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After the Wednesday meeting with Trump, Thune told reporters they are all united on the goals but lawmakers still have different views on the legislative strategy to get there.

Strategy Planning

Congress also must raise the debt ceiling this year  an issue that has routinely caused Republican infighting and soured relationships within the party. Johnson told reporters Tuesday he plans to add a debt ceiling increase to the bill, with the final product put together by churning it out amongst our colleagues. He also set an April goal to pass it out of his chamber.

Paul, however, said Wednesday theres opposition from Reublicans in both chambers to addressing the debt ceiling in the bill.

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We need to do the tax bill in the first 150 days, said Steve Moore, an informal economic adviser to Trump.

Moore said that he, along with Trumps former National Economic Council Chair Larry Kudlow and economist Arthur Laffer, urged Trump to tackle taxes first.

We shouted from the rooftops, Moore said. The argument made to Trump that carried the day was that delaying it would put the tax cut at risk.

The business community has also warned that a delay  or failure  of the tax measure could stymie the economic growth promises Republicans ran on.

Im not going to second guess the speaker or the majority leader on the timing of the tax bill, but I will say that from a business perspective, from an investment perspective, a manufacturing perspective, sooner is going to be a whole lot better than later if they truly want to keep their promises that theyve made, said Jay Timmons, president and chief executive officer of the National Association of Manufacturers.

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Many Republicans also publicly and privately worry that isolating immigration  an issue that has vexed Congress for decades  into an initial bill will take far more time than anticipated and eat up a great amount of political capital and good will, potentially jeopardizing the size, scope and ambition of a tax measure.

History Lesson

In 2017, Trump faced a similar legislative strategy quandary on the sequencing of policy when his team spent months trying to repeal the Affordable Care Act only to have then-Senator John McCain, an Arizona Republican, strike down the bill at the last minute. The Trump White House managed to barely pass tax reform that December  and that was with a much larger margin of Republicans in the House.

That legislation was also hastily written, and passed solely with the support of Republicans. At the time, there was a feeling in the Trump orbit that tackling infrastructure or taxes first would have provided the new president with far more political dividends than pursuing the failed health care legislation.

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In the closing days of the 2024 election, Trump promised to extend the personal tax cuts from 2017 and expand the state and local tax deduction, while also creating new tax breaks like no taxes on tips, overtime pay or Social Security checks.

Trump has vowed to Wall Street executives that he would reduce the corporate tax rate to as low as 15%. That laundry list of promises surprised even some of his closest economic advisers, who privately said Trump was unlikely to turn all of this rhetoric into reality.

Though Trump, as recently as last weekend, has repeatedly singled out one specific pledge  no taxes on tips  which suggests it could be among the highest priority cuts for the incoming president.

Political Calculus

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For Republicans, a key calculation is delivering on Trumps tax promises so the party can hold onto its control of the House of Representatives in 2026. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, a close Trump ally, said history shows that Trump needs to pass the tax bill by July 4, 2025, to satisfy voters.

When President Ronald Reagan did not front-load the tax cuts in 1982-1981, we lost 26 seats in 1982. When Trump did not get the tax bill through fast enough, we lost 40 seats in 2018. We also know that Franklin Delano Roosevelt, by acting aggressively, picked up nine seats, he said.

Former Representative Kevin Brady, who led efforts on Trumps 2017 tax overhaul, said Republicans ought to educate  or perhaps browbeat  their colleagues to make a priority of the cuts.

Failure is not an option. You cannot wreck this economy. You cannot damage this presidency, Brady said at an event in Washington. Youre going to find a way to get this done.

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--With assistance from Alicia Diaz.

(Updates with Trump, Paul comments after Senate meeting)

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President-elect Trump is ramping up speculation about his endgame with Greenland as he doubles down on calls to acquire the Danish territory, putting observers and allies alike on edge.

Trump on Tuesday reiterated his desire to purchase the island during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, the same day his son, Donald Trump Jr., made a visit there.

Observers have waved off the idea that the U.S. would realistically acquire Greenland. But President-elect Trumps comments have nonetheless raised concerns, as well as renewed focused on the strategic importance of the island amid growing tensions with other Arctic players like China and Russia.

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Its not clear yet what the endgame is, said Rebecca Pincus, the director of the Polar Institute at the Wilson Center, a global affairs think tank. Denmark is a founding member of NATO, and both the Danish and Greenlandic governments expressed pretty firm opposition to a sale of Greenland. I think that would be very, very challenging.

Greenland has been of strategic importance to the U.S. at least since the beginning of the Cold War, when the so-called GIUK gap  the stretch of water between Greenland, Iceland and the U.K.  was essential in helping contain the Soviet navy.

There is an argument that the North Atlantic matters, and because the North Atlantic matters, Greenland matters. Now theres a separate question, whether the United States needs to own it, said Jon Alterman, senior vice president and Zbigniew Brzezinski chair in global security and geostrategy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The Danish response is, Weve been cooperating with you on this for three quarters of the century, theres no need to change the status quo.'

Alterman added that Trump likes to get attention and keep people on their toes, and this is an example of persuading people that what they thought was settled isnt settled.

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So even if youre not talking about if the United States is going to buy Greenland next week, the sense that this administration will not be satisfied with the status quo sends a message to U.S. adversaries and allies alike that the U.S. considers the world in play, he said.

Daniel Fried, former U.S. ambassador to Poland and a fellow at the Atlantic Council, pointed to the 1951 treaty that gave the United States enormous control over Greenlands defense. The treaty came after then-President Truman made some halfhearted attempt to buy Greenland in 1946.

Its an agreement thats existed for so long that people have forgotten it, but it does, Fried said. Trump is right that the United States has security interests in Greenland. And if this agreement is inadequate, Id like to know why and where it has fallen short, because its not been a problem.

And I dont think theyve made the case for why Greenlands importance justifies this kind of threat and bullying, he added. Denmark has been a serious contributor to common security.

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Trumps expressed interest in Greenland in recent weeks is not the first time he has mentioned the U.S. possibly acquiring the island. He first mentioned it as a possibility in 2019 during his first term in office, reportedly proposing that Denmark trade Puerto Rico for it.

Those plans never materialized, but Trump has put a renewed focus on obtaining it during the transition to his second term.

He reiterated his belief that the U.S. must acquire Greenland on two occasions on Tuesday, first calling into a meeting that his son was holding with some Greenlandic people. He referred to Greenland as a very special place that needs security both for itself and the world.

Were going to treat you well, Trump said.

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He later said at a press conference that he would not commit to not using economic or military force to take control of Greenland, along with the Panama Canal, and expressed concern about Chinese and Russian influence in the region.

Trump also vowed to levy tariffs on Denmark if it refuses to give up Greenland.

Denmark has owned Greenland for a few centuries and has gradually granted the island in the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans greater autonomy. Greenland voted for self-government in 2008, receiving control of domestic affairs while Denmark retains responsibility for foreign affairs, including defense.

The acquisition of Greenland has been floated multiple times over that period in U.S. history, but the prospect never progressed to a sale.

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Both Denmarks and Greenlands governments have been steadfast in rejecting the idea of Greenland joining the U.S.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told a local TV station Tuesday that Greenlandic Prime Minister Mute Egede has been very, very clear that Greenland is not for sale and will not be in the future. She said the Greenlandic people have indicated support for that as well.

We must not lose our long struggle for freedom, Egede said last month, responding to Trump.

While experts cast doubt on the chances of an acquisition, they noted the strategic role of Greenland in the international order and argued that a strong U.S. presence in the area is critical to national security goals.

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Alterman told The Hill that the president-elect likes doing things and seeing what the reaction is.

One of the other things he has is a certain willingness to experiment and to do things over and over again and judge which approach does better, he said. I think his approach to his rallies was like a stand-up comedian honing an act. He means to elicit a response. He looks at the response and then he adapts.

Pincus said Greenlands geographic position is strategically significant, but it also has a wealth of natural resources including rare minerals and a limitless potential for hydropower from the Greenland ice sheet.

You pair all those strengths and attributes with the population pursuing independence, its easy to understand why there would be increased interest in it, she said.

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Romain Chuffart, the president and managing director of the Arctic Institute, pointed to Egedes statement Tuesday that [our] future and fight for independence is our business. He noted that part of Greenlands foreign policy strategy for the next decade is nothing about us, without us.

Even with Trump pushing for acquisition and Denmark and Greenland soundly rejecting it, Chuffart said he views the chances of a standoff between the countries as highly improbable. But if one were to occur, it could damage U.S. credibility internationally, he added.

If such a scenario were to occur, it would represent a significant failure of U.S. diplomacy and deal a serious blow to the countrys foreign policy credibility on the global stage, Chuffart said.

Jim Townsend, a former deputy assistant secretary of Defense for European and NATO policy, acknowledged that China and Russia have been seeking to increase their influence in the region, as Trump has argued, but he said attempting to purchase Greenland is not the best way to address the issue.

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He mentioned the U.S. purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867 for strategic purposes and pointed out the world operates differently than it did then.

If theres an issue here, you meet with the Greenlanders and with Denmark to try to fix what the U.S. is concerned about, Townsend said.

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President-elect Trumps imperialist tendencies ahead of his second term are begging a question that dominated his first term: Should he be taken seriously, or literally?

Trump during a Tuesday press conference declined to rule out using military force to gain control of Greenland and the Panama Canal.

He said he would use economic force to merge the U.S. with Canada, shrugging off the border between the countries as an artificial line.

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He threatened to tariff Denmark at a very high level if it did not relinquish control of Greenland, the autonomous territory home to valuable minerals.

As he spoke, Donald Trump Jr. was in Greenland where he was joined by influential conservative activist Charlie Kirk and two members of the incoming Trump administration: Sergio Gor, who will head the Presidential Personnel Office, and James Blair, who will serve as a deputy chief of staff.

Chris LaCivita, who co-managed the senior Trumps 2024 campaign, quipped that the group amounted to a Landing Team in Greenland.

A source familiar said Trump Jr. did not meet with any Greenland government official and was there to film content for an upcoming podcast, but he posed for photos with Greenlanders clad in red Make America Great Again hats.

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Trump has long used bombastic rhetoric as a negotiating and posturing tool, and the same is likely the case here, particularly when it comes to threats of military force. Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark, which is a NATO member. Using military force against a NATO member would create chaos and confusion among allies.

Annexing Canada as the 51st state is also unlikely to come to pass. But Trumps constant belittling of the neighbor to the north is likely intended to bring Canadian leaders to heel as he threatens tariffs and seeks to renegotiate the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement that was brokered during Trumps first term.

Trumps rhetoric also has the benefit of giving fodder to his supporters, who have embraced his view of American exceptionalism and dominance abroad and relish seeing liberals overreact to what the president-elect is saying.

It was in that spirit that Trump declared Tuesday that he would soon seek to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America.

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Numerous Trump allies cheered the idea on social media  I am SO HERE FOR THIS, former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) wrote  and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) quickly announced she would introduce legislation to make the change official on government maps.

The idea of an imperialist second Trump term has ruffled feathers abroad.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Tuesday that Greenland is not for sale and will not be in the future either.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday there isnt a snowballs chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States. His potential replacement, Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, has said Canada will never be the 51st state of the U.S.

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Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino previously rejected Trumps suggestion of the U.S. taking over the canal, which was built in the early 1900s and handed over to Panama as part of a 1977 treaty.

But Trump has not been one to take kindly to public rejection or embarrassment from other world leaders, and the pushback could only embolden him to inflict economic pain on those leaders.

Kirk, responding to Trudeau on social media, wrote to the Canadian prime minister: When youre playing defense, youre already losing!

An olive branch to China?

Trump revealed during a Monday interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt that his team has already been in touch with counterparts from Beijing, another sign he may be interested in having a friendlier relationship with China.

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Weve already been talking, Trump said. Weve been talking through their representatives, and talking.

Its the latest indication that Trump is in contact with Beijing behind the scenes ahead of his second term, after his team had invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to the inauguration.

Trump spent much of his first term at odds with China over trade and eventually over the origin of the coronavirus.

But his public and private outreach, along with his fondness for the Chinese-owned TikTok app, signal a potentially softer approach toward Beijing.

House guests

There will be company at Mar-a-Lago this weekend, with Trump set to host dozens of House Republicans at his Florida residence to map out the path forward on the president-elects agenda.

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Trump is also slated to meet with GOP senators while in Washington, D.C., Wednesday night ahead of former President Carters funeral service at the National Cathedral. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) is hosting that meeting, the details of which have largely been kept under wraps.

The president-elect and his team are hoping to avoid some of the pitfalls and communication breakdowns that sank or hindered parts of his agenda in his first term  most notably his effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.

Trump has been in regular contact with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and other House members, and he has had nothing but praise so far with new Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), who defeated the more MAGA Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) in a vote of GOP senators last year.

Comings and goings

Trump announced former White House aide Nick Luna would return to serve as deputy chief of staff for strategic implementation as part of a batch of staffing additions at the White House.

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Luna was Trumps body man during his first term and was among the close Trump aides who testified before the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, riots at the Capitol after being subpoenaed.

His hiring, along with several other staffing announcements, is a sign that Trump is getting the band back together from his first term.

Trump has retained a close circle of aides since leaving office, with that group building a strong sense of camaraderie and trust after sticking by Trump during his brief time in the political wilderness.

Nearly all of them have already been given some White House role, with a few others expected to be announced soon.

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For example, Trump has yet to announce a position yet for Margo Martin, who served as a press assistant in his first term and as deputy director of communications on his campaign and is expected to work in the second Trump White House.

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President-elect Trump asked the Supreme Court to block his sentencing Friday on 34 New York felony counts of falsifying business records.

Trumps emergency application asks the court to prevent the hush money prosecution from moving ahead until his appeals implicating presidential immunity are resolved.

President Trump is currently engaged in the most crucial and sensitive tasks of preparing to assume the Executive Power in less than two weeks, all of which are essential to the United States national security and vital interests, Trumps attorneys wrote.

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Forcing President Trump to prepare for a criminal sentencing in a felony case while he is preparing to lead the free world as President of the United States in less than two weeks imposes an intolerable, unconstitutional burden on him that undermines these vital national interests, they added.

By default, the appeal will go to Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who handles emergency matters arising from New York. She could act on the application alone or refer it to the full court for a vote.

Sotomayor ordered prosecutors file their response to Trump by 10 a.m. EST Thursday, just less than 24 hours before the sentencing is set to begin.

In May, the New York jury found Trump guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records stemming from a payment made to a porn actor during his 2016 presidential campaign to cover up an alleged previous affair, which Trump denies.

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It made Trump the first former president to be convicted of a felony, but he successfully delayed his sentencing until after the election. Now, he hopes to prevent it from taking place before his inauguration later this month.

The president-elect claims the historic case must be dismissed because of a twofold immunity claim. His attorneys argue the trial was tainted by evidence protected by the Supreme Courts new immunity test for former presidents, and the prosecution must also be tossed to accommodate Trumps status as president-elect.

Judge Juan Merchan, who oversees the New York trial proceedings, rejected those arguments and scheduled the sentencing for Friday, just 10 days before the inauguration. The judge has said he is inclined to impose no jail time or punishment for Trump if the sentencing moves forward and will allow him to appear virtually.

Trumps emergency appeal at the Supreme Court comes after a midlevel New York appeals court refused to block the proceeding Tuesday. Trumps attorneys said they also will be filing with New Yorks top court but are bringing it to the Supreme Court simultaneously, given the short timeframe.

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The Supreme Courts historic decision on Immunity, the Constitution, and established legal precedent mandate that this meritless hoax be immediately dismissed, Steven Cheung, a Trump spokesperson and his incoming White House communications director, said in a statement.

The American People elected President Trump with an overwhelming mandate that demands an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system and all of the remaining Witch Hunts, he continued. We look forward to uniting our country in the new administration as President Trump makes America great again.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs (D) office has also opposed delaying the sentencing, noting it was only pushed past the election at Trumps request.



When reached for comment, Bragg spokesperson Danielle Filson said we will respond in court papers.

Trumps new filing was signed by D. John Sauer, his intended nominee to become U.S. solicitor general, who represents the administration before the Supreme Court. Sauer is one of the president-elects personal criminal defense attorneys and previously represented him in his presidential immunity fight before the high court.

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Updated at 8:57 a.m. EST

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President-elect Donald Trump is asking the Supreme Court to call off Friday's sentencing in his hush money case in New York.

Trump's lawyers turned to the nation's highest court on Wednesday after New York courts refused to postpone the sentencing by Judge Juan M. Merchan, who presided over Trump's trial and conviction last May on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Trump has denied wrongdoing.

Prosecutors were expected to file a response by Thursday morning.

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Trump's team sought an immediate stay of the scheduled sentencing, saying it would wrongly restrict him as he prepares to take office. While Merchan has indicated he will not impose jail time, fines or probation, Trump's lawyers argued a felony conviction would still have intolerable side effects.

The sentencing should be delayed as he appeals the conviction to prevent grave injustice and harm to the institution of the Presidency and the operations of the federal government," they argued.

The emergency motion is from lawyers John Sauer, Trumps pick for solicitor general, who represents the government before the high court, and Todd Blanche, in line to be the second-ranking official at the Justice Department.

They also pointed to the Supreme Court ruling giving Trump and other presidents broad immunity from prosecutions over their actions in office, saying it supports their argument that his New York conviction should be overturned.

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Their filing said the New York trial court lacks authority to impose sentence and judgment on President Trump  or conduct any further criminal proceedings against him until the resolution of his underlying appeal raising substantial claims of Presidential immunity, including by review in this Court if necessary.

The Republican president-elect's spokesman, Steven Cheung, said in a statement that the case was politically motivated and should be dismissed.

Trump's lawyers also asked New York's highest court for an emergency stay to halt all proceedings Wednesday afternoon, urging quick action to avoid the threat of disrupting the presidential transition.

In a filing that largely echoed their Supreme Court arguments, the attorneys charged that Merchan and the states mid-level appellate court both erroneously failed to stop the sentencing, arguing that the constitution requires an automatic pause as they appeal the judges ruling upholding the verdict.

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The Manhattan district attorneys office, meanwhile, said it will respond in court papers. The emergency motion was submitted to Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who hears appeals from New York.

Trump's convictions arose from what prosecutors said was an attempt to cover up a $130,000 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels just before the 2016 presidential election.

Daniels claims she had a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006. He denies it.

The Supreme Court's immunity opinion came in a separate election interference case against him, but Trumps lawyers say it means some of the evidence used against him in his hush money trial should have been shielded by presidential immunity. That includes testimony from some White House aides and social media posts made while he was in office.

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Merchan has disagreed, finding they would qualify as personal business. The Supreme Court's immunity decision was largely about official acts of presidents while in office.

___ Associated Press writer Michael R. Sisak in New York contributed to this report.
President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to prevent Friday's sentencing in his New York criminal hush money case.

In a filing Wednesday morning, defense lawyers argued that sentencing Trump -- who has attempted to halt the case based on a claim of presidential immunity -- would damage "the institution of the Presidency and the operations of the federal government."

MORE: Trump speaks with Justice Alito amid push to halt criminal sentencing

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"Most fundamentally, forcing President Trump to defend a criminal case and appear for a criminal sentencing hearing at the apex of the Presidential transition creates a constitutionally intolerable risk of disruption to national security and America's vital interests," Trump's lawyers said.

The Supreme Court asked for a response from prosecutors in New York by Thursday at 10 a.m. ET.

The Manhattan district attorney's office, when asked for comment, said they will respond in court papers.

Later Wednesday, Trump's lawyers launched an eleventh-hour request to New York's highest court to pause the case.

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Trump's lawyers warned New York's Court of Appeals that continuing with the sentencing could lead to "grave injustice and harm to the institution of the Presidency and the operations of the federal government," in a filing that largely echoed Trump's three other attempts this week to have the case delayed.

PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the Faith and Freedom Road to Majority conference at the Washington Hilton on June 24, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images, FILE)

"Under the doctrine of sitting-President immunity, it is unconstitutional to conduct a criminal sentencing of the President-elect during a Presidential transition, and doing so threatens to disrupt that transition and undermine the incoming President's ability to effectively wield the Executive power of the United States," argued Trump's attorneys, who took the unusual step of simultaneously asking two different courts for the same relief.

The request will reviewed by a single judge who has the authority to stay the case, and no oral argument is expected. Trump's previous attempts to sway the New York Court of Appeals -- such as his challenges to the gag orders in his criminal and civil cases -- have been unsuccessful.

With their application to the Supreme Court, Trump's lawyers have asked the country's highest court for an unprecedented intervention in the ongoing criminal case of a former president -- whose appointment of three justices cemented the court's conservative majority -- that would effectively toss his criminal conviction less than two weeks ahead of his inauguration.

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The move came after a New York appeals court on Tuesday denied Trump's request to delay the Jan. 10 sentencing.

Trump was found guilty in May on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in order to boost his electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election.

MORE: Judge in Trump's hush money case expected to sentence him to 'unconditional discharge'

Trump asked the Supreme Court to consider whether he is entitled to a stay of the proceedings during his appeal; whether presidential immunity prevents the use of evidence related to official acts; and whether a president-elect is entitled to the same immunity as a sitting president.

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If adopted by the justices, Trump's argument about immunity for a president-elect could expand the breadth of presidential authority, temporarily providing a private citizen with the absolute immunity reserved for a sitting president.

Trump's lawyers argued that the Constitution and doctrine of separation of powers "compel the conclusion that the President-elect is completely immune from criminal process."

In a 6-3 decision last year, the Supreme Court broadened the limits of presidential immunity, finding that a former president is presumptively immune from criminal liability for any official acts and absolutely immune for actions related to his core duties. The decision not only expanded the limits of presidential power but also upended the criminal cases faced by Trump.

Despite that favorable opinion, Trump faces uncertainty in convincing the justices to halt his sentencing. The Supreme Court does not typically take on random interlocutory appeals, even by a president-elect.

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MORE: Timeline: Manhattan DA's Stormy Daniels hush money case against Donald Trump

The president-elected faces up to four years in prison, but New York Judge Juan Merchan has signaled that he plans to sentence Trump to an unconditional discharge -- effectively a blemish on Trump's record, without prison, fines or probation -- in order to respect Trump's transition efforts and the principle of presidential immunity.

Defense lawyers argued that sentencing still "raises the specter of other possible restrictions on liberty."

"Indeed, every adjudication of a felony conviction results in significant collateral consequences for the defendant, regardless of whether a term of imprisonment is imposed," Trump's lawyers argued -- despite Judge Merchan's plan not to impose any of the restrictions on Trump.

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Trump's lawyers also argued that the former president's conviction relied on evidence of official acts, including his social media posts as president and testimony from his close White House advisers. The New York judge in the case, Juan Merchan, ruled that Trump's conviction related "entirely to unofficial conduct" and "poses no danger of intrusion on the authority and function of the Executive Branch."

"This appeal will ultimately result in the dismissal of the District Attorney's politically motivated prosecution that was flawed from the very beginning, centered around the wrongful actions and false claims of a disgraced, disbarred serial-liar former attorney, violated President Trump's due process rights, and had no merit," Trump's filing to the Supreme Court said.

Trump asks Supreme Court to block his criminal hush money sentencing originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
The News

US President-elect Donald Trumps lawyers have asked the Supreme Court to call off his sentencing  currently set for Friday  in Trumps New York criminal conviction. The president-elect was found guilty in May by a New York jury of 34 felony counts related to hush money payments around the 2016 election.

The last-minute bid to delay came after a state appeals court rejected a similar ask.

In a filing filed Tuesday, Trumps lawyers asked that the Supreme Court put a stay in the case, as the incoming president appeals his conviction on the basis of presidential immunity. Prosecutors have until Thursday morning to respond.

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The pause is required, Trumps attorneys argued, to prevent grave injustice and harm to the institution of the presidency and the operations of the federal government.

Not for the first time, Trump is asking for relief that is just not available to other criminal defendants  asking the Supreme Court to prevent a state sentencing proceeding from even happening, a CNN Supreme Court analyst said.
President-elect Donald Trump asked the Supreme Court on Wednesday to block a New York judge from sentencing him Friday over his felony conviction in a hush money case.

The justices "should order an immediate stay of criminal proceedings against President Trump in the New York trial court, including but not limited to the criminal sentencing hearing scheduled for January 10, 2025," his attorney John Sauer said in an emergency appeal filed early Wednesday.

"A sitting president, or president-elect, does not have to subject himself in any case to an individual judges case-by-case balancing of the burdens on the presidency  an inquiry that itself violates the separation of powers and the Supremacy Clause," he wrote.

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"Most fundamentally, forcing President Trump to defend a criminal case and appear for a criminal sentencing hearing at the apex of the presidential transition creates a constitutionally intolerable risk of disruption to national security and Americas vital interests," he wrote.

The New York case has proceeded entirely in state courts in a prosecution brought by the Manhattan district attorney.

A jury last year found Trump guilty of falsifying business records, a crime under New York law, when he repaid his former attorney Michael Cohen for the $130,000 he paid to porn actor Stormy Daniels just prior to the 2016 election. Trump wrote 34 checks describing these payments as legal expenses, and he was convicted on 34 counts.

Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over the trial, said he would not sentence Trump to prison or impose any fine, but he refused to delay the sentencing.

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Two weeks ago Sauer filed an unusual friend-of-the-court brief in the pending TikTok case that urges the justices to put the matter on hold and allow the incoming president time to work out a deal.

On Friday, the court will hear TikTok's free-speech claim that it would violate the 1st Amendment to shut down the popular video site in the United States due to security concerns over its Chinese parent company.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
In a last-minute effort to avoid an awkward moment in inauguration history, attorneys for President-elect Donald Trump have asked the Supreme Court to intervene in his upcoming sentencing.

In a Wednesday filing to the Supreme Court, Trump attorneys Todd Blanche and John Sauer requested an emergency stay in the legal proceedings of Trumps criminal lawsuit where he was convicted of a felony by a New York jury last May.

Trumps sentencing is set for Friday, Jan. 10  just 10 days before he will inaugurated as president  where he could potentially become the first president to be a convicted felon  a label he is using every legal opportunity to avoid.

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After being denied by both Judge Juan Merchan, the judge overseeing the case, and the New York Appellate Court, the incoming presidents last hope lies in the hands of the Supreme Court, which includes three justices he appointed during his first term.

Though unwilling to pause sentencing, Merchan, who assigned the sentencing date, said in his filing Monday that he would not require Trump to serve prison time but instead grant an unconditional discharge, meaning he will receive no penalty.

A decision that does not satisfy the defense.

In their filing, Trumps defense lawyers said the pressures of entering the White House should not be distracted by Trumps legal woes.

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President Trump is currently engaged in the most crucial and sensitive tasks of preparing to assume the Executive Power in less than two weeks, all of which are essential to the United States national security and vital interests, the filing said.

Forcing President Trump to prepare for a criminal sentencing in a felony case while he is preparing to lead the free world as President of the United States in less than two weeks imposes an intolerable, unconstitutional burden on him that undermines these vital national interests.

Blanche and Sauer also argued that Trump should be granted presidential immunity as president-elect. This is not the first time Trump has tried to use this argument to dismiss the case entirely.

Both Merchan and the appellate court judge denied that presidential immunity should cancel out the charges against the former president in the hush money case. In response, Trumps defense wrote in the filing to the Supreme Court that the courts wrongly denied President Trumps pending motion to dismiss the criminal case based on Presidential immunity.

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They added that the New York courts lack authority to impose sentence and judgment on President Trump  or conduct any further criminal proceedings against him until the resolution of his underlying appeal raising substantial claims of Presidential immunity, including by review in this Court if necessary.

In a 6-3 ruling last July, the Supreme Court granted all presidents immunity from criminal prosecution regarding any decisions they make under their official duties, but not unofficial ones. The decision was made after Trumps legal team appealed the decision in the election subversion case brought against him by special counsel Jack Smith.

If the Supreme Court were to side with Trump, the unprecedented decision would make him a private citizen with presidential immunity before he is sworn into office.

The criminal case stems from payments made ahead of Trumps 2016 presidential win by his former attorney, Michael Cohen, to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to keep her silent about a sexual encounter she claimed to have had with the former president back in 2004.

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Trump pleaded not guilty and has repeatedly accused the many legal cases against him as politically motivated.

This appeal will ultimately result in the dismissal of the District Attorneys politically motivated prosecution that was flawed from the very beginning, centered around the wrongful actions and false claims of a disgraced, disbarred serial-liar former attorney, violated, his defense team said in its filing.

The Supreme Court has requested a response from the New York prosecution by Thursday at 10 a.m. ET. The Manhattan District Attorneys office, led by Alvin Bragg, which brought the case against Trump, said it will respond in court filings.

Justice Department plans to release Jack Smith report

After a temporary block was made on the publication of the special counsels final report on Tuesday, the Justice Department told an appellate court on Wednesday in a filing that Attorney General Merrick Garland intended to release Volume 1 of the combined two reports.

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This limited disclosure will further the public interest in keeping congressional leadership apprised of a significant matter within the Department while safeguarding defendants interests, the filing said.

According to the filing, Volume 1 of the report concerns Smiths evidence as he headed the federal election subversion case against Trump in Washington, D.C. Volume 2 focuses on the classified documents case, which Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed last July, citing Smiths appointment as special counsel by Garland as unconstitutional.

The Justice Department said the second volume would not be published so long as defendants criminal proceedings remain pending.

Waltine Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, Trumps co-defendants in the classified documents case, filed an emergency motion on Monday to stall the publication, which Cannon granted. Both defendants and Trump pleaded not guilty.

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To avoid any risk of prejudice to defendants Nauta and De Oliveira, the Attorney General has determined, at the recommendation of the Special Counsel, that he will not publicly release Volume Two so long as defendants criminal proceedings remain pending, the filing said.

The Justice Department requested that the Atlanta-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit remove Cannons temporary freeze on the report and approve its plan.

This limited disclosure will further the public interest in keeping congressional leadership apprised of a significant matter within the Department while safeguarding defendants interests, they said in their filing.
President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday urged the US Supreme Court to pause his sentencing in the hush money case, a highly unusual request that relies in part on the courts decision last year to grant him broad immunity from criminal prosecution.

Trumps emergency appeal arrived a day after a state appeals court in New York rejected his request to postpone his sentencing, which is set for Friday.

The pause is required, Trumps attorneys told the court, to prevent grave injustice and harm to the institution of the presidency and the operations of the federal government.

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In response to Trumps filing, a spokesperson for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said, We will respond in court papers.

The high court has asked prosecutors to respond by 10 a.m. ET on Thursday.

Later Wednesday, Trump separately asked New Yorks highest court to postpone his sentencing. Trumps attorneys have acknowledged the unusual nature of appealing both to the US Supreme Court and the state courts, but have cited the tight timeline before Fridays sentencing.

To go forward with a sentencing, with its inevitable threat of stigma, opprobrium, and potential criminal penalties, would pose risks to Americas vital interests that are intolerable and unconstitutional under the Supremacy Clause and the doctrine of Presidential immunity, Trump attorney Todd Blanche wrote in the state court appeal.

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The president-elect is appealing his conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records, arguing it should be tossed because a conservative majority of the Supreme Court in July ruled that former presidents are entitled to sweeping immunity for official actions. Trump was convicted in May of falsifying business records over payments to his then-lawyer Michael Cohen to reimburse a $130,000 hush money payment made to adult-film star Stormy Daniels, in order to keep her from speaking out about an alleged affair before the 2016 election. Trump has denied the affair.

Trumps latest request to the US Supreme Court is unusual because his criminal case isnt yet fully resolved by New York courts. Judge Juan Merchan, the trial judge in New York, has rejected Trumps demands to stop the Friday sentencing.

Merchan upheld Trumps conviction last week and has signaled that Trump, who will be inaugurated on January 20, will face no legal penalties.

Trumps request also is likely to face procedural challenges, even on the 6-3 conservative Supreme Court that he helped to build with three nominees during his first term.

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Not for the first time, Trump is asking for relief that is just not available to other criminal defendants  asking the Supreme Court to prevent a state sentencing proceeding from even happening, said Steve Vladeck, CNN Supreme Court analyst and professor at Georgetown University Law Center. Even if theres something to his immunity argument, its not clear why a sentencing that isnt going to produce any actual consequences has to be blocked, rather than just reviewed through an ordinary appeal.

Steven Cheung, a spokesman for Trump, said Wednesdays request was made to correct the unjust actions by New York courts and stop the unlawful sentencing in the Manhattan D.A.s Witch Hunt.

Trump relying on high courts immunity decision

Earlier Tuesday, a New York appellate judge swiftly rejected Trumps postponement request following a brief hearing.

Blanche, an attorney for Trump whom the president-elect has picked to serve as a top Justice Department official in his incoming administration, argued during the hearing that the court should stop the sentencing, while acknowledging the situation was unprecedented. Though Merchan has denied two arguments to vacate Trumps conviction, Blanche argued that either of them should allow for a stay of proceedings while the appeal is litigated.

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The Manhattan district attorneys office, meanwhile, argued Trumps team has not put forward any argument that a one-hour sentencing hearing would disrupt Trumps responsibilities as president-elect.

If Trumps lawyers are successful in halting the proceedings before he is sworn-in in fewer than two weeks, the hush money case could linger for months while his attorneys pursue an appeal to toss out the conviction.

Trump is relying heavily on the Supreme Courts controversial immunity decision from last year in a new filing Wednesday in which he is asking the high court to pause delay his sentencing.

He is also arguing that continuing to defend himself in the hush money case would distract from the transition and potentially jeopardize national security.

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Defending criminal litigation at all stages  especially, as here, defending a criminal sentencing  is uniquely taxing and burdensome to a criminal defendant, Trumps lawyers told the high court.

President Trump is currently engaged in the most crucial and sensitive tasks of preparing to assume the executive power in less than two weeks, all of which are essential to the United States national security and vital interests, they wrote.

Merchan had previously rejected Trumps arguments around immunity, concluding that Trumps hush money case involved unofficial conduct that is not entitled to protection.

That decision, among many others made by the trial court, was made in error and, if allowed to stand, would gravely undermine the American Presidency as we know it, Trump told the US Supreme Court in his emergency appeal.

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Trump also asked the Supreme Court on Wednesday for an administrative pause on the lower courts proceedings. If the Supreme Court accepts that idea, it would give the justices a few days to review legal briefs in the case before deciding on Trumps underlying request.

CNNs Nicki Brown and Lauren del Valle contributed to this report.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

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NEW YORK  Donald Trump on Wednesday asked the Supreme Court to intervene in his criminal hush money case and stop his sentencing from going ahead on Friday.

The eleventh-hour request to the nations high court came a day after Trumps attorney, Todd Blanche, failed to convince a New York appeals court to cancel the sentencing set for Friday morning as he appeals a set of rulings by the trial court judge, Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan.

It asks the Supreme Court to resolve whether Trump is entitled to a pause in proceedings as he challenges Merchans rulings in New Yorks appeals courts, whether the admission of evidence at trial that correlated with his first term in office violated the doctrine of presidential immunity, and whether a sitting presidents complete immunity from prosecution extends to a president-elect.

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President Trump is already suffering grave irreparable injury from the disruption and distraction that the trial court abruptly inflicted by suddenly scheduling a sentencing hearing for the President-Elect of the United States, on five days notice, at the apex of the Presidential transition, reads the emergency petition filed by Trump lawyers.

These harms continue to increase as the New York courts deny relief and the sentencing hearing approaches.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor, assigned to emergency requests filed in New York, asked the Manhattan district attorneys office to respond to the request by Thursday at 10 a.m.

Merchan on Friday unexpectedly scheduled Trumps sentencing for 10 days before his inauguration in a ruling that denied his request made after his election victory to vacate the jurys guilty verdict and dismiss the underlying indictment.

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To vacate this verdict on the grounds that the charges are insufficiently serious given the position Defendant once held, and is about to assume again, would constitute a disproportionate result and cause immeasurable damage to the citizenrys confidence in the Rule of Law, Merchan wrote.

In the decision, Merchan also rejected Trumps argument that the Supreme Courts ruling on presidential immunity protected him from the criminal proceedings in New York as the president-elect. The decision handed down by the high courts conservative majority in July, a month after Trump was found guilty, determined that presidents are largely shielded from criminal liability for acts they carry out during their official duties.

In December, Merchan found that evidence at trial, including testimony by Trumps former White House communications director Hope Hicks about her private conversations with Trump and threatening tweets directed at his ex-fixer Michael Cohen on his presidential social media accounts, was not barred by the immunity ruling as they related to Trumps unofficial conduct.

The judge on Friday said he was inclined to sentence Trump to an unconditional discharge, meaning Trump would not face jail time or any other punishment, and said he could appear by video. The charges carry up to four years in prison, and it is virtually unheard of for someone found guilty of felonies in Manhattan to see no punishment at all.

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Should the Supreme Court delay Trumps case any longer than Jan. 20, when he takes office, its unlikely the conviction will be finalized before Trumps second term in the White House concludes.

In a statement, Trump spokesman Steven Cheung said, President Trumps legal team filed an emergency petition with the United States Supreme Court, asking the Court to correct the unjust actions by New York courts and stop the unlawful sentencing in the Manhattan D.A.s Witch Hunt.

A spokeswoman for the Manhattan district attorney told the New York Daily News prosecutors would respond in court papers.

A jury on May 30 found Trump, 78, guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records stemming from a scheme to hide embarrassing details about his past from the electorate in 2016.

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The case centered on payments he made to Cohen during his first year in the White House, which reimbursed his longtime former fixer for paying off porn star Stormy Daniels in the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election. Trial evidence showed Daniels was one of three hush money recipients.

The Manhattan criminal case was the only one of four brought against Trump after his first term that made it before a jury. It set him up to become the first convicted felon to serve as U.S. president. As the charges are state-level, he cannot pardon himself. He is expected to appeal his conviction if his sentencing goes ahead.

_____
A lot of things happened. Here are some of the things. This is TPMs Morning Memo. Sign up for the email version.

Does The Roberts Court Have Any Dignity Left To Surrender?

President-elect Donald Trump raced to the Supreme Court this morning to try to get the high court to block his sentencing Friday in the hush money case in New York.

Trumps latest move to avert sentencing came after he was rebuffed by an state appeals court judge Tuesday. In a 30-minute emergency hearing scheduled on a hours notice, Trump argued that his entire conviction was defective, that presidential immunity precluded his prosecution, and that sentencing him during the presidential transition was disruptive. TPMs Josh Kovensky was in the courtroom for the hearing.

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The prospect of the uber-conservative Supreme Court coming to Trumps rescue from criminal accountability yet again raises the specter of an even more unbound Trump being sworn in on Jan. 20. Furthermore, it may not be the only Trump-related case the Supreme Court has to consider before inauguration. Also potentially on tap is whether Special Counsel Jack Smiths report to Attorney General Merrick Garland can be made public.

Oh, Look, Its Aileen Cannon Again

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon continued her series of extraordinary interventions in the Mar-a-Lago case, purporting to block the public release of Special Counsel Jack Smiths report. In an unprecedented order issued at the urging of Trumps co-defendants, Cannon barred the Justice Department from releasing the report until three days after the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals disposed of the matter.

Trumps co-defendants had urged both Cannon and the 11th Circuit to intervene. The 11th Circuit gave Smith a deadline of this morning to respond. Its timetable beyond that is unclear. Trump has since moved to intervene in the case himself. In an almost comic move, after the won relief from Cannon, Trumps co-defendants reiterated to the 11th Circuit to that they prefer the appeals court let Cannon handle the matter herself. Of course.

Cannon arguably has no jurisdiction over the Mar-a-Lago case while its on appeal, yet she acted anyway. Still, the most alarming aspect of her ruling was that she seems to be blocking the release of Smiths report not just as to the Mar-a-Lago, but also as to his Jan. 6 case in Washington, D.C., over which she never had any jurisdiction.

For The Record

Jay Bratt, 65, a counterintelligence prosecutor and a key member of Special Counsel Jack Smiths team on the Mar-a-Lago case, retired on Friday, after 34 years with the Justice Department, the NYT reported.

Timely 

Reuters: Three senior U.S. Justice Department officials committed misconduct in the final months of Donald Trumps first presidency by leaking details about a non-public investigation, a move that may have been intended to sway the 2020 election, the departments internal watchdog concluded in a new report.

Crazy Making

Trump held one of his rambling, untethered, make-of-it-what-you-will press conferences at Mar-a-Lago yesterday. If youre inclined to freak out, there was plenty to freak out about. If youre taking more of a wait-and-see-what-he-actually-does approach, there was still plenty to freak out about:

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This news conference, which was the first since Trumps re-election was certified by Congress, was a wild one  even by Trumpian standards. In a little over an hour behind a podium at his Mar-a-Lago beach club, the president-elect, along with promising to rename an ocean basin, threatened potential military force against Panama and Denmark. He also suggested he might use economic force to make Canada the 51st State.TPMs Hunter Walker

There was a lot of deja vu in Tuesdays news conference, recalling scenes from his first presidency. The conspiracy theories, the made-up facts, the burning grievances  all despite the fact that he has pulled off one of the most remarkable political comebacks in history. The vague references to people whom he never names. The flat declaration that American national security was threatened now, without defining how the strategic environment has changed in a way that could prompt him to violate the sovereignty of independent nations.NYTs David Sanger

[Trump] just left open using a military threat against a NATO ally, Greenland. And NATO rules require an attack on any member to be treated as an attack on them all. Thats certainly no small thing, even if its just Trump being Trump.WaPos Aaron Blake

Zuckerbergs Big Capitulation To Trump

In the face of threats from the Trump and the right, Mark Zuckerberg announced that Meta is abandoning content moderation on Facebook:

TPMs Josh Marshall: Zuckerberg Achieves Trump Lap Monkey Badge And Other Platform News

The Bulwarks Jonathan V. Last: Mark Zuckerberg Is a Surrender Monkey

The Atlantics Charlie Warzel: Mark Zuckerberg is at war with himself.

Trump himself, giving Zuckerberg zero cover:

Super Smart Read

Henry Farrell, on the social media crisis:

We tend to think of the problem of social media as a problem of disinformation  that is, of people receiving erroneous information and being convinced that false things are in fact true. Hence, we can try to make social media better through factchecking, through educating people to see falsehoods and similar. This is, indeed, a problem, but it is not the most important one. The fundamental problem, as I see it, is not that social media misinforms individuals about what is true or untrue but that it creates publics with malformed collective understandings. That is a more subtle problem, but also a more pernicious one.

Worth your time.

Scoop

The Forward: The Heritage Foundation plans to identify and target volunteer editors on Wikipedia who it says are abusing their position by publishing content the group believes to be antisemitic, according to documents obtained by the Forward.

RED ALERT IN NORTH CAROLINA

Mother Jones: The Republican majority on the North Carolina Supreme Court on Tuesday temporarily blocked the state election board from certifying the victory of one of the courts own membersDemocratic Justice Allison Riggs. In doing so, the states highest court laid the groundwork for potentially overturning the election and handing the seat to Riggs GOP challenger.

Voting Right Watch: Face Palm Edition

TPMs Kate Riga: Louisiana: Racism Doesnt Exist Anymore, So Let Us Racially Gerrymander

Quote Of The Day

I think being president of a public university in a red state right now is one of the hardest jobs in higher education.Michael Harris, professor of higher education at Southern Methodist University

LA Under Siege From Extreme Wind-Driven Wildfires

ALTADENA, CALIFORNIA  JANUARY 08: Los Angeles County firefighters spray water on a burning home as the Eaton Fire moved through the area on January 08, 2025 in Altadena, California. Fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds, the Palisades Fire has grown to over 2,900 acres and 30,000 people have been ordered to evacuate while a second fire has emerged near Eaton Canyon in Altadena. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Dire warnings of an extreme wind event in Los Angeles proved prescient Tuesday with entire neighborhoods overrun by flames; cars hastily abandoned in a panicked retreat being shoved aside by a bulldozer so emergency workers could reach the fire zone; a school, a synagogue, and a landmark restaurant burned to the ground.

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Three major fires were burning in Los Angeles overnight, with winds expected to ebb some later in the day but none of the fire were close to being contained yet. Casualty figures were remarkably low but it was still early and with the extent of the damage had yet been surveyed.

Jimmy Carters Final Return To Washington

WASHINGTON, DC  JANUARY 7: The casket of former President Jimmy Carter arrives to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol on January 7, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Pete Kiehart for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

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President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday made a last-ditch attempt to halt his looming sentencing by making an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court.

Trump was criminally convicted in Manhattan last year on 34 felonies for falsifying business records in an attempt to hide a payment to porn star Stormy Daniels to stop her speaking about a sexual encounter, which Trump denies.

His attorneys asked the countrys top court to intervene after a New York appeals court this week rejected Trumps request for a delay in sentencingwhich is currently scheduled for Friday, just 10 days ahead of his Jan. 20 inauguration.

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Trumps attorneys argue in their petition that he is immune from criminal proceedings as president-elect and asked for a stay of the sentencing in order to prevent grave injustice and harm to the institution of the Presidency and the operations of the federal government.

The Manhattan District Attorneys Office says it will respond to the appeal in court papers.

Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over Trumps trial in New York, has previously disagreed with Trumps lawyers arguments that his conviction should have been thrown out in light of the Supreme Courts July ruling giving presidents immunity for official acts while in office.

Last week, Merchan made clear that he does not intend to sentence Trump to prison time, probation, or impose fines in relation to his conviction. Instead, the judge wrote in a court filing that an unconditional dischargea sentence that does not have any punishmentappears to be the most viable solution.

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Such a sentence would nevertheless mean that Trump retains his status as a convicted felon as he returns to the White House.

[T]he prospect of imposing sentence on President Trump just before he assumes Office as the 47th President raises the specter of other possible restrictions on liberty, such as travel, reporting requirements, registration, probationary requirements, and othersall of which would be constitutionally intolerable under the doctrine of Presidential immunity, Trumps lawyers argued in their petition. Indeed, every adjudication of a felony conviction results in significant collateral consequences for the defendant, regardless of whether a term of imprisonment is imposed.
Looks like Donald Trumps second term in the White House is sadly and truly going to be a lot like his first.

As great swaths of Los Angeles are destroyed from multiple wildfires and harsh winds, the 45th and soon to be 47th POTUS made his tried and true tactic of taking to social media to find someone to blame  in this case, Trumps old West Coast nemesis California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

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LA County is under a state of emergency, tens of thousands of acres scorched, at least two people dead and thousands of homes and buildings destroyed by fires in Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Pasadena and now parts of Malibu. Newsom is currently receiving a briefing with President Joe Biden from officials on the current state of the tragedy.

Trump being Trump decided to make it personal.

In a post this morning on his Truth Social, the President-elect wrote:

Governor Gavin Newscum refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snow melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way. He wanted to protect an essentially worthless fish called a smelt, by giving it less water (it didnt work!), but didnt care about the people of California. Now the ultimate price is being paid. I will demand that this incompetent governor allow beautiful, clean, fresh water to FLOW INTO CALIFORNIA! He is the blame for this. On top of it all, no water for fire hydrants, not firefighting planes. A true disaster!

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The words by Trump are very similar to the way he treated Newsom when previous fires hit the state during his 2017-2021 term. Back then, as with more recently, Newsom was surgically critical of the conduct and policies of Trump. Still, perhaps out of expediency or perhaps because Trumps eldest son dated the Governors ex-wife and former San Fran First Lady Kimberly Guilfoyle for many years, the two men had a few congenial moments.

Donald Trump with then California Gov. Jerry Brown (R) and Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, who had just been elected in his own right, as they view damage from wildfires in Paradise, CA on Nov. 17, 2018.

On January 7, Newsom appeared to take a swipe at Trump in a press conference on the state of the fires and winds. No politics, no hand-wringing, kissing of the feet, emergency proclamation is being drafted as we speak, he said with implication to Trumps partisan approach and the parade of bigwigs to Mar-A-Lago in recent weeks. In contrast, today Newsom was full of his usual praise and thanks to Joe Biden as the federal government yesterday authorized emergency measures and funds to fight the fires.

The Governor has made no response so far Wednesday to Trumps latest insults, gross insensitivity and taunts.

President Biden called the fires and winds astounding, when being given his briefing in Santa Monica just now, at what was a clear photo-op. Were doing anything and everything and as long as it takes to contain these fires, to make sure you get back to normal, he added as Newsom, the LAFD chief and others looked on. Its going to be a hell of a long way. Its going to take time.

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Biden promised that 2,000 members of the National Guard would be deployed to assist in fighting the fires and supporting communities. To that Newsom did respond, with a big thanks to the newly minted great-grandfather and outgoing incumbent. This means the world to us, Newsom said. For the President to be in the region its impossible for me to express the level of gratitude.

Thank you @POTUS for your swift response and aid to California as we work to battle these unprecedented wildfires.pic.twitter.com/b22pbiWZA9  Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) January 8, 2025

Biden flew into L.A. late Monday to declare two national monuments on Tuesday, but those plans were stymied by the winds and fires. Setting up HQ at a westside hotel, Biden spend an additional night in LA with a new schedule to leave Wednesday on Air Force One around 2 p.m. PT.

No word of Trump coming out to L.A. any time soon.

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(Bloomberg) -- President-elect Donald Trumps nominees will begin testifying before the US Senate next week as Republicans rush to install the new cabinet soon after the Jan. 20 inauguration.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Several of Trumps picks have caused consternation on Capitol Hill, perhaps none more so than former Fox News host Pete Hegseth to run the Pentagon and vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

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Both men have been making the rounds among senators to try to shore up support among Republicans, who have a 53-seat majority. It would take four GOP defections, if all Democrats unite against a nominee, to sink a pick.

All potential administration officials will be questioned on their background and qualifications for the role, part of the standard vetting procedure before senators must vote to decide whether they will confirm the nominee.

Here are the confirmation hearings that are scheduled so far:

Defense

Hegseth, an Army veteran, will testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Jan. 14 following allegations over sexual misconduct, alcohol abuse and the mismanagement of veterans organizations. Hegseth has denied the allegations.

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Republican Senator Joni Ernst, a military veteran and rape survivor, is key to his confirmation. After meeting with Hegseth last month, Ernst released a statement saying their conversations were encouraging. She said she would support Pete through this process and that she looked forward to a fair confirmation hearing.

Treasury

Scott Bessent, Trumps nominee for Treasury secretary, will testify before the Senate Finance Committee on Jan. 16. The founder of macro hedge fund Key Square Group, he is expected to have an easy route to Senate confirmation.

If confirmed, Bessent would likely work closely with congressional Republicans on Trumps promise to renew and expand the expiring 2017 tax cuts.

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Veterans Affairs

Doug Collins, Trumps nominee for Veteran Affairs secretary, will testify before the Veterans Affairs Committee on Jan. 14.

Collins is an Air Force Reserve chaplain and a former Georgia congressman. Hes been a staunch supporter of Trump and, as the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee during the former presidents first administration, criticized the Justice Departments investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Interior

Doug Burgums hearing to be considered for Interior secretary is also set for Jan. 14, according to two people familiar with the matter.

Burgum would also lead a newly minted National Energy Council, influencing domestic oil and gas production strategy in the new administration. The former North Dakota governor ran for president during the 2024 election and later endorsed Trump.

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Homeland Security

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noems hearing to be considered for Homeland Security secretary is set for Jan. 15 before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

The panel is poised to move quickly after recent attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas spurred pledges to expedite security-related positions. If confirmed, Noem will implement Trumps policies on immigration, including his pledge to carry out mass deportations of undocumented migrants.

Attorney General

Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi will have hearings on her nomination to run the Justice Department on Jan. 15 and Jan. 16 before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

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A fierce defender of Trump, Bondi would oversee everything from defending controversial government policies in court to doling out billions of dollars in federal grants. Trumps first pick, former Florida Representative Matt Gaetz, bowed out of contention after intense scrutiny over allegations that he engaged in sexual misconduct.

State

Florida Senator Marco Rubio, Trumps pick for secretary of State, will testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Jan. 15.

Rubio, who is well regarded in the Senate, is expected to garner the support needed for a smooth confirmation. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will appoint a replacement for his Senate seat.

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Energy

Chris Wright, chief executive officer of Liberty Energy Inc., will also have his hearing for energy secretary on Jan. 15, according to two people familiar with the matter.

Wright, a vocal proponent of oil and gas, runs an oil and natural gas fracking services company that is based in Colorado. The threat of global warming, he has said, is exaggerated.

Transportation

Sean Duffy, a former House lawmaker from Wisconsin, will testify to be considered as Transportation secretary on Jan. 15, according to a person familiar with the plans.

UN Ambassador

New York Representative Elise Stefaniks confirmation hearing to be United Nations ambassador had been scheduled for Jan. 16 but seems to be in flux.

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Over a decade in office, Stefanik evolved into a die-hard MAGA loyalist and star in a Republican Party reshaped by Trump.

To Be Scheduled

Several nominees, including Kennedy, are still awaiting hearing dates. They include:

Howard Lutnick, Commerce secretary

Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Labor secretary

Scott Turner, Housing and Urban Development secretary

Linda McMahon, Education secretary

Kash Patel, FBI director

Tulsi Gabbard, director of national intelligence

--With assistance from Hadriana Lowenkron, Lillianna Byington, Ellen M. Gilmer and Chris Strohm.

(Adds Bessent hearing dates in second section)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2025 Bloomberg L.P.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said on Jan. 7 that NATO should raise its defense spending benchmark from 2% of GDP to 5%, echoing his earlier calls for Europe to spend more on its security.

"I think NATO should have 5%," Trump said at a news conference in Florida. This confirms earlier reports about the incoming U.S. president urging allies to raise defense spending to a benchmark no NATO member has reached as of now, including the U.S.

Trump is not the only one urging defense spending hikes. Other members of the 32-strong alliance see Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and Trump's isolationism as an incentive to take more responsibility for their collective security.

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Allies are reportedly discussing raising the spending level to 3% by 2030, still below Trump's proposed target.

As of 2025, some NATO members like Italy, Canada, or Spain have not even reached the current 2% target, though the number of allies that do has risen to 24 last year.

According to NATO estimates, Poland spent the greatest portion of its GDP on defense (4.12%) in 2024, followed by Estonia (3.43%) and the U.S. (3.38%).

Last February, Trump sparked international outrage by saying he would urge Russia to do "whatever the hell they want" to NATO member countries failing to meet defense spending criteria, in a declaration indicating his disregard for the alliance's collective defense principle.

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Read also: Trump blames Biden for provoking Russias war by supporting Ukraines NATO aspirations

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Donald Trumps bid to halt sentencing for his felony conviction in his hush-money case in New York hit a setback Tuesday when a state appeals court denied his request.

The president-elect is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday, barring a last-minute appeal in federal court, or even the Supreme Court. On Tuesday, Judge Ellen Gesmer listened to arguments in a brief court hearing before ruling against the president-elect 30 minutes later.

During the hearing, she asked Trumps lawyer Todd Blanche if he had any support for a notion that presidential immunity extends to president-elects.

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There has never been a case like this before, Blanche replied, admitting that he did not have an answer. He tried to claim that sitting presidents had immunity, only for Gesmer to remind him that Trump was not yet president.

If Trumps sentencing for his 34 felony convictions ultimately goes through, however, he will likely be spared jail time, the judge presiding over his case, Juan Merchan, signaled last week. Trump was accused of using his former fixer Michael Cohen to sweep an affair with porn star Stormy Daniels under the rug ahead of the 2016 presidential election.



But after the Supreme Court ruled in July that presidents have near-total immunity, the prospect of Trump facing any real consequences for his conviction basically evaporated. Trumps election in November also didnt help matters, and his other criminal cases never made it to trial before the Supreme Court and the election rendered them moot. Now, with less than two weeks left until Trump is sworn in as president, he might not even get a slap on the wrist.
President-elect Trump has made ambitious promises to end Russias war in Ukraine and face down China, but hes also contending with a growing threat of gray zone attacks from foreign adversaries, from drone surveillance to acts of sabotage in the air, sea and on land.

These hybrid tactics are intentionally hard to trace, and NATO allies on the front lines of tensions with Russia say the alliance isnt doing enough to keep up.

Whether the level of deterrence in that domain is sufficient, probably the answer is not yet, Estonian Ambassador to the U.S. Kristjan Prikk told The Hill in conversation at the Atlantic Council last month.

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But, unfortunately when it comes to resilience, its not an end state that can be declared.  Its a constant process to maintain and increase the level of resilience.

Despite its geographical distance from geopolitical flashpoints in Europe and Asia, the United States isnt immune from hybrid attacks, as was highlighted by a Chinese spy balloon that flew over the U.S. in 2023.

Military analysts believe drones spotted late last year over military installations in England and Germany  locations that house American troops  could have been part of a state-sponsored surveillance mission, a U.S. official familiar with the incidents told The New York Times.

Fears that drones could cause problems closer to home were stoked ahead of the holidays, with reports of mystery drone swarms across numerous East Coast states. U.S. officials maintain that none of the unmanned objects are believed to be foreign surveillance drones.

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Trump, set to enter his second term in just less than two weeks, will almost certainly have to contend with gray-zone tactics, even if he successfully brings the war in Ukraine to a swift end, as hes often promised to do.

Russia, Iran, China and other NATO adversaries see the gray zone acts of sabotage as low-risk and high-reward operations, according to analysts.

NATO allies are likely to press the issue at its annual summit in July, when the alliance is set to update its strategy for countering hybrid warfare, due mainly to the persistent threat posed by Russia.

Among the most concerning acts of sabotage include the suspected Russian plot, identified in July, to put explosive devices aboard planes bound for the U.S. and Canada. Another recent, suspected act of sabotage damaged two underseas telecommunication cables in the Baltic Sea in December. Finnish police suspect a vessel carrying Russian oil damaged the cables but have not pointed to Moscow as directing the campaign.

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In July, the U.S. sanctioned two Russian nationals in a Russian-based hacktivist group, Cyber Army of Russia Reborn (CARR), over its targeting of water treatment plants in Texas. While the U.S. did not accuse the Kremlin of directing the attack, the CARR group has been linked to Russias military.

The episodes are part of a long list of events that have occurred on NATO territory in recent years in which Russia is a main suspect. These include assassination attempts on British and German soil; explosions at an ammunition warehouse in Czechia; the weaponization of migrants crossing illegally into Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Finland; and signal jamming to disrupt civil aviation in the Baltic region.

At the NATO summit in Washington in July, alliance members in their communique said that they had decided on further measures to counter Russian hybrid threats or actions individually and collectively, and will continue to coordinate closely, but did not lay out specific actions targeting Moscow.

NATOs Eastern flank has sounded the loudest alarm over the gray-zone attacks. At the July summit, national security adviser Jake Sullivan told a group of Baltic officials that NATO countries are likely to accept some level of risk because Russias hybrid activities are too cost-effective for them to stop.

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Russia has repeatedly denied having a hand in any hybrid attacks against NATO.

All these statements, all those demarches on the part of European capitals are totally baseless and we decisively refute all of them, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters in May when asked about a series of Russian-directed sabotage acts.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, during a major speech outlining the alliances priorities in December, said Russia is carrying out a long-term confrontation with NATO aimed at destabilizing democratic societies and discouraging support for Ukraine.

This is not a traditional war. It is not an Article 5, but we have to defend ourselves, he added, referring to a key section of the alliance treaty that dictates collective self-defense  that if one member state is attacked, all other members must come to its defense.

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Part of NATOs response to the hybrid attacks is increasing information sharing among allies to identify where seemingly criminal acts may rise to the level of sabotage; arresting perpetrators and carrying out convictions; raising the level of awareness among the public and private sectors; and building resilience in the cyber domain to withstand attacks on critical infrastructure.

I would say that the way we decided to not only share more intelligence but actually step up our game with naming and shaming  but also actually convicting people that have carried out some of these sabotage acts  I do think that this has already raised the deterrence level, Prikk, the Estonian ambassador, told The Hill.

The European Union, for its part, in mid-December imposed sanctions against people accused of engaging in pro-Russian hybrid threats  the first time it has done so  and assigned four senior commissioners to counter such sabotage.

Also in December, lawmakers with the bipartisan Helsinki Commission released a report on Russias hybrid warfare activities since 2022, identifying 150 hybrid operations on NATO territory that fall into four main categories: critical infrastructure attacks, violence campaigns, weaponized migration and election interference and information campaigns.

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The report concluded that Russian sabotage campaigns across North America and Europe had accelerated since Moscow invaded Ukraine, in an attempt to execute a shadow war on NATO to destabilize, distress, and deter the transatlantic alliance from its support of Ukraine.

But it cautioned that its findings underestimated the true scale of the threat, urging NATO leaders to stand united in taking Russias hybrid operations seriously or risk inviting escalation, both in Ukraine and within NATOs borders.

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WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  President-elect Donald Trump is once again expressing a desire to take over Greenland and the Panama Canal and says he wont rule out using military force to do it.

In a press conference on Tuesday, the incoming president told reporters he would like to seize control of both Greenland and the Panama Canal, arguing that the territories would have benefits for U.S. trade and military power.

Giving the Panama Canal to Panama was a very big mistake, Trump said. We need Greenland for national security purposes.

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When asked if he would rule out the possibility of using military force to take the territories, he refused.

Im not going to commit to that. Now it might, it might be that youll have to do something, Trump said.

His remarks come as his son, Don Trump Jr., is in Greenland for a visit. Greenlands officials say he is there as a private citizen, and he didnt share any thoughts on his fathers plan to take the Arctic territory.

Well, thats not for me to talk about. Thats for others to talk about but, were just excited to be here, Trump Jr. said.

Greenland is a territory of Denmark. On Tuesday, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen pushed back on the idea of a U.S. takeover.

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Greenland is not for sale, Frederiksen said.

The President of Panama, Jose Raul Mulino, has also previously rejected Trumps plan.

The sovereignty and independence of our country are non-negotiable, Mulino said.

President-elect Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to expand U.S. territory and is promising his upcoming term will be a Golden Age of America. He also said during the press conference that he wants to rename the Gulf of Mexico and instead call it, The Gulf of America.

The Gulf of America. What a beautiful name, Trump said.

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WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  President-elect Donald Trump is once again expressing a desire to take over Greenland and the Panama Canal and says he wont rule out using military force to do it.

In a press conference on Tuesday, the incoming president told reporters he would like to seize control of both Greenland and the Panama Canal, arguing that the territories would have benefits for U.S. trade and military power.

Giving the Panama Canal to Panama was a very big mistake, Trump said. We need Greenland for national security purposes.

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When asked if he would rule out the possibility of using military force to take the territories, he refused.

Im not going to commit to that. Now it might, it might be that youll have to do something, Trump said.

His remarks come as his son, Don Trump Jr., is in Greenland for a visit. Greenlands officials say he is there as a private citizen, and he didnt share any thoughts on his fathers plan to take the Arctic territory.

Well, thats not for me to talk about. Thats for others to talk about but, were just excited to be here, Trump Jr. said.

Greenland is a territory of Denmark. On Tuesday, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen pushed back on the idea of a U.S. takeover.

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Greenland is not for sale, Frederiksen said.

The President of Panama, Jose Raul Mulino, has also previously rejected Trumps plan.

The sovereignty and independence of our country are non-negotiable, Mulino said.

President-elect Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to expand U.S. territory and is promising his upcoming term will be a Golden Age of America. He also said during the press conference that he wants to rename the Gulf of Mexico and instead call it, The Gulf of America.

The Gulf of America. What a beautiful name, Trump said.

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 Queen City News.
In what appears to be his first public statement addressing the multiple, devastating wildfires that have burned nearly 2,000 structures in the Los Angeles area and killed at least five people, President-elect Donald Trump did nothing but blame California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D).

In a convoluted rant on social media, Trump accused Newsom  whom he called Newscum  of mismanaging the states water, and said that once hes in office, he will demand the governor to allow beautiful, clean, fresh water to FLOW INTO CALIFORNIA!

Trump claimed that Newsom could have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snow melt ... to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning, but chose not to because he wanted to protect an essentially worthless fish called a smelt.

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Trumps been blaming the fish for California wildfires since at least 2018, when he began condemning environmentalists (instead of climate change) for the states increasingly deadly blazes. Trump has simultaneously pushed for more of the states water to be used for agriculture.

Its unclear whether Trump, who once said vast amounts of water are being foolishly diverted into the Pacific Ocean, understands how watersheds work.

We have plenty of water to fight these wildfires, Scott McLean, deputy chief of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, told HuffPost in 2018 when Trump first used Californias wildfires to push partisan policy.

It is our changing climate that is leading to more severe and destructive fires.

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While some fire hydrants have run dry in the ongoing conflagration in Los Angeles, the issue has been one of reduced water pressure from extreme, sudden demand on the infrastructure  not one of broader water availability in the region.

In 2018, after the Camp Fire in Northern California killed 85 people, destroyed 18,000 structures, and burned 95% of the town of Paradise in the deadliest wildfire in state history, then-President Trump again denied that climate change could be drying out Americas forests, leading to bigger, more damaging fires.

Instead, Trump proposed raking the forest floors.

I was with the president of Finland and he said, We have a much different were a forest nation. He called it a forest nation, and they spent a lot of time on raking and cleaning and doing things. And they dont have any problem. And when they do, its a very small problem, he said.

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Finnish President Sauli Niinisto denied that he had ever told Trump to try raking the nations forests.

Related...
The man shown in a video posted by President-elect Donald Trump to Truth Social pleading for the U.S. to buy Greenland is a convicted drug dealer, according to local media reports.

Taking to his social media site, Trump shared a clip of the heavy-set bearded man barking at the camera whilst wearing a MAGA cap. Denmark is taking advantage of us too much, he told Trump representatives who were recording him after a chance meeting. Buy us! Buy Greenland! We dont want to be colonized by the Danish government anymore.

Timmy Zeeb is a convicted criminal. / Truth Social / Donald Trump

This endeared the man to Trump, who said: I am hearing that the people of Greenland are MAGA. My son, Don Jr, and various representatives, will be traveling there to visit some of the most magnificent areas and sights.

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He added a vow to protect the Danish territory from the vicious outside world, saying: Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our Nation. We will protect it, and cherish it, from a very vicious outside World. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!

But Danish media reported that Trump might want to think again as the man featured in the clip, Timmy Zeeb, is known to authorities for all the wrong reasons. Zeeb is a convicted drug dealer, violent criminal, and serial offender, according to Danish media outlets DR News and B.T.

DR News reported that way back in 2009, the unofficial Greenland spokesman actually escaped from prison. Ten years later he was sentenced to four years in one of Greenlands largest cannabis cases.

In 2018, he was also outed as the ringleader of a significant hashish smuggling operation. Police confiscated 4 million kroner, the equivalent of more than $500,000, from him.

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Zeeb said that his criminal past doesnt prevent him having an opinion on the hot topic of Trumps reported interest in purchasing the huge territory north of Canada. Hell no, everyone is entitled to an opinion, he told DR.

Don. Jr poses with Greenlanders on Tuesday. / Truth Social

Greenlandic police describe him to BT as a figure involved in crimes dangerous to people. And although not a crime, Zeeb had a swipe at Americans in the videocalling them too fat. This was perhaps missed by Trump due to Zeebs heavy accent.

Trumps team have been contacted about the video, but did not immediately respond. It comes after Donald Trump Jr. touched down on the territory after his father suggested it was an absolute necessity for the U.S. to have ownership and control of it.
President-elect Donald Trump has always used his public press conferences and social media posts to seize attention and dictate the terms of national discourse. But his recent trolling about taking over Canada, acquiring Greenland, and reclaiming the Panama Canal reveals something more complex than rhetoric.

These statements, far from harmless social media clickbait, show Trumps vision for America: a return to the outdated ambitions of domination from the Bush era. For a man who once styled himself as the pro-peace candidate, these nation expansion fantasies mark a disturbing pivot toward policies that could destabilize the global order.

Now that Trump is president-elect, he has quickly shifted away from the isolationist America First narrative he promoted during his 2016, 2020, and 2024 campaigns. He painted himself as the voice of the forgotten America who would prioritize domestic concerns over costly foreign entanglements. Trump promised to bring jobs back to the abandoned steel mills of Pennsylvania and Ohio, which had been left to rot by elites from both political parties.

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This betrayal is particularly glaring when viewed through the lens of his bases priorities. Many of Trumps supporters backed him because they believed he would end endless wars and lower costs. Instead, hes flirting with empire-building, spending billions of tax dollars outside of the United States, and reigniting the neo-conservative ambitions that characterized the George W. Bush era.

For years, Trump criticized the Iraq War and described the foreign policy strategy of the Bush administration as disastrous mistakes. However, he now seems to be adopting a vision of America that resembles that of Bush and Dick Cheney: a view of the United States as a dominant force in the hemisphere, free from the constraints of international diplomacy.

Trumps rhetoric echoes some of the darkest chapters in American history. The notion of seizing Canada and Greenland conjures memories of 19th-century Manifest Destiny, a doctrine that justified territorial conquest under the guise of spreading democracy and civilization.

Similarly, reclaiming the Panama Canal harkens back to the early 20th century, when the United States asserted its dominance in Central America through military interventions and economic coercion. These historical episodes were not just morally fraught; they left a legacy of resentment and instability that continues to shape perceptions of American power across the globe today.

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By invoking these imperial ambitions, Trump is tapping into a dangerous nostalgia for a bygone era of unchallenged American dominance. But in a world increasingly defined by multipolarity, such fantasies are delusional and counterproductive.

Attempting to reclaim a past rooted in conquest and exploitation would not only alienate key allies but also embolden rival powers like China and Russia, who are eager to portray the United States as a destabilizing force. They would weaponize this rhetoric to undermine Americas credibility, using it as proof that the U.S. is stuck in an outdated mindset of domination and imperialism. This would make it easier for them to sway other nations into their orbit, framing themselves as the better partners for trade and security. By pursuing these fantasies, America would risk weakening alliances and giving its rivals a chance to expand their influence at our expense, all while creating more instability in regions we cant afford to ignore.

Some defenders of Trumps willingness to take Greenland argue that its acquisition would bolster national security and provide economic benefits, given the territorys strategic Arctic location and untapped natural resources. They point to Greenlands position along emerging Arctic shipping routes, which are becoming more navigable due to climate change, and its potential for mineral wealth, including rare earth elements critical for modern technology. Proponents also argue that controlling Greenland would enhance Americas ability to counter Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic, framing it as a preemptive move to maintain dominance in the region.

But this argument ignores the realities of geopolitics and history. Americas ability to project power in the Arctic does not hinge on owning Greenland, and efforts to militarize the region could provoke precisely the kind of tensions with Russia and China that proponents claim to be countering. Simply put, these fantasies of acquiring Greenland would likely cost far more  in resources, reputation, and stability  than they could ever deliver.

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Moreover, Denmark, which oversees Greenland, has explicitly stated that the territory is not for sale. When such a deal is rejected  as it surely would be  what comes next? Trump is known for not backing down from a deal and likes to win at all costs. History offers a grim answer: the path from failed negotiations to military intervention is well-trodden. Empire-building rarely unfolds without conflict.

Perhaps most concerning is the way Trumps Bush-era rhetoric undermines Americas reputation as a champion of diplomacy and international cooperation. If the United States is seen as a rogue state bent on territorial expansion, it risks losing the trust of its allies and the moral high ground it claims to hold.

Canada, one of Americas closest partners, would undoubtedly view such rhetoric as a betrayal of the mutual respect that underpins their relationship. Similarly, European allies, already wary of Trumps disdain for NATO, would see this as further evidence of his unfitness to lead on the world stage.

The implications of Trumps rhetoric extend far beyond damaged relationships with allies. By reigniting the specter of American imperialism, he risks fueling tensions in already volatile regions. Greenland, a territory of Denmark, has strategic importance in the Arctic, a region where competition between the U.S., Russia, and China is intensifying.

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Any attempt to assert control over Greenland would almost certainly provoke a backlash from these rival powers, increasing the likelihood of conflict. Similarly, talk of reclaiming the Panama Canal could destabilize relations with Latin America, a region where U.S. interventionism has already sown deep distrust. The canal is not just a strategic asset; its a symbol of Panamanian sovereignty. Any move to retake it would not only violate international norms but also galvanize anti-American sentiment across the hemisphere.

As Trumps imperial ambitions come into sharper focus, its imperative that Americans reject this dystopian vision of the future. The United States does not need to expand its borders or reclaim past glories to remain a global leader. What it needs is a renewed commitment to investing here at home, cooperation, and the principles of self-determination that have long underpinned its foreign policy.

Rejecting Trumps rhetoric is not just a matter of opposing one mans dangerous ideas; its about preserving the values that define Americas role in the world. Territorial expansion and imperial dominance are relics of a bygone George Bush era. The voters already rejected this in 2008.

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Welcome to the online version of From the Politics Desk, an evening newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics teams latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail.

In todays edition, we put Donald Trump's repeatedly stated desire to annex Canada in historical context. Plus, national political correspondent Steve Kornacki breaks down the counties that have seen the most dramatic political shifts during the Trump era.

Sign up to receive this newsletter in your inbox every weekday here.

Canada, Greenland and the Panama Canal: Trump keeps up talk of U.S. expansion

During a freewheeling news conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort Tuesday, President-elect Donald Trump suggested he would consider using military force to gain control of the Panama Canal and Greenland and economic force to acquire Canada, Katherine Doyle and Vaughn Hillyard report.

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A reporter asked Trump whether he could assure the public that he would not use military coercion against Panama or Greenland, as he has floated in recent weeks. No, I cant assure you on either of those two, but I can say this, we need them for economic security, Trump said. He said later that he would not use military force against Canada, only economic force.

That would really be something, Trump said of the United States taking control of Canada.

You get rid of that artificially drawn line, and you take a look at what that looks like. And it would also be much better for national security, he added.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said afterward on X: There isnt a snowballs chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States.

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Historical context: As Scott Bland writes, the Trump's sentiment  and breezy confidence about the ease and popularity of Canadas joining the United States  is far from new.

During the War of 1812, President Thomas Jefferson told Philadelphia newspaper editor Thomas Duane that the acquisition of Canada this year, as far as the neighborhood of Quebec, will be a mere matter of marching. (Spoiler alert: It wasnt.) Among other things, the National Park Service notes in an article about the comment, many in the United States wrongly assumed that the Canadian population would welcome the arrival of American forces.

Later in the 1800s, a degree of pro-annexation sentiment developed within each of the major U.S. political parties, according to historian John W. Quist, united by a common thread that annexation of Canada would occur peacefully and be welcomed by Canadians.

Public opinion polling of Canada illustrates a distinct political culture thats far different from the United States.

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A September poll from the Environics Institute showed Canadians preferring Vice President Kamala Harris to Trump by a 3-to-1 ratio ahead of the election, though Trump fared better than Joe Biden in the same measure four years ago, especially among younger Canadians. (The poll did show a plurality of Canadian Conservatives preferring him this time, which was not the case in 2020.)

Canadians generally have had favorable opinions about the United States over the last quarter-century, according to Pew Research Center surveys  but they were never lower than when Trump was president, dipping to 35% favorable in 2020 before they rebounded after Bidens election. The Environics Institutes polling shows a similar trend.

Meanwhile, in Greenland: The king of Denmark has changed the royal coat of arms for the first time in more than 500 years to more prominently feature Greenland, Astha Rajvanshi notes. And Donald Trump Jr. arrived in Greenland on Tuesday accompanied by at least two incoming White House officials.

The parts of the country that have seen the biggest political shifts during the Trump era

By Steve Kornacki

The Trump era has produced some dramatic changes in both the Republican and Democratic coalitions. One way to visualize the scale of those shifts is to zoom in on Americas political map.

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Using the 2024 election and the 2012 election  the last one not to feature Donald Trump as the GOP presidential nominee  as bookends, we can measure partisan movement of all 3,143 counties in the country across the Trump era.

Nationally, the country has moved 5.5 points in the GOPs direction over those 12 years  from Barack Obamas popular vote margin of 3.8 points in 2012 to Trumps 1.5-point victory in 2024. But its at the county level where some of the numbers are off the charts.

Here are the 25 counties that have moved toward the Republican Party by the largest margins during the Trump era.

The political transformation is staggering in those places. Starr County, for instance, which is on the Mexican border in south Texas, had the longest uninterrupted streak of voting Democratic in presidential elections of any county in the U.S.  until Trump broke it last year. Or theres Kentuckys Elliott County, which is in the states eastern coal region: Trump has carried it by 62, 51 and 44 points in his three campaigns. But before that, Elliott had gone Democratic in every election since it was formed in 1869.

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Starr and Elliott both embody one of the two demographic features common to all 25 of those GOP-trending counties.

In Starr, 96% of residents are Hispanic  the second-highest concentration in the United States Nine other counties on the list also have majority-Hispanic populations, with concentrations from 51% to 95%.

Elliott, meanwhile, is 96% white. But the overwhelming share of the white population (89%) doesnt have four-year college degrees. And the county also has a median household income far lower than Kentuckys statewide figure. That basic profile also fits 14 other counties on the list  heavily white and blue-collar.

At the other end of the spectrum, there are the 25 areas that have moved the most decisively toward Democrats during the Trump era.

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In those Democratic-trending places, other demographic characteristics loom large. Seven of the counties are in Utah, with sizable Mormon populations. Similarly, two-thirds of the population in Madison County, Idaho, is Mormon. As a group, Mormons are politically conservative and have made Utah one of the most reliably red states in the country. But among Republican-aligned groups, they are unusually cool toward Trump, who endured his worst state-level result in the 2016 primaries in Utah and again faced significant resistance during last years primaries.

Democrats also have made Trump-era gains in a pair of Georgia counties  Henry and Rockdale  that are experiencing rapid population growth keyed by an influx of middle-class African Americans.

The remaining 16 counties on the list stand out for two reasons. One is their wealth. Eleven of them feature six-figure median household incomes. Wyomings Teton County (where the Jackson Hole resort is located), Indianas Boone County, Georgias Forsyth County, New Mexicos Los Alamos County and Kansas Johnson County all rank first in their states for median household income. Falls Church, Virginia (which is not technically a county but functions as one within the state), ranks No. 2 statewide. Broomfield County in Colorado and Collin County in Texas ranked third in their states.

Those 16 places also have large populations of white residents with four-year college degrees. In each, the concentration of white adult residents with at least bachelors degrees exceeds the national average. In Falls Church, for example, 82% of white adults are college-educated  the third-highest total out of 3,143 counties (or county equivalents) in the country.





 Todays top stories

 In the courts: The federal judge who oversaw the classified documents case against Trump issued an order temporarily blocking the release of special counsel Jack Smiths report on his investigation. Meanwhile, two agencies involved in the case face turnover in key roles. Read more 

 In the courts, cont.: A New York appeals court judge denied Trump's bid for an emergency order halting his scheduled sentencing Friday on criminal charges in the hush money case. Read more 

In the Metaverse: Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the parent company of Facebook and Instagram will end its fact-checking program with trusted partners and replace it with a community-driven system similar to Xs Community Notes. Read more 

In the Metaverse, cont.: Dana White, the UFC CEO and a longtime friend of Trumps, is joining Metas board. Read more 

 Shrinking the circle: The number of people with direct access to Trump will be more limited when he takes office in an effort to tighten the lines of communication with him. Read more 

 First order of business: The House passed a strict border measure named for a 22-year-old Georgia nursing school student whose murder last year by an immigrant in the country illegally became a flashpoint in the presidential campaign. Forty-eight Democrats joined every Republican in voting for the first bill of the new Congress. Read more 

 Never-ending election: The GOP-controlled North Carolina Supreme Court blocked state officials from certifying the Democratic candidate as the winner of a razor-thin race for the states high court. Read more 

Thats all From the Politics Desk for now. Todays newsletter was compiled by Adam Wollner, Scott Bland and Bridget Bowman.

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If you have feedback  likes or dislikes  email us at politicsnewsletter@nbcuni.com

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Republicans are seizing on the catastrophic wildfires that tore through the Los Angeles area early Wednesday, blaming Democratic policies for the deadly, wind-fueled conflagrations that forced tens of thousands to flee their homes.

President-elect Donald Trump lashed out at Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday, calling the fires virtually apocalyptic in a Truth Social post and pointing a finger at state rules protecting endangered species for limiting the amount of water that gets sent south from Northern California.

I will demand that this incompetent governor allow beautiful, clean, fresh water to FLOW INTO CALIFORNIA!, Trump wrote on Truth Social. He is the blame for this.

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Elon Musk also piled on, retweeting a comment by Libs of Tiktok criticizing a delay in building dams and adding: Crazy.



Local Los Angeles officials said Wednesday morning the Palisades and Eaton fires had killed at least two people and destroyed more than 1,000 homes, businesses and other buildings. Fires in Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Sylmar and the Sepulveda Basin had burned nearly 6,000 acres and remained out of control, with a massive windstorm forecast to continue throughout the day.

Newsom is girding for a fight. He hit back at Trump on Wednesday, calling the water restoration declaration Trump cited pure fiction in a post on X.

The Governor is focused on protecting people, not playing politics, and making sure firefighters have all the resources they need, Newsoms press office said in the post.

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Newsom has also poured billions of dollars into better forest management and firefighting technology since Trump first suggested Californians rake their forests in his first term. But the governors efforts made little difference as hurricane-level winds upwards of 100 miles per hour fanned the flames through canyons in dense urban coastal neighborhoods.

Newsom quickly took the offensive against Trump, who has previously threatened to withhold disaster aid to California over its political leanings, on Tuesday at a press conference in Los Angeles.

My message to the incoming administration  and Im not here to play any politics  is please dont play any politics, Newsom said. Theres a time and place for that. ... The precious moments we have to evacuate, we dont have any time for that mishegoss.



He praised President Joe Biden for quickly approving federal assistance for two of the fires, but will likely need more as the full scale of the damage comes into focus. He also canceled a scheduled D.C. trip on Wednesday morning, swapping probably his last chance to meet with Biden administration officials in the capital on outstanding requests to fully focus on the unfolding catastrophe.

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Some in-state Republicans, meanwhile, seized on the fires to hit water and forest management in California, echoing a longstanding critique from frustrated rural conservatives who have borne the brunt of worsening wildfires.

Richard Grenell, who Trump named as presidential envoy for special missions, wrote the far left policies of Democrats in California are literally burning us to the ground on X from his home in Manhattan Beach. He also pointed out that many people cant get property insurance because insurance companies have fled the states high risk.

Assemblymember Bill Essayli, a Republican from Riverside known for rabble-rousing, added: We have to end bad environmental policies that have prevented us from managing our wild lands.

Rick Caruso, a billionaire developer who owns property threatened by the Pacific Palisades fire and a former Los Angeles mayoral candidate, blasted his political rival Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. A Democrat, he compared Pacific Palisades to a third-world country and complaining about reports that some fire hydrants in the upscale neighborhoods were running dry.

This is a window into a systemic problem of the city  not only of mismanagement, but our infrastructure is old, Caruso told the Los Angeles Times.
Attorney General Merrick Garland will move to publicly release special counsel Jack Smiths final report on Donald Trumps 2020 election interference case, after the president-elect tried to block it.

In a last-ditch effort to prevent its publication, Trumps lawyers threatened legal action if it was released. But according to court filings made by the Justice Department on Wednesday, Biden-appointed Garland is planning to make the 2020 election report available to Congress and the public.

Trump in the courtroom at New York State Supreme Court during a separate case. / Curtis Means / Curtis Means/Pool via REUTERS

A second volume of Smiths report, concerning the criminal case in which Trump was charged with conspiring to keep classified documents after he left office, will be withheld, however, with charges pending against two co-defendantsWalt Nauta, the president-elects personal valet, and Carlos De Oliveira, property manager at Mar-a-Lago at the time of the alleged offenses. The two men have pleaded not guilty.

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Both cases against Trump were dismissed after he won the presidential election in November.

Politico reported that it will likely fall to Trumps Justice Department to make a final determination on publication of the second part of Smiths report.

Because the Attorney General has determined not to release to the public Volume Two of the Final Report to the public while defendants case remains pendingthe volume that concerns the proceedings against defendantsan injunction is unnecessary, Justice Department prosecutors wrote in Wednesdays filing with the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.

They urged the court to deny Trumps emergency request for an injunction. Smith reportedly sent his report to Garland on Tuesday, with a cover letter stating that the portion that names Nauta and De Oliveira should be shelved for now.

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However, top Republicans and Democrats on the House and Senate Judiciary Committees can request to see a redacted versionif they vow not to make it public.

This limited disclosure will further the public interest in keeping congressional leadership apprised of a significant matter within the department while safeguarding defendants interests, prosecutors wrote.

Walt Nauta, valet to Trump and a co-defendant in federal charges. / Alon Skuy/Getty Images

Nauta and De Oliveira had made the own effort to have the second portion of the report blocked. They asked U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon on Monday to bar Smith from issuing his report until the case has reached a final judgment and appellate proceedings are concluded.

Cannon on Tuesday ruled on their behalf and ordered Smith not to release the report until the appeals court has time to review the co-defendants emergency motion.
President-elect Trumps refusal to rule out military action to attain his ambitions of acquiring the Panama Canal and Greenland has sparked some stern responses overseas and spurred a global debate over how seriously to take the incoming president.

While its unclear how serious he is, the rhetoric alone has sparked concerns about imperialistic goals in his second administration, and what his endgame might be.

It is obviously out of the question that the European Union would let other nations of the world attack its sovereign borders, whoever they are, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said in a local radio interview.

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz added in a press conference Wednesday that it was a fundamental principle of law that borders must not be moved by force.

While analysts dont see the threats as serious, they do think they could impact global relations. Matt Zierler, associate professor of international relations at Michigan State University, said Trumps threats were not credible.

His negotiation style is to go for the extreme rhetorical threat and then pull back from there, he said.

But Zierler argued the threats were still concerning because they could deteriorate relations with allies.

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Not only does it weaken those relationships, but these weakened relationships weaken security overall, he said. By the U.S. challenging the durability and stability of the international ties, youre just increasing the uncertainty.

Trump has not laid out any concrete plans for acquiring Greenland or the Panama Canal but has made his desire for both clear in the days ahead of his inauguration on Jan. 20.

In a Tuesday press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Trump, when asked if he could rule out military action or economic coercion to gain both countries, said I cant assure you on either of those two.

Im not going to commit to that. Now it might be that youll have to do something, he said. But I can say this, we need them for economic security.

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Trump did rule out using military force against Canada, which he has suggested should merge with the U.S. to become the 51st state, saying he would seek to use economic force instead.

Trump claimed the Panama Canal was being controlled by China and expressed regret that it was ceded to Panama more than two decades ago.

Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha said Tuesday the canal was nonnegotiable.

The only hands operating the canal are Panamanian and that is how it is going to stay, he said, according to press reports.

The Panama Canal, one of two major shipping waterways in the world after the Suez Canal, was constructed by the U.S. from 1903 to 1914. In 1979, the canal was ceded to a joint Panamanian and U.S. agency, before complete control was given to Panama in 1999.

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Will Freeman, fellow for Latin America studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, said Trump is likely after two things: reduced export prices for U.S. goods and Panama taking action to limit Chinese influence, as a Hong Kong company owns two of five ports at the canal.

Freeman said the pressure could work, citing the first Trump administration pushing Panama to halt a Chinese plan to build a major bridge over the canal.

This is more of a rhetorical way of saying, Im willing to use a lot of pressure to extract concessions, he said. Broadly speaking, pressure tactics, they could be plenty toxic and counterproductive for our relationships in the region. But I think that pressure ultimately only works if you have leverage, and the U.S. does have leverage.

Trump also said the U.S. needs Greenland for national security purposes, claiming Russian and Chinese ships were all over the place.

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Ive been told that for a long time, long before I even ran, Trump said at the news conference. People really dont even know if Denmark has any legal right to it, but if they do, they should give it up because we need it for national security.

Greenlandic Prime Minister Mute Egede has said his country of some 56,000 people is not for sale. He has pushed for full independence, a move supported by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

Greenland has historically been a territory controlled by Denmark, but it won home rule in 1979 and earned semi-independent status in 2009, with the Danish government only controlling defense, security and foreign policy.

Trump, who expressed interest in buying Greenland in his first term, says the country is vital to Americas national security.

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The U.S., which has a base on Greenland, Pituffik Space Base, has been working to combat Chinese and Russian ships in the Arctic, as new routes open due to climate change and melting ice.

China has also invested in Greenland in several parts of its economy. And Greenland has rare minerals used for key assets like electric vehicles, a vital resource because the U.S. is looking to pivot away from reliance on Chinese minerals.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen said the country is open to a dialogue with the Americans on how we can possibly cooperate even more closely than we do to ensure that the American ambitions are fulfilled, according to Reuters.

James Rogers, executive director of the Cornell Brooks School Tech Policy Institute at Cornell University and an expert on Greenland and the Arctic, said Copenhagen has neglected Greenland and Trump is trying to boost its security commitment.

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Rogers pointed to Denmark investing $1.5 billion into Greenlands security, a major new package that officials had at one point discussed putting fewer dollars toward, and which came just days after Trumps initial comments about the Arctic nation.

Trumps already succeeding in some of those plans, he said, adding Trump may well want to have an increased military presence [amid] tensions with Russia and China. Greenland hosts, of course, a large amount of sensors and monitoring units, making sure that they are keeping an eye on the skies above that region.

He said Trump may also want preferred access and preferred economic agreements in Greenland for resources like rare earth minerals.

Some Trump allies have backed his idea to seize Greenland and the Panama Canal, including his son, Donald Trump Jr., who took a private trip to Greenland this week, and a key House Republican.

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Its all American to dream big. Its un-American to be scared of big dreams. I for one could not be more proud that President has the biggest visions for America, wrote Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), the chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, on the social platform X.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said Wednesday he was confused by Trumps obsession with Greenland.

What about the November presidential election had anything to do with invading Greenland or seizing it by force? Jeffries said.

The problem is not Greenland  and the problem is not the Panama Canal. Its making sure that the American dream is brought to life for everyone in this nation.

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President-elect Donald Trump raged at California Gov. Gavin Newsom over the wildfires that have swept through several of Los Angeles Westside and northern regions, including the Pacific Palisades, Pasadena and Altadena, calling the Democrat incompetent.

Governor Gavin Newscum refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snow melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way, Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Wednesday.

He continued, stating the governor made political decisions that ultimately negatively impacted Angelenos: He wanted to protect an essentially worthless fish called a smelt, by giving it less water (it didnt work!), but didnt care about the people of California. Now the ultimate price is being paid. I will demand that this incompetent governor allow beautiful, clean, fresh water to FLOW INTO CALIFORNIA! He is the blame for this. On top of it all, no water for fire hydrants, not firefighting planes. A true disaster!

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While continuing to drag Newsom, he also brought President Joe Biden into the conversation, referring to the politicians as the Biden/Newscum Duo.

As of this moment, Gavin Newscum and his Los Angeles crew have contained exactly ZERO percent of the fire. It is burning at levels that even surpass last night. This is not Government. I cant wait till January 20th! he said in another post. No water in the hydrants, no money in FEMA. This is what Joe Biden is leaving me. Thanks Joe!

He went on in final post: The fires in Los Angeles may go down, in dollar amount, as the worst in the History of our Country. In many circles, theyre doubting whether insurance companies will even have enough money to pay for this catastrophe. Let this serve, and be emblematic, of the gross incompetence and mismanagement of the Biden/Newscum Duo. January 20th cannot come fast enough!

The Palisades Fire started late Tuesday morning in the ritzy neighborhood nestled between the Santa Monica mountains and the Pacific Ocean, sparking a mass evacuation of an estimated 30,000 people from the celebrity enclave.

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Hollywood productions were shut down entirely, including Maxs Hacks, NBCs Suits: LA and Happys Place, Apple TV+s Loot and Peacocks Ted, all of which are produced by Universal Studio Group. Extreme Santa Ana winds continued to whip three major wildfires in the Los Angeles area Wednesday morning, with 80 mph gusts spreading destruction in the Palisades, Altadena and Pasadena, and to the north near Sylmar. Officials said more than 1,000 homes, businesses, schools and other buildings had burned, and two deaths were reported overnight.







The post Trump Rages at Incompetent Gavin Newscum Over Los Angeles Wildfires: He Is to Blame for This appeared first on TheWrap.
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On Tuesday, there was a flurry of activity in special counsel Jack Smiths defunct classified-documents case. Florida-based U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannonwho dismissed the case six months agoissued an order blocking Smith from publicly releasing a final report of his investigation. And though President-elect Donald Trump was quick to claim victory, from a press conference he was holding at Mar-a-Lago, the story of this report is a little more complicated than meets the eye.

Special counsels have a long history of releasing final reports after concluding their investigations. Robert Mueller released his reportinto Trumps efforts to coordinate with Russia after the 2016 electionwhile Trump was president. Last February, Robert Hur released his report about classified documents found in President Joe Bidens personal residence, also while Biden was in office.

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Smiths classified-documents case against Trump was effectively stymied by Cannon. Smith appealed that decision, but Department of Justice policy dictates that sitting presidents cannot be prosecuted. So this case against Trump is basically done. But Smith still intends to send a final report on his case to the DOJ.

It will be up to Attorney General Merrick Garland whether Smiths report can be made publicand that decision is basically whats in contention now.

Heres how this all went down: Attorneys for Waltine Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, Trumps co-defendants in the classified-documents case, filed a motion in Cannons court demanding that Smith be blocked from sending any report on the case to the DOJ. The meat of their argument is that there is still an active appeal of Cannons decision to dismiss, so Nauta and De Oliveira still stand a chance of going to trial, even if Trump doesnt. Nauta and De Oliveira argue that anything Smith writeseven if its just about Trumpcould harm their case in front of a jury.

Cannon responded by releasing an order granting Nauta and De Oliveiras motion, thereby blocking the DOJ from releasing Smiths report. Trump, who was posted up at Mar-a-Lago and delivering a winding and classically deranged speech about various foreign policy issues, including whether the U.S. can take over Greenland, was quick to acknowledge the new development: Why should he be allowed to write a fake report? Thats great news.

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But heres the thing: Cannons order only temporarily blocks the DOJ from releasing Smiths final report, and only while the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals considers a near-identical appeal from Nauta and De Oliveira; the circuit court will also determine whether the classified-documents case can go forward against Nauta and De Oliveira.

Regardless of what the court says, its not clear that Cannon has the authority to dictate what the attorney general can and cannot do, since he is the one who decides whether Smiths final reports are released to the public. Its a strange situation, Dennis Fan, a former federal prosecutor who teaches at Columbia Law School, explained to Slate: Theyre just asking for an injunction against the attorney general, but this isnt a case against the attorney general. So, then, how would one do that?

However, Fan believes that the 11th Circuit might be the right authority to rule on the fate of Smiths final report, since the drama of the reports becoming public could interfere with the courts ability to effectively rule on Nauta and De Oliveiras appeal.

Attorneys for the co-defendants also argue that because Cannon dismissed the classified-documents case on the grounds that Smith was improperly appointed special counsel, by extension his report is unlawful too. That doesnt hold water for Fan: Maybe you cant go through with the prosecution, but sure as heck he can write a report. [Smiths] ability to operate under the right appropriations or appointments dont prevent him from writing a report. In fact, Fan said, even if Smith were not a federal employee or officer of the United States, he could still write a report to the attorney general.

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You cant really stop Jack Smith from talking to Merrick Garland, so what youre really saying is Merrick Garland, who is not really involved in the case at all, cant say things to the public. Whats your authority for preventing him? Fan said.

Its also worth noting that these special counsel reports have consistently been viewed as critical for maintaining governmental transparency, and generally people actually care about this, Fan said.

So now we wait for the 11th Circuit. Smith may also decide to respond to Cannons latest order. Meanwhile, the special counsel is cooking up another final report that summarizes his investigation into Trumps actions surrounding the Jan. 6 insurrection. So, whether Trump likes it or not, Smith could still have the final word on the criminal cases that have plagued the president-elect for the past two years, right in time for Inauguration Day.
US President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday said that he plans to discuss efforts to end Russia's war in Ukraine with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Speaking at a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Trump suggested such a meeting could take place after his inauguration on January 20.

When asked by a journalist about the timing of the potential discussion, he refrained from giving a specific date but stated, "I know that Putin would like to meet."

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Trump also expressed hope that the war would end within six months. "I hope long before six months," he added.

During his campaign, Trump often praised his relationship with Putin and claimed he could end the war in Ukraine "within 24 hours," without ever revealing any details of this claim.

Ukraine has been resisting the Russian full-scale invasion with Western assistance for almost three years.

Kiev fears that when Trump takes office on January 20, US aid will be sharply reduced. During his New Year's address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued an appeal to Washington not to cut aid to Ukraine.
The News

Two weeks before taking office, US President-elect Donald Trump is already shaping Middle East dynamics.

He reiterated on Tuesday that all hell will break out in the Middle East if Hamas doesnt release the hostages by the time of his Jan. 20 inauguration. It will not be good for Hamas, and it will not be good, frankly, for anyone.

While analysts question Trumps leverage, hostage and ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel  mediated by Qatar  continue. Steve Witkoff, Trumps incoming Middle East envoy, is traveling to Doha to, presumably, participate in some capacity in the talks.

Meanwhile, the UAE is reportedly discussing a plan with Israel and the US on how to govern Gaza until a Palestinian administration is able to take over, Reuters reported. Abu Dhabis support hinges on significant reform of the Palestinian Authority and a roadmap toward Palestinian statehood, both of which are separate from the ceasefire and hostage deal.
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito spoke to President-elect Donald Trump by phone Tuesday to recommend one of his former law clerks for a job in the new administration, ABC News has learned.

"William Levi, one of my former law clerks, asked me to take a call from President-elect Trump regarding his qualifications to serve in a government position," Justice Alito confirmed to ABC News Wednesday. "I agreed to discuss this matter with President-elect Trump, and he called me yesterday afternoon."

The call occurred just hours before Trump's lawyers on Wednesday morning filed an emergency request with the justices asking them to block a New York judge from moving forward with sentencing Trump on Friday in his criminal hush money case.

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MORE: Trump asks Supreme Court to block his criminal hush money sentencing

Alito said that he and Trump did not discuss that matter.

"We did not discuss the emergency application he filed today, and indeed, I was not even aware at the time of our conversation that such an application would be filed," Alito said. "We also did not discuss any other matter that is pending or might in the future come before the Supreme Court or any past Supreme Court decisions involving the President-elect."

It is not unusual for a sitting justice to offer a job recommendation for a former clerk, but it is rare, court analysts said, for a justice to have such a conversation directly with a sitting president or president-elect, especially one with an active stake in business pending before the court.

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Late last month, Trump waded into a momentous case over the future of the video-sharing app TikTok, asking the justices to delay an impending ban on the extraordinary grounds that he "alone possesses the consummate dealmaking expertise, the electoral mandate, and the political will to negotiate a resolution to save the platform while addressing the national security concerns expressed by the Government."

PHOTO: Associate Justice Samuel Alito Jr. during the formal group photograph at the Supreme Court in Washington, DC, Oct. 7, 2022. (Eric Lee/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

On Wednesday, Trump asked the justices to immediately halt all criminal proceedings against him in New York, including Friday's sentencing, warning that failing to do so during a presidential transition would "damage" the presidency and disrupt "national security and America's vital interests."

The Supreme Court has asked for a response from prosecutors in New York by Thursday at 10 a.m. ET. It's expected to weigh in on Trump's request by Friday morning.

Levi is being considered for various legal jobs in the incoming administration, including general counsel of the Department of Defense, sources said. Levi, who clerked for Justice Alito from 2011-2012, served in the first Trump administration as chief of staff to then-Attorney General Bill Barr.

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"The justices of the Supreme Court are, among other things, employers to their law clerks," said ABC News contributor Kate Shaw, who clerked for former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens. "So providing a reference for a former employee is not atypical, whatever job a former clerk may be applying for -- an academic job, private sector job, or even a government job."

But Shaw said such a call between a justice and a president-elect is highly unusual, especially when the president-elect is engaged in multiple legal actions with the potential to go before the Supreme Court.

A spokesperson for Trump's transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment from ABC News.

MORE: Roberts rejects Democrats' call to discuss Alito's refusal to recuse over flags flap

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Alito has previously faced calls to recuse himself from cases related to the Jan. 6 Capitol attack and the 2020 election. Last year he rejected Democrats' calls for his recusal from those cases after flags flown at his personal residences sparked controversy. Chief Justice John Roberts subsequently declined an invitation by Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee for a meeting to discuss the court's ethical practices in light of the flags controversy involving Alito.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), in a May 23 letter requesting Alito's recusal over the displays, wrote that Alito "actively engaged in political activity, failed to avoid the appearance of impropriety, and failed to act in a manner that promotes public confidence in the impartiality of the judiciary."

"He also created reasonable doubt about his impartiality and his ability to fairly discharge his duties in cases related to the 2020 presidential election and January 6th attack on the Capitol," the two wrote.

Trump is due to be sentenced Friday after he was found guilty in May on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in order to boost his electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election.

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The president-elect has asked the Supreme Court to consider whether he is entitled to a stay of the proceedings during his appeal; whether presidential immunity prevents the use of evidence related to official acts; and whether a president-elect is entitled to the same immunity as a sitting president.

MORE: Timeline: Manhattan DA's Stormy Daniels hush money case against Donald Trump

Trump faces up to four years in prison, but New York Judge Juan Merchan has signaled that he plans to sentence Trump to an unconditional discharge -- effectively a blemish on Trump's record, without prison, fines or probation -- in order to respect Trump's transition efforts and the principle of presidential immunity.

Defense lawyers argued that sentencing still "raises the specter of other possible restrictions on liberty."

Trump speaks with Justice Alito amid push to halt criminal sentencing originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
White House Reporter Brett Samuels joins Drew Petrimoulx today to discuss President Elect Trump's press conference from Mar A Lago, Trump ripping into actions taken by the Biden administration in the final weeks of his presidency, promising to undo environmental protections, implement stiff tariffs on U-S allies, and even change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Marjorie Taylor Greene immediately promised to file legislation to make the name change. Donald Trump Jr. is in Greenland amid his father's comments on buying the Dutch territory. The Dems are under fire for not sound the alarm earlier on President Biden's mental acuity, while Biden heaps praise on Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after he announced his resignation. Facebook is doing away with fact checkers, while Elon Musk continues to meddle in European and UK politics. NewsNation Correspondent Kellie Meyer takes a look at Biden's secret mission, transferring 11 Guantanamo Bay prisoners to Yemen, all with suspected ties to Al Qaeda.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  President-elect Donald Trump is threatening the terror group Hamas to release its remaining hostages in Gaza before his inauguration Jan. 20.

If theyre not back by the time I get into office, all hell will break out in the Middle East, Trump said.

However, Trump would not elaborate on what actions he would take.

It will not be good for Hamas and it will not be good, frankly, for anyone, he said.

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Israel announced Wednesday that troops recovered the remains of more hostages. Officials said roughly 100 hostages remain in Hamas hands, but as many as half are presumed dead.

Please dont let any hostage stay behind, said Merav Leshem Gonen, the mother of hostage Romi Gonen.

Trumps special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, is part of the effort to reach a ceasefire and hostage release deal.

Witkoff said the negotiations are making progress.

So hopefully itll all work out and well save some lives, Witkoff said.

Trump and President Joe Biden are urging Israel and Hamas to accept a deal before the inauguration. Israel wants assurances that the hostages are still alive, but Hamas said it doesnt know who is alive or dead.

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Were very close to a ceasefire and hostage agreement, said U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Blinken said if negotiations do slide past Jan. 20, his team has already made arrangements for Trumps team to take over.

The world doesnt stop because we have a transition, Blinken said.

A growing group of Israeli soldiers is refusing to continue fighting in Gaza. The troops said they disagree with the way Israel is conducting the war and dont think it will bring home the hostages.

The group said it hopes to pressure the Israeli government into a ceasefire.

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As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to assume later this month, he is ramping up his threats to take over a critical shipping artery and a strategic foreign land -- suggesting he could even use military force to do so.

"I'm not going to commit to that," Trump said on Tuesday when asked if he would rule out using the U.S. military to gain control of the Panama Canal and Greenland during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago.

"It might be that you'll have to do something. Look, the Panama Canal is vital to our country," he continued, also saying, "we need Greenland for national security purposes." He added, "We need them for economic security. The Panama Canal was built for our military."

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Trump also slammed former President Jimmy Carter for overseeing diplomatic negotiations to turn over the Panama Canal, which the U.S. finished constructing in 1914 and controlled until Jimmy Carter ceded authority in 1977 with the Panama Canal Treaty.

"The Panama Canal is a disgrace. What took place at the Panama Canal? Jimmy Carter gave it to them for $1, and they were supposed to treat us well. I thought it was a terrible thing to do," Trump said.

PHOTO: President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, Jan. 7, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (Evan Vucci/AP)

MORE: Trump won't rule out military force to retake Panama Canal, threatens 'all hell will break out' over Israeli hostages

Despite Trump's focus on expanding American territory, his strategy for achieving his objectives remains hazy -- and many of the claims the president-elect provided to rationalize the takeovers range from arguable to dubious, experts say.

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They broadly agree that Greenland holds an important strategic location and is rich in lithium, graphite and other minerals. However, the world's largest island is already host to a U.S. military base and a longstanding treaty gives Washington significant control over Greenland's defense. Greenland and Denmark are also NATO allies.

PHOTO: In this June 15, 2019, file photo, small pieces of ice float in the water in Nuuk Fjord, Greenland. (Keith Virgo/AP, FILE)

"People really don't even know if Denmark has any legal right to it. But if they do, they should give it up because we need it for national security. That's for the free world. I'm talking about protecting the free world," Trump said.

On Panama, Trump has repeatedly claimed that the canal is "run by China," and that U.S. ships are charged more than vessels operated by other countries to cross through it.

"They don't treat us fairly. They charge more for our ships than they charge for ships of other countries. They charge more for our Navy than they charge for navies of other countries," he complained. "They laugh at us because they think we're stupid, but we're not stupid anymore."

PHOTO: Looking north from the lighthouse on the west wall is the Gatun middle locks of the Panama Canal in the final stages of construction on June 25, 1913. (AP)

In reality, the Panama Canal Authority (PCA) -- which is controlled by the Panamanian government -- operates the waterway, and 1977 diplomatic treaty with the U.S. mandates that all countries must be allowed to use it for "peaceful transit" and that there be "no discrimination against any nation, or its citizens or subjects, concerning the conditions or charges."

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Accordingly, the tariffs and tolls associated with crossing the canal are determined by the size and type of the vessel and the cargo it carries -- not the flag the ship sails under. While the costs associated with using the waterway have risen in recent years, limits imposed on the canal's capacity due to a historic drought are behind the price hike.

PHOTO: A cargo ship traverses the Agua Clara Locks of the Panama Canal in Colon, Panama, Sept. 2, 2024. (Matias Delacroix/AP, FILE)

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MORE: Jimmy Carter's enduring diplomatic legacy: ANALYSIS

China's expanding influence in Panama and across Central America more broadly has sparked concern on both sides of the aisle, but the same 1977 treaty authorizes the U.S. to intervene if the canal's neutrality is jeopardized.

Authorizing a military intervention with the intent of taking over the Panama Canal -- or Greenland -- is another matter.

Authorities of Panama and Greenland have repeatedly said they won't hand over any territory to Trump, with Panama's president declaring that the canal "is going to stay in our hands forever," and Denmark's prime minister insisting "Greenland is not for sale."

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The U.S. Constitution gives Congress the sole ability to declare war on a foreign power, and -- once the war is declared -- gives the president wide-ranging authority to execute the conflict.

But presidents have often used military force without congressional approval, including against Panama.

In December 1989, former President George H.W. Bush launched an invasion of Panama to overthrow the country's de facto ruler, Gen. Manuel Noriega. The intervention, which was widely supported by the American public at the time, set Panama on a path toward democracy -- but was condemned by the United Nations as a violation of international law.

PHOTO: President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, Jan. 7, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (Evan Vucci/AP)

MORE: Donald Trump Jr. visits Greenland as his father says deal for US to buy it 'must happen'

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Trump has also said he could use economic pressure to force countries to capitulate to his agenda, including Canada, which the president-elect has repeatedly said should become the 51st state.

"Because Canada and the United States, that would really be something. You get rid of that artificially drawn line, and you take a look at what that looks like, and it would also be much better for national security," Trump said.

Canada's outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded to Trump's statements in a post on X, writing "there isn't a snowball's chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States."

"Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each other's biggest trading and security partner," he said.

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Congress has delegated much of its foreign economic authority to the White House, but the biggest speed bump impeding Trump's ability to impose tariffs on Canada may be a trade deal negotiated under Trump himself: the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

The USMCA -- which is not due for review until 2026 -- allows any member to withdraw from it but requires that the exiting country wait six months before rescinding benefits to other parties.

MORE: Trump claims he'll rename the Gulf of Mexico to 'Gulf of America'

The president-elect's clearest path to fulfilling one of his promises to redraw the world map may be renaming the Gulf of Mexico, which he vowed to change to "Gulf of America."

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"What a beautiful name," he said. "And it's appropriate."

Trump threatens land grabs of Panama Canal, Greenland, even by force. Can he?: ANALYSIS originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Donald Trumps imperialist designs on Greenland, Canada and Panama often sound like the ramblings of a real estate shark who equates foreign and trade policy to a hunt for new deals.

But theres method in his expansionist mindset. Trump, in his unique way, is grappling with national security questions the US must face in a new world shaped by Chinas rise, the inequalities of globalization, melting polar ice and great power instability.

His attitude also embodies the America First principle of using US strength to relentlessly pursue narrow national interests, even by coercing smaller, allied powers.

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Trumps musings about terminating the Panama Canal Treaty especially show the preoccupation of the new administration with the encroachment of foreign powers into the Western Hemisphere. This isnt a new concern  its been a constant thread in American history, dating back to the Monroe Doctrine in the 1820s when European colonialists were the threat. The issue endured through the communist scares of the Cold War. Todays usurpers are China, Russia and Iran.

Trumps belief, meanwhile, that the United States should rule supreme in its own sphere of influence is also an important hint about how he might manage key global hotspots, including the war in Ukraine and potentially even Taiwan.

But his 21st century neocolonialism is a huge risk and appears certain to run headlong into international law. And Trump could compromise Americas power by trashing alliances built up over generations and alienating its friends.

Trump keeps military force on the table

Trump poured fuel on a tense world waiting with trepidation for his second term on Tuesday when a reporter asked him if he could rule out force to seize back the Panama Canal or to take over strategically important Greenland.

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Im not going to commit to that, no, Trump said at Mar-a-Lago. It might be that youll have to do something.

Canadians were relieved to learn that the president-elect wont be sending the 82nd Airborne across the 49th parallel. He said hed only use economic force to annex the proud sovereign democracy to the north and make it the 51st state.

As often with Trump, his threats came with a mixture of malice and mischief. And there was a characteristic element of farce as the president-elects son, Donald Jr., flew the familys Boeing to Greenland, with a bobblehead of his father perched on the cockpit control panel. Make Greenland Great Again! the president-elect posted on his Truth Social network shortly before his son landed.

Its unlikely Trump will get what he wants with Canada, Panama or Greenland. So his strategy might be aimed at getting better deals for the US  perhaps a discount for American vessels transiting the key waterway between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, greater American access to rare earth minerals in Greenland and sea routes revealed by melting polar ice, as well as a new trade deal with Canada that might advantage US manufacturers. Trump would be sure to portray any of these as a massive win only he could have achieved, even if they end up being rather cosmetic like his first-term US-Mexico-Canada pact.

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But Trumps threats flesh out one of his foreign policy rationales: that each country should aggressively pursue their goals unilaterally in a manner that will inevitably profit strong, rich nations like the United States.

As president, I have rejected the failed approaches of the past, and I am proudly putting America first, just as you should be putting your countries first. Thats okay  thats what you should be doing, Trump told the United Nations General Assembly in 2020.

This is a doctrine distilled from a life in which Trump has tried to always be the most aggressive person in every room in pursuit of wins over weaker opponents. This explains his remark that Denmark should hand over Greenland, a self-governing entity inside its kingdom, because its important to US security. If not, Trump said, I would tariff Denmark at a very high level.

The president-elect also characterized the US decision to hand over the Panama Canal in 1999 under a treaty signed by Jimmy Carter as folly that squandered the advantages of US power. He claimed falsely that American ships were discriminated against in transit fees and that China, not Panama, was operating the waterway. (Beijing-owned firms do run some ports in Panama). We gave the Panama Canal to Panama. We didnt give it to China, and theyve abused it, Trump said just before Carters body arrived in Washington before Thursdays state funeral.

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Trumps tough-guy approach also explains why he sees little distinction between US allies and adversaries. He, for example, complained Tuesday that Canada, Americas closest geographical friend, was freeloading off the US defense umbrella and therefore should be a state rather than a nation. Such a view repudiates the US-led liberal order that sees alliances as investments that multiply American power and protect democracy and freedom.

The US may be retreating from the world, but its doubling down in its backyard

Sending troops to grab the Panama Canal or Greenland might contradict Trumps campaign trail warnings that the US should avoid new foreign entanglements. But it exemplifies the America First ideology. A retreat from the old world in a Trump second term could be be replaced by continentalism that might displace globalism, argued Hal Brands, a professor of global affairs at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, in Foreign Affairs last May.

This would update the doctrine unveiled by President James Monroe in 1823, to which President Theodore Roosevelt later added a corollary  that the United States should protect life and property in Latin American countries.

While Trump has set off global consternation with his new Panama Canal rhetoric, he first broached a tougher line in Americas backyard in his first term. Here in the Western Hemisphere, we are committed to maintaining our independence from the encroachment of expansionist foreign powers, Trump told the UN General Assembly in 2018. It has been the formal policy of our country since President Monroe that we reject the interference of foreign nations in this hemisphere and in our own affairs.

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His policy represented a split with the Obama administration that is consistent with Trumps backlash politics. In 2013, then-Secretary of State John Kerry told the Organization of American States, The era of the Monroe Doctrine is over.

The 21st century Monroe reboot targets China, Russia, Iran and their business, military and intelligence partnerships in nations like Venezuela, Bolivia, Nicaragua and Cuba.

Marco Rubio  a surprising pick for Trumps secretary of state given his traditionalist foreign policy leanings  is on the same page as his new boss on hemispheric affairs. The Florida senator said at a Foreign Relations Committee hearing in 2022 that China was wielding economic influence in a way that hurt regional economies and boosted cartels that export fentanyl and violence across US borders. They do this because they know that chaos in Latin America and the Caribbean would severely hurt us, destabilize us, who they view as their primary and central rival, Rubio said. We simply cant afford to let the Chinese Communist Party expand its influence and absorb Latin America and the Caribbean into its private political-economic bloc.

How Trumps tough talk could backfire

Trumps expansionist vision reflects supreme confidence heading into his second term, which hes determined to use to leave an era-defining mark on Americas global role.

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And his personification of the principle of the strong triumphing over the weak might also inform his approach to other global issues  most notably the war in Ukraine. In a striking moment Tuesday, Trump said he understood Russian President Vladimir Putins fear that the nation he invaded could join NATO. Russia has somebody right on their doorstep, and I could understand their feeling about that, the president-elect said.

The possibility that Trump could accept Russias terms was already a concern. His former national security adviser, H.R. McMaster, recorded one moment when Putin drew an analogy between his illegal claims to Ukraine and historic US concerns about its hemisphere. Putin used his time with Trump to launch a sophisticated and sustained campaign to manipulate him, McMaster wrote in his book At War with Ourselves. He added: to suggest moral equivalence between U.S. interventions in Latin America and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Putin cited the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine.

Trumps bombast may delight his supporters. But many foreigners think its arrogant. An attempt to seize the Panama Canal would be regarded as geopolitical piracy. Invading Greenland would make a mockery of international law.

And Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau  whose already doomed career suffered a final blow because of Trumps tariff threats  lampooned Trumps designs on the Great White North on Tuesday. There isnt a snowballs chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States, he wrote on X.

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This reaction shows the downside of Trumps approach. His bullying of Americas friends may alienate whole populations. Some foreign policy experts fear American threats and pressure in Latin America may actually push nations closer to China.

And insults about Canada being better off as the 51st state are likely to harden public opinion there against the incoming US president and make it harder for the next prime minister to clinch deals with him.

Trumps disregard for the other peoples patriotism could also poison Americas longest lasting friendships. Not to mention frighten entire populations. The majority in Greenland find it quite scary and quite uncomfortable  that the US, in a disrespectful way, is showing that they would like to be buying Greenland or controlling Greenland, Aaja Chemnitz, a member of the Danish parliament and a Greenland resident, told CNNs Erin Burnett.

Greenland is not MAGA. Greenland is not going to be MAGA.

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(Bloomberg) -- The race to be Canadas next prime minister is still at the starting line and Donald Trump has already cast a shadow over it.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The US president-elect made his most menacing comments yet about Canada on Tuesday, suggesting his administration could use economic force to turn the country into a US state. Trump repeated his claim that the US trade deficit is a subsidy and his intention to impose serious tariffs on goods the US buys from Canada and Mexico.

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His comments ensure that the Canada-US relationship  and who can best deal with an emboldened Trump  will be a top issue in the contest to lead the Liberal Party. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau triggered that race on Monday when he said hell step down once his successor is chosen.

Already, one of the countrys most senior cabinet ministers has decided he wont run. Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc said Wednesday hes staying out of the race to focus on his work as the point person for the government in dealing with the US.

The threat these tariffs pose to our nations economic well-being and to the livelihood of a countless number of Canadian families cannot be understated  and as such, it requires nothing less than my full attention, LeBlanc wrote on social media site X.

The leadership contest may take a couple of months, which means a new leader might step into the job of prime minister in the midst of a trade war and a recession in Canada.

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Dealing with Trump isnt just the most pressing foreign policy challenge we face. The domestic implications are so profound, said Scott Reid, a former adviser to Paul Martin, Canadas prime minister from 2003 to 2006. It is the No. 1 policy challenge that the country is going to endure in this next number of months.

Those taunts about Canada becoming the 51st US state brought a rebuke from Trudeau  There isnt a snowballs chance in hell, he wrote Tuesday  and from some of his potential successors.

President-elect Trumps comments show a complete lack of understanding of what makes Canada a strong country, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said on X. Our economy is strong. Our people are strong. We will never back down in the face of threats.

Trump has complained about the size of the US trade deficit with Canada, falsely overstating it as $100 billion or more. Last year the number was $41 billion for goods and services. For goods alone it was about $72 billion, according to US Census Bureau data.

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That trade deficit is a direct result of US thirst for Canadian energy. If you remove oil and gas from the equation, the US actually enjoys a significant trade surplus with its northern neighbor, according to calculations by economists at National Bank of Canada.

But Trump and his aides are clearly determined to impose widespread tariffs on US trading partners. Whoever is representing Canadas interests after Trudeaus departure wont be able to win the day on logic alone, Reid said.

The only way is to have a candidate that combines flattery and persuasion with a dose of resilience. Trump will insist on flattery and the ability to connect, he said.

But he added: As soon as you defend the national interest of Canada, thats going to put you on a collision course of Donald Trump. So its how you defend the national interest at the same time that you cajole and compromise with this guy. Its a hornets nest.

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Potential contenders for Liberal leader also include former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, former Bank of Canada and Bank of England Governor Mark Carney and former British Columbia Premier Christy Clark. (Carney is the chair of Bloomberg Inc.)

Carney said Monday hes considering running. In late December, he used social media platform X to push back against Trumps 51st state comments. This is carrying the joke too far: the casual disrespect, the poor tax math, and ignoring that workers on both sides of our border will be better off if we work together, he wrote. Time to call it out, stand up for Canada, and build a true North American partnership.

Liberal candidates may be able to tap different strengths in portraying themselves as the best option to deal with Trump, said Dan Arnold, a former Liberal pollster and chief strategy officer at Pollara Strategic Insights.

While Carney doesnt have formal political experience, he has dealt with politicians in his past roles and he may be able to connect with Trump as a business leader, Arnold said. Freeland has direct experience negotiating with Trump, though he disparaged her in social-media posts. And Clark has a reputation for being tough, an attribute Canadians are looking for.

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I dont know if theres one candidate who necessarily is going to be seen as the de facto best person to deal with this, Arnold said. Trumps pretty hot and cold. Hes not going to endorse anybody and if he did, theyd probably lose the race because of that.

The leadership race complicates Canadas response to tariffs or other measures Trump may impose after his inauguration.

Its not yet clear whether current ministers would need to temporarily step down from cabinet if they run for leader. The Liberal Party executive hasnt announced the rules for the contest. The partys national caucus, which includes about 150 elected lawmakers, is set to meet Wednesday to discuss.

--With assistance from Melissa Shin.

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The Supreme Court will not intervene in Donald Trumps New York hush money case. At least, not before his sentencing goes forward on Friday morning.

Trump filed a last-ditch brief with the Supreme Court on Wednesday, asking the justices to intervene and block his sentencing. On Thursday night, in a 5-4 decision, the justices said no.

With less than two weeks until hes inaugurated, Trump has been moving to put an end to the last remnants of the various criminal cases brought against him over the past several years.

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In a separate case, the incoming president is trying to prevent Special Counsel Jack Smith from releasing a report concluding his investigation. The report contains one volume covering the Jan. 6 investigation, and a second volume about the Mar-a-Lago classified records case. A ruling from the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals late Thursday denied a bid by Trumps former co-defendants to block the report, which could emerge in the next few days  but this issue, too, is likely first headed to the Supreme Court.

Well be following below.
Donald Trump is asking the Supreme Court to intervene in his New York hush-money case.

The president-elect requested an administrative stay Wednesday on the sentencing for his sole criminal conviction, claiming that the high courts July immunity ruling should prevent him from having to face consequences. Trumps sentencing is currently scheduled for Friday.

A jury of his peers unanimously decided in May that Trump was guilty on all 34 counts for falsifying business records with the intent to further an underlying crime in the first degree.

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Trump has skirted sentencing since July, leveraging the nations legal system to invoke delay after delay until now, when the clock could realistically run out on the case just 12 days before he is set to retake the White House.

But the staywhich will once again delay Trumps sentencingwould only nix an already pared-down and toothless conviction.

Last week, Judge Juan Merchan dealt the final blow to any suggestions of serious consequences for the president-elect. Merchan wrote in his Friday order that unconditional discharge had become the the most viable solution for Trump, indicating that the incoming president would not be hampered down with fines, court-appointed supervision, or incarceration.

In the wake of Merchans order, former U.S. District Attorney Joyce Vance argued in her legal column Civil Discourse that there could still be a light at the end of the legal tunnel for Trumps sentencing. Rather than forcing Trump to face the music before his inauguration, she argued that Merchans decision to release Trump with unconditional discharge could effectively take the wind out of Trumps sails should he try to do away with the criminal conviction altogether. It would also help delay Trumps sentencing until hes out of office again, in which case, all bets are off.

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Its unclear if the Supreme Court will grant Trumps request. As reporter Steven Mazie noted on X, several justices will be so inclined, but that doesnt mean a majority will be.

This story has been updated.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump aims to end Russia's war against Ukraine within 100 days of his inauguration, Keith Kellogg, Trump's choice for special Ukraine peace envoy, told Fox News on Jan. 8.

The comments come a day after Trump said in a press conference that he would not launch peace talks until after his inauguration. Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, pledged repeatedly during his campaign to negotiate an end to the war as soon as he was elected.

"This is a war that needs to end, and I think he can do it in the near term," Kellogg said in an interview with Fox News.

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Kellogg defined the "near term" as 100 days out from inauguration, and said it was his personal and professional goal to help Trump broker a solution by that point.

"People need to understand, he's not trying to give something to Putin or to the Russians, he's actually trying to save Ukraine and save their sovereignty," Kellogg said.

"And he's going to make sure that it's equitable and it's fair."

Kellogg praised Trump for his willingness to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and said U.S. President Joe Biden's refusal to work with Putin was his "biggest mistake." He said Trump would work to find a resolution satisfactory to both Putin and President Volodymyr Zelensky.

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"I think they're going to come to a solvable solution in the near term. ... Let's set it at 100 days," he said.

Kellogg did not discuss details of any potential peace agreements under consideration by the incoming administration.

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. He was planning a visit to Kyiv, which has reportedly been postponed until after Trump's inauguration.

In a press conference on Jan. 7, Trump blamed Biden for provoking Russia's full-scale invasion, saying U.S. support for Ukraine's aspirations to join NATO triggered the war.

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A report by The Wall Street Journal has previously suggested that Trump's team was exploring a plan to delay Ukraines NATO membership by at least 20 years in exchange for Western arms supplies and European peacekeepers to monitor a potential ceasefire with Russia.

Read also: Zelensky addresses Trumps comments on NATO, stresses security guarantees

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Donald Trump is strongly considering classifying Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations, CNN reported Wednesday. This designation would make it easier to use military force against them.

The president-elect first floated this idea in 2019, but backed off after receiving backlash from Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and his own Justice Department officials.

Basically, you take the gloves off, meaning it can be anywhere from having joint operations where youre physically doing things or where youre actively targeting, maybe once again through finances, youre turning loose [the] DOJ and FBI, Republican Representative Tony Gonzales said of the reintroduced idea.

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Gonzalez is right to a degree: Treating cartels as terrorist organizations would increase the angles of attack for the federal government, potentially creating a larger pool of defendants. But the brunt of this change would fall unjustly on immigrants.

The designation would make it much harder for immigrants and asylum-seekers to gain access to the U.S. given the proximity they often have to exploitative cartel activity. Many immigrants travel through cartel territory on their way to the southern border, and often have to pay them a toll to do so. This would cause immigrants to violate a statute surrounding providing funds to terrorist organizations.

If this comes to fruition, Trump and border czar Tom Homan would be making an already hostile situation even more contentious.
Trump whisperer Maggie Haberman isnt buying that Donald Trump will try to annex Canada as part of his grand plans for U.S. expansion.

The New York Times political correspondent told CNN that the suggestion to turn Canada into the 51st state, which Donald Trump raised on Tuesday after Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus resignation, was clearly much more of a troll and sort of a dominance play than an actual proposition.

Originating online, the term troll refers to someone who says outrageous things they dont actually believe in order to provoke a response in others.

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Last month, Trump had trolled Trudeau in a similar fashion, calling him governor of the great state of Canada.

Trumps bluster hasnt gone over well with at least one prominent MAGA allyPierre Poilievre, the leader of Canadas Conservative Party.

Canada will never be the 51st state. Period.



We are a great and independent country.



We are the best friend to the U.S. We spent billions of dollars and hundreds of lives helping Americans retaliate against Al-Qaedas 9/11 attacks. We supply the U.S. with billions of dollars of  Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) January 7, 2025

Canada will never be the 51st state. Period, he wrote in an X post Tuesday. We are a great and independent country.

While Trump might be joking about Canada, Haberman suggested to CNN that the president-elects imperial attitude toward Greenland and Panama might be more than trolling.

This idea of acquiring Greenland for strategic purposes has happened for decades, Haberman said earlier in the interview. A close friend of Trumps, Ron Lauder, suggested it in his first term.

Haberman wrote a biography of Trump, published in 2022. / Alexi Rosenfeld / Getty Images

Trump on Tuesday mentioned the possibility of purchasing Greenland, a nation rich in natural resources, and reclaiming the Panama Canal from Panamawhich has controlled it for the past 25 years. He said he wasnt willing to rule out the use of military force in either case.

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Its not clear if thats actually something hes thinking about or something he said because he wasquite visiblyin a pretty bad mood during this press conference," Haberman told CNN.

She noted that Trump has never been one to shy away from an aggressive attitude toward international relations.

Trump, at least in his language, has never been especially respectful of sovereign borders, she said. Well see what that looks like in actual practice.

With the president-elects inauguration less than two weeks away, it wont be long before Trump will have the opportunity to convert his bravado into action.
President-elect Donald Trumps repeated assertions that he wants Canada to join the United States have become a staple of his presidential transition. But the sentiment  like Trumps breezy confidence about its ease and popularity  is far from new.

Such talk has sprung up practically throughout the whole of American history, often buttressed by the idea that Canadians were clamoring for it, too.

Amid the War of 1812, President Thomas Jefferson told Philadelphia newspaper editor Thomas Duane that the acquisition of Canada this year, as far as the neighborhood of Quebec, will be a mere matter of marching. (Spoiler alert: It wasnt.) Among other things, the National Park Service notes in an article about the comment, many in the United States wrongly assumed that the Canadian population would welcome the arrival of American forces.

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Later in the 1800s, a degree of pro-annexation sentiment developed within each of the major U.S. political parties, according to historian John W. Quist, united by a common thread that annexation of Canada would occur peacefully and be welcomed by Canadians.

And now theres Trump, posting on social media that many people in Canada LOVE being the 51st State.

On Tuesday, he continued the drumbeat at a news conference, telling reporters he could use economic force to acquire Canada. That would really be something, he continued, adding: You get rid of that artificially drawn line, and you take a look at what that looks like. And it would also be much better for national security.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said afterward on X: "There isnt a snowballs chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States."

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Public opinion polling of Canada illustrates a distinct political culture thats far different from the United States.

A September poll from the Environics Institute showed Canadians preferring Vice President Kamala Harris to Trump by a 3-to-1 ratio before the election, though Trump fared better than Joe Biden in the same measure four years ago, especially among younger Canadians. (The poll did show a plurality of Canadian Conservatives preferring him this time, which was not the case in 2020.)

Canadians generally have had favorable opinions about the United States over the last quarter-century, according to Pew Research Center surveys  but they were never lower than when Trump was president, dipping to 35% favorable in 2020 before they rebounded after Bidens election. The Environics Institutes polling shows a similar trend.

Meanwhile, a handful of Canadian politicians and parties supporting annexation by the United States have sprung up over the years  but those movements have quickly evaporated without gaining much more than a whisper of public support.

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And as Montreal Gazette columnist Allison Haines noted in 2018 in writing about one of those quixotic endeavors, the likes of Quebec would be a very odd fit as the 51st state, with approval for things like universal health care deeply embedded in Canadian political culture (though some polls have shown rising interest in reform in Canada) while they remain hot-button issues of debate in the United States.

Its a reminder that the last time the idea of adding new states was in the public sphere, then-Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and others in the GOP were quick to warn about the potential political consequences of adding more Democratic senators. The Environics Institute poll, translated into hypothetical votes, would add millions of anti-Trump voters to the country.

In short, Trumps rhetorical dreams of a no-brainer match are far more complicated in reality. But he is not alone in U.S. history in skating past those trivialities to talk of new frontiers in manifest destiny.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Many people still don't have the stomach to follow politics these days after the disappointment of the last election and the return of the Trump three-ring circus to Washington. It's depressing and nerve-wracking, even if you just hear snippets in passing or read a few paragraphs of a news story about billionaires at Mar-a-Lago or strange D-list celebrity political figures being lifted into positions of great responsibility. There's only so much you can take.

But I do wish that everyone could bring themselves to watch at least some of the president-elect's press conference on Tuesday. Yes, much of it was the standard lunacy about showerheads and whales and windmills. He always plays his greatest hits. But he's got some new material that I think people should be aware of.

I've been saying for years that his schtick about being some kind of peacenik was a crock. First of all, it was obvious that he adopted that pose in order to position himself as the opposite of both Bush and Obama who were criticized for their foreign policy. He has almost no understanding of international affairs, even now, so his shorthand decision-making was simply to say that anything his predecessors did was stupid and made the world laugh at us as he promised to reverse their policies. Sometimes he even did it, as with the Iran Nuclear Deal, the Paris Climate Agreement and the Trans-Pacific Partnership. He simply tweaked NAFTA and pretended that it was genius. And he left Afghanistan a terrible mess for his successor which allowed him to condemn it all over again. But generally, beyond kvetching endlessly about NATO not "paying its dues" and crowing about his love affairs with all the world's worst despots, Trump really didn't have a foreign policy.

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But he did have a worldview.

His central conceit all the way back to 2016 was that he's a man of peace who wanted to put America first. People misinterpreted it as a sort of pacifist isolationism. It was not. He wanted to spend massive sums to build up the U.S. military to make allies pay up for protection and he believed that tariffs should be used as economic weapons to dominate other countries. In other words, he believes that U.S. power should be used to bend the world to his will.

His recent comments about Mexico, Canada, Panama and Greenland show that this strategy has matured beyond just extorting money from other countries at the end of some very big guns, both military and economic, and has now become a full-fledged policy of territorial expansion.

In that typically crazy press conference on Tuesday, he made the startling announcement that he plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. His loyal hatchet woman, Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, promptly announced legislation to do just that so that the government could get to work changing all the maps. The fact that the Gulf of Mexico has been called that since before there was a United States of America makes no difference. Trump wants it and he's going to make it so.

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That wasn't all, however. Earlier in the day we had all been treated to reports that Donald Trump Jr. and activist Charlie Kirk had been dispatched to Greenland to take the temperature of locals to see if they wanted to be annexed by Donald Trump. It was embarrassing, needless to say.

And when asked in the press conference if Trump actually planned to seize the island, and the Panama Canal as well, Trump said it was necessary for national security, the same rationale Vladimir Putin used to invade Ukraine which Trump called "savvy" and "genius" at the time. It is quite clear that Trump is serious about this. When asked directly, he would not rule out using the military to accomplish his goal.

Reporter: Can you assure the world that as you try to get control of Greenland and the Panama Canal, you are not going to use military or economic coercion?



Trump: No.. I cant assure you on either of those two. pic.twitter.com/e6PvXcxDCi  Acyn (@Acyn) January 7, 2025

He is also quite serious about using U.S. troops to stage military operations in Mexico, ostensibly against the drug cartels. And for all of his "joking" about Canada being the 51st state as a way to emasculate Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, he conceded that he only planned to use economic force to bend Canada to his will, which was very restrained of him.

The Atlantic's David Frum discussed what a change this was from the way the world has been organized since the end of WWII when the world was in rubble and the United States made the decision to help rebuild it:

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Americans sought to achieve security and prosperity for themselves by sharing security and prosperity with like-minded others. The United States became the center of a network of international cooperationnot only on trade and defense, but on environmental concerns, law enforcement, financial regulation, food and drug safety, and countless other issues.

And yes, we also exploited other countries, chased phantom ideological goals and otherwise betrayed our ideals but this was central to how we organized our tremendous military and economic power in the world. After the searing experiences of two world wars, a global Great Depression and the long slog of the Cold War, the hard-won lesson was that everyone was safer and more prosperous under mutual cooperation. The international institutions, alliances and treaties that sprang from that understanding were devised to at least make it difficult to completely abandon those ideals.

That concept is no longer operative under Donald Trump. Here you have one of Trump's glib minions openly wondering why America shouldn't expand its territory. It's as if the last century never happened.

Rogin: America is not an expansionist military power..



Jennings: Why not? pic.twitter.com/8mZ4DvBKyC  Acyn (@Acyn) January 8, 2025

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With Trump saying that the U.S. needs Greenland and the Panama Canal for national security reasons it's pretty clear that they are laying the groundwork for military action. (Nobody is going to "sell" either of them.) I doubt that there will be any serious actions, economic or otherwise against Canada because America does lots of business with them. But Trump is stirring up a tremendous amount of resentment for no good reason. And we have every reason to believe that he's serious about some kind of military action in Mexico. (And don't be surprised if he proposes a Venezuelan invasion. He wanted to do it in his last term.)

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Nobody voted for any of this. It wasn't even a "vibe" in last November's election.

Trump appears to have taken some inspiration from Vladimir Putin's Ukraine invasion which he thought from the beginning made perfect sense. His Defense Secretary nominee, Pete Hegseth, put it in terms Trump probably liked very much. He called it "Putin's give me my shit back war":

Trumps nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, dismisses the danger of Putin invading other Eastern European countries if he isn't stopped in Ukraine:



It feels like Putins give me my shit back warWe used to have the Soviet Union, and Ukraine was part of it, and I pic.twitter.com/MBJIoFogDL  Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) November 14, 2024

I have always said that even if you believed that America's role in the world was too broad and too expensive and perhaps outdated, just taking a wrecking ball to it without anything to replace it would be a horrible mistake. Well, Trump has something to replace it now. When he says "America First" he means "America Uber Alles ."

And guess what? Other countries aren't eager to go along with that. So they're arming up:

Macron urges a new European military coalition as an alternative to NATO to help combat Russia and other threats. "We can't rely on (the US) or rest of the world."



The plan is to create a European army with France, UK, Italy, Poland, Baltic states and everyone who seeks to pic.twitter.com/89HxdLsarP  Anonymous (@YourAnonCentral) January 7, 2025

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What could go wrong?
Mark Zuckerberg is sick of the woke politics governing his social feeds. Hes tired of the censorship and social-media referees meddling in free speech. Were in a new era now, he said in a video today, announcing that he plans to replace Facebook and Instagram fact-checkers with a system of community notes similar to the one on X, the rival platform owned by Elon Musk. Meta will also now prioritize civic content, a.k.a. political content, not hide from it.

The social-media hall monitors have been so restrictive on topics of immigration and gender that theyre out of touch with mainstream discourse, Zuckerberg said with the zeal of an activist. He spoke about a cultural tipping point towards once again prioritizing speech following nonstop concerns about misinformation from the legacy media and four years of the United States government pushing for censorship. It is clear from Zuckerbergs announcement that he views establishment powers as having tried and failed to solve political problems by suppressing his users. That message is sure to delight Donald Trump and the incoming administration. But theres one tiny hitch. Zuckerberg is talking about himself and his own policies. The establishment? Thats him.

The changes to Metas properties, including Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, are being framed by the CEO as a return to our roots around free expression. This bit of framing is key, painting him as having been right all along. It also conveniently elides nearly a decade of decisions made by Zuckerberg, who not only is Metas founder but also holds a majority of voting power in the company, meaning the board cannot vote him out. He is Metas unimpeachable king.

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[From the March 2024 issue: The rise of techno-authoritarianism]

I dont have access to Zuckerbergs brain, so I cant know the precise reasons for his reversal. Has he been genuinely red-pilled by UFC founder (and new Meta board member) Dana White and his jiu-jitsu friends? Is he jealous of Musk, who seems to be having a good time palling around with Trump and turning X into 4chan? Is he simply an opportunist cozying up to the incoming administration? Or is he terrified that Trumpwho not long ago threatened to send him to jailwill follow through on his promises of retribution against tech executives who dont bend to his whims? Is this indeed just an opportunity for Meta to get back to its relatively unmoderated roots? My money is that Zuckerbergs new posturevisiting Mar-a-Lago, donating $1 million to Trumps inaugural fund, and elevating Joel Kaplan, a longtime Republican insider, to the top policy job at Metais motivated by all of the above.

Zuckerbergs personal politics have always been inextricably linked to his companys political and financial interests. Above all else, the Facebook founder seems compelled by any ideology that allows the company to grow rapidly and make money without having to take too much responsibility for what happens on its platforms. Zuckerberg knows which way the political wind is blowing and appears to be trying to ride it while, simultaneously, being at least a little bit afraid of it. When a reporter today asked Trump if he thought Metas policy changes were driven by his previous threats, he replied, Probably.

Zuckerbergs motives are less important than his actions, which, at least right now, are inarguably MAGA-coded. (He said that hes moving the content-review teams away from the biased, blue shores of California to the supposedly neutral land of Texas, for one.) They are also deeply cynical. After years of arguing that its users dont want to see political content (unless they explicitly follow political accounts or pages), Meta is now arguing that it is time to promote civic material. The company is pandering to the right and a skewed definition of free speech after having spent the past few months actively restricting teens from seeing LGBTQ-related content on its platforms, as User Mag reported earlier this week. Just this morning, 404 Media reported that Metas human-resources team has been deleting criticism of White from Facebook Workplace, the internal platform where Meta employees communicate.

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Such hypocrisy ought to be expected from Zuckerberg, whose announcement carries the energy of a guy complaining about a problem hes responsible for. Zuckerberg has a rich history of making editorial decisions for Metas platforms, watching them play out, and then reacting to them as if they were the result of some outside force. In 2013, I watched as Facebook flooded publishers with traffic, thanks to a deliberate algorithmic change to prioritize news. I watched the company build a news division and product and hire a big name to run it. And after the 2016 election, when the company came under intense scrutiny from many of the same outlets that had previously benefited from its platform, I watched the company argue that it was reducing visibility of publishers in favor of posts from friends and family.

Metas history is littered with similar about-faces. In 2017, Zuckerberg gave a speech extolling Facebooks groups and pages. The company changed its mission statement from Making the world more open and connected to Give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together. The company prioritized groups over other content. As usual, Zuckerberg said he was reacting to the desires of his users (that this was also a way to increase engagement across the companys platforms was surely a happy coincidence). But then, in 2021, after QAnon and Stop the Steal groups were found to operate unchecked on the platform, Zuckerberg announced that the company would stop recommending political groups to users, citing a need to turn down the temperature of the national conversation after the January 6 insurrection.

One way to look at this is that Meta has always been deeply, if begrudgingly, reactive in its moderation decisions. The company is hands-off until it ends up in a public-relations crisis and dragged in front of Congress. The company has argued that it is a neutral actor, that it has no interest in presiding over what people can and cannot say. And yet, this is the same company that, in 2020, declared that it was taking new steps to protect the U.S. elections. The contradictions abound. Facebook is averse to being an editorial entity, but it hired fact-checkers. It does not wish to be political, but it has an election war room (but please, dont call it a war room). Zuckerberg is done with politics, but hes flying down to Mar-a-Lago. You get the gist.

The end result of being so deeply reactive is that Zuckerberg ends up rather awkwardly at war with his own company. Currently, Metas new Trump-administration content free-for-all seems to be motivated by a sense of shame or sheepishness for how Meta responded to world events from March 2020 to January 7, 2021, the day Facebook banned Trump from its platforms for his role in inciting the rioters the day before. Despite speaking with clarity and conviction at the time, Zuckerberg seems to be letting the revisionist narratives of COVID and January 6 influence his thinking. As I wrote last year, Decisions that seemed rational in 2020 and 2021 may seem irrational to him todaythe product of a kind of pandemic anxiety.

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[Read: Mark Zuckerberg will never win]

I take Zuckerberg at his word that he feels the discourse has changed, especially when its consumed on platforms like X. That discourse is profoundly anti-institutionalless mainstream media, more Joe Rogan. (Rogan, of course, is now as mainstream as they come.) Zuckerberg may even be right that fact-checkers ultimately eroded trust among the skeptical more than they preserved the truth. But Meta is not an insurgent forceits a global behemoth with lobbyists and corporate interests. Zuckerberg is himself one of the worlds richest men. The sclerotic, slop-ridden wasteland of stale memes on its Facebook product, bloodless posts on Threadsa blatant clone of Xand hot people linking out to their OnlyFans profiles on Instagram are all products of a legacy institution that he presides over. That Zuckerberg should look out over his kingdom and see it as out of touch isnt a criticism of woke Democrats or a regulation-crazy government: Its a criticism of the way he himself capitulates.

Maybe this is Zuckerbergs final pivot. Perhaps hes wanted these changes all along and this moment will bring about a Muskian renaissance that is, at last, true to his own internal politics. But if one is searching for truisms to better understand Zuckerberg, Im not sure theres a more apt one than this quote, from a Facebook employee interviewed by BuzzFeed News in 2020. He seems truly incapable of taking personal responsibility for decisions and actions at Facebook, the employee said. The employee offered the quote in response to political violence in Kenosha, Wisconsin, during the George Floyd protests, a conflict that Facebook groups played a role in inflaming. But the quote speaks to something more fundamental about the CEO. For as long as hes been running his company, Zuckerberg has been anxiously gazing in the rearview mirror, unaware or unwilling to recognize the Mark Zuckerbergsize blind spot over his shoulder.

Article originally published at The Atlantic
ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey's pro-Kurdish DEM Party will hold face-to-face talks with imprisoned Kurdish militant leader Abdullah Ocalan for a second time, possibly as early as next week, two DEM lawmakers said on Wednesday.

A second visit to Ocalan's island prison is being planned and could happen as early as Jan. 15, Gulistan Kilic Kocyigit and Serhat Eren said.

In December, Turkey allowed a two-person DEM delegation to make the first such visit to Ocalan in nearly a decade. Ocalan has been quoted as indicating he may be prepared to call for militants to lay down arms.

(Reporting by Ece Toksabay and Huseyin Hayatsever; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
NEW YORK  The Turkish House  the building at the core of Mayor Eric Adams indictment  has been operating for months without a required certificate of occupancy from the city, an investigation from the city comptrollers office revealed Wednesday.

Comptroller Brad Lander, who is challenging Adams in the 2025 mayoral race, issued the report over the Midtown consulate, which has come under scrutiny from federal investigators in their case against the mayor as it was allegedly fast-tracked to open ahead of a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Turkish president.

According to the indictment, Adams pressured fire department officials to cut corners in their approval process to get the 35-story building up and running, allowing the building to open in September 2021 despite unresolved safety issues, including the FDNYs rejection of a fire protection plan.

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Prosecutors say the mayor received travel perks and illegal straw donations to his campaign in exchange for carrying out this favor and others at the behest of Turkish officials. The mayor has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

By rushing to allow the opening of Turkish House in advance of a ribbon-cutting ceremony with President Erdogan, DOB and FDNY cut serious corners that could have compromised the safety of the occupants and neighbors of the building, Lander said in a statement.

The consulate was the only building of its category that was allowed to open without an approved fire plan, a troubling breach of process, Lander wrote in the report.

The buildings fire plan was ultimately approved three years after opening on Sept. 26, coincidentally the same day Adams indictment was unsealed.

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But on the same day, the citys Department of Buildings denied the consulates application for a new temporary certificate of occupancy, citing that the building didnt submit complete paperwork. Since then, the building has been operating without a valid certificate of occupancy.

Previously, the Turkish consulate had been operating with the temporary occupancy certificates despite a two-year limit on the use of such permits, the Daily News previously reported.

This building has been inspected by our Bureau of Fire Prevention on multiple occasions. It has received violations that were remedied, and a reinspection was conducted prior to any approvals being issued. The location also has adequate fire safety staff for the commercial occupants, a spokesperson for the FDNY said in a statement.

The Turkish House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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The consulate is not eligible to file for a permanent certificate of occupancy, because it has standing violations of the Building Code and Environmental Control Board code, including a May 2024 violation for a 16th-floor glass facade and others related to elevator testing.

We treat the safety of our fellow New Yorkers as a top priority, and if any member of the public has safety concerns about a building, they are strongly encouraged to file an official 311 complaint, so that we can investigate the issue, Andrew Rudansky, a spokesperson for the DOB, said in a statement.

Lander said his audit also revealed a larger issue within the DOB: Over 3,500 buildings in the city are currently operating with occupancy approval, including over 600 office buildings that havent had the approval for an average of 3.5 years.

Sources at the DOB said that a lapse in TCO doesnt necessarily mean the building is unsafe, and is viewed as an administrative mishap.

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Things have dried out here in the Miami Valley following the snowstorm. We will see overnight lows right around 10 degrees with wind chills reaching down to 0 degrees as you wake up in the morning. Tomorrow we will see some flurries in the area with mostly cloudy skies and a high of 21 degrees. Overnight lows tomorrow night will be in the single digits with wind chills in some areas dropping below 0. A system originating in Texas will move northeastward Thursday, bringing snow chances to Dallas (will look pretty similar to Ohio if you are heading to the Cotton Bowl), and then moving to the east coast. It will bring snow chances to the Miami Valley Friday in the PM hours, but light snow is expected with accumulations as high as 3 inches. Temperatures much warmer this Sunday, but another chance for snow late overnight.

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COLBERT COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT)  The Tennessee Valley Authority, Colbert County plant, is prepared for the possible winter weather heading to the Shoals.

TVAs seasonal readiness efforts following Winter Storm Elliott in December of 2022 helped TVA prepare for Winter Storm Heather in January of 2024, when TVA successfully met the Valleys all-time peak power demand record of 34,577 megawatts at 8:00am on January 12, 2024.

TVA tells News 19 that they meteorologists on staff who forecast the projected electricity loads ahead of incoming extreme weather conditions.

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North Alabama agencies, organizations open warming centers for winter weather

Mark Rutland, the Colbert County plant manager, told News 19 what they faced in December 2022.

Two years ago, we had rolling blackouts so you dont want that to impact hospitals, schools, nursing homes and our employees are genuinely concerned about those types of events, Rutland said.

Rutland told News 19 that he and his team needed to be better prepared for this year, forcing them to spend $430 million on investments to make their system more resilient.

Weve had several audits come in, look at the equipment determine if there is further items we need to winterize more, Rutland said.

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Some of those items include enclosures around exposed equipment, insulated pipes and different heating methods, making their peak demand response time faster.

We are prepared to start and be online in less than 17 minutes in response to a peak demand which could happen at any time of the day, especially in cold weather, Rutland said.

Rutland said TVA Colbert County is winter-ready and wants residents to know they have your back.

We are better prepared than we have been in the past, there is no way to predict what weather system that will come upon us in the next 15 to 20 days, but through the lessons we learned, I guarantee we will be better and more improved than we were last year, Rutland said.

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SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE)  The Sevier County Sheriffs Office has released the names of two children who were killed in a structure fire in the area of South Flat Creek Road on December 30.

Previously, the sheriffs office reported responding to the fire around 9:30 a.m. on December 30, following a 911 call. When they arrived on the scene, firefighters found the home fully involved and two deaths were reported.

Im scared: Woman describes bizarre road rage encounter in Cocke County

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The sheriffs office said the victims were identified as Esperanza Gutierrez, 15, and Mateo Gutierrez, 8.

According to the sheriffs office, investigators determined the fire was accidental, caused by a kerosene heater being used to heat the lower portion of the home.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Gutierrez family and all those affected by this devastating loss of two young lives, said Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters. We are grateful to our emergency responders for their diligent work during this difficult time.

Union County man suing debt foreclosure company after he unwittingly sold his house

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The fire was investigated by the Sevier County Sheriffs Office, the Sevier County Fire Marshals Office, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

Several other agencies responded to the fire, including the Catons Chapel-Richardson Cove Volunteer Fire Department, English Mountain Volunteer Fire Department, Sevier County Ambulance Service, Sevier County Sheriffs Office, Sevier County Central Dispatch E911, Sevierville Fire Department, Sevier County Emergency Management Agency, Sevier County Medical Examiners Office, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.
Last month two downtown Rock Island businesses declared they would be closing soon: Theos Java Cafe and Spellbound.

(Gavin Waidelich, OurQuadCities.com)

When Theos reopened a year and a half ago, it was bustling, but in recent months, the store has struggled. We had plenty of people in here, busy, super busy, wed need a lot of staff on the line, said Madalyn Throne, an assistant manager at Theos Java Cafe. Its slowed down a lot, and its gotten quiet.

The cafe has stayed open this long only due to a recent customer surge.

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Since publicly announcing we were closing, weve seen a lot of new faces come in, and its helped quite a bit, Throne said. Weve been able to push our close date back,

Across the alley, Spellbound is sharing a similar fate.

(Gavin Waidelich, OurQuadCities.com)

I really didnt want to; Ive been trying to hang on a long time down here, said Spellbound owner Sarah Jacoby. I had a lot of hopes for the downtown Rock Island, but its just been one thing after another.

Jacoby says her business has faced many obstacles. It closed multiple times due to COVID, falling bricks and then a truck pushing a dumpster through one of the walls. Jacoby says the construction was the final nail in the coffin.

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The drop-off in the traffic in Rock Island, I mean it was already not great, but since the construction its gotten really, I mean theres been people commenting about ghost town and stuff like that, said Jacoby.

Jacoby is concerned the construction will leave the downtown empty.

I think that when the construction is done, its going to be very nice, Jacoby said. Ive got good hopes for Rock Island, but I dont know whos going to be left down here.

Both businesses intend to stay open for the rest of January.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
The two employees who died in a shooting attack at a mechanical engineering company in south-western Germany were brothers, police and prosecutors said on Wednesday.

One person remains in critical condition following the attack in the town of Bad Friedrichshall, some 100 kilometres south of Frankfurt, on Tuesday.

The suspect, a 52-year-old German national who was an employee at the company, was a member of a shooting club and had a permit for the weapon used, police said,

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Two brothers - aged 49 and 44 - were killed after a masked person entered the company's premises in the early evening and then fired shots at them.

The suspected perpetrator was arrested in the town of Seckach following an hours-long manhunt. His motive remains unclear, a spokesman for the local public prosecutor's office said.

He has since been remanded in custody and is refusing to speak to investigators. He is accused of two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

Twenty-five employees were on site during the crime, police said on Wednesday. They were taken out of the building and questioned by officers.

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Around 20,000 people live in Bad Friedrichshall, located in the prosperous state of Baden-Wurttemberg.

Bad Friedrichshall's mayor Timo Frey told dpa he was shocked by the news. He said the family-owned company, which makes gears, is well-known in the area and is a major employer with a staff of around 400.
ST. LOUIS  Two St. Louis County men avoided trial in a 2020 killing after reaching plea agreements with prosecutors.

Jerry Wafford, 29, and Reuben Smith, 35, were both sentenced Wednesday to five years in state prison. They pleaded guilty last week to one count of involuntary manslaughter for the shooting death of Darrell McClendon in St. Louis Citys Hamilton Heights neighborhood.

According to a St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson, the shooting happened in the block of Temple Place around 5:10 p.m. on Sept. 7, 2020. Police found McClendon laying on the front lawn and suffering from gunshot wounds.

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McClendon was rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He was 23.

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Homicide detectives eventually identified Smith and Wafford as the suspected shooters and took both into custody. They were initially charged with first-degree murder, first-degree assault, and two counts of armed criminal action.

However, the St. Louis Circuit Attorneys Office agreed to amend the murder charge and dismiss the other charges in exchange for guilty pleas.

At Wednesdays sentencing, an assistant circuit attorney said McClendons mother is grateful Smith and Wafford accepted responsibility for her sons killing and hopes they learn to make better choices in their lives.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
As four separate wildfires ravage L.A. , spreading at dizzying speeds that resemble something of a post-apocalyptic disaster film, more than 30,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes with two reported deaths. Also at risk, however, are the citys iconic historical landmarks and buildings that, if destroyed, would be a devastating loss to the L.A. community and design world at large. ELLE DECOR spoke with Adrian Scott Fine, the president of the Los Angeles Conservancy , who describes the current moment in L.A. as a very surreal experience.

This is very much an evolving, minute-by-minute situation, Fine explains. Peoples safety is our top priority, but at the moment, were trying to get a handle on what's at risk, what has been lost, and what measures are being taken to mitigate some of those impacts.

Its a frustrating wait-and-see situation at this point, Fine says. After this fire is hopefully very soon contained, we will assess the damage, and bring in our resources to mitigate any additional losses.

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The Pacific Palisades, where one of the largest fires has raged, has a particularly storied history, one that dates back to the early 20th century as an epicenter of the midcentury modern architecture movement. Says Fine, If you don't have that physical place, standing, where you can touch and feel and go into it, it's much less real. Its a tremendous loss.

What landmarks stand in the line of fire? Fine says the team is keeping a close eye on two properties, specifically: the Eames house and the Entenza house, two icons of midcentury modern architecture and part of the landmark Case Study House experiments.

J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles

The Case Study House program was the result of a design competition promoted by editor John Entenza for the January 1945 issue of Los Angeles-based Arts & Architecture magazine. The program, created to solve the problem of housing shortages amid an anticipated building boom following World War II, emphasized modern, affordable, easily built houses. The result was a crop of 20 homesbuilt by legendary designers including Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Ralph Rapson, Richard Neutra, Raphael Soriano, Craig Ellwood, and Pierre Koenigthat forever changed American architecture. Nine of the Case Study Houses are in Los Angeles.

We know at the moment that the Eames house [a National Historic Landmark] is still safe, Fine says, adding that at the moment, L.A. Conservancy is trying to retain as much as possible, or move it out of harm's way.



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"We are closely monitoring the situation and the Eames Foundation has taken every precaution to protect the site," the Eames Foundation wrote in an Instagram story. "Yesterday, the Foundation's team worked quickly to remove a small number of objects from the house before they had to evacuate the building."

APU GOMES - Getty Images

Another significant landmark is the Getty Villa , a hillside compound built by its namesake billionaire oilman J. Paul Getty in 1954 and later opened as a museum in 1974. It houses more than 44,000 rare antiques dating from 6,500 BC to AD 400. Its location between the Pacific Ocean and a brutally dry, open hillside, has subjected its grounds to the blaze, though officials confirmed they were able to keep the flames at bay, with minimal damage to the propertys trees and vegetation.

From everything that we've heard, the villa is currently on safe territory, even though there have been fires all along the grounds, Fine says People have taken preventative measures like cutting down brush so they can keep the fire from spreading again.

The most important measure for protection against future blazes is knowledge, Fine says. Thankfully in the city of L.A., they've done a survey of the entire city, Fine explains. The Palisades region, for instance, was surveyed about 10 years ago, with continuing updates. The team identified 300 to 400 historic sites that they are now watching very closely as L.A. is ablaze.

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For Fine, the loss of a historic landmark represents so much more than physical bricks and mortar: It's the touchstone in telling the story of who we are, who we were before, how weve evolved, and who Angelenos are all about.

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(WFRV)  Three businesses have been selected as finalists in Wisconsins Main Street Place-Makeover Contest.

Two of the businesses are located in Northeast Wisconsin; Craft Creek Brewing Co. in Manitowoc and Victorias Pet Nutrition in Fond du Lac. The third business is Coloma Creamery, located in Coloma.

These businesses were named finalists in the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporations (WEDCs) Annual Main Street Place-Makeover Contest, where the winner will receive design assistance and up to $5,000 in outdoor enhancements.

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Packers nominate Riley Vertz for Girls National Flag Football Player of the Year

The contest is in its third year, and 96 Connect Communities had the opportunity to nominate unattractive or underused spaces that could be helped to spruce up their businesses.

Using space in thoughtful ways to complement local businesses, draw in visitors, and enhance the quality of life for residents is a key feature of vibrant downtowns. The Place-Makeover Contest gives businesses and communities a chance to think creatively about how to use their downtown spaces. Missy Hughes, WEDC secretary and CEO

Packers and Sargento Foods continuing hunger relief campaign throughout playoffs

Other nominees include a variety of patios, sidewalk terraces, alleyways, parking lots and spaces not contributing to the downtown areas. The spaces were evaluated based on the potential to impact the business and the district.

The winner will be announced in mid-January and will spend months working with WEDC Main Street officials as well as consultants from Ayes Associates.

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The final transformation of the winning business will be unveiled during a public ceremony later this summer and will feature state and local officials.

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ST. LOUIS  Two St. Louis home renovation companies have been ordered to pay thousands to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over federal lead-based paint violations.

The EPA has fined BBW Homes LLC and Kim Roberts Properties LLC and two other Missouri businesses accused of violating the federal Toxic Substances Control Act.

According to the EPA, the companies did not comply with regulations intended to reduce the hazards of lead-based paint exposure and will pay $27,000 collectively as a result.

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St. Louis Post-Dispatch to no longer print papers in St. Louis

Such violations happen when a company that performs home renovations, or hires subcontractors, does not meet at least one of the following practices:

Obtaining certification from EPA prior to performing renovations

Compliance with lead safety practices

Proper retention of records

Notification to homeowners about the hazards of renovation-related lead exposure

The EPA says, when lead contaminates dust from chipped or peeling lead-based paint in buildings finished prior to 1978, it can cause elevated blood lead levels in children. Lead dust can be generated when lead-based paint deteriorates.

Infants and children are particularly vulnerable to lead-based paint exposure because their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults do, and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead. Children can be exposed from multiple sources and may experience irreversible and lifelong health effects.

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Reducing exposure to lead, especially among children and pregnant women and in communities already overburdened with pollution exposure, is a top priority for EPA, said David Cozard, EPA Region 7 Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division Director, via a news release. Renovator certification is a key requirement that ensures renovators will know how to properly handle and dispose of lead-based paint, and to notify residents of the presence of lead-paint hazards.

The EPA also fined DSH Legacy LLC in Hayti, Missouri, and Nygard Construction LLC in Bernie, Missouri, for similar violations.

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The U.S. Coast Guard has plans to build 25 Heritage Class Offshore Patrol Cutters, including four now slated to be homeported at Naval Station Newport in Rhode Island. (Courtesy of Eastern Shipbuilding Group)

The number of new U.S. Coast Guard cutters destined to call Naval Station Newport home has doubled, Rhode Islands U.S. Sen. Jack Reed announced Tuesday.

Two sets of 360-foot twin U.S. Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Cutters  not the one set Reeds office originally announced in 2020  will be based on Aquidneck Island. Each of the new cutters will be built by Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama.

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The cutters are part of the Heritage-class of ships that began construction in 2019. The Coast Guard intends to build 25 vessels in all, with the first four cutters built by Eastern Shipbuilding Group in Panama, Florida.

The first four were assigned to San Pedro, California, and Kodiak, Alaska. The cutters are designed to operate beyond 12 nautical miles from shore and conduct missions including law enforcement, drug and migrant interdiction, search and rescue, and other homeland security and defense operations. They will also help regulate and protect emerging commerce and energy exploration in Alaska.

Austal USA will build the next 11 cutters. The Coast Guard has not publicly announced which ships are going where, except that Rhode Island will be the homeport of four of them.

Last August, the Mobile shipyard started production on the fifth cutter, which is expected to be delivered to the Coast Guard in late 2027. The cutter is named after Timothy Pickering, the nations second war secretary who later served as secretary of state before becoming a U.S. senator and member of the House of Representatives from Massachusetts.

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The cutters have room onboard for 100-plus crewmembers and weigh in at 4,500 long tons when fully loaded.

Its a smart decision that makes strategic and economic sense for the Coast Guard and represents a significant investment in the Ocean States Blue Economy, Reed said in a statement. There is a lot of work ahead, but I look forward to welcoming these vessels and their crews, support personnel, and their families to their new homeport.

Reed pushed for the expansion of the Coast Guards footprint in Rhode Island and secured over $100 million to begin work on a new pier at Naval Station Newport. He also successfully advocated for bringing a pair of 270-foot cutters, Tahoma and Campbell, to Rhode Island in 2022 from their previous homeport at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in New Hampshire.

It will likely be several years before the four new cutters arrive in Newport, according to Reeds office. The four sister ships will eventually replace the Tahoma and Campbell.

Piers 1 and 2 at Naval Station Newport in Middletown are shown extending into the East Passage of Narragansett Bay in this May 2021 photo. The U.S. Coast Guard plans to homeport four 360-foot U.S. Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Cutters at the base in the years ahead, double the number of cutters assigned there now. (Photo by Bruce Katz/Naval Station Newport)

Homeporting these versatile and highly capable vessels in Rhode Island is a win for both the country, the state, and the Coast Guard, Reed added. Once operational, they will significantly strengthen the Coast Guards regional capabilities and bolster its mission readiness.

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Three Coast Guard buoy tenders  Oak, Sycamore and Ida Lewis  have been homeported in Newport for many years.

Middletown Town Administrator Shawn J. Brown said the town has been preparing as a community for the expansion of Coast Guard and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ships at Naval Station Newport.

The arrivals have influenced everything from the work on our new middle-high school to numerous discussions about affordable housing, long-term planning and more, Brown said in a statement. Weve had multiple discussions with our federal and state delegation for any assistance we might need, but as a community stand ready to assist the Coast Guard with its transition and look at this as a true opportunity to show what a great place Middletown is to live, work and play.

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Two employees have been killed after shots were fired at a mechanical engineering company in south-western Germany, police said on Tuesday.

One other man was critically injured, police added.

A masked person entered the company's premises in the town of Bad Friedrichshall, north of Stuttgart, in the early evening and then fired the shots at the men.

The suspected perpetrator, a 52-year-old German man, was arrested in the town of Seckach, police said later.

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According to initial investigations, the suspect is an employee of the company where the attack occurred, police said.

Other employees were on site during the crime. They were taken out of the building and questioned by officers, said a police spokeswoman. She did not provide any information on the number of employees present during the shooting.

A homicide squad has taken over the investigation with forensic investigators at the scene.

Around 20,000 people live in Bad Friedrichshall, located in the prosperous state of Baden-Wurttemberg.

Bad Friedrichshall's mayor Timo Frey told dpa he was shocked by the news.

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He said the family-owned company, which makes gears, is well-known in the area and is a major employer with a staff of around 400.

Shooting incidents are uncommon in the European Union's most populous nation.
Russian forces dropped explosives from a drone on Beryslav in Kherson Oblast on 8 January, injuring a 66-year-old man and a 69-year-old woman.

Source: Kherson Oblast Military Administration

Quote: "In the morning, two people were injured in Beryslav due to attacks by Russian UAVs."

Details: It is reported that the 66-year-old man sustained a blast injury and an arm wound as a result of a drone dropping explosives. The 69-year-old woman was diagnosed with blast trauma and shrapnel wounds to her arms, legs, head and abdomen.

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They have been taken to hospital, where doctors are providing them with the necessary assistance.

Background: On 7 January, the Russians attacked a civilian car with a drone in Naddniprianske, Kherson Oblast, killing a 62-year-old man.

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Former White House attorney Ty Cobb, who served in President-elect Trumps first administration, sharply criticized U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon for temporarily blocking the Justice Department from releasing special counsel Jack Smiths report on Trumps two prosecutions.

In an interview on CNNs Erin Burnett OutFront, the anchor noted that Trump, in his press conference Tuesday, praised Cannon as a brilliant judge five separate times.

Asked to weigh in on the press conference and Trumps use of the term brilliant to describe Cannon, Cobb said, Well, to the extent that shes brilliant, shes shining. And the only reason shes shining is shes his tool, and he polishes her religiously.

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He gets the results he needs from her, he added.

The ruling from Cannon comes after Trump and his two co-defendants in the Mar-a-Lago documents case asked her to bar the release of both sections of Smiths report, including that dealing with Trumps election interference case.

Its not clear the extent of Cannons purview over the case, as a prior ruling from her tossing the case has been appealed to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. That court has ordered a response by 10 a.m. EST Wednesday.

Cobb said he thinks that timeline suggests the court may be prepared to mitigate the stain that she is and the stain that shes created again for the judiciary quickly on this.

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Cannon has repeatedly come under fire for her handling of Trumps case, ruling in favor of the president on various motions legal observers described as long-shot bids.

The appeals court also has previously reversed Cannons rulings, including one appointing a special master to review the documents collected from Trumps home for materials potentially protected by executive privilege, blocking their release to investigators.

Cobb said he expects the appeals court to reverse Cannons decision once again.

The 11th Circuit has already, as we know, over two years ago, had to admonish her extensively for the rules and the remedies that she created out of whole cloth for him after the Mar-a-Lago search, and made it clear that, you know, she was way out of bounds, and overruled her, Cobb said. I suspect they will do so again quickly.

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SMITH COUNTY, Texas (KETK)  A Tyler woman was arrested Wednesday morning after allegedly shooting at deputies and setting a trailer on fire while she was in it.

The Smith County Sheriffs Office said at around 3:15 a.m., deputies responded to a call at 6189 Horseshoe Ln due to a disturbance. The reporting person told officials a woman was reportedly causing damage to his property. Once deputies arrived to the scene, they could hear a woman, later identified as Rachel Marie Shell, 35 of Tyler, inside the trailer as well as crashing noises.

Tyler PD searching for suspect in apartment complex shooting that killed deep East Texas woman

Mugshot of Rachel Marie Shell, courtesy of the Smith County Sheriffs Office



Deputies were also told Shell had access to a rifle and a .22 caliber firearm inside the trailer. While attempting to contact her, she reportedly began firing a weapon at deputies.

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Officials told her to exit the camper but she refused, a perimeter was established around the camper to safeguard nearby citizens and law enforcement.

[Shell] continued to shooting toward the deputies from within the trailer, the Smith County Sheriffs Office said. She then started a fire in the trailer while still inside. The fire quickly grew, and [Shell] exited out the front door with what appeared to be a rifle.

Shell then dropped the weapon and was taken into custody and no one was injured due to the gunfire, the sheriffs office said.

However, the camper became fully engulfed as the fire spread. Chapel Hill, Jackson Heights, Winona, and Red Springs Fire Departments and the Smith County Fire Marshals Office responded to the location. The fire was extinguished and no other trailers were damaged.

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Shell has been booked into the Smith County Jail on seven counts of aggravated assault to a peace officer, failure to identify and arson.

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LUMBERTON, N.C. (WBTW)  The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is offering a reward of up to $5,000 as authorities search for a 17-year-old suspect in Decembers deadly shooting at a Walmart bank.

Ezekiel Burden of Lumberton is wanted in connection with the killing of Brandy Nicole Olson, 42, also of Lumberton. He is facing first-degree murder and other charges in the shoot, which happened at about 3:45 p.m. on Dec. 20 at the Super Walmart in Lumberton.

Olson was shot multiple times while standing in line at the Woodforest Bank branch, according to police, who said the suspects were targeting two people they knew. Olson was later pronounced dead at UNC Health Southeastern.

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Brian Campbell, 18, who was wanted in connection to the shooting, turned himself in on Dec. 23 and faces a charge of accessory after the fact.

Investigators are asking anyone with information on Burdens whereabouts to contact Lumberton police at 910-671-3845. The ATF is partnering with Lumberton police, the Robeson County Sheriffs Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

Count on News13 for updates.

* * *

Jordan White is a Digital Producer at News13. She joined the News13 team in August 2024. Jordan, a Myrtle Beach native, graduated from St. James High School in Murrells Inlet and is a graduate of Coker University. Follow Jordan on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of her work here.

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SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  U.S. Attorney Jill E. Steinberg has announced her resignation from her position in the Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorneys Office. Her last day in office will be Friday, Jan. 17, 2025.

U.S. Attorney Steinberg served as the Chief Federal Law Enforcement Officer for the 43-county Southern District of Georgia since being sworn into office on Feb. 22, 2023.

Serving as U.S. Attorney has been a distinct honor and privilege, and I am grateful for the hard work, camaraderie, and friendship of the dedicated professionals who continue to serve on behalf of the American people, said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. Representing the United States in court is an incredible responsibility, and those who seek justice on behalf of our nation deserve our lasting gratitude. I am proud to have served alongside them.

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During Steinbergs tenure, the U.S. Attorneys Office:

Completed a statewide investigation that identified unconstitutional conditions at Georgias state prisons.

Worked to hold accountable individuals responsible for more than $12 million in pandemic relief fraud.

Successfully prosecuted criminal cases including drug trafficking conspiracies, large-scale fraud operations, child sexual exploitation crimes, and nearly 200 cases involving illegal firearms possession.

Criminal prosecutions for drugs, violent crime

Operation Ghost Busted, the largest single drug trafficking indictment returned in the Southern District of Georgia, was designed to address, and did in fact address, the significant uptick of overdose deaths in the Brunswick, Georgia, area. The defendants, many of them affiliated with a white supremacist gang, collectively have been sentenced to more than 4,000 months in prison, including one defendant who received a life sentence.

In Operation Night Drop, the U.S. Attorneys Office indicted 15 defendants  many of them inmates in Georgia state prisons  for operating a widespread methamphetamine trafficking operation that used drones to deliver contraband to incarcerated conspirators.

The U.S. Attorneys Office successfully prosecuted a violent extremist who used a weapon of mass destruction on a Savannah street, and another who stalked a woman before using an explosive on her home.

U.S. Attorney Steinberg took great care to ensure federal resources were used to vigorously defend against those who threatened our national security; the office prosecuted a hostile foreign state actor for exporting restricted equipment and information, and an individual for leaking classified information from the National Security Agency.



Fighting financial fraud

The U.S. Attorneys Office prosecuted the supervisor of the Glynn County public works department for embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars of taxpayer money for his own personal benefit.

An individual who used the complex and emerging world of cryptocurrency to defraud multiple individual victims of over a million dollars was sent to prison.

An office manager who abused her position of trust to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from a prominent real estate management company received a prison sentence and was ordered to pay restitution.

The U.S. Attorneys Office prosecuted multiple individuals who committed millions of dollars in tax fraud and fraudulently accessed pandemic relief programs.

The office successfully tried a years-long prosecution with the Antitrust Division involving a concrete company and its associates for engaging in anti-competitive practices such as price fixing, bid rigging, and market allocation.

The office reached a $3.9 million settlement with two companies whose employee was murdered when he exposed a scheme by other employees to illegally profit from undocumented laborers.

U.S. Attorney Steinberg also oversaw the revival of the districts Human Trafficking Task Force and supported the offices efforts to provide law enforcement training and public education on human trafficking.

Steinberg was a member of the Attorney Generals Advisory Committee (AGAC) and the AGAC White Collar, Cyber, and Violent Crime Subcommittees. The AGAC is composed of select U.S. Attorneys who advise the Attorney General on matters of policy, procedure, and management that impact the U.S. Attorneys Offices.

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It is my hope that the citizens of the Southern District of Georgia will feel safer and better informed and empowered through our outreach efforts, said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. Knowledge is a powerful tool, and informed citizens are a vital part of protecting our civil rights and the security of our neighborhoods.

Steinberg began her legal career as an Assistant District Attorney for the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office from 1998 to 2001. She received her Juris Doctor from Duke University Law School in 1998 and her bachelors degree, summa cum laude, from the University of Georgia in 1995.

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WARSAW, Poland (AP)  A U.S. citizen has been blocked from entering Poland because her passport was defaced with handwritten notes, border officials said Wednesday.

The unidentified passenger arrived at Krakow's Balice airport on a flight from London shortly after midnight, according to Justyna Drozdz, a local border security spokeswoman.

The woman was stopped at passport control because her document contained handwritten notes of locations and airport names under visa stamps from the countries she had visited.

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The woman told border security staff she was unaware it was not permitted to write on passports or ID documents, Drozdz told Polish news agency PAP. She will remain at the airport for a return flight to London on Thursday.

As a general rule, it is not permissible for the holder to write in a passport other than to provide a required signature and emergency contacts. Airlines and immigration officials often deny boarding or entry if they feel a passport has been damaged or defaced.

It was not clear why border officials elsewhere had not questioned the woman about her passport.
Jan. 8 (UPI) -- The United States has accused Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and proxy militias of committing genocide in the Northeast African nation's nearly 2-year-old civil war.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the genocide determination Tuesday. The United States has repeatedly declared that war crimes have been committed by both warring parties in Sudan's civil war, but Blinken alleged that the RSF's systematic murder and sexual violence targeting individuals based on their ethnicity now meets the high threshold of genocide.

"The RSF and allied militias have systematically murdered men and boys -- even infants -- on an ethnic basis, and deliberately targeted women and girls from certain ethnic groups for rape and other forms of brutal sexual violence. Those same militias have targeted fleeing civilians, murdering innocent people escaping conflict, and prevented remaining civilians from accessing life-saving supplies," Blinken said in a statement.

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The breakaway RSF and the Sudan Defense Force have been locked in a deepening and bloody civil war since April 2023, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands, the displacement of millions and the creation of the world's largest humanitarian catastrophe.

The genocide determination is largely symbolic, but the U.S. Treasury accompanied Blinken's announcement with sanctions targeting Gen. Mohammad Hamdan Daglo Mousa, leader of the RSF, as well as the paramilitary weapons supplier Abu Dharr Abdul Nabi Habiballa Ahmmed and seven related companies.

Allegations of ethnic violence have come predominantly from Sudan's Darfur province, where RSF and its aligned militias have killed thousands.

Blinken mentioned Darfur in his statement, directly implicating Mohammad Hamdan in gross human rights violations committed there, specifically the mass rape of civilians.

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"The United States is committed to holding accountable those responsible for these atrocities," Blinken said.

The United States has repeatedly responded with sanctions to the civil war, which broke out following years of uncertainty in the country as it attempted to crawl toward stability after the fall of African nation's former three-decade dictator government of President Omar al-Bashir in a civilian-backed coup in 2019.

The genocide determination is the second made by the United States in Darfur this century. In September of 2004, then-Secretary of State Colin Powell declared a genocide was being committed in Darfur province by the government of Sudan and the Janjaweed militia, which would later evolve into the RSF.

Brian Adeba, senior advisor at The Sentry, an investigative and policy organization, said the genocide determination sends "a strong message" to victims that their suffering is recognized and that justice will be pursued.

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"Most importantly, the determination signals that the world is waking up to the task of holding those who commit mass atrocities accountable. This determination must be accompanied by bold and concrete action to not only hold perpetrators accountable, but also protect civilians, and support the pursuit of justice and peace in Sudan," Adeba said in a statement.

Democratic Rep. Gregory Meeks, ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, similarly described Blinken's determination in a statement as an important step to identifying atrocities committed by the RSF.

"Keeping U.S. focus on holding the RSF and SAF accountable and ending this conflict must continue to be a priority as we seek to address the world's worst humanitarian crisis," he said.
An overhead view of the abandoned Yellow Pine Pit at the Stibnite Mine, which Perpetua Resources hopes to resume mining in. (Clark Corbin/Idaho Capital Sun)

The U.S. Forest Service has issued a final record of decision approving the Stibnite Gold Mine Project in Central Idahos Payette National Forest, green-lighting what could become one of the largest gold mines in the United States.

A company called Perpetua Resources  formerly known as Midas Gold  seeks to resume mining gold, silver and the chemical element antimony at the Stibnite Gold Mine. Mining at the site dates back to 1899 and the Thunder Mountain Gold Rush. Metals mined at Stibnite contributed to the World War II effort.

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But by 1992 mining had ceased and Stibnites open pit mine was abandoned, polluting the East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon River with arsenic and sediment, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported.

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Perpetua Resources says Stibnite is still loaded with gold and an element called antimony. The company has promised to clean up some of the historic mine waste, reprocess and safely store historic mine tailings and restore some waterways and fish habitat.

In a statement released Monday, Perpetua Resources welcomed approval of the mine. The company highlighted the jobs it will create and promoted the mining of antimony, a chemical element found in minerals that Perpetua Resources said can be used to make ammunition and liquid metal batteries.

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Perpetua Resources officials said approving Stibnite Gold Mine unlocks one of the largest domestic supplies of antimony, which the company said China is restricting exports of.

We are thrilled to receive our final record of decision from the Forest Service, Jon Cherry, president and CEO of Perpetua Resources, said in a written statement. This approval elevates the Stibnite Gold Project to an elite class of projects in America that have cleared NEPA (the National Environmental Policy Act). The Stibnite Gold Project can deliver decisive wins for our communities, the environment, the economy and our national security.

Perpetua Resources officials said the permitting process has taken eight years.

Conservationists, Nez Perce Tribe say mine will do more harm to Idaho public lands, endangered salmon

Conservation groups, including the Idaho Conservation League, and the Nez Perce Tribe opposed Stibnites approval, saying resuming mining will disturb a much larger area of forest than the previous operation and could threaten habitat of endangered salmon.

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Stibnite Gold Mine is located in Valley County near the tiny town of Yellow Pine, just outside the boundary of the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. The Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness is the largest contiguous wilderness area in the lower 48. The rugged wilderness area is home to prominent mountains, whitewater rivers, deep canyons and a diverse species of plants and animals including wolves, bears, beavers, endangered wolverines, and endangered salmon.

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Opponents said Stibnite and Perpetua Resources are not doing enough to protect salmon and the environment.

The Stibnite Gold Project is the equivalent of high-risk, open heart surgery for the East Fork South Fork Salmon River, and the watershed will be worse off as a result, not better, John Robison, Idaho Conservation Leagues public lands and wildlife director, said in a written statement. We are deeply disappointed that the Forest Service dismissed our suggestions to correct significant flaws in the project. Even the Forest Services own analysis states that doing nothing is better for the environment than building the Stibnite Gold Project.

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In September, the U.S. Forest Service issued a draft approval to resume mining at Stibnite, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported.

Idahos Republican congressional delegation supports Stibnite Gold Mine approval

All four members of Idahos congressional delegation  U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, and U.S. Reps. Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher  issued a written statement applauding the mines approval. In their statement, the Republican congressman highlighted mining for antimony.

For too long, we have let China hold the cards when it comes to critical mineral production. This Record of Decision is a vital first step in advancing the production of American antimony and strengthening our national defense, Crapo, Fulcher, Risch and Simpson said in a joint written statement issued Monday. Still, we must significantly reform the permitting processes to effectively compete with China and fully leverage the resources in our backyard.

Officials with the Idaho Conservation League said antimony is an important resource, but said gold is really the focus of the Stibnite Gold Mine and would generate 94% of the projects profits.

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Lets be clear  this is a taxpayer financed gold mine, Robison said. Perpetua never offered and the Forest Service never analyzed a targeted antimony mining proposal that would entail much less surface disturbance, mine waste and overall impact. Whats more, having a small percent of antimony in a gold project should not give anyone a pass for a project that could end up doing immeasurable harm.

In a news release issued Monday, the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality announced it is releasing an Idaho Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems, or IPEDS, preliminary draft permit to Perpetua Resources. Following the review, officials with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality said they will post the draft permit along with any revisions to the departments website for public review.

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Jan. 8 (UPI) -- A U.S. Marine allegedly sexually assaulted an Okinawan woman in November, which is the fourth alleged sexual assault by U.S. service members in Okinawa in 2024.

Okinawa Prefecture Police on Wednesday notified the U.S. Marine Corps of the case against the unnamed Marine who is in his 30s, Stars & Stripes reported.

The Naha Public Prosecutors Office accuse the Marine of sexually assaulting and injuring an Okinawan woman who is over 20 years of age while inside a building in Okinawa in November.

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The woman reported the alleged sexual assault immediately after she said it occurred.

Local police interviewed the woman and Marine and reviewed security camera footage before forwarding her complaint and a police report to local prosecutors.

"This is a matter of great concern to the people of Okinawa," Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki said in a statement. "We demand a firm response."

No charges were filed as of Wednesday afternoon, but officials at the III Marine Expeditionary Force are aware of the matter and are cooperating with local authorities, Marine Corps spokeswoman 1st Lt. Isabel Izquierdo told Stars & Stripes in an email.

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Officials at Okinawa's Naha Public Prosecutors Office are weighing potential criminal charges in the matter.

The accused Marine is in the custody of the U.S. military.

Three other U.S. service members in 2024 were accused of attempting or carrying out sexual assaults of Okinawan women.

Senior Airman Brennon Washington last year was convicted of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl in December 2023 and is serving a five-year prison sentence and hard labor. Washington has appealed his conviction.

A Marine lance corporal in June also was charged with attempted sexual assault, and another Marine lance corporal in September was charged with injuring a woman during a sexual assault.

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Tamaki and other Okinawan officials fled formal complaints over the alleged sexual assaults with U.S. military commands, the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo and the Japanese government.

Okinawa is Japan's southernmost island and is home to 32 U.S. military facilities.

Recent and past incidents of sexual assaults committed by U.S. service members in Okinawa has the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly calling for changes to agreements enabling the U.S. military installations to operate on the island.

Japanese prosecutors in 2016 convicted a U.S. military contractor of raping and stabbing to death a 20-year-old Okinawa woman and dumping her body afterward.

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Former U.S. Marine Kenneth Franklin Shinzato pleaded guilty to the rape and murder, which prompted a protest by about 2,000 at the Marine Corps base in central Okinawa.

The protesters wanted U.S. military bases removed from Okinawa.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM)  The alleged gunman charged with murder from a deadly December Harrisburg shooting was arrested Wednesday, police say.

U.S. Marshals arrested Lateef Phoenix, 38, of Harrisburg, who was wanted in the fatal shooting in the area of Hunter and Nectarine Streets on Saturday, Nov. 2, according to Harrisburg Police.

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Police say 34-year-old Darius Stukes was found by officers who responded to the area for a reported shooting and a man down. Stukes had multiple gunshot wounds and was rushed to the hospital where he died.

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Phoenix was charged in December with murder of the first degree and firearm offenses following the investigation.

This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available

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DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  The U.S. Marshals Service, alongside several task force agencies and police departments, have taken two people believed to have been involved in a murder into custody.

According to a release from the U.S. Marshals Service, the suspects were wanted by the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office. The pair is accused of aggravated murder and two counts of felonious assault.

The U.S. Marshals Services Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST) took on the case and soon learned that the suspects reportedly fled south to Kentucky.

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The United States Marshals Service is committed to bringing those who commit violent crimes

to justice. We work with our partners at the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office daily to locate dangerous fugitives and remove them from our community. This arrest is the result of the teamwork between our task force in Southern Ohio and our USMS partners in the Eastern District of Kentucky. Michael D. Black, U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Ohio

Both were arrested Wednesday morning without incident and are being held at the Kenton County Jail in Kentucky, until they are able to be extradited to Ohio.

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All U.S. Postal Service offices will be closed on Thursday, Jan. 9 for a national day of mourning in honor of former President Jimmy Carter. Carter passed away on Dec. 29, 2024 at the age of 100. The United States flag will also remain displayed at half-staff at federal buildings and around the U.S. through Jan. 28.

President Joe Biden declared Jan. 9 a national day of mourning to remember Carters life and legacy as the 39th president of the United States. An executive order from Biden ordered the closure of executive departments and agencies of the federal government on Jan. 9.

According to the USPS, regular mail delivery, retail services and office activity will be suspended on Jan. 9. However, there will be limited package deliveries.

Regular mail delivery will resume on Friday, Jan. 10, according to the USPS.
BIG COUNTRY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  U.S. Representative Jodey Arrington voted on H.R. 29, also known as the Laken Riley Act.

The Laken Riley Act was introduced after a nursing student named Laken Riley from Augusta University was killed while jogging on February 22, 2024, by an undocumented immigrant. Rileys death was caused by blunt force trauma and asphyxiation.

More undocumented immigrants being flown into Abilene Airport

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For four years, the Biden administrations complete and total surrender of our southern border has decimated communities and families across the country, resulting in the deaths of countless Americans like Laken Riley, said Congressman Arrington.

Arrington back bill funding West Texas farmers amid shutdown threat

The bill was introduced in the 118th Congress as H.R.7511 on March 7, 2024, and reintroduced in the 119th Congress as H.R.29 on January 3, 2025.

Congressman Arrington said the Laken Riley Act would do two things:

Amend federal law to require Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to issue detainers and take custody of illegal aliens who commit theft-related crimes, such as shoplifting, as defined by state and local law.

It allows state attorneys general to sue the Secretary of Homeland Security for injunctive relief if immigration actions such as parole, violation of detention requirements, or other policy failures harm that state or its citizens.

The drug cartels are in Abilene: Congressman Jodey Arrington addresses security crisis at the Texas border

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In this new era of Republican leadership, we are delivering for the American people  and that starts with securing the border and protecting our communities. The Laken Riley Act will give law enforcement the tools they need to keep dangerous illegals off the streets and empower state governments to protect their people. Arrington said.

The House passed the Laken Riley Act with 264 votes. Republicans voted unanimously in support of the bill, with 216 votes. 159 Democrats voted against the bill, and 48 Democrats voted in favor of it.

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Jan. 7 (UPI) -- A top Hungarian government official was sanctioned by the United States for alleged corrupt activity, the State Department announced on Tuesday.

"We continue to urge Hungary's leaders to address corruption proactively, unequivocally, and decisively," U.S. Department of State spokesman Matthew Miler said in a statement.

On Tuesday, the United States unrolled a series of financial sanctions under the Global Magnitsky program on Antal Rogan -- a central figure in the government of the country's political strongman Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

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Rogan, 52, was designated a corrupt official by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control for allegedly cultivating a deceitful system in Hungarian society in which resources or other government contracts were dolled out to loyal cronies.

He has lead the prime minister's office since 2015.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto (seen in September at the United Nations in New York City) called Tuesday's sanctions a "personal revenge" on the part of the outgoing U.S. Ambassador David Pressman. File Photo by Peter Foley/UPI

All of Rogan's U.S.-based assets are blocked and American citizens will be prohibited from doing any business with him under the federal sanctions.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto called the sanctions on Tuesday a "personal revenge" on the part of the outgoing U.S. Ambassador David Pressman amid icy relations with the outgoing Biden administration.

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However, the United States maintains the designation is purely intended to make certain that America's financial system plays "no role" in facilitating any of Rogan's alleged corrupt actions.

Orban, meanwhile, has been a close friend and noted ally of President-elect Donald Trump's since his first term four years ago, and Rogan's sanctions arrived less than two weeks before Trump's second inaugural and weeks after Orban met with Trump at his Florida estate.

"The United States will not hesitate to hold accountable individuals, like Rogan, who use the power of their office to illicitly enrich themselves and their cronies at the expense of their country and their fellow citizens," wrote Bradley T. Smith, acting U.S. under secretary of the Treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence, on Tuesday.

Officials says Rogan's activity is emblematic of the broader climate of impunity in Hungary where "key elements of the state have been captured by oligarchs and undemocratic actors."

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According to Miller, a more transparent Hungary would contribute to a stronger trans-Atlantic alliance and a "more prosperous Europe," he said.

Meanwhile, Rogan was present at a 2012 protest in Budapest when thousands of Hungarian Jews protested against an ultra-right-wing party after a member in Parliament called for a register of Jews.

He said at the time he was there because he "cannot stay quite," adding that "Hungary defends it citizens."

"Genocide is always preceded by lists," said Rogan, then-chairman of the ruling Fidesz Party in parliament. It is unacceptable, he said, that "people should fail to learn the lessons of the past 100 years."
In April 2023, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) went to battle against each other and launched a conflict of unmitigated brutality, according to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The conflict has resulted in the worlds largest humanitarian crisis, with the worst famine in Sudans recent history, more than 11 million people forced from their homes, more than 30 million people needing humanitarian assistance and tens of thousands dead, although recent reports put the number of dead much higher.

While both sides have committed war crimes, only the RSF has been found to commit crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing. On Tuesday, the United States took the additional step of finding that the RSF is committing genocide. In an announcement by the U.S. State Department, Blinken said the RSF and allied militias have systematically murdered men and boys  even infants  on an ethnic basis, and deliberately targeted women and girls from certain ethnic groups for rape and other forms of brutal sexual violence. Those same militias have targeted fleeing civilians, murdered innocent people escaping conflict, and prevented remaining civilians from accessing lifesaving supplies, resulting in a finding of genocide.

After reviewing the horrifying information of suffering inside Sudan, I have concluded that members of the Rapid Support Forces and allied militias have committed genocide in Sudan. The United States is committed to pursuing accountability for these atrocities.  Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) January 7, 2025

Mass RSF attacks on El Geneina in 2023, for example, turned previously peaceful Sudanese homes into cemeteries. In one day in June, more than 1,000 people were killed. Hundreds were killed in a refugee camp. Overall, the United Nations said between 10,000 and 15,000 people were killed in the city of about 540,000. Dozens of witnesses said civilians were targeted because of their ethnicity: Children were reportedly shot on their mothers backs as they fled or were thrown into the river, and captives were tortured and killed. The New York Times has documented war crimes via RSF trophy videos, glorifying the death and destruction being committed.

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Starving Sudanese have resorted to eating soil, leaves and peanut shells, while earlier this year, one refugee camp was reporting a child death every two hours. The RSF has weaponized food. Human rights activist Essam Al-Rashid said that the RSF killed 40 farmers last month in the village of Tabun in White Nile and that the RSF had attacked another farming area near the border of South Sudan on Monday. The UNs High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has said rape is being used as a weapon of war. In September 2024, the BBC had an in-depth report talking to survivors of rape in Sudan. We know that its the RSF who raped the girls, said one.

The Washington Post reports an orgy of looting by RSF forces that have taken crops, gold, vehicles and so much cash from the banking system that citizens are chronically short of paper money. The Post also reports that the RSF and its allied forces have also repeatedly looted aid organizations: The U.N. World Food Program alone has had more than $60 million worth of food looted and 85 other aid groups were attacked and looted at a time when children are starving to death.

Why it matters

Genocide is a term coined by Polish lawyer Raphael Lemkin in 1944 in his book Axis Rule in Occupied Europe. It consists of the Greek prefix genos, meaning race or tribe, and the Latin suffix cide, meaning killing. It was first recognized under international law in 1946. In 1948, it was codified by the United Nations and has since been ratified by 153 countries.

Declaring acts as a genocide matters. The word is more than just strong language. It denotes specific activity and an intent to destroy a specific group of people. A country declaring genocide, as the U.S. did today, is a political act that is not legally binding on other nations. However, if the U.S. were to file a claim with the International Justice Court (IJC) and the IJC were to find the RSF guilty of genocide, it would trigger legal and moral obligations for the international community to intervene to stop the genocide, prevent further occurrences and punish those responsible.

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The U.S. government has declared a genocide only six times since the end of the Cold War, according to the National Security Council: In Bosnia in 1993, Rwanda in 1994, Iraq in 1995, Sudans Darfur region in 2004, areas under the control of the Islamic State in 2016 and 2017, and in Myanmar in 2022.

With todays declaration came sanctions for RSF leader Mohammad Hamdan Daglo Mousa, known as Hemedti, for his role in systematic atrocities committed against the Sudanese people, including gross violations of human rights in Darfur, namely the mass rape of civilians by RSF soldiers under his control. As a result of this designation, Hemedti and his immediate family members are ineligible for entry to the United States. It will also likely have a chilling effect on relations between Hemedti and other heads of state in Africa and elsewhere at a time when Hemedti wants to become the recognized leader of Sudan.

The U.S. is also sanctioning seven RSF-owned companies in the United Arab Emirates, including one handling gold likely smuggled out of Sudan, according the State Department statement and the Associated Press. The genocide declaration and resulting sanction may bring new scrutiny to the role of the United Arab Emirates in the war. The Emirates has supplied the R.S.F. with smuggled weapons and powerful drones, according to American officials and visual evidence collected by The New York Times.

The RSF is responsible for some of the most heinous atrocities being committed anywhere in the world today, said John Prendergast, co-founder of The Sentry, a US-based watchdog group that tracks corruption. Todays actions by the Biden administration are an important start to creating that accountability, which hopefully can provide leverage both for deterring future human rights crimes as well as for helping to drag the RSF into treating ceasefire negotiations more seriously.

The RSF did not respond to press requests for comment.
Jan. 7 (UPI) -- U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, who is closing out his tenure of two terms, offered a "Parting Prescription for America" on Tuesday to relieve "pain, disconnection and division" in the country.

"As I finish my tenure as Surgeon General, this is my parting prescription, my final wish for all of us: Choose community," Murthy urged after hearing from thousands who shared their stories.

"With every conversation, I saw the stakes more clearly: The fracturing of community in America is driving a deeper spiritual crisis that threatens our fundamental well-being," Murthy wrote in his 32-page prescription. "It is fueling not only illness and despair on an individual level, but also pessimism and distrust across society, which have all made it painfully difficult to rise together in response to common challenges."

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As a physician, Murthy said he believes that health encompasses the whole person, not just the physical being cured through medication. On Tuesday, he called the unhappiness ailing Americans "the erosion of our sense of community."

"Today, we are faced with a profound choice: Do we continue with the status quo, marked by pain, disconnection and division? Or do we choose a different path -- one of joy, health and fulfillment, where we turn toward each other instead of away from each other; where we choose love over fear; where we recognize community as the irreplaceable foundation of our well-being?" Murthy wrote.

Instead, Murthy is urging Americans to "recenter their lives around relationships, service and purpose."

Relationships, Murthy said, reduce stress. Without them, he added, "we can experience loneliness."

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Murthy said a third of all adults and about half of all young people experience loneliness, which can increase the risk of heart disease, depression, anxiety and premature death.

A study funded by the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health in October found persistent loneliness also takes a toll on aging brains and can significantly raise a person's odds for dementia.

Murthy urged Americans to live in service to others to make us "feel more connected," which can have profound benefits in reducing the risk of hypertension, stroke, early death, depression and cognitive decline.

The Surgeon General urged Americans to live with purpose to have an "overarching life aim that guides our decisions and actions."

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"It's not 'what' we do. It's 'why' we do it," Murthy said, adding that a strong sense of purpose may reduce depression and anxiety by instilling a greater resilience to stress.

In August, more than three-quarters of Americans believed, according to a poll, that the country was on the wrong track and that the government in Washington, D.C., was broken, as a majority feared some form of civil war would break out.

And during the COVID-19 pandemic and presidential election in 2020, a study published in the journal Science found for the first time that partisans' hate for their political rivals topped their affection for their own party.

"America and the world need a new generation of community builders. A generation defined not by age but by spirit -- by a fierce, unyielding commitment to each other and a clear-eyed, full-hearted recognition that we are kin, not enemies, and that we fundamentally need each other. We must be that generation." Murthy implored.

"It is up to us to reject the pessimism and animosity of our time and instead choose courage and hope," he continued in closing. "The choice we make to build community has the power to change lives and transform society."
Construction of the battery plant in Glendale in January 2023. (BlueOval SK photo)

The United Auto Workers has filed for a union vote by workers at the BlueOval SK battery plant in Glendale  an action the company says is premature and puts at risk the freedom and opportunities of our current and soon-to-be-hired Kentucky team members.

The union filed a petition Tuesday with the National Labor Relations Board seeking a vote in what a UAW news release says is the first major filing in the South in 2025 and continues the movement of Southern autoworkers organizing with the UAW.

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In response, BlueOval SK issued a release saying that most of the team who will work at the plant have yet to be hired. They, too, deserve to have their voices heard. And none of our Team Members have had the opportunity to see how our plant will operate since we have not yet begun production. The UAW is trying to rush BlueOval SK into unionization before our full workforce has the opportunity to make a truly free and informed choice.

BlueOval SK, a joint venture of Ford Motor Co. and South Korea-based SK On, is expected to begin production of batteries for electric vehicles this year. The $6 billion complex  on 1,500 acres near Interstate 65 in southern Hardin County  is expected to eventually employ 5,000 people at two manufacturing plants on the site. Each plant will employ 2,500, though construction of the second plant was delayed.

The company now has about 750 employees in Kentucky, a company spokesperson told the Lantern in an email Wednesday.

The union announced in November that a supermajority of workers at the plant had signed union cards.

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The National Labor Relations Board, a federal agency, is responsible for scheduling and overseeing union votes and for hearing appeals from both sides.

The UAW release quotes Halee Hadfield, a quality operator at Blue Oval SK, who says, Were forming our union so we can have a say in our safety and our working conditions. The chemicals were working with can be extremely dangerous. If something goes wrong, a massive explosion can occur. With our union, we can speak up if we see theres a problem and make sure were keeping ourselves and the whole community safe.

The companys release says safety is a priority. We continually invest in the development and growth of our workforce by offering competitive wages and regular bonuses, prioritizing safety, and providing opportunities for promotion within BlueOval SK. We are grateful for our team and look forward to maintaining our direct relationship as we prepare for our on-time start to production.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (NEXSTAR)  When Illinois legalized marijuana, a lot of new businesses popped up, and they had a lot of jobs to fill.

The University of Illinois-Springfield is trying to help fill them. The university partnered with the business Green Flower to offer an online course that would end with people getting a certificate that could be used on job applications.

They were needing to stand up a workforce, but there was very little in the way of credentials to for someone to be able to pursue legitimate credentials and put that on their resume and say, Hey, look, Ive had this this kind of training. Im ready to be a successful employee,' Dr. Robert Kerr with the University of Illinois said.

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There have already been classes that finished up in the five years since marijuana was legalized. The next class starts next week.

Urbana Park District offers free fitness classes all week

The cannabis industry in Illinois is growing exponentially and is really, in many cases, considered one of the best run sectors in the whole country, Max Simon with Green Flower said. And because of that, theres a growing demand for well-trained professionals to work inside the businesses, to start these businesses or to service these businesses. So we at Green Flower create trusted cannabis curriculum and we partner with universities across the country to be able to offer these programs to help develop this cannabis workforce.

The class is open to anyone, not just UIS students, and it gives no official college credit. It offers specialties in the marijuana business side and the horticulture side of the industry.

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The UK is trading millions of eels with Russia under a programme that is risking national security, campaigners have warned.

Large numbers of critically endangered glass eels are being transported annually from the Bristol Channel to Kaliningrad under the premise of a conservation programme.

However, wildlife campaigners say the justification is cover for the eels to be held and eventually sold for consumption.

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The trade has risen significantly in recent years, from half a million eels in 2022 to three million last year, with proposals for it to increase fivefold to 15 million.

Two dozen campaign groups have written to The Telegraph calling for the environment department to focus on conservation programmes that keep the European eels, a protected red-listed species, in Britain.

The letter states: Even at times of peace, it would be irresponsible to propose a trade where monitoring procedures are compromised.

In the current geopolitical climate, trade with Russia is also surely an issue of national security.

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Signatories include Andrew Kerr, the chairman of the Sustainable Eel Group, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, a leading chef, and Chris Packham, the conservationist.

Eels are born in the Sargasso Sea and make their way in their juvenile state to the UK, where they mature in rivers before heading out to respawn.

However, experts have found that less than 3 per cent of those in the River Severn make it back out to sea, far below the target of 40 per cent needed to recover global stocks.

The low success rates are blamed on the decline of eel habitats caused by factors related to agriculture, industry, housing estates and pollution.

Advocates of eel transport programmes say sending the fish to Kaliningrad helps boost numbers because it is easier for them to reach the sea from there.

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However, opponents fear there is a high risk that the eels are being held and matured in Russia before eventually being sold on to markets such as Asia for consumption.

Glass eel prices hit an all-time high in Japan last year, at more than 12,00 a kilo, boosting the thriving black market in the region.

Japan consumes 70 per cent of the worlds eel catch, known as unagi, in sushi and other rice dishes.

There is also a growing demand for the fish in China and Hong Kong, while it is also used in Vietnamese and Korean cooking.

In Europe, eel is typically eaten in its juvenile form in Spain, where it is considered a delicacy.

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However, globally the trade is heavily restricted. The UK forbids the export of juvenile eels to Asia and cannot trade them with EU countries. But trade with Russia is allowed to continue as long as it is for conservation reasons.

The letter from campaigners says: The conservation logic is cover for a commercial trade, where eels are grown-on in a contained area and eventually harvested for consumption.

The director of Kaliningrads fisheries agency, Yuri Maslov, is on record as saying that, while the imported fish could look to leave Russian waters in several years, by that time they will have already been caught.

No conservation benefit

A petition to stop the export of glass eels to Russia has gained more than 55,000 signatures. It argues that the trade is contrary to the letter and the spirit of Europe-wide laws and regulations designed to save this crucial species.

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Mr Kerr said there was no conservation benefit at all to sending the eels to Kaliningrad, given the comments from Mr Maslov. He added that millions of pounds had been invested to improve the River Severn to help boost fish, including eel numbers, with noticeable effects.

He said: We agree with protecting the eel at the level we have got, to see the end of the 30 years of decline. Since 2011, every year we have had a stable or small increase in numbers.

We have stopped the rot but there is a long way to go before recovery, so we dont want to see any relaxation of the pressure.

Advocates of the trade with Russia argue it allows a chance for eels that would otherwise die to survive, as well as protecting UK elvering. The tradition around Gloucestershire dates back hundreds of years but has steadily declined, along with the British taste for the fish and the reduction in stocks.

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A Defra spokesman said: We have robust rules and laws in place to safeguard protected species, such as glass eels. Any applications to export them are scrutinised thoroughly by the authorities to ensure they are legal and sustainable.

Any reports of illegal wildlife trafficking are taken very seriously and would be investigated by APHA [the Animal and Plant Health Agency] and Border Force officials.

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Non-Europeans visiting or transiting through the UK without a visa are now required to obtain a 10 digital permit from Wednesday, 8 January.

The Home Office is extending the electronic travel authorisation (ETA) system, which was first introduced in November 2023.

An ETA  which is a digital permission to travel  was previously only required for nationals of Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

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More than 243,000 Gulf nationals were issued with ETAs in the first half of 2024, Home Office figures show.

They will become a requirement for non-Europeans entering the UK without legal residence rights or a visa from Wednesday and for all travellers from 2 April. Nationalities that can apply for an ETA can be found on the government website.

Each ETA permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time over two years, or until the holders passport expires if that is sooner.

The ETA will be mandatory for all non-visa overseas visitors to the UK, with the exception of Irish nationals, who are allowed free movement under the Common Travel Agreement.

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Others who do not need an ETA are British citizens, those who have permission to live, work or study in the UK, people who are travelling with a British overseas territories citizen passport or those who are legally resident in Ireland who are travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man to the UK.

Those with dual citizenship in Britain or Ireland also do not need an ETA if they use their British or Irish passports.

The starting point of the journey to the UK is not relevant, as it is the travellers nationality that counts.

Applications for an ETA can be made through the UK ETA app or the gov.uk website and the ETAs will be digitally linked to a travellers passport.

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Those who are applying will need to supply photographs of their passport and their face, as well as answer a set of questions. The government says: This will increase our knowledge about those seeking to come to the UK and prevent the arrival of those who present a threat.

A decision on each case is expected usually within three days. In practice, existing similar schemes in the US, Canada and elsewhere deliver approval more quickly.

The Home Office says it ensures more robust security checks are carried out before people begin their journey to the UK, which helps prevent abuse of our immigration system.

The UK government has also decided that even those who are connecting travellers must obtain an ETA.

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Heathrow Airport blamed the scheme for a 90,000 drop in transfer passenger numbers on routes included in the system since it was launched.

It described the programme as devastating for our hub competitiveness and urged the government to review the inclusion of airside transit passengers.

The government says that by requiring transit passengers to obtain ETAs it will give them a comprehensive understanding of those travelling to the UK, and will give it the ability to prevent the travel of those who pose a threat.

For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast
LONDON (AP)  Britain said Wednesday that it will impose sanctions on members of people-smuggling gangs who send migrants across the English Channel in flimsy boats, the latest effort to stop the dangerous journeys.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the travel bans and asset freezes will target illicit finance rings allowing smugglers to traffic vulnerable people.

The government says the new sanctions powers, which require Parliaments approval, will come into force within a year.

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Starmers Labour Party government, elected in July, has pledged to stop criminal gangs sending thousands of migrants each year on perilous journeys across one of the worlds busiest shipping lanes. Starmer has said the crime gangs are a threat to global security and should be treated like terror networks.

Its unclear how effective the measures will be, since British authorities can only freeze assets that are in the U.K., and most of the smugglers are based elsewhere.

Officials acknowledge that stopping the trade, often run by loosely organized criminal gangs, is difficult, and a goal that has eluded previous governments. They say the sanctions are another tool in an arsenal of measures that includes beefed-up U.K. border surveillance and increased law-enforcement cooperation with France and other countries.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the U.K. would be the first country in the world to develop legislation for a new sanctions regime specifically targeting irregular migration and organized immigration crime.

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Despite efforts by the U.K. and France to stop it, the Channel remains a major smuggling corridor for people fleeing conflict or poverty. Many migrants want to move to the U.K. for reasons of language, family ties or perceived easier access to asylum and work.

More than 38,000 people made the crossing in 2024, 25% more than in all of 2023, though fewer than in 2022. More than 70 people perished in the attempts, according to U.K. officials, making 2024 the deadliest since the number of crossings began surging in 2018.

Starmer is due to discuss migration and other issues with French President Emmanuel Macron at a meeting near London on Thursday.

____

Follow APs global migration coverage at: https://apnews.com/hub/migration
By Michael Holden

LONDON (Reuters) - Soldiers who were part of British special forces working in Afghanistan have told a public inquiry of their concerns that Afghans who posed no threat had been murdered in raids against suspected Taliban insurgents, including some aged under 16.

The independent inquiry was ordered by Britain's defence ministry (MoD) after a BBC TV documentary reported that soldiers from the elite Special Air Service (SAS) had killed 54 people in suspicious circumstances during the war in Afghanistan more than a decade ago.

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The investigation is examining a number of night-time raids called deliberate detention operations carried out by British forces from mid-2010 to mid-2013. On Wednesday it released a precis of evidence from seven UK special forces (UKSF) witnesses who gave their testimony in secret for national security reasons and cannot be named.

One of the soldiers, known only as N1799, told the inquiry he had raised concerns in 2011 about a unit referred to as UKSF1 after having a conversation about its operations with one of its members on a training course.

"During these operations it was said that 'all fighting age males are killed' on target regardless of the threat they posed, this included those not holding weapons," his witness statement said.

"It was also indicated that 'fighting age males' were being executed on target, inside compounds, using a variety of methods after they had been restrained. In one case it was mentioned a pillow was put over the head of an individual before being killed with a pistol."

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Questioned by the inquiry's lawyer, he said he understood this related to those under 18 and younger than 16.

N1799 escalated his concerns to other senior officers who took them seriously. Other officers told the inquiry they had heard rumours and had their own concerns about UKSF1 operations where high numbers of deaths and the official reports of the killings suggested some were unlikely to be justified.

One officer, referred to as N2107, had emailed colleagues expressing his disbelief at summaries of UKSF1 operations which suggested detained suspects had been allowed back into compounds where they were then said to have picked up weapons and attempted to attack the unit.

'MURDER'

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"Whilst murder and [UKSF1] have oft been regular bedfellows, this is beginning to look bone," he said in one email, telling the inquiry this meant it looked "very stupid".

Giving evidence, he agreed with Oliver Glasgow, the lead lawyer for the inquiry, that by April 2011 he believed UKSF1 might have been committing extra-judicial killings.

None of the soldiers who gave evidence to the inquiry, which opened in 2023, said they had witnessed any such behaviour themselves.

British military police have previously conducted several inquiries into allegations of misconduct by forces in Afghanistan, including those made against the SAS, but the MoD has said none found enough evidence for prosecutions.

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The inquiry's aim is to ascertain whether there was credible information of extra-judicial killings, whether investigations by the military police years later into N1799's concerns were properly conducted, and if unlawful killings were covered up.

N1799 said he still felt disloyal in speaking out and requested that two defence ministry figures were removed from the inquiry room before he gave his evidence, fearing for his own safety.

"I believe I did the right thing and I continue to but it's not easy," he told the inquiry. "It does make me feel a bit sick."

(Reporting by Michael Holden; Editing by Ros Russell)
By Andy Bruce

(Reuters) - Universities and other higher education establishments have joined a retreat among British institutions from Elon Musk's X social media platform, citing its role in spreading misinformation that fuelled race riots last year.

A Reuters survey on Tuesday showed several universities have scaled back usage of X to the bare minimum or quit completely, following scores of academics who have left the platform.

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The role of X, formerly Twitter, came under the spotlight in Britain last year during violent racial disturbances.

Musk - a close aide to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump - has since called for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to be jailed and for anti-Muslim activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who co-founded the far-right English Defence League and is known as Tommy Robinson, to be released from prison.

Reuters surveyed X accounts of over 150 universities, their colleges and art conservatoires and contacted those that had made little or no posts in recent months.

They cited concerns over misinformation, content that promotes violence and declining engagement.

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"London Business School continually reviews its communications channels and decides which to use based on levels of effective audience engagement," LBS told Reuters.

It last posted to its 182,000 followers on X in September. It is one of the top-ranked business schools in the world.

Reuters was first to report in October that several British police forces had quit X or cut their usage. The university survey points to a broader withdrawal among public institutions, even though many universities still post regularly to X.

At least seven of the University of Cambridge's 31 colleges have stopped posting to X.

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"We know this platform is becoming increasingly toxic, so we will continue to assess our presence on X and monitor emerging alternatives," said Homerton College, the university's largest in terms of student numbers.

The University of Cambridge told Reuters it continued to use X alongside other channels.

At Oxford, Merton College - the university's top-ranked college academically - has deleted its X account. It did not respond to a request for comment.

Harris Manchester - another Oxford college - last posted on Nov. 15 and asked followers to find it on other platforms.

The University of East Anglia said its audience engagement on X had plunged by 80%.

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X did not respond to a request for comment.

Falmouth University last posted to X in September, while Plymouth Marjon University said it will no longer use it. London Metropolitan University cited falling engagement for no longer actively posting.

Buckinghamshire New University said X was "no longer a place where we want to encourage conversations with our university".

Some top arts conservatoires have also stepped away.

The Royal Northern College of Music said it was "consciously channelling its energy elsewhere", while London's performing arts conservatoire Trinity Lab deleted its X account.

The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama hasn't posted since August.

(Editing by Mark Heinrich)
(Bloomberg) -- The UK is considering front-loading its funding package for Mauritius as part of a sweetened deal ceding sovereignty of the Chagos islands, including a key UK-US military base, to the Indian Ocean nation.

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The British government, which believes a deal sealed in October with the previous Mauritian government is generous, will tell the new administration in talks this month that it isnt willing to hand over more money but is open to accelerating delivery of the financial package, according to people familiar with the matter who requested anonymity discussing private negotiating positions.

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Options under consideration include paying the first tranche of the package up front as a lump sum, or condensing the annual payments so more money is paid earlier in the agreement, they said.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is seeking to complete a deal that New Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam has re-opened, questioning whether it delivers all the benefits his country expects. The UK hopes resolution of the matter will provide certainty for the strategic military base on the island of Diego Garcia, while putting to rest a decades-old territorial dispute after the International Court of Justice ruled in 2019 that Britains continued administration of the islands was unlawful.

If finalized, the deal reached last year would see the UK cede sovereignty of the archipelago while retaining control for 99 years of Diego Garcia by exercising Mauritiuss sovereign rights there. That pact includes an indexed annual payment to Mauritius for the duration of the agreement.

Neither nation has been specific on the amount that was preliminarily agreed, though the former Mauritian administration said in October that the sum ran to many billions of rupees. One billion Mauritian Rupees converts to about 17 million, or more than $21 million. Starmers spokesman, meanwhile, late last year rejected reports that it could cost the UK 800 million a year, saying that figure was completely out of the ballpark of anything discussed. That amount, nevertheless, comes close to matching Mauritiuss projected budget deficit for this year of about 48.5 billion rupees.

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Ramgoolams government entered office shortly after the deal was signed, and has been pushing for better terms and more cash as it grapples with a weakened currency and high levels of public debt. The countrys new attorney general, Gavin Glover, is expected in London this week for further discussions with the UK, Port Louis-based Le Defi Quotidien reported on Wednesday.

Recently revised economic figures for Mauritius show a higher level of public debt and wider budget deficit than previously thought, with a projected budget gap for 2024-25 amounting to about 6.7% of gross domestic product.

Mauritian Deputy Prime Minister Deputy Prime Minister Paul Berenger told his National Assembly last month that the country needs this money to get out of the economic mess in which the former government has put us into, but not at any price, not at any condition.

The UK government hopes that offering to front-load the payments will help clinch the deal and believes that Ramgoolam is more supportive of the agreement than his deputy Berenger, according to the people.

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Nevertheless, the push-back from the new government in the African nation has delayed ratification of the deal, which now seems unlikely to occur before US President-elect Donald Trump re-enters office later this month, potentially complicating the agreements path to completion. Thats because while the outgoing administration of Joe Biden supported Britains deal, its been criticized by figures in Trumps team, including his pick for secretary of state, Marco Rubio.

Rubio told Politico last year that the deal poses a serious threat to US security interests in the Indian Ocean. Still, the UK believes that Trump is unlikely to veto the agreement because the Pentagon and State Department pushed Britain to negotiate the pact in the first place.

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Ukraine has claimed that its successfully used uncrewed surface vessels (USV), better known as drone boats, to launch aerial drones against Russian targets for the first time. According to Ukrainian authorities, the first-person view (FPV) drones were employed in combat during strikes on Russian ground-based air defense systems. This is the latest development in Ukraines Black Sea drone war, which is seeing increasingly innovative use of uncrewed systems, including adapted air-to-air missiles launched from USVs against Russian aircraft.

The latest strikes were said to have been carried out by the Ukrainian Navy, which published a video of one of the attacks  which occurred yesterday  against a Pantsir-S1 short-range air defense system (SHORADS). The extent of the damage to the vehicle is not immediately clear, based on this footage. While not independently verified, Russian military bloggers have also stated that Ukraine is now using USVs to launch FPV drones in attacks on targets close to the Black Sea coast.

Another 'no-analogue' scrap metal.

Ukrainian drones destroyed a Pantsir-S1 air defense system in the Kherson region.



 : UA Navy pic.twitter.com/Nr01VCzumZ  Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) January 6, 2025

In recent time, Russian channels started reporting that the Ukrainians were now employing USVs as FPV drone carriers to attack Russian targets close to the coast.  Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (@archer83able.bsky.social) 2025-01-06T15:03:09.053Z

Ukraines Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security (CSCIS), a government-run media organization, today released more details of the strikes, which it describes as the first of this kind.

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Only a week after Ukrainian sea drones made history by successfully taking down Russian helicopters, another historical first as our homegrown naval drones are now launching their own FPV drones, destroying Russias air defense units, CSCIS said on social media.

Only a week after Ukrainian sea-drones made history by successfully taking down russian helicopters, another historical first as our homegrown naval drones are now launching their own FPV drones, destroying Russia's air defense units.The Black Sea will be liberated.  SPRAVDI  Stratcom Centre (@stratcomcentre.bsky.social) 2025-01-07T08:37:14.219Z

The type of FPV drones used in the strike, as well as the type of USV from which they were launched, have not been disclosed, although an infographic released by CSCIS shows a drone boat that looks broadly similar to the widely used Magura V5, as well as three quadcopter FPV drones.

After being brought closer to their targets using the USV, the FPV drones were launched against two Russian Pantsir-S1 systems and one Osa system. All three SHORADS vehicles were located in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraines southern Kherson region.

The Pantsir-S1 (known in the West as the SA-22 Greyhound)  which you can read more about here  is one of Russias latest SHORADS, while the Osa (SA-8 Gecko) is a Cold War-era system, also used by Ukraine. Both are based on a wheeled high-mobility chassis.

A Russian Pantsir-S1 SHORADS vehicle during rehearsals of the Victory Day parade on Red Square in Moscow, Russia. Photo by Sasha Mordovets/Getty Images Sasha Mordovets

According to The Kyiv Independent, a single Pantsir-S1 system has a price tag of around $15 million.

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Back in December, the first evidence emerged that Ukraine was using a capability like this, with aerial drones being launched from USVs as part of its campaign of attacks on Russian offshore platforms. Yesterdays strikes appear to be the first time that targets on land have been engaged in this way.

Its also noteworthy that Ukraine last week used Magura V5 drone boats armed with repurposed R-73 heat-seeking air-to-air missiles to bring down two Russian Mi-8 helicopters and damage another, off the coast of Crimea, an apparently historic engagement that you can read more about here.

These developments underscore the importance of drones  especially the numerous FPV types  to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, providing a relatively low-cost and accurate way to compensate for the huge gap in standoff strike weapons and artillery, not to mention manpower when compared to the Russian opposition.

In a naval context, the ability of Ukrainian USVs to strike targets on land is a significant one. Previously, drone boats had very limited options for striking targets on land. As well as the kamikaze-type of USVs that have taken a steady toll on Russian shipping, Ukraine has fielded drone boats armed with unguided artillery rockets. However, these have been primarily used to attack targets at sea. Other USVs have been fitted with heavy machine guns. These offer strictly limited range but are also able to engage close-in aerial targets, providing a degree of self-defense.

A Ukrainian Sea Baby USV fires a 122mm Grad artillery rocket during testing ashore. SSU/SBU



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Meanwhile, FPV drones have a maximum range of about a dozen miles, although, in practice, its usually much less than that.

A limitation of FPV drones is their requirement for continuous line-of-sight communications with their controllers. However, their range can be maximized by avoiding terrain that can interfere with their signal. This is especially relevant in the littoral areas around the Black Sea, with very few line-of-sight obstacles between the drone boat and potential shore targets, maximizing FPV drone range.

In some areas, there may also exist the option to use elevated antennas and relays installed on balloons or placed on uncrewed or even crewed aircraft. This would extend the FPV drones connectivity much further and provide a more consistent link. You can read all about this in our previous piece here. Another option might be to use a fiber-optic communications link, with the drone spooling out a cable to remain physically connected to its boat mothership, something that has been used in land-based applications in Ukraine. This would completely remove any line-of-sight communications issues between the FPV drone and the boat. The quality of the video in the Pantsir strike points to this possibility.

One question surrounds the method of operator control used for the FPV drones. As noted above, most likely, the FPV video and control feed are being routed to the drone boat via line-of-sight datalink or fiber optic cable and then back to a controller via a satellite datalink, although that would introduce a possible issue with latency. Developments with AI infused into lower-end drones could help drastically to solve any connectivity issues. Although this is still very much an emerging technology, its one that is likely to soon erupt on the Ukrainian battlefield, should the war grind on. You can read all about this in our special feature here.

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As well as being used to attack targets that have already been located by other surveillance means, FPV drones are also able to extend the intelligence-gathering capabilities of the drone boats, supplementing the electro-optical and infrared cameras that are already carried.

An intact Ukrainian Magura V5 drone boat that was captured by Russia on the shores of the Black Sea. via X Via Twitter

The appearance of the FPV-drone-equipped USVs makes sense. So far, Ukrainian USVs have proven to be a serious menace to Russian naval operations in and around the Black Sea. Already, drone boats presented a very real threat to vessels in port, as well as bridges and other coastal infrastructure. Now that threat has been extended further inland, putting Russian troops and equipment that were, until now, relatively safe, potentially in the crosshairs of Ukrainian drones attacking them from their USV springboards in the Black Sea.

The threat that Ukrainian USVs pose in the Black Sea has already led to Russia employing varied means of trying to counter them. As well as armed patrols by naval vessels and aircraft, Russia has also experimented with air-launched FPV drones, which are delivered by helicopter before hunting down drone boats, as you can read about here.

Because, why not: Special Forces of the Russian Black Sea Fleet training to destroy kamikaze USVs from helicopter using FPV drones. pic.twitter.com/Y34I8jFtP6  Clash Report (@clashreport) September 30, 2024

Having FPVs prosecute kamikaze attacks from uncrewed platforms at sea also makes good economic sense for Ukraine. After all, some of the more capable drone boats are understood to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars apiece, all of which would be lost in an instant if they ended their missions in a one-way attack, successful or otherwise. With weaponized FPV drones on board, each drone boat can potentially launch multiple attacks at a much lower cost and even return home afterward, provided it evades destruction itself. Indeed, the FPV drones could potentially also be recovered, if they are not expended.

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It should also be recalled that operating aerial drones from boats is not without precedent, at least when it comes to flying them off crewed warships. In this area, Israel has established a lead, although its developed bigger and more sophisticated one-way attack drones that can be launched from containers on the decks of small warships, both for domestic use and for export, and which can be operated with man-in-the-loop guidance.

Above all, Ukraines claim of the successful use of FPV attack drones launched from USVs provides another example of the rapid development of uncrewed systems and tactics across all domains in the war in Ukraine. Considering the unquestioned success of FPV drones launched from the ground, its no surprise that Ukraine is now increasingly exploring their employment from uncrewed surface vessels. In the process, its bringing together two novel assets that Ukrainian forces have successfully used against the Russian Armed Forces on multiple occasions in the past.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
In late-December conversations in Kyiv, I found Ukrainians determined to resist Russian aggression but tired of war. No one, however, spoke of ending the fight, exhaustion, or permanent cessation of land to Russia. A negotiated peace was thought to be beyond reach, but even a ceasefire might be difficult to achieve. Left unsaid was that the West could risk resentment if it pressed Ukraine into a negotiation likely to fail.

I talked with two former prime ministers, a top national security adviser, a deputy defense minister, and others familiar with politics and national security. In this independent visit, I sought Ukrainian perspectives on the politics of the war and any efforts to end it.

Ukrainians were cautiously optimistic that President-elect Donald Trump was becoming more supportive. In early December in Paris, one leader said Trump had told President Volodymyr Zelensky that he would not abandon Ukraine. But Trump appeared to have no clear-cut plan to end the war. Trump, the leader added, also said NATO would not be available, but Zelensky said he would keep pressing for it.

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Ukrainians saw other positive signs. One leader recalled that Trump was the first to provide lethal weapons (Javelin anti-armor missiles), and he opposed the Russian Nord Stream II gas pipeline. Trump would not want to preside over a failed negotiation, the leader surmised. If Friedrich Merz became Germanys next Chancellor, another leader said, he and French President Emmanuel Macron would strengthen European leadership with more forceful support forUkraine.

Views differed on Ukraines military situation. One leader observed that in the failed 2023 counter-offensive, Ukraine lacked airpower, electronic warfare and air defense. A lot of capable people died. On the other hand, another leader said, Russia had failed to win the war at the outset, and it had lost a half-million personnel and half of its good officers. One leader assessed that to win the war, Ukraine would need a decisive advantage in drones.

Leaders said Ukraine could sustain its fight for perhaps another year or two. But, one leader stipulated, Ukraine would require a defensive strategy, with more fortifications and an end to offensives such as Kursk. Russians, with a large war economy and more people, might sustain a longer fight. They had a high tolerance for pain and could accept lower living standards.

Ukrainians voiced gratitude for Western support but also frustration. According to one leader, the West had provided only 30% of the weapons Ukraine needed. Ukraine could not mobilize more troops unless it could arm them properly. According to another leader, Ukraine could maintain morale if it sent new troops into battle in Bradley and Stryker armored vehicles, but not into the trenches poorly armed. The goal this year would be to stabilize the front and increase the scale of deep-strike bombing, a leader said.

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Ukrainians did not expect NATO membership anytime soon, one leader commented. With its large, combat-tested forces and expanded defense industry, Ukraine would be potent asset for the alliance.

Prospects for a negotiated solution to the war were seen to be poor. Ukraine was not ready, one leader lamented, it needed to become stronger. Another said, all Ukrainians wanted the war to end and regretted giving up nuclear weapons to Russia, but Ukrainians did not want to give up an inch of their territory. If the West forced it, this would be like Munich in 1938. It would be the end of international law  force would have prevailed.

Potential negotiating positions were seen to be far apart. According to one leader, Putin would insist that Ukraine accept Russian sovereignty over Crimea and the four partially occupied regions in the east. And Ukraine would have to slash its armed forces, become neutral, and foreswear joining NATO. No Ukrainian leader could agree to this.

In any peace accord, a leader said, there could be no compromise on Ukraines sovereignty or territorial integrity, on the size or capability of its armed forces, and or on its ability to join the European Union and NATO. Ukraine would agree only to a just peace, one that deterred further aggression.

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A negotiated peace or even just a ceasefire, leaders agreed, would require that Ukraine maintain its armed forces and be allowed to host European peacekeepers . They would have to be militarily credible, to help deter aggression. On Dec. 26, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov disparaged prospects for a ceasefire, calling it a  path to nowhere .

Ukrainians emphasized good governance. Democracy and civil society remained vibrant even though martial law imposed some media limits, a leader said. Corruption persisted, but Ukraine had strong potential to attack it, aided by U.S.-backed anti-corruption institutions.

Ukrainians agreed that during the war unity was most important. Elections could take place afterward. Zelensky was said to be planning to run again. He or General Valerii Zaluzhny could lead a coalition government. Now ambassador to the U.K., Zaluzhny was Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. But one leader cautioned, War is not an excuse to limit the role of the parliament.

William Courtney is an adjunct senior fellow at RAND. He was U.S. ambassador to Kazakhstan and Georgia, and a Department of State senior adviser at the U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki Commission).
Kyiv and Chisinau are working together to find solutions to the ongoing energy crisis in Moldova, President Volodymyr Zelensky and Moldovan President Maia Sandu announced on Jan. 8.

The Russian state energy company Gazprom cut off gas supplies to Moldova on Jan. 1, triggering widespread power outages and heating failures in the Russian-occupied Transnistria region.

Zelensky and Sandu held a telephone conversation on Jan. 8 in which they discussed the energy crisis and Russia's role.

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"An important task now is to help Moldova overcome its energy challenges and prevent Moscow from stirring up social tensions. ... We are ready to help," Zelensky said in his evening address.

Zelensky said the current crisis represents "an obvious attempt by Russia to manipulate energy resources against the Moldovan authorities."

According to Sandu's press service, the two leaders are collaborating on "common solutions" to prevent the emergency from devolving further, including using alternative fuel sources, such as coal.

The Moldovan government has accused Moscow of deliberately manufacturing the crisis in order to destabilize the country. Gazprom claims the decision to cut off gas supplies resulted from Moldova's unpaid debts, an allegation Chisinau disputes.

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An agreement to transit Russian gas to Europe through Ukraine expired on the same day that Russia ended gas deliveries to Moldova, but Gazprom maintains that the suspension was prompted by debts, not transit issues. Alternative routes for gas from Russia to Moldova are available.

While the rest of Moldova has transitioned to European energy supplies, the breakaway Transnistria region  occupied by Russian troops since the 1990s  remains heavily dependent on Russian gas. The region's electricity system is now on the brink of collapse.

Read also: Transnistrias electricity supply system faces collapse amid gas shortage, Moldovan official warns

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A Ukrainian F-16 pilot may have pulled off a feat no one flying the jet has achieved before.

Ukraine's air force command said the pilot took out six Russian cruise missiles in a single flight.

Col. Yuriy Ihnat said it was the first time this had been recorded in the jet's history.

Ukraine said one of its F-16 pilots achieved a feat nobody flying the jet had managed before.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Ukraine's air force command said a pilot flying an F-16 took out six Russian cruise missiles during a single flight, using air-to-air missiles and an aircraft cannon.

This occurred during a "mass" missile and drone attack in December, it said.

On December 13, Russia fired almost 200 drones, Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missiles, and 94 cruise missiles at Ukraine.

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The pilot's main target was the cruise missiles, the post said.

He used all four air-to-air missiles on board the F-16, two of which were short range, which forced the jet to fly closer to the missiles  an "extremely dangerous" task, it said.

The pilot then struck two other missiles flying close to each other using an air cannon, it added.

Business Insider was not able to verify the report, but air warfare experts described the scenario as plausible, as well as deeply impressive.

Tim Robinson, a military aviation specialist at the UK's Royal Aeronautical Society, described it as something that could definitely have happened with a pilot in the right place and the right time, and with the right training and enough missiles.

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"It still is an incredible achievement because a cruise missile is a quite small target, and it's also flying quite low," he said.

The alleged takedowns show "that this pilot has mastered the F16 weapons systems," Mark Cancian, a senior adviser on the International Security Program at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, added.

Since the start of its full-scale invasion in 2022, Russia has frequently launched large missile attacks at Ukraine, aimed at overwhelming Ukraine's air defense systems and hitting targets behind the front lines.

Col. Yuriy Ihnat, the head of the Ukrainian air force command's public relations service, said that intercepting "such important targets is not an easy task for a pilot, but who, if not Ukrainian pilots, has the most experience in the world of winged missiles?"

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The pilot, who had recently undergone retraining for F-16s in the US, said in the Facebook post that Ukrainian F-16 pilots had never used an aviation cannon to shoot down targets.

However, he said he applied the lessons he learned in the US.

"I must have set a record that day," he said, adding: "I am convinced that this experience will be useful to colleagues."

Ihnat described it as the first documented case.

"Based on objective control, we have one hundred percent confirmation that for the first time in history in anti-air combat, an American fighter F-16 shoots down six winged missiles," he said.

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Air warfare experts also said they believed six missiles in a single mission would be a record for the F-16.

"Shooting down six cruise missiles in a single sortie is at the physical limits of the aircraft, so this would be a record if true," Cancian said.

He added it was something that was possible because there are so many missiles in the skies over Ukraine.

"An experienced Western pilot would be expected to do this, but none have demonstrated the ability since none have faced the numbers of simultaneous incoming missiles that the Ukrainians have," he said. "US and Western pilots have faced one or two incoming missiles at a time."

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Cancian also said it shows what Ukraine could do if it was given more of the jets. "More F-16s would mean a more robust air defense for Ukraine."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Ukrainian drones struck deep inside Russia in an overnight attack targeting an oil facility serving a military airfield in the city of Engels, nearly 400 miles from the border, Ukraines military said Wednesday.

Ukrainian officials reported a huge fire at the Kombinat Kristall oil depot, which provides fuel to the Engels-2 military airfield in the Saratov region, where Russias strategic bomber fleet is located.

At least two Russian firefighters were killed while responding to the fire, Roman Busargin, governor of Saratov region, said in a post on Telegram Wednesday. Another specialist was hospitalized, Busargin said.

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Images geolocated by CNN showed large balls of flames lighting up the night sky and plumes of smoke continuing to billow from the site on Wednesday morning.

The destruction of the oil depot raises major logistic challenges for the strategic aviation of the Russian occupiers and significantly reduces their ability to strike at peaceful Ukrainian cities and civilian objects, Ukraines military said.

Long-range drone strikes have played a prominent role over nearly three years of war between Russia and Ukraine. As land warfare has become more attritional, Kyiv has increasingly taken the battle to the skies and enjoyed considerable success, seeking to disrupt Russian logistics, damage its weapons stockpiles and set its oil facilities ablaze.

Wednesdays attack is not the first time Ukraine has targeted Saratov, the main city of which lies more than 600 kilometers (375 miles) from the Ukrainian border, although Russian air defenses had mostly thwarted previous attacks.

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Busargin confirmed that the cities of Saratov and Engels suffered a massive drone attack overnight, which he said had caused damage at an industrial site. Ukraines military said this site was the oil depot at the Engels-2 airfield.

Regional governor Roman Busargin (right) speaks to rescuers at the industrial site damaged by Ukraine's attack in Saratov on Wednesday. - Roman Busargin/Telegram/AP

Russias defense ministry said its air defenses had intercepted 23 Ukrainian drones in the overnight attack, including 11 drones over Saratov and four over the Kursk region  where Ukraine has renewed its counterattack after snatching a large pocket of Russian territory last summer.

The ministry did not say how many Ukrainian drones evaded air defenses in Saratov, but Ukraines military reported numerous explosions in the region.

Oleksandr Kamyshin, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said the drones used in the long-range attack had been made in Ukraine.

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Last year, CNN was granted exclusive access to one of Ukraines long-range drone units, which operates under Ukraines defense intelligence and has conducted hundreds of attacks on Russian soil since the war began in February 2022.

Meanwhile, Russia fired 64 drones at targets in Ukraine overnight, according to Ukraines air force. It said it had shot down 41 of the drones and that 22 others did not reach their targets. It did not account for the one outstanding drone in its count.

Later on Wednesday, Zelensky said that at least 13 people were killed in a Russian strike on the partially occupied Zaporizhzhia region in southeastern Ukraine. Dozens of others were wounded, he said on Telegram.

Tracer rounds in the night sky as Ukraine attempts to down Russian drones over Kyiv on Wednesday. - Gleb Garanich/Reuters

The overnight attacks come as both Ukraine and Russia have redoubled their efforts to shift the frontlines, perhaps with a view to the imminent return of Donald Trump to the White House and the prospect of peace talks. Trump has previously said he wants to end this war in a day, without saying how.

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Russias defense ministry on Monday said it had captured the eastern town of Kurakhove in Ukraines Donetsk region, as it circles in on the key strategic city of Pokrovsk. Kyiv has cast doubt on Russias claims, however, saying fighting continued in Kurakhove on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has launched a fresh offensive in Russias Kursk region, where it has been holding territory since its shock incursion last summer. Ukraines military on Tuesday said it struck a Russian command post near the town of Belaya, as fighting raged on several fronts in the region.

CNNs Annoa Abekah-Mensah, Gianluca Mezzofiore, Duarte Mendonca and Daria Tarasova contributed reporting.

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Ukraine says it's designed a new type of river drone to target Russian vessels.

The Black Widow 2 is also able to perform reconnaissance operations, it said.

Ukraine's military requested it to combat Russian forces and supply runs on the Dnipro River.

Ukraine says it has developed a new type of drone to target Russian vessels deployed on Ukrainian rivers.

Hard Cat, a Kyiv-based drone manufacturer, told Business Insider that the uncrewed river drone, the Black Widow 2, can take out surface targets, including small boats.

It can also carry out reconnaissance and patrolling operations, providing real-time situational awareness, it said, with a maximum speed of almost 25 miles an hour and a communication range of up to 6.2 miles.

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And unlike sea drones, which operate in wider bodies of water, the one-meter-long drone's "compact size and high maneuverability allow it to operate effectively" in narrow waterways and river areas.

Hard Cat told BI the Black Widow 2 river drone has been successfully tested in rear-area conditions. Courtesy of Hard Cat

Drones have been a hallmark of the war in Ukraine, with both sides using them to attack, surveil, and target more accurately.

Ukraine has heavily targeted Russia's fleet in the Black Sea using sea drones, with notable effect.

Hard Cat unveiled the river drone's prototype at the Defense Tech Valley investment summit in Kyiv in October 2024.

It told BI the drone has now been successfully tested in rear-area conditions and is undergoing combat trials with two Ukrainian army brigades. It didn't say where those trials were taking place.

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"Warfare on water is quite specific and comes with unique challenges, making such a small water drone potentially very useful," it added.

One of the developers, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, told BI that they began work on the drone in December 2023, at the request of the Ukrainian military, as a way to counter Russian motorboats used for personnel rotation, supply runs, and reconnaissance.

At the time, Ukrainian troops were fighting to hold out on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River in southern Ukraine, against Russian forces that vastly outnumbered them.

John Hardie, deputy director of the Russia Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told BI that he expects Ukraine to use these new systems primarily on the Dnipro.

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"They would probably be most useful in a defensive role, such as striking small vessels carrying Russian assault troops or supplies," he said, rather than working in conjunction with larger, longer-range naval drones to attack Russian ships in the Black Sea.

Basil Germond, an expert in international security at Lancaster University in the UK, made a similar assessment.

"It is important to understand that Russia not only operates big warships and submarines but also a wide array of small boats that support land operations at the tactical level, especially in the wet areas such as the Dnipro Estuary and other rivers," he said.

Germond added: "River drones are likely to contribute to operations against these sorts of assets."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Ukrainian forces attacked a Russian oil depot in Engels, Saratov Oblast, overnight on Jan. 8, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said after reports of drone attacks.

The operation, carried out jointly by Ukraine's military intelligence, the Unmanned Systems Forces, and other units, targeted the Kristal Plant used to supply fuel to the nearby Engels-2 airbase, the military said.

The statement comes shortly after Russian authorities reported a drone attack in the area, with footage of the burning oil facility circulating on social media.

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The city of Engels lies around 600 kilometers (370 miles) from the front lines in Ukraine.

Saratov Oblast Governor Roman Busargin said Ukrainian drone debris struck an unspecified "industrial facility" around 5:30 a.m. local time amid a "massive" drone attack on the city.

No information was immediately available as to the extent of the damage caused. Busargin said that there were no injuries as a result of the attack. Russia's Defense Ministry claimed that 11 Ukrainian attack drones were downed over Saratov Oblast.

"The depot's destruction creates significant logistical problems for Russian strategic aviation and reduces its ability to attack peaceful Ukrainian cities and civilian facilities," the General Staff said.

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The Engels-2 base hosts the 121st Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment, operating Tu-160 bombers, and the 184th Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment with the Tupolev Tu-95 MS planes.

Russia uses these aircraft to launch mass strikes on Ukraine, often resulting in heavy damage to infrastructure and civilian casualties. Ukrainian forces have previously launched drone strikes targeting the airbase itself.

Read also: Source: Ukraine hits Russias Engels air base. Can it change how Russia attacks?

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Russian authorities have declared a state of emergency in the Volga River port city of Engels as a huge fire, caused by a massive Ukrainian drone attack, rages unchecked. The strike was on the strategically important fuel storage tank farm for Engels Air Base, the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff said on Facebook. Its the home of the 22nd Heavy Bomber Aviation Division and its Tu-22M3 Backfire-C, Tu-95MS Bear-H, and Tu-160M Blackjack bombers, located about 300 miles east of the border.

Due to the increase in the area of the fire at the industrial enterprise that was attacked by a UAV, a state of emergency will be introduced in Engels, Roman Busargin, governor of Saratov region, said Wednesday on Telegram. Unfortunately, as a result of the liquidation, there are two fatalities  employees of the fire service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. Also, one specialist was hospitalized. The Minister of Health was instructed to keep the provision of medical care under special control.

In Russias Engels, a state of emergency has been declared following an overnight Ukrainian drone attack.



A second tank at the oil refinery has exploded. The fire is now visible from every corner of the city.



Two firefighters died, and the fire continues to spread. pic.twitter.com/3wj1ymbZgb  KyivPost (@KyivPost) January 8, 2025

New explosion reported at the burning fuel depot in the Russian city of Engels that was attacked by Ukrainian drones last night.



The fire continues. https://t.co/bTA7k0zCku pic.twitter.com/F4mnizPBRq  Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (BlueSky too) (@Archer83Able) January 8, 2025

Russias Rosreserv fuel depot in Engels continued to burn today after a Ukrainian drone attack last night, with multiple additional storage tanks igniting throughout the day.



Within the last hour, the regional governor of Saratov declared a state of emergency. pic.twitter.com/EzhoQTgqK0  OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) January 8, 2025

Bombers like those based at Engels have frequently been used in long-range attacks on Ukrainian cities, launching a variety of cruise missiles.

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The attack was clearly designed to impact the ability of the base to generate bomber sorties. With the fire still raging, the full extent of the damage is unknown, but it is highly likely that the bombers fuel reserves are greatly affected.

Engels Air Base is located about 300 miles east of Ukraine. (Google Earth)

The fuel facility attacked today, seen in the bottom left corner of this image, is about five miles west of Engels Air Base. (Google Earth)

Worth noting, while the Tu-95MS consumes conventional types of jet fuel (T-1, TS, RT), the Tu-160, on the other hand, requires special high-density fuel of the T-8V brand, the Ukrainian Defense Express media outlet reported. Considering the limited attainability of the T-8V fuel, if tanks containing it were destroyed by drones tonight, Russian Tu-160 could be grounded completely or significantly limited in their operations.

The Blackjacks are already being used sparingly due to their limited numbers and ongoing modernization efforts, Defense Express pointed out. Russias Aerospace Forces reportedly possess around 15 Tu-160 aircraft, though not all are operational. Some are being upgraded to the Tu-160M aircraft standard, with Moscow aiming to expand the fleet to 20 aircraft by completing unfinished Soviet-era airframes, a goal widely viewed as uncertain.

The last time these aircraft were involved in an attack was on Nov. 17, 2024, which was the first time they had been used in 550 days, the publication added.

A Tupolev Tu-160M strategic bomber seen taking off from the runway of an aircraft manufacturer in Kazan on Feb. 22, 2024. (Photo by DMITRY AZAROV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

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The aircraft at the base have been targeted several times in the past, causing the Russians to beef up their air defenses, use silhouette decoys, and even place tires on the planes there to protect them from attack by confusing image-matching missile seekers. However, Ukrainian officials said todays attack was part of their ongoing effort to target Russian fuel supplies to reduce Russias capacity to fight.

Oil base [attacks] create serious logistical problems for Russian occupiers strategic aviation and significantly reduces their ability to strike peaceful Ukrainian cities and civilian objects, the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff noted on Facebook.

Alexander Kamyshin, an advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, lauded the fact that Ukraine used its own long-range weapons in the attack. He did not specify which ones.

Yet another russian oil depot, serving military airfield, was hit by long range capabilities #MadeInUkraine, he stated. Our #DefenseTech is our superpower.

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Engels on fire, your defense is terrified 



Yet another russian oil depot, serving military airfield, was hit by long range capabilities #MadeInUkraine.



Our #DefenseTech is our superpower. pic.twitter.com/cbO94Rqbee  Alexander Kamyshin (@AKamyshin) January 8, 2025

Engels has been a target of Ukrainian drone strikes since December 2022, when it was attacked three times in just that month. At the time, the Russian Defense Ministry (MoD) said the base was hit by Soviet-made jet-powered unmanned aerial vehicles modified by Ukraine to carry explosives. The Russian MoD was referring to the jet-powered Tu-141 Strizh, originally built as a reconnaissance UAV. Smaller Tu-143s have also likely been used. You can read about that here. Since then, Ukraine has used many kinds of long-range strike drones in attacks hundreds of miles into Russia.

President Zelensky showed the Palianytsia drone missile, which was first revealed yesterday.



All of its specifications are classified. What is known from the information in the video:



 Palianytsia has a turbojet engine;

 is launched from a ground platform;

 the pic.twitter.com/GyIEVFw52Q  Slava  (@Heroiam_Slava) August 25, 2024

The attack on Engels comes as U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin heads off to Ramstein, Germany for the 25th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG), a consortium of some 50 nations dedicated to helping arm Ukraine in its fight against Russia. With just two weeks left in the Biden administration, Thursdays meeting will be the last for Austin, the brainchild behind the UDCG.

Boarding a C-17 for @SecDef Austins final trip at frigid, black-iced (already fell once) Joint Base Andrews  see you in Ramstein pic.twitter.com/3iSe4Sbff8  Tara Copp (@TaraCopp) January 8, 2025

Between 80% to 90% of weapons promised from U.S. stocks have been delivered, a U.S. defense official told reporters on Tuesday. There is still roughly $4 billion in Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) commitments to be made before Donald Trump takes office. While a new arms package is scheduled to be announced Thursday, we do not expect that we will have fully utilized all of the PDA authority available, the official told reporters. Beyond that, there are also contracts underway for the production of new ones.

It remains unclear yet how Trump will approach the issue of funding Ukraine once he takes office on Jan. 20.

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In a wide-ranging press conference from Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday, Trump declined to commit to continued support for Ukraine during any future peace negotiations.

 Donald Trump to a question about providing security guarantees for Ukraine: "Russia for many years said you could never have NATO involved with Ukraine. That's been like written in stone. And Biden said no, they should be able to join NATO. Then Russia has somebody right on pic.twitter.com/sVYhf9331o  Ostap Yarysh (@OstapYarysh) January 7, 2025

Even with future of U.S. support being put into question, Ukraines homegrown long-range weapons, like those that struck Engels, can continue to reach increasingly further into Russia in an attempt to disrupt military operations and destroy highly valued targets.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
Key developments on Jan. 8:

Ukraine strikes Russian oil depot supplying fuel to Engels-2 airbase, military confirms

Ukraine strikes Russian command post in Donetsk Oblast, military reports

Russian airstrike on Zaporizhzhia industrial site kills 13, injures at least 63

French-trained brigade had 'systematic shortcomings,' Ukraine's top general reports to Zelensky

Zelensky addresses Trump's comments on NATO, stresses security guarantees

Bidens final $500 million Ukraine military aid to be announced on Jan. 9, VOA reports

Ukrainian forces attacked a Russian oil depot in Engels, Saratov Oblast, overnight on Jan. 8, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said after reports of drone attacks.

The operation, carried out jointly by Ukraine's military intelligence, the Unmanned Systems Forces, and other units, targeted the Kristal Plant used to supply fuel to the nearby Engels-2 airbase, the military said.

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The statement comes shortly after Russian authorities reported a drone attack in the area, with footage of the burning oil facility circulating on social media.

The city of Engels lies around 600 kilometers (370 miles) from the front lines in Ukraine.

Saratov Oblast Governor Roman Busargin said Ukrainian drone debris struck an unspecified "industrial facility" around 5:30 a.m. local time amid a "massive" drone attack on the city.

No information was immediately available as to the extent of the damage caused. Busargin said that there were no injuries as a result of the attack. Russia's Defense Ministry claimed that 11 Ukrainian attack drones were downed over Saratov Oblast.

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"The depot's destruction creates significant logistical problems for Russian strategic aviation and reduces its ability to attack peaceful Ukrainian cities and civilian facilities," the General Staff said.

The Engels-2 base hosts the 121st Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment, operating Tu-160 bombers, and the 184th Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment with the Tupolev Tu-95 MS planes.

Russia uses these aircraft to launch mass strikes on Ukraine, often resulting in heavy damage to infrastructure and civilian casualties. Ukrainian forces have previously launched drone strikes targeting the airbase itself.

Read also: Source: Ukraine hits Russias Engels air base. Can it change how Russia attacks?

Ukraine strikes Russian command post in Donetsk Oblast, military reports

Ukrainian forces carried out a precision strike against a command post of Russia's 8th Combined Arms Army in Russian-occupied Khartsyzk in Donetsk Oblast, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on Jan. 8.

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The military said that Russia has seized the facility to coordinate attacks against Ukrainian forces and civilians, especially near Kurakhove. After weeks of heavy battles, Russia announced earlier this week it had fully captured Kurakhove.

"All necessary measures were taken to limit the risk to civilians," the General Staff noted. Khartsyzk lies around 25 kilometers (15 miles) east of the Russian-held Donetsk and has been occupied by Russia since the start of its war in 2014.

The General Staff did not specify what weapon was used in the attack or the extent of the damage inflicted. Ukraine fields homemade missiles and long-range drones as well as Western-supplied arms like HIMARS, ATACMS, or Storm Shadow missiles.

Similar attacks were reported in recent days, including a precision strike against a Russian command post in Kursk Oblast on Jan. 7 and another one in the same region on Jan. 2.

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Read also: Hackers claim to have breached Russias real estate database, Moscow denies

Russian airstrike on Zaporizhzhia industrial site kills 13, injures 63

Russian forces targeted an industrial facility in Zaporizhzhia on Jan. 8, killing 13 people and injuring 63, Governor Ivan Fedorov reported.

The attack was conducted using two FAB-500 gliding bombs, National Police reported.

The attack damaged apartment buildings, an industrial facility, and other infrastructure. A tram and a minibus carrying passengers were also hit, as reported by the Prosecutor Generals Office.

Aftermath of Russian attack on industrial facility in Zaporizhzhia on Jan. 8. (Governor Ivan Fedorov / Telegram)

Zaporizhzhia, home to approximately 710,000 residents before Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, is frequently targeted by Russian forces.

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The attack is part of a broader wave of Russian assaults across Ukraine. Regional authorities reported at least two civilian deaths and 13 injuries nationwide over the past day.

Overnight, Russia launched 64 Shahed-type attack drones and various dummy drones across Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.

Air defenses intercepted 41 drones over nine oblasts. Of the remaining drones, 22 dummy drones were lost in Ukrainian airspace, three returned to Russia, and one flew to Belarus.

Read also: Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 2, injure 13 over past day

Zelensky addresses Trumps comments on NATO, stresses security guarantees

President Volodymyr Zelensky called for caution in interpreting U.S. policy following President-elect Donald Trumps comments linking Ukraines NATO aspirations to Russias invasion during a Jan. 8 meeting with Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen.

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The Ukrainian president argued that the absence of NATO membership and concrete security guarantees contributed to Russias decision to launch the full-scale invasion.

"Putin realized no one would stand up for Ukraine. He thought he could destroy us, but the Ukrainian army proved him wrong," Zelensky said.

Trump had criticized President Joe Biden for provoking Russias invasion, claiming Ukraines potential NATO membership had long been a significant concern for Moscow.

"Thats been like written in stone. And Biden said, No, they should be able to join NATO. Then Russia has somebody right on their doorstep," Trump said.

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Zelensky dismissed conclusions about NATO, referencing Ukraines recent access to Patriot missile systems and other NATO-standard weapons.

"Do you remember when Ukraine was told that Patriot systems are only available to NATO countries? Either we have been in NATO for a long time, or we should not jump to conclusions," he said.

Finnish foreign minister emphasized that Ukraines NATO membership poses no threat to other countries. "This narrative is similar to the one Russia has long used, blaming NATO and its so-called 'enlargement' for its own aggression," Valtonen said.

Reports from The Wall Street Journal suggest Trumps team may propose delaying Ukraines NATO membership by at least 20 years in exchange for Western arms supplies and European peacekeepers to monitor a potential ceasefire.

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While Ukraines NATO membership remains a long-term goal, Zelensky reiterated the need for robust security guarantees in the immediate term. Ukrainian envoy Andrii Melnyk echoed this sentiment on Dec. 27, emphasizing that diplomatic efforts currently center on strengthening Ukraines defense capabilities rather than immediate NATO accession.

Zelensky expressed cautious optimism about working with the incoming U.S. administration, reaffirming Ukraines commitment to achieving a diplomatic resolution to the war by 2025.

Read also: Garry Kasparov: You never hear Russian opposition actually say Ukraine must win

Bidens final $500 million Ukraine military aid to be announced on Jan. 9, VOA reports

The final military aid package from the Biden administration to Ukraine, amounting to $500 million, is set to be officially announced on Jan. 9, Voice of America correspondent Carla Babb reported on Jan. 8 from Ramstein Air Base.

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The package, drawn from the Pentagons existing stockpile under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) program, is expected to be the last from the outgoing administration before President-elect Donald Trumps inauguration on Jan. 20.

Despite previous commitments to exhaust the remaining PDA funds, approximately $3.8 billion will remain unused, according to the Pentagon, leaving the funds at the disposal of the incoming administration.

Trump and his team have been vocal critics of U.S. financial support for Ukraine. Michael Waltz, Trumps incoming National Security Advisor, said on Dec. 15 that "a blank check... just isnt a strategy."

In a Jan. 5 interview with podcaster Lex Fridman, President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated Ukraines willingness to work with the incoming U.S. administration. He proposed that Ukraine purchase U.S. weapons using $300 billion in frozen Russian assets.

Despite previously criticizing U.S. aid for Ukraine, the Financial Times reported on Dec. 21, citing undisclosed sources, that Trump may not halt U.S. military support for Ukraine.

While Zelensky remains committed to pursuing a diplomatic resolution by 2025, the incoming Trump administrations approach to the conflict and its impact on military aid remains unclear.

Read also: Finland to host NATO Baltic summit, address Russias shadow fleet sabotage threats

French-trained brigade had 'systematic shortcomings,' Ukraine's top general reports

General Mykhailo Drapatyi, Ukraine's Ground Forces chief, reported to President Volodymyr Zelensky on the roots of the problems facing the French-trained 155th "Anne of Kyiv" Brigade and presented solutions, Drapatyi said on Jan. 8.

The general's remarks followed a media investigation that claimed soldiers of the unit, currently deployed near Pokrovsk, have suffered losses and gone AWOL (absent without leave) in large numbers due to poor command and organization within Ukraines military leadership.

"Most of the systemic shortcomings were committed by the Ground Forces Command, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and the Operational Command," the commander wrote on social media. Drapatyi was appointed to lead the Ground Forces last November, months after the brigade was formed.

Without revealing all the details before "all the circumstances are established," Drapatyi acknowledged "inadequate management," "mistakes in recruitment," and "imperfect training planning" within the unit.

The commander said the biggest challenge was the "low efficiency and motivation of mid-level commanders who directly manage people."

Relevant solutions are already being implemented, with a focus on "recruiting experienced officers and commanders at all levels," the general said, adding that the 155th Brigades soldiers will receive additional training.

Read also: Negative lesson  Ground Forces chief acknowledges desertions, mismanagement in French-trained brigade

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Participants at the upcoming 25th meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany on 9 January will aim to define Ukraine's defence capabilities to support a deterrent force until 2027.

Source: Pentagon website

Details: US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will travel from Washington to the Ramstein Air Base, where he will host the 25th UDCG meeting on 9 January.

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Quote from Pentagons message: "At this milestone meeting, Secretary Austin will engage with defene ministers and senior military officials from around the world to discuss Ukraine's immediate battlefield needs, longer-term defene requirements and the important coordination being conducted through the capability coalitions.

The meeting will focus on the need to ensure continued delivery of key capabilities including air defence systems, artillery munitions and armoured vehicles, as well as efforts to enhance the defence industrial base."

Details: In addition, two senior US defence officials reported that coalition leaders will gather during the meeting to define Ukraine's defence capabilities and establish a reliable deterrent force by 2027.

The Pentagon reiterated that the UDCG, founded by Secretary Austin in response to Russia's unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, is a coalition of about 50 countries that meets regularly to address Ukraine's security needs.

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There is a coalition leadership group within the broader UDCG that comprises eight capability coalitions, each focusing on specific military capabilities for Ukraine and led by at least two NATO member countries.

Quote from Pentagon representative: "The leaders of these coalitions will need to endorse roadmaps that articulate Ukraine's air force, armour, artillery, demining, drone, integrated air and missile defence, information technology and maritime security needs and objectives through 2027.

These roadmaps are intended to enable donors to plan for and support Ukraine sustainably into the future."

Details: Responding to a question about concerns regarding the future of the UDCG if US support for the group decreases following the inauguration of the new administration on 20 January, the officials emphasised that the multilateral nature of the UDCG and its coalitions would help strengthen the group's resilience in the future.

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Quote from Pentagon representative: "We are very confident that the [group's] multilateral nature, which was absolutely baked in from the start by Secretary Austin [because of] his absolute commitment to multilateral work [and] also his knowledge and respect for the capabilities of those European countries meant that we were able to do more together with those aid capability coalitions than we could have alone."

"...the coalition leadership group will meet at the ministerial level to lay a sound foundation for the future of those coalitions."

"I can't speak for what the incoming administration [of President-elect Donald Trump] will decide about its role [within the UDCG], but I'm very confident of European commitment, ability, experience and extraordinary belief in the mission, and [I'm] confident that those capability coalitions will continue one way or another."

Details: Supporting the perspective of the first official, a second senior Pentagon official stated that while the 25th UDCG meeting will be Austin's last, the US Department of Defense will not wind down the group's work, it will continue.

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The US Department of Defense also noted that since the UDCG's establishment in April 2022, the US, together with its allies and partners, have provided over US$126 billion in security assistance to Ukraine.

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Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has dismissed Hungary's claims that Ukraine has caused economic difficulties for the European Union by stopping Russian gas transit, calling them manipulative and part of a politically motivated information campaign aimed at Hungarians.

Source: Ukraine's Foreign Ministry in a statement, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The statement emphasised that Russia has always been the sole cause of issues in the European energy market. For decades, the Kremlin has weaponised energy, resorting to blackmail against European governments and undermining energy security.

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The Foreign Ministry highlighted a statement by the European Commission dated 1 January 2025, which confirmed that Ukraine's pre-announced decision had had no adverse effect on the energy security of EU countries or consumer prices in the European market.

"The latest manipulative statements from the leadership of Hungary regarding Ukraine's decision not to extend the transit agreement with the aggressor state, Russia, from 2025 onwards, allegedly having a negative impact on consumer prices, are part of a politically motivated information campaign intended for domestic consumption," the statement said.

The statement also noted that the European Commission and European governments have successfully collaborated to diversify energy supply sources and enhance energy independence. It added that all European countries have secured alternative energy supplies from the United States and the Middle East to support their economies and populations.

"Only two out of twenty-seven EU countries have struggled with this task and are now attempting to pass their problems [along] with the blame on[to] others," the Foreign Ministry said, adding that by doing so, they are actually preventing the US and other partners from accessing the European energy market.

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"If the Hungarian side prioritises strengthening Russia over the EU and the United States, it should acknowledge this openly. Ukraine would be ready to fill any vacant space in the EU and NATO if Hungary chooses to vacate it in favour of membership in the CIS or CSTO," the ministry said.

Background:

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto accused Ukraine of putting the European Union in a difficult economic situation by stopping the transit of Russian gas.

The contract between Ukraine and Russia for gas transit to Europe expired at the end of 2024 after Kyiv decided not to renew it.

After that, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico sharply criticised Kyiv for these actions and wrote a letter to EU leaders expressing dissatisfaction with the steps taken by Ukraine.

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Ukraine's Special Operations Forces (SOF) have released another translated excerpt from the diary of a North Korean operative killed by SOF troops in Russia's Kursk Oblast. In this entry, the operative details his misconduct.

Source: SOF press service

Details: The North Korean soldier admitted to stealing from Russian servicemen in Kursk Oblast and selling the stolen goods.

In the third part of the translated notes from Gyeong Hong Jongs confiscated diary, he had written about allegedly feeling remorse for the wrongdoing that led to his deployment to assist Russian troops in their fight against Ukraines defence forces.

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However, SOF operatives noted that his remorse did not stop him from committing another offence upon his arrival in Russia.

In the fifth published entry, Jong does not specify what or how much he stole, but it is evident from the diary that someone caught him in the act.

Quote: "Monthly life report (confession)

Dear Supreme Commander Kim [Jong Un] ordered us never to dishonour the homeland while demonstrating the strength and bravery of the special forces.

While working in the barracks, I thought no one was watching and pocketed items belonging to the Russians.

My guilt lies in not following the Supreme Commander's orders and stealing something that belongs to another country. This could have serious consequences for our commanders.

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I will no longer trade in other peoples belongings. I will heroically advance on the front line and destroy the enemy."

Page from North Korean soldiers diary.

Photo: SOF press service

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The Russians attacked Ukraine with 64 Shahed attack UAVs and various types of decoy drones on the night of 7-8 January. Air defence forces shot down 41 Russian drones.

Source: Air Force Command

Details: The drones were reportedly launched from Oryol, Kursk, Bryansk, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk.

The air attack was repelled by aircraft, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare units, mobile fire groups of the Air Force and the defence forces of Ukraine.

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As of 09:00, 41 Shahed attack UAVs and other types of drones were downed in Poltava, Sumy, Kharkiv, Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Zhytomyr, Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv and Kirovohrad oblasts.

A total of 22 Russian decoy drones disappeared from radar (causing no adverse effects), 3 of which flew towards Russia and 1 towards Belarus.

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Ukrainian border guards are constantly monitoring military exercises taking place deep in the territory of Belarus, noting that no assault formations have been detected heading towards the border with Ukraine.

Source: Colonel Andrii Demchenko, spokesman for the State Border Guard Service, in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda

Details: Demchenko noted that various types of drills are undertaken on Belarusian soil on a regular basis, both with territorial defence troops and other units.

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Demchenko underlined that Belarus constantly declares such exercises and reiterates that Ukraine poses a threat to Belarus, all while avoiding the fact that it was the Belarusians who enabled a Russian attack on Ukraine from their territory in February 2022.

Quote: "We are constantly monitoring what is happening deep into the territory of Belarus to understand how much of a threat it is to Ukraine. However, first of all, it should be noted that no assault formations are currently being detected near our border."

Background: The Ministry of Defence of Belarus announced that military exercises will be held in the Gomel district of Belarus with conscripts of territorial defence forces, reservists and military reserves from 8 to 31 January.

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By Anastasiia Malenko

KYIV (Reuters) -Ukraine launched an overnight strike deep inside Russia that set fire to an oil depot that serves an air base for Russian nuclear bomber planes, the Ukrainian military said on Wednesday.

Russian regional governor Roman Busargin said the cities of Engels and Saratov, on opposite sides of the Volga river, had been subject to a "mass drone attack" and fire had broken out in Engels at an industrial site, which he did not name.

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He later posted on Telegram that the blaze had spread and two firefighters had died trying to put it out. He declared a state of emergency in Engels, which has a population of some 200,000.

The Ukrainian military reported multiple explosions and a big fire at the Kristal oil depot, which it said provided fuel to the Engels-2 military airfield.

The strike "creates serious logistical problems for the strategic aviation of the Russian occupiers and significantly reduces their ability to strike at peaceful Ukrainian cities and civilian objects", it said in a statement on Telegram.

Ukraine deployed "long-range capabilities" in the attack, presidential adviser Oleksandr Kamyshin posted on X.

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He used the hashtag #MadeInUkraine to signal that the weapons used were not supplied by the West.

Ukraine's general staff also said it had carried out a successful strike on a Russian military command post in Ukraine's Russian-occupied Donetsk region on Wednesday.

The facility has been used by Russia to coordinate attacks against Ukrainian troops and civilians, it said.

Separately, a Russian attack killed at least one person and injured three others on Wednesday in the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, the regional governor said.

CROSS-BORDER MISSILE STRIKES

In an escalation of the now nearly three-year-old war, Ukraine last year began firing U.S. ATACMS ballistic missiles and British Storm Shadows into Russia. Russia responded by launching a new hypersonic missile, the Oreshnik, at Ukraine. The Kremlin has pledged to retaliate each time Ukraine fires long-range Western weapons into Russia.

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Russian news reports also said the fire in Engels was at an oil facility. Videos and photos published on social media showed a large fire burning, sending thick clouds of smoke into the night sky. Reuters was able to verify the location in an industrial zone of Engels, based on satellite imagery.

"There are sufficient forces and resources to localise the fire," Busargin, the regional governor, said on Telegram.

Russia's defence ministry said in a statement that 11 Ukrainian drones had been destroyed overnight over the Saratov region, and 21 over other parts of Russia and the Azov Sea. It did not mention any damage.

Some Engels residents posted in a Telegram chat room that they had heard dozens of explosions. Authorities told people not to panic and instructed them not to take pictures or video of drones.

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The Engels air base is located about 730 km (450 miles) southeast of Moscow and hundreds of kilometres from the Ukrainian border. In December 2022, three Russian air force personnel were killed when a drone was shot down there.

(Additional reporting by Lucy Papachristou and Felix Light; Writing by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Ros Russell)
The Ukrainian Embassy in Slovakia has expressed outrage that a delegation of Slovak MPs intends to visit Russia, which has been waging a full-scale war against Ukraine for almost three years.

Source: a statement by the embassy, quoted by European Pravda

Details: The Ukrainian diplomats expressed surprise that since the 2023 parliamentary elections, Slovak officials have "not once condemned the brutal crimes of the Russian Federation officially, frankly and publicly".

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In fact, the embassy added, they have become aware that Andrej Danko, the Deputy Speaker of the Slovak Parliament, plans to lead a delegation on an official visit to Moscow.

Quote from the embassy: "The embassy and the Ukrainian side strongly protest these intentions and once again call for there to be no contact with the criminal regime in Moscow, as such steps contribute to the legitimisation of Russian aggression against Ukraine."

Details: The diplomats called on Slovak parliamentarians to abandon their "attempts to appease and engage with the aggressor to serve their own political and mercantile interests".

Quote: "History proves that it is always the people who pay for the historic mistakes of politicians. And the Slovak nation is no exception, as in the first half of the 20th century it became a hostage to the shortsightedness and unscrupulousness of its leaders, which led to well-known tragic consequences."

Background:

A group of far-right Slovak MPs, led by the deputy speaker and leader of the nationalist SNS party Andrej Danko, will reportedly travel to Russia on 10 January.

The trip follows a controversial visit to Moscow by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who met with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

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Ukraine's Armed Forces have carried out a high-precision strike on a command post of Russia's 8th Guards Combined Arms Army, located in the city of Khartsyzk in Donetsk Oblast.

Source: Ukraine's General Staff

Quote: "Russian occupation forces had been using this building to coordinate attacks on Ukraine's Armed Forces and civilians, particularly residents of Kurakhove."

Details: The General Staff reported that the Ukrainian military had taken all necessary precautions to ensure civilians were not harmed by the strike.

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Background: On 7 January, Ukrainian defence forces attacked the command post of the 810th Separate Marine Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces near the village of Belaya, Kursk Oblast.

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Ukraine's defence forces have struck the Kombinat Kristal oil storage facility in the city of Engels in Russia's Saratov Oblast.

Source: Ukraine's General Staff

Details: Numerous explosions were recorded in the target area and a large-scale fire broke out. Local authorities have confirmed a hit on an "industrial facility".

The General Staff notes that this oil depot supplied fuel to the Engels-2 military airfield, which houses Russian strategic aircraft.

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Quote: "More information on the results of the combat operation is being gathered.

The operation was conducted by units from Defence Intelligence of Ukraine and the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in coordination with other elements of the defence forces.

The damage to the oil depot creates significant logistical problems for the strategic aircraft of the Russian invaders and significantly reduces their ability to strike peaceful Ukrainian cities and civilian targets."

Background:

Russian Telegram channels and Saratov Oblast Governor Roman Busargin reported multiple explosions in the Engels area near an oil depot.

Local residents described hearing around 25 loud blasts across several districts and witnessing bright flashes in the sky, followed by a large fire at the oil depot site.

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The Special Operations Forces servicemen together with other units of the Ukrainian defence forces repelled Russian attempts to storm one of the settlements in Russias Kursk Oblast, destroyed their armoured vehicles and killed some soldiers.

Source: press service of the Special Operations Forces

Details: It is reported that during an unsuccessful Russian attempt to storm Ukrainian positions, the unmanned aerial vehicles crews of Special Operations Forces destroyed two Russian tanks and three armoured vehicles.

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They also killed four Russian soldiers who were trying to storm Ukrainian positions.

Background: Ukrainian forces launched an offensive in Russia's Kursk Oblast on the night of 4-5 January. In particular, it was reported that Ukrainian troops were advancing from the town of Sudzha towards the village of Bolshoye Soldatskoye.

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LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Unionized nurses and healthcare professionals at UMH-Sparrow will conduct a 5-day strike beginning at 7 a.m., Monday, Jan. 20, the union announced Tuesday evening.

The union says it has also filed charges against the hospital with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging unfair labor practices and a pattern of bad-faith bargaining.

UMH-Sparrow and the Professional Employee Council of Sparrow Hospital-Michigan Nurses Association (PECSH-MNA) have been negotiating contract terms since August. The approximately 2,000 workers represented by the union have been working without contract since Oct. 30, and members voted almost unanimously last month to authorize a strike.

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During negotiations, access to affordable healthcare, competitive wages, and safe work conditions have been the main points of contention, according to the union.

Its heartbreaking that we have to go on strike against an employer that seems to have unlimited funds for buildings but is not showing a commitment to investing in the people who actually do the work, said Lindsey Davis, LMSW, a social worker in behavioral health and a member of the PECSH-MNA bargaining team.

Union members plan to picket outside of several locations until 9 p.m. each day and will not disrupt access to Sparrow facilities, including the main hospital, the emergency department in Okemos, and the Sparrow Health Center located on E. Grand River Ave.

In a statement sent to 6 News, UMH-Sparrow representatives expressed disappointment regarding the strike notice, saying that while a work stoppage is a possibility, we remain confident that we can reach an agreement without one.

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You can read Sparrows statement in full below:

We are disappointed the Professional Employee Council of Sparrow Hospital (PECSH)-Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) has issued a 10-day notice of a work stoppage. It is important to note that while a work stoppage is now a possibility, we remain confident that we can reach an agreement without one. We are currently taking steps to ensure that  in the unfortunate event that a work stoppage occurs  patients can still expect to receive the same safe, leading-edge and compassionate care close to home. We take our commitment to the community seriously and have a contingency plan in place for staffing. We will be fully operational if there is a work stoppage, with safety and quality of care remaining of the utmost importance. University of Michigan Health-Sparrow will continue to negotiate in good faith with our valued nurses and health care professionals for a fair contract that meets everyones needs while also ensuring our patients receive the highest quality of care. Media Statement: 10-Day Notice of a Work Stoppage, UMH-Sparrow Jan. 7, 2025

The hospital and the union are scheduled to bargain again on Jan. 16 and Jan. 17, though additional negotiation dates are also a possibility.

This is a developing story. 6 News will keep you updated with the latest.

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 WLNS 6 News.
By Allison Lampert

MONTREAL (Reuters) -A recent U.N. aviation agency information security incident involved the alleged release of thousands of recruitment application data records from April 2016 to July 2024, the Montreal-based body told Reuters on Tuesday.

The 42,000 records, which the threat actor known as Natohub claimed to have released, do not affect any systems related to aviation safety or security, the International Civil Aviation Organization said in response to a Reuters query.

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"We can confirm that this incident is limited to the recruitment database and does not affect any systems related to aviation safety or security operations," ICAO said.

The claim of an ICAO-related incident has been circulating for days following a post to a data breach-focused website popular with cybercriminals.

Reuters could not immediately locate contact information for Natohub.

Earlier on Tuesday a source told Reuters that the incident was linked to the release of job applicants' records, with a sample made public.

ICAO said on Monday it was investigating a reported hacker's claim that the records had been stolen. The investigation is still ongoing and ICAO has implemented additional security measures to protect the agency's systems, it said.

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"We are also working to identify and notify affected individuals," ICAO said.

ICAO said in the statement that the compromised data includes recruitment-related information entered by job applicants, such as names, email addresses, dates of birth, and employment history.

"The affected data does not include financial information, passwords, passport details, or any documents uploaded by applicants," ICAO said.

ICAO, which has 193 member states, was targeted in a hack in 2016 and said afterwards that it had made significant improvements to its security.

ICAO uses consensus to set standards on everything from runways to seat belts. The agency was created after the United States invited more than 50 allies to agree in 1944 to a common air navigation system.

(Reporting By Allison Lampert in Montreal. Additional reporting by Raphael Satter in Washington; Editing by Sonali Paul)
The Worcester County DAs office identified the victim of a fatal pedestrian crash as 13-year-old Ezra Millard.

Millard was killed Monday night, shortly after 6 p.m., when they were struck by a pickup truck in a downtown shopping area.

Police are investigating the cause of the deadly crash and so far, no charges have been filed.

Leominster Police say the driver of a Chevy Silverado with Maine license plates stayed on scene and is cooperating with investigators

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The investigation is active, the witnesses remained on scene as well as the operator of the motor vehicle and they are cooperating, Police Chief Ryan Malatos said.

The area of Leominster, where the crash occurred, features fast food restaurants nearby, which are popular with local teenagers.

Leominsters Mayor Dean Mazzarella says the citys heart goes out to Ezra and their family.

Ezras father says his child loved to travel  the two shared a trip to the Midwest last year.

And he said last year, Ezra joined the inclusive New England Junior Roller Derby League.

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The leagues president says Ezras Derby name was Terrorbyte.

With Ezra, what we saw was that he was able to really deeply connect with some friends on the team. And it seemed to be a place of joy for him, said Wendy Matusovich of the New England Junior Roller Derby League. Its almost unfathomable to think about Ezra not being there.

Ezra Millard attended the Sky View Middle School.

Leominsters Superintendent of Schools said grief counselors are available for students.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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MAYNARDVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  A Union County man is suing a Utah-based debt foreclosure company for $2 million, claiming their deal was fraudulent. Forrest Walker said he never knew he was selling his home.

Many foreclosure rescue companies can be found online. They make promises such as guaranteeing to save your home by paying off your mortgage, usually for a fee. For Walker, who lives in Maynardville, the foreclosure rescue company he signed with now owns his home.

Walker wonders if he will ever get his house back. He was behind in his mortgage and unable to make payments because he had been injured at work and accumulated big medical bills. Hes lived at his home in Union County since 1999. He faced foreclosure in mid-November 2023. About a month earlier, Walker found Lift Foreclosures website and called them. The business provides loan relief for people who face foreclosure.

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They [were] going to bring the mortgage up to date, said Walker.

Im scared: Woman describes bizarre road rage encounter in Cocke County

In these text messages from Lift Foreclosure, Forest was told Our group helps you stay in your home. He was urged to act quickly: Its important we talk soon so you understand the strategies to stay in the home.

They said they were going to help. I didnt tell them I had a home that I wanted to give away. I never said that, he explained. I asked for help and theyre pushing, pushing. We have to get this done. They were being like a second person on the mortgage, taking it over and bringing it up to date, and I was going to pay them through a period of three years and they would be gone.

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During a Zoom call with Dave Stockinger, an attorney from Boardwalk Homes and Lift Foreclosure, Walker agreed verbally and provided his initials electronically to contract terms.

Everything was done over the phone. I had never seen the first person. I had never seen the first piece of paper, said Walker.

Had it not been for a late summer hailstorm and the insurance claim he filed for his damaged roof, Walker would never have known he no longer owned his home. He received the surprising information from his insurance company in September 2024.

Theyre like, have you sold your home recently? Im, like, No!' said Walker.

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Then, a month later his mortgage company notified him, that they had purchased insurance on his behalf.

I have no right to the property. I dont own it, said Walker.

Maryville-based lender accused of giving borrowers mortgages they could not repay

Confused about his agreement with Lift Foreclosure, he contacted them.

So I called them. What is this?' Walker said. Oh dont worry about that is just what we had to do. That is the way it is. Thats just what we had to do.'

Walker and his attorney filed a lawsuit against Broadway Homes and Lift Foreclosure alleging fraud, a violation of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act, and other claims.

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So they got him to sign papers, one of them is a Warranty Deed, transferring title of his house to them, said attorney Bennett Hirschhorn.

He explained that Walker wasnt aware he was signing papers that gave his house away. Instead, he believed he was signing a second mortgage.

It says the words Cash in hand. So, they are pretending like they paid him $275,000 cash in hand, which I have never seen on a deed before, said Hirschhorn.

Eric Ebbert is a Knoxville attorney representing Utah-based Lift Foreclosure. He said the business did nothing wrong because Walker approved the contract.

He initialed a statement, saying I understand Im selling my home, located to such and such address, to this entity. He initialed another statement, I understand that I am leasing this property from them at this, month to month, said Ebbert.

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Man accused of setting Friendsville home on fire with woman inside

Walker is determined to get his house back.

First and foremost, I want my property. I want my home, said Walker.

6 News reached out to Lift Foreclosure requesting comment on the lawsuit, but we have not heard back. The Federal Trade Commission says if you are having problems making your mortgage payments contact your lender immediately. Lenders often prefer to work out a new payment plan, rather than go through the foreclosure process. The FTC also says never sign any papers or contracts and never enter into any agreement without first consulting your lawyer.

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There is more to this story. In a later report, well explain how Walker was given options to get his house back.

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 WATE 6 On Your Side.
Uniqlo just gave U.K. Trades Union Congress (TUC) another win for freelance retail workers.

Uniqlo is the latest retailer to agree to stop using gig economy apps, such as Temper and YoungOnes, to hire temporary workers, according to U.K.s The Guardian. It said that other retailers who said they would stop hiring through the apps include workout apparel brand Gymshark and beauty retailer Lush.

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The story said TUC had reached out to the CEOs of the three retailers asking them to end the practice. The concern was that workers hired through the apps were left with little or no protections that are available to other workers hired through more traditional channels. The three retailers were believed to have access the apps only briefly for the holiday selling season.

Uniqlo said in a statement to The Guardian that it no longer sources freelance workers for temporary store-based roles. The retailer added that it is hiring for temporary and permanent positions either directly or through other channels that ensure staff are eligible for employment benefits.

U.K.s The Observer first reported on Dec. 15 that the apps promoted by TikTok influencers raise concerns over basic employment rights. It said that British retailers traditionally bring in agency workers, who are accorded legal protections that include holiday pay, the national minimum wage and rest breaks.

The gig economy as grown over the years. Many workers choose to work gigs because they want the convenience and flexibility of working short-term assignments, even if it means they lack access to benefits and legal protections. Thats because they are considered independent contractors. And companies use the gig model because they dont have to worry about expenses such as health insurance, payments into Social Security, or other employee-related costs.

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But abuses, such as wage theft, are a frequent complaint among freelancers. And gig workers in the design industry can grapple with issues over ownership and intellectual property rights. Californias AB-5, which went into effect on Jan. 1, 2020, reclassifies some independent contractors as employees to ensure certain labor protections as regular employees.

And on Jan. 9, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor issued its final rule regarding the distinctions between employees and contract workers. The rule aims to ensure that workers arent misclassified to prevent them from being exploited and ensure that they receivewhether minimum wage or overtime pay, for examplethe wages they have earned.
A United Airlines jet was clipped by another jet while they were taxiing at Chicago OHare International Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said Wednesday.

According to an emailed statement from an FAA spokesperson to The Hill, an American Airlines Boeing 737-800 jet struck the tail of a United Airlines 787 jet while taxiing on separate taxiways at Chicago OHare International Airport at about 10:00 a.m. CST.

The American flight was headed to Los Angeles, and the United flight was off to Honolulu, the FAA stated, adding that it will investigate the incident.

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In its own statement emailed to The Hill, United said an aircraft from a different airline made contact with the tail cone of a stationary United plane while on the taxiway awaiting departure. United said there are no reports of injuries, and the airline will provide another aircraft for customers.

American said in an emailed statement to The Hill that one of its flights made contact with a nearby aircraft on the taxiway while taxiing in Chicago. The airline said those on the plane exited normally at the gate, with the passengers departing via replacement aircraft later that day.

We apologize to our customers for the inconvenience this caused, American said in its statement.

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 The Hill.
(NewsNation)  Three UnitedHealth-owned insurance companies must pay more than $165 million for deceptive conduct that misled thousands of consumers into unknowingly buying supplemental health insurance in Massachusetts.

In a December order, Suffolk County Superior Court Judge Helene Kazanjian said penalties stem from marketing practices between 2012 and 2016 by HealthMarkets and its two subsidiaries, The Chesapeake Life Insurance Company and HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, which were found to violate the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act.

The ruling follows a non-jury trial to assess damages after the companies were already deemed liable.

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What kind of masks protect from wildfire smoke?

Kazanjian said sales agents were trained to hide policy costs from consumers, calling it egregious, and targeting vulnerable consumers who could least afford their products.

The nearly $50.1 million in restitution and $115.1 million in civil penalties awarded by Kazanjian was less than the $368 million sought by Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbells office.

Campbell hailed Kazanjians decision, saying it awarded the state the largest civil penalties it has ever recovered under the states consumer protection law.

Want to avoid the stomach flu? Heres how to do it

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In a statement, UnitedHealthcare said it would appeal the decision, which is clearly unsupported by the evidence and contrary to established Massachusetts law, according to Reuters.

In 2020, Campbells predecessor, now-Governor Maura Healey, accused HealthMarkets of a deceptive scheme cheating more than 15,000 residents out of more than $43.5 million since 2011, violating a 2009 settlement.

In 2022, a different state court judge found HealthMarkets liable, leading to a damages trial in 2023.

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 NewsNation.
Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk will be closed on Wednesday due to fire and wind conditions in Los Angeles, Universal announced in a statement. The park, which is located in the San Fernando Valley away from most of the devastation, said it expects to be back open on Thursday but will continue to monitor the situation as devastating fires are still burning.

The strongest Santa Ana winds in over a decade that whipped wildfire and chaos through the west side of Los Angeles Pacific Palisades on Tuesday worsened overnight, with 2,921 acres burned at 0% containment as of Wednesday morning.

The Getty Villa museum, Palisades High School and the Bel Air Beach Club were among the locations affected by the raging flames that the fire department struggled to get under control amid howling winds. Grounds at the Getty were burned, although the priceless antiquities in the villa were reported safe. Palisades High School, meanwhile, became engulfed in flames and in videos shared online appeared in a dire state.

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In Hollywood, many industry events were halted due to the fires and weather. Premieres for Unstoppable, Better Man and The Pitt were all axed, and the SAG Awards decided to cancel their in-person nominations. President Joe Biden even postponed a Tuesday speaking engagement in Joshua Tree due to the winds.

Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk will be closed today as a result of the extreme winds and fire conditions. We will continue to assess the situation and expect to open for business tomorrow. The safety of our team members and our guests is our top priority.  Universal Studios Hollywood (@UniStudios) January 8, 2025

The post Universal Studios Hollywood and CityWalk Close Due to Winds and Fire Conditions appeared first on TheWrap.
As winds whip through Southern California, scores of businesses  from local restaurants and community institutions to film and television productions and a major theme park  have been affected by the fires burning in the region.

The Palisades fire has burned more than 15,000 acres, destroying numerous homes and businesses in the Pacific Palisades area. The Eaton fire has burned more than 10,000 acres and many structures in the Pasadena and Altadena areas, while the Hurst fire near Sylmar has burned more than 500 acres.

Read more: What happened during the first four days of the Eaton, Palisades fires in Southern California

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Already, several long-standing businesses have been lost, including ocean-front restaurant Moonshadows in Malibu and the Reel Inn, a casual seafood restaurant and a Malibu institution for more than 30 years. All of the restaurant's staff members are safe, its owners said.

We are so grateful for the 36 years weve been a part of the community. Grateful to all of our customers. We are heartbroken and unsure what will be left, owners Teddy and Andy Leonard wrote in an Instagram post Tuesday evening.

Longtime Vegetation around the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades caught fire late Tuesday, though the museum's structures were not affected, and its staff and collections are safe, the museum said in a post on X. The Getty Villa will be closed at least through early next week, and the Getty Center in Brentwood will be closed through Sunday "out of caution and to help alleviate traffic in the area," the museum said.

Livestock and pet supplies store Malibu Feed Bin was also destroyed after 60 years in business, the store wrote in a Facebook post.

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Universal Studios Hollywood and its CityWalk shopping area were closed Wednesday due to the fires and extreme wind conditions in Southern California. The theme park said it will "continue to assess the situation" and expects to reopen Thursday, according to a statement on its website.

Read more: Every wildfire currently burning in California

"The safety of our team members and our guests is our top priority," the statement said. Many NBCUniversal employees on the lot were told to work from home.

The theme park wasn't the only Hollywood institution affected by the fires. ABC canceled Wednesday night's taping of "Jimmy Kimmel Live" in Hollywood and plans to air a repeat episode instead. TV productions such as "Doctor Odyssey" and "Grey's Anatomy" were also postponed. Disney's offices in L.A. were closed and the company said it encouraged L.A. area employees to stay home.

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CBS productions also scheduled to tape Wednesday  "The Price Is Right" game show hosted by Drew Carey, "NCIS," "NCIS: Origins," "The Neighborhood," "Poppa's House" and "After Midnight"  were similarly postponed.

NBCUniversal put several television and film productions on hold because of the inability of crews to access portions of its famed studio lot. The company confirmed that production of "Hacks," "Happy's Place," "Loot," "Suits LA" and "Ted" went dark Wednesday.

Productions on the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank also have been shut down, the studio said.

The extreme wind conditions and raging fires also led to the cancellation of several film premieres and screenings scheduled for Tuesday, including Amazon MGM Studios' "Unstoppable" and Universal Pictures' "Wolf Man." The Wednesday premiere of Paramount Pictures' "A Better Man" also was canceled, as was the Critics Choice Awards, which was set for Sunday in Santa Monica, according to Variety.

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The scope, devastation and geography of the fire have shaken the entertainment industry.

Multiple stars, including Eugene Levy and Steve Guttenberg, and Hollywood executives and producers live in Pacific Palisades because of its proximity to the ocean and the studio lots. Malibu provides the coastal stretch and particularly high-priced oceanfront homes. More modest workers live in Burbank, Glendale, Altadena and Pasadena  communities that are on the fringes of the mountains.

In an interview on KTLA-TV, Guttenberg urged viewers to leave their keys in their cars if they had to abandon their vehicles along an exit route so first responders and others helping with the fire could clear the road for emergency vehicles.

"This is not a parking lot," he said on air. "We really need people to move their cars.

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The growing wildfires also affected food delivery apps such as DoorDash, which suspended service Tuesday in areas surrounding Pacific Palisades. The San Francisco company halted service in Santa Monica, Westwood, Brentwood, Calabasas and Pasadena along with San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Northridge.

DoorDash said it would adjust its operations as it learns more about the conditions.

We deeply appreciate the patience and understanding of Dashers, merchants and consumers, and will resume operations as soon as its safe to do so," DoorDash spokesperson Julian Crowley said in a statement.

Firefighters have been battling fires on multiple fronts while dealing with wind gusts that have hit 100 mph. L.A. county officials said Wednesday that fighting the three major fires has hugely taxed the crews as well as resources.

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Times staff writers Queenie Wong, Alexandra Del Rosario and Julia Wick contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The wildfires devastating Los Angeles will force Universal Studios Hollywood to shut down Wednesday.

The NBCUniversal-owned theme park intends to reopen Thursday, if weather conditions allow. The Universal lot, which borders the theme park, is open to essential employees only, with the studio assisting impacted employees.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk will be closed today as a result of the extreme winds and fire conditions, according to a statement posted to its website. We will continue to assess the situation and expect to open for business tomorrow. The safety of our team members and our guests is our top priority.

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Closures of Universal Hollywood are a rare occurrence (the longest closure continues to be during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020), though fires are a perpetual threat in southern California. Disneyland, located in Anaheim, is not impacted by the fires as of now.

Closures are more common for the Universal and Disney parks in Florida, where Hurricanes can force temporary shutdowns.

Later on Wednesday, AMC Theatres said that it was closing its CityWalk Hollywood 19 location, which is adjacent to the Universal park. (Other theaters it closed included the AMC The Americana at Brand 18, and AMC Dine-In Topanga 12.)

A freak windstorm sparked the fires in Pacific Palisades Tuesday, forcing tens of thousands of residents to evacuate. Among the buildings destroyed was the Palisades Charter High School.

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A number of high-profile figures, including Mark Hamill and Eugene Levy are among those that have fled their homes.

The fires forced a number of events scheduled to be held in the city This week to be canceled, including Amazon MGM Studios Unstoppable, starring Jennifer Lopez, Universals Wolf Man, starring Julia Garner and Christopher Abbott, and Paramount Pictures Better Man; as well as screenings for Netflixs Emilia Perez, Sony Pictures Classics Im Still Here.

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Student teacher Asiah Washington and associate teacher Kanila Webb sit with children from the blue and classrooms at the University of Missouri Child Development Lab. The lab uses a pool of full- and part-time staff and students who are working in the lab for their practicum (Russ Bray/Columbia Missourian).

A few months ago, children in the Child Development Lab on the University of Missouris Columbia campus were taking orders, measuring ingredients, cooking and reading menus with a server.

A cow was scheduled to visit the lab at the end of the year for a lesson about farming.

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Learning involves real-life scenarios under the project construct curriculum that the director of the Child Development Lab, Miranda Clines, has developed.

Clines began her position as the director of the lab in 2022, and she has a hand in everything around the lab.

My role is, well, what isnt my role? It depends on the day and the time of day, Clines said. Anything from unclogging a toilet and rocking a crying baby, up to chaos manager.

The lab is stationed in the basement of Stanley Hall. Inside, 68 children are divided into four classrooms: blue door (infant/toddler), green door (2-year-olds), yellow door (preschool), red door (preschool).

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The development lab isnt just a place of learning for children. Undergraduate students have the opportunity to learn from full-time instructors.

The CDL is a place where people can come, they can learn, they can develop, and we can try to further the field of education and human development, Clines said.

Each student is assigned a focus child to follow for the entire semester while shadowing the lead teachers. They gain experience in the type of environment they plan to work in later, as well as give each child individualized attention and care.

Curriculum model

The project construct curriculum is the model the lab uses to accomplish its goals.

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The curriculum starts with topics that children are naturally interested in and teaches academic and social skills through that lens.

Instructors at the lab figure out what children are interested in based on the questions they ask. Currently, farming is a hot topic; hence the cow visit.

So when the children were interested in restaurants a few months ago, Clines invited a server to the lab to talk about her job. The children jotted down orders to practice literacy skills, and they engaged in a cooking activity to practice measuring skills.

Being on campus and having partnerships with local affiliates is instrumental for the lab. Clines loves the accessibility to various Columbia landmarks.

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We can go to Peace Park, we can go to the columns, we have the museums and the labs, she said. We naturally have built-in support, so our opportunities for field trips are greater.

Research environment

Clines is dedicated to making the lab a place of research with IRB-approved projects that present opportunities to observe or interact with the children.

A recent study, for example, focused on cry perception. It was conducted by Erin Andres, a postdoctoral fellow at the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment.

Andres came to the lab to talk to parents about how they perceive different cries from children, specifically looking for fathers to diversify the population of her study.

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It was really easy to work with them, Andres said. All the parents are super- bought-in to research.

Parents listened to 16 different cries and rated seven subjective terms, such as level of distress, on a scale from 1 to 7. They also rated six caregiving responses, such as the likelihood of changing a diaper, on a scale from 1 to 7.

Andres found that men were more likely to choose an action response  change their diaper or feed them  versus cuddle them.

Every class has a one-way viewing booth to observe the classroom without a researcher altering the learning dynamic. Researchers also can pull children aside for interviews in separate rooms.

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Parents can choose to include their children in the studies, and the children always can choose to participate or not. If a child suddenly does not feel comfortable during any part of a research project, it is never mandatory.

The future of the lab

Clines has big goals for herself and the future of the Child Development Lab.

My goal as a professional is nothing short of changing the world, she said. I want to build a better future for the children of our community and within the lives of students who go on to be educators and clinicians.

She would like to expand the lab to boost the learning possibilities.

If we can wave a magic wand, I would like to double in size so that we can offer more child care slots and more learning opportunities, she said.

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Access to child care is limited, and the waiting list at the lab is lengthy. Clines recommends parents jump on it as soon as they know they are expecting a baby.

The ultimate ongoing goal for Clines is to continue to shape young minds.

The beautiful thing about humanity is that we begin learning before were even here, she said. We begin learning in utero and we learn until the day we die. Thats the great thing about early education. We get to be a part of that educational journey.

The journey begins with getting the children ready for kindergarten.

Its not reading and writing and arithmetic, Clines said.

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Instead, it is: Can I regulate myself? Can I use my words to solve problems? Do I have critical thinking skills? Do I have self help skills?

Thats what we start teaching Day one and reinforce from 6 weeks all the way up until we say goodbye to these kids at graduation.

This article originally appeared in the Columbia Missourian. It can be republished in print or online.
This story includes details of sexual harassment and grooming. The Sexual Assault Center provides free counseling, advocate services and free forensic exams at their SAFE Clinic for anyone. To reach the 24/7 crisis line, please call the Sexual Assault Center at 1-800-879-1999 or contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.

University School of Nashville fired Head of School Amani Reed after a review of how he and the school handled accusations that a former teacher groomed and sexually harassed a student in 2024.

"Ultimately, the Board determined that Director Reeds actions and inactions created significant harm, which led the Board to the decision that he is unable to lead USN," the school's board of trustees said in a statement released Tuesday.

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Nashville law firm Barnes and Thornburg LLP conducted the independent review. The school's decision comes after students staged a demonstration outside the school in October, calling for Reed's resignation.

More: University School of Nashville students want resignations over sexual harassment response

"The past months have been deeply painful for our community," the letter from the board read. "We recognize that the investigation and surrounding communications around this matter have caused significant stress to many in the USN community."

The school announced in a statement via email Tuesday that it is launching an immediate search for a new interim head of school. Until a new interim is named, the board named its Head of High School, Chai Reddy, as its acting head of school.

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In the aftermath of the sexual harassment and grooming complaint against former English teacher Dean Masullo, USN developed a "care plan" to provide support to students, alumni, parents and school employees impacted by the investigation.

University School Nashville sues former teacher

USN sued Masullo after his termination for not answering questions in an ongoing investigation into the accusations.

In the lawsuit, filed in October in Davidson County Chancery Court, the school states Masullo committed "several and significant violations of USN employment policies."

Students, families and alumni of the University School of Nashville gather during a walkout in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024. The group is demanding two school leaders resign over their handling of sexual harassment allegations made by a recent graduate against a teacher, who was later fired.

The private school entered into a separation agreement with Masullo, who had been a high school teacher there since 2009, on July 19, the lawsuit said. The separation agreement provided Masullo with roughly three months' pay, or $28,443, and required he cooperate with the school and its lawyers "with regard to any past, present or future legal or regulatory matters" relating to his employment, according to the lawsuit.

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The sexual harassment and grooming complaints against Masullo were detailed in a letter sent to USN's board of trustees by a lawyer representing the student, who has since graduated. It said Masullo built a close relationship with the teen, increasing his emotional and physical advances toward her over the course of several months. It alleged he repeatedly found ways to spend time alone with her, held her hand, pulled her close to him for lengthy embraces and gave her a prolonged kiss on the cheek while holding her tightly. It also said he gave her unwanted gifts and handwritten notes and told her he loved her.

The letter, sent to the board in August, lambasted the school's response to the teen's allegations.

More: USN sues teacher fired after grooming allegations for not cooperating in investigation

When the teen reported what was happening to a mentor and, later, to school leadership, the letter said they took swift action, including launching an investigation into the allegations. School leaders immediately flew to Delaware to suspend Masullo and take his place on a school trip he was chaperoning.

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But after that, according to the letter to the board, the student and her parents received no updates on the investigation, despite repeated promises from school leadership and the school's lawyer to keep them informed.

The board's statement on Tuesday praised both the student and the greater USN community for voicing their concerns and bringing issues to light.

"We are grateful for our alumna who had the courage to report Dean Masullos inexcusable behavior and then stand up publicly to pursue justice when USN failed her in many ways," the statement said.

The lawsuit against Masullo is still pending in Davidson County Chancery Court. As of Tuesday, no criminal charges had been filed against Masullo in Davidson County.

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Reporters Rachel Wegner and Evan Mealins contributed to this story.

Reach reporter Craig Shoup by email at cshoup@gannett.com and on X @Craig_Shoup. To support his work, sign up for a digital subscription to www.tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: University School of Nashville head fired amid teacher grooming probe
On Jan. 3, 2025, New York Judge Juan Merchan  who is overseeing U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's hush-money trial  released an 18-page legal opinion declaring that the court would proceed with Trump's sentencing  despite his winning the 2024 presidential election  after a jury found him guilty on 34 felony counts in May 2024.

This decision caused social media users to rehash the question: As a felon, do certain countries technically ban the incoming U.S. president from entering?

One X post (archived), which had more than 980,000 views as of this writing, included a screenshot of an article with the headline: "As a felon, Donald Trump can no longer travel to 38 countries."

MAGA, this is the person you voted for. pic.twitter.com/5tsUVE03hs  Heidi   (@Brodiesmom68) January 4, 2025

The article, published by a Fox news station in Austin, Texas, was among multiple social media accounts and news outlets that claimed Trump was banned from certain countries, including People magazine. Other outlets, including Time magazine and CBS News, said Trump "may" face travel bans.

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One of our readers submitted the following image and asked whether there was any truth to the claim:

(reader submission)

We looked into the claim and found that it requires context. This is uncharted territory, given that Trump is the first U.S. President-elect convicted of any crime (let alone 34 felonies), and there are diplomatic privileges afforded to dignitaries that are otherwise unavailable to most felons. Therefore, the claim Trump is automatically banned from entering 37 or 38 countries as a felon are inaccurate.

Would Countries Allow an Exception?

In 2000, then-presidential candidate George W. Bush publicly admitted he had pleaded guilty to a DUI charge from 1976, which complicated his entry into Canada. According to Canada's Criminal Code at the time, Bush was an "inadmissible" person, in violation of Section 19(2)(a.1) of the Immigration Act of Canada. However, because the charge was more than 5 years old and Bush applied for a special waiver, Canada ultimately granted him permission to enter.

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Although Bush's DUI charge was only a misdemeanor and a jury convicted Trump of 34 felonies, this is the only available precedent in American presidential history. Trump may be able to apply for special waivers as well. But it is unclear as of this writing which countries, if any, would consider approving a waiver or making special accommodations.

"If Trump is elected president this year, I would expect him to be able to travel under a diplomatic passport to any country whose leadership would like him to visit," Christopher Adolph, professor of political science at the University of Washington, told Snopes via email prior to Trump's election victory. "I do not know (in general or in specific cases) whether those privileges would grant immunity from laws barring felons from visiting a specific country, but I also cannot imagine that if a foreign government wanted the president of the United States to visit, that they would find a way to use the diplomatic visa process to ensure his entry."

Essentially, Trump's ability to travel to certain countries would likely depend on each nation's willingness to allow him entry.

Which Countries Ban Felons from Entering?

Multiple sources, including Time and People magazines, cited World Population Review (archived), which claims that 38 countries (including the United States) ban felons from acquiring visas. The site lists 16 countries that reserve the right to deny applicants up front, 22 that deny applicants if a felony is "discovered" (meaning that they do not actively screen applicants' criminal records) and 26 countries that actively allow entry to felons.

(World Population Review)

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However, we looked into the sources cited by World Population Review and found them to be far from definitive. The website cites five sources, one of which is a Wikipedia page and four of which are blog-style legal advice articles; three display legal disclaimers clarifying that information provided may not be accurate.

On the World Population Review "About" page, the website describes itself as an "independent for-profit organization committed to delivering up-to-date global population data and demographics" with a staff that consists of "nine professionals." We reached out to World Population Review for comment and have not received a response as of this writing. We will update this story if they respond.

To continue, it is also somewhat of an oversimplification to claim that these countries will deny entry to felons; in reality, each country's parameters for handling felons differs in specific ways.

For example, Australia allows criminals in on a case-by-case basis using a process that assesses the character of the applicant. If you hold a "substantial criminal record"  based on the "length of a sentence imposed by a court of law"  you will not pass the character test. Similarly, Canada allows criminals in on the basis of their being "rehabilitated," which depends on the crime, whether enough time has passed since the end of the sentence and whether the person has committed more than one crime, according to the Government of Canada website.

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"[Thirty-seven countries] may be accurate, but I suspect no country is going to bar (assuming he is elected) the President of the U.S. from visiting if that government invites him," David Bachman, professor of international studies at the University of Washington, told Snopes via email in May 2024. "Only if a country really, really wants to make the U.S. (and Trump) angry, would they deny him access to that country."

In sum, without significant context, it is not accurate to say that 37 countries will ban Trump from entering as a felon. Given the lack of precedent and the fact that each country maintains its own policies pertaining to the admission of felons, there are more questions than answers concerning the claim.

Sources:

About | World Population Review. https://worldpopulationreview.com/about. Accessed 7 June 2024.

'As a Felon, Donald Trump Can No Longer Travel to 38 Countries'. Fox TV Stations, 31 May 2024, https://www.fox7austin.com/news/donald-trump-felon-travel-38-countries.

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Countries That Don't Allow Felons 2024. https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/countries-that-dont-allow-felons. Accessed 7 June 2024.

'Claims That Donald Trump Is No Longer Able to Visit 37 Countries Now That He's a Convicted Felon Need Context'. Verifythis.Com, 5 June 2024, https://www.verifythis.com/article/news/verify/donald-trump/claims-that-donald-trump-is-no-longer-able-to-visit-37-countries-now-that-hes-a-convicted-felon-need-context/536-7d6b43aa-4962-43a6-8c26-f1221e1bbd42.

'Diplomatic Immunity'. LII / Legal Information Institute, https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/diplomatic_immunity. Accessed 7 June 2024.

'Donald Trump Is Banned from 37 Countries as Convicted Felon, Including Major Allies Like Canada and U.K.' Peoplemag, https://people.com/donald-trump-barred-entering-37-countries-convicted-felon-8657038. Accessed 7 June 2024.

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'Donald Trump Is Banned from 37 Countries as Convicted Felon, Including Major Allies Like Canada and U.K.' Yahoo News, 2 June 2024, https://ca.news.yahoo.com/donald-trump-banned-37-countries-144904689.html.

'Donald Trump Now Banned from Countries Including Canada and UK as Convicted Felon'. The Independent, 6 June 2024, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-banned-uk-canada-felony-conviction-b2556887.html.

'Entering the UK'. GOV.UK, https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control. Accessed 7 June 2024.

Ewe, Koh. 'Here Are Other Countries That Have Convicted Ex-Leaders'. TIME, 31 May 2024, https://time.com/6984228/trump-convicted-world-leaders/.

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Government of Canada; Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. I Was Convicted of Driving While Impaired by Alcohol or Drugs. Can I Enter Canada? 7 Nov. 2012, https://ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=152&top=8.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Overcome Criminal Convictions. 9 July 2010, https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/inadmissibility/overcome-criminal-convictions.html.

News, A. B. C. 'DUI Stops Bush From Freely Entering Canada'. ABC News, https://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=82199&page=1. Accessed 7 June 2024.

Popli, Nik. 'How Trump's Life Will Change Now That He's a Convicted Felon'. TIME, 3 June 2024, https://time.com/6985067/donald-trump-felon-travel-guns-voting/.

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Reporter, Marni Rose McFall Live News. 'Donald Trump Faces Travel Ban to 37 Countries'. Newsweek, 31 May 2024, https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-travel-ban-1906686.

Watson, Kathryn. Trump May Face Travel Restrictions in Some Countries after His New York Conviction - CBS News. 31 May 2024, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/can-trump-felon-international-travel/.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  An arbitrator has ruled that the city of Youngstown should not have fired a former police officer.

Read next: Local Ohio Lottery player wins $50,000 on scratch-off

In a just-released report, arbitrator Jerry B. Sellman concluded that former officer Brian Flynn was fired inappropriately, stating he should get his job back with seniority intact  a decision the city says it is going to appeal.

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The extensive 27-page report detailed years worth of background on the incident where the former officer was fired and even faced charges  now dismissed  after he was accused of failing to follow up on sexual assault investigations.

Arbitrator Sellman noted the following findings:

The employer had just cause to discipline Flynn, but the termination was unreasonable and not appropriate.

YPD was ordered to restate Flynn with no loss in seniority and benefits, and back pay should be awarded, minus any compensation he received from other jobs after the termination.

The decision, dated Dec. 26, 2024, was provided to First News on Jan. 8. Flynn was placed on paid administrative leave on March 25, 2021, and later fired in December 2022 after he was charged with 14 counts of dereliction of duty. Those charges were dismissed in June 2023.

In response to the arbitrators ruling, the city law department provided the following statement:

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Mr. Flynn has not been rehired. We are disappointed with the ruling and plan to file an appeal. Given the pending nature of the ongoing litigation, we will not have further comment on this matter.

First News also reached out to Flynn, who said he is unable to comment at this time.

Gerry Ricciutti contributed to this report.

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Amazon MGM Studios and Universal have pulled the plug on the Tuesday premieres of "Unstoppable" and "Wolf Man," respectively, amid strong winds affecting Southern California and the fast-moving fire in the Pacific Palisades.

The Times confirmed that "Unstoppable" stars including Jennifer Lopez and Jharrel Jerome will no longer gather Tuesday evening for a red-carpet screening in West Hollywood. "As much as we are looking forward to celebrating this wonderful and inspiring film, safety is our first priority," Amazon MGM Studios said in a statement.

Lopez, Jerome and co-stars Don Cheadle, Michael Pena and Mykelti Williamson were expected to attend the Tuesday red carpet and screening at the Directors Guild of America headquarters, Variety reported. College wrestling champion Anthony Robles, whose story inspired "Unstoppable," reportedly also was set to attend the premiere with mother Judy Robles and director William Goldenberg.

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Read more: What happened during the first four days of the Eaton, Palisades fires in Southern California

Shortly after news of the "Unstoppable" premiere cancellation broke, Universal announced it would cancel its "Wolf Man" celebration. That premiere, set to take place at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, was canceled "due to sensitivities around the worsening weather situation" in Los Angeles and evacuations related to the Palisades fire, Deadline reported. "Wolf Man," directed by Leigh Whannell, stars Christopher Abbott, Julia Garner and Matilda Firth.

The pair of canceled L.A. premieres is seemingly the first batch of Hollywood events affected by the unusual life-threatening and destructive windstorm that began Tuesday morning. The gusts set the stage for a 200-acre brush fire in that broke out around 10:30 a.m. near Piedra Morada Drive. Flames were pushed by intense wind gusts that officials had warned could fuel any spark into a fast-moving and erratic wildfire. The blaze had grown to more than 1,200 acres by the afternoon and prompted thousands of residents to evacuate the area.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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Capt. Erik Scott, a Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson, said that some homes had burned in the fire, but a precise estimate was not immediately available.

Read more: 'Run for your lives': Motorists trying to flee Pacific Palisades face flames, chaos, danger

Over the next two days, Southern California will experience dry, unpredictable and strong winds  possibly gusting up to 100 mph in some parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, the National Weather Service has warned. Amid a parched landscape, the major wind event is again bringing particularly dangerous fire conditions  meaning that if a fire sparks, it could quickly spread into an erratic, fast-moving wildfire.

The region remains under severe red flag warnings as dry, unpredictable and strong offshore winds pick up across the region. The National Weather Service said strong north winds are expected around the fire through at least Wednesday, with speeds peaking Tuesday night from 35 mph to 60 mph.

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Read more: Pacific Palisades fire explodes to nearly 3,000 acres as thousands of residents flee, homes are lost

It's currently unclear whether the premieres for "Unstoppable" and "Wolf Man" will be rescheduled for a later date.

"Unstoppable" will be available to stream on Prime Video starting Jan. 16. "Wolf Man" hits theaters Jan. 17.

Times staff writers Grace Toohey, Noah Haggerty, Noah Goldberg and Hannah Fry contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The Jan. 9 Ramstein-format summit of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) will focus primarily on supporting Ukraine's defense capabilities in establishing a "credible deterrent force" through 2027, the Pentagon said on Jan. 7.

"The leaders of (UDCG) will need to endorse roadmaps that articulate Ukraine's air force, armor, artillery, de-mining, drone, integrated air and missile defense, information technology and maritime security needs and objectives through 2027," a unnamed defense official is quoted as saying by the Defense Department's news channel.

"These roadmaps are intended to enable donors to plan for and support Ukraine sustainably into the future," the official added.

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The statement by Pentagon officials comes ahead of the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Jan. 20, who has vowed who has pledged to get the U.S. "out" of Russia's war in Ukraine and negotiate a quick peace deal.

Trump, who has previously been critical of U.S. participation in international military alliances, including NATO, stirred controversy on Jan. 7, blaming President Joe Biden for provoking Russia's war by supporting Ukraine's NATO aspirations.

"Thats been like written in stone. And Biden said, 'No, they should be able to join NATO.' Then Russia has somebody right on their doorstep. I could understand their (Russia's) feelings about that," Trump said during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago.

Leaders of the U.S.-led UDCG previously mulled the idea of implementing NATO control over the Ramstein format to maintain weapons supplies to Kyiv in an effort to "Trump-proof" the alliance. In June, NATO countries signed off on a plan for the alliance to take over control of part of the aid channel from the U.S. in coordinating military aid to Ukraine, Politico reported.

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Trump has not yet outlined his plans for the contact group, as the incoming president seeks to negotiate a possible ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in exchange for reported security guarantees from Europe.

"I can't speak for what the incoming administration will decide about its role (within the UDCG), but I'm very confident of European commitment ability experience and extraordinary belief in the mission, and (am) confident that those capability coalitions will continue one way or another," the Pentagon's news channel reported an official saying.

European countries have sought to ramp up their own military spending, as well as additional support for Ukraine, amid concerns Trump will end military aid for Ukraine.

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said during a Dec. 20 briefing that several European countries are interested in deploying peacekeepers to Ukraine in an initiative led primarily by French President Emmanuel Macron.

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The UDCG consists of over 50 countries, including all 32 NATO members, that convenes at the U.S. Ramstein Air Base in Germany. The last Ramstein meeting on Sept. 6 was the group's 24th gathering since its establishment in April 2022.

Read also: Europe cannot fill void left by US in Ukraines defense

















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The downtown Anchorage skyline is viewed from Tony Knowles Coastal Trail on Nov. 18, 2022. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

A new state population estimate shows Alaska has 741,147 residents, an increase of more than 4,300 people from a figure published last year.

While more people moved out of the state than moved into it for a 12th consecutive year, those losses were outweighed by new births within the state.

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Officials at the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, which publishes the annual estimate, also revised the states estimated 2023 population upward. That revision, plus a year-over-year gain between 2023 and 2024, gives the state its highest estimated population since 2017.

That was kind of the biggest thing that I was surprised by that came out of this, said state demographer David Howell, speaking about the upward revision.

In December, the U.S. Census Bureau published figures that sharply raised the number of estimated international immigrants coming into the United States, including Alaska.

The Census Bureau estimated that more than 4,000 international immigrants arrived in Alaska between July 1, 2023 and July 1, 2024, enough to balance the number of people moving out of Alaska to other parts of the United States.

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It basically doubled what (international migration) was the previous year, Howell said.

Population estimates are constantly revised from year to year, but this years change was particularly large.

Howell expressed some skepticism about the Census Bureaus numbers.

Obviously, I think our data is a little better, so I tend to lean toward ours, he said, adding that he believes the Census Bureau will revise its numbers downard.

The state numbers show a smaller estimated increase than the Census Bureau figures, but one that was big enough to significantly change Alaskas estimated 2023 population.

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The revision has real-world effects. Planners estimate demand for transportation and other services based on estimated population.

Last year, the states estimate showed the Municipality of Anchorage was continuing to lose population, and road designers scaled down plans for a connector between the Seward and Glenn Highways.

Now, after the revision, the estimate shows Anchorage gaining population for two consecutive years. The municipality stands at 290,761 residents, not far below its 2020 figure.

For more than a decade, Alaska has seen more people move out of the state than move into it. From 2016 through 2020, the pace of outmigration was so high that Alaska lost population overall.

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But in recent years, the outmigration trend has slowed, and the states natural increase  births minus deaths  has overcome population losses caused by people moving away.

Even if they do revise these (international migration) numbers down, it does seem like things are starting to stabilize, Howell said.

At the regional and borough level, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough continues to be the fastest-growing area of the state, gaining more than 2,000 residents between 2023 and 2024.

Southeast Alaska continues to lose population and now has fewer than 71,000 residents.

In the Interior, the population of the Fairbanks North Star Borough grew by 0.65% between 2023 and 2024.

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Over the next year, Howell will keep an eye on how many people the U.S. military sends to bases in the Fairbanks area, he said.

I think thats the big wild card, he said.

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin announced the launch of the HEART program on Tuesday, a new program focused on serving unhoused residents in crisis.

The Homeless Engagement Assistance Response Team will handle non-emergency calls involving homeless residents.

The city has launched the 12-month pilot project with 17 full-time employees who have undergone 40 hours of specialized training and are now helping with street outreach and care coordination.

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So we are the people that come in and give them that acknowledgement to let them know you have a life, said HEART team member Toriyan Myles. We want you to shine brighter, so how can we help you do that?

The Birmingham native, who used to work in Birmingham City Schools as an instructional aide, is now doing outreach as part of the newly launched heart team.

Its bigger than just a job, Myles said. Ultimately, we want to transform our community.

It starts with one individual at a time, like Ciara Singletary, who is seeking refuge from the elements at the Jimmie Hale Mission.

The team spoke with her on Tuesday afternoon outside of Church of the Reconciler. With cold weather moving in, she mentioned her biggest fear is this week.

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Just probably somebody freezing to death, Singletary replied.

Alabama schedules 4th nitrogen gas execution amid debate over method

Artie Gilbert is the director of operations for HEART Birmingham. He explained what type of information team members are collecting when the team speaks with guests.

We get the type of information is like where did you sleep last night? Gilbert said. How long have you been homeless? Currently, are you getting any type of assistance? When was the last time you had a meal?

Gilbert said the team members then create a ticket for that individual, which they send to the care coordinator, who can identify available resources.

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Gilbert said the goal is to connect those they serve with available resources, freeing up police from having to respond to non-emergency calls.

Urban Alchemy won the $1.7 million, 12-month contract as part of a competitive bidding process according to Alanah Melton, the director of special projects for the city.

We have folks in crisis every day, and weve asked police to step in that role, Melton said. The police are really here to protect and serve. Theyre not here to deal with crisis response. So the level of mental illness that we see or any levels of addiction the folks with this team will be able to help and respond to some of those calls.

Urban Alchemys website states that the nonprofit organization has over 1,000 employees throughout California, Oregon and Texas.

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According to the organizations general counsel, the organization is facing five lawsuits. On Tuesday, CBS 42 News asked Timothy Kornegay, the interim chief of community and government affairs for Urban Alchemy, about the legal situations.

He said that with growth this organization is experiencing, there will be times when there are grievances, and it will deal with them in the best way possible.

Alabama students could be required to learn about conflict resolution

CBS 42 News asked Megan Venable-Thomas, the director of community development for the city, what type of oversight there will be by the city.

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We have weekly check-ins with the organization, Venable-Thomas said. With all of our clients and all of our contractors, we have the same sort of engagement around what theyre doing, how theyre doing it.

Venable-Thomas said if theres ever any criminal activity incorporated with any contractor that theyre associated with, that would be something that would be filed through the proper channels.

But the work that weve seen, and the way that weve evaluated this organization, we are very excited about what theyre going to be providing to our community in a positive way, Venable-Thomas said.

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 CBS 42.
The News

US allies used differing strategies to respond to aggressive foreign policy rhetoric from President-elect Donald Trump, ranging from denunciation to positivity.

On Tuesday, speaking at a press conference at his Mar-a Lago home in Florida, Trump refused to rule out seizing both the Panama Canal and the autonomous Danish territory of Greenland by force, threatened to absorb Canada into the US, and called for the Gulf of Mexico to be renamed the Gulf of America.

Frances foreign minister said on Wednesday that there was no question of letting other nations in the world, whoever they may be, attack [the European Unions] sovereign borders, referencing Trumps comments about Greenland.

SIGNALS

Trumps bombast could backfire

Sources: BBC, CNN, Bloomberg

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Trumps preference for speaking on the fly means it is difficult to distinguish bombast from genuine policy, but his comments on Greenland and the Panama Canal were likely an attempt to project an image of strength vis-a-vis the US geopolitical rivals, the BBCs North America correspondent noted. Still, his bullying of Americas friends could easily backfire by hardening public opinion in those countries against the US, CNN argued. Outgoing Canadian leader Justin Trudeau said there was not a snowballs chance in hell of his country merging with the US, while the prime minister of Denmark tried to put a positive frame on Trumps interest in controlling Greenland, saying she welcomed US investment in the territory.

But the EU isnt taking any chances

Sources: The Observer, Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal

Trump 2.0 wont be so easily distracted, charmed or blocked, so Europe must be prepared to defend its interests, The Observers foreign affairs commentator argued, and the EU seems to be readying itself for a fight: The blocs industry chief declared the end of European complacency in a recent interview with Bloomberg. But faced with Russian aggression and an increasingly predatory China, Europe needs the US more than ever even as it is less well situated to influence American policy than at any time in decades, a columnist argued in The Wall Street Journal. Still, however correct Trumps criticisms of Europe may be, its decline isnt good for the US, so Americas goal must be to resuscitate Europe rather than dance on its grave, he wrote.
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AP)  The U.S. is set to provide Ukraine an additional $500 million in weapons quickly pulled from its existing stockpiles as the Biden administration works to get Kyiv in a stronger negotiating position before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, two U.S. officials said.

The announcement is expected during Defense Secretary Lloyd Austins final trip to meet with the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a consortium of about 50 partner nations that Austin brought together months after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 to coordinate weapons support.

The meeting on Thursday is the 25th and potentially last gathering of the U.S.-led group, as the participating countries wait to see whether it will be continued under Trump.

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Our focus will be on maintaining momentum, delivering results, and sending a clear message: The international community stands resolute in its support for Ukraine, Austin told reporters traveling with him.

The weapons are funded through presidential drawdown authority, meaning they can be pulled directly from U.S. stockpiles. A senior defense official who briefed reporters traveling with Austin said the goal was to get those munitions into Ukraine before the end of the month.

The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details not yet publicly announced.

To date the U.S. has provided Ukraine about $66.5 billion in weapons assistance since Russia invaded nearly three years ago.

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There is now a little less than $4 billion remaining in congressionally authorized funding for Ukraine and much of that is expected to roll over to the Trump administration to determine whether to continue the weapons support.

___

Lee reported from Washington.
(Bloomberg) -- The USs latest move to expand its list of Chinese military companies risks doing more than tanking the shares of some of its most valuable companies: It also threatens to accelerate decoupling of the worlds biggest economies.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The Biden administration on Monday added Tencent Holdings Ltd., the worlds largest gaming publisher, and Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd., a key battery supplier to Tesla Inc., to its list of Chinese military companies  firms it says are working directly or indirectly with the Peoples Liberation Army, or contributing significantly to Chinas industrial base.

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Since the first list was put out in 2021, as mandated by a law passed in the waning days of Donald Trumps first term, it has expanded to 134 companies  including four of Chinas top 20 in terms of market capitalization, which together are valued at almost $1 trillion.

While the list carries no specific sanctions, unlike the Commerce Departments Entity List, it still discourages US firms from dealing with its members and amounts to a reputational hit for the firms involved. More broadly, the rapid expansion of the register shows the extent to which lines are being blurred between military and civilian enterprises, and risks accelerating the bifurcation of supply chains if stronger measures are applied down the road.

Its an approach that risks backfiring on Washington, according to Kishore Mahbubani, Singapores former ambassador to the United Nations, who called the latest addition unwise.

The whole world will move towards relying on Chinese companies for a whole range of products, including companies like Tencent and CATL, said Mahbubani, whos also the author of Has China Won?

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If the US tries to decouple from Chinese companies and their global reach, the US is not just decoupling from China, Mahbubani said. It is decoupling from the rest of the world, too.

Although the list comes at the end of Joe Bidens term, one major proponent of tagging CATL and other major Chinese firms has been Marco Rubio, who is nominated to become the secretary of state in Trumps second term.

That raises the question of whether Trump will adopt a hardline stance toward China, as indicated by his threats to impose tariffs as high as 60%, or take a more pragmatic view  as suggested by his efforts to overturn a ban on TikTok and his close ties with Tesla founder Elon Musk.

Well have to see whether this strategy is revised significantly by the incoming Trump administration, said Josef Gregory Mahoney, a professor of international relations at Shanghais East China Normal University. Conventional wisdom indicates it wont be, but there are some compelling reasons to change course.

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The US has described the list as a way to highlight and counter what it calls Chinas military-civil fusion strategy  which supports the modernization goals of the PLA by ensuring it can acquire advanced technologies and expertise developed by Chinese companies, universities and research programs that appear to be civilian entities.

This broad strategy, known as integrated national strategies and capabilities in China, has been increasingly promoted under President Xi Jinping and frequently highlighted in state media.

The Pentagon on Monday also added SenseTime Group Inc. and Changxin Memory Technologies Inc., singling out a Chinese maker of memory chips considered crucial to Beijings semiconductor and AI development endeavors. And the agency named oil major Cnooc Ltd. and Cosco Shipping Holdings Co., both of which have been previously targeted by Washington.

The focus has shifted from traditional military contractors to include companies that develop tech products with potential military applications, according to Dylan Loh, assistant professor of politics at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

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It shows the broadening ambit of national security, Loh said. This is not just from the US but an arguably global one, where countries are increasingly securitizing products, technologies in the name of national security.

The move comes amid an intensifying tech rivalry between the two countries. The US has imposed export controls to restrict Chinas ability to build an advanced semiconductor industry and use artificial intelligence for military purposes. In response, Beijing has tightened its own export controls, including a ban last month on several materials with high-tech and military uses to the US.

The Biden administration has used the metaphor small yard, high fence over the past two years to explain its move to limit Chinas access to technology. The concept is that sensitive technologies should be contained within a small yard, secured by a high fence of trade and investment controls. This would apply only to advanced technologies with military applications, while broader commercial trade and investment with China would remain unaffected.

But the latest move targets Tencent and CATL, which, on paper, dont appear to have regular business dealings with the PLA. Tencent, Chinas most valuable company, is seen as a pioneer in Chinas internet and private sector, creating a so-called everything app that Elon Musk has held up as a model for X.

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During the first Trump administration, the US government sought to ban WeChat  Tencents messaging service that has evolved into a payment, social media and online services platform  citing national security concerns.

CATL is not only a major supplier to Tesla, but also to many of the worlds biggest automakers, including Stellantis NV to Volkswagen AG. In August, Rubio asked the Pentagon to target the Chinese battery maker because of its potential to become a crucial supplier to the PLA.

Around one in three electric cars are powered by CATL batteries, and its widespread presence in the automobile supply chain could cause major disruptions to the global car industry if automakers are forced to find alternatives.

Beijing has repeatedly criticized what it sees as the over-securitization of the US. Small yard, high fence shouldnt become large yard, iron curtains, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told US State Secretary Antony Blinken in September.

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On Tuesday, Chinas Foreign Ministry again condemned US sanctions and vowed to defend its companies rights. We urge the US to immediately correct its wrongdoings and end the illegal unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction on Chinese companies, Guo Jiakun, a ministry spokesman, said at a regular press briefing in Beijing.

China has made it clear its prepared to challenge the US in any future trade disputes. On top of its export ban on critical minerals including germanium and gallium, Beijing last week announced plans for stricter controls on shipments of technology used in battery materials. Its also placing more American companies on its Unreliable Entity List, and even seeking to apply export controls on companies outside of China for the first time.

Given Beijings propensity to respond to US actions with tit-for-tat moves, it wouldnt be out of the question for Beijing to place a non-defense related company on one of these lists in symbolic retaliation, said Kendra Schaefer, a partner at consultancy Trivium China.

--With assistance from James Mayger, Christopher Udemans, Yasufumi Saito and Philip Glamann.

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(Adds details in penultimate paragraph.)

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By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - A U.S. sanctions exemption for transactions with governing institutions in Syria is welcome, but "much more significant work ... will inevitably be necessary," the U.N. special envoy on Syria, Geir Pedersen, told the Security Council on Wednesday.

After 13 years of civil war, Syria's President Bashar al-Assad was ousted in a lightening offensive by insurgent forces led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) a month ago.

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The U.S., Britain, the European Union and others imposed tough sanctions on Syria after a crackdown by Assad on pro-democracy protests in 2011 that spiraled into war. But the new reality in Syria has been further complicated by sanctions on HTS - and some leaders - for its days as an al Qaeda affiliate.

"I welcome the recent issuance of a new temporary General License by the United States government. But much more significant work in fully addressing sanctions and designations will inevitably be necessary," Pedersen told the council.

The U.S. on Monday issued a sanctions exemption, known as a general license, for transactions with governing institutions in Syria for six months in an effort to ease the flow of humanitarian assistance and allow some energy transactions.

"The United States welcomes positive messages from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, but will ultimately look for progress in actions, not words," deputy U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Dorothy Camille Shea told the Security Council.

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The foreign ministry in Damascus on Wednesday welcomed the U.S. move and called for a full lifting of restrictions to support Syria's recovery.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said earlier on Wednesday that European Union sanctions on Syria that obstruct the delivery of humanitarian aid and hinder the country's recovery could be lifted swiftly.

Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia criticized the sanctions imposed on Syria by Washington and others, adding: "As a result, the Syrian economy is under extreme pressure and is not able to cope with the challenges facing the country." Russia was an Assad ally throughout the war.

'END THE SUFFERING'

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Formerly known as Nusra Front, HTS was al Qaeda's official wing in Syria until breaking ties in 2016. Along with unilateral measures, the group has also been on the U.N. Security Council al Qaeda and Islamic State sanctions list for more than a decade, subjected to a global assets freeze and arms embargo.

There are no U.N. sanctions on Syria over the civil war.

Syria's U.N. Ambassador Koussay Aldahhak was appointed a year ago by Assad's government but told the council on Wednesday that he was speaking for the caretaker authorities.

"It is high time to end the suffering, to enable Syrians to live in security and prosperity, to live a dignified life in their country, to build a better future for their country," Aldahhak said.

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"For this reason, we call upon the United Nations and its member states to immediately and fully lift the unilateral coercive measures to provide the necessary financing to meet humanitarian needs and recover basic services," he said.

Pedersen said he is seeking to work with the caretaker authorities in Syria "on how the nascent and important ideas and steps so far articulated and initiated could be developed towards a credible and inclusive political transition."

Pedersen said attacks on Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity must stop, specifically calling out Israel.

As Assad's government crumbled towards the end of last year, Israel launched a series of strikes against Syrian military infrastructure and weapons manufacturing sites to prevent them falling into the hands of enemies.

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"Reports of the IDF using live ammunition against civilians, displacement and destruction of civilian infrastructure are also very worrying," Pedersen said. "Such violations, along with Israeli airstrikes in other parts of Syria  reported even last week in Aleppo  could further jeopardize the prospects for an orderly political transition."

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Doina Chiacu; William Maclean)
(This Jan. 8 story has been corrected to say 'she,' not 'he,' in bullet point 1)

By John Irish

PARIS (Reuters) - Talks are taking place on whether U.S. and French troops could secure a border zone in northern Syria as part of efforts to defuse conflict between Turkey and Western-backed Kurdish Syrian forces, a senior Syrian Kurdish official said.

Ankara has warned that it will carry out a cross-border offensive into northeastern Syria against the Kurdish YPG militia if the group does not meet Turkish demands.

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Turkey regards the YPG, which spearheads the U.S.-allied Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as a terrorist group linked to Kurdish PKK militants who for 40 years have waged an insurgency against the Turkish state.

The SDF played an important role in defeating Islamic State (IS) militants in Syria in 2014-17. The group still guards IS fighters in prison camps there, but has been on the back foot since rebels ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Dec. 8.

French President Emmanuel Macron said earlier this week that Paris would not abandon the SDF, which was one among a myriad of opposition forces during Syria's 13-year-long civil war.

"The United States and France could indeed secure the entire border. We are ready for this military coalition to assume this responsibility," Ilham Ahmed, co-chair of foreign affairs for the Kurdish administration in northern territory outside central Syrian government control, was quoted as saying by TV5 Monde.

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"We ask the French to send troops to this border to secure the demilitarised zone, to help us protect the region and establish good relations with Turkey."

Neither France nor Turkey's foreign ministries immediately responded to requests for comment. The U.S. State Department was not immediately available for comment.

It is unclear how receptive Turkey would be to such an initiative, given Ankara has worked for years to secure its border against threats coming from Syria, and has vowed to destroy the YPG.

"As soon as France has convinced Turkey to accept its presence on the border, then we can start the peace process," Ahmed said. "We hope that everything will be settled in the coming weeks."

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A source familiar with the matter said such talks were going on, but declined to say how advanced or realistic they were.

CEASEFIRE EFFORTS

Washington has been brokering ceasefire efforts between Turkish-backed groups and the SDF after fighting that broke out as rebel groups advanced on Damascus and overthrew Assad.

Addressing a news conference in Paris alongside outgoing U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot hinted that there were talks on the issue.

"The Syrian Kurds must find their place in this political transition. We owe it to them because they were our brothers in arms against Islamic State," Barrot said.

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"We will continue our efforts ... to ensure that Turkey's legitimate security concerns can be guaranteed, but also the security interests of (Syria's) Kurds and their full rights to take part in the construction in the future of their country."

Blinken said it was vital to ensure that the SDF forces continued the job of guarding more than 10,000 detained IS militants as this was a legitimate security interest for both the U.S. and Turkey.

"We have been working very closely with our ally ... Turkey to navigate this transition ... It's a process that will take some time," Blinken said.

The U.S. has about 2,000 troops in Syria who have been working with the SDF to prevent a resurgence of IS.

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A French official said France still has dozens of special forces on the ground dating from its earlier support of the SDF, when Paris provided weapons and training.

(Additional reporting by Jonathan Spicer; editing by Mark Heinrich)
DENVER (AP)  The U.S. Justice Department is suing several large landlords for allegedly coordinating to keep Americans rents high by using both an algorithm to help set rents and privately sharing sensitive information with their competitors to boost profits.

The lawsuit arrives as U.S. renters continue to struggle under a merciless housing market, with incomes failing to keep up with rent increases. The latest figures show that half of American renters spent more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities in 2022, an all-time high.

That means exhausting, day-to-day decisions between medications, groceries, school supplies and rent. It means eviction notices and protracted court cases in which children face the highest eviction rates, with 1.5 million evicted each year, according to Princeton University's Eviction Lab.

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While the housing crisis has been assigned several causes, including a slump in homes built over the last decade, the Justice Department's lawsuit claims major landlords are playing a part.

The department, along with 10 states including North Carolina, Tennessee, Colorado and California, is accusing six landlords that collectively operate more than 1.3 million units in 43 states and the District of Columbia of scheming to avoid lowering rents.

The landlord Greystar Real Estate Partners LLC, a defendant in the case, declined a request for comment from The Associated Press, but published an unsigned statement on its website.

Greystar has and will conduct its business with the utmost integrity. At no time did Greystar engage in any anti-competitive practices, the statement read. We will vigorously defend ourselves in this lawsuit.

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The lawsuit accuses the landlords of sharing sensitive data on rents and occupancy with competing firms via email, phone calls or in groups. The information shared allegedly included renewal rates, how often they accept an algorithm's price recommendation, the use of concessions such as offering one month free, and even their approach to pricing for the next quarter.

The Justice Department said one of the six landlords agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. The proposed settlement would restrict how the company can use their competitors' data and algorithms to set rents.

Todays action against RealPage and six major landlords seeks to end their practice of putting profits over people and make housing more affordable for millions of people across the country, said Doha Mekki, the acting assistant attorney general for the departments antitrust division in Tuesdays press release.

Those landlords were added to an existing lawsuit against RealPage, which runs an algorithm that recommends rental prices to landlords. Prosecutors say the algorithm uses sensitive competitive information, allowing landlords to align their prices and avoid competition that would otherwise push down rents.

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Jennifer Bowcock, RealPage's senior vice president for communications, said in a statement to the AP that their software is used on fewer than 10% of rental units in the U.S., and that their price recommendations are used less than half the time.

Its past time to stop scapegoating RealPage  and now our customers -- for housing affordability problems when the root cause of high housing costs is the under-supply of housing, Bowcock said.

___

Bedayn is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
A draft resolution to recognize Russias war against Ukraine as genocidal was among the first bills submitted to the new U.S. Congress on Jan. 6., the Congress website showed.

The draft resolution was submitted by a bipartisan group of legislators, Ukraines Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova said in a Facebook post.

"Systematic actions against the Ukrainian people committed by Russian forces under the direction of Russian Federation political leadership meets one or more of the criteria under Article II of the Genocide Convention," the draft resolutions preamble read.

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The resolution cites the Russian militarys intentional targeting of civilians, civilian infrastructure, systematic sexual violence against Ukrainian women, men, and children, as well as the forced deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia.

"All crimes committed by the Russian Federation must be reflected in U.S. law to ensure that Russian criminals are punished and to prevent such heinous crimes in the future," the Ukrainian ambassador wrote in her post.

"Currently, the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine has opened 170,090 cases of crimes related to the aggression of the Russian Federation (151,698 for war crimes)," Markarova added.

The draft resolution calls on the U.S. to condemn Russia and support Ukraine and international jurisdiction against those responsible for Russias actions.

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In early 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian official allegedly overseeing the forced deportations of Ukrainian children to Russia.

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US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin believes that US leadership is key in military support for Ukraine, which has been resisting Russia's full-scale invasion for almost three years.

Source: Austin in an interview with AFP, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Austin said that US leadership in relation to Ukraine is "critical", as the US led the way in terms of the amount of military aid provided and the speed at which it was delivered to Kyiv.

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Quote: "It's real important for the entire coalition to continue to provide military aid. Now, the US has led this effort, and hopefully... will continue to do so, because it's not over."

Details: Austin is planning to meet with the countries leading the capability coalitions in the Ramstein format to outline plans to support Ukraine until 2027.

Background:

The Ukraine Defence Contact Group, also known as the Ramstein format, was established in 2022 to coordinate US military support for Ukraine. The initiative brings together more than 50 countries, the vast majority of which are NATO members.

On 9 January, Washington reportedly plans to announce the allocation of US$500 million worth of weapons and ammunition to Kyiv.

Polish Defence Minister Wadysaw Kosiniak-Kamysz has suggested that the 9 January meeting could be the last one in the Ramstein format.

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KENTUCKY (FOX 56)  Two brothers were arrested on Wednesday in northern Kentucky by U.S. Marshals.

The U.S. Marshals Service said the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office wanted Willie Jones and Jeromy Jones for aggravated murder and two counts of felonious assault.

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The U.S. Marshals Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST) took up the case and learned the Jones brothers had left Ohio and were in hiding in Kenton County.

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The United States Marshals Service is committed to bringing those who commit violent crimes to justice. We work with our partners at the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office daily to locate dangerous fugitives and remove them from our community. This arrest is the result of the teamwork between our task force in Southern Ohio and our USMS partners in the Eastern District of Kentucky, said Michael D. Black, United States Marshal.

According to a news release, Jeromy Jones was arrested on Woodburn Avenue in Covington and Willie Jones on Transformation Lane in Florence.

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The service said both arrests were made without incident, and the Jones brothers were lodged in the Kenton County Jail waiting for extradition back to Ohio.

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 U.S. military took a significant step forward by removing toxic firefighting foam from all its bases in Japan, which will protect service members and local communities while safeguarding water supplies, reported Environment+Energy Leader.

Military installations across Japan have destroyed their reserves of aqueous film-forming foam containing a group of chemicals known as PFAS.

These substances, known as "forever chemicals," stick around in the environment and build up in living things over time. Once they enter soil or water, they can persist for generations.

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The Department of Defense originally planned this swap for October 2025, but bases in Japan finished early. Teams incinerated the harmful foam at licensed facilities near Yokota Air Base in Tokyo and two locations in Okinawa.

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The military replaced old foams with newer versions that leave out the most dangerous compounds. Many bases now use water-based systems or fluorine-free alternatives that work just as well without the risks.

This shift will make a real difference for U.S. service members and nearby residents in Japan. The old foams threatened drinking water supplies and raised health concerns, with links to several types of cancer. Past spills and leaks at bases highlighted these dangers. At Kadena Air Base alone, "drinking water for nearly 450,000 residents was reportedly affected," according to Environment+Energy Leader.

Switching to safer options protects everyone's health and strengthens military firefighting capabilities. Eliminating these chemicals now prevents them from building up in soil and water, where they could cause problems for years. These bases set an example for other facilities by acting ahead of schedule.

The positive effects will ripple through local communities. Residents near the bases can feel more confident about their drinking water quality.

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The military's proactive approach shows how large organizations can make smart updates to everyday equipment that benefit people and the environment. This success in Japan could inspire similar changes at other bases worldwide, multiplying public health and environmental protection benefits.

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The US offered to trade a Guantanamo Bay prisoner in exchange for the release of three Americans held in Afghanistan, a source familiar told CNN.

The US has been in discussions with the Taliban for months about a deal to free Ryan Corbett, George Glezmann and Mahmoud Habibi, all of whom were detained in Afghanistan in 2022. The Taliban has not acknowledged detaining Habibi.

The US presented an offer to trade Muhammad Rahim al Afghani, alleged to have been a close associate of Osama bin Laden, for the three Americans. The Taliban countered by asking for Rahim and two other people.

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Roger Carstens, the top US hostage envoy, was in Doha, Qatar, in recent days and presented a new and significant offer to the Taliban, according to another source. They did not provide details about the new offer.

The Biden administration has had success securing the release of Americans wrongfully detained abroad, most recently from China and Russia. However, the efforts to bring the Americans home from Afghanistan are likely to face political headwinds amplified by the deadly US withdrawal in August 2021 that saw the Taliban come to power.

A spokesperson for the US National Security Council would not confirm the details of the offers, which were first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

However, they said the administration is working around the clock to ensure George, Ryan, and Mahmoods safe return.

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They also touted the successes by the Biden administration in securing the release of Americans held abroad.

President Biden and his team continue to work, often in partnership with key allies, to negotiate for the release of Americans held hostage or unjustly detained abroad so that they can be reunited with their families, and the administration will do so throughout the remainder of the term, the spokesperson said.

The Biden administration does not acknowledge the Taliban as the official government of Afghanistan but has engaged with the group in Doha to discuss issues like human rights and the detained Americans.

We are deeply concerned about the well-being of Americans unjustly detained in Afghanistan  Mahmood, Ryan, and George Glezmann  and raise their detentions in every engagement we have with the Taliban, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in August. Bringing them home will continue to be a top priority for the United States as we work to obtain their release.

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Both Glezmann and Corbett have been declared wrongfully detained by the US State Department. In August 2024, the FBI issued a request for information about Habibi.

The families have long been pressing the US government to do more to secure the release of their loved ones. Corbett and Glezmanns wives have expressed deep concerns about their husbands health.

Dennis Fitzpatrick, the Glezmann family attorney, told CNN Wednesday that George has been depressed and frantic in calls to his wife, Aleksandra.

In a letter to Biden in July, Aleksandra Glezmann wrote that her husbands health is failing, that he had a benign tumor on one side of his face, was losing vision in one eye and had developed sores and ulcers on his body.

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I have recently been allowed short, monitored phone calls with George. He expresses despair that I have never heard from him previously. In addition to his words, I can hear the resignation in his voice, she wrote.

Fitzpatrick on Wednesday said he hoped a deal could be made in the final days of the Biden administration, but said that key officials like the president and national security adviser need to make some decisions.

Last March, Corbetts wife, Anna, told CNN she was concerned for her husbands wellbeing.

His health is declining. His mental health is declining. And he is still alive but we dont know how long and we need to bring him back home immediately, she said at the time.

CNNs Arlette Saenz contributed to this story.

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The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) has been plunged into a new crisis after the United States withheld 2.8 million of funding in the wake of the China swimmers furore.

Travis T Tygart, chief executive of the United States Anti-Doping Agency (Usada), said his group fully supports this decision as the only right choice to protect athletes rights, accountability and fair competition.

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy missed a Dec 31, 2024 deadline for contribution to the watchdogs annual budget. Wada has retaliated by saying representatives from the US would now be ineligible to sit on its foundation board or executive committee.

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It remains to be seen what returning president Donald Trump makes of sniping between Wada and Usada, but relations appear close to being beyond repair.

Wada and Usada have been at loggerheads since it emerged last year that the global body had cleared 23 Chinese swimmers to compete at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, even though they had tested positive for banned heart drug trimetazidine.

Wada accepted the Chinese Anti-Doping Agencys reasoning that a kitchen at a team hotel could have contaminated all 23 samples.

Wada says the US government now owes a total of $3.625 million, with Wadas overall 2025 operating budget at $57.5 million.

Wada leaders left US with no option

Unfortunately, the current Wada leaders left the US with no other option after failing to deliver on several very reasonable requests, such as an independent audit of Wadas operations, to achieve the transparency and accountability needed to ensure Wada is fit for purpose to protect athletes, Tygart said.

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Because Wada failed to uniformly enforce the global rules in place to protect the integrity of competition and athletes rights to fairness, significant reform at Wada must occur to ensure this never happens again.

In a statement, Wada confirmed the non-payment and noted the move would keep US representatives off its executive board for 2025.

The World Anti-Doping Agency confirms that it did not receive the agreed contribution to Wadas 2024 budget from the government of the United States by the deadline of Dec 31, 2024, Wada said.

Under Article 6.6 of the Wada statutes, public authority representatives from a country which has not paid its dues are ineligible to sit on the foundation board or the executive committee. Therefore, on Jan 1 of each year, any foundation board or executive committee member representing a country that has not paid its annual contribution for the previous year automatically loses their seat.

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Tygart said the non-payment of dues will have no impact upon US athletes or their right to compete in events worldwide.

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U.S. Rep. Andy Harris, Marylands lone Republican in Congress and the leader of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, said he would likely be among the Republicans who travel to meet with President-elect Donald Trump at his Florida home in the coming days.

An ardent Trump supporter, Harris said he would probably be going when asked about recent reports that Freedom Caucus members were meeting at Mar-a-Lago toward the end of this week.

The news reports are correct. The president will meet with members of the Republican conference who will be those blocks that will be key to expediting the presidents agenda in the first 100 days, Harris told The Baltimore Sun at the State House in Annapolis, where he was visiting with state lawmakers on the opening day of the annual legislative session.

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Harris staked his ground as a member of one of those key blocks on Friday when Congress started its new session. House Speaker Mike Johnson was reelected to his position only after several holdouts, including Harris, said they had reservations about Johnson and reluctantly agreed to back him because they believed it would help Trumps agenda.

Personalities can be debated later, but right now there is zero room for error on the policies the American people demanded when they voted for President Trump  the ones necessary to save the country, read a letter from Harris and 10 other members of the House Freedom Caucus who wrote out a list of policies and demands from Johnson.

Securing the southern border, enacting federal spending cuts and immediately reversing President Joe Bidens agenda were among the priorities.

Harris, when asked Wednesday what he hopes to discuss with Trump and his team if he attends the Mar-a-Lago gathering, said its all about the president-elect.

Its delivering on his agenda, what he promised the American people and how we can support that agenda and move it as quickly as possible, Harris said.

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(Bloomberg) -- The Biden administration sanctioned the head of the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group in Sudan, announcing the move at the same time that it determined the group was guilty of genocide.

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The decision was a sharp rebuke of Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, more commonly known as Hemedti, who has used his forces to engage in a brutal armed conflict with Sudans army, killing tens of thousands of people, displacing 12 million and triggering widespread starvation, the US Treasury Department said in a statement.

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The Treasury Department remains committed to using every tool available to hold accountable those responsible for violating the human rights of the Sudanese people, Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said.

Ezzadean Elsafi, an adviser to Hemedti, said the sanction is irrational and works directly against peace and stability, not only in Sudan but the entire region.

Hemedti is the most senior official to be targeted yet for his role in the 20-month civil war. It remains unclear how much impact the sanctions will have.

Cameron Hudson, a senior fellow in the Africa Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, bemoaned that it has taken the Biden administration so long to announce the censure and said it should also outlaw the RSF entirely.

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That said, it is not too late for these announcements to be impactful inside Sudan. As RSF and Hemedti attempt to reinvent themselves as legitimate political actors in a post-war Sudan, these determinations make it that much harder, he said.

By targeting the RSF leader, the US has pulled back from sanctioning other entities fueling the war, such as the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Russia, Turkey and Serbia for reported violations of the Darfur arms embargo, PAEMA, a US-based group dedicated to preventing mass atrocities, said in a statement on Tuesday.

In a separate statement, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced his determination that members of the RSF and allied militias had committed genocide in Sudan.

Over the course of the war, human rights groups have documented how the Arab-led RSF and allied militia groups in Sudan have led a systematic campaign of ethnic cleansing against the non-Arab Masalit community in Darfur.

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Many killings documented by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International occurred in June 2023, when violence gripped the city of El Geneina in West Darfur and Masalit forces lost the ability to fight back against RSF attacks. Thousands of people were slain as they fled the city and attempted to reach the border with neighboring Chad.

Janjaweed Militias

The RSF has origins in the government-backed janjaweed militias that perpetrated the Darfur genocide in the early 2000s.

Tuesdays sanctions also targeted Capital Tap Holding LLC, a United Arab Emirates-based company owned by a Sudanese national called Abu Dharr and its subsidiaries for allegedly providing the RSF with money and weapons.

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Last year, United Nations investigators cited evidence that the UAE has supplied the RSF with weaponry via a remote airbase in eastern Chad as credible, though the Gulf nation has repeatedly denied the allegations.

The US has previously sanctioned other senior officials involved in the war which erupted in April 2023, including Taha Osman Ahmed al-Hussein, a former state minister under the ousted President Omar al-Bashir, for his role in sending weapons to the RSF.

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken does not think it is necessary to spend time discussing Donald Trump's idea of taking control of Greenland, as he believes it "is not going to happen".

Source: Blinken at a press conference with his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris on Wednesday, 8 January; European Pravda; US Department of State

Details: Blinken noted that over the past four years, the US administration has tried to cooperate with its allies, rather than "saying or doing things that may alienate them".

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Quote from Blinken: "The idea expressed about Greenland is obviously not a good one, but maybe more important, it's obviously one that's not going to happen, so we probably shouldn't waste a lot of time talking about it."

Background:

Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire for the United States to purchase Greenland, a Danish territory and the largest island in the world.

Recently, he refused to rule out the use of military force to take control of Greenland or the Panama Canal, which he has been talking about in recent weeks.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has recently stressed that Greenland belongs to its people.

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US special operations forces are shifting their focus after decades of counterterrorism.

Competition with China and Russia is reshaping how SOF supports the joint force.

A senior Pentagon official said that special operations is also returning to its "roots."

A senior Pentagon official said this week that the role of US special operations is changing as the US faces increasing competition and challenges from China and Russia.

With the threat of a conflict against a powerful and advanced adversary looming, special operations forces are returning to their "roots," Christopher Maier, the assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict, said.

The direction of special operations forces (SOF) is adapting to the largest challenges facing the US  a rapidly growing Chinese military and Russian state set on expansion by force.

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Maier said during a conversation with the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank on Tuesday that SOF is "still doing counterterrorism, crisis response, those have been the persistent missions," but the priority is shifting towards "increasingly where we can support other elements, largely in a support role, for those strategic competition elements."

That means playing a big role in solving challenges facing the joint force, like more modern adaptations to using artificial intelligence, as well as the traditional functions of SOF, such as "being that sensor out there and providing the necessary input to decision makers to better understand a situation," noted Maier, who previously led the Pentagon's Defeat-ISIS Task Force overseeing the campaign across Iraq and Syria that relied heavily on American special operators.

Special operators are the US military's most highly trained troops, the go-to teams for small raids and secretive missions, but they lack the numbers and firepower to go up against larger conventional forces for long.

US special operations forces are supporting the joint force as the US faces strategic competition with China and Russia. US Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Cobin

Much of the US' special operations presence in over 80 countries around the world is focused on working closely with foreign militaries, law enforcement, and embassies to keep a finger on the pulse. For the past 20 years, the US has relied on these forces for some the most unconventional and difficult missions, like teaming with partner forces to fight enemies or running shadowy helicopter assaults to kill or capture key leaders.

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Maier said he views it as both a continuation of the counterterrorism and crisis response that SOF has been doing for decades and also a step back to its origins.

"We're going back to the proverbial roots of supporting the joint force with some of the hardest problems against peer adversaries," Maier said.

With the so-called War on Terror, SOF has spent over 20 years operating in counterterrorism and unconventional warfare roles, fighting quietly in a variety of environments across the world and maintaining relationships that provide the US with information on tactics of specific groups and deeper understandings of regional and security issues.

That role is now changing, albeit just as important. In a 2023 article for the Royal United Services Institute, a British think tank, David Ucko, a professor and expert on irregular warfare, argues that leaders in Washington need to examine how to best use SOF for newer challenges against Russia and China. That includes irregular warfare, which is "highly relevant" to strategic competition with China.

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But, Ucko notes, special operators fill a particular role in military operations and shouldn't be given missions that other US agencies or groups can also do.

One of the deepest challenges these secretive forces face is the widening surveillance by spy satellites and recon drones.

While special operations has often led the fight on counterterrorism, the shift towards peer adversary competition is changing that focus. Master Sgt. Timothy Lawn/US Army Central

SOF missions often have multiple objectives like foreign internal defense and unconventional warfare; special operators can, for example, help boost a US ally's defense tactics against a foreign aggressor, such as Taiwan and China.

Allied special forces played critical roles in World War II, shaped by the need for specialization in unconventional missions and innovative tactics, such as sabotage behind enemy lines and disrupting German supply lines. In North Africa, British Special Air Services and Commonwealth Long Range Desert Group commandos aided in disrupting Axis troops deployments and airpower.

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During the Cold War, special operators played a role in deterring the Soviet Union's influence, maintaining presence in and relationships with Western Europe and other areas.

Special operations forces often focus on irregular or unconventional operations best suited for small units of highly trained operators. US Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Steven D. Patzer

All of that historical context is informing SOF's priorities today, as the US faces similar challenges against China and Russia and their activities across the world, Maier said.

"The differences, I think, here are some of the fundamental changes in adversaries' ability to access technology," he added, and their ability to "use different types of techniques than maybe we saw in the Cold War."

Both China and Russia are actively engaged in bolstering their irregular warfare tactics, including reconnaissance, disinformation, electronic warfare, cyberspace and space efforts, and psychological warfare.

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In its report on China's military growth over the course of 2023, the Pentagon noted that China is expanding its capabilities towards a vision of future conflict it calls "intelligentized warfare" focused on AI, data, and controlling information spaces.

Other elements, such as China's campaigns in Taiwan to influence domestic politics and opinions on unification, are also notable.

Read the original article on Business Insider
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AP)  The U.S. needs to keep troops deployed in Syria to prevent the Islamic State group from reconstituting as a major threat following the ouster of Bashar Assad's government, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told The Associated Press.

American forces are still needed there, particularly to ensure the security of detention camps holding tens of thousands of former IS fighters and family members, Austin said Wednesday in one of his final interviews before he leaves office.

According to estimates, there are as many as 8,000-10,000 IS fighters in the camps, and at least 2,000 of them are considered to be very dangerous.

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If Syria is left unprotected, I think ISIS fighters would enter back into the mainstream, Austin said at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, where he traveled to discuss military aid for Ukraine with about 50 partner nations. He was using another acronym for the Islamic State group.

I think that we still have some work to do in terms of keeping a foot on the throat of ISIS," he said.

President-elect Donald Trump tried to withdraw all forces from Syria in 2018 during his first term, which prompted the resignation of former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. As the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, advanced against Assad last month, Trump posted on social media that the U.S. military needed to stay out of the conflict.

The U.S. has about 2,000 troops in Syria to counter IS, up significantly from the 900 forces that officials said for years was the total number there. They were sent in 2015 after the militant group had conquered a large swath of Syria.

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The continued presence of U.S. troops was put into question after a lightning insurgency ousted Assad on Dec. 8, ending his familys decadeslong rule.

U.S. forces have worked with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces on operations against IS, providing cover for the group that Turkey considers an affiliate of the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, which it identifies as a terror organization.

The Syrian transitional government is still taking shape, and uncertainty remains on what that will mean going forward.

The SDF have been good partners. At some point, the SDF may very well be absorbed into the Syrian military and then Syria would own all the (IS detention) camps and hopefully keep control of them, Austin said. "But for now I think we have to protect our interests there.
By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United States warned on Wednesday that North Korea is benefiting from its troops fighting alongside Russia against Ukraine, gaining experience that makes Pyongyang "more capable of waging war against its neighbors."

Russia has forged closer diplomatic and military ties with North Korea since Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

More than 12,000 North Korean troops are in Russia and last month began fighting against Ukrainian forces in Russia's Kursk region, Deputy U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Dorothy Camille Shea told the United Nations Security Council.

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"The DPRK is significantly benefiting from receiving Russian military equipment, technology and experience, rendering it more capable of waging war against its neighbors," Shea told the 15-member council, which met over what Pyongyang said was a test of a new intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile on Monday.

"In turn, the DPRK will likely be eager to leverage these improvements to promote weapons sales and military training contracts globally," she said, using the acronym for North Korea's formal name - the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

North Korea's U.N. Ambassador Kim Song justified Monday's missile test as part of a plan to enhance the country's defense capabilities. He accused the United States of double standards.

"When the civilian death toll exceeded 45,000 in Gaza, United States embellished Israel's nefarious mass killing atrocity as the right to self defense ... Meanwhile, it takes issue with legitimate exercise of the right to self-defense of the DPRK," Kim told the Security Council.

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Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia repeated Moscow's longstanding accusation that the U.S., South Korea and Japan provoke North Korea with military exercises. He also rejected as "wholly unsubstantiated" a U.S. allegation that Russia intends to share satellite and space technology with Pyongyang.

"Such statements are the latest example of baseless conjecture which is geared towards smearing bilateral cooperation between the Russian Federation and the friendly nation of the DPRK," said Nebenzia, who also congratulated North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on his birthday on Wednesday.

South Korea's U.N. Ambassador Joonkook Hwang told the council that North Korea's soldiers were "essentially slaves to Kim Jong Un, brainwashed to sacrifice their lives on faraway battlefields to raise money for his regime and secure advanced military technology from Russia."

North Korea has been under U.N. sanctions since 2006, and the measures have been steadily strengthened over the years with the aim of halting Pyongyang's development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. Russia has veto power on the 15-member body, so any further council action is unlikely.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Rod Nickel)
Jan. 7WASHINGTON  The U.S. Department of Agriculture reminds specialty crop producers to apply for assistance for marketing and food safety certification expenses. Specifically, USDA's Farm Service Agency is providing an additional $650 million in funding for the new Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops program and extending the MASC application deadline to Friday, Jan. 10. Meanwhile, FSA also reminds specialty crop producers of the Jan. 31, deadline to apply for the Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops program for 2024 expenses.

With a total of $2.65 billion available, MASC helps specialty crop producers expand markets and manage higher costs. FSA is also increasing the MASC payment limit from $125,000 to $900,000. FSCSC covers a percentage of a specialty crop operation's cost to obtain or renew its on-farm food safety certification, as well as a portion of related expenses.

"Specialty crop producers should act quickly to make an appointment to apply for both marketing and food safety certification assistance," said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. "Specialty crop producers have been impacted by higher marketing and handling costs due to the perishability of fruits, vegetables, floriculture, nursery crops and herbs as well as increased costs to meet regulatory requirements. These programs will help producers overcome the financial challenges they're facing when it comes to maintaining and expanding markets."

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Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops

MASC helps specialty crop producers meet higher marketing costs related to:  Perishability of specialty crops like fruits, vegetables, floriculture, nursery crops and herbs.  Specialized handling and transport equipment with temperature and humidity control.  Packaging to prevent damage.  Moving perishables to market quickly.  Higher labor costs.

Producers can find more information on eligibility, how payments work and how to apply on the MASC program webpage. Interested producers should apply by Jan. 10 at their local USDA Service Center or online. Although Federal government offices, including FSA, will be closed on Thursday, Jan. 9, for a National Day of Mourning for President James Earl Carter, Jr., producers can still apply online and will also be able to submit applications in their local FSA office on Friday, Jan. 10.

Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops

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Eligible FSCSC applicants must be a specialty crop operation, meet the definition of a small or medium-size business and have paid eligible expenses related to certification.

A small business has an average annual monetary value of specialty crops sold by the applicant during the three-year period preceding the program year of no more than $500,000.

A medium size business has an average annual monetary value of specialty crops the applicant sold during the three-year period preceding the program year of at least $500,001 but no more than $1,000,000.

Specialty crop operations can receive the following cost assistance:  Developing a food safety plan for first-time food safety certification.  Maintaining or updating an existing food safety plan.  Food safety certification.  Certification upload fees.  Microbiological testing for products, soil amendments and water.  Training.

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FSCSC payments are calculated separately for each eligible cost category. Details about payment rates and limitations are available at farmers.gov/food-safety.

Producers can visit farmers.gov/food-safety for additional program details, eligibility information and application forms.

More Information

To learn more about FSA programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center.

FSA helps America's farmers, ranchers and forest landowners invest in, improve, protect and expand their agricultural operations through the delivery of agricultural programs for all Americans. FSA implements agricultural policy, administers credit and loan programs, and manages conservation, commodity, disaster recovery and marketing programs through a national network of state and county offices and locally elected county committees. For more information, visit fsa.usda.gov.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming America's food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit usda.gov.
A farmer harvests corn near Slater, Iowa on Oct. 17, 2020. (Photo by Perry Beeman/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has been contacting producers to update its Tenure, Ownership, and Transition of Agricultural Land, or TOTAL, survey which shows the landowner characteristics of a state and informs farm policy.

USDA last updated this survey in 2014 and found nearly 40% of farmland in the U.S. was either rented or leased, that the average age of the nations 1.4 million principal landlords was 67 years old and that 9% of farmland in the Midwest region was expected to transfer ownership in the subsequent five years.

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The USDAs National Agricultural Statistics Service, or NASS, started contacting landowners in December to collect data on ownership, debt, income, demographics, assets and landlord characteristics as part of the TOTAL survey, according to a press release from the service.

Greg Thessen, director of the NASS Upper Midwest regional field office, serving Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, said interviewers will begin reaching out in February to producers who have not yet responded to the survey.

Results from TOTAL will provide a single source of comprehensive, up-to-date information to measure financial impacts and challenges of land ownership, Thessen said in the press release. The data will help paint an accurate picture of farm costs, land ownership, land transfer plans for the next five years, six to 10 years, and beyond.

Thessen said staff will help producers in filling out the forms that will accurately define the economic status of U.S. farm operations and households for all 50 states including Iowa.

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Results from the new survey will be published in a summarized format Oct. 31, 2025. According to the press release, survey responses are kept confidential and recipients of the survey are required to respond.

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Jan. 7The University of Southern Maine has laid off six marketing department employees, school administrators announced Tuesday, but plans to create five new positions.

University leadership said they made the decision after a comprehensive review of the current department and strategy.

"How we recruit students has changed drastically over the past decade, and to thrive in the future, our team will need new and varied skills," Meaghan Arena, vice president for enrollment management, marketing and student retention, said in an emailed statement Tuesday.

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Arena said impacted employees were notified early Tuesday, and the layoffs were effective the same day.

"They will receive severance, benefits and pay in lieu of notice in accordance with our collective bargaining agreements," she said.

For employees with less than five years of experience, that means four months of pay and benefits. Those with more than five years of experience receive a greater severance package relative to their length of service.

But Arena said the university will now create five new positions, designed to "align our University's aspirations, new trends in marketing, and the realities of the changing higher education landscape." She said the new structure will be focused in digitalization, building the university's reputation, the needs of students and data-driven marketing.

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USM is part of the University of Maine System of public universities and has campuses in Portland, Gorham and Lewiston.

The marketing department currently has nine employees, including a senior director, according to a staff directory on the university website.

"Unfortunately, there seems to be a bit of a pattern developing," said Neil Greenberg, president of University of Maine System Professional Staff, the union that represents professional and administrative staff across the system.

In May, USM eliminated five management positions  the directors of advising, graduate studies, and student engagement and leadership, and the director and associate director of the Russell Scholars program  in a cost-saving measure. In September, the system laid off 13 IT employees and cited restructuring, while also making plans to add half a dozen new positions.

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Greenberg said he's frustrated with the system for initiating restructuring without engagement from employees, eliminating positions, then creating new positions they may or may not be qualified for. He said he would prefer to see the university work with employees in the department to evolve their roles.

"This made a lot of people nervous," he said. "Nobody knows who's next."

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The United States Postal Service will suspend regular mail delivery on Thursday, Jan. 9 as part of a national day of mourning to honor former President Jimmy Carter.

Carter died Dec. 29, 2024, at age 100, becoming the oldest former president at death. A state funeral service will be held Jan. 9 at Washington National Cathedral. Afterward, Carters remains will be flown back to his native Georgia for a private service and burial.

The day after Carters death, President Joe Biden ordered the national day of mourning and that flags be flown at half-staff for 30 days, in accordance with federal law.

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USPS facilities across the country will be closed and retail services halted. Only limited package deliveries will be made Thursday to ensure minimal disruption to overall service.

The USPS will resume regular activity on Friday, Jan. 10.

All USPS facilities will continue to fly the U.S. flag at half-staff through sunset on Wednesday, Jan. 29, to honor Carter.

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 2.
SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA (WJHL)  Virginia Humanities at The University of Virginias College at Wise (UVA Wise) announced a new grant program aimed at Southwest Virginia museums, libraries, historic sites and other cultural nonprofits.

The following counties can apply for up to $5,000 for projects that explore the stories of Southwest Virginiaits history, people, communities and cultural traditionsas well as issues and questions that impact the lives of Virginians in the present day.

Americano Steak House owners to open new restaurant in Jonesborough

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Buchanan

Dickenson

Lee

Norton

Russell

Scott

Smyth

Tazewell

Washington

Wise

The Center for Appalachian Studies at UVA-Wise is thrilled about this new opportunity to support and promote the humanities throughout Southwest Virginia, Jinny Turman, co-director for the center, said in a news release. We look forward to helping area institutions and nonprofits develop proposals for programs that preserve precious cultural resources, elevate stories, and build the publics awareness of our areas rich history.

For more information on the grant, click here. The deadline to apply is April 30.

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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
Veterans who served in the first Gulf War or Post-9/11 conflicts suffering from leukemia, bladder cancer and other related illnesses will be granted presumptive benefits status under plans announced by Veterans Affairs leaders Wednesday.

That includes troops formerly stationed at Karshi-Khanabad Air Base in Uzbekistan, a group that has long lobbied for better recognition of the damaging long-term health effects connected to that site.

The decision is the latest in a series of moves by department officials to ease the burden associated with applying for veterans disability benefits for former troops exposed to toxic chemicals during their time in service.

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Adding these presumptives lowers the burden of proof for veterans to get the benefits they deserve for the conditions that followed them home from war, VA Secretary Denis McDonough said in a statement. We encourage veterans with these conditions  and all veterans  to apply today for the benefits they deserve.

VA to expand benefits access for US vets of K2 Uzbekistan base

Typically, veterans applying for disability benefits must prove that their injuries were directly connected to time in the military. That can be difficult for indirect injuries caused by exposure to toxic chemicals at military bases from hazards like burn pits or groundwater contamination.

Presumptive status allows veterans applying for benefits to skip paperwork establishing their condition as a result of military service. That can cut months of wait times off the benefits process, as well as reduce the frustration of families waiting for answers.

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Additionally, when veterans are established as having a service-connected health condition  either through the claims process or by the presumptive process  they become eligible for free VA health care for that condition.

The new announcement covers acute and chronic leukemias, multiple myelomas, myelodysplastic syndromes, myelofibrosis, urinary bladder, ureter and related genitourinary cancers.

Veterans who served in the Middle East during the first Gulf War or in Afghanistan, Iraq, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen or Uzbekistan after Sept, 11, 2001, will be granted presumptive disability status for those conditions, starting next week.

That includes the so-called K2 veterans. The Uzbekistan base was used by U.S. troops as a point into and out of Afghanistan during the early 2000s. Individuals who served there were exposed to numerous contaminants, including jet fuel in groundwater and lead-based paint.

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About 13,000 of the 16,000 troops known to have served there are already enrolled in VA health care. At least 11,800 have already been rated as disabled for at least one service-related condition, with many topping more than a dozen related health issues.

The decision on the new presumptives is connected to the 2022 PACT Act, which dramatically expanded benefits for troops with toxic exposure injuries.

Since it was signed into law, nearly 900,000 veterans have enrolled in department health care, an increase of about 40% from the comparable period before the bill was adopted.

More information on how to apply for benefits is available on the VA website.
Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro announced the detention of three Ukrainians days before his inauguration, calling them "mercenaries" and accusing them of plotting "terrorist" actions, Spanish news agency EFE reported on Jan. 8.

Venezuelan authorities also detained two U.S. and two Colombian citizens, raising the same accusations against them.

"Today alone, we have captured, seven foreign mercenaries, including two important U.S. mercenaries," Maduro said at an event in Caracas.

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The group was planning a terrorist attack against "the peace of Venezuela," the president alleged. Maduro did not provide evidence to support his claims.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has not yet commented on Caracas' claims, and a spokesperson did not respond to the Kyiv Independent's request at the time of publication.

Maduro is preparing for his inauguration on Jan. 10 to become the president of Venezuela for the next six years after two consecutive terms, claiming election victory in July 2024 amid widespread reports of fraud.

The oppositions presidential nominee, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, also plans to take the presidential oath. The U.S. and several other nations have recognized Urrutia as the legitimate president-elect.

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The Venezuelan government claims to have detained overall 125 "mercenaries" in November and December, all part of an alleged scheme to attack Maduros Vice President and Hydrocarbons Minister Delcy Rodriguez.

Maduro has a close relationship with Moscow, bolstered by their shared animosity toward the West.

Venezuela's president has denounced Western sanctions imposed against Russia over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine and called Caracas and Moscow "loyal allies."

Last summer, two Russian naval ships docked in Venezuela's La Guaira port after exercises in the North Atlantic, supposedly to "show the flag" in the region.

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Read also: Venezuelan opposition leader: Ukraine will never convince Latin, African autocrats

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CARACAS, Venezuela (AP)  Edmundo Gonzalez has become a beacon of hope for millions of Venezuelans. They want to call him president. He believes he won that office at the ballot box last year. The government of President Nicolas Maduro says he did not.

The stakes for Fridays swearing-in of the man who will govern Venezuela for the next six years have never been higher in this century.

Gonzalez had never imagined he would be carrying the weight of the main opposition faction, the Unitary Platform coalition. He had not even run for office before the July election.

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A virtually unknown grandfather less than a year ago, he now has heard tens of thousands of people chant his name as loudly as they screamed Freedom! Freedom! at rallies across the South American country.

But Gonzalez has paid the price for challenging the 25-year rule of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela. Under pressure, he has gone into exile. And on Tuesday, he said son-in-law Rafael Tudares had been kidnapped in the capital, Caracas.

At what point did being related to Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia become a crime? his daughter, Mariana Gonzalez de Tudares, said in a statement that suggested the government was behind her husbands disappearance.

The coalition of main opposition parties, in a statement, characterized it as a forced disappearance for political reasons. The governments centralized press office did not respond to a request for comment.

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Gonzalez, 75, had been enjoying retirement after a career as a diplomat when the coalition selected him in April as a last-minute stand-in for opposition powerhouse Maria Corina Machado. She had been blocked by the Maduro-controlled Supreme Tribunal of Justice from running for office after she swept the oppositions October 2023 primary with more than 90% of the vote.

Gonzalez had just returned to Caracas from a trip to Europe when opposition leaders presented him with the idea of becoming a candidate.

Before Gonzalez joined Machado on the campaign trail, she became his surrogate, introducing him as an honest family man while showing the crowds a banner with his headshot.

Gonzalez had begun his professional career as an aide to Venezuelas ambassador in the United States. He had other postings in Belgium and El Salvador and served as ambassador to Algeria. His last post was ambassador to Argentina during the first years of the government of Hugo Chavez, Maduros predecessor and mentor.

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More recently, Gonzalez worked as an international relations consultant, writing about recent political developments in Argentina and authoring a historical work on Venezuelas foreign minister during World War II.

I have never participated in partisan politics of positions of elected office, he told The Associated Press in May. I accepted it with enormous responsibility and as a contribution on my part to the democratization of the country, to the process of trying to seek the understanding, reconciliation, of Venezuelans.

His years as a diplomat in El Salvador and Algeria coincided with periods of armed conflicts in both countries. For a time, his whereabouts were tracked by locals in El Salvador, and he would get calls at home meant to intimidate him.

His subdued tone and poker face, forged as a diplomat, go against the usual image in Venezuela of boisterous politicians. Maduro and his allies have taken his demeanor as a sign of weakness and chastised him on national TV.

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Coward, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said Monday, alleging without giving evidence that the retired diplomat was a CIA agent. He has neither courage nor disposition.

The dueling claims for the presidency are rooted in the election results. Electoral authorities declared Maduro the winner hours after polls closed, but unlike in previous presidential elections, they did not provide detailed vote counts. However, the opposition collected tally sheets from more than 80% of electronic voting machines, posted them online and said they showed Gonzalez had won with twice as many votes as Maduro.

The U.S.-based Carter Center, invited by Maduros government to observe the election, has said the tally sheets published by the opposition are legitimate.

Gonzalez left for exile in Spain in September after a judge issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with an investigation into the publishing of election results. The government last week announced a $100,000 reward for information on his whereabouts.

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But he has vowed to return to his homeland to take the oath of office Friday. Meanwhile, the ruling-party controlled National Assembly is ready to welcome Maduro for the swearing-in that would extend his 11-year presidency to 2031.

Gonzalez, who has been recognized by several governments including the U.S. as Venezuelas president-elect, has not said how he plans to return or wrest power from Maduro, whose ruling party controls all aspects of government.

He has been touring the Americas to try to rally support ahead of Friday's ceremony, tapping his diplomatic skills.

On Monday, Gonzalez met with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House as well as with U.S. Rep. Mike Waltz, President-elect Donald Trumps designee to be national security adviser once Trump is sworn in on Jan. 20.

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Hours after announcing Tudares kidnapping on Tuesday, Gonzalez said he would travel to Panama next.

We continue, he wrote on X.

____

Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
CARACAS (Reuters) -Two U.S. citizens have been arrested in Venezuela, part of a group of seven who President Nicolas Maduro on Tuesday branded as "mercenaries," in the latest roundup ahead of the embattled leader's expected inauguration to a new term later this week.

Maduro said the detained U.S. citizens were "very high level," but did not provide further details or evidence of the arrests.

"Just today we've captured seven foreign mercenaries, including two important mercenaries from the United States," said Maduro, who is set to take office for a third term on Friday following last July's contested election that the opposition says it won in a landslide.

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Maduro said the group of detainees includes two Colombians who he said were captured in unspecified parts of Venezuela, as well as three others who came from the war in Ukraine. He did provide further detail.

Neither the U.S. Department of State nor Colombia's foreign ministry immediately responded to requests for comment.

Venezuelan rights groups have warned of a revolving door of prisoners, with fresh detentions coming in even as older prisoners are released, including arrests of foreign nationals.

In late 2023, Venezuela's government released dozens of prisoners including 10 Americans after months of negotiations between Caracas and Washington, while the U.S. released a close ally of Maduro, Colombian businessman Alex Saab.

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In remarks delivered from the Miraflores presidential palace, Maduro on Tuesday claimed that his government's security forces have captured what he called 125 foreign mercenaries from 25 different countries who he said had entered the South American nation "to practice terrorism against the Venezuelan people."

The remarks come as opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez is touring the region in a bid to grow his international support. Gonzalez has been declared president-elect by several governments in the region, including the United States.

On Monday, outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden said Gonzalez was the "true winner" of the July 28 vote.

While the government-aligned electoral authority and Venezuela's top court have decreed that Maduro won the election, the government has not released ballot-box level results to back up the claim.

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The opposition, however, has published thousands of scanned copies of voting machine receipts its observers gathered days after the vote, accounting for over 80% of votes cast and showing a lopsided Gonzalez victory.

(Reporting by Vivian Sequera; Additional reporting by Ryan Jones and Oliver Griffin; Writing by David Alire Garcia; Editing by Sarah Morland and Leslie Adler)
CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan opposition parties and NGOs decried the arrests of a prominent press freedom activist and a well-known opposition figure, among others, ahead of planned protests against Friday's inauguration of President Nicolas Maduro for his third term.

The opposition Popular Will party said on X late on Tuesday that at least 19 people had been detained nationwide in what it termed a "worsening of persecution and repression" by the Maduro government.

Neither the Communications Ministry nor the attorney general's office immediately responded to a request for comment about the latest arrests.

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The government is investigating major opposition leaders for alleged conspiracy, among other charges, and has repeatedly accused them of inciting violence on their claims of victory in July's presidential election.

The opposition has published ballot box-level tallies that it says show a resounding victory for its candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, who is now on a regional tour to promote the opposition's cause and who is recognized by various countries, including the United States, as president-elect.

Gonzalez visited Panama on Wednesday and the opposition said its copies of the tallies will be stored there, in a vault at the country's central bank.

The electoral authority and Venezuela's top court say Maduro won, but have not published detailed tallies.

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Gonzalez, 75, said his son-in-law was kidnapped on Tuesday while taking his children to school.

The government, which has repeatedly accused the opposition of plotting with foreign governments to commit acts of sabotage and terrorism, said on Tuesday it had detained seven "mercenaries", including two Americans.

One of the Americans is a high-ranking FBI official, Maduro said on state television on Wednesday, while the other is a military official. Three of the detained are Ukrainians and two are Colombian.

Neither the U.S. Department of State nor Colombia's foreign ministry responded to requests for comment.

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About 2,000 people were arrested at protests following the disputed election. The government said this week it has released 1,515 of them.

Politician Enrique Marquez, 61, who ran in the 2024 election but backed Gonzalez as the victor, has been detained, the Popular Will party said on social media, without providing more details.

The director of press freedom NGO Espacio Publico, Carlos Correa, 60, was arrested on Tuesday afternoon by hooded officials, that group said on X.

President Gustavo Petro of neighboring Colombia said on X on Wednesday that the detentions of Marquez and Correa prevented him from personally attending Maduro's inauguration. Petro added that he would not break relations with Venezuela, with whom he has sought to increase trade.

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Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who was barred from running in the 2024 contest but remains highly popular, said on Tuesday she would attend opposition marches planned for Thursday, but did not specify where.

Machado, 57, is being investigated by the government in at least two cases of alleged conspiracy and has been in hiding since August. There is no public warrant for her arrest.

"I wouldn't miss that day for anything," she said in a virtual press conference. "Venezuela will be free, I can't guarantee the day or the time. It might be before, during or after January 10, but it will happen."

Gonzalez and Machado have repeatedly urged the police and military to support the opposition.

(Reporting by Vivian Sequera; Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Rosalba O'Brien)
Jan. 8About the event

What: College and career fair.

When: 6-8 p.m. Thursday.

Where: Verdigris High School lobby, 26505 S. 4110 Road in Claremore.

Event highlights

1. Students from all area school districts are welcome to attend.

2. There is no cost to attend, and students and their parents/guardians may come and go as they please.

3. Area colleges and universities (ex. Rogers State University), trade schools (ex. Oklahoma Technical College) and tribal nations (ex. Cherokee Nation) will set up tables and share information about the opportunities they provide.

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Why attend?

Amy Moyer, principal of Verdigris Upper Elementary and the district's director of federal programs, said students need lots of information to make an informed choice of what to do after they graduate.

"Not everybody is going to go to college, but they may want to ... go the blue-collar route versus the college route and probably make more money at it," Moyer said. "It just opens more windows for them to look at possibilities that they could have, and everybody needs options."
Vermont Packinghouse in North Springfield has permanently banned a delivery driver from its facility and put new, more stringent safeguards in place after a June incident in which pigs suspected to be suffering from heatstroke were kicked off the back of a truck by the driver, violating animal welfare laws.

A report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture released in November stated that on June 3 the delivery driver pushed the pigs off the back of a trailer, "with some falling over and rolling on their backs."

"The trailer deck was approximately a little more than one foot above the ground and every pig stopped at the edge, refused to jump, which was followed by the pigs being pushed off the edge," the report said.

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The USDA report said the pigs had been hauled for eight hours from a New York farm and showed signs of heat stroke, with "severely elevated respiratory rates." The report also notes that no ramp was "present or maintained by the establishment" for the pigs to exit the truck on their own with "minimal excitement," as required by law.

"Vermont Packinghouse is deeply committed to the humane treatment of all animals and was profoundly disheartened to learn of the incident described by USDA inspectors on 3 June 2024," General Manager and Chief Operating Officer Nick Paschkov said in a statement released to the Burlington Free Press. "We were notified of this noncompliance on 4 June 2024 and immediately began a thorough investigation."

Paschkov joined the company in mid-2024.

PETA calls for criminal charges to be brought against the delivery driver

Colin Henstock, associate director of project strategy for PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), questioned the timing of when Paschkov said Vermont Packinghouse was aware of the abuse  the day after it happened on June 3.

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"I don't think that this actually was something they learned about the next day," Henstock said. "Their response in the (USDA) noncompliance record stated employees were at the scene and did not intervene during the pig abuse by the truck driver."

PETA called on Windsor County State's Attorney Wade Goodenough in a Nov. 26 letter to bring criminal charges against the driver, who was caught on video kicking and shoving the pigs, but so far has not gotten a response to the letter, according to a Henstock.

Goodenough did not return a request for comment from the Burlington Free Press. The Springfield Police Department, however, confirmed that it has an ongoing investigation into the June 3 incident at Vermont Packinghouse.

PETA said in a news release it is pursuing charges against the driver under state law because federal officials haven't prosecuted any inspected slaughterhouses for acts of abuse since at least 2007.

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"Charges under state law (are) the only chance for justice," Henstock said.

Pigs were likely suffering from heat stroke

The USDA report in November said a federal veterinarian had diagnosed the pigs as suffering from Porcine Stress Syndrome or "malignant hyperthermia," which are well documented concerns in pigs, especially during or after transport in warm weather.

"The pigs observed to be already pushed off the trailer and in the barn were all laterally recumbent and panting heavily," the report says. "No (interventions) by the establishment were taken in the barn to address this immediate animal welfare concern."

There was an attempt to use water to spray the pigs and "encourage their movement off the trailer and cool them down," but only hot water was available near the truck, which didn't help on either count, according to the report.

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"After the 'hot water' implementation, no change was made by the establishment to find/utilize cool water during the entire incident, which lasted more than one hour and half," the report concluded.

Vermont Packinghouse's changes in response to the June incident

In his statement to the Burlington Free Press, Paschkov said Vermont Packinghouse has implemented several significant changes in response to the June incident:

A ramp has been added when needed to facilitate safe and stress-free unloading of all livestock.

Hogs are now accepted only before 9 a.m. to minimize the risk of heat stress during transport in hotter weather days during June through September.

An employee is now dedicated to overseeing unloading to ensure humane handling practices are followed. Employees were trained on proper steps to take if a situation occurs.

All third-party commercial haulers must complete certified humane animal handling training by Jan. 1, 2025, as a prerequisite to doing business with Vermont Packinghouse.

Vermont Packinghouse's new general manager and chief operating officer is enhancing oversight (to) ensure compliance with all animal welfare standards and working closely with all plant staff.

In addition, Paschkov said Vermont Packinghouse's humane handling plans have been revised to "explicitly address heat stress and other animal welfare risks during transportation and unloading." The plans were shared with the USDA to make sure they align with federal regulations and best practices, according to Paschkov.

"We fully recognize the gravity of this situation and remain dedicated to preventing future occurrences," Paschkov said. "Vermont Packinghouse continues to uphold its commitment to humane animal handling as a cornerstone of our operations and values."

There were previous incidents of inhumane treatment of animals at the slaughterhouse

PETA's Henstock pointed out that Vermont Packinghouse has "a history of animal abuse and suffering."

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In May 2017, the Burlington Free Press reported the USDA had temporarily suspended operations several times at Vermont Packinghouse for inhumane treatment of animals involving botched slaughters of both cattle and pigs.

The managing partner of the business told the Free Press then that Vermont Packinghouse admitted the botched slaughters, and "remains committed to humane handling and and public transparency." Arion Thibourmery said the slaughterhouse had made "substantive changes to do better."

In June 2017, the Burlington Free Press reported the Vermont Agency of Agriculture had charged Vermont Packinghouse with six counts of violating the state's humane slaughter laws and imposed a $1,500 administrative penalty, which was later adjudicated to $1,250, according to the agency.

"These pigs were individuals with unique personalities, just like our dogs and cats in our homes," Henstock said. "Just because they're not considered companion animals doesn't mean they're not capable of feeling fear and pain. They deserve legal protection from egregious abuse like this."

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Contact Dan DAmbrosio at 660-1841 or ddambrosio@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanDambrosioVT.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: USDA reports animal cruelty at Vermont Packinghouse - what happened
MORRISTOWN, Vt. (AP)  A Vermont school districts inadequate response to serious and widespread harassment of Black and biracial students has led to a settlement agreement with the federal government, the U.S. Justice Department said Wednesday.

The departments Civil Rights Division and the Vermont U.S. attorneys office began investigating the Elmore-Morristown Unified Union School District in December 2023 and reviewed records and complaints from the previous three school years. Investigators concluded that students, primarily at the middle school level, faced frequent slurs and racist imagery, including the use of the N-word and displays of confederate flags and Nazi symbols.

Racial harassment makes students feel unsafe, deprives them of a supportive educational environment and violates the Constitutions most basic promise of equal protection, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said in a statement. We look forward to the district demonstrating to its students that racial bullying and harassment have no place in its schools.

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Superintendent Ryan Heraty said Wednesday those comments dont reflect the districts current reality given that there has been a dramatic decrease in such incidents.

When students returned from the pandemic, we saw a significant increase in behavior at the middle level, which was deeply concerning, he said in an email. In response, we have taken many intentional actions to address this behavior, which the DOJ recognized in its review.

In a letter to parents and other community members Tuesday, Heraty said the district stands firmly against any acts of racism and responds immediately to reported incidents. In the current academic year, there have been no reported incidents of race-based harassment at the districts elementary school and a very limited number at the middle and high schools, he said.

The Justice Department said the district cooperated fully with the investigation and has already implemented some improvements, including adopting a central reporting system to track incidents. The district also agreed to revise anti-harassment policies and procedures, hold listening sessions with student groups and conduct formal training and education programs for students and staff.
The View co-host Sunny Hostin's husband Emmanuel "Manny" Hostin has been named in a recent lawsuit.

Emmanuel, an orthopedic surgeon in New York, is among over 200 defendants who were named in a lawsuit filed last month, which reportedly accuses The View host's husband of federal insurance fraud.

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According to a report from the Daily Mail, Emmanuel is alleged to have received "kickbacks" by "performing surgery and fraudulently billing" the insurance company American Transit, which insures taxi companies and Uber and Lyft drivers.

The lawsuit, filed on Dec. 17, is reported to be one of the largest Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) cases ever filed in New York. Emmanuel, along with many others, is accused of having "knowingly provided fraudulent medical and other healthcare services including arthroscopic surgeries."

American Transit claims to have been billed "in exchange for kickbacks and/or other compensation which were disguised as dividends or other cash distributions."

Emmanuel has been married to Sunny since 1998 and shares two children with the talk show host, a lawyer and former federal prosecutor.

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According to a statement provided to the Daily Mail, Emmanuel's lawyer, Daniel Thwaites, said that his client "denies each and every allegation" and believes the lawsuit to be a "blanket, scattershot, meritless lawsuit by a near-bankrupt insurance carrier."

Parade also reached out to Emmanuel's lawyer but did not immediately hear back.

Next: The View's Sunny Hostin Makes Ominous Prediction After Donald Trump Vows to Pardon Jan. 6 Rioters
SHREVEPORT, La (KTAL/KMSS)  If you are a car enthusiast or own a vintage/classic car worth showcasing, a local business invites the community to their car show.

On Saturday, 11 January, the family owned and operated, vintage car dealership, Fondrens Classic Cars & Guitars is hosting a CRUISE & JAM NIGHT 2025 featuring an evening of music, cars and food.

According to the American Collectors, the classification of a car is by the year it was manufactured:

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Vintage car : Manufactured between 1919-1930 Either a survivor or restored in conformance to the original manufacturer specifications

Antique Car : Manufactured 1975 or earlier (>45 years old). Either a survivor or restored in conformance to the original manufacturer specifications

Classic Car: Manufactured 2000 or earlier (>20 years old)

Fleetwood Mac fans, Shreveport Symphony one-night-only tribute

According to their social media post, the jam night encourages musicians to bring their instruments and come prepared to impress and have fun. The event begins at 4 p.m. and rolls till 9 p.m.

Got a ride worth showing off? Roll on down and cruise with us in style, writes Fondrens Classic Cars & Guitars.

Fondrens notes the vintage car show is open for all ages.

They share there will be food from Cajun Asian food truck, and drinks for all. Located next to Taqueria La Michocana Mexican restaurant at 2915 Youree Drive, Shreveport.

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Democrats won a pair of special legislative elections in Northern Virginia on Tuesday, according to The Associated Press, allowing the party to maintain its narrow majorities in both chambers.

The special elections, both in districts in suburban Loudoun County, were the first since President-elect Donald Trump won a second term in November. While Democrats were favored, the results offered an early test of the political environment in Virginia, which is hosting a major governors race this year and where Republicans have made inroads in recent years.

In a special state Senate election, Democrat Kannan Srinivasan, currently a member of the state House, defeated Republican Tumay Harding. The seat had been vacant after Sen. Suhas Subramanyam was elected to Congress in November.

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And in a special House race, Democrat JJ Singh, a former Capitol Hill aide and small-business owner, defeated Republican Ram Venkatachalam. The seat was left vacant after Srinivasan decided to run for the state Senate.

Republican Luther Cifers, who runs a kayak sales company, defeated Democrat Jack Trammell in a third special election Tuesday in a Senate district west of Richmond. The seat was left vacant when Sen. John McGuire, who narrowly defeated U.S. Rep. Bob Good in a bitter Republican primary last year, was elected to Congress.

The candidates in all three races had been expected to win: Vice President Kamala Harris won the two Loudoun County districts comfortably, while Trump easily carried the Richmond-area district last year, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

But special elections in off years, typically low-turnout affairs, can be unpredictable. In addition, voters had to deal with a winter storm that barreled through the region this week.

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After Srinivasan and Cifers take office, Democrats will hold a 21-19 majority in the state Senate. If Democrats had lost the special election for the Loudoun County seat, control of the chamber would have gone to the Republicans, because GOP Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears holds tiebreaking authority.

After Singh is sworn in, Democrats will maintain their 51-49 majority in the House of Delegates. A win by the Republican candidate would have resulted in a 50-50 tie.

In a statement, Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee president Heather Williams, whose group helped both of the partys candidates in the Loudoun County races, said that the decisive victories of Delegate-elect Singh and Senator-elect Srinivasan reinforce our Democratic majorities in Virginia and keep our critical firewall of Democratic state legislatures strong.

Srinivasan and Singh both largely focused their races on partisan control of their chambers, reproductive rights and gun safety. Democratic lawmakers in Virginia have signaled that theyll focus on advancing a constitutional amendment that would enshrine abortion rights.

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The results will also have ramifications for the final year of Republican Gov. Glenn Younkgin's tenure and the race to succeed him.

With Democrats maintaining state legislative control, it could be more difficult for Youngkin to score any meaningful policy wins as he potentially lays the groundwork for a bid for higher office.

This November's Virginia governor's race will also be one of the most closely watched contests in 2025.

On the Republican side, Earle-Sears, the first Black woman to hold statewide office in Virginia, is the front-runner. For the Democrats, U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger is the only declared candidate.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
RICHMOND, Va. (AP)  There were no surprises in Virginias three special elections this week, but that won't stop political observers from looking for clues about voter sentiment in the first official election since President Donald Trump's sweeping victories in November.

Democrats protected their slim statehouse majority by winning two overlapping, left-leaning districts in special elections that Republicans had hoped would help them gain legislative control and build on the momentum that came with winning not only the White House but both chambers of Congress.

Still, Virginia is not likely to leave the national spotlight anytime soon. It's one of two states, along with New Jersey, that conducts its governor's contest in the year immediately following a presidential race, and a fierce partisan fight is expected. Observers also will be monitoring the prospects of incumbent Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who is term-limited and has been flagged as a possible presidential contender in 2028 but must now contend with a Democratic legislature in his final year in office.

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The special elections took place on the eve of the lawmakers legislative session. As officials gaveled in on Wednesday, Democrats had a narrow 21-19 edge in the state Senate and a 51-49 lead in the House of Delegates just hours after Democrats Kannan Srinivasan and JJ Singhs victories in northern Loudoun County. In the third race, voters elected Republican Luther Cifers in a conservative district  as predicted by politicos.

The races, particularly the contests in Loudoun, garnered national attention as onlookers monitored Democratic turnout amid post-election exhaustion. Following a snowstorm that closed public schools for days, some residents shoveled out of their driveways to head to the polls. About 19% of eligible voters in Loudoun County cast a ballot in Tuesdays election, though those numbers are preliminary as Virginia allows mail ballots to arrive after Election Day. By rough comparison, nearly 16% of the countys eligible voters showed up in a 2019 special state senate election in the same region, though there has since been statewide redistricting.

Unlike electoral contests in most states, Virginia holds most state races in odd-numbered years. In 2025, the executive branch and all 100 seats in the House of Delegates will be on the ballot, making the special races the first of the year but not the last. Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, said unlike the special elections, Virginia at-large is more competitive, rendering the races a better indicator of where voters are nationally.

The upcoming governors race would be a much better gauge of political fortunes than three special elections, Farnsworth said, adding: There will be no shortage of national money coming into Virginia from both parties. Republicans want to demonstrate that the Trump movement is alive and well by winning a race in Virginia. Democrats want to demonstrate that the Trump movement is past its peak.

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So far, only Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and former Democratic U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger have entered the race to succeed Youngkin. Youngkin is term-limited in Virginia, making 2025 his final year as governor unless the conservative decides to run in 2029 or later.

There are no indicators, however, that Youngkin has a second term in mind. After opting out of a White House bid last year, Youngkin is one of many Republicans believed to be considering a presidential run in 2028.

He is for now embarking on his last year in Virginias executive mansion this term, a period that could be complicated by the closely-divided Legislature. Last month, the governor presented budget amendments to the General Assemblys money committees, in which he proposed providing tax relief on tips and cars to give money back to middle- and lower-income workers.

Its too soon to say whether those provisions will be approved by Democratic lawmakers. Farnsworth said Youngkin, whose proposals are contingent on bipartisan support, would need to offer some pretty major incentives to get Democrats on board.

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This will be a session that will be devoted largely to making the other side look bad, he said. Youngkin will propose some things that the Democrats dont want. Democrats will put forward some things that arent appealing to Republicans, and then they both go into the election telling their base: Were looking out for you, but we cant do this by ourselves.

___

Olivia Diaz is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
A planning commission in a Virginia county has voted unanimously to recommend denial of a rezoning application from Balico LLC, an industrial developer seeking to build multiple natural gas-fired generation units as part of a large data center campus. The Pittsylvania County planning commission voted Jan. 7 to deny Virginia-based Balico permission to proceed with the $8.85-billion project. Balico recently had revised its plan for the complex, reducing the size from more than 2,200 acres to about 760 acres. The company in October of last year had asked the county to allow rezoning of the acreage from agricultural to industrial. Balico in its initial application provided plans showing a complex featuring several mobile gas turbines, a permanent natural gas-fired power plant, and multiple data centers. POWER had reported that the site could include as much as 3,500 MW of gas-fired generation capacity. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership has said the state is the largest data center market in the world. The group said Virginia is home to 35%, our about 150, of all known hyperscale data centers worldwide. Residents in the area of the proposed complex have pushed back against the project, in part due to concerns about losing farmland. An application filed for the project shows that acreage would be adjacent to more than 100 property owners. The countys Board of Supervisors is expected to make a final decision on the project on Feb. 18. As the five-hour board meeting on Tuesday was wrapping up, Steven Gould, the attorney representing Balico, asked the planning commission to hold off for at least one month before making a recommendation to the Pittsylvania Board of Supervisors about approval or denial of the rezoning request. There is no harm in receiving more information, Gould said. There is no harm in additional consideration. Colette Henderson, vice chair of the planning commission, moved to recommend denying the project, with the motion supported unanimously by the commission members. The reason is because I feel there has been a lack of transparency, Henderson said.

Revised Plans

Balico in November of last year said it would revise its original plans. Irfan Ali, founder and managing member of the company, in a statement at that time said, To be clear, we are not abandoning the project. Alis comments came after the Herndon-based company held two community meetings with residents during the last week of October. Based on those discussions, we have identified assorted changes to our plan that we believe will address many questions posed and, at the same time, improve our proposal, Ali said. Balicos statement in November said area business leaders were supportive of the data center project, which the company said would provide as many as 700 high-paying jobs. The companys statement said, They recognize the transformative economic impact that this project, which includes a dedicated power source, could have on the region. Especially its potential to generate millions [of dollars] for education, recreation, and public safety while also keeping property taxes low for residents across the county. Commissioners on Tuesday voted before the public hearing to remove one of the land parcels from Balicos revised application, which included 14 parcels totaling 763 acres, down from the original 47 parcels totaling 2,233 acres in the first application from October. The total acreage in the new request was 747 acres across 13 land parcels. Gould on Tuesday said Balico would still prefer to pursue a project of the original size at some point.

Rezoning to Allow Industrial Use

An agenda for Tuesdays meeting said Balico was requesting 13 parcels be rezoned from agricultural and residential suburban to heavy industry. The companys new plan calls for 12 data center buildings (down from an original 84) and a 3,500-MW natural gas-fired power plant. The original documents filed with the county showed the site would have 15 Mitsubishi FT8 Mobilepac mobile gas turbines, each capable of generating 30 MW of electricity. The original plan also included a second-phase development that would include a permanent gas-fired power plant featuring multiple Mitsubishi M501JAC gas turbines, in a simple-cycle configuration. Mitsubishi rates the M501JAC as generating 330 MW to 453 MW in standalone configuration. Drawings of the site filed as part of the original application showed a switchyard and electrical substation, and also include a wastewater treatment facility. The documents also showed easements for gas pipelines. The 303-mile Mountain Valley Pipeline, which carries natural gas from the Marcellus and Utica shale plays, runs near the site and was mentioned in the application. Balico also was behind plans to build the 1.6-GW Chickahominy power plant in Virginia, a project that was abandoned in 2022 amid opposition from several groups. The company wanted to build a natural gas pipeline across six counties to supply the plant. PJM Interconnection, the regional grid operator, canceled an interconnection request from the company in that same year, citing a lack of progress in meeting development deadlines. Darrell Proctor is a senior editor for POWER.
In a viral clip, an unwed teenager is forced to apologize to her church congregation for her pregnancy, causing online debate. Shared on Instagram by media personality and journalist Jemele Hill, the video comes from the True Vine Apostolic Church in Hampton, VA., led by Bishop Terry Jackson and First Lady Sister Paulette Jackson.

A Virginia pastor made a teenage girl stand up before the congregation to apologize for being pregnant, details Hill in her caption. I have a lot of thoughts but Im going to let yall have it. But Ill just say this: The only person who should be ashamed in this scenario is the pastor. I hope she finds a new church home.

In the clip, a young girl stands in front of full pews emotionally announcing, I want to apologize to everybody in here because I am pregnant Im sorry yall. I just hope that yall all forgive me. The church members rise to their feet and clapped after she ended with a request for prayer as the pastor returns to the podium.

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If you sin, you dont wait till the baby come to repent she already know[s] what time it is, he preached. We aint gon condone your sin now we aint gon do that. Aint no baby showers going on, thats what you lose out on. When you have a baby out of wedlock you dont get a baby shower and nobody at this church should attend one.

Comments in Hills upload ultimately support the unnamed girl and condemn the church for the public shame. Sunny Hostin even offered, I will host the baby shower. Pls contact me sweetheart. Your baby will be celebrated and loved.

As the clip continued to make digital rounds, a woman claiming to be the grandmother of the infant shared her response to the backlash.

To everyone thats concerned, we greatly appreciate it. However, I do want you to know that you all are interrupting my peace and is causing more damage than good. You are showing up disrupting my church, my beliefs, and disrespecting my pastor. I am where I want to be and where I chose to be. We were not forced or manipulated to stand before the congregation. My daughter willingly approached the congregation and was welcomed and embraced with open arms. I stand on what Ive been taught, and Im raising my daughter to do the same, writes Dee Myles in a Facebook comment shared by The Neighborhood Talk.

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According to the churchs official website, Bishop Terry Jacksons goal is to fulfill the Lords work by teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering baptism for the remission of sins, and bringing new souls into the fold.

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The Route 725 bridge in Taylors Valley over Laurel Creek damaged by Hurricane Helene. (Courtesy of Virginia Department of Transportation).

Federal lawmakers announced Tuesday that Virginia is receiving over $46 million to support the commonwealths Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, which wreaked havoc in Southwest Virginia last September and left three Virginians dead.

Virginia Democratic U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced that the $46,670,000 in federal funding was part of the disaster relief package that lawmakers passed to keep the federal government open until March 14.

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The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development allocated the funding from its Community Development Block Grant  Disaster Recovery program, which provides flexible funding to support long-term recovery efforts in impacted communities, including restoration of public infrastructure, homes, and businesses, and funding for job training, workforce development, and loans and grants to support economic revitalization and local businesses.

On Sept. 25, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency before Hurricane Helene roared across Southwest Virginia, spurring serious flooding and leaving millions of dollars in damages in its wake. The governors office announced in December that over 310,000 Virginians lost power due to severe damage to electric distribution infrastructure, and 484 primary and secondary roads and 118 bridges were closed.

Weve both visited Southwest Virginia in the wake of Hurricane Helene to hear directly from those impacted by the stormand rebuilding those communities remains a top priority, the senators said in a statement. We were glad to secure these resources in the end-of-year package because this flexible funding is going to be critical to helping communities rebuild where its most needed. We will continue to support individuals across Southwest Virginia as they build back their homes, businesses, and communities.

In the aftermath of the storm, Warner and Kaine joined local and state leaders in meeting with Virginians impacted by Hurricane Helene in Southwest Virginia to tour the damage and discuss federal support.

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According to the senators offices, Kaine and Warner voted with federal lawmakers to pass a short-term government funding legislation that included $110 billion in disaster relief for communities impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Last October, the offices said the senators also successfully urged the Biden Administration to submit a supplemental funding request to cover the costs associated with the hurricanes and successfully secured robust disaster relief funding for public lands and federal lands in Southwest Virginia.

In December, Youngkin laid out a $127 million proposal to support Virginians impacted by Helene. The plan includes $25 million from the General Fund and $102 Million from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)s 2023 final payment and interest.

Youngkins administration has sought to withdraw from RGGI, a program aimed to reduce climate changing emissions that has funneled hundreds of millions to the state to deal with the impacts of extreme weather events.

Our fellow Virginians have suffered an unimaginable impact from Hurricane Helene. As we continue to work with our federal, state, and local partners on the path to recovery and rebuilding, the creation of the Disaster Assistance Fund is a critical step toward ensuring the Commonwealth has a reserve fund in place to address unmet needs where they exist in our communities in the wake of natural disasters, Youngkin said in a statement.

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Virginia opened five disaster recovery centers to assist Virginians since Oct. 7, 2024, with more projected in Southwest. The locations are in Damascus, Dublin, Independence, Marion and Tazewell.

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Sens.-elect Luther Cifers, R-Prince Edward, Kannan Srinivasan, D-Loudoun, and Del.-elect JJ Singh, D-Loudoun. (Courtesy of their campaigns)

Three newly elected lawmakers are set to join the Virginia General Assembly after winning special elections on Tuesday, but their victories leave the balance of power in the closely divided legislature unchanged.

Republican Luther Cifers claimed victory in the 10th Senate District, while Democrats Kannan Srinivasan and JJ Singh won in the 32nd Senate District and the 26th House District, respectively. While the results reinforce each partys hold on its traditional strongholds, they offer little insight into how the high-stakes 2025 gubernatorial election in Virginia might unfold.

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Cifers win in the 10th District, which stretches across 11 localities from Lynchburg in the west to Richmonds suburbs in the east, keeps the seat in Republican hands after it was vacated by John McGuire, who was elected to represent Virginias 5th Congressional District in November, succeeding former U.S. Rep. Bob Good, R-Farmville.

Cifers defeated Democrat Jack Trammell with 58.55% to 41.32% out of 16,265 votes cast, according to unofficial results by the Virginia Department of Elections by 8:15 p.m. Tuesday. A spokesman for Cifers did not respond to text messages seeking comment.

In the 32nd Senate District, which comprises parts of Northern Virginia, Srinivasan, a former member of the Virginia House of Delegates, defeated Tumay Harding, the Republican nominee, with 61.25% to 38.62% out of 29,621 votes cast.

Srinivasan campaigned on protecting abortion rights, expanding health care access and investing in public education, and he will take on a seat formerly held by Suhas Subramanyam, who now represents Virginias 10th Congressional District.

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I am deeply humbled by the opportunity to continue representing our community and its values, Srinivasan said in a statement Tuesday evening.

I will always advocate for a womans right to control her own body, continue to fund education so our children can get the high-quality and affordable education they deserve, will not back down from critical issues like gun violence prevention, and will work tirelessly to lower costs for everyday Loudoun families.

Meanwhile, Democrat JJ Singh emerged victorious in the 26th House District, which also includes parts of Loudoun County, filling the vacancy left by Srinivasan.

The first Sikh-American elected to Virginias House of Delegates, Singh defeated Republican Ram Venkatachalam with 61.49% to 38.33% out of 9,940 votes cast, running on a platform focused on economic growth, infrastructure improvements, and environmental protection.

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Singh said in a statement that as the son of Indian immigrants, he was taught the values of working hard, serving others and persevering through tough times.

In Richmond, I will take on the toughest fights, Singh said. I ran in this race because my two daughters have fewer rights than my wife did. Gun violence is the number one cause of death for kids. And college tuition costs have skyrocketed. Now its time to take on those challenges.

Despite the new faces, the partisan makeup of the General Assembly remains unchanged. Democrats maintain a 21-19 edge in the Senate and a 51-49 majority in the House of Delegates  a fact that party officials celebrated after the results came in Tuesday evening.

With our majority, Democrats will be able to advance key constitutional amendments this session as well as pass bills that lower daily costs, protect our fundamental freedoms, create safer communities, and grow our economy, Democratic Party of Virginia Chair Susan Swecker said in a statement.

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And Democratic National Committee Executive Director Roger Lau said that in Tuesdays special elections in Virginia, everything was at stake  including the state codification of Roe v. Wade, an expansion of voting rights, and protections for marriage equality. These two tremendous candidates will continue Virginias economic growth and stand as a backstop against the extremism of Donald Trump and Glenn Youngkin.

Political analysts said the results signal voters preference for continuity as lawmakers prepare to tackle key issues, including tax relief, education funding, and reproductive rights during the upcoming session.

Tuesdays results came as no surprise, according to David Richards, a political science professor at the University of Lynchburg.

Cifers was running in a very strong Republican district and was well-liked. He also checked off the Trump-supporter box, which certainly did not hurt him and probably helped him get the margin he did.

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Richards noted that while Republicans had more moderate candidates to choose from, voters rewarded someone firmly aligned with Trump. This means that most GOP candidates this fall will have to at least pay fealty to Trump, if not actually actively work for his agenda, he added.

Democratic victories in Senate District 32 and House District 26 mean control of the House of Delegates and Senate will remain unchanged, potentially complicating Gov. Glenn Youngkins final year in office, Richards said.

The results also indicate a tough road ahead for both parties in this years gubernatorial and legislative races. Richards observed that Democrats remain dominant in northern and urban areas, while Republicans hold firm in rural regions, especially in the south and west.

The results dont portend a blue wave or a MAGA surge in November; instead, it will be a bruising battle where flipping a district will be difficult, Richards said. Neither party can afford to rest or rely just on their base to win close districts.

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The new lawmakers were set to be sworn in Wednesday, but the formal launch of the General Assemblys 2025 session has been delayed until next week due to a water crisis that temporarily closed local and state government buildings in Richmond.

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ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  Since 2019, Abilenes Love and Care Ministries has hosted assembly nights on the first and second Mondays and Tuesdays of each month.

Volunteers from all walks of life were given a task and put to the test, assembling thousands of snack packs to be distributed to Big Country students experiencing homelessness or nutritional difficulty in 10 different area school districts.

We try to make it fun. Weve got the music, weve got a lot of activity going on. We do not keep people past that hour no matter whats going on. Said Love & Care Director of Ministry, Terry Davis.

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On Tuesday, January 7, volunteers like Shawnte Fleming took about 45 minutes to put together about 3,400 of those packs. Though this was her first time volunteering for this project, she says she was pleasantly surprised at its swift and efficient operation.

Were all strangers, but were all coming together for this great cause. This is what it means to look out for other residents right here, and I love this. Im so glad I came out tonight. Fleming said.

Davis attributes the ease of operation to the simplicity of the process and newcomers assistance from former volunteers.

The bags come; you put the item in the bag and pass it on. A person could have never done it before, and theyll be here maybe two, three minutes and go, oh, this is not hard to do at all. Davis said.

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Experienced employees like Cody Wheeler help that process move smoothly. Wheeler joined Love & Care in November, participating in about nine events, give or take. However, only recently did he discover that the program had impacted his life long before then.

I didnt know that this is where those care packs my son received came from. Gods got a plan for everything, brother. Wheeler said.

His young son was also present Tuesday night. This was his third time helping with the event, and Healer added that he is proud that his son is taking on such a kind task.

It fills my heart knowing that were at least guiding him in the right direction. Said Wheeler.

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The Love & Care Ministries website has information and links to donate if you want to volunteer an hour or contribute financially to the mission. The over 3,000 packs assembled Tuesday night will be distributed to 10 school districts across the Big Country. Once there, district staff will hand them out to students needing nutritional assistance over the weekend.

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Montpelier, VT (myCV)  As a snowstorm blanketed the golden dome in white Tuesday afternoon, it was more of a calm before the storm type of feeling inside the Vermont Statehouse, as the next legislative session is about to kick off on Wednesday.

Under the dome a day early on Tuesday was longtime State Rep. Laura Sibilia, an independent from Dover. Along with having Vermonts biggest issues on her mind heading into the new term, shes focused on winning a race.

Specifically, the race for Speaker of the House.

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It was very clear to me in the last biennium that we were not making the kind of progress that was necessary, given what I was seeing on the ground, Sibilia said Tuesday. It became clear that if something was going to happen that was different, it was going to have to be me, and we know nothing changes if nothing changes.

Sibilia is trying to unseat current House Speaker Jill Krowinski, a Democrat from Burlington whos led the lower chamber since 2021.

According to Sarah Copeland Hanzas, Vermonts Secretary of State, its not unheard of to have a contested race for House Speaker. However, she says the thing that makes this race unique is Sibilia has been campaigning and fundraising for it, something thats never been done before for this position.

Copeland Hanzas says the first-of-its-kind situation has caused her team to keep a close eye on Vermonts campaign finance laws to make sure Sibilia and her campaign team arent breaking any rules. The Secretary of State said Tuesday that Sibilia and her team have been transparent about their fundraising, and that in Sibilias case as an independent lawmaker, it actually makes sense.

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I think its slightly unusual for there to be someone whos fundraising in order to become speaker, but again, when you look at the context of where were at, the candidate whos fundraising is an independent, Copeland Hanzas said. She doesnt necessarily have the party structure around her that would ordinarily be, you know, a group of people who might help her with her speaker candidacy.

It is unusual, Sibilia acknowledged. But you know what? This is our government. Im just a regular person who sees that somethings not working right, and that we should try to do something different.

Sibilia said that as of Tuesday, her campaign has raised close to $10,000, most of which has been donated by Vermonters. Shes also asked her supporters to tell their local state representatives to vote for her on Wednedsay.

Sibilia adds that she already has the support of some Democratic and Progressive members of the House, and thinks if she can get all Republicans to back her, she has a good chance at winning speakership.

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If Sibilia does win, it would be the first time in 20 years the Vermont House Speaker has not been a Democrat. The last one was Walter Freed, a Republican who held the position from 2001 to 2005.

All 150 state reps will make their pick for House Speaker at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, with simple majority rules. Copeland Hanzas will oversee the secret ballot vote, and share the results later Wednesday morning.

Tune into ABC22 News at 6 & 7 Wednesday night to hear the results.

Note: We reached out to Speaker Krowinskis team for comment, but did not hear back.

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DELHI, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH)  A Walton man was sentenced to felony probation after admitting that he possessed a sexual image of a young child.

Delaware County District Attorney Shawn Smith announced that Spencer Gransbury, 36, pleaded guilty to Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child, a Class E Felony.

In November 2023, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a cybertip of child sex abuse material being viewed with a phone number associated to it. After a thorough investigation conducted by the New York State Police, the number was found to be Gransburys cell phone.

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Gransbury admitted that he downloaded a photograph of a child, who was around the age of 10 years old, engaging in sexual conduct. Gransbury said he possessed the picture for his own sexual gratification.

Gransbury was sentenced to ten years of felony probation with sex offenders terms and conditions. The sex offender terms and conditions prohibit Gransbury from interacting with any individual under the age of 18 without the direct supervision of an adult that is approved by the probation officer. The terms and conditions also prohibit Gransbury from entering any place that children congregate. In addition, all of the Gransburys electronic devices will be subjected to monitoring by the Delaware County Probation Department. Gransbury will also be required to register as a sex offender for at least 20 years.

Individuals that view child pornography create a market which results in children being sexually exploited. I will continue to work with law enforcement to hold these people accountable, said Smith.

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AUSTIN (KXAN)  Texans hoping to play the lottery without talking to a cashier will need to expect to add another step to their process at self-serve vending machines.

People using Texas Lottery self-service vending machines now need to scan their government-issued photo ID before purchasing games or redeeming prizes to prove they are at least 18, which is the state age requirement to participate in the Texas Lottery.

The Texas Lottery Commission implemented the age verification on Dec. 30, 2024, to ensure all players meet the age requirement. The commission said in a release the new age verification feature is intended to help retailers better monitor the vending machines to prevent underage purchases.

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Age verification is required for people looking to purchase scratch tickets or draw game tickets from lottery vending machines across the state. Players will be prompted before they can pay or select a game. Theyll do so by following the steps below, per the Texas Lottery:

Scan long barcode on back of drivers license or ID.

Use the same scanner for checking lottery tickets. Hold ID horizontally underneath the scanner, barcode facing up.

Move ID around until a beep confirms the barcode was read.

Difficulty scanning? Cover the smaller UPC barcode and try moving ID closer and farther away from scanner.

Texas Lottery self-service vending machine (Image courtesy: Texas Lottery)

According to the Texas Lottery, no data from the ID is collected or stored, and scanning an ID is for age verification only.

The new age verification measure will support retail staff in enforcing existing rules to prohibit minors from buying lottery tickets, said Ryan Mindell, Texas Lottery Commission executive director. We are working closely with our licensed retailers to ensure a smooth transition and help players understand the importance of this change.

If an ID is not scanning, it could be because of one of the following reasons:

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Damaged/scratched barcodes

Expired drivers license

Older versions of Texas IDs and some out-of-state IDs may not have the required PDF417 barcode administered by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA).

Some other forms of identification may not scan or be able to verify age.

Ask retailer for assistance or purchase games at the counter if the ID will not scan.

It is a Class C misdemeanor to intentionally or knowingly sell or offer to sell a lottery ticket to a person the retailer knows is younger than 18 years old, according to the Texas Lottery.

The Texas Lottery also said retailers are not authorized to pay a prize claimed by a minor or by an adult presenting a prize-winning ticket on behalf of a minor. Violation of these laws and rules will result in an investigation and may lead to revocation of the retailers lottery sales license.

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 KXAN Austin.
WARREN, Ohio (WKBN)  Warren City Council will soon consider legislation that will hopefully decrease the number of problem rental properties in the city but to pay for it, the permit fee for landlords needs to be raised by 42 percent.

The plan was presented Tuesday afternoon to a council committee where it was decided it be forwarded to all of council for a vote.

It was Deputy Health Commissioner John May who presented the plan to help solve Warrens rental property problems to the councils Health and Welfare Committee.

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Some of the living conditions within these multiplexes and or single-family dwellings are just below the standards, said May.



May said there are 6,625 rental units in Warren. Hes proposing raising the landlord permit fees by 42 to 44 percent, depending on the number of units.

For example, a single dwelling permit fee would go from $84 a year to $120 a year. The extra money would hire two more housing inspectors and allow for every unit to be inspected at least once every four years.

Any landlord I know, I dont care where they live at, theyre going to want to protect their property, said Tony Angelo.



Tony Angelo is Warrens only housing inspector. Angelo said adding two inspectors will triple the number of housing cases in the courts  cases that take 9 to 15 months to complete  and cases that end with fines that the landlords dont pay anyway. Angelo wants to evict the tenants.

And thats the only way I can see is through the legal process, we do the eviction and theyll get a hold of their landlords or someone will get a hold of us if they have to move out, Angelo said.



Vince Flask is Warrens City Auditor and also a landlord. If the fee is raised, he wants to see all landlords complying with the laws.

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If youre not going to get more for your money out of it, and this is just going to be heres another $36. I dont think thats fair, Flask said.



Safety Service Director Eddie Colbert, who is also a landlord, said sometimes its the tenants fault and that everyone needs to be more responsible.

Because weve become a nation of laws and cameras that everybodys going to comply. We need as people to do better, Colbert said.

Other ideas brought up were publicizing landlords who dont comply with Warrens zoning laws and shaming them into fixing up their units  or creating a rewards system for landlords that do comply, giving them an incentive to maintain their properties.





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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
WARREN, Ohio (WKBN)  Warren Municipal Court opened up its doors for the first session of night court Tuesday.

It will be a weekly session with alternating courtrooms to allow people with other obligations a better chance to have their case heard.

Judge Patty Knepp presided over the first session of night court in Warrens Municipal Court. There was only one case on the docket.

Its been something Judge Knepp has wanted to see happen since last year.

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You have people that work day turn, you have people that work afternoon shift, you have people that work midnights, you have people that just dont have days off. I looked at that time frame and this way we can accommodate their schedule just by extending another session for night court, Knepp said.

Somebody could have a case against them and if they dont appear for court, they could get a capias for their arrest. Nobody wants to have to go to jail, said Knepp.

Night court will be held Tuesdays from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Each month it alternates between Judge Knepps and Judge Natasha Natales court.

To start, they arent opening up the court to everything.

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We are starting it with our contested cases, which may be your pretrials, your second pretrials, youre status conferences, suppression hearings, preliminary matters, Knepp said.

The plan is to only have those types of appearances for 6 months before they open court up more.

Warrens Municipal Court works with five different law enforcement agencies covering Warren City, Warren Township, Howland and Champion.

Judge Knepp says this type of court is very important for the public.

If somebody cant take time off or cant get away or live paycheck to paycheck or have other obligations, how else do they address their grievances or their matters? They have to go to court. Its that important to me, she said.





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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A Warren man who federal agents said took delivery of 36 bricks of fentanyl and cocaine has been charged with drug crimes.

A criminal complaint was filed Tuesday in the U.S. Northern District Court of Ohio charging Andre Bowers, 54, with attempted possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

Bowers was booked into the Mahoning County Jail Monday by members of the U.S. Federal Drug Enforcement Agency after a search warrant was served at a North Park Avenue home in Warren where he was spotted by federal agents who tracked two cars being delivered from California to the home.

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He is being held in detention pending a hearing on Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carmen E. Henderson.

An affidavit accompanying the criminal complaint said troopers with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, along with federal agents, were tracking two cars being shipped from California to Youngstown and they pulled over the trailer they were being delivered on Saturday on Interstate 70 near Vandalia.

The person driving the trailer gave permission for the cars authorities were tracking to be searched. In a hidden compartment in both cars, authorities reported finding 36 total bricks of drugs, 18 per car.

Investigators allowed the vehicles to be delivered as planned but conducted surveillance during that time.

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Bowers met the truck about 7 p.m. at an undisclosed location in Warren, paid the driver, and drove one of the cars back to the house on North Park Avenue. He later returned and drove the second vehicle there also, the affidavit said.

Investigators kept a continuous watch on the North Park Avenue home and watched as Bowers got out of an SUV Monday morning and entered a garage where both cars were parked. At about 10:15 a.m., police surrounded the garage, and Bowers was taken into custody, the affidavit said.

Reports said a search warrant was served, and permission was also given for investigators to search a Michelle Avenue SW home where more bricks of cocaine were found as well as bags of cocaine, fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Another search where consent to search was given yielded six guns, two bags of white powder, pills and marijuana. The affidavit was not clear where that search took place but said it was Bowers home in Warren.

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The affidavit said Bowers admitted to picking up both vehicles and paying the driver after initially denying knowing anything about them.

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WASHINGTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)  Sen. Jay Trumbull and Rep. Shane Abbotts next stop after Holmes County on Monday morning was in Chipley.

They met with Washington County leaders and residents about their priorities, which include money for the fire department and an EMS training facility.

Theyre also asking for police department safety equipment upgrades, sheriffs office technology upgrades, teacher pay raises, and county jail repairs. Infrastructure projects are also on the wish list.

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Local music association to host Whitney Houston tribute concert

Officials want to build a public sanitary sewer line extension to Northwest Florida Community Hospital, which would cost at least one million dollars.

What I tell people all the time is that you know your world better than I know your world. And so, as there are things that intersect with the state legislature that we can go to Tallahassee and focus on and work on their behalf, you know, we would like to hear that, that stuff, Trumbull said.

Abbott and Trumbull had the same message they had for Holmes County, being realistic about the financial constraints coming from legislative leaders.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.
The spendy nature of the Washington State Legislature will be reined this year, based on revenue forecasts for the state.

The budget will be front and center in Olympia this year, Sen. Chris Gildon said. He represents Pierce County in the 25th District and is the ranking Republican on the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

When lawmakers last left the capital, projections for how much expenditures would exceed expected revenue was around $5 billion over four years. The latest estimate from the Department of Commerce pegs the shortfall now at $10-$12 billion. More recently, outgoing Governor Jay Inslees offices estimated it at around $16 billion.

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The three things were talking about: major cuts, prolonging policies that weve require have invested in and require a large investment for, or raising revenue, said Rep. Mia Gregerson, a Democrat representing the 33rd District in South King County and Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee.

Already, state departments have had to implement spending and hiring freezes in some areas. It comes as the pressure to address the addiction and homelessness crisis.

Gregerson says its clear that without additional revenue, cuts to programs and state spending is inevitable. Lawmakers will weigh that reality as cities and communities clamor for financial help addressing the housing, homelessness, and addiction crises riddling Washington.

Theres also pressure from schools as the State Superintendent has requested an additional $2.9 Billion in funding, namely, to fully fund special education programs. Districts have looked to taxpayers to fund programs where state funding falls short.

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$3 Billion seems like a bit of a stretch, Sen. Gildon said, However, funding K-12 basic education is our paramount duty, according to the [state] constitution.

Gregerson isnt ruling anything out until the 105-day session gets rolling.

Nothing is off the table right now, she said, Weve been looking at different requests and the budget situation since summer. As we go into the session we will be looking at special education [and] transportation, all kinds of things.

If theres an appetite for tax increases, Gildon and Gregerson agree that who the state relies on for revenue should change. Washington has one of the most regressive tax codes in the nation, relying on lower- and middle-income people paying a larger proportion of their income than higher earners.

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It really hurts people at the lower rung of the economic ladder so much more than people at the upper, Gildon said.

If we continue to tax people in that same regard, were going to continue to hurt people who the government is trying to help, Gregerson said.

Outgoing governor Jay Inslee set the tone in addressing the tax code and the projected deficit, by proposing a wealth tax. It would add an additional tax on people making over $100 million dollars, affecting 3,400 Washingtonians according to Inslees office, and will raise around $10.3 Billion.

Gildon says that, while he wont support taxes on lower- and middle-income people, he believes the wealth tax is a non-starter. He says his caucus prefers looking at spending cuts, saying cutting the expansion of preschool assistance in the early childhood education program could save around $300 million and saving more than $8 million by cutting state Medicaid benefits to people who have moved to another state and receive benefits from both states.

We will be putting forward a slate of real no-nonsense saving options that the majority party can choose to adopt if they would like, Gildon said.




Washington state law has recognized pharmacists as health care providers since 1979, allowing them to prescribe many medications approved by the FDA. (Wichayada Suwanachun/Getty Images)

A Washington state-based nonprofit has launched a program training pharmacists to prescribe abortion medications via telehealth, a model that organizers hope other states will adopt to expand abortion access.

Abortion is broadly legal in Washington state up to the point of fetal viability, which is generally considered to be between 24 and 26 weeks of pregnancy. But Dr. Beth Rivin, president and CEO of nonprofit Uplift International, said there are still many individuals who face barriers to abortion access in Washington because of where they live, how much money they make and other factors. Those people can benefit most from having access to telehealth, Rivin said, and having pharmacists available helps increase that availability.

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The nonprofit partnered with an online pharmacy called Honeybee Health to launch what theyre calling the Pharmacist Abortion Access Project. Ten pharmacists were recruited and trained to prescribe mifepristone and misoprostol, the standard U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved medication abortion regimen, to patients in Washington up to 10 weeks gestation.

Rivin said the team created its training protocol with Dr. Sarah Prager, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Washington. The program also has a list of clinics where patients can be referred if any in-person follow-up care is necessary, including ultrasounds, blood tests or other exams.

If (patients) had questions, the platform allowed for messaging between the pharmacist and the individual, and patients were followed up with at one week and four to five weeks after prescriptions were written, Rivin said.

Over the past two years, anti-abortion groups have increasingly called for more state legislation targeting abortion drugs, alleging telemedicine for abortion pills is dangerous to a pregnant persons health. Research has repeatedly shown that telehealth prescriptions are just as safe as in-person treatment, with one recent study showing 99.7% of patients out of a sample of 6,000 did not experience any serious complications. Similarly, 97.7% didnt need any form of additional follow-up care.

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Research confirms that medication abortion can be prescribed through telehealth just as safely as in person, and it confirms that pharmacists can specifically prescribe medication abortion, Rivin told States Newsroom. The training they undergo through (the project) mirrors the training that other providers receive.

The Heritage Foundation, the conservative group behind a set of policies known as Project 2025, has gathered several examples of abortion pills given to pregnant women without their consent. Using those examples, the organization recommends states ban telemedicine and mail-order abortion pills and strengthen or enact laws targeting abortion coercion. There have also been calls to use a dormant federal law called the Comstock Act to ban abortion pills from being sent by mail altogether.

Proof of residency not required to obtain pills by mail

By the end of the Washington pilot program, which took place between Oct. 31 and Nov. 26, 2024, the pharmacists successfully prescribed medication abortion to 43 people who were deemed eligible. To qualify, aside from the applicable medical protocol, the patient needed to be 18 or older and have a Washington address where the medication could be mailed. The recipient of the medication does not need to prove they are a Washington resident, but a valid Washington address must be provided. Washington has shield laws preventing states where abortion is illegal from investigating medical providers if a resident of that state obtains an abortion in Washington.

Following the success of the pilot, Uplift International said it plans to expand the program across Washington and explore pharmacists prescribing medication abortion in person from brick-and-mortar pharmacies.

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Rivin said the hope is that the project paves the way for other states to implement the same model, especially as President-elect Donald Trump takes office and Republicans in Congress may eye more federal abortion restrictions.

It is the first step toward mainstreaming pharmacists as prescribers of medication abortion in person, Rivin said.

Don Downing, a clinical pharmacy professor emeritus at the University of Washington and co-director of the project, said Washington has one of the most progressive pharmacy laws in the country. State law has recognized pharmacists as health care providers since 1979, allowing them to prescribe many medications approved by the FDA.

Washington shares that progressive pharmacy law status with one of its border states, Idaho, where pharmacists can also prescribe medications for minor ailments such as cold sores and allergies, as well as drugs for treatment of illnesses such as flu and strep throat. Downing said Idahos pharmacy laws are actually even more progressive than Washingtons.

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However, Idaho has an abortion policy that could hardly be more different. It is the only state in the Northwest with a near-total abortion ban, a civil enforcement law allowing family members to sue medical providers who perform an abortion, and a so-called abortion trafficking law making it a felony to take a minor to a state with legal abortion access without parental permission.

Ironically, Downing said the pilot team announced the project in Idaho during an annual pharmacy meeting held at a resort in Coeur dAlene with pharmacists from Montana, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Alaska.

We presented the idea of pharmacists becoming much more involved in medication abortion access at that meeting, and it was surreal because Idaho at that time was just pouncing on womens access to abortion, Downing said.

Providing prescriptions via telehealth first was the priority, he said, because after conducting several listening sessions before launching the pilot, the consensus among women interviewed was that they preferred the privacy of an online experience.

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If youre in a small town, if you go to the doctors office, you go to the school nurse, a pharmacy, theres a good chance youre going to see a neighbor, a relative, and someone is for sure going to ask you what youre doing there today, Downing said. Women nationwide are increasingly saying, if I can get it online the same way we buy from Amazon, if I can do this without running into my aunt, so much the better.
Washington state law has recognized pharmacists as health care providers since 1979, allowing them to prescribe many medications approved by the FDA. (Photo by Wichayada Suwanachun/Getty Images)

A Washington state-based nonprofit has launched a program training pharmacists to prescribe abortion medications via telehealth, a model that organizers hope other states will adopt to expand abortion access.

Abortion is broadly legal in Washington state up to the point of fetal viability, which is generally considered to be between 24 and 26 weeks of pregnancy. But Dr. Beth Rivin, president and CEO of nonprofit Uplift International, said there are still many individuals who face barriers to abortion access in Washington because of where they live, how much money they make and other factors. Those people can benefit most from having access to telehealth, Rivin said, and having pharmacists available helps increase that availability.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The nonprofit partnered with an online pharmacy called Honeybee Health to launch what theyre calling the Pharmacist Abortion Access Project. Ten pharmacists were recruited and trained to prescribe mifepristone and misoprostol, the standard U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved medication abortion regimen, to patients in Washington up to 10 weeks gestation.

Rivin said the team created its training protocol with Dr. Sarah Prager, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Washington. The program also has a list of clinics where patients can be referred if any in-person follow-up care is necessary, including ultrasounds, blood tests or other exams.

If (patients) had questions, the platform allowed for messaging between the pharmacist and the individual, and patients were followed up with at one week and four to five weeks after prescriptions were written, Rivin said.

Over the past two years, anti-abortion groups have increasingly called for more state legislation targeting abortion drugs, alleging telemedicine for abortion pills is dangerous to a pregnant persons health. Research has repeatedly shown that telehealth prescriptions are just as safe as in-person treatment, with one recent studyshowing 99.7% of patients out of a sample of 6,000 did not experience any serious complications. Similarly, 97.7% didnt need any form of additional follow-up care.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Research confirms that medication abortion can be prescribed through telehealth just as safely as in person, and it confirms that pharmacists can specifically prescribe medication abortion, Rivin told States Newsroom. The training they undergo through (the project) mirrors the training that other providers receive.

The Heritage Foundation, the conservative group behind a set of policies known as Project 2025, has gathered several examples of abortion pills given to pregnant women without their consent. Using those examples, the organization recommends states ban telemedicine and mail-order abortion pills and strengthen or enact laws targeting abortion coercion. There have also been calls to use a dormant federal law called the Comstock Act to ban abortion pills from being sent by mail altogether.

Proof of residency not required to obtain pills by mail

By the end of the Washington pilot program, which took place between Oct. 31 and Nov. 26, 2024, the pharmacists successfully prescribed medication abortion to 43 people who were deemed eligible. To qualify, aside from the applicable medical protocol, the patient needed to be 18 or older and have a Washington address where the medication could be mailed. The recipient of the medication does not need to prove they are a Washington resident, but a valid Washington address must be provided. Washington has shield laws preventing states where abortion is illegal from investigating medical providers if a resident of that state obtains an abortion in Washington.

Following the success of the pilot, Uplift International said it plans to expand the program across Washington and explore pharmacists prescribing medication abortion in person from brick-and-mortar pharmacies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rivin said the hope is that the project paves the way for other states to implement the same model, especially as President-elect Donald Trump takes office and Republicans in Congress may eye more federal abortion restrictions.

It is the first step toward mainstreaming pharmacists as prescribers of medication abortion in person, Rivin said.

Don Downing, a clinical pharmacy professor emeritus at the University of Washington and co-director of the project, said Washington has one of the most progressive pharmacy laws in the country. State law has recognized pharmacists as health care providers since 1979, allowing them to prescribe many medications approved by the FDA.

Washington shares that progressive pharmacy law status with one of its border states, Idaho, where pharmacists can also prescribe medications for minor ailments such as cold sores and allergies, as well as drugs for treatment of illnesses such as flu and strep throat. Downing said Idahos pharmacy laws are actually even more progressive than Washingtons.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

However, Idaho has an abortion policy that could hardly be more different. It is the only state in the Northwest with a near-total abortion ban, a civil enforcement law allowing family members to sue medical providers who perform an abortion, and a so-called abortion trafficking law making it a felony to take a minor to a state with legal abortion access without parental permission.

Ironically, Downing said the pilot team announced the project in Idaho during an annual pharmacy meeting held at a resort in Coeur dAlene with pharmacists from Montana, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Alaska.

We presented the idea of pharmacists becoming much more involved in medication abortion access at that meeting, and it was surreal because Idaho at that time was just pouncing on womens access to abortion, Downing said.

Providing prescriptions via telehealth first was the priority, he said, because after conducting several listening sessions before launching the pilot, the consensus among women interviewed was that they preferred the privacy of an online experience.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If youre in a small town, if you go to the doctors office, you go to the school nurse, a pharmacy, theres a good chance youre going to see a neighbor, a relative, and someone is for sure going to ask you what youre doing there today, Downing said. Women nationwide are increasingly saying, if I can get it online the same way we buy from Amazon, if I can do this without running into my aunt, so much the better.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Democratic Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) introduced a bill on Tuesday that could shape how elections are held in the United States.

Gluesenkamp Perez  alongside Democratic Rep. Jared Golden (ME-02)  introduced the Electoral Reform Select Committee Act which would create a bipartisan select committee to explore electoral methods and recommend reforms to reduce political polarization.

Under the bill, committee members would look at alternatives to the current winner-take-all system  including creating multi-member districts with proportional representation, expanding the House, and establishing independent redistricting commissions.

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PHOTOS: New luxury hotel proposed for Oregon Coast property with $3 million view

Regardless of party or ideology, more and more Americans feel that our democracy isnt working for them. Voters feel unrepresented and are losing faith in a government that they view as unreflective of their communities and values. As Members of Congress, we need to take a step back, reexamine how we got here, and work toward what we can do to fix it, said Gluesenkamp Perez in a press release announcing the bills introduction.

She added, This bipartisan select committee will look at the role our electoral system plays in exacerbating the hyper-partisanship, cynicism, and obstruction that has taken over todays politics. Its past time for Congress to set aside the conflict and chaos of clickbait politics and get back to work governing on behalf of the American people.

Americans are tired of a political system that divides us, said Rep. Golden. Reforms to improve representation are not just a good idea  they are already working in places like Maine. This bill will bring us together to find the solutions we need to make politics better for everyone.

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The bill comes after the representatives wrote an op-ed outlining their electoral reform proposals.

Amid all the speculation and introspection over what factors were decisive in the 2024 election, one thing is clear: More and more Americans sense that our democracy isnt working or delivering for them, the representatives wrote.

The committee will examine a series of reforms to improve our electoral system, such as independent redistricting commissions to push back against gerrymandering, instant-runoff voting (also known as ranked choice voting) to ensure an election winner represents a majority of voters, and multimember districts to increase proportional representation, they continued.

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The lawmakers pointed out that their bill is backed by more than 170 political scientists, who penned a letter in support and called on Congress to take this step towards reversing todays dangerous levels of polarization and dysfunction and to strengthen itself as the fulcrum of our democracy.

As part of their electoral reform efforts, Gluesenkamp Perez and Golden also introduced a bipartisan reform bill to increase access to primary elections for non-affiliated voters. The bill was previously introduced in the 118th Congress.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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ORANGE, Ohio (WJW)  Video released to the FOX 8 I-Team shows suspects arrested outside a local medical building with a gun and dozens of rounds of ammunition.

A mother told police she almost got carjacked.

Police video takes you inside the investigation at the University Hospitals Minoff Health Center off Interstate 271 in Orange.

The police video shows Orange village police arresting two men, and investigators say they had a stolen gun with 30 rounds of ammo.

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I-TEAM: Woman in wheelchair robbed on Public Square

Police have been sorting out what happened, but the investigation began in the middle of an afternoon last week.

A 911 call came in from a woman who was frantic. She believed she was being carjacked.

At the scene, an officer said to her, and he had a gun.

Yes, the woman answered. Like, right in front of a hospital.

The woman said she had been waiting outside the medical building to pick up her son.

Yeah, he didnt see anything. I was waiting to pick him up, she told police.

A report shows one suspect told police he had gone to the medical center for a check-up, but the victim said a man had approached her in her car, standing near the front door and pointing a gun.

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So, she made a bold move. She hit the gas, got away and called for help.

I look up. I see him coming, she said. I floored it when I saw him pull something out.

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The video shows, as an officer arrested one suspect, he said, we had a report that a male pointed a gun at a female.

I dont know nothing, the suspect responded.

Orange Village Police are still investigating.

An off-duty officer got to the scene first and began taking action.

So far, police say both suspects are facing weapons charges, and the case has been sent to be heard by a county grand jury.

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University Hospitals issued a statement, saying, an incident in the UH Minoff Health Center parking lot was reported to Orange Village Police. UH thanks Orange PD for their swift response and are cooperating with their investigation.

Again, that victim thought she was being carjacked.

Now, two suspects have to explain being outside a medical building with a stolen gun and dozens of rounds of ammunition.

Still, one suspect told police at the scene, I dont have nothing on me. My phone and some cash. Thats it.

Cuyahoga County prosecutors say the case has been sent to their office for review of felony charges.

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Court records show both suspects have prior weapons cases in their past.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
NORWALK, Ohio (WJW)  The Nativity scene in front of Saint Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Norwalk is one of the great holiday traditions in the Maple City, but the centerpiece of the display is now missing.

An employee of Saint Paul called police on Jan. 3 to report statues of baby Jesus and the manger had been stolen.

Elderly woman died after being found unresponsive outside local nursing home

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The items taken by the thief were shown in a photo taken before the crime was committed.

Imagine, to some people, its kind of a priceless item, said Norwalk Police Chief Scott Dahlgren. And, you know, its just something that they would probably have to replace the whole set to make it look right again.

Its the meaning behind it to so many  thats what is really important.

Surveillance cameras at a nearby school captured video of a suspect pulling into a parking lot near the church in a small red or maroon car with a hatchback, which police believe could be a Ford Focus.

It appears that a white male walked out of that car, walked over to the manger scene  Nativity scene  and walked away with baby Jesus and the manger, Dahlgren said.

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Investigators are not sure what the motive may have been, but they are considering the possibility that the thief may be trying to sell the items, or that the theft was a childish prank committed on impulse with no forethought.

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Officers were told the set cost $15,000, and that it had just been purchased.

This is a Nativity scene thats worth quite a bit of money, so if it is something where theyre trying to sell it, we are obviously trying to monitor anywhere that could appear potentially, Dahlgren said.

If it turns out the theft was an act of mischief, police have a message for the culprit:

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It seems like potentially a younger adult, maybe a juvenile-type age, Dahlgren said. Obviously, they were driving a car. And if it was that, we would strongly encourage that person to get ahold of the police department, get ahold of the church  somebody  and just return it.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
A drunk driver was filmed swerving across several lanes of the M25 before driving into oncoming traffic on a busy A-road.

Dashcam video footage captured Walerij Mirosznikows 10-minute drunken spree  which only came to an end when he crashed into a roundabout and was arrested by police.

However, the Russian national, who lives in Chatham, Kent, was spared jail by a judge who told him it was a miracle no one was hurt.

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Maidstone Crown Court heard the 53-year-old had only held a provisional licence as he drove dangerously on three busy routes in Kent in July 2023.

Prosecutor Alban Brahimi told the court that Mirosznikow was first seen swerving from lane to lane in his Toyota Yaris on the M25.

He later drove on the A25 near Sevenoaks before suddenly stopping, mounting a central grass verge and performing a five-point turn that left his car facing the wrong direction.

Mirosznikows manoeuvre forced oncoming cars to come to a standstill and then divide as he headed towards and through the two lanes of traffic in front of him.

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One motorist was seen opening their door and shouting at him to stop.

He later crashed into a roundabout in Westerham and was arrested.

A group of oncoming cars was forced to divide into two rows as Mirosznikow drove towards them - CPS/SWNS

The court heard Mirosznikow was alone in the car, despite not having a full drivers licence, had his full beam headlights on and appeared shocked and drunk when police found him.

He gave a breath-alcohol reading of 136 micrograms (mcg). The legal drink-drive limit is 35mcg.

Mirosznikow later admitted dangerous driving, drink-driving and driving without a licence.

He was fined 40 by Sevenoaks magistrates court for driving without a licence but his more serious charges were sent to the crown court for sentencing.

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Defence barrister Eleanor Gwilym told Recorder Nicola Williams at the sentencing that her clients behaviour that day was an anomaly in his life.

She said: He now feels stupid and remorseful and has explained to me that he had a rather difficult time in his life at the time this was committed and a fairly recent breakdown of his marriage.

It can properly be seen as a one-off and he is capable of being rehabilitated. He has not drunk at all since this incident, not even socially.

She also said Mirosznikow had been in the UK for 12 years, had one previous conviction for theft and was currently on benefits.

The 53-year-old was filmed lurching across lanes of traffic and mounting a grass verge - CPS/SWNS

Recorder Williams remarked that his 17-month alcohol abstinence demonstrated that he was taking his offending seriously.

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She added: However, as impressive as that is  and the strength it takes to not drink alcohol for such a long period of time  your driving was absolutely atrocious.

You made a deliberate decision to ignore the rules of the road. It was a prolonged piece of dangerous driving over at least 10 minutes.

Everything was impaired by drink. You were nearly four times the legal amount.

It was only by some miracle that you didnt damage anyone elses vehicle, cause anyone injury or, in the way you were driving while being so much over the limit, killed somebody.

Recorder Williams sentenced Mirosznikow to a 12-month prison term suspended for 18 months, along with 200 hours of unpaid work and up to 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

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She also gave Mirosznikow the statutory minimum one-year driving ban applicable to offences of dangerous driving and drink-driving, although he was ordered to take an extended test to obtain a licence.

He was also ordered to pay 150 court costs and a 187 victim surcharge.

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Officials from the City of Austin and Travis County will be discussing the incoming winter storm and updating community members in a press conference Wednesday.

Here's what we know.

People are also reading: As Arctic freeze moves toward Austin, here's how city is preparing emergency resources

How to watch the Austin, Travis County press conference

The conference will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the City Hall Atrium. It should also be available to live stream on the Travis County YouTube page, which will also be available on our Statesman YouTube channel.

Eric Carter, the Travis County Office of Emergency Management Chief Emergency Management Coordinator, provided a one-minute summary of winter weather safety tips Wednesday morning. The video was posted to Travis County's Facebook page.

Travis County Emergency Service has also advised residents to stock up on supplies for home emergency kits. It is recommended to have enough items for at least 72 hours, in case there are road closures or limited resources.

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More: Winter weather safety tips: 28 things you should have at home, in your vehicle

Who will be speaking?

Several officials from Austin and Travis County will speak at Wednesday's press conference, including the following:

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson

Travis County Judge Andy Brown

Austin Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Interim Director Bill Wilson

Travis County Office of Emergency Management Chief Emergency Management Coordinator Eric Carter

Austin Energy Deputy General Manager Stuart Reilly

Transportation & Public Works Director Richard Mendoza

The following officials will also be available for questions:

Deputy City Manager Jon Fortune

Austin Public Health Medical Director Dr. Desmar Walkes

Austin Water Director Shay Ralls Roalson

Homeless Strategy Officer David Gray

Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services Chief of Staff Wesley Hopkins

Austin Fire Department Assistant Chief Thayer Smith

Austin Police Department Chief Lisa Davis

Austin Watershed Protection Department Jorge Morales

Austin's five-day weather forecast

Wednesday

High: 45 degrees

Low: 31 degrees

Minimum wind chill: 22 degrees

Rain: Low chances for nighttime rain.

Thursday

High: 41 degrees

Low: 36 degrees

Minimum wind chill: 33 degrees

Rain: 15% to 90% chances of rain throughout the day.

Friday

High: 45 degrees

Low: 37 degrees

Minimum wind chill: 31 degrees

Rain: Chances for rain from midnight into late morning.

Saturday

High: 55 degrees

Low: 29 degrees

Minimum wind chill: 29 degrees

Sunday

High: 58 degrees

Low: 36 degrees

Minimum wind chill: 36 degrees

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Watch: Austin, Travis County officials discuss winter storm safety
Morning Joe host Mika Brzezinski stepped in Wednesday to defuse any legal trouble MSNBC could face after a guest casually called President-elect Donald Trump a rapist. (Watch the video below.)

Author Scott Galloway had told host Joe Scarborough how economic woes led to Trump regaining the White House.

The reason we put an insurrectionist and a rapist in office is because for the first time in our nations history, a 30-year-old man or woman isnt doing as well as his or her parents were at 30, Galloway said. Why? Because the majority of households are having the oxygen sucked out of the room such that a small number of individuals and a small number of companies can be worth more than nation states. Income inequality is out of control.

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Brzezinski stepped in to give a legal disclaimer that perhaps could also protect Galloway.

I want to make a comment about a word that was used in this interview, she said. Donald Trump was tried civilly and was found libel of sexual abuse, not rape. But the judge in the case likened his actions to rape, but the liability was officially called sexual abuse.

It was the kind of interlude that might have spared ABC News from shelling out $15 million toward Trumps presidential library after he sued the network for defamation. The network settled rather than going to court. On his show in March, anchor George Stephanopoulos told Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) that Trump was found liable for rape in his alleged sexual assault on writer E. Jean Carroll in the 1990s.

But as Brzezinski noted, Trump was found liable for sexual abuse, not rape. The judge later noted that beyond New York law, Trumps actions could be understood as rape.

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Trump has gone after news outlets that he thinks have wronged him lately.

He sued CBS, alleging it tweaked a pre-election 60 Minutes interview with Vice President Kamala Harris to make her look good. He also sued the Des Moines Register for publishing a poll showing Harris in the lead before he won the state comfortably.

Presumably that is why MSNBC and Brzezinski took the better-safe-than-sorry approach.

h/t Mediaite

Related...
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WFLA)  Many drivers across the Midwest faced dangerous conditions over the weekend as a major winter storm brought ice and heavy snow to the area.

But when 19-year-old Amirica Smalls hit a patch of black ice in Kansas City, her first instinct was to jump from her vehicle. Her car could be seen sliding down an exit ramp in a video that quickly went viral on social media.

WATCH: Sarasota Hooters waitress tries to flirt with officer during DUI arrest

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I was really thinking like, if a collision is going to happen, I do not want to be in the car, Smalls told WFLAs sister station WDAF.

Smalls had just exited off of Interstate 29 on Saturday, Jan. 4 when she lost control of her vehicle. She said she hit her brakes to slow down, but the vehicle didnt respond.

The 19-year-old then bailed out of the drivers side door after checking her mirrors and spotting a red light at the intersection ahead.

I clicked the unlock button, Im like alright, I just jumped out, Smalls said. There wasnt any cars behind me or anything. So thats the good part, but like I was just, I didnt want to be in the car if anything were to happen, you know.

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Her vehicle continued rolling down an embankment as she scrambled onto her feet and watched from the road.

Smalls said the person who shot the video ran to check on her immediately afterward. The couple also connected her with tow truck driver Walter Wright.

Id already seen the video, shortly after it got posted to Facebook, Wright told WDAF. Just like about 2 million other people did.

Wright was able to retrieve her vehicle with minimal damage. All that was missing was the bumper.

To be a part of that was heartfelt and warming to me, Wright said. Because I strive to help people when they need it the most. Whether its a little bit of money here, or help em out with getting a car unstuck or a free tow.

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Smalls told reporters with WDAF that shes grateful for Wright and the people who took the video. The couple has been sending her frozen meals as she recovers from a banged-up knee.

After the experience, Smalls said she encourages people to stay in their cars. She added that shes looking forward to summer.

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 WFLA.
With less than two weeks before Donald Trump is sworn in as President, his pick to lead Health and Human Services is facing a new legal challenge  over alleged voter fraud.

A complaint filed by the left-leaning watchdog group Accountable.US on Wednesday morning and shared exclusively with POLITICO, alleged that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. committed felony election fraud when he voted in the 2024 election.

The complaint, filed with New York State Board of Elections, calls on the agencys Division of Election Law Enforcement to investigate Kennedy for registering for and voting" from "a New York residence at which he does not legally reside.

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Kennedy, who dropped his long-shot White House bid last summer to back Trump, is now poised to join the incoming presidents Cabinet. He is expected to meet with senators on Capitol Hill this week ahead of his confirmation proceedings, where hell focus on wooing Democrats who are skeptical of his views on abortion, food policy and vaccines. He can only afford to lose three Republican votes should all Senate Democrats uniformly oppose his nomination.

Several of Trump's picks have come under intense scrutiny, including Pete Hegseth, Trumps pick to lead the Department of Defense and former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, his nominee to be Director of National Intelligence. Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz already withdrew from consideration to be attorney general.

The watchdog group puts forth the allegation as Kennedy is about to undergo high-profile hearings and may be asked about the allegations of voter fraud under oath.



The complaint states that Kennedy voted by mail and his ballot was received by the Westchester County board of elections on Nov. 2. The primary residence listed on the ballot was to a home in Katonah  an address about 45 miles outside of New York City that has been central to previous court challenges from Democratic-leaning groups arguing Kennedy did not actually live there and should not be eligible to be on the ballot in the state when he ran as an independent candidate.

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Not actually living in New York in the eyes of the law allegedly did not stop RFK Jr. from casting his election ballot there illegally, Tony Carrk, the executive director of Accountable.US, said in a statement.

Senators should press Kennedy on whether he intends to play by his own rules and thumb his nose at the law as HHS Secretary, like President-elect Trump is wont to do, the complaint continued.

Lawyers for Kennedy did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

A New York judge ruled in August in favor of a legal challenge launched by another left-leaning Clear Choice Action, a Super PAC aligned that works to limit the impact third party candidates have on presidential election outcomes. That filing claimed Kennedy presented a false New York residence, the same one he allegedly used to vote and on the petition he submitted to state election authorities to gain ballot access. The complaint argued Kennedy, who is married to Curb Your Enthusiasm actress Cheryl Hines, lives in California.

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Kennedy had argued hed been renting a room from a childhood friend in Katonah, but that friends spouse testified that Kennedy had only spent one night at the residence.

Once the New York courts ordered Kennedy removed from the state ballot, it touched off a series of challenges by Kennedys camp  even after he suspended his flagging presidential campaign in August 2024 and endorsed Trump.

The legal battle went all the way to the Supreme Court, which released a one-line order in late September denying his appeal to regain access to the ballot.
A photo of the Wabash River downstream of Logansport, Indiana. The river's watershed is the subject of two water studies recently published by the state government. (Photo from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources)

Two newly published water studies from the state predict that supply will continue to outpace demand for the vital resource in coming decades, and both analyses urge stakeholders to consider more conservation measures to protect future supply.

The states largest river, the Wabash River, forms the core of the study and stretches from Ohio to Illinois before merging with the Ohio River in Indianas southwestern corner.

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With recent increasing drivers for economic development, Indiana is rapidly approaching a crossroads in water management. While multiple risks could threaten water availability and suitability into the future, numerous opportunities exist to more effectively manage and protect the regions finite water resources, according to one study.

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The reports come amidst ongoing pushback to the LEAP district in Lebanon, pitched by state leaders as a sort of technology park and future industry location for various companies. Thus far, the largest announced tenant at the Boone County site is Eli Lilly, which will be investing over $13 billion in research and manufacturing projects.

Lawmakers and groups have expressed concerns that the area didnt have enough water to attract high-consumption businesses, such as data centers. The Indiana Economic Development Corp., tasked with attracting new state investors and companies, previously oversaw the water studies before they were moved to the Indiana Finance Authority.

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Neither study explicitly mentioned LEAP, nor gave a go-ahead.

Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. led the study in northern central Indiana while Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. spearheaded the analysis of Wabash River headwaters. Portions of the Wabash study region stretch into Ohio while the northern central study reaches into parts of eastern Illinois. Combined, the two water studies include over 400 pages of analysis.

Other partners include the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Indiana Farm Bureau, the White River Alliance, Purdue University and Indiana University.

Study details



The two water studies focused on a section of north central Indiana and the headwaters of the Wabash River, breaking down units into a subbasin scale while acknowledging boundaries such as county borders.

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Analysts treated water withdrawals measured between 1985 and 2022 as equivalent to water demand, measuring those withdrawals using information from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Categories included water pulled for the public supply, for industrial or energy purposes and for agriculture or livestock as well as residential wells.

In order to forecast future water needs, the water studies compared historical use to economic and climate variables, conscious that ongoing climate change  which brings more precipitation and higher temperatures  might change such assumptions.

Included in the Wabash headwaters are the river itself and five tributaries, covering 10 counties and portions of 14 other counties as well as three flood control and recreational reservoirs. The storage and release of the latter reservoirs are a big driver of water balance, as presented to stakeholders in mid-December.

A map of the two areas included in the water studies. (Photo from the Indiana Finance Authority)

In the largely rural and agricultural area, the Wabash provides water for more than 400,000 people with over 70% of the supply coming from groundwater  a statistic that isnt expected to change much over the next few decades.

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While public utilities and industry account for just over three-quarters of water demand, or 76%, that varies widely across the ten subbasins analyzed. Additionally, some areas are drier than others, especially in the fall, though the overall area has a positive supply.

Water in subbasin 9  which includes portions of Howard, Carroll, Cass and Miami counties  is largely used for public purposes while water demand in subbasin 1  which includes parts of Ohio as well as portions of Delaware, Randolph, Jay, Blackford and Grant counties  is split between the public, rural use and industry.

Three-quarters of the water used returns to the system in the Wabash, though water demand is forecasted to modestly increase by roughly 10% by 2070. Hoosiers used nearly 82 million gallons per day in the region in 2022 and are expected to use nearly 90 million gallons per day in 2070 due to increased industrial demand.

Downriver, the northern central study included 16 subbasins across 14 counties. In 2022, this area used 790 million gallons per day, 84% of which came from surface water sources.

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Much of that extra demand comes from two power generating stations, including one in Terre Haute that closed in 2018 and another in Cayuga scheduled to go offline in 2028. Following those closures, water demand is projected to fall under 200 million gallons per day until demand catches up again in 2040.

Most of the water consumed by the energy generators is non-consumptive, meaning it returns to the water system after being used for cooling. Historically speaking, the water supply exceeded the demand in most locations and seasons  with fall being the driest part of the year.

Future water supplies are projected to nearly always exceed future demands, analysts concluded, adding that fall water availability increasingly relies on the operation of upstream reservoirs.

Looking toward the future

Recommendations for the water studies include identifying ways to enhance the current supply of surface and groundwater, decreasing current demand and better managing resources.

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Such efforts can include reallocating reservoir storage, increasing such storage, increasing water use efficiency, establishing water planning at the state or regional level and more.

To view a December PowerPoint presentation summarizing the findings for stakeholders click here.

In many communities, the low hanging fruit when it comes to water resource planning and management is conserving the limited water supply that has already been developed and using existing water resources more efficiently, northern central analysts wrote.  Water conservation can be achieved passively, such as through ongoing improvements in the efficiency of water fixtures and appliances, or through residential densification, as denser development include less outdoor space to be watered.

Also in the northern central study, researchers found that groundwater in some areas was impaired by organic compounds, arsenic and nitrate as nitrogen. Data from several wells  show that these contaminants exceed their primary drinking water standards.

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Further upstream, the headwaters study noted that water quality can be threatened by the regions reliance on industrial activities as well as road salt and fertilizers  which, alongside confined feeding operations, underground injection wells and oil spills  are some of the main sources of groundwater contamination.

To keep such water clean enough to use, some areas may need to invest in water treatment methods to protect public health.

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The winter storm making its way to Texas is projected to have significant impacts  so much so that it's rumored the Weather Channel's Jim Cantore is heading south.

Dallas-Fort Worth radio station KRLD's meteorologist Dan Brounoff shared an exchange with Cantore on social media. Brounoff sent graphics with the area's historical snowfalls, many of which may be topped by this week's winter storm.

"Just in case I come to Dallas," Cantore wrote back.

'If Cantore is in town, it means it's time for everyone else to leave'

Jim Cantore, 60, is a well-known meteorologist for the Weather Channel and "has been one of the nation's most respected and renowned forecasters for more than 30 years," according to his profile on the WeatherGroup.

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"Its his work in the midst of those storms that has made him the meteorologist his viewers hate to see coming  if Cantore is in town, it means its time for everyone else to leave," WeatherGroup added.

For the past several days, Cantore has been reporting Winter Storm Blair, which hit Kansas City over the weekend. A video of the meteorologist pausing his news report to play with a puppy in the snow has gone viral.

The forecaster's team also caught audio of thundersnow during a live broadcast  a phenomenon that Cantore says he's only managed to capture six other times in his career. Thundersnow is rare and occurs when a thunderstorm produces snow instead of rain.

What is thundersnow? Explaining how a thunderstorm can produce snow

Snow forecast for winter storm: North Texas now under winter storm warning

Unlike Winter Storm Blair, the incoming storm poses a much bigger threat to parts of Texas.

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The National Weather Service has added a winter storm warning in addition to the winter storm watch for parts of North Texas beginning Wednesday night and ending around noon Friday. On Thursday, the Dallas-Fort Worth area can expect snowfall of 2 to 5 inches. Areas along and north of Interstate 20 might see snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches.

Untreated roads are likely to be slick, especially those with light icing, the weather service warns. Residents are urged to reconsider travel later in the week and to keep monitoring the forecast.

A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for North Texas late Wednesday Night into Friday. 



Untreated surface roads are likely to be impacted, with slick roads possible in any locations that see light icing. Consider altering travel plans & monitor the forecast! #dfwwx #ctxwx #txwx pic.twitter.com/SMSFA3C8Hf  NWS Fort Worth (@NWSFortWorth) January 7, 2025

Severe weather conditions are likely to prompt school delays and congested morning traffic in the Dallas-Fort Worth area Thursday. Flight delays and cancellations are also anticipated.

Regardless of snow totals, extremely low temperatures will produce ice in northeastern parts of the state Wednesday night and Thursday.

What does a winter storm warning mean? Winter storm watch vs warning

The National Weather Service uses three categories to indicate the severity of weather. In winter weather, these include a winter storm warning, a winter storm watch and a winter weather advisory. A winter weather advisory is the most mild, while a winter storm warning is the most serious.

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Here's how the weather service defines each:

Winter weather advisory : Winter weather is expected. Exercise caution. Light amounts of wintry precipitation or patchy blowing snow will cause slick conditions and could affect travel if precautions are not taken.

Winter storm watch : Snow, sleet and ice is possible! Be prepared. Confidence is medium that a winter storm could produce heavy snow, sleet or freezing rain and cause significant impacts.

Winter storm warning: Snow, sleet and ice is expected! Take action! Confidence is high that a winter storm could produce heavy snow, sleet or freezing rain and cause significant impacts. Travel will become difficult or impossible in some situations. Delay your travel plans until conditions improve.

Winter storm hits Texas: What's the difference between winter storm watch, warning?

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Weather Channel's Jim Cantore may visit Texas to report winter storm
3 days following this weekends winter storm and we are still feeling minor impacts. See the links below for travel conditions, school closings, and viewer pictures.

-Check HERE for the latest road information from MoDOT

-Check HERE for the latest school closings

-Check HERE for the latest snow & ice pictures

Download our KOLR 10 weather app

Early clouds (and some snow flurries) exited off to the east Wednesday afternoon. A bright afternoon didnt put much of a dent in the cold with afternoon highs only in the 20s. Weve gone a full 72 hours now with temperatures below freezing.

Clear and cold again tonight with temperatures slipping into the teens. Well enjoy some sun early Thursday, but clouds will quickly move in. As for getting above freezing, it will be a race against the clouds. The faster clouds thicken up, the less likely we can top freezing. Right now, it looks like well get enough morning sunshine along with southwest winds to get us into the mid-30s Thursday afternoon.

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A southern winter storm threat will hit areas from Texas through the South Thursday through Friday. The Ozarks will be on the northern edge of this snow threat. Snow accumulations in Missouri may have to battle drier air, cutting into overall snow amounts north of the state line. Areas south of the state line are still expected to get blanketed with heavier totals. A general 1 to 3 is expected north of the state line with 3 to as much as 5 across Northern Arkansas.

Confidence is high that any snow that does fall will accumulate easily. Snow-covered roads are likely Friday morning. Temperatures wont warm much with highs near freezing. Roads will probably become slushy before refreezing again Friday night.

This will be a much more impactful storm to the south across Arkansas and into other parts of the South. Amounts will be greater and resources to deal with snow and sleet on roads are much more scarce. This will make travel inadvisable late Thursday into the weekend across Arkansas into North Texas and east into Mississippi.

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The weekend will offer sunshine, highs above freezing, and an opportunity to melt off snow.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com.
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In October 2022, the seven-year-long Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) warned that the government must act urgently on a national epidemic of child sex abuse.

After examining four million pieces of evidence and more than 6,000 individual testimonies from victims, it issued 20 recommendations.

Professor Alexis Jay, the chair of the inquiry, warned that the abuse was not just a historical aberration which happened decades ago, adding: The government and society has a moral, ethical and social responsibility to make the safety and protection of children an absolute priority. The country cannot let them down again.

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But more than two years later, few of the recommendations have been acted on. Amid intense debate over whether there should be a new national inquiry into abuse by grooming gangs, Jay herself has called for action rather than further consultations and discussions.

Recommendation 1: A single core data set on child sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation

The inquiry called for the government to bring together data collected by childrens social care and criminal justice agencies, including on the characteristics of victims and perpetrators of child sexual abuse, where abuse is happening and the factors that make victims more vulnerable.

Whats happened since

In its official response to IICSAs report in May 2023, the then-Conservative government said data collection would be improved, and specialist research had been commissioned, but none of the initiatives met the inquirys demands. On Monday, home secretary Yvette Cooper said the Labour Government would take forward the inquirys recommendation.

Verdict: Not implemented

Recommendation 2: Separate new Child Protection Authorities for England and Wales

The purpose of the two new authorities would be to improve practice in child protection, provide advice to the government and make policy recommendations, inspect institutions and settings where abuse could occur, and monitor the implementation of IICSAs recommendations.

Whats happened since

The Conservative government refused to set up the authorities, saying it agreed with the spirit of the recommendation but planned to achieve the desired effect of the recommendation without the creation of a new body, but rather by ensuring that the existing mechanisms are all working as effectively and as cohesively as possible to properly safeguard, support and protect children from harm, including child sexual abuse.

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Verdict: Not implemented

Recommendation 3: A Cabinet minister for children

IICSA called for the ministerial position to be created in both the UK and Welsh governments.

Whats happened since

The Conservative government refused to adopt the recommendation, claiming in its official response to IICSA that the role was already fulfilled through the work of the Secretary of State for Education.

Labour has not announced any plans to create the role, although child sexual abuse and exploitation and IICSA itself are listed among the responsibilities of Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips.

Verdict: Not implemented

Recommendation 4: Public awareness

IICSA called for the government to commission regular programmes of activity to increase public awareness about child sexual abuse, challenge myths and stereotypes, and inform people how to take action.

Whats happened since

The Conservative government said it had already funded and delivered several public awareness campaigns, including teaching parents, businesses and the public sector how to spot signs of abuse, and will continue to explore effective ways of raising awareness.

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Verdict: Partially implemented

Recommendation 5: Ban on pain compliance techniques on children

IICSA called for the government to ban techniques, such as head and arm locks, that deliberately induce pain on children detained in custodial institutions.

Whats happened since

The Conservative government refused to implement a ban, saying staff were trained in the use of safe pain-inducing techniques for scenarios where they may need to prevent children from self-harming or causing physical harm to other children.

Verdict: Not implemented.

Recommendation 6: Changing the Children Act (1989) so courts can stop local authorities putting children at risk

IICSA found that new powers were needed in situations where a child in council care was being abused or at risk, so that courts could direct local authorities to make specific decisions, for example on where victims should be housed or schooled.

Whats happened since

The Conservative government refused to change the law, saying it accepted that children should not be put at risk of harm but that it was addressing issues through its pre-existing Stable Homes, Built on Love strategy.

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Verdict: Not implemented

Recommendations 7 and 8: Registration of care staff in childrens homes and young offender institutions

IICSA said an independent body must be charged with vetting and registering care home workers and officers working in young offender institutions, setting standards of training and conduct, and enforcing fitness to practice.

Whats happened since

The Conservative government said it would consider the recommendations on registration, and would explore proposals for how [the registration process] could operate, but did not take them forward. For young offender institutions and secure training centres, a requirement for specialist training was introduced in 2022 but no regulatory body was created.

Verdict: Not implemented

Recommendations 9, 10 and 11: Improvements to the Disclosure and Barring Service, its barred list and disclosure

IICSA called for people hiring staff or volunteers to work with children to be able to check if they have been barred from those roles by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), and to extend the disclosure of checks to citizens and residents of England and Wales who are working with children overseas.

Whats happened since

The Conservative government accepted IICSAs recommendation for access to the DBS barring list to be extended, but only subject to further assessment of feasibility and impact, and said it would work to improve compliance with the scheme. It said it would review whether disclosure arrangements can be further strengthened for those working with children overseas but did not make any commitment to change. The Home Office commissioned a separate independent review specifically focused on the DBS regime that concluded in 2023, but IICSAs recommended changes have not been made.

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Verdict: Not implemented

Recommendation 12: Mandatory pre-screening for online child sexual abuse material

IICSA called for the government to force all regulated providers of internet search engines and user-to-user services, such as chatrooms and forums, to pre-screen material for known child sexual abuse content. The recommendation followed rocketing reports of online material showing children being abused, and the livestreaming of rape and abuse by paedophiles.

Whats happened since

The Online Safety Act, introduced by the Conservative government, contains a duty for companies to identify and remove child sexual abuse content from their services, and new Ofcom codes published last month mandated screening for content flagged using special data markers.

Verdict: Implemented

Recommendation 13: Mandatory reporting of suspected child sexual abuse

IICSA called for the creation of laws that would place people in particular roles under a statutory duty to report child sexual abuse to police or social services in instances when they have received a report, witnessed abuse or observed recognised indicators. Carers, teachers and police officers would be among the groups covered by the duty, and it would be a criminal offence to fail to report.

Whats happened since

The Conservative government agreed to implement a mandatory reporting regime for child sexual abuse and started a public consultation in 2023, but the work did not conclude before last summers general election. Labour has pledged to introduce the duty through its forthcoming Crime and Policing Bill, which is due to come before Parliament this spring and will make it an offence to fail to report child sexual abuse.

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Verdict: Partly implemented

Recommendation 14: An inspection of compliance with the Victims Code

IICSA called for watchdogs to check how the Victims Code, which aims to guarantee victims rights and a minimum set of standards in the criminal justice system, was being enforced following numerous reports of victims being dismissed, neglected and traumatised after reporting abuse to police.

Whats happened since

Criminal justice watchdogs launched an inspection covering the experiences of victims, which found the code was frequently being breached by police, prosecutors and the probation service. Last years Victims and Prisoners Bill, brought forward by the Conservative government, introduced a new duty on relevant bodies to promote awareness of the code to victims and monitor compliance.

Verdict: Implemented

Recommendation 15: Remove time limitations on complaints brought by victims

IICSA called for the government to change the law to remove a three-year limitation period for personal injury claims brought by victims in respect of child sexual abuse.

Whats happened since

The Conservative government said it would consult on strengthening existing judicial guidance in child sexual abuse cases and set out options to reform limitation law, but no changes have been made.

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Verdict: Not implemented

Recommendation 16: Specialist therapeutic support for child victims of sexual abuse

Child victims of sexual abuse must be offered specialist and accredited therapeutic support, IICSA said, calling for the government to prove fully-funded services in sufficient supply for victims across England and Wales.

Whats happened since

The Conservative government said it would elicit views on changes to provision and do our utmost to ensure that access to high-quality support for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse exists, but said support services were mainly the responsibility of local authorities and the NHS.

Verdict: Not implemented

Recommendation 17: New standards on access to records relating to child sexual abuse

The inquiry called for the Information Commissioners Office to introduce a code of practice on records of child sexual abuse, meaning they must be retained for 75 years and have clear and accessible procedures for victims to access them.

Whats happened since

The Conservative government said it would engage with the ICO on implementing the recommendation, but in October the watchdog responded to a Freedom of Information request saying it hasnt been asked to produce a code of practice.

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Verdict: Not implemented

Recommendation 18: Changes to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme

IICSA demanded an expansion of the scheme to cover different forms of child sexual abuse, and stop victims being automatically excluded for having criminal records, where the crimes are likely to be linked to abuse they experienced. It also called for the time limit to apply for compensation to be increased to seven years, up from the current two, from the date the offence was first reported to the police.

Whats happened since

A new consultation on amendments to the scheme was launched by the Conservative government, but no changes have been made.

Verdict: Not implemented

Recommendation 19: New redress scheme

A single redress scheme should be started in England and Wales to compensate all victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and exploitation that was linked to institutions, IICSA said, in recognition of the states responsibility to protect children from sexual abuse and the consequent harm experienced over many decades.

Whats happened since

The Conservative government said it accepted the need for a new redress scheme and would consider its terms and extent following engagement with relevant groups. Ministers announced that the scheme would be set up in May 2023, but it has not been launched.

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Verdict: Not implemented

Recommendation 20: Online age verification measures

IICSA called for legislation requiring providers of online services and social media platforms to implement more stringent age verification measures, to protect children from harmful and age-inappropriate content.

Whats happened since

The Online Safety Act requires tech companies to assess whether their service is likely to be accessed by children, and deliver safety measures for them. New age verification rules came into force in 2023, mandating checks for restricted content such as pornography and gaming.

Verdict: Implemented.

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Pine Acres Rehabilitation Center in West Des Moines. (Photo via Google Earth)

A West Des Moines nursing home is facing a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the estate of a man who wandered away from the home last October.

The family of the late Richard M. Cox is suing Pine Acres Rehabilitation Center in Polk County District Court, alleging the care facility was negligent in the care provided to Cox.

According to the lawsuit, Cox, 89, had a history of wandering from the care facility and wore a WanderGuard bracelet designed to activate an alarm when he approached or passed through the buildings exit doors.

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The lawsuit alleges that on Oct. 21, 2024, Cox was able to exit the Pine Acres building unattended and without detection. He then sustained severe injuries in a fall about two blocks from Pine Acres and on Nov. 4, 2024, he allegedly died as a result of those injuries.

The Cox family is seeking unspecified damages for negligence. Pine Acres has yet to file a response to the lawsuit, and the homes administrator, Michael Ewalt, declined to comment on the case.

State records indicate Cox had been admitted to the home in November 2022, was later diagnosed with dementia, and that the staff documented exit seeking behaviors by him throughout 2024.

According to state inspectors, the Pine Acres staff first learned of Coxs absence on Oct. 21, when ambulance crew members came to the home and stated they had found him outside, about two blocks away, after a neighbor saw him lying on the ground and called 911.

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Staff stated they had no idea the patient had left the facility, the inspectors stated in their report. Coxs injuries from the fall included two fractured vertebrae in his neck, according to the report.

State officials proposed a $8,250 fine for failing to keep residents safe. That amount was then tripled to $24,750 because it was a repeat violation, with Pine Acres having been cited for similar issues two weeks earlier. The fine was then held in suspension so that officials could determine whether a federal fine would be imposed.

The earlier safety violation was also cited as a repeat offense, resulting in a tripled fine of $23,250, also held in suspension by the state. Federal records indicate the most recently imposed federal fine against Pine Acres was in August 2023, when the facility was fined $160,935.

In late 2023, Pine Acres was cited for 62 violations, one of which was tied to a resident who contracted gangrene in the home and had to have a leg amputated.

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Currently, the for-profit facility has one-star ratings for quality measures and inspection results on the five-star quality scale used by the federal Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services.

According to federal records, Pine Acres is owned and managed by a New York-based group of investors that includes Akiko Ike, who has a 60% ownership stake in the facility. Other investors include Yisroel Kaplan, who has operational control of Pine Acres and a stake in another Iowa care facility, the Prestige Care Center in Fairfield.

One of Kaplans partners is Ephram Lahasky, who is the husband of Ike, Pine Acres primary owner.

In Vermont last year, regulators raised concerns about who was behind the proposed purchase of care facilities in that state  Lahasky or his wife. Ike was the officially designated buyer, but it was Lahaskys name that appeared on the loan documents.

Lahasky has been sued by New York Attorney General Letitia James, who has accused Lahasky and others of defrauding the government of more than $18 million while understaffing and neglecting residents at The Villages, a 120-bed facility in northwestern New York.
ST. FRANCISVILLE, La. (BRPROUD)  West Feliciana Parish council members approved the location of a new multi-billion dollar artificial intelligence data center on Monday, Jan. 6.

Hut 8, an energy infrastructure operator and Bitcoin miner, has been approved to place its data center near Highway 61 and LA 964. The $12 billion, 900,000-square-foot project has two phases for construction, building two buildings with security fences. The entire center will run off a separate energy grid provided by Entergy.

West Feliciana Parish President Kenny Havard said the new project will bring the rural area different opportunities for growth and economic development.

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This allows us to be able to support all of our infrastructure. Our tax base is going to increase, said Havard.

Close to 2,000 jobs will be created during the construction period. Havard is focused on making sure parish residents are given firsthand opportunities to get jobs.

With the large capacity of the project, Havard said the amount of revenue that will begin pouring in will help the community.

Meta to build $10 billion AI data center in Louisiana as Elon Musk expands his Tennessee AI facility

Hut 8 is going to allow us to continue for our children and great, great-grandchildren. So, everyone in West Feliciana Parish is going to benefit from this, he said.

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Contractors at the meeting said they were ready to start the construction process.

Residents expressed concern about the traffic congestion and safety surrounding the project site. Havard said the specific location chosen was intentional because it is away from the city. He said there are plans in the works, adding that the intersection near the site will be worked on.

Were going to work with DOTD and the state, our state partners and try to make this thing as safe as we can for everybody, said Havard.

Contractors said the groundbreaking for phase one of the project could be in the next month.

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TOPEKA (KSNT)  A new fine dining experience and wine bar is set to open in the Capital City this summer.

27 News spoke with Nathan Mikoleit, a co-owner of Board & Barrel Wine Bar, about the new business taking shape in west Topeka. He said the restaurant and wine bar is in its construction phase in January with an expected opening date coming in the summer months of 2025.

Obviously, there will be a huge focus on wine, Mikoleit said. I am in sommelier training myself.

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Mikoleit said plans for this new business have been in motion for around two years. He said his parents, the owners of Custenborder Florist near Southwest 17th Street and Southwest Gage Boulevard, are in the process of remodeling their business. This created the opportunity for Mikoleit to pitch an idea for a wine bar inside the same building to give Topekans a taste of the finer things in life.

Body cameras added to security staff at West Ridge Mall

The whole thing started because we wanted to move a bathroom upstairs, Mikoleit said. It just kind of bloomed into this.

Board & Barrel Wine Bar will offer guests the chance to try wines from around the world while also giving people the option of trying out some beer, champagne and whiskey options as well. The business will be open every day of the week to serve the lunch crowds while also offering a fine dining experience on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays in the evening.

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Mikoleit said food options will include homemade pasta alongside steak, chicken and seafood entrees. People can also expect to find a well-rounded sides and appetizer menu. Lunch options will focus on a gourmet salad and sandwiches.

Major change to daylight saving time in Kansas could come in 2025, what to know

Co-owner Trejor Hopkins, who has been running the Flavor Wagon food truck for the past five years, will be helping craft the menu for Board & Barrel Wine Bar. Staff will place emphasis on putting together charcuterie boards for people to enjoy in-house or via delivery.

Its gonna be kind of a steakhouse menu with a southern background, Hopkins said. Well have Mediterranean-style dishes as well. Light seasoning, oils, fresh herbs, all those good things.

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Mikoleit said he hopes this new business will take off with Topekans and prove to be a new hotspot for people who want to have a memorable time with friends and family. He believes Board & Barrel Wine Bar will give locals a new option when looking for something new to do and enjoy a glass of wine they may not have had before.

This will be his [Hopkins] take in the kitchen, Mikoleit said. We have the utmost confidence in him.

New Mexican restaurant coming to Topeka in January

Hopkins, Mikoleit and fellow co-owner Dalton Burchett will keep locals up-to-date on the progress of the business and do some special giveaways through the Board & Barrel Wine Bar Facebook page. Board & Barrel Wine Bar will be located at 1709 Southwest Gage Boulevard in Topeka.

Were very excited, Hopkins said. Just trying to bring something new to the city.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP)  Two staff members at a northern West Virginia long-term care facility have been charged in the death of a patient who was left in a scalding hot bathtub a year ago, Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said Wednesday.

Registered nurse Delilah Clyburn-Hill and certified nursing assistant Kylah Beard were charged with felony neglect of an incapacitated adult by a caregiver, Morrisey said in a news release.

Larry Hedrick, 61, a nonverbal patient who required around-the-clock care, was submerged in the 134-degree Fahrenheit (56.7 Celsius) water for 47 minutes on Jan. 4, 2024, at Hopemont Hospital, a 98-bed facility in the Preston County community of Terra Alta. Hedrick died a week later at a Pittsburgh hospital, the statement says.

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An investigation by Morrisey's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit determined Beard helped Hedrick into the tub but failed to check the water temperature gauge. Hedrick suffered second- and third-degree burns and blisters to his feet and legs.

Investigators said Clyburn-Hill was told about the burns and blisters but she allegedly failed to implement appropriate treatment and therapy for Hedrick's injuries, including but not limited to the use of pain medication, the statement says.

It wasn't immediately known whether Clyburn-Hill or Beard had attorneys who could comment on the charge. A message left at a listed phone number for Clyburn-Hill wasn't immediately returned Wednesday. Beard could not be directly reached for comment. A working phone number for her could not be found.

Preston County Prosecutor Jay Shay approved the criminal charges. Clyburn-Hill and Beard are scheduled for an initial appearance in Preston County Magistrate Court on Jan. 29.

Morrisey, who is being sworn in as governor next week, called it a very disturbing case, saying "there needs to be accountability for the horrific death of the victim, Mr. Larry Hedrick, who was supposed to be under the care of medical professionals.
Jody Ratliff, director of the West Virginia Office of Emergency Services, speaks to lawmakers Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, during interim legislative committee meetings. (Will Price | West Virginia Legislative photography)

Speaking to lawmakers Tuesday, the head of the states Office of Emergency Services said more should be done to support the mental health of paramedics and emergency medical technicians in the state.

Jody Ratliff told the Joint Committee on Volunteer Fire Departments and Emergency Medical Services that another provider had recently died by suicide. He did not specify which agency or county the provider was from.

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Ive been preaching for mental health for the past few years. I dont know if its sticking or not. I hope it is, Ratliff said. My office  even though were not in charge of mental health, we are literally doing everything that we can, beyond and above. Ive spent time with providers crying. Ive spent my off time with them. I went to meet them. Ive texted them, Ive called them. So have other paramedics in my office. We are literally doing everything we can to keep these providers as safe as we can keep them.

Right now, things are rough, and I think theyre going to continue to get rough, unless we do something as a state, he said.

Job stresses contribute to an estimated 30% of first responders developing behavioral health conditions like depression and post traumatic stress disorder.

In the past three years, the state has had 1.6 million EMS transport calls, he said. Of those, 70% were done by the 20 largest agencies in the state, he said. Over the same time, 30 agencies ran fewer than 100 calls a year, he said.

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And why is that important? Three-thousand-four-hundred patients were seen a year. Thats rural EMS, he said. When you only run 100 transport calls a year, you cant survive financially. You cant do it. Thats 3,400 patients in our state that we were able to reach because those agencies are still intact.

Ratliff said the state also has a 45% utilization rate for advanced life support (ALS), above the national average of 35%.

Were low on paramedics, Were low on EMTs, and yet we still have a high rate of ALS utilization, he said. Were trying to get paramedics out there, everywhere, and we do a pretty good job of it. That number needs to come down because of the ones that have committed suicide, most of them are ALS providers.

There are 800 active ALS providers in the state and 1,000 emergency medical technicians, he said. Those 1,800 providers completed about a half million calls in 2024, he said.

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Were killing them, he said. Literally thats what were doing.

Ratliff said the state also has a problem with its payor mix for EMS providers. Medicaid covers roughly 36% of residents, while Medicare covers 35%, he said. He said Medicare not covering the full cost of calls has led to EMS agencies shutting down in the state.

Thats why we have EMS agencies shutting down, he said. Because most of our patients are Medicare, Medicaid. Medicare does not pay the rate of what it costs to run the call. We cant survive. But were asking our paramedics to do more and more and more.

Medicare rates are set at the national level. Ratliff said the state has done all it can to help increase reimbursement rates.

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Ratliff also said the states hospitals do a poor job of quickly getting patients from EMS care into hospitals. National guidelines call for patients to be offloaded to hospitals within 20 minutes of arrival, he said. In West Virginia, the average is 32 minutes on a good day, and 92 minutes on a bad day, he said.

This is not a nursing problem. This is not a bed problem. This is administration problem with the hospitals, he said. Cabell Huntington Hospital does not have a problem with off loading patients; They are the best in the state. Trying to get the other hospitals to look at them and say we should follow this guideline. Weve been doing it for two years, and cant seem to get them to do it.

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NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP)  Former President Jimmy Carter is being honored right here in western Massachusetts.

Cooley Dickinson Hospital welcomed first baby of 2025

The frigid temperatures and gusts of wind did not stop Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity volunteers from gathering today to honor Jimmy Carter, who dedicated a lot of his time to the organization.

The organization will raise a wall with a door on it to symbolize the many doors of opportunities the former president made through his service and contributions to others. The memorial door will remain in place for several days.

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To have a memorial that made us think about the many doors he has open for families across the country, says Executive Director for Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity Megan McDonough.

All across the country and the world, Jimmy Carters life and legacy are continuing to be honored and remembered. Carters popularity grew after his presidency and one of the organizations that he was a part of, was Habitat for Humanity.

McDonough added, The Carters were one of those great people who walked the walk and talked the talk. They were champions for Habitat for Humanity around the globe.

The Carters started the Carter Work Project through Habitat for Humanity, gathering alongside over 100,000 volunteers to provide over 4,400 families with a home of their very own, in 14 different countries. Doors like this were raised all over the country in honor of Jimmy Carter, symbolizing how he opened doors, literally and figuratively, for thousands of people across the world, says McDonough.

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Their work not only touched families across the world who now have a place to call home but also others who volunteer their time to continue the mission, including right here in the Pioneer Valley. McDonough says, Were just a small group here in the Pioneer Valley, but we wanted to pay our respects and were very grateful for the Reverend Cherry for saving a prayer so we could have a little memorial here and have some time to remember the Carters.

Every October, the Carter Work Project brings thousands of volunteers together in one city, and while it wont be in the Pioneer Valley, they do have a plan to honor Jimmy Carter. Megan announced that in October of this year, the Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity will be gathering during the Carter Work Project at one of their sites in Greenfield to celebrate his life and legacy.

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WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  The Westfield Police Department is asking for the publics assistance in identifying two individuals who allegedly stole packages from an apartment lobby.

Brother of man killed in Springfield police-involved shooting arrested after allegedly making threat at officers home

Westfield police said that while the individuals were standing in the lobby of the Lansdowne Place apartment building, a UPS drop-off was made and a pile of packages was left there. The individuals were caught on the lobby camera picking up several packages and leaving the building with them.

(Courtesy of the Westfield Police Department) (Courtesy of the Westfield Police Department) (Courtesy of the Westfield Police Department)

If you recognize the individuals in the photos, please contact Detective Rick Mazza at r.mazza@cityofwestfield.org.

Local News Headlines

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At her daily news conference, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Wednesday displayed a colonial-era map of North America  with much of what later became the United States still shown as part of Mexico.

America Mexicana, the president said, suggesting that the entire region revert to the 17th century classification, which translates to "Mexican America," shown in the map. That sounds beautiful, no?

It was a sly jab at President-elect Donald Trump  who a day earlier suggested that the Gulf of Mexico be renamed the Gulf of America.

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What a beautiful name, Trump said. And its appropriate.

Trumps proposed geographic switcheroo was greeted with widespread derision in Mexico and throughout Latin America.

Obviously, the Gulf of Mexico is recognized by the United Nations, Sheinbaum said, rejecting the notion that the signature body of water  which has borne Mexico's name since colonial times  be rechristened.

But Sheinbaum, a scientist not known for her sense of humor, wasnt done. She also adapted a playful tone to take issue with another Trump assertion.

He claimed that Mexico is essentially run by the cartels.  Cant let that happen. Mexico is really in trouble. A lot of trouble. Very dangerous place.

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With all due respect, Sheinbaum said, the president-elect had been misinformed.

Trump, Sheinbaum suggested, was apparently under the impression that the country was still being run by ex-President Felipe Calderon and his former security chief, Genaro Garcia Luna, the latter now serving a 38-year U.S. prison term for collaborating with the Sinaloa cartel.

But, no, Sheinbaum said. The people govern in Mexico.

Special correspondent Cecilia Sanchez Vidal contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
New Delhi [India], January 8: S.K. Singhi & Partners LLP, one of India's leading law firms, has launched a transformative initiative--LEXITS under the aegis of S.K Singhi & Partners. The event was inaugurated by R Venkataramani- Attorney General of India, Dr. G Satheesh Reddy, Former Chairman DRDO, Govt of India , Dr. Lalit Bhasin, and Dr. Manoj Kumar. S.K Singhi and Urvashi Singhi welcomed the eminent guests on stage for the lamp lighting ceremony. Lexits, a transformative initiative, is supported by an expert team of retired judges, senior legal patrons, and seasoned legal professionals who bring decades of experience to every case.

Their expertise ensures that the advice provided is not only legally sound but also practically actionable. LEXITS helps litigants make informed, strategic decisions by providing clear insights into the potential outcomes, costs, timelines, and associated risks within the judicial landscape.

The chief guest of the event, R, Venkataramani- Attorney General for India highlighted the importance of an initiative like Lexits for the Indian judiciary system.

"Today wasn't just unveiling of Lexits, but a milestone towards collective journey for justice and legal innovation for everyone who believes in informed decision-making," said S.K Singhi, Founder & Managing Partner at S.K. Singhi & Partners LLP.

Through this innovative service, LEXITS seeks to help clients avoid unnecessary legal battles, reduce litigation-related costs, and expedite the dispute resolution process. By providing actionable insights and alternative solutions. The event was attended by some of the most venerable patrons from the legal fraternity such as Vijay M Phadke, Advocate, Supreme Court of India & France, Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal, Disputes Redressal Commission, Former Judge Delhi High, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Chief Coordinator India G20, Former Foreign Secretary, Govt Of India, Ausaf Sayeed, Former Foreign Secretary, Govt Of India, and many more.

https://lexits.in/

(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Shari Franke grew up in the public eye as the daughter of former Utah family vlogger Ruby Franke. Now, after publishing a tell-all memoir exposing her mother's abusive parenting, Shari is determined to move forward with her life.

Ruby and her husband, Kevin, first entered the spotlight in 2015 when they started the YouTube channel "8Passengers," which documented the family's lives to over 2 million subscribers. Over the years, viewers began raising concerns about Rubys extreme parenting methods and spotting troubling signs of child abuse. The "mommy vlogger" later partnered with Utah-based therapist Jodi Hildebrandt, to continue advocating for strict parental discipline via an advice podcast.

Related: All About Ruby Franke: Everything to Know About the Influencer Mom Convicted of Child Abuse

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In August 2023, Ruby and Jodi were arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse after Shari's then 12-year-old brother Russell asked a neighbor to call the police after he escaped the home. Police in Santa Clara, Utah, said officers found two of Ruby's children emaciated and malnourished, with open wounds and duct tape around their arms and legs. In February 2024, they were each given four consecutive prison sentences of one to 15 years.

On Jan. 7, Shari published a memoir titled The House of My Mother: A Daughter's Quest for Freedom, reflecting on the abuse she and her siblings experienced. Though the past was challenging, she told PEOPLE ahead of the book's release that writing it was an effort to share her side of the story and shed light on the dangers of family vlogging.

Ive witnessed the damage of what happens when your life is put online," she said. "Theres no ethical way to do it.

From her engagement to her memoir, here's everything to know about where Ruby Franke's eldest daughter Shari Franke is today.



Who is Shari Franke?

Shari Franke/ Instagram Shari Franke smiles in a photo in December 2022. Shari Franke smiles in a photo in December 2022.

Shari is the eldest of six children, including Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell and Eve. She was heavily featured on her mother's YouTube channel alongside her siblings until the page was deleted.

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Ahead of the release of her memoir in January 2025, Shari told PEOPLE that the abuse extended as far back as their "8Passengers" vlogging days, long before Ruby ever connected with Jodi.

Related: Where Are Ruby Frankes 6 Kids Now? Here's What Happened to the Family After the Vlogger's 2023 Arrest

"She'd always say that she wanted to be a good mom," Shari said. "That was what she always told us, and I think that she wanted to force her kids to also think that she was a good mom. She couldn't handle anybody disagreeing with her."

Shari also shared that her discomfort with being filmed as a child grew as time went on.

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"As I got older, I think I was 18 and we went bra shopping  me, and my sisters and Ruby  and she was filming it. And it was the first time that I was like, 'Oh, this is kind of weird and inappropriate and I'm not okay with that,' " she said.

Shari continued, "Looking back, I could see how all of my embarrassing moments as a teenager, I was coerced to post those. And that wasn't me actually understanding the full consequences that that would have."

Though Ruby later disowned her eldest daughter and cut off communication when she left for college, Shari became increasingly concerned for the safety of her siblings who remained in the house, going as far as calling the Utah Division of Child and Family Services (who took no further action following a welfare check).

"My biggest priority was just making sure that the kids were alive, Shari told PEOPLE. As long as they were alive, obviously then I knew eventually things would be okay."

How did Shari Franke react to her mom's arrest and conviction?

Shari Franke/ Instagram Shari Franke addresses the Utah House of Representatives on the dangers of family vlogging in October 2024. Shari Franke addresses the Utah House of Representatives on the dangers of family vlogging in October 2024.

Less than a day after Ruby was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated child abuse, Shari shared in a since-deleted post on Instagram that she and her family "are so glad justice is being served."

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"Today has been a big day," she wrote. "We've been trying to tell the police and CPS for years about this, and so glad they finally decided to step up."

After posting a photo of officers outside the family home on her Instagram Stories with the caption, "finally," Shari turned to her followers for their help, asking them to begin adding clips of suspicious and questionable comments her mother has allegedly made to a public Google doc.

Within a few days, the document had accumulated nearly 100 links to problematic comments from Ruby over the years, including discussions of withholding food from her kids and transphobic and ableist remarks.



Is Shari still in touch with her mom Ruby?

Shari Franke/ Instagram Shari Franke goes shopping for her college dorm room with her mom Ruby Franke in July 2021. Shari Franke goes shopping for her college dorm room with her mom Ruby Franke in July 2021.

Ruby ultimately disowned Shari, which led her to cease all communication with her mother. In January 2025, she told PEOPLE that she has no interest in reconnecting with Ruby, whom she no longer regards as her mother.

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"She's very selective in what she's remorseful about, and I don't think that she'll ever fully recover until she can look at everything that's happened with her," Shari said. "Part of me feels guilty if I don't forgive. But I've come to realize that forgiveness for me just means that I don't let her actions consume my thoughts."

She added, "I'm still angry about what she did, of course, and that's never going to go away, but I am living my life and I am not letting her take any more of that from me than she's already taken."



Where is Shari Franke now?

Shari Franke/ Instagram Shari Franke poses for a photo while in Washington D.C. in May 2022. Shari Franke poses for a photo while in Washington D.C. in May 2022.

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Since her mom's conviction, Shari has advocated against family vlogging. In October 2024, she addressed the Utah House of Representatives in hopes of shedding light "on the ethical and monetary issues that come from being a child influencer."

"I want to be clear that there is NEVER. never a good reason for posting your children online for money or fame," she said in her statement, which she shared on Instagram. "There is no such thing as a moral or ethical family vlogger."

Although she's used her voice to fight for change, Shari is also focusing on moving forward with her life. She is set to graduate in 2025 from Brigham Young University, where she studies political science.

Alongside her education, Shari is attending therapy and working on mending her relationship with her father, who has filed for custody of the younger Franke siblings. To protect their privacy, she no longer speaks publicly about them.

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In December 2024, the former child influencer shared on Instagram that she had gotten engaged, adding that the milestone also marked the start of a new chapter  "the end" of her sharing her private life.

"Ive had my voice and agency taken for so long, and now, Im putting my foot down. Im not going to talk about my wedding, future husband, or future kids," she wrote.

Shari added that she would "continue to advocate for kids who didnt have a voice" but that she was also seeking closure from the past.

"Im moving on with my life, and thats true freedom and joy," she wrote.



What has Shari said about her moms abuse in her memoir?

sharilfranke/Instagram; Gallery Books Shari Franke and new memoir 'The House of My Mother,' released in January 2025. Shari Franke and new memoir 'The House of My Mother,' released in January 2025.

In The House of My Mother, Shari details the abuse she and her siblings experienced from their mother  and recounts what happened when she once called child protective services.

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She recalled her mother saying, "I cant believe you called the police on me. After everything Ive done for you, after all the sacrifices Ive made. How could you betray me like that, Shari? How could you be so selfish?

Shari wrote that she responded with concern about her mom allegedly leaving the children alone for five days, to which Ruby reportedly rebutted, saying, "Theyre fine. Theyre old enough to take care of themselves. This is about you, Shari. Your jealousy, your need for attention.

She continued to tell her daughter that she was a "child playing at being an adult," blaming her for terrifying her siblings.

"One day, Shari, youll come crawling back to me. Begging for my forgiveness. And itll be hard for me to give it to you, but Ill be gracious," Shari recalled her mother saying, to which she responded, "Im not going to apologize for telling the truth."

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After Ruby claimed that her daughter "hated" her since she was 5 years old, lacking any appreciation for the "sacrifices" she made, Shari responded, "Thats not true. I never hated you, Mom. I was just scared of you.

What has Shari said about her moms relationship with Jodi Hildebrandt?

Moms of Truth/ Instagram Jodi Hildebrandt and Ruby Franke in a video posted to their joint account, Moms of Truth. Jodi Hildebrandt and Ruby Franke in a video posted to their joint account, Moms of Truth.

In her memoir, Shari also touched on her mother's relationship with Jodi, the family therapist and her mom's business partner.

During an appearance on Good Morning America the day of the memoir's release, Shari shared that she "got weird vibes from Jodi and Ruby."



I dont think its normal at all that a therapist would move into her clients home," she said. "I was moving out to college, and I hadnt even left the house yet and she is in my room and in my bed.

Shari was disowned and cut off by Ruby shortly after she had connected with Jodi, but she saw enough of their relationship to know that something didn't feel right.

Ruby tried to be secretive about it, and so I dont know all the details, Shari said. The vibes I was getting was that something was strange between them.

In an excerpt from her memoir that she shared on GMA, Shari revealed that she found messages on Ruby's laptop after her arrest that seemingly confirmed "the truth about the nature of her relationship with Jodi and how it had spilled over into physical."

"Ruby, expressing her frustration about having to cater to Jodis needs for physical affection without getting anything in return," she wrote.

However, when asked to elaborate on GMA, she said that she "never saw anything specific about that" and wasn't "sure" if they were more than friends.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

Read the original article on People
More than 44 years now have passed without answers.

Tuesday marked the anniversary of the disappearance of Lonene Ray Rogers, a young mother of two who was last seen Jan. 7, 1981, at her Hayfield Township home near routes 98 and 198 at Littles Corners.

Rogers was just 29 when she disappeared without a trace, according to Pennsylvania State Police at Meadville, which continues to. work the case.

Once again, state police are requesting those who may have information related to Rogers disappearance to come forward.

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Rogers, almost completely deaf and unable to speak fluently, left the home in the midst of a severe snowstorm, according to Trooper Kevin Geibel, an investigator at the state police Meadville barracks.

At the time of her disappearance, Rogers may have been wearing a navy blue peacoat, blue jeans and high brown boots, according Geibel.

However, her purse, hearing aids and glasses, car and keys  and her two young children  were left behind.

Somebody knows something, Alison Duiker, Rogers now-adult daughter, told The Meadville Tribune in a phone interview Tuesday.

Since October 2024, Duiker has had a billboard along routes 6 and 19, about 2 miles of Meadville, with her mothers photo, asking those with information to contact state police in Meadville at (814) 332-6911.

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The billboard has been funded by Season of Justice, a nonprofit organization in Zionsville, Indiana, that provides funding toward helping solve cold cases. Its scheduled to remain up until later this spring.

Duiker, who was just 5 when her mother vanished, has vowed to spread awareness far and wide about Lonenes story in an effort to move the case forward.

It (the billboard) is to build awareness and put pressure on those who know something to get them to come forward, Duiker said.

Geibel said periodic media stories about the disappearance help to generate new information. Even minor information can be critical when combined with existing case information.

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People will contact us and we interview them, Geibel said. It may not be something that directly corresponds, but it adds to the case.

Lonene Rogers was seen at her job on Jan. 6, 1981, and left work at the completion of her shift.

Rogers then was seen by the babysitter when she picked up her two children, according to Geibel. It was typical for her to get her children after work and then go home.

The babysitter told investigators that she had communicated with Rogers via TTY (Text Telephone) on the evening of Jan. 6, 1981. A close friend also reported communicating with Rogers via TTY that night.

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The TTY that Rogers communicated from was located within her residence.

Her husband, Clinton Rogers, told police that he was at home with Lonene and the children that evening. However, the couple had an argument at their residence, state police said.

According to Clinton, he last saw Lonene on Jan. 7, 1981, at 12:45 a.m. when he went to bed. He reported waking up during the early-morning hours and discovering his wife was not at the residence.

Clinton told authorities that he initially wasnt worried so he didnt contact police right away.

Since Rogers disappeared, none of her close friends or relatives have had any contact with her and there has been no activity for her Social Security Number, according to Geibel.

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One thing family and friends consistently have said is shed not have left home without her children, the trooper said.

Rogers is described as being 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 140 pounds with long sandy brown hair and gray eyes. She also had freckles, pierced ears and no tonsils.

Anyone with information regarding Rogers disappearance is asked to call Geibel at state police at Meadville at (814) 332-6911 or via TTY/TDD at (814) 724-2985, or anonymously by calling PSP Tips (formerly Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers), toll-free at (800) 4PA-TIPS (8477), or online at https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=107.

All callers to PSP Tips remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest, the solving of a crime/cold case, or the location of a wanted person/fugitive or missing persons.
A White Bear Lake tattoo artist has been sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for buying and selling stolen human remains, including the corpse of a stillborn baby that was meant to be cremated.

Mathew R. Lampi, 53, of East Bethel, received his sentence in U.S. District Court in Pennsylvania last week after previously pleading guilty to interstate transport of stolen goods. He was ordered to surrender to authorities Feb. 3 to begin serving the sentence.

The case is part of a multi-year federal investigation that uncovered what officials say was a nationwide, shadowy market for human remains. Multiple defendants have been charged in Pennsylvania and Arkansas, and several have entered guilty pleas.

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According to the June 2023 indictment and other federal filings, Lampi bought human remains between September 2021 and August 2022 that were stolen by a woman who worked at an Arkansas mortuary and crematorium. He bought human hearts, brains, an arm, a pair of smokers lungs and a corpse of a stillborn baby named Lux.

Lampis conduct, and the conduct of his coconspirators, shocks the conscience, federal prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memo to the judge last month. The Sentencing Guidelines simply do not account for the egregiousness of this type of crime, and the range they yield in Lampis case is insufficient to establish a just sentence.

Prosecutors asked the court to depart from the guidelines range and imprison Lampi for two years, saying the nature of this crime was especially heinous as compared to a run-of-the-mill interstate transportation of stolen goods case.

Lampi is the owner of Get to the Point Tattoos, which he ran in the Wildwood Shopping Center for many years. His business license, which was first filed in 2000, is listed as Active/In Good Standing on the Minnesota Secretary of States website.

Hearts and brains coming

Beginning in late 2021, Jeremy Pauley, of Enola, Penn., began buying human remains from Candace Chapman Scott, who stole the remains from her employer, Arkansas Central Mortuary Services of Little Rock, Ark.

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Lampi and Pauley then bought and sold remains from each other, exchanging nearly $130,000 in online payments.

Around Dec. 7, 2021, Pauley wrote to Lampi and said he had hearts and brains coming and sent photos of the remains that Chapman Scott had displayed in her apartment. Lampi offered to buy three items for $4,000 from Pauley, who told him, Deal! Soon as it all gets here Ill wrap it up and send it out, according to court documents.

The next day, Pauley sent Lampi more photographs and said he had four more brains, three hearts, a perfect lung, penis and a set of testicles.

A few months later, on Feb. 27, 2022, a deal was made between the two men for Lampi to buy the stillborn babys corpse. Chapman Scott had sold the corpse to Pauley for $300. Pauley traded it plus $1,550 to Lampi in exchange for five skulls.

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Prosecutors said the babys mother had a pendant made from his purported ashes and treasured that memento of the child she never got to know. But it was a lie; the ashes she was given were not the cremains of her lost baby boy.

On May 27, 2022, Pauley reached out to Lampi, saying he had a pair of smokers lungs for sale, which he then sold to Lampi for $1,900.

Police tipped off

Local police talked to Pauley in June 2022, after being tipped off he was advertising human remains for sale on Facebook.

Hello so what did the police say(?), Lampi asked him through WhatsApp.

Pauley responded that he had been asked about the human remains and in the end the only thing that mattered was nothing was proved grave robbed or stolen out of a morgue, followed by a smiley face emoji.

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A search of Lampis home in East Bethel failed to recover Luxs remains. In April 2023, Lampi, through his attorney, voluntarily turned Luxs body over to the FBI, prosecutors said.

But the harm was already done, said prosecutors, who added that Luxs mother grieved all over again when notified that her son had been stolen and sold as part of this macabre, underworld trade.

Lampis sentence includes three years of supervised probation following incarceration. He was ordered to pay a $2,000 fine and $1,700 in restitution to Luxs mother.

Pauley and Chapman Scott are awaiting sentencing after entering guilty pleas to federal charges.
The White Mountain Apache Tribe has filed a lawsuit against the five largest social media platformsTikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and YouTubeaccusing them of contributing to a mental health crisis among Tribal youth. The suit, filed in the United States Federal Court for the Northern District of California, aims to hold these companies accountable for their platforms damaging influence on young users.

In the suit, the Tribe points to suicide rates among Tribal teens that are 3.5 to 4 times higher than the national average. Tribal youth also disproportionately face challenges such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and eating disorders. Social media platforms, the lawsuit alleges, have exacerbated these issues through addictive and harmful designs.

Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning.

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Our children are our most precious resource, and we must act to protect our youth and hold these companies accountable for the harm they have inflicted on our children, our families, and our Tribe, Kasey Velasquez, Chairman of the White Mountain Apache Tribe said in a statement.

The lawsuit draws on whistleblower reports revealing that social media companies prioritize profits over user safety. Platforms are accused of employing algorithms that foster addiction, boost harmful content, and exploit psychological vulnerabilities, especially among teenagers. Harmful practices cited in the lawsuit include:

Addictive Algorithms : Personalized feeds that encourage compulsive use and prolonged engagement.

Gambling-like Features : Systems that create anticipation for "likes" and continuous content streams.

Exploitation of Reciprocity: Notifications designed to prompt frequent returns and reinforce constant online engagement.

These features, the Tribe argues, expose youth to harmful content such as cyberbullying, misinformation, explicit material, and content promoting self-harm or eating disorders, further exacerbating mental health challenges.

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Social media companies have created environments where our children face constant pressures that worsen mental health struggles, said Richard Fields of Fields Han Cunniff, legal counsel for the Tribe. These companies knew the impacts of their designs and chose profits over well-being.

The lawsuit pursues claims under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and includes allegations of public nuisance, fraud, negligence, product liability, and unjust enrichment.

This legal action aligns with the Tribes ongoing efforts to combat the youth mental health crisis. The White Mountain Apache Tribe has invested heavily in mental health programs, including emergency services, counseling, and suicide prevention initiatives. Partnering with Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health, the Tribe pioneered the first tribally mandated suicide surveillance and follow-up system in the U.S. Their Celebrating Life Prevention Team combines community-based surveillance with preventive strategies to address youth suicide.

We stand with the White Mountain Apache Tribe in their efforts to address this youth mental health crisis, Adam Levitt of DiCello Levitt, co-counsel for the Tribe, said in a statement. Our goal is to bring much-needed reform to an industry that prioritizes profits over mental well-being and create a safer online environment for Tribal children.

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About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. "

Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in Warren, July 22, 2024 | Lucy Valeski

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday said she issued a proclamation recognizing January as Muslim American Heritage Month.

During Muslim American Heritage Month, we recognize and celebrate the profound impact Muslim Americans have had on Michigans culture, economy, and communities, said Whitmer in a statement. Lets honor their achievements, reflect on their history, and recommit to building a Michigan where everyone can thrive.

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Michigans Muslim population is estimated at about 240,000 or 2.4% of the state.

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist praised the contributions of Muslim Americans to Michigan.

Michigan is stronger because of our Muslim American community. Muslim Americans have shaped our state and nation in countless ways, enriching our communities and driving progress, said Gilchrist. As we celebrate Muslim American Heritage Month, we honor their achievements and reaffirm our commitment to building a Michigan where everyones contributions are valued and celebrated.

Whitmers office released statements from several community leaders in support of the proclamation.

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As one of the largest and most diverse Muslim populations in the country, the Michigan Muslim community plays a vital role in driving economic growth, fostering innovation, and enriching the cultural tapestry of our state, said Ahmad Alkaabi, Michigan Immigrant and Refugee Council.

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At a press conference Tuesday morning, President-elect Donald Trump announced that the U.S. needs Greenland for national security purposes, adding, nobody knows if (Denmark) even has any right title or interest.

The people are probably going to vote for independence or come into the United States, Trump continued. But if they did do that, then I would tariff Denmark at a very high level.

Meanwhile, Trumps son, Donald Trump Jr., has been public in his recent Greenland adventures, as seen on X: Greenland loves America and Trump!!! Incredible people with an equally awesome reception. They just want to be able to utilize some of the incredible resources that they have and allow themselves, their country, and their kids to flourish.

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He arrived in Nuuk on Tuesday with other Trump reps, according to the president-elects Truth Social post. However, Trump Jr. did not meet with any government officials, but traveled for podcasting content, per Fox News.

Right before his trip, Trump Jr. told Fox News, As someone who has traveled to some fascinating places across the globe as an outdoorsman, Im excited to stop into Greenland for a little bit of fun this week.

Full throttle takeoff out of Greenland after an epic day. Big plane short runway in Nuuk. Send it. pic.twitter.com/TYCYjIEJTG  Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) January 7, 2025

Florida Voice News Eric Daugherty posted a video to X of Trump Jr. on speakerphone with his dad in a room full of Greenlanders wearing MAGA hats.

On the phone, Trump said, I just want to say that (Greenland is) a very special place. It needs security for itself, but it also needs security very much for the world. You see ships sailing around, and theyre not the right ships. Theyre not the ships you want to know about. So we need security, and our country needs it, and the whole world needs it. You guys are so strategically located, so its really imperative.

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Meanwhile, Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., responded positively to the idea of acquiring Greenland on Fox News, saying, I do think its a responsible conversation, if they were open to acquiring it, you know, whether just buying it outright.

He continued, If anyone thinks thats bonkers, its like, well, remember the Louisiana Purchase? I think Alaska was a pretty great deal too. Fifty million dollars I think it was? It was referred to as Sewards Folly, and now that was Alaska.

Greenland as a geopolitical and natural resource power

A professor of earth sciences at Brown University, Amanda Lynch, explained how Greenland would benefit the U.S., giving us eyes on everything thats going on, including on the Northern Sea Route, which is controlled by Russia.

Donald Trump Jr., center, smiles after arriving in Nuuk, Greenland, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Emil Stach

She also nodded to Greenlands natural resources, which are not just hydrocarbons but also rare earth minerals and uranium. She added, And when were thinking about the green energy transition, access to rare earth minerals in particular is important for any nation.

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Acquiring Greenland would also send a strong, deliberate message to Beijing. Not just talk. Action. Making America ambitious again, a source connected to Trumps transition efforts told the New York Post.

A think tank in Washington, D.C., the Wilson Center, also reported that the U.S. has been facing challenges securing a reliable supply of these materials, which are essential for its economic competitiveness and national security. These materials include metals such as lithium, cobalt, rare earth elements, and graphite.

China has made it difficult for the U.S. to secure these resources. The Wilson Center explained, China dominates the global supply chain of critical materials, accounting for a significant share of mining, processing, and refining capacity. Having a dependency on them for resources raises concerns about supply disruptions, geopolitical risks and market manipulation.

Klaus Dodds, a professor of geopolitics at Royal Holloway, University of London, echoed this sentiment, There is no question at all that Trump and his advisers are very concerned about the stranglehold that China appears to have.

Who currently runs Greenland?

Greenland is not an independent country but an autonomous territory of Denmark. Greenland governs most of its domestic affairs, while Denmark governs with Greenlands foreign affairs and defense, per the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.

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In 1979, Denmark granted Greenland home rule, and in 2009 the rule expanded, giving Greenland control over its own resources and a greater say in political and economic decisions. The islands official language is Kalaallisut, but many people also speak Danish. Currently, around 60,000 people live in Greenland, a population roughly five times smaller than Wyoming.

Previous U.S. involvement in Greenland

The earliest mentions of acquiring Greenland came in 1867 when the U.S. moved forward with acquiring Alaska, and talks have ebbed and flowed since then.

In 1946, the Harry S. Truman administration made a bid to purchase Greenland for $100 million.

Then in 2019 during his first administration, The Wall Street Journal reported on Trumps expressed interested in acquiring Greenland, In meetings, at dinners and in passing conversations, Mr. Trump has asked advisers whether the U.S. can acquire Greenland, listened with interest when they discuss its abundant resources and geopolitical importance.

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With his return to office, Trump has expressed renewed interest in acquiring the island.

On Truth Social, Trump announced PayPal Co-Founder and previous Ambassador to Sweden Ken Howery as his choice to be the U.S. Ambassador to Denmark.

He continued, 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. Ken will do a wonderful job in representing the interests of the United States. Thank you Ken, and congratulations!
WASHINGTON  Why is President-elect Donald Trump so committed to acquiring Greenland and the Panama Canal that hed be willing to use military coercion to get them?

The short answer is that Trump is jockeying for geopolitical supremacy over what he believes are an expansionist-minded China and Russia, two former top Trump national security aides told USA TODAY.

But Trumps concerns are also heavily influenced by something he often does not acknowledge: climate change and its growing influence on national security.

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Trump has had his eyes on the massive but remote Arctic island since his first term. He doubled down on that  and his interest in the coast-to-coast Central American waterway that is the Panama Canal  in recent weeks as he prepares to take office.

On Tuesday, Trump went even further, refusing to rule out either military or economic coercion when it comes to taking control of the canal, which is owned and operated by Panama, and Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.

More: Trump refuses to rule out military force to acquire Greenland and the Panama Canal

We need them for economic security, Trump said at a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.

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The Panama Canal is vital to our country, he said at one point. At another: We need Greenland for national security purposes.

Greenland: The key to the mythical Northwest Passage

When it comes to Greenland, Trump said he believes Denmark should give it up, because we need it for national security.  I'm talking about protecting the free world.

You don't even need binoculars, Trump added. You look outside. You have China ships all over the place. You have Russian ships all over the place. We're not letting that happen.

John Bolton, Trumps point man on Greenland in his first administration, said American political leaders have been interested in gaining control of the island for more than a century.

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Trump didn't discover Greenland, Bolton, who was also Trumps first national security adviser, said in an interview. The U.S. has been worried about it for a long time.

US businessman Donald Trump Jr. (2ndR) poses after arriving in Nuuk, Greenland on January 7, 2025. Donald Trump Jr made a private visit to Greenland, a Danish autonomous territory coveted by Trump Sr and which hopes to one day be independent but remains dependent on Copenhagen for now. (Photo by Emil Stach / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP) / Denmark OUT (Photo by EMIL STACH/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images)

To understand Trumps interest in Greenland, Bolton said, just look at a map of the world from the vantage point of the North Pole.

Four NATO countries  the U.S., Canada, Denmark and Norway  have territorial claims that cover half of the Arctic Circle, Bolton said. Russia covers the rest.

The U.S. already has a military base in Greenland, but having more control of the entire island would enable Washington to better protect its interests in the region  including critically important shipping lanes  against expansionist efforts by Russia and, more recently, China.

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China has become increasingly aggressive in the region as climate change reduces much of the impenetrable Arctic Circle ice to water, Bolton said. That makes the mythical Northwest Passage  a shorter shipping route between North America, Europe and Asia sought by explorers for 300 years  now a reality.

The gradual opening of the Northwest Passage has allowed more military and commercial ships to cross over or near the North Pole in recent years, which could reduce their voyages by thousands of miles.

So who holds that defensive capability across the Arctic Circle is critical, Bolton said. Especially with global warming making the famous Northwest Passage now something that's real, and with China's interest in becoming a global power.

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Who knows what's under there?

There is also the enormous bounty of precious resources believed to be buried under the ocean floor of the Arctic Circle and on Greenland itself.

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It's never been explored. People thought it was covered with ice. But as the ice melts, just like the Russian tundra, who knows what's under there? Bolton said.

In his first administration, Trump administration officials believed Greenland could have critically important rare-earth resources that were now becoming harvestable thanks to ice melt driven by climate change.

Recovering them would make the U.S. far less reliant on China, which has much of the worlds stores of such materials used in computers, cellphones and other high-tech devices, according to Bolton and a second administration official, Charles Kupperman.

I'm not an expert on that, but that's why we do have a clear national security interest there, Bolton said.

Panama Canal: China is basically taking it over

On Tuesday, Trump criticized former President Jimmy Carter for ceding control of the Panama Canal to the Panamanian government even though the U.S. spent vast sums of money and manpower to build the 51-mile waterway out of a mosquito-infested swamp in the early 1900s.

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Over the years, Trump said, China has virtually taken control of the strategic waterway, giving Beijing a huge economic and military advantage over Washington.

We gave it away for $1, but the deal was that, you know, they have to treat us fairly. They don't treat us fairly. They charge more for our ships than they charge for ships of other countries. They charge more for our Navy than they charge for navies of other countries, Trump said Tuesday.

Trump also claimed the biggest beneficiary of that is China, which he said, is basically taking it over.

China is running the Panama Canal, Trump said, adding that it makes a lot of money from one of the most profitable structures ever built, because you have ships lined up back to Florida, frankly, and they just keep going through, and the numbers are staggering, half a million to a million dollars a ship.

Cargo ships are seen as they wait to navigate through the Panama Canal on the pacific side of Panama City August 10, 2015. The Panama Canal Authority will temporarily lower the maximum draft of ships passing through the canal, due to droughts caused by El Nino, authorities said on Friday. REUTERS/Carlos Jasso

Trump didnt mention it, but the reason for the ship backlog is, again, climate change.

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According to a United Nations report from February, transits through the Panama Canal have plummeted 49 per cent compared to its peak, due to dwindling water levels as a result of a severe, climate-change-induced drought.

'Its our canal, we paid for it, and Carter got rid of it'

Kupperman, deputy national security adviser in the first Trump administration, agreed that Chinas massive investment in canal infrastructure could pose a security threat to the U.S.

The Chinese definitely have a strategy to create a large presence in the Western Hemisphere. And it's not just in Panama; it's throughout South America and other places as well, Kupperman told USA TODAY.

More U.S. control or influence over the canal would not only help the incoming Trump administration counter Chinas efforts to expand its influence throughout the Western Hemisphere, but it also would benefit the U.S. in global trade leverage and military strategy, Kupperman and Bolton said.

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Kupperman first worked on Panama Canal issues for Ronald Reagans first presidential campaign in 1980.

Back then, he said, Reagan defeated Carter, in part, by attacking his agreement to give control of the Canal to Panama.

He said its our canal, we paid for it and Carter got rid of it, Kupperman said. So it was a political statement in 1980, and I think Trump's trying to resurrect the feelings that existed when the canal was first returned to Panama.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump would use military to get Greenland and Panama Canal. Here's why
ATLANTA (AP)  After years of stalled efforts to limit civil lawsuits, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and Republican lawmakers are doubling down with a new push.

Supporters, most prominently business groups, call the state a judicial hellhole, and argue that businesses are being crushed by rising insurance costs driven by excessive lawsuits that have helped plaintiffs get big payouts.

This issue is not about business, said Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch, a Dahlonega Republican. Its about every Georgian paying more and more premiums for their insurance. Whatever we can do to make it more affordable to own a home, operate your vehicle and protect your family with insurance, we need to do it.

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But opponents say there's no proof that lawsuits are closely linked to rising insurance rates and that limits will make it harder for injured parties to win justice in court.

This is about trying to do some favors for people who hopefully will line your political pockets, said Jen Jordan, an attorney and former Democratic state senator. At the end of the day, Georgians are going to be hurt.

Kemp in 2023 promised the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, one of his top allies, that he would seek to limit lawsuit costs, a push that many call tort reform. But he admitted in 2024 that the effort was complicated, and instead signed a law to gather data on lawsuit verdicts.

Even as Kemp held events to build public support ahead of the legislative session, which begins Monday, the Republican governor is having to contend with GOP lawyers in the General Assembly who make a living by filing lawsuits, Democrats who mostly oppose changes, and a state Supreme Court that has voided earlier limits.

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One key issue is lawsuits against stores, apartment complexes and other businesses over crimes or injuries on their property. In one such lawsuit, Georgia mother Sheila Brooks sued Family Dollar and Dollar Tree last year after her son Lem Johnny Johnson IV was fatally shot at one of their south Atlanta stores.

Police say the shooter wasn't a Family Dollar employee, but the lawsuit alleges that Family Dollar knew about earlier incidents involving gunshots, gunplay, assault, violent threats with weapons, and disturbing acts of violence" at and near the location. The store should have taken more security measures to protect their customers, the complaint said.

Supporters of lawsuit limits say property owners shouldn't be held responsible for the wrongdoing of customers and trespassers.

If we fix this problem, Georgia could be a much easier, well-perceived place for businesses and their insurers, said attorney Bill Custer. It will fix our reputation as a bad-boy state.

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Nancy Palmer, a spokesperson for the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, said Georgias legal landscape has driven insurance companies out, making it difficult for businesses to get adequate coverage. She said insurance costs have become untenable across industries, affecting day care centers, grocery store owners, pharmacies, low-income housing providers and others in urban and rural areas alike.

Darion Dunn, a managing partner at Atlantica Properties, which develops affordable housing and is behind a micro community for previously unsheltered people known as The Melody, said insurance companies are raising premiums or denying coverage in areas they label as high crime" due to concerns about litigation.

Because of these rising insurance costs, weve had to walk away from projects that would otherwise have brought much-needed affordable housing," Dunn said.

Dunn wants to see lawmakers limit the amount of compensation people can seek for non-economic damages such as emotional pain and suffering. Georgias legislature capped such verdicts in 2005, but the state Supreme Court overturned the law in 2010 as unconstitutional.

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The Georgia Trial Lawyers Association disputes the idea that insurance costs are rising because of jury verdicts, and said in a statement that insurance companies have continued to raise premiums despite making record profits.

To limit a property owner's liability, lawmakers could limit the kind of evidence lawyers can use to prove property owners knew about the risk of incidents like Johnson's killing.

Lawmakers could also instruct juries to assign a minimum amount of blame to the person who committed the crime. In an oft-cited 2023 case, a man was awarded almost $43 million in a lawsuit against CVS after he was shot in a CVS parking lot during an armed robbery. The jury found CVS 95% responsible for the shooting, the victim 5% responsible and assigned no responsibility to the shooter.

These kinds of large verdicts are rare, said Madeline Summerville, an Atlanta attorney and political consultant for Democrats. She said large verdicts often result when insurers refuse to settle cases they should, and while some cases are frivolous, most aren't.

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You cant make legislation based on the fact that theres a minority of folks that are trying to game the system and then convince all of the people of Georgia that thats the majority of the cases that are coming through," Summerville said.

Summerville is particularly worried about changes to medical malpractice lawsuits, where people sue medical providers for botched work. If medical practitioners aren't held accountable, the level of care will decline, she said.

In a roundtable hosted by Kemp last fall, medical executives said insurance costs are rising and doctors fear working in Georgia because they might get sued. Van Loskoski, CEO of Stephens County Hospital in Toccoa, said the hospital couldn't recruit obstetricians because of the fear of lawsuits and stopped delivering babies in 2021. The hospitals medical malpractice premiums then fell by 13%, Loskoski said.

Lawmakers also could consider other measures, including some similar to laws passed in Florida in 2023. For example, they could require attorneys to show jurors how much plaintiffs actually paid in medical bills, as opposed to phantom damages based on the amounts they were originally charged. Legislators could also order separate trials to determine who is at fault for medical damages and what those damages are.

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___

This story has been updated to correct that Kemp promised tort reform in 2023 but delayed action in 2024, instead of in 2022 and 2023, respectively; and to correct the name of Atlantica Properties, not Atlantic Strategies.

___

Kramon is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Kramon on X: @charlottekramon.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation this week, setting off a scramble to replace him both as the country's head of government and as leader of the center-left Liberal Party, just months out from a federal election.

Trudeau won a sweeping parliamentary majority in 2015, but another election in 2019 reduced his party to minority status, though he was still able to form a government as the Liberal Party remained the largest in Parliament. Amid fallout from a limping post-COVID economy, a housing affordability crisis and battles over surging immigration, Trudeau and his government hemorrhaged support from both Canadian voters and erstwhile political allies.

Last month's abrupt and acrimonious resignation of Trudeau's chief deputy, Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland, appeared to seal the prime minster's fate.

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Trudeau's capitulation sets in motion an adjournment until late March, during which parliament is disbanded while Liberal Party members elect a new leader. After the leader is chosen, Trudeau will officially resign. Whoever replaces Trudeau has only until October, potentially, to re-position a wounded party for its reckoning with a mutinous electorate. And that is the best-case scenario: a probable vote of no confidence by a majority of the House of Commons would prompt an immediate federal election, giving Liberals almost no time to recover.

Either way, polls indicate a historic drubbing in store for the Liberal Party, which at around 20% popular support is far behind the Conservative Party led by Pierre Poilievre, which is now approaching 45% support.

Rather than electing their head of government directly, Canadian voters in each constituency choose a member of parliament to represent them in the House of Commons. The leader of the party able to form a government  by virtue of holding a majority in the House of Commons, by toughing it out as the largest minority party or by forming a coalition  is then officially appointed by the British monarch's governor-general to form and lead a new government as prime minister.

The son of former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and a savvy self-promoter, the younger Trudeau enjoyed a long "honeymoon" phase after 2015 as a favorite of liberals passionate about climate change, electoral reform, reconciliation with Canada's Indigenous people and expanding the country's intake of asylum-seekers. But a series of embarrassing scandals  from a photo of Trudeau in blackface to revelations that he had interfered in a corruption case against a favored construction firm  and accusations of broken promises over those very same issues diminished his standing, while the 2019 federal election deprived him of his absolute majority in parliament.

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After two frustrating years as leader of a minority government, Trudeau rolled the dice by calling a mid-pandemic election in 2021, falling short of a majority once again and only avoiding a much greater defeat due to political infighting among his opponents. This time, he entered into a supply and confidence agreement with the progressive New Democratic Party (NDP), which allowed him to form a government and pass his budgets, in exchange for Trudeau adopting some of its proposals.

Trudeau, unable to contain soaring costs and prod stagnant wages but insisting that his measures had prevented a worse situation, struggled to respond to the Conservative opposition. Led by Poilievre, the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) has courted the support of working-class voters by blaming government policies, like a carbon tax, for the country's economic woes and professing sympathy for those hurting in populist language  language some critics say belies the failures of the previous Conservative government (of which Poilievre was Housing Minister) and regressive policies that would only worsen voters' plight.

But naturally, it was the government that faced the voters' wrath. In a series of special elections between 2021 and 2025, Liberal Party candidates faltered in what should have been strongholds like Toronto and Montreal.

A few last-minute moves by Trudeau to placate the right, like a sharp cut to the number of immigrants allowed into the country, failed to arrest his party's slide. Trudeau's left flank also grew restive: Last September, his decision to break a railworkers' strike prompted the NDP to cut loose from its uncomfortable and ultimately damaging association with the Liberal Party.

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The fact is, the Liberals are too weak, too selfish and too beholden to corporate interests to fight for people, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh said in a video address. They cannot stop the Conservatives. But we can.

Now unable to command a majority in parliament, a weakened Trudeau began facing calls from his own backbenchers to resign for the good of the party. The prime minister, seeking to break a century-long precedent by winning a fourth federal election in a row, clung on defiantly. Then at the worst possible moment for Trudeau, a victorious Donald Trump pledged to slap a 25% tariff on all Canadian goods and services, driving yet another wedge into his government.

Freeland, the Finance Minister whose influence and wide portfolio has led the Canadian press to dub her the "Minister of Everything," disagreed with a slew of spending plans Trudeau hoped would claw back some popular support, calling them a "costly political gimmick" that would drain the "reserves we may need for a coming tariff war." Trudeau then offered Freeland a different position in the cabinet if she could not accept a budget deficit that would far exceed her own caps. Instead, she sent him a resignation letter.

While her letter did not pack the same bombast as the speech in parliament that brought down Britain's Margaret Thatcher, Freeland's December resignation exposed Trudeau's slackening grip and emboldened more Liberal MPs to call for the prime minister to follow suit. Poilievre, for his part, repeated his calls for an immediate election, saying: The government of Canada is itself spiraling out of control.

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Trudeau, alone and shunned by his chief lieutenant, announced his own resignation three weeks later. "I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister, after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide, competitive process," he told reporters.

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While the Liberal Party holds its internal contest, parliament is prorogued until March 24. No candidate has officially announced their entry into the race yet, but Freeland, her replacement Dominic LeBlanc, Foreign Minister Melanie Joly and Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne have all been named as potentially strong contenders.

Whoever emerges victorious will inherit leadership of a damaged party, premiership of a country beset by numerous crises as well as a potentially hostile neighbor to its south, and calls by all three major opposition parties  the CPC, NDP and separatist Bloc Quebecois  for an immediate election. If the three parties unite in a vote of no confidence upon parliament's return, Trudeau's successor will have to face an angry electorate by the end of spring.

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Poilievre has said that if he became prime minister, he would cut government spending, end handouts to corporations and repeal Trudeau-era policies like the carbon tax, which was implemented to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Despite his populist messaging (and criticism from the left that it's all just empty words), Poilievre is not often compared to Trump, a more vulgar kind of agitator who inveighs against immigration using much uglier language.

And while he would like to pursue a "great deal" on energy with the American president-elect, Poilievre has joined Trudeau, Freeland and other leading Canadian politicians in denouncing Trump's proposed tariffs as an "unjustified threat on our already weak and shrinking economy" and committing to economic retaliation "if necessary."

About 60% of U.S. crude oil imports and 85% of electricity imports are from Canada, according to The Associated Press. Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to its southern neighbor. Any trade war between the two countries would have disastrous effects on the economy and the costs of living for both of them, economists warn.

On at least one other issue, Poilievre can find agreement with Trudeau: Canada will not become the 51st state.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  On Thursday, various services nationwide, including U.S. Postal Service mail delivery, will be paused in honor of the National Day of Mourning established for former President Jimmy Carter.

The USPS notes on its website that all post offices will be closed and regular mail will not be delivered. There will, however, be limited package delivery service on Jan. 9. Customers can expect services to return to normal starting Friday.

Thursdays National Day of Mourning is meant to give people space to pay their respects to Carter, the longest-living American president. Per federal law, President Joe Biden previously declared the day a National Day of Mourning.

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Watch state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter

I do further appoint January 9, 2025, as a National Day of Mourning throughout the United States, Biden said in his Dec. 29 proclamation. I call on the American people to assemble on that day in their respective places of worship, there to pay homage to the memory of President James Earl Carter, Jr. I invite the people of the world who share our grief to join us in this solemn observance.

Carters funeral will be held on the same day at Washington National Cathedral. Viewers can watch a broadcast of the service starting at 10 a.m. on NBC4.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Several fairs were launched in Shandong on Tuesday embodying the Yellow River culture, Grand Canal culture and maritime culture across the province to boost consumption and celebrate the coming Spring Festival holiday.

The province has a diverse landscape with unique features of geography and culture. Positioned on the lower reaches of the Yellow River, Shandong forms a Yellow River culture belt.

In addition, the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal flows through several cities in Shandong, creating a distinct canal cultural belt. With its extensive coastline, Shandong is a maritime province, featuring seven coastal cities, each of which contributes to the rich maritime culture of the region.

The fairs highlight Shandong's quality products and traditional craftsmanship, while showcasing local customs and celebrations. The events include folk art performances, traditional operas and exhibitions of intangible cultural heritage.

For example, the fair featuring maritime culture, which were launched in the coastal cities, will host performances such as singing fishermen and will prepare seafood and other goods to sell during the Chinese New Year.
NewsVoir Pune (Maharashtra) [India], January 8: ADVIK, a leading automotive product manufacturer, has successfully acquired Powersports MTG GmbH, a motorcycle mechanical and hydraulic braking system and clutch system manufacturer. Powersports MTG GmbH ("Powersports") was created as a spin-off company for the powersports business from Gustav Magenwirth GmbH & Co. KG, known as MAGURA, a German company based in Bad Urach, established in 1893 that develops, produces and markets high-quality components with a focus on brake and clutch systems for two-wheelers. This move puts ADVIK into list of advanced brake system suppliers, aligning with its growth trajectory. The acquisition expands ADVIK's product range and customer base, aiming to enhance the development of next-gen braking solutions. This acquisition was executed through ADVIK's Singapore subsidiary ADVIK Singapore Pte. Ltd. Powersports ended 2024 with a strong revenue tending to 30 million Euro. Powersports acquisition brings advanced brake system and clutch system for on and off-road including high-end and racing motorcycles. Lineup includes motorcycle master cylinder and caliper along with slanted radial, fully radial and axial master cylinder in addition to floating caliper and fixed caliper. These technologies reduce friction, enhance brake feel and control across diverse road conditions. Aditya Bhartia, Managing Director of ADVIK group, expressed excitement about the acquisition, emphasizing its contribution to a safe & reliable advanced braking system. Bhartia said, "This acquisition of the two-wheeler braking system of MAGURA, with a rich history of more than 100 years, not only brings advanced technology for hydraulic braking and clutch system to larger part of the World, it also adds manufacturing and research & development capabilities in Germany. With 60 plus patents, this acquisition is very strategic to ADVIK to get access to hydraulic braking and clutch technology. Powersports customer include leading two-wheeler OEMs in Europe and USA for braking and clutch systems. This would help ADVIK to establish its footprint in Europe from where it can expand and service its customers at its doorstep. This is a step forward into our vision of being a leading braking system supplier in the World for two-wheeler (motorcycle and scooter)". He added that, "ADVIK would carry forward the legacy of more than 100 years and strategically expand the two-wheeler braking system portfolio Worldwide." Fabian Auch, Managing Partner of MAGENWIRTH Technologies GmbH, was delighted to have ADVIK as the new owner of the Powersports business. Auch said: "I am excited to handover this company to ADVIK, a group who has the prowess to further grow the two-wheeler braking systems business. I am sure the Powersports business has found its righteous place, where it will thrive and grow." ADVIK Hi-Tech Pvt. Ltd. (ADVIK) group is a leading manufacturer of precision components and systems for automotive markets worldwide and has grown exponentially over the last 20 years. As part of growth plan ADVIK 2.0 and ADVIK Strategy 2025, ADVIK aims to become a leading component and system supplier to ICE, Alternative Fuel (CNG, LNG, H2) and xEV (MHEV, HEV, PHEV & BEV) Vehicles like Two-Wheeler, Passenger Vehicle, Commercial Vehicle, Tractor & Off-Highway Vehicle including Stationary Engine. ADVIK provides technologically advanced and optimally engineered value-added products in the areas of Pumps (Oil Pump, Water Pump and Vacuum Pump including electric version of them), Braking System (disc brake system), Valves & Actuator and Alternative Fuel Systems and its components. Spread across the globe, ADVIK has 10 state-of-the-art facilities, 2 acquisitions and 9 TA's. The organization is run by a young team of highly energetic and driven professionals and has a culture that nurtures agility, intrapreneurship and innovation. ADVIK has established a new Business Unit (BU) and forayed into two new product lines under it; Lithium-ion Battery Pack for Energy Storage in Mobility & Stationary. The family-run MAGENWIRTH Technologies Group, with a history dating back 132 years, is unified by its strategy, finance and entrepreneurial holding company. It provides the impetus for entrepreneurship and acts as a networker between technologies, employees and partners. The holding company supports the development of the technology and service group's companies, initiates dynamic and innovative cross-company processes, combines technologies and harnesses synergies. The MAGENWIRTH Technologies Group employs around 600 people at 14 locations worldwide. (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)
If you dislike the idea of a whingeing luvvie whingeing about the plight of whingeing luvvies, then stop reading here. All Ill say is this: if you do, youll be disengaging from a mounting crisis in British culture  one thats more serious than you may realise.

Earlier this week, it was announced that the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, one of the UKs best, was scrapping its undergraduate courses. The problem, as ever, is money. The school cited the capping of student fees, restrictions to international student visas, cuts in grants and an increase in the cost of living as reasons for the brutal decision.

A mere glance at the Wikipedia page of the Bristol Old Vic will tell you just how successful it has been in producing talent since its founding, just after the Second World War. Daniel Day-Lewis, Jeremy Irons and Josh OConnor were among those on the undergraduate programme; postgraduates have included Olivia Colman and Naomie Harris. Such famous names are now loved both here and abroad: sources of national pride. The idea that similarly gifted youngsters might not have the opportunity to study there is sad, and deeply worrying.

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For the crucial thing about undergraduate acting courses is this: they provide an opportunity for those who arent necessarily academically gifted. The teachers at schools such as the Bristol Old Vic are interested in raw talent, potential and malleability, not how well students can analyse a text. Actors such as OConnor, who struggled at school due to his dyslexia, will be far less likely to make it in the acting world without such opportunities.

You might, at this juncture, wonder why anyone wants to act at all. Im sure that the old saying  90 per cent of actors are out of work 90 per cent of the time  still holds true, and those without any sort of financial cushion face the possibility of slogging away for three years at drama school without the prospect of work at the end of it. And even if they do find work, would a jobbing actor, particularly one in the poorly paid theatre sector, be able to feed their family?

Olivia Colman graduated from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in 1999 - Paul Drinkwater/NBC via AP

The Bristol Old Vic, to be clear, has acted reasonably, given the pressures it faces. You might be wondering whether it has traded too much on an antiquated idea of celebrity, but no: its website homepage isnt about its successful past students, but the here and now, displaying the faces of its final-year undergraduates.

Rather, the cultural world has changed around it. And, Im afraid to say, the changes will only make things harder for poorer or working-class students. When Keir Starmer and Labour came to power last year, some people in the arts saw it as a brave new dawn; they remembered the early Blair years with rose-tinted glasses, and imagined that public subsidy would flow out from Westminster. Well, that hasnt happened. There has been no seismic shift. Were staring, instead, at a cultural desert, with drama schools now subject, like many other British educational establishments, to VAT.

The late Pete Postlethwaite studied at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School at the start of the 1970s - Darren Gerrish/WireImage

Theres also a danger that drama-school methods might, in general, begin to seem anachronistic: that the classical texts that were once its bread-and-butter are falling out of favour. This worry came to light last week, when The Telegraph reported on education secretary Bridget Phillipsons plans for a diverse new curriculum. The plans chimed with calls from one teaching union for a less traditional approach to English literature, which means that many great writers will have to go by the wayside. Will an exquisite dramatic text such as T S Eliots Murder in the Cathedral, or Saint Joan by that old goat George Bernard Shaw, hold a place on the curricula of the future? No less an institution than Rada has already dropped restoration comedy from its undergraduate courses.

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Phillipson has stated that Shakespeare is safe, rubbishing one head teachers suggestion that the playwright be replaced by something youngsters can relate to, such as Instagram posts. Yet the direction of traffic is clear: the speaking of Shakespeares work is already being deconstructed by some leading theatres. Anyone who saw Jamie Lloyds production of Romeo and Juliet last year will have either been thrilled or appalled by its methods, as Tom Holland et al whispered sweet nothings into microphones. The proclamations of Shakespeares poetry were all but lost; I fear that the expert tuition in speaking the Bard, which has been taught at so many drama schools, will soon be considered unimportant.

Jeremy Irons is an alumnus of the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School - Stephen Shepherd

Arts education in the UK feels as though its in managed decline. An inaugural report by the Cultural Learning Alliance published last year stated that since 2010, there had been a 42 per cent drop in arts subjects being studied at GCSE. Many subjects such as drama are no longer taught in schools: the appetite for the arts that schools can foster is waning.

I hate to sound so gloomy in early January, and as a ray of light, we can observe that not every drama school faces perdition. Lamda, based in west London, has recently reported that its in rude health, with an annual rise in income of 3 million (albeit this is partly due to a hefty rise in tuition fees). But its clear that many other bastions of thespian excellence need Starmer and co to intervene  or Britains giant talent pool will soon get a lot smaller.

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Mayor Karen Bass was on her way back to Los Angeles Wednesday morning as the city remained under siege from several major wildfires. When the first of the wildfires broke out Tuesday, the Los Angeles mayor was thousands of miles away.

Bass was in Accra this week as part of a delegation to celebrate the inauguration of Ghana President John Mahama. She would also meet with the countrys first female vice president, Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, The Hill reported.

During a press conference at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Bass Deputy Chief of Staff Celine Cordero said the mayor would be on the ground shortly.

The Palisades Fire burns a residence in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

I want to assure the community and the city our mayor has been actively engaged 100% of the time the entire last 24 hours throughout this unfortunate event and crisis, Cordero said.

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Mayor Bass received criticism over the timing of her trip from prominent Republicans as well as Elon Musk and former mayoral candidate Rick Caruso.

In her absence, Bass official X account has been sharing frequent updates on evacuation orders and emergency shelters. The mayor also declared a local state of emergency.

To the thousands of families impacted by this horrific fire  the City of Los Angeles is providing resources and shelter as this emergency continues. To the hundreds of brave firefighters and first responders who have been responding all day to this blaze  we thank you. The City is working aggressively to confront this emergency, Bass said in a statement.

Map shows poor air quality due to Southern California wildfires

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As of Wednesday morning, there were three major fires threatening homes and forcing evacuations around Los Angeles County: the Palisades Fire in western Los Angeles, the Eaton Fire near Altadena and the Hurst/Sylmar Fire near Santa Clarita. All three were at zero percent containment as of 10 a.m.

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 KTLA.
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  One man is in custody after authorities say he threatened to bring an AR-15 rifle to two Owensboro pharmacies.

According to the Owensboro Police Department, 65-year-old Thomas Swift allegedly threatened to bring his AR-15 rifle to get his money back at The Springs Pharmacy.

Authorities say he also made similar threats to those at the Owensboro Health Regional Hospital pharmacy.

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During the investigation, Swift claims he admitted to owning a rifle but denied the plans to retrieve it.

This is why people shoot up places, says Swift in his statement to officers.

Swift was arrested and charged with:

Terroristic Threatening

Menacing

He is currently booked in the Daviess County Jail.

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Children born into poverty are far more likely to remain poor in adulthood in the United States than in other wealthy countries. Why?

The stickiness of poverty in the U.S. challenges the self-image of a country that prides itself on upward mobility. Most scholarship on the issue tends, logically enough, to focus on conditions during childhood, including the role of government income transfers in promoting childrens development. These studies have yielded important insights, but they overlook one major reason why poverty in the U.S. is so much stickier than in peer countries: Americans born into poverty receive far less government support during their adulthood.

In a new study published in Nature Human Behaviour, my co-authors (Gsta Esping-Andersen, Rafael Pintro-Schmitt, and Peter Fallesen) and I quantify the persistence of poverty from childhood to adulthood in the U.S. We find that child poverty in the U.S. is more than four times as likely to lead to adult poverty than in Denmark and Germany, and more than twice as likely than in the United Kingdom and Australia. These findings hold across multiple measures of poverty.

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We also sought to understand why poverty is so much more persistent in the U.S., using more complete data on household incomes than past studies have generally used. Studies focused on the U.S. have found that strong social networks, high-quality neighborhoods, and access to higher education all facilitate social mobility, yet these factors also matter in other wealthy countries where mobility is notably higher. When it comes to upward mobility from childhood poverty, what separates the U.S. from the U.K., Australia, Germany, and Denmark is a robust set of public investments to reduce povertys lingering consequences for adults who were born to disadvantaged families. We calculate that if the U.S. were to adopt the tax-and-transfer generosity of its peer countries, the cycle of American poverty could decline by more than one-third.

[Annie Lowrey: The case for spending way more on babies]

Imagine a resident of the U.S. and a resident of Denmark who each grew up spending, say, half of their childhood in poverty. Our study finds that both children will be less likely to pursue higher education or work full-time in adulthood compared with children who didnt grow up poor. But the Dane is more likely to receive unemployment benefits, means-tested income support, or a child allowance and is therefore far less likely to live in poverty as an adult. This tax-and-transfer insurance effector the role of the state in reducing adult disadvantages that stem from childhood povertymatters more than other oft-studied characteristics, such as parental education or marital status, in shaping the U.S. disadvantage compared with peer nations.

We were surprised by some factors that did not explain the U.S.s outlier statusin particular, the role of racial discrimination. We and others have documented how historic and ongoing discrimination affects racial differences in poverty rates. But racial discrimination does not appear to explain why poor children in the U.S. are so much likelier to also be poor adults. Black Americans are much more likely than white Americans to experience childhood poverty, but the white children who do grow up poor are just as likely to be poor in adulthood.

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We were also struck by the fact that, when it comes to escaping childhood poverty, the differences between the U.S. and its peer countries are much larger than the differences between places within the U.S. As the economist Raj Chetty and his co-authors have shown, growing up in a high-mobility city such as San Jose, California, confers significant long-term benefits compared with growing up in a low-mobility city such as Charlotte, North Carolina. Our study reveals, however, that even in the most economically mobile places in the U.S., poverty is stickier from childhood to adulthood than it is in the U.K., Australia, Denmark, or Germany.

[Roge Karma: A baffling academic feud over income inequality]

It might seem tautological to say that poor American children would be less likely to be poor as adults if the government gave them more money. But Americans still tend to treat the distribution of government benefits as a symptom of economic deprivation rather than a potential solution to it. Many academic studies of intergenerational disadvantage have used welfare benefits as a direct proxy of poverty. Our study, in contrast, emphasizes that receipt of well-designed government transfers can directly reduce the persistence of poverty. As recent proof of this claim, Americans do not even need to look abroad. In 2021, the expanded child tax credit brought the U.S. poverty rate to its lowest level ever recorded and had the American welfare state temporarily reducing poverty at the rate of Norways. After the benefit expansions expired in 2022, poverty and food hardship predictably increased. Evidence from the other high-income countries in our study suggests that the U.S.s return to a more restrictive and targeted welfare state is unlikely to promote upward mobility from poverty.

Some people might argue that self-sufficiencygiving people the means to overcome poverty without government income assistanceshould be the aim of government policy. That is a defensible perspective and policy aim, yet it is inconsistent with the fact that all high-income countries include government taxes and transfers when measuring poverty. Moreover, it implies that it is better for American children who were born into povertythrough no fault of their ownto stay poor in adulthood than to escape poverty thanks to government transfers.

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Breaking the cycle of poverty is not merely about increasing families child-care support or promoting higher education to wayward teenagers; it also requires direct state effort to improve the ability of disadvantaged adults to meet their basic needs. The United States reluctance to do so largely explains why its poor children are more likely to become poor adults.

Article originally published at The Atlantic
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  Two things happened in Wichita on Tuesday that could impact unhoused people. First, the Wichita City Council gave final approval to a stricter illegal camping ordinance. Then, the city announced it would help care for pets so unhoused people can stay at the emergency winter shelter, which doesnt allow pets.

The ordinance

The illegal camping ordinance allows the city to immediately clean up an illegal campsite in front of a doorway, on a sidewalk or walking path, near a bridge, or at a bus shelter.

The city can clean up illegal campsites in other locations with only 48 hours notice, compared to the previous 72 hours.

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Citations would only be given if a shelter space is available for the illegal camper. Penalties could be up to 30 days in jail or a fine of up to $200, lower than the previous $500. The person could choose community service at the rate of $10 an hour instead.

Wichita requires cleared sidewalks, but no deadline except for downtown

Reaction

The city council approved the ordinance on the first reading in December. Tuesday was the second reading to make it official. It was part of a consent agenda that included many other items. The council usually votes on the consent agenda items with one vote unless a council member asks for one of the items to be pulled.

Council member Brandon Johnson asked for the illegal camping ordinance to be pulled.

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I just wanted to pull this item and again express my disagreement with it, he said.

Johnson pointed to Mondays report that the Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) tried encouraging 110 homeless people to go to the emergency shelter during the winter storm, but 76 refused.

We still have much more work to do with our unhoused community before increasing enforcement efforts, he said.

Several people, including the unhoused, spoke out against the ordinance at the council meeting.

Adam Greenleaf said he has tried the emergency winter shelter but has not liked some aspects of it, including having to throw away food he bought with his own money and being walked to the bathroom when he requested toilet paper.

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Even though weve been done wrong by our own community  because of the fear that we have of our resources that are available to us, we refuse to go, he said.

Greenleaf asked the city to hold off voting on the ordinance until more people could be included in the conversation.

City staff said the discussions about the new ordinance included some of the unhoused, the HOT team, law, housing, parks, and others.

Aaron Ferguson said he sees a distinct difference between the kindness shown to him by religious people and how the city treats him. He said he was forced into homelessness, but he did not provide the details.

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People would do well to view every homeless person not as an illegal camper but as somebody who may have been forced into this situation, he said.

Ben Davis said the ordinance has broad community support. He requested and got a professional poll done. He says 500 community members were shown the new ordinance, and 60% of those polled supported it.

I think it is helpful to show that the people who support this are not in a minority, that a very small, yet very vocal minority have hijacked the narrative on this, Davis said.

After the public comment, the council approved the new ordinance 4-3. Council members Johnson, Maggie Ballard, and Mike Hoheisel voted against it.

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KDOT beeting the Kansas ice with juice

Caring for the pets

Mayor Lily Wu and Ballard have both heard concerns that unhoused people with pets are reluctant to go to the emergency winter shelter because it does not allow pets.

On Tuesday afternoon, the City of Wichita posted on its Facebook page that unhoused residents staying at the shelter can take their pets to the Wichita Animal Shelter. The pets will be held for 72 hours and taken care of at no cost until the winter storm has passed. After leaving the shelter, pets will also receive free spay/neuter service and vaccinations.

Some people commented that a homeless person would find it difficult to get their pet to the animal shelter at K-96 and Hillside and then get back to the emergency winter shelter at 1025 N. Main.

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The city responded, saying, Great service providers and officers help with transportation of pets/people to shelter services and housing.

Other people wanted to know if the city is paying for the free spaying/neutering and vaccinations. The city said Spay-Neuter Kansas is providing it.

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WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP)  Wild weather during New Zealand s peak summer holiday period has disrupted travel for thousands of passengers on ferries that cross the sea between the countrys main islands.

The havoc wrought by huge swells and gales in the deep and turbulent Cook Strait between the North and South Islands is a recurring feature of the countrys roughest weather. Breakdowns of New Zealands aging ferries have also caused delays.

But unlike in Britain and Japan, New Zealand has not seriously considered an undersea tunnel beneath the strait that more than 1 million people cross by sea each year. Although every New Zealander has an opinion on the idea, the last time a prime minister was known to have suggested building one was in 1904.

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A tunnel or bridge crossing the approximately 25-30 kilometers (15-18 miles) of volatile sea is so unlikely for the same reason that regularly vexes the countrys planners  solutions for traversing New Zealands remote, rugged and hazard-prone terrain are logistically fraught, analysts said.

Why isn't a tunnel practical?

A Cook Strait tunnel would dramatically reduce the three- to four-hour sailing time between the North Island, home to 75% of the population, and the South.

But it would chew up, off the top of my head, about 20 years of the countrys entire transport infrastructure development budget in one project, said Nicolas Reid, transport planner at MRCagney.

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He estimated a cost for a tunnel of 50 billion New Zealand dollars ($28 billion), comparable in todays terms to the price of the undersea tunnel that connects Britain and Europe by rail. New Zealand is the same size as the United Kingdom  but the U.K. has a population of 69 million, more than 13 times New Zealands.

Its also about the same size as Japan, which is home to the Seikan undersea rail tunnel connecting the islands of Honshu and Hokkaido  and has a population of 124 million.

We have a large infrastructure burden if we want to reach out across the country, said Reid. And weve only got 5 million people to pay for it.

New Zealands volatile ground could also prove a problem. Perched on the boundary between tectonic plates, fault lines run under both the North and South Islands and earthquakes are sometimes centered in the strait, said seismologist John Risteau of GNS.

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Opposing tides and winds make journeys unpredictable

Sailing on both Cook Strait ferry services  which have five ships transporting people, vehicles and freight  resumed Tuesday after two days of dangerous waves. Clearing the backlog meant more waiting and some passengers on one carrier said they could not book a new berth for a fortnight.

The Cook Strait is less calm than many worldwide because it features opposing tides at each end  one where it joins the Tasman Sea and the other where it meets the Pacific Ocean.

We tend to have the prevailing, dominating wind funnel through Cook Strait, northerlies or southerlies, and thats why theyre stronger there, said Gerard Bellam, a forecaster for the weather agency MetService. Swells in the strait this week reached 9 meters (30 feet), he said.

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Julia Rufey, an English tourist waiting at the Wellington terminal, said she had flown between North Island and South Island on previous trips, but adventure had prompted her to choose the ferry.

We thought, come to Wellington, try the ferry, which is already 3 1/2 hours late, she said.

No clear plans on what to do about aging ferries

The ferries themselves, prone to breakdowns and more than half of them state-owned, have long been a political hot potato. The current government scrapped their predecessors plan to replace the vessels before they become defunct in 2029 as too costly. The opposition has criticized the government for only partly revealing its new ferry replacement plan in December and for not divulging the cost.

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Still, some delayed on Tuesday said they would choose the ferry even if they had alternatives. Laurie Perino, an Australian tourist, said the pristine and scenic ocean views had prompted her to book.

It would be more convenient, she said, referring to a Cook Strait tunnel. But I think a lot of people would still like to travel on the ferry.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  President Joe Biden visited a fire station in Santa Monica Wednesday as wildfires devastate the Los Angeles area.

Were prepared to do anything and everything to contain as long as it takes to contain these fires, President Biden said, including firefighting help from the Department of Defense.

Strong wind is fueling the flames that have forced more than 80,000 people to flee.

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These winds are gusting up to 100 miles per hour. If they tell you You need to leave, you need to leave, Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) said.

Congressman Brad Sherman is watching as parts of his district west of Los Angeles burn.

Palisades High School is pretty much gone, Sherman said.

Officials say two people have died and others are injured.

Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-Calif.) spoke on the phone before flying back to California Wednesday. Her district includes Pasadena, where she says important institutions, like the Pasadena Jewish Temple, are now gone.

My heart is so heavy after seeing the devastation, Chu said.

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While firefighters across the state are responding, FEMA is also assisting. The Federal Agency approved grants to reimburse California for firefighting costs.

From the White House down to the city council level, we are in constant communication, Rep. Laura Friedman (D-Calif.) said.

Congresswoman Laura Friedman wants her constituents in Los Angeles to be vigilant and,to listen to first responders. If you get an evacuation warning, dont wait.

Some lawmakers want Congress to pass legislation aimed at preventing future fires, like San Diego Congressman Scott Peterss Fix Our Forests Act.

So, when these events come along, theyre just not as disastrous as they are today, Peters said.

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The bill passed the House last session but didnt become law.

Were hoping to move that this year, Peters said.

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Fierce wildfires are raging in the Los Angeles area, fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds, sending residents fleeing from burning homes through flames, ferocious winds and towering clouds of smoke.

Thousands of firefighters were battling at least three separate blazes on Wednesday, from the Pacific Coast inland to Pasadena. One of the fires was the most destructive in the modern history of the city of LA.

Tens of thousands of people have been notified by authorities to evacuate their homes because of the multiple fires burning in the Los Angeles region. Officials say at least five people have died in the wildfires.

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Here's the latest:

Billy Crystal and wife lose longtime home in Palisades fire

Billy Crystal and his wife Janice have lost their home of 45 years in the Palisades fire.

The couple released a statement confirming their home was among the hundreds burned in fires in and around Los Angeles.

Janice and I lived in our home since 1979. We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that cant be taken away. We are heartbroken of course but with the love of our children and friends we will get through this, the Crystals wrote in the statement.

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Mandy Moore, Cary Elwes and Paris Hilton are among the stars who have lost homes in the blazes. Many others are among the tens of thousands who have evacuated due to the flames, with some still awaiting word on the fate of their homes.

Evacuations ordered due to new fire in the Hollywood Hills

Tens of thousands of people have been notified by authorities to evacuate their homes because of the multiple fires burning in the Los Angeles region.

The most recent mandatory evacuations orders came Wednesday evening related to the Sunset fire, a new fire in the Hollywood Hills. That order was in place for Laurel Canyon Boulevard on the west to Mulholland Drive, with others in nearby areas warned to be ready to leave.

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Mandatory evacuation orders also remained in place near the Palisades fire west of Los Angeles, including parts of Santa Monica. People have also been told to leave their homes in the San Fernando Valley near the Hurst fire. Others were told to leave their residences in parts Altadena because of the Eaton fire.

___

This entry has been updated to correct that evacuation orders in Santa Monica are due to the Palisades fire, not the Eaton fire.

Uber offers free rides to evacuation centers

Uber is offering free rides up to $40 to active evacuation centers using the code WILDFIRE25, according to LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath.

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Biden has formally signed off on a federal disaster declaration

The White House says the declaration allows for federal funding to be made available to impacted individuals in Los Angeles County for temporary housing and home repairs as well as low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs aimed at helping individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App.

Multiple states sending firefighters

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Firefighters from multiple states have arrived or are on the way to help with the fires, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said at a media briefing Wednesday afternoon.

He said 60 teams were coming from Oregon, 45 from Washington state, 15 from Utah, 10 from New Mexico and numerous teams were coming from Arizona.

Mandy Moore and Paris Hilton among stars whove lost homes

Wildfires that are burning in and around Los Angeles have burned several celebrities homes and forced stars, including Mark Hamill, Mandy Moore and James Woods, to evacuate.

Moore, Cary Elwes and Paris Hilton are among the stars who said Wednesday they had lost homes in the fires.

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Honestly, Im in shock and feeling numb for all so many have lost, including my family, Moore said on Instagram, posting a video of devastated streets in the Altadena neighborhood near Pasadena. Our community is broken but we will be here to rebuild together. Sending love to all affected and on the front lines trying to get this under control, the actor-singer wrote.

Hilton said a Malibu home where her young son took his first steps was among those lost to the flames.

The devastation is unimaginable. To know so many are waking up today without the place they called home is truly heartbreaking, she wrote.

 Read more about celebrities whose homes have been affected in LA fires

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Another fire has broken out in the Hollywood Hills, officials say

As officials were providing a media update about the fires around 5:50 p.m., Los Angeles city Fire Chief Kristin Crowley announced that a new blaze had broken out in the Hollywood Hills near Runyon Canyon.

She said all available resources were responding and excused herself to attend to that blaze.

All Los Angeles Unified School District schools will be closed Thursday

All schools will be closed Thursday in the Los Angeles Unified School District because of the fires, Alberto Carvalho, district superintendent, said during a media briefing.

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Two elementary schools in the district have been destroyed by fire, he said.

In a statement on its website, the district said, The confluence of factors  wind, fire, and smoke  have created dangerous, complex situations that present unsafe conditions for our school communities.

3 people have been arrested for looting, officials say

Three people have been arrested for looting in fire-affected areas, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said at a media briefing Wednesday afternoon.

That is 100 percent unacceptable, he said.

Los Angeles County has lost several facilities to fire, officials say

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Los Angeles County has lost several facilities to fire, including the Eaton Canyon nature center and a senior center, LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said at a media briefing Wednesday afternoon.

She also said a sheriffs station had been evacuated because of fire. It wasnt clear if it had been damaged.

100,000 people have received notices to evacuate due to Eaton fire, officials say

Authorities gave an update Wednesday afternoon on the Eaton fire near Pasadena that exploded in high winds Tuesday, causing at least five deaths.

Heres a few facts and figures they shared:

Weather conditions conducive to fires to continue through Friday, forecasters say

The National Weather Service says gusty winds and very dry conditions would continue to fuel fires in the Los Angeles area.

Forecasters predicted wind gusts of 35-55 mph (56-88 kph), which could rise higher in the mountains and foothills. Meteorologists said Los Angeles and Ventura counties would have weather conducive to fire through Friday, meaning low relative humidity, strong winds, unstable air and drought.

But winds have dissipated enough for aircraft to assist in fighting the fires, Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustine said.

Tonight we have very mild wind conditions where we can get aircraft and a ton of additional resources getting their hands around this fire, Augustin said. Thats what gives me confidence that were going to get a handle on this fire.

The fire chief warned that it was still an active fire with risk of spread over the next day.

Eaton fire has damaged between 200 and 500 structures, officials say

The Eaton fire burning north of Pasadena, California, has damaged or destroyed between 200 and 500 structures, Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin said at a news conference Wednesday afternoon.

The fire has burned over 16.5 square miles (42.7 square kilometers) and is so far uncontained, Augustin said. He said wind gusts reached over 70 mph (113 kph) Tuesday night.

Augustin said the water system was stretched and was further hampered by power outages.

But Ill be clear, he added, no matter how much water was available, we were not stopping that fire last night. Those erratic wind gusts were throwing embers for multiple miles ahead of the fire.

The voting window for Academy Awards nominations has been extended

The organization that puts on the Oscars has extended the voting window for Academy Awards nominations and delayed next weeks planned nominations announcement.

Bill Kramer, the CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, shared the postponements to the film academy members in a letter obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Nominations and the voting window have both been extended by two days. Oscar nominations will now be revealed on Sunday, Jan. 19. Voting closes on Jan. 14.

We want to offer our deepest condolences to those who have been impacted by the devastating fires across Southern California, Kramer wrote. So many of our members and industry colleagues live and work in the Los Angeles area, and we are thinking of you.

Evacuation orders issued for some densely populated areas of Santa Monica

Evacuation orders and warnings have been issued for some densely populated Santa Monica neighborhoods just north of the citys famous pier.

City officials say people in the affected zones should leave now, including those in evacuation warning areas who may need additional time to get out. Police were being deployed to help with evacuations, the city wrote on its website.

The city says its Big Blue Bus is offering free transport every hour to evacuation centers.

5 people have died in wildfires in the Los Angeles area, officials say

The death toll from the wildfires burning in the Los Angeles area has risen to five, according to Nicole Nishida, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department.

Officials had reported earlier that two people had died. Officials say they have no other details on the deaths.

Palisades fire destroys Will Rogers historic home

The Palisades fire has destroyed the historic ranch house that belonged to Hollywood legend Will Rogers.

California State Parks said in a statement that Rogers historic ranch house was among multiple structures destroyed by the devastating fire at both Will Rogers State Historic Park and Topanga State Park. The historic Topanga Ranch Motel, built by William Randolph Hearst in 1929, also burned down.

Rogers ranch, built on land he bought in the 1920s, occupied some 359 acres in what is now Pacific Palisades. It included a 31-room ranch house, a stable, golf course and riding trails. His wife donated it to California State Parks in 1944.

Pentagon to send helicopters to help California fight fires

The Pentagon will send 10 Navy helicopters to help fight fires burning in California, said Sabrina Singh, spokesperson for the department.

The order has yet to be finalized, but officials expect it will be an active duty unit with Navy Sea Hawks based in Southern California that can be equipped to carry water.

Singh also said Wednesday that the military is prepared to make four additional modular air firefighting systems available to the California National Guard. Those would likely come from other National Guard units in the country.

Iconic Reel Inn fish market off Pacific Coast Highway burns

The Reel Inn, an iconic Malibu seafood shack and fish market known for its Pacific Coast Highway location and kitschy vibe, has burned.

Owner Teddy Leonard says she and her husband Andy watched it burn on TV Tuesday evening from their home a few miles away. A short time later they began packing up their belongings, evacuating and heading to a short-term rental home in Santa Monica.

On Wednesday, Leonard was hopeful her home may have survived the flames. She said restaurant employees have been texting, hoping to rebuild, but it may be a challenge.

Part of the charm for our little fish shack was my husbands, you know, collecting of old surfboards, going back to the 1930s that were hanging in the rafters, Leonard said.

The Reel Inn opened in 1986, but several other restaurants have operated in the same location since the 1940s.

My husband and I, we keep looking at each other and going, We have each other. We have these beautiful grandchildren and children and life, Leonard said.

Over 1.5 million people in Southern California are without power

More than 1.5 million customers were without power in Southern California on Wednesday afternoon as wildfires tore through several Los Angeles county neighborhoods, according to tracking site PowerOutage.us.

Well over half of the roughly 334,000 customers in Ventura County were without power, along with more than 957,000 customers in Los Angeles County.

Power companies often shut off power as a public safety measure when extreme winds, like the ones pummeling Southern California, are forecasted.

Already crowded hospitals now contend with medical emergencies from smoke inhalation

Wildfire smoke is known to cause heart attacks and worsening asthma. Now, patients suffering from those conditions are showing up in emergency rooms at a time when hospitals are already full because of flu season, said Dr. Puneet Gupta, the assistant medical director for the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

We have a number of hospitals threatened, and if they have to be evacuated, it could become a crisis, said Gupta, also a spokesperson for the American College of Emergency Physicians.

Many at Pasadena evacuation center were evacuated from assisted living facilities

Several hundred evacuees were at the Pasadena evacuation center by Wednesday afternoon. Many were elderly, sitting wheelchair to wheelchair, and from assisted living facilities.

Donald Fisher, 78, said he was first to be wheeled onto the bus at the Camellia Gardens Care Center to be taken to the shelter around 8 a.m.

I can stand up but I cant walk, Fisher said. I think that the city of Pasadena did a marvelous job.

The earlier arrivals were able to snag green cots to sleep on, while others wondered where they would sleep at night when the cots ran out.

The shelter was providing hot meals, as well as food for dogs and cats brought there.

LA Metro suspends fares due to complications from power outages

The LA Metro suspended fares on Wednesday after intermittent power outages made it difficult for riders to purchase and load fare cards.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn wrote on the social media site X that Metro rides would be free system-wide for the remainder of the day.

Wind and wildfire damage also forced the closure of some Los Angeles bus lines and created detours for others.

Biden being in LA didnt affect wildfire fighting efforts, the White House says

White House national security spokesperson John Kirbyy, who held a virtual briefing for reporters, said it was it was important for the president while he was there to make it clear to the people of Southern California how diligently our government and our administration is going to support their firefighting efforts, but also their recovery efforts.

President Joe Biden was in the Los Angeles area for an event Tuesday that the White House later postponed because of the fires. He is currently flying back to Washington.

Evacuation centers open for people and animals

Three evacuation centers for people and 12 for animals have been established so far for people fleeing the wildfires burning in the Pacific Palisades, Altadena and other Los Angeles neighborhoods.

But with at least 70,000 people in evacuation zones, some shelter resources are scarce.

When EJ Soto and her family arrived at the Pasadena Convention Center after fleeing their Altadena home early Wednesday morning, the facility had already run out of cots.

I had one hour of sleep, so its been a really, bad, really bad day, Soto said.

Another evacuation shelter, El Camino Real Charter High School, wrote on its Facebook page that it was accepting donations of food and water for evacuees.

The Pasadena Humane Society wrote on Facebook that it had taken in more than 100 animals overnight and was taking in more, but kennel space was filling up. The organization was directing some evacuees to a partner shelter and is looking for volunteers to foster large dogs for a week or more.

Both the Los Angeles County Emergency Management Office and the American Red Cross are posting updated lists of evacuation sites on their websites.

Biden and Mayor Bass discuss the wildfires

The White House says the president and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass discussed the latest updates by phone as Biden flew back to Washington, D.C., aboard Air Force One.

Preliminary damage and losses are in the billions, AccuWeather says

AccuWeather estimates $52 billion to $57 billion in preliminary damage and economic loss has occurred from the raging Los Angeles area wildfires.

The company said the estimate comes from an advisory that will soon be released.

Oregon is sending strike teams to help battle the fires in California

We both understand that fire does not recognize map lines, and we are ready to help each other whenever there is a need, Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said in a statement.

During our historic 2024 wildfire season, California sent us help and in their time of need, we are working as fast as possible to lend them support during this emergency, she added.

The 12 teams include 240 firefighters and 60 engines.

Their Wednesday mobilization comes after the Oregon agency received a request for assistance late Tuesday evening.

NHL postpones the Los Angeles Kings home game against the Calgary Flames

The Kings and Flames were set to play at the Kings downtown arena. The NBAs Los Angeles Lakers are scheduled to host the Charlotte Hornets in the same arena on Thursday night.

Our hearts are with our entire Los Angeles community, the Kings said in a statement. We appreciate the hard working first responders who are diligently working to contain the fire and protect our community. We appreciate the leagues support in keeping our fans, staff, and players safe.

The NFL is also paying close attention to the potential impact of the fires on the two playoff-bound Los Angeles teams preparations and the Rams wild-card postseason game against the Minnesota Vikings scheduled for Monday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.

The Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers both train in areas not threatened by fires, but both teams are monitoring the air quality and its potential impact on their preparations.

Critics Choice Awards postponed until Jan. 26

The awards were set to take place on Sunday at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, only miles from the Pacific Palisades neighborhood where fire was raging.

This unfolding tragedy has already had a profound impact on our community. All our thoughts and prayers are with those battling the devastating fires and with all who have been affected, said Critics Choice Association CEO Joey Berlin.

The awards will be broadcast live on E! and hosted by Chelsea Handler.

Biden heads back to Washington

After his briefing in Santa Monica, President Joe Biden flew on Marine One to Los Angeles International Airport for his flight back to Washington.

Reporters who accompanied Biden could see smoke from the windows of their Osprey aircraft.

The ride was bumpy as winds continued to be a challenge in the area.

Pacific Palisades fire is more destructive than 2008s Sayre Fire

With an estimated 1,000 structures destroyed and the flames still growing on Wednesday, it is far more destructive than the second-most destructive, according to statistics kept by the Wildfire Alliance, a partnership between the citys fire department and MySafe:LA.

Structures refers to homes and other buildings.

The last most destructive fire was the Sayre Fire in November 2008 that destroyed 604 structures in Sylmar, the northernmost suburb of the city.

Before that, a 1961 Bel Air fire stood for nearly half a century as the most destructive fire in the citys history. It burned nearly 500 houses in the hillside enclave, including the homes of actor Burt Lancaster, Zsa Zsa Gabor and other celebrities.

Los Angeles firefighting aircraft resume flights

Aircraft had been grounded due to extreme winds, dramatically hampering the firefight.

Los Angeles City Fire Capt. Jacob Raabe said aircraft resumed dropping fire retardant and water on the Palisades Fire at around 7 a.m. Wednesday.

Biden attends briefing on California wildfires

Its going to take time, President Joe Biden warned when talking about the recovery from the wildfires during a briefing at a Santa Monica fire station on Wednesday.

Newsom, who stood next to Biden, thanked him for his support.

Its impossible for me to express the level of appreciation, he said.

Kristin Crowley, the Los Angeles fire chief, said her team knew there was a significant threat from the Pacific Palisades fire as soon as it started because of the high, high, high winds.

Crowley said shed never seen anything like the wind conditions in her 25 years of experience.

The Eaton Fire could become historic

The Eaton Fire stands to become the largest wildfire to burn in California during the month of January in the past 41 years.

The fire, which ignited on Tuesday north of Pasadena, has now burned more than 16.5 square miles (42.9 square kilometers), according to state fire personnel.

Federal data shows just six wildfires have burned more than 2 square miles (5.18 square kilometers) in the month of January in California since 1984.

The largest was the Viejas Fire, which burned 17.1 square miles (44.3 square kilometers) in 2001 in the mountains east of San Diego.

More recently, the Colby Fire burned just over 3 square miles (8.2 square kilometers) near Glendora, California, in 2014.

Since 2014, wildfires of any size in January have been uncommon, with the exception of 2021 and this year, according to Cal Fire data.

The Altadena Golf Course has been destroyed

Johnny Eusebio, general manager of the Altadena Golf Course, said the course was lost to the fire.

A video posted on social media shows smoldering buildings surrounded by debris and flames and a tattered flag flapping in the wind.

Premiere of Pamela Andersons The Last Showgirl canceled due to the wildfires

The film was originally scheduled to premiere at the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, but the event was called off as the severe conditions continued impacting parts of the city.

Anderson, best known for her role in Baywatch, stars in The Last Showgirl, where she portrays an aging Las Vegas showgirl. She earned a Golden Globe nomination for her performance in the film, which is still set to debut in theaters nationwide on Friday.

Excess water demand caused fire hydrants to run dry

For roughly 15 hours, water systems faced four times more than normal demand, lowering water pressure and causing some fire hydrants to run dry, according to officials from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.

Demand was so high that it wasnt enough to fill the three, one-million-gallon (3,785,411-liter) tanks that help maintain pressure for the hydrants in the hills of Palisades.

One tank ran out late Tuesday afternoon, another in the evening, and the third early Wednesday morning.

LADWP is sending in about 20 mobile water tankers to the area to help with suppression, in addition to refilling water trucks at some pressurized hydrants in the area, according to chief engineer Janisse Quinones.

It takes about 30 minutes to refill about 4,000 gallons (15,142 liters) of water.

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Correction: This post has been updated to reflect that the statement came from officials with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, not the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works.

County officials urge residents to conserve water for firefighters

Municipal water systems are not designed to fight wildfires, said Mark Pestrella, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works.

Thats why air support is so critical to the firefight. And unfortunately, wind and air visibility have prevented that support, Pestrella said. County and city reservoirs are ready to be used to fight fires from the air once it becomes safe to fly, he said.

Officials are urging residents across the region to conserve water so theres enough for firefighters to use.

Were fighting a wildfire with urban water systems, and that is really challenging, chief engineer Janisse Quinones said.

Trump blames Gov. Newsom for the wildfires

The president-elect, in a post Wednesday on Truth Social, his social media network, used a derisive nickname for Newsom and renewed old criticisms against the governor for resisting a plan to send more water to the states agricultural Central Valley because of concerns it would imperil endangered species.

Trump has sided with farmers over environmentalists in a long-running dispute over Californias scarce water resources, but its not clear how his plan could have mitigated the firestorm in the Los Angeles area.

He wanted to protect an essentially worthless fish called a smelt, by giving it less water (it didnt work!), but didnt care about the people of California, Trump said in his post Wednesday. Now the ultimate price is being paid.

His comments came after some fire hydrants across Los Angeles County ran out of water amid the overnight firefight.

Officials from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works said that was due to an overwhelming demand on the municipal water system not designed to fight wildfire.

Santa Anita racetrack safe from Eaton fire so far

Santa Anita Park in Arcadia has canceled training today and is continuing to monitor air quality.

The horse racing tracks fire marshal, in coordination with local authorities, says there is no direct threat to the track, which is currently outside the voluntary evacuation zone.

The 90-year-old racetrack is located just south of the Eaton fire.

Embers and smoke are being pushed into the San Gabriel Mountains and away from Santa Anita.

Track management is offering to pay to relocate horses if trainers want to move them because of poor air quality. Racing is currently scheduled for Friday through Sunday.

Getty Villa spared in Palisades fire so far

The Getty Villa, a campus devoted to the art and culture of ancient Greece and Rome, says its structures and collection remain safe from the Palisades fire.

The institution, which is located in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, provided an update on Wednesday morning. J. Paul Getty Trust President and CEO Katherine E. Fleming says the center will remain closed.

The Getty Center, a hilltop museum about 10 miles (16 kilometers) east, is out of the fire zone but will be closed until at least Sunday to help alleviate traffic in the area.

The Palisades fire is one of several burning in the Los Angeles area, with officials saying more than 1,000 structures have burned and two people have been killed.

Universal Studios Hollywood, an amusement park near the Hollywood Hills, said it would be closed Wednesday.

Air quality in the Los Angeles area is at a hazardous level

The air quality index for most of the Los Angeles metropolitan area Wednesday morning was well over 300, which is considered hazardous to the general public, according to AirNow.gov.

At that level, people are advised to stay indoors and reduce activity levels.

Fire hydrants in Palisades turn to a trickle

We pushed the system to the extreme, said Janisse Quinones, CEO of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Four times the normal demand was seen for 15 hours straight, which lowered our water pressure.

The utility was pushing water from its source into the system, but demand was so high that it wasnt enough to fill three, 1-million-gallon tanks that help maintain pressure for the hydrants in the hills of Palisades.

One tank ran out at 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, one at 8:30 p.m. and the third at 3 a.m. on Wednesday.

Officials are urging residents across the region to conserve water so theres enough for firefighters to use.

Were fighting a wildfire with urban water systems, and that is really challenging, Quinones said.

NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory is closed

Only essential workers will be allowed in, according to an emergency notice from NASA.

The fire is very close to the lab, but theres been no fire damage yet, the centers director, Laurie Leshin, wrote in a post on the social platform X.

However, there has been some wind damage, wrote Leshin.

She added that hundreds of NASA employees at the lab have had to evacuate from their homes.

The research lab near Pasadena, California, is known for building and sending robotic spacecraft to Mars and the outer solar system.

Biden to be briefed by fire crews in Santa Monica

The president had planned to travel from Los Angeles to Riverside County by plane on Tuesday to announce the creation of two new national monuments.

His trip was announced on Jan. 3 and he was already in the state when the fires broke out.

White House officials canceled the air traffic restrictions necessary for his travel and noted that he stayed put in his hotel Tuesday in order to minimize his impact on first responders and law enforcement.

He will head to Washington, D.C., later in the day.

GoFundMe has centralized all fundraisers related to the wildfires

The crowdfunding site also has a California Wildfire Relief Fund that will be distributed to people seeking help through GoFundMe fundraisers and nonprofits providing relief, the company said.

Pasadena synagogue caught fire, executive director says

Melissa Levy, the executive director of Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, said staff evacuated on Tuesday night and the synagogues Torah scrolls were taken to the home of a community member.

Levy said it appears the synagogue caught fire and buildings have burned.

We are still assessing the situation and right now our primary focus is on our community members and their safety as many of them have also lost their homes, Levy said in an email.

Caltech closes its Pasadena campus

Classes were canceled on Wednesday due to the fires and strong winds, the university said on its website.

Thousands are told to leave

Officials have said about 30,000 residents are under evacuation orders. And more than 13,000 structures are under threat.

The evacuation orders affect areas including the Pacific Palisades neighborhood near the sea, areas north of Pasadena and part of the San Fernando Valley.

Other areas are under evacuation warnings that say people who need additional time to evacuate should get moving.

Over 1,000 structures destroyed by wildfires, 2 dead

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said two people were killed and many others hurt in the fires, which have destroyed more than 1,000 structures.

Vice President Harris home in Los Angeles is affected

A spokesman for Vice President Kamala Harris says her neighborhood in Los Angeles was put under an evacuation order Tuesday night.

Ernesto Apreza said in a Wednesday post on the social platform X that no one was in the house at the time.

The sounds and scene on the ground

The smoke is thick and gray, and the headlights of vehicles in badly hit areas are glowing well after sunrise. There is the crackling of the flames and the rustling of palm trees in the strong wind, and the exclamations of emergency responders.

One firefighter stands on top of a truck and watches a home burn. There is a bin for recycling sitting outside the blazing home, abandoned.

Litter blows by. Every stray piece could become another flame.

Thousands of Southern California Edison customers face power shut-offs

Southern California Edison shut off power to nearly 120,000 customers in six Southern California counties over safety concerns due to high winds and the risk of wildfires.

Another 440,000 customers could face similar shutoffs depending on weather conditions, the utility said Wednesday on its website.

Much of Pasadena is under evacuation orders, fire chief says

Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin said much of the city of Pasadena is under evacuation orders as his department waits for winds to die down so he can get aircraft up to start dousing the flames from overhead.

Until that happens, its going to be difficult to get the blaze there under control, Augustin told KABC-TV, the ABC affiliate.

Fire departments from across California were sending in firefighters as crews in the Los Angeles area were stretched to their limit, he said.

He said there had been no loss of life and thanked public safety officers for pulling people out from burning buildings overnight.

Wildfires lead to several school closures in the Los Angeles area

Pasadena, where the Eaton fire is burning, and neighboring Glendale canceled classes Wednesday.

Los Angeles Unified School District also closed several elementary schools in the evacuation area of the fire burning in Pacific Palisades.

Palisades Charter High School, which burned in the fire, was not back in session yet.

Eaton fire grows to over 3 square miles

Fire crews assigned to the Eaton fire burning in Pasadena are working to keep the blaze north of the 210 Freeway, east of Angeles Crest Highway, west of Santa Anita Avenue and south of Mount Wilson, according to an incident action plan developed for Wednesday operations.

The fire rapidly grew to more than 3.13 square miles (8.11 square kilometers) overnight amid dangerous fire weather conditions caused by strong winds and low levels of relative humidity.

Power outages affecting thousands in Los Angeles County

More than 180,000 customers were without power in southern California, with the vast majority of them in Los Angeles County, according to PowerOutage.us, which tracks outages nationwide.

Statewide, over 320,000 customers were without power on Wednesday morning.

A full incident management team has been activated to combat the wildfires

Its only the third time in 30 years that has happened in January, said David Acuna, a battalion chief for Cal Fire. Such a team, of officials from various agencies, is only assembled during major, complex events.

This is a rare event to have incidents like this in January, Acuna said, adding that wildfires are so common during other months that fire officials no longer talk about fire seasons.

We now talk about fire years, said Acuna. We had wildfires pop up in December and now we have these in early January.

Where are the fires currently burning?

Palisades fire: West of Los Angeles, by the sea. It has burned about 4.5 square miles (11.6 square kilometers).

Eaton fire: Altadena area, north of Pasadena. It has burned about 1.6 square miles (4 square kilometers).

Hurst fire: In the San Fernando Valley. It has burned about 500 acres (202 hectares).

Woodley fire: In the San Fernando Valley. It has burned about 75 acres (30 hectares).

All four fires are currently at 0% containment.

Celebrities among those fleeing the Los Angeles fires

Wildfires that ripped through the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles forced many Hollywood stars, including Mark Hamill, Mandy Moore and James Woods, to evacuate their homes.

California firefighters are battling wind-whipped wildfires that are tearing across the area, destroying homes and straining resources as the fires burned uncontained early Wednesday.

The Pacific Palisades neighborhood is a hillside area along the coast dotted with celebrity residences and memorialized by the Beach Boys in their 1960s hit Surfin USA.

Flames jumped the famous Sunset Boulevard and burned parts of the Palisades Charter High School, which has been featured in many Hollywood productions including the 1976 horror movie Carrie, the 2003 remake of Freaky Friday and the TV series Teen Wolf.

 Read more about the stars whose homes are threatened by the fires

Daybreak sheds light on the destruction

As the sun rose Wednesday the devastation was stunning with morning news crews showing home after home engulfed in flames, some collapsing live on camera.

Roads were strewn with power lines, some flickering with fire.

Voices from the flames

The sun is rising behind a wall of smoke in the Pacific Palisades that looks as black as night. Heres what witnesses have been saying.

We looked across and the fire had jumped from one side of the road to the other side of the road, Kelsey Trainor said. People were getting out of the cars with their dogs and babies and bags, they were crying and screaming.

As soon as I opened my door, it was like right there, Sheriece Wallace said. The first thing I did was look at the trees to see where the wind was blowing. Because it hit me. It blew me back.

It is crazy, its everywhere, in all the nooks and crannies of the Palisades. One homes safe, the other ones up in flames, Will Adams said.

What should be in a Go bag?

Cal Fire says a go bag should include:

 A map with at least two evacuation routes

 Necessary prescriptions or medical items like eyeglasses

 Extra car keys, cash or credit cards

 A basic first-aid kit

 A flashlight and battery-powered radio with extra batteries

 Copies of important documents like passports or birth certificates.

It should also include a three-day supply of non-perishable food and water per person, as well as food and water for any pets. N95 masks can help filter out many of the particles in wildfire smoke, and an extra cellphone battery or charger can also be helpful.

Plan like youre going on a trip for seven days. Have clothes, toilet paper, toothbrush, soap, a towel in there, said Jesse Torres, a battalion chief for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, said.

Safety tips on what to do before and when evacuating

Dont wait for an evacuation order, experts say

Evacuating a wildfire area can be scary, but experts say people can significantly improve their own safety with a little preparation and common sense.

Creating a wildfire action plan, packing a go bag and maintaining basic situational awareness during evacuations can make a big difference when escaping a disaster, Jesse Torres, a battalion chief for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, said.

But the most important tip? Dont wait around for an evacuation order, Torres said.

The biggest thing is to get out early, before the notifications come out. Its so important to avoid the congestion, he said.

A city aglow

The morning sky is lightening, and soon the scope of the devastation will be more clear. Some hillsides are glowing from the scattered fires.

When does Californias wildfire season typically begin?

Generally, it starts in June or July and runs through October, according to the Western Fire Chiefs Association.

However, January wildfires are not unprecedented  there was one in 2022 and 10 in 2021, according to Cal Fire.

Recent data shows the season is beginning earlier and ending later due to rising temperatures and decreased rainfall tied to climate change. That means rains that usually end fire season are often delayed and fires can burn through the winter months as a result, the association says.

Strong Santa Ana winds are driving the fires

The National Weather Service is receiving reports of winds up to 80 mph (129 kph) this morning. They could top 100 mph (160 kph) in mountains and foothills and include areas that havent seen substantial rain in months.

Red flag warnings are highlighting extremely critical fire weather conditions. Those include exceptionally dry relative humidity levels, according to Peter Mullinax, a meteorologist with the weather service.

He says the winds are expected to continue into Thursday, too, providing very little in terms of any relief.

The scene on Wednesday morning

Sunrise is in a little over an hour.

Overnight, the images were stark: The skeleton of a Christmas tree was framed in a blazing window in the Pacific Palisades.

Opulent homes collapsed in a whirlwind of flaming embers.

The tops of palm trees whipped against the glowing red sky.

Vast clouds of smoke dwarfed the water dumped by helicopters attempting to calm the flames.
WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB)  A business in Williamsville showed how a small act of kindness can go a long way after opening their shop up to neighbors who were evacuated from a fire Saturday.

Around 9 p.m., firefighters were sent to a home on Highland Drive to battle a fire that started in the attic. Officials said seven individuals with special needs were evacuated and waited outside in the cold while crews worked to contain the fire.

One-Eyed Cat Brewing is located right across the home. At first, co-owner Jay Woodworth brought the residents some blankets, but then a firefighter asked him if the people could stay inside the restaurant to keep warm.

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You dont hesitate when it comes to community, you always make sure you take care of the people that take care of you, Woodworth said. We wanted to make sure they were safe and taken care of.

The business customers even helped out.

The patrons that were in here helped right along too, helped carry wheelchairs up into the facility and make sure everyone was comfortable, Woodworth said.

The Williamsville Fire Department posted on social media thanking the business for showing up for their neighbors and getting them out of the frigid cold:

With the need to get them out of the cold, fire department personnel made the request of the neighboring restaurant on the corner, One-Eyed Cat Brewing, on their busy Saturday night, if they could offer respite to the evacuees from the house fire down the street. Without a question being asked, restaurant workers themselves came to assist with the relocation of these individuals off the street to the warmth of shelter the business was now offering. These staff members could not have been more accommodating in their sincere actions to assure respite for people in need.

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In times when questions are raised about the world we live in, these acts are confirmation that there absolutely is much good in the world. As small as they were, they were not small at all.

The fire was quickly contained and extinguished, and WFD would like to thank all its mutual aid response.

The community supports us all the time, Woodworth said. We want to make sure we can support the community as well and making a difference whether it be big or small.

Latest Local News

Sarah Minkewicz is an Emmy-nominated reporter and Buffalo native who has been a part of the News 4 team since 2019. Follow Sarah on Twitter @SarahMinkewicz and click here to see more of her work.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) says that job disruption will equate to 22 per cent of the jobs by 2030. In a report released on Tuesday titled 'Future of Jobs Report 2025' WEF says 170 million new jobs will be created and 92 million jobs will be displaced resulting in a net increase of 78 million jobs by 2030. Based on data from over 1000 companies, the report finds that skill gap is the most significant hurdle for business transformation in these companies. Nearly 40 per cent of skills required for the jobs need to change and 63 per cent of the employers says they are facing proper skillset as the key barrier. The report said out of every 100 workers from the global workforce, 59 are projected to require reskilling or upskilling by 2030, but out of this 11 are unlikely to receive it which suggests that over 120 million workers are at medium-term risk of redundancy. The report analysed that technology skills in Artificial intelligence (AI), big data and cybersecurity are expected to see rapid growth in demand, but human skills, such as creative thinking, resilience, flexibility and agility, will remain critical. Persons having a combination of both skill types will be increasingly crucial in a fast-shifting job market. While advances in AI and renewable energy are reshaping and driving the market, Frontline roles and essential in sectors like care and education will see the highest job growth by 2030. Till Leopold, Head of Work, Wages and Job Creation at the World Economic Forum says "Trends such as generative AI and rapid technological shifts are upending industries and labour markets, creating both unprecedented opportunities and profound risks," Leopold added "The time is now for businesses and governments to work together, invest in skills and build an equitable and resilient global workforce." The report said frontline roles, including farmworkers, delivery drivers and construction workers, will be more in demand and poised to see the largest job growth in absolute terms by 2030. Significant increases are also projected for care jobs, like nursing professionals, and education specialists, such as secondary school teachers, with demographic trends driving growth in demand across essential sectors. Meanwhile, advances in AI, robotics and energy systems, notably in renewable energy and environmental engineering, are expected to increase demand for specialist roles in these fields. However, roles like cashiers and administrative assistants will come under the fastest declining sector but are now joined by roles including graphic designers as generative AI rapidly reshapes the labour market. With half of the employers globally are planning to reorient their businesses to target new opportunities, AI is reshaping their business models. While 77 per cent employers are planning to upskill their workers, 41 per cent are planning to reduce their workforce as AI automates certain tasks The WEF report said urgent and collective action are required across government, businesses and education to bridge skills gaps, invest in reskilling and upskilling initiatives and create accessible pathways into fast-growing jobs and skills that are seeing fast growth in demand The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025, taking place in Davos-Klosters from 20 to 24 January, convenes global leaders under the theme, Collaboration for the Intelligent Age. (ANI)
WILSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  A Wilson County teacher is stepping up to the plate and meeting a need for more bus drivers.

I do both, I do the morning route and the afternoon, and I also sub for down routes if there are other down buses in need, especially at the high school and middle school levels, said Dr. April Harris, Wilson County bus driver and teacher.

Down bus routes in Wilson County have nearly doubled this year compared to last.

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Despite the stats, the transportation director said they have made improvements over the past few years regarding bus driver shortages.

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Im walking up the halls and they are like thats my bus driver theres Dr. Harris. It just puts a smile on their face and even bigger on mine, Dr. Harris said.

Harris has been teaching in the Wilson County district for 20 years. About three years ago, she also decided to drive a school bus.

We would get a lot of emails about down routes and for my students that was their way to school and some of my seniors were missing school, and it was impacting their grades, Dr. Harris said.

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Bus driver shortages have been a concern across Middle Tennessee for years. Monday night, the Wilson County Transportation Director, Kenny Hardaway, said the district has seen improvements on that front. However, when it comes to down routes, last year there were 78 down routes, this year there have been 136.

Unfortunately, weve had a lot of people with illness, said Hardaway.

We do have routes not on time or down and its hard on working parents to get their kids to school, Angela Butler said.

Butler created a Facebook page so parents and even school bus drivers can communicate.

Parents can communicate Is bus 452 is it running late? And someone will say, Yes, its running late they just picked up my kid five minutes ago, Butler said.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

In order to retain bus drivers, school board members suggested bus driver aides to help with behavioral issues.

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When you have 80 students, and you are going down the interstate and all you can do is see and talk to them through your rear-view window its nice to have another adult on the bus to help, Dr. Harris said.

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 WKRN News 2.
Jan. 7A Windham man was sentenced to 15 years in prison Tuesday after admitting to distributing and producing child pornography, including taking photos of an infant, officials said.

Cote Noonan, 33, was also sentenced to 10 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $108,000 in restitution to his victims. He pleaded guilty in June, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine said in a written statement.

U.S. Attorney Darcie McElwee said Noonan "admitted to a long and disturbing history" of consuming child pornography for more than two decades.

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"This sentence will protect children from being victimized and hopefully offer some measure of justice to those he exploited," McElwee said in a written statement.

The FBI investigated the case, the attorney's office said. During a raid of Noonan's home in 2023, the bureau seized four devices that contained thousands of images and videos depicting child sexual abuse.

Jodi Cohen, special agent in charge of the FBI's Boston Division, said Noonan admitted to sexually abusing a child over the course of the investigation.

"Simply put, Cote Noonan is a predator," Cohen said in a written statement.

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Staff Writer Emily Allen contributed reporting.

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HOW TO GET HELP

IF YOU or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, you can call 1-800-871-7741 for free and confidential help 24 hours a day.

TO LEARN more about sexual violence prevention and response in Maine, visit the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault website.

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Jan. 7One of the region's largest diagnostic imaging providers is expanding into Niagara County.

Windsong Radiology plans to open a new location at 10195 Niagara Falls Blvd., sharing a building near Niagara Falls International Airport with Excelsior Orthopedics.

As reported by Buffalo Business First, this is the second expansion for Windsong since it became affiliated with Raleigh-based US Radiology Specialists. Windsong is also the region's fourth largest diagnostic imaging provider with around 350,000 patients.

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Services provided include procedures for breast care, x-rays, MRI scanning, CT scanning, ultrasounds, and varicose vein treatment. It also operates locations in Amherst, Lancaster, Williamsville, Snyder, West Seneca, and Hamburg with a mobile mammogram unit.

Windsong Radiology did not return requests for comment.
Across the country, vulnerable House Democrats  and Democrats hoping to take over Republican House seats  did their best to create distance with Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the 2024 election.



Reps. Jared Golden (Maine) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Wash.), who were seeking reelection in seats Donald Trump carried in 2020, would not say for whom they planned to vote. Other Democrats in tough seats joined Republicans in criticizing Harriss record on border security.



But for Rep. Derek Tran, an Army veteran and attorney who flipped Californias 45th Congressional District, Harris was an asset, rather than a liability.



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What I would like to point out is that she did better than President [Joe] Biden did in this district, so her message on the economy did resonate in my community, Tran told HuffPost in a December interview. That is true, and that is something that I made sure that I focused on.



Harris campaigned on building an opportunity economy that would incentivize construction of millions of private homes, and provide new tax credits for parents of newborns, small businesses and first-time home buyers.



The biggest way in which Harris helped Tran was, naturally, in replacing Biden, whose steep drop in the polls following his debate performance threatened candidates down ballot.



The toughest part for me was trying to campaign for myself and the Biden administration and their accomplishments, before Harris got into the race, he said.



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After Harris secured the nomination, the energy in his suburban, Orange County-centered seat changed, both within the Democratic base and among the broader electorate.



People were literally just volunteering, coming out, asking what they could do to help, because they wanted to elect her, Tran said. The energy was palpable.



Her energy, her commitment to happiness and just wanting to do good for this country, while focusing on policy, was a huge benefit here, he added. She campaigned off of the economy and building X amount of homes  the same type of talking points that I was able to use when I was in the community. Hence her success and my success in winning this district.

Rep. Derek Tran (D-Calif.) defeated Republican Michelle Steel. He benefited from being Vietnamese-American in a seat with the largest Vietnamese-American community in the U.S. Leonard Ortiz/Orange County Register/Getty Images

Of course, Tran was not exactly running in deep red terrain. Biden had carried the seat by six percentage points in 2020.



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And Tran had plenty of other advantages. A son of Vietnamese refugees, he is the first Vietnamese American to represent the seat with the largest Vietnamese population outside of Vietnam.



Republican Michelle Steel, whom he unseated, is Korean American and thus did not have the same cultural resonance in the communities in the Vietnamese-American hub known as Little Saigon.



My parents came here because they lost the country to communism, and they had to flee a country. She came over here for economic gain  very different, Tran said. So there is no country she lost. She can go back to South Korea, or her family can at any time. You go back to Vietnam, youll be prosecuted.



Steel was nonetheless a formidable opponent, having unseated one-term Democrat Harley Rouda in 2020, when the seat was more Republican-leaning, and then holding onto it in 2022 when redistricting had made it more Democratic.



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To address voters biggest concerns, Tran, who practiced personal injury and consumer rights law, spoke often about the need to tamp down on the corporate price gouging  or greedflation  that he and other Democrats believe is driving up the cost of living. Its a message that Harris herself pushed intermittently during her brief presidential campaign.



And on the airwaves, he slammed Steel for twice co-sponsoring the Life at Conception Act, which would categorize fertilized embryos and fetuses as deserving the same protections as humans after birth.



The law aims to lay the groundwork for a federal abortion ban and does not include a carveout for in-vitro fertilization treatments. Citing her support for IVF, Steel withdrew her name from the bill in March  a move that Tran said was at once inadequate and telling.



It showed her for who she really was, which is a flip flopper who would say anything and do anything to get votes, he said.
Jan. 7In a social media meme for the weather in Kansas and Missouri, a weather forecaster on television says a winter storm could bring anywhere from 0 to 85 inches of snow.

While the edges are not that extreme, the current forecast from the National Weather Service office in Springfield says the Joplin area is looking at a weather system moving in Thursday and Friday that could bring 5 inches of snow  or no snow.

Ben Price, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Springfield, said it all depends on where the storm tracks.

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"There's still a lot of spread in the models right now," Price said early Tuesday afternoon. "If we look at like all the models, your low end is zero inches and your high end is looking like 2 to 5 inches of snow for Joplin. Right now, Joplin has about a 20 to 30% chance of greater than 2 inches of snow from the system, so it's still a pretty low chance of greater than than 2 inches of snow."

Price said the storm will move south across the western U.S. into Mexico, then back north across Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi.

He said the forecast is pretty firm that the farther south people go, the more snow they will see, but the uncertainty is how far north that snow line will reach.

"If we do get any snow up this far north, it would mainly be widespread light snow with maybe some pockets of localized higher amounts," Price said. "That would probably be where you're higher and 2 to 5 inches comes from, if one of those bands set up over over your area. But right now, there's still a lot of uncertainty as per usual."

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He said unlike last weekend's storm, there doesn't seem to be any rain coming to places that don't get snow.

Any snow that falls will happen Thursday afternoon and evening, and temperatures will moderate a little bit from highs in the 20s and lows in single digits through Wednesday to highs in the 30s and lows in the teens after Thursday.

Thursday will be windy, while Friday and the weekend will see sunny to mostly sunny skies.
(WGHP)  The cold air is here. Now, we are waiting for our potential system to arrive.

Thursday will be sunny and cold with lows in the upper teens. A northwesterly morning breeze will make it feel like temperatures are in the single digits. So, dress warmly and in layers on Thursday morning. Highs on Thursday afternoon will be in the middle 30s.

On Friday, a Gulf Coast system will begin to push clouds into the Piedmont. Friday morning will be mostly cloudy with temperatures in the upper 20s. After lunchtime Friday, snow showers will move in. At this time, it appears that the snow showers will be light. Highs on Friday will be in the middle 30s. Chance of snow 60%. Most of the snow will move in Friday night into early Saturday morning. Theres still a chance some warm air aloft could move into the system, changing our snow into a possible mix of snow and sleet. Across the far southern Piedmont like southern Randolph County and Montgomery County, the snow/sleet mix could end as freezing rain or a plain cold rain. Our weather maker will be a fast mover. That means by sunrise Saturday, the precipitation should be over. The early estimate regarding snow/sleet totals is 1 to 2 inches. North of the Interstate 40/85 corridor, thats a chance some towns and communities could see more than 2 inches of snow and sleet.

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Saturday, our storm system will move away from the United States. Looking for increasing sunshine during the day on Saturday with highs in the mid to upper 30s.

Sunny and cold Sunday with lows around 20 degrees and highs in the upper 30s.

Sunny and warmer on Monday with lows in the lower 20s and highs in the low to middle 40s.

Tuesday, sunny and cooler with lows in the middle 20s and highs around 40 degrees.

Wednesday, mostly sunny with lows in the upper teens and highs in the upper 30s.

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Preparations are underway across the region for the possibility of snow and ice on Friday.

ALSO READ: Icy conditions impact roads in North Carolina mountain communities

The North Carolina Department of Transportation told Channel 9s Dave Faherty it was too cold in Burke County to put down the saltwater mixture Wednesday afternoon  theyre concerned it could freeze. However, officials said theyll be ready for the first snow in nearly three years later this week.

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>>CLICK HERE for the latest forecast from Severe Weather Center 9

Channel 9 saw a lot of activity over at the NCDOT yard south of Morganton, where road crews already had plows on many of the trucks there.

Spreaders were loaded on the trucks and will be ready to roll Friday, with salt and dirt.

The county engineer told Channel 9 theyre also sharpening their chainsaws in case Burke County sees a lot of ice.

They have a huge stockpile of salt  nearly 2,400 tons.

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One of the biggest challenges are the very cold temperatures over the last few days, which could cause roadways to become very slick early on if the snow impacts the area.

Usually when we get snow North Carolina tends to have warmer temperatures before and it keeps the ground temperature warmer, said Josh Mashburn with the NCDOT. Right now, its been so cold when the snow starts to fall I believe it will stick.

Hickory crews also began preparing Wednesday afternoon with new equipment they showed Channel 9.

Public Works Director Steve Miller showed Channel 9 the brining operation workers built from the ground up.

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It allows them to store the brine in huge tanks and load up the trucks to hit overpasses.

Its able to make the brine to specifications that are needed to put on the roadways, Miller said. Were able to do like 5,000 gallons every two hours, which can keep our trucks moving.

NCDOT said they have 30 trucks ready to roll on Friday and are preparing workers for possible 12-hour shifts.

(WATCH BELOW: Multiple water main breaks wreak havoc on Charlotte roads after arctic blast)
BELOIT, Wis. (WFRV)  A Wisconsin man was arrested for a string of crimes that reportedly started in early December of 2024.

According to the Beloit Police Department, 29-year-old Latres Robinson of Beloit was arrested for multiple incidents:

December 10  Armed subject call with adult victims, charges of kidnapping, false imprisonment, first-degree reckless endangerment by use of a weapon, felony weapon possession, felony battery and disorderly conduct

December 20  Charges of kidnapping, felony battery and second-degree reckless endangerment

December 21  Pursuit call of felony fleeing

January 7 & 8  Resisting and obstructing officer with criminal property damage

Wisconsin Police K-9 retires from force after 8 years of service in the community

The January 7-8 SWAT call was aided by the Rock County Sheriffs Office SWAT Team as well. According to the release, Robinson is known for fleeing.

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On Tuesday, around 9:03 p.m., Robinson was reportedly seen entering a home, and crisis negotiators contacted him after confirming nobody else was inside the residence.

Milwaukee PD: Teenager arrested after social media threat made towards Pulaski High School

Robinson did not comply and fought as SWAT team members took him into custody around 1:44 a.m. on Wednesday.

No more details were provided.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
CALEDONIA, Wis. (WFRV)  A southern Wisconsin police department is celebrating the career of one of its K-9s as he heads for retirement from the force.

K-9 Louie of the Caledonia Police Department served with his handler, Officer Cory Radke, and the force for eight years.

Wisconsin man arrested for alleged 5th OWI offense after being treated for crash injuries

From protecting our officers to assisting in searches, drug detection and apprehensions, K-9 Louie has been a true hero, the Caledonia Police Department said on Facebook.

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K-9 Louie will officially retire on Monday, January 13, in a public event, along with the swearing-in of two new officers.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
Jan. 7WASHINGTON, D.C.  The Wisconsin Department of Transportation will receive $300,000 in federal revenue to connect more Wisconsinites to well-paying jobs in highway construction, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., announced Tuesday, Jan. 7.

The money will help create a new partnership between the state, workforce development organizations and schools to recruit, train and place people in highway construction jobs, including to help reconstruct the Blatnik Bridge.

Reconstruction of the Blatnik Bridge is expected to begin in the fall of 2026 and includes a complete closure for about four years beginning in 2027.

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WisDOT will utilize the funds to expand its Highway Construction Skills Training program into northern Wisconsin and develop the Highway Construction Workforce Partnership (HCWP-North) to engage stakeholders to recruit, train and place people in the highway construction workforce.

Training will focus on developing the workforce to support the Blatnik Bridge project and expansion of I-41 in the Green Bay area, as well as to support tribal workforce needs, according to a news release.

The funding comes through the U.S. Department of Transportation's Highway Construction Training Program, which is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Baldwin pushed the U.S. Department of Transportation to fund the project, she said in a press release.

"Our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is going to replace crumbling infrastructure, keep families safe and strengthen supply chains  but we need a highly skilled workforce to meet this moment and make this investment a reality," Baldwin said in the release. "I am proud to bring home this funding that will help connect more Wisconsinites with good-paying careers in the construction trades."

"I've been proud to support this training program from the start," Gov. Tony Evers said in a statement, "and I'm grateful to Sen. Baldwin for securing this federal funding to help recruit, train and retain construction highway workers and continue our work to fix the darn roads and infrastructure across our state."
VMPL Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 8: In a heartwarming ceremony at the Sunflower Secondary School, renowned industrialist and philanthropist, Dr. Aneel Murarka, motivated the students with a powerful speech, encouraging them to embrace their dreams and strive for excellence in education. The event, held on 16 January 2025, at the Veera Desai Country Club in Andheri, Mumbai, was attended by over 2,000 students and their parents. The school's principal, along with the managing trustees, welcomed the distinguished guests and dignitaries who graced the occasion. Dr. Murarka was joined by several notable figures, including social workers, community leaders, and educators, who were all part of this inspiring celebration. A Vision for a Brighter Future Dr. Aneel Murarka, known for his philanthropic work and dedication to community welfare, emphasized the importance of education in shaping the future. He honored the school's principal and managing trustees, presenting them with scarves as a gesture of appreciation for their continuous efforts in supporting the students' growth. During his speech, Dr. Murarka spoke passionately about the significance of hard work and perseverance. "If you dedicate yourselves to your studies, the rewards will follow. Education is the key to a prosperous future, and I believe each one of you has the potential to achieve greatness," he said. He also encouraged students not to let obstacles deter them from their educational journey and to always maintain their morale, no matter the challenges they may face. Dr. Murarka's words were met with applause as the students and their families expressed their gratitude for his motivational talk. A Moment of Gratitude and Giving Back In a heartwarming gesture, Dr. Murarka also recognized the outstanding performance of a student from the previous event and presented them with his personal scarf as a token of encouragement. This act of kindness left a lasting impression on both the student and the audience, further exemplifying Dr. Murarka's commitment to uplifting young minds. A Commitment to EmpowermentThrough his organization, Ample Mission, Dr. Aneel Murarka reaches out to people across the country, addressing their needs and improving their lives. His involvement in social welfare projects extends to impactful initiatives such as the construction of a bus station in Laxmangarh and the establishment of Vaikunth Dham in Bihar, showcasing his dedication to community development. As a businessman and social worker, Dr. Murarka is always at the forefront of initiatives aimed at serving society. His visit to the school reinforced the message that education is not just about learning in the classroom but also about building a strong foundation for life. Annual Day Celebration The Annual Day event was a grand celebration of talent, education, and community spirit. The students performed various acts, showcasing their skills and creativity, while Dr. Murarka's speech served as the highlight of the evening, inspiring everyone to strive for a brighter future. With the continued support of community leaders like Dr. Aneel Murarka, Sunflower Secondary School remains dedicated to nurturing the next generation of leaders, ensuring that education becomes a stepping stone to success for all its students. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Waco, TX (FOX 44)  The Waco Independent School Districts Greater Waco Advance Health Care Academy (GWAHCA) is a hands-on experience for students to get a glimpse of the health care industry.

This program really, for one, lets students know Is health care what I want to go into?,' says coordinator Angie Fetsko. I cant tell you how many times you have students who go off starting college and theyre like, Nope, this isnt for me. At that time, youve already invested time, money, and resources.

Not only does the program allow students to learn more about their potential future careers, it also aims to teach students teamwork and conflict resolution all while practicing their skills on mannequins before real hands-on experience at local hospitals and nursing homes.

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Alejandra Limones is a senior at University High School and wants to become a NICU Nurse. Limones has had experience at one of the local nursing homes partnered with GWAHCA.

At first I was a little uncomfortable with it, but you get used to it and you want to help them, Limones said. So, thats what made it better.

Nick Cooper, a junior at Waco High School, wants to be a travel nurse. Cooper is one out of six guys in the program.

For me, being a guy, theres probably six guys here, Cooper said. So, me being one of the leaders, going to the middle school helps kids see that men can be nurses, too. Men can be doctors, too.

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Being in a safe environment to learn from their mistakes with their teacher by their side to correct them, Limones feels this program is a great introduction into the health care industry.

This program has really helped me a lot because obviously going into this, I didnt know exactly the full effect of nursing, but now I do because I got a lot of practice, especially in nursing homes, Limones said. So, its gave me a lot of experience and its taught me a lot of lessons.

This program is entering its tenth year in Waco ISD, and is shaping future health care careers.

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Greenville, S.C. (WSPA)  Make A Wish South Carolina is asking you to lace up your hiking shoes for an adventure that makes a difference, Its called the Trailblaze Challenge.

You can explore South Carolinas scenic trails while changing the lives of children with critical illnesses.

Participants train and take on an endurance hike through Upstate trails on May 2, which is on the Foothills trail.

They raise funds to support the granting of wishes which brings joy, hope, and strength to kids in need.

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Info session registration is open, a commitment-free info session near you to learn more about the challenge.

Upstate Info Sessions (Make-A-Wish SC Headquarters, Greenville):

Thu, Jan 9th  6 PM

Sat, Jan 11th  10 AM

Tue, Jan 14th  6 PM

Wed, Jan 15th  6 PM

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
SILVER CITY, N.M. (KRQE)  The members of the Western New Mexico University Board of Regents have all resigned or will not be reappointed to their positions as of Tuesday. The move comes after the board received backlash and calls to step down for approving a $1.9 million severance package for the outgoing university president.

I have accepted the regents resignations and will appoint new leaders who understand their primary duty to the public trust. I want to thank members of the New Mexico Legislature who also voiced their urgent concerns about this matter, Lujan Grisham said in a news release.

Story continues below

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The Board of Regents was comprised of board president Mary Hotvedt, members Mary Haviland, Dan Lopez, and Dalva Moellenberg, and student regent Trent Jones. Regents Haviland, Lopez and Moellenberg resigned their positions. The terms of Hotvedt and Jones expired on Dec. 31. The governor said she did not intend to reappoint them.

The governor said her office is reviewing candidates to replace the former WNMU board members.

New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez filed an emergency motion in court on Monday to stop Western New Mexico University (WNMU) from making the severance payment to President Joseph Shepard.

Shepard announced his resignation in December after a state audit revealed that WNMU spent more than $200,000 on travel and lodging from July 2018 to June 2023. The audit also found credit card spending totaling more than $145,000, which included furnishings for the presidents residence.

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Shepard disputed the audits finding and told the regents that media coverage of the schools financial matters was a distraction to its accomplishments under his leadership. His last day is set for Jan. 14.

Lujan Grisham said she welcomed the Attorney Generals review and looks forward to working with the legislature to reform how severance packages are structured at public institutions.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
Thousands of Angelenos are now homeless despite a valiant battle between hundreds of firefighters and a tornado of fire that have leveled entire affluent areas of Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Altadena and Sylmar. "We woke up to a different L.A.," said Joel Feldman, whose Pacific Palisades home was gutted Tuesday in the hours after the fire broke out at 10 a.m. "My neighborhood is gone."



The chaotic whipping winds led the Los Angeles Fire Department to make the unprecedented request for all off-duty personnel to respond as surrounding communities sent in mutual aid resources. Real estate magnate Rick Caruso reported fire hydrants in the Pacific Palisades, where he owns Palisades Village and his daughter Giana lost her home, were completely depleted of water, which hindered the desperate fight the erratic 2,900-acre firestorm that ripped through the community.

Related: Pacific Palisades Wildfire Forces Mass Evacuations as Flames Devour Hillsides

"In large brush fires, water supplies are usually limited," L.A. Fire Chief Kristin Crowley told reporters Wednesday morning.

All #LAFD members currently off-duty are to call the DOC 213-576-8962 with their availability for recall. #palisadesfire  LAFD  (@LAFD) January 8, 2025

In the Palisades Fire alone, at least 1,000 structures, among them public schools and libraries, have been destroyed, said L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone. Historic landmarks along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, among them the Reel Inn, Rosenthal Wine Bar & Patio, Cholada Thai Beach Cuisine, and Malibu Feed Bin, were burned to the ground along with multi-million-dollar homes alongside the Pacific Ocean.

The #ReelInn, located at the corner of

Topanga Canyon Blvd and PCH, were engulfed in

flames during the Pacific #Palisadesfire.#California #californiafires #santamonicafire pic.twitter.com/HKfhhNCSsp  Santa Monica Daily Press (SMDP) (@smdailypress) January 8, 2025

President Joe Biden, who traveled to L.A. to announce new national monuments, was on the westside as the fire spread all around him. "I urge the residents of the Pacific Palisades and the surrounding areas of Los Angeles to stay vigilant and listen to local officials," he wrote on social media. "I have offered any federal assistance that is needed to help suppress the terrible Pacific Palisades fire. Earlier tonight, FEMA approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant to support areas that are impacted and help reimburse the state of California for the immediate firefighting costs."
Erin Elizabeth Ann Strotman, 26, has been charged over multiple "unexplainable fractures" suffered by babies at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Henrico Doctors' Hospital, Virginia in 2023 and 2024

On Friday, Jan. 3, Strotman was arraigned on one count of felony child neglect and one count of felony malicious wounding for an injury sustained by an infant on or about Nov. 10, 2024

The hospital announced last month that it wouldn't be "admitting any additional babies into our NICU at this time" after three babies were found with the fractures in late November and December

A former hospital employee has been charged in connection with multiple "unexplainable fractures" suffered by babies at a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Virginia.

On Friday, Jan. 3, Erin Elizabeth Ann Strotman, 26, was arraigned on one count of felony child neglect and one count of felony malicious wounding for an injury sustained by an infant on or about Nov. 10, 2024, according to a statement obtained by PEOPLE.

She had been arrested the day prior, the statement from Henrico Commonwealth's Attorney Shannon Taylor added.

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As previously reported by PEOPLE, Henrico Doctors Hospital announced in a Dec. 24, 2024 release that it would not be "admitting any additional babies into our NICU at this time" after three babies were found with fractures in late November/December.

The injuries were "similar to an incident involving four babies in the summer of 2023," the release added at the time.

Google Maps Henrico Doctors' Hospital Henrico Doctors' Hospital

In Friday's statement, Taylor said "The maximum statutory penalty for felony child neglect is 10 years of incarceration and the maximum statutory penalty for felony malicious wounding is 20 years of incarceration."

"The defendant was employed as a nurse at Henrico Doctors Hospital at all times relevant to this investigation, but it is our understanding that she is no longer employed there," she continued.

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HCA Virginia also confirmed to PEOPLE in a statement that the suspect was a former employee.

Defense attorney Scott Cardani, who is representing Strotman, didn't immediately respond when PEOPLE contacted his law firm, Critzer Cardani PC, to ask whether the suspect had entered a plea.

"The Commonwealth objected to bond and the court denied bond. While the defendant remains held at the Henrico County Jail, the court further ordered the defendant to have no contact with any child under the age of 18. The next court date is March 24, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. [local time], Taylor's statement read.

While there has been an arrest for one person for allegedly inflicting injury on a single victim, I would emphasize this is an ongoing investigation spanning potential offenses committed in both 2023 and 2024," the statement continued.

Henrico County Sheriff's Office Erin Elizabeth Ann Strotman Erin Elizabeth Ann Strotman

Taylor didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional updates on Wednesday, Jan. 8.

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HCA Virginia said in a statement to PEOPLE on Friday, Jan. 3, "We are both shocked and saddened by this development in the investigation and are focused on continuing to care for our patients and providing support to our colleagues who have been deeply and personally impacted by this investigation."

"We are grateful to those colleagues, who have dedicated their professional lives to the care and safety of our patients, as well as to law enforcement and the other agencies who have worked aggressively and tirelessly with us on this investigation," the statement added.

"For more than 30 years, the NICU at Henrico Doctors' Hospital has provided necessary and life-saving care to babies in central Virginia and we remain focused on ensuring the availability of that care in our community," it concluded.

Nenov/Getty A stock photo of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit A stock photo of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

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.

Henrico Police Department previously told PEOPLE in a news release that officers had been "reviewing dozens of videos from inside the NICU. As previously mentioned, detectives are re-examining the 2023 and 2024 cases as part of this broader investigation."

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Police have also insisted that rumors the alleged victims were targeted based on their racial identity are "not factual" based on the "preliminary investigation," per a release.

The Henrico Doctors' Hospital didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for further updates.

Read the original article on People
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  An arrest has been made in a stabbing incident that took place at the Greyhound bus station in the airport area last year.

Sylvia Ray, 36, is charged with aggravated assault. She is held in jail on a $61,000 bond.

Woman stabs person with screwdriver at Greyhound Bus Station: MPD

According to Memphis Police, on December 6 officers responded to the stabbing at the Greyhound bus station on 3033 Airways Boulevard just after 5 a.m.

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A male victim told police that a woman was sleeping on a bench in front of him at the bus station when she woke up and went to the bathroom. After she returned, she gathered her belongings, walked behind the victim, and stabbed him in the left side of the neck with an unknown object, reports state.

Police say the victim and the suspect did not know one another.

Family says missing loved one stabbed to death at Memphis motel

While at the scene, officers found a Krystal box where the female suspect was sitting that belonged to her and collected a latent print from the box. Video footage of the incident was also available at the scene.

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The prints came back positive for Sylvia Ray, police say.

On December 25, the victim positively identified Ray in a six-person lineup as the person responsible for stabbing him.

Sylvia Ray is due in court on Thursday morning.

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A woman was arrested for running a prostitution business out of a massage parlor in Butler County.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

On Jan. 7 2025 around 11 a.m. the Butler County Undercover Regional Narcotics Task Force and the Fairfield Police Department responded to a massage parlor in Fairfield.

TRENDING STORIES:

The investigation began because a citizen alleged that Sun Spa, located at 6660 Dixie Highway had been operating as a prostitution business.

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The Butler County Undercover Regional Narcotics Task Force, the Fairfield Police Department, and the Miami Valley Human Trafficking Task Force conducted two search warrants at the massage parlor, which resulted in the seizure of $5,000.

Authorities also arrested an illegal immigrant identified as 48-year-old Min Wang from Texas.

Wang was charged with Prostitution, a third-degree misdemeanor.

Its a community effort. We appreciate those that saw something and said something, Sheriff Jones said.

The investigation is ongoing.

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  Sioux City police have arrested a woman for allegedly stealing a vehicle and then leading police on a chase Tuesday night.

According to the Sioux City Police Department, officers were called around 8:30 p.m. to a convenience store in the 1300 block of Pierce Street for a robbery. Officers arrived and learned a woman, later identified as Alina Lee Wright, 22, entered the passenger side of a vehicle in the parking lot with the driver inside.

15-year-old girl arrested for allegedly making threats to Iowa school

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The driver told police that he didnt know Wright and that she threatened him with a knife. The driver got out of the vehicle and then ran away. Wright then allegedly stole the vehicle.

Around 9:50 p.m., officers found the vehicle in the downtown area going south at the 1300 block of Jackson Street. The police said officers tried to stop the vehicle, but Wright then led police in a chase.

The vehicle crashed into a fire hydrant in the 1100 block of Jones Street, and Wright left the vehicle and fled on foot, SCPD said. After a short foot pursuit, she was taken into custody.

Wright was arrested and charged with first-degree robbery, felony eluding, and interference with official acts. She was booked into the Woodbury County Jail on a $7,500 bond. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 17.

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NORTH KANSAS CITY, Mo.  North Kansas City Police on Tuesday identified the woman found dead in the parking lot on the North Kansas City Hospital campus Monday morning.

They also confirmed Loira Fells, 63, arrived at the same hospital a day earlier via ambulance transport by Kansas City Fire.

Plenty of questions remain as to what happened between her arrival and when she was found dead outside the hospital the next day.

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Neighbors at 37th and Agnes say Fells had a routine. She would get up early every morning to go to work at Costco.

Driver in Kansas City viral video explains why she jumped out of car

She was always polite. Spoke to everybody you couldnt come out on the porch without her saying hey, how you doing this morning,' Richard Thornton said.

She would then return home to her porch where at least a dozen furry friends were waiting.

She would feed the cats. Everyday nonstop she would put food out. And I was thinking wait a second she didnt come home. I said what, where would she be, Elizabeth Thornton said after last seeing Fells Saturday.

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According to Thornton, Fells lamented the coming blizzard.

She said no I dont want it to get it cold. I dont like the cold, Thornton recalled.

Sunday, during that snow, Kansas City Fire was called to take Fells to the hospital. The fire department could not confirm where the call originated or what prompted it.

Evidently she slid off the road and had some type of accident and ended up at the hospital, Richard Thornton said.

She arrived at North Kansas City Hospital at 12:23 p.m. Sunday. What happened after that remains a mystery.

FOX4 asked if she was treated, admitted or discharged but so far all authorities have released is she was found dead outside an office building at 2700 Clay Edwards Drive on the hospitals campus at 9:45 the next morning.

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Richard Thornton met with Fells son Tuesday afternoon.

He came by and explained to me what was going on and he had a lot of sadness in him because he really loved his mother, he explained.

The Thorntons say they are left wondering the same thing as the womans family.

Questions, concerns after Jackson County public works employee killed

Thats what my question is. Why did she die in the parking lot? Elizabeth Thornton asked.

Thats what has him confused. How does she just get out of the hospital and just go out somewhere and just pass away? Richard Thornton said.

North Kansas City Hospital issued a statement from Kerri Jenkins, senior vice president, chief operating officer.

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We were made aware that a deceased individual was found on the NKCH campus yesterday. We are cooperating with authorities to investigate this matter, and we are unable to provide any further comments.

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NewsVoir Pune (Maharashtra) [India], January 8: Hexafin Consultancy Pvt. Ltd., a leading player in India's loan consulting and distribution industry for over 19 years, is proud to announce the expansion of its Certified Loan Distributor Program across Maharashtra. The initiative is a leap towards creating self-reliance through financial literacy. What began in 2016 in Pune with just a handful of members has now evolved into a robust network, comprising over 40 on-roll staff, numerous interns, referral partners, B2B and B2C collaborators, property dealers, professionals and retired individuals, all contributing to the program's success. While transforming lives the initiative bridges the Financial Literacy Gap. The Certified Loan Distributor Program is Hexafin's flagship initiative designed to address the critical need for financial literacy across both rural and urban Maharashtra. By equipping individuals with the knowledge and tools to ethically distribute loans, the program is not only promoting financial literacy but also fostering entrepreneurship and self-reliance across Maharashtra. The Program stands out with its robust and practical approach to fostering success in the loan distribution industry. Key features include: Flexible online and offline training Options, covering critical areas such as loan products, regulatory compliance, and customer service excellence, ensuring accessibility and convenience for participants across Maharashtra. Practical Disbursal Benchmarks are required to be met by the participants to earn their certification, ensuring they are fully prepared to excel in real-world scenarios. Earn while You Learn is a self-sustaining model designed to generate income while learning. The program allows participants to start earning as they acquire essential skills. In a nutshell it is a comprehensive, hands-on certification process, ensuring participants are well-prepared to succeed in the loan distribution industry. Key features include: As the program continues to grow, Hexafin is creating a diverse and dynamic ecosystem of financial service providers. From referral partners and property dealers to B2C collaborators and retired professionals, the initiative is broadening access to credit in underserved communities and creating new opportunities for individuals across the state. By bridging knowledge gaps in financial literacy across both urban and rural areas of Maharashtra, the Certified Loan Distributor Program is driving financial inclusion and empowering people with the tools to generate sustainable income. The program is cultivating a skilled workforce which is equipped to meet the growing demand for financial services. The program creates an impact through economic self-reliance and the creation of a robust network of well-trained professionals. Commenting on the program's success, Sanjeev Kokru, a visionary and the Managing Director of Hexafin Consultancy Pvt. Ltd., stated, "The Certified Loan Distributor Program is more than just a business venture--it's a catalyst for empowerment. By equipping individuals with the skills, they need to succeed in the financial sector, we're not only creating entrepreneurs but also uplifting entire communities. Maharashtra offers incredible potential, and our initiative is unlocking opportunities for both individuals and businesses. Through our learn-and-earn model, participants gain valuable knowledge while earning, ensuring a mutually beneficial experience." With a proven track record of serving over 1 lakh+ satisfied customers and an outstanding 80% disbursal success rate, Hexafin Consultancy Pvt. Ltd. invites aspiring individuals across Maharashtra to join its transformative journey. For more information, please visit - www.hexafin.com. (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)
Killeen, Tx (FOX 44)  Bond has been set at $100,000 for a 24-year-old Killeen woman arrested and charged with throwing a knife during a violent domestic disturbance.

Tia Shanairra Allen was taken into custody following the early Sunday morning in incident.

Killeen Police Department spokesperson Ofelia Miramontez said it happened in the 1400 block of Illinois Avenue, with officers dispatched at 2:19 a.m. in reference to a violent domestic involving weapons.

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Police said the investigation showed that the male victim had taken the suspects phone away from her after he saw a text message from another man. The woman demanded her phone back and the two began fighting.

Plea, sentencing in for man charged in fatal crash

Police said the woman was accused of picking up various items and throwing them, then retrieved a kitchen knife, accused of pointing it toward the man, then throwing it at him, striking a wall. The woman then left.

Officers located Tia Allen and placed her under arrest, charging her with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. She was taken first to the Killeen City Jail, then transferred to Bell County where she remained Wednesday.

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A 77-year-old Las Cruces woman was struck by a vehicle and killed in the parking lot of a convenience store last weekend in West El Paso, El Paso Police said.

Police said 77-year-old Gloria Molina was killed when she was struck by a vehicle a little after 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5 in the parking lot of the Speedway gas station at 4990 Doniphan Drive.

Pedestrian struck by vehicle, airlifted in West El Paso

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Police said Molina exited the store and was walking in the parking lot.

She was struck by 23-year-old Alejandro Gonzalez who did not see the pedestrian, police said.

The woman was airlifted to a local hospital but died on Monday, Jan. 6.

Police said driver inattention on the part of Gonzalez was a contributing factor in the crash. Police did not say if he was facing charges in the crash, however.

This was the second traffic fatality in the City of El Paso this year, compared to two at the same time last year.

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The career of a Florida principal is up in the air after a simple traffic stop resulted in him in hand cuffs. It all started on Tuesday, Jan. 7 when a state trooper pulled over a Kia Stinger after noticing the vehicle had an altered license plate and tinted windows, according to CBS News.

When the officer approached the driver side of the Kia, he asked the driver, Karlton Odell Johnson, 58, to roll down his window and present his drivers license and registration. But instead of simply following orders, Johnson allegedly proceeded to tell a story that would land him in jail.

According to CBS, Johnson allegedly opened up a black wallet with a gold star inside of it and told the trooper Im an officer, I am an officer. The state trooper eventually asked the man which agency he served after Johnson continuously told him he was a deputy.

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I am one of you, you hear me? I am one of you, Johnson allegedly said. I thought we treat each other better.

Johnson continued claiming he was a reserve deputy and that he was Shaquille ONeals cousin, according to the arrest documents, but it didnt take long for the state trooper to learn the truth.

The trooper asked Johnson whether he was a full-time deputy or sworn officer, and Johnson allegedly responded no to both questions. After contacting the Broward Sheriffs Department to confirm Johnsons claims, the state trooper realized the badge Johnson was initially presented stated the word honorary above the star. From there, Johnson was detained and taken into custody.

Congratulations to Dr. Karlton Johnson of Blanche Ely High! The #BCPSCaliber Principal of the Year. pic.twitter.com/6XXyjHCDqB  Broward Schools (@browardschools) April 2, 2016

In truth, the man has no relation to the Broward Sheriffs Office or to Shaquille ONeal for that matter. Johnson was, however, the acting principal of the Cypress Run Education Center in Pompano Beach at the time of his arrest, according to authorities.

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Johnson previously served as the principal for Blanche Ely High School. He also was named one of South Floridas 50 Most Powerful and Influential Leaders in 2024, and in 2016, he was named Principal of the Year by the school district, according to WSVN.

Now, hes facing serious charges for allegedly impersonating a police officer. Johnson appeared in court on Wednesday morning, where a judge set his bond at $2,500, according to WSVN.

In response to Johnsons arrest, the Broward Country Public School district released a statement to CBS saying The employee in question will be reassigned pending the outcome of the law enforcement investigation. In the interim, the assistant principal will assume responsibility for the school to ensure continuity of leadership and operations.

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Another brush fire erupted in Los Angeles County Wednesday morning as firefighters were already battling two massive blazes raging in Pacific Palisades and Altadena.

The Woodley Fire started at 6:15 a.m. on North Woodley Avenue just west of the 405 Freeway and north of the 101 Freeway in the Sepulveda Basin.

A map of the Woodley Fire is seen in an image taken from the California wildfire incident website.

The blaze was being driven south by strong winds and threatened to cross Burbank Boulevard, a post on the California fire incident website stated.

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Officials initially indicated the fire had burned 75 acres but reduced its burn area to 30 acres in an update just before 9 a.m.

Firefighters are still working diligently to contain the fire and protect structures in the affected area, officials stated.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

There were no immediate reports of injuries.

The Woodley Fire ignited as crews were already working on two major incidents including the Palisades Fire, which erupted Tuesday morning and burned 1,000 structures in the Pacific Palisades area.

Palisades Fire in Los Angeles destroys 1,000 structures; no containment

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The Eaton Fire was reported Tuesday evening near Altadena and has burned more than 2,000 acres.

2 dead in fast-moving Eaton Fire in Southern California

Officials confirmed during a Wednesday morning news conference that two citizens died in the Eaton Fire and a number of significant injuries have been reported.

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By Nora Eckert

DETROIT (Reuters) -The United Auto Workers union is petitioning the National Labor Relations Board to hold an election at a Kentucky battery plant run by a Ford Motor joint venture, the union said in a release Wednesday.

The BlueOval SK plant, owned by a partnership of South Korea's SK On and Ford, is the latest battery battleground for the union as it seeks to grow its decreasing membership and secure jobs as the industry electrifies.

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A representative for BlueOval SK said most workers at the battery facility have not yet been hired, and called the union's petition "premature."

"The UAW is trying to rush BlueOval SK into unionization before our full workforce has the opportunity to make a truly free and informed choice," the statement said.

About 750 workers have been hired in Kentucky, and the joint-venture is expecting to bring on a total of 5,000 workers across two battery plants, the representative said. The first of those battery plants is slated to start production this year.

UAW President Shawn Fain has sought to expand on a historic win last year at a Volkswagen plant in Tennessee. The labor group has not won a significant vote since, suffering a defeat at a Mercedes plant in Alabama in May.

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The UAW invested $40 million last year to organize non-union automakers across the U.S., a push that included companies such as Tesla and Toyota.

Battery plants partly owned by Detroit's automakers were a major sticking point during the union's six-week strike against Ford, General Motors and Jeep maker Stellantis in late 2023.

The union previously notched victories with Ultium Cells, a joint venture between GM and LG Energy Solution at plants in Ohio and Tennessee.

In June 2024, it reached a tentative contract at an Ohio GM battery plant, and in September, GM agreed to recognize the union at an Ultium plant in Tennessee.

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Companies can agree to voluntarily recognize workers once a majority sign cards supporting unionization, which is what happened with the Ultium facility in Tennessee.

In cases where the company does not agree to do this, there is an election, overseen by the NLRB, where workers must vote by majority to unionize.

A union can file a petition for such an election after collecting signatures from at least 30% of workers, according to the NLRB.

The UAW said in November that a "supermajority" of workers at the Kentucky facility had signed cards indicating their support for joining the union, without specifying the percentage.

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Some labor experts say it is not surprising that the union is trying to organize the current population of workers at the battery facility instead of waiting for it to expand to its full workforce, given that there have been frequent delays around EV-related plants.

Art Wheaton, labor professor at Cornell University, added that if the union wins this election but future hired workers do not support it, they can always move to decertify the labor group at the facility.

An election date has not yet been set, but it typically takes several weeks between the union filing for an election and it being held.

While the union got support from President Joe Biden - including in person at its picket lines during the strike - Fain president-elect Donald Trump have a more contentious relationship.

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The incoming president has said the union leader should be fired, and Fain said before the election that if Trump won, it would be a "complete disaster for the working class."

(Reporting by Nora Eckert, Editing by Nick Zieminski)
(Getty Images)

The definition of insanity, the aphorism goes, is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

In the wake of the Great Recession, Washingtons state Legislature gathered in Olympia to craft a budget. Because of our overreliance on sales taxes for state revenue, lawmakers faced cratering funding for public needs as consumer spending dropped. They solved this problem by balancing the budget on the backs of working people, cutting $5.2 billion from services that keep families afloat in economic hard times, and hiking taxes paid by everyday people. Nearly a decade and a half later, we still havent returned to the levels of funding per person we saw before the recession.

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We cant afford to make the same mistake this time around. In 2025, state legislators face another looming deficit, and once again declining sales tax receipts and an overwhelming lack of progressive taxes are part of the problem. Washington state is home to the countrys second-most regressive tax code, ahead of only Florida.

This time around, our state legislators must make a different choice than they did in the last recession: they must make the wealthy finally pay what they owe. This is the only path to balance the budget and keep our state affordable for working people.

Our legislators dont have to hunt through the couch cushions, either. The organizations we lead, Balance Our Tax Code and the Economic Opportunity Institute, have developed a checklist for legislators seeking common-sense revenue options.

One option is to remove the arbitrary cap that excuses wealthy corporations from paying payroll taxes on salaries over $176,100 a year. Removing this cap could raise $3 billion to $4 billion for our social safety net.

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Theres also reform to make the business and occupation tax and the estate tax more progressive  another $120 million to $140 million.

And theres a tax on the sale of luxury mansions, which includes a tax break for home sales less than about $3 million. This could net another $150 million in permanent funding for affordable housing.

One idea we particularly like is a tax on the extraordinary wealth accumulated by some Washingtonians during the tech boom of the 2000s and 2010s. This could right-size our regressive tax code and stave off cuts to critical public services.

Outgoing governor Jay Inslee called for a modest tax on wealth to keep our services and public programs running under the next governor. A wildly popular version of this tax that state lawmakers considered in previous years would create a 1% tax on capital assets (like stocks and bonds) worth more than $250 million.

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Let that sink in  your first $250 million of wealth is tax-free. This key checklist item could raise an astonishing $3 billion a year for affordable homes, disability supports, and education in our state.

Washington needs this. When the wealthy few and powerful corporations are required to pay what they owe to our shared communities, everyone across Washington benefits.

People pay taxes on the unrealized value of their homes each year, and pay taxes again when we sell. Meanwhile, the wealthiest among us are taxed only on the sale of their capital assets, not on the massive amounts of wealth they hold. A tax on these extraordinary holdings would make our tax code more just and fund state programs that support our lives.

Its easy to view the state budget process as abstract, arcane, and far removed from the concerns of everyday people. But the fact is that the choices our legislators make in Olympia over the next few months will show up in very real ways for everyday people: in the cost of child care, housing, education  all of the things that are important to our well-being.

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Washington state has everything it needs to be a national model of economic opportunity. We have beautiful public lands, globally competitive cities, productive farmlands, incredible working communities, and some of the most innovative companies in the world. We should have the public services to match.

This year, our elected representatives have the chance to put our state on a sound fiscal footing and avoid making the mistakes of the past again.
With land wars in Europe and the Middle East and tensions running high in Asia, speculation has only grown louder that we are on the brink of or in the early stages of World War III. We are not. There has not been a foreign attack on the U.S. homeland that would motivate the country to undertake a major national effort to preserve our freedom. Governments allied with the United States are not being toppled or their territories occupied. Major powers are not fighting each other directly. U.S. troops are in combat in relatively small numbers for limited regional purposes.

But a world war is approaching. The international order is bifurcating into ideological spheres again, with one sphere consisting of the U.S. and countries attempting to preserve gains of freedom and prosperity from the last 35 years, and another sphere consisting of countries that consider those gains to have come at their expense or endanger their domestic control. This axis of aggrieved countries includes China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. They are building the military forces to defeat us, deepening their cooperation with each other, committing acts of sabotage against us, using the openness of our societies to suborn our publics, testing our willingness to defend ourselves and our allies.

American strategy since the end of the Cold War in 1991 has been to expand the geography of free societies, particularly in Europe. It sought to advance that cause cautiously by blurring the lines between where we have undertaken solemn commitments and where we have not. So, for example, rather than hurriedly admitting former Warsaw Pact and Soviet states into NATO as they desperately wanted, the U.S. invented a Partnership for Peace as an intermediate step providing some connection to the club of countries for which the U.S. assumed the responsibility that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all. The objective was to move incrementally so that Russia had time to acclimatize to the new reality of its diminished power. It also served to condition the U.S. public, so that by the time the question was posed of whether Poland should be allowed under the U.S. security umbrella, the answer was, Arent they already?

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The Ukraine war is a providential warning of how strong and threatening our adversaries are becoming. If we are to prevent the corrosion of the international order, we will need to restore the credibility of our commitments.

What China and Russia have already succeeded in doing is brutally clarifying the line between what countries the U.S. will defend and those we will not. By imperiling weaker states, they have challenged the U.S. to prove we will protect them. And the last several U.S. presidents have balked. President George W. Bush committed to withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq, leaving a government in transition subject to Iranian meddling. President Barack Obama infamously extended, then failed to make good on, threats to Syrias Bashar al-Assad. President Donald Trump threatened to abandon NATO, declined to retaliate for Iranian attacks on Saudi Arabia, and now encourages Russian attacks. President Joe Biden has tempted China to test his blithe commitment that the U.S. would send troops to defend Taiwansomething he has done four times and been hurriedly corrected four times by administration officials. The humiliating scenes of hurried U.S. abandonment of Afghanistan and insistence of its inevitability by both the president and his national security adviser surely cause allies to question Bidens commitments and tempt adversaries to test them.

Most conspicuously, the president has telegraphed his fear of wider war since Russias invasion of Ukraine. As Russia invaded, Biden rushed U.S. National Guard trainers out of Ukraine. He insisted there would be no direct involvement, such as providing aircraft to Ukraine or imposing a no-fly zone, saying that the U.S. helping uphold the sovereignty of Ukraines internationally recognized territory would start World War III. While promising to do whatever it takes for as long as it takes, the Biden administration hesitated to provide weapons when needed to Ukraine, often being shamed into relenting on refusals only after European alliesthe countries more at risk than the U.S. from a Russian attackhad already done so.

President Biden has excluded Ukraine from our defense perimeter, just as Truman-era Secretary of State Dean Acheson excluded South Korea in 1950, drawing the line at committing the U.S. to defend every inch of NATO territory. Such actions encourage the axis of aggrieved to continue chipping away at the security of other statesstates we are allied to or care about or rely on for our prosperity.

Our enemies have regional ambitions for conquest and are working to keep the U.S. out, because without the strength of the United States, our regional allies could not protect themselves. Russia threatens nuclear use if the U.S. aids Ukraine, hoping to forestall assistance. China attacks Philippine coast guard ships, hoping the U.S. wont come to their aid although they are treaty allies of the U.S. North Korea fires missiles over the Sea of Japan and conducts espionage operations against South Korea, testing whether it can be peeled from the U.S. defense umbrella. Iran attacks Saudi Arabia hopingrightly, it turned outthat the U.S. would balk at retaliation. Their ideal would be a world war without American participation, because it would result in China dominant in Asia, Russia dominant in Europe, North Korea dominant on the Korean Peninsula, and Iran dominant in the Middle East.

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Those who fear the U.S. having to fight to honor our allied commitments are seeking clever legalistic loopholes to avoid war, such as pointing out that the NATO treaty technically commits the U.S. only to consultations should an ally be attacked. Such finessing ignores the strategic consequences of what would unquestionably be understood as the U.S. abandoning a commitment we had upheld for 75 years.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is right that free societies need to shift to a wartime mindset. He urges that allies are not ready for what is coming our way in four to five years. But we may not have four or five yearsneither that time, nor success, is guaranteed to us. Even before funneling arms to Ukraine, NATO allies including the U.S. lack the weapons and ammunition to fight wars of high intensity: Ukraine uses as many artillery shells in a month as the U.S. can produce in a year. China has 371 ships in its navy while the U.S. Navy has shrunk to only 290 shipsand Chinas shipbuilding can produce 230 times the output we can. Russia now commits a third of its government budget to defense and has retooled its economy to military production. North Korea is providing Russia the troops it needs for the war in Ukraine, Iran is providing its drones, and China is providing the war materiel.

The best, and cheapest, way to win wars is to prevent enemies from believing they could win. Accomplishing that (what in defense circles is termed reestablishing deterrence) will require committing to a dramatic increase in defense spending, invoking the Defense Production Act to accelerate weapons and ammunition production, and recruiting a larger conventional force. Those measures would strengthen the U.S. military and likely prevent an attack on our country. Hard choices and hard work will be needed to rebuild our military strength: Money will need to be diverted from other worthy and pressing needs, young Americans will need to be persuaded into service, comfortable practices will need to be disrupted, we will need to let our military focus on its core mission and leave it out of culture wars, and leaders will need to act as statesmen. Those elements were little in evidence in the Biden administration, and a Trump administration will add new challenges.

But those measures alone wouldnt be sufficient to prevent attacks on allies, because our enemies will still be tempted to test our willingness to protect countries we have committed to protect. The Ukraine war is a providential warning of how strong and threatening our adversaries are becoming. If we are to prevent the corrosion of the international order, we will need to restore the credibility of our commitments. And that means giving less weight to our fears and engendering greater concern on the part of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Otherwise, the U.S. will be left standing like a walled medieval city, itself safe but impoverished and surrounded by hostile forces.

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Greenlands public broadcaster has been canvassing residents opinions on US President-elect Donald Trumps pitch to buy the autonomous Danish territory  and some of their responses might raise some eyebrows.

While some of those questioned described Trumps interest as dangerous and worrying, others suggested they might have more trust in Trump and choose the USA.

The interviews by Kalaallit Nunaata Radioa (KNR) on Wednesday came a day after a press conference in which Trump reiterated his desire to obtain control over the vast Arctic island, and told reporters he would not rule out using military or economic coercion to achieve his aim. They also come amid a widely publicized trip to the island by Trumps eldest son, Donald Trump Jr.

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Some residents canvassed by KNR criticized Trump Sr.s comments, saying they would prefer the island to remain under Danish control.

I see Donald Trumps interest in Greenland as very dangerous, said Greenlander Jens Danielsen.

We are so few inhabitants, under 100,000, that I fear that our language would disappear very quickly, so I (would) prefer to stay under Denmark because the relationship between Greenlanders and Danes works well as it is, he added.

Danielsen said he was also concerned at suggestions that Trump might be interested in obtaining control over Greenland to extract uranium and raw materials. If that is why he is interested, it is worrying, he said.

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On Tuesday, Trump had said the US needs Greenland for economic security, but some experts have suggested he may also be eyeing the islands trove of natural resources  including rare earth metals  which may become more accessible as climate change melts the territorys ice.

Maybe I would have more trust in Trump

But others canvassed by KNR appeared more open to Trumps overtures.

Everything is just getting more and more expensive here. Goods from Denmark are extremely expensive, so of course the USA seems more attractive, cleaning assistant Karen Kielsen said.

Others saw the debate in light of the islands independence movement.

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Student Imaakka Boassen said, I dont completely trust the Danes. Maybe I would have more trust in Trump.

There are so many Danes in leading positions in Greenland, but when we live in Greenland, it should be Greenlanders who lead, he added.

Another resident, Anguteq Larsen, told KNR he would prefer Greenland to be independent, without having to rely on either Denmark or the US.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump makes remarks at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. January 7, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Barria - Carlos Barria/Reuters

Danish, American  or neither?

While the public gave a mixed response to KNRs canvassing, officials in both Greenland and Denmark have been largely dismissive of Trumps desire to obtain the arctic island  though multiple Danish officials have told CNN they fear the incoming president is now more serious about the idea than when he floated it in his first term.

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Both Greenlands Prime Minister Mute Egede and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen have said in the past that the island is not for sale and will never be for sale, while Egede posted on Facebook on Tuesday that Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland.

However, despite those rebuttals, debate over Greenlands future has been stirred up by growing speculation over its independence movement.

In his recent New Years speech, the Greenland prime minister said the island should break free from the shackles of colonialism  though the speech did not mention the United States.

Denmarks Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told a press briefing on Wednesday the independence issue should be seen separately to Trumps comments.

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We fully recognise that Greenland has its own ambitions. If they materialise, Greenland will become independent, though hardly with an ambition to become a federal state in the United States, Rasmussen said.

Debate has also been stirred by the visit of Trump Jr.  who arrived in Greenland Tuesday on what Danish officials said was not an official American visit  and was pictured being greeted by crowds wearing hats bearing his fathers MAGA (Make America Great Again) slogan.

Speaking to CNNs Erin Burnett on Tuesday, Greenlandic member of Denmarks parliament Aaja Chemnitz insisted those images were not representative of the wider community and claimed some residents were talking of leaving Greenland if Trumps ambitions were realized.

While there may be no easy way to gauge what the majority of Greenlands residents think about Trumps ideas, Chemnitz suggested a referendum on Greenlandic independence could be held in future, and that closer collaboration with the US on business, defense, raw materials and tourism could come about as a result.

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But even that scenario would fall short of Trumps vision, Chemnitz said.

So Greenland is not MAGA and Greenland is not going to be MAGA, she said.

CNNs Li-lian Ahlskog, Kim Norgaard and Laura Paddison contributed to this reporting

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PNN Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 8: UniHealth Hospitals Limited (NSE - UNIHEALTH): UniHealth - UMC Hospitals Group, a renowned name in global healthcare, with an established presence in Africa and India, has announced the launch of its first multi-specialty hospital in India, located in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. This significant milestone marks the Group's strategic entry into the Indian healthcare sector, complementing its existing operations in healthcare consultancy and trading, and underscoring its commitment to delivering "Quality Healthcare to All." The upcoming UMC Hospital in Navi Mumbai, set to be commissioned by April 2025, under UMC Hospitals Private Limited, a subsidiary of the NSE Emerge listed Unihealth Hospitals Limited, is poised to set new standards in patient care and medical excellence. The 60-bedded tertiary care hospital will be equipped with comprehensive lab and radiology diagnostic services, two modular operating rooms, a cardiac catheterization lab, a state-of-the-art ICU, and a dedicated day care unit, catering to the growing urban population in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, and surrounding regions. This initiative builds on UniHealth's legacy of excellence across Africa, where it operates a robust network of hospitals, including UMC Victoria Hospital in Kampala, Uganda; UMC Zhahir Hospital in Kano, Nigeria; and UniHealth Medical Centre in Mwanza, Tanzania. The launch of UMC Hospital in Navi Mumbai marks a pivotal step in UniHealth's broader vision of growth, with plans to establish 5+ multi-specialty hospitals across western India within 24-36 months, adding over 500 inpatient beds to India's healthcare infrastructure. Equipped with the latest advancements in medical technology, the facility emphasizes patient comfort and safety, aiming to foster collaborations with leading healthcare professionals and establish itself as a centre of excellence. It will also drive medical value travel by interlinking UMC Hospitals across Africa and extending the expertise of Indian doctors to patients in African regions. With state-of-the-art facilities and a patient-centric approach, UniHealth aims to leverage its expertise across Africa and India to enhance healthcare standards, expand its footprint, and redefine accessibility globally. Commenting on the development, Dr. Akshay Parmar, Founder & Managing Director of UniHealth Hospitals said, "The launch of UMC Hospital in Navi Mumbai is a proud moment for us. This initiative reflects our commitment to extending the excellence we have demonstrated in Africa to the Indian healthcare sector. Our vision is to build a healthcare ecosystem that is not only advanced but also accessible and affordable for all. With this first step in India, we aim to set new benchmarks in healthcare delivery". Emphasizing on the impact of this initiative, Dr. Anurag Shah, Managing Director of the Group's facilities across Africa, said, "The launch of UMC Hospital in Navi Mumbai will usher in a new dimension to comprehensive care for patients traveling between India and the African continent, providing them with continuity, a critical and key aspect for treatment of a wide variety of chronic medical conditions, bridging the existing gap with rigorous and continued follow up for optimum prognosis and treatment results. The exchange of information in real-time between the clinical teams across UMC Hospital facilities in Africa and India will benefit patients and help cement the Group's position as a differentiator in the provision of critical healthcare services and treatments across multiple geographies". (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)
Del. Brandon Steele's wife called 911 on Dec. 23, 2024, and told the operator she was concerned about him drunkenly handling assault rifles and screaming at people. (Perry Bennett | West Virginia Legislative Photography)

Two days before Christmas, the wife of a West Virginia lawmaker called 911 telling the operator she was concerned about him drunkenly handling assault rifles and screaming at people looking at Christmas lights in their neighborhood.

Del. Brandon Steeles wife, Raleigh County Clerk Brianne Steele, told a 911 operator that she was worried that her extremely agitated and very, very drunk husband may start shooting and that her children were terrified.

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According to a Raleigh County Sheriffs Office police report, officers arrived at Steeles residence following Brianne Steeles call. No arrests were made related to the incident.

The report contains statements from Brandon Steele expressing concern about possible threats regarding trials that he is working, and concerns from Brianne Steele about her husbands paranoid behavior and alcoholism.

Brandon Steele, R-Raleigh, did not attend the House of Delegates swearing in ceremony on Wednesday at the state Capitol.

He told West Virginia Watch that the rumors being spread around the incident are vicious and disheartening.

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The only statement I have is that we had an incident of someone stalking at our home on Dec. 23 to which the police responded. It is not the first time this has happened over the last six years, said Brandon Steele, who is an attorney. Police responded and came to my home, they cleared the scene and left. Law enforcement professionally and appropriately responded to the situation. They ensured my safety and my familys safety.

Brandon Steele said that he reported the incident to the Capitol police.

My family and I are fine, he said.

The 911 tapes were sent to House leadership and members of the media on Tuesday afternoon. House Speaker Roger Hanshaw announced the same day that Steele would serve as chair of the House Judiciary Committee, a leadership role in the body. The Judiciary Committee can be tasked with vetting bills impacting the criminal justice system, including penalties for domestic violence.

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Hanshaw told reporters that he became aware of this situation late Tuesday and had not yet spoken with Brandon Steele.

I only know what Ive read online; which is to say not much, said Del. J.B. Akers, the new vice chair of the House Judiciary Committee. Everyone deserves a fair opportunity to respond and I hope the Steele family is given one. Speaker Hanshaw is a person of integrity and Im sure he will handle this appropriately.

Personally, I said a prayer for the Steeles, especially the children, said Akers, R-Kanawha.

In a 23-minute call to Raleigh County Emergency Services, Brianne Steele described the nights events in hushed tones to a 911 operator while locked in a bathroom, her children hiding in the bathtub.

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He grabbed [the guns] off the wall in front of the kids and theyre terrified now, adding that there were three children in the home.

According to the police report, [Brianne] stated she did not observe any vehicles in front of their residence, however she did see him walking and out of their home with his weapons while screaming. She stated that she believes Brandon is extremely paranoid. Brianne stated that Brandon is also a severe alcoholic.

Brianne was advised of how to obtain a mental hygiene if she chose to do so. She also stated that Brandon did not at any time threaten her or their children. Brianne then decided to leave for the night with their children to allow Brandon to sober up.

Steele has served in the House since 2018.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Theyre often called the greatest generation. Were talking about World War II veterans.

Memories of World War II are disappearing each and every day because the men and women who fought in that war are now in their 90s or older. Preserving the stories of the men and women who served in World War II is more important now than ever before.

We were fighting two wars, one in Europe the other in the South Pacific, World War II veteran Doug Starr said.

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Starr is now 99 years old and served two years in the South Pacific on a destroyer, called the Nicholas.

Starr says everything from the kitchen to the bathrooms to the bunk beds, the living quarters were tight.

Starr has written down his memoirs in this book titled Sea Stories Worth Reading. Thats him on the cover when he first joined the Navy at age 17.

Starr was involved in numerous battles in his 21 months aboard the Nicholas taking over islands in the South Pacific that were controlled by the Japanese.

During the war, they all fought a different kind of battle at times too; a mind battle.

Gronowski commits to Iowa

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They all knew about Tokyo Rose.

It was a nickname given to a group of English-speaking female broadcasters who worked for the Japanese military during World War II.

The broadcasts were part of a psychological warfare campaign to demoralize American soldiers and their families.

At the end of August, Tokyo Rose was on the radio and told everybody on the radio, whoever could hear her, that Japan had sunk the lead destroyer in the fleet, which was us, and she named it and said no survivors, well we didnt know that because there was no way we could have heard that, Starr said.

But his family back home did and they were devastated by the news, because at that time, they knew their son wouldnt be coming home. It was something his mom was anticipating.

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And from September to October she was waiting for two Navy officers to show up and tell her, but they never did show up because it wasnt so, Starr said.

Starrs destroyer had not been hit as proclaimed by Tokyo Rose.

So the war waged on, but it was about to come to an end after the atomic bombs dropped in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The Japanese had had enough.

Thinking back, Starr says Japan made a big mistake getting the U.S. involved when they attacked Pearl Harbor.

Japan is kind of like Rhode Island attacking the state of Texas, because they attacked the United States, good Lord that was the stupidest thing they ever did, Starr said.

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Then at 9:04 in the morning on September 2nd, 1945, aboard the Missouri before representatives of nine Allied nations and sailors looking on, the Japanese signed the official Instrument of Surrender, prepared by the War Department and approved by President Truman.

It formally brought an end to the bloodiest conflict in human history and Starr witnessed it all.

It was a moment in history hell never forget.

He remembers his fellow Navy sailors talking about the table they brought up from the mess hall to do the official signing that brought the war to an end.

It was over, they signed it so they took the table back down to the mess hall and they were like wheres the table thats a piece of history, we got to keep it, where did you put it, I dont know back down in the mess hall, they never did find the one they used, Starr said.

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In October when he finally got back to the states after experiencing so much, including help rescue POWs after the war, Starr knew he still had one thing left to do.

And the first thing I did was go grab a telephone and called home and my mother almost had a fit because she thought I was dead, Starr said.

Far from it, now hes part of living history.

Starr went on to join the Naval Reserve and got activated during the Korean War. He later went on to serve in the Coast Guard Reserve. In all, he served 33 years in the United States Military.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
Almost 15 years ago, a mother-daughter duo in the Rosedale area of Wyandotte County started a community Facebook page when they were stuck during an ice storm so they could have a space to talk with neighbors about road conditions and other local gossip.

Margie Lopez-Rivera said the group  now more than 7,000 members strong  has been full of similar gripes again this week as she and her daughter have been stuck at home days after another storm.

Weve been here since 1978. The city has never, ever skipped us like this, ever. And this is one of the worst storms weve had, Lopez-Rivera said.

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Shes only seen two plow trucks in her neighborhood since Saturday when one of the biggest blizzards in years hit the Kansas City area. And none have cleared her block yet.

A plow truck approached the top of Lopez-Riveras dead-end street but turned around, she said. Their neighbor approached the truck to guide it in their direction but said the driver told him, Maybe next time, she recounted.

He left me and my neighbors stranded until the sun melts this, Lopez-Rivera said.

Already lagging behind the pace of nearby municipalities, the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, suspended overnight plowing on Monday night, just after trucks had first started getting to neighborhood streets.

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Operations were paused temporarily due to the cold and icy conditions, said Dave Reno, a spokesperson for the Unified Governments public works department.

Starting on Tuesday, crews are working 12-hour shifts during the day to clean neighborhood routes, Reno said. A small, separate crew will continue to work at night, focusing on the main arterial roads and connecting streets, called Hot Routes and Secondary Routes.

In the first day or so after the snow stopped falling, Unified Government crews focused on clearing major thoroughfares.

By Monday afternoon, crews had moved on to connector streets and hadnt yet started neighborhood streets. Several residents told The Star their streets hadnt been plowed at all.

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As of 3 p.m. Tuesday, a statement from the Unified Government said that more than 70% of the countys 134 neighborhood routes have been plowed.

Monday night conditions made plowing treacherous but, thanks to the collective effort across the Unified Government, significant progress was made today, the release said.

Reno said the Unified Government had 64 trucks in total and a team of 57 people working to plow the 2,400 lane miles in the county. He has 10 vacant positions hes looking to fill.

Nearby, Overland Park has fewer lane miles to plow  about 2,000 compared to Wyandotte Countys 2,400  but had nearly three times as many staffers responding to the winter storm, at 170. The city was halfway through its residential streets on Tuesday, and a spokesperson said all streets would be plowed by Wednesday morning.

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Kansas City, Missouri, is responsible for plowing the most lane miles in the metro at 6,400 and was equipped with 400 employees and 300 trucks to tackle the blizzard.

A snow plow truck gets stuck in Riveras neighborhood.

The Riveras say theyve heard from other residents complaining about the lack of attention their Wyandotte County roads have gotten, forcing some people to need to call out of work.

Faith Rivera was able to return to work Tuesday evening at a dispensary in downtown Kansas City, but her street was so bad, she said, that a representative from her job had to come to pick her up for her shift. She said shell stay with a friend on the Missouri side of the state line for the rest of the week to be able to make it to work.

Although the Unified Government has encouraged people to report issues by calling 311, the Riveras said they havent been able to reach anyone.

We just want someone to come plow us out, Lopez-Rivera said.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Its Tuesday, January 7. Take a look at our top stories in news and weather with KELOLAND On The GO First@4.

Family and friends of a Yankton woman brutally killed in her home are remembering her as a loving mother and daughter and a bright spark in the world.

Heather Bodden remembered by family and friends

A former Hartford chiropractor is behind bars for child pornography.

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Hartford chiropractor sentenced to 10 years in prison

High pressure at the surface will move in and gradually clear us out tonight. While thats typically a good thing, itll set us up for one more rather cold night with lows around 0 in many areas.

Storm Center PM Update: Milder second half of the week

Download the KELOLAND News app to find the latest headlines while on the go.

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 KELOLAND.com.
The man who authorities say tried to carry out a mass shooting in Yellowstone National Park last year spewed racist views months before his attempted attack, prosecutors said in court documents.

In documents filed with the U.S. District Court in Wyoming last week, federal prosecutors said Samson Fussner, 28, planned the potential mass shooting they called "a terror attack" and revealed his plans to his brother.

Fussner ranted about his mental health issues, racist ideas and plans for mass shootings in the employee dining room and at a fireworks display in West Yellowstone, Montana, according to court documents.

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Prosecutors said in the documents that Fussner had a history of expressing white supremacist and antisemitic views and that he was an active member of a website dedicated to those views. Prosecutors filed the documents in an effort to have Fussner's weapons, ammunition and SUV that were seized during the investigation forfeited to the government.

The gunman revealed his plans to commit violence to his brother days before dying in a shootout with park rangers, according to court documents. He complained to his brother about Yellowstone in text messages, prosecutors said, using racial slurs to describe people there and calling the park a "hellscape," according to the documents. Fussner worked for a private business that was authorized to operate in Yellowstone, according to the National Park Service.

Fussner had also texted his brother that he was obsessed with a woman at the park who he would later hold hostage before the shootout with park rangers, according to the documents.

For about two hours on the night of July 3, Fussner, armed with a handgun and a knife, held the unidentified woman hostage in her dorm room after she told him she wasn't romantically interested in him, according to the documents.

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Fussner hid the gun just before midnight when the woman's roommate entered, according to the documents. When the roommate went to take a shower, he left, and the woman alerted security officers with the private business that employed Fussner.

Law enforcement rangers with the park service swarmed the area around the dorm and the employee dining room, authorities said. Fussner opened fire after he was spotted walking out of a forested area on the morning of July Fourth, and the rangers returned fire.

Trump says he plans to change Gulf of Mexico's name to "Gulf of America"

Justin Trudeau announces he'll resign as prime minister of Canada

Trump says he would use "economic force" to acquire Canada, but does not specify how
The once-immense landscape of Donald Trumps potential criminal liability has been reduced to a small patch of turf defined by whether his conviction on 34 felony counts will stand. Trump is now engaged in an all-out campaign to sweep it away. To prevail, he needs to get a higher court to halt the sentencing that trial judge Juan Merchan has ordered to take place this Friday, January 10. On Tuesday, he lost round one, when the appellate division of the New York state courts refused after a brief hearing to grant his motion for an emergency stay.

Merchan set sentencing after he rejected Trumps motions for a new trial or to set aside the jury verdict based on Trumps claims of immunity. At the same time, Merchan strongly signaled that he would impose no criminal penalty and instead give the former president an unconditional discharge as provided for (but rarely doled out) under New York lawno jail, no fine, no collateral consequences whatsoever.

Many Trump antagonists grumbled that Merchan decided to impose what in effect is a nonsentence. But given the state of play, his decision was Solomonic.

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It was a foregone conclusion that Trump would face no jail time for the convictions, and any actual penaltyincluding probation, which carries significant deprivations of liberty for the convictwould almost certainly have been set aside by a court at the beginning of Trumps presidential term.

What remained was the fact of conviction, the all-important scarlet letter marking Trump as the nations only felon president. Here Merchan was at his most persuasive and assured. He explained why Trumps effort to clean the state would undermine the rule of law and signal that the law favors the powerful. We can expect more of a stern lecture from Merchan to Trump on Friday if the sentencing proceeds.

But thats not what Trump is planning. Almost immediately after Merchans ruling, Trump let loose with a series of fire-breathing social media rants, including a claim that if the ruling were allowed to stand, it would be the end of the Presidency as we know it.

Then Monday, he asked Merchan to indefinitely stay the hearing while he pursues appellate remedies. Merchan refused in a back-of-the-hand two-page order. That set the stage for a run at the appellate courts that Trump began Monday afternoon.

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For Trump, its a beat-the-clock battle, where victory is defined not by getting Merchans opinion reversedtheres not nearly enough time for that before the inaugurationbut by halting Fridays sentencing hearing. That paramount goal of Trumps is at once easier and harder to obtain than an outright reversal of Merchans holdings.

It is easier because Trump only has to get a higher court to think theres enough to his legal claims that such a court would want to have a chance to give those claims a full analysis, and therefore need to keep the sentencing from going forward. As so often in recent years, in which he has been much more lucky than good, Trumps legal arguments are weak, novel, or both. But he doesnt need to win his case; he just needs to persuade a court to stayi.e., haltthe sentencing while it considers his legal claims. And he has three courts to tryNew Yorks intermediate court, New Yorks highest court, and the ultimate resort of the U.S. Supreme Court, which of course has saved his skin before.

It is harder, however, because of the legal requirements to secure a stay. Trump has to establish that (1) he is likely to prevail on the merits, (2) the balance of equities favors him, and (3) if the court doesnt take the case, he will suffer irreparable injury. Otherwise, the standard response of the legal system would be that he can bring any challenge to his conviction he wants tobut after sentencing.

Trump offers two arguments that he deserves special treatment.

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The first is that as president-elect, he should have the benefit of the legal doctrine, anchored in a memorandum from the Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel, that sitting presidents cant be prosecuted.

Thats a lousy argument. The clear line in the memo is between the president and everyone else. Trump is part of everyone else, and not for arbitrary reasons. We have only one president at a time; one person constitutionally required to take care that the laws be faithfully executed. Today, that is Joe Biden.

The second argument, also a stretch, is that claims of immunity are entitled to immediate interlocutory appeals. The problem here is Trumps claim of immunity is poor, because the conduct for which he was convictedpaying hush money to keep the lid on an affair that could have derailed his 2016 candidacy, and falsifying business records to keep it concealed thereafterwas about as unofficial as it gets.

Moreover, as the court has explained, the reason for the immediate appeal is to save the possibly immune official from possibly long and draining extended proceedings that interfere with their official duties. A short sentencing before Trump is even president doesnt fit that bill.

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Trump also tries a nuanced version of that argument based on the Supreme Courts holding that the immunity doctrine prevents even the introduction of evidence of immune conduct, which Trump said happened at his trial. But even if that evidentiary claim were well taken, it wouldnt justify a stay today. Any harm to immunity principles is already done.

So Trumps frantic effort should fail. Its the combination of the crazy state of play, and the fact that courts sometimes reason loosely about a stay where they are interested in the underlying issue, that gives Trump hope.

But our hope, the hope of patriots and partisans of the rule of law, has to be for the opposite result. Beyond galling, Trumps reelection is a deep wound to constitutional rule; and his never-ending effort to rewrite the history of his criminal conduct is an assault on truth, the cornerstone of free thought in a democratic society. Even as Trump ascends to an office he legitimately won, it is critical that we fight to ensure that the verdict of history comes, however slowly, to be accurate, and squarely against him.
YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  York City Council failed to override the Mayors veto of a bill that would protect refugees and immigrants from threats regarding status on Tuesday night.

The Trust Act, initially passed by the York City Council on Dec. 17, 2024, would forbid city employees from threatening or intimidating anyone based on immigration status or citizenship and law enforcement from taking action against anyone based on perceived immigration status.

Although the city council passed the bill three to two, York City Mayor Michael Helfrich followed through on his previous threat to veto it.

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Helfrich said he is supportive of immigrants but is worried the proposal could put federal funding to the city at risk when the new administration takes office in Washington later in January.

On Jan. 7, 2025, the York City Council voted, but failed, to override Mayor Helfrichs veto of the bill. The council voted the same as in December; however, four votes favoring the veto were required to override it.

CASA, a non-profit immigrant organization advocating for immigrant policy in York County, made a statement regarding the councils decision, saying: The failure of the mayor and two councilmembers to support the Trust Act is profoundly shortsighted and a devastating blow to Yorks immigrant families.

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Additionally, York City Council President Edquina Washington and Councilmember Teresa Johnescu made statements regarding her decision to vote to uphold Mayor Helfrichs veto.

I am extremely disheartened that the support was not there to override the mayors veto of the Trust Act. Sadly, the attempt to protect our refugee and immigrant community was dwarfed by fear of potential financial loss. I stand by my belief that there is no amount of money in the world that could replace the safety and security of our refugee and immigrant population. Unfortunately, our black and brown community will continue to live in fear trying to do simple everyday tasks like going to the store, taking their children to school, going to work or reporting a crime all because the city didnt want to possibly lose funding. This is not over. I will continue to fight for this community until everyone feels safe, welcomed, and protected. York City Council President Edquina Washington

I support the Mayors veto of Act 47. My review of Mayor Kim Braceys Executive Order of 2017 satisfies me that the City of York, as the current Mayor stated, is already providing these protections. My research further concludes that Executive Orders do carry the force of law. I agree with the Mayor that this is the wrong legislation at the wrong time. The federal funding the City receives is significant, providing necessary services to many vulnerable residents. There is no guarantee that funds taken would be restored after a lengthy and costly court battle; as the Mayor stated, it would be up in the air. That leaves me with the pressing concern.what is the plan if the funding is taken from York? It sounds noble to say the money is not important, but there is a harsh reality that is not being addressed. Do we allow the human suffering to unfold (When unfunded services are undelivered)? How can our homeowners, already disproportionately burdened with the costs of running the city, bear the additional burden for the loss of the funding of these essential services? The City is running a year-on-year deficit. City taxpayers are cushioned by the return on investment of the Wastewater Treatment Plant money. However, those robust returns may shrink as economists are predicting troubled markets in 2025. Do we dip into that principal further eroding the cushion, pushing us toward a fiscal cliff sooner than the ten years anticipated? I am confident that York City will continue to honor the Executive Order in place. I am aware of my responsibility as a Council Member to protect all of Yorks residents. Teresa Johnescu, York City Council

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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(Bloomberg) -- US Representative Mike Lawler slammed his home state of New York for high spending and said he will push President-elect Donald Trump to raise the cap on state and local tax deductions hurting many of the states taxpayers.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The Republican House member, who represents some of New York City suburbs including Rockland County and parts of Westchester, told Bloomberg TV Wednesday that his constituents are suffering under Democratic Governor Kathy Hochuls policies like congestion pricing, which went into effect this week. The toll charges most drivers $9 to enter Manhattan below 60th street.

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Hochul is scamming New Yorkers out of $2,500 a year just for the privilege of driving to work while spending billions of dollars of taxpayer money on free housing, clothing, food, education and healthcare for illegal immigrants, said Lawler, who is weighing a challenge to Hochul in next years gubernatorial race. One party rule in Albany has been an abject disaster.

Lawler said raising the so-called SALT tax break from the current $10,000 cap is critical for New Yorkers. Lawler is part of a group of several House members from the high-tax states of New York, California and New Jersey traveling to Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate this weekend to discuss expanding the deduction ahead of a looming fight over an extension of his 2017 tax cuts. Lawler told Bloomberg he has proposed raising the cap to $100,000 for individuals and $200,000 for married couples. The current cap is the same for both single and married taxpayers.

The $10,000 cap is woefully insufficient, he said. Long term for New York, this is critical. We lead the nation in out-migration, our tax base is eroding.

He added that the cap is penalizing New Yorkers for living in a high-tax state. This is double taxation. And for those of my colleagues who say this is a subsidy, the fact is that New York contributes more to the federal government than it receives.

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VMPL New Delhi [India], January 8: V Gautham Navada, Founder & Director of ForthFocus, a leading web solutions agency based in Kundapura, India, is set to take the stage at WordCamp Kolhapur 2025 as a panelist in the highly anticipated "Careers in WordPress" discussion. With over 13+ years of industry experience, Gautham's journey from a WordPress enthusiast to a successful tech entrepreneur will inspire professionals, students, and enthusiasts alike. "I started my WordPress journey in 2011, exploring its potential as a blogger and gradually transitioning to developing impactful digital solutions. I began attending WordCamps as a normal attendee in 2023, and now, in 2025, I am honored to sit on a panel alongside some of the biggest names in the WordPress and tech community. WordPress has transformed my career, and being part of the inaugural WordCamp Kolhapur is a thrilling milestone. My journey is a testament to what can happen when an ordinary individual becomes part of an extraordinary community filled with like-minded people who uplift and inspire each other. This is the power of WordPress - a community that doesn't just create websites but builds careers and transforms lives. I look forward to sharing insights that can help others unlock their potential in this incredible ecosystem," Gautham shared. V Gautham Navada: A WordPress & Open-Source Lover! With over 13+ years of experience in the tech industry, Gautham has been an active member of the WordPress community, contributing through talks, sponsorships, and workshops. His journey from a internet blogger to the founder of ForthFocus, a web solutions agency serving clients across 8+ countries, reflects his deep understanding of the platform and its potential to create opportunities. About WordCamp Kolhapur 2025 Kolhapur WordPress Community will host its first-ever WordCamp on January 11th and 12th, 2025, at the D. Y. Patil School of Engineering and Management, Kasaba Bawada, Kolhapur. This two-day event will feature a Contributor Day and a Main Conference Day, bringing together WordPress professionals, enthusiasts, and students from across India. This milestone event underscores Kolhapur's emergence as a hub for digital innovation, offering attendees a chance to connect, learn, and grow within the WordPress community. Why Attend Gautham's Panel? Gautham's session will provide attendees with: - Real-world advice on building a rewarding career in WordPress. - Insights into current and future trends in the WordPress ecosystem. - Inspiration from his journey of leading a remote team and building a successful agency. About WordPress and WordCamps WordPress powers over 43.6% of the web, making it the most popular CMS in the world. WordCamps are globally recognized events designed to celebrate the open-source community and provide learning opportunities for all WordPress users. WordCamp Kolhapur 2025 is not just an event; it's a platform to inspire the next generation of WordPress professionals and celebrate Kolhapur's tech potential. Join the Conversation Don't miss this opportunity to learn from V Gautham Navada and other industry leaders at WordCamp Kolhapur 2025. Secure your tickets now at: https://kolhapur.wordcamp.org/2025 For more about V Gautham Navada and his work, visit: https://forthfocus.com (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
The New York Times is again heaping praise onto Minneapolis chef Ann Kim's restaurants.

Last summer, the publication named Young Joni among its best pizza shops in the U.S. Now, Pizzeria Lola and its pizza-by-the-slice sister restaurant, Hello Pizza, are getting some love in a story about where to find "great New York slices in 2025."

The paper notes that Kim fell in love with New York-style slices while attending Columbia University in the '90s. "At first, many Minnesotans didn't know what to make of Ms. Kim's pizza by the slice," Ed Levine writes. "'It was a foreign concept,' she said.'People were dumbfounded by the fact that I was putting a slice back in the oven to crisp it up. Customers would ask: Why would you do that? Why are you giving me an old slice?"

Hello Pizza, Instagram

New York-style pizza by the slice didn't arrive in the Twin Cities with Hello Pizza's opening in 2012. It may have seen raised eyebrows at the Edina pizza counter, where pizza by the slice is available three days a week from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., but other restaurants offered slices before that time, including A Slice of New York on Eat Street.

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The story goes on to highlight Adam Kuban, founder of the Slice blog, as an evangelist for the New York slice. "New New York slices are made with slightly aged low-moisture or full-cream mozzarella, plain uncooked steamed and canned tomatoes, everyday bread flour, salt, water, and yeast," Kuban wrote, offering a definition of the style. "What comes out of those ovens is a slice with a crispy but slightly chewy, thin-ish but not cracker-thin crust that bends but never breaks when folded and eaten."

In addition to the highlighted restaurants from Kim's Vestalia Hospitality, New York-style slices can be procured around the Twin Cities from ovens at El Mar's New York Pizza, Broder's Cucina Italian, and Andrea Pizza.

Vestalia operates those three pizza-centric restaurants, as well as the Back Bar at Young Joni. Until August, it also ran Kim's in Uptown Minneapolis, but it shuttered suddenly weeks after staff won a union election.

Related: Pizza Karma will bring tandoor-fired pizza to Dinkytown next month
As consumers, we rely on brands to accurately portray the ingredients in their products. For those who seek out specific designations, such as preservative-free, all-natural, and Non-GMO, its important to be able to trust that brands are adhering to quality standards and accurately labeling goods.

At times, however, food companies are called into question for not being fully transparent about ingredients. Last year, Clif Bar, Wahlburgers, and Lindt faced allegations concerning the quality of their products.

Now, a popular chip brand is in the spotlight after being accused of using a non-GMO label without the proper certification.

Walmart/Allrecipes

Deep River Snacks' $4 Million Lawsuit

In a recent press release, Connecticut-based snack company Old Lyme Gourmet Co. has been accused of inaccurately portraying health claims made on Deep River Snacks potato chips packaging. The lawsuit alleges that certain Deep River Snacks kettle chips were labeled with the graphic Non-GMO Ingredients despite lacking the required verification to make that assertion.

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Non-GMO certification means the product does not contain any ingredients that have been subject to biotechnology. For chips, this would mean that the potatoes and oils used are not genetically modified. Typically, products with non-GMO designation must be verified by a third party such as the Non-GMO Project. These organizations perform initial evaluations on products to determine eligibility and reevaluate on a yearly basis to ensure products continue to meet the necessary requirements.

Old Lyme Gourmet Co. has denied any wrongdoing but created a $4 million settlement fund from which class members may receive reimbursement.

How to File a Claim in the Lawsuit

If you purchased Deep River Snacks potato chips with the label graphic Non-GMO Ingredients between Feb. 2, 2017, and Dec. 6, 2024, you may be eligible for reimbursement.

Valid claim with proof of purchase: Class members who have proof of purchase, such as a receipt, can claim $5 for their first product and 50 cents per additional product. There is no limit to the number of products you may claim.

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Valid claim without proof of purchase: Those who do not have proof of purchase can still submit a valid claim. Those without a receipt may claim $5 for the first product and 50 cents for each additional; however, members are limited to claiming no more than ten products.

You must file claims by mail or online by July 28, 2025, to receive settlement benefits. Only one form per household will be accepted. And if you dont keep receipts, be sure to check your grocery loyalty apps, as many of them store copies that could be used as proof of purchase.

Read the original article on ALLRECIPES
President Volodymyr Zelensky called for caution in interpreting U.S. policy following President-elect Donald Trumps comments linking Ukraines NATO aspirations to Russias invasion, during a Jan. 8 meeting with Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen.

The Ukrainian president argued that the absence of NATO membership and concrete security guarantees contributed to Russias decision to launch the full-scale invasion.

"Putin realized no one would stand up for Ukraine. He thought he could destroy us, but the Ukrainian army proved him wrong," Zelensky said.

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Trump had criticized President Joe Biden for provoking Russias invasion, claiming Ukraines potential NATO membership had long been a significant concern for Moscow.

"Thats been like written in stone. And Biden said, No, they should be able to join NATO. Then Russia has somebody right on their doorstep," Trump said.

Zelensky dismissed conclusions about NATO, referencing Ukraines recent access to Patriot missile systems and other NATO-standard weapons.

"Do you remember when Ukraine was told that Patriot systems are only available to NATO countries? Either we have been in NATO for a long time, or we should not jump to conclusions," he said.

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Finnish foreign minister emphasized that Ukraines NATO membership poses no threat to other countries. "This narrative is similar to the one Russia has long used, blaming NATO and its so-called 'enlargement' for its own aggression," Valtonen said.

Reports from The Wall Street Journal suggest Trumps team may propose delaying Ukraines NATO membership by at least 20 years in exchange for Western arms supplies and European peacekeepers to monitor a potential ceasefire.

While Ukraines NATO membership remains a long-term goal, Zelensky reiterated the need for robust security guarantees in the immediate term. Ukrainian envoy Andrii Melnyk echoed this sentiment on Dec. 27, emphasizing that diplomatic efforts currently center on strengthening Ukraines defense capabilities rather than immediate NATO accession.

Zelensky expressed cautious optimism about working with the incoming U.S. administration, reaffirming Ukraines commitment to achieving a diplomatic resolution to the war by 2025.

Read also: Trump calls on NATO to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Presidents of Ukraine and Moldova Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Maia Sandu agreed in a telephone conversation on 8 January to coordinate joint actions to address the energy shortage in the breakaway Transnistria region.

Source: press service for the president of Moldova; Volodymyr Zelenskyys evening address; European Pravda

Details: The leaders of Ukraine and Moldova discussed the "acute humanitarian crisis in the Transnistrian region" caused by the suspension of Russian gas supplies to Moldova.

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Quote from Sandus press service: "The two leaders agreed to find joint solutions to prevent the humanitarian crisis from worsening and to protect the affected population, including the use of alternative energy sources such as coal."

Details: Zelenskyy also confirmed the phone conversation with the Moldovan president in his evening address on 8 January.

Quote from Zelenskyy: "The entire current energy situation in Moldova  including on the left bank of the Dniester River  is Russia's attempt to manipulate energy resources against the Moldovan authorities.

We are ready to help Moldova, in particular, with coal. It is crucial to maintain stability and provide all the people of Moldova with the conditions they need to live in peace and work for their country, eliminate poverty, and support our joint movement toward the European Union."

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Read also: Kremlins hybrid strategy in Transnistria: Moldovas crisis, Ukraines chance, and threat to EU integration

Background:

Since 1 January, Transnistria has not been receiving Russian gas, which has resulted in a gas cut-off for tens of thousands of household consumers and a shutdown of local industry.

The Moldavian thermal power plant located in Transnistria, which had previously been operating on free Russian gas, began burning coal reserves that will last only until the end of January. On 3 January, rolling blackouts were introduced in Transnistria, and the water supply was interrupted.

The Moldovan government said that in response to a proposal for assistance in finding a solution to the gas crisis, Tiraspol called for "not interfering in the internal affairs of Transnistria" and openly ridiculed the message.

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that he will attend the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, also known as the Ramstein format, in Germany on 9 January.

Source: Zelenskyys evening speech

Quote: "Tomorrow, I will attend a meeting in the Ramstein format, and talks with partners, at the level of defence ministers and military commanders, are also planned."

Details: The president added that Ukraines Defence Minister Rustem Umierov is already in Germany, where he has begun initial meetings.

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Zelenskyy emphasised that the key focus for Ukraine at this meeting is to continue strengthening air defence systems to "at least push Russian military aircraft away from our cities and borders".

The Ukrainian leader expressed confidence that this goal is achievable if partners fulfil the agreements Ukraine has been discussing with them for a long time.

Zelenskyy also noted that the Ramstein meeting will address how defence coalitions with partners will continue their efforts into 2025.

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has commented on Donald Trump's statement that he "can understand Russia's feelings" about Ukraine's aspirations to join NATO.

Source: Zelenskyy during a meeting with Elina Valtonen, Finland's Foreign Minister, on Wednesday, 8 January, as reported by European Pravda, citing Interfax-Ukraine

Details: Zelenskyy called for no conclusions to be drawn about US policy in this regard, emphasising the need for Ukraine to secure concrete security guarantees.

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Quote: "Remember, Ukraine was told that Patriot systems could only be deployed in NATO countries? Now, we must work and do everything to ensure that Ukraine receives security guarantees worthy of our people  guarantees that could stop Putin."

More details: Zelenskyy further added that Ukraine has the right to demand serious and robust security guarantees from a world that constantly claims leadership and from countries aspiring to global peace.

He stated that the issue of security guarantees does not depend solely on the US but also on the allied stance of European nations.

Background:

Earlier, Trump stated that Joe Biden had broken a "deal" to deny Ukraine NATO membership and that he "can understand Russia's feelings" regarding this matter.

Trump has previously argued that Biden should not have promised Ukraine NATO membership, claiming that this was a reason for Russia launching its full-scale war.

He had earlier stated that in his efforts to resolve the Russo-Ukrainian war, he "would not abandon Ukraine".

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sat down with a popular MAGA-aligned podcaster in an apparent attempt to curry favor with American right-wingers ahead of Donald Trumps return to the White House.

Zelenskyy joined Russian American Lex Fridman's podcast  the same show on which Trump appeared during his 2024 presidential campaign  for an episode released on Sunday. Fridman, as you might predict, threw fewer softball questions to Zelenskyy than he did to Trump. And the interview became pointed at times. In one exchange, highlighted by Mediaite, Zelenskyy essentially claps back at Fridman for suggesting Ukrainians ought to forgive Russian President Vladimir Putin for the deaths he has caused in Ukraine.

To forgive? No one will forgive, Zelenskyy said. This is absolutely impossible to forgive him. We cannot get into the head and soul of a person who lost their family. Nobody never will accept this. Absolutely impossible. I dont know. Do you have children?

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When Fridman said no, Zelenskyy basically explained to the podcast host why Putin's invasion of Ukraine  which has killed hundreds of Ukrainian children, according to the United Nations  is inexcusable.

At points in the interview, Zelenskyy sounds like an adult having to explain foreign relations and basic concepts of human decency to a child, a seemingly degrading situation that I suspect Zelenskyy endured out of desperation. Zelenskyy told Fridman that he and the Ukrainian people really count on Trumps being strong enough to pressure Putin to halt Russias invasion. And the Ukrainian leader said hed like to attend Trumps inauguration but hasnt been invited.

I thought he publicly invited you, Fridman said. But OK, I hope to see you there.

I think its fair to see Zelenskyys appearance with Fridman as a last-ditch effort to ingratiate Ukraine with Trump supporters and the Putin-friendly president-elect himself. Trump has vowed to bring a swift end to the Russia-Ukraine war (though he hasn't actually explained how).

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Another popular MAGA-friendly podcast host, conspiracy theorist Joe Rogan, claimed last year that he had rebuffed efforts by Zelenskyys team to book an appearance on his show. Rogan has been known to spread misinformation about Russias war in Ukraine to his large following, and he and Fridman have had a conversation about wartime propaganda that, at times, seemed to downplay its impact.

Zelenskyys team hasnt confirmed it ever reached out to Rogan, but the fact he sat with Fridman, on its own, suggests hes venturing into MAGA worlds media bubble to urgently confront pro-Putin rhetoric head-on and engender some pro-Ukrainian vibes in the movement before Trump returns to the White House.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazil is rapidly emerging as a key hub for data centers, with billions of dollars in investments expected in the coming years. The surge is largely attributed to the exponential rise of artificial intelligence and growth constraints in larger markets in the U.S. and Europe.

Some companies investing in the sector in the country are:

ASCENTY

With 34 data centers operating or under construction in Latin America, the company is seeking a minority partner to fund further expansion, particularly in Brazil. Ascenty is controlled by global investment firm Brookfield Asset Management and U.S.-based Digital Realty .

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GRUPO FS

Brazilian cybersecurity firm Grupo FS is making its debut in the data center sector with plans to invest $1.8 billion ($300 million) to establish three data centers in Brazil. According to owner Alberto Leite, the country's political stability, renewable energy resources, and growing local demand are key positive factors driving this investment.

EQUINIX

Equinix, a global digital infrastructure firm, is expanding in the states of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, according to Eduardo Carvalho, Latin America's managing director of the company founded in Silicon Valley in 1998.

ODATA

ODATA, acquired by Aligned Data Centers in 2023, is also steadily expanding due to growing demand in Brazil. The states of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo are key areas for investment, said Fernando Jaeger, director of new businesses. ODATA also operates data centers in Chile, Colombia and Mexico, and has recently expanded its portfolio to include the US through its acquisition by Aligned.

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TECTO

Tecto, the data center business unit of V.tal, controlled by Brazilian bank BTG, announced earlier this week it acquired new land in the state of Sao Paulo for the construction of its hyperscale data center with total capacity of 200MW and powered by 100% renewable energy. The construction is part of Tecto's expansion strategy, which has allocated an initial investment of $1 billion for new projects. Tecto is also present in other Brazilian states and in Colombia.

ELEA

Elea Data Centers covers all major cities in Brazil, including the Rio-Sao Paulo axis, and operates entirely on renewable energy. Elea's data centers are distributed across the Southeast, South and Central West regions of the country.

(Reporting by Luciana Magalhaes and Leticia Fucuchima; Editing by Richard Chang)
An experiment in Brazil compared the effects of exposing breast cancer cells in culture to Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, Mozart's Sonata for Two Pianos in D, and Ligeti's "Atmospheres." The experiment indeed concluded that Beethoven's Fifth and "Atmospheres" had facilitated cell death in laboratory conditions, as compared to Mozart's Sonata or complete silence.

However, this experiment was not carried out on mice or humans, only on cancer cells isolated in petri dishes. The Brazilian team did not identify which aspect or aspects of the musical pieces had resulted in cell death, and there is no way to know how healthy tissue would react. Also, the researcher said the methods her team used did not allow it to quantify cell death, informing Snopes that the 20% figure was made up.

The most outlandish aspects of this claim ranged from exaggerated to false. The earliest version Snopes could find appeared in a report published in 2011 in a Brazilian newspaper. The report was later picked up by U.S. news outlets.

The lead scientist said she did an interview with CNN Radio in Brazil to clarify her team's findings. Snopes could not find the interview. Later, she stopped investigating the effects of music on cells because she said she lacked funding.

For years, a rumor has circulated that Ludwig van Beethoven's Fifth Symphony had been shown to kill 20% of cancer cells in lab tests without affecting healthy cells. For example, someone posted about it on Facebook on Dec. 23, 2024 (archived):

https://www.facebook.com/ScienceNaturePage/posts/pfbid02Eomvh6dGYce3fSwyVP2vGVpWBRYbMbtBWZUyhzXtpcqCD8EyF1aKxvXon3njw6Pvl

Researchers found that Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 destroyed 20% of cancer cells in lab tests:

Scientists at the Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, are exploring whether music could play a role in cancer treatment. Led by Dr. Marcia Alves Marques Capella, the team exposed both healthy and cancerous cell cultures to different music genres. Remarkably, Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 destroyed about 20% of cancer cells in just a few days, while leaving healthy cells unaffected. A similar effect was observed with Gyorgy Ligeti's Atmospheres, though Mozart's Sonata for Two Pianos showed no measurable impact. The exact mechanism behind these effects remains unknown, but researchers speculate that rhythm, frequency, or intensity could be key factors. Further experiments, including Brazilian Samba and Funk, are planned to uncover more about this intriguing phenomenon. While the research is in its early stages, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the potential of music as a noninvasive cancer therapy.

This post had garnered 66,000 reactions as of this writing, as well as 26,000 reshares. But the claim is not new. A search revealed such claims have been circulating since at least 2011.

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The rumor originated from a 2011 article published in O Globo, a daily newspaper in Brazil. The article said that when exposed to a half hour of Beethoven's Fifth, one in five cells in a culture of MCF-7 cells  an estrogen-, progesterone- and glucocorticoid- receptive human breast cancer cell line isolated in 1970, and one of the most studied cancer cells in the world  had died. Among surviving cells, many had shrunk or lost "granularity," or complexity.

Ligeti's "Atmospheres" had similar results, the story added, though the first movement of Mozart's Sonata for two pianos barely had any effect.

The article asserted that the experiment could open new avenues for cancer treatment. "We were happy with the result," the article quoted the lead researcher, Dr. Marcia Alves Marques Capella, as saying. "We believed that the symphonies would only provoke metabolic alterations, not cancer cell death."

The news story said that the team would soon move on to studying the effects of samba and Brazilian funk on the same cells.

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Later, the story was picked up by Improbable Research, a website that compiles unusual research in science, medicine and technology and hands out, every year, the Ig Nobel Prizes.

However, the article in O Globo did not link to published research articles describing the experiment or its results, which were published years later. A Snopes email exchange with Capella revealed that while the story had reported some facts correctly, it had exaggerated their implications, and also conveyed false information.

What the Experiment Actually Showed

Capella shared the article published after the experiment. It appeared in 2013 in the journal Noise and Health. A second one appeared in 2016 after another experiment on MDA-MB-231 cells  a "triple negative" aggressive breast cancer cell line, meaning it is not receptive to estrogen or progesterone and does not have a certain protein on its surface. The latter was published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a journal that ceased publication in 2024 after being delisted from Clarivate's Web of Science, a database of academic journals, because of quality concerns.

The research was based on previous findings that suggested the effects of music may not be solely emotional and through auditory cells. Instead, some evidence existed that the pressure of sound on fluids that surround cells could affect non-auditory cells. Capella and her team set out to show whether music could affect "cellular morpho-functional parameters, such as cell size and granularity."

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The team exposed cancer cell cultures in petri dishes to the three musical pieces via speakers, as well as to silence as an experimental control. The researchers repeated each experiment at least four times to confirm the results. They reported finding a statistically significant increase in cell death and a reduction in size and granularity in cells exposed to Beethoven's Fifth, as well as to Ligeti's Atmospheres, but not for the controlled condition of silence or for Mozart's Sonata. In a first, the research suggested that music or sound can get in the way of how "hormones bind to their targets," affecting physiological processes.

Neither journal article had reported on the number of dead cells, nor did they make claims about the therapeutic power of these musical pieces on cancer. Neither claimed to have tested the music on healthy cells. Both articles said that the cell lines in the experiments shared characteristics with epithelial cells  which line various parts of the body and act as a first barrier to prevent infections  making them good models to test. The research team wrote that the experiments merely aimed to "better understand the direct effects of acoustic vibrations in the form of music in human cells in culture."

In her emailed response, Capella emphasized that she and her team had conducted these experiments on cells in petri dishes, and that the results "could not be extended to human beings." In other words, while the musical piece was shown to kill cancer cells in a controlled lab setting, this did not mean the music could be used to treat cancer.

Further, she said that it was not correct that one in five (or 20%) cells had died after being exposed to Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. "The methods we used did not allow us to quantify cellular death," she said.

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Lastly, she told Snopes that she had never planned further experiments with Brazilian funk or samba.

Capella added that, after these claims went viral, she gave an interview to CNN Radio to dispel the confusion, adding that the reach of the CNN interview had been much smaller than that of the viral claims. Then, she stopped investigating the effects of music on cells because she said it became difficult to find funding. Snopes could not find the CNN interview with Capella.

Snopes also reached out to Renato Grandelle, the journalist who wrote the initial report. He said in a WhatsApp exchange that he remembered finding out about the study on EurekAlert.org, a nonprofit news-release distribution platform operated by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. News releases on EurekAlert are shared by "universities, journal publishers, medical centers, government agencies, corporations, and other organizations engaged in all disciplines of scientific research," and can include findings before they are published in peer-reviewed journals. EurekAlert does not guarantee the accuracy of the news releases.

Grandelle told Snopes that no one from the Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho had contacted him to correct the story after its publication.

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Snopes could not find the original EurekAlert news release. We contacted the press department of the institute asking if they had kept a press release about this in their archives and will update the story should they respond.

Sources:

About the Igs. 13 Dec. 2005, https://improbable.com/ig/about-the-ig-nobel-prizes/.

dos Reis Lestard, Natalia, et al. 'Direct Effects of Music in Non-Auditory Cells in Culture'. Noise & Health, vol. 15, no. 66, Oct. 2013, pp. 30714, https://doi.org/10.4103/1463-1741.116568.

Gardiner, Martin. Music against Cancer in Brazil. 13 Apr. 2011, https://improbable.com/2011/04/13/music-against-cancer-in-brazil/.

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Grandelle, Renato. 'Celulas tumorais expostas a "Quinta Sinfonia", de Beethoven, perderam tamanho ou morreram'. O Globo, https://archive.is/lcAkY, 29 Mar. 2011, https://oglobo.globo.com/saude/ciencia/celulas-tumorais-expostas-quinta-sinfonia-de-beethoven-perderam-tamanho-ou-morreram-2804700.

Lestard, Nathalia R., and Marcia A. M. Capella. 'Exposure to Music Alters Cell Viability and Cell Motility of Human Nonauditory Cells in Culture'. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, edited by Annarita Stringaro, vol. 2016, no. 1, Jan. 2016, p. 6849473. DOI.org (Crossref), https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/6849473.

Research, Martin Gardiner-Improbable. 'Brazilian Scientists Investigate Beethoven's Cancer-Fighting Properties'. Gizmodo, 16 Apr. 2011, https://gizmodo.com/brazilian-scientists-investigate-beethovens-cancer-figh-5792703.
PNN New Delhi [India], January 8: Billionaire Ashish Jain, Founder and CEO of Alieus Hedge Fund, has announced an ambitious plan to significantly increase his firm's portfolio investments in the Indian markets. The announcement was made during the Goa meetup in December 2024 in India after the grand launch of the Hedge Fund in Dubai. Currently valued at Rs175 crore, the portfolio is set to grow to an impressive Rs1,000 crore by the end of 2025. 1. A Bold Move in a Promising Market This expansion reflects Jain's unwavering bullish outlook on India, a market he has consistently praised for its growth potential and economic resilience. "India is on a transformational growth trajectory. This increase in investment underscores our confidence in the country's ability to deliver sustainable, long-term returns," said Jain. 2. Key Investment Areas The expanded portfolio will focus on: - Technology: India's growing IT and digital infrastructure. - Renewable Energy: Projects aligned with India's push for sustainability. - Financial Services: Banking and fintech sectors driving innovation. - Infrastructure: Development projects supporting India's economic expansion. 3. Strengthening India's Economic Growth Jain emphasized that this strategic move is not only about enhancing returns but also contributing to India's economic growth. "Investing in India's markets means investing in its future. We are excited to support industries that are driving progress and innovation," he added. 4. A Strategic Step for Alieus Hedge Fund This portfolio expansion aligns with Jain's vision of making Alieus Hedge Fund the No. 1 hedge fund in Asia by 2025, leveraging India's dynamic market as a key growth driver. Conclusion Ashish Jain's decision to increase investments in India is a testament to his belief in the nation's potential. By scaling the portfolio to Rs1,000 crore, Alieus Hedge Fund is poised to play a pivotal role in India's economic ascent while delivering outstanding value to its investors. About Ashish Jain and Alieus Hedge Fund Ashish Jain is a globally renowned investor and CEO of Alieus Hedge Fund, known for its innovative strategies and strong performance. In 2025, Alieus Hedge Fund aims to lead the Asian hedge fund industry while supporting transformative markets like India. For further inquiries, please contact: - Alieus Hedge Fund - www.alieusfund.com (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
NewsVoir Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], January 8: This has been a great year for Netrack, hosting and attending events that further enhanced Netrack's glory in the global market. Netrack, a leading provider of data center rack solutions and network infrastructure solutions, proudly hosted a Pan-India System Integrator event from 4th to 7th December 2024, at the scenic city of Almaty, Kazakhstan. The event was meticulously planned to add value to each participant. It brought together 50 esteemed participants from across India, including top system integrators and key industry stakeholders. A highlight of the Pan-India System Integrator event can give a glimpse of the detailed, engaging, and insightful presentation delivered by U.N. Krishna Raj. Krishna Raj doesn't need any introduction being an active and distinctive part of the Netrack family. He represented Netrack in the event and brilliantly showcased the company's latest cutting-edge solutions for data centers and network infrastructures. Through his well-planned presentation he elaborated on Netrack's innovative product designs and emphasized on the sustainability model Netrack believes in. Further, with an engaging discussion he mentioned how Netrack's advanced solutions are helping businesses across sectors to optimize their operations and enhance efficiency. This encouraged the participants in the event to engage in discussions related to the evolving needs of the system integration industry. To this Krishna Raj addressed the crowd with Netrack's solutions and explained how these innovative solutions are aligned with the emerging demands. Such an in-depth discussions offered an excellent platform to exchange knowledge and ideas on how system integrators can leverage Netrack's expertise to provide their clients with robust and future-proof solutions. The event ended with a heartfelt vote of thanks by Raviraj. He expressed his sincere gratitude to all participants and contributors for their active involvement and commitment in the event and mentioned that such engagement made the event a grand success where the industry experts could connect with each other over a common platform. In fact, this collective effort of all the participants created a broader scope for knowledge exchange that further shaped the chance for future collaborations. The Pan-India SI Event in Almaty enhanced Netrack's visibility as a global leader for data center rack solutions and network infrastructure solutions, empowering partners with a commitment to excellence. (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)
IndiaAI has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Microsoft to drive the adoption and development of artificial intelligence (AI) in India. IndiaAI is an Independent Business Division (IBD) under the Digital India Corporation. This strategic partnership is aligned with the core objectives of India AI Mission. This comes a day after Microsoft announced its plans to invest USD 3 billion in cloud and AI infrastructure in India over the next two years, including the establishment of new data centers. As part of the arrangement, Microsoft, in partnership with IndiaAI, will skill 500,000 individuals, including students, educators, developers, government officials, and women entrepreneurs, by 2026, a statement from the Ministry of Electronics and IT said. A Center of Excellence "AI Catalysts", to promote rural AI innovation in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and equip 100,000 AI innovators and developers through hackathons, community building, and an AI marketplace, will be established. AI Productivity Labs will be set up in 20 National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs)/NIELIT centers across 10 states to train 20,000 educators and empower 100,000 students with foundational AI courses in 200 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). Foundational models will be developed with Indic language support to address India's linguistic diversity and unique requirements, ensuring cultural and contextual relevance. Highlighting the power of collaborative innovation for India, Shri Abhishek Singh, CEO, IndiaAI Mission stated, "By training 500,000 individuals, fostering innovation through AI Centers of Excellence, and delivering AI-driven solutions in critical sectors, we are advancing India's AI ecosystem. This partnership emphasizes inclusivity by empowering underserved communities, promoting ethical AI practices and supporting startups to drive economic growth. Together, we are committed to positioning India as a global AI leader and creating a sustainable and equitable future for all." Puneet Chandok, President, Microsoft India and South Asia highlighted that, "We are proud to come together with India AI to advance AI and emerging technologies in India. This collaboration underscores Microsoft's commitment to copiloting India on its journey to become an AI-first nation. By skilling 500,000 individuals, establishing AI Centers of Excellence, and setting up AI Productivity Labs, we aim to democratize access to AI, empower communities, and foster innovation, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Together with India AI, we are dedicated to accelerating AI adoption and creating a sustainable future for all." On Tuesday, Microsoft announced it will make a USD 3 billion investment in India for cloud and AI infrastructure over the next two years. The announcement was made by chairman and CEO Satya Nadella from Bengaluru. Microsoft also shared a comprehensive plan to train and skill 10 million people by 2030. Microsoft will also expand its cloud and AI infrastructure across data centre campuses in the country. Microsoft has been operating in India for more than 30 years now. Separately, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella in the national capital and discussed various aspects of technology, innovation and AI. (ANI)
Jonathan Hubler, PhD, and graduate student Sarah Burghardt lead Villanova research effort to study storm impacts and improve hurricane preparedness



Jonathan Hubler, PhD, collecting data with the NEER and GEER team In October 2024, during the height of hurricane season, Hurricanes Milton and Helene swept across the southeastern United States. Their impact on Florida was severe, with damages totaling tens of billions of dollars. While communities in affected states continue to rebuild, a team of researchers mobilized to assess the damage caused in the hopes of better understanding the impacts of hurricane activity in the future. Jonathan Hubler, PhD, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at Villanova University, along with Villanova civil engineering graduate student Sarah Burghardt, traveled to Florida with a joint team from the Nearshore Extreme Events Reconnaissance (NEER) Association and the Geotechnical Extreme Events Reconnaissance (GEER) Association to investigate the immediate aftereffects of Hurricanes Milton and Helene. The National Science Foundation-sponsored trip gathered natural hazards research experts and practitioners from across the country, who quickly jumped at the opportunity to examine the impacts of two tropical storms that occurred in quick succession of each other.



Sarah Burghardt, Villanova graduate student, using LIDAR technology A few main areas of study were identified by the team so they could hit the ground running once they touched down in Florida. The researchers wanted to focus primarily on the effects of storm surge, waves, sediment erosion and deposition, and debris transport and accumulation from both hurricanes through pre-storm, during-storm, and post-storm data collection. Over 750 miles were covered across just a few days as data was surveyed and collected from Cedar Key, Horseshoe Beach, Venice, Port Charlotte, Port St. Lucie, Vero Beach and other coastal towns. This was a unique opportunity for our team of scientists because our team collected data before the storms so we will be able to analyze the direct impacts of the storms utilizing the post-storm data that we collected, said Dr. Hubler. Although the destruction was difficult to witness firsthand, we are hopeful that our findings will help to mitigate the impact of these major storms in the future.




VILLANOVA, Pa. (January 7, 2025)  Villanova University will award the 2025 Civitas Dei Medal to Michele Dillon, PhD, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Professor of Sociology at the University of New Hampshire. A leading voice in the sociology of religion and contemporary Catholicism, Dr. Dillon is the first social scientist to receive this prestigious honor. She will also deliver the lecture, "'God is in the world: Navigating doctrinal ideas and secular realities" at the medal presentation, scheduled for Thursday, February 13, at 4 p.m. With the Civitas Dei Medal, Villanova University honors Catholics who have made exemplary contributions to the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, beauty and goodness.

Dr. Dillon earned her Bachelor of Social Science and Master of Social Science degrees from University College Dublin, and later completed her PhD at the University of California, Berkeley. Her research examines the relationship between religion, culture, and generational and social change, with a particular focus on identity and authority within Catholicism.

An accomplished author, Dr. Dillon has published extensively, including Postsecular Catholicism (Oxford University Press, 2018) and Catholic Identity: Balancing Reason, Faith, and Power (Cambridge University Press, 1999). Her forthcoming co-authored book, Catholicism at a Crossroads, reflects her ongoing engagement with critical issues facing the Church today. Her work has appeared in regarded academic journals and has been supported by grants from the John Templeton Foundation and other prestigious organizations.

Dr. Dillons accolades include serving as President of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion and Chair of the American Sociological Associations Section on the Sociology of Religion. In 2023, she was honored as the Michael Keenan Distinguished Lecturer at St. Thomas More College, University of Saskatchewan, and previously held the JE and Lillian Byrne Tipton Distinguished Visiting Professorship in Catholic Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Dr. Dillon is also a frequent commentator on religious issues for regional, national and international media.

The Civitas Dei Medal takes its name from the Latin title of St. Augustines City of God. In this seminal work, Augustine encouraged intellectual engagement between the Church and the world. A gifted thinker and spiritual leader, he also created communities that searched for truth in unity and love.

View the list of previous Civitas Dei Medal recipients.

About Villanova University: Since 1842, Villanova Universitys Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six collegesthe College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nations top universities, Villanova supports its students intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit www.villanova.edu.
More than one million people have downloaded the Digital Citizenship app, a government official said.

The service-providing state has a responsibility to make public services available in the digital sphere, guaranteeing security for administration and payment, Zsolt Nyitrai, the prime minister's commissioner for priority social affairs, said in a video posted on Facebook.



The new Digital Citizenship Programme is all about streamlining communication between citizens and state bodies, he added, noting the scheme to provide state services on mobile phones.



All citizens will need when they leave home is a key and their mobile, he said, noting that various key documents can now be presented via the app, saving time, cutting red tape, while also helping to protect the environment.



Source:

MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881.

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The United States Department of the Treasury has sanctioned Antal Rogan, Minister for the Prime Ministers Cabinet Office, US Ambassador David Pressman told a press conference.

In line with the sanctions, all property and interests in property of Rogan that are in the United States are blocked, and the regulations generally prohibit all business transactions by US persons with Rogan. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by Rogan are also blocked in the US.



Pressman said the reason for the decision was that Rogan had abused his official power to influence the business sector.



He added that Rogan was "a primary architect, implementer, and beneficiary of this system of corruption" in Hungary and he abused his official power for personal gain, as well as in the interest of other persons loyal to his party. In response to a question, Pressman said this was the reason why Rogan had been sanctioned and not the Hungarian prime minister.



He said the corruption weakened Hungarian institutions and democracy by "moving significant funds from the public purse into private pockets". He declined to answer a question concerning whether more Hungarian persons would be added to the sanctions list.



"Those closely connected to the ruling political party have acquired massive empires of holdings, the US ambassador to Hungary, David Pressman, said at a press conference.



Antal Rogan is a primary architect, implementer and beneficiary of this system of corruption, he continued.



"Todays designation was not a decision the United States has taken lightly. It is not common for the United States to designate a sitting minister. Even less common to do so in an Allied country, Pressman added.



According to a related US treasury statement Antal Rogan Orchestrated schemes designed to control several strategic sectors of the Hungarian economy and to divert proceeds from those sectors to himself and to reward loyalists from his political party.



After January 20, the United States will have a new government and a new president. After their inauguration, we will take the necessary legal steps, Orban said in a related statement.



Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Tuesday that the US placing Antal Rogan, the minister heading the Prime Minister's Cabinet Office, on a sanctions list was "personal revenge" by the outgoing US ambassador who is leaving Hungary "without honour".



Szijjarto said on Facebook that "it is good that the people who will lead the US within a few days will view our country as a friend and not as an enemy".



Gergely Gulyas, the head of the Prime Ministers Office, on Tuesday called the United States move to sanction Prime Ministers Cabinet Office chief Antal Rogan "a petty act of revenge" by outgoing US Ambassador David Pressman and the Democratic administration.



Gulyas told MTI by phone that the decision to place Rogan on a sanctions list was "further proof that the outgoing US administration and ambassador want to exact revenge for Hungary and the Hungarian government having supported Donald Trump in the election campaign".



He added that Trump had referenced the Hungarian government and Orban as positive examples more than he had any other foreign politician.



But Gulyas underlined that Pressman and the outgoing Democratic administration were "the past" when it came to Hungary-US relations.



He said the "petty and baseless act of revenge that will not be in effect for more than a few weeks" would be "a reminder that the United States had an ambassador who, in violation of his official duties and ignoring the Vienna Convention had done everything to oust the government rather than striving to establish good relations with the host country".



Transport minister: US sanctions against Rogan 'unfounded political provocation'



The United States' decision to put Antal Rogan, the head of the Prime Minister's Cabinet Office, on a sanctions list is an "unfounded political provocation", the transport and construction minister said on Wednesday.



Responding to a question at a press conference on another subject, Janos Lazar said: "The decision of a failed government with only weeks left in power, based on the petty revenge of a failed and unsuccessful US ambassador, cannot be taken seriously."



Further, the statement on systemic corruption in strategic sectors "is a lie, plain and simple", he said.



Lazar said the move was a crude interference with Hungarian sovereignty and domestic affairs, "unusual and unfair from an ally", and harmful to US-Hungarian ties.



"Neither side of the aisle can dispute that the innocence or guilt of a Hungarian citizen is for the Hungarian state to decide," he said.



Hungary's government stands by Antal Rogan, Lazar said. The government will contact the Trump administration as soon as he is inaugurated to clear up the issue within a legal procedure, and will take a stand for Rogan "as we would for any other Hungarian citizen", he said.



He said the sanctions list was "an excellent tool in the US' hands to put pressure on a country and push through its own views and interests".



Asked whether he had seen proof of the actions that had landed Rogan on the list, Lazar said "I suspect this is more based on suggestions."



He said he had seen no proof of wrongdoing in the case of Ildiko Vida either, a former head of the Hungarian tax and customs authority who was put on a sanctions list in 2014.



Cornstein: Sitting US administration 'hostile' to Hungary



The US decision to include Antal Rogan, the minister leading the Hungarian Cabinet Office, on a sanctions list is "terrible and shameful", a former US ambassador to Hungary told public media on Wednesday.



David Cornstein said the "move by outgoing ambassador David Pressman" was an example of the current US administration's hostile stance towards Hungary, "right down to the last hour".



While the Biden and Obama administrations had harmed Hungary and the US's interests by "a hostile approach to Hungary", the first Trump administration had fostered excellent ties with the country thanks to shared views on governance, immigration and defence priorities, Cornstein said, pointing as an example to the defence cooperation agreement signed by the two counries.



He said he expected cooperation to "flourish" during Trump's second term, and lamented the "lost opportunities of cooperation" under Biden's tenure.



Source:

MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881.

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Pune: Mahindra & Mahindra on Tuesday said it is looking to sell 5,000 units of its two newly introduced electric models per month in the initial phase. The Mumbai-based auto major unveiled two ground up electric models -- BE 6 and XEV 9e -- in November last year with deliveries expected to commence around March this year.

"We want to democratise the technology (EV). We want to take these game-changing features (in two cars) to as many customers as possible to begin with," Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) President - Automotive Division Veejay Nakra said.

The company is looking to revolutionise finance in order to make luxury and premium products more affordable through various ownership options, he said. "The company aims to mainstream luxury by targeting 5,000 units of the BE6 and XEV 9e models per month in the initial phase," Nakra stated.

On Tuesday, the automaker introduced two new variants of BE 6 and XEV 9e priced at Rs 26.9 lakh and Rs 30.5 lakh, respectively. The entry-level variants of BE 6 and XEV 9e are priced at Rs 18.9 lakh and Rs 21.9 lakh (ex-showroom), respectively.

The BE 6 comes with a range of 682 kilometres while the XEV 9e features a range of 656 km. Nakra said that the two models with a driving range of over 500 kms are expected to play a major role in taking care of range anxiety for the prospective buyers.

The company's focus remains towards offering a stress-free ownership experience to buyers by addressing the primary concern of driving range limitation, he added. M&M is creating a production capacity of 90,000 units per annum at its Chakan-based plant for the models.

The production capacity at the facility can be further scaled up to 1.2 lakh units per annum. M&M has announced a capex of Rs 16,000 crore for the electric vehicle business during the FY22-27 cycle.

For the two new brands, the company is onboarding 500 specialists from luxury and premium brands to provide a pre-purchase drive experience to prospective customers.

Besides, it plans to have around 400 tech experts for customer experience with dedicated support from Chennai-based Mahindra Research Valley (MRV).
NewsVoir Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 8: Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd. (CGCEL), one of India's leading consumer electrical companies, has been recently honoured with the esteemed National Safety Award 2024 at the 12th Global Safety Summit organized by the Fire and Safety Forum (HQ- World Safety Forum London, United Kingdom) and United Nations Global Compact Network India. The company was recognized under the category of Large Enterprises - Electrical Consumer Durables Sector for its outstanding performance in the field of safety of its fan division at its Bethora, Goa Plant. Honoured for a second consecutive year, the award highlights Crompton's strong focus on safety, as well as its commitment to maintaining high standards across its operations. This recognition further reflects the company's efforts to implement effective safety practices and ensure a safe working environment for its employees. The award was presented to Crompton by Nihal Anwar Siddiqui, Professor and Director of COE, Occupational Health, Safety, Fire & Environment, GD Goenka University. The Global Safety Summit (GSS) is the flagship annual conference and award ceremony, organised by Fire and Safety Forum, a duly registered NGO in India, founded in 2009 which is India's First International Certification & Assessment Body, developing the certification guidelines as per American National Standard Institute, United State of America. The GSS awards are the most prestigious recognitions, showcasing the achievements of industries in environment, health, safety and CSR. This significant event unites global experts and professionals, fostering discussions on the latest trends and best practices in safety, sustainability, and ESG. Distinguished personalities in the ESG field graced the occasion alongside top companies across various sectors from India. The summit culminated with the presentation of the award winners, including the Safety Award, ESG & CSR Awards, acknowledging exceptional contributions in safety and sustainability. Speaking on the occasion, Manoj Kumar, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd. said, "Winning the National Safety Award for the second consecutive year is a significant achievement for us. It reflects the collective commitment of our teams and business partners, and manufacturing facilities-towards maintaining the highest safety standards. This accomplishment demonstrates that safety is not just a matter of compliance, but a core principle deeply embedded in our company culture. By prioritizing safety, we not only protect the health & safety of everyone involved in our operations but also drive sustainable growth and operational excellence." The company's dedication to safety goes beyond simple compliance, as demonstrated by the Bethora, Goa plant, which is Crompton's hub of technological innovation. The 2024 National Safety Award highlights Crompton's steady efforts to promote a culture of accountability and security. Crompton assures worker safety while continuously providing its consumers with high-quality products by enabling staff to put their health first and putting in place a number of important EHS measures like: * Proactive safety culture: Culture developed with the support of the CGCEL safety management system which covers aspects like leadership & accountability, risk assessment, design, operational control, incident reporting, investigation & learning. * Enhancing workplace safety: Workplace safety enhanced by engagement at all levels through relevant subcommittees. * 100% compliance: Ensuring 100% compliance with applicable rules & regulations. * Continual improvement: Achieved through self- assessments of facilities like IS 14489, electrical safety, fire safety, machine level & ranking to identify gaps and taking actions to ensure continual improvement in safety. * Empowering through training: Learning & sharing done across levels related to EHS empowering employees with the knowledge and skills required for a safer workplace. * Cultivating safety awareness: Recognizing and rewarding employee participation in safety campaigns, fostering a culture of safety awareness and responsibility With a brand legacy of over 85 years, Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd. is India's market leader in the category of fans and residential pumps. Over the years, the organization has continuously strived to produce a range of innovative products that cater to the modern consumer including superior quality and high-performance fans, pumps, lighting solutions and a range of other categories like water heaters; air coolers; small kitchen appliances like mixer grinders, air fryers, OTG, electric kettles etc.; other home appliances like irons & built-in kitchen appliances. The company has further invested in brand and innovation to not only better understand and meet consumer needs, but to also help drive energy efficiency. The consumer business also has a well-established and organized distribution network driven by a strong dealer base across the country offering a wide service network and robust after sales service to its customers. The company's consistent dedication to developing energy-efficient products has led to significant recognition. It has been honoured with three prestigious National Energy Consumer Awards (NECA) by BEE, Ministry of Power. The recent award was presented by the Hon'ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu for the company's storage water heater in 2023. In 2019, the brand won in two categories: Ceiling Fans and LED Bulbs. Additionally, it was recognized as one of India's Best Managed Companies 2022 by Deloitte Private and listed among 'India's Top 500 companies 2022' by Dun & Bradstreet India. The company has also been featured in Brand Top 75 most valuable Indian brands list for 2020 released by WPP and Kantar. Furthermore, Crompton was also recognized as the Brand of the Decade 2021 by Herald Global and BARC Asia in the Consumer Electrical category. (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)
New Delhi: Elon Musk has raised alarm on a global population decline and called it one of the most urgent challenges of our time. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Musk shared a graph showcasing projected population trends for major countries like Nigeria, the United States, Indonesia, and Pakistan from 2018 to 2100. The data was originally posted by Tesla Owners Silicon Valley. It highlights significant demographic changes that could shape the future of these nations.

The account shared a post stating, "Population collapse is humanity's greatest threat... Elon Musk." Musk retweeted it, adding a simple, "Yes."

Population collapse is our greatest threat to humanity



Elon Musk pic.twitter.com/XHsHTfMCCU  Tesla Owners Silicon Valley (@teslaownersSV) January 7, 2025

Experts have long acknowledged that the world is moving toward a population decline. However, debates continue about how quickly this is happening and which countries will feel the greatest impact. The main reasons behind this decline are falling fertility rates, emigration, and ageing populations. In many countries, women are having fewer than 2.1 children on averagethe minimum needed to maintain a stable population.

In 2023, the average number of children per woman in England and Wales hit a record low of 1.44, according to the Office for National Statistics. On a global scale, fertility rates have also seen a sharp decline, dropping from an average of 5.3 children per woman in 1963 to less than half that today, as reported by the Daily Express.

A 2020 graph shows a dramatic population shift for India and China. Despite both these countries having around 1.5 billion people in 2018, by 2100, Indias population is projected to decline by nearly 400 million, settling just below 1.1 billion. Meanwhile, Chinas population is expected to plummet by 731 million, leaving it at 731.9 million. Surprisingly, Nigeria is forecasted to overtake China as the worlds second most populous country, with a projected population of 790.1 million by the end of the century.

A 2020 analysis by experts at the University of Washington suggests that population decline in countries like China and India could happen faster than anticipated. While growth nations such as Indonesia and Pakistan may see slight population drops by 2100, countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ethiopia are expected to surpass them by the end of the century.
New Delhi: MakeMyTrip has introduced a convenient part payment option for booking international flights. Travelers can now secure their tickets by paying just 10-40 per cent of the total fare upfront. The exact upfront amount depends on factors like the airline, travel route, and how far in advance the booking is made.

The remaining balance must be paid at no extra charge either within 45 days of booking or before the travel date, whichever occurs first.

"This industry-first feature addresses a common pain point for travellers, particularly larger families or groups, who may find it challenging to pay the entire ticket amount upfront when booking an international flight. Users opting for the part payment option can modify their confirmed bookings after completing the full payment as per fare rules," PTI quoting MakeMyTrip statement said.

Saujanya Shrivastava, Chief Operating Officer -- Flights, Holidays & Gulf, MakeMyTrip, said, "This industry-first part-payment feature exemplifies our commitment, empowering more Indians to book international flights with greater convenience and flexibility."

The initial response has been encouraging, with adoption observed among solo travellers, pairs, and families for both long-haul and short-haul international flights, the company said. (With PTI Inputs)
Dima Hasao, Assam  Nearly 48 hours after nine workers were reported trapped in a flooded coal mine in Assams Dima Hasao district, rescue teams recovered a lifeless body early Wednesday morning. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed the development on X, stating, 21 Para divers have just recovered a lifeless body from the bottom of the well. Our thoughts and prayers are with the grieving family.

The rescue operation, which began on Tuesday, involves personnel and experts from the Indian Army, Navy, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). Divers from the Navy joined the efforts after initial searches by the Army and NDRF divers. The operation is ongoing as officials continue to search for more workers believed to be trapped approximately 300 feet below the ground in the flooded mine.

Initial reports suggested that nine workers were trapped, but conflicting statements from local officials have created uncertainty, with some sources indicating the number could be as high as 15. Search teams discovered helmets and slippers floating in the water, sparking fears that more casualties may be found. However, a report from the state information department claiming three bodies were spotted was denied by officials late Tuesday.

Rescue operations have been further complicated by persistent rainfall in the region. Chief Minister Sarma noted that SDRF de-watering pumps and a pump from the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) were dispatched to the site. He expressed concern about the challenging weather conditions but assured the public that every possible measure was being taken. Navy personnel are on-site, making final preparations to dive in after them, he said.

In a statement on Tuesday, Sarma indicated that the coal mine appeared to be operating illegally. "Prima facie, the mine is illegal," he said. A person has been arrested in connection with the incident, and a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder has been filed against them for operating the mine and employing the workers.
China recently unveiled two new fighter jets, speculated to be sixth-generation aircraft, capturing global attention and signalling its readiness for potential conflict. The video showcasing these jets has sparked widespread discussion about China's advancements in military technology. Nations like the United States, China, Russia, and France are known for their advanced fighter jet programs, while India continues to rely on foreign imports to meet its air force's needs and enhance its capabilities. Currently, India depends on the French-made Rafale jets for its multirole fighter needs.

Key figures in Indias defence ecosystem seem to have taken note of the recent developments, sparking discussions across various circles about how India has fallen behind in developing advanced defence technologies, particularly those related to fighter jets.

China Vs India

Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on Tuesday flagged serious flaws pushing India backwards in the global race. As India faces a dual threat from Pakistan and China, Singh said that China's technology is growing at a rapid pace.

"As far as defence is concerned, we have concerns from our northern and western adversaries. Both of them are increasing their forces at a rapid pace. As far as China is concerned, it is not just numbers. The technology is also growing at a rapid pace. We just saw the flight of the latest new generation aircraft that they have pulled out.. the stealth fighter," the Air Chief Marshal said.

Shortage Of R&D Funds

Speaking at the 21st Subroto Mukherjee seminar on 'Aatmanirbharta in Aerospace Sector' in the national capital, Singh said that the Research and Development funds are very short in the country.

"R&D loses its relevance if it is not able to meet the timeline. We need to give greater leeway to the researchers. There will be failures, let's not be scared of failures. I think we are losing a lot of time because we are scared of failure...Defence is one sector where time is very important. If we don't meet the timeline, technology is of no use. So we need to learn from our failures and move on...R&D funds are woefully short. We are just about at 5%, should be at 15% (of the defence budget)," said the Air Chief Marshal.

Production Rate Slow: IAF Chief

Flagging the manufacturers over the slow production rate, Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said that the IAF has not even received the 40 Tejas aircraft, adding that the production agencies have to invest in their advanced manufacturing processes.

"We need to increase our capacity....Production agencies have to invest in their advanced manufacturing processes so that the speed can increase upskilling their manpower and whatever they do, the scale of production has to go up. Tejas just started inducting in 2016. Actually, we should go back to 1984 when we conceived that aircraft. The first aircraft flew in 2001, 17 years. Then the induction started another 15 years later, in 2016. Today we are in 2024. I do not have the 1st 40 aircraft also, so this is the production capability. We need to do something and I am very convinced that we need to get some private players in. We need to have competition. We need to have multiple sources available so that people are wary of losing their orders.," the IAF chief opined.

DRDO Chief Demands Hike In R&D Funds

DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat said that India invests only 5% of its defence budget on R&D and this has to increase to 10-15% if the country has to achieve all goals. "The government is sanguine about this and hopefully, in the next 5-10 years we will transition from 5% to 15% of the defence budget on R&D...The first priority is aero engines. Today, we have demonstrated a 4th generation aero engine for our fighter aircraft. Going ahead we will need a 6th generation aero engine...But one has to realise that if we want this capability the country will have to invest close to 4-5 billion dollars. That's Rs 40,000-50,000 crores because we should not repeat the mistakes that we have made in the past..." he said.

The Tejas project is also delayed and the Indian Air Force may find it difficult to be combat-ready if escalations happen from any adversary, feel experts.
Delhi Election 2025: A few weeks ago, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said that it would urge the INDIA bloc to oust Congress from the opposition alliance. The AAP's move came after Congress decided to contest against it in the Delhi assembly elections. The leaders of the grand old party have been campaigning aggressively against the AAP and the Arvind Kejriwal's party is not liking it. The BJP is the main opposition party in the national capital and with the Congress taking an aggressive approach, the AAP will have to fight two rivals.

Now, the INDIA bloc allies have openly extended their support for AAP, leaving the Congress sulking in the corner. The regional parties' stand is important as the Congress has been hoping to garner a wider support base but the same remains elusive for the party.

Former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has announced that West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has extended support to AAP in the Delhi elections. "TMC has announced support to AAP in Delhi elections. I am personally grateful to Mamta Didi. Thank you Didi. You have always supported and blessed us in our good and bad times," said Kejriwal on X.

Earlier, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav had supported Arvind Kejriwal's party in Delhi elections. Yadav, in the presence of Kejriwal, said that the way the AAP government worked in Delhi, it should get another chance to work.

Amid this, the Congress party's all-weather ally Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has also spelt trouble for the grand old party. Tejashwi Yadav said that the INDIA bloc was formed only for the Lok Sabha elections and therefore, it is not unnatural that there is no coordination between Congress and AAP in the Delhi elections.

However, Congress may have been prepared for this setback as it failed to honour the alliance terms in some previous polls. In the Haryana election, the Congress party refused to give a single seat to the AAP and the Samajwadi Party. Later, Akhilesh Yadav refused to give any seat to the Congress in the UP bypolls held for nine constituencies. Earlier, TMC had refused to ally with the Congress party in West Bengal.

The Congress, which has been virtually obliterated in Delhis political landscape, faces a daunting challenge in its bid to reclaim relevance. The party failed to secure even a single seat in the last two assembly elections, with its vote share plummeting to record lows.

The situation is such that the Congress, which once made Delhi voters suffer from high electricity and water bills, has now not only promised to continue the AAP government's existing welfare schemes but even went on to propose more freebies. On Wednesday, Congress pledged to introduce a "Jeevan Raksha Yojana," offering free health insurance coverage of up to Rs 25 lakh, should it come to power in Delhi. Earlier, the party also unveiled the 'Pyaari Didi Yojana,' promising monthly financial aid of Rs 2,500 for women if entrusted with governance in the national capital.
The Congress party on Wednesday announced a bold initiative, the "Jeevan Raksha Yojana," promising free health insurance coverage of up to 25 lakh per family if elected to power in Delhi. The announcement, made by senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, marks a significant focus on healthcare in the partys campaign for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections.

Ashok Gehlot described the Jeevan Raksha Yojana as a potential "game-changer" for Delhi's residents, addressing their critical healthcare needs. "The chances of the Congress forming the government in Delhi are increasing. I believe this is also necessary for the country," Gehlot stated, underscoring the partys confidence in its ability to lead the capital.

The scheme is envisioned to provide comprehensive health coverage, including expenses for critical illnesses, hospitalisations, and essential treatments. "This reflects the Congress party's commitment to ensuring healthcare for all," Gehlot said during the announcement.

The partys campaign slogan, "Hogi Har Zarurat Puri, Congress Hai Zaroori" (Every Need Will Be Met, Congress is Necessary), took center stage during the event. It underscores the Congress promise to prioritize essential services and improve the quality of life for Delhi's citizens.

Polling for the 70-member Delhi Assembly is scheduled for February 5, with votes to be counted on February 8. With this announcement, the Congress has ramped up its efforts to appeal to voters, focusing on healthcare as a critical issue ahead of the elections.
Tensions are rising at the India-Bangladesh border as disputes escalate between the Border Security Force (BSF) and Bangladesh's Border Guards. Bangladesh has staked a claim to the Kodalia River in the region. The BSF, responsible for security along the border, has maintained a vigilant presence at the Kodalia River on the Nadia border, ensuring tight monitoring and control in the area.

Today's DNA uncovers the truth behind these claims and exposes the hidden conspiracy driving them.

Watch Today's Full DNA



There is no fencing along the banks of the Kodalia River, which leads to a constant risk of infiltration and smuggling through the river routes. To address this challenge, the BSF has set up several outposts along the Kodalia River, where BSF personnel are always stationed to monitor the border area. The BSF is the force that controls infiltrators, smugglers, and those promoting anti-India agendas.

According to residents near the India-Bangladesh border in Nadia, they have never heard any mention or discussion about claims of control over the river, Zee news TV reported.
In a tragic incident on Wednesday night, atleast six devotees, including three women, lost their lives and several others were injured in a stampede as hundreds of people scrambled for tickets for the Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam at Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple on Tirumala Hills, according to a police official.

Hundreds of devotees from across the country gathered for the 10-day Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam, which began on January 10.

"Three women and a man died in the stampede," the official said, PTI reported.

According to ANI, Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep shock over the death of four devotees in the stampede near Vishnu Niwasam in Tirupati for darshan tokens at Tirumala Srivari Vaikuntha Dwara.

Hundreds of devotees from across the country gathered for the 10-day Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam, starting on January 10.

"A few devotees dying in a stampede near Vishnu Nivasam in Tirupati while trying for Vaikuna Dwara Darsanam has grieved me intensely," said Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu in a post on X.

Meanwhile, videos of police administering CPR on a couple of woman devotees and injured persons being shifted in ambulances went viral.
Thiruvananthapuram: Eminent rocket scientist and the newly appointed chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) V Narayanan on Wednesday said that the space agency is going through a successful phase and Chandrayaan-4 and Gaganyaan are among the prominent missions ahead.

Expressing happiness about his new stint as the Secretary, Department of Space and as the chairman of the ISRO, Narayanan said he considers it as a great luck to be part of such a great organisation led by great leaders.

"It is such a great organisation. Several great leaders have led it (in the past). I consider it as a great luck to be part of it," he told reporters here.

While replying to a question, Narayanan said the information about his new appointment was first passed on to him by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

"The PM is deciding everything. The PMO has contacted. The current chairman S Somanath sir also called and said about the new appointment," he said.

When asked about the upcoming projects of ISRO, the newly appointed Chairman said it is the time when the space agency is undertaking significant missions.

"As everyone knows, it is the time when the ISRO is going through a successful phase," he said.

While giving details about the upcoming projects, Narayanan said the ISRO launched the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission on December 30 and the docking experiment of the SpaDeX satellites would be held on January 9.

Stating that Gaganyaan is another major programme before the ISRO, he said the works related to the launching of the uncrewed module or uncrewed rocket as part it are successfully progressing.

He said works are progressing at Sriharikota to send the navigation satellite, NVS 02, using a GSLV later this month.

The works to send a commercial satellite of the United States using ISRO's Mark III vehicle and the rocket assembly as part of Gaganyaan (G 1) are also progressing there (Sriharikota), he further said.

While talking about the Bengaluru-headquartered agency's future projects, Narayanan said as everybody knows, India has become the first country to land in the south pole of the moon through the Chandrayaan 3 mission.

"In Chandrayaan 4, the objective is to land there and come back collecting samples. Works in this regard have already started," he explained. He also mentioned about the setting up of India's own space station.

"The Prime Minister has given approval for building a space station for us...The space station will have five modules and an approval has been granted to launch the first among them during (the year) 2028," the new Chairman added.

According to an official order, V Narayanan was on Tuesday appointed Secretary, Department of Space, succeeding S Somanath, who will complete his tenure next week.
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Rescued Chinese actor Wang Xing was a victim of human trafficking, Thai police said on Wednesday as authorities prepare to repatriate him to China.

Thai authorities are working with the Chinese Embassy in Thailand to ensure his safe return, which is expected within the next one or two days, said Inspector-general of the Royal Thai Police Tatchai Pitaneelaboot.

Wang was under the care of multidisciplinary teams to ensure his safety and psychological well-being, multiple local media quoted Tatchai as saying.

Wang was reported missing near the Thai-Myanmar border on Sunday, causing wide public concern from both China and Thailand.
According to officials, the complaint was lodged at the Ernakulam Central Police Station in Kochi.

Based on the complaint, a case was registered against the businessman under Section 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and Section 67 of the IT Act.

"Subsequently, the businessman was taken into custody from Kalpetta in Wayanad and is being questioned," the police said.

He is expected to be brought to Kochi for further investigation, they added.

Further details are awaited. (ANI)
VISAKHAPATNAM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday launched projects worth Rs 2 lakh crore here and said the Center will work with Andhra Pradesh in realising its vision of becoming approximately a USD 2.5 trillion economy by 2047. Among others, he laid the foundation stone for the country's first Green Hydrogen Hub under National Green Hydrogen Mission, near here.

Modi, on his first visit to the state after he assumed the office of the Prime Minister for the third consecutive term in 2024, also took out a grand roadshow with Chief Minister and TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu and deputy Chief Minister and Janasena leader K Pawan Kalyan by his side. The NDA alliance in Andhra Pradesh consisting of TDP, BJP and Janasena played a key role in forming the union government.

Describing the southern state as a "land of possibilities and opportunities", Modi said the time has come for it to become a centre of new futuristic technologies. "The country launched the National Green Hydrogen Mission in 2023. Our aim is to make 5 million metric tons of green hydrogen production (annually) by 2030. As a first step, two green hydrogen hubs will be set up, out of which one is in Visakhapatnam," he said.

The Prime Minister said as part of "Swarnandhra Pradesh", by 2047, Andhra Pradesh was aiming to become approximately a USD 2.5 trillion economy and the Center will work with the southern state in realizing that vision. Virtually laying the foundation stone and launching projects worth over Rs 2 lakh crore here, Modi said two green hydrogen hubs will be set up in the country out of which one will come up here.

Noting that Visakhapatnam and Andhra Pradesh's coast have been gateways for India's trade for centuries and continue to hold significant importance, he emphasized the promotion of the blue economy in mission mode to fully utilize maritime opportunities. Andhra Pradesh, due to its innovative nature, is a big hub of IT and technology and it is now time for the state to become a centre for new futuristic technologies, he said.

The PM said Visakhapatnam will be among the few cities globally with large-scale green hydrogen production facilities. He highlighted that the green hydrogen hub will create numerous job opportunities and develop a manufacturing ecosystem in Andhra Pradesh. Modi, who laid the foundation stone for the bulk drug park project in Nakkapalli, said Andhra Pradesh was one of the three states in the country where such a park is being established.

He emphasized that the park will provide excellent infrastructure for manufacturing and research, boosting investor enthusiasm and confidence while benefiting local pharma companies. The Centre views urbanization as an opportunity and aims to make Andhra Pradesh an example of "new-age urbanization". To realize this vision, the foundation stone for the Krishnapatnam Industrial Area, known as Kris City, was laid today, he said.

This smart city will be part of the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor, attracting thousands of crores of rupees in investment and creating millions of industrial jobs in Andhra Pradesh, he said. Observing that Andhra was already benefiting from Sri City as a manufacturing hub, Modi underscored the aim is for AP to be among the top states in the country in the industrial and manufacturing sectors.

He highlighted the Centre promoting manufacturing through initiatives such as Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, resulting in India being counted among the top countries in the world for manufacturing various products. Modi, who laid the foundation stone for the Visakhapatnam-headquartered South Coast Railway Zone, a long pending demand of people of Andhra, said its establishment will expand agricultural and trade activities in the region, and provide new opportunities for tourism and the local economy.

"The infrastructure revolution in Andhra Pradesh, with better connectivity and facilities, will transform the state's landscape", Modi said. He also stressed the government's commitment to inclusive and all-around development in every sector, ensuring that the benefits of development reach all sections of society.

Earlier, the PM virtually laid the foundation stone and launched a number of projects, including the green hydrogen hub in Anakapalli near the port city of Visakhapatnam. It is a joint green energy ecosystem initiative between NTPC Green Energy Ltd and the New & Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (NREDCAP).

The Krishnapatnam industrial hub is a Rs 1,518 crore project coming up on a 2,500-acre land parcel in the first phase. It is expected to generate employment opportunities for 50,000 people.
Visakhapatnam: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and lay foundations for projects worth over Rs 2 lakh crore here on Wednesday evening.

The Prime Minister, who will be arriving on his first visit to Andhra Pradesh after the TDP-led NDA formed the government in the state, will conduct a roadshow and address a public meeting, where he will virtually launch several major projects aimed at driving sustainable growth and infrastructure development, with a particular focus on North Andhra Pradesh.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan will accompany the Prime Minister during the roadshow and for the public meeting.

After arrival at INS Dega at 4.15 p.m., the Prime Minister will conduct the roadshow from Siripuram Cross Roads to AU Engineering College, the venue of the public meeting.

Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu, Union Minister of State Bhupati Raju Srinivasa Varma, few state ministers, BJP MP and state party president Purandeswari will share the dais with the Prime Minister.

This will be Narendra Modi's second visit to Andhra Pradesh after assuming office as the Prime Minister for the third term.

In June last year, he had attended the swearing-in of Chandrababu Naidu and his ministers in Vijayawada.

The Prime Minister was scheduled to visit Visakhapatnam on November 29 but the programme was postponed due to a cyclone alert.

The state government has made elaborate arrangements for the Prime Minister's visit.

The TDP and its allies Jana Sena and BJP are mobilising people from various parts of North Andhra for the roadshow and public meeting.

Authorities expect 80,000 people to take part in the roadshow, while nearly 2 lakh people are likely to attend the public meeting.

The roadshow will commence at 4:45 p.m. from the Venkatadri Vantillu restaurant area in Siripuram.

The public meeting will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. He will leave the venue at 6:50 p.m. and return to the air station around 7:15 p.m. to leave for Bhubaneswar.

PM Modi will lay the foundation stone for the South Coast Railway Zone (SCoR) headquarters in Visakhapatnam. This will meet the long-pending demand of the state under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.

He will also lay the foundation stone for the NTPC Green Energy Limited's (NGEL) Green Hydrogen Hub at Pudimadaka in Atchutapuram mandal of Anakapalle district.

To be developed under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, this mega project involves an investment of Rs 1.85 lakh crore and 20 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity to produce 1,500 tonnes per day of green hydrogen.

The project will also produce 7,500 tonnes of green hydrogen derivatives, including green methanol, green urea, and sustainable aviation fuel, primarily targeting export markets.

The Prime Minister will also launch a series of road and railway projects in Andhra Pradesh, collectively valued at Rs 19,500 crore.

He will also lay the foundation stone for a bulk drug park at Nakkapalli in Anakapalle district.

With an investment of Rs 1,438.89 crore, the park is strategically located near the Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC) and the Visakhapatnam- Kakinada Petrochemical and Investment Region, promising thousands of jobs and enhanced industrial activity in the region.

The foundation stone will also be for the Krishnapatnam Industrial Area (KRIS City) in Tirupati district under the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor.

The project is expected to attract investments of Rs 10,500 crore and create nearly one lakh direct and indirect jobs.
In a significant breakthrough against drug trafficking, Srinagar police seized 8 kilograms of heroin during a routine checkpoint operation on Tuesday night.

Two individuals were arrested in connection with the case, as revealed by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, Imtiyaz Hussain, during a press conference.

He stated that the Qamarwari police post had set up a checkpoint near Barthana, where a police team led by Sub Inspector Imtiyaz Ahmad stopped a Sumo vehicle with the registration number JK05D 1837.

The arrested individuals, identified as Anas Ajaz Awan and Zahid Ahmed Sheikh, both residents of Karnah in Kupwara district, were found in possession of the illicit substance, he added. The value of the seizure in the international market is estimated to be over Rs 32 crores.

During the investigation, it was revealed that the heroin had entered Kashmir from Pakistan, and a network involved in the trafficking has been identified.

"Anyone engaged in drug peddling will face the full force of the law," SSP Hussain warned, emphasizing that strict action is being taken against drug traffickers.

He reaffirmed the police's commitment to eradicating the drug menace from the region.
Farmers in Madhya Pradesh are now required to link their land records (Khasra) with their Samagra ID and Aadhaar card. This initiative ensures transparency and streamlines access to government welfare schemes such as the Kisan Kalyan Yojana and simplifies future processes like crop registration.

The government, as part of its Revenue Campaign, has mandated the linking of land records with Samagra ID to update and verify revenue data. Farmers can complete this process online or by visiting their nearest CSC Center. Here is a detailed guide on how to link your Samagra ID with land records, including the documents required for the process.

Why Link Samagra ID with Land Records?

Access to Government Schemes: Ensures eligibility for welfare schemes like Kisan Kalyan Yojana.

Crop Registration Made Easy: Mandatory for upcoming crop registrations.

Streamlined Revenue Records: Aims to reduce pending and erroneous records under the Revenue Campaign.

Documents Required for Samagra ID Bhumi Link

To complete the linking process, you will need the following documents:

Samagra ID

Aadhaar Card

Land Receipt/Khasra Number

Voter ID

PAN Card (optional)

MP Ration Card

MP Land Record Documents (Patwari-certified Khasra/P-II, etc.)

How to Link Samagra ID with Land Records (Khasra)

Step 1: Visit the Samagra Portal

Open the official Samagra portal at samagra.gov.in.

Alternatively, use the direct link for the Khasra eKYC process.

Step 2: Start the eKYC Process

On the homepage, click on the "eKYC" option.

Enter your 9-digit Samagra ID and fill in the captcha code.

Click on the "Search" button to proceed.

Step 3: Verify Mobile Number

If your mobile number is already linked to your Samagra ID, it will appear on the screen.

If not, enter your mobile number and verify it using the OTP sent to your registered number.

Step 4: Provide Land Details

After mobile verification, a form will open.

When asked if you own land in Madhya Pradesh, select "Yes".

Fill in your address and Khasra number. You can add multiple land parcels if applicable.

Step 5: Link Aadhaar

Enter your Aadhaar number and complete the OTP-based authentication.

Once verified, Aadhaar-related details will appear automatically.

Step 6: Upload Supporting Documents

Upload any one document from the following:

MP Ration Card

MP Land Record Documents (Khasra, P-II, etc.)

Birth Certificate

PAN Card

Voter ID

10th Mark Sheet

Driving License

MGNREGA Job Card

Step 7: Final Submission

Review all the details entered in the form.

Click on "Proceed" to complete the process.

Benefits of Linking Samagra ID with Land Records

Eligibility for Schemes: Ensures access to subsidies and welfare programs.

Simplified Documentation: Makes land-related and agricultural processes seamless.

Accurate Revenue Records: Updates and verifies data under the Revenue Campaign.

In this article, we outlined the step-by-step process to link your Samagra ID with land records (Khasra) in Madhya Pradesh. Farmers are encouraged to complete this process at the earliest to remain eligible for government schemes and simplify their participation in agricultural programs.

Visit the official Samagra Portal today and follow these steps to secure your benefits!

(This article is part of IndiaDotCom Pvt Lts consumer connect initiative, a paid publication programme. IDPL claims no editorial involvement and assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of the article.)
New Delhi: The BJP on Wednesday accused the AAP leaders of diverting attention from the "corruption and irregularities" surrounding the "Sheesh Mahal", and enacting drama of a visit to the bungalow while the model code of conduct was implemented for the upcoming Assembly polls.

"Why did AAP leaders Sanjay Singh and Saurabh Bharadwaj not visit the Sheesh Mahal earlier?", questioned Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva after they were stopped by the police from visiting the bungalow in Civil Lines, earlier in the day.

Singh on Sunday challenged the BJP for a visit to "Sheesh Mahal" and the Prime Minister's residence dubbing it "Raj Mahal" along with media persons.

Sachdeva charged, "The AAP leaders are doing drama and trying to divert attention from the Sheesh corruption and irregularities committed in the construction of Sheesh Mahal (6, Flagstaff Road, occupied by Arvind Kejriwal as chief minister). Why did they not think of showing the Sheesh Mahal earlier and now insist on a visit when the administration is bound by a model code of conduct?"

The Delhi BJP president visited AB 17 Mathura Road bungalow allotted to Delhi Chief Minister Atishi. He asked, "Why is Atishi demanding another bungalow when she was allotted this bungalow?"

Atishi on Tuesday alleged that the BJP-led Centre evicted her from the chief minister's bungalow by cancelling allotment.

According to the department, Atishi failed to take possession of the property within the mandated time frame.

"The allottee had failed to take physical possession/occupation of the bungalow at 6, Flag Staff Road, despite multiple requests/correspondences and even after issuance of 'Habitability Certificate' for the bungalow, certifying that the bungalow was fit for immediate occupation and fully habitable. However, in this case, possession was not taken even after three months," the PWD letter stated.

The PWD has, meanwhile, offered two other bungalows to the chief minister.

Sachdeva said, "Atishi should tell the people why did not she take possession of the Flagstaff Road bungalow within three months, and now claiming that her allotment was cancelled".

He also alleged that Atishi herself did not live at AB 17 Mathura Road bungalow and asked her to clarify who lived there.

"It is the same bungalow where Sheila Dikshit lived as Delhi's chief minister from 1998 to 2004. Why can Atishi not live in it?" he questioned.

Sachdeva alleged that the AAP leaders were indulging in "petty politics" by raising questions over the PM's residence, to divert attention from the notoriety gained by the "Sheesh Mahal".
New Delhi: The parliamentary panel constituted to scrutinise the two bills on simultaneous elections held its first meeting on Wednesday.

Officials of the Ministry of Law and Justice are briefing the panel members on the provisions of the proposed laws, sources said.

Headed by BJP MP PP Chaudhary, the 39-member joint committee of Parliament comprises members from all major parties, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra from Congress, Sanjay Jha from JD(U), Shiv Sena's Shrikant Shinde, AAP's Sanjay Singh, and Kalyan Banerjee from Trinamool Congress.

Chaudhary is a former minister of state for law.

The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill were introduced in the Lok Sabha during the recent Winter Session and referred to the committee.

The government decided to increase the committee's strength from 31 to 39, as more political parties expressed their desire to be part of the exercise to examine the two draft legislations on simultaneous elections.

Former Union ministers Anurag Thakur, Parshottam Rupala and Manish Tewari and several other lawmakers, including Anil Baluni, Bansuri Swaraj and Sambit Patra, are also members of the committee.

The panel has 27 members from the Lok Sabha and 12 from the Rajya Sabha.
Astrology has long been an integral part of Indian culture, offering guidance and solutions for various aspects of life. From charting your career path to resolving relationship dilemmas, astrologers provide spiritual insights rooted in centuries-old traditions.

This article explores the Top 10 Best Astrologers in India, with a detailed focus on Acharya Indravarman, a master of Shakta Tantra and Kaula Tantra. Whether you are seeking help with personal, professional, or health-related concerns, these experts can provide clarity and direction.

Astrologer Acharya Indravarman: A Beacon of Spiritual Wisdom

Acharya Indravarman is widely recognized as one of the foremost astrologers in India, revered for his deep spiritual knowledge and vast expertise in Vedic astrology, Tantra, and other esoteric disciplines. His guidance is sought after by people from all walks of life, whether they are seeking solutions for personal struggles, career dilemmas, or spiritual growth. With decades of practice and study, Acharya Indravarman has helped numerous individuals and businesses navigate their lives with confidence and clarity.

Astrological Expertise

Best Astrologer in India Acharya Indravarmans astrology practice is deeply rooted in the ancient teachings of Vedic astrology, which encompasses a comprehensive study of celestial bodies, their impact on human lives, and the connections between the spiritual and material realms. His area of expertise spans multiple branches of astrology, offering guidance for individuals facing different challenges.

Horoscope Reading: He is renowned for his ability to read and interpret horoscopes with remarkable accuracy. Acharya Indravarman combines his vast knowledge of planetary positions, constellations, and nakshatras to provide clear insights into the spiritual and material aspects of his clients' lives. His readings help individuals understand their life's purpose and chart a course that aligns with their true potential.

Love Astrology: Relationships are an integral part of human life, and Astrologer Acharya Indravarmans ability to offer astrological solutions to love-related matters is one of the key aspects of his practice. He specializes in understanding relationship dynamics and offering remedies to overcome compatibility issues, thereby fostering lasting love and harmony between partners.

Marriage Astrology: Marriage is a sacred bond, and Astrologer Acharya Indravarman places great emphasis on marital compatibility through astrology. By analyzing the individual horoscopes of partners, he can provide guidance on auspicious timings, compatibility factors, and remedies for a successful and blissful marriage.

Business Astrology: Entrepreneurs and business owners often consult Astrologer Acharya Indravarman for advice on navigating challenges in the business world. By analyzing the planetary positions in the birth chart, he provides insights into the most favorable times for business ventures, financial growth, and overcoming obstacles in the professional realm. His expertise in business astrology has helped countless organizations achieve success.

Career Astrology: Career-related decisions are crucial for personal and financial growth. Astrologer Acharya Indravarman uses astrology to help individuals make informed career choices. By analyzing the positions of the planets, he can suggest career paths that align with an individuals natural strengths and talents, leading them toward success and fulfillment.

Health Astrology: Health issues often stem from planetary influences, and Astrologer Acharya Indravarman uses his expertise in medical astrology to address health-related concerns. His guidance can help individuals identify health issues before they manifest and recommend remedies like gemstones, mantras, and rituals that promote physical well-being and healing.

Mastery in Shakta Tantra and Kaula Tantra

What truly sets Best Vedic astrologer in India Acharya Indravarman apart from other astrologers is his profound knowledge and expertise in Shakta Tantra and Kaula Tantra, both of which are rare and powerful spiritual practices. These disciplines focus on the worship of divine feminine energy (Shakti) and ancient rites that are believed to offer deeper spiritual insight and transformational experiences.

Shakta Tantra: This form of Tantra involves the worship and invocation of the Goddess and is often used to bring about profound spiritual and personal transformation. Acharya Indravarman uses Shakta Tantra to guide individuals toward a higher state of consciousness, healing, and empowerment. His deep connection with Shakti energy helps clients in their pursuit of spiritual growth and resolving personal conflicts, offering them peace and clarity.

Kaula Tantra: This esoteric tradition is centered around the mystical and transformative rituals that are believed to change the energy dynamics of a persons life. Through his mastery in Kaula Tantra, Acharya Indravarman can help individuals resolve deep-seated issues, heal emotional wounds, and manifest their true desires. His skill in this area is highly respected by those seeking profound spiritual solutions that go beyond traditional astrology.

A Personalized Approach

One of the most remarkable aspects of Top astrologer in India Acharya Indravarmans practice is his personalized approach. He understands that every individuals life journey is unique, and thus, offers tailored solutions based on a persons specific needs and circumstances. Whether it's love, career, marriage, or health, he takes the time to understand the clients challenges and crafts a solution that is both practical and spiritually aligned.

His consultations are not just about reading horoscopes or making predictions; they are about providing long-term, actionable remedies that help individuals grow and thrive in all aspects of their lives. This holistic approach to astrology has made him a trusted advisor for many people seeking answers to complex problems.

A Legacy of Trust and Spiritual Guidance

Acharya Indravarmans reputation extends far beyond his home country of India. Over the years, he has built a global clientele, including individuals, families, and businesses, all of whom rely on his expertise to guide them through life's most challenging moments. His ethical standards and compassionate nature make him a beloved figure, and his followers often return to him for ongoing spiritual guidance.

Whether it's through online consultations or in-person meetings, Acharya Indravarman's followers feel the impact of his spiritual wisdom and astrological expertise. His ability to blend ancient knowledge with practical solutions has made him a beacon of hope for those seeking answers, clarity, and spiritual awakening. Clients from Pune, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Gurugram, Nodia Hyderabad, Chennai are getting Online Horoscope consultation from Best Online astrologer in India Acharya Indravarman.

Other Renowned Astrologers in India

Here is a brief overview of nine other esteemed astrologers who have earned a reputation for their exceptional skills and accurate predictions:

Astrologer Sohini Sastri

Dr. Sohini Sastri is one of the most esteemed astrologers in India, renowned for her expertise in Vedic astrology, numerology, and gemstone therapy. A gifted spiritual guide, she has been practicing astrology for over 15 years, providing insightful guidance to individuals across the globe. Dr. Sastri specializes in offering astrological remedies for various personal and professional issues, including love, marriage, career, and health. Her deep understanding of the intricacies of astrology allows her to provide clear, actionable advice that has transformed many lives. With a reputation for accuracy, she has helped people navigate the challenges of life with confidence, making her one of the leading astrologers in the country.

Astrologer Sundeep Kochar

Sundeep Kochar is a well-known celebrity astrologer who has made a significant impact on the field of astrology. With his expertise in Vedic astrology, he is sought after for his accurate predictions and astrological remedies. Sundeep has a unique ability to provide insightful readings that cover a wide range of life aspects, including career, relationships, and personal growth. His charismatic presence on television shows and media outlets has earned him recognition, making him a household name. Beyond media appearances, his consultations have guided individuals, families, and businesses in navigating challenges and achieving success. His precision and spiritual insight have made him one of Indias most respected astrologers.

Astrologer Hemant Barua

Astrologer Hemant Barua is a well-regarded name in the world of astrology, known for his accurate predictions and detailed horoscope readings. His expertise spans multiple areas of astrology, including Vedic astrology, numerology, and marriage compatibility. Hemant has helped countless clients navigate challenges in various aspects of life, from career decisions to relationship dynamics. His approach to astrology is grounded in ancient traditions, and he combines this wisdom with practical solutions for modern-day problems. Astrologer Hemant Barua is particularly known for his remedies and suggestions, which provide clarity and guidance, helping individuals achieve peace and success in their personal and professional lives.

Astrologer Arun Pandit

Astrologer Arun Pandit is a prominent astrologer specializing in Vedic astrology, career counseling, and financial astrology. Known for his accurate predictions and spiritual guidance, he has helped many individuals make life-altering decisions with confidence. He uses a blend of traditional astrological techniques, including Nakshatras and Dasha periods, to assess various aspects of life. Arun Pandits astrological readings often focus on understanding life cycles and offering remedies that allow individuals to make the most of favorable planetary positions while mitigating the effects of negative ones. He is trusted by his clients for his practical approach and in-depth knowledge of astrology.

Astrologer Indu Prakash

Astrologer Indu Prakash is a well-known personality in the Indian astrology community, especially recognized for his expertise in Vedic astrology, numerology, and Vastu Shastra. He has gained considerable fame through his television shows, where he has provided astrological advice to thousands of viewers. His primary focus lies in offering solutions related to marriage compatibility, career issues, and health concerns. Astrologer Indu Prakash is known for his ability to analyze the planetary positions in a persons horoscope and suggest effective remedies. With a deep understanding of astrologys practical applications, he continues to guide people toward success and spiritual fulfillment, establishing a reputation as a trusted advisor.

Astrologer Vinay Bajrangi

Astrologer Vinay Bajrangi is a celebrated Vedic astrologer and one of the leading figures in the field of astrology in India. With years of experience in providing guidance on matters like marriage, career, and financial growth, he has built a loyal clientele. Specializing in detailed horoscope readings and astrological remedies, Vinay Bajrangis insights are known for their accuracy. He uses Vedic principles and the position of planets to identify specific issues in his clients lives and offers remedies like mantras, gemstones, and pujas. His approach is practical, helping individuals tackle challenges with confidence and clarity. His advice is highly regarded by both individuals and businesses seeking direction in their endeavors.

Astrologer Pawan Kaushik

Astrologer Pawan Kaushik is renowned for his vast knowledge of astrology and his expertise in Vastu Shastra, numerology, and gemology. With a career spanning over two decades, Pawan Kaushik has helped individuals and businesses unlock their potential through astrological guidance. His ability to blend traditional practices with modern approaches allows him to provide effective solutions tailored to the specific needs of his clients. Pawan Kaushik is particularly skilled in providing advice on health-related concerns, financial matters, and relationship compatibility. His accurate predictions and remedies have made him a sought-after astrologer for those looking to enhance their well-being and success.

Astrologer Sanjay Rath

Astrologer Sanjay Rath is a highly respected name in the field of Vedic astrology, known for his deep spiritual insights and understanding of astrological principles. Specializing in both classical and predictive astrology, Sanjay Rath offers guidance on career, health, relationships, and business. His expertise in Jyotish Shastra, particularly in the use of Nakshatras and Dashas, makes him one of the most trusted astrologers in India. His consultations focus not just on predictions but also on providing spiritual remedies to resolve lifes challenges. Many have benefitted from his holistic approach, which emphasizes the interconnection between planetary positions and personal growth.

Astrologer Ajay Bhambi

Ajay Bhambi is one of Indias most experienced and trusted astrologers, with decades of experience in the field. He is particularly renowned for his expertise in Vedic astrology, gemology, and horoscope analysis. His skillful interpretation of planetary alignments and his ability to predict lifes major events have made him a prominent figure in astrology. Ajay Bhambi has guided individuals from various walks of life, helping them with issues related to health, finances, career, and relationships. Known for his compassionate approach, Ajay Bhambi offers personalized remedies, including gemstones, mantras, and spiritual practices, to help individuals lead successful, balanced lives.

Astrology continues to play a significant role in the lives of millions, offering hope and solutions for life's uncertainties. Whether you are dealing with career challenges, relationship issues, or health concerns, consulting a skilled astrologer can provide clarity and direction. Best astrologer Acharya Indravarman, with his deep expertise and compassionate approach, stands out as a guiding light in this field. Alongside him, other renowned Top 10 astrologers in India ensure that those seeking spiritual guidance have access to the best possible resources.

(This article is part of IndiaDotCom Pvt Lts consumer connect initiative, a paid publication programme. IDPL claims no editorial involvement and assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of the article.)
The Trinamool Congress has announced its support for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ahead of the Delhi assembly elections 2025, Arvind Kejriwal said on Wednesday, adding, "Thank you Didi'.

AAP national convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal thanked West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee for supporting the party in upcoming polls.

"TMC has announced support to AAP in Delhi elections. I am personally grateful to Mamta Didi. Thank you Didi. U have always supported and blessed us in our good and bad times," he said in a post on X.

TMC has announced support to AAP in Delhi elections. I am personally grateful to Mamta Didi. Thank you Didi. U have always supported and blessed us in our good and bad times. January 8, 2025

The AAP has decided to contest the upcoming Assembly elections independently, despite forming an alliance with the Congress for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

On Tuesday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the dates for the Delhi Assembly elections in 2025 for its 70 assembly seats. The polls for all 70 assembly seats are scheduled to be held in a single phase on February 5 and the result will be announced on February 8.

The ruling AAP, having secured 67 seats in 2015 and 62 in 2020, is now aiming for a third consecutive victory in the capital.
Amazon Great Republic Day Sale 2025: Republic day is just around the corner and the e-commerce platforms have aready started rolling out lucrative offers. Amazon has officially announced its annual Great Republic Day Sale. It not only promises exciting deals but also some really value-for-money offers that you should not miss out on.

The Amazon Great Republic Day Sale 2025 is set to kick off on January 13 at 12 PM, and shoppers are gearing up for some of the years most enticing discounts. Meanwhile, the sale starts even earlier, giving them a head start with exclusive access beginning at midnight.

Amazon Great Republic Day Sale 2025: Exchange Offers

The Amazon Great Republic Day Sale 2025 brings exciting exchange offers for shoppers. Now, you can upgrade your gadgets and appliances while enjoying incredible savings. Consumers can also avail of exchange discounts of up to Rs 45,000 on smartphones, Rs 7,000 on laptops, and Rs 15,000 on home appliances.

Amazon Great Republic Day Sale 2025: Bank Offers

The Amazon Great Republic Day Sale 2025 makes shopping even more rewarding with fantastic payment offers. Consumers can enjoy a 10 per cent discount on SBI Credit Cards and EMI transactions, making your purchases even more budget-friendly.

Adding further, the ICICI Amazon Pay Credit Card users can avail themselves of 5 per cent cashback for added savings. Furthermore, take advantage of no-cost EMI options on select products to spread out your payments with ease.

Offers On Smartphones (Expected)

Amazon's microsite hints at an exciting lineup of unbeatable smartphone deals. The popular OnePlus models, including the Nord 4, Nord CE4, and Nord CE4 Lite, will be among the highlights of the sale, along with the newly launched OnePlus 13 and 13R.

Adding further, premium smartphones like the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra, Tecno Phantom V Fold 5G, Vivo X200 Pro, and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra are anticipated to receive significant price cuts.

The lineup also features devices such as the iQOO 13, currently priced at Rs 54,999, alongside the Neo 9 Pro, Neo 12, and the Z9 series. For budget-conscious buyers, options from Redmi, POCO, Samsung, and Realme will offer great choices under Rs 10,000.
New Delhi: Tech giant Apple has reportedly terminated 185 employees from its headquarters in Cupertino following allegations of monetary fraud aimed at increasing their compensation. An investigation revealed fraudulent activity within the companys charitable Matching Grants program.

As part of the program, Apple matches every financial contribution an employee makes to a qualified charity with an equivalent donation. Moreover, another report highlights that a significant number of the terminated employees may be Indian nationals connected to Telugu charitable organizations in the US.

Meanwhile, the media reports allege that the fraud involved employees collaborating with certain non-profit organizations, including some linked to the Indian community, to falsify donations and inflate their compensation.

The employees reportedly received their original donations back from the charities, while keeping Apples matching contributions for themselves.

In the terminated employees list, six individuals have been named by authorities in the Bay Area. The individuals charged in the case include Siu Kei (Alex) Kwan, 37, of Castro Valley; Yathei (Hayson) Yuen, 34, of San Jose; Yat C (Sunny) Ng, 35, of Milpitas; Wentao (Victor) Li, 38, of Hayward; Lichao Ni, 39, of Sunnyvale; and Zheng Chang, 31, of Union City.

The Santa Clara County district attorneys office has stated that these individuals defrauded Apple of approximately $152,000 over a three-year period by inaccurately reporting donations to two nonprofit organizations: the American Chinese International Cultural Exchange (ACICE) and Hop4Kids. It is important to note that Apple has not released an official statement, and the district attorneys office is still conducting its investigation.
The legal team of actor and director Justin Baldoni has suggested they will highlight what they describe as a 'pattern of bullying' by actress Blake Lively in their countersuit after she accused Baldoni's team of launching 'attacks' following the lawsuit. The dispute between Blake and Justin became the talk of town after she filed a complaint against her 'It Ends with Us' co-star and director alleging sexual harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign, as per The Hollywood Reporter. In the latest barb of allegations, Bryan Freedman, Justin Baldoni's attorney -- comment confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter, accused the actress of sending 'grossly edited documents' to the New York Times before filing her complaint. "It is painfully ironic that Blake Lively is accusing Justin Baldoni of weaponizing the media when her own team orchestrated this vicious attack by sending the New York Times grossly edited documents prior to even filing the complaint, we are releasing all of the evidence which will show a pattern of bullying and threats to take over the movie. None of this will come as a surprise because consistent with her past behavior Blake Lively used other people to communicate those threats and bully her way to get whatever she wanted. We have all the receipts and more." Earlier, Blake Lively accused the Baldoni team of using the 'blame the victim' tactic to turn the situation in their favour while speaking to the People magazine. Lively's lawyer said, "This is not a 'feud' arising from 'creative differences' or a 'he said/she said' situation,'" read the statement from Lively's lawyers. "As alleged in Ms. Lively's complaint, and as we will prove in litigation, Wayfarer [Studios] and its associates engaged in unlawful, retaliatory astroturfing against Ms. Lively for simply trying to protect herself and others on a film set. And their response to the lawsuit has been to launch more attacks against Ms. Lively since her filing." The lawyer's statement continues "A classic tactic to distract from allegations of this type of misconduct is to 'blame the victim' by suggesting that they invited the conduct, brought it on themselves, misunderstood the intentions, or even lied." Meanwhile, Baldoni's legal team has asserted that Lively's accusations were false and part of a tactic to rebuild her image, suggesting that her publicist, Leslie Sloane, orchestrated a smear campaign against Baldoni. Justin Baldoni's legal team is yet to file a countersuit against Blake Lively for her complaint. Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni worked together in the film 'It Ends With Us'. (ANI)
Justin Trudeau has resigned after serving as Canada's PM for two consecutive terms. He also resigned as the leader of the Liberal Party, paving the way for his successor. Trudeau, the second-youngest PM of Canada, during his tenure, rose to power with a charm and his popularity saw a steep decline as well. Such was the impact of his disrepute in the last year that the latest opinion polls by Nanos showed the Liberals trail the Conservatives 47% to 21%.

While a combination of scandal and unpopular policies damaged his prospects over time, his image also got hit because of his failure to manage diplomatic relations with countries like America and India. While US President-elect Donald Trump wants Canada to merge with America, the latter is yet to get out of the political turmoil.

Trudeaus reputation took a significant hit when he chose to confront India without presenting any solid evidence. It seemed he was operating under the misguided notion that backing Khalistani supporters under the guise of free speech would yield electoral benefits. However, this strategy backfired, leaving him blindsided when events unfolded contrary to his expectations.

According to the 2021 census, Canada has a population of 37 million (3.70 crore). Among them, 1.6 million, or roughly 4%, are of Indian origin. Of this group, approximately 7,70,000 identify as Sikhs. Out of Canadas 388 Members of Parliament (MPs), 18 are Sikhs. Among these, Sikhs hold complete control over eight constituencies and wield significant influence in 15 others. So, Sikhs and the Indian population have a say in at least 25-30 seats.

Trudeau also miscalculated the move of blaming India for the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Despite his government's open anti-India and anti-Narendra Modi stance, his claims made little sense with Canadians who also demanded hard proof. The diplomatic war between India and Canada saw both countries expelling diplomats and the issue going global. Even Trudeau's party MPs have called upon him to put a leash on Khalistanis but to no avail. Canada even granted visas and residencies to Khalistani elements despite knowing about their ideology. Trudeau continued his vile campaign against India and the issue led to discomfort within the Indian diaspora in Canada.

The next Canadian Prime Minister will have a tough challenge at his/her disposal and that is to make the ties with India normal as Indian students and residents are crucial for the country's economy.
US President-elect Donald Trump announced on Tuesday his intention to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the 'Gulf of America.' He stated that the change is the appropriate thing to do. Ahead of his January 20 inauguration, Trump described renaming the Gulf of Mexico as appropriate. He emphasised the need for Mexico to control migration into the US and reiterated his position on imposing strict tariffs on Mexico and Canada.

Speaking at a news conference in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, he said, Were going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, which has a beautiful ring that covers a lot of territory. The Gulf of America. What a beautiful name.

Trump described the decision, adding, And its appropriate. Its appropriate. He did not specify a timeline for the change.

A Republican lawmaker from Georgia supported the proposal and said she would soon introduce legislation in Congress to formalise it.

President Trumps second term is off to a GREAT start. Ill be introducing legislation ASAP to officially change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to its rightful name, the Gulf of America! Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Green said on X.

US President-elect Donald Trump has ramped up his rhetoric on immigration and trade, describing Mexico as really in trouble. He called it a very dangerous place, adding, Mexico has to stop allowing millions of people to pour into our country. They can stop them. And were going to put very serious tariffs on Mexico and Canada, because Canada, they come through Canada too.

Donald Trump's 51st State Proposal To Canada

Trump also hinted at redrawing borders, saying, (I will be using) economic force because Canada and the United States, that would really be something. You get rid of that artificially drawn line and you take a look at what that looks like, and it would also be much better for national security. Dont forget, we basically protect Canada.

Over recent weeks, Trump has suggested incorporating Canada into the US as the 51st state and frequently mocked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the Governor of Canada. His latest proposal to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America aligns with his hardline stance on immigration, which he claims is a major threat to US security.

Meanwhile, a day after resigning as Canadas Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau responded strongly on social media to speculations about Canada joining the United States.

There isnt a snowballs chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States, Trudeau posted on X.

He added, Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each others biggest trading and security partner.

(With agency inputs)
Los Angeles: California firefighters battled wind-whipped wildfires that tore across the Los Angeles area, destroying homes, clogging roadways as tens of thousands fled and straining resources as officials prepared for the situation to worsen early Wednesday.

The flames from a fire that broke out Tuesday evening near a nature preserve in the inland foothills northeast of LA spread so rapidly that staff at a senior living centre had to push dozens of residents in wheelchairs and hospital beds down the street to a parking lot.

The residents waited there in their bedclothes as embers fell around them until ambulances, buses and even construction vans arrived to take them to safety.

Another blaze that started hours earlier ripped through the city's Pacific Palisades neighbourhood, a hillside area along the coast dotted with celebrity residences and memorialised by the Beach Boys in their 1960s hit Surfin' USA. In the frantic haste to get to safety, roadways became impassable when scores of people abandoned their vehicles and fled on foot, some toting suitcases.

The traffic jam on Palisades Drive prevented emergency vehicles from getting through and bulldozer was brought in to push the abandoned cars to the side and create a path. Video along the Pacific Coast Highway showed widespread destruction of homes and businesses along the famed roadway.

Pacific Palisades resident Kelsey Trainor said the only road in and out of her neighbourhood was blocked. Ash fell all around them while fires burned on both sides of the road.

We looked across and the fire had jumped from one side of the road to the other side of the road, Trainor said. People were getting out of the cars with their dogs and babies and bags, they were crying and screaming. " A third wildfire started around 10.30 pm and quickly prompted evacuations in Sylmar, a San Fernando Valley community that is the northernmost neighbourhood in Los Angeles. The causes of all three fires were under investigation.

Flames were being pushed by Santa Ana winds topping 60 mph (97 kph) in some places. The winds were expected to increase overnight, producing isolated gusts that could top 100 mph (160 kph) in mountains and foothills  including in areas that haven't seen substantial rain in months.

The situation prompted the Los Angeles Fire Department to take the rare step of putting out a plea for off-duty firefighters to help. It was too windy for firefighting aircraft to fly, further hampering the fight.

The erratic weather caused President Joe Biden to cancel plans to travel to inland Riverside County, where he was to announce the establishment of two new national monuments in the state.

He remained in Los Angeles, where smoke was visible from his hotel, and was briefed on the wildfires. The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved a grant to help reimburse California for the firefighting cost.

Officials didn't give an estimate of structures damaged or destroyed in the Pacific Palisades wildfire, but they said about 30,000 residents were under evacuation orders and more than 13,000 structures were under threat. Gov. Gavin Newsom visited the scene and said many homes had burned.

By evening the flames had spread into neighbouring Malibu and several people there were being treated for burn injuries and a firefighter had a serious head injury and was taken to a hospital, according to Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Erik Scott.

Things were expected to worsen overnight.

By no stretch of the imagination are we out of the woods, Newsom warned residents, saying the worst of the winds were expected between 10 pm Tuesday and 5 am Wednesday. He declared a state of emergency.

As of Tuesday evening, nearly 167,000 people were without power in Los Angeles county, according to the tracking website PowerOutage.Us, due to the strong winds.

Recent dry winds, including the notorious Santa Anas, have contributed to warmer-than-average temperatures in Southern California, where there's been very little rain so far this season. Southern California hasn't seen more than 0.1 inches (0.25 centimetres) of rain since early May.

The Pacific Palisades fire started around 10.30 am and quickly consumed about 4.6 square miles (11.6 square kilometres) and sent up a dramatic plume of smoke visible across Los Angeles.

The neighbourhood, which borders Malibu about 20 miles (32 kilometres) west of downtown LA, includes hillside streets of tightly packed homes along winding roads nestled against the Santa Monica Mountains and stretches down to beaches along the Pacific Ocean.

Long-time Palisades resident Will Adams said he immediately went to pick his two kids up from St. Matthews Parish School when he heard the fire was nearby. Meanwhile, he said embers flew into his wife's car as she tried to evacuate.

She vacated her car and left it running, Adams said. She and many other residents walked down toward the ocean until it was safe.

Adams said he had never witnessed anything like this in the 56 years he's lived there. He watched as the sky turned brown and then black as homes started burning. He could hear loud popping and bangs like small explosions, which he said he believes were the transformers exploding.

It is crazy, it's everywhere, in all the nooks and crannies of the Palisades. One home's safe, the other one's up in flames, Adams said.

Actor James Woods posted footage of flames burning through bushes and past palm trees on a hill near his home. The towering orange flames billowed among the landscaped yards between the homes.

Standing in my driveway, getting ready to evacuate, Woods said in the short video on X.

Some trees and vegetation on the grounds of the Getty Villa were burned by late Tuesday, but staff and the museum collection remain safe, Getty President Katherine Fleming said in a statement. The museum located on the eastern end of the Pacific Palisades is a separate campus of the world-famous Getty Museum that focuses on the art and culture of ancient Greece and Rome. The fire also burned Palisades Charter High School.

Film studios cancelled two movie premieres due to the fire and windy weather, and the Los Angeles Unified School District said it temporarily relocated students from three campuses in the Pacific Palisades area.
The race to succeed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau began Tuesday, a day after his dramatic resignation amid a looming trade war with the United States and a politically polarized domestic landscape. The Liberal Party, struggling in the polls, faces the dual challenge of selecting a new leader and rebuilding its base, as the prospect of an electoral defeat looms large.

Trudeaus announcement has triggered an urgent search for a new Liberal leader. The partys national board is set to convene this week to chart the selection process, which could take months. However, with Parliament likely to reconvene in March and a government collapse anticipated, urgency is key.

Polls suggest the Liberals are poised to lose the next election regardless of their leadership, deterring some potential candidates. Nevertheless, several high-profile names are emerging in what is shaping up to be a diverse and competitive contest.

Potential Candidates: A Closer Look

Chrystia Freeland

The former Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister is widely seen as a frontrunner. Freeland resigned three weeks ago, reportedly triggering Trudeau's departure, citing disagreements over handling the incoming U.S. administrations threat of steep tariffs on Canadian goods.

Freeland, who skillfully renegotiated the North American Free Trade Agreement with the Trump administration, has an impressive record in foreign and economic affairs. Known for her blunt critique of "costly political gimmicks," she could appeal to Canadians seeking a pragmatic leader.

Mark Carney

A former Bank of England and Bank of Canada governor, Carney has been long rumored to have political ambitions. Though he has no prior political experience, his economic expertise during a global economic crisis could attract support.

Carney, now chair of Brookfield Asset Management, has indicated he is "considering" a bid. However, skepticism remains about his political inexperience and his need to secure a parliamentary seat.

Francois-Philippe Champagne

Currently Canadas Minister of Innovation, Champagne has earned a reputation as a charismatic dealmaker. Notable achievements include securing a C$7 billion Volkswagen gigafactory project and a C$2.8 billion Stellantis deal for EV production. Champagne's Quebec roots and optimistic persona could make him a strong contender, though his lack of a prominent national profile may be a challenge.

Melanie Joly

As Foreign Minister, Joly has been at the center of high-stakes international disputes, including Canadas clashes with India and China. While her leadership ambitions have faced skepticism, she remains undeterred, saying, Its been the story of my life, you know, being underestimated. Her relatively low poll numbers and criticism of her crisis management may undermine her chances.

Anita Anand

Anands meteoric rise since her 2019 election has included key roles in Canadas pandemic response and military policy. Her tenure as Defence Minister, during which she addressed sexual misconduct in the armed forces and Canadas response to Russias invasion of Ukraine, has solidified her credentials.

Rumors of a demotion in 2023 due to her leadership aspirations, however, could cast a shadow on her campaign.

Dominic LeBlanc

A close Trudeau ally, LeBlanc is regarded as a dependable figure within the party. His deep ties to the Trudeau family and his experience in handling challenging portfolios make him a safe choice.

Having previously stepped aside in favor of Trudeau in 2012, LeBlancs candidacy could reunite Liberal loyalists seeking continuity.

Christy Clark

The former British Columbia Premier and fiscal conservative has announced her interest in re-engaging with the party. Clarks experience as a provincial leader could bolster her bid, but her limited proficiency in Frencha critical asset in appealing to Quebec votersmight prove to be a liability.

Adding an intriguing twist, Elon Musk, an ally of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, has endorsed Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre as Canadas next Prime Minister. This endorsement underscores the ideological divide shaping the countrys political future.

The leadership race comes at a pivotal moment for the Liberal Party. With historical reliance on leaders from Ontario and Quebec, the emergence of candidates with ties to western CanadaFreeland, Carney, and Clarkcould signal a shift in strategy to broaden the party's appeal in Conservative-dominated regions.
Challenging the decision of the Biden administration to investigate the activities of Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, an influential Republican lawmaker has said such selective actions risk damaging critical alliances with key partners.

In a strongly worded letter to US Attorney General Merrick B Garland, Congressman Lance Gooden, a member of the House Judiciary Committee also asked "What will the US do if India refuses to comply with an extradition request."

Gooden also demanded answers on the Justice Departments selective prosecution of foreign entities and the potential harm such actions pose to the USs global alliances and economic growth and if there is any Geroge Soros connection to it.

The Department of Justices selective actions risk damaging critical alliances with key partners like India, one of Americas strongest allies in the Asia-Pacific region, Gooden said in his letter dated January 7.

Instead of pursuing cases with tenuous jurisdiction and limited relevance to the US interests, the DOJ should focus on punishing bad actors at home, rather than chasing rumours abroad, he said.

The five-term Republican lawmaker said that targeting entities that invest tens of billions of dollars and create tens of thousands of jobs for Americans only harms the US in the long run.

When we forego real threats from violent crime, economic espionage, and CCP influence and go after those who contribute to our economic growth, it discourages valuable new investors who are hopeful of investing in our country, he said.

An unwelcome and politically charged atmosphere for investors will only stall efforts to revitalise Americas industrial base and economic growth, directly undermine President Trumps commitment to revive the economy with increased investments.

Given the timing of these decisions coincides with the end of the Biden administration, concerns arise that the only true goal here is disruption for President Trump, Gooden said.

Instead of expending valuable taxpayer resources on opening lengthy and perhaps politically motivated pursuits in foreign countries thousands of miles away, the Department should cooperate with the incoming administration on better serving the American people, he said.

As a cog in the outgoing administration, it is your duty to the public in being mindful of not creating further complications that could compromise Americas geopolitical eminence, Gooden said in the letter two weeks ahead of the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States on January 20.

I am writing to inquire about the Department of Justices (DOJ) recent selective pursuits of cases against foreign entities that could irreparably strain Americas global alliances, he said.

As our country enters a new period under President Trump, Americans are hopeful it will mark the revival of prosperity, growth, economic recovery, and political freedom. An important factor in our quest to revive our countrys prosperity includes the ability and freedom of prospective investors to do business in America, he wrote.

In complete abeyance of public outcry about the rising violent crimes at home, the DOJ seems to be pursuing new expeditions to target businesses for alleged injustices abroad, he said.

The allegations in the Adani case, even if proven true, would still fail to make us the appropriate and final arbiter on the issue. These bribes were allegedly paid to Indian state government officials, in India, by Indian executives of an Indian company, with no concrete involvement of or injury to any American party, Gooden wrote.

Indian Billionaire Gautam Adani has been charged by US prosecutors for allegedly being part of an elaborate scheme to pay USD 265 million (about Rs 2,200 crore) bribe to Indian officials in exchange for favourable terms for solar power contracts.

Adani Group, however, denied the charges saying the allegations by US prosecutors are "baseless" and the conglomerate is "compliant with all laws".

Conversely, Smartmatic, an American company responsible for conducting our elections, had executives who allegedly laundered money and paid bribes to foreign governments, according to the DOJs indictment earlier. However, despite numerous attempts by my colleagues and I to have our concerns addressed before the elections, we were never briefed by your department, he wrote.

Gooden asked why has the DOJ not indicted a single American if the case involves a significant nexus with the United States.

Were there no Americans involved in this alleged scheme? Why has the DOJ pursued this case against Gautam Adani when the alleged criminal act, and the parties allegedly involved are in India? Do you seek to enforce justice in India? he asked.

Will the DOJ seek an extradition of the Indian executives involved in this case? What is the DOJs contingency plan if India refuses to comply with an extradition request and claims sole authority over this case? Is the DOJ or the Biden administration willing to escalate this case into an international incident between the United States and an ally like India? the lawmaker said.
Washington: Challenging the decision of the Biden administration to investigate the activities of Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, an influential Republican lawmaker has said such selective actions risk damaging critical alliances with key partners.

In a strongly worded letter to US Attorney General Merrick B Garland, Congressman Lance Gooden, a member of the House Judiciary Committee also asked "What will the US do if India refuses to comply with an extradition request."

Gooden also demanded answers on the Justice Departments selective prosecution of foreign entities and the potential harm such actions pose to the USs global alliances and economic growth and if there is any Geroge Soros connection to it.

The Department of Justices selective actions risk damaging critical alliances with key partners like India, one of Americas strongest allies in the Asia-Pacific region, Gooden said in his letter dated January 7.

Instead of pursuing cases with tenuous jurisdiction and limited relevance to the US interests, the DOJ should focus on punishing bad actors at home, rather than chasing rumours abroad, he said.

The five-term Republican lawmaker said that targeting entities that invest tens of billions of dollars and create tens of thousands of jobs for Americans only harms the US in the long run.

When we forego real threats from violent crime, economic espionage, and CCP influence and go after those who contribute to our economic growth, it discourages valuable new investors who are hopeful of investing in our country, he said.

An unwelcome and politically charged atmosphere for investors will only stall efforts to revitalise Americas industrial base and economic growth, directly undermine President Trumps commitment to revive the economy with increased investments.

Given the timing of these decisions coincides with the end of the Biden administration, concerns arise that the only true goal here is disruption for President Trump, Gooden said.

Instead of expending valuable taxpayer resources on opening lengthy and perhaps politically motivated pursuits in foreign countries thousands of miles away, the Department should cooperate with the incoming administration on better serving the American people, he said.

As a cog in the outgoing administration, it is your duty to the public in being mindful of not creating further complications that could compromise Americas geopolitical eminence, Gooden said in the letter two weeks ahead of the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States on January 20.

I am writing to inquire about the Department of Justices (DOJ) recent selective pursuits of cases against foreign entities that could irreparably strain Americas global alliances, he said.

As our country enters a new period under President Trump, Americans are hopeful it will mark the revival of prosperity, growth, economic recovery, and political freedom. An important factor in our quest to revive our countrys prosperity includes the ability and freedom of prospective investors to do business in America, he wrote.

In complete abeyance of public outcry about the rising violent crimes at home, the DOJ seems to be pursuing new expeditions to target businesses for alleged injustices abroad, he said.

The allegations in the Adani case, even if proven true, would still fail to make us the appropriate and final arbiter on the issue. These bribes were allegedly paid to Indian state government officials, in India, by Indian executives of an Indian company, with no concrete involvement of or injury to any American party, Gooden wrote.

Indian Billionaire Gautam Adani has been charged by US prosecutors for allegedly being part of an elaborate scheme to pay USD 265 million (about Rs 2,200 crore) bribe to Indian officials in exchange for favourable terms for solar power contracts.

Adani Group, however, denied the charges saying the allegations by US prosecutors are "baseless" and the conglomerate is "compliant with all laws".

Conversely, Smartmatic, an American company responsible for conducting our elections, had executives who allegedly laundered money and paid bribes to foreign governments, according to the DOJs indictment earlier. However, despite numerous attempts by my colleagues and I to have our concerns addressed before the elections, we were never briefed by your department, he wrote.

Gooden asked why has the DOJ not indicted a single American if the case involves a significant nexus with the United States.

Were there no Americans involved in this alleged scheme? Why has the DOJ pursued this case against Gautam Adani when the alleged criminal act, and the parties allegedly involved are in India? Do you seek to enforce justice in India? he asked.

Will the DOJ seek an extradition of the Indian executives involved in this case? What is the DOJs contingency plan if India refuses to comply with an extradition request and claims sole authority over this case? Is the DOJ or the Biden administration willing to escalate this case into an international incident between the United States and an ally like India? the lawmaker said.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Rachna Reddy on Tuesday accused Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Atishi, of improper conduct after she allegedly summoned the District Election Officer (DEO) to her official residence without a clear agenda, seeking personal details of electoral roll objectors. BJP leader Rachna Reddy raised concerns over the timing of the meeting, just ahead of the Delhi elections, and criticised the AAP government for allegedly misusing power. Reddy also questioned the functioning of the Delhi government, accusing it of being more focused on superficial statements than actual governance and urging Delhi voters to give the AAP government a "befitting reply" at the polls. Speaking to ANI, Reddy said, "Is AAP trying to bully out of desperation, frustration or anger? We don't know. Doesn't Atishi who has been a minister and now is the chief minister all thanks to Arvind Kejriwal, Raghav Chadha, and Sanjay Singh have the audacity to call the DEO involved in the preparation of the final electoral rolls at her official residence without any kind of agenda to the meeting, asking for personal details of the objectors, of the electoral rolls, etc." "What is happening in Delhi? Is it gundagardi? Does she realize that she's in election time and that she cannot just call up officers willy-nilly and ask them for personal details of electors in her constituency? The voters of Delhi should give them a befitting reply. This is a government that has superficially made statements but has never functioned for the welfare of the people of Delhi," said Reddy. Meanwhile, amid the controversy over the "summoning" of the New Delhi DEO, AAP MP Sanjay Singh on Tuesday defended the government's actions, saying that the officer was accountable towards them. He said that the job of the DEO was to oversee the election processes and maintain that there is no partiality. "He (DEO) is not a VIP. He has an answerability towards us. Their job is to look after the election process. Will we not meet him? Is he such a VIP that we cannot meet him? If we talk about protocol, then a DM's protocol is much lower than a Member of Parliament yet we went to his office. He should feel respected. Is he not ashamed to make such statements?" Singh told ANI. "How are we threatening him? Is asking for information regarding voters and ghost objectors considered threatening? The officers should be a little humble. It is strange that the officer who is supposed to oversee the election processes considers meeting as threatening," Singh added. This comes after the New Delhi District Administration requested police protection for the District Election Officer due to concerns about potential disruptions to the electoral process. The Additional District Magistrate, Nishant Bodh, cited the frequent presence of political party representatives at the election office and the possibility of breach of peace and pressure on election officials. Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC on Tuesday said that action must be taken against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders for "threatening" an election officer. She alleged conspiracy on the part of Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and AAP leaders including Raghav Chaddha, Sanjay Singh and Arvind Kejriwal for "questioning" and "summoning" an election officer. Reacting to this, Delhi BJP chief Virendraa Sachdeva earlier said, "We have been saying this for the last 3 months that Arvind Kejriwal and his team have been trying to influence the elections. Raghav Chadha and Sanjay Singh threatened the elections officers on public holidays. This shows they have completely lost their ground." The Election Commission of India announced the dates for polls to the Delhi Legislative Assembly. The elections will be held in a single phase on February 5, while the counting of votes will take place on February 8. "The date of the election has been announced. All the workers are ready to enter the fray with full strength and enthusiasm. You are our biggest strength. This election will be between the politics of work and the politics of abuse. The people of Delhi will have faith in our politics of work. We will definitely win," Kejriwal wrote on X. The Election Commission of India has announced the dates for polls to the Delhi Legislative Assembly. The elections will be held in a single phase on February 5, while the counting of votes will take place on February 8. The last date for filing nominations is January 17. The date for scrutiny of nominations is January 18. While last date for withdrawal of candidature is January 20. With the announcement of the election dates, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has come into force in the national capital and will remain in force till the completion of the election process. The final voter list published on January 6, 2025, for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, recorded a total of 1,55,24,858 registered voters in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, showing a net increase of 1.09 per cent. In the race for the New Delhi seat, the BJP has fielded Parvesh Verma, former MP and son of former Delhi CM Sahib Singh Verma, to challenge Arvind Kejriwal. The Congress has also entered the fray with Sandeep Dikshit, son of former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit, from the same seat. The BJP has fielded former MP Ramesh Bidhuri against Delhi CM Atishi in the Kalkaji seat while the Congress has fielded former MLA Alka Lamba. The Congress, which was in power for 15 consecutive years in Delhi, has suffered setbacks in the last two assembly elections and has failed to win any seat. In contrast, the AAP dominated the 2020 assembly elections by winning 62 out of 70 seats while the BJP got only eight seats. (ANI)
With the Delhi Assembly elections scheduled for February 5, 2025, All India Congress Committee (AICC) Delhi in-charge Qazi Nizamuddin expressed confidence in Congress's appeal to voters, emphasising that the party's campaign will focus on key issues impacting the people. Nizamuddin stressed that Congress only makes those promises that it has already implemented successfully in the states under its governance. "Congress only announces what we have already implemented in Congress-ruled states. We don't make empty promises," he said. Nizamuddin said that the key priorities for the Congress party are cleaning the Yamuna, ensuring women's safety, eliminating corruption, and combating unemployment, issues that he claims have been neglected under the current Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. "The people of Delhi are going to vote on 5th February for a cleaner Yamuna, for women's safety, for freedom from corruption, and for jobs. Elections are fought on perception in Delhi, and the people of Delhi have seen a lot in the last 10 years," Nizamuddin stated, referring to the decade-long rule of AAP. He criticised the current government for its failures in these areas and positioned Congress as the party capable of delivering real change. Congress leader Harish Rawat also spoke to ANI on the forthcoming polls in Delhi and said, "A very good situation is developing for Congress in Delhi. People want to find the old era of development. Delhi has stagnated in terms of development. This election will be an election to bring back the era of Sheila Dikshit." The Election Commission of India has announced the dates for polls to the Delhi Legislative Assembly. The elections will be held in a single phase on February 5, while the counting of votes will take place on February 8. The last date for filing nominations is January 17. The date for scrutiny of nominations is January 18. While last date for withdrawal of candidature is January 20. The BJP has accused the AAP leaders of corruption and misgovernance while the AAP, which is aiming to come to power for the third consecutive time, is focusing on highlighting its achievements in the education and health sector. In the race for the New Delhi seat, the BJP has fielded Parvesh Verma, former MP and son of former Delhi CM Sahib Singh Verma, to challenge Arvind Kejriwal. The Congress has also entered the fray with Sandeep Dikshit, son of former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit, from the same seat. The BJP has fielded former MP Ramesh Bidhuri against Delhi CM Atishi in the Kalkaji seat while the Congress has fielded former MLA Alka Lamba. The Congress, which was in power for 15 consecutive years in Delhi, has suffered setbacks in the last two assembly elections and has failed to win any seat. In contrast, the AAP dominated the 2020 assembly elections by winning 62 out of 70 seats while the BJP got only eight seats. (ANI)
The Uttarakhand government has said that all the proceedings for empanelment of IPS officers at the Centre are under the jurisdiction of the Union Home Ministry and the state government only provides vigilance status and profiles of the concerned officers upon request, according to an official press release. For this, the Home Ministry of the government of India demands the forms related to the vigilance status and vigilance profile of the concerned IPS officers from the state government. The state government has said that in the context of empanelment (IG level) of 2006 batch IPS officers Sweety Agarwal, Arun Mohan Joshi, Anant Shankar Takwale and Rajiv Swaroop at the Centre by the government of India in October 2023, the state government was directed to provide the vigilance status and vigilance profile of the concerned officers. The state government has said that in compliance with the expectations made by the government of India, the forms related to the vigilance status and vigilance profile of the concerned officers were sent by the state government in November 2023. According to the state government, in addition to the above, as per the government of India's letter dated October 11, 2024, five officers of the 2004/2005 batch, four officers of the 2007 batch by letter dated October 18, 2024 and two officers of 1997 batch by letter dated October 18, 2024, vigilance status and vigilance profile forms were sent to the Government of India on November 27, 2024, in respect of a total of 11 officers. The state government has said that it is clear from the above that the process of empanelment of IPS officers in the Centre is not done at the level of the state government. The state government only sends the vigilance status and vigilance profile of the IPS officers requested by the Government of India. According to which, the officers about whom the requests have been made to the Government of India from time to time have been disposed of by the department in time. (ANI)
Union Minister Nityanand Rai on Tuesday expressed that the whole country is proud of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) force, for their significant contributions to border security, internal security, and public service. The Union Minister of State extended his heartfelt wishes and congratulations to all the brave soldiers of ITBP on their 63rd Raising Day. Speaking to reporters after attending the 63rd ITBP Raising Day Ceremony, Rai said "...The whole country is proud of ITBP. Whether it is border security, internal security or public service, ITBP gives its utmost contribution. On the auspicious occasion of ITBP's foundation day, I extend my heartfelt best wishes and congratulations to all the brave soldiers..." The 63rd ITBP Raising Day Ceremony was celebrated in the Khordha district of Odisha, featuring a parade. ITBP jawans showcased their skills during demonstrations for rescue operations and counter-terrorism actions. Earlier, Minister of State for Home Affairs Union minister Nityanand Rai participated in the program and said ITBP jawans have made great contributions to the country. "The borders of our country, especially those covered in snow and high peaks of cold regions, are kept safe by the relentless efforts of our young jawans. They work in extreme conditions, with temperatures plunging to minus 50 degrees, yet their determination, courage, and commitment ensure our nation's security. The entire country takes pride in the efforts of the ITBP," said Union Minister. Nityanand Rai added "The ITBP enjoys the trust of the Prime Minister, the confidence of the Home Minister, and plays a crucial role in safeguarding the borders of our country. Today, on the founding day of the ITBP, we celebrate its unwavering success. When an enemy faces the ITBP, they lack the courage to challenge it. I wish continued success for the ITBP in the years to come." Rai further stated, "By 2047, under the vision of our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, India will emerge as a developed nation. In this prosperous India, every individual should be regarded as the world's best, and the safety of our borders must remain inviolable." The Union Minister emphasized that a nation's security is deeply rooted in internal peace, stressing that progress can only be achieved through this sense of peace. He commended the ITBP and other Central Armed Police Forces for their unwavering commitment to realizing India's vision of becoming a developed nation under PM Modi's leadership. "A nation is truly secure only when it enjoys internal peace. It is with this sense of peace that we can drive forward progress. The ITBP, along with all other institutions of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), is steadfastly committed to realizing India's vision of becoming a developed nation under the Prime Minister's leadership. The ITBP has made significant contributions to this cause and continues to work with unwavering determination to ensure India's bright and secure future," he said. (ANI)
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday urged diplomats, including Ambassadors and High Commissioners from ASEAN, BIMSTEC, and European countries, as well as industry leaders and stakeholders, to invest in Assam, according to an official press release. In his keynote address to diplomats from 36 countries, industry representatives and other stakeholders, CM Sarma said the state of Assam has been making rapid progress in infrastructure, health, education and other sectors over the past decade. Sarma revealed that Rs 1 lakh crore new infrastructure projects are coming up in the state with three more new bridges over the Brahmaputra, a satellite city around Guwahati with help from the Singapore Government, railway line from Guwahati to Gelephu, Bhutan, among others. Underscoring the importance of green energy, the Chief Minister said that the thrust of the government has been all along on clean and green energy and renewal energy. He said that the government desires that all industries coming up in Assam draw their energy from green power sources, including the Tata semiconductor plant at Jagiroad. Projecting a strong and robust economy of the state, CM Sarma said Assam is one of the strongest growth engines of the country growing at a rate of 12.5 per cent. He said that besides a strong economy, the state is also an educational hub with reputed institutions, including IIT, AIIMS, IIM, Indian Institute of Technology, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, several state and central varsities, agriculture university and upcoming projects like NIELIT University campus. "Assam has the requisite skill and ability to deliver. It has the wherewithal to ensure that those willing to invest get similar incentives as offered by any other states of the country," he stated. In the same vein, the Chief Minister revealed that the government would create a corpus fund for production incentive of a whopping Rs 25,000 crore for ushering in rapid industrialisation in the state. "Come and become partners of Assam's growth story," he said. CM Sarma said his government is actively engaged in discussion with the Ministry of Defence for the declaration of the adjoining areas of Guwahati towards Nagaon as a defence corridor. The Chief Minister said the government has given much emphasis on skill development with the North East Skill Centre imparting skills to 10,000 youths. Heaping praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for according top priority towards the development of the North East Region, the Chief Minister said it is Prime Minister Modi who named the Northeast as 'India's growth engine' and 'Ashtalakshmi'. CM Sarma also dwelt at length on the conservation success stories of Kaziranga and Manas National Parks as well as natural resources, besides the preservation of rich heritage. The Chief Minister appealed to the diplomats to come to Assam on February 24, a day before the Advantage Assam Summit 2.0 to witness the biggest spectacle of Jhumur dance to be performed by 8,000 dancers - an event to be witnessed by the Prime Minister and other dignitaries. "I appeal to you to come on February 24 to witness the Jhumur dance to feel the cultural vibrancy and youthfulness of Assam," he stated. Chief Secretary of Assam, Ravi Kota gave an overview of Assam's strengths and opportunities for investment in key sectors like tourism, fragrance and flavours, food and beverages, renewal energy and mobility and logistics. Kota cited Assam's locational advantage as the gateway to BBN and ASEAN countries, rich natural resources, reliable and robust connectivity, skilled human resources, industry-friendly industrial policy, policy ecosystem, ease of doing business and robust industrial infrastructure as key reasons for investment. Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, Jaideep Mazumdar said Assam is no longer a land of 'lahe lahe' (slow-moving) and it is on the move with a faster growth trajectory. The meetings and interaction with diplomats, industry leaders and investors were attended by Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, Chairman, FICCI, NEAC, Ranjit Barthakur, President, FICCI, CEO, Invest India. Union Minister for Commerce and Industries, Piyush Goyal also attended the investors' roundtable. The day-long precursor events to Advantage Assam Summit 2.0 began with a roundtable interaction with bilateral chambers and trade associations. (ANI)
After the Central government allotted a dedicated site for the establishment of a memorial for honouring former President Pranab Mukherjee, his daughter, Sharmistha Mukherjee expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his gesture. Expressing gratitude, Sharmistha stated that while her family never specifically asked for a memorial, PM Modi thought about it and took the initiative to honour her father's legacy by dedicating land for the memorial. She explained that her father always believed that memorials, like state honours, should never be requested but should be offered. Speaking to ANI, author and daughter of former President Pranab Mukherjee, Sharmistha Mukherjee said, "Today I met PM Modi as I received a letter on 1st of January from the central government regarding the decision that land is being allotted for erecting a Samadhi of Late Pranab Mukherjee, former President of India at Rajghat. I wanted to thank PM Modi...My father always used to say that getting a memorial is similar to receiving state honours and it should never be asked for or demanded, it should always be offered...Our family never asked for it but PM Modi thought about it and took this initiative to create this memorial in his honour..." Celebrating this decision, his son Abhijit Mukherjee said that it was a great day for their family, the state of West Bengal, the Congress and others, as former President Pranab Banerjee belonged to everybody. He stated that he would send a letter of gratitude to PM Modi. Abhijit Mukherjee said, "...It is a great day for the family, West Bengal, Congress and others. Pranab Mukherjee belongs to all...I also expect Pranab Mukherjee's home state, West Bengal to do something...I will send a thanks letter to him (PM Modi)... I am very happy that Congress stalwarts like former PM Manmohan Singh, and former President Pranab Mukherjee are getting recognised by the party and the government..." On Tuesday, the Centre sanctioned a dedicated site within the Rashtriya Smriti complex, located in the Rajghat precinct, to establish a memorial honouring former President Pranab Mukherjee. Pranab Mukherjee's daughter, Sharmistha Mukherjee posted on X about her meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Called on PM Narendra Modi ji to express thanks and gratitude from the core of my heart for his government's decision to create a memorial for Baba. It's more cherished considering that we didn't ask for it. Immensely touched by this unexpected but truly gracious gesture by PM," she said. "Baba used to say that State honours shouldn't be asked for, it should be offered. I'm so grateful that PM Modi did this to honour Baba's memory. It doesn't affect Baba where he is now- beyond applause or criticism. But for his daughter, words are not sufficient to express my joy," Mukherjee added. (ANI)
The Delhi Police have arrested a person in connection with the murder of his 26-year-old wife, Deepa Chauhan, whose decomposed body was found in her rented accommodation in Janakpuri, Delhi, on January 3. The accused has been identified as Dhanraj alias Lalu, the police said. According to the police, Dhanraj, a 28-year-old motorcycle rider with Ola and Uber, had a quarrel with his wife on December 29, 2024, and strangulated her to death. He then wrapped her mouth with white tape to delay decomposition and hid her body inside the bed. The police said that Dhanraj was unhappy with his wife's friendship with another person and had planned to murder the friend as well. He had watched videos on YouTube to learn how to dispose of the body and had even asked his friends for help, but they refused. The police tracked Dhanraj's movements, which took him to Agra, Jaipur, and Amritsar, before he was apprehended by the Anti-Narcotics Cell, Dwarka District, on his return from Amritsar. According to the police, during interrogation, Dhanraj confessed to the crime. The accused is a habitual drinker who earned quite less. His wife was paying for all the expenses of the family, the police said. Further investigation is ongoing Earlier on Tuesday, the Central Delhi Police detained nine Bangladeshi nationals over the past six days. Seven of the individuals were arrested from a hotel in the Nabi Karim area of Central Delhi.Reports said that some of the detainees had entered India using tourist visas, while others had illegally crossed the border through the "donkey route" passing through West Bengal and Tripura before reaching Delhi. With this operation, a total of 14 Bangladeshi nationals have now been detained by the Central Delhi Police, and they have been sent to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) for further processing and investigation. (ANI)
As the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas began here on Wednesday, Odisha Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo welcomed the delegates of the three-day event. He added that the state will show its rich culture to the world during the event. "I would like to welcome all the delegates who are visiting Odisha for the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas starting today. Odisha has a great concept of 'Atithi Devo Bhava' and we welcome everyone to the land of Lord Jagannath. I am sure their experience in Odisha will be memorable and they will come forward to invest in Odisha," Deo told ANI. "The state government has tried its best to make their stay here as comfortable as possible. The Prime Minister and EAM have chosen Odisha as the venue for this event this year and it is a great honour for us. The President is also expected to reach here tomorrow... We are trying to showcase our rich culture to the world," he added. The three-day event, based on the theme "Diaspora's contribution to a Viksit Bharat", will be formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the second day of the convention. Christine Carla Kangaloo, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, will be the chief guest of the 18th PBD, and she will be virtually addressing the convention. Meanwhile, Puri Superintendent of Police Vineet Agrawal has said that dedicated efforts are being made to ensure seamless experiences for visitors at key tourist spots across the region. Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, Agrawal said, "It is a matter of pride for us that the program of the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is going to be organised in Odisha. All the delegates and dignitaries will visit Puri also. So all the arrangements have been made at the tourist places in Puri. The senior officers of the police are deployed at all the places." South Africa's High Commissioner to India Anil Sooklal said on Tuesday that it is a great privilege to attend the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) in Odisha's Bhubaneswar and recalled the memories of PBD held in Varanasi in 2019. He said, "It's a great privilege to be part of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas here in the historical city of Bhubaneswar. I have fond recollections of PBD in 2019 in Varanasi where I was accorded the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. It was a very great privilege and honour for me to be recognized by the Indian government and I think we must commend the government of India, Prime Minister Modi Ji, and Minister Jaishankar for having this PBD and keeping it and sustaining it." The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention is being organized in partnership with the State Government of Odisha from January 8 to 10 in Bhubaneswar. A large number of Indian diaspora members from over 50 different countries have registered to participate in the PBD Convention. (ANI)
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International students attend cultural event in Chongqing

Xinhua) 09:05, January 08, 2025

International students learn paper-cutting in Pianyan ancient town, Beibei District, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Jan. 7, 2025. A group of international students attended a cultural event here on Tuesday to experience traditional Chinese culture. (Xinhua/Huang Wei)

An international student displays her rubbing work in Pianyan ancient town, Beibei District, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Jan. 7, 2025. A group of international students attended a cultural event here on Tuesday to experience traditional Chinese culture. (Xinhua/Huang Wei)

International students taste Laba porridge in Pianyan ancient town, Beibei District, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Jan. 7, 2025. A group of international students attended a cultural event here on Tuesday to experience traditional Chinese culture. (Xinhua/Huang Wei)

An international student tries to make sugar painting in Pianyan ancient town, Beibei District, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Jan. 7, 2025. A group of international students attended a cultural event here on Tuesday to experience traditional Chinese culture. (Xinhua/Huang Wei)

International students display paper-cutting works they made in Pianyan ancient town, Beibei District, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Jan. 7, 2025. A group of international students attended a cultural event here on Tuesday to experience traditional Chinese culture. (Xinhua/Huang Wei)

An international student makes a rubbing work in Pianyan ancient town, Beibei District, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Jan. 7, 2025. A group of international students attended a cultural event here on Tuesday to experience traditional Chinese culture. (Xinhua/Huang Wei)

An international student tries gourd carving in Pianyan ancient town, Beibei District, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Jan. 7, 2025. A group of international students attended a cultural event here on Tuesday to experience traditional Chinese culture. (Xinhua/Huang Wei)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
You are here: Business

Workers sort parcels at a transit hub of SF Express in Tianjin, north China, June 18, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

China's courier sector handled 174.5 billion parcels in 2024, a surge of 21 percent year on year, the State Post Bureau (SPB) announced on Wednesday.

The sector's total revenue expanded 13 percent year on year to 1.4 trillion yuan (about 195 billion U.S. dollars) last year, according to the SPB.

For the postal industry, the total 2024 delivery volume climbed 19 percent year on year to 193 billion packages, and its revenue was up 11 percent to 1.7 trillion yuan.

China's courier sector reached a historic milestone in 2024, when its annual express delivery volume surpassed the 150-billion-parcel mark for the first time, just a decade after the country's total parcel volume had crossed the 10-billion mark in 2014.

China now handles more than 5,400 parcels per second, and Chinese citizens receive over 100 parcels on average per person annually, according to SPB data revealed last November.

Behind the rapid expansion was China's brisk consumption and advances in logistics technology and infrastructure, highlighted by investments in unmanned vehicles, drones and automated sorting systems, all of which have elevated both network capacity and service quality.

In 2024, the courier sector deployed nearly 1,000 unmanned vehicles and over 300 drones, and approximately 3 million deliveries were made by drones, according to the SPB, which noted that smart packing technology has also significantly reduced the use of packaging materials.

Looking ahead, the SPB expects the postal industry to maintain steady growth in 2025. It projects that the industry's business revenue will grow by about 6 percent to 1.8 trillion yuan.

It said that the courier sector could handle 190 billion parcels and achieve a business income of 1.5 trillion yuan this year.
Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat, a member of the joint parliamentary committee (JPC) tasked with examining the One-Nation One Election Bill, said the sentiments of the common people who are at the centre of the democratic setup and the Constitution, may be overlooked in the bill. The first meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the One Nation One Election proposal is being held today in New Delhi. Bhagat told ANI, "I think One Nation One Election is a product of the stubbornness of PM Modi's government and himself...The common people are in the nucleus of the entire democratic setup of the country and the Constitution. There are possibilities that their sentiments and aspirations will be overlooked in One Nation One Election..." The Congress leader further alleged that an attempt to impose the views of the majority on the country. "These things are being brought due to the stubbornness of PM Modi and his team, the intention is to deal a blow to the federal structure of the country. There is a meeting today. Since they are in the majority, they are arrogant - so there will be less exchange of ideas and this is an attempt to impose their ideas on the country on the basis of their majority...," the Congress MP expressed concern. BJP MP PP Chaudhary will chair the meeting. The officials from the Law and Justice Ministry are scheduled to brief the parliamentary panel. Speaking to ANI Chaudhary said an effort will be made to seek consensus. "As far as the procedure is concerned, we will make an effort to listen to all stakeholders whose opinion is very important - be it legal experts, members of civil society or from judiciary, or political parties; to take everyone's inputs. After taking everyone's opinion, we will examine the Bill in an unbiased manner and with an open mind...The effort will be to see that we all arrive at a consensus. Because all MPs who are members of this Committee are eminent personalities. I believe that in the national interest, we will work together and try to build a consensus," he said. The Joint Parliamentary Committee consists of members from Lok Sabha including Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Manish Tewari, NCP's Supriya Sule, TMC's Kalyan Banerjee and BJP's PP Chaudhary, Bansuri Swaraj and Anurag Singh Thakur. (ANI)
Delhi Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, Saurabh Bharadwaj on Wednesday responded to allegations regarding the Chief Minister's residence, challenging claims of extravagant amenities in a press conference. Bharadwaj speaking to the media said, "I will try to find out where is the Alishan Swimming Pool, 6 Flagstaff Road. I was told that there are gold commodes in the washroom. I will try to find out where is the golden commode." He continued to poke fun at the claims, adding, "I was also told that there is a bar in the Chief Minister's residence to drink alcohol. Will try to find that too." Bharadwaj's remarks come amidst rumors of luxury features allegedly present at the Delhi CM's official residence. In a statement aimed at addressing both the CM and Prime Minister's residences, Bharadwaj remarked, "We will also check the residence of the Prime Minister and check what kind of facilities are being provided at the PM's residence." He sought to clarify that the residences of both leaders are government properties, not personal residences. Bharadwaj also said, "Let me make these things clear, both the PM's and CM's residences were built during Covid times, both the residences are the government residence and not personal. Both the residences are built by using the taxpayers' money - and hence we think that the BJP won't have any issue with the media's presence in the PM's residence..." Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took a jibe at AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal and said that his only interest left in Delhi is to see the 'Sheesh Mahal'. Speaking to the media in the national capital, CM Himanta said that all the Chief Ministers should be given a chance to see the 'Sheesh Mahal' once. "I believe that the 'Sheesh Mahal' should be declared a national museum and we should also get a chance to see it once. So that I can see if we can make a replica of the 'Sheesh Mahal' in Assam as well. The only interest I have left in Delhi is the 'Sheesh Mahal'. I went to see the Mohalla clinic once or twice but there is nothing to see. First, I thought it would be a replica of the Taj Mahal. Now I feel that the only thing Kejriwal ji has made in Delhi is the 'Sheesh Mahal' and I have a desire to see it once. I will try to go there once whenever I get a chance. I request all the CMs should be given a chance to see the 'Sheesh Mahal' once," the Assam CM said. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai claimed that the former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit had served the people of the National Capital, unlike her successor, Arvind Kejriwal. The Delhi assembly polls will be held in a single phase on February 5 and the counting of votes will take place on February 8. The last date for filing nominations is January 17. The date for scrutiny of nominations is January 18. While last date for withdrawal of candidature is January 20. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the AAP leaders of corruption and misgovernance, while the AAP, which is aiming to come to power for the third consecutive time, is focusing on highlighting its achievements in the education and health sector. Speaking on the upcoming Delhi assembly polls, Rai told ANI on Wednesday, "You have seen that in Delhi, Congress has always remained strong. Sheila Dikshit did so much work in Delhi, while Kejriwal did not do anything. This time we will see a change in Delhi which will be in favour of Congress..." He also charged Kejriwal with "looting" and "tricking" the people. In the race for the New Delhi seat, the BJP has fielded Parvesh Verma, former MP and son of former Delhi CM Sahib Singh Verma, to challenge Arvind Kejriwal. The Congress has also entered the fray with Sandeep Dikshit, son of Sheila Dixit, from the same seat. The BJP has fielded former MP Ramesh Bidhuri against Delhi CM Atishi in the Kalkaji seat while the Congress has fielded former MLA Alka Lamba. The Congress, which was in power for 15 consecutive years in Delhi, has suffered setbacks in the last two assembly elections and has failed to win any seat. In contrast, the AAP dominated the 2020 assembly elections by winning 62 out of 70 seats while the BJP got only eight seats. (ANI)
The Indian Navy has mobilized a specialized rescue team to aid in the recovery of miners trapped in Umrangso, a remote industrial town located in Assam's Dima Hasao district. According to sources, the Navy team, consisting of one officer and eleven sailors, includes highly trained clearance divers. These divers are skilled in deep-depth diving and recovery operations, making them well-suited to the complex rescue mission at hand. The team has already reached the site and is actively assisting local authorities in the operation. Meanwhile, one dead body has been recovered from the collapsed coal mine at 3 Kilo, Umrangso, where nine miners were trapped on January 6. According to a statement from an NDRF official, one body has been recovered by the divers of NDRF, the Indian army.The joint rescue operation led by the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and other agencies resumed early morning to rescue nine miners trapped in a coal mine in the 3 Kilo area of Umrangso, Dima Hasao. According to NDRF Deputy Commandant, N. Tiwari, the efforts are continuing round-the-clock with an expanded team. He added that the combined forces of the NDRF and the Army are working on the ground, with support expected from the Navy in the coming hours. Earlier, HPS Kandari, Commandant of the 1st Battalion of the NDRF spoke about the difficulties faced by the joint rescue team, Kandari said, "Many attempts were made yesterday but we didn't succeed... A joint team dived today (in the mine) and we have recovered one body." The mine collapse, which trapped several workers, has posed numerous challenges for rescue teams due to the hazardous conditions underground. Diving experts are now being called upon for specialized support. Kandari highlighted the dangers and uncertainties of the operation, stating, "Diving in other places is another thing but in these situations, we need experts as we cannot guesstimate what conditions would be there inside. There can be several types of mining equipment which can hinder the rescue process." (ANI)
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced that his government will stand with the victim of the Anna University alleged sexual assault case. Stalin highlighted that the accused was arrested shortly after the incident to drive his message home, repeating the government's committment to get justice for the victim. Speaking in the Tamil Nadu assembly during the winter session, Stalin said, "Members have spoken here by mentioning one University's name. But I don't want to mention that name and don't want to defame that name. Because he only made us all. With that emotion, I am leaving aside that name. No one can accept what happened to a student in Chennai. Sexual assault on a student is cruel. Legislature members have spoken here on the issue. Except one, all have spoken here with real concern. This one member has spoken to show this government in a bad light...," Stalin remarked. He also took a dig at the opposition for politicising the incident. "This government has only one intention that it will stand with the victim to get justice legally. After the crime, if the accused was not arrested immediately or if the accused was saved, the government could have been blamed. Even after arresting the accused within a short period of time and collecting evidence, blaming the government only has political benefits," he said. "Opposition asks who is that sir? If you really have evidence, please give that to the SIT that is investigating the case. Don't indulge in cheap activities for short-term political benefits," he asked the opposition. CM Stalin reaffirmed his government's commitment towards the safety of women and said one incident can't be passed off to indicate that women are unsafe. "This government has an iron fist on crimes against women. With this one incident, many are trying to show that women are unsafe. Definitely, this won't work among people," he said. Various political parties have cornered the government on the Anna University alleged sexual assault case, accusing the DMK government of going slow on the case. A second-year student of Anna University was allegedly sexually assaulted on the Anna University campus in December, Chennai Police had said. One person had been arrested in connection with the case. In her December 23 complaint to police, the student alleged that an unidentified man had threatened and sexually assaulted her when she was talking to her friend on campus. (ANI)
The Maharana Pratap Annual Geopolitics Dialogue 2025 (MPAGD), hosted by the Usanas Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), will be held on February 14-15, 2025, at Clarks Amer, Jaipur, a statement said. Centred around the theme "Building Tomorrow: Shaping the Future," the conference will gather global experts, policymakers, and diplomats to address pressing issues such as the evolving multipolar world order, regional conflicts, and the impact of AI on warfare and global security. The statement highlighted, " How will the emergence of a multipolar world order influence global alliances, regional conflicts, and the role of international institutions in maintaining stability? How will AI reshape the future of warfare and global security? The upcoming Maharana Pratap Annual Geopolitics Dialogue 2025 will address these critical issues." According to the statement, the fourth annual flagship conference, "Maharana Pratap Annual Geopolitics Dialogue 2025," is hosted by Usanas Foundation, a security and foreign policy think tank based in Udaipur. The theme of the conference is "Building Tomorrow: Shaping the Future." The Ministry of External Affairs is the co-host of this event. The conference will be held at Clarks Amer, Jaipur, on February 14th and 15th, 2025. MPAGD 2025 aims to promote insightful discussions and present India's vision and roadmap for the future world order. The conference will bring together leading experts, policymakers, scholars, and diplomats. Hon'ble Minister Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, the Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Minister of State for External Affairs will deliver the keynote address. A special address will be given by Ambassador Reuven Azar, Israel's Ambassador to India. Among the distinguished dignitaries joining MPAGD are Lt Gen Arvinder Lamba, Vice Chief of Army Staff and President of the IPCS; Dr Andrey Kortunov, Academic Director of the Russian International Affairs Council, Russia; Dr Zhang Weiwei, Professor at Fudan University, Director of its China Institute, and a Senior Research Fellow at the Chunqiu Institute in Shanghai; Dr Rohan Gunaratna, Professor of Security Studies at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore and Head of the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research; Dr Michael Rubin, Senior Fellow, the American Enterprise Institute and former Pentagon Official; Dr Nikos S. Panagiotou, Professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Media Communication at Aristotle University; Amb. Sujan Chinoy, Director General of the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA) and former Ambassador to Japan; Amb. D.B. Venkatesh Varma, former Ambassador of India to the Russian Federation and Distinguished Fellow at the VIF; among others. Under the central theme, there will be a range of brainstorming sessions on various sub-themes to make sense of the ongoing transitional phase of the world order and brainstorm policies rooted in the civilisational wisdom to shape the future. According to the statement, the current global order is undergoing significant change, characterized by palpable shifts across various domains, including the economy, society, culture, technology, defence, environment, development, geopolitics, and geoeconomics. This period of uncertainty and instability is marked by geopolitical strife, armed conflict, and apprehensions related to the impact of disruptive technologies on employment, privacy, and safety. Such factors are indicative of a transitional phase. However, at this critical juncture, there is a pressing need to prepare for a future that is equitable, prosperous, and conducive to human happiness. India, with its extensive civilizational legacy of over 10,000 years, its prominent leadership within the Global South, and its status as a dynamic geopolitical entity and economic powerhouse, is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the new world order. The MPAGD initiative aims to address these pertinent questions and articulate India's vision for the future amidst the prevailing chaos. The statement said that this was also a humble initiative to pay gratitude to Maharana Pratap, a great diplomat, administrator, statesman, and warrior of Rajasthan who refused to accept Mughal suzerainty. Your support in this conference will help us carry forward the philosophy and legacy of Great Maharana Pratap in India's national security discourse. (ANI)
Delhi Police are on their toes to ensure the smooth conduct of the upcoming Assembly election in the national capital, with voting scheduled for February 5. The police have taken various security measures for this purpose. The police have increased their vigilance at inter-state border checkpoints with CCTV cameras being installed at critical locations. The Police said that quick cracking down on illicit activities with special emphasis on preventing the smuggling of liquor and tackling bootlegging operations is its priority. The police will also monitor criminal elements to maintain peace during the elections, executing Non-Bailable Warrants (NBWs), and apprehending wanted criminals and proclaimed offenders. It has enhanced intelligence sharing with the Headquarters command room. The Police will coordinate with the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). The election contest in Delhi gathered momentum on Tuesday with the Election Commission announcing that the national capital will go to the polls on February 5 and results will be announced on February 8. All the key contenders - ruling AAP, BJP and Congress said they were ready and talked about their plans to woo the voters. Delhi will go to the polls on February 5 and votes will be counted on February 8. The last date for filing nominations is January 17. The date for scrutiny of nominations is January 18. While last date for withdrawal of candidature is January 20.With the announcement of the election dates, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has come into force in the national capital and will remain in force till the completion of the election process. The final voter list published on January 6 for the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections recorded a total of 1,55,24,858 registered voters in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, showing a net increase of 1.09 per cent. The Congress, which was in power for 15 consecutive years in Delhi, has suffered setbacks in the last two assembly elections and has failed to win any seat. In contrast, the AAP dominated the 2020 assembly elections by winning 62 out of 70 seats while the BJP got only eight seats. (ANI)
Amid ruckus over the Delhi Chief Minister's residence, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday lashed out at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), saying that "hypocrisy" and "drama" were in its DNA. "Hypocrisy and drama are in the DNA of AAP. They did drama earlier too that they do not need a house and now there is a fight for houses. People understand this drama very well and are done with this hypocrisy. AAP's real face is exposed," Chouhan told ANI. Speaking on the One Nation One Election issue, Chouhan said that constant elections were a hurdle to the country's development since the preparations for elections go round the year. "I would thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi because every decision he takes is in the nation's interest. The constant elections are a hurdle to the country's development. We are always preparing for elections, the entire 12 months," the Union Minister said. Chouhan's reaction to AAP comes as huge ruckus followed after Saurabh Bharadwaj and Sanjay Singh got into a stand-off with the Delhi police who blocked their entry inside Chief Minister's residence. The AAP leaders had marched to the Delhi CM's residence earlier today to refute the claims made by the BJP. Labelling the CM's bungalow as 'Sheesh Mahal', the BJP had claimed that the Chief Minister's residence had swimming pools and a golden commode. After this the AAP leaders reached the Prime Minister's residence on Wednesday after trying to enter the Delhi CM' residence and challenging the BJP to show the PM's residence to the public. After being denied entry, Saurabh Bharadwaj said, "We came here to conclude this argument of 'tera ghar, mera ghar'. We said that the PM residence and CM residence should both be shown to the people. So, we came here." (ANI)
The anti-terror squad (ATS) of Maharashtra has arrested 60 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants across the entire state in the year 2024. In December 2024 alone, the ATS managed to arrest 43 Bangladeshi nations residing illegally. In 2025, to date, four cases have been filed against the illegal Bangladeshi nationals and six accused have been arrested. Most Bangladeshis have been arrested from Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane. "A total of 27 cases have been filed in the year 2023 and a total of 52 accused have been arrested. In 2024, 12 cases were registered from January to November and 12 accused were arrested. After that, a total of 19 cases have been registered in various police stations against the Bangladeshi citizens who entered India illegally in December 20254, under the special mission and a total of 43 Bangladeshi citizens residing illegally have been arrested," the release said. According to the Maharashtra ATS, the Bangladeshi nationals were using fake documents, including Aadhar cards, PAN cards and Voter ID cards. "Prima facie it has been seen that fake identity cards have been prepared. The local police are further investigating," a release said. Meanwhile, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and ATS are conducting a special investigation in Ratnagiri to investigate a case regarding birth certificates being issued to illegal Bangladeshi nationals. Earlier on January 6, In a recent operation, the Central Delhi Police detained nine Bangladeshi nationals over the past six days. Seven of the individuals were arrested from a hotel in the Nabi Karim area of Central Delhi.Reports said that some of the detainees had entered India using tourist visas, while others had illegally crossed the border through the "donkey route" passing through West Bengal and Tripura before reaching Delhi. With this operation, a total of 14 Bangladeshi nationals have now been detained by the Central Delhi Police, and they have been sent to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) for further processing and investigation. (ANI)
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police has arrested Rahul Kumar, Director of a private limited company, for his alleged involvement in "inducement and cheating" of multiple victims on the pretext of allegedly providing higher returns in lieu of investments made by them. The arrest comes after an investigation into allegations of cheating and misappropriation of funds amounting to over Rs 3.2 crore. According to the police, the case was registered on November 3, 2023, under sections 406, 409, 420, 120B, and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), following a complaint by Anil Kumar and other victims. The complainant has alleged that Rahul Kumar lured them into investing in his company with the assurance of monthly returns ranging from 20% to 30%. "Accused person induced the victims on the assurance that they would get 20-30% returns per month as their invested money will be further invested in a project being developed by at Khurja, UP," a release said. Between July 2021 and May 2022, the victims signed five agreements with the private limited company of the accused and invested a total of Rs 3.2 crore through a combination of online transfers and cash payments. Despite making investments in the aforesaid company, the investors were left empty-handed. When they pressed Rahul Kumar for repayment, he issued cheques that subsequently bounced due to insufficient funds. Investigations revealed that Rahul Kumar convinced at least 18 victims by showcasing a fake work order, claiming that their investments were tied to a lucrative project being developed by a prominent company at Khurja, Uttar Pradesh. "The accused person had shown a fake work order to victims that he had obtained a work order in the same project. He got amounts from victims in the name of investments and duped their hard-earned money. Till now, 18 victims have been identified, who were cheated by accused Rahul Kumar," the release read. Rahul Kumar, a Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) graduate from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, started the alleged fraudulent company M/s RJ Raghav Krishna Multitasking (OPC) Pvt. Ltd. with its office located in Greater Kailash-II, Delhi. (ANI)
China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes the U.S. Department of Defense's move to list certain Chinese firms as "military companies," the Ministry of Commerce said on Wednesday.

In disregard of World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and market principles, the U.S. has generalized the concept of national security, abused state power, and made groundless accusations against China's military-civilian integration strategy to suppress Chinese enterprises unjustifiably, the ministry said in a statement.

The U.S. move has seriously disrupted the international economic and trade order and undermined the stability of global industrial and supply chains, the statement noted.

China urges the U.S. to respect the facts and rules, immediately stop its wrong practices, and provide Chinese firms with fair, just and non-discriminatory treatment.

The statement added that China would closely monitor the situation's development and take all necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Defense released a list of companies it labeled as "Chinese military companies," including Chinese tech powerhouse Tencent and leading battery maker CATL. Both companies have dismissed the designations as a "mistake."
Delhi police on Wednesday opposed the bail of AAP MLA Naresh Balyan and said that in his disclosure statement has disclosed his nexus and association with Kapil Sangwan alias Nandu. On the basis of the confessional statement of co-accused Ritik alias Peter and Sachin Chikara, Delhi police in its reply have also said that Naresh Balyan is a facilitator and conspirator in the organised crime syndicate of Nandu. He also provides money to one of the members of the syndicate. Balyan is in judicial custody after his arrest in the MCOCA case. Special Judge Kaveri Baweja after hearing the arguments by the counsel for the accused and Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) for Delhi police. The matter has been listed for further arguments on Thursday. Delhi Police filed a reply and stated that the co-accused had confessed that accused Naresh Balyan was a facilitator/ conspirator in the organized crime syndicate of Kapil Sangwan alias Nandu and he had provided money to one of the members of the syndicate after commissioning of crime for expenses during evading his arrest. Delhi police have also stated that during the investigation the statements under section 180 BNSS of public witnesses, have been recorded in this case in which they have stated about the active involvement of accused Naresh Balyan with the organized crime syndicate of Kapil Sangwan alias Nandu for pecuniary gain. It is further stated that the accused Naresh Balyan was arrested on December 4, 2024, and during the course of the investigation disclosure statement of Naresh Balyan was recorded in which he disclosed his nexus and association with Kapil Sangwan alias Nandu. In its reply, Delhi police have also stated that during the investigation as per the statements of witnesses and the disclosure statement of accused names of nine suspected persons came to notice out of which four have been identified but are not traceable, who are associated with accused Naresh Balyan in the commission of the organized crime of extortion, land grabbing from the businessmen, builders, property dealers. It is also stated in the reply that the other suspected persons whose names have come on record are to be identified to unearth the entire commission of organized crime and to find the trail of pecuniary gain obtained by the accused Naresh Balyan and the syndicate members. During the investigation, it was revealed that the accused and his absconding associates were involved in the commission of organized crime. To extort money from the businessmen and to make the bonafide properties of witnesses as disputed properties with the intention to grab, police have stated. Advocate M S Khan, Rohit Dalal and Rahul Sahani appeared for Naresh Balyan. It was argued that There is no new offence in the FIR. Organised crime is different from other offences under IPC. Advocate M S Khan argued that FIR under MCOCA is not against organised crime, it is against the organised crime syndicate led by Kapil Sangwan alias Nandu. It was further argued that There have to be continuing unlawful activities, organised crime and organised crime syndicates. Defence counsel submitted that Police are relying on a video clip. Which they claim got in August 2024 after registration of this FIR. Police misled the court. They suppressed the material facts, he argued. He submitted that this clip has been there since August 2023. The same IO got this clip in August 2023. The accused was granted bail in the connected case by the ACJM on December 4. They have suppressed the material facts. There has to be some new occurrence/act within a period of 10 years before registration of FIR. Defence counsel concluded hai argument by submitting that the Presumption of Innocence is a human right. The veracity of the Confessional statement is to be tested at the time of trial, not the time of granting of bail. Nothing against me (Naresh), no organised crime. On the other hand, Special public prosecutor (SPP) Akhand Pratap Singh opposed the bail application. He submitted that There is a new occurrence/act. Three FIRs are there. This fulfils the ingredients of continuing criminal activities. There is no need for a fresh incident. The third offence was committed in the nature of organised crime, SPP argued. There are statements, of witnesses and co-accused, there is other evidence, clip is not the only evidence. The confessional statement can be attributed to co-accused, he added. SPP Singh submitted that the role of the accused was the Identification of possible targets. He is involved in land grabbing. He used to buy land at a lower price and sell the same at higher prices. (ANI)
With an eye on the upcoming Delhi assembly elections, Congress on Wednesday announced 'Jeevan Raksha Yojana', promising to provide Rs 25 lakh health cover per family. The announcement was made at a press conference by former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot here. Gehlot termed the scheme a "game changer" in Delhi "...We have given a lot of coverage to the health... 'Jeevan Raksha Yojana' of the Delhi government will be similar to 'Chiranjeevi Yojana' of the Rajasthan government...I am happy that I got the opportunity to launch this scheme here," the senior congress leader told reporters later. "...The health insurance scheme of Rajasthan has been very successful and in Delhi we will do the same. It provides benefit to all whereas Ayushman Bharat has its limitations...," he told reporters. He also expressed optimism about the state polls, "...The situation in Delhi has changed now. Congress is doing a better campaign and this time, the results will be different." Later Delhi Congress unit reposted a tweet by Vaibhav Walia, Secretary Communications, Indian National Congress," Congress launched the second guarantee for Delhi elections today. Every Delhiite will get free medical insurance cover of Rs 25 lakhs when Congress comes to power." https://x.com/vbwalia/status/1876912357265518712 "In recent elections across the country, the Congress has started a new model of governance which caters to the welfare of each and every citizen with a special focus on the underprivileged sections.," it added. Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai claimed that the former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit had served the people of the National Capital, unlike her successor, Arvind Kejriwal. Speaking on the upcoming Delhi assembly polls, Rai told ANI on Wednesday, "You have seen that in Delhi, Congress has always remained strong. Sheila Dikshit did so much work in Delhi, while Kejriwal did not do anything. This time we will see a change in Delhi which will be in favour of Congress..." The Delhi assembly polls will be held in a single phase on February 5 and the counting of votes will take place on February 8. The last date for filing nominations is January 17. The date for scrutiny of nominations is January 18. While last date for withdrawal of candidature is January 20. The Congress, which was in power for 15 consecutive years in Delhi, has suffered setbacks in the last two assembly elections and has failed to win any seat. In contrast, the AAP dominated the 2020 assembly elections by winning 62 out of 70 seats while the BJP got only eight seats. (ANI)
Aam Aadmi Party Chief Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday announced that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has extended support to his party in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections on February 5. In a post on X, Kejriwal thanked West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee for extending her support to AAP. "TMC has announced support to AAP in Delhi elections. I am personally grateful to Mamta Didi. Thank you, Didi. U have always supported and blessed us in our good and bad times," the AAP Chief said. Reacting to Kejriwal's post, senior TMC leader Derek O' Brien said, "We have your back @AamAadmiParty" https://x.com/derekobrienmp/status/1876941991151305165?s=48 On Tuesday, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said that the people of Delhi will defeat the BJP in the Assembly polls. "We hope that AAP government comes back there and BJP is defeated. The people of Delhi will defeat BJP," Ghosh said. In another tweet, Arvind Kejriwal alleged that the BJP has given 'target' to all its seven Lok Sabha MPs from Delhi to get fake votes in the New Delhi Assembly seat. "According to sources, the Gaali Galooj Party has given targets to its seven MPs to get fake votes made in the New Delhi Legislative Assembly in the next few days. Let's see how many applications for making new votes come in the next few days. Everyone should keep an eye on this. Atishi ji has sought time to meet the Chief Election Commissioner. We hope we will get time soon," the AAP chief said. Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Tuesday accused the BJP of attempting to manipulate voter data in the New Delhi Assembly by deleting and wrongly adding thousands of voters through fraudulent applications. "BJP is snatching the right to vote from the citizens. They are doing a huge election scam in the New Delhi Assembly. BJP is attempting to manipulate voter data by deleting and adding thousands of votes incorrectly," she said. Atishi further alleged a large-scale electoral scam in the New Delhi Assembly, citing over 10,000 applications for voter additions and 6,167 deletions between October 29, 2024, and January 2, 2025. "More than 10,000 applications for making votes came in New Delhi Assembly between 15 December 2024 and 02 January 2025.6,167 applications were filed in New Delhi Assembly between 29 October 2024 and 02 January 2025 to get votes cut. It is clear that a very big electoral scam is being carried out in the New Delhi Assembly," she said. The Delhi assembly polls will be held in a single phase on February 5 and the counting of votes will take place on February 8. The last date for filing nominations is January 17. The date for scrutiny of nominations is January 18. While last date for withdrawal of candidature is January 20. The Congress, which was in power for 15 consecutive years in Delhi, has suffered setbacks in the last two assembly elections and has failed to win any seat. In contrast, the AAP dominated the 2020 assembly elections by winning 62 out of 70 seats while the BJP got only eight seats. (ANI)
Congress candidate from the Kalkaji Assembly constituency, Alka Lamba, on Wednesday criticized BJP's Ramesh Bidhuri over his purported derogatory remarks and asserted that the people of Kalkaji would not support such statements. Bidhuri, a former MP contesting the Delhi Assembly elections from the Kalkaji constituency against Congress' Lamba and AAP's Atishi, purportedly stated that all roads in Kalkaji would be made like the "cheeks of Priyanka Gandhi" if the BJP came to power in the national capital. Lamba remarked that if the BJP dropped Bidhuri from Kalkaji, it would signify her first victory ahead of the upcoming polls. "...People have become disillusioned with them due to their language. People are angry... Speak on development. But more than development and roads, your eyes are on the cheeks of women... Nobody in Kalkaji will support such statements. He commented on the CM of Delhi yet again. I appreciate the women workers of the BJP who pressured the party that if Ramesh Bidhuri says such things, they will not support him. Maybe his ticket will be withdrawn today. If this happens, it will be our first victory. My contest is now with Atishi," the Congress leader said. She further pointed out that the Kalkaji constituency is grappling with issues such as poor roads, irregular electricity supply, and pollution. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National Spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi described the standoff of the AAP leaders with the police personnel deployed outside the Delhi CM's bungalow as a "clear display of anarchy". The AAP leaders including Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj and Member of Parliament Sanjay Singh had marched to the Delhi CM's residence earlier today to refute the claims of 'Sheesh Mahal' made by the BJP. "... The reality of the monument of corruption is coming before the people... The sequence of events unfolding today and the characteristics being showcased by AAP MP Sanjay Singh and Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, no matter what they do, they will not be able to save Arvind Kejriwal's museum of corruption, the 'sheesh mahal'... Whatever they have done today, is a clear display of anarchy," Trivedi told reporters here. The Delhi Assembly elections will be held in a single phase on February 5, with the counting of votes scheduled for February 8. A three-cornered contest is on cards in Delhi between the ruling AAP, BJP, and Congress. In the 2020 Assembly elections, AAP secured 62 seats, BJP won 8, while Congress failed to win any seats. (ANI)
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday, condemned the statement of Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ramesh Bidhuri's on her 'cheeks', calling it "ridiculous" and "unnecessary." Speaking to the media, Priyanka emphasized that such comments distract from the real issues and stressed that during elections, the focus should be on addressing the pressing concerns of the people of Delhi. "It is a ridiculous remark. He never spoke about his cheeks. All this is unnecessary. During the elections, we should talk about the important issues of the people of Delhi," the Congress MP said. This comes amid the row over Bidhuri's remarks, where he stated that BJP would make all the roads in Kalkaji like the "cheeks of Priyanka Gandhi" if it comes to power. AAP MP Sanjay Singh shared video of Bidhuri's video of purpoted remarks. Bidhuri, who is BJP's candidate from the Kalkaji assembly constituency against CM Atishi, on Sunday, expressed regret over his controversial remarks about Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Speaking to ANI, Bidhuri clarified that his comments were made in the context of remarks by Lalu Yadav and emphasized that the Congress party had remained silent when similar statements were made during his tenure as a minister. However, this is not the only statement that has created a political stir in the runup to the polls. In another event on January 5, Bidhuri addressing a public gathering made comments on CM Atishi's surname and family. "Atishi, who was Marlena, is now Singh. She has even changed her father," Bidhuri said. Reacting to the remarks, Arvind Kejriwal took to social media platform X and said that BJP leaders have crossed "all limits of shamelessness" and are "abusing" Chief Minister Atishi. He further asserted that the people of Delhi will not tolerate this and give a befitting reply to the BJP in the upcoming assembly polls. The elections in Delhi are scheduled to be held in a single phase on February 5 and the counting of votes will be done on February 8. Incumbent AAP, which won the previous two terms with massive margins -- 67 and 62 out of 70 seats -- is facing a stiff two-pronged challenge against BJP and the Congress. (ANI)
The Indian Navy is making all possible efforts to rescue 9 people who were trapped in a coal mine at 3 Kilo, Umrangso area, since Monday and now going down to the shaft as efforts to dewater the well are also underway, informed Special DGP, Assam, Harmeet Singh. "One body was found at the bottom of the shaft. Yesterday, the water was very murky and the water was quite acidic. So nothing was visible. So today, four divers, NDRF and Army divers, had gone down. They were able to retrieve one body from the bottom of the shaft. Now we have arterial tunnels going on every side," said Harmeet Singh. "The ROV (remotely operated vehicle) has done one round, the Navy ROV has done one round of the entire shaft. The ROV has both photography and sonar capabilities. That has not found anything. Now Navy divers are going down to the shaft. We will first clear out the shaft and then start entering the tunnels. In the meanwhile, efforts are on to continuously dewater the well...," added Harmeet Singh. Indian Navy team while carrying specialized equipment such as deep diving gears and underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) for search and rescue operations in Assam's Umrangso. The team includes highly trained Clearance Divers, experts in deep-water recovery, and the underwater ROVs for search and rescue. Meanwhile, one dead body had been recovered from the collapsed coal mine at 3 Kilo. According to a statement from an NDRF official, one body has been recovered by the divers of NDRF, the Indian army. Earlier, HPS Kandari, Commandant of the 1st Battalion of the NDRF spoke about the difficulties faced by the joint rescue team, Kandari said, "Many attempts were made yesterday but we didn't succeed... A joint team dived today (in the mine) and we have recovered one body." The mine collapse, which trapped several workers, has posed numerous challenges for rescue teams due to the hazardous conditions underground. Diving experts are now being called upon for specialized support. Kandari highlighted the dangers and uncertainties of the operation, stating, "Diving in other places is another thing but in these situations, we need experts as we cannot guesstimate what conditions would be there inside. There can be several types of mining equipment which can hinder the rescue process." (ANI)
Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh on Wednesday reassured the public that there is no need to panic over the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), saying that it is not the coronavirus but a common virus with mild symptoms such as fever, cough, and cold. In a video statement, Singh said that no cases have been reported in Punjab yet, and the state is closely following the guidelines issued by the Government of India. "We are fully prepared. I would like to assure the people that this is not the coronavirus, but just a common flu virus. There is no major risk involved. It will cause symptoms like fever, cough, cold, etc., but these will subside on their own. There's no need to panic. So far, there has been no case reported in Punjab," he said. "We are in touch with the Government of India, and all guidelines are being followed. Children and the elderly should take extra precautions. Those who are unwell should make sure to wear a mask when going outside," Balbir Singh added. Notably, five cases of HMPV have been reported in the country, with two cases in Bengaluru, one in Ahmedabad, and two suspected cases in Nagpur. Dr Pinaki R Debnath, HoD, Pediatric Surgery, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital told ANI on Tuesday that the HMPV existed earlier and it erupted now because of some reasons like cold. "Human Metapneumovirus is not a new virus, it is an old virus. It existed earlier too. It erupted right now because of some reasons like cold. This happens in cold. This is a respiratory RNA virus; it infects the respiratory system...A viral infection spreads more when immunity is lowered or among the extremes of age. Those above 60-65 years of age or those below five years of age have a low body immunity. If the body's immunity is low, virus spread is more. That is why, it can be seen among children," he said. "Its symptoms include respiratory infection - like nasal blockage, runny nose, red eyes, and scratchy throat. If it is severe, there will be pneumonia-like symptoms, when there is respiratory distress. Otherwise, there will be normal symptoms like cold and cough...Its impact stays for 2-7 days and it gets cured automatically within that period. There is no anti-viral drug for it. So, how we can prevent it - mask up if you are going to a crowded area, if there is someone who is already infected maintain distance from them and do not shake hands with them, wash your hands and observe cough/sneezing etiquette. This will help prevent it," Dr R Debnath said. (ANI)
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the allegations made by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya regarding the issuance of fake birth certificates to illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in Malegaon. According to the Maharashtra Home Department, the SIT, which will be headed by Director Inspector General (DIG) Nasik, will include officers from both the district administration and police. The team has been tasked with investigating the matter and submitting a report along with recommendations to address the issue. Afterwards, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya posted on X and thanked Maharashtra CM for forming a SIT on the issue. "Birth certificate scam for Bangladeshi/Rohingya infiltrators in Malegaon. I thank Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for appointing a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate. This committee will investigate the illegal issuance of birth certificates to Bangladeshi/Rohingya infiltrators in Malegaon," he said. Notably, the anti-terror squad (ATS) of Maharashtra has arrested 60 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants across the entire state in the year 2024. In December 2024 alone, the ATS managed to arrest 43 Bangladeshi nations residing illegally. In 2025, to date, four cases have been filed against the illegal Bangladeshi nationals and six accused have been arrested. Most Bangladeshis have been arrested from Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane. "A total of 27 cases have been filed in the year 2023 and a total of 52 accused have been arrested. In 2024, 12 cases were registered from January to November and 12 accused were arrested. After that, a total of 19 cases have been registered in various police stations against the Bangladeshi citizens who entered India illegally in December 20254, under the special mission and a total of 43 Bangladeshi citizens residing illegally have been arrested," the release said. Earlier in December 2024, Somaiya praised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis after 17 illegal immigrants from Bangladesh were arrested in Maharashtra, and said that in the coming days, the whole racket will be busted. "I welcome this decision of CM Devendra Fadnavis. He has instructed the whole Maharashtra Police ATS and district administrations to take strict action against the Rohingya Muslims from Bangladesh who have settled here illegally...I feel that this whole racket will busted in the coming days," Somaiya said. Recently, CM Fadnavis said that the state has started taking action on illegal Bangladeshi citizens living in Mumbai and Maharashtra, and said that they will be soon deported. (ANI)
During the meeting, Kumaraswamy submitted several proposals, urging prompt action on priority projects.

Meeting Gadkari at his residence in New Delhi, Kumaraswamy presented over ten proposals aimed at accelerating highway development in the state. Gadkari assured immediate personal attention to some of these projects, a release said.

According to the release, Kumaraswamy held detailed discussions with Gadkari about road development in districts such as Mandya, Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Chamarajanagar, and Mysuru.

"Minister for Road Transport responded positively to our requests and assured close attention to all proposed projects," Kumaraswamy stated.

Kumaraswamy emphasized the need to widen the Mandya bypass road, improve its white-topping, and develop pedestrian pathways and junctions along NH-275 within Mandya City.

He highlighted the deteriorating condition of the Mandya bypass road, which has become hazardous for motorists, especially at night due to potholes and uneven surfaces. Kumaraswamy urged Gadkari to prioritize these issues.

The minister also discussed the development of roads along Pandavapura town and Kirangoor under the Jevargi-Chamarajanagar National Highway (NH-150A).

Kumaraswamy drew attention to several other projects, including the Andhra Pradesh-Kuppam-Bangarpet-Kolar-Chintamani route, Chintamani Gajanana Circle-Chelur stretch, Connectivity between Hoskote-H Cross-Chintamani via NH-69 and NH-75, Development of Hoskote-Gownipalli-Srinivaspura roads linking NH-75 through NH-42.

The meeting concluded with Gadkari reiterating his commitment to addressing these projects promptly. (ANI)
Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on Wednesday threw light upon the values being ingrained in the cadets during their training such as discipline, selfless service, nation-building, code of conduct and also encouraged cadets to hold on to these values forever in their lives. Addressing NCC cadets at Republic Day Parade Camp-2025, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh motivated the cadets to stand by the NCC motto of 'Unity and Discipline' and the pledge in all walks of life whether in uniform or not. "Every citizen of this country is a soldier who must look after the country's interests, safety and security. Whether we wear this uniform or not, just remember the motto of unity and discipline all your life. Be one, be united. Don't divide yourself in different groups. That is being from North and South, are all one. Just remember that we have to be one," AP Singh said. He further said that emphasised on the fact that NCC Republic Day Camp gives the cadets an opportunity to interact amongst all from different cultures, religions and regions and thus strengthens the 'Unity in Diversity' spirit of India. "Discipline comes from within in every walk of life. Discipline is what you are in the dark. When nobody is watching you. It is not that policemen is standing so I stop at the traffic light. The rules says when we saw a red light we must stop. Just remember this whatever values that your parents have given and whatever teachings NCC is teaching you. It is our duty to correct somebody who is going on the wrong path even if it is a majority. Thousand lies don't make a truth. That is the way we should live," AP Singh said. AP Singh said that the value that the cadets are learning in the NCC will always hold them in good state. "Whatever field you go to, whatever you will do in life remember these values," he said. According to Ministry of Defence, Air Chief Marshal inspected the 'Flag Area', which was prepared by cadets from all 17 NCC Directorates on various social awareness themes. The CAS also visited the 'Hall of Fame' and was briefed about the history, training and achievements of NCC. Later, the Air Chief Marshal, accompanied by other distinguished guests, witnessed a 'Cultural Programme' performed by the cadets from different Directorates who put up an enthralling show presenting the Indian culture through ballet, group dance and songs. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday praised Andhra Pradesh as a state of "possibilities and opportunities" and reaffirmed the Centre's committment to its development. Speaking at a public rally in Visakhapatnam, PM Modi emphasized that the state's growth is integral to India's path towards becoming a developed nation. "Our Andhra Pradesh is a state of possibilities and opportunities. When these possibilities in Andhra are realized, Andhra too will become developed, and only then will India become a developed nation. The development of Andhra is our vision and serving the people of Andhra is our resolve," he said. He also mentioned that Andhra Pradesh has set a goal to become a USD 2.5 trillion economy by 2047. "To realize this vision, Chandrababu Naidu's government has launched the 'Swarna Andhra-2047' initiative. The central NDA government is walking shoulder-to-shoulder with Andhra Pradesh to achieve this goal. The central government is fully supporting this vision with special priority to projects worth lakhs of crores. Today, over Rs 2 lakh crore worth of projects were inaugurated and foundation stones were laid. This will take Andhra Pradesh's development to new heights," PM Modi said. PM Modi further said that Visakhapatnam will become a major hub for green hydrogen production, helping create numerous job opportunities and a robust manufacturing ecosystem. He also laid the foundation for the Bulk Drug Park in Nakkapalli, one of the three such parks being set up in India. "Our government views urbanization as an opportunity, and we aim to make Andhra Pradesh an example of new-age urbanization. To realize this vision, today the foundation stone for the Krishnapatnam Industrial Area has been laid," PM said, speaking about the development of smart cities and industrial parks in Andhra Pradesh. The Prime Minister praised Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's vision and speech, calling it impactful. "A government has been elected for the third consecutive time in the country, after a gap of 60 years. This is my first official program in Andhra after the formation of the government for the third time. The wonderful welcome you gave me, the blessings from the people along the way, and today, N Chandrababu Naidu has hit all the sixes in his speech. I respect the spirit of each of his words and sentiments. I assure the people of Andhra Pradesh and the country that the sentiments expressed by Chandrababu today will be achieved together," said PM Modi. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu hailed PM Modi in his speech, saying, "You (PM Modi) are always for development. I draw inspiration from you and learn many lessons from you. Until yesterday, Amaravati was in a state of uncertainty. Now, you must visit to witness the progress where you laid the foundation. We are finally going to complete it. You will inaugurate Amaravati, one of the finest cities, just as you envisioned." Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan said that the public's trust in the NDA-led government paved the way for the current phase of development. "Without vision, even if a person walks from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, it would be meaningless. However, if a person with vision unites people from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, it is called Atmanirbhar Bharat. Similarly, if he educates people to keep their surroundings clean, it is Swachh Bharat. Furthermore, if he instils patriotism in the hearts of every citizen, it leads to Akhand Bharat. The public trusted the NDA-led government and cast their votes, paving the way for the current phase of development. The state, which once suffered from corruption and lack of employment opportunities, is now on the path to progress," Pawan Kalyan said. Earlier, PM Modi laid the foundation stone for several key projects worth over Rs 2 lakh crore in the state, including the state-of-the-art NTPC Green Energy Limited Green Hydrogen Hub Project at Pudimadaka near Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, which is the first Green Hydrogen Hub under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. The project entails an investment of approx. Rs 1,85,000 Crore. This will include investment in 20 GW renewable energy capacities, making it one of India's largest integrated green hydrogen production facilities with a capacity of producing 1500 TPD Green Hydrogen and 7500 TPD Green Hydrogen derivatives including Green Methanol, Green Urea and Sustainable Aviation Fuel, primarily targeting the export market. The project will contribute substantially in achieving India's non-fossil energy capacity target of 500 GW by 2030. Additionally, PM Modi inaugurated several railway and road projects worth over Rs 19,500 crore, aimed at reducing congestion, improving connectivity, and boosting regional social and economic growth. He also laid the foundation for the Bulk Drug Park at Anakapalli district's Nakkapalli, which will create thousands of jobs and accelerate economic growth, and the Krishnapatnam Industrial Area (KRIS City), a smart industrial city expected to create 1 lakh direct and indirect jobs. (ANI)
In connection with Delhi riots 2020, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday questioned the Delhi Police whether organising a protest site "good enough to attract UAPA." The division bench of the Delhi High Court is hearing bail pleas of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam and others. They are charge-sheeted under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in a case of the alleged larger conspiracy of the Delhi riots of 2020. The division bench comprising justices Navin Chawla and Shalinder Kaur asked Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Amit Prasad for Delhi police, "Is organising a protest site good enough to attract UAPA?" "Is it your case that only setting up a protest site is enough for UAPA or did those protest sites result in violence? But the most important thing is intent under UAPA, which has to be established," the division bench asked SPP Amit Prasad. The matter is listed for hearing arguments on Thursday. SPP argued that there was a deep-rooted conspiracy to instigate violence by the accused persons. The bench questioned, "The conspiracy is that there are WhatsApp groups. In the WhatsApp groups, there are instigations that, let's do this, a planning which is of a chakka jam. There is also a hint of violence there, and violence actually happens. Till then, if they are involved, you may say UAPA is attracted. But when you draw attention to something like a JACT (WhatsApp group), and your own argument is that they were organising protest sites, is that good enough?" SPP Prasad submitted, "That is the reason not everybody involved is made an excuse in this case." The court said, "Why we've been asking you all this is that, when it comes to the specific material...that this man, this is what you have against him; this is why you are saying that he (the accused) was actually instigating violence, rather than having a protest." SPP Amit Prasad submitted that there was a conspiracy. As a part of it, a chakka jam was organised at Jafrabad metro station. There are WhatsApp group chats, conspiratorial meetings and indications of violence and voices against it. According to him, such a meeting was held at Chandbagh on February 17, 2020. One Owais Sultan Khan said in one of the WhatsApp groups that there was no roadblock by locals; they were not in support of it as it would cause problems for them. Some outsiders wanted it. He said that the locals don't want any violence in our area. I will not let violence happen. Owais Sultan Khan said that "violence nahi karne denge tumhe aur tumhare dosto ko (We won't let you and your violence do violence)". No other person opposed the violence in the group, SPP added. SPP submitted that there was violence on February 24. And there was a meeting in the intervening night of February 23 and 24 at 12:10 AM. There was no violence till 1 PM on February 24. He submitted that there was planned mobilisation between 12 and 1 PM. He also showed the CCTV footage of Gali no. 3 wherein accused Mohd. Saleem Khan is seen. Citing the footage, he said the mob was carrying dandas and swords. 25 CCTV cameras disconnected at Gali no. 25 Chand Bagh. He further said that there was an attack on the police on February 24 at Chandbagh. In the CCTV footage, Burqa clan women are seen in the front of the mob attacking police officers. SPP Prasad said that it was discussed in the WhatsApp groups to keep women in front, and the same is transpired from the CCTV footage. The court asked the police ot show what they have against the accused to attract UAPA. The special public prosecutor submitted that there was a premeditated conspiracy to instigate violence and there were chats asking to use lathi, chilli powder, petrol bombs, etc. He also referred to bail orders passed by the court wherein it was held that there was a conspiracy; invocation of UAPA was justified. He also submitted a table describing the role of the accused. In relation to the role of the accused, he submitted that there are top conspirators, there was funding to fund the protest sites and violence. He referred to the alleged conversion of white money to black money by Tahir Hussain to fund the protest. It was submitted that the Citizenship Amendment Bill was introduced in June 2019. He said that in December 2019, the Muslim Student of JNU (MSJ) group was formed and there are chats between Arshad Warsi and Sharjeel Imam. In December, riots happened in Jamia. On December 15, violence took place; injury and damage to property happened, and SPP was submitted. The Shaheen Bagh protest site formed; "it was popularised as the Dadi Nani protest site; however, it was not organic. Protest sites were created under a conspiracy; they were not organised." SPP referred to the charge sheet, and mentioned that the "Shaheen Bagh protest site was masterminded by Sharjeel Imam and others." He referred to a chat wherein Sharjeel was replying to a question that Mustafa's statement has been quoted in a news article; "why not yours?" "Tension na lo, hum dono mastermind hain, Sharjeel said," as submitted by the SPP. He also mentioned that locals were not in support of the Shaheen Bagh protest site. He quoted Sharjeel Imam, who said to locals, "Main 200 ladke lekar baitha hun. RWA wale ladna chahte hain to lad len. 200 ladke JNU se bulva lunga ( I am sitting with 200 boys, if RWA people want to fight, let them. We will bring 200 men from JNU as well)." "RWA was not in support; it was not an organic protest, SPP submitted. Women were asked to come from outside, Jahangirpuri. All this has come on record," he submitted. (ANI)
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has directed the Labour and Employment Department to focus on the digitization of data and the adoption of modern technology to streamline the department's operations, a release said on Wednesday. While reviewing the department's functioning, Sukhu emphasized that all operations must be digitized and that data on skilled persons in various fields should be available online. He instructed the department to implement this initiative immediately, as it would assist in providing employment and self-employment opportunities to interested persons. According to the release, Sukhu said that in the last two years of the current state government, 39,220 employment opportunities were created for the youth, of which 13,704 jobs were in the government sector alone. He added that the recruitment process is ongoing to fill vacant positions in various departments. The government has also launched the Rajiv Gandhi Swarojgar Start-Up Yojna to offer self-employment opportunities, and so far, 121 candidates have been recommended by the Transport Department to grant subsidies for purchasing e-taxis. These e-taxis will be affiliated with government departments, ensuring a steady income for their owners. The Chief Minister also mentioned that the state government is considering issuing 200 e-taxi permits in the first phase and will soon launch a comprehensive scheme for this initiative. The move aims to conserve the state's environment and reduce carbon footprints, aligning with Himachal Pradesh's goal of sustainable development. He said that tourism was the mainstay in the economy of the State and environment conservation was vital to promote tourism in the State as people from all over the world pay visits to Himachal Pradesh to explore the stunning landscapes and natural beauty. Sukhu said that the State Government was also mulling to offer overseas employment opportunities to the skilled manpower. To enhance job placements, the State government was taking steps to improve the skills of the youth so that they could get job opportunities in foreign countries. The State Government has signed an MoU with Dubai-based company EFS Facility Service, and five youths of the State have been provided with employment opportunities in Saudi Arabia. He directed officials to monitor and ensure the well-being of the candidates working abroad. The meeting was attended by Secretary of Labour and Employment Priyanka Basu Ingty, Secretary to the Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar, Commissioner of Labour and Employment Virender Sharma, and other senior officers. (ANI)
In preparation for Maha Kumbh 2025, dense forests have been developed at various locations across Prayagraj, to ensure pure air and a healthy atmosphere for the millions of devotees expected to visit the city, the Ministry of Culture said in a statement on Wednesday. The Prayagraj Municipal Corporation has utilized the Japanese Miyawaki technique over the past two years to establish multiple oxygen banks, which have now transformed into lush green forests. These efforts have not only enhanced the greenery but also contributed to improving air quality, playing a crucial role in environmental conservation. Prayagraj Municipal Corporation Commissioner, Chandra Mohan Garg said that they are creating dense forests in many parts of the city using the Miyawaki Technique. The Corporation has planted trees at more than 10 locations in the city, covering an area of 55,800 square meters over the past two years. The largest plantation, with around 1.2 lakh trees of 63 species, has been done in the Naini industrial area, while 27,000 trees from 27 different species have been planted in Baswar after cleaning the city's largest garbage dumping yard. This project is not only helping to get rid of industrial waste but is also reducing dust, dirt, and bad odour. Additionally, it's improving the air quality of the city. Miyawaki forests have many benefits, such as reducing air and water pollution, preventing soil erosion, and increasing biodiversity. According to Dr NB Singh, a former Botany professor at Allahabad Central University, the rapid growth of dense forests using this method helps reduce the temperature difference between day and night during summers. These forests also boost biodiversity, improve soil fertility, and create habitats for animals and birds. Additionally, large forests developed through this technique can lower the temperature by 4 to 7 degrees Celsius, offering significant environmental benefits. The project includes a wide variety of species, ranging from fruit-bearing trees to medicinal and ornamental plants. Key species planted under the project include mango, mahua, neem, peepal, tamarind, arjuna, teak, tulsi, amla, and ber. Additionally, ornamental and medicinal plants like hibiscus, kadamba, gulmohar, jungle jalebi, bougainvillea, and brahmi have been incorporated. Other species include sheesham, bamboo, kaner (red and yellow), tecoma, kachnar, mahogany, lemon, and drumstick (sahjan). The Miyawaki technique, developed by renowned Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki in the 1970s, is a revolutionary method for creating dense forests in limited spaces. Often referred to as the 'pot plantation method', it involves planting trees and shrubs close to one another to accelerate their growth. Plants grow 10 times faster with this technique, making it a practical solution for urban areas. This method mimics natural forests by using a mix of native species planted densely. It improves soil quality, enhances biodiversity, and accelerates forest development. Trees planted using the Miyawaki technique absorb more carbon, grow faster, and support richer biodiversity compared to traditional forests. In urban settings, this technique has transformed polluted, barren lands into green ecosystems. It has successfully managed industrial waste, reduced dust and foul odours, and curbed air and water pollution. Additionally, it prevents soil erosion and promotes ecological balance, making it an effective tool for environmental restoration. (ANI)
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Wednesday wrote another letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, raising the issue of adding and deleting the names of voters in the New Delhi Assembly constituency and seeking an immediate meeting on the issue. CM Atishi previously wrote another letter to the CEC regarding the same issue on January 5. "This is regarding my earlier letter dated January 5, highlighting the issue of large-scale voter deletions and additions in the New Delhi assembly constituency. I had sought an appointment from your office for a meeting to apprise you of the issue in person. However, in response to my letter, my office has received a correspondence (attached) from Lalit Mittal, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Delhi stating that the office is ascertaining the facts mentioned in my letter," she stated in the letter. The Delhi Chief Minister, further asserted that with only 27 days left for the Delhi elections, it is important to apprise the CEC on the issue. "Sir, in my letter, I sought an urgent appointment with your good self to personally discuss this matter and seek directions since this matter is beyond the scope of the local CEO. With less than 27 days left for the Delhi Assembly Elections, this matter should be considered at the highest priority. Delhi is the only state going to polls during this time, and the entire country and its media will closely follow the elections and its processes. We place our trust in the Election Commission of India to uphold the principles of free and fair elections," she said. CM Atishi requested the CEC to give an appointment as soon as possible. Aam Aadmi Party Chief Arvind Kejriwal on January 6 claimed that a "large-scale" fraud in voter addition and deletions in the New Delhi Assembly seat is taking place. In a post on X, Kejriwal cited a letter from Chief Minister Atishi sent to Delhi Chief Electoral Officer. "Large-scale fraud taking place in voter additions and deletions in the New Delhi assembly. Delhi CM Atishi ji writes this letter to CEC presenting evidence and seeking time to meet," he said. (ANI)
Six Naxalites surrendered in Bengaluru on Wednesday in the presence of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, Home Minister G Parameshwara, and senior police officials. The surrendered Naxalites include Mundagaaru Latha and Vanajakshi from Chikkamagaluru, Sundari from Dakshina Kannada, Jish from Kerala, Vasanth K from Tamil Nadu, and Marappa Aroli from Raichur. According to officials, the Naxalites handed over their uniforms and a surrender letter, marking a significant step towards mainstreaming individuals previously associated with the Naxalite movement. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah praised their decision to return to the mainstream and assured that the government would address their demands. "As Dr BR Ambedkar emphasized, justice must be sought through constitutional means. These individuals have realized the need to pursue their causes lawfully. The Rehabilitation Committee and the government persuaded them to leave their forest-based struggle," CM Siddaramaiah said. Expressing gratitude to the Anti-Naxal Force and all involved in facilitating the surrender, Siddaramaiah added, "The government and I welcome their decision. They have some demands; the government will look into them." Deputy CM DK Shivakumar declared Karnataka as a 'no naxalite' state. "The Karnataka government is happy to declare itself as a 'no naxalite' state. I think with the odd efforts of our government and our police officers and a team which has been constituted by the government for the rehabilitation and negotiation with those naxalites. I think after the fallout there was a serious attempt and now they have come forward. About six people have been surrendered today...We have to respect their requests also...The CM has given them a Constitution book," Shivakumar said. Home Minister G Parameshwara confirmed earlier that the surrender was a result of sustained calls for rehabilitation. He assured that legal action regarding cases against them would follow due process. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed deep sorrow over the demise of the individuals who lost their lives in a tragic stampede that occurred near Vishnu Nivasam in Andhra Pradesh's Tirupati. PM Modi stated that the state government is providing all possible assistance to the victims of the incident. In a social media post on X (formerly Twitter), the Prime Minister's Office wrote, "Pained by the stampede in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. My thoughts are with those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover soon. The AP Government is providing all possible assistance to those affected: PM @narendramodi." https://x.com/PMOIndia/status/1877054098224099589 Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed his shock and offered condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the Tirupati stampede. Shah also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. "Pained by the unfortunate incident of the stampede in the Tirupati temple. My sincere condolences to the families of the deceased. May the injured recover at the earliest. I am deeply shocked by the stampede incident at the Tirupati Vishnu Niwasam ticket counter. I pray for the souls of the devotees who lost their lives in this unfortunate incident to rest in peace. I wish the injured a speedy recovery," Amit Shah posted on X. https://x.com/AmitShah/status/1877058596304990335 As many as six people lost their lives and several others were injured after a stampede broke out near Vishnu Nivasam in Andhra Pradesh's Tirupati on Wednesday evening, according to officials from Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). The incident occurred near Vishnu Niwasam close to the Tirumala Srivari Vaikuntha Dwara ticketing counter, during the distribution of 'darshan' tokens. As per the statement from the office of TTD Chairman BR Naidu, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is closely monitoring the incident and will meet the families of the victims of the stampede on Thursday morning. The statement reads, "It is an unfortunate event, 6 pilgrims lost their lives. So far, only one pilgrim has been identified, while the others are yet to be identified. N Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is very serious about the incident and has expressed dissatisfaction with the officials' management during a teleconference. The Chief Minister will visit the families of the deceased tomorrow at 11:45 am. CM has warned that such incidents should not be repeated and is closely monitoring updates on the issue" (ANI)
Congress MP and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday expressed his condolences for those who lost their lives in the tragic stampede at Tirupati. In the aftermath of the incident, Rahul Gandhi urged Congress leaders and workers to provide all possible assistance during this difficult time. In a social media post on X (formerly Twitter), Rahul Gandhi wrote, "The tragic stampede in Tirupati is deeply saddening. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Wishing a swift recovery to all those injured. I urge Congress leaders and workers to provide all possible assistance during this difficult time." https://x.com/rahulgandhi/status/1877050507153350990?s=46 Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal also expressed his grief and prayed for the peace of the departed souls in the incident. "This accident that happened in Tirupati temple is very sad. May God give place to the departed souls in his lotus feet. I pray to God that the devotees who have been injured get well soon and return to their homes," Kejriwal posted on X. https://x.com/arvindkejriwal/status/1877044877080318198 Earlier, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed his deep shock over the death of devotees in the stampede that took place near Vishnu Niwasam in Tirupati during the distribution of 'darshan' tokens at the Tirumala Srivari Vaikuntha Dwara, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said in a statement. As many as six people lost their lives and several others were injured after a stampede broke out in Tirupati on Wednesday evening, according to officials from Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). The incident occurred near Vishnu Niwasam close to the Tirumala Srivari Vaikuntha Dwara ticketing counter, during the distribution of 'darshan' tokens. As per the statement from the office of TTD Chairman BR Naidu, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is closely monitoring the incident and will meet the families of the victims of the stampede on Thursday morning. The statement reads, "It is an unfortunate event, 6 pilgrims lost their lives. So far, only one pilgrim has been identified, while the others are yet to be identified. N Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is very serious about the incident and has expressed dissatisfaction with the officials' management during a teleconference. The Chief Minister will visit the families of the deceased tomorrow at 11:45 am. CM has warned that such incidents should not be repeated and is closely monitoring updates on the issue." (ANI)
Malaysia's Minister of Digital Gobind Singh Deo has expressed optimism about ties between India and Malaysia, stressing that the "future is very bright in terms of relations." In an interview with ANI, he noted that the ties between India and Malaysia have been "strong" for a very long time and the two nations share a lot in terms of culture and religion. On India-Malaysia ties, Gobind Singh Deo said, "The bilateral relationship between the two countries has been strong for a very, very long time. We share a lot in terms of culture, in terms of even religion. There's so much history between the two countries, and I think that was a starting point, that has built up over the years and strengthened even more. I think there's only more that both countries can do together moving ahead, particularly in this new world of technology. As the world becomes bigger, we become closer because of the platforms that we have. So, I think the future is very, very bright in terms of the relations between these two countries." Gobind Singh Deo, who is in Odisha to attend the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, called it an "important event" to bring groups of people who can contribute to not just the diaspora here in India but around the world. He said that he would meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and the Indian diaspora from Malaysia. On being asked about Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, he responded, "It is an important event to bring around groups of people who can contribute a lot to not just the diaspora here in India but around the world. I think the focus should be that we in Malaysia have followed this event for a while and have participated as well. I'm happy to be here and contribute." "We have events lined up for tomorrow and the day after. PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji is coming, that's an important event. I also have an opportunity to meet up with Minister Dr Jaishankar and we will then have a meeting with the Indian diaspora from Malaysia and try and of course, build partnerships which we can use and capitalise as we move along. It's a very important event, happy to be here and I am very thankful for the great hospitality all of you welcoming me here like this," he added. The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention is being organized in partnership with the State Government of Odisha from January 8 to 10 in Bhubaneswar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 18th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD) convention at Bhubaneswar on Wednesday at 10:00 am. The theme of this PBD Convention is "Diaspora's Contribution to a Viksit Bharat." A large number of Indian diaspora members from over 50 different countries have registered to participate in the PBD Convention. Gobind Singh Deo lauded India for its digital transformation. He said that Malaysia is also looking at how they can build infrastructure that prepares their country for future technology. On being asked about India's digital infrastructure, he said, "I think India has done phenomenally well when it comes to digital transformation. We look towards India and lots of lessons we can learn. Malaysia is going through that process as well now. We're looking at how we can build infrastructure that's not just ready for technology of today, but infrastructure that will prepare our country for future technology as well. All of us know that once we spoke of connectivity, 4G, and 5G, but we're looking at AI now, generative AI and technology will develop as we go along. "So, the collaboration is key, we are in the process of looking at building on the Malaysia-India Digital Council. In August last year, there was a trip by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and he met up with Prime Minister Shri Modiji here in that meeting one of the things that was agreed on was that we would form this council where we bring Malaysia and India together and I think that's something that's in progress and I'm sure that once that is up and running then we will see a lot more effort and more collaborations and partnerships that will bring both countries together in terms of digital transformation. So, definitely a lot of potential moving ahead," he added. (ANI)
US President-elect Donald Trump warned that "all hell will break out in the Middle East" if hostages held by Hamas in Gaza are not released before his inauguration on January 20, CNN reported. While addressing a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Tuesday (local time), Trump said, "It will not be good for Hamas and it will not be good, frankly, for anyone. All hell will break out. I don't have to say anymore, but that's what it is," adding that "there should have never been" the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel. Steve Witkoff, who has been chosen by Trump to serve as the special envoy to the Middle East, expressed an optimistic view about the state of negotiations to reach a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that would secure the release of the hostages, saying negotiators are "making a lot of progress," CNN reported. He further said, "It's the president, his reputation, the things that he has said that are driving this negotiation, and so hopefully it'll all work out and we'll save some lives." Earlier, it was reported that Biden administration officials were taking the lead in the talks, while their incoming Trump counterparts were being updated regarding the developments. A senior Biden administration office offered a much more cautious tone after Trump and Witkoff's statement. Speaking to CNN, the official stated that the negotiations remain difficult. The official, who refused to speak about the status of the negotiations, insisted that despite Witkoff appearing to suggest that the deal was possible before January 20, the talks are challenging. According to the official, the Biden administration has been working in "close coordination" with the incoming Trump national security team. The Biden administration has been trying to help broker a ceasefire in Gaza for over a year. However, they have not been successful in their efforts. Notably, dozens of hostages were released in the first ceasefire, which was agreed weeks after the October 7 attack. However, efforts to halt the fighting and secure the release of more hostages have failed. During the press conference, Trump also refused to rule out the use of military force to take control of the Panama Canal and Greenland, and "economic force" to acquire Canada, CNN reported. When asked whether he would rule out using "military or economic coercion" to achieve his goal of gaining those territories. he responded, "No, I can't assure you on either of those two, but I can say this, we need them for economic security." Trump said Denmark should give up its control of Greenland or it would face high tariffs. He suggested people of Greenland could vote for independence or to become part of the United States. He said, "I'm talking about protecting the free world." Since his election, Trump has repeatedly expressed his interest in gaining control of the Panama Canal and Greenland. Trump said later that he would only use "economic force" and not military force against Canada. When asked whether he would also use the military to acquire Canada, Trump responded, "No, economic force." He continued, "You get rid of that artificially drawn line and you take a look at what that looks like -- and it would also be much better for national security." In recent weeks, Trump in his social media posts has said that Canada should become the 51st state of the US. He even used Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's announcement of his plan to step down as PM and Liberal Party leader to reiterate his stance that Canada becomes the 51st state of the US. Trump criticised former US President Jimmy Carter's decision to hand control of the Panama Canal back to Panama during his presidency, CNN reported. Carter, who passed away at the age of 100 on December 29, negotiated treaties that provided for the handover of the Panama Canal to Panama. He said, "The Panama Canal is a disgrace." Trump said, "What took place at the Panama Canal, Jimmy Carter gave it to them for USD 1 and they were supposed to treat us well." The US President-elect said that he would be renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. He said, "We're going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, which has a beautiful ring. That covers a lot of territory, the Gulf of America -- what a beautiful name. And it's appropriate." He slammed the Biden administration's handling of the transition ahead of his inauguration ceremony on January 20. Trump said the Biden administration is "trying everything they can to make it more difficult" and wants to "block the reforms of the American people and that they voted for." Trump's remarks come a day after US Congress certified his election victory with no objections from any lawmakers as the tally of states was announced on the House floor. Donald Trump won 312 electoral votes while Harris got 226 votes, a total that was confirmed during the certification on Monday, marking the final step in the election process before Trump returns back to the White House on January 20. (ANI)
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Palestinian students are seen outside a tent that was turned into a small classroom to educate displaced children at a temporary shelter in Deir al-Balah central Gaza Strip, on Jan 6, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

At least 13 Palestinians, including five children, were killed in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources on Tuesday.

Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for the Civil Defense in Gaza, told Xinhua that Israeli warplanes struck a house in Jabalia, north of the Strip, with at least one missile, killing at least five people and injuring 20 others.

Israeli aircraft also targeted a tent sheltering displaced people in the Mawasi area, west of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, according to local sources and eyewitnesses.

Paramedics told Xinhua that medical teams retrieved the bodies of five children and rescued several other injured people following the strike, which caused the tent to catch fire.

In addition, Israeli warplanes struck a vehicle in the Al-Manara neighborhood, east of Khan Younis, killing three people inside, according to Palestinian medical sources.

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 were taken hostage.

The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 45,885, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Tuesday.
South Africa's High Commissioner to India Anil Sooklal said on Tuesday that it is a great privilege to attend the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) in Odisha's Bhubaneswar and recalled the memories of PBD held in Varanasi in 2019. In an interview with ANI, he praised the Indian government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for organising the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. He noted that they cannot talk about India without mentioning the Indian diaspora. He said, "It's a great privilege to be part of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas here in the historical city of Bhubaneswar. I have fond recollections of PBD in 2019 in Varanasi where I was accorded the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. It was a very great privilege and honour for me to be recognized by the Indian government and I think we must commend the government of India, Prime Minister Modi Ji, and Minister Jaishankar for having this PBD and keeping it and sustaining it. I think today the Indian diaspora is an integral part of India's architecture. You cannot speak of India without the Indian diaspora. It is two sides of the same coin. As you see the rise of India, you also see the prominence of the global Indian diaspora." He called the Indian diaspora the most influential and one of the most respected for the role they play not just in terms of their respective countries of residence, but also in terms of nurturing the bonds with India and the role they play globally. Highlighting the role of the Indian diaspora as India is becoming a superpower, he said, "As India becomes more and more of a superpower, the role of the diaspora is an important part of supporting that rise of India. So, the PBD, I think, is an important umbilical cord that links the people of India with this most dynamic global diaspora. The Indian diaspora today is the most influential, one of the largest, and one of the most respected for the role they play, not just in terms of their respective countries of residence, but also in terms of nurturing the bonds with India and the role they play globally." "A number of, I always speak of a Global South diaspora because I come from South Africa, a country from the Global South. And those of us who were part of the indenture system, we're very proud that we have our culture embedded in the Indian subcontinent and the PBD is a recognition of our identity, our heritage, and our roots in many senses. So, having this event on a regular basis provides us a platform to link not only with India, but also with the international global diaspora, for us to interact with each other, get to know each other, share our challenges, and share also our experiences between this vast diaspora," he added. He stated that Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is a unique opportunity for people to interact with each other. He said that the event has a very important role to play in terms of cementing ties between the Indian diaspora and India and contributing to the new emerging global order. Speaking about Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, he said, "It's a unique opportunity where you can interact with people not only from India, all parts of India, all strata of society, from government, civil society, the private sector, people from the arts, culture, sporting fraternity. It brings the whole family together. But, I think equally important, is those of us who are scattered around the globe, who do not have an opportunity to interact with each other, this provides the nucleus where we can come, whether we farm Fiji, Mauritius, Trinidad, Guyana, South Africa, Malaysia, we all converge here under the umbrella of the PBD and I hope this platform will continue to flourish." "It has a very important role to play, not only in terms of cementing ties between the Indian diaspora and India but also contributing to the new emerging global order. The Indian diaspora is playing an active role in that in the respective countries and India continues to nurture that and India is providing global leadership, especially as the voice of the Global South in this very difficult world we live in today. We need a country like India to provide that moral leadership in this difficult time. And the PBD reflects on a whole spectrum of cooperation. And I think that is very important, where you link people at different levels of positions they occupy in society, and you give recognition to all of that. And we would like to congratulate the Indian government for convening this forum, and also seeing that the diaspora is an important part of the journey towards Viksit Bharat. And I think we feel very privileged and proud to be part of this journey. And we will continue to strengthen the bonds in our interaction between ourselves in the diaspora community and with the Indian government and the people of India," he added. He emphasised the role of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in strengthening ties between nations, especially countries, where there is a significant Indian population. He recalled how he was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas award in 2019 in recognition of promoting bilateral ties. Asked about the role of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in terms of diplomacy, he said, "I think it provides a very important and strategic platform. I received my PBD in recognition of promoting bilateral relations under the diplomatic tag. So, that itself is testimony to how important this platform is. And I think strengthening diplomatic ties between countries, especially countries that have very significant Indian population, and today there are innumerable countries, where you have people of Indian origin that are presidents, that are prime ministers, that are ministers, that are senior civil servants, head of multinationals, all having the roots in India." "So, on the diplomatic front, I think they play an important role. My being here is a testimony to that. My government recognizes the fact that I have a strong understanding of India and that I can play an important role in strengthening the very historical ties that we have between South Africa and India. So, I think diplomacy is an integral part of PBD and it must continue to be so because today in this fractured world we need diplomacy more so than ever before," he added. The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention is being organized in partnership with the State Government of Odisha from January 8 to 10 in Bhubaneswar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 18th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD) convention at Bhubaneswar, Odisha on January 9 at 10:00 am. The theme of this PBD Convention is "Diaspora's Contribution to a Viksit Bharat." A large number of Indian diaspora members from over 50 different countries have registered to participate in the PBD Convention. (ANI)
Despite the signing of a peace agreement on January 1, which was expected to bring relief to the long-suffering residents of Kurram, Parachinar remains cut off from the rest of the province, Dawn reported. A convoy laden with essential supplies, currently stranded in Thall, continues to wait for safe passage into Parachinar as talks between the government and protestors fail to yield results. The convoy, which had been en route to Parachinar, came under attack on Saturday near the Bagan area. The attack, which injured the Deputy Commissioner of Kurram, led to the convoy's halt. Since then, efforts to move the convoy forward have been unsuccessful, and the road remains blocked, leaving the people of Kurram facing severe shortages. Although the peace agreement has brought a temporary cessation of hostilities, it has not restored access to Parachinar, which has been isolated for more than two months. Former minister Sajid Turi, speaking to Dawn, emphasised that it is the government's responsibility to ensure the safe passage of the convoy to Parachinar. "The situation in the 'besieged areas' of Kurram was very difficult, and if the government failed to resolve the issue, it would only worsen," he said. The ongoing blockade, now lasting 93 days, has resulted in a dire shortage of food, medicine, and essential supplies, leaving the local population of about 500,000 people without basic necessities. Turi pointed out that markets have been emptied due to the road closure and the prolonged isolation of the region. Turi also claimed that militants in Kurram had outside support, although he did not specify who was backing them. He criticised the government for attempting to negotiate from a position of weakness. According to Turi, the government's approach, which saw the KP chief minister making decisions without consulting the jirga, has failed to bring tangible solutions, reported Dawn. He also highlighted the closure of a helicopter service that had been in operation for a month, which has compounded the issues faced by patients, travellers, and students who rely on it. Meanwhile, MNA Engineer Hameed Hussain urged immediate measures to reopen access routes, stressing the need for swift solutions to the food and medical shortages. Qadar Orakzai, a member of the jirga from Lower Kurram, expressed hope that the convoy would be able to proceed by Wednesday. He indicated that local authorities had held meetings at the Chapari Gate to resolve the issue. Despite these efforts, the delayed convoy has caused frustration, with some vehicles having already returned to Peshawar due to the lack of progress. As for the convoy itself, the vehicles carrying perishable items have already turned back, but the remaining vehicles are still in place, waiting for a resolution. "It is too little, and there is no guarantee when another convoy will be allowed to proceed," Turi added, casting doubt on the effectiveness of such convoys in addressing the region's long-term needs, as per reports by Dawn. Orakzai also called for the reconstruction of Bagan Bazaar, which had been destroyed during a November attack that left more than 40 dead, and urged for it to be rebuilt in a manner similar to the Miramshah Bazaar in North Waziristan. (ANI)
Khaleda Zia, the chairperson of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), departed for London on Tuesday evening for medical treatment. At 11:46 pm, she left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on a special Royal Air Ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar, Dhaka Tribune reported. Khaleda Zia was accompanied by her doctors, family members, and work assistants, with a team of doctors from the Qatari government also aboard the flight. The Emir of Qatar's Royal Air Ambulance had arrived in Dhaka on Monday evening at 7:40 pm to transport Khaleda Zia. Prior to her departure, a large number of BNP leaders and activists gathered near her residence, Firoza, in Gulshan to see her off. The crowd had started to form as early as 7 PM on Tuesday, eagerly anticipating her departure for medical treatment. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP Secretary General, entered Firoza around 6:15 pm, where he advised the gathering to remain orderly and clear the road. The trip to London has been described by senior BNP leaders as a medical visit rather than a politically charged journey. They emphasised that the primary purpose of the visit is for Khaleda Zia to receive better healthcare and reunite with her family after a long period. A senior BNP leader expressed hope that Khaleda Zia would return from her treatment in good health, ready to continue leading the party and the country, reported Dhaka Tribune. "May she return to us healthy. We pray that her treatment is successful," said BNP Standing Committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku. As she left her Gulshan residence at 8 PM, BNP leaders and activists lined the route to the airport. A special arrangement had been made by Dhaka Metropolitan North BNP to designate gathering areas for party leaders and activists. Khaleda Zia's departure was confirmed by BNP Chairperson's Press Wing Officer, Shamsuddin Didar, who relayed the news to the media. The 79-year-old former Prime Minister has been suffering from various health issues, including liver cirrhosis, heart disease, and kidney problems. Upon arrival at Heathrow Airport in London on Wednesday, Bangladesh time, she is expected to be admitted to the London Clinic for treatment. Her personal physician, AZM Zahid Hossain, confirmed this. Prior to her departure, party leaders, including Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and members of the BNP Standing Committee, bid farewell to her at the airport. Khaleda Zia's medical board includes six members who are accompanying her on the flight. The team comprises Prof Shahabuddin Talukder, Prof FM Siddique, Prof Nuruddin Ahmed, Zafar Iqbal, Prof AZM Zahid Hossain, and Mohammad Al Mamun. Also traveling with her are her younger son's wife, Syeda Sharmila Rahman, Advisory Council member Enamul Haque Chowdhury, Executive Committee member Tabith Awal, and her Private Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, along with several personal officials and employees, Dhaka Tribune reported. This marks Khaleda Zia's first trip to the UK in nearly seven years, and her family and party hope that her treatment will improve her health and enable her to resume her political role. (ANI)
The Hindu Council UK (HCUK) has demanded a national public inquiry into sexual-grooming gangs across the United Kingdom, condemning the "heinous crimes" committed against children and young girls. The organisation has called on the UK government to fulfil its responsibility of safeguarding vulnerable individuals and ensuring justice for the victims of these atrocities. https://x.com/hinducouncil_uk/status/1876642347901194512 The HCUK emphasised the urgency of addressing the issue, citing a 2011 report by The Times that exposed the widespread grooming of girls in several UK towns. Three years later, the first inquiry revealed that approximately 1,400 children had fallen victim to predators in one English town alone. According to the HCUK, the UK criminal justice system has repeatedly failed to protect victims from predatory men, necessitating a full investigation into these scandals. "It is the prime responsibility of the Government to safeguard and protect children and young people against these heinous crimes," the HCUK stated. Krishna Bhan, Chair of the Hindu Council UK, urged the government to adopt a consistent approach to tracking these crimes and investigating the sexual grooming of young girls across the nation. "The scandal of these grooming gangs should be fully investigated, and the Home Office adopt a consistent way of tracking the disgusting and vile practice," she said. The HCUK also criticised the lasting impact of these crimes on children, their families, and their communities. "We request the Government to fully investigate the sexual grooming of girls across the UK by holding a national public inquiry, so that efforts can be made to bring justice to the victims, if it can ever be fully done considering the lasting effects of this trauma," Bhan added. The organisation also expressed dissatisfaction with the use of the term "Asian" to describe these grooming gangs, highlighting the harm this generalisation causes to other communities. "Hindu and Sikh girls were also their victims," the HCUK said, welcoming a recent decision by the BBC to refrain from using the term in news reports. However, the group criticised Prime Minister Keir Starmer for continuing to use the term during a press conference, describing it as "whitewashing" the issue. The broader controversy has reignited debate over Starmer's tenure as the UK's Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) from 2008 to 2013. Critics, including tech billionaire Elon Musk, have accused Starmer of failing to address the issue during his time as DPP. Musk recently stated, "The real reason is that it would show how Starmer repeatedly ignored the pleas of vast numbers of little girls and their parents, in order to secure political support. Starmer is utterly despicable." Starmer, however, has staunchly defended his record, claiming to have changed the system to ensure victims' voices were heard and citing record prosecutions of child sexual abuse cases during his tenure. The Rotherham scandal, which took place between 1997 and 2013, remains one of the most notorious cases of child exploitation in the UK. Seven men were recently convicted in September 2024 for crimes committed against two girls in the 2000s. The convictions were part of Operation Stovewood, a major investigation led by the National Crime Agency into child sexual exploitation in South Yorkshire. The victims in this case were aged 11 and 15 when the abuse began. https://x.com/Singhtwo2/status/1876561717884604778 Hardeep Singh, Deputy director Network of Sikh Organisations, weighed in on the matter in an editorial in The Spectator, calling for greater accountability from political leaders. "There's still time for self-proclaimed feminist and 'strong woman' Phillips to do the right thing," Singh remarked, calling the attention of Labour MP and safeguarding minister Jess Phillips. As the debate intensifies, the Hindu Council UK is mobilising its resources to advocate for justice for the victims. The organisation views a national public inquiry as a critical step in addressing the systemic failures and ensuring the safety of future generations. (ANI)
In a delegation-level meeting with his Maldivian counterpart, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reaffirmed India's commitment to deepening ties with the Maldives. Reflecting on the recent visit of President Mohamed Muizzu to India, Singh stated, "I recall our brief meeting with you during the state visit of President Mohamed Muizzu to India in October 2024. The visit of the President of the Maldives has provided a new orientation to our bilateral relationship, and the Joint Vision Document released during the visit acts as a guiding principle for our two countries." He emphasised the enduring spiritual, historical, linguistic, and ethnic ties between the nations, describing the relationship as "close, cordial, and multidimensional." Singh noted that the Maldives holds a special position under India's Neighbourhood First Policy, a strategic framework aimed at ensuring regional stability and prosperity. He added, "Maldives occupied a special place under Neighbourhood's First Policy of India, which aimed to bring stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region." Highlighting the shared role of the two nations in maintaining security in the Indian Ocean, Singh stated, "Both nations are key players in maintaining the safety and security of the Indian Ocean region, thus contributing to 'Security And Growth For All' (SAGAR) in the region." India's robust defence cooperation with the Maldives was another focal point of the talks. Singh pointed out the avenues for capacity building offered by India, which include training programs, joint exercises, workshops, and the supply of defence equipment. He emphasised the importance of maintaining this momentum, saying, "India will continue to support the Maldives and the Maldives National Defence Force in their capacity-building efforts through projects, equipment and training. As a trusted partner and a close friend, I assure you that India will continue to support Maldives on its development needs and welfare of its people." The relationship between India and the Maldives is built on a foundation of longstanding cultural, religious, and commercial ties, with India being among the first nations to recognise the Maldives after its independence in 1965. Geographically, the Maldives' proximity to India's west coast and its location along critical maritime trade routes further underscore its strategic importance. Tourism also remains a cornerstone of the Maldivian economy, directly contributing to about a quarter of its GDP and accounting for a significant share of employment opportunities. With indirect contributions included, the tourism sector supports nearly 70% of the nation's employment, highlighting its pivotal role in the Maldivian economy. The robust bilateral cooperation between India and the Maldives aims to further strengthen these economic and strategic ties. (ANI)
Pakistan security forces have abducted four individuals in the Kech district of Balochistan, with their whereabouts still unknown to their families, as reported by the Balochistan Post. The victims have been identified as Ramzan Baloch, Shagarullah, Sher Jan Ishaq, and Farooq Ishaq. Ramzan Baloch, an employee of NADRA, was taken into custody on Monday at 7 PM in Mand. After his disappearance, his family and supporters organised a sit-in protest at Hironk, blocking the CPEC highway to demand his release. Shagarullah, the son of Muhammad Ali Zamarani, was abducted from Shahi Tump on Tuesday evening and has been missing since. In a separate incident, two young men, Sher Jan Ishaq and Farooq Ishaq, were forcibly disappeared on Monday night in Turbat's Aapsar Banday Bazaar after security forces allegedly raided their home. The Ishaq family revealed that another son, Shams Ishaq, had also forcibly disappeared three years ago and is still missing, reported The Balochistan Post. The growing wave of disappearances has prompted protests across Balochistan, with the families of the victims organising sit-ins and blocking key highways. These actions aim to raise awareness of the escalating issue of enforced disappearances and human rights violations in the region. The protests reflect the increasing frustration and desperation of the affected communities, calling for immediate government intervention and accountability. The situation highlights the urgency of addressing these grave human rights concerns, with both national and international bodies urged to take swift action to stop the cycle of abductions and ensure justice for the victims and their families, The Balochistan Post reported. The families of the abducted individuals have urgently appealed to the government, political parties, and human rights organisations to intervene and take action to ensure the safe return of their loved ones while holding the perpetrators accountable. (ANI)
Seven retired Taiwanese military personnel have been charged with espionage for allegedly selling state secrets to China, including photographs of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and several military bases, as reported by the Taipei Times. The case, initially linked to a 2022 investigation in Miaoli County, has expanded following the discovery of a political infiltration operation tied to a minor political group, the Rehabilitation Alliance. According to the Taipei Times, the Taichung branch of the High Prosecutors' Office revealed that the investigation began with allegations that Huang Kuei-kun, a county councillor candidate, had accepted Chinese funds in violation of Taiwan's Anti-Infiltration Act. As the probe progressed, authorities traced the activities to a network led by Chu Hung-i, a 62-year-old retired military officer, who allegedly received funds from China to recruit other former military personnel to establish pro-China organisations within Taiwan. Chu, who has had business dealings in China since 2019, was found to have cultivated the Rehabilitation Alliance, founded in 2023, to advance Chinese interests in Taiwan. Despite running three candidates for Taiwan's Legislative Yuan elections, none of the Rehabilitation Alliance's candidates succeeded, as reported by the Taipei Times. Prosecutors said that Chu received substantial financial support for these campaigns, including NTUSD 2 million (roughly USD 60,000) via WeChat and NT USD 670,000 through clandestine channels. In addition to political activities, the group is accused of gathering sensitive military intelligence. They allegedly took photos of AIT and four military installations, creating detailed coordinate maps that were shared with Chinese contacts through WeChat. When questioned, the suspects claimed that the funds were intended for authenticating Chinese antiques on behalf of their Chinese associates and that they were asked for the photos of military sites, although they professed ignorance about the reason. According to Taipei Times, Chu and six others have been detained since August 2023 and face serious charges under Taiwan's National Security Act and Anti-Infiltration Act. If convicted, they could face up to seven years in prison and heavy fines ranging from NT USD 50 million to NT USD 100 million. The case will now proceed to trial at the High Court's Taichung branch. (ANI)
Gyalo, a prominent Tibetan activist, educational sociologist, and expert on China's assimilation policies in Tibet, visited the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile in Dharamshala and highlighted several Chinese threats to Tibet, as per Central Tibetan Administration. According to the reports, during his meeting with Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel and Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang, dGyalo shared critical insights into the ongoing threats to Tibet's cultural, religious, and educational systems posed by Chinese Communist Party (CCP) policies. Gyalo, a leading researcher on Tibet's socio-political landscape, focused on the CCP's restrictive measures, particularly those targeting Tibetan religion and education. He expressed deep concern about the Chinese government's interference in Tibet's monastic life, including policies designed to sever historical and spiritual ties between central monasteries and their regional branches. He explained how this strategy is part of a broader effort to weaken Tibetan identity and ensure complete control over religious practices in the region. CTA further reported that Gyalo highlighted the proliferation of colonial-style boarding schools across Tibet. These schools, which prioritise the Chinese language and ideologies, have raised alarms among Tibetans about their role in eroding traditional Tibetan culture and education. The closure of Tibetan institutions, such as the Ragya Sherig Norling Educational Institute, was also discussed as a significant loss for preserving Tibetan culture and knowledge. A key point of the meeting was Gyalo's research on Tibet's historical monastic connections, particularly in the U-Tsang, Dotoe, and Domey provinces. He pointed out that Tibetan monasteries in U-Tsang had traditionally served as key links connecting monastic branches across Tibet, fostering a unified spiritual and cultural network. Gyalo lamented how the CCP's policies have disrupted these long standing connections, further isolating Tibetan communities, as reported by CTA. Gyalo also spoke about His Holiness the Dalai Lama's unwavering encouragement, which has inspired him to continue his advocacy for Tibet and its people. The meeting underscored the urgent need for international attention to the CCP's ongoing assimilation policies, which threaten to erase Tibet's unique cultural and religious heritage. (ANI)
Human rights activist Amjad Ayub Mirza has strongly condemned Pakistan's recent decision to dissolve the Election Commission of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) and transfer all its powers to the Election Commission of Pakistan. This move, set to take effect on January 14, has been described by Mirza was a "direct and brazen attack" on the democratic and political rights of the people living in the besieged region. Mirza pointed out that the appointments of the Chief Election Commissioner and other members of the PoJK Election Commission have been called off, leaving the region vulnerable to further political suppression. He termed this action as a "violation of the sovereignty of the occupied territory" and warned that such a unilateral decision "would provoke widespread resistance, likely to manifest in public protests across PoJK." In his statement, Mirza also criticized the Prime Minister of PoJK, Chaudhry Anwar Ul Haq, for his silence on the matter. According to Mirza, Haq's failure to speak out against this decision highlights his opportunistic stance. Mirza referred to Haq as a "dangerous adventurist" for his recent comments during a public address on January 5, where he reportedly announced that his government would "facilitate a jihadi culture in PoJK," a statement that further fueled concerns about the growing political instability in the region. Mirza further condemned the actions of the Pakistani state, accusing it of sponsoring a counter-revolution in PoJK to suppress the ongoing support for the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a political group advocating for the rights of the people in the region. On January 12, the Jammu Kashmir Muslim Conference planned a rally to promote the "Accession to Pakistan" agenda, with an expected turnout of 15,000 to 20,000 people. Mirza believes the rally and the state's active participation in organizing it is aimed at intimidating the JAAC and creating an atmosphere of fear in PoJK. The activist urged the United Nations Security Council to take immediate action to protect the dignity and sovereignty of the people of PoJK, emphasizing that the international community must act to prevent further political suppression and human rights violations in the region. The situation in PoJK continues to be tense, with growing concerns about the erosion of democratic freedoms and the increasing influence of Pakistan's military and political agenda in the disputed territory. Mirza's appeal for international attention comes amid repeated calls to address the rights and aspirations of the people of PoJK, who continue to live under 'occupation' and are denied the political autonomy. (ANI)
BSF's increased surveillance along the unfinished India-Bangladesh Border to prevent infiltration, smuggling and trafficking amid instability in Bangladesh. Nilotpal Kumar Pandey, the DIG PRO of South Bengal Frontier, said that the situation in the border is favourable, and the BSF understands their responsibility. "In Jayantipur border, BSF is doing its duty, there is peace and there is no problem. We understand our responsibilities and the importance of them is also there and it is for all our youth. And all of us, for the proper implementation of our duties, remain committed and give our best," he told ANI. He further added that security of borders is the supreme responsibility of the BSF. "BSF is a responsible entity. The security of borders and the environment in the borders are the responsibility of BSF. It is a great responsibility and a challenge. Every young man understands this and to fulfil this responsibility, they put everything into duty with all his heart and soul. You can see the challenges, limitations and constraints. And in these circumstances, how all the members of BSF are fulfilling their duties," he said. At the village in zero-line border between India and Bangladesh, Sohail Mandal from Jayantipur village said that although living there was cumbersome, they feel safe in the presence of the Border Security Force. "There are certain hurdles living here in zero-line border house. We have to check and move around the village. The border fencing has not been done yet. If we have guests over, it becomes cumbersome, as we have to get checks done and continuously monitor the situation of the border. Even during medical emergencies, we need permission from the personnel, who then open the gates and let us visit the doctor. At night the gate closes at 9. Then in the morning the gate opens at 6. We are safe here. But it will be better if there is a proper border," he told ANI. There are 2,400 BSF personnel per 60 km, while Bangladesh has 800 personnel per 60 km on the river border from the Sonai river to the Tarali border area. Due to the escalation of tension in Bangladesh, the BSF is keeping a strict vigil on both land and river border. In the last few years, the livelihood of the people living along the Sonai river has been linked to smuggling. Without any physical fence, the BSF patrols the river bank 24x7. About 30,000 people live in the Tarali border area, making it difficult to conduct constant surveillance. Technology and surveillance to tackle smuggling CCTV cameras have been installed along the river border and the BSF is using advanced technology such as sensors to spot when a person attempts to cross the border, an officer told ANI. BSF tackles smuggling despite challenges Using a combination of manpower, resources and technology, the BSF has curbed smuggling to a large extent. Despite lack of cooperation from Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), who sometimes try to create disturbances along the river border, the BSF tackles these challenges effectively. The Border Security Force (BSF) South Bengal Frontier is dedicated to the security of India's border with Bangladesh. Speaking to ANI, DIG (PRO) of South Bengal Frontier expressed pride in the efforts of the force and said, "Our jawans know their duty and are performing it with full dedication. We understand our responsibility and are committed to it." Technological upgrades enhance border surveillance With growing concerns over illegal infiltration from Bangladesh, the BSF has adopted advanced technology to improve border security. At the Jayantipur border outpost, several advanced surveillance equipment like intruder alarms and modern cameras are being used to monitor activities along the border. This area, known as Electronically Surveillance Vulnerable Passage (ESVP), is considered sensitive. The cameras installed at key locations give live footage to a centralised control room for real-time monitoring. To maintain peace, the BSF uses non-lethal weapons like Pump Action Guns (PAGs) instead of lethal weapons, ensuring a balanced approach towards security. BOP Hakimpur, BOP Tarali 1,located in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, is one of the most sensitive parts of the India-Bangladesh border and the Sonai River, which separates India from Bangladesh, makes it widely exposed to cross-border infiltration. The river is less than 100 meters wide, even narrower in some parts, Bangladeshi intruders try to infiltrate into India with the help of ropes under the river water and is covered with water hyacinth in long stretches, making it almost impossible for security forces to patrol. And no finishing line has been built along the river as there are villages along the river where land has not been made available yet, due to which it has not been possible to build a finishing line, despite this, BSF personnel remain deployed on the border 24 hours a day to prevent all kinds of infiltration, smuggling, human trafficking. Types of smuggling Gold and human trafficking are mainly smuggled through the river border from Bangladesh. Items such as Indian silver, daily food products, textiles and cannabis are smuggled through India. The BSF faces special challenges during the monsoon and winter seasons, which include fog and heavy rains. The lack of lighting along the river makes it difficult for the BSF to spot smugglers, who are familiar with the best time to carry out their activities. Technology and surveillance to tackle smuggling CCTV cameras have been installed along the river border and the BSF is using advanced technology such as sensors to spot when a person attempts to cross the border. (ANI)
 Flash

A Syrian airliner awaits taking off from Damascus International Airport to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in Damascus, Syria, on Jan. 7, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

A series of moves took place across Syria on Tuesday, as the new authorities seek to restore normalcy and tackle longstanding infrastructure challenges after the previous government's downfall in December 2024.

Damascus International Airport resumed international flights to and from Gulf nations, launching a morning departure to Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates and welcoming the first civilian flight from Qatar's Doha in 13 years.

It marks a step toward alleviating the burdens Syrians have faced traveling through alternate airports.

"We are now able to reactivate Damascus International Airport," said Ashhad Slaibi, head of Syria's civil aviation authority. "This development will help our citizens avoid higher travel costs and, in the near future, we hope to restore service at Aleppo Airport as well."

In a separate announcement on Tuesday, the General Organization for Electricity Transmission and Distribution said two power-generating vessels from Turkiye and Qatar are en route to Syria, capable of producing a combined 800 megawatts. It did not say over what period.

Director-General Khaled Abu Dei said this capacity is roughly half of Syria's current total electricity output, predicting a potential 50-percent boost in supply once the lines are set up to distribute the power.

Noting the extensive damage to power stations, substations, and transmission lines across Syria, Abu Dei said the new administration is working swiftly to rebuild and adapt the grid.

Meanwhile, Oil and Mineral Resources Minister in the Syrian interim government Ghaiath Diab said Tuesday that engineers are using the downtime of Syria's largest oil refinery the Baniyas Refinery, caused by a crude oil shortage since December 2024 after the fall of the previous Syrian government, to perform maintenance on equipment. Diab expected crude shipments to arrive soon, at which point the facility can restart production and help meet the nation's fuel needs.

In a statement to the local press on Tuesday, Syrian Arab Red Crescent chief Hazem Baqleh warned of severe medicine shortages and stressed the urgency of restoring hospital services, many of which were damaged during the conflict.

On the security front, an unnamed Syrian official was cited by the local Al-Watan Online newspaper as stating that security authorities on Tuesday launched a sweeping operation in Zabadani, west of Damascus, targeting leftover weapons depots and arresting "remnants" of the previous government's militias who refused to surrender arms or comply with reconciliation measures.

The operation followed a three-day security sweep launched by the military in the central Syrian province of Homs.
The 11th India - European Union (EU) Human Rights Dialogue was held in the national capital on Wednesday. The Dialogue was co-chaired by Piyush Srivastava, Joint Secretary (Europe West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, and Herve Delphin, Ambassador of the European Union to India. "During the Dialogue, India and the EU reiterated their commitment to the shared principles and values of democracy, freedom, rule of law, and to the promotion and protection of all human rights. They emphasized the universality, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelatedness of all human rights," the MEA said in a press release. "The two sides also welcomed regular and meaningful, free and frank discussions under the framework of the Dialogue. At the outset, the two sides congratulated voters in India and the EU who participated in the two largest democratic exercises of 2024 - the Indian General Election and the European Elections, which were strong demonstrations of political and electoral rights in action," it added. They further outlined their approaches, achievements, and challenges in their respective journeys towards the shared goal of advancement of all human rights and exchanged views on related developments in India and the EU since the last Dialogue in July 2022. Reflecting their commitment to upholding human rights, they both agreed on the need to safeguard the freedom, independence and diversity of civil society actors and organisations and other relevant stakeholders such as journalists, respecting freedom of association, expression and peaceful assembly. The EU reiterated its opposition to capital punishment, while India reiterated its stand on recognition of the Right to Development as a distinct, universal, inalienable and fundamental human right. Both sides discussed the issues related to civil and political rights; social, economic, and cultural rights; elimination of discrimination in all its manifestations; freedom of religion or belief; countering religious hatred; freedom of expression and opinion, both online and offline; gender, LGBTQI+ and the rights of the child; women's empowerment; and technology and human rights. The two sides also exchanged views on the rights of migrants and Business and Human Rights. India and the EU also recognized the importance of strengthening national and international human rights mechanisms for the protection and promotion of human rights. Both sides underlined the importance of enhancing cooperation in the multilateral fora, particularly at the UN General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC). In this regard, they committed to closer cooperation and more regular exchanges between the Permanent Missions of India and the EU in Geneva, "in order to identify further opportunities for joint action." They also discussed cooperation on "humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in accordance with international humanitarian law." "Both sides looked forward to continuing the constructive dialogue at the next Human Rights Dialogue in 2026," the statement added. (ANI)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held bilateral discussions with the Defence Minister of Maldives Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon in New Delhi on Wednesday. During the meeting, India handed over defence equipment and stores to the Maldives, as per the island nation's request. Both sides comprehensively reviewed various aspects of bilateral defence and security cooperation and reasserted the firm commitment to work closely in realising the joint vision for the India-Maldives Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. Raksha Mantri reaffirmed India's readiness to support the Maldives in capability enhancement for defence preparedness, including provisioning of defence platforms and assets to augment its capacities, as per its national priorities and in line with New Delhi's 'Neighborhood First' policy and the vision of SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region). Minister Maumoon appreciated India's historical role as the 'First Responder' for the Maldives and thanked New Delhi for assisting Male in augmenting the modern infrastructural capacities and training of defence & security personnel. "On the Government of Maldives' request, India handed over defence equipment and stores to the Maldives," the statement added. Earlier, in a delegation-level meeting with his Maldivian counterpart, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reaffirmed India's commitment to deepening ties with the Maldives. Reflecting on the recent visit of President Mohamed Muizzu to India, Singh stated, "I recall our brief meeting with you during the state visit of President Mohamed Muizzu to India in October 2024. The visit of the President of the Maldives has provided a new orientation to our bilateral relationship, and the Joint Vision Document released during the visit acts as a guiding principle for our two countries." He emphasised the enduring spiritual, historical, linguistic, and ethnic ties between the nations, describing the relationship as "close, cordial, and multidimensional." Singh noted that the Maldives holds a special position under India's Neighbourhood First Policy, a strategic framework aimed at ensuring regional stability and prosperity. He added, "Maldives occupied a special place under Neighbourhood's First Policy of India, which aimed to bring stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region." Notably, Minister Maumoon is on his first official visit to India. The visit is part of continued high-level engagements between the two sides. It has provided an opportunity to further deepen the bilateral defence and security ties for the mutual benefit of the two countries and the Indian Ocean Region. (ANI)
Former Deputy High Commissioner for Bangladesh to India, Mashfee Binte Shams said that although Sheikh Hasina's extradition from India is an important issue, it has not strained the ties between New Delhi and Dhaka as the relationship is "long-satnding" that has been evolving over the last 50 years. Shams, while speaking with ANI, said that India and Bangladesh said that extradition is not the only issue between the two nations, and both countries are working for their "multi-faceted" and "multi-dimensional" relationship "Sheikh Hasina's extradition right now is very important for the government of Bangladesh," she said. "Bangladesh-India relations is a long-standing relationship. But this is not the only issue or the only factor that the two countries are working on. They are saying it's a multi-faceted, multi-dimensional relationship which has been evolving over the last 50 years and even before our liberation, there was a relationship. So it is a factor, it is an important issue right now, but I wouldn't say that it's the only issue between the two countries. And while it remains critically important for the government of Bangladesh right now, I don't think it has strained the relationship, as you would call it, between the two countries," she added. Shams said that instead of focusing on short-term emergencies, one must focus on long-term relationship between the two countries. "Sometimes we tend to react in very short-term, responding to very short-term emergencies. But we always need to remember the long-term relationship, the long-term goals, the shared objectives or past linkages or history," she said. Talking about the Hasina's extradition, Shams said it is a "complicated affair" and there are multiple legal, judicial and bureaucratic processes involved, adding that several political issues and larger bilateral ties are also at stake. "Extradition is an extremely complicated affair if you look at it this way that even when two countries have the best interest in their heart, it still takes sometimes years for the extradition process to be completed. There are legal issues involved, there are judicial processes involved, there are bureaucratic processes involved. So even when two countries are cooperative and they want to extradite somebody who is wanted in the other country, even then I have seen that it takes, sometimes it takes years for the whole process to be completed. So here where there are many larger political issues involved, there are many issues of bilateral, bigger bilateral issues at stake. Perhaps it will be a much more complicated process," Shams further said. She added, "If you think of some of the people who have been extradited from Bangladesh to India, even those processes took considerable time to actually happen. Even after we signed the extradition treaty, it took quite a few years, both sides willing." Earlier, on December 24, 2015, top leader of United Liberation Front of Asom, Anup Chetia was released from a jail in Assam after he obtained bail in four cases, The Daily Star reported. Following his extradition on November 11, Chetia was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation in Delhi in connection with a murder in Golaghat, the Daily Star reported. Chetia was handed over to India by Bangladesh where he was in jail since his arrest by the country's police in 1997 on charges of cross-border intrusion, carrying fake passports and illegally keeping foreign currencies, as per The Daily Star. (ANI)
United Kingdom Safeguarding Minister, Jess Phillips said on Wednesday, that "nothing is off the table" in connection with the grooming gangs scandal, and they won't shy away from national inquiry if victims want one, Sky News reported. "And if the victims come forward to me in this victims' panel and they say, 'actually, we think there needs to be a national inquiry into this', I'll listen to them," she said. Phillips said that the measures she is setting are aimed at keeping children safe. "The measures that I'm setting out today and the legislation in many ways go further because it puts a requirement on all councils to have teams working to keep children safe," she said. Phillips also slammed the opposition Conservative Party, over their charge that the UK government doesn't care about children, and said the Conservatives never brought such legislations while they were in power. "And the bandwagon jumpers that have come along in recent days, they don't care about children, they don't care about making sure that we stop this and we take action," she said, adding, "They had years to do it and they didn't do it." This comes amid rising concerns over the multiple incidents of crimes against children and young girls, by the 'sexual-grooming gangs' Earlier in the day, Hindu Council UK (HCUK) demanded a national public inquiry into sexual-grooming gangs across the United Kingdom, condemning the "heinous crimes" committed against children and young girls. The organisation has called on the UK government to fulfil its responsibility of safeguarding vulnerable individuals and ensuring justice for the victims of these atrocities. https://x.com/hinducouncil_uk/status/1876642347901194512 The HCUK emphasised the urgency of addressing the issue, citing a 2011 report by The Times that exposed the widespread grooming of girls in several UK towns. Three years later, the first inquiry revealed that approximately 1,400 children had fallen victim to predators in one English town alone. According to the HCUK, the UK criminal justice system has repeatedly failed to protect victims from predatory men, necessitating a full investigation into these scandals. "It is the prime responsibility of the Government to safeguard and protect children and young people against these heinous crimes," the HCUK stated. (ANI)
The meeting aimed to reinforce the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with discussions focused on deepening bilateral ties and exchanging views on regional and global issues.

https://x.com/IndembAbuDhabi/status/1876987751712673809

Indian Embassy in UAE shared the pictures of the meet and wrote on X, "Reinforcing India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership! Foreign Secretary @VikramMisri met H.E. Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation in Dubai today. They discussed ways to further deepen ties and exchanged views on regional and global issues."

Earlier in the day, Misri met with the Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai on Wednesday, and affirmed India's commitment to provide further humanitarian and development assistance to the Afghan people

During the meet, India agreed to promote trade and commerce, including through Chabahar port. It will also extend its support to the health sector and rehabilitation of refugees in the country.

https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1876979447175217450

Sharing the picture of the meet, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote on X, "Foreign Secy @VikramMisri met Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai today. Both sides discussed ongoing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, bilateral issues and security situation in the region."

"India reiterated its commitment to continue to provide humanitarian & development assistance to the Afghan people. Agreed to promote trade and commerce, including through Chabahar port. India will also extend its support to the health sector & rehabilitation of refugees in the country," the post added.

During the meet, the Foreign Secretary underlined India's historic friendship with the Afghan people and the strong people to people contacts between the two countries.

In this context, he conveyed India's readiness to respond to the urgent developmental needs of the Afghan people.The two sides evaluated the ongoing Indian humanitarian assistance programmes.

The Afghan Minister appreciated and thanked the Indian leadership for continuing to engage and support the people of Afghanistan. (ANI)
Former Deputy High Commissioner for Bangladesh to India, Mashfee Binte Shams called the business ties between India and Bangladesh as "remarkable." When asked how can closed neighbors like India and Bangladesh resolve current tensions while maintaining strong people-to-people and business ties, Shams said that both sides must remember that "they are dependent on each other' and are in a "symbiotic relationship." "The business ties between Bangladesh and India are actually quite remarkable. Right now India is our largest export destination in Asia and we are importing around USD 17-18 billion worth of products from India. In addition to that, that's the formal trade. In addition to that, there are many more dependencies," she said. Shams said that the business between the two countries was that of USD 18 billion, which is a good number. "Sometimes it seems that we in Bangladesh are totally dependent on Indian products or Indian imports. But on the other hand, we in Bangladesh also believe that there are many things in Bangladesh that India is also dependent upon. For example, this 18 billion market is not a very small market. So that way I would like to think that the business relationship between the two countries is quite substantive and we can only try to nurture it and try to make it even bigger because it is definitely a win-win situation," she said. Shams said that business with India saves Bangladesh money, as India is a competitive market. "When we import from India we do it because this is the, most competitive in terms of prices and time and it serves the Indian exporters. They can really get their money quickly instead of exporting to a further destination. The transportation costs are so much less than in case of exporting to some other country. So let's not think that it's only Bangladesh who is depending on India for business," she told ANI. The former envoy further said that Bangladesh and India, both have a 'win-win situation' in terms of people-to-people ties as Bangladesh avails medical and education facilities in India. "People to people contact wise also I know that there is a narrative that Bangladesh is dependent on India for medical treatment and for other tourism issues education but you know this medical treatment that we are getting from India is not free. The people are paying for it. The education that we are getting in India is not also free. People are also paying for it. So there's a symbiotic relationship. And the sooner we realize that both sides are benefiting from it, I think the sooner we will be able to support this sort of people to people contact and the business relationship. Because it is clearly not a one-sided affair but a win-win situation for both the sides. So the public on both sides need to recognize it... and not try to harp on a certain one-sided narrative as if it's only Bangladesh who is benefiting from relationship with India," she said. Being asked how she assesses the current state of India-Bangladesh relations under the present government, Shams told ANI that the foundation of relations between both the countries is strong and have not reached 'unmanageable' situation. "The relationship has a very strong foundation. There are a lot of commonalities where we need to work together. We have been working together. You know there are certain blips that happen in relationship in the history of relationships between countries. I would say whatever is happening now, if you look at the media it seems as if the two countries are at the brink of something terrible. But I think if we look at it in an overall perspective of relationships, I think it will be possible to manage the relationship and it has not gone to unmanageable positions," she said. (ANI)
Godavarthi Venkata Srinivas presently serving as the Officer on Special Duty in the Ministry, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Oman, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Wednesday "Godavarthi Venkata Srinivas (IFS: 1993), presently Officer on Special Duty in the Ministry, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Sultanate of Oman," according to MEA. He is expected to take up the assignment shortly. (ANI)
US President-elect Donald Trump has blamed California Governor Gavin Newsom for the wildfires ravaging through the Los Angeles area, saying that Newsom refused to sign the water restoration declaration that would have pumped more water to flow into California. Trump said that Newsom wanted to protect a fish called a smelt by giving it less water instead of caring about the people of California. He urged Newsom to allow water to flow into California. In a post shared on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump stated, "Governor Gavin Newscum refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snow melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way." "He wanted to protect an essentially worthless fish called a smelt, by giving it less water (it didn't work!), but didn't care about the people of California. Now the ultimate price is being paid. I will demand that this incompetent governor allow beautiful, clean, fresh water to FLOW INTO CALIFORNIA! He is the blame for this. On top of it all, no water for fire hydrants, and no firefighting planes. A true disaster," he added. https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113793724958051185 Donald Trump said that Gavin Newsom and his Los Angeles crew have contained zero per cent of the fire. In another post shared on Truth Social, the US President-elect stated, "As of this moment, Gavin Newscum and his Los Angeles crew have contained exactly ZERO per cent of the fire. It is burning at levels that even surpass last night. This is not Government. I can't wait till January 20th!" https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113794310597997768 He further added, "NO WATER IN THE FIRE HYDRANTS, NO MONEY IN FEMA. THIS IS WHAT JOE BIDEN IS LEAVING ME. THANKS JOE!" https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113794373085936970 Trump's statement comes after the severe impact of the wildfires, which have burned thousands of acres and forced tens of thousands of residents to evacuate. Two people have been killed in the wildfires which erupted on Tuesday. While addressing a press conference on Wednesday, LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said that two people were killed and there have been a high number of injuries due to the Eaton Fire. The cause of death for the two civilians has not yet been determined. About 100 structures have been destroyed due to the Eaton fire. Tens of thousands of residents were evacuated as over 5,000 acres burned in the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, an estimated 1,000 structures were destroyed in the Palisades Fire. Officials said there were injuries due to the fire, ABC News reported. The Eaton Fire, which broke out miles away from the Palisades Fire in California's Altadena, has burned 2,227 acres with zero per cent containment. Meanwhile, the Hurst Fire broke out and spread northeast of California's San Fernando, burning at least 500 acres. According to poweroutage.us, at least 245,000 customers were without power as of 8:40 am (local time) in Los Angeles County. California officials asked residents to follow evacuation orders to keep themselves and first responders out of danger as the fires continue to increase, the report said. According to LAPD Chief James McDonnell, Los Angeles County and all 29 fire departments in the county "are not prepared for this type of widespread disaster," despite officials prepositioning resources from northern California, ABC News reported. McDonnell said, "There are not enough firefighters in LA County to address four separate fires of this magnitude." The LAPD Chief said that the LA County Fire Department was prepared for one or two major brush fires but not four. "The LA County Fire Department was prepared for one or two major brush fires, but not four -- especially given the sustained winds and low humidities. As our director of emergency management said, this is not a normal red flag alert," he said. California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency to further support the communities impacted by this fire. He visited Pacific Palisades and met with local and state fire officials to support their response to the Palisades Fire. In a statement, Newsom said, "This is a highly dangerous windstorm that's creating extreme fire risk - and we're not out of the woods. We're already seeing the destructive impacts of this fire in Pacific Palisades that grew rapidly in a matter of minutes." He expressed gratitude to firefighters and first responders for their quick response and urged residents to pay attention to weather reporters and follow instructions given by emergency officials. "Our deepest thanks go to our expert firefighters and first responders who jumped quickly into fighting this dangerous fire. If you're in Southern California, please pay attention to weather reports and follow any guidance from emergency officials," Newsom said. (ANI)
The family of missing Belfast man John Hardy, also known as John George, say his body has been found in Spain.

The 37-year-old had been holidaying in Alicante and was last in touch with his family on December 14.

The father of two was reported missing four days later after he failed to board his flight home to Northern Ireland.

Solicitor firm KRW Law said Mr Georges father Billy contacted them on Tuesday evening with an update that Spanish police believed they had found his sons remains, and that a murder investigation had been launched.

His family reported him missing after he failed to board his flight home (Family Handout)

We can confirm the father of Mr George contacted us today shortly after 5pm to confirm Spanish police told him they had recovered his sons remains, the statement said.

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Mr Billy George was told that his sons body was now in a morgue awaiting formal identification.

The family are both distressed but also relieved at this latest news. It brings to an end an extremely tortuous search process for the body.

Speaking to The Independent in December, his brother Darren said: Our family home has been ripped to pieces. Dad has had a heart attack, our mum has had two strokes, but they are still running around Spain looking out for him.

Through tears, he added: John was my best friend. He looked after me my whole life I never had to worry for anything.

Siblings Darren, Courtney and Caitlyn had travelled out to find John George (right) (Family Handout/PA Wire)

He is my go-to person. Whether I was sick or having a bad day he was always coming to the rescue. He made you feel safe.

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He was a character, he would call us every day and Christmas time is his favourite time. He should be coming through that door to see his kids and get everyones spirits up.

There is no way he would be away from his kids. He did everything in his power to give them a good life.

Mr Georges family and friends had travelled to Spain to help search efforts and made public pleas for information.

Parents Billy and Sharon, brother Darren, and sisters Courtney and Caitlin  along with up to 50 friends and wider family from Northern Ireland  were involved in the wide-scale search operation.

The statement said a murder investigation had been launched and appealed for privacy for Mr Georges family.

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It said: The family want to thank all who have helped and supported them over the last number of days.

They now respectfully ask for some privacy to allow them both time and space to engage on the next harrowing stages on what is now a formalised murder investigation.

Police in Northern Ireland have been aiding their Spanish counterparts with their investigation and had issued appeals for information since Mr George was reported missing.
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The screenshot from a video shows Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaking to media in Ottawa, Canada, on Jan. 6, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday dismissed U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's willingness to use "economic force" to merge Canada into the United States.

"There isn't a snowball's chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States," Trudeau wrote on his social media account.

"Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each other's biggest trading and security partner," said Trudeau.

Trump said Tuesday that he's open to using "economic force" to acquire Canada.

Trump, speaking at a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, also refused to rule out the use of military force to seize control of the Panama Canal and Greenland.
STEVENS POINT  Stevens Point area voters will see several state and local races on their spring ballots.

Candidates had until 5 p.m. Tuesday to turn in their nomination paperwork to the Wisconsin Elections Commission to appear on the spring election ballot.

Nomination papers can be challenged for things like issues with signatures or addresses for three days following the nomination paper filing deadline. A primary will be held Feb. 18 for seats with more than two qualified candidates, and the spring general election between the top two candidates will be held April 1.

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The Stevens Point Journal compiled the following list of candidates for the spring election. To learn more about registering to vote and to find your polling place, visit My Vote Wisconsin.

(i) denotes an incumbent.

Wisconsin Supreme Court

The Wisconsin Supreme Court is made up of seven justices. Justices serve 10-year terms. Justice Ann Walsh Bradley announced her retirement from the Wisconsin Supreme Court in April after serving three terms since 1995.

Susan Crawford

Brad Schimel

State superintendent of public instruction

State superintendent serves a four-year term. Jill Underly has served in the position since 2021.

Jill Underly (i)

Jeff Wright

Brittany Kinser

Court of Appeals Judge District 4

Appeals court judges serve six-year terms. Judge Jennifer Nashold has served in the position since 2019.

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Jennifer Nashold (i)

City of Stevens Point

City of Stevens Point elected officials serve four-year terms. Clerk Kari Yenter is not seeking reelection.

City Clerk: Aline Cychosz, Susan Pagel

City Comptroller/Treasurer : Corey Ladick (i)

City Attorney: Andrew L. Beveridge (i)

Stevens Point Common Council

Stevens Point alderpersons serve two-year terms with half of the council's seats up for election each year. In 2025, the odd-numbered districts, 1 through 11, will be on the ballot.

District 1: Marc Christianson (i)

District 3: Ginger Keymer (i)

District 5: Allison Birr (i)

District 7: Mary Kneebone (i), Tim Johnson

District 9: Sam Lang (i)

District 11: Shaun Morrow (i), James Haine

Stevens Point School Board

Three of the nine seats on the Stevens Point School Board are up for election. A primary will not be required because there are only six candidates. School board members serve three-year terms. Current board member Dennis Raabe is not seeking reelection.

Jennifer Bushman (i)

Miguel Campos

Jeremy Lebrick

Marne Mercer

Barb Portzen (i)

Kristina Smith

More local news: The debate on the future of shared courthouse and city hall may soon end. Here's why.

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Local business news: What we know so far about the transition of The Store to Fuel On Wisconsin

Erik Pfantz covers local government and education in central Wisconsin for USA TODAY NETWORK - Wisconsin and values his background as a rural Wisconsinite. Contact him at epfantz@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Stevens Point Journal: Stevens Point 2025 spring election has these candidates on the ballot
U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-South Dakota, reintroduced a bill Monday to protect 40 acres at the Wounded Knee Massacre site on behalf of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.

Johnsons Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act passed the House in 2023 but didnt make it through the Senate last year. The new session of Congress began Friday.

Im hopeful the bill passes this Congress to provide greater tribal sovereignty to this sacred land, Johnson said in a news release.

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The massacre occurred on Dec. 29, 1890. Lakota people were camped near Wounded Knee Creek on the Pine Ridge Reservation in southwestern South Dakota, where they were surrounded by hundreds of Army soldiers. A shot rang out while the soldiers tried to disarm the camp, and chaotic shooting ensued.

Fewer than 40 soldiers were killed (some by friendly fire, according to historians), while estimates of Lakota deaths ran from 200 to 300 or more, depending on the source. After some of the bodies froze on the ground for several days, a military-led burial party dumped them into a mass grave.

Two years ago, the two tribes purchased 40 acres at the massacre site from a private owner. The legislation would place the land in restricted-fee status, which means it could not be sold, taxed, gifted or leased without approval by Congress and both tribes.

Sen. Mike Rounds, R-South Dakota, told South Dakota Searchlight that he plans to reintroduce his own version of the bill soon in the Senate. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-North Carolina, took advantage of rules last November allowing a single senator to block consideration of the House-passed bill.

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Well do whatever we can to help the leaders of the two tribes to get this accomplished, Rounds said. This is their request. This is not a partisan issue. Republicans and Democrats all agree this should be done. One way or another, well get it completed.

Tillis has opposed several tribal-related bills in an attempt to get senators to support his own bill to federally recognize the Lumbee Tribe in North Carolina. He called out the leaders of the Oglala and Cheyenne River Sioux tribes for allegedly not supporting his efforts. Rounds said Tillis may seek federal recognition in a different direction with President-elect Donald Trumps impending inauguration.

Oglala Sioux Tribe President Frank Star Comes Out called the new bill wholly uncontroversial in Johnsons Monday news release.

This sacred site should forever serve to remind us of where we as a country have been and as a marker for how much further we have to go, Star Comes Out said.

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Meanwhile, efforts to rescind medals of honor awarded to soldiers who participated in the massacre remain in limbo. The medals were subjected to a review last year by the Department of Defense, but there hasnt been an announcement of the review panels recommendations.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Johnson reintroduces bill to protect Wounded Knee Massacre site
A nonprofit organization is sending trained mental health providers to children and youth to aid them through crises.

Gulf Coast Social Services Regional Director Brandy Lirette said the nonprofit has an emergency response service that will respond within the hour to any child or youths self-defined crisis. The Youth Mobile Crisis Response has 11 employees trained through Louisiana State University to handle the situation.

Any youth or child up to the age of 20 facing a self defined crisis can call (985) 370-6026, or simply 988, and be aided in their time of need. There are no costs associated with it, and the program services seven parishes: Lafourche, Terrebonne, Assumption, St. Mary, St. James, St. Charles and St. John the Baptist.

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We try to meet them where they are, if that makes any sense. We are not trying to pull them into our world and change their mind about the way they are feeling, Lirette said. Theres no limit on the amount of times that a youth can call us.

The Youth Mobile Crisis Response can be called for any self defined crisis, Lirette said. Examples include grief caused by a death in the family, bullying, a break up, substance abuse or parents going through a divorce. Lirette said no crisis is too big or too small. Anyone, she added, can call on the youths behalf.

After a brief intake questionnaire over the phone, the response team of two arrives to meet with the youth in less than an hour. The brief phone call is to ensure the safety of all parties involved.

We want to get there as fast as we can, because talking to them over the phone is not going to save them, Lirette said. We need to really connect with them in person.

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More: Reformed tax policies to stricter voting rights: New Louisiana laws take effect in 2025

More: Can Trump rename the Gulf of Mexico? Here's what he wants to call it

If there is a gun involved, she said, the response team often will go still, but law enforcement will accompany them. The goal, however, is to not involve law enforcement.

That can be a trigger in itself for many youths, she said.

The three-step process looks to head off a situation before law enforcement has to get involved. It begins by de-escalating a situation, talking the person through the immediate feelings and getting a sense of what they are going through. Responders then speak with the person about what comes next, and make plans for the future. Finally, the crisis responders connect the child or teen and their family with local community resources. If none exist in the area, Lirette said, Gulf Coast Social Services will step in to become that caregiver.

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The Youth Mobile Crisis Response was founded the day before Thanksgiving through a grant by the Louisiana Department of Health.

This article originally appeared on The Courier: Seven parish program provides mental health aid to youths in crises
European leaders have criticised Elon Musk for attempting to influence politics overseas, with French president Emmanuel Macron suggesting he was attempting to intervene directly in elections.

Mr Musk, the worlds richest man, has been locked in a row with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, after he accused him of being "complicit in the crimes" of child sex offenders during his tenure as chief prosecutor.

Sir Keir has fought back, accusing Mr Musk and others of "spreading lies and misinformation", and also saying "a line has been crossed" by the businessman when he described Home Office minister Jess Phillips as a "rape genocide apologist".

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On Monday, European leaders also added to criticism of the X social media site owner, with Frances Emmanuel Macron saying: Who would have thought, if we had been told that the owner of one of the largest social networks in the world would support the new international reactionary movement and intervene directly in elections."

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has defended his record of prosecuting grooming gangs from attacks by Elon Musk (PA Wire)

In Norway, the countrys premier Jonas Gahr Store said he was also concerned about Mr Musks interventions in foreign politics. Norway is due to have elections later this year.

He told NRK, the countrys public broadcaster: I find it worrying that a man with enormous access to social media and huge economic resources involves himself so directly in the internal affairs of other countries.

Meanwhile in Germany, where the Tesla entrepreneur has endorsed the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), a spokesperson for Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Musks influence would not be felt in upcoming elections.

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We act as if Mr Musks statements on Twitter could influence a country of 84 million people with untruths or half-truths or expressions of opinion, the spokesperson said. This is simply not the case.

Mr Scholz had earlier responded to Mr Musks comments by simply saying: Dont feed the troll.

Oh like that time Starmer called @realDonaldTrump a racist and said the British government should do everything to stop him?



Or when Starmer sent British Labour Party members to campaign in the US against President Trump this year?https://t.co/5R28WgZIj0 https://t.co/S3cjV27Woi  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 6, 2025

In response to the accusation that he was intervening in foreign elections, Mr Musk continued his attacks on Sir Keir on his X platform on Monday night.

Oh like that time Starmer called [Donald Trump] a racist and said the British government should do everything to stop him?, he posted.

Or when Starmer sent British Labour Party members to campaign in the US against President Trump this year?

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The dispute follows weeks of hostile tweeting by Mr Musk, one of US President-elect Donald Trump's top aides, in which he has criticised Sir Keir's handling of the summer riots and expressed support for jailed far-right activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.

Writing for the Sun newspaper, Sir Keir defended his time working as England and Wales' chief prosecutor between 2008 and 2013, the period when he led the justice system as it began to prosecute child grooming gangs, and which has been a subject of Mr Musk's attacks.

He has faced a backlash by the Tories after suggesting those supporting a fresh inquiry into grooming gangs have joined the far-right bandwagon.

The PM agreed a national investigation into child grooming gangs was necessary, and said "that is why one was held" by Professor Alexis Jay, and it was now for the Government to follow up on this.

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Home Secretary Yvette Cooper told the Commons on Monday the Government would begin implementing Prof Jay's call for mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse.

"The protection of institutions must never be put before the protection of children," she added, as she suggested professionals who did not obey the duty could face criminal sanctions.

A "significant package of measures" will also be revealed in the next few weeks aimed at tackling online child sexual exploitation and abuse, the Home Secretary said.
Rhode Island Ethics Commission Chair Lauren E. Jones corrected a fellow commissioner's use of the old adage Dont fix what aint broke,' on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)

Government watchdogs will have to wait and see whether the Rhode Island Ethics Commission pursues proposed changes to state rules regulating who can give public officials gifts.

After an hourlong discussion, the commission voted Tuesday morning to delay a vote until all nine of its members have had a chance to review the proposals origins, which were prompted by a less-than-pristine education consulting contract forged in the early days of Gov. Dan McKees administration.

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Common Cause Rhode Island filed a three-part petition with the commission in December seeking stronger controls on lobbyists gifts to public officials, more public disclosure of those gifts, and oversight by the ethics commission on state procurement. The most hotly discussed part of the petition at Tuesdays meeting involved clarifying the commissions authority over gifts given by lobbyists to state officials.

The Rhode Island ethics code bans gifts over $25 to state employees from people who could stand to benefit from a relationship with them, but lobbyists are not included in that category by definition.

We are okay with the Commissions decision to postpone this decision until February while it receives more information about the ILO Group controversy, said John Marion, executive director of the Rhode Island branch of advocacy group Common Cause, in an email.

But, added Marion, We will be disappointed if they ultimately vote to reject our petition for rulemaking. It is very clear that the current gift law is not working as intended and we need to make it stronger.

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Six commissioners voted to postpone discussion on the topic until Feb. 11. Three commissioners were absent from the meeting, and even one who was present acknowledged that she didnt know the details about the ILO probe, the genesis of the petition.

Theres lots of news going on, Commissioner Emma L. Peterson said, before motioning to delay the conversation. I dont know what youre talking about.

The petition activated the states rulemaking procedure for public agencies, commission Executive Director Jason Gramitt explained as he introduced Marion. The commission can deny the petition, or it can affirm the rulemaking process and incorporate it into subsequent meetings.

The Common Cause petition came several weeks after an October press briefing by Attorney General Peter F. Neronha, concluding that McKee and his allies had swayed, in a ham-handed way, the awarding of a school reopening contract to the ILO Group in 2021. But the governor, his former adviser Mike Magee and ILOs Julia Rafal-Baer were basically invulnerable as far as legal consequences went, Neronha conceded.

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While rooted in the ILO investigation, the petition is a call for more systemic reform, Marion told the commission.

Ultimately, we came to the conclusion not to file a complaint with you against any of the people involved, Marion said. But we did come to some conclusions that there are some areas with code ethics we think can be tightened.

Marion said the gift rule should categorically bar gifts greater than $25 in value, or $75 in aggregate, from all registered lobbyists.

We believe that the current rule is insufficiently protective of the public interest and can also be difficult to comply with, Marion said. Common Cause is not seeking specific changes to language, because we recognize that the code of ethics is a complex set of laws that interact with one another, he added.

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The commission would suss out the best possible wording, Marion suggested. But when it was time for the commission to ponder alternatives, Commissioner Frank J. Cenerini did not appear very interested: The commission regulates public officials, he said, not third parties.

Rhode Island Ethics Commissioner Frank Cenerini expressed skepticism about proposed reforms to the commissions regulation of lobbyist gifting practices on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)

We already effectively regulate third parties in the same way that Common Cause is proposing, Commission Chair Lauren E. Jones replied People who are giving the gift  lobbyists, or interested persons  are third parties. Who were regulating are the public officials who are receiving the gift.

Gifts imbued with mutual benefit would still be precluded under existing statute, thought Cenerini, and the proposed changes would be impractical for elected officials.

The proposal is that [the public official] would disclose it every year, said Commissioner Peterson.

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But then the government official is going to constantly go check the computer to see if someones a registered lobbyist, he said.

Mm hmm. Maybe, Peterson said.

Given a chance to respond, Marion said he is also a registered lobbyist  and in 16 years, over hundreds of meetings with public officials, exchanges as small as coffees or cheap lunches can raise ethical concerns over officials interactions with lobbyists. Cenerini pushed onward, citing the case of the Capital Grille as a defense of the status quo. The commission resolved that case last January, when it dismissed McKees possible wrongdoing for eating a lunch paid for by a lobbyist.

Our existing system worked well, Cenerini said. Sometimes when things work, why try to fix a working process?

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I believe the vernacular on that is, Dont fix what aint broke, Jones offered.

The events that have come before this commission originated with a person who was not a registered lobbyist, Cenerini continued. Now were being asked to investigate registered lobbyists.

Peterson then admitted she wasnt clear what those events were.

Avoiding too lengthy a recap of the ILO story, Gramitt said, Its a lot. He agreed that a delayed hearing could give the commissioners a more well-rounded understanding of why Common Cause made its petition in the first place.

While the commission decides to possibly catch up on its reading, Marion offered that Common Cause will be shoring up its own arguments.

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Im not confident the Commission agrees with our assessment, Marion said of the petition, but well make sure our case is even stronger at their February meeting.

Commissioners Matthew Strauss, Jill Harrison and Hugo Ricci Jr. were absent at the meeting.

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WARWICK  The Cannabis Control Commission on Wednesday released their much-anticipated draft regulations for expanding the retail market, but not without renewed debate among the three commissioners over the process of selecting qualified applicants for 24 planned future stores.

The commission plans to use what it calls a two-step hybrid method, where only those applicants it deems properly prepared to run a cannabis store will then qualify to enter a license lottery.

What are the concerns over the new regulations?

Commissioner Robert Jacquard reiterated his concern that license selection should be based on proven merit, to avoid unqualified applicants being given the same chance for a retail license as others who are more experienced.

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For instance, Jacquard noted that three of the proposed regulations only require store license applicants to have a business plan, a safety and security plan and an operations manual.

But we wont be able to consider which applicants have the better plans, only that they have a plan, and then theyre in the lottery, he said. So, I think that is unfair to the applicants that put the most effort into this and have the best overall plans.

But Chairwoman Kim Ahern and Commissioner Layi Oduyingbo disagreed. They said relying too heavily on the commissions own subjective opinions would make it more vulnerable to lawsuits from businesses that are not selected  a reality that curtailed some states from expanding their new cannabis markets.

More: A California woman is challenging RI's cannabis laws. The state wants the suit tossed.

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When you do that, thats how other states have been sued to great success, said Ahern. So my goal is to avoid further delay, which is a theme weve heard in every public comment period weve had.

Said Oduyingbo: The second we are making selections that are fully decided by us ... thats going to be ripe for litigation.

Rhode Island's Cannabis Control Commission during a 2023 meeting. From left: Robert Jacquard, chairwoman Kimberly Ahern and Layi Oduyingbo

The 2022 Rhode Island Cannabis Act that legalized recreational cannabis use called for 24 additional retail stores around the state beyond the seven dispensaries now operating. (Two other proposed dispensaries are still trying to gain licenses to open, one in Woonsocket and one in Foster.)

After raising his concerns Wednesday over how those store licenses will be awarded, Jacquard joined his colleagues in unanimously voting to post the 200 pages of rules and regulations for public comment.

What comes next?

The public comment will be open for 30 days, after which the commission has some time to consider any changes before taking a final vote of their passage, said Ahern.

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More: RI's illicit cannabis market thrives 2 years after sales legalized. Why it keeps growing

Ahern said she wants to move much faster than the 180 days the commission has under the Cannabis Act to finalize the regulations.

If we got zero comments [on the rules and regulations] it could be done in under two months, she said. If we got thousands of comments, then its hard.

But Ahern said she worries as well about possible legal challenges coming.

The state is already facing at least two lawsuits from parties outside Rhode Island challenging the residency and other participant requirements of the Cannabis Act, though the lawsuits havent stopped the commissions work so far.

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Because of those unknowns, Ahern said it was impossible to know if any new cannabis stores will open in 2025.

My goal is we avoid any further delay. But there are some great unknowns that have literally stopped progress, stopped the ability to license, in other states. So, it would be foolish for me to say yes or no to that question, not knowing whats about to come at us.

The proposed rules can be found on the commission's website and the website of the secretary of state's office.

Contact Tom Mooney at: tmooney@providencejournal.com

This story has been updated with additional information.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI retail cannabis market will grow under new rules. What to know.
Bird feathers have been found in an engine recovered from the site of the deadly Jeju Air flight which crashed-landedand killed 179 people in South Korea, investigators said.

The Boeing 737-800 skidded off a runway at Muan International Airport and hit a concrete fence, bursting into flames, on 29 December.

The cause of the disaster is under investigation, but video showed the plane having difficulty with the landing gear.

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The pilot also received a warning from air traffic controllers about possible bird strikes and the plane issued a distress signal before the crash, investigators added.

All of the victims were South Koreans except for two Thais, with many returning from Bangkok after Christmas holidays there.

The Boeing 737-800 was carrying 181 people from Thailand to South Korea when it crashed on arrival on 29 December 2024 (AFP via Getty Images)

Last week, investigators searched the offices of the airport operator and the transport ministrys aviation authority in the southwestern county of Muan as the well as office of Jeju Air in Seoul, the South Jeolla provincial police said in a statement.

They planned to seize documents and materials related to the operation and maintenance of the aircraft as well as the operation of airport facilities, a police official told Reuters.

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Authorities also banned the chief executive of Jeju Air from leaving South Korea. The investigation team imposed a travel ban on two individuals, including Jeju Air CEO Kim E Bae, police said.

The crash has prompted the South Korean government to order emergency inspections of all Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by domestic carriers. Investigators are focusing on the landing gear, which appeared to have malfunctioned during the Jeju Air crash.

The plane crash-landed and skidded off a runway at Muan International Airport and hit a concrete fence, bursting into flames

Jeju Air, facing significant public backlash, has seen a sharp drop in its stock value and over 60,000 flight cancellations.

The tragedy has shaken South Korea, prompting the acting president to call for a comprehensive review of airline operations and airport safety infrastructure

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Bereaved relatives held a memorial service at the site of the crash on New Years Day, laying white flowers and offering traditional rice cake soup in tribute to their loved ones.

They were bused to the site, where they took turns laying white flowers, knelt down and bowed deeply before a memorial table where food was placed. The food included ddeokguk, a Korean rice cake soup eaten on New Years Day.
On Tuesday, Donald Trump Jr. landed in Greenland, the Arctic island his father, President-elect Donald Trump, has expressed a strong desire to purchase, despite sharp statements from Greenland that it is not for sale.

Trump Jr. framed the trip as a little bit of fun, telling CNN, as an outdoorsman, Im excited to stop into Greenland for this week.

But the trip has fueled speculation about what exactly his fathers plans are for this Arctic territory.

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In December, Trump revived calls made in his first presidency for US ownership of Greenland, calling it an absolute necessity. Asked at a Tuesday news conference whether he would rule out using military or economic coercion to gain Greenland  or Panama, which Trump has also expressed desire to own  the president-elect responded, No, I cant assure you on either of those two, but I can say this: We need them for economic security.

The president-elect says owning Greenland is vital for US security, but experts say he may also be eyeing other aspects of Greenland such as its trove of natural resources  including rare earth metals  which may become more accessible as climate change melts the territorys ice.

A unique geopolitical position

Greenland is the worlds largest island and home to more than 56,000 people. A former Danish colony and now an autonomous territory of Denmark, it occupies a unique geopolitical position, sitting between the US and Europe. Its capital city Nuuk is closer to New York than it is to Denmarks capital Copenhagen.

Its long been seen as key for US security, especially to repel a potential attack from Russia, said Ulrik Pram Gad, a senior researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies. The Northwest Passage shipping lane runs along its coast and the island is part of the Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom gap, a strategic maritime region.

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Trump is not the first US president to float the idea of buying Greenland. In 1867, when President Andrew Johnson bought Alaska, he also considered purchasing Greenland. At the end of World War II, the Truman administration offered Denmark $100 million for the island, according to documents first reported on by Danish media.

Neither offer came to fruition, but under a 1951 defense treaty, the US got an air base now called Pituffik Space Base, in northwest Greenland. Midway between Moscow and New York, its the northernmost outpost of the US armed forces and is equipped with a missile warning system.

The US is keen to ensure no hostile great powers control Greenland, because it can be a foothold for attacking the US, Pram Gad told CNN.

Rich in rare minerals

What might be even more appealing to Trump, however, is Greenlands rich deposits of natural resources, said Klaus Dodds, professor of geopolitics at Royal Holloway, University of London.

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These include oil and gas, as well as the rare earth metals in high demand for the electric cars and wind turbines of the green transition, as well as for manufacturing military equipment.

One of many research stations on the Greenland ice sheet that scientists use to track its movement and elevation. - Julian Quinones/CNN

Currently China dominates global rare earth production and has already threatened to restrict the export of critical minerals and associated technologies, ahead of Trumps second term.

There is no question at all that Trump and his advisers are very concerned about the stranglehold that China appears to have, Dodds told CNN. Greenland offers a potentially rich source of these critical minerals, he added. I think Greenland is really about keeping China out.

Opportunities as the ice melts

Melting ice and rapidly rising Arctic temperatures are giving Greenland a front-row seat to the climate crisis, but some also see economic opportunities as climate change reshapes the country.

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The loss of ice has opened up shipping routes, increasing the amount of time they can be navigated during the Northern Hemisphere summer. Arctic shipping rose 37% over the decade to 2024, according to the Arctic Council, in part due to melting ice.

Trump, I think, instinctively gets the idea that the Arctic is melting, and the perceived opportunities, Dodds said. Although he cautioned, in reality, conditions along these routes are still often treacherous, and melting ice may make waters even more dangerous to navigate.

As the planet warms, Greenland's ice sloughs off of the island and into the Atlantic Ocean, where it melts and contributes to sea level rise. - Evelio Contreras/CNN

There is also a suggestion that melting ice may make natural resources easier to access, but the climate crisis has not yet proved much of a game-changer for this, said Phillip Steinberg, a geography professor at the University of Durham.

Its not that climate change is making Greenlands resources more accessible, he told CNN, but rather more necessary.

Could it actually happen?

The governments of both Denmark and Greenland have come out strongly against the idea the Arctic nation can be purchased.

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We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our yearslong struggle for freedom, Greenlands Prime Minister Mute Egede wrote in a Facebook post in late December.

Kuupik V. Kleist, a former prime minister of Greenland, said Trump was talking more to US citizens than to Greenlanders. I dont see anything in the future that would pave the way for a sale. You dont simply buy a country or a people, he told CNN.

But Trumps comments come at an interesting time for Greenland, Dodds said. Its Inuit-led government has recently been ramping up demands for independence from Denmark. In his new year address, Egede called for the shackles of the colonial era to be removed.

Its panicking Denmark, Dodds said, which appears to have been focusing more on its relationship with Greenland. In December, Denmark announced a huge increase in military spending for Greenland. Then, at the start of January, the Danish royal family launched a redesigned royal coat of arms, increasing the prominence of the polar bear symbolizing Greenland.

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On Wednesday, Denmarks foreign minister said that Greenland may become independent if its residents want, but it wont become a US state, according to Reuters.

We fully recognize that Greenland has its own ambitions. If they materialize, Greenland will become independent, though hardly with an ambition to become a federal state in the United States, Danish foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said.

The foreign minister also said that Denmark is open to a dialogue with the Americans on how we can possibly cooperate even more closely than we do to ensure that the American ambitions are fulfilled.

Donald Trump Jr. poses after arriving in Nuuk, Greenland on January 7, 2025. - EMIL STACH/AFP/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Ima

Greenland has been looking to boost its independence by diversifying its economy away from fishing. It opened a new airport in Nuuk in November as part of plans to increase tourism. But it still relies on a roughly $500 million annual grant from Denmark, which has proved a big sticking point to independence.

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This raises a very intriguing question, Dodds said. What would Greenland do if Trump offered, say, $1 billion a year to have a different kind of association?

Some Greenlandic politicians have been floating the idea of a special association, similar to the one the US has with the Marshall Islands, where Greenland has sovereignty but also financial support from the US, in exchange for agreements on certain US strategic interests.

Former Prime Minister Kleist expressed heavy skepticism this kind of association could work, however. I dont think either that (this) is of any interest. Just think of how the US have treated its own Indigenous Peoples.

For now, it remains unclear how far Trump will pursue his stated desire to acquire Greenland once in office. Nobody knows if its just bravado, if its a threat to get something else, or if its actually something that he wants to do, said Pram Gad.

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is on a visit to four African countries - Namibia, the Republic of the Congo, Chad, and Nigeria - from Jan. 5 to 11, marking the 35th consecutive year that China's foreign minister has chosen Africa as the destination for the first overseas trip of the year.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has hailed it as a longstanding tradition and a distinctive hallmark of China's diplomacy that stems from the deep and enduring friendship between China and Africa.

Containers are being loaded onto a truck at Lekki Port in Lagos, Nigeria, on Nov. 30, 2024. Lekki Port, a commercial cooperation project constructed by China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd., stands as Nigeria's first deep seaport and one of the largest of its kind in West Africa. [Photo/Xinhua]

Over the years, China-Africa cooperation has been forging ahead towards all-round, multi-level, and high-quality development, delivering results across multiple fields, notably in areas of trade, industrialization, agricultural modernization, and capacity building, benefiting billions of people in both China and Africa.

As the world's largest developing country and the continent with the highest number of developing countries, China and Africa are charting the course for shared progress and revitalization, facilitating the modernization of the Global South and injecting "Southern" power into global prosperity and development.

Development opportunities

Herman Uwizeyimana, general manager of Fisher Global, a Rwandan agriculture company specializing in chili cultivation and export, made a field trip to examine the vibrant red chili crops near Mulindi Market in Kigali, the country's capital.

Herman Uwizeyimana, a pioneering Rwandan chili farmer with a PhD in ecology from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, checks the growth of chili peppers in a field in Kigali, Rwanda, Dec. 4, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

In 2021, Rwanda began to export dried chili to China, making chili cultivation a key export industry. "When people talk about chili, they often think of China. Everyone knows that our main market is China, and we have many farmers involved," he said.

Over the past three years, Fisher Global has exported 200-300 tonnes of dried chili to China annually. Bolstered by China's recent zero-tariff policy, Uwizeyimana's goal is to expand exports to 1,500 tonnes per year.

Since Dec. 1, China has granted all least developed countries with which it has diplomatic relations, including 33 African countries, zero-tariff treatment on 100 percent of their product categories, becoming the first major developing country and leading economy to adopt such a policy.

On top of the zero-tariff policy, China has introduced measures to turn its vast consumption market into a key opportunity for Africa, not least by expanding green channels for African agricultural products. It has also facilitated Africa's participation in major exhibitions like the China International Import Expo, helped connect African products to global markets, and signed economic partnership agreements for long-term, stable institutional support.

Driven by these measures, Rwandan dried chili and coffee, Kenyan avocados, Beninese pineapples, Malagasy lamb, Malawian peanuts, and Mozambican macadamia nuts and cashews are now gracing Chinese consumers' tables.

According to the General Administration of Customs of China, in the first eight months of 2024, China imported African agricultural products worth 28.47 billion yuan (about 4 billion U.S. dollars), up by 4.8 percent from a year earlier.

With two-way trade booming, China's vast market has also strengthened Africa's industrial chains and added value to its products. Michel Anondraka, director general of agriculture and livestock at Madagascar's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, said Madagascar exported frozen lamb products to China for the first time in 2024 and the transition to exporting meat instead of live animals will retain more added value in the country.

"Thanks to this export, (Madagascar's) livestock farmers will have a secure market, which will boost their production, increase their income, and earn more foreign currency," he said, adding that China's growing demand for Madagascar's mutton and goat meat will boost production for local livestock farmers and speed up the African country's agricultural modernization.

Advancing toward modernization

In November 2024, a group of 20 Africans from the agricultural sector visited Manluanzhan village in southwest China's Yunnan province to dig into the country's achievements in rural revitalization.

During their stay, they saw how structures like disused water towers had been transformed into cafes, and traditional homes converted into modern guesthouses. Participants also engaged in cultural activities such as traditional pottery-making and local martial arts.

Nabirye Sarah from the Busoga Consortium for Development tried making a pottery vase. "These hands-on activities showcase the value of local ethnic culture and are very appealing to urban youth and children," she said, unveiling her plan to introduce such easily accessible and innovative business projects to young people upon returning to her country.

Sarah is among the first cohort under a young rural entrepreneurs' initiative for African countries jointly launched by China Agricultural University and Chinese tech giant Tencent in 2024.

Dima Al-Khatib, director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation, depicted the initiative as an innovative South-South cooperation model that facilitates knowledge and skills sharing and fosters collaborative innovation between developing countries.

"This will enable you to transform your communities, to create lasting change, and drive sustainable development across Africa," she said.

Local farmers harvest rice in a field at the China National Hybrid Rice Research and Development Center's Africa sub-center in Mahitsy, Madagascar, on May 12, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

As China is working for high-quality development and Chinese modernization, Africa is also pursuing the modernization goals outlined in the African Union's Agenda 2063. China's experience offers fresh opportunities for Africa's development.

From Madagascar's hybrid rice to agricultural poverty reduction demonstration villages in Sao Tome and Principe, from Ethiopia's Eastern Industrial Zone to the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, and from Mauritania's China-Africa Green Technology Park to the geothermal power plant of Sosian Energy in Kenya, Chinese wisdom and solutions are taking root across Africa, boosting the continent's modernization drive.

"Africa and China are all giants who stand on the shoulders of each other. Let us work together for a better life. This life leaves no one behind," said Omar Mjenga, president and chief executive officer of the Center for International Policy-Africa.

Empowering young generation

In early December, Aloui Safaa, a student from Morocco Yiwu Business School, completed her first live-streaming session in a cross-border e-commerce class. Presenting stationery samples in English, Arabic, and French, she captivated a large audience.

"Live-streaming is so much fun! I used to watch livestream, but now I'm actively participating, leveraging my language skills, and even generating income," she said.

Her Chinese instructor Xiong Aisha comes from Yiwu Industrial and Commercial College. In 2023, the college partnered with Morocco's Mundiapolis University to establish Morocco Yiwu Business School. By tailoring China's vocational education expertise to local needs, the college offers degree programs and an education model that blends Chinese language learning with professional skill-building.

"I see that China has a lot to offer to Africa in terms of knowledge and development," said Olusola Oyewole, secretary general of the Association of African Universities, adding that collaboration with Chinese universities will help African researchers address their challenges.

With Africa's predominantly young population, the focus now must be on empowering the youth through skills and competence, which will drive the continent's development, he said.

Over the years, China-Africa cooperation has propelled Africa's growth by empowering African youth through initiatives such as the Luban Workshops, Confucius Institutes, and the China-Africa Universities 100 Cooperation Plan.

This photo taken on Feb. 15, 2024 shows a classroom of Luban Workshop in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Technical and Vocational Training Institute in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. [Photo/Xinhua]

Over the next three years, China will further cooperate with Africa to advance vocational education programs, establish engineering colleges, and extend the reach of the Luban Workshops to even more African countries.

The collaboration between Africa and China can enhance and empower African youth, particularly in emerging fields like digitalization and artificial intelligence, where China is providing strong support, said Oyewole.
On the first day of the new legislative session, Vermont lawmakers decided to retain the status quo for highest office in both chambers despite some calls for leadership changes.

House Speaker Jill Krowinski (D-Burlington) and President pro tempore Phil Baruth (D/P-Burlington) will both keep their powerful positions in the Statehouse.

Krowinski handily defeated challenger Rep. Laura Sibilia (I-Dover), 111-35, laying to rest concerns that the Independent lawmaker might gain enough votes from Democrats to usurp the incumbent. The speaker race was perceived by some to be tight, and audible gasps rippled through the Hall of Representatives when Krowinski's number of votes was read aloud.

Newly re-elected House Speaker Jill Krowinski thanks friends and family for their support on Jan. 8, 2024.

Baruth  whose only challenger, former senate minority leader Randy Brock (R-Franklin), dropped out prior to the first day of the session  also sailed to victory as president pro tem. The senate agreed to allow the senate secretary to cast one ballot for Baruth.

Who is the third member of the Committee on Committees?

Immediately after the president pro tem vote, Sen. Ginny Lyons (D-Chittenden-Southeast) was elected as the new third member of the Committee on Committees. Like Baruth, Lyons faced no challengers for the influential seat, resulting in the senate secretary casting one ballot for the veteran lawmaker.

Democrats announce top legislative priorities

Vermont Democratic lawmakers held a press conference prior to the start of the session, outlining their five top priorities for the new biennium: property tax reform and public education strengthening, climate resiliency, government accountability and transparency and affordable housing and healthcare.

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"We heard Vermonters loud and clear," House Majority Leader Lori Houghton said, describing education property taxes as "unsustainable and unacceptable" but also acknowledging that students still need quality education to "ensure a fair shot in our competitive world."

Houghton also emphasized that Democratic and Republican legislators are committed to bipartisan collaboration, a goal both parties accused each other last session of not striving to meet.

"I just talked to a Republican right before this press conference, and we agreed to make sure that we are working together," Houghton said.

Megan Stewart is a government accountability reporter for the Burlington Free Press. Contact her at mstewartyounger@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: VT legislature opens: Democrats to work on tax reform, housing
TOKYO, Jan 08 (News On Japan) - The nine-day New Year holiday, often hailed as a "miraculous break," has come to an end, and everyday life is gradually resuming. However, for some, this period marked a turning pointdeciding to quit their jobs. One resignation service provider reported a record-high number of client requests.

This development raises the question: why are so many people resigning right after a long holiday? On January 7th, the topic being discussed is the sudden surge in job resignations following the extended break.

Many employees returning to work after the holiday expressed a sense of gloom. When asked about how they felt post-holiday, some shared sentiments such as, "Its tough going straight into a full five-day workweek. I feel gloomy. During the break, I could relax more, so going back to work feels sad," and "I wish I could take a permanent break. Returning from my hometown to Tokyo felt like something I had to force myself to do multiple times. Facing another hellish daily routine feels incredibly depressing."

Others mentioned, "The crowded trains during rush hour are really crushing. For a moment, I felt like I wanted to quit."

Amid this atmosphere, resignation services have seen an increase in clients, particularly during this post-holiday period.

According to a company offering resignation services in Tokyo, January 6ththe first workday of the yearmarked the highest number of users ever, with 256 clients signing up in a single day. The company expects more than 100 new contracts on January 7th as well.

The company attributes this trend to the long holiday, during which many employees start dreading their return to work.

Shinji Tanimoto, president of the resignation service "Moumuri," explained, "Using a resignation service costs money. None of our clients chose this option simply because they didnt want to work after a nine-day holiday. Most of them decided to quit due to serious issues such as harassment."

Tanimoto added that while there are various reasons for resignations, harassment and mental health concerns are the most common factors. He elaborated, "In many cases, employees fear that informing their boss about their resignation will worsen the harassment they are already facing. During the long break, they reflect on their situation, feel overwhelmed, and become unable to return to work."

Looking at monthly statistics, the company noted that since April 2024, when awareness of resignation services grew, they have consistently handled over 1,000 contracts per month. To date, 23,000 individuals have used their service to resign.

While theres no significant gender gap among those using resignation services, about 70% are in their 20s and 30s. Interestingly, the service is also utilized by older individuals, with clients in their 50s and beyond. The oldest client was reportedly 71 years old.

In response to this societal trend, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is introducing helplines and online consultation services that cater to different age groups and concerns. Seeking advice and sharing ones troubles may help individuals better organize their thoughts and emotions.

Remember, you are not alonedont hesitate to reach out to someone.

Source: FNN
TOKYO, Jan 09 (News On Japan) - The advanced technology trade show "CES" opened in Las Vegas, where Panasonic announced a new strategy to increase AI-related business to 30% of the group's total sales.

On January 7th, Panasonic revealed its new business strategy, branded as "Panasonic Go," during a press conference timed with the opening of CES.

The company aims to expand its AI-driven products and solutions to account for 30% of its overall sales by 2035.

Panasonic also announced a partnership with a U.S. generative AI company to compete with the rapidly growing ChatGPT and plans to broaden its range of appliances and services to meet diverse customer demands.

Founded in 1918 as Matsushita Electric Housewares Manufacturing Works, a company initially producing light bulb sockets, Panasonic has since developed numerous household appliances. Moving forward, it is set to transform into an AI-focused enterprise.

Source: ANN
TOKYO, Jan 09 (News On Japan) - Fast Retailing, the operator of Uniqlo and other brands, has announced plans to raise its starting salary to 330,000 yen.

The increase will apply to new employees joining the company this year, up 30,000 yen from the previous starting salary of 300,000 yen.

The change is part of a domestic compensation revision to be implemented in March, resulting in an annual income increase of approximately 10%, bringing it to over 5 million yen.

The company aims to attract top talent and strengthen its global competitiveness through this move.

Source: ANN
KYOTO, Jan 09 (News On Japan) - Kyoto Citys accommodation tax, introduced in 2018, is likely to see an increase, with the maximum rate potentially rising to 10,000 yen.

Currently, the accommodation tax is applied in three tiers, ranging from 200 yen to 1,000 yen, depending on the lodging fee. According to city officials, the new proposal suggests a five-tier system, with a tax of 10,000 yen for stays costing 100,000 yen or more per night.

Kanayama Takahiro, manager of Riverte Kyoto Kamogawa, expressed concern: "We are very worried that a higher accommodation tax may lead to fewer customers."

The revised ordinance regarding the increase in Kyotos accommodation tax is scheduled to be submitted to next months city council meeting.

Source: TBS
In todays fast-paced world, businesses must adopt effective search engine optimization (SEO) strategies to stay ahead. SEO helps increase online visibility and attract potential customers. This article delves into practical SEO strategies, ensuring businesses reach their target audience.

Understanding SEO Fundamentals

SEO enhances a websites visibility on search engines. Its a crucial element for driving traffic to online platforms. Understanding its components can significantly impact business growth.

On-Page SEO

On-page SEO deals with optimizing individual web pages. Focus on content quality, meta tags, and images. Incorporating keywords naturally into content improves relevance and helps search engines understand the context. Elements to consider include:

Title Tags: Create concise, descriptive titles with primary keywords.

Meta Descriptions: Summarize page content and include relevant keywords.

Header Tags: Use hierarchy (H1, H2, H3) to structure content.

Image Optimization: Use descriptive file names and alt tags.

Off-Page SEO

Off-page SEO focuses on external factors that influence website rankings. Building backlinks from reputable sites enhances credibility and authority. Consider these strategies:

Social Media Promotion: Engage audiences on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Guest Blogging: Write articles for relevant sites to gain backlinks.

Influencer Partnerships: Collaborate with influencers for broader reach.

Technical SEO Considerations

Technical SEO involves optimizing the website architecture and infrastructure. It ensures that search engines can crawl and index web pages effectively.

Site Speed and Mobile Optimization

A fast-loading website enhances user experience and ranking. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights can identify and address speed issues. Mobile optimization is equally important. Ensure your site is responsive and accessible on various devices.

XML Sitemaps and Robots.txt

XML sitemaps guide search engines through your sites structure. Submit sitemaps through Search Console tools. The robots.txt file instructs search engines on which pages to crawl or ignore.

Keyword Research and Strategy

Keyword research is the foundation of SEO. It identifies the terms users enter when searching for products or services. Effective keyword strategy involves:

Long-tail Keywords: These are detailed phrases with lower search volumes but higher intent.

Competitor Analysis: Examine the keywords competitors rank for and adapt your strategy.

User Intent: Understand what the user intends to find and create content that meets those needs.

Content Quality and Engagement

Create engaging, high-quality content to keep users on your site. Incorporate these elements:

Originality: Ensure content is unique and provides value.

Clarity: Use simple language and structure for easy understanding.

Visuals: Add images, videos, and infographics to enhance engagement.

Measuring SEO Performance

Track the effectiveness of your SEO strategies. Use analytical tools to measure key performance indicators (KPIs), such as:

Organic Traffic: Monitor the number of visitors arriving through search engines.

Bounce Rate: Lower rates suggest users find content relevant and credible.

Conversion Rate: Measure the proportion of visitors completing desired actions.

Common SEO Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these pitfalls to ensure SEO success:

Keyword Stuffing: Overusing keywords can lead to penalties.

Ignoring Mobile Users: Ensure all site elements are mobile-friendly.

Poor-Quality Content: Focus on valuable, relevant content for users.

Local SEO Strategies

Local SEO targets customers within a geographical area. Its essential for businesses with physical locations. Implementing local strategies involves:

Google My Business: Set up a profile and encourage customer reviews.

Local Keywords: Use location-specific phrases in content.

Citations: List your business in local directories.

Creating a strong SEO strategy is crucial for businesses aiming to increase online visibility. By understanding and applying the above-mentioned techniques, businesses can successfully boost their search engine rankings. A comprehensive approach involving on-page, off-page, and technical SEO creates a solid foundation for growth.

Targeting specific niches can provide an edge in highly competitive markets. For businesses based in Utah, specific strategies like SEO St George can yield significant advantages by tailoring SEO practices to local demands. Gaining insights into local SEO strategies can further engage community audiences and enhance market presence.

Focusing on improving SEO performance requires ongoing evaluation and adaptation. As search engine algorithms continue to evolve, businesses must stay informed and adjust their practices to maintain their competitive advantage. By embracing effective SEO strategies, companies can achieve sustainable growth and enhance their market influence.
Shehu Gabam, the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, convened a strategic meeting at the partys headquarters on Tuesday, which had Nasir el-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna, Hamza Al-Mustapha, the ex-aide to the late Sani Abacha, and other politicians in attendance.

According to Segun Showunmi, a former spokesperson of the Atiku Abubakar campaign organisation, the Abuja meeting was to strategise ahead of the 2027 elections.

His post on Facebook read: Ahead of Nigerias 2027 elections, a key meeting was held by His Excellency Shehu Gabam, Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), with political figures including former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, and Segun Showunmi, known as The Alternative.

The meeting aimed to review the current state of opposition politics and find ways to strengthen it for the upcoming elections.

You must set forth at dawn

He titled another post You must set forth at Dawn! on X (Twitter).

A strategic meeting called by HE Shehu Gabam, Chairman of SDP, with HE @elrufai El-Rufai, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, Otunba Segun Showunmi.

The Alternative to meet and greet and review the state of opposition democratic engagement in Nigeria, he wrote.
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A Chinese citizen surnamed Wang has been successfully rescued, the Chinese Embassy in Thailand said on Tuesday.

Wang Xing, a Chinese actor, was reported missing near the Thai-Myanmar border on Sunday, causing wide public concern from both China and Thailand.

The Chinese Embassy in Thailand expressed gratitude to the Thai government and other relevant parties for their efforts and effective work in this regard.

The Chinese Consulate General in Chiang Mai said earlier that it was informed by Thailand's Tak Immigration Office on Tuesday afternoon that the immigration office had received Wang and is currently conducting necessary inquiries according to regulations.

Tatchai Pitaneelaboot, inspector-general of the Royal Thai Police, said that Thai authorities will investigate the case and determine whether Wang is a victim of human trafficking.
US Senators from Georgia Raphael Warnock (R) and Jon Ossoff (L) pay their respects during the Lying in State Ceremony for former President Jimmy Carter at the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC on January 7, 2025. Carter, the 39th President of the United States, died at the age of 100 on December 29, 2024 at his home in Plains, Georgia. (Photo by Kent NISHIMURA / POOL / AFP) The body of late US President Jimmy Carter was transferred Tuesday in a grand and solemn military ceremony to the US Capitol, where it will lie in state until a national funeral later this week. Carter, who died on December 29 at the age of 100, served a single term from 1977-1981 and was widely praised for his post-presidential humanitarian efforts, for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. His body arrived at the snow-covered US Capitol, where it will remain until Thursday, after a full day of ceremonious travel that began in his native Georgia. The public views the flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter at the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC on January 7, 2025.  Carter, the 39th President of the United States, died at the age of 100 on December 29, 2024 at his home in Plains, Georgia. (Photo by Allison ROBBERT / AFP) A live feed by broadcaster PBS showed members of the public move through the buildings rotunda to pay their respects to the late president, with many stopping to take a moment of silence with their hands clasped. I paid my respects to President Jimmy Carter as he lies in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda today, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on X. On behalf of the entire Department of Defense, we join the Carter family and all Americans in celebrating this extraordinary life, legacy, and service to our nation. Having been flown to Washington aboard a presidential US Air Force jet, Carters flag-draped casket was carried atop a gun carriage in a funeral procession from the US Navy Memorial  an ode to his military service on submarines  to Capitol Hill, tracing the opposite route he took during his inauguration parade. Hundreds of US service members accompanied the procession down Pennsylvania Avenue, which was cleared of snow from a recent winter storm that has prompted federal office and school closures in the area. Military pallbearers then carried his casket up to the Capitol Rotunda where a short service was held, with Carters family, members of Congress and other dignitaries including Chief Justice John Roberts and Vice President Kamala Harris in attendance. The flag-draped casket of former US President Jimmy Carter travelling by a horse-drawn caisson arrives to the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC, on January 7, 2025.  Carter, the 39th President of the United States, died at the age of 100 on December 29, 2024 at his home in Plains, Georgia. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) Carter is the 13th former US president to lie in state in the Capitol. Abraham Lincoln, assassinated in 1865, was the first. The flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter is transferred to a horse-drawn caisson at the US Navy Memorial before traveling on to the Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 7, 2025, where Carter will lie in state.  Carter, the 39th President of the United States, died at the age of 100 on December 29, 2024 at his home in Plains, Georgia. (Photo by Ting Shen / AFP) The ceremony has taken on added significance, coming a day after the anniversary of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, in which Donald Trumps supporters stormed the building in an attempt to block certification of Joe Bidens election victory. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a ceremony for former President Jimmy Carter as Carter lies in state at the US Capitol, in Washington, DC, on January 7, 2025.  Carter, the 39th President of the United States, died at the age of 100 on December 29, 2024 at his home in Plains, Georgia. (Photo by J. Scott Applewhite / POOL / AFP) On Monday, Congress certified Trumps win over Harris without any disruptions and with the complex under very heavy security. A state funeral service is to be held Thursday at the National Cathedral, an Episcopal church in Washington that also hosted funerals for former presidents Dwight Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush. The riderless horse is seen at the conclusion of the State Funeral Procession of former US President Jimmy Carter at the US Capitol in Washington, DC on January 7, 2025. The riderless horse is a tradition associated with military funerals; the backward-facing boots symbolize the fallen leader surveying his troops for the last time. Carter, the 39th President of the United States, died at the age of 100 on December 29, 2024 at his home in Plains, Georgia. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) Current President Biden is to deliver the eulogy for his fellow Democrat. All four living former presidents  Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Trump  are expected to attend. The US Armys Caisson Detachment carries the casket of Jimmy Carter, the former US president who died on December 29 at the age of 100, to lie in state at the US Capitol building in Washington, DC, on January 7, 2025.  Carter, the 39th President of the United States, died at the age of 100 on December 29, 2024 at his home in Plains, Georgia. (Photo by Brendan McDermid / POOL / AFP) Biden has declared Thursday a national day of mourning, with federal government offices to be closed for the day. The casket of the late former US President Jimmy Carter arrives in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 7, 2025.  Carter, the 39th President of the United States, died at the age of 100 on December 29, 2024 at his home in Plains, Georgia. (Photo by J. Scott Applewhite / POOL / AFP) He has also ordered flags to half-staff for 30 days as is customary, which means that will be the case during Trumps January 20 inauguration, something the Republican has criticized. Amy Carter, bottom center, joined by members of the Carter family, attends a ceremony where the flag-draped casket of her father, former President Jimmy Carter, lies in state in the Capitol, Washington, DC, on January 7, 2025.  Carter, the 39th President of the United States, died at the age of 100 on December 29, 2024 at his home in Plains, Georgia. (Photo by J. Scott Applewhite / POOL / AFP) The first president to reach triple digits, Carter had been in hospice care since February 2023 in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, where he died and will be buried next to his late wife, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter. The casket of former President Jimmy Carter arrives on a horse-drawn caisson to lie in state at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 7, 2025.  Carter, the 39th President of the United States, died at the age of 100 on December 29, 2024 at his home in Plains, Georgia. (Photo by Pete Kiehart / POOL / AFP) The casket of former US President Jimmy Carter arrives on a horse-drawn caisson to the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 7, 2025.  Carter, the 39th President of the United States, died at the age of 100 on December 29, 2024 at his home in Plains, Georgia. (Photo by SHAWN THEW / POOL / AFP) AFP TOP HEADLINES
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Britain on Thursday, a Downing Street spokesperson said Wednesday.

The meeting comes after the two leaders earlier this week hit out at tech billionaire Elon Musk over his increasingly strident interventions into domestic European politics.

Starmer will host Macron at his country house retreat of Chequers in Buckinghamshire near London, the prime ministers official spokesman told reporters in parliament.

The meeting will focus on areas of cooperation and shared global challenges, including support for Ukraine, tech and AI growth, and tackling illegal migration, the spokesman said.

Musk, who is set for a role in US President-elect Trumps administration, has provoked fury across Europe with a string of hostile attacks on Starmer and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

The billionaire has spent days posting incendiary comments on his X platform over historical sex offences against children in northern England.

Musk has called for Labour leader Starmer, elected by a landslide in a general election last July, to be removed from office.

He has also urged the release from jail of Tommy Robinson, one of Britains best known far-right agitators.

On Monday, Starmer condemned those spreading lies and misinformation, adding that a line has been crossed with some of the online criticism, in a thinly veiled swipe at Musk.

That same day, Macron said Musk was directly intervening in elections, including in Germany where Scholz has condemned the Tesla boss for backing the extreme-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party ahead of next months snap elections.

Musk is set to host a discussion on X with AfDs leader Alice Weidel on Thursday.
By Rukiyat Ogunwade

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday, said his administration has successfully put in place strong institutions that will make the state thrive across different sectors.

The governor noted that strong institutions engender value in all ramifications.

Makinde who was represented by the Oyo state Deputy governor, Bayo Lawal, said this during the maiden Stakeholders Engagement on Safety on Our Roads & Security in Our Neighbourhoods organised by the Oyo State Mobilization Agency for Socio-Economic Development, OYMASED, in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

Speaking on the theme: Security At home, Safety on our roads, the Governor said his administration has established strong institutions such as OYMASED, the Oyo State Project Monitoring Agency Bill; The Rule of Law Enforcement Agency among others in place.

According to him , The major legacy of his administration will be the creation of institutions that will ensure that the state continues well into the future.

Our legacy will be the institutions that we are able to create to ensure that Oyo State will continue well into the future to enjoy good governance, he said.

This is Oyo State, and we must make it work, and we are bothered about the kind of institutions we put in place.

He said OYMASED is an institution put in place to address the socio-economic decadence in the state.

The governor charged OYMASED to collaborate with the Ministry of Environment and Natural resources to ensure that medians are sanitised and kept clean.

The governor added that the Rule of Law Enforcement Authority is another institution put in place to regularise and address some traffic challenges faced in the city and rural centres.

Rule of Law authority is to address most traffic control challenges we have. Junction improvement in most places are in place too, he said.

The governor aswell hailed the Oyo state Anti Land Grabbing Agency, led by Justice Aiki (rtd), adding that the era of land grabbing must end.

While he declared zero tolerance for land-grabbing activities, including forceful entry, illegal occupation, and fraudulent practices. To achieve this, the government established the anti-land grabbing agency dedicated to tackling land grabbing.

He however sought for a collaboration between the agency and other relevant agencies to combat land-grabbing in the state.

The governor said the move will help put an end to the long-standing problem of land grabbing in the State.

The strong institutions that Oyo state government has put in place will engender development, he stressed.

To the glory of God, this government has invested heavily in infrastructural development: road network, Primary Health Centers rehabilitation and equipping, upgrading of Health facilities, rehabilitation of Public Schools building and provision of learning aids, payment of salaries and emoluments to Civil/Public Officers latest on 25th of every month for almost six (6) years now.

However, if our core values are not reawakened in our minds, all these infrastructural developments will disappear within a short period of time. Hence, the need to bring back the values that made us Omoluabis and which brought Oyo State to its Pacesetter position.

In his speech , the Director-General, OYMASED, Dr. Morohunkola Thomas said the agency was excited about the stakeholders engagement, adding that the agency is working in partnership with other government establishments to correct the anomalies in the society.

He commended the Oyo state government on the establishment of the new agency, which he described as an extra layer of protection to ensure that society gets better.

Thomas said the programme kickstarts its various programmes aimed at bringing back core values, which have been relegated to the background over the years.

He said, While growing up in this city, most of us experience proper home training enforced by parents to make children useful citizens in the society;

The OYMASED DG added that moral, cultural, and Western education aimed at making children worthy citizens of the country were instilled in many while growing up.

The Agency, according to him, will rejuvenate respect for Elders, value of hardwork; honesty and uprightness in the state.

He therefore said it is the desire of the present administration to leave behind enduring legacies.

Not in infrastructural development alone but also to bring back our lost values of Omoluabi which many of us here grew up to witness.

He however appealed to participants at the Stakeholders Engagement to be attentive and take back home lessons learnt here to improve our society.

In attendance at the event were government functionaries, security agencies, students ,civil societies among others.
By Rachael Omidiji

An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Wednesday dismissed an application filed by the former Governor of the Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele, challenging its jurisdiction to hear the $4.5 billion and ?2.8 billion fraud case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Emefiele faces a 26-count charge from the EFCC, alleging abuse of office and economic crimes, while his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, is also charged with related offences, including unlawful acceptance of gifts.

Delivering the ruling, Justice Rahman Oshodi held that the court had jurisdiction over counts eight to 26, citing relevant legal authorities and evidence presented in the case file. However, the court struck out counts one to four, which centered on abuse of office through the allocation of foreign exchange without bidding, noting that such actions were not punishable under Nigerian law.

Allocation of foreign exchange without reason is not defined as an offence in any written law, Justice Oshodi declared. The objection to counts one to four succeeds and is hereby struck out. The objection challenging the courts territorial jurisdiction over counts eight to 26 fails and is hereby dismissed. The prosecution has established sufficient territorial nexus in this case.

The judge subsequently adjourned the trial to February 24, 2025, for continuation.

Earlier, Emefieles counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), had argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case, claiming the alleged offences occurred outside

Lagos and violated Section 36(12) of the Constitution. He further asserted that the Lagos State House of Assembly lacked legislative authority over matters on the Exclusive Legislative List, contending that Section 73 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, could not apply to Emefieles alleged actions.

In response, EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) argued that the court had jurisdiction, emphasizing that the economic and financial nature of the alleged offences made Lagos the appropriate venue for the trial. He added that evidence and witness testimonies established Lagos as the proper jurisdiction.

With the dismissal of Emefieles jurisdictional plea, the court has set the stage for the trial to proceed on the remaining charges.
By Ikenna Ngere

A disturbing video showing a teacher repeatedly slapping a three-year-old pupil at Christ-Mitots School, Isawo Road, Ikorodu, Lagos, has ignited widespread outrage and calls for her arrest.

The two-minute footage, which emerged on Wednesday, captures the teacher striking the toddler five times during a lesson on writing numbers in the 60s.

The child, whose identity remains undisclosed for protection, was subjected to physical punishment as the teacher attempted to instruct them on writing the numbers 61 and 62.

In the video, the teacher instructs the pupil to write the numbers 61 and 62 but accompanies her guidance with repeated slaps.

It is like this. Write, she says while hitting the child.

Write six for me. Write. Six. Six, she continues, before striking the child again.

Like this, six like this. Like this. Now your one. Six. One. Sixty-one. Write.

Despite the childs apparent struggle, the teacher continues to slap and chastise, saying, Six, it is like this. Like this. Your two Six. Two. Sixty-two. Write. Like this Like this, that is six.

The video has drawn widespread condemnation from Nigerians, with many demanding immediate legal action against the teacher and heightened scrutiny of disciplinary practices in schools.

SEE INCIDENT VIDEO ON X

The incident has reignited conversations about child abuse and the need for stricter enforcement of laws protecting minors.

@AyodeleToyota wrote: She should be arrested with the person who made the video.

@still_Ayoola wrote: The boy is brilliant and kudos to the teacher for doing wonderful job. Although I agree that the slap is deep but it really help the boy to grab what the teacher was teaching him. Dont condemned that woman totally, rather applaud her and correct her.

@TheRealA_J wrote: I couldnt watch the video to the end. If the child is 3 years old, then her teaching methodology is bad. You cant be teaching a 3 years old pupil that way ..If you have to teach them how to form numbers, use what they are familiar with eg curve, stroke etc.

@Dambatta_1 wrote: If that kid should be mine, Im not involving any Police, Ill make sure the teacher spends at least one week in hospital.

@bishop_zaddy wrote: The person that made this video, the guy close to her should spend atleast 5yrs in prison for allowing this, the kids in this very school are used to this else others wont act like nothing is happening, while that very woman should not just go to jail but also with her Husband.

@Mazimum_ wrote: This only made it online because it was capturedimagine the countless abuses that go unnoticed. A 3-year-old, slapped hard over writing 62? This child will fear school, learning, and authority for life.

How many children are silently suffering in the hands of monsters posing as teachers? We must act now, or we fail the very future we claim to protect.

@Masqualinkus wrote: This is disheartening to say the least, I stopped watching after the second slap! This boy, 3 years old, could be having a difficult time in learning some simple things like my son. All these unqualified teachers. She should be arrested immediately.
By Nana Ismail

A member of the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps has accidentally shot himself dead shortly after participating in a joint operation that rescued 66 kidnap victims in the state.

The operation, led by the Nigerian Army, was carried out on Monday at Tidibali Forest in the eastern part of Sokoto State.

Colonel Ahmed Usman (rtd), Special Adviser to Governor Ahmed Aliyu on Security, who confirmed this to Daily Trust said the operative died due to an accidental discharge.

The incident occurred shortly after the team returned to their base from the operation, Usman stated.

He was handling his gun when it accidentally discharged, fatally wounding him. He died shortly afterward.

Usman highlighted the progress made in the ongoing operation, which is funded by the state government to combat banditry.

So far, 66 kidnapped victims have been rescued, and several bandits have been eliminated during the operation, he said.

The mission is ongoing as we aim to rid the state of criminal elements, especially bandits.

The rescued victims had been brought to Isa town in the Isa Local Government Area.
By Esther Onyegbula

Lagos State Police Command has apprehended a school teacher, Stella Nwadigo, over allegations of physically abusing a three-year-old pupil, Abayomi Michael, at Christ-Mitots School in Ikorodu.

Nwadigo was arrested after a video showing her mistreating the toddler surfaced online, sparking widespread outrage on social media. The footage, which quickly went viral, drew public condemnation and led to calls for immediate action against the teacher.

Spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest on Wednesday. The teacher has been taken into custody and is currently undergoing investigation, he stated. Further necessary actions will follow to ensure justice is served.

The footage has reignited conversations about child protection and the responsibility of educators to maintain a safe environment for children.

Meanwhile, parents and guardians of pupils at Christ-Mitots School are reportedly alarmed by the incident, with many calling for stricter regulations to prevent similar occurrences in schools across the state.

Video:



Stella Nwadigo, the teacher who physical abused 3 year-old Abayomi Micheal of Christ-Mitots School in Ikorodu in that viral video has been arrested. pic.twitter.com/zsFXADfgcS  Man of Letters. (@Letter_to_Jack) January 8, 2025
Stellio Gilles Robert Capo-Chichi, more widely known as Kemi Seba, has announced his intention to run in Benins presidential election set for April 2026. The well-known Pan-African activist issued a pointed critique of President Patrice Talons administration in a recent video message, accusing the incumbent President of disadvantaging domestic businesses while granting considerable benefits to foreign enterprises.

Kemi Seba faces significant legal and political obstacles due to Benins electoral code, which requires presidential hopefuls to secure endorsements from at least 28 elected officials. Independent candidacies are prohibited, compelling him to consider several strategies. His first option is to enlist support from Les Democrates, an opposition party headed by former President Boni Yayi, which already possesses enough endorsements to back a candidate.

If that approach proves unsuccessful, Seba intends to build a broad coalition to demand reforms to an electoral framework he deems corrupt and exclusionary. Failing both, he plans to launch Operation Jericho, a plan that unites widespread demonstrations, popular activism, and decisive interventions by key stakeholders in order to shift power dynamics toward ordinary citizens.

All prospective presidential candidates in Benin must submit their applications by October 2025, six months prior to the election. President Talon, who is serving his second and final constitutional term, has repeatedly stated his opposition to any constitutional amendments that would extend his tenure. Sebas campaign therefore stands as one of the most prominent challenges to Benins current political landscape.
Ghana has cut ties with the Polisarios self-proclaimed SADR entity, showing that the days of the Algerian proxy separatist entity are numbered within the African Union.

Ghana has informed the Moroccan foreign ministry that it no longer recognizes the Algeria-based SADR entity, ending about five decades of ties.

The decision marks a breakthrough for Morocco in English-speaking African countries, where some have backed the Polisario in a Cold War context, under the influence of Algerias gas and oil mantra.

Ghana has joined the majority of African states that back Moroccos efforts to settle the conflict on the basis of the autonomy plan. At least 40% African countries fully back Moroccos sovereignty over the Sahara territory, where they opened consulates in the key cities of Laayoune and Dakhla.

Since 2000, 13 African states withdrew recognition of the self-proclaimed SADR.

With the return of Morocco to the African Union in 2017, the continental organization adopted a neutral stance on the issue, recognizing that the UN is the only framework to settle the conflict.

Since then, calls mounted demanding the expulsion of Polisario separatist from the African Union. Such a membership violates articles 3(b) and 4(b) of the Constitutive Act of the organization.

The salient argument was that the Polisario lacks all state attributes, such as territory, government and institutions as it continues to stand as an armed separatist organization fed and hosted on the Algerian territory.

The SADR membership has often impeded the African Unions international partnerships. Global powers such as the US, Russia, China, South Korea, Japan, and Saudi Arabia have never invited the Polisario to their African summits, despite pressure from Algeria and South Africa as well as the failed states that turn in their orbit.

The membership of the Polisario within the African Union also stands as an aberration that prejudged the outcome of negotiations in total disregard for the UN process and for Moroccos historical rights to restore its territorial integrity and unity after being divided by two colonial powers.
The United States has announced sanctions against the leader of Sudans Rapid Support Forces (RSF), accusing the paramilitary group of committing genocide and perpetrating brutal atrocities. On Tuesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that Mohamed Hamdan Dagalocommonly known as Hemedtiwill face punitive measures for orchestrating systematic violence against civilians during the countrys protracted 20-month conflict.

Blinken alleged that RSF-aligned militias have killed men, boys, and even infants, and have targeted women with sexual violence based on ethnicity. He further accused these armed factions of ambushing civilians fleeing the conflict, thereby worsening what many experts label one of the worlds most severe humanitarian disasters. In response, RSF representatives denounced the United States for displaying double standards, asserting that the sanctions reflect Washingtons inability to resolve Sudans crisis comprehensively.

The conflict between the RSF and Sudans military has raged since April 2023, resulting in staggering casualty figures and widespread hunger. According to diplomatic sources, up to 150,000 people may have been killed, and famine conditions have taken hold in several regions. Nearly half of Sudans populationan estimated 24.6 million peoplerequires urgent food assistance.

Blinken emphasized that both the RSF and the Sudanese military bear responsibility for the ongoing devastation, which has displaced countless families and disrupted essential services. Under the newly announced measures, Hemedti and his immediate family are barred from entering the United States, and any assets they hold there will be frozen. Seven RSF-linked companies based in the United Arab Emirates and another individual face similar sanctions for supplying weapons to the paramilitary group.
A legal action has been launched in Paris against Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune for enforced disappearance of French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal.

The legal proceeding was initiated by a local French association which holds the Algerian presidency accountable for the enforced disappearance, deprivation of liberty, and arbitrary detention of the 75-year-old novelist.

Sansal was arrested at Algiers airport in November after saying, in an interview with a French TV channel, that western territories of todays Algeria have been part of Morocco. He has been kept in custody despite calls from Paris for his release. The literary figure is facing charges of terrorism and undermining national unity for saying historical truths about the colonial history of Algerias borders.

In a speech in late December, President Tebboune called him an imposturewho does not know his father sent by France to make such a statement.

Analysts around the world were shocked by the degrading Algerian presidential remarks seen as a violation of the legal principle of presumption of innocence, casting doubts over the fairness of the Algerian judicial system.

Sansal is known for his strong stances against both authoritarianism and Islamism, as well as for being a forthright campaigner on freedom of expression issues.

President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that Algiers was dishonoring itself by keeping him behind bars on national security charges.
politics

What We Know About the Arrest of Mahmoud Khalil

A DHS official defended Khalils detention in an interview on Thursday but did not provide additional details for his arrest.
Pope Francis may be provoking Donald Trump with his new choice of a church leader in Americas capital. Photo: Evan Vucci/AP Photo

President-elect Donald Trump appears to be experiencing some memory issues in recalling the ways of Washington, as evidenced by his confusing indecision over his partys basic legislative strategy for implementing his agenda. But theres about to be one irritating presence in our nations capital that he didnt experience before: a new Catholic archbishop of Washington who is sure to make some negative noise about the administrations plans for mass deportation of undocumented immigrants.

Pope Franciss appointment of Cardinal Robert McElroy as the highly visible prelate of the church in Washington is already being interpreted as a shot across the bow of the Trump administration, given the new archbishops outspoken views on immigrants rights. Formerly the bishop of San Diego with extensive experience along the southern border, McElroy drew attention for a speech he delivered upon Trumps initial election as president in 2016 on a quasi-nativist platform:

During the past months the specter of a massive deportation campaign aimed at ripping more than ten million undocumented immigrants from their lives and families has realistically emerged as potential federal policy. We must label this policy proposal for what it is  an act of injustice which would stain our national honor in the same manner as the progressive dispossessions of the Native American peoples of the United States and the internment of the Japanese.

For us, as the Catholic community of the United States, it is unthinkable that we will stand by while more than ten percent of our flock is ripped from our midst and deported. It is equally unthinkable that we as Church will witness the destruction of our historic national outreach to refugees at a time when the need to offer safe haven to refugees is growing throughout the world.

McElroy went on to express the hope that Trump would advance a less radical immigration agenda than he threatened to initiate as a 2016 presidential candidate, and in fact he did not go as far as many feared (though to a considerable extent that was because his party lost its trifecta in the 2018 midterms). But now, with an explicit mass-deportation program having been Trumps most emphatically repeated policy pledge during his 2024 comeback bid, Cardinal McElroy will almost certainly be preaching and teaching in a jurisdiction where the dislocation of even more undocumented immigrants (and particularly the refugees whom Trump and his running mate J.D. Vance demonized so vividly during the campaign) is treated as a very high priority, if not one that can be accomplished overnight.

Indeed, Vance may be called upon by Trump to lead a counterattack against McElroy if the archbishop does openly criticize the administrations immigration agenda. The new veep, a recent convert to Catholicism, has embraced what he calls a postliberal strain of the faith that is culturally conservative and (typically) hostile to the liberal reforms in theology and church practice with which Francis is closely identified. A pope who strongly believes in battling climate change and poverty as a religious obligation, acting through an American cardinal of distinctly progressive views on immigration, might serve as a red flag to Trump, and Vance is his most likely Catholic defender. It could be a fateful clash: Trump made significant gains among U.S. Catholics in 2024, winning them by 10 percent, according to APs Votecast snapshot of the vote, after running even with Joe Bidens co-religionists in 2020.

If there is a sort of culture war between the administration and Franciss chief representative in the U.S. capital, McElroy should be up to the challenge. The National Catholic Reporters chief political columnist, Michael Sean Winters, calls him the leading intellectual of the U.S. church with a particular expertise in articulating a sympathetic understanding of American democratic principles as compatible with Catholic teaching and practice. Says Winters, This most articulate defender of Catholic social teaching will be living up the street from Trump, able to challenge all the myriad threats the new president brings to human dignity and decency, and to call out the Democrats when they advocate policies that affront that dignity too.

You get the sense that Franciss latest American appointee may soon overshadow the traditionalist bishops who have so often spoken for the Church on social and political matters, making opposition to abortion, contraception, and LGBTQ rights the preeminent Catholic priorities in the public square. Like his ally the pope, who has unsettled Catholic conservatives around the world, the cardinal archbishop of Washington could play an important role in rousing the consciences of those of the faithful who are tempted to identify with the angry, nationalist Christianity so prevalent in the MAGA movement.
Ah, Europe and its perennial energy conundrums. Just when you thought it was safe to turn up the thermostat, the specter of gas shortages once again knocking on Europes door as it depletes its natural gas reserves at an unprecedented rate. Are fears of tough times ahead unfounded?

The Great Gas Guzzle of 2025

Weve arrived in January 2025, and Europe is burning through its gas reserves at a pace not seen in seven years. Cold snaps have residents cranking up the heat, leading to a rapid depletion of stored natural gas. Storage levels, which were comfortably above 90% in November, have now dipped to just over 70%.

The accelerated gas drawdown, combined with the recent halt in Russian gas flows via Ukraine, has some analysts fearing the worstdisruptions.

Turning Off The Taps

On January 1, 2025, Ukraine decided not to renew its gas transit agreement with Russia, effectively stopping the flow of Russian natural gas to Europe through its pipelines.

Yes, the move is a bold geopolitical statement. So much so that it has left several Central and Eastern European countries scrambling for alternative supply. Slovakia, for one, is having to rely on gas imports from Hungary. Austria is getting more gas from Germany and Italy to compensate for the shortfall.

The Domino Effect

Unsurprisingly, the cessation of Russian gas via Ukraine has pushed prices for natural gas higher across Europe. The Dutch TTF gas hub's front-month contract reached a ten-month high of 42.57 per megawatt-hour, reflecting market jitters. Traders are also paying a record premium for European gas for the upcoming summer, a reversal of the usual pricing trend where summer gas is cheaper. This suggests there are significant concerns about the challenges in restocking during the summer of 2025.

Related: Wind Power Costs Challenge UK Energy Goals

The German Predicament

Germany, Europe's industrial powerhouse, is in a particularly precarious position, and the rapid depletion of its gas reserves has led to warnings that the German economy is "acutely" at risk. Because energy-intensive industries are the backbone of its economy, any prolonged energy shortage could have severe repercussions.

A Justified Panic?

Before everyone starts stockpiling wool socks and firewood, it should be noted that the European Commission, ever the voice of bureaucratic calm, has stated that there are no immediate supply security concerns. The EC has argued that European gas infrastructure is flexible and that alternative supply routes are available. Moreover, Europe's gas storage levels, while declining, are still slightly higher than the average for this time of yearits just the pace at which theyve depleted over the winter season that has caused the ruckus.

LNG Lifeline

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) has been Europe's knight in shining armor. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) has been Europe's knight in shining armor. It has beefed up its LNG import capacity over the last couple of years, helping it to diversity its supply sources and provide a buffer against the shocks from traditional pipeline disruptions. But increased competition for LNG, especially from Asia, could drive prices up, making the safety net a costly one.

Summer's Role in Winter's Woes

The real test will come during the summer months when Europe needs to refill its gas storage in preparation for the next winter. The rapid depletion of reserves this winter means that the continent will have to work harder to replenish stocks. The European Commission has already set intermediate gas storage filling targets for 2025 to ensure secure supplies and market stability.

But with the current market dynamics and geopolitical tensions, achieving these targets could end up being more challenging than in previous years.

Balancing Act

Although the situation is serious, hitting the panic button at this stage could be premature. Europe has shown resilience in the face of energy crises before, and the lessons learned from past disruptions have led to a more robust and diversified energy infrastructure.

But complacency is not an option.

Policymakers and industry stakeholders will need to navigate the coming months with a keen eye on both supply and demand, ensuring that the lights stay on across the continent. While concerns over gas supplies are not entirely overblown, they are unlikely to be insurmountable. With careful planning and some good luck, Europe should be able to weather this stormand emerge more energy-secure on the other side.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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The railway's success will depend on its ability to compete with existing trade routes and deliver tangible benefits to the involved countries.

After a long search to line up financing, officials from China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan have signed an investment agreement to build a railway that could reduce costs and cut transit times for Westward-bound freight rail traffic. But it is still going to be years before the first freight train rolls on the new route, and the routes profit potential remains uncertain.

In his New Years address, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, long the railways most ardent proponent, portrayed the route as an economic game-changer for the Central Asian nation, casting the project as a catalyst for economic growth in a variety of areas.

This path will provide new opportunities for the entire region, strengthen the economy and improve the lives of millions of people, the Trend news agency quoted Japarov as saying. Special attention will be paid to the opening of industrial enterprises, the creation of new jobs and the increase of the populations income. The social sphere will reach a new level.

The new route would stretch roughly 300 miles, connecting Kashgar in China to Andijan in Uzbekistan via points in Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyzstans difficulty in financing its section of the project, along with Chinas reluctance to open its purse for Bishkek, had presented the biggest obstacles for the project. A railway company established by the three participating states will oversee construction of the almost 200-mile-long Kyrgyz segment, currently projected to take six years.

Top officials from the three states participated in a ceremonial launch of the project December 27 near the city of Jalal-Abad in southern Kyrgyzstan. The construction of the railway demonstrates Chinas commitment to aligning its development with the interests of other countries to foster a win-win situation through greater openness, the website of Chinas State Council quoted Zhong Feiteng, an expert at the Chinese National Institute of International Strategy, as saying.

Whether the railway can match the Kyrgyz presidents rosy vision remains an open-ended question. While all sides report that financing is in place, specifics about amounts and terms are hard to come by. Though the launch ceremony has already been held, construction on the Kyrgyz segment is not slated to begin until July, according to official Chinese sources. Whether construction sticks to that timetable will be an important indicator of Chinas commitment to seeing the project through.

If completed, the railway would create a more direct connection to China for Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Currently, rail traffic to/from China must transit through Kazakhstan.

Both Kyrgyz and Uzbek officials and experts see the railways primary purpose as expanding trade with the Middle East and Europe. This will make Central Asia more important in the global supply chain, said Ravshan Nazarov, an expert affiliated with Uzbekistans Academy of Sciences.

Beijing also hopes the route will boost Chinese exports to Europe. But even if it does not fulfill those hopes, China can still benefit: the railway is expected reduce transit times for Chinese imports of Central Asian foodstuffs and raw materials.

Our coal imports from Kyrgyzstan will see a significant surge in quantity, while the transport cost will be cut by a third, Jiang Zhidong, who heads the Kashgar-based Xinjiang Jiujiuxi International Trade Co., told official Chinese media.

The China-Kyrgyz-Uzbek railway will likely face stiff competition from Kazakhstan, which currently acts as the chief node for East-West trade via the emerging Middle Corridor. In the coming years, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokaev has promised that the country will refurbish almost 7,000 miles of existing track and build more than 3,000 miles of new rail routes to enable Middle Corridor trade growth.

By Eurasianet.org

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Pakistan's reliance on military force and its failure to address the grievances of ethnic minorities have exacerbated the conflict.

The resurgence of the TTP and the BLA, fueled by the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, is driving the increase in violence.

The number of militant attacks and fatalities among Pakistani security forces reached a decade-high in 2024.

Pakistani warplanes bombed a village in the countrys northwest in the fall of 2007, killing around 50 people.

The air strikes occurred in the district of North Waziristan during the height of militancy in the South Asian country.

That was the darkest era of terrorism, said Adil Dawar, a local activist whose uncle and cousin were among those killed in the attack.

Northwestern Pakistan, a stronghold of Al-Qaeda and the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), was the scene of deadly Pakistani counterterrorism operations and U.S. drone strikes. Militants, meanwhile, terrorized the local population.

Eighteen years on, the TTP is resurgent, and the region has witnessed a sharp uptick in violence.

Today, the situation is as bad as the previous era of terrorism, said Dawar.

Soaring Violence



Last year was the deadliest for Pakistani security forces in nearly a decade, according to the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS).

In its annual report, the Islamabad-based think tank reported 685 fatalities among security personnel, a nearly 40 percent increase compared to 2023.

The number of militant attacks in Pakistan in 2024, meanwhile, rose by 70 percent compared to the year before, said the Pak Institute of Peace Studies (PIPS), another think tank in Islamabad.

Many of the attacks were carried out by the TTP, which is active in northwestern Pakistan, as well as the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group which has wreaked havoc in the southwestern province of Balochistan.

Experts said the Taliban takeover of neighboring Afghanistan in 2021 boosted the fighting capabilities of armed groups in the region.

Some of the American military gear and weapons left behind after the U.S. military withdrawal and seized by the Taliban have turned up and been used by the TTP and Baluch armed groups.



The TTP and Afghan Taliban have close ideological and organizational ties. Pakistan has accused the Afghan Taliban of sheltering the Pakistani militants.

Pakistan had hoped the Afghan Taliban, its longtime ally, would control and neutralize the TTP, said Amir Rana, the head of PIPS, the Islamabad-based think tank.

Pakistans Taliban policy has backfired, he said, adding that the Afghan Taliban has also provided some help to Baluch militants.



'Nobody Is Listening'

Observers have said Pakistan has resorted to brute force to crush the TTP and Baluch insurgencies and ignored the longstanding grievances of the Baluch and Pashtun ethnic minorities in southwestern and northwestern Pakistan, respectively.

Abuses by the government have boosted support for the insurgencies. The Pakistani Army, which has an oversized role in the countrys domestic and foreign affairs, has been accused of committing widespread human rights abuses.

Major military offensives aimed at uprooting militants have killed thousands of civilians and uprooted millions of others in the past two decades.

The security state controls the entire state system, said Afrasiab Khattak, a former lawmaker. And the [army] is not listening.

The Pakistani military has defended its actions, and claimed that it killed a record number of militants in 2024.

Ordinary Pakistanis find themselves stuck in the middle of the escalating fight between the military and the militants.

People have lost their lives and properties both because of the militants and the security forces, said Attiqullah Dawar.

In 2021, the lawyer in North Waziristan spent some eight months in the TTPs captivity. He and his two cousins were freed after their family paid a $40,000 ransom.

Idress Mehsud, a member of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, a civil rights group, is on the governments terrorism watch list after he campaigned against the alleged abuses of the Pakistani security forces.

It is a tragedy that the state is oppressing the very people who oppose terrorism, Mehsud said.

By RFE/RL

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The state of Alaska is suing the Biden Administration over the federal governments decision to severely restrict acreage in an upcoming oil and gas lease sale, seen as a violation of a Congress mandate.

The state argues in a complaint that the Biden Administrations decision to offer the minimum possible amount of land in the mandatory lease sale for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge violates Congress express call for oil and gas leasing and development on the Coastal Plain. Moreover, Alaskas Department of Law says that the new severe restrictions on surface use and occupancy likely make any development economically and practically impossible.

Last month, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) offered the minimum possible amount of land in the Congress-mandated lease sale in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, in keeping with the Biden Administrations efforts to minimize drilling in the area.

The state of Alaska says the proposed minimal lease sale violates a Congress mandate.

President Bidens Administration ignored the law and took this unlawful detour without even presenting their final decision to the public for comment, said Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor. We challenged the unprecedented cancellation of validly-executed leases after the first sale, and well take on this fight as well.

Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy said, We have already heard comments from the incoming president that his administration will thankfully take a different tack and open up those areas that are meant to be developed. But unfortunately, we cant wait for thatwe have to challenge this unlawful action now.

The lease is set to be held on Friday, January 10, and as-is with restricted areas on offer, no major large or even mid-size company is expected to bid, analysts have told Anchorage Daily News, adding that potential bidders would prefer to wait for a Trump Administration lease sale in the area.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Chevron Corp.(NYSE:CVX) is well positioned to grow its free cash flow by $6 billion to $8 billion by next year, and lower expenses by "a couple billion dollars," Chevron CEO Michael Wirth announced on Wednesday. Americas second largest oil and gas company expects to achieve these results thanks to the start of new or expanded oil production projects in Kazakhstan, growth in U.S. shale and offshore U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

Chevron has projected oil production growth in the Gulf of Mexico to clock in at 300,000 barrels per day by 2026, up from 200,000 last year. Back in August, Chevron produced its first oil from a pioneering U.S. Gulf of Mexico deepwater field under extreme pressures. The field is expected to produce up to 75,000 barrels of oil per day at its peak, with the company lining up two more offshore projects.

Meanwhile, Chevron is looking to close the gap between it and Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE:XOM) through the acquisition of Hess Corp. (NYSE:HES). On Monday, Hess CEO John Hess said he's "very confident" that the company's planned $53 billion sale to Chevron will be completed.

"We're very confident that the merger is going to go through and we're getting prepared for that," Hess said at the Goldman Sachs Global Energy, Clean Technologies & Utilities Conference on Tuesday.

Hess expects that an arbitration panel over Exxon Mobil's right-of-first-refusal claim on Hess' 30% stake in Guyana's huge oil discovery will make its final decision by late August or September with the hearing set to commence in May.

"I think it should be wrapped up by September, Hess said. "The three arbitrators that are in-place now have been very clear. That's when their decision is going to be rendered. And once that's done, we'll close our deal."

Exxon has been trying to stop the merger with the future of the deal resting on whether the transaction would involve a change of control of Hess' Guyana subsidiary. Exxon claims Hess should have first given it the opportunity to purchase its stake in the prized Guyana asset, and that Chevron structured the deal in a way to bypass Exxons right of first refusal if its triggered by a change of control in Guyana.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

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Strong European demand for Guyanas crude pushed the oil exports of the South American country soaring by 54% last year, with Europe accounting for the majority of shipments, Reuters reported on Wednesday, quoting shipping data and traders.

Crude oil exports from Guyana averaged about 582,000 barrels per day (bpd) last year, as ExxonMobil and its partners Hess Corp and CNOOC of China continued to boost production from the offshore Stabroek Block, where more than 11 billion oil-equivalent barrels have been discovered to date.

European refiners have been increasingly appreciating Guyanas crude grades, Liza, Unity Gold, and Payara Gold, which are sweeter and lighter compared to the crude of some other South American exporters such as Mexico or Colombia.

Since the end of 2019, when Guyana exported its first crude oil cargo, the country has become the fifth biggest exporter in Latin America, after Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela, and Colombia.

The lighter and sweeter crude from Guyana has boosted its market share in Europe and Guyanas majority of exports went to Europe last year. A total of 66% of Guyanas oil was shipped to Europe in 2024, according to the shipping data Reuters has reviewed. Thats up from 62% of Guyanas oil that headed to Europe in 2023.

The crudes from Guyana have found a favorable market in Europe due to the proximity, quality, and easy access to sellers, an anonymous trader of Latin American crude told Reuters.

Guyanas crude is set to further boost its market share in Europe and globally in the coming years as output in the country is expected to jump to over 1 million bpd before the end of the decade.

Just five years after starting up production, Exxon has already reached 500 million barrels of oil produced from the Stabroek block, the U.S. supermajor said in November 2024.

Guyana already produces more than 660,000 bpd of crude from the Exxon-operated block. Total production capacity from Stabroek will reach 1.3 million bpd by the end of 2027, Exxon said last year, when it announced the green light to the $12.7 billion Whiptail development, its sixth in Stabroek.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Due to a hike in import tariffs, Chinese imports of fuel oil are set to slow at the start of the year, which could further weigh on the refining margins of the independent refiners in the worlds top crude oil importer.

Chinas smaller private refiners, which are short on crude import quotas or havent been allocated such, import fuel oil to process it into more valuable fuels for transportation, including diesel and gasoline.

However, as of January 1, 2025, China is raising its import tariff on fuel oil to 3% from 1%. As a result, Chinese imports of fuel oil are forecast to slow early this year, trade sources have told Reuters.

We expect to see some signs of slowing demand in the short term, a fuel oil trader selling the commodity to China told the newswire.

Lower refining margins overall have already depressed Chinese fuel oil imports, including from Russia.

Following a multi-month high of fuel oil imports in November, arrivals in December fell to below 348,225 barrels per day (bpd), or below 1.7 million tons for the month, down from 2.55 million tons in the previous month, according to data from LSEG and Kpler quoted by Reuters.

Chinese refiners, especially the smaller independents, the so-called teapots, have been struggling with low refining margins for months.

The higher cost of fuel oil imports could further dent their already meager profits.

At the end of last year, China gave a potential boost to its crude oil imports as it has issued a second batch of import quotas for 2025 to its independent refiners. However, a limited number of private refiners have been issued quotas.

Unlike the state refiners, private refiners in China need to be granted import quotas by the central government to be able to import crude to process at their refineries.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Crude oil prices moved higher today, after the release of production data from OPEC and Russia, showing both declined in December.

An additional bullish factor for oil was a new employment survey from the United States, which showed layoffs were low and job openings were growing, suggesting a strong economy.

At the time of writing, Brent crude was trading at $77.34 per barrel, and West Texas Intermediate was changing hands for $74.65 per barrel, both up from opening.

Robust U.S. economic data continues to bolster the outlook for the U.S. economy and oil demand, further supported by a larger-than-anticipated drawdown in crude inventories, IG analyst Yeap Jun Rong told Reuters. After trading within a prolonged tight range since October last year, selling pressures may have been exhausted for now, paving the way for a modest recovery, he added.

How long the current rally will continue remains unclear. Cold fronts in the US and Europe are driving crude higher, with some support from concerns over the loss of Iranian barrels if the Trump administration tightens sanctions, Vandana Hari, founder of Singapore-based Vanda Insights, told Bloomberg. Nonetheless, crude looks overbought. It may yield to profit-taking, though that might need a reminder of the global economic headwinds.

Earlier in the week, Reuters reported that OPEC oil production likely fell in December, based on a survey that suggested the UAE saw the largest decline in output due to field maintenance. That reduced the countrys output by some 90,000 bpd, contributing to an OPEC-wide monthly decline of 50,000 bpd, as it offset production gains elsewhere. Irans output also fell, the survey suggested, by 70,000 bpd.

Russia, meanwhile, also reported lower production numbers for December, with the daily average at 8.971 million barrels daily, which was below the level agreed with OPEC+ as part of the production control deal.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Incoming U.S. President Donald Trump is not ruling out military or tariff pressure to achieve his plans to acquire control over the Panama Canal and Greenland, the President-elect told a press conference in Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday.

Since winning the U.S. presidential election in early November, Trump, who will be inaugurated on January 20, has said on several occasions that he would pursue the acquisition of Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory, from Denmark, as well as the Panama Canal in Central America.

The President-elect has said that Greenland is important for the U.S. national security while control over the Panama Canal would be of importance to the U.S. economy.

At the Mar-a-Lago press conference, Trump refused to assure the world and Americas allies  which include Denmark  that he would not use economic or military pressure to take control over Greenland and the Panama Canal.

No, I can't assure you on either of those two. But I can say this, we need them for economic security, the President-elect said.

Trump also criticized the lower spending of the U.S. NATO allies and promised to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

Last month, Trump threatened to take over control of the Panama Canal unless the Panamanian authorities stop charging excessive rate for the use of the chokepoint.

Among other vital purposes for cargo traffic, the Panama Canal is the fastest route for American LNG to Asia.

Has anyone ever heard of the Panama Canal? Trump said at a conservative event in Arizona in December. Because we're being ripped off at the Panama Canal like we're being ripped off everywhere else.

The statements prompted an immediate response from the president of Panama, Jose Raul Mulino, who said that Panamas sovereignty was non-negotiable and Panama had sole authority over the infrastructure.

The canal was built by the United States in the early 20th century. Panama granted the U.S. the right to build and operate the canal in exchange for annual payments. Ownership over the infrastructure was passed to the Panamanian government in 1977 by President Jimmy Carter. The deal granted control over the Panama Canal to the local government under the obligation of maintaining its neutrality.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter's body arrives in capital

Xinhua) 09:17, January 08, 2025

A presidential hearse carrying former U.S. President Jimmy Carter's coffin departs from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, the United States, on Jan. 7, 2025. The body of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who recently passed away at the age of 100, arrived in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday. A presidential jet departed from Atlanta, Georgia, earlier in the day and landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, just outside the capital, Tuesday afternoon. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong)

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- The body of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who recently passed away at the age of 100, arrived in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday.

A presidential jet departed from Atlanta, Georgia, earlier in the day and landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, just outside the capital, Tuesday afternoon.

Carter's coffin was then loaded into a presidential hearse and transported to the U.S. Navy Memorial on Pennsylvania Avenue, before being taken to the U.S. Capitol.

A memorial service is scheduled to be held in the Capitol Rotunda, with eulogies to be delivered by Vice President Kamala Harris, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Carter's family, as well as several surviving members of Carter's presidential Cabinet, are expected to attend the service.

Carter's casket will be placed in the Rotunda and will be open to public viewing starting from later Tuesday. His body will lie in state until Thursday morning, when a service will be held for him at the Washington National Cathedral.

U.S. President Joe Biden previously declared Jan. 9, 2025 as a National Day of Mourning throughout the United States for the former president.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter's coffin is placed into a presidential hearse at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, the United States, on Jan. 7, 2025. The body of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who recently passed away at the age of 100, arrived in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday. A presidential jet departed from Atlanta, Georgia, earlier in the day and landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, just outside the capital, Tuesday afternoon. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong)

A joint forces body bearer team moves former U.S. President Jimmy Carter's coffin upon arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, the United States, on Jan. 7, 2025. The body of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who recently passed away at the age of 100, arrived in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday. A presidential jet departed from Atlanta, Georgia, earlier in the day and landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, just outside the capital, Tuesday afternoon. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong)

A presidential hearse carrying former U.S. President Jimmy Carter's coffin is seen at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, the United States, on Jan. 7, 2025. The body of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who recently passed away at the age of 100, arrived in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday. A presidential jet departed from Atlanta, Georgia, earlier in the day and landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, just outside the capital, Tuesday afternoon. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong)

A joint forces body bearer team moves former U.S. President Jimmy Carter's coffin upon arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, the United States, on Jan. 7, 2025. The body of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who recently passed away at the age of 100, arrived in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday. A presidential jet departed from Atlanta, Georgia, earlier in the day and landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, just outside the capital, Tuesday afternoon. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
While much remains unknown about the man who carried out an attack in New Orleans on New Year's and another who died in an explosion in Las Vegas the same day, the violence highlights the increased role of people with military experience in ideologically driven attacks, especially those that seek mass casualties.

In New Orleans, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a veteran of the U.S. Army, was killed by police after a deadly rampage in a pickup truck that left 14 people dead and dozens more injured. It's being investigated as an act of terrorism inspired by the Islamic State group.

In Las Vegas, officials say Matthew Livelsberger, an active-duty member of the U.S. Army Special Forces, shot himself in the head in a Tesla Cybertruck packed with firework mortars and camp fuel canisters, shortly before it exploded outside the Trump International Hotel, injuring seven people. On Friday, investigators said Livelsberger wrote that the explosion was meant to serve as a "wake up call" and the U.S. is "terminally ill and headed toward collapse."

Service members and veterans who radicalize make up a tiny fraction of a percentage point of the millions and millions who honorably served their country.

Still, an Associated Press investigation published last year found that radicalization among both veterans and active-duty service members was on the rise and hundreds of people with military backgrounds were arrested for extremist crimes since 2017. AP found that extremist plots they were involved in during that period killed or injured nearly 100 people.

The AP also found multiple issues with the Pentagon's efforts to address extremism in the ranks, including that there is still no forcewide system to track it, and a cornerstone report on the issue contained old data, misleading analyses and ignored evidence of the problem.

Since 2017, both veterans and active-duty service members radicalized at a faster rate than people without military backgrounds, according to data from terrorism researchers at the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism, or START, at the University of Maryland. Less than 1% of the adult population is serving in the U.S. military, but active-duty military members make up a disproportionate 3.2% of the extremist cases START researchers found between 2017 and 2022.

While the number of people with military backgrounds involved in violent extremist plots remains small, the participation of active military and veterans gave extremist plots more potential for mass injury or death, according to data collected and analyzed by the AP and START.

More than 480 people with a military background were accused of ideologically driven extremist crimes from 2017 through 2023, including the more than 230 arrested in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol insurrection  18% of those arrested for the attack as of late last year, according to START. The data tracked individuals with military backgrounds, most of whom were veterans, involved in plans to kill, injure or inflict damage for political, social, economic or religious goals.

The AP's analysis found plots involving people with military backgrounds were more likely to involve mass casualties, weapons training or firearms than plots that didn't include someone with a military background. This held true whether or not the plots were carried out.

The jihadist ideology of the Islamic State group apparently connected to the New Orleans attack would make it an outlier in the motivations of prior attacks involving people with military backgrounds. Only about 9% of such extremists with military backgrounds subscribed to jihadist ideologies, START researchers found. More than 80% identified with far-right, anti-government or white supremacist ideologies, with the rest split among far-left or other motivations.

Still, there have been a number of significant attacks motivated by the Islamic State and jihadist ideology in which the attackers had U.S. military backgrounds. In 2017, a U.S. Army National Guard veteran who'd served in Iraq killed five people in a mass shooting at the Fort Lauderdale airport in Florida after radicalizing via jihadist message boards and vowing support for the Islamic State. In 2009, an Army psychiatrist and officer opened fire at Fort Hood, Texas, and killed 13 people, wounding dozens more. The shooter was in contact with a known al-Qaida operative prior to the shooting.

In the shadow of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol  led in part by veterans  law enforcement officials said the threat from domestic violent extremists was one of the most persistent and pressing terror threats to the U.S.

The Pentagon said it is "committed to understanding the root causes of extremism and ensuring such behavior is promptly and appropriately addressed and reported to the proper authorities."

Kristofer Goldsmith, an Army veteran and CEO of Task Force Butler Institute, which trains veterans to research and counter extremism, said the problem of violent extremism in the military cuts across ideological lines. He said the Biden administration tried to address it but Republicans in Congress opposed such efforts for political reasons.

"They threw, you know, every roadblock that they could in saying that all veterans are being called extremists by the Biden administration," Goldsmith said. "And now we're in a situation where we're four years behind where we could have been."
Biafra Nations Youth League (BNYL) on Sunday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to allow Nigerians engage in their normal businesses.

In a statement by the BNYL, the group said the government cannot cage its citizens because of the coronavirus pandemic while many are already dying of hunger.

The group said there are other sicknesses that have killed dozens of people, adding that there is no reason why every attention will be on COVID-19.

The statement signed by the Deputy Leader of BNYL, and head of operations, Biafra Broadcasting Service, BBS Media, Ebuta Takon Akor, reads:

I feel people are already dying of hunger, and some hospitals are no longer attending to other sick patients, even people are now afraid to go to hospital for treatment to avoid testing positive. It seems they want every State on lockdown to record cases of the virus. This madness should stop, they should relax the lockdown and allow everybody go about their normal businesses.

BNYL said that since Nigeria is treating the Coronavirus, there was no need to panic or lock down the country.

Nigeria is the only African country that is treating Coronavirus perfectly, although the President said it has no cure. But Nigerian hospitals have decided to prove him wrong by discharging COVID-19 patients. Governors that tested positive have recovered. Some recovered on their own. I heard a Governor saying he ate enough Amala while in Isolation. Since the cure is here, why suffering the masses?

ALSO READ: Buhari Charges Nigerians To Endure More As He Extends Coronavirus Lockdown In Abuja, Lagos & Ogun
Nollywood actress, Uche Jombo in a new tweet questioned the payment of N1.2m to Nigerian senators as hardship allowance.

The Nollywood actress and mother of one asked what hardship allowance meant while stating that same should be invested into Nollywood over its challenges of filming in Nigeria.

Read her tweets below:
By John A. Charles, Jr.

At a December 17th meeting of the Joint Legislative Committee on the Interstate Bridge Replacement, legislators were promised that the proposed light rail service to Vancouver, WA would arrive every 6.7 minutes during weekday rush hours.

We dont need to guess whether this forecast will be wrong. We already know it.

Before the Yellow Line opened in 2004, TriMet promised that peak-hour trains would arrive every 7.5 minutes by 2020.

That never happened. In fact, the Yellow Line only arrives every 15 minutes, 50% below what was promised.

Not only did TriMet planners give the wrong forecast for levels of service, they werent even close on the ridership estimates. TriMet predicted 35,320 weekday riders on the Yellow Line by 2020. Actual ridership is 10,611, 70% below the forecast.

The transit agency for Vancouver already offers express bus service to Portland, which is a superior ride compared to light rail. Spending $3 billion to add rail will be a waste of money.

The legislature should cut light rail from the project while it still can.

John A. Charles, Jr. is President and CEO of Cascade Policy Institute, Oregons free market public policy research organization.

Did you like this article? Contribute to Oregons premier public policy research organization online at CascadePolicy.org. Donations to Cascade Policy Institute are tax-deductible to the extent of the law.


By Taxpayers Association of Oregon

OregonWatchdog.com

The newly elected Portland Mayor, Keith Wilson, just announced that he wishes all Portland City employees come into work at least 4 days a week.

Right now, they can work from home 2.5 days a week.

The unions opposed the very demanding 4-day work week in the office.

As a result, Portland Mayor Keith Wilson said he will suspend the request, and may try to implement it in 2026.

 Was this helpful? If so, Contribute online at OregonWatchdog.com (learn about a Charitable Tax Deduction or Political Tax Credit options to promote liberty).


(Barred owl, FL, file photo)

By Oregon State Representative Ed Diehl

Oregon State Representative David Gomberg

Oregon State Representative Virgle Osborne

State Senator-elect Bruce Starr

Oregon State Lawmakers Join Together to Call for the Federal Governments Barred Owl Kill Plan to be Reversed

Four state lawmakers say that the DOGE should ground the plan to kill more than 450,000 barred owls long protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act

SALEM, Ore.  A bipartisan group of Oregon state House members, along with a newly elected state Senator, called on Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, in their capacity as leaders of the recently formulated Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), to nix the idea of killing nearly half a million barred owls in the Pacific Northwest. The federal plan, detailed in a 300-page Final Environmental Impact Statement and formally approved by the Biden Administration in September 2024, is designed to reduce social competition between range-expanding barred owls and their close cousins, the Northern and California spotted owls.

In criticizing the 30-year kill plan, the set of four rural lawmakers cited its impracticality and its runaway price tag of $1.35 billion. The lawmakers are Representative Ed Diehl (R-Linn and Marion counties), Representative David Gomberg (D-Lincoln and Western Benton/Lane counties), Representative Virgle Osborne, (R-Douglas county) and returning legislator, Senator-elect Bruce Starr, (R-Yamhill and Polk counties).

The plan to kill upwards of 450,000 barred owls over a 30-year time horizon and across vast reaches of private and public lands in three states is thoroughly impractical, wrote the set of four lawmakers. It just cannot work, and it wont work. It is a budget buster, with one well-grounded estimate putting the cost of the plan at $1.35 billion over the intended life of the project.

The complete letter can be found on Rep. Ed Diehls legislative website.

Recently, the Center for a Humane Economy and Animal Wellness Action came up with an estimate of $1.35 million for the 30-year barred owl kill plan  or about $45,000,000 a year. That cost estimate is taken from a recent grant of $4.5 million from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to the Hoopa Valley Tribe to kill 1,500 of the forest owls. The price tag is $3,000 per bird, and using that figure as a baseline cost, it will add up to a government expense of $1.35 billion to execute the broad plan. There is not a pool of thousands of individuals who will volunteer to do the killing, and it is expected that the individuals doing the shooting across millions of acres  including within Crater Lake National Park  will require compensation for the arduous, night-time hunts.

A billion-dollar price tag for this project should get the attention of everyone on the Trump team concerned about government efficiency, said Rep. Ed Diehl. Killing one type of owl to save another is outrageous and doomed to fail. This plan will swallow up Americans hard-earned tax dollars for no good reason.

This simply isnt a sound strategy  fiscally or ecologically, said Rep. David Gomberg. As a staunch animal-welfare advocate and a believer in evidence-based policy, I cannot support a plan that calls on taxpayers to front $45 million a year to cull a protected species. We certainly need to better address the decline weve seen in our spotted owl population, but this is not the way to do it.

My constituents suffered a great deal when government biologists and radical environmentalists joined together to shut down Douglas County mills in the 1980s and 1990s allegedly to save the spotted owl, added Rep. Virgle Osborne. The spotted owl wasnt saved by this gutting of our rural communities, and now the next generation of bureaucrats and environmentalists are telling us the barred owl is the problem. This nonsense has to stop.

I cannot believe what a poorly crafted plan the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service developed, said Senator-elect Bruce Starr. The agency wrote a 300-page environmental impact statement but didnt tell us a thing about how much it will cost. We now have information to suggest its a budget-buster. The incoming administration needs to put an end to this plan.

Barred owls are a range-expanding North American native species, protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Range expansion is a naturally occurring ecological phenomenon, and it is a core characteristic of many species of birds and mammals, including barred owls.

Precisely because of barred owl movement, the plan cannot succeed because there will be in-migration of surviving barred owls from the control area and from nearby populations, such as B.C.

###
By Taxpayers Association of Oregon

OregonWatchdog.com

Canadas Green Party Leader, Elizabeth May, gave a press conference where she invoked Tina Kotek, along with Washington and California also, to join Canada as the 11th Canadian Province. Here are some of her quotes (10:33+):

Hey Donald have we got a deal for you you think we want to be the 51st state, nah, but maybe California would like to be the 11th Province. How about it? California, Oregon, Washington, youve got geography and common goals. Not only that, weve already got a carbon trading system between California and Quebec. Weve got some strong alliances on our West Coast. From British Columbia theres been a lot of academic papers on the idea of Cascadia. So, California governor Newsom, Washington governor Jay Insley and newly elected governor of Oregon, Tina Kotek, how about it? Want to put a referendum to your citizens? Because we have got a deal for you.

Elizabeth May also said this about Oregon/California joining Canada;

This is what you get, free healthcare, Universal free health  California , Oregon Washington have safer streets. Here we already have good gun laws  [Trump] could get rid of all these states that always vote Democrat. You know what else, well take Bernie Sanders off your hands.

Lets analyze what Elizabeth May said:

 ELIZABETH MAY SAID OREGON HAD SAFER STREETS:

Interesting that Elizabeth May cited Oregon for having safe streets, when this is what Portland looked like on Election Day last year. Businessess for blocks boarded up their windows in anticipation of riots.

Even news reporters doing news segments on our streets last year find themselves being robbed.

Portland has wrestled with street takeovers where mass people gather to take over a street to engage in dangerous car stunts. Last year in Portland a single street takeover involved impounding 21 vehicles.

ELIZABETH MAY CITED CASCADIA:

Elizabeth May quote references Cascadia, which is a longtime theory to unite the area below into an independent super-state that is bound by the unique bio-region it covers

But Cascadia will not work.

Although some would say Seattle and Portland would rush to join Cascadia or Canada.

ELIZABETH MAY SAID OREGON COULD GET FREE HEALTH CARE:

Elizabeth May promoted Canadas healthcare.

But free comes with low quality and life-threatening delays.

Elizabeth Mays free health care is also very costly for being free.

Elizabeth Mays free health care is described as a crisis by Canadians.

Canadas most liberal figure is also the most disliked. He just resigned.

Even memes tell their comedic story:

Here is how others lampoon Canadian Health Care (Babylon Bee)

While Elizabeth May tries to make America look bad in her speech, her own country did this scathing comedy sketch showing Trump ridiculing Justin Trudeau.

Here is the video:

 Wasnt this article beautiful? If you agree, Contribute online at OregonWatchdog.com (learn about a Charitable Tax Deduction or Political Tax Credit options to promote liberty).
Although she can take on various forms, Kali is typically depicted as having a black- or blue-skinned, scantily clad body, adorned with jewelry comprised of decapitated heads.

Kali's tongue and wild hair often highlight her surprised (or angered) expression. You'll often see statues of Kali standing with wide, wild eyes and dark skin, dancing and and trampling her husband, Shiva.

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To the average Westerner, Kali, in her macabre dress and startling facial expression, with her tongue jutting out of her fanged grin, may look like something out of a nightmare. However, there is more to her than meets the eye at first glance.

The Dichotomy of Purity and Violence

In a way, every part of her appearance, from the form of her body to the accessories she carries (severed human arms, in some cases), touches on her connection to the divine and is not something to be feared.

For instance, you might notice her multiple arms carrying bloodied swords, tridents and a severed human head. Instead of just being common weapons of warfare, they symbolize higher knowledge, while the head represents the death of human ego  an important step toward enlightenment.

Kali and the other gods are often depicted as naked to represent the dichotomy between purity and carnal pleasure.

Since Kali is the goddess of destruction, she wears minimal covering in the form of a garland of severed heads and a girdle of dismembered arms to illustrate her violent streak while also echoing tantric metaphors of cutting the bonds of Karma.
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Astronaut Don Pettit simulates taking pictures of the NICER telescope mockup during a training exercise in the NBL at NASA Johnson on May 16, 2024. Credit: NASA/NBL Dive Team

NASA astronaut Nick Hague will install patches to the agency's NICER (Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer) X-ray telescope on the International Space Station as part of a spacewalk scheduled for Jan. 16. Hague, along with astronaut Suni Williams, will also complete other tasks during the outing.

NICER will be the first NASA observatory repaired on-orbit since the last servicing mission for the Hubble Space Telescope in 2009.

Hague and other astronauts, including Don Pettit, who is also currently on the space station, rehearsed the NICER patch procedures in the NBL (Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory), a 6.2-million-gallon indoor pool at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, in 2024.

"We use the NBL to mimic, as much as possible, the conditions astronauts will experience while preforming a task during a spacewalk," said Lucas Widner, a flight controller at KBR and NASA Johnson who ran the NICER NBL sessions. "Most projects outside the station focus on maintenance and upgrades to components like solar panels. It's been exciting for all of us to be part of getting a science mission back to normal operations."

From its perch near the space station's starboard solar array, NICER studies the X-ray sky, including erupting galaxies, black holes, superdense stellar remnants called neutron stars, and even comets in our solar system.

But in May 2023, NICER developed a "light leak." Sunlight began entering the telescope through several small, damaged areas in the telescope's thin thermal shields. During the station's daytime, the light reaches the X-ray detectors, saturating sensors and interfering with NICER's measurements of cosmic objects. The mission team altered their daytime observing strategy to mitigate the effect.

The team also developed a plan to cover the largest areas of damage using wedge-shaped patches. Hague will slide the patches into the telescope's sunshades and lock them into place.

"We designed the patches so they could be installed either robotically or by an astronaut," said Steve Kenyon, NICER's mechanical engineering lead at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. "They're installed using a tool called a T-handle that the astronauts are already familiar with."

The NBL contains life-size mockups of sections of the space station. Under the supervision of a swarm of scuba divers, a pair of astronauts rehearse exiting and returning through an airlock, traversing the outside of the station, and completing tasks.

For the NICER repair, the NBL team created a full-scale model of NICER and its surroundings near the starboard solar array. Hague, Pettit, and other astronauts practiced taking the patches out of their caddy, inserting them into the sunshades, locking them into place, and verifying they were secure.

The task took just under an hour each time, which included the time astronauts needed to travel to NICER, set up their tools, survey the telescope for previously undetected damage, complete the repair, and clean up their tools.

Practice runs also provided opportunities for the astronauts to troubleshoot how to position themselves so they could reach NICER without touching it too often and for flight controllers to identify safety concerns around the repair.

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Being fully submerged in a pool is not the same as being in space, of course, so some issues that arose were "pool-isms." For example, astronauts sometimes drifted upward while preparing to install the patches in a way unlikely to happen in space.

Members of the NICER team, including Kenyon and the mission's principal investigator, Keith Gendreau at NASA Goddard, supported the NBL practice runs. They helped answer questions about the physical aspects of the telescope, as well as science questions from the astronauts and flight controllers. NICER is the leading source of science results on the space station.

"It was awesome to watch the training sessions and be able to debrief with the astronauts afterward," Gendreau said. "There isn't usually a lot of crossover between astrophysics science missions and human spaceflight. NICER will be the first X-ray telescope serviced by astronauts. It's been an exciting experience, and we're all looking forward to the spacewalk where it will all come together."

The NICER telescope is an Astrophysics Mission of Opportunity within NASA's Explorers Program, which provides frequent flight opportunities for world-class scientific investigations from space utilizing innovative, streamlined, and efficient management approaches within the heliophysics and astrophysics science areas. NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate supported the SEXTANT component of the mission, demonstrating pulsar-based spacecraft navigation.

Provided by NASA
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Interpolated larval contributions, based on connectivity among locations, in percent. (a) Sink regions, red colors indicate important sink regions. (b) Source regions, red colors indicate important source regions. Regions with blue color in both A and B indicate areas of low connectivity. Credit: Evolutionary Applications (2024). DOI: 10.1111/eva.13704

In an article published in Evolutionary Applications, researchers from the University of Agder (UiA) and the Institute of Marine Research show that there is significant geographical variation in the genes of blue mussels along the northern European coast from Kristiansand to Gothenburg. This indicates that different groups of mussels do not mix easily with others, despite being a species that spreads readily.

"Blue mussels are an iconic species along the shore. Anyone living by the sea has probably collected mussels at some point. However, there have been fewer of them over the past couple of decades, and we're not entirely sure why," says Professor Ane Timenes Laugen from UiA, who has conducted a genetic study of the blue mussels.

There are many theories about what happened to the mussels, but no one is quite sure what happened. Laugen hopes their findings might provide a piece of the puzzle.

Drifting with the current

Like many other marine organisms, blue mussels do not reproduce like humans, who produce one offspring at a time. Instead, they release thousands or millions of eggs and sperm that meet in the water.

Fertilized eggs develop into larvae, which are carried by ocean currents before turning into mussels after about three weeks.

There are many obstacles along the way. Many blue mussel larvae are swept westward by currents along the Skagerrak coast and onward to the North Sea. But in the Skagerrak, there is a large, circulating ocean current that occasionally pulls the larvae out into the open sea, reducing their chances of finding a suitable place to settle and mature.

Ocean currents can also benefit mussel larvae. One such current is the Baltic surface current, which flows from the Baltic Sea, along the Swedish west coast and down the Norwegian Skagerrak coast.

"This surface current moves quickly, and the larvae can travel quite far in three weeks. When we nevertheless discover such great genetic variation in the Skagerrak, it is therefore somewhat unexpected," says Laugen.

Lack of data

"Our challenge as researchers is the lack of systematic data on mussel occurrences. We get reports from the public and a few studies here and there, but we need long-term data series to really understand the causes of the decline," says Laugen.

The researchers have found some studies on mussel populations along the Swedish coast between Gothenburg and Stromstad from the '70s, '80s and '90s. However, they are not sure if similar data exists in Norway.

"Locally on the Swedish west coast, there are significant genetic differences between mussel populations within the archipelago and those further out. The same pattern might exist in Norway, but we have not yet investigated this," Laugen adds.

The fact that some mussel populations are genetically very distinct from others means that few larvae come from different places.

"If something happens to these isolated mussel populations, natural recruitment of new individuals is difficult. We may have lost some mussel habitats because they only reproduced locally," the researcher says.

"In the summer of 2024, we've seen large numbers of new blue mussels along the coasts of Skagerrak and Kattegat, but we will only see over the next couple of years whether these mussels survive to reproductive age and can contribute to future mussel generations," she continues.

Warning against relocating mussels

In the article, the researchers caution against relocating blue mussels.

One reason is that, just as different species have intrinsic value, so do genetically distinct populations. More importantly, it's uncertain if the mussels can cope with relocation.

"If all the blue mussels in Skagerrak disappear, we should be cautious about relocating mussels from Trndelag. When we move individuals with a specific genetic composition to a new environment, they might not thrive," Laugen warns.

She also notes that shells can carry many diseases, and careless relocation could inadvertently spread these diseases to new areas.

More information: Malin Gustafsson et al, Unlocking the secret life of blue mussels: Exploring connectivity in the Skagerrak through biophysical modeling and population genomics, Evolutionary Applications (2024). DOI: 10.1111/eva.13704
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Powdery mildew covers a plant, stealing nutrients and limiting photosynthesis. Credit: Michael Bradshaw, NC State University.

A new North Carolina State University study pinpoints the worldwide spread of a fungus that taints blueberry plants with powdery mildew, a disease that reduces blueberry yield and encourages the use of fungicides to combat disease spread. The findings, published in New Phytologist, could help blueberry growers predict, monitor and control the spread of powdery mildew.

The study shows that the fungus, Erysiphe vaccinii, has in the last 12 years or so spread from its point of origin in the eastern United States to multiple continents.

"We're watching this global spread happen right now, in real time," said Michael Bradshaw, assistant professor of plant pathology at NC State and the corresponding author of a paper describing the research.

As its name suggests, powdery mildew disease causes a white, powdery substance to cover host plants, stealing nutrients and retarding photosynthesis while keeping the host alive. Different species of this fungus affect different plants; wheat, hops, grapes and strawberries, among other plants, have been detrimentally affected by powdery mildew.

"There are other closely related powdery mildews that affect plants like wild berries or eucalyptus, but these are genetically different from the ones spreading across the world on blueberries," Bradshaw said.

Powdery mildew infecting blueberries. Credit: New Phytologist (2025). DOI: 10.1111/nph.20351

In the study, Bradshaw and his colleagues examined historic and modern plant leaves plagued by powdery mildew. The collection includes 173 samples from North America, Europe, Africa and Asia; one sample analyzed from a North American herbarium was collected over 150 years ago, while the foreign samples were all collected within the past five years. In this study, powdery mildew was first spotted outside North America on a farm in Portugal in 2012, as noted by a co-author of Bradshaw's who was employed by a major berry company.

The researchers performed genetic testing on the fungal samples to trace the history and spread of powdery mildew disease. Interestingly, none of the old specimens have the same genetic makeup, or genotype, as the specimens currently spreading throughout the world.

The study showed that the disease originated in the eastern United States and was set loose globally in two different introductions. One strain of E. vaccinii found its way to China, Mexico and California, while a different strain wound up in Morocco, Peru and Portugal. Bradshaw thinks humans are responsible for the spread as nursery plants traveled to foreign shores.

"This is a hard organism to control," Bradshaw said. "If you're sending plant material across the world, you're likely spreading this fungus with it."

Interestingly, the study also showed that the E. vaccinii fungus found in blueberries in other countries appears to solely reproduce asexually; both sexual versions of the fungus are not required in reproduction, whereas the fungus reproduces sexually and asexually in the United States.

The study also worked with a large company and farmers to provide an estimate of the global cost of powdery mildew to blueberries, reflecting the cost of spraying fungicide to prevent or reduce powdery mildew. The study estimates a cost range of between $47 million and $530 million annually to the global blueberry industry.

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Finally, the study provides some early warning signals to important blueberry producing areas, like the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Conditions there are ripe for powdery mildew to take hold and spread, but the disease has not found its way there yet.

"Disease spread could also be impacted by agricultural conditions," Bradshaw said. "Some areas that grow blueberries in tunnels, or enclosed areas, seem to have worse disease outcomes than areas that grow blueberries outdoors without any covering, like in North Carolina."

Bradshaw added that the researchers utilized a useful tool that can help identify E. vaccinii strains to aid farmers and other researchers.

"It's difficult to identify the fungus that causes powdery mildew in blueberries, so we input our data in a public database developed at NC State by a co-author, Ignazio Carbone. This platform allows growers to enter their data and learn which specific strain is in their fields," Bradshaw said. "That's important because understanding the genetics can warn farmers about which strain they have, whether it is resistant to fungicides, and how the disease is spreading, as well as the virulence of particular strains."

More information: Michael Bradshaw et al, An emerging fungal disease is spreading across the globe and affecting the blueberry industry, New Phytologist (2025). DOI: 10.1111/nph.20351. nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nph.20351 Journal information: New Phytologist
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Gene expression visualized in a section of a pathogen-infected plant leaf. Credit: Salk Institute

Human bodies defend themselves using a diverse population of immune cells that circulate from one organ to another, responding to everything from cuts to colds to cancer. But plants don't have this luxury.

Because plant cells are immobile, each individual cell is forced to manage its own immunity in addition to its many other responsibilities, like turning sunlight into energy or using that energy to grow. How these multitasking cells accomplish it alldetecting threats, communicating those threats, and responding effectivelyhas remained unclear.

Research from Salk Institute scientists reveals how plant cells switch roles to protect themselves against pathogens. When a threat is encountered, the cells enter a specialized immune state and temporarily become PRimary IMmunE Responder (PRIMER) cellsa new cell population that acts as a hub to initiate the immune response.

The researchers also discovered that PRIMER cells are surrounded by another population of cells they call bystander cells, which seem to be important for transmitting the immune response throughout the plant.

The findings, published in Nature on January 8, 2025, bring researchers closer to understanding the plant immune systeman increasingly important task amid the growing threats of antimicrobial resistance and climate change, which both escalate the spread of infectious disease.

"In nature, plants are constantly being attacked and require a well-functioning immune system," says Professor Joseph Ecker, senior author of the study, Salk International Council Chair in Genetics, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator.

"But plants don't have mobile, specialized immune cells like we dothey must come up with an entirely different system where every cell can respond to immune attacks without sacrificing their other duties. Until now, we weren't quite sure how plants were accomplishing this."

Plants encounter a wide range of pathogens, like bacteria that sneak in through leaf surface pores or fungi that directly invade plant "skin" cells. Since plant cells are stationary, when they encounter any of these pathogens, they become singularly responsible for responding and alerting nearby cells.

Another interesting side effect of immobile cells is the fact that different pathogens may enter a plant at different locations and times, leading to varying immune response stages occurring simultaneously across the plant.

With factors like timing, location, response state, and more all at play, an infected plant is a complicated organism to understand. To tackle this, the Salk team turned to two sophisticated cell profiling techniques called time-resolved single-cell multiomics and spatial transcriptomics. By pairing the two, the team was able to capture the plant immune response in each cell with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution.

"Discovering these rare PRIMER cells and their surrounding bystander cells is a huge insight into how plant cells communicate to survive the many external threats they face day-to-day," says first author Tatsuya Nobori, a former postdoctoral researcher in Ecker's lab and current group leader at The Sainsbury Laboratory in the United Kingdom.

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The team introduced bacterial pathogens to the leaves of Arabidopsis thalianaa flowering weed in the mustard family commonly used as a model in research. They then analyzed the plant's response to comprehensively identify each cell's state upon infection. In doing so, they discovered a novel immune response state, which they called PRIMER, that emerged in cells at specific immune hotspots.

The PRIMER cells expressed a new transcription factora type of protein that regulates gene expressioncalled GT-3a, which is likely an important upstream alarm for alerting other cells to an active plant immune response.

Additionally, the cells surrounding these PRIMER cells proved equally important. Dubbed "bystander cells," the cells immediately neighboring PRIMER cells were expressing genes that enable long-distance cell-to-cell communication.

The researchers plan to elucidate this relationship in future research, but for the time being, they suspect the interactions between PRIMER and bystander cells are key to propagating the immune response across the leaf.

This new spatiotemporal, cell-specific insight into the plant immune response is already available as a reference database for researchers worldwide. As pathogens continue to evolve and spread amid climate-related environmental changes and rising antibiotic resistance, the database offers an important springboard for preserving a future filled with healthy plants and crops.

"There is a lot of interest and demand for detailed cell atlases these days, so we're excited to create a new one that is publicly available for other researchers to use," says Ecker.

"Our atlas could lead to many new discoveries about how individual plant cells respond to environmental stressors, which will be crucial for creating more climate-resilient crops."

Other authors include Joseph Nery of Salk; Alexander Monell of Salk and UC San Diego; Travis Lee of Salk and Howard Hughes Medical Institute; Yuka Sakata, Shoma Shirahama, and Akira Mine of the University of Kyoto in Japan.

More information: Joseph Ecker, A rare PRIMER cell state in plant immunity, Nature (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-08383-z. www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08383-z Journal information: Nature
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Mouth of a sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus. Credit: Drow male/CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikipedia.

A new study finds that one of the hottest periods in Earth's history may have driven lampreys apartgenetically speaking. The work could have implications for how aquatic species respond to our current changing climate. The findings are published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.

"Lampreys are simultaneously creepy and specialeven though people tend to think of them as just tubes with a freaky circle of teeth," says Lily Hughes, corresponding author of the study. Hughes is a research assistant professor at North Carolina State University and the curator of ichthyology at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.

"They are an ancient and amazing species, and their larvae play an important role in filtering nutrients and maintaining water quality in stream beds," Hughes says. "But very little is known about their evolutionary relationships, or tree of life."

There are only 48 currently recognized species of lampreys, and they are divided into three families: one that lives in the Northern Hemisphere, and two in the Southern Hemisphere. No lamprey species are found in the tropics near the equator.

Hughes, study co-first author Devin Bloom, and the research team set out to determine when these groups diverged from their common ancestor. Bloom is an associate professor at Western Michigan University.

Comparison of divergence times from this study using phylogenomic-scale nuclear DNA data with three previous studies [2,6,14] that relied on mitochondrial DNA. Wu et al. [14] did not obtain Southern Hemisphere lampreys as a monophyletic group; thus no age is shown for that node. Credit: Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.2101

Using a combination of DNA samples from living lampreys and information from the fossil record, the team constructed phylogenomic trees that revealed a split between the Northern and Southern Hemisphere lampreys around 93 million years ago, during the Cretaceous period.

"We do know that during this time period, average temperatures globally were about 82 F (28.1 C), and the average tropical temperature was 93.5 F (34.2 C)," Hughes says. "Lamprey larvae like to be cooler, which is why they burrow into stream beds. The tropical temperatures at this point were much hotter than larval lampreys can survive.

"A couple of things could have happened as a result of these temperatures to explain the split: maybe tropical lampreys went extinct and the groups lost a common genetic link that way, or maybe the lampreys just moved away from the equator to more temperate climes. While we don't know how the lampreys were distributed at the time, we do know that this is when they split."

The findings represent a new hypothesis for lamprey distribution.

"One appealing explanation for the highly disjunct distribution of lampreys was existence of the ancient super continent Pangea, which could have physically separated the groups," Bloom says.

"But our study, which combines fossil and genomic information, shows divergence between Northern and Southern Hemisphere lampreys happened long after the breakup of Pangea."

Kyle Piller of Southeastern Louisiana University, Nicholas Lang of Lane Tech College Prep High School and Richard Mayden of St. Louis University also contributed to the work.

More information: Lily C. Hughes et al, Phylogenomic resolution of lampreys reveals the recent evolution of an ancient vertebrate lineage, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.2101 Journal information: Proceedings of the Royal Society B
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This undated handout image courtesy of Firefly Aerospace shows the fully assembled Blue Ghost Mission 1 lunar lander vehicle.

US company Firefly Aerospace said Tuesday it is aiming to launch a lander to the moon next week under an experimental NASA program that partners with the commercial sector to reduce costs.

If successful, it would mark only the second time an American robot has touched down on the lunar surface since the end of the Apollo era.

"Buckle up! Our road trip to the moon is set to launch at 1:11 a.m. EST on Wednesday, Jan. 15, aboard a @SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket," Texas-based Firefly Space wrote in a post on X.

The company's lander, Blue Ghost, stands 2 meters (6.6 feet) tall and 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) wide. It will aim to deliver gear for 10 science research projects and technology demonstrations to a volcanic feature called Mons Latreille, located within Mare Crisium on the moon's northeast near side.

Blue Ghost will spend 45 days traveling to the moon, followed by a planned 14-day operational phase on the surface.

Firefly Aerospace was awarded a $93 million contract in 2021 under NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative.

The program has recruited newcomer space companies to deliver scientific and technological payloads to the moon, with the goal of fostering a private lunar economy and establishing a sustained presence there as part of the broader Artemis program.

The first CLPS mission, conducted by Pennsylvania-based Astrobotic in January 2024, ended in failure.

The company's Peregrine lander launched aboard a United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket but was lost a few days later due to a fuel leak, ultimately burning up in Earth's atmosphere.

A month later, Texas-based Intuitive Machines achieved a partial success. Its lander launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 and successfully touched down near the moon's south pole on February 22.

However, it broke a leg upon landing and came to rest at an angle, preventing its solar panels from receiving enough sunlight to keep its radio powered. Still, the mission completed several tests, transmitted photos, and marked the first American lunar landing since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.

To date, only five countries have successfully soft-landed spacecraft on the moon: the Soviet Union, the United States, China, India, and Japan.

 2025 AFP
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Lamb Chop  Wood. Credit: Hebrew University

In a new publication in Nature Communications, Israeli and Palestinian engineers from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem pioneered the use of metamaterials to create whole cuts of meat. The work leverages cutting-edge materials science to overcome the long-standing challenges of replicating the texture and structure of traditional meat while offering a scalable and cost-effective production method that surpasses 3D printing technology.

Metamaterials are composite materials whose properties arise from their structure rather than their composition. By adopting principles typically used in the aerospace industry, the team, led by Dr. Mohammad Ghosheh and Prof. Yaakov Nahmias from Hebrew University, developed meat analogs that mimic the intricate architecture of muscle and fat. These analogs are produced using injection molding, a high-capacity manufacturing process borrowed from the polymer industry, marking the first time this technology has been applied to alternative meat production.

Central to the innovation are two novel metamaterials: a low-temperature meat analog (LTMA) that replicates the fibrous texture of muscle tissue, and proteoleogel (PtoG), a plant-protein-stabilized oleogel that emulates the structural integrity and cooking behavior of animal fat. Together, these materials allow the creation of complex meat cuts, such as steaks, chops, and T-bones, with remarkable precision and sensory fidelity.

Credit: Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-54939-y

The implications of this technology extend beyond culinary innovation. Unlike existing 3D printing methods for meat analogs, which are slow and expensive, injection molding offers a transformative leap in scalability and affordability. At large-scale production, this method reduces costs to $9 per kilogram, nearly a quarter of the cost of 3D printing, making sustainable meat alternatives accessible to a broader audience.

Blind taste tests conducted as part of the study revealed the sensory appeal of these products, with participants seemingly unable to distinguish between steak analog and traditional meat. This milestone signifies a major step forward in consumer acceptance of sustainable protein alternatives, particularly for whole cuts, which represent over half of global meat consumption.

MetaFat. Credit: Hebrew University

"Our work demonstrates the untapped potential of metamaterials in food technology," said Prof. Nahmias. "By harnessing their unique structural properties, we have developed a solution that is not only sustainable but also scalable, addressing the growing global demand for meat while mitigating its environmental impact."

The study represents a convergence of materials science and gastronomy, offering a blueprint for the future of food production. With livestock farming accounting for over 30% of global freshwater use, innovations like this are crucial for building a sustainable food system. By introducing new metamaterials into the culinary landscape, this research opens new possibilities for designing food products that are as appealing as they are sustainable.

More information: Mohammad Ghosheh et al, Metamaterial-based injection molding for the cost-effective production of whole cuts, Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-54939-y Journal information: Nature Communications
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Spatial variations in county-based crop fraction changes, defined as the fraction of crop-sown area over total cropland area. Credit: Guan et al.

A study of Chinese agriculture recommends planting areas currently growing maize and rapeseed with alternative crops to reduce environmental costs while maximizing food production as the climate changes.

Chinese food production has nearly doubled since the 1980s, mainly thanks to intensified nutrient usage and irrigation.

Given that China's demand for food is forecast to increase further, Qi Guan and colleagues modeled the country's agricultural system under varying climate change scenarios in the 21st century, using a dynamic global vegetation model. The study is published in the journal PNAS Nexus.

The authors created scenarios that maximized crop production while minimizing leached nitrogen and water use under various climate futures. The scenarios also minimized disruptions to supply chains and sought to promote future food security.

The optimal crop distributions increased productivity by 14.1%, reduced leached nitrogen by 8.2%, and reduced water use by 24.0% under the future climate.

Warming and increasing summer rain in northern China will make the area suitable for rice. Moving maize out of arid regions would save a significant amount of water. Drought-tolerant wheat could do well in the Northeast China Plain. Soy could thrive in northern and northwestern China, as well as the Yangtze Plain, and water-loving potatoes could do well in eastern and southern China.

According to the authors, crop switching at the national scale is possible in China with coordinated actions, with large potential benefits.

More information: Qi Guan et al, Improving future agricultural sustainability by optimizing crop distributions in China, PNAS Nexus (2025). DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae562 Journal information: PNAS Nexus

Provided by PNAS Nexus
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Male medaka mate several times daily while females release eggs once a day. Credit: Osaka Metropolitan University

Working out the kinks of mating in the animal kingdom helps to gain insights into the survival of species. Among animals that have multiple partners who deposit eggs outside their body, such as most fish, the males release sperm several times a day, but producing these gametes requires energy and time.

Osaka Metropolitan University experts on fish behavior have recently uncovered a daily mating capacity for medaka. In findings published in Royal Society Open Science, Graduate School of Science Specially Appointed Dr. Yuki Kondo, Specially Appointed Professor Masanori Kohda, and Professor Satoshi Awata detail the effects of continuous mating by medaka on the number of sperm released, fertilization rates, and the behavior of both males and females.

"Medaka are among the fish that spawn, where fertilization occurs after the eggs and sperm are released in water. As these gametes are difficult to collect, the number of sperm released and the fertilization rate during successive matings had remained a mystery," Dr. Kondo explained.

"Our research group previously developed an accurate method for measuring the sperm count of medaka, which is why we were able to successfully conduct this experiment."

The group's latest experiment showed that male medaka on average can mate 19 times a day. During the first three mating sessions, the medaka released more than 50% of their daily sperm output. While the fertilization rate was nearly 100% in the early matings, this decreased significantly after the 10th time, with some later cases where there was no fertilization confirmed.

Female medaka can produce eggs once per day, but they release all their eggs when mating. This means that many eggs go to waste when females mate with males who have already released most or all their sperm.

"This is the first study to quantitatively show the clear daily mating capacity of male medaka, as well as the volume of sperm released during each mating, fertilization rate, and the behavior of males and females during this process," Professor Awata said.

"Our research provides important insights into the relationship between the cost of gamete production and sexual selection."

The study highlights the importance of understanding reproductive strategies and energy allocation in animals, which can have implications for conservation and breeding programs. By examining the mating behaviors and capacities of medaka, researchers can better understand how these fish and similar species manage their reproductive efforts in natural environments.

The findings also suggest that there may be evolutionary pressures on both male and female medaka to optimize their mating strategies. For males, this could mean balancing the number of mating attempts with the quality of sperm released, while females may need to be selective about their mating partners to ensure successful fertilization.

Overall, the research conducted by Osaka Metropolitan University provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of reproduction in the animal kingdom, particularly for species with external fertilization. This knowledge can contribute to broader ecological and evolutionary studies, helping scientists to better understand the factors that influence species survival and adaptation.
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The Kenya Space Agency (KSA) thinks it might have been the separation ring from a rocket.

It is still not clear what exactly fell onto a Kenyan village last month, but such events are likely to become increasingly common given the amount of space debris drifting above the planet.

What we know

A metallic ring of roughly 2.5 meters (8 feet) in diameter and weighing some 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds), crashed into Mukuku village, in Makueni county, in the south of the country on December 30.

The Kenya Space Agency (KSA) has opened an investigation and is examining the possibility that it might have been the separation ring from a rocket.

Other theories have already surfaced however, and a KSA spokesman has said they have not ruled out anything.

The theories being examined

It is not even certain that what crashed in Kenya came from outer space.

But for Romain Lucken who runs Aldoria, a French start-up that tracks debris in space, it is "absolutely plausible" that it did.

He said he thought it might be part of the upper stage of a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) developed by India's space agency.

"There is a mission that was sent up on December 30 with a return date that fits well, and most of all, a point of re-entry that fits very well, to within a few dozen kilometers," he told AFP.

Aldoria, which has 15 telescopes around the world, searches for information on launches and then works out flight paths based on "the typical trajectories of each of the main launch sites".

But Jonathan McDowell, an astronomer at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, is not convinced.

It was McDowell who identified a piece of the International Space Station (ISS) that crashed down on a house in Florida last April.

"I do not believe this object came from space. Maybe fell off an airplane," he told AFP. "Give me evidence it is space debris."

He has not however entirely ruled out that it is part of an Ariane 5 V184 launch in 2008 that finally returned to earth.

But the French aerospace group told AFP: "This piece does not belong to an element from a European launcher operated by Arianespace."

John Crassidis at New York's SUNY, which works with NASA on space debris, endorsed the assessment released by the Kenya Space Agency.

"I think their technical assessments are 100 percent accurate, and they're going to figure out what country it came from, because every country does things a little bit differently," he said.

While it could be a separation ring from a rocket, as the KSA was considering, it might also have come from the upper stage of a rocket. "Those tend to be smaller," he told AFP.

Christophe Bonnal, a French specialist in space debris, said the debris might have come from a military launcher.

"They are armored, which fits with the fact that it is very big and heavy," he said. But then it could also have come from a digger or a tank, he added.

Assessing the risk

So far, at least, such incidents have not caused any deaths, but since the number of space launches is rising, so too are the risks.

"Ten years ago, an object that might create impact fragments re-entered the atmosphere every two weeks," said Stijn Lemmens, a specialist in debris at the European Space Agency (ESA). "Now, that can happen twice a week."

For Lucken, at Aldoria, it is just a question of time.

"It's going to end up falling on critical infrastructure, like a nuclear power station, an oil tanker or homes," he warned.

"It's our Sword of Damocles," said Christophe Bonnal, referring to the parable of the sword suspended by a thread over a ruler's head.

But geography plays in our favor, he added, given that 71 percent of the planet is covered by ocean and 10 percent by deserts. Only 3.3 percent of Earth is densely populated, he said.

So far, said Lucken, about 30,000 pieces of debris measuring more than 10 centimeters have been identified orbiting the earth, and more than a million larger than one centimeter.

All of them were potentially dangerous, he added.

And that catalogue is not an exhaustive list, Bonnal pointed out, since it does not include various military objects launched into space.

"If it's a piece of a US missile, we'll probably never know," he said.

In Europe, said Lucken, there are rules obliging operators to ensure controlled re-entries in uninhabited zones, such as in the South Pacificor to be sure such objects would be completely destroyed.

"But that's the theory. Once the mission is launched, anything can happen."

And no one is going to be chasing them to pay out compensation if something goes wrong, he added.

And, as another observer noted, part of the problem lies elsewhere.

China is by far the worst offender, said Crassidis.

"We have these rules, but China and Russia don't really follow any rules."

 2025 AFP
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Senggo Village, Mappi Regency, Papua, Indonesia. Credit: Gludhug Purnomo

A study from the University of Adelaide and The Australian National University (ANU) has outlined the first genomic evidence of early migration from New Guinea into the Wallacea, an archipelago containing Timor-Leste and hundreds of inhabited eastern Indonesian islands.

The study, published in PNAS, addresses major gaps in the human genetic history of the Wallacean Archipelago and West Papuan regions of Indonesiaa region with abundant genetic and linguistic diversity that is comparable to the Eurasian continentincluding the analysis of 254 newly sequenced genomes.

In combination with linguistic and archaeological evidence, the study shows that Wallacean societies were transformed by the spread of genes and languages from West Papua in the past 3,500 yearsthe same period that Austronesian seafarers were actively mixing with Wallacean and Papuan groups.

"My colleagues at the Indonesian Genome Diversity Project have been studying Indonesia's complex genetic structure for more than a decade, but this comprehensive study provides confirmation that Papuan ancestry is widespread across Wallacea, pointing to historical migrations from New Guinea," says lead author Dr. Gludhug Ariyo Purnomo, from the University of Adelaide's School of Biological Sciences.

"By connecting the dots between genetics, linguistics, and archaeology, we now recognize West Papua as an important bio-cultural hub and the launching place of historical Papuan seafarers that now contribute up to 60% of modern Wallacean ancestry."

Genomic research is also becoming increasingly important for developing new medicines tailored to specific genetic backgrounds.

"In the era of precision medicine, understanding the genetic structure of human groups is vital for developing treatments that are helpful rather than harmful, with Wallacea and New Guinea having been poorly represented in past genomic surveys," Dr. Purnomo says.

Associate Professor Ray Tobler, from ANU, says Wallacea had been isolated for more than 45,000 years since the arrival of the first human groups, and the more recently arriving Papuan and Austronesian migrants reconfigured Wallacean culture by introducing new languages that diversified and intermingled to create its rich linguistic landscape.

"Our findings suggest that the Papuan and Austronesian migrations were so extensive that they have largely overwritten the ancestry of the first migrants, making the recovery of these ancient migrations from genetic data challenging," says Professor Tobler, who is also an Adjunct Fellow at the University of Adelaide's Australian Center for Ancient DNA.

According to the researchers, there are challenges in reconstructing past movements of people using modern genetic data due to historical migrations and movements.

"There's also been so much movement in Wallacea in the past couple of thousand years, due to the spice trade and slavery, that it obscures the relationship between geography and genetics," Associate Professor Tobler says.

"What we know about Wallacea and New Guinea is just the tip of the iceberg, but the use of ancient DNA can help to overcome some of these challenges and help us to understand the origins and legacy of human journeys to the region stretching back tens of thousands of years."

More information: Gludhug A. Purnomo et al, The genetic origins and impacts of historical Papuan migrations into Wallacea, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2412355121 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
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Atmospheric photo of the site at dusk, showing the location at the convergence of two gorges. 2023 excavations of inner fortress are visible in foreground. Credit: Nathaniel Erb-Satullo

A Cranfield University, UK, academic has used drone mapping to investigate a 3,000-year-old 'mega fortress' in the Caucasus mountains.

Dr. Nathaniel Erb-Satullo, Senior Lecturer in Architectural Science at Cranfield Forensic Institute, has been researching the site since 2018 with Dimitri Jachvliani, his co-director from the Georgian National Museum, revealing details that re-shape our understanding of the site and contribute to a global reassessment of ancient settlement growth and urbanism.

The work is published in the journal Antiquity.

Fortress settlements in the South Caucasus appeared between 1500500 BCE, and represent an unprecedented development in the prehistory of the region. Situated at the boundary between Europe, the Eurasian Steppe, and the Middle East, the Caucasus region has a long history as a cultural crossroads with distinctive local identities.

Research on the fortressnamed Dmanisis Gorabegan with test excavations on a fortified promontory between two deep gorges. A subsequent visit in Autumn, when the knee-high summer grasses had died back, revealed that the site was much larger than originally thought.

Scattered across a huge area outside the inner fortress were the remains of additional fortification walls and other stone structures. Because of its size, it was impossible to get a sense of the site as a whole from the ground.

"That was what sparked the idea of using a drone to assess the site from the air," commented Dr. Erb-Satullo.

"The drone took nearly 11,000 pictures which were knitted together using advanced software to produce high-resolution digital elevation models and orthophotoscomposite pictures that show every point as if you were looking straight down.

The team "ground-truthing" possible features identified in aerial photography. These photos also show how difficult it is to get an overall sense of the structure site from the ground. Credit: Nathaniel Erb-Satullo

"These datasets enabled us to identify subtle topographic features and create accurate maps of all the fortification walls, graves, field systems, and other stone structures within the outer settlement. The results of this survey showed that the site was more than 40 times larger than originally thought, including a large outer settlement defended by a 1km-long fortification wall."

The research team used a DJI Phantom 4 RTK drone which can provide relative positional accuracy of under 2cm as well as extremely high-resolution aerial imagery. In order to obtain a highly accurate map of human-made features, the team carefully checked each feature in the aerial imagery to confirm its identification.

To understand how the landscape of the site had evolved, the orthophotos were compared with 50-year-old photos taken by a Cold War-era spy satellite declassified in 2013. That gave researchers much-needed insight into which features were recent, which were older.

It also enabled researchers to assess what areas of the ancient settlement were damaged by modern agriculture. All of those data sets were merged in Geographic Information System (GIS) software, helping to identify patterns and changes in the landscape.

Structures in the outer settlement, 1km long fortification wall is visible in upper left. Credit: Nathaniel Erb-Satullo

1 km long outer fortification wall. Power/telephone line poles for scale. Credit: Nathaniel Erb-Satullo

"The use of drones has allowed us to understand the significance of the site and document it in a way that simply wouldn't be possible on the ground," said Dr. Erb-Satullo.

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"Dmanisis Gora isn't just a significant find for the Southern Caucasus region, but has a broader significance for the diversity in the structure of large-scale settlements and their formation processes.

"We hypothesize that Dmanisis Gora expanded because of its interactions with mobile pastoral groups, and its large outer settlement may have expanded and contracted seasonally. With the site now extensively mapped, further study will start to provide insights into areas such as population density and intensity, livestock movements and agricultural practices, among others."

This data will give researchers new insights into Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age societies, and how these communities functioned.

Since the aerial survey was completed, Dr. Erb-Satullo has been carrying out further excavations at the site, uncovering tens of thousands of pottery shards, animal bones, and other artifacts that tell us more about the society that built this fortress.

More information: Nathaniel L. Erb-Satullo et al, Mega-fortresses in the South Caucasus: new data from southern Georgia, Antiquity (2025). DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2024.197 Journal information: Antiquity
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Egyptian archaeologists restore recently discovered artifacts by the mission of the Zahi Hawass Foundation for Antiquities & Heritage, at the causeway of Queen Hatshepsut's Funerary temple, at Deir al-Bahri on the Nile's West Bank, in Luxor, Egypt, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Khaled Elfiqi

Egypt unveiled several discoveries near the famed city of Luxor on Wednesday, including ancient rock-cut tombs and burial shafts dating back 3,600 years.

They were unearthed at the causeway of Queen Hatshepsut's funerary temple at Deir al-Bahri on the Nile's West Bank, according to a statement released by Zahi Hawass Foundation for Antiquities & Heritage. It said it worked in tandem with the Supreme Council of Antiquities on the site since September 2022.

Artifacts found at the tombs included bronze coins with the image of Alexander the Great dating to the Time of Ptolemy I (367-283), children's toys made of clay, cartonnage and funerary masks that covered mummies, winged scarabs, beads and funerary amulets.

Hawass told reporters that the discoveries could "reconstruct history" and offer an understanding of the type of programs ancient Egyptians designed inside a temple.

The archaeologists also found the remains of Queen Hatshepsut's Valley Temple, rock-cut tombs dating back to the Middle Kingdom (1938 B.C.1630 B.C.), burial shafts from the 17th dynasty, the tomb of Djehuti-Mes and part of the Assassif Ptolemaic Necropolis.

The rock-cut tombs had been previously robbed during the Ptolemaic period and later. Still, the Egyptian teams uncovered some artifacts such as pottery tables that were used to offer bread, wine and meat.

A recently discovered ancient rock-cut tomb discovered by Zahi Hawass Foundation for Antiquities & Heritage at the causeway of Queen Hatshepsut's Funerary temple at Deir al-Bahri on the Nile's West Bank, in Luxor, Egypt, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Khaled Elfiqi

Recently unearthed artifacts by the mission of Zahi Hawass Foundation for Antiquities & Heritage on display at the causeway of Queen Hatshepsut's Funerary temple at Deir al-Bahri on the Nile's West Bank, in Luxor, Egypt, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Khaled Elfiqi

Inside the burial shafts dating back to 1580 B.C.1550 B.C., anthropoid wooden coffins were found, including one that belonged to a young child. It remained intact since its burial some 3,600 years ago. War archery bows were also found inside the burial chamber, indicating that those who owned the tombs had military backgrounds and fought to liberate Egypt from the Hyksos.

Not many artifacts from Djehuti Mes's tomb were found, but the tomb itself reveals more about Djehuti Mes, who oversaw Queen Teti Sheri's palace. The date engraved on the Djehuti Mes' funerary stelae indicates that the tomb goes back to the 9th year of King Ahmose I's reign (1550 B.C.1525 B.C.).

Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass, the head of Zahi Hawass Foundation for Antiquities & Heritage, speaks at a recently discovered ancient rock-cut tomb at the causeway of Queen Hatshepsut's Funerary temple at Deir al-Bahri on the Nile's West Bank, in Luxor, Egypt, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. Credit: APPhoto/Khaled Elfiqi

Part of the extended Ptolemaic necropolis that occupied the site of the causeway and the Valley Temple was also uncovered. The tombs in the cemetery were built of mud bricks over the remains of Queen Hatshepsut's temple. A large part of the necropolis was unearthed earlier in the 20th century but wasn't properly documented.

In November, Egyptian and American archaeologists excavated an ancient tomb with 11 sealed burials near Luxor. The tomb, which dates to the Middle Kingdom, was found in the South Asasif necropolis, next to the Temple of Hatshepsut.

 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Montana State University professor Dave Weaver examines a wheat stem sample at a study plot near Amsterdam, Montana. Credit: MSU photo by Adrian Sanchez-Gonzalez

Two graduate students in Montana State University's College of Agriculture have published new research on two aspects of management for one of the region's most damaging agricultural pests.

Wheat stem sawflies cost agricultural producers millions of dollars in losses each year, according to the Montana Wheat and Barley Committee. Surveys conducted by the National Agricultural Statistics Service found that nearly a quarter of respondents in Montana had lost up to 10% of their yield to the pest, and total losses statewide for 2024 were estimated at $66 million.

Doctoral student Jackson Strand and master's student Lochlin Ermatinger in the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences worked alongside MSU professor David Weaver to explore two aspects of sawfly management. Their novel approaches help better understand the pest's impact and vulnerabilities.

Strand's research has examined the impact of smooth brome, a common grass in Montana, on sawfly populations in wheat. Ermatinger applied remote sensing techniques to develop a model predicting sawfly infestation. Both students published their findings this fall, Strand in the Journal of Economic Entomology and Ermatinger in Remote Sensing.

"There's a strong demand for solutions other than pesticideswhich don't work for wheat stem sawflyand finding a solution that's sustainable for growers who may not have a lot of time or resources to do things like plant different crops," said Strand of his research. "We're trying to figure out if smooth brome is beneficial and if we can help promote populations of parasitoids that otherwise sometimes fluctuate across seasons and regions."

Parasitoids are insects that act as biocontrols, in this case against wheat stem sawflies. Parasitoids can go about this in different ways, but the ones Ermatinger focused on operate by paralyzing and then eating the sawfly larvae that feed inside wheat stems. Because parasitoids are native insects, they show potential as a natural management tool to mitigate damage, Strand said. He found that if smooth brome is present near wheat fields, both the sawflies and the parasitoids may gravitate to it.

Through greenhouse experiments and laboratory analysis, Strand sought to identify why that might be by measuring and comparing the volatiles released by smooth brome and wheat. Volatiles are naturally occurring chemicals released by plants, increasing in intensity when they are under stress.

"The plants that were exposed to sawflies expressed different compounds than the ones that weren't," said Strand, who completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota before arriving at MSU in 2021 to begin graduate studies. "Smooth brome produces the same compounds as the wheat, but in higher quantities. The sawflies are triggering a stress response in the plant, and then the parasitoids are keying in on those compounds and finding their hosts."

Smooth brome is not a native plant, Strand said, but is widespread around Montana, particularly near roadways, where it was once used to mitigate erosion. While intentionally planting brome isn't recommended, he noted that fostering what already exists could provide an appealing alternative for sawflies, consequentially protecting nearby wheat crops.

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"By not mowing it or by occasionally fertilizing it to maintain stands, you can make brome more valuable to sawflies, and also valuable to the parasitoids that help control them," said Strand, who completed his master's degree in entomology this fall and will continue at MSU to begin his doctoral studies later this month.

While Strand's research focused on managing known infestations of sawfly, Ermatinger explored new ways to identify and predict infestation in the first place.

Ermatinger, who is originally from Missoula, arrived at MSU in 2016 and completed a bachelor's degree in environmental science with a focus in geospatial and environmental analysis. He found himself drawn to remote sensing and GIS, or geographic information systems, which uses data from satellites, drones and other technology to create advanced mapping programs.

True to the many complications with their management, wheat stem sawflies spend most of their life cycle within the stem of a wheat plant, Ermatinger said. That means that seeing their damage from the outside is much more difficult than with other pests.

"Truly understanding what infestation looks like requires a lot of stem dissection," he said. "We started exploring the use of remote sensing with satellite images and combining that with stem dissection to try and produce a map."

Ermatinger collected data on three scales: spatial, spectral and temporal. By measuring the spectrum of light reflected by wheat fields across a large area and over time, then comparing that data with where sawfly infestation was confirmed through physical analysis of wheat stems, he built a model that could use small variations in reflected light to estimate infestation across an entire field.

"You can't manage something that you can't measure. Our hope is that we can use this to objectively make better estimates," Ermatinger said. "We're able to estimate now, to a degree of statistical significance, what the infestation rate is. It really showed us that capturing images across the life of these plants is important."

Both Ermatinger and Strand worked on-farm with Montana agricultural producers while conducting their research, noting that those relationships helped them to gain a deeper perspective of the direct applicability of the work they were doing.

They have also both progressed to more advanced degrees than they initially planned at MSU: Strand from a master's degree on to a doctorate, and Ermatinger from his undergraduate studies to a master's. They credited the collaborative and supportive environment of the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences for encouraging their continued exploration.

"I never saw myself as someone who'd go on to get a graduate degree. I thought that was out of reach. But MSU has been a great community," said Ermatinger. "It's shown me that you can explore anything you want to, it's all about who you have around you and what you're interested in. It's made me understand my home state in a new way."

More information: Jackson R Strand et al, Agroecological importance of smooth brome in managing wheat stem sawfly (Hymenoptera: Cephidae) via associated braconid parasitoids, Journal of Economic Entomology (2024). DOI: 10.1093/jee/toae246 Lochlin S. Ermatinger et al, Multitemporal Hyperspectral Characterization of Wheat Infested by Wheat Stem Sawfly, Cephus cinctus Norton, Remote Sensing (2024). DOI: 10.3390/rs16183505 Journal information: Journal of Economic Entomology
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Graphical abstract. Credit: Environmental Science & Technology (2025). DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c07842

AMR is when microorganisms that cause infections, such as bacteria and viruses, change over time and no longer respond to antibiotic medicines.

It makes serious conditions such as HIV, tuberculosis and malaria more difficult to treat and increases the risk of severe illness, disease spread and death.

AMR particularly impacts low-to-middle-income countries where water quality is often poor and the environmental spread of AMR via waste can be high.

In 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) formulated a Global Action Plan to co-ordinate efforts to tackle AMR.

As a result, 194 WHO member states committed to developing country-specific One Health AMR National Action Plans (NAPs).

The One Health model recognizes the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment.

However, inadequate logistical capacity, funding, and poor access to essential information can hinder informed NAP policymaking, especially in low-to-middle-income countries.

Now an international team of researchers, co-led by Professor Yong-Guan Zhu from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Professor David Graham from Durham University, UK, has created an AI tool to bridge critical gaps in knowledge needed for informal policy development and to assist in the preparation of National Action Plans.

The research has been published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.

The large language model tool developed by the research team, called the AMR-Policy GPT, contains information from AMR-related policy documents from 146 countries.

It works in a similar way to established AI chatbots such as ChatGPT but has a focusing element that encourages more current, accurate, and contextually relevant information on AMR compared with more generic chatbots.

Professor David Graham of Durham University's Department of Biosciences, said, "We believe our prototype is a valuable starting point for National Action Plans, especially for parts of the world that lack local data or infrastructure to support integrated action against AMR.

"Any solutions to do with global health need to be viewed holistically and our tool will help guide AMR policy development by increasing knowledge-sharing across countries worldwide, especially related to the environmental spread of AMR.

"Essentially, it provides decision makers with well-referenced information from across all disciplines at their fingertips.

"And with the ability to continuously update, our framework ensures that the chatbot tool remains up-to-date and effective."

The researchers stress that the primary purpose of AMR-Policy GPT is an 'intelligent' information source to assist in the policymaking processlike having a smart friend in the room, and it is not designed to write comprehensive NAPs.

The researchers will continue to build on the prototype and explore how it can be further improved and expanded following feedback from users.

In the future they would like to integrate even more scientific knowledge with policy information to create an enhanced AMR-Policy GPT.

Professor Zhu said, "Given the enormous and growing volume of information on AMR and its possible influence on policy, we think that AI is an excellent tool for knowledge integration and also for the initial distillation of understanding."

Also included in the study were researchers from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in the U.S..

More information: Cai Chen et al, Using Large Language Models to Assist Antimicrobial Resistance Policy Development: Integrating the Environment into Health Protection Planning, Environmental Science & Technology (2025). DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c07842 Journal information: Environmental Science & Technology
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Credit: ACS Nano (2024). DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c10145

An international research team, working with cutting-edge technology at the University of NebraskaLincoln, has made a discovery that may dramatically expand the materials used in next-generation, energy-efficient memory and logic devices.

The team, which includes Nebraska's Abdelghani Laraoui, assistant professor of mechanical and materials engineering, successfully demonstrated for the first time the imaging of magnetic skyrmions at room temperature in composition engineered magnetic materials. The team observed the tiny, vortex-like particles in these magnetic materials using a nitrogen-vacancy scanning probe in Laraoui's lab. The findings are published in ACS Nano.

"This discovery is a huge step forward because, until now, scientists could only observe these skyrmions in bulk chiral magnetic materials at very low temperatures," Laraoui said. "Being able to study them at room temperature opens up a whole new world of applications and possibilities."

Adam Erickson, a doctoral student in materials engineering, adjusts the nitrogen-vacancy scanning probe in Abdelghani Laraoui's lab. Credit: Craig Chandler | University Communication and Marketing

Traditional hard disk drives use the direction of the magnetization of magnetic materials to store binary data. The magnetization can be controlled with magnetic field, light or electrical current, enabling high-density data storage. However, when the magnetic bits get smaller, they are more susceptible to thermal noise and defects in the material that can compromise data integrity.

Manipulating skyrmions with an electrical current can make next-generation computing and memory devices work more efficiently. Demonstrating this at room temperature and with less-expensive materials will change the future for next-generation computing, memory and logic devices, Laraoui said.

More information: Adam Erickson et al, Room Temperature Magnetic Skyrmions in Gradient-Composition Engineered CoPt Single Layers, ACS Nano (2024). DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c10145 Journal information: ACS Nano
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Prison reform advocates often point to the Nordic countries as examples of "how to do prison right." The low rates of imprisonment and more humane approach to incarceration in these countries have long been considered exceptional by researchers.

In Norway, Finland, Denmark, Sweden and Iceland, life in prison resembles the outside world as much as possible.

However, like any prison system, they aren't perfect. Criminal policies in these countries are more punitive than they were 40 years ago. There are a myriad of reasons for this, such as stronger support for conservative political parties and tougher approaches to crime and less reliance on experts in criminal policy.

As a result, Nordic prisons are facing some of the same challenges as prisons in the UK, including overcrowding and understaffing.

Norway

Norwegian prisoners have the right to vote, and their education and medical needs are taken care of by the same teachers and doctors used in the surrounding community. In many prisons, they're entitled to conjugal visits with their spouse.

Norway's prison system is praised for its low recidivism rates (only 20% after two years), though it should be noted that many Norwegian prisoners are foreign nationals, half of whom are deported after serving their sentence.

By and large, criminals in Nordic countries are punished through loss of liberty, while retaining other rights. Time in prison is spent trying to help prisoners prepare to live a crime-free life.

In an annual report on a visit to one Norwegian prison, the Norwegian Parliamentary Ombud raised concerns about rising self-harm incidents, understaffing and extensive use of solitary confinement. There were 20 times as many self-harm incidents in 2022 than four years prior.

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Finland

In the 1960s and 70s, Finland had the highest rate of imprisonment in western Europe. Reforms were brought in to address this and by the 1990s they had some of the lowest rates, which they've largely maintained. But the trend may be reversing, partly due to tougher criminal policies, with stricter sentences for sexual offenses and gun crimes.

Finnish prisons, like those in Norway, are considered innovative. Prisons are designed to be as nice as possible, with prisoners encouraged to govern their own lives and stay connected to their community. The aim is to help them reintegrate into society upon release.

Last year, Finland's prison service said that the country's prisons are full. They raised concerns that due to the capacity, prisoners are not getting enough time out of their cells, nor enough access to meaningful activity.

As well as prisons being overcrowded, they are understaffed. Due to budget cuts between 2006 and 2016, where around 17% of staff had to be cut, there is a shortage of officers across the service who have undertaken the 16-month training program. Since unqualified officers cannot carry out certain tasks, this puts more pressure on the understaffed, qualified officers.

Denmark

For the last few years, Denmark has also faced challenges of overcrowded prisons. The occupancy level of Danish prisons in 2023 was 101.2% (as in, 1.2% over capacity), the highest in around 80 years. This is the result of changes such as longer prison sentences for rape and violent assaults.

I recently interviewed Danish criminologist Anne Okkels Birk, who said that politicians want prisons to be tougher and harsher.

The current Danish minister of justice, when talking about criminal gangs last year, said harsh punishments are necessary when dealing with serious violenceeven if the perpetrator committed the crime at a young age. This stands in contrast to the beliefs often held internationally about Nordic penal policies.

The punitive landscape in Denmark is seeing more infractions, such as smoking inside the prison, punishable by time in disciplinary solitary confinement. In 2019, four times as many people spent time in solitary confinement than in 2001. As a result, prison officers have highlighted concerns about their ability to build positive relations with prisoners.

This makes dynamic securitya technique whereby prison staff assess risks by engaging with prisoners and spending time with them, rather than relying solely on cameras, locks and gatesmore difficult. Dynamic security is a regular feature of Nordic prisons, though it is implemented in other prison systems too.

While prisoner numbers have increased, the number of prison staff has decreased for the 11th consecutive year. In 2023, there were 27% fewer prison officers than a decade prior, due to difficulty in recruiting and retaining staff.

In prisons like Nyborg in Denmark, work foremenwho help improve prisoners' skills and employabilityhave had to help prison officers with their duties instead, meaning many workshops are often closed.

Danish prison officers are facing their own personal challenges. A 2020 study into current and former prison officers found that 11% have a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder, while their sickness levels are over 50% higher than other state employees. An assault on a prison officer occurs, on average, every day.

The number of people in pre-trial detention in Denmark has increased since 2017, with latest figures stating they make up around 38.8% of the prison population. They are often in their cells alone for up to 23 hours a day, despite being presumed innocent until found guilty.

Denmark is at risk of being short of a thousand prison places this year. In response, the country has agreed to rent 300 prison places in Kosovo. Experts have expressed concerns about human rights issues this agreement may cause, including the difficulty prisoners will have in receiving visits from loved ones. The Committee for the Prevention of Torture expressed concerns on a 2021 visit to Kosovo about the prevalence of corruption among prison officers and physical abuse towards prisoners.

The Nordic countries still provide a source of inspiration regarding their smaller prison populations and more humane approaches to imprisonment. But as political views on crime and punishment evolve, they are clearly not immune from the problems that many countries, including the UK, face.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Red fronted lemur (Eulemur rufifrons). Credit: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA, via Wikimedia Commons

Lemurs, small, big-eyed primates that live in the trees of Madagascar off the southeast coast of Africa, are a mystery of evolution. When the first ones arrived there tens of millions of years ago, they found an island with wildly diverse ecosystems, from wet tropical forests in the east to arid expanses in the southwest.

Without many other mammalian competitors, those early lemurs evolved into a dizzying array of forms, everything from teacup-sized mouse lemurs to giant sloth lemurs. Many of these lemurs have incredibly high levels of genetic diversity, yet paradoxically, almost all90%of the more than 100 species that live on the island are threatened with extinction.

To find out whyand maybe solve the mysteryanthropologists and biologists at Universite de Montreal and Pompeu Fabra University (PFU), in Spain, took a genetics approach: they sequenced the genomes of 162 lemurs from 50 species across Madagascar, by far the largest effort to sequence lemur genomes to date.

In a major advance in the understanding of how primate genomic diversity has been influenced by ecological and anthropogenic factors, their international research team revealed the extraordinary diversity of these long-neglected, endangered primates.

Led by UdeM assistant professor Joseph Orkin, principal investigator at the multiomic primate evolution lab of UdeM's anthropology and biological sciences departments, and Spanish research professor Tomas Marques Bonet, principal investigator at the PFU's Institute of Evolutionary Biology, in Barcelona, they uncovered a number of things.

In particular, they showed how ecological variation, climatic fluctuations and recent human activity have all influenced the genetic diversity of lemurs, as well as their prospects of survival over the long term.

Widespread gene flow

Published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, the study's analyses reveal widespread gene flow between lemur species over hundreds of thousands of years.

"As climatic shifts periodically connected once-isolated habitats, lemurs from different species and populations would interbreed, sharing genetic material that boosted their overall diversity," Orkin said.

"On top of that, the most diverse species appear to be the ones with fragmented populations in multiple ecosystems across the island. This pattern of isolation and reconnection seems to be building up and redistributing genetic variation across the island."

He added, "Many species of lemurs have super-high levels of genomic diversity, which seems counterintuitive when you consider that so many of them are critically endangered. It was really exciting to see how the ecology of Madagascar helped to shape the diversity of lemurs."

Humans played a major role

While Madagascar itself may be a laboratory for the diversity of lemurs, recent human activity has played a major role in their collapsing populations. The data show a striking correspondence between human population expansion, deforestation, and shifts in hunting practicesand the start of severe lemur population declines.

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No one knows when exactly humans first arrived on Madagascar, but it's clear that their numbers started to grow around 1,000 years ago and that the landscape of the island started changing in a major way by the 1700s, said Orkin.

"When we looked at the genetic evidence for population declines, we kept seeing these two consistent inflection points around 1,000 and 300 years ago. It was really striking to see such a clear overlap between the timing of human population expansion and the decline of lemur populations."

These findings carry significant implications for conservation strategies, he added. Habitat fragmentation and deforestation not only threaten lemurs by reducing population sizes but also by cutting off the natural corridors that historically allowed gene flow. Without these genetic exchanges, the risk of inbreeding increases, further imperiling already endangered species.

"This story isn't unique to Madagascar," said Orkin. "Human population expansion is accelerating the loss of biodiversity everywhere we look. But the moral of the story is that humans are only one part of the natural world. The more we learn about how biodiversity is shaped by natural and human forces, the better chance we have of protecting it."

More information: Joseph D. Orkin et al, Ecological and anthropogenic effects on the genomic diversity of lemurs in Madagascar, Nature Ecology & Evolution (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41559-024-02596-1 Journal information: Nature Ecology & Evolution
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A small international team of marine mammal scientists has found evidence that just 7% of the male humpback whales residing near New Caledonia, in the southwest Pacific, may have fathered offspring. For their project, reported in the journal Royal Society Open Science, the group studied photographs of the whales and conducted a genetic analysis from samples collected over the years 1995 to 2019.

Prior research has shown that groups of humpback whales migrate from cooler waters near the Antarctic from June to September each year to the warmer waters off the coast of New Caledonia, which is situated approximately 15,000 kilometers off the eastern coast of Australia, in the Coral Sea.

In this new study, the research team, noting young whales among the groups, wondered about their paternity. More specifically, they wondered if most of the young were sired by multiple adult males, or by just a few. To find out, they launched a study.

The researchers sought images of the whales over a 25-year period to identify individual members of the pods. They also sought and obtained tissue samples collected from whales in the area over multiple years. They found 995 genetic samples from adult males that could be used to identify the fathers of 177 motheroffspring pairs. They were able to identify the fathers of 79 of the young. Surprisingly, they found that just 7% of the males in the test group had sired any of the offspring.

The researchers suggest that the female whales are looking for specific traits in their mating partners and only a few males are suitable. They note that male humpback whales are known to compose complex songs, and sing them for hours on end during the breeding season.

The research data suggests that few of them succeed in finding just the right song. The research team also noted that the males who did sire one offspring with one female were more likely to sire another offspring with another female.

More information: Franca Eichenberger et al, Patterns of paternity: insights into mating competition and gene flow in a recovering population of humpback whales, Royal Society Open Science (2025). DOI: 10.1098/rsos.241424 Journal information: Royal Society Open Science

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The tiny cupcake-like bulb of the orchid from Norfolk Island is about the size of a persons thumbnail. Credit: Heidi Zimmer

Imagine discovering a tiny orchid perched on a tree branch in a forest. It resembles an orchid you've seen before, but something is subtly different. Could it be a new species that hasn't yet been named or described by science?

How would you find out?

Step 1: Take it home

Can you take home a rare plant?

Yes, if you're a botanist with a collecting permit and home is a herbarium.

Dr. Heidi Zimmer is an orchid researcher at the Australian National Herbarium (ANH) in Canberra.

While visiting Norfolk Island National Park with botanist Dr. Mark Clements, the local knowledge and expertise of the Norfolk Island National Park team including Joel Christian, Mel Wilson and Allie Andersen helped the scientists locate an area thought to be home to a tiny and little-known orchid. In the late afternoon light, Mark spotted it growing on a small tree branch.

Something about the orchid looked a little different, so Heidi collected a sample to take home to ANH.

Step 2: Form a team

The orchid from Norfolk Island was obviously a species of Adelopetalumat least that was obvious to experts like Zimmer and Clements. But while Norfolk locals would be familiar with the tiny plant, scientists were keen to determine if it was a known species or a new one.

Zimmer and Clements were joined by a team of scientists, including lead researcher David Jones, a retired botanist who formerly worked at ANH.

"This was a wonderfully collaborative project with folks from Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island, and Australian botanists and taxonomists all working together," Zimmer said.

Step 3: Search it up

When a botanist suspects a species is new to science, it's the start of a long journey to find out.

The team began a search to compare the orchid from Norfolk Island with:

orchid species described in scientific journals

orchid specimens held in the Australian National Herbarium (there are approximately 75,000!)

orchids specimens held in other herbaria in Australia and overseas. In the past, botanists had to travel to other herbaria or request specimens be loaned by mail. Today, many herbaria are digitizing their collections and making the photos available online.

The research revealed that the orchid species known as Adelopetalum argyropus wasn't one species that lived across Norfolk Island, Lord Howe Island and continental Australia. It was three distinct species.

"Firstly, we recognized that the Norfolk Island species was different because the flower did not have a yellow labellumno giant bright yellow tongue," Zimmer said.

"We looked at living plants, dissected flowers mounted on cards and herbarium specimens. The difference was pretty clear, even for a taxonomist in training like me."

Step 4: Name it!

The three orchid species shared the name Adelopetalum argyropus. So which species would get to keep the name?

Whichever was first.

"Yep, that's a rule in taxonomy, not just for who gets the front seat in road trips," Zimmer said.

Adelopetalum argyropus was first described from Norfolk Island in 1833 (as Thelychiton argyropus, but that's another story because it was later moved into a different genus). As a result, the orchid from Norfolk Island kept the species name.

The team named the other two orchids A. howense and A. continentale. (You can tell from the names which is which!)

"That there are three separate species on Norfolk Island, Lord Howe Island and continental Australia makes sense because they clearly cannot readily interbreed," Zimmer said.

"That said, the orchids spread to those islands somehow. It was probably that marvelous dust-like orchid seed, which is so fine and dusty it can be carried on the wind to far-away places."

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Step 5: Describe it

Naming a species is only a small part of the scientific process of describing a new species.

Researchers must also publish a scientific paper in a peer-reviewed journal. The paper should describe the botanical features of new species and may include photos, microscopy images, scientific drawings and DNA results.

To give you a glimpse of the species description for the orchid on Norfolk Island, the paper, published in Phytotaxa, notes that it has: "Pseudobulbs broadly oblong to obconical or turbinate (similar to a cupcake, "poculum crustulam simile"), 5.010.0  4.06.0 mm, margins with 45 weakly angular ribs, surface shallowly grooved, scurfy from remnants of fugacious bracts, apex truncate with shallow to deep depressions."

Step 6: Assess it

Orchids are one of the plant families most at risk of extinction. Many species grow in single locations or have very small populations.

"The purpose of naming and describing new orchid species is to build a checklist of Australian orchids so people can conserve them," Zimmer said.

"We think there are risks for these three new species. This is because the species on Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands are both confined to small islands and the one on continental Australia was badly impacted by the 20192020 bushfires."

More information: David L. Jones et al, Characterisation of Adelopetalum argyropus (Orchidaceae; Malaxideae) with the description of two related new species and two new combinations, Phytotaxa (2024). DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.678.1.9

Provided by CSIRO
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Images of three samples used in the study. On the left are photos of the remotely operated vehicle arm grabbing the rock samples from the outcrop; on the right are images of the corresponding rock samples. Note the black patina on the side of the rock surface, which was exposed to seawater. Credit: Geosphere (2024). DOI: 10.1130/GES02762.1

Marine and coastal geoscience play a critical role in understanding ancient and modern geological history, offshore and coastal hazards, and climate change. Deep-water environments prevent scientists from directly visiting field sites, so unique methods must be employed for researching the ocean floor.

One common approach is offshore drilling, which provides core samples that can be analyzed in laboratories. While this method is useful for retrieving otherwise inaccessible materials, it is expensive and has its limitations.

A study in Geosphere explores a more cost-effective alternative: deploying a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to record exposed rock layers on the ocean floor and construct virtual outcrops.

Constructing a virtual outcrop is essential for reconstructing a region's ancient history and understanding the geological processes and hazards that have shaped it. ROVs can also collect rock samples from various locations on the ocean floor, which allows scientists to deepen their analysis through visual rock identification and laboratory examination.

While ROVs cannot retrieve samples from the subsurface like ocean drilling can, this more cost-effective method can retrieve samples from the ocean floor and video record seafloor morphology, which cannot be done with ocean drilling.

The data collected via ROV exploration is both highly valuable and more accessible to a wider range of scientists.

The Mona Rift's seismic hazards

The Mona Rift, located northwest of Puerto Rico, is a seismically active area that presents real hazards to Puerto Rico's coastal communities. One of the most devastating seismic events in the region was the 1918 tsunami. Triggered by a magnitude 7.2 earthquake, this event caused an underwater landslide, leading to widespread flooding in Puerto Rican coastal towns.

Despite the risks, data on the Mona Rift remains limited due to a lack of previous drilling expeditions, making it an ideal location for ROV-based research. Investigating this region's geology can help scientists better understand local geologic hazards and prepare for future natural disasters. For example, analyzing the geologic history can uncover a more detailed record of past earthquakes preserved in the rocks.

This knowledge allows scientists to make more informed assessments about current earthquake-related hazards, including the magnitude and frequency of potential future events.

Such valuable insights are crucial for protecting communities at risk of earthquake-related hazards.

Virtual outcrop methodology

A team led by Dr. Uri S. ten Brink, a geoscientist with the U.S. Geological Survey, deployed an ROV at water depths ranging from approximately 5,000 to 13,000 feet to study the region.

Using a combination of video frames and seven ROV-collected rock samples, the team determined the age and geologic history of the Mona Rift. Dr. ten Brink compared the video data collected by the ROV to footage "from a passing car along an outcrop on land." He emphasized that this method allows scientists to "extract so much more from existing data than was previously assumed."

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New insights

Although there are correlations between offshore and onshore rock formations, ten Brink's research revealed discrepancies between the two environments. The team identified a 330-foot gap in the geologic record between the onshore and offshore formations, along with variations in rock thicknesses that suggest distinct geological evolutions.

Their stratigraphic analysis indicates that the Mona Rift is approximately 3.3 million years old, making it roughly 30 million years younger than some of the surrounding rock formations. According to Dr. ten Brink, this suggests that the Mona Rift "is young" and that tectonic rifting is "occurring at a higher rate than previously assumed."

Seismic risk and coastal communities

By combining offshore data collected by the ROV with existing onshore data, ten Brink and his team developed a more comprehensive geological history of the region. The ROV's ability to gather both visual and physical data provides unique insights into the geologic record, demonstrating its potential for cost-effective research in remote, deep-water environments.

This approach not only advances our understanding of ancient geological events but also has practical applications for evaluating and mitigating future risks to coastal communities.

The findings of this research are particularly valuable for understanding the geological processes that have contributed to destructive hazards in Puerto Rico's pastand for identifying risks that could emerge in the future. Employing ROVs for offshore stratigraphic and geological analysis has provided a fresh perspective on the geology and geologic hazards of offshore Puerto Rico.

More information: Uri S. ten Brink et al, Field geology under the sea with a remotely operated vehicle: Mona Rift, Puerto Rico, Geosphere (2024). DOI: 10.1130/GES02762.1 Journal information: GeoSphere
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Male European bison (Bison bonasus) fed to a Polar bear (Ursus maritimus). Credit: Timo Deible, Zoo Karlsruhe

Until now, contraception has been the method of choice for zoos to avoid surplus animals. Researchers are now calling for a paradigm shift: zoos could preserve their breeding populations, raise awareness of conservation challenges and improve animal welfare and their carbon footprint by allowing animals to reproduce naturally and culling surplus animals.

Unlike animals in the wild, animals in zoos are not limited by food shortages or predators, allowing individuals to live much longer than they would in the wild. This poses a challenge for zoos, as it puts pressure on their finite holding capacities.

As a result, many zoos restrict animal breeding for both logistical and financial reasons. Other zoos have risked a public backlash by culling surplus animals: Ten years ago, the culling of Marius, a healthy two-year-old giraffe, sparked an international debate about what zoos should do with their surplus animals, with many people upset at the idea of euthanizing healthy animals.

Aging zoo populations

In a recent policy statement led by the University of Zurich and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers argue that the widespread use of contraception is changing the age profile and welfare of zoo populationsand not for the better.

"Without births, adult animals are deprived of one of their most basic evolutionary drives," says Marcus Clauss, lead author of the report. "Over time, zoo populations are also aging, jeopardizing one of the core principles of zoos: maintaining self-sustaining populations."

Often, surplus animals cannot be moved elsewhere, because zoos are filled to capacity and reintroducing animals to the wild requires dedicated release programs and availability of suitable habitats. Rather than limiting the reproductive ability of zoo animals, the authors advocate for the planned and respectful culling of surplus animals.

"This is a rational and responsible approach to zoo population management. What's more, such an approach can help zoos fulfill their educational mission in addition to their conservation mission," adds Clauss.

Educating the public about the natural life cycle

"Each year, more than 700 million people visit zoos around the world," says co-author Andrew Abraham from Aarhus University. "Zoos have an incredible opportunity to shape the public's understanding of animal mortality and natural processes. But by moving death to the margins, zoos perpetuate unrealistic expectations about life in the wild."

However, zoos are also critical for conservation. "Already today, numerous animal species are threatened with extinction, and many more are likely to follow in the coming decades. It is essential that zoos maintain reproductively active populations, along with zoo staff experienced in caring for young animals. What we don't need is a collection of geriatric animals and veterinarians preoccupied with palliative care," Abraham adds.

In-house meat supply improves carbon footprint

As births increase, surplus zoo animals will have to be culleda practice that can also make zoos more environmentally sustainable. Thus, one zoo in Germany is able to feed its carnivores with up to 30% of meat from animals within its own institution, reducing its carbon footprint and the need for commercially slaughtered animals.

While the culling of charismatic mammals often sparks controversy, evidence suggests that public opinion is more balanced than portrayed in the media. "Zoos have a responsibility to educate visitors about the realities of life and death in animal population management," says Clauss. "Transparent communication can help shift public perceptions and align attitudes with long-term, sustainable approaches."

More information: Marcus Clauss et al, Zoos must embrace animal death for education and conservation, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024). www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2414565121 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
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The proposed CV hotspot track and mechanism for forming the Great Lakes from plume-lithosphere interaction. (a) The radial anisotropy map showing the possible CV hotspot track outlined by the red dashed line. The white dashed line indicates the GM hotspot track. (b) The CV plume actively interacted with the lithosphere in the eastern Great Lakes at 215 Ma, causing lithosphere thinning. (c) The current stage of the lithosphere under the eastern Great Lakes. Credit: Geophysical Research Letters (2024). DOI: 10.1029/2024GL110777

A trio of Earth and atmospheric scientists at the University of Houston, working with a geoscientist from the University of Arizona, has found evidence that a geographic hotspot laid the groundwork for the formation of the Great Lakes.

In their study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, the group studied models depicting the movement of the Pangea supercontinent over millions of years and the site of the Cape Verde hotspot, which still exists today.

Prior research has shown that the Great Lakes were formed by ice movement during the last Ice Ageas the ice melted, it filled the lakes with water. In this new study, the researchers found evidence of a hotspot beneath the site of the Great Lakes that allowed more land to be scooped out, making the lakes deeper than they would have been otherwise.

The team began with research into the formation of the North American continent. They were looking at how seismic waves moved horizontally under the Great Lakes, rather than vertically, as they did in the ground around them. This finding suggested that the lithosphere had been deformed somehow, but the researchers did not know the cause.

It was only when they began working with a colleague from the University of Houston that things became clear. Geologists there had been creating models showing the movement of tectonic plates going back hundreds of millions of years. In looking at the models, the researchers found that the Cape Verde hotspot was once located directly below the current location of the Great Lakes.

Hotspots are cracks in the mantlethey allow hot material to leak upward into Earth's middle layers, where they at times interact with the crust in the form of volcanoes. They can also appear to move slowly over very long periods of time.

The model showed the Cape Verde hotspot directly below Lake Superior approximately 225 to 300 million years ago. As the supercontinent Pangea shifted above it, the hotspot remained in place, but its position relative to the land above would make it look like it had moved, allowing the hotspot to reside over both Lake Huron and Lake Erie before "moving" farther east, eventually residing below the island of Cape Verde.

The research team also found that the odd seismic waves lined up with the continental pass over the hotspot, which would have left the ground beneath the hotspot more fragile, allowing the ice that passed over 20,000 years ago to scrape out more soil, making the lakes much bigger and deeper than they would have been otherwise.

More information: Zhongmin Tao et al, Revealing the Cape Verde Hotspot Track Across the Great Lakes, Geophysical Research Letters (2024). DOI: 10.1029/2024GL110777 Journal information: Geophysical Research Letters

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An overview of 2021 U.S. agriculture emissions [data from EPA (2023)]. Enteric methane contributes ~33% of the total 598 MMT of CO 2 equivalence (MCE) from Agriculture. A 30% reduction of CH 4 emissions from the pastoral systems (cowcalf and stocker) would offset more CH 4 emissions than a total removal of emissions from finishing cattle and a 74% reduction from dairy cattle. Credit: Animal Frontiers (2025). DOI: 10.1093/af/vfae025

A new study from USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Iowa State University (ISU) reveals that generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help expedite the search for solutions to reduce enteric methane emissions caused by cows in animal agriculture, which accounts for about 33% of U.S. agriculture and 3% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. The research is published in the journal Animal Frontiers.

"Developing solutions to address methane emissions from animal agriculture is a critical priority. Our scientists continue to use innovative and data-driven strategies to help cattle producers achieve emission reduction goals that will safeguard the environment and promote a more sustainable future for agriculture," said ARS Administrator Simon Liu.

One of these innovative solutions starts in the cow's stomach, where microorganisms contribute to enteric fermentation and cause cows to belch methane as part of normal digestion processes. The team of scientists found a group of compound molecules capable of inhibiting methane production in the largest of the cow's four stomach compartments, the rumen, which can be tested to help mitigate methane emissions.

One molecule in particular, bromoform, which is naturally found in seaweed, has been identified by the scientific community to demonstrate properties that can result in reducing cattle enteric methane production by 8098% when fed to cattle. Unfortunately, bromoform is known to be a carcinogen, limiting its potential use in cattle for food safety reasons.

Therefore, scientists continue to search for molecules with similar potential to inhibit enteric methane. However, this type of research presents challenges of being especially time-consuming and expensive.

In response to these challenges, a team of scientists at the ARS Livestock Nutrient Management Research Unit and ISU's Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering combined generative AI with large computational models to jumpstart the quest for bromoform-like molecules that can do the same job without toxicity.

"We are using advanced molecular simulations and AI to identify novel methane inhibitors based on the properties of previously investigated inhibitors [like bromoform], but that are safe, scalable, and have a large potential to inhibit methane emissions," said Matthew Beck, a research animal scientist working with ARS at the time the study was completed and is now with Texas A&M University's Department of Animal Science.

"Iowa State University is leading the computer simulation and AI work, while ARS is taking the lead in identifying compounds and truth testing them using a combination of in vitro [laboratory] and in vivo [live cattle] studies."

Publicly available databases that contained scientific data collected from previous studies on the cows' rumen were used to build large computational models. AI, along with these models, was used to predict the behavior of molecules and to identify those that can be further tested in a laboratory. The results from the laboratory tests feed the computer models for AI to make more accurate predictions, creating a feedback loop process known as a graph neural network.

"Our graph neural network is a machine learning model, which learns the properties of molecules, including details of the atoms and the chemical bonds that hold them, while retaining useful information about the molecules' properties to help us study how they are likely to behave in the cow's stomach," said ISU Assistant Professor Ratul Chowdhury.

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"We studied their biochemical fingerprint to identify what makes them do the job successfully as opposed to the other fifty thousand molecules that are lurking around in the cow's rumen but don't actively stop the production of methane."

"This study successfully demonstrated that fifteen molecules cluster very close to each other in what we call a 'functional methanogenesis inhibition space,' meaning they seem to contain the same enteric methane inhibition potential, chemical similarity, and cell permeability as bromoform," added Chowdhury.

Scientists believe AI can play a significant role in understanding how known molecules interact with both proteins and the microbial community of the rumen and thereby discover novel molecules and potentially key interactions within the rumen microbiome. This type of predictive modeling can be particularly helpful for animal nutritionists.

"There are other promising strategies currently available to mitigate enteric methane emissions, but the available solutions are relatively limited," said USDA-ARS Research Leader Jacek Koziel.

"This is why combining AI with laboratory research, through iterative refinement, is a valuable scientific tool. AI can fast-forward the research and accelerate these several pathways that animal nutritionists, researchers, and companies can pursue to get us closer to a very ambitious goal of limiting greenhouse gas emissions and helping mitigate climate change."

The study also presents a total computational and monetary cost breakdown to conduct this research on a per molecule basis. This analysis was conducted to show an estimate of potential costs and foreseeable pitfalls of this research. This estimate can be used to guide decision-making on investments for this type of research to be done entirely in a laboratory.

Chowdhury, Beck, and Koziel are co-authors in the paper, along with Nathan Frazier (ARS) and Logan Thompson (Kansas State University). Mohammed Sakib Noor, an ISU graduate student, is working with Chowdhury to develop the graph neural networks.

More information: Ratul Chowdhury et al, Computational approaches for enteric methane mitigation research: from fermi calculations to artificial intelligence paradigms, Animal Frontiers (2025). DOI: 10.1093/af/vfae025
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:

Researchers on a NOAA Fisheries survey pull in a net full of juvenile sablefish from the same coastal waters where salmon spend their first months at sea. Credit: Elizabeth Daly/CIMERS

There is a new mouth to feed in the coastal waters of the Northwest where juvenile salmon first enter the ocean, and it's a hungry one.

Over the last two decades, large numbers of juvenile sablefish have increasingly spread into coastal waters from central Oregon north to northern Washington. Research published in the journal Marine and Coastal Fisheries shows the influx follows the warming of ocean temperatures off the West Coast. It matches reports of fishing boats catching more small sablefish closer to shore.

The finding means that salmon may face new competition from sablefish at a critical time in their life cycle, which is already at risk from climate change.

Adult sablefish live for many years in deep offshore waters along the ocean floor. Juvenile sablefishlike young salmonfirst feed and grow along the highest layers of water near the surface that teem with life. Sablefish are voracious eaters, often consuming large prey and lots of it.

"They are around the same size as juvenile salmon, but they can eat bigger prey and much more prey than salmon can at the same size," said Elizabeth Daly, an ecologist with the joint NOAA-Oregon State University Cooperative Institute for Marine Ecosystem and Resources Studies in Newport, Oregon. She is the lead author of the paper documenting increased competition between the two species, which both support important commercial fisheries off the West Coast.

Eating bigger, and more

Researchers on NOAA Fisheries survey examined nets full of juvenile sablefish collected in the same coastal waters where salmon spend their first months at sea.

Scientists examined the stomach contents of juvenile sablefish in coastal waters, finding evidence of their voracious appetite including other fish almost as big as they are. Credit: Elizabeth Daly/CIMERS

The young sablefish eat much the same thing as juvenile salmon do, but a lot more of it, Daly said. She and her team discovered this by examining their stomach contents.

For instance, even small sablefish consumed several times more krill than yearling Chinook salmon. The scientists did not find clear evidence of sablefish consuming young salmon, but based on the size of their other prey, they certainly could.

Other research has documented a similar influx of juvenile sablefish in waters off Alaska, although the new study did not include Alaska.

Salmon numbers and survival vary so widely from year to year that it's difficult to detect a specific impact from sablefish competition on salmon survival. However, the scientists suggest that the direct overlap of sablefish in the waters where young salmon first feed and grow may put salmon at a competitive disadvantage. That would be especially true if continued ocean warming makes food harder to find.

Salmon spend most of their lives in the ocean, which remains the most unpredictable chapter in their life cycle. The competition from sablefish comes during their first risky months at sea, when they are trying to eat and grow fast enough to stay ahead of predators.

"We now know that prey resources are extremely important for salmon growth and survival during this critical early marine period," said Brian Burke, research scientist at NOAA Fisheries Northwest Fisheries Science Center, and co-author of the research.

"But unraveling the impact of competition on salmon is extremely difficult. This new data helps us understand how species interact in our coastal environment. They also point to potential changes from continued ocean warming due to climate change."

Researchers on NOAA Fisheries survey examine nets full of juvenile sablefish collected in the same coastal waters where salmon spend their first months at sea. Credit: Greg Williams/Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission

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Sablefish outnumbering salmon

Juvenile sablefish were most numerous in coastal waters off Oregon and Washington in 2020, which was a boom year for the species. They outnumbered juvenile salmon so much that year that sablefish were approximately:

Four times more numerous than subyearling Chinook salmon

32 times more numerous than yearling Chinook salmon

13 times more numerous than coho salmon

The sablefish also had significantly more food in their stomachs at the time.

Salmon consumed significantly less food in areas with numerous sablefish, said Brandon Chasco, a co-author and research scientist with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Quantitative Synthesis and Reporting Unit.

"When sablefish were there, juvenile salmon ate less," he said. "Whether they're disrupting salmon feeding, or if salmon avoid them as potential predators, we are not sure."

Climate change projections have indicated a rising risk to salmon in the ocean, since higher ocean temperatures often reduce salmon survival. The additional competition from sablefish could make things even rougher. Sablefish, in contrast, could benefit if the juveniles that have expanded into coastal waters grow into adults that add to the population.

Fishing crews have recently reported catching many smaller adult sablefish, likely the result of more juveniles joining the populations. "Regardless of what happens to the sablefish, we know they are increasingly competing with salmon in these waters," Daly said.

More information: Elizabeth A. Daly et al, Implications of increased spatial and trophic overlap between juvenile Pacific salmon and Sablefish in the northern California Current, Marine and Coastal Fisheries (2024). DOI: 10.1002/mcf2.10325
Glens Falls Common Council member Diana Palmer has announced her campaign for mayor of Glens Falls. Palmer announced her candidacy for mayor, as well as her new campaign website, on social media Tuesday morning.

A new year brings the chance for a fresh start, renewed hope, and the opportunity to chart a bright path forward, Palmer said in her announcement. With this spirit, Im announcing my candidacy for Mayor of Glens Falls.

Mayor Bill Collins responded to Palmers announcement welcoming her to the campaign trail.

I welcome Council Member Palmer to the race for mayor, Collins said. Democracy works best when the voters have a choice. And they will have a very clear choice here.

In his statement, Collins emphasized that he is the first mayor in 22 years to have delivered a city budget with a zero tax increase.

Council Member Palmer voted against the budget. She was the only member of the common council to do so. She favored taking more money from our city taxpayers than was necessary to run city government, the statement read.

However, as per prior reporting by the Post-Star, Palmers reasons for voting no on the budget included a variety of concerns. Palmer expressed concerns regarding planned spending exceeding the expected revenue, a need for sustainable financial planning to avoid future fiscal distress, and the need for a plan to direct future investments.

Ive consistently raised concerns about the citys fiscal trajectory and advocated for structural changes. While Ive worked hard to address these issues and have successfully pushed for some reductions, theres a limit to what can be accomplished within my role on the council, she told the Post-Star in November 2024.

Throughout the budget process last fall, Palmer had expressed concerns about the budget.

In October, she told the Post-Star, My concern for the last couple years has been that the city has looked at this growing fund balance, as a sign that were in great shape. We can spend more, we can add more positions, we can venture into these corollary areas that arent necessarily our core responsibilities. And it scares me, because to me, those are all the things we were doing in the past to get into fiscal distress.

The fund balance could really deteriorate if we dont start making different decisions and planning for the future, Palmer added in a comment made to the Post-Star in October.

I want us to plan to have our expenses in line with our revenues, Palmer said, in November, citing this as one of the reasons she voted no.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Jan. 7, Palmer wrote, I want us to get our proposed spending under control because the $12 million in ARPA dollars that cushioned this overspending is gone. I want to keep taxes low for the long haul.

She believes that Collins comments are a misrepresentation, she said. Never did I, in any of my public speaking or my public writing, say anything about taking more money or anything like that. And I know that the mayor knows thats not true as well. I know he knows that, so Im confused about why hes saying that, she said. I hope that people in the city will let my consistent record of advocating for more responsible spending speak for itself.

I am going to try to do my very best to run a respectful and honest campaign, and I think that our policy differences are fair game, but we should not be saying things that are not accurate about each other, because its just not fair to the voters, Palmer said.

In a press release, Palmer made three commitments for a Stronger Glens Falls.

These include transparency and Collaboration, thoughtful, data-driven decisions, and focusing on Core Responsibilities such as delivering excellent municipal services.

We shouldnt overextend into areas better suited for the private sector. Instead, we should remove unnecessary barriers, streamline processes, and support those driving our community forward, Palmer said in the press release.

In an interview with the Post-Star, Palmer expressed her appreciation for the support she has already received, including an endorsement from the Local Union 773, which serves plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters and service technicians in upstate New York.

Diana genuinely understands the value of the trades. Her ability to think bigger picture, cross the aisle to listen to leaders on both sides, collaborate with insightful community members, and work towards meaningful solutions is what we believe will make Diana Palmer the ideal Mayor of Glens Falls, the endorsement on their Facebook page read.

Im incredibly grateful for the support Ive received in the last 24 hours, Palmer told the Post-Star. I feel like the points Ive been making about transparency and really listening to people and collaborating with them, and fiscal responsibility are resonating with people. I appreciate the support and the endorsement that I got yesterday.

One of the main changes Palmer is most excited about is fostering more collaboration and welcoming new voices into the conversation, she said. She believes that the City currently lacks professional expertise and management, financial oversight and strategic planning which she believes are essential to running a modern and efficient government. She also believes that some turnover has resulted in the loss of institutional knowledge.

So were repeatedly starting from scratch, and I think its time for Glens Falls to embrace a smarter, more sustainable approach to governance, so that we can prioritize efficiency, long-term planning stability, regardless of who is in office, she said.

She is also keen to build more opportunities for public input.

Its also just about listening to people and not getting defensive when they have different ideas, Palmer said, When people bring up ideas that are different than what is being proposed, it doesnt always go well, but I dont think we need to see diversity of opinion as a bad thing.

Palmer believes that currently the mayor has too much responsibility and oversight over too many things, and the City would be better served if we had professional management in place.

I think restructuring city government in a way that reduces mayoral power for the long-term benefit of the city does require some bold and forward-thinking leadership, but as mayor, I would be willing to do that, and Im committed to prioritizing professional management, fiscal responsibility and sustainability, because I think its what Glens Falls needs to thrive, she told the Post-Star.
YOUR TURN Are you a Richmond resident dealing with a lack of water? Tell us your story. Email sparker@timesdispatch.com.

Richmond may not have drinkable water until Thursday due to ongoing issues with the recently repaired water treatment plant, a leaked internal email between officials with the states Department of Environmental Quality shows.

Richmond has been largely without running water since Monday afternoon, when the Byrd Park Reservoir ran dry following a weather-related power failure and flood at the citys water treatment plant.

While power has been restored, officials have struggled to get the system in working order, citing extensive damage to electronic equipment, IT issues and several instances of subsequent electrical failure among facility components.

In a Tuesday morning news conference, Mayor Danny Avula said running water should resume by 2 p.m. that afternoon. That didnt happen, but no specific updates to the timeline were provided.

Then, in an email sent Tuesday afternoon and provided to The Times-Dispatch, a manager in the DEQ informed staff that the plant is currently producing only 20-22% of the daily demand.

(Richmonds Department of Public Utilities) director doesnt think they will be back at 100% production rate until late (Wednesday).

With the minimum 16-hour testing period set to begin once water pressure is restored, that could mean the city will not have potable water until some time Thursday.

And thats provided no additional hiccups occur, the email reads, citing a previous issue city officials confirmed to The Times-Dispatch. That issue involved yet another electrical failure that disrupted operations.

In response to a request for comment, a city spokesperson walked back his prior statement that the Tuesday afternoon electrical failure in the plant would not affect the timeline for restoring water pressure.

During work on the water restoration process this afternoon, an electric panel at the facility failed, he said in the statement. On-site engineers moved quickly to address and resolve the issue.

Initially, it was thought that this malfunction would not significantly impact the restoration process. However, further analysis and investigation in consultation with regional and statewide experts revealed that the event would extend the restoration process timeline.

Richmond officials on Tuesday afternoon said limited water production at Richmonds water treatment plant had resumed at noon.

However, water pressure will take at least several hours to build up before it can be distributed through the network, according to a news release from City Hall.

Thats because the Byrd Park Reservoir must fill up in order for the water pressure to be restored. Officials asked Richmond residents to continue conserving water to allow for the reservoir to fill.

The boil advisory issued Monday afternoon is still in effect. Mayor Danny Avula has said state health officials must test and clear the water for consumption, a process which takes at least 16 hours to complete.

Earlier on Tuesday, Avula announced that two of the pumps at Richmonds beleaguered water treatment plant were now operational, and that water pressure may be restored between 12 and 2 p.m.

I say that with some trepidation, having been through multiple starts and stops, Avula said in a news conference held in the lobby of Richmonds Main Public Library. But he called the update positive.

The city has been on a boil advisory since 4:30 p.m. Monday, when officials announced the plant had stopped operating due to a weather-related power failure. That led to citywide water outages starting Monday afternoon.

Even after water service is restored, Avula said it wont be safe to drink without boiling until Wednesday or Thursday. The city must flush the system and then work with state health officials to test the water, he said.

That process could take at least 16 hours, according to the mayor, because state officials must test the water twice with a 16-hour interval in-between.

Avula said he had spent Monday night at the plant, observing crews as they worked tirelessly to bring the system back online.

Asked what, specifically, had been damaged, officials did not identify specific components, but said the weather-related power outage caused valves to remain open, flooding the basement of the plant and damaging or destroying electrical devices.

Officials did not say whether the backup generators had failed to kick in correctly, but Avula did say that, at one point, the battery backup expired, which created a hard reset in the system.

When the system tried to come back online when power restored, it was not able to connect with the servers to be able to get back online, he said.

Once that problem was corrected, the pumps would start up before quickly blowing fuses, Avula said.

The plant sustained a lot of water damage, he said.

Power was restored at 9:39 a.m., Dominion Energy has said, but limited functionality was not restored until midnight on Tuesday.

Regarding officials delay in communicating issues to city residents  City Halls news release came about 7 hours after the power outage was resolved, and more than 2 hours after water pressure failed in some neighborhoods  Avula apologized, but reiterated that the city needed to communicate and coordinate with regional and state government partners before moving forward.

Im sorry that we werent able to provide a little bit of a buffer, he said of Richmond residents who were not able to preemptively fill up buckets and bathtubs.

Residents react to water outage

Jacky Ruiz, who lives near Virginia Commonwealth University, said she learned Monday afternoon about the boil water advisory by searching online and receiving a notification from her landlord, but did not get any alerts from the city.

I just turned on my sink and noticed the water was very low, Ruiz said. I thought it was just me, but then I found out by Googling it that it was a whole city issue.

Ruiz had enough water stocked for Monday and was able to find water in stores Tuesday. She said she was surprised that the winter storm contributed to Richmonds water issue.

I feel like its been a couple years since we had any bit of snow, so maybe they were ill-prepared, Ruiz said. But I was a bit surprised because weve had worse storms.

Eden Glass of the Church Hill neighborhood said the water pressure in her home went out Monday afternoon shortly after learning about the citywide issues.

The house Im in is really old and has really old pipes, so the toilets cant really flush well without the water, Glass said. We have been boiling water for several hours and got both tubs filled for the toilets.

In addition to boiling water, Glass ordered eight bottles of water from DoorDash but only received four due to limited supplies.

While Glass doesnt expect the boil water advisory to be lifted soon, she did say she appreciated the citys efforts.

To be honest, not a lot of things surprise me anymore in regards to those kinds of things environmentally, Glass said. But I do appreciate that the mayor and public utilities are working on fixing it.

Bottled water scarce at some stores

Empty shelves greeted many Richmonders looking for bottled water at area grocery stores Tuesday.

Sarah Avurud visited five grocery stores, including the Aldi at 927 Myers St., only to find empty shelves.

The water pressure is really bad. I didnt know about this yesterday, so I took a shower, and I got two styes on my eye, Avurud said. I am immunocompromised so that makes sense that I got styes.

The Kroger on North Lombardy was completely out of bottled water, as was The Publix on Forest Hill Avenue. Libbie Market closed for the day since it didnt have water pressure.

Jared Glover, a spokesperson for Publix Super Markets, said, We currently have five truckloads of water, totaling 100 pallets, en route. Additionally, our stores have started to receive more water deliveries, and well continue to replenish the shelves as quickly as possible. We (will) continue to monitor the situation.

Restaurants struggling

Like the majority of the residents and businesses in Richmond, most restaurants in the city are dealing with no water.

Natalie McNamara, CEO and managing partner of Harrys at the Hofheimer and the Hofheimer building, said they realized theyd lost water at about 3 p.m. Monday.

We thought that a pipe froze, and we called our landlord, McNamara said. It wasnt until we did our own research that we realized it was a bigger issue.

Whats frustrating to us is that the city knew the problem at 10 a.m. yesterday morning, but we didnt realize it before we opened.

At midday Tuesday, McNamara was debating whether or not she should close Harrys for the evening.

Were using social media to communicate with guests and are having internal talks about weather or not we can open, McNamara said. Weve been in touch with Bingo Beer Co, Peter Chang and our other neighbors to see what theyre going to do and to just make sure were doing the best we can for our customers.

Richmond schools closed again

Richmond Public Schools will remain closed on Wednesday due to the ongoing water-related issues.

As city officials call on residents to conserve and boil water before consumption, Superintendent Jason Kamras said the decision was made to ensure students safety until the division can return to normalcy.

Ten of the divisions schools are heated by boilers.

As a result, these buildings are without heat. With current high temperatures resting in the 30s, the division will need additional time to bring the buildings temperatures up.

My team and I are working closely with the city and doing everything we can to get students back in schools later this week, Kamras stated in a letter issued to parents.

The division is working with Feed More to provide support to families in need of meal assistance. Families in need are encouraged to reach out to careandsafety@rvaschools.net.

Hotels struggle without water

Hotels in the downtown area faired poorly in the wake of the water failure with guests being shuffled to other accommodations outside of the city and groups for events being alerted just hours before they were supposed to arrive.

We cant execute any food or beverage operations and anyone staying in the hotel will lose the ability to shower, use fresh water, use the restrooms, said Daniel Pora, general manager of the Richmond Marriott Downtown. Its had a major impact.

Pora and his team discovered the loss of water like many Richmond residents did  the water just did not come out of the taps.

We had to shut down food and beverage operations due to the health department codes because we cant operate a food and beverage facility without water, Pora said. Guests staying in the hotel were anticipating that things would be back up before they woke up this morning but that wasnt the situation.

Ryan Barnes, general manager of the Linden Row Inn, said this morning things got a little worse than yesterday.

Our regional manager is here to put together a plan to limit the arriving guests, Barnes said. We set up a conference call for more information because were trying to decide if we should have our guests here at all.

The guests have been understanding. Theyre not thrilled about it, but theyve definitely been understanding.

VCU Health still under emergency operations

Virginia Commonwealth University Health Systems Richmond locations were still working under emergency operations Tuesday afternoon, but Danielle Pierce, a spokesperson for the system did not provide details about how the citys water loss affected the VCU Medical Center.

We are working to ensure that all essential operations continue in order to minimize patient disruptions, Pierce said.

The downtown hospital is one of the largest in the state and treats patients in every specialty.

On Monday, VCU Healths liaison to emergency medical services instructed ambulances to visit other hospitals unless the patient was in a severe condition or required one of VCUs specialized services, such as its trauma or burn centers.

Water arrives at distribution sites late

Officials on Tuesday announced 10 bottled water distribution sites across Richmond.

Those sites were supposed to begin distributing bottles at 9:30 a.m. But Sarah Pentecost, who said she joined the line for water at Midtown Green on West Leigh Street at around 9:45 a.m., said nothing had been handed out as of 10:30 a.m.

What a mess, Pentecost said.

Meanwhile, WVTF Radio IQ reporter Brad Kutner posted on X that no water had been distributed at the Hickory Hill Community Center by 10:30 a.m.

Were still waiting, he said in the post.

At Midtown Green, home of the citys Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, the water delivery delays caused volunteers to improvise and use bottled water from inside the center.

A city representative later said road conditions caused water delivery trucks to take extra time to reach the water distribution sites.

Richmond water problems postpone Youngkin's speech to General Assembly Lawmakers will meet briefly on Wednesday, the first day of the 46-day General Assembly session, then will adjourn until Monday morning, when Gov. Glenn Youngkin will deliver his State of the Commonwealth address.

The truck dropping off the larger water bottles arrived at Midtown Green around 10:40 a.m. Because of the delay, volunteers stuck around past the planned 11:30 a.m. end time for the morning session.

Josh Benton, who lives in the Fan District, boiled water Monday after hearing the news, but stayed inside due to the icy roads. On Tuesday, he and his partner came out to Midtown Green to pick up some water.

I grew up in Florida, so during hurricane season, we kinda would do the same thing, filling up tubs and filling up pots of clean water, Benton said. But I dont think it ever got to the point where we had to boil water.

Benton said he was glad to find a place nearby to get extra water.

Its super close to where we live; its great that theyre out here providing water to everybody, he said.

2nd District Councilwoman Katherine Jordan, who helped city and Red Cross volunteers pass out water at Midtown Green, said Richmond is working hard to take on this challenge.

Just keep working the problem, Jordan said. Afterwards, you regroup and see what you couldve done better with lessons learned.
Richmond residents are entering another day Wednesday without drinking water, the result of an equipment failure tied to winter weather.

Here's what we know so far.

WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM?

Richmond has been largely without running water since Monday afternoon, when the Byrd Park Reservoir ran dry following a weather-related power failure and flood at the city's water treatment plant.

While power has been restored, officials have struggled to get the system in working order, citing extensive damage to electronic equipment, IT issues and several instances of subsequent electrical failure among facility components.

Earlier on Tuesday, Avula announced that two of the pumps at Richmond's James River water treatment plant were operational, and that water pressure may be restored between 12 and 2 p.m.

"I say that with some trepidation, having been through multiple starts and stops," Richmond Mayor Danny Avula said in a news conference held in the lobby of Richmond's Main Public Library. But he called the update "positive."

The city has been on a boil advisory since 4:30 p.m. Monday, when officials announced the plant had stopped operating due to a weather-related power failure. That led to citywide water outages starting Monday afternoon.

Even after water service is restored, Avula said it won't be safe to drink without boiling until Wednesday or Thursday. The city must flush the system and then work with state health officials to test the water, he said.

That process could take at least 16 hours, according to the mayor, because state officials must test the water twice with a 16-hour interval in-between.

WHEN WILL WE GET DRINKABLE WATER?

Richmond may not have drinkable water until Thursday due to ongoing issues with the recently repaired water treatment plant, a leaked internal email between officials with the state's Department of Environmental Quality shows.

In a Tuesday morning news conference, Avula said running water should resume by 2 p.m. that afternoon. That didn't happen, but no specific updates to the timeline were provided.

Then, in an email sent Tuesday afternoon and provided to The Times-Dispatch, a manager in the DEQ informed staff that the plant is "currently producing only 20-22% of the daily demand."

"(Richmond's Department of Public Utilities) director doesn't think they will be back at 100% production rate until late (Wednesday)."

With the minimum 16-hour testing period set to begin once water pressure is restored, that could mean the city will not have potable until some time Thursday.

"And that's provided no additional hiccups occur," the email reads, citing a previous issue city officials confirmed to The Times-Dispatch. That issue involved yet another "electrical failure" that disrupted operations.

In response to a request for comment, a city spokesperson walked back his prior statement that the Tuesday afternoon electrical failure in the plant would not affect the timeline for restoring water pressure.

"During work on the water restoration process this afternoon, an electric panel at the facility failed," he said in the statement. "On-site engineers moved quickly to address and resolve the issue.

"Initially, it was thought that this malfunction would not significantly impact the restoration process. However, further analysis and investigation in consultation with regional and statewide experts revealed that the event would extend the restoration process timeline."

Richmond officials on Tuesday afternoon said limited water production at Richmond's water treatment plant had resumed at noon.

"However, water pressure will take at least several hours to build up before it can be distributed through the network," according to a news release from City Hall.

That's because the Byrd Park Reservoir must fill up in order for the water pressure to be restored. Officials asked Richmond residents to continue conserving water to allow for the reservoir to fill.

WHAT WAS DAMAGED?

Asked what had been damaged, officials did not identify specific components, but said the weather-related power outage caused valves to remain open, flooding the basement of the plant and damaging or destroying electrical devices.

Officials did not say whether the backup generators had failed to kick in correctly, but Avula did say that, at one point, the "battery backup expired," which created a "hard reset in the system."

"When the system tried to come back online when power restored, it was not able to connect with the servers to be able to get back online," he said.

Once that problem was corrected, the pumps would start up before quickly blowing fuses, Avula said.

"The plant sustained a lot of water damage," he said.

Power was restored at 9:39 a.m., Dominion Energy has said, but limited functionality was not restored until midnight on Tuesday.

WHAT SHOULD CUSTOMERS DO?

A boil advisory issued Monday afternoon is still in effect. Mayor Danny Avula has said state health officials must test and clear the water for consumption, a process which could take until Wednesday to complete.

Residents and commercial business owners are being told to bring water to a rolling boil for at least a minute then letting it cool before consuming it.

The city also advised:

Do not drink tap water during this boil water advisory. Do not drink from water fountains in parks, public or private buildings that receive water from the City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities. Do not use ice made from water today. Discard the ice and sanitize the ice machine and/or ice trays. This also applies to water and ice dispensed directly from a refrigerator. Do not use tap water to make drinks, juices, or fountain soft drinks. Do not wash your dishes using tap water  use boiled water or use paper plates for the next few days. Do not wash your fruits and vegetables with tap water  use boiled or bottled water. Do not brush your teeth with tap water  use boiled or bottled water. Do not cook with tap water, unless your food will be boiled vigorously for three minutes.

WHAT ABOUT BOTTLED WATER?

Shortages of bottled water were reported at stores in the region. Officials on Tuesday also announced 10 bottled water distribution sites across Richmond.

Those sites were supposed to begin distributing bottles at 9:30 a.m. But Sarah Pentecost, who said she joined the line for water at Midtown Green on West Leigh Street at around 9:45 a.m., said nothing had been handed out as of 10:30 a.m.

"What a mess," Pentecost said.

Meanwhile, WVTF Radio IQ reporter Brad Kutner posted on X that no water had been distributed at the Hickory Hill Community Center by 10:30 a.m.

"We're still waiting," he said in the post.

At Midtown Green, home of the citys Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, the water delivery delays caused volunteers to improvise and use bottled water from inside the center.

A city representative later said road conditions caused water delivery trucks to take extra time to reach the water distribution sites.

WHAT ABOUT OTHER AREAS?

Henrico County is planning to declare a state of local emergency amid ongoing water pressure issues affecting the eastern side of the county. Water is being made available to local residents at public libraries and other locations until the problems are fixed.

Henrico County shares some water connections with the city of Richmond, which had a power failure at its water treatment plant Monday morning as a result of the winter storm. The city issued a boil water advisory that was still active Tuesday afternoon.

County Manager John Vithoulkas said Henrico immediately shut off all of its connections to the Richmond water system Monday when it was notified of the issues. Vithoulkas said the county was first notified of the compromised system early Monday afternoon. Hanover County is issuing a boil water advisory for county addresses that are east of Interstate 95. Hospitals across the region were impacted by the loss of water yesterday evening. As of now, Henrico said is has been able to restore water to St. Marys Hospital, and was able to assist with connecting a VCU hospital. Nursing homes continue calling the county about a lack of water. A regionwide incident management team has been created, using resources from Henrico, Richmond, Hanover and Chesterfield to fix ongoing issues. One of the things that team is working on is sending resources to nursing homes that are in need. READ MORE ABOUT THE IMPACT ON THE COUNTIES HERE

HAS THE PROBLEM HAD AN IMPACT ON THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY?

The water crisis has changed the schedule for Wednesday's opening of the General Assembly session and postponed Gov. Glenn Youngkin's State of the Commonwealth address until Monday.

The House and Senate will convene briefly Wednesday at noon and then recess until Monday morning, when the governor will address a joint session in the House of Delegates chamber. Youngkin had been scheduled to address lawmakers on Wednesday afternoon.

WHAT ABOUT OTHER CLOSURES?

Richmond Public Schools will remain closed on Wednesday due to the ongoing water-related issues.

As Richmond city officials call on residents to conserve and boil water before consumption, Superintendent Jason Kamras said the decision was made to ensure students safety until the division can return to normalcy.

Presently, 10 of the divisions schools are heated by boilers. As a result, these buildings are without heat. With current high temperatures resting in the 30s, the division will need additional time to bring the buildings temperatures up.

My team and I are working closely with the city and doing everything we can to get students back in schools later this week, Kamras stated in a letter issued to parents. I look forward to seeing you all again soon. Boil your water, stay safe and we love you here.

The division is working with Feed More to provide support to families in need of meal assistance. Families in need are encouraged to reach out to careandsafety@rvaschools.net.
The chairs of the Virginia General Assemblys education committees say their priorities for the upcoming legislative session, scheduled to convene Wednesday, are pushing back on Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkins voucher proposal and taking steps to fix the states flawed school funding system.

Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield, chairs the Senate Education and Health Committee and Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, heads the House Education Committee.

With Democratic majorities in both chambers, Democrats and Youngkin will have to find compromises to pass any new laws. Youngkin set a record last year by vetoing 201 bills in one year, more than any other modern Virginia governor vetoed in his four-year term.

Ive been disappointed in the level of vitriol around talking about public education and the number of vetoes around bipartisan bills from last year with no real explanation and no warning, Rasoul said in an interview.

To me, thats just not the way we should be conducting ourselves here in Richmond. Im looking forward to working with my colleagues in a bipartisan way in the General Assembly, as there are many dedicated Democrats and Republicans. Ive just had difficulty with this administration.

School funding

Virginia school divisions receive less funding per student than the national and regional state averages, according to a 2023 study from the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, the legislatures watchdog agency. The underfunding stems largely from issues with the states K-12 education funding formula, which the report says lacks a clear rationale and does not reflect prevailing practices in school divisions.

A joint subcommittee is recommending short-term fixes that legislators can implement this session, including addressing technical issues with the formula and discontinuing Great Recession-era cost reduction measures.

Long-term fixes that would address the totality of the issue wont happen this year.

(National experts) recommendation has been that it usually is a two-to-three-year process to make these changes, Hashmi said, and I would like to make sure that were doing it correctly and that we are learning from what other states have gone through and be able to use their models as examples.

Democrats will once again push for legislation that would require Virginias average teacher pay to be at least on par with the national average.

Last year, legislators passed a bill that wouldve put Virginia on a path to align Virginia teachers pay with the national average, as calculated by the National Education Association. Youngkin vetoed the bill, saying Virginia teacher pay was already projected to exceed the national average within the fiscal year and he disagrees with the NEAs calculation of average national teacher pay.

School choice

Youngkin in December proposed spending $50 million on a private school voucher program that would give $5,000 grants to 10,000 students whose families earn less than 200% of the federal poverty limit, or $62,400 for a family of four. Families could spend the money on private school tuition, textbooks or other supplies.

Youngkins opportunity scholarships would be the first private school voucher program in Virginia, a state with relatively few school choice options compared with other states across the U.S.

Hashmi and Rasoul say the voucher proposal is a nonstarter.

It siphons off public dollars and directs them into private hands, and we have little or no accountability from the (private) schools, Hashmi said. We simply dont see a demand for this here in Virginia. The governor has been trying to do this for the full term of his administration. Im surprised that hes brought it back again in this final session.

Hashmi also noted that many families who would use the scholarships dont have enough money to cover the gaps that the vouchers would not cover.

Tuition at the Steward School in Richmond, for example, ranges from about $20,000 for preschool and about $32,000 per year for high school.

The families who would like to have that assistance simply cant afford to pay the gaps that the vouchers dont cover, and so we (would) see widening disparities, Hashmi said.

Youngkin also proposed spending an additional $25 million on lab schools that collaborate with higher education to provide alternatives to traditional K-12 public schools  this time in conjunction with historically Black colleges and universities to replace unspent money that the assembly swept back into the state general fund this year.

Hashmi said she doesnt see an appetite for additional lab school spending in the General Assembly from either side.

I trust our educators and the K-12 system to know how to teach students in their classrooms, she said. The lab school model is just really not sustainable in the way that its been crafted now by this administration.
Lisa Andre covers lifestyle and local news for the Santa Ynez Valley News and Lompoc Record, editions of the Santa Maria Times. She can be reached at landre@syvnews.com
Brandon Lingle covers technology, cybersecurity and aerospace for the Express-News. You can reach him at Brandon.Lingle@express-news.net.

Before writing for the Business team, he was an Editorial Board member and opinion columnist. Brandon joined the paper in 2020 as a Report for America fellow. He came to journalism after more than 20 years in the Air Force.
Exploring the drivers of modern global warming

Posted on 8 January 2025 by Zeke Hausfather

This is a re-post from the Climate Brink

Global surface temperatures have risen around 1.3C since the preindustrial (1850-1900) period as a result of human activity. However, this aggregate number masks a lot of underlying factors that contribute to global surface temperature changes over time.

These include CO2, which is the primary driver of long-term warming, as well as non-CO2 greenhouse gases like CH4, N2O, and halocarbons. But it also includes planet-cooling aerosols that have masked a sizable portion of the warming of our greenhouse gas emissions to-date. Rounding out the list are other anthropogenic factors (tropospheric ozone, albedo changes due to land use change), and natural forcings (primarily volcanic eruptions and variations in solar output).

To disentangle the respective contributions of each of these requires a climate model. Here I will be using the latest version of FaIR, a reduced complexity climate model that has been used extensively by the community for assessing global-level changes. The implementation of FaIR used here is specifically designed to reproduce both observed climate change since pre-industrial and assessed climate metrics from the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6). This approach has the advantage of providing robust uncertainties that reflect the range of relevant parameters (e.g. climate sensitivity, carbon cycle feedback strength, ocean heat uptake rates, etc.) in-line with the ranges in the AR6.

However, unlike the climate simulations featured in the AR6, which only use climate forcings based on real-world observations through 2014 and explore different scenarios (SSPs) thereafter, these simulations use observationally-informed forcing estimate through the end of 2023 from Forster et al 2024. This has the advantage of allowing us to explore how actual changes in real-world emissions (e.g. including factors like rapid Chinese aerosol declines and low-sulfur shipping rules) have impacted global temperatures.

The figure below shows the output of 841 different emission-driven FaIR model runs across the range of constrained parameter values. It simulates both the global surface temperature response to all forcings (in yellow), as well as estimates of each forcing in isolation (calculated by comparing the difference between runs containing all forcings and those excluding one type of forcing).

Observed global surface temperatures since 1850 (black), along with modeled temperatures (yellow) and separate temperature components (other colors).

Note that while the uncertainties of some individual elements (e.g. greenhouse gases and aerosols) are larger than those of all forcings, some of these cancel out in the aggregate estimate due to correlations between the two. For example, scenarios with higher warming from greenhouse gas emissions also tend to have higher cooling from aerosols.

The black line in the figure shows observed global surface temperatures. While it generally remains within the range of uncertainty in the model estimate, there is significant year-to-year natural variability driven primarily by El Nino and La Nina events that is not present in the average of all the FaIR runs.

Disentangling the drivers of recent warming

Having simulated the drivers of warming over time, we can use this data to explore in more details the drivers of changes in global temperatures over different time periods. For simplicity I will be showing the median (50th percentile) estimate of the contribution of each factor, but this approach could easily be used to show uncertainties as well.

First, lets look at what is driving changes between preindustrial (~0C) and 2024 (~1.3C). This is more or less whats being shown between the beginning and end of the prior graph, but broken down into a bit more detail. Specifically, Im separating out methane (CH4) from other greenhouse gases, and ordering the bars based on the size of their (positive) impact on global temperatures.

Waterfall diagram showing components of global temperature change between 1850 and 2024.

Here we see that since 1850, CO2 has contributed around 1.1C warming, CH4 contributed ~0.3C warming, other greenhouse gases ~0.3C warming, and other anthropogenic factors ~0.2C. Aerosols have cooled the climate by around 0.6C, while natural variability has only warmed the planet by around 0.05C.

If we look at the modern warming period after 1970, the role of methane warming and aerosol cooling are relatively smaller, as both atmospheric methane concentrations and aerosol emissions increased more rapidly in the earlier parts of the century than in the period since 1970.

Components of global temperature change between 1970 and 2024.

Since 1970, CO2 contributed ~0.7C warming, other greenhouse gases ~0.3C, CH4 ~0.1C, and other anthropogenic forcings ~0.1C. Aerosols cooled the climate by around 0.1C, while and natural variability had effectively no impact on the difference between 1970 and 2024 temperatures.

Finally, we can look at the drivers of warming the world has experienced over the past decade (2015-2024). Note that the y-axis in the figure below is narrower than in the prior two graphs to zoom in on changes over the past decade, and the axis does not begin at zero.

Components of global temperature change between 2015 and 2024.

Over the past decade, CO2 contributed the bulk of greenhouse gas warming at 0.14C, with other greenhouse gases, CH4, and other anthropogenic collectively only warming the planet 0.05C. Due to rapid declines in emissions of planet cooling aerosols (due in large part to declining sulfur emissions from China and international shipping), the planet warmed by around 0.06C over the past decade from greenhouse gas warming previously masked by aerosols. Finally, natural variability had a small (0.03C) cooling effect on the past decade due to the timing of volcanic eruptions and the solar cycle.

While the climate forcings modeled here affect long-term temperature changes, the temperatures we observe in the real world are also effected by El Nino, La Nina, and other modes of short-term natural variability. This does not add any net energy to the Earth system  and thus cannot drive long-term climate changes  but does have a large impact on individual years or even decadal-scale trends (e.g. in cases where a decade starts or ends with a strong El Nino or La Nina event).

Whats affecting the rate of warming?

In addition to looking at changes between any two years, we can also use these climate model runs to asses the rate of warming over time (excluding unforced short-term variability).

The figure below shows the rate of warming (in degrees C per decade) for each 10-year period between 1905-1914 and 2015-2024. Ive initially excluded natural forcings from the figure as they result in large changes in decadal trends around major volcanic eruptions.

Analysis of decadal warming rates (black line) as the sum of different contributing factors (colored areas) between 1905 and 2024.

We can draw a few interesting conclusions from this figure:

The rate of warming increased between the start of the century and 1970, remained relatively flat at just below 0.2C per decade from 1970 to 2005, and has accelerated to ~0.25C per decade over the past decade.

The primary driver of this recent acceleration in warming has been declining aerosol emissions. Aerosols have flipped from reducing the rate of decadal warming (as emissions increased) to increasing the rate of warming (as emissions decreased) after 2005.

The rate of warming from CO2 has increased over time as emissions have increased, though it has plateaued over the past decade as CO2 emissions have plateaued. However, warming from all greenhouse gas emissions (CO2, CH4, and others) has been relatively flat since 1970. This is primarily due to the declining contribution of other greenhouse gases to additional warming, likely associated with the phaseout of halocarbons after the Montreal protocol.

Its important to note that this figure shows the rate of warming rather than total warming (as the prior figures have shown). A slowdown in the rate of warming from a specific forcing (e.g. halocarbons post-Montreal or CH4 in the 1990s-2010s) still means that the total amount of warming forcing is increasing over time, just more slowly.

Finally, the figure below shows the drivers of decadal warming including natural forcings (e.g. volcanoes and solar output). Volcanoes create a saw-tooth pattern in the resulting decadal warming rates, suppressing the rate of warming in decades that end with the volcanic eruption (and its associated short-term cooling) and enhancing the rate of warming in decades that start out cool and recover from the eruption.
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Over the past few years, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon has issued some wildly indefensible decisions in favor of Donald Trump, the president who appointed her. She singlehandedly stymied the investigation into the president-elects theft of classified documents, and effectively abetted his obstruction of the Justice Departments probe into that alleged crime. And yet these past interventions are still arguably less galling than Cannons latest salvo: a brief order, issued on Tuesday, blocking the Justice Department from releasing special counsel Jack Smiths two-volume report on his investigation into Trump. Her order is fundamentally lawlessnot even in a debatable sense, but objectively just outside the law. Cannon literally has no authority to impose this injunction, and has not bothered to explain why she thinks she does. It is a fitting finale to her ignominious reign over the prosecution that she ruthlessly suppressed.

This final battle in U.S. v. Trump is especially perverse because the president-elect has already evaded Smiths charges by winning reelection. Having gotten away with the alleged crimes in question, he now demands even more: to conceal the details of Smiths investigation from the American people. Heres how the process would normally go, under Justice Department regulations: The special counsel compiles a report explaining his prosecutorial decisions, and the attorney general decides whether to release it to the public. Smith is currently finalizing his two-volume report; one volume focuses on the election subversion case handled by a federal judge in D.C., while the other details the classified documents case overseen by Cannon. Attorney General Merrick Garland intends to release a portion of his work before Jan. 20.

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Trump is, understandably, eager to quash the entire report. But he wont be president again for nearly two weeks, so he enlisted his favorite judge for one last assist. The president-elect urged Cannon to bar the reports release to the public. His former co-defendants, who still face criminal charges, made the same request to Cannon, and to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, where their case is now pending. (More on that in a moment.) But Trump and his co-defendants asked Cannon to jump ahead of the 11th Circuit and muzzle the Justice Department herself. She obliged on Tuesday, issuing a sweeping injunction that attempts to prohibit Garland, Smith, and the whole agency from publishing the final report or any drafts of it.

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Heres the problem: Cannon cannot do this. The startling breadth of her order is extremely dubious, but the legal flaw runs even deeper; she is purporting to exercise authority that she just does not have. Thats because Cannon no longer holds jurisdiction over this case; she has relinquished it to the 11th Circuit, which has thus far declined to issue the very relief that she granted. She therefore lacks any power to interfere with the Justice Departments release of Smiths report.

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Jurisdiction is the bedrock of a federal courts power. With it, they can decide cases and enforce judgments; without it, they lack constitutional authority to do anything. Typically, when courts seek to render judgments, they first explain why they have jurisdiction over the case and the parties, to confirm that they are acting constitutionally. Cannon skipped over this step in her order on Tuesday, as if it were obvious that she could intervene. But the opposite is true: It is obvious that she cannot intervene.

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Why? As the Supreme Court recently explained, an appeal strips a district court of jurisdiction over a case. When a party appeals, the district court loses all control over those aspects of the case involved in the appeal. And right now, the only aspect of the case that could plausibly give Cannon authority to block the report is on appeal to the 11th Circuit. That aspect is her ruling, back in July, that Smith was unconstitutionally appointed, and could not continue prosecuting the case. Smith appealed that ruling, and his appeal stripped Cannon of jurisdiction to issue any further orders related to her decision under review. That includes the new claim, raised by Trump and his co-defendants, that Smiths allegedly unconstitutional appointment precludes the release of his report.

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And heres the kicker: Trump and the co-defendants have already asked the 11th Circuit, which does have jurisdiction, to halt the report, and it can act whenever it chooses. Cannon leapt ahead of the higher court, ostensibly to prevent irreparable harm to the co-defendants. But that decision was the 11th Circuits to make, not Cannons. The judge asserted that she was merely seeking to preserve the status quo while waiting for the appeals court to act. This false pose of modesty, though, cannot disguise the fact that she had no lawful basis to act in the first place.

There are several other jurisdictional defects in Cannons order that render it even more outrageous. As my colleague Shirin Ali pointed out, it is not at all clear that the judge can forbid Garland from releasing the report, since he is not party to the case. Nor is it evident where Cannon would even derive the power to meddle with the Justice Departments operations on such a granular level: Even if Smith were unlawfully appointed, it does not follow that he is somehow prohibited from writing and sharing a report about his experience. It certainly makes no senseand, indeed, raises serious constitutional concernsto gag Garland, the duly appointed attorney general, from publishing work produced by his agency.

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Related From Slate One Possible Explanation for Justice Merchans Last-Second Decision to Sentence Trump Read More

Moreover, Smiths report is two volumes, and only one pertains to the classified document case; the other describes the election subversion case overseen by U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan in D.C. Yet Cannon blocked the Justice Department from releasing both volumes. From where does she derive the power to suppress the volume about Chutkans case, over which she has no jurisdiction? She did not say.

On a political level, it makes perfect sense that Cannon would run interference for Trump yet again. She has tried to kill this prosecution at every turn, first obstructing the Justice Departments investigation by attempting to seize control over its probe in a series of error-ridden opinions that were swiftly overturned. She then slow-walked the prosecution before throwing it out altogether in a profoundly flawed decision that flouted Supreme Court precedent. The judge has acted much more like an advocate for Trump than a neutral arbiter, and she now has a vested interest in shielding the president-electwhom she has essentially treated like a clientfrom a damning public report.

On Wednesday, the Justice Department indicated that it might never release the volume of Smiths report about the classified documents case in an apparent bid to salvage the other volumes publication. Inauguration Day, though, is less than two weeks away. A jurist as shameless as Cannon has plenty of tools left at her disposal to run out the clock, keeping the entire report on ice until Trump comes in and buries it for good.
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Last week, President Joe Biden awarded the 2024 Presidential Medal of Freedom, the U.S. governments highest civilian honor, to 18 people. On his way out the door, Biden almost seemed to be trolling his successor and his supporters with the honorees, who included some of the rights greatest modern villains: Hillary Clinton, Bono, and George Romney (Mitts deceased moderate father) among them. Then there was Robert F. Kennedy, Bill Nye the Science Guy, and Jane Goodallcurious choices as science skeptic RFK Jr. prepares to take over Americas federal health regime. Maybe most troll-seeming (or, if you like, the most liberal fever dream) of all among the medalists, though, was George Soros, the Hungarian-born Jewish financier and philanthropist who is also the subject of countless right-wing conspiracy theories.

To some, the medal was due recognition for Soros decades of philanthropic efforts through his Open Society Foundations to promote more democratic, humane, and just societies around the world. To others, it was a sad little end to the Biden administration: a man who did not manage to stop Donald Trump from returning to power awarding a man who worked toward promoting liberal democracy only to see it wane worldwide in what are likely his final years alive. (Soros is 94.) And to people who have long railed against Soros political influence, including Elon Musk, it was a disaster.

A travesty that Biden is giving Soros the Medal of Freedom, the worlds richest man tweeted on X, the platform he owns, sharing a post that quoted himself saying that Soros fundamentally hates humanity and is trying to erode the fabric of civilization. In another post, Musk offered: George Soros looks quite good here. Must be the lighting, along with an A.I.-generated image of Biden handing a medal to Emperor Palpatine, the villain from Star Wars.

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This is well-trod territory for Musk, who, in 2023, in addition to saying that Soros hates humanity, likened him to Magneto, a Jewish Marvel supervillain. This summer, Musk accused the Soros family of being puppeteers of elected Democratic officials. Just this week, he said that Soros is creating a fake asylum-seeker nightmare that is destroying Europe and America.

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This is antisemitic. As Ive written before, it is, in fact, so obviously antisemitic that to take time explaining why is to risk humoring the worst-faith arguments, but in any case: Musks posts about Soros go far beyond criticism of what Soros has actually said and done, and instead assign to a Jewish person (who survived the Holocaust, but no matter) malicious motivation and practically all-consuming power. It is not antisemitic to say that billionaires have too much influence in politics, or that you disagree with how Soros spends his philanthropic dollars or political donations. But to go a step (or several steps) further, as Musk does, and allege that Soros is plotting to corrode humanity or civilization plays on old tropes about powerful Jews seeking to undermine or poison the societies to which they can never truly belong. (I will here say that I do not know what is in Musks head or heart, and I do not mean to assign intent to him. I do not know, nor do I care, whether Musk is an antisemite. I only know that these are classic antisemitic tropes.)

Related From Slate The House Just Passed a Bill That Would Help Trump Crack Down on His Critics. So Why Did Some Democrats Support It? Read More

But it is not only antisemitic, as smears around Soros often are. In Musks particular case, the smears can be viewed as projection. The dark myth of Soros represents what Musk, in his newly political life, seems to aspire to: an all-seeing, all-knowing power and influence to shape governments to his will and his interests because of his bottomless pockets. Musks political donations began to lean Republican in 2017, and, since thenand particularly over the past four yearshe has pursued a level of power and influence on American government and society at the highest levels and scale. After buying Twitter, he donated a quarter of a billion dollars to help elect Trump and other Republican candidates. Since succeeding, he has strong-armed members of Congress, inserted himself almost literally at Trumps right hand, and earned a de facto administration position co-leading the Department of Government Efficiency. Now hes setting his sights globally, too. Hes turning himself into a mirror image of what he has accused Soros of being all these years, pursuing the very power that he has claimed Soros has.

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It has long been obvious that many of Soros critics do not actually care about money in politics, or about the distribution of power between ultrawealthy individuals and everyone else, or whether a society in which billionaires can put their thumbs on the scale of elections and governance can ever really be an open, equitable society. For example, in 2022, thenFox News personality Tucker Carlson asked, Why is some foreign-born billionaire allowed to change our country fundamentally? He put forth this question on Fox News, helmed by Australian-native billionaire Rupert Murdoch. When one listens to the substance of the critiques, they are rarely about Soros having and using money in politics, but rather about what he uses his money for: things like supporting progressive prosecutors in district attorney races, or, through OSF, funding NGOs supporting immigrants (not migrant caravans, though he was accused of funding those). That, say, Tucker Carlson would be unhappy with this was never especially surprising: If your lifes work is putting forth a vision of society in which some are more entitled to civic participation than others, you will probably be against someone who is trying to ensure equitable small-d democratic opportunity for all. And that someone like Carlson or Musk would be hypocritical in their critiques of Soros and his project is not especially shocking, either.

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What distinguishes Musks Soros smears, instead, is that Musk is himself presently doing the things that he is accusing Soros of doing while accusing Soros of doing them. Its one thing to remind people that you said Soros is trying to corrode civilization, but quite another to do so while tweeting that the king of England should dissolve his countrys own government. Soros is too involved in world politics? Musk, the richest man in the world, is boosting Germanys far-right AfD party while staying nightly in the U.S. president-elects property, achieving the distinction of being his most important donor, most influential social media promoter and a key adviser on policy and personnel, per the New York Times. And plenty have accused Soros (and his son and successor, Alex) of being puppet masters, but most of them havent gone on to meet foreign leaders alongside the president-elect.

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Perhaps there are self-justifications. Soros is often accused of being a secretive, shadowy, behind-the-scenes power (though he has in fact published books outlining his ideology), whereas Musk is tweeting out his opinions. Maybe Musk, Trump, and their allies feel that Musk doesnt count as a behind-the-scenes power if hes front and center on the scene.

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But here, too, I do not wish to be like Musk, pretending I can read a billionaires mind and that I know what he tells himself about his plots and plans. Fortunately (or not), I do not need to do that in order to describe what is happening: Musk is engaging in antisemitic smears in accusing Soros of destabilizing humanity, yes. But more importantly, in the meantime, the tycoon is marshaling his wealth, his megaphone, and his personal influence to move U.S. politics and world governments exactly where he wants them to go. Theres little wonder Elon Musk is attacking the founder of Open Society. In his vision of society, power is more open to Musk than to anyone else.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20250107/bern-ready-to-act-as-mediator-in-ukraine-peace-process--president-1121377936.html

Switzerland Ready to Act as Mediator in Ukraine Peace Process - President

Switzerland Ready to Act as Mediator in Ukraine Peace Process - President

Sputnik International

New Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter said on Tuesday that she has told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Bern was ready to act as an mediator in the Ukraine settlement process.

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"During today's phone call with [Ukrainian] President Zelenskyy, I assured him of [Switzerland's] ongoing support for Ukrainemost notably through our many long-term humanitarian and reconstruction projects, plus our willingness to contribute to the peace process via Switzerland's good offices," the president said on X.In June, Putin proposed initiatives for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine. According to his plan, Moscow would immediately cease hostilities and express readiness for negotiations once Ukrainian forces withdraw from the territories of Russia's newly integrated regions. Additionally, Kiev would need to declare its refusal to join NATO, undertake demilitarization and denazification efforts, and adopt a neutral, non-aligned, and non-nuclear status. Putin also stressed the necessity of lifting sanctions against Russia as part of the resolution process.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241229/russia-ready-for-ukraine-talks-but-they-must-include-situation-on-ground---lavrov-1121294222.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20250107/french-defense-minister-says-drone-development-main-challenge-for-2025-1121377569.html

French Defense Minister Says Drone Development Main Challenge for 2025

French Defense Minister Says Drone Development Main Challenge for 2025

Sputnik International

The development of unmanned aerial vehicles and technologies is the major challenge for the French defense industry in 2025, French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Tuesday.

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France also intends to become a leader in the use of artificial intelligence for various operational purposes, including countering drones, fire control, fighter jets and nuclear submarines, the minister noted. The lack of a budget for 2025 is a "threat to the country's rearmament," Lecornu said, at the same time noting that France is transitioning to an "economy of war," which has already allowed it to double the production of shells, including 155mm caliber, and Mistral short-range air defense missile systems. In addition, the minister said that the country is set to open a new gunpowder production plant in Bergerac this spring to localize manufacturing on national territory. He also emphasized the need to invent "weapons of the future, easier to manufacture, cheaper and in greater quantity." The year 2024 has become the second most successful in terms of defense exports, which amounted to 18 billion euros ($18.6 billion), including the sale of Rafale fighter jets and submarines, Lecornu added.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250107/france-may-become-eus-military-backbone-if-us-leaves-nato---expert--1121372253.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20250108/are-turkiye--israel-on-the-verge-of-going-toe-to-toe-over-syria-1121385601.html

Are Turkiye & Israel on the Verge of Going Toe to Toe Over Syria?

Are Turkiye & Israel on the Verge of Going Toe to Toe Over Syria?

Sputnik International

The downfall of Bashar Assads government in Syria last month, unsurprisingly, did not usher in lasting peace to the region as Israel and Turkiye seem poised... 08.01.2025, Sputnik International

2025-01-08T14:03+0000

2025-01-08T14:03+0000

2025-01-08T14:03+0000

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syria

kurdistan workers' party (pkk)

kurdish people's protection units (ypg)

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This week, the Nagel Committee, convened by Tel Aviv to assess defense budgetary needs, issued a stark warning: Israel must brace for a direct confrontation with Turkiye, which is reportedly intent on restoring its Ottoman-era influence, as The Jerusalem Post put it.The committee asserted that collaboration between Syrian factions and Turkiye may pose a serious security threat to Israel that could be even more dangerous than the Iranian threat, and thus proposed increasing the defense budget by roughly $4 billion.Meanwhile, Turkish journalist Ibrahim Karagul contends that Israel might invade Damascus in order to divert Turkiyes attention from the PKK and YPG, Kurdish entities that Ankara designates as terrorist groups. While Turkiye strives to unify Syria, Karagul argues in an article for Yeni Safak, Israel seeks to occupy parts of it.Any war with Israel would begin in the East of the Euphrates, as Israels priorities are directly aligned with the dynamics in that region, the journalist claimed.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250103/whats-in-store-for-syria-in-2025-1121274446.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20250108/blinken-dismisses-trumps-greenland-plans-as-not-a-good-idea-1121386941.html

Blinken Dismisses Trump's Greenland Plans as 'Not a Good Idea'

Blinken Dismisses Trump's Greenland Plans as 'Not a Good Idea'

Sputnik International

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday that US President-elect Donald Trumps intentions to take control of Greenland is not a good idea.

2025-01-08T16:50+0000

2025-01-08T16:50+0000

2025-01-08T16:50+0000

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us

donald trump

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denmark

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"The idea expressed about Greenland is obviously not a good one," Blinken told reporters during his visit to France. He added that obviously seizure of Greenland is "not going to happen" and suggested dropping the subject. "But maybe more important is that obviously it's not going to happen so we probably shouldn't waste a lot of time talking about it," he said. Trump first announced his claims for the island in 2019, when he was serving his first presidential term. In 2024, soon after winning the US presidential election he reiterated his interest again calling it "an absolute necessity" for the United States to own Greenland. Greenland was a colony of Denmark until 1953. It remains part of the kingdom, but it received autonomy with the possibility of self-government and independent choice in domestic policy in 2009.French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said earlier in the day that the European Union would not allow its borders to be attacked after Trump refused to rule out using military or economic coercion to take control of Denmarks autonomous territory of Greenland."Obviously, it is out of the question that the EU will allow other countries in the world, regardless of which country it may be... to attack their sovereign borders," Barrot told France Inter radio.The United States is not imperialistic in its nature, despite statements made recently by Trump regarding US claims for the Panama Canal, Canada and Greenland, the top French diplomat said.The minister added that, although Europe was a strong continent, additional measures needed to be taken to further strengthen the EU.On Tuesday, Trump told a press conference in Mar-a-Lago that he was not considering the use of military force to acquire Canada but could not guarantee the same for Greenland or the Panama Canal.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250103/greenlands-pm-declares-independence-push-amid-trumps-desire-to-buy-danish-dependency-1121348256.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20250108/eu-defense-spending-boost-will-only-sow-discord-increase-public-debt--expert-1121382103.html

EU Defense Spending Boost Will Only Sow Discord, Increase Public Debt  Expert

EU Defense Spending Boost Will Only Sow Discord, Increase Public Debt  Expert

Sputnik International

The European Union's plans to ramp up defense spending will only create divisions within the 27-nation bloc and increase the national debt load, Stavros Kalenteridis, a professor at the Aegean College in Athens, told Sputnik.

2025-01-08T11:17+0000

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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen suggested in June that the EU invest 500 billion euros ($519 billion) in defense over the next decade. Money could come in the form of additional national contributions, joint borrowing or from the EU's "own resources," which are the main sources of revenue for the bloc's budget. US President-elect Donald Trumps team reportedly told European officials in December that his new administration would demand that NATO allies commit to spending 5% of their industrial output on defense. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that defense spending should be significantly higher than the 2% target set by the alliance's guidelines. Kalenteridis drew attention to an emerging narrative that Europe should have been investing in self-defense all along and that the Trump presidency underscored the isolation and weakening of the EU and the need for self-reliance. He also noted that Ursula von der Leyen's German ally, former Chancellor Angela Merkel, had been vocal about her country moving away from limiting public spending. While Merkel's conservative Christian Democrats do not officially support this idea, it is an important development, Kalenteridis said. Von der Leyen justified her plan by the perceived need to keep up with Russia's and China's military spending. Kalenteridis said this was an unprecedented move by the EU to actively involve itself in conflicts outside its borders. Russia has continuously warned Europe and the United States that their military support for Ukraine is an impediment to the peace process and a step toward NATOs direct involvement in the conflict. Russian Ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia estimated last week that the EU had spent $47 billion on military aid for Ukraine since 2022.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250107/eu-might-activate-own-defense-provision-if-trump-follows-through-on-nato-threats--expert-1121375454.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250108/west-misjudged-russian-economy-robustness-ukraine-may-soon-fall--us-uber-hawk-laments-1121379996.html

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Brooklynn Chandler Willy, CEO and president of San Antonio-based Texas Financial Advisory, is facing multiple lawsuits over advising clients to invest their retirement money to purchase distressed accounts receivable. Some of the debt notes are now maturing but the clients say they are not getting paid. YouTube

Brooklynn Chandler Willys investment advisory firm has permanently shuttered in the aftermath of the former radio hosts arrest on obstruction of justice charges related to an ongoing fraud investigation.

San Antonio attorney Mark Barrera, who represents Willy, confirmed that, with its founder locked up, Texas Financial Advisory has closed its offices across the state.

The business has shut down, he said. Brooklynn can no longer work, can no longer operate the business. That is the simple reason.

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Texas Financial Advisorys website is no longer active and the radio shows Willy hosted on weekends on WOAI-AM, and KTSA-AM and KTSA-FM no longer air.

Asked if she made the decision to shut down, Barrera said, I dont know if I would even call it a decision, frankly.

Its kind of no-way-forward. She cant operate. Shes still in the detention facility and, obviously, her future is uncertain. I think its sort of like a she-had-no choice kind of thing.

FBI and IRS agents arrested Willy on Dec. 10 after a grand jury indicted her on three charges including aggravated identity theft. At a detention hearing a few days later, a federal judge ruled she should remain behind bars after concluding there was too significant a risk to release her.

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Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Blackwell told the judge she was a risk to obstruct  a very serious ongoing investigation.

400 victims

The FBI and IRS have been investigating Willy in connection with a fraud scheme with at least 400 victims and losses in the tens of millions of dollars, IRS special agent Rebecca Jones testified at the detention hearing. The scheme allegedly involved Willy and Lubbock-based Ferrum Capital LLC.

The investigation has two prongs, Jones said. The first involves fraud in the inducement of the investment, such as lies told to clients about the risk and security of the products offered to Texas Financial Advisory clients. The second involves money that was just flat-out stolen from victims. That included money that went to other investors, making it a Ponzi scheme, the agent said.

Willy owns Queen B Advisors LLC, which has done business as Texas Financial Advisory. It had offices in Stone Oak, Boerne, New Braunfels, Corpus Christi and Victoria, according to its website. The firm reported managing nearly $118 million in assets on behalf of about 620 clients as of last month.

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Texas Financial Advisory had an agreement with Phoenix-based Foundations Investment Advisors LLC to co-manage the investments, Barrera said.

Barrera provided an email sent to Willys clients last month notifying them that the firms access to the accounts has been restricted in the wake of the criminal charges against her.

While our understanding is that only the owner is currently charged and accused of any criminal activity and that no client facing adviser representatives of TFA are part of the criminal investigation, we have taken immediate steps to ensure your accounts are protected, Emily Reitan, Foundations chief operating officer, said in the email.

Foundations, which had about $6.7 billion in assets under management as of November, is overseeing the client accounts.

Essentially, it has severed Queen B from those relationships, Barrera said.

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Moving on

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authoritys BrokerCheck website shows that three investment advisers who worked at Willys firm are now registered with Foundations. Those advisers are Mario Barrera, Wesley Thoms and Tammie Tirres. Mario Barrera and attorney Mark Barrera are not related.

Mario Barrera is married to Yvette Barrera, who also was an investment adviser with Willys firm and appeared on a television program with her promoting Texas Financial Advisory. Yvette Barrera is not currently registered with any firm, according to BrokerCheck.

Despite Texas Financial Advisory ceasing operations, at least one customer reported receiving an email from Willy on New Years Day.

Were genuinely excited about the fresh opportunities this new year brings and even more thrilled to continue our relationship with you, Willy wrote in the email. Your trust and support have been invaluable to us, and we are deeply grateful for your confidence in our services.

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Attorney Mark Barrera said he didnt know about the email but speculated it had been pre-written and scheduled to be sent Jan. 1.

He said discussions have taken place with prosecutors regarding conditions that would allow for Willys release from detention as her case proceeds. He suspected the firms closure will help in the effort to get her out of jail.

On Tuesday, Barrera filed a motion to withdraw as legal counsel for Willy, her firm and Yvette Barrera in civil litigation against them. With Texas Financial Advisory no longer in business, Mark Barrera said, continuing to represent them would impose an unreasonable financial burden on me.

He will continue to assist his father, attorney Roy Barrera Jr., in defending Willy in her criminal case.

After her indictment, lawyers representing some clients in civil lawsuits against Willy and her firm said they were advising the clients to find a new adviser to oversee their assets.

We would strongly recommend that you take immediate action to remove your account from Brooklynns access, San Antonio attorney Matthew King said last month. Brooklynns possession of discretionary authority over those accounts creates the possibility of unauthorized activity, up to and including fraud. In other words, it might be possible for Brooklynn to effect transactions and collect fees from the accounts without the clients awareness.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20250108/flying-high-russias-new-oreshnik-missile-takes-off-across-asian-online-search-engines-1121384725.html

Flying High: Russias New Oreshnik Missile Takes Off Across Asian Online Search Engines

Flying High: Russias New Oreshnik Missile Takes Off Across Asian Online Search Engines

Sputnik International

Russia using last year the state-of-the-art Oreshnik missile to destroy a Ukrainian defense industry grabbed global headlines.

2025-01-08T13:22+0000

2025-01-08T13:22+0000

2025-01-08T13:22+0000

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russia's new oreshnik ballistic missile

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Information about Russia's cutting-edge, nuclear-capable intermediate-range hypersonic missile, the Oreshnik, has already made its mark in online encyclopedias across the Asia-Pacific region. Lets delve into the details.Baidu Baike, Chinas largest search engine: the Oreshnik is translated using a hieroglyph that represents a hazelnut tree. The article features the missile's characteristics, expert opinions, and multimedia materials, including a video showcasing the missile's combat use.South Koreas Namuwiki: "The Oreshnik seems to have been named for the resemblance of its six warheads, which fall during the terminal phase, to the flowers of the hazelnut tree," the page dedicated to missile-related topics reads, while also featuring footage of the Oreshniks launch.Wikipedia: the Internet-based encyclopedia has articles about the Oreshnik in its Chinese, Thai, Indonesian, and Vietnamese sections. All of these articles, except the Chinese one, are translations of the English-language entry. Mistakenly, the Chinese version refers to the Oreshnik as a long-range ballistic missile.Russian President Vladimir Putin recently hailed the successful test-firing of the Oreshnik missile on November 21. This missile struck a Ukrainian defense industry complex in Dnepropetrovsk, in response to Ukraine's use of US- and UK-supplied missiles aimed at hitting facilities in Russia's Kursk and Bryansk regions.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241219/russias-invincible-oreshnik-has-left-west-in-the-dust---ex-dod-analyst-1121214587.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20250108/israeli-defense-ministry-says-signed-275mln-contracts-with-elbit-systems-1121384178.html

Israeli Defense Ministry Announces $275Mln Contracts Inked With Elbit Systems

Israeli Defense Ministry Announces $275Mln Contracts Inked With Elbit Systems

Sputnik International

The Israeli Defense Ministry said it signed two contracts worth 1 billion shekels ($274.2 million) with Israeli defense firm Elbit System for the supply of heavy air munitions and the construction of a plant to produce raw materials supplied to the country primarily from abroad.

2025-01-08T12:25+0000

2025-01-08T12:25+0000

2025-01-08T12:34+0000

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MOSCOW, January 8 (Sputnik) - The Israeli Defense Ministry said it signed two contracts worth 1 billion shekels ($274.2 million) with Israeli defense firm Elbit System for the supply of heavy air munitions and the construction of a plant to produce raw materials supplied to the country primarily from abroad. "The Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD) announced today (Tuesday) the signing of two major defense capability agreements with Elbit System, totaling approximately NIS 1 Billion  Under the first agreement, led by IMOD's Defense Procurement Directorate (DPD), Elbit Systems will supply the IMOD with thousands of heavy air munitions. The second agreement  includes establishing a national raw materials plant to produce raw materials that were sourced mainly from abroad before the war," the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. Israeli Defense Ministry Director General Maj. Gen. Eyal Zamir added that both agreements will ensure industrial independence in areas critical to the operational sustainability of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). He also added that the "agreements will ensure sovereign capability in producing bombs and munitions of all types."

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250107/israeli-company-says-will-supply-anti-drone-systems-to-nato-country-1121375288.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20250108/mideast-expert-doubts-overextended-israel-will-clash-with-turkiye-or-sustain-occupation-of-syria-1121386547.html

Mideast Expert Doubts 'Overextended' Israel Will Clash With Turkiye or Sustain Occupation of Syria

Mideast Expert Doubts 'Overextended' Israel Will Clash With Turkiye or Sustain Occupation of Syria

Sputnik International

A potential clash between Israel and Turkiye over Syria is unlikely to materialize soon, Ori Goldberg, an expert on Israeli politics, told Sputnik in light of a defense budget report by Tel Aviv's Nagel Committee.

2025-01-08T16:51+0000

2025-01-08T16:51+0000

2025-01-08T18:55+0000

analysis

middle east

donald trump

benjamin netanyahu

israel

turkiye

syria

truth social

columbia university

iran

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"All these would-be wars against Syria, Turkiye, and other countriestheyre just tactics for deflection, meant to divert attention from how Israel has absolutely no sense of an endgame or direction regarding Gaza," Goldberg asserted. The Nagel Committee's report suggested that Israel should gear up for a potential war with Turkiye and aligned Syrian factions, citing Erdogans alleged Ottoman aspirations. In contrast, Turkish media has warned that Israel might attempt to capture Damascus as a means of limiting Turkiyes strategic options in Syria. "Israel is vastly [and] profoundly overextended," he insisted. The expert also questioned whether the incoming Trump administration would support Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's current aggressive policies. Goldberg pointed to a video shared by US President-elect Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform. The video features Columbia University economics professor Jeffrey Sachs, who accused Netanyahu of warmongering and attempting to drag the US into a war against Iran.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250108/are-turkiye--israel-on-the-verge-of-going-toe-to-toe-over-syria-1121385601.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250108/sizing-up-israel-foreign-ministrys-biblical-map-promised-land-provocation-or-expansion-plan-1121386240.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20250108/nato-to-send-up-to-10-ships-to-baltic-sea-to-protect-underwater-infrastructure-1121384295.html

NATO to Send Up to 10 Ships to Baltic Sea to 'Protect Underwater Infrastructure'

NATO to Send Up to 10 Ships to Baltic Sea to 'Protect Underwater Infrastructure'

Sputnik International

NATO will send about 10 ships to the Baltic Sea to protect underwater infrastructure, Finnish broadcaster reported, citing sources.

2025-01-08T12:32+0000

2025-01-08T12:32+0000

2025-01-08T12:32+0000

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The NATO navy will begin arriving in the Baltic Sea at the end of the week and will remain there until April, the report said on Tuesday. The ships will be located near energy and telecommunications cables and will act as a deterrent factor, the report added. Four underwater telecommunications cables were damaged from December 25-26. Three of them are laid between Finland and Estonia, and one cable connects Finland with Germany.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241226/finland-estonia-underwater-power-cable-cut-helsinki-claims-sabotage-possible---1121272781.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20250108/no-alternatives-in-sight-us-goes-ahead-with-russian-uranium-purchases-despite-restrictions-1121385929.html

No Alternatives in Sight: US Goes Ahead With Russian Uranium Purchases Despite Restrictions

No Alternatives in Sight: US Goes Ahead With Russian Uranium Purchases Despite Restrictions

Sputnik International

In spite of the Biden administrations efforts to curtail reliance on Russian nuclear fuel, the United States has persisted in purchasing enriched uranium from Russia, according to a recent analysis by Sputnik.

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In November 2024, Russia delivered 21.8 tons of enriched uranium valued at $49.3 million to the US, marking the lowest volume since September 2023, when shipments totaled 14.4 tons worth $32 million. Since the beginning of last year, the US has imported 334.9 tons of uranium from Russia, a decrease of 1.8 times compared to 2023. The value of Russian uranium exports to the US has also dropped significantly, falling to $623 milliondown 1.6 times from previous figures.In mid-November 2023, the Russian government imposed temporary restrictions on enriched uranium exports to the US. However, companies can still send fuel to America under one-off licenses issued by the Federal Service for Technical and Export Control.These restrictions were enacted in response to former President Biden's signing of a law in May 2024 that banned Russian uranium imports until 2040. Notably, the law permits continued shipments through a system of waivers. The US Department of Energy is authorized to issue these waivers until 2028 in cases where there is no viable alternative to Russian enriched uranium or when such shipments align with national interests.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240511/why-russian-uranium-ban-has-given-entire-us-nuclear-industry-the-shivers-1118389908.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20250108/no-response-in-21-days-canary-islands-criticize-spains-handling-of-migrant-crisis-1121384599.html

'No Response for 21 Days': Canary Islands Criticize Spain's Handling of Migrant Crisis

'No Response for 21 Days': Canary Islands Criticize Spain's Handling of Migrant Crisis

Sputnik International

Canary Islands President Fernando Clavijo has accused the Spanish government of inaction amid the continued arrival of unaccompanied minors on the archipelago.

2025-01-08T12:37+0000

2025-01-08T12:37+0000

2025-01-08T12:50+0000

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"It is clear to us that the country's government is not interested in what is happening in the Canary Islands. It has been 21 days since we sent a proposal for a decree law on unaccompanied minors, but there is still no response," Clavijo said on X on Tuesday, referring to an initiative that would require the mandatory placement of migrant minors in other Spanish autonomous communities. At the same time, Clavijo added that the autonomous community will continue to look for alternatives in the face of the Spanish government's inability to resolve the humanitarian problem on the archipelago. Large groups of irregular migrants regularly attempt to cross Spain's southern and island borders. The Spanish Interior Ministry said in December that a record number of undocumented migrants had arrived to the country by sea in 2024. Between January 1 and December 15, a total of 57,738 migrants arrived in Spain in 1,719 boats. Most of them landed on the Canary Islands.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241014/why-wont-the-government-explain-the-migrant-crisis-1120540670.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20250108/russian-firepower-decimates-ukrainian-airfields--drone-facilities-in-latest-strikes-1121382397.html

Russian Firepower Decimates Ukrainian Airfields & Drone Facilities in Latest Strikes

Russian Firepower Decimates Ukrainian Airfields & Drone Facilities in Latest Strikes

Sputnik International

Russian forces targeted Ukrainian military airfield infrastructure, as well as drone assembly and storage facilities, over the past 24 hours, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense.

2025-01-08T11:49+0000

2025-01-08T11:49+0000

2025-01-08T11:49+0000

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russia

ukraine

russian ministry of defense

russian armed forces

high mobility artillery rocket system (himars)

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"Using tactical aviation, strike drones, missile forces, and artillery, the Russian Armed Forces struck the infrastructure of military airfields, drone assembly and storage sites, and concentrations of personnel and equipment belonging to Ukrainian forces and foreign mercenaries in 147 locations," the ministry's statement read.Additionally, Russian air defense systems intercepted six HIMARS rockets manufactured in the United States and shot down 105 fixed-wing drones.Numbers Revealing Russia's Frontline Gains Over Past 24 HoursRussias Battlegroup Tsentr repelled 13 Ukrainian counterattacks, inflicted over 530 casualties, and destroyed two armored vehicles and other equipment. These forces bolstered their positions and struck multiple Ukrainian brigades across several locations in the Donetsk People's Republic.Battlegroup Sever targeted a Ukrainian motorized infantry brigade in Volchansk, in the Kharkov region, resulting in as many as 40 casualties, and the destruction of an armored vehicle and artillery piece.Battlegroup Yug captured 18 Ukrainian soldiers west of Kurakhovo, in the Donetsk People's Republic, and secured more advantageous positions.Battlegroup Zapad improved its tactical positions and meted out up to 380 casualties, while crippling multiple vehicles and artillery systems in four settlements in the Kharkov region. It also repelled a Ukrainian counterattack and wiped out five ammunition depots.Battlegroup Vostok advanced deep into Ukrainian defenses, repelled a counterattack, and meted out as many as 160 casualties. Ukraine's losses of equipment included a Krab self-propelled gun, a MaxxPro armored vehicle, and other assets. A logistics depot and an electronic warfare station were also destroyed.Battlegroup Dnepr targeted a Ukrainian mechanized brigade in Mala Tokmachka, in the Zaporozhye region, causing up to 70 casualties and destroying nine vehicles and an artillery piece.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250107/russian-forces-eradicate-ukrainian-airfields-and-weapon-depots-1121373819.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250106/close-to-ukraines-industrial-heart-why-does-russias-liberation-of-kurakhovo-matter-1121370358.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20250108/us-congresswoman-greene-planning-to-present-bill-on-renaming-gulf-of-mexico-on-january-9-1121379840.html

US Congresswoman Greene Planning to Present Bill on Renaming Gulf of Mexico on January 9

US Congresswoman Greene Planning to Present Bill on Renaming Gulf of Mexico on January 9

Sputnik International

US congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene said she was going to present a bill on renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America on Thursday morning.

2025-01-08T09:06+0000

2025-01-08T09:06+0000

2025-01-08T09:06+0000

americas

us

donald trump

marjorie taylor greene

gulf of mexico

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US President-elect Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he would seek to have the name of the Gulf of Mexico changed to the Gulf of America as part of his new administration's regional policy. The congresswoman urged Congress to take the Trump Agenda mandate seriously and act fast to enact it. Greene, a Republican representative from Georgia, argued that Mexican cartels allegedly used the gulf to "traffic humans, drugs, weapons, and God knows what else," while Americans were footing the bill to protect the maritime waterways from "military threats from foreign countries."

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250108/geography-lessons-with-trump-future-potus-shares-map-with-canada-as-part-of-us-1121378405.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20250108/us-uk-attack-houthis-military-positions-in-sanaa-amran-in-yemen--source-1121384938.html

US, UK Attack Houthis Military Positions in Sanaa, Amran in Yemen  Source

US, UK Attack Houthis Military Positions in Sanaa, Amran in Yemen  Source

Sputnik International

The US and UK forces have attacked military positions of the Yemeni movement Ansar Allah, also known as the Houthis, in Sanaa and Amran provinces, a government source in Sanaa told Sputnik on Wednesday.

2025-01-08T13:18+0000

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united kingdom (uk)

us central command (centcom)

yemen

ansar allah

houthi

red sea crisis

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"The strike presumably carried out by the US and British fighter jets targeted the Jarban military camp in Sanhan, south of Sanaa, which carried out two raids," the source said. Two other raids targeted the objects of the 29th armored infantry brigade in the north of Amran Province, the source added. Earlier in the day, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces had conducted "multiple precision strikes against two Iranian-backed Houthi underground Advanced Conventional Weapon (ACW) storage facilities" in Yemen. The facilities were used to carry out attacks against US Navy warships and merchant ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, CENTRCOM specified.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250103/yemens-houthis-mobilize-to-fight-us-israel-prepare-to-welcome-enemies-to-great-hell-1121347327.html

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Delhi to go to polls on Feb. 5: CEC

Xinhua) 09:29, January 08, 2025

NEW DELHI, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Indian national capital Delhi's legislative assembly will go to polls on Feb. 5, announced the country's Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar on Tuesday.

The counting of votes will take place on Feb. 8, he added. Final results would be expected to be announced by the evening.

According to Kumar, a total of over 15.5 million voters will be eligible to cast votes across 70 Assembly constituencies. There will be a total of 13,033 polling booths across the Delhi state.

Among the voters, there are nearly 8.35 million male voters and about 7.17 million female voters in Delhi.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Kathy Vale (right) and Michelle Lowe-Solis protest against Governor Greg Abbott's school voucher proposal Thursday evening at St. Mary Magdalen School where the governor was speaking for Parents Night Out which brings together parents, education leaders, and elected officials to discuss the pathway to expanded parental rights in their children's education in Texas. Robin Jerstad/Robin Jerstad/Contributor

Michelle Lowe Solis decided to make a major change in her life four years ago this Monday.

It was Jan. 6, 2021. She was working at the Pentagon as assistant deputy undersecretary for management.

That was the day supporters of President Donald Trump  who believed his lie of a stolen 2020 election  stormed the U.S. Capitol to stop the certification of ballots and a peaceful transition of power from Trump to President Joe Biden, who won.

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It was a day far-right extremists, some of them armed militants, raided a government building and threatened not only the nations lawmakers but law-enforcement officers who were there to protect them.

It was enough to convince Lowe Solis to retire after more than 35 years as a federal government official in jobs involving civilian personnel, organization and strategic planning, logistics and management.

She and her husband came home to San Antonio, where she was born and raised. She came driven by data and armed with business degrees from Trinity and American University.

Since then, shes done what she calls work on the periphery of a lot of different efforts here with the Democratic Party, with Mothers Against Greg Abbott. I was also a state Democratic executive committee member for Senate District 25.

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Last November, she made another life-changing decision. She ran for chairman of the Bexar County Democratic Party and won.

It was a post Monica Ramirez Alcantara resigned from after the November election. It mirrored that of Gilberto Hinojosa, the states Democratic Party chair.

Solis Lowe won by one vote, hardly a mandate but at least an opportunity for a fresh start.

Shell face an organization long divided by petty politics and a few toxic personalities that thrive on pettiness and division.

Lowe Solis election may do little to stop the attention the partys drama gets. But it might affect the people doing good work that rarely gets attention.

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Most voters arent involved at this level of politics. But its where old-fashioned civics can make such a difference. Its slow-going, hard and thankless.

Lowe Solis sounds like she recognizes that.

She also sounds like she understands that the party must meet voters where they are. Increasingly, its on TikTok.

Her party faces monumental work despite being in a county that remained blue, but perhaps not as blue as it couldve been.

It has to engage registered voters to show up. It has to win back working-class voters, Latino men who voted Republican.

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Immediately after the November election, Lowe Solis said she looked at precinct by precinct results, thousands of pages.

She saw precincts that left a lot of voters on the table, in areas where the party continues to have precinct chair vacancies.

ELAINE AYALA: First lady of San Antonio mourns loss of her grandmother and the woman who raised her

I looked at where we have a lot of registered voters, more than 1,500, more than 2,000 in some cases, she said. Those are pretty large precincts, and turnout was low, 40%, 35%, 38%. I mean really low.

Shes focused on the next election, but not on whos running for mayor, but on getting those who vote by mail to reapply for a ballot. It doesnt happen automatically because, you know, Texas.

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She sees her job as part fundraiser, part unifier. She believes in the payoff of in-person gatherings. Shell take a busload of members to Austin for the opening day of the Texas Legislature and another group to participate in the Martin Luther King Jr. March in San Antonio.

Lowe Solis wants to connect. She already knows Democratic leaders in Comal, Kendall, Guadalupe, Hays and Blanco counties from her work as a state Democratic executive committee member for Senate District 25.

She plans to visit Democratic chairs in Atascosa, Medina, Wilson and Bandera counties.

Its important that we start to leverage each other, she said. We cant be little islands.

Hers is an unpaid job, but she says shell work full-time, including weekends, to connect with precinct chairs who must meet evenings and weekends.

Shell work on messaging.

Its just ironic that the Democrats are seen as the elitist party, she said. Theyve got the billionaires.

The Republican Party has been very effective at defining the Democrats, she said. Democrats must define themselves and seek to define Republicans. That cant wait for election time.

Republicans have been in power in the state for 30ish years, and we rank 50th in healthcare access. We rank 43rd in funding for public schools. Were in the top five for property taxes.

This Monday, Lowe Solis, like the rest of us, watched vastly different proceedings at the U.S. Capitol than we did four years ago. The certification of ballots was orderly and ordinary.

Vice President Kamala Harris oversaw her own loss as the Democratic Partys presidential candidate. No drama and exactly as planned.

It was sort of painful to watch, she said. But I was also so proud of how dignified she was.
Nokia and stc Group have successfully concluded the first-ever 1Tbps (terabit-per-second) long haul field trial in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region. Leveraging stc Groups live Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) terrestrial network, this innovative trial highlights the unique potential of Nokias sixth generation of super-coherent Photonic Service Engine (PSE-6s) technology in delivering high-capacity, efficient, and scalable connectivity for data centers.

With the ability to significantly increase the capacity of the digital network, stc Group and Nokia are enabling faster and more efficient data transmission over long distances. With this advanced optical infrastructure, stc Group is well-positioned to meet future market demands and continue its supply of rapid and reliable connectivity while aligning with Saudi Vision 2030s digital transformation goals.

The field trial transported 6 x 100GE and 1 x 400GE high-speed services over 1Tbs single wavelength across 850km, demonstrating the trusted performance and seamless integration of Nokias Data Center Interconnect (DCI) DWDM solution into stc Groups data center environments. Designed to seamlessly fit into the data center with advanced energy efficiency, the solution addresses the dynamic needs of AI/cloud services transport and will offer consumers across the kingdom improved network efficiency and performance.

Nokia and stc Groups collaboration sets a new benchmark for data center interconnectivity across the MEA region, in line with the kingdoms wider digital transformation journey. With ambitions to enhance Saudi Arabias digital infrastructure, expand 5G coverage, and promote cloud computing adoption among other Vision 2030 goals, this collaboration is laying the groundwork for future-ready network infrastructure.

Abdullateef Alsenan, Infrastructure Design GM at stc Group, said: stc Groups partnership with Nokia demonstrates our advancements in building a future-ready network. This milestone reflects our ability to securely support massive traffic volumes, addressing the demands of cloud services and AI applications, ultimately supporting the Kingdoms Vision 2030 objectives. These infrastructure advancements are positioning the kingdom as a global leader in digital innovation and sustainability.

Carlo Corti, Head of Optical Networks, Middle East and Africa at Nokia, said: By pushing the boundaries of optical technology, Nokia is committed to trusted performance and proud to partner with stc Group in achieving this record-breaking milestone. Our Data Center Interconnect solution provides scalable, energy-efficient, resilient, and secure infrastructure to support Saudi Arabias ambitious digital transformation journey.
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

Welcome to the age of the blob internet, a time in which the world wide web is overrun by bots automated to spam us, imitate us and ensure that we are all stuck picking fire hydrants from six different images just to read an article like this one.

Bots proliferate like a gray goo of information and are tricky to detect.

They can make it impossible for you to book a ticket to see your favorite band or they can pose as a friendly customer service agent. Either way, you are not just imagining that bots seem to be everywhere.

The Bad Bot Report 2024 found that as of 2023, the internet was comprised of 49.6% bot traffic to 50.4% human traffic.

Given these growth trends, it is likely a majority of the internet is now automated.

The scale of the bot problem

This subsuming of human internet participation is now driven in large part by artificial intelligence (AI) and large language model (LLM) growth.

While technology has the potential to connect everyone in the world and improve the collective coordination of humanity, the physical and social infrastructure of the existing internet are not currently used with sufficient responsibility or efficiency.

In this world of hyper-automation, we are seeing considerable, rapidly growing issues concerning climate change and the effects of the automated internet on our society.

Based on International Telecommunications Union (ITU) validated increases in data traffic of 30% a year projected from 2019 through 2025, the internet may now comprise around 7.4% of global emissions, with half of thataround 3.7%made up of bots.

To put this into scale, these automated emissions are more than three times the 1.19% of global emissions attributable to all of Oceania and they are expected to increase.

The Shift Project, a French nonprofit specializing in climate research, found that these emissions are associated with the "digital transition as it is implemented at present [which] results from a considerable expansion of the direct energy footprint of digital technologies, with an annual growth of from 9% to 10%."

There is a massive gap in the rapid expansion of automated technology and the varying degrees of regulation enforced across the internet when it comes to both content and security.

This is an underregulated, rapidly growing information technology market where just a single 20-megawatt data center easily consumes as much electricity as the entire 12,000 population of Nauru.

This bot traffic dwarfs the 3% of global emissions attributed to all of international shipping, or 2.5% attributed to global aviation.

This was not the case a decade ago when the push to decarbonize sea transport and aviation began to demand attention in the International Maritime Organization and International Civil Aviation Organization, respectively.

Bot-related energy waste could now be equated to sending every piece of cargo on the planet back and forth from its origin to destination on an extra trip.

It is a pointless waste of resources that adds no tangible benefit to humanityexcept a sector of the population profiting on the provision of information waste.

Tackling bots head on

No one appreciates bots clogging their social media feeds, and everyone detests spam messageswe could tax and fine the bots out of existence and use the funds to build a better public internet for all.

There is a massive amount of dissatisfaction with the discursive space across the internet, precisely because this digital space is treated increasingly as a market instead of a public commons, and clearly has veered from this ideal for more than a decade.

Organizations like the Internet Society and the World Economic Forum have outlined what's required for the creation of a digital commons, noting the "beginnings of the ARPANET and the Internet in the university research community promoted the academic tradition of open publication of ideas and results."

But, as regulators failed to keep up, the U.S. (and much of the global internet) have landed in a situation where an "increasingly short list of companies that build these systems on the cutting edge can essentially dictate the terms of online life with little to no public input or democratic accountability"all to the detriment of global discourse.

Tracking the perpetrators

Accurate bot network identification has evolved substantially since 2013, with real-time network traffic insights now possible.

This demonstrates that the "use of real-time log capture, combined with machine learning and an extensive database of bot activity, enables a proactive, scalable, and efficient approach to bot detection and prevention."

With this capability, it should be possible to track the perpetrators of automated abuse of network capacity.

Build on the dialogue in the International Maritime Organization for a simple emissions-related levy (the most salient suggestion for the largest international tax in human history).

The ITU must be empowered to uphold the principles of the Global Digital Compact and coordinate a new set of guidelines for stakeholder engagement with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) that ensures a digital space where multilateral conventions are centralized and distilled into an ethical code.

So how might this democratization help build a low-tech public web that serves global public connectivity needs?

Looking at earlier, alternate visions of the internet (e.g., the decentralized structure of the USENET model and BBSBulletin Board Systems) is crucial for resuscitating ideas of a democratic, participatory digital commons.

Low-Tech Magazine has detailed at length the infrastructure needed and capacity enabled through baseline, decentralized web access for all.

With an Automated Emissions Levy, these soaring internet resource demands may be curbed.

We can't afford to feed the bloband taking action could be one step toward tackling climate change.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Angewandte Chemie International Edition (2024). DOI: 10.1002/anie.202419300

Most solids expand as temperatures increase and shrink as they cool. Some materials do the opposite, expanding in the cold. Lithium titanium phosphate is one such substance and could provide a solution to the problem of steeply declining performance of lithium-ion batteries in cold environments.

In an article published in the journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition, a Chinese team has demonstrated its suitability for use in electrodes for rechargeable batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries and other rechargeable batteries based on metal ions provide our portable devices with electricity, power vehicles, and store solar and wind energy. They work wellas long as it is warm. As temperatures drop, the performance of these batteries can decrease sharplya problem for electric cars, aerospace, and military applications.

Countermeasures such as integrated heaters, improved electrolytes, or electrode coatings increase the cost and complexity of battery production or reduce performance.

One of the causes of the cold problem is the slowed diffusion of lithium ions within the electrode material. A team from Donghua University and Fudan University in Shanghai, as well as Inner Mongolia University in Hohhot has proposed a new approach to tackling this issue: electrodes made of electrochemical energy-storage materials with negative thermal expansion (NTE), such as lithium titanium phosphate LiTi 2 (PO 4 ) 3 (LTP).

Led by Liming Wu, Chunfu Lin, and Renchao Che, the team used LTP as a model substance to demonstrate that electrode materials with NTE properties can provide good performance at low temperatures.

Analysis of the crystal structure revealed a three-dimensional lattice of TiO 6 octahedra and PO 4 tetrahedra with an open, flexible structure that contains both "cavities" and "channels," where lithium ions can lodge. When cooled, the structure stretches along one of its crystal axes.

By using spectrometric and electron microscopic analyses in conjunction with computer modeling, the team determined that the vibrational modes of the atoms change at low temperature. This increases the occurrence of special transverse vibrations of certain oxygen atoms, increasing their distances from each other and widening the cavities in the lattice. This facilitates storage and transport of the lithium ions.

At 10C, their diffusion rate is still at 84% of the value obtained at 25C. Electrochemical tests on carbon-coated LTP at 10C also showed good electrochemical performance with high capacity and a high rate capability, as well as a high retention of capacity over 1,000 charge/discharge cycles.

Materials with negative thermal expansion are thus highly promising for use as an electrode material in lithium-ion batteries in cold environments.

More information: Qiao Li et al, Negative Thermal Expansion Behavior Enabling Good ElectrochemicalEnergyStorage Performance at Low Temperatures, Angewandte Chemie International Edition (2024). DOI: 10.1002/anie.202419300 Journal information: Angewandte Chemie International Edition
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More than 800,000 balcony solar kits were installed in Germany in 2024.

As snowflakes gently settled on his balcony solar panels on a cold winter's day, Berliner Jens Sax checked his smartphone to see how much electricity they were generating.

The amount was modest now, said Sax, who admitted to being addicted to the phone notifications that keep track of the panels' output, "but we've saved 79 euros since installing them in August".

More than 800,000 such kits had been installed in Germany by the end of 2024, official data showsboosted by subsidies and a desire to save amid high energy costs.

That was more than double the number from a year earlier and 10 times the figure for 2022.

EmpowerSource, a consultancy, estimates that three million kits are now in operation nationwide, including those that have not been officially registered.

Installation numbers are likely an underestimate, said Leonhard Probst, a researcher at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, since the kits often remain unregistered.

Cheaper than photovoltaic roof panels and easy to installthe panels simply plug into power socketsbalcony solar is taking off as Germany seeks to switch to renewables.

COVID and war

Europe's largest economy wants 80 percent of gross power consumption to come from renewables by 2030, up from 59 percent in 2024. Solar power supplied 14.6 percent of Germany's electricity last year.

A worker installs a solar panel at a solar park near Erftstadt, western Germany on October 22, 2024.

Far less powerful than roof panels, balcony solar kits cover only part of a household's energy needs and are used for tasks such as charging computers or powering dishwashers.

Probst estimates that the kits make up only about two percent of the almost 100 gigawatts of Germany's total solar capacity, but he expects that share to grow and thinks the kits could boost solar more broadly.

"There's an educational effect, it familiarizes a larger number of people with solar power and might spur them to invest in more powerful systems," he said.

Oliver Lang, based in Berlin and head of solar kit company Sonnenrepublik, said the firm had grown in recent years thanks totheCovid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

"At the beginning it was niche, there was very little demand when we started selling them six years ago," he said.

"It started duringCovidwhen people had time on their hands, then the war in Ukraine began and there was a fear of electricity shortages, and then subsidies came in."

Far less powerful than roof panels, balcony solar kits cover only part of a household's energy needs and are used for tasks such as charging computers or powering dishwashers.

Government subsidies

City authorities in Frankfurt gave Christoph Stadelmann, a 60-year-old teacher, half of the 650 euros ($676) he paid for his kit at the beginning of last year.

Stadelmann expects to make his money back within three years.

"Typical roof panels, a more powerful system, start from about 15,000 euros," said Lang of Sonnenrepublik.

"They'll take 15 years to pay off."

German energy prices have stabilized after a peak in 2022 but are still among the highest in Europe.

Opinion polls show that the cost of living is one of voters' major concerns ahead of parliamentary elections on February 23.

Cost savings were more important than environmental concerns in Sax's decision to plump for balcony solar panels, he said.

Government measures have supported the boom. Kit owners now no longer need to register the devices, and people who live in apartment buildings can use them without the owner's or building manager's permission.

Germany's solar panels have a total capacity of almost 100 gigawatts.

Kit owners now no longer need to register the devices, and people who live in apartment buildings can use them without the owner's or building manager's permission.

Solar power supplied 14.6 percent of Germany's electricity last year.

Supportive regulation is the main reason for Germany's tilt towards balcony solar panels, with uptake far ahead of other European countries, said Christian Ofenheusle, founder of EmpowerSource.

Mirjam Sax, married to Jens, said she would recommend balcony solar panels in spite of Germany's sometimes gray weather.

"If you've got a balcony, if you've got a bit of sun, you can put up a panel or two to see if it's worth it," she said.

"It's easy and there's a price for every budget."

 2025 AFP
Annasofia Scheve covers trending news for the Express-News. She can be reached at Annasofia.Scheve@express-news.net.

Annasofia has bachelor's degrees in journalism and political science from the University of Missouri. She is an Ohio native, and wrote for Cincinnati Magazine and the Cincinnati Enquirer before joining the Express-News in 2023.
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The logo of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, is seen at its Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitanecho, Kagoshima prefecture, Feb. 16, 2024. Credit: Kyodo News via AP, File

Japan on Wednesday linked more than 200 cyberattacks over the past five years targeting the country's national security and high technology data to a Chinese hacking group, MirrorFace, detailing their tactics and calling on government agencies and businesses to reinforce preventive measures.

The National Police Agency said its analysis on the targets, methods and infrastructure of the cyberattacks by MirrorFace from 2019 to 2024 concluded they were systematic attacks linked to China with an aim of stealing data on Japanese national security and advanced technology.

The targets of the Chinese government-led cyberattacks included Japan's Foreign and Defense ministries, the country's space agency and individuals including politicians, journalists, private companies and think tanks related to advanced technology, the NPA said.

Experts have repeatedly raised concerns about the vulnerability of Japan's cybersecurity, especially as the country steps up its defense capabilities and works more closely with the United States and other partners to strengthen cyber defenses. Japan has taken steps but experts say more work is needed.

MirrorFace sent emails with attachments containing malware to targeted organizations and individuals to view data saved on computers mainly from December 2019 to July 2023, often from Gmail and Microsoft Outlook addresses using stolen identities, the NPA investigation found.

The emails typically used as subjects key words such as "Japan-U.S. alliance," "Taiwan Strait," "Russia-Ukraine war" and "free and open Indo-Pacific," and included an invitation for a study panel, references and a list of panelists, the NPA said.

In another tactic, the hackers targeted Japanese organizations in areas of aerospace, semiconductors, information and communications from February to October 2023 by exploiting vulnerabilities in virtual private networks to gain unauthorized access to information.

The attacks included one on the Japan Aerospace and Exploration Agency, or JAXA, which acknowledged in June it had suffered a series of cyberattacks since 2023, though sensitive information related to rockets, satellites and defense was not affected. It was investigating to take preventive measures.

Last year, a cyberattack paralyzed operations at a container terminal at a port in the city of Nagoya for three days.

More recently, Japan Airlines was hit by a cyberattack on Christmas, causing delays and cancellations to more than 20 domestic flights, though the carrier was able to stop the onslaught and restore its systems hours later and there was no impact on flight safety.

 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Even as Trump ally Elon Musk goaded European leaders, the European Commission -- the EU's digital watchdog -- has tried to stay out of the fray.

Mark Zuckerberg's U-turn on Meta's content rules piles pressure on the EUalready in the crosshairs of Donald Trump ally Elon Muskto prove it still calls the shots when it comes to Big Tech's behavior in Europe.

Barely two weeks before Trump's return to the White House, Zuckerberg dropped a bombshell Tuesday by pulling the plug on fact-checking at Facebook and Instagram in the United Statesand indicated changes could be coming to Europe too.

Zuckerberg accused Europe of passing an "ever increasing number of laws institutionalizing censorship"echoing escalating rhetoric from X owner Musk, who has long railed at EU efforts to regulate the online space.

Brussels has bolstered its legal arsenal for targeting the world's biggest digital platformsthough since Trump stormed to victory the bloc has avoided concrete action against US tech companies, apparently for fear of angering the incoming leadership.

Meta says it has no present plans to end its fact-checking operations in the European Union, and would review its EU obligations before making any changes.

But according to several sources, the group sent a risk assessment report to the European Commission on Tuesday concerning changes to its content policies.

AFP currently works in 26 languages with Facebook's fact-checking program, including in the United States and the European Union.

Silence as 'a choice'

Faced with Zuckerberg's accusation of "censorship," the European Commission said it "absolutely" rejected the claim, insisting "freedom of expression lies at the heart" of its content moderation landmark law, the Digital Services Act (DSA).

"Promoting the truth is not censorship, democratic regulation is not an illegitimate obstacle," agreed Thibaut Bruttin, director general of Reporters Without Borders.

But beyond that the EU declined to comment on Meta's decision to axe fact-checking in the United Stateswhich disinformation experts fear risks opening the floodgates for false narratives.

The commission's silence is part of a pattern: it has stayed resolutely out of the fray as Trump ally Musk has goaded European leaders with a series of incendiary outbursts in recent days.

Neither EU chief Ursula von der Leyen nor her commissioners in charge of tech policy have uttered a public word, for instance, about Musk's planned live chat with the leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD)a party he is fervently backing ahead of national elections.

Silence is a "political choice for the moment not to feed this debate any further", von der Leyen's chief spokesperson, Paula Pinho, said Tuesday.

'Fuel to the fire'

"There is probably a desire, perhaps wrongly, not to attack Trump and Musk head-on, for fear of the reactions," said Alexandre de Streel, an expert at the Center on Regulation in Europe (CERRE) think tank.

Pressed on the twin offensive from Musk and Zuckerberg, the commission has stressed the DSA does not define what is allowed onlinebut rather tells platforms to adhere to existing national laws on digital content.

Using independent fact-checkers, for instance, is not required by EU rulesthough doing so can be one way for firms to meet their obligations to tackle disinformation.

Regarding Musk's support for the German extreme-right, Brussels has stressed he has the right to express opinionsbut that the EU will monitor this week's live chat to understand whether Musk unfairly used X's algorithms to boost the AfD.

The EU in December 2023 launched a DSA probe into X but has yet to make any formal decision on how the platform tackles illegal content and information manipulation.

According to de Streel, these violations can be "very difficult to prove".

"It's clear that if von der Leyen's commission were to open proceedings against Musk, it would add more than just fuel to the fire," said Umberto Gambini, of European affairs consultancy Forward Global.

Implementing the DSA "remains very political", Gambini told AFP.

Stricter with others?

Not everyone is happy with the commission's stanceon Musk in particular.

"Either the European Commission applies with the greatest firmness the laws that we have given ourselves to protect our public space, or it does not do so and then it will have to agree to give back the capacity to do so to the EU member states," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said.

The newfound reticence is not limited to Meta or X.

On the day of the US election last year, news broke that Apple was set to face a fine under the bloc's new tech competition law, the Digital Markets Act, but two months later, the penalty has yet to arrive.

Sources close to the matter said von der Leyen's cabinet froze plans to fine Apple, fearing any sanction could hurt fragile transatlantic ties under Trump.

The contrast is striking with firms from outside the United States.

The commission in December opened a probe into TikTok owned by China's ByteDance following allegations the platform was used by Russia to sway the result of Romania's later annulled presidential election.

 2025 AFP
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MIT graduate student researchers Paris Myers (left) and Ticha Sethapakdi watch as a drawing of a human face turns its head to the right. Thermochromorph combines CMYK imaging, laser cutting, manual printmaking, and thermochromic inks to transform images. Credit: Design by Alex Shipps, photograph by Mike Grimmett / MIT CSAIL

Researchers in MIT Professor Stefanie Mueller's group have spent much of the last decade developing a variety of computing techniques aimed at reimagining how products and systems are designed. Much in the way that platforms like Instagram allow users to modify 2D photographs with filters, Mueller imagines a world where we can do the same thing for a wide array of physical objects.

In a new open-access paper, her team at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) has demonstrated a novel printing technique along these lineswhich they call "Thermochromorph"that produces images that can change colors when heated up.

The paper is published in the journal SIGGRAPH Asia 2024 Art Papers.

Led by first author and MIT electrical engineering and computer science doctoral student Ticha Melody Sethapakdi, the researchers say that they could imagine their method being applied in ways that are both artistic and functional, like a coffee cup that warns if the liquid is too hot, or packaging for medicines or perishable foods that could indicate if the product has been stored at a safe temperature.

Thermochromorph: Transforming images through heat. Credit: MIT CSAIL

So-called "thermochromic" materials that visually change with temperature are not newyou can see examples with consumer beverages like Coke and Coors Light that reveal "ready to drink" labeling when refrigerated. But such instances in product marketing have traditionally been limited to a single color.

By using inks with complementary characteristicswith one set that goes from clear to colored, and another from colored to clearSethapakdi says that she and her colleagues are "finally taking advantage of full-color process printing, which opens up a lot of possibilities for designing with thermochromic materials."

The researchers worked with several visual artists to teach them to use Thermochromorph, and then solicited feedback and brainstorming about new narrative concepts and techniques unlocked by the tool, like color-changing postcards that could tell sequential stories in more compact, dynamic ways. One participant even plans to use Thermochromorph to make an educational science kit aimed at teaching students about sea creatures that change color.

The team developed their method to be applied specifically to "relief printing," an early form of printmaking that involves carving a design into a block of material, applying ink or pigment to it, and then transferring the image onto paper or another surface.

Sethapakdi says that compared to techniques like screen printing, relief printing is "more lightweight" and can be done with less setup and fewer materials, enabling a faster, lower-stakes iteration process. Artists that include the likes of Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali have used a range of related approaches in their work, such as woodcut and linocut printing.

"Our key contribution is applying these new materials to a traditional artistic process, and exploring how artists might be able to use it as part of their practice," says Sethapakdi, lead author on a related paper that was recently presented at SIGGRAPH Asia in Tokyo.

The color-changing component also need not come from an active external heating or cooling source such as a fridge or a hot plate; using thermochromic inks with lower activation temperatures can allow for more subtle thermal changes brought about by human touch. Sethapakdi says she could even imagine applying this new process to create interactive surfaces or dynamic analog "interfaces" that visually change in response to touch.

Thermochromorph combines digital and analog processes in the form of CMYK imaging and laser cutting, on the one hand, and on the other, manual printmaking and thermochromic inks. Fabrication involves four core steps:

Block preparation: Solid hardwood blocks are used for Thermochromorph. The blocks are laser cut and engraved with the desired design, and then rinsed with water to remove any leftover particles.

Inking the block: First, a thin layer of ink is spread evenly onto a plate using a rubber brayer. Then, the ink is transferred from the brayer to the woodblock.

Registration: A registration jig is used to position the woodblock to ensure the different ink layers are aligned correctly. The printing surface, such as paper, is then placed on top of the block and secured.

Printing the images: A printing press is used to apply even pressure across the printing surface and transfer the ink from the block to the surface. The hot image is printed first, followed by the cold image. (If necessary, additional ink can be applied to specific areas of the block to touch up the print.)

The three prints the team used to demonstrate their technique were a set of frames from a Batman comic, a label depicting a fish and its underlying skeleton, and an image of a male subject both in profile and viewed from the front. (For the latter, as the temperature changes, the viewpoint gradually shifts, giving the effect of motion.)

It's worth noting that Thermochromorph does have some potential limitations related to image resolution and print quality. Specifically, image resolution is constrained by the smallest dot size that the team's laser cutter can engrave. Techniques like screen printing would offset this, but with the additional drawback of needing more time and materials.

In terms of print quality, the pigments are not entirely invisible in their 'clear' states, which means that the clarity of the transitions depends on how thickly the ink layers were applied during printmaking. While this issue is intrinsic to the properties of the pigments, Sethapakdi says that for future iterations the team plans to explore different image-processing techniques to modify the overlay of halftone patterns for the hot and cold images, which may help to reduce these visual artifacts.

Sethapakdi and Mueller co-authored the new paper alongside recent graduate Juliana Covarrubias; MIT graduate student in media arts and sciences Paris Myers; University of California at Berkeley Ph.D. student Tianyu Yu; and Adobe Research Scientist Mackenzie Leake.

More information: Ticha Sethapakdi et al, Thermochromorph: Dynamic Relief Printing with Thermochromic Inks, SIGGRAPH Asia 2024 Art Papers (2024). DOI: 10.1145/3680530.3695445

This story is republished courtesy of MIT News (web.mit.edu/newsoffice/), a popular site that covers news about MIT research, innovation and teaching.
Freight Fried Chicken at Pearl's Bottling Department food hall is one of the Top 10 new San Antonio restaurants of 2024, according to Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter. Mike Sutter/Staff

2024 was a bookend year for San Antonio restaurant openings. Chef Nicola Blaque of The Jerk Shack kicked things off in January with Freight Fried Chicken at Pearl, and chef Stefan Bowers dove in under the wire in December with the brick-and-mortar manifestation of his cheeseburger fever dream called Pumpers on Broadway.

But for the years biggest restaurant openings, the time in-between belonged to Pullman Market, the culinary theme park that chef Kevin Fink and his Emmer & Rye Hospitality group opened at Pearl in April. Forty thousand square feet, four full-service restaurants, five walk-up food counters, a grocery store and one more thing: a recommended spot in the first-ever Texas edition of the Michelin Guide for its multicourse dessert experiment called Nicosi.

Thats the big story. But closer to home, Broadway finally woke up from the nightmare of road construction, clearing the way for a wave of local restaurant births and rebirths. On just one block of Broadway at Jones Avenue, NOLA Brunch & Beignets found its third forever home, the Asian renegade Hot Joy made the transition from Southtown, and Pumpers let San Antonio know what an Adult Burger Store looks like.

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2024 also saw big moves for another Michelin honoree when Little Ems Oyster Bar moved to the former Up Scale space across the street on South Alamo, and chef Andrew Weissman showed how lightning actually can strike twice with a new location of his burger phenom Mr. Juicy on Northwest Military Highway.

Lets acknowledge that 2024 was a year with way more stories ending than beginning, from the final goodbye of the citys No. 1 taqueria San Taco to a flood of brewery closings and the one-two punch of losing the Italian sister restaurants Allora and Arrosta. We've sorted out 25 of the years biggest closings here.

But for now, lets focus on the bright side. Here are my Top 10 new San Antonio restaurants of 2024.

RESTAURANTS WE LOST: 25 of the year's biggest closings

Dean's Steak & Seafood at the Kimpton Santo hotel is one of the Top 10 new San Antonio restaurants of 2024, according to Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter. Mike Sutter/Staff

10. Deans Steak & Seafood

Glass and steel; timber and stone. Thats the elegant dichotomy of Deans, the steakhouse that opened in August set in an 18th-century school building alongside the new Kimpton Santo hotel on South Alamo. The raw seafood bar shines with rows of shrimp the size and shade of hibiscus blossoms, king crab legs of truly royal proportions and neat mosaics of oysters. But steak comes first, both in name and practice. The perfect medium-rare sear of a bone-in rib-eye was matched by the undertones of cured bacon that come from dry-aging. 431 S. Alamo St. at the Kimpton Santo hotel, 210-759-7441, deanssteakandseafood.com

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The Newstand on Broadway is one of the Top 10 new San Antonio restaurants of 2024, according to Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter. Mike Sutter/Staff

9. The Newstand

The Newstand is an old-school coffee shop that opened on the ground floor of the Jefferson Bank building in April, a place to surf Wi-Fi and look through the days headlines on actual print newspapers. Its also a new-school artisan sandwich shop, starting with bread that begins with fresh flour milled right there in the kitchen. Egg salad on milk bread, the citys best Italian cold-cut sandwich on focaccia, a morning sticky bun cut from a 4-foot loaf of hand-twisted dough. Its a coffee shop, a sandwich shop, a breakfast place, a hangout where you can buy vintage clothes and curiosities, just the way founders Page Pressley and Dez Rodriguez imagined it. 1900 Broadway, Suite 106, 210-459-9779, thenewstandtx.com

Mare e Monte Italian Restaurant on Huebner Road is one of the Top 10 new San Antonio restaurants of 2024, according to Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter. Mike Sutter/Staff

8. Mare E Monte Italian Restaurant

From the first day he opened Mare e Monte in April, owner Prince Blakaj has pulled off something very few restaurant owners can do: He makes you feel like a regular on your very first visit. Part of being a regular is knowing exactly what to order. Mare e Monte paints best when it paints in shades of red: the dappled red of Bronx Pollo Parmigiana, the Christmas red and green of eggplant Parmigiana over sauteed spinach, the luminous red of lasagna Bolognese. Its a melting-pot moment of Italian, American and Albanian soul food. 9390 Huebner Road, 210-267-1233, mareemonte.com

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The sushi omakase restaurant Chika at The Creamery run by chef Jonathan Reyes is one of the Top 10 new San Antonio restaurants of 2024, according to Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter. Mike Sutter/Staff

7. Chika

To get to San Antonios newest sushi omakase experience at The Creamery, they walk you down a flight of steps at Amelia, through the speakeasy lounge Easy Baby, then down a hall to an unmarked door. Behind that door, chefs Jonathan Reyes and John Ramos act as chefs, emcees and DJs in a space more like a theater than a sushi bar, working their way through a dozen or more courses of sushi. Get ready for stories, get ready for fire and get ready for one of the best values in the city for a full-contact dinner experience. 875 E. Ashby Place at The Creamery, 210-201-6019, Instagram: @chika.satx

Pumpers on Broadway is one of the Top 10 new San Antonio restaurants of 2024, according to Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter. Mike Sutter/Staff

6. Pumpers

To follow chef Stefan Bowers on social media is to appreciate the work that goes into something as elemental as a burger shop. But this is a guy who goes all out, the way hes done throughout his time at Feast, Playland, Battalion, Rebelle and more. Pumpers started as a pop-up outside Little Death wine bar, with Bowers as Batman and chef Zeke Cavazos as Robin, saving the St. Marys Strip from everyday burgers. Theyre back together at this hole-in-the-wall that opened Dec. 22 on a resurgent Broadway block, doing double-patty cheeseburgers no napkin can tame, with rabid cocktails, Miller High Life beer and real beef-tallow fries. 1101 Broadway, 210-888-0666, eatpumpers.com

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Nixtamali Molino + Comedor in Southtown is one of the Top 10 new San Antonio restaurants of 2024, according to Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter. Mike Sutter/Staff

5. Nixtamali Molino + Comedor

You cant really call food that reaches deep into Mexicos regional culinary history new, but it feels like a wave at Nixtamali, the Southown restaurant that opened in June. Chef Arturo Fernandez explores the moles of Oaxaca, the carnitas of Michoacan and the cochinita pibil of Yucatan, paying homage along the way to corn and the transformative alchemy of nixtamalization to make tortillas, tostadas, panuchos, gorditas, even sweet pan de elote for dessert. His Pollo en Mole Verde is one of the very best plates in the city, and Nixtamali is the most accomplished Mexican newcomer of the year. 728 S. Presa St., 210-369-8170, nixtamali.com

Freight Fried Chicken at Pearl's Bottling Department food hall is one of the Top 10 new San Antonio restaurants of 2024, according to Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter. Mike Sutter/Staff

4. Freight Fried Chicken

Its been a big year for chef Nicola Blaque. Her Jamaican restaurant The Jerk Shack earned a Bib Gourmand designation for great food and great value from the first Texas Michelin Guide. And in January, she doubled down on the success of Jerk Shacks fried chicken by opening Freight Fried Chicken in the food hall at Pearl. With an assist from chef Lionel Butch Blache, Freights chicken is just as good. And completely different. Its a gluten-free moonscape crunch of corn and potato flour with seasoning that travels through time and space to honor the Southern women who chased down trains to sell their fried chicken and biscuits. All you have to do is get in line. 312 Pearl Parkway at the Bottling Department food hall at Pearl, Instagram: @freightchicken

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Pullman Market at Pearl is one of the Top 10 new San Antonio restaurants of 2024, according to Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter. Food options at Pullman include the Italian restaurant Fife & Farro, a quick-service counter called Burgers By The Butcher and a Sonoran-Mexican restaurant called Mezquite. Mike Sutter/Staff

3. Pullman Market

The best new restaurant honors come in three waves for Pullman Market: the market itself, the Texas chophouse Isidore and the dessert bar Nicosi. Well start with the market, from the Sonoran-Mexican influences of Mezquite and the handmade pasta and pizza from the Italian trattoria Fife & Farro to a Top 10 burger from Burgers By The Butcher and ceviche that uses the best seafood from the in-house fish market. Throw in a full-tilt bakery, a thoughtful coffee bar, ice cream with a gourmet pedigree and sandwiches on homemade bread with freshly roasted rotisserie chicken, and its a travelogue of taste without leaving the building. 221 Newell Ave. at Pearl, 210-759-0086, pullmanmarket.com

Isidore at Pullman Market at Pearl is one of the Top 10 new San Antonio restaurants of 2024, according to Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter. Mike Sutter/Staff

2. Isidore

Part two of the Pullman trifecta is the restaurant named for the patron saint of farmers, a designation the restaurant led by chef de cuisine Ian Lanphear takes seriously. They source from farms and ranches and dairies all over Texas for great grilled steaks and pork chops; seafood creations that included dry-aged snapper and pastry-style Southern shrimp toast; one of the citys best wine and cocktail programs; and desserts that showcase the talents of pastry chefs Jessica Salazar and Tavel Bristol-Joseph. 221 Newell Ave. at Pullman Market at Pearl, 210-756-7359, isidoresatx.com

Nicosi at Pullman Market at Pearl is one of the Top 10 new San Antonio restaurants of 2024, according to Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter. Mike Sutter/Staff

1. Nicosi
Mike Sutter is the Express-News restaurant critic. He can be reached at msutter@express-news.net.

Before joining the Taste Team in 2016, he served as a restaurant critic for the Austin American-Statesman and editor of FedManWalking.com. Hes appeared on NPRs All Things Considered, ABCs To Tell the Truth and written for The Guardian, Bon Appetit and The Wall Street Journal.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has recommended downgrading the golden-cheeked warbler's protection status from endangered to threatened. Kathy Adams Clark / Kathy Adams Clark/KAC Productions The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has recommended downgrading the golden-cheeked warbler's protection status from endangered to threatened. LISA KRANTZ/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Federal officials have recommended removing the golden-cheeked warbler from the endangered species list, a decision that could alter future debates about development in the Hill Country. It could also have wider ripples for protecting environmentally sensitive land, advocates said.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service this week announced the potential reclassification of the warbler from from endangered to threatened, following the completion of a status review of the species.

The recommended change is based on research that better clarifies our understanding of the species and its habitat conditions, and habitat conservation, the agency said in a news release.

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However, the review also found that the warbler and its habitat face ongoing threats from urbanization, drought and wildfire, among other stressors, and will continue to do so into the future.

The recommendation is only the first step in changing the warblers listing, which has been in place since 1990. If the federal agency moves forward with the change, it would need to propose and publish a rule, then receive and review public comment before a final decision. Endangered species have guaranteed federal protections, while threatened species arent automatically given the same protections without specific rules from the Fish and Wildlife Service.

To be classified as endangered, a species must be in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range, the service said, while a threatened species is likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.

Given the lengthy review process, including a public comment period, ongoing workload constraints, and other considerations, a proposed and potential final reclassification of the golden-cheeked warbler from endangered to threatened will likely be a multi-year effort, the service said in on its website.

READ MORE: Comal County aims to expand habitat for endangered warblers

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An embattled bird

The golden-cheeked warbler is a small migratory bird that nests in Central Texas in mature juniper-oak woodlands. The birds arrive in Texas in March and April, laying eggs and raising their young here before leaving in July and August to fly south to Mexico and Central America for the fall and winter.

Of the almost 360 bird species that breed in Texas, the golden-cheeked warbler is the only one that does so exclusively in the state, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The warblers use strips of cedar bark and spider webs to build their nests and they eat insects found on the leaves and bark of oaks and other trees, the agency said.

The species was listed as endangered in 1990 under an emergency rule. The federal agency said at the time that ongoing and imminent habitat destruction has been identified and some of the best golden-cheeked warbler habitat has already been lost.

The warbler's breeding range covers a rapidly growing region of Texas, where development and population growth have accelerated, putting the bird at the center of debates and legal battles.

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In the Hill Country, land has been set aside for the birds' protection, including the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge near Marble Falls. Special permits have been required for activities that might harm the birds, which has also resulted in land being set aside to protect the warblers' habitat.

In 2015, the Texas Public Policy Foundation petitioned the agency to remove the warbler from the list, arguing that the federal protections were no longer necessary.

Since the initial listing, new, thorough, and accurate data indicates the warblers habitat and population are much greater than the (Fish and Wildlife Service) believed in 1990, the foundation said in a news release at the time. Unfortunately, during its erroneous tenure as an endangered species, the warbler has been used to restrict landowners use of their property and jeopardized military training.

READ MORE: Feds OK swap of property set aside for endangered birds

The Fish and Wildlife Service rejected that petition, and the foundation and Texas General Land Office filed suit in 2017 and again in 2022, still aiming to remove the warbler from the endangered list. The land office is a state agency that manages 13 million acres of land, according to its website, including leasing those lands for oil, mineral and other commercial uses.

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In September, a federal court ruled in the General Land Office case that the service must consider the delisting petition again. That effort is still ongoing, the agency said this week.

The status review released this week cited a 2018 study that estimated the male warbler breeding population is about 217,000 birds.

The service recommended designating the warbler as a species with a moderate degree of threat and a high recovery potential. That classification means the species will not face extinction if recovery is temporarily held off, although there is continual population decline or threat to its habitat, the review said.

'Beyond just the bird'

Environmental advocates criticized the Fish and Wildlife Services recommendation, and said they plan to fight any change in status.

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In a joint statement, the nonprofits Earthjustice and Save Our Springs Alliance asked the agency to reconsider.

This decision is out of step with the best available science and may worsen conditions for the golden-cheeked warbler, said Sharmeen Morrison, an attorney with Earthjustices Biodiversity Defense Program. The warbler lost almost a third of its habitat over a recent 10-year period, and the services decision could open the door to even more habitat loss due to development.

The threat to the golden-cheeked warbler is beyond just the bird, said Britt Coleman, president of the Bexar Audubon of South Central Texas. Its really a threat to all of Central Texas.

Loss of the birds' habitat is also loss of an ecosystem that affects clean water, air quality and other species, he said. The golden-cheeked warbler habitat is what we value most about Central Texas.

He said arguments for delisting the bird based on population estimates are incomplete because the key issue is the ongoing habitat destruction, which is affecting the population regardless of its size.

It doesnt matter what the absolute number (of birds) is, what matters is the broader spectrum of whats happening to the environment that bird lives in, Coleman said. Habitat destruction is not slowing down or going away, he said.

He said the organization will be heavily involved during any public comment period on proposals to downgrade the bird.

We will rally everything that we can to make sure that we do everything we can to keep the golden-cheeked warbler from being delisted, Coleman said.

Annalisa Peace, executive director of the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance, said protections for the warbler have also helped protect water quality in the Hill Country by setting aside land from development, so downgrading the birds protections would have ripple effects.
James Rice, superintendent of the Albert and Bessie Kronkosky State Natural Area, walks in a creek bed on the property in this photo from 2015. John Davenport/San Antonio Express-News

One of the Hill Country's newest natural areas could open to visitors within the next few years, according to state officials.

Work is underway to turn what used to be private land into the Albert and Bessie Kronkosky State Natural Area. The 3,800-acre property lies on the border of Bandera and Kendall counties, about 30 miles northwest of downtown San Antonio.

The project's cost is estimated at $29 million, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

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James Rice of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department said the agency would like to get the Kronkosky Natural Area open by the fall of 2026, but said the spring or summer of 2027 is likely more realistic.

Plans to convert the property into a state natural area started in 2011 when Texas Parks and Wildlife Department accepted donation of the property from the estate of Albert and Bessie Kronkosky, a couple whose family roots in the Hill Country date back generations.

Natural areas are typically more ecologically sensitive and have more "unique features" than state parks, Rice said.

What we don't want is to say is, Well, folks right here, we used to have and over here, we used to have.. That would be a nightmare, Rice said.

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Rice said much of the $29 million will be spent on capital projects: an office building for park staff, a wastewater treatment plant and a headquarters building. He said only about 200 acres of the property will be developed.

The trail system within the park will be one of the most expensive items. The state agency won't build new roads within the park, but will reinforce existing service roads, he said.

Plans call for more than 25 campsites, seven small cabins, seven screened-in shelters and eight pull-up campsites, Rice said. There will also be backpacking sites where visitors can pull up in their cars, pack their goods and head into the wilderness.

Rice said there will be classrooms for visiting students, as well as a pavilion and amphitheater.

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Visits to the reserve will need to be booked in advance, Rice said. Daily visitors will likely be capped at a number similar to Government Canyon Natural Area's flow of guests, he said, which is about 200 a day.

We want to make sure that the visitors, when they come here, they're going to see thriving ecosystems and a place that just hadn't been loved to death, so to speak, over the years, Rice said.

Guests can hike and camp in the area, according to the agency. Limited mountain biking will also be available.

The area will be open seven days a week, he said, but certain sections could be closed during sensitive ecological times, such as the mating season of endangered birds within its borders.

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Gia vang the gioi tiep tuc leo inh khi tam ly lo ngai kinh te My co the suy thoai khien nhieu nha au tu dich chuyen von vao kim loai quy va vang la lua chon. Trong nuoc, cac doanh nghiep cung ong loat ieu chinh tang manh. Trong o, vang nhan vuot moc 94 trieu ong/luong - muc cao ky luc chua tung co.
Elizabeth Zavala covers federal courts for the Express-News. She can be reached at ezavala@express-news.net.

Zavala is a veteran reporter who has been a journalist for nearly 40 years. She joined the Express-News in 2013 and covered the Bexar County criminal courts for nine years. Liz grew up on the near West Side. She graduated from Fox Tech High School and Texas Womans University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in journalism.

Liz has worked in various reporting and editing positions at five daily newspapers in Texas, including The Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the Denton Record-Chronicle.
Oman International Development and Investment Company (Ominvest), a leading investment company in the region, has signed a $500-million facility arranged by Gulf International Bank (GIB) along with its partners ABK and Gulf Bank.

This agreement marks the beginning of a long-term strategic partnership between Ominvest and the financing institutions, aimed at driving growth and investment opportunities in Oman and the wider region, Ominvest said.

The deal will enable Ominvest to drive impactful investments and generate significant value for the firm and the economies it serves. The terms of this facility underscore the institutions confidence in Ominvest's vision and future prospects. This partnership is poised to not only accelerate Ominvest's ambitious growth strategy but also catalyze economic development in alignment with Oman Vision 2040, it said.

"Ominvest is one of the largest listed investment companies in the region and has been consistently profitable with an enviable track record of uninterrupted dividend payments to shareholders. This partnership with GIB, ABK, and Gulf Bank is a testament to Ominvest's commitment to driving sustainable economic growth in Oman," said Abdulaziz Al Balushi, Group CEO of Ominvest.

"This long-term relationship perfectly aligns with Ominvest's vision and provides us with the financial firepower to accelerate our strategic initiatives, capitalise on emerging opportunities, and contribute to the realisation of Oman Vision 2040. We are not simply seeking to grow; we are strategically positioning Ominvest to be a catalyst for economic transformation in Oman and beyond. Furthermore, as the global economy evolves, we see significant opportunities to leverage our regional expertise and partner with international investors seeking access to these dynamic markets."

Sanjay Kawatra, Deputy Group CEO of Ominvest, highlighted the strategic importance of this relationship: "This agreement with GIB, ABK, and Gulf Bank is more than just a financial transaction; it's a strategic alliance that aligns perfectly with Ominvest's long-term vision. It empowers us with the financial flexibility to execute our investment plan, pursue promising opportunities and accelerate our growth trajectory. This collaboration will not only maximize returns for our shareholders but also further solidify Ominvest's position as a leading investor in the region.

Sara Abdulhadi, Chief Executive Officer of GIB, said: "We are highly optimistic about the economic prospects of the region, particularly Oman. Having recently secured a license from the Central Bank of Oman, we see tremendous potential for growth and are eager to contribute to this dynamic market. This partnership with Ominvest goes beyond capital; it's about combining GIB's financial strength with Ominvest's deep understanding of the local landscape. We believe this collaboration will become a benchmark for how financial institutions can partner with local investors to create lasting economic value and opportunity, actively supporting Oman's diversification strategy and the goals of Vision 2040."

This partnership builds on Ominvest's strong track record of successful investments across diverse sectors. Ominvest has consistently delivered strong financial results, demonstrated by a remarkable 16.9% compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) in net income since 2001. The company's portfolio boasts high-quality assets across diverse sectors, with investee companies that are market leaders. As of H1 2024, Ominvest achieved a return on equity (ROI) of an average of 16.5% (annualized) and maintains a healthy cash flow with moderate leverage, the company said. - TradeArabia News Service
The Global Climate Finance Centre (GCFC) will hold its inaugural annual meeting on January 13 at the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW).

This landmark event will bring together global leaders from finance, energy, and policy to advance discussions on mobilising capital for climate action and driving sustainable investment at scale.

With the theme "Climate Meets Capital," the meeting will focus on translating COP28 UAE legacy initiatives into actionable outcomes, scaling finance for emerging markets, and fostering resilient partnerships to tackle pressing global challenges. As the first gathering of its kind, the event cements the UAE's role as a global hub for climate finance and innovation.

The agenda of the meeting includes keynote addresses, panel discussions, fireside chats, and project showcases, featuring a lineup of distinguished speakers.

Driving Global Climate Finance Forward

Mercedes Vela Monserrate, CEO of GCFC, will deliver a keynote on the Centres transformative role:

"We are not just building a hub; we are shaping the future of climate finance, creating pathways for scalable solutions that can thrive across the Global South."

Launched at COP28, the GCFC is designed to act as a bridge between the public and private sectors, focusing on making climate finance accessible, affordable, and available. By fostering innovation, partnerships, and collaboration, the GCFC is accelerating the global transition to a low-carbon economy and establishing the UAE as a leader in climate finance.

The GCFC, headquartered at ADGM in Abu Dhabi, is a pioneering platform committed to mobilising like-minded partners for climate action. With its focus on financial innovation, the centre bridges the gap between global stakeholders to address climate challenges through sustainable investment solutions.  TradeArabia News Service
Retal Urban Development Company has announced that it has awarded a SAR374 million ($100 million) construction contract to one of its key subsidiaries, Building Construction Company, for a key project located in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

As per the deal, Building Construction Company will be responsible for the construction of 285 residential units units at Murcia zone in the Khozam suburb of Riyadh, said Retal in its filing to Saudi bourse Tadawul.

The project will be financed through available facilities and off-plan sales proceeds, it stated.

On the financial impact, Retal said the project is expected to have a positive impact on the company's results post the start of the project execution during 2025-2027 period.

The entire work will be completed within a 30-month period, it added.-TradeArabia News Service
Sobha Realty, a leading global luxury real estate developer in Dubai, has announced a continuation of its special bonus programme for its employees, reaffirming its commitment to recognising their dedication and hard work.

In recognition of the unwavering contributions of its team members, the company has allocated an AED150 million ($41 million) bonus for employees not already covered by incentive programmes.

This initiative, which spans multiple departments, reflects Sobha Realtys acknowledgment of the collective efforts driving its continued success, said the Dubai developer.

Sobha Realty highlights the vital role each employee plays in the companys growth and success, reinforcing its commitment to fostering a positive and motivating work environment. This initiative aligns with Sobha Realtys core values of integrity, innovation, and excellence, reaffirming the companys dedication to its greatest asset: its people, stated the developer.

Sobha Group Chairman Ravi Menon said: "We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the essential pillars of Sobha Realty, the exceptional individuals who contribute their skills, passion, and dedication every day. This special bonus is our way of expressing gratitude for the resilience our employees have shown, especially pushing boundaries in the past year and making a meaningful difference."

The bonus, which was distributed in December 2024, is designed to provide employees with an additional boost as they prepare for the new year, he noted.

It further underscores Sobha Realty's recognition as a Great Place to Work, alongside its accolades as one of the Best Workplaces in the Middle East, one of the Best Workplaces for Millennials, and one of the Best Workplaces for Women, he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Belgian infrastruture major Besix has announced that its consortium with Plenary, an independent investor, developer and manager of public infrastructure, specialising in public-private partnerships, has achieved financial close on the Khalifa City School project in Abu Dhabi.

The project was procured using an augmentation procurement framework within the existing Zayed City Schools public-private partnership (PPP) Project.

Led by Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), the design and use of this framework to procure school infrastructure marks another first for the region.

Due to significant demand, the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) required Khalifa City School to be operational by August 2026, a timeline that could not be achieved via a traditional procurement process.

Through meticulous planning and implementation, ADIO developed a specific augmentation framework that enabled the schools infrastructure to be procured and awarded within a record timeframe of just 12 months, demonstrating ADIOs commitment to delivering critical infrastructure efficiently and on schedule.

This approach aligns with ADIOs broader efforts to attract and enable investments that support the emirates vision for world-class educational infrastructure, it stated.

The augmentation comprises the design, build, finance, and 18-year operation and maintenance of a new campus, which will accommodate 3,380 students in Khalifa City.

Early works commenced in July, with construction scheduled to begin shortly. The school is scheduled to be completed in time for the 2026 academic year, building on the success of the original Zayed City Schools project, which delivered three state-of-the-art schools on time earlier this year.

ADIO led the augmentation process in collaboration with the ADEK and the Besix-Plenary Group consortium. Besix-Plenary delivered a value-for-money solution, subsequently reaching commercial and financial close.

Equity financing is provided by Plenary (50%) and BESIX (50%), while debt is being provided by leading domestic and international banks Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, HSBC, Intesa Sanpaolo and Norinchukin.

Plenary Group Chief Investment Officer Paul Crowe said the augmentation deal underlines the flexibility of the PPP model and the ability to enhance value for money for the procurer.

"This project, and the underlying Zayed City Schools project, is a great demonstration of the strength and flexibility of the PPP model. The Khalifa City School is a brilliant result for ADEK and its future students and staff, and we are proud to have provided such a meaningful outcome for ADIO," he stated.

Peter Lembrechts, General Manager of Besix Middle East said: "Besixs strength lies in our unique combination of capabilities: equity investment, EPC expertise, and long-term operations and maintenance leadership."

"This integrated approach allows us to deliver successful projects at every stage, creating lasting value for all stakeholders," he added.

The Zayed City Schools project delivered three new state-of-the-art school campuses with a total capacity of 5,360 students earlier this year.

Elias Sfeir, the Head of Concessions & Assets, Besix Middle East, said: "Leveraging our combined financial strength, technical expertise, and a unified vision to deliver ADEK's and ADIO's goals for sustainability and innovation, this strong partnership will once more redefine possibilities and set new benchmarks in infrastructure development." -TradeArabia News Service
Bahrain has announced the opening of the Muharraq Ring Road, one of the kingdoms largest strategic road projects.

The project is part of the governments broader plan to improve connectivity between Muharraq and the capital through the upcoming fourth bridge, reported BNA.

The ring road was inaugurated by Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa at a key ceremony organised by the Works Ministry. He was deputised by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

Shaikh Khalid highlighted Bahrains ongoing efforts to upgrade infrastructure to keep pace with rapid demographic, economic and urban growth while ensuring safe and sustainable land transport.

These projects aim to improve traffic flow, reduce travel time and support economic and commercial activities, said the report.

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasised that the Muharraq Ring Road project aligns with the ongoing development in Muharraq, particularly its northeast, covering investment, tourism, commercial and residential sectors, stated the BNA report.

He later received a briefing on the proposed fourth bridge project, which will improve traffic flow in northern Muharraq and create new access routes, including a sea bridge connecting Al Sayah to Bahrain Bay, it added.
Abu Dhabi will host the largest editions of the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) and Naval Defence Exhibition (Navdex) 2025, along with the accompanying International Defence Conference, next month.

The exhibitions and conference are set to attract notable international participation, including senior government leaders, global companies, and prominent UAE-based defence firms. IDEX and Navdex will serve as key platforms to showcase cutting-edge innovations and technological solutions in the defence and security industries.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Organising Committee organising the events held a meeting chaired by Major General Staff Pilot Mubarak Saeed Ghafan Al Jabri, Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Organising Committee.

The meeting focused on reviewing preparations for the 17th edition of the exhibitions and conference, scheduled to take place under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, from February 17 to 21 at the Adnec Centre Abu Dhabi.

Organised by Adnec Group in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Defence and Tawazun Council, the meeting focused on ensuring the delivery of an exceptional edition.

Major General Al Jabri emphasised the significance of the upcoming edition in spotlighting transformative technological innovations, particularly those powered by artificial intelligence (AI).

He stated: "IDEX and Navdex provide a global platform to showcase the latest advancements in defence and security technologies, reflecting the UAEs commitment to fostering innovation in this field. Discussions during the meeting covered strategies to attract advanced defence technologies, the role of AI in enhancing the efficiency of national defence and security systems, and efforts to strengthen the UAEs readiness to keep pace with rapid advancements while setting global benchmarks in defence and security standards."

Major General Al Jabri highlighted that this edition will prioritise innovative solutions aimed at strengthening the UAEs defence capabilities. He stressed that these advanced technologies play a crucial role in bolstering national security and addressing global challenges. Furthermore, he underlined the importance of attracting leading global companies specialising in advanced defence and technology industries, with AI forming a central theme of the showcased innovations.

He added: "We recognise the critical importance of modern technologies, particularly AI, in enhancing the capabilities of the UAEs national defence industries and enabling them to compete on a global scale. IDEX and Navdex play a vital role in supporting these technologies and enhancing the overall national defence ecosystem, improving operational efficiency, and achieving advanced security and defence standards."

"IDEX and Navdex also act as bridges for strengthening partnerships between national and international companies, providing a platform to exchange knowledge and expertise in defence technologies. Our investment in these cutting-edge technologies reflects the UAEs forward-thinking vision to establish itself as a global leader in the defence and security sectors," he concluded.

Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group CEO of Adnec Group, stated: "We are committed to delivering an exceptional edition in every respect, in line with the vision of our wise leadership to elevate the exhibitions, attract leading global companies, and support efforts to develop the UAEs world-class defence and security industries. Through collaboration with all stakeholders, we aim to position the UAE as a regional and global leader in advanced defence and technology sectors while reinforcing Abu Dhabis status as a premier destination for specialised international exhibitions and conferences."

Al Dhaheri added: "We continue to enhance the exhibitions to align with their global reputation and significance. We have actively promoted IDEX and Navdex at international forums focused on the defence industry, particularly given the increasing global security challenges."

He highlighted that the previous editions of IDEX and Navdex in 2023 achieved record-breaking results, with total deals valued at AED23.34 billion. The exhibitions hosted 1,353 exhibitors from 65 countries, including 216 UAE-based companies, and attracted 367 official delegations from across the globe. The accompanying International Defence Conference welcomed 1,800 attendees, while the exhibitions drew over 132,000 visitors. - TradeArabia News Service
Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) has awarded major contracts to Chinese group BYD Auto Company and Saudi utility major Alfanar Projects for developing Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) with a combined capacity of 2,500 MW/10,000 MWh across Saudi Arabia.

As per the deal, BYD Auto, a key brand of Chinese multinational manufacturing company BYD Company, will be responsible for the design, supply and supervision of installation, testing and commissioning work of BESS as well as its maintenance, while Alfanar Projects will take care of the EPC work for the BESS substation.

Unveiling the list of BESS projects, Saudi Electricity Company said these will come up in the following key locations across the country - Riyadh (500 MW/2,500 MWh); Qaisumah (500 MW/2,500 MWh);

Dawadmi (500 MW/2,500 MWh); Al Jouf (500 MW/2,500 MWh) and Rabigh (500 MW/2,500 MWh).

On the BESS plants, SEC said it will provide load shifting as main application while providing black start, frequency regulation and voltage support application through a selectable part of the systems total capacity for the network at their respective Point of Interconnection (POI).

The BESS is expected to replace part load operation of existing power plants by charging and discharging according to the system load variations, primary and secondary reserve and shall also operate to provide voltage and frequency regulations, it added.-TradeArabia News Service
Nokia and stc Group have succesfully concluded the first 1Tbps (terabit-per-second) long haul field trial in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region.

Leveraging stc Groups live Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) terrestrial network, this innovative trial highlights the unique potential of Nokias sixth generation of super-coherent Photonic Service Engine (PSE-6s) technology in delivering high-capacity, efficient, and scalable connectivity for data centres, a statement said.

With the ability to significantly increase the capacity of the digital network, stc Group and Nokia are enabling faster and more efficient data transmission over long distances. With this advanced optical infrastructure, stc Group is well-positioned to meet future market demands and continue its supply of rapid and reliable connectivity while aligning with Saudi Vision 2030s digital transformation goals, it said.

The field trial transported 6 x 100GE and 1 x 400GE high-speed services over 1Tbs single wavelength across 850km, demonstrating the trusted performance and seamless integration of Nokias Data Center Interconnect (DCI) DWDM solution into stc Groups data center environments. Designed to seamlessly fit into the data center with advanced energy efficiency, the solution addresses the dynamic needs of AI/cloud services transport and will offer consumers across the kingdom improved network efficiency and performance.

Nokia and stc Groups collaboration sets a new benchmark for data center interconnectivity across the MEA region, in line with the kingdoms wider digital transformation journey. With ambitions to enhance Saudi Arabia's digital infrastructure, expand 5G coverage, and promote cloud computing adoption among other Vision 2030 goals, this collaboration is laying the groundwork for future-ready network infrastructure.

Abdullateef Alsenan, Infrastructure Design GM at stc Group, said: stc Groups partnership with Nokia demonstrates our advancements in building a future-ready network. This milestone reflects our ability to securely support massive traffic volumes, addressing the demands of cloud services and AI applications, ultimately supporting the Kingdoms Vision 2030 objectives. These infrastructure advancements are positioning the kingdom as a global leader in digital innovation and sustainability.

Carlo Corti, Head of Optical Networks, Middle East and Africa at Nokia, said: By pushing the boundaries of optical technology, Nokia is committed to trusted performance and proud to partner with stc Group in achieving this record-breaking milestone. Our Data Center Interconnect solution provides scalable, energy-efficient, resilient, and secure infrastructure to support Saudi Arabias ambitious digital transformation journey. - TradeArabia News Service
SICK and Endress+Hauser are bringing their strategic partnership in process automation to life: SICKs advanced gas analysis and flow measurement technology is now an integral part of Endress+Hausers comprehensive instrumentation portfolio.

The collaboration is designed to offer customers in the process industry enhanced support in increasing plant efficiency, protecting the environment and reducing carbon footprint, said a statement.

EXPANDED OFFERING AND EXPERTISE

As a result of the strategic partnership, around 800 sales and service employees from SICK will transfer to Endress+Hauser across 42 countries. The collaboration in process automation will allow customers to access a broader range of products from a single source and benefit from enhanced expertise in gas measurement technology. With its global sales network, Endress+Hauser will access new customers, reach additional industries and tap into further application areas.

JOINT VENTURE FOR DEVELOPMENT AND MANUFACTURING

The production and further development of the gas analyzers and flowmeters were brought together under the umbrella of Endress+Hauser SICK GmbH+Co. KG. SICK and Endress+Hauser will each hold 50 percent of the joint venture as of 1 March 2025. The company employs around 730 people at several German sites and will collaborate closely with Endress+Hausers product centers to drive product innovation and meet evolving market demands.

SEAMLESS BUSINESS TRANSITION

Hundreds of employees from both companies have been preparing for the smooth transition of the business in recent months. Now the gas measurement sales and service teams at Endress+Hauser are ready to provide support, and endress.com reflects the expanded range of products, solutions and services. Since 1 January 2025, Endress+Hauser has been exclusively marketing SICKs gas analysis and flow measurement technology worldwide. In China, the transition will not take place until 1 March 2025 for technical reasons. In Turkiye and Saudi Arabia, sales and service will be transferred to Endress+Hauser in the first quarter.

STRONGER TOGETHER THAN APART

This partnership is a perfect match, said Dr Peter Selders, CEO of the Endress+Hauser Group. It creates new opportunities for growth and development, particularly in the sustainable transformation of the process industry. By joining forces, we offer added value to our customers. Our combined efforts will make us faster and ultimately more successful than if we acted alone. In this case, one and one equals more than two.

EH gas measurement

OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

We are pleased that the strategic partnership for process automation is now starting. Together, we can better support customers worldwide and guide them into a sustainable future with leading technological solutions. We are convinced that the transformation of the process industry offers enormous opportunities for growth and development, which we will optimally leverage as strong partners, said Dr Mats Gokstorp, chairman of the executive board of SICK AG.

The CEOs expressed their gratitude to employees on both sides who contributed to establish this partnership. Above all, we thank all the employees who have made the process automation business strong with their expertise and commitment and will continue this success story with the strategic partnership, said Mats Gokstorp. Peter Selders added: We look forward to working with the people joining us and the joint venture to build something new and make this partnership a success.

FACTORY, LOGISTICS AUTOMATION NOT COVERED BY PARTNERSHIP

SICK is one of the worlds leading solution providers for sensor-based applications in the industrial sector. With 60 subsidiaries and shareholdings as well as numerous agencies, SICK maintains a presence around the globe. The company has over 12,000 employees worldwide and generated consolidated sales of 2.3 billion euros in the 2023 financial year. The core business of factory and logistics automation, which accounts for more than 80 percent of sales, will not be affected by this partnership.

FAMILY-OWNED COMPANIES WITH STRONG VALUES

As family-owned companies, SICK and Endress+Hauser share similar values and corporate cultures. The German sensor manufacturer and the Swiss measurement and automation technology specialist signed a memorandum of understanding in fall 2023 and a cooperation agreement in summer 2024.

SICK and Endress+Hauser have a history of successful collaboration on an order, project and customer basis. The gas analyzers and flowmeters are used primarily in waste incineration and power plants, steelworks and cement works, in the oil & gas industry, in chemical and petrochemical plants, and in maritime applications. These technologies are crucial for tasks such as emissions monitoring in flue gas cleaning and the measurement of natural gas and hydrogen flows.-TradeArabia News Service
Former US President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter attach siding to the front of a Habitat for Humanity home being built in LaGrange, Georgia. More than 90 homes were built in LaGrange; Valdosta, Georgia; and Anniston, Alabama by volunteers as part of Habitat for Humanity International's Carter Work Project in 2003. Erik S. Lesser/TNS

The San Antonio affiliate of Habitat for Humanity, one of the oldest and most active chapters in the nearly 50 years of the global affordable-housing network, is raising funds for a tribute home to be built this year in memory of President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn.

Planned construction of the house in the Rancho Carlota subdivision on the citys Southwest Side will begin in late April, with a dedication scheduled for Aug. 1. A family has not yet been identified to help build and live in the house.

Stephanie C. Wiese, chief development officer at Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio & Guadalupe Valley, said the Carters really put Habitat on the map as a national and international organization.

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The former president viewed his involvement in Habitat as a way he could put his faith into action, she said.

The Gonzales family poses outside their nearly completed home in the Rancho Carlota subdivision in San Antonio on Aug. 5, 2022. The Gonzales family was one of 17 first-time homebuying families who Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio welcomed to their homes. The local Habitat chapter, which uses volunteer labor and a commitment of "sweat equity" from the families to provide affordable housing, built 53 houses in Bexar County and three in Guadalupe County in 2022, despite supply chain issues from the COVID-19 pandemic. Josie Norris/Staff photographer

Former President Jimmy Carter helps build Henry Wills' new home, on the first day of the 2014 Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project. Hosted jointly by Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity and Trinity Habitat for Humanity in Fort Worth, more than 5,000 volunteers joined the Carters to help build or repair more than 100 homes in seven days. In Dallas, volunteers helped build 30 new homes and repair 20 houses in the East Oak Cliff neighborhood. Volunteers in Fort Worth built 20 new homes in the Central Meadowbrook neighborhood, and painted 44 houses as part of the City of Fort Worth's Cowtown Brush Up. Ezra Millstein/TNS

He was an inspiration for people who think they dont have a lot, that they can do what they can. They can do their piece of it, said Wiese, who met Carter in 1994 in Georgia while she was learning about the organizations development and community relations.

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The local affiliate and Habitat for Humanity International, based in Georgia, both were getting started when Carter was president from 1977 to 1980. The Carters got involved with Habitat in 1984, leading house-building drives domestically and overseas. The Habitat building sprees continue, with a Carter Work Project set for late October in Austin.

Former President Jimmy Carter and wife Rosalynn led Habitat for Humanity's Carter Work Project in Houston in 1998. Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle

They would go out every year and they would do the work, said Wiese, who recalled the former president as personable and super smart with a razor-sharp memory.

He once said, 'My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can, with whatever I have, to try to make a difference,' " Wiese said.

Sofia Vallejo, 9, jumps through the sprinkler with her niece Jasmine Vallejo, 1, as they cool off in the backyard of Jasmmines new Habitat for Humanity home in the Rancho Carlota subdivision in San Antonio on Aug. 5, 2022. Josie Norris/Staff photographer

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Holding his 1-year-old daughter Jasmine, Raymon Vallejo shakes hands with Bexar County Comissioner Justin Rodriguez during a celebration for Habitat for Humanity new homeowners in San Antonio, TX, on Aug. 5, 2022. Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio welcomed 17 first-time homebuyers and their families to their new homes at Rancho Carlotta on the Southwest Side. Josie Norris/Staff photographer

Habitat, a faith-based organization, requires a family applying for interest-free financing to put in 300 hours of sweat equity, and relies on donations, volunteer support and corporate and community partnerships to help them achieve the dream of home ownership. The international organization estimates it has built or improved homes for 62 million people worldwide.

In San Antonio, families assisted by Habitat earn well below the area median income, typically about $45,000 annually. The local affiliate, which merged with a small chapter in Guadalupe County in 2021, has built 1,427 three- and four-bedroom houses, with 67 more planned this year.

Amid rising costs for materials and skilled labor, it has seen the average cost of a home increase from $95,000 in 2020 to $115,000 in 2022 and $145,000 currently.

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Former President Jimmy Carter sent a letter congratulating the San Antonio affiliate on the 10th anniversary of Habitat for Humanity. Courtesy / Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio and Guadalupe Valley

The Habitat chapter has created an online donation page for the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter House, and is in constant need of funding, land and volunteer support.
Dubai International (DXB) is on track to welcome 4.3 million guests in the first 15 days of the year, setting the stage for its busiest January yet. Daily traffic is projected to peak on 3rd January, with over 311,000 guests expected, reported WAM.

With an average of 287,000 guests passing through daily during this period8 per cent higher than the same period in 2024 and 6 per cent higher than pre-pandemic levels in 2018-19DXB is operating at volumes akin to its busiest months ever, demonstrating its ability to meet global travel demand with efficiency and ease.

Additionally, Dubai welcomed 16.79 million international tourists during the first 11 months 2024 between January and November, an increase of 9 per cent compared to the same period last year when the number of international tourists reached 15.37 million.

According to Dubai Tourism Sector 2024 Performance Report from January to November which was released by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, the emirate received 1.83 million international tourists in November, 1.77 million in January, 1.9 million in February, 1.51 million in March, 1.5 million in April, 1.44 million in May, 1.19 million in June, 1.31 million in July, 1.31 million in August, 1.36 million in September, and 1.67 million in October.

During the first 11 months of this year, Western Europe was the top source region for tourists to Dubai, accounting for 20 per cent of the total number of visitors, with 3.298 million tourists, followed by South Asia with 2.858 million tourists, accounting for 17 per cent of the total number of visitors.

GCC countries came third with more than 2.5 million tourists, accounting for 15 per cent of the total number of visitors, and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Eastern Europe came fourth with 2.353 million tourists, accounting for 14 per cent.

The Middle East and North Africa ranked fifth in exporting tourists to Dubai with 1.933 million tourists accounting for 12 per cent, followed by North East and South East Asia with a 10 per centshare of 1.622 million visitors.

The number of visitors to Dubai from the Americas during the first 11 months of this year, according to data from the Department of Economy and Tourism, reached 1,117 visitors, accounting for 7 per cent of total visitors.

The number of visitors from Africa reached 791,000, about 5 per cent, and from Australia 319,000, accounting for about 2 per cent of the total international visitors to Dubai during the same period.

The number of hotel rooms in Dubai at the end of November stood at 153,390 hotel rooms in 828 hospitality establishments, compared to 149,685 hotel rooms in 820 hospitality establishments at the end of November 2023.

The number of hotel rooms booked during the first 11 months of last year exceeded 39.19 million, an increase of 3 per cent compared to the same period in 2023, when the number of hotel rooms booked reached 38.01 million.

The average length of stay for guests was 3.6 nights in the first 11 months of the year.

The number of available 5-star hotel rooms reached 53,977 rooms in 168 hospitality establishmentss, accounting for 35 per cent of the total number of hotel rooms in Dubai, while the number of 4-star rooms reached 43345 rooms in 194 properties.

The number of hotel rooms between one and three stars reached 29,701 hotel rooms in 278 hospitality establishments, while the number of luxury hotel apartments reached 13,944 rooms in 80 establishments, and the number of mid-level hotel apartments reached 12,423 rooms in 108 establishments.

The average daily rate (ADR) for the first 11 months was AED520, up 2 per cent compared to AED 510 in 2023, while the average revenue per available room (RevPAR) was AED 405, up 3 per cent compared to AED394 in 2023.
Emirates, the official main partner of Real Madrid, has unveiled a special livery on one of its Boeing 777 aircraft. The aircraft touched down in Madrid on January 7, flying the clubs first team players on a specially chartered flight to Jeddah ahead of the Spanish Super Cup tournament taking place from January 8 to 12.

Emirates has been a proud partner of Real Madrid since 2011, and became the clubs jersey sponsor in 2013.

The airline will remain as the Official Main Sponsor of the Spanish club until 2026  making it the longest jersey sponsorship in La Liga history.

The striking decal features some of the clubs top players, including Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Luka Modric, Jude Bellingham, Lucas Vazquez and Federico Valverde.

Over the past decade, Emirates has offered fans a chance to connect with legendary players, enjoy exclusive experiences and fly better moments.

Taking the partnership to new heights  Real Madrid fans can now catch their favourite team soaring through the skies as the special Boeing 777 is scheduled to serve Athens, Vienna, Miami, Seattle, and Kuwait, amongst other cities.

Emirates launched operations to Madrid in 2010 and the airline currently serves the city with a double daily service  utilising a fleet mix of A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft.

As part of its multi-billion dollar retrofit programme Emirates has rolled out 36 fully refurbished aircraft (26 A380s and 10 Boeing 777s) with new interiors including the highly lauded Premium Economy cabin. The airline also recently welcomed its first A350 to its growing fleet, and today serves Edinburgh, Kuwait and Bahrain, with other cities set to receive its latest generation aircraft in the coming days. -TradeArabia News Service
PRESIDENT of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS) Pandits Parishad (council of pandits) Pt Navin Omadath Maharaj supports the call by Hindus to declare the festival of Phagwa a public holiday.

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

Phagwa, also known as Holi, will be observed at several locations across the nation on Sunday. The Hindu festival is popularly known as the festival of colour.
The Tucson City Council has approved plans to build a toilet-to-tap-water plant with up to $86.7 million in federal funds.

Mayor Regina Romero and councilmembers accepted the agreement, negotiated by Tucson Water and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, to build the plant by a 7-0 vote Tuesday night.

Under the agreement, the bureau will pay the city up to $86.7 million to build the advanced water purification direct potable reuse demonstration facility before 2032.

Once finished, the plant will convert about 2.5 million gallons a day of treated wastewater from the Pima County-run Tres Rios wastewater plant into drinkable water, the Star previously reported.

That 2.5 million gallons represents between 2% and 5% of the citys total drinking water supply, Tucson Water Director John Kmiec said.

Councilman Kevin Dahl called it a monumental agreement that will provide a new source, from an old source, of potable, drinkable water.

Desert cities need water from every single source, and I wanted to point out that this is available to us because Tucson does so much water conservation, Dahl said. That has allowed us to make some money, selling back the water to other users, and in this case were trading water for new infrastructure.

Water conservation is key. As we negotiate for things, we need to negotiate for more water conservation. Theres more we can do, said Dahl.

In return, Tucson is agreeing to leave about 56,000 acre-feet of its Central Arizona Project water supply from the Colorado River in Lake Mead over a decade.

The CAP water savings the city is accepting in return for money to build the wastewater plant will be on top of 110,000 acre-feet of CAP water Tucson already agreed to leave in the lake in calendar years 2023, 2024 and 2025 in return for additional compensation.

Another part of the agreement approved Tuesday night puts the city on the hook for leaving another 50,000-acre feet of CAP water in the lake in return for another $20 million in federal funding.

A northwest-side area was chosen for the plant location in part because those residents have lost a major portion of their local supply due to the shutdown of a number of drinking wells in that area due to contamination by the forever chemicals known as PFAS compounds.

For that reason, in November 2023 the Environmental Protection Agency invested $30 million into building a second water treatment facility for northwest-Tucson water wells, after city officials began testing them a few years prior and identified more than two dozen wells that had to be shut down due to PFAS chemicals found in the water.

The citys One Water long-range water plan, adopted about a year ago, called for the utility to build small, pilot wastewater-for-drinking projects as a possible preview for building a larger plant to serve water for more people.

Currently, recycled wastewater from the Tres Rios plant is dumped into the Santa Cruz River, where it eventually leaves the Tucson area by flowing downstream into Pinal County, Kmiec said.

Around the West, many cities including Phoenix and Scottsdale now are actively studying or planning to build wastewater-to-drinking plants as a way of replacing other supplies such as groundwater and Colorado River water that have diminished in recent years due to drought and over-pumping.

The northwest-side facility is possible in part because the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality adopted regulations last year that authorize local entities to treat wastewater for drinking through a method known as direct potable reuse.
PHOENIX  A Republican lawmaker has decided Democrats were right all along: Its not fair to have ballot order determined by who won the last governors race.

But Scottsdale Rep. Alexander Kolodin also acknowledges that the fact theres now a Democrat in the top office  and a prior GOP advantage has disappeared  has at least something to do with his new proposal to change the system.

His House Bill 2045 would require that the order of candidates for each race on the general election ballot be rotated among voting precincts in each county so that each party gets an equal chance of being in the first position.

The current system  the one based on who won the last governors race  meant that in the 2022 election Republicans were listed ahead of Democrats in all races in 11 of the states 15 counties where Republican Doug Ducey outpolled Democrat David Garcia for governor. That included Maricopa County, which has more voters than the other 14 counties combined.

The Democratic National Committee and its allies thought that system so unfair that they filed suit in 2019 asking a federal judge to rule it illegal.

To back their arguments, they cited research from a political science professor who estimated that first-listed candidates get an average advantage of 2.2 percentage points. The margin can reach 5.6 percentage points, said that professor, Jonathan Rodden.

That explains why Arizona law requires rotation of names on primary election ballots, said Democrats attorney Sarah Gonski. She urged U.S. District Court Judge Diane Humetewa to extend that rotation to general elections.

The judge declined, and the DNC had no better luck going all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

But now, Kolodin says they have a point.

It provides statistical advantage to the group of candidates listed first, he said Wednesday  exactly what the Democrats were arguing in court.

So whats changed?

One thing is that Democrat Katie Hobbs beat Republican Kari Lake in the 2022 gubernatorial race. That meant Democrats got top billing in the 2024 election in five counties, including Maricopa and Pima, where three out of every four registered voters reside.

That would be repealed, and replaced by the system of random rotation, if the Republican-controlled Legislature approves Kolodins plan and the governor signs it.

Kolodin conceded there is some political motivation behind his move to have the Legislature revamp the law versus having it decided by a federal judge.

He said Humetewa was right in concluding it was not the role of the courts to make such decisions.

Thats the role of the Legislature, he said, which then  and now  has been controlled by Republicans.

The Legislature saw fit to, fairly in my view, provide that advantage to the party that had won the governors office, he said of the law in place when Ducey won his races for governor.

Put another way, Kolodin said, Republican lawmakers had every right to set up a system designed to benefit their candidates.

Its not fair to take that advantage away from a political party in the middle of a gubernatorial term, he said, saying the GOP, having won 11 counties in 2018, including Maricopa, was entitled to get the prize of first position in future elections.

And you get to keep that prize for the four years, Kolodin said.

Anyway, he said, its not like hes trying to take away the current Democratic advantage  at least not right away.

It doesnt take effect until 2027, he said.

What that means, he said, is that even if his measure becomes law, Democratic candidates still will be listed first in the five affected counties for the upcoming election. Thats the one in which Hobbs herself will be up for a new term.
Vietnam will continue facilitating business and investment activities of foreign investors, including those from the U.S., Party General Secretary To Lam affirmed at a reception in Hanoi on Tuesday for founder and chairman of Berggruen Holdings and Berggruen Institute Nicholas Berggruen and director of the Weatherhead East Asian Institute at Columbia University Nguyen Thi Lien Hang.

He also stressed that the Southeast Asian nation attaches great importance to Vietnam-U.S. cooperation in education, cultural, and people-to-people exchanges.

Vietnam always treasures its ties with the U.S., expecting to deepen bilateral cooperation to benefit the peoples and enterprises of both nations, Party chief Lam underlined.

He appreciated the impressive performance of the Vietnam-U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, significantly supported by both nations businesses, scholars, and people.

The Party leader suggested that Berggruen and Hang continue exploring new investment and research opportunities in Vietnam, and effectively implement cooperation agreements between Columbia University and Vietnamese universities.

He underscored that Vietnam is working to become a developing and upper-middle-income country by 2030, and a developed and high-income nation by 2045, as set by the 13th National Party Congress.

Therefore, Vietnam is persistent on its path toward building an independent and self-reliant economy, while embracing extensive global integration.

In addition, he highlighted the key role of science-technology, innovation, and high-quality human resources in enhancing national competitiveness and ensuring sustainable development.

Berggruen and Hang expressed their pleasure at Vietnams achievements and positive progress over the past few years in the Vietnam-U.S. relations.

They highly valued the vision of Vietnamese leaders and Party General Secretary Lam.

The guests were committed to actively throwing their support behind efforts toward strengthening the bilateral ties and pushing suitable investment opportunities, as well as helping Vietnam fulfill its goals.

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